Finding a Reason

Ginny surveyed her room for anything else that may be useful, but nothing came to mind. It was Harry who had clever objects like the Invisibility Cloak and the Marauders Map. She had an overwhelming sense of de'ja vu that she couldn't shake. She felt the remnants of anger after Ron's rant at the greenhouse yesterday. She knew he was right; it was only a matter of time before she killed someone. If Draco couldn't take the ring off, surely Lucius could. If Lucius Malfoy was her only hope, so be it. If Lucius killed her in the process, although she didn't like to think about that, so be it. She recalled standing over Colin, a large bleeding wound on the side of his head. It was her fault. Her reactions grew more destructive by the day. What would happen the next time a girl flirted with Harry? What would happen the next time she read something that upset her?

The letter from the Ministry included instructions to use the Portkey at Lucius Malfoy's restaurant in Knockturn Alley. Sneaking into Hogsmeade had been astonishingly easy. A small part of her thought perhaps the legendary antics of Fred and George, or even Ron and Harry, had been over rated. She always knew that if you had enough nerve, you could do anything. Hadn't she once told that to Harry? Draco would not be impressed by her nerve. Even if she had had the faintest idea where the Slytherin common room was to seek him out, he would have only discouraged her from going. What did he care if Ginny made her brother implode the next time they had a disagreement?

"Miss Weasley, you're late," said a grizzled looking wizard at the matre de stand.

"I tried to find Draco," Ginny lied.

"Well, then you will be waiting a long time. He's been and gone," the waiter said condescendingly.

"I didn't know," Ginny said.

"Then you must be close," the waiter said sarcastically. I'm his wife, Ginny wanted to snap, but knew that 'outing' herself was a foolish course of action. If Lucius found out that she had identified herself to his restaurant staff, he might reconsider her ring predicament. Ginny looked over the wizard's shoulder and into the dining room. There were a dozen dark wood tables that complimented the paneling. Silver candelabras topped each table, in the center of blood red roses, casting a soft glow that made the men and women look beautiful and mysterious. There were Death Eaters here, she had no doubt. These people who effortlessly read the menus were the same people who had always regarded her family with distain. No one regarded her at all at the moment. The waiter handed her a tray with a small hand mirror with a silver serpent coiling along the handle.

She picked up the mirror. Within seconds, her body lurched forward, then was hurled roughly onto what appeared to be a very expensive carpet. A hand grabbed the hood of her robes and pulled her unceremoniously to her feet. She spun around and came face to face with Nott. He had been in the courtyard that day. She was suddenly very annoyed. Why had he shown up for her divorce? What business of it was his?

"I was very near owling Theodore to escort you here himself," Nott said. Ginny looked over his shoulder and saw Lucius glaring at her from behind his desk.

"Nott, go get Miss Weasley something from the kitchen," Lucius said, not breaking eye contact with Ginny.

"Where are all your house elves, Lucius?" Nott asked indignantly.

"Go!" Lucius barked. Nott let out a dramatic huff and swept out of the room. Lucius approached Ginny. His hand shot out and grabbed her right arm and twisted it behind her back. What was he playing at? Ginny let out a gasp, followed by demands for Lucius to release her. He only pulled her arm harder and she was acutely aware of the ligaments straining and skin burning. She had not been in Malfoy Manor for three minutes yet, things were already terribly wrong. For the second time in her life she silently cursed herself for her impulsivity. She felt worse off than she had been back at that tavern with Fazen. She heard a small pop in her arm, and knew that it would soon break. She fumbled for her wand, but Lucius snatched it out of her hands and flung it over her shoulder.

"I'm going to break your arm, Ginny," Lucius said matter-of-factly. "Don't just stand there like a fool. Protect yourself." Ginny tried to spin her self out of the dead lock in which she was held. She let out a wail of pain and frustration. Where was Draco? Where was the bloody Minister of Magic? SNAP! Suddenly the pain in her arm magnified. She felt Lucius swear softly, release her broken arm, and pull her other arm behind her. Was he mad? Was he systematically going to break her extremities? She looked at their reflections in the mirror and Lucius' met her gaze. His face was neutral; the expression was of someone who was looking out a window. He did not look at all phased by the sight of her right arm dangling awkwardly between them. She heard the familiar pop and knew her arm was dislocated. It appeared they'd both be waiting a very long time. "By the time Harry Potter arrives, there won't be much left of you to be rescued," Lucius drawled.

A bolt of white lightening and a shower of white and yellow sparks surrounded Lucius and he was propelled across the room. She watched in horror as Lucius Malfoy, right hand man to the Dark Lord, was slammed into the stone mantle with a sickening crack. Lucius bit down on his lip with the impact, sending a thin line of blood down his chin. More horrifying then imagining the consequences was the fact that Lucius got up immediately. He staggered for a step, then regained his balance and walked toward Ginny laughing.

"Ah, so now we know the magic words. It seems we have much to discuss this evening," he said. He offered his hand to help her up, but she did not take it partially out of fear, and partially out of the knowledge that it would be immensely painful. Nott entered the room, followed by a house elf. Neither appeared surprised by the damage.

