The Mistresses of Draco's Heart

Chapter Three

Where The Hell Is He?

Harry rushed to Draco. "Malfoy...what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," Draco whispered. "I'm fine, thanks for asking."

"I can see that. No, no, you're not bleeding to death at all," Harry said sarcastically. "How many fingers am I holding up?" Harry raised three fingers.

"I see twelve fingers, and a big ape behind them."

"Boys..."

Harry turned around slowly. There was Hermione standing with a broomstick.

"How perfect! Now Granger, later Weasley. Even if you run away from them, they lean over backwards just to get to you. I have never seen such dependent people, more, that they are dependent on such a damned idiot as Potter," Draco hissed.

Hermione ran to Harry and hugged him. "Oh, I'm so happy that I found you! I put a Tracking Charm on George's broom and that's how I was able to locate you. What has happened to Malfoy?"

"It's a long story..." Harry answered.

"Not as long as the list of your acts of heroism, of course..." Draco joined the conversation but didn't manage to finish his sentence, because fainted.

***

"What's wrong with him?" Hermione screamed.

"Well..."

"Get me some clean water! Was that a bullet?" Harry nodded. "You weren't duelling, were you?"

Harry shook his head. "I fell in a lake and Malfoy got me out. Then he got me to Lupin's house and...and that's it."

"Did Lupin give you some medicine?"

"Yeah, he gave me a Warming Potion."

"Did he give something to Draco after he got you out of the lake?"

"I don't know. I think that...well, I vaguely remember Malfoy wearing a fluffy pink sweater but...I think I was dreaming."

"We...we have to get him to a safe, warm place. Do you know where the nearest one is?"

Harry shook his head. "There is no house or hotel or anything round here. Lupin's house was the closest. But we can't go back."

"Why?"

"Death Eaters were following us. They shot Malfoy and...well, Malfoy shot some of them so their bodies may still be there."

"Then...is that a poniard in his boot?" She leaned over and took it out. "I didn't know that Draco had such a fine taste in weapons. Now, he's unconscious, so it's the perfect time for us to take the bullet out."

"Can't we just try to Summon it?"

"Harry, there is such thing as the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, so if you don't want to be found, we'll have to take them out harder way - Muggle way."

"Hermione, I hate blood...I may faint..."

"I'll take it out myself. Luckily my parents let me take a course in Muggle medicine last year when we were on summer holiday."

"Hermione, hasn't anyone told you that holidays are for recreation, not for studies?"

"But I like to study! Look, if I hadn't studied this Muggle medicine, I wouldn't be able to get this bullet out of Draco..."

"So what?"

"Yeah, Granger, so what? If you hadn't appeared, Potter could do his victory dance over a dead Malfoy. And now - look what you've done. Poor Potter won't be able to sleep at night, knowing that his sworn enemy is still live and kicking." Draco had opened his eyes.

"Didn't you faint, Malfoy?" Harry asked in astonishment.

"Hate to admit that I did, but while you were talking here, I thought Oh my, when are they going to start their work? And then I woke up just to tell you that those fucking bullets hurt and may you please be so kind to take them out?"

"It will hurt, Malfoy," Hermione said in a quiet voice.

"So what? They have been hurting like hell since I was shot. Who cares about a little more pain?"

***

While Hermione was taking the bullets out of Draco, Harry took a walk. He wanted to be sure that Death Eaters were not following them. What Harry was the most surprised at was that Draco didn't scream or shout while Hermione was taking care of him. Harry hissed silently. What did Hermione see in Malfoy? Harry himself would have left him bleeding there.

The night was so quiet that he could hear his own breathing. He would definitely hear it if Death Eaters were approaching. Some minutes later Hermione called Harry and he returned to them. Draco was now in a standing position. Hermione was putting bandages round his stomach and Draco himself was putting bandages round his arm.

"We're changing plans, Potter."

"Did it hurt, Malfoy?"

"What? That sentence I just said?"

"The bullets..."

"Yes. Want to find out just how much?"

"Why didn't you shout then?"

"I thought it would be no use shouting, as you wouldn't come to hold my hand anyway, would you? The second reason I didn't shout is that there may be some of your father's old friends round, who would be grateful for the opportunity to kick the liver out of you. If I screamed, they'd know we were here."

Hermione glanced quickly at Harry. He was staring at Draco, who obviously was in his element. Finally Harry spoke.

"So, about the plan changing...?"

"What about it?"

"Well...aren't you going to tell me your great idea?"

"I hadn't even thought about it."

"Arrgghh...just kill me, will you?"

"Yes, sure, Potter! That's the best thing you've ever said!" Draco made a move to pull out one of his guns when Hermione jumped in between them.

