Finally got Ch 5 up, thanks to a fantastic beta by Tearful Moon from Checkmated! Ch 6 is done and will be sent in for beta soon!
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Ch 5
Ginny stirred and next to her, Draco closed his eyes, acting as if he was still resting. She yawned and stretched her arms, slowly getting to her feet.
"Finite Incantatum," she murmured in order to remove the Disilliusionment Charm that had kept them invisible from any wanderers. Ginny tapped Draco's shoulder gently and he acted as though he was just waking up. He had not been watching the pretty redhead sleep. 'Pretty?' he thought. It had been too long since he'd been alone in the company of a woman. He shuddered.
As they continued on their journey, Ginny began asking him questions,. "So, how much do you know about what Voldemort has done?"
"Not too much. I was only beginning to get into a more respectable position in which I would be privy to more information. I know what took place around Durmstrang. I know stories of so-called victories although by the time things reached us, I'm sure details had been elaborated."
"Would you like to know the extent of what all has happened?" Draco nodded in the affirmative although from Ginny's grave expression he knew what happened was horrific.
"It goes far beyond the wizarding world, Draco. Voldemort's been attacking Muggles and not just in Europe. He's gone… global, you could say. He found out a few years ago that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were in America . He thought he pinpointed them in a tall building in New York City. He had been given good information but our warnings reached them in time. However, because of actions he set into motion in hopes of killing Harry, over three thousand Muggles and a few wizards were killed."
"What did he do?"
"It's kind of a long, complicated story. You see, there are countries in the world in which Muggles are fighting against Muggles from other countries. They don't like each other for whatever reason- I guess kind of like Voldemort doesn't like anyone but purebloods—and he's been manipulating that Muggle hatred in order to get them into wars with each other and therefore kill each other off. We think the ultimate plan might be to get the Muggles to use these weapons they call new-clear to blow up the whole world," Ginny paused, giving this time to sink in.
"I had heard about him getting Muggles to fight each other , just not how, exactly. He is bloody mad, isn't he? I mean, I always knew as much but now it's like… it's like he's on a suicide mission!"
Ginny nodded in agreement. "That is what we think. We haven't figured out how he'd be able to avoid the whole Earth blowing up—you know, surviving it, but maybe you're right. Maybe it is… suicide.
"Anyway, like I was saying—he put these men under the Imperius Curse. He found this group of Muggles that live in the desert in somewhere called Afghanistan. He used a Polyjuice Potion to take on the appearance of one of their leaders and after he had them under his control, he had them crash airplanes into those tall buildings in New York. You know airplanes?" Ginny asked. Draco just looked at her as though she were crazy. "Well, just checking. These buildings were the tallest I had ever seen! Although thousands of people worked there, most were spared. They hadn't quite all gotten to work yet. Apparently Voldemort knows little about 'time zones,' thus his timing—thank goodness—was slightly off.
"The buildings came tumbling down on the city, ruining a lot of other buildings in their path. It looked dreadful. We saw the whole thing on a Muggle television. It's how we keep up these days: we rigged a tele to work inside Hogwarts." At this, Draco raised an eyebrow. "Hey, we once bewitched a Muggle car to fly! Stranger things have happened." she shrugged.
"It was horrid. It sent the Yanks into war with these crazy men and then they went after another country and started a war there as well. We still aren't really sure what that is about but at any rate,Muggles are at war, killing one another just as we are. But, Voldemort's plans only get bigger.
"He had heard that a group of dark wizards had fled to India and were planning to rebel against him. He went there and conjured up a great, powerful wave in the ocean that swept away the people, buildings, animals, and vegetation on the coast of the country, as well as surrounding islands . One of the wizards survived. He made it back to England and sought out our help.
"Voldemort was responsible for the deaths of over ten thousand Muggles and wizards that day. He's using everything at his disposal—people, nature—it's quite unbelievable! Just a month or so ago, he received a tip on where Harry might be so he sent a huge hurricane to the city to wipe them out. It was in the States.
"He was too late again. Our sources warned us and we got him to safety. The main problem is all the Muggles. We don't know how to warn them and still keep our world from them. We feel bad, really, but what can we do? How could we ever make them understand the entirety of all this?"
Draco was at a loss for words. He had grown to hate the Dark Lord and what he stood for, in large part because of his mother and fathers' deaths. He was left with no family to speak of, torn away from his old friends and forced to do petty labor for so many years. His plan had been to get into the high ranks and kill Voldemort himself. He had not gotten around to formulating an actual plan— that was just always what was in his mind to do.
"You may not really care about all the Muggles dying and such, but I know you don't want them blowing each other—and the entire world—up because of Voldemort."
"You're right. I mean, I guess it's terrible about the Muggles and all really, but no one on his side has any idea of what you are suggesting. Well, no one that I know of anyway."
