The Unforgettable Fire

CHAPTER 9: Year 6, Part 1, Lost

**"There is no way you can stop me," Ginny said calmly as she ate her dinner. She had chosen tonight as the night to tell her parents. The only bad thing about it was they were going to make it harder for her. Oh, and Harry was there. Yeah, he was staying the whole summer. The whole summer and Ginny would be free of him. It was just one more plus for her as far as she was concerned. Oh, but Harry was there now, listening to that exact conversation and every second looking like he would burst. He looked similar to all of her siblings and parents. The whole Weasley clan was there; Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, and Ron. It was hell.

Her father was the only one who seemed to be taking it well at all. "And when will you be leaving?" he asked.

"You're going to let her do this?" Ron said, finally exploding.

"I trust my daughter," he said calmly. "And I have seen her art work. It is very good. The pictures the Daily Prophet took of her mural at Hogwarts were in color, a rare compliment for any artist. If she thinks she is old enough to earn money for herself, she is damn well old enough to make her own decisions."

Ginny's mother boiled at this. Her face got all red like she was going to explode right then and there. Something held her back and she served another helping of potatoes to Charlie, who was looking at Ginny curiously. "The dragon I thought was the best part. Very realistic, but more majestic than most people see them."

Ginny smiled at this compliment and scooted back from the table and crossed her legs very properly. "Thank you, Charlie. I'll be leaving within the week."

Then she got up from the table and made her way to her room. She had planned it while she was on the train ride home. She would go to Gringots and collect the money she had in her vault; after the numbers Draco was throwing around, she wouldn't need to worry about money for a while. She would buy some nice clothes, some supplies she might need; an isle, a few extra sketch pads, more paints, and anything else she thought might be of value. Then she would head to Kings Cross and travel the Muggle way to the North Riding of Yorkshire, where Malfoy Estate was. She would have to take everything with her, as she didn't expect to come home before the start of term.

"Just couldn't wait to get out of here, could you?" a hard voice asked from behind her. Ginny straightened but didn't turn around. It was Harry, of course. "I would give anything to have a family that loved me as much as yours loves you."

"You have pretty low standards then," she said coldly as she began organizing her sketches and putting them in her trunk.

"What is wrong with you?" he asked. "How can you willingly go there? Maybe your family is scared of you; you've managed to push them away, but you haven't managed to push me away."

Ginny wheeled on him and looked him in the eye, "You were never close enough to push," she said in a harsh voice.

"Oh, yes I was," Harry countered, "isn't that why you are leaving? Scared you might feel something below that icy exterior? Scared you might find your heart? Scared you might fall in love?"

"Scared I won't love you back?" she retorted. "What gives you the right to come in here and tell me what I'm scared of Harry Potter? Who the hell do you think you are to have that power over me? Do you think yourself a god? Do you think you are so far above people that they will bend to your will because you were the Boy Who Bloody Lived? Newsflash Harry, *I* didn't. And I don't care. And if I *had* managed to survive, I sure as hell wouldn't act like you. Maybe you aren't touched by Voldemort's evil, but the rest of the bloody world is."

Harry pulled back his dark hair and pointed at his scar. "Me? Me not touched by Voldemort's evil? Do you know how many times I've faced him? Who I had to see dead to do it? And I'm not touched? You had a bloody diary!"

"And it took my soul. I don't see you walking around like a soul less wonder. I see you walking around like you own the bloody world. I'm trying to make something of myself and damn you to hell if you get in my way, Harry!"

"Oh, I won't get in your way. Please, be my guest. Walk right into Voldemort's traps. Set yourself up for more pain and disappointment and betrayal and hurt. Be my fucking bloody guest!"

"And you would know all about that, wouldn't you! I mean, you've been betrayed so many times. You've been deserted by your family and friends. You've been mislead by the people you were supposed to trust. You've been thought it all, haven't you, Harry? Why don't you admit it, you can't stand to see me with Draco and that is the only reason you are doing this! If it weren't about you and him and your bloody pride, you wouldn't be in this room right now trying to convince me otherwise. It has never been about protecting me or loving me or anything about me! It has been pride and hatred and everything you feel towards Draco. You hate him because of me and you love me because of him!"

Harry looked stricken. He looked like a person had just stabbed him in the gut and turned the blade. Ginny continued though. "You never loved me. You were in love with the idea of being in love with me. Everything was about playing the knight in shining armor. Everything was about getting even with Draco. It wasn't about anything you felt towards me. It wasn't about love, it was about jealousy."

Ginny took deep labored breaths and her face turned softer, "Harry, you've made a huge mistake. You've been in love with a person who doesn't have the capacity to love you back. Not only that, you were never in love with her. It was just the idea, Harry, just the idea and it was fueled by Draco. It was imagined by him to hurt you, so I would say this to you, so I would break your heart and break your spirit. That is what he's done, Harry, I've only just now realized it. So go away Harry. Lick your wounds and your pride. Then fall in love with some one else, some one who you deserve. I can't love you Harry, I never will. I'm too far gone, to far lost, to far from human to give you what you deserve. Grow up and get married and have a whole bunch of little Harrys. You'll be happy and forget all about me and the foolish notion of loving me. I'm doomed Harry, doomed to sit and watch as those I once knew and loved go on and find happiness and never get to taste it myself. I only say this because it is true, Harry. I only say this because it is what I want now, Harry. So, Harry, leave. Leave and never come back."

