You Set Me Free
By Duck Goddess
Disclaimer: Don't own anything except the plot and Leah.
eatingmania – Thanks! Well, I suck at writing battle scenes so I guess I could have used with more details.
HAM005 – Here's what's going on: Ginny and Draco had a fight so now she's pissed at him. Ron wants her to go for Harry. She hasn't done that yet because…I have no idea.
NikkiEvans – Thanks! You'll see Colin soon…
basketball15 – Why Colin? Well, all the Death Eaters and Voldemort know that he's Ginny's best friend. If Ginny goes to rescue him, Voldemort knows that Harry (being all heroic and noble) will go with her. Cue battle between Harry and Voldemort.
blackfox360 – Wow, didn't know it would make such an impact on people. Don't worry, you'll see what happens in this chapter.
Chapter Two
"We have to go see Dumbledore!" Hermione cried, "He'll know what to do."
Leah sat there, numb with shock. Ginny was pacing up and down while Harry, Ron and Malfoy were looking at each other worriedly.
"Hermione's right. You guys go to Dumbledore – Hermione and I have to stay here to help," Ginny finally said. It was their duty to help out when people were hurt since they took healing classes.
Harry, Ron and Malfoy nodded while Leah didn't do anything.
"Leah?" Ginny asked softly.
"He's gone," Leah said monotonously.
"Don't worry. We'll find him. The Death Eaters are too damn stupid to do anything without us knowing," Ginny said soothingly.
She nodded. She started running up to the castle with Harry, Ron and Malfoy right behind her. They got to the Entrance Hall and turned left to Dumbledore's office.
They reached his office and stopped.
"Er, does anyone know his password?" Harry asked. Leah and Ron shook their heads.
"Of course I do. It's skittles," Malfoy said arrogantly and the staircase appeared.
Dumbledore looked up as the four of them ran in.
"I assume you came here about the attack in Hogsmeade?" he asked.
"Colin Creevey's missing," Leah said bluntly. Dumbledore sighed.
"They're starting to attack muggleborns now. Just like last time," the Headmaster said softly. Harry and Ron exchanged glances. Hermione, they thought.
"Did the Order know about the attack?" Draco asked aggressively.
"No. The Death Eaters are starting to suspect our spies. They do not tell them anything," Dumbledore said sadly.
Draco frowned. Maybe they'll trust me, he thought, I mean, I am the good-looking, clever son of Lucius Malfoy
What would Ginny think if she found out?
Who gives a shit about what she thinks?
DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY! WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU? YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH GINNY, REMEMBER?
She practically dumped me!
Draco's angel rolled his eyes.
"Maybe they'll trust me," Draco blurted out. Potter, Weasley and Campbell looked at him in surprise. Dumbledore merely analyzed him.
"What?" Potter asked.
"I'm Lucius Malfoy's son. There's a good chance that they'll trust me. He's Voldemort's right-hand man. I can just act all evil and Death Eater-ish," Draco said simply.
"Don't you always act evil and Death Eater-ish?" Weasley asked irritably. Potter shot him a glare.
"But they'll probably ask why you didn't join them when you turned seventeen," Campbell said.
"Well, I can just use an excuse like: my father was in Azkaban and I was so overwhelmed with grief that I didn't think straight," Draco said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"You do know that becoming a spy is very dangerous, right? I mean, you could get killed if they found out," Potter said.
"Of course I know," Draco snapped, "Aren't you going to thank me for being all courageous and noble?"
"Thank you, Draco, for being so courageous and noble," Dumbledore said, "I think your idea is very good but…I'm not sure if you'll be able to handle it."
"Of course I can handle it," Draco said haughtily, "I'm Draco Malfoy!"
"Well, that's settled then. I suggest you join your peers in the next meeting and report back the next morning," Dumbledore said,
"What about Colin?" Campbell asked quickly.
"I'm sorry, Miss Campbell, if the Death Eaters have taken him, there is a very slim chance that he is alive."
All of them looked at Leah. She didn't do anything. Her face was expressionless and her eyes were cold.
"I won't take that shit for an answer," Leah said coolly, "I know he's alive!"
Dumbledore sighed. "I am sorry, Leah," he said.
Leah stood up. She glared at everyone before running out. He's alive, she thought, he has to be! I can feel it!
