I open my eyes to look down at her. Did she really just say that? Her hair is completely wild and out of the braids she had put them in. Her skin is glistening with sweat, this room is ridiculously hot. A few beads of perspiration from my body fall down onto her. There is blood all over her face. Some of it is hers, some of it mine. My eyes drift down to her stomach where our unborn child is growing. I follow the line of bite marks back up to her amber eyes. They're pleading with me. She's never looked more beautiful.
I close my eyes to collect myself. It feels amazing to be inside her again. All the women I've had could never compare to this. My arms start to shake from holding myself above her. I don't want to hurt the baby. I don't know if I should answer her. I don't know the answer my self. I feel her smooth a piece of my hair behind my ear. It makes me open my eyes again.
"Please, Draco. Just say it." Her voice is soft and sweet.
What's she playing at? Is this a trick of hers so she can use it against me one day? I put my arms down so I'm resting on my forearms, getting closer to her. A tear rolls down her cheek. I kiss it.
I don't know what I should say. Do I love her? Would it change anything if I told her I did? I'm supposed to be in charge here. She shouldn't be demanding anything from me. She shouldn't make me question myself. She's the one that left me! I have a temper, I can't help it. I start moving in side her roughly. I know it hurts her but she doesn't say anything. She just wraps her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist. Her eyes are closed and her head is turned to the side.
She begins to moan after a while. I know she likes it, even if she doesn't want to. It makes me smile. I love that I have these affects on her. Right before I cum I whisper into her hair before I can stop myself.
"I love you."
X
Luckily Hermione put more thought into protection when she put up the wards then I had thought. When someone enters that hasn't been magically approved before hand an alarm goes off from her wand. They never came back to the hide out. They never were captured. I'm so happy about that. I can't stop smiling. I over heard Draco ranting to one of his friends in his study about it, he was so upset. I don't think I would ever forgive myself if anything would have happened to them. It would have been my fault after all. I wonder if they'll ever try to find me again. I miss them already.
Since I've been back, Draco has heightened the wards and I'm watched at all time. He doesn't want to lose me again. I guess I don't mind so much… He hasn't locked me in the room or anything. Actually we haven't talked about anything that has to do with me leaving after we left the dungeon that day, over a month ago. Everything went back to the way it was before I went away. Him ordering me around, me obeying. Except now I know he loves me. He didn't think I noticed when he said it, but I did. I don't know why but I think it changes things.
I'm walking to the library. I've become quite the reader since I've been here, I really don't have a choice. I could just sit around and stare at the wall all day, but I don't like that option. I have so much knowledge stored away, but no one to share it with. I wonder if Hermione feels this way.
I hear foot steps behind me. It's Karren, the muggle born maid who is ordered to follow me around and report back to Draco. I'm sure he uses house-elves too, but this is more degrading for me… he knows that. I tried to be nice and befriend her at first, but that back fired. I think she's in love with Draco. The thought makes me roll my eyes.
She tells on me all the time for every little thing that I do. I try not to hold it against her. She's young, about sixteen years old. She has light brown hair, that I have yet to see her wear down, and she's a little plump. I don't think she's ugly but I can tell she has low self-esteem, like most teenage girls. Draco is handsome and he can be charming if he wants to be. I think that's why she's so smitten with him and why she hates me.
I enter the library and close the door quickly behind me. I know it shut in her face. I relish small little victories like that. They're all I get to enjoy around here. She opens the door and I can feel her glaring at me. I can't help but smile. I hear her huffing around and saying mean things about me under her breath. I ignore her and walk around the room, running my hand along the spines of the books. I think I'll go for something in the Fiction section today.
When I choose the book that I want I lie down in one of the large, comfortable, green sofas that are located throughout the large room. I bring my feet up to sit on the cushions and rest the open book on my stomach. Since it's gotten larger it's perfect for this kind of thing. We went to the doctor a few weeks ago. We're going to have another boy. Cassius will have someone to play with. I know he doesn't fully understand yet but he knows there's something in my tummy that he has to be careful around.
He's finally started walking. We were in the play room and he was holding himself up in the standing position with the help of a chair. I was across the room trying to put together a new toy set that Draco had bought for him. I heard him say something and I looked up to see him shakily make his way over to me. I was so happy I jumped up and went to him. I caught him before he fell and threw him in the air with a huge smile on my face.
I ran to go find Draco, I don't know why but I wanted him to see this. I found him in his study, like usual, bent over his desk working. He looked annoyed at first and then his face softened when he saw how happy I was. I told him to stand in front of his desk as I put Cassius down on the floor and held him up with my arms.
"Call him to you." I said.
