Chapter 7
The Mission
I know the HBP is out, so this doesn't include what has happened. Also, Sirius is still alive in this story as well, so yeah just letting you know.
Summary: School has started for Ginny, Hermione, Harry and Ron. They have been given High Prefect for a good reason to Protect Ginny. However, when some certain person appears. Who will be protecting?
"Ginny, Harry, are you sure about that Mrs. Malfoy is dead?" Asked Dumbledore.
"Yes, professor, I am very positive." Said Harry.
"We must break the news to Draco immediately!"
"Yes we certainly must," said Harry with a sly grin on his face.
Dumbledore ignored his smart comment "All of you, follow me please".
******
Everyone got up from their chairs and headed down to the Slytherin Common Room. When they got there, they were amazed. The Slytherin common room was dark, cold and had an eerie feel to it, like monsters would erupt from the walls and grab unsuspecting victims.
"How can anyone live in a place like this?" Muttered Ginny not really requiring an answer, but received one from Ron anyway.
"Their Slytherin's, what do you expect?"
"That's enough Ron," scolded Dumbledore with a smile betraying the fact he agreed with Ron.
As they waited at the entrance an intelligent beyond his years looking, seventh year came to great them.
"Oh, hello Headmaster. How can I help you on this wonderful night?"
"I wish to speak to Draco Malfoy please."
"Sure I'll just get him, OI, DRACO, YOUR WANTED DOWN HERE, he will be down in a minute sir, please come in and make yourself welcome." With this the seventh year that had been so polite took the time to openly scowl at the Gryffindor's who had crossed on to his beloved territory before moving on.
The seventh year walked up to the boy's dormitories, and knocked on Draco door.
"Oi, Malfoy, open this door at once."
"Yeah in -ahhh Pansy stop it- minute."
"Well you better get your ass down there cause the Headmaster is here and waiting with the Golden Trio, with that little Weaslette."
"Ok, I'm coming- Pansy Get the Fuck off Me You Whore."
The door opened as Draco stepped out while putting a white sleek shirt made out of thin material that showed his hard built figures, it wasn't bulky but a slim body laced with muscle. He walked down to the Common Room; buttoning up the final last buttons of his shirt when his face screwed up in dislike at the site of the people he most hated standing right outside the common room. What made the fact worse was that they were in his common room. The Gryffindor had dared to stray into his lair!
"Hello Professor, what seems to be the problem on this despicable night?" Said Draco as he leaned casually against the door frame
"We have some bad news for you." Said Dumbledore, "Please have a seat."
"I'll rather stand than sit with these Gryffinwhores,"
"Take that back Malfoy, before someone gets hurt." Said Ron as the colour of his face began to match his famous Weasley hair.
"Make me; I'm sure a fly wouldn't even find you a worthy adversary."
"Look Malfoy, we don't want any trouble all right? We just have some information that concerns you. It's about your mother." Said Hermione.
"What do you know about my mother that I don't, Mudblood? You shouldn't even be at this school."
"Take that back Malfoy; if it wasn't for Ginny here, you wouldn't even know that your mother is dead." Said Harry viciously jumping at the chance to involve himself in a petty war of words.
"Oh please Harry, call me Draco we must be on first name basis by now…What did you say?"
"You heard correctly Mr Malfoy, your mother was killed just a few minutes ago, I am very sorry" said Dumbledore.
"You're… kidding right sir? My mother? Killed? - Nice one Potter. Was it your idea to pull this prank on me, that my mother is dead? Well over my dead body will I believe that!"
"That can be arranged," mumbled Harry under his breath.
"Mr Potter, I understand you two aren't the best of pals, but be a little sensitive the poor boys mother has just died," scolded Dumbledore.
"It's true Draco," Ginny stood and walked up to Draco, who just stood there with his, eyes starring at Ginny's brown ones with a intensity that could kill. "It's true, she was killed by Voldemort. Someone told Voldemort the password, I am sorry, I'm so very sorry." Ginny broke down to the ground in front of Draco's feet, tears running down her face with continuous apologies remembering with clarity that frightened her.
Draco was still in denial and looked down at the weeping girl shocked; he leaned down to Ginny and lifted her chin up to face him and saw the truth in her eyes.
"How do you know that it was my mother? You don't even know what she looks like. It might have been someone else; I know in my heart my mother is not dead." He said, and hoped that what he spoke was true.
Ginny looked into Draco's silver, grey eyes. 'I have seen your mother Draco, at the world Quidditch match in third year. You think I like having this affliction of seeing what to come and what has past. I hate it. I hate this mark, I hate seeing people dying in my dreams, I hate seeing people getting hurt, but most of all I hate seeing you getting hurt.' Ginny's telepathic voice echoed in Draco's mind.
