Author's Note
Hi everyone! Sorry this is a tad late - busy, busy, busy! Oh and Julesy: sorry to disappoint you…And once again, huge thanks to Kirsti *waves madly* ever a gem and a tremendously helpful one too!
PS I won't repeat the things that have been running through my head over this latest glitch! I don't handle glitches well! *gnashing of teeth while head bangs repeatedly on monitor* I have every finger and toe crossed that this time it works!!!
FOUR WEDDINGS & A FUNERAL
By Lady Jane
Hermione and Harry stood each side of Dean, both with a hand on his arm. They then Apparated to his flat with him, moving quickly towards the bedroom as soon as they arrived. It was in darkness andDean ran his hand over the wall to flip the light switch.
The three figures froze as they took in the dishevelled state of the bed.
The empty bed.
Ginny was nowhere to be seen.
Chapter Five
Dean called Ginny's name out loud, his voice full of anguish. Hermione span around as she heard Ginny's muffled tones coming from the bathroom and enormous relief swept through all three of them, Dean leaning against the wall such was the force of his relief.
`Ginny! Are you all right?' called Hermione, who, being the closest, reached the bathroom door first, just as it opened and a pale, pyjama-clad Ginny emerged. She looked dazedly at all of them in turn. Dean was beside her in seconds, pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly to him. `Thank God you're all right!' he groaned.
Ginny's arms slowly wound around his waist, her head coming to rest on his chest, although she didn't speak.
`Let's go make some tea,' said Harry, turning and leading the way down the hall to the kitchen.
`Bugger tea,' said Hermione quietly but with feeling, `I'd like a glass of wine.'
Harry looked at her, raising his eyebrows and she shrugged ruefully at him, smiling. `Sometimes tea just doesn't cut it,' she told him.
`Too true,' replied Harry softly, the memory of Hermione's absence and Mr Ogden's presence fresh in his memory.
`Ginny? Hermione, Harry? Tea?' asked Dean as they entered the kitchen.
Ginny indicated she preferred tea, Harry also asking for some, so Dean set about making it while Ginny, Harry and Hermione seated themselves at the kitchen bench. Since Hermione had asked for a glass of wine, Dean placed a bottle of red on the bench with some glasses and asked Harry to please open it and pour for himself and Hermione, all the while glancing at Ginny, his concern very evident.
Hermione, too, was studying Ginny and thought she seemed unusually introverted - as though having to talk to them was interrupting some inner process.
When Hermione had asked Dean for details of the rose necklace he'd had made for Ginny, Harry became aware that Hermione was "on to something". It brought back to him those times at Hogwarts when Hermione would suddenly jump up from the table in the Great Hall or spring out of an armchair in the Gryffindor common room, muttering to herself as she hared off to the library to check up on something she'd remembered or had just thought of, not stopping to tell either him or Ron what it was. He wished he could ask her now what it was but knew, frustratingly, that it wasn't the time or place.
Shortly afterwards, a cup of tea cradled in her hands, Ginny smiled wanly at them as Dean took a seat beside her. `Thanks for coming,' she said. She dropped a hand to rest it on Dean's arm on the bench in front of her, glancing at Harry and Hermione. `Has Dean told you about my nightmares?' she asked. They both nodded.
Ginny sighed and took a sip of her tea, saying no more, returning to her inner world.
`Ginny,' said Hermione, a creeping tendril of dread curling in her stomach, `do you remember your nightmare tonight, what happened?' If she hadn't been watching for it, Hermione knew she would've missed the tiny hesitation before speaking, the almost infinitesimal moment of frozen posture before Ginny put her cup down, shaking her head as she did so, looking down at her cup. Hermione knew she was lying. Dean put his glass down and put his hand on top of Ginny's which was still resting on his arm, giving it a comforting squeeze.
`They stopped about a week and a half or so ago - we thought perhaps it was a stress thing related to the wedding - and that it was the end of it,' said Dean speaking for her, then he sighed heavily. `Obviously not. Maybe after we're married, after the wedding…' his voice trailed off.
Hermione looked briefly at Harry, regret in her eyes, then spoke softly, but firmly. `Ginny, I think we should all go and see Professor Dumbledore about this. I suspect there's a lot more to this than you or Dean realise.'
