Tel' Qualohtarie

Chapter Three

Without her permission, something in her brain had changed after that first lesson with Malfoy. Sure, he had come up with his usual insults and had beaten the hell out of her a couple of times, but she had done the same to him. Amazingly enough, he had treated her almost like an equal. Hardly anyone ever did that; they all treated her like a baby, not the independent sixteen-year-old that she was. Then, she realised how completely insane she sounded and didn't think about him at all until it was time for their next lesson. Unfortunately for her, he wasn't in a particularly good mood on Tuesday. He walked in and slammed his things down. "Anything the matter, Malfoy?" she asked nonchalantly.

"Quite a bit, Weasley," he growled. "I have to look at your irritatingly red hair for the next hour."

"Like I enjoy working with you?"

"Of course, who wouldn't?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you're an annoying arrogant git?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you're a scrawny little brat?"

"Why do you always have to be so mean, Malfoy? Can't you just pretend for a few minutes that you're a decent human being?"

"No doll, I suppose I can't. Sorry, we're going to have to continue our lessons later." His tone was low and menacing and the anger in his eyes made Ginny shiver through her own anger.

"You're so awful, Malfoy."

"Oh, I'm so hurt." He headed toward the door and Ginny made to go after him.

"Malfoy, stop. We have work to do, you can't act like this."

He turned on her suddenly and had her pinned up against the wall before she could blink. The sheer rage burning in his steely eyes terrified her and she opened her mouth to apologise, but he interrupted, "How dare you tell me how I can and can't act! You've obviously forgotten your place, little girl." Ginny stared up into his face, contorted by anger and found she couldn't speak.

He pushed off from the wall hard and whirled around, grabbing Ginny's hand and roughly dragging her into the middle of the room. "FINE! Fine, you want to work, let's work! I trust you're not that stupid you can't remember the protective spell?"

They locked their right hands like they had previously and Ginny barely managed to croak out the spell while Draco practically shouted it. He dropped her hand and stared her in the eyes; his own steely grey eyes forming contemptuous slits as he sneered, "Come on, Weasley. Come and attack the big bad Malfoy. Please, what are you waiting for? A written invitation? Attack me, little girl."

She stared right back into his eyes resolutely and instantly her fear was replaced with anger. How dare he talk to her like that! After he'd been the cause of all the trouble! Her amber eyes narrowed into slits to match Draco's and with a small growl she threw herself at him.

He dodged her easily and pushed her to the ground. Circling her, he spat on the floor next to her, mocking her, "That's the best you've got, Weaslette? Please, I thought you were angry? Or can't people like you afford to be angry?"

She stood up quickly and they circled, throwing insults until Draco said, "I thought you were supposed to be a brave Gryffindor, but I guess you're just a scared little girl hiding behind her goody-goody big brothers and useless father. Let's quit this dancing around and get down to business, you little coward."

Her chest was heaving and she wanted nothing more at that moment than to wipe that damned smirk from his face. Ginny stepped closer to him and punched him squarely in the face as hard as she could. He staggered backwards a pace, clutching his mouth and drew back his hand, finding blood from his lip. He glanced down at it and raised his eyebrows, malevolent amusement shining in his eyes. "Good show, Weaslette," he drawled as he leaned forward and knocked her to the floor with a swift left hook to her jaw.

It didn't hurt her because of the spell, but Ginny saw stars for a moment and when everything came back into focus Draco was standing over her, smirking again. Without realising it, she growled low in hatred of him. He laughed and leaned down to mock her, "My, my. I knew you were a Weasel, but I didn't know you were such a feisty little beast. I'd better be careful."

She stood and faced him, "Good idea, Ferret. Now, why don't we do this properly?" She took three steps back and pointed her right palm at him as she yelled, "Hyandae en' luhta!"

A burst of light shot from her hand and turned itself into seven pointed blades of light making their way towards Draco. He raised his right hand and said, "'Kshonnarim, wanya!" The blades reversed themselves and headed for Ginny.

She quickly replied, "Tela!" And the jets of light disappeared.

Almost as soon as they had, Draco said, "Koron en' naur!" She immediately ducked as a fireball roughly the size of a Quaffle flew over her head. She muttered the Invisibility Spell almost in chorus with Draco and the games really began.

~&~

Ginny had returned to Hogwarts bruised and bloody, though Malfoy had been polite enough to remove the curses and jinxes. Despite Ron's insistence and nagging questions, she refused to go to Madam Pomfrey and had Zacharias hex Ron when he threatened to write to their mum. Though she felt no pain, she wanted the bruises and cuts as reminders that she wasn't the only one who had got banged up. Ginny had almost matched him bruise for bruise, cut for cut, hex for hex. She hadn't beaten him yet, but she was bound and determined to best that bastard, come hell or high water.

