Author's Note: I really just wanted to apologize first off to you all. One for being so slow in getting this out and two for not thanking you for the amazing reviews I've been getting for the last couple of chapters. I've been very lazy and unappreciative. I don't really have time to sit here and answer every review because there were tons so I'm just gonna list the names and give a general rundown I guess. I still feel really bad!

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Basically I got a lot of anger about Draco becoming a Death Eater. I can't really say much about that. You find out more in this chapter. Yes Draco is being a jerk, but that's how his character is in the books and I'm trying to keep him OCC. Uh…I'm evil. Yup! Can't deny that! Just kidding! I'm glad you guys enjoyed the ball scene, I hope it wasn't to sappy or disappointing for you. Thank you for all the wonderful praise and amazing compliments you all have showered on me! It's ridiculous, but I love it so don't feel like you have to stop! THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN!

Friends Close, Enemies Closer

.:Angelgrl185:.

((I don't own the Harry Potter Series of any of its components))

Chapter Thirteen: Façade of Loyalty

Death littered the air. Hogwarts was thick with the smell of it. Outraged cries to muffled sobs wracked through the school each filled with the same intense pain. Bodies of students from every house lay lifeless on the floor mixed with the black stain of the dead Death Eaters. Students had worked together to gather the injured and send them off to the hospital ward while covering the dead with ceremonial blankets symbolizing the house of the fallen. The Death Eaters had been revealed and identified though none of them had been important figures in Voldemort's army. They were the lower ranks, none of them being in the inner circle and just a bunch of lowlifes who had given their service over to the power of darkness. They had been piled into a corner full of rubbish where their bodies were to be burned. Dumbledore was refusing to let the Ministry even into the school to conduct any type of investigation.

When all there was to be done was finished and after all the smoke had finally settled, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Blaise, Tristan and the rest of the survivors stood staring at the wreckage that was once the Great Hall of their school. Rubble from broken walls and ceilings had crashed to the floor. Fires from the torches lining the hallways had exploded into heated infernos. Many of the metallic objects decorating the Great Halls and some of the surrounding hallways had been melted while wooden items singed. Wandering near the classrooms one would not have been able to tell that a battle had been fought within Hogwarts were it not for the empty hollow feeling that now encased the school.

"I can't find Ginny, " Ron's scared voice broke through the far away thoughts of those around him.

"Last time I saw her she heading over to Draco," Tristan recalled.

"Yeah and I saw them both leave the Great Hall about the same time. They didn't look very happy," Blaise added with a thoughtful look.

"He was probably in on this whole attack! He probably stole Ginny!" Ron yelled angrily.

"Don't be an idiot!" Blaise hissed her blue eyes darkening, "Draco would never do anything to harm Ginny!"

"Oh yeah? And why is that?" Ron challenged his green eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Because he loves her! He just doesn't know it yet!" Blaise blurted out. Her response was met with silence.

"Well he's got a great way of showing it," Ron finally spoke up.

"True. He's done nothing but make her life miserable since the day he met her," Hermione agreed.

"Blaise is right," Harry said suddenly. Four pairs of shocked eyes turned to him.

"Draco does love her. Well, he loved Angelina anyways. I could tell from the way he always protected her. When we had detention together that's when I figured out that he really cared for her. I don't see why he would feel any different with Ginny," Harry explained.

"Draco was upset when he realized that he had been tricked, but he can't hold that against her too long. It wasn't even her fault. Draco can't hold back his feelings forever," Blaise surmised.

"Are you guys being serious?" Ron asked incredulously, "That git really likes my sister?"

"It would seem that way," Harry confirmed.

"Blimey, no wonder she has been acting so strange lately," Ron said in wonder.

"Ginny and Draco have been fighting nonstop since he discovered her real identity. He's being an idiot. The whole Malfoy pride thing has completely taken over," Blaise explained.

"He better not hurt her or I'll kill him," Ron threatened.

"Well we need to find him before you can even touch him. We need to find both of them in fact," Hermione pointed out.

"But we searched the entire castle for them," Blaise reminded her.

"Let's go to Dumbledore then," Tristan suggested, "He'll know what to do."

