The Bond

To Severus Snape, both Malfoys looked more alike right at that moment than any other time he had seen them together. Both Draco and his father, Lucius, had the same look of stubborn determination on their faces. Severus knew that neither was going to back down willing, and registered in his mind that afterwards, if things turned out for the best, this might prove to be quite humorous to look back on.

"I am NOT going to be paraded around to your friends, father," Draco spat out. "You can forget about my becoming a Death Eater too. I am simply not interested. While going around tormenting all those 'innocent' people may have appealed to me a few years ago, I simply have better things to do with my time now."

Lucius' eyes narrowed in cold fury. "So I suppose you're just planning on running off and help Dumbledore." The name came out of his mouth as if it was a vomit flavoured Bertie Bott's Bean.

A laugh of disgust could be heard from Draco. "No. You just taught me to do whatever I could to further myself. Dumbledore's a fool. He hasn't a clue to what he's doing."

If either of the Malfoy's had been paying attention to Severus, they would have seen a fleeting glimpse of anger fly over his face before resuming the guarded facade he normally wore. Severus noted the Lucius was getting angrier by the second, and knew if he didn't intercept soon, Lucius would mutter those two words that would end his son's life.

"I'm surprised at you, Draco. As your head of house, I would have expected more from you." Severus purposely didn't mention what exactly he had been expecting from Draco, but neither suspected that fact that Severus had been hoping that Draco would end up joining the fight against Voldemort. He turned to face Lucius. "I propose we teach the boy a lesson." Lucius made to speak, but stopped when Severus raised his hand. "But it should not be something that would not let him live without the consequences. We do want him to suffer and realize his mistake, do we not?"

Ah, those words were like magic. Lucius' eyes gleamed in malice. Severus continued, "Of course we do. And I know exactly what we should do."

"Oh?"

Draco watched both men, without showing that he was beginning to feel nervous.

"What I've noticed in school is his extreme dislike for some of the other students. I have a plan that could make both him suffer and that might lead Harry Potter to you." Severus paused dramatically, waiting for his words to sink into Lucius' mind. 'Merlin, but he isn't the brightest person by times. It's only his extreme loyalty and cruelty that keeps him so close to Voldemort. That and his creativity with inflicting torture.' "I suggest you bond him to the Weasley girl until you decide to lift the curse."

At this, Draco's eyes got wide. As Lucius studied his son, he thought that Draco must be afraid of the prospect, but in reality Draco wondered exactly what his professor had up his sleeve. The head of Slytherin couldn't possibly know that he had a soft spot for ... "G-Ginny Weasley?" he sputtered in an unusual moment of uncertainty. That moment was the deciding factor for Lucius. If Draco couldn't stand the youngest Weasley that much, then it would be the perfect revenge for Draco's outburst earlier tonight.

"Yes. Yes, I think you are right. Potter loves Ginny like a younger sister and would do anything to protect her. It will bring him straight to us. The Weasley's are no-good Muggle lovers. And Draco. Draco needs a little push to see reason." Lucius pulled out his wand, and pointed it directly at his son. "Concerium Infinitum Virginia Weasley." A bolt of red light flew out of Lucius's wand. "And now. To have a little fun."

The moonlight shone through the window on Ginny Weasley's face as she lay curled up in her bed. She had a small smile upon her face, and clutched a worn teddy bear close to her. All that could be heard was the sound of crickets chirping, bats singing and the soft easy breathing coming from Ginny.

Suddenly, she sat bolt upright, a cold sweat overtaking her. Fear dominated her, although she had no idea why she was afraid.

Then the pain came. Pain that made her feel like she was being ripped apart from the inside of her body out.

She let out a blood-curdling scream before everything went black.