A Dark Time For The Light

3

Draco and Ginny found themselves before an opened opaque window in the Admissions office of the London School of Economics. Papers were being checked. The voice of officialese spoke, “Yes, we had a Granger here. A Jane Granger”. Ginny murmured, “That’s her middle name”, then spoke aloud, “She was here?”, she held her breath. The Registrar looked at the redhead over glasses. “It appeared she had some kind of crisis, was sent down before Easter”. Ginny was aghast, “Sent down?. That means expelled, right?”. The woman nodded. “She was discharged nearly seven months ago now. I cannot say why. It was a real shame”. She clapped the window shut on something approaching a sob.

Ginny turned and buried her face in her hands. “Hermione. Expelled. I don’t believe it”. A diffident cough sounded behind them from a small grey-haired woman wearing a nun’s wimple and short cassock. She said, “I overheard part of your conversation. You are looking for Jane, are you not”. She gazed a short while at Ginny, then asked, “You are Ginny, aren’t you?, she spoke of you often. Come with me, I have something to tell you”.

Mystified they followed her up stairs and along corridors until she let them in to a comfortably furnished sitting room and bade them sit on her sofa while she rattled around making tea. No-one spoke.

“There”, she sat opposite and busied herself with the pouring. She was obviously thinking of where to start. Ginny couldn’t contain herself and blurted, “Please, what do you know?”

She glanced up at the two concerned faces and told the truth. “My name is Sister Agnetha Farish and I am the Pastor here. I’m available any time a student needs someone to talk to and Jane came to see me several times before her expulsion and twice afterwards. She was a very troubled young woman to the extent that I tried to encourage her to seek medical, no, psychiatric help. Her mind was going of that I am sure”.

Ginny was appalled. Just what had been going on?. The small woman looked down, “I’m not sure how much I can tell you without breeching confidentiality here, but I know she was in love with you, Ginny”. She looked up at Draco, “So you must be Draco as the two of you are wearing wedding bands?”, the boy nodded and stayed silent.

She took a deep breath, “Jane was troubled right from the start. She was highly intelligent, but was failing badly in some parts of her course, almost as if huge chunks were missing from her education. She told me that she’d attended a very exclusive school that rather over-protected it’s students, but I know she tried very hard to catch up”. Agnetha hesitated then continued. “I’m not sure when she started to get involved in drugs, she said she took them to take away the pain of losing you, Ginny. She came to see me after her first arrest. She’d been caught trying to buy heroin from an undercover policeman”, the woman sighed. “That was bad enough, but when she got caught soliciting, she was sent down from College. I attended the court hearing with her and convinced them to release her on bail rather than hold her on remand. I let her stay with me at my home for a while. One night she came back. She had been ‘working’, she was as high as a kite and had a nasty black eye. She started rambling about witches and wizards and how she couldn’t use magic anymore because it was banned by some evil Overlord at the Ministry of Magic and that’s when I realised she had taken leave of her senses. I realised then that if I didn’t intervene, this young woman could end up dead. I slipped out to call a colleague. We were going to have her sectioned. For her own good, you realise, but when I got back to the house, she was gone, along with several small valuable items and my two credit cards. I didn’t report the thefts to the police and I never saw her again. This was about six months ago, now”.

Draco and Ginny were plainly horrified at this tale. Draco spoke first, “Everything she told you, the stuff about witches and wizards?. It’s all true. We two are also Magical folk and we were all at School together. Hermione was the brightest pupil in her year right the way through until we left. There is an evil Overlord. His name is Voldemort, and she and her two best friends, Harry and Ron had been fighting him since they were eleven. There was a big battle in our final year and Voldemort won. His object is genocide on a huge scale, to wipe out none pureblood elements in our culture. Ginny and I come from pureblood families and were forced to marry and to produce an heir. We have lived under a Curse for more than a year. We’ve run away and we know others of our kind are in hiding. We had to leave our child behind”.

