Unofficial Portkey Archive

You wear guilt
Like shackles on your feet
Like a halo in reverse
I can feel
The discomfort in your seat
And in your head it's worse

And when our worlds they fall apart
When the walls come tumbling in
Though we may deserve it
It will be worth it

Harry held Ginny's lifeless body in his arms and tried not to panic. He needed to keep his wits; she needed him. "Ginny, Ginny, can you hear me?"

Blood flowed from the huge wound across the top of her head and there were countless bruises on her face. Her eyes were swelling so much that Harry didn't think she would be able to open them even if she wanted to.

"Someone help us!" Harry shouted, hoping for once that nosy old Filch was close by.

Ginny appeared to be breathing, but her breaths were short and ragged, and she had lost so much blood. It was soaking through Harry's robes and covered the stairs. Harry heard someone approach and was grateful to see Filch with Mrs. Norris at his side.

"What did you do this time Potter?" he accused, in his scratchy voice.

Harry gave Filch his dirtiest look and saw that he had not fully taken in the situation. He walked down the stairs and took in the circumstances more fully, then covered his mouth, backing away with the words, "I'll fetch Poppy" on his lips.

Harry leaned closer over Ginny, whispered, "Madam Pomfrey is on her way. Don't worry. You're going to be fine." Harry hoped he was telling her the truth; he'd never seen anyone hurt this bad, and hoped there was enough magic to fix her. He had to tell her how sorry he was.

Ginny was placed in a bed in the back of the hospital wing, near Madam Pomfrey's office, the curtains were drawn, and Harry wasn't allowed to see her. He had gotten into an argument with Madam Pomfrey, and was now sitting against the wall outside the doors. He had demanded to stay near her, and Madam Pomfrey had puffed up like a mother hen and shoved him out. Professor McGonagall had come soon after Ginny had arrived and had finally re-emerged from the room to address Harry.

"I am glad you're still here Mr. Potter. Madam Pomfrey and I had some questions."

Harry stood up and asked, "Ginny, is she alright, will she be alright?"

Professor McGonagall looked at Harry sternly, then said, "Miss Weasley's condition is very serious. She has lost a great deal of blood, and though she has been given a blood-replenishing potion, she is still quite weak. She is covered in bruises, and though some we can understand were ascertained in the fall, there are some that are suspicious."

Harry lowered his head. He felt so ashamed for losing control. He hadn't meant to hurt her; he never would intentionally hurt her.

But he had. It was just like Hermione always said, he was always acting out before he had a plan, and now Ginny was lying in a hospital bed because of him.

"Potter?"

Harry looked at Professor McGonagall and said, "Ginny…Ginny and I, we had a row, and I grabbed her. I hurt her."

Harry's bright green eyes looked unblinkingly into Professor McGonagall's.

"This is very serious Potter. You will have to report to Headmaster Dumbledore at once. No student has the right to physically abuse another. Change your robes, and then report to Dumbledore." She frowned and looked at him with a deep sorrow in her eyes. "The password is peppermint humbug. Now go."

Harry was hesitant to leave. He knew he had to see Dumbledore, but he wanted to see Ginny. He had to apologize. He was angry with her for carrying on with Malfoy behind his back, but he'd never meant to go yell at her or grab her or hurt her or even humiliate her in front of their entire house.

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat to get him moving, and Harry slowly began to trudge towards Gryffindor Tower.

His mind working fast, trying to make sense out of all the thoughts running through his head. Why had Ginny fallen in the first place? She wasn't clumsy anymore; she walked with the grace and poise of a queen. Was she running from him? From the horrible things he said? He had made her cry, maybe she couldn't see and had lost her footing. Oh gods, it was all his fault.

Then that little voice in the back of his mind began to taunt him. The one that was always there, assuring him of defeat.

She was running to Draco Malfoy. Her lover. You hurt her, so she was running to the comfort of his arms.

Harry felt his temper rise again. If that was where she was going, he had sent her there.

******************************************

Draco and Blaise had gone to the far end of the lake, out of sight of prying eyes, to share a bottle of fire whiskey and talk about women. There was practically nothing left in the bottle when Draco decided it was time to head back.

"Hoping Shinny will be in your bed?" Blaise slurred, gesturing obscenely.