"A representative from the Ministry of Magic is in the parlor talking to your son, Lucius," Nott said impatiently. Lucius waved his wand and his robes were once again neatly pressed. The blood on his chin vanished. Lucius turned toward the house elf. "Help Miss Weasley clean up, then bring her to the parlor," Lucius said. He and Nott left the room. The house elf approached her and touched her small, spindly fingers to Ginny's arms with the patient precision of someone who had healed many wounds. Ginny felt a blessed white heat radiate in her arms, then fade. She wind-milled her arms to test them.

"Thank you," she said. The house elf simply nodded toward the door and Ginny followed her.

They entered the parlor which reminded her very much of the Gryffindor common room. The windows were dressed in heavy red and gold tapestries and a roaring fire blazed in the corner. The four men - The representative from the Ministry of Magic, Nott, Lucius, and Draco - sat on a pair of plush couches around a low, wide mahogany table. A few parchments and quills were scattered on the table. The men looked up at Ginny. Lucius gave her a cold smile that made her queasy. Draco's wore an expression of disinterest. He stared at her, but did not say a word.

After a long, uncomfortable moment she met Draco's eyes and pleaded silently. He repositioned himself, moving to the middle cushion next to his father. He nodded at the vacant space next to him and Ginny sat down. He softly touched Ginny's arm and shut his eyes. After a moment he removed his hand and looked at his father who was staring back.

The representative cleared his throat. "My name is Trevor Bagshaw. Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, I am here to officiate your divorce. Do you understand what that means?" he asked kindly.

"They are not children. They understand," Nott said.

"Yes," Draco said.

"What is the reason for the divorce?" asked Bagshaw.

"A summer romance gone too far," Nott said, waving his hand dismissively at Draco.

"Mrs. Malfoy, do you wish to request a settlement?" Bagshaw asked.

"She does not," Nott answered impatiently.

"I would prefer if Mrs. Malfoy responded, Nott," Bagshaw said sternly.

"As the Malfoy family attorney, I represent Virginia as well as Draco. They have agreed to the sum of ten thousand gallons under a contract of confidentiality regarding this marriage," Nott said, producing a parchment. Ginny almost fell off the couch. Ten thousand gallons? Of course, it was not true. The moment Mr. Bagshaw left, the contract would most likely be incinerated, or two weeks from now Lucius would invent some condition that she had not met. Oh, but it was nice to dream.

"Very well, then, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, if you have no further requests you must sign this," Bagshaw said, pushing a parchment forward which Draco and Ginny both hastily signed.

"I appreciate you coming to the Manor to address this, as well as your discretion," Lucius drawled.

"Lucius, I would never have come all this way just to watch them sign a parchment, particularly had I known your own attorney could have accompanied them to the Ministry to handle this," Bagshaw snapped. "Nott gave the impression that there would be a complicated parting of the ways," he said in a lower voice.

"I wished to witness the proceedings myself in case my son required my council. The last time he was alone at the Ministry, he ended up with an underage wife. My trust in your staff is limited," he said harshly.

"Your son and his wife implied that she was with child! My staff was trying to help your family avoid a scandal!" Bagshaw barked.

"Your staff clearly misunderstood. While I can understand how, considering it is a Weasley we are dealing with, you can rest assure that they have regained their senses and thoroughly detest one another," Lucius said.

"Clearly," Bagshaw said, squinting over his glasses. He could only see the top of Ginny's head, obscured by Draco. Draco was glaring at his father. "Lucius, you can make it up to me with a favor. You are still one of Hogwarts school governors, are you not?" he asked.

"I no longer hold that office," Lucius said tightly. His eyes flickered angrily to Ginny then immediately darted back to Bagshaw. "There is no child. There is no scandal. I think it best if we all just put this matter to rest. Nott, see Bagshaw out and see that he is compensated for his trouble," Lucius said smoothly. Bagshaw nodded toward Ginny and Draco, gathered his parchment, and followed Nott to the door.

"What exactly did you need me here for?" Ginny asked Lucius. I didn't say a word. There wasn't even a line for me to sign on the parchment!"

"Nonsense, I watched you sign," Lucius said in a tone that Ginny found most patronizing.

"Draco drew that line in! It doesn't count!" Ginny said.

"Let us not waste the afternoon arguing. I'm rather glad you're here. Draco, if you'll excuse us," Lucius said.

"There is no profit in breaking her arm again. She can't control that ring, so just take it off," Draco snapped. He had not moved from his seat between Lucius and Ginny.

"Ah, you saw that," Lucius said without a trace of embarrassment.

"Yes. And if you saw what Ginny did to the Herbology greenhouse, you wouldn't want her to wear this ring in your house any longer than possible," Draco said.

"On second thought, I would like you to stay for this, Draco. Fear does not suit you. It is time I cured you of it," Lucius said coldly.

"I fear nothing," Draco said. Lucius smiled coldly. Nott re-entered the room carrying a small black book and a large iron box.

"Ginny, you will be using that ring to help us resurrect the Dark Lord tonight," Lucius said.

"Never let it be said that my father beats around the bush," Draco said dryly.

