Ginny-
"What do you mean, I can't go back to Hogwarts?" I asked, staring at my parents who were in such a state of complete distress that it looked as though they were going to pass out.
"I heard, whilst I was at work- but how? How?" muttered Dad, obvious terror crossing his face.
"What's going on?" I demanded. "Why can't I go back to Hogwarts? What's happened?"
"Ginny… darling… although perhaps it would be best if your brothers were here as well… Arthur, call Fred and George, I'll do the rest," said Mum, and she stumbled quickly from the living room, followed by Dad, so that I was left sitting alone.
I reflected on what had happened in the last half an hour that had led to me sitting by myself whilst my parents rounded up the family. Dad had arrived home far too early, indicating immediately that something was very wrong. Mum had then called me downstairs and told me that I was to pack my things and that I would not be returning to Hogwarts. And now they were getting my brothers together so that they could tell us, as a whole, what was happening.
It was only 5 minutes before I heard the tell-tale noise of people flooing into the house, and immediately began to panic. No one flooed to the house anymore, it was too dangerous. Whatever had happened had clearly blown any other danger out of the water, if it meant that my brothers were allowed to floo back into the house.
"What's going on?" demanded one of them- Fred or George, by the sounds of it.
"Yeah, why have we been called away from business? What's happened, Dad?" said the other twin.
"Go and wait in the living room- Ginny's already there, your mother is getting the others using the fireplace in the bedroom- go!" he demanded, and I soon found myself joined by Fred and George, a twin on either side of me.
"Do you know what's going on, Gin?" asked Fred, who was looking pale.
"If I knew, I'd tell you," I replied, shrugging half-heartedly.
"We were able to floo back to the house," muttered George thoughtfully. "Something bad has happened."
Fred nodded in agreement. Even though I was beginning to feel as though my heart was in my mouth, I couldn't help thinking about how strange it was to see them again. They were dressed in smart, dragon skin jackets, which was different enough, but both had the same worried, thoughtful expressions on their faces that I had rarely seen.
It was only another 5 minutes before the rest of our brothers- minus Ron, I thought with the slight twinge of worry that always accompanied any thoughts of the trio, and also Percy, although I felt no concern for him- had flooed into the house and were in the living room. Bill, along with Fleur, were standing in the corner, heads together as they whispered in an agitated manner; Charlie was pacing back and forth in front of the bookcase that was barely holding together and contained a great many damaged, second-hand books; Fred and George were continuing to consider the matter with looks of great thoughtfulness. I was sitting quietly in an arm chair, waiting for Mum to come back and explain what was going on. Dad was already present, and was wringing his hands in front of him.
"Molly!" he shouted eventually, panic on his face. Mum came running into the room, her face flushed. She'd been crying.
"Mum, what's happened?" demanded Charlie, stopping his pacing and rushing up to Mum, grasping her hands in his and leading her to a chair, into which she collapsed.
"There has been an… incident… involving Ron," said Dad, his face white and sweaty.
I stopped breathing. We all stared at Dad in horror as Mum burst into waves of fresh tears.
"We don't want you to worry. But we have had news that he is being held at Malfoy Manor, along with Harry and Hermione. You had to know," said Dad quietly. "We must leave immediately. For too long we have stayed here whilst putting it about that Ron's ill. We've spoken to Aunt Muriel, and she is willing to let us move in with her. I want all of you to pack your things. We're leaving in 10 minutes."
We stared at our dad for a moment, trying to comprehend. It felt very much as though my lungs were filled with water- I felt at any moment that I would begin choking. Fred and George were looking thoroughly bemused, clearly unable to absorb the information. Charlie was still holding onto Mum's hands, his face white, his eyes staring, whilst Bill was holding Fleur to his chest as she clung to him desperately.
"Now!" shouted Dad suddenly, and we all jumped, getting to our feet and rushing around in an attempt to get everything we needed.
"We're going back to Shell Cottage," said Bill quietly to Dad. "It's one of the safe houses, we can't abandon it. Ron knows where it is- if they need a place to get away to, to lie low for a while, he'll probably try to come to us. We need to be there in case he does."
"Of course," said Dad, embracing Bill and Fleur in a quick, one armed hug. "Look after yourselves. Let us know whenever you can how you are- but be careful!"
