Disclaimer: The characters and terms associated with Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling, not me.
Note: This chapter is dedicated to Crystal Music, one of my fave fanfic authors.
Draco's Destiny
By Eugenia
CHAPTER 5: Picking one's battles
As Ginny and Draco fell, Ginny felt as if her mind was screaming, yet her throat refused to function. She heard Draco mutter an incantation, but she knew that it would be useless. They were coming towards the ground at an amazing speed.
Suddenly she saw something silvery coming towards them form above, as if a star was falling out of the sky. She felt the thing beneath them, and to her astonishment, it caught them and soared across the sky, away from Filtch's view.
Ginny looked to her right and saw Draco steadying his breath and looking relieved.
"What is...," Ginny began, but realization hit her. "I thought flying carpets were illegal."
"Aren't you glad your father didn't find this one the last time he raided my house?" Draco said a bit sarcastically.
"Actually, no. This rug could have looked very pretty in my bedroom—once it was disenchanted—of course." Ginny turned over on her side so that they would be lying face to face. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, but I might not answer it."
"If a boggart were to appear in front of you, what shape would it become?"
Draco could feel Ginny's eyes burning into his own; he looked away. "Why do you care?"
"Just curious. Would it take the shape of...your father?"
"No. I am not scared of him. It's his plans for me that worry me. Who he wants me to be and what I want isn't exactly compatible."
"And what do you want to do with yourself?"
"I don't know. All I know is that I don't want to turn into my father. Why can't life be like this: a smooth ride on a flying carpet? No worries...although, I could do with better company," he added playfully.
Ginny pretended to be offended, but in the end, she grinned. "So the boggart would turn into a horrible version of yourself."
He shrugged. "What about your boggart? What would it be?"
"Tom's diary." Ginny averted her gaze from Draco's face to their surroundings. "Aren't we getting off our course?"
Draco nodded. "We should be getting back. Filtch should have forgotten us by now. Although I must say that I will make Crabbe and Goyle pay for telling Filtch on us."
"Who do you suppose told your father?"
"There are a couple of portraits here at Hogwarts that depict family members who are also at our castle. I have an idea who it could have been but I am not positive."
Harry sat across from Ron playing chess in the Gryffindor common room. It was now getting late and most people had gone to bed. Hermione remained, though, and she was writing at a table next to a window that overlooked Hogwart's grounds.
Harry could see her looking outside as she paused from her writing. He was tempted to talk to her, but since they had not talked since their kiss, Harry felt awkward and did not know what to say. Ron's presence was also problematic, as Harry had not found the time (or courage) to tell Ron about the kiss.
Harry knew that he ought to tell Ron about it, but he wanted to avoid another row. It was already bad enough not to be on speaking terms with one of his best friends.
Ron's voice interrupted Harry's thoughts. "I've got you now. Check."
Harry's king moved one space to the left, slowly cornering himself closer to checkmate.
"It's only a matter of time..." said Ron, obviously satisfied with his own cunning.
"Yeah, just be careful I don't get you first," Harry replied mischievously, knowing full well that he did not have any hidden moves planned, but he wanted Ron's confidence shaken up a bit.
The trick worked. As Ron searched the board for any possible attacks he might have missed, Harry returned his eyes towards Hermione. Hermione was looking out the window again, only this time, she looked alarmed. Her eyes were bulging out, and her mouth was open in a silent scream. Then Hermione's gaze turned towards Harry, and their eyes met across the room for a brief moment. As quickly as it had happened, the moment between them vanished.
"Checkmate," said Ron cheerfully.
Harry looked down and saw Ron's bishop beheading his king in one swift motion. "Good game."
"Yeah. I'm going to call it a night. Are you coming?" Ron yawned as he spoke.
"A bit later. I'll see you in the morning," Harry replied.
"Good night, then."
"Good night, Ron."
After Ron had left, Harry suddenly noticed that only one other person remained in the common room: Hermione. He decided the silence between them had to end. It was silly. He didn't want to hurt her; he wanted her to understand.
However, when Harry approached Hermione, she did not look up. He noticed two parchments in front of her; one was full of slanted writing and the other had one line of Hermione's perfect handwriting.
"You've been sitting here for hours, and you've only written one line?" he asked.
Hermione jumped in her seat. She was at a loss of words. "Harry...I-I just wasn't sure how to respond to him. I don't know the answer. I mean, my parents gave their blessing, but I...I just don't know."
"What are you talking about?" Harry was not sure what to make of Hermione's uncertainty.
"Here." She shoved the parchment with slanted handwriting into Harry's hands. Harry noticed her hands were shaking slightly.
As Harry read, his blood froze. It was a letter addressed to Hermione, in which Victor Krum expressed his love for her and asked her to spend the winter holidays at his castle in Bulgaria so that she could meet his parents.
After he finished the letter, he read out loud, "I most sincerely wish to spend Christmas in your company and hope it is the first of many to come..."