Ginny was on the verge of crying, on the verge of letting the walls down. But they held. Harry's face was blank and broken. Draco's plan had worked, it was a shame he wasn't here to see it. Harry's eyes didn't shine. Harry's body didn't move. Ginny licked her lips and looked at him, silently pleading with him to leave.

And then something happened that Ginny did not expect. With no warning, Harry's face became a determined frown. "You are wrong," he finally said. "I know what love is, I've realized it now. But I'll wait for you. Ginny, you and I will be together someday, you just wait."

Then Harry walked towards her swiftly, planted a burning kiss on her lips and left just as fast. Ginny's jaw worked up and down for a moment. Then she fell onto her bed and put her hand over her lips. They still burned.**

Heated you say? Oh, yes, very I reply. But there is a lot more than that. I have not even begun to shock you.

Let's just say, the week passed miserably and I was more than happy to take leave of my family that Friday, a short week after getting back home. I was more or less dulled by that conversation with Harry and I welcomed the numbing sensation I got from Nysilia's ring. I knew I would have to be cold and beautiful to fit in at the Malfoy Estate. By the way Draco described it, it was like a museum; very old, very beautiful, very cold. I like the sound of it already.

I put Nefertiti's ring on as I rode the train to the North Riding of Yorkshire, having gotten done with my shopping. I put on the nicest travel dress I could, a simple green dress that went mid-thigh that had a coat. I put on my sunglasses as I stepped out of the train. I think I was expecting dark storm clouds, ravens flying about, and generally more evilness.

In actuality, it was a very nice old house, Victorian in style and sitting by a small lake with gardens in the back. It was pleasant on the outside, like eye candy; but on the inside...

**"Virginia!" Draco said from the top of the stairs. She reached him and kissed him on the cheek in a distracted manner.**

I think that was what all the beauty was for. I mean, why go and advertise you are up to no good by having black dreary scenery and ugly old manors? The house was to distract you from the truth. Just like the Deadly Nightshade, the Venus flytrap, and countless other plants, this house was meant to trick and deceive you, to lead you to your death.

**"It's beautiful," Ginny said admiringly while pushing up her sunglasses. A servant came and took her isle and traveling bag and she didn't even notice.

"I assume they took your trunk at the front?" Draco asked.

Ginny nodded and said, "Yes, they were very helpful."

"We would have met you at the station, but we just got here ourselves today, we'd been staying in our other house. Things'll be a bit hectic until the elves get things all sorted out," Draco explained, taking Ginny into the house. Had Ginny any less a backbone, she would have run right out again. It made her think of dark things, darker and colder than the Dementors. Only by holding on tightly to Nysilia's ring she was calmed. She could now see why Draco was the way he was.

"Miss Weasley," the cold voice said. She knew that voice. She would NEVER forget that voice. She would have to be strong; she would have to be very strong; she was in the presence of the devil now. "How wonderful you could make it!"

Ginny turned around and put on her most passive face, "Nice to see you again Mr. Malfoy," she said with feigned pleasantness. It was a show. Everyone knew it was a show and hey played anyway. But thankfully Ginny was an excellent actress.

The show was continued when Mrs. Malfoy entered and was so exceedingly polite and grossly sweet to Ginny, she felt she might drown if left alone with the disgusting, sniveling woman. She radiated stupidity and reminded Ginny of a prettier but no less rich Pansy Parkinson.

But soon, Ginny was allowed to "get cleaned up for dinner" and she followed Draco to her room, where they assumed the normal positions of her at a vanity and him on her bed.

"You were close, Draco, but no deal," Ginny said as she finished explaining the interaction between herself and Harry. "He may be made of sterner stuff than you realized."

Draco only looked mildly upset when he heard the news. "I'm just surprised he's lasted this long, I mean, I've been planning this damn thing since your first year. One thing to say about Gryffindors, they are durable."

Ginny stopped brushing her hair and turned to him, "I can't say more than I was an excellent person to choose. I almost was free of him. He just so damn stubborn, I can't shake him."

He just shrugged and said, "So, what do you want to do? Do you have any ideas?"

Ginny scoffed, "It's your scheme; you do your own damn dirty work. Let me rephrase that, you plan it and let me do your own damn dirty work. I only want to know why."

"I hate him, isn't that enough," he said in a bored tone.

"Enough for the ministry to crucify you, enough to convince me, you wish," she said doubtfully.

"Master Draco, Mistress Weasley, dinner is served," a small voice from her doorway said. The small gray creature hurried out of the house before Ginny even saw it.

Ginny stood and looked down at her black pant suit. "Is this okay? For dinner I mean."

"Fine," Draco said, looking back at her quickly.

She followed him down the halls and into the elaborate and magnificent dining room. Chandelier...check. Grotesquely long table...check. Obscene amounts of silver wear...check. Two snobbish looking parental units...check. It was pretty much everything she had imagined it would be. It was comfortably chilly in that room, the candles lighting the room so that there was no trace of shadow and the servants making sure the seats were comfortable and whatnot.

