It has been an insanely long wait hasn't it? I really apologise. I was in France for Easter, then had to go to Wales for a dentist app, thinking I had to have 3 wisdom teeth removed, only to find out that I had booked a week to recover from sheer agony of having my teeth x-rayed! Oh the joys of the British NHS system! And since getting back to Edinburgh I have been bogged down with assignments and projects. All that I've written in this chapter was whenever I could spare a few minutes, so I'm sorry if it seems a bit "patchy" and doesn't flow too well. Thought, I hope that a 6,600 word chapter will somewhat cheer you all up!
I REALLY NEED A BETA! Please leave a review if interested! Leave one anyway if you're not and tell me how you're liking / not liking whichever bit of the story! Wub!
The Phoenix Feather
Harry stared at nothing in particular from where he sat by the fire, it was almost 8 and he had jut recently gotten back to 12 Grimmauld Place. The Weasleys had withdrawn so much since the capture of Ginny that the Order was almost dysfunctional. Harry knew that he would have to take action soon and he was waiting more than patiently for news from Draco. Snape had revealed that not even the inner-circle was privy to the Dark Lord's plans anymore and that everything was always first discussed with the Dark Phantom - any plans of the Dark Order were carried out almost immediately after instructed by either the Dark Lord himself or his loyal Phantom. Harry had an inkling that Draco Malfoy was the Dark Phantom - his appearance had practically confirmed it, that along with Hermione's revelation of Draco being "missing" from the wizarding community.
"Harry," Ron's voice rasped from the doorway making Harry look up.
"I didn't hear you come in - where've you been?" Harry smiled feebly.
Ron shrugged and plonked himself down heavily in a chair besides Harry. "Here and there really… I dunno - sometimes I just, well… you know, like I might hear something…" he muttered.
Harry sighed and nodded, he could imagine the torment his friend was suffering but there was nothing he could say to comfort him.
"Part of me knows she's okay, but part of me doesn't believe it, even though I want to. I can't help but think that it's just me - wishing and wanting her to be safe… and my knowing - well it's just what I keep telling myself isn't it? I mean, she was taken by the Phantom…" Ron's voice cracked towards the end and he trailed off.
"Your instinct has never failed you, Ron… if deep down you know she's safe then it's more than likely that she is. We'll get her back… I promise." Harry said softly.
Ron nodded and joined Harry's eyes staring lost in the burning flames of the dimming fire.
Harry groaned mentally. There was nothing he wanted more than this war to be over but at the moment he would put that second to telling Ron the truth about Ginny. He prayed that Hermione would discuss her findings and haunches about Draco with Ron… so then at least he could let on some of the truth and lay his friends' minds at rest, but until then he had to remain silent. Harry took his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration; his eyes squeezed shut in contemplation.
"You seem like you've got a lot on your mind lately, Harry," Ron said quietly without looking away from the mesmerising flames.
Harry sighed. "I just want all this to be over, I want Ginny back as much as you do - the more we linger the longer this will drag out… there's only one horcrux left, the blasted snake Voldemort has hanging around him all the time."
"You got all the others?" Ron asked, staring at Harry in surprise.
Harry nodded. "Yeah… no doubt Voldemort felt the last one go… my scar has never hurt that much before… it has to end soon before he starts making backup plans or worse, if he starts making more horcruxes…"
"You never told us about the last one…" Ron sighed.
Harry smiled weakly. "I meant to… but it was the night Ginny was taken, I never got a chance. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be… but anyway, it's done."
"I went to see Luna - as you probably know. She said something about Malfoy, was strange, but you know how she is… prattling on about the stupid ferret loving Ginny and that the heart of a Malfoy once found is bound forever or something along those lines." Ron said offhandedly.
Harry raised his eyebrows in mild surprise. "Really? So… what do you make of that?"
Ron shook his head and let out a deep breath. "Dunno… you know I can't think straight when I'm around her - but thinking of it now, the girl is off her rocker. I mean, don't get me wrong I like her to bits but Malfoy feel anything but contempt for a Weasley? I don't know what to make of it except that the mere idea of it is absurd. Merlin, it borders insanity."
