The Lady's Apprentice

Chapter III: The Castle Perimonath

"It is almost time," said Haltan, when the light dulled to a faint green glow.

"Time for what?" asked Ginny, sounding a little afraid.

"Our departure," Haltan replied. "The portkey has called out to the others, they are on their way. We will leave very soon."

"I'm not going anywhere," Draco said stubbornly, "and you can't force me."

"But the portkey can force you," said Haltan. "Do not struggle, it'll be no use."

"Someone had better explain all this to me," said Ginny. "I don't understand what's going on."

"But your companion does," said Haltan. "He will be kind enough to explain, once we arrive at the castle."

"I will not," said Draco. "And I'm not going, so I can't explain anyway."

Three horses bearing men galloped into the clearing. The men all jumped down from their horses without a word or command. What happened next occurred very quickly: the pyramid in Ginny's hand flew up into the air, emitting a green light and the clearing disappeared from view. For a few seconds, all that could be seen was a blinding green light, and all that could be felt was the sensation of travelling by portkey, like a hook behind the navel being pulled.

And as suddenly as it had started, the light ceased and the pulling stopped.

Ginny and Draco were thrown onto a cold stone floor. Draco sat up, looking around in disbelief.

"I don't believe this," he said. "Look what you've gone and done Weasley. My father isn't going to be happy."

Ginny rubbed her eyes, finding it hard to adjust to the dimness of the room. Finally, she looked around at her surroundings. She sat on the floor of a room that resembled the Gryffindor common room, with its squashy armchairs and crackling fire. The room contained one sofa, red in colour, a rocking chair, and two red armchairs which looked very comfortable. The men who had also been in the clearing at the time of the second blinding green flash were nowhere to be seen, and neither were their horses.

"Are you happy, Weasley?" asked Draco. "We're... we're somewhere that isn't Hogwarts and it's all your fault. Stupid Weasley, how could you be so foolish? Keeping a portkey leading to here without even knowing it..."

"I'm sorry Malfoy," said Ginny. "But if you hadn't chased me into that clearing, neither of us would be here. I think it's your fault."

"You're the one who had the bloody portkey," Draco shouted. "I can't believe anyone could be such an idiot! What the Hell did you think it was?"

"I didn't know," said Ginny through clenched teeth. "But even if I did have the portkey, it's your own fault you're here! No one told you to follow me."

"So you knew where you were going the whole time," said Draco, throwing up his arms, voice taking on a condemning tone. "And you dragged me here with you. Just what the hell is going on?"

"I don't know," said Ginny. "You're the one who knows everything about Perimonath!"

"But I wasn't the one with the portkey!" said Draco. "This is all some silly, absurd dream isn't it?"

Ginny looked at him blankly.

"Isn't it?!" he shouted.

Ginny flinched. "I don't think it is," she said. "I don't know what this is, but I want it to end."

"And you think I don't?" said Draco.

"Could you just explain all the Perimonath stuff to me?" Ginny asked. "It doesn't look like we're going anywhere."

"You've got some nerve," Draco said, "some nerve, Weasley."

"But we have nothing else to do," Ginny pleaded. "And maybe if I understood this better, I could find a way out."

"You'd better find a way out," said Draco. "And once you do, you're dead."

"Please," said Ginny, "tell me about the Perimonath."

Draco sighed. "It's this stupid thing," he said. "This group of people who strive to save the world from evil. Then there's the Nargarorth, the greatest evil. It's so bad it makes Voldemort look like a fluffy bunny wearing a doll's dress, or so my mother said. I'd like to fight for the Nargarorth, if it's even real, which I doubt, but they not only kill Muggles, but useless pure-bloods like you too. But the Perimonath are always trying to defeat the Nargarorth, who wants to plunge the world into despair, and make everyone a servant. The Lady of Nargarorth has legions of men fighting the powers of good."

"But if the Perimonath is real, then the Nargarorth must be too," said Ginny. "And I want no part of any of it."

"But who says any of it's real?" said Draco. "It's all one horrible dream, all of this."

"But we're here!" said Ginny. "Look around! We aren't in a dream, we're in reality! This is a real place, and we're really here!"

