Draco still hadn't decided. Did he want to warn his father, or Merlin-forbid, did he want to save Mrs.Weasley? Either way, he knew he had to get to Number 12 Grimmauld Place.
That woman has never done anything for you. You're a Malfoy. A servant of the Dark Lord is what you're supposed to be.
But I'm Draco Malfoy. I'm nobody's servant.
What's the shame in being a servant of the greatest wizard of the century? Father always said... but wait... no.
Why do I always have to listen to him? He's... he's no real father of mine. Fathers don't throw their sons in dungeons. Fathers don't sneer when you're screaming in pain.
Fathers love you.
He looked over his shoulder. Weasley was arguing with Hermione.Draco seized his chance and turned around the corner into Knockturn Alley. He knew the place very well and as soon as he was sure they would never find him, he collapsed onto the ground and crumpledinto a ball. His eyes were watery out of absolute severity. His breathing was constricted and all he could hear was the voices in his head.
Malfoy. You're nothing if not a Malfoy. Do your duty.
Draco let out an infuriated scream. He banged his head against the wall behind him a few times and then started weeping silent, furious tears.
Just get there now.
Draco angrily wiped away the tears on his face and staggered up. Taking a deep breath, he took one bold step forwards. Ron spotted him, but by the time he got there, Draco had already Disapparated.
Lucius stood before Number 12 Grimmauld Place. He could not imagine how the wreck could possibly be the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. Chuckling to himself, he kicked what looked like half a cauldron out of the way and made his way into the house. Lucius opened the door and scowled as the dried black paint flaked off and covered a leather glove. As he stepped inside, he haughtily peeled off his gloves and looked incuriously around. His boots thudded on the creaking floors with slow cruelty.
"Kreacher?" he asked the empty hall.
"Intruder! How dare you desecrate the Most Noble and Ancent House of Black!" shrieked Mrs.Black's painting. She continued screeching in the most unbearable manner, then, suddenly, there was a pause. "Lucius? Is that you?"
"Where is Kreacher?" he asked in way of answer.
"Gone," answered Mrs.Black's painting, "gone to work at Hogwarts."
Lucius' eyebrow shot up.
"I can tell you whatever you need to know," added the painting quickly, "but I want you to get rid of... of the filth contamanating my house."
A sneer crept up Lucius' face.
"Of course," he answered. "I want to know what the Order of the Phoenix is planning against the Dark Lord."
Mrs.Black paused.
"You work for him...don't you," said Mrs.Black sternly, "I will tell you nothing. He killed my son."
"Who? I suppose you mean Regulus? He was coward. A despicable coward. You Blacks have turned out to be one great, big disappointment," Lucius' eyes flashed, "foolish woman. Avada Kedavra."
Another shriek filled Number 12 Grimmauld Place, and it was Mrs.Black's last.
"Bugger," said Lucius arrogantly, "dying a second time, isn't it?"
Then the door opened and Mrs.Weasley's plump face peeked through. When she saw Lucius, she let out a small gasp and before she could react, he raised his wand and yelled, "Stupefy!" Mrs.Weasley's head touched the ground and blood trickled down her forehead.
"Mobilicorpus," Lucius levitated Mrs.Weasley's body down into the dining room. When he was halfway down the steps, he thrusted his wand down and Mrs.Weasley's body fell violently. He sneered as he heard something crack. "Incendio," he added as an afterthought pointing his wand towards the kitchen. It immediately burst into flames. After taking one last look around, he Disapparated.
Such a waste of time.
"He's really not that bad, you know that Ron. Maybe if you'd only try to understand..."
"Hermione, why don't you tell me something. Why do you keep defending him? Sometimes it's like SPEW all over again, and you know what? I'M SICK OF IT, AND SO IS HARRY AND GINNY AND EVERYBODY ELSE! HOUSE-BLOODY-ELVES CAN WIPE MY BLOODY ARSE FOR ALL I CARE ALRIGHT? AND SO CAN DRACO MALFOY! HE'S A PRAT AND YOU KNOW IT. I DON'T TRUST HIM AND NEITHER SHOULD YOU:"
Hermione opened her mouth as if to say something but decided against it. She just glowered defiantly.
"Oho, and now he's gone! Well done, Hermione," added Ron sarcastically. "We don't even know where he's gone off to."
"Maybe we do. Maybe he's gone back to Headquarters. That's what you two were just clawing each other for, wasn't it," Hermione glared at him challengingly.
Try answering back to that Ronald Weasley! Just try it!
Ron sniffed angrily. Without saying a word, he disappeared with a pop. Reluctantly, Hermione followed him.
By the time Draco arrived, half the house was on fire. The back of the house was blackened by smoke and falling apart. His eyes began to water again as he fought his way inside. Falling to his knees, he crept down to the kitchen, where the fire had spread the most. Then he took out his wand and tried to extinguish the fire, but it had diffused so much what little he had successfully snuffed out, was quickly replaced my more fire. All around him was fire. Then, he thought he saw Mrs.Weasley's body amidst the flames and stared. When the smoke blew into his eyes again, he closed them and looked away. He extinguished enough fire to make a small path in the fire and sprinted through it towards Mrs.Weasley's miraculously unburned but unconscious body. There wasn't enough space on either side of him to levitate Mrs.Weasley without cooking her over the flames so he tried waking her up.
"Mrs.Weasley? Mrs.Weasley, please wake up," he urged, shaking her. He hoped the flames hadn't poisoned her.
Molly Weasley opened her eyes drowsily and looked up at Draco who scoffed in relief. He helped her up and tried to go up the stairs quickly, but it was hard work with Mrs.Weasley's weight hanging on his shoulder and working as an anchor against him.
When they reached the Entrance Hall, something big and heavy fell behind them. Draco was sure it was part of the second floor. His face was partly covered in soot and he had a determined look on his face. Beside him, Mrs.Weasley coughed quietly. Draco's face felt like it was hot enough to boil water... then, finally... air.
Cool, fresh air.
Draco dragged Mrs.Weasley out into the street where the Fire Wizards were finally beginning to arrive. One of them took over supporting Mrs.Weasley but Draco didn't see him. The last thing he saw was Ron and Hermione's identically terrified faces, then his legs gave away and he felt cold, smooth, cement.
Author's Note: I promise a very loveable Draco (snide comments and all), more Harry, and a Ginny/Gabrielle catfight in future chapters soon. Sorry, there hasn't been much of them, but you know... Draco is priority number one haha... and to Nanie-san who asked for more Draco in black: SURE! No problemo. I just wanted to try something new, but okay. The Dark Mark question shall be answered as well. I was trying to show that Draco was feeling really confused because on the one hand, he obviously really wants to just let his tongue lash out, but he wasn't sure how nice he had to be to stay undercover, so he just basically shut up. I guess that wasn't clear enough though... or was it? Please, please, please review. Lotsa love. Miss Extraordinary