Ginny and Hermione rushed around, healing cuts and relieving pain from the victims. It was extremely busy and Madam Pomfrey had set up a tent for them to work in.
"Merlin, how many people are there?" Ginny muttered as she fixed a man's nose.
"Ginny! Don't say that! It will discourage them. Besides, the amount of people doesn't matter. Look at what happened to them!" Hermione hissed.
"Yeah, whatever," she replied, "You're okay now, mister. Next!" A woman with three children came along.
"How can I help?" Ginny asked kindly.
"We just have cuts but Annie here broke her arm," the woman said.
Ginny muttered a spell and pointed her wand at the little girl's arm. It glowed and her arm was fixed. She continued to heal the cuts and they were done. Ginny and Hermione finally healed everyone and they started to walk back up towards Hogwarts.
"How do you think Colin is?" Hermione asked gently.
"I don't know," Ginny said sadly, "But Leah's really upset."
"Poor her – I don't know what I would do if Ron went missing. She's so strong."
"Mmm," Ginny said. Leah was very strong but she did have breakdowns sometimes.
"Herm," she said, "You have to be careful. I think they're starting to attack muggleborns and you're a very strong target. I mean, you're best friends with Harry and all."
"I know," Hermione said softly, "You have to take care too. Harry's in love with you."
Ginny's jaw dropped. "Still?"
"Yes. He's crazy about you, Gin. Do you still like him?"
"I don't know. I liked…someone else before but I've been getting twinges lately," Ginny said.
"Well, if you do, be careful of attacks. It won't be the first one," Hermione said wisely.
Ginny frowned. How could she think about her feelings right now? Her best friend was missing and she was just attacked. But she knew that she did admire Harry – for his courage and how he cared so much about the ones he loved.
They went to the Great Hall and sat down. Harry caught her eye and she could feel her heart hammering as she stared into his intense, green eyes. But Draco was right in front of her. He was talking to Pansy Parkinson and from the looks of it - they were having a great time.
A green monster called jealousy surfaced in Ginny and she glared at Pansy. Should I forgive Draco? Dumbledore wants me to.
No! He's an evil bastard who deserves to rot in hell.
But he was under a lot of pressure…
Oh please! You can find tons of better guys out there. Harry's one of them.
But Draco's…unique!
So is Harry! He's the Boy Who Lived, for crying out loud!
I don't want to go out with him just to get back at Draco.
Well, then, you're just weird.
Colin opened his eyes slowly and winced at the pain in his head. If only Ginny was here. She could get rid of this goddamn thing, he thought. He sat up and realized that his hands and feet were tied together.
Dammit! Colin couldn't really remember what had happened in Hogsmeade. He looked around him. He was in a dark, empty room with few windows and doors. It looked familiar but he couldn't quite place his finger on where he was.
Leah! he cried silently. He suddenly spotted a photo. It had a picture of a family in it, waving and smiling.
Oh shit, Colin thought. He was in Leah's house. Memories came flooding back to him and it was all clear. He was the bait.
The door suddenly opened and Colin jumped. A hooded figure strode in and he immediately felt uneasy.
"You're not going to survive this one, Creevey," the figure sneered. He sounded familiar.
The figure took off his hood and Colin immediately recognized him.
"God, why is it always you?" he complained.
"Because I am the Dark Lord's right-hand man," Lucius Malfoy said smugly.
"Why am I in Leah's house?" Colin asked angrily.
"So THAT'S her name…pretty name. Leah. Leah Creevey if you ever get married. But you're not going to get married because I'm going to kill you first," Malfoy said.
Colin rolled his eyes.
"It's the one of the well-protected houses in England," Malfoy droned, "But it didn't stop us. We marched in and we killed them straight." Colin's jaw dropped. Leah's parents were dead? But Tim Campbell was one of the best Aurors ever!
"And he calls himself a good fighter," Malfoy scoffed, "I wouldn't say that with the fight he put up."
"Shut up!" Colin growled.
"Defending your girlfriend's father, eh? Well, she's coming soon and you'll be reunited. It'll be sappy and you'll have a tragic death."
Colin's jaw clenched. How the hell could he stop Leah from coming? She was too bloody stubborn and determined. We're going to die.
A/N: Please review! I know, Dumbledore's kind of OOC.
Originally written: July 2005