Potions Classroom

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco focuses his attention on the map, not being able to help himself from allowing his eyes to scan the other names about the map. He found Pansy... in the dorms with Theo Nott. Not surprising really, but at least their names weren't on top of one another... though he suddenly had the odd urge to ask Weasley if the names overlapped when the people were doing it or not? However, that was quickly forgotten when she said they were heading into the potions room..

"What?! Why?" he hissed, though he knew she wouldn't know the answer. "Turn your light out," he ordered, his hand automatically tightening on the small of her back pulling her closer more out of nervousness than anything.

[Ginny Weasley]

"How should I know?" she hissed back as she obediently killed her spell, though like him the words were said out of stress more than anything, privately grateful for the touch on her back now holding her to him, the sensation of his large warm body helping to keep her grounded. Her hand tightened in his robes a bit more in response, her head all but lying against his chest as they waited to see what would happen, their breathing sounding deafening in this small space.

...

She could hear his heart beat in this position. It was faster than it should be, belying his own fear, though there was still a soothing sensation at listening to the rhythmic thumping as she strained to listen for a door going.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco started to reply but snapped his mouth shut as he heard the door closed. He'd never been religious, but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't praying right now. He also worked in his mind to think up plausible explanations as to why they were in there together if they opened the stores for some reason. However, everything he came up with Weasley would find less than flattering he knew, but hey- it was for a good cause so she'd just have to deal.

[Amycus Carrow]

"So," mused Amycus as he stepped into the room, holding the door for his sister to enter behind him. "You go with Rod's story, or McNairs?"

[Alecto Carrow]

"McNair's obviously," Alecto said leaning against the desk. "Like Dolph would every say anything bad against that mental bint he calls a wife. Since when has Bellatrix Black every practiced subtlety. I think she's allergic to the concept."

[Amycus Carrow]

A low chuckle sounded as Amycus moved deeper into the room to join her.

"Surprise surprise there," he teased with a smirk, though honestly he couldn't say he dissagreed.

Moving to settle on a desk the tall male stretched out his long legs, crossing them at the ankle as he leaned back, eyes raising to the ceiling.

"So... a couple of *teenagers* managed to walk straight into the Minstry and out again with a valuable magical object and no one noticing them... pretty damn pathetic for our side," he murmured, tone dripping with distain. "Any news on who's on the chopping block for this? Not darling Bella I wager."

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny sucked in a silent breath as the words filtered through the cupboard door, her hand curling into a fist in Draco's robes as her own heart sped up, even the relaxing tattoo of the blonde's heartbeat forgotten as she strained to hear more, let alone the concept of being caught.

The ministry... it was like McGonigall had said...

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco's brows furrowed at the conversation, his hold on Weasley tightened slightly as he strained his ears to pick up more. His Aunt Bella? And what teenagers?

[Alecto Carrow]

"Of course not," Alecto said "Though I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up here soon… so far from the foot of his robes where she longs to be. But i believe it's that cat loving Umbridge bing from the Ministry that's in the most trouble. His Lordship is not pleased with her…I think they took it right from her person," Alecto laughed, "In front of everyone! It must have been brilliant."

[Amycus Carrow]

Amycus laughed at that, the noise as creepy as ever.

"Salazar protect us from that - you and Bella in the same building? You'd kill each other off by sunrise," he smirked at his twin, legs swinging idly in a childlike fashion. "And poor Rod won't know which of you to pant after, it'd be carnage."

"So the toad fluffed it? No surprises there. That puppet has outlasted her usefulness. Here's hoping the Dark Lord finally puts an end to her miserable life~" he crooned, mouth curving up into a vicious smile of delight at the prospect. "I'd pay to see that..."

"Though," he added voice shifting back to something more serious again. "I can't imagine He's in a good mood over this. It was a personal item of his wasn't it? His rage must be glorious about now..."

The Dark Lord was well known for his possessive streak it was true, but this... well there was no way this couldn't be taken as an insult, which had to be worse. Though why he had trusted the fat fool with the item was anyones guess, whatever it was.

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny's mind whirled as she took in what they were saying.

A horcrux... it had to be. Why else would they take such a risk... Stollen from Umbridge herself? Godric they were lucky to have gotten out alive. The Umbitch might be a fool, but she was a dangerous fool.

They had though... they'd made it out - her heart sung at that. Or it did at least until the most important fact hit her.

Voldemort had to know what they were up to now... the element of surprise had been lost. They were screwed.

Ginny swallowed, head resting against Draco's pecs as she continued to listen, her body still stiff as she clung to him, dimly grateful for his arm around her, the unintended offer of basic human comfort as her thoughts and emotions ran wild.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco. frowned at the information being given, it wasn't hard to figure out who the "teenagers" were. So Potter was up to some thing. His hand unconsciously rubbed Wesleyan back as he processed this new information.

