First I wanted to apologize for not responding to reviews or thanking you all for taking the time to write them. It was very rude and ungrateful of me.
Thanks to everyone who review the previous chapters, but their questions were answered with the new ones so I won't address those. Thank you for the compliments and encouragement as well:
Lady lorethei
AureliaMalfoy
Lettie
SilvinArrow
Lomiel (I'm glad they're back together too!)
Embellished (You're right about the tryouts and Ginny's last name, I made a mistake)
Bellodraco (Yeah I know they're the Roman forms, I just like the names better)
Moony's number 1
HyperSquishy
Extreme Dancer (Glad you thought the Narcissa scene wasn't OCC, I was worried)
Sweetmly117
Nytel (Death Eaters are stupid! I agree! Harry is pretty much a glutton for punishment. He is dumb, but it's necessary and as long as its believable I'm good! I'm definitely finishing the story! I've just been preoccupied. I did read HBP and I liked it!)
Oxymoronique (I love your name, its great! I love when he's protective too!)
Chrysill Cheetah (Sorry I haven't been updating much, hope you're not dead! Thank you for your awesome support!)
PsYcHiC SeLiNa (I made a lot of the mythology up…the gods are actually roman gods..)
Shadow Beth
Rosie
GuestTypePerson (Hmmm..I thought Dumbledore knew about the blood thing. I'll check it out)
Laine3 (Glad you liked the scene with Narcissa and that it was not too soft and stuff and Lucius gets sleazier although I totally agree with you!)
Lady Godiva (Yup, he's a spy! Totally made up all the Rilanthia stuff, so just to let you know its not real, not that I know of. Glad you enjoyed it though!)
PP RuffieOoarienetteoo (Hahha, they annoy me too…and that's from experience!)
Conway100 (I would love tons of review! Glad you like the story!)
Frances (sorry for the long update…Harry is retarded.)
akmirror
Friends Close, Enemies Closer
.:Angelgrl185:.
((I don't own the Harry Potter Series of any of its components))
Chapter Seventeen: Storm Rising
One Day Until Winter Solstice
The five of them crept silently through the hallways seeking out the presence of Tonks. They found her in the conference room, the door slightly ajar and a phone in her hand. Harry's eyes widened when he recognized it to be a cell phone, something muggles were known to use. Tonks' face was scrunched up in worry and she kept biting her lower lip. She quickly punched in a number in the phone and held it up to her ear.
"Mitch?" she said, her voice holding a note of desperation. "I need your help. I'm calling in my favor."
Tonks listened for a little while to the man on the other line, her head tilted and eyebrows furrowed concentration.
"I need to get to Europe immediately," she told him. "Mitch, I need you to send me a Concord to pick me up." His reply caused her eyes to darken. Apparently she didn't like it.
"I don't care if it is against your government's regulations!" she yelled into the phone. "You owe me, Mitch. You owe me big! I saved your life and the life of your family and in the process risked my own and the revealing of what I am."
She listened a little while longer as the lines of her face visibly relaxed.
"That's right now," she said calmly, the total opposite of her disposition a few moments ago. "I need to set a direct course to Thasos."
Tonks nodded and released a sigh of relief. "You'll be here in two hours? Thanks, Mitch."
The teens looked at each other in bewilderment Harry mused to himself. Apparently Tonks thought they were headed toward Thasos, but waiting two hours before she would start looking for them? They would have been so far ahead of her by then that there was no way she could catch up. What was this Concord thing she was asking for? Probably something that would help her locate them easier. That must be why she isn't too concerned with them getting two hours ahead on her. Harry shrugged. Obviously they had to wait a little longer. He signaled to the others to leave the room. They filed out silently shooting him confused glances, but respected his leadership.
The night had passed silently through out the hours they traveled across the sandy desert. A new dawn was breaking. Faint rays of pale orange light seeped through the cracks in the mountains silhouetted at the edges of the desert. It signaled that the shore was drawing near. The hooves of the camels thudded softly against the hot grains as they surged forward. They had traveled through the desert without a single interruption, that was, until now. Dumbledore's sharp blue eyes scanned the horizon taking in the disturbing sight that was dawning upon their caravan. With a tight fist, the sharply reined his camel making it come to a complete stop. The others followed his example and pulled roughly to a halt just behind him. Molly's cry of horrification rang out into the once silent air.
