Chapter 1: Meeting

Dear Diary,

It's now the first week of August and school will be starting again in a couple of weeks and for once the threat of Voldemort won't be hanging over our heads. Harry finally defeated the Dark Lord less than a week ago. Apparently, the Dark Lord found out about the Dursleys and decided to attack Harry there, figuring it would be easier to kill the Boy-Who-Lived while he was living with Muggles. Boy, was he wrong.

I don't know all the details of what happened since nobody will tell me anything. All I keep hearing is that 'I'm too young'. God, I am so tired of hearing the word's 'you're too young' every time I ask something about what happened. I'll be sixteen in a matter of days. Will I ever be old enough for people to tell me things? I have just as much right to know the truth about what happened last week, especially after the events of my first year. Oh, but then again, we don't like to talk about that either. Never mind the fact that I have nightmares almost every night. Most of the time my parents just place silencing charms on my room after I go to bed, hell even before I go to bed sometimes, and I'll admit that I do the same thing while I'm at school. Only it won't be silencing charms anymore. Not with Hermione coming to spend the month. No, now I get to be given Dreamless Sleep. Never mind that its habit forming and could be lethal. No, they don't care about that. They just want to make sure that I don't disturb darling Hermione. I think my parents wish she was their daughter instead of me. I get the joy of being drugged for the next month, so I don't disturb perfect Hermione's beauty sleep, and then I get to spend the next 3 months fighting the addiction, provided it doesn't kill me first.

Great, Hermione's just arrived, making the Golden Trio complete. Harry's been here ever since the defeat of the Dark Lord and with Sirius gone, my parents have taken him in and now think of him as another Weasley. Now that the Trio is complete, I guess that means dinner will be ready soon. It's about time too; it's almost 9:00pm. I'll write more tomorrow since it's almost guaranteed that my pumpkin juice will most likely be laced with Dreamless Sleep.

Ginny

Ginny closed and locked her diary. The irony of writing her feelings down in a diary after the events of her first year was not lost on her. Even after almost losing her life to a diary, she still found solace in writing her feelings down on paper.

Ginny slowly made her way downstairs and out into the backyard, where her family, including surrogate children Harry and Hermione, were already sitting around a large table laden with food.

"Hurry up and get your arse over here, Gin! I'm hungry," Ron shouted when he saw Ginny come through the back door of the Burrow.

"Like it's my fault he's hungry, yeah right," Ginny mumbled to herself as she neared the table. /-/I guess it's my fault that Granger couldn't get her arse over here soon enough. Everything is always my fault. Typical,/-/ thought Ginny as she sat down between her mother and her eldest brother Bill.

The entire Weasley family had gathered at the Burrow to celebrate the final downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, all except Percy, that is. It was discovered the previous year that one of the main catalysts for the rift between Percy and his parents was not just his reluctance to follow Dumbledore but the fact that he in fact bore the Dark Mark on his arm. Percy was currently sitting in Azkaban prison awaiting trial. His loyalty to Voldemort had been uncovered only a few days ago when the Order of the Phoenix interrogated every ministry official under Veritaserum regarding their true loyalties. It was discovered, much to Mr. and Mrs. Wealsey's disappointment, that Percy, along with his boss Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, were loyal Death Eaters to the end. It was forbidden to even mention Percy's name in the Burrow or in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, who had publicly disowned Percy, cutting him off from any claims he may try to make regarding his heritage and everything a Weasley could lay claim to, even though it was not much.

Talk around the dinner table stayed on what could be considered safe topics, things like returning to Hogwarts and after graduation plans.

"Mum?"

"Yes, Ron dear?"

"Can Harry, Hermione and I go to Diagon Alley for a couple of hours tomorrow?

"I don't know, Ron…"

"Please, Mrs. Weasley," interrupted Harry. "What could possibly happen to us now? And even if someone did try to attack us, I think that I've proven I can handle it should anything bad happen."

"Of course, Harry dear, you have definitely proven you can handle any situation. All right then, you may go. But on one condition, you take your sister with you."

"But, Mum…"

"No buts, Ronald Weasley. If you want to go, Ginny goes with you and stays with you. We don't want any repeats of her first year, you know that."

"Yes, Mum," Ron replied sullenly.

/-/Merlin! I'm not some little kid who needs constant protection. I make one stupid mistake when I'm eleven and I'm forever in need of protecting and watching,/-/ Ginny sighed to herself and reached for her goblet of pumpkin juice. She had been putting off drinking her juice knowing it would most likely be laced with Dreamless Sleep potion but after what just happened she was willing to welcome the oblivion provided by the potion. Ginny downed her entire goblet, /-/Yep, laced with Dreamless Sleep, no surprises there,/-/ made her excuses and retired to her room for the night, falling asleep moments after her head hit the pillow. /-/I'm surprised I even made it to my room./-/ She never even heard Hermione enter her room a couple of hours later.

Next Morning…

"GINNY! Get your arse down here this instant! We haven't got all day!" Ron yelled up the stairs. "I can't believe Mum's forcing us to take her along," Ron grumbled to Harry and Hermione.

"Come on, Ron, it's…" Hermione began.

"It's not like I even want to go with you," Ginny interrupted as she entered the living room. "Did it ever occur to you, Ron, that I might have better things to do today than escort you three to Diagon Alley."

"You escort us? Better things to do? Yeah right, in what lifetime. You've spent the last five years following Harry around like a little lost puppy. You're probably overjoyed to be tagging along with us," Ron commented snidely.

"Whatever," commented Ginny as she pushed past the Golden Trio, grabbed some Floo powder, tossed it into the fire, called out 'The Leaky Cauldron', and vanished into the flames.

Ginny emerged from the fireplace in The Leaky Cauldron, entranceway to Diagon Alley. She was soon followed by Hermione, Ron and finally Harry, who was set upon by every witch and wizard in the pub, every one of them offering Harry their thanks and gratitude for the final downfall of the Dark Lord.

After Harry managed to extricate himself from his adoring fans, the four teenagers made their way out into Diagon Alley. They stopped at the Owl Emporium, where Harry and Ron picked up some owl treats for Hedwig and Pig, they window shopped in Quality Quidditch Supplies, and much to the boys' chagrin, Hermione managed to get them into Flourish and Blotts, where they were currently browsing and where Ron's temper finally snapped.

"That's it! I can't take this anymore!" cried Ron.

