Chapter Seven: Judgement


Ginny continued to stare at Draco. "I don't understand. I've been here for days without any contact with anyone other than you, and now I'm being invited to a formal dinner?"

"It would seem that way." He smirked at her once more. "My great-uncle has invited a few people and wants you to come also. It's quite unfortunate for you that Bellatrix will also be attending."

"I'm quite sure I can handle myself." Ginny grabbed a set of green dress robes, believing that they would probably prove to be the most appropriate. She held them up for Draco to see.

"Those will do."

Ginny stood with her robes, glaring at Malfoy. "Well then, I think I would like to get dressed now, if you don't mind."

"No problem," He said, then turned to the door, and continued softly, "I also brought some things I thought you might like to have. I'll be waiting outside for you. Just tap on the wall."

Ginny looked back to the bed as he left, noticing several objects mixed in with her clothing. She bent down and picked up her red hairbrush, along with several books and magazines. She noticed her diary among the objects and turned red. It wasn't protected by any magical means, just a simple lock and key. She picked it up and turned the key, opening it up. There was a note inside, one that hadn't been there before.

She set down the diary, not sure if she wanted to read the letter just now. Silently, she pulled off her towel and stepped into the robes, enjoying the familiarity of her own clothing. She went back into the bathroom, carrying her brush, and brushed out her long red hair, pulling it up into a wet, but still elegant, bun. She smiled at her reflection nervously, then went back into the room.

She adjusted her robes a bit, then grabbed a pair ofshoes from the pile of things Draco had brought, slipping into them quickly. Ginny walked up uncertainly to the wall, tapping with her fist on the spot she had thought he had disappeared into. Within seconds, Draco opened a door three feet down the wall from her, smiling. Ginny rolled her eyes and walked to follow him.

"Wait, stop," he said, reaching into his pocket and withdrawing the blindfold once more. "This is a bit of a longer journey, and although I disagree, they think it's best if you wear this again."

Ginny turned around dutifully, allowing him to tie the cloth around her head. His cold hands lingered on her face a little longer than they had the first time, but left quickly, as if not to draw suspicion. She waited for him to take her arm, but was surprised when his frigid hand took her warm one. She felt a bit of a chill go through her, but ignored it as she followed him.

There were no conversations to overhear this time, nor any unseen figures to bump into. Ginny was barely even aware of anything but the sensation of Draco's hand pulling hers through the unknown. She walked with as much composure as she could manage without seeing her surroundings until finally they came to a stop. She felt Draco turn her around once more, untying the blindfold. Ginny blinked against the harsh lighting, then turned to face Draco. They were standing in front of a solid oak door, his hand on the handle. He looked her in the eyes.

"Just hold your tongue and nod politely," Draco said sternly. "Don't try to be cute. They'll eat you alive."

Ginny smiled at him faintly, "What makes you think I'd try to be cute?"

He rolled his eyes, "You're not off to a good start."

Ginny bit her lip and shook her head, "I'll be fine. I'm not stupid enough to do anything that'll get me into trouble."

Draco nodded with finality and turned back to the door, "Ready?"

"Of course." Ginny adjusted her robes once more and stood up as straight as possible.

Draco looked at her once more, then pulled on the handle of the door, opening it to reveal a rather long table. Three people sat there already, not even taking up half of the space. Ginny was ushered in by Draco, who sat her neatly next to a thin and gorgeous witch. He took the seat next to her. Ginny looked across the table, into the eyes of Bellatrix Lestrange. She sent Ginny a glare before turning to Draco.

"Draco, child, I'm quite glad to see that you've taken care of that lip." She grinned at him humorlessly.

He simply smiled back, turning now to the head of the table. The man was tall and large, his small eyes staring at Ginny. He wore deep blue robes and golden spectacles, his grey hair wavy and slicked to the side. He smiled at her greasily, eyeing her like a piece of meat. Ginny smiled back out of politeness. The way he was staring at her was making her very uncomfortable. She turned back to Draco.

"Alright, I believe that introductions are in order," The man at the head of the table said, finally turning away from Ginny. She recognized his high voice from the morning she woke in this place.

The first to say anything was the witch next to Ginny, whose voice was light and airy, her golden hair and great green eyes shining. "I'm Rebecca Beaumont, daughter by marriage."

She smiled up at the head of the table, who looked gravely back. "Yes, that was my third marriage . . . died tragically, you see." Ginny nodded politely. He smiled at her and laugh greatly, "It's alright now, as I'm single and unaccounted for."

Bellatrix rolled her eyes and smiled malevolently, "I'm quite sure we've met before. Though in much more hostile conditions, as I'm sure you'll agree."

Ginny remembered Draco's words and held her tongue, only giving the smallest nod as a reply. Bellatrix sent her a dismissive smirk.Ginny stared at her for a moment, but was drawn away by loud throat clearing from the head of the table. She turned and smiled widely at him.

"I'm Augustin Black, owner of this fair house. I'm hoping you are finding it comfortable, Miss Weasley. I take some high pride in my home, if you cannot tell."

Ginny nodded dutifully, "Yes, it's quite comfortable."