Sirius Black dismounted from the camel he had been riding, his body sliding down the length of its furry side. Remus Lupin followed in his example, landing expertly beside him. Sirius walked somewhat stiffly toward the scene before him. He knelt beside the first fallen form and gently pulled away the material covering its face. Two lifeless eyes stared back at him. Dull brown eyes framed with thick black lashed. Black hair curled out from underneath a cream turban that rested on his head. His face was contorted in an expression of surprised pain. There was no evidence of blood or any type of harm on his body, but being a wizard, Sirius immediately knew the mark of the green death.
"Sand Raiders," he said finally, pushing himself off of the sand.
"Seems like our friends had a little run in with them," Remus offered, from where he was crouched over another fallen form a distance away. The familiar black robes ruffled slightly in the new mornings wind. Dumbledore appeared by their side and studied the scene.
"Search the area and mark the dead," he ordered. "I want to know who remains in pursuit of the sword."
The rest of the Order nodded in compliance and began searching the immediate area for signs of struggle and other dead bodies. It wasn't hard since the surface of the sand was stained with blood on one side and dead bodies on the other. It was evident to the Order that the Death Eaters had defeated the Sand Raiders, the evidence lain out in lifeless forms. The only evidence that another party had been present was the blood and the silver bullets that marred the sand.
Orange glow of the dawning sun had melted into a cool yellow light as it rose higher in the sky. The heat from the burning ball of fire grew in strength over the amount of time the Order spent pouring through the desert.
"Only two Death Eaters were killed in the battle," Kingsley reported, coming to stand next to Dumbledore.
"More were wounded though," Sirius added, as he neared them.
"Then we can assume that Lord Voldemort still has a large amount of followers with him?" Dumbledore asked.
"I'm afraid so, Sir," Remus' voice broke into the conversation. Dumbledore nodded.
"Then we need to keep moving," he said. "Where's Molly?"
"She's still with the camels," Kingsley replied. "We thought it best that she see as little of this as possible."
"And Arthur?"
"Keeping her calm," Sirius said with a wry smile.
"That'll be the day," Remus drawled wryly. Dumbledore smiled briefly.
"Come, we must continue on."
Ginny stared silently across the expanse of the ocean that was laid out before her in a vision of soft greens and blues. It was beautiful there was no doubt. The water rolled around them, gently rocking their boat. A strong wind constantly filled their white sails with drive. The constant movement of the ship was making her a little woozy and her head ached from not getting enough sleep. They had been sailing since dark and now the sun was blazing high in the sky. Ginny had lost all dimension of time, but surmised that it was near noon.
As the wind softly caressed her face and danced among her amber curls, she breathed in deeply, drinking in the salty air. Ginny was grateful that they had allowed her to remain on the deck of the ship. Hiding out below would not have sat well with her. The sound of footsteps nearing her caused her body to stiffen, expecting unwanted company. She had endured the leering and perverted verbal attacks from the Death Eaters ever since they taken her captive. Crossing neither a heated desert nor a vast ocean had stilled their need to assault her. A strong arm wrapping possessively around her and the familiar scent of soap and sweat drifted into her nose. She smiled despite herself and relaxed in his arms. His head rubbed against hers as he lowered it and playfully nipped the skin on her neck. Warning bells went off in her head and she abruptly pushed him away.
"Don't, Draco," she warned, throwing him a look.
"What?" he asked.
"They'll see!" she whispered fiercely.
"I don't care," he murmured, drawing his head back towards her and placing a cool kiss on her neck. Ginny felt her body tingle in response.
"Draco," she repeated. He mumbled something incoherent against her skin, blowing hot air against her body. She felt her body tingle again in pleasure. Reluctantly he pulled back and moved to stand against the side of the ship with her, making sure to keep a good distance of space between them. Ginny looked around warily and was thankful to see that no one was around this side of the ship.
"You're lucky no one saw that," she said.
"You're lucky that we can't do that or you'd be in big trouble," he replied with a grin.
"What do you mean by trouble?" she asked curiously. Draco's grin only widened. He leaned back down and whispered something into her ear. Ginny's face flushed as the meaning of his words connected in her mind. She stilled as his hand ever so lightly caressed the skin under her right breast. Her whole body flushed and her breathing caught in her throat. Draco smirked and was about to make a remark when a shadow fell across them.
"Draco, now is not the time for your games," Lucius' hard voice interrupted them. "You will have time to play with her later."
