Synopsis: Ginny Weasley is in Azkaban sentenced to die after Lord Voldemort's defeat of the Boy-Who-Lived. To save her life, she agrees to marry Draco Malfoy.
Disclaimer: Harry and the gang are the property of J.K. Rowling. A few minor characters (Scrubs, Elysia, and other Malfoys), as well as the history of the Malfoy family, belong to me. If you want to use them, just ask. And, hmmm... uh... Any resemblance to people living, or dead, is purely coincidental. "Undone" lyrics by Sister Seven.
AN: Finally, here is your chapter. I know it's been ages, and the chapter is shamefully overdue, but I beg your forgiveness. University classes have been difficult of late, and I had a summer class to deal with as well. I wasn't planning to update yet (I had only half the chapter done!), but then I got a review for the story, expressing sorrow because the story was "dead". I then checked the date and realized I hadn't actually "updated" the story since last year! I immediately sat down and started writing. I am pleased to announce that I have not only this chapter, but the next one done as well! So, you should be getting another update in a few days. And so, after doling out M&Ms to all you faithful readers, I'm proud to give you the next chapter.
On a personal note: - to my beloved CJ, a reminder for you: Whores do it for money, sluts do it for free, wenches do it for FUN. In regard to Dwain: Yea Bob! Have fun pickin' your wildflowers, try not to get pricked by any thorns! And, for the last time, woman, I did not take your damn red leaf.
A special thanx to all my reviewers: irish_slytherin, Alotua, Tomlove01, diggingupophelia, bluerain13, rembrandt, Blair, Hermionepotter112161, darkflamez , sailor girl, SlytherinBabe29, Peanut, Mooshy, div, Elven-Princess, Joy, Princess, Meg Meg Meg an, mercedes1327, blissfulxin, laila, yekwah, Kadajwannado, monagy3 , HPfan, Drailla, gingin, R.T., missmyrtlemay, Ohmigoddess, all you Anonnymous people, and to my unfailing, 'faithful', reviewer, essence.
~*~
Chapter IX: Undone
~*~
Hear the rattle
Change is coming
Baby could you leave me something
Hold me 'til I cannot breathe
I'll wake to find you gone
Well I don't mind this at all
You said that I'd be better off
To find another love
'Cause life's been kinder to me
I will wait this time
'Cause this is stronger than you think
I will stay to show you something
The world is missing
It's hiding under
The shame and wishing
We could finish all that's been undone
wrap around it
Break it open
Push it down the stairs or something
This is what we've come here for
To open wide the change
Some believe in suffering
Keep the lock and toss the key
It's better, easier and all
~*~
"Your mother left earlier than I expected."
"That's because she didn't have permission to travel after hours. After ten o'clock you need special permission from the Minister. If you don't have it, it's impossible to get back into the palace."
"Oh. How long have your parents lived in the palace?"
"Nearly a year. I encouraged them to stay on here, but," he chuckled, "Mother insisted that I would need the space once I started raising my own family."
"Sweet Merlin! How many children does she expect you to have?"
"Oh, at least a dozen; half of them sons. I don't think anything less would satisfy my mother. What's the matter, darling? Is twelve too many for you?" he quirked an eyebrow. "You come from a family of seven, and yet are surprised that my mother wants a dozen grandchildren?"
"Yes, well, aren't you the one who were always twitting Ron and me at school because our family had more children than they could afford?"
"Yes, but this is different. Money won't be a problem for me." Draco pointed out. "I have more of it then I could spend in a lifetime."
"Why don't you do something useful with it then? Like donating some of it to St. Mungo's?"
"Perhaps if it still existed, I would!"
"You mean... it's gone?" Ginny couldn't hide the dismay she felt at this newest piece of information.
"You're surprised? Hospitals are for the weak. The Dark Lord has no use for weakness in his plans. Those he couldn't use, he disposed of."
"That's disgusting! St. Mungo's treated anyone who was injured, regardless of which side they were on. They didn't refuse to treat a patient simply because they fought on the side of the Dark Lord. How utterly despicable!"
