Raquel Dodd Normal Raquel Dodd 2 7 2003-04-28T00:29:00Z 2003-05-13T09:20:00Z 2003-05-13T09:20:00Z 1 4807 27404 228 64 32147 10.2625 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Chapter 11
"Oh look," Caleb smiled brightly as they walked down High Street, "the beauty shop is having a special on facials. You should get one, Mr. Malfoy. It might help put some actual color into that pasty face of yours."
"Thank you for the suggestion," Draco grinned, his eyes sparkling with malice, "but I'm sure they'd be more anxious to get their hands on you. It's not every day you come across a horse's arse on two legs!"
Ginny winced. They'd been like this all afternoon; in between speaking civilly to her, that is. It had been funny for a while, but now it was getting tiresome. There was only so much childish bickering she could tolerate from two people who were almost adults. The only reason she'd let it go for so long was because she'd been unable to get a word in edgewise. It's hard to speak up when you're trying desperately not to laugh.
She glanced slyly at Draco, feeling a small smile touch her lips as she saw him laugh at some witticism Caleb made. He was still angry, and the verbal battle he and Caleb were waging had his face flushed, his eyes bright, and his tongue razor sharp. Should this be called his best or his worst? Ginny wondered. For his part, Caleb had been attentive and flirtatious towards her while bantering expertly with Malfoy. He'd even bought a rose and handed it to Ginny from behind, pleasantly surprising her. Her smile grew as she recalled how Draco had scowled.
"Well, Miss Weasley," Caleb said suddenly, interrupting her reverie, "I believe I promised you lunch! Where would you like to go?"
Ginny smiled and thanked Caleb. "The Three Broomsticks would be fine."
But Caleb had other ideas. "That shabby place? I think not! How about The Knight's Castle? No finer place for a superb roast beef and Yorkshire pudding!"
"Oh," Ginny gasped, "that's…very generous of you! But I can't possibly afford-"
"My treat," Draco cut in smoothly, before Caleb could say a word. The dark haired Slytherin looked highly displeased, which delighted Draco. Ginny frowned.
"Thank you Draco, but that's not necessary. I-"she began, but Draco cut her off.
"Consider it a Christmas gift." He smiled slightly, looking at the path ahead of him instead of at her. "Besides, if we don't sit down soon, I'm going to collapse!"
"Really," Caleb grinned. "Will you go back to Hogwarts then?"
"And miss ruining your whole day? Don't be silly!" Draco sneered.
"Ah, well," Caleb sighed, linking his arm through Ginny's, "I must take comfort in your presence, Miss Weasley. Good conversation from certain company has so far been severely lacking!"
"Indeed," Draco replied before Ginny could speak. "I myself have had more interesting conversations with Merpeople!"
"Gentlemen," Ginny sighed in an effort to keep from giggling, "is it possible for us to have a conversation together without all of this petty squabbling?"
"Petty squabbling?" Caleb cried, assuming an injured air. "My dear Ginny, you wound me!"
"Not enough, obviously, you're still talking!" Draco drawled. Caleb ignored him, while Ginny frowned reprovingly.
"Here we are," Caleb said brightly as they arrived at the small inn. Opening the door for Ginny, he followed her in and released the door just as Draco was about to enter, almost causing him to walk into it. With a scowl, Draco pulled the door open and followed them.
The interior of the small inn was dimly lit, and it took Ginny a moment to adjust her eyes. When she did she saw long, low wooden tables and benches, surrounded by small round tables in the shadowy corners. There was a huge fireplace that took up most of the rear wall and radiated comfortable warmth throughout the vast room. . The tables were covered with fine linen, and the maitre de who rushed over was dressed in handsome black velvet. Ginny was suddenly grateful for the dim light, as it disguised the shabby state of her own robes.
"Good afternoon young gentlemen, and lady," the maitre de said in clipped tones. "Welcome to our humble establishment. Table for three this way."