Harry nodded slowly but said nothing in reply, his mind wondered back to a conversation he had had with Dumbledore about his faith in Draco and that his reasons were genuine and justified. Could it possibly be? Harry dismissed the thought almost immediately - as Ron said, it was absurd, yet even in the absurdity of it, it seemed to make perfect sense.
"Who knows…" Harry sighed.
Ron shrugged and stood. "Anyway I'm going to go back to Luna's… I'll come by tomorrow before I go on duty at the ministry… though it's pointless…"
"Yeah, I'm waiting for Hermione to get back from France… went to see Fleur about some research she's doing…" Harry muttered.
Ron nodded. "I need to ask her about that research of hers… anyway I'll catch you later, going to go and see Luna."
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"Sweet Merlin, Drake - this is beyond reason!" Blaise groaned as he sat down heavily in his chair and he massaged his temples.
"I had three years of Severus penetrating my mind, count yourself lucky that I know most of your deepest and darkest secrets already." Draco smirked.
"Aye, but we're trying to cram three years of mind torture into three weeks," Blaise snorted.
Draco chuckled. "Granted, you've made a valid point."
Blaise glanced quickly at the clock. "Have you not got a raid to lead tonight?"
"That I do, though we are fast running out of places to attack," Draco sighed.
"Drake," Blaise grinned. "You look like shit."
Draco glared at Blaise before seating himself heavily into one of the chairs. "If you were in my position you'd not sleep so easily either, Blaise."
"How is the wee lass?"
Draco sighed. "Better than expected, the problem is that she needs different clothes." He muttered.
Blaise raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"When I took her, I didn't think to take any of her possessions with me… she was taken in what she wore."
Blaise laughed. "I'm sure Elle can part with some of her clothes if Ginevra's attire, or rather her lack of, is somewhat distracting."
"If it were as simple as loaning a few garments from your Eleanor, Blaise then I would've already asked. I need you to be ready soon…" Draco muttered. "I'll return to her flat for a few of her clothes."
Blaise nodded in understanding, Draco was becoming somewhat overly cautious when it came to Ginevra's safety. He imagined that caution was one of Draco's major practices considering he was leading three separate lives at the same time. He would not chance Ginevra's recognition of Eleanor's clothes which would consequently become an easy link to Blaise and then lead to Blaise's association with Draco, who was (according to Draco) a prime suspect within the Order of the Phoenix as the Dark Phantom.
"And your mother is out of the question," Blaise stated dryly.
Draco nodded. "Yes, if my father should find out and ask questions."
"And the Weasley family-"
"-not an option, unless I want to run the highly risk of being castrated." Draco groaned. "I can't risk Ginevra recognising Eleanor's clothing, or her taste of clothing, she knows my connection with you and therefore my connection with Eleanor through you. I can't give myself away now, not when there is so much at risk."
"Send Pansy shopping," Blaise teased before turning serious. "Her flat will be well guarded, Drake, make no mistake, I don't think it's the best idea - "
"- then propose something better! I can't ask the Dark Novices for their clothing as it would show I care. I can't ask my mother to make a trip into Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, I can't personally go to any of those places or even muggle London, and even if I could I can't possibly give her muggle clothes considering that the Dark Phantom is part of an Order that loathes muggles. All that and the fact that the little mudblood has scouts around keeping a keen eye out for me. What are you suggesting I do?" Draco growled.
"I'll ask Eleanor to go on the errand… and make sure she chooses wisely," Bliase said softly.
Draco shook his head. "It would be the safest choice for me, but no, Blaise, I can't ask that of her, I've already asked too much of her as it is. She is already more involved in this than she'd like to be, and knows more than I am comfortable with."
Blaise nodded slowly and sighed. "You're determined to go back, then so be it. Nothing I say can dissuade you, but 'twill be dangerous."
"I'll go tomorrow night or the night after, I need you ready."
Blaise sighed and shook his head. "She'll be the death of you, Drake, and I am as ready as I'll ever be."
"I'd die gladly," Draco muttered before disapperating.
