The Virgin Maiden

Over the next couple of weeks, Ginny only saw Lucius, and was never allowed out of The Room, as she now called her prison. Usually, she'd wake up in the mid-morning and find Lucius sitting beside her, reading a book or just watching her...the latter made her shudder at what he might be thinking. So, one morning, when she awoke to find herself alone, she was relieved.

But she heard a noise in the corner that confirmed that she wasn't alone. Ginny turned and saw a small house elf, wearing a small towel. The elf had it's back to Ginny as it dusted the dressers along the wall. Excited at seeing another living thing besides Lucius, Ginny smiled. "Hello?"

The elf did not respond. Perhaps it has a hearing problem? Ginny thought, and tried again, a bit louder: "Hello? Good morning!" Still, the thing did not turn to her. But when it turned around to start on another shelf, the elf met Ginny's eyes. So it does notice me, Ginny thought in annoyance. Why won't it aknowledge me? "Hey!" she called out.

The elf whipped around, her eyes wide and shifty. "Shhh! You is going to get Trixie in trouble!" the elf exclaimed in a loud whisper.

"I'm sorry," Ginny said softly. "Why would I get you in trouble?"

The elf, in hesitation, approached the bed. "Master is saying that we...the house elves...is not to be talking to you."

Ginny narrowed her eyes at the elf. "Why won't he let me talk to you?"

"Hush!" Trixie cried, putting a finger to her lips. In the same loud whisper, she continued: "Master says Trixie is not to be waking you. He says we is not to talk to you, and-"

"Thank you, Trixie." Both the elf and Ginny turned to the door at the sound of the cold voice. Lucius stood in the doorway, casually leaning against the frame. Lucius looked down his nose at the elf. "You are dismissed."

"But, Master, I is not-"

"Just get out!" The elf simmpered in fear as she passed Lucius, who kicked at her. He slammed the doors behind the elf and threw the lock. Ginny was afraid as he turned around, but he was smiling.

She would've prefered anger.

"Good morning, my pet," he said, and Ginny noticed something blue draped over his arm. But he dropped it over the back of a chair before coming to the bed.

Ginny did not bother to return the greeting. "Why aren't I allowed to talk to the house elves?"

"Because I said so," Lucius said with a smirk, and Ginny was annoyed. Lucius must have noticed, because he said, "Come now, Virginia, don't be upset. I'm letting you out of the room today."

Ginny felt a spark of interest, but also of disapointment. For one fleeting second, she actually thought that Lucius was going to say that he was letting her go. Fat chance of that, she thought bitterly. Still, the thought of leaving the room was a little appealing.

"Where are we going, Lucius?"

"I'm taking you down to the dining hall for breakfast," Lucius replied. He took a moment to examine Ginny, and the patronizing smirk appeared on his face again. "Oh, but you can't go down in that, my dear."

Ginny glanced down at the pajamas, the ones she'd been wearing for the past few weeks. As comfortable as they were, she felt herself longing for clothing again. "What will I wear, then?" she asked. "My robes?"

Lucius let out a sharp laugh. "The ratty things that you were wearing when you came here? I've had those turned into dust rags."

"Oh," Ginny said, fighting the indignation that she always felt when Lucius commented on her family's, um, money problems. "What will I be wearing, then?"

"I've had something made for you. Wait here." Lucius went back to the chair, and brought the blue thing to the bed. He spread it out on the bed, and Ginny gasped softly. It was a velvet dress, with white lace trim. Ginny's eyes explored the details of the dress, and Lucius was smiling again. "It took my seamstress elf a long time to make this."

Ginny looked up at Lucius. "Will it fit?"

"I took your measurements while you were asleep." Ginny shuddered slightly at the thought of the familiar hands exploring her body as she slept, but she swept the thoughts from her mind. "Stand up," Lucius ordered, and Ginny climbed out of bed.

Lucius slowly unbuttoned Ginny's silk night shirt, and she shuddered as he pulled the shirt slowly off her arms and torso. But before he finished, she saw him eye her shoulders. He bent down, nibbling on the skin between her neck and shoulder. Ginny tried to pull away from him, but his arms were locked securely around her waist.

