Ron's wand poked insistently into Draco's back, urging him forward. "You first," Ron spoke softly.
"Do you mind if I at least draw my wand?" Draco asked, the hairs on the back of his neck bristling slightly as he turned to look at his nemesis. "I would like to have some form of protection when my father tries to kill me for helping you two." After a slight nod from Harry, Draco pulled his wand out of his pocket and proceeded to follow the path towards the front door.
Reaching the grotesque gargoyle that guarded the front door Draco gripped the knocker and three deep melodious chimes rang out.
Ron grabbed his cloak and slammed him face first into the door. "Bloody hell, why don't you just go ahead and scream our presence out to all of the Death Eaters present," He growled low into Draco's ear.
"You would think after all these years some of Granger's smarts would have rubbed off onto you Weasely," Draco mumbled against the hard wood. "That was my father's port-key. Are you really so daft that you think he wouldn't be notified some how when it was activated?"
"He has a point Ron," Harry spoke from somewhere behind them. However, before Ron had a chance to release the Death Eater's son, the door swung open and their world went black.
Draco's eyes fluttered open only to be greeted by light too bright for his senses to handle. "Bloody hell," he grumbled under his breath. "Will I never wake up without this blasted headache plaguing me?"
"I'm afraid not dear boy," A smooth voice said from the other side of the room that made Draco shudder. "However, if you would like to explain to me why you are in the company of two of the biggest disgraces to wizard kind, I might be generous enough to kill you myself before the Dark Lord arrives."
Draco flexed his soar muscles and tested the bonds that held him. "You would really kill your own son father?" He asked as his eyes began to adjust to the bright light. As he had suspected, they were in his father's study.
"Other heirs can be produced if necessary," Lucius hissed as he stalked across the room and stood in front of his son.
"Gee, I love you to daddy," Draco said sarcastically as he batted his eyelashes. A brief flicker in Lucius' eyes was all the warning Draco had before his open palm connected with his face.
"You will not sass me boy," He almost screamed, his face flushing with anger. "I do not know the reasons behind you being here, but you will be lucky if all you walk away with is a beating….."
"Spare me father," Draco interrupted him. "I've heard the same bull shit for 16 years, so do me a favor and go scream at Pot-Head and Weasely who haven't yet had the pleasure of your boring lectures."
His comments earned Draco another crack across his face, but thankfully, Lucius moved on to the unconscious body's of Harry and Ron afterwards. 'Ok,' Draco thought to himself. 'Let's just hope this works.' Closing his eyes in concentration Draco released his mind from his body.
When he opened his eyes again he found himself in the Malfoy dungeons. Fortunately, Draco had astral projected himself into the cell with Ginny this time. She sat in her chair, hands straining against the ropes that held her hands together. "Stop that you silly goose. You will only tighten them further and make me work harder to get you free."
Ginny stiffened at the sound of his voice and turned to face him. "It's about bloody time you got here. I've been waiting for ages."
Gliding forward gracefully, Draco quickly dispensed with the knot holding Ginny hostage. After she was free, Draco pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. Ginny moaned low in her throat. "Its not that I don't just love kissing you Malfoy," She said as she pulled back for air. "But do you really think this is the time or the place?"
"Cheeky wench," Draco grumbled as he kissed her one last time. Once the snogging session was finished, Draco returned once more to the task. "There's a broom closet in the back foyer. The stairs from the dungeons come out in the back hall. Take a right and you should end up in the foyer, grab a broom and get the hell out of here ok?"
"If that's all it takes to get me out of here Malfoy, why did it take you so long to get your Astral butt back here and tell me?" Ginny asked, sensing that something was wrong.
"Don't argue with me Ginny," Draco shook her slightly to get her attention.
Ginny's eyes widened as understanding dawned. "You came didn't you? You daft bastard, what the hell were you thinking?" Ginny beat his chest to emphasis her words.
"Like I was going to set you free in what could be a house full of Death Eaters," Draco said as he caught her hands to stop her assault.
"If you're so free to stop said Death Eaters from killing me, why did you astral project down here instead of coming yourself?" Ginny asked, raising her chin in challenge.
"Bloody female, she's going to be the death of me," Draco said pacing back and forth. Finally, he stopped and turned to face her. "My father has me tied up in his study, along with Potty and your brother."
"My brother's here to?" Ginny shrieked.
"He's a tag along what can I say?" Draco shrugged. "I can get them and myself out of here in one piece, but only after I'm sure you are safe and on a broom out of here."
"Fine," Ginny grumbled. "Exactly how am I supposed to get out of here Mr. Smarty Pants?"
"How am I supposed to get out here Mr. Smarty Pants," Draco mimicked. "Faith my dear," raising his eyes to the ceiling Draco silently prayed. 'I sure hope this works.' Raising his hand in the general direction of the door, Draco concentrated on the keys hanging there. They began to twitch, and eventually lifted off the hook and began to float. They were about halfway across the room when they fell to the floor with a *clank*.
"You missed Malfoy," Ginny said sarcastically as she turned around with her hands on her hips. However, Draco was no longer there. "Uh," Ginny moaned. "That wanker has some of the worst bloody timing I've ever seen. I guess the sayings are true. Never send a man to do a woman's job."
Standing in front of the cell door, Ginny's eyes squinted in concentration and she raised her hands, palm out. The force of her explosive power hit the warded door hard. The bars bent in slightly and dust rained down on her from the ceiling. "If you want anything done, you're just going to have to get off of your arse and do it yourself." Time after time Ginny blasted the door until finally it swung open on broken hinges.
"About damn time," Ginny coughed through the dust as she made her way up the stairs.
a/N: does this count as a cliff hanger?? If it does I'm sorry, I tried not to make it a cliffy but at this point in the story there might be a place you can stop without making it a cliff hanger. But at least it's a lil longer, I'll try and start writing the next chappy right away1 ENJOY!! WT