"I think you're taking this all too much to heart, my dear. It is something you need to accept, and then move past. After all," he stopped, and looked at her. "I had friends who... died because of the closing of St. Mungo's. But, collapsing in grief over their demise won't bring them back. Accept it, and move on!"
"There is a big difference between your friends and mine." Ginny said firmly. "Your friends died at the hands of the Lord they chose to serve. My friends never made that choice. They had the assurance that the side they fought for would never do anything as evil as murder people simply because they weren't deemed 'useful'. How can you believe that garbage they feed you? Pureblood superiority, Muggles slaves, or dead. It makes no sense! After all, your precious Lord Voldemort is only a Halfblood! Did you know that?"
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Do you honestly think I would choose a side without first finding out everything I could about it? I read about the history of Lord Voldemort; about his views and goals. I read so much that I have no doubt I would have beaten Granger's record for 'Longest time spent in research'. In the end, I chose the side that had the best chance of success. And judging by the way things turned out," he shrugged. "I would say I'm the one who made the right decision."
Ginny shook her head. "No... you simply sold your soul." Despite his justifications, she still was amazed that he had chosen the side of the Dark Lord. Didn't he realize the cost? Didn't he realize his life would never be his again? She was so tired. She wanted nothing more than to go to sleep, and never wake up again.
"I'm going to bed." she said finally.
"Bed? It's only nine o'clock!"
"Yes, and I'm tired!" She pressed her palm to her aching head.
He sighed heavily. "Of course, you're right. If you're tired, then you should sleep. Mother remarked that you didn't look well at all. She said you looked unnaturally pale."
"Oh, really? Well, hmm, let us think about this for a minute, shall we? I spent four years in a prison cell, with no sunlight, and barely enough food to keep me alive. How do you think you would look?"
"Well, I'd be dead." Draco said. "Because I would have made escape attempts, until they were forced to kill me."
"Wayne died that way. After the third time they killed him. They tortured him until he was screaming, and then left him for the animals."
"The fool. He should have signed the oath. If he had, he'd be alive today."
"Wayne was too clever to be taken in by Voldemort. None of us would ever sign that thing." she said vehemently. "Not ever."
"I have you there, my love." Draco said silkily. "I hate to burst your bubble, but you would be surprised how many of your little friends 'sold their souls' as you so eloquently put it, to our Master."
"Zacharias Smith and that foul Edgecombe slut don't count! They were never really on our side to begin with!"
"I'm not talking about Smith or the lovely Mrs. Pucey-Bletchley-Montague." Draco said triumphantly. "I'm talking about the ones who turned after the Day of Retribution: Madley, Stebbins, and Summersby from Hufflepuff all turned in the same day. Then there were half a dozen from Ravenclaw including Cho Chang, or should I say, Mrs. Angus Derrick, and your boyfriend Michael Corner. Then, of course, there is the lovely Mrs.. Marcus Flint: Katie Bell, Gryffindor Chaser."
"You're lying!" she said softly.
"Why would I lie? What would I have to gain from it?"
"I don't know... trying to break down my defenses? Make me change sides?"
"Darling, you've already changed sides. You are, after all, married to me, one of the most faithful followers of the Dark Lord. Whether you like it or not, you are on his side as well."
"But why would you want me if I'm not willing? Why would you marry me? You bastard! Why didn't you just let me die?!"
"It's simple. You are the sister of the Minister, Lord Percival Weasley. I saw my chance to make a good move politically. What better way to advance myself than to save the sister of the Minister from certain death? He'll be forever grateful."
He had spoken bluntly, and Ginny hadn't been prepared for it. She had a suspicion, of course, that his reasons were political, but hearing the words from him... "I think... I really should go to bed now."
He shrugged. "I won't stop you. Do what you want."
She nodded, and started toward the stairs, toward her room. "What better way to advance myself than to save the sister of the Minister from certain death?" . His words echoed in her head.
"I don't know what I was hoping for... but that certainly wasn't it."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Watching his wife walk away from him made Draco bite his lip in vexation. Things hadn't gone the way he planned. No, not at all. He hadn't meant to sound like such an ass. But then, he couldn't have her believing he was weak. But now, she was walking away from him and he waned so much to call her back.