"No! Even if I could control this, which you know I cannot, I wouldn't use it to restore Voldemort," Ginny said, rising from her seat.

"You will," Lucius said simply. "You will because as we speak, Harry Potter is on his way to Malfoy Manor to rescue you. I can see to it that he's dead before he reaches the parlor door, or you can lend your assistance to the task at hand."

"You're lying. Everyone knows your home is unplottable," Ginny said, desperately hoping she was right.

"Nothing that could not be overcome with a carelessly placed Portkey in Draco's room," Nott said.

"So you're evil plan is based on the likelihood of Harry Potter in my bedroom? Well, I can certainly see why my father holds you in the highest esteem, Nott. Your plans are pure genius," Draco drawled.

"Do not underestimate Potter. That has always been your weakness, Draco," Lucius snapped. "Of course he'll find a way into your chambers. He's Harry Potter." For a moment everyone paused to considering this point, followed by a silent but unanimous nod.

"Here!" Nott said, pulling Ginny toward the iron box sitting on Lucius' desk.

"Don't tell me you've been keeping the Dark Lord in a coffee tin," Draco drawled. He had followed them to the desk, and stood behind Ginny. She could feel his breath stir her hair.

"Watch your tongue, boy," Nott said, as Lucius unlocked the box and retrieved a vial of red liquid.

"Is that blood?" Ginny asked.

"Yes," Nott said, paging through the book and handing it to Ginny. Ginny read the page.

"You want me to transfigure this blood into Voldemort?" she squeaked.

"If transfiguration is all that's entailed, what do you need Weasley for? What a wasted day this has been," Draco said, taking the book out of Ginny's hand. Lucius's serpent staff slammed down on Draco's hand.

"Don't be so presumptuous, Draco," Lucius said slowly. "This is not a simple spell that can be performed with a simple wand. It must be preformed with that ring. As she is the only one here who can control it, she will be the one performing the spell. Miss Weasley, are you familiar with the Septiens Charm?" Lucius asked.

"Human transfiguration is seventh year. She is not. She's more likely to blow herself up than to perform this spell correctly," Draco said, pulling back his hand. Ginny reeled. She was very familiar with the Septiens Charm. In theory. She only knew the basics from her brothers, but had never been able to channel it properly. It had not occurred to her until this moment that is was a possible explanation for this ring.

"That's a chance we're willing to take," Lucius said. He walked over to a high bookshelf and ran his finger along a row of books in concentration. Draco followed him, leaving Ginny and Nott in silence.

"Just because she is the seventh child in her family does not mean she is gifted with the Septiens Charm," Draco whispered fiercely. Lucius' mouth pulled up at the corner.

"You know of it? I'm impressed. But there is nothing worse than being only half educated on a topic," Lucius said. "The Septiens Charm is a gift found in families with seven siblings. It only occurs if one of the parents is also from a family of seven children. It is a protection charm that allows any of the seven children to use non-magical objects for magic. It was meant to be a protection spell for larger pureblood families. She has used it only for protection up until now. But there are ways around that."

"You've known about this for years," Draco said in a low voice, recalling the Pensieve. "You could have targeted any of the Weasley's. May I ask why you chose this one?" His lips were tight and he glared at his father as if Ginny and Nott weren't even in the room.

"She was not my first choice. There have been other obstacles. But imagine my satisfaction when I found her sitting across from me in that carriage with the ring bound to her hand. You shall be rewarded for this," Lucius said. Draco's eyes flicked toward Ginny. She was sitting on the couch with her hands folded in her lap.

"May I remind you that Weasley spent several days in the Chamber of Secrets, and was nearly mauled by some ogre in a tavern this summer? If she had any volitional use of this gift, don't you think she would have used it by now?" Draco whispered.

"You are so negative, Draco. The Dark Lord does not look kindly upon neigh-sayers," Lucius said, waving his hand dismissively.

Suddenly there was a thump across the room as a figure materialized on the other side of the desk. Papers floated about and Harry Potter stood with his wand drawn.

"Mr. Potter, what impeccable timing you have," Lucius said as Harry crossed the room. Harry's green eyes were blazing. They flickered toward Ginny for a moment, but then seemed to lock on Draco.

"Yes, Potter. Ginny here was just about to resurrect the Dark Lord. You can be part of the welcome wagon," Draco said, meeting Harry's stare.

"Draco! There is no reason to tell Potter anything. He will learn soon enough," Lucius said. Ginny did not think that Draco appeared very remorseful. Lucius touched his wand to Ginny's temple. "Drop your wand, Potter," he said casually. Ginny heard the sound of the hollow wand striking the parquet floor. Two silvery cords shot out of Lucius' wand and bound Harry's hands and feet.

Ginny caught Harry's gaze. His face was usually so open, so readable to her. But at this moment his features were flat, and it unnerved her. She would rather him lash out at her if he was angry, than to just look at her like that. She rounded on Lucius. "Let him go! I won't help you at all if he's hurt!" she said hotly.

"But at least you're willing to negotiate," Nott pointed out. The door swung open and Wormtail hobbled in.

"Why am I not surprised to see you here, Pettigrew?" Harry asked. Wormtail approached the desk.