"We're sure they don't," Ginny sighed. "We can't even be sure but Harry still… Harry has dreams and stuff sometimes. He sees things."
Draco snorted. "And do tell—why did the brave Potter flee to America?"
"I'm not really privy to that, but I have my ideas. I won't share them just now though."
Draco eyed her. "Don't trust me completely, do you?"
"You wouldn't be alive if I didn't," she said smugly and kept walking as he stopped.
"You sure think highly of yourself for someone who was captured while spying. If it wasn't for me, you—"
"Yes, yes. I owe you for the kindness you have done me. And I am very grateful. I 'd rather get you back to camp before I tell you anything more about our side."
"Very well then," Draco said shortly, brushing off the subject as he wondered why he was miffed that Ginny seemed not to trust him enough. He began to walk with her again and a silence fell between them.
xxx
Ginny was sure they should have found the camp by now. It was nearing dark and she knew it shouldn't be very far. Yet, she wasn't seeing any sign of anyone or anything. She was tired, hungry and ready to be back with those close to her. She felt out of sorts being suddenly alone with Draco. She found she thought him attractive and tried telling herself it was only because it'd been so long since she had been with a man, that was all. She had not been with anyone since Oliver's death, despite Seamus Finnigan's numerous attempts to woo her over the past year.
True, Ginny had been trying to charm Draco back in the dungeons at Durmstrang but that was just to get what she wanted: the hell out of there. Instead she found him to be different from the little boy she knew from Hogwarts. He had matured and where he had always been a cute boy, grown into a ruggedly handsome man. She shouldn't be thinking such thoughts, especially about him.
Ginny shook the thoughts from her head and stopped to look around. She held out the wand they had found and silently spun slowly around, performing a revealing spell to see if any notes had been left behind for her. She saw in the distance, about three-quarters of a turn around, a spot on a tree glowing bright orange.
"Come on," she gestured for Draco to follow her. "I think they left."
"Well that's right nice of your friends. Give up on you, did they?" Draco huffed, still feeling slightly put out with her.
Ginny ignored his comment and kept her sights on the glowing part of a tall tree. A piece of parchment had been sealed to the tree and had been enchanted to appear as though it were bark unless a witch or wizard revealed it.
The note was indeed for her and was from Seamus Finnigan.
Ginny,
I know you will find this and, first and foremost, I want to apologize that we had to leave. We know of your capture but we are confident you will return unscathed, just as you have many times before. Pressing matters have taken us back to Hogwarts. Apparate to Hogsmeade as soon as you can. If you have no wand we have left a portkey for you. Directions to find it are below.
Harry has given us some urgent news. I hope to see you soon.
Seamus
Draco read the note over Ginny's shoulder. She ignored him.
"So, we apparate now?" he asked. "Or would you rather the portkey?"
Ginny shook her head, grabbing his hand impatiently. With a loud pop she Apparated them both to what was once Hogsmeade. Draco had not been there in years and apparently, neither had anyone else. All the shops that he once visited on certain weekends during school lay in piles of stone and rubble. Ahead in the distance he could see Hogwarts rising triumphantly into the horizon. He had never been so happy to see the old castle.
xxx
Ginny kept hold of his arm and turned him to face her. "You do understand that even though you are with me, you will still be under scrutiny? You have to be prepared to comply with whatever is asked of you— be it taking Veritaserum or letting someone perform Legilimency on you—whatever. Alright?"
Draco nodded in agreement as she looked deep into his eyes. She grinned. "Good. I think in the end everyone will be happy I've brought you."
Upon seeing Ginny smile again, Draco couldn't help but turn the corners of his mouth slightly upward. It wasn't hard to see why Oliver Wood had fancied the young woman. When she was pleased it seemed that everyone around her would be pleased as well, simply because she was.
Ginny let go of Draco's arm and began to make her way into some of the rubble. "There's a passage down here that is guarded at all times. It goes from what used to be Honeyduke's into the castle. Here we go." She let out a breath she hadn't meant to hold.
Draco followed her through the rubble and down some well-concealed stone steps into an underground cavern. It had once been storage for Honeyduke's no doubt, but now was in too bad a state to store much of anything. He and Ginny fought through the plant growth and saw a torch glowing not too far from them. There they found a large iron door with a small window.
Ginny stepped up to the door and knocked a special knock. Eyes immediately peered through the small window and went wide. The door flew open.
"Ginny!" cried George Weasley as he rushed and grabbed her into a hug. "Oh, we were wondering when you'd get back! And—" Draco looked down as he heard George take note of him. "Ginny?" George asked, keeping a protective arm around his sister.
"It's because of Draco that I am here."
"Malfoy?" George gaped.
"Calm down there!" Ginny laughed as George placed a hand on his wand. "He let me out of the dungeons at Durmstrang and I convinced him to come with me."
"Ginny, I don't know if—" George began, not taking his eyes off the blond boy.
