Fic, M, Uncovering Deceptions, 1/?
Title: Uncovering Deceptions
Character Pairing: Ginny/Draco/Blaise (eventually)
Rating: Strong M (attempted sexual assault)
Word Count: 3491
Summary: Ginny is feeling lost and alone. When she is attacked, she learns that everyone and everything isn't as it seems. Rated M for a reason folks. Eventually Ginny/Draco/Blaise...
Author's notes: It is AU as of HBP and DH. I am reposting this from ff.net after cleaning it up a bit. It was originally beta-ed by Kisou and this go round the lovely nbaeker is my beta.
Disclaimer: Nothing in the HP world is mine, sadly.
It Begins
(Thursday night)
“You have vowed your loyalty to Dumbledore and the Order?” Severus Snape asked. He already knew the answer. He believed Dumbledore, but he wanted to hear it from Draco, not a second hand-source - no matter how trustworthy that source may be. It was a test, really. He wanted to know how deep Draco's devotion to this very dangerous decision was. There was something more to the younger Malfoy, something Lucius had always lacked, and Severus had long hoped that it would inspire Draco to step out from Lucius' shadow and become his own man.
“Yes, sir, I did.”
“Why?” That was the crux of it. Why had Draco done this? Was it his Black blood coming to the surface? Was it because of Narcissa? Or someone else entirely?
“Why follow a half-blood madman?”
“Why indeed,” Snape replied dryly, fighting the urge to chuckle at the similarities between Draco and his 'more honorable' Black relations, namely Nymphadora and Sirius. Just because he and Sirius had never been anything but adversaries, that didn't stop Severus from admitting that what Black had done was downright amazing (and totally insane). “So, if forced to take the Mark, you are prepared to spy for the Order?”
“Yes, sir.”
“We will begin your lessons in Occlumency and Legilimency next week. I’ll meet you outside my private quarters Friday evening at eight.” And I'll truly find out your reasoning.
“Yes, sir.”
“Now, back to your rooms, Draco.”
--
Ginny was wandering around the dungeons trying to escape her nightmares. She knew it was incredibly stupid to wander down here. But there was less of a chance of Filch finding her here. All she had to do was stay away from the Slytherins.
“A little Weasel has come out to play?” a smarmy voice said from the shadows.
Tonight just isn’t my lucky night.
Ginny jumped and tried to run away, only to find herself pinned to the wall. He held her with one hand while the other searched for her wand. He gripped it, inches from her face, and snapped it in half.
“Oh, little Weasel, I think we’ll have some fun before you go.”
“Get off me!” she screamed as loudly as she could.
She was rewarded with a fist to her jaw. She heard a snap as the bone broke. She froze; her body and mind weren’t working correctly. She hadn’t felt terror like this since her first year. She couldn’t even whimper. Her mind began to shut down as she pulled into herself. Old memories flooded back even as her terror rose from her current predicament.
“See, no one will hear you,” he whispered menacingly as he ripped her robes.
--
“Did you hear that?” Draco asked.
“Bloody hell!”
They both raced out the door and down the corridor.
--
“I’ll have my way with you, blood traitor. No one will care.”
She could only stand, frozen and lightheaded from the pain and terror.
He ran his hand over her jumper before grasping the collar and ripping it.
“Petrificus Totalus!” Draco cried as he rounded the corner.
His spell hit its mark as the boy fell backwards.
“Crabbe,” he muttered angrily.
Snape had rushed forward to find Ginny still frozen with terror.
“Ginevra, it’s alright now. He won’t bother you again,” he said in an attempt to reassure her.
She whimpered, and he saw the bruise already forming along her jaw line.
“Draco will take you to the hospital wing,” Snape whispered so not to frighten her further. “He’s in the Order and trustworthy. You must trust the two of us.” He turned to see Draco kick Crabbe repeatedly in the ribs with a look of revulsion on his face. “Draco, take Ginevra to the hospital wing and don’t leave her alone until I arrive. I’ll take this filth to the Headmaster.”
“Yes, sir.” Draco had noticed her ripped clothing so he handed his robes to her quickly. “Put these on.”
She tentatively reached for them; her hands shook so badly that she couldn’t grip them. Tears poured down her face, obscuring her vision. She wanted away from the monster.
Draco wrapped the robes around her gently. “Come on. The sooner you’re away from him the better you’ll be.”
She slowly stepped away from the wall, but her legs gave out. Draco caught her instinctively and picked her up.
“I’ll not harm you,” he reassured her gently.
