Requests: Please review, so I know I'm going in a direction you all like. Don't forget! Shoot me a message or leave a comment if you'd like to see an element thrown into my story. If I like it I'll use it and dedicate a chapter to you.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter!
Note: This Chapter contains M rated content. Don't like it don't read it. You'll notice where it changes to M rated material, skip that part. But read the rest of the chapter.
Shout Outs: AkatsukiAgent9, thanks for your review. I mentioned in the chapter before that I changed some details. The way the Malfoy's spoke was tweaked as well to fit with the last chapter. I liked the idea of her being a Malfoy. Since she's said twice she hasn't betrayed her family. That would make sense if her family was dark, ie. The Malfoys.
Rating: M for Violence, Sexual Content and Language.
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Ginny wrote to Tom about the problem in Dumbledore's office. He was concerned, but agreed she couldn't have handled it any differently. She had to make sure he kept her secret, at least for a little while. Though now he was keeping an annoyingly close watch over her. He'd gone as far as to tell the Professors that he believed she was still troubled by the attack so even they were keeping a close watch on her, thankfully they didn't seem to know what they were looking for. In the few weeks she'd been back at school she'd been forced to meet with Professor Magonagle twice a week. Flitwick was giving her lighter assignments because he said he didn't want to stress her further. She wouldn't complain about less homework, if it didn't come with awkward conversations with the weird half goblin. Honestly, if she never had a private conversation with Flitwick it would be to soon. Thankfully Snape seemed to leave her alone in class and he didn't want to talk to her about the incident.
Things were brighter, but she had this lingering feeling something was going to happen any time now. She'd been spending more and more time with Draco and Pansy through out the school. Well, more time with Pansy, Draco seemed to be busy with something. After a while the novelty of the lion hanging out with snakes wore off and Hogwarts moved on to some new bit of gossip. Ginny was glad of it too. Harry and Ron seemed to be trying to protect her from what they thought was a dangerous friendship. Claiming he would kill her simply because it would hurt Harry. She would roll her eyes and say Draco was unsure of his father's ideals on blood purity, she was trying to bring him to the right side. They seemed pacified by that explanation, though only slightly. They stopped trying to pull her away from him every time, but they still made their opinion known to her every time they were near her.
Ginny had to be very careful, she'd always make sure to check her mirror in the morning before opening her bed curtains. The last thing she needed was people to see her how she really was. Though she'd have to admit it was getting worse trying to pay attention when Professors were talking to her. She'd end up zoning out and not hearing them address her as Ms. Weasley. She hated the name. Ms. Malfoy or Mrs. Rilddle would be fine to her, but honestly she couldn't expect that to happen. She couldn't say anything with out revealing what truly happened over Christmas Holiday. So she just smiled and apologized for not paying attention.
Ginny woke up to a loud screeching noise, as if the castle itself was screaming. She did her glamor quickly as she jumped out of bed, looking around the dorm wildly as the other girls jumped from their beds. "Oh god! It's the school alarm!" Amber yelled as the girls threw on robes over their pajamas. They all ran out of the girls dorm "Why's the alarm going off?" Casey asked, her wand drawn, pointing around as they ran out of the common room. "It goes off when the students or the school is in danger" Amber replied as the girls ran through the school to the entrance hall.
Ginny stopped on the seventh floor when she saw Harry running from the Astronomy tower. "Harry!" Ginny called, running over to him. He was the only student who seemed to have a look other then confusion. Leave it to Harry to cause something to wake everyone up at god only knows what time. "What's going on?" She asked noticing his look of grief and panic. "Gin..." he gasped, pulling her close to him. Ginny didn't push him away, wanting to know what was going on. "Harry, what happened?" she asked noticing he seemed out of breath. "Snape... Dumbledore... Tower... Dead..." he gasped out, holding Ginny so tight she felt like she'd explode from compression.
"Harry, I need to breath" she whimpered, clawing at his arms to make him let her go. "Sorry Gin..." Harry said, hot tears sliding down his cheeks. "Harry, say that again. What happened?" she asked in a gentle voice, trying to get a straight answer from him. "Snape. He. Killed. Dumbledore." He ground out through clenched teeth. "That slimy git was really a Death Eater the whole time! He's been playing us all along and he killed him! Gin Dumbledore is dead." Harry yelled. Ginny looked shocked, but not for why Harry thought. Tom said he wasn't going to trust Severus with any missions like this. She shrugged it off, she'd ask him about it later. "There are Death Eaters in the castle. Malfoy let them in!" He said angrily, pulling Ginny from her thoughts. Draco let Death Eaters into the castle? Was this part of why he was so busy lately? Some mission for Tom he couldn't even confide in Ginny about?
"Gin, promise me you won't go fight. Go to your dorm, wait there where its safe. I'll come for you when everything is safe" his tone was begging, not commanding. "You are not in control of me and I am not a coward" Ginny said, moving away from him. "I'll fight if I feel like it" she said, running through the castle, Harry on her heels. "Gin wait!" He yelled but his words fell on deaf ears. She was more concerned if her family was here. She finally reached the grand staircase. From a quick glance over she saw no Slytherins. Self preservation probably kicked in and they were staying comfortable in their dormitory. Ginny almost had the urge to join them. Her inner Slytherin telling her to join her brother and wait out the battle.
