Where Two Paths Meet

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the Harry Potter story.

Warning: Book 1-6 spoilers (do I have to keep repeating this?)

A/N: Thank you to Michelle, Usha88, anonymous reviewers and anyone else who decided to read but didn’t review. As much as I love reviews, it doesn’t bother me too much as long as someone gets some enjoyment out of what I write, so I still appreciate you anyway.

Chapter 6: A Reluctant Shoulder To Cry On

“How nice to see you again, Bellatrix.” Voldemort said in anything but a pleasant voice, his crimson eyes narrowing with cold fury.

Bellatrix looked at Voldemort trying to keep calm. She knew she was dead before she even entered the room. Her heart was pounding with fear. She never thought it would end like this. To die by her Master’s hand.

“I hoped you would help me with something.” Voldemort said softly, as he walked up and down in front of her like some grim interrogator. “You see I happen to know that you helped the little seer escape with that traitor Snape yesterday morning.”

Bellatrix stared at him in shock. How could he have possibly found out so quickly? She knew there was no point trying to deny it though. Voldemort was a powerful Legimens and knew when he was being lied to. Though Bellatrix knew how to occlude against his mind, she did not think saying an outright lie would help her. Using her occlumency skills to protect against certain information was much easier than lying about it. 

“I was wondering why you would betray your master for a blood traitor like her?”

Bellatrix was not going to divulge anything about Draco. Her mind was frantically trying to think of something to divert his thoughts away from asking about the Dragon Rider. Nothing was more important than his life.

“Come, haven’t you been my most faithful servant? If you tell me the truth I might let you live.” Voldemort said in a chillingly soft voice, leaving her in no doubt what his real intentions were.

“I shall tell you nothing. You had might as well kill me.” Bellatrix answered boldly, her fists clenching at her side.

“I probably will, but not before I get what I want.” Voldemort said harshly, his snake-like face seeming somehow much more threatening. “You know there are plenty of methods for extracting information. You’ve done it multiple times for me. Perhaps I should use some of what I taught you; we both know how effective my methods are.”

Fear flickered in Bellatrix's eyes as she realised what was coming. There would be no mercy for her.

“Crucio.” Voldemort said in a deadly whisper, a twisted smile lifting his thin lips.

Bellatrix fell to the floor screaming in agony as her body writhed in pain. Her vision was already clouding but she knew this would not be the worst of it. More was yet to come and without her wand she had no protection against it.

“Now tell me why you helped the girl escape. Did she tell you what she saw? Well?” Voldemort said impatiently, lifting the curse.

“I…felt sorry for her…”

“Liar.” Voldemort said in an amused voice. He put the crucio curse on her again and laughed cruelly as Bellatrix’s body twisted in grotesque formations on the ground. The pain she was feeling was unbearable; she knew she could not hold out for much longer, as Voldemort knew just where to pressure the curse on her body to cause her the most pain.

Walking forward towards her he leaned down close to her face. Bellatrix could feel his breath against her cheek.

“I’m not going to kill you, Bella.” Voldemort whispered softly in her ear. “I’m going to leave that honour to someone who I know holds you dear. But I admit I’m very disappointed in you; you could have been my most faithful servant. Now come, Bella, one last chance. Tell me why.”

Bellatrix was breathing heavily against the pain constricting her chest. This man had always been her idol, her master and now she saw him for what he was; a puppeteer twisting her marionette strings as he dictated how she should live.

She had given up everything for him: Her family, her love, her very life. She was sure if she had been able to have children she would have given those to him too. But she was nothing but a pawn being used in his little games.

She had thought that he cared about her but it seemed she was wrong. If she was going to die now then she would die finally expressing the love she had bottled in for so long.

“I did it out of love for my sister. Something you wouldn’t understand!” Bellatrix choked out in a weak voice before falling unconscious.

Voldemort gazed at her dispassionately. “Extract any information you can from her Lestrange, then you can kill her.”

Bellatrix’s husband bowed and picked up his wife’s limp form as he carried her to the interrogation chamber.

Voldmeort smiled a satisfied smile as he stared at the closed door Bellatrix’s body had just been taken through.

“Things seem to be coming clearer… Why would Narcissa be involved?” He mused to himself. “I might have to go have a chat with my dear Narcissa…”

OOOOO

Draco walked casually into the room to see Ginny staring at nothing in particular. He could tell by her expression and eyes that she was thinking about something morbid and setting herself up for a depressive day of brooding.

