Disclaimer: The characters and terms associated with Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling, not me.
Draco's Destiny
by: Eugenia
CHAPTER 4: Taking the fall
"Hey, Goyle! Guess what I saw?" said Crabbe while trying to avoid Professor McGonagall's attention.
"Be quiet, you moron, or you'll get us detentions again!"
"Okay, but you'll be sorry to be the last to know..."
'That's true,' thought Goyle, ' I'm always the last to know everything.' "What is it? What's so exciting that it's worth a detention from 'McGonnogeek,' huh?"
"Draco has a girlfriend, and she's not in Slytherin!"
"What? Are you sure? How do you know?"
"I saw him come out of the 'kissing closet' with her this morning right after breakfast. He came out first, and a couple minutes later, this redhead walks out. At first I thought it was Blaise, but I couldn't really tell because she had her back to me..."
"So who was it?"
"Wait a second, will ya? I'm telling the story here. So I wanted to be sure that it was her, but her robes were all wrinkly and you know how stuck up Blaise is about her appearance...Anyway, so I followed her, but she began to run 'cause I'm guessing she was running late for class..."
"And you never saw her? How do you know she's not in Slytherin?"
"Will you quit interrupting me? I did see her. She stopped in front of Sprout's classroom—you know, the one that's for days when it's just lecture—and she leaned her back on the wall to catch her breath. I saw her, but I don't think she saw me..."
"Crabbe, if you don't tell me who it is right now I'm going to turn your hair into moss!"
"All right, fine, I'll tell you who it was. It was that Weasley girl who's in the year below us, the one that's always tagging along with Potter."
"The Weasley girl? What would Draco want with her? I mean, she got a decent body, but I've seen better. I'm curious; maybe we should start talking to Draco again."
"I dunno, Lucius said in his letter to wait an entire week before we do. But don't worry, Goyle. I do know that we're going to find out, one way or another."
"What do you me--..."
"Crabbe! Goyle! Is there something you two wizards would like to share with the class?"
"No, Professor McGonagall," they said in unison.
"Ginny, can we talk?"
Ginny looked up to see Hermione standing over her. "Um, will it take long?" She looked back down at all the parchments spread out in front of her. It was one o'clock in the morning, and she was just beginning an essay for her class with Professor Binns. She also had not even begun to practice the required spell for McGonagall's class.
"I don't think so. Do you have a lot of homework tonight?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah..." Ginny had spent all day thinking about Draco. She thought she saw him wink at her when he passed her in the hall on the way to Hagrid's hut that morning. Her day had not been very productive after that.
"Well, maybe I could help?"
Ginny was surprised that Hermione was willing to help her when it was so late, but she agreed since she was really tired and it spooked her to be alone in the common room. "What did you want to talk about?"
"About last night, when you saw me...with Harry. I just wanted to know that you'll keep this between us." Hermione looked down at she said this; her hair was covering half her face.
"Of course, I will. I think that if anyone needs to hear about it—they should hear it from you, not me."
Hermione nodded, keeping her face hidden.
"Hermione, is that what you really wanted to talk about? What's really bothering you? Is it Harry?"
Hermione began sobbing, crumbling into the chair next to Ginny. "H-he d- doesn't like me!" Her tears were rolling down her face, like a waterfall. "I-I'm a m-mist-take, that's wh-what I am!"
"Oh, Hermione, I'm sure he didn't mean it like that! Guys can be really insensitive without even realizing it. What did he say, exactly?"
"J-just that our kiss was a mistake, and that I'm too ugly to be his girlfriend!" Hermione sobbed some more.
"Were those his exact words?" Ginny could not believe that Harry would say something like that.
"Well, no. But that's what he meant! I mean, if you tell someone 'I just want us to be friends,' that translates to 'you're not good enough for me' or 'you're big zit on your nose is just too disgusting for me.'" Hermione's eyes were all puffy and red from all the tears.
"Hermione," said Ginny as she barely contained herself, "you don't even have a zit on your nose! Your nose is perfect! You're perfect! And even if you did have one, so what? If I got rejected every time I got a zit on my face, do you know how many times that would be? There wouldn't be any boys left at Hogwarts."
Hermione turned her sobbing into giggling. "Thanks, Ginny."
"Any time. Now, what are you going to do?"
"What do you mean?" "Are you going to go after Harry? I mean, if you like him and think there's a chance? Or there are other options: you could go after someone we're certain likes you, or someone you like but we have no clue if they're interested, or we could get revenge against all men and make them want you so bad that they'll go crazy..."
