Disclaimer: I don't think snogging and thrashing about like eels is really the way to bring people together (as so J.K.Rowling suggests with Lavender and Ron) so try my dose of suspense and action and romance all bundled into one!
A/N: Sorry for the long pause! I won't be updating till after my examinations, which is end of September - pity! (unless I have the urge to do so)...this chapter proves to be a bit more of an answer to the previous one, though still a lot of inferencing needed! But at least, we've got some headway and ooh! some nice D/H moments - not explicit, but still...pretty interesting!
Gwinna: You've got quite a few good (and accurate) inferences! You will find out later on (not all in this chapter though) whether your inferences are correct. It IS quite complicated, but at the end, I'll make sure the jigsaw pieces are all in place!
queenofthelameos: And here's the next chapter for you! Thanks for your review!
blueeyedchibi: I have more mind-reading here:) much better eh? Thanks for your awesome review, here's the next chapter!
Dragon of the Earth: Hagrid's creatures are his treasures! (think the burial of Aragog -shudders-) well here's to curb your disappointment, though I'm afraid chapter 30 won't come out till much later, but DO stay tuned cos it's going to be an exciting chapter anyway! Thanks awfully for the review, and hope you enjoy this one!
pinkicing101: It was confusing, I admit! I hope this one sheds a bit more light, though it's still very indirect. But you'll get to see the whole picture in the next few chapters, so don't fret! Hope you enjoy reading this chapter :)
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There was barely any light in the room, and the air was terribly musty.
His silvery-blond hair somehow managed to gleam in the darkness. It was slicked back very neatly, just like it was when he was in the first two years.
It's a very important day, isn't it?
He didn't flinch.
Her eyes trailed from his hair to his eyes. The soft, gray eyes that she once saw, were now hardened, almost as cold as the stone wall she was leaning against.
The day you prove yourself to him.
He still didn't move an inch, but his eyes seem to flicker.
"So, look who's here…"
He didn't spin around, but she looked towards the door.
Another mane of silver-blond came into view. The same colour, but not as bright. It was…shrouded in a sense of…
Evil.
"My, my, the mudblood is cold and lonely, isn't she?" laughed Lucius Malfoy, as his glinting eyes came to rest on Hermione. "I wouldn't have expected her to be so obedient, just like a subservient dog."
She shuddered as she heard him emphasise the word. She could almost feel herself ready to yelp any moment, in fear, and in obedience. Yet, he still remained stoic, not even turning around to look at his father.
"Draco, I expect you to be outside in an hour's time. It is your most important task yet, and if you accomplish it, your position in the Dark Lord's eyes will gain another notch. I am very proud of you thus far; do not let me down!"
With that, and a swish of his cloak, the silver-blond tresses whipped around and disappeared into the darkness.
I'm scared.
The familiar phrase resounded through their minds.
This time, he turned around.
His gray eyes fell upon her brown ones.
Dogs are loyal, aren't they? They'll keep it through, won't they? He didn't smirk when he said that.
They'll come. Her eyes were full of determination. They'll definitely come.
---
"I don't exactly want to believe Ginny, but I suppose I have to…" said Ron, rather reluctantly. "I know it sounds kinda unbelievable, but it fits in perfectly."
"So it's not Voldemort who lifted the spell, it was – "
"Malfoy, yes."
"So are you trying to tell me that – "
Ginny's hand rested on Harry. She could feel his cold and clammy skin under her palm. "We can't judge people for who they seem to be, Harry. But we really don't have time to lose, we must find Malfoy and Hermione!"
"But how?" demanded Neville, who was extremely bewildered by what had just happened, despite the enlightenment that Ron and Ginny had tried to offer. Harry was looking completely dreadful, although the grit on his face was clear.
Professor Dumbledore turned to look at Harry. "I believe you have an idea?"
Harry looked confused. "I do?"
The wise Headmaster smiled and did a very familiar gesture: he pointed to his head.
Harry remembered Professor Nell as Professor Dumbledore did that, and then suddenly he thought "spy"…and then he remembered.
"8 o'clock, tower. Professor! I – "
And then he remembered he hadn't told Professor Dumbledore about the Dark Lord's entry.