He led them to a small corner table and laid down the menus. Caleb immediately pulled out Ginny's chair for her. After she sat, Draco handed her a menu. She smiled and was about to thank him when a glass of water was set down firmly in front of her. She turned to see Caleb smiling winningly and a serving witch holding a tray looking at him in mild surprise. Ginny decided to smile at her.
The maitre de bowed and left, and the serving witch finished handing out the glasses of water. "What may I get you to drink?"
"I'll have a glass of Little Hangleton Red," Caleb requested. Draco ordered the Little Hangleton White, while Ginny stared blankly at them both. She had only drunk wine once or twice, and it had been pretty cheap. She straightened in her seat, wondering if she should just follow their lead. She didn't really like wine, but for such a fancy place as this it might be better to order it nonetheless. After a moment, she decided she'd risk looking the peasant and ordered ale.
"What kind, m'lady?" the server asked.
"Er…" She quickly flipped open her menu and found the beverage listing. There were about ten different ales listed, her favorite among them. Then she saw the prices and nearly gasped.
Both Caleb and Draco watched her in quiet amusement, Draco stifling a laugh. She could be so charmingly naïve about things, and it made him smile. He saw her blush clearly despite the dimness, and decided to speed things along.
"She'll have the Bonnington bitters," he said firmly. Ginny started, then nodded at the waitress, who rushed off to get their drinks. When she'd gone, Ginny laughed with embarrassment.
"Sorry about that; thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw those prices. Eight sickles for a drink!"
"Ginny, you're not paying for this so please just relax." Draco smiled.
"How exactly do I do that?" she asked, looking at the menu with wide eyes. This time Draco and Caleb both laughed. The atmosphere became more relaxed between the three of them after that. To Ginny's surprise, Caleb and Draco actually began to speak a bit more civilly to each other.
"I was telling my father that I didn't fancy following along in the family business," Caleb said in a sudden moment of seriousness, sipping his wine. The Anderson's had made a fortune, in Caleb's grandfather's time, in importing and growing Mandrakes, various Tentaculas -- including the venomous varieties -- Gillyweed, Devil's Snare, and other exotic vegetation.
Draco stared into his glass. "Does he listen?"
"Not really," Caleb grimaced. "I fortunately have two elder brothers, but he seems set on dragging all three of us into it. Like I want to spend the rest of my life peddling plants!"
Ginny's eyes passed from Caleb to Draco. Their expressions had gone almost neutral, except for a melancholy sadness in Caleb's eyes and a dark pain in Draco's. She wondered then just how much pressure they were under from their parents, who obviously had high expectations. She remembered the years her mum had spent lecturing and scolding the twins, trying to force them to become more serious and enter the Ministry. It hadn't worked, and Ginny had known that her mother had been wrong to try and force Fred and George to do what she wished, instead of what they wanted. Thanks to their hard work and determination, Wacky Clandestine was now one of the most successful businesses in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Their mother had long ago admitted she was wrong, and had been more supportive of her children since. Ginny sipped her ale thoughtfully, wondering what made a parent so certain that they knew what would make their children happy.
"Why don't you talk to your father?" Ginny asked kindly, though which boy she was speaking to even she wasn't certain. It was Draco who replied with a harsh laugh.
"How do you talk to man who doesn't even ask questions, just gives orders and expects them to be followed?"
"Or who doesn't even entertain the idea that you might actually mean it when you say you don't want to do something," Caleb added, smiling in bitter amusement. Ginny remembered then that Draco had been cut from the Quidditch team, and wondered if that had been Lucius's decision instead of Snape's. Now that she thought about it, why would Snape cut his favorite student from the team? That would be a punishment, and Draco was never punished by the Potions Master.
Draco shook his head, interrupting Ginny's musings. "Enough of this, Anderson. I might actually start being nice to you!"
"Oh Lord, Malfoy, don't threaten me that way!" Caleb grinned, making Ginny laugh. Their food arrived then, and further conversation was limited to comments on the quality of the meal ("Excellent!" Ginny kept exclaiming), and the occasional sniping between Ginny's escorts. She gave up trying to stop them.