Ginny sat next to Draco who was on the right hand side of his father who sat at the head of the table. Ginny locked Mr. Malfoy's image in her mind to study it. He would have been devastatingly handsome...actually; he was, in an evil sort of way. His long blonde hair didn't sit well with Ginny though and decided that it was his only physical flaw, it made him look to effeminate. Draco's mother was obviously there for show and had no other purpose than to be rich and beautiful. She was what Pansy was to Draco. Ginny wondered if Mr. Malfoy had a woman like Ginny. A concubine of a sort that was intelligent and beautiful, but not rich enough to marry the Malfoys. It was an interesting notion.

"I would like to thank you for coming, Miss Weasley," Mr. Malfoy began. "It has been such a long time since we've seen any of Draco's friends, it is nice to see he hasn't fallen into a bad crowd."

*Just what the hell is he playing at!* Ginny's mind screamed. *He must be trying to get something for me, none of this fits in. He's trying to lull me into a sense of false security so he can bend me to his will. That is the only thing that makes sense.*

"Yes," said the puppet, Mrs. Malfoy, "Some one to keep him out of trouble."

She knew Draco had to be bursting with laughter, but he did a good job of holding it in. "Thank you," Ginny said, "I really do appreciate this opportunity to be of service to your family."

Mr. Malfoy nodded and then called for the food and it was served quickly. Ginny didn't know what half the forks and knives were for, so she copied Draco discretely. She could barely eat some of the food it was so rich and thick and she thought she might be sick from it. But soon, the meal ended. There had only been a shadow of a conversation during the meal, but now the show really started.

"Draco," Mr. Malfoy said as he put his napkin on the table, "Now tell me, what news of school? We've not had enough time to have a real discussion."

"The school year was pleasant enough, though Slytherin isn't performing the way it should in sports or in academics. I'm afraid that Dumbledore's looseness has created a weaker Slytherin. I mean, we have a half blood in the second year."

Mr. Malfoy nodded, "And what of your studies?"

"I passed all of my classes with solid marks and am looking forward to Advanced Potions and Arithmacy. I'm confident that I'll be able to get Head Boy this year, though I fear Granger will be Head Girl."

"We were so pleased when you made Prefect last year, Draco," his mother simpered, "But are you sure that that dreadful Granger girl will get Head Girl, what about that Pansy Parkinson? She has good marks."

Draco looked like he wanted to roll his eyes but he said, "She's friends with Potter, mother, of course she'll get it."

"She already has," Ginny said quietly. Everyone looked at her. "He boyfriend is my brother, he's the president of her fan club and she found out from McGonagall who Head Girl was. McGonagall always did favor her, and I'm unfortunate enough to study under McGonagall."

A fake smile crossed Mr. Malfoy's face and he brought his full attention to her. "Yes, Draco's told me. Your Animagus training, correct? Your Soul Animal, it is the panther, is it not?"

Ginny nodded and Mr. Malfoy continued. "And how are you doing in your studies, Miss Weasley."

"I made top marks in my year for the fifth time last term and I'm taking the Advanced Arithmacy class next year. If my scores say anything I'll be named Prefect for my year," she said calmly. They were testing her and she knew it.

"And Quidditch? Draco tells me you are quite the Chaser and score most of the points for Slytherin," Mr. Malfoy said.

"Yes, I'm the lead scorer for Slytherin, though I do have good support. Marcus Flint and Adam Dolohov play a solid game," she returned.

"And you are also a talented artist," Mr. Malfoy said in a cool voice, "My Miss Weasley, what don't you do?"

Not knowing how to answer this, Ginny simply smiled and stared him back in the face. She wasn't afraid of him. She wasn't afraid of anything.

Lucius changed the direction of conversation. "So what do you think of the house, do you think that you can work with the color schemes to make them match your art?"

"I've not really seen much of the house," Ginny confessed.

"Well," Lucius said, standing up, "there is no time like the present. I'll take you on a tour and you can see for yourself, Miss Weasley. And Draco, I'd like you to meet me in the study in one hour."

Ginny stood and Draco gave her a slight nod of his head for support. Ginny steeled herself; she would need to be as calm and collected as she could be for this. It was a test. He wanted to get to know her. He wanted to see if he could use her. She wanted to seem useful but not willing to do whatever he said. Ginny knew he was dangerous and could kill her if he wanted to. However, if she was useful, he might reconsider. Plus, if she got on the inside enough, she might be able to get a shot at Tom.

He was walking at a slow pace down one of the dim hallways. It was extravagant, but plain. There were many things that Ginny could do with the place. It was kind of like a painting itself, it was a toy to her. They soon entered a grand ballroom type room. It occurred to Ginny that this place must be very magical because there was no way this ballroom could fit in the house she saw.

"I would like a self portrait of every member of my family and then a family portrait in here. A few landscapes and classic like paintings wouldn't be a bad idea either. What do you think," he asked her.

Ginny frowned and walked into the middle of the room. Shijin's ring was on her finger and her creativity was running overload. "Statues...figurines...pottery...It needs more three dimensional objects too. And a fountain perhaps. Paintings should be hung high, above eyelevel by three to four feet. Like looking up to pay homage...um, the chandelier needs to be higher," she said randomly. Then she straightened herself and said, "But it is your house. That is how I would do it if I wanted to make the portraits look important."