Unfortunately she was also a Gryffindore, and her instinct to fight and protect those she cared about kicked in. She drew her wand, running into the psudo battle ground that spilled from the entrance hall. She looked around frantically for her mother and father, praying they weren't here. Her stomach dropped when she saw her mother locked in battle with Professor Sinestra. Her mind whirling as she tried to think of a way to help her mother with out looking like she was fighting for the Death Eaters.
She didn't have long to try and think of a solution as she ducked to narrowly avoid a slicing curse that was thrown at her by a masked Death Eater. She groaned, she didn't want to fight a Death Eater and have to explain to Tom later why he had less servants then when he woke up this morning. "Conjunctivitis" she yelled, a pink flash of light bursting from her wand, hitting the Death Eater in the face, knocking his mask off. He let out a strangled noise as his eyes began to puff and instantly swelled shut, making it impossible to see clearly. "Axelo!" The Death Eater yelled, due to his swollen eyes the curse missed her by almost two feet, smashing harmlessly into the wall. "Petrificus Totalus" Ginny added for good measure, not needing to dodge anymore haphazard dark curses.
She turned to try and help her mother, but in the time it took her to fight off the Death Eater she'd lost sight of her mother, but Professor Sinestra was laying on the ground severely injured. She smiled a bit, what was she really thinking? Of course her mother didn't need her help. She was a strong woman who didn't need her child to protect her. Though, right now no one seemed to need much protection. Most of the Death Eaters had fled and from the distant sound of cracks they had aparated away as soon as they reached the edge of the schools wards. Ginny ran outside, following the rest of the students. A large crowed of students and teachers gathered at the foot of the astronomy tower. Most were crying, though some were in a stunned silence. Ginny elbowed her way to the front of the crowed to see what everyone was looking at.
She quickly placed a sad look on her face, hiding the glee she was feeling at the sight of Dumbledore's mangled body. She knew he'd died of the Avada Kadavra curse. But the fall off the astronomy tower didn't do any favors for his body. Bones were displaced, his skull was obviously crushed in the back were he'd landed, his eyes were still open and a sad look forever plastered on his face. His broken body laid on the green grass, laying in a pool of his own blood. She looked up at the astronomy tower, smirking to herself as she pictured the old man falling over the edge. She smiled to herself as she saw the Dark Mark hanging above the school. She took an odd comfort seeing it hanging above them. It felt like Tom was watching over her while the chaos ensued.
All the students were escorted back to their dormitories, and locking charms were put in place so no students could leave. Most were exhausted and went to take advantage of the forced isolation as a time to catch up on their sleep. Ginny however stayed in the common room, sitting on a window bench, staring out the window at the dark mark. "Gin, don't waist time staring at that thing. It won't bring him back" Harry whispered to her once when he walked up behind her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hmm?" she asked, not having quite heard Harry's words.
He sat beside her, wrapping his arms around her, a bit surprised when she went stiff. She continued staring at the dark mark that hung in the sky, trying to ignore Harry's presence. She really just wanted to be with Tom right now. She wasn't upset, quite the opposite. She wanted to be celebrating. Dumbledore was dead. She got away with everything. He really had ended up taking her secrets to the grave. "Gin come on, you should get some sleep. Staring at that horrible thing isn't going to do anything. It'll fade away soon..." Harry said.
Ginny bit her lip, resisting the urge to snap at him. She didn't want it to fade away as if everything was normal. Today was the beginning of a brand new era. Dark magic crackled in the air and fueled her blood lust. She enjoyed having the mark lingering, it felt like a boost to her magic, she felt stronger... More powerful. Like she could do anything. She bit her tongue for a minute, forcing herself to look away and face Harry. A sad look plastered on her face. "I know it won't bring him back Harry..." she said in a small voice, playing innocent as best she could.
"But tonight, everything changes. This is the start of something big... I can feel it in my bones. Tonight is the beginning of the end" Ginny meant the end of this war. Little did she know the end would be so different then she imagined it would be. She looked away from him, watching the embers in the fireplace slowly die into charcoal.
She wasn't sure how long they sat like that. Silence enveloping them like a thick blanket. Though it wasn't entirely uncomfortable, it was strained. Both lost in their own thoughts of the war, both sides of the same hateful coin. Her side hated the impurities and the disrespect for those of higher standing. His side hated hers. For no reason other then the idiotic ideal of equality. No matter what the out come of the war was, their ideal of equality would never truly happen. As long as two different men lived on this earth there would always be conflict. They could defeat one Dark Lord, but another would crop up sooner or later. Less the a hundred years separated the defeat of Grindewald and the rise of Voldemort. Once he was gone another one would rise. It was simply the circle of magic. There would always be one visionary who did not resist the allure of Dark Magic.
"Have you two not slept?" Hermione's voice broke her out of her thoughts as she looked up, realizing it was now light outside. She glanced at her watch, a little surprised it was almost eight o'clock. "Um... No... I was... Lost" she mumbled, not sure if she was making any sense, though of course right now she didn't particularly care. She bit her lip, seeing people leaving the common room, obviously the lock down was lifted. "I'm gonna... food" she mumbled, walking away, still lost in her own thoughts, not able to formulate any of her thoughts into words.