Ginny looked at him, as though just realising someone was staring at her. “What?”

“Weasley, you look pitiful.” Draco answered coming to sit next to her. He didn’t really want to be her confidant but it seemed he didn’t have much of a choice. Still, he had never been very good at comforting people. He didn’t see the point in blanketing people with false hope.

Ginny stared at him a moment and began to fidget with her hands. It had been plaguing her all morning and she had decided she would ask Malfoy about it. Maybe he could soothe her worries…

“Malfoy?” Ginny said hesitantly.

“Yes?” Draco answered, not looking at her. He was preparing himself for the probably awkward question that would come after such a hesitant use of his name.

“Do you think Voldemort will kill my parents?”

Draco inwardly sighed. Out of all the stupid questions to ask, she asks the one that most obviously already has an answer.

“I would say so Weasley” Draco said unemotionally, his grey eyes studying the bookshelf in front of him.

Ginny sighed and stared at her empty plate. “I wish I could see them right now. They probably think I’m dead…everyone probably thinks I’m dead.”

“You’re probably right. After the Daily Prophet report, I doubt anyone would think you were alive. That was the Dark Lord’s intention so that no one would look for you.” Draco answered coolly.

It had been an ingenious idea on Voldemort’s part; pity that two of his most trusted Death eaters decided to betray him and ruin his plans.

“How can you be so cold? Don’t you even care what I’m going through?” Ginny demanded in a hurt voice.

Draco rolled his eyes. He was used to her ‘how can you’ speech but that didn’t mean he was any less annoyed by it. She asked a question and she got her answer, not to mention an answer she already knew was true. Now she sits there saying he is cold for telling her the truth.

“What do you expect me to say, Weasley?” Draco said blankly, only a faint trace of annoyance creeping into his voice. “You know deep down that the Dark Lord will kill your family to get his revenge, so why ask? You also know that people will think you’re dead, so again, why ask?”

“Maybe I wanted someone to cheer me up.” Ginny said quietly, a pained expression in her eyes.

“I barely know you Weasley. I’m not about to become your shoulder to cry on.”

Draco hoped that his words would be enough to stop her coming back to confide her fears and worries in him. He may have decided to help her in this weird mission but he still didn’t like the girl. She was annoying.

“You’re so heartless. Don’t you even care that I’m feeling upset?” Ginny retorted angrily, her eyes flashing with tears.

“Not really. I have enough on my mind without your problems adding to it.”

Ginny glared at him. “You know I thought you would have changed Malfoy.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you.” Draco said sarcastically, his eyes finally coming to look at her.

Ginny glared at him as tears stung her eyes. “I hate you.” she said bitterly. By her tone and her expression, he believed her.

Draco said nothing in reply.

An uncomfortable silence fell over them.

Draco stared at Ginny as tears slowly fell down her cheeks. It was nothing new to hear someone say they hated him. A lot of people did. The fact was that Draco had never needed to be nice to anyone. He was a true Slytherin; cold blooded and power hungry. He didn’t care about people’s feelings because they didn’t affect his own. He only helped people if they could be of some benefit to him.

Draco had been brought up to believe he was superior to everyone else, it was just the way he was. But Ginny, she was so hard to deal with. She was not like the other girls Draco knew. She was lively and a Gryffindor at that.

He had never paid much attention to her at school. Sure he had thrown the odd insult at her but he mostly ignored her. Now he was stuck with her. He had to help her, even protect her; Draco laughed at the thought. He knew he wasn’t helping the situation by giving her the cold shoulder but what was he supposed to do? He barely knew the girl and he didn’t want to be the one to listen to her silly fears all day.

He gazed back at her pale tear-stained face and inwardly sighed. She had turned his whole world upside down when she fell in his arms that day and now he had to somehow turn it back up, only he didn’t know how. She was impossible to talk to. She was emotional and feisty and Draco was neither. He knew life was going to be very different with Ginny Weasley around and he didn’t know whether it was a good thing or not.

“I think I might go for a walk.” Ginny said quietly, as she stood up rubbing her eyes slightly.

“Okay.” Draco said not looking at her.

“I’m sorry for what I said before Malfoy. I’m just…” But she never finished the sentence. She opened the door and walked out leaving Draco to his confused thoughts.