"You've messed things up royally, darling." Elysia said quietly. Draco turned to see her hovering in an oil painting of a young couple on a picnic. They seemed oblivious to her presence. Indeed, the young man's hand had begun to make its way up under the little witch's skirt. Lucky bastard.
"You are interfering in something that isn't any of your business." Draco told her coolly.
"Her happiness and welfare is my business." Elysia said, firmly. "I won't have her as miserable as Celestia and Rosaline were. AS much as I loved my son, I could never condone or overlook the way he treated his wife. She had a miserable existence and I regret not having done more for while she lived here. I refuse to allow Ginevra to be the outlet for your frustrations!"
The little witch and wizard to whom the portrait belonged had at last noticed Elysia's presence. The little witch had sat up, and was smoothing her skirt. Her young lover looked much annoyed at Elysia's intrusion of his privacy. "She deserves more after all she has been put through, Draco. If you don't feel you can treat her with the respect she deserves, I will send for someone who can!"
Her words carried heavy meaning for him, and he sighed in resignation. "What do you want me to do?" he asked, finally.
"Go to her! Apologize for being such a swine. Promise to do better. Make love to her, if you want!" she added slyly, nodding to the love-struck pair that sat behind her in the portrait. "Don't tell me it hasn't crossed your mind. After all, Draco, I'm dead, not senile. You wouldn't be a man if you didn't want her. She is your wife, after all. It is the natural thing."
"You know very well that this isn't a normal marriage. It wasn't made for love, money, or anything like that. It was done to save her life."
"I do not for one minute believe you feel nothing for her. If that were the case, you wouldn't fight with her as you do. You wouldn't have had to marry her. You could simply have helped her escape. You wouldn't have had to bring her here, to this house, and into your life. No," she shook her head. "I believe you have feelings for her."
"You know more than you should." Draco answered, and hurried off toward his wife's room.
Elysia smiled. She had won, again. "As you were." she said to the little lovers, and started back for her own portrait.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She had thought about trying to escape again, but realized it would be useless. What would she do, assuming she could even escape the mansion? She had no idea how to make her way around in this new world, alone. She would never go to that traitor, Percy. Living with him would be worse than the four years she spent, wallowing in filth, in Azkaban. But, there was nowhere else for her. She was living in a world that was ruled by one of the most evil men in wizarding history. The world as she had known it had ceased to exist the day Voldemort killed Harry.
There was a knock at the door, and Ginny hastily wiped her hands across her tear-stained cheeks. "I don't want anything right now, Scrubs. Please, go away!"
The door opened, and much to her surprise, Draco walked in. He closed the door firmly behind him, and came to stand in front of her. "I'm sorry." he said simply. "I... didn't mean the things I said to you, out there in the hall. Marrying you had nothing to do with who your brother is. I mean... having him as Minister made marrying you a fairly simple process, but his job isn't the reason I married you."
He paused to take a breath, and she raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. "I noticed you at Hogwarts. In the beginning, you were always hanging with Potter and his group, so you just blended in. But later, during fifth year, you started hanging around boys. A lot of boys. I watched you with them and I couldn't help but imagine myself in their place."
Normally, Ginny would have found such declarations nauseating, but right now, at this moment, it was what she needed to hear. "I never allowed myself to think that I fancied you. I mean... come on... you're Weasel's sister after all. But, when your brother asked me to get you from Azkaban, I knew it was the opportunity to get what I'd always wanted." He ran a hand through his hair. "I couldn't just stand by and watch you be taken away; not when I'd finally gotten you." he finished, somewhat lamely.
"My... a speech worthy of Shakespeare." Ginny said dryly. "How long did you practice before you came in to deliver it?" Draco scowled, not deeming her query worthy of an answer. "Honestly, it was quite good. It contained everything but a declaration of love."
"That is one thing you won't ever hear from me. But, I would like us to start again. Begin on a better note. As friends, maybe?"
"Friends?" She raised an eyebrow. "You have friends?"
