(Compulsory) Disclaimer: I own nothing, I only wish I owned Draco and Ginny. The appalling plot and the none-too-greatly-written orphans are mine.

A/N: Here it is, un-betaed so anything that is wrong is of course my fault. Reviews are appreciated and flames are welcome.

Above and Beyond

Chapter 13 – In which Draco is tempted and evil plans are underfoot

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A cacophony of noises was coming from Draco's private laboratory. They were mostly Draco's yells of frustration, occasionally punctuated by the hisses, fizzles and pops of the potions he was working with. He looked haggard and frustrated, and he hadn't had a good night's sleep in days. Overheated from the steam of the simmering cauldrons, his face was flushed and his hair was beginning to frizz. Not that he noticed; he was too busy brewing.

He was working on reverse engineering the enchantment used on Ginny. After eliminating spells or any kind of charm, he had settled on a potion, which was why he was here in this ancient, boiling potions lab working on a cure for Ginny. But first he had to figure out what was wrong. He had realized that this was no everyday potion and that it was the work of a genius. If he hadn't known better, he would have said Snape's offspring had brewed it. The thought gave him a moment of humour.

It's obviously blended, he thought to himself, tapping his chin thoughtfully, so I'll have to follow Golpagott's Laws. This was tedious; no doubt the potion maker intended it that way. It was difficult but Draco knew he could do it. A knock on the door made him turn around wearily.

He crossed to the heavy oak door and opened it slowly. Ginny stood there smiling brightly in a bright red jumper, clashing horribly with her vivid red hair. Today it tumbled loosely around her shoulders, framing big brown eyes sparkling with life. Draco had a fleeting wish that she would look like that when she was thinking about him. Scowling, he demanded sternly,

"What do you want?"

"The children want to go out around the lake and maybe horseback riding. Is that okay?"

Her cheerfulness was overwhelming and Draco felt some of his tiredness ebb away. He dragged a hand over his face in frustration, a habit he had tried to rid himself of. He turned suddenly wary.

"Where's Belle?"

"What's with the twenty questions, mister?" she poked him playfully in the chest and Draco felt an automatic reaction to her touch. Damn he must be tired, if a bit of teasing was affecting him like this.

"Belle's in the library—" she paused and sniffed, "—what's that? Can I come in?"

Without waiting for an answer she pushed past him and entered the lab. The colourful fumes hid her from Draco's view and he closed the door to hurry after her.

"Don't touch anything." He warned her.

She pouted at him. It was adorable.

He was obviously coming down with something, lack of sleep maybe. He walked over to her and grasped her arm firmly intending to steer her back towards the door. She gasped and swayed towards him.

"Oh dear, I don't feel so well." She said as they passed a bright blue concoction.

Draco sighed, half annoyed half aroused at the feel of her pressing against him.

"Come on." He said tersely.

She turned towards him lips parted and face slightly flushed. Draco was pretty sure he looked the same, if not worse. Damn this, every time she got near to him, he reacted. What the hell, he groaned and sank his lips to hers. Cupping one hand behind her head and the other twined around her waits, he pulled her flush against him.

Draco gave in as Ginny plundered his mouth. They clung to each other, Ginny's fingers threading through silvery blonde strands. Ginny pushed him up against the wall at the back of the room. She moaned and pressed closer. All Draco could do was comply and he pulled her as close as possible. She broke off to nibble below his ear—damn that was going to leave a mark—and Draco gulped air.

"Erin," she breathed.

Draco froze. He pushed Ginny off him gently. She pouted back, brown eyes looking pleadingly into his. She must be really far gone to not even realize I'm not the one she wants to be kissing.

Draco's thoughts were like cold water to his feelings. The knowledge that Ginny was not operating under her own influence strengthened Draco's resolve. He lifted her down off the table and pulled her towards the door, shutting it firmly behind her.

He needed to get his emotions in check if he planned to end this mess. End. Finality. Draco had little doubt that this manipulation of Ginny was connected to the attempts on the children. Even though he'd never admit it, Draco was more than a little worried about the safety of his charges. The ball coming up would be the perfect opportunity for someone to try to get to them. No doubt they planned to use Ginny.

Draco sighed. He had to use Ginny to get to these people even if he found the antidote in time. He hoped he did. He'd much rather work with a reluctant but cooperative Ginny in control of her faculties than a completely oblivious Ginny who was not. The ball was on Thursday, two days from now. Luna and Hermione were staying in the Manor till then to help keep an eye on Ginny and the children.

Even though Ginny hadn't been able to get out of the castle to be induced with more of the potion, the effects were long lasting enough to ensure she stayed happily besotted. Draco swore under his breath. Whoever was up to this, he'd find out sure enough at the function. He just had to make sure Ginny lasted that long.

"Xavier, I am not pleased."

"Yes, my lord."

"Your plan, Xavier, what of it?"

"My lord, the next phase is an attack at the Malfoy Manor on the night of the 16th."

"Yes, yes. Are you certain of this, Xavier?"

"Very, my lord, the witch is still under my control."

"Very well, you may choose a small number of men to accompany you, should there be any complications."

"Yes, my lord."

"Instruct the girl, to have the children in a room by themselves at the stroke of eleven. You will Disapparate them from there to the chamber for the ritual."

"Yes, my lord."

"The ritual needs be complete by midnight. The Dark Ones will rule again and these children are the key. One must make sacrifices for the greater evil."

"Yes, my lord."

"Be gone with you, Xavier and do not disappoint me."