"Don't talk about her like that!" Draco snapped. "And give me that bottle. You never could handle your drink." He tipped up the bottled and downed the last of the thick liquid. He stood up and brushed himself off, then offered a hand to Blaise.

Blaise weaved as they made their way back to the castle. Draco wasn't nearly as drunk, he'd had about half the bottle, listened to Blaise complain about Bailey Pringle wanting to keep their baby, and tried not to worry about Ginny. He remembered he had wanted to throw Ginny's locket into the lake and reached into his pocket to do just that. It wasn't there. "Bloody hell, where is it?"

Blaise stopped a few feet ahead and backtracked. "Where's what?"

"Potter's stupid locket. I was going to toss it. I had it in my pocket earlier."

"Oh yessss. I know what you're on about."

Blaise swayed and Draco reached out to steady him. "You're pissed. Let's get you to bed, and I'll look later."

Draco and Blaise made it into the front doors without incident, but on their way down the stairs to the dungeons the distinct sound of two people arguing reached their ears. Draco pushed Blaise back into the shadows so they could listen and motioned for him to be quiet. Even as he did, Blaise seemed to have fallen asleep against the wall, so Draco leaned forward as far as he could to listen.

"What do you want me to do about it?" Draco recognized Professor Snape's voice. But he didn't know who he was talking to.

"I ain't got the stomach for it. I don't usually have to clean up messes like that. I don't know who else to ask. I helped you when that beast ripped into your leg a couple years ago-"

"ALRIGHT!"

Suddenly Professor Snape was heading toward Draco and Blaise with Filch right behind him. Why did Filch need Snape's help cleaning up? That was beneath him.

Draco jabbed Blaise and emerged from the shadows to walk casually down to the common room. Snape looked surprised to see them, but quickly masked his face. "Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Zabini. A little late to be out of bed. And reeking of fire whiskey too? That is not the behavior of a head boy is it, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Sorry, Professor, Blaise got bad news, and was drowning his sorrows."

Blaise blinked back a few tears, and let out a sigh.

Professor Snape waved them away and started up the steps. He didn't care that they were off drinking, but he didn't want them asking questions that were none of their business. The fact that he was walking with Filch was sure to arouse suspicion, and he didn't need any more rumors swirling around about him.

Draco pushed Blaise towards the boy's dorm staircase, and then silently followed Snape and Filch; he was just drunk enough that he had to know what was going on.

*************************************************

Harry reached the fat lady and was about to say the password when she turned her back on him.

"I deserve an apology," she sniffed from over her shoulder. "Your treatment of me, honestly! Why, I could keep you out here all night, you know!"

Harry knew that he deserved it. "I am sorry for yelling at you," he said meekly. "I'm sorry for everything I've done tonight."

She nodded curtly.

"Sugar Quills." Harry crept in cautiously, holding his breath, not knowing what to expect. It was empty, and was fairly dark, and he was about to make his way up the stairs when a fist made solid contact with his face.

"Bloody sodding hell!" Harry yelped, stumbling back.

Ron had been sitting on the bottom step, hidden in the dark, waiting for him.

Hermione's head popped up from the couch where she'd fallen asleep. "Ron! You promised!" she yelled.

Ron kept his fierce gaze on Harry as he said, "I lied."

Harry was sure his nose was broken. "I suppose I deserve that."

Ron was advancing on him with the fierce look of a Hungarian Horntail. "You suppose you? You effing suppose? You bloody git! Do you have any idea what you did to my sister? She's probably in her room, crying her eyes out-"

"She's not."

"What?" Ron was caught off guard. "Where is she then? What did you do to her?"

Harry used his sleeve to stop the bleeding from his nose, and looked from Ron to Hermione. He'd have to tell them about Ginny. His robes were too dark, and they couldn't see Ginny's blood on them in the fading firelight. "Ginny's not in her room Ron. I, I, went for a fly after, I uh, left here. And when I got back I was coming up the stairs, and I found Ginny. She was hurt. She's in hospital. I'm sorry." He rushed through the end; he didn't know how to tell Ron. They'd been angry with each other before, but they had never come to blows before.

