Moonlight on Malfoy Manor

Chapter 7 - a secret rendezvous; death in the family; a projection; confessions; a couple of angry Weasels; Moonlight on Malfoy Manor.

It had been three days since the start of term after the Christmas holidays. All of a sudden the frantic flurry of activity in Hogwarts seemed to have come to a standstill. Having had their share of fun and excitement, the sixth and seventh year students were now expected to put in their due academically as well. Students walked up and down corridors with books clutched under their arms, parchments and quill in hand as they raced against time to reach deadlines. The professors appeared to have decided that work needed to be done and it needed to be done sooner rather than later. Even Professor Flitwick, considered the most easy-going by all the students, had started bombarding them with weekly assignments. Even Hagrid seemed to have taken a leaf out of his colleagues' books and had taken a tentative surprise test with the sixth year Hufflepuffs. Something unheard of in his career as a teacher in Hogwarts.

Ginny climbed up the steps to the Astronomy Tower, alongwith the rest of her class. Until now all their classes had been 'whipping into shape' sessions. McGonagall had threatened 'dire consequences' if work was not submitted on time, Snape had maliciously suggested giving detention which would last them till eternity, Professor Binns had brought to light the possibility of failing them. The sixth year Gryffindors wondered what Professor Sinistra would have in store for them.

"Welcome back, my dears," Professor Sinistra's soft voice rang out in the tower room as the class sat down. Ginny looked at her curiously, apprehensively, as she wondered if the lyrical welcome was the calm before the storm. The class waited with bated breath for the storm clouds, the downpour of assignments, the lightning of deadlines - but none came. Professor Sinistra went on in her soft voice about how lucky they were to be witnessing some conjunction that had last been recorded some five thousand years ago.

"It shall be such a privilege to witness the Conjunction," she carried on excitedly. Ginny tuned her out as she started to describe the conjunction - something about Jupiter, the moon and some constellation.

"Drakonius." Ginny's head shot up as she heard Professor Sinistra say.

"The conjunction will take place between midnight and three in the morning. I have arranged it with Professor Dumbledore for us to have a special class in order to view the Conjunction. It shall be a great opportunity..."

Ginny let go of what the professor was saying as she got lost in a world entirely of her own making; a world where the universe contracted into one being - her very own 'Drakonius', her Draco Malfoy. Ginny blushed at the thought. She wondered if exchanging all of three letters and a present over Christmas entitled her to think of Draco Malfoy as 'hers'. Probably not, she sighed, but it had felt inordinately lovely to be able to think of him as hers. Ginny gave herself a mental shake. A few kisses, a couple of letters and one Christmas present - and here she was totally besotted with Draco Malfoy. This was so ridiculous.

'But it feels great. Admit it,' a voice spoke in her head.

'Well...ok. It does feel great. But I just wished I knew how he feels. It's all so confusing.'

'Oh no! Not that again. Virginia Marie Weasley, if you carry on like that, you're going to have to change your name to Virginia - inmate of St. Mungo's - Weasley. What is so confusing? You're besotted with the guy. He obviously likes you or he wouldn't have sent you the owl asking you to meet him.'

Ginny looked at the small letter she took out of her pocket -

Meet me in the empty classroom on the third floor by the statue of the Hunchback of Rotterdam. I want my reward. - D.M.

Ginny had been pleasantly surprised to see the small brown barn owl deliver a letter for her at breakfast that morning. After reading it however, surprise had changed to wonder as she had hurriedly stuffed the letter in her pocket. To Ashley and Elizabeth's questions, she had said the letter was from her mother. She had looked to where Draco had been sitting at the Slytherin table and chatting with Blaise. He had met her eyes for just a fraction of a second and smiled at her. Ginny had hurriedly looked down at her plate - her insides having been liquefied by the smile.

Ginny felt her knees go weak at the memory of that smile, as she thought it highly unfair that he had the power to affect her in this way while she seemed to have no affect on him whatsoever.

'Well that is going to change tonight,' she thought determinedly. 'So he wants a reward, does he? I'll give him something he won't forget in a hurry.' Ginny smiled satisfactorily as she joined in the laughter that rang through the class at Professor Sinistra's childish enthusiasm about the conjunction.

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Draco sat on the widow ledge of the empty classroom where he was supposed to meet Ginny. But that was still hours away. He had come early because he needed to think. Things had changed between them the night of the ball. Draco had known it at the time but had been too pre-occupied to analyse it then. He had never truly thought about how he felt about Ginny. Not till the holidays. The verbal fencing match on the train had intrigued him, he had noticed her after Quidditch practice and after that he had watched her every chance he got. It was not conscious; his eyes automatically sought her out at the Gryffindor table at meal times, in hallways, in the library. He looked for ways of getting her alone without appearing interested. At first he had set down his attraction to hormones but later he had realised that it was much more than that.

At the ball the mere sight of her had taken his breath away. Dancing with her and holding her had all the familiar sensations of coming home. Every nerve in his body had screamed against letting her go - go to Gareth. But he had. As she had looked into his eyes, he had somehow, inexplicably, known that she would come back. No matter what, she would return to him. Things had changed between them that night - he knew that and so did she. In the still silence of the night, a promise had been made, a promise had been received.

On the train he had seen the worry in her eyes, the anxiety and fear for him, which she hadn't bothered to hide - hadn't even tried. He had been elated; she cared for him deeply, as he cared for her. Yes, he had finally admitted to himself that he cared for her. On the train as he made that promise, he knew she meant more to him than even he had realised. Had it happened so fast that it had overwhelmed him? Or had it happened so slowly that he had not noticed? Truth was that it did not matter how it happened. What mattered was that he was going to meet her for the first time today after it happened and he did not know he was supposed to act. That made him nervous. True he had talked to her on the train, but Draco did not think that counted. For one thing it had been too short and for another, the significance of the night before had not sunk in for either of them. They had acted like they always did - she wanting to kill him and he having no thought other than kissing her.

Draco's head jerked around in surprise as the door opened and Ginny walked in.

"You're early," he said.

"So are you," she returned. They looked at each other silently, both feeling a little awkward. Draco let his eyes trail over her from red hair to shoes and back again. He smiled languidly, his eyes full of mischief and promise.

"Hey Red!"

Ginny grinned, "Hey Blondie."

"Blondie?" Draco echoed in disbelief.

"Or would you prefer Drakey?" Ginny's eyes sparkled as Draco's narrowed.

"Draco will do just fine," he returned coldly.

"Personally I like the name, but if you're going to give me a nickname I just thought it fair for me to give you one as well."

"Don't be cheeky."

"You started it."

"Alright, Virginia. Happy?"

"Oh darling, whatever makes you happy makes me happy," she simpered, batting her eyelashes at him.

"Really?" Draco asked brightening up as he leapt to his feet.

"No."

"Spoilsport!" he muttered as he moved towards her.

"Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much for your own good?"

