Potions Classroom

[Ginny Weasley]

If she had been anywhere else, Ginny would have laughed at what she was hearing, the bitter humour rising up in her. Right, because not knowing wasn't enough, now she was going to have to pretend to let the Carrows break her or risk being drawn up before Voldemort himself. This was like some kind of sick joke.

Draco's body was the only thing keeping her together, his large form seeming to wrap fully around her as her head tucked under his chin. Closing her eyes, Ginny gritted her teeth, concentrating on inhaling his scent - any distraction from the pain and fear that was threatening to overwhelm her, though she forced herself to keep listening. She *needed* to know this... She had to keep it together, breaking down was a luxury she couldn't aford.

Keep it together Weasley...

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco gave her another squeeze has she held onto her and the thought that, she may be the one person, who knew as well as he did what it felt like to have the Carrows focus fully on you. Either way though, they'd discuss it later, once the coast was clear.

[Alecto Carrow]

"Indeed… did you maybe want to go and see if we can find her now? Since it's so boring…" Alecto suggested swinging her feet.

[Amycus Carrow]

"You read my mind, dear-one," Amycus chuckled as he pushed himself from the desk, rising gracefully to his feet an offering his twin a hand as his eyes glinted playfully. "We've been neglecting her lately, time to set that right... and if all else fails we'll take one of her pets to let her know how unimpressed we are at her scarceness lately."

[Alecto Carrow]

"Mmm, yay! Game time," Alecto clapped sliding off of the desk. "Let's head out."

She grabbed his arm as well an they both made their way out of the room making plans.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco heard them leave but didn't move an inch. Instead he decided to give them a chance to get a nice distance away. He couldn't pull the map while she was still clinging to him but he didn't want to move her yet. Not until she calmed down, she could feel a bit of trembling in her small form and couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

[Ginny Weasley]

Finally, FINALLY they were gone, the door swinging closed with a bang behind them as they skipped off to merrily plot her torture.

She didn't move away though, didn't move back, instead remaining pressed to Malfoy's chest, hands fisted in his robes and eyes squeezed shut, though she did at last allow herself the freedom to suck in a loud, shaky breath. She couldn't let go... couldn't pull back yet. If she did she's break, she knew she would. And if she broke she wasn't sure she'd be able to piece herself back again. So she stayed, frozen where she was save for the shivering of her body.

[Draco Malfoy]

"He's fine," Draco finally spoke, very softy. "I've seen the Dark Lords wrath, if he's at full force to the point where they want to see but are scared then they didn't succeed in killing him like they said. However... it wouldn't hurt for you to hold on to these emotions for when you see them..."

[Ginny Weasley]

She didn't react at first, just concentrating on her breathing, loud breaths whoosing in and out of her lungs, the rapid drumming of her heart peppering it. The blonde's soft comment was almost lost in the internal din, however it did manage to sink into her mind as she tried to wrestle her emotions back into control.

"I know," she breathed at last, her voice raw as she gave a slightly watery chuckle. "If he was dead, they'd have brought his body here to taunt us and break our spirits."

Still... she couldn't quite bring herself to release his robes yet or move back from his embrace.

Not dead that they knew of... it wasn't the same as not dead. And not dead wasn't the same as not hurt or dying. Gods above these fears were hard enough at the best of times, but now, hearing that? And to think she's actually been pleased when she'd gotten the snippet from McGonigall about them after weeks of nothing. She could sing all day about being grown and mature, but it seems at heart she was still just a silly little girl that believed in heros and romance.

[Draco Malfoy]

"And if he were injured Potter would have gotten him some help and your family would have sent you a message," Draco responded reasonably. "So since he never sought medical attention or went back to your family, then it must have been only a minor injury." Without realizing it his hand continued to rub her back. "So he's taken care of, now we need to focus on making sure *you're* not used as an example."

[Ginny Weasley]

Slowly her eyes opened, breathing slowing slightly as she heard the reason in his words. He was right... perhaps not her family, that might have been to obvious, but Harry and Hermione would never simply let Ron die. If they couldn't treat him themselves they'd have gone to someone in the Order... And contacted someone in the school so that it wasn't used against her. She had her contacts, she wasn't alone. They didn't know much because harry thought it was safter for everyone that way, not because he was to afraid or couldn't.