At this Sister Agnetha was truly appalled. She sank her face in her hands after seeing the truth in the faces of the young people before her, “I’m so sorry. Then I betrayed that poor child in her hour of greatest need. She didn’t need intervention, she was a lost sheep away from the fold. I’m very sorry”, she wiped tears away. Ginny reached and placed a trembling hand on the woman’s shoulder, “You tried to help. You let her stay with you. You weren’t to know”. Agnetha patted the girl’s hand and looked up into her streaming eyes, “The only clue I have, is that she drew some money with my credit card and bought something from a shop somewhere in the East End before I’d managed to cancel my cards. I have the address of the establishment on my card statement at home. I could meet you tomorrow or you could phone me tonight. Where are you staying?”.

Draco shrugged, “We only got here this morning and we came straight here. We stayed near Oxford last night”. “Then let me help. I know of a very nice little Christian hostel for students and young folk. The rates are very reasonable and they will waive the cost if you help out around the place. No-one will force you into any religious activity that you do not share and you will be left in peace. It might be a good place to base yourselves while you search for her”.

They glanced at each other then nodded, “Thank you, that will be a great help to us. We have a little money but our accommodation was expensive last night”. Agnetha smiled at these polite youngsters and their concern for their friend and reached for the phone.

As she turned back to them, it was to see them sorting through piles of banknotes of various denominations. Ginny looked up, “We want to pay you back the money that Hermione took from you. How much...?”. The woman smiled, “I thank you, but put your money away. She could have cleaned me out but didn’t and the shop was a supermarket. I could never deny one in need of food and money for shelter. I was cross at the disappearance of my little ornaments, but what are things when measured against lives. Meet me at the Main Entrance where you came in at six o’clock this evening and I will take you to the Hostel myself. It’s a bit tucked away and hard to find if you don’t know London. Father Anselm has agreed to take you in. He has a room for the next two weeks if you need it”.

They thanked her and she saw them out. They wandered aimlessly around the busy streets reorienting themselves using their street map, they ate at a cheap cafe and at six on the dot, they saw Agnetha on the steps and rushed up to meet her.

She led them to the Tube and organised tickets then plunged them into the maelstrom that is central London in rush-hour. They squeezed onto the trains and nearly lost her twice at various interchanges, Ginny desperately trying to keep track of where they were, as they finally came up for air in Bermondsey. Agnetha led them through a maze of small streets and into an alleyway between two rows of terraced houses where they were faced with a high stone wall into which was cut an arch. Two closed wrought iron gates hung in the archway. Agnetha rang a bell and it’s clang could be plainly heard.

A man in full monk’s habit walked toward them and unlocked the gates. “Brother William, how are you?”, Agnetha greeted the monk. He looked her companions over, “I am well, sister. So, these are our two guests”, he held out his hand to Draco, “Brother William. And you are?”. “Draco Malfoy, sir, and this is my wife, Ginny. We are very grateful for your offer of hospitality”.

They all shook hands and Agnetha left them. “I’ll phone here as soon as I get home, Ginny, with that address. Good luck, both of you, and I hope you can find her”. They thanked her profusely and the gates clanged to behind them.

“I just have time to show you to your room, then we eat communally at seven thirty. The food is simple and prepared by anyone who volunteers. For fifteen pounds a night, you get your room, breakfast and evening meal and the use of a spare key. The gates are locked at all times, I’m afraid. We have a curfew at midnight each night and no alcohol or drugs are allowed on the premises though we don’t object to you enjoying a little ale off premises”, he smiled.

Ginny ventured, “Actually, we’re here to look for someone. A very dear friend who seems to have got herself into trouble”. The man led them along corridors and up the stairs of a solid Victorian detached villa which needed redecorating. The decor was straight from the 1950’s. He let them into a small room at the back of the house with a view out over the lush garden and handed Draco the key, “Well, here’s your billet, get settled in then dinner in half an hour. I’ll see you then”, he walked away.

Draco let out a long breath as the door closed, “Well, we’ve food and shelter at least”, he turned at a sound behind him. Ginny was sprawled across the bed weeping into a pillow. He was beside her in an instant. He lifted her into his arms and cradled her head against his shoulder, rocking gently shushing her and stroking her back, “We will find them, sweetpea. We will. We’ve made a start. Come on, dry your face and let’s go and eat. We’ll have an early night and look for that shop place in the morning”.