Draco froze at his father's voice and relaxed when he realized that Lucius misinterpreted their actions. He thought Ginny was stiff because she was hostile to Draco's touch and that Draco was trying to use her.
"Yes, Father," he said, pulling away from Ginny. He shoved her roughly against the side of the ship.
"The crew is having trouble with one of the sails and need an extra hand," Lucius said turning toward his son. "Go help them."
Draco nodded. "Yes, Father."
Turning, he faced Ginny and allowed a sneer to flit onto his face. "I will be back for you later. Don't try to fight me this time." With that he walked away leaving Ginny alone with Lucius as a bad feeling settle in his stomach. He looked back to see Ginny staring out into the ocean and Lucius watching her with a hungry look in his eyes. Draco clenched his fist and fought the urge to go back there, but forced himself to walk way.
The sun was high in the sky by the time Tonks left Grimmauld Place with the five teens trailing silently behind her and hidden. In London the sky was a clear blue with the sun shining brightly. Tonks waited impatiently outside. A loud roar filled the air around them and the kids looked around in confusion as the area around them expanded and a long runway appeared. Tonks perked up at the sound and had pulled out her wand casting a quick spell. The result was the runway. A large sleek white plan emerged from the sky heading towards them rapidly. It slowed down as it approached and landed swiftly along the runway. The plane kicked up a fierce wind that almost knocked everyone off of his or her feet.
They all watched as the white door built into the side mechanically lowered. A tall, burly man with thick blond hair appeared in the entrance and walked down the steps. Tonks broke into a broad grin and waved merrily at him. When he reached her, he pulled Tonks into a huge bear hug.
"Glad you came, Mitch," Tonks said.
"You needed me, now I'm here," he replied. "You all set?"
Tonks lifted up a single black bag next to her and nodded. Mitch motioned for her to follow and led the way back into the plane. Waiting a few seconds, Harry motioned for Hermione, Ron, Blaise and Tristan to follow them. The five ran quickly across the runway to the plane and quietly boarded.
Inside was an aisle that separated twenty rows of seats, two in each row. The upholstery of the plan was a deep crème leather and red carpet lining the floor. Circular windows were at the end of every row on either side of the plane. Pale lights glowed inside. Tonks followed Mitch to the cabin of the plane as the five teens settled warily into the seats. When Harry had seen the plane land, which he took to be the Concord, he realized what it was. One of the fastest passenger planes in the world. It could fly them all to Thasos in a couple of hours. Harry smiled. This was better than expected.
"Harry, what is going on?" Blaise whispered in his ear.
"This is a plane," he replied so everyone could hear. "Muggle use them as a form of transportation since they can't apparate, fly or port key. The plane is mechanical and has the ability to fly. This particular model is called a Concord and is one of the fastest passenger planes in existence. It should get us to Thasos in a couple of hours."
The loud rumble of the engines firing up caused Blaise to squeak and jump in her seat. When the plane started moving slowly across the runway, gaining speed as it went along, Blaise moved her hand and grabbed Tristan's. With a burst of speed the Concord jet began its steep ascent into the atmosphere. All the blood drained away from Blaise's face and fear took its place as they soared into the sky. Harry chuckled. Obviously Blaise had never been on a plane before.
Once again Dumbledore brought the Order to a halt. This time at the edge of a small town. The smell of the ocean was strong and tickled their noses. A few people were milling about the mostly desolate town that bordered the water. They looked up as the camels walked wearily into their midst. The Order made their way past the people and didn't stop again until they had reached the docks. Arthur once again dismounted and walked up along the dock until he reached a middle-aged man. They spoke in hushed tones for a while before the man nodded and motioned to one of the remaining boats docked. The rest of the Order unpacked their stuff and led the camels aboard the boat. They were going to need them in their venture across the "Land of the Dead." The sun was beginning its descent towards the earth as their ship set sail.
"Come with me," Lucius growled to Ginny as he grabbed her wrist forcefully and dragged her across the deck of the ship. She could do little, but comply with his wishes as she followed him down the steps below the deck. They entered what seemed to be a rough passenger cabin that was presently unoccupied except for them. A bunk bed was nailed to the floor in the right corner of the room and a desk was nailed to the left. It was small, but served its purpose as a temporary home while at sea.