Ginny looked at Hermione, who thought she saw a fleeting moment of desperate hope in her friend's eyes before her eyes seemed to cloud and she looked away, her head jerking once in a brief nod. Dean looked worriedly from Ginny to Hermione and Harry. `Maybe tonight isn't the best time -' he began hesitantly.
Hermione saw Ginny's hand clutch convulsively at Dean's arm, although she didn't look up.
`There couldn't be a better time than tonight, Dean,' she told him gently. Harry also tried to assure Dean, `You know you can trust Hermione.' Dean nodded in response; taking his hand off Ginny's and putting it around her shoulders instead, pulling her gently to him, asked, `Why can't it wait till morning though?'
As gently as she could manage, Hermione said, `I just don't think Ginny should go to sleep again until we find out more.'
She could see Dean tense at the reminder of what had happened when Ginny had last slept before he simply nodded in agreement. `Let's go then,' he said in a choked voice. Ginny had remained unmoving for the duration of this exchange as though their voices weren't reaching her.
Ron turned up at that moment, knocking loudly on the front door. Despite his fears for his sister and the gloomy mood he encountered amongst his friends, he wasn't able to stop himself from looking positively elated. When he told them all why, there was a brief moment of normality and joy as they all congratulated him.
Ginny seemed to come to herself long enough to hug her brother tightly, tears sparkling in her eyes. `And I thought I'd have to give you a little helpful nudge to get you to propose to Luna!' she exclaimed.
Ron pretended to look shocked. `As if I'd need any sort of help!'
While Ginny went and changed, Hermione pulled Dean aside and asked him to bring the rose necklace he'd mentioned earlier with him but without Ginny knowing. He gave her a puzzled look but nodded. When Ginny emerged from the bedroom, looking subdued and withdrawn once more, he told her he wanted to change his top and once in the bedroom, quickly went to Ginny's bedside drawer. As he pulled it open, his eye was caught immediately by the glint of glass and he picked up the rose, almost dropping it again in astonishment when he realised it wasn't the necklace. As he looked over the various pieces of jewellery, hair accessories and bits and bobs in the drawer, Dean spotted the rose necklace, then stood there, stunned, with both his hands outstretched, a rose sitting in the palm of each one. They were almost identical - but there were small differences. Where the hell had the other one come from?
Ginny's voice, calling his name, roused him from his reverie and he hastily shoved the roses, one into each of the front pockets of his jeans. He whipped off his top and threw it on the bed as he walked around it to the cupboard, pulling it open and grabbing a clean shirt which he pulled on quickly and started buttoning up.
Ginny's head appeared around the door and he gave her a quick smile. `Coming,' he said, walking towards her.
They Flooed to Hogwarts, straight to Professor McGonagall's office; while visitors and others could Floo out of the Headmaster's office, only the Headmaster himself could Floo directly into his office. Hermione had sent Hedwig ahead before they'd even left for Dean's and so Professor McGonagall was waiting for them, immediately escorting them to the entrance of Dumbledore's office.
As the door opened to the Headmaster's beautiful circular office, they filed in, but the usual words of greeting froze on each set of lips.
Draco Malfoy was standing beside Dumbledore's desk, his hands thrust into the pockets of his expensive black pants, his equally expensive silk robes hooked behind them. His head turned at the sound of their entry, his grey eyes scanning the group, stopping immediately when they found Ginny's bright brown gaze. The Professor was sitting in his chair, but stood and smiled at them all as they entered.
Then something happened that no one had expected or ever thought they would witness.
Ginny broke away from them and ran to Malfoy, throwing her arms around his neck and laying her head on his chest, sighing his name but so softly that only he could hear her.
Everyone, including Dumbledore and Malfoy himself, was momentarily transfixed. Then Ginny's head dropped back as she looked up at Malfoy. She made his name a question as she spoke softly, `Draco?'
Malfoy, his hands still in his pockets, stood staring down at her as though he couldn't fathom what she was doing there.
Then everyone seemed to move at once. Malfoy pulled his hands out of his pockets and quickly took hold of Ginny's wrists, pulling her arms down from around his neck, stepping back away from her, his eyes flicking momentarily to Dean then Harry, fear evident in their grey depths. Harry was staring at him fixedly, almost as much disgust and hatred in his eyes as there was in Dean's. Ginny started to struggle against his grasp, apparently wanting to put her arms around his neck again. Dean almost ran to them and grabbed Ginny around the waist from behind, pulling her back as though away from some form of horrible contamination.
