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A Matter of Time	By : AdaraB Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 7796 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns everything in the Harry Potter universe. I own nothing and I make no profit off of this story.

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Chapter 30 - Desperation

“Exactly how much does he know?” Albus asked; a worried expression on his face.

“Everything. Blaise Zabini was released from Azkaban on good behavior. His parents took him straight to the Dark Lord so that he could tell him all that he knows. The Dark Lord used Legilimency to see images of the girl as well as examples of her talent. Apparently, Zabini had been keeping a much closer eye on Miss Grey than anyone knew. He knew her daily ritual by heart even after nearly four months of being separated from the girl. The Dark Lord was exceedingly happy to know that she is Potter’s cousin and the small bits of information Zabini was able to provide regarding her appearance in our world.” The sober tone of Snape’s voice only put more of a chill to the situation.

Dumbledore steapled his fingers and pressed them to his lips as he considered Snape’s response.

“What is he planning to do about her?”

“He is still plotting his next move. I don’t know as of yet when he plans to take her but I believe that he will use Miss Parkinson as a spy because of her involvement in Miss Grey’s abduction by Zabini. If he does get his hands on Miss Grey however, I do not know how she will be used. The Dark Lord is sadistic enough to come up with many different ways to use her and her talent.”

“She must be warned. Precautions must be made. Please call Miss Grey, Misters Malfoy, Potter and Weasley as well as Misses Granger and Weasley Severus. They will be informed of the situation at once. After we have spoken to them, I’m calling an Order meeting. Something must be done at once.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ashleigh was in the middle of pointing out and explaining the optic nerve in the book Dumbledore had told them they’d find when a house elf popped into existence.

“A letter for you miss.” It said. As soon as Ashleigh took the letter the little creature disappeared.

Opening the letter Ashleigh quickly read its contents before walking to a rubbish bin. Taking her wand out she cast ‘Incindio’ on the piece of paper and watched it burn. She dropped it into the bin just before the fire reached her fingers.

“Dumbledore needs to see us. Now.” She whispered to her friends. Within seconds, all six of them were running out of Ashleigh’s rooms and towards the Headmaster’s office.

When they arrived at the gargoyle, it immediately started moving to grant them access to the Headmaster’s office. The wooden door was standing open and they barged into the room. Seeing Dumbledore sitting behind his desk talking to Snape who was standing close by, they stopped abruptly, each of them slamming into the person in front of them. They each wore a sheepish smile on their faces as they took a seat in a pre-conjured chair.

“What is so important that you needed to speak with us so soon Headmaster, we were just here half an hour ago?” Ashleigh asked; a confused look upon her face.

“I’m afraid it is bad news. Lord Voldemort has come to know of your existence and in short, everything about you my dear.”

“WHAT?” Harry and Draco screamed in unison.

“Blaise Zabini was released from Azkaban yesterday on good behavior and immediately went to Voldemort to relay his story. He is currently making plans on how to abduct Miss Grey but it is Severus’ belief that Miss Parkinson will be acting as spy in order to gain more information.”

At his words Ashleigh paled and sank back against her chair. Draco reached over and grabbed her hand to lend her comfort, her eyes stared blankly ahead.

“What is being done to prevent this?” Draco asked. The hysterical note to his voice gave away his desperation. It was something that didn’t happen often and never in company other than his closest family.

“For starters, Ashleigh will not be permitted to go anywhere without an escort. As I know you Harry and you Draco; that will not be too much of a hindrance as one of you are always by her side as it is. Extra wards will be placed around the school tonight and a surveillance spell will be placed on Miss Parkinson. When we become aware of Voldemort’s plans we will make further adjustments. For now, be vigilant.”

They left Dumbledore’s office in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Ashleigh was feeling quite stoic. She couldn’t believe they let Zabini out of Azkaban early. She could however, believe that he went running to Voldemort to turn her in as soon as was possible. If he wasn’t completely pissed with her for kneeing him in the crotch he’d probably ask Voldemort if he could keep her. He was so obsessed that she wouldn’t be surprised if he did. If she was captured there would be one consolation at least. She wouldn’t be killed. She didn’t know what Voldemort would use her photographic memory for but she did know that she would be used as bait; that was clear enough.

Looking over at Draco, who still held her hand comfortingly, she thought about what it would be like to lose him. That idea didn’t sit well with her. It actually made her want to vomit although she was sure that if she did at this moment that she would be dry heaving. She didn’t know how to live without him. She was so used to his presence these past seven months that she had forgotten what her life was like before him; or Harry for that matter.

She had lost her entire family in her previous life and now that she had another she didn’t want to give it up. Harry had brought her so much joy with just the knowledge that he is her cousin. He’d become more like her brother these past months and just like Draco, he was a necessity.

Harry stopped at the main staircase and turned to Ashleigh, taking her free hand in his.