Hermione came over and put an arm around Harry, trying to hug him when she saw the blood on him. "Harry! You're hurt!"

"No, it's not my blood."

Ron and Harry stared at each other as Ron headed for the portrait hole. Before stepping through he turned back to Harry, "If anything happens to my sister…"

**************************************************

Draco sobered quickly as he followed Snape and Filch up two flights of stairs, keeping to the shadows. He had no idea what they were up to. They hadn't exchanged any more words since they had left the dungeons, and Draco's curiosity was nearly getting the best of him. They stopped at the base of the second floor and he saw Snape remove his wand from his pocket as Filch turned away.

Draco couldn't see what was on the floor that needed cleaning, but he could hear Snape ask Filch what had happened.

"Horrible mess…Weasley girl fell…"

Draco felt his heart drop. Ginny? She had fallen? Draco could feel himself shaking as he turned on his heel and rushed down the stairs to the hospital wing. If she was that badly hurt, that was where she would be. He couldn't believe that there was anything wrong, how had she fallen? What had happened? He had to see Ginny; he had to make sure that she was alright. Draco vowed that if Harry Potter was responsible for this, he would kill him.

He really cared for Ginny, and he was terrified that he might lose her. He felt like he was having a nightmare, Ginny was lying in a hospital bed, just a few feet away from him, and just this afternoon they were together and happy. She couldn't be badly hurt; he was only just realizing how vital she was to his life. He didn't think he'd ever have anyone in his life that cared for him the way she did, and he could not lose her

Draco reached the entrance to the infirmary and as quietly as possible opened the door. There was only one bed occupied, the curtains closed. As Draco made his way over, Madam Pomfrey emerged from behind the curtains. "What are you doing here Mr. Malfoy? No visitors."

Draco tried to speak, but couldn't quite get anything out. He swallowed hard then looked at Madam Pomfrey. "How is she? Will she be alright?"

Her expression softened slightly - most likely due to the fact that Draco Malfoy had never shown concern for anything but himself - but answered, "She's resting. You need to go."

Draco took her hand and looked into her eyes, "Please. Please Madam Pomfrey, please let me see her. I have to…" Draco looked pleadingly into her eyes, and Madam Pomfrey reluctantly gave in.

.Draco took a deep breath, and asked again how she was, holding his breath for the answer.

"She has not regained consciousness," she admitted with a sigh. "Her appearance maybe be something of a shock." She pointed to Ginny's curtain. "Ten minutes. No more."

Draco's hands shook as he pulled the curtains back and stepped inside. Draco let out an involuntary gasp. Ginny's face was unrecognizable. It was so swollen and bruised, and there was a large bump across the top of her head that looked like it had been healed over, but the swelling had not gone down.

Draco dropped to his knees beside her and gently took her hand in his. "I'm so sorry, love. I don't know who did this to you, but they will suffer, I promise you."

Madam Pomfrey was counting the minutes when Ron stormed in.

"Where is my sister?" he shouted.

"Keep your voice down, Mr. Weasley. She is trying to rest."

Ron looked contrite, then started toward the bed when Madam Pomfrey said, "I don't want any problems Mr. Weasley. Your poor sister has been through enough."

Ron had no idea what she was talking about. He wasn't there to start any problems; he wanted to see his sister. Ron pulled the curtain back and couldn't help his eyes from bulging in his head. Ginny looked so horrible, and to his shock, kneeling at her side, was Malfoy.

"What are you doing here?" Ron didn't bother to hide the hatred in his voice; after all it was his fault that Ginny was here in the first place.

Draco didn't take his eyes off of Ginny as he answered, "I'm exactly where I should be, by Ginny's side."

Ron hauled Draco up by his collar and would probably have punched him, had Madam Pomfrey not walked in.

"Gentlemen! Out! Both of you, there will be no fighting in here."

They both refused to leave, and only after swearing not to fight, or raise their voices, they were allowed to stay. They took two chairs on opposite sides of Ginny's bed, and Ron kept giving Draco his dirtiest looks, and popping his knuckles menacingly.

Draco wasn't the least intimidated, he acted as if Ron wasn't even there, all he cared about was Ginny.

They were sitting in silence for a few minutes with the curtains opened so Madam Pomfrey could keep her eye on them, when Ron asked, "Why?"

