Special Note: The end of the school year is the end of HP books, but since I'm not Jo, my story isn't over once they board the train for London. Hope you'll enjoy the places they'll go! The Shakespeare quotes are from The Merchant of Venice and A Midsummer's Night Dream respectively.
Chapter 48- Love and Madness
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Draco bent low over his broomstick as he soared across Hogwarts Lake. Casting off lingering uneasiness over his father's plans, he enjoyed the illusion of freedom that flying gave. After today's ride back to London, he hoped his biggest concern would be finding ways to see Ginny over the summer.
His lips curved. Interrogating Parkinson the day after the Ball had revealed that Montague had given information in lieu of the physical intimacy Pansy had expected of her new boyfriend. 'Milty' Sr. had bragged in a letter about the raven's escape, but had not confided who the Animagus was. Draco remembered the pug-faced girl's look of frustration and smiled, although his lips remained closed.
Early morning rays sparkled on the water, turning it golden. The air was cool and invigorating. Ahead, ducks flew in V formation, reminding him of the way Slytherin lined up to get the Quaffle.
A raucous caw echoed.
Draco pulled eyes narrowing as he searched for the source of the call. To the left, a raven circled slowly over the Forbidden Forest. Face hardening with determination, he gave chase.
The raven glided on the air, wings outstretched. Another caw sounded. This one struck the listener as taunting. Abruptly, the bird's wings folded, sending the raven hurtling down into the forest. One hand gripping his wand, he followed. Draco pursued the flash of black in the same manner he did a snitch, avoiding obstacles in his path while keeping an eye fixed on his target.
The leafy branches of the trees gave way to an obstacle course of broad trunks. Leaning to the left and right in turn to avoid collision, he kept the raven in sight and plunged lower into the murky wood.
Deep into the forest, where the trees grew so closely together that flying became hazardous and the hazy light of the upper canopy darkened into shadow, the bird landed in a small clearing. Following suit, he raised his wand. Blue-white light shot out and struck the raven.
Bound by the Animagi transformation spell, the bird became a petite woman with raven-black hair. Her eyes slid over Draco in a way that made him almost physically sick.
"Niño, you don't look happy to see me." Marisol's laughter caused his fingers to tighten on the wand, fighting the urge to hex. She said, "Your father wrote to me, asking that I use my…special abilities…to do him a favour."
"A favour." His tone was kept as expressionless as his face. "What did he promise you in return?"
The smile that parted blood-red lips was pure evil. A Slytherin inner voice hissed for him to curse now and leave her body for the denizens of the forest to dispose of.
"After I remove an impediment…or two…Lucius promised to return you to my loving arms." While he was trying to absorb the information without outwardly reacting, she purred, "A wilful boy like you needs a strong wife, mi amor."
"Dolore," he said through his teeth, watching the Spanish witch fall to the ground. 'To be in pain' was a curse his father had learnt from Snape. It wasn't Unforgivable, since it caused excruciating agony for short periods of time, but had no debilitating side effects. Draco had suffered its brutal effectiveness himself. Hoping Marisol would be just as leery of earning future torment, he said, "Finite Incantatem," and threatened as the woman lay shuddering, "Next time, I may not break the spell."
She began to laugh. Rising to her feet, the witch swayed and licked her lips. "If only I had known you could make me hurt so good, I would have fought to keep you, lover."
Out of the forest came faint clicking sounds. Draco shifted uneasily as the woman tilted her head to listen.
Marisol said, "Lucius also wanted you to have a taste of fear, so that you will give him proper respect in the future. Hasta luego." She shifted into a raven and flew away before Draco had decided what to do with the woman or the knowledge.
He lifted his wand and gritted, "Lumos" to see into the shadows. Climbing onto his broom, the boy began to rise in a vertical lift. About ten meters above the ground, Draco came face to face with a giant spider. Long, hairy legs dangled from the massive body hanging suspended from a cable-like thread. The clicking sound came from pincers shining black and deadly. "Abhorrere!" he yelled, hurling the spell at the red-eyed monstrosity.
The spider baked away under the influence of the Aversion Charm, but the forest began to reverberate with the noise of countless pincers clicking. Draco lifted so rapidly he almost lost consciousness. Bursting through the canopy with only a few cuts and scrapes to show for his misadventure, he held onto his broomstick for dear life and flew toward school.
Once back onto the grounds of Hogwarts, he returned his broomstick to the shed and hurried back to the castle. Inside the entry, luggage was stacked in readiness for the return journey to London. Catching the sidelong looks his appearance gathered, he hurried into the nearest lavatory.
His image in the mirror was shocking. Leaves and cobwebs stuck to his hair and clothing. A fingertip-length gash marred his cheekbone and trickled blood down his face.
After cleansing with water and spells, he ran cold water into a washbasin, plunged his face into it and held his breath. Lifting his head after a minute, the boy shook the water out of his eyes and met the incredulous gaze of Colin Creevey.
"What the hell are you doing, Malfoy?" The boy sounded genuinely confused.