Draco bent down on the ground and beckoned Cassius to him. He started walking towards him with the help of my hands and then I slowly let go and he walked the rest of the way into Draco's outstretched arms. Draco looked so proud. There was a legitimate smile on his face as he picked Cass up and kissed his head. My heart fluttered. This is what a real family is supposed to be like.
I was pulled out of my thoughts by a sneeze. I look over the head of the sofa to see Karren blowing her nose into a tissue.
"Do you have a cold?" I inquire. I have no one else to talk to, might as well talk to her.
"No, mistress, this library is just so old and dusty. I don't see how you stand it." I raise an eyebrow. Her tone is vicious.
"I like it in here. I think it's comforting." I say, and it is. It's the only place in this house that I could use the word cozy to describe. Row after row of books line the walls, all the furniture is over stuffed and warm, there are two fire places going at all times. It reminds me of my old life.
"Yes, well, you would like it." She says.
"And what is that suppose to mean?" I never want to pull the 'I'm the mistress of this house' card but when ever I'm around her I can't help myself. She's intolerable.
"Master Draco told me all about the way you use to live before you became his wife. He talks to me all the time, you know. He said you use to live in a run down barn and that all your family had disgusting ginger hair and you all slept in one room with sheep and goats." She's smirking at me. How dare she!
"Is that what he told you?" I say. I'm getting angry with her. "Do I have to remind you that I am Mistress of this Manor and you shouldn't speak to me in such a way?" I snap the book shut and stand up to face her.
Her smirk only widens. "We all know you're not in charge here. We all know that you're Master Draco's little toy. You're only here so you can pleasure him, like a whore."
That actually hurts me, but I won't cry in front of her, I refuse. My mind goes back to the night when he made me tell him that I was just that. I leave the room and storm into the hallway. I don't know where I'm going, I'm just upset. Do they all think that way? Is everyone laughing behind my back? I know that Draco's friends think that way so why should it bother me that the servants do? I cradle the book to my chest. Did he really say all those things to her? Why would he tell her all those things…. Am I a joke to him? Should I care if I am? I hate it here.
I'm looking to the floor, deep in thought. When I hit something and stammer back.
"Are you alright?" Arms hold onto my shoulders to steady me. I look up to see Draco looking at me concerned with his head cocked to the side. He's wearing black trousers, a white button up shirt, and a light weight green vest. He looks good and I hate him for that. I don't say anything I just rip myself out of his grasp.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" he asks.
"Like you would care," I say as I push him aside to walk past him. I feel him grab my arm. "Let go of me!" I yell, a bit on the hysterical side… I blame it on the hormones. I don't look back as I start running down the hallway.
X
I find myself in the Gallery room where large framed paintings take up every inch of the wall. There are a few rare statues scattered about with velvet ropes around them to make sure people don't get too close and black, marble benches line the room so you can sit and appreciate the art work. I walk to the very back and sit on a bench facing a large painting of a man being beheaded. I put the book down beside me and start crying, I try not to make any noises. I hate crying, I decided. I do it much too often. You think I would have run out of tears by now.
I hear footsteps come up behind me. I narrow my eyes and don't even turn. "Go away, Karren! I don't want you in here." I try to sound as hateful as possible, but I just achieve to sound more pathetic then I already feel.
"Why are you crying?" asks the low male voice. It's Draco. He sounds concerned but I know he's probably just confused because it's not him making me cry.
"It doesn't matter. Leave me alone." I wipe some tears with the back of my hand.
"Don't speak to me that way." I hear him say as he walks up closer to me. "Tell me why you're crying, right now."
It's a demand. I resist the urge to laugh. If this is what he thinks comforting is to someone who's upset then he is sorely mistaken. I don't think his parents hugged him enough when he was child. If they even hugged him at all.
"Why don't you ask Karren why I'm upset? I'm sure she'll be more then happy to fill you in." I snap.
He lets out a sigh and I feel him come closer behind me. My hair is up in a high pony tail so my neck is bare. I feel him place his hand there and rub his thumb up and down. "Did she say something to upset you?"
I put my head down. "Why did you tell her all those hateful things about me?" my voice is soft and low. My feelings are hurt badly. I should be use to it by now.
"What do you mean?"
I twist my head so I am facing him and I push his hand off of my neck. "You know exactly what I mean. You told her my family lived in a barn, that we slept with farm animals. You told her that I'm just… that I was… you know what? It doesn't matter. I don't care anymore." I stand up to leave but he holds me in place with his arms.
"I didn't say anything like that to her. Why would I waste my breath on a mudblood servant?" He did have a point. He wouldn't converse with any of the servants; he gets mad at me when I try.
"I don't like her, Draco. She's mean to me and she tells on me all the time because she has a sickening fascination with you."