"Let go of me!" Ginny yelled as she fought against her captor. His sharp nails were digging into her skin as he clenched her wrists tightly. The Death Eater dragged her hard across the stone floor. Ginny was barely able to keep up with his pace. He forced her out of the school and dragged her through the grounds until they reached the edge of the lands. With a firm grip on Ginny, the Death Eater apparated away taking Ginny with him.

It was the strangest feeling she had ever experienced. Her body began to shake and vibrate each second becoming more and more violent. Then the tingling began. The sensation started in her toes then traveled all the way up through the rest of her body. Ginny closed her eyes so she wouldn't see the pieces of her body that began to disappear. Then with a sudden stomach drop, her body was lurched to another location.

A smoldering black cloud hung low in the night sky. Partially blocking the moon it cast shadows upon the open field. A tall pit of orange fire burned in the middle it's glowing embers melting against the blackness. Decaying brown grass stretched far off into the distance combined with rotten trees and moldy earth.

A group of figures stood silently in the night watching the dancing flames. Black woolen masks and silk cloaks with the hoods lifted high on their heads hid their identity from prying eyes. A form that radiated power stood before them. His beady yellow eyes glinting against the firelight.

Ginny stifled a gasp as she beheld Lord Voldemort. He was a foreboding figure and the evil aura that exuded off of him was beginning to make her head spin and her stomach turn. The Death Eater who brought her to the gathering pulled her sharply towards him as he made his way towards his dark master. Ginny struggled but it was in vain for her strength was no match for her captor.

Draco's eyes along with the rest of the circle's flew to the two new additions. As Ginny's rumpled appearance and scared face registered in his mind, he felt something churn in the pit of his stomach. She was trying so hard to be brave. He could tell. He could read her like a book. This wasn't supposed to happen. Why was she here? What could Voldemort possibly want with Ginny?

"I have brought the girl as you have requested, Master," the Death Eater said as he threw Ginny down at Voldemort's feet.

"Well done, Avery. You shall be rewarded highly for your success," Voldemort spoke. Avery dropped to his knees and bowed his head in thanks. Voldemort motioned for him to get up before turning to Ginny.

"Miss Weasley, so glad you could join us," he rasped making a few of the Death Eaters break out into hollow chuckles.

"What do you want from me?" Ginny asked evenly trying to not let the fear enter her voice.

"I do not want anything from you. Just the pleasure of your company," Voldemort said. Ginny narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

"I don't believe you."

"Believe what you want little girl, it doesn't matter. You have no say here," Voldemort said waving away her words as he turned from her.

"Take her away to the dungeons. She'll be most comfortable there," he demanded nodding at one of the Death Eaters. Draco moved silently forward thankful that he wasn't summoned by name. Moving to stand next to Ginny he studied her face carefully. Her normally bright green eyes were now flashing in anger and hate. Her chin was lifted defiantly as her lips were drawn tight in a look of disgust.

"It doesn't matter where you take me," Ginny said evenly, "I won't be here that long anyways."

"Oh? And how do you presume that?" Voldemort sneered as he turned around to face her.

"Harry. Harry Potter will save me and he will bring Dumbledore with him," Ginny said confidently, "Then there will be nothing you can do. Dumbledore is more powerful than you will ever be."

At her words Voldemort hissed and his eyes flashed in anger. He walked quickly up to Ginny and stood before her, towering over her small frame. Lifting a hand he drew it back before smashing it across her face. Ginny yelped in pain as his fist connected with her face painfully. The smooth skin on her lips cracked open and a thick crimson line of blood began to seep out. Her pale face was marred by red and the skin on the right side was beginning to swell slightly from the force. Draco clenched his fist as he watched Ginny be struck and had to hold himself back to keep from interfering. His anger was mounting by the minute at how she was being treated. Inside Draco's emotions were conflicting. Anger and bitterness were still harbored towards her from the dance, but when he saw Voldemort strike her, protectiveness inside of him came forth swelling him with hatred towards anyone who would seek to harm Ginny.

"I am sick and tired of hearing about Dumbledore. He is an old fool and shouting clichés about him is not going to save you," Voldemort hissed violently before turning around and walking away. Ginny spat at him as he left. Blood mingled with thick saliva that had collected in her mouth.