An hour later they were back on High Street, feeling full and sleepy. Ginny didn't hesitate to take the arm proffered to her by Caleb, as she needed all the support she could get. She turned to Draco, smiling.
"Thank you for paying, Mr. Malfoy, I appreciate it."
"What about me?" Caleb pouted.
Ginny laughed and squeezed his shoulder. "And thank you for inviting me along, Mr. Anderson. I've had a lovely time."
"I knew you would," he gloated. "I'm rather brilliant that way."
Draco rolled his eyes. "The carriages will be leaving soon," he said loudly. "We should start heading back."
Ginny checked her watch. "Lord, it's almost four!"
"Can't leave yet," Caleb said. "I have to pick up something. It'll only take a moment."
He released Ginny's arm and headed towards Dervish and Banges. Ginny watched him go. "Should we stick with him?"
"Why, afraid he'll get lost?" Draco asked sarcastically. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"I just don't want us to get separated," she said patiently. "I've had fun with the two of you, and I just think it would be rude if we didn't all return to Hogwarts together."
"Oh, should we join hands and enter the Great Hall singing?" Draco sneered. Ginny's gaze snapped up to him, her face contorted in an angry frown.
"That is not what I meant! I - oh, never mind!" Turning on her heel, she stalked off after Caleb.
Draco watched her for a few seconds before passing his hand over his face. Way to go, Malfoy, he thought, you've proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that you're an immature bastard. He sighed and followed her.
He spotted her red head instantly, making straight for Dervish and Banges. As he continued to trot after her he wondered why he was doing it, why he'd jumped into the carriage and wound up in Hogsmeade in the first place. He'd spent the greater part of the afternoon bandying words with the irritating prankster that was Caleb Anderson, all in an effort to keep Ginny's attention from resting on the Quidditch announcer for too long. Why? Why did he care if she spent an afternoon with Anderson? Why did he care what she did at all? He knew why, really. It was the same reason he felt his heart swell with warmth when he was in her presence, the reason he wanted to stop and touch her when they passed each other in the corridors. She was a kind, giving, brave, unselfish, and beautiful person, something not seen on every street corner. As he drew up behind her, watching as her hair fluttered in the wind, Draco knew beyond doubt why he'd pursued her.
"Ginny!" He caught up to her just as she reached the entrance of the shop. Grabbing her arm, he turned her towards him. She stared angrily up at him, yanking her arm out of his grasp, but not moving away.
"I'm sorry," Draco said softly. "I didn't mean that."
Ginny shook her head, a small, bitter smile forming on her face. "Yes you did, Draco. You're in a foul mood and now you've decided everyone else should be as well."
Draco frowned, disliking how close that remark struck home. "What do you want me to say, Ginny? I like how I've spent my day or that I've had a glorious time? Do you realize how much trouble I'd be in if my father knew where I was?"
"It's always about you, isn't it?" she snapped. "Poor Draco is breaking his rules of behavior, and now he has to pretend he didn't or he'll be hexed into oblivion or disowned by his father. Well excuse me if I don't pull out a tissue and cry!"
"I'm not talking about my behavior," he retorted. "I'm not supposed to be here!"
Ginny snorted and rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, Malfoy!"
Draco closed his eyes in frustration. "Ginny, I'm serious…"
The sound of the shop door opening interrupted his statement, and he opened his eyes to see Ginny entering without a backwards glance.
Draco blinked, unable to believe she'd walked away from him in the middle of his sentence. Not only did she not believe him, but she wasn't even going to let him explain? Furious, he stalked in after her.
Once again he found her easily, standing stiffly in an open aisle, looking down its path. Caleb was standing next to her by a shelf of miniature Lunascopes, and looking at her with a strangely amused expression. Eyes narrowing, Draco walked swiftly towards them. Ginny was speaking to Caleb, but not looking at him. Probably telling the idiot what an arse I've been, Draco thought irritably. He quickened his steps, thinking of barging forth and dragging the both of them by their hair to the damn carriages, when a female voice that wasn't Ginny's, but was coming from where she was standing, suddenly became audible.