Harry looked up at Hermione incredulously. He wanted to throw the parchment out the window and scream at her for even considering it. Instead, he let the parchment drop on the table and sat down on the chair next to hers.
Finally, Hermione spoke. "Well, what do you think?" She looked at him closely.
"Blimey, it sounds like a bloody marriage proposal, Hermione! And his father's close to several Death Eaters...he could be one himself, for all we know."
"But Victor is not like that, Harry. Besides, that wasn't the point. What should do I do?"
Harry shifted in his chair uncomfortably. "Why are you asking me?"
Hermione decided to be direct. "Harry, if you tell me that you don't want me to go, I'll stay here with you. But if you don't want me, I'll go."
"Hermione..." Harry looked down. He knew he wanted her with him, but he had to face reality. "I wish it could work between us, but it can't. I won't put you at risk."
"What risk?"
Harry sighed. He would have to tell her. "Do you remember the prophecy about Voldemort and me that no one supposedly heard?"
Hermione's eyes dawned with comprehension. "You heard it."
"Yes. From Dumbledore, who heard it originally from Trewelany. Anyway, Voldemort is my enemy for a reason: one cannot live while the other survives. I have to kill or be killed."
"And?"
"What do you mean 'and'? What else do you want?" Harry snapped.
"I just already figured that. I mean, it's obvious—you are the only one who has survived the Ava Kedavra, and you've escaped him at least four times now..."
"I guess..." Harry didn't look too certain as he played with the hem of his robes.
"So you're telling me that you wish we could get together but you are not willing to take the risk because of a prophecy?" Hermione asked.
"I won't do it, Hermione. It's my responsibility, and I won't risk your life for it," he said while shaking his head, as if his body language provided extra conviction. He rose to leave.
"Do you think your mother ever regretted marrying you father?" Hermione asked sharply.
Harry froze.
"Would she have done things differently if she had known she would die?" Hermione continued.
"We'll never know now, will we?" Harry replied coolly.
"Isn't it my choice to make if it's me that's at risk?" Hermione also rose from her chair. "I may not be as pretty as Cho, Harry, but I am smart enough to know an empty excuse when I hear one!" Hermione was choking back tears by now. She began to leave.
"Don't go." It was more of a request, not a command. "I don't want to loose you, Hermione. I'm scared."
"Scared? You?" Hermione turned back to him.
"Yes," Harry said and stood closer, "I'm scared I'll loose you to Victor or Ron, or any other guy. I'm scared that Voldemort could kill you. I'm scared that you could grow to resent me if the price for us is too high. Yes, Hermione, I'm scared. But I also know I don't want to be without you."
Hermione felt a hot tear run down her cheek. Harry's thumb reached up to dry it. He embraced her, and they kissed passionately, sending red sparks off their wands.
Draco steered the flying carpet towards the castle. "Where is Gryffindor House located?"
"Over there." Ginny replied as she pointed to a tower on the east end of the castle.
As their adventure came to an end, they both grew silent.
Ginny fidgeted with her hands, wondering how far Draco would confide in her. She finally got the courage to break the silence. "Draco, now that You-Know-Who is back, are you going to become a Death Eater?"
"Well, that's the plan, although I must wait until I graduate from Hogwarts."
"And you are doing it because you believe in their cause? You want the wizarding world cleansed?" Ginny raised her eyebrows.
Draco did not respond.
"Would you be willing to kill me if the situation arose?" Ginny asked tentatively.
"Would I get you in bed if I didn't?"
Ginny chose to ignore that comment. "But you'd fight my parents, my brothers, or Harry."
"Ginny, it's more complicated than that. My father controls my future. I have no say in what I do."
"You don't need them, Draco. You could join us if you wanted to. It's your choice, not your father's." Ginny's hand reached up and touched his arm. "You wouldn't be alone."
Draco nodded in understanding. "Good night, Ginny," he said, for they had reached her window.
"At least think about it." She reached up and gave him a peck on his right cheek. "Good night." She turned towards the window and whispered, "Alohomora!"
Ginny crawled into her bedroom and closed the window behind her. She turned and found herself face-to-face with Hermione, who had an accusing look on her face.
Harry made his way up the staircase towards his bedroom. Halfway up, he ran into something and fell back a couple of steps.
"Ouch! Who's there? Lumos," he said.
In front of him stood Dobby with his arms stretched out in front of him and his hands blocking Harry's path.
"Harry Potter must not go upstairs."
"Why Dobby? What's going on? Voldemort isn't up there, is he?"
Dobby winced. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is not here at Hogwarts. Dobby is here to give warning. Harry Potter must not go upstairs."
"Why not, Dobby?"
"Danger! He is hurt! You are in danger!"
"Who is hurt, Dobby?" asked Harry, alarmed.
"The Weasley boy. But Harry must not go upstairs."
"Dobby! I have to go! Let me through NOW!" Harry pushed past Dobby and the door to his room burst open as if by magic.
