Day by Day

DAY BY DAY

By Lady Jane

Chapter Thirteen: "The One In Which The Trap Is Sprung"

Still Monday (Again)

Previously, on Day by Day...

'So they think that Ginny is your girlfriend?'

'Yes.'

'Why did you use Ginny's name?'

'Because I love her and I wish she was my girlfriend.'

Pandemonium ensued.

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The room was almost immediately full of the sound of people yelling, cursing and calling out to each other. Malfoy's still figure was momentarily ignored as was Harry, who far from contributing to the chaos, simply stood there as though he'd heard nothing. His thoughts were entirely focused on Hermione. Tomorrow night. How in the name of Merlin am I going to get through tonight and tomorrow? He could feel a massive twist of pain that spread throughout his entire body. Hermione! He turned and glared at Malfoy. He was indirectly responsible for this - they wouldn't have taken Hermione if they weren't trying to get revenge on Malfoy. The pain continued. It was the pain of loss - the pain caused by something vital missing. Hermione! He closed his eyes, his head dropping back against the wall, oblivious for the moment to all that was going on around him.

When Malfoy had finished speaking, there had been a mere second of complete and utter silence. Then the words sank in. Anyone listening would've heard Dean's voice first; he gave a long drawn out yell of, 'NOOOOOO!' as he stood, pushing Ron out of his way, sending him sprawling, as he ran around the end of Neville's desk with the intention of getting to Malfoy and strangling him. Ron however, whose voice you would've heard next as he yelled, 'You filthy bastard Malfoy!' was back on his feet and right behind Dean. Luna screamed and jumped up as soon as she heard Ron call out, knowing he'd attack Malfoy if he could while she wanted to prevent him doing anything he may regret later. Ginny was stunned; she was still gaping at Malfoy as Dean got closer to his immobilised target, his hands outstretched. Just as it sank in what Dean was doing, she saw Harry's head come up and his eyes open as he looked around and with frighteningly fast reflexes brought his wand around and bellowed 'PROTEGO!'

Dean virtually bounced backwards into Ron and both of them were sent sprawling, knocking Neville down again as they fell; he'd only just gotten up after being knocked over by the combined passage of Dean and Ron as they went after Malfoy. Neville scrambled quickly to his feet, yelling, 'QUIET! NOW!'

The noise level subsided. Neville was standing up, panting, glaring at everyone.

'You'll keep quiet and you'll sit down or you will all leave!'

Dean and Ron, picking themselves up while glaring rebelliously at Harry and murderously at Malfoy, turned to Neville, both starting to speak.

'No!' said Neville firmly, holding up in his hand. 'Harry did the right thing. Now sit down!'

Luna was now holding Ron's arm, leading him around the desk to sit down. She sat in Neville's chair while Ron once again sat on the hiccoughing upturned wastepaper bin. Dean immediately went to Ginny, pulling her up into a hug; she still looked shocked by both what had been said and what had happened. He then coaxed her into the seat Luna had vacated, while he sat on the padded arm, holding Ginny around the shoulders, pressing her gently against his side. Harry had remained where he was; his face showed both exhaustion and anger. Neville remained standing as he addressed them.

'I've finished questioning Malfoy. He'll be taken down to one of the Ministry's cells for the night.'

Dean's voice was a growl. 'I want to know more about this - what are his intentions where Ginny's concerned?'

Neville looked at Dean. 'I'm sorry mate, but I can't ask him any more personal questions like that - they're not relevant to the current case so it's against regulations. He's given all the answers we require. If you want to ask him about anything else, you're free to do so tomorrow.'

Dean stood up, Ginny holding his arm, trying to draw him back down.

'To hell with the regulations! He won't tell us anything tomorrow, you know that!'

Ron was also on his feet, furious. 'When the hell has Malfoy ever respected any regulations, Neville? He doesn't deserve our consideration!'

Neville hesitated; these were, after all, his friends. But he knew it was more than his career was worth. Even Malfoy would be able to lay charges against him if he continued questioning him now.

Dean knew from the expression on Neville's face that he'd lost. He slumped back onto the arm of the chair.

Ron made a noise of disgust as he glared again at Malfoy.

Harry pushed himself away from the wall. 'What do we do now, Neville?' he asked, his voice almost as toneless as Malfoy's had been.

