Disclaimer: I donÕt own Harry Potter.
Chapter Twenty Six
Monday, 27 May
Voldemort stood before them, listening as his followers described what they had witnessed. There was no denying their absolute surprise, but their words held nothing but truth in them.
So, the youngest Weasley and the heir to the Malfoy estate were engaged, were they? A slow evil smile spread across his face. The fact that she was aligned to the vampires, and he to the veela's made it all that much better. By holding one, he could control the other, and by doing that, he would have two more allies in his campaign. He could definitely work with this.
"Follow both of them. Capture at least one and bring them to me. The other will follow willingly, if they are as in love as you say," Voldemort said, a warning in his tone. It was one that said if they were lying, they would pay a heavy price.
With bowed heads, the small group of Death Eaters Disapparated with tiny bangs.
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Luna woke with a gasp, her head swimming as her mind attempted to wake up properly after the shock.
Sending out her senses, Luna discovered that Draco and Ginevra had already left. Calling for Pansy, she didn't have to wait long for everyone to be roused, dressed and hurrying outside.
Colin took her arm, leading her along quickly. She didn't mind the action as she usually might have; Luna needed to get to Draco and Ginevra as fast as possible.
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Draco and Ginevra stood together, quiet in the misty morning, waiting as the sun began it's daily climb from out of the shadows and darkness. Waves brushed against the sand gently as the squid swayed in its sleep. The forest was bright with nocturnal eyes, but neither Draco nor Ginevra noticed.
Lettie, Albus, Minerva and Severus waited a few steps behind them, all four pretending to watch the rising sun rather than the people in front of them.
Ginevra looked at Draco, her stomach feeling like it was made of pure lead. He looked as though he felt the same. Draco took her hand in his, kissing the back of her hand softly.
Look after yourself, love, he thought.
Ginevra pulled him to her and hugged Draco tightly. You too, my love, she thought, her eyes squeezed tight to stop the tears.
Stop with all the repressed emotions. It's too early in the morning for that, Pansy's thoughts grumbled.
What are you doing? Lady Julianne and Lady Agnes will be here soon, Ginevra thought, hearing and smelling their friends coming up over the hill.
We will be fine, Luna replied calmly.
Didn't think you were going to get away without saying goodbye properly, did you? Neville asked as he stopped at the top of the hill, looking down at them.
Had thought about it, Ginevra replied with a slight smirk.
They all came down the hill together, Gregory hugging Draco tightly mere seconds after they reached him and Ginevra.
"Get off. Might be harder to kill, but I don't want to die from suffocation," he said, struggling in Greg's embrace.
Greg just chuckled and let him go.
"You excited about going?" Millicent asked, grinning.
She was covered in bruises, and her face had three long scratches across her nose and cheeks.
"I'm not sure how I feel about it," Ginevra said with a slight shrug. "It'll be interesting to see what I have to learn, but I'm going to miss everyone," she said, her voice quiet.
"We're all graduating in two months, you're just leaving that bit sooner than the rest of us. Stop it already," Padma said, hugging her tight.
"All right, I'm stopping now. You can leave my emotions the way they were," Ginevra added, pulling away.
Padma didn't even look ashamed at being caught, she simply grinned and hugged Draco too.
"All this emotion and hugging might make Draco in ter a regular feelin' person. Ye'd best stop afore he starts crying," Seamus said, smirking at Draco when he glared.
"Go bugger your boyfriends, Finnigan," he muttered.
"Was doin' that right fine 'fore had ter come down here," Seamus replied cheerfully. "Sooner yer both gone, sooner I can get back to doin' it."
Behind them, McGonagall had gone bright red. Dumbledore coughed slightly, as if he was hiding a laugh. Snape just raised an eyebrow slightly and tried not to listen to anymore of their conversation.
"Why are you standing all the way over there, Lettie? Get in here so we can do a group hug before these star-crossed lovers leave," Pansy said, smirking.
Lettie laughed at Ginevra and Draco's expressions and moved next to them. They all hugged each other, circling around the three in the middle.
"Good morning. Albus, Minerva, Severus. I trust you're well?" Julianne's voice asked a second later.
"As well as ever, Lady Julianne," Albus replied with a smile, bowing to her. "Lord Garion will not be joining you this morning?"
"No, Garion doesn't want to see Xavier," Jules replied, rolling her eyes at her husband's childish behaviour.
"There was no need for him not to attend then," an amused voice said behind them. "Hello, sister," Agnes said, smiling at Jules.
"Agnes. How are you?" Jules asked, grinning as she hugged her.
"I am sure I would be better had my husband not chosen to stay in the mansion rather than meet his brother-in-law," she replied, a chuckle escaping. "Yourself?"
"Good. There's a hunt tonight, so everyone's excited," she replied.
The group hug had dissolved moments before, and on hearing Julianne's voice, Seamus went completely still, staring at her.
Luna sighed softly, irritated. Now she would never had the chance to warn them...
"Artemis?" Seamus/Orion asked, still staring.
Julianne stopped as well, her mouth open in mid-sentence. She turned to look at Seamus, her form changing. She grew taller, her blonde hair changed to brunette, and small wings pushed from her back as a chiton replaced her normal attire. Her bow and quiver were strung on her back, and Artemis grinned at Orion broadly.
"Long time, no see, Orion," she said.
"Bitch. You killed me!" Orion growled.
"Believe me, I was as upset about that as you were. I grieved for you longer than I did one of my companions," Artemis replied.
"Of course you did. Precious little hunter meant more to you than a companion, didn't he?" Apollo growled.
"You, brother, will stay out of this. If not for you, Orion would not have had to be reborn," Artemis said, glaring at him.
"If not for me, you would have lost your maidenhood to the brute," he replied.
Orion reddened slightly. The sun seemed to get brighter, and both Agnes and Ginevra hissed as their skin tingled fiercely.
Julianne's form mixed with Artemis' as she looked to her sister in worry.
