A Dragon To Protect You

He laughed on the inside, he no longer felt the crucio, what was Lucius playing at? He had felt the icy cold hands of death grip him by the throat time and time again, but this crucio, was no more to him than a beesting. He knew of his father's brutality, he scorned it, mocked it even, but never questioned it. Time and time again Lucius yelled, "Crucio! Crucio! Crucio!" His wand jerking with each curse.

Draco's blonde hair fell into his eyes, his lips covered in blood from repeatedly hitting the hard stone floor of the manors dungeon. Hands trembling, he picked up his wand. "This is the last time Lucius!" Draco yelled, "Avada Kedavra!" A flash of green light...then nothing.

Jolting up out of bed, Draco gripped the silver dragon necklace around his neck. He never got the chance to kill his father, he was taken to Azkaban before he could, but if he ever saw the vile beast again, Lucius would have a lot to answer for. Draco was now entering his sixth year at Hogwarts, he had become quite a man. Standing over six feet tall, he towered many. Draco was never handsome, he was beautiful, being part veela, he was breathtaking. His muscles lean and trim, his fair skin tanned by many days on the broom for Quidditch. His blonde hair, hanging in his eyes, for he felt no need to slick it back any longer. His silvery eyes, piercing with hatred, had the ability to see what others did not. His senses so keen he could grab a fly from thin air. Severus and He had been practicing for many months, he was working on Occlumency and the dark arts, his charms were very well, but his wand movements were shaky. He was getting better every day. Severus knew it to, he began to fear the blonde haired boy, and was afraid he could not show him much more. Draco, was going to bring down Voldemort, whether he died trying or not. He would never allow Potter to take the credit, Voldemort destroyed the Malfoys too. He would kill Potter if he must, nothing would come in his way, he wouldn't allow it.

"Dammit! Boogies in hell!" Draco screamed, "shut it you! Give it here, I am not kidding Drexel! I will stuff you for dinner, here now! Come on, now! Stupid eagle owls," Draco muttered to himself, taking the note off of his eagle owl's leg. From Hogwarts? He thought. Hmm...Head Boy! Me, why of all the crazies in the world! I am only sixth year. What the hell...boss around Gryffindors all day, not to bad. But, who is Head Girl? GRANGER! No, absolutely not, I wont do it. No way, not with that busy-body mudblood. Throwing the letter down, he began to pack for Hogwarts. In went his most expensive clothing, his robes, his Quidditch uniform, gloves, hats, mittens, and books. He had charmed the trunk so that all of his belongings would fit with no problem.

"MmmMaster?" squeaked a house elf.

"Yes, what it is?" he asked, looking scornfully at the trembling elf. "Why do you fear me so? I have yet to harm you," he asked.

"I do not fffeearrr you, nnnnever I dddoo not fear," he squeaked again. "Mmmaster Severus is innn the fireplace inn the study," and with that he disappeared.

"Odd sort of fellow, I should of given him clothes after Father left, and Mum went to St. Mungos, hmm," Draco mumbled to himself as he walked down the stairs dragging his trunk behind him. "Severus, what is it?"

"Master Malfoy, the mark, is it burning you?" Snape asked with hatred in his eyes, staring at his left forearm, the mark burning red hot.

"No," Draco responded, pulling up his own sleeve, "not in the least bit. An individual summon it seems, but why? You go on, I will let Dumbledore know immediately!"

"Yes, of course. Do not fear for me Master Malfoy, mind Slytherin if I do not return immediately. I hope to return by dinner tonight, I will see you in the great hall." And with that the head disappeared from the fire place, Draco did fear for Snape, he had always been like a father to Draco. He summoned Dumbledore through the fire place.

"Headmaster! Headmaster Dumbledore?" Draco called impatiently, he had exactly one hour to catch the Hogwarts Express, he feared he would be late, and that would not be good as he was head boy. "Dumbledore? Hello, HEADMASTER!?"