Within fifteen minutes, Malfoy had been removed to a cell, a very large pot of tea was brought in to the office and Neville called in his two senior officers to discuss what they would be doing the following night.

Harry listened as plans were discussed, discarded, rehashed, discarded again - until finally they settled on a course of action. He was the only one unaffected by the final choice, due mainly to the fact that he was emotionally on hold.

Dean, on the other hand, was furious, as was Ron, but Ginny remained resolute and she had Luna supporting her. Neville was concerned about his friends, but even more so about Hermione right now.

'Why the hell does it have to be Ginny who goes in with him?' Dean was standing, his fists clenched at his sides.

Ginny sighed as she repeated for what seemed like the umpteenth time, 'Honey, this is for Hermione. It has to be done. I'll be fine.'

Ron, too, was on his feet. 'I agree with Dean. Why does it have to be Ginny?'

Neville, feeling more exhausted than he could ever remember, managed to speak patiently to them.

'Jugson and Mulcher believe Ginny is Malfoy's girlfriend. We need the situation to appear as genuine as possible. Malfoy coming into the Leaky Cauldron with his girlfriend for a drink or dinner is inconspicuous. Malfoy knows the spells commonly used by Death Eaters to protect themselves so we need him there to counteract those. As soon as he's done that, we can get hold of them.'

'He'll have his wand. Who knows what he'll do!' said Dean through clenched teeth.

'He'll do as he's told. He knows if he puts a toe out of line he'll end up back in Azkaban.'

'Neville's right,' said Ginny. 'Just think: this time tomorrow night it should all be over; Hermione will be home.'

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Neville fell into his chair, numb with exhaustion. Everyone had gone. Even Harry, who had refused all offers of company. Merlin alone knew how he was going to get through the night. Neville forced himself to pick up the latest report which had actually arrived some time ago but they'd been too deep into discussions about tomorrow night for him to bother with it. As his eyes skimmed the parchment he straightened in his chair. Then he stood and almost ran to the entrance so that he could Apparate to Harry's.

Harry had Apparated home, standing on the spot where he'd arrived for a long time before he eventually turned and went to the lounge, sitting down. He didn't bother with lights, simply sitting there in the dark. Waiting. It was as though he was in limbo where there was nothing; no feelings, no thoughts, no time. No Hermione! Just waiting. It was the only thing left to him. He had no idea how much time had passed when he heard a knock on the door. He didn't think he'd bother answering it. Then in the next second he was on his feet - it might be about Hermione. When he opened the door, Neville walked straight in and closed the door behind him, turning on the hall light as he did so. He handed the parchment he was carrying to Harry without saying a word, watching his face as he read it.

Harry slowly raised his head to look at Neville. The report was from a field agent who said the latest word on the street was that Harry Potter's friend Hermione Granger had been kidnapped by Draco Malfoy who had not long been released from Azkaban prison. He was doing it to get revenge on Potter for putting his father and himself in Azkaban. The agent had managed to trace the source of this information to two wizards whom no one seemed to really know much about.

'They know this information will make it's way to the Ministry.'

Neville nodded. 'They're counting on it.' What the fools didn't count on, he thought grimly, was making one of the most powerful wizards ever known angrier than hell. Utter fools.

'Tomorrow night seems so far away,' said Harry, his voice hollow.

Putting his arm across his friend's shoulders, Neville walked with him into the loungeroom, sitting with him on the lounge. He spent the night waiting with him.

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In a cell far beneath Neville's office in the Ministry, Draco Malfoy lay on a bed, a single, worn blanket covering him. He wasn't asleep yet. The effects of the Veritaserum had worn off and he was reliving his interrogation. Damn fucking Longbottom and his curiosity to all kinds of hell! One stupid, irrelevant question and he'd done it. He'd said her name. He'd said he wanted her. He'd kept his feelings for her to himself for so long now he felt exposed and vulnerable without the protection of that secrecy. His eyes closed.

