The Mistresses of Draco's Heart

Chapter One

Good Morning, Mrs. Weasley!

They were walking in the forest. It wasn't a dark forest - it was bright. Sun shone through the trees, and there were birds singing.

"So, remind me again, why are we here?" asked Ginny.

"Because it's destiny," he answered. His voice sounded odd; it looked like he had been drinking for quite a long time. Nah, Ginny thought, he wouldn't be doing that, not him. He never gave her straight answers anymore as he used to. Thanks to Hogwarts, he had changed. The Sorting Hat had told Dumbledore to check him again, and this time he had been Sorted into Hufflepuff. It was the first time in all of Hogwarts history; no one had ever been Sorted into another house. Losing his friends broke his spirit. Although he was a Seeker in the new Quidditch team, although he was a prefect, he couldn't stop thinking about the old days when his trusted friends were with him. Maybe that was the reason he started drinking.

"What the hell . . . how did . . . where . . . ?" she gasped as they approached a black carriage drawn by six thestrals. She knew that he had some savings, but this seemed too expensive. "Where did you get so much money to buy all this, my dear -?"

"No! Don't call my name! Anyone could be listening here in the woods! To you, I am Trendin. Call me that."

"You're not Trendin, and you know it. You're just drunk. And I'm hungry and tired now. Shouldn't we tell Mum -?"

"What? That I'm taking you away and no one will ever see us again?"

"Errr, no, but..."

"No buts, Ginny. I'm the older one and I'm here to take you away, and I will. And I don't want anyone to follow us. I've had enough trouble saving you already..."

"You're not saving me! I'm only coming with you because I don't want you to get killed if you fall off a cliff in your condition, and..."

"Just get in the carriage and shut up!"

"How rude of you -"

"NOW!"

***

The next day after Ginny had went to a party with her boyfriend Patric Tuncut, Molly Weasley quietly ascended the stairs in order to wake up her little daughter. She smiled at the words she had just thought. Little! Ginny was a nearly-grown-up-lady now and it was silly of her to call Ginny "sweet little pumpkin" in front of her friends. Mrs. Weasley sighed. She could do nothing about it. She loved her little girl and didn't want her to grow up so quick. That is a problem about kids, she thought. They grow up too fast.

She put her hand on the door handle and pushed the door open.

"Wake up, honey! I would like you to help me tidy the house today! And you know, this is the last holiday before heading back to school!" Molly said in a loud voice, going over the room and pulling the curtains open. Then she turned around and faced the bed with neatly folded blankets and a huge pillow. Her eyes widened when she didn't see the red hair lying all over the pillow as she was used to.

"Ginny? Ginny! Where are you?" she exclaimed and rushed out of the room.

***

Arthur Weasley was baking eggs, when his wife rushed into the kitchen and went to the huge clock in the corner of it.

"Arthur," she started, but didn't end. Her throat had tightened and she just pointed at the clock. Arthur came closer to the clock and threw the pan out of his hand. The arrow showing Ginny's name on it was not at the marking Home, but Traveling far.

Molly looked at her husband.

"Where is our girl?"

***

The owl that was sent back from Hogwarts later that day was definitely not Pig. It was big and brown, and it behaved more like a messenger than a flying tangle of wool. It stretched out a leg to which a message from Hermione was tied. Molly opened it with shaking fingers and read:

Dear Mrs. Weasley,

I'm really sorry to hear that Ginny is missing. When she was at school, I didn't see anything suspicious or any changes in her behaviour, nor any reason for her to be gone.

I know it'll be hard for you to hear what I have to tell you, but you must be brave. Ron is missing. So is Harry, he went after Ron..."

Mrs. Weasley read the letter then dropped it on the floor. She sank in the nearest armchair. Thoughts were spinning around in her head. What was happening to her family? First Ginny, now Ron. Who would be the next? Fred? Bill? Arthur? Maybe herself? And why Harry, brave Harry? She was afraid. Little did she know that there was one more person missing. Draco Malfoy had disappeared the same day.

***

It was already dawn. Harry had been walking for five hours, and he could see someone in front of him. The one walking in front of him wore heavy leather boots and a cloak made of dark green velvet. Under the cloak the person wore a white atlas shirt, and a broomstick was slung over their shoulder. The person's moves were elegant, and Harry admired them for their grace. He'd slipped in the spring mud more than once, but the one walking in front of him didn't fall at all. Harry couldn't understand why anyone would be walking at night through the woods just in front of him, never stopping or waiting so that they could walk together. Harry didn't notice the puddle in front of him and stepped in it.