"Leave now. We will discuss this later," Artemis said, still glaring at Apollo.
Apollo faded without so much as a blink, and Orion looked to Artemis.
"Is what he said true?"
"Of course not. You would not have taken me after what Eos put you through. I distinctly remember you telling me that you would never take another woman. My infatuation was nothing more than an appreciation for such a skilled hunter. I would have felt the same way had you been one of my female companions. Do not worry yourself over the past," Artemis murmured. "Now, you were not really angry with me for killing you, were you?" she asked, contradicting her own advice.
"No longer, Artemis. I think I am ... how did Hades put it? ... getting over my ego and emotional issues," Orion said, grinning slightly.
"When do we get to meet Hades? He sounds like a blast," Millicent said, grinning.
"Do not wish that meeting so eagerly, Millicent," Luna murmured.
Millicent paled slightly and her mouth tightened as if not to let any more words out.
Orion faded and Seamus leaned against Neville slightly, the emotional turmoil overwhelming. Artemis disappeared a moment later and Julianne stopped to take a breath.
"My apologies, but we must be leaving. The sun is getting quite intense," Agnes murmured, holding out her hand for Ginevra and Lettie to take.
Lettie stepped forward, taking her hand with a smile.
"Good bye. Look after yourselves, all right?" Parvati said, her eyes tearing up.
You too. 'Til next we meet, Lettie thought, smiling sadly.
'Til next we meet, everyone echoed quietly.
Ginevra kissed Draco one last time. A tear ran down her cheek as she stepped to Agnes and took her hand. All three disappeared in an instant.
Draco was quiet as he stepped to Julianne, his lips tingling. He took Jules' hand and watched his friends fade as he disappeared.
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Ginevra and Lettie opened their eyes as they felt the world stop spinning. Lettie frowned, not recognising where they were. Ginevra, on the other hand, knew exactly where they were.
"Why are we at the Burrow?" she asked Agnes.
"I thought you would appreciate seeing your mother and father before being leaving for an undetermined time. You will not be able to see them during your time away with us; it will be too difficult to resist her blood," Agnes replied.
"Thank you," she replied, letting go of her hand to walk up the kitchen door.
Lettie was silent as she watched Mrs. Weasley open the door, enveloping Ginevra in a hug before she had a chance to say anything to her. Her mother hadn't hugged her like that in ... well, she didn't remember Lavender's mother ever hugging her like that. It was odd, thinking of her own mother as though she was someone else's, but she was no longer Lavender, and her mother had been cold to her daughter, caring only for her vanity and social status.
"Would you like to see your mother, Lettie?" Agnes asked softly.
"No, thank you, Lady. There is nothing we have to say to each other, and I am positive that my absence would not be noticed," Lettie replied, a tremble in her tone.
"You can see her right now, without her seeing you, if you would prefer?" Agnes asked.
Mrs. Weasley laughed even as she cried, a hand on her daughter's arm. Did her mother ever love her like that?
"Yes, please," Lettie replied before she had even realised what she said.
With a soft reassuring smile, Agnes took her to the nearby bird bath. She held her hand over the water for a moment, and Lettie watched as her reflection rippled and her mother was staring back at her. She clutched the edge of the bird bath tightly.
Anita Brown stood in her daughter's room, flicking through the hanging clothes in her wardrobe. Lavender wasn't at the front of her mind as she did this, only the night's charity ball had any weight in her mind. She hadn't heard from Lavender in some time, but they'd gone months without talking before and the absence was barely noticed. Seeing the dress she wanted, Anita pulled it out of her daughter's closet and held it up against her petite frame.
Lettie looked away, her fingers disturbing the water as she let go of the bird bath's edge.
"Why don't you come inside? I'll have a pot of tea ready in minutes," Molly said, smiling at Agnes and Lettie.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Agnes said, following her inside.
Lettie looked at the still water one more time, and then went up to the Burrow.
"Arthur was called in to the Ministry this morning, so he won't be able to see you today, I'm sorry Ginny. Maybe another time? Would you like cake? I have tea cakes, cupcakes, scones. Biscuits too, if you'd rather them," Molly offered, still smiling.
"Mum, breathe; you're scaring them," Ginevra said, grinning at her overwhelming hospitality.
"Nonsense. Why don't you introduce us properly, dear? Then you can show me that lovely ring," Molly added, her eyes twinkling.
Ginevra flushed slightly; she'd forgotten to spell the ring before leaving Hogwarts. "Mum, this is Lady Agnes. She's a Council member, my mentor and wife to Lord Xavier. Lady Agnes, this is my Mum, Molly," she said.
"A pleasure to meet you," Molly said, shaking Agnes' hand gently. "I hope my daughter will make you as proud as she has made me," she said, smiling at Ginevra.
"Undoubtedly, Mrs. Weasley. She is a very special witch," Agnes replied.
"This is Lettie," Ginevra continued, trying not to get embarrassed by their compliments. "She is my companion, and has offered to look after my affairs with Draco."
"Lovely to meet you, Lettie. What does Ginny mean about you looking after her affairs?" Molly asked.
It took Lettie a moment to realise that she was asking about Ginevra.
"My Lady means that I will be handling her correspondence, as well as other duties relating to her wellbeing," Lettie replied.
"That sounds like quite a task. Does it involve..." Molly began to ask, then paused, shook her head and smiled at Lettie. "Sugar?" she asked as a tea pot moved to hover above Lettie's cup.
"One, thank you," she said, startled by the sudden change of topic.
"If you have time, I would like to go to Diagon Alley with you today, dear," Molly said, smiling at Ginevra.
Agnes nodded as she sipped her tea, and Ginevra agreed to her mother's request. It had been necessary to redirect Molly's questions. Too many questions like that could mean the difference between life and death in war.
"Now, let me see that ring," Molly said, taking Ginevra's hand with a bright grin. "How did he propose?"
Lettie sat up a bit straighter; she hadn't heard exactly how Draco had proposed. She had no doubt that it would be an interesting story.
