Ruminations

The freezing, January wind blew to her bones, taking her breath away. She clutched Arthur to herself, protecting him from the elements. Ginny looked first left and right, testing the atmosphere, searching for signs of Draco's progress. Finally she turned left and walked cautiously into the forest, feeling the familiar comfort of the Green Magic that had drawn her here in the first place.

She cast a peremptory glance at the tiny hut before losing sight of it between the tree trunks. Her gut instinct led her through the forest, guiding her eyes to miniscule signs that depicted Draco's travel. An indent in the earth, a broken twig, a twisted branch; everything was noted and followed.

Soon she heard voices - or, well, threats - coming from a clearing directly ahead of her. She checked Arthur, reassuring him gently under her breath, willing him not to make a noise. Ginny then trailed a careful path through the bracken to the outcrop of trees, peering through the branches, scared of who, or what, she would see.

Draco stood in his clothes, crafted from deerskin and other available materials they had to them, facing him across the clearing was none other than his father, black robes and all. The stark difference between them never more apparent.

"Draco, Draco, did you really think you could hide her away from me? My spies are everywhere; it was only a matter of time before I found her." The cold, familiar voice chilled Ginny, opening doors in her memory that she'd tried to wedge shut forever. Hatred roared through her blood along with the fear, hatred growing from the memories he'd opened.

Draco produced something from his pocket. Ginny stared hard at it, trying to distinguish what it was. When he pointed it at Lucius though it became obvious.

He had had his wand all this time and never used it? she marvelled. For my sake or his own...

"Lucius, you should not be here. This place is protected." Draco stood firmly; she saw the flicker of his eyelids though. He knew she was there.

The older Malfoy scoffed. "What by you? You're already a dead man, and certainly no son of mine."

Ginny cuddled her baby closer. The same blood ran in his veins as this heartless man. "Don't worry, you'll never be like him," she whispered consolingly. Arthur turned inwards at the sound of her voice, nuzzling her. Ginny smiled, feeling wonder that a baby brought into such a world as this was, could be so untainted.

"Who's there?" barked Lucius, his eyes ticking around the clearing. He had distinctly heard whispering.

Ginny froze in the trees, barely daring to breathe.

"Scared, Father?" Draco spat the word mockingly. But Ginny could still see the worry lines forming slightly in his forehead, and his pulse had speeded up, beating a rhythm in his throat. She felt bad that the worry was her doing.

"She's here isn't she?" Unfortunately, Lucius could read the signs as well, and wasn't afraid of his son's bravado. "Your bitch is here," he crowed. "Come out, come out, little Weasel." He was getting nearer and nearer to the tree Ginny stood behind.

She had to get Arthur to safety and away from this evil. An evil that, irrevocably, ran in his own blood as well.

"Crucio!" Ginny halted immediately, waiting for the searing pain that she knew would come. But it did not.

She looked through the branches to find Draco and his father facing off again.

"Didn't I tell you?" Lucius announced. "I've been granted powers that take me to the point of invulnerability." He spoke as though talking about the weather.

"By who?" Draco couldn't help himself.

"I believe that falls under 'none of your business'," the older man announced, looking inexplicably uncomfortable all of a sudden.

"Anyway, I believe I was getting close to your whore."

Ginny had no other choice; he was coming straight for her. Seizing the element of surprise, she dodged out of the trees, around a startled Lucius, and ended up standing behind Draco.

"Sorry," she whispered so only he could hear. He heard her but did not acknowledge it; she could tell he was angry by the slight tic in his jaw.

"Ah, what a cute couple." Ginny hid Arthur deeper in the layers of fabric, praying for him to stay silent. "I shall take great pleasure in killing you both." Without further ado, he brought out his wand point it straight at Draco's heart. "Avada Kedavra!"

Poky - I'm glad you liked the last chapter! I'm sorry I left this one on a cliffhanger, but I promise to update infinitely sooner than I did this time! And yes there are lots of questions that will all be answered in time.

Victoria27 - Ah thank you so much for keep reviewing all my stories! It definitely gives me lots of motivation to write, so BIG thank you from me :)

Skygazing - yes my grammar seems to be gradually going downhill. Sniffle. But thanks for all the help you've already given via reviews, it has been really, really useful!

Lollipopkins89 - I'm very glad you enjoyed it! Hope you liked this chapter also.

And now for some shameless review mongering (that may or may not actually work), I have a new story if any of you would be kind enough to check it out. Title: Moonlit Carvings. Is quite a different angle for me!