Synopsis: Ginny Weasley sits in Azkaban prison after Lord Voldemort's victory over the Boy-Who-Lived. The person she least expects comes to her rescue. Then, just when you think you're safe, secrets are revealed…
Disclaimer: Harry and the gang are the property of JK Rowling. Only the plot and some minor characters belong to me. The lyrics to "Surprises" is owned by Billy Joel.
AN: This chapter was our much more quickly as I had more free time. Sorry about the length. When I planned the story out, I had the chapters end at exciting points in the story, and as a result, some are quite short. I will however do everything in my power to make them longer in the future. Thanx so much to essence, meag, That So Raven, Harry and Orlando, Mooshy, and KourtTears, for reviewing chapter three!
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Chapter IV: Surprises
Don't get excited
Don't say a word
Nobody noticed
Nothing was heard
It was committed discreetly
It was handled so neatly
And it shouldn't surprise you at all
You know
~Billy Joel
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Taking the document between her hands, Ginny ripped it in half, and let the pieces fall to the floor. "Go to hell darling brother." She said steadily. "I would rather die for a cause I know to be right, than live knowing I'd betrayed the memory of my friends and family. Yes, you can kill those of us who have been rotting in Azkaban. Yes, you and your Master will live for a few years believing you have won. But, I assure you; you will be beaten. Perhaps not during your lifetime, or the lives of your children, but it will happen. Evil can never triumph over good." she smiled. "Or… has it been so long since you've heard a fairy-tale that you had forgotten?"
Percy had been turning steadily redder during Ginny's speech, and his face now resembled a large, purple plum. "Fine!" he spat. "Go back to Azkaban with your delusions! Die for Potter's lost cause! I've fulfilled any obligation I may have had. Malfoy, get her out of here."
"No." Draco said quietly. "I'm not taking her back."
"You've got to!" Percy cried. "If she doesn't sign the pledge, she's dead!" When Malfoy still didn't move, Percy added. "I will be more than happy to send you to Azkaban for insubordination Malfoy."
"I'll marry her."
Both Weasleys were staring at him as if he'd gone mad. "What's that?" Percy asked.
"Sorry?" Ginny inquired, speaking at the same moment as her brother.
"I'll marry her." Draco repeated. "As her husband, and head of the family, I can sign any papers for her. She wouldn't have to go back."
"No!" Ginny was vehement. "I absolutely will NOT marry this-insufferable-"
"Excellent!" Percy crowed. "She won't have to sign a thing! You can do it! She'll be closely watched… out of my hair… You have my blessing!" he hurried to his desk and began throwing papers off the desk. "I know I've got a license around here somewhere. We'll sign it tonight, and everything will be nice and official before the bill goes in tomorrow."
"HELLO! Are the two of you on crack or something? I have already said I will not marry-"
"Silencio!" Draco snapped.
Ginny's mouth continued to open and close, but no sound came out. She looked so angry that if she had a wand, Draco was quite certain she would have used the killing curse on him.
"Got it!" Percy cried, holding up a long, yellowed sheet of parchment. Snatching up a quill, he signed his name with a flourish, and shoved the paper toward Draco. "You have to sign this. You too." He said to Ginny.
Ginny was ready to spit nails. What had given Malfoy the idea that he could order her around? She shook her head vehemently, a clear indication that she would not be signing anything tonight.
In a flash, Draco was across the room, and standing in front of her. He smacked her, then grabbing her by her shoulders, shook her so hard her teeth rattled. "You will." He hissed in her ear. "Because it will save your life! I refuse to have your death on my conscience. If when-well… when this is all over, if you still don't want this, I won't hold you to it."
Ginny looked into his gray eyes. "He can't be trusted!" a voice inside screamed. "He's a Death Eater!" But there was also another voice; Harry's voice. "Do it." He whispered. "Live today… fight tomorrow."
Ginny nodded her acceptance, and Draco, sighing with relief, released her. He handed her the quill, and she signed her name at the bottom.
"There, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Percy said heartily. "This calls for a celebration! Pansy? Pansy! Come in here!"
"Coming dear!" a female voice called, and the next moment, Pansy Parkinson entered the room, her black heels clicking on the polished, wooden floor. "Did you call me Percy?" she asked, going over and giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
"Yes." Percy said, ignoring his wife's kiss. "I would like you to meet my sister, Ginevra."
"We've met." Pansy said smoothly. "You were a year behind me at Hogwarts, weren't you Ginevra?"
"Yes." Ginny replied coolly. "You were in Slytherin, with my… husband."
"Husband?" Pansy raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realize any man would-I mean I didn't realize you were married."
Ginny felt nothing but contempt for her brother's wife. The thought of Percy with Pansy as apposed to Penny made her ill. "I'll fix her." She said to herself.
"Yes," Ginny said, speaking in a sickly-sweet voice. "Dear er-Draky and I have just been married. Isn't that right er-Darling?" she turned toward Draco, batting her eyelashes coyly.