Draco looked up from stroking Ginny's hand. "Excuse me?"

"Why are you …interested in my sister? I know you're using her, and I'll kill you Malf-"

"Would I honestly be here if I was using her? Would I? Think about it Weasley. If anyone deserves killing it's whoever did this."

Ron wasn't convinced that Draco was being totally sincere. He was being gentle with Ginny, but that could be a ruse…To get what? The Burrow? Their collection of old Comet and Cleansweep brooms? His dads collection of plugs and batteries? Ron wasn't ready to accept that Draco was genuine, not yet. He continued to throw dirty looks at Draco when the hospital door crashed open, and his mum burst in, followed by his dad, Professor McGonagall and Hermione.

"Where is she? Where is my baby?"

Madam Pomfrey knew it was going to be a very long night trying to keep the room quiet for her patient.

*************************************

Harry washed and dressed, then headed to Dumbledore's office. He was nervous about the retelling of the night's events, and especially of the consequences. Would this be what finally got him tossed out of school? He would deserve it; he'd had no right to hurt Ginny, but he hadn't meant for he to fall down the stairs. That was an accident.

Harry stood in Dumbledore's office waiting for the headmaster to materialize. Harry tried not to let his attention wander too much around the room as that always seemed to get him into trouble. He waited a few minutes before Dumbledore came down the steps.

"Good evening, Harry. I'm sorry to keep you waiting, I had to floo the Weasley's and let them know of Miss Weasley's condition."

Harry felt his spirits sink even more. Of course the Weasley's would need to be contacted, why had he not thought of that sooner?

"Harry? Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall have told me about Miss Weasley's condition, but now I need to find out how she got that way. What can you tell me about what happened tonight, Harry?"

Dumbledore sat down behind his desk and looked over his half moon glasses at Harry.

Harry could see no anger in them - yet - and quickly sat down in the chair opposite Dumbledore. "Well, sir, I was upset, and I…I, grabbed Ginny and I think I shook her, and I grabbed a necklace she was wearing and tore it off her. Then, I um, said some really horrible, unforgivable things to her, and I left. I think Ginny must have tried to go somewhere and fallen. Maybe she was too upset . . ."

Dumbledore studied Harry carefully, his fingers laced, his face drawn and weary. "Harry, you don't need me to say that it's never appropriate to treat a woman so atrociously. You will receive a fitting detention for that crime. However, I am curious as to the circumstances of Miss Weasley's fall. You found her, but you did not actually see her fall?"

"No Sir," he mumbled, the lowest he had ever felt.

Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "You said you were upset when you saw Miss Weasley. Why were you in such a state Harry?"

Harry felt his cheeks color at the remembrance of what Pansy had done in the locker room. "I was told that Ginny did not have the feelings for me I thought she did. I guess I let my emotions rule my actions."

"Who was this person, Harry, who told you that Miss Weasley did not have feelings for you?"

"Pansy Parkinson."

*************************************************

Madam Pomfrey thought she might have to put Mrs. Weasley in bed and give her a calming potion.

Molly shoved her way beside Ginny, in her now crowded little cubicle and gently brushed the hair against her swollen forehead away from her face. "Hermione, dear, can you hand me my bag? Ronald, whatever happened? Poppy, Dumbledore said she had to have a blood-replenishing potion, did it take? Arthur had to have it every hour, when that snake bit him! Oh Arthur! Our baby girl, I can't imagine! Minerva, thank you and Headmaster Dumbledore of course for letting us know so quickly, what happened?! Thank you Draco, dear, I will sit, thank you…DRACO? What are you doing…Oh no! Are the Malfoy's responsible for this AGAIN?"

Mrs. Weasley took the bag that Hermione had just handed to her and swung it at Draco's head.

"No!" Draco said quickly, dodging the bag. "I'm just . . . her."

Ron and Mr. Weasley quickly grabbed Molly as she tried to take another swing at Draco.

"Molly, darling, let's find out what happened," Mr. Weasley reasoned as he appraised the young blond wizard in front of him. He was prepared to believe that Draco Malfoy could be just as evil or worse than Lucius, but something in Draco's eyes did not read the pure evil that his father's did. Draco might have been responsible for all this, but at least he was man enough to be here and accept the consequences for his actions.

