Friends Close, Enemies Closer
.:Angelgrl185:.
((I don't own the Harry Potter Series of any of its components))
SaintEmo: Glad you like it and thanks for the review and for adding me to your favorites!
Blinded One: Muwahaha, you will find out in this chapter!
Dark Paris: Hey! I'm working on VP2, I actually finished the first chapter or prologue, but I'm going to wait until this is done before I post and really start developing it. My writing style, I was just born with it I guess. I didn't really pick it up anywhere, it's just how I started writing. I love writing descriptions and I have a quirky sense of humor so I think it comes across sometimes. shrugs Thanks for the review!
TropicalTreat101: I'm glad you understand. You will learn more about Draco's choice here and Blaise is suspicious.
Llcrayolall: thanks for the review! Here's the next chappie for you!
Lady lorethei: So many reviews! Awesome! Thanks! Yeah I know Blaise is a guy, but I have read stories with him being a girl and I like him that way. Thanks for the reviews!
TrippyGirl20051: Hahah, thanks for the review, I'm glad you are excited. This chappie should explain some stuff for you!
LilithRiddle: I have no problems with it being Translated, but how does that work?
LostRose: I'm glad I can keep your attention! I was having the same problems! That's why I decided to write one.
Extreme Dancer: Thanks!
Chapter Eight: Deceived
Draco woke to the sweet scent of strawberries wafting through his nostrils and the touch of soft curls tickling his face. He could feel a lean arm draped around his waist and a head resting on his firm chest. The arm on his waist flexed then and tightened its grasp on him, burying the warm body sleeping on him even closer. Draco inhaled the scent of the person sleeping on him, no the woman sleeping on him he realized as he trailed his fingers down her slender curves. Resting his arm along her waist, he drew her close enjoying the fact that her body seemed to form to his. That's when he realized that there shouldn't be a woman sleeping on him.
Refusing to open his eyes in case it was a good dream and it would disappear, Draco tried to think back to the events from the night before. Running his day through his mind, Draco paused at the memory of when he was thinking on the couch and Angelina…Angelina. Angelina had fallen asleep against the headrest last night and he must've as well. Somehow she ended up snuggled against him asleep and in a very provocative position he must add. One of her legs was draped over his, their thighs practically touching. Draco grunted when Angelina stirred and moved her body against him as she repositioned herself in her sleep.
Draco sighed when he accepted the fact that his body was not going to let him go back to sleep especially under these circumstances. Sure he didn't think Angelina was attractive at all, but she was definitely still a female and he was a male. Something irked Draco about the situation, something wasn't right. Gently he ran his fingers down Angelina's slender form and once again felt the soft curves. Angelina didn't have curves, she was completely formless one of the reasons Draco wasn't attracted to her. What was going on? Draco slit his eyes opened and the silver orbs opened completely when instead of seeing the slightly greasy brown hair he was expecting, they landed on vibrant red curls that were highlighted with golden flecks from the fireplace.
Ginny snuggled closer to the soft body that was resting under her. Her hands were pressed against a firm chest and her body was lying perpendicular to it. She had one leg draped halfway over his and her head was snuggled in between his broad shoulders and neck. Ginny breathed in deeply enjoying the spicy masculine scent he omitted. That's when she realized she wasn't supposed to be sleeping on anyone, especially not a guy. Her eyes flew wide open when she recanted the past night and figured out whom indeed it was that she was lying intimately on.
'Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!' Ginny went haywire in her mind. 'What am I doing? I'm snuggled up against Draco Malfoy!'
'Feels rather nice doesn't it?' her mind whispered.
'Shut-up,' Ginny said dryly not admitting that it felt rather nice indeed.
Ginny quickly debated where to put her hands so she could get off of Draco without waking him, but apparently it didn't matter. When she moved her arms a sharp voice stopped her.
