Title: Beneath the Mask

Author: Tangled Webs

Rating: M

Summary: Ginny's new mission calls for something out of the ordinary, leading her into a danger she could never imagine…Love and violence collide as Ginny tries to escape from something that will not let her go. GWDM

Disclaimer: If I owned this do you think I'd have a disclaimer, but I guess I'll just say it for legal purposes…I do not own Harry Potter, because I am so confused for JK Rowling all the time.

Chapter One: The art of blending in with the enemy

Ginny sat in the Order meeting waiting for it to end, she had already reported so she got to stare at the wall. Daydreaming about her date last night…everything had been perfectly planned, and yet the cynic in Ginny doubted if this was the real thing that everyone talked about. She was twenty and apparently her mom believed that needed to think about settling down. After spending a few years doing the single scene, Ginny had started agree, eating by yourself in your dark cramped apartment had lost its appeal.

"Ginny…Ginny?" A hand waved in front of her face, she jumped and turned to see Hermione looking at her amused. Ginny rolled her eyes at the all knowing look on Hermione's face.

"Thinking of him, again?" She asked with a small smirk, Ginny groaned and buried her head in her arms.

"Was it that obvious?"

"Only to the female occupants of the room, Ron and Harry just thought TOM was visiting again….I swear they use that as an excuse when we do anything strange." Hermione continued her rant, unaware at the mention of Tom, Ginny had tensed, then realizing it was just about PMSing she relaxed, waiting for Hermione to end her tirade.

"Was I rambling again?" She had the grace to look sheepish; Ginny just gave her new sister-in-law a warm smile.

"I would rather listen to you then to Fleur." Both groaned at the name, even though staying with Bill had been noble, nothing else about her had changed. Hermione glanced at her watch hurryingly, before speaking again to Ginny.

"Listen Gin, I actually have a mission for you." Hermione told her with a hopeful smile. Ginny glared at Hermione.

"You promised I'd get a week off! I just got back from a month long mission! If I'm gone any longer he's liable to find someone else." Ginny whined.

"Then he isn't worthy of you…Ginny we need you, this is an important mission. If all goes well this will get you that promotion, your always whining we never give you anything big this is your chance. Besides its only one night." Hermione argued back, Ginny started twirling her hair a habit she did when she was frustrated or thinking.

"I see you've been planning this for awhile…with Ron and Harry?" Hermione blushed. "Fine, I'll do it, but I better get that promotion." Ginny threatened.

"Oh…Ginny I knew you would! I told them we could rely on you!" Hermione about burst in happiness, bubbling over in talk she continued that way for awhile or until Ginny had to interrupt.

"What am I doing?" She asked finally, starting to get a headache from Hermione, who was starting to get as bad as Fleur.

"You're going to a ball!" This should be easy…Ginny began to think. "The Deatheater ball." Hermione added when she saw the relieved look on Ginny's face.

"WHAT! No way, hello red hair, freckles, and I don't own any nice robes! They'll know right away that I'm Weasley!" Ginny started yelling; inside she wondered how Hermione thought she was so stupid that she could pull off something like this.

"It's a masquerade, you wear masks….and you just put charms on yourself to alter your appearance. I did undercover work there last year; you can wear the robes I wore. It's not hard." Hermione assured her.

"Why don't you do it this year? What about security?" Demanded Ginny as she continued to twist her hair with increasingly speed and force.

"I can't…Ron won't let me, and our inside job is going to get you in, he'll be your escort." Hermione explained.

"Who is it?" Ginny challenged. Hermione sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"For yours and his protection, your identities will be hidden. Oh, and you can't bring your wand." Hermione added as an afterthought.

"What!" Squeaked Ginny, Hermione looked at her watch and then she stood.

"Look, Ginny all you do is listen to their conversation…dance with a few and leave at midnight. Where do you think I got the information for the London Attack? Its simple, a recruit could do it. Now, here's the location where you're to meet your escort, be there at nine promptly. I already owled the robes to you." Hermione left and Ginny glared at the space she'd been. I let people push me around way too much…then she yanked her hair, the pain causing her eyes to water, this was so not going to be fun.

Later…

Ginny stood at the chilly square waiting for her date, the robes were a dark green with a silver snake that shimmied around the skirt, hissing and all that nonsense. The robes were low cut and conservative Ginny had blanched, Hermione had worn these?

Her hair was dyed a bleached blonde that resembled the style most Slytherin girls favored, her eyes were under a special charm that made her eyes a light blue. She looked every inch the Slytherin queen, even her mask which Hermione had also sent was a dark green snakeskin that clung to her whole face. Only her eyes showed; the mask resembled a snake's face, complete with an open mouth fashioned into a snake about to attack.

The whole get up gave Ginny the shivers, ever since the whole Tom Riddle thing snakes had frightened her. So to get her mind off the snake that slithered around her dress she thought instead of her conversation she'd had earlier.

She popped her head over to his house to tell him she couldn't make the date tonight. He'd just gotten out of the shower and the sight of him….she'd never hated the Order more at that moment.

"It's fine; really Ginny…I've waited so long for you, what's one more day?" He assured in his husky voice. She melted; he knew exactly how to reassure her. Smiling at him she'd said good bye and started to get ready. Arms shaking her brought her out of her fond memory.