He knew it would never have been possible, that he couldn't ever have seriously considered any sort of relationship with her. Yet ever since that year she'd been possessed by the Dark Lord through Tom Riddle's diary he'd been fascinated with her. Imagine having the Dark Lord in your mind! The fascination had become obsession and with obsession had come desire. But he'd told no one. She was anathema. She was the enemy. But he wanted her still. He felt cursed by his feelings for her, but he was powerless to control them. A look of pain passed over his face. The thought of her with Thomas - with any other man - made him feel murderous! Yet he could do nothing. He recalled how, when he found out she was working at Witch Weekly, he rang and said he had information about a former follower of Voldemort being released from Azkaban. He'd eventually been able to speak to the Editor and it was to her that he'd put his request, well, ultimatum really. An interview with Ginny Weasley or nothing. He couldn't believe his luck when he heard back that he was to meet her at the Leaky Cauldron. When he'd walked in that night he'd spotted her immediately. It had only been for a short time, but it had been so good to be so close to her. He'd found out the next day that she was seeing Dean Thomas. He'd gone back to the pub for breakfast and the two witches at the next table were discussing articles in the Witch Weekly, one of them by Ginny Weasley about the Wigtown Wanderers which elicited a comment from one of the witches that Ginny was a lucky - the gorgeous Healer for the Wanderers, Dean Thomas, was her boyfriend! That same day he'd gone to the Wanderers' Club and found out where Thomas lived. He wasn't sure why he subsequently went to Thomas' place, perhaps a need to see the man who was lucky enough to have her. He hadn't expected to see Ginny arriving home with him that night as he sat on that bench in the park next to the block of flats. He had felt as though a knife was being twisted inside him at the sight of them with their arms around each other. But then he'd had the night with her at the Dragon's Lair. Fitting name! When she'd walked in he'd thanked the Dark Lord he was sitting down. She'd looked breathtaking in that green dress. Nor would he forget her first words to him that night: "Should I call you Draco now, or just when there are other people around?" It was the first time she'd ever said "Draco" to him and it had sounded wonderful. He drifted into an uneasy sleep, dreaming of a beautiful redhead in a green dress, saying his name, over and over...

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Tuesday Morning

Neville woke to find himself sprawled on Harry's lounge; Harry was nowhere to be seen. Dragging himself out to the kitchen, feeling as though he hadn't slept, Neville found him making tea.

'Harry?' Neville wondered if he'd gotten any sleep. Probably not.

Harry slowly lifted his head. He looks haunted, thought Neville.

'Tonight,' he said quietly to his friend, 'you'll have her back tonight.'

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Ginny woke, wondering why she felt so dreary until she remembered. She sat up quickly only to find Dean sitting on the end of the bed, looking at her, love and concern for her in his gaze.

'You could still back out - Malfoy could go in alone.' His voice betrayed his fury and hatred towards Malfoy.

Ginny sighed, then shook her head. 'I want to do this. For Hermione. Besides, Malfoy has to be watched.'

Dean groaned. 'But why you?!' He moved up the bed to lie beside her, pulling her into his arms, his lips pressed to her forehead.

Ginny wasn't sure what he was asking; was it why did she have to be the one to go or was it why did she have to be the one that Malfoy had fallen in love with? Maybe he meant both.

Ginny pulled her head back so that she could see his face, smiling lovingly at him.

'I love you. I'm going to marry you. Tonight we're helping our friends. Tonight, it'll all be over.'

Then she kissed him and everything else fled his mind.

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Ginny made a quick trip to her office that morning and managed to get in to see Ida Wordsmith, the Editor.

She told her that she had a follow up on her interview with Malfoy and she may possibly have an even bigger story in relation to Hermione Granger's kidnapping. Ginny had no intentions of writing anything that Harry or Hermione didn't approve of but Ida wasn't to know that. Ginny just wanted to ensure she got the day off and pleading the need for research for a promising story was basically guaranteed to do just that. The story of Hermione's kidnapping - close friend of Harry Potter (some were even saying girlfriend!) - had become widespread and big news.

Dean had also rescheduled his work for that day so that he was free. He had no intentions of letting Ginny out of his sight once she got back from seeing her Editor.

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

Ron called in briefly at his office, delegating anything needing to be done that day, picking up Luna from her flat on his way home afterwards. Ron said little, but Luna knew he was extremely upset and worried. 'It'll be over tonight, sweetheart,' she told him gently.

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Harry and Neville arrived back at Neville's office before anyone else. Ron and Luna arrived shortly afterwards and Ginny and Dean five minutes after that. Aside from the usual morning greetings, no one said anything. The sympathy felt for Harry by his friends was almost palpable but this seemed to make him uncomfortable rather than giving him any solace.