`Get the hell away from her you bastard!' he hissed at Malfoy, glaring at him over the top of Ginny's head.
Malfoy put his hands in the air to show he had no intention of trying to touch Ginny, he glared back at Dean, his voice not much more than a sneer, `I didn't touch her - she grabbed me!' Fucking Thomas! He couldn't believe how much he loathed him. Or how jealous he was of him. The idiot didn't deserve her!
Dumbledore had risen to his feet and was walking around his desk, waving his hand to conjure an armchair for each of them, joining Dean to help lead Ginny to one of the armchairs.
Harry and Hermione were standing on each side of Ron, holding his arms. He'd tried to rush towards Malfoy, a deep growl coming from his throat at the sight of Ginny flinging her arms around the man he hated more than any other. For Harry's part, it was only because he had to concentrate on restraining his friend that prevented him from blasting Malfoy with a vicious curse, wand or no wand. Even the fact that Malfoy had provided assistance when Hermione had been kidnapped didn't, in Harry's eyes, elevate him above the level of slime.
Dumbledore looked up at Malfoy.
`I think, Mr Malfoy, it would be best if you left us now,' he said courteously. He was very aware that the only thing preventing Dean, Harry and Ron from literally tearing Malfoy apart (after hexing him into the next dimension) was his own presence and their respect for him. Malfoy knew it too and, giving an abrupt nod, turned on his heel and walked to the door. As he grasped the handle, he looked back at Dumbledore.
`I'll be visiting with Professor Snape.'
For a moment, his eyes flicked to Ginny who was looking at him with a forlorn expression on her face, tears in her eyes.
The Headmaster nodded at Malfoy then returned to sit behind his desk as the door clicked shut.
Resting his elbows on the arms of his chair, he steepled his fingers under his chin and gave them all a small smile, the trademark twinkle just evident in his blue eyes.
`Quite the most eventful evening I've had in some time,' he commented wryly. `Please, sit down you three,' he went on, `I think Mr Weasley has himself under control now.'
The professor watched as Harry and Hermione led Ron to sit beside Ginny; Dean was on her right. Then Hermione sat between Ron and Harry, who took the seat on the end to Hermione's left.
`What the hell was he doing here?' rasped Dean, asking the question they all wanted to know the answer to.
`I'm so sorry, Mr Thomas,' said Dumbledore, his quiet voice full of regret, `that you were greeted like that. I'll be able to tell you a little later, I think, as to why Mr Malfoy was here.' His glance fell on Ginny as he spoke; she was sitting, her arms wrapped around herself, her head down, not looking at anyone.
`Now, Miss Granger,' continued Dumbledore, `in your owl you mentioned some research you'd done into the Malfoy family that may well concern Miss Weasley. Please share what you know with everyone here if you'd be so kind.'
Hermione stood up so that everyone could see her, nodding at the professor in acknowledgement as she did so.
`This actually started the morning I was kidnapped by those two Death Eaters, Jugson and Mulciber.' She saw Harry noticeably flinch as she spoke of that very traumatic incident in their lives and held his gaze for a moment before continuing. `Their stated reason for making an appointment to see me was that they wanted me to research the Malfoys and their connection with Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Of course, I never actually got around to it at the time and I've always thought it was just a ploy. Then, a few weeks ago when there was a slight lull in my workload, their request came back to me. So, I decided to follow it up, although mainly just the research into the Malfoy family - there's enough of that without getting into their connections with Death Eaters and so forth. Once I started, I have to say that I was amazed at what could be found out. I've mainly concentrated on the Malfoys for reasons I imagine are obvious in that I - well, all of us here - have had first hand contact with them, and for an extended period of time with at least one of them.'
At that point, the door to Dumbledore's office swung open and Professor McGonagall's head appeared around the edge of it.
`Sorry to interrupt, Albus,' she said, `but Mr Longbottom is rather frantically trying to get hold of Mr Potter or Miss Granger and will not take "wait" for an answer.' Out of habit, she sniffed disapprovingly as she finished, perhaps forgetting for a moment that they were no longer students.