The next time she saw him was over two weeks later. She had gone to Malfoy Manor for her lessons, but he wasn't available and Winky wouldn't say where he was, only gave her parchments with instructions and books she was supposed to study. She now knew everything there was to know about the physics behind Elven spells and the laws of the Grey and decided that it all really was quite boring. The only interesting bit she had found was about the Grey Knights being formed by the Four, kind of like Hogwarts.

It was Saturday and she was heading down to lunch to talk with Luna. She hadn't had a very good day so far and was extremely upset about everything that was going on and the fact that she had nothing more than vague information, which only proved to worry her more instead of less like her parents thought. Professor Lupin, Charlie, and Kingsley had left on an Order mission about a week ago and hadn't returned yet. Her father was keeping guard at St. Mungo's, she didn't know why and she was worried about him. Plus, her mother kept owling her about the Healing class. Ginny didn't want to be a Healer. She was a fighter, not a lover. Her only saving grace was the twins and their antics. It amazed her that they could at least pretend to be unaffected by it all. But, Fred and George had left this morning for their shop in Diagon Alley. How much worse can this day get? She asked herself.

As she came upon the entrance to the library, her question was answered. Her brother and Draco were busy beating the hell out of each other. Ginny gasped and ran over, dropping all her things on the way. "Stop it!" she shouted, trying to pull Draco off Ron. It was immediately apparent who was stronger and angrier. Draco's lip was bleeding and Ron was quickly being covered with the blood spurting from his nose and forehead, though he put up a good fight. Their classmates just stood there watching, some of them actually egging the two boys on, though Hermione was shrieking at Ron. "Why aren't you doing anything?" she yelled at them, but no one answered.

Then she returned to trying to remove Draco, but he kept shaking her off. She was beginning to get really frustrated by the fact that she couldn't use magic on them because of their open wounds and she was underage and no one was helping when it was obvious that she couldn't do this by herself. "Where are all the adults in this place?!" she screeched, still unable to believe that everyone, including Hermione, was just standing there. This isn't bloody Quidditch. What's the matter with all of them?

Finally, Harry showed up and got in a good Disarming Spell, knocking Draco backward off Ron. He fell on top of Ginny, knocking her to the floor, and landed with his head in her lap. He looked up at her and sneered, "I'm going to have to kill your brother. Shouldn't be too much of a loss, you've got plenty more."

She grabbed his ears to keep him from getting up and said, "You'll do no such thing. And what in the bloody hell was that all about?!" When they saw the fight was over, most of the other students quickly left, not wanting to be around for the aftermath.

"Fuck, Weasley. My ears," he replied, trying to wrench her hands away while Harry and Hermione were occupied with cleaning up Ron. He finally succeeded, not without some difficulty. "Why don't you ask your ass of a brother over there?" He stood up and stalked off proud and angry, glancing over his shoulder to say, "Window."

She nodded her head to show him she understood and went over to kneel next to Ron, shoving Harry out of the way and glaring at him when he protested. "What was that all about?" she demanded, prodding at his cuts.

"Well, you see, Hermione accidentally bumped into Malfoy and Malfoy insulted her and I insulted him back and he started punching," Ron said, feeling his head rather tentatively. "Don't know what the slimy git's doing here anyway."

Ginny was much less gentle about poking his blossoming black eye as she retorted, "Don't give me that. What did you two say?"

"He said the usual about her. You know," he said throwing a quick glance at Hermione, taken aback with the way his normally docile sister was acting.

"And what did you say?"

"I called his mum a fat Death Eater whore and said his dad was the scum of the universe who licked the bottom of You-Know-Who's shoes and all that," her brother replied very calmly, infuriating Ginny further.

"Well, no wonder he hit you, I would've too. You actually deserved this, you know that?" she rose and began to gather her things. "I've had an awful day and you just made it worse. Thank you, Ronald Weasley." She stormed off down the corridor, not looking back to catch the stares she was getting.

"She has really been weird lately," Harry commented, turning to Ron, who nodded in agreement. "Let's get to you to Madam Pomfrey."

~&~

She met Draco at the grey window about twenty minutes later. It would have been sooner, but she needed a few moments to cool off or she would have got into a fight with him herself. "What?"

"We have to speed up your training."

"Why?"

"You need to be ready. There's a meeting tonight," he replied, running a hand through his hair, mussing it, and looking uncommonly worried. "I'll be here just before seven to show you how to get to the meetings until you learn to Apparate. We'll train every afternoon until school starts again."

"What's happened?"

"One of the Grey has disappeared."

She looked at him, confused. Her anger from their previous encounter had dissipated with time and she couldn't really blame him anymore than Ron for their fighting. "I don't understand what you mean."

"John Davies has disappeared. He's been kidnapped by the Death Eaters."