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Luna glanced up at the muggle clock Ginny had brought when they had first moved in together when she heard loud rapping on the front door. Surprised by such a late visitor she made her way down the short hallway and pressed her eye against the peekhole. Seeing who it was Luna opened the door wide and threw her arms happily around Eleanor's neck.
"Elle! What a lovely surprise, come in!" she said happily.
Eleanor glanced up and down the corridor before quickly entering the flat and closed the door firmly behind her.
"You've got to get out right away Luna! He's coming!" Eleanor muttered rapidly.
Luna raised her eyebrows in confusion. "What on earth are you on about? Cup of tea?" she asked as she continued towards the kitchen counter.
Eleanor sighed. "The Phantom, Luna, he's coming here tomorrow night or the night after, you must make yourself scarce! No, thank you."
"Why in Merlin's name should I? He has no business with me," Luna said, unaffected and put the kettle on.
Eleanor grabbed Luna by the shoulders and shook her. "This is serious!" she cried out in frustration. "He came to see Blaise, they were hours in his study - Salazar knows what they were up to! I wanted to ask if they wanted to eat… and I heard them talk. The Phantom is coming back for something of Ginny's and in Godric's name, Luna you can't be here when he comes!"
"Elle, Ginny's things are all in her room, I'm perfectly safe in mine." Luna replied offhandedly. "Do you still take sugar?" she asked as she turned back to the boiled kettle and took two mugs from the cupboard.
"Have you no fear at all?" Eleanor said, exasperated.
Luna sighed and turned to face Eleanor. "We both know why Draco Malfoy is even taking part in this… he was always watching her when we were at Hogwarts. Always making sure she was ok after he left."
Eleanor stared at Luna in shock. "How do you know…?"
Luna shrugged. "I saw it and then Ginny told me about her escape from Hogsmeade when it was attacked back in our seventh year… it was the Phantom who saved her from running out like a lunatic to Ron who was with the Aurors that day. I put two and two together, think about it, it makes perfect sense that Draco is the Phantom, anyone else being the Phantom would've killed her on the spot."
"Please… just don't be here for the next two nights… Luna, I'll never forgive myself if something happens to you." Eleanor begged.
Luna sighed and smiled. "Oh, okay then. You sure you don't want some tea? I've already made you a cup." She motioned to the steaming mug of tea.
Eleanor shook her head. "No, it's ok I've got to get back to Blaise, he'll be worried if he notices I'm gone. Promise me you won't be here, Luna."
"I promise."
Sighing in relief Eleanor embraced Luna and kissed her cheeks goodbye promising to keep in touch whenever she could before disapperating.
Unknown to either of them Ron stood with his hand clenched and frozen on the knob of Ginny's bedroom door. He had direct access into her room since she was taken by the Phantom and had wanted to surprise Luna - he had not expected to be the one to be surprised as he overheard the painful truth of the situation from someone he had trusted his heart with. Collecting his thoughts and somehow controlling his anger Ron released his hold on the doorknob and sunk to the floor in sheer agony and shock.
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"My Lord," Draco bowed before Voldemort.
"Drakkus, my faith in you was well placed. Tell me, are we ready for our final strike?" Voldemort hissed.
"Most of the Dark Novices are ready to prove their worth, my lord, and your loyal death eaters are as bloodthirsty and power hungry as ever. All preparations are in order, only by your command will I send an envoy to the giants - they can be here within three weeks, in time for full moon."
"Good," Voldemort nodded. "Very good, dispatch an envoy straight away, Drakkus, I will call for Ginevra when she is needed."
Draco bowed. "Hogwarts will be yours, my lord, and the wizarding world with it."
Voldemort laughed. "Prepare for your final raid tomorrow, Drakkus."
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"Sir, we are ready to wage war, a full confrontation… The Dark Lord has commanded I send an envoy for the giants, they will be expected in three weeks at least." Draco said softly.
Dumbledore nodded slowly and his face was grave. "Voldemort must be very sure of himself to make such a move…"
"The Child of Legacy will be conceived before we strike… in two weeks," Draco reminded softly.
"Will it?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes instantly on Draco.