Neville had finally remembered he was supposed to be at Harry and Hermione's but when he found that they weren't at home and nor were Dean and Ginny, he'd gone to see Ron and it was Luna who filled him in by repeating what Ron had told her. So he now appeared, walking around Professor McGonagall and into the room looking a little dishevelled and also rather disconcerted. Harry and Hermione couldn't help but exchange an amused glance before Harry stood up and gestured at Neville to come and join them.
`Thank you Minerva!' said Dumbledore graciously, then smiled at Neville. `Good to see you again, Mr Longbottom,' he said jovially. Professor McGonagall could be heard to sniff again just before the door closed.
`Yes, well, good to see you again, too, sir, of course and I'm sorry for interrupting.'
`You're not interrupting Neville,' said Hermione as, at Hermione's direction, he sat down between Ron and Harry in her empty armchair, the Headmaster conjuring yet another arm chair on Harry's left for Hermione as some quiet "hellos" were exchanged among the friends.
`Actually,' said Harry, leaning towards Neville, `we're here because of Ginny.'
Neville held up his hand, and looked around at each of them as he spoke. `It's all right, Luna gave me a brief outline of what's happened so I won't hold you up - just continue on, please. Hermione?'
Dean looked relieved that he wouldn't have to suffer through another repetition of the night's events, his eyes, worried and concerned, returning to rest on Ginny's bent head.
Giving Neville a small smile, Hermione, continued, `I've only just finished telling everyone what I've been researching and since you know about that I'll just go on from there.' Hermione's gaze drifted briefly to Harry whose green eyes, filled with love and tenderness, were looking at her and she knew he could see the regret in her eyes - regret because they weren't at home, alone, just the two of them, talking and…well, making up. Harry raised one eyebrow while one side of his mouth lifted to indicate a smile as he caught the look in Hermione's eyes and she quickly looked down, hoping she wouldn't blush. Of all times and places to start thinking about that! she chastised herself.
Clearing her throat, Hermione pulled herself together and took a deep breath before continuing. `Right,' she said, `I have discovered many things about the Malfoys and their traditions during my research, but Ginny's problem has highlighted a particular aspect of that research concerning Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Black Malfoy.' She took a breath and looked at Dean and Ginny. Dean was giving her all his attention, Ginny was watching her fingers as they lay in her lap, twisting and turning incessantly. `I can now say with confidence that it is a fact that Lucius Malfoy employed certain Dark Arts to ensnare and keep the love of Narcissa Black and those same Dark Arts are now being used on Ginny.'
Ginny's fingers topped moving. Not a word or sound was uttered by anyone - they simply looked at Hermione, waiting…
She turned to Dean and held out her hand. `Dean, would you please give me the rose necklace you told us about?'
Ginny almost shot to her feet on hearing this then just as quickly subsided into her seat, looking very embarrassed, her gaze once more dropping to her hands as they lay in her lap. Dumbledore and Hermione exchanged a quick look as Dean stood up and reached into both his pockets.
`Actually, Hermione,' he said, as he walked towards her, `I found two of those roses.'
As he reached her, he held out both his hands; in his left lay the first rose Malfoy had given Ginny, in his right lay the necklace.
Hermione and Dumbledore once again exchanged a look before both glanced quickly back to Ginny. She was now staring transfixed at Dean's hands, her eyes moving to Dumbledore when he rose from his chair. All eyes were on Dean and the Professor and no one noticed Ginny suddenly sitting up straight, tension in every line of her body.
What's wrong with me? Ginny wondered wildly as she stared at the two tiny glass roses in Dean's hands. She could hear the voices of others in the room, but they seemed to be coming from a great distance and they weren't important. Only Draco was important. No he's not! Why am I thinking that? And the roses. Dean has my roses. How did he get my roses? NO! They're Malfoy's roses, not mine! But why is Professor Dumbledore taking them? YES! Give them to Dumbledore, please! Draco! Where are you? I don't care! He can go to hell! I need you! DRACO!
Ginny felt as though some terrible pressure was building within her - she felt as though she had no control over her own thoughts which seemed to be at war inside her head.
`I'll take those, Mr Thomas,' said Dumbledore firmly, holding out his hand. No one was looking at Ginny.