The two wizards that were running the operation with Neville, Wayne Hasluck and David Sunningfield, put their heads around the door.

'Hey, boss! We're off to the Leaky Cauldron to speak to Tom and the rest of the staff about the set up for tonight. We should be back within the hour.'

Neville nodded, introducing them to his friends. 'We call them Lucky and Sunny,' he told everyone. The two agents then asked Neville when he wanted Malfoy brought up from his cell. At the mention of Malfoy's name, the tension in the room rose sharply. Without looking at any of the others, Neville told them that since they didn't need to be at the Leaky Cauldron until six o'clock, he could stay there until five that afternoon. They nodded and left.

More to break the silence than anything, Ron asked, 'So, what happens now Nev? Anything we can do today?'

Neville shook his head. 'Not really. I'd like you all to be back here about four this afternoon just to run through everything again.'

Neville had tried to convince Harry to stay at his office but he declined, saying he wanted to go and see Dumbledore. It would help distract him, he said, and perhaps the day might pass more quickly. Neville knew Harry didn't believe that anymore than he did, but he didn't argue.

Tuesday Afternoon

Neville had gone over everything with them again; they all had a part to play, however small. At five o'clock, Lucky and Sunny arrived with Malfoy held between them. An ordinary chair had been brought in and placed on the far wall opposite Neville's desk and Malfoy was directed to sit on that. He looked at no one as he was led in, then sat down. He crossed his arms, leaning his head on the wall behind him, his eyes closed. Ron and Dean both had to fight an impulse to simply get up and go and hit him, again and again. Ginny looked at him for a moment, wondering how it was that such a man could have such feelings for anyone, let alone her, a slight shiver travelling through her. He is a strange man, she thought.

Neville stood up and looked around at them all, one by one, then simply said, 'Let's go.'

Tuesday Night

A low hum of conversation filled the air in the Leaky Cauldron as Ron and Luna entered, finding themselves a table not too far from the main entrance. Within a few minutes one of the young wizards Tom employed to help out at mealtimes came over to them and took their order.

Ron knew he was supposed to look as though he was just out with his girlfriend, having a meal, having a good time, but he felt so tense it was difficult to relax. Luna reached across the table to take his hand, waiting to speak until he was looking directly at her.

'Ronald, just try and relax; talk to me, tell me about how the arrangements are going for the World Cup.'

Ron gave her a small smile. 'Good subject choice,' he told her.

Ten minutes later, Dean walked in with Lucky and Sunny; the three men were laughing and talking to each other. Directly behind them was a couple, the woman an attractive redhead wearing a charcoal grey skirt and jacket ensemble, the man in hooded wizard robes. The three men walked over to take two vacant stools at the bar, the one known as Lucky remaining standing; they each ordered a drink, their conversation flowing. The couple continued in the other direction, finding a table against the back wall. No one took any notice of them, although the tall, black man at the bar was endeavouring to be inconspicuous about his frequent glances at them; his deep brown eyes held an intensity of emotion not put there by the conversation with his companions.

Malfoy held Ginny's chair for her, seating himself beside her, putting his left arm across the back of her chair; he wanted his wand arm free, just in case. The same young wizard who had served Ron and Luna came and took their order also. When he left, Malfoy pushed his hood back, smiling grimly at Ginny.

'So now you know.'

Ginny didn't need to ask what he was talking about but she wasn't entirely sure whether she wanted to discuss this or not.

'Now I know,' she repeated, not able to think of any better reply.

'Let me tell you a little more, after all, we've got nothing else to do for a while, have we? Jugson and Mulcher don't usually come in until about six thirty or seven.'

Ginny looked at him sharply; that wasn't something he'd mentioned before. This could mean she'd be here for an hour with him! Then she shrugged, hating the soft chuckle from Malfoy, hating the curiosity curling through her mind.

'Hogwarts,' said Malfoy. 'Not my favourite place. Harry Potter. Not my favourite person. Ginny Weasley, a pure blood who should've known better, but had a crush on Potter anyway. You also had the Dark Lord's diary - you were lucky enough-'

'Shut up!' hissed Ginny, hating the memory of that time.

