Bonds of Blood by kumydabookworm

Rating: PG13
Genres: Angst, Romance
Relationships: Draco & Ginny
Book: Draco & Ginny, Books 1 - 6
Published: 04/08/2005
Last Updated: 04/08/2005
Status: Completed

She had never been a good mother. But bonds of blood are the strongest ties to a person. To
protect her, he will give up everything. Will the ultimate Betrayal shatter the bonds in time to
save his love? Or will he always look back with regret? One-Shot




1. Bonds of Blood
-----------------

A/N – This fiction is accompanied by a song I wrote called, “Sense of Remembrance.” Enjoy! –
Kumy

*Bonds of blood demand ultimate loyalty, no matter how it is denied.
Even against one’s own will, the bond will pull you back – demand sacrifice. Only one thing can
break it completely: Betrayal.*

- quoted from The Loyalties of a Wizard, by Merlin

**Dip myself into intoxication
It’s my tourniquet from reality
See deformed faces all round
I’m no longer keeper of my sanity**

“Another shot, bartender.” Draco Malfoy was in a Muggle bar, of all places. He had taken a risk,
spying for the Light. But now he worked for the Dark…double-crossing was the oldest intrigue in the
game. That is what he had begun – because Voldemort threatened his mother. He couldn’t let anything
happen to his mother. Not even if it cost him his life…his respect…his everything.

The ironic thing is that he had thought he had given up everything to fight for the Light…but
somehow, he had given more when he returned to the Dark Side. Bonds of the Dark were never cut,
they said. He had succeeded but it pulled him back in the end. Always. No matter what he believed
in.

The bartender glanced at him. But he didn’t ask any questions. The good thing about Muggles is
that as long as you paid, there were no questions asked. He silently slid a shot-glass across the
marble counter. Draco barely managed to catch it before it dropped off the edge.

He just wanted to forget. Forget what he had done today. Forget the betrayals, the lies. Forget
that he had once said that he would die before he served Voldemort again, only to become a coward
at the time of action. Forget that he was fighting for the wrong sides…for all the wrong
reasons.

**I just want that sense of remembrance
Of what life was before it came crashing down
I just want to feel a presence
When I needed someone and someone was around**

There was no one left on his side. The Light and the Dark both hated him…his mother had disowned
him when he turned to the Light because she fully trusted her “friends”…people who were threatening
to kill her in order to get him back to the Dark. Even now, after returning to the Dark, she
refused to see him saying he had “betrayed his father’s memory.” Considering Lucius Malfoy had come
near to beating her to death on several occasions, he couldn’t really see why his memory was so
important to her. But that was the way his mother was. So weak, so emotional…it is what made him
loathe her even as it strengthened his love for her. His need to protect her.

And Ginevra Weasley. The one girl that he probably had never imagined himself with in his whole
life. Now she was the reason why he was sitting in this bar. Because truth be told, even though he
loved his mother – he didn’t respect her. That respect he held for only one person in this world he
truly loved of his own will…Ginny. Now that Ginny wasn’t there for him, nothing seemed to matter
anymore.

**Uncared for and abused
Of the one thing I cared about
All the pills and needles don’t change
That loneliness that has me bound**

Ginny had found out about the double-cross several weeks ago. She had not said anything, and he
had struggled to explain. “Your mother left you behind for the Dark…now you are going back for her?
She doesn’t care about you. Only her needs, her desires.”

And he could only answer with, “She’s my mother, Ginny. What am I supposed to do?”

The look in her eyes had been a tortured mix of pain and ferocity. “You are supposed to do what
you think is right…what you believe in. You are supposed to not consider anyone else, just what you
think.”

He asked quietly, “Even you?”

Her mouth twisted in pain for a single instant. “Even me. What do you think is right?”

He glanced away for an instant. “The Light. It’s what I believe in. But I can’t let my mother
die. She helped me survive through the years my father was alive. Without her, even as weak as she
was, I wouldn’t have fought to live until I was free. She is trapped there…and no one will help
her. I can’t let her die.”

“Your mother is not *trapped* by anything. Your father has been dead for years. There is
nothing to stop her from joining you in the Light. Only her own weaknesses.”

He interrupted her. “My mother made me strong, Ginny. She helped me through my weaknesses. There
is no reason why I shouldn’t help her do the same.”

Her eyes burned with a fire that had melted the ice in Draco’s heart long ago. Now he wished he
still had that shield, to protect him from the guilt, the hurt at pushing her away.

“Draco, there is a reason! It nearly *killed* you to leave her behind once. Don’t throw
away the sacrifice you made for what you thought was right, just because she can’t sacrifice the
same.”

He turned away. She wouldn’t understand. “Ginny, I can’t let her die. She’s my mother.”

She sighed, brushing away the tears that fell on her cheeks. He wanted so badly to take her into
his arms, and take away her pain. But it was his mother.