Suddenly anger flared in Draco's eyes. He whipped out his wand. Pushing Ginny hard against the floor
"I Said Don't Ever Read My Mind Again. Get Out Of My Head Weasley. For The Last Time, My Mother Is Not Dead And No Matter How Hard You Push The Matter I Will Not Agree With Your Foolishness. She can't be dead! She just can't… I can't believe this, I'm exactly like Potter over here; no one left to love me oh boo hoo hoo. I will repeat it again, since you all seemed to be a little hard of hearing, my mother is not dead! Now get of my sight. Now! Get Out Of This Common Room!" Draco turned around to leave when he heard Dumbledore behind him.
"Draco." He said, "When you settle down, I would like to see you in my office tomorrow after breakfast, understood?"
Dumbledore turned around to face Ginny. "Ginny I would like you to see me after breakfast as well."
Harry, Hermione, Ron and Dumbledore walked out of the dark den the Slytherin's so called the common room. Ginny lifted herself off the floor and went up to Draco.
"Draco I know this is a hard time for you, but I have a question to ask you."
"Oh, god not another," Draco turned his head in annoyance. "You had better hope it's not one of those 'mark talks,' cause if that's the case then I don't want to hear it. Just get out of my sight Weasley. You and your slime ball friends have caused enough anguish for me to last a lifetime, just leave." Draco advanced towards the stairs but was stopped by an arm around his wrist.
"NO, I'm not leaving until you hear me out Malfoy."
"So it's back to Malfoy now, fine. Just get on with it."
Ginny took a deep breath, still holding his wrist. "Did you mean that kiss on the train?"
"What sort of question is that? Since when did I kiss you?" Draco's face remained expressionless.
"On the Train Malfoy, YOU kissed me on my forehead after we talked about things. Your father for once how he treated--"
Draco took a step closer to Ginny, grasped her hips tightly, and leaned forward until their noses were an inch apart. Ginny could feel his warm breath blowing over her face as he spoke.
"Talk about my father again I will seriously have your head. Understood?"
Ginny gasped at the sudden closeness, she smelt the lingering scent of what seemed to be a mixture of soap and cologne.
"Y-yes, please Mal-Draco. Just tell me this; did you mean that kiss or was it just one of your sick little mind games"
Suddenly Draco tensed up, he knew. He meant it. Ginny was turning into a wonderful young lady with her bright red curls flowing down her shoulders ever so gently. The way her body seemed to perfect as his professional eye had once caught a brief glimpse of her when she split one of her robes trying to jump a barbed wire fence to see the thetrals that lived on the other side. Her brown eyes shined every time she smiled their depths one-day he wished to explore just to see how far they really went. However, he knew her eyes always radiated her soul. And looking at them for a brief moment was dangerous for one who emotions were guarded as well as his. Oh yes. He did mean that kiss. He meant it all right. But Draco knew better than to create an illusion that could not be fulfilled, she was off limits. Suddenly he let go of her. Not wanting to touch or be near what he could never had.
Ginny just stood there, shocked.
"No, it was just a kiss that meant to thank you. Nothing more, and come to think of it, I have to disinfect my lips now. Their probably soiled from kissing a Weasley" Draco said not being able to tell her it meant nothing, such a lie he could not get away with without betraying his real emotions, so instead he opted to insult her that should keep her away.
"Oh, well I guess I'll see you around then," said Ginny her eyes brimming with tears her disappointment evident in the sad smile she gave him before looking down at her highly polished shoes.
Draco thought his heart was going to break at sight of those brown puppy dog eyes.
"And that means… I won't be hanging around you will I?" Ginny whispered looking down at the floor.
"Well, only tomorrow will tell I guess in that dickheads office." He said loathingly.
Ginny took one step towards Draco and kissed him on the cheek. Without warning a slap landed on Ginny face.
"Don't you dare do that again!"
"God, so I can't even thank you! Fuck you, why did you have to hit so hard now I'm going to have a bruise! Thanks a lot Malfoy" Ginny rubbed her sore cheek and stepped outside the common room brushing away large tears from her eyes not caring is she ruined her robe sleeve. She headed towards the Gryffindor tower and went to sleep with a certain blonde Slytherin voice echoing in her mind. "No, it was just a kiss that meant to thank you. Nothing more, come to think of it I have to disinfect my lips now. Their probably soiled from kissing a Weasley" Ginny sighed depressingly; he didn't mean it after all. 'I am but another fool in the court waiting to be beheaded by my King.'
