Unofficial Portkey Archive

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot.

Chapter 9

With Christmas vacation fast approaching, Ginny became a little more cheerful. Christmas was always her favorite time of year. It was all about peace and love and family. It just gave her a nice warm, fuzzy feeling that she loved. Ginny also liked Christmas because she got to see all of her family. She got to see her parents, and all of her brothers. She loved it. She hardly ever saw her two eldest brothers, except at Christmas.
Ginny, Ron, and Harry, who would also be staying with them, were leaving for King's Cross Station the next day. Ginny couldn't wait. She didn't want to be in the big, often times dreary feeling, castle. She wanted to go home to the warm, cheerful Burrow. Maybe her mother could help her with her problems. Or maybe not. She would probably just tell Ginny to apologize to Draco and that it wasn't her fault that Christina is dead.
Ginny had just finished packing everything that she wouldn't need the next day before they left. Now, it was about ten o'clock at night, and Ginny was tired. She couldn't wait for the two weeks she would have to just relax. It would be wonderful. Crawling into bed, Ginny turned off her light and closed her eyes. She soon fell into a deep, thankfully dreamless sleep.

*~*~*~*

As Christmas break approached, Draco seemed to only get drearier and drearier. He knew what was going to happen when he got home, and he wasn't at all looking forward to it. First, he would be beaten for doing poorly in school, then he would be beaten again to test his endurance for his Death Eater initiation, then he would be beaten for refusing to be a Death Eater, and so on. It would be a vicious cycle of beatings. It would be a miracle if Draco survived the next two weeks. It would be an even bigger miracle if both of his forearms were unmarked at the end of vacation. One thing that he was pretty certain about however, was that it would be very, very painful.
He couldn't believe that it would all start tomorrow. He probably only had a few more days to live. Good-bye cruel world, he thought dramatically. All of the sudden, he had a strong urge to e-mail Fierysprite. He knew she probably wouldn't be online, but that didn't matter. He would send her an e-mail revealing his identity, so when he died, she'd know who he was. Maybe she'd even e-mail back her identity to him before he died.
Draco had the internet up and had actually started writing the e-mail, when a thought struck him suddenly. If he sent this e-mail, it would belike he already gave up. It would be like he had already sealed his fate, and if he was thinking like that, there would be no way he could live through the torture weeks ahead. If he didn't send the e-mail though, he would put up a better fight, meaning he'd have a better chance at living.
After thinking all of this through, he quickly logged off of the internet and shut down his laptop. There was no way they were taking Draco Malfoy's life or freedom without a fight. That was one of the few useful things that Lucius had taught him, Malfoys don't give up without a fight. Well, this was on Malfoy who was going to uphold that statement. He wouldn't give up without a fight. There was not a snowball's chance in Hell that he would give up.

