Draco's POV

I see my father hit Ginny continuously. At first I just stand there staring in horror. Then I feel rage begin to build deep within me. As he moves his arm to hit her again, I move quickly forward and grab a hold of his wrist. He turns his head towards me in surprise, and I slam my fist against his nose, hearing it crack. I am overjoyed when it starts bleeding, a clear sign of me having broken my father's nose. As a result of the blow, he stumbles back and let go of Ginny, who slides to the floor.

I continue walking towards my father and as I stand in front of him, I hit again. Next I pull my wand from my pocket and point it straight at his chest.

He stares at me wide-eyed, looking furious, shocked and perhaps a bit frightened.

"What do you plan on doing, Draco? Torture me? Kill me? You still haven't learned how to use the Killing Curse yet. You are my son. How do you even dare treating me like this, all because of a blood-traitor?" My father says his voice cold as ice.

I just frown at him.

"No father. I will not torture you or kill you. I may be your son by blood, but not by heart. I'm nothing like you. I would much rather be like the Weasleys, who are NOT blood-traitors. They are good, honest – though sometimes slightly annoying – people. Besides I really care about Ginny, and I will never be like you. I don't kill and torture people for fun or because some half-blood maniac tells me to do so. I have no wish to ever become a Death Eater. You belong in Azkaban. And I would be delighted to hand you over to the Dementors myself. You deserve nothing less than being in their care until the day you die!" As I finish, I realize just how much I hate my father. "Stupefy!"

Then I hurry over to where Ginny is leaning against the wall. I kneel next to her, and pull her into my arms. I feel her snuggling closer to me, and I pull away far enough to see her swollen and bruised face.

"Are you okay?"

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with tears.

"I… I don't know. What happened? Everything seemed a bit blurred, but I think I heard you defend my family and say you don't wish to be like your father and become a Death Eater." Ginny says weakly.

"I did. Now he won't be going anywhere for an hour or so. I'll get professor Snape to take him to Azkaban. Now we need to get you to the Hospital Wing." I hold my hands out to help her up, and she takes them. As she's standing, I briefly let go of her hands to test her balance. As soon as I let go she starts to wobble, so I pick her up and carry her to the Hospital Wing. She doesn't protest, she just leans her head on my shoulder.

"Madame Pomfrey? I need some help here…" I call as I walk through the double doors, carrying Ginny in my arms.

"Oh my sweet Merlin, Mr Malfoy. What has happened to her? Who did this?" Madame Pomfrey shrieks as she sees Ginny. "Put her on the bed over there," she continues, pointing at a bed near where I am standing.

I quickly, but gently, place Ginny on the bed and take a step back to allow Madame Pomfrey room to work.

"What are you doing here Malfoy? And do you know where my sister is?" I hear the annoying Weasley, Ron asks from behind me.

I don't have the energy to answer him so I take two steps sideways, so he can see Ginny lying on the hospital bed.

Of course I know Potter and Granger are with him, and I don't even have to look to know that. But a girly gasp confirms it.

"What did you do to her Malfoy?" Potter asks.

"I didn't do anything, Potter. My father did." I say, slowly turning around to face the pain-in-the-ass Golden Trio.

"Your father? Lucius Malfoy did this to Ginny? Why? And why is he even at Hogwarts?" Granger asks, for once not sounding like a know-it-all, nut genuinely curious.

"Yes, Lucius did this. And I don't know why he's at Hogwarts. As to why he did this, I can only guess. He saw us together and he lost it. He's been furious ever since I refused to marry Parkinson. Anyway, Granger, could you please go get a professor, and tell him or her that Lucius Malfoy lies unconscious in the dungeons near the Potions classroom? Please get the professor to send him to Azkaban. I know for a fact that the Ministry is searching for him at the moment."

"Sure, I'll go get professor Snape straight away." Granger says quickly and starts turning away.

"Why do you listen to him? Look what he did to Ginny!" Weasley says stupid as always.

"Honestly Ron. Did you not hear him say that it was Lucius who did this? You're being silly. Now I must get a teacher before Mr Malfoy wakes up. The man is wanted all over Europe. Even in the Muggle world!" she then fully turns and practically runs off.

"Why did your father attack Ginny? Was it because of you?" Potter asks, trying to sound threatening.

"Shut up Harry! It wasn't Draco's fault. Lucius is mental, we all know that. You all know by now that Draco and I like each other, so just leave it!" I hear Ginny say weakly.

I turn around and look at her. Madame Pomfrey has gotten her all healed up, except for a minor cut that crosses one of her perfectly arched eyebrows. I don't need to ask Madame Pomfrey about it, because I know she can't heal this. It will leave an ugly scar.

"How do I look?"

"You're beautiful! As you've always been, and always will be!" I answer her, stand next to her bed and take her hand.

Madame Pomfrey hands her a small mirror.

"Wh-what is that? Why is that one not gone? Why is there still an ugly mark in my eyebrow?" Ginny asks, tears forming in her eyes.

"Madame Pomfrey cannot heal that one, love. It's been caused by Dark Magic. Lucius always wear this special ring on his right hand; it's been dipped in a powerful poison. A poison so strong and Dark, it will leave a mark. It's kind of like the Poison version of what happened to Potter. My father has been trying to teach me how to make that very poison, but I have always refused. I might be able to find a way to remove the poison from the cut and get the scar to fade, but I can't be totally sure…" I say, though it hurts my heart to see her cry, so I take her into my arms and hug her tight.

"Thank you for saving me Draco. Your father would have killed me."

"Don't worry. He will never be able to hurt you ever again. And I will be here for you as long as you want me to!" I assure her, and kiss the top of her head.

"Sure you're okay, Gin? In that case, we'll just go and find Hermione." Potter says, and then drags Weasley off.

I cup her cheek and kiss her gently on the lips.

"Right Mr Malfoy, Ms Weasley needs to rest now. I want to keep her here overnight. So I am sorry, but I must ask you to leave."

"That's alright Madame Pomfrey." I give the mediwitch a smile and face Ginny again. "I'll see you in the morning? Sleep well." I kiss her again softly. And leave the Hospital Wing.

Harry's POV

"WHY did she have to choose Malfoy? He has done nothing but insult me and my family for the past six years! He's such a bloody asshole. That bouncing ferret isn't good enough for her. He's nothing more than a slimy git!" I roll my eyes as Ron rages on.

"Calm down Ron. Look, Malfoy has been nothing but civil towards the three of us since he started seeing Ginny. He protects her, he obviously cares about her, and he seems to make her happy. What more could you ask for as her brother? I know you don't like him; neither one of us does, but please, behave yourself. For Ginny sake." Hermione tries to reason with him. "And please, do remember that he most likely saved her life today."

Ron mumbles something un-understandable. He always does when he knows she's right.

"Hermione's right Ron. I don't like to admit it either, but Malfoy might have changed. And for the better. He has seemed different all year. I've heard rumours of him standing up to his father and refusing to practise the Dark Arts, all year. So yeah, maybe he's changing into an okay guy."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I will never see Malfoy as a good guy! But maybe I can accept him, sometime in the future. But just because he saved my sisters life, won't make me like him. He'll still be a bloody annoying ferret!" Ron's defeat is obvious in his voice.

Who would have thought that Malfoy saving Ginny's life would make the three of us begin to change our view on him?

# End of Chapter 5.

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