"I can't blame her. I am pretty handsome." He's smiling now, but I am not amused.
"I'm serious! She hates me and gets me in trouble just for the sake of seeing me suffer. She said really terrible things to me today." I put my head down remembering her words.
I feel his hand on my cheek and I look up to him. "You shouldn't let them get to you like this, they're below you. Don't worry, though, if it makes you this upset then I'll get rid of her."
I smile at him and he smiles back. Then my face falls. "What do you mean you'll get rid of her?"
He starts laughing as he brings his hand down and puts it in his pocket. "Do you really care, princess?"
"Yes, well, don't hurt her or anything…."
He raises an eyebrow at me. "I thought she was mean to you. She made you cry."
"That doesn't mean I want her killed!"
He smiles down at me. "Fine, I won't have her killed, just transferred to a different job. Does that sound okay with you?" he looking at me, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Yes, yes I think that would work."
"Good. Come, I want you to look at the ball room and see if you approve of the decorations." He puts his hand on the small of my back and begins to lead me out of the room. He looks down to me again. "You know, sometimes you are much too sweet for your own good."
X
Tonight we'll be hosting the annual Malfoy Ball. I hate the damned thing. The guest are made up of the most important people in wizarding society and they all try to out do each other with their expensive outfits and witty conversation. There is always a theme to these dances. Last year it was magical creatures. I have to say it was quite hilarious to see Greg Goyle dressed up as a blast ended skrewt.
This year the theme is 1532. It was Draco's idea. He was really excited when he was telling me about it. Apparently there was a wizard rebellion against muggles somewhere in Spain during that year. I had no idea what he was talking about but he mumbled something about how I should have paid better attention in History of Magic.
When they pulled out the dress I was going to wear, I nearly fainted. It's deep blue in color, with real gold and diamonds sown into the bodice to make up a beautiful floral design. The top of the sleeves are puffy, almost bell shaped and split with white and blue fabric. There was a high, lace looking collar thing that was supposed to go around my neck, but that was too much so I had them take it off.
"Mistress, are you ready to put on the dress?" asks one of the maids that had been assigned to help me.
"Umm, yeah." I say.
I'm not really looking forward to putting it on, it looks complicated. Luckily I won't have to worry about wearing a corset because of my pregnancy. I step into what seems like a million under-things and two petticoats. Finally it's time to put on the final dress, which takes three women to lift it up and put it over my head. Once it's on they lace up the back and I notice that my breast are almost spilling out of the top of the square neck bodice.
"This doesn't fit. The top is too small." I say while fidgeting around trying to get comfortable.
"Oh, no Mistress, it's supposed to be like that."
Well, this is going to be an annoying night. I sit down as the women do my hair up into tight little curls held together with jeweled clips. By the end of it I'm completely exhausted. I just want to get away from them so I walk into the nursery where Cassius is already asleep. I put my hands on the edge of the crib and smile at him. He looks so peaceful. It must be nice being a baby, with nothing to worry about.
I feel hands wrap around me and rest on my stomach. "Are you almost ready? Guests have started to arrive." Draco whispers in my ear, I can feel his breath on my neck.
I turn around and see he's wearing and equally complicated out fit, the same color blue, with dark tights under a tunic. I'm kind of surprised he's dressed up, he didn't last year. I nod my head yes and he takes my hand and leads me back to the well lit bed room. All the maids have gone.
"The dress looks nice on you." He says, and I can see he is looking directly at my chest. I blush a deep scarlet and he notices. "I don't think your out fit is complete just yet, though."
I'm about to ask him why but he takes my hand again and makes me follow him until we're in front of a full body mirror along the side wall. He turns me so I'm facing my reflection and brings a long box out of his a pocket. He wraps his arms around me from behind again and holds the box in front of me.
"Open it."
I give him a puzzled look from the mirror and then I bring my hands up to open the black, velvet box. What's inside takes my breath away.
It's a necklace made up of so many diamonds I think it might blind me to look at it for too long. The patterns they configure remind me of snow flakes and there are three, large sapphires placed at the heart of each cluster of diamonds. The sapphires match the dress I'm wearing. I don't know what to do. Draco has never given me a gift like this directly before.
"Do you like it?" He asks.
I nod my head. "It's amazing." He smirks into the mirror and picks the necklace up to place it around my neck. He closes the clasp and takes a step back as I bring a hand up to admire it.
"Thank you." I whisper. He comes closer to me again and kisses my neck.
"You will behave tonight, won't you?" he asks as he continues to kiss my neck. Of course he had to say something like that, he ruins everything.
"Of course." Is all I say as I step away from him, "we should go down stairs."