Draco stared at the door Ginny had just walked out of. For the first time in his life, he felt bad for just being himself…

OOOOOOOO

Ginny walked out of the cottage in a confused state of mind. She guessed she should have realised it would take some time to get the barriers down but she never thought it would be so hard.

For a minute she had thought he had actually changed from the boy she used to know. Of course she didn’t really know him personally but everyone could tell he was a cold hearted, conceited boy who got everything he wanted. Still, there must be some good in him.

“If only I could find it. I know it’s there somewhere.” She said out loud.

She thought she saw glimpses of something in his eyes from time to time; it was like seeing a whole new person. She had been beginning to actually enjoy being around Draco, despite their differences. He was on her side now and she felt it was childish to hold his past against him. But no matter how much she tried she couldn’t get past his indifference towards her.

Maybe it’s is way of dealing with situations? A small voice said in her mind.

“Please he’s just being annoying.” Ginny argued.

Maybe he just doesn’t know how to act around you. He’s spent the last six years insulting you and now he has to be nice, it can’t be that easy.

“I don’t care. I’m trying aren’t I? But he isn’t doing anything to help the situation!”

You know that’s a lie. He’s been trying more then you think. The voice answered.

“I guess I could be more helpful.” Ginny agreed grudgingly.

Just take things slowly. Give him time and he’ll come around.

Ginny nodded, feeling better that she had finally come to a decision about Draco.

“I’ll try be more understanding of him. Then maybe things will change.”

OOOOOOOOOOOO

“Ron what are you doing?” Hermione exclaimed alarmed, her brown eyes widening as Ron started frantically grabbing his things.

Harry put a firm hand on Ron’s shoulder. “Calm down Ron.”

“No! That was my sister on the train! I need to find her!” Ron shouted hysterically, as he dodged past them.

“Ron, please listen to me.” Hermione said, while trying to block his path as he attempted to jump out the window.

“Hermione, get out of the way! I’m going to save my sister!” Ron yelled, as he pulled out his wand in a threatening manner.

Harry looked at Hermione, as though telling her to do something. Hermione nodded with a resigned expression.

“I’m sorry Ron but you need to calm down.” Hermione said forcefully, as she pulled out her wand.

With a few well-chosen words, she waved her wand at Ron who immediately got a dreamy expression on his face.

Harry turned back to Hermione, frowning slightly. “So what do we do now?”

“Well, Snape told us not to worry but I’m not so sure if we should trust him. After all, he did kill Dumbledore last year and...”

“Get to the point Hermione.” Harry said annoyed. Hermione often had the habit of going off into tangents. He hated to think of what she would be like when she was an old grandma.

“Oh, right. Well I think we should write a letter to Ginny and follow the owl. It will take us straight to her.” Hermione said simply.

“And if it doesn’t find her…” Harry trailed off.

“It will. Owls have been bewitched to find the person no matter where they are.” Hermione said confidently.

“So, why didn’t people use this method to find Dumbledore when he was missing in 5th year?” Harry asked confused. It just didn’t seem right that this method had been around and no one had thought to use it.

Hermione huffed at Harry not knowing something she did. She had been doing that a lot lately, though he noticed she always seemed pleased to be able to share her knowledge. Sometimes, Hermione could be a very confusing girl.

“Because not many people actually do know about it. I mean, it’s basic common sense but you know what wizards and witches are like and-”

“Although I am amazed that you know something like this, I think we should focus on what is at hand.” Harry cut in again, firmly stopping another tangent.

Hermione nodded. “You’re right. I think we should wake Ron up now anyway, before he becomes permanently like this.”

“Seems a shame, he’s so peaceful like this.” Harry said grinning, his green eyes alight with amusement.

“Harry!” Hermione scolded. “I can’t believe you would say that.”

“It was a joke.” Harry said trying not to laugh at her outraged expression.

“Honestly Harry.”

Hermione flicked her wand and muttered the counter curse. Instantly Ron’s dreaminess melted away.

“What?” Ron said confused, his blue eyes frowning as he felt the tingling of magic leaving his body. He stared at Hermione suspiciously. That witch had put a spell on him again…

“C’mon Ron, we’re going to follow Hedwig to find Ginny.” Harry said in a rush.

“Are you mental?” Ron asked, clearly thinking they had both gone insane.

“No. Now hurry up.” Hermione said pulling his arm, towards the cupboard where the brooms were kept.

