***heh, *hides* my favourite 'anonymous' reviewer just pointed out a really silly mistake I made rofl thanks for reviews so far! Off to bed now!
Well, another update - I think I've failed my exams miserably! Have only one more to go, Spanish 9am tomorrow which I am really not looking forward to! Then off to London on Saturday and then France on Monday! So I thought I'd write another chapter quickly so the wait isn't too long… it's a bit short, but I'd loathe to keep you all waiting (those who have patiently put up with my slow updates thus far).
Thanks for reviews - all very encouraging and insightful!
I know it's going slow… especially the 'real' D/G interaction. I looked back over the story and spotted loads of little spelling mistakes - oops! But 24 chapters and my god… there really isn't any D/G - and by the looks of it, there's still a while yet. However, upon saying that I hope it doesn't put any of you off reading this story… my reviews are few considering how much I've written (it is a bit disheartening), but all that I have received mean so much more to me and really shows that those who have bothered to leave their thoughts have actually enjoyed what I have written (to some extent at least). So I really want to thank you all and know that I am open to all comments and criticism! Christ, I ramble! On with the story!
Restless
He did not return to his chambers for the next four days. Ginny sighed as she stared out of, what had become her favourite window which afforded her a view of the sunset and the merciless forever-raging sea against the cliff's jagged rocks below. Though the courtyard was in plain sight Ginny could quite easily ignore the Dark Novices during their free periods and immerse herself in novels the Dark Phantom had left for her. At least she assumed they were left for her, she had awoken in the small stone alcove which held a comfortable single bed and had found them laid out for her. She doubted the Phantom read romance novels, she even giggled at the thought.
Ginny glanced towards the Phantom's bedroom, where her own bad was and shuddered. He seemed 'honourable' enough; at least that's what she was led to believe, despite the fact that he had murdered innocent children, was highly dangerous and The most esteemed Death Eater of Voldermort's innermost circle. She frowned, why did the thought of trusting such a man even cross her mind? She'd been pondering on so many things in the last four days, yet none of her worries ever concerned being held captive by The Dark Phantom… breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and supper had appeared on the table like clockwork and a hot bath prepared for her morning and night without fail. He'd seen to almost her every single need, except conversation and companionship. She was at no discomfort except for being in a place she really did not want to be in.
Ginny stared down at her hands and realised how dirty her clothes were. She was still clad in her nighty from the night of her capture, and although it was not exactly indecent she felt partially undressed. Her attire was, at the time, the last thing on her mind when he was in his chambers, however seeing the state of her dress now put her to shame. Glancing out the window Ginny quickly made her way to the bathroom, the moon was high in the sky and she had had dinner hours ago, he was probably not to return.
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Draco groaned as he paced Blaise's study, they had been at it almost constantly for the last 4 days except when his mark burned from The Dark Lord's summoning. He had barely slept, as he had led raids every single night.
Blaise sat massaging his temples in front of the fireplace. "Is it so likely that I'll be in the Dark Lord's presence, Drake? I thought it was merely to throw your father off your scent."
"Not likely, no, but not a chance I am willing to take if you do happen to have to be in his presence. You only need be seen by both myself and my father a few times during raids, but we're masked then. Masks are taken off during gatherings… though perhaps I can arrange him to see us with the novices."
"I take it your mask never comes off these days?" Blaise smirked.
Draco grimaced. "I've not seen my own reflection for a week."
"And there I was thinking you were so vain." Blaise laughed.
Draco grinned wearily. "I must go and see to her, she's been unchecked for far too long for my comfort, Merlin knows what she's gotten up to."
"Then go, Drake. My mind can do with a rest." Blaise muttered.
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Draco closed and placed the locking charms quietly on his doors and made his way through his dimly lit chambers towards his bedroom. He noticed that none of the curtains had been drawn and made a note of it; this was obviously Ginevra's preference. The fire in the fireplace in his bedroom was burning low and he frowned when he saw what he recognised to be Ginevra's nighty and underwear hung over the back of a chair that had been placed in front of the fire.
Almost laughing out loud he realised what she had done. Glancing over to the stone alcove in the wall where she lay in her bed he let out an involuntary hiss. She had her back to him and was curled up in a protective tight ball with her duvet pulled up to her chin. Though during the course of her sleep it had somehow slipped down and her bare creamy sun-kissed-freckled naked back was staring tantalisingly at him, her blood red hair fanned out around her pillow. He had to exercise an immense amount of self-control not to be tempted to lean down to stroke her hair and kiss every single freckle that graced her shoulder or slide into her bed behind her and hold her tightly to him. Instead he turned and headed out of his chambers quietly, instantly apparating to his London flat. He knew he would not be able to sleep within such close proximity to her, knowing that she lay completely bare naked under the covers.
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A loud rap on the front door tore Luna from her thoughts and she quickly made her way towards the hall way.
"Oh hello, Ron," she smiled weakly as she stepped back to allow the youngest Weasley man into hers and Ginny's flat.
He nodded and stepped through. "Sorry to call so late, just wanted to - you know…" he swallowed and stared passed Luna's shoulder to where Ginny's bedroom door was.
"It's ok, come in, want me to fix you a cup of tea? It'll make you feel better."
Ron shook his head. "No, no don't worry; I don't know if anything can make me feel better, Luna… she's gone," he croaked.