"Is she the one? Can she really do this?" Wormtail asked nervously.

"We're about to find out," Lucius said, thrusting the blood phial into Ginny's hands. He picked up the book and began to read the incantation "Adipiscor aetas intemptesta nox...," he began. A sudden draft extinguished the lanterns, leaving only the firelight and the late afternoon sunshine to illuminate the room. Ginny tightened her hands around the phial and looked at Harry fearfully. Then her eyes fell to the spell book from which Lucius was reading. She clenched her hand in a fist and concentrated with every ounce of will power. She saw a thin line of smoke emit from the book then fade away. Lucius noticed as well and quickened his pace of reading. She clenched her hand again, and a crystal goblet on the table shattered. Draco and Harry looked at her in surprise. Nott leaned forward, as if prepared to take the phial out of her hands. Finally a large green flame plumed from the center of the book. Lucius dropped it in shock, and the pages were swallowed into the flame.

"Undatis!" Lucius shouted, drenching the book with water from his wand. The flames died out and the book hissed with steam. "You foolish girl!"

"I didn't do it intentionally! I told you I can't control it!" Ginny shouted.

"Nonsense! You've only used the charm against threats. That book was not a threat!" Nott shouted back.

"I've always suspected you would be powerful if you were pushed the right way," Wormtail said thoughtfully.

"Silence!" Lucius hissed at Wormtail and Nott.

"You were using a book to bring back Tom Riddle! Of course Ginny can't help you. He's already been a threat to her! You couldn't have chosen a worse person for the job. You're terrible at this," Harry said with great hostility. Everyone stopped and looked at him. Ginny made a mental note to ask Hermione exactly how much Ron had told her and Harry about the charm.

"There's bitter irony for you, father. The only thing that could have made this more tragic is if Wormtail had sleuthed it out instead of Potter," Draco said.

"Yes, an unforeseen problem," Lucius considered. His eyes flicked over to Harry. "How very unusual for you to be traveling alone, Potter. I seem to recall reinforcement last time," Lucius drawled. Harry's face revealed nothing, but Ginny knew he was alone and she was relieved. She had to find a way back to Hogwart's. She had to find a way to warn--

"Miss Weasley, follow me," Lucius said sternly, taking Ginny by the arm.

"She isn't of any use where Voldemort is concerned. You may as well send her back to school with Malfoy before anyone realizes they're both missing," Harry said acidly, then he lowered his voice. "You have me. Surely that's a good consolation for your master."

"That's what we need her for," Wormtail said sarcastically.

"Remind me again why I spared your life," Harry said.

"Where are you going, father?" Draco asked.

"That is none of your concern," Lucius said tightly. This turn of events had made him look like a fool and Lucius was not the type of man to let such gestures go unpunished. Draco thought of a million disciplines he had been the recipient of. And he was certain his father could easily remove that ring.

"Of course it is. By now I'm sure the rumors of our nuptials have spread through Hogwarts like wildfire. I'll be held responsible if she does not return to school tonight," Draco said.

"No one knows about your marriage," Lucius snapped. "Come," he said to Ginny, pulling her toward the door.

"I won't allow this. If I return to school alone, people will talk about me! About you!" Draco said, standing between Lucius and Ginny, and the doorway.

"You're son is far too concerned with image," Nott said.

"I am concerned about the Malfoy name!" Draco said. "I see no point in tossing around Weasley, when you have Potter." Draco drew in a breath. He looked over to see Harry's expression. After all, he had more or less just offered him up as a sacrifice. Harry's expression was quite complacent, as if he also hoped that Lucius would accept this idea.

"What if he takes the mark tonight?" Nott said, nodding toward Draco. "He could be of service if he is gifted." Draco felt his stomach tighten. For three days after taking the Dark Mark, one had temporal powers including the ability to make someone perform dark magic under the Imperious Curse. Many Death Eaters who sought forgiveness with the Ministry claimed to have been under the Imperius Curse, but Draco knew this was impossible. It was true a person could be kept under the Imperius Curse indefinitely, but any Dark Magic performed had to be on their own volition.

"Yes. Brilliant, Nott," Lucius whispered.

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Have you ever done this before, Nott?" Draco snapped.

"Done what?" Nott asked.

"Masterminded a plan. Because let me tell you, none of the great ones involved branding someone who was about to go hop on a train and live in the same castle with Dumbledore for the next six months!" Draco said waspishly.

"Then wear long sleeves," Nott waved his arm to demonstrate his own sleeves.

"Father, I can't take the Dark Mark! The entire school would see the mark the first time my sleeve blows up during a Quidditch match. I'll be in Azkaban by the end of the term!" Draco argued. He knew his reasons were valid, and more to the point, he knew the Dark Mark only came through ones own volition. It would be useless for his father and Nott to force it on him.

"You raise an excellent point, Draco. However, I have no time for your defiance tonight," Lucius said, raising his staff toward Draco. A green light flashed and Draco saw only darkness.

