Chapter Seven – Blown Cover
"Its off, the deal is off."
"What? You don't want to become immortal anymore!"
"That's right Weasley, your potion killed an innocent girl and I wont let your botched potion kill my master and I. You can drink it though; go for it for all I care. I am out of this."
"Serapian drank it early and the book stated clearly that any drinker who takes the potion before the specific date will die an instant death. And don't you dare give me any crap about worrying that innocent people are dying." I tilted my head back and let out a laugh that sent chills down my spin. Staring straight into the boys eyes I said, "That chest of yours is transporting death eaters into the school to kill dozen of children and teachers."
Draco opened his mouth to retort but I cut him off. "I don't want to hear an excuse Malfoy, you plan on creating more havoc than I am so get off of your high horse and look at the facts logically. This wasn't a part of my plan." I let my hands rub my temples then lightly pushed my fingertips against my eyes in a comforting motion. "See wasn't meant to die."
"I don't care if she was meant to or not. She is dead! Dead! Deceased! Non-existent! Do you understand me! I cannot do this anymore. I am not a killer."
Laughter filled the air as Malfoy's face turned dark red from anger and frustration. When I finally controlled my laughter I look up to darkened eyes that sent waves of fear down my body. Malfoy was enraged.
"Listen closely because I will only say this once. I am not a killer! I don't want to be a bloody death eater but if I don't do what I am assigned I will be killed. If my mission fails, I get killed. Almost any way you look at this I am a dead man and I wont let you tinker with my plans and be the reason for my death. Believe me Weasley, if I could I would have sent Him to Azkaban myself but I have to do this.
"I am not a murderer! I am a puppet whose life dangles in the hands of a mad man who wants nothing more then my family to suffer for my stupid fathers mistake at the ministry.
"Now I am leaving and if you as much as mention anything outside of this room about our conversation I will make sure to make your life a living hell."
Standing in a shocked stillness I watched as Malfoy left the room of requirements. He had been agitated since the news of Rachel Serapian's death and had been trying to get me by myself to talk. I hadn't expected him to turn his back on me after I helped him fix that chest of his and was frustrated at his lack of commitment to what we had established.
"Bad idea Malfoy. Now you will have to pay for your mistake."
I ran down to lunch to get a bite before everyone left. If I missed too many meals Ronald would question me about it and I didn't need to have that right now. Composing myself I entered the great hall and slowly walked over to the Gryffindor table. As I made my way over towards my seat I noticed that the blonde Slytherin wasn't at his usual place. My heartbeat temporarily quickened until I saw him arrive with one of his cronies, Goyle.
Our eyes meet for a brief moment as he passed me. Instead of taking his normal seat he continued to head towards the head table and stopped directly in front of Dumbledore. Collapsing into the seat next to Harry I watched horrified as he escorted the headmaster outside. The room watched curiously as the odd pair opened the doors and left.
"Wonder what the git is up to now?" Hermione's statement got the boys talking up wild assumptions while I sat as still as a statue. I could feel the blood leave my face and started to panic as my eyesight blurred. Darkness began to cloud the outline of my vision and I stood up abruptly. Ron immediately was at my side.
As he steadied me he whispered in my ear, "What's wrong Ginny? Are you ill?" I only nodded my head before I threw up.
Next thing I knew, two strong arms were wrapped around my waist and I was being taken to the informatory to see Madam Pomfrey who waved her wand over my head, then stomach and finally down to the tips of my toes. I tuned out as the golden trio asked her questions, only listening when she silenced the three with a wave of her wand. Hermione stopped talking when she noticed that a silencing spell had been placed on her, but Ron and Harry continued in vain.
"Mrs. Weasley seemed to have gone into shock for some reason, one that I cannot identify. She has all of the common symptoms: lightheadedness, higher blood pressure, fast heartbeat, the list goes on. But not to worry dears," she lightly placed her hands on the boys' shoulders as they began to rush towards me, "she will be fine within ten minutes. All I need to do is give her a potion that will return her normal strength to her and Mrs. Weasley will be as good as new."
Lifting the silencing spell I was assaulted by questions of what had caused my shock. Thinking quick I replied, "It finally set in the Rachel is dead. I had talked to her a few times in the library and it hit me then that I wouldn't ever be able to discuss herbology with her again."
I began to cry as I thought about what Malfoy and Dumbledore could be conversing about while I was cooped up in the informatory. Thinking I was crying because of Rachel, Madam Pomfrey practically forced a gulp of calming draught down my parched throat. My body relaxed and I feel into a deep sleep where neither my dreams, nightmares, nor fears could reach me. Little did I know that when I would wake in a few hours time I wouldn't be inside of Hogwarts, but instead deep inside of Azkaban, neighboring a cell with Lucius Malfoy on my left and Bellatrix Lestrange on my right, along with her husband Rodolphus.
