What have I done, sweet Jesus, what have I done? Become a thief in the night, become a doe on the run – What Have I Done, Les Miserables
Ginny clapped a hand over her mouth the second the words escaped them, as if they action could return them to her lips and stop them from being spoken.
I didn't just say that aloud. I didn't.
But the evidence of her action was clear by the look on Malfoy's face as he slowly turned to meet her gaze.
"Is he now?" Malfoy whispered, smirking. "Isn't that interesting…?"
Ginny swallowed hard. "So the bet—"
"Is on, as planned." Malfoy frowned in noticing the wild look on Ginny's pale face. He moved back to her. "Hey…" it was almost a comforting syllable. "You did what you had to. They deserve it, you know they do."
Ginny nodded numbly.
"You keep providing me with information like that, and we'll give Potter and his little tagalongs the performance of a lifetime."
Ginny nodded again, her glazed eyes staring off into the distance as if picturing the horrific things they would do to Lupin when he was caught.
Ginny returned to her dorm late. All of her housemates were asleep. She stared into the mirror for a long hour before speaking the question that raced through her mind all evening.
"What have I done?"
What you had to. Her reflection replied.
Have I fallen so far, while is the hour so late, That nothing remains but the cry of my hate? – What Have I Done, Les Miserables
I'd do anything, Just to hold you in my arms, To try to make you laugh, Cuz somehow I can't put you in the past – I'd Do Anything, Simple Plan
Harry walked slowly through the corridors of Hogwarts, not paying attention, nor caring, to where he was going. After what seemed a right long time he glanced at his watch. It had been thirteen minutes.
Why am I even looking for her? She'll just snub me anyways…
Harry decided to head back to the common room, and he began to turn, when a sudden wave a curiosity overcame him.
What would she be doing with him anyways? Maybe she's not even with him.
He began to turn back to his original destination, nowhere, when something solid stopped him in his tracks.
"Sorry, I—oh…it's you." He cut off his apology to Pansy Parkinson and made to pass her as she crouched down to scoop up the papers and books she had dropped.
"Right. Just me. Forget the fact that I'm a girl and all common courtesy not to mention chivalry is completely dead." She grumbled to herself.
Harry sighed, crouching down to help gather her things. "Sorry." He apologized. "For real!" he added quickly as she shot him a murderous glare. "I've got a lot on my mind."
Pansy snorted. Not a very lady-like thing to do. "Like I don't." She took her books from Harry's arms without a word of gratitude and continued to walk away, grumbling softly.
Harry paused and chased after her when he caught the words 'Draco', 'flirting', 'stupid Weasley', and 'I'll show him', formulating a plan as he beckoned her back.
I'd do anything, Just to fall asleep with you, Will you remember me? Cuz I know I won't forget you – I'd do anything, Simple Plan
So far away I see the truth, I see through you, Now that I know the way you play, I don't want to – Forever Gone, Forever You, Evanescence
Ginny plopped grumpily into the seat next to Kendry.
"Morning!" she beamed at Ginny. Ginny stared moodily back at her. It had been another sleepless night.
"Morning." She stated sullenly.
Kendry frowned at Ginny. "Look, I know you're in a rough place right now, but you don't need to take it out on me just because you had a spat with your boyfriend, lover, whatever he is."
Ginny opened her mouth, set to auto-apologize, and snapped it shut as her tired mind registered the words her friend had just spoken. "What?" Came out instead.
Kendry grinned slyly. "Didn't think I knew, did you? Well you should choose your secret meeting places better from now on…half the library was buzzing about your little love quarrel with Malfoy."
"Wha…" Ginny closed her eyes.
"This isn't some little game…not for me…this is the real deal…you had better be sure about what you're doing!"
Ginny could see how someone overhearing bits and pieces of the conversation could have mistaken it, especially after they left the library to find a place more private.
Ginny slapped her face and moaned. "Malfoy and I aren't dating!"
"Oh really?" Kendry sounded unconvinced.