“I can’t turn you in, Draco. I – I should, but I can’t. But I hope, I *hope* that you can
find a way back to the Light…back to me. Where you belong. Where you should be. Because you believe
in this cause that we fight for. Because I – “ her voice broke and she shuddered, holding back
tears, clenching her eyes shut so they wouldn’t break free in a waterfall down her cheeks. In a
broken whisper, her arms wrapped around her torso tightly against an urge to pull him against her
and plead with him to stay, she said, “*Because I love you*.”

He turned away from her, his eyes revealing only for an instant his torment, before storming out
the door. If he had stayed a moment longer, he couldn’t have left her there. Even now, tears fell,
scorching his soul with their guilt. But Narcissa was his mother.

**I admit I’ve made mistakes
And have made many confessions
But each time I come back
Because I will never learn my lesson**

The Dark Mark on his arm burned black, cutting through the oasis of oblivion to remind him of
his task. He sighed in regret. Today he would lead an attack against Hogwarts, weakened by the
sickness of Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore had been like a father he had never had back at home, but
when compared to the death of his mother, making him ill through a potion slipped into a cup of tea
was nothing. If he had let Dumbledore stay healthy, he would have done the equivalent of killing
his mother with his own hands. She was his mother…he a substitute for the father. In reality, he
was probably a better parent than Narcissa herself. But the bonds of blood were the strongest ever
created in magic, and between mother and child nearly impregnable.

He pushed away the voice that said he was just making excuses for his betrayal. There were no
excuses. He did what must be done. And because of that, he pushed away from the bar table and
Apparated to the headquarters of the Dark Side – in Albania, of all places.

He looked around at the gathered forces – at the masks that surrounded him. He grimaced behind
his own. He would be leading these forces against people he knew, cared about, admired…against the
only person in this world he loved. But he would do it and he knew why. The bonds of blood were
never broken. Merlin was never wrong. He would do it because of the mother that was never there for
him. His mother.

**I just want that sense of remembrance
Of what life was before it came crashing down
I just want to feel a presence
When I needed someone and someone was around**

“We go to fight at Hogwarts tomorrow morning…the home of the greatest wizard of all time, Albus
Dumbledore.” The crowd rumbled in anger and Draco realized his mistake. He couldn’t let Ginevra
break his concentration! It would kill him here for sure!

“The greatest wizarding fool, I mean!” he said as he faked laughter. The crowd roared with
him…he was lucky the Dark Lord wasn’t here. These fools may take his bluff, but Voldemort never
would have.

“Many may die and fall, but know that we carry the honor of the Dark Lord! To the last man! Make
sure you say and do the things you need to do, because this may be the last chance you have, men.
May courage aid you, and honor show you the way of the warrior.” He intoned the ancient chant used
by Dark fighters for centuries. Like these scoundrels knew the meaning of honor.

They replied, “May the Darkness show you the way of blood, and the Black Winds give you speed
and strength. Battle is on the morrow.”

**A slow beat in my chest
Becomes slower with each night
Another bottle to down with the fake
And another needle with an aftertaste**

He lay down on his bed and stared at the starry skies. They used to glitter with hope and
purity. Now it seemed that they glittered with scorn. Scorn for a man who could not break the bonds
that held him from many years ago for a woman he loved now. Who, he hoped, loved him as well. Her
love was the only thing keeping him going.

He didn’t know how long he could go on knowing that he may have to hurt her more than he had
already done. Hurt the ones she loved. He wouldn’t be able to watch her die. Of that much he was
certain. Whatever the risk, he wouldn’t be able to stand by and watch her die.

Not for the wand ready in the Dark Lord’s hand. He could nearly imagine a spell streaking from
it to kill him. Not for the scorn on the Order’s face. He could nearly imagine Dumbledore shutting
a door in his face. Not for the concern in Ginny’s eyes. He could nearly imagine her brown eyes,
pleading with him to keep his own life as a knife pressed against the pulse of her neck.

He threw his covers off and sat up, pressing the palms of his hands against his eyes. What was
he thinking? What was he seeing? It was only idle thoughts. Only speculation. He said this to
reassure himself as he went to bed.

But he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going to happen tomorrow. And with every
thought of Ginny’s pleading eyes, he could feel his heart slowing, his mind growing numb…he was
already steeling himself for a pain that he could *never* imagine.

**Maybe I will finally die
And get out of this hell’s jigsaw
For anything is better than this**

They woke in the morning at sunrise. The fiery globe reminded him of the bloodshed that was to
occur today. Death Eaters moved along in an ordered mass, disguised beneath a Cloaking spell. Draco
took a deep breath at the back of the line, staring ahead at the backs of the thousands of Death
Eaters. This would be a slaughter. He could only hope that Ginny would not be among them. Or his
mother. But his mother he would protect with his life.

