At that moment something large and silver came falling through the canopy over the dance floor. Graceful and glimmering, the lynx landed lightly in the middle of the astonished dancers. Heads turned, as those nearest it froze, absurdly, in mid-dance. Then the Patronus's mouth opened wide and it spoke in the loud, deep, slow voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming"

Ginny Weasley ducked behind her father's protective stance as the wispy, black smoke disappeared around the new arrivals. The rabble of the party had been replaced with an eerie silence, which was broken by an evil giggle.

Bellatrix Lestrange stepped towards the head of the Weasley family, her heavy gothic boots making a noise that echoed through the ears of the remaining guests. As Bellatrix approached, Ginny heard a sharp intake of breath next to her: Fleur was grasping Bill's arm tightly as she remembered what the Weasleys had said about Bellatrix: Bellatrix Lestrange, follower of you-know-who, escapee of Azkaban, cousin and murderer of Sirius Black. Fleur had never met Bellatrix before, but Ginny could see the recognition in her eyes.

Arthur was the first to speak. "We know who you've come for. He's not here."

Bellatrix just stared at him and started laughing. "But we've got you and your blood-traitor family instead."

Ginny felt her father tense and begin to shake with anger. "In our eyes, you are the traitor here, Bellatrix," he said boldly, spitting out her name.

Bellatrix laughed yet again. She was obviously finding the whole thing highly amusing. She turned her head to address the members of the ministry and her fellow Death Eaters.

"Gag them and tie them up. Apart from the red headed girl."

Ginny felt herself being wrenched from her father and her wand being pulled from her hand. Someone had gotten behind her and shoved her forward with such force that she fell to her knees.

"Greyback, pick up their wands."

Ginny felt the preassure lift from her back and she turned to see Fenrir Greyback crouching down to pick up all the dropped wands. A shiver ran up her spine as Greyback paused over Bill; he ran his wand down Bill's face, as if admiring his own handiwork. Grunting in satisfaction, he moved on to collect everyone else's wands. He shoved them into none other than Dolores Umbridge's waiting hands. With a girlish giggle, Umbridge looked at Bellatrix, waiting for her to speak again.

"So now we have your wands, and you are completely at our mercy," she said coaxingly, "are you going to make this easy for yourselves or am I going to have fun making you spill the beans? Of course, I would prefer the latter, but it's your choice."

Ginny stood up and stepped forward. "We don't know where Harry is. And even-"

"Yes, yes, even if you did you wouldn't tell us," Bellatrix interrupted. "Yes, well we've heard that one before," she smirked, and several members of her party began to stifle their laughter.

"But I don't believe you, girley."

Bellatrix drew a knife from her belt; it was long and although the handle looked worn and old, the blade was shiny, obviously well cared for. This seemingly minor detail made Ginny feel extremely uneasy. "Well, it's the truth," she said in the strongest voice she could muster.

Bellatrix stepped towards her, and slapped Ginny full across the face. The blow was so harsh and unexpected that Ginny fell to the floor. Ginny heard her mother whimper. She clutched at her face and looked up at Bellatrix, hate filling her eyes.

Bellatrix bent down and raised the knife to Ginny's face, taking a lock of hair on the blade and she flicked it threateningly.

"But. I. Still. Don't. Believe. You," she whispered.