"Waking up, not that it's any of your business, Creevey. Where's Ginny?"
"In the Hall, eating breakfast. Why?" Colin sounded suspicious.
Not bothering to respond, Draco stalked out of the lavatory. He was relieved that Ginny was all right and determined to keep her that way. Striding away from the Hall, Draco saw Goyle lumbering toward him with a big smile on his face.
"George came back, boss! He flapped at the window and hopped onto my arm and didn't hurt me or nothing. He even let me pat his feathers and give him some water before he flew away. Wasn't that ace?"
A beefy hand grasped Goyle's shoulder and spun him around. Crabbe, looking furious, shoved his best mate against the wall. "I told you George was bad. I told you not to let him in. He took the drawing Malfoy keeps on his desk!"
Draco forced himself not to panic—or wince when he deflected Vincent's punch. He told the two, "Don't say a word about 'George' to anyone. Not your girlfriends, not your family, no one. Do you understand?" They nodded. He clapped their shoulders with a tight smile. "Go have breakfast. I'll see you later on the train."
They galumphed toward the Hall. He raked a hand through hair that was nowhere near perfection and turned again toward the main corridor. Something dropped onto his shoulder and ran down his arm. Shuddering and cursing, he shook off the arachnid and lifted his wand to blast the little bastard.
"No use of magic outside class, Mr. Malfoy." Professor Snape stood a few metres away, eyes narrowed and searching.
Wracked by another convulsive shiver, Draco said with loathing, "I hate spiders."
"Is there a reason for this recently developed antipathy to arachnids?" Snape's voice was smoothly persuasive.
Resisting the urge to meet his Head of House's fathomless gaze, Draco shook his head. "No, sir."
For several taut moments, the man waited for further explanation. When none was forthcoming, he clipped, "Very well. Good bye, Mr. Malfoy."
"Goodbye, sir." When the man had turned to resume his journey to the dungeons, he said, "Professor Snape…."
"Yes, Draco?" The man's tone was inviting.
"Where would you recommend I go for summer holiday?" he asked, in hope that Snape would understand the true question. Was there any place he could be free of his father's malevolent influence?
"Abroad." The dry voice contained a note of sardonic humour. "Miss Zabini asked me about Romania several days ago."
Staring after the retreating figure, Draco frowned. Romania? Back in Slytherin House, Blaise was sitting with her friends on a sofa. He caught her eye and gestured imperiously. She jumped up and hurried over, causing Fiona and Morrigan to decry her caving to chauvinism.
"What's wrong?" Dark, worried eyes searched his carefully blank expression.
"Come upstairs." He didn't want to explain with Pansy and Millicent straining their ears to eavesdrop nearby. Inside his room, Draco slammed the door shut. "Why didn't you tell me that you went to see Snape?"
She placed a hand on his arm. "I was waiting until I checked things out, had a plan."
He shook his head in frustration. "If you've got a plan, I want to hear about it." He began to pace. "I've just come back from a jaunt into the Forbidden Forest, where a bad bird turned into an evil woman. Marisol. The bitch told me father promised she would be my wife if she removed an impediment…or two…." His hands clenched into fists. "Then she flew away to steal Ginny's picture while I fended off giant spiders!"
"Merlin help us!" She hugged him. "Is that how you cut your cheek?" Her fingertips rose to touch his face gently.
"I didn't do it shaving."
His sarcasm received a wobbly smile and a feeble attempt at humour. "You shave? Really? I thought you used depilatory spells to keep that smooth skin."
He gave a half-smile. "Snape. Spill…."
She took a brochure out of her shoulder bag and handed it over. "The day after the ball, Terry showed me his parents' letter. Several brochures like that came with it. They didn't just say, 'We changed our mind, you can go with whoever you like.' They made a deal. Mr. and Mrs. Boot lifted the House restriction, but he had to agree to spend his summer holiday abroad, participating in a Ministry of Magic Volunteer Corps Programme." She bit her lip anxiously. "We chose that one."
Draco scanned the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures brochure citing the 'magical opportunity' to serve as a summer volunteer at the Dragon Reserve and Research Centre in Romania. It sounded like they wanted unpaid labour to shovel dragon dung and sort through scales to him. He asked, "So Terry gets sent off to Romania. Are you looking to go with him?"
He stared when she said, "I want you and Ginny to come too."
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In Ravenclaw Tower, Luna listened to her friends chat while she packed her trunk, thinking how odd that none of her things went 'missing' this year. Perhaps the persons who seemed to enjoy hiding her things found someone else to prank. Placing her toiletry bag in last, she closed the lid.
Behind her, Cindy said brightly, "Well, Jason's waiting for me downstairs. I'll see you all on the train!"
The remaining girls looked at each other expectantly once the bubbly blonde had locomotered her trunk downstairs. Bindy asked, "Is our Scooby Gang still having one last meeting in the library?" Her rounded features lit up when the other two nodded.
Mindy said warningly, "Don't call me Scrappy, though."