"Hum, revenge sounds good...hehe...what did you have in mind?"
"Well, are you going for revenge against Harry or all men?" Ginny asked playfully.
"How about we aim towards all men? And if it affects Harry, then 'oh well!' " Hermione's mood was much better. "Okay, let's move on to your homework, and we'll get back to me later."
Ginny watched in awe as Hermione helped her. Hermione knew exactly where all the information for her essay was located in the text. She also made the transfiguration spell very easy to learn as she demonstrated it and then corrected any of Ginny's mistakes. Ginny wondered why a smart girl like Hermione would have such a hard time finding love when it was under her nose.
"Okay, I think you've mastered the 'coloratus cambi' spell. We should call it a night." As Hermione turned to go upstairs to her room, she suddenly realized something. "Ginny, when you said that I could go after a guy that we knew like me, did you have someone in mind? Who you know likes me?"
Ginny turned bright red. "Of course not."
"Liar. You're blushing; it gives you away. Who is it? I think I have a right to know."
"I can't tell you. But come on, it's so obvious; it's not like you couldn't figure it out."
"Please, Ginny! I have to know. After what happened with Harry, I might actually give him a shot. But I can't do that if I don't know who it is."
"I don't want to meddle, Hermione. I doubt he's even realized it himself...but the way he's always following you around like a lost puppy and the way he talks about you all the time—I mean, he never stops. He's like a broken record on and on. 'Hermione this' and 'Hermione that.' It drives my Mum up the wall..." Ginny's eyes widened. "I mean, not that my Mum has ever met him...or anything...just from what I say..."
"It's Ron? Ron?" Hermione was in disbelief. Maybe she should have paid more attention. She would start paying more attention now that she new. 'Gosh, this is so confusing. I don't even know what I want anymore,' she thought.
Ginny gathered all her things quickly and said, "Thanks for your help tonight. We'll talk again in the morning, okay?"
"Okay...goodnight, Ginny."
"Goodnight, Hermione."
Draco trudged towards Potions, wishing it was not so early in the morning. Snape was always in a bad mood before lunch. Draco was walking alone since Crabbe and Goyle were still avoiding him. He sighed. Ginny had not been at breakfast that day. 'I wonder if she slept in,' he thought. He wasn't sure why, but he felt a strange pang in his chest when she had not been there. Draco was done lying to himself—he was very attracted to this girl. The problem was that he hated her. His father hated her even more.
As Draco sat down in his usual seat, he remembered that he needed to sit next to his assigned potions partner, Ron Weasley. He changed seats, smirked towards Weasley, and faced forward. Yet he did not recognize the brunette sitting in front of him. 'I wonder if she's new,' was all that occurred to him. Then she turned around to say something to Weasley, and Weasley almost fell out of his chair.
It was Granger, and yet...it was a gorgeous version of her. She had not been at breakfast either. Draco smirked at her and said, "Did you remember to brush your hair today, Granger?"
She did not hesitate. "Would my hair be the only thing causing your 'reaction'?"
Weasley broke out into wild laughter. "She's got you there!"
Before Draco could reply, Snape walked in and begun class. 'Saved by Snape,' Draco thought, 'how pitiful is that? All I need is for Granger to be the prettiest girl in Hogwarts. I wouldn't be able to date her, regardless.'
"And now, you may begin." Snape began to patrol around the dungeon, and Draco got to work.
"Harry, do you know what the hell has overcome Hermione?" Ron asked his best friend on the way to lunch. "I'm not complaining. It's just that it doesn't seem like something she would do. It probably takes a lot of time to look like that, and you know how she's always complaining about never having enough time."
"Uh huh, I don't know." But Harry knew, or at least he thought he knew. Hermione was making him suffer for what he had said to her. Harry had not been able to think of an alternative. 'Could I really tell her the truth if I don't even know what that is? And tell her what, "I like you, but I think that Ron likes you too."' No matter how he phrased things, it would ruin the friendship between the three of them, and Harry was not sure he was ready. And today made matters so much worse—he wanted her even more.
Ginny woke up on Friday morning with a sense of expectation. Today she would know who had sent her the note asking her to meet her at the Astronomy Tower. She hoped it was Draco, but she had no idea how he felt about her. He kept sending her such mixed messages that even Ginny could not figure it out. Yet she had to keep her mind open to the possibility that someone other than Draco had sent her the note. She hoped not to be disappointed.
