Chapter 7
Ginny looked at herself in the mirror one morning and couldn't help the changes that had already happened in the five weeks that she had been at Malfoy Manor. Her hair was longer and a deeper red and she had grown accustomed to seeing herself in make up and now never went without it. She was slowly but surely becoming a lady.
Narcissa's training was brutal and boring but it seemed now that the three people in the Manor had started to get into a comfortable schedule. Ginny would wake up at seven in order to get ready to be at breakfast promptly at eight. After breakfast was an hour of language lessons. Every day of the week was one of two chosen languages. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays were Latin, and then Tuesdays and Thursdays were French.
The fact that Ginny had to learn a new language was beyond her. There were spells upon spells that were designed to do translations but still she sat every day learning the old fashioned way.
At ten was a time to study the history of nobles of the past. Eleven was a free hour. But the hour wasn't free. She was expected to do tasks to make her into a better lady such as embroider, read quietly, or work on her penmanship. Narcissa usually insisted on either embroidery or the penmanship practice. Ginny's handwriting was what Narcissa considered to be very unladylike. She once told her that she didn't know that a woman could possibly write worse than a man.
At noon the three would reconvene for a light lunch. After lunch if the weather was fair Ginny was allowed outside to practice her equestrian skills under Draco and Narcissa's direct supervision. On the days that the weather was bad it would be just another free hour. At two Ginny and Narcissa would have afternoon tea and Draco would go to have his daily meeting with Voldemort.
Ginny and Narcissa would take a long afternoon tea and sit and work on Ginny's small talking. At four would be another hour of history, if the weather was nice at five the two ladies would walk to Narcissa's prized rose garden for a stroll if the weather wasn't fit Ginny would practice the piano in the ballroom and then promptly at six Draco would be home in time for dinner.
After dinner was time for dance lessons. Narcissa would sit and watch as Draco would lead Ginny around the dance floor and make comments on how to improve. After about two hours of dancing it would be time for bed. Narcissa would go to the master bedroom in the west wing and Draco would escort Ginny to her room in the east wing before going to his room that was only one door down. It was a small relief to Ginny to know that Draco was so close but he still seemed so far away. The only time they ever got to talk was only snide remarks to each other.
On the weekends she would have extended dance and dinner etiquette lessons to prepare her for the endless parties, balls and functions she would have to attend as the future Dark Queen. Unlike many other people who looked forward to their weekends; Ginny dreaded the end of the week. For hours she and Draco would dance and she had to betray her heart and make it seem that she loathed his touch when all she wanted to do was to fall into his arms and let him hold her the way he used to. It hurt down to the deepest reaches of her soul to pretend hate him.
I feel so alone here. I miss my mum, dad and my brothers. Penelope and Hermione are due in less than four months and I'm going to miss the birth of my newest niece or nephew. Things are so different here. There's no laughter, no chaos, and no noise here. The halls are always so cold and lifeless and quiet. I feel like I'm in a tomb. No wonder Draco had a hard time getting used to life at Grimmauld.
Ginny finished getting ready for the morning and headed down the now familiar path to the dining room. As she passed the main entrance she remembered the many different attempts to escape that she had tried when she first arrived. She tried her best to keep up appearances and for the first couple weeks she was unruly and just a pain but in the last week she settled into the routine.
Ginny looked at the clock right outside the dining room and found that she was going to be early for once. She made her way to her place and sat and waited for Draco and Narcissa to join her. It was nice that she was now trusted enough to walk around the manor herself. It was just yesterday that Tilly was told that she didn't have to watch Ginny's every move and escort her everywhere.
Ginny didn't mind Tilly but it was nice to be able to have a few minutes of silence to think. Tilly would wake her up in the morning and help her get ready since Ginny was still without her wand. At the thought of her wand Ginny sighed. That's another thing I'm really missing. I feel so helpless without my wand.
After a few minutes Draco came in and sat at his place. The two sat in silence waiting for Narcissa to join them. Ginny's and Draco's eyes met and they could see the longing in each other's eyes. They could never talk the way the way the used to. Almost every room had a portrait in it so they were always being watched. In the beginning the portraits would jeer her along with Draco but after a harsh scolding from Narcissa they treated her with a cold indifference.
After a few more seconds of staring they broke eye contact and started throwing 'insults' at each other.
"Looks like you can finally tell time, Weasley. It's good to know that even someone of your status can actually take in information."
Ginny retorted, "Malfoy, if you get any paler someone may confuse you for a vampire. It's good that it is morning because if it was dark out you would illuminate the whole room with your glow-in-the-dark complexion."