Draco seemed toflare up at this turn in discussion. Ginny knew that he could get into trouble if she found out too much about her location. He looked at Augustin cautiously, a glare quite evident in his stare. Augustin nodded and turned back to Ginny.

"Quite nice. I'm sure you might be curious as to why I invited you here, as I would be in your situation." He waited for her to say something, looking at her expectantly. Ginny simply nodded, forcing him to elaborate. "Well, I have had this little dinner party planned for some time, as a treat to my dear stepdaughter Rebecca. I had to postpone it due to . . . well, I'm sure you'll know all about that . . ."

Draco was staring at his plate, looking very sour. Ginny supposed that Augustin was using this dinner entirely as an excuse to talk to her, not as a happy party for Rebecca. Ginny resisted the urge to smile at Draco, knowing that her gesture could be severely misinterpreted. Instead, she was forced once more to be the subject of a cruel glare from Bellatrix, who seemed to be enjoying having Ginny in her power.

"I hear that you are very close to Potter. Is this correct?" She stared at Ginny with exaggerated interest.

"I suppose that it is," Ginny said with as much politeness as she could muster. This caused Bellatrix to laugh.

"You are very skilled at biting your tongue, dear. It's slightly surprising. You have done well in hiding him from us. I had thought this would be a fairly easy task . . . I must have been wrong."

"Now, now," came Augustin's high voice, "we don't need any of that, Bella. Besides, I think it's time we actually reached the 'dinner' part of this affair . . ."

Ginny nodded gratefully along with the rest of the guests. The plates filled with food, finer than anything she had eaten in a long time. Staring in wonder at the delectable meal in front of her, Ginny was happy for such a tasty distraction. Draco was toying with his food next to her, seeming to want to do anything but actually but it in his mouth. From her eyes, he could have done with a good meal. He had never been the most healthy boy, but he was bordering on anorexic now.

The goblets were filled to the brim with dark red wine, Ginny draining hers gratefully. It immediately refilled, but she did not want to risk getting tipsy right now. She took a small sip and set it back down, avoiding the rapt gaze of Augustin. She turned to Draco expectantly, hoping that he could ease the nervousness within her. He gave her a short sympathetic glance, then returned to poking at his meal.

They ate in silence for several minutes, Rebecca sending Ginny curious glances now and then before returning to her meal. Bellatrix ate with her eyes fixed on Ginny, as if watching to see what she would do. Augustin merely consumed his dinner hastily, as if he could not be satisfied quickly enough. He took a long and slow drink of wine, polishing it off without stopping for air.

"Now, Draco," Augustin said loudly, setting down his empty goblet with gusto, "how is your mother doing?"

Draco dropped his fork loudly. The resounding ting of metal hitting glass ringing through the tense air. Draco looked up at him in shock, as if he had stepped over some sort of invisible barrier. Augustin simply smiled back, faint curiosity playing on his face. Ginny sat frozen between the exchange.

"Well," Draco said, now looking at the table in front of him, "she's better. I saw her last night. Her fever has gone down considerably."

Augustin nodded gravely, "I was quite upset when I heard. It's nice to know she's doing better. I expect you'll be going to see her tonight?"

"No, I'm under orders to remain here for two more days," Draco said morosely.

Ginny felt an involuntary sympathy ache within her for him. She caught his eye as he looked at her,and for a moment no hatred burnt between them. Ginny turned away. In that short amount of time, it seemed that Augustin was growing tired of his dinner. He turned to Rebecca, who was eating her food silently, merely taking in the room before her. Ginny was forcibly reminded of a smiling marionette, blonde curls bobbing around a lifeless porcelain face.

"I think we'll call it a night, eh, darling?" he asked sweetly.

Rebecca nodded, "I'm quite full, yes. I think it would be nice to get some rest."

Bellatrix had already risen and made for the exit, but Augustin stood and stopped her. "I think it would be polite for you to say a proper good-bye before running off into the night, Bella."

She looked at her father with contempt, stopping in her tracks. Draco rose and stood behind Ginny's chair, waiting her to stand. When she did so, he pulled the chair out, allowing her to stand next to him before he pushed it back in. Ginny turned to watch Bellatrix and Rebecca exchanging a stiff hug, Draco grabbing her arm and holding tightly. Augustin walked up to Ginny and Draco, the same greasy and rapt smile plastered to his face as he shook her free hand. Ginny removed her hand from his as quickly as possible, relishing on the inside at the disappointment displayed now on his face.

Bellatrix walked over to Draco, giving him a short hug also, then looked Ginny over and rolled her eyes, heading for the door. Rebecca gave Ginny a smile and a hug, her silent peppiness following her right out the door behind Bellatrix. Draco nodded to Augustin, who exited through another door.

"Time to return you to your room," Draco said, pulling out the black cloth once more.

Ginny stood still as he wrapped it gently around her face once more, his hands much warmer than before. He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek and turned her around to face him. Taking her hand once more, she was led out of the door and down the hall. The journey seemed much shorter this time, and Ginny was almost sad to stand in the room once more.

"I'll be back tomorrow morning," He said, placing the cloth in his robes and staring at her, "I'll make sure to knock this time."