"Shove it, Weasley."
"It's Malfoy." Ginny corrected. "And I suppose 'friends' is a place to start."
"I thought it was an excellent plan. We will at least have to like each other if we plan to stay married. Divorce is not an option, so don't even think about it."
"I wasn't."
"You would either be sent back to prison or executed since you haven't signed that damn oath of loyalty."
"I won't ever sign it." Ginny reminded him.
"Yes, I know. Then you had best resign yourself to being married to me for the rest of your life, and having my little blond babies."
"We're having babies now?"
"Of course! Who else would I leave my disgustingly large fortune to? I won't require a ridiculous number of children. I think an heir and a spare should suffice."
"I see. And when would you like us to begin breeding these children?"
"We have plenty of time. You're still young. I won't force myself on you, and demand my 'husbandly rights' if that's what you're worried about. But then again... I won't wait forever, Gin."
He came toward her slowly. Taking her face between his hands, Draco leaned forward and kissed her. It was almost like time stood still. The walls of the manor might have come crashing down around them, and Ginny was sure she wouldn't be able to move an inch. Her hands moved from his shoulders to his head, where she ran her fingers through his pale tresses. He tasted wonderful. Like warm, sweet, chocolate. He pulled back, and Ginny slowly opened her eyes. He was staring at her strangely. Was she a bad kisser? "I'm sorry." she said
His face broke out in a grin. "I'm not. Some of the best kissing I've had for ages." She turned red, and he laughed. "It was meant to be a compliment." he assured her.
"I know. It's just been awhile since I've gotten any. Compliments I mean."
"That is about to change. From this moment on I promise to shower you with compliments. If I'm remiss in my duty, Elysia will be sure to scold me."
Ginny bit her lip. "You don't have to do this, you know: Pretend to like me. You could send me to live with Percy."
Draco shook his head. "I don't think that would be wise. You and your sister-in-law would kill each other within the week. However much I might like to see that, I think your brother would have Azkaban reconstructed just so he could throw you back in your cell." he took her hand, and squeezed it gently. Believe me. I want you here. In this house. With me. Now, I'll let you get some sleep." he raised her hand to his lips, and kissed her fingers.
"Goodnight."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ginny sat bolt upright in bed. She was covered in a thin layer of sweat, and shivering like mad. She'd had another nightmare. About Azkaban. She glanced about the room. She could see faint light peaking around the edge of the curtains, so it must be morning. There was no way she could go back to sleep. "As long as I'm up, I might as well have breakfast."
She didn't bother to dress, she simply pulled a thick robe on over her nightgown. A good thing too. It was cold in the hall. She padded silently toward the stairs in her bare feet. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she headed straight for the kitchen.
Houseelves moved about, washing dishes and stirring pots that emitted delicious smells. Scrubs noticed Ginny, and hurried over to her mistress. "Miss is early!" Scrubs said, curtsying to Ginny as she dried her wet hands on the fluffy pink tea towel she was wearing. "Breakfast is not being ready for two more minutes."
"It's fine." Ginny assured her. "I'm used to it. Growing up with six brothers made waiting for food a daily occurrence. My mother tried to cook as quickly as possible, but six hungry, teenage boys made the food disappear quickly."
Scrubs, and the houseelves within hearing looked positively scandalized at the very idea of a household run without houseelves. "I Miss will sit," Scrubs pointed to the sparkling clean kitchen table, "Scrubs will bring Miss her tea."
"Make that two teas." Draco entered the kitchen, his right hand busy securing his left cufflink. Ginny was not surprised that even at this early hour, not one of his blond hairs was out of place. It looked so different from last night, when it had been a tangled mess from her running her hands through it.
She didn't realize she was staring until he chuckled softly, and raised one pale brow. "Something wrong Gin? You look as if you'd like nothing more than to eat me. "
"No," she said, blushing slightly. "Nothing at all."
"Right then. My mother just owled to inform me that she is coming to visit today. She has great plans to redecorate the entire manor to suit your taste. Zabini's wife is coming with her, as is the Honorable Mrs. Percy Weasley."