"Yuk!" He shouted when he lifted his dripping foot up. And now wet sock! Great! He thought angrily. He continued to walk further, but after a few more steps Harry stopped. Draco Malfoy was facing him. His arms were crossed in front of him and his left hand was twirling his wand. His silver eyes were fixed on Harry, who immediately pulled out his wand.

"What on earth are you doing here, Malfoy?"

"Same question to you, Potter." Harry and Malfoy couldn't stand each other, especially early in the morning, after a night without sleep. "Normally I'd think that it was some kind of special Gryffindor logic, but considering that Gryffindors usually don't show any signs of logic, I'm not even going to ask why you have been treading on my heels for the last five hours."

"I have my reasons, Malfoy."

"What? Saving the world again? It looks like this time you have changed your mind about dragging your playmates into danger."

Harry had never started a duel, but it looked like this would be the first time. "Expelliarmus!" he cried.

"Protego!" Malfoy said in placid voice, raising his wand. "Petrificus Totalus!" Harry stiffened and fell to the ground. Draco slowly came closer and leaned over Harry.

"Potter, I know what you are looking for and, believe it or not, I am looking for the same thing. And, believe it or not, I don't want you following me. Let's make a deal - you go your way and I'll go my way. If our ways meet again...well, I think even a Gryffindor could guess the result." Draco got up and began to walk away.

"Brmph baargh!" Harry managed.

"Oh, yes, I nearly forgot. I have to admit that this is the way I like you best. Finite Incantatem."

"Fuck you, Malfoy!"

***

The hell that stinky Malfoy! I was sure that it was Ron so, guess what - I followed him. And more - guess what? That was that stinky, rotten Malfoy! He makes me remember one day when I was younger...

Harry slammed the cover of his diary and hid it into the sack he had taken with him. He had made it this year as a project for Hermione in her Muggle studies. But it didn't make no sense - as a diary it should help him cope with his anger, problems and stuff like that, but Harry always felt worse after writing there. Should remind Hermione to look for someone else for this job. I won't write a single word in it anymore, the hell. Then he got up from the tree stump he was sitting on and went further.

***

"So...errr...Trendin...where are we going now?"

"Don't call me Trendin!"

"But you told me to!"

"I'm Sardion now! And I rule over the world!"

"No, the only thing you rule is that bottle of whisky in your pocket."

"Shut up, woman, and keep going..."

"Excuse me, I'm still your..."

"Arrrgghhh. How was it? Fa? Fe? Fu? Aaaa... Ferula! Yeah, yeah and now tie round Ginny's mouth... That's it!"

***

When Harry got out of the forest, he was so tired he wanted to go back to Hogwarts, but he gave up - it was too far. He stretched out his hand, and right in front of him the Knight Bus appeared. Stan poked his head out of the bus and looked at Harry. His gaze was misty. Harry got on the bus, paid seven Sickles, and got in the first bed on the second floor. Nearly at once, he fell asleep, but his slumber was not long. Someone was shaking his shoulder, hard. It was Stan. Harry murmured:

"London...Diagon Alley..." The last thing he saw before falling asleep again was a silver-haired head propped against a folded dark green cloak.

***

Tamed wild pig, thought Harry.

Scarhead, thought Draco.

That was the first thing they thought next morning, when they both got off at Diagon Alley and saw each other.

***

Ron was staring at a beautiful young girl who had turned her back to him. She was standing next to a big window. The room that they were in was not very big - there was a desk in it, two beds separated by a low screen, an elegant chandelier, and bookshelves filled with books. On the desk was a small, elegant music box. The girl left her place, went to the desk, and opened the box. Soft music started to play, and she sat down in the bed next to Ron.

"Maybe now that you're sober, you could tell me what we're doing here."

"I can't tell you, Ginny. I don't know where we are."

***

"If you can't tell me where we are, then I can. Maybe you could at least explain why the hell Lucius Malfoy came in this morning and asked if there was anything special I wanted for breakfast, because, although everyone says that he is a Death Eater, he is not going to let us starve."

"So, you're saying that..."

"Bloody hell, yes, what are we doing in Malfoy Manor?"

"The only thing I remember is that someone told me to get you away from home, because it's dangerous for you there."

"And that someone was...?"

"Errr, you know, I really don't remember..."