"Is that so?" Draco asked as Ginny closed the distance between them and pulled him down for a kiss. He was only too happy to oblige.

"Demanding, aren't we?" Draco asked a good five minutes later, quirking an eyebrow.

"You like strong women."

"Who told you that?"

"You did."

"How right I was!" Draco mumbled and gathered her to him for another kiss, smiling as he felt the warm pendent between her breasts.

****************************************

It was during Care of Magical Creatures that the summons came. Draco was standing in the midst of the Slytherins, passing snide comments that only those near him could hear. The result; frequent bursts of laughter from the Slytherins which made poor Hagrid more and more nervous while Harry engaged in shooting death glares at Draco and his cohorts. Not being able to hear what Malfoy said, Harry could not retaliate. Draco, with Blaise on his side, stood with his feet apart and arms folded across his chest, wearing a smirk and a decidedly evil glint in his eye. He returned Harry's stare without a blink or a change of expression. He muttered something that caused the Slytherins to look Harry's way and laugh. Harry felt himself go red. He wanted more than anything to pound Malfoy's face in. Hermione muttering "ignore him, ignore him" by his side was not helping. Hagrid felt the attention of the class slipping from his grasp. The Slytherins were laughing at him and the Gryffindors were busy glaring at the Slytherins.

"Come on now, pay attention," he said imploringly even as the laughter stopped. Everyone was staring at Draco - or rather at the beautiful white owl perched on his shoulder. Bound neatly around its leg was a small roll of black edged parchment tied with a black ribbon. If Draco felt any surprise he did not show it. The owl hopped obligingly onto his hand while he untied the parchment and then fluttered back onto his shoulder and buried its beak in his fine blonde hair. As Draco read the parchment his face paled and he went very still. Concerned, Blaise laid a gentle hand on his shoulder but Draco flinched away. Everyone knew that a black edged letter meant death in the family. The Slytherins appeared unsure of what to next. Draco finally raised his head and looked straight at Hagrid. His eyes cold as ice, he stood very still.

"I must see Professor Dumbledore," he stated calmly.

"Of course. Do you want someone to go with you?" Hagrid asked kindly.

"That won't be necessary," Draco said, ignoring Blaise's imploring look. Without another word he turned and walked back toward the castle, the parchment held carefully in his hand. Draco made a conscious effort to walk normally, putting one foot in front of the other, his back straight and head up.

Despite himself, Harry had to admire Draco's control. He did not doubt that it was control. In that brief instant that Draco had been reading the letter, Harry had seen him tense. He had recognized the gesture - Draco had been reigning himself in, refusing to display any emotion. Harry empathized. It something he had tried to do many times but had never succeeded so well. Devoid of their leader the Slytherins were now silent and subdued and Hagrid found it much easier to call everyone to attention.

Draco walked into the entrance hall and began to make his way up the stairs, forcing himself to concentrate on what had to be done here and now; not permitting his mind to think about his father or the fact that he was dead. Draco stopped on the stairs and closed his eyes, going totally still, even to the point of holding his breath. He remained thus until he was sure he had locked away every feeling he had and once again had control of his mind. He inhaled slowly - first he needed to talk to Dumbledore and get permission to go back home. Than he needed to change and pack in order to be ready for the carriage that was coming for him. He did not know how long he would be away, best to pack everything just to be on the safe side. But first things first, he had to see Dumbledore. He bent his steps towards the dungeons and Professor Snape. Silence greeted Draco as he knocked on the door and entered the classroom full of Hufflepuffs. Professor Snape looked furious at being interrupted, but the fury changed to inquiry when he saw who it was.

"Professor, may I have a moment?" It was structured as a question but it was not one.

"Can't this wait, Mr. Malfoy?" Professor Snape asked crisply.

"I'm afraid not," Draco stated definitely.

"Very well." Draco followed Snape out of the class into the corridor. With the door firmly shut behind them, Draco handed over the parchment that he had slipped into his pocket. He saw Professor Snape's eyes cloud over for an infinitesimal second, before he raised them to meet his own.

"I am sorry, Draco."

"Thank you, Professor. As you see it is imperative that I return home at the earliest possible opportunity. I must speak to the Headmaster."

"Of course."

Professor Dumbledore was in his office when Draco entered. He did not seem surprised to see Draco; on his desk was an identical black edged parchment.

Professor Snape walked back to his classroom, leaving Draco in the capable hands of the Headmaster. While walking with Draco to Dumbledore's office, he had wondered what to say to the young boy, now an orphan with the world at his feet. Even as he had started to speak, Draco had turned and looked at him, "Thank you, Professor."

The grey eyes were calm, showing no trace of emotion. Draco Malfoy looked like a beautiful ice sculpture, his world contained within himself. Carefully concealed from prying eyes. As Professor Snape entered his classroom he accepted the truth that Draco Malfoy was all that Draco Malfoy needed to survive.

Draco made his way tiredly to his common room, Dumbledore's words still ringing in his ears. He muttered the password and walked straight to his dormitory. Even if there had been someone in the common room, he would not have noticed. Draco stopped and surveyed his side of the room - it was impeccable, everything neatly in its place. He opened his trunk and began throwing his belongings haphazardly into it, summoning things from across the room. He quickly changed into a black trousers and a black high-neck sweater, throwing his cloak onto the bad in preparation for departure. He looked about carefully, going over his mental checklist, not wanting to leave anything behind. His eyes rested on his bed. He made his way towards it and slowly pulled out a sheaf of parchments, neatly rolled and tied with a dark green ribbon from under his pillow - Ginny's letters. He considered putting them in his trunk, but tucked them away in the pocket of his cloak instead.

Exhausted, he slumped on his bed and buried his head in his hands. He drew in a shuddering breath. The dam was about to burst, he could hear the pounding and screaming - his own voice screaming madly, asking questions he knew he would never be able to answer.

'Why?! Why had Lucius stubbornly gone to his death when he had been warned? Why had He-Who-Must-Not-Be...why had Voldemort killed his most trusted and loyal deatheater? A man who had given away his own son? Why now after all these years? Why? Why? Why?' - the questions echoed endlessly in his mind, threatening to overwhelm him completely.

A warm touch on his shoulder made Draco stiffen reflexively, but he did not look up until he was in control of himself once more. Blaise looked at him worriedly. He tried to give he a reassuring smile but did not get very far - the corners of his mouth curled up painfully but refused to go any further.

"The coach is here," Blaise whispered, as if afraid that loud noises might hurt him. Draco nodded, rose and draped himself in his cloak. As he walked out of the Slytherin common room he felt glad that everyone was at lunch - he was not sure he could put up another performance.

On the front steps of the castle, he turned around and faced Blaise. Taking both her hands in his, he gently kissed her on the cheek.

"I'll be back soon," he whispered looking into her concerned green eyes, his own grey ones blank and expressionless. Draco climbed into the carriage with an ease born out of experience as the door shut, hiding him from view. He slumped back in the seat - the part had been played, the performance was over. With his eyes closed, Draco whispered to the empty carriage:

"I'll be back soon, Ginny."