After depositing their trunks in the entry, the trio retraced their steps and slipped into the library. Several inter-house couples were sitting at tables, talking quietly. Making their way to the restricted section, the girls found their boyfriends already waiting. Colin and Neville sat on the window seat while Wesley leaned against a wall, listening to the two discuss the previous night's Leaving Feast,
"I can't believe Malfoy didn't seem to care that Gryffindor won the House Cup!" Neville exclaimed. "He didn't make a snide comment or say anything."
"I saw him dunking his head in a washbasin this morning," said Colin. "He looked a mess." He shrugged. "I think he's got bigger problems."
Luna stepped to Wesley's side. He draped his arm around her waist. She leaned against him, using the warmth of his body to combat the chill she experienced thinking of what 'problems' Draco and Ginny might be facing. Unconsciously, she began to wind long, blonde strand around her finger.
Wesley halted her nervous gesture, kissed the bluish digit, and unwrapped her finger. "Don't worry, Bella Luna. Terry couldn't tell me too much, but a plan is in motion that will take our four friends away from…troubles…this summer." His voice was light in tone but heavy in meaning. She smiled.
Across from them, Neville said, "Hearing you mention 'a plan' makes me think of the one we came up with." He asked, "Are you still going to volunteer at St. Mungo's, Wesley?"
"Yes, I wrote my parents and suggested they make the arrangements." Wesley made a face. "They're all for my contributing to society and learning to consider others before myself. I figured I might as well serve where it will do us the most good."
"Excellent!" Neville beamed, and then said sheepishly, "I mean, if you're going to have to do community service, then that would be the best all round."
"What will you do there?" Bindy asked curiously.
"Push round a trolley of books or wheel patients from floor to floor, I suppose."
Wesley's words sparked a vision that made Luna smile dreamily while the others debated on the best time and day to start their investigation into the mystery of the gum wrappers.
She lay on the hospital bed, staring out the window and sighing. A gentle knock was heard at the door. The girl called, "Come in."
At first glance, she knew that this wasn't the dark, dour Healer she'd thought was making his rounds. This man was younger, with a smile as bright as his golden hair. Blue eyes in a handsome face twinkled. "Would you like something to read?"
Nodding, she watched the teen roll in a trolley. His gaze rested for an instant on the slender legs displayed by her hospital gown. She blushed, but didn't reach for the blanket she'd pushed away earlier. Pushing the trolley to her bedside, the boy with the nametag 'Wesley' gestured to the books. "What takes your fancy today?"
Her blush deepened. So did his smile, revealing adorable dimples. Boldly sitting on the edge of her mattress, the boy lifted a book. "How about 'Pride and Prejudice?" He glanced at her necklace and read the name, "Luna?"
She shook her head. "No, I don't go for the superior, sneering type. I liked Mr. Bingley more than Mr. Darcy."
"Ah." Wesley's lips quirked while he replaced and then picked out another book. "'Tarzan of the Apes' is a good adventure." He grinned at the way she started shaking her head before he was done speaking. He placed the book back in its former spot. "So the strong, silent type doesn't appeal either, hmmm?"
He reached for a book on the bottom shelf and placed it in her hands. It was old and looked well read. She looked at the portrait of a couple holding each other's hands while she read the title aloud. "The Princess Bride." Wesley continued to lean toward her after handing her the book. His face was very close to hers. The proximity of his lips was giving her ideas. Breathily, she asked, "Is this a kissing book?"
His dimples deepened. Slowly, he nodded. Her hands lifted and framed his face, closing the space between them until her mouth brushed his.
He smiled against her lips. "This is an awkward time to ask, but…what are you in St. Mungo's for?"
Her fingers sifted through his hair. "They say I'm loony."
He chuckled before his mouth covered hers in a kiss. She sighed happily when he whispered, "Love me to madness, Bella Luna."
Laughter brought Luna out of her imaginary world and back to the real one. She was kissing Wesley. Reluctantly, she stepped away. He ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek. "Daydreaming, hmmm?"
She nodded, burying her face against his chest.
Mindy sniggered. "That's a good excuse for random snogging." Luna heard the girl gasp and then demand, "Why did you grab and kiss me, Colin?"
"I was daydreaming."
Bindy made a smacking sound while kissing Neville on the cheek. "Me too."
Feeling less 'loony', Luna smiled at her friends.
Wesley wrapped his arms around her and said cheerfully, "You didn't miss much. Our little Scooby Gang agreed to owl each other and in a week, we'll visit St. Mungo's."
The four watching smiled and nodded. After the others had left the restricted section, Luna and Wesley remained. He led her over to the window seat.
Still pleasantly dazed from the real kiss that had paralleled its dreamy counterpart; she sat beside him, tracing his lips with her fingertips. Wesley gave her a look of droll seriousness. "Those books aren't going to see a soul for months. If we don't want them to despair of ever being read again, we'd best make sure to give them lots of hope." He grinned roguishly when she kissed each dimple.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one with an active imagination," she said, with what Wesley called her 'Mona Lisa smile'. His hands glided over her back in a way that sent a shiver of anticipation coursing through her body. His mouth enticed hers to open, his tongue exploring in a way that made her heart pound. Returning the sensual caress of his hands and lips and tongue, Luna's fingers rose to begin tugging on the buttons of her boyfriend's shirt.
