Attraction to Things Uncertain

Chapter Four: Changing Winds

"Merry Christmas, Ginny."

"Merry Christmas, Tom."

The smell of pine permeated the still air of the living room. Tom was sitting closest to the fire, holding out a brightly wrapped green present to Ginny. Ginny, in turn, had handed him a silvery present. It was soft, and he shook it curiously as she daintily pulled at the ribbon on hers.

"What is it?" he asked as he stared at it. Ginny giggled.

"That's why you open it. You can't ask me!" she said as she uncovered a corner of the paper.

"You're supposed to just rip it open," Tom said calmly as he began to tear the edge of his present.

"No!" She reached a hand out to stop him. "You go slowly! To save the paper! It's wasteful, otherwise!" she put her hand over his and he paused, staring up at her.

There was silence for a moment until he batted her away. "True, true, and I suppose it ups the suspense," he said with a sigh.

"Yes." She nodded in agreement. He raised an eyebrow, looking at her out of the corner of his eye as he pulled on the wrapping.

"I hate suspense," he said mischievously, tearing the rest of the paper off with a flourish.

"Tom!" she shouted, but it was too late. The paper was on the floor in a crumpled heap, and Tom was staring at the green fabric in front of him.

"It's...a cloak," he finished lamely.

"Yes. I noticed the burgundy one you had was falling apart so...I made you one," Ginny said slowly.

"You made it?" Tom said, bewildered as he turned the cloak over in his hands. "It's practically seamless...perfect!"

"That's because I magicked it. No time to bother with sewing," she said with a wave of her hand.

"I see...well, thank you." He glanced back up. "Well, open yours!"

She anxiously pulled and tugged at the paper--trying not to rip it, and soon a little black box fell onto her lap. She stopped herself from asking what it was. She opened it, and had to look back up at Tom with a mix of incredulousness, and fear. "It's not what you think," he said calmly.

In the box were two rings. One was white gold, with a peridot stone. The other was gold with a ruby stone. "Well if it's not what I think it is, then what is it?" She looked at them carefully, noting the inscriptions on the inside of both: "To Tom, with love from Ginny." And "To Ginny, with love from Tom." Then both were followed with: "An attraction to things uncertain isn't what it seems." The writing was very small, in order to make it fit, and she had to squint to read it.

"They're amulets...sort of," Tom shrugged. "They're charmed to connect us wherever we are. You wear this one--" he pointed to the peridot one, "And I'll wear the other."

"But what's the point of being connected?" Ginny asked, taking her ring out and fingering it carefully.

"So that if either one of us is in danger and needs the other, we have means of contact," Tom prodded the box with one long finger.

"Through a ring?" Ginny said in disbelief.

"I mean--we can't actually talk through them or anything. You take it like this--" he took his ring and put it on his right hand, "and then you turn it three times and think of the other person. Then the other person's ring will glow, and they'll be summoned. A bit like Dorothy, actually..." Tom said with a half smile on his face.

"Dorothy?" Ginny said slowly.

"Erm--never mind. Anyway, you get the picture, right?" Tom asked.

"Yes," Ginny replied quietly, placing it on her finger.

They stared at one another. "So...you still have two other gifts," Tom noted softly, pointing towards the wrapped presents next to her.

"Oh...right." She turned and picked up the first.

"Another joint gift," Tom said when she had finished unwrapping it. "It's a Concealment Cloak," Tom finished as she picked up the silvery material.

"These are expensive, Tom!" Her voice was hushed.

"Not to me. But anyway, I was aware of that. Thus, to avoid spending so much money on someone who was only a friend, I bought myself one too." With more thought, he added, "Of course, I might've just been terribly jealous and wanted one of my own."

She hit him playfully on the arm, trying it on. She looked down to see her feet were gone. Tom reached out and touched the air--where her stomach had been minutes ago. The air around her shimmered, but it was as if she wasn't even there. "Ginny, are you still there?" he asked, looking a bit past where she should've been. His eyes were twinkling as he tried to figure out where she was.

She moved mischievously behind him and used the Exaudio charm to whisper: "Yes." He shivered and reached for her again. She slipped away, laughing merrily. There was a brief chase--Tom was losing terribly, and finally she threw the cloak away and spun into him, knocking them both to the floor. She drew a shuddering breath and stared down at him. Looking up at her, he reached a slender hand to brush back her hair. She trembled as he slowly leaned upward...closer...closer...there lips were almost touching...

A knock on the door made him pause just before his lips would've met hers. He cursed, and lightly lifted her off of him before standing and walking to the entrance hall. Tearing the door open, he glared out into the cold snow. "What?" he spat. "Oh...Lucius." He stood back, pushing the door open; letting it hit the wall with a thud as he turned away childishly. "Should've known it was you...only you would have such impeccable timing." His sarcasm wasn't lost on Lucius Malfoy as he stepped into the front of the Dark Lord's house.

