Surrender

Surrender

Chapter One: Let You Down

Trust me, there's no need to fear

Everyone's here

Waiting for you to finally be one of us

("Let You Down" Three Days Grace)

Never has the world seen such a hero. Harry Potter, a grown wizard, was this hero. Living a life of happiness, or so what people thought, was easy for Harry. On the contrary, this was quite the opposite. Ever since Harry has defeated his archenemy, Tom Riddle, otherwise known as Voldemort, his life has not been the same. He lived with his fiancée, worked as an Auror, and had captured more than 20 evil wizards that have been terrorizing the streets since Voldemort's demise.

Harry woke up with a jolt. His head was throbbing; his mind was spinning. It was the third time this week that he had another nightmare about Voldemort. Three years has past since the day that the world was purged of Voldemort, but Harry feels as if he had never left. Harry stood up, walking to the door. He tried to make as diminutive racket as possible, not trying to wake up his fiancée, Ginny Weasley. She did not stir as he left the room.

Making his way down to the kitchen, Harry could hear Hedwig wooting as he walked past her. Harry rubbed his eyes as he turned on the light to his kitchen. Walking to the fridge, thoughts of Voldemort were scattered in his head. Pulling out a box of chocolate ice cream and grabbing a spoon, Harry shook his head. He placed the food on the table and pushed his hair out of his face.

"It's quite impossible for Voldemort to be alive," he told himself. He stood there eating his ice cream until the sun came up and Ginny joined him. Her red her was as bright as the sun outside, and she walked in as if she had slept on clouds. But this feeling of bliss was going to be disappearing soon. Ginny could sense that something was wrong with Harry.

"What are you doing up?" she asked, looking for something she could eat. Harry threw away the empty ice cream carton in the garbage and his spoon in the sink. He did not want to worry Ginny because she had enough to fret about. Instead, he answered her very vaguely, which Ginny despised.

"I was just thinking," he said, looking at Ginny. Ginny looked up from behind the refrigerator door. Her eyes were intense, but her face was pale. She knew exactly what Harry was thinking about, because it was the same thing he thought about for the past three years. Every since they have defeated the Dark Lord, it was the only thing on Harry's mind. He hasn't been able to have one decent night's sleep since.

"Was it about Voldemort?" she asked. Harry knew that there was no lying to her. He walked towards her, and nodded. Ginny sighed as she continued to rummage through the refrigerator. "Don't think about it. He's gone," she said, smiling at him. She kissed him on the cheek and walked to the table.

"Yeah, gone," he muttered to himself before he joined her. Despite what she had said and what the rest of the world believes, Harry still feels as if there was an imprint of Voldemort living within himself. Harry knew that his gut never lies to him, but for once, he just wanted to believe Ginny.

Ginny nodded as the owl dropped some mail on the table. Ginny snatched the top letter, which was addressed to her from her older brother, Ron. She ripped open the letter, dropping the envelope on the table, much to Harry's dismay. Harry preferred it when Ginny wasn't so disorganized, but he didn't say anything about it.

"Looks like Ron is going on a trip," Ginny said, handing the letter over to Harry. Harry took the letter and read over it. Harry sighed as he read the letter, but he would not show Ginny his dismay in Ron's request.

Dear Harry and Ginny,

Hermione and I are planning to go on a little trip to Transylvania. You want to join us? I know it's quite sudden, but we would both love it if you would join us. Owl me back with your answer. Take care.

--Ron

Harry looked over to Ginny, who was looking at him expectantly. "Do you want to go?" he finally asked. Ginny let out a loud sigh. She didn't want to just ask Harry, because she wanted him to ask her. She didn't want to seem nagging by asking. If he asked her, it wouldn't be troublesome, but agreeing.

"Of course! Transylvania sounds like a fascinating place. But if you don't want to go, we don't need to," Ginny said, trying to put a little guilt on Harry. "It's not like anything bad is going happen. Hermione is going be there and she knows spells to get us out of any situation. Ron's going to be there and he'll," Ginny said, "boost our morale. Besides, Romania is a harmless place."

