AN - sorry its been so long - there will be regular updates i promise - enjoy!

Chapter 3

Ginny slowly stroked the counterpane on the bed while she was lost in contemplating the forthcoming events. Her head constantly ached with the unrelieved grief locked inside her; she knew that she could not afford to show any weakness in front of Tom. Taking a deep breath she slowly undressed herself and tightened the black corset Lucius had provided, she smirked; she supposed she was going to have to attempt to be seductive. Pulling on her dress robes she almost purred with satisfaction as the black silk glided over her skin and clung elegantly to her body. Ginny stared at herself critically in the mirror. There was a dull gold hem on the robe which echoed the opening in the robe revealing the top of her corset, she grimly smiled, at least it was nothing too ostentatious.

Lifting up her hair she frowned slightly wondering how to wear it. 'Leave it down, dear, I want you to look like my bride tonight'. Ginny almost jumped as Tom's cool voice slid past her and his hands started to toy with her curls. She could see him in the mirror standing behind her. Ginny shivered slightly, and winced as his hands cruelly gripped her shoulders.

'Do you have a problem with my choice of words?' Tom hissed, incensed that she still hadn't learned her lesson after all he had done for her. Ginny belatedly realised that he had misunderstood her reaction. Hastily she tried to placate him; she needed him to calm down otherwise she would never be able to escape.

'Not at all Tom, just a little surprised…' hesitantly Ginny broke off, keeping her eyes downcast as she tried to portray a soft innocent girl through her words. Tom's eyes gleamed with happiness, his hands moved up and down her sides and slowly rested on her waist as he pulled her tightly against him. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, 'You will be my bride Ginevra. You will be bound to me for life, as it was meant to be. Neither of us can ignore our connection.' Ginny looked up and caught his eyes in the mirror and once again was startled at the intensity portrayed.

Without even sensing him move, she felt his hand firmly tug her chin towards him. As her face awkwardly turned so that she look into his eyes she gazed in wonder as she glimpsed a slight smile on his lips. Before she could register that thought his lips softly pressed against hers. As he tried to persuade her to open her lips, she surprisingly didn't even feel revulsion, rather to her amazement, Ginny parted her lips and leant into the kiss. Her body wickedly responded to his hard body pressed against her and she used it as a support as she succumbed to his passion.

Lost in the kiss, Tom's hands snaked upwards and his hands roamed all over her body. Slightly gasping for breath Ginevra broke away from his lips, blushing profusely. Tom smirked at her embarrassment and chucked under the chin and his voice was laced with amusement as he told her 'you are ravishing but innocent, we will be getting further than that at a later date!' Ginny eyes opened even wider as she heard his light tone. She couldn't begin to fathom how the man in front of her was Lord Voldemort. Tom Riddle seemed to have two personalities and frighteningly Ginny didn't want to leave the one she was being presented with.

Ginny was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't notice Tom drape her arm around his and lead her out of the chamber. His voice penetrated her mind and she shook her head slightly so she could concentrate on him. He was explaining about the revel and what she should do. Confused and irritated with herself for not listening she smiled charmingly up at Tom and apologetically said, 'I am sorry Tom, but I can't seem to remember all this as I am rather overwhelmed at the moment.' Her heart stopped frantically beating when he nodded his head and reassured her that she would just have to stay beside him.

Ginny sighed with relief as she realised that once again she had managed to avoid his short temper. She knew now that she would have to please him if she wanted freedom. At the top of the grand staircase they stopped and Ginny almost burst into hysterical laughter as she looked down at the two of them. They could almost have looked like a young couple going to a ball together, but instead she was on the arm of the leader of all evil with a smile on her face. At that moment memories of her and Harry entering the last Hogwarts Halloween Ball sprung to mind. Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears and she swallowed the bitter taste that had appeared in her mouth. There was no point wasting time in the past, she had to cope with the present first. Tom's voice snapped her out of her reverie. His sharp tone reminded her of her need to escape as he coldly gave her his final piece of advice.