Harry looked around the room and saw nothing out of the ordinary. Yet the room was dark so he proceeded with caution.
Suddenly, Harry felt a large blow from behind, and he stumbled onto the floor. His attacker jumped down, and they wrestled on the floor. Harry's wand was lost during the commotion.
"Impedimenta!"
Harry felt like he could no longer move. Yet he was still moving slowly, as if in slow motion.
He could now see clearly. His attacker could not move either.
In front of Harry stood Ron, looking more furious than Harry had ever seen him, as if possessed.
Near the door stood Dobby, holding Harry's wand. "Finite Incantatum," he said, and soon vanished, leaving Harry's wand behind.
"Ron?" Harry could not believe his eyes. It did not make any sense. Why would Ron attack him? "Why?..."
Ron looked at him with incredulously. "'Why?' Maybe because I trusted you. It's not easy being your friend, Harry, always being second in the spotlight but...I never dreamed you'd BETRAY ME LIKE THIS!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Yeah, right. As if Hermione hadn't been down your throat two seconds ago."
Harry looked back defiantly. "She wasn't your girl, Ron. Plus, you never made a move."
"Yeah, but you knew how I felt, and you went ahead and did it anyway. You could've asked. We were friends. I would have never have asked out Cho when you liked her."
"I-I...What do you mean 'we were friends'?" Harry looked around the room and saw their roommates peaking at them behind their beds.
"I may be a nice guy, Harry, but I'm not stupid. A real friend doesn't stab you in the back." Ron turned away and disappeared into his four-post bed.
Draco looked in both directions of the corridor to make sure that he had not been followed. In front of him was the person he had been looking for. He was asleep, facing Draco and sitting in a fancy silver armchair. He was oblivious to Draco's presence.
Ginny's words echoed through Draco's mind. He recalled how she had gently touched his arm, how she had not betrayed him during her conversation with his father, and how she had kissed him. He wondered about the meaning of loyalty and whether he could ever measure up to anyone else's expectations.
Draco shook his head and cleared his mind. He could not think about that now. He had a mission.
Draco took one step forward, raised the knife in his right hand, and plunged it in one swift movement into the heart of the man sitting in the armchair. And just like that, Draco ran.
Hermione dragged a bewildered Ginny down to the common room. She did not want to make a scene in front of the other girls who were sleeping, and could not think of a better place than the deserted common room to yell at Ginny for her shameful behavior.
"Hermione, what do you think you're doing?" Ginny whispered as she was being pulled down the steps.
"The question is: what do you think you're doing? With Malfoy! I can't believe you would do this to your family, Ginny! What are you're parents going to say when they find out? What about Ron? Do you realize that he'll never forgive you?"
"Oh, but he'll forgive you for smooching Harry?"
"It's not the same, Ginny!"
"Yeah, you're right; it's not the same. He won't hate me; he'll just think it's 'evil' Malfoy bewitching me with a love potion. He'll hate you forever, Hermione."
Hermione shook her head. "No...no..." She turned to face the fireplace, which was still lit.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. It's just I thought that you of all people would understand. I didn't plan this. There's a side to Draco that's good; I know there is. Please say you understand. I need you on my side, Hermione. Please!" Ginny pleaded.
Hermione faced Ginny again. "Alright, but please be careful, Ginny. I don't trust him."
"Hermione, promise me you won't tell anyone."
"I pro--" but Hermione was cut off by the sound of hysterical sobbing and wailing.
Ginny saw a new figure in the painting to the right of the fireplace. "Lady Vi? Is that you? Are you alright?"
Lady Violet could not respond at first and merely sobbed harder. "H- he's...he's gone! He's d-dead!"
"Who? What happened?" Ginny asked, looking at Lady Violet's red, swollen eyes.
"He was murdered!" Lady Violet replied, and she fled from the painting, before revealing the identity of the victim.
Hermione looked puzzled. "I wonder what that was about. It sounded like she was playing a prank. Do you know her very well?"
"That was Lady Violet. Yes, I know her well. At least, I know her well enough to say that she wasn't playing a prank. Hermione, this is serious. We should get to sleep." Ginny suddenly did not feel very well.
"You're right. I don't want any more surprises for the night. Let's go."
But as Ginny walked up the steps to her room, she could not push away the feeling that Draco was involved in the murder in some way. The feeling stayed with her for the rest of the night, and when she awoke the next day, it was still present to her surprise.
-----------Author's Note: Before anyone complains about how I made Draco into a murderer, please hold off your accusations until after chapter 6. I know that it was evil of me not to say who's dead but that's life [ducking while you throw tomatoes]. I hope you like the chapter, and let me know if you have any requests. I have actually changed some stuff in the story based on reviews, so please don't be shy. I love to read comments, and I really appreciate reviews.
I would like to thank the following people for their reviews:
Crystal Music
StarCrossed Lovers/ Sarah
Ainariel-Helyanwe
volly
harryluver422