She looked up into his damp eyes and reached up and kissed him full on the lips, “Thanks, Draco. You’re right and I should take heart. We’ve been helped and I should stop whining and be grateful”. He hugged her, “You don’t whine and to hear news like that of your true love deserves to have tears shed over it, for now, though, we need to keep our strength up”.

She found the bathroom and washed her face and hands. Everywhere was very simply furnished and spotless. They both changed into fresh clothes and made their way downstairs looking clean and tidy. They followed the smell of food and located the kitchens easily enough in the basement. Just then a young monk flew past them with a stack of plates in his arms, Ginny caught his arm and he turned, “Excuse me, we’re new here, could you just....”. She got no further as she saw the boy’s face, “Dennis?!!”, she exclaimed.

He nearly dropped his plates, especially when he saw her companion. He put them down hurriedly then made a lunge towards Draco, “What the fuck are you doing here, Death-Eater?”. Draco caught the boy’s wrists with his hands and held him fast, “Ginny, pull my sleeves back, please, show him”. Ginny did so and the young lad glared at his pale unmarked forearms, then she revealed her own freckly limb, “We’re not Death-Eaters, Dennis. We ran away before we could be Marked. We’ve been under an Imperius curse for fourteen months. It was only lifted a fortnight ago and we’re looking for Hermione Granger and Harry Potter and anyone else”. She finished in a hurry.

Draco felt the tension lessen in the boy’s arms and he released him, holding his hands before him, palms out, “Sorry about that, I just didn’t want you to take my face off”. “S’alright, you only defended yourself, Malfoy”. Dennis’s smile was a little grim as he rubbed at his wrists. “We need to speak with Father Anselm after dinner. Let’s say you are not the first Magical fugitives to come through here. Now though, I have to lay the table and Father Anselm hates lateness. M’name’s Creevey, Dennis Creevey, he held out a hand to Ginny, “And you. Tall, pretty, red hair. A Weasley”, she shook it, “Yes. Ginny. Colin was in my year at school”. The boy held out a cautious hand to Draco, “It’s Draco, please, Dennis. I’m not sure I like my last name any more. Pleased to meet you”. “Ginny giggled, “We got lost trying to find the dining room, and then we found you”.

Dennis picked up his plates and led the way. They found themselves in a large high room with stately French windows opening out on to the garden. A long table ran the length of the room and a large sideboard rested against the long wall. This last was covered in bowls and large platters of food, with a covered tureen at the centre. “You help yourselves and take seats wherever there are gaps. Dinner is usually silent, but we may talk once the plates are cleared”, Dennis whispered. They obeyed and had a silent but satisfying meal of hot chicken stew with dumplings, followed by home-made apple tart.

At the end of the meal a large bearded man stood at the head of the table, “I would like you all to welcome our two new guests, Ginny and Draco. They come seeking a friend. One who has fallen by the wayside, maybe we can help. I am Father Anselm and I would like to talk to you both, if you would take tea with me in my quarters”. Man and wife nodded at each other then smiled at him and followed him from the room.

They were ensconced on a lumpy sofa in his overstuffed study. Books and papers were piled haphazardly around. He came straight to the point after the initial formalities had been performed. “Dennis tells me that you are Magical. This is nothing new to me. What is strange is that you are from so-called pureblood families and have run away. If you wish to join the Underground we’ll have to have you dowsed by an Auror first, to detect any trace of this Curse you have been under, plus any other clandestine mischief you may, albeit unconsciously carry with you”.

They looked at each other, baffled at this. Ginny said, “An underground, sir, I’m puzzled. We really are looking for our friend, she is another Magical such as ourselves and Sister Agnetha was helping her”. Anselm held up a hand and quieted her. “Dennis’s brother is a member. Dennis has elected to remain with us as a sort of middle man. There is an old ex Auror that is still on the right side who does the dowses for them, but as Magicals, you really should be with your own kind. I would also suggest that you talk to Brother Ferdinand. His main work is concerned with ladies who work the streets, also Sister Rosamunda who works with drug addicts. We could spread the word for you. I will arrange for the Auror if you wish”.

