The Virgin Maiden

Ginny stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was pale, but she wasn't examing that. Her fingers brushed against the ugly purple bruises on her next, and she winced in pain. She trembled to remember the night before...she was sure that Lucius was going to kill her. And when he came back from the bathroom, she thought he was going to torture her or rape her or something. But he'd just lain down beside her, and turned away from her.

For some reason, she'd wanted to make peace. "Lucius?"

"Go to sleep, my pet," he'd said calmly. Ginny knew not to push it: she was lucky that he was leaving her alone, at least. So, she'd fallen asleep, trying to ignore the pains shooting from her neck.

Now, she dreaded seeing him again. When she'd woken up, he was still asleep beside her. She'd never seen him sleeping before, and took a moment to look at him. He didn't move, and she thought that he reminded her of a fresh corpse. She noticed, for the first time, the purple lines under his eyes. He deserves to sleep, she thought, before heading to the bathroom. But she also thought, please, never let him wake up.

But when she left the bathroom, he was sitting on the bed, waiting for her as he had been the night before. He rose quickly to greet her, and Ginny was surprised to see concern in his eyes. "Oh, my Gods," he muttered, spotting her bruises. Ginny automatically drew a hand to her neck and took a step back, startled as he neared. "Let me see them," he commanded. Ginny slowly removed her hand, and Lucius ran gentle fingers over the bruises. The same fingers that had created them. "My poor darling," he muttered, and looked down into her eyes. Ginny gulped, not sure what was happening next.

"What time is it?" she managed, managing to step out of his reach.

"I just checked," Lucius said. "It's quite late, actually." His eyes suddenly lit up, a little. "We ought to get to breakfast."

"Alright," Ginny said, relaxing a little. "What dress am I wearing today, then?"

Lucius suddenly grinned. "Let's go as we are."

Ginny was taken aback. "What?" Lucius was usually so proper, making all of their meals a formal affair. They wouldn't exactly look formal in their bedclothes.

"Come on." Lucius suddenly reached forward, and easily scooping her into his arms. Ginny felt her heart rate pick up as he rushed her out of the room, down the halls. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and looked up at his face. He wore a look of excitement, and Ginny suddenly relaxed. This was a new Lucius today, and she intended to enjoy him...if he'd last.

When they reached the dining hall, Lucius carefully placed Ginny in her usually seat, but did not sit down himself. "Eat your breakfast," he commanded. "I'll be back soon." And he disapeared into the swinging door into the kitchens. Ginny stared down at her loaded breakfast plate, filled with foods as usual. But things were different this morning. He let her come to breakfast in her bedclothes, he'd carried her down the stairs, he'd even left her alone somewhere other then The Room.

Ginny stared at the double doors to the dining hall. They were open. She had a wild idea to run for it: dash out the doors and find a way out. If the front doors were locked, surely she could find a window to climb out of? I could run through the woods, she thought desperatly. I'd come up somewhere, and I could finally go home...

But she knew it was a stupid plan. If she were caught, she'd end up with worse than bruises on her neck. Although Lucius was acting perfectly nice now, she would never forget the maddening look in his eyes early that morning. He was capable of killing her, she knew, and she'd just have to watch her step.

Lucius came back out of the kitchens and back over to the table. "Eat, eat!" he prompted. "And, here..." He placed a goblet of blue liquid beside her plate. "When you're done with your breakfast, drink this. It will make your, um...marks, go away."

Ginny nodded, saying nothing. She knew that it was best to just avoid the subject. Lucius sat down, but he didn't touch his food as he openly stared at her. Ginny tried not to notice as she forced her food down her throat. When she was finished, she quickly gulped down the potion mixture. The pain from her neck was gone, and she knew, without looking, that her bruises were, too.

"Virginia." Lucius reached out and took Ginny's hand. His eyes were...strange. Not cold or patronizing or filled with humor. He looked so serious that Ginny almost pulled her hand away. "My dear," he continued, "I'm going to make up for last night." Ginny could only blink at him. "Tonight..." But he didn't go on, and he stood up. "Come," he ordered, offering a hand to her. Ginny saw the cuts on them, and felt her full stomach lurch. But she took it, and allowed him to pull her to her feet.

At the door to The Room, Lucius stopped. "I'm leaving you in here."

"Alone?" Ginny couldn't help being surprised: this whole day was so weird.

"Yes, my pet," Lucius said, brushing a strand of hair off her forehead. "Take a bath, as long as you want today. Then put on the clean pajamas on your bed: no dresses today, my dear," he added, reacting to Ginny's expression of surprise. "I will have something for you to wear later."

"Then what?" Ginny wasn't used to being left to her own devices. It had been so long since she'd had freedom.

Lucius gave her a small smile. "Do whatever you want, my dear. But you should probably rest. Tonight is going to be a big night."

"What is-" But Lucius opened the door then and gently shoved Ginny in.

"Until later, my love."

The door closed, and Ginny heard the locks click. She stood there, her brow wrinkled in confusion. But she gave herself a mental slap. Snap out of it! she told herself. You don't need him to tell you what to do.

Ginny went into the bathroom, filling the tub with all the kinds of colorful bubbles and bath oils. Usually, she was only allowed a half hour bath a day. Now, she could truly enjoy herself.

After over an hour of swimming around the tub, Ginny got out and dried off. She tied a robe around her body: she was never allowed to use a robe. Lucius liked her to come out of the bathroom naked. Not today! she thought happily, and slowly brushed out her wet hair.

After changing into her fresh pajamas, Ginny sat at the window ledge, looking out at the too-familiar sight. She leaned back against the window frame, staring out into the yard. No little animals on the edge of the woods, nothing particularly exciting going on. It was a pretty summer day, and the sun was shining. Ginny longed to feel the sun and breeze again, to walk barefoot in the grass. But she couldn't even open the window.

Suddenly, she noticed something strange. She had to go to the other side of the window to see. What she saw made her nearly collapse. She saw the house elves in the garden, building some sort of white tent. She wouldn't have thought too much of it, but she saw Lucius watching over the building. What is that thing? she thought suspiciously. But she had no time to examine it, because Lucius suddenly looked up at the window. She suspected that he saw her, so she drew back, closing the curtains.

Thoughts ran through her head. What is Lucius planning on doing with me tonight? she wondered wildly. She suddenly realized: he's going to take me into that tent thing and...take my virginity! Ginny sat on the bed, wondering what she could do to get out of this. There is no way out, she realized wildly. He's going to have sex with me tonight!

There must've been some time-released sleeping potion in her healing potion, because Ginny suddenly felt exhausted. She tried to stay awake and think of a plan, but she gave up, collapsing onto her pillows.

She was as helpless as ever.