Draco stared back unwaveringly and respectfully, his choice of wording could easily have been misinterpreted. "According to the Dark Lord the Child of Legacy will be conceived before the month is out, yes. I promised Ginevra's safety and I intend to remain true to that pledge… she will be returned unscathed and untouched."
Dumbledore turned and strode over to stare out of the window. "I will not ask you how you intend to fool Voldemort, Draco, but I have faith that you will succeed - with both your lives intact."
Both Dumbledore and Draco turned as the spiral staircase revealed Harry in the Headmaster's office.
Harry stared coldly at Draco who inclined his head slightly, his eyes never breaking contact with Harry's and the corner of his lip curled into a smirk.
"Malfoy," Harry nodded.
"Potter," Draco acknowledged before turning to Dumbledore and bowing. "Sir."
As Draco made his way past Harry towards the stairs Harry made an abrupt step in front of him. "Mafloy - are you the Phantom?"
Dumbledore turned to regard the two men in his office. Draco stared Harry in the eye and let out a sigh. "I am," he admitted softly and firmly.
Harry nodded, not knowing what the best reaction to the confirmation of his suspicion would be. Draco smiled coolly and without a glance to Dumbledore or another word, left the office.
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"So, you finally decide to pay me a visit, Draco," Snape muttered as he eyed Draco sternly.
Draco nodded. "You know I've been busy, Severus. My visit is a short one."
"As it always is," Snape sighed and strode over to a cabinet behind his desk. Flicking his wand the cabinet flew open to reveal shelves full of potions, Snape reached for six phials and handed them to Draco. "Those are what you asked me for, it will last no longer than three hours. I suggest you play your cards exceedingly well, Draco… failure is not an option, don't make me have to explain anything to your mother."
Draco accepted the phials and nodded. "You know she already knows everything, and, you know I will not fail."
Snape nodded. "You have three hours each on the last four, the other two are for the Phantom to give to the Dark Lord. I assume you know what they are already."
Draco inclined his head. "Care for her well, Professor… or I will brave hell and raise from my grave for your blood," he breathed and was gone.
Snape stared after the closed door for a few brief moments before seating himself heavily in his chair, that could've been the very last Snape ever saw of his Godson.
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"My Lord Phantom," Draco said softly as he and the Phantom strode casually across the courtyard. "The Ice Lords are close to being resurrected, however, it is not yet certain of what their reaction will be to have been awakened from their slumber."
The Phantom nodded as the two men made their way through bowing novices. "Then certain precautions must be taken, Malfoy. As your report tells me, you've started to decrypt the ancient runes engraved along the cavern walls, they should provide you with sufficient information of how to control the Ice Lords once summoned."
"My Lord, Ancient Runes was never my strongest discipline at Hogwarts, it will take time - "
"Your incompetence will cost the Dark Lord valuable allies, Malfoy." The Phantom snapped.
Draco bowed. "I will try my hardest my Lord."
The two men stopped as they reached a clearing that was out of earshot of the novices and Dark wizards in the courtyard. "Remind me again why I am doing this." Draco hissed.
"Because you're a reliable friend and you want to see the end of this war as much as I do." The Phantom hissed in reply.
"Right," Draco groaned. "Then remind me to kill you once all this is over - here comes your father."
The Phantom chuckled. "No, Blaise, for at least the next two and a half hours, he's your father."
"My Lord Phantom," Lucius bowed before turning to Draco, "Draco?"
Draco bowed to his father. "Father."
Before Lucius could press any questions the Phantom spoke. "Lucius, I summoned your son unexpectedly and have matters of a delicate nature to discuss in private."
Lucuis stared from the Phantom to Draco suspiciously before bowing hastily. "Of course my Lord, forgive me for my intrusion," and backed away.
Once Lucius was safely out of earshot The Phantom turned to Draco. "There, Blaise, that should have done it, whatever suspicions he had should be quelled for the moment."
"And there I was expecting something challenging." Blaise (under the influence of Polyjuice potion with essence of Draco) snorted.
The Phantom laughed and glanced up the tower to see what he knew was Ginevra staring down from her favourite window.
"The challenge will be explaining this to Ginevra…" The Phantom groaned. "Come, we have important matters regarding the myth that is the now-extinct and non-existent Ancient Ice Lords to discuss, you and I."
