It All Began With Dwarfing Draco

"Such a beautiful creature," Voldemort drawled. His wand was raised, aimed at the lioness and the disowned Malfoy child. It was easy to tell that he was smirking underneath the dark hood, his face didn’t need to be seen to know that.

Ginny felt a shiver run though her flank. Even with the strength and pride of the lioness within her, Voldemort still terrifying. She felt Draco’s hand touch her shoulder blades, his fingers absently playing with her fur. It was for comfort, she knew, but it didn’t tame her fear.

"Why do you hide behind that animal, Virginia? You know it can’t save you or your beloved Draco."

‘Bastard!’ Ginny mentally hissed. She felt a growl rumble low in her throat as she squat down, ready to pounce, but Draco’s arms were around her neck before she could make her move.

"Don’t Ginny," he whispered as she struggled against him. "Please don’t do this. I know what you’re thinking but it’s not worth it. I don’t want to lose you." She could’ve easily thrown him off and attacked the Dark Lord without a second thought. It would be easy. Who knows, she might have had a chance. But something inside her held her back, preventing her from causing as much damage as she possible could to her childhood tormentor. She heard Draco’s please, begging her not to do what she wanted to most in the world. His words made her anger subside but were not able to control it completely. She rubbed against his chest affectionately but kept her gaze pinned on the Dark Lord that stood before her. Voldemort laughed.

"So this is your weakness," he said nastily. "This boy. Yes I remember him. You told me once of your hated for him and his father. I can still sense it know. Deep down you hate him still."

‘No! You liar! It’s not true!’ Ginny screamed at him through her mind. She felt Draco’s arms stiffen around her and when she looked up there was hurt in his eyes. ‘Don’t listen to him! He’s lying! I love you!’ Nuzzling his face, she wished with all her might that he could hear her. ‘Please, don’t listen to him. Remember that I love you.’

‘Gin? Ginny, are you there?’ Another voice was in her head. She knew it by heart and could never forget it.

‘Ron?’ she asked, searching the room with her eyes for her brother.

‘We are on our way, just hold on.’ Hope suddenly filled her heart but it was crushed in a moment when Voldemort spoke again.

"I’ve waited long enough I think," he said in a bored tone. "You shall be first, my dear Virginia, but I don’t want to kill you just yet, oh no, I want to make you suffer. Crucio!" The curse hit Ginny’s shoulder and sent her flying into the wall. Draco cried out but it was no use. Pain shot though her every muscle, sending her into violent spasms that made her shake and tremble.

"Fight it Ginny! Fight it!" Draco yelled but she could barely hear him. She roared in agony, never having felt so much pain in her life. "Come on Ginny! Don’t give up! Fight it!"

Rage filled Draco’s every thought, every feeling. He had felt the pain that she now went through and it was killing him to see her fall victim to it. He turned on Voldemort and wiped out Pettigrew’s wand from where it had been hidden in his pocket.

"Let her go!" he commanded though gritted teeth. "Right now!"

"You are either incredibly brave," the Dark lord mocked, "or incredibly stupid. I’m willing to bet it’s the latter." Ginny roared again, sending chills down Draco’s spine.

"Stupefy!" Draco shouted. Lucius immediately stepped infront of the Dark Lord, preventing him from being hit, before falling to the floor unconscious. Draco shouted the curse again, this time hitting Pettigrew purposely and then turned to Voldemort with a smirk on his lips. "No one to hide behind now."

"You think I need them?" Voldemort asked sarcastically but dropped his wand anyway. "Oh look, our little Virginia here has decided to take her true form." Draco didn’t dare look, knowing that if he did the Dark Lord would surely finish him off.

A great roar came from the corridor. Voldemort wiped around only to be trampled by a huge, white stag. But as the great beast fell on him, the robe went limp as if a real body had never truly worn them. The stag sniffed the material before pawing at it slightly. He then reared up on his hind legs, kicking the air with his front hooves, before landing heavily and shaking his antlered head.

Draco turned from the stag and knelt beside Ginny. The Dark Lord hadn’t lied. She had returned to her human body and was no longer the lioness. She lay motionless on the stone floor and faced away from him, her long crimson hair spread out behind her like a fan.

"Ginny?" Draco breathed gently pulling her into his lap. Her head fell back, revealing deathly pale skin. Draco cradled her in his arms and brought her as close as possible. "You can’t be dead. That curse couldn’t have killed you. Please don’t be dead Ginny."

A hawk gracefully landed at Draco’s side but was unnoticed.

‘Oh no. We’re too late.’