*~*~*~*

The next morning, Ginny was woken up by someone calling her name. When she opened her eyes, she saw that it was Hermione, and she was already dressed and ready for the day. Ginny slowly got out of bed to get ready. The train to King's Cross left at eleven o'clock, and it was currently 9:30.
After Ginny had gotten ready, she and Hermione made their ways to the Great Hall for breakfast before they left for the train station. They sat down at the Gryffindor table and started piling food onto their plates.
While they were eating, Hermione looked up and said, "It's nice eating with you, I hardly ever see you anymore, Gin."
"You're right," Ginny replied. "I wish we saw each other more often, but I'm busy with school, it's O.W.L. year after all, and you're busy with Harry."
"I know. I also know that it's mostly my fault. I really don't mean to ignore you and spend all my time with Harry, it just happens that way," Hermione said apologetically.
"I realize that, and I have to take part of the blame too," Ginny added.
"So, what's up with you lately? I haven't talked to you in awhile," Hermione asked cheerfully.
"Nothing really. I've been going to classes and doing my homework pretty much," Ginny replied.
"What about Hotdragon? I've been meaning to ask you about him. Do you still talk to him? Do you know who he is? What's up?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Yes, I still talk to him. I don't know who he is yet, though. I know his initials are L.M. Do you know anyone in your year with those initials?" Ginny inquired.
Her partner was silent for a few minutes, thinking. "No. The only person I can think of whose last name starts with an M is Malfoy, but his first name is Draco," Hermione replied finally.
"Could Draco be short for anything that starts with an L? Like my name is Virginia, but people call me Ginny," Ginny pointed out.
Hermione thought for a minute, but soon said, "I don't think so. For one thing, I don't think he has any close enough friends or relatives to make up a nickname in the first place, and for two, part of your nickname comes for part of you full name. If Draco came from something that started with an L, it would probably have at least an L in it."
"True," Ginny consented.
"Besides, I thought you really like Hotdragon. You said he was nice. Malfoy isn't exactly nice, now is he?" Hermione asked rhetorically.
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks for your help though," Ginny replied gratefully. "So, how far have you and Harry gotten, if you don't mind my asking?"
"No, I don't mind. We've gotten pretty far," Hermione admitted. "We haven't had sex. I know this may sound really pathetic and old-fashioned, but we're saving that for marriage," Hermione replied, blushing.
"No, I don't think it's pathetic, I feel the same way. So, do you think you're going to end up marrying him?" Ginny asked.
"Honestly, I think I could marry Harry and be totally happy for the rest of my life. I think I might love him, I really do," Hermione answered happily.
"That's great and you make such a great couple," Ginny said.
"Thanks, Gin. What about you? Do you have a boyfriend that I don't know about?" Hermione questioned.
"No, I wish. I haven't had a boyfriend at all this year yet," Ginny replied glumly.
"You'll get one soon," Hermione said reassuringly. "If you knew who Hotdragon was, would you go out with him?"
"Definitely. He's one of the nicest guys I've ever talked to," Ginny said dreamily. "Are you looking forward to the ball?"
"Yeah, definitely. I can't wait. It's going to be so much fun, even if Harry can't dance very well," Hermione replied with a short laugh. "What about you? Has anyone asked you yet?"
"Nope. The only part of the dance that I'm looking forward to, is wearing my new dress robes," Ginny answered sadly.
"They ARE really pretty, and they look gorgeous on you," Hermione gushed. "I can't believe no one's asked you to the dance! I mean, you're so pretty, and fun to hang out with."
"Everyone thinks of me as either little Ginny Weasley, Ron Weasley's sister or the girl who's in love with Harry Potter. None of the guys think I'm pretty because I'm not, and my brother threatens anyone who is interested in me," Ginny ranted.
"Don't worry, Gin. Once you show up at the ball with you new dress robes, every guy will wish they'd asked you. You'll have tons of guys to dance with," Hermione reassured confidently.
"Whatever you say," Ginny said with a shrug. "Now though, we have to get our luggage, and get to the train station." And with that the two girls headed back to Gryffindor Tower.

*~*~*~*

Draco's alarm clock woke him up the next morning at quarter to ten. This gave him enough time to get ready and make it to the train station before eleven o'clock. He was filled with a sense of dreading as the time passed, and his doom drew closer and closer.
The time passed a little more quickly than Draco would have like, and it was soon time to go to the train station. He levitated his bag in front of him, and started walking towards the Entrance hall. He walked out of the door and boarded one of the "horseless" carriages. He rode with a group of second year Hufflepuffs and was silent the whole way. When the carriage arrived at the station, he picked up his bag and got onto the train.
After scouting the train, Draco soon found an empty compartment. He put his bag down, and pulled out his laptop. He figured that if he had to go home and be tortured, he would make his last few hours of freedom enjoyable.