Draco ran a hand through his hair, totally stunned. “How come Sister Agnetha knew nothing of this underground?”. Anselm smiled, “Information of this sort is on a need-to-know basis. It was I that she called the night she wanted to stage her intervention. I told her to keep your friend there and quickly arranged the Auror, but by the time she had returned from the call box, Jane had disappeared as Agnetha told you. She called during dinner and left this address for you”, he handed Ginny a slip of paper, “though the transaction that was recorded at this address occurred nearly six months ago”. Ginny nodded as she took it, feeling her lower lip start to tremble again. She bit it hard.

Draco threaded an arm around her and she cried again in his arms. Anselm tilted his head, “Just exactly what is this girl to you, Ginny?”, he asked softly. Ginny wailed, “She’s the love of my life”. Draco, in a low voice, told their story, to Anselm’s growing horror. He came towards them and dropped to his knees holding both of them and Draco finally let his own anguish go and the two of them wept on those strong shoulders. As the sobs quieted, he sat back on his heels and squeezed their shoulders, “This is a barbaric way to act, and I do not blame you in the least for escaping and, I feel, the sooner you are safe with your own kind, the better. Let me call in the Auror. He taught at your school, I believe, some years ago, and I trust him with the youths that pass through here. His name is Alastor Moody. Perhaps you know him?”.

Two pairs of reddened eyes lifted to his and he saw the first genuine smiles from either of them, “Old Mad-eye?. Cool!, he’s one of the best there is. He taught DADA in my fourth year, sir. He’s a bit scary, but he’s good”. This seemed to relax his guests and he returned their smiles. For two pins he would have taken them straight away, but he respected the protocol. “I’ll send for him as soon as possible. It could take a couple of days. In the meantime, relax, repair yourselves. Ginny, as this was a forced marriage, perhaps you would like us to find you a separate room, I would hate you to be in a situation you find uncomfortable?”.

She smiled at him, “Thank you, but we’re sort of used to each other and I would miss Draco’s presence. I mean... we...er.. don’t...erm, but I’d miss it if he wasn’t there. We need to stick together at least until we find our...erm..beloveds”.

“Draco? Who else are you looking for? The love of your life, perhaps?”. Draco’s head dipped. He nodded. “Another of our kind. He was defeated in the War and disappeared. Harry Potter is his name”.

Anselm could feel the sadness pouring from these confused children. “You two need to sleep, perhaps after an hour in the gardens. It is a very restorative experience. Come on, walk with me, then take an early rest”.

He rose and held a hand out to the two of them, then led them out into the wonders that were the Order’s garden. He told them a little of the Centre’s mission. As outreach for children and young people living on the streets. They didn’t judge or condescend or preach, but were just there, roaming around in their vans late at night, distributing clean needles, condoms to the working girls, a soup van doling out food to those whose bed was the streets, comfort to the distressed, blankets to the cold. Draco and Ginny were impressed.

After what was, indeed, a pleasant tour of the gardens, Anselm bid them both a cordial goodnight, reminded them that breakfast was at eight in the morning, then left them with a wink and a smile. They made their way to their room.

“That was nice, Ginny, what you said earlier, about us sharing. You could have been moved”. She climbed into bed. “It’s true, Draco”, she shrugged, “I’d miss you. You’ve slept next to me for nearly two years. I’d miss your snoring. The times you mutter Harry’s name. The odd times you cuddle me in your sleep”, she giggled, “I can feel you hard sometimes. I know it’s not for me”, she sent him a flirty glance. He grinned, “And I have to put up with your snores, and, yes, you do snore. And the occasional loud fart. Not to mention the times you jump on me, trying to snog me senseless”. His eyes were sparkling. She chucked a pillow at him. “Behave. I do not try to snog you. I’m perfectly circumspect and I do not fart in my sleep”. He threw himself down on the bed beside her and they both laughed.

They fell asleep in a chaste pile, a tangle of limbs and voluminous nightshirts.