[Alecto Carrow]

"So it seems but that doesn't answer just why the old bat had it to begin with," Alecto said thoughtfully. "However… I'm interested to find out more about it- from a distance. You know how… lenient with his wand, the Dark Lord gets when displeased. I wouldn't want to suffer the same fate and McMullin."

She made a bit of a face though she addressed something after a moment "Don't remind me, by the way. Rod *still* doesn't know who to pant over. The bad thing is, that time in Azkaban had addled his brain, I was hoping he'd be a challenge but instead the kids are proving to be more challenging then him. What a disappointment."

[Amycus Carrow]

Amycus's eyes snapped over to his twin as he considered her words. Like her he was dying with curiosity... however the difficulty was how to indulge that without winding up in a shallow grave. The Dark Lord did not tollerate being questioned in any way, and with the upheval of this theft there was bound to be questions flying... which meant that his wand hand would be itchy and his temper thin.

"How do you propose we do that?" he asked arching an eyebrow, the assumption that they both would be doing it together natural. "I agree with your thoughts, but beautiful as his spells are, I don't much fancy our chances if he so much as catches wiff of our interest. You know how he feels when people pry where he doesn't want them. We'd have to step very carefully."

"As for dearest Roddy," he added mouth kicking up in a smirk, "I believe at least currently you are the favourite, but whether that will last if sweet-Bella comes to play I don't know. You're right of course - the man puts up no fight, positively easy to seduce, though I suppose you could sympathise given he's spent the last decade and a half in jail."

"I admit, I'm dissapointed," he snorted, head tilting back to look up at the ceiling. "I had been hoping that Azkaban had unhinged him more - I was looking forwards to getting to play with new crazy Rodolphus, but it seems I might be better going to Rabastian for that kind of kicks."

[Ginny Weasley]

Her pulse raced as they continued, torn between being annoyed they hadn't dwelled more on the theft and most importantly Ron, Harry and Hermione's part in it, and realising that they were being given some invaluable information here - the Carrows were playing with fire... That could come in very handy.

She hadn't been aware when he had started soothingly rubbing her back, but as it gradually dawned on her, as with the reminder that she was not alone in here, Ginny's eyes flickered to his face, trying to make out in the gloom what his thoughts were on what they were hearing.

As the conversation turned towards Rodolphus however, the redhead found herself pulling a face as disgust ran through her. Oh great, just what she needed, and insight into the sex lives of the mad and depraved...

And on that note... were they *both* sleeping with Lestrange? Or was Amycus just intimately aware of his sister's relationship. Honestly nether would surprise her with these two. And wasn't he married to Bellatrix anyway? Come to think on it, didn't that make him Draco's Uncle?

[Alecto Carrow]

"That's it…" Alecto said thoughtfully. "Dolph… he's pliable, and easily talking. Azkaban has made him soft- he'll be useful. It's logical that Bellatrix would have told him what the Dark Lord is saying, if anything, about the Ministry break in. We just need to get it from him…" she ran a hand through her hair. "It shouldn't be hard if we both work our angles…"

She reached out and patted her Brothers head "And don't be too disappointed,that just means there's a chance for *us* to drive him mad… after all if all else fails… sounds like a project." She laughed gleefully, the sound not unlike that of her twin.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco listened to the conversation, making a slight face as the indiscretions of his Uncle were made known. No wonder the Carrows thought of his family as a bunch of jokes.

He felt, more than saw Weasley look him, so he returned the look. Tilting his head down, causing their faces to almost touch. In the darkness he could kind of make out her features and rose a brow as if asking if she had a question. Hopefully it was one that could be relayed telepathically and she wasn't stupid enough to actually try to speak.

[Amycus Carrow]

His own laughter joined hers, the sounds twining together in harmony, equally mad in that instance as Amycus wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into an affectionate embrace from his half sitting position.

"Aaah, sweet sister, that is why you are my favourite~" he sang at her, eyes flashing wickedly as his lips pulled in a loving smile. "Your minds so wonderfully wicked."

[Ginny Weasley]

If Malfoy was having thoughts along the same lines as her, he didn't show it, nor did his features in the dark give away anything about his reaction at hearing about his Uncle's behaviour.

She could feel his breath warm on her face as he arched an eyebrow in question at her look, her eyes running over him a little longer as she paused like that, caught off guard by how close their faces were right now, his pale eyes glittering in the sliver of light from the door as they watched her.

Pulling herself together, Ginny averted her gaze, giving a slight shake before she let her head settle back against his chest not even thinking about whether or not she should re-adopt her former position, mind turning back to what was being said in the room beyond, Draco's heart thumping rhythmically in her other ear again.

[Alecto Carrow]

"Of course, who else will be your favorite…" Alecto responded. "Though I have another reason to be your favorite…" the woman sang. "I don't know for sure everything that happened… I do know that *someone* was injured… perhaps the children should learn not to play with the adults. I mean… they may be alive but that could be short lived..."