Lucius walked briskly into the room, dragging Ginny along behind him through the door was. He deposited her roughly on the chair nailed in front of the desk and moved back towards the door, shutting it. He turned back around and faced Ginny, his gray eyes darkened and leering. Ginny shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, but refused to break his stare as she challenged him with her own penetrating look.
"I knew your mother when we were at Hogwarts," he said, an almost wistful look in his eyes. "She was a great beauty in her young age you know. Many men had their eyes set on Molly."
Ginny was taken aback that Lucius Malfoy was reminiscing about his past involvements with her mother.
"It's unfortunate that she married that pathetic was of a life Weasel," he spat. "Your mother was of a fine pureblood line and beautiful. She would have made a great trophy wife."
"My mother is not a prize for scum like you to dangle in society," Ginny growled. "She has more class than you ever will."
"Your mother was a foolish woman who threw her life away for a muggle loving failure," Lucius replied viciously. "She put down my advances for some traitorous muggle lover! I, Lucius Malfoy, was cast aside like a worthless toy. You're mother was beautiful, very beautiful. She should have been mine!"
He turned and faced Ginny, his eyes cold and steeled.
"You look just like your mother when she was your age," Lucius said, softly as he walked up to Ginny.
He lifted a hand and gently traced the curves of her face. "So beautiful."
Ginny flinched at his touch and sprang out of her seat. "What do you want from me?"
Lucius smiled coldly. "What I couldn't get from your mother."
He advanced toward her, his figure looming before her. Ginny shrank back even more and took a backward step for every step he took toward her. Soon he had her in a corner, her body pressed tightly against a wall. Lucius took a step closer so that he was almost touching her before reaching out a hand again to trace the soft skin of her cheek. Ginny lifted up a hand and grabbed his, wrenching it painfully away from her face. Lucius sucked in a gasp of pain as anger appeared in his eyes.
"Incarcerous," Lucius growled, pulling his wand from his robe. Ginny's eyes went wide as thick ropes appeared out of the air and magically bound her to the wall. She struggled against the ropes, trying to move her hands and feet, but to no avail. Terrified, she looked into the cold eyes of Lucius Malfoy. Once again he lifted a hand and plunged it into her amber tresses. Bringing a lock of hair up to his face, Lucius breathed it in deeply and closed his eyes. Ginny began to whimper as a smile curved on his thin lips and he leaned his head in.
Time passed slowly by on the Concord jet through out the hours. The only entertainment the teens had was looking out the window and light chatter. They could not risk turning on the TV for obvious reasons. A loud rumble and the hard rocking of the plane caused Blaise to tumble out of Tristan's lap with a loud screech. She hit the floor painfully and bumped her head on the back of the seat in front of her.
"What is that?" she asked fearfully, while rubbing her head.
"It's turbulence," Harry replied with a stern look. "Stop being so loud."
"I think this jet is going to fall out of the sky, Harry," Blaise said looking around nervously as the plane gave another jolt.
"It's not going to fall out of the sky, Blaise," Harry said exasperated. "Now keep quiet!" He almost groaned aloud when the door to the pilot's cabin opened and Tonks stepped out of it, her head cocked to the side as if trying to hear something. She slowly pulled out her wand and began to walk down the aisle. Quietly she whispered a few words. Harry felt his skin grow hot and from the look of surprise and anger that passed through Tonks' face, he knew that they had been discovered.
"What is going on here?" she demanded angrily, her hands on her hips. "I thought you guys left five hours ago?"
No one spoke. Hermione fidgeted guiltily with her shirt, Ron looked away in embarrassment, Blaise sat quietly studying the carpet and Tristan was staring out the window. Harry sighed.
"We tricked you, Tonks," he admitted. "We didn't want to be stuck in Grimmauld while Ginny and Draco were in danger. Hermione did a invisibility spell and we let you think we had left so you would go after us and lead us to Thasos."
Tonks groaned and buried her face in her hands. "I can't believe I fell for this. I'm going to get in so much trouble."
"You're not going to take us back are you?" Ron asked.
"You can't take us back," Harry said. "We've come too far now to turn back. What if they need us?"
"You can't expect me to take you all to Thasos when Dumbledore strictly instructed that you stay back in London?" Tonks said warily.
"How many more hours until we reach Thasos?" Harry asked.
"About four," Tonks answered.
"Four?" Blaise repeated. "I thought you said this thing was fast?"