I was jumping up the stairs two at a time. I slammed into my room, throwing random items into my school trunk which had been standing open so that I could re-pack it for Hogwarts. Now, I would never see the castle again. In its present state, something like relief seemed to spread through me, but it was still mingled with a feeling of mourning. I wouldn't get to say goodbye to Neville or try and help with Dumbledore's Army any more- although, it occurred to me suddenly, I had been so wrapped up in my own head the past few months that even when I had been at Hogwarts, I had been of very little help to Neville. Guilt surged through me, until the tumult of emotions raging through me threatened to reduce me to hysterics.
I was curled on the floor, gasping for breath, when the door flew open. Fred and George were standing in the doorway, staring at me in concern.
"Come on, Gin," said George, striding confidently forwards and pulling me upright. "Everything's gunna be fine. You know what Ron and the others are like- they always get themselves out of these things."
"Yeah, they'll be fine," said Fred, in what he clearly thought was a winning tone. "Have you packed everything?"
"I- I think so," I stammered, trying to catch my breath.
"Come on then, we can't stay here," said Fred, closing my trunk and pulling it off of the bed.
"Think you can stand on your own, Gin?" asked George.
"Yeah," I said, although I wasn't entirely sure.
"C'mon then," said George, taking my arm and gently pulling me towards the door. "We better get going."
One last glance around my room, and then we were running down the stairs. We had hardly gotten back into the kitchen than Mum pulled me to her side and turned on the spot, forcing me into the dark, constricting tunnel of Apparition, pulling me away from my home, the place I had grown up, and dragging me off into even more uncertainty that we were already living through.
Draco-
The Slytherin common room was buzzing with activity, much like usual. I was sat alone in a corner, trying to avoid the prying eyes that sort me out. I was sick of hiding in my bedroom- since coming back to Hogwarts a week ago that had seemed to be the only place I ever was- so I had ventured down into the common room for once. Blaise was nowhere to be seen. I assumed he was out with some girl, probably a little Slytherin fifth year, knowing his taste.
The noise suddenly seemed to permeate my bubble, breaking through my barriers with such force that I jumped. Someone was standing over me, a sixth year I recognised although not by name. I looked up to him as snidely as I could.
"Yes?" I sneered.
"Your family is a disgrace," hissed the sixth year. "You let Potter slip through your fingers!"
"How dare you?" I snarled, jumping to my feet. "How dare you talk like that about my family? The Malfoy family?"
"The great Malfoy family- how the mighty have fallen," he sneered.
The common room was silent now- every head had turned to watch the sixth year and myself.
"Who are you?" I demanded, glaring coldly at him.
"What does that have to do with you? You have no authority anymore, Malfoy. You and your family are done. I'm surprised you were even let out of your manor to come back to Hogwarts."
"You little-"
"Darling! My darling, do not respond to it, do not rise!" counselled Astoria, who had appeared suddenly at my side.
"Not now, Astoria," I snapped.
"Now, don't talk to your fiancée like that," sniggered one of the sixth year's friends.
"She's no- I mean… don't you even mention my… my fiancée," I struggled, trying to overcome the faux-pas of nearly denying Astoria as my fiancée. Such a mistake would only cause me more grief that I needed.
"I'll do what I want. Like he said, you and your family are done," laughed the friend.
I swung for him, fighting Muggle style in my fury, punching him square on the nose. I felt it crack under my knuckles. It seemed as though hell broke loose, although I, having lived through hell every day at the manor, knew that it could have been so much worse. This was merely a small amount of chaos- the sixth year and his friends attempted to launch themselves towards me, although a quick flick of my wrist ensured that a shield charm was cast so that they merely rebounded and fell in a confused heap on the floor. Surrounding people were either laughing or swearing, all of them shouting loudly.
"Excuse me," I said quietly to Astoria, moving her aside and heading to the door. "I need some privacy."
"Let me come too, darling," simpered Astoria.
"You realise what privacy means?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course, but you are my fiancé now. We can go and have some privacy together. Come, Draco," she said, taking my hand and pulling me almost roughly towards the door.
I followed, not that I had too much choice in the matter; Astoria's grip was vice-like upon my hand, I could feel it beginning to go numb in her gasp.
