"Don't look so glum, Weasley," Draco says with a smirk as their group of classmates are lead through the doors into the Great Hall. "At least you're still alive."

She can't help but scowl at that. Alive. She supposes she has only been spared for further torture. Why else would she be the only of her siblings left alive? Her family happens to be the most widely known group of traitors around. Her brothers who had survived that war had been executed almost immediately after Voldemort had taken over.

She moves a little closer to Draco. She knows that in this crowd, no one will notice but the two of them.

"I'm afraid," she admits.

He nudges her gently with his elbow. "So am I."

Before the war, she had never thought she could ever care for Draco. He had only ever been a surname to her, just an obnoxious bully and brat. But the beginning of the war, nearly becoming a murderer, the needless suffering all around had changed him, and she had been surprised to realize it had been for the better.

No one had known of Draco's involvement with the rebellion. As far as anyone could have seen, he'd been nothing short of an obedient soldier, seemingly following his master's orders without question, though all the while he had been whispering secrets in Ginny's ear, trying to keep her one step ahead of the enemy.

If only it had been enough.

Ginny pulls away. They cannot know the truth. No one can ever suspect that they are anything more than old enemies. Her family is already marked and suffering. The least she could do is keep him safe now.

When they enter the Great Hall, the toad of a woman, Umbridge ushers them inside. "Witches to one side, wizards to the other," she calls in that obnoxiously sweet voice that makes Ginny want to punch something.

"Watch it, Weasley!" Pansy sneers, shoving her as she moves past.

Ginny clenches her fists. She'd like nothing more than to hex her, but her wand has been taken until she can prove that she has conformed to the new order.

She takes a deep, calming breath that doesn't do any good before moving on. Lavender Brown catches her gaze and offers the smallest of smiles.

Though Lavender isn't her most favorite person, she is the only friendly face in this sea of people, and Ginny moves closer. "What do you think this is about?" she whispers, because Lavender had always known all the gossip in school, and she hopes that the older girl might have overheard a whisper or two.

"I hope it isn't another execution," Lavender says, nervously looking around before wrapping her arms around herself in a sort of defensive hug. "I heard the Carrows say it could be fun. I don't like their idea of fun very much."

"Me neither," Ginny agrees with a shudder, remembering the way those awful siblings had turned Hogwarts into a sadist's playground.

It can't be an execution, Ginny decides. Voldemort prefers those to be a little more public to ensure the proper amount of fear. An audience of children is hardly the right crowd. Besides, the ruthless ruler is not present. In his place, at the podium where Dumbledore had so often stood, is Bellatrix Lestrange, wearing a bored expression as she watches the children take their seats.

"Quiet!" Bellatrix calls, though there is no need. No one has dared to speak, save for a few scattered whispers. All eyes, wide and nervous, are on her, and the Great Hall is dead silent.

"The Dark Lord has issued a statement," she says, leaning against the podium and smirking down at them.

"Mudbloods are still being hunted," she continues, and she looks far too pleased at this news.

There's an ache in Ginny's chest as she thinks about Hermione. She had been the first Muggleborn put to death, only moments after Ginny's brothers and Harry had been executed as war criminals. She thinks of Dennis, so small and afraid, still running, and of Justin screaming Susan's name as the Killing Curse found him.

"There are far too many of them," Bellatrix says, disgust dripping from each syllable. "Magic blood has been mixing with that filth for far too long, and it is time for a change."

A small murmur breaks out, mostly among the few remaining Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws.

Ginny sees her own confusion mirrored in their eyes.

"Quiet!" Bellatrix screams, and silence falls so quickly that Ginny almost wonders if she'd cast a Silencing

Charm on them. "Now, it has been ordered that beginning with this generation, and every generation to follow, everyone, upon reaching age seventeen, will be assigned a partner."

Ginny feels her stomach sink.

"This partner will be the only one you are allowed. You are not free to pick, as so many have made the choice to muddy the bloodlines," she says, and there's a small laugh throughout at the horrible pun. "To ensure that future generations will be pure, we are going back to the old ways. Arranged unions, though these will be arranged only by the government."

Lavender squeaks and grabs Ginny's hand. "What if I'm paired with someone awful?" she whispers.

"Probably no worse than who I'll end up with," Ginny mumbles.

"We have been working hard to pair each of you based on your loyalty during the war and other factors, so you lot had better be grateful," Bellatrix says menacingly, blatant warning heavy in her words. "Any reports of falling in love outside of the arrangement will be dealt with most severely. Now, when I call your names, come up and meet your new partner."

Ginny glances at the other side of the room. Draco is already watching her, and she can see the hope in his eyes. She smiles, realizing he had come to truly care for her as well.

"Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson."

There's a fresh ache in her chest, this one dull and unfamiliar. She supposes she shouldn't be surprised. Of course his aunt would set him up with the girl everyone thinks is perfect for him.

"Cow," she mutters under her breath, and Lavender giggles.

"Look at you two," Bellatrix laughs. "A shining example of purity."

Pansy smirks. Draco, Ginny is relieved to see, looks annoyed.

"Terry Boot, Luna Lovegood."

Ginny sighs in relief. At least Luna is in good hands. Though Ginny knows that Luna loves Dean, at least Terry will be good to her. He will take care of her, and maybe everything will be okay.

"Blaise Zabini, Lavender Brown."

"Well, at least he's good looking," Lavender mumbles before climbing to her feet and scurrying off.

Ginny watches as more and more students are called. Her heart begins to race uncomfortably in her chest as fewer people remain.

"Gregory Goyle, Ginny Weasley."

She thinks she might be sick. All eyes on her, she rises, head high. She will not let them see her cry. She is stronger than this, and she will overcome.

"Not so fast," Bellatrix calls as Ginny tries to leave with Goyle. "The Dark Lord has a message for you both."

Her head is still high. She knows that Harry would be proud of her.

"Ginny Weasley, you come from a line of traitors," Bellatrix says, a twisted smile on her lips as she pokes Ginny in the chest with her long nails. "It is a mercy that your life will be spared. And to show how merciful the Dark Lord is, he has chosen you a partner worthy of your betrayal."

She's grateful when Bellatrix turns her attention to the boy. "Gregory Goyle, your family has been most faithful to our master, following him like a lost puppy. But where were your loyalties during the battle?"

Goyle stammers, dropping his gaze to his feet.

"When your wand broke, you chose a coward's road. Rather than fighting or dying for the Dark Lord, you chose to hide. He has been merciful, and you know that mercy is not in his nature. A coward and a traitor, the perfect match."

Heat washes over Ginny's face, and her eyes sting. Still, she refuses to show that the wretched woman has humiliated her.

"But his mercy and patience are limited, I'm afraid. He has issued one condition to go along with this partnership. In order to be absolved of all shortcomings during the war, Ginny must be with child within a year. Failure to do so will be punishable by death."

At that, she leans in close to Ginny, her lips tickling her ear. "Not yours, dear. That would be too easy. Fail, and you will lose the only thing you have left. Won't Mummy and Daddy be so proud when they meet their grandchild?"