Chapter Seven – Beyond the Comfort Zone
Ginny woke up with a start, something was wrong. She couldn't remember what exactly in the dream she had had made her wake up, but she had a feeling something bad had happened. She stood up, and began dressing.
Madam Pompfrey went out of her room into the Hospital Wing and stopped dead. Draco Malfoy was lying unconscious, bleeding on the floor!
"Oh, Merlin!" she gasped and called someone to call the Headmaster.
Albus appeared in the doorway a minute later, and she already managed to get the still bleeding Draco onto one of the beds.
Albus looked at the boy grimly. "Can you heal it, Poppy?" he asked softly and she shook her head, "He was stabbed with a poisoned sword, and I cannot do anything because it is a Muggle weapon," she said in panic.
Albus shook his head. "I was afraid it would come to this," he said and then called a Gryffindor that passed by and said, "Find Ginevra Weasley, and tell her to come here immediately."
The Gryffindor nodded and ran off to find Ginny, and Dumbledore looked at Poppy with grim eyes, "I'm afraid I'll have to Obliviate you after it's done, Poppy," he said and Madam Pompfrey looked confused but nodded anyway, "As you wish Albus."
Ginny sat on her bed, trying to remember the dream, when there was a knock on the door.
"Yes?" she said and the door opened to reveal a frightened first year.
"Ginevra W.. Weasley?" he asked shakily and she nodded. "Yes? I don't bite, there's no need to be afraid."
"The Headmaster wants to see you in the infirmary ASAP," the little girl said, and Ginny breathed a shaken breath. "I knew something was wrong," she said to herself and added to the girl, "Thank you, you can go now."
The girl nodded and left the room quickly and Ginny put her cloak and slippers on and ran to the infirmary. When she got there she saw Dumbledore standing by one of the beds, as she came in he turned to her with a grim expression.
"Ginevra, I need your help. It's a life or death situation," he said sadly and she nodded.
"What happened?" she asked and gasped as he silently stepped aside, making the person lying on the bed visible to her.
She had never seen Draco Malfoy looking so pale. His eyes were closed and he looked like hell. That was when she noticed the big wound that was bleeding in the middle of his stomach.
"No, I can't do this," she said. It was Malfoy, the Death Eater, the one who had said terrible things to her.
"But you must, Ginevra. He isn't what you think, not really. Severus is on…duty, and he can't heal him. You're our only option, his only chance."
Ginny took a deep breath. He was right. She couldn't let him die no matter what he did to her.
"Fine," she said and went to stand by his bed. She didn't know how to heal him because since Morgana gave her the ring she didn't have the chance to practice, but somehow she knew that she would know as soon as she tried.
She took another steadying breath and rolled his shirt up softly, the wound was horrible; it was obvious that he was poisoned, but she didn't care. She knew what had to be done.
She reached her hands to rest above his wound and closed her eyes. Darkness surrounded her softly and as she concentrated, words came into her mind, and she whispered them out loud.
"Guinevere Morgana Litha Ostara; give me the power of light, the power of good. Let the power save this life, fire water air and earth, open up the link and let me have your strength."
She chanted over and over again softly until she felt the energy flow to her palms and when she felt it was enough she released it slowly on his wound.
She opened her eyes and saw golden light flow from her hands to his wound as the wound became smaller and smaller and after a minute disappeared completely.
Draco drew in a shuddered breath and his eyes flew open. He looked into the calm golden eyes of Ginevra Molly Weasley, and realized his pain was gone.
He smiled tiredly at her, not caring at the moment that he had just smiled at a Weasley and whispered, "Thank you, the One of Light." And then he passed out again, but this time it was into a peaceful sleep.
Ginny's eyes grew wide, he knew! That meant Riddle knew as well.
Couldn't be changed, she decided. That knowledge wouldn't help the bastard win. She left the disturbing discovery for later, and let the good feeling of having just saved someone's life wash over her.