"Master Malfoy?" Dumbledore inquired, his moon-shaped spectacles covering his brilliant bright blue eyes. "Why, the visit, is this serious?"

"I am afraid so, Headmaster, Snape's mark was burning red, he went of course to the Dark Lord, but the problem is, mine is perfectly normal, for once. Why Snape? Why now?" Draco tried to conceal his fear, but he knew he could not. His blonde hair was sticking to his forehead with perspiration, the fire was hot, he was nervous and Malfoys are not nervous normally. His neck muscles were flexed, his hands shaking, something was wrong.

"Master Malfoy, we must not fear, for what we do not know. I am sure Severus will be fine. Although, the individual summoning is peculiar, I am afraid we must be soon ready to expect this sort of matter." Dumbledore said sensing the fear in young Draco's voice and eyes. Dumbledore tapped his wand on his head thinking. Pursing his lips he asked, "you are wondering why we would want you as Head Boy, aren't you?" without waiting for a response he added. "We understand that you and Miss Granger are only sixth years, but we feel that you two are the best choices. As for you, Master Malfoy, you are strong, cunning, and swift, you get that from Slytherin, you know...hmmm...Oh...on to business, you know more than anyone else darkness is upon Hogwarts, stronger now than ever. I am afraid, many young students, such as yourself, may fall to Voldemort. And Miss Granger, she is witty, charming, brilliant if you will. And she has faced many things this summer that have made more aware of the powerful witch she has become," Dumbledore stated his blue eyes twinkling with admiration for his two students. Dumbledore sighed deeply, his age had begun to show, these past few months of thinking hard about Voldemort had gotten to him. "Master Malfoy, you must be off to the train now, we will continue this conversation at another date. I also wish you to follow around Virginia Weasley, you will see she is much like yourself. I need you to look out for you, you will see what I mean. I also wish for you to pick up her training where Snape left off," and with that Dumbledore sent Draco on his way.

Me, watch a Weasley? Its wrong, its gross, I cant, but I have to. Grow up Draco, this is not first year anymore. You can handle, you wont have to spend every waking moment with her. Easy as pie. Draco said as he took the floo to the train station,

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The ride to Hogwarts was unbearable, Crabbe and Goyle stuffing their faces from everything off the trolley that hadn't put up too much of a fight. Crabbe fought ferociously with a chocolate frog for nearly ten minutes. Goyle stuck to easier things like bertie-botts beans, and licorice ropes.

"

Oi, Drake, why you so quiet?" Crabbe said after swallowing a chocolate frog and a handful of Bertie-Botts every flavor beans.

"Oi! Crabbe, why you so stupid? And it is Malfoy!" Draco snapped, storming from the compartment. He walked to another compartment, stopping multiple times to put a few first years in their place. Coming up to the end of the train, he took a compartment on the left. He looked in, saw a young woman sleeping on one side. Quiet enough in here I guess. I am not talking, she is not talking, even a window seat, everyone is happy. He looked out the window to see the country side, he always had a knack for the country. Growing up in a manor, with country side to spare, he explored a lot as a youngster. His favorite things were climbing trees, hiking the trails, even swimming in the rivers. A nose from the young girl startled him, and he leaned closer to hear her whispers in her dream.

"Tom, stop! Leave me alone, out of my head," she whimpered, " I am not little anymore, leave me, leave me," she began to sob. "Leave him alone, he is not his father, he isn't ...he isn't...he isn't LUCIUS!"

Draco froze, he fell back against the seat, his body falling on the floor, he stared in horror. Who was this, what are they talking about? How dare they mention him, and to who? Who was Tom? The girl moved...a single lock of red hair fell from the inside of the hood of her robes. No, it couldn't be...couldn't be...

"Weasley?" he whispered to himself. "No, no, no...Tom? TOM RIDDLE?"

"What are you doing in here?" Ginny demanded jumping up from her sleep. "Why are you watching me? Malfoy?" Ginny inquired in horror. "I...what...you were just...was I talking in my sleep?"