"What is going on?" Draco asked a dangerous edge in his voice. Ginny glanced up at him surprised at the cruelness in his tone. His face was stone cold and he glared at her fiercely through stormy gray eyes. Ginny bit her lip. Apparently Draco really didn't like the fact of her sleeping on him. Ginny opened her mouth to explain that it was an accident and that she must've fallen down when she slept. She absentmindedly ran her fingers through her hair, startling when they caught on tangles. Grabbing the ends Ginny brought them towards her face and her bright green eyes grew horrified when the shiny amber tints caught her attention. Ginny looked back to Draco's calculating gaze and froze.
"Oh no."
"What kind of game are you trying to play Weasel?" Draco hissed his eyes burning with intensity.
"No Draco it's-" Ginny tried to explain but he cut her off.
"Do not call me Draco. That is what my friends say and you, Weasel, are not one of them," Draco growled. Ginny flinched at his words as they cut deep in her.
"So what are you trying to do Weasel? Are you and your pathetic Gryffindors trying to pull a fast one over the Slytherins? Think it'd be funny to secretly befriend a Malfoy and then ridicule him in front of the whole school? That's sure to bring honor to the shabby Weasel clan," Draco hypothesized sarcastically his face darkening with every idea. He pulled his form out from under her and roughly shoved her off of him.
"No, you don't understand!" Ginny protested ready to explain.
"I understand perfectly Weasel. I want you out of my house even if you are a snake," Draco said in cold finality. Ginny felt hot tears of frustration brimming in her eyes as they tried to plead with Draco's. He just stood up from the couch and left, his hands clenched and pinned to his sides. Ginny sank back against the couch and placed her head in her hands. She couldn't stop the tears from running down her face.
"Ginny?" the voice who posed the question was soft and unsure. Ginny hushed her sobs and wiped away her tears, composing herself before facing her best friend.
"Hi Blaise," Ginny said giving the girl a grim look.
"You going to scream at me too? Accuse me of treachery?" Ginny asked bitterly. Blaise didn't answer but came down and sat next to her.
"I heard shouting so I came downstairs. Everyone else is still asleep. You can sneak up really quickly and get your things before anyone sees you," Blaise suggested.
"Why are you being nice? Aren't you mad at me too?" Ginny wondered. Blaise shook her head; her raven looks falling into her face.
"I kind of knew already," Blaise admitted.
"What? How?" Ginny questioned in surprise.
"Lots of reasons. Angelina came the day Dumbledore announced you were dead plus we've never had an exchange student before. Then you weren't even sorted in front of us and that is a huge Hogwarts tradition and honor," Blaise explained.
"Then there were the other things. Angelina being really good at potions, she learned quidditch from her many brothers and what really sealed it was how she knew about the Chamber of Secrets," Blaise finished.
"Wow, you're smart. No one else knows except for Dumbledore and Professor Philips," Ginny said.
"Professor Philips, why does he know?" Blaise asked.
"He's the one who made the transforming potion for me," Ginny replied.
"Hm, he's kind of cute for a professor," Blaise decided.
"Ew, Blaise! That's so gross!" Ginny squealed causing them both to break out into laughter.
"I see Draco didn't take the news very well," Blaise observed bringing down the mood. "How'd he find out anyways?"
"I was so busy yesterday I forgot to take my potion. When I came back here we were talking and I guess we both fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up I had changed back and saying he wasn't happy is a huge understatement," Ginny explained leaving out the position they woke up in.
"Awe, that's so cute. You two were sleeping together," Blaise snickered. "Why didn't you just tell him the truth?"
"I tried! He wouldn't let me!" Ginny said frustrated.
"He's such a thick headed idiot! Draco thought the Gryffindors were trying to play some sick joke on him. If he had actually thought about it, he would have realized that Dumbledore told everyone I was dead and they even held a memorial service for me! Dumbledore wouldn't be part of a mean prank." Ginny grumbled.
"Why did you do this then?" Blaise asked curiously. Ginny hesitated before answering, but sighed and began to speak.