His tone as well as the fact he was willingly touching a Weasley comforted her for some reason; also, she remembered what Snape had whispered. She rested her head on his shoulder and nodded carefully. She wanted as far away from the monster as she could get. Draco Malfoy may not be her first choice, but he had saved her. He won’t hurt me.
“Stay with her, Draco, no matter who tells you to go. That is an order.”
“I will.” Draco turned and walked carefully down the corridor.
--
Draco glanced down at the crying, shaking girl in his arms. He didn’t understand why someone he had known since childhood would do something as repulsive as violating a woman. It was one of the plethora of reasons he refused to be a Death Eater.
Ginny was clutching his shirt, terrified that Crabbe would race after them and finish what he had started. She wanted to scream, but her jaw hurt so badly that she didn’t dare move it. All she could do was whimper as Filch stepped out of the shadows just like Crabbe had.
“What do we have here?”
“Sir,” Draco said with as much patience as he could muster, “I’m taking Miss Weasley to the hospital wing. Professor Snape will back up my story.”
Filch stepped closer, and Ginny gripped his shirt even more fiercely. She was shaking so much that Draco feared he would drop her. He was forced to tighten his hold as not to do just that.
“Step back, please. You’re scaring her.”
Filch seemed reluctant but let them pass.
“He’s gone,” Draco whispered.
She showed no sign of hearing him, so he quickened his pace and soon reached the hospital wing.
“Mr. Malfoy! What in Merlin’s name is going on?” Madam Pomfrey cried.
“She was attacked. Professor Snape is escorting her attacker to the Headmaster. When he’s done, he’ll tell you the full story. I’ve orders not to leave her side until he arrives,” Draco said rapidly. “I think he broke her jaw.”
“Set her on the bed,” Madam Pomfrey’s voice was gentle this time.
Ginny refused to let go. True, it was Draco Malfoy, but he had saved her. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her. In her terror, she had latched on to one of the two people she could trust, as odd as it was. No matter who it was, he had made the monster go away. He would take the monster away if he came back. He has to stay with me so that he can protect me.
Draco sighed and sat on the bed with her in his lap. He truly never would have imagined himself in this situation, but now that he was here he knew he would protect her, no matter her name. No one deserved to go through what she had tonight.
“Put her down,” Madam Pomfrey snapped. “If she’s been attacked, I have to check her over, and you’ll have to wait on the other side of the room.”
At this, Ginny shook her head ‘no’ as forcefully as she could manage. She winced as the movement made her jaw ache. The numbness was beginning to wear off and her arm and jaw were pounding with pain.
“Miss Weasley, I have to check you for wounds.”
Ginny turned her face to show the bruise as she renewed her grip on Draco’s shirt.
Madam Pomfrey stepped closer, gently placing the tip of her wand against the bruise. Ginny whimpered and tried to shy away from the woman.
“She’s terrified.”
“I know that,” Madam Pomfrey snarled. “I’m mending the broken bone.”
Less than five minutes later, Ginny moved her jaw experimentally. It felt sore but otherwise fine. “Thank you,” she whispered. “My arm is bruised…but that’s it.”
“May I look at the bruise?”
Ginny shrank back from her once again.
“No.” Her voice was still low and rough from the scream earlier.
“Leave her alone,” Draco said angrily.
“Alright, I’ll contact your brother now.”
“No, please don’t. I can’t handle him right now.”
Draco, at least, could hear the fear in her voice. Mentally cursing the meddling witch, he prepared for the onslaught.
“I have to, Miss Weasley.”
She didn’t trust the Malfoy boy one whit. ‘The girl needed her friends’, she decided as she hurried to her office to contact the Gryffindor common room.
“Bugger.”
Draco looked at her thoughtfully. “I thought you two got along.”
“No, he tries to run my life and alternatively ignores me,” she admitted softly. “Thank you, by the way.”
“Well, did you think I would stand there and let him continue?” Draco asked quietly.
She looked questionably up at him. “No, not really. Did you really join the Order?” she asked as quietly as possible.
“I’ll explain it to you later. Right now we have a bigger problem,” he said with a nod towards the door to Pomfrey’s office, which had just burst open.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione ran the length of the room.
“MALFOY, WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER? GET AWAY FROM HER RIGHT NOW!”
Hermione looked appalled and disgusted at the same time. Harry looked murderous.
“Draco didn’t do anything but save me,” Ginny said quietly as she stared at her lap.