Dean obediently leant forward and placed the roses in Dumbledore's outstretched hand. `Professor, what are they?' Dean asked.
`These are the rightful property of Narcissa Malfoy,' he replied solemnly. Ginny screamed as the roses were placed in Dumbledore's hands.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
`Are you sure she's all right?' Dean kept repeating a couple of minutes later, his hand resting tenderly on the side of Ginny's face. Ginny appeared to be asleep; she was curled up on the magically lengthened armchair with a blanket over her. She had been so distraught and incoherent when Dean surrendered the roses to Dumbledore that the Headmaster had cast a charm on her.
Dumbledore nodded. `Yes, I'm sure she's all right, Mr Thomas. It was a very gentle charm I used, I assure you. She is simply asleep now. I think it's for the best until we finish our discussion here.'
`She won't have any of those nightmares, will she?' asked Dean, his voice sharp with concern.
Dumbledore shook his head. `I shouldn't think so now that I have the roses.' The roses had disappeared into a pocket somewhere inside his voluminous robes. He turned to Hermione with a smile. `Shall we try again, Miss Granger?'
Hermione stood once more and after giving Dean a look full of sympathy, picked up the threads of her explanation.
`Those roses that you had, Dean, were actually given to Narcissa Black by Lucius Malfoy and, as you've no doubt guessed, they were charmed. I knew about the roses from my research - but I had no idea, of course, that Ginny had any of them in her possession until you told us tonight.' Dean sat, stunned by this revelation. Malfoy had given Ginny those roses? When? How? At least he didn't have to wonder why, he thought bitterly. Ever since Malfoy had admitted under the effects of Veritaserum that he loved Ginny he'd been a thorn in Dean's side and obviously had no compunction in using the Dark Arts to get anything he wanted - even something that didn't belong to him, something that would never otherwise be given freely to him: Ginny's love. He felt hatred twist and writhe inside himself like some black, hateful snake before Hermione's voice drew him back to the present. `Anyhow,' she continued, `Lucius gave Narcissa the first rose shortly after they met. The second he gave her as an engagement present although she received it before their engagement was announced, and there's a third one, which he gave her as part of his wedding present to her.'
Dean's hands were clenched into tight fists as he stared intently at Hermione, unblinking, hanging on every word.
Hermione took another deep breath. It was all very well reading about this. It was an entirely different matter when you were relaying this information to people whose lives were affected by it, especially people you knew and loved. Looking back at Dean, she continued, `I would say that Narcissa was attracted to Lucius when she met him and he undoubtedly to her, but he nevertheless wanted to make sure that he was the only one she would be interested in. The first rose was charmed using the Evinco Charm to keep her interest and to enthral her so that she continued to see him and it enabled her feelings for him to grow. The effect of that Charm is that the person is enthralled and conquered - in this case it's their emotions and heart involved. I have no doubt that Narcissa had dreams as Ginny did, the difference being that Narcissa was voluntarily involved with Lucius while Ginny, on the other hand, was fighting any involvement with Draco and so where Narcissa dreamed, Ginny had nightmares.'
Dean unconsciously nodded in agreement as he listened.
`I don't believe,' continued Hermione, `Narcissa would've remembered the contents of her dreams with just the first rose in her possession - but I do know from my research that all of her positive feelings and interest in Lucius were magnified by that first rose. However, the addition of the second rose to the mix made a rather significant difference, although the roses had to be together for the maximum effect to be achieved. The second rose carries the Concupisco Charm and would've magnified Narcissa's desire.
Dean felt as though he'd been hit in the stomach as he realised that Malfoy must've given Ginny that first rose sometime ago - and she'd never told him! How long had that first insidious charm been affecting her? Then he also realised he'd been the one to unwittingly put the roses together tonight - right beside Ginny as she slept - no doubt triggering the dream she'd had! Despite the turmoil these thoughts caused, he couldn't afford to miss anything and so he quickly forced his attention back to what Hermione was saying.
`So when he proposed to her, Lucius gave her that second rose. Remember that Narcissa had feelings for Lucius as it was and the Charms were simply magnifying and cementing them. Her bond with him would've been strengthened, ensuring she would stay with him, love him and -' Hermione hesitated, looking at Dean quickly before continuing, `- it would bring to the fore her desire for him.' Dean's eyes closed as his head snapped back, sucking in air through clenched teeth. While he had told Harry, Hermione and Ron of Ginny's latest nightmare earlier that evening, he'd deliberately kept from them his belief that Ginny had been dreaming of making love to Malfoy although as he'd watched her, he'd known it. That was why he'd been so sickened and shocked. He knew how she looked when being made love to.