'Overwhelming, was it? I can only try to imagine what it would be like - having the Dark Lord inside your-'

'I said shut up Malfoy!'

Malfoy shrugged, disappointed she didn't want to discuss her possession by the Dark Lord, continuing with, 'Bloody Potter, that was an invaluable artefact he destroyed,' referring to Harry's destruction of Riddle's diary. 'If it was intact, well, things would be very different.' Ginny was glaring at him but he didn't seem to notice as he continued, 'It really got under my skin that not only did Dumbledore dote on bloody Potter, letting him get away with the most outrageous things, things that would've had any other pupil expelled, but most of the teachers thought he was the ants' pants too. Except Snape, the only one who saw him for what he was, although he proved to be a traitor himself in the end. And then of course there was the fact that nearly every girl in three houses of that accursed school had the hots for Harry bloody Potter. Still don't know why. The idiot half-blood with bad hair and glasses. But you, you Ginevra...' he paused, Ginny, shaken by the venom in his tone as he spoke of Harry, had realised something.

'You're jealous of him, aren't you? You might've been a pure blood, but that's all you had. You even had to have your father buy your way onto the Quidditch team. And imagine having Snape as the only teacher who liked you? Even if he is on my side, he's still a creepy git and that's the teacher that thought a lot of you!' Ginny laughed, shaking her head at the same time.

'I resented Potter, certainly, but jealous? I think not.'

Liar! thought Ginny.

His grey eyes darkened as he looked at her, 'It's Thomas I'm jealous of.'

Ginny looked down at her hands in her lap. Shit! she thought, It doesn't get any weirder than this! Draco Malfoy wanting her? It didn't bear thinking about! She thought of Dean; he'd been so tense all day. She knew he loathed the thought - the sight! - of her sitting with Malfoy the way she was at that moment. Hated the thought of anyone thinking she might be Malfoy's girlfriend.

She crossed her arms as she looked up at him. 'Why bother talking about this, Malfoy? There's no point whatsoever - I hope to never see you again after tonight.' She glanced over at Dean, but he was talking to the agent sitting next to him.

'That's why, Ginevra. I doubt that I will see you again and now that you know how I feel, I find myself compelled to try to make you understand.'

'I have no desire to understand anything about you, Malfoy.'

Malfoy gently touched her crossed arms, saying, 'Relax, please. We won't look the part if you're sitting there looking furious.' Ginny obediently dropped her arms, knowing he was right. She glanced over at Dean again; he was still talking.

'Please, just for tonight, because it's the last time I'll see you, because it's part of the act, please call me by my first name.' His voice had dropped so low Ginny could hardly hear him, leaning forward to catch his words. She raised her eyes to his, seeing an unaccustomed pleading in them. She looked away as she sat up straight and simply nodded without meeting his gaze, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing that he could unsettle her as he'd just done with that look in his eyes, that plea in his voice.

'Why don't you ever call me "Ginny"?' she asked, wanting - needing - to change the subject.

'Because your name, your full name, is beautiful. I loathe that wretched contraction of your name used by everyone else.'

'I like it,' Ginny said defiantly, her eyes flashing, finding herself relieved that there was something she could be angry about it.

Malfoy smiled. 'You are so lovely, even when you're angry,' he told her, leaning forward slightly so that his cheek came into feather light contact with her hair as he inhaled the soft scent of her.

She jerked back reflexively and glared at him. What the hell is he playing at?! she thought furiously.

He opened his eyes; they were inches from hers.

'I'm just playing my part,' he said smoothly. 'The attentive boyfriend, you know.'

She placed a hand on his chest, her fingers splayed, and pushed gently, smiling at him, although her words didn't match her expression. She could pretend under pressure.

'You try anything like that again and I'll hex you into next week, Malfoy,' she said, sweetly sarcastic.

He cocked one eyebrow, still smiling. 'You could probably do that, too. And it's not "Malfoy", remember, it's-'

'Draco.' While her voice was heavy with sarcasm, her expression was warm and smiling.

'This pretending is fun,' he replied, lifting a finger to touch her hair.

'Hands off, Draco.'

He dropped his hand with regret; her hair was so soft!

He sighed. 'Is it so utterly impossible for you to consider at least being friends with me?'

Her eyes widened. 'Are you mad?' she gasped.

'Only about you.'