Draco reached out a hand and grabbed her arm before roughly pulling her up. Ginny protested and sent the unknown Death Eater a glare before trying to wrench her arm out of his grasp. Draco only tightened his grip before he apparated to the dungeon of Voldemort's lair taking Ginny with him. Once inside Draco relaxed his grip a little and led her over to the corner where a bunch of straw was piled. Refusing to speak and make his identity known, Draco pointed to the straw and waited for Ginny to sit down on it.

Ginny stared up at him curiously instead of sitting down. Why was this Death Eater being somewhat gentle with her? It's not like roughing her up would kill her so why was he being nice? Death Eaters hated her. Hated her family. Ginny turned herself so she could get a better look at his face, which was covered by a black mask. His silvery gray eyes however were peering out from them with a peculiar look. Silver eyes that were very familiar.

"Draco?" Ginny whispered in a small voice backing away from him. Draco's eyes widened when he heard his name and he stood frozen unsure of what to do.

"Draco," Ginny repeated her tone taking on a cold front.

"Ginny," he finally answered refusing to look her in the eyes.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see you here. Slytherins never were known for loyalty," Ginny said sarcastically.

"Loyalty? Well in case you didn't notice, it doesn't run in the Gryffindors either. At least not ones that I know," Draco hissed looking pointedly at Ginny.

"You're calling me a traitor? You're the one wearing a bloody black robe with a freakin' death mark burned into your arm!" Ginny screeched, "How's that for being a traitor, Malfoy?"

"You wouldn't understand," Draco said evenly his silver eyes steeled.

"What's there to understand? You are a Death Eater! You are the epitome of everything that I hate!" Ginny said vehemently.

"Well you obviously never liked me much anyways so what does it matter?" Draco replied sharply.

"You are such an idiot! A proud, arrogant, idiot," Ginny hissed glaring angrily at him, "You never let me explain anything. You just assume the worst out of everyone. No wonder no one likes you except for your housemates. It's a good thing you became a Death Eater. At least you belong somewhere now," she finished coldly. Draco reeled back from the sting of her words. They were like a sharp sword cutting deep in to his soul. He stiffened his form and gave her one last cold look before turning sharply and exiting the dungeon slamming the door shut with a bang that echoed loudly.

Ginny collapsed exhaustedly to the floor the hay poking her body uncomfortably. Draco was a Death Eater. Even for all her words she still couldn't believe it. Bitterness crept inside as she thought of their conversation, as she thought of his low opinion of her. She didn't mean to be so harsh; it was just a natural defense against his rejection. Draco was a Death Eater. He had the mark of the Dark Lord burned into his flesh. He was a traitor to her cause and even after all that happened, she still loved him. That's what hurt the most.

Draco was seething by the time he had apparated out of the dungeon. Ginny's words had hurt him far more than he would let himself realize. He contorted all his raging emotions for her into anger. It was the easiest emotion to deal with and one Voldemort highly sought. Voldemort could feel the anger radiating off of the youngest Death Eater as he returned to the circle.

"Don't worry, Draco. You won't have to deal with that brat much longer," Voldemort said to him mistaking the source of his anger to be hatred and contempt for Ginny instead of the mixed emotions he was feeling about her. Draco felt his fingers stiffen as the meaning of the words registered in his brain. Voldemort turned away from him then and looked back at the circle.

"Why did you bring her here, milord?" one of the Death Eaters questioned.

"She's is my bait. She will bring Harry Potter to me," Voldemort said with a wicked smile on his face.

"Harry Potter? He brings nothing but trouble, Lord Voldemort. Remember what he has done in the past," another Death Eater spoke up.

"Are you questioning my power, Bellatrix?" Voldemort hissed as he glared at the woman, "Are you insinuating that a mere boy is more powerful than me?"

"No, milord. I'm just wondering what your purpose is in bringing the boy here," Bellatrix quickly replied.

"There is something about the legend that Miss. Weasley has failed to remember," Voldemort explained, "The Masamune can bring the wielder immortality if and only if he slices his mortal enemy with the blade and drinks his blood. The sword is bewitched by the gods, it knows the blood it sheds."

