Chapter 6
Ginevra:
The silver eyes bore into her, an uneasiness rushing through her veins. Her safety has been assured, but fear seeped into her mind. Ginny gulped, then took a deep breath to calm her frazzled nerves.
"Oh, come now, Ginevra, this is your guardian, he's not going to kill you." Said an exasperated voice.
"Well, it's brill that you think so, but I`ve noticed that you're not two feet away from a beast tat can rip out your jugular." Ginny muttered quietly, hoping that she was not overheard.
"I heard that." The voice called.
No such luck. Ginny had been working on stemming the flow of sarcasm that seemed to ooze from her mouth. It was not her fault that these people kept putting her into situations that caused her defense mechanisms to go up.
Ignoring millions of retorts and witticisms that popped into her head, Ginny brought her attention back to the task at hand. Pushing her initial fear into the recesses of her mind, Ginny placed a hand lightly on the soft muzzle. Almost instantly upon contact, the fear melted away, the large feline purring at her ministrations.
"He likes you." Narcissa Malfoy said, staring straight at Ginny and the large white tiger beside her.
"That's good, I would hate to have a flesh eating feline who is twice my size hate me."
"We really must work on your flippant remarks, Ginevra." Narcissa insisted upon calling her Ginevra. There is a reason your parents named you Ginevra, and not Ginny, and I plan to use your birth name. Annoying as it was, Ginny allowed her to use her given name. It was foolish to invoke Narcissa Malfoy's wrath over such trivial matters.
"You say that every day."
"It's true every day," Narcissa sighed and went on. "His name is Orion and he shall be your guardian. He'll stay in your chambers during the night and accompany you on trips into town." Narcissa explained. "During the day, he will not always be around, but if you are ever in danger he will come to your aid."
"I do not need protection." Ginny said stubbornly. In the past month she had regained some of her health and did not want to rely on anyone. She no longer had the muscular physic that went along with long hours of quidditch, and she was denied the use of the training rooms here at Castle Black, but she refused to admit it
"Women are not meant to be strong." Ms. Herst had said when Ginny inquired about a gym. She had no work out cloths, only gowns and corsets. Determined to regain her toned and fit body, Ginny had taken to doing push-ups, sit ups, and crunches naked in her bedroom every night. She was nowhere near prepared to take a death eater in a fight, but she could probably bitch slap Pansy Parkinson around…well, if the girl didn't have a wand anyway.
"You were almost raped and you WERE gnawed on by a Kappa, I think those instances alone, constitutes your need of protection." Narcissa said.
Ginny opened her mouth to retaliate, but she knew it was pointless. Narcissa Malfoy practically ruled Castle Black and would not be persuaded to alter her plans. As long as Ginny was under her tutelage she would have to obey the commands given, but she would not do so quietly.
"Fine, but could you please inform as to why I am being so heavily `protected'."
Her residency at Castle Black puzzled Ginny since the day of her arrival. She was certain that she would be flung into a cell in the dungeons in order to wait for questioning. Instead she was given a fairly expansive suite, complete with a king size bed, a vanity, large wardrobe, and her own master bathroom. In the closet had been various gowns, robes, and corsets all fit to her proportions. The vanity held make up, perfumes, and an assortment of jewelry. It was the finest room Ginny had ever been in and ironically enough it was her prison. Ginny had wondered if the Death Eater's were trying to bribe her for information, but that seemed very unrealistic. The Death Eater's had no problem torturing or killing children, so she doubted that they would try a different tactic on her. When she first met with Narcissa, she had asked why she was being treated so kindly, but Narcissa just smiled and replied, "All in good time." The question was issued each day and the reply was always the same, but Ginny was nothing if not persistent.
"Yes, I think I will." Narcissa replied.
"Huh?" Ginny could not believe her ears. She had been denied the answers she desperately wanted for so long that she had trouble comprehending what Narcissa said. Was she truly going to find out why she was here?
"Huh, is not a word Ginevra.. Now do you want to know why you're here or not?"
"Yes, I do."
"Ma'am"
`Yes, I do, Ma'am."
"Very well," Narcissa began walking towards a pair of ivory doors and beckoned Ginny to follow her. Giving Orion one last scratch behind the ear, Ginny followed the older woman through the doors. The doors concealed a drawing room, connected to a balcony. The room was richly furnished with chaises, tapestries, love seats. Narcissa walked out to the balcony where a round glass table stood with too matching chairs on either side. On the table sat tea and biscuits. A house elf scurried over towards Narcissa and pulled out a chair for her. When Ginny reached the table the house elf did the same for her.
`Thank you." Ginny said politely to the house elf, who in turn squeaked, bowed, and then scampered off.
