A/N: Thank you for the reviews. Please keep them coming. I enjoy reading them. Since I know that you are all dying to find out where they ended up, I won't keep you reading some abysmal author's note at the top for much longer.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything recognizable froma Harry Potter book. I do own several original characters, only one of which has been introduced so far, our villian, Lucas Lestrange.
Warning: Murder, Cutting, Angst, Memory of Past Child Abuse (Brief) Torture and Abuse of a Minor. We're getting to the action and intrigue now which will draw our heroes together.
I Never Thought I Would Be A Hero
Original Dark Angel
Chapter 3: Cut
She was standing in the living room of #12 Grimmauld Place. "Ginny!" was the collective roar as everyone rushed to hug her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dumbledore and Malfoy talking urgently in the corner, but she wasn't given the chance to join them.
"Gin, have we missed you," Ron said with a bear hug, before passing her off to Hermione and Harry. "Guess what we got you for Christmas! No, don't guess, just open it." An hour later, she was sitting by the fire in the middle of her friends, with a Weasley sweater on, and laughing at one of the twins' gags. She felt so relaxed.
"Sorry to break up the family reunion, but we have to get back. Pansy's parents will be back to break up the party soon and we want to get caught."
"Caught?" Hermione said skeptically. "Won't that get you in trouble?"
"I thought you were supposed to be the intelligent one." Malfoy's tone was icy and hostile. "Son of a deatheater here with his supposed girlfriend. We're supposed to be in trouble. It attracts more attention if we aren't. Hurry up and say good-bye."
Ginny stood up and peeled off the sweater. "Sorry, Mum, but I can't wear it at Hogworts or Malfoy Manor. Love you all." She hugged Ron and Hermione before turning to Harry. "Bye." Impulsively she hugged him, before running to join Draco. The portkey whisked them back to the study in Pansy's manor.
"If you can't keep your hands off scarhead at Hogwarts, we're going to have a problem convincing people," he grumbled.
Ginny smiled sweetly, stood up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Thank you. That was the best Christmas present I ever had."
"It was nothing." He paused as if listening. "Here they come." He spun around and pulled Ginny to him. Her arms went around his neck, and he kissed her deeply. Then the door crashed open.
"Told you, Parkinson. Off somewhere snogging. All Mr. Malfoy is good for now, I'm afraid. Malfoy, Weasley! Separate!"
As if reluctant, Draco turned to face Snape and Mr. Parkinson. "Yes, sir?"
"We need this room for a meeting. The rest have gone home, so get lost."
"Yes, sir." Draco hurried Ginny out. "Perfect timing," he whispered. "Let's get out of here. Mother wakes up at a ridiculous hour on Christmas."
"Wake up! It isChristmas morning! Get upand ready! The Zabiniswill be herein only twohours!" Narcissa's five a.m. wake up call (at a volume worthy of a howler) startled Ginny so much that she fell off the bed.
Sleepily, she headed to the wardrobe, before realizing that she had no idea what she was supposed to wear. She opened the door cautiously, checked the hall for any sign of life, and then hurried to Draco's door and opened it. She slipped in and dashed for the rug next to the bed as the cold stone floors were harsh on her bare feet. The sound of the shower turned off and Draco opened the bathroom door a crack. "Just me," Ginny replied sweetly. Draco swore, and ducked back in the other room and slammed the door. Hearing the shower turn back on, Ginny decided to sit while she waited. She picked up Draco's cat and set it in her lap so that she could stroke the silky black fur. Ten minutes later, Draco appeared, dressed and irritated, his damp hair tousled from the quick shower. "Morning, Draco."
He tossed the towel on his desk, and leaned coolly against the bed post, declining to sit next to her on the bed. "What's up? Problem?" Before she could respond, he moved to the wardrobe and tossed her his robe. "Put that on before you freeze! Honestly." He returned to his previous position. "Now what was so pressing that you felt the need to wander this drafty manor in only your nightgown?"
"Across the hall isn't wandering the manor. I wanted to know, what I was expected to wear. Your mother seems to enjoy confusing me."
"Casual Dressy. Mother probably intends to show you off. I see you've made friends with Dragon Bait." At her confused expression, he elaborated, "the cat."
"Draco Malfoy! You named a rare black Persian, 'Dragon Bait'?"
"No, that's just my personal nickname for it. His proper name is Esenovya, after the keeper of the scales of wisdom, according to Atlantean mythology. But he's mine, he's small, and he's annoying, so he's also Dragon Bait."
"Poor Esenovya," Ginny crooned, scratching under its neck. "Such a cruel nickname for such a gorgeous cat."
"I'm sure he'll survive, Ginny." Nevertheless he reached over and stroked the cat before placing his hand over Ginny's.