“Get away from her,” Ron repeated angrily.
Ginny cringed.
“You’re scaring her, you prat,” Draco positively snarled. He tightened his grip on her; just enough to assure her that he wouldn’t let them take her away.
Ron stormed over to them and grabbed her arm, attempting to pull her off of Draco’s lap. Draco couldn’t pull him off or risk losing his grip on Ginny. He knew keeping her in place was more important at the moment. He knew she felt safe with him and keeping her safe was his first priority, no matter how much he wanted to punch the prat.
She let out blood curdling scream after blood curdling scream as she tried to pull away from Ron’s grip. Her eyes were wide and terrified. She was freezing up again and shaking from the memories of what had happened less than an hour before. She was gasping for breath now and clutching Draco’s arm as tightly as she could.
Ron dropped his hand and stepped back; confused and angry. “What the bloody hell are you playing at, Ginny?”
“She’s terrified, like I already told you.” Draco swiftly lost his patience.
“Come on, Ginny, we’ll take care of you,” Hermione said haughtily, making as if to grab her arm.
“No.” Her voice was so low that even Draco had a hard time hearing her.
“You’ve done something to her mind,” Harry accused.
Snape ran through the open door and to Ginny’s bedside, having heard her screams from the staircase. “What are you three doing here?”
“She’s my sister! Malfoy’s done something to her.”
“No, he hasn’t. He stopped the attacker as he and I raced to the source of the scream,” Snape snapped as he looked Ginny over carefully. “He’s already gone, Ginevra. He’s heading to the Ministry and on to Azkaban.”
She relaxed considerably at his reassuring words and tone. She had the only two people she could trust here now; she felt safer. They will protect me.
“I just want to try and sleep, Professor,” her voice was still a rough whisper.
“You three can go back to your dorms now,” Snape snarled.
“I’m not leaving Ginny with you two!” Ron said incredulously.
“Yes, you will, Mr. Weasley.” Dumbledore walked into the room. “Ginny will stay at least overnight. When she wants to see you, you’ll be contacted.”
“But…,” Ron said at a loss for words.
“Leave her with Malfoy?” Harry was dumbfounded.
“You three come to my office,” Dumbledore said. “May I explain, Mr. Malfoy?”
“Go ahead.” He was more concerned with getting them out of the room.
Dumbledore ushered the very unhappy trio out of the room, not allowing them to say another word.
“Ginevra, are you alright?” Snape asked, careful to stay a good distance from her.
“I will be,” she said quietly. “Thank you both. It was stupid of me to be wandering around down there.”
“It’s not your fault,” Draco stated, daring her to contradict him.
“My wand,” she said sadly. “He snapped my wand.”
She started to panic at the thought of not being able to defend herself if he came back. The fact that she hadn’t been able to defend herself with her wand had depressed her enough already. The thought of being completely wandless scared her even more. She started breathing deep and slow, just as she’d been taught and immediately felt herself calming. Too bad she hadn’t been able to think coherently enough to do that an hour ago.
“We’ll get you a new one,” Snape assured her. “Why don’t I see about getting you a gown so you can shower and then try and sleep?”
“Alright. You two have done so much for me.”
“Think nothing of it,” they replied at the same time.
Madam Pomfrey bustled over, surprise evident on her face. “Where is your brother?”
“Gone thankfully.”
“Miss Weasley!” Madam Pomfrey sounded scandalized.
“He was yelling and screaming, yet you did nothing,” Ginny spat. She felt her temper spike. “I was screaming bloody murder and you didn’t make him leave! Why? Am I that worthless? Does my health not matter when the trio is around?”
“I thought you would prefer family to Mr. Malfoy. I don’t appreciate your insinuations, Miss Weasley.”
“Both Draco and I will be staying with Ginevra, Poppy. If she could have a gown, we’ll step aside for her to shower and change.”
She stiffly handed Ginny a gown she had in her hand.
“If you have a problem with either of them,” Ginny said angrily. “Take it up with the Headmaster.”
“Miss Weasley, I’m only trying to help you.”
“Then please go and let me rest,” Ginny snapped. She really wanted Pomfrey away, far away before her temper exploded.
Huffing, Madam Pomfrey stomped towards her office. She had half a mind to contact the girl’s parents. There was something odd going on. Why on earth would the young woman not want such a kind and caring brother around? Why would she scream at him?
Draco set her on the bed as he and Snape pulled the screens around the bed.