"Professor! There was this day when Hermione and I found out that Voldemort had entered Hogwarts…and he was giving instructions to Draco Malfoy then! It was at the Astronomy tower, 8 o'clock, and…"
"Very good, Harry. Have you any idea how he entered?"
Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "I have absolutely no idea! I remember Hermione and I wanted to find out, but there was this whirlwind of events and…"
"I can't believe you guys did all these without me! First it was third year, then it was –" Ron's whines died out as Ginny glared at him, then looked back at Harry.
"Harry, can you try to think of possibilities? We know for sure he can't have used a Portkey or Apparated in, because of the magic of Hogwarts."
"If the magic of Hogwarts could stop him from being able to monitor Draco Malfoy properly, then it surely can't let him enter so easily. There really must be a way!"
"We have to find the way," muttered Ginny. "Because if that's the way he came through, we can use that way to find him, Malfoy and Hermione!"
Professor Dumbledore looked completely calm as the trio racked their brains.
Then Ron raised his head, eyes shining, though in a rather angry manner. "I think I know who might have the answer."
"You mean…" Ginny narrowed her eyes.
Ron nodded. "Pansy Parkinson."
---
The rough feel of the rope snaked around her hands, ready to tie itself into a great big knot, suffocating the veins of Hermione's small, but grubby wrists. She could almost picture it squeezing her wrists till her hands turned blue.
Yet, the ropes hesitated at the wrists, almost reluctant to add the final grip.
She opened her eyes, but he was no longer in front of her with his wand raised.
She could feel his heavy breath around her curls.
She could feel his strong, rough fingers trace her supple wrists, and she shuddered at his every touch. Then, she felt his fingers go round her wrist, and gently closed on the skin.
Don't.
Her pleas failed to move him. His thumb rubbed gently against her wrists.
Don't. You'll regret it.
I won't.
Then he released her wrists, and she knew he was picking up the rope. She felt the rough rope go around her wrists once more, but this time, she knew he was doing it manually. While he tied the rope, the proximity between the two of them was making her heart race, and her eyes fluttered everytime his fingers bumped against her skin.
Finally, he gave a final jerk, and she winced.
She could feel the blood drain from her fingers. Yet, before she could lose any sense in them, she felt his fingers slip down to hers, and covered them.
She jerked away.
You'll regret it. Please don't.
I will never, ever regret it.
---
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Pansy Parkinson put on the most defiant look that she could manage, while standing in the middle of Professor Dumbledore's office, amidst the glares of Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom and Professor Dumbledore.
"Don't give us that bull, Parkinson, if you had the courage to hex me, why aren't you plucking it up again to prick your own conscience?" sneered Ron. "Or are you just a scaredy-cat who does everything she's told. Like when You-Know-Who wants something dirty done, you are his minion?"
"I'm not his minion!" hissed Pansy. She glared so vehemently at Ron that a shudder ran through him. She just couldn't believe he was well in front of her again when she had cast such a heavy Hex on him.
"I'm sure you can feel the Dark Mark on your shoulder, can't you? I'm sure you can remember when it was first imprinted on you," said Ginny, in a low, silky voice. "Pansy Parkinson, you're capable of Dark Magic to change the weather, you're capable of being able to sneak up behind Ron and hex him, but you're not capable enough to be the most trusted minion of You-Know-Who, aren't you?"
Pansy's eyes flashed. "I've never minded!"
"Miss Parkinson, I believe that so far," said Professor Dumbledore, joining in for the first time since the trio had decided to interrogate Pansy. "The school has tolerated the fact that you and Mr Malfoy are Death-Eaters because we believed –"
"That you wanted to give us a chance?" sneered Pansy. "I'm sorry, Professor, but that doesn't seem to be the case. If we had the chance, Draco wouldn't have to suffer, he wouldn't have to –"
Her voice died out.
"What's this about Malfoy suffering?" snorted Harry. "He's been having the time of his life enjoying being the Dark Lord minion, hasn't he?"
"Harry, it's not like that and you know it!" cried Ginny, angrily. Harry turned to face her, eyes flashing. "I'm sorry Ginny, but it's a bit too incredulous for my liking! How can he just be acting when he's hurt Hermione so much!"
