Ok, I am well aware that this is my first update in an age. I cannot promise you that I will update soon, but I am working on the next chapter, and hope to have the first part of this story completed soon. This Chapter is a little off, and I will go over it at a later date and make it more in the style it should be. I'm just getting myself re-used to the story and the Cjharacters in this chapter, and the next. I hope it's entertaining though.
Well, read, review and enjoy.
Chapter 11
It took a great effort for Draco not to explode at Ron as he walked away. He could not believe the nerve of him 'I don't work with deatheaters' indeed. What had he thought he was working with for ten years, a pixie? Draco unclenched his hands, that he had balled into fists to stop himself from letting his magic take over and doing what he had done eight years ago, though Weasley would have deserved it.
He bit back a sigh. Knowing he would have to go after the red-head, they did have a job to do after all, no matter what petty differences had been raised. He also knew, without a shadow of a doubt that Ron would most likely get himself into trouble, especially as he was confused and very angry. Without warning he pushed himself off the ground and took to the air in his falcon form, a silver blur in the dark sky.
He kept an eye out for Ron, he knew better that to confront him again. He slowed down until he was hovering lightly in the air. He had honestly thought all this was behind them. He hadn't even really thought about it in years, he had never really thought about it at all since they had started working together. He had had two years at that point to come to terms with being an Animagis, to realise he no longer had an allegiance to the dark lord, he could support that side in the war like one supported a team at a Quiddich match, not the way Ron had supported his side.
Perhaps they should have discussed it, or something… But it wasn't in Draco's nature to talk things like this over. He had just accepted it when Ron had stopped being hostile, it was easier than dredging it all back up, especially when they would have to work together until one of them was dead. It was Animagis law, once partners, always partners. They had worked themselves into a rather comfortable working relationship…
Damn Lucius!
It was then that he caught sight of Ron and his father and the Chirloc. He hovered and watched them carefully. This was the difference between himself and Ron; where Ron rushed in immediately, in rather typical Gryffindor fashion, swinging his fists like an idiot. Draco assessed the situation, considered everything before attacking. It had been the source of more than a few arguments over the years. That and the fact that he always seemed to put himself in the most danger.
He swooped lower, watching as his father ordered the Chirloc not to kill Ron. It took only a few seconds for the Chirloc to subdue and disappear with Ron. He landed in the spot they had all once stood, he searched the back of his mind for the slight link that bound one Animagis to the other. The link that made it possible for them to share healing energy between them. This link also made it possible for him to find Ron if he had to suddenly apperate. It couldn't be forced, so if one of them was captured the other couldn't be found. He closed his eyes briefly, concentrated. When his grey eyes opened he shook out his pendant symbol round his wrist, wrapping long fingers around it and apperated.
He was forced to stop outside a magical barrier; it was created by the Chirloc, and not even an Animagis could break through that barrier unless their animal form took over. He looked round quickly, but there was nothing around him that gave him any cause for concern--aside from a rather disgruntled looking sheep. Ignoring the animl he sought out any sign of a Chirloc meeting place, or a building, anything that could let him know where they might be keeping Ron. Depending on the number of Chirloc here he could be meters o miles away from where Ron was.
On the top of a small hill a short distance away stood an old ruin of some kind. Draco began to make his way towards it. It was as good a place to start as any. He kept his eyes peeled for any activity, Chirloc or otherwise, but aside from a few more sheep there was nothing, and that made his distinctly uneasy.
Surely his father would have set wards, traps, anything.
The Chirloc should have attacked him by now, like they always did when anyone entered their 'territory'. there was so much he would have to look up when he returned to base. His mind could never be still for a moment, continuously analysing and appraising any given situation, it was a wonder he didn't stop concentrating on the outside world at times like this, but he had learnt never to let his guard down on the field.
He reached the ruins without mishap, unsurprised when he found a winding set of steps leading downwards, most likely to some kind of dungeon, or holding room, or, Merlin forbid, a Chirloc meeting place. Casting a last glance round, eyes narrowing at the night shadows, he started downwards, keeping his entire attention both ahead and behind him, hoping to avoid some kind of an attack. Though, on steps as narrow as these were, he doubted very much that he could. Reaching the bottom brought him to a long stone corridor, devoid of light.
Draco looked down it, glad his magic allowed him to see in the dark like his tiger counterpart could. He made his way down slowly, eyes flicking everywhere, searching for an attack. But he could feel no Chirloc presence here, a lingering trace yes, but the demon was no longer here. He continued down, passing a number of doors, some hanging from one hinge, others partly open, he passed them with only a cursory glance inside.
The sound of metal scraping against stone caught his attention, he felt in his mind for that presence of Ron, and bit back a sigh of relief when he found it. Keeping his senses attuned to the return of the Chirloc, or his father, he made his way to the next door up, where the noise was coming from and opened the door with a wave of his hand. "Weasley?" he called, stepping into the room.
"What do you want Malfoy!" the scowl was evident in his tone.
Draco suppressed the growing desire to hex him. "I'm here to rescue your worthless hide, aren't I." he said snidely, making his way across the room to where Ron was hanging rather helplessly by his wrists.
"I don't need rescuing." Ron snapped. It was obvious he had just come round, he would have been free by now if he hadn't.
"Don't be a prat Weasley." Draco muttered, reaching up, annoyed at the fact that he had to stand on tip toes to almost reach the chains.
Ron jerked away from him, angry. "Leave me alone! I can get out of them myself!" he growled.
Draco took a step back, frowning. "Weasley… Ron… this isn't the time for these petty squabbles of yours." he said, as calmly as he could manage.
"Petty!" Ron cried, before snorting in laughter. "This isn't bloody Petty Malfoy!"
"Oh, of course not. You've lived with it for eight years Weasley, why does it crop up now all of a sudden? Because you happened to overhear a conversation between myself and my insane father. If that's not petty I really don't know what is!" Draco snapped, not paying attention, for a moment, on his surroundings.
That moment cost him.
He didn't even have time to twist to the side before a Chirloc had him, he bit back a cry of frustration when he found he couldn't move.
"Now, now Draco, it isn't nice to speak of you father that way." Lucius smirked victoriously as he stepped into view, he nodded to the Chirloc, whose grip on Draco tightened considerably, claws almost piercing his skin. Draco gasped, and in a second was gone. Lucius turned his smirk to Ron. "You have proven quite useful. I thank you. Don't go anywhere now." he strode out of the room with a flourish, leaving Chirloc behind.
Ron watched the bound chaos of the demon that hovered in the corner of the roon, just at the edge of his vision. Even if he did break the chains the Chirloc could kill him before he could summon the magic to fight back. Despite his anger at Draco, and the fact that he had forgotten just what he was partnered too, he wondered what Lucius had planned for his son. The cynical side of him was saying they would probably have some kind of party, that Draco would join Lucius and the Chirloc and try to take over the world. The other part of him, the part that had trusted Draco these past eight years, perhaps longer, was telling him it would hardly be that pretty for the blond Animagis.
Try as he might, he couldn't fully ignore it. Not when the first scream sounded.