"That would work very well," Lucius said in a chilly, yet pleased sounding voice. "When did you decide to become an interior decorator? It is original. Most people want portraits at eye level."

"Fung Shway (A/N: Okay, I have no idea how to spell that. It's just a way to rearrange your house, it's Japanese. I should probably know how, but not in English anyway.)," Ginny said. "I studied it when I was learning Japanese. It is fascinating and accurate."

Lucius nodded and said, "And why were you studying that?"

"Why do we study anything? It intrigued me and I wanted to know," she replied simply.

Lucius just nodded again and they continued to the next room. It was a grand dining room with a single, huge decorative portrait of a man who looked like a Malfoy. Ginny guessed it was a dead on as he only roughly resembled Lucius and Draco. He had dark hair put the same cold gray eyes.

"This is my father, Diablo de'Malfoy. It is high time that his portrait was removed from these estates and mine took its place. Though I would like the style to be the same," he said. Ginny couldn't tell, but from where she was standing, his voice sounded inundated with resentment. She wondered if Draco would sound like that in twenty years.

Ginny nodded and followed him into the next room. It was a library of a sort; almost like a study, but it had no desks, just books and scrolls. It was dark and old looking, not bright like the rest of the house.

"I was hoping you could find something that would work with this room, nothing to spectacular," he said before passing to the next room.

The amount of rooms seemed endless, but finally, they came to a lounge, or drinking room. It was dark, darker than the library and had high-backed chairs and a liquor cabinet. Ginny didn't like where this was going. He was going to question her seriously now. He was in a room he felt would intimidate her. He offered her a seat in one of the chairs in from of the fire. Ginny crossed her legs and put her hands on her knees, ready for anything he might say.

But to tell the truth, she didn't really expect the conversation he chose. "What is your relationship with my son?"

Ginny raised an eyebrow in surprise and after a moment said, "As far as I know we are strictly friends." It was the truth, they were just friends; friends that had occasional sex.

He seemed to accept this and said, "And what are your motives for being his friend? And don't insult me, please. I know that it isn't because you enjoy his company."

"Though that isn't entirely inaccurate. We happen to see eye to eye on a lot of topics. Though if I had to chose a certain function for each of us in our friendship; I am the person he uses against Harry Potter and in return he makes sure the other Slytherin keep well enough away from me," she explained. "If you were insinuating I was 'in it for the money,' you are sorely mistaken. I have alternate ways of making money when I need it."

It was Lucius' turn to raise an eyebrow. Ginny smirked at the way that had sounded. "No," she said humorously, "Not exactly. I'm a writer. I've won many Muggle and wizarding contests. I particularly enjoy writing social commentary and reform."

"I see," he said. "And do you know what Draco thinks of you?"

Ginny scoffed. "I'm not naïve, Mr. Malfoy. He thinks I'm useful, beautiful, and intelligent; the perfect weapon to use against Gryffindors. He thinks I'm his pawn, (though more like a queen if we are going to talk chess), something to use in his game with the Gryffindors. He pictures himself about ready to checkmate Harry Potter and then show me around as a trophy."

At this Lucius smiled a cold, distorted smile. "You seem to be very aware of your situation, Miss Weasley. I'd thought at first that old coot Dumbledore'd made a hideous mistake accepting a Weasley in Slytherin, though it seems I'm wrong. I just hope you don't have any silly notions of marriage into our family by Draco, for you don't always get wha you want and that you will never get."

"I wish only to leave this place someday and know that I hurt more people than hurt me," Ginny said. "I have no 'silly notions of marriage' and would like for nothing more that to spend the rest of my days in a small house in the country writing and painting until one day I die and everyone knows they've lost something. I have no flights of fancy save that one day I will make my mark on the world then fade into the distance. But as you said, 'you don't always get what you want.' I have a feeling that won't be my fate."

"Odd dreams for a person your age," Lucius commented. "Odd dreams for anyone."

"Yes," Ginny said simply. She sat still as Lucius studied her. He had a similar calculating gaze that Snape had; it was just more evil and repulsive. It was really a mix between Snape and Karkaroff's. That was what made Ginny think twice about him. She knew she was beautiful, everyone knew it and she had no doubts he knew this too. She decided to take the offensive. "Mr. Malfoy, why am I here?"

His facial expression didn't change and he replied evenly, "I invited you."

"Why?"

Mr. Malfoy looked at her long and hard and then stood up and walked over to the bar. He poured himself something but didn't offer Ginny anything. Ginny stayed silent while she watched him. He had a plan for her, she knew he did. It had something to do with using her against the Gryffindors, against Dumbledore. It had something to do with Draco...and Harry.

"I'm going to be frank with you, Miss Weasley," he finally said. "I don't trust you, I don't trust anyone. But, as Draco has noticed, you are a perfect tool, the perfect 'queen' as you put it. I can use you. Draco can use you. What do you want in return?"

Ginny thought about this. "I have no choice, do I?"

"As of now you do."

Ginny closed her eyes for a long while. "What do you want me to do? I'm not a spy. I'm not a traitor and I hate Tom with all I am. I hurt people, I give them pain. This is what I do. What could you possibly want from me?"