"No! Cut it out! You're not going to kill Harry! And you-" she turned to Harry "- be more polite to him!" As they both kept staring at her, she blushed and said, "We have to get out of here as soon as possible. Draco, please tell us your plan and then we'll talk it over. Understood?"

***

Lucius held Ginny tightly, but his moves were still elegant and light. Ginny glanced at Narcissa sometimes, but she didn't even look disturbed, as if she was used to Lucius dancing with strange girls instead of her. Ginny's heart started to beat very fast, when she saw Narcissa leave the Great Hall. Now she was alone with Lucius, who had slowed down. Now they were swinging to the rhythm of a very slow music. Ginny tried to tear herself away from Lucius, but it looked like it was impossible. Finally Lucius let her go.

"Virginia...have you thought over everything I told you?"

"Yes."

"And your decision is?"

"No. I don't want to marry him, because I don't love him."

"Is it just your stubbornness or you are sure about it?"

"That is my decision."

Lucius sighed and turned away from her.

"Have you ever heard of such thing as Veritaserum?" he asked while pouring a glass of wine.

"Yes, I have."

"Would you like me to use it on you?"

"Why?"

"I can't believe that you are telling me truth. I can see that in your eyes."

"Then...try me!"

"This wine is mixed with it. You have to drink it and then I shall ask you questions that bother me."

"If I tell you that I don't love Draco, will you let Ron and I go free?"

"I'll at least think about it. Drink."

Ginny took the glass of wine that was as red as her dress, took a deep breath and drank it all in one gulp.

***

Ron was bored out of his mind in the room. An old house-elf had been sent to entertain him, so now they were playing chess all day. It is better than yesterday's dart game, he thought; at least I know how to play chess. The house-elf had run off to get food, as Ron had refused to talk to him unless he got him something to eat. Now Ron got up from the chair and opened one of the windows. The air was clean and smelled a little of pine. Ron sighed and took his head in hands. How come he took Ginny here? How come?

***

"Very interesting, Ginny, indeed." Lucius said after he had listened to some of her answers.

"All I can say now is that my Manor is at your service. The effect of this potion will end in some ten minutes, so...I don't have any more questions, maybe you would like to go back to your room?"

"Yes...I would like that." She got up from the chair she had been sitting in and started to move towards the door. Then she stopped and turned to Lucius.

"Would you be so kind to see me to the door? I'm not sure I know the way back and I don't want you attacking me as you did earlier today."

Lucius smiled a mischievous smile and offered her his elbow.

***

"And so, ladies and...Well, my great, big plan is that we try to get out of here as soon as possible and..."

"I think that I would have told you the same, Malfoy, without making such a show out of it."

"Are you telling me that your small, peanut-sized brain would have gotten us out of trouble? I think that you would still be going round in Copenhagen like a spinning top for the next three years without my help. So if you won't shut your dirty mouth, I'll..."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Come on, Potter, just dare to touch me if you're such a brave idiot." Draco hissed.

Harry sprang forwards and hit Draco hard in his stomach where the bullet wound was still sore. Draco doubled up as the pain shot through him.

"Stop it!" Hermione shouted. Draco straightened and stroke Harry hard in the nose. Blood sprayed everywhere as they both grappled and fell on the hard ground. They started to roll on the ground, punching and hitting each other.

"You...don't, Harry! You...Malfoy, that was not fair! Stop fighting, both of you!" Hermione shrieked. When none of them listened, she pulled out her wand.

"Confundus! Stupefy! Confundus! STUPEFY!" she cried. After that a deep silence followed. Hermione had closed her eyes and didn't dare to open them until there was a sound of someone trying to get up.

"You know what, Granger, I'm confused, not because of your spell but because you betrayed Potter. Keep going that way and maybe I'll even start to like you."

***

Ginny was sitting in her room, looking very miserable and a little tipsy. She couldn't understand her own answers.

I don't love Draco, but I love him.

How could she love him if she didn't love him? And which part of it was true? Didn't her own heart know the real answer? She had always hated Malfoy and his family, but lately she had discovered that they were not as bad as they were said to be. She remembered watching Malfoy at the Slytherin table before Easter holidays, and watching him outside at Care of Magical Creatures from the Defence Against the Dark Arts window. On the other hand, she could remember him teasing her about the second-hand clothes she wore, laughing and telling jokes about her family. But at the same time he had never played a dirty trick on her as he did on Harry, Ron and Hermione. She got up and went out of the room. She had to talk to someone about her feelings. And that one was to be Lucius.