Harry looked at her and smiled. "We'll go," he said. Ginny clapped her hands and ran to the desk. She sat down at the chair and began to throw the drawers open. Ginny couldn't hold in her excitement. Her face was suddenly brighter and she began to think of all the fun things that they could do in Romania.

"We need to owl Ron back with our answer," she said, pulling out some parchment and a quill. "I'm so excited! Thanks Harry. Trust me, this vacation could do you some good." But Harry knew that this trip was going to more of a vacation. 'What have I gotten myself into?' he asked, closing his eyes.

*~*

Hermione Granger was finishing up on her packing when Ron entered the room. Hermione looked up and smiled at him. She began to flip through her books on Transylvania, and tossed them aside. "None of these books are helpful," she said. "We need to go book shopping tomorrow." She sighed as she walked to the bookshelf across the room.

"Sure, we'll head down there when we meet Harry and Ginny," Ron said. Hermione smiled and began to flip through more books. Like the book before, she threw it on the side, creating more mess in their room. Rom watched as she threw the books around, but it wasn't the mess that was bothering him. Instead, Ron was having second thoughts of going on this little expedition.

"Can you imagine that all this time, we always thought that we would never have to go to Transylvania?" Hermione asked. She turned to Ron, whose face didn't show as much enthusiasm as her own. Hermione noticed the lack of color on his face and sighed quietly. 'Maybe I should tell him,' she thought, but thought against it. Instead she asked something else.

"What's the matter?" Hermione asked, levitating her suitcase next to the door. Ron sighed and walked towards Hermione. He stood next to her, pulling his trunk towards them so they could pack his bags. He began to throw some books into the trunk, not even noticing what was going in there. Hermione, however, did notice and stopped Ron. She looked at him expectantly. She knew he was bound to tell her what was bothering him.

"Maybe we should have told them why we are going to Transylvania. I feel quite guilty for telling them it's just a nice vacation, when on the contrary, it is nothing close to a vacation," Ron replied. Hermione's smile turned into a frown, then to a scowl.

"First of all, we didn't tell them it's going to be a vacation. Second of all, we need them. Please don't let your guilty conscience haunt you now. At first I felt guilty, but we are doing this for the good of the magical world. Don't feel bad for not mentioning our reasons. We didn't lie about it, because we didn't even mention it. So please, don't start feeling guilty now," Hermione said. Her smile returned to her face.

As they both continued to pack, Ron's mind was racing with questions. 'Why all of a sudden does Hermione want to go to Transylvania?' he asked himself. He turned to her, who was just folding his clothes and placing them in his trunk. Ron turned away, looking out the window. 'What is in Transylvania that is so important?'

*~*

Blaise Zabini drummed her fingers on the table. She sighed, looking at the clock. "He's late," she muttered, standing up.

"Who's late?" a voice came from behind her.

Blaise recognized that voice. She whipped around to see Draco Malfoy standing behind her. "You are. I have been waiting for twenty minutes. You never make a lady wait," she said.

"Actually, I'm right on time. I intended to come at this time, which means I am not late. You are just impatient," he said coolly, walking towards the drink cart. He poured himself a cup of scotch and took a sip. "You really need a drink. You are too uptight," he said, holding out the scotch bottle for her.

Blaise grabbed the bottle and took a drink from it. Draco raised an eyebrow to this. "That was good," Blaise muttered, closing her eyes. "What did you want to talk about?" she asked, eyes still closed.

"It's about the infamous trio. Seems as if they are heading down to Transylvania," Draco said, taking a seat that at the table. Blaise's eyes flew open and she turned to Draco. Her mouth was opened slightly and she was in disbelief.

"Do they know?" she asked, taking a seat next to Draco. Draco sighed. "They can't possibly know what lies in Transylvania. Do you think they are going there for a hunt?" Blaise began to stare at her hands, thinking of what they might be doing in Transylvania.

"Actually, only Granger seems to know. Apparently, she told Weasley that they have a mission from the Minister himself, and she has told Potter that it is going to be a vacation. Potter is also bringing along his fiancée on this little trip," Draco drawled. Blaise raised an eyebrow.