"Honestly…haha…we were just having a fight, like usual—"
"—and then you left to find someplace more private to make up?" Kendry finished.
"I—yes."
"So the makeup sex was good?"
Across the table, Neville Longbottom sputtered and choked on his pumpkin juice. The girls ignored him.
"There was no makeup sex! No sex whatsoever! Malfoy and I aren't like that okay?" Ginny talked as loudly as she could without being overheard to emphasize her point.
"But I hear you two were getting pretty friendly after Potions yesterday and—"
Ginny threw down her fork. What a gossip!
"Well maybe you should go by what you hear with your own ears instead of someone else's!" she hissed, standing abruptly and stalking out of the Great Hall.
Malfoy caught her in the hallway.
"Bad morning, love?" Ginny looked around, there was a small group of older Ravenclaws standing a few feet away, pretending to be too busy minding their own business.
"The worst." Ginny moaned. "I didn't sleep at all."
"I'm sorry." Malfoy slipped his hand in hers, almost naturally, and pulled her from her grumpy stance.
"Where are we going?"
"Owlery. I need to send a letter."
They stayed in costume until they reached the Owlery, passing several straggling students along the way. When he opened the door, Malfoy dropped Ginny's hand and walked over to an immense black eagle-owl, widely known as Malfoy's.
"This," He held up a letter, looking pointedly at Ginny. ", is a letter to the Dark Lord himself."
Ginny stared at it, knowing the contents, her fingers itching to tear it from Malfoy's casual grip and shred it into a thousand little pieces. Her hand twitched at her side.
"Is there anything else I need to add before I send it?"
Ginny's mouth opened slightly. She closed it. Who knew what words could slip out of an open mouth? She walked over to Malfoy's side.
Tentatively, she raised her hand and pulled the unsealed letter from his unmoving hand.
Remus Lupin is working as an undercover spy, posing as a member of Fenrir Greyback's pack.
Your Loyal Servant,
Draco Malfoy
Her hand trembled. She could tear it so easily, here in her possession. What was more important? Saving Lupin or making Harry hurt?
She was saved the trouble of deciding when Malfoy took the letter from her and pulled out a quill. "You should know, the more you give the more you get."
"I know." Ginny replied softly. "Kingsley Shacklebolt."
"What about him?" Malfoy asked slowly.
"He's an auror for the Ministry. He's also a secret member of the Order. He's undercover protecting the Muggle Minister. "
Malfoy scribbled another elegant line of script and folded the letter twice. He pulled out his wand and placed the tip on the loose flaps of parchment.
As he hissed a spell that Ginny couldn't make out, the shape of the dark mark appeared as a seal, shimmering black and green, then slowly faded away, leaving only blank, sealed parchment.
Malfoy noted the fascinated look on her face. "He told us to use it…only he can break it."
"How can you be sure?" Ginny cocked her head to the side as Malfoy handed the letter back to her for inspection. Ginny turned it over in her hands. It seemed to have no opening.
"He created it himself. Only he knows the charm to open it."
Malfoy took the letter back. Ginny mentally slapped herself. Twice she'd had the chance and neither time did she attempt to destroy the evidence against Remus Lupin.
"You're in doubt." Malfoy stated wisely, tying the letter to his obedient bird's leg.
"No…if he created it himself no one else would be able to get in." Ginny confirmed, confused. How did he reach that conclusion?
"No. About passing information. You aren't sure if it's the best idea."
What, is it so clearly written all over my face?
"Why do you think that?" Ginny asked, playing confused this time.
"It's all over your face. In your eyes."
Well that answers that question.
"I—"
"Don't worry about it, Weasley." Malfoy interrupted. "It's better for the both of us."
"Somehow I'm not so sure…" Ginny trailed off. "How do you get that thing to stay so still!" she changed the subject, amazed at how stock-still his eagle-owl was.
"Training. He knows not to fidget around because I've trained him to know."
Ginny could just imagine how Malfoy trained anything to know anything and shuddered.