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Ginny frowned as she stared down from her window. She had been surprised to see The Phantom walking about in the courtyard; she had never really imagined him mingling with the Dark Novices and their mentors, though perhaps it was more the fact that she had never seen him down there during the three weeks that she had been held captive. She had been even more surprised when she saw who his companion was, Draco Malfoy.
Ginny spun around when she heard the doors open and close.
"Ginevra," the Phantom inclined his head slightly before continuing towards his desk.
"I see Draco Malfoy has finally joined the ranks," Ginny said softly.
"You're upset about it?"
Ginny shook her head defiantly. "No - but you said he's not part of the Dark Order, that I wouldn't find him among the Death Eaters down there."
"Indeed, I did say that you would not find him among the Death Eaters down there and that he would have made a fine Death Eater, I never said he wasn't part of the Dark Order, but circumstances change"
"I always knew he was a Death Eater, only a fool wouldn't."
"Perhaps… but Draco is no fool and he relies heavily on fools to assume his position within the Dark Order."
"What do you mean by that?"
"He had very few choices, and he made them cautiously - if one man were to survive this war it would be him." He chuckled.
"Harry will win this war." Ginny said calmly
"That he will and there is no real doubt about it, the Dark Lord is considerably weakened."
Ginny stared at the Phantom wonderstruck and confused. "Who are you? Why are you fighting for this side if you know that Harry will win?"
"It's been long enough that I've concealed my identity from you, Ginevra, and it is still something that I cannot give away yet… but let it be suffice to say that I am a member of your order."
Ginny's eyes widened first in fear as he reached into his robes and withdrew his wand and then in shock as she watched him wave his wand in one of the most complicated disillusionment and concealment charms and a distinctive feather appeared… an unmistakable Phoenix feather.
"You lie! That is a Phoenix Feather - Fawk's feather! He would only shed a feather on Dumbledore's request… or-"
"- or shed to an unquestionably faithful member who is placed under a test for his or her legitimate loyalty - as I was."
"But you're a murderer! You could've gotten the feather from any loyal member of the Order!" Ginny cried. She knew full well that the feather would not reveal itself to anyone except to the legitimate owner or to the person who the owner wished to show the feather to. Ginny did not yet have a feather, she had been kidnapped the day before she was to receive one - it was the only way that the members of the Order of the Phoenix could contact each other secretly. Even if she had one it would've been useless as without a wand she could not summon it.
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"Phantom," Ginny said quietly after a long silence. He glanced up at her from where he sat reading over the owl that he had received. "You're the hooded man aren't you?" she was careful not to mention Snape as she did not want to put him in any danger.
The Phantom chuckled. "Ah, yes, I believe I was dubbed as Snape's sidekick by most of the Order."
"Professor Snape is in the Order?" Ginny asked in shock, she was not going to take chances to confirm members of the order to anyone she did not trust.
The Phantom chuckled. "My innocent little Ginevra, you know as well as I do that Snape is part of the Order of the Phoenix, and I have given you sufficient proof that I too am a member."
"If that is true then Snape must know who you are, which means Dumbledore knows who you are." Ginny challenged, her eyes blazing.
Draco mentally kicked himself. "Perhaps he has guessed," he smirked. "This mask I wear, Ginevra, is imbued with scales of the Pearl Dragon, which properties are to distort reality. You would not recognise me if you walked passed me on a street or if you heard me on WWN as my appearance and voice as you see and hear are not entirely what they really are, Snape knows I am the Phantom in both orders"
"So, you're fat, short, inelegant and have a high-pitched feminine voice in reality without the mask then?"
"I could well be," he chuckled.
"We have the best researchers, trackers and shadowers, not to mention the best Aurors in the Order, it won't be long until they figure out who you are." Ginny said softly.
"Ah, yes, Granger, the brainy little mudblood, she has caused me some inconvenience these last few days." He sighed.
"Almost sussed you out then, has she?" Ginny sneered.
The Phantom raised an eyebrow. "Not so protective over her identity, are you? Or is it because she stole your role in Potter's and the Weasley King's lives?"