She frowned at him, then glanced sideways towards the bar. There was a group of four witches standing just behind Dean, Sunny and Lucky and she couldn't see Dean. Her gaze moved round to Ron and Luna who seemed engrossed in their own conversation.

As her gaze returned to Malfoy, he turned back to her - he'd been looking over at the entrance. The annoyed look in her eyes gave way to surprise when she saw what was in his eyes: a look of desperate hunger and longing. Two things then happened simultaneously: his hand wrapped itself around the nape of her neck and she felt his lips on hers. He pulled back briefly, his lips brushing hers as he whispered, 'Don't struggle, Jugson and Mulcher just walked in,' and then his lips claimed hers once more. She was stunned. Mother of Merlin, she thought, I must be dreaming - no, wait, it's a nightmare! And please don't let Dean see this! She struggled desperately against the overwhelming desire to push him away, knowing there was a possibility they were being watched by the very two men they were trying to trap.

Her lips were thankfully freed as she heard an oily voice saying good evening to Malfoy and she opened her eyes to see two cloaked wizards standing next to their table.

'Draco?' she asked quietly, gazing at him in what she hoped was a proper girlfriend-like manner.

'Never mind, my sweet,' he said, dropping his hand from her neck. 'Why don't you go and powder your nose? I need a couple of minutes with my friends here.'

'Of course, darling,' she replied sweetly as, clutching her small handbag, she stood up, blowing him a kiss. She smiled at the two Death Eaters and walked slowly towards the back hallway where the ladies' room was situated. All three men watched her for a moment, Malfoy feeling empty and exultant at the same time: that was it, he'd never be alone with her again. But he'd kissed her! A memory to carry with him always and treasure.

The two men sat down, both smirking as they looked at Malfoy across the table.

'Very nice girlfriend Malfoy. Does she know about the latest bit of interesting gossip that's getting around? That you're the one who kidnapped Potter's Mudblood girlfriend,' said one of them, a smug expression on his face.

Malfoy glared at them. 'So I've heard.' His grip tightened around his wand, returned to him that evening; when Ginny had stood up, he'd slipped his hand into his wand pocket and withdrawn it, holding it in his lap, out of sight. He was ready.

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Neville and Harry had Apparated to a room in the Leaky Cauldron set aside for them by Tom. There were two chairs in the centre of the room and Neville placed a small glass bottle on a nearby table before he and Harry took up their observation points on the landing above the main part of the pub. Harry watched numbly as Ron and Luna took their seats, then as Dean and the two agents filed in with Ginny and Malfoy right behind them. He knew that there were more than half a dozen other agents already in place below. Neville gently elbowed him at one point and he glanced around at the people below, a frown creasing his brow when his gaze fell on Malfoy kissing Ginny. He looked across at Dean and realised he wouldn't be able to see due to a group of witches standing in his line of vision. A bloody good thing he can't see, thought Harry, he'd be at his throat in a second and blow the whole set up to pieces! 'I believe Malfoy's taking advantage of the situation,' he said to Neville quietly.

'The man's a total creep - always was, always will be!' came the muttered reply.

As he stood and watched the two Death Eaters approach Malfoy, he felt the pain that had become part of him since he first knew Hermione was gone twist itself into a feeling of enormous tension. He and Neville straightened at the same time, their wands already in their hands as they swiftly and quietly ran down the stairs. The waiting, mercifully, was nearly over.

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Ginny stopped as soon as she was out of sight and turned, pulling out her wand, ready to do whatever was necessary. At that moment she heard Malfoy roar a spell she hadn't heard before followed a split second later by a collective shout of "STUPEFY!" from Neville and his force. She immediately started to walk back the way she'd come but was stopped by a young wizard with very curly black hair who seemed to appear out of nowhere, grabbing her arm. Neville hadn't told her he'd put Ben in place to look after her, but he'd done so at Dean's request.

'Wait, Miss Weasley! Those two will have some sort of protection and some of those spells could literally bounce off them!' he told her, his voice low and urgent.

'I thought Malfoy was going to get through those? And what about everyone else out there?' she asked.

'He may only be partially successful. And everyone'll get down pretty damn fast once the spells start flying around,' he said grimly, 'plus two of our men out there are assigned to protecting them.'