"Then where's that man?" asked Draco. "That Haltan?"

"I don't know," said Ginny. "But I'll bet he's here somewhere. This is probably the castle he said we were going to. Maybe he ended up somewhere else; that wasn't a normal portkey, you know."

"I know it wasn't normal," said Draco, "but this isn't a normal dream."

"It's not a dream," said Ginny.

"Yes it is," Draco said insolently. "Perimonath isn't real, and neither is Nargarorth, because if it was, my father would be part of one of the Nargarorth Legions."

"It is real," said Ginny. "It's as real as you and I!"

"But how real are we?" said Draco. "This is madness, Weasley!"

"I know it is," said Ginny. "And it's all real. We're here in Castle Perimonath and we're going to fight Nargarorth."

"We most certainly are not," said Draco. "You can fight all you want, but I'm joining the Nargarorth Legions; it only makes sense. And then when we defeat you, this dream will be over, and everything will be back to normal, and I can't wait."

Just then, a person stepped through the fireplace. He was dressed in armour, like Haltan, and he wore a helmet on his head, which he removed upon seeing Ginny, looking at her adoringly.

"The fire of my heart has rekindled at the very sight of you," he said, bowing. He looked young, very young, Ginny guessed that he was about seventeen. He had dark blonde hair cut shorter than Haltan's, and deep blue eyes. "Just when I had lost all hope, my father told me of your arrival. He found you in just the nick of time, and glad am I that he did."

"Is Haltan your father?" Ginny asked, though her voice sounded shy.

He nodded. "And I am Ferton," he said.

Ginny got to her feet. "Ginny," she said, holding out a shaky hand, "Ginny Weasley."

Ferton took her hand and kissed it. "Oh, Lady of Perimonath," he said, "you have restored my hope for life. I was beginning to feel lost, but now that you are here, I am found again."

"What a nutcase," Draco muttered, arms folded across his chest. "Such terrible pick up lines."

Ginny glared at Draco.

"And this young man is your apprentice?" said Ferton, nodding at Draco.

"I don't know," said Ginny.

"No, I'm not," said Draco stubborn as ever. "I'm a servant of Nargarorth, and I'm here to kill you all."

Ferton laughed. "He has a sense of humour," he said. "We'll need such a thing in days of war."

"War?" Ginny said, voice tense. "Could you please, if it isn't a bother, explain what's going on? Why am I here?"

"The War of Nargarorth has begun," Ferton explained in a grim tone. "In about a fortnight, the evil queen of Nargarorth will send out troops to destroy all our lives. They will no find Perimonath, lest they learn our ways, but they can harm all else. We can't let it happen, and you, lady, will stop the destruction."

"How will I?" Ginny asked. "I haven't even finished my first term of fifth year!"

"You are the chosen one," said Ferton. "And the mirror never lies."

"Mirror?" said Ginny.

"The Mirror of Erecnis," said Ferton. "You are the rightful Lady of Perimonath, and you will lead us in battle."

"I can't," said Ginny. "I don't see it happening."

"It is already happening," said Ferton. "Your apprentice and you have arrived, have you not?"

"But we shouldn't be here," said Ginny. "We don't want to be here; we're supposed to be at school!"

"And we can't work together," said Draco. "We're not on the same side: a Slytherin and a Gryffindor, a Malfoy and a Weasley, a Death Eater's son and a Mudblood lover's daughter; we're born enemies."

"Born enemies you may be," said Ferton, "but you may also be chosen friends."

"I belong to the dark side," said Draco, sounding important. "I belong with Voldemort and with my father, on the dark side."

Ferton let out another laugh. "Voldemort and your father," he said, "they are on our side, against the Lady of Nargarorth."

"What?" said Draco. "No they aren't."

"They are," said Ferton. "They fight alongside us. Your father is Lucius, no?"

"Yes," said Draco, with such arrogance it was as though he were proclaiming himself king of the universe. "You don't mean to tell me he's turned all soft?"

"No, no," said Ferton. "He is still a murderer, an evil hater of Muggles; but he fights against the true darkness, as do all men."