"…haven't decided what I'm going to get Harry yet," it said. "I've wanted to ask him, but he's been in a terrible mood of late."
Draco froze. That was Granger, or he was a toad! So Ginny hadn't been speaking to Anderson at all. He wondered if…
"It's a bit complicated, Hermione," the voice of Ron Weasley spoke up. "You know, girl problems…"
Oh, this day just keeps getting better and better! Draco thought.
He walked slowly towards Ginny, stopping just short of the aisle. The shelves were tall enough to hide his and Caleb's presence from Ron and Granger, and as Draco looked across Ginny's head at Anderson, he met a look of amused and ironic delight that surely must have matched his own.
"Well, I'm sure it'll pass," Ginny said in a strained and somewhat high-pitched tone. Her face was flushed and her eyes seemed to be darting everywhere. Draco was caught between feeling sympathy for her plight and wanting to burst out laughing. Of course, this was what she'd meant about him not thinking of anyone else, and he felt a tad guilty that up to that moment he'd not even remembered that Ginny would be in a world of trouble if her brother caught her in the presence of a Slytherin, much less two!
"What will pass?" Granger asked quizzically.
"Er… Harry, of course. Whatever's bothering him, you know," Ginny replied with an overlarge smile.
"Yeah, it will," Ron agreed absently. "Say, what're you doing here alone anyway? I don't see Susan or Seamus."
Ron's voice seemed to change direction, indicating that he was looking around. Ginny looked in Draco's direction. "I'm not alone."
As her wide eyes met his, Draco clearly saw the faint panic. She was trapped and was thinking desperately of a way out. Draco smiled at her and shrugged slightly. There wasn't much he could do to help her that didn't involve revealing himself.
"Well, who'd you come with?" Ron persisted.
"Just some people, Ron," Ginny replied irritably. "I didn't pay attention. There were some Ravenclaws, and a few others."
Draco saw Caleb's eyebrows shoot up, and agreed with the obvious sentiment. Very clever how she wasn't exactly lying. She just wasn't mentioning that those "others" were Slytherins and, in particular, Ron's most hated enemy on the Quidditch field and off. Draco's smile faltered momentarily as he thought of Quidditch, but he quickly shoved the depressing thoughts away. He was having far too much fun to dwell on anything else.
"Ron, maybe we should go. It's already four fifteen, and the carriages will be filling up soon," Granger said soothingly. Ginny smiled gratefully at her.
"Yeah, all right. C'mon Ginny, we'll get one of the first carriages," Ron said, his hand suddenly appearing to grasp her elbow. Ginny pulled away.
"Oh… no Ron. I have to wait for my companions, they're around here somewhere."
"What? You just said you didn't remember who you came with," her brother responded in confusion.
"Well, we've been together all day so now I know them… er… more or less," Ginny said lamely. "I'll meet you back at Hogwarts."
"Ginny, stop being silly. I don't like the idea of you going off alone with people you barely know," Ron said, with a tone that sounded irritatingly condescending.
"I'll be fine, Ron," Ginny said patiently, a tiny line forming between her brows, "don't worry about it. They're students, after all, what could possibly happen?"
"Gin, anything could happen! Don't forget what's been happening at the school! I don't want to find out later that your carriage was attacked and that you were turned into a blood sucker!"
"Ron, calm down!" Hermione urged. "It's just Hogwarts students."
"You're exaggerating, Ron." Ginny's frown grew more obvious. "Dumbledore's put more security measures in place; there are three teachers with the groups today. I think we'll be just fine."
"Yeah, I know, but we can't be too careful. Please stop arguing with me Ginny and come on."
"Will you please, for once, stop treating me like a baby?" Ginny cried.
"I'll stop treating you like one when you stop acting like one!" Ron shot back. Draco's eyes widened. That had been unnecessary, and a sudden foreboding came over him. The Ginny he knew wouldn't take this lying down. And he was right.
"Ron." Granger's voice had a sharp warning tone to it, but it was too late. Ginny's face flushed with anger, but her frown was smoothed away and replaced by a wide, gritted smile.