"I can't tell for sure!" retorted Ginny. "But the least you could do now is trust what we think is the most plausible situation at hand!"
"Can you two shut up!" Ron glared at both his best friend and sister. "We're interrogating Parkinson now, alright? This isn't the time to decide who's right and who's wrong! And would you," he said, turning to face a defiant Pansy. "tell us what is going on with Malfoy and You-Know-Who and everything else? I think you know best!"
"For once, the Weasel does have some brains to analyse!" sneered Pansy, though her look softened a little. She knew that the two Weasleys had assumed Draco was being nice to Hermione Granger and was only pretending to carry out his mission, but she couldn't help laughing deep inside, knowing how wrong they were. "But I know nothing of help to you."
"Sure you do!" cried Neville, for the first time since Parkinson had entered the office. Pansy merely smirked. "Oh Longbottom, you think you know a lot. I'm afraid not this time."
"Miss Parkinson, I am sure you know that I do practise a bit of Legilimency," said Professor Dumbledore, very calmly. "And I can choose as and when to exercise it. However, if you let me exercise it, you may let me know a lot more than what I am seeking for."
Pansy froze.
Harry glared at her; his mind was whirling with all the previous events of how first of all, Hermione was protecting Malfoy when she knew that he was indirectly responsible for the banning of the Gryffindor Quidditch team from the field, then how she could communicate with him through thoughts, how she and Malfoy interacted at the Hospital Wing, how they found Lord Voldemort and Malfoy at the Astronomy tower, how…
"So?" challenged Ginny.
Pansy turned away. "I'm not doing anyone any good by telling you this."
"You'll be doing Mr Malfoy and Miss Granger much good."
Pansy swung around and flashed her green eyes at Professor Dumbledore. "No I'm not! Draco will be killed by the Dark Lord if he fails to complete his mission!"
"His mission is to kill Hermione!" burst out Harry. "And you're going to let him do it?"
Ginny and Ron were about to stop him, when they caught a glint in Professor Dumbledore's eye that stopped them. Breathing heavily, they took a step back. A few seconds later, Ginny understood why. He wanted Harry to make Pansy think that Draco Malfoy was still carrying out his "mission". And Harry had been smart enough to pretend as if he did not believe in Ginny and Ron's story that Draco Malfoy had been forced into doing what he did.
"You're going to let him kill Hermione?" Harry's voice now faded into a whisper.
Pansy knew better than to say yes. But she knew the outcome. Yes, maybe they will save Draco from the misery he's suffering…maybe he will be better if he wasn't bearing such a great responsibility. But how long can he hide from the Dark Lord if he escapes? We'll both be dead in no time. The Dark Lord spares no one who fails him…
"The Dark Lord is accomplished in Occlumency," she whispered. "I can't fail him."
"If I give you my word that both Mr Malfoy and you will be safe?"
"How can you determine our fates!" demanded Pansy. "The Dark Lord…"
"I give you my life as word."
Pansy's eyes grew wide. Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, giving his life as word for the protection of our lives? Against the Dark Lord?
"You don't trust me?"
She hung her head.
---
"About half an hour's time."
His voice had become raw, even though a hint of sneer was in it.
"Do you remember, Draco?"
"Still calling me Draco, Mudblood?"
"Do you remember what we said?"
"Of course I do. All a lie, Granger. All but a lie."
Of course I do.
---
Oh God, what is WRONG with me. Why am I being such a pathetic person!
That's because you have emotions, Draco, you're not a cold-blooded person like Voldemort is. You won't kill an innocent person.
You think you know me very well, huh. I'm still a Death-Eater no matter what.
You didn't choose to become one, Draco. Lucius made you, didn't he?
Shut up.
Stop telling me to shut up. I'm telling you the truth.
Stop acting smart, Granger!
Did he tell you anything?
Tell? You're such a mild creature, Hermione. He practically engulfed my head with his rage.
He said he was not going to tolerate inconsistency. He…he said that if I don't kill Ginny by the end of the next week…he would kill me.
He would kill me.
He would kill me.
You know what?
I have a plan.
Granger, don't be stupid. I can read your mind.
I'm not being stupid. I know what I'm doing.
No you're not to –
Don't kill Ginny.
No! I can't let you –
Kill me.