She would scream at herself for this later, but that too didn't matter she thought as she reached her hand and smoothed the sleeping young man's hair back. "You're welcome, Draco Malfoy," she whispered softly, opened the white curtain and left.
Finding Dumbledore waiting in the Infirmary, she leaned against the wall and looked down at her hands, which were still shaking a bit.
"What happened to him?" she asked calmly, even though she was burning inside. He must have been at his house when it happened and… No…
Albus looked at the window, "I'm sorry, Ginevra, but I cannot tell you anything until Severus returns."
As if he heard them, Severus suddenly appeared in the infirmary, his black traveling cloak in hand.
"Where is he?" he asked Albus.
"He's asleep, Ginevra saved him," Albus answered silently.
Snape smiled at Ginny tiredly. "I knew you could do it, Ginevra. I'm proud of you."
She nodded. "Alright, thank you. Now would you please tell me what happened," she requested.
Looking at her, he took a deep breath. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you."
Her eyes flashed. "Like hell you can't! I just saved his life and they talked about me there, Snape, I know it! So tell me, what the hell happened there?" she demanded angrily. Snape looked at Dumbledore with a raised eyebrow and the Headmaster nodded solemnly.
"Fine, as you must've guessed there was a meeting in the Malfoy Manor in which Draco had to become-" he was cut in by Ginny, who said coldly, "Became you mean."
Severus shook his head, "Do not judge him by the mark on his arm, and remember I have one too."
"Fine. Go on."
"As I was saying, he was about to become involved in all the plans when Narcissa ran into the room.
I cannot tell you the whole thing, that will have to come from Draco himself, but I will tell you this- Draco isn't welcome in the Dark Army anymore and they are now searching for him to kill him. He knows too much."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "What does he know?"
Snape smiled again. "You don't miss a thing, do you? He was given a mission. To answer your next question, his first and now last mission was to bring you in, to Voldemort."
Ginny smiled. "Oh, but why bother? I'll come to him by myself when it's time," she said coldly. Not letting any of the older man time to react, she asked, "What did Malfoy say about the mission?"
Severus didn't show his nervousness. "He agreed," he said simply, and she chuckled at his try to answer without really answering.
"What exactly did he say, Snape?" she asked calmly.
Snape looked at her for a moment, saw he had no choice in the matter and answered, "He said it was his pleasure, but-"
She cut him before he started with the stupid explanations and waved her hand dismissingly.
"Thank you. That's all I wanted to hear," she said and turned to leave. After using her magic, her senses were heightened and so she heard Snape's silent whisper of apology, and turned to look at him again, a frown on her face, just as he said, "Obliviate!"
She reached her hand forward with her palm towards the bright light of the curse, reacting instinctively. The spell hit exactly in the middle of her palm and she closed her hand over it, when she opened it again, a puff of while powder fell from her hand.
The look she gave Snape was cold but held the smallest trace of sadness.
"You should've known better, Professor," she said calmly turned to leave. She had hoped that the respect she held for him was mutual, that they had a certain bond. The pain of disappointment was sharp but didn't last long. She pushed it to the darkest corner of her mind, with numb detachment, and went on. Once again, Fates showed her that the word trust held no meaning.
"Ginevra, it had to be done! It's for your own protection."
She laughed coldly, without turning to look at him. "Don't apologize if you don't mean it," she told him and left the room.
"Damn it, Albus, what have I done?" Snape asked angrily.
He couldn't shake of the feeling of guilt, because he knew that the fragile trust they'd had was broken, and if he knew the girl as well as he thought, she won't give him a second chance. Thinking about it, he wasn't sure he deserved it.
Dumbledore sighed deeply, and put a hand on Snape's shoulder.
"It was necessary. I'm sure she understands."
Snape shook his head. "No Albus, you don't know her. I'm sure she thinks of me as a traitor now, and she has every right to."
