CHAPTER 2: Friendship In The Darkness
Ginny sighed as she put her bag on her shoulder, resigning herself to another long day of class and avoiding detention. It was mid-November now, and nothing had changed in the last two weeks. She was still stuck down here at night, alone, and she felt as if she was fighting a dementor every day.
It looked to be like any other day, until she heard it. Crying. She stood there for a moment, knowing where she was. This was the dungeons. Whoever was crying was a Slytherin. And then she decided it didn't matter. Walking through the passageway led by her lumos, she found the source and gasped. Millicent was sitting there, sobbing, blood seeping from her forehead. Ginny didn't think. She didn't need to. Landing on her knees, she grabbed Millicent's chin to get a good look at her face, and then she began healing. Her wand stitched up the cut as it went, and it wasn't until she was done that she realized the cut made an m.
Millicent just looked at her and sniffed. Her eyes were still wet and her voice came out as a whisper. "Millie the Mudblood. That's what it's for." Ginny found her own eyes tearing and searched her satchel desperately for something to transfigure. Finding a sheet of parchment she had intended to use for note taking today, she turned it into a handkerchief and handed it to the girl in front of her. She took it and Ginny waited as she pulled herself together. "Who was it?" Millicent looked at her, and then shook her head. "I should go." Ginny grabbed her arm and pressed down. Millicent didn't even resist. She slumped back down to the ground and began crying again.
This wasn't right. Ginny didn't know what to do. Any other year, she would have gone to a professor. But this year, who knew what they could do. With a death eater as a Headmaster, who was to say he wouldn't approve of this? "I'm no Madame Pomphrey, but it looked like a simple cut. It should heal soon. We can get some no scar cream just to be sure." Ginny watched her shake her head and felt her own heart constrict. And she thought she was having a bad year.
"They'll just do it again. They all listen to him now. I was so stupid." The only thing Ginny could focus on was that it had been a him. Her mind was churning, trying to figure out who it would have been. Her instinct was to charge right up to the Slytherin table, cursing any boy she laid eyes on. Of course, that wouldn't help anything even if it were possible. Except make her feel not so helpless.
"Does Daphne know?" Millicent looked at her with a pained expression. Ginny couldn't help it. She was curious. And involved. She was involved now. The time for not knowing what to do was over. She was going to help. She had to. If that meant running up to get Daphne Greengrass out of the Great Hall, she would do it. "Breakfast is still going on. I'll go get her." But before she could get up, Millicent was tugging her back down.
"No, please. I don't want to ruin her life too. Please." Ginny very slowly let herself be pulled back down, and sat. "What if he goes after her next?" Millicent shivered, and Ginny swallowed. Just what exactly, had he been doing to her? Whatever he had done, it had been more than carving an m on her forehead. The girl was in no shape to stand up for herself right now. Especially if her attacker was going to be sitting there, somewhere at the Slytherin table. Ginny knew she had made her decision without even really thinking about it. "Come on. We'll go get some food in the kitchens, and then, if you want, you can stay in my room for the day. Of course, you won't be able to leave until tomorrow morning. But if you want…"
The girl looked up at her in disbelief. "Really?" Ginny nodded and Millicent smiled slightly, before getting up. "Okay." Ginny felt herself panicking slightly as they made their way to the kitchens, but she knew this was more important. So what if she got a detention for missing class? She could do it. She could survive. Tickling the pear, she saw Millicent's eyes widen as the kitchen came into view. "This is amazing." Ginny nodded and looked for the nearest house elf. She had only been here twice herself.
Having found an elf that was all too happy to get them something to eat, the two girls sat at what would be the Ravenclaw table upstairs in an unspoken compromise. The entire kitchen was busy as house elves were clearing up the school's breakfast plates, but they gave their visitors a wide berth. Ginny let breakfast happen in silence at first, until she really couldn't keep quiet. "Is there anyone you can go to? Anyone that he would be intimidated by?" Millicent shrugged and Ginny couldn't help but grit her teeth in frustration. Who was this guy?
"Maybe Malfoy, but he hasn't been the same since last year." At first, Ginny thought Millicent had answered her unspoken question. She had been ready to run up and hunt Malfoy down, hexing him with all she had. Then what she actually said made its way through, and Ginny paused. It didn't escape her that Millicent had done nothing but confirm what Ginny had already known weeks ago. She knew Malfoy would be the one with the influence to fix this. And she hadn't done anything about it, knowing he thought nothing of her or what she would have to say. And look what had happened. Millicent had been attacked, bullied, and assaulted.
