I realized yesterday that I was not doing a very good job of updating as often as I promised. So, here's to writing more often. :-)

Chapter 14

Alive

Ginny's POV

I glared at my mom as she spoke quietly across the table at The Leaky Cauldron.

"You know dear, Mrs. Longbottom saw you and Dean having lunch the other day at that new coffee shop and wrote me right away. Are you two getting back together? I told her I hoped so. You two did make such a cute couple, and you did date for an entire year. Why, it would just make sense for you to get back together!"

I stopped listening as she prattled on and on about our "relationship". She paused when she realized I had stopped paying attention.

"Ginny! Are you or are you not in a relationship with Dean?" she asked sternly.

"No, Mum. We are just friends. We had lunch so we could talk about why we ended and stuff. I won't be dating him. Did you talk to anyone else about it?"

She flushed red and looked down at her hands, "I might have talked to a few people."

"MUM!" I yelled, standing up. "Please stop doing that. Talk to me first next time, okay?"

"Sit down!" She commanded.

"I'm going home Mum, I'll talk to you later, okay?" I tried to keep the frustration out of my voice; it didn't help anyway.

"Yes, it's pretty late. I should be heading home. It was lovely to have a meal with you dear."

I moved forward and gave her a hug. "I'll see you next week."

As I wandered down Diagon Alley, I couldn't help but feel a bit off. I was used to my mother's prying, that wasn't it. It was more o a sense of foreboding.

I tried to shake it off. I directed my attention to surveying the bustling street as I passed. It was an extremely muggy evening. Not unusual for an early July night. I noticed Luna Lovegood searching the ground on a side street. I waved and she smiled up at me, waved back but returned to her search. She was still loony as ever, yet I knew I could get her help with anything if I needed it.

I walked up the steps of my flat and grabbed my key out of one pocket and my wand out of another. Unlocking the door and removing some protective charms, I stepped into the dark entryway. It was unusually cool in my apartment compared to the humid heat outside. I kicked off my shoes and dropped my wand and key on the small table next to the door.

I padded my way into the kitchen and began to make myself a cup of tea. I needed to relax after an evening with my mum. As I was setting my kettle on the burned I heard something stirring in my living room. I didn't used to be a jumpy person, but after the war and all that followed, I wasn't to keen on strange noises in my flat when I was alone.

I reached for my wand, realizing a moment later that I had left it in the entryway with my key. Cursing silently, I slowly walked into the pitch black living room and suddenly the lights burned bright.

I wasn't sure what I expected, but it sure as hell wasn't what I saw.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley," a cool voice drawled. Lucius Malfoy stood in my living room dressed in long black robes with his long pale hair cascading down his back. He looked gaunt and thin compared to when I last saw him, some six years ago.

I froze, not wanting to believe the sight before me. On his left, bound with invisible restraints and floating a few feet off of the floor was Dean. His eyes were wide as he shook his head frantically, trying to tell me something.

Lucius noticed this and flicked his wand carelessly in Dean's direction.

"Crucio," he stated with pleasure coloring his tone.

"DON'T!" I screamed, finally finding my voice. Lunging forward, I tried to grab his wand from his hand. I knew it was a dumb decision the moment I moved. I found myself quickly flung backwards into the bricks of my fireplace.

"Now, now Ginerva." He scolded, "Actions like that will not help you get your dear Dean back." He grinned sinisterly, "whole, anyway."

I struggled up, climbing shakily to my feet. I tried to clear my head. Lucius Malfoy was a powerful dark wizard, and if The Prophet was correct, insane. If I had any chance at making it out alive, I shouldn't be facing him wandless. Frantically, I looked over towards the entryway.

"My dear, " his voice sounded amused, "You mustn't leave important things like this lying around," he twirled my wand in his left hand, his own still raised in his right.

"What do you want from me?" I stated flatly, no emotion in my voice. I hoped that the fear that threatened to completely take over my body, wouldn't leak out in my voice.

"It's quite simple, really. And I'm going to give you plenty of time to do what I am going to ask you. It won't be easy." He frowned down at his wand, "I couldn't find him. But you," he looked up at me; his steel eyes were large and full of a crazed hope. They flashed from side to side. I could see the insanity through his careful mask. "He loved you. He'd come if you asked him. And I can finish him. I can do as Voldemort was unable to do."

So he wanted Harry. I suppose it made sense. But for Lucius to capture Dean to get to me, to get to Harry? That was almost comical. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

"I haven't seen Harry in five years," It was true enough, since I didn't exactly see him at the wedding. "I don't know where he is, and I doubt he would do anything I asked him."

Lucius eyed me carefully, trying to gauge the truth in my statements. I tried to look innocent and calm. He flicked his wand towards Dean again. Dean's body shuddered and convulsed. His eyes bugged as I watched in horror.

"STOP!" I screamed, "I'm telling you the truth! Please stop!"

He flicked his wand again and Dean flopped once and then remained still.

"You must try harder to find him dear." Lucius cooed. "Bring him to Malfoy Manner within the week and we will see what is left of your dearest Dean."

He grasped Dean's arm and spun on the spot. With a loud pop, they disappeared from my living room. My wand clattered to the floor.

I collapsed to the floor, staring at the spot where he stood moments ago. What the hell was I supposed to do now?

I had no idea how to contact Harry. The letters obviously never made it to him. It didn't even matter. Even if I knew how to get a hold of Harry, I couldn't ask him to give up himself to Malfoy to save Dean. But, I had to save Dean. Malfoy must think that Dean and I were still together, something I could actually blame my mum for. That point didn't matter either. I had to save Dean regardless of our relationship or lack of one.

But what could I do? There was no way I was involving anymore people. I couldn't risk anyone else's life. I'd have to go alone and somehow save Dean from Malfoy Manner.

I climbed to my feet and stood straight. Walking forward, I picked my wand up off of the floor. I would save Dean. I would somehow beat Lucius and make it out alive. I was Ginny Weasley. I had gained the respect of all my brothers early on with my powerful hexes and curses. I had stood during the siege of Hogwarts and fought off Death Eaters. I might be a bit rusty, but I just had to practice a bit.

Before I could think too much about it, I turned and ran from my flat into the street. Searching the small side streets my eyes finally found what I was looking for, the small blond woman crouched in the street.

"Luna?" I asked breathlessly running up to her.

"Hello Ginny," She replied standing up. "Have you seen any curl-nosed bombast? I thought I saw one a few minutes ago, but I can't find him now. He must have smelled my beets. They don't like beets."

"I haven't," I replied, having no idea what a curl-nosed bombast looked like. "I was wondering if you could help me out. I need a partner to practice dueling with."

"Sure! It will be just like the DA again!" She smiled up at me. "Why do you need to practice dueling? Are you having problems at work?"

My mind scrambled to come up with an excuse that made at least a little bit of sense. Luna was odd but she wasn't dumb. " I uh, well. I just realized that I haven't kept up with that kind of thing. I don't want to get caught unprepared." I finished lamely. I just hoped Luna would fall for it.

She smiled widely. "I'm free now. We could go back to my house. Father is away on an expedition for The Quibbler. Research you know. "

"That's perfect! Let me go get some things at my place and I'll meet you there."

She smiled and nodded and I took off back towards my flat. I had to call work and take vacation this week. There wouldn't be anything stopping me. I realized as I raced through my flat, I felt more alive now than I had in years. Five years, to be exact.

A/N what did you think? Review me :-)