Lucius was frowning. He swallowed what was left of his glass and said, "I want you to hurt a couple of people, if this is what you do. I want you to hurt them any way you can."

"Who?"

"Potter, for one. Snape, the traitor, Lupin the disgusting abomination, and Black. Yes, I know of Black and his escape. I also know you know how to get in touch with them. In fact, you know a lot of things that other people don't. You, for instance, are something of an Oracle. No doubt you know what fate would have in store for you were you to refuse. A life as an oracle, I'm told, isn't a nice one."

"Is that a threat? Or a reminder?"

"A simple reminder. You could be very useful in the long run. As you know, the Malfoys marry for money, not love, not looks. Why else would I have married her? Why else would Draco be marrying that wretched Parkinson girl? Money and power and influence, that is why. But as for a sideshow attraction, Draco will have other uses for you, other uses he had probably already made clear or preformed-"

"Not that it is any of you business," she murmured.

"Indeed, I have many eyes and ears in the castle. Don't think I'm ignorant of what happened at the last three school winter functions. Draco was particularly joyous about the one two years ago. I see a lot in Hogwarts considering I no longer attend. But you do and that is useful to me."

"Why would you tell me I'm useful? Why bother at all? Why not just threaten me or my family?"

"I've already threatened you with what you hate most; spending the rest of your life in Delphi," he said calmly. "I know that is what you would hate most to happen and I can make it so easily. In days long before you or I were born, if a potential was found, they'd physically make the person sit on the chair and imprison them forever in the future. Don't think that they've abolished that rule just yet, Miss Weasley."

"I would find a way out," Ginny said confidently.

"No doubt you would," Lucius said dully into his glass. "But, you have been given your options, what do you say."

Ginny was silent. It was true. All these things were in his power to do. All she had to do was break some people. *Good people,* the almost dead griffin reminded her. She knew that she had a job to do, though she didn't know what yet, something with the rings and the prophesy. And she didn't want to help Tom; never would she do that. But personal advancement...it was a big decision, not to be taken lightly. Breaking Harry would be no big deal. But Black, Lupin, and Snape? Impossible! They were like thirty five or older. She did have Hina's ring...but would it work like that? She could practice just to make sure. This was crazy! But she didn't want to be sent to Delphi; that would be worse than Azkaban. At least in Azkaban she could just put on Nysilia's ring and retain herself that way. It was a big decision indeed. Sit at Delphi or break a few hearts? Finally, Ginny's need to succeed drove her to the latter. "I'll do it."

Lucius' face twisted into something akin to a smile. "Good," he said. "Since that is cleared up, I'll tell you a few things about your mission. But first, I have a few assorted things to say. The only place in the house out of limits is below the house. You shall have the top floor of the eastern wing and share it with Draco or you could have another, I care not. Lastly, dinner is served strictly at seven every night. Other meals you are on your own. Oh, and on the 16^th of July we have Draco's birthday and invite people from around the world, you'll need to be aware of that and do try to have some artwork I can display by then. As for the mission; you will be debriefed about your mission during the summer when I have more information. So unless there are any other questions..."

He stood and Ginny followed in suit. "Yes, one, actually," she said. "Do you have any sort of studio?"

"Yes, yes, Draco can show you that. Now, can you find your way back to your room, I have to meet Draco now."

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Malfoy."

And then he left and Ginny did a bit of exploring for herself.**

I know what you are thinking, "Traitor, turncoat, liar!" Well, in a way, yes. But what do you want from me? I was staying alive. I was staying safe. Bite me.

I still hated Tom. But the way I figured it, I would be even closer to him. There is a reason they say keep your friends close and your enemies closer...it is because of people like me. Oh, I'd kill him alright. I had only one life (if you could call it that) to take and that was Tom's.

**Living with the Malfoys was pleasantly chilly. Ginny's earliest suspicions of the intelligence level of Mrs. Malfoy seemed stunningly accurate. Ginny's earliest suspicions of Draco's outrageous papering proved stunningly accurate. Can we go to Paris for the weekend? Can we take the yacht out? I want the new Firebolt II! Can we go to the Europe Quidditch Finals? Everything he wanted, everything he desired, was given to him on a silver platter. It was mildly sick the way Mrs. Malfoy coddled him, though Lucius was much harsher, convinced he would 'make a man out of Draco yet.'

Ginny used spent most of her time painting. You could usually find her and Draco out in the afternoon sun while Ginny painted and Draco lay lazy in the shade of a tree. It was like an endless dream those afternoons. It was like the happy memory she had always wanted.

It wasn't three weeks into summer when the inevitable question came up. "What did you and my father talk about on the tour?"

Ginny put a finishing touch on her painting and then put down her brush. "He asked for sexual favors in exchange for money."

"Don't joke about that. He already has a concubine-"

"And you don't want him stealing yours too?"

"Exactly. Now what were you talking about?"

Draco and Ginny hadn't been sexually active during her visit yet, but she and Draco didn't really need that for their friendship to go on so neither said anything until they felt like it. Just like in the school year; they would go to each other when they were bored. "He told me if I didn't help him he'd send me to Delphi."

Draco, seemingly undisturbed by this, said, "What do you have to do?"