"My life was in danger. When I was in the Chamber of Secrets, I unknowingly tapped into my Legilimency powers and saw a memory of Tom Riddles' that was about his attempt to come back to power. His memory erase charm failed and only blew away that memory. Recently I've been getting the memory back and Lord Voldemort is trying to find me so he can kill me before I can tell anyone the whole memory," Ginny explained. Blaise's eyes went wide as saucers.
"Wait a minute, I don't understand how Tom Riddle would know anything about being Lord Voldemort and coming back to power and stuff. He was only a kid then," Blaise said.
"Yeah I wondered that too, but I think it's cause the Voldemort of our age is a Legilimens, he was kind of manipulating his past self or something back in the Chamber through the diary so it wasn't really the actually Tom Riddle," Ginny explained.
"How is he going to come back to power?" Blaise wondered.
"There is some kind of weapon he's seeking, but according to my memories, he hasn't found it yet," Ginny replied.
"Oh my gosh, Angelina, I mean, Ginny. We need to get you out of here. Draco's really mad. What if he lets it slip to his father that you are alive and in Hogwarts?" Blaise said frantically.
"His father…" Ginny murmured as she tried to remember something hovering in the back of her mind. "The letter."
"What letter?" Blaise frowned in confusion.
"I can't really explain it to you because it's Draco's business, but he got a letter from his father last night that basically signified that the dark lord was close to coming back to power. That must mean he has found the Masamune," Ginny realized.
"Masamune, isn't that the legendary sword?" Blaise asked tilting her head to the side. Ginny nodded her head as her face scrunched up in concentration. Silence ensued before Blaise broke it.
"What are you doing?" Blaise asked her.
"I'm trying to think," Ginny growled back annoyed at being interrupted.
"Dumbledore definitely needs to be notified about this and we need to hurry up and find the Masamune before Voldemort does, but how? We have no idea where it is." Ginny mumbled to herself. Blaise waited patiently for the redhead to make some kind of sense.
"Only Voldemort knows where it is and its not like we can just ask him politely to tell us the location," Ginny went on to herself. An idea flashed in her mind and her green eyes seemed to sparkle.
"I got it," Ginny said to Blaise.
"Got what?" Blaise asked utterly confused as to what had just happened.
"Voldemort is on the brink of returning and he knows where the Masamune is. If he gets it then our world is destroyed. Voldemort is the only one who knows where it is and it is imperative that we know. The only way we can is if someone probes his mind and that is what I'm going to do," Ginny said taking a deep breath.
"No Ginny, you can't do that. It's too dangerous," Blaise protested.
"It's the only way. I'm the one who got us in this mess and now I'm going to get us out," Ginny said stubbornly.
"What do you want me to do?" Blaise asked with concern.
"Just sit there and don't make a sound or move. Whatever you do, don't touch me or try to get me out of the connection. I'm trying something that extends my mind out and if interrupted, I could get left in the in between." Ginny warned. Blaise gulped and nodded.
"Ok, this will take a few minutes," Ginny said before getting off the couch to sit directly in front of the fire. She crossed her legs and straightened her back. Ginny place both hands on either side of her head at the temples and took a deep breath.
Draco stormed down the hallway not really knowing where he was going and not really caring either. It was early in the morning, the students and staff still sleeping due to the fact that the morning sun wasn't even up yet. He found himself wandering near the kitchen and headed over the picture hanging in front of the secret doorway. Tickling the pale green pear and eliciting a giggle, a door appeared in the wall and swung open, allowing Draco entrance to the kitchens of Hogwarts. He strolled in and was immediately surrounded by peppy house elves asking him what he wanted. Draco waved them off after asking for a cup of hot chocolate and sat down at one of the tables.
