Thread: Harry Potter and What Really Happened After Voldemort (solvaris & darkangel76)

Ginny let her hand slowly drop from the ominous looking door knocker. A part of her hoped that Draco wasn't home, that the door would never open and they'd be forced to come up with a new plan. But, deep down, she knew that was silly. It was rare for Hermione to be wrong in any of her tactical plans. After all, she was Hogwart's smartest witch and, she did a quick glance over at her brother, she'd no doubt it was one of the many reasons Ron was crazy about her. A pang of realization struck her just then. Harry had never been crazy for her, just as she'd never been truly crazy for him. Perhaps that was why she'd no trouble dating over the years. It was an odd thing for Ginny to be dwelling on since their current actions were all as a result of Harry, a means to find him and bring him home. She should be beyond terrified for his life! And she was in a way, though perhaps not the way her brother and Hermione suspected. But that was neither here nor there. Yes, Voldemort was gone, but that hardly meant there weren't any more Death Eaters skulking about. One thing she did learn in Magical History was that history did indeed repeat itself. It would only be a matter of time before those horrible people found a new Dark Lord. They'd lay low and then rise again. Life in the magical world would never be safe. Not without Harry and not with him. I hear something, Luna whispered, her eyes in a slight daze. Funny because Ginny heard nothing. Though she was well aware of Luna's eccentricities and peculiar behavior, she knew the blonde witch had great instincts and could both see and hear things most could not. Hermione suddenly nodded, her body going rigid as she held up a single finger against her full lips. Shh, she whispered. She then turned to Ron, wishing he was with her. But he was stubborn. Always stubborn and hard-headed and impulsive and...she sighed. And she wouldn't have him any other way. Just then, the door opened, a cool breeze flowing out and caressing the faces of the three determined witches standing there. Ginny's pale skin broke out into goose bumps almost immediately, her senses reeling. She narrowed her dark eyes and peered into the darkness beyond the door. Hermione grabbed Ginny's hand, meanwhile Luna just started to step forward as if unaware of any potential danger. Wait! Ginny whispered harshly, reaching out to grab hold of Luna's shirt, tugging her back. Luna tilted her head, blonde hair falling over one shoulder. She frowned slightly, wondering why Ginny would show fear now of all times. As it was, she wasn't sensing any imminent danger. Though perhaps her time in the DA and her involvement in battling Death Eaters gave her a new confidence. It was hard to say. Just then, she looked back at Nevillea fine leader and skilled wizard. He'd shown the entire school that he was meant to be in Gryffindor and no where else. Not just anyone would've jumped to protect those left behind as he did. She was probably alive thanks to him. Pushing her hair back over her shoulder, she gave him a smile snd then turned back toward the door. Why wait? Luna asked. We're being invited in. Ginny's breath caught in her throat. That's precisely what I'm afraid of, she admitted, her voice soft and breathy. Hermione steeled herself in that moment, ready to take on the world. She took hold of Ginny's hand and linked arms with Luna. She then marched the three of them passed the Malfoy threshold and into the darkened Malfoy Manor. Ginny shook her head. She didn't like this. And where exactly was Draco? She glanced about the entrance way and nodded when she saw the barest bit of movement in the shadows lurking near an adjacent room. Swallowing hard, she dug deeply for her courage. She then gestured toward the room she was certain Dracoor someone, at the very leastcould be found. Both Hermione and Luna nodded, not a sound coming from either save their soft footfalls. The three slowly approached the room and entered. Ginny gasped, while Hermione's grip on her wand only tightened. How she hated him. Hermione grit her teeth and nudged Ginny. The red-head stumbled forward, blinking rapidly. I... she stammered. We've come to ask you for... This was harder than it seemed. For help. Luna just giggled softly, her thoughts seemingly elsewhere. But Ginny knew better than to dismiss anything about Luna. She was odd, but almost as brilliant as Hermione and certainly far more intuitive. Harry's gone, Ginny went on. Disappeared, Hermione corrected. Her words caused Ginny to blush, her heart beating wildly as she stood there before Draco. Never had Ginny felt so small and weak. How she hated it. Disappeared, Ginny then said herself for Hermione's sake. Anyway, she continued, her head turning slightly to give Hermione a glare. Hermione seems to think you can help us. She thought on the Dark Mark that all Death Eaters bore, both a symbol and a calling and it held many magical purposes she was afraid to even think on. Oh, Hermione said smugly, her confidence slowly building. I know he can.