Hermione's voice penetrated the painful thoughts and memories swirling in Dean's head and he dragged his attention back to her once more.
`When Narcissa gave herself to him, no doubt in dreams at first, many times over so that she was more than ready for the reality, it would have sealed the bond and that, together with the third rose, with it's Teneo Charm, would make it impossible for her to love any other man - or make love to any other man. Ever. This is the Charm of possession and holding and keeping that possession.'
Dean felt even sicker. `I don't even know when he gave her the first rose!' he cried. `And what if he'd given her the third one?'
Hermione gazed sadly at Dean. Finding out Ginny had one of the Malfoy roses had been a shock, knowing what she did about them; finding out she had two for an unknown period of time was something that had her extremely worried.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione told him, `Having found out only tonight about Ginny's possession of the Malfoy roses, I can't be absolutely certain, but undoubtedly the effect of the Charms on Ginny would be rather different than that experienced by Narcissa. Malfoy's mother was voluntarily involved with his father - Ginny on the other hand, loves you Dean and not Malfoy, so she's been fighting the effects of the Charms and I think the overall effect on her has been quite adverse - her nightmares and so on. I'd say she's been able to fight it to a certain degree as the power of a single rose is a lot less. However, the second rose -' Hermione hesitated; she would really only be speculating, not having had a chance to speak to Ginny. She also didn't have the heart to point out to Dean that it was probably sheer luck Ginny had received the roses in the order they were intended to be given. She had no idea what would've happened had Draco given her the rose with the Teneo Charm first - but she had no doubt it would've probably been disastrous. Her gaze went to Harry who gave a small smile and nod of encouragement.
Hermione unconsciously ran her fingers through her hair, then sighed. `Dean,' she continued, `I could be wrong - I don't really know how much or in what way Ginny's been affected, not yet, so this is only guessing on my part - please don't take it to heart.'
Dean nodded. `I understand Hermione - but you know more about those roses than anyone here and I'd like to hear what you think. I know it might not be right, that's okay - I just need to know something, anything.'
`Well, because we don't know how long since Ginny was given the first rose -'
Dumbledore made a slight noise and sat forward, leaning on his desk. `So sorry to interrupt, Miss Granger, but I can give you that information.'
All eyes were trained on Dumbledore as he spoke. `Mr Malfoy told me earlier this evening.' He looked solemnly at Dean. `Apparently, the night he left London, Mr Malfoy paid Miss Weasley a visit. It was some months ago, now.'
`That, um, I think was probably when you were in Scotland, Dean,' broke in Neville, thinking back. He'd arranged the Portkey for Malfoy that night.
Dean didn't think he'd be able to absorb any more shocks tonight. Starting with Ginny's nightmare, then discovering two roses that, as it turned out, had come from Malfoy, to seeing her run to Malfoy just a short while ago… he shook his head; he felt emotionally battered. And now this. Ginny hadn't told him about Malfoy visiting her while he'd been in Scotland. But then, if that was when Malfoy gave her the first rose…months ago…the charm had been infecting her from that night…what else had happened that he didn't know about?
Hermione, her heart going out to Dean, said forcefully, `Ginny loves you Dean, don't forget that! That's the main reason she's been affected the way she has! The charm would've been forcing her thoughts to him and no doubt influencing her feelings - but she was always fighting it on some level! Don't forget that!'
Dean stared at her as though he hadn't heard. `What if he'd given her the third rose?'
No one spoke. Dean looked from Hermione to Dumbledore and back again. `Well?' he demanded.
Dumbledore spoke first. `I don't believe we should speculate on that, Mr Thomas. We have no way of knowing, truly, what would have happened.'
`Hermione?' Dean's voice was tense.
Hermione shrugged. `I honestly don't know Dean.' She couldn't meet his gaze. He continued to stare at her, compelling her to speak again. `But you have thought about it. You have ideas.'