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"Why are we at Malfoy Manor, Julianne?" Draco asked when they stopped and he saw where they were. "More importantly, how did you get past the wards?" he muttered, looking back to the large gate.
"That trivial magic is no match for me," Jules replied, waving it off easily. "Have a day with your Mum. It'll be your last for a while, so enjoy it," she added, knocking on the front door loudly.
"Hello?" a house-elf asked uncertainly, opening the door. "Master Draco! Come in, come in! Master Draco has brought a friend too. Welcome to Master Draco's friend," the house-elf said.
"No need to scan me, little one. Please inform Narcissa that we are here," Jules said with a smile.
"Scan you?" Draco queried as the house-elf disappeared.
"You think all that babble is for show? It's a spell based on sound waves and other stuff that no one quite understands. Basically, it lets a house-elf know if I'm a danger to you or your family. There's a reason house-elves are passed down through generations, and loyalty to Houses is one of the main reasons," Julianne replied.
"Oh," was all Draco had time to say before his mother appeared in the foyer.
"Draco," she said, a smile breaking out over her face as she moved to him and hugged him.
"Hello, Mother," Draco said, hugging her back.
"Oh, I do apologise," Narcissa said, stepping away when she noticed Julianne.
"No need for apologies, Mrs. Malfoy," Julianne replied.
"Mother, this is Lady Julianne. She is Lord Garion's wife, and one of the Ancients of the Veela Council," Draco introduced. "Lady Julianne, this is my mother, Narcissa."
"Delightful to meet you, Mrs. Malfoy," Julianne said, smiling as she and Narcissa shook hands.
"The delight is mine, Lady Julianne. I hope Draco has been behaving himself?"
"Of course I have, Mother," he replied indignantly.
"He is very well behaved, Mrs. Malfoy. You did a wonderful job of raising him," Julianne complimented her.
"Thank you. However, you would think that a man would bring his future wife to meet his mother, would you not?" Narcissa said, turning to look at her son.
Draco paled slightly, wondering how with all of his power, his mother could make him feel like nothing more than a Horklump. "I had intended on bringing Ginevra to meet you, but our plans changed," he said apologetically.
"I'm sure they did. Come, let's get away from this draughty foyer and go to the sitting room. Would you like tea?" Narcissa asked them.
"That would be lovely; thank you, Mrs. Malfoy," Julianne replied.
By the time they arrived in the sitting room, a tray of cakes and a pot of tea were already waiting.
Draco waited until both Julianne and his mother were seated before taking a seat across from them.
"Sugar?" Narcissa asked, the sugar bowl and tongs hovering in mid air.
"One please," she answered, a small cube dropping into the mug.
"Now, tell me all about your year. Well, I suppose it would only be nine months, wouldn't it?" Narcissa asked Draco, smiling.
"I'm not sure there's much to tell, Mother," Draco said, refraining from shifting uncomfortably.
"Of course there is. You fell in love and you're engaged; that's more than enough to begin with. I don't recall Ginevra very clearly, tell me about her," his mother requested, smiling as she sipped her tea.
Where to begin? Her smile, her fierce determination, her flawed perfection, her loyalty? Ginevra's ability to make him see himself as she saw him, and not how others did? Her resistance to his charms (Veelan or otherwise), how unimpressed she was about his excessive amounts of money? Her complete lack of caring about what others thought of them being together, how she'd fought beside him (and at times, against him), and how he knew that she would do anything within her power to keep those she loved safe from harm? How she could drive him crazy with her stubbornness, how she drove him insane and yet was the very key to his own sanity? Where, oh where, to begin?
Narcissa laughed softly, drawing his attention to her. "Well, I think that display of expressions was more than enough of an answer, Draco. Relax, I promise I won't ask you any more personal questions. Well, bar this one..." she said, pausing for dramatic effect. "Do you love her?"
"Yes," Draco replied immediately. Simply but surely; it was now impossible for him not to love Ginevra.
"Good. Make sure she knows that, even when you're upset with each other," Narcissa murmured. "It's bound to happen you know, no marriage is perfect, even more so when one partner is a Veelan. Jealousy is an ugly thing."
"That's why so many of us only marry our own kind," Julianne agreed with a nod.
Draco studied his mother for a moment as she and Jules began to talk. Her blonde platinum hair was starting to turn white. Thin strands that were easily missed if you weren't looking closely, but they were still there. More than she'd had at the beginning of term, Draco thought with a slight frown. There were bags under her eyes, covered with a slight Glamour, and darker than he remembered. Her wedding anniversary was only days away, but before that particular day, there was another anniversary to remember. The day Lucius Malfoy was put into Azkaban. No wonder his mother didn't look well.
"Would you like to go shopping, Mother?" Draco asked suddenly, interrupting the ladies' conversation.
"Pardon?" Narcissa said, surprised at his request. Draco disliked shopping even more than Luc ... Shopping sounded like a wonderful distraction, actually. "I would love to. That is, if Lady Julianne does not mind?" she added, looking to her guest.
"Of course not. I haven't been out in quite some time. I think I deserve a day out," Julianne said, smiling brightly. "If you would just give me a moment to change, we can be on our way," she added, her form already changing before them.
Her clothes lengthened to brown pants and a light green shirt, her now-black hair cropped around her face.
"The last time I went shopping as a Veela, it almost caused a riot and another war. I didn't think you would appreciate that today," Julianne said when Draco raised his eyebrow at her slightly. "You might want to think on dampening down your appeal too," she added, standing with a smirk.
Draco did as she said, and then stood to offer his mother his hand. Narcissa took it with a smile and they went back to the foyer to leave for Diagon Alley.
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"I'm so sick of studying! I swear I'm going cross-eyed," Greg muttered, pushing his book away from him.
Pansy sighed softly, her eyes were hurting as well. They hadn't stopped studying since Ginevra and Draco had left; even missing lunch to work on their Divination revision.
"All right. Let's go to Hogsmeade for lunch," she announced, standing up.