"All right, since you're so worried about me big brother, allow me to reassure you that I'm most definitely not alone. In fact, let me introduce my companions." And without warning, Ginny's hands shot out to either side of her, grabbing the arms of both Caleb and Draco and yanking them into the aisle beside her. Ron and Hermione froze in shock, eyes widening. Draco and Caleb stared at Ginny, then turned smiling to Ron and Hermione. Ginny's smile was equally wide and her eyes blazed with anger. She was not a child, and she would bloody well travel with whomever she pleased!
"Good afternoon," Caleb cried. "So nice to speak to the famous Gryffindor Chaser personally!" He grabbed Ron's stiff hand and shook it, then shook Hermione's hand just because she looked so stunned. Draco sneered in his usual manner at the two of them, barely inclining his head in their direction. He was rather shocked himself at Ginny's boldness, and put it down to her temper flaring at the wrong time.
Caleb checked his watch. "Four thirty, time to scoot!"
"Then let's not dawdle," Draco agreed, deliberately grabbing Ginny's hand in his. Caleb, not to be left out of anything, grabbed her other hand and they began to walk swiftly away.
"Ginny!" Ron choked out finally. "What…are you…"
"It's late," Ginny called out loudly behind her, walking faster as she was now quite embarrassed at what she'd done. "Must go!"
"Virginia Weasley!" Hermione fairly shrieked. "Where are you going with…with…"
"See you at Hogwarts!" Draco called back as the three of them fairly ran towards the exit.
Once outside, they burst into hysterical laughter. Ginny was feeling torn between guilt and amusement at the look on the faces of her brother and dear friend, which only added to the ridiculousness of the whole situation.
"Come on, before they come after us with their wands!" Caleb chortled, grabbing Ginny's arm. Still laughing, they began to make their way towards the carriages.
*****************
Harry walked tensely up High Street next to Cho. Chancing a sidelong glance at her, he saw that she was still very angry. Her pretty face was scrunched into a frown, the line between her brows was deep, and her cheeks were flushed red. He sighed. Nothing he'd said had made anything better, and he honestly didn't blame her for being angry. But it wasn't like he'd meant to push her away or make her feel ignored -- he was just so busy. He'd had a lot of Quidditch practices to attend since he was Quidditch Captain, and the competition for the Cup was fierce this year. Then there was all that was happening around the school: the vampires, Remus, and the unusual attacks on Malfoy, and he'd had a lot of investigating to do. He hadn't wanted to involve Cho for fear of placing her in danger.
Or maybe he simply didn't trust anyone to be of any help to himself, Ron, and Hermione. Harry winced as he thought of the incident Cho had brought up, the lunch on Friday. He'd promised to meet her in Professor McGonagall's class and spend time with her as she'd had papers to grade for the professor. But right before lunch, during Transfiguration, Hermione had passed him a note saying that she'd overheard some Slytherin girls discussing a supposed connection between Elizabeth Morgan and Augustus Rookwood during Arithmancy. Harry had been shocked, and he, Ron, and Hermione had gone to Remus with their information straight away. Harry had unfortunately forgotten all about lunch with Cho, and she was still furious.
Harry stopped walking, grabbing Cho's arm to halt her as well. She turned to him with a puzzled glare.
"Harry, it's four thirty, the carriages will be loading soon," she said.
"I'm sorry," he said sadly, ignoring her words. "Why won't you believe me?"
Cho shook her head. "I do believe you Harry, and I have a suspicion about what you've been up to. But that isn't the point."
"Well, what is then?" he asked in exasperation.
"The fact that I'm second, no, third in your life." Cho closed her eyes, obviously saying this with regret. "I'm third to your friends and to whatever heroics you're planning, not to mention being less important to you than Quidditch. I loved Quidditch too, Harry, but it means more to you than it ever did to me. As for you and your friends… how many times have you done it, Harry? Charged into danger or rushed to solve a mystery that's better left to the teachers, or better yet, Aurors?"