Hermione sighed. `Dean, we truly don't know, but - well, I can't imagine it would have been anything less than…dangerous. The Teneo Charm it carried, when combined with the others…' Hermione shook her head. She really didn't want to contemplate Ginny's fate if Malfoy had given her the third rose.
It became too much for Ron, who sprang to his feet, yelling, `And that filthy scum Malfoy gave her those cursed trinkets knowing - '
`Not so, Mr Weasley,' interrupted Dumbledore, holding his hand up.
`What do you mean?' Ron only just managed to keep from snarling out of respect to the Headmaster.
`Mr Malfoy didn't know the roses were charmed.'
Dean and Ron made almost identical strangled sounds of disbelief.
`Please, gentlemen, just listen - Mr Weasley, please sit down.'
Ron lowered himself slowly into his chair, Harry leaning over to speak quietly to him, attempting to calm him.
Before Hermione could sit down, Neville hopped up and moved over to take the end seat so that she could sit next to Harry. She threw him a grateful smile and then they all turned their attention to Professor Dumbledore.
As the headmaster began to speak, Hermione felt Harry's arm slide across her shoulders, his hand gently squeezing her shoulder. She lifted her hand to his in acknowledgement, their fingers entwining. Despite the current situation, neither could help but be aware of the wonderful tingling sensation that shot through them with this small act of physical contact and the quick glance they shared was filled with love and anticipation.
Dumbledore, gazing at Dean, said calmly, `Mr Malfoy came to see me earlier this evening because he was concerned about Miss Weasley.' The Headmaster ignored the derogatory sound made by Ron as he continued, `He found out only this morning from his mother about the roses his father gave to her. He had no doubt, from the information his mother gave him, that they were in some way charmed, although he didn't know the nature of those charms. He was extremely worried because the loss of those roses seems to have upset his mother greatly. He'd found them and had given two of them to Miss Weasley without knowing they could harm her. As soon as he realised that they could do so, he came to see me.'
Ron made a noise that, translated, probably would've been something like, "bastard!" or perhaps, "bullshit!"
Dumbledore politely ignored it and turned to look at Dean. `Mr Thomas, we can only hope that Miss Weasley will make a full recovery. I think it would be best if you were to take her to the hospital wing tonight and I'll meet you there a little later. You can Floo there. Tell Madame Pomfrey I will be along soon.' Dean stood and leant down to pick up Ginny, who still appeared to be sleeping peacefully. He turned and walked to the large fireplace, Neville jumping up to assist by throwing in the Floo powder for him.
The Headmaster watched as Dean stepped into the green flames and disappeared, desolation in the lingering echo of his voice as he stated his destination, then he turned back and spoke to the now saddened gathering of friends.
`I'll be able to return the roses to Mr Malfoy now and tell him we are hoping that Miss Weasley will be fine. Once he gives the roses back to his mother, I would hope she would begin to feel much better. Although sadly, I feel she will continue to suffer the pain of estrangement from her husband who no longer appears to care for her.' What he didn't tell them was that Draco was coming back to Hogwarts to stay, bringing his mother. She would be safe there and wouldn't be alone when he left to go after his father as he'd sworn to do. He didn't think it prudent to share such information with his former pupils on this particular night.
The Professor rose to his feet. `I think we've all had our fill this evening,' he announced. He turned to Ron. `I imagine you were planning on seeing your parents and telling them about this?' he inquired. Ron merely nodded. `I thought so,' murmured Dumbledore. `Well, don't worry, Mr Weasley, I will see them tomorrow and let them know everything. I think perhaps you should return home and rest. You are, after all, involved in a very important body of work at the moment: the organisation of The Quidditch World Cup.' The famous twinkle was very evident as he spoke.
Ron nodded wearily as he stood up, a little ashamed at his relief that he didn't have to be the one to explain what had happened to his parents and grateful to the Professor for taking on that burden; it would've been a harrowing experience. They all stood then and Ron hugged Hermione and Harry, shaking hands with Neville, before turning back to Dumbledore. `Thanks Professor,' he said quietly. `I have a feeling Ginny will be all right now - thank you. And especially you, Hermione.' He turned to Hermione and pulled her into another hug. As he pulled back and smiled down at her, he added, `Our little bookworm has saved the day once again, eh?' Hermione smiled warmly at him.