"You sure, Pans?" Greg asked, surprised at her sudden need to leave.
"Yes, I'm sure. We've been studying for seven hours, we're hungry, and I know we're not going to get anything done until we've eaten. Dumbledore still has the carriages going, so you two can treat me out for lunch," Pansy said, grinning at them.
"We could stay in for lunch," Greg replied, looking her up and down seductively.
"We're going out for fresh air," Pansy said sternly, but a hint of a smile started to show. "Vince, you awake?" she asked, seeing the faraway look on her boyfriend's face.
"Yeah. Fine. Lunch?" Vince replied, looking and sounding dazed.
"You definitely need some fresh air. Come on, let's get out of here," Pansy said, taking their hands and leading them outside.
They followed obediently to the carriages quickly.
"All right, love?" Colin asked, seeing Luna sitting at the window.
Luna didn't reply for a long while; so long that Colin took a step towards her, worried.
"I'll need to go to the hospital wing soon. This episode will not go well," she said softly, her voice hardly more than a whisper.
"Do you want me to carry you, or can you walk there in time?"
"You will need to carry me to the bed, but I can walk to the hospital wing fine on my own," she replied, leaving the room with him.
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Gregory watched Pansy as they rode in the carriage. Beside him, Vincent was asleep, his head resting on the carriage wall.
"Have no idea how he falls asleep so easily," Pansy muttered as they went over another bump in the stony road.
Greg chuckled in response and put a hand on Vincent's leg, shaking him gently. "Wake up, love. We're almost there," he said, kissing his cheek.
Vincent mumbled something under his breath, not opening his eyes. The carriage came to a stop, and Pansy opened the door, air flowing inside.
"Come on, I want to go to Honeydukes before all the good sweets are taken by those greedy third years," Pansy said, tugging on Vincent and Gregory's hands before leaving the carriage.
"We're coming," Vincent said, his eyes wide open now.
"Were you actually asleep or were you just pretending?" Gregory muttered, suspicious at how alert their lover seemed suddenly.
Vincent just grinned at him over his shoulder and put an arm around Pansy, kissing her neck.
Gregory shook his head and followed after them quickly. He could tell them his news later.
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Ginevra walked through Diagon Alley, she and Agnes keeping to the shadows. Lettie and Molly were in the sunshine, talking to each other animatedly. Apparently, Lettie was quite the knitting-enthusiast, having learned needlework from Millicent. Molly talked happily, answering her questions and suggesting patterns. She asked no more questions about Lettie's relationship with her daughter.
"Is everything all right, daughter?" Agnes asked, seeing the distracted look on Ginevra's face.
"Fine, thank you Agnes," she replied, not convincing Agnes in the least.
Inside of her sleeves, her hands were clenched tightly. Draco was in Diagon Alley. According to the rest of the world, they were supposed to hate each other, their families were supposed to hate each other. Ginevra looked to her mother, wondering what Molly would say if she said they had to ignore Draco. Probably something about letting the world thinking whatever they wanted to think; they were engaged after all. But then, Molly didn't truly understand the war they were currently in. Not that anyone really understood the war.
"My Lady?" Lettie asked quietly, beside Ginevra all of a sudden.
"Draco's here. We can't meet here, not like this in front of everyone," Ginevra replied, her voice quiet so as not to alarm her mother, who was looking at wool designs at the shop across the street.
"I felt him arrive," Lettie replied with a nod. "Perhaps it would be good to meet him here, though?" she ventured, her eyes flicking to the wizards around them.
Ginevra nodded briefly, understanding what she meant. There was no telling how many were in league with Voldemort, and how many would report the civility with which Draco and Ginevra were suddenly expressing towards each other. What happened within Hogwarts could be dismissed as falsehood, gossip, exaggerations in the form of entertainment for bored students with nothing better to do. Those loyal to Voldemort would witness Draco and Ginevra's interaction, however, and that could not be dismissed as a lie. Draco still needed to be thought of as an elitist prat, and Ginevra as her mother's daughter.
She squared her shoulders when she saw Draco at the other end of Diagon Alley, his mother and Julianne with him. He looked appropriately bored, but she could tell from the slight clenching of his jaw that he was unhappy as she was at this. But they both knew it was for the best.
She continued to look around the street as if she hadn't seen the Malfoy heir. Flitting across the street, Ginevra took her mother's arm.
"Do you want to look at more wool inside, Mother?" she asked, smiling briefly.
"Oh no, dear. It's much too expensive inside. They always have the cheaper wool on display outside. It fades the colour of course, but I think it gives the jumpers that nice worn look, don't you? Isn't that Draco Malfoy with his mother?" Molly asked, looking in the exact direction Ginevra was trying to avoid.
"Yes, and I'd rather not breathe the same air as that lot," Ginevra said, glaring over her shoulder at Draco, who was now close enough to hear her words.
"Such a pity; I was going to say the same of you, Weasel. Move out of the way before I catch something contagious," Draco said, sniffing briefly as he looked down his nose at her.
"The Malfoy heir's afraid of a few germs, is he?" she asked, smirking as she twirled her wand between her fingers. "How about a Bat Bogey Hex? That'll get the germs right out," she taunted.
Both Narcissa and Molly stood to the side, shocked at their children's behaviour. Narcissa was the first to realise that the entire street was watching their performance, and recovered swiftly.
"Draco, dear? What did I say about talking with the commoners?" she drawled, walking away before he or anyone else could answer.
Molly realised what was going on, but still went bright red and glared at Narcissa's retreating form. "Come on, Ginny. You're right; the air out here does stink," she said, pulling her daughter into the wool store.
Draco followed his mother, his jaw tight. Lettie, who had pretended that she had nothing to do with either family, quietly slipped into the wool store after Ginevra and Molly. Agnes and Julianne shared a quick smile and followed their respective offspring.
"You, dear son, have some explaining to do," Narcissa murmured as she browsed the book collection at Flourish and Blotts.