***

"Now, everything's ready." Draco leaned down, took George's broomstick and attached it to Harry's horse's saddle. Harry himself was put over the saddle and tightly tied to it. Draco mounted his horse and tied the other horse's bridle to the saddle. He turned to Hermione.

"Have you ever ridden a horse, Granger?"

"Twice."

"Great. Should I give you a hand, or can you get up here by yourself?"

Hermione tried to mount it but it was impossible. Draco jumped off and helped Hermione get on horse's back behind the saddle. Hermione was surprised to feel how strong Draco actually was. At school he was always accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle, who did all the hard work for him.

While Hermione was contemplating Draco, he had mounted the horse and now they had started to move. Hermione put her arms around him gently. Draco looked back. "I have to hold somewhere or else I'll fall off," she shrugged.

***

When Lucius had left Ginny's room, he went straight to the library. There was a message on the table for him. Lucius threw himself in his favourite armchair and opened it.

Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy,

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry reminds that as your son Draco Malfoy has missed all of his lessons since the 24^th of March 2003, you will have to send an owl with an explanation of your son's absence to his House Head Professor S. Snape, as soon as possible.

Deputy Headmistress Prof. M. McGonagall.

Lucius let the letter drop. He was too tired to deal with such idiots! He slowly got up and went to the fireplace. He threw a sparkling powder in the fire and squatted. A face appeared in the fire.

"Stan, would you please be so kind to visit me? NOW!"

***

Draco and Hermione had arrived at a small house.

"And this is your Manor?" Hermione couldn't believe her eyes.

"No, this is the only house connected to the Manor."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"The Floo network. From the Manor you can get anywhere you want, but there are only two ways of getting into the Manor. One is from England and the other is from this house. It is for safety."

He took Hermione to the kitchen and went to take care of the horses. When he returned Hermione was looking through the mail that was left on the kitchen table. "Look, there is a letter for you and Harry. From the Ministry."

"Leave them...Granger, do you know how to make a strong Healing Potion?"

"Yes, but..."

"Then make it as quickly as possible. Please."

"Malfoy..."

"Yes?"

"Can we... I don't know..."

"Oh my, Granger doesn't know something..."

"Can we make a deal or something about calling each other our given names?"

"What for?"

"I...I don't know...I would like you to be my friend, not my enemy."

"I'm not...your enemy."

"So...can we?"

Draco was looking at her and it looked like he was having an inner struggle. Finally he answered. "I hope you don't get me wrong, but I...I would like that too, Hermione." He turned on his heel and went out of the room.

***

The potion was soon ready and Hermione took it to the room where Draco was sitting. His wound had come open when Harry had hit him and he had lost a lot of blood. He was even paler than he usually was. When Hermione gave him the goblet with potion he stood up and started to unbutton his shirt. Hermione was looking at him with suspicion.

"What are you doing?" she asked but didn't get an answer. Draco lay down on the floor and poured the potion over his wound in stomach.

"Draco, you have to drink..." She stopped in the middle of the sentence. The potion had started to bubble and she saw Draco's eyebrows knit. Some moments later there was violet smoke rising from the place where a scar should have been, but the skin was smooth there.

"You can close your mouth now, Hermione." Draco smiled and poured some potion on the wound on his hand. The same thing happened there. Draco drank the rest of the potion and Hermione saw healthy color appear in Draco's cheeks.

"You learn something new every day, don't you?" He got up and picked up his dirty shirt. He went upstairs leaving a perplexed Hermione standing in the middle of the room.

***

Ginny had got lost in the Manor so now she was trying to find someone who could show her the way to the library. She opened each door she passed, in hope of finding someone. The Manor was deserted and she had walked for half an hour already. The next room she entered was the cosiest of all the rooms she had entered. It had a bed with canopy, a writing table that was stacked with books and parchments, a big wardrobe and two comfortable armchairs. Ginny went to the wardrobe and opened it. She was stunned. It was full of clothes Draco usually wore. So this must be Draco's room! she thought. She closed the wardrobe carefully and ran out of the room. She didn't want to stay there any longer. She suddenly stopped in front of a big door decorated with woodcarvings. She pushed it open and saw Lucius shout in the fireplace as someone left the room by the Floo powder.

"And don't come back until you've found him!"

***

Draco had changed his shirt and trousers, and had even offered Hermione something from his mother's wardrobe, but she had refused. Now they were sitting in a room with a big fireplace and Hermione was studying a book Draco had given her. It was about how to take off very strong charms and spells. She wanted to find something useful for Harry. Draco had refused to help her, but somehow she felt that Draco knew how to take off those spells. Draco was nodding off to sleep in his armchair, so it was very quiet.

