Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of his little friends...blah blah blah.

“Where am I?”
“Tell me where to find Potter,” a man hissed.
The young woman strained to open her eyes against the bright light. Her head throbbed, the pain pulsing throughout her body. As her eyes focused she noticed a hooded figure, tall and built.
“Who’s…who ‘spotter?” the woman slurred.
“Who is Potter? Who is Potter? You must be kidding. Tell me unless you want another taste of the Cruciatus Curse!” The man was unnerved to see the youngest Weasley appeared confused. Thinking back an hour ago the man understood her strength, but he thought he had broken her spirit.
Completely baffled, Ginny thought she might cry. All she wanted was sleep, but when she tried to roll over on the musty mattress she felt restrained. With wrists and ankles bound, she could only squirm and wiggle her fingers and toes. Stay calm, she told herself. I will remember everything soon.
“Tell me, you filth, where is Potter, and what is the Order planning next?”
The Order?” That sounded familiar.
“Crucio!” shrieked the man.
Pain…
~
“Ugh...” Ginny tried again to roll over in her small bed. Even lit by one candle, the room’s dull light hurt her eyes. A pitiful moan escaped her lips as she tried to curl into a ball, to disappear.
“Sir, she’s awake,” said a concerned voice. Ginny glanced toward the man, desperate for empathy, but a mask hid his face. This man had the same rigid posture and black cloak.
“I am not sure that we will get any more information from that bitch. Have your way with her then feed her to the dogs for all I care.” The man sneered.
I know that voice. He cursed me. Ginny began to fight the ropes that bonded her, clawing and kicking. Reaching the bottom posts, the second man untied her feet. Out of instinct Ginny kicked him square in the center of the mask. A resounding crack and the man’s cursing filled her with satisfaction, pride even. She realized her mistake when she tried to run and found both hands still tied in place.
A deadly glare came out the eye slits of his mask, and the wizard that seemed to be in command laughed coldly. Suddenly the second man’s hands grasped her throat. “Weaslette, you are going to regret that!” The masked man tightened his grip.
“Ple…” Ginny begged, but her words were cut off, as was her air.
The laughter coming from the hooded man ceased. “Stop it!” he snapped. “Take her out of here. We have other people to interrogate.”
“Yes, sir,” said the other man, stiffening, his voice tinged with malevolence. With a flick of his wand ropes bound Ginny’s feet together. She looked into his face, frightened, wondering what would happen next. Eyes of the most beautiful silver-blue glared back at her, cold as ice. Kneeling on her mattress he untied her hands, but held them strong. He pulled her violently off the bed and up over his shoulder.
Without kicking or screaming Ginny looked around as she was carried away. Turn left, then right, two lefts and up some stairs… Eventually she lost track. Ginny decided to try to speak again.
“Um…Sir?” Her voice echoed on the cold stone. The masked man stopped, and all of the muscles in his body stiffened. “Where am I?” With a sharp intake of breath he continued moving.
Not pushing her luck Ginny was quiet the rest of the walk. The man slowed, creak, and the heavy door opened. As Ginny squirmed and twisted to see where she was she realized that the man’s hood had fallen off to reveal platinum blond hair. Something struck a chord in Ginny’s memory…that hair.
The man flipped Ginny back over his shoulder and plopped her mercilessly on the bed. As he did he felt a tug on his mask. Ginny hit the floor, his secret identity held in her hand. He raised his right hand across his left shoulder and was about the hit her in anger when he saw the look on her face. It was not disgust, spite, or anger, but brown doe eyes exuded confused curiosity. Hand suspended in the air, the man wondered for the first time, “Maybe she doesn’t really know who or where she is.”
I know him. I know I know him…but who is he? I know the pointed chin, that hair, and most of all those eyes. Ginny stared, trying, but could not place where she had seen this man. He was staring at her as though expecting some sort of reaction. “Who are you?” she blurted out.
“Who…? Are you serious? Can’t you remember?”
Ginny tried to grasp onto her thoughts. She couldn’t remember Potter or the man in front of her. She couldn’t remember where she grew up. She knew she was a witch, but other things flittered around in her mind; what was true and what was not seemed blurred. Ginny felt nauseous and the room spun.
The man bent down to look at her. “I’m Malfoy.” He stared at her, almost willing her to remember, to curse him, or at least kick him again, but she didn’t. A tear slid down her cheek. He lifted her chin to look into those pools of chocolate. “Draco Malfoy.”
Ginny continued crying. She pushed his hand away and began to truly weep. Draco stood up and began looking around the room as if there were a button her could press to cease her tears.
“You are Ginny Weasley!” he roared. He was sick of playing this game. Still the young woman looked up at him confused. Measuring her, Draco took in her appearance. Ginny had long dark read hair and an amazing body, beautiful in simplicity. He shook his head. “I know what you’re doing. I am not buying it!” There was a moment of deafening silence until Ginny let out a huge sniffle.
Just as Draco was turning to leave he heard a small voice ask. “You know who I am?” Another sniffle. “You know who I am.” This time it was not a question. “You and that other man; you both did this to me!” she began yelling. “Take it back!” she stood up now, moving closer. Ginny started repeating the words, “Take it back!” louder and louder. Draco was shocked and wondered what she was going to do next. Her body moved close enough to his that he could feel the energy radiating off her.
“Take it back! Fix it! Undo what you did!” The words tore out of Ginny’s throat as she pushed Draco back against the wall. Trying with all her might Ginny beat her fists into Draco’s chest. He grabbed her wrists strongly and threw her onto the bed. He said one word, “Stay.”