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The carriage pulled up at the front steps of Malfoy Manor with its black wreathed coat of arms. Draco stood on the gravel path and gazed up at the front of the edifice he had called home for seventeen years of his life, trying to register the fact that it would now house only one inhabitant.

He presented a strange picture; the white-gold hair and the pale face in striking contrast to the long heavy black cloak that draped his shoulders. He stood as still as a statue, with the eyes of an old and weary man. Heaving an inward sigh, Draco began to climb the steps to the front door, his back straight and his head up. The door swung open magically and Draco automatically unclasped his cloak and handed it to the waiting butler. He stood in the imposing entrance hall unsure of what to do or where to go. This was the place where one or both his parents had greeted him when he returned home.

He bent his steps towards the library; he needed to prepare himself before he entered his father's study. The library and the study had been Lucius' most frequented haunts. Narcissa had had an entirely separate set of rooms in another wing of the house. Draco had never entered that wing since she had died. The fire in the library had been lit and it blazed cheerfully in its grate - a stark contrast to Draco's mood. He stood staring fixedly at it with his arm braced against the mantelpiece, a glass of Old Fire Whiskey in his hand. Questions were nagging him, whirling around in his head, refusing to be silenced. 'Why had Lucius not heeded his warning? Had his vision in the Great Hall been true? Had Voldemort killed his father? If so, why? Why had his father stood up to the Dark Lord? Who was the boy Lucius had been so desperate to save?'

Draco rubbed his hand across his eyes and drained his glass - so many questions and absolutely no answers. He poured himself another drink; he was merely procrastinating. He had to go to his father's study; had to look through his will and last testament and honour his father's last wishes and follow the instructions he might have left behind; begin arrangements for the funeral and the entombing in the Malfoy family crypt. Draco gulped down the whiskey, the feeling of burning liquid now so familiar he hardly noticed it. Squaring his shoulders, he headed towards the study. He paused with his hand on the doorknob, half expecting to hear Lucius and Voldemort arguing again. But only silence screamed back at him. He turned the knob and strode purposefully into the room - Draco froze.

The fire blazed here as in the library, the room was in perfect order, and everything just as it should be except that the room was not empty. The other occupant of the room regarded Draco with his snake like eyes, from the depths of one of the armchairs. Virtually non-existent lips pulled into a smile or a grimace - it was hard to tell which. Draco's worst fears were confirmed as he gazed in to the face of his father's murderer.

"I have been waiting for you, Mr. Malfoy," said Lord Voldemort.

The feeling of overwhelming loneliness and anguish that had been pulsing just below the thin veneer of control was replaced with white, hot rage and Draco caught hold of it with all his being. Anger was a familiar emotion, an emotion he could use - an emotion he could manipulate. He used it now to quell his fear, his sense of hopelessness and pain. He matched the Dark Lord's stare with narrowed eyes - the colour of galvanized steel.

Voldemort regarded the perfectly contained young Malfoy. He had not been wrong about the boy's stubbornness. He smiled, pleased with is own perception. But Voldemort saw more than just stubbornness - he saw the arrogant tilt of the head, the rage glittering in his eyes, the power that pulsed around him, power Draco did not yet realize he possessed. Voldemort saw himself, as he had been - young, arrogant, powerful and ruthless.

Lucius had been wrong, so very wrong. This boy would not serve him, powerful as he was. This boy would serve no one.

The Dark Lord raised his hand and began twirling a wand between his long, bony fingers. Draco's wand. As Draco mentally cursed himself for his carelessness, the thin lips parted and the Dark Lord spoke,

"You will be happy to know Draco...may I call you Draco?"

Half an hour later, as the Malfoy family portraits watched Draco stormed out of the study muttering obscenities. Great-grandmother Malfoy thought about reprimanding her great-grandson but decided against it after seeing the black look he wore on his face.

****************************************

Ginny's eyes searched desperately as the owl flew in with letters at breakfast. For a second her tired eyes lit up as a small brown owl flew towards her with a parchment tied to its feet, but her joy died as quickly as it had come - the letter was for Ashley. Her eyes closed in defeat as a sigh escaped her lips. It had been four days since Draco had left Hogwarts. Not a long time by any standards, but she wished he would write. His reply to her anxious letter had been far from satisfactory, which had made her more anxious. It was not like Draco to ignore her so completely. For the umpteenth time, Ginny wished she could be with him. She had a bad feeling about all this and her research on Seers had not done much for her peace of mind. She needed to talk to Draco and the only person who could help her do that was Hermione. Ginny looked to where Hermione sat with Ron and Harry and tried desperately to catch her eye.

"Ginny?" Ashley shook her. "C'mon or we'll be late for Potions." Ginny resignedly got up from her seat. It would not do to be late for Potions - Draco or no Draco. She would have to wait till after dinner to talk to Hermione.

"Hermione, I need to talk to you," Ginny said that night after dinner, as they sat in the Gryffindor common room, her face white and drawn.

"She's busy. It'll have to wait till later," Ron replied without looking up from where he sat with Harry and Hermione. Ginny ignored her brother.

"Hermione I need to talk to you. Now," she said firmly.

Hermione looked up from her work at Ginny, "Is this about...?"

"Yes," Ginny replied, "and it's urgent."

"Hermione!" Ron protested as she stood up to go with Ginny. "What about my homework?"

"It's your homework, Ron. Do it yourself," Ginny snapped as she and Hermione began to walk away.

"I'll help you when I get back," Hermione said placatingly as she looked at Ginny's wan face.

"Let her go Ron. I'll help you," Harry said. He too had noticed the expression on Ginny's face.

"You?" Hermione heard Ron ask Harry incredulously as she followed Ginny out of the common room.

Once safely within her room, Hermione turned to Ginny.

"Draco's in trouble," Ginny blurted out even before Hermione could ask what was wrong. Having said that Ginny did not where to begin.

"What do you mean he's "in trouble"? He has gone home, hasn't he? What happened?"

Ginny swallowed nervously as Hermione expectantly waited for a reply.

"Ummm...well...Draco is a Seer," Ginny finally spoke

"WHAT?!" Hermione's eyes popped out.

"Well, a Seer is..." Ginny began.

"Ginny, I know what a Seer is. But how can Draco be a Seer? Seers are born, not made. If he were one we would have known by now."

"His father bound his powers when he was born," Ginny offered by way of explanation. Hermione exhaled deeply as she sat down on the bed.

"Okay Ginny. Tell me everything and start right at the beginning."

Ginny sat down on the bed next to Hermione and launched into a wieldy explanation of all that had happened since she had met Draco by the lake and he had told her about being a Seer. Image after image flashed across Ginny's mind as she relived the Hogsmeade weekend, the Christmas Ball, dancing with Draco in the moonlight, her conversation with Gareth in the boy's dorm, the Hogwarts express, the letters that had exchanged over the holidays. As Ginny came to a halt in the telling of the tale, Hermione looked at her incredulously, "Blaise is gay?"