"So you need Potter's blood in order to become immortal," Avery stated.

"Yes. Then the blade needs to be destroyed for then it will be the only thing that can kill me."

"How will she be able to lure Potter here?" a Death Eater asked.

"She has her ways."

"I can't believe this!" Ron said angrily as he stared daggers at the door closed before him. He and the rest of the kids were sitting outside a locked door pacing as they waited for the members of the Order of the Phoenix to decide what they were going to do. They had gone immediately to Dumbledore when they couldn't locate Ginny or Malfoy. Dumbledore had given out the alarm and assembled the order. Now they were discussing what to do about Ginny and Malfoy.

"This is ridiculous. Ginny is our friend. My best friend!" Blaise shouted looking heatedly at the door, "We should be in there too."

"I feel really helpless," Hermione admitted from her seat on the floor. She was leaning against the wall opposite to the door with her knees pressed against her chest.

"Why would Voldemort want Ginny anyways?" Harry asked aloud. Most of them shook their heads, but Blaise's eyes lit up.

"The memory," she said plainly. All attention turned towards the dark haired beauty.

"What are you talking about, Blaise?" Tristan questioned from his seat next to her.

"I don't know if she told you all the reason she changed her identity," Blaise began looking around the room, "It was because Voldemort was hunting her to kill her. When she was in the Chamber she obtained a memory from him that revealed his plans to come back to power. Something happened that locked the memory away, but slowly she has been receiving it back. I bet you that's why he took her."

"Yeah she told us about that before she changed her identity. We thought she was going into a protection program, not back to Hogwarts," Ron admitted.

"So you are saying that Voldemort took Ginny before she could tell anyone about the memory?" Hermione questioned.

"Sort of. I think he took her so she wouldn't reveal anymore. Ginny told me all about it as well as Dumbledore," Blaise explained.

"Ok, but what good does this do us?" Tristan asked.

"I know where he's taking her."

Ginny leaned back against the cold stonewalls of her prison. The air was damp and cold inside the dungeon causing her to shiver. It smelled musty and she could have sworn she heard rats scurrying about on the opposite side. Silent tears slipped down her cheeks as she wallowed in her misery. Things were not looking too good for her. She was locked in a dungeon in who knows where by a dark lord and a bunch of his top ranking followers. There was no way she could escape on her own. By now the school should have noticed that she was missing, but there was no way to know where she was and there was no way Ginny could get in touch with them.

Ginny froze as she pondered her last thought. She had completely forgotten that she was a Legilimens! She could contact someone that way and let him or her know what had happened to her. Ginny frowned a moment. She still didn't know where she was or how they could get her, but at least they'd know what had happened and that she was safe. Dumbledore would be the best one for her to reach, but Ginny knew she would never be able to break into his mind. Harry Potter was her next bet. She doubted that he knew how to block a Legilimens out.

Smiling slightly, 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. A warm feeling soaked through her canceling out the cold, dampness of the dungeon as she began to weave her magic. The familiar strands of crimson and gold comforted her as she entwined them, creating unique patterns in her mind. Once she had finished creating her gateway Ginny conjured up a picture of Harry in her mind. Good old Harry with his twinkling green eyes and messy black hair. Green and gold strands beckoned her outside her gate. Ginny let her mind travel beyond into the in-between and followed the path of the green and gold strands until she reached a gateway made of the same colors. She entered it a pleasant feeling passing through her body as she made contact with Harry's mind.

"Harry?" she called out tentatively. She didn't want to frighten him. She felt his confusion and a slight twinge of fear when he heard her voice inside his head. Then he relaxed and she assumed he recognized her voice.

"Ginny? Is that you?" he called back.

"Yes!" Ginny nearly shouted in excitement.

"Where are you? Are you ok?" Harry asked in a concerned voice.

"I'm as well as I can be in this situation," Ginny answered, "As for where I am, that I couldn't tell you."

"Blaise wants to know if Draco is ok," Harry said. Ginny paused a moment before answering.

"Draco's fine," she answered not able to tell Blaise the truth.