"You better not go off like that at the Masquerade or they'll figure out instantly." A gruff voice cautioned as her "escort" let her go and stepped back. She bristled at her warning who was he to warn her? She took in her date, dressed in all black silver swirls decorated his black face mask. All she got was he was tall and built…very built. His eyes were a cold baby blue.

In silence the walked down the allies, so many Ginny lost count, arriving finally at the door of a dirty, leaning apartment building, it looked as if it was about to fall down. However they stepped though the door into a magnificent foyer. A butler that looked more like an assassin stood admitting people. Ginny tensed, her partner felt it and placing his arm though hers whispered, "Relax."

The stopped in front of the butler, her companion pulled out some fancy invitation; the butler took it and allowed them to pass. Ginny let out a deep breath, her escort pulled her down a hallway. Stopping her he turned toward her.

"I'm going to part with you here….I trust you've gotten your instructions…meet me here at midnight." He commanded to her, she sighed and nodded. She closed her eyes and took a breath. When she opened her eyes he was gone.

She walked into the ballroom, scanning the crowd she could not find the man she'd come with. The good news was she didn't see Voldermort either, something she didn't think she could face again. She drifted from group to group. Stopping at one group they were about to talk about something interesting when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

She turned around and looked up into the mask of a dragon. It was a stunning mask of silver and black. So realistic it gave Ginny a little start, before she scolded herself for being so foolish.

"Care for a dance?" A cool voice asked, Ginny didn't want to leave the group but it would seem strange if she refused…besides Hermione had told her to dance. And the night was still young.

"You may but for a price." She agreed; a charm on her voice had turned into a low husky voice that was quite unlike her usual bright tone.

"There is nothing free in this world." The man conceded, skillfully leading her out onto the dance floor, which was a madhouse of mystical creatures. A light tune was playing from a mysterious source that Ginny could not find. "What is your price?" The man finally muttered after they danced awhile. Surprised he'd spoken to her she missed a step. Her partner nimbly corrected them and continued the waltz.

"You mustn't fall in love with me." She teased playfully, quite enjoying being able to break free of the bonds that usually held her. Here she was able to be something that she wasn't.

"I assure that is quite impossible." He smoothly retorted, but did Ginny catch a hint of amusement in his answer. A twinkle came to her eyes and she couldn't keep the laughter from her voice.

"Anything's possible on a night like this." She assured him playfully, the dance ended and he led her from the floor.

"Champagne?" He asked but left anyway to get, leaving Ginny to stand and catch her breath. Reminding herself she already had someone and that this man was a deatheater. The very people she was fighting against, the people who had killed innocent people for fun. He was back silently at her side, handing her glass of bubbly substance. She sipped it politely but she wasn't here to drink.

"So, Mistress who seems to be after my heart I've been meaning to ask you something." He started coyly.

"Fire your best shot." She dared him, taking another sip of her champagne just for something to do.

"Oh, I will." He assured her. "Is that a dress an heirloom?" He asked.

"No." She answered quickly surprised he would ask something like that…it was from no where.

"Oh…well I must bid you goodbye. Perhaps later?" He asked mysteriously.

"Perhaps." Ginny answered just as secretively. He was gone from her side in a second. And just like her partner before he disappeared from her sight. Shrugging she sighed, his question still haunted her. Stupid Slytherins... She wrote it off as.

The rest of the night was a dud, dancing with some more partners; Ginny didn't overhear anything of interest. And the night was becoming a blur of colorful robes, leering masks, and sparkling alcohol that all her partners handed her. Soon was borderline to becoming drunk. At 11:30 everyone became quiet, the music abruptly shut off, and everyone stilled. Ginny strained to see what was causing such deadly respect among such a rowdy crowd.

Voldermort rose upon a platform, Ginny gasped at the sight. "Yes, it is awe inspiring isn't it?" A woman whispered in her ear. Ginny managed to nod. Fear had brought her sober faster then any potion. Terror froze her quicker then any number of the buckets of cold water. Breathing shallowly she caught sight of her escort trying to make his way toward her.

"My dear followers," His voice was a low hiss that instantly quieted the few mumblings among the crowd. "Tonight is our night to shine…and indeed we have. Our power is rising and even all the muggles and the muggling loving Order can't stop us now." His eyes scanned the crowd, the barely flickered over Ginny.

"But we alas, they think they can outsmart us…and we have a traitor amongst us." His voice had changed into an angry roar; guards appeared at Ginny's side and seized her. She looked in the crowd wildly but she couldn't see her escort anywhere. She tried to fight but a wand at her back stilled her.

Upon the platform sooner then Ginny wanted she faced the man who had haunted her dreams. His red eyes gleamed as he took her in, he ripped her mask from her face with such force that if the men at her side hadn't held her so brutally she would have been thrown to the side.

"Evapario." His pointed his wand at her face and she felt her face settling back into its old shape. Tears shone in her eyes as he smirked at her.

"No wonder we caught her…she's a Weasley…they can't do a single thing right." A collective laugh around the room. "Ginvera…it's been awhile hasn't it." He muttered quickly to her.

"Since you discovered her…she is yours. Draco your service is as always invaluable." Ginny's breath caught in her throat as the man in the dragon mask stepped forward.

"Meet your new master, Ginerva." Voldermort coldly announced.

Beneath your mask you hide

Everything you are is a lie

But your disguise doesn't hide all of you

I alone sought you out

I alone will own you

Beneath a Mask-TangledWebs

A/N: Hey! I'm currently looking for a beta anyone interested just email or leave something in your review…because of course everyone's going to review.