"Nothing serious, I just have to make a few people hurt so they won't be able to focus clearly on what is going on around them. I'm also to try and divide them from each other," she replied, going back to her painting. It was one of the ones Lucius had requested, the family portrait. It was sufficiently dark and awe inspiring. It made them look regal, like the Romanovs of Russia, the last tsar and tsarina with Draco as a prince, or something like that. It was very serious and gave her shivers; it would be perfect.

"Who?" Draco asked curiously.

"You won't like it. I know how protective you are of your things. Don't want anyone getting their filthy hands on me, eh?"

"Damn straight," Draco murmured under his breath. "I happen to like knowing people fear to touch you because of me. It gives fuel to my depleting self-esteem."

Ginny nodded and said, "Harry is foremost on the list."

"I don't even like him looking at you."

"I know. Then there is Snape, Lupin, and Black."

"Well, Lupin should be easy enough; he'll be back at Hogwarts this year. Snape'll be tough and I don't know how the hell you are supposed to get at Black. Potter will break easy enough; we've been on him for years."

"I wouldn't underestimate him if I were you," Ginny said calmly. "I saw something I don't like in his eyes that time in my room. He's got something driving him, something...I don't know how to describe it. Do you think this painting needs more shadow?"

"A bit," Draco replied. "Have you a plan? I mean, how are you, a sixteen-"

"Soon to be sixteen."

"-year-old girl supposed to seduce men like, twice your age? Much less get them distracted enough to fight with each other. Virginia, you are beautiful, but can you pull this off?"

"With practice," Ginny replied. "Your father has already arranged a few occasions for me to practice, or so he calls it. Really, show a little faith. We all have our jobs in this."

"Since when were you part of this?" Draco asked.

"Since some one told me I was going to have to sit at Delphi if I didn't. Now let me paint and don't worry about it. How did the campaign for the South Pacific and South America trip go?"

"Father said he'd think about it. He has some business with some Peruvian wizards so he was more prone that the other trip suggestions."

Ginny nodded and went back to her painting.

Time passed and Ginny became more accustomed to life at the Malfoy's. It was a quiet place all and all. Not many people, that Ginny could tell, called on the Malfoys and they seemed to live a distant, secluded life in their summer home. It would have been like a sanctuary for Ginny were it not for the constant reminder of evil; the evil that lurked the halls of the Estate in the form of Lucius Malfoy. She could feel him coming before she saw him, his aura was that strong.

This is why she was unsettled when the darkly clad character strode into the studio one morning some time between eleven and twelve.

"Miss Weasley," he said, "How are things progressing?"

"I've finished the paintings you requested for the ballroom and the dining room," she said, motioning to the other room she kept her finished paintings in with a paintbrush. "And I ordered the statuettes you wanted for the ballroom, they should be arriving within the hour."

"Good, good," Lucius said, "And what are you working on now?"

"Something for the gallery I think. It would go nicely with the other oils in the third room," Ginny said as she made light strokes on the canvas.

"I'll get right to the point; you'll be given your first test tomorrow evening. A few of my Spanish relatives are coming for the weekend on vacation. My second cousin is about the age of Severus and of similar demeanor. Though you are in luck; he has a red-head/English fetish. Start small as my father always said."

Ginny nodded and said, "Should I adopt an assumed name or will he know my surname?"

"No, but tell me, do you speak Spanish or even Portuguese?"

"Fluently, why?"

"It will be easier for you then, he likes intelligent women. You know politics, am I correct?"

"Yes."

"Good, he will at least be intrigued with you."

"Has he a wife?"

"No. She died under mysterious circumstances. He has a seventeen year old son by the name of Diego. My cousin's name is Alexandre Carnicero. He is rich, arrogant, cold, a darker duplication of me. Do you need any other information?"

Ginny shook her head and returned to her work. Lucius left and Ginny tried to decide how to go around doing this little training course. He said that his cousin had a red fetish? Well Ginny could do that easily. Shijin's ring said, "Red dress, red long gloves, silk, rose in a bun, curves, not angles, elegant and flashy."

She could do that. She just had to make a dress that would match her hair. She was just uncomfortable in red. She was green, cool and damp. She wasn't a red, showy and bright. But tomorrow night, she would be. Ginny stopped where she was in her painting and decided to clean up a bit before meeting the delivery people. She would need to have the dining room set up; the ballroom could wait another few weeks.

After she had finished the decorations she made her dress. It was simple enough to do. She decided upon an elegant red silk dress that fit her tightly. It was long and flowed after it reached her waist. She wore long, red gloves that accented the paleness of her skin.

The day of the dinner, Ginny put her hair in a low bun and pinned a great red flower in it. After putting on her reddest lipstick she looked herself over in the mirror and remembered to put on Chani and Hina's ring; he liked smart women. Ginny was about to make her way down to greet the guests when Draco appeared in her doorway.

He smirked and said, "You look good in red. Diego won't be able to keep his hands off you, neither will Alexandre. Good luck, Virginia. Now may a humble friend walk you down after the guests arrive?"

"We aren't going out to meet them?"

"No, we'll arrive later. Father says it will be harder for you if they see me as a threat. Of course you'll be able to maneuver around that," he said chidingly.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she asked snidely.

"Of course."

"Master Draco, Mistress Weasley, the guests have arrived," a small gray house elf said.