"What are you talking about, Ron?" asked Harry. "It's not like the books are going to jump off the shelves and attack you or anything."

"THIS!" cried Ron, pointing towards Ginny who was browsing a few feet away, completely unaware of her brother's distress, or so it appeared. "Why can't she just…disappear or something?"

"Ron, you know what your mother said. We have to look out for her and protect her, for her own good," reasoned Hermione.

"I know what she said, Hermione, but just once I would like to be able to spend a day with my friends without my baby sister tagging along. You know, it's at times like these that I really wish we'd left her to die in the Chamber of Secrets."

"Oh, Ron, you don't really mean that, do you?" asked Hermione worriedly.

"Yes, Hermione, I do mean it. She nearly got Harry and you killed in our second year. Plus, you know she's the laughingstock of Gryffindor Tower because of her never-ending crush on Harry and her constant pursuit of him. She's like a bloody leach or something. She sucks all the fun out of everything because I'm forced to take her everywhere with me. I wish we could just ditch her or something…"

"Don't bother," came a cold voice from behind Ron. "I'll stop breathing your precious air and leave you and your precious friends alone, you selfish git," commented Ginny as she pushed past the Trio, not wanting to let them see her tears.

In her haste to get away from the Golden Trio, Ginny was not paying attention to her surroundings and therefore she never saw the wizard she was about to walk into on her way out of the bookstore.

"Oomph," commented Ginny as she collided with a black clad chest. As she stumbled trying to regain her footing, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her and settle her back on her feet. "I am so sorry," Ginny apologized.

"Miss Weasley," came the somewhat cold reply.

/-/I know that voice. This isn't going to be good/-/ Ginny thought as she raised her gaze to meet the icy cold glare of Lucius Malfoy.

~~Lucius' POV~~

As I enter Flourish and Blotts, to pick up an order Narcissa placed, I am suddenly run into. Instinctively I reach out to catch the young lady before she can fall.

"I'm so sorry."

The girl apologizes. Even through the tears, which are evident in the catch in her voice, her voice, but more importantly her hair and her clothes, tell me who this girl is.

"Miss Weasley," I sneer.

She stiffens slightly in my embrace, /-/Why am I still holding her?/-/ as she recognizes my voice and slowly raises her gaze to meet mine. When our eyes meet, that's when it happens. I am suddenly driven to protect this young girl, to keep her safe, protected and loved for the rest of her life. I cannot believe that my life mate is the daughter of that disgrace to the name of wizard, Arthur Weasley.

"Mr. Malfoy, I'm terribly sorry for walking into you. I really should pay more attention to where I'm going," Ginny apologized. /-/Why is he still holding me and why is he looking at me like he wants to devour me or something and why do I want him to?/-/

"Miss Weasley, would you accompany me to the Leaky Cauldron? We need to speak privately."

"What could we possibly have to talk about, Mr. Malfoy?" Ginny inquired as politely as she could as she finally stepped out of Lucius' embrace, never breaking eye contact.

"What we need to discuss is better spoken of in private. You will be safe with me, Miss Weasley. I promise no harm will come to you while in my presence. Now will you accompany me to the Leaky Cauldron?"

Finally breaking the mesmerizing eye contact with Lucius, Ginny glanced back over her shoulder at her brother and his friends, who where laughing at some joke or other. /-/I'm probably the punch line. Screw them! If they want to think of me as just a child then fine. Let them./-/ Turning back to Lucius, she returned her gaze to his. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy. I will accompany you."

"Excellent. Shall we?" Lucius asked as he held his arm out for Ginny to take.

Taking the proffered arm, Ginny allowed herself to be escorted by Lucius Malfoy from Flourish and Blotts through Diagon Alley to the Leaky Cauldron. Ginny was well aware of the many stares and whispers that followed them along their path. Lucius was also aware of them, but being a Malfoy, he took no notice of them. Upon entering the Leaky Cauldron, Lucius led Ginny into one of the private parlours in the back. The last thing he wanted or needed was to have word of this meeting reaching the Daily Prophet or his family before either he or Ginny was prepared for it.

"Alright, Mr. Malfoy, what did you want to talk to me about?" Ginny inquired after Lucius had warded and locked the door and placed various silencing spells around the room.

"Tell me, Miss Weasley, what do you know of Veela?"

"Well, Sir, I know that Veela are very powerful magical beings, the female being the more volatile while the male is ultimately the more dangerous of the two. Veela, both male and female are very…sexual creatures and yet they have only one true mate during their lifetimes. Once bonded to their mate, their power as well as that of the mate increases. If one of them dies, the other will die shortly thereafter as they cannot survive without the other unless they were never bonded to their mate in the first place," answered Ginny.

"Anything else, Miss Weasley?" Lucius asked.

Ginny took a moment to think about everything she knew about Veela. "There really isn't much more that I know about them, Mr. Malfoy. As you know, except for Professor Lupin, our Defense Against the Dark Arts professors have been, shall we say, less then stellar? As it is, the little that I do know of Veela has come from my own reading and not from what I've been taught by those sorry excuses for professors."

"You are most certainly correct in your assessment of your professors, Ginevra. May I call you Ginevra?"

"Of course, Mr. Malfoy," replied Ginny

"Excellent. Now then, Ginevra, another important thing you need to know about Veela is that they come into their Inheritance on their eighteenth birthday…"

"Their Inheritance?" interrupted Ginny in confusion. "I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy, I didn't mean to interrupt, but what do you mean by their Inheritance?"

"That's alright, Ginevra, it's quite refreshing to see a young woman such as yourself be so eager for knowledge, but not in an overly pushy way like Miss Granger tends to have. A Veela's inheritance is their Veela powers. So, when a Veela turns eighteen, all their innate Veela abilities awaken. Their magic levels and abilities begin to increase, as does their sexual appeal and their desire to find their mate becomes a driving force in their life. You were right when you said that the magical abilities of the mate increase once they are bonded to the Veela, but for the Veela, whose magic has already been increasing, their mate has more of a stabilizing effect on their magic," Lucius explained.

"What would happen to the Veela if they never found their mate? I know that Veela can live without their mates but what happens to them? You said that their inheritance brings about an increase in their magic, which they need their mate to help stabilize, as well as their s…sex appeal," Ginny started to blush in embarrassment over talking to Lucius Malfoy about sex appeal. "How do Veela live with unstable magic and people throwing themselves at them the minute they go out in public?"