Ginny snorted. "Anyone who knew Hermione at Hogwarts knows that she would be one of the first - wait, how do you know that that was Ron's nickname?" her eyes widened.
Draco cursed himself mentally; he was getting more and more careless by the minute. "Come now, you've seen who the Dark Novices are, Ginevra. Slytherins from your brother's year as well as yours. Besides, your brothers Fred and George mention it frequently."
Ginny eyed the Phantom suspiciously. "Write down the headquarters, and I'll believe you…"
The Phantom smirked. "Ginevra… you know I cannot; only the secret keeper can pass that information without being mortally wounded."
"It was you who sent Lucius and the other two death eaters to catch me in Glasgow wasn't it?" Ginny
hissed.
"No, it was Diego Zabini who saw you on the train and alerted Lucius to your whereabouts…"
"Then why - how…" Ginny stopped herself. Her mind was screaming for answers to questions she daren't ask in case she placed anyone in danger. The Phantom was part of the Order, there was no doubt about it, he had Fawke's feather. However, Ginny wasn't entirely convinced of his loyalty.
"You want to ask me why and how Draco Malfoy knew where and when to go to save you? I sent him." He shrugged.
"But yet you came for me yourself!" Ginny spat.
He sighed. "Ginevra… I cannot be seen to fail, not on either side. I was simply prolonging your capture."
"Even though it was inevitable?" Ginny glared at him. "Who knew?"
"Do you really want to know the answer to that?"
Ginny's eyes widened and then she lowered them to the floor and shook her head. "No… I don't." though the answer was blatant enough, some, if not all of her brothers had played a part in this.
"You were not betrayed, Ginevra… the price of their involvement was my vow for your safe return, untouched and unscathed, they had little choice, I would've taken you one way or another - with or without their consent, but I bound them to a pledge of secrecy for my safety, and in return I ensured yours."
Ginny nodded slowly and fell into a brooding silence. What the Phantom had revealed made sense. Her brothers would've chosen the path they knew was the safest for her. The Phantom must've told them that they had no choice in the matter but he had been honourable enough to tell them and allow them to set their own terms. So far the Phantom had kept true to his promise, she had not been harmed in anyway except for being kept against her will. No Death Eaters or Dark Novices had harassed her.
Ginny glanced up in bewilderment. "The locks - the charms you place on the door, they're not for me are they?" she gasped in realisation.
"I can't let you escape." The Phantom replied coolly.
"But I can't anyway, even without locks on the door, unless you haven't noticed, we are on an island surrounded by a merciless and freezing cold sea. Even without locks on the door I could not escape, and without a wand there is no real need to place such complicated charms on the door."
He chuckled. "I always said you were perceptive."
"So you admit that they weren't to keep me in, but to keep Death Eaters and Dark Novices out?"
The Phantom shrugged. "I always lock my chambers."
"Do you fear anything?"
He smirked and Ginny felt the all too familiar sensation that tingled up and down her spine - she knew the smile.
"I fear all the time, Ginevra, are you afraid?" he asked.
"Yes…"
"What are you afraid of?"
Ginny stared at him unwaveringly. "I fear who I am becoming, I fear that I'm losing my struggle within."
"You're strong, stronger than the average witch or wizard for your age both magically and psychologically."
"… and emotionally?" she whispered.
"You're attached to those you love very deeply," the Phantom replied simply and shrugged.
"Isn't everyone?"
"Yes," he said softly. "Most are."
Ginny nodded slowly, "Are you attached to anyone?"
He stared at her and contemplated what his answer would be for a few brief seconds. "There are very few people who aren't and they are barely human."
"The one you're trying to protect?"
The Phantom sighed. "She's the reason for many of my choices, yes. Don't be afraid, Ginevra, embrace your fears."
She went quiet for a while and stared down at her hands on her lap, finally she looked up at him, her eyes wide and innocent. "I have… that's what I'm scared of… it's like there's a darkness inside of me, but I've accepted that, I just fear that one day it will come to light."
"As you've said, everyone has choices, and when the time comes, Ginevra, you will make the right choice."
"But it won't necessarily be the best choice, will it? You said that this path you walk, it's not the best choice, but it's the right one, didn't you?" She looked fearful.