"I apologize for interrupting your holiday, milord, but there's been some trouble with the plans for..." he paused, looking in horror behind Tom. Tom frowned and turned. Ginny was cautiously entering the front hallway, staring at Lucius in confusion. Tom turned back to Lucius and noticed he was clearly bewildered with Ginny's presence.

"Lucius, I believe you've met Ginny Weasley?" Tom said calmly, ushering her forward, out of the shadows of the hallway.

"Yes...yes I have," Lucius said quietly.

"Ginny?" Tom pushed her forward, and she took Lucius' hand.

"Hello, Mr. Malfoy." Of course she had met him before. She must have! In a bookstore, wasn't it? No...not a bookstore...where would she get that idea? She must have met him at one of the meetings...one of the Death eater meetings, she must have.

"Please, call me Lucius," he said smoothly, taking her hand. He glanced up at Tom again, and he nodded.

"She can be trusted. She is, in fact, the secret weapon we have been talking about." Tom smiled to himself...Lucius was quite the actor...it wouldn't be right for Ginny to know that he and Lucius had been talking about her when she wasn't paying attention...no...he had to keep her trust. He had to make sure she wouldn't run away. Of course, judging by the change that he had forced to come over her, she wouldn't ever run away--but she would stay and fight until she won.

"Ah, I see...well then, Ginny, it's quite an honor to see you...finished." He looked back up at Tom, whose smile was pasted now.

"We still have a bit of training to finish, Lucius. But once it's done, she'll be the perfect little trap. No one will see it coming," Tom finished. Lucius nodded.

"Now, milord, about...about the other business..." He obviously didn't trust Ginny.

"Yes, we will discuss it tomorrow..." Tom said pointedly.

"Of course, milord, of course. Tomorrow." Lucius backed up and opened the door outside. Snow swirled in as he bowed slightly to Tom.

"Milord...lady," he said quietly. He then pulled the door shut, and was gone. A little bit of snow still floated in the air where he had been. Ginny shivered at the cold.

"Well...where were we?" Tom had suddenly come up behind her and was wrapping his arms around her waist. She shook slightly as he leaned down and breathed onto her neck. "I do hate being interrupted when I'm trying to do something...don't you?"

Ginny nodded as her breath quickened.

"Wouldn't you like to go back into the living room, Gin? Get warm?" he said softly, rubbing one hand on her hips. She moved her hips into him more and he smiled against her hair.

"Yes, I would..." Ginny muttered.

"Then come. Let's go." Tom turned her suddenly, lifting her and half-carrying, half-dragging her into the living room. She laughed, and her laughter carried all through the house. Ironic, Tom thought as he lifted her. Ironic that the first sounds to carry like that through this house were ones of laughter...and not ones of hatred...

He set her onto the pillows they had inhabited earlier by the fire. She stopped laughing and just stared up at him. He was shocked at the amount of affection in her eyes...so strange...surely he wasn't looking that way as well? Did he, too have that look of utter enthusiasm and love in his eyes? No. He couldn't! It was an utter possibility. He was acting--just acting! Actors only play the part. If they become it, they've gone mad. Utterly mad.

He leaned down and caught her mouth in his. Ginny was tense--obviously she had never kissed before...pity he'd have to go slowly then.

Yes this was much better...much better to be in control of a situation of passion and lust then one of love. It was easier to act when you had something in turn for it. Love was too complex...love was overrated. Lust was so much the better--one night stands and you would never have to see the person again. No one to try and change you or control you or make your life more complicated than it needed to be. Yes...

Ginny let out a very quiet moan as he started to deepen the kiss...he heard it, though. He let himself get a bit rougher with the kiss...why pretend, after all, if she as enjoying it?

Feeling familiar but incredibly old hormones beginning to race, he reached a hand down...down to unbutton her blouse...

But Ginny pushed him away.

He stared at her, confused, trying to regain control. Oh god...he didn't do something wrong, did he? Did he lose her trust? If he did in the heat of passion he would certainly never gain it back...he didn't have that much time...

"Tom...Tom, I can understand the kiss but..." Ginny stood up, backing against the wall, wrapping her arms around herself. "Tom, I'm not ready to go any father than that."

He stared, trying not to look too shocked or angry. After all, he had just been getting the hang of long dormant feelings...why did she have to go and ruin it? "Uh--uh yes, I see...erm...when would you be?" He tried not to sound stupid, but unfortunately when hormones were raging like that there wasn't much choice when it came to stupidity.

She gave a half-smile. "I may be a trained killer, Tom, but that doesn't mean I don't have certain scruples and things..." She blushed and looked away.

Ever the picture of the young, virginal maiden, Tom thought to himself.

"I didn't want to have sex with anyone unless I was sure he...I mean if I was married, basically."

Tom nodded. So had been the opinion of the girls he had grown up around. Such an old-fashioned concept. But not new to him, of course. Hadn't he had a similar talk like this with another girl? Sylvia, wasn't it? Hadn't she wanted to wait too?

"And...I don't think you and I should get tangled like that so...soon before the plan commences."

