Thank you to all those who reviewed!
bellaroma8806: Thank you for the review!
Lilac: You'll find out more about Draco in this chapter and I wouldn't go as far as to say the Great Angelgrl185. Thanks though!
.spitxfire.: Ecstatic is good! Wooh, glad you don't mind all the bickering! Thanks for the review!
Karms: He really doesn't turn evil and good in that amount of time. I guess it's really subtle, but this has been occurring for a while now with out it being said out right. This chapter explains it a little bit more so hopefully you'll understand. Thanks for the review!
Embellished: I wasn't affronted by your review at all! I was just joking around in my author's note cause I had got a lot of "ahh your evil!" reviews in the last chapter. I know most of you all were joking! Thanks for the review and I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter!
Moony's number 1: Sorry it took so long, but here it is! Thanks for the review!
Nytel: I'm glad you liked the description! I don't know if it has ever really been described before so I just put my own perspective on it. "Draco continued until he reached the end of the property of Hogwarts and in the blink of an eye, apparated." Ch. 12. Draco wasn't on Hogwarts grounds anymore when he apparated. Thanks for the review!
Paige2310: Thanks for the review! Yeah Ginny and Draco argue a lot, maybe too much in this, but this chappie will settle it!
Allychik6: You have to read the rest to find out!
ExtremeDancer: Hahaha! Thanks for the review!
SilvinArrow: "Oh well, once Draco gets her out and thouroughly snoggs her she will be much better" Hahhaa, that made me laugh! Thanks for the review!
Crooning Waterfall: Some of your ideas were on the money, but of course I can't tell you which ones! Thanks for the compliments and review!
PsYcHiC SeLiNa: Sorry bout the cliffie! Thanks for the review!
Lady Godiva: Oh Harry will definitely not be saving Ginny. Sorry it took so long for the update, but Draco and Ginny have a moment here! Thanks for the review!
Pure Rose: I failed you…I didn't update soon, but I'm happy to hear you like my portrayal of Draco!
bowling4souproxmysox: Point of no return…good song from Phantom of the Opera and the Revenge of the Sith totally rocked. Never fear, Draco will not be evil to the point of no return! Thanks for the review!
FuckMeImIrish: Thanks for the review! Draco isn't all that bad!
Gothic-hands: Thanks! Thank you for the review!
Mercutio's Heir: You are right about the Gracin thing. Actually I had it right, but then I changed it because for some reason I forgot that she wasn't Weasley and I thought I had it wrong with Gracin so I changed it to Weasley. Eh, I can be so dumb. Yeah I have the spelling wrong in the beginning chapters. Also of hermione's name as well. I just haven't had the time to rework the chapters and fix it. I'm too lazy….that could be it. Thanks for the review!
Beauty Eclipsed: A new reader! I'm excited! Welcome to the creative domain of my mind combined with JK Rowling's! Thanks for the review!
Arianna: Thanks for the review! Hugs always appreciated!
Frances: Hahaha, not too much I hope! Maybe this chapter will make you hate me less…
Lady lorethei: I really didn't want to do the whole clichéd happy sappy romance ball thing so I thought I'd make it a little bit more interesting. Glad you liked it! Thanks for the review! Oh and you'll find about Draco the Death Eater in this chapter!
Garnet Til Alexandros XIII: Thanks for the review! I know you keep saying I'm dragging it, but I don't believe I am. Everything that I have written has been planned out since I started writing chapter one and it is all important to later events. Maybe it seems tedious to you, but I like my chapters to be around 4,000 words and I like to explain events thoroughly and accurately to transition the story better. Glad you like it though. Oh and Draco isn't so bad, maybe this chapter will help that. (I put spaces in your name)
Friends Close, Enemies Closer
.:Angelgrl185:.