After eating, Ginny led Millicent to her room and opened the wall, telling her it was fine to borrow anything she needed. Clothes, a towel, whatever. Millicent could only whisper thanks, and Ginny hesitated. "Do you want me to stay?" Millicent's eyes widened and then she shook her head. "No, I probably need to sleep actually. Last night was, not restful." Ginny nodded, not quite feeling as if she could give the girl a hug even though the urge was there. Instead, Millicent climbed through the opening and Ginny walked up to her classes, wondering just how bad the fallout of missing transfiguration would be.
At lunch, she found out she had detention Friday night and tensed. She had expected it, but still. McGonagall had informed her of it with a look of sympathy, but her being absent all morning was not something even McGonagall could cover up on her behalf. She looked over to the Slytherin table and braced herself for what she was about to do. Pulling parchment out of her satchel, she scribbled a quick note and hoped it would be enough. Folding it, she disillusioned it before enchanting it to crawl and let it loose. A flying note would cause attention. A crawling note was safer. Of course, he would likely be alarmed at feeling some invisible thing crawl up his leg, but he was smart. Well, supposedly. He would figure it out.
In the meantime, she needed to contact another Slytherin and she really wanted to speak in person. Daphne Greengrass did not look well. In fact, she looked extremely uneasy and on the brink of a breakdown. Pansy and Tracey were on either side of her, acting like nothing was wrong. Ginny couldn't figure it out. She waited until the girls got up, and then followed them out of the Great Hall. They were heading to their next class, and neither Pansy nor Tracy looked like they were giving up their positions on either side of Daphne. She had to get her attention somehow. Feeling only a twinge of guilt, Ginny sent a small jinx, ripping the bottom of Daphne's satchel. Parchments and books thudded onto the stairs, and Pansy groaned. "Don't tell me you got some cheap satchel? What was it? A hand me down?" Daphne glared.
"It's top of the line, as well you know. Just go on without me. I'm not forcing you to stay." Pansy looked hesitant, and Ginny wondered if it had all been for nothing. And then students started to swarm out of the Great Hall. Tracy grimaced and pulled Pansy along. "Come on, we don't want to be seen as part of this mess." Ginny waited until Pansy and Tracy were out of sight before darting up the stairs. Daphne had already repaired her bag and was summoning all her materials back in, by the time Ginny reached her. "Greengrass." Daphne paused, and looked at her wearily. Ginny chose not to be insulted by her suspicion and just nodded. "I thought you ought to know, Millicent is fine. I spent the morning with her and she's sleeping safely."
Daphne's mouth dropped open, blinking rapidly. But she didn't speak. Instead, she grabbed Ginny's arm and hauled her into the nearest loo. Casting a quick muffilato, Daphne turned to her with wide eyes. "So she's still here? What do you mean safe? She's not in the dorms is she?" Ginny shook her head quickly, and she saw Daphne let out a long breath, and it was as if all the tension was melting out of her. Ginny could only stare.
"It isn't permanent of course. She'll have to come back to class tomorrow." Daphne's face paled again. Of course Millicent couldn't just stay missing. Hogwarts attendance was mandatory; it was the law. If they thought she wasn't here, they would go and arrest her parents before searching for her. "Who is it?" Daphne just looked at her and shook her head.
"Don't get involved Weasley. Your family is already being watched. As long as you keep your head down, you'll be fine. You're a pureblood at the end of the day, after all." And with that, Daphne was gone. Ginny stood in the loo for a moment longer to collect her thoughts. It was true. She was relatively safe compared to others as far as being targeted went. But she hated the idea of acting a certain way for no other reason than to keep herself safe. She just really needed Malfoy to show up tonight. If he did that, she would do the rest.
It was nearing the end of dinner and Ginny could scarcely breathe for nerves. Would he show up? If he did, what would she say exactly? Filch came to collect her as he did every night, and Ginny worked very hard not to look over to see if anyone else got up. They were down in the dungeons, nearing the wall that held her room, when suddenly Filch's grip on her arm went slack. Glancing over, she noticed the confused expression on his face and nearly laughed. He was here. He was here and he had done it.
"You delivered Weasely to her room once again, and you're now off to find your cat." She watched as the care taker nodded, mumbled about his cat, and then wandered off. She smiled slightly. "Thank you." He didn't smile back. Instead he stood there, wand clenched in his hand, arms crossed over his chest. "Wasn't doing you a favour. You said it was important?"
Ginny nodded, deciding being direct was the way to go. "There's someone in your house who is attacking girls, abusing them physically and mentally. Your beliefs might be messed up Malfoy, but I know your morals aren't that twisted." He glared. "You don't know anything about me, Weasely."