Ginny, now shaking slightly again, shed Draco’s robes and her clothes underneath. She laid Draco’s robes across the chair and kicked her clothes away angrily; she never wanted to see them again. They slid across the floor and under the screen. She pulled on the robe Pomfrey had given her.
Snape picked up the clothes and carried them off to be disposed of.
Ginny slid the screen aside as he walked back up. After crossing the room and showering, she returned to the main room. She crawled into the bed and curled up under the covers unwilling to look anywhere but the sheets.
“How long will it be until the whole school knows about what happened?”
“We’ll keep it quiet,” Snape said softly.
“As if that will happen,” Draco ground out. Now was the time to prove what he’d decided earlier. He saved her once and truly wanted to keep her from facing that sort of attack ever again. “Consider me your new best mate, Ginevra. Some of my house mates will, unfortunately, try to retaliate.”
“I won’t allow it!”
“You won’t be able to stop all of them,” Ginny said quietly.
She knew the Slytherins would blame her. Everyone would blame her once the story got around the castle. Hell, she even blamed herself.
“Get some rest,” Draco urged her.
He sat in the chair that he had pulled up close to the bed.
“All right, I’ll try.”
She was completely drained of energy and worried what nightmares would come.
--
Both men waited until she was sound asleep before stepping away to discuss the situation in low whispers.
“Are you really willing to spend your time with her, Draco?”
“Yes,” Draco said sounding confused. “I feel overly protective of her now for some reason. I can’t explain it myself.”
Snape smirked to try and lighten the mood. “I know that you will do right by her.”
“No one deserves to go through what she has.”
“I understand,” Snape replied, this time in a more serious tone. “Is there anyone we can trust?”
“Zabini,” Draco said immediately. “He’s to talk to Dumbledore tomorrow about joining the Order. He is the only one I trust totally.”
“You’ll have to convince her that he’s trustworthy. I fear she won’t let anyone near her but the two of us. Who would have thought?”
“I would never have guessed it myself. The trio is livid; they’ll try to harass her endlessly.”
“Dumbledore will take care of that. I only hope no one contacts Molly and Arthur. They’ll definitely cause more trouble. Ginevra needs time and space to heal.”
“Why don’t we attempt to rest ourselves?”
“You two will be excused from classes tomorrow, at the very least. I’ve cleared it with the Headmaster already.”
“Thank you.” Draco moved to sit in the chair. He covered himself with the discarded robes and promptly fell asleep.
Snape watched the two young people sleep hours later. Had anyone told him that these two would bond, even in these horrible circumstances, he would have laughed. But somehow he knew that these two would be good for one another. He allowed himself a small smile at the thought of how much havoc this ‘relationship’ was sure to cause. It may even out do Peeves. He was startled as Ginny began to whimper in her sleep. He sat forward, but Draco was already murmuring to her.
“Ginevra, wake up. You’re having a nightmare. Come on, wake up, you’re safe here.”
He glanced over at the startled Snape.
Ginny’s eyes fluttered open and she sat up slowly. “Draco?”
He smiled. “None other. You were having a nightmare.”
“Thanks,” she whispered. “I don’t know if I want to go back to sleep after that.”
Draco sat on the edge of the bed. “You need your sleep.”
“Would you like a sleeping potion?” Snape asked quietly.
“No,” she said almost fearfully. She knew that only the most powerful potions would even stave off the worst of her nightmares and if it got back to Ron or her parents, she’d be in bigger trouble than she was currently.
Draco didn’t know what to do for her. He knew what it was like to wake up terrified, not from this kind of thing but still. He didn’t understand why he was feeling so protective; unless it was because he hated those who hurt women more than anyone else. It didn’t matter that she was a Weasley; he shed most of his upbringing when he decided to join the Order. It had been easier than he thought it would be. Not that he liked Weasel, Potter, or Granger any more now, but somehow Ginevra was different. She was, even if he only admitted it to himself, special to him and had been for some time. “What can we do to help you sleep better?”
She blushed. “I- I don’t know.”
Draco carefully slipped his hand into hers and leaned against the headboard. He was careful to keep space between them. He was willing to do anything, much to his shock, to help her.
“That better?” he asked teasingly, hoping to coax a smile from her.
She attempted to smile at her unlikely friend. “Thanks, Draco.”
“Just try and sleep.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and whispered, “I’m seeing a whole new side of Draco Malfoy,” as she drifted off to sleep.
“Indeed,” Snape replied softly.
Draco smirked at his Head of House. “I’m just full of surprises these days.”