"Yes. You were talking to...umm..." Draco stammered, unsure if she was aware of her dreams. He looked up at her, her face became rigid, her eyes clouded over, her fists clenched, god she is beautiful. What? A Weasley, No Draco, that is bad. Bad, bad, bad. This will not do. But she was, she had grown up. Her face thinner from before, no her whole body was. She looked, like a woman now, not the young girl whom Tom Riddle had corrupted. Her eyes, not the same as the other Weasleys, instead of brown, they were a deep green. Her hair was red but golden, not orange, like that of her brother. She was a woman now.

"I know, Malfoy, I know," she whispered dully, staring out the window, she shivered, even though it was quite warm inside the train. Her eyes stared, fixated on nothing, but yet something, something deep, on the inside. "I can't shake the feeling, like he is watching me, like he is inside me. I can't go on any longer, training with Snape all day, trying to go on with my life all night. I have no happiness, no joy, I live to get away from the Dark Lord."

"You are not afraid?" Draco asked, he thought she would be afraid, even he was a little afraid. Afraid of the unknown. "I mean, you seem so lifeless Weasley, but you aren't afraid are you?"

Ginny was a little taken aback by this comment. Why was he even talking to her. "Why are you even talking to me, aren't we poor, vile, dirt, us Weasleys? Don't you and your precious father loathe us?"

"HE, is not MY father," Draco said menacingly. "No, I guess I don't hate you. It's just that prat of a brother of yours and his little trio, that I cannot stand."

"Hmm...I guess you aren't so bad either," she replied eyeing him up and down like some sort of paper.

"You don't hate me? Fear me? Anything?"

"After what I have been through, there isn't much I fear. I am sure you could understand that. I have heard a lot about your training, I am only a month or so behind you."

"Ahh...Yea, Dumbledore told me something about it. So, do you find Klibberwitcz charms as tricky as I do?"

"Yes, the movements are tricky, but the charm itself very useful. There is something wonderful about knowing what someone is thinking. I have only tried them on Snape before, I haven't gotten it to work yet. He says he has strong blocks on his mind."

"Yes, I know. You will learn about mind blocking charms, soon enough. Have you made him do anything odd yet?" Draco laughed.

"Oh, yes!" Ginny giggled, allowing herself a little social time, "I tried a confessional charm on him and I must of somehow messed up my wand movements, and the next I thing I know, he is crying like a ten year old, 'but professor, Black did it, he tricked me, I made the right potion, I didn't do it, he made that one, he switched them, please, please, professor!'" Ginny giggled imitating Snape's voice. They both fell over laughing.

Draco felt odd yet relaxed. He hadn't laughed like that in, well, ever. Laughing wasn't something he had done much of, only when he was making fun of others. Something made him want to laugh forever, forever and ever. I feel stupid, laughing like a ten year old.

"Whats wrong?" Ginny asked, looking at him, her eyes piercing into him.

"I feel stupid, and I don't like to feel stupid." He snapped, glaring back at her. Regaining his composure, he sank back into the seat. Lips pursed, he cursed himself for acting so, childish.

"You are so...perfect." Ginny said, "it is quite sad actually. I bet you have never just goofed around or like...ate candy until you puked, have you?"

"No. Because that would be a waste of time. Pointless, I do not enjoy to waste time," Draco stated, matter-of-factly.

"I think we are almost there, just a minute or two...I Uhhh...." Ginny moaned, fainting into the seat. Her face creased in pain, her whole body trembling.

"Weasley? Weasley? Weasley, come on." Draco said, shaking her trembling body. Her whispers, very hard to hear, but he could make out Voldemort. "Weasley fight him, ease your mind, I know you can hear me, push it out, block it, calm down relax." Her chest started to move, as though she was trying to catch her breath, she gasped for air. Just then Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked in.

"Ginny? WHAT THE BLOODY HELL MALOFY?!" Ron exclaimed. He pushed Malfoy against the wall, " I will kill you, you better hope she is okay, you piece of shit bastard you you you DEATHEATER!"