“You’ll be okay. We won’t let anything happen to you. Either Draco or I will be with you at all times. They won’t get anywhere near you, I promise.”

Letting go of her hand, Harry enclosed her in a hug which she returned in force. Pulling away from him she replied.

“I know it will be okay. I’m just a little shocked right now. I expected this to happen, just not this soon. I trust you all as well as Dumbledore and Snape. I’m sure things will look brighter in the morning, even in bad situations, they normally do.” She graced them with a half smile and turned to give her other Gryffindor friends a hug. They parted ways, the Gryffindor’s heading up the stairs and the Slytherin’s descending toward the dungeons.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry stopped outside the portrait of the Fat Lady and turned to his friends.

“You all know how things usually go down at the end of the school year when Voldemort is involved. If something happens and they don’t have Ashleigh, I don’t want any of you breathing a word of our plans. She stays here where it’s safe.”

“Harry we can’t…” Hermione tried to intervene but Harry cut her off.

“She will be left out of the war if I can help it. She is the only family I have and I’m not willing to chance losing her. This is not open for discussion.” He said, fire burning in his eyes.

Ron, Hermione and Ginny looked to each other for help when Harry turned to give the password to the Fat Lady. They all knew how much Harry cared for Ashleigh but they knew that if she found out this plan he had for her there would be Hell to pay.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Ashleigh and Draco were safely back in her rooms, Ashleigh pulled Draco over to the sofa and sat down. They stayed there, holding each other but not saying a word. Neither of them had spoken since they left the Gryffindor’s at the staircase. Finally, sick of the silence, Ashleigh turned to Draco.

“Will you stay with me tonight?”

“Are you scared?”

“No, I just want to be with you. I can’t really be scared of something that hasn’t happened yet, although I don’t really like how I’ve been contemplating what they’d do to me.”

“They won’t do anything to you. I won’t let them.” He stated seriously.

“Will you stay with me?” She asked again since he hadn’t answered the first time.

“Of course, I would never leave you if you asked me to stay.” He told her while petting her cheek with his hand. She leaned into the caress and closed her eyes.

“Thank you.” She said as she leaned her head upon his shoulder.

“There is no need to thank me you know, I would do anything for you.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Well then I require you to do something for me.”

“Anything.”

“Anything huh?” She asked with a smile.

“Well” she continued, “I never did get my owl. I’d like you to go and pick one out for me.” She said as she turned her eyes up toward him.

“Are you sure you don’t want to pick one out yourself?” He asked with a slightly confused expression on his face.

“I’m positive. Who knows when I’ll be released from house arrest? It may not be for a year or longer. If I know Dumbledore, he’ll have me safely locked up in the castle until Harry defeats Voldemort. I won’t be able to leave the castle grounds until he does because he is certain that the Death Eaters will snatch me up as soon as I do. And it has been almost two months since Valentine’s Day. ”

“You’re right.”

“Of course I’m right.” She replied smugly.

After a moment’s hesitation Draco stood up and walked over to her writing table and sat down, pulling a piece of parchment and a quill in front of him and started to write. Seeing his movements, Ashleigh followed him and looked over his shoulder. He was writing a letter to his parents.

“What are you writing to your parents for? You just sent them a letter the other day?”

“I’m telling them not to expect me home for the summer holiday. I’ll be staying here with you.” He said as he continued to write his letter, not even bothering to look up at her.

Quickly, Ashleigh snatched the paper up from under his hand, balled it up and threw it up into the air and banished it.

“What are you playing at?” He demanded.

“What am I playing at? What are you playing at? You have to go home Draco! If not to see your parents then to protect them! What will Voldemort do to them if he finds out that the son of his supposedly most loyal Death Eater is staying at school so he can protect his girlfriend who he desperately wants to obtain?”

Draco looked as if he was about to interrupt so she continued.

“Do you really think that Blaise left out the little fact that we are together?” She asked, her chest heaving from her hastily delivered words.

“Look, I know you’re scared, I am too…scared shitless really. I mean, it’s not every day that a Dark Lord is after me. But I do know this, if you stay to protect me, he’ll punish your parents. I couldn’t live with myself if that happened. I suppose it’s the Gryffindor in me that’s trying to preserve them instead of myself.

“I don’t want to fight about this anymore, okay? I’m tired of thinking about it for tonight.” She said with a sigh as she walked back over to the sofa, lie down and put a plush pillow over her face.

A moment later, she felt the cushion dip next to her and the pillow being removed. Draco looked down at her with a sad look in his eyes.

“I don’t want to fight about this either. All I want is for you to be safe and I can’t make sure you’re safe unless I’m with you.”

“But don’t you see, if you’re with me he could order you or your parents to bring me to him. Your parents can’t risk their lives to save mine. I won’t allow it.”

Ashleigh sat up and as she did, Draco moved to sit next to her.