Then she heard what was unmistakably Harry's voice as it reverberated throughout the building, the power contained in it sending a shiver up her spine. She pulled her arm free, running to the end of the hall she was in, the young wizard right behind her. They both came to a halt at the sight before them in the main part of the pub; Harry was standing in an area cleared of tables and chairs - they'd all been thrown towards the walls - facing the two Death Eaters, his wand held high. Most of the witches and wizards that had been present had either run to other areas or were hiding behind upturned tables - she couldn't see Ron and Luna or Malfoy anywhere. The witches and wizards from Law Enforcement were scattered around the room, their wands at the ready - she could see Dean on the opposite side of the room to her.

Her gaze was drawn back to Harry who seemed to be emanating a sense of light - he looked as though he was glowing. Jugson and Mulcher, she realised, hadn't moved - they were being held captive by the force of whatever spell Harry had cast. Then it dawned on her that while everyone present had their wands pointing at the Death Eaters, their faces were turned towards Harry, a look of awe on each and every one of them.

Harry's voice fell into a deathly silence, sounding dark and ominous. 'You will tell me where she is.' His words seemed to bounce off the walls and reverberate around the room, strangely echoing.

Only the eyes of the two men seemed to be alive and they were maddened with fear and pain. Ginny didn't know which of them it was that spoke, she heard only a feeble voice giving the address she knew to be that of the flat Malfoy had originally been living in. That would've been another circumstantial nail in his coffin, she thought. Suddenly, the room was filled with a blast of black and red light; she heard no spell spoken, but the two Death Eaters suddenly dropped to the floor, screaming and when the light was gone, so was Harry, leaving the two men lying on the floor, twitching spasmodically.

'GINNY!'

She looked up to see Dean moving as quickly as he could through the debris towards her. She started towards him, falling into his arms a few seconds later.

'Thank God you're all right,' he murmured into her hair, his arms wound tightly around her.

'And you!' Her arms tightened reflexively around him. 'You didn't get hurt?'

They pulled back just enough to look at each other. Dean shook his head. 'It was over so quickly! Malfoy did some damage to whatever spells they were using for protection but not enough for the Stunning Spells to have any real effect. Then Harry-' he shook his head as though he still couldn't believe what he'd seen, 'Harry was just awesome! And frightening. He seemed to fly down those stairs and when he landed, all the tables and chairs were just thrown back out of the way! He yelled some spell I've never heard before and Jugson and Mulcher were both just frozen on the spot!' He shuddered, 'I'm sure they were in pain too, but it wasn't the Cruciatus Curse Harry used.' He looked at Ginny, 'God help them if they've done anything to Hermione. There's not a wizard alive that would be able to stop Harry doing whatever he wanted to those two. Not even Dumbledore.'

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

Neville came over to them after speaking to the rest of the Law Enforcement officers, one of whom they saw escorting Malfoy upstairs who looked as though he was in pain. He glanced towards them, singling out Ginny and giving her a deprecating half smile, mouthing "goodbye" as he was led away. The rest of them were walking around, waving their wands and putting things back in order. People were drifting back into the pub, stunned looks on their faces, whispering to each other as they dodged tables and chairs that were righting themselves then drifting to their usual spots and glasses and bottles putting themselves back together. Ron and Luna had obviously slipped out the front door as they now came back in, followed by a group that they'd taken out with them, speaking to them during the fight and calming them down, explaining what was happening. They detached themselves from the group and joined Neville, Dean and Ginny.

'You all right, you lot?' Neville asked, looking around at them all.

Everyone nodded, all of them still with a stunned look on their faces.

'Are they still alive?' asked Ron, pointing to the two figures now lying still on the floor, the agents Lucky and Sunny bent over them.

Neville called them over and they reported that they appeared to be alive, but only just. 'Take them upstairs,' ordered Neville. 'We'll transport them to St Mungo's later. I want them around until we know for sure Hermione's safe.' He glanced at his watch. 'Time to go. I promised Harry he could have five minutes before I arrived. Lucky, Sunny, you both come with me.' He turned back to his four friends. 'Wait here, I'll be back as soon as I can to let you know about Hermione.' They all nodded, nervous tension growing within all of them at the prospect of waiting yet again, of not knowing if she was all right. Neville, Lucky and Sunny disappeared with a loud crack then they all turned as one to find a table and wait.

TO BE CONTINUED...