His mind was still reeling from the event that had just passed and it refused to process it. But what was there to really think about? That stupid wench deceived him. Draco dug his fingernails into the wooden table he was leaning on in anger. Well Gryffindors weren't known for their honesty. Potter was always lying about his whereabouts along with the other two stooges. A house elf came over and set a steaming black mug of cocoa in front of him. Draco didn't even acknowledge him, but just grabbed the mug and took a large swig. The chocolate burned the roof of his mouth and singed his tongue, but he didn't care. It felt good to him, the pain.
'You should have listened to her. Heard what she had to say,' his mind nagged.
"I don't speak with Weasleys," Draco replied harshly.
'She was trying to explain.'
"She betrayed me."
'You don't know the circumstances,' his mind protested.
"She knows everything now," Draco mused ignoring his minds feeble attempts to change his mind.
'She won't say anything, she's loyal to you.'
"She's loyal only to herself."
'You need to speak with her,' his mind told him.
"I need to leave this place," Draco replied.
'You cannot leave, you aren't finished with your schooling,' his mind argued.
"There is nothing here for me. I'm already in the top of my classes and advanced too. I can graduate early. I'll arrange it with Dumbledore," Draco decided.
'You are running away,' his mind called him out.
"You don't know what you are talking about," Draco growled.
'I think I do. I am you,' His mind countered. 'You are running from her.'
"Why would I run from a little Weasel? Snakes eat weasels for lunch," Draco laughed harshly.
'She hurt you.'
"No one can hurt me."
'You began to like her and you were caught unaware. You don't like surprises,' his mind argued.
"Malfoys do not think about Weasleys, Malfoys do not associate with Weaselys and Malfoys as sure as hell do not like Weasleys," Draco replied coldly.
"Where will you go?"
"To them."
Draco's mind quieted at the last thought as if pondering it. Draco gulped the rest of his drink and slammed the mug back down against the table. The house elves that were watching his display in interest scattered at the frustration and anger he radiated.
'It is a crucial time, they will need you.'
"I was born for it."
'What about the other choice?' his mind wondered.
"No, I would only be betraying myself," Draco answered firmly. He motioned for a house elf with a wave of his hand and ordered a piece of parchment paper and a quill. It was quickly produced. Draco slowly scratched out a letter telling his decision and handed it to one of the house elves after sealing it with magic. No one could read it except the one it was intended for. The house elf left quickly towards the Owlery as Draco sat back in his chair. He wouldn't get anymore sleep that night.
Ginny closed her mind to the outside world, to the distractions in the room. She erected shields in her mind in order to protect herself from intrusion before beginning her search. Never had she tried such an intense jump and it scared her a little. Tapping inside her mind she tried to remember what Dr. Philips had told her about Legilimency at a distance. Making sure she knew everything before she began, Ginny began to weave. It was a delicate magic, one that was woven inside the mind. Bright gold and crimson strands of energy appeared in her mind as she summoned them. Ginny gently weaved them intricately together to create the gateway in which her mind would travel through the dimension.
It was kind of like the Floo Network, or at least it worked similarly like it. Once Ginny had made the gate, she drew up an image of Tom Riddle in her mind. She locked on his energy and gently weaved in the black and purple energy cords that appeared. Linking herself to the image of Tom Riddle, Ginny branched out into the gateway. She was immediately propelled through the blackness as different colored strands appeared all around her, taunting her, trying to confuse her and break her concentration. Ginny refused to be daunted and followed the light path of colors she had woven that was leading her to Tom Riddle's mind, now known as Lord Voldemort.
As sharp pain as cold as ice hit her when she reached another gateway, this one made of only purple and black energy. Ginny kept her gold and crimson strand with her, releasing the purple and black from her weave. She stepped hesitantly through the gateway after checking to make sure her shields were secure. This time she didn't tap into the memory system, not reaching out and drawing the black orbs. This time she dove into the back of his consciousness and watched his present actions.
The Death Eaters were once again drawn together in their tight circle around the dark lord who was standing confidently in front of them, but Ginny knew different. She could feel his weakness. She could feel him straining to keep his body straight and erect to give off the aura of confidence and power.