Harry's eyes widened. "Now wait a moment, Cho-"
"No Harry, I'm tired of waiting!" she said fiercely. "I'm sick of worrying that you're off doing exactly the sort of thing that got you caught by You-Know-Who and got Ced-"
She stopped speaking abruptly, and Harry felt his chest tighten painfully.
"Go on," he whispered, "say it! 'What got Cedric killed'!"
Cho's eyes welled with tears. "I've never blamed you for that, Harry!"
"Then why bring it up?" he asked angrily, outraged that she would rip into his wounds in that way. It was a wound she shared he realized. But she hadn't been there, she hadn't seen it happen and been unable to stop it. No one knew what it had really been like, and Harry resented anyone referring to it for just that reason. His demons were his own; he didn't need others flaying them in their ignorance. Not even Cho Chang.
Cho wiped her eyes. "Harry, I won't go through that again, I can't! I lost Cedric in a horrible way, and it tore me apart! I know we were just kids, but it hurt like nothing I'd ever experienced before." She took a deep breath, then looked him steadily in the eye.
"Your whole life is wrapped up in Him, in trying to stop Him or stay hidden from Him. I know you're an extraordinary person, Harry, but I'm so afraid that something's going to happen to you, too. I just can't…"
The tears began to pour down her face, leaving Harry numb and voiceless. She shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Harry!" Cho whispered, then turned and walked swiftly away. Harry watched her go, feeling empty, yet strangely without anger. The sun was still up, the sky wasn't falling, and people were still walking through the streets. Life wasn't over.
"Harry?" a hesitant voice beside him spoke softly. Harry turned slowly and saw Hermione and Ron standing beside him. Somehow, he wasn't surprised that they were suddenly there.
"You all right, mate?" Ron asked, looking worriedly into Harry's pale face. Harry nodded slowly, speaking with effort.
"How much did you hear?" he asked woodenly.
"Nothing," Hermione hastily reassured him. "We just…well, we saw Cho crying and speaking so seriously to you. And then she walked away, and you didn't follow…"
Harry nodded. "Let's go."
The trio began walking towards the carriages, Ron and Hermione full of questions but remaining silent. Harry would speak when he was ready, and until then they would let him have his space.
"And I thought my day was bad!" Ron mumbled, making Hermione smile slightly. Ron half hoped that Harry would ask what he meant, partly because he thought Harry could use a distraction and partly because he was still mad as hell at Ginny. But Harry didn't appear to have heard anything; he just continued walking and staring at the ground. Ron sighed; it had been a long day.
****************
Ginny stood outside of Zonko's Joke Shop, glancing impatiently at her watch every few seconds. Just as they had run out of Dervish and Banges, Caleb had decided he'd needed something else before they went. Now it was four forty, and she had a nasty feeling that they were going to miss the carriages.
After five minutes Draco had gone in after Caleb, muttering something about transfiguring him into a coconut. Ginny half hoped he would, since this last minute shopping would likely cost them their ride back to Hogwarts. She peeked inside the shop door and saw with relief that they were at the sales counter, Draco frowning blackly at a blithely laughing Caleb. Ginny felt a rush of irritation. This was not the time to be joking! As soon as they came out, she began scolding him.
"Honestly Caleb, you should have bought all this beforehand! We've just fifteen minutes to get to the carriages and if we don't make it, we'll have to walk! I don't know about you, but I don't fancy walking all the way back to Hogwarts in these-"she held up a foot for a second, flashing an old pair of lace up work boots. "They're frightfully heavy, and my feet are already killing me!"
"Miss Weasley, calm yourself! We're not far from the carriages, just minutes, I think." Caleb laughed, tucking her arm through his yet again. Ginny frowned and continued to rant.
"…rather irresponsible…completely unnecessary…think ahead and plan for these things…"
She didn't know it, but she sounded remarkably like her mother. Draco was smirking rather happily.
"Ginny, if they're such a bother, why did you wear them?" Caleb asked when he could finally get a word in. Ginny scowled and yanked her arm away from him.