"Potter, Granger, advise your red headed friend here to release me. I am trying to help Weasley, she has passed out...or something," Draco lied, unsure if they were aware of her visions and dreams. "But of course, you three hadn't realized she is not eleven anymore! Are you going to let me help her, or not?"

"Ron, Ron please? Let him go, we will watch, we won't let him hurt her, Ron please?" Hermione begged, her eyes filling with tears.

"Let's get a professor, Malfoy knows nothing of this," Harry challenged.

"This, Potter, is dark magic, of which I know a lot about, it is my life," Draco answered back, "are you going to let me go, or not?"

Without another word, Ron released him. Draco knelt down beside Ginny, he wiped her brow with his hand, he stared in disbelief at his hand, as though her sweat would kill him. He shook off the feeling and continued. He grabbed her hand, he was using an advanced form of mind reading, telling her to wake up. Ginny stirred, she clenched Draco's hand harder, her breathing became more normal. "It is all up to Ginny now," Draco told them. "I think she will be fine though, she is a lot stronger than you think." Then Ginny squeezed his hand stronger, Draco looked down in surprise, he hadn't ever had anyone hold onto him for comfort, it sent an odd feeling through him, he had just grabbed her hand to let her know where the voice was coming from.

"Draco?" Ginny whispered, he didn't know if she was dreaming still or not.

"Weasley? Come on, open your eyes," he whispered back.

Ginny bolted upright, into Draco's arms, "I...he...she is dead, I tried to stop him, he wouldn't listen," she sobbed into his chest, "I am sorry Draco, I tried, I tried."

"Tried what? Weasley...what are you talking about? Who died?" Draco said, shaking her to her senses, then a horrible thought crossed his mind. Please tell me, tell me its not her, please, not her, he thought.

Ginny looked up at him, her brilliant green eyes had filled with tears, she couldn't make her mouth say the words, she couldn't tell him. Somehow, she knew it would break him, devastate him. "I...I...tried, he was just too strong for Snape, he didn't want to do it Draco. He thought of you, he...I am so sorry!" Ginny sobbed, pulling herself into Draco's chest, he just sat there lifelessly, not fighting her holding him, but not returning it either.

"She couldn't protect herself, and I left her. It was all my fault Weasley, none of your own concern." He sat her in the seat, gently. And walked out of the room, his silver eyes stabbing the trio as he left. Ginny rose to follow him, and was forced back down by Ron.

"What was that?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowed in confusion, which didn't happen often.

"His mother...dead, Snape and Voldemort, I can't do this any longer. I can't bear it, I have to tell them I am quitting," Ginny whispered, as if to no one, standing up and leaving the compartment.

The trio stared after her. None of them had any idea of what she was talking about. They knew she was doing something private for the Order, but had no clue what ir was. Each one worried about her, they all loved her. They sat there for awhile, before they realized they had been at Hogwarts, then they left. Not a word was said between the three, and they all went to the castle solemnly.

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Draco went to the great hall. He took his seat at the top of the table, no one so much as dared to take it any longer, they feared him, no one even sat next to him. Crabbe and Goyle hadn't dared to come near him for the rest of the day. He was made with himself, for not being sad, but his mother had been gone a long time. Her father had driven her mad. After he was taken to Azkaban, she broke, she became comatose, she stared at the wall, day in and day out. She would mumble 'Lucius, my love, you are lost to me, my silver king, gone, gone forever' she would mumble this repeatedly for hours, sometimes she would never say it all day. Draco waited for Snape to return, it was all in vain, he did not show up that night.

What is there to live for? Why should I live, and not her? Why is anyone so cold, as cold as I am. WHO do I care about? Draco thought to himself as he wandered to the head boy dormitory.

"Password?" the mermaid on the portrait asked. Her eyes batting in a flirtatious way at Draco.