"Here's a nice place to be private," she said smugly, opening the door to one of the castle's larger broom cupboards and pulling me inside behind her.
"Lovely," I said, my tone practically dripping in sarcasm.
"You know you love it," she said, turning to me with what I assume she thought was a seductive look on her face. I struggled to keep my face blank- I was aching to raise an eyebrow at her in scorn.
"Why don't we get you out of those old robes?" she practically purred.
"I think not," I said, backing away slightly.
"Come now, Draco," she said, putting. "Am I not allowed to see my husband-to-be's body?"
"Certainly not," I said sternly, although I was beginning to panic. No one had seen my body since before my Aunt's knife had scrawled across it, leaving a ragged, untidy scar that still clearly spelt out 'Failure'.
"Draco," she pouted, moving towards me, slowly taking off her own robe and letting it fall to the floor.
"Astoria, no. Put your robe back on, for heaven's sake," I said, hearing the panic in my voice now.
"What's wrong, Draco? You used to enjoy our little excursions from the common room," said Astoria, staring at me in hurt bewilderment.
"I just… I don't feel like it today," I said wildly.
"You don't feel like it? Since when did Draco Malfoy not feel like it?" she questioned, looking disbelieving now. "Have I done something wrong?"
"Of course not, I just-"
"Is it because I'm not a blood traitor?" she demanded suddenly, making me freeze. I stared at her.
"What on earth do you mean?" I asked, my mouth feeling dry.
"I know about the Weasley girl, Draco, she said coldly. "My mother told me, before we became legally engaged- when our parents were still arranging the contract. Apparently, your mother deemed it only right that my family know what was going on, so that I would not be 'offended' when we came back to Hogwarts and you continued to court her."
"I… I don't know-"
"Do not lie to me, Draco! I know you were seeing her as well as me, I know that now. I have decided to forgive you because I know yu had no choice. However, she is no longer here, Draco. No one knows where she's gone- she's just gone. Why are you still pining over such a pathetic little wisp of a girl when you could have me? When you do have me?"
"I am not pining over her-"
"Then come to me, Draco," said Astoria, smiling warmly and holding out her arms to me.
"No, Astoria! I do not want to remove my robes, all right? Something… something happened, and I do not wish for you to see it."
Astoria stared at me with calculating eyes for a moment, before moving tentatively towards me and placing a hand gently on my arm.
"I know about what your aunty did to you," she said quietly. I flinched, pulled myself away from her.
"What? Did my damned mother tell you everything?" I snapped.
"It's ok, Draco. I don't like that you have the scars, but I love you all the same," she said, attempting to sound reassuring.
We stared at each other for a few minutes longer, her hand extended towards me slightly, hoping that I would return to her embrace. But I could not. She was the wrong person. I did not want her comforting me. I wanted someone else.
"I don't feel like it tonight, Astoria. I'm sorry," I said, kissing her on the top of her head and turning to leave the cupboard.
"Yes, dear," she whispered behind me, sounding hurt.
"I'll see you back at the common room later," I said without turning around.
I did not return to the common room that evening. I stayed in a disused classroom until the early hours of the morning, thinking about where Ginny was, hoping that she was ok. Because there was no point denying it to myself now. She was the one I had dreamt about in my unconscious state. Hers was the first name I uttered upon coming back to life. She was who I loved. She was not mine, never would be mine, but I loved her one the less, and I was doomed, doomed to marry Astoria.
Astoria was someone who I had always dreamt I would marry. A pretty girl from a respectable, wealthy, pure blood family. But it was not Astoria I wanted now. Instead I wanted a girl who, although attractive was not the most attractive young woman I had seen, nor was she the richest- indeed, the Weasley's ad little to no money to speak of. They were hardly a respectable family either, blood traitors, all of them. And then there was the issue of Potter.
There was always the issue of Potter.
A/N: This has to be the longest I have ever one without updating, and I am so sorry. Life has been incredibly hectic recently, I've been in hospital a couple of times and have been struggling to keep up with my university work, not to mention the number of issues my damn laptop has suddenly decided to develop. I apologise for the state of this chapter, I know it isn't one of my best, but I hope you enjoy it anyway
Love, Beccari x