"Please," Madam Pomfrey broke in rather crossly, "everyone will keep their voices down! Now, only Mr. and Mrs. Weasley can stay here any longer. There is far too much noise!"

Draco didn't want to leave; he was really worried about Ginny. She was breathing, but she hadn't moved the entire time that he had been there. "Can't I please stay, if I promise not to make any noise? I won't move from this chair I promise." Draco said pulling a chair up a few feet away from the Weasley's, but with a good view of Ginny.

"No!" All three Weasley's and Madam Pomfrey yelled.

Draco was tempted to throw himself on the ground and pound his fists like he used to when he was a small child and his mother dared to deny him a new toy or sweets that he wanted. He wasn't used to not getting his way, and he didn't like the feeling at all, especially when it was of such importance. But no one was paying him any attention, as Mrs. Weasley again asked Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall what had happened. Draco sat back down and listened as attentively as everyone else, to find out what had happened.

"Well," Professor McGonagall began, "It's my understanding that Miss Weasley fell down an entire flight of stair. There is more to this story, of course, but I am waiting for Dumbledore to speak with Mr. Potter to find out the details."

Draco kicked the chair out from underneath him and paced the small space, running a hand through his hair. Potter was dead! He'd done this to Ginny! He had to find him.

"Mr. Malfoy! Calm down this instant!" Professor McGonagall was looking up at him, and motioning him to sit back down.

Draco clenched and unclenched his fists as he righted his chair.

"Harry? What has he got to do with this?" Molly asked, her face drawn in confusion.

*******************************************

Harry left Dumbledore's office and decided to check on Ginny. He knew the Weasley's would be there by now, and he knew he would have to speak with them eventually, so he might as well get the inevitable over with. He wasn't looking forward to the looks of disappointment on their faces when they found out what he'd done to Ginny, but he'd never meant to go so out of control. They'd treated him just like a son, and he had repaid them by putting their daughter in the hospital.

Harry grew increasingly nervous the closer he got to the hospital wing. The meeting with Dumbledore had been frightening enough, but facing Mrs. Weasley, that truly terrified Harry. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of the doors of the hospital for the second time that night. Harry could hear Mrs. Weasley's voice, took a deep breath and opened the door. Harry noticed quite a lot of people around Ginny's bed, and was slowly approaching, when a flash of blond came at him, fists flying.

"Bloody Fuck!" Harry said as Draco hit him square in the face. Tears came to his eyes, this was the second time that night he'd had his nose broken.

Harry was trying to defend himself, but Draco was punching him like a mad man, he had Harry on the ground and was leaning over him, trying to choke him now. Mrs. Weasley was yelling at Ron to break it up.

Ron nodded his head, but he was moving slower than a snail. Just this once he was on Malfoy's side, enjoying Harry getting what he deserved.

Professor McGonagall finally took matters into her own hands and shouted "Petrificus Totalus!" waving her wand in a circular motion over Harry and Draco. Both boys' arms locked stiff at their sides, and they were rendered completely immobile on the floor.

Madam Pomfrey rushed over to inspect the damage. Potter's nose was broken, split lip as well, two black eyes, and handprints on his neck where Draco had tried to choke him. All easily fixable. She turned to Draco, who didn't look any worse for wear, except the look of outrage on his face.

Mr. Weasley helped get Harry onto a bed a few spaces down from Ginny so Madam Pomfrey could work on him. Professor McGonagall hovered over Draco as she said "Finite Incantatem", causing Draco to spring back to life and head over to the bed where Harry was.

Professor McGonagall waved her wand in Draco's face and threatened to put him in a permanent body bind if he didn't head back to his own dorm at once.

Draco decided he would leave, for now. Ginny's family wasn't letting him near her anyway, and he wanted to find out exactly what had happened tonight. All he knew so far was that Ginny had gone to Gryffindor Tower, something had happened between her and that bastard Potter, and she had fallen down the stairs. Somehow old Filch got himself involved; he'd found Potter with Ginny and come for Madam Pomfrey. There was a lot he didn't understand, but he would find out. Draco approached Ginny's bed, and asked Mrs. Weasley if he could say goodnight.