"Oi, what was that? Is she taking his death that hard?" Ron, ever the tactful one, asked. "Really Ronald!" Hermione chastized. "He was the headmaster, and a brilliant wizard. All of us who had more emotions then a tea spoon are taking his death hard!" Hermione said, glaring at Ron. "I know Hermione..." Ron said, raising his hands in defense. "I'm just saying that she didn't really know him more then any other student. She wasn't one of his favorites like Harry" He said with a shrug. "Yeah it sucks, but I don't get why she's acting like that..."
School seemed to come to a screeching halt after Dumbledore's death. Magonagle took over duties as Headmistress and tried to carry on so the students could finish the last month of term. But very few of the students were able to really participate in class. The only house that seemed unaffected was Slytherin, which Ginny was thankful for. Her housemates were so depressing, so it was nice to go be with Pansy and be able to act normally. She was glad about the change of events. She hated how everyone was trying to make her depressed about a good thing.
Magonagle had called in some mind healers to speak with the students. Mostly they just glazed over the memory with a few anti-depression charms so the students would be able to finish the school year. It wasn't a permanent solution, but they claimed that's all they could really do in such a short time. Most of the students seemed to be in shock over the entire event. Hogwarts was supposed to be the safest place in England, and yet Death Eaters were able to come in and kill Albus Dumbledore. Most were feeling great unease, feeling there was no where safe from Voldemort. That thought line gave Ginny some satisfaction when she heard a few first year Hufflepuff first years whispering about it.
Ginny couldn't help it, the situation was to funny. "That's because there isn't anywhere safe" She whispered behind the three small girls in a dark voice. The girls whirled around looking terrified, one even looked like she'd start crying any second. "Wh... What do you mean no where safe?" one stammored out, causing Ginny to chuckle. "Gin, stop it, you're scaring them" Hermione chided, rolling her eyes. Honestly, Ginny's warped sense of humor was rivaled by Fred and Gorges's. The only thing, most people were at least amused by the twins antics. Ginny was just mean sometimes. "They should know the truth. He just proved he can reach us here, if he can get through all the school's protection, what makes you think you'd be safe anywhere else?" Ginny asked with a dark grin.
One of the girls burst into tears, running away down the hall, screaming something about her mother. Ginny laughed, the other two looked only slightly better. "That's not true! Our parents will keep us safe!" The blonde girl piped up, sounding a lot more confidant then Ginny thought she really was. "Sure... Lots of parents have been able to protect their children... That's why the prophet this morning was talking about Lord Voldemort's capture" she said, smiling at the way the two girls flinched and paled. Everyone knew this morning's front page story was about three muggle families who had been tortured and killed by the Death Eaters. Six adults and thirteen children were tortured and killed.
"Ginny that's enough! What's the matter with you?" Hermione chided, pushing a smirking Ginny away. "Girls, it's okay. The war will be over soon and you and your parents will be just fine, okay?" Hermione said, wiping away some of the smaller girls tears, causing small smiles. "You're sure Harry Potter will defeat... You-know-who?" one of the little girls said, his name barely above a whisper. "He's my best friend, of course he will. Now run along and study, it wouldn't do if you fell behind." Hermione said, shooing them away. "Ginny, that was horrid, why did you do that? Those two girls are probably going to be scared for life! And what possessed you to say his name to two children? You know how people react" Hermione yelled at Ginny.
"Oh spare me" Ginny rolled her eyes, suddenly bored. "It was funny." Hermione looked scandalized at Ginny's comment. "They need a healthy dose of reality. We're in a war for Merlin's sake. People are dying all around us, they can't live in a bubble. Because if they do and something happens they won't be ready for it" Ginny said as if it were nothing. "Imagine if they'd been more aware of everything when Dumbledore died, they wouldn't be so upset, now would they?" she added on, ignoring the shocked look Hermione was giving her. "Gin, they are kids. Why take that away from them? Let them remain pure as long as they can..." Hermione said, not sure what to say to Ginny's bizzare attitude. Ginny smirked, resisting the urge to say they should be pure, but bit her tongue, walking away.
"Hey Gin!" Ginny was sitting in the court yard under a weeping willow writing in her charmed charms book when she heard her name called. She waved happily at her best friend, smiling. "Hey Pans" she added once the girl joined her under the tree. Since the incident and all the students went full on depression mode she had been able to spend more time with Pansy, simply out of the need for her sanity.
At first they had been worried about Draco. No one had seen or heard from him since that night. Thankfully Tom wrote to her that Draco was fine and safe at Malfoy Manor. He had assigned the task to Draco, and while Draco was more then prepared to carry through with his mission Snape got in the way. Some rubbish about trying to preserve Draco's soul. That seemed to clinch the idea in his mind that Snape was no longer truly his servant. He couldn't explain why he killed Dumbledore then, but he was sure Snape was not to be trusted.
Ginny could only chuckle at that, she'd been telling him all along, and he didn't listen to her till now. Oh well, he'd learn to listen to her. She was a woman, it was in her DNA to always be right. He would just need to learn to accept that.