*~*~*~*

Ginny boarded the Hogwarts Express and sat in a compartment with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. She wasn't all that close to her other friends and didn't want to sit with them. She knew she wouldn't talk with her brother and his friends very much, she would probably be on her laptop most of the time.
Ginny was about to pull her laptop out of its case when Harry moved from his spot next to Hermione, to the seat next to her. She looked at him and smiled. "Hey, Harry," she greeted.
"Hi," he replied. "I wanted to talk to you about something."
"What's up?" she asked in interest.
"Well," he began. "I've noticed that you've been a little withdrawn lately, is anything wrong?"
"No, of course not, Harry," she lied easily. "I've just been really busy lately."
"Come on, Gin. You don't have to lie. I want to help you," Harry said encouragingly.
"It's just that when Professor Malfoy died, Malfoy said something to me that upset me. Then I realized that he hadn't said it to be mean, it was the truth. He tried to apologize, but I wouldn't let him. Now, I've been miserable, and I have no one to talk to," Ginny confessed, close to tears. "My brother is always busy with some girl or another, you and Hermione are never without the other, and my other friends avoid the subject."
"I'm sorry, Ginny. I didn't mean to leave you out. I really didn't. What did Malfoy say? I'll curse him for causing you pain." Harry threatened.
"You don't have to do that, Harry. He said it was my fault that Professor Malfoy died," Ginny replied.
"That's not true. You can't possibly believe that's true," Harry said, taken aback.
"It is my fault. We had the potion measured out and we were going to make it, but I tripped and pushed Malfoy. He dropped the vial, and we had to go get more potion from the classroom. If I hadn't tripped, we would have made it in time," Ginny said despairingly.
"Oh, Gin, that's not your fault. You tripped, it happens to everyone. It just happened to you at a very inopportune time. It's not your fault. It's Lucius Malfoy's fault. I'm sure Malfoy didn't mean what he said, he was just upset," Harry told her sympathetically.
"Whatever, Harry, just let me go on my laptop," Ginny snapped.
"Alright, fine, but if you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here," Harry replied sincerely.
Ginny nodded to show that she'd heard him and took out her laptop. She logged onto the internet. When the screen appeared, she was happy to see that Hotdragon was online. She quickly Instant Messaged him.
Fierysprite: Hey, Hotdragon.
Hotdragon: Hi, what's up?
Fierysprite: Nothing really, just going home for Christmas.
Hotdragon: So am I.
Fierysprite: Cool. I can't wait to get home. I love Christmastime.
Hotdragon: So do I, as long as my father leaves me alone.
Fierysprite: I hope he does, the next time I talk to you, I want your forearms unscathed.
Hotdragon: Yes, ma'am.
Fierysprite: (rolls her eyes) I'm serious.
Hotdragon: So am I.
Fierysprite: Do you think you can do it?
Hotdragon: I'm not sure.
Fierysprite: Just remember, my offer still stands.
Hotdragon: Thanks.
Fierysprite: Anything I can do to help fight Voldemort.
Hotdragon: Is that the only reason you're offering to help?
Fierysprite: Well, not the only reason.
Hotdragon: Why else?
Fierysprite: I don't want to lose a good friend, and if you become a Death Eater, I would.
Hotdragon: You consider me your friend?
Fierysprite: The best.
Hotdragon: You're going to make me cry, and for e, that's saying something.
Fierysprite: Well, I'm so glad to know that you like me so much, knowing that I consider you a friend makes you depressed.
Hotdragon: They're tears of joy.
Fierysprite: Oh, alright then, I'm flattered.
Hotdragon: You knew that all along.
Fierysprite: Yeah, I did.
Hotdragon: You can be really strange sometimes.
Fierysprite: I know. You're just realizing this now?
Hotdragon: No, you've always been like that.
Fierysprite: That I have.
Hotdragon: (Shakes his head.)
Fierysprite: Don't shake your head at me!
Hotdragon: (Shakes his head some more.)
Fierysprite: Stop it!
Hotdragon: Fine.
Fierysprite: Thank you.
Hotdragon: So, have you gotten a date for the ball yet?
Fierysprite: No, no one's asked me.
Hotdragon: How can no one want to go with you?
Fierysprite: Maybe because I'm an ugly girl with a threatening older brother.
Hotdragon: Oh come on, you can't be that ugly.
Fierysprite: Well, I guess I'm not ugly, but I'm certainly not pretty.
Hotdragon: What have your friends said about it?
Fierysprite: They think I'm pretty.
Hotdragon: Well, doesn't that tell you anything?
Fierysprite: Yes, that my friends are blind.
Hotdragon: I think it means that you don't know what you're talking about, and you really are pretty.
Fierysprite: How would you know? Believe me, I'm not pretty.
Hotdragon: I'd trust your friends.
Fierysprite: Whatever, do you have a date yet?
Hotdragon: No, I've had about fifteen offers, but I turned them all down.