"Sorry to interrupt. Happy Christmas all." Both turned to see Blaise walk towards them, with one eyebrow raised. Ginny blushed as she remembered that she was wearing Draco's robe, but Blaise seemed unperturbed. He reached over and petted the cat. "Hello, Dragon Bait."
"Not you too," Ginny exclaimed.
"Actually it was his idea." Draco smirked. "Ginny thinks it's offensive to call 'poor Esenovya' that."
"Oh, er, well, Esenovya is a talented cat. Very beautiful and, er, blast it!" He shook his head. "Ginny, you might want to clear out before Narcissa finds you in here. Draco, your mum has flipped. I told her my parents wouldn't be here for at least another hour, but she's ordering the house-elves around like she only has seconds and threatened two with clothes."
"I'll go straighten it out." He walked Ginny to the door and kissed her lightly. "See you in a bit, luv."
She kissed him again, than turned away, but looked back. "Oh, by the way, I love your hair." With an impish grin, she was gone.
"Your girl is one-of-a-kind, Draco," Blaise laughed.
Draco shook his head ruefully. "Don't I know it."
"Oh, Draco, its beautiful!" Ginny flung her arms around his neck. "I love it!"
Draco smirked. Her impulsive action had almost knocked him over, but it was worth it to see the look of sheer shock on her face, when she had opened the girt. She slipped the golden bangle bracelet on and admired the flecks of color in the opal that was the size of a snitch. She had already opened a bottle of perfume from his mother, and a book from Blaise. Now Lucas handed her something. Nervously she looked up at Draco. He put an arm around her shoulders to reassure her. She pulled a dark purple amulet out of the box.
"Put it on, Ginevra," Lucas laughed.
Draco took it in his hand. "Nice." He couldn't fell any magic running through it and it didn't fit the description of any dangerous jewelry he knew of. "Here, I'll fasten it for you." Wordlessly, she turned and lifted her hair so he could fasten it and let his hands slide over her bare shoulders, revealed by the tan gypsy cut dress that she wore. The necklace made them both nervous, but it wouldn't do to let Lucas see that. He leaned forward and kissed her. When he leaned back, Lucas was scowling, but everyone else was smiling.
"Ginny, dear, how's your family doing?" Mrs. Zabini asked politely.
"Great." Draco's heart plunged. Had she forgotten? But Ginny continued, "I expect that they're happy as clowns. I'm not there to irritate them, so this is probably the best Christmas they ever had."
"Poor girl," his mother sympathized. "Their loss is our gain. As long as you want, you may consider this your home, Ginny. I never had a daughter and I'd love to have one in you."
"We must take her shopping, Narcissa. She'd look lovely in green," Mrs. Zabini gushed.
Draco smirked. What do you know? Weasley was turning into a bloody good spy.
Ginny wandered down the hall, nose buried in a first edition of Grimms Fairy Tales that she had found in the library. Voices made her stop. Carefully, she looked around the corner. Lucas was sitting in front of the fireplace, fingering a long silver dagger. "Right, Pansy. Dumbledore's got it coming to him. Lets see him get out of this one."
"I wish I could stay and see the fireworks. No pun intended," Pansy's head giggled from the fire. 'But Daddy insists on me coming home before midnight."
"I could find a way to hide you. You wouldn't want to miss the midnight kisses for luck. See if I can catch Draco's redhead. Do you hear something?"
Ginny twisted her ring and disappeared before Lucus had a chance to investigate. She reappeared in Draco's bedroom. He was sitting on the bed, drawing something, but he hid it upon her sudden entrance. "What's wrong?"
"Lucus is here. Caught the end of his conversation with Pansy. Dumbledore is in danger if he comes tonight."
Draco leapt off of his bed. "I'll owl him at once."
Unconsciously, Ginny's eyes were drawn to him. Draco didn't have a shirt on and he was reaching for one off his desk chair, when Ginny saw the marks. She reached out and grabbed his wrist, turning to expose the red half healed cuts across the inside of his wrists. "Draco?" she whispered. He tried to wrench away, but she held on tightly. "How could I have missed this?" she asked herself out loud, tears spilling down her face.
"I wear long sleeves for a reason, Weasley," he laughed mirthlessly. "Not what you expected from cruel arrogant Malfoy is it, little girl? Who would've known this stone had a crack?"
"No, this isn't what I expected. Bruises from one of your father's beatings maybe, but not this."
"The cruciatious curse doesn't leave bruises and a house-elf always took care of vanishing bruises from his stick. These-" he gestured wildly, "-let me feel the pain, make sure I remember it and remind me why I have to do this." He sighed, "You wouldn't understand?"