"I know, Mother. Later," he promised as the store manager sidled up to them.
"How may I help you?" the manager asked, barely able to keep his hands from rubbing together in glee. When Mrs. Malfoy shopped at the store it meant Galleons, not Knuts or small amounts of Sickles like other customers.
"Leave us alone, little man," Narcissa said without turning to look at him.
The store manager's face fell considerably, but he hurried away nonetheless.
"I suppose later will have to do. Do not keep me waiting forever, young man, is that understood?" she asked, turning to look at Draco fiercely.
That look had never failed to scare him, and Draco could do nothing but nod in return. He turned to Julianne when his mother went towards the romance section of the store.
"I want to do something before I go. Can you keep Mother occupied while I'm gone, please?" he asked.
She frowned for a moment, obviously wondering what he was going to do. Seeming to decide something in her own mind, Jules nodded. "Be back in twenty minutes," she said, heading after Narcissa.
Draco left the store before Julianne could change her decision. Heading down Diagon Alley, he hurried to the Ministry's Floo transport centre.
"Good morning, Mr. Malfoy. How may I help you?" the wizard behind the counter asked, recognising his face instantly.
"Return Floo to Azkaban. Fifteen minutes," Draco replied.
The wizard nodded and set the fireplace accordingly. Draco was silent for the few minutes it took, his only words those that would take him to the wizarding prison.
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"Let's go to the Shrieking Shack. It'll be quieter,"" Gregory muttered to Pansy as two particularly loud third-years went past. They'd all but given him a headache in less than ten minutes!
"All right, can you see Vince? He's going to have a stomach-ache if we leave him in here," Pansy said, trying to stand on her toes to find their boyfriend.
A group of third and fourth years screamed loudly.
"Would you SHUT UP?!" Gregory yelled, his wand becoming a club as he swung at them.
Pansy stopped the club before he could hit them. The entire store was silent, staring at them. Gregory's chest was heaving, his arm straining against Pansy's grip.
"All right, scat," she said to the group of terrified students.
They practically disappeared in seconds, and noise filtered back through the store.
"Come on, Greg. Vince will have to find us," she murmured, her eyes scanning the store one last time as she led him outside.
They were silent as they walked to the Shrieking Shack. Pansy kept an eye on him, as well on his wand, which still hadn't transformed back from its' club form. No one else was in the area, and Gregory stopped at the fence, leaning on the wooden pole wearily.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice quiet. "You've usually got more control than that, Greg," Pansy added when he didn't answer.
"I got a letter from Voldemort," he said a few moments later. "He and my parents expect me to join him at the end of the school year."
Pansy was silent for so long that Greg looked over to ensure she was still beside him. Her face was pale and she didn't seem to be breathing.
"Pans?" he asked, taking a step towards her.
She stepped back subconsciously and Gregory tried not to be hurt by her action.
"You're joining Voldemort?" Pansy asked, her voice flat and void of any emotion.
"No! I could never join him," he replied.
He stepped forward again, and was more than relieved when she didn't move away this time. Gently, he gathered Pansy in his arms and held her until he was sure she was reassured that he wouldn't leave or become a Death Eater.
"I wanted to tell you so you didn't have to worry," Gregory murmured, caressing her back as she returned his embrace slowly. "I'll never be a Death Eater, I promise."
More relieved than she would ever admit, Pansy nodded against his chest.
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"We're almost to the hospital wing, Lu. Are you sure you don't want me to carry you the rest of the way?" Colin asked as he saw the double doors up ahead.
Luna stopped for a moment, a slight frown on her face. "I'm almost positive that I can walk to the doors. It's a very slim chance that you'll have to carry me from here, and that is one of the worst options. But thank you for offering," she added with a smile.
"Can you tell me anything about the vision? I might be able to stop it," Colin said, sounding as uncertain as he felt.
"No, it cannot be ..." Luna began to say, then stopped talking abruptly. "Oh, no."
Her whisper was all the warning Colin had as she collapsed to the ground, a high shrill scream ripping from the depths of her soul.
He paled slightly, even as he caught her. If she hadn't been able to walk to the doors herself, it was one of the worst visions. What on earth was happening?! Colin thought as he kicked open the hospital wing doors to carry Luna to the first available bed.
Madam Pomfrey and Theodore came out of the small office and Colin didn't have time to wonder about the vision as they tried to calm Luna unsuccessfully.
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"There you are, Vince! Just how many chocolates have you had already?" Pansy muttered, shaking her head at him.
Vincent looked guilty, but was glad she hadn't seen the bags in his pockets.
"Ready to go? These brats are giving me a headache," Gregory said, glaring at the third years nearby.
They squeaked something unintelligible and hurried away.
After paying for the sweets, Vincent left the Honeydukes store with Pansy and Gregory. He frowned when they didn't head down the path to the Shrieking Shack like they usually did.
"Where are you going?" he called, hurrying after them.
"There's a group meeting in the forest. Come on," Pansy replied, moving faster.
Vincent frowned, wondering why her voice sounded different; more rough than usual. Was she getting sick? He realised that Gregory and Pansy were already ahead of him and again, had to hurry to catch up.
They were silent as they went through the forest. Vincent was so intent on keeping his footing through the undergrowth that he bumped into Pansy and Gregory when they stopped suddenly. They walked into the clearing ahead surely and confidently. He followed them after a moment's hesitation. The moment he was clear of the trees, Pansy and Gregory took hold of his arms, lifting him above the ground easily. His wand was gone a moment later.
"Wonderful work," a voice rasped.
A cold shiver ran down Vincent's spine. He didn't bother asking whom the voice belonged to; his father had been right: Lord Voldemort's voice was unmistakable.
Suddenly, Vincent was floating in the air above Voldemort. He found that he couldn't talk. He tried to move his lips, tried to tell Pansy and Gregory to run, something, anything, but no sounds formed.