"Three things," Draco said. "One; put these earrings on. Two; put this necklace on. Three; try not to walk like that around me or I'll be forced to ravish you in the linen closet."

Ginny put on the ruby necklace and the ruby necklace obediently and took Draco's arm as he led her down stairs. As she walked down stairs she felt something akin to disgust. She was putting herself on display again. *Anything to kill Tom,* she reminded herself.

There were nine of them and Ginny could easily pick out Diego and Alexandre; she had seen pictures. They were tall and dark with the same gray eyes Lucius and Draco had. They were a bit thicker built and more mysterious than their English counterparts because of their dark features. Ginny thought they were both very handsome, but both very dangerous.

"Cousins," Lucius said as Ginny and Draco descended the stairs, "my son and his friend have finally arrived."

Ginny smiled coldly and Draco released her as soon as they reached the small crowd of Spaniards. "This," Lucius said, "is Miss Virginia Weasley, a friend of Draco's and the artist I told you about, Alexandre."

The older man eyed Ginny with intrigue and suspicion, but took her gloved hand and said, "Es un placer de reunirlo, Señorita Weasley."

"No, es un placer de reunirlo, el Señor Carnicero," she returned in perfect Spanish.

"Ah, you speak Spanish!" he said with a laugh.

"Fluently," she said, meeting his cold gray eyes with ease. He seemed intrigued by this too but he said nothing more to her.

The group moved to the dining room and dinner commenced. Ginny was seated between Draco and Diego and across from Alexandre. Lucius sat at the head of the table with Alexandre to his left and Draco to his right. Most of the women were at the far side of the table; Mrs. Malfoy was speaking with the three women that had been in the group of nine. She learned that the three elderly men were the 'heads' of the Spanish branch of Malfoys and two of them had sons; Salvador was the son of Mondaigo and Alexandre was the son of Pablo. The third older man was named Horatio de'Malfoy and was the brother of Lucius' father, Diablo. The older man sitting directly next to Narsisa was Horatio's wife. The other two were sisters, Graciela and Sofia, and one was married to Pablo and the other to Mondaigo. It was confusing, but Ginny figured it out.

The only person that really bothered her was Diego. Every chance he got he would brush up against her calf or reach for the same thing she would. He would always smile slyly and Ginny would return with a cold one. He only stopped when Alexandre called him off with a glare.

"So, you are a painter, Miss Weasley," Alexandre asked.

"Yes," Ginny answered, making sure to lay the ring on heavy for effect. Too bad she couldn't control who she influenced because she suddenly felt the eyes of every male on her specifically and all were straining to keep their eyes honest. "That portrait of Mr. Malfoy is one of mine; as are the ones in the ballroom and a few in the library and study. I'm working on a line that will go in the gallery right now."

"I see," Alexandre said calmly. He seemed to be the only one resisting the effects of Hina's ring because Draco was casting warning glances at Diego and had put his hand on her thigh under the table. "I'm not much of an art critic, but these, to me, are very good. Yet you are so young, how did you gain such a talent."

"Just how everyone else gains a talent, Mr. Carnicero, with practice and skill. If we've time later, I could show you some of my other works."

"I would love to see them," Diego said impatiently. His father glared at him and Ginny smiled distantly. Oh, she had Alexandre all right. The only bad thing was she had every other male too. She definitely needed practice with this ring.

The conversation resumed and only the (haunting and stimulating) memory of Ginny remained. When they had finished their dinner Ginny got up and smiled at Draco before heading off to where the women were going. She left just late enough so that just as she had expected, Alexandre stopped her.

"Miss Weasley," he said, "I would deeply like to see some of your paintings if it isn't too much trouble."

She smiled at him and said, "Of course not Mr. Carnicero. We could go to the ballroom, or the gallery, or even my studio. I have far more paintings unhung in my studio than in the ballroom and gallery however."

"That shall be fine, Miss Weasley. But you may call me Alexandre, please, Mr. Carnicero is so formal."

"Alright Alexandre. But you must call me Virginia, then," she bargained.

"Of course," he said, taking her arm in his.

Once they had entered the gallery, Ginny turned the lights on and turned the full force of her ring on too. He would fall heavily into her trap and she would reap the benefits; great sex of course.

"Your abstracts are so-"

"Hideous?" she supplied. "I meant them to be. I was aiming for social commentary but ended up with just the shock factor. I'm not really a supporter of the shock factor when it comes to art, it is too easy. I wanted to express ideas for the reform of politics."

"So you want to be a politician as well?" he asked with interest. Ginny doubted he even knew how close he was to her, nor where his eyes wandered.

"No," she said with a light laugh. "I'd rather just sit in a comfortable room and paint all day long, go outside every once in a while and paint landscapes. Travel a bit. I'm not sure if there is an occupation like that though. So ultimately, if I were to be some sort of politician, I would want to be behind the scenes, so to speak."

Alexandre nodded his head. Ginny could tell he wanted her; it was in his very stance, his very aura. She could feel his need from there and she suspected it was from the ring. *Finishing move Gin,* she said to herself.

"Would you mind if I took off my gloves? I don't want to ruin them by handling my paintings," she said.