Chapter Two:
“…form it we can—“

“Father, a word,” Draco insisted.

Many masked people in black robes looked at Lucius Malfoy slightly taken aback. “How dare you—” Lucius snipped.

“This is important.”

Noticing the many faces turned toward him, Lucius Malfoy enforced superiority. “You will sit and be quiet until this meeting is over—”

“But—”

The older man’s voice growled, “Or I will make you sit and be quiet.”

Draco Malfoy glared at his father with the hatred of many years. He knew Lucius and the other Death Eaters would love to learn of his discovery, but if his father demanded silence, so be it. Draco’s top lip curled as he sat in an empty chair by his father. Lucius glared back hardheartedly.

“As I was saying, it will allow us to bring him back. Potter thinks he has killed the Dark Lord, but he hasn’t; not completely.” Lucius looked around. “I need your opinions.”

Given the chance to speak most of the men in the room began to whisper to each other, but the noise soon grew into a low rumble.

“Gentlemen,” called Lucius’ voice, “We will meet to discuss these matters tomorrow evening. Dismissed.”

There was a scraping of chairs but Lucius sat scowling at his son. Draco kept his eyes locked on his father trying very hard not to reveal anything. The younger Malfoy knew he accomplished his goal when his father heaved a sigh and asked wearily, “What is it?”

“Father, that Weasley trash…” His tone was not nearly as cold as he wished. “I don’t think she really knows where or who she is.”

“Shouldn’t you have disposed of her a while ago? Or is she too tough for you?” asked Lucius as he stared at Draco’s bruised and broken nose.

“We could use her,” he said with an edge to his voice.

“I thought you already had.” Lucius let out one short, shrill, sharp, “Ha!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s a Weasley.” Draco’s tone changed from denial to business. “Father I am being serious. This girl is Harry Potter’s girlfriend. We could lure him here. We could kill him.”

“Potter’s girlfriend? Interesting…” Lucius seemed to ponder this thought for a while then said, “Keep her safe and alive, and don’t…soil her.” With that he rose and left in a swirl of black fabric.

“Yes sir.” The door closed. “Father…master,” Draco sneered and performed a low mocking bow.


Harry bowed graciously to the members of the Order. Everyone seemed excited, but Harry felt heaviness in his heart. True, Voldemort was gone, but Harry had lost so much: Cedric, Sirius, Ginny, Luna, Percy and Colin.