***********

Draco did not feel like he had lost any time. The furnishings of the parlor had blurred like a film, dissolving the rows of books into stones, the elegant lanterns into a lone torch. He was in the dungeon. He stared in disbelief. All his life, his father had threatened to throw him in the dungeon, but he had never actually acted on it. As a matter of fact, until this moment, Draco had never been entirely sure that the manor even had a dungeon. But it did. He was in it. And he was not alone.

"Potter! Get up!" he snapped.

"I've been up. While you were resting over there, I've been trying to find a way out of here," Harry grumbled.

"And?" Draco asked.

"And I found away out, but I was enjoying your company so much, that I sealed myself back in," Harry snapped. Draco begrudgingly admired this familiar sarcasm.

"When did you become such a fountain of wittiness?" Draco asked. "What did I miss?"

"Your father figured out the spell so she could take the ring off. But she wouldn't do it," Harry said with some exasperation.

"Probably because she knows he'll kill her the second she takes it off," Draco said.

"She hasn't mastered that ring. Couldn't he kill her even if she is wearing it?" asked Harry.

"Most likely. Put that in the Malfoy Suggestion Box on your way out, won't you?" Draco said acidly. Harry's eyes flashed.

"That was very noble of you delay the Dark Mark. I'm sure your Quidditch team will be most grateful that you can finish out the season," Harry said sarcastically.

"Don't be a fool. When someone takes the Dark Mark, they are gifted with temporary powers. For three days you are able influence someone to perform dark magic. Which accounts for the sudden interest in inducting me," Draco said.

"You could make her perform dark magic? On anyone?" Harry said.

"Yes, anyone. It could be muggles. Or you. Or herself, if I told her to," Draco said. The color drained from Harry's face.

"Are you going to do that?" Harry asked quietly.

"That's a stupid question Potter," Draco said in a slightly tired voice.

"Can I ask you another question? Not that I'm ungrateful for what you did up there, but what do you get out of this? What good does it do for you to defy your father?" Harry asked.

"What makes you think I get anything out of this?" Draco asked. His eyes were focused on some point over Harry's shoulder.

"Of course, I know who you want out of this," Harry continued. "I'm not a fool, Malfoy. What do you want with her?"

"Aren't we confident? Everyone fancies the girlfriend of famous Harry Potter?" Draco snapped.

"You tricked her into marrying you, got your father so angry he threw the precious Malfoy heir in a dungeon, not to mention what happened by the greenhouse--"

"Sod off, Potter," Draco said in a neutral tone.

"Just admit it! You want Ginny! To what end? You think she's just going to throw on a black hood, take the dark mark and fall in love with you?!" Harry yelled.

"Stick to the noble martyr routine, Potter. Jealously doesn't suit you," Draco said poisonously.

"Jealously? There's hardly reason for jealousy. She could never love you. Ever. Even if she didn't love me, she wouldn't have you. She sees you for what you are," hissed Harry.

"And just what am I, Potter?" Draco growled.

The iron door to the cell creaked open and Ginny stood in the doorway. She was wearing Harry's black cloak. Both boys looked at her in surprise.

"How did you get the door open?" Draco asked. She ignored this, but walked toward him. She was wearing Harry's traveling cloak, buttoned up to the collar. Her hair had come undone and fell wildly around her shoulders. Draco was unsurprised to see that she still wore the ring. The ring had been transfigured back to its original form and Draco wondered what precipitated the transfiguration. Ginny undid her cloak, allowing it to fall open in the front. Underneath she wore only a black lace camisole and matching underwear. It was pretty, but not revealing. Harry's jaw dropped. He had never seen a girl in as much as a bathing suit. Damn those Dursley's and their propensity for sunburn.

"Ginny! What are you doing?" Harry said hoarsely. "Malfoy, close your eyes!" Ginny gave no indication that she heard Harry, or that she was even aware that he was in the room. She smirked at Draco and traced her hand along his jaw.

"I missed you, Draco," Ginny said softly.

"It's a bit drafty down here for that outfit, Ginny," Draco said warily. He reached out and attempted to fasten the robe. Ginny caught his fingers and entwined them in her own.

"Lucius and I have been talking. We think it's about time you come upstairs," she said softly.

"Ginny, are you feeling alright?" Draco said slowly. Harry leapt to his feet and walked toward her. He touched her shoulder. She did not move. A flash of light emitted from the spot he touched her and he was thrown across the room. She glanced sideways, and then turned her attention back to Draco, arching her eyebrow. She pulled his head down to her lips and kissed him. Initially, it was not at all unpleasant. But then he had a mental flash of her at the age of three which he could not banish which made him entirely squeamish. He managed to push her back a step. Harry was unsuccessfully struggling to get himself into a seated position, casting a pained glare. Ginny pouted.

"What's wrong, Draco? I thought you liked me," she said, idly tracing the neckline of his shirt. She leaned in and kissed his neck. The laziness of her kiss, the softness of her lips and the heat from the contact made Draco recall a dodgy room which he had complained about not long ago.

"No, Ginny. Ginny?" he asked, pushing her away once again. She was surprisingly strong, leaned back toward him and resumed their kiss. He heard Potter's ragged breaths from across the room. Ginny pulled up Draco's sleeve and began running her fingers up and down along his forearm.