Draco faked a cough, to cover his laughter. The odds of Ginny ever calling him "Draky" or "darling" were quite slim. But, he decided to play along. "Yes Pumpkin, that's right." Draco replied, putting his arm around Ginny. "Ginny and I have been in-love for so long we just couldn't wait another minute. We came here tonight and insisted that Percy give us a license."
Pansy looked nonplussed. Percy looked like he was going to vomit. "Excellent job prat." Ginny murmured. "Yes, but, we really must be going. It was so nice to see you again Ms. Parkinson."
"It's Mrs. Weas-"
"Goodbye, Percy." Ginny said, ignoring Pansy. "Next time Draky and I visit, you must introduce me to your sweet little babies and to your wife. Night all!"
And with Pansy spluttering, Percy gaping, and Draco trying unsuccessfully to cover his laughter, she dragged him out of the study, and into the hall.
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"Well," Draco rubbed his hands together. "This is it; Home sweet home."
Ginny sniffed. She didn't know exactly where `home' was, and as far as she was concerned, it never would be her home.
"I live alone." Draco continued. "Well, that is to say, my parents live elsewhere. There are one-hundred-and-fifty house-elves bound to Malfoy Manor."
Ginny snorted thinking of Hermione and her S.P.E.W. campaign. She would think the Manor was the perfect place to hold a rally.
Draco grabbed Ginny's arm and guided her into the foyer. "Down that hallway are the family dining room, and the kitchen. You don't need to go in there, the house-elves do all the cooking; ring them if you need anything. Down the left corridor, is the large dining salon that we use for parties."
"You'll find the library, sitting-room, and portrait gallery on the second floor. My study is also there. Bedrooms and the bathroom are on the third floor. The fourth floor is taken up mostly by an observatory. It's much like the ceiling in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. My mother used it to look at the stars and different constellations."
"How nice." Said Ginny coolly, speaking for the first time since they'd gotten to the Manor. "Well my mother was busy burying her sons, you're mother was looking at Orion and Cassiopeia."
"I am sorry about your family." Draco told her, quietly. "I wasn't there when they died. I only heard about it afterward."
"Does that make you any less guilty?" Ginny accused. "Even if you weren't there, you're still at fault. You're one of them!" she pulled away from him, and started back down the hallway, fully intending to leave and never come back. She had only taken half-dozen steps before Draco pulled her back. Before she could protest, he had grabbed a fistful of her hair, and pulled her forward into a kiss.
Draco thought it was one of the most marvelous things he had ever experienced. It took only a bit of coaxing before he opened her lips, to let his tongue explore her mouth. She was so soft and warm, and he was enjoying it immensely… until she bit him.
"Bitch!" Draco took a step backward, touching his fingers to his injured tongue, which was bleeding slightly. "I'm bleeding! What on earth did you do that for?!"
Ginny smiled back at him. "Keep that viper and all other parts of your anatomy to yourself Draky darling. This is a marriage of convenience. You aren't getting any perks from me. Are we clear Honey-Bunch?"
Draco looked into her chocolate brown eyes and thought despite the hell she'd been through… he'd never seen her look more beautiful. "Crystal Sweet-Cake." h replied.
"Scrubs!" he called suddenly. Ginny looked at him curiously. "Scrubs!" he called again, more loudly this time.
A moment later, a tiny house-elf with over-large ears, wearing a silky green pillowcase hurried into the room. She curtsied clumsily, causing the feather-duster she was holding to hit her in the face. "Yes, Master. Is Master needing something from Scrubs?" the house-elf inquired timidly.
"Yes." Said Draco briskly "This Scrubs, is Mrs. Malfoy… Mrs. Draco Malfoy."
The house-elf's eyes widened. "Master is getting himself a wife?" she said in an awestruck voice. "Scrubs must congratulate Master. Miss is very pretty."
"Yes, yes. You are relieved of your cleaning duties. From now on, you are to serve as Mrs. Malfoy's personal maid. You answer first to her. If there is anything she wants, or needs, you are to see that she gets it. Understand?"
"Oh, yes Master. Scrubs is very honored to me serving Miss. Scrubs will do her very best to care for her."
"Excellent! Well then, I have things I need to do. Scrubs, show Mrs. Malfoy to her room. The blue one ajoining mine should be fine. Have a bath fetched for her, and bring her some dinner also."
"Yes, Master." Scrubs said, dropping another surtsy to Draco as her started down the corridor.
"Oh, and Ginny dear… don't try anything. Attempting to get out of the Manor without knowing the proper charms and passwords can have some nasty results. Night love!"
"Goodnight, you pretentious little prick." Ginny said through gritted teeth. "I hope you choke to death on your dinner."
<TBC>
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AN: Sorry. This entire chapter is crap. The part with Pansy and Percy seems completely out of place. But, I needed something to go in there, and that is what came out. Ginny's remark about being on crack, was a gift to my BFITWW, C.J. Much love to you girl! This might be the last chapter for a bit. Family is here this weekend, and I work all next week, so, there might not be one for a week. But, yes, a thorn from me to you. Enjoy!
P.S. Reviewing is good for the soul!!!
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