When he finally finished, he took off the rest of her clothes. There Ginny stood, naked in the middle of the room. Lucius seemed in no hurry to get the dress on as he circled Ginny's body, examining it. Ginny could feel his cold, grey eyes burning into her skin, and she began to tremble. Get it over with, she found herself suddenly thinking. If you want to take me, just do it now.

As if he'd read her mind, Lucius finally stopped in front of Ginny. He smiled at her. "Not today, my pet," he whispered. And he finally pulled the velvet dress onto her. Ginny looked down at her body. The dress fit perfectly, and it was prettiest...and probably most expensive...thing that she'd worn. After spending her whole life in cheap Muggle clothing, then second-hand school robes, this was almost enjoyable.

Almost.

Lucius sat Ginny down on the bed, fitting delicate ballroom slippers onto her feet. They were so different from the sneakers she'd worn all her life. Finally, Lucius sat her at the vanity in the corner and brushed her hair, as Ginny examined the almost-unfamiliar girl in the mirror. Who was she, with her fancy clothing in this elaborate manor? But she was forced from her thoughts as Lucius buried her face in her hair. "You smell like roses," he whispered into her neck.

Ginny felt uncomfortable by his sudden burst of affection. "It's the shampoo you gave me," she said lamely, and Lucius straighted up and helped Ginny from the vanity bench. He held out his arm for her.

"Shall we?"

Ginny stared for a moment at the arm offered to her, and the man it belonged to. Lucius stood, tall and pale. His long hair was swept back in a neat ponytail, a ribbon tied around his neck. He wore elaborate dress robes, and Ginny suddenly felt very intimidated. She was about to shrink back from him, but Lucius lost his composure. He snarled briefly, and lurched forward, seizing Ginny's arm. She felt a stab of pain as he squeeze it, for a moment. He entangled it with his. "When I offer my arm to you, you take it. Is that clear?"

Ginny's eyes found the floor. "Yes, Lucius."

Out the double doors they went. In spite of herself, Ginny was interested in the Manor. She stared at the high, cathedral peaked ceiling, with crystal chandliers hanging from them. Though there was one every few feet, they provided little light in the dim halls. Ginny's gaze fell to the windows, which lined up a whole wall of the hall. She looked outside, hoping to see a different view then she had from The Room...a neighbor's manor, a nearby Muggle town, anything! But all she saw was a dark forest.

Lucius must've noticed Ginny staring out the window, because he tugged at her arm. "We have to turn." Down another long hall they went, with no windows in it. Finally, they came to the stairs. As the ascended, Ginny could see the front hall...and the doors outside. She had a wild notion to run for it, bolt out the doors. But Lucius must've, somehow, been reading her mind again: "Don't bother running for it," he whispered. "The doors are locked and my wand is ready. Be smart, Virginia."

"I...I wasn't going to," Ginny protested feebily, but Lucius mearly chuckled.

"Liar."

They passed the front hall, and Ginny gazed at the doors in longing. The way out...but she couldn't take it. Lucius led her down yet another hall, finally reaching the double doors to the dining hall. Lucius released Ginny from the tight grip and opened the door, waving her inside.

"After you, my pet."

Ginny stepped hastily into the room, looking around. She'd been here before...this was the room she'd Apparated into, the room where Lucius had put her in a full-body bind and taken her to the dungeons. The dungeons...

Lucius led Ginny to the long table, already set with breakfast foods. It reminded Ginny of meals at Hogwarts, and she felt sad all over again as Lucius pulled out a chair for her. "Sit," he commanded, as though speaking to a dog. Ginny obeyed, and he took his seat at the head of the table, right beside her.

Ginny looked down at her plate, loaded with eggs, toast and marmalade, sausages, and other foods. Her throat dried up, and her eyes began to fill with tears. Don't cry, she told herself. Don't cry, don't cry, don't-

"Virginia? Virginia!" She hadn't heard Lucius calling to her until he shouted. Ginny turned to him, and he gave her an annoyed look. "Well? Eat your food, my dear."

"Yes, Lucius," Ginny said softly. She looked back at her food, and felt her stomach gurgle in distaste. But she'd have to eat. She had to do everything Lucius said. She belonged to him now, and there was nothing she could do. And crying wasn't going to help, now. There must be some way out, Ginny thought desperatly, clinging to the little hope she had left.

She took a bite of toast. For now, she'd have to play along.