Her eyes flashed angrily. "I wouldn't understand!" She jerked the sleeve of her robes up. "Take a good look, Draco. First Year. I was possessed by Tom Riddle. The boy I liked barely noticed me, and I was afraid that I would only be seen as the little Weasley girl. So I did this to myself." In a tangled web across her forearm were spidery thin white lines, healed scars from a year of cutting. "So tell me how I wouldn't understand."
Draco had turned pale, and shaking fingers ran over the scars. "Ginny, none of that was your fault. Why would you do something like this?"
"Why do you? It isn't your fault that your Dad is a-"
"But I haven't stopped him yet. Until I do, I need the reminder of the pain he's caused."
"Promise me you won't do it again. We're partners in this. You can trust me with anything. If we don't work together, this won't work." She was crying again, making Draco feel guilty.
"I won't, okay? I'll stop; just don't cry. We've got a job to do."
He tried to move but she continued to cling. "Promise."
"I promise. I've got to send that owl. Go get ready. I'll meet you at the ball." He hurried out, leaving her alone.
Ginny was waiting nervously at the foot of the first set of stairs. She hadn't seen him yet, so he allowed himself the privilege of studying her. A simple emerald green halter-style silk dress clung to her frame. Her red hair had been swept up, allowing the creamy skin of her shoulders and back to be seen. Barely dragging on the floor, the dress was flawlessly simple other than the cluster of diamonds at her waist that matched her earrings and bracelets. But the most mesmerizing feature was her eyes, rich chocolate framed with dark lashes. Brown eyes met silver, and Ginny blushed under his gaze. "Do I pass inspection?"
"Perfect." He hurried down the steps and offered her his arm. "Shall we enter then, m'lady?" She nodded, and they headed for the main staircase. Narcissa had made a big deal over Ginny, so every single person's eye was on them as they made their way down the stairs. She was hiding her fear well, and Draco grinned at her. "Ready, Ginny? Three . . . two . . . one."
"Why here they are! Isn't she the darlingest thing?"
"Draco never told us how pretty you were."
"I must know, my dear, where you found your lovely gown."
"Draco must spoil you terribly. I can't imagine him choosing someone less than worthy though."
"She's absolutely adorable. I hope you don't let her get away, Draco."
"Wouldn't dream of it, Mrs. Nott," Draco assured her, winking at Ginny. She looked totally lost, but kept nodding politely. Maybe he should have explained that he was a favorite among his mother's friends.
"I can't believe how old you are, Draco. Seems like yesterday you were six years old and climbing my whomping willow," Mrs. Nott laughed.
Ginny looked up. "I haven't heard this story yet. Please continue."
"Oh, somehow he managed to climb the whomping willow. Wouldn't come down until his father ordered him down. Lucius had to threaten him too."
"That's enough. We have to go find my mother. Thank you for coming," Draco said with forced cheer. Mrs. Nott smiled and patted his hand, but one look at Ginny's face and he knew he hadn't fooled her. The memory of the beating, not the first or the last but definitely the worst, made him shake.
Ginny's hand caught his, and she whispered in his ear. "He can't hurt you anymore. He's locked up." He turned and kissed her forehead, whispering his thanks, in the first natural gesture he had made in six years.
"Party favor, Draco?" Lucas offered the basket. Draco and Ginny touched the same one at the same time, and were whirled back into a memory.
"Stupid boy!" The hand that threw Draco to the floor belonged to the cruel voice. "I'll teach you to make a fool out of me with your dangerous stunts. When I call, you come!" A stick was raised and a child was crying.
Reality came rushing back and both dropped the party favor like it was burning them.
"They're just memory recallers," Lucas admonished.
"Some memories are better forgotten." Draco tossed the favor in the fire. "There's the music. May I have this dance, Ginny?"
"Of course."
Draco whirled her away, pulling her close to him. "I'm sorry."
"Were you really only six?" she asked sadly. He nodded grimly. "I'm so sorry."
"He'll pay. Someday." The clock started chiming midnight. A ware of the expecting stares, he leaned forward and kissed her for all twelve chimes.
"Alright, share some of the luck you two." At Blaise's remark, Draco pulled away reluctantly. Blaise kissed Ginny's cheek and left with a hurried "Happy New Year."
As soon as Blaise left, Draco kissed her again. The cheers slowly died away and the couple broke off the kiss to find themselves under the scrutiny of a cruel eyed man with long blonde hair. Draco stepped back. "Father."
Ginny's heart sank. This was the horrible man who had given her Tom Riddle's diary, who beat Draco when the boy was small, and he was studying them with intense hatred. Draco had pulled away, reverting to the cold insensitive boy he had been before.
"Draco. Who. Is. This." More a statement than a question, Lucius Malfoy's voice shook with anger.
"Father, meet my girlfriend, Ginny Weasley."
"A Weasley!"
"In case you haven't noticed, father, she's better than the rest of the low family. More beautiful and intelligent than the rest combined."