To Ron's surprise Luna moved forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, nonetheless he circled his arms around her waist, pulling her closer and tighter to him and buried his face in the crook of her neck taking comfort in the smell of her hair.
"She'll be back, he won't let anything happen to her," she whispered softly in his ear.
Ron frowned, Luna always spoke in riddles, and it was a known fact that she made little sense. Yet when one looked back and reflected on what she had said it would always prove to be true.
"Who's he, Luna?" Ron whispered.
"He loves her, and for a long time now too… he'd die before letting anything bad happen to her… heart of a Malfoy, once found is bound forever."
Ron pulled back and stared at Luna in disbelief. "What?"
Luna reached up on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his. "Malfoy loves her like you love me - there's no denying it. What's done is done and what will be, will be, just have faith…" she said softly.
He didn't know whether to feel shocked over her revelation of Malfoy loving Ginny which was impossible, or her knowledge of his love for her, but as her lips repeatedly pressed softly against his he lost all sense of coherent thought. After all, like she said - there was no point in denying it.
Xxx-xxX
Ginny sighed in relief as she sat up in bed; covers pulled up close to her chest and saw that the Phantoms bed showed no sign of having been occupied. Stepping gingerly out of bed with the covers still wrapped tightly around her she staggered over to the fireplace to retrieve her dry clothes before making her way to the bathroom. Half way across the room Ginny stiffened as she heard the doors to the outer chambers open and close, she bolted for the bathroom and donned her clothes faster than the speed of casting lumos.
"Ginevra," The Phantom inclined his head slightly as Ginny emerged from his bedroom, dressed and breathing heavily. He motioned to the dining table where breakfast was laid out. "Join me for breakfast." Ginny nodded and made her way uneasily to the table.
"You must tell me when you are inadequately provided for, Ginevra," he said softly making Ginny choke on her pumpkin juice and stare at him wide-eyed.
"W-what do you mean?" she spluttered.
The Phantom smirked. "Is it custom for you to sleep naked in a strange man's room?"
Ginny flushed in embarrassment, her eyes dropping to her plate. "I- well, no - but I am also not accustomed to being snatched from my room in the dead of night by a notorious Death Eater either," she shot back and glared at him defiantly. "I didn't expect you to return."
"Well I did," he said, slightly amused.
"You didn't sleep in your bed though."
The Phantom chuckled. "My sweet innocent Ginevra, do you really think that I could've slept within such close proximity to the temptation of your nakedness? You've much to learn about men… even ones such as me."
Ginny paled and blushed at the same time as if she was both flattered and disgusted at once of his implication.
"I'll doubt I'll ever have the chance to…" she said forlornly, her voice quivering slightly.
His eyebrow rose inquisitively under his mask. "What makes you say that?"
Ginny stared at him coldly. "I appreciate that you're not forthcoming about my future, whatever your reasons may be, Phantom, but I know my life expectancy has been considerably shortened. I know the ways of your Dark Lord - I know he could want nothing from me other than my drawn-out and painful death!" she hissed venomously.
"Indeed, I don't doubt your knowledge of Voldemort's ways, but your knowledge of me is somewhat lacking. Believe me when I tell you for the hundredth time that you are not here to die, Ginevra."
"Then for Merlin's sake, tell me! Why am I here?" Ginny cried in frustration.
The Phantom let out a long and withdrawn sigh, there was no point in toying with her fear - he knew what was in store for her. The truth, at least the whole truth was out of the question - she wouldn't believe him if he told her she was here only partly because of Voldemort's orders but primarily because of his peace of mind that she would be safer with him.
"You're here to birth the Child of Legacy," he said softly.
"The child of what?" Ginny blanched.
"Voldemort's heir, the Child of Legacy."
"But he can't - couldn't! Could he?" Ginny croaked.
The Phantom shook his head. "No, not physically himself, he can't…"
"Then who? How?" She looked at the Phantom, her eyes widened and her face paled whiter than a ghost as if she already knew the answer.
He inclined his head and looked her straight in the eyes.
"NO!" she almost screamed. "You? I won't! I'll kill myself!"
His jaw tightened at the sound of disgust in her voice even though he had expected it, hearing her declaration in full force stung.
"Ginevra…" he said quietly. "Do you really think you have a choice?"
Her eyes were wild with fear and she looked like she was going to be sick. "You can't…" she pleaded, "it's immoral, kill me instead."
"You think killing you is moral?" The Phantom asked softly.
"No, but I'd rather die than - than be raped!" She cried, tears rolled down her face. "Besides… you've killed before, you've broken that moral."
He clenched his fists. "So, you've assumed I've never taken a woman against her will?"
Ginny shook her head. "I - I don't know…" she breathed despairingly.
"Does it make it easier?" he asked, when she did not reply straight away he sighed. "Knowing… finally having an answer, is it more tolerable?
"No…" she whispered in resignation. "No, it isn't and it doesn't make it easier, but at least I know…"
"Then know this, I'll not violate you - not under any circumstance. In the end, Ginevra… you will come to me willingly, regardless of the reason, you'll find me and I'll be waiting."
Ginny stared horror-struck at him, his words rebounded off the hollowness that had taken over her mind and sent vibrating chills to her very core. Something about the way he said it, the tone of his voice and his certainty, it was a promise and she was petrified.
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So… please take the time to review /huggles