[Draco Malfoy]

When she shifted back into his arms Draco frowned a bit, but dismissed it as the conversation kept going. Part of him wanted to warn his uncle, but part of him really didn't know the man well enough too. After all he'd basically spent all of Draco's life locked away- and he didn't seem to hold much loyalty towards his Aunt either.

The comment about the injury pulled his attention back to the present, especially when he felt Weasley stiffen against him.

[Amycus Carrow]

"So the incompetants actually got one of the little brats?" he crowed back, excitment and amusement both running through his tone. "Do we know which? What happened? Was it bad~?"

Aaah, what a delicous thought, one of the precious trio lying somewhere moaning and bleeding out... it gave him the tingles just thinking of it and he wasn't even involved.

[Ginny Weasley]

No...

Ginny's body stiffend up, both hands now in a death grip on Malfoy's robes as her eyes widened, her heart threatening to beat out of her chest.

No, no no... they were wrong, they had to be wrong... They couldn't be hurt, they'd have heard it by now right? Oh Godric what if it was Ron? Only that wasn't fair because it wouldn't be any better if it were Harry or Hermione. Her brother, her ex or her friend.

Please, any and all Gods that were listening, please let them be okay...

[Alecto Carrow]

"I'm not sure, I only know it wasn't Potter," Alecto said with a shrug, swinging her feet from her spot on the desk. "I don't think they're dead though- mores the pity. But there was some type of injury…. hmm, no correction- I know it wasn't the girl. Not sure which guy thought." She made a sound of frustration "I wish the Dark Lord would allow us to play with them… it's getting annoying here, the only ones interesting the play with are Nott, Malfoy and the girl Weasley…"

[Draco Malfoy]

When her grip tightened on him, he wrapped both arms around her- more to sooth her than anything. The last thing either of them needed was her losing it and getting them busted. Then Weasley or Potter wouldn't be the only ones hurt, and damn it he was sick of being hurt. He was tired, he wanted everything to happen one way or another just for things to be over.

[Amycus Carrow]

"Couldn't have been Potter or it's be everywhere by now and the Dark Lord would be chasing down his kill," Amycus mused. "So that leaves the Weasley boy... what a delightful fact to bring up with our little ginger pet next time she makes herself known. Just think of that pretty face breaking at the thought... about time we saw her cry. We've been going to light on her methinks."

"The Zabini boy has potential as well," he added almost absently though his mind was more on the rest of what Alecto had said. "Mm, that would be a fine thing... We'd never get Potter, he's off limits, but the Dark Lord doesnt care about the other two... except maybe to make sure they scream." Which of course they would be only to happy to oblidge him in... Ah the thought of really getting the chance to flex his abilities and the chance to tear appart one of those little traitors...

"I'm getting ansy as well," he admited, voice low and lilting, a dangerous tone. "I haven't let loose in *months*. Toying with babies only takes the edge off for so long."

[Ginny Weasley]

Ron...

Biting her lip to stop her making a noise, Ginny turned her head, instinctively burying her face in Malfoy's robes, small form trembling in his arms, but somehow forcing herself to stay silent despite the fear and agony in her chest. She wanted to cry, she wanted to rage, she wanted to run to McGonigall and demand to know if it was true, to beg her to say it wasn't or that the injury was minor after all. To do something, ANYTHING. But she couldn't. So she clung to the boy before her, uncaring at this point who, just desperately needing that human comfort as she fought to stay silent.

[Alecto Carrow]

"I suppose we do have something to do at least," Alecto said. "It could be worse, we could be stuck buddying up to the Giants or wolves." The woman made a face "It'll be fun to watch the girl Weasley's face as we, 'break the news' of her Brothers unfortunate incident." She paused as if considering it. "What do you think about telling her he's dead?" The twin suggested "We can watch her reaction, if she breaks into tears then that's just good fun, if she doesn't we'll know she's been in contact with him and maybe can offer her to the Dark Lord to investigate and get a bit of praise for a job well done."

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco's arms tightened around her, his chin rested on the top of her head. Salazar please let her just hold it together until the two of them left. The fact that they were disappointed meant the boy was probably alright, however he couldn't tell her that. Not without talking, and the Carrows had ears like the dogs they were. Instead he offered her what physical comfort he could, totally ignoring the fact that she felt... well, somewhat good in his arms.

[Amycus Carrow]

"Point, though at least then we'd be free to have a little proper fun," Amycus drawled back. She was right... this was the better assignment, but damn it all if he didn't want to kill something right now. Bloody Bellatrix hogging all the fun...

He brightened however at the mention of distorting the facts to the baby Weasley, teeth flashing in a wide, predatory grin.

"Now that does sound fun," he mused. "Win win really... she breaks down and we get to screw with her head, she stays stoic and the Dark Lord might let us really play with her, as well as getting some cudos."