Molly hesitated before nodding, and he didn't fail to notice the suspicion in her eyes or the way she watched him carefully as he leaned over Ginny.

"I'm sorry my princess, I have to leave you. I don't want to. But I will be thinking of you all night, and I'll be by to see you first thing tomorrow." Draco placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, bowed stiffly to a shocked looking Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and then started to walk out. Before he left, he couldn't resist stopping by Potter's bed to wave his wand tip across his neck and mouth "You're dead".

Draco was surprised to find Dumbledore climbing the stairs leaving the dungeons as he descended them. Dumbledore smiled at him, and Draco almost asked what the hell there was to smile about, but stopped himself.

"Do not frown so, Mr. Malfoy. She will recover, and everything will be sunshine and daisies again."

What the fuck is he talking about? Draco thought. But he turned around and nodded at the daft old man, and continued to Professor Snape's office. Surely he'd have some answers for him.

Professor Snape was in his office, but did not wish to be disturbed he snapped as Draco approached him.

"I don't care if you wish to be disturbed or not. What happened to Ginny Weasley? And why was Dumbledore down here?"

Snape raised an eyebrow at Draco. "I have indulged you too much these many years Mr. Malfoy, for you to think you can barge into my office and demand anything from me. I want you to leave this instant."

Draco smirked. "It would make interesting news for the cover of the Daily Prophet tomorrow, 'Hogwarts students education entrusted to Death Eater'. Not very good for your career huh, Sevrus? That would send you into hiding from the Dark Lord. Out of the safety of Hogwarts. Then you'd be found soon en-"

"That is ENOUGH!" Snape yelled and slammed a hand down on his desk. "You are in enough trouble Draco, without inciting my anger further. Oh yes, I know all bout your involvement in Miss Weasley's accident having her in your room almost every night is in violation of school rules, and will land you in detention. Then we have provocation. You purposely provoked Pansy Parkinson, your own housemate into seeking out revenge against two Gryffindors as a direct result of your actions!"

"That whore is blaming me for her actions?" Draco yelled back. "I am to be blamed for the choices she made? She hurt Ginny?" This information seemed to spring Draco into action, and he headed for the girls dormitory, determined to find a way inside, but as he got close to the door, it slammed shut in front of him. He turned to see Professor Snape putting his wand down. Draco huffed, and rolled his eyes, then tried the Alohomora spell, but nothing happened.

"You can't keep me here!" Draco yelled.

"Calm yourself, Mr. Malfoy. I can not have you charging after Miss Parkinson in your state. You will sleep here, compose yourself, and then settle this mess with the headmaster tomorrow."

Draco threw a bottle at the door after Snape closed it behind him, leaving Draco to sleep on the couch in his office. Draco looked in distaste at the room around him, he was trapped, and there was nothing he could do about it.

********************************************

Harry didn't want to be fussed over by Madam Pomfrey. He was fine after a numbing salve had been smoothed over his now crooked nose. He could tolerate the other aches and pains as he looked over at Ginny and saw the state she was in. She looked like hell, and he was more worried about her now then ever. He accepted Mrs. Weasley's hug as he got close to Ginny's bed and felt the guilt at what he'd have to tell them. Ron was shooting him daggers, and Hermione was helping Madam Pomfrey brew the next batch of blood-replenishing potion, just in case.

Harry shook Mr. Weasley's hand and asked him to please sit so he could explain what had happened. Harry took several deep breaths, both to calm himself, and to buy a few more seconds of time. All eyes in the room were focused on Harry, and he wished to finish, so he opened his mouth. "Ginny fell because of me."

Mrs. Weasley's hand flew to her mouth, and she shook her head before saying, "Harry, it was an accident, surely…"

Harry wanted very badly to turn his gaze away from her, but he didn't, looking directly at her as he said, "We had a terrible row, and I behaved unforgivably-"

Harry's explanation was interrupted by a loud snort from Ron. "It's kind of hard to have a row when only one of you is doing the shouting, ay Potter?"

Harry nodded meekly. "I didn't see Ginny fall, but I-"

"If I may interrupt," Dumbledore's voice came from the doorway.

No one had heard his entrance, and all heads turned to him now.