Hours later on the train, the reminiscent smile on her face dimmed slightly when she finally noticed the tension underlying surface cheer. When the three couples had first boarded, Malfoy had gone to the Prefect Carriage while the others grabbed a compartment. Ginny and Blaise had been chatty, discussing the ball, Crabbe and Goyle's new girlfriends, and the possibility of getting together for dinner soon.
Lively card games filled the time until the food trolley came by. Luna thought Blaise bought far too many sweets and sandwiches until Draco returned claiming starvation and promptly ate an amount of food even Ronald Weasley would find impressive. Afterwards, talk became private conversations between couples.
That was when the strained atmosphere became evident.
Looking to her right, Luna could see Draco speaking in a low voice that kept Ginny's eyes riveted to his face. The girl nodded several times before resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes.
On the other side of the compartment, Blaise and Terry's public display of affection caused Wesley to clear his throat meaningfully. The couple smiled apologetically. Instead of sitting up from their almost reclining position, however, they used a Disillusionment Charm to become unnoticeable.
Wesley slanted Luna a glance filled with puckish humour.
Once the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station, Ginny left to try to find Draco, who was once again on prefect duty.
Blaise handed Luna a small present with a meaningful smile. "Just in case I don't see you until September, Happy Birthday." After enveloping her in a fierce hug, Blaise followed Terry off the train.
Wesley looked at the package. "Are you going to open it now or wait?"
They shared a smile of Ravenclaw curiosity. Untying the ribbon on the silver box, Luna carefully opened the top. She lifted out a small, square mirror and handed it to Wesley before reaching for its match.
His eyes lit up. "A Melusine Mirror" He said with a small laugh, "I've envied Terry his, wishing I could talk to you the way he talks to Blaise."
She nodded. "Me, too." Luna gazed down into the reflective surface. "Wesley." His face appeared. Gazing up into his grinning face, she said, "We're lucky to have such good friends."
He nodded and waggled his brows. "Even luckier, we have good friends with money to buy us expensive presents."
She giggled, not about to argue when she planned to enjoy her expensive present to the fullest. They followed the exiting students onto the platform. At one end, Ginny's family had gathered protectively around her. In the middle, Blaise blew a kiss to Terry before she and Draco joined their mothers. Luna noticed that Mrs. Boot's lips tightened at the romantic gesture, but otherwise pretended as if the girl didn't exist.
Wesley murmured, "What a lovely mother-in-law she'll make one day." He froze mid-grimace. She turned and saw Mr. and Mrs. Roberts striding onto the platform.
They waved and called, "Wesley!"
He smiled widely at his warm reception, kissing Luna on the cheek. "Thank Merlin my folks look happy to see me." After waving back to his parents, Wesley said, "I'll be seeing you in my mirror, Bella Luna, so keep it handy, all right?"
"All right"
Luna noticed her father the moment he stepped onto the platform. He looked older, more tired. Her stomach clenched. Was his 'friendship' with Ivanna Greengrass not working out? She rushed over, magically lightened trunk dragged easily behind her. She searched his face for a clue to his mood before kissing his cheek.
He smiled. "Hello, sweetheart."
In the car on the flight home, 'Lunatic Larry' didn't rant about his lackwit reporters or the 'Non Profit.' Instead, he congratulated Luna on her OWLs and quietly asked about school. When they reached Lovegood House, he ushered her into the library. Pouring himself a Firewhisky, her father nodded to an envelope on the desk.
"That came in the post today."
Luna recognised the loopy handwriting. It belonged to the aunt she had claimed to visit over Easter Holiday. In silent dread, she waited to hear what he had to say.
-
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Blaise brooded over the disapproving look Mrs. Boot had given her during the short ride to the Zabini London home. Why couldn't the woman give her a chance? Didn't Terry's feelings count for anything?
"We've arrived. Stop sulking and get out." Draco held the door while she climbed out, closing it with a snap. "Let's go to your room."
Narcissa heard her son and drawled, "See, Eddy? I told Lucius not to get upset over a little experimentation amongst friends."
Edina agreed and then raised her voice unnecessarily to say, "Go on up and do…whatever…sweetie darlings, but be down for dinner. Enrique's coming, and if his baby girl's not there to greet him, I don't even want to imagine his temper."
Neither did Blaise. She nodded her acquiescence and brushed past the women. Inside her room, she strode over to the cabinet hiding a cooling chamber and withdrew a couple of Butterbeers. She tossed one to Draco before taking a long drink. After she set the bottle on a side table, she flopped back onto the bed. "Do you think he knows?"
"About what? The deed, the money, Terry, or all of it? I don't know." He dropped down to join her in contemplating the canopy's embroidered depiction of a quixotic knight tilting at a windmill. "What will you say if he does?"
She turned her head to meet a concerned grey gaze. "I don't know."