"There is only one way out of here, you know?" she whispered against his mouth. "There is something you could do to save us. You have been waiting for you whole life for this day." Draco's eyes widened, startled at her implication. "You could have everything you ever wanted. Only He could give you that power," she said, grazing her nails along his arm with slow, steady pressure.

"Ginny!" yelled Harry, miserably.

"Potter, control yourself. She's under the Imperius Curse," Draco said slowly.

"How do you know?" Harry asked. Draco looked up and shot him an angry look.

"Well, for starters, she's meandering around the dungeon in her knickers. Oh, and trying to seduce me into taking the Dark Mark. Is that proof enough?" Draco snapped, retracting his arm. Ginny giggled and tilted her face towards his. She began kissing him again, throwing her arms around his neck with such vigor that Draco wondered if the curse had gifted her this strength, or if it was simply the result of having six older brothers

"Malfoy!" Harry yelled.

"I'm trying!" Draco said, between breaths.

"Try harder!" Harry growled, as Draco freed himself. "Ginny, listen. You've got to fight this. Concentrate!"

"No one can throw off the Imperius Curse!" Draco snapped.

"I can!" Harry said angrily. He crawled over to them. He reached up and pulled Ginny to the ground. He grabbed her shoulders and shook her, ignoring her startled face. "Fight this! Do you really want Malfoy to take the Dark Mark? Is that what he sent you down here for?" She struggled against him, and slapped him. He threw his hand to his cheek, shocked. Draco braced himself for Harry to be hurled across the room again, but it did not happen.

"Potter!" Ginny spat. "You're the worst thing that's ever happened to me! We were all better off when you were living in a cupboard. Why don't you just go back with the muggles!" she hissed. He looked at her in disbelief. Draco felt a pang of empathy for the first time in his life.

"You don't mean that, Ginny!" Harry said fiercely.

"I hope you finally die today, Potter!" she said in a menacing whisper. She rose and faced Draco. "There's only one way to save us. Say you will?" Ginny looked at Draco imploringly. Draco knelt down and picked up the discarded cloak. He placed it around her and began hooking the buttons. She looked at him curiously. "Does this mean you're coming?" she asked.

Draco took her hand. "I can't help anyone unless you give me that ring."

"Just give it to him, Ginny," Harry said flatly. He had not moved from the spot on the floor. Draco was not sure if he even could. Harry had summoned the strength to pull Ginny to the floor moments ago, but he had not moved since.

"Ask nicely?" Ginny smiled, and leaned in to kiss Draco again. This time he kissed her back, spinning her around and into the wall. She made a soft sigh. "What is it that you want? You can have anything if you come with me," she promised, whispering against his lips. He ran his hands through her hair. His palms pressed against her shoulders, trailing down her arms, reaching her hands. His fingers caught at hers. He felt her small, warm fingers entwine with his own. He felt the ring and pulled at it, but she clenched her hand in a fist, although she did not break the kiss. Suddenly, he felt her body tense in his arms.

"Malfoy!" she shrieked! "What are you doing?!" She pushed him backward with such force that he nearly tripped over Harry. He braced himself against the window ledge and turned toward her. She looked from Draco to Harry to her own ensemble in utter panic. She drew the cloak tightly around herself and finished buttoning it. "Harry!" she cried, dropping to the ground next to him. "Harry, I'm sorry!" she sobbed, touching the cheek where she had slapped him. "I didn't mean what I said. Oh, Harry!" she said over and over. Finally she looked at Draco. "And you! What were you doing?!"

"I was trying to take the ring back!" he yelled. "How about, 'I'm sorry for throwing myself at you, Draco' or 'Thanks for dressing me properly since I showed up looking like some kind of harlot' and especially 'I'm sorry for trying to talk you into taking the Dark Mark?'"

Ginny's face flushed and her bottom lip trembled. "Oh. I. Oh, Draco. I don't know what to say. I couldn't stop--He made me--I wouldn't really--," she struggled.

"I'm touched, Weasley," Draco said flatly. Harry stood up, pulling Ginny with him.

"It's alright, Ginny," Harry said, although his eyes said that things were far from being alright. "It's not your fault. Let's just figure out a way to get out of here," he continued in a stiff tone that indicated to Draco that he was now and forever finished discussing what had just transpired. Ginny, however was not.

Draco leaned against the wall. His face was expressionless and his body relaxed. He reminded Ginny of the way he had looked that first night at the tavern. Detached. "Draco," she said softly. "I didn't mean--I know--you could have--But you didn't," she stopped. She sighed and seemed satisfied at her second attempt at an apology. Draco touched her cheek, just once.

"It's okay," he said. He abruptly pushed himself off from the wall. "Alright, Father," he called. "I know you wouldn't miss these theatrics. Why don't you join us?" Draco called into the air.

The door swung open and Lucius sauntered in, followed by Wormtail and Nott.

"Tossing Harry across the room was an impressive effect," Draco drawled.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lucius said innocently.

"And you chose a lovely moment to lift the curse, Father," Draco said bitterly.

"You may thank Wormtail for that loveliness," Lucius shrugged.