((I don't own the Harry Potter Series of any of its components))
Chapter Fourteen: Unlocking Answers
Two Days Until Winter Solstice
Morning
Ginny drummed her fingers endlessly against the stone floor of her prison. It was wet and cold against her fingertips, but it was the only means of entertainment. Her first idea was to count the stones like any good prisoner would, but she found it to be too dark in her cell to even distinguish air from wall. Ginny sighed and leaned back against the cold surface of the wall and closed her eyes. It felt like hours, days since she was first put in here, but she knew it couldn't have been that long. The winter solstice was looming near and Voldemort would have moved her to Greece by now if that much time had passed. Her conversation with Harry was the only bright spot in the midst of her darkness, but she didn't dare try it again. Voldemort would detect it to be sure.
The tireless dripping of water grinded her nerves and refused to let her body sleep. Ginny's body felt fatigued, but her mind was racing. Different ways to break out flitted in and out of her mind constantly, but they were all impossible. The Death Eaters, well Draco, had taken away her wand leaving Ginny defenseless and stuck in her dismal prison.
A slight beam of light casting on her face caused Ginny to open her eyes. She quickly located the window and found that it was dawn. Pulling herself off of the ground, Ginny ran to the window and grabbed the metal bars locking her in. It was beautiful. The orange sun was just peeking up over the horizon surround by fluid shades of yellow, pink and purple. Ginny felt a tear trace down her face as she looked at the beauty that was taken from her when she was locked up. She backed away from the window to her corner and slid to the floor in defeat. Was she ever going to get out of here?
As she sat there in silence an idea floated in her mind immediately making her blanch. Ginny cast it aside in order to find a different plan, but no other came. She knew this was the only way. Ginny shivered in anticipation of what she was about to do. Pushing herself off of the floor, Ginny walked slowly over to the metal door that barred her escape. She hoped that whoever was guarding her was just a little daft and not a Malfoy. Ginny pressed her head to the door and peered out of the little slot.
"Hello?" she called out in a soft timid voice.
"What do you want, girl?" came a low growl.
"I'm hungry," Ginny replied. "You don't want me to die of starvation now do you?"
"Quit complaining. Ye won't starve." Ginny swallowed hard and closed her eyes before speaking her next words.
"I'll make it worth your while," she whispered in a husky a voice as she could manage. Silence ensued as the Death Eater appeared to be processing her words.
"I'll be back," he said. "Don't go anywhere. Oh wait, you can't!" his cackle echoed down the hallway as he walked away from her prison. Ginny leaned against the door. The Death Eater had left, but was he getting her food or alerting someone?
The next few minutes went by torturously for Ginny who could do nothing but sit there and wait. After what seemed like eternity, she heard a gruff voice cancel out the hexes placed upon the door. A large figure entered the room with a tray of food. Ginny reached out for the tray, but the Death Eater pulled it away from her grasp.
"Not until you earn it," he said before setting the tray down by the door. Ginny nodded and closed the gap between them trying to ignore the anxiety that was building up in her stomach. When she reached the Death Eater she slowly pushed back the hood to reveal a cold pair of dark brown eyes. Trying to contain her shock, Ginny stared at who was revealed. Vincent Crabbe. Crabbe grunted impatiently as he waited for Ginny to begin. Gulping, Ginny tried not to look disgusted as she trailed her fingers down his beefy face to his chest.
Placing her hands firmly on his chest, Ginny pushed Crabbe down to the floor and sat on his groin straddling him. She tried not to throw up as she became aware of his aroused state. Pretending to feel up his bulky body, Ginny secretly trailed a finger along the inside of his large robes. When her pinky connected with a smooth piece of wood a ghost of a smile flitted across her face.
Ginny repositioned herself as she trailed her free hand down Crabbe's stomach towards his groin while her other hand grasped the wand gently, but firmly. Her right knee was in between his legs and the other resting on his left side. Ginny looked at Crabbe's face before lowing her head as her fingers reached his buckle. He was watching her hungrily. Ginny smiled wickedly at him before bringing up her right knee forcefully hitting him hard in the groin.