"The time has come. One the night of the Winter Solstice we will finally gain our power," Lord Voldemort's eyes gleamed evilly as he looked at his loyal followers.
"Where is this weapon of power, milord?" one of the Death Eaters asked.
"It is located in Greece, but the location cannot be seen by any eye unless revealed," Voldemort explained.
"This Winter Solstice will reveal the location?" another asked.
"Yes, it will reveal the entrance, we just need to be there…" the dark lord trailed off and paused to the confusion of the Death Eaters.
"Milord?"
"Silence," Voldemort hissed. He closed his eyes and opened his mind detecting an intrusion.
'Ah Miss Weasley, how nice to see you again, alive,' Voldemort said chillingly to Ginny. Ginny froze when she heard his voice floating in her mind.
'How did you detect me?' she asked frightened.
'You are pathetic my dear and weak. Did you really think your flimsy shields were going to keep me from detecting you for long?" his sneered.
'I see you are still in Hogwarts. The old man still trying to pull his tricks and outwit me I see. He will never win.'
'We are going to stop you,' Ginny said bravely.
'And how are you going to do that? You are the only one with the information and they can't get it if you are dead. It was very stupid of you Ginny Weasley to try and take on the greatest wizard in the world. This will be your last mistake,' The dark lord murmured before using his mind to send waves of pain at Ginny.
Back in the room Blaise watched in horror as Ginny's face took on a painful expression and her body began to rock and tremble with pain. Her mouth opened in a silent scream, her green eyes glassy and afraid. Not sure what to do, Blaise could only watch as her friend seemed to crumble in front of her.
Ginny screamed in agony at the torture Voldemort was placing on her mind. She was getting weaker by the minute and if she didn't do something, she would die. Portioning her mind, she left half of her attention to putting up a fighting front to Voldemort and used the other half to scope out her options. She quickly realized that he hadn't seal the exit in his fervor to finally kill her. Ginny gathered up as much energy as she could muster before reconnecting with her mind and firmly grabbing onto her crimson and gold energy. She lashed out with it against Voldemort's before quickly releasing her mind from his, fleeing out the purple and black gate heading towards her own mind.
She could still hear his roar of anger as she fled and saw a burning string of black and purple energy chasing after her. Arriving back into her own mind she quickly slammed the doorway shut and sealed it, cutting off the in between dimension and any way for Voldemort to bury himself in. He couldn't get into her mind against her strong shields unless he caught her unaware and she would always be looking for him now.
"Ginny are you okay?" Blaise asked frantically when the spasms stopped and the haunted, empty look left her friend. Ginny looked up at Blaise drained and completely exhausted.
"I need to speak with Dumbledore now," Ginny said weakly. Blaise helped her up and Ginny led her to the room to get the invisibility cloak. They both adorned it before heading off in the direction of his office. They knocked loudly until a haggard and tired looking Dumbledore appeared in sleeping robes, his glasses perched sloppily on his face.
"Miss Blaise and…Miss Weasley, what a surprise. Come in, come in,"
Dumbledore said looking at Ginny. Once inside Ginny collapsed into a chair, no longer having the energy to stay up on her own.
"Would someone care to explain why you two are in my office early in the morning and you Miss Weasley look like, uh, you?" Dumbledore asked looking from one to the other.
Blaise looked over at Ginny who nodded. Blaise proceeded to tell Dumbledore everything that had happened up to the part where Ginny connected with Lord Voldemort. Ginny then began to talk, explaining about the location of the Masamune and that no one could get it before the Winter Solstice. Dumbledore's expression became grave when Ginny told him what she had done.
"That was a very dangerous and foolish thing you did Ginny, but I admire your bravery and thank you for your efforts. The information is indeed valuable and we might be able to finally stop him with it," Dumbledore scolded her. Ginny hung her head in agreement.
"What are we to do now?" Blaise asked.