"But what about the Legions of Nargarorth?" said Draco. "Aren't they men?"

"Oh no," said Ferton in a hushed tone. "They are not men at all. They are evil wretches called blunks, a mocking creation. Men burned on the inside, heartless, even more so than Lord Voldemort. They feel no hurt, they feel no emotion and they are far from men, Draco, far from men."

"Did you just call me Draco?" asked Draco in surprise.

"It is your name," said Ferton.

"But I didn't tell you that," said Draco. "How did you know?"

"You'd be surprised at what I know," said Ferton. "But that is not important just now."

"What's important just now?" Ginny queried.

"Sleep," Ferton replied. "I shall show you to your chamber, lady, if you will follow me."

"And what about me?" asked Draco. "Where do I sleep?"

"You sleep with the horses," said Ferton. "Out in the stables."

"What?!" said Draco. "I will not sleep in the stables!"

Ferton laughed again. "I have a sense of humour as well, Draco," he said. "Unfortunately not as grand as yours. You will sleep in the chamber set out for you, I'm certain it'll be to your liking."

"All right," said Draco. "But I'll tell you now, I'm not going to sleep. I don't trust you, Ferton, not one bit."

"So you shouldn't," said Ferton. "And don't sleep if you do not wish to, I can still throttle you while you wake."

Draco looked uneasy.

"Come first, lady," said Ferton. "Draco, please wait here until my return." And he walked to the fire, Ginny behind him. Hanging by the fire were three small pails. Ferton placed his hand in the first pail, from which he took a sprinkle of yellow dust. He threw the dust into the fire, which glowed golden. "Master Chamber," he said, vanishing into the fire.

Ginny hesitated for a moment before taking a pinch of the dust.

"Don't do it," said Draco. "You don't know what he'll do to you or where he's leading you."

"And why do you care?" Ginny asked. "I thought you hoped I would die."

"Fine then," said Draco. "Die if you want."

"I'm here for a reason," said Ginny, "and whether you want to believe this is real or not is up to you, but I know this is real, and the fate of the world depends on me. There's no Harry Potter here to save us, there's no Voldemort here to cause terror, this is much worse, and it's been appointed to me to save the world."

"You're living in a dream life," said Draco. "And keep on dreaming, Weasley. Keep on dreaming until it kills you. And I'll be there at the end to laugh at you and tell you I told you so. You're defenceless, and that Ferton fellow will take advantage of that, you know."

"Not everyone's like you," said Ginny. "I can trust Ferton, I just know I can. Not everyone thinks like you, least of all Ferton."

"You barely know him," said Draco, "yet you can judge him all the same?"

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were acting rather protective," said Ginny, before flinging the dust into the fire and stepping in. "Master Chamber," she muttered, vanishing into the flames, leaving Draco alone in the room.

Draco stood alone in the silence for a few moments until Ferton returned through the fire, alone.

"Hello Draco," he said. "Now we'll go to your chamber."

"I won't go," said Draco. "I still don't trust you, as I said."

"Now I know you don't trust me," said Ferton, "but I won't throttle you, awake or asleep."

"I don't care about that," said Draco. "Your words are lies, and you have some nasty plan up your sleeve to do lord knows what to that repulsive Weasley."

Ferton looked taken aback. "Do not think these things of me," he said. "I would never attempt such a horrible deed!"

"And you're still a liar," said Draco. "All that you said about blunks, they don't feel hurt or emotion, that's just like Death Eaters. So the Death Eaters are on the dark side, and you're only lying to me, and what for?"

"Your father speaks of you with pride," said Ferton. "And I see why. You're a clever one, Draco, but is it in cleverness to condemn your friends?"

"You aren't my friend," said Draco. "I'd never make friends with someone like you."

"A true Death Eater in the heart," said Ferton. "But any true Death Eater would know when to join the side of those he normally hates to fight a greater evil."

"So it's enemies joining together to battle a greater enemy is it?" said Draco. "I don't believe it for a second. How come we've never heard of any of this before?"

"Because all this time we awaited your arrival," said Ferton. "Yours and the lady's."