As he watched them helplessly, Gregory and Pansy's bodies began to change. They melted, bubbled and their familiar bodies disappeared to reveal Bellatrix Lestrange and Peter Pettigrew.
"I was very displeased when I did not receive a response to my letter, Crabbe," Voldemort murmured, moving Vincent's still body to float before him. "Your father promised me his first-born, and the time to collect has come."
He stabbed his wand into Vincent's left forearm, a hiss of both pleasure and pain escaping his body. Hundreds of images ran through his mind as he began to form the Dark Mark on his newest recruit's arm.
Vincent opened his mouth in a soundless scream. He was barely aware of the images that Voldemort was pulling from his mind; the pain was too great to focus on anything else. He fell to the ground as the spell disappeared.
Voldemort's eyes snapped open as the Dark Mark's outline finished. He needed the boy's blood for it to be complete, and that required his sworn allegiance. He smiled down at Vincent, his mouth formed in a cruel manner rather than kind.
"You worry for Pansy Parkinson, do you not?" he murmured.
It was a common thought in the boy's mind. Something about a vision and her broken body... Love was a ridiculous emotion, but it was the most common reason behind his followers, and Voldemort knew how to charm them into getting exactly what he wanted.
"Leave her alone," Vincent rasped, clutching his arm.
"I wouldn't dream of touching her, dear boy..." Voldemort murmured charmingly, running a hand down Vincent's face to cup his chin tightly. "But there are others who would hurt her, are there not?" He didn't wait for an answer before continuing, "They would harm her, break her. Do you think you're all that powerful to stop them? You think you can watch over her all of the time? Of course you can't. It's not humanly possible for one person to do."
Voldemort looked at Crabbe, waiting for a particular moment to show in his eyes. It meant that he was thinking about what he was offering, and would pledge himself soon enough. His eyes weren't quite there yet...
"Your supposed friends are all leaving, aren't they? Without them, the rest of you will scatter. No one will be able to watch over your precious Pansy, will they?" Voldemort asked.
There it was. How predictable and absolutely wonderful...
"They'll all leave, and Pansy will no longer be protected. However, if you join with me, I can guarantee she is looked after. I have control over many, even within Hogwarts, and they will ensure that she is not harmed, even after your friends have gone."
Vincent tried to think about the options he had. There weren't many; he was positive that Voldemort would kill him if he refused. And his offer to look after Pansy was tempting. He hadn't slept properly since seeing that vision of her broken body in the Antarctic iceberg-cum-hospital. If Voldemort really did have control over that many people, then Pansy would never be hurt again.
"I can only protect her if I have your allegiance, Crabbe," Voldemort said, interrupting his thoughts.
Vincent kneeled before the Dark Lord and pledged himself to follow Voldemort and become a Death Eater.
Voldemort's red eyes watched with cruel fascination as the wand became a knife and slid across the boy's left forearm, dark red drops of blood falling to the ground below.
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A town over, in the Hogwarts castle, lying on a bed in the hospital wing, Luna screamed.
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His hands clasped behind his back, Lucius paced in his cell, muttering under his breath about the guard's behaviour to him. Didn't the stupid wizard - more like Squib - know who he was? That ridiculous excuse of a wizard would be the first person fired the moment he was released.
"Malfoy, ye got a visitor. Hands where I can see 'em," the guard said.
Lucius moved to the bars, his hands in front of him as required. He tried to think of who would be visiting him. Narcissa had already had her allowed monthly visitation at the beginning of the month. He hadn't lost his head quite so much to have forgotten the date, had he? Maybe they were allowing her another visitation because he had been in this gods' forsaken place for an entire year?
He was surprised enough for an eyebrow to raise slightly when his son stepped forward. Draco was the last person he expected to see. The last time Draco had come here, he had left with the promise to never return.
"Draco, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Lucius asked, a sneer to his voice.
"You don't," he replied smoothly, keeping his hands behind his back as the guard had instructed.
They'd taken his wand, as well as any other item that looked remotely suspicious. He had no idea how a quill could be suspicious, but they'd deemed it as such, and so he was standing before his father wand- and quill- less.
"Very well. Then what are you doing here, if not for the pleasure of my company? You wanted a chance to jeer at your dear old daddy behind bars?" Lucius asked.
Draco didn't reply, instead he watched his father. His hair was whiter than he remembered, and his face had more lines than before he'd been sentenced to this place a year ago. He supposed they had both changed, whether emotionally or physically.
"Do take your time, Draco. I haven't anywhere else to be for at least the next 24 years," he muttered, looking down at his nails.
"Do you regret it? Any of it?" Draco asked, the question blurting from his lips.
He hadn't meant to ask that. But then, Draco realised, he really hadn't known what to ask anyway.
Lucius looked as surprised as Draco felt.
"Regret what? Supposedly serving the Dark Lord or killing the people they've sentenced me for murdering?" he asked, choosing his words carefully. He had no idea who was listening, and the guards would love to get something on him to sell to the Prophet.
"Either. Both."
"Then yes, and yes. More for the pain it's caused your mother than anything I'm suffering, mind you. I do have standards, and if I had killed anyone, they deserved their death," Lucius replied.
Again, Draco was silent. He tried to process the fact that his father had enjoyed killing people, and thought that his actions were justified. But then, wasn't that what war was all about? Justification for murder? He shook his head slightly.
Aware that Julianne was expecting him back soon, and that she couldn't hold his mother's questions at bay forever, Draco looked at Lucius one more time.
"I thought you should know that I've proposed, and I am soon to be married," he said.
Lucius' eyes lit up briefly and a sneer settled on his mouth. "So you've come for my blessing? Why did you propose to the Parkinson girl so early? It was arranged for your 25th birthday. Did you get her pregnant?"
"I have not come for your blessing, and I did not propose to Pansy, nor have I slept with her."
"One of the Greengrass sisters?" Lucius asked, getting a negative response. "Oh, gods. Don't tell me you proposed to Bulstrode?"
"No. I proposed to Ginevra Weasley."