“Harry…do sit,” came a camling voice. Harry let Dumbledore’s voice sooth his nerves. He had wanted this meeting to come for so long, but now that it was here, he wished for something, anything else. Stiffly, Harry sat.

“Shall we begin?” the old man questioned. The party all nodded and agreed. Harry gulped. “Ginny and Colin were taken in the final battle, and we must get them back. Thanks to Molly’s wonderful clock we know Ginny is still alive and can only hope the same for Colin. We must find the both of them before they die.”

“We don’t know who has them, though,” said Tonks, her hair long and tomato colored today.

“There are at least ten families still thought to be practicing the dark arts,” said Ron.

“We have the Crabbes, the Goyles, the Andersons, the Thompsons, the Malfoys, and the ministry even has us lined up to question you Professor,” said Harry looking into Snape’s black pools.

Snape sneered at Harry. “Really?” he asked trying to appear unconcerned. Harry could tell he was somewhat shocked, and even Dumbledore noticed Snape’s unnatural tone.
“Let’s get this started. I want my daughter back,” said Molly Weasley, who had gotten horribly thin.

“Relax Molly, said Arthur. “We must come up with a plan.”

“I think—“

“We should start by making a list of all the…” Hermione butted in. “I’m sorry Porfessor.”

“By all means Miss Granger,” said Dumbledore.

Hermione nodded. “We should put together a list of all the dark wizards we knew to be there the night Ginny and Colin disappeared. Then, if we don’t find her captor we’ll move on to suspected dark wizards.

Chatter broke out, and the people in Grimmauld Place planned and plotted. Harry participated in the conversation. They decided to start with the Andersons, followed by the Crabbes and then the Malfoys. Hermione insisted that they go in alphabvetical order. “It will keep things organized,” she snapped when Harry asked her to explain.

“So, when Harry and I go to work tomorrow we’ll show the statements from other wizards proving the Anderson’s were there the night Gin and Colin were taken. That way we can get started tomorrow.”

“Yes, and we won’t be stepping into any Auror’s way,” added Arthur.

“That school has become so lenient with students. When I was in Auror training…” Everyone at the table moaned as Moody began a story. Snape joined in full-heartedly complaining how young witches and wizards today were too soft.

Ron, Harry, and Hermione were thankful to hear Mrs Weasley’s request for help in the kitchen. Sooner than thought, dinner was ready and Harry enjoyed the company of his friends, but the task of rescuing Ginny never left his thoughts.

Chapter Three
Draco sat in the meeting room the Death Eaters had used, thinking. Ginny Weasley, with no memory, sat in his second bedroom. Crying, she had blamed him and his father for what happened. Crack.
“Master Draco, Master Lucius wishes you come to dinner. He sent Nellie with specific directions not to leave until Master joins the dinner table.”
Wrinkling his nose Draco glared at the house elf. Nellie scooted back toward the wall but did not leave. Draco heaved a sigh. He grumbled all the way to the dining hall, Nellie in tow. As he walked in he bowed as he had when mocking his father. Draco walked to his seat, but heard his father make an obvious, “Ahem.”
Sighing again, Draco looked to his mother. “I am sorry to keep the lady of the house waiting. I apologize for my absence, but I was otherwise detained. Father, my apologies.” Without waiting for approval Draco plopped into his chair.
“Draco, what exactly did you do with Miss Weasley?” his father asked suddenly.
“She’s in my second bedroom,” Draco responded as he poked the game hen with his fork. “What exactly am I supposed to do with her?”
“Lucius what is all this?” Narcissa asked.
“Just a prisoner that needs some recuperation. You understand darling.” It was not a question, but a command. “Make sure she eats something. We need her to stay healthy. Give her some clothing and keep her in the room.”
“But what am I supposed to tell her.”
“That, Draco, is not my concern. Eat your food.”
Draco looked at his mother; she was downcast and picking at her food in the same manner as Draco. The rest of dinner was silent.