"Continue your studies and stuff. There is nothing left for you to do. Ginny, do not try to connect with Voldemort again. Also, if you want you can return to Hogwarts as yourself now since there is no reason to keep hiding you if Voldemort knows where you are," Dumbledore decided. Ginny and Blaise both nodded.
"Go back to your rooms now and I will announce your return and what happened at breakfast this morning if you don't mind," Dumbledore continued. Ginny shook her head indicating that she didn't mind before following Blaise out of the office and back to the Slytherin Common room.
Ginny waited patiently outside the Great Hall the next morning as all the students ate, Blaise by her side. She was hesitant to step back into everyone's lives after being dead for almost half the school year. She heard the students clapping as Dumbledore began giving various announcements and craned her neck to hear better.
"I have two announcements. The first one I'm sure will excite you. Since it is almost Christmas time, the staff and I have decided to host a Christmas ball in order to celebrate the holidays. Something new to spice up the year and all," Dumbledore said as the hall broke out in excited chatter. Dumbledore waved his hand and quieted them before continuing.
"Students of Hogwarts, I have a confession to make and I want you to all listen to my explanation carefully before talking. In the beginning of the year the announcement was made that Ginny Weasley had died, but in actuality, she is still alive," Dumbledore said as an immediate hush fell over the crowd at his words.
"Ginny's life was in danger. She was being hunted by Voldemort himself for reasons I cannot reveal to you all. It was my idea to get her identity changed so she could still attend Hogwarts and get her schooling. This was in no way intended to harm anyone or deceive anyone; it was just necessary actions to protect Miss Weasley. I hope that you all will welcome her back whole heartedly," Dumbledore said pointing to the entrance.
"That's your cue," Blaise hissed in Ginny's ear, giving her a shove from behind. Ginny stumbled forward with Blaise next to her and entered the Great Hall with uncertainty. An eruption of applause reached her ears as the Gryffindors rose to their feet and cheered wildly, the other houses joining in except for Slytherin. Dumbledore hadn't told them that she was Angelina. Ginny walked over to the Gryffindor table and stopped by Harry, Hermoine and Ron, her usual seat. Giving Blaise a long hug, Ginny sat down at the table surrounded by her old friends as Blaise walked toward the Slytherin table.
"Welcome back Ginny!" Hermoine said brightly giving her friend a quick hug. Ron and Harry echoed their sentiments. None of them were shocked to see Ginny alive, just a little about her being back at Hogwarts.
"So how was the witness protection program?" Ron questioned stuffing some eggs into his mouth.
"I actually wasn't there," Ginny revealed.
"What? Where were you?" Hermoine asked in surprise.
"I was here, in Hogwarts," Ginny said.
"How? Oh, you were using my cloak and going to all your classes invisible. Clever," Harry said with a grin.
"Actually no. I was given a new identity and Dumbledore decided to put me back in Hogwarts," Ginny explained.
"Then where were you?" Ron asked still confused.
"I was in Slytherin," Ginny admitted to all their shock.
"Slytherin?" Hermoine whispered.
"Angelina," Harry said, the realization dawning on him. He caught Ginny's eyes and ducked his head in shame, remembering how he had acted towards her.
"It's ok Harry, I forgive you now. You didn't know it was me," Ginny said softly.
Harry nodded his head, but refused to look at her in his embarrassment. Ginny sighed and looked longingly over at the Slytherin table. They were sitting quietly, some scowling and others looking amused. Blaise chatted with the ones who weren't mad at Ginny's deceit will the others just pushed around their food. Ginny watched Draco from afar, the blond sitting stonily in his seat refusing to acknowledge anyone as he ate. He looked up when he felt her eyes on him. Turning his gaze toward her, Draco glared at her through steely eyes. Ginny swallowed back the lump that was beginning to form in her throat at the anger presented in his face. She looked down, no longer able to stand the heat of his glare. She didn't know it would hurt so bad, losing Draco Malfoy.
Finally, the next chapter! Hope you all like it and please review!
.:Angelgrl185:.