"Quite simply, Ginevra, a potion," replied Lucius.

"A potion? What kind of potion?"

"Yes, Ginevra, a potion. The potion suppresses the Veela's sexual pull and drive and helps stabilize their magic levels. The potion must be taken once a week for the rest of the Veela's life, or until they eventually find their mate."

"So, what you're saying then, Mr. Malfoy, is that this potion basically suppresses the Veela's Inheritance, allowing them to live their lives like any normal witch or wizard?"

"Precisely."

"But then isn't the potion working like a replacement for the Veela's mate? And if that's the case, then how can they ever know if they've even met their mate?"

"Very astute observations, Ginevra. You are right in your assumption that the potion works as a sort of mate replacement, but should the Veela actually manage to somehow find their mate, the pull they feel towards that mate will overpower the potion's effects, essentially cancelling them out and allowing the Veela's Inheritance to re-emerge," Lucius explained as he closed the distance between Ginny and himself.

"This is all very interesting, Mr. Malfoy, but what does this have to do with me?" Ginny asked nervously as she looked up into Lucius' eyes; he was now standing less than a foot in front of her.

"It has everything to do with you, Ginevra," Lucius replied as he reached up and caressed her cheek.

"Mean…meaning what exactly?" Ginny asked; swallowing around the lump that seemed to form in her throat the minute Lucius began caressing her cheek. She had felt drawn to Lucius ever since she literally ran into him in the bookstore and now with his hand on her face that pull was increasing.

Lucius leaned towards Ginny and whispered in her ear, "I've finally found my mate," before pulling back just enough to place a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Me?" Ginny asked quietly as Lucius broke the kiss. "I…I'm your mate? But I'm a Weasley and you…you're a Malfoy and…and you're married!" cried Ginny as she broke away from Lucius. "How can I be your mate if you're already married to someone else and never mind the fact that I'm half your age!"

"Ginevra, you need to calm down…"

"Calm down?! How can I calm down, Mr. Malfoy, when I just found out that not only are you a Veela, but I am your mate! In case you've forgotten, Mr. Malfoy, you nearly got me killed five years ago, the Malfoys hate the Weasleys and you're married!"

"I am well aware of my marital status, Ginevra," Lucius began somewhat icily. "And that is something that is quite easily rectified."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Ginny demanded.

"My marriage to Narcissa was an arrangement made between our families. My father, also being a Veela had it written into the marriage contract that if and when I ever found my mate, the marriage would end. Narcissa has known of this clause since the beginning and is remarkably supportive. She knows that she is not my true mate and has a strange desire to try to help me find them. She will be quite happy to hear that I have finally located her…or rather you," Lucius explained.

"Even if I am a Weasley? The same Weasley you nearly got killed five years ago...and another thing, why is this just happening now? Why not five years ago when we first met?"

"I am well aware of the fact that you are a Weasley, Ginevra, but that is beside the point. You are my mate and there is nothing either one of us can do about it now. As for giving you the diary, I am sorry about that, but you were the first one I came across that seemed like she would be susceptible to the influence of the diary. I did not know at the time that you were my mate and, believe me, if I had, I would surely not have given you the diary. And as for only just now finding out that you are my mate and not five years ago, my guess is because you were too young then. You had not even reached puberty the first time we met, but now that you have blossomed into a rather stunning young woman, the pull seems to have activated itself." Once again, Lucius was closing the gap between them. "I know you can feel it, Ginevra. Don't fight it," he finished in a whisper before kissing Ginny again.

Ginny was the one to break the kiss this time. "What if I do? Fight it, I mean."

"You could try, but you wouldn't be very successful, I'm afraid," Lucius continued when he saw the confused expression cross Ginny's face. "If you try to deny the pull, Ginevra, I will simply pull out all the stops in my attempts to seduce you into my bed. And I promise you that I will succeed," Lucius purred, causing Ginny to swallow nervously again, especially since she was still pinned up against Lucius and her body was starting to betray her by enjoying the sensations his body was causing. "I could of course force you to bond with me right now, here in this room, but I want you to come to me willingly. So, I am going to make you an offer."

"An offer? What kind of offer?"

"You move into Malfoy Manor for the remainder of the summer and we get to know each other properly. I won't pressure you in any way to bond with me until you are ready. What do you say, Ginevra? Will you join me at the Manor?"

"I…Could I think it over for a little while first, Mr. Malfoy? It's just, this is all happening so fast and it's going to change everything about my life from this point on. I think I just need some time to think."

"Of course, Ginevra," Lucius said, pulling away from Ginny, causing her to whimper quietly at the sudden loss of his presence. Smirking inwardly, he continued, "Take all the time you need. I will send an owl this evening with a portkey. You have until then to decide, but remember, Ginevra, if you try to fight the pull, I will seduce you and I will be successful." Lucius made his way across the room, stopping at the door. "There's one more thing about Veela that you need to know, Ginevra. Veela, especially male Veela, tend to be extremely protective and, shall we say, possessive of their mates. Be careful of who you're spending your time with, especially if you value their lives in any way."

And with that Lucius was gone, leaving Ginny alone in the room with only her thoughts. /-/Oh Gods! I'm the mate of a Veela, and not just any Veela. I'm the mate of Lucius Malfoy of all people. Have the Fates completely lost their minds?/-/

A few minutes after Lucius left, Ginny followed his example and left the private parlour, Flooing home alone, leaving Ron, Harry and Hermione behind in Diagon Alley.

Ginny was relieved to step out of the fireplace and into an empty living room in the Burrow. After everything she had just learned, answering questions about why she was not with her brother was the last thing she wanted to be doing. Ginny made her way out of the living room as quietly as she could in the hopes of making it to her room without being caught. Unfortunately, luck was not on her side.

"Where do you think you are going young lady?" demanded Molly from behind Ginny as she stopped on the stairs. "And where's your brother? I told you to stay with Ron and his friends."

"I'm just going to my room Mum," Ginny replied, turning around to face her mother. "And as for Ron and his friends, I don't know where they are. They ditched me in Flourish & Blotts and disappeared, so I came home."

"Go to your room young lady and do not come out until I say so," Molly ordered.

"What? Mum! It's not my fault they ditched me…"

"I don't care what you say happened. I told you to stay with your brother and you disregarded my order. Now get to your room and stay there!"