His commiserating smile became one of relief. Draco sat up and withdrew the mirror from his pocket. "Ginny." His smile widened. "Home safely, I see."
The two traded assurances of well being and affection. Blaise's ears pricked when she heard the other girl say that she'd had a talk with her family on the ride home. Ginny's next statement was a pleasant surprise.
Not so to Draco, who stiffened. "Why would your parents want me to come to dinner?"
Blaise sat up to see Ginny's smiling face. "They want to hear about your brilliant plan in greater detail."
Eyebrows arching over the phrase 'your brilliant plan', she listened as Draco said, "What time?" Grey eyes shifted sideways when Ginny said 'Eight.' Receiving a nod in response to his silent question, he agreed, then slid off the bed to walk into the bathroom in order to say a private farewell.
When he returned to the bedroom, Blaise was holding up two dresses for his opinion. "What do you think? The demure white or the power red?"
"Red."
He followed her into the dressing room while she hung the dresses back up. The expression on his face reminded her of a little boy wondering if he would be taken to task for being naughty. She smiled. "I don't mind if the Weasleys think you came up with the 'brilliant plan.'" She patted his cheek. "It's everyone's plan, and if we pull it off, we'll all be brilliant" Reaching to stroke his cheek once more, she mock-frowned, "Getting a bit stubbly, mate. Better shave or spell that away." She pushed him toward the door. "I doubt Ginny's family want to see stubble burn all over their baby's face."
In the doorway, he paused. "Are you sure you can handle Enrique by yourself?"
His worry made her smile affectionately. "I'm sure."
Hours later, wiping clammy palms against her sheath dress, Blaise wasn't quite so confident, although she entered the lounge smiling. "Hello, Papa."
Enrique glanced up from the sideboard where he was pouring a glass of wine. "Hola, mi amada hija."
The way he said 'my beloved daughter' was worrying.
Edina sailed into the room. "Cissy says she's not hungry now that Draco's gone off to dine with friends." She lurched toward her husband and grabbed his drink, downing it before kissing his cheek. "Thanks, sweetie. I needed that."
Lean, intense features softened. "Have another, querida." His faint smile vanished when he looked at Blaise. "What have you been up to, niña?"
"At school? Well, we had loads of finals and then an End of Year ball which I helped bring about." She rattled on and on in an attempt to distract her papa from his original line of questioning. Her mother seemed dazzled by her rapid-fire commentary, but her father listened with an air of grudging amusement.
Drinky entered the room. "Dinner is served."
Gratefully, Blaise rushed into the dining room.
During the formal meal, she asked her mother questions about crystal readings and beauty treatments, to Edina's delight. They kept up a lively conversation until dessert, when Enrique declined tiramisu. He said, "Enough of meaningless prattle! I asked you a question earlier, hija, and now, I demand the answer!"
The dangerous glint in his eyes caused a quote to come to mind.
Full of vexation, come I, with complaint against my child, my daughter.
Pretending that the conversation wasn't likely to become a Midsummer's nightmare, Blaise imitated her mother. She asked, "A question?"
Edina said, "Yes, sweetie. What have you been up to?"
Blaise widened her eyes innocently. "What do you mean?"
Her papa stood and threw down his serviette. "La biblioteca…Go…" He pointed commandingly before stalking out.
Edina said, "I think I'll go see if Cissy's regained her appetite. Good luck, darling."
In the library, Blaise sat facing the broad desk. Lifting a file from its polished surface, Enrique said, "Since you pretend ignorance, I will speak." He smiled thinly. "Imagine my surprise when I went to close the deal on Sol y Sombra and found that the deed necessary to complete the sale was no longer in my possession." He leaned back in his chair, propping his feet on the desk. Lighting a cheroot, her father blew a smoke ring. He looked across and said ominously, "I could think of only one person who would dare break into my safe. You, hija."
The more upset he got, the heavier his Spanish accent became. Enrique sounded like his grandfather now. That was not a good thing. Determined to brazen the situation out, Blaise remained silent. Her father's feet came down as he faced her squarely, rubbing out his cheroot in a crystal dish.
"Once I accepted that my child had gone against her father, I naturally became…curious…to discover what else my little bee had been busy doing." He upended the file, scattering the contents. Wide eyed, she flinched when he threw a paper at her. "All the paperwork is here, but yet accounts have been emptied and transferred. Gringotts informed me regretfully that as you are of legal age and have been given charge of your finances, I am no longer to be privy to such information." Attempting to calm himself, her father took in a deep breath and asked after a long exhale, "Why have you betrayed my trust?"
Tears welled. Allowing them to fall unchecked, Blaise answered, "You betrayed mine. You lied to me about owning Sol y Sombra, about Gran Abuelo. I did what I had to do to protect what's mine."
Her father surged to his feet. In three strides he rounded the desk and pulled her roughly upright. "Strega pequena, You have nothing without tu familia, little witch, nothing!" Releasing her, Enrique backed away, raking his hands through black curls and shaking his head. "Basta…enough…this situation…this defiance of my authority…ends now." Curtly, he declared, "I have a business trip that cannot be postponed, but when I return, you will sign the papers my solicitors are drawing up and wrongs will be put right!"