"How do you know that?"

"Ethan. Until now, the Grey Death Eaters have been very successful in preventing Voldemort from harming any of us. I don't know exactly what happened, but the Council has called a meeting because of it. Tonight."

"Why didn't they owl me?"

"I'm sure they must have. I thought you'd already received it, which is why I came. I certainly didn't come here just to pound your idiot brother."

Ginny shook her head, trying to figure out exactly what all of this meant. "Alright. I'll see you at seven and we'll train tomorrow." Draco gave a slight nod of acknowledgement and disappeared.

~&~

She sat on the bench nervously plucking at her Grey Knight garb. Luna had asked about her clothing and Ginny felt a little bad about lying to her, she really did like Luna. Thankfully, Professor Lupin, Charlie, and Kingsley had returned before dinner. They were a little banged up, but otherwise all right and Ginny only wished that they would let her have more information. Her parents had vetoed that idea immediately though. About five minutes to seven, Draco appeared in front of her with a pop. "How do you get here? The Floo, Portkey, and Apparition wards are all up."

"I Apparate."

"But you can't Apparate onto Hogwarts' grounds."

"I only say Apparate for lack of a better term. We'll discuss it later. Let's go," he stood on the bench and she joined him as he pulled the curtains. "Elen sila lumenn omentilmo!" They landed in a large, circular stone room with wooden bleachers encircling a platform. To one side there were seven chairs, the one in the centre larger than the others were.

"If you want to go to where the Grey Knights are, pull the curtains and say 'A star shall shine on the hour of our meeting.' It'll take you to wherever they are," he whispered, leading her to sit on the quickly filling risers.

They took their seats and Tonks, her hair mouse brown and curly, and a tall, dark-haired Knight named Ethan Rosier sat down next to them, greeting them with matching expressions of mischief. Tonks tripped over the riser on the way down and almost toppled over until Ginny caught her arm and pulled her upright. Tonks smiled, with a quick, "Wotcher, Ginny," and began speaking to a tiny, white-haired witch behind her. Finally, it seemed that most of the Knights had arrived and the Council filed in. It was comprised of Morick, Master of the Grey, and the six oldest Knights, all with solemn expressions.

Morick stood and addressed the assembly. "We are gathered here tonight to discuss our involvement in this war between Light and Dark. Death Eaters have imprisoned John Davies. Davies was working for the Order of the Phoenix at the time of his capture and though Avery and Rosier tried to protect him, they were unsuccessful. We will now hear your views." He sat and waited.

There was a brief moment of silence and then Roger Davies stood and walked to the platform in the centre. "John Davies is my father and one of us. We have pledged our loyalty to each other and I wish to ask the Council permission to retrieve him."

Ethan Rosier stood and said, "If the Council will grant permission, I will accompany you. I have failed in my duty to your father." His striking blue eyes shone clearly and his bearing was proud as he stared at Roger Davies.

Roger acknowledged his speech and he sat down. Ginny was shocked. This was Ethan Rosier, son of Evan Rosier, one of the most feared Death Eaters even after his death. From the bits of information she was able to overhear, the son was quickly rising in the ranks and would soon take his father's place but here he was, planning to defy Voldemort and saying he had failed his duty to one of the Order. She hadn't really understood what they meant by loyalty until this moment. Ginny decided right then and there that she liked this Ethan Rosier, Death Eater or not. The fact that John Davies was working for the Order had only just registered and she glanced over her shoulder at Kingsley, a few risers up. He sat serenely, listening.

She returned her attention to the centre of the room where a man named Croaker was saying, "Davies was working for the Light when he was captured, he knew what might happen."

"Davies chose to throw in his lot with the Light, we should not interfere," a young, blonde witch said.

"Any allegiances we make to either side do not matter. Our first loyalty is to the Grey," Kingsley's deep voice came booming from behind her.

Ginny heard Tonks say next to her, "He is right. I wish to volunteer my services if the Council shall approve."

"No. This is not our fight," another replied.

"One of our own was taken. We have sworn loyalty to each other," Jonathan Avery said. "I know full well what they are capable of and I will not leave one of our brothers to die."

Draco stood, "I know that thus far we have chosen to remain neutral in the war between Light and Dark. But they are right. Our first priority is our comrade. I suggest that we send those who have volunteered to retrieve him and-."

Voices broke out and Morick raised his hand for silence looking curiously at Draco, "Let the young man finish."

"Thank you, sir. I suggest that we only send them to retrieve him. We do not fight with either side, a rescue mission only. And we make sure that Davies understands that we will not save him again if he allows himself to be captured," Draco finished and sat back down next to Ginny, his grey eyes fixed upon Morick's green ones that were studying the row of young people next to Draco.