Crabbe's eyes seemed to bug out of his head as his face contorted in pain. Ginny smoothly pulled out his wand before standing up and kicking him hard in the stomach. Crabbe groaned and sat up placing an arm across his stomach. The other was cupping his tender groin. Ginny raised the wand and pointed it at him.
"Stupefy!" she said strongly stunning the Slytherin Death Eater. Ginny took a deep breath and tried to stop herself from shaking. She pulled off Crabbe's black robes and quickly discarded her costume. Wearing such a huge dress would only hinder her escape. Ginny threw the robe on over a white slip and petticoats. To her dismay her body seemed to drown in black silk. Using a shrinking charm to make the robe fit, Ginny then levitated Crabbe's body over to her dark corner and placed her dress on top of him. Ginny slipped the black hood over her hair and pulled open the door. After locking it, she cautiously ran down the hallway into the darkness of the dungeon.
Draco felt just a tad bit uncomfortable with a dozen stony gazes glaring in his direction. The fact that Dumbledore appeared quite relieved at his presence was the only thing keeping him in the room.
"Albus, what is the meaning of this?" Remus said looking toward the seasoned wizard.
"How'd he get in here?" Molly asked incredulously. "Only Order members can apparate into Grimmauld Place." Draco felt Mrs. Weasley's heated gaze from across the room. A smile threatened to tug on his face. She reminded him so much of Ginny when she was angry.
"If only members of the Order can get into Grimmauld Place, then-" Dumbledore began leading her train of thought.
"Draco Malfoy is in the Order?" Molly finished looking at him in disbelief.
"Yes," he answered firmly.
"How did this happen?" Arthur asked with a mix of anger and curiosity.
"It has long been known to me that Draco did not wish to follow in his father's footsteps. I recruited him to act as a spy for our Order which he has accepted." All eyes turned to Draco warily and a few of them grumbled.
"Now, I believe Draco has some information you would all like to hear," Dumbledore said before turning his attention to Draco. Draco cleared his throat before he began speaking.
"I'm sure you are wondering what happened to Ginny Weasley," he began looking pointedly at her parents. "She is being held by the Death Eaters and taken by Voldemort's command. She is alive and hasn't been touched."
"How can we know for sure that you are telling us the truth?" Molly asked looking at Draco with distrust in her eyes. Draco clenched his teeth and fished in his robes.
"Here, her wand," he said holding it up in the air. "I am the one who disarmed her when she reached our gathering."
"Where exactly is she being held?" Tonks asked eagerly.
"Malfoy Manor," Draco replied. "But don't even think about attempting to rescue her from there. My father has the place heavily hexed. Even Aurors wouldn't dare to venture onto our property."
"He's right," Snape affirmed nodding his greasy head.
"We can't rescue her anyways," Dumbledore said. Molly turned to him in surprise.
"For heaven's sake why not, Albus?" she asked.
"I'm afraid we need Voldemort to lead us to the location of the Masamune and in order to do that he needs Harry to be present. Taking Ginny was his means to get to Harry so he needs her. If Ginny stays, as long as she isn't harmed, then we can get to this weapon and destroy it before Voldemort can use it."
"No! You can't do that to Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley protested loudly.
"I'm sorry Molly, but this is the only way," he said apologetically. Molly Weasley looked over frantically to her husband who just bowed his head and lowered his gaze.
"She better not be harmed," Molly said glaring at Draco. Draco returned her stare evenly.
"Is there any other information you can offer us, Draco?" Dumbledore asked turning to the young man.
"No, Sir. Voldemort has not revealed the exact location of the sword yet. We just know that it is located in Greece."
"I need proof that Ginny is alright," Molly spoke up. Draco turned to her.
"I showed you her wand."
"Yes, that means you have her, but I want to know she's ok," Molly pleaded softly. Her brown eyes reflected the love and concern she had for her daughter. Draco pulled out the wand again.
"Every wizard is connected to his or her wand with a life bond," he explained as he held it up. "That is how they can more powerful magic with their own wand as opposed to someone else's. There is a way to locate a person through their wand, but it is not normally used because when a person is lost their wand is usually near them."
