When Icicles Dance In Flames

Chapter 3

Vivien

A/N: Well here it is Chapter 3, in which we get our first hint of a slightly less evil Draco; and Harry/Ginny duh duh duh.

"Well,

the weeks have commenced, and I'm terrified to admit, but I have made little progress..the task which the Dark Lord has given me I fear will be impossible, and the price I'll have to pay…..is far too great."

In his father's study at Malfoy Manor, Draco, was sat at the desk bent over a massive pile of books and papers, glaring at them with an intent expression upon his face. It had been three weeks since his meeting with the Dark Lord and he had not taken a single moment to relax. From dawn til dusk for the last three weeks he had been a hive of activity. Rising at down and only going to bed well into the early hours of the morning. The dark shadows under his eyes now resembled tattoos they were so firmly etched in place; but Draco didn't mind, he would do whatever it took to keep himself alive.

Two days after his meeting with the Dark Lord; his Aunt Bellatrix had delivered him a second task; to find a way for the Death Eaters to enter Hogwarts school, and Draco's work had instantly been doubled.

In front of him on the desk lay all sorts of Dark Arts manuals and tomes. Volume after volume on; poisons, murderous incantations, ancient evil weapons, methods of magical communication and transportation, duelling techniques and other such hexes for the wizard whom no longer valued his own soul.

Also scattered upon the desk lay roll upon roll of parchment, all covered in Draco's own meticulous handwriting. He pulled one sheet towards him and for what felt like the hundredth time read his list of 'Methods Of Magical Transportation.'

1) Broom: No they cannot just fly into Hogwarts.

2) Break in: As above, it would not be possible, Dumbledore will have all sorts of hexes guarding the school.

3) Apparate: Yet again, not possible.

4) Portkey: Could supposedly work within the grounds, but would be very unreliable, and chances are Dumbledore will have found a way to avoid this in light of the events at the Tri-Wizard tournament. Anyway still leaves challenge of getting into school.

In frustration, Draco screwed up the list and hurled it into the fire; before storming out of his chair, crossing to his father's liquor cabinet and pouring himself a glass of whisky. He didn't like the stuff, but it kept him feeling alive and reminded him of his father, and at this troubling time Draco was grateful for anything that made him feel equal to his 'great' Dark Wizard father. He'd of given his left hand for Lucius to be here with him, helping him through this mess, though, if Lucius were here he wouldn't be in this mess in the first place…

'Damn you Potter!' Draco yelled; hurling his empty glass into the flames where it exploded into fragments.

It was at this moment a nervous looking house elf stuck her head around the door.

'I is sorry to be disturbing Master' she muttered nervously as Draco turned to glare at her. 'But the post is arriving for Master.'

'Leave it on the desk.' Draco muttered, his usual sneering tone of voice returning.

'Yes Master.' The elf muttered, standing on her tiptoes to place a wad of letters on the desk, before scuttling away.

Pouring himself a second whisky Draco returned to his desk and began uninterestedly to flick through the post. A copy of the daily prophet (that went straight on the fire). A letter from his insane great Aunt Hesta (he would give that to his mother) a letter addressed to him bearing the Hogwarts crest…

'Oh' Draco thought dully 'the OWL results I suppose.' Really not caring at all what grades he'd received Draco opened the envelope and read:

" DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY HAS ACHIEVED:

Astronomy P

Care Of Magical Creatures T

Charms A

Defence Against The Dark Arts A

Herbology P

History Of Magic D

Potions E

Transfiguration A"

They were about what he had expected, but feeling worse than ever Draco set the parchment to one side and continued with his perusal of the post. The final letter was addressed to his father but Draco (under strict instructions to burn any incriminating post that may arrive for Lucius) tore open the letter anyway and read the following;

"Sir,

I am aware, that, the time may not be right for you to purchase any of my speciality…merchandise, but I wish you to be aware that I have several items I am sure you would find rather interesting, should circumstances allow you to browse them.

If you do receive this letter and are interested in any of the following items I'm sure your dear lady wife can carry out the transactions upon your behalf. I have, at very reasonable prices the following items:

Shrunken Heads, various sizes.

Powdered unicorn horn.

Shrieking Cushions.

1 Vase of the mighty.

3 Cursed Signet Rings.

7 Copies of 'Advanced Dark Magic' (Some slight staining)

1 Vanishing Cabinet

4 Gnome Collars

Yours sincerely, as ever

Borgin, Borgin and Burkes Emporium, Knockturn Alley"

Draco couldn't help but smirk at the idea of his father ever wanting to purchase a 'vase of the mighty' or a gnome collar, when another item on the list caught his eye.

'1 vanishing cabinet.'

What in the Dark Lord's name was a vanishing cabinet? Feeling a flicker of excitement Draco began to scan through his books hoping against hope that at least one of his many problems had just been solved.

Ginny was glad that the trio had finally received their OWL results; the constant on edge tension surrounding them had been getting on her nerves. Hermione, it seemed to Ginny had barely breathed properly for weeks. Also Ron's successful grades had put Mrs weasley in the best mood she'd been in for ages and finally the family were going on the long awaited visit to Diagon Alley.

However even Ginny was no longer completely sure that Diagon Alley was the safe sanctuary she'd thought it. She'd been rather shaken by the news that both Florean Fortescue and Mr Ollivander had both vanished, and Florean from the look of things had not left willingly…

Ginny glanced down at her porridge feeling rather off her food. She'd never believe a day would come when she'd feel nervous about leaving her own house. Out of the corner of her eye she watched Harry laughing at some joke Ron had told him, she couldn't help but smile herself. To see Harry, Harry the possible chosen one was smiling! Things couldn't be all black.

A/N: Sorry this chapter was short, but homework calls. In the next chapter we finally get to Diagon Alley and Draco and Ginny come face to face at last.