Fierysprite: Why?
Hotdragon: Because none of them are you.
Fierysprite: That's really sweet. Now I'm going to cry, but how would you know that it wasn't me?
Hotdragon: Because all of those girls were shallow, dumb sluts.
Fierysprite: You never know.
Hotdragon: Did you ask anyone to the dance?
Fierysprite: No.
Hotdragon: See, there you go, it wasn't you.
Fierysprite: But you didn't know that until right now.
Hotdragon: Whatever. Are you going to the ball?
Fierysprite: I think so. Are you?
Hotdragon: I'm not sure.
Fierysprite: Why wouldn't you?
Hotdragon: I don't really like large crowds anymore.
Fierysprite: Why, what happened?
Hotdragon: My sister died.
Fierysprite: That's sad.
Hotdragon: Yeah, but I'm pretty much over it. I just don't like being in the midst of a lot of people.
Fierysprite: You are such a brave person.
Hotdragon: (shrugs) I guess.
Fierysprite: Do you realize that we're almost there?
Hotdragon: We are?
Fierysprite: Yeah, I should probably shut down.
Hotdragon: Me too.
Fierysprite: Talk to you later, L.M.
Hotdragon: Right back at you, V.W.
(Hotdragon has logged off.)
After this, Ginny logged off the internet and turned off her laptop. She put it away in its case and then turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry and Hermione were sitting next to each other, Harry had his arm around Hermione's shoulders and she was resting her head against his shoulder. They were talking quietly with each other. Her brother was no where in sight. "Where's Ron?" Ginny asked her friends curiously.
Harry shrugged. "A girl came, and then he left with her. They probably went to find somewhere to snog," Harry informed her.
"Who was the girl?" Ginny inquired further.
"Your friend, Luna Lovegood," Hermione said.
"Luna?" Ginny repeated incredulously.
Hermione merely nodded in reply.
" I didn't know Ron went for younger girls," Ginny commented.
"She's not that much younger than him. She's your age," Hermione pointed out.
"True, but my birthday's before hers. Besides, Ron usually goes out with seventh years and the occasional sixth year," Ginny said.
"I know, maybe he's already snogged every other free girl," Hermione mused.
"I doubt he's going with all of them," Ginny said.
"I was only joking," Hermione replied.
"That may be true, but you never know. If it's not all of them, it's about 90% of them," Ginny joked.
Hermione laughed and shot back, "No, I think it's more like 97%."
"You're probably right, as usual," Ginny teased. "No, seriously though, I know we were joking, but there actually might be some truth in it."
"I'd have to agree with you there. He always seems to have a different girlfriend," Hermione said seriously.
"Hey, we're here," Ginny announced as the train came to a stop.
Harry, Hermione, and Ginny collected their possessions and exited the train. They were each greeted with a big hug from Mrs. Weasley. She, Mr. Weasley, and-. "Wait, Mum, is that Charlie?" Ginny screeched excitedly.
"Yes dear, it is," Mrs. Weasley replied with a smile.
"Charlie," Ginny called as she rushed at her favorite brother to give him a hug.
"Hey, Gin. How's my favorite little sister?" Charlie greeted, eagerly returning her hug.
"I've missed you, Charlie," she replied.
"I've missed you too, Gin," He returned genuinely.
"Hey, Charlie," Harry grabbed as he walked over to Ginny and Charlie.
"Hello, Harry, nice to see you again," Charlie replied.
"Hi Charlie," Hermione said.
"Hello, Hermione," Charlie returned. "Where's Ron?"
"He's a little, er, busy at the moment," Harry said with a slight smile.
"Is he with a girl?" Charlie asked perceptively.
"Yes," Harry paid with a grimace. "When is he not with a girl?"
"That bad?" Charlie asked.
"Oh yeah," Harry replied with a nod.
Charlie shook his head and grinned, "That's Bill's brother, his is. When he's older, he'll have long hair, an earring, and a motorcycle," Charlie predicted, shaking his head. "Mum's not going to like it."
"No, she won't," Ginny agreed.
"Charlie! You're home early."
Everyone spun around toward the voice, it was Ron. "Hey, little bro. What's going on?" Charlie greeted.
"Nothin' much, Charlie, nothin' much. What about you?" Ron asked.
"Oh, you know, the usual," Charlie replied with a shrug.
"Why are you home so early?" Ron exclaimed.
"What? Don't you want your old brother to be home? I'm hurt Ron, really hurt," Charlie answered with mock hurt in his voice.
"Of course I want you here, I just wasn't expecting you, that's all," Ron covered quickly.
"Well, I was supposed to help train a new dragon we were getting, but we never got it. It got sick and couldn't be sent to us yet, so I didn't have anything to do," Charlie explained.
"Well, I'm glad you're home," Ginny inserted into the conversation.
Charlie smiled at her as they walked back toward Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Then they all made their way to where Mr. Weasley had parked their Ministry-rented car. They all piled in for another hour long trip.