"What are your plans for this summer?" Pansy asked as she glanced over her friends shoulder. She was always hoping she'd be able to catch a glimpse of what ever the two were talking about, but all she saw was how to preform a weather charm. "Well, I'm being forced to go back with them, because they can't know anything. You-know-who is planning some big mission to supposedly defeat Tom" Ginny giggled. It still struck her as funny that they had taken to calling Harry you-know-who. Kind of ironic. "So I plan on telling the Weasley's that I'm going with them, then just disappearing when ever they leave. Then I'll come home. " She said with a shrug.
"But, I've got another scheme... One that might even work better, it might be able to end this thing soon" Ginny added with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oooh, spill, what are you hatching?" Pansy asked excitedly, scooting closer. "Well, Bill Weasley is getting married real early this summer to some french vela twat. You-know-who will be at the wedding and reception. I've told Tom all about it down to the timing." Ginny said looking around, making sure they were out of ear shot of anyone. "Then Tom's followers will swoop in, snatch him. Tom will torture and kill him, and with out their precious savior everything will over and we'll win!" Ginny said excitedly.
"Gin, that's brilliant. Hopefully he won't be able to worm out this time" Pansy said before their conversation moved on to lighter topics.
The last month of school passed uneventfully and before she knew it she was standing on platform 9 3/4 surrounded by a loud group of redheads. "Oh Ginny dear, we're so glad to see you back to yourself!" Molly said, pulling Ginny into a tight hug. She didn't really return the hug, but she at least looked like she did. "I need air!" She said, not replying to her comments. She wasn't back to herself, she was still hiding in this ugly-freckled-redheaded disguise.
"Come on, we've got to hurry there is so much to do before friday." Ginny knew the wedding was friday, it would certainly be a day to remember for everyone involved.
The ride to the burrow was filled with Molly chatting away about wedding plans and what she needed Ginny's help with. Harry, Ron and Hermione had a silence charm around them so they could have a private conversation, Ginny assumed about what ever mission they were going on. Arthur was driving the enhanced muggle car, running nearly every traffic light and stop sign. On their way out of London they passed the Knight Bus. The triple decker bus squeezing between two cars. Ginny shuddered, remembering the one time she rode the bus and it did that. Her clothes never were the same after being stretched like that.
The week went by in a flurry of chaos, everyone was pitching in with wedding plans. Ginny even slightly enjoyed her tasks as they allowed her to get lost in her own thoughts and pretend she was any where else but here. Finally it was Friday morning and the garden and the tent were filled with hundred of Weasley family and friends. Ginny wore an ugly grey and black bridesmaid dress. She walked down the isle in front of Flur, only half paying attention as they exchanged vows and rings.
She counted down the seconds until the reception where, half an hour into it, things got interesting. Everyone was dancing and partying loud cracks resounded over the music. Dozens of Death Eaters flooded the reception tent, curses and hexes flew everywhere. Screams echoed around the enclosed space. She scanned the room for any sign of the Golden Trio. She saw them running out of the tent and followed. "Harry!" She didn't know why she screamed. Her only thought was he couldn't get away. He couldn't slip away again.
"Gin, we have to leave, we'll be safe. You do the same" With that the three disaparated away, leaving Ginny furious this did not go according to plan. She closed her eyes, reaching out through the bonded link to Tom, telling him what happened and that she would be home soon. She ran back to the burrow, scribbling a quick note to Arthur and Molly. She shrunk all her things down, stuffing them in her pocket. She glanced over the parchment on her hand before leaving it on the kitchen counter.
'I've gone with Harry, Ron and Hermione on their mission to fight you-know-who. We'll be safe, please don't worry. ~Ginny'
She spun on her heal, gasping as she felt the familiar sensation of being squeezed through a straw. When she opened her eyes she was in the master bedroom of Riddle Manor. She smiled to herself. "It's good to be home" she said as she quickly unpacked her things, changing into a silver blouse and some denims. She slid on a black robe, pulling the hood up so it hid her face. She wasn't sure who was here besides her husband, but she did not want to take any chances.
She wandered around the house for a bit, not sure where she'd find him. Finally she found the study door cracked open and she could hear three familiar voices. Tom, Lucius, and... It took her a minute to recognize the third voice, but it was deffinately Severus Snape. She clenched her fists. After everything he said, and everything he told her. He was still trusting Snape! That man would be their undoing. Traitors should not be embraced like he was being now.
She pushed the door open, walking in confidantly. Both Severus and Lucius looked shocked that someone dared interupt the meeting, Tom however looked furious. "How dare you interupt me!" He yelled, raising his wand. "Now love, temper" Ginny chided, her face still hidden by the hood of the robe. Tom's face instantly softened and he lowered his wand, patting his leg for her to sit. Lucius simply smiled, visibly relaxing as he watched Ginny perch herself on Tom's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. "My lord?" Severus asked, still shocked and confused. "Ah yes, Severus... Over the new years I've taken myself a bride." He said, rubbing Ginny's back. "Congratulations my lord" Severus said, trying to force a smile onto his lips.