"Ginny we're coming to get you. Blaise told us about the memory and how the Masamune is located somewhere Greece," Harry revealed. Ginny felt her heart quicken at the thought of being saved.

"I don't know where it is in Greece, Harry. I just know it's there," Ginny replied sadly.

"But you can show me through what you are doing now. Show me what it looks like," Harry urged her.

"I don't think I'm in Greece yet, Harry. The Winter Solstice is still three days away."

"When you go, immediately let me know what it looks like or where it is if you can tell and we were get there and bring you back," Harry said confidently. Ginny smiled.

"Thank you, Harry."

"You would have done the same for any one of us, Gin."

"No, thank you for still caring. Even after what happened." Ginny explained.

"Ginny, nothing could ever make me stop caring about you. Not even you being with Draco," Harry replied.

"I'm not with Draco. He doesn't care about me that way," Ginny corrected him sadly.

"That's not what Blaise tells me."

"Blaise is living off of her fantasy world. Draco could never feel that way about anyone,"

"Don't be so harsh on him, Ginny. I know this may sound weird coming from me, but Malfoy isn't the enemy. He's a good guy, Gin. He loves you. It just might take a while for him to realize it," Harry said softly.

'If only you knew,' Ginny thought to herself bitterly.

"I need to go, Harry. Before he realizes what I am doing. Tell my family that I'm fine and that I love them," Ginny said not wanting to leave the connection.

"I will. Bye Gin."

"Bye Harry."

"What are we going to do, Albus?" Mrs. Weasley's hysterical voice broke out into the group.

"Do we even know where she is?" Mr. Weasley questioned.

"We don't know exactly where she is, but I know that she is with Voldemort," Dumbledore replied.

"How are we going to get her back?" Remus Lupin chimed in.

"I'm not exactly sure, Remus," Dumbledore admitted.

"What are they going to do with her? They're going to kill my baby!" Mrs. Weasley screeched.

"Calm down, Molly. Your hysterics won't do your daughter any good," Dumbledore said giving her a stern look. "Voldemort won't kill Ginny, not yet anyways. He's using her as bait I believe."

"Bait? Bait for whom?"

"Harry. I think he's trusting on Ginny to use her Legilimens ability to contact Harry. That's why we must keep a tight rein on all of the students. Harry is not to be allowed to go to Ginny."

"Why would Voldemort want Harry to come to him? Especially after what happened last time?" Snape questioned.

"I think he's trying to prove that Harry is just a lucky boy. Voldemort doesn't want to be defeated by a child. He wants to kill Harry to prove that nothing can stop him." Dumbledore explained.

"So this whole thing is a matter of pride?" Arthur asked incredulously.

"Voldemort is searching for the mythical blade the Masamune. With it he can kill anyone or destroy anything. It would be easy for him to kill Harry with it should Harry go to save Ginny."

"Then we need to make sure Harry and the other do not know what is going on," Remus stated. "Ginny may contact him, but Harry wouldn't know where to go."

The meeting was interrupted when a form apparated in the middle of the room. The Order stared on in shock at the black figure that stood before them, all but one. Arthur Weasley stood up immediately and drew his wand on the person standing before him dressed in black robes. Mrs. Weasley gasped and backed away.

"How is this possible? How did one of them get into here?" she cried.

"Calm down everyone. Arthur, put away your wand," Dumbledore said motioning to Mr. Weasley.

"Albus, explain what is going on and why a Death Eater was able to apparate in the middle of a very protected place," Lupin said through clenched teeth.

"He is a guest and holds information I'm sure you want to hear. Especially you, Molly," Dumbledore said looking sternly around the room before turning back to the figure.

"Draco, have a seat."

OK that would be the next chapter. I hope that makes some of you a little bit more happy. I know you are all probably getting annoyed with Draco and Ginny not being nice to each other, but I need it to be that way. I hope you guys don't think I'm dragging it. I'm not really sure at this moment how I'm going to finish the story. I have the idea of what is going to happen, I'm just not sure how I want to write it yet, so the next chapter might not be out for a little while. Sorry about that. I hoped you liked this one though!

Please review!

.:Angelgr185:.