**********
Harry, Ron and Hermione waited in the Common Room for Ginny to turn up when finally the common room's door opened wide and Ginny stepped in slamming it behind her. Ron got up to greet her but instead she ran past him with her hand covering her cheek.
"I wonder what happen to her?" said Harry.
"I think Malfoy did something, we will sort him out." Said Ron standing in anger.
"Oh bloody hell, just sit down Ron. I wonder what will be happening with Ginny and Malfoy tomorrow after breakfast I hope we don't have to look after him too." Said Hermione, her voice laced with hates.
"Let just wait and see," muttered Harry through sleep filled eyes.
A short while later they separated the only time they ever did in the day, to go to bed. Well most times at least, but nine out of ten as soon as Ron was asleep Harry would take a little walk leaving Ron to wake in the morning and find his bed empty. But tonight everyone was too tired and fell asleep as soon as their weary head touched the softness of the pillow.
*****
The next morning, Draco stood in Dumbledore office looking around. It was clear to any that he didn't not want to be there. So he continued to look around boldly, waiting for the Weaslette to come. The door slammed open as the Red Haired girl made her attendance.
"About bloody time you got here."
"Shut up Malfoy I got caught up with something, sorry I'm late Dumbledore."
"Ok, please take a seat; I have something to talk about concerning both of you. So listen carefully."
Draco stood up in shocked.
"So you're saying professor that Voldemort and his followers got an advantage in this upcoming war? How, I mean my Father isn't there anymore and he was the leader of the Death Eaters shouldn't they be in a hopeless disarray without their leader to baby-sit them."
"Voldemort have somehow found out that Ginny has the mark, which puts Ginny's life in danger, if Voldemort gets Ginny the whole world will be in so much danger that I rather die then face the consequences. This is why I have asked you, Draco, to look after her as well as Harry, Hermione and Ron. You four are the strongest students in the Defence against the Dark Arts area. I am aware Draco you do know some Dark arts spells, potions and charms. And I know you aren't on the good terms with Potter, Granger and Weasley, but it is a time to put your difference aside and help. For if we crumble now, mark my words there won't even be a pebble to reconstruct after this war is through."
"I will not help on your little glory trip, Ginny doesn't need my protecting, and she can manage on her own. She has the ability to defend for herself and her friends. Did you see what happen two months ago at Diagon Alley? She killed half of the Death Eaters population in one bloody hit. I am not going to be apart of this scam."
"Draco, I know last night was painful. As you have no family left. Just please help us out and be on out side in the up and coming war, join us in the battle. You've already tested the dark forces side and that didn't give you much did it, it just made you an orphan. Look what happened to your parents when they joined the dark side; they ended up dead didn't they, what honour is there in being dead, least there is some if you die for a worth cause. I don't want you to be my bodyguard nor Harry, Hermione and defiantly not Ron's. You might despise Harry, but you've fallen into the same category. You might not want to be my body guard, but I let you in on a little secret Draco. I don't want to have the mark." Ginny got up from her chair. Walked across the room grasping Draco's hand, which took him by surprise. "I don't know if this is a good idea for you to join. But somehow in my heart and in this mark it seems to feel like the right thing." Ginny looked into Draco's silver blue eyes as he held her gaze for a while and for a couple of minutes forgetting that Dumbledore was still there, then turned into a shade of red and sat back down.
"Draco I know it must be hard but I need to know your answer now. Will you or will you join? I can't do this alone. I need help your help."
Draco sat down; deep in thought while Dumbledore rubbed his sore eyes. 'Who could have told Tom that Ginny has the Soul Keeper? We really do have the disadvantage in this upcoming war.' Dumbledore rubbed his eyes again and looked up at Draco, whom still seemed to be occupied.
"So what-."
"Dumbledore, I think I know who might have told Tom" Ginny cut off.
"Who do you think it was?"
"Buckle, Buckle Shamrock."
"I see," said Dumbledore, understanding Ginny's train of thought. "I see, indeed, he must have some how managed to get some of your blood Ginny. However, how? You told me you broke the goblet. Unless he used some of the blood that was on the knife. He and Voldemort must be after you now. Draco, we are still waiting on your decision, we need you, and it is now or never. So what are you friend or foe?"
***********
Draco stormed out of the Room, he chose to help Ginny, but he will not stand aside and let the Golden Trio win. He went down the hall followed by Ginny's voice, calling out desperately behind him.
"DRACO, STOP!" Commanded Ginny as she rushed after him
Draco stood his ground and turned around to face his pursuer.
"What do you want? And by the way I only said yes because I had no other choice."
"And I thank you for that. What are you going to do?"
"My business is my own. Now get out of my sight."
Draco turned around and walked to the Slytherin Common Room. Forgetting all about the lessons, he still had to attend. He had other things troubling his mind.