"Leave me!" He said, looking at Severus. "We'll continue this discussion later" With out a pause Severus left, assuming Lucius followed. Once Snape left the house Ginny removed the hood, nuzzling his neck. "You said you weren't going to trust him with any more assignments" she said, obviously annoyed. "He's going to be your undoing my love" she added, smiling at him. "Oh, hello papa" she added, flashing a quick apologetic smile at her father.
"Little one, I have delved into his mind and I now believe Severus is loyal to me." He said in a soothing voice. "Tom, just trust me, he isn't yours." Ginny said exasperated. "Ginevra, manners." Her father chided from across the room, shaking his head. "Sorry" She said in a softer voice. "Please Tom, don't trust him with anything that could hurt you" she said in a much softer tone. "Alright little one, if it will make you happy I won't trust him with anything important" he said, kissing her temple. "Lucius, if you would excuse us?" This time is was not a demand as it had been with Snape. Lucius was family, and though it was a request, he knew Lucius would do it.
"Tom, I'm so sorry for what happened today, I tried to delay them, but who ever you sent did not even notice him slip away from the tent. Or me for that matter" Ginny said with a sigh. "Honestly, those people were just oblivious. Potter could be anywhere in England by now" she said. "Don't worry little one, we'll find him." he chuckled, kissing her neck lovingly. "Now, you've been away from me for three months. I believe there is something you need to do" he smirked. "Is that what you believe?" she asked with a giggle, sliding off his lap, onto her knees. She undid the zipper and button on his trousers, rubbing her hand against the buldge in his shorts.
He closed his eyes, tilting his head back on the chair. He had expected her to lead him to their bedroom, he had no idea she'd get down on her knees. He knew what she was doing, and at the same time he couldn't believe it. He moaned when he felt her warm hands slip into his shorts, freeing his penis from the fabric. He looked down at her, lust and desire prevalent in his eyes.
She smirked to herself. She'd been lonely these past few months with out him, she had spent many nights reading the romance novels that Pansy had loaned her. Some of them being quite explicit. She was eager to try some of the things she'd learned and see how he reacted to them. He bit his lip as he watched her tongue dart out of her mouth, licking the precum off the tip before sliding him deep into her mouth.
Goosebumps covered her skin as she heard him moan, his hand grabbing a fist full of her blond curls. She started bobbing her head up and down on him, her fingers messaging his balls as she worked on his penis. She started humming to herself, letting the vibrations from her throat coat his sensitive skin.
He moaned louder, using his grip on her hair as a sort of handle as he forced her to take his entire length into his mouth. Her eyes watered a little as she felt her head forced down, trying desperately not to chock on his large girth. She struggled to pull her head back, gasping for air. She was glad he was enjoying it, but wished he wouldn't do that. Though she'd be happy to die in the middle of pleasuring him, she did not want to die any time soon.
He lifted his hips, trusting into her mouth a few times before pulling her off. "Gods Gin..." he gasped before turning her around, never releasing his grip on her hair. With a quick flick of his wand she was naked before him. He bent her over the desk, pulling a bit on her hair to force her to look over her shoulder at him. Her beautiful silver eyes were clouded with unmistakable lust. "Please Tom" she begged, writhing against the desk, trying to get him closer to her. "I need you"
He smirked, enjoying watching her writhe on the desk like a little slut consumed with need, every curve of her body trembled with anticipation as he positioned himself at her entrance. She let out a loud moan as she felt him slide deep into her, filling her entirely. She laid her head on the desk, closing her eyes, screaming and moaning as he slammed into her over and over again.
She gripped the desk, her nails digging into the wood as she tried to concentrate on what she was doing. She could feel his thrusts becoming more frantic, she knew he was close. The thoughts that crossed her mind were fogged and impossible to read, as if she was trying to read a book in another language. She let out a scream of pleasure as he hit her just right, causing white stars to explode in front of her eyes as her muscles clamped down on him.
Feeling her walls tighten on him was enough to send him over the edge he'd been so carefully perched on, her constricting muscles milking him for every drop. "God I've missed you" he mumbled against her skin as he placed gentle kisses all over her back.
Ginny quickly settled into the normal routine of Riddle Manor. She'd get up at eight o'clock in the morning and eat breakfast with Tom on their private terrace. After breakfast they normally would shower together, though it typically ended up with them having to take a second shower to clean themselves again. He'd leave for his study to deal with what ever business he had to deal with and she'd spend the day with Pansy and her mother, they were working on planning Pansy's wedding now that she and Draco had finished school. Ginny managed to worm her way out of finishing her seventh year. She'd told the Weasley's she was going with Harry on his mission. It wouldn't make sense for her to just show up at school. Tom agreed, grudgingly, but he agreed none the less.
Some times they would eat lunch together, but more often then not he was simply to busy to pull away from what he was doing to eat. She'd spend the afternoon with her lessons. She was learning from her mother all the things expected of a pureblood wife. So far, it truly consisted of making public appearances and smiling for the press, producing an heir and keeping her husband sexually satisfied. Really, Ginny could have figured all that on her own with out awkward sex talks with her mother. She really did not need scaring mental images of her parents having sex.
