by Black-Diamonds
 
 

Chapter 17
Standing Proud / Crashing Into Comets
 

“Ginny?!” Hermione gaped at the red-haired head of the girl in the fire, who was currently facing
them with a stony grim expression on her pale round face.

“Surprised, ‘Mione? I’ll explain it all later, really, I promise. Lord Draco,” Ginny’s face turned
towards Draco.

“Yes?”

“Pansy Parkinson has escaped from the manor.”

Hermione let out a shocked cry, wondering at the horrible consequences which would result
from this. Her initial surprise at seeing Ginny serving the new Dark Lord had given way to a new
fear that settled in her stomach like acid. Draco’s face was hard with a strange coldness, yet for
a split second, he lost his composure, and bit down gently on his bottom lip.

“How? I placed a spell on the manor ensuring she could not owl anyone and that she would not
have been able to apparate anywhere beyond the walls of the manor.”

“It seems she escaped through a passage that runs beneath the lake..” Draco cursed loudly at
himself for having forgotten the secret passage that ran from the corner dungeon out beyond the
frosted hills. Pansy must have merely cast a charm that ensured an image of her working in the
kitchens would appear when Draco summoned it. “She is currently with the ministry. My lord,
they are preparing to launch a full scale attack on you by the next full moon. Your spells to
prevent Pansy Parkinson from apparating out of the manor also prevents anyone from apparating
in. The ministry plans to approach the manor through non-magical methods. Potter is bringing a
1000-wizard strong force.”

“Has anyone blocked off the tunnel that...that insolent troll used to escape?”

Ginny nodded briskly, her red hair bobbing up and down.

“Yes my Lord. But Parkinson has told them all the ways of taking the other protective spells
off the manor. My suggestion is...” Ginny paused, as if she were not quite sure whether to
continue. “My suggestion is that you leave at once. Take Hermione with you, and by Merlin...
don’t let any harm come to her.”

“I would die before I let anyone lay a finger on her...I know she and you were friends, and
I assure you, she will be safe with me.” Draco turned slightly and wrapped a protective arm
around Hermione. “But I will not run. Let little Scar-face and his people just TRY and ruin
our Christmas. After all, whoever said you had to be good to celebrate? Santa never dared
to bring me a lump of coal, even after all my doings.”

“My Lord...what will you do?” Ginny’s expression revealed how apprehensive she was about
the whole situation. “There is nothing left to do but run...Potter’s army is anything but little...”

“Enough!” Draco yelled, almost with a mad fire burning in his eyes. “Enough running, enough
hiding! Even as the Dark Lord...am I to fear Potter? Voldemort may have been foolish enough
to be a weakling in front of Potter - but I am not Voldemort! I will not blow in Potter’s
sodding breeze like a sodding daffodil!”

“Draco...” Hermione started, gently laying a hand on his arm.

“I may not have a soul Hermione...but I know I love you. And I also know this.” His eyes met
hers. “I will protect you until my dying breath. But I am NOT. running. away. from. HIM!”

“So what WILL you do?” Snape’s voice was barely audible, but it filled the room like silken
water. All eyes turned to the dark form of Snape looming in the shadows. “Will you confront
him? If this is your plan, then...I am at your service until my final moment.” Snape bowed
before Draco, showing his true devotion to his former student.

“Severus, you are to be commended for all that you have done for me. You have proven to
be a true comrade, and I thank you for everything. It is also to you that I owe my love’s life.”
Hermione felt a warm tear slide down her face. “But I wish to talk to Hermione alone.”
Ginny nodded, and her head vanished from the flames. Snape inclined his head slightly, and
strode out of the room like a dark cloud.

“Hermione...perhaps it would be best if you left here. I will ask Snape to take you far away,
where you will be safe. I trust Snape with my life, and he will make sure you are out of harm’s
way. Staying here would put you in serious danger.”

“I’m not going to avoid the obvious Draco. I understand that death is the biggest possibility.
But by your side, I have no reason to be afraid of anything that may come. I’ve chosen my
destiny...and it’s with you I belong. I told you once, and I will tell you again - there is no world,
without you. But I am curious as to what exactly we are planning to do. Lo and behold, ho,
death comes! But what do you have up your sleeves?”

“A bunny rabbit? I laugh death in the face!” He laughed, but it was a hollow, artificial sound.
Draco bravely put on a grin and puffed out his chest, although he actually felt the snake-like
grip of fear tightening around his lungs and squeezing air out of them. “Fear not Hermione. I
shall summon my loyal followers, and we will celebrate and be merry. We will dress in our
best, and face the enemy like gentlemen, while revelling in our victory over the bending will
of time. Our victory...is eternal.”

Hermione knew he did not mean the victory of dark over light. No, he meant something much
deeper inside themselves, something that could not have been defined by good and bad or
black and white.

“With a braveness and a faith in undying love like that you would have made a great Gryffindor.”
A soft whisper and an even softer touch of her hand against his pale cold cheek. “Perhaps...
perhaps then...” Her voice trailed away, unable to continue.

“But the cowardice in my heart and the sins of my condemned soul would have put me to
shame.” He placed his hand over hers. “At least I had a soul back then. Now all I have is you.”

“And you will have me forever.”

Like a young child, he gave way to absolute helpless emotion, and sought refuge in Hermione’s
comforting embrace.

“Draco...it will be all right. Shhh...” His warm tears soaked the shoulder of her grey robes as he
bawled almost helplessly. Hermione wasn’t shocked. But she was, however, just as afraid of
their uncertain future that lay ahead of them.
 
 
 

a/n: Gosh, another cliff-hanger. Me sorries :( -twists ears in a true Dobby style- lol Happy New Year every1!
I have read your fics and they're great :D -claps- way2go peoplez:) Once again, thank.u so much 4 all your
reviews: they just make my day...wait, year! n.e.wayz...u.all rock!
PS: Slytherin Goddess, I have tried to make darling Sevi nicer. Well...um...loyal n.e.way, hehe :D
PSS: LilyAyl, your stories are so beautiful!...a perfect sunrise is so pretty, yet so sad -sniffle-, and Music Of
The Night is very original and intriguing! Wonderful stuff!
PSSS: Xaviera - awww, what can I say girl? Gorgeous, aangsty, sad...awwwwww. Great job!
PSSSS: How can n.e.1 out there NOT like Sad!Draco ??? Poor thing...
 

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Chapter 18