*~*~*~*

When the Hogwarts Express arrived at King's Cross. Draco slowly collected his things. After exiting the train, he was met by his mother. Then, they flooed home. Currently, Draco was sitting on his bed, staring at the wall. When he'd walked out of the fireplace, his father had told him to wait for Lucius in his room. Draco had quickly obeyed, not wanting to get into any trouble.
That had been fifteen minutes ago, and Draco hadn't done anything but sit there. Quite frankly, he was too afraid to do anything. He knew he was in for major torture in a few minutes. He soon heard footsteps outside his door, and then heard them stop in front of it. Lucius then knocked on the door, and, without waiting for an answer, entered Draco's room.
"Father," Draco greeted coldly, playing it cool.
"Come with me," was the only reply he got. Draco jumped off his bed, and did his best to keep up with his father's quick steps. They walked through a few dark corridors, and then they came to a stop in front of a sold stone door. Lucius uttered a spell that Draco didn't hear. The door in front of them opened slowly.
While they stood inside, he looked around. The walls were all sold stone, and there was no windows. It was dark, dank, and drafty. Draco shuddered slightly at the temperature change. "Stay here until I get back. Not that you have much of a choice," Lucius said with a cold laugh.
Lucius then turned and walked out of the room, dungeon really, locking the door behind him. When the door closed, Draco was plunged into complete darkness. He reached into his robes for his wand, but was dismayed that it wasn't there. I wonder how long I have to stay here, he thought with another shudder. The place gave him the creeps. He sat down slowly, and he felt like bursting into tears. He refrained from this, only in fear that Lucius would come back and torture him even more than planned for showing weakness.
The time passed slowly, seconds turning into minutes, and minutes turning to hours. Draco wasn't sure how long he had been there, but he guessed it had been around three or four hours. At this time, Lucius finally came back. He opened the door, and Draco noticed he wasn't alone. Narcissa followed him.
"Now, Draco, I'm going to teach you a lesson. If you want any hope of ever seeing you mother again, you had better start getting better grades," he began. Draco nodded, and he continued, "I know how fond you are of you mother, so she's going to teach you the lesson for me. If might mean more coming from her."
"Mother would never do that," Draco said, trying his best to keep the uncertainty out of his voice.
"Maybe not on her own," Lucius replied, grinning maniacally.
"What did you do to her?" Draco demanded.
"The only thing I did was put her under the Imperius Curse," Lucius answered flippantly.
"Take it off," Draco ordered.
"No," Lucius shot back menacingly.
At that moment, Narcissa stepped forward and shouted, "Crucio!"
The force of the curse, and the fact that he'd been caught off guard, knock him off his feet. He was fighting back screams of pain, just barely. He could tell that his mother was trying to fight off the curse, but Lucius was too powerful of a wizard. The pain began to intensify, and then it slowly was fading. Draco knew he would soon be unconscious soon, but he tried to stay conscious. He had a sudden burst of strength, and he stood up. The pain intensified again. Then, Draco collapsed. There was only blackness. He was unconscious.
Lucius was satisfied for the time being and commanded Narcissa to stop the curse. He then took the Imperius off. Narcissa blinked in surprise and looked at her fallen son. She whimpered quietly and sunk down to her knees. There were silent tears running down her cheeks. "Come, Narcissa. We well be back later," Lucius said and walked out of the room in a billow of robes. Narcissa exited, and Lucius locked the door behind them.