Through a blur of tears, Blaise watched him storm off, yelling in the corridor for Drinky to andele and pack his things. Numbly, she picked up the fallen papers, placed them back into the folder and returned the file to the safe.
Upstairs, she crossed to the bedside table and took out her Melusine Mirror. Terry appeared almost at once. "I was just thinking about you." His voice sharpened. "What's happened? What's wrong?"
She began to cry. He said, "Floo to the office, Baby. I'll meet you there."
Soon she was stepping out of the Wizard's Bay Winery office, enfolded into Terry's arms. He held her while she cried and explained about her father.
He sat beside her on the sofa, clasping her hands. Quietly, he asked, "What do you want to do?"
She touched his long brown hair, stared into blue eyes dark with anger and determination, and smiled. "I want to be with you." Kissing him, she closed her eyes and allowed the sweetness of his embrace wash away the bitterness and pain. His arms tightened as she strained to be nearer.
Blaise loved her father, but she wasn't going to give up control of her life, give up Terry, for him or anyone else. She lay in her boyfriend's arms, meeting the passionate demands of his mouth with her own. Melting against his warm strength, Blaise panted when his lips travelled to her throat, "What you asked…on Summer Solstice…how about tonight?"
He pressed closer. "Right now?" Terry sounded amused and hopeful at the same time.
"No, I need to go back. Get a few things." She kissed him tenderly. "Will you ask your brother to cover for you?"
He nodded. "Yeah." Terry stood and helped her to her feet.
She cradled his face in her hands. "I'll be back soon. I love you."
The memory of the love he vowed in return kept her smiling while she hurried back to her room to shower, change, and gather the bag she'd prepared in anticipation of this day. Stopping briefly to leave Draco a note with instructions for Minky, she then entered her mother's room. Edina was in bed with a novel whose front cover depicted a blonde heroine being kissed by a pirate hero. Blaise smiled at the title, 'Inconceivable Love.' She said, "Mum?"
The older woman flailed about, screeching, "What? Who called me that horrid name?" Seeing her daughter, she calmed. "Oh, it's just you, sweetie. Come here, do." Eddy used her novel to fan her face. "I know it's silly to be overset by trifles, but to be called Mum is so terribly aging, darling."
"You'll never be old." Blaise refrained from adding mentally.
Her mother noted the bag and change in hairstyle, asking brightly, "Your hair looks fab. Did you use a hair growth solution? Are you and Draco going on holiday?"
"Yes to both, and…I'd recommend that you and Cissy go on holiday as well. Papa won't be very happy when he receives the letter from my solicitors stating their intent to protect my financial independence."
"Holiday? I can't afford to go on holiday! I already spent this month's allowance and now I'm reduced to utmost poverty!"
Blaise smiled fondly. "I'll pay for a month in a penthouse suite in your favourite hotel. Leave a note telling Papa to visit and then go." When Edina hugged her and kissed the air above her cheeks, she said huskily, "Love you, Mum. Bye."
Without blinking at being called a 'horrid' name, Eddy said, "Love you too, sweetie darling. Bye-bye."
Downstairs in the library, Blaise tried something she had never tried before. Looking into the mirror, she called, "Draco."
In a few minutes, his face appeared. A white-blond brow lifted. "Didn't know these things worked with others. Convenient, isn't it?" Something in her eyes made him demand, "What's happened?"
"I left a note explaining, but all you need to know right now is that I'm leaving, and I'm not coming back."
-
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The moment Ginny stepped off the Hogwarts Express, her family rushed forward. Mum enveloped her in a warm embrace as her father looked on with a smile. While her parents greeted Ronald in a like manner, Fred and George grabbed her trunk and led her away from the train.
"How d'you like our new threads?" said George.
Fred grinned. "Stylish, aren't we?"
They wore copper-coloured dragon hide jackets and trousers, despite the warm weather. She smiled. The twins did look fashionable. When told so, they beamed. Fred stroked his sleeve. "Cost us plenty of Galleons, but we're worth it."
George said, "Can't wear these at the shop, though. Peruvian Vipertooth is venomous, and teething ankle-biters love to gnaw on dragon hide."
Ginny pinched his cheek. "Aw, you'll be a good dad someday."
Her brother winked. "That's what Alicia told me."
George laughed when Fred added, "Yeah, right after she said 'once your extended childhood is over.'"
The two began cheerfully arguing over who was the bigger case of arrested development. Both wanted the title.
Bill strolled up. "Quit bickering and keep a lookout, you two. The Order's got operatives across the station on alert, but that doesn't mean we don't need to be vigilant." After hugging her briefly, her eldest brother scanned the platform. "Malfoy's way too obvious about his surveillance."
Ginny looked and saw Draco openly watching her. She smiled, returning his scrutiny. He looked so different from the other students, standing there elegant and handsome, with an air of confidence that most lacked. He was a prince among commoners. Unconsciously, Ginny's fingers lifted to trace her lips while she stared at the mouth she wanted to kiss. His lips curved in smile of male satisfaction.