"Mrs. Percy Weasley?" For a moment, Ginny's mind drew a complete blank. Then, she made a face. "Oh, you mean Pug-nosed Parkinson."
Draco tried not to laugh. "She is no doubt, coming to inspect your progress. Try not to commit any treasonous acts in my absence."
He hardly had time to duck before her teacup came sailing across the kitchen at him, just missing his head and breaking with a crash against the wall. There were frightened squeals from several of the houseelves, and a particularly tiny one wearing a pale pink tea towel ducked beneath a table as Ginny's saucer followed the teacup. The saucer struck Draco square in the chest, and then shattered on the floor.
Draco closed the distance between them. Before Ginny had the chance to utter a sound, he had taken her by the wrist and dragged her from the kitchen. "Let go!" she demanded.
He continued to walk, stopping at the end of the hall near the statue of a naked woman holding a water jug. She looked furious. He grinned. "I was only joking in there. How else was I supposed to get you out of the kitchen?"
"Get me out of the kitchen? Why?"
"So I could do this." Drawing her forward he kissed her softly, but thoroughly. She drew him closer to her, slipping her arms around his neck. He was surprised, but only for a moment. Then he kissed her back. Her lips opened slightly and his tongue met hers. He pulled her against him, and her body melted against his. Tentatively, she ran her fingers through his hair. She felt herself being pushed back against the wall. Somewhere in the background, she heard the statue topple from its stand and fall to the floor. His hands caressed her back and began to move lower.
There was a distinctive pop, and the next minute, a gasp penetrated Ginny's mind. "Oh, forgive us. Are we interrupting something?" asked an amused male voice. "Narcissa, you told me our son was expecting us."
Draco looked slightly annoyed at the intrusion. He ran a hand over his hair, attempting to smooth it back down. Ginny pulled her bathrobe more tightly around herself. "I told our son that we would be arriving promptly at half-past seven. Perhaps, Draco, you didn't notice the time?"
Ginny tried not to feel embarrassed. But they had, after all, been caught, snogging against a wall in the hallway. And what could be more embarrassing than being caught by one's in-laws? Draco's eyes were still slightly glazed over. Ginny tried to smile, and said simply. "Forgive us. We didn't realize it was so late."
"Its nothing darling!: Narcissa waved her hand in a dismissive fashion. "When Lucius and I became engaged, his father came upon us in the music room in the east wing. Needless to say, it was quite embarrassing." she laughed softly. "He forbade anyone to play the piano again."
"Narcissa!" Lucius scolded.
"I'm sorry, darling. Ginevra, may I introduce my husband, Lucius Malfoy. Lucius, Draco's wife, Gin--"
"Little Ginny Weasley. My, haven't you grown up." He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss on it. "Draco, I must congratulate you. She is quite lovely, and her connections couldn't be better. The Minister, of course, owled me to inform me of the marriage, although, I must confess I was surprised. I wasn't aware that you and Ginevra were close, or even that she had joined our side."
Ginny smiled, blandly. Percy had obviously not felt it was necessary to inform Lucius Malfoy of the events surrounding her 'conversion', and Ginny herself did not think the information important enough to mention.
"If you are ready Draco, perhaps you and your father should go." Narcissa suggested, filling the uncomfortable silence.
"Ah, yes." Lucius added. "His Lordship has matters of vital importance to discuss with us Draco."
"Hurry along then. Ginny and I have a busy day ahead of us. We should make ourselves comfortable in the study until the others arrive. Have you already eaten, Ginevra? No? Then we will adjourn to the dining room."
"Have a lovely afternoon ladies." Lucius bowed to Ginny, kissed Narcissa on the cheek, and apparated with a soft 'pop'.
"Goodbye Mother. Ginevra." The look Draco sent his wife promised retribution for the interruption they had suffered. Ginny merely smiled, and waved.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How are things between you and my son?" Narcissa asked.
"Fine." Ginny replied, taking another bite of her scrambled egg."
"And, is he a good lover?"
"I'm sorry?" Ginny asked, sure she hadn't heard correctly.