*~*~*~*

About four or five hours later, Draco was slowly gaining consciousness. He groaned quietly as he tried to sit up. He was sore all over. He moaned, thinking that it was only the beginning. If he already felt this bad, he couldn't imagine living through the whole two weeks. I might just kill myself first, he thought ruefully.
He lay back down on the floor, staring at the ceiling. If only he could get his laptop, then he could beg Fierysprite to let him stay with her. Well, he probably wouldn't have to bed, but he could ask her. Maybe, just maybe, Lucius would take him out of this room. He seriously doubted it. Lucius wasn't stupid.
Just then, the door opened. Draco, expecting Lucius, braced himself for more torture. Instead, it was his mother, and she was alone. "Oh good, you're awake," she commented. "I'm sorry about earlier Draco , but I'm just not strong enough to resist Lucius." She looked near tears.
"It's alright, mother. It wasn't your fault. It was father's," he replied genuinely.
She gave him a weak smile. "You're father is gone. What do you want me to get for you?" she asked urgently.
"My laptop," Draco requested without hesitation.
"Alright. I have your wand right here," Narcissa said, tossing it to him. "I'll be right back." She left the room, leaving the door opened.
"Now, I have to go before Lucius gets home. He only told me to check on you. He will know if I let you out, but if you can escape by yourself, you'll be fine. Good luck Draco," Narcissa said, locking the door as she left the room.
Draco eagerly opened his laptop and turned it on. He logged onto the internet. Please, Fierysprite, be online, he pleaded silently, willing her to be on. When the internet came up, he was ecstatic to see that she was on. He quickly IMed her.
Hotdragon: I need your help.
Fierysprite: Well, hello to you too.
Hotdragon: Sorry, hi, but I don't have much time.
Fierysprite: What's going on?
Hotdragon: My father's going to be back soon. He locked me in a dungeon for like 3 hours. Then he came and had my mother curse me while under the Imperius Curse. I fell unconscious. Now, like 4 hours later, I'm awake. My father's going to be back soon though. My mother gave me my laptop from my room and my wand.
Fierysprite: What do you need?
Hotdragon: Can I stay with you for awhile? Please?
Fierysprite: I would say yes right away, but let me ask my parents.
Ginny ran downstairs to talk to her parents. "Mum? Dad? Where are you?" she shouted.
"In the kitchen," her mother replied.
She ran into the kitchen. "I need to ask a big favor," she panted.
"What's wrong, Ginny?" her father asked, concerned.
"Can I invite a friend here to stay with us until we go back to Hogwarts?" she asked quickly.
"Who?" her father inquired.
"I don't know his name," she answered.
"Is it the guy you talk to online? What was his name? Hotsnake?" her father guessed.
"Hotdragon, and he needs my help. He's going to be cursed to death by his mother under the Imperius Curse by his father. He's already been cursed unconscious once. Please," Ginny pleaded. "If anything happens, I will take full responsibility. Please." She put on her best puppy dog look.
"If you take full responsibility, then you can invite him, but if he causes any trouble he's gone. The only reason I'm saying yes is because I don't think anyone could be THAT good of an actor too convince you, you're a pretty good judge of character and I trust you," Mr. Weasley consented.
"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you," Ginny exclaimed, giving both of her parents a hug and a kiss. "I'm sure Hotdragon will be thankful also." She ran up to her laptop and went back to IMing Hotdragon.
Fierysprite: You can come.
Hotdragon: Took you long enough. Thank you so much. You are so awesome. Thank you. What's your address?
Fierysprite: Is it possible for you to use floo powder? If you can, just go to the Burrow.
Hotdragon: Yeah, after I escape here, I can go to a neighbors or Diagon Alley. I'll be there somewhere between a