She almost jumped out of her skin when Bill pulled her wrist down. "The Slytherin isn't the only one who's way too obvious."
Ginny pinched her brother's arm before turning to wave goodbye to Draco as he and Blaise strolled off to join their mothers.
The pony-tailed baby whined, "Ouch, that hurt!"
Fred and George were still sniggering and taking turns pinching each other and mocking 'Owie, it hurts!' when their mother bustled over.
She scolded, "There is no time for your foolery, boys!" Taking in their sheepish apologies, she gave a sharp nod. "That's better." Gently pulling her daughter into the middle of their group, Molly said, "Let's be off."
Ginny felt like a member of The Weird Sisters being hustled out of the reach of fans. In her case, the fan was a psychotic Spaniard looking to remove the 'impediment' to becoming the future Mrs. Malfoy.
Swept along by her protective family, she remembered a conversation on the train.
In a low voice meant for her ears alone, Draco told her about following the raven into the Forbidden Forest. She stiffened when he shared what Marisol claimed his father had promised. Instinctively, she tried to pull away. He said, "Don't."
She stared into grey eyes dark with shame over past mistakes. Ginny had seen that look in her own eyes after Tom Riddle had changed her life. Her heart leapt in her chest, remembering the forlorn way he had said 'Bad things are in the dark.' A rush of tenderness made her eyes tear up as she whispered, "I'm not going anywhere."
Ron's hand on her shoulder brought Ginny out of memory. They had reached the car. Climbing in to sit between Fred and Ron, she smiled when George leaned out to call, "No more room back here, Billy-boy. Looks like you get to sit with Mum and Dad."
Bill closed the door with unnecessary firmness. "I've decided to scout the station once more, check in with our people and then Floo home with the report." When the twins saluted facetiously, he gave them the finger in return. They broke into laughter.
Molly shook her head. "A fine example you're giving to your younger siblings. Go be useful and we'll see you at dinner." Anchoring her hat with one hand, she said to Arthur, "We'd best be going, dear."
Within moments, the car was airborne, the Invisibility Booster protecting them from the notice of Muggles. Ginny rather liked being invisible since it enabled her to relax without worrying that one of her family members would be scrutinizing her expression. For several minutes, she thought about Draco, about his plan for them to be together, safe, over the summer. She closed her eyes and became lost in a daydream.
Deep in a Romanian forest, a young woman strolled along a winding path. She smiled to see that the dappled sunlight filtering down into the woods attracted butterflies. Pushing back the hood of her long red cloak, the girl stopped to watch the colourful insects flutter up to the leafy canopy.
Her pulse leapt when she heard a voice drawl, "What's in the basket, Red?"
Whirling, she met the pale gaze of a two-legged wolf. "A picnic lunch."
The young man straightened from leaning against a tree, asking with a lift of white-blond eyebrows, "For Grandma?"
She strolled off the path. "For us."
With a predatory grin, he took the basket and placed it on the ground. He pulled her close and growled, "How about I gobble you up instead, Little Red Riding Hood?"
She giggled as he playfully rubbed his lips across hers.
"What's so funny?"
Ron's question broke into Ginny's fantasy, making her growl irritably, "Nothing."
Unseen, her brother said, "I probably don't want to know anyway."
From the front seat, her father asked, "Was Draco contacted by the raven again?"
"Yes." Ginny swallowed hard. "This morning, in fact, while he was flying."
"Flying?" Ron yelped, "How'd he get to go flying when all the brooms were locked up, eh?"
"Now, Ronnikins—" said George.
"—don't be jealous." Fred said in a singsong voice.
"I'm not jealous." Suspicion threaded the younger boy's tone. "And how come you two are taking Malfoy's side?"
The twins laughed.
"We always take the side—"
"—of new investors…." Ginny could hear the glee in Fred's voice. "That's why we're wearing dragon hide—"
"—and you're not."
Molly snapped, "Enough!" She modulated her tone to ask, "Ginny, dear, tell us about the raven."
Giving the edited-for-family version, she shared how the bird led Draco into the forest, transformed into a female Death Eater who stated that Lucius had sent her and that he wanted his son to learn proper respect.
Ron broke the silence that fell. "That raven will have to go through me to get to you, sister."
She thanked him, because the thought was sweet, even though the idea of Ron being her shadow for the summer made her want to start laughing hysterically. There was no way in the Wizarding world that she could stand such an overdose of brotherly love.
Ginny broke into the discussion her parents were having on who would guard her at what times with, "Mum, Dad, Draco has a plan to get me out of harm's way while the Order apprehends the raven."
"Well, speak up, dear. We're waiting." Her mother's tone was sharp with anxiety.
"If I leave England, in secret, an Auror, or operative, can use Polyjuice to be me and lure the raven into a trap."
"Where would you go?" her father asked.
"Romania. To visit Charlie."
"By yourself?" Molly sounded dubious.