"Hermione!" Ginny admonished.

"No, I mean...Malfoy was just helping her out? He was being...nice?" Hermione hesitantly asked, wondering if using the 'Malfoy', 'helping' and 'nice' together was morally, ethically and grammatically correct.

"Yes," Ginny replied. "But that's not the point. The point is that he's in trouble. I know he is."

"How do you know that?"

"Well, I sent him an owl and he sent back a very strange reply which is totally unlike him. I even tried to floo him, but the grate at Malfoy Manor seems to be blocked."

"Maybe that's because there's a funeral on and he wants some privacy," Hermione suggested helpfully.

"There's something else, Hermione. Something I haven't told you," Ginny said. "Draco had a vision. He saw his father die - being murdered actually."

"Murdered? Ginny are you sure? By whom?" Hermione asked in one breath.

"By You-Know-Who."

Hermione gasped in shock, "But then why didn't he warn his father?"

"He did, but his father wouldn't listen. Hermione, I need to talk to him. I think he's in danger - I know he is."

"But Ginny, why would his life be in danger?" Hermione asked. "If anything Voldemort would want Draco alive. A Seer would be indispensable to him if he sets out to conquer the world. That alone, the fact that Draco is a Seer, guarantees him his life. Seers are very powerful, Ginny. If anything were to happen, Draco's powers will protect him."

Ginny took a deep breath, "I don't think You-Know-Who wants Draco. I think he wants his powers."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked. "A Seer's powers can't be taken away," she said.

"No, Hermione. A Seer's powers can be taken away. I was doing research on Seers and their powers to help Draco deal with his. It was written in one of the old books in the Restricted section that when the Moon, the Seer's star and the planet under which the Seer was born, are in conjunction, then the Seer can be stripped of his powers. Since such a conjunction rarely happens, it is believed that a Seer's powers cannot be taken away. It is old magic, Hermione - ancient dark magic at its darkest."

As Hermione looked on, awed by this information, Ginny continued, "There is a conjunction at the end of this month." Hermione nodded speechlessly.

"The Moon, and Jupiter shall be passing in perfect alignment through the constellation of Drakonius, through 'Draco'. It is a rare conjunction. The last time Jupiter and the Moon even came close to Drakonius was more than five thousand years ago. This is You-Know-Who's best chance at achieving total control. The conjunction will last for a little more than three hours. During that time You-Know-Who can strip Draco off his powers if he chooses to do so."

"But how do you know he will?"

"Do you think You-Know-Who will tolerate the constant threat of someone who can overthrow him in his mad rush for power? He was born under Jupiter, Hermione, just as Draco was born when the sun was passing through Drakonius. Jupiter symbolizes power, ambition - You-Know-Who has one and he craves the other. Draco is in danger, Hermione. I just know it and I have to talk to him."

"And how do you propose to do that? If he's being held against his will, there's not much chance that owling him will work and you've already said yourself that the floo is blocked."

Ginny looked Hermione in the eye and said simply, "Astral Projection."

"Ginny, have you lost your mind?!" Hermione shrieked. "Astral projection is very dangerous. Even fully trained wizards avoid projecting. What if you project yourself too far and can't make it back? You'll be as good as dead. I can't let you do that. There has got to be another way," Hermione stated with finality.

"There isn't, Hermione. I've checked everything." Hermione shook her head as Ginny looked at her pleadingly.

"We could go to Dumbledore," Hermione said.

"And what would I tell him? That Draco Malfoy and I have been secretly snogging, and he's told me - Virginia Weasley - that he's a Seer and I now believe he's going to be killed by You-Know-Who? Do you think he'll believe me?"

"It's worth a try at least."

"In which case if he doesn't believe me, no one will, and he'll make sure we don't do anything either. Please Hermione, you have to help me. I just want to know if he's alright. I'll come back as soon as I make sure he's fine and know for sure that he's not in any danger. Please Hermione, it's the only way. I don't want to lose him, not after all this."

Hermione looked at Ginny, her eyes full of doubt as she took in Ginny's worried face and the tired lines under eh eyes. She sighed reluctantly and said, "Okay Ginny, I'll help - only after I assure myself that it's safe. We'll need to do some research before you actually project."

Ginny smiled brightly, the first real smile since she had read about the possibility of a Seer being stripped off his powers.

"Done already," she said.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"The research on Astral Projection. I found out everything we'll need to know," Ginny said as she launched into the complicated explanation of projecting.

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Once, when Draco had been five he had 'run away from home'. He had run all the way to the little summerhouse on the East side of the Manor and had stayed there for all of two hours. The darkening twilight had driven him back home. When he had reached the imposing entrance hall it was dark and terrifying shadows lurked in the corners. None of the torches had been lit in the hall or anywhere else that he could see. Frightened, little Draco had huddled near the open front door and cried. Tears had streamed down his face as he had screamed for his parents, terrified that they would not come, that they had gone away and left him all alone.

Twelve years later, seventeen year old Draco Malfoy, stood in the imposing entrance hall just as frightened as he had been then. But this time he did not cry and call for his parents because he knew they would not come. Narcissa would not come with large worried blue eyes to hug him tightly and whisper soothingly in his ear. Lucius would not come to admonish him to sternly before carrying him to his room and tucking him into bed. This time they had gone away and left him all alone.

Draco watched the dark robed figures, as they purposefully flitted across the entrance hall, with cool detachment. They ignored him, too busy with the preparations for the up coming ceremony. Draco did not care as he made his way up the stairs to his room. He stood at the window and looked wistfully at the darkening grounds. If he had been at Hogwarts he would probably have been returning from Quidditch practice right about now. He would probably never play Quidditch again. He sighed heavily and sank onto the pile of cushions on the floor next to the window. He gazed blankly at around the room his father had fitted out to be his Seer training room. He merely called it his 'hidden room'. Its best feature as far as Draco was concerned was the fact that no one but him could enter it. There were some advantages of being the only Malfoy around, he thought wryly. He wondered idly if his remains would also be placed in the Malfoy family crypt. Draco sincerely hoped not - he did not fancy the idea of spending eternity shut up in a black marble sarcophagus. He really would have preferred a sunny little grave somewhere, 'maybe on a hill with a tree' he thought as he smiled dreamily.

'Of course, that is if there is anyone around willing to bury me, which depends on if there is anything left of me to bury.'

Voldemort had explained to him in great detail exactly what would transpire on the night of the conjunction. Draco had listened impassively and ah d wished him luck before sweeping out of the room. Since that day, Draco had spent every waking minute trying to find a way out or summoning help, but he had been unable to concentrate. Nightmares still plagued him and he had been too distracted by his father's funeral. The funeral had been short and to the point and only the Death Eaters had been in attendance. Lucius' remains had been entombed beside Narcissa's. During the ceremony, Draco had eyed he empty sarcophagus that remained on his father's left, knowing that this was where Draco Malfoy would be found a few days hence. He had comforted himself with the thought that soon it would all be over.