The thing Ginny found the most interesting were the Death Eater meetings. She'd stand among the crowed as he spoke or listened to someone giving a report. One thing she did notice, when he got angry everyone would be put under the cruciatus curse except for her and her family. After a few weeks people's curiosity got the better of them.
The throne room was filled with people clothed in black robes and masks. Ginny stood off to the side speaking in hushed voices with another masked Death Eaters, Ginny's robes were slightly different, where as all of the Death Eater robes were pure black, Ginny had silver trim on hers. At first Tom wouldn't allow it, but she was above all of them, it wouldn't do that she looked like everyone else. "Pansy I'm sure you've nothing to worry about. It's not as big as you think it is. My wedding night was amazing, you're already sleeping with Draco, so it'll be nothing new." Ginny said softly, turning as someone approached them, from the way the person was walking Ginny was quite sure it was a woman. "Hello" Ginny said politely.
"How come you are one of the few people who escapes our Lord's wrath?" The female voice demanded harshly. She knew that voice. Or at least, she felt she should know that voice. "It would be in your best interest not to speak to me in such a manner, or perhaps you'd like to find out how strong my curses are" Ginny said, raising herself to her full height, standing an inch taller then the other woman. "Why you insolent little brat! You should know better then to speak to your superiors like that!" She said. She raised her wand level with Ginny's throat, pressing the tip against her flesh. "Now I'll ask you one more time. Why are you one of the..."
She never finished her sentence as a blue jet of light hit her in the side, throwing her several yards away from Ginny. Ginny turned to look at who came to her aid to find a very angry Dark Lord standing in the door way. Everyone quickly got on one knee, kneeling in front of their Lord. Everyone but Ginny that was. "You insolent child!" The woman screamed as she stood up, her mask falling to the ground. She should have known it was Bellatrix. "Bow before your lord!" She snapped at Ginny.
Ginny only laughed, shocking everyone as she walked closer to Voldemort. "Why you..!" Bella gasped angrily, raising her wand at Ginny. "Bellatrix!" Voldemort bellowed, everyone in the room flinching, though not daring to take their eyes off the scene unfolding before them. "You dare presume I need you to handle my own discipline?" He stared her down, eyes glowing red with fury. "No..no..no my lord" Bellatrix stammerer. "I was only trying to help my lord. This child does not know her place..." she added quickly, bowing her head, watching him from the corner of her eye.
Ginny just laughed, "Know my place? Why, Bellatrix, I believe it is you who doesn't know your place" she said with a dark glint in her voice as she watched the woman look up with more rage in her eyes then before. "My Lord, you see! Please let me teach her how to respect her superiors." Bellatrix asked angrily, her hand clenched tightly around her wand. "You may teach her how to respect her superiors." Tom said with an evil chuckle. "IF you can find someone superior to her." he added before Bella could raise her wand. "My lord?" the woman asked confused.
Almost every jaw dropped as they watched Ginny be brave enough to reach out and wrap her arms around Voldemort, laying her head against his chest. They were even more shocked when he started stroking her back instead of hexing her nine ways to hell. "Now, little one" he said softly, though everyone could hear him. "What have I told you about my minions?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips and then Ginny's. "Pain is the best educational tool?" she said, pointing her wand at Bella, never leaving his embrace. "Crucio!" She said in a sickeningly sweet voice.
Bellatrix's screams filled the room as she dropped to the floor, her body convulsing as it felt like thousands of knives were thrust into her skin. Once the knives subsided it felt like her skin was being boiled off and her eyes were being popped. "Please" she managed to get out between screams. After almost thirty seconds Ginny released the spell, moving with Voldemort over to the throne, perching herself on the arm of the throne.
"Does anyone else have anything else they would like to add?" He asked in a dangerous tone, daring his followers to say something. When the hall remained silent he continued speaking. "My subjects." he said, his hand resting on Ginny's leg, a thumb absentmindedly stroking her leg through the fabric of the robe. "You may have realized that our halls have a new addition" he said, his voice booming through the hall. "I have taken myself a queen" The hall erupted in cheers, congratulating their lord on his new marriage.
After that night Ginny became a regular fixture by his side during these meetings, either perched on the arm rest of his chair of standing beside him. No one dared raise a wand to her after that, though many of them ended up at the end of her wand. Some were for punishment for something, while other's were simply for Ginny's own amusement.
She'd spent four months at Riddle Manor, and she hadn't ever been happier. She knew the time was coming where the final battle would be. The tension in the air was growing thicker and thicker ever since Tom seized control of the Ministry, and then Hogwarts. She'd heard some of the reports of what was happening at Hogwarts, students were tortured as punishment, detentions were served by students hanging from their thumbs till bones broke. They were finally being taught Dark Arts in school. All in all, Hogwarts sounded like a lot more fun now then it had been previously.
"Both of you, leave" she snapped as she entered Tom's office, finding him in a meeting with two of his mid level followers. "Little one, now is not the time. You will return to our room and wait for me. I'll join you later" Tom said in an even voice. It really annoyed him when Ginny interupted his meetings. It made ruling the wizard world very tiresom. "I said get out" she hissed at the two followers, ignoring Tom's words.