The Phantom nodded. "Yes, but it's the circumstance as well… it's always the circumstances that influences choices in life, Ginevra. Many things come into play when you have to make a decision in life, especially when the choice is between life and death."
"Are you afraid of dying?" Ginny whispered.
"No," he chuckled. "I am not afraid of dying."
She frowned. "Then why this path? Why make this choice? Why not just defy Voldemort and do what is right?"
"It's not as simple as that, little girl. I do not fear my own death, but I will not give in to death so easily as long as she still breathes. This is the only way that I can keep her safe."
"Has he threatened you with her life?" Ginny asked curiously.
The Phantom shook his head. "He doesn't know of my attachment to her, so no, he has not threatened me with her life."
"Then you joined the Dark Order by your own free will?" Ginny cried.
He sighed as he saw her disgust. "Ginevra… it's complicated. But why is it that you want to know so much?"
"Because I want to understand, I need to understand. You are not evil, yet you are capable, and have done a lot of evil things - for the sake of the one you love's safety. You say Voldemort doesn't know of your attachment to her, yet you've joined the Dark Order to keep her safe, but if he doesn't know, then how could she be in danger?"
Draco chuckled. "My sweet innocent little Ginevra." He sighed, "It is because I knew she would play an important part in this war, that Voldemort would one day target her, because of her strength… her beauty, her influence, and most of all, because of her purity and innocence. Because he failed to claim her once before, and as you know, Voldemort does not take failure lightly."
"He never told me about a lost love," Ginny muttered to herself.
Draco looked at her in amusement, that, my naïve and innocent little Ginevra, is because his lost conquest is you, he answered her mentally.
"Perhaps…" Draco drew a deep breath and considered the phrasing of his sentence carefully. "Being as the Dark Lord is, Ginevra, perhaps he would not call it "love" as such… but more denial of it, he sees that he was denied something that was rightfully his, but did not necessarily identify it as love. He does not know how to love."
"And you do?" Ginny quirked her eyebrow.
"Perhaps… but your definition of love may differ from mine."
"In what way?"
Draco sighed as he stared longingly at her through his mask. "I only know that whatever it is I feel, my sole duty is to protect her, my life is nothing if she falls, and nothing will stop me."
Ginny shook her head slowly in disbelief. "I guess I can understand if I really try, but it's so unjustified… I suppose I'd do the same if I was in your position and under the same circumstances. Your idea of love is so ambitious…"
"I am a Slytherin after all." Draco cursed himself the minute the words had left his mouth; he almost reached for his wand immediately to erase her memory.
His eyes were fixed on hers, and she was staring suspiciously back at him. "Well, that's narrowed the possibilities down a lot; you're a Hogwarts Graduate and a Slytherin… "
He chuckled and inclined his head slightly. "It seems I have revealed more than I intended. My identity won't be secret for much longer…"
"I know every single original Death Eater off the top of my head, and I have seen them in the courtyard at one time or another while you were also in this room. I am also certain that I have seen most, if not all of the Dark Novices down there too… before today there were a dozen suspects in my head, most from Slytherin but a few from other houses and I even allowed the possibility of candidates from other schools. However unlikely that would be, considering your pristine English… today you have eliminated all but two people."
The Phantom smirked, "and who would those two be?"
Ginny kept her eyes locked on his. "My initial thought was Draco Malfoy… but I saw him in the courtyard today with yourself… it's Eleanor you're protecting isn't it?"
Draco almost laughed. "I am not Blaise Zabini, but Eleanor is one of the people I am protecting, yes."
"One of, you mean she is not the one?" Ginny asked, her eyes still staring at his unwavering.
"Enough," he smirked as he glanced at the Great Grandfather clock. "I must leave you now, I shall return with a few of your belongings."