“Why don’t we talk to Dumbledore and ask him what he thinks is best ok? That will at least give us an excellent opinion of what to do for your safety during summer hols and it will stop us from fighting anymore ok?”

“That sounds like a plan to me.” She said, giving him a smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dumbledore sat behind his desk listening intently to the Head Boy as he explained his and his girlfriend’s dilemma. Fingers steepled in front of his mouth, he thought about the best course of action.

“I believe that Miss Grey’s assessment of the situation is accurate. Mr. Malfoy, I would highly suggest you return home come the end of the school year unless your parents wish to reveal their true alliance to the side of the light.” Dumbledore said in a sober tone.

“How am I supposed to just leave her here?” Desperation was present in Draco’s voice as he asked this.

“It’s really not as bad as it seems Draco. It’s not like you can’t visit me here. Professor Snape already said he would offer me the position of his apprentice. I could use this time wisely and start early.” Ashleigh said as she rubbed his hand soothingly.

“I don’t like leaving you here alone.”

“I won’t be alone; all of the professors will be here.”

“You know what I mean.” He replied with a bit of a growl. “I consider alone without me. I know very well that the professors will be here with you. It’s just the matter that I won’t be.” He stated tersely.

“I know. Let’s not worry about it anymore for now okay? We need to be worrying about N.E.W.T.S. right now, not where I’m going to be living. Although, it is a relief that I know where I’ll be staying after I finish school.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I don’t exactly have anywhere to live do I? I’m from the future Draco. I don’t have anywhere to live and I don’t have a job to be able to support myself yet.”

Draco wore a look of pure confusion.

“Why wouldn’t you live with Harry? He inherited a house and I’m sure he would want you to. “

“Harry needs to make his own life after school and he can’t really do that with me in his way. I’m not going to sponge off of my cousin just because he wouldn’t mind. My parents raised me to be independent, I don’t want charity.”

“It wouldn’t be…”

“Yes it would.” She insisted with a huff, frustrated that he couldn’t see this from her point of view.

“If I start my apprenticeship with Professor Snape this summer, I’ll be safely hidden away while learning my future profession. It’s really the perfect situation.”

“I still don’t like it.”

“I know you don’t, you’ve made that very clear. But with your parents position we can’t risk it and Professor Dumbledore already said he agrees with me which really leaves you no room for argument.”

At this comment, they both looked at Dumbledore who was sitting serenely behind his desk with a bemused expression upon his face. While Draco and Ashleigh had forgotten where they were and who was listening, the Headmaster found their banter quite to his amusement.

“I think this situation is settled. I would suggest you do as Miss Grey suggested and concentrate on your N.E.W.T.S. for the present time.” Dumbledore said.

And with that statement they knew they were being dismissed. They stood, bid the Headmaster a good day and left the office in silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning Ashleigh and Draco sat at the Slytherin table during breakfast. Ashleigh, instead of eating, was merely pushing her food around her plate while casting furtive glances toward Parkinson every few minutes.

“Will you eat your food and stop looking at Pansy! They’re going to catch on that we know something is up.” Draco hissed in her ear while trying to make it look like he was kissing her cheek.

Ashleigh came out of her daze and tried to give him a half smile of apology that looked more like a grimace.

“Sorry. I just keep thinking about her role in all of this and I can’t stop thinking about it. Normally I wouldn’t believe she could do much but with Voldemort pulling her strings who knows what she’ll be capable of!” She whispered back.

“I know you’re worried but you need to calm down. Freaking out will do you no good. If they do catch on to the fact that we know what he is planning to do it would point out Snape as being a rat and make him act faster. We need for him to delay his plans as much as possible so that we can protect you to the fullest extent.”

Their quiet conversation was cut short by the arrival of the mail. Looking up at the flurry of owls, but not expecting anything, Ashleigh was surprised when a tawny owl landed in front of her and dropped a letter next to her plate before flying away.

Finding the owl’s behavior strange, since they usually just dropped their letters from above, she grabbed the letter and opened it. Scanning over it quickly, she froze before turning to Draco who was trying to read it over her shoulder.

“Come with me.” She said before standing up and preceding him out of the Great Hall.

She didn’t stop until they were back in her rooms. It was the only place that she knew they wouldn’t be disturbed and was close enough to get to in just a few minutes. Once they were inside with the door shut firmly behind them, she handed Draco the letter.

Looking at her as if she’d gone mad, he took the letter and began to read. She could tell when he got to each part of the letter from his facial expressions and his stance. His final reaction was not good as he picked up a glass vase from the side table and threw it at the stone wall.

Watching as the vase shattered into millions of tiny crystal shards, Ashleigh couldn’t help but think that it was a good representation of what was going on in her life. Everything seemed to be going quite well in her life until the Headmaster’s announcement the day before and now everything seemed to be falling apart with just one letter that was signed by the Dark Lord.
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A Matter of Time