A/N: I'm going to be camping for the next three days - I'll try to get another one done tonight and make up the rest on Monday.

Prompt #33: 8/10/17

694 words, according to Google docs.

For the fifth time that week, Ginny watched from the darkened staircase as her husband shouldered open the front door, tossing his white mask carelessly on the tiled floor and shrugging his long black cloak off. A house elf scurried forward to catch it, retreating immediately and disappearing. They all knew when their master was in a bad mood.

"Draco?" Ginny called down softly, descending the stairs. His face was covered with shadows from the flickering torches on the wall. He gave no response. "Draco?"

In a sudden fluid motion, the tall blond snatched up his fallen mask and threw it at the wall, his breathing harsh and heavy. It bounced off almost pathetically, skidding half-heartedly across the floor before coming to a halt at Ginny's feet. She didn't flinch, but took a step over the mask and down the final step, cautiously approaching the hunched figure near the doorway.

"Why?" His voice was hoarse, heavy, and filled with pain. "Why me, Gin? Why do I have to?"

"You don't have to, Draco." She closed the last few steps between them and wrapped her arms around him. He was trembling, burying his head in her shoulder and letting out a strangled sob.

"They're killing children, now," he murmured brokenly. "They're torturing them and laughing and I'm standing there and I can't do a single thing."

"Draco - " Her breath caught in her throat, threatening to drown out all other words. His fingers tangled themselves in her hair and he lifted his head, their mouths colliding in a fury of pain and anguish.

"Ginny." His lips sought her neck and jawline, tracing a searing path down the slender column of her throat.

"Draco!" She gasped as he nipped at the tender flesh near the base of her neck. "Draco, please tell me what's wrong." She took his head in her hands, bringing him up to eye level. His expression was wild, eyes sparking with some unidentifiable emotion and lips drawn in a taut line.

"I killed Dolohov," he said abruptly, straightening and forcing his hand through his hair. "He was the one who killed the little boy."

"You - what?"

"I killed Dolohov," he repeated, his voice quieter. He didn't quiet comprehend it, either. "We need to leave," he continued. His gaze met her wide eyes.

"Yes," she said slowly. "Yes, we do." She turned towards the staircase, already beginning a mental packing list.

"Wait, Gin." Draco put his hand on her arm, joining her at the first stair. "I - I have to go do something first." She turned towards him.

"What?"

"Blaise. I can't leave him there."

"Blaise! But Draco - it's too dangerous." She clutched at his shoulders, suddenly panicked. "You got away this time, but the Dark Lord won't let you escape so easily next time. Please, Draco."

"I have to do it," he said. His stare was almost vacant, staring into the distance as if already formulating a plan. "They all know Blaise is my closest friend - they'll interrogate him first about my betrayal. He won't last more than a day or two, and by then he'll be too injured to move. Now's my only chance, Ginny." His gaze snapped to hers, suddenly fierce and intent. "I can't let them get to him, Gin."

"Draco," she murmured, her voice catching. "I can't lose you when we're this close to freedom - not yet." He gripped her arms.

"Do you trust me, Ginny?" She blinked in surprise.

"Of course I do."

"Then trust me. Trust that I'll make it through this alive with Blaise. Please." Ginny gazed into his icy grey eyes, seeing only hope, desperation, and the sheer force of determination behind it all.

"I trust you," she said softly, brushing a stray strand of hair back from his forehead.

"Good." He pressed one more kiss to her lips and pulled back, snapping his fingers for an elf. "I promise I'll come home," he said. The elf appeared, handing him a dark cloak. He threw it on, turning back towards the door.

"I trust you," Ginny called as he stood in the doorway.

"So do I," he said soberly, before stepping out into the night.