Harry quickly wrote a note to Ginny:

Dear Ginny,

We are coming to find you.

See you soon.

Love Harry, Ron and Hermione.

He sealed the letter and attached it to Hedwig. “Take this to Ginny Weasley, Hedwig.” Harry said to his snowy owl.

Hermione was already standing with Harry’s broom. Ron was next to her holding his own.

“Quickly we need to make sure we don’t lose sight of her.” Hermione said, urging Harry to get on the broom.

Ron jumped on his broom and soared out the window closely followed by Harry and Hermione. Hermione was clutching Harry’s waist like her whole life depended on it; she had never enjoyed flying.

“You’re sure this will work Hermione?” Ron called over his shoulder.

“Yes!” Hermione said squeakily as Harry speed up.

“It looks like she’s heading north.” Harry said, pointing to the silhouette of Hedwig in the distance.

“Well, wherever Ginny is we will find her.” Ron said firmly, as he too sped up after the white speck in the sky that was Hedwig.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ginny returned to the cottage to find Draco sitting on the chair reading a book, his eyes racing across the page so fast she thought he must get dizzy. He looked up when she came in but otherwise gave no recognition. Ginny thought he was simply trying to avoid another argument.

“Um, do you want me to make some lunch?” Ginny asked in her nicest voice.

Draco shrugged, not even looking at her.

Ginny took that as a yes and went to the kitchen.

“What would you like?”

No answer.

Sighing that Draco was ruining her attempts to make it up to him, she looked at him but he was still absorbed in his book. Slightly annoyed, but curious as well, she walked over.

“What are you reading?” She asked coming to sit next to him.

Draco showed her the book. ‘The Path of Repentance’, Ginny read on the cover. She thought it was an odd title and looked slightly confused, wondering why Draco would be reading a book like that.

“Snape gave it to me.” Draco said seeing her confused expression.

Ginny stared at him curiously. “What’s it about?”

Draco put the book down and looked at her, his grey eyes gazing at her steadily. “It’s about a man who has taken the darker path of life. One day the man realises the wrong he has been doing so he tries to escape the path placed before him.”

“What happens to him?”

“He realises no matter how hard he tries, he can never change his past. To face his own past is his ultimate test. In the end the man realises it wasn’t his life that had changed but his outlook. He still had the same fears, same feelings but for some reason the path was lighter.”

Ginny was surprised at the parallel between Draco and the main character. She figured it would be just like Snape to give Draco a book that was relevant to his life. The Potions master probably never dreamed of giving a light-hearted book to anyone in his life. Ginny doubted the man had even known how to laugh.

“Sounds interesting.” Ginny said slowly.

“Well it helps pass the time at least.” Draco said shrugging, clearly reluctant to share anymore about the book with her. Ginny figured it was probably a personal thing.

Ginny nodded and fell silent, frowning over just how she was going to get Draco to open up to her. She couldn’t stand the forced conversations any longer. It had been only fleeting moments when he had loosened his tongue round her, but the majority of the time he was just so stiff.

“What’s wrong?” Draco asked her, though he seemed very reluctant to ask. Ginny thought he was probably remembering earlier in the day when she had confided her worries to him and she had exploded at him for telling her the truth.

“Nothing…just thinking.” Ginny responded, trying to make herself sound at least somewhat cheerful.

“Had any visions yet?” Draco asked, as he placed the book down on the table beside him.

“No I haven’t. I can’t just make myself see visions you know.” Ginny huffed, as she turned to look at him in annoyance.

Draco sniggered. It was the first sign of amusement he had shown towards her since she had come there. It was somehow heartening to know he could laugh, even if it was at her expense.

“What’s so funny?” Ginny asked perplexed.

“It’s just,” Draco choked in between laughs. “When you said that, you reminded me of professor Trelawney talking about the inner eye not seeing upon command.”

Draco fell into a fit of laughter by the time he had said this and was trying to regain his composure but failing miserably.

Ginny glared at him, though her mouth twitched. “That’s not funny”.

“Yes it is.” Draco said wiping his eyes.

Ginny reluctantly smiled. “I’m not like Trelawney you know.”

“I know.” Draco said in a composed voice but she could still see the amusement twinkling in his eyes.

Ginny shook her head and stood up, as she went back to the kitchen to make their lunch. Already things seemed to be looking brighter.