"Can you do this? Please" Molly whispered. Draco nodded before saying the spell. A small vision appeared in front of the Order and inside was Ginny dressed in the robes of a Death Eater. Her hood was down and she was facing another Death Eater in a duel.
"Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley screamed as she watched her daughter dodge an attack. Draco's eyes grew wide when he saw what was happening and he immediately disapparated out of the room taking the wand with him.
Ginny slipped down the hallway of the dungeon her heart beating erratically. Her feet barely made a sound as they traveled lightly across the floor. A dripping of water echoed in the stony passageway that was dimly lit by torches spread through out the hall. The faint sound of footsteps reached her ears causing her stomach to turn. She had hoped to escape unnoticed. Ginny steeled herself as the footsteps neared and a Death Eater appeared around the corner.
"Crabbe, what are you doing away from your post?" the Death Eater scolded. Ginny didn't reply but fingered her wand.
"Wait a minute, your not Crabbe!" Ginny whisked out her wand and pointed it at the Death Eater.
"Stupefy!" she yelled knocking the Death Eater back against the wall. With that, Ginny picked up the bottom of her newly acquired robes and ran down the hallway. When she took a turn she smacked into another Death Eater and fell back in surprise. The Death Eater looked just as taken aback before he attacked. Ginny fell to the floor narrowly missing the attack aimed at her before firing one of her own back at him. It missed. Ginny looked up from the floor at the Death Eater who was now a few feet from her with his wand raised and eyes glinting evilly. A brief flash of light blinded them both for a moment before revealing another Death Eater standing before her. Draco Malfoy.
"I'm sorry, Ginny," Draco said under his breath before raising his wand.
"Stupefy." Ginny's body convulsed with the hit and fell back against the stone floor limp. Draco moved swiftly towards her and picked her up in his arms. The Death Eater behind him followed him back down the passageway to her prison. Draco unlocked the door and entered it. He had to hold back the snicker that was threatening to break loose at the sight of Crabbe.
"I've got it from here, Nott." Draco said after dumping Ginny's body roughly on to the floor. "You take Crabbe and Donovan back to the main floor and get them taken care of. I'll take Donovan's shift and watch her." The Death Eater nodded before levitating Crabbe and walking out of the room. Draco locked the door behind him and turned to face Ginny who was just beginning to regain consciousness.
Ginny opened her eyes and grimaced at the pain that erupted in her skull. Lifting her eyes up she discovered gray ones watching her.
"You," she said scooting a few feet back.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Ginny," Draco said coming a little bit closer.
"Stay away from me!" Ginny ordered as she backed up against the wall. Draco sighed and moved no further.
"Ginny, it's not what you think. I'm not a Death Eater."
"Oh really? You are wearing a black Death Eater robe," she pointed out. Draco raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"So are you."
Ginny did not look amused.
"You stunned me," she accused.
"Ginny, please let me explain," Draco said looking at her. Ginny stared at him hard. "Please, Ginny." After a moment she nodded. Draco stared at her becoming moving up next to her and sitting down. Ginny shied away a few spaces.
"My father, Lucius Malfoy, raised me to hate. He is a cruel man who considered me to be weak and did everything in his power to make a dark wizard out of me. If it weren't for my mother then I would be one. My mother loved my father once, but as he became more consumed by the Dark Magic and the Dark Lord, the more twisted he became. She lived every day of her life in fear of my father. She still loved him, but wasn't allowed to show him so I was the only one she had left. My mother was the only right spot in my life."
"What happened to her?" Ginny asked. "Where is she now?"
"He killed her," Draco said his voice filled with malice.
FLASHBACK
"You failed again," Lucius said in disgust. His silver eyes glinted coldly at Draco who remained motionless his face void of emotion.
Draco had been lounging in one of the black leather armchairs in front of the great stone hearth when his father barged into the room in fury. His mother looked up from her magazine when her husband entered the library and cowered in her chair at his presence.
"What have I done now, father?" Draco drawled with disinterest.