"Stirring up trouble, Wormtail? Raising a little hell? Is that what my father had in mind?" Draco asked.

"This," Lucius said, surveying the scene before him, "was not what I had in mind."

"But you said--," Wormtail stammered.

"I'm well aware of what I said. No need to share our plans with everyone, you imbecile!"

"Some plan. Have your pervert of a lapdog put Ginny under the Imperius Curse and make her dress like a harlot!" Harry said, glaring at Wormtail.

"That was a rather interesting tactic, Wormtail. I didn't figure you the black lace type," Draco said thoughtfully.

"I, uh, I didn't do that part. She was already wearing that, um, underneath," Wormtail said nervously. Everyone in the room stopped in spite of themselves. Lucius arched his eyebrow and looked surprised. Harry blushed furiously and looked at the ground. Nott's stifled a low laugh. Draco looked at Ginny in bland amusement. Ginny gave an indignant sniff, then clutched Harry's cloak tighter around her chest.

"Well, if nothing else comes out of this, at least Pettigrew has a stunning visual to replace his Naughty Knickers pin-ups," Draco drawled.

"Malfoy," Harry warned. Draco ignored him.

"Take the ring from her, before she finds a way to use it to defeat the Dark Lord. You know it's only a matter of time before Dumbledore figures out three of his students are missing," Nott said, speaking for the first time. Lucius turned to Ginny. Before he had time to step forward, the lapel of his jacket flew open and Harry, Ginny and Draco's wands all flew from the inside of his robe. Before he could react, his, Nott's and Wormtail's wands all followed suit. All six wands landed in Ginny's hand. Harry moved over to her and retrieved his wand. Ginny allowed this, but did not break eye contact with Lucius. Lucius smiled at her. She couldn't think of anything else he could have done at this moment to make her more uncomfortable.

"Two brave little Gryffindors, and half a dozen wands? What good do you think that will do you?" Lucius asked menacingly. "There are wards surrounding my home are deadly. Even if you escape this room, you'll kill yourself trying to leave the grounds. Not that I would be very sorry to see that happen."

Ginny smirked at Lucius. Harry irritably noted that it came quite naturally. He was greatly relieved that this marriage was over. Ginny lifted her wand and Draco was pulled across the room. He landed at her feet. He glared at her. "Draco will escort us out," Ginny said evenly.

"Aren't you clever?" Lucius drawled.

"Up!" Ginny yelled at Draco. Draco flew to his feet.

"Easy, Weasley! I'm not a broom!" Draco snapped. Harry cast a binding curse around Nott, Lucius, and Wormtail. Lucius yelled at Draco to do something, but Draco insisted that Ginny just might kill him if he tried. Lucius was still bellowing behind them as they left the room.

"How are we going to get back to school?" Ginny asked breathlessly as they ran up a spiral staircase and emerged from a bookshelf in Lucius' study.

"Why should I tell you? It seems I still am a hostage," Draco said. The three stopped in the parlor.

"A show of good faith, then?" Ginny asked, handing Draco his wand. He looked a bit surprised and took it quickly.

"Where are your brooms, Malfoy?" Harry asked, glancing around. He never imagined that he would see the inside of Malfoy Manor so early in his life. He always assumed he would see it as an adult, after the defeat of the Dark Lord and the imprisonment of the Malfoy's.

"All of my brooms are at school. The Manor isn't exactly conducive to flying. To many invisible means of decapitation," Draco snorted at his own remark and began climbing another set of stairs. Harry and Ginny looked at each other curiously. "That binding curse won't hold my father forever. I suggest you come with me, unless you're terribly eager for a matched set."

They followed Draco into a large suite. A large mahogany framed bed with thick layers of green silk along the canopy was in the center of the room. "This is where the magic happens," Draco said to Ginny. His eyes danced and Harry thought he might just rather hex him and find his own way back to Hogwarts.

"It looks a bit girly, Malfoy," Harry said.

"We can't all sleep in an ubermanly cupboard, Potter," Draco shot back. Ginny diplomatically ignored them.

"You have a fire place," she sighed with relief. "We can floo back!"

"In a moment. Weasley, come here," he opened his wardrobe and began sifting through the hangers.

"What are you doing?" Harry said suspiciously.

"Sod off, Potter. I won't allow my wife to go out looking like that," Draco said, throwing a set of emerald green robes over to Ginny.

"She's not your wife!" Harry raged as he and Draco turned their backs to allow Ginny privacy to change.

"You say tomato, I say to-mah-to," Draco smirked

"We're British, Malfoy. We all say to-mah-to," Harry countered.

"You can look now," Ginny said. The robes fit her perfectly. Her fiery hair against the emerald green was reminiscent of the first changing leaves in the early fall. Draco walked over to her and touched his wand to a place right over her heart. He stepped back to examine his work. He had transfigured the Slytherin crest into a monogrammed 'G'. She smiled slightly.

"Thought you'd like that," he said under his breath so only she could hear him.

"Perfect fit," Harry said sarcastically.

"They're from my second year. Obviously I've grown since then," Draco said indignantly.

"Harry, please," Ginny said softly. She held out her hand and took his.