Ginny glared at her mother before turning back around and stomping up the stairs, slamming her door closed behind her. /-/Well at least I can think about what Mr. Malfoy told me without worrying about being found out or interrupted at all,/-/ Ginny thought as she threw herself down on her bed.

Several hours passed as Ginny continued to lie on her bed, exactly where she had thrown herself, thinking over everything she and Lucius Malfoy had discussed earlier at the Leaky Cauldron. She had to admit to herself that she had always found the elder Malfoy extremely sexy and that her crush on him far outweighed the piddly little one she had had on Harry five years ago. She also had to admit that she felt something every time he had looked at her that afternoon. And when he kissed her…oh Gods when he kissed her, she felt like she was going to melt. How could she possibly try to deny everything he made her feel that afternoon? Nobody had ever made her feel the way he did.

"Ginny! Dinner!" Molly cried up the stairs.

Ginny groaned and rolled off her bed only to realize that she was still wearing her travelling cloak. She quickly pulled the cloak off and tossed it across her bed before heading down to dinner, which was once again being held out in the garden due to the sheer number of people presently staying at the Burrow. /-/Another reason to consider Mr. Malfoy's offer,/-/ Ginny thought bitterly to herself as she sat down next to Bill and her mother.

Dinner progressed as it usually did, with Ginny reluctantly drinking her pumpkin juice knowing it was laced with Dreamless Sleep. Ron never even got reprimanded for ditching Ginny in Diagon Alley, merely asked how they enjoyed their day and if they had had a good time. Nobody even made mention of the fact that Ginny had come home hours before the other three.

Ginny slowly made her way back up to her room after dinner after receiving a rather pointed glare from her mother clearly saying that she was still being punished for her leaving her brother and his friends in Diagon Alley. She had only just entered the room when she heard a faint tapping at her window. When she opened the window, a beautiful eagle owl flew in and landed on her bed. Ginny walked over to the bed, sat down next to the owl and relieved it of its burden, while trying to fight the effects of the Sleeping Draught she had consumed with her dinner. Judging by the sheer size and beauty of the owl, there was little doubt in Ginny's mind, who the owl belonged to. Turning the package over she noticed the Malfoy family crest on the back with her name emblazoned on the front in elegant script. Ginny opened the package and found a letter and a small velvet box. Opening the box, she discovered a necklace with a pendent of the Malfoy family crest covered in diamonds. After staring at the beautiful and rather expensive necklace, she turned her attention back to the letter.

Ginevra,

As we discussed earlier today in Diagon Alley, I am writing to inquire as to your decision regarding my offer to move into Malfoy Manor for the remainder of the summer and get to know each other better. If you have decided not to take me up on my offer simply send Prometheus back. But I feel I must remind you Ginevra that if you do choose to fight the desire, I know you feel and turn down my offer, I will do everything in my power to seduce you. If you do decide to join me then simply put on the necklace and tap it twice with your wand. It is keyed to your magical signature and will turn into a portkey. You are not required to bring anything with you, as I will supply you with everything you could ever need from this point on. Regardless of your decision, the necklace is yours to keep and I can guarantee you more of the like regardless of your decision. I will have you Ginevra, one way or another. I would prefer you as a willing partner, but I will take you anyway I can get you.

Lucius Malfoy.

Ginny had to read the letter over several times to make sure she had read it right. Fighting the effects of the Dreamless Sleep potion she had ingested with her juice at dinner shortly before, she picked up the necklace and her wand. Placing the necklace around her neck she quickly grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill and scribbled out a quick note to her family before activating the necklace.

Lucius was sitting in his study awaiting the arrival of either his owl or Ginevra and was pleased when Ginevra suddenly appeared but was shocked when she collapsed moments later. Rushing to her side, he was happy to note that she was at least still breathing.

"Ginevra?" he asked worriedly as he tried to rouse her.

When he received no response, he lifted her up off the floor before carrying her to what would be her room from now on, at least until they were bonded. He laid her gently on the bed and summoned a house elf to watch over her while he summoned his personal physician to examine Ginny. A few minutes later, Dr. Jacob Robertson had arrived and was in the process of checking Ginny over.

"She'll be fine Mr. Malfoy," Dr. Robertson commented. "She's merely sleeping."

"Sleeping?" Lucius asked in concern. "What could have possibly made her fall asleep the minute she arrived?"

"It appears that she has been given some Dreamless Sleep potion Mr. Malfoy. Quite a bit of it actually. She has quite a large amount of it in her system. Almost as if she's been taking it consistently over the past couple of days," Dr. Robertson explained.

"Everyone knows that Dreamless Sleep is habit forming and potentially lethal Dr. Robertson, so why would a young woman like Ginevra take something knowing the dangers it poses?"

"I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that Mr. Malfoy," answered Dr. Robertson. "The one person that can answer it is currently sleeping peacefully. Why don't you just let her sleep now and you can question her about it in the morning."

"Thank you, Dr. Robertson, I think I will do just that."

"Good evening Mr. Malfoy. I will see myself out."

"Yes, thank you Dr. Robertson," replied Lucius as he watched the doctor leave the room. Pulling out his wand, he cast a charm to change Ginny's clothes into a nightgown, before pulling the covers up and sitting down on the bed next to her sleeping form. "Why the devil are you taking Dreamless Sleep Ginevra and enough of it for the doctor to pick up the fact that you seem to be using it on a regular basis?" Knowing that he would not get any answers from the young redhead, he brushed a light kiss across her forehead before walking through the door that joined their rooms and retiring for the evening.

When Ginny woke the next morning, it was in a very large and very unfamiliar bed in a room that was definitely too big to be hers. /-/Where the hell am I?/-/ she wondered as she scanned the elegantly furnished room. Her question was answered when a house-elf appeared next to her bed.

"Miss Ginevra, Master Malfoy would like you to join him for breakfast. Bixie has been ordered to help Miss Ginevra get ready."

Ginny sat there and stared at the house-elf for several minutes before shaking herself out of her shock and getting out of the bed to follow the elf into the bathroom. She emerged from the bathroom a short while later to find that Bixie had laid a rather elegant looking robe out on the bed for her.

Ginny dressed slowly and was soon following the house-elf from the bedroom and through the Manor halls. Ginny soon lost track of where exactly in the house they were until they soon arrived in the Dining Hall, a large and elegant room with a wall of French doors letting in the beautiful August sun. Lucius was sitting awaiting Ginny's arrival at the head of a rather large table, one that could quite easily seat up to twenty people comfortably. He was reading the morning's edition of the Daily Prophet.