"Now, you inquired about your purpose here at Castle Black. Castle Black." Narcissa began, taking a small sip of her tea. "Where shall I begin?" she asked rhetorically.
"How about with why I have not been killed, tortured, or questioned?" Ginny suggested. Her voice was soft and tone polite, but the question was laced with sarcasm. Narcissa chose to ignore Ginny's impertinence, and continued speaking as though the girl in front of her said nothing at all.
"The Dark Lord is in want of a greater army. His Death Eater's are not as young as they used to be, and many out of practice. The battles have wiped out many of his followers, his hold on the wizarding world is fragile, one wrong move may destroy him. The best way of securing his position is to gain the support of the influentiall wizarding families. Here in England, he has the most notorious and well know wizards and witches behind him, but what about beyond the borders." She paused, took a dainty bite of her biscuit and sip of tea before continuing. "Many of these families do not want to bow before anyone, they are convinced that they should be given lands and castles in return for their support."
"You mean they want bribes?" Ginny said. She was still unsure of where Narcissa was headed with this speech. Ginny did not care about Voldemort's finacial issues.
"Yes, bribery to put it crudely. Voldemort has lands to give them, he can give them titles, but what is to say that once the title is assumed that these lords will not rebel. What happens if the gold runs out? That is when he decided that lands were not enough, he needed more to ensure future, faithful generations of Death Eaters."
Narcissa had claimed Ginny's attention now. These political issues could be the key to Voldemort's undoing.
"Marriages." Narcissa announced. "Marriages are very binding in the wizarding world, and if the ceremony is done properly can not be broken. These marriages would ensure the loyalty and allies for Lolrd Voldemort."
"Marriages! You are going to marry me off!" Ginny screeched, standing abruptly in rage. He napkin fell from her lap, her tea was knocked over, and the biscuits skittered across the floor.
"Sit down Ginevra" Narcissa commanded, her tone ringing with authority.
"I will not be cowed into accepting any marriage proposal." Ginny said through gritted teeth.
Narcissa took out her wand and pointed it at Ginny. "Sit down, Ginevra. Listen to what I have to say or so help me I will curse you."
Ginny wanted to stomp her foot and storm out of the room. She wanted to snap Narcissa Malfoy's wand in half and lug the tea table off the balcony. Instead she swallowed her rage and calmly sat back down, her hands clenched into fists, her fingernails digging half moons into her skin.
"The Dark Lord has collected as many pure blooded girls as he can find and has sent them to various witches in order to make aristocrats out of them. Each of you will have a dowry and will be available to young suitors. Balls will be arrange\d so that you will meet them and afterward, if they so wish they may court you. The best offers will be those that will be excepted." Narcissa said, her voice icy. "I am here to teach you how to act like a woman of noble birth and I am also here teach you how to make the best of your situation."
"The best of my situation? The best, the best I can hope for is that I will receive a handsome Death Eater instead of an ugly one." Ginny spat, her anger was boiling beneath the surface of her skin, screaming to be released.
`The best is a Death Eater unsure of himself. If you gain a rich husband who can be influenced, you can gain some say in political matters."
"A say in political matters?" Ginny's anger was fading to a simmer, and Narcissa's words had intrigued her.
"Yes. Voldemort's take over has destroyed the previous wizarding world and new political structures will be arising under his rule. He is a powerful wizard to be sure, but he knows little of how to rule to world. Lucius has been manipulating the political systems for years and he'll being doing the same in this one. Lucius respects and loves me and so my political wishes can sometimes be achieved. Turn the other cheek to your husband's racism and allow him to love you, make this your world your home, not your prison Ginevra."
Ginny absorbed Narcissa Malfoy's words. The Gryffindor in her wanted to rebel against such obvious Slytherin ideals, but common sense prevented her. She wished to yell out how she would never conform to the Death Eater lifestyle. Ginny knew that in order to stay alive she would have to conform, at least in appearance if not in her heart..
"Very well. I will play your game, teach me everything." Ginny said.
"MOTHER!" boomed a masculine voice, penetrating through the ivory doors. Ginny's head turned just in time to see the doors swing violently open, the doors crashing against the walls, to reveal the Malfoy heir.
Ginny's history with Draco Malfoy was brief, a series of short interludes that were forgotten as quickly as they occurred. She has defended Harry once against the unruly Slytherin and had cursed him with her infamous Bat Bogey hex during the end of her fourth year. Those incidents had been fleeting and the two did not share much contact until his seventh and final year of Hogwarts.
