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: Lyrics to "Dirty Little Secrets" isn't mine. Harry and the gang are the property of J.K. Rowling. A few minor characters as well as the history of the Malfoy family, belong to me. Don't use them without asking, or I'll find you.
Chapter III: Dirty Little Secrets
I've been up all night drinking
To drown my sorrow down
Nothing seems to help me since you went away
I'm so tired of this town
Where every tongue is wagging
When every back is turned
Their telling secrets that should never be revealed
There's nothing to be gained from this
But disaster…
Here's a good one…
Did you hear about my friend
He's embarrassed to be seen now
because we all know his sins
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Ginny swayed and almost lost her balance when they arrived. Draco's arms were the only thing that kept her from crashing to the floor.
"Steady Weasley." Draco warned her. "Your dear brother might hex me into oblivion if I deliver you to him covered in bruises. " he took her gently by the arm and guided her down the hallway.
"Is this Voldemort's palace?" Ginny whispered. Although she would never admit it to Malfoy, she was terrified.
Draco snorted at her naive query. "Hell no! His Lordship's palace is much grander than this. It has all sorts of charms and spells around it to prevent people from Apparating or flooing in. Honestly Weasley. No… this is your brother's house."
"Then… Percy really is alive?"
Draco gave an exasperated sigh. "Isn't that what I've been saying?"
"Yes… but I didn't believe you then. I've never trusted Death Eaters, and I never will."
They had reached the end of the hall. There was light peaking out from beneath the door. Draco knocked twice, and then waited.
"Come in, come in." called an impatient voice from the other side of the door.
Draco grasped the handle, and opened the door, pushing Ginny through ahead of him. She blinked in the harsh light, trying to make out her surroundings. A fire burned in the fireplace, providing the only light in the large room. In one corner, a red haired man sat at an antique writing desk covered with papers.
"Ginny!" he cried, rising to his feet and moving toward her. As he moved closer, she saw that it was indeed Percy. His hair was beginning to thin, and small lines were beginning to form by his mouth, and at the corners of his eyes… but it was her brother.
He was a foot away from her, arms open, when she spoke. "Are you a Death Eater?"
It was a simple enough question. Percy stopped, and let his arms fall. For a moment he didn't speak.
"The truth." Ginny begged. "Please."
"Yes." Percy replied, simply. "There was no pretending, no Imperius curse. Everything I have done, I have done of my own free will." He took her by the shoulders. "My Lord's plans for the future are glorious Ginevra. It will be a Utopia where Purebloods can rise above the filth that has become the Wizarding World. We will start over! Build up the Ministry stronger than Fudge and Dumbledore ever dreamed! We can-"
Ginny slapped him so hard that his horn-rimmed flew off his face, and skidded across the floor, broken. "Bastard!" Ginny hissed. "How could you! Our parents! Your wife! Our nieces and nephews!" her voice rose to a screech, and the words came more quickly. "Ron! Luna and the baby! Dumbledore! Hermione! Harry! All your fault! How could you?"
Tears ran down Ginny's face as she gazed up at her brother. To think that they had mourned his death, cursing his murderers… and all the time he was one of them.
"It had to be done." Percy insisted. "Alicia, Angie, Fleur… NONE of them Purebloods! I grant you, Luna was one, but she chose her side, and paid for her choice. The rest of our family had their chance to see the truth, but they chose to fight with that Muggle-lover Dumbledore. As for Penny," he shrugged, "she was an unfortunate, but necessary sacrifice. Life goes on Gin. It can go on for you."
"You," Ginny said between gritted teeth, "are not my brother. No brother of mine could be so heartless. You aren't even human! Damn you and your Master. I want no part of it."
"Fine." Percy shrugged. "You don't need to acknowledge me. But, our blood ties compel me to help you live."
Ginny exchanged a confused look with Draco. He gave her a careless shrug, but on the inside, he was burning with curiosity. What on earth did Percy mean?
"The Order." Percy said, simply. When both of them still looked confused, Percy sighed heavily. "Order 312, calling for the liquidation and execution of those political prisoners still being held in Azkaban. It goes through tomorrow" he bent down to retrieve his broken glasses from the floor, then strode to his desk. "I thought, since you are family, I would give you one last chance. Join our side. You only have to sign this document, and you'll be free. I'll date, and process it. No one will have to know. Pansy and I will be more than happy to have you as Nanny for Thomas and Callisandra."
Ginny licked her lips. Death was not something she craved, but freedom under the Dark Lord almost made death seem like a holiday. "What… what if I refuse?"
"You die." Percy said simply. "Malfoy will escort you back to Azkaban to await execution. I assure you… it won't be pleasant." He held the paper out to her. "Sign it Ginevra."
Ginny glanced over at Malfoy. Although he stood arms crossed, with a bored expression on his face, his eyes seemed to be burning holes into her. Although, the next moment she thought she had imagined it, she could have sworn she saw him nod his head, ever so slightly.
She took a step forward, and accepted the paper from Percy's out-stretched hand.
a>
AN: ok, that one is done. On to the next chapter, and don't forget to review!
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