Suddenly Hermione heard a strange noise and it looked like it had come from the fireplace. She looked at Draco and saw that he was not sleeping any more, but was sitting straight-backed and alert in the chair. The noise repeated and this time Draco jumped up, ran to Hermione and pulled her up.

"Draco, what are you do-"

"Shut up!" Draco hissed and half-pushed, half-carried her behind a sofa, where he pushed Hermione down and threw himself on her.

"What the hell are you doing, Malfoy?" she whispered. Draco put a hand over her mouth and smiled.

"Start to take off your clothes, Hermione."

Hermione opened her eyes wide. What the hell that maniac wants from her? Draco had leaned close to her face and Hermione closed her eyes. When she opened them, she saw that Draco was looking in the gap between the sofa and floor. A person had appeared in the fire. Hermione felt Draco hold his breath. A voice from the fireplace shouted, "And don't come back until you've found him!"

The person went over the room and out of the house. The noise made by his steps could be heard for a while and then all went silent again. Draco released his breath, looked at Hermione and took off his hand.

"Still want me to take off the clothes, Draco?" Hermione asked in a sugar sweet voice.

Draco raised his arm and stroke her cheek gently. "No need to hurry," he said and kissed her gently on her lips.

***

Lucius turned and saw Ginny in the door.

"What do you want?"

"I...I can come back later, you know..."

"Why did you come to meet me? Spit it out! I..." he controlled himself and added in a more pleasant voice "...I don't have much time for you."

"I...just wanted to...talk to someone...about..."

"A girl talk? With me?" he gasped. "I'm no good at that sort of thing!"

"Lucius...how come...I don't understand...you have to help me..." Ginny was near crying.

Lucius kept staring at her. For the first time in his life, he didn't know what to do. This was not a boy standing in front of him and asking for help. This was not a man, asking for forgiveness. This was a girl that made Lucius feel a lump in his throat.

"Errgh...would you like to sit down and...and tell me everything? Or perhaps you would enjoy a talk with Narcissa instead of me?" he added in hopeful voice.

"I don't know Narcissa!" Now Ginny was crying. "I don't know anyone in this huge Manor except you and Ron, and if you say I can't meet Ron, I have no one else to talk to, and..." she dropped herself in the nearest chair.

Lucius got up, went to her and stood next to her not knowing what to do now. He lifted his arm uncertainly and started to rub her back gently.

***

Harry's head had become clear at last. He had been thrown in a stall on a heap of straw in a very uncomfortable position. He stretched and stood up. The stable was dim and there were only two horses in it. Harry started to look around for Hermione and Malfoy, but couldn't find them anywhere. He went out of the stable and saw a house a little further. He started to walk in its direction.

When he had got to the house he didn't go inside at once. He walked around the house and peeked in all the windows. There was no one in all the rooms he looked in and he thought about entering the house when suddenly he saw something in one window. There, behind a sofa was Hermione and one more person.

"What the hell..." he murmured as he understood that the other one was Draco.

***

Harry rushed to Draco and pulled him away from Hermione by his collar.

"Hermione, what are you doing? That's...that's shameful! Look! He's a Malfoy! Don't trust him! He will just use you!"

Draco released himself from Harry's grip and turned to face him. "I didn't guess that Potter the Scarhead will come and save you from the dirty Malfoy, Granger."

"Draco, don't! I'll explain everything, Harry!"

"No need to explain yourself, Granger. The dirty Malfoys don't look for protection behind a woman's back."

"At least something nice to hear from your mouth, Malfoy."

"You'll both regret this fight later! You'll both suffer and..."

"Malfoys don't suffer. Malfoys live...fight...and win. Or die trying." He looked really angry, standing there in the middle of the room, his hands crossed in front of him and gaze fixed on Harry. Harry felt a little unsure what to do now. Draco's gaze was burning him; it looked like Draco was trying to kill him with his gaze. Draco turned and went to the fireplace. Halfway to it he turned again and said:

"Forget our deal, Granger. I don't want to keep it, if you have such friends as Potter." And without throwing anything in the fireplace, Draco stepped right into the fire.

"DRACO, DON'T!" Hermione shrieked. She got up on her feet and ran to the fireplace. Nothing could be seen or heard. She tried to touch the flame but there was something like a glass in front of it.

***

Lucius had comforted Ginny at last and now they were both sitting in armchairs, facing the opposite wall of fireplace. There was a fine tapestry hanging on the wall -a nice girl in a rose garden with a boy trying to kiss her.

"Maybe you want to tell me what's bothering you, if it's not some kind of a top secret?"

"There are so many things that...well...your fiancé is missing. Or he is hiding somewhere..."

"No need for me to be hiding, father," a cold voice said behind them. They both turned around fast and saw Draco leaning against the fireplace.