'Do not call me Tom this evening. I do not need to be reminded of that name, you are still underneath me, and shall address me as my Lord. Whatever I permit in private will not be tolerated in public, am I understood?' His chilling words swept over her as he gripped her arms tighter and she slowly nodded in assent. He had reminded that he was Lord Voldemort, and Ginny resolutely decided never to forget that, for it would be dangerous if she did.

As they entered the ballroom she cynically observed everyone bowing obscenely low as they walked through the crowds. Her eyes rested on two thrones on a platform and they narrowed at the obvious intention of displaying her as his ornament. They reached the thrones and to her surprise Lucius gave her his hand and held it firmly until Tom was seated and then lowered her into her chair politely. Ginny grimly observed that Tom's incessant need for power even overruled general courtesy.

She looked on in disgust as Nagini slithered around her feet and settled down at the bottom of her robes. Tom lifted her hand and whispered to her, 'Don't worry Nagnii will always be watching you. You will always be safe my little one.' Ginny suppressed a shiver and vowed to use her charms on Tom to persuade him to relieved Nagini of her duties. She glanced at Lucius and smiled, she would win with Tom, after all she had already gotten rid of one snake albeit not a literal one.

As she looked around the vast ballroom she noticed in shock that it just resembled another formal pure-blood occasion. Frowning she beckoned Lucius with a slight movement with her fingers. He moved to her side after receiving permission from Tom with the slightest of nods. Ginny softly regarded him silently. 'Why were you preparing me for some great evil?' Lucius stared at her cynically and bowed his head slightly in amusement, 'Do not mistake us for normal wizards. Though we may play at civilities eventually the darkness invades it and then you will understand.' Moving away quickly Lucius clapped his hands and slowly those nearest came forward and bowed low in front of their thrones.

Bored Ginny stared at the musicians as Lucius began the tedious introductions and the wizards and their families swore fealty to Lord Voldemort. As the list of names grew longer she was shaken out of her daydreams as she heard the familiar names of Chang, Patil, Finch-Fletchley, Lovegood and many more. Disdainfully she looked up at the traitors as she saw them all grovelling on their knees, simpering with gratitude. The bitter feeling of disgust rose inside her and Ginny eyes smarted as she saw all those who Harry had trusted, who the Order had trusted, become turncoats just to save their miserable hides.

Anxious to leave, Ginny looked at Tom and wondered if she would let him leave. Instead of looking back at her he beckoned a death-eater who approached her instead of him. Uneasy, Ginny looked up into the face of Draco Malfoy and nearly snarled with contempt. He sneered back as he offered his hand and Ginny understood that he was asking her to dance. Just as she was about to coldly refuse she felt Tom's glare on her daring her to disobey him, biting her lips from retorting she bitterly smiled up at Draco as she accepted his hand.

'I see you have finally found your place Weasley.' Ginny stared at his impassive countenance and pursed her lips. She didn't have to speak to him, she would rather ignore him. Draco laughed snidely and whispered, 'I'm still a bit upset that my father has had you. We could have dealt quite well together.'

Ginny's raised her head in the air and resolutely clenched her mouth closed; she knew that Malfoy was goading her to lose her temper. As they approached the dance floor, Draco leant down and his cool breath fluttered on her skin causing her to tremble slightly. 'If you ever need any help, all you need to do is ask.'

Startled by the sincerity in his voice she looked at Draco who slowly winked at her. Ginny's confusion was obvious as she considered Draco Malfoy's past character. She didn't think he was referring to anything sexual, but then what was he considering doing for her? She frowned and in a hushed whisper accusingly pointed out, 'but you are on his side, I don't understand, what do you want Draco?'

'You shouldn't think too hard sweetheart, it doesn't suit your innocent face,' Draco wrapped his arm around her waist and as he was about to glide onto the dance floor with her, his arm was abruptly removed and he found himself confronting Lord Voldemort.