"When did you figure out how to use that ring?" Draco said.

"I spent the better part of yesterday practicing the summoning charm with it. That's as far as I got," Ginny said.

"What made you choose the summoning charm?" Harry asked.

"Hermione thought it would be the most useful, but least complicated to learn in a short time," Ginny said.

"She is a bit of an expert on that charm," Harry smiled. Draco, however, looked at the ring and frowned.

"Practicing with Granger was stupid. Neither of you know the first thing about the dark arts. Did it occur to you that using Voldemort's ring around a mudblood could have been fatal?" Draco asked.

"Don't call her that, Malfoy!," Harry said severely.

"Let's go back now. How close can we floo to Hogwarts from here?" she asked.

"This network is linked to my private chamber. Potter, you go first," Draco snapped.

"Why don't you go first?"

"Because I have to seal the floo and I'm not sharing that security spell with you. So you go first. Unless you'd rather send Weasley. Maybe Nott or Goyle will be in there to greet her," Draco said idly. Harry swore. He grabbed a fistful of floo powder and disappeared into the flames.

"Ginny--," Draco began, but Ginny cut him off.

"Thank you," she said. She reached into a bucket and grabbed a handful of floo powder. Draco grabbed her wrist lightly. Her startled eyes met his. She saw something she had never seen in his features: loss, desperation. "I don't want you to think I'm indifferent or ungrateful or that I don't have anything else to say, but Harry's waiting. Tomorrow--"

"There is no tomorrow for this," he said in a voice as hard as glass. Then he softened just a bit. "I realize I can't see you or talk to you. It's probably best if I don't even look at you." He paused for a moment and gave a wry smile. "I often wondered not if, but how, I would end Potter. I was expected to mark him. To befriend him. To lead him." Ginny winced inwardly. Draco measured each word. He was unhurried, as if he knew she wouldn't leave until he had spoken his peace. She marveled at his confidence; she would never understand it. He had just confessed that he thought he may be the instrument of Harry's death. There was a prophecy to a similar effect, and Draco wasn't part of it. But then, perhaps that was what he was realizing just now. "He stands for everything I was conditioned to loathe. And now there is a reason protect him. There is something important to me that he protects. Someone who would break without him. And I hate that."

She stood beneath the mantle, the bottom of her robe already tracing small paths in the soot. She looked at him with wide, bleary eyes, as if she had just recalled something she had not remembered in a long time. He walked over to her so that their faces were inches apart. He spoke slowly, winding his fingers in a few wisps of hair that framed her face.

"In a few minutes, he'll probably do something predictably boring like ask you to Hogsmeade and give you his Quidditch robe or some other muggle nonsense," he said, leaning closer to her so that their lips were brushing. His fingers traced her jaw. "You'll put this day behind you," he said against her mouth. She stood completely still while he brushed silent, chaste kisses along her lips and jaw. "One last chance, Ginny," he said, brushing his lips against her neck. She sighed, and took a small step backward. He bristled and looked at her. The pain and confusion of adolescent rejection had thus far evaded him. Thus far.

He didn't allow her to rebut. He pushed her into the fireplace and grabbed a handful of floo powder.

Ginny found herself lying in the middle of Draco's private chamber. Harry was no where in sight. She felt a sick wave of guilt. But, she technically did nothing wrong. Was it a crime to listen? To stand still? After a moment, Draco flooed in. They rose to their feet, staring at each other in silence. If Draco felt even an ounce of uneasiness, he was playing is close to the chest.

Ginny stared in disbelief. She knew that particular conversation was finished, never to be revisited. She knew that for the rest of her life, this moment would be marked with the tense electricity in the air, pressing invisible fingers at her throat tighter with each cadence of the ticking clock. She very much wished that she could mark the last conversation she would ever have with Draco Malfoy. She was suddenly desperate to create a physical reminder, in case he should just walk out and forget. She twisted the ring off of her finger and tapped it with her wand. Harry Potter appeared in the doorway. He looked nervous.

'Good,' Draco thought. 'At least someone believed there was a chance this would turn out differently...' Ginny silently pressed the ring into his palm.

"We have to go," Harry said.

"Potter," Draco nodded.

"I'll see you again," said Ginny.

"Not like this," Draco said evenly. Ginny nodded, then looked at Harry. Harry took her arm and for the third time in Draco's life, led Ginny away. Draco wondered what Ginny would have done without Harry to lead her away. Draco looked down at the serpent on his ring. It's once emerald eyes were now glistening rubies.

******

Lucius, Nott, and Wormtail slowly rose to their feet. The binding charm lasted for several hours, before it faded, giving Lucius plenty of time to seethe over Harry Potter once again getting the better of his cause.

"What now, Lucius?" Nott said. The exhaustion was clear in his voice. "We could always have my son try. Or better yet, Zabini's daughter."

"The girl is no longer of use to us. Perhaps it's will, or power, or just fool luck that's rubbed off from that imbecile Potter," Lucius said.

"Then what shall we do?" Wormtail asked timidly.

"There is another. Nott, your worthless son may prove to be useful after all," Lucius said with a menacing smile.