"You're right," Ginny murmured after a few minutes of drawn out silence. Slowly she moved to push up from his chest, moving away at last as she drew her sleeve over her eyes to dash away her tears. What was she even doing? She was supposed to be staying strong, not blubbing like a baby... Malfoy was right, there was no sense to believing this. She was just letting the Carrows get in her head and mess her up. She had to do better than that, there were people counting on her.

"I'm sorry," she added as her arm dropped away at last and her head tilted back to meet Draco's gaze. Her face was still flushed red and eyes a little raw looking from her emotions, but her gaze was calm and steady again, her lips pulled tight as she sucked in a steadying breath. "I didn't mean to... break down like that."

"Or you know... cry on your robes," she added, tone dropping a little dryer as she spotted the slighty damp where her face at been.

[Draco Malfoy]

He gave her a dry look "It's fine, you just owe me for cleaning."

Draco watched her with a serious expression, though he did offer a small joke "You know if you'd just remember i'm right you could save yourself a lot of emotional upheaval..."

He looked towards the door before lifting the map and using his wand to light it "They're out of the room of course, but still down the hall, looks like they bumped into some unsuspecting student. So I hope you're not feeling claustrophobic but I'd prefer to hang out in here until they at least leave the dungeons..."

[Ginny Weasley]

Her lips twitched very slightly in humour at his comment.

"I'd probably need to sell a kidney to afford it, knowing your tastes," she offered back. "And I'll try to keep in mind that wisdom in future."

Her eyes wandered over to the map as Malfoy lit his own wand tip to illuminate the parchment, head turning to give her a better view. Her eyes rested on the cluster of names as the blonde spoke, pondering on the unfamiliar one. Not a Gryffindor then most likely - surprisingly they had all become quite close knit lately. Still either way she pitied the poor kid that had run afoul of them in this mood, whatever House he belonged to.

"A little late to be getting bashful about things now," Ginny agreed with a small shrug at the suggestion they stay put, eyes shifting back to his face.She was actually surprisingly comfortable here anyway - she was no longer leaning against him the way she had been, but their bodies were still touching lightly, his heat warming the hair between them cozily, presence oddly calming. Then again this whole surreal situation felt a little like they were in their own bubble that had nothing to do with the rest of the school. She was in no hurry to return to reality.

"And thanks," the redhead mumured as her eyes met his, not bothering to elaborate what for. She didn't need to, it was obvious. "Again... I feel like my thanking you is becoming a habit lately."

[Draco Malfoy]

He shot her a dry look "Does this mean I can rent your map now?"

His gaze flicked over her, she was getting some of her coloring back... not that he cared or anything. It just... you know, was better that she wasn't freaking out. When you lose your head you make mistakes, trust him, he knew.

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny shot him a droll look.

"I'll consider it," she offered back in a wry tone, before - carefully, leaning back against the jars behind her. By far from a comfortable position, but at least one that gave her a little bit of distance form him to pull her head together a bit, mind flicking back to the Carrows and their intentions.

She was going to have to figure out how to make a convincing display of believing her brother was dead pretty soon if she didn't want to wind up dragged before Voldemort.

|"What did you mean by 'we need to make sure Im not used as an example'?" she said at last eyes flickering to him, half wondering if he intended that how it came out or if it had been a slip of the tongue. She didn't really know what to think or expect any more, so she didn't.

[Draco Malfoy]

The blond boy blinked and then frowned ".... I don't know... I mean... did you *want* to be easy ammo for the Carrows."

[Ginny Weasley]

"It's my greatest fantasy," she returned shooting him a dry look before she inhaled a breath, eyes shifting to meet his question lingering in the depths of her gaze, to tired really to try pussyfooting around the point.

"We. You said 'we need to make sure'. Not I."

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco frowned and then shrugged, however no other words came from his mouth as he looked around the room. After a moment he finally shrugged "Look I don't need to offer to help you Weasley so you don't have to accept anything."

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny shot him an odd look as her brows came together, trying to puzzle out his less than clear words.

"...Is that you saying you're helping anyway, or you saying I should be more grateful when you offer help in the first palce?" she asked at last, voice slow.