"Don't patronize me, boy," Lucius threatened his eyes flashing angrily. "You are weak and pathetic; a complete disgrace to the Malfoy name. I promised Lord Voldemort a strong dark wizard, but all I have is an arrogant pretty boy who can't even do better than a worthless Mudblood in school."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "You're mad at me because Granger got higher marks then I did?"
"That Mudblood," Lucius spat, "isn't the only one. You only did well in Potions and that is because Severus is the Potions Master. Not only that, but you lose every Quidditch game to that Potter fool."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Draco questioned beginning to get annoyed with his father.
"It shows that you are a disgrace to the name. If you weren't my only child and promised to the Dark Lord, you would have been killed years ago." Draco felt his silver eyes narrow as his anger began to build.
"Lucius," his mother cut in softly. "Don't say that to our son."
"Stay out of this, Narcissa," Lucius said angrily. "He will not be my son until he is worthy of it."
"Don't talk to her that way," Draco hissed rising out of his chair. His head was pounding in anger. Lucius turned slowly from his wife and faced his son.
"I've had enough of your arrogance, boy," he growled. "You need to be put into your place." Pulling out his wand he aimed it at Draco.
"No!" Narcissa screamed running across the room.
"Crucio!" Draco's mother pushed him out of the way and the powerful curse struck her instead. Narcissa fell to the floor scream and withering in pain. Draco stared horrified at the scene before him.
"Stop it!" Draco yelled at his father whose face was contorted into an evil smile. When his father didn't release his mother, Draco pulled out his own wand and pointed it at Lucius.
"Stupefy!" he yelled all of his rage filtering into the spell. The spell hit his father knocking him flat to the floor stunned for a moment.
Draco ran to his mother's fallen side and knelt beside her. Her skin was clammy and deathly white when he picked her up. Her body felt limp and lifeless cradled in his arms.
"Mother?" he whispered fearfully. Narcissa's eyes fluttered open weakly and she managed a small smile at her son.
"I-I'm sorry, Draco," she gasped as he clasped her hand in his. It felt cold. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop him," she said weakly. Draco watched as his mother struggled to breathe. She had been sickly for years now and the curse had deeply hurt her.
"Shush, it's ok, mother," Draco said softly.
"I-I love y-you, Draco," she whispered softly before closing her eyes and falling back limply in his arms.
"Mother, no!" Draco yelled as he watched her breathing still. He felt the unfamiliar prick of hot tears in his eyes. He looked up enraged at his father who was beginning to get up.
"You killed her," Draco said venomously. Lucius looked briefly at his dead wife then turned back to his son.
"Are those tears, Draco?" he sneered. "You really are weak." In a few quick strides Lucius crossed the room and grabbed Draco around the neck hauling him to his feet. His fingers tightened around his neck while Draco struggled to breath. Lucius threw him back against the ground.
"You are angry," Lucius observed. "I can feel it radiating off of you. I can see it in your eyes. You're mad that Narcissa died. She was a waste of good looks. Completely useless to me." Draco clenched his fists.
"You want to hurt me," Lucius taunted him. "Go ahead." Lucius challenged his son. Draco didn't need to be told twice. He whipped up his wand.
"Crucio!" he yelled. Lucius seemed shocked that his son dared to attack him again. He thought Draco would back down like the weakling he was. The pain flooded him, but it wasn't something Lucius hadn't felt before. He had endured this torture in the early days when the Dark Lord wasn't happy with him. The attack brought him slowly to his knees before Draco stopped. Lucius rose to his feet his silver eyes gleaming.
"Good, Draco, good. That was very powerful." Draco looked taken aback by his father's response.
"There's hope for you yet," his father mused. "Now get rid of this mess. I don't want it smelling up my house." Lucius left the library with Draco staring blankly confused and lost in his wake.
END FLASHBACK
"I hated my father at that moment more than I ever had in my entire life," Draco said hate threading his words. Ginny watched the young man before her and her heart broke for him as he told his story and she moved a little bit closer.