“Prat… Get some sleep,” Snape replied with a smirk of his own.
2
Character Pairing: Ginny/Draco/Blaise (eventually)
Rating: Strong M (attempted sexual assault)
Word Count: 3491
Summary: Ginny is feeling lost and alone. When she is attacked, she learns that everyone and everything isn't as it seems. Rated M for a reason folks. Eventually Ginny/Draco/Blaise...
Author's notes: It is AU as of HBP and DH. I am reposting this from ff.net after cleaning it up a bit. It was originally beta-ed by Kisou and this go round the lovely nbaeker is my beta.
Disclaimer: Nothing in the HP world is mine, sadly.
It Begins
(Thursday night)
“You have vowed your loyalty to Dumbledore and the Order?” Severus Snape asked. He already knew the answer. He believed Dumbledore, but he wanted to hear it from Draco, not a second hand-source - no matter how trustworthy that source may be. It was a test, really. He wanted to know how deep Draco's devotion to this very dangerous decision was. There was something more to the younger Malfoy, something Lucius had always lacked, and Severus had long hoped that it would inspire Draco to step out from Lucius' shadow and become his own man.
“Yes, sir, I did.”
“Why?” That was the crux of it. Why had Draco done this? Was it his Black blood coming to the surface? Was it because of Narcissa? Or someone else entirely?
“Why follow a half-blood madman?”
“Why indeed,” Snape replied dryly, fighting the urge to chuckle at the similarities between Draco and his 'more honorable' Black relations, namely Nymphadora and Sirius. Just because he and Sirius had never been anything but adversaries, that didn't stop Severus from admitting that what Black had done was downright amazing (and totally insane). “So, if forced to take the Mark, you are prepared to spy for the Order?”
“Yes, sir.”
“We will begin your lessons in Occlumency and Legilimency next week. I’ll meet you outside my private quarters Friday evening at eight.” And I'll truly find out your reasoning.
“Yes, sir.”
“Now, back to your rooms, Draco.”
--
Ginny was wandering around the dungeons trying to escape her nightmares. She knew it was incredibly stupid to wander down here. But there was less of a chance of Filch finding her here. All she had to do was stay away from the Slytherins.
“A little Weasel has come out to play?” a smarmy voice said from the shadows.
Tonight just isn’t my lucky night.
Ginny jumped and tried to run away, only to find herself pinned to the wall. He held her with one hand while the other searched for her wand. He gripped it, inches from her face, and snapped it in half.
“Oh, little Weasel, I think we’ll have some fun before you go.”
“Get off me!” she screamed as loudly as she could.
She was rewarded with a fist to her jaw. She heard a snap as the bone broke. She froze; her body and mind weren’t working correctly. She hadn’t felt terror like this since her first year. She couldn’t even whimper. Her mind began to shut down as she pulled into herself. Old memories flooded back even as her terror rose from her current predicament.
“See, no one will hear you,” he whispered menacingly as he ripped her robes.
--
“Did you hear that?” Draco asked.
“Bloody hell!”
They both raced out the door and down the corridor.
--
“I’ll have my way with you, blood traitor. No one will care.”
She could only stand, frozen and lightheaded from the pain and terror.
He ran his hand over her jumper before grasping the collar and ripping it.
“Petrificus Totalus!” Draco cried as he rounded the corner.
His spell hit its mark as the boy fell backwards.
“Crabbe,” he muttered angrily.
Snape had rushed forward to find Ginny still frozen with terror.
“Ginevra, it’s alright now. He won’t bother you again,” he said in an attempt to reassure her.
She whimpered, and he saw the bruise already forming along her jaw line.
“Draco will take you to the hospital wing,” Snape whispered so not to frighten her further. “He’s in the Order and trustworthy. You must trust the two of us.” He turned to see Draco kick Crabbe repeatedly in the ribs with a look of revulsion on his face. “Draco, take Ginevra to the hospital wing and don’t leave her alone until I arrive. I’ll take this filth to the Headmaster.”
“Yes, sir.” Draco had noticed her ripped clothing so he handed his robes to her quickly. “Put these on.”
She tentatively reached for them; her hands shook so badly that she couldn’t grip them. Tears poured down her face, obscuring her vision. She wanted away from the monster.
Draco wrapped the robes around her gently. “Come on. The sooner you’re away from him the better you’ll be.”
She slowly stepped away from the wall, but her legs gave out. Draco caught her instinctively and picked her up.
“I’ll not harm you,” he reassured her gently.