'I think you have monopolised Ginevra's attention for far too long, I believe Parkinson is waiting for you. You may remove yourself.' Draco bowed low at the Dark Lord's curt and chilling dismissal. Ginny watched him leave in dismay and nearly grimaced in pain as Tom gripped her arm tightly and steered her to another room. Ginny stumbled to keep up and saw the pity in the faces around her as they entered a small ante room. Tom banished his flank of death-eaters from the room and abruptly barked out, 'prepare the entertainment; I want it to be ready when I am done.'

Ginny swallowed her fear as she saw the rage burn on Tom's face. Terrified she backed away as he approached. Closing her eyes she stopped knowing that she wouldn't be able to evade him for long. She felt him seize her body and pull it towards him.

'Open your eyes.' Ginny eyes opened immediately and she saw the specks of red in his eyes become brighter. It was almost as if his anger had stoked the fires of evil within him. Whimpering slightly at his iron hold on her she let out a small scream as his hand pulled her hair and forced her head back.

'You tried to make a fool out of me Ginevra. Don't you realise you foolish girl that I am the Dark Lord, I thought you had understood everything earlier this evening.' Ginny felt her head tingle with pain as her scalp felt like it was being slowly ripped from her skull. With parched lips she croaked, 'I did.'

'Then why were you shamelessly flirting with Malfoy? You are mine, your body is mine, your soul is mine, and your mind is mine. I own you.' As he hissed these words slowly, Ginny tried to nod even though his grip on her hair hadn't eased. The tears running down her face burnt her with shame as she realised that she could no longer struggle. He was right. She was his. She would never be able to leave without him finding her.

Something slightly more human seemed to pass through Tom's face as he loosened his fingers and started to rub her head softly. 'You see Ginny, I can be kind, but only if you do not disobey me.' As he stroked her gently like a child, Ginny once again tried to stop herself from falling for his other personality. He was too volatile, and she didn't know how much it would be too push him over the edge.

His voice took on a sharper tone, however, as he next addressed her. 'But, my dear, we must make sure that never happens again. I am your Lord and Master, and you must learn to submit. I cannot be humiliated.' Pausing slightly as if he were hesitating, he continued to speak, 'We shall have to test you.'

Ginny looked up sharply as he waved his hand and the doors opened, he muttered under his breath and she felt herself suddenly become refreshed. He coldly glanced at her and stated, 'You looked a mess.' Hurt at his words she looked into the ballroom and as they walked forward she saw that everyone was focused on a display at the far end of the hall.

Trying to catch a glimpse of what it was that had seemed to enthral those in the ballroom; Ginny hardly noticed that she had been seated on the throne. Narrowing her eyes she saw a group of death eaters laughing harshly as they moved the subject of everyone's fascination. With horror she jerked back with shock as realised that they were levitating people mid-air. Through the grime and the rags, their bodies were hanging awkwardly as if they had been tortured. Feeling nauseous at the sight she turned her head and moved her hand to cover her mouth. Unfortunately, Tom had placed his hand heavily on hers and she resigned herself to the fact that she was supposed to watch his sordid "entertainment".

Steadying her nerves she looked up and saw that the death-eaters had their prisoners twirling mid-air in circles. She could see every one of them, and bitterly thought to herself that she would probably end up as one of them eventually. As her eyes skimmed over them she desperately tried to feel emotionless until something caught her eye and she let out an involuntary scream of terror.

Ginny begin to quiver and her whole body attempted to move off the chair when she felt herself being smoothly yanked down. Around her feet Nagini had coiled herself, and Ginny found that she could not move them. Her eyes found Tom's hard cruel ones which seemed to be mocking her.

'Now we shall see whether you shall pass my test, my dear.'

Ginny's eyes flew back to the prisoners and she shuddered as she immediately found what she had been looking for. On the fifth prisoner, there was a glimpse of unruly red hair…

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