She plunged ahead, not worried about his remark. Of course he didn't think she knew him. He didn't know her. "But Harry does, at least a bit, and I trust him. You aren't a murderer and you aren't nearly as cruel as you'd like people to think. You're playing a scared game, and I get it. You're trying to survive. This isn't about that. I'm not asking you to go against your Lord or even a death eater. I'm just asking you to not abandon the people you've spent the last seven years with." His body tensed and Ginny worried he was about to walk away.
So she kept at it. "You know what he's doing is wrong Malfoy. You can't look at Millicent or Daphne in the hall. You pretend to not see them, but I know you do." Quicker than she could react, his hand lashed out and he shot at spell at her. It felt as if a bludger had flown right into her chest. It sent her flying back, slamming her into the wall, completely breathless. "You don't know what you're asking."
Ginny glared and worked hard to stand back up. "You're a death eater Malfoy! And you're scared of what? Some school bully? How can you be such a coward!" He shot another curse at her, and she felt her body go stiff. Body bind. "I don't have to explain myself to a blood traitor. It's called being smart. And if you have even a shred of intelligence, you will never, ever, insult me again." He lifted the hex and Ginny found herself glaring at him. She lifted her wand and Draco instantly raised a shield charm, but it didn't matter. She hadn't been about to hex him. Turning her wand on herself, she sliced open her hand and put it on the wall.
As she had intended, there was a moment of shock where Malfoy had to figure out what she had done. She used it to gather up all of her strength, and then she pushed him. Right into the door she had made. By the time he was up and yelling, Ginny was in the room as well and the door was quickly shutting. "What the hell did you do that for Weasely!" He had turned, his wand aimed at her and fire in his eyes. She worked to stay calm, ignoring her heart that was racing like a snitch. "Look at her Malfoy, and tell her to her face. Tell her that your safety is more important than her."
He stared at her as if she had gone barmy, but it didn't last for long. Glancing around the room he spotted Millicent on the bed, staring at him, her book forgotten. And then she watched his face crumple. "Millie." Ginny realized she had been more right than she thought. He really had been blocking her out. Because looking at her now, the pain on his face was unmistakable. "What's that on your…" Ginny watched him trail off, as he answered his own question. So, he hadn't seen it. Whoever it was must have done it in private.
They were still staring at each other and Ginny felt as if she shouldn't be there. So she wasn't. She mumbled something about changing, and grabbed her sleeping clothes, retreating to the bathroom. In past years she had worn a nightgown her mother had bought her to bed. This year though, she had taken the liberty of packing an old Chuddley Cannons shirt of Ron's to wear to bed. She didn't care if it seemed pathetic. It was one of the only things she had that could comfort her. He was out there somewhere, bound to be killed if found. Wearing something of his, something that had the smell of him and the Burrow in it, well it made her feel just that little bit warmer. The pajama pants were old ratty ones she had gotten as hand me downs. A small part of her was worried about letting two Slytherins see her in such a state, but she pushed the thought away. Who cared what they thought? They knew her family's financial status. She had never apologized for it, and she wasn't about to start now.
Coming back out, she found Draco and Millicent sitting next to each other on the edge of her bed, talking quietly. Still, it was a small room and there was no way to keep from overhearing. Unless she planned to live in the bathroom all night, which she did not. "Isn't there anything that'll make him stop?" That had been Millicent. Ginny found herself just as anxious to hear what Malfoy would say as the other girl.
"Maybe groveling? You hurt his pride, Millie. You know he's liked you for ages. And he thought this was his chance." She sobbed. "I know. I know." Ginny couldn't help it, She had to make sure she had heard that right. "Likes her? He's torturing her!" Draco glared at her, but she stood her ground. Obviously, Draco didn't understand what was happening. If he thought all of this was just a crush gone wrong, she really didn't know. How could he be so thick?
It was Millicent that answered. "Draco's right. It was my fault. I should have just done what he wanted. In class that day, when the paper came out, he sent me a note. He knew about my grandmother. He said he'd keep it secret but I had to do whatever he wanted. I panicked and had to be sent to the Hospital Wing in the middle of class. I was going to do it, what he wanted. But I just, I couldn't. He got mad. Told me I'd regret it. That he was powerful now, that he'd be a death eater soon. That I was an idiot. He was right. He told everyone the next morning and…" She wasn't speaking anymore, she couldn't. Sobs racked her body. Ginny had heard the subtext and she didn't know if she had ever been this mad.
He had blackmailed her. He had tried to force her into who knows what. She wanted to believe it had just been sex, but she honestly didn't know. He could have been demanding anything of her. But losing her temper was not an option right now. She still didn't have the full story. She reigned it in, and tried to keep a calm voice. "That hardly explains the whole house following his lead." Millicent looked at Draco, sending him a pleading glance. He nodded and took over.