He didn’t know what he would do if he had to watch Dumbledore die. But he knew that he would be
shattered, his self-will done, if he had to watch Ginny die. He didn’t know what to do. All he
could do was protect his mother, and hope someone else would do the same for his Ginny. Just hope
and pray and wish that there was another way. But there wasn’t…there was no other way.

The castle appeared over the crest of a hill and he looked silently down at the laughing
students. Ginny was in there – the Hogwarts Healer. He shoved away the thoughts of her and slowly
commanded his troops to take the castle – at all costs.

**I just want that sense of remembrance
Of what life was before it came crashing down
I just want to feel a presence
When I needed someone and someone was around**

The Order got there just in time to turn away the main force. The battle raged thick and heavy
for a long time…ages it seemed. But Draco turned away from the carnage and concentrated on keeping
his mother away from the front battle line. Away from danger.

She pleaded with him, over and over, to find a way to turn the tide of battle. Everyone could
see that on their own territory, the Light was winning through sheer will and desperation. The
Death Eaters simply didn’t have the heart.

“I know you know a way to change this, Draco. Do it…for me.” She said fiercely. He merely shook
his head at her and turned away. She grabbed his arm, very strong for a usually timid and frail
person. “Do it, Draco. Or I will find a way to make you.” Suddenly his contempt for this blind
follower overcame the love that made him give up his own hopes. He laughed in her face.

“Make me, Mother? You always have been able to. Go ahead and try.” She disappeared, and he put
the thought of her away in his mind, concentrating on the battle.

Several Hours Later-----

The battle line was ragged and broken in places. A few more minutes, and the attack would be
repulsed. Both sides knew it. The Light’s attack strengthened as Death Eaters began to desert and
lose hope.

Suddenly, the battered Narcissa Malfoy appeared before the battle line. The battle froze as both
sides stopped their fighting to protect important figures…Narcissa had her wand against Ginevra
Weasley’s neck. Draco’s heart stopped. His mother…his love…what was going on?

Narcissa spoke, her voice tight with rage. “This is the *thing* you left the Dark Side for?
The reason you shamed and betrayed your father?”

“Mother, just let her go. Please. You have no idea what you’re doing.” His voice shook, to his
horror. He firmly put his emotions in the back of his head. Miscalculating could kill Ginny right
now.

“*I* don’t know what I am doing? Then why do you look scared for the first time in your
life? Battle doesn’t scare you, Death doesn’t scare you…but losing her?”

“What do you want from me, Mother? I betrayed the Light, what I believed in, to save your life –
to protect you! Or do you really believe you remain valuable to the Cause without your husband and
your son? They threatened to *kill* you to get me back. So I came, gave up my love, my hopes,
my beliefs…because you are my *mother*. What more do you want? How much more can you take from
me?”

She smiled. “Victory, Draco. You know how to get it in this battle. Yet you remain loyal to the
Light in your heart. Give the Dark victory, and *Weasley* goes unharmed.”

He sighed, desperation and panic filling him. But he couldn’t let it show. “I don’t know,
Mother. Really. The Light has more heart, more loyalty to the Cause they fight for. That just can’t
be beaten by people fighting on the Dark – for distant promises when we win the War – if we win the
War. The belief they have, the power of Hogwarts itself…that just can’t be beaten.”

Narcissa’s eyes glimmered with fanaticism and she tightened her hold on Ginevra, pressing the
wand against the pulse in Ginny’s neck…just like Draco’s dream. His heart leapt to his throat. “You
KNOW! You do! You must. The Dark Side can’t lose!” Her voice was a near sob of despair. Suddenly
she gestured with her wand.

“No! Mother, don’t!.” It was too late. Ginny’s life blood spilled and rage overcame Draco’s
tight controls. He whipped out his wand and slashed with it in the air. Narcissa fell to the ground
dead.

The ultimate Betrayal. The bonds of blood were broken. And he was free...free to see in true
Light how Ginny was the person he couldn't live without. That his mother had never been a
mother. And now he was losing her...the Betrayal had not come in time to save the person he needed
most of all.

The battle began as soon as both the figures fell, but Draco’s eyes were only on Ginny. He
cleared people out of his way, Dark and Light alike, sweeping a path to Ginny.

He held her as her life slipped away. Cried for his love as the Dark Side retreated. He didn’t
even see the forgiveness in the eyes of the Weasleys, of Potter, of Granger, of Dumbledore. He
didn’t see anything, but her pale face, and her fading eyes.

**I just want that sense of remembrance
Of what life was before it came crashing down
I just want to feel a presence
When I needed someone and someone was around**

There was no one left. Nothing but the memories…the sense of remembrance. Of his love and how he
threw his chance, his hopes, his life away…bound by blood.

Bound by bonds now broken, he was left looking back with clear eyes to see how he ruined it. How
he killed her with his blood. See the blood staining his hand.

And he couldn't find his memories...couldn't see her face, her smile. As he drowned
himself in oblivion, he supposed it was just punishment to drown in darkness...after he killed the
very essence of Light.

Fin