Both men froze where they were, either way they were in for some pain. If they left they would receive their Lord's wrath, if they stayed they would encore their Queens. "Little one, not now" Tom said in a harsher tone, not pleased how she was ignoring him and causing him to loose almost an hour of work. "Yes now, there is something important I must speak with you about and I will not be ignored" she said in a dark tone that left no room for arguments. One of many things she'd learned from her mother. How to speak to your husband to force him to listen to you.
He let out a frustrated sigh, waving the two men off. Both looked relieved to be out of a potentially hostile situation. "Now, little one" he said angrily, shifting to a more comfortable position in his chair. "What is so bloody important you feel the need to barge in a louse up an hour long meeting?" He asked in a snippy tone, not noticing Ginny instantly softened.
She moved over to his desk, sitting in front of him on it. "My love, calm down. What I need to speak to you about is wonderful news, and I will not have you louse up the moment with your temper" she said with a pout, crossing her arms over her chest, looking like a small child. He sighed again, resting his head in her lap for a second. She wanted him to calm down, fine, he'd humor her. What ever it was seemed very important to her, and he couldn't resist her when she pouted. "What is it little one?" he asked as he lifted his head, looking up at her expectantly.
"Well, first things you're going to have to stop calling me little one" she said with a small mischievous smile playing on her lips as a look of confusion crossed his face. "Why? I've called you that since the first time I saw you? I will not stop calling you little one" he said almost disheartened. She didn't like his pet name for her? She'd never complained before. He thought it was sweet, and she was little in compairison to him. She stood at least eight inches shorter then him and weighed probably a third of what he did. She was a small girl.
Ginny giggled at his reaction. "Tom, you're so adorable" she said, enjoying his confusion. "I love when you call me little one, but it wouldn't do to keep calling me little one if there is actually going to be a little one" she said softly, smiling gently at him, waiting for the realization to sink in. "What?" he asked confused, not having the slightest clue what she was talking about. Ginny rolled her eyes, she was trying to be cute in the way she was telling him, but men tended to be so thick!
"Love, there is going to be a little one around here in just a few months..." she said slower, trying to get him to take the hint. She wanted to smack him, to her it couldn't have been more obvious. She placed a hand on her stomach, trying to emphasize her point. "Gin, what are you playing at?" he asked, not feeling like playing her game. He never was able to pick up on her subtle hints, one would think she'd stop trying and simply come out with it.
She sighed, clearly annoyed. "Oh honestly Tom, I'm pregnant!" she said annoyed the moment had been ruined anyway despite his temper. She had it planned where she'd tell him there would be a little one and he'd be confused for a minute before realization would cross his face and he'd sweep her up in a passionate kiss, whispering how much he loved her and was excited about their child. What she hadn't planned on was him not getting her hint, or just sitting there staring at her.
"What?" he said after a minute, the words not sinking in to his head. Two words, that's all they were. They held no meaning, no information, no realization of their impact. Ginny looked at him for a minute, tears welling up in her eyes. "You're not happy?" she choked out, getting off his desk, running out of the room as tears slid down her cheeks. She ran to their room, grabbing a pinch of floo powder before stepping into the green flames.
Tom sat there at his desk, unable to truly understand what she just told him. Pregnant. As in, having a baby. His Ginny was having his baby. The sentences rolled around in his mind, and yet none of them made any impact. He'd never thought of himself as a father. He never even considered the possibility that she'd get pregnant. Now she was expecting a child and what could he do? He couldn't ask her to give up the baby. She'd never agree to it and he'd end up losing her if he was stupid enough to suggest it. But they couldn't raise it. What kind of father would he be? His thoughts drifted to his own father, or lack there of. He'd never seen what a good father was like. He didn't know the first thing about children, other then they cry and poop and were highly annoying.
He didn't know how long he sat there, but at some point he'd grabbed a bottle of Firewhiskey. Severus had joined him at some point, intending to tell his Lord what was going on at Hogwarts, but instead was pulled in to drink with an already drunk Tom. Severus tried not to drink much, but it was difficult to tell the man no, especially when he cast a haphazard cruciatus curse and sliced Severus's arm open. The two men were now drunk and three bottles down, singing merrily along with some old wizard song. The bottles were nearly bone dry when Tom stood up, a goofy smile on his face. "I'm gonna be a father! Ginny is having my baby!" He wobbly made his way through the house, stumbling over shadows and falling against the walls.
"Baby?" He called, looking for Ginny, bursting into a fit of giggles at the implication of the nickname. "She's my baby, she's having my baby" he burst into another fit of giggles, nearly falling through his bedroom door. "Gin?" he asked, looking around. He furrowed his brow in confusion when he saw the room oddly empty. "Wimbly... Whimsy... Willow... Fucking house else?" He yelled, slumping against the wall. "Master called Timble?" the little house else said, smiling when she saw how happily drunk the master was. She liked him better this way, he was much nicer. "Timble... I thought your name was Whiskey" he said, making up a fourth name. "No master, it's just me and Slader" the little elf laughed, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Well Simble" he slurred, mixing the two names. "Where is my bride?" he asked, swaying a little where he stood. A sad look crossed the elf's face as she wrung her ears, worried the master would be angry with her. "Mistress left master... She was crying and very upset. She packed a small bag and left through the floo." Timble said, wincing when he moved, thinking he was going to kick her. But he never touched her, he simply moved over to the fireplace, grabbing a large handful of floo powder. "Where would Ginny go?" he mumbled to himself, leaning against the soot covered bricks. "Home to mummy and daddy..." he giggled "I'm gonna be a daddy Timader" he said, dropping the floor powder onto the ground, most of it landing on his clothes. "Why is it not working?" He said annoyed spinning in place as if that would start the floo. "Master must say his destination..." Timble added helpfully. "Oh, right" he laughed "Mummy and Daddy!" He said merrily as the green flames licked around his body.