"No! No, of course not," he answered quickly. Ginny smiled and pulled them off slowly and turned to put them on her desk. Before she could turn around again, a soft hand ran up and down her arm that would have made her shiver had she not been expecting it. She licked her lips and tried to hold back a smirk.

"Perfect," he whispered into her ear, "that is what you are."

He bent down to kiss her neck softly, running his fingers across her clavicle bone and over her thinly chained necklace. Ginny sighed and leaned back into him lightly, making sure to make sounds in the right places and generally try to enjoy the experience. She would have to stop it, if he didn't, and go into a room with a bed; she would not have sex in this room. Slowly Ginny licked her lips and turned around to face the dark featured Alexandre. He looked at her for a long while; Ginny thought he was trying to decide why he was doing what he was doing.

"If we are going to go on," Ginny said softly, looking up at him though her lashes, "I suggest we find a room."**

Yes, I slept with the bastard. And I liked it. Alexandre turned out to be an excellent lover. Ooh, I love his hands. The men I sleep with all seem to have the same characteristic, sinuous hands. All of them except one...three, and they redeemed themselves in other ways...yeah they did.

So anyway, I'm betting you are wondering what morning was like on that particular occasion. Sorry to disappoint...there was no morning.

**After Alexandre had finished, Ginny got out of bed and got a glass of wine; completely unashamed of her nudity. She had acquired a taste for numerous wines in those short weeks, white Zinfandel being one of them.

"Wine, Alexandre," she asked the shadowed from of the Spaniard.

"Yes," he answered. Ginny smiled and poured him a glass before going into the bathroom and fetching two robes. She tied one around her and gave the other to Alexandre. She wanted to have a conversation with this man, he seemed interesting. But any relative of the Malfoys was interesting.

"So, Alexandre," she said, "what sort of work do you do?"

He sat across from her in a leather chair in front of the fire. "I am on the Board of Governors of Spain," he answered, taking a sip of the wine. "I also preside as a judge in trials."

"That must be fascinating work," Ginny said. "And which school did you attend? Did you go to Hogwarts or a Spanish wizarding school?"

"I went to the Madrid's Witches and Wizard's Institute," he answered, "just like my son Diego."

"And what a charming boy he is," Ginny commented. She wondered if he detected the sarcasm in her voice or not.

Apparently he had and said, "Young boys, their heads are in the clouds and their hands in their pants."

Ginny laughed outright at this. She brushed a strand of hair away from her face and said, "Family is family I suppose. It must have been a while since you've seen Mr. Malfoy. You both look very much alike you know."

"Yes," he answered. "Lucius and I were closer growing up however. I remember it like it was yesterday...though it was yesterday for you, wasn't it?"

Ginny smiled, "Is this an inquiry about my age, Alexandre? And do you really want to know? Ignorance is bliss you know."

He studied her and said, "I think it would be unwise, but yes. What age are you?"

"Fifteen," she said, unashamed.

His eyes bulged a bit. "A child...you are a child."

"No," she said kindly. "I've never been a child Alexandre. I never will be either." Then she rose and put her wine down, tightening her robe. "You haven't done anything wrong. As you can see I'm not emotionally scarred and will go on with my life as though none of this has happened. No doubt you will too. Goodnight Alexandre."

Then she left the bewildered Alexandre and went to her room.**

I know it was cold. I know that. But I like the cold, as you've noticed. I like hurting people too I think. Not so much I go out of my way to, but if they've done something to me...well, let's just say your ass is grass.

The next part of the summer was very interesting indeed. I painted a bunch, having already gotten the family portraits finished. Malfoys pays handsomely if I do say so myself. I had to get a separate vault at Gringots at least.

Things passed by slowly (thank Merlin) for the next week or so. I had so "work my magic" on some other relative of Malfoy's, some cousin on his mother's side. Some stuck up snob that couldn't wait to get me in the bedroom; I think Maurice was his name. He was a French wizard and he was actually quite satisfying.

I felt myself get colder every step I took in that house. One more layer of ice on my heart and one more layer to protect against the pain. I welcomed it, I wanted it. They were making me into a monster; a beautiful monster albeit, but a monster.

The reason I didn't realize it was because my art was just so damn good. I could put any emotion I'd suppressed in it and the feeling would be gone, distinguished, evaporated. I was freezing and heating my heart at the same time and the sensation was undeniably odd. I didn't mind it though because I could always freeze faster than thaw.

Draco's birthday party rolled around and I was given a break from my "training." Malfoy told me that Draco would be going with Pansy, like always. He knew I had no dissolutions that Draco loved me or was in any way promised to me. Pansy was promised to him and he hated it. Malfoy hated Pansy too. Hell, Malfoy hated his own wife and wasn't the least bit disturbed when she caught ill and couldn't attend the party. He told me I was to be his date to the party, but I was free to do what I wanted. Personally, I think he'd rather be with some one else. Yes, I'd learned who his mistress was. You'll never guess. Okay, maybe you will...no you won't. Do you remember the DADA teacher in my fifth year? Brigid Allen. Who would have figured? I wonder how that whole DADA teacher thing worked out. I wonder what her punishment will be when they finally catch her.

At any rate, the next part of my summer would be far more exciting than my first. What with Draco's party, going to Peru, and going to the Europe Quidditch finals, I was going to be a busy Ginny.