Authors Note: Wow. It's been almost a year since I started this and look at it now! Nineteen chapters later and nothing much still hasn't happened. Oh well. In this chapter we see the aftermath of an implication. Hopefully it won't confuse readers too much as it is written in a fragmented fashion. Therefore don't worry if at first you don't understand - all will become clear! To Portkey readers, you have now caught up with my chapters, so updates won't be as often as they have been!
Acknowledgements: Thank you to all those who have reviewed, either praising or criticising my work of art. I estimate only a couple more chapters to go until the grand finale!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the words.
Coeur Corrompu
Chapter Nineteen
How the hell'd we wind up like this
And why weren't we able
To see the signs that we missed
And try to turn the tables
I wish you'd unclench your fist
And unpack your suitcase
Lately there's been too much of this
But don't think it's too late
Nothing's wrong
Just as long as you know that someday I will
Someday, somehow
I'm gonna make it all right
But not right now
I know you're wondering when
You're the only one who knows that
Someday - Nickleback
It swung in the breeze, rebelling against the forces of gravity. Back and forth it taunted Mother Natures' control. There had been a time when people would sat upon it, kicked their feet from the ground and squealed in delight as they rose higher to the heavens. It had been like flying, but because it wasn't entirely real it felt more so. They had almost been able to reach out and capture the clouds in a sticky fingered hand. The seat had been worn down by countless users - there was a shine to the wood that could only be accounted for by love.
What was left now though? A piece of wood held up by two frayed ropes. The only friend left in its world was the spiders and bugs, which wove their homes into its fabric and ate into its core. No one flew upon the swing anymore. A pointless childhood memory, left out of habit for the world to consume.
Ginny watched it silently. It had been a long time since she'd been home and simply sat. There was something about it that was slightly sinister. Her home had always been full of noise and animation. The only time silence had reigned was when the Weasley clan lay in their beds, smothered snores landing on heavy oak doors. Whenever she had been at home, there had been someone in every room. Looking out at the garden now though, she could feel it all slipping away from her. She wasn't a child anymore. Her troubles couldn't be cured by simply going out into the garden and busying herself with the marigolds.
One day the house would be completely silent. It would be the grave of many happy feelings and memories, but no one would fill it with new ones. Ginny was constantly aware that death was always nipping at their heels like untrained puppies. Eventually it would steal them all away, leaving nothing but a house to link them back to the real world.
Maybe living for the moment wasn't enough anymore.
Outside the sun shone patterns across the swing. Shadows clouded the lush green grass slightly, which contrasted sharply with the brightness of the day. Somewhere a bird was singing, and a baby was crying. It was the kind of day where you strip down the winter clothing, and lay in the heat of the glorious star. It wasn't the kind of day where you sat indoors; flinching every time you heard the door open, hating being incapable of doing anything important. Nature was playing a cruel trick upon her.
'Difficult isn't it?'
Ginny nodded once. It was difficult there was no doubt in that. More difficult then if she were out there helping herself. There was this terrible anticipation of the worst. As if it didn't matter what happened because it would never end the right way. She had lost confidence in a system a long time ago.
'Why don't you sit down? There's no good standing out here waiting. They won't be back for a few hours yet.'
'I don't want to sit with them,' she said gently and without taking her eyes off the garden. 'I don't want to listen to their questions.'
'Hmm. Maybe it isn't the questions you don't want to hear, but the answers you know you will have to speak. Admittance is truly a hard act, even for the strongest of us. I understand why you might not want to face it now. Eventually, whatever the outcome, you will have to though.'
Ginny turned round, her arms curled around herself. There was no anger in her stance, just simply a deep confusion. 'I don't see why I should have to.'
Professor Dumbledore smiled slightly. 'Mister Malfoy would probably agree with you, but I think talking about something does help the problem. I'm sure even he has learnt that by now.'
'And if I don't want to talk?' she threw back lamely.
'Then you won't,' he said with a smile. 'No one's going to make you explain all the details to us. It is obvious to the people through there that you and Mister Malfoy have made a connection.'
'Obvious?'
'Why else would he throw away his chance to live a normal life?' Dumbledore replied. His eyes were tired, but a glimmer could still be seen by the outsider. 'You must be very special to him.'
'I doubt that somehow,' she retorted bitterly. 'To him I was a pawn in a game - nothing more, nothing less. Just someone he could use to get what he wanted. Information was what he saw in me Professor.'
She watched him closely. His crinkled face seemed passive. It neither agreed nor disagreed with her statement. It offered no safety in her storm of emotions. The minute she realised she loved the cold bastard, it turned out he had been using her all along for the Order. That was the final straw. If he was still alive, she would strangle him for doing this to her.