"I have answers to some of the mysteries of the night's events, but I think first, Poppy? How is Miss Weasley now?"

Madam Pomfrey announced to the group that Ginny had still not regained consciousness, and that she was black and blue from head to toe, but she expected her to make a full recovery. Head injuries were always quite worrisome, and she would need to be in the hospital for two weeks at least. Madam Pomfrey wanted to monitor Ginny carefully, even though she had given her a scan with her wand and saw no internal damage, you could never be too careful. She didn't expect her to have any scars, or lasting damage though.

Molly wept into her husband's chest in relief that Ginny was not as badly hurt as she appeared.

Dumbledore nodded gravely. "I am pleased to know that Ginny will be alright with proper rest and care. Now as I said after hearing Harry's side of the events that took place, I went to have a talk with Professor Snape, and the person responsible came forward without much coaxing. After the quarrel between Mr. Potter and Miss Weasley in Gryffindor tower, it seems Harry took off for the Quidditch pitch and Ginny for the dungeons."

"Why was Ginny going to the dungeons?" Arthur Weasley asked, in his heart already knowing the answer.

"It appears Arthur, that Ginny and Mr. Malfoy have formed an attachment to one another. I believe that is the beginning and end to this tale. As I was saying, Ginny was on her way to the dungeons when she was waylaid by a Slytherin student, who assured me they intended to scare Ginny, not injure her-"

"It was Malfoy, wasn't it?!" Ron yelled.

Everyone but Dumbledore rolled their eyes.

"No, Mr. Weasley, it was Miss Parkinson. She was confronted by Mr. Malfoy earlier in the evening, and he made it clear to her that their own relationship was at an end. Miss Parkinson was angry at this and decided to start trouble for everyone. She began by provoking Harry, and then decided to challenge Ginny alone in the stairway, but her plan did not go as planned."

The room was silent as everyone took in the information Dumbledore had just given them. Dumbledore walked over to Harry and dropped something into his hand. "I believe, Harry that this belongs to you."

Harry looked down at his palm to see the locket he had given Ginny over the summer, the locket that Pansy had held in front of him earlier that night. Harry looked questioningly at Dumbledore.

"Miss Parkinson found this necklace in the Slytherin common room, and used it to rile your temper Harry, and when you played into her hands, she waited for Miss Weasley on the stairway, knowing she would go to the dungeons. She said she meant to use the necklace to upset Ginny and goad her into an argument, apparently using a simple hovering charm, to suspend the necklace in front of her, but Ginny lost her balance, and fell."

"What's going to happen to her now?" Harry asked. He wanted to see her tossed out of Hogwarts, attempted murder, whether intentional or not.

"Mr. Parkinson has been contacted, and he has decided to collect his daughter, and by her own choice, Miss Parkinson will finish her magical education at Durmstrang. She is this minute packing her things to leave Hogwarts. Your own punishment will be discussed tomorrow. Now, it is very late, and it has been an exhausting day."

*************************************************

Hours later, Molly sat next to Ginny's bed, stroking her forehead, and humming softly. Arthur was dozing on the chair opposite the bed, leaning on the small table. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had been sent to bed, with Professor McGonagall acting as a referee between Harry and Ron. Arthur stirred when Ginny's face screwed up in pain as she tossed on the bed. She was still unconscious, and her mouth barley opened as she whispered "Draco."

Molly looked over at Arthur and sighed. Ginny said his name twice more before falling back to sleep. Molly wondered what her daughter had gotten herself in to. Yes she was sixteen, but that was so young! At sixteen Molly and Arthur were already together and had only just made it out of Hogwarts before they discovered they were going to be parents. Ginny was a different story. She was her baby girl; she wanted her to wait for the right man, not the son of a death eater! And who knew, Draco could be one already.

After all, even if Draco wasn't a death eater, he was a Malfoy, and ultimately responsible for the chain of events that resulted in Ginny being in the hospital now. Molly had hoped that Ginny would end up with Harry one day, but after hearing from Minerva and Ron the exact details of what had transpired, about what he had done to her in front of her housemates, calling her a whore, shaking her, and cutting her skin when he pulled the necklace from her.

Molly was having a hard time believing that Harry was the same one she knew and loved.