"Hiding a muggleborn relative is not exactly abiding by the new Ministry's laws. By doing so, her family has put a target on their back. No doubt her grandfather has been having a very rough time. And associating with a family that's been, well, marked, is not very strategic. And then, Crabbe very obviously wants that person punished, so it's the easiest path." Ginny almost choked. "Crabbe?"
Draco's eyes narrowed and then he cursed. "You didn't know. She hadn't told you." Ginny shook her head and felt her chest constrict even more. Millicent took over. "He's different this year. He tortures people for fun sometimes. And his spells are getting really powerful." She watched Draco nod in confirmation, and had to take a moment to process it. "You, Draco Malfoy, are scared to take on Crabbe? As in the boy who followed you around like a dog for years?" Draco's lip twitched, but only slightly.
"Keeping with that, he's got a new master Weasley. And he's been growing. Big, powerful, still not particularly clever. But he has the brute strength. And Millie's right, his spells do too." Ginny sighed, and fell into her desk chair.
"Alright, so let's think. What are his weaknesses?" Millicent and Draco were both looking at her as if she was mad. She rolled her eyes. "You cannot tell me he has no weaknesses." This was just ridiculous. There was no way the three of them could not figure out a way to take on Crabbe of all people. It was Draco that eventually answered. "Weasley, what are you doing? None of this has anything to do with you." She felt herself sit up straighter and thrust her chest out slightly.
"I'm doing what I always do. Fighting injustice, and helping those who need it. Of course this has to do with me. Do you think I can just sit back and watch someone get treated like this? I promise I won't tell your story, it's yours to share with who you choose, but I know at least half the school would stand by you Millicent. If they knew what was happening, they would never stand for it." Draco scoffed and Millicent looked at her with pity.
"Thanks, but that's not really true is it? I can't imagine most of your friends actually agree with how things are going. And yet, you don't speak out. You sit in classes just like the rest of us and do what you're told. Doesn't your father work for the Ministry? He's been going in and doing his job quietly every day, hasn't he?" Ginny flushed and felt the familiar shame that came with being here instead of out with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Vince is probably months away from being a death eater. Who would want to cross him unless they had to?"
Ginny could see Millicent's point. In fact, she saw it much more than she wanted to. The truth was she and her friends weren't in open rebellion. They were trying to survive this, as much as anyone else. Still, that didn't mean she couldn't try to do something. Bringing down Crabbe, it was something she felt could be done. If only she could think more clearly.
Sitting there, she tried to think through all the new information she had. Crabbe's posturing must mean that he was trying very hard to convince everyone he was important now. The real question was how successful he had been. "What is Goyle doing?" The question seemed to take Draco aback, but he gave it serious thought before shrugging. "Pleases everyone I guess. He still hangs around me, but will also listen to Vince when he's talking." Ginny felt a small spark of excitement.
"That's good. And I would bet galleons that Crabbe has picked up on it. They still look to you out of habit, no matter what he does. That must be why he still sits next to you at meals. He knows people are used to giving you attention, so it's easy to redirect their attention if he's next to you." She could tell she had Malfoy's full attention now. His eyes were darting back and forth as he thought about what she had just said. Ginny waited patiently. "I hadn't thought of that…"
Millicent took the opportunity to chime in. "Of course people still look to you Draco. Your family is still the most powerful family out there, even if they're temporarily out of favor. Who knows when their fortunes will turn, but everyone knows that if they do it's your aunt that has the Dark Lord's…" Draco gave a smirk and spoke in an even tone. "Love. Yeah, whatever that means to him." Millicent blushed slightly and Ginny felt ready to sick up. That was disgusting. She knew Bellatrix had been mad, but love? She shivered just thinking about it.
"Well, anyway. Your father outranks Vince's. Your family is still the wealthiest in England. Everyone knows they have hands in everything, from the Board of Governors to the Wizengamount. You suddenly being quieter has actually just sparked rumours that you've matured and have bigger responsibilities now. Not to mention…" Ginny caught Millicent look covertly at his left forearm and rolled her eyes.
"A death eater, yes Millicent I know what he is. No need for secrecy. And for the record, I agree. They still look up to you Malfoy. You're still impressive, given what they care about. Not that I agree that's why someone ought to be looked up to of course." She stopped as she saw him roll his eyes, and reminded herself she was getting off track. This was about helping Millicent. "And so, I have a plan."