"I didn't stutter, Ginevra. I asked you whether or not my son was a good lover. A woman named Muriel, Lucius' most skilled mistress, schooled him. If he is a selfish lover I shall be quite put out. We paid the woman ten thousand galleons to teach our son everything she knew."
"Ten thousand galleons! You're joking!"
"Certainly not." Narcissa sipped her tea. "We couldn't have him be an ignorant fool on his wedding night. Malfoy men have always prided themselves on being excellent lovers. Lucius was determined that our son should be one of the best. So, is he a good lover, or not?"
Ginny was saved from answering by the arrival of Susan and Pansy, their children in tow. Susan had only Alan with her, but Pansy had brought both of her children with her for her visit to the manor. Ginny had to admit that the children were beautiful. Five-year old Tom had hair as red as Ginny's own. He looked a lot like Fred and George had at the same age. With a pang, Ginny realized that Tom had been born only a few months after Penny had died. That meant that Percy had been sleeping with Pansy while his first wife was still alive. The bastard! Like her mother, Callisandra had glossy hair, and a pug nose. But, if Pansy's looks were anything to go by, Calli would be beautiful when she grew up.
"Ginny! It's good to see you." Susan came forward and hugged her friend. "And this," she pushed a dark-haired little boy forward, "is Alan."
"Hello, Alan." Ginny said kindly, wiping his brown hair out of his eyes.
"Hello." he whispered.
"What a darling he is Susan!" Narcissa cried, coming up to give the younger girl a kiss. "And you are looking well I see. The baby isn't troubling you overly?"
"Not at all," Susan touched her rounding stomach. "I haven't been ill at all."
"Good. Now then. Why don't we send the children up to the nursery, and get started redecorating the house."
"Thank Merlin!" Pansy said. "Thomas and Callisandra have been driving me mad all morning!"
Narcissa smiled politely, and indicated to a nearby houseelf that she should show the children and their nannies to the Malfoy nursery. "We will have to be sure and redecorate that room as well. So it's ready for your babies, Ginevra." Narcissa patted her daughter in-law's hand.
Pansy's eyes widened at this new piece of information, but Narcissa said no more on the subject, leaving Pansy to wonder if her sister in-law was indeed pregnant. "Why did you do that?" Ginny demanded later, as she and Narcissa carried fabric swashes to the third floor parlor.
"Children promote stability." Narcissa explained. "If your brother and sister in-law believe you are pregnant they will think you have at last accepted your situation and decided to settle down. They will cease to monitor your activities, and you will be free to live your life in peace."
"Oh... thank you."
Narcissa shrugged. "There is no sense in making things more difficult for you than they already are." she hesitated, and then continued. "Is there a chance that you might be expecting?"
Ginny started. "No!" she said quickly. "I mean..."
"You don't have to explain to me. You have plenty of time. It will happen when it is meant to happen."
Ginny smiled at her mother in-law, and the two rejoined their guests. They spent all afternoon and most of the evening picking out colors and fabrics for the numerous rooms in the manor. By the time her guests left, Ginny was exhausted. She excused herself to Narcissa, and went upstairs to lie down.
Narcissa walked over to a pile of discarded fabrics. After rummaging around in the pile, she pulled out a lovely, light blue color that she knew would look beautiful on the nursery wall.
"Tsk-tsk!" Elysia scolded. "Sneaking around in the dark of night! Whatever shall I do with you Narcissa?"
Narcissa smiled wickedly. "Just incase." she confided, and the two conspirators laughed.
~*~
AN: And there you have it readers! Twelve typed pages of my best stuff! Well... maybe not the best. But it took tremendous effort on my part to turn out such a long chapter. Written out, it took up 27 pages! Don't expect the next chapter to be anywhere near this long. I have yet to type it, but it's only about 14 pages hand-written. It might get longer if I add stuff to it. I often do things like that at the last minute. So, anyway, expect a chapter sometime next week. That should be enough time for this chapter to sink in and me to get an obscene amount of reviews! M&M's to all my readers. And remember... reviewing is good for the soul!