After Ginny's retort Narcissa entered the room. Draco stood to help his mother to her seat as she said, "Well it's good to see that you two get an early start insulting each other. I hope it is out of your system. I'd like a peaceful meal."
The rest of the meal went by in silence until the end of the meal when Draco announced, "As much as I'm going to loathe not being here for lessons the Dark Lord has asked me to spend all of tomorrow at Nex Domus."
Narcissa nodded and said, "Ginevra and I have plenty to do that doesn't require your presence, darling."
Ginny stifled a shudder at Narcissa calling her Ginevra. She hated being called Ginevra it always reminded her of being in trouble with her mother.
The rest of the day was the same boring routine. Ginny was once again only half heartedly paying attention the whole day. This is like school only worse…
Dinner was delicious as always and Ginny couldn't help but feel dread as dancing lessons approached.
Narcissa would cue up some music and Draco would lead her to the dance floor. He was a wonderful dancer and knew how to lead. She on the other hand was unaccustomed to wearing heels and in the beginning would trip all over herself earning snide remarks from Draco which, in turn earned him a heel crushing down onto his foot.
Draco and Ginny made a beautiful looking couple as they danced. Ginny was only 5'6 but in her heels she got up to 5'9 making it easy for her to look Draco in the face as they danced. They moved gracefully across the floor keeping the appropriate distance from each other.
Draco sighed, "It seems like you are finally getting some grace, Weaslette."
Ginny, in her best imitation of a proper lady, said sarcastically, "Yes indeed."
After another hour of dancing, Narcissa turned off the charmed instruments and the trio made their way to their separate wings. As usual Ginny and Draco would keep their distance from each other as they walked silently down the many halls to their rooms. Tonight was different, however, at one point Ginny let her mind wander and she managed to trip over air in her heels.
She braced herself for the fall which never came. When she opened her eyes she was cradled in Draco's arms; his face was barely two inches away from hers. Her eyes locked onto his and she could see her same longing mirrored in his intense gaze. He moved his head in closer to kiss her and she closed her eyes in anticipation.
All of the romance of the situation was shattered as one of the portraits spoke.
"Stupid blood traitor can't even walk without tripping over thin air."
Draco quickly straightened himself and Ginny out and sneered at her. "Great grandfather is still very astute. You're lucky I was here, Weaslette. I'm sure the Dark Lord wouldn't have liked to know that his precious future bride broke her neck from being a complete air head."
Draco grabbed her hand and yanked her down the hall to her room. "Now that we've made it to you room without injury I can quit my duty of babysitting you."
He dropped her hand and turned to walk to his room without another word. Ginny slammed her door behind her and fell back onto it slamming her fist into the door. Damn interfering portrait. Ginny sighed as she closed her eyes and remembered the look of longing in Draco's eyes. It wasn't until she relaxed her fist that she noticed that Draco had slipped her a piece of parchment.
It dawned on Ginny that Draco had set it all up. The sneaky git had whispered a spell to make her trip. Ginny picked up the parchment and unfolded it and read Draco's flowing writing.
Ginny,
By now you have figured out that I tripped you in the hall and for that I apologize but it seemed the only way I could get close enough to you to give you this note. I know that this has been torture for you to be in this situation. It has tortured me as well. I can't tell you how much I've longed just to talk to you. In your room you will see the same bookcase that has been there since day one but there is something you may not have noticed about that book case. It's actually a disguised door. There are no portraits in either of our rooms so it should be safe for us to see each other. I'm willing to take a risk in seeing you if you are. The trigger is an appropriate book for us.
Draco
Ginny smiled and made her way over to the bookcase and looked for the trigger. She giggled as she pulled on the only muggle written book in the bookcase, Romeo and Juliet, and the door opened to reveal a small doorway and a back of another bookcase. Tentatively she knocked and before her hand came down again the other case opened up and she saw Draco, her smiling and happy Draco, and ran straight into his arms and cried tears of relief.
After the two had their fill of each other's embrace they sat on Draco's bed and had the first real conversation in weeks.
Draco chuckled, "Training with mother can't be that bad."
"You're one to talk. I'm with her all day reading the dullest books in the world or working on my posture and proper small talk. Does your mother have any personality at all? She seems like just a perfect society doll."
Draco frowned and said, "She is warmer than she is first appears. She just comes off guarded because she was trained to be a society lady."
"I'm sorry, Draco. I'm just not used to such a cold world." Ginny slipped her hand into his. "I've missed being able to really talk to you."
"I have too, Gin."
They sat for a little while longer just enjoying each other's presence before either spoke again.