"Stop calling her that," said Draco, annoyed. "She has a name, and you ought to use it."

"Finally you and Ginny have arrived," said Ferton. "And now we can devise a battle plan; Death Eaters and Muggle-lovers alike."

"Why did my father never say anything?" Draco asked. "And why was I always led to believe that Nargarorth was my side?"

"Fairy tale is much different to reality," said Ferton. "In fairy tale you could be an evil villain, when in reality, you could be the hero who saves the world."

"I want to speak with my father," said Draco. "I want to confirm all this cock and bull you feed me."

"Very well," said Ferton, and he went to the fireplace. He took a pinch of purple dust from the second pail hanging by the fire. He sprinkled the dust into the fire, and gestured to Draco to join him.

"Just say Malfoy Manor," Ferton told Draco, "and speak with your father."

Draco stuck his head into the fire, feeling that familiar warm breeze. "Malfoy Manor," he said.

As Draco watched, the fire before him solidified into a place he knew all too well. He looked in at the Dining Room at his own house. His mother and father were seated at the long dining table, just finishing their evening meal.

"Father?" said Draco.

Lucius looked up. "Draco," he said, "is there a reason you're here?"

"I'm at Castle Perimonath, if there's such a thing," said Draco, "and there's this madman here who's trying to convince me that I'm supposed to be the apprentice of the Lady of Perimonath."

"You are the chosen apprentice?" said Lucius, with mild surprise. "My, my, now this is interesting. But for a castle built by Gryffindor, I suppose such an asset as my son is a great improvement."

"Gryffindor?" said Draco. "So I'm really not supposed to be here. I knew it!"

"No, no, it was only built by that filth," said Lucius. "About a thousand years ago. But like it or not, Slytherin pledged allegiance to Gryffindor along with the rest of the world."

"That isn't how mother told me the story," said Draco.

"I lied," said Narcissa. "If you want the real story, I'll tell it to you. Would you like that?"

"Yes, in fact, I'll be home in a few minutes," said Draco. "Just wait there for me."

"It isn't possible to escape that castle," said Lucius. "Not unless you can apparate, which you can't." He sounded grudgingly disappointed.

"I'll floo," said Draco. "Or I'll walk. I'll just find a way out, and then I'll... I'll..."

"Always endeavouring the impossible," said Lucius.

"This isn't real, is it?" said Draco.

Lucius looked mildly thoughtful for a few moments. "I think that's for you to answer," he said at last. "But even Voldemort sides with the Perimonath now, there's not much saving from Nargarorth."

"But I don't understand what's going on," said Draco. "Why do they want a couple of children shaping the future?"

"Perhaps a couple of stupid children is all we need," said Lucius. "Perhaps a couple of children to do our bidding is safer than four hundred knights."

"I'm coming home," said Draco. "Expect me there in a few minutes."

"You can't," said Lucius.

"And why not?" asked Draco. "Unless you aren't really my father, and if I did really go home, your stupid plan to get me on your side would be ruined." And without waiting for a reply, Draco pulled out of the fireplace and turned to face Ferton.

"Are you convinced?" Ferton asked.

"I'm on my way home," said Draco. "I'm not going to stay here only to be corrupted by your scheme for the good of man-kind or whatever it is you're trying to do."

"You mustn't go home, Draco," said Ferton. "Your place is here now, this is where you belong."

"No, I don't," said Draco. "And the first chance I get, I'm out." And then he stuck his hand into the third pail hanging by the fire, from which he took a pinch of green dust that he sprinkled into the fire. The fire glowed green as Draco stepped into it, saying, "Malfoy Manor."

For one wild second, Draco had actually though his escape plan was going to work. But this thought was very shortly cleared from his mind as the fireplace tossed him back. He fell hard on the stone floor, feeling a numb pain in his back.

"You shan't escape like that, Draco," said Ferton.

"Then that wasn't really my father," said Draco. "This place isn't even connected to the real Floo Network."

"It is complicated, Draco," said Ferton. "You cannot leave the castle completely."

"But my head can leave?" said Draco. "Which means my legs and arms and middle should also be able to leave."