Then there was the situation with Harry. Good old Harry, who played Quidditch, had once been the love of her life, killer of Voldemort, oh and secret assassin for the Ministry. How could it be this complicated? Why couldn't Harry have just been what everyone thought he was - hero, lover, friend, and idol? There had to be a dark side though, it came to her. No one could be that pure and good without having a release. That didn't give him the right to kill people though.
'Nothing is as clear cut as it seems Miss Weasley,' he said as if reading her thoughts. 'I know you would like to think of Harry as bad and Draco as good, but to think like that would to be leaping to assumptions on a persons situation.'
'Even you must see that what Harry is doing is wrong?!' she said angrily. 'There is absolutely nothing that could make everything he has done okay!'
'What is it that you're angry with Mister Potter for?' his voice was calm, but there was a hint of danger to it. 'Is it because he has kidnapped Draco? Or is it because he has betrayed you?'
'He killed that man and pinned it on Draco!' Ginny shouted losing the cool she had tried so hard to keep. 'Why are you siding with him on this one?!'
'I'm siding with no one Miss Weasley. All I'm saying is that you can not condone one mans doing when they have both done exactly the same. It is their reasons that make them who they are though.'
'I don't understand,' she whispered, turning away. 'Draco hasn't done anything wrong. Not this time.'
'Not this time, no. There have been occasions though where he has killed men with his bare hands. He may have had his orders, reasons, or convictions but that doesn't change the act. All flesh is grass and the dead are equal Miss Weasley. Killing of any kind is an unnatural act and a sin. Whether the reason was good or not, does not change that fact.' He paused and wiped a hand over his forehead. 'It is difficult because human nature does not accept this fact straight off. Death for a good cause is okay, but killing a man because of something petty is not. Who are we though to be judge and jury to these men?'
'Maybe we are the only judge and jury for them,' bitterness laced her voice. 'Maybe they deserved everything they got.'
'In those terms then, isn't Draco getting everything he deserves?' His voice was papery and thin, but his words struck home with every syllable. 'Doesn't he deserve to die for his crimes?'
'No! He's one of the good ones! He saved me…he…he…he helped you and your cause…' her voice was broken into pieces. 'He…he…'
'Saving your life was his decision. It was something he wanted to do. He killed a man because he thought he was right. Judge, jury and executioner because he thought you would be killed otherwise. It's a good reason, saving the life of an innocent woman, but still a crime he needs to pay for.' He walked over to her and stood close behind. 'It could possibly be the same for Mister Potter.'
'The girl at the ceremony…he killed her…' she said softly, her fingers digging into her palms. 'He saved her from having to be in pain.'
'No one asked him to do that either.'
'The Ministry asked him to kill though…'
'Did they Ginny? Or did he do it because he thought it was the right idea to follow?' he put a hand on her shoulder. 'You can't make a man more then he is. You can't make him do anything that isn't within his power already.'
'Just because he's done these things though, doesn't mean that what Harry is doing is right,' she argued firmly, brushing away his hand. 'If he didn't want to kill people, then he wouldn't! It has to be the same for Harry as it is for Draco! You can't possibly favour one over the other…'
'That's just what you are doing Ginny - favouring one over the other because of your heart. That's your choice, but it doesn't mean its right. We are all as bad as the other, whatever our sins may be. None of us can truly be good or bad. Grasp that and you shall understand everything that happens.'
With that, Dumbledore swept out of the room, leaving the door wide open. Leaving her alone in a room with only her thoughts to toy with her - torment her conscious mind with questions.
Maybe Harry did have his reasons. It could be that Draco truly was evil, but she was willing to forgive him that. Why was it then she couldn't forgive Harry for the same crimes? It's because he lied to us, she thought. Draco never pretended to be something he wasn't. His bad qualities were never hidden by a façade of good character and a smile. Malfoy's were always cold, arrogant people with hearts of stone. Potter was supposed to be a hero, someone who the people could look up to and adore.
Ginny didn't much feel like adoring either of them.
***
'It's almost midnight! Shouldn't there be news by now?' Molly fussed as she paced the kitchen. 'I can't stand all this waiting!'
'Patience Molly,' Dumbledore soothed. 'There shall be news when there is any to be had. Rescuing a convict isn't as simple as it may sound.'
'Why not?' Ginny grumbled from where she was sat at the table. In front of her was a half eaten slice of apple pie and a hot chocolate. 'All they have to do is go in there, say they are taking him for official questioning by Order of the Phoenix and walk out with him in chains.'
'Ginny!' Molly trilled angrily. 'That is no way to speak to Professor Dumbledore! Apologise this moment young lady.'
'There is no need for that Molly. I understand that Ginny may be feeling pessimistic towards the operation. After all she has had a couple of bad experiences with them already.' He stroked his beard thoughtfully and shifted in his seat. 'Hermione is skating on thin ice in this operation. I believe it was difficult enough to get your brother on side for this. He asked a lot of questions.'