We all live, We all die, That does not begin to justify you – I Must Be Dreaming, Evanescence
We trusted you, we put out a helping hand, Only in return, we get a stabbing in the back – We Trusted You, Transplants
Severus Snape stared in the mirror of his bathroom, preparing himself for what he was about to do. Throwing his head back and draining the rest of his drink, he thought about the consequences if he were to get caught.
Foolish.
Snape poured himself another glass of wine and drained it quickly. He picked up his cloak and slung it around his shoulders half-heartedly. He was preparing to walk out the door when an inquiring voice sound from the bookcases.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Snape raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realize I was under house arrest, Wormtail." He drawled. "I'm going out."
"I don't think the Master would be very happy about that." Wormtail threatened.
The noise that escaped Severus could have been called a laugh, had he been capable of something of the sort. "Are you trying to threaten me, Wormtail?"
Wormtail remained silent.
"Need I remind you, the Dark Lord sent you here to do my bidding? And it is my bidding that you mind your own business." With that Snape opened the door, hesitated, and switched his silk cloak for a heavier one.
It was going to be cold where he was going.
Even if all the dementors had left.
You've been at it too long, all your life that I've checked, Now your time's almost up with a noose on your neck – We Trusted You, Transplants
You make up your mind, you choose the chance you take, You ride to where the highway ends and the desert breaks – The Price You Pay, Harris Emmylou
Draco Malfoy sank comfortably onto his bed, on top of the covers, fully dressed. He was exhausted. He reveled in the fact that the past few days had been a success for the Weasley, and applauded himself smugly for his acting skills; people were already questioning whether or not they were an item.
Already? That was easy. I'm not going to have to put forth any effort at all and get information for nearly nothing! This is definitely going to work out in my favor…what could go wrong?
Draco sat up and pulled his shirt off, taking a pair of pajamas out of his wardrobe nearly simultaneously. A piece of folded parchment floated down to the ground from where it was hidden in the corner of the wardrobe. Draco regarded it with dismal eyes, picked it up, and dropped down to his bed once more, now in a forlorn fashion.
Slowly he unfolded the letter and read it softly to himself for the hundredth time.
My Son,
Do not blame yourself for what will become of me. You never should have been sent upon that quest, He was sure you would fail. The quest has been completed, but not by you, so He will punish you in his favorite way: taking away something you love.
He's throwing me in Azkaban with your father, and leaving us there while he releases the rest of the convicted Death Eaters. Somehow, even without the dementors guarding the prison, it seems I will still be driven into madness, and your father as well, for worry of you.
Protect yourself, Draco. Just because my incarceration seems a great enough punishment, I know it will not be enough to satisfy the Dark Lord.
We love you Draco. They will be taking me soon. You will wake up, and I will not be here. I've written to Minerva McGonagall begging her to protect you at Hogwarts. Let us pray to Merlin she will show compassion and let you return to the school.
I will be alright. So will your father. Do not worry for us, protect yourself.
I love you
Narcissa
Draco had found the note a few weeks into the summer, lying on the dining table one morning when he had woken. His mother was not there, just as she had predicted. And he couldn't say goodbye.
He still found it funny that she signed her final letter 'Narcissa'. Not 'Your Loving Mother' or 'Mum' but 'Narcissa'. As if she were just writing to tell him how lovely it would be to get together some day for tea because they had a lot of catching up to do. 'Narcissa'.
She's paying for me…he thought, tears threatening to spill from his eyes at the thought of his mother trapped in Azkaban on his behalf. Because I couldn't just do it myself when I had the chance…I had to have Snape do it instead…
Draco's guilt was flamed into anger at the thought of him.
He should have let me just do my job! It's HIS fault she's in that dreadful place! Oh he'll pay for reaping the glory for himself…I'll make him pay.
In that moment, Draco Malfoy made a vow to himself to find Severus Snape, and personally slit his throat.
