Undivided

Chapter 7: Do Something Right

Author's jibberish: Geez, I take forever to update this thing! Sorry about that.

To Ang3l666: "Now really...was knocking out Ginny necessary?" Actually, yes, it was. Sorry, but it had to be done.

In all due time, everyone, you'll see what happens to Ginny. Just keep reading. :)

Chapter 7 dedicated to Jeni Draco's Girl. Hopefully, you haven't forgotten this story.

It was just paranoia. All the students had returned from their holidays and Draco couldn't help but notice that a certain red-head was missing. Ginny Weasley wasn't back. He scanned the Gryffindor table about 397 times that night. Maybe she was arriving late, like tomorrow during lunch...although returning to school the first day of the second term was a little unorthodox.

He waited until his class.

He soon got tired of calling off every name so whenever he spotted an empty seat, he asked the person next to it who usually occupied it. It saved him from unnecessary waste of class. The afternoon classes resumed, all the seats were full...besides one seat: 4th row, 2nd seat to the right. "Mr. Creevey," Draco asked. "Who sits next to you?"

Colin snapped out of his daze. "Oh...Ginny...Ginny Weasley."

Draco could feel his heart-rate rise. He hoped it was nothing to worry about. Maybe she took his advice and ran away. However, his hopes burned down that very night when he received a letter from his father:

Draco,

Urgent news. Meet me tomorrow evening at 6:00pm at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade.

Your Father

Reading a letter like that, one could forget the sender raised him these past 18 years.

So, the next day, he did meet him. Draco could spot his father sitting in the very back of the restaurant. The lights were dimmed but Draco could see his father was tired. Candlelight could not hide the heavy circles under Lucius' eyes. They were not the only ones in the establishment; a few men were at the bar and an old couple sat at the table near the door. Draco headed to the table in the back and took a seat across his father. "Good evening," he greeted.

Lucius gave him a look. Draco tried to read it: Spite? Disapproval? Anger? Hate maybe? "I bring you news," he began.

Figures, Draco thought. "Yes?"

"You have been expelled from your assignment."

Draco's eyebrows furrowed. "Why?"

"He feels as if you are...inadequate for the job," Lucius put it.

"Am I?" Draco challenged. "Six months ago, I was fully capable. After all, you were the one who suggested to him for me to do it."

"That was because I thought things were different," his father sneered. "But after all this time, I see now that it is not."

"What's going on?" Draco asked.

"You were seen."

"Seen?"

"Someone beared witness to your secret rendezvous with the girl and told our master," Lucius made his voice very low. "After what was testified, the master knew you would not finish the job."

"Rubbish," Draco growled, keeping his fear under wraps.

"Don't lie to me, boy," Lucius hissed. "I sill remember what happened last year."

"He didn't give me a deadline," Draco defended. "I will do my job."

"Already taken care of," Lucius told him.

Draco's gut twisted inside of him. "What?"

"He'll dispose of her and the other children tomorrow at the Riddle Mansion."

"He has the girl? But how—" he locked eyes with his father and something clicked. "You took her?"

Lucius nodded. "He told me to take her to him since you would not. Disgrace..." he muttered the last word. "I have done nothing but worked for your welfare. Now, thanks to your selfish juvenile fling, we must pay for your stupidity."

"There has not been rendezvous or flings of any sort--," Draco lied.

"It doesn't matter. Tomorrow he will deal with you. He will call and you will explain yourself... if he lets you survive," Lucius bit, sending no regret or fear in his last phrase. It just proved to Draco, that once again, he was only an heir, not a son.

"And if I do not answer his call?" Draco asked. "I do have responsibilities at school."

"He took your mother."

Draco's insides felt hollow. "Wh...what?"

"If you won't come, she will also be disposed of," Lucius said stiffly.

Draco's gaze drifted. She had nothing to do with any of this. Narcissa was a victim of circumstances, like Ginny. He looked to his father, whose eyes were on the candle on the table. He realized that Lucius would rather risk his son's health and life than have his wife die. He was directly in the middle, Draco thought. "And you're alright with that? With what he will do to Mother?"

"She's my wife! You actually think I approved of it?!" Lucius hissed darkly, glaring at his younger image.

"Have you tried to free her?"

Lucius stood. "If you did not get carried away, I would not have to."

"So you didn't," Draco guessed.

"You will be there tomorrow when he calls. Do something right for a change," and Lucius walked out of the restaurant.

Draco looked down to the table and the candle that stood in the center. His mother and Ginny were at the mercy of Voldemort. Draco sighed.

"Do something right for a change."

Draco left the Three Broomsticks.

He stood in front of a large phoenix statue. "Barber pole," he said. The passage opened and he entered Dumbledore's office.

"Professor Dumbledore," Draco called, eyes scanning through the room.

Dumbledore stood at the second level of his office, replacing one of the books in his shelf. "Ah, yes," he made his way down and asked, "What can I do for you?"

"Headmaster, I--."

"Now, now," Dumbledore interrupted. "We're colleagues. You may call me by first name."

"Albus," Draco tried it on his tongue. "I...need to take a leave of absence, due to personal matters."

"I see," Dumbledore nodded. "Then I suggest you call upon the aides of others for your mission."

"Sorry?"
"You are leaving because of Ginny Weasley, correct?"

Draco swallowed. "But how...?"

"I may be old, Draco, but my eyes are as sharp as a hawk," Dumbledore smiled, eyes twinkling.

Draco looked elsewhere to Fawkes. "I really think I should go alone."

"Sometimes, Draco, one is strongest with allies. Choose your allies wisely, depend on them and you will succeed." Dumbledore took his seat behind his desk. "So, will you leave tonight or whenever your arm begins to burn?"

"When my..." Draco rewound his words. "What? You mean..." Draco asked in disbelief. "You knew and yet you hired me?"

"I did," Dumbledore admitted.

"But why?"

"Because I believe in the greater good within you. A man is based not on words, but on actions."

"Actions," Draco repeated, his hand flying to his forearm. "Oh, I made some wise actions in the past..."

"But now you have a chance to amend it all if you choose," Dumbledore said. "What will you do?"

Draco stood there for a while, trying to sink in everything he could. He took a deep breath and looked at Dumbledore. "I hope you can find a substitute while I'm gone. My lesson plans are on my desk in my office."

Dumbledore nodded. "I'll find someone." He softly smiled upon his former student. "Good luck."

Draco nodded, and then left his office. He needed to prepare quickly.

...to be continued.