Ah yes, it had been Sylvia. And he had just solved the problem by raping her...pity he couldn't do that now. Mustn't lose her trust... he told himself. He scolded himself to answer her. "Well, Ginny, if you aren't ready, I won't force you." Although I as sure as hell want to bed you right now, he added mentally.

"Thank you, Tom. I knew you'd understand," she said with a smile. She looked at the presents. "I still have one left," she said, obviously trying to change the subject.

Ignoring his current obsession with how beautiful her curves were in the firelight, he looked back down to the gifts that hadn't been opened.

"Ah...yes. Yes, that one is especially important." He got up and grabbed it, handing it to her. It was another box that seemed to have clothing in it...

"Nothing can be more expensive than that cloak," Ginny joked.

Tom smiled. "You'd be surprised...but that was less, yes," he added at her look.

She pulled that paper off and opened the box. "Oh, Tom..." she whispered. Within the box was a gown. It was a peridot that matched the stone on Ginny's ring beautifully. She pulled it out all the way, staring at it. All over it were small, pale pink roses. The waistline was sculpted in a V...everything seemed perfect and wonderful about it. The shoulders were even puffy...

"You'll look like a princess in that," Tom said softly.

"No...even better. A queen," she said, examining that gown all around.

Yes...my queen. Tom smirked to himself as she twirled around, gown billowing in all directions

~~~

"She'll be returning soon."

"Are you sure she's ready for that, master?"

"I'm sure. She trusts me far too much to argue...far too much to fight. She'll go and complete the mission. Potter will be dead within a week if she doesn't dawdle...it's about time I introduced my little secret weapon to the others, don't you think?"

~~~

Ginny packed her bag carefully, trying not to crush anything. Using shrinking spells, her ball gown fit in without a wrinkle. The suitcase wouldn't close, and she groaned. Tom walked into her room to find her sitting on the top of the suitcase, fiddling with the locks and cursing under her breath. He grinned in spite of himself. "Need help?" he asked, waving his wand. The locks clicked shut and Ginny glared up at him.

"I can handle it myself. I don't always need your help, no matter what you may think."

"Whatever you say, mademoiselle," he said testily. "But if you're ever in big trouble and need someone's help, I'll remember what you said and you can die alone."

Ginny shook her freshly cut bangs out of her face and stood up, showing off her choice of clothes: mostly black, mostly tight fitting, and a leather jacket. "What do you think? New look, new me," she said, fashioning her outfit with a sultry look.

You don't know how new, he thought to himself. "Very nice. Now, on to business?"

"Yes, what are we doing?" Ginny said, trying to pick up the incredibly heavy suitcase. Tom leaned forward and placed a hand on it.

"I'm going to introduce you to the others...and do let go of this. You can't take it with you." Her pout had become incredibly sexy, he noted. Perhaps it was the straightened curls that did it. He had made sure her appearance was changed. Not too much, she had to be recognizable when she returned but...let them see just what a few days with the Dark Lord can do to a girl's looks.

"I have to wait to use my stuff?"

"It needs to stay hidden in your dorm room. I'll bring it on one of my midnight meetings."

"What meetings?" she asked, looking up from her wand.

Tom sighed. "We've been through this...every other night at Hogwarts you are to come out to the Forbidden Forest and--"

"Meet you, I know," Ginny finished. "Understood. Just bring my stuff or else."

Tom smiled at her boldness. "Or what, O Extremely Unskilled With Most Small Curses?"

Ginny smiled. "I'll have to figure out what curse to do, then. Let's go."

They walked out to the downstairs living room. In it was seated about 12 people, all chatting amicably. The noise ceased as Tom guided her in. "The Weasley girl?" someone said in shock. One stood up, but Tom waved him back down.

"Relax. She's on our side."

"She's what?" said the first man--Avery, it's Avery, Ginny reminded herself.

"On our side. I've done a bit of--persuasion and she's seen reason," Tom said tersely. "Now, without any further questions?" he used his warning tone, and no one spoke. "Ginny here will be going back to Hogwarts and setting up Potter for his downfall. I think perhaps if she tries, she will not have the bad luck I have had getting at him thus far." Tom scanned the room for any signs of doubt or snickering. A Crucio would be ready for that sort...no one dared. "She leaves tonight...any questions?" The nods were in the negative. "Good. Then, this meeting is adjourned."

There were a series of pops as everyone Disapparated. Lucius alone remained. "Sir, I noticed Severus was not here."

"That is because I think it is time we started rethinking his partnership," Tom replied with a grimace. "He doesn't need to know everything that's going on. He's only just returned the end of last school year. Do you really think I will entrust all my secrets to him until I'm sure he' back for good?"

Lucius nodded. "Whatever you say, milord." With an extra bow to Ginny, he was gone.

~ ~ ~

A/N: The note about a Dorothy was obviously related to "The Wizard of Oz". I assumed Tom had some memory of Muggle life to make the connection...anyway. A Big Thank You to all the reviewers, and to my cousin Lisa Anne for helping me with the original storyline. I have moved off of it quite a bit since the beginning, but I still use her advice, and I thank her for it.