The Golden Trio had run off to hunt down the remaining Horcruxes, while Ginny stayed at Hogwarts. She took up the position of Seeker on the Quidditch team, which was the only reason her and Draco ran into each other at all. They would fling insults at each other during matches, and somehow that moved onto throwing insults in the halls. The verbal sparring matches they had were few and far between, but they were the talk of Hogwarts for a period of time. Ginny never breathed a word of it to anyone, but secretly she enjoyed fighting with him. He was quick witted and gave her a run for her money; she rarely felt challenged and the fights allowed her to relieve to stress. Unfortunately, like all things, the fights ended when Draco graduated, disappearing at the end of term.
"Mother, may I speak with you privately?" Malfoy said, through clenched teeth. He was clenching his fist tightly, by his sides.
"Why of course, Darling." Narcissa said, her voice sweet as honey. "I'll be only a moment, Ginevra." She said, walking into the drawing room, closing the glass doors to the balcony, behind her.
Ginny watched as I very irritated looking Malfoy was speaking at Narcissa. He was making lots of arm gestures, and seemed to be breathing heavy. Ginny could not hear what they were saying, probably due to a silencing charm. What Ginny did know was that Malfoy was obviously upset about something and Narcissa was unperturbed by her son's words.
After what seemed like forever, Narcissa returned, Draco trailing behind her, looking deflated. "Ginevra, I believe you know my son, Dracco." Narcissa said, a sly smile gracing her lips.
"Yes, Madame. I had the privilege of facing Draco in Quidditch while we attended Hogwarts together." Ginny said, glancing at the young man in question.
"Draco, dear, remember your manners." Narcissa prompted.
Grumbling, Draco reached for one of Ginny's hands. Stunned and unable to react, Ginny watched in fascination as Draco lifted her hand to his lips. A small jolt went through her as his soft lips brushed against her hand.
"Pleasure to see you again, Ginvera." Draco said, disdain evident in his voice. "Excuse me, Ladies, but I must be on my way." He said, turning on his heel and heading for the door.
"Draco," Narcissa called.
"Yes, Mother." Draco turned to face them.
"Be a Dear and escort Ginevra back to her rooms."
"With pleasure," Draco ground out. His tone was that of cold courtesy, polite but laced with the hatred he must feel toward the youngest of the Weasley clan.
Ginny was in too much shock to protest, and simply took Malfoy's proffered arm. Her arm slid neatly into his, and the pair walked out of the room. Once they were our of Narcissa's sight, Ginny was sure Draco would throw her arm down in disgust and start calling her a filthy blood traitor. One could imagine her surprise when instead Malfoy said,
"Never would of thought they would catch you."
"Huh?"
"Very eloquent, Weasley."
"Sorry, I've been struck speechless by your managing to touch me without spouting off the terrors of my poverty."
"Ah, now there's the spitfire I knew back at Hogwarts." He said, a smirking gracing his face. "But, seriously, Red how did they managed to catch you. I would've thought you would die before being hauled in by the Death Eaters?"
"I believe myself more useful alive, there are already too many corpses. The dead do no one favors."
"Wise words and very Slytherin of you. Most Gryffindors would rather die than be captured…but then again, you are not the average Gryff."
"Slytherin of me? There is nothing Slytherin about it; I am no fool, I know that sacrificing myself for the Order of the Phoenix's honor would do them no good."
"Part of the Order then, are we?" Draco wheedled. She knew he was trying to get information out of her, but considering she was excluded from most events it would do him little good. The only information she had of any significance was Headquarter's location, and since she was not the Secret Keeper that particular piece of information was safe.
"No, I wasn't allowed to join until I finished school, so you can stop trying to get information out of me."
"You still haven't answered my question, Red." He said, "How did they catch you?"
"Ambush. Hogwarts is only safe when you keep the monster's at bay, but when they worm their way in there is no escape." Ginny whispered, knowing it was true. " I was captured and stripped of my wand. Starved in a dank classroom, so even my physical strength was taken." She said, tears forming behind her eyes. " Is that what you wanted, Malfoy? To make me relive my worst hour, when I was most helpless, where I was almost raped, by a person I once trusted, once cared for? Well, congratulations, you got your wish." She spat. The tears, she had worked so hard to conceal, streamed down her face.
"Sorry, Pet, wasn't my intention." Draco said, lifting a hand to her face and wiping away her tears. His voice was soft, his eyes gentle, but as quickly as it came it was gone. His eyes were hard and his voice gruff.
"Well, here's your stop." He commented when they reached Ginny's chamber. He bowed, uttered a quick `night' and started briskly walking down the hallway.
Ginny did not know the reason behind Malfoy's odd behavior, nor did she care. He was a Death Eater and she a member of the Order. It was her duty to fight him, to hate him, and so she would forget his soft voice, gentle eyes, and the faint smell of pine he left behind him.
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