His hand groped around under the cushions and clutched at the little orb that had been Ginny's Christmas present. It fitted perfectly in his fist and glowed when he touched it. That was really the only thing he regretted about his life...

"Ginny," he whispered.

"Ginny," he said smiling as he shifted the orb from hand to hand.

"Ginny...Ginny...Ginny." He loved the way her name sounded in the empty room, the way it rolled off his tongue.

"Draco?"

He started and turned around. No, it couldn't be...

"Ginny?" he jumped to his feet as Ginny spun around to face him.

"Draco," she smiled with relief.

Draco stared at her unable to believe his eyes; he took a step towards her and reached out a hand.

"You can't touch me," Ginny said softly. Draco's hand halted in mid-air and then dropped to his side. He looked confused.

"Astral Projection," Ginny said by way of explanation. Draco looked amazed.

"You can project! That's...amazing."

"This is the first time. I didn't know if I would work."

"Oh it worked alright," Draco replied, openly raking his eyes up her body. Even though she was not really there, Ginny could not help but blush at Draco's appraising gaze.

"You look tired," he stated noting the deep circles under her eyes and the pale translucent skin.

"I've been worried," she replied and then before he could respond she asked, "how have you been?"

"Smashing...absolutely smashing," he replied.

""Smashing"?" Ginny asked in disbelief. "Draco, I know about the conjunction, I guessed You-Know-Who is going to try and strip you."

"Ooh! You make it sound so sexy," Draco said with a wicked smile.

"Draco Malfoy, try and be serious for once in your life," Ginny admonished him.

"Why? Might as well try and enjoy what's left of it, which is all of two days I imagine."

"Don't be silly," Ginny stated firmly. "There has to be way to get you out."

"Sorry to disappoint you Virginia but the plan is foolproof. It's simple and ingenious. My hat's off to the Dark Lord," Draco said as he tipped and imaginary hat in mock salute.

"No, there has to be a loophole; there always is."

"You think I haven't thought about it?" Draco demanded forcefully, rounding in on her with glittering eyes. Ginny backed away.

"You think I haven't thought about it? Ever since I found out what is going to happen I have thought of nothing else. I have been contemplating my rather painful death for days now, Ginny. It is not a pleasant occupation. Trust me when I tell you the Dark Lord has covered every conceivable angle. There is no way for me to get out and there is no one for me to contact."

"How about your friends?" Ginny asked quietly.

"Most of their parents are traipsing around the Manor in their ridiculous Death Eater outfits."

"Family?"

"Are salivating in the sidelines at the thought of getting their hands on the Malfoy millions once I am a corpse."

"What about Snape and Dumbledore?"

"You know as much as I do, why haven't you told them?

"Well..."

"Exactly."

Draco softened at the sight of Ginny's large worried eyes, "It'll be over in a few days, Ginny."

Ginny stared at him in utter disbelief.

"You're giving up." It was not a question.

"Well, what the hell am I supposed to do?" Draco's temper was rising and he did not have the energy or the inclination to control it for once.

"You can't give up," Ginny whispered softly.

"I don't have much choice."

"There is always a choice."

Draco looked at Ginny for a long while.

"You're right," he finally said, still staring at her. "There is a choice."

"What? What choice?" Ginny asked eagerly.

"You won't like it," Draco responded in a low voice.

"Tell me."

"Kill myself before the Dark Lord gets the chance."

The words reverberated around the room. Ginny was dumbstruck. She swallowed several times before she finally managed to find her voice again.

"You're joking," she rasped.

"Yes, can't you just see me laughing hysterically," Draco replied wryly.

"Draco...you...you can't..."

"You're right. I can't. But it's not for lack of trying."

"Huh?" Ginny was confused.

"I have been bound from inflicting harm to others or myself. At least till the night of the conjunction."

Ginny let out a sigh of relief, "Well I'm with You-Know-Who on this one."

"Ginny you are being selfish. Do you realize how powerful he will become if he's successful?"

"If he's successful," Ginny replied.

"Now you are being naïve."

"And you are being pessimistic. Harry, Ron and Hermione have dealt with the Dark Lord before and they can do it again."

"Add a Seer who is also a Malfoy and that might just tip the balance in our favour," Ginny stated with confidence she did not feel. But she could see the acceptance in Draco's eyes and it frightened her. She needed to give him a reason to hope, a reason to fight. She realized, possibly for the first time, just how alone he really was. Draco sighed and scrubbed his eyes.

"Just how much have you been told about the ceremony?" Ginny asked curiously.

"Pretty much everything. The Dark Lord enjoyed detailing all the gory little particulars," Draco replied with a wince.

Ginny chewed her lower lip as she did a mental inventory of all the things she needed to know. There were really only a few things she needed to know she needed.

"How are the Death Eaters going to get here? Will they use the floo?"

"Apparate probably. Shouldn't be a problem since the wards protecting the Manor will be down. Besides the floo will be guarded to prevent any 'unwanted interruptions'," Draco said looking pointedly at Ginny.

"How many Death Eaters are going to be there?"

"Ten," Draco replied.

"Only ten? I thought the whole menagerie would be here for this triumph."

"Only the top ten. Death Eater politics, don't ask," Draco stated dismissively. Ginny did not ask. The room had suddenly become hazy and she was feeling dizzy.

"Draco, I have to go now," she said faintly.

"Ginny, you're fading."

Draco's voice sounded far away but Ginny could clearly make out the note of panic in it.

"Ginny wait," Draco darted forward, his arms outstretched but it was too late. Ginny was gone.

"Ginny," he whispered as despair settled on his chest like a stifling blanket. He crumpled to the floor, arms wrapped around his knees.

"Ginny," he choked on the name as desolation and despair finally overwhelmed him and his head dropped onto his knees hiding the tears that had begun to gather in his silver eyes.

"Don't leave me," he rasped softly. The quiet, anguished plea was swallowed up by the cold stone walls. There was no echo...there was no response.

****************************************

Ginny's eyes flew open and fell on Hermione's worried face.

"I had to pull you back ..."

"I have to talk to Harry," Ginny cut her off. She was off the bad and running down the stairs to the common room before Hermione could say another word. She prayed that Harry and Ron hadn't gone to bed yet.

They had not. True to form, Harry and Ron were still trying to do homework in the empty common room.

"Harry, I need to talk to you. Draco's in trouble and we have to help him," she panted out breathlessly.

"Whoa! Ginny slow down," Harry looked at Ginny's tired and pale face. "Maybe you should sit down." Harry rose and offered Ginny a solicitous arm, which Ginny brushed off impatiently.

"I don't want to sit down. We have to go and help Draco," Ginny almost screamed.

"Ginny, calm down. We need to tell them the whole story first."

Ginny rounded on Hermione ready to scream, but one look at Hermione's worried face and she curbed her urge. Hermione was right - as always. She drew a deep breath and turned to Harry.