He looks like he's about to say something but then thinks better of it. Then he walks me out of the room.
X
I'm standing by Draco while he converses with a circle of his friends. Which includes the new Minister of Magic. I'm not even paying attention to what he's saying. I'm too busy looking around the ball room at the dancing couples who are dressed lavishly and having a good time. I take a sip of my pumpkin juice and look back to Draco to make sure he doesn't expect me to be paying attention. He isn't. He's holding a crystal glass of Champaign. I look at it longingly. If I was drunk the night would go so much faster but I'm stuck drinking pumpkin juice because of the baby.
All of a sudden a pain of hunger goes through me. I whisper in Draco's ear to tell him I'm going to get something to eat and he nods. I can feel his eye on me as I walk to the refreshment table. I pick up a napkin and start picking at the various finger foods that are set out. I feel a hand on my back.
"Mrs. Malfoy" I turn to see Blaise Zabini smiling at me. I've decided that I don't like him at all. He does nothing but annoy me. "You look positively sinful tonight." He's staring down at my chest now.
"I am pregnant you pervert." I turn around and start gathering food again. I wouldn't dare talk to him like that if Draco was around but he's not here.
"Now Ginny, I just came over here to have a pleasant conversation with you. There is no need to be snippy." He leans in closer to me and whispers. "You know I can see why Draco has wanted you all of these years. You are very pleasing to the eye."
I take a large gulp. This conversation will lead no where good. I try to hide the panic in my voice. "I'm sure your wife is waiting for you." I don't dare turn around.
"She's a big girl. She can handle herself." His hand returns to my back. "Dance with me."
"No." I hope Draco's not watching this. He will be livid.
"Ah, you're breaking my heart. Just one little dance, I promise I won't bite."
I finally turn to him. He has a hunger in his eyes that makes me nervous. What is he playing at? I'm four months pregnant.
"I should be getting back." I try to walk around him but he moves so he's blocking me. I walk to the other side and he moves again. "Go away. I need to get back to my husband."
Maybe that will make him stop.
"Ah, yes your husband." He's smiling that evil smile of his again. "Why don't you show me what you do that keeps your husband so enthralled with you."
I want to slap him but I refrain. I look over his shoulder to try to spot Draco. I want the lesser of two evils. I see him standing directly across from us with Pansy Parkinson by his side, whispering in his ear. His face shoots up to mine and his eyes darken. I can tell he is not pleased, not at all.
Blaise follows my line of vision and turns back to me. "It seems like Mr. Malfoy is unhappy with you. Why could that be, I wonder?"
I glare at him and try to pass him again. He grabs my arms and leans down, kissing me on the lips. I push him off of me and he stands there smirking. "Why did you do that!?" I yell.
"Things were getting boring." He says and spins on his heels to walk away.
I wipe the back of my mouth with my hand. Draco is pushing dancing couples aside and making his way over to me. When he gets to me I lower my head and slouch my shoulders. His anger is unfair, I didn't do anything wrong.
"Go to your room and wait for me." I don't move for a second. I want to explain myself. "Now!" he barks. I pick up my skirt, ignoring everyone around me, and run all the way to the bedroom.
X
I'm seeing red, I can barely concentrate. I saw him talking to her when she was getting food, I saw him kiss her. She knows she's not allowed doing any of those things! I spot Zabini casually sipping wine and talking a beautiful young girl. I want to pull my wand on him but I have to collect myself. I need answers.
"Zabini, a moment."
He nods his head to me and we walk out into the empty hall way.
"Why the fuck were you kissing my wife?" I'm trying to keep a lid on my temper, but it's not working.
"She kissed me. You really should keep her on a tighter leash." Blaise takes another sip of wine and looks at me his eyes sparkling. "I kept telling her no, but she wouldn't listen."
"That's not the way it looked. She wouldn't do that. She knows how mad that would make me."
"How long have I known you, Draco? Would I lie to you?" He smiles at me, I'm not sure if I believe him. "She's probably just mad that you took her away from that little cottage with Potter."
"She doesn't care about Potter." I say quickly.
He raises his eye brow at me. "Is that what she told you? Come on, we both know the answer to that. You're starting to lose it, mate. That girl's got you all turned around."
I look at him skeptically. I don't want to believe it. He's lying.
"She's pregnant. Do you really think I would try to hit on your pregnant wife?"
I don't say anything. I run my hands through my hair. Why would she do this? I've been so nice to her lately. I even gave her my Grandmother's necklace. Did she want Zabini? Does she not want me? Why would she embarrass me in front of every one like that?
"You're turning soft, Draco." I hear him laugh. He walks off, back into the ball room.
My eyes narrow into slits. She's in for a long night.