He didn't know what he'd expected. Perhaps an ice-cold response, a disappointed and disgusted look, or even a demand to leave and threatening of disownment. But whatever response Draco had been expecting from Lucius, the absolute rage that overcame Lucius was far from it. His face went red and he flew at the bars, screaming louder than anything Draco had ever heard before.
Draco tried to keep calm and listen to his father without getting overly emotional - whatever he'd expected of him, he knew that Lucius wouldn't have been happy with his announcement to marry Ginevra - but when Lucius moved from his threats of disownment, to insulting Ginevra, the calmness he'd tried to keep evaporated into thin air. He stepped forward, bristling with anger, and without realising it, magic as well.
"Silence," Draco growled, his voice low with his anger, and his eyes turning black.
Lucius fell silent, but not through any will of his own. He fell to his knees as an invisible force pushed down on his shoulders.
"I did not expect you to understand, or even be happy about it, but I am marrying the woman I love and that is all you need to know. You are not to call her any of those names ever again. If you do, I will know, and you will regret it. Is that understood?" Draco hissed, his black eyes watching Lucius intently.
Still struggling under the force, Lucius managed a nod. The force pushed him down further and he crumpled beneath it, collapsing to the ground.
Black robes fluttered at the window, long thin and skeletal-looking fingers trying to reach through the bars. A hooded Dementor was at the window, its' hand outstretched to him. Draco stared at the Dementor, transfixed by the creature. He didn't feel cold; didn't feel unhappy. In fact, he felt quite normal. On the ground, Lucius was shivering and muttering under his breath, the Dementor affecting him as it should have.
"Mister Malfoy! Get back, quick!" one of the guards yelled, rushing into the room to pull Draco away from the Dementor.
The guard's warning pulled him out of his trance-like state, and as he looked away from the Dementor, the room began to swim before his eyes. Following the guard out of the room, he leaned against the closed door to compose himself.
"I'll get ye some chocolate, Mister Malfoy. Ye wait right there," the guard said, hurrying away quickly.
Behind the door, Lucius yelled.
The guard returned with chocolate in a few seconds, looking worried as Draco took a bite. "Yer not goin' ter tell my sup'rvis'r, are ye, Mister Malfoy? The Dementors ain't been here for months, an' if they find out they come back on my watch, it'll be me job. I got three young'uns an' another two on the way. Please, take mercy," he said, looking as anxious as he sounded.
"Five children?" Draco asked, swallowing the chocolate. He briefly wondered if the guard was a relative of the Weasley family.
"Yessir. I got pictures if ye want ter see," he said, grabbing onto the change of topic quickly.
"It's fine, thank you. I need to get going. Can you make sure the Dementor doesn't Kiss my father?" Draco asked, running a hand through his hair briefly. It would probably kill his mother.
The guard nodded quickly, and led Draco to the fireplace before returning to check on Lucius.
Draco looked out of the window, seeing nothing but black robes. Thousands of Dementors had surrounded Azkaban. Sighing, he threw Floo Powder into the fireplace and Flooed back to Diagon Alley.
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"Are you all right, Ginny?" Molly asked as she saw her daughter freeze in the middle of the store.
A few metres down the aisle, Lettie also seemed frozen. It was as if time had stopped. Molly didn't like the feeling, and looked at Agnes to ensure she wasn't the only one moving in this time-frozen world.
"Something is wrong. Do not worry, they are fine. Do not touch them," Agnes murmured, putting her hand on Molly's when she moved towards Ginny in concern.
Agnes disappeared and Molly shivered as she saw the look in her daughter's eyes. Yes, something was definitely wrong. Despite recognising this, she didn't want to know what exactly was wrong. Molly had the feeling that she wouldn't like what it was, especially as she instinctively knew that she would not be able to fix it.
Molly started in fright when Agnes appeared suddenly and without a sound.
"We need to go now. I am sorry to cut your day short with Ginevra, but if we don't leave soon, the consequences will be dire," Agnes said.
"Oh... Of course. Can I say goodbye to her?" Molly asked, looking to her frozen daughter once more.
"I am sorry, but you cannot touch her still. But she can hear you," Agnes added when Molly's face fell.
She thanked her with a slight smile and a nod, then moved to stand in front of Ginny. "Be good, Ginny dear. And write to me when you can; I want to know you're all right," Molly said, her voice stern but broken up with the tears that were forming. "I love you, my baby girl. Always remember that."
She reached her hands out, stopping centimetres before she could touch her daughter. With a watery smile, she blew a kiss to Ginny and stepped back.
Molly wiped away her tears quickly, and turned to Apparate. Before she did, she moved further down the aisle to talk to Lettie.
"I'm not sure what role you have in my daughter's life, but I can see you're her friend, and I'm more grateful than I could ever say that you're with her. Look after them both, please Agnes," she said quietly, her words catching in her throat.
"I will as if they were my own daughters," Agnes replied with a nod.
Molly Apparated before her tears could overwhelm her.
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"Where has Draco gone?" Draco heard his mother question Julianne.
He tried to call out, tried to tell her he was only a row of shelves away, but he couldn't move his lips. He couldn't move at all, and he had no idea why.
In his mind, he could hear the calls of his friends. They were frozen too, stuck in various places throughout Hogwarts castle. Luna was the only one lucky enough to be lying down, but it was far from a comfort considering the things that were going through her mind were moving so quickly that they made absolutely no sense.
Ginevra, are you all right? Draco called, trying to pull his mind away from Luna's.
I'm frozen, but fine otherwise. I'm at the wool shop with Lettie. Do you know what's going on?
Not one idea, love.
Vincent's not here, my Lady, Lettie interrupted.
Vince?! Greg, where's Vince? Pansy called.
Gregory had gone out to wait for Vincent's return, but had decided to wait for the last of the carriages in case he was coming back already. Because of the nice weather, the carriages were open and the passengers could be seen easily. Vincent was no where in sight, frozen or not.