"Why?"

"Because...I, I think I ..."

"Was drunk?"

"Yes! Err...that means...No, I wasn't!"

"Why should I believe you?"

"Hey, I'm your big brother, remember? I won't hurt you..." Meeting Ginny's gaze he added, "Unless I've drunken myself into a coma like yesterday. Was it yesterday?"

"Yes," replied Ginny and gave a deep sigh. She was in big, big trouble now.

***

Harry rubbed his eyes again. The Knight Bus must have made a mistake. He was not in Diagon Alley. He wasn't even in London. He was standing in front of the Mermaid statue in Copenhagen and Draco Malfoy was standing next to him.

"I want my seven Sickles back!" Harry yelled.

***

"Well, well, well, Stan, very good job!" Lucius Malfoy told Stan. It was a good job, and The Plan was working perfectly. The only thing that made Lucius suspicious was that Stan had dropped off not only Harry Potter, but someone else too. "You can go now, Stan." When he had gone, Lucius took a grey notebook and, with great enjoyment, sat in the nearby armchair.

"Now, let's read something interesting about your feelings, Harry."

***

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn..."

"Shut up!"

"You want me to shut up just now when I have realised I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere with YOU?"

"Hey, it's obnoxious enough for me too. Our brooms are God knows where and we have no money either and will you please stop going around like a teetotum for just a minute and let me think?"

Harry stopped. He didn't want to duel with Draco now; he knew that Draco was better at it than he was, and he wasn't in the mood for losing again. And now even his diary was missing. He'd didn't want even to think about what could happen when someone found it.

"There's only one thing we can do now. I don't really like it, but we should move in the direction of Malfoy Manor."

"And where the hell is that stupid Malfoy Manor?"

"Remember, Potter, that stupid Malfoy Manor is my home, and I forgive you for calling it that just this once. Everyone is proud of his home; even you, Potter; and don't even look at me so. I won't let you call my home stupid. It's a question of honour."

"You have honour?" Harry looked really surprised.

"More than you do."

"Where is the Manor?"

"Actually, we are going to Malfoy's house at first."

Harry groaned.

"And where the heck is that hut?"

Draco stared at him but didn't say anything about the stupid Potters, who have always lived as all for one and one for all. And all unitedly without brain.

"In Germany."

"Err... where in Germany?"

"None of your business, Potter."

"Okay, okay, then let's go this direction."

"Potter, you observant pile of...we have to go that way."

"This way."

"That way."

"This way!"

"Well then go that way, I'm not stopping you!" Draco said and turned to go. Harry glared at Draco and went where he had wanted to go.

***

After some ten minutes of walking Draco heard someone running behind him. He looked back and saw a red-faced Harry trying to catch up with him.

"Trying to get in shape, Potter?"

"Dream on, Malfoy! I...I...I..."

"If you are going to continue just 'I'ing, you can talk to a wall instead of me, because I want to get back home..."

"Malfoy, I'm sorry. You were right, we have to go this way, and again I am sorry I shouted at you when you tried to get us out of trouble..."

"Stop it, Potter. Keep your apologies, I don't want to listen to them." Draco turned and, when Harry couldn't see his face, grinned smugly.

***

Ginny could hear someone laughing very hard. It didn't sound like a ghost, more like a madman. It must be Lucius, she thought; there is no one else in this deserted Manor but him and us. Actually, I think I'm starting to understand Draco. Oh my God, I must be going mad - I'm calling him Draco instead of Malfoy. Damn it, here it goes again...

***

"So, my dear guests. Enjoying yourselves?" Lucius asked politely, walking into the two prisoners' bedroom.

"What do you want?" Ginny asked through clenched teeth.

"Be more polite to an old man, young lady, or you shall be sleeping in a dungeon under the house, accompanied by some hungry rats. Personally, I wouldn't want to move from this bright, warm room to a cold and wet dungeon. Of course, it is just my opinion."

"I'll repeat my question. What do you want? Sir?"

"Nothing much. Maybe a country house in South France. An outstanding Friesian stallion for my rides out..."

"So why should you need us?" Ron asked.

"Actually I don't need both of you." Lucius settled himself down on the desk. "I was going to separate you. One of you will go with me; the other one will stay in another room. Ronald, there is an old house elf waiting for you behind this door. He will lead you to your room." Lucius stood up, looking not like an old man but a young, slender, self-possessed, handsome man, with a pure silver-cold gaze. He looked at Ginny.

