Chapter 16

The Deepest Pit of Hell

Harry's POV

It didn't really matter how Lucius found us. It didn't matter that I had spent the last five years running away. In that one moment, that split second that I heard Saranna say that Ginny was in danger, everything changed. Ginny said when I found myself, to come back to her. How stupid was I? I loved her, and how could you find yourself if you weren't with the person you loved? You couldn't.

Why the bloody hell did it take me five years to figure that out?

"Harry!" Draco's loud voice stopped me mid pace. "You're going to wear the floor out of you keep that up. We should probably concentrate on a plan, perhaps? You know, to save Ginny."

"We have to go tonight. Now, you say the potions lab is under the dungeons? How many ways in are there? Do you think there is a way we can get in undetected? Or do we just go in wands blazing and hope we hit him?" I only stopped talking because Draco was looking at me like I was bloody crazy.

"Tonight Harry?" He asked incredulously. The look on his face was one I had only seen a few times in the many years I had known Draco Malfoy. It was utter fear. It hadn't occurred to me that Draco would be scared to fight his father. It probably should have.

"You don't have to go Draco," I said quietly.

He straightened up a bit, and his face had hardened into a mask I hadn't seen since sixth year.

"If my own bloody father is kidnapping and possibly hurting people, it's my responsibility to stop him." He looked over at Saranna. "How did people find out he had them?"

"He sent his patronus to the Weasley's," she answered quickly.

"So the Ministry sent out Aurors, but they didn't find anything?" He questioned further.

"That is correct. The weird thing was that they all came back kind of confused, like they couldn't remember what they had been looking for." Saranna looked excited, like this was the kind of adventure she wanted to be a part of. "Do you think he cast a charm at the entrance of the gate? So people couldn't enter?"

"Yes," Draco answered calmly, "its simple enough to remove, but father will know if that happens." He started pacing in the small kitchen, mumbling to himself.

What we needed was a distraction.

"Draco?" I questioned carefully. He looked at me but continued pacing. "What would happen if you appeared at the Mannor? What would your father do?"

Draco was silent, so I continued with my idea.

"What I you showed up at the Mannor with Saranna. Told him you were engaged and wanted to get his approval. It might be enough of a distraction. You could draw me a map into the lab and I could get them out."

Draco looked pale but nodded. "I'd have to convince him I didn't know where you were. And explain the reason we left Hogwarts together. He obviously used occlumency on Ginny."

The room became silent as we all were deep in thought. Saranna spoke first.

"What if you told him the only reason you let with Harry was to get him alone outside of Hogwarts? Then you were going to kill him for ruining your life. But he got away. So for the past five years you were trying to find him."

Draco grinned and pulled Saranna into a hug. I grimaced.

"Saranna?" I asked quickly. She let go of Draco and looked at me. "Are there any prominent pureblood families in America?" Lucius would know immediately if she was pureblood by her last name, American or not.

"Well, there are the Smithson's. I was in the same class with one of the girls, awful girl."

"Perfect!" I stated. "Draw me a map or something. Draco, I'll work with Saranna. She'll need to look a bit different if we want to convince Lucius she is pureblood." And then rolled my eyes and mumbled, "You already have the happy in love thing down." As I dragged Saranna out of the room, I noticed they both were blushing.

Draco's POV

I was not exactly excited at the prospect of seeing my father face to face, lying to him or most of all, putting Saranna in danger. But, it was the best idea. We just had to be careful. I finished drawing the map for Harry and headed to my room to change.

I pulled the black robes with the Malfoy crest fastening out of my trunk. I hadn't seen these, let alone worn them, in years. After putting them on, I walked into the bathroom. I slicked my hair back, just as I had everyday my first six years at Hogwarts.

I frowned at myself in the mirror. I looked extremely similar to my father; it disgusted me. Sighing, I turned and walked crisply back to the kitchen. It was much easier than I thought to get the Malfoy attitude back.

It was only a few moments before Saranna and Harry joined me. Or at least I thought it was Saranna. The woman who stood in front of me had long straight chestnut hair pulled into a tight bun. Her robes were black silk and flowed to the floor. But it was her expression that was the most distracting. It as if there was something that smelled disgusting under her nose. The only expression I ever saw on my Aunt Bellatrix's face, well besides crazed joy. It changed when she saw me. Now it was one of disbelief.