Who else could it be? What could Draco possibly want? Ginny felt butterflies in her stomach as she imagined herself kissing Draco. The entire day, through classes and meals, she daydreamed all the possible scenarios of their meeting. Well, not all of them, of course, since the ones in Ginny's mind all ended with a kiss.
As midnight approached, Ginny's excitement grew exponentially. Yet her subconscious kept nagging at her the possibility that this rendezvous could be a trap. She shook the thought from her mind as she tiptoed across Hogwart's dark halls in the direction of the astronomy tower. She was scared of being caught, but she had a secret weapon up her sleeve: she had someone on the lookout.
During Ginny's second year at Hogwarts, she had befriended Lady Violet, who inhabited a portrait in a remote area of the castle. Although she loved to gossip with other portraits, she led a lonely 'life' at Hogwarts, and valued her friendship with Ginny. Lady Violet wore dark green velvet robes, which were magnificent against her dark red hair. She had instantly taken a liking to Ginny, and Ginny had spent much time visiting her portrait. Now it was Lady Violet who was moving from painting to painting ahead of Ginny, keeping her eyes open for Filtch or Mrs. Norris.
"It is alright, dear. There is no one down this hall or the next. I will check the staircase in the astronomy tower," said Lady Violet in hushed tones.
"Oh, thank you, Lady Vi!"
"My pleasure, my dear. Just promise to tell me of your adventure and of your dashing lad tomorrow upon your return!"
"Of course, I will come visit you and tell you everything." Ginny smiled as she told her, "And then you can tell me all about your Sir Benjamin."
Lady Violent left swiftly and returned with good news. "The coast is clear. Good luck!"
"Thanks, Lady Violet."
Ginny made her way up the steps of the Astronomy Tower. It was dark, and the staircase was round, which made the steps hard to see. At last she reached the door that lead to the top of the tower. As she opened it, she felt the cool night air brush her face, and she covered her hair with the hood of her black cloak. She let her eyes adjust to the moonlight. So far, everything was just as she had imagined it.
Yet as she looked around she saw no one. Ginny double-checked her watch and confirmed that she indeed had been on time. She walked across the tower, away from the entrance, to the section of the tower that was known throughout Hogwarts as "Snogville" because of its popularity among the student population as the place to go for privacy with one's significant other to be lip-locked for several hours.
As Ginny approached, she noticed on the floor a small carpet, in tones of silver and green. She had no time to dwell on the carpet, however, for her attention was distracted by movement. From the shadows emerged a hooded figure, silently making its way towards Ginny.
"Wh-who are you?" Ginny asked, trying to establish some control over herself. She tried to ignore the goosebumps on her arms.
As the hooded figure got closer, it spoke: "Mighty brave of you to come, Miss Weasley."
The voice was familiar to Ginny's ears, and instantly she felt a chill go down her spine. "Good evening," she responded, as she stalled, trying to figure out her situation. As the man removed his hood, Ginny noticed that she had correctly identified his voice. In front of her stood Lucius Malfoy.
Lucius eyed her, as if searching for something. "Do you know who sent you the note asking you to be here?" he asked coolly.
For a second Ginny was confused. If Lucius had not sent it, then who had? Realization dawned upon her, and she replied, "Draco."
"Yes, he did. Fortunately, I have my own faithful, little friends here at Hogwarts who notified me of your—er—acquaintance with my son."
"Mr. Malfoy, why are you here?" Ginny hated to ask, but she was curious.
"I would like to know your intentions; I would like to know why you have been associating with my son," he said in a stern voice.
At that moment Ginny noticed something on the floor, several feet behind Lucius. It was moving slightly and moaning silently. She suddenly realized with horror that this pitiful bundle on the tower floor was actually Draco. If up until now she had doubted whether she was in peril, she was sure of it now.
"My intentions, sir?" she said in the most innocent voice she could muster.
"Well, Slytherins and Gryffindors are not usually friends, Miss Weasley, specially now with the increasing discord among the wizarding world," he informed her.
Lucius's words echoed in Ginny's mind. She quickly thought: 'If we're not supposed to be friends, but enemies, then one of us is a traitor. Lucius suspects that Draco is the traitor, which is why he is here.'
"I am afraid, Mr. Malfoy, that my intent is not entirely altruistic."
"Yes?"
"You see, I am concerned for my future—and the future of my family. As for my crossing of boundaries between houses: I must admit that Slytherin has a much greater selection of pure-blood families. If I am to continue in the tradition of marrying another pure-blood, then is it not appropriate that I seek outside my house?" Ginny was trying really hard not to tremble as she spoke. She could hardly believe that she could sound like that, let alone use the word 'pure-blood.'