Before she could press any more questions he was gone. Ginny sat down heavily on a chair as everything sunk in. She had been so sure that he was Draco Malfoy, his presence, everything about the Phantom screamed Draco Malfoy at her yet she could not pin a reason why. It was no wonder that the Pearl Dragon Scales confused her mind. But he wasn't Draco Malfoy, she had seen him today with her own eyes walking side by side with The Phantom himself. Then there was the question of Fawk's feather… if the Phantom was in the Order of the Phoenix, and Draco had intervened in her capture under the Phantom's orders, did that mean that he was also part of the Light side and in league with the Dark Phantom? It was an absurd notion, Draco Malfoy was Death Eater material at it's finest… but then again, the Dark Phantom was even more so. If Draco was part of the Order he would've attended meetings… so far, the only unidentified person in the Order of the Phoenix was Snape's Sidekick and the Phantom had, in so many words, confirmed that it was himself.
Ginny massaged her temples as if trying to sooth her brain and clear it of the confusion that was on rampage. One thing worried her most, if the Phantom was telling the truth, then she was in great debt to him for protecting her. Merlin knew how he was going to save her from the danger he had revealed, how was he going to avoid the conception of the Child of Legacy? If her brothers had pledged themselves to a vow of secrecy on the condition that she was returned safely unharmed and unscathed, then that could only mean that if the Phantom failed they would reveal him and it could cost him his life - unless he was truly on the Dark side, no - she wasn't going to think that. He had Fawk's feather, which was proof enough for anyone, even occlumency could not fool a Phoenix's test for loyalty.
.
.
"Hey Luna," Hermione grinned as she looked up to see Luna in the doorway.
"Hello there, how's things?" Luna asked.
"Not too bad, things are quietening down, so it seems - a bit worrying really, but I'm taking comfort in it while it lasts."
Luna nodded. "Have you seen Ron?"
Hermione shook her head. "He was here with Harry earlier, he probably went round to yours."
Luna looked surprised. "It's almost midnight, he hadn't come by yet, and Elle dropped in to tell me to leave."
The door opened to reveal Harry in the doorway, nodding to Luna he strode over to Hermione to place a chaste kiss on her cheek before sinking heavily into a chair.
"Hey Luna. Just got back from Hogwarts… Malfoy was there - "
"Malfoy? As in Draco Malfoy?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded. "Yes, the one and only." He knew he had to be careful, he could not give Malfoy's real identity away without breaking the vow of secrecy.
"What was he doing there?"
"Was in to see Dumbledore, he was leaving as I arrived." Harry muttered.
Hermione frowned, "That's odd… why would he be going to see Dumbledore?"
Luna shrugged. "Probably to arrange going to get Ginny's stuff."
Both Harry and Hermione turned to stare at Luna in shock.
"He what?" Hermione gasped, her brain suddenly going into overdrive.
"It was why Elle came to see me, she told me he was coming to get Ginny's stuff, and made me promise to leave." Luna stated.
"Why would she make you leave, Luna?" Hermione whispered.
"That was my question exactly, why indeed, but she prattled on about him being dangerous and that she would never forgive herself if anything happened to me, him being the Phantom and all." Luna huffed in annoyance.
"What?" Hermione gasped in shock and turned to Harry for confirmation.
Harry sighed and looked away.
"Luna, how do you know that Malfoy is the Phantom? And why haven't you told us this before?" Hermione shrieked.
Luna stared at Hermione. "It's obvious that he's the Phantom, who else could it possibly be? You never asked, and I thought you all knew, considering he's also part of this order too. Now, what I want to know is where Ron is, he never showed up."
Harry's eyes sharpened instantly and he sat up right in his chair. "What do you mean Ron never showed?"
"He said he'd swing by at about 9, you know he's always late, but it's almost one now and he never came." Luna's voice was growing desperate. "I was waiting for him to come so we could leave together… Elle made me promise to leave. I thought perhaps he forgot and was still here."
"When did Eleanor arrive at yours?" Harry asked softly.
"About 10 to 9…"
Without a word Harry strode hastily from the kitchen and the front door banged shut a few seconds later.
.
..
…
Draco noticed the flat was dark, Loony Luna had probably already gone to bed he mused as he apparated onto the balcony of Ginny's room. He noticed that the room had been tidied since his last visit, even the burnt and marred walls had been repaired, it was if nothing had ever happened. Sighing he made his way to her wardrobe.
"Stop right there, Malfoy."