“Nellie,” Draco called sternly from the hall off the dining area. “Nellie! Damnable maggot, where are you?”
“Master Draco, Nellie is here sir. What may Nellie do for Master?”
“First, you come immediately when I call you. Secondly, take a plate of food to my second bedroom right away and give it to the woman. Be kind to her Nellie. She has had a rough day.”
After retiring from the dining area Draco headed to his study. Mind working furiously, Draco thought he figured out the perfect story. Recently he read of a wizard who used his powers to become an expert thief. He decided to apply this story to Ginny and create a past for her.
The door to his second room creaked as he opened it slowly. He didn’t want to frighten Ginny any more. His room was a complete disaster. Clothes had been strewn the entire length of the room, and there was a heap lying in the middle of his bed covered in dirt and muck…dirt and muck on his down comforter and silk sheets.
“What in the bloody fucking hell do you think you’re doing?”

~~~

Ginny did not like being told to stay. She was a witch, not a dog. Defiantly, Ginny moved around the room. She looked through drawers and closets. Maybe food had been stashed in a nook or cranny. The bed looked very comfortable, but the rumbling in her stomach would not allow her to sleep.
Ginny slumped down to the floor. No food or drink could be found anywhere, and Draco had not returned. A million questions flooded her mind: How long will I be stuck here? Are they going to just let me starve? What did I do to make them curse me? Is anyone even looking for me? Do I have any family? If only asking the questions could bring the answers. Crack.
A small creature in a pillowcase with a bobble nose and humungous eyes looked at Ginny from across the room. The creature smiled weakly at Ginny, but Ginny was not looking at the creature. Nellie jumped back as Ginny dived for the tray.
“Nel…Nellie has brought food for Miss. Master Draco demands, so Nellie obeys. Would Miss like Nellie to bring her tea?”
“Yes…please,” Ginny said, wiping the grease from the hen off her mouth. The food seemed to disappear too fast, but Ginny was comfortably full. Contentment flowed over her as she sipped on the tea that Nellie had brought. Her eyes began to droop, so Ginny lied down on the soft squishy bed. Before she could even say Merlin she fell into a deep slumber.

~~

“What in the bloody fucking hell do you think you’re doing?” Draco roared at Ginny. “My bed—you’re filthy!”
Ginny rubbed her eyes. “I’m sorry! Don’t yell at me. You left me here to rot. I was tired…”
“Fine, just…ugh. Here…take this robe and go in there,” he pointed toward the bathroom. “Take a shower and I’ll try and find you some clothes.”
“Then are you going to tell me what is going on?” she asked.
“Yes…just go.” Draco watched as Ginny trudged through the doorway, glaring at him over her shoulder. He looked around his room shaking his head in disgust. Pointing his redwood wand at his bed he said, “Scourgify.” He repeated the spell many times to assure himself it was clean. Pulling out some of his old spell books Draco began to look for a spell to track Ginny with. He found one in a book from Knockturn Alley called “Captors and Cages.” He began reading the instructions, but decided to wait until later because he heard the water turn off.
“Nellie! Nel—”
“Nellie is here, Master.”
“Pick up this mess,” Draco commanded. He jumped onto the bed and started reading through a journal from school. He began laughing at some of the things he used to think about Pansy, but his thoughts were interrupted by a feminine cough.
“Draco…did you find me any clothes?” she asked feebly. The sight of her standing in front of him in his own silk robe made his breath stop. It was adorable how the sleeves fell shortly past her elbow and how she had to hold the top closed with her small hand.
After gazing at her for a little while Draco looked around the room. He grabbed one of the white collared dress shirts from a corner that Nellie hadn’t picked up. “Here, put this on” he snapped, his mouth partially dry. He watched Ginny’s hips sway as she walked back into the bathroom. When the door clicked Draco shook any thoughts of being attracted to Ginny out of his head.
“Nellie is finished cleaning up the clothes, Master Draco. Does Master wish Nellie to put away Master’s books?”