"Nice Malfoy. You look exactly like your old self." Harry grinned.

I sniffed, "How dare you talk to me Potter." I grinned, "I still got it."

"That you do," Harry shook his head. "Enough of that though, we have about an hour till sunset and we need to finish the plans."

*hour later*

Saranna and I walked up to the gate arm in arm. Harry had already taken off towards the tunnel entrance.

"Alright, I'll cast my patronus to let my father know we are here." I whispered. "Are you ready?"

Saranna nodded solemnly.

A moment later a shabby looking house elf appeared with a crack at the gate. It creaked open.

"Master Malfoy will great you in the formal parlor."

I nodded and we followed the house elf quietly.

Lucius was seated in the large wing-backed chair near the fireplace. His entire body was shrouded in shadows. He stood slowly as we entered. He looked a bit uneasy on his feet. It wasn't until he took a step out of the shadows that I saw his face. It was covered in fresh pink scars.

"Father." I said formally.

"Hello Draco," he nodded at me and then his eyes went to Saranna. "And who is this?"

"Father, I'd like to introduce you to my fiancée , Saranna Smithson."

He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Pleased to meet you," Saranna said quietly as she curtsied.

"An American pureblood." He stated evenly.

"Yes Father." I answered.

He motioned for us to be seated and returned to his own seat.

"Now Draco," He began as he pulled out his wand and twirled it in his hand. "This is not the only reason you are here."

"No father, I received your Patronus earlier today." I paused. I was not sure how to start this conversation. I didn't want to evoke his wrath, but I knew no matter what I said, or how I said it, he would be angry. I decided just to tell him point blank.

"I do not know where Harry Potter is." The lie came out of my mouth just as any other words I had spoken today, smooth and cool.

"DO NOT LIE TO ME!" Lucius spat, jumping unsteadily to his feet. I could feel Saranna stiffen next to me. Casually, I placed my hand on her knee, hoping she would remember that we had planned for him to react this way.

"Father, I am not…" He cut me off, pointing his wand shakily at my face.

"I SAW YOU LEAVE WITH HIM. WHERE IS HE?"

"Please, Father. I lost him." I hung my head. That move alone was the most difficult thing I had done today, taking my eyes off of my father when he had his wand pointed directly in my face.

"Tell me, Draco," He asked as dropped his hand and moved back to sit in his chair. "How did you lose him?"

"I befriended him, gained his trust." I began calmly. "When he told me he was leaving, I asked if I could go with. I told him I wanted to get away from this world as well. But he must have saw through me, because the moment we dissapperated from Hogwarts and landed in London, he let go of my arm and dissapperated again. I've spent that past five years looking for him."

"I don't believe you." Lucius said calmly.

I moved before he had a chance to change the direction of his curse. Pain tore through me as I threw myself in front of Saranna. I swear I heard her mutter something about a dumb ass as I landed on the floor. I quickly stood, whipping my wand from my pocket and aiming it at my father. I had no need to cast a spell, because before words could spring from my mouth, Saranna had cast her own.

"EXPELLIARMUS!"

Lucius's wand flew from his hand. Snarling, he lunged forward towards Saranna. She was surprised by his movement and did nothing to defend herself. I watched in horror for a moment as his hands wrapped around her neck. Quickly, I grabbed the back of his robes and wrenched him off of her. He fell to the floor with a sickening thud.

"Are you alright?" I asked Saranna, keeping my wand and eyes trained on my father.

"I'm fine," she whispered hoarsely.

"Lucius," I spat, glaring down at his crumpled body on the floor. He turned his head up to look at me.

"Are you going to kill me, Son?" He asked with a sneer.

"No, But you won't be bothering people for much longer." I replied calmly.

His face betrayed no change in emotion as his arm struck out from under his robes. A flash of silver caught my eye as the dagger Lucius had hidden in his robes plunged into my leg.

"Stupify!" I yelled, as my legs gave out from under me and I crashed to the floor.

A/N I did it again, cliffhanger ending. Sorry about that. anyway a lil bit of explination on the chapter title. "The deepest pit of hell is reserved for betrayers and mutineers." -Captain Jack Sparrow.

haha yeah. Draco has to betray his own father in this chapter... hard stuff. My Beta, EK totally came up with title and I totally agree. :-) Have a great week. Review me please?