"Draco is being held captive by the Dark Lord in Malfoy Manor. We have to go and save him," she stated with forced calm.

"Ginny, have you completely lost your mind?" Ron demanded. Harry wanted to ask the same thing but he did not think it advisable, not with the state Ginny was in.

"Go to Malfoy Manor to save Malfoy - that slimy git of all people? Come on Harry, she's being stupid. Ignore her," Ron said as he returned to his homework.

"I am not crazy," Ginny said through clenched teeth. "I just talked to him and he needs our help."

Ron knew that there was something odd about this conversation, but he could not put his finger on it.

"You talked to him? What did you do - fly off to Malfoy Manor while I wasn't looking?"

"No, Ron. She astral projected." It was Hermione who answered.

"WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'ASTRAL PROJECTED'!!!" Ron yelled. "GINNY, YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN YOURSELF KILLED. DO YOU EVEN REALISE HOW DANGEROUS THAT IS? HAVE YOU COMPLETELY GONE BONKERS?"

"I KNOW HOW DANGEROUS IT IS BUT I DID IT ANYWAY SO GET OVER IT," Ginny yelled back.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? YOU'RE RISKING YOUR LIFE FOR THAT SLIMEBALL? SINCE WHEN DID HE BECOME SO DAMN IMPORTANT TO YOU?"

"HE JUST DID AND DON'T CALL DRACO NAMES. YOU DON'T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT HIM."

"AND YOU DO?"

"YES, I DO. I KNOW A DAMN LOT MORE THAN YOU, THAT'S FOR SURE."

"OR REALLY? AND HOW DID YOU MANAGE THAT? PSYCHIC CONNECTION, TELEPATHY?"

"NO. I DID IT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY. I TALKED TO HIM. SOMETHING NONE OF YOU EVER DID."

Ron looked taken aback for a moment. Harry was looking at Hermione; she did not seem surprised by any of this.

"How long has this been going on, Ginny?" Harry asked quietly.

"How does it matter?"

"It matters. How long?"

"Since the start of term. Since he helped me with my homework." As the memory of that night returned tears spilled out of her eyes and she sank into a chair.

"We have to help him," she looked up at Harry with anguished eyes. "He's not what you think. He's not. He's...he's..." Ginny floundered, unable to find the words.

"He's Draco Malfoy," Harry said with a soft smile. Ginny looked up and nodded. The words seemed cryptic to Ron but Harry and Ginny seemed to know exactly what they meant as they looked at each other.

"We have to rescue him before the conjunction," Ginny said again.

Harry sat down and looked from Ginny to Hermione.

"Alright, let's start at the beginning, shall we?"

"And that's why we have to get him before the conjunction." Hermione finished the narrative with occasional help from Ginny. Ron had changed colour several times but now he was livid as he looked at Ginny.

"You're a traitor Virginia Weasley," he stated quietly. "A damned traitor - to your house, your friends and worse, to your family. After all the things he said about us, after all the insults about...you're a traitor!" Ron's voice had risen with each word.

"Enough Ron!" Harry interjected as fresh tears spilled onto Ginny's cheeks at Ron's words.

"We have more important things to worry about. Like how we're going to get Malfoy away from Voldemort."

"I'm not worrying about anything that concerns Malfoy. You-Know-Who wants to kill him? Good for him I say," Ron said decidedly.

"You don't mean that," Ginny whispered wide-eyed.

"Don't tell me what I do or do not mean, Virginia Weasley. I fact don't talk to me, at all."

"Ron you're being an idiot," Hermione said hotly.

"Oh am I? You were in on this too; you knew what was happening right from the start. Did you help her Hermione, or help 'Draco' for that matter? I may be an idiot Hermione, but I realize what both of you have been doing behind my back," Ron was yelling by the end of his tirade.

"You're not making any sense, Ron. Calm down, will you?" Harry rose and put a placating hand on his friend's shoulder. Ron shrugged it of and backed away from all three of them.

"Why should I calm down? Why the hell should I calm down? It's like everyone has gone bonkers at once. Ginny's in love with Malfoy; Hermione knew about it and didn't bother to tell me; and you, Harry, you want to help him. You're all bloody insane. Have you realized this could all be an elaborate trap to get Harry to the Manor? Did you even think of that? No. All of a sudden, we're supposed to take malfoy's word for it. Malfoy?! You're all bloody daft."

"It's not a trap, he's not lying," Ginny cried in anguish, desperate to be believed.

"SHUT UP! SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

"Come on, Ron think about it. Malfoy has been acting strangely all year, you said it yourself," Harry tried desperately.

"That's right, you did. And we all saw how he got the letter saying his father had died. He's been looking ill all year, Ron." Harry looked at Hermione gratefully.

"I don't care if he's in the throes of agony. I am not helping Malfoy. Understand that. Alright?"

"Ron, we can't do this without you...please..." Ginny began.

"Fine. Then don't. Let the bastard die. Don't see anyone else complaining," Ron said coldly.

Harry was beginning to lose his temper at Ron's unreasonable attitude.

"Ron, I know Malfoy has been a pain and he's insulted your family and all that. I know how it feels..."

"No you don't Harry. You have no idea how it feels."

"Hey! Stop being so bloody righteous. You're not the only one he's had at, alright. He's insulted my family too and my parents and in case you hadn't noticed they're dead." Harry continued ignoring the shocked look on Ron' face, "He's called Hermione 'Mudblood' more times than I can count. I don't see her ready to let him die. And Ginny, he's insulted her as much as he's ever insulted you. But she was the only one who had the decency to talk to him, get to know him and don't you dare hold that against her. She's had more guts and decency than all of us put together. She saw him hurt and she asked why, while we just ignored him point blank. So don't take the moral high ground with us. We've all been hurt by Malfoy just as much as you have," Harry finished out of breath.

"Thank you, Harry," Ginny said in a small voice.

"No more than you deserve, Gin," Harry said as he flashed her a smile.

"So how about it Ron? We're all ready to forgive and forget, are you?"

Ron was silent as he stared mutinously at the three of them.

"Oh alright then. But I'm doing this under extreme duress," he said as Ginny threw her arms around him and hugged him.

"On one condition though," he said as the three of them looked at him warily. "I get to throw the fact that we saved that snot's life at his face every time I see him."

Harry grinned at Ron, "Good to have you aboard, mate."

"So how do we plan to mount this daring and suicidal rescue?"

****************************************

Harry missed Malfoy. There was no other explanation for the empty feeling that assailed him every time he went for Potions. It was the same feeling, of having forgotten something, he had had on the Hogwarts express while coming at the start of term. As far back as he could remember, in the seven years that he had been in Hogwarts, Malfoy had not missed a single opportunity to rile at Harry. And that included all the Potions classes they had attended. Harry looked at the empty sat where Draco sat during class and wondered at himself. How could he, Harry Potter, miss Draco-'sworn enemy of Potter'-Malfoy? It was a question he had asked himself incessantly for the past couple of days, and not answered satisfactorily. All he had come up with till now was that Potions was not Potions without Malfoy to rile him - heck, Hogwarts was not Hogwarts without Malfoy.