"Is that why you are so interested in this trip? The little Weasel girl is going, so maybe you think you should crash the party?" Blaise said, smirk on her face. Draco just sat there, unmoved. In his head, he could hear Ginny's voice calling his name over and over.

"Give it a rest okay? She doesn't love you; she hasn't loved you since Hogwarts. She's getting married to Potter, and you want to have her back. Don't you even remember? You pushed her away. She would have loved to death you had let her," Blaise said, picking up her glass and taking a big drink. She slammed her glass down and watched it shatter on the table. Draco picked up his wand, muttered a few words, and the glass was back to normal.

"Listen Zabini. I don't like Ginny; I don't care about her and never had. Leave it alone. I don't think about her like you think I do, nor do I make any contact with her. Unlike you, I don't take anyone else's woman. I just thought you would like to go along for a ride with Potter," Draco said standing up. He propped himself on the table with his hands and he looked like he was interrogating Blaise. Blaise, stunned, leaned back.

"How long has your affair been going on anyway? 1, 2 years?" Draco said, eyes glaring. Blaise smirked and stood up.

"That is none of your business. I'm going to bed and when I wake up, you better have been packed. We're going to Romania tomorrow," she said, turning and walking to the door.

Before she could reach it, Draco said, "You are seriously demented."

"Well, you're a prat," she said coolly, leaving the room. Draco let out a chuckle before drinking the last of his scotch.

*~*

Ginny sighed, staring at her watch. Harry, noticing her tension, gripped her hand. He kissed her cheek. "Calm down Gin. They'll be here shortly," Harry muttered against her hair. Ginny could sense Harry's unease when Hermione and Ron both appeared on the platform. Ginny pulled away from Harry when she saw who followed Hermione and Ron: Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. Ron turned towards Hermione and muttered, "Are they really necessary in coming with us on this trip?"

"Yes. They are. Drop it," Hermione ordered between her clenched teeth. Hermione approached the couple and she hugged Ginny. "Oh how good it is to see you," she said, smile on her face. Ron patted Harry on his back and grinned.

"Potter, Weasley," Draco said, nodding at each of them. Ginny didn't make a sound, but she nodded her head back at Draco. She could feel the blood rushing to her face, so she quickly bowed her head and picked up the bag resting on the ground. Harry looked over at Blaise, who also was looking down. 'Not now,' she told herself, and she looked up at Harry. Harry did not show any emotions toward her, but his eyes were dying for more. Blaise turned to Ginny, who still was looking down, the back at Harry, who just stared at her.

"Let's get going then," Ron said, clapping his hands together. Everyone picked up their bags and slowly piled into the van that Ron had rented.

"We're driving there? You do realize that there is ocean between England and the rest of Europe right?" Draco said, directing his question towards Ron.

"We're not driving. We're flying," Ron said, turning on the ignition. The van began to rise higher and higher until they were up in the clouds.

"Invisibility," Harry told Ron and Ron nodded. Pressing a couple of buttons, the van became invisible. Ginny sat between Harry and Draco, with Blaise on the other side of Harry. She could feel her face becoming hot and she shuffled in her seat. Draco cleared his throat. Blaise just stared at Harry and vice versa, but Ginny didn't notice. Instead, her eyes were planted on her hands, which were on her lap. Ron was concentrated on driving, while Hermione just stared at him. Draco stared out the window.

'Romania, here we come,' he thought before letting out a huge sigh.

*~*

Ron landed the van a couple miles outside of Transylvania. "Can't have anyone see us," Ron said, getting out of the car. Everyone piled out of the car. Ginny tied up her hair to keep it out of her face, while Draco stood in the background watching. Blaise approached him. "Don't like her?" she said, some satisfaction in her voice. Draco glared at her.

"I wouldn't be saying anything. You're the one who was staring at the prat the entire ride here," Draco said between clenched teeth. Blaise took a step back. "Sod off Zabini."

Ginny grabbed her bags and smiled at Harry. Harry grinned back and he kissed her on the forehead. "What are we going to do today?" he asked. Before Ginny could answer, Hermione began to walk to the house in the distance.