Her stomach was in knots, and she desperately wished she could think of something else. But she couldn't. And the hope on Millicent's face was worth any risk she was about to take. "If Crabbe can take you down a peg, he'll do it. He knows he needs to lower their esteem for you if he plans to increase their esteem for him." Draco had tensed. She couldn't blame him. "And just what exactly, will Vince be able to use against me in this plan of yours?"
This was the worst part. He would likely yell, possibly curse her, she wasn't really sure. She knew it wouldn't be good though. "Well, to take his focus off of Millicent, it makes sense to divert his attention to another girl. Of course, I would never endanger anyone else. So that will be me." They were both staring at her in shock. "You're going to seduce Vince?"
Ginny blushed at the doubt in Malfoy's voice and tried to keep moving forward. "I know he would not normally go for me, thanks. But I think he would if he could see it as a win over you." She watched his eyes narrow into slits as he stared at her. "No." Ginny nodded and rushed to speak before he could expound upon his objection.
"I know it's a little risky. But I really think it might work. If Crabbe thinks you're interested in me, and then I show interest in him, he won't be able to help himself. He'll see it as a win over you. Especially if it's public knowledge that you wanted me and I chose him over you." Millicent smiled and actually squealed slightly. "I can't believe it, but I think you're right. I think it would work." Ginny beamed and Millicent beamed back. Draco did not.
"Sorry, let's back up. How exactly is my supposed attraction to a Weasely going to become public knowledge?" Ginny shrugged and looked to Millicent for help. "Ask her out at lunch? Compliment her in the halls between classes? It's not hard Draco." He glared at both of them, before getting off the bed and pacing. "Assuming I agree to this. And if I do, it is only for Millie's sake, and the fact that I didn't stop Vince earlier. How exactly am I supposed to explain why I am going after you? A known blood traitor, a Gryffindor, and an impoverished Weasely? No one is going to believe it. Vince will not believe it. He won't need to win you away from me Weasley. He will only have to talk about how I like you for my house to lose all respect for me."
She stared at him, trying very hard to suppress all of her indignation. As much as she hated to acknowledge that it would seem odd for Malfoy to like someone like her, he was right. It would only work if people thought she had changed. Which was impossible really. She didn't have months to make a personality change convincing. Ideally, this plan would start as soon as tomorrow. And then she realized with a jolt that there was another way. It was war time and they were teenagers. This would never be her choice in real life, but her friends wouldn't necessarily know that. Sex wasn't something they talked about, and no one could say for sure what her choices about it would be.
"You're right, no one would believe you wanted me for my personality, friends, thoughts. But using me for sex? They won't lose respect for you for that. It'd probably actually increase their respect for you." Draco very nearly had lost all his composure as soon as the word sex had come out of her mouth, and was just now regaining it. "Come again?"
She couldn't help but smile at his discomfort. "Sex, Malfoy. It will be only physical. We use each other for physical release, but can't stand each other. People will still be shocked of course, but they'll believe it."
"They'll think you're a slut." Ginny looked over to Millicent and shrugged. "Probably. But that's okay. It will make Crabbe more likely to believe me when I start coming on to him. He'll think I just like sleeping with the enemy or something like that. Maybe I have a kink for it. Who knows? Not Crabbe." Draco was looking at her as if he had never seen her before. If she let herself, she would be embarrassed beyond belief. But she knew she had done it. This was going to be how they distracted Crabbe. Really, it would distract everyone for a bit. Gossip like the type they were about to make would be the juiciest gossip of the year.
She decided to keep talking in the hopes that it would distract them from what she had just proposed. She really didn't want to think about it in too much detail herself, especially when Malfoy was right there. "So, about the bed situation. I hadn't really planned to trap you in here with us Malfoy, but I suppose we'll have to make do. Who wants the middle?"
In the end, they had managed an extension charm on the bed that let them all rest comfortably with minimum danger of touching. Millicent had already changed into a pair of Ginny's shorts and T-shirt earlier in the day, so she was set for bed. The girls had both stared at Draco at a loss for a bit, before he blushed and burrowed under the covers of the bed. His upper body reemerged with his shirt and trousers in hand, throwing them to the side. Ginny and Millicent gave each other a wide eyed look before deciding not talking about it was best. The top half of Draco's bare chest was visible, and all of them were uncomfortably aware that under the blankets he had nothing but his smallclothes on.
And yet, they all needed sleep. Both girls slipped into a side of the bed, leaving Malfoy in the middle. Spelling the lights off, Ginny could hardly believe the situation she was currently in. She had done it to herself, and there was really no one else to blame. And yet she knew that if anyone could see her now, they would think she had completely lost it. Oh well. War made for strange bedfellows she supposed.