As Harry stared at the empty seat, he smiled inwardly, remembering all the occasions when Malfoy had smirked at him from that very seat. Ginny had been right - there really was something about Draco Malfoy. 'Is', Harry told himself firmly. 'There really is something about Draco Malfoy. He leaves a mark on all that is his, even that seat.' Though Draco had been on leave for a week, no student, Slytherin or Gryffindor had dared to occupy that seat. Unbidden though the thought came, Harry knew that Malfoy had left his mark on him too. There was a part of his life that Harry knew he would never be able to think about without thinking of Malfoy. It is hard to have cherished someone's enmity for seven out of seventeen years of life and then trade it for nothingness. Harry had never truly realized how central Malfoy was to his life, and as the realization finally hit him, Harry knew that plan or no plan, he had to save Draco. It was not an option. The fact that he would love to slaughter Malfoy, notwithstanding, he had to save him.

"I would consider it an honour, a personal favour if you would consider paying attention in class, Mr. Potter." Professor Snape's silky smooth voice made its way through Harry's reverie. Harry's green eyes met Snape's malicious black ones as he said, "Five points off Gryffindor and unless you would like to spend your evening cleaning the cauldrons...again, I suggest you keep a hold on that mind of yours, Potter. Don't let your mind go wandering, it's too small to go out by itself."

Hermione and Ron shot death glares at Harry, as he looked away from Snape and back to the answer he was supposed to be writing.

"Are you out of your mind?" Ron hissed through clenched teeth. "I thought avoiding detention was our top priority till tomorrow night."

"It is," Harry replied dejectedly.

"Then what is wrong with you? Why are you going out of your way to land yourself in detention, with Snape of all people?"

"I'm sorry. I lost my train of thought for a second there," he said lamely.

"Shh...you two," Hermione whispered as Snape turned back to face the class.

The rest of the class went smoothly for Harry, Ron and Hermione. Only Neville got into trouble for not having written a long enough essay, and was given detention for the next two days. Harry sympathized with him.

After class they made their way to the Gryffindor common room, and sat by the fire waiting for Ginny. They did not have to wait long. Ginny clambered up through the portrait hole and panted up to where they were sitting.

"What took you so long?" Ron asked irritably. He was still upset with Ginny for her outburst the day before. Saving your sworn enemy is one thing; saving your sworn enemy whom your baby sister is in love with is quite another. Though reluctant to join in the flight to save Malfoy, Ron had given in. There was only so much a person could do when his youngest and only sister, his girlfriend and his best friend decided to go on a madcap scheme to save someone they were all better off without.

"I had to stay back because McGonagall wanted to talk to me about my essay."

"It's okay, Ginny, you're not late," Harry said glaring at Ron.

"So..." Harry began.

"Wait!" Hermione said as she quietly mumbled a soundproofing spell. "Go on, Harry."

Harry smiled at her as they began discussing how to get to Malfoy Manor.

"We could fly," Ron suggested helpfully.

"Can't. We don't know where it is," Harry replied.

"How about apparating there?"

"I can't apparate yet, Ron," Ginny said looking at him, "and don't even think about going without me."

"But Gin..." Ron protested.

"No, Ron. I am going. I thought we settled that last night."

"Oh alright! Do as you please," Ron said exasperatedly as Hermione patted his hand.

"What about the Floo Network?" Harry asked.

"Can't. Too risky. Besides only one grate is going to be connected to the network and it will be guarded," Hermione replied.

"Maybe we should tell Dumbledore," Ginny said forlornly.

"That is not even an option. Even if he does believe us, it will be way too long before he can convince the Ministry to help him. Plus he's never let us go. We cannot go to Dumbledore with this," Harry said firmly.

They sat in silence for a while, pondering on how to get to Malfoy Manor. Suddenly Harry let out an exclamation.

"Oh my God! I can't believe we didn't think about his earlier," he said, as the others looked at him in confusion. "Thestrals," he offered by way of explanation.

"Oh! Harry that's brilliant," Hermione cried out.

"But will they be able to find the way to the Manor?" Ron asked doubtfully.

"Well, they're supposed to have an amazing sense of direction. They did get us to the Ministry that time," Harry said. "Besides, it's our only chance. We just have to make sure to leave Hogwarts so that we arrive little before the conjunction. That way the wards will be down and our chances of getting caught will be minimized. Ginny, what time does the conjunction begin?"

"Around midnight," Ginny replied.

"Good. So we'll leave after dinner. Ron, you and I will get the meat from the kitchens and Hermione, you and Ginny meet us at the edge of the forest. We'll have to fly above the clouds, so let's hope no one sees us. Don't worry Ginny, we'll save him. This is one battle I refuse to lose," Harry said with grim determination.

Ginny smiled. Now that they had a plan, albeit a sketchy one, she began to feel marginally better. She looked gratefully at Harry, Ron and Hermione, "If I don't get to say this later guys, I love you all very much."

Ginny woke the next morning with a sense of foreboding in her heart. What if their plan failed? What if they could not reach Draco in time? What if she lost him forever? What if...? She gave herself a mental shake and got out of bed. There was no point worrying herself sick, she needed to be as alert as possible for tonight. Half an hour later, Ginny made her way down to breakfast in the Great Hall. She sat down next to Ashley and Elizabeth barely conscious of her movements. Gareth, sitting opposite them with Colin, looked at her curiously. Ginny looked tired - familiar as he was with every nuance of expression that crossed her face - Gareth could tell that the lines beneath her eyes had made themselves prominent only after Malfoy had left. He could not help but feel jealous at the way Ginny's eyes kept searching the hall for any sign of the handsome silver haired, grey eyed Slytherin.

"Ginny"? Ashley asked.

"Huh?" Ginny looked startled.

"Ginny, what's wrong? You look terrible. Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked concernedly.

" I am fine," Ginny replied, absentmindedly picking at the food on her plate. "Didn't sleep well last night," she said hoping to dispel any further questioning.

"Do you want to go to Madam Pomfrey?" Ashley asked.

"No. I'm fine. Really," Ginny protested. "See I'm eating. I'll be fine," she said as she attacked her plate with feigned gusto. Seemingly satisfied, Ashley and Elizabeth went back to discussing the latest Ravenclaw sensation. Ginny gave up on her meal and leaned back into her chair. Her eyes misted over as she looked at the doors leading into the Great Hall and willed Draco to enter through them followed by his fan-club. As though conjured up by her imagination, she saw Blaise enter, followed by Malcolm Baddock and a couple of other Slytherins. Her eyes frantically waited for Draco to enter even though her heart told her otherwise. She kept hoping she was in a dream, a rather bad dream where she was being tested and saving Draco from incomprehensible danger was the final exam. A dream that would crash against the light of reality - reality in the form of Draco Malfoy. But that was not to be. The doors to the Great Hall cleared once more and Draco did not come.