"It will work out in the end, Severus. Believe me," Albus said softly.
Draco woke up with a gasp, sitting up. The movement caused his head to spin so he lay back and shut his eyes tightly. He waited until his breathing returned to normal before slowly opening his eyes.
At first, he didn't understand where he was. And then it all came back to him.
He was in the infirmary at Hogwarts, his father was after him and his mother was dead.
"Mother," he whispered softly and closed his eyes again, desperately fighting back the tears. The pain in his heart made him want to die, his lungs constricted, and it was hard to breathe. For a moment there, Draco seriously thought that maybe it was better if his life ended as well, even if it was from something as slow as suffocation. But then the curtains around his bed moved and Severus Snape broke that line of thought.
"How are you, Draco?" Snape asked as he came to sit on the chair next to Draco's bed. He was looking even paler than usual, but Draco ignored it, as well as the question.
"Why didn't you stop him?"
Snape shook his head, truly in pain. "It would've destroyed my cover. I'm sorry, Draco."
Draco laughed. "Yeah right, you're sorry. That BASTARD killed my mother! And he didn't even blink!" he screamed angrily.
"Your father will pay for what he had done," Snape said, meaning every word.
"He is not my father!"
Snape nodded and decided to carefully change the subject.
"Dumbledore is sending you and Ginevra Weasley underground. She's not strong enough to control her powers yet, and she can't protect herself should a dangerous situation arise. You will help her with the training." He was so tired. All he wanted to do was lock himself up in his room and get drunk until he couldn't remember his own name. But as always, duty came first.
"I will not share a single room with that dirty Weasley! I don't even want to think about training her!" Draco spat coldly and Snape stood up. "The "Dirty Weasley" saved your life today!" he told the boy, somewhat coldly.
Draco shook his head, so the golden Goddess wasn't a dream.
"Damn, so I owe her one. Perfect," he said, frustrated.
"Yes, you do," Snape said and after a moment asked, "Can you walk?"
Draco moved his body, damn the girl could heal!
"Yes."
Snape nodded. "Good, go find Ginevra and meet me in the Headmasters office." He said and left.
"Great." Draco mumbled in annoyance and stood up.
After ten minutes of searching he passed a classroom and then went back to it. The door wasn't entirely closed and a there was a soft golden light coming from inside, he opened the door slightly and drew in a breath.
In the middle of the room was Ginevra, but she wasn't standing or sitting on the floor. She was floating in the air cross legged with her eyes closed.
A golden aura was surrounding her and her hair was floating around her like a halo. Her hands were on her knees with palms up and on the palms was dancing fire.
She really looked like a goddess.
He cleared his throat and she didn't react. Her eyes remained closed and after a moment she said, "Well Malfoy, come on in."
Draco was surprised. No wonder the Dark Lord wanted her. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
Her eyes flattered open and he looked once again into the golden pools. She closed her hands and the fire disappeared. "Yes?" she asked calmly and he smirked.
"The old bat wants to send me with you underground," he sneered, but she simply nodded.
"Oh, I saw that coming," she said calmly and lowered herself to the ground.
She stood up gracefully and became the normal Ginny before his eyes. "Where do we meet them?" she asked.
"In the bat's office," he answered coldly and she turned around to look at him with a raised eyebrow, he smirked.
"Waiting for a 'thank you', Weasley? Don't hold your breath, it'll never come," He said nastily and she laughed coldly.
"No, just wondering what it's like to know you owe your life to the one you were supposed to capture and bring in," she said simply and left the room, leaving a fuming Draco behind.
He caught up to her after a minute. "How did you know that?" he asked and she chuckled.
"I just know the right questions," She said simply.
When they entered the Headmasters office they were met by Snape and Dumbledore, the later sitting behind his desk.
Snape tried to catch Ginevra's eye but she ignored him and Draco noticed it.
"What happened between you and Severus?" he whispered. She looked at him calmly and said, "Those who betray me pay a price." She said it loudly so Severus could hear and sat on one of the chairs. Draco did the same.