'You could have answered them,' Ginny muttered like a spoilt teenager. 'I don't see why he has to be kept in the dark about all of this.'
'If Ron were meant to be part of the Order, then he would have been told Ginny. He isn't though and Hermione must keep her identity and role in the proceedings very quiet. If she doesn't she could face exposure of the entire Order, which the Ministry would just love. Tonks is helping though, and she's excellent at these kinds of jobs,' Molly gushed with pride. 'They won't know what's hit them!'
'If he's still alive,' the harsh rasp of the fourth member of the party came. 'We all seem to be forgetting here that Malfoy is in the hands of a crazed psychotic.'
'I don't think that's appropriate Severus,' Dumbledore said firmly.
'You have always adored that fool Potter though, haven't you?' Snape said coldly, with a slight smile. 'Good to know some of us had him pinned right from the beginning.'
'It may well be that Harry is only doing his job Severus,' Dumbledore continued. 'As I believe you have done many times. We cannot all be without a scratch upon our personality. You are jumping to conclusions that will not be shown until Draco arrives.'
'I don't understand this affection Albus,' Snape scoffed. 'Potter has kidnapped one of your children and spies. He has probably tortured Malfoy. You know what the Ministry trains their double agents in.'
Dumbledore nodded, but didn't speak. Ginny watched the scene closely. It was surreal to be in this setting. Two teachers and her mum were huddled in a kitchen discussing whether or not Harry Potter should be condemned immediately. Draco was being rescued by Hermione, Tonks and an unsuspecting Ron -being rescued from the clutches of their best friend. And what was she doing? Watching people argue when she could be out there helping.
When Hermione had first realised the implications of the letter, her face had paled completely. It had been the last thing she would have ever thought of happening. The man she had grown up with was not a killer. He was a kind, sweet, generous man who had lived through many hardships. He was not someone who would work as a secret spy for the Ministry, doing all their dirty work.
Once she had overcome the shock - helped largely by a double shot of whiskey - she and Ginny had disapparated to The Burrow, where they had contacted the Order. Dumbledore appeared immediately, quickly followed by Snape, Remus, Tonks and George. Arthur and Molly Weasley had already there. Ginny had always known her parents were part of the Order, but it hadn't occurred to her that they would be involved with the Draco situation. Then again it did explain Molly's behaviour the day she was attacked.
They had whispered about how they had to somehow free Draco. It was vital to the continuation of the Order. By their theory, no magic would have been used at this stage in the questioning. Snape had explained to them that it would not be good for the Ministry to have a means of tracing the death back to them. At the time it had made Ginny retch at the idea of people being so underhanded.
Dumbledore had nodded, taking everything in that was being said. They wouldn't kill him until they had the information they wanted. The person in the most line of fire was Hermione. She was the mole within the organisation that had alerted Draco to the danger. They had said it would be too dangerous to march in there alone, but she had insisted that it be her who rescued him.
George had been adamant that Hermione didn't go to the Ministry. That had brought a smile to her face. So her mother was right, there was something going on there. It was unlike George to be so overprotective. Ron would go crazy when he found out about them.
No, Hermione had said, she would go because she felt it was all her fault. Not alone though. She would take Ron with her, on official Auror business. They march in, take Draco for questioning and allow him to escape in the protection of a disguised Tonks. They would frame a well known Death Eater, which would cause tension between the sides. One would become untrusting of the other.
So a plan was formed and a time set. Was Ginny any part of it? No. She wasn't part of the Order, and she had to personal an attachment to both the men in question. Her presence would be questioned too much. Therefore she was told to stay with Molly and wait. When they had him, they would bring him there.
Molly was right. They should have heard news by now. Perhaps he really was dead. That would be the end to a lot of things.
'Ginny, finish your pie. You need to keep your energy up. It's been a long night for all of us…' Molly paused. 'Maybe you should go get some sleep.'
'I should,' she whispered, 'I'm not going to though.'
Ever since her talk with Dumbledore, she'd wanted to burst into tears. People would ask her questions and all she would be able to think about was crying herself to sleep. She didn't want Draco to be dead, she knew that, but something kept nagging at her that it would be easier if he were. On the other hand she didn't want to hate Harry for doing what he'd done. Dumbledore could be right - it might not be his fault.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud bang. She spun in her chair, her eyes darting about for something - anything to show that something had happened. On the floor, by the fireplace, lay a body. By it stood an out of breath Tonks. Her face was red with effort, her chest heaved heavily. It looked as if she'd been carrying the dead-weight. No, Ginny reprimanded herself, not dead.
'You'd think someone so slim wouldn't be so heavy!' she huffed as everyone stared at her. 'Let me be the first one to tell Malfoy here that when he wakes up.'