Out on through an open road you ride until the day, You learn to sleep at night with the price you pay – The Price You Pay, Harris Emmylou
Prepare for attack, Your body will burn, Endless war, There's no return – Fight Till Death, Slayer
Harry made his way to Charms through the crowded corridors, trying to ignore the large group of Slytherins as he passed them.
They took no notice of him, but instead continued to ask someone endless questions. Harry was nearly passed them when he caught Ginny's name, and heard a familiar prattish voice start to speak.
"Cool your jets, okay?" Malfoy laughed at the center of the circle, as usual, dismissing many of the bothersome questions.
"So what's going on?"
"Bit of a couple are you?"
"When did this happen? How?"
The questions continued. Harry paused, pretending to tie his shoe while waiting for Malfoy to speak.
When one 6th year Slytherin asked him if he had gotten Ginny in bed yet Harry held his breath, waiting for the cockish response, almost certain Malfoy would claim this true.
"Haha…not yet." Malfoy laughed. "But the prospect does seem rather promising, eh?"
Harry's mind snapped as he bolted from the ground, and soon he found himself pushing his way to the center of the circle and grabbing Malfoy by the collar of his robes.
"I don't know what you two are doing." He admitted angrily. "I don't know the full details of your little game, but I do know there has to be something in it for you; and I promise you, I will find out what it is. And when I do, you're going to wish you had stayed away from her!" Harry pushed Malfoy away from him with so much force that he fell back against a wall of younger-looking Slytherins that had to struggle to support him and to keep him standing.
"Potter!" Malfoy called out to Harry's back. Harry turned to find himself at wandpoint.
"Not to keen on attacking while the enemy's back is turned anymore, are you, Malfoy?" Harry hissed, subtly reminding the blonde of the terror of his fourth year.
Malfoy brushed it off like nothing. "You want me to stay away from her? Make me."
Harry drew his wand, waiting for Malfoy to make the first move. They circled each other slowly; the crowd around them grew bigger with curious passersby.
"Remember the last time you attacked me Potter?" Malfoy breathed in a low deadly voice that almost sent shivers down Harry's spine. "I nearly died."
"You attacked me first, Malfoy. I wasn't expecting it. I was surprised." Harry futilely tried to defend his actions.
"It was a cheap blow, Potter, and you know it." He hissed. "I think I should be able to use a disused curse on you. Seems only fair, don't you think?"
Harry grew nervous, imagining the forbidden, dark curses Malfoy could know and love to use on him. He was about to ask if curses Death Eaters used were allowed when Malfoy interrupted him with a spell.
"Arderecorium!" Malfoy cried. Harry dropped to the ground and rolled in order avoid the spell. When he rose the glanced to the ground. The spot where the spell hit was charred and smoking.
The hoots of support and howls of the disapproving were silenced. All stared at the smoldering floor, silently going through their minds trying to decipher the curse Malfoy had just shot, but no one could place it. No one in Hogwarts taught those kinds of spells.
Harry stared at the ground in amazement. He then looked to Malfoy, who seemed to be trying to contain laughter. "Relashio!"
Malfoy seemed to have been waiting for this, and shot a quick, "Langlock!" at him the second Harry opened his mouth.
The hex hit Harry squarely on his face before he could dodge it. He tried to curse Malfoy again but found he could not speak. Of course, the tongue-locking spell. But how did Malfoy know about it? That was one of the spells in the Prince's…er…Snape's…book! And Malfoy knew?
"Incarceratus!" Harry found himself bound on the floor. Malfoy stood over him. "Didn't think I was so advanced, did you, Potter?" he sneered.
"What is this? Enough! Get to class you're all late! Move along! What's going on here? What—oh my!" Professor McGonagall was too standing over Harry, holding Malfoy by his ear.
"Ow! Ow ow ow!"
"WHAT do you two think you are doing!" She cried. "You had better explain yourselves!" She stared at Harry, waiting for an explanation. She released Malfoy's ear and forced him to face her. "What did you do to him!"