"Good Morning Ginevra," Lucius greeted as he placed his newspaper on the table next to his plate.

"Good Morning Mr. Malfoy," Ginny greeted as she took the only other seat that was set, to Lucius' right.

"Come now Ginevra, given the change in our relationship, I think it only proper that you call me Lucius."

"All right Mr…Lucius," Ginny commented quietly, a light blush tingeing her cheeks.

"There is nothing to be embarrassed about Ginevra, even if you are very fetching when you blush," Lucius teased lightly.

This did nothing to ease Ginny's embarrassment, in fact it only made her blush a deeper shade of red. "I'm sorry Lucius, I don't mean to blush or even be embarrassed by your comments it's just that I'm not used to the kind of attention you keep throwing my way."

"Really? I find that hard to believe, especially for a beautiful young woman such as yourself," Lucius commented as their breakfast appeared before them.

"There's a lot about me Lucius that most people don't know about," Ginny replied as she studied the food in front of her warily before picking up her fork and starting to eat.

"Is everything alright Ginevra?" Lucius asked, his concern evident in his voice as he watched Ginny's handshake as she continued to slowly eat her breakfast.

"I'm fine Lucius," Ginny replied, praying silently that he would believe her.

"Don't lie to me Ginevra," Lucius commented in frustration. "Your hand is trembling. A known side effect of too much Dreamless Sleep potion, yes Ginevra, I know all about the Dreamless Sleep you've been taking for the past couple of days and I'd like to know why?"

"How?" Ginny asked quietly, placing her fork down and her hands in her lap, not once meeting Lucius' gaze.

"You collapsed shortly after arriving here last night. I had my personal physician examine you. He informed me that you had a great deal of Dreamless Sleep potion in your system. More than is safe. What we could not figure out is why you've apparently been taking it for the past few days or why you felt it necessary to take it before activating the portkey?" When Ginny did not respond to his inquiries, Lucius pushed further. "Well Ginevra? Are you going to tell me why you've been taking a potion you know is habit forming and why you felt it necessary to take it before arriving here? I assured you of your safety and you were in no way obligated to come. So again, I ask you why?"

"It wasn't my fault. I don't want to take it…"

"Then why do you?"

"I don't have a choice Lucius. They make me take it."

"Of course, you have a choice in whether you take it or not Ginevra…"

"No, I don't. It's hidden in my food Lucius, but never the same food. One day it will be in my pumpkin juice, the next it could be my potatoes. I never know where it is until I've already ingested it," Ginny explained quietly.

"Who would go to the trouble of hiding it in your food Ginevra?" Lucius asked in concern.

"My parents."

"Your parents?" Lucius asked, disbelief colouring his voice. "Whatever for?"

"So that their precious Hermione can get her beauty sleep," Ginny replied bitterly. "Whenever she comes over, which is usually for almost all of August, she stays with me in my room and we can't have her precious sleep interrupted by my nightmares, now can we?"

"What about when Miss Granger is not present in the house, what then?"

"Silencing charms. They don't care if I wake myself up with my nightmares but heaven forbid I wake anybody else up. But they only use the charms if it's only family at home. The minute we have company, whether it's Hermione or not, I get the potion. Harry's been staying with us since he defeated Tom a few weeks ago so I've been on the potion, just not as high a dose."

"So what you're telling me Ginevra is that your parents have the audacity to drug their only daughter just so that they can get some sleep?" Ginny nodded in response. "Have they tried to help you deal with the nightmares?"

"No. They've never even bothered to ask what they are about. I've been off and, on the potion, ever since the end of my first year. My parents even still treat me as if I'm eleven years old."

"I'm sorry Ginevra," Lucius apologized.

"What for?"

"I'm the one who gave you Tom Riddle's Diary. I slipped it into your cauldron in Flourish and Blott's when I ran into you and your family."

"I don't blame you for the events of my first year Lucius."

"Why ever not? If I hadn't given you the diary then the incident with the Chamber of Secrets never would have happened."

"You may have given me the diary Lucius, but you never made me write in it. And once I started it was hard to stop. You and I both know how persuasive Tom could be when he wanted to. I even tried to get rid of the diary at one point; only Harry found it. I stole it back from him out of fear he'd figure out how to operate it and learn everything I had written. That was just before I was taken into the Chamber…well, I wasn't exactly 'taken'." At Lucius questioning look, Ginny continued, "I went willingly. I was so unhappy, and Tom promised me he'd make me happy, that he'd look after me and take care of me. It wasn't until I got down into the Chamber that I realized that Tom wanted to take my magic and free himself."

"You're right Ginevra. Tom Riddle was an extremely persuasive man and once under his influence it was very hard to get out from under it. But that is in both of our pasts now and it's time for us to move on, don't you agree?"

Ginny nodded in agreement. "Yes, I do, I just wish I could."

"You will Ginevra, with my help. I am going to help you get over the addiction to the Dreamless Sleep that your ever-loving parents have caused, and I will help you deal with your nightmares as well." Leaning over, Lucius took Ginny's hand in his. "You're my mate Ginevra. I will do anything and everything in my power to protect you and keep you safe."

"Thank you, Lucius."

"Come, let us finish our breakfast and then we're off to Diagon Alley."

"Diagon Alley? Why are we going to Diagon Alley?" Ginny asked confused.

"Simply put, you are a Malfoy now. We may not have bonded yet, but you are my mate and therefore a Malfoy and Malfoy's wear nothing but the best. I'm going to see that you have the finest wardrobe going," Lucius explained with a twinkle in his eye.

"Oh," Ginny replied simply before turning her attention back to her breakfast.

Lucius was true to his word. After finishing their breakfasts, he whisked Ginny away to Diagon Alley where they spent the day shopping for anything and everything Ginny could ever want. They even went out into some of the more expensive shops in London proper before returning to the Manor for a quiet dinner for two, where they spent more time getting to know each other better. Ginny was learning that there was a whole other side to the Malfoy patriarch than what most people saw, and she found herself starting to fall in love with the man behind the mask.

It had been a week since Ginny arrived at the Manor and things were not what she had expected. Lucius was not what she expected. Lucius did as he promised her, he would and helped her get over her addiction to the Dreamless Sleep. It started the second night she was at the Manor. She and Lucius would stay up talking until Ginny fell asleep where she was sitting, and he would carry her up to bed.