“No, Nellie, you are excused.” Draco put away his many books and mentally prepared for his conversation with Ginny. He only hoped that Ginny would not remain at the Manor too long.
“Okay, I’m here and I’m clean. So…”
“So…what?” he asked in a bored voice.
Ginny walked in and sat cross-legged against the wall far away from Draco. He could see the inside of her thigh and blushed. “Why am I here?” she asked.
“Oh…well…” Draco took a stood up. He began pacing…he never paced. “My father and I…we caught you on our land. You were trying to get away with a load of jewels, potions, and ancient scrolls.”
“But…I wouldn’t steal—”
“Oh, but you did,” he hissed, regaining his cold stature. “We caught you running through the garden.”
“Stealing…”
“Yes.” Draco became worried that Ginny’s conscious may not let her swallow this untruth. “When we caught up, you fell over the ledge in the rose garden. You hit your head.” He watched Ginny closely. The smallest flicker of fear crossed over her face, then concern. Draco couldn’t help smirking. “I can only assume that is why you lost your memory,” he added coldly.
“But, what about this Potter?”
Draco had been ready for this: “He is an expert in a thieving association that has been troubling wealthy wizards around Europe.”
Ginny became lost again. Shaking, she asked, “But how do you know who I am? Where is my family? Who—”
“I know you from school,” Draco said offhandedly. “I do not know about your bloody family,” he snapped, thinking of all the redheaded creations that were Ginny’s brothers.
“Who am I?” she whispered.
Draco put his head in his hand. “Look, that is not my concern. We must keep you here until the Aurors come to get you,” he said, and it wasn’t completely a lie. Ginny nodded, but Draco could tell that her mind wandered.
Draco locked her exit door with Alohamora. Then he walked past her and stopped. He grabbed her firmly by the arm, and then he plucked one of her hairs. Without further discussion, he left through the bathroom and into his own bedroom. After fidgeting in his room he decided the study would be a better place to work on a tracking spell.
“Nellie!”
“Master Draco?” Draco jumped. It was if she had been waiting around the corner for him.
“Bring me some fire whiskey in my study.”
“Nellie will do, Master.”
In the wee morning hours, eight empty liquor glasses drained, Draco had finally finished the tracking spell. He put is wand in his palm and said, “Traciusss.” The wand spun in his hand and pointed the direction opposite Draco’s bedrooms. “Dam’ble hell!” he screamed in drunken frustration. “I did ev’ry bloody…step!” Suddenly a thought hit Draco like a ton of bricks. He had locked her outside door, but none of the bathroom doors, and not his own. “Aw…ssshit.” Draco took another shot of fire whiskey.

Chapter Four
Ginny turned the handle slowly and pushed on the door. A blonde haired woman stood in white satin nightgown.
“Ahhh!!! Who are you? What are you doing in my room?” Narcissa Malfoy shrieked.
“I…I’m Ginny. I just want to find my way out. Where can I leave?”
“Well, not through here!” she yelled indignantly.
A tall, masculine figure in a black robe with gleaming blonde hair came through a door on the other side of the room. “Cissa, what is all this racket? How am I supposed to get any—” the man sneered at Ginny. “Well, if it isn’t our little guest.”
Ginny’s eyes grew as wide as galleons as she turned to run out. Crash. Ginny went flying over the small house elf. A tea tray clattered to the ground. Narcissa’s disgusted sigh could be heard as Lucius “tsk”ed. Ginny pulled down on the white shirt she had been wearing as she stood. Nellie shook herself, and then immediately started cleaning up the mess. “Bad Nellie,” she whispered over and over.
There was suddenly a firm grip on Ginny’s upper arm. Lucius still stood on the other side of the room, which could only mean…
“There ya’ are,” Draco slurred. Ginny tried pulling away. His breath smelled so strongly of alcohol she gagged. The pull of her arm made Draco have to grab the doorframe for balance.
“Oh, for Merlin’s sake Draco! How much have you had?” asked Lucius.
Draco tried to stare down his father, but Lucius seemed to be moving. “Not that…much,” he lied.
“Lucius, why is there a strange woman—”