She studied Draco for a moment before standing and saying, "I agree." She could feel Morick's eyes upon her and became intensely interested in her lap until she knew he had moved on. Tonks, Rosier, and Kingsley were next to voice their consent. Soon, the Knights were standing and giving their opinion 'yes' or 'no.' The Council members were whispering furiously among themselves and finally, Morick stood and made his way to the platform.

"I think all of us are in agreement that we shall remain neutral in this war," there were grunts of protest from all sides. "But, as so many have pointed out, our first loyalty is to each other. The Council has decided to grant permission to Ethan Rosier, Nymphadora Tonks, and Roger Davies to go and bring our comrade back. This is a rescue mission only," he admonished them. "You may fight only in self-defence and you must understand that if you are also imprisoned, no one will be coming to retrieve you."

The three of them had come to stand in front of Morick and they nodded their consent. "This meeting is done. Tenna' ento lye omenta." The Knights began to filter out of the room. Ginny stood with Draco near the three who were going in search of John Davies. She could hear them talking in low voices about their plans.

Tonks turned to look at them and Ginny hugged her, "Please be careful."

She laughed, "I'll be alright, Gin." Tonks hugged Draco too and said, "Take her home. Tell Dumbledore that I'll be at Hogwarts soon."

He nodded and led Ginny toward the door. He took her hand as they stepped through saying, "Lema ed' templa Hogwarts!" They landed on the bench at Hogwarts and he released her hand, leaning against the wall beside her. She was a bit bewildered to find that she missed the warmth and comfort his nearness brought. It was bewildering to think that he gave her any warmth and comfort in the first place. Ginny quickly decided that she was simply more worried than she had previously thought.

She glanced over at him, the light from the torches on the walls flickering over his face. It reminded her of something she couldn't quite grasp. "What do you think is going to happen?" she asked quietly.

"The world as we know it is going to hell in a handbasket."

"How optimistic," she rolled her eyes.

He shrugged, "Well, it is. I'm tired. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon, Weasley." He disappeared again, leaving Ginny to her thoughts. She turned so that she was sitting with her legs up on the seat and stared out the window, her light auburn hair falling lightly over her cheek. Ginny hadn't eaten much at dinner, so she was hungry, but didn't feel like to going to the kitchen. She didn't want to go back to the dormitories because she didn't feel like putting up with her brother and his friends. She didn't feel like doing anything or being around anyone. Her worries had seemed overwhelming earlier, but now she felt that she could drown in them.

Today had been the most awful day she had had in a long time. She felt that if anyone else even looked at her right now, she would scream. That seemed like a good idea anyway. She ran her fingers through her hair, rubbing her head wildly, and sighed. Ginny stood and kicked her boots off and removed her robe. Not wanting to be available for anyone to bother her, she pulled the curtains, enclosing herself in a grey cocoon. She stretched out on the bench again and covered herself with her robe, thinking and idly fingering the star she wore around her neck.

~&~

Ginny woke late in the morning to the sounds of rain pelting the windowsill where she sat. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, wondering briefly where she was. Then she remembered everything that had happened last night. She didn't know how long she sat there after waking, but knew that eventually her stomach would not let her remain there. She gathered her clothing and headed to her room. Thankfully, the common room was nearly deserted and no one asked any questions. When she reached the bedroom, she heard soft noises coming from within. It sounded like someone crying. Tentatively, she opened the door to find Luna lying facedown on her bed, crying into her pillows. Ginny threw her things on her bed and padded softly over to sit down on the bed beside Luna.

Luna looked up as she felt Ginny begin to rub her back in comforting circles and gasped through her tears, "Ginny? I'm sorry, I just-."

Ginny interrupted her, "Shh, don't be sorry. What's wrong?"

The other girl leaned up on her elbows and wiped at her eyes, "It's just- I mean, well, everything. This war, Voldemort, Harry, everything." She glanced fearfully up at Ginny with her pale eyes and whispered, "And- and I miss him, Ginny. I miss him so much and I worry about him all the time." With that, she buried her head in her pillows once more, her small frame wracked with sobs.

At the sight of her friend's pain, tears began to form in the corners of Ginny's eyes as she lay down next to Luna, pulling her close to cuddle her, offering comfort as best she knew how. Luna turned and wrapped her arms around Ginny, burying her face in her friend's shoulder. Ginny stroked her straggly dirty-blonde hair and whispered comforting noises as they cried together. Slowly, Luna's sobs became fewer and less frequent, she whispered, "Thank you, Ginny. You're a good friend and I love you. Even if you did tease me before and still do sometimes."

Ginny kissed her on the forehead and smilingly replied, "I'm sorry about that, but we're friends now and I love you too, Luna. Even if you do wear orange radishes for earrings."

Luna lifted her head, returning Ginny's kiss, and gave her small, sad smile before they both drifted slowly off to sleep.