"That's where we're staying," Hermione explained. Harry shrugged, grabbed his bags, and began to follow Hermione. Ginny sighed and followed. Shortly after, Ron, Draco, and Blaise followed in suit. They all reached the house and Hermione grinned. "Let's go in shall we?"

Hermione turned the doorknob and opened the door. This revealed a beautifully styled Victorian house. Ginny's jaw dropped. Harry smiled and pulled Ginny into his arms. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" he whispered. Ginny nodded and continued to stare. Draco scowled and Blaise laughed at his scowl.

"Jealous much?" she whispered as she walked towards the winding stairs. "You did pretty well with the arrangements Granger. This place isn't half bad."

"Thank you Blaise. I'm going upstairs to choose my room," Hermione said. Ron nodded. He followed her up the stairs. Harry pulled apart from Ginny.

"Why don't I go look for a room and you stay here, you know, check this place out," he suggested. Ginny nodded.

"Yeah, sure," she said, turning away, walking into the dining room. Harry walked up the stairs, closely followed by Blaise. Draco watched them walk up the stairs and then followed Ginny into the dining room.

"Nice place, isn't it?" he asked. Ginny turned to him and smiled.

"Yes, it is," she said. She looked at Draco and approached him. "What are you doing here? Why did you come with us on our vacation?" Draco chuckled.

"I'm here to enjoy the sights. Something you should be doing, instead of admiring the house," he said, in a matter-of-factly tone. Ginny frowned.

"Fine. I'm going to go and enjoy the sights. You're free to join me if you wish," she said, walking to the door. Draco smiled and followed her.

*~*

Harry found a room on the far end of the house. He walked in, leaving the door open. A few seconds later, Blaise entered the room. Harry sat on the large bed and Blaise sat next to him. She took his hands into hers and kissed him. Harry returned the kiss, and Blaise pulled away.

"Are you sure you should be doing this? You're engaged to Ginny," Blaise said. Harry grinned.

"What she doesn't know won't kill her," he whispered, kissing her again. He tugged his hands back and put them on the sides of Blaise's face. Blaise pulled away again.

"What happens when she finds out?" she asked. Harry sighed. 'She worries too much,' he thought to himself.

"She won't. Trust me. It's been 2 years. She will never know," he muttered, leaning in for another kiss.

"Are you sure? She is with Draco right now. You could never be sure what he will say," Blaise said. Harry pulled away and stood up. He walked towards the window and in the distance he could see Ginny and Draco walking down the path to town.

"He won't say anything. He doesn't want to hurt her," Harry said, closing the curtains. "Why are you so worried anyway? It doesn't matter does it?"

Blaise stood up and walked to the door. "I'm worried because you aren't. I want you to me mine, and mine's only. You still have a part of you with Ginny. I don't want that," Blaise said. "Prove that you only want me. Break it off with Ginny."

"You know I can't do that."

"Why not Harry? Do you still love her? And if you do, why do you lead me on like this?" Blaise demanded. Harry approached her. He put his hand on hers.

"I can't because I don't want to hurt her. When the time is right, I will. But right now, it isn't," Harry said soothingly. "I will end it before the wedding. I promise you that." With that he kissed her hand and walked away.

Harry walked down the hallway. Questions were spinning in his head. 'Do you still love her?' Harry shook his head. 'Why do you lead me on like this?' Harry stopped and turned around. He could see Blaise, standing in the doorway. She was looking at the bracelet he had bought her 5 months ago. He bowed his head and turned around again.

"Not anymore," he muttered, walking away.

*~*

Ron and Hermione both lay on their bed, staring up at the ceiling. "Do you think they suspect anything?" Ron asked. Hermione shrugged.

"No. I don't think so. Draco is the only one who knows. He might have told Blaise, but I doubt it. As for Harry and Ginny, they have no idea," Hermione said. Ron turned to her, lying on his side. He put his arm around her, and snuggled closer to her.

"I'm going to take a short nap," Ron said, kissing her on the forehead. Hermione smiled and Ron closed his eyes.

'I hope this goes well,' Hermione thought.