“Enough questions, ‘Cissa,” Lucius growled. He noticed his temper seemed to frighten the young woman. “Draco, Miss Weasley,” he sneered the last name, “If you would follow me please.” Lucius turned to look toward Narcissa. “I need a few old outfits and some undergarments for our visitor. Find them,” he ordered. Narcissa stood huffing, but decided she best do as her husband commands.

Draco and Lucius were holding Ginny’s arms as they traveled quickly down the hall. Draco seemed to be using her more as a support of balance. Lucius drug her along as he berated his son. “I swear you get more reckless by the day. Do you not care what happens to our family? Do you realize what would happen if she got free?”
“Yesssfather,” Draco’s grip tightened on Ginny’s arm. “My deepest regrets.”
Lucius opened Draco’s second bedroom door and threw Ginny inside. He cornered his son. “I am sick of your carelessness.” Lucius drew out his wand, and he smiled when Draco cringed. Lucius stood back. “Vertigo Siempra,” he hissed. Draco lurched forward. “That will teach you to drink.” With that Lucius threw Draco into his second bedroom and locked the door. He then traveled around and down the hallway to lock the door to Draco’s main room. Lucius couldn’t help but smirk as he heard Draco retch.

Ginny stood nervously against the far wall as Draco rushed into the bathroom. She cringed as she heard retching. Five minutes and ten dry heaves later Draco came out, pale and sweaty.
“You,” he said, throat hoarse.
“What?”
“I told you to stay here.”
“Are you really naïve enough to think I would just sit here and wait to be prosecuted?” Ginny questioned.
“I…why can’t you just be happy here? We serve you fine dining and give you exquisite quarters—”
“A fancy prison cell, nothing more.”
Draco’s head pounded and his stomach tied itself in knots. He walked up to Ginny, his eyes boring into her. Draco spoke in a low, mean tone. “Where exactly were you planning to go? You don’t know anyone; you don’t even know yourself. You have no family, and no one even misses you.”
Smack. Draco’s head flung sideways. Awed, he stared at Ginny. She sniffled and said, “Don’t assume I share your fate just because your family doesn’t care for you!” Ginny turned and tried to walk away, but Draco grabbed her wrist.
“Grow up, Ginny.” Silence filled the room as Ginny cried. Draco did not really regret his rudeness, but when he saw the pain on Ginny’s face he felt responsible, guilty. Malfoys were not supposed to care about anyone. Ginny pushed him away.
“Goodnight,” she spat, trying to seem mature. Un-tucking the silk sheets Ginny crawled in bed. She curled under the blankets with her back facing Draco.
“Why do you hate me so much?” he asked, not really knowing why he cared. Draco was surprised that she replied.
“You hurt without regret. Who could ever do anything BUT hate you? And you know parts to my past, and you’re not sharing it.” She sniffled again.
“Did you ever think you might be better off not knowing?” he asked, clearly flustered. Draco could hear her light breathing, but she said nothing more. He almost spoke again, but his stomach churned and he ran into the bathroom.
The night consisted of many trips back and forth to the bathroom for Draco. He thought, at one point, he managed to fall asleep leaning on the toilet. Bright sunshine filled the room. Properly motivated, Draco threw off the covers, got up, and closed the curtains. He had just gotten comfortable when he heard a crack.
“Master Draco, Master Lucius told Nellie to find Master Draco for breakfast.”
“Not today, Nellie. I’m ill.”
“Master Lucius insists. Nellie knows Master Draco has a guest.”
“Ugh, Nellie just—”
“You would think,” sneered a familiar voice, “that my star student would have the brains to make himself an antidote so he did not keep his Godfather waiting.”
“Uncle Severus!”

Chapter Five
“Drink this,” said Severus tossing Draco a bottle of blue liquid from the doorway.
Draco’s hands fumbled, but he caught the vial. He opened the lid and drank the liquid in one quick gulp. The antidote burned his throat, and he could not help coughing. After the burning passed, Draco immediately felt better. Nausea no longer plagued him and the room finally stopped spinning.
“Thanks, Uncle. Where have you been? It seems like you haven’t been by for ages, and the meetings…”