"Do you know why he wants you at Nex Domus all day?"
"I have no idea. I think he's getting nervous. We've lost a few of our best men. The Carrows were taken out just yesterday."
Ginny couldn't help the look of excitement on her face, "Does that mean the Order is close to wining?"
"It's still to early to know for sure about that but if they keep up they way they are going you could be home in time for Christmas."
Ginny smiled, "That would be wonderful."
Draco shared in her smile, "That would be wonderful."
Ginny looked over to the bookcase and asked, "So what made you tell me about the bookcase tonight? Why not beforehand?"
He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and said, "I knew about the bookcase since I was about ten. I knew that you were going to be in that room and I knew that was going to be an easy way to get to you if I needed to. I was afraid to use it before now but I'm not afraid of this little risk. There's no one who could see us together here. We can be ourselves here."
"This is harder than I ever imagined. The lessons I can handle but every time I'm around you and I have to put on the façade that I hate you it just rips into my heart. You're my only link back to happier times and yet in front of your mother and the portraits you are my mortal enemy."
"Things should be a little easier now, Gin. You're strong enough to put up a good front. It could even be a little fun. Tear each other down outside of our sanctuary and then laugh at it later."
Draco reached into his pocket and handed her the newly repaired necklace that he had taken from her. "This should help a little as well."
Ginny smiled brightly at her best friend as he put her beloved necklace back where it belonged; around her neck. He then said a spell on the necklace to cloak it from all eyes but theirs. Draco then draped his arm across Ginny's shoulders and held her close. She laid her head on his shoulder and he rested his head on hers.
"Draco, do you ever wonder what our lives would be if Voldemort had never come back?"
Draco answered quicker than she expected as he said, "I wonder that every day. I wonder what my life would be like if my father would had never been on his side to begin with. I wonder if I would have been a different person in school. I wonder if I could have been friends with your brother and even Potter." He took his head off of hers and cupped her cheek and tilted Ginny's head to look her in the eyes. "I wonder if I would have been the boy in school that you fell for instead of Potter."
Ginny looked into Draco's eyes and saw the love for her in his eyes. She reached up to the hand on her cheek and brought his hand down. "I should probably get to my room it's getting late." She walked over to the bookcase and started to walk through but stopped and turned to face Draco who was right behind her and whispered, "You don't have to wonder about me falling for you. I fell for you long ago."
Draco could barely register what she had said before he felt her lips on his. Not being one to be outdone he quickly snapped out of his shock and took control of the kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her flush against him. He had kissed many different girls before nothing compared to this.
Ginny on the other hand was in bliss. She didn't know what had possessed her to kiss him but she was so glad she had. She couldn't imagine a kiss being more perfect. After a little while Ginny pulled away, reluctantly, and kissed Draco on the cheek before she slyly smiled as she shut her bookcase for the night.
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The next morning Ginny woke early and in a great mood. She couldn't help but smile like a fool around her room as she got ready for the day. She would catch glimpses of her necklace in the mirrors around the room and her smile would get even bigger. She almost forgot herself as she left her room and was forced to conceal her good mood with a disinterested look as she made it down for breakfast.
She arrived to the dining room with plenty of time to spare and it wasn't until Draco didn't show up that she remembered his meeting at Nex Domus. She sent a silent prayer hoping that Draco would be alright. Breakfast was silent as always until Narcissa broke the silence. "Ginevra, today I think we will take a break from lessons and discuss some important things."
Ginny wanted to sigh a breath of relief at the knowledge that she wouldn't have to memorize anymore names that day but wondered what Narcissa meant by 'important things.'
After breakfast Narcissa brought her to a part of the house she had never been to before and she was ushered into what appeared to be a parlor.
"Please sit, dear."
Ginny gracefully took a seat in one of the many lavish chairs as she looked around the room and was glad to see no portraits or pictures of any kind. Narcissa took a seat opposite of Ginny and said, "This is my private study. I thought it would be a private place for us to chat without any unwanted eyes or ears prying into our business."
Ginny gave a small smile to her and asked, "What exactly did you wish to discuss, Mrs. Malfoy?"
Narcissa smiled slightly and said, "In my parlor you may call me, Narcissa. I know I may seem cold and harsh but you'll learn soon enough what behavior is expected in which situations."
Ginny nodded grimly and replied, "Well then, Narcissa, could you please call me Ginny then while we are here? When you call me Ginevra it reminds me of my mother."
"Alright then, Ginny, I brought you to discuss important issues; one being your relationship with my son."