Lucius Malfoy's face broke into a sly grin. "Very, well, Miss Weasley. You have exceeded my expectations. I see that at least there are two sane members in your family."
Ginny's face became bright red in anger, but Lucius dismissed it as embarrassment. Ginny wondered how Lucius could possibly know about Percy's disagreement with her family.
"I must admit, Miss Weasley, that I am astonished at your words," Lucius said tentatively, as if was trying to decide whether she was trustworthy. "What surprises me most is that you remain loyal to your family, even though you disagree with them?"
Ginny gulped nervously. The next statement could seal the fate of the rest of her life. She could tell Lucius the truth of her loyalty to her family and to Dumbledore—or she had the opportunity to become useful in the fight against Voldemort—she could become a spy. Yet she did not want to endanger her family.
"Mr. Malfoy, my family may be confused, but they are not the enemy. They too, are pure-blood. They do not see the importance, or the necessity, of the Dark Lord's mission. And, unfortunately, they do not see the bond that unites me to the Dark Lord—a bond that I owe to you and the diary that was in my possession during my first year." Ginny hoped her speech was convincing.
"I understand perfectly. Be sure that your loyalty will not go unnoticed or unrewarded." With that, Lucius turned and walked to the place where Draco was lying. He looked down at Draco, pointed his wand at him, and said, "Enervate!"
Draco awoke and stood before his father. His actions resembled those of a string puppet.
"Take my carpet and escort Miss Weasley to her dormitory. I will be traveling via broom." He turned to face the Quidditch shed that stood miles below them. "Accio broom!"
A standard Cleansweep flew across the Hogwart grounds and into Lucius Malfoy's right hand. He nodded towards Ginny as a final goodbye and flew away into the darkness of the night.
Now Ginny turned to Draco, who was now on his feet. "Isn't your father supposed to be in Azkaban? I thought the Ministry had caught him at the Department of Mysteries."
Draco gave her a sly grin and said, "My father was pardoned and released within the week. It seems that he had been under the Imperious Curse, so of course the Minister of Magic had to let him go."
"It's possible to buy your way out of anything these days, isn't it?" Ginny raised an eyebrow lightheartedly.
"Weasley, there's something I just don't understand."
"Yes, Draco?"
"Who's side are you on?" Draco stepped up closer to her, trying to read the expression on her face.
"Well, what are my choices?"
"Stop fooling around." Ginny grinned.
"I thought that was why you wanted to meet me here."
"Don't change the subject. You and I know perfectly well that you supported Dumbledore against You-Know-Who during last term." Draco had a look of mistrust on his face.
"I didn't lie to your father, Draco—at least not technically. I never said that I supported You-Know-Who, but I can't help it if he assumes it on his own. It is true that I am tied to Tom because of the diary. Plus, there are loads of pure-bloods in Slytherin—not that I really care—but your father seemed satisfied by the explanation." Ginny felt the frustration rising in her. "What was I supposed to say? Let him believe you're a traitor and watch him curse you again?"
"You could have said that you only wanted to get into my trousers and that everything else is just trivial." Draco's hushed tone drove Ginny crazy.
"Ugh! Is that all you guys think about? First it was Michael, then Dean, and now you. Must be an epidemic." Ginny's entire face was red again with anger.
"Quite a long list you've got there, Weasley. Although it seems you left out your pathetic crush on Potter."
Ginny could not take any more arguing, so she turned to leave. As she walked back to the door, she felt Draco's vigorous presence following close behind her.
"Ginny, wait!"
Ginny was surprised to hear him call her by her first name. She turned to look at him and felt a pang in her stomach as she saw what could only be a look of remorse on his face. His hair was all disheveled, and Ginny could see that one of the sleeves of his cloak was torn on the shoulder, exposing skin. It gave him a look of both tender vulnerability and of incredibly intense masculinity.
But as she opened her mouth to respond, she noticed Draco's expression change to a look of despair. Ginny suddenly heard voices, and the door behind her sprung open to reveal Filch and two large students behind him.
And then everything happened as if in slow motion. As Filtch ran towards them, Draco grabbed Ginny without hesitation and jumped off the Astronomy Tower, plunging both Ginny and himself into a lethal fall.
Author's note: Your reviews (apart from the lack of cannon HP) is the only thing that keeps me writing.
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