Severus tried to smile, but ended up sneering. “Your father told me what happened last night. You really need to be more careful.”
“Why haven’t you been around?” Draco persisted in understanding his Uncle’s absence. Many rumors had been circling the group of Death Eaters. The most obscene being that Severus Snape had betrayed Draco’s father, and that he now resided in the dungeons below the manor. Deep down, Draco almost wished it true. Then Severus could lead him out of this nightmare.
“I’ve been busy…spying,” he said oily.
“The Order? What did you find?” he asked, almost excited.
“Just the usual. They are rounding up all suspected and confirmed Death Eaters. Lucius is on the list,” he said seriously.
“My father?” Draco asked, his tone a forced concern. Many images quickly flashed through his memory; the many times Lucius used the Cruciatus curse on him, locking him in the dungeons. Draco’s nostrils flared.
“You can’t fool me, Draco. I know you do not care if he ends up back in Azkaban. At least there he cannot control your life.”
“Uncle, is it bad that I do not want to follow in his footsteps?”
“No, Draco. You have always been a very independent and distinguished character,” he said, his oily manner replaced with concern. Severus walked further into the room. He sat on the foot of Draco’s bed, looking into Draco’s eyes. More memories flooded through Draco: His father yelling, correcting, disciplining, Lucius telling Draco he must become a Death Eater. Draco felt nauseous again, and without excusing himself he ran to the bathroom. After waiting for heaves that never came, Draco splashed cold water on his face and neck. He looked into the mirror, studying himself. The collected Draco Malfoy reappeared as he went back into his room to speak with his uncle, but the other bathroom door opened.
“Oh, it’s you,” he sneered forgetting how mean he had been to Ginny the night before.
She glared at him. “Hurry up,” was all she said.
“You know this is MY bathroom. Be happy you’re not locked in the dungeons.”
“Draco,” Severus Snape’s voice came through the door as it cracked open. “Weasley?” he questioned shocked.
“Uncle Severus, don’t mind her. She has no memory and no manners,” he hissed.
Ginny’s shocked face held Severus’ attention. “I know you,” she said, reaching a hand toward him.
“Nonsense,” Severus said dryly, backing away from her and knocking away her hand..
Draco grabbed hold of her shoulders and pushed her back into her room. Severus heard her say, “I know him Draco. Tell me how I know him!” Draco slammed the door in her face.
“Girl’s a loon,” Draco said, cruelly. Severus focused on Draco’s thoughts and felt pity.
“Did…Did the potion not work?” Severus asked, still surprised.
“I’m fine, just needed to cool off a bit,” he said walking back into the room. Severus followed, regaining his dignified composure.
“About last night…” Severus had become hard and serious again.
“Uncle, I thought I had locked the door. How was I supposed to know the girl would venture through the manor? I thought that father and I had scared her enough she would stay put.”
Severus became strict. “Draco, I do not want anything bad to happen to you, so you must be careful. I have covered your mistakes before. I do not wish to do it again. You are already in jeopardy when Aurors come.”
Draco sat for a while then said, “I just wanted to make it all go away; the Dark Mark, my relationship with Father, my…bungled murder attempt, but I still wouldn’t be like him. I can deal with getting back at Potter, but I do not like the idea of killing innocent people. Father tried beating cruelty into me, but…” Draco trailed off. Severus heard him sigh with all the weight in the world.
“Draco, you and I both know Fire whiskey is not the way to make problems disappear.”
“I know. I took the mark, and now the Dark Lord is dead. I thought I would be free,” he said sullenly.
“Do what Lucius commands, and I promise, soon enough, you will be free.”
“Sure, Uncle,” Draco scoffed, but Severus still looked serious.
“Breakfast then. It will help your stomach,” Severus said, waiting for Draco to follow.
“Alohomora.” Draco cast the spell on his bathroom door. She did not hold a cell in the dungeon. That surprised Severus greatly. What was in store for the youngest Weasley?