Albus cleared his throat. "Miss. Weasley, Mr. Malfoy; as you both know you are in a big danger now. Voldemort knows that you, Ginevra, are The One and he has plans for you," no one but Draco heard her murmur "I have plans for him too." And he remembered it, Albus continued, "And he knows Draco isn't coming back to the dark forces, is it true Mr. Malfoy?"
"Yes." Draco answered simply and Ginevra saw a glint so like hers in his eyes for a second, and then it was gone.
"So I decided to send you to another place where no one, but me, could find you. You will be staying there until Ginevra is strong enough and the time is right. Draco will be training you in the Dark Arts Ginevra."
"Oh, so he's already an expert?" Ginny asked with a twisted smile.
Severus looked at her, not answering, then said, "You will be staying in a house in some Muggle Village."
"I will not live with Muggles!"
Ginny snickered, looking at Draco with amusement, "I don't think you have a choice." Dumbledore nodded. "Miss Weasley is right. Now take all the things you need. Don't tell anyone anything and come back here, I'll Portkey you to the house." Both nodded and left the room.
Draco never felt so frustrated in his life. The old bat is sending him to live in a Muggle village with the little Weasley!
"What happened? Why aren't you home?" he asked worriedly and Draco took a deep breath, then said, "Lucius killed my mother and I realized too late that I made a mistake.
I can't tell you anymore but I will tell you that you won't be seeing me for a while." He finished and Blaise nodded sadly. "Okay Draco. Just be careful okay?"
Draco hugged him, "Yeah, you too Blaise. Remember you are like a brother to me." He said and went to his room.
There wasn't much packing to do; he took his clothes though he knew he won't be able to wear them in a Muggle village. The one thing he had to take was a picture of his younger self, being held by his mother. They were in some park and both were smiling. There was that pain in the gut again.
'I will get my revenge, Lucius." He swore to himself and with one last glance on the room he left and closed the door after him.
Ginny went to her room deep in thought. They were putting her in a Muggle village and that was okay, she had been in Muggle places and she knew how to use their objects. The only problem she had was that she'll be living Merlin knows how long in a house alone with Malfoy, and that was… disturbing.
She started packing Muggle clothes, things people bought her for Christmas, brushes and underwear.
When she finished she put a shrinking spell on her trunk and left the room.
Justin and Miranda rushed to her.
"Where are you going, Gin?" Justin asked with a worried glance at her trunk.
"I'm going somewhere, so you won't be seeing me for a while. Don't worry, I'll be safe but I can't tell you anything else," she said.
"But…" Miranda looked at her wide eyed.
Ginny went to her and hugged her, "I have to do this Mir, I have to go. Everything will be alright honey."
After that she said goodbye to Justin and left the common room.
When she arrived to the Headmaster's office Draco was already there and Snape was gone.
"Okay children, before you leave I have some last things to tell you. First, you are allowed to use magic when you're in the house but do not use magic when you are outside, only if you are in danger.
Second- do not worry about money. Muggle money as well as wizard money will be endlessly supplied for you. Use it wisely.
Also, no connections with the Wizarding world must be made. Remember I'm the only one who knows where you'll be staying so you mustn't write letters, I'll contact you with news or when needed."
Both nodded and Albus took a coin out of his pocket. "Come closer and touch it, you will be sent to your new house.
Oh and the most important thing! Trust no one. Remember that Polyjuice potion is easy to make and the evil forces will do everything to find you and capture you.
Ginevra, do not answer or touch anything mailed to you unless contacted beforehand."
When Albus said the "Trust no one" part Draco noticed Ginevra had that glint in her eye, she noticed his gaze, smirked and thought 'I trust no one, nor I will.'
They touched the coin and were gone after a second.
Dumbledore looked at the coin for a moment and then destroyed it.
No evidence were to remain.