Part way through her second week at the Manor, Ginny came to a decision about her situation with Lucius, a decision that would forever change her life. She planned on informing Lucius of this decision later that day, after they spent the day shopping for her school supplies and anything else Lucius wished to spoil her with, like he had been all week.

Later that day…

"Lucius it's all right, I really don't mind."

"Are you sure Ginevra?" Lucius asked as he tucked a strand of Ginny's hair behind her ear. "This urgent meeting really can wait…"

"Yes, Lucius I'm sure. I'm just going to sit right here under this beautiful oak tree by the lake and read, while you're in your meeting and you can just come and get me when you're done."

"Alright Ginevra. I don't like it but if you're sure about this and if you promise me that you won't move from this spot until I return…"

"I promise Lucius, now go," Ginny admonished. "Besides it will let me finish planning my surprise," she flirted as she gently started pushing Lucius away.

Lucius raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Surprise? What kind of surprise?" he inquired as he tried to pull Ginny closer.

"If I told you Mr. Malfoy, it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?" Ginny giggled as she pulled out of Lucius' arms. Seeing the look of frustration on Lucius' face, she continued slyly. "I know you don't like surprises but it's definitely one you've been waiting for and one I know you'll appreciate."

"You're right. I don't like surprises, but for you, I'll do just about anything," commented Lucius. "And I would like to do just that but alas I must get this meeting over with and the sooner it's over, the sooner we can get to that surprise of yours," Lucius smirked before kissing Ginny on the forehead and heading off towards his meeting.

Ginny sat down and made herself comfortable under her favourite oak tree out by the lake on the Hogwarts grounds. She had not been sitting there long when she heard noises coming from the forest a few metres behind her. She turned to see Hagrid and Fang emerging from the Forbidden Forest. Seeing that Hagrid was heading back towards his cabin, Ginny turned her attention back to the advanced potions book in her lap.

"Who are yeh?! What'er yah doing here?!" Hagrid bellowed from behind Ginny, startling her something fierce for she had gotten so absorbed in her book she never heard Hagrid approaching.

Hagrid grabbed Ginny by her arm and hauled her to her feet. Ginny felt something in her shoulder pop, causing tears to spring to her eyes. "Hagrid…please…you're hurting me," Ginny pleaded as the pain lancing through her shoulder continued to increase.

"Who are yeh?! Answer me!" Hagrid demanded, pulling Ginny roughly towards him by her dislocated arm.

"I'm Ginny Weasley, Hagrid," whimpered Ginny. "Please let go…you're hurting me..."

"You're no' Ginny Weasley," Hagrid growled as he yanked on Ginny's injured arm and started dragging her towards the castle.

Ginny whimpered once again as a sharp pain seared through her shoulder. Her agony only increased as pain suddenly flared through her forearm as Hagrid's grip tightened. "Hagrid please…I swear to you that I am Ginny Weasley…"

"You're no' Ginny Weasley," Hagrid reiterated as he dragged Ginny through the main doors into the Entrance Hall. "Fer one thing, her hair is curly, and she has freckles an you…yeh got straigh' hair and no freckles. Plus, the Weasleys could ne'er afford the robes you're wearing…Mars Bars," Hagrid said to the gargoyle guarding the entrance to the Headmaster's office. The gargoyle jumped aside revealing the spiral staircase, allowing Hagrid to drag Ginny up to the Headmaster's office.

"Professor Dumbledore Sir!" Hagrid said as he stormed into the Headmaster's office, hauling Ginny in behind him.

"Hagrid? Is everything all right? And who is this young lady?" Dumbledore asked as he rose from his seat.

"I foun' this girl trespassing on the grounds Professor Dumbledore Sir," Hagrid replied, tugging roughly on Ginny's arm to bring her around in front of the Headmaster. "She claims t' be Ginny Weasley Sir…" It was at this point that Dumbledore's guest rose from his seat. "…but she looks nuthin' like her," Hagrid finished practically dropping Ginny to the floor of the office when he let go of her arm.

Ginny cried out as Hagrid released her arm, causing searing pain to shoot through her damaged arm. Lucius was able to catch her before she hit the floor, causing her to whimper as her entire arm was jolted.

Lucius could not believe what he was seeing. He had left Ginny's side not thirty minutes prior and now he was holding her whimpering form in his arms. Suddenly his Veela instincts kicked in. This was his mate he was holding in his arms and she was hurt and the one who had hurt her was still in the room. Lucius swore that Hagrid would pay for the pain and injury he had inflicted in Ginevra. He slowly started to rise from his spot on the floor with Ginny. "Why you…"

Albus noticed the glint of rage in Lucius' stormy grey eyes as he started to rise from where he was on the floor. But before he could intervene, someone beat him to it.

"Lucius…don't…" came the quiet, pain filled voice from his arms.

Albus watched as Lucius turned towards the young redhead in his arms and his gaze changed from one of cold fury to one full of concern. /-/That's odd. I've never known Lucius to be concerned about anyone other than himself. But if this girl truly is Ginevra Weasley…/-/

"My…my arm…I think…I think it's broken…"

"Let's get you home then but first let me summon Dr. Robertson so he will be there when we arrive," Lucius commented as he carefully extracted himself from his spot on the floor so as not to jostle Ginny's arm any more than necessary. He rose and stalked over to Dumbledore's fireplace, took a pinch of Floo powder and threw it into the fire. "Dr. Robertson!"

"Ah Mr. Malfoy," Dr. Robertson greeted moments later as his head appeared in the fireplace. "What can I do for you?"

"I need you to Floo to the Manor as soon as possible. Ginevra's been injured."

"Of course, Mr. Malfoy, right away."

"Ginevra and I will be arriving there momentarily. Meet us in her bedroom," instructed Lucius before turning and walking over to Ginny, allowing the doctor to prepare to meet them. He gently picked Ginny up, careful not to jar her arm and walked back over to the fireplace, threw some more Floo powder on the fire, called out "Malfoy Manor!" and disappeared into the green flames without a backward glance.

Upon arriving back at the Manor, Lucius was so focused on getting Ginny up to her room and the waiting doctor that he did not notice the uninvited guest that followed him from the fireplace.

