"Hurry now," Author whispered grabbing Ginny's hand and leading her to an awaiting carriage. "We don't have much time," he said handing her a dark velvet cloak that she slipped on right away. She knew she didn't want anyone to see her or Draco. Their very lives could be in danger if anyone caught sight of them.
"Am I going alone?" she asked climbing into the back of the carriage. Just as she sat down she caught a glimpse of what she supposed was a thistle. She had never seen one before till now and oddly enough it was almost an award to be able to see them instead of a punishment that she always thought it would be.
"No, I'll be going with you at least half way," Ginny turned away from the window and looked over at her father as he climbed into the seat across from her. "There is still a lot to explain. So much that you don't know." Ginny nodded and looked back out the window only to see Fred and Charlie carrying Draco from the house to the carriage. She watched inventively to his limp body. His cloak covered most of his face except for his pouty lips and just a peak of his snowy complexion. She watched for a few more moments then looked away.
"Careful," Molly said, walking beside Charlie.
"Don't worry mum, we won't drop him," Charlie assured as he shot Fred a look.
"The git will be fine," Fred muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes at his brother. "Spoiled brat."
"Fred Weasley that will be enough out of you." Molly shushed sending a sharp glare at Fred and George both.
"Sorry mum," they both said, hanging their heads. Ginny rolled her eyes and sat back into the comfy cushions of the carriage. She wished everyone would just stop talking so she could think clearly. And yet she didn't want to think clear at all because all she would think about is how much she was going to miss her family. Her leaving almost sounded selfish.
"Ginny, sit up a bit." Draco was moved into the seat next to her. Author gently rested the boy's head upon his daughter's lab then signaled to his wife that everything was ok and that they were ready to go. She couldn't help but feel scared about leaving. After all this would only put her in more danger and limit her connections to the wizarding world.
She had been told last night that neither she nor Draco could use any magic since the ministry would find out and then know of their location. Author however had some ties within the ministry and given her some reassurance that if she needed to use magic she could, but only in the most desperate in times. Other then that she would have to survive without using magic for some time.
Molly lifted a sack onto the carriage floor and began to look through it making sure she didn't forget anything. "Here's everything you should need to mend him back together. You have your potions and incantations all bottled up here. I was up all last night making sleeping and claming droughts for when he wakes up. That way he won't be much of a fuss." Ginny faked a smile, and turned back to her dad.
"How long will I be gone exactly?"
"It won't be long." He assured then looked away. "I promise not more than a month."
"A month?" She hadn't thought she would be gone that long at all. She knew he would need some caring for, but a month? Already he was looking better thanks to the anti-bruising paste now all they were waiting for was for him to wake up.
Molly and Author exchanged glances. They knew this wasn't going to be easy for anyone but they were doing what seemed best. Having Ginny go to the Malfoy Manor would prevent her from a lot right now. Yes, she would be in a bit of danger but not anymore that she was already in staying in the House of Black.
"We wouldn't make you do anything you wouldn't want to." Author laid a hand on hers. "You did say that you wanted to help." That part hit hard. She wanted to help more than anything but this wasn't exactly what she had in mind. The way she saw it was she was being forced to cater to one person while she could be helping hundreds along side her mother and brothers.
"Please, dear, understand the best that you can." Molly asked gently, her eyes already starting to tear up. "You'll be hidden away safe and you'll be saving a young life." Ginny bit the comment that was bubbling deep inside her dieing to get out. She swallowed hard, and held everything down. Now was not the time to be a Gryffindor. Now was the time to be a person. But even a person had standards a tiny voice in her head chimed in.
Shaking her head for a moment she looked away, out the window. "I understand."
"Oh I knew you would dear."
"It's high time that we should go. Wouldn't want the muggles next door to wake to a sight like this." Author bit in, closing the door. "I'll be back by tonight." Ginny waved goodbye to her family then glanced down at Draco's sleeping form. She was doing this for him, to save his life. She was being a good person; she was doing a good thing. She just hopped that in the end she would be able to look back and see that.
Ginny was awakened by a crash of thunder that sounded off into the distance. Her eyes fluttered open and took in her surroundings. She was still in the Carriage. Author was sleeping against the window and Draco still lay peacefully, sprawled over her lap.
She tried scooting herself into a more comfortable position but she decided it would be best that she just sat still in case her movement somehow woke Draco up. This would not be the time or place to have a wide-awake Malfoy.
Wiggling a bit in her seat, she tried to make some improvement to her comfort but to no avail. As soon as she began to tussle he emitted a soft moan causing her to stop abruptly.
"I don't want to wake you," she whispered. She sat back against the cushion and sighed as raindrops began to fall from the heavens and pitter-pattered against the windows. "I just want to move my arse."
"I expect sitting on a broom would be more comfortable than these seats." Author mumbled, sitting up and looking around indistinctly.
"I'm sorry if I woke you."
"No, no. I was already getting up," he yawned. "Besides, my stop is coming up." He stretched a bit then began to look out the window. All was silent for a few moments before another crack of thunder thudded followed by a flash of lightning that illuminated the dark grey sky.
"Ginny, before I forget I want to explain one more thing to you." He cleared his throat and looked her in the eye. "The ministry is going to be poking around a bit at the Malfoy manor. We've already been there before but Fudge thought it would be wise if we checked the premises again. Most pureblooded families are being closely watched such as Zambini and Parkinson. Names that I'm sure you have heard of once or twice."
"What does this all have to do with me?"
"You'll have to tell the house elves to expect visitors so that they don't cause an hue and cry. Ginny looked quizzical for a moment, not quite understanding why her dad was being so serious over the matter of having a few people come to expect the house. But as he continued she began to understand.
"You'll want to make sure you stay on the first or second floor, only. We've never gone to the third floor so I have no idea what you could expect on further floors. And above all else you will never let Mal-Draco know of our little investigations. Do I make myself clear?" Ginny nodded, not sure what else she could say. Author lowered his voice as he eyed Draco. "Put him to sleep, keep him busy, even get him out of the house. I don't care what you do as long as you keep him clueless."
"I won't let you down."
"I knew you wouldn't." He tapped the wooden interior three times. The carriage stopped suddenly at the command. "I'm off pumpkin." He managed to smile for his daughter as he opened the door and climbed out. "I'll write as often as I can to send you details of what's going on. And I promise to send a note as soon as I hear word of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I'm sure it won't be long." Ginny didn't say anything in return she just nodded absentmindedly. She really didn't want to think of Harry right now. Just hearing his name knotted her stomach.
"Malfoy Manor," Author called as he closed the door. Right away the thistles began to trot once more, pulling the carriage at a rather placid pace. Ginny waved goodbye to her dad until he was lost in the distance then sat back against the cushions and eyed Draco for a moment or two.
"I guess it's just me and you," She said softly, brushing a piece of hair from his forehead. He muttered something, almost as a response. This made something inside her jump. Then the thought that she was now alone…very alone with her enemy came into mind, making her almost sick. "What have I got myself into now," she asked herself aloud then resumed looking out the window. She knew she would be trapped inside the Malfoy Manor soon. She could only hope that a month or so would fly by, and fly by fast.