"That day I vowed that I would never be like my father, but I also vowed that he wouldn't get the best of me anymore. My hate drove me to excel in my classes and magic. My father thought I was beginning to become the son he had always wanted."
"Why are you a Death Eater then?" Ginny asked.
"I told you I'm not a Death Eater, Ginny." Draco said exasperated. "Only in appearance. Dumbledore came to me a few months back asking that I work for the Order as a spy. I didn't accept right away because I thought if I joined them I would eventually become one."
"What changed your mind?"
"When I found out about the whole Angelina thing I felt betrayed and deceived. I was so angry that I had let my guard down. Ever since my mom died I had built up these walls to keep it from happening again and I didn't know what to do. I owled my father telling him of my decision to join them and I sent one to Dumbledore as well. I got the mark a few days later, but it wasn't until tonight that I really joined to begin my service."
"Why tonight?" Ginny asked. Draco's face grew stony.
"I saw you and Tristan together."
"You were jealous?" Ginny said in shock. Draco didn't answer.
"Draco, there is nothing between Tristan, and me" Ginny protested. "Yeah he kissed me, but I only thought of you." Ginny looked down at her hands.
"I'm sorry I was accusing you of being a Death Eater and for deceiving you, but that really was the only way!"
"I know, I guess I've been acting stupid," Draco admitted.
"We both have," Ginny replied. Draco gave her a small smile. They stared at each other in silence until Draco grabbed Ginny's arm and pulled her to him. She closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulders as he wrapped his arms around her. They held each other seeking comfort in these confusing and dark times.
The sun had risen in the sky bringing a small amount of light into Ginny's dark cell. Draco had left hours earlier to prevent anyone from getting suspicious, but he had left Ginny with the hope and security of knowing she wasn't alone. The sound of heavy metal grinding against stone alerted Ginny's attention that she had a visitor. Ginny's face lit with a smile in anticipation of Draco, but it was immediately doused when the Death Eater who had brought her here entered. His cold gray eyes held no humor, only coldness. He walked swiftly towards her and grabbed her arm roughly hauling her to her feet. Ginny gave a cry of protest and tried to wrench her arm from his bruising grasp. Avery glared at the red head before dragging her out of the room.
Moments later, Ginny found herself not in the field she was first brought to, but a large library. Her mind recognized it from the story Draco had told of his past. She immediately shivered as chills ran down her back at the thought that someone had died in the very room she was in. Lord Voldemort was seated comfortably in one of the chairs as house elves cowered around him waiting for his next demand. His scarlet eyes pieced hers as he turned his gaze upon her. Ginny withered in Avery's grasp as Voldemort studied her.
"Miss Weasley, I hope you were comfortable down there," Voldemort said silkily his eyes looking amused. Ginny jutted out her jaw defiantly and looked steely at him.
"No reply? No thank you to your host? Tsk, tsk, Miss Weasley. You need to learn to be more polite." Voldemort motioned to the chair across from him.
"Do sit down." Avery pushed Ginny over to the chair and forced her to sit.
"What do you want?" Ginny hissed narrowing her eyes.
"Not much really," Voldemort said smoothly. "I just wanted to give you a chance at great power. Join us and you will be greatly rewarded."
"I would never join you!" Ginny growled. "I would just as soon be dead.
"That can be arranged," Voldemort replied coolly. "Don't worry, you'll be dead soon enough. After you help me get the Masamune, I will no longer require your services."
"There is no way I would help you." Ginny spat angrily.
"Don't be to sure of that, Miss Weasley," Voldemort scolded her.
'You are helping us more than you know.'
Finally the next chapter! Not much action, but more background story and development of the characters. Oh! Please tell me if the scene about Draco and his mother's death was a little too much and a too OOC cause I'll go back and change it to make it better. There are only two days left till the Solstice and that's when the main action occurs. I'll try and make the next chapter a little bit more interesting. I hope you liked it none the less! PLEASE REVIEW!
.:Angelgrl185:.