Charlie felt like he was in one of those black-and-white films his father loved to watch, despite the family telling him that they had them in color now. The horror ones were always the same.

Dark screen. Nothing but the sound of hurried footsteps. Cut to shot of marble hallway. Pan down the hallway quickly. Turn and focus on portrait, swivel back to show suit of armor. Continue straight to the end of the hall. Stop at the door. Pan around to show a group of seventeen, all looking pissed-off and determined. They advance towards the door. The leader, a young man of eighteen, raises his want hand and points it at the door. He starts to dictate rapidly in Latin. As he continues murmuring, quietly but distinctly, a glow starts to emit from the tip of his wand. It surrounds the door and reveals a sort of film of protection. The film starts to dissolve slowly, then quicker, and quicker, until it is there no more. The boy whispers alohamora, and the slowly enter the doorway.

With every step deeper, the dungeon went from ostentatious and imposing to solid and formidable, to humble to shabby to absolutely manky, and was still only getting worse. As they came to the very dregs of the dungeon, they saw a still, pale form lying naked in the dirty hay, glowing almost ethereally in the darkness. All of the Weasleys rushed forward simultaneously until Draco held up his hand.

"Wait. That's just another illusion."

They kept pressing on, everyone reluctant to leave, still a bit certain that was indeed Ginny Weasley, lying alone in a cell.

Within the minute they arrived at the very end of a hallway, surrounded by nothing but stone walls.

"What are you playing at, Malfoy!?" Forge shouted.

Draco just turned around and ran his finger down the wall in the center. It melted into a doorway around his finger, admitting them into a cell that was the very definition of putrescence.

It was like someone had tried to combine every putrid image of a medieval dungeon, and then decided that they wanted it to be even more disgusting and oppressive. There was filthy, damp hay on the floor. There were rats scurrying around. In the far left corner was a pile of dung so high that it would have reached Hagrid's waist, and there were all types of large insects thriving off the stench. Blood coated the walls and the rusty manacles hanging from the ceiling, in some places so thick that it formed a crusty coating around the links of the chains and in between the cinderblocks.

"Where's Ginny?" Ron questioned. They looked around rapidly, scanning the large cell. Nobody saw her anywhere, until moody shoved his way in from the back. He pointed to the closest corner, but still nobody saw anything, until Draco started walking to the right where he was pointing, reached his hand out, and placed in on the top of Ginny's head. Huddled in the dark in her black robes, she had lost consciousness huddled in a fetal position against the wall.

Draco tried to shake her awake gently, but was thrown back when she started thrashing wildly, but with surprising accuracy. Her foot caught him directly in the chest, leaving him gasping for air. An auror tried to subdue her, but Ginny clocked the girl in the jaw. It wasn't until Hermione stepped forwards with a gentle voice and a soothing hand that she was brought out of her blind fit.

"Ginny, it's us. It's Hermione. And your family. And Draco, too. We're here to get you out."

Ginny looked up as Draco moved gingerly forwards with an outstretched hand. He smoothed her tangled hair down, then pulled her into his arms. He pulled back when he felt her start to look up.

"Can you move at all?" he asked, knowing how rough his father could be.

"I'll try," Ginny rasped as she moved into a sitting position. What had felt sore before was now a furnace burning her from within, centering in her core and incinerating her muscles with its burning tendrils of pain. She gasped loudly, and immediately there were eight Weasleys, a Potter and a Granger at her side as well with gently hands helping her to stand. Seeing the state of her robes, Draco pulled his off and fastened them around her, while Hermione conjured up fresh clothing. Ginny dressed under Draco's robes, grasping his shoulders for balance as Charlie's hands helped to steady her from behind when she wavered.

Rising fully to her feet, Ginny gathered her dignity and forced out an "O.K," signaling a departure. However, she took one step and nearly crumpled to the ground if it weren't for Ron and Draco steadying her instantly. Ginny glanced up to see their eyes meet and their heads simultaneously nod slowly in gratitude, and could have laughed despite the circumstances if it weren't for the acute pain that stole her breath.

Hermione sighed and stepped forwards, brandishing her wand and muttering a quick "Vulnera Sanentu." Almost immediately Ginny straightened up, face clear of any signs of pain. She was quickly hugged by her family, Harry, and Hermione, and Tonks while the rest of the Aurors stood around awkwardly.

"Ready, ginger-pie?" Charlie asked. Ginny smiled at the old nickname that used to rankle her so badly. She nodded after lifting her hand to her neck to ensure her gift was still there. They made their way back out of the dungeons swiftly, and were approaching the exit when the door slammed shut of its own violation, and they heard a cold, high voice from behind.

Sorry this is so short, and that my chapters are so far between. I am currently swamped with college essays and stuff, and really REALLY want to hear from my readers. I am wondering if you are still out there, or if I am performing in an empty auditorium. Sorry for the multiple cliffhangers, by the way. It's kinda a stopping point for me. Plus it's almost midnight and my carriage is about to turn back into a pumpkin.

And for further info, the reason I am bringing Charlie into this is because I love him. He is fantastic. The way I envision him... Mmmmmm.

Wild, brawny Dragon Tamer. He could tame the beast in me ANY day. ;)

*ahem* sorry, couldn't resist. :D