"It's alright. Trust me. He took good care of me while I was there too. Snuck me food and juice. He never hurt me, I promise," Ginny grabbed her older brother's chin, forcing his eyes to hers.
"Well, you'd better get him inside. I take it you'll have a lot of explaining to do and we've got a lot to fill you in on."
"Alright then," Ginny said and let go of her brother, motioning for Draco to follow her once again.
As they walked, Draco became unsure of the reaction he was going to receive. "Ginny, are you sure this is such a good idea? I mean, what if—"
"Nonsense, Draco. They all know me well enough. They'll hassle you for a bit, sure, but they'll find out, as I did, that you're not all bad," she joked reassuringly with him.
xxx
Draco grew more and more nervous as they stepped in the castle from the passageway and headed down the stairs towards the Great Hall. George had no doubt sent word that Ginny was on her way and had probably included Malfoy in his message.
Draco paused at the bottom of the stairs as Ginny kept forging onward towards the doors of the Great Hall, which stood open. Ginny stopped and looked back when she realized Draco wasn't just behind her. "Come on then. I promise, this will be more painless than if I were in your shoes with the Death Eaters."
Draco knew this to be true and reluctantly started forward again just as two redheaded figures darted out and grabbed Ginny.
"Darling!" called a female voice. Draco took this to be Ginny's mother.He recognized the man as her father. "We knew you'd make it back! And," Mrs. Weasley turned to Draco. "What's this?"
"This, Mother, is Draco Malfoy. He is the reason I am here. He kept me alive and well in the dungeons at Durmstrang. When he came to let me go I convinced him to come back with me."
Arthur Weasley studied the young, blond man in front of him for a minute before extending his hand. "Thank you. We are so grateful to you," he said quietly. "I am Arthur Weasley, Ginny's father, and this is her mum, Molly."
Draco nodded to them both, shaking Mr. Weasley's hand. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ginny is lucky to have you. I've lost both of my parents."
"We've heard, dear," Mrs. Weasley said sympathetically.
Ginny was shocked. She had not observed Draco showing many real emotions but seeing him with her own parents, she thought he looked quite sad. Her thoughts were cut short as other Order members flooded the corridors.
xxx
Both Ginny and Draco were taken to the hospital wing where they were thoroughly examined and to be kept over night. Wards were placed around Draco for good measure and he had to surrender his wand. He did so without complaint.
Draco agreed to a Veritaserum test to be administered the following day. That night, in the quiet of the hospital wing, Draco reflected on the past few days as Ginny breathed lightly in her sleep a few beds down away.
He sighed and turned to lie on his side to observe the sleeping redhead. She looked peaceful in her sleep: so harmless, so gentle. He had seen enough to know better but he couldn't help admiring the beautiful girl. It had been so long since anyone had actually cared for him and he could tell that Ginny did. Perhaps not in that way, which was fine. He wasn't looking for that, was he?
She shifted in her sleep and sighed. Draco was still staring when she opened her eyes and gave him a small smile. "I've not been snoring, have I?" she giggled, covering her face.
Draco shook his head no and returned her smile. "No."
"Trouble sleeping?" Ginny asked quietly as she sat up and stretched. He made no answer while he watched her walk to his bed, taking a seat on the edge of it. "You're safe here, Draco. They'll accept you. You'll end up being a big part of this, you know."
Draco rolled onto his back and placed his hands behind his head to prop it up slightly. "I'm glad you think so."
"I know so," Ginny patted his hand. "Some people might react oddly at first but you aren't the first from the other side to come over. Actually, a few of your friends will probably come around tomorrow or the next few days. Zabini and Bullstrode are here. They're out on a mission with some of the others but once word gets out you're here, they'll come running, no doubt."
"Blaise and Millicent? Really?" Draco perked up. Old friends— he never thought he would be so happy to hear those names. "They're not together are they?"
Ginny laughed. Blaise was very handsome and Millicent, well, she was very manly. "No, no, certainly not! Millicent is still single and Blaise has been seeing Padma Patil for quite some time now."
"Ah, nothing like Hogwarts romances during a time of war," Draco breathed a sigh of relief that Blaise had still kept his good senses about him.
"Hey! Don't knock it. I had a romance in a time of war— and a marriage at that."
"Yes, and look how…" Draco froze, horrified when he realized what he was about to say: and look how well that turned out for you.
Ginny kept her calm demeanor and nodded. "Yes, yes I know. I am twenty-three and a widow. But, you see, the good part of that is that I am only twenty-three. I've got time for another romance or two in my life." She smiled and stood to walk back to her bed.
Draco grabbed her hand as she turned to go. "Sorry," he whispered. "Sometimes I just… I can't control my mouth."
"It's fine. The look of horror on your face was enough to tell me you didn't mean it," Ginny smiled and curled back up in her bed.
Draco slept that night as he had not slept in a long time. It was dreamless, thanks to a potion, and uninterrupted.