'So Dumbledore wants to wait until things are sorted out for the battle, well screw waiting', thought Draco. Thoughts of his Mother floated in his head. She was the only one left for him in this world, until now. He couldn't accept her death, just because Ginny told him it didn't make it gospel. He refused to forget or forgive her death, he refused to let go so easily, and he couldn't. The truth was that no man could force a Malfoy to submit that easily, Draco had his interests at heart when he decided to join the bright side in the final battle. Therefore, whom was he doing it for? A picture of a beautiful red head came to mind, Draco suddenly took notice of which it was and immediately began trying to poke his eyes out with his Slytherin badge, but then retired, as it would cause too much pain. As he sat down a bitter smile crept into his face as he rose and paced the halls, thinking what he could do to avenge his mother's death, to give that Voldemort an arse kicking he wouldn't forget.
********
The next day Draco woke up in the early morning and packed his clothes for the mission. He is going to make Voldemort pay for what he has done to his mother, for what he had done to him, or die trying. He walked swiftly out of the Common Room into the Room of Requirements, to pick his weapons. He chose a Sword, 3 sets of daggers, and a machete to get through heavy vegetation and walked down to the Kitchen got himself a flask of Pumpkin juice, water and a month worth of food, the journey will be long and not very easy on the legs. He started to walk down to the Great Hall when he heard footsteps behind him.
"Ginny! What are you doing up?" He whispered harshly, trying hard not to wake anyone.
"What are you doing up?" she stared at him in his heavy Travelling cloak.
"What does it look like!" he spread his arms to the sides, dropped them again and turned back to stuffing more food into his bag pack, knowing there was no chance in hiding it.
Ginny's Eyes grew wide when a sudden understanding erupted in her mind followed by a look of disbelief that crept into her face. "You can't go! You can't leave, not now! You heard Dumbledore, we need to stay together!" she whispered.
"Well you know what Ginny? - Screw Dumbledore and his plans! I've got more important ones of my own!" he hissed back.
"So this is your mission? To get revenge on you mother's death? This is insane Draco and you know it as well as I do, you have no chance against him!"
It didn't take a lot of brain power for him to know she was talking about Voldemort or realise that she was right, yet he chose not to listen.
"And what do you know about it? This is none of your business! Go back to sleep Ginny." He said.
"Fine then…. Then if you go… I'm going with you." Ginny made up her mind.
"Are you insane? This is my, MY mission and you are most defiantly NOT coming, it's simple as that!"
"Yes I am!" said Ginny
"Or what?" said Draco.
"Or I'll scream, wake everyone up and tell the whole school about your secret, that you are in love with a Weasley, and that you are planning to go ahead on this suicide mission."
"I am not, and that's… That's blackmail. How dare you blackmail a Malfoy?"
Draco paced around occasionally looking at the red head. 'How dare she does this to me of all the bloody time in the world to do it? How dare she force me to submit? How could she?' Draco estimated his situation from every angle and realised. It was no use arguing she had won. Well, I guess I have no choice I'll have to take her…'
Draco stared at her for a moment as a sudden thought came to his mind while she glared back at him stubbornly.
"What?" she said finally.
"Are you sure you weren't supposed to be sorted into Slytherin?"
"What?"
"Never mind" Draco started to walk and stopped at the door.
"Are you coming or not, you might be useful with that mark of yours" Draco smirked.
"Good. Let's go, just one Question. Where are we going?"
"To end this up coming war before it starts, or as you said yesterday and I quote "let kill Voldie."
All Ginny could do was run after Draco who was already near the Forbidden Forest.
"Do you know the way?"
"I have an idea," he said and Ginny got the feeling he knew more than he was letting up.
********
"I can't find her anywhere, where is she? GINNNNNNNNY, GIN WHERE ARE YOU?" Ron's screams echoed along the corridors.
"She isn't in her bed; all of her clothes are gone… I'm really sorry Ron but I doubt you'd find her here..." Said Hermione.
They ran up to Dumbledore office and barged through the door. Dumbledore held up a hand.
"I know she is gone, and she is with Draco Malfoy. They have gone to kill Voldemort."
Ron, Harry and Hermione all gasped.
"Malfoy…" whispered Ron while his fist tightened with rage, so much so that his knuckles were turning white and purple before their very eyes.
************
Well there you have it. The next chapter, hope you enjoyed. I've almost almost finished ch 10. But I need a beta. Anyway in the next chapter. Ginny and Draco has some tricks up their sleeves. Draco is finally trying to accept that his mother is dead. And why do I have a feeling that this trip isn't mainly aimed to avenge his mother's death. Until then happy reading.