"As for you, daughter of the Weasleys, follow me."

***

"So...Virginia...a beautiful name. If I didn't have a son, then maybe I would have chosen the name Virginia for my daughter."

"And that's it? You called me just to say that I, in your opinion, have a beautiful name. That's it?"

"Patience, my dear...I have a plan, and to fulfill it I need your help."

"You must be wrong... I can't help you...I...I'm just a girl..."

"You're not a girl. You are a sixteen year old woman, and that's why I and my Lord want you."

"You...don't...want to say that all you need me for is...sex?"

"Arrghh...teenagers...all they think about is sex. No, I don't need you for any smutty sex business. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes." Ginny blushed.

"Back to The Plan. I want you to marry Draco."

"What?"

"Yes, you heard me right."

Ginny had always been proud to tell others that she had never fainted. From now on, she would be lying if she told them so. Luckily Lucius managed to catch her when she was about to hit the ground.

***

It was a cold, wet March night. Draco and Harry had been going for at least six hours and Harry was ready to fall off his legs. Although they had been hitchhiking and now were in Kiel, in Germany, no one wanted to take them further. Who could blame the Muggles - two strange teenagers with cloaks, one with dragonhide boots, the other one muddy, both with some strange sticks? Draco had asked the Muggle who had been driving them to stop by a lake. Now they both were freezing cold. Harry was colder than Draco, because Harry had run out of Hogwarts without his cloak.

"Go and get me some daisies and don't come back until you have some."

'"Why do you need them?"

"To make a Warming Potion."

"How do you...never mind...what do they look like?"

"Snape taught us, remember?"

"Blast that Snape."

***

Mrs. Weasley was grateful that Hermione had come to live with them for a while. Dumbledore had told her that she could stay at the Burrow as long as she wanted, but she had refused. Her studies were much more important to her. Hermione had asked all the Weasley brothers to stay with their mother now. Charlie and Bill were already on vacation. Only Hermione really knew why she had asked some of the brothers to stay.

***

Ginny woke up in the bright room she had been in before. She was wrapped in a blanket and in the bed. Ron was nowhere to be seen, neither was Lucius. She unwrapped her hands and rubbed her forehead. Was it really true? She was to marry Draco. Did he know it? But what if she refused to marry him? Would Lucius put the Imperius Curse on her? Why did he need her?

***

Harry presented Malfoy a bouquet of daisies that Draco threw in a tin of boiling water. Somehow he had produced a blue fire. Hermione was good at making fires, but she had never taught Harry how. After some time the potion was ready.

"Drink it," Malfoy said.

"I've never been good at potions, so how do I know that...errrr...drink isn't poisoned?"

"You don't," Draco replied in a naughty voice. "But if you won't trust me, you may freeze to death."

Harry sighed. "Give it to me." He put the potion to his lips.

"No tricks, Malfoy?" he asked suspiciously.

"You're the most distrustful person I have ever known!"

"Well, I can't be sure about you the way I'm sure about, for instance, about Hermione."

"You're right, Harry. You can't trust me. Ever."

***

Maybe a star dropped in the lake

Maybe a stone was thrown in it

Hewing in scraps like with a hammer

Bluish and even water plain.

In a second reflections blended

Broke frames of the white birches

Glittering splash scattered in air

Alarmed waves clanged on the bank

Now again in the surface glossy

Birches and clouds can be seen well

Only eddies quietly, stubbornly

Keep the former star or stone

Arija Elksne, poet

There was a cliff hanging over the lake. In the moonlight it looked like it was made of marble. Later that evening, Draco was lying on his back, looking up at the stars. There were no clouds, and the stars were sparkling. There were the North Star, Draco the Dragon, and other constellations. The night sounds were quiet, as always. Draco liked night time. There was nothing like the bluish-black sky, full of sparkling things some used to call diamonds. Draco turned to his left side and saw that the place where Harry should be sleeping was empty. He wasn't worried about that conceited imbecile. He was about to turn back into his former position when his glance stopped on a dark figure walking in the direction of the cliff. What is he doing now? Draco wondered. He narrowed his eyes and fixed his gaze on the figure. Damn! he thought. He scrambled to his feet and ran as quick as wind. He was about to touch the shoulder of the person, when it jumped off the cliff right in the lake. Draco stopped and carefully leaned over the cliff. Where Harry had fallen, nothing could be seen but alarming waves that churned onto the shore.