"No, the Ministry is sending volunteers to the Dragon Research Centre to help. I'd go with them." Ginny held her breath while her mum and dad deliberated.
On her left, George whispered, "That's a brilliant plan, and I'm not just saying that because Malfoy's injected much needed capital into our flourishing enterprise."
On her right, Ron said, "Yeah, right, Galleon grubber." To his sister, he said, "That plan—I don't say it's brilliant, but it sounds good." Hesitating a moment, he asked, "Should…should I go too?" Although the twins repressed laughter when she immediately said 'NO,' Ron was obviously relieved. "Oh, okay, but I would've, if you'd wanted me to."
This time, her thanks were heartfelt.
When they reached the Burrow and clambered out of the car, her dad said, "Sweetheart, go in and owl Draco right away. Ask him to dinner. I want to talk with him in more detail about this raven woman and his…." Her father smiled in a way that reminded her of the twins. "Brilliant plan."
Ginny rushed up to her room and took out her mirror.
It was almost funny the way Draco's expression changed from relief, to romantic, to reserve within seconds. He seemed to think being asked to dinner was ominous. She teased, "Cheer up. They haven't ritually sacrificed a guest in months." He laughed, and the boyish amusement lighting his face caused her to murmur, "If you don't come, I might die from wanting to kiss you so badly."
His smile changed into the wolfish expression that made her heart slam against her chest, awake or dreaming. "Cheer up. A girl hasn't expired from lack of my kisses in months." Chuckling over her pretended ire, he smiled in a way that tugged her heart. "I want to kiss you badly, too. I'll Floo to the workshop, a little before eight, so you can save me from expiring."
The thought of giving Draco the kiss of life made her hum while practically skipping downstairs. In the kitchen, she happily informed the group sitting around the table, "He's coming!"
The twins exchanged looks. Her mum and dad did the same.
Ron asked, puzzled, "How could you know that when you haven't sent an owl?"
Ginny mentally slapped a palm to her forehead. How stupid of her not to go through the motions of sending an owl! Under the combined pressure of everyone's silent expectancy, she said, "Draco and I have mirrors that we use to keep in touch."
Several pairs and shades of red brows lifted, but no one objected.
Molly said, "That's an awfully expensive present." She added, "Thoughtful, as well." A gleam of interest lit her eyes when she gazed at her daughter, "Would you show me the mirror, dear?"
"Sure."
Hours later, waiting for Draco to step out of the workshop fireplace, Ginny smiled at the memory of her mother's girlish fascination with the Melusine mirror and her confession that she'd always wanted a pair, but finances being the way they were, sensibly put the notion out of her head. Next Christmas, Ginny knew what to recommend her boyfriend get her parents.
She threw herself into his arms the instant he stepped onto the hearth. The heat of his mouth was a delicious contrast to the cool fingers running through her hair and down her back. No one had ever made her feel the way he did, and she didn't care where she had to hide from Marisol, as long as Draco went with her.
It took several moments before the sound of clearing throats broke through Ginny's mental and physical absorption. Dragging her mouth away, she snapped, "What?"
"Uh, time to come inside. Dinner's ready," said George.
"Unless you'd rather we go back and tell Mum you prefer to make a meal of kisses."
Draco pinned Fred with a steely gaze. "Do that, and I tell the story of Angelina's panties."
George laughed. "I'd love to see Mum's reaction."
Fred clipped, "Shut up, Forge."
The twins left the workshop with Ginny and Draco following.
Molly declared that there would be no 'distressing talk' over dinner. Bill scowled when his mother told him his report would have to wait.
Draco was unfailingly polite during the meal. His table manners drew her brothers' attention.
Bill said to Ron, "He eats like a girl."
Ginny was surprised to hear Ron say, "No, he eats like someone with manners, and take it from me, girls appreciate it."
Her brother turned red when Molly demanded, "What exactly do you mean by 'appreciate it'?"
Arthur said, "Remember our Leaving Feast sixth year? I believe Ronald means something like that, love."
All eyes turned to Molly. She blushed to rival Ron.
After dinner, Ginny sat beside Draco on a sofa while Bill told them about the Order's operation and how 'The Raven' as they called Marisol, had narrowly escaped capture at the station. A half-hour into the story, she noticed an odd expression cross Draco's face. He stood abruptly and excused himself. When he came back, Ginny whispered only half-jesting, "Was it my Yorkshire Pudding?"
He whispered back, "No, my mirror warmed. It was Blaise." His eyes were troubled but he shrugged. "I'll tell you about it later."
While they had been privately conversing, Bill had ended his speech. Arthur shared Draco's idea about Ginny visiting Charlie while a decoy lured the raven out of hiding.
Her brother looked over. "Would you be willing to help us with this, Malfoy?"
"No. I won't be here."
Her brother repeated incredulously, "You won't be here? Why not? Where the ruddy hell will you be?"
Ginny smiled encouragingly at Draco while he answered, "In Romania."
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A/N: A chap with a cliffie every pov! I think that's a new record for me, lol. Couldn't be helped, so much to do, so little time!