His tone as well as the fact he was willingly touching a Weasley comforted her for some reason; also, she remembered what Snape had whispered. She rested her head on his shoulder and nodded carefully. She wanted as far away from the monster as she could get. Draco Malfoy may not be her first choice, but he had saved her. He won’t hurt me.
“Stay with her, Draco, no matter who tells you to go. That is an order.”
“I will.” Draco turned and walked carefully down the corridor.
--
Draco glanced down at the crying, shaking girl in his arms. He didn’t understand why someone he had known since childhood would do something as repulsive as violating a woman. It was one of the plethora of reasons he refused to be a Death Eater.
Ginny was clutching his shirt, terrified that Crabbe would race after them and finish what he had started. She wanted to scream, but her jaw hurt so badly that she didn’t dare move it. All she could do was whimper as Filch stepped out of the shadows just like Crabbe had.
“What do we have here?”
“Sir,” Draco said with as much patience as he could muster, “I’m taking Miss Weasley to the hospital wing. Professor Snape will back up my story.”
Filch stepped closer, and Ginny gripped his shirt even more fiercely. She was shaking so much that Draco feared he would drop her. He was forced to tighten his hold as not to do just that.
“Step back, please. You’re scaring her.”
Filch seemed reluctant but let them pass.
“He’s gone,” Draco whispered.
She showed no sign of hearing him, so he quickened his pace and soon reached the hospital wing.
“Mr. Malfoy! What in Merlin’s name is going on?” Madam Pomfrey cried.
“She was attacked. Professor Snape is escorting her attacker to the Headmaster. When he’s done, he’ll tell you the full story. I’ve orders not to leave her side until he arrives,” Draco said rapidly. “I think he broke her jaw.”
“Set her on the bed,” Madam Pomfrey’s voice was gentle this time.
Ginny refused to let go. True, it was Draco Malfoy, but he had saved her. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her. In her terror, she had latched on to one of the two people she could trust, as odd as it was. No matter who it was, he had made the monster go away. He would take the monster away if he came back. He has to stay with me so that he can protect me.
Draco sighed and sat on the bed with her in his lap. He truly never would have imagined himself in this situation, but now that he was here he knew he would protect her, no matter her name. No one deserved to go through what she had tonight.
“Put her down,” Madam Pomfrey snapped. “If she’s been attacked, I have to check her over, and you’ll have to wait on the other side of the room.”
At this, Ginny shook her head ‘no’ as forcefully as she could manage. She winced as the movement made her jaw ache. The numbness was beginning to wear off and her arm and jaw were pounding with pain.
“Miss Weasley, I have to check you for wounds.”
Ginny turned her face to show the bruise as she renewed her grip on Draco’s shirt.
Madam Pomfrey stepped closer, gently placing the tip of her wand against the bruise. Ginny whimpered and tried to shy away from the woman.
“She’s terrified.”
“I know that,” Madam Pomfrey snarled. “I’m mending the broken bone.”
Less than five minutes later, Ginny moved her jaw experimentally. It felt sore but otherwise fine. “Thank you,” she whispered. “My arm is bruised…but that’s it.”
“May I look at the bruise?”
Ginny shrank back from her once again.
“No.” Her voice was still low and rough from the scream earlier.
“Leave her alone,” Draco said angrily.
“Alright, I’ll contact your brother now.”
“No, please don’t. I can’t handle him right now.”
Draco, at least, could hear the fear in her voice. Mentally cursing the meddling witch, he prepared for the onslaught.
“I have to, Miss Weasley.”
She didn’t trust the Malfoy boy one whit. ‘The girl needed her friends’, she decided as she hurried to her office to contact the Gryffindor common room.
“Bugger.”
Draco looked at her thoughtfully. “I thought you two got along.”
“No, he tries to run my life and alternatively ignores me,” she admitted softly. “Thank you, by the way.”
“Well, did you think I would stand there and let him continue?” Draco asked quietly.
She looked questionably up at him. “No, not really. Did you really join the Order?” she asked as quietly as possible.
“I’ll explain it to you later. Right now we have a bigger problem,” he said with a nod towards the door to Pomfrey’s office, which had just burst open.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione ran the length of the room.
“MALFOY, WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER? GET AWAY FROM HER RIGHT NOW!”
Hermione looked appalled and disgusted at the same time. Harry looked murderous.
“Draco didn’t do anything but save me,” Ginny said quietly as she stared at her lap.
“Get away from her,” Ron repeated angrily.
Ginny cringed.