"Ah good, you're already here Dr. Robertson," Lucius commented upon seeing the doctor waiting for them in Ginny's room.

"I Flooed over immediately after your call, Mr. Malfoy. May I have a look at our patient?"

"Of course," Lucius replied as he carefully set Ginny down on the bed and sat down beside her.

"Now then Ginevra, what seems to be hurting?"

"It's my arm Dr. Robertson. I think it's broken, and I think my shoulder may be dislocated," Ginny answered quietly, her voice laced with pain.

"Let's have a look at it then," suggested Dr. Robertson as he pulled his wand out and began scanning Ginny's injured arm. "Perfect assessment Ginevra," Dr. Robertson commented as he finished his examination. "Your shoulder is indeed dislocated and unfortunately the bones in your forearm have in fact been shattered. I'd be interested to know how you sustained these injuries?" inquired Dr. Robertson, as he searched through his medical bag for the necessary potion.

"As would I Doctor," commented Lucius. "Ginevra?"

Ginny did not know what to say. She had always liked the half giant but after what had happened earlier that afternoon, she was not so sure anymore.

"Ginevra? Did that brainless oaf Hagrid have anything to do with this?" Lucius questioned in concern.

Ginny nodded, "Yes he did. I was sitting by the lake reading, as I promised when I saw Hagrid come out of the forest," explained Ginny quietly as Dr. Robertson handed her a goblet of bone-mending potion for her shattered arm. "He was heading back to his cabin, so I thought nothing of it and returned to my potions book. He suddenly appeared next to me out of nowhere and started demanding to know who I was. I tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen and the next thing I know, he grabs me by my arm and yanks me to my feet. That's when I felt something in my shoulder pop. I kept trying to convince him that I was Ginny Weasley, but he dragged me off towards the castle and that's when I felt my arm shatter." Ginny downed the bone-mending potion after finishing her story.

Lucius growled at the thought of any harm coming to his Ginevra. Ginny could feel the anger coming off him in waves; at the same time, she could feel the bones in her arm mending.

"Doctor?"

"Yes Ginevra."

"What about my shoulder? It still hurts like the dickens."

"Yes…well…"

"Doctor? What is it?" Lucius asked in concern when he noticed the doctor's hesitation.

"In order for me to fix Ginevra's shoulder, since I don't have the proper potions or instruments with me, my suggestion would be to take her to St. Mungo's…"

"Out of the question," Lucius interrupted.

"Well then, I'm afraid I'll have to reset her shoulder the Muggle way."

"The Muggle way, Doctor?" asked Ginny, concern in her voice. "What exactly does that mean?"

"I'll have to pop your shoulder back into place by hand," Dr. Robertson explained as he prepared a pain-relieving potion for Ginny to take once her shoulder was back in place. "Now then Ginevra, if you'll just move forward a bit and Mr. Malfoy, if you'll just get in behind her and support her, I'll pop her shoulder back into place."

Ginny and Lucius did as Dr. Robertson instructed. Once in position, the doctor applied a firm steady pressure to Ginny's shoulder, slowly increasing the amount of pressure until he felt it pop back into place, causing Ginny to cry out in pain.

"Take this quickly, Ginevra," Dr. Robertson instructed as he handed Ginny the second potion. "It will help with the pain."

Ginny nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes before taking the goblet and downing the contents as quickly as she could. She was trying to drink it down so fast that she started choking on it, causing her to cough and splutter.

"Take it easy Ginevra," Lucius soothed as he took the goblet from her in one hand and stroked her hair with the other, causing her to rest her head on his shoulder.

"Now then Ginevra, I suggest you get some rest. Because of the method used to reset your shoulder, it will probably be a little sore and/or sensitive for the next couple of days so take it easy with it," instructed Dr. Robertson.

Ginny nodded tiredly, already falling asleep on Lucius shoulder.

Lucius carefully laid Ginny down. With a flick of his wand he had changed her robes into a nightgown and pulled the blankets up over her. He ran his hand over her hair and gave her a light kiss on the forehead. "What exactly did you give her Doctor?" Lucius demanded quietly, not taking his eyes off Ginny's sleeping form.

"I didn't give her any kind of sleeping draught if that's what you're worried about Mr. Malfoy. The potion I gave her is a very potent pain medication that has a known side effect of putting people to sleep. If she rests the shoulder as I suggested, she shouldn't feel much residual pain at all but if she does a simple and mild pain-relieving potion should be enough," Dr. Robertson explained as he packed up his gear. "If that's everything Mr. Malfoy, I'll show myself out."

"Thank you, Doctor."

"Anytime Mr. Malfoy," the Doctor replied. He stopped as he reached the door, turning back he said, "Don't worry too much Mr. Malfoy. She's a strong young woman. She'll get through this just fine. Oh, and don't be too surprised if she sleeps through till morning." With a final look at the sleeping girl, the doctor silently exited the room.

"You can stop hiding in the shadows Albus," Lucius commented quietly. "We'll not discuss this in here. I do not want to disturb Ginevra; she has enough trouble sleeping as it is and she needs as much rest as she can get after what she's been through today." With a final brush of Ginny's hair, Lucius stalked from the room, soon followed by Albus Dumbledore, who had emerged from the shadows moments before.

When Ginny woke the following morning, something seemed out of place but for the life of her she could not seem to put her finger on it. As she looked around the room, she soon realized what was wrong. Lucius was nowhere to be found. Over the week and a half that Ginny had been at the Manor, with the exception of the first night, Ginny always awoke in Lucius' protective embrace. While it had been disconcerting at first, Ginny soon grew accustomed to waking in Lucius' arms and the noticeable absence of Lucius left Ginny feeling empty inside.

Taking a closer look, Ginny realized that Lucius' side of the bed had not been slept in at all. This did not bode well with Ginny and when she noticed the note on his pillow, her sense of dread only increased. Ginny picked up the note with tentative hands. Her face paled, her body went numb and her hands started to tremble as she read the note that was comprised of two simple yet heart-shattering words.

Go Home

Ginny could not believe her eyes as she stared at the note in her trembling fingers. As she sat there staring at the note, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. "Lucius?" she asked tentatively, "Is that you?"

"It's only Bixie, Miss Ginny," squeaked the house-elf as she emerged from the closet.

"Bixie, where is Master Lucius?" Ginny questioned. "Will he be returning shortly?"