"It is fast," Hermione cut in impatiently. "It would take over twice as long with a regular plane."
"Four hours?" Harry mused. "That would be a total of six. That means we must be in the lead of both the Order and Voldemort. We could get there first!"
Tonks shook her head. "No, Harry."
"Think about it, Tonks," Harry said. "You love Ginny just as much as we do. Could you live with yourself if you knew she died and there was something you could have done to prevent it but didn't?"
"That is a low blow, Harry Potter," Tonks replied through gritted teeth. "You know I think of Ginny as a sister."
"That's why you need to go to Thasos and help save her," Harry answered. Tonks glanced around the five determined faces of the teens in front of her and heaved a heavy sigh.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," she muttered, shaking her head. "If you want to go to Thasos, you do exactly what I say got it?"
The five nodded. Satisfied, Tonks shook her head again in disbelief as she walked back to the cabin. A slow smile spread across Harry's face.
Ginny spat directly into Lucius Malfoy's looming face. A great big glob of mucus dripped down his face as his eyes widened in shock and then anger. He was about to reply when the door to the cabin slammed opened. Lucius stepped automatically away from Ginny and turned around. Draco stood in the doorway staring at his father. Ginny could see his fingers were curled into two tight fists by his side.
"What is going on here, Father?" Draco asked.
"Nothing, Draco," Lucius answered. "Just taking care of some old business. Is there something you wanted?"
"There are dark storm clouds rolling in from the north. It looks like it is going to be a bad one. They wanted you on deck to handle orders."
Lucius nodded. He gave one last lingering look at Ginny before hurrying out of the cabin. When the door was shut, Draco rushed over to Ginny and undid the magical bindings. She collapsed trembling into his arms. Draco held her, gently stroking her back as she shuddered.
"I'm sorry, Ginny, so sorry," Draco murmured into her hair. "I didn't want to leave you with him. Did he hurt you?"
Ginny shook her head against his chest. "He wanted, he was –"
"Shush, it's okay," Draco hushed her. He cradled her to his chest. Reaching up a hand he smoothed down her hair and kissed the top of her head. Draco pulled back and stared into her eyes.
"He's not going to hurt you," he said strongly. "I won't let him."
Ginny nodded. Draco smiled and leaned his head down before capturing her lips in a soft, brief kiss. Ginny trembled and pulled him closer.
"I have to get back to the deck," Draco said. "There's a storm coming and they're going to need my help."
"Is it a white squall?" Ginny asked anxiously.
"I hope not," Draco replied. "I'll put locks on the door to prevent anyone from entering this room. You should be safe in here."
Ginny nodded again. "Be careful, Draco."
"I will, I promise," he answered with a smile. He kissed the top of her head once more before leaving her alone.
Thunder roared in the darkened sky as black storm clouds rolled across the sky. The ocean turned a dangerous black as the water began to toss and turn. The boat that the Order was traveling on appeared to be a small speck in a great sea. Lighting flashed, illuminating the thick, black clouds that lingered dangerously above. Any minute a down pour of rain was going to be released from their depths.
"What can we do to prevent this from affecting us?" Remus yelled to Dumbledore over the loud howling of the wind.
"Not much," Dumbledore shouted back. "We are close to the "Land of the Dead" and the curse is already beginning to effect the magical atmosphere. This storm is making it nearly impossible for magic to function on top of that."
"What do we do?" Remus asked.
"Anything we can to ensure that we survive this," Dumbledore replied grimly.
"Remus!" Sirius' voice called loudly. "I need your help with this sail!"
Remus and Dumbledore looked up to see one of the sails blowing violently in the wind. The ropes that had attached one side of the sail to the ship had snapped. Remus hurried across the deck to lend a hand. A large raindrop landed on Dumbledore's head. He looked up in time to see the sky open and sheets of rain pour heavily upon their ship. The waves churned and tossed beneath them causing the ship to rock violently. A scream ripped into the air as a huge wave rose above their ship and crashed down upon them. Dumbledore was swept hard against the side of the ship where he grabbed on to it for dear life. Remus, Sirius, Kingsley and Arthur were clinging tightly to the nets that led to the broken sail as the water crashed over them. Molly, the one who screamed, was nowhere in sight.
Well this update definitely came faster than previously. I had hoped that more would happen, but I'm to tired to write anymore and just and just want to post. Hope you all enjoy it! Please review!
.:Angelgrl185:.