"Uhh..shoot, I wasn't paying attention, when Dumbledore told me, could you let it slip once, just for me?"

"No, I am afraid not. Goodbye," the mermaid said slipping off her rock into the water."

Draco began to pound his fist onto the wall. "You filthy, fish! Let me in, you bitch!" he screamed.

"Malfoy? Forgot the password did you?" Hermione smiled coyly at him. "It is easy, 'On my honor, I swear to serve, for the good, not the evil' see?" Hermione asked as the portrait swung open.

The room was beautiful. Dark Maroon walls, wooden floors, portraits of Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, and Godric Gryffindor, lined the walls. A large stone fireplace crackled at one end. Two large leather recliners sat against the walls. Two plush ivory couches and end tables were in the center. Bookshelves lined one whole wall. Two desks sat at the end, covered with spare parchment, quills, and ink. Stairs were placed at opposite sides and each lead to their individual rooms. Draco looked to the left, unfortunately there was only one bathroom. They couldn't hold their curiosity and walked into the bathroom. It was much like the prefects bathroom, one large, very large, bathtub was set in marble, two showers stood alone in the back, unfortunately there were no doors to either one. The toilets, however, did have doors. There were many mirrors, and portraits along the wall. Suddenly, the bathtub started to fill, jets of lavender filled the room with a wonderful smell, classical music filled the air, it was quiet and calming, the room began to warm, the showers turned on and the mirrors fogged up.

"They must have a wonderful spell, set up, it starts working the moment we enter, it's breathtaking isn't it?" Hermione gasped.

Draco shrugged his shoulders, he pulled his shirt off over top of his head, threw off his belt and whisked off his pants. He slid into the tub. Hermione turned a violent shade of red, her face a look of embarrassment, she fled the bathroom, even managing to trip on her way out. Draco smirked, he half expected her to yell or something, but be embarrassed, poor Granger, he thought. He spent a good hour in the bathroom, then went up to the common room.

"Granger, I didn't know I would have that...effect, on you," Draco laughed smirking at her. "I knew you were a goody-goody, but I didn't think you were that bad."

"Malfoy, just because I choose not to see you without clothes on, does not mean that you have an...effect on me," she snapped back at him mocking his tone of voice.

"Fine...so mudblood how was your summer vacation?" he asked with a false sweetness.

"Let's see, I spent a good half of it fighting off death eaters like you!" she screamed throwing the book she was reading at him. She was not going to have that hurtful word thrown at her this year.

Draco reached out and grabbed her, throwing her down back into the couch, rather hardly. He felt bad as tears immediately sprang to her eyes, but not that bad, she was going to hear him out. "You know nothing about me, what you think you know, isn't necessarily true. So you are going to hear me out, ok?" he said whispering to her, his face inches from hers, he took her silence as a yes, and then her body began to shake violently. "Listen, I don't know what the death eaters have done to you, or anything else for that matter, but I suggest you listen closely to what I have to say. First, my name is Draconis Aquillius Lucius Malfoy, I am son of Lucius Aquillius Draconis Malfoy and Narcissa Bellatrix Black Malfoy. Second, I am captain of Slytherin Quidditch team, and the seeker. Third, I am in no way, shape, or form a believer in the Dark Lord's ways, or anything like it, you see this," he said pulling up his left sleeve to reveal a black and blue Dark Mark, Hermione shuddered, "this, is my work, for your precious Order, Snape and I are risking our necks everyday for the Order, and no one but Dumbledore, Snape, and you know anything about my being on your side. And I suggest you keep it that way, no telling Potty or Weasel. I may not follow the Dark Lord or his beliefs, but I am a master of the Dark Arts, mind you. Oh, and Snape killed my criminally insane Mother last night, as you may or may not know. And, I will be spending a lot of time with the little Weasley, for reasons I am not permitted to share. So do convince your little friends to stay from me. Goodnight, Her...Hermione." Draco said as he went of to bed, leaving a very confused, and scared Hermione Granger in his wake.