Ginny frowned at the mention of Draco as to not give herself away and asked a little harshly, "What do you mean about our relationship? Do you mean the friendship I offered that he threw away? Do you mean the trust I put him that he betrayed?"
Narcissa frowned in return. "You should not judge him so harshly. He, like all of us, is just living up to our role."
Ginny rolled her eyes at Narcissa but under the surface sighed a breath of relief. "I don't know if I can handle living this way. I don't know if I can live in a role every day just to please Voldemort."
Narcissa looked sadly out the window, "You'll learn to accept it, dear."
Ginny looked at Narcissa and noticed for the first time the sadness that practically radiated from her whole body. "Your marriage was arranged too, wasn't it?"
Narcissa looked over at Ginny and replied, "Yes. I can't help but look at you and see so much of your mother in you. She and I were very close in school but I doubt she ever mentioned that to you."
Ginny looked at Narcissa in shock as she shook her head to the negative. Mum was friends with Mrs. Malfoy…but they are so different.
"I know it is hard to believe but in school we were practically inseparable. She was a couple years older than me; she was actually my sister Andromeda's age but we grew up together and became fast friends as children. I wasn't always the woman I am today. I was the youngest of three girls and by far the most unlike the lady that my mother wished me to be.
When I was a first year in Hogwarts, Lucius and my oldest sister, Bella, were sixth years. Andromeda was a fourth year but was betrothed to Lucius by his wish. It was pretty much assumed that Andromeda and Lucius would marry after graduating until she eloped with Ted Tonks the day after her graduation. The Malfoys saw that as an insult and my parents nearly died of embarrassment. The next choice would have been Bella if she had not already married Rodolphus.
In my fourth year I came back to Hogwarts betrothed to Lucius. After my sister eloped it weakened my mother so much that I had to grow up in just a few months. We saw each other rarely at social functions and for that I was glad. He made me nervous. He was older than me and he was always so serious but as I grew to know him I learned to care for him. He was kind enough to let me continue my education as was my desire. My parents wanted to withdraw me at fifteen after your mother had eloped with your father. They were afraid I would stay in school and find my own blood traitor or muggle to elope with.
The first few years of marriage with Lucius were not easy. I was only seventeen, just like you are now, and the role of wife was daunting. In time, however, I grew to accept my role as Mrs. Malfoy and all that came with that. Arranged marriages are not easy but in time you can learn to care for your husband and even come to love him. I know that you must feel very lonely and confused right now but in time all things get easier."
Ginny looked blankly at Narcissa as her thoughts swirled around in her head. "Did you learn to love your husband?"
Narcissa smiled a genuinely and said, "Yes, I love Lucius very much. He has provided very well for me and fathered my son, whom I love more than anything in this world."
"Do you ever wonder what your life would be like if you were able to chose the man you wanted to marry?"
"In the beginning of my marriage I did all of the time. Right before graduating I was spending a lot of time with a muggle born wizard named William McManus. He tutored me in charms and was the only reason I passed. He was a kind and wonderful young man. He loved me and actually asked me to elope with him and I've never told anyone this before but I was going to."
Shocked Ginny asked, "Why didn't you? Did you love him?"
Narcissa looked again out the window and quietly said, "I did love him, but I knew it would kill my mother if I left Lucius. I graduated and married Lucius within weeks of graduation. When the Dark Lord came into power he was one of the first muggle born wizards murdered."
Narcissa looked at the clock and surprised she said, "Well, it looks as if we chatted through lunch. I'll have one of the elves bring us tea."
Their small lunch and tea was in silence. Both women sat deep in thought. Ginny couldn't help but steal glances at Narcissa. She really was a lovely woman; but she seemed so sad sometimes that Ginny wondered if there was more that she wasn't telling her.
After their tea, Narcissa excused herself and told Ginny to explore the house and to just relax for today. She seemed upset but Ginny didn't want to push her. I never thought that she and I would have anything in common. I guess people are right when they say that kindred spirits come from sometimes unexpected people.
The rest of the day went by quickly and before she had even realized it was dinner time. She and Narcissa sat in a semi-comfortable silence during the meal and after they excused themselves to each get an early nights rest. Before heading to bed Ginny knocked on the back of Draco's bookcase and was disappointed that he still wasn't back. Exhausted, she eventually let sleep claim her.
A few hours later a familiar hand brushed a few stray locks of hair from her face and then even more familiar lips left a soft kiss on her forehead before softly saying, "Sleep well, Gin."
The pale boy left her room closing the bookcase behind him before he too fell into an exhausted sleep.
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I hope I lived up to my promise of more "forbidden actions". Next chapter goes into what Draco was up to with Voldemort and much more.