He's not back from Hogsmeade. The last of the carriages is coming in too. It's Bones and Perkins. Where is he? Greg asked, sounding sick.
Voldemort, Luna said, and from the images still continuing in her mind, it seemed that would be the only thing she could contribute for a while yet.
Some went completely silent while others started protesting and demanding for more information.
"May I be of assistance, my Queen?" Bexley asked as he floated out of her.
Yes. Is there any way to get us out of this state? Ginevra asked.
"I am afraid not, ma'am. It will wear off in an hour or so," Bexley replied.
"Ginevra, we have to go now. Death Eaters are on their way to Diagon Alley. Julianne has been told and is leaving with Draco now," Agnes said.
Bexley, try to find Vincent please. If Voldemort's got him, maybe one of those Death Eaters will be able to lead you back to where they're holding him captive, Ginevra thought.
With a slight bow, Bexley turned into mist and floated out of the store quickly.
Agnes held her palms towards Ginevra and moved her closer to Lettie. When they were side by side, she placed her hands above theirs and disappeared.
Draco tried yet again to call out as Jules and his mother passed the aisle he was standing in. Both women were looking for him, and when they saw him standing there frozen, they hurried over. Narcissa was careful not to touch him.
"There you are, Draco," she said in relief. "I'm sorry to leave so suddenly, but your father's friends are on their way here. I don't feel up to entertaining them today," she said, trying to keep her tone pleasant without alerting people to the fact she knew Death Eaters were on their way.
While she would have liked to tell people to leave, Narcissa knew that wasn't an option. She had no proof for her allegation, and even if she did, most would assume her to be a Death Eater. If she said anything, she would be in a cell next to her husband. Narcissa loved her freedom more than Lucius.
"Be good, dear, and write me when you can. You still owe me an explanation," she added. Her eyes glanced around the store quickly, and with a strained smile, she Disapparated.
Jules put her hand above Draco's arm, disappearing from the store a moment later.
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Bexley made his way out of the wool shop, keeping himself concealed in shadows. It had been far too long since he had hunted this way, and the thrill of the hunt almost enticed him away to Ollivander's boarded-up store where a young child was scared witless.
No, Ginevra had asked him to do this, and he would not fail her, he thought, staying in the shadows instead.
Moments later, he felt both Ginevra and Draco disappear from Diagon Alley. Mere seconds later, Death Eaters Apparated into the crowded area. Screams echoed in the streets, more people Disapparated to escape the violence. Bexley made himself as small as possible.
There was so much fear. It was delicious, and he craved their fear more than he realised. He inched out of the shadows.
Bexley, try to find Vincent please. Ginevra's words sounded in his mind and Bexley retreated into the darkness once more.
If it weren't for his Queen, then he would be dead. He would have been killed for the mere pleasure of teaching third year students that they could conquer their fear. He wanted to do this task for his Queen. Besides, how often did one come across Royalty who thanked a Boggart? Becoming smaller still, Bexley held him back from every fear, every scream of terror, every delicious emotion that he longed to feast on.
A Death Eater was soon approaching, and Bexley stretched himself out so he looked like nothing more than an extension of the building's shadow. The Death Eater was so preoccupied by his current task of torturing a young family that he didn't notice Bexley float onto the back of his robes.
If he could have glared, Bexley would have. Despite the feelings that the Death Eaters were creating, he still loathed how they were doing it. What if that family was his Queen and King? What if they were being tortured just because they were out for the day? He slid up the Death Eater's back and into his mind briefly.
A sudden fear overcame Dolohov, and his focus on the Cruciatus spell dissipated so much that the family was able to get away. He didn't notice, instead, his mind was caught in its' own terror. What if Voldemort was calling them, and he hadn't felt it? Where were the other Death Eaters? Were the Aurors' on their way? It continued on for what seemed minutes, and then it disappeared as suddenly as it had arrived. Dolohov shook himself quickly, glancing around to ensure that no one had seen what had happened. He blamed the sudden nerves on his age, and then continued up Diagon Alley to where the Carrows were gathering prisoners for their Dark Lord.
Bexley had to force himself out of Dolohov's mind. He sighed softly, content at the terror he had created and fed on. It was good to know that he had control over himself, even as Dolohov's mind seeped its' new fear. Bexley stayed on the Death Eater's robes, waiting patiently until they all Disapparated back to Voldemort's hidden headquarters.
He had a mission to complete.
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Is Bexley back yet? Gregory asked for what seemed like the thirtieth time in as many minutes.
Where's Vincent? Pansy asked, her thoughts worried as she paced their room.
Since they'd unfrozen half an hour ago, Pansy hadn't stopped moving. She'd paced, wrung her hands, did everything to not be still again.
Bexley's not back yet, Ginevra replied as she had done ever since Gregory started asking.
She was lying on her bed in her new room within the mansion. Agnes had shown her there and said that she could have the rest of the night off to relax. The way she said it had Ginevra thinking that relaxing would be a very minimal leisure. She looked to a door that was hidden between two bookcases. It led to Lettie's personal room, and while she had her own door to come and go without disturbing Ginevra, both were grateful for the adjoined rooms.
A moment later, there was a knock at the hidden door and Lettie came inside, looking worried. It was then that Ginevra noticed Lettie's thoughts were purposely vague. She sat up straight, wondering what was wrong.
"What if Bexley hasn't come back because Vincent's dead?" Lettie asked softly, her face pale.
"If that were the case, Bexley would have come back to tell us," Ginevra said, trying to sound reassuring.
Lettie just nodded and sat beside her, sighing quietly.
"He'll be okay, I'm sure Vincent's fine," she added, taking Lettie's hand in her own.
They were silent until Bexley floated into the room fifteen minutes later. Ginevra stood up quickly, anxious for news.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," he said, his voice sad and tired.
"Is he dead?" Ginevra asked, paling.
"No, my Queen. It is much worse," Bexley replied regrettably. "Vincent has become a Death Eater."
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End of the twenty-sixth chapter.
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.