Malfoy stared at her, disrespectfully in stony silence.
"Finite!" She released Harry's ropes, and Harry opened his mouth to talk, finding it rather dry.
"To my office! The both of you!"
They followed her to her office where, surprised, they found Ginny waiting for them.
"Someone pulled me out of Potions and told me what happened." She answered McGonagall's unasked question of 'What the bloody hell are you doing here!'
"You may return to Potions, Miss Weasley, I don't see how it concerns you."
"It does." Ginny told her quickly. "It's…kind of my fault."
Prepare for attack, Death will arrive, Your orders are clear, No way to hide, Fight till death – Fight Till Death, Slayer
Don't give up on me so fast, I see it's me that's wrong at last, Give me another chance, It's so hard just to stay alive each day – Give Me Another Chance, Whiskeytown
"You realize you two risk facing expulsion." McGonagall informed the boys sitting in front of her. "What is wrong with you? Dueling in the hallway like a bunch of miscreants!"
"Sorry, Professor." Harry mumbled.
"Sorry, Professor." Malfoy mimicked Harry quietly.
"That's it!" Harry rose so fast from his chair that he sent it hurtling backwards, almost into the fireplace.
"SIT DOWN, POTTER!" McGonagall ordered.
Harry gave her a scathing glare before retrieving his chair and placing it as far from Malfoy and Ginny as he could.
"And that's enough from you, Mr. Malfoy." She threatened Malfoy. "You're lucky to even be here! I am doing a personal favor for your mother under the circumstances, and in a right bad place with the Minister for my decision to allow you back here and look how you behave! Well it's no wonder they've deemed you a danger to the students!"
Malfoy's expressionless face turned to one of smug satisfaction, priding in the fact of being a danger to anyone. Ginny almost giggled at this. Almost.
"Please don't expel him, Professor." Ginny requested quietly. "It's the best for him, his mother's request. Besides…the blame rests with me."
"You mentioned that earlier, Miss Weasley, but you seem to have failed in explaining why that is."
"I asked him to attack Harry." Ginny lied. "Because I was angry with him."
"I knew it! This was all just to get back at me!" Harry exclaimed.
Ginny didn't look at him, but continued instead on her persuasion of McGonagall. "I know…it was stupid. Someone could have been seriously hurt and thank Merlin they weren't. I realize now the trouble that I've caused. I should have handled it like an adult and confronted Harry myself…with words!" she added quickly to the end of this little speech.
"Go to class." McGonagall sighed. "But know that you are being watched. The three of you." She corrected herself. "A months detention for the three of you, and I can only pray to Merlin you'll someday learn your lesson and stop putting yourselves through this."
They left her office quietly, and no one spoke until they had almost reached the bottom of the staircase.
"Thanks, Ginny." Draco Malfoy expressed gratitude to her, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. "Very convincing." He applauded her performance before parting from the two Gryffindors.
Ginny walked back to Potions slowly, determined to arrive without burning cheeks.
Harry stood planted in his tracks outside of McGonagall's office until the hallways were filling again with loud students headed for dinner, hot tears of jealousy burning in his eyes, shooting deadly daggers at the corner Malfoy had disappeared around.
I've been angry, so angry, Made it known I could make it alone, But I'm changing, And I'm gonna be alright now – Give Me Another Chance, Whiskeytown
ALL DONE! FOREVER! NO MORE!
...You didn't honestly believe that did you?
...Okay good.
Cuz there's a lot in store for you...
Next time, on Revenge, by Raiast: "What that kiss?" "Potter was standing right there! It was the perfect moment!" "We didn't discuss kissing, Malfoy!" Ginny pulled Malfoy towards her, snogging him hard and fierce. When they parted, Malfoy looked flustered for the first time in his life. Ginny entered the common room to find Ron, Hermione and Harry sitting around the fire in silence, ashen looks on their faces. "What's going on?" Ginny asked slowly. Hermione gave her an almost sympathizing look.
REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW I TELL YOU!