"She's a Weasley!" Bellatrix Lestrange burst out. "One of those children I chased last summer. A friend of Harry Potter."
"I was never a friend and I grew tired of being a flunky," Ginny answered coolly. "They have no respect or love for me, and I have none for them. Draco's shown me what life is really about."
"Has he?" Lucius sneered.
Lucas interrupted. "I'm sorry to announce that there has been a tragic accident upstairs. The minister of magic is dead. Lighting a ceremonial fireworks display that was faulty. Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, you know."
"I wouldn't doubt it. My brothers are not known for their care."
"I won't have this in my house!"
"I understand, Lucius, but the Dark Lord has known of her, and has plans for this. You can't kill her," Mr. Zabini whispered hurriedly.
Lucius nodded abruptly, then turned. "The ball is over considering our minister's death. You must all go home." He turned back to Draco, hissing, "You, boy, will escort her to her chambers and report to my study."
Draco nodded, and pulled her away and up the stairs. "I'm sorry about your brothers," he murmured quietly.
"Don't worry. Fred and George can take care of themselves. Did they really kill Fudge?"
"I wouldn't doubt it."
"I should have known. Pansy and Lucas said something about seeing the fireworks."
"You couldn't have stopped it. You saved Dumbledore at least." Looking down both ends of the hall, he ushered her into his room instead. "Stay here."
"He's going to punish you, isn't he?"
"It doesn't matter. I don't cry out; he gets tired of the game and lets me go. Stay here. Do not leave my room. No matter what you hear, understand?" His eyes were cold and determined. Ginny nodded. "Thank you." He strode out, leaving Ginny alone with the cat. It was all she could do not to follow him. A startled cry of pain, a sound that she had never heard before from Draco, almost weakened her resolve, but she stayed there, hands clenched, through the eerie silence that followed. Then there was a steady series of cracks, but no more cries. Almost half an hour later, Draco appeared, almost collapsing at the door. He crashed face down on the bed. "You can go back to your room now," he muttered.
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
"You cried out. I heard you."
"I wasn't expecting the whip. He's always used his cane before. Go to bed. We have to leave first thing tomorrow." He turned away intent on ignoring her. She turned and went into the bathroom. She filled the basin with warm water and pulled two wash clothes out of the cupboard. Then she returned to the side of his bed.
"Move over."
"Go away, Weasley."
"No, I'm not going anywhere. I can't heal your back, but I can clean it and lighten the pain. Take off you cloak." Muttering, he forced himself to sit up and released the cloak pin. His shirt was a mess, blood-soaked across the back. Ginny helped ease it over his shoulders and away from his back. "Lay back down." She tossed the shirt in the fireplace and wet the first cloth. She placed it on the first cut. Draco couldn't help the gasp of pain, and Ginny squeezed his hand. "How many lashes?" she asked quietly.
"Sixteen. He made me count. One for each year of my life. Then Lucus knocked me down, and I hit my head on the stone floor. Hell of a headache," he mumbled.
Gently, Ginny probed the back of his skull with her fingertips. "Might be a concussion. Don't fall asleep on me yet." Keeping her touch gentle, she managed to clean the rest of the blood from his back. "Draco, sit up."
"What?" he asked groggily.
"Sit up for a moment." She assisted him and then yanked the sheets back. "You can lay down again." He settled sleepily into the pillows. She dumped the basin and rinsed the washcloths, before washing her hands. He was asleep when she returned. She smoothed an errant lock of blond hair back away from his face. So much for his father being locked up and unable to hurt him. She couldn't leave him alone. "Draco? Draco, do you have something I can sleep in?"
He struggled to open his eyes. 'T-shirts are in the bottom drawer."
Ginny took one and hurried into the bathroom to change, careful to hang up her dress. Then she crawled into bed next to her patient. It would be a long night.
Draco woke up with a dull headache and a numb pain in his back. Memories from the night before, flooded his mind. His father's return, the whipping, Lucas's blow, and the pain of having his wounds cleaned. He turned, wincing at the pain. Ginny lay fast asleep next to him. Carefully, he got up and headed for the shower.
He returned cleaner and more awake, although he couldn't raise his arms to finish buttoning his shirt or comb his hair. Ginny was awake now too. With a sigh, she reached over and finished buttoning his shirt. He let her. "You didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did. We're a team, Draco. It's about time we learned to act like one. You needed me last night. I helped you. Let it go. From this moment on, we're best friends."
He nodded. Is that offer good?" He took a deep breath and took a chance. "Cause I can't fix my hair, and let's face it. I couldn't tie my tie even before this happened." He waited nervously.
Ginny stared at him for a second, and then burst out laughing. "Come on, genius. I'll help." Both laughing, they set about making him presentable.