“You’re scaring her, you prat,” Draco positively snarled. He tightened his grip on her; just enough to assure her that he wouldn’t let them take her away.
Ron stormed over to them and grabbed her arm, attempting to pull her off of Draco’s lap. Draco couldn’t pull him off or risk losing his grip on Ginny. He knew keeping her in place was more important at the moment. He knew she felt safe with him and keeping her safe was his first priority, no matter how much he wanted to punch the prat.
She let out blood curdling scream after blood curdling scream as she tried to pull away from Ron’s grip. Her eyes were wide and terrified. She was freezing up again and shaking from the memories of what had happened less than an hour before. She was gasping for breath now and clutching Draco’s arm as tightly as she could.
Ron dropped his hand and stepped back; confused and angry. “What the bloody hell are you playing at, Ginny?”
“She’s terrified, like I already told you.” Draco swiftly lost his patience.
“Come on, Ginny, we’ll take care of you,” Hermione said haughtily, making as if to grab her arm.
“No.” Her voice was so low that even Draco had a hard time hearing her.
“You’ve done something to her mind,” Harry accused.
Snape ran through the open door and to Ginny’s bedside, having heard her screams from the staircase. “What are you three doing here?”
“She’s my sister! Malfoy’s done something to her.”
“No, he hasn’t. He stopped the attacker as he and I raced to the source of the scream,” Snape snapped as he looked Ginny over carefully. “He’s already gone, Ginevra. He’s heading to the Ministry and on to Azkaban.”
She relaxed considerably at his reassuring words and tone. She had the only two people she could trust here now; she felt safer. They will protect me.
“I just want to try and sleep, Professor,” her voice was still a rough whisper.
“You three can go back to your dorms now,” Snape snarled.
“I’m not leaving Ginny with you two!” Ron said incredulously.
“Yes, you will, Mr. Weasley.” Dumbledore walked into the room. “Ginny will stay at least overnight. When she wants to see you, you’ll be contacted.”
“But…,” Ron said at a loss for words.
“Leave her with Malfoy?” Harry was dumbfounded.
“You three come to my office,” Dumbledore said. “May I explain, Mr. Malfoy?”
“Go ahead.” He was more concerned with getting them out of the room.
Dumbledore ushered the very unhappy trio out of the room, not allowing them to say another word.
“Ginevra, are you alright?” Snape asked, careful to stay a good distance from her.
“I will be,” she said quietly. “Thank you both. It was stupid of me to be wandering around down there.”
“It’s not your fault,” Draco stated, daring her to contradict him.
“My wand,” she said sadly. “He snapped my wand.”
She started to panic at the thought of not being able to defend herself if he came back. The fact that she hadn’t been able to defend herself with her wand had depressed her enough already. The thought of being completely wandless scared her even more. She started breathing deep and slow, just as she’d been taught and immediately felt herself calming. Too bad she hadn’t been able to think coherently enough to do that an hour ago.
“We’ll get you a new one,” Snape assured her. “Why don’t I see about getting you a gown so you can shower and then try and sleep?”
“Alright. You two have done so much for me.”
“Think nothing of it,” they replied at the same time.
Madam Pomfrey bustled over, surprise evident on her face. “Where is your brother?”
“Gone thankfully.”
“Miss Weasley!” Madam Pomfrey sounded scandalized.
“He was yelling and screaming, yet you did nothing,” Ginny spat. She felt her temper spike. “I was screaming bloody murder and you didn’t make him leave! Why? Am I that worthless? Does my health not matter when the trio is around?”
“I thought you would prefer family to Mr. Malfoy. I don’t appreciate your insinuations, Miss Weasley.”
“Both Draco and I will be staying with Ginevra, Poppy. If she could have a gown, we’ll step aside for her to shower and change.”
She stiffly handed Ginny a gown she had in her hand.
“If you have a problem with either of them,” Ginny said angrily. “Take it up with the Headmaster.”
“Miss Weasley, I’m only trying to help you.”
“Then please go and let me rest,” Ginny snapped. She really wanted Pomfrey away, far away before her temper exploded.
Huffing, Madam Pomfrey stomped towards her office. She had half a mind to contact the girl’s parents. There was something odd going on. Why on earth would the young woman not want such a kind and caring brother around? Why would she scream at him?
Draco set her on the bed as he and Snape pulled the screens around the bed.