"Not quite," said Ferton.

"You're just confusing matters," said Draco.

"There is only one fireplace in the castle connected to the floo network as you know it," said Ferton. "I doubt you should ever find it, as it's nearly impossible to come across, and very few use it. Disapparation is the only other way out, and you cannot apparate."

"But-that's... that isn't..." Draco spluttered.

"Exactly," said Ferton. "Now will you be off to bed, in the castle?"

"No," said Draco. "I'll stay right here and find a way out of this accursed castle."

"As you wish," said Ferton. "But you cannot climb out of the window in this chamber, just to warn you."

"Get lost," said Draco.

"I doubt I will," said Ferton. "I'll be in the stables, should you wish to find me."

"You have a fireplace in the stables?" Draco asked.

"The horses need warmth," said Ferton. Then he dug his hand into the third pail by the fireplace, taking a pinch of green dust and throwing it into the fire, which turned bright emerald just before Ferton stepped into the fireplace and said, "The stables," and disappeared.

"Pillock," Draco muttered, getting to his feet and strolling to the window. He opened the window, welcoming a blast of cool air. He looked outside, seeing a field of what appeared to be wheat lying still in the dark of the night.

"What a view," he muttered, before attempting to climb through the window. Unfortunately, no ledge of any sort surrounded the window, which was about twelve stories high. All the worse, the outer wall was almost perfectly smooth stone.

Draco cursed under his breath as he climbed back into the window, slamming it down onto the sill. Then a thought struck him. Hurriedly, he took some of the green floo powder from the third pail hanging by the fireplace and flung it into flames. "The stables," he said, stepping into the fire.

He stepped out of a grate into a dimly lit barn, a rather strange place for a fireplace. Ferton stood before him as he arrived, a satisfied smirk on his face.

"So you've arrived at last," Ferton said amusedly.

Draco said nothing.

"And I suppose you plan to escape from here?" said Ferton. "You'll be running through fields for at least an hour before you reach the gates, where the guards will stop you and send you back to me."

"Or I might flit past the guards," said Draco.

"Try it," said Ferton. "Go on."

Draco looked into Ferton's bright blue eyes. He looked quite serious, but there was a playfulness about him.

"I don't like you," said Draco. "Not one bit."

"And you don't have to," said Ferton. "But I'm here for you on orders all the same."

"First thing tomorrow, I'm off," said Draco. "There's nothing you or any guards can do."

"And what about Ginny?" said Ferton. "Aren't you going to look out for her?"

"I really could care less," said Draco. "Do whatever you want with her."

"And so I shall," said Ferton. "Though I doubt she'll mind at all. In fact, your sworn enemy seems to have chosen me as a friend. It appears to have worked out, doesn't it? You've chosen your enemies, and they have befriended one another."

Draco scowled. "I don't care," he muttered. "And I'm not going to sleep, by the way, so you can't murder me tonight. And you won't get another chance, as I'll be gone before sunrise tomorrow."

"To your chamber," said Ferton.

"I have a question about the floo powder," said Draco, voice testing.

"This is the only place outside the castle to which you can floo," said Ferton, answering Draco's unasked question. "And no, the castle does not have doors." He knelt down before a wooden bucket containing green floo powder. He took a handful of this, more than necessary, and flung it into the fire. "Draco," he said, stepping into the fire.

"Draco?" Draco asked. "I get a whole chamber named after me?" He hesitated a moment before following Ferton, expecting to land in some horrendous torture chamber. Strangely enough, Draco was transported to a room resembling his own dormitory at Hogwarts, except this room did not have a single door.

Ferton was waiting for his arrival patiently, and when he did arrive, Ferton spoke. "Should nature call, you want to go to the lavatory," he said, "and be certain to pronounce it correctly. Breakfast will be served at eight o' clock in the dining room. It will be only Ginny and yourself breakfasting at this hour, as the knights will all have left by this time. Myself, I will be occupied with other businesses tomorrow. You can spend the day on explorations, but I warn you, do not endeavour another escape." And with that, he left, on his way to, "Haltan."

And so Draco was left alone, wondering whether or not he should sleep that night.