Serpentis Proditonis

Serpentis Proditonis

Chapter One- Missing

~*~*~

She wanted to stay in the dark. In the dark she was warm and safe. There was no one and nothing but her. Out of the dark it was cold and she would be scared, she knew this. Out side the wind was cold and harsh.

The bag rubbed her skin and her head ached. Something wet ran down her neck. She knew something was wrong but she didn't want to confront it. To confront it would mean discomfort and fear. Better by far to stay safe in the dark.

Outside her mind her body jolted and shuddered. Her limbs were thrown wide and waves of pain washed through her body. Slowly the dark was infected with consciousness and awareness invaded her body.

~*~*~

Harry cursed. He was late for work, the traffic in wizarding London was bloody awful and his girlfriend hadn't owled him back. Not a good start to the day. Last night hadn't been much better- Ginny had missed dinner with him, which really wasn't like her. She always made room for him and had never missed a date- until last night.

It wasn't that he was worried. He was too busy for that. He was just... annoyed. Yes. She'd owled him from the library where she worked to tell him she'd definitely be able to make it, as soon as she'd finished cataloguing the latest discovery of ancient Egyptian curse tablets they'd received.

He sighed and rubbed his eyes. He was tired and annoyed. His job as an auror was demanding and his girlfriend was missing. He yawned and turned right, walking up the front stairs of the Ministry of Magic. He nodded to the golden wizard that presided over the foyer as he walked past and received a snort and a jet of water from the wizards partner- an equally golden witch- in return, accompanied by the high pitched giggle of the mermaid at his feet.

The halls were deserted and his secretary, Marlene, was missing from her usual post upon the edge of his desk. He coughed and waited. No response. He removed his cloak himself and threw it over a couch in the corner of his office before throwing himself down on his swivel chair, his heels coming to rest on the top of his desk. He closed his eyes and the door opened.

"Harry!"

He turned at the sound of Marlene's voice, unusually high-pitched. "Marlene, what's going on? Where have you-"

"Oh Harry, The Chief told me to tell you that- that Ginny... She's missing Harry!" She stood in the doorway ringing her hands. "You don't think-"

Harry laughed. "Marlene, Ginny's not missing. She just failed to turn up to dinner. I'm sure it's nothing to be worried about. Likely she'll turn up sooner or later and-"

"But Harry, you don't understand. There was a message. They've kidnapped her! The Chief said it was Death Eaters and you'd better get there soon because it's really really strange and no one knows what to do and no one wants to tell Molly because they're terrified and," Marlene paused for breath. "I can't remember what else. So. Go!"

Harry stared. Death Eaters? Why on earth would Death Eaters want Ginny? She wasn't anyone special; in fact, it could be argued that she really wasn't anyone at all. Death Eaters came after him, Harry, not Ginny. He closed his mouth and stood, heading for the door.

Stupid Hoodlums causing trouble.

Likely it was someone wanting a share of the Potter fortune. Or perhaps Ginny was after attention. Either way, it wouldn't be Death Eaters. By the time he'd reached the chiefs office he'd already made up his mind. They'd wait until Ginny got bored, or the kidnappers realised they were getting nothing. A plan, and all he needed. He had enough work already.

~*~*~

Ginny shivered and opened her eyes. Light from a lamp in the corner revealed the room's derelict nature- peeling paint, rotting cupboards and broken floorboards. She was lying on an old bed with a musty blanket and lumpy pillow. Her head ached and she could feel dry blood on her scalp and neck. Her arms and legs still felt cramped and sore. She groaned and struggled to sit up, eventually succeeding in raising her upper body from the bed, resting on her elbows. There was a chair in the corner, thrown into shadow by the flickering lamplight. Ginny squinted and stared at it, she could almost see someone sitting there. She opened her mouth and croaked. Her tongue and lips were dry and cracked. She paused and licked her lips before trying again.

"Hello?" Still hoarse, but understandable.

Something shifted in the shadows and for a moment she could see pale blonde hair. There was a shhhsing sound as a cloak was re-arranged and eventually someone spoke.

"Hello."

Amused and male, and perhaps mildly surprised. There was silence for a while, and Ginny spoke again. "Where am I, exactly?"

"Ah, now that would be telling, wouldn't it?" Teasing, baiting. Then the voice changed to something darker, more serious. "Besides, Weasley, you don't really need to know."

Ginny thought for a moment, hesitating. "Why don't I need to know?"

The male laughed. A silvery, fragile laugh. Almost fake. "Because they said so. Because I said so. Because, Weasley, you won't be going anywhere."

"But that doesn't really tell me-"

"You don't need to know Weasley because, if I'm reading Voldemort right, you're not going to be alive long enough to appreciate the knowledge."

The voice had taken on a desperate edge, growing louder, impatient.

"And if you're reading him wrong?" Her own voice was quiet, a challenge.

"You still don't need to know." The chair creaked and the male glided into the light. Ginny's breath hitched. "Malfoy..." A breathy whisper barely heard.

He smiled, bittersweet. "You still don't need to know, because whatever's left of you when he's finished won't be able to appreciate the knowledge." One pale hand reached out and he ran a finger along her jaw, the nail coming to rest beneath her chin. She stared at him. His pale face, seemingly floating in the shadows of the lamp and his cloak. Bloodless lips and pale, haunted eyes.

He left, and she wept.