Gareth saw the flickering shadows of hope and despair play across Ginny's face. He did not believe her assurances of being fine. He desperately wished he could erase the furrow between her brows, but knew instinctively that whatever Ginny was going through was not something he could ease away for her.

Lost in her contemplation of Draco, Ginny did not see Gareth looking at her. She looked up and her eyes met his as Gareth smiled at her. Ginny smiled back weakly, desperately willing herself to not cry. 'It is going to be fine,' she told herself. 'We have a plan. Harry has never let us down before. We can do this.' But all her reassurances came to naught as her eyes caught sight of the empty chair at the Slytherin table.

****************************************

It was a bright full moon night. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had decided to meet in an old classroom next to the statue of the one-eyed witch - if they all left the common room it would arouse too much suspicion.

So at around nine that night, Harry and Ron feigned hunger and headed out, saying they were going to the kitchens, which was partly true. Hermione slipped out loaded with books, parchment and quill, looking suitably harassed, for last minute reference work in the library. Ten minutes later, Ginny left saying she needed to finish mapping her star chart and pretended to head for the Astronomy Tower. This aroused giggles from Ashley and Elizabeth - everyone knew that the Astronomy Tower was 'snog central'. Gareth merely looked intensely curious. Ginny ignored them all and gathered all the things she would need to complete her chart and head out.

They decided to split up - Harry and Ron would head to the kitchens and get the raw meat they needed to lure the thestrals and Hermione and Ginny would wait for them at the edge of the forest. Harry lent the girls his invisibility cloak while he and Ron used the Marauder's Map to navigate their way safely through the castle. They slipped down the stairs together and parted at the entrance hall.

Hermione pulled off the cloak as soon as they reached the cover of the trees. Ginny sank down onto a rock looking mournful. Of course, she was feeling much better now that she was actually doing something, but she was still worried. What if even the thestrals couldn't find their way to the Manor? What if the wards were too strong and they couldn't get in? What if they managed to get in and couldn't find Draco in time? Ginny uttered a tiny whimper and buried her face in her hands. Hermione sat down beside her and draped an arm around her shoulders. Try as she might, she could find nothing to say. If it had been Ron instead of Draco, Hermione didn't know what she would have done. Suddenly the invisibility cloak that Hermione had folded and carefully laid on her lap, flew out of her grasp and headed for the front door of the castle on it's own accord.

Up at the castle, Ron was literally hopping, staring intently at the map, with his wand at the ready. His eyes darted form the map to the entrance of the dungeon corridor and back.

"What is taking so bloody long?" he demanded in a furious whisper. "Harry, Snape will be here any second."

"Got it!"

The cloak flew into Harry's hand and he threw it over both of them. It was awkward, considering Ron was much taller than him and they had the paper bundle of raw meat to carry. He shuffled backwards, dragging Ron and the package with them, out of the door. They had just managed to make it to the top step when Snape appeared. He paused and looked at the open doors and scowled. Harry froze and Ron gulped. Snape strode towards the open door and glared out into the moonlit night, unaware that two boys cowered barely a foot in front of him. Both those boys were painfully aware that if Snape took another step they would be in detention for the rest of their natural lives. But luck favoured them, Snape glared around once more and then whirled around muttering something under his breath that sounded very much like "Potter". The doors banged shut behind him as Harry and Ron breathed again.

"Come on," Harry whispered and they made their way across the grounds to the Forbidden Forest as fast as they could.

"What happened?" Hermione asked as a panting Harry and Ron suddenly appeared in front of them.

"Snape," Ron gasped. He tapped the wand with his hand. "Mischief managed," he muttered and then stuffed it back into his pocket.

They headed deeper into the Forest, hauling the paper package along with them. Once fairly in the thick of trees, Harry pulled off the paper to reveal a sizeable chunk of raw red meat with the blood still on it.

"Now we wait," he said with a sigh.

Five unremarkable minutes later, there was a rustling sound and Harry looked up to see the skeletal face of a thestral peering at him and then at the meat on the ground.

"They're here," he said rising to his feet. The other three looked about nervously but knew they would see nothing. Thestrals were only visible to those who had seen death - Ron, Hermione and Ginny did not qualify. It was awkward business mounting a horse you couldn't see, but they had done it before and they managed it again without too much bad language.

"Malfoy Manor," Harry said clearly to his thestral. He was hoping madly that the thestral knew the way because if it did not then there would be no way for them to get there in time to save Draco. The thestral tossed its head and then began to beat its wings - Harry sighed in relief. He looked back and saw the other thestrals doing the same.

"It's alright," he called out to Ginny, "I think they know the way."

Ginny gave him a small smile and returned her attention to trying to hold on to a horse she couldn't see.

"I hate this. I so hate this. Malfoy owes us big time," Ron said to no one in particular. And they were off.

They soared through the night sky and looked down at the castle as they passed, heading in a northeasterly direction. They flew in silence, trying to keep a steady grip with their knees around the beating wings of the thestrals. Ginny almost lost her grip and only managed to save herself from sliding by clawing madly at where she thought her thestral's head was. Luckily she grabbed a fistful of the horse's mane and steadied herself. It seemed ages, but was really only half an hour when the thestrals began to slow down and descend.

"Is that it?" Ron asked incredulously. "It's bloody huge! How are we going to find him in there?" It was a valid question, one that had crossed all their minds as they stared down at the sprawling manor house.

"The ceremony has to be done in moonlight and in full view of the Conjunction," Ginny remarked hewing her lower lip.

"So they have to be outside somewhere," Hermione concluded. "Harry, can you get the thestral to circle around?"

Harry nudged his mount with his left knee and shifted his body weight to the right, as he did when flying a broomstick. The thestral obligingly veered right. Harry almost laughed out aloud - he loved flying. The rest of the thestrals followed their leader.

The smooth stone of the Manor was glistening in the moonlight, making it luminescent. It was beautiful. Forbidding, yet beautiful.

"Moonlight on Malfoy Manor," Ginny whispered to herself.

"What?" Hermione asked from beside her.

"Oh nothing. I think that's them over there, towards the left," she pointed urgently.

A stone terrace with a long table glistened in the moonlight. A white figure was struggling between two dark hooded ones. They hauled him to the table and pushed him onto it. Draco, it was he, struggled to sit up, then froze and lay still. Ginny swallowed the lump in her throat. Then she lost sight of the terrace as they rounded the corner. Harry landed in a clump of trees just around the corner from the terrace.

"Draco was right. They did disable the wards," Harry remarked in a whisper as they dismounted.

" 'Draco'?" Ron whispered back, a shocked look on his face.

"They had to, to perform the ceremony," Hermione whispered, stretching her sore back.

" 'Draco'?" Ron repeated disbelievingly.

"Alright people. Let's go!" Harry pulled out his wand and crept towards the Manor.

****************************************