`I should think you can all come and visit Miss Weasley from tomorrow afternoon if you'd like,' the Professor told them. With a wave of acknowledgement, Ron grabbed a handful of Floo powder and left. Neville also hugged Hermione and then shook Harry's hand. `I don't suppose we'll need to worry about our little meeting now,' he said wryly, looking from one to the other.
Putting his arm around Hermione's waist and pulling her close, Harry agreed. `By the way,' he asked, `where were you tonight?' Neville pushed his hands into his pockets and suddenly found his shoes to be a fascinating sight, a rather inarticulate noise escaping him by way of answer.
`A long, leisurely dinner with Priscilla kept you, did it?' asked Harry, unable to help himself from baiting his friend.
`Harry! Don't be mean!' said Hermione, although she couldn't help but smile. `Neville, it's all right, we understand. Ignore Harry's teasing.'
Neville shrugged and looked at them, decidedly embarrassed. `Sorry, I just got caught up and clean forgot.'
`Still in need of a Remembrall, Mr Longbottom?' said Dumbledore, his tone one of amusement.
Harry and Hermione laughed and Neville, after a slight hesitation, joined them. Taking his hands from his pockets he held them up in defeat, still laughing. `All right, I'm going now. I'll probably see you all here in the next day or so when we visit Ginny.'
Harry and Hermione left soon after Neville, although not before Hermione asked when they would be discussing the Safe Keeping Charm, Dumbledore assuring her it would be very soon.
Not too long after seeing them off, the Headmaster was once again seated at his desk, looking across it at Draco Malfoy who sat, tension in every line of his body, listening to the Professor's recount of the evening's events - or at least, what Dumbledore thought he needed to know. When he'd finished, Malfoy's gaze fell to the two roses lying in the middle of the desk. Then he looked back up at the old wizard as he said, `I'll take them to her tonight and I'll be back tomorrow. With my mother.'
`Very well, Mr Malfoy, you may certainly take these now,' he indicated the roses, `I imagine the sooner they're returned to their rightful owner, the better.'
Draco picked up the roses and stood looking at them as they lay in the palm of his hand. Would they help his mother at all? Was it something else that was causing her problem? Once she was here, at Hogwarts, Dumbledore may be able to help. A bitter smile creased his features. He hadn't told his mother he was bringing her to Hogwarts. He wasn't certain that she'd agree, despite her current state. She, like her husband and her son, disliked Dumbledore on principle. It rankled that he and his parents were all indebted, however small the degree, to Dumbledore, who had never shown discrimination when it came to those allowed entry to Hogwarts for their education. The old fool. If his father had had his way and he'd gone to Durmstrang, he wondered how different his life would be…
Malfoy didn't say another word until he reached the door when he turned back to say in a tight, hard voice, `Thank you.' Dumbledore nodded in acknowledgement, knowing full well how hard it was for this man to say such a thing to him and how much he must hate being in the position of having to do so. It paid to have those who had been (and perhaps may still prove to be) your enemy, indebted to you.
At the bottom of the moving staircase, the gargoyle once more covered the entrance to the Headmaster's office. Draco Malfoy fell back against the wall, feeling exhausted. It was bad enough having the worry of his mother constantly on his mind, but having to face those bloody cursed wretches - Thomas, Potter, Weasley, Granger and Longbottom - was, he thought, the last straw…that was until the shock of Ginevra's reaction to him. All because of the roses. If he'd only known…
His head dropped back against the wall. He hadn't been able to believe it! The look in her eyes - and then she'd run to him - to him! Because of the roses, but nevertheless… She'd thrown her arms around his neck - and the way she'd whispered his name! The soft sound of her speaking his name still seemed to hang in the air…he could still feel the pressure of her body pressed against his, could still smell the lingering scent she wore… He lifted his head and looked down at the two roses lying in the palm of his hand. If it was anyone else but his mother that needed these…
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's Note
Don't go anywhere without leaving me a fix - oops, I mean a review!
Just a little warning - my next update won't be next Thursday/Friday but it SHOULD be the Thursday/Friday after that. Next weekend is a totally free one for me and I plan on filling it up with writing (I'm smiling just thinking about it!). Also, you've been wonderfully patient about Harry and Hermione - the next chapter opens with them, I promise!
xxxx Janie oooo
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