[Draco Malfoy]

He huffed finding himself in an uncomfortable and unknown position, and lifted the map "Are the still out there?"

[Ginny Weasley]

That was not any clearer really...

Ginny's confused expression lingered as she continued to eye him before finally giving a shrug and glancing over to where he still held the map.

"You've got the map," she pointed out, though she dutifully studied it a moment, reaching out absently to tug his wand hand closer to make it easier to read, unconsciously bringing it back around her shoulders more or less as he reached accorss her. "Looks like it... dunno what they're doing to that kid, but I doubt its pleasant. Do your recognise the name at all?" she murmured distractedly.

[Draco Malfoy]

His gaze flicked down to the girl now one more back in his arms, distracting him for a moment before he question pulled him back. He blinked and frowned, glancing at the very close girl then back at the map "No... I don't recognize the name..."

[Ginny Weasley]

"Must be in a younger year then..." Ginny answered, frown deepening as her conscience twanged at the realisation. It wasn't right for her to hide here while they were probably getting tortured... but if she left now, she'd land Malfoy in it as well most likely. And they'd realise she'd overheard their plans - plans that would piss off the Dark Lord.

Letting out a frustrated breath, Ginny unconsciously leaned back against Draco's body, pushing her hair from her face.

"Those two really are monsters..." she muttered in disgust, a tinge of real hatred colouring her tone.

[Draco Malfoy]

His gaze flicked down to her saying automatically "They follow one-"

Draco's mouth snapped shut as soon as the words came out. Damn it. Never show your hand. Especially not to a Weasley, he ignored her when she looked at him instead taking the time to locate other names on the map.

[Ginny Weasley]

Shocked eyes snapped up to his face as the words left his mouth, silence falling over them abruptly as he seemed to realise what he'd said, jaw snapping shut.

Ginny studied his face closely as he scowled at the map, clearly annoyed with his slip up. Dimly she reasoned that it wasn't really so surprising was it? He'd already shown he wasn't like the other Death Eaters and their fangroup... you couldn't feel bad about torturing someone, go out of your way to help them, despite it putting you at risk or them being a blood traitor if you believed in Voldemort. And you definitely didn't assure the same person that their 'wanted felon' brother was alive and safe. Maybe it was just that he'd actually admitted it that was shocking...

Either way though...

"Yeah they do," she agreed softly at last, gaze still on his handsome features.

[Draco Malfoy]

He didn't acknowledge her words, instead he focused extra hard on the map before finally looking at her. When did she get so close? His gaze flicked over her face "I... uh... so... did you have a plan or.. no?"

[Ginny Weasley]

Was Draco Malfoy really stumbling over his words? Ginny's lips twitched at the sight. It was small, but the fluster was there - so outwith the cool collected ice prince persona he usually sported. It was kinda cute actually... Although realising that did give her pause as she tried to equate Malfoy and cute in her head.

"Are we talking about me with the Carrows here now, or us getting out of this closet without becoming their playthings for the night?" she asked him dubiously as he once again, failed to make himself understood.

[Draco Malfoy]

"Both, either, or were you open to one of them happening?" Draco said dryly, as he arched a perfect brow, his silver eyes on the brown ones that were... well, much closer than they probably should have been. Usually in closets he didn't hide... there were more interesting things to do.

But not with Weasley... yeah... totally...not....

[Ginny Weasley]

"Actually I thought we could just stay in here forever and dodge both bullets," she returned rolling her eyes as just like that cute bumbling Malfoy was replaced with his more collected dryer self.

"No, no plans," she admitted letting out a sigh and shrugging her shoulders. "For getting out of here I guess staying put and biding our time till they leave is our best bet. As for me... I suppose I should work on my acting skills. I'm going to need them if I don't want to be dragged before Voldemort - and before you make a commet, no I really really don't."

[Draco Malfoy]

"Ahh and here I thought you wanted to hang out and snog," he teased with a smirk, though it did lack the usual derision.

"Well... best bet is, at least for that moment- allow yourself to imagine it may be true. Even if you have to, I dunno, write someone from home or something to check after. But it's the only way it'll be real enough for the Carrows... especially Amycus." Draco responded with a light frown of irritation, he really hated that man.