"No Miss Ginny. Master Malfoy has left on business. He never said when he would return. He just instructed Bixie to pack up Miss Ginny's things and ensure you were out of the Manor before the end of the day," explained Bixie, a hint of embarrassment could be heard in the elf's voice.

"I see," commented Ginny quietly. "Thank you Bixie, but I'll finish the packing myself," Ginny instructed as she pulled herself out of bed and made her way to the closet. "And don't worry Bixie, I'll be long gone by the time Master Lucius returns, I promise."

"Yes Miss Ginny. Goodbye Miss Ginny," Bixie said before disappearing from the room.

Ginny turned to examine what the house-elf had been doing. What she found were three trunks, all in various stages of being packed. One of the trunks was her new Hogwarts trunk that Lucius had bought her earlier that week and it contained everything he had bought for her for school. The remaining two trunks were being packed with the rather extensive wardrobe she had acquired since moving into Malfoy Manor, another gift from Lucius.

Ginny turned her attention to the Hogwarts trunk and finished packing her books and supplies before locking and shrinking the trunk. She was never more grateful for the wards that Lucius had put up around the Manor to allow for underage magic to go undetected by the Ministry. Once she was done with her school trunk, Ginny turned her attention to the rest of the closet. She started looking through all her clothes until she found what she was looking for, a simple white Muggle-style summer dress, with matching sweater and shoes.

Ginny changed quickly before picking up the shrunken Hogwarts trunk and stuffing it in a Muggle-style rucksack purse. She made her way back out into the main part of the bedroom, completely ignoring the other two trunks in the closet. Giving the room one final look, she turned and made her way from the room towards Lucius' study, which had the only fireplace connected to the Floo Network.

Ginny was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she never noticed that the door leading to Draco's rooms was open, or that Draco was actually present in the rooms. In fact, she was so caught up that she never even heard Draco when he called out to her, trying to get her attention. Ginny entered the study, took a handful of Floo powder from the mantle and tossed it into the fire. She stepped into the emerald green flames and with a cry of "The Burrow!" she vanished from sight, just as Draco entered the study.

/-/What in the Bloody Hell is going on here?/-/ Draco thought to himself. /-/Why the hell is she leaving?/-/

"Oh my God! Ginny! Where have you been?" cried Hermione as Ginny emerged from the fireplace. "Everyone's been so worried. You scared your parents half to death. Do you have any idea what you put them through? Why did you run off like that?"

"Welcome home Ginny. It's so nice to see you. Did you have a good time with your friends? Why thank you Hermione, I had a wonderful time with my friends but it's so nice to be home," Ginny replied sarcastically to Hermione's stream of demanding questions

"Don't you dare take that tone with her Ginevra Weasley," snapped Molly, who had just entered the living room from the kitchen. "What in Merlin's name do you think you were doing running away like that?"

"I didn't run away Mother. I left you a note telling you where I was going," replied Ginny defensively.

"Your note, young lady was barely legible and what could be made out was something about going to a friend's house," commented Molly.

"It's not my fault that the note was barely legible, Mother. I would think you would know the reason behind that," Ginny said pointedly. "And I was at a friend's house…"

"Which friend?" interrupted Hermione.

"What do you care Hermione?" Ginny demanded in return.

"I told you to watch your tone with her young lady. Now answer Hermione's question," ordered Molly.

Ginny rolled her eyes before replying "Holly Johnson."

"I don't know of anybody by the name of Holly Johnson," commented Hermione, looking accusingly at Ginny.

"And why would the Great Hermione Granger, Head Girl of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry know a lowly little Muggle-born sixth year Huffulepuff? Especially when the self-same Head Girl is too busy not only turning a blind eye to but participating in the breaking of almost every single school rule by the Great Harry Potter and faithful sidekick Ron Weasley," commented Ginny snidely. "We're not friends Granger. We never have been, and we never will be, you filthy mudblood…"

SMACK!

Hermione hauled off and slapped Ginny as hard as she could across the face. "What in God's name has gotten into you Ginny? You're not the girl I thought I knew. I don't know you anymore," commented Hermione sadly, as she wiped tears from her eyes. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were acting like…"

"Like what?" Ginny asked coldly.

"Like Malfoy," replied Hermione.

"I'll take that as a compliment and you've just proven my point Granger. You never knew me…the real me anyway. Well here's your chance to meet the real Ginevra Weasley, in all her shining glory. Do you like what you see? Do you like what you hear? If not, you'd better get used to it because the girl you used to know is dead. Ginny died years ago. In fact, she died the day she was taken into the Cham…

"Alright Ginevra, that's quite enough out of you," Molly interrupted before Ginny could finish. "You're grounded young lady. You're to stay in your room until you are expected to return to Hogwarts on September 1st."

"Fine! It's no surprise to me that you'd take Granger's side over that of your own daughter. See if I care."

"That's it! Go to your room right now young lady! GO!" cried Molly, anger and frustration evident in her voice.

Ginny glared at her mother before storming out of the living room and up to her bedroom, slamming the door once she arrived.

"Hermione dear, why don't you move your things into Percy's old room for the remainder of the summer?"

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley. I think I'll do that," Hermione answered before leaving to pack up her belongings.

As Hermione reached the landing leading to Ginny's room, she noticed her stuff sitting in the hall and Ginny's door closed. She started to collect her belongings from where Ginny had dumped them only to stop when she heard what sounded like someone crying coming from inside Ginny's room. "Ginny? Are you alright?" Receiving no reply, she tried again. "Ginny? It's Hermione, can we talk?" When she still received no response, she went back to moving her belongings into Percy's old room.

Dinner for Ginny that night was not a happy affair. Ron and Harry kept throwing glares her way while the rest of the family, save Hermione, merely ignored her presence as usual. Hermione, figuring she had been the cause of Ginny's earlier temper tantrum and subsequent tears, tried to talk to her but received a death glare from Ginny in return for her attempts to draw the redhead into conversation. After a few attempts and their accompanying glares in response, Hermione simply gave up trying and turned her attention back to Ron and Harry.

For the first time since the events in the Chamber of Secrets Ginny did nothing to try to fight her parents' attempts to drug her. In fact, she welcomed the oblivion provided by the Dreamless Sleep so often found in her food and juice. The pain Lucius caused by his abrupt rejection of her was too great to face without the potion. She had allowed herself to see the man behind the image and was stupid enough to give him her heart and her trust. A mistake she swore she would never repeat.