"I hadn't planned on going anywhere until you interjected yourself into my conversation with Susan!" she said hotly.
"Oh really, Miss Weasley? I believe your conversation was due to be interrupted regardless, thanks to Mr. Finnigan." Caleb rolled his eyes.
"So you charged to her rescue, did you?" Draco asked sarcastically.
"Of course! I am the dashing knight, and I polish my armor regularly to be ready for any situation!" Caleb replied easily with a roguish grin. Ginny snorted in disgust.
"Oh, please!" she muttered darkly. Draco eyed her in amusement, then looked over at Caleb.
"You simply must tell me how you do it. I mean, she looks as happy as a House Elf."
"Ha ha," Caleb mocked, making a face while Ginny punched Draco's arm.
"Miss Weasley!" a female voice suddenly called from behind them. Turning, they beheld the slender form of Elizabeth Morgan running towards them.
Ginny frowned in surprise, waiting for Elizabeth to catch up to them. The older woman's hair was mussed and her eyes were wild, which frightened Ginny. Instinctively she drew closer to her companions, and was surprised but reassured when she felt Draco's hand come to rest on her shoulder.
"Miss Weasley," Elizabeth gasped, out of breath, "you must come with me quickly! There's been an accident with your brother, I don't yet know how badly off he is. Mr. Malfoy, you must come as well! The other teachers wish to speak with you."
"What?" Ginny gasped, beginning to follow Elizabeth. "Ron? What happened?"
"And who wants to see me?" Draco added suspiciously, following along more slowly. Curious, Caleb followed as well.
Elizabeth turned to Draco impatiently. "I don't have time to explain, Mr. Malfoy! But Professor Snape needs you!"
"Snape is here?" Draco asked, surprised. He hadn't seen the Potions Master all day. But he had been too distracted, really, to see who else had been in town with them. Still, if Snape had been there, Draco was sure he would have seen him at some point. He wanted to ask more questions, but Ms. Morgan was fairly yanking Ginny along, and Ginny was already running as fast as she could in her blind panic. Draco swore under his breath, grabbed Caleb by his sleeve, and hurried to catch up. He was being forced into a situation blindly, but he refused to go in unprepared. There was strength in numbers. Or he hoped there was.
"Ouch! Draco, you're tearing my sleeve!" Caleb hissed.
"Then hurry up, you idiot!" Draco snapped, wondering why he was following this strange woman. He'd been raised to mistrust everyone and this situation didn't feel right at all. Damn Weasley for a trusting fool! She was running now, babbling questions but receiving no answers. At least, no direct answers, as far as Draco could tell.
"Did he hit his head?" Ginny asked when Elizabeth told her he'd fallen from a carriage.
"He's sustained a dreadful wound," Elizabeth replied anxiously. "I don't know how bad."
"Is it me, or is this lovely damsel not all she appears?" Caleb whispered. Draco didn't have time or breath to reply. They turned into a narrow alley, and Draco could see carriages blocking the far end of it. Elizabeth suddenly slowed, grabbing Ginny's elbow to stop her. Ginny turned to her in confusion, her face tight with worry and fear.
"What is it? I need to get to Ron!" Ginny gasped. But Elizabeth's face had changed, growing suddenly very sad.
"I'm sorry, Miss Weasley. There's nothing wrong with your brother."
"Nothing… but you said he was hurt!" Ginny protested, frowning even more.
"I knew it!" Draco spat, pulling out his wand and aiming it at Elizabeth. Caleb had already dropped his bag and pulled out his own.
"Dear me, no manners!" came a voice from above. Draco whirled around just as something large and heavy came crashing down upon him. He hit the pavement hard, knocking his head against the ground and dropping his wand. Near him he heard Caleb shout in protest and Ginny scream, and he knew they'd been disarmed as well. He struggled to maintain consciousness, forcing his eyes to open.
"We meet again, Mr. Malfoy," said the blonde female vampire, the one who'd led the last attack against him, as she leaned over his face. He was trapped this time, he knew, and the last thing he heard before he lost consciousness was Ginny screaming.
"WHY??"