Ginny, now shaking slightly again, shed Draco’s robes and her clothes underneath. She laid Draco’s robes across the chair and kicked her clothes away angrily; she never wanted to see them again. They slid across the floor and under the screen. She pulled on the robe Pomfrey had given her.
Snape picked up the clothes and carried them off to be disposed of.
Ginny slid the screen aside as he walked back up. After crossing the room and showering, she returned to the main room. She crawled into the bed and curled up under the covers unwilling to look anywhere but the sheets.
“How long will it be until the whole school knows about what happened?”
“We’ll keep it quiet,” Snape said softly.
“As if that will happen,” Draco ground out. Now was the time to prove what he’d decided earlier. He saved her once and truly wanted to keep her from facing that sort of attack ever again. “Consider me your new best mate, Ginevra. Some of my house mates will, unfortunately, try to retaliate.”
“I won’t allow it!”
“You won’t be able to stop all of them,” Ginny said quietly.
She knew the Slytherins would blame her. Everyone would blame her once the story got around the castle. Hell, she even blamed herself.
“Get some rest,” Draco urged her.
He sat in the chair that he had pulled up close to the bed.
“All right, I’ll try.”
She was completely drained of energy and worried what nightmares would come.
--
Both men waited until she was sound asleep before stepping away to discuss the situation in low whispers.
“Are you really willing to spend your time with her, Draco?”
“Yes,” Draco said sounding confused. “I feel overly protective of her now for some reason. I can’t explain it myself.”
Snape smirked to try and lighten the mood. “I know that you will do right by her.”
“No one deserves to go through what she has.”
“I understand,” Snape replied, this time in a more serious tone. “Is there anyone we can trust?”
“Zabini,” Draco said immediately. “He’s to talk to Dumbledore tomorrow about joining the Order. He is the only one I trust totally.”
“You’ll have to convince her that he’s trustworthy. I fear she won’t let anyone near her but the two of us. Who would have thought?”
“I would never have guessed it myself. The trio is livid; they’ll try to harass her endlessly.”
“Dumbledore will take care of that. I only hope no one contacts Molly and Arthur. They’ll definitely cause more trouble. Ginevra needs time and space to heal.”
“Why don’t we attempt to rest ourselves?”
“You two will be excused from classes tomorrow, at the very least. I’ve cleared it with the Headmaster already.”
“Thank you.” Draco moved to sit in the chair. He covered himself with the discarded robes and promptly fell asleep.
Snape watched the two young people sleep hours later. Had anyone told him that these two would bond, even in these horrible circumstances, he would have laughed. But somehow he knew that these two would be good for one another. He allowed himself a small smile at the thought of how much havoc this ‘relationship’ was sure to cause. It may even out do Peeves. He was startled as Ginny began to whimper in her sleep. He sat forward, but Draco was already murmuring to her.
“Ginevra, wake up. You’re having a nightmare. Come on, wake up, you’re safe here.”
He glanced over at the startled Snape.
Ginny’s eyes fluttered open and she sat up slowly. “Draco?”
He smiled. “None other. You were having a nightmare.”
“Thanks,” she whispered. “I don’t know if I want to go back to sleep after that.”
Draco sat on the edge of the bed. “You need your sleep.”
“Would you like a sleeping potion?” Snape asked quietly.
“No,” she said almost fearfully. She knew that only the most powerful potions would even stave off the worst of her nightmares and if it got back to Ron or her parents, she’d be in bigger trouble than she was currently.
Draco didn’t know what to do for her. He knew what it was like to wake up terrified, not from this kind of thing but still. He didn’t understand why he was feeling so protective; unless it was because he hated those who hurt women more than anyone else. It didn’t matter that she was a Weasley; he shed most of his upbringing when he decided to join the Order. It had been easier than he thought it would be. Not that he liked Weasel, Potter, or Granger any more now, but somehow Ginevra was different. She was, even if he only admitted it to himself, special to him and had been for some time. “What can we do to help you sleep better?”
She blushed. “I- I don’t know.”
Draco carefully slipped his hand into hers and leaned against the headboard. He was careful to keep space between them. He was willing to do anything, much to his shock, to help her.
“That better?” he asked teasingly, hoping to coax a smile from her.
She attempted to smile at her unlikely friend. “Thanks, Draco.”
“Just try and sleep.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and whispered, “I’m seeing a whole new side of Draco Malfoy,” as she drifted off to sleep.
“Indeed,” Snape replied softly.
Draco smirked at his Head of House. “I’m just full of surprises these days.”
“Prat… Get some sleep,” Snape replied with a smirk of his own.
2