Timble sighed, smacking herself in the forehead. "Oh dear, Master has lost it..." she said. She went to the drawing room, knowing when he said mummy and daddy it sent him to his family home. Which he was already in, so he ended up in the main floo. "Master, where is you trying to get? Timble will take you there..." the little elf said, taking hold of his leg. "I'm trying to go to Malto.. Malfin? Malfcoi? Malfoy! That's the one, I'm trying to go to Malfoy Manor" he said after a minute. Timble shook her head, she really should have taken him to bed, but her master wanted to go visit Malfoy Manor, so she'd take him there.
With a snap of her finger they disappeared from Riddle Manor and Reappeared in Malfoy Manor's entrance hall. Lucius happened to be in his study when he heard a very drunken version of a Weird Sisters Song. "You!" He yelled when he entered the hall, seeing Tom. He was no longer a servant speaking to his master. He was a father standing before the man who hurt his little girl. "How dare you! She's been upstairs crying her heart out because of you! She's carrying your child, that's a miricle to be proud of and you shun her?" he yelled, only just now taking in the sight of Tom. "You're drunk..." he said slowly, his anger growing more intense. "My little girl's heart broken and you're drunk?" He roared.
"Lucius come here, I got a secret" he laughed, stumbling over to Lucius. "Luciu... Luci... Lucy..." Tom giggled, "That's a funny name for a boy... You've got a girl name" he giggled as he swayed on his feet. "Lucy, I've a secret" he whispered, well he thought he was whispering. He leaned on Lucius "I'm gonna be a father... And you're going to be a grandfather!" he laughed. "Now where are my babies?" he asked, bursting into a fit of giggles as Lucius stepped back. Once Tom no longer had someone to lean on he collapsed on the floor, falling on his face. Lucius waited a second for him to get up, but was only met with the sound of heavy snoring.
Tom woke up the next morning with a pounding head. The last thing he remembered was being in his office... He was drinking, but he couldn't quite place why. He sat up, groaning as he head began spinning again. He sat a small vial on the night stand and picked it up, seeing a note underneath it. 'Here's some hangover potion Arsehole. When you're awake come down to the garden.' He looked at the note confused. Who was bold enough to call him an arsehole? And secondly, what had he done to rate being called an arsehole?
He waited till the potion kicked in, clearing his head. As he made his way down the the garden fuzzy memories slowly started coming back. Though, they were all memories from before he started drinking. He was quite certain those drunken memories would never be recovered. He was having a meeting with two of his minions in the ministry. Ginny came in... As he thought of Ginny barging it all cam back to him. Why he had been drinking. She told him she was pregnant... He was going to be a father. He looked out one of the windows, seeing a very angry looking Lucius in the garden. He remembered Ginny running out in tears. He felt horrible, he hated seeing her cry, even worse, he hated knowing he made her cry. He stood at the door for a minute, not sure if he wanted to face Lucius right now.
In this situation he wasn't the one in control. He wasn't the master, and if he tried to pull the 'I'm your Lord, do as I say' card he was sure Lucius would disobey him and grow angrier. No, right now he was not the master. Right now he was the son-in-law who fucked up and had to deal with his father-in-law's wrath. He sighed, pushing the door open. "Thanks for the potion" he said lamely, sitting next to Lucius at the small patio table.
"You have thirty seconds to explain what happened before I hex your bullocks off" Lucius said in an eerily calm voice as he sipped his tea. "Look, Lucius, this is between me and Ginny" he said, trying to worm his way out of this situation. "Strike one. You've hurt my baby girl, and she ran home in tears. This is between you and me now. Try again" Lucius said, taking another sip of tea, never looking up at Tom.
"Lucius, I fail to see how this is between you and me. Where is Ginny so I can go talk to her?" he asked, almost in a pleading voice. "No. Strike two. You're not getting any where near her until I decide you're truly sorry for all the hurt you've put my little girl through. Try again, you really want a third strike?" he mused, glancing at Tom out of the corner of his eye.
Tom sighed, knowing there was no way Lucius would tell him where he'd hidden Ginny till he complied with his request. "Look, she surprised me. I wasn't expecting her to tell me she was pregnant!" He groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I was shocked. I've never pictured my self as a father. I don't know the first thing about kids and I won't make a good father" he said, his words slightly muffled by his hands, but Lucius understood every word. "I never told her I was unhappy or angry about it. She ran off before I could even process what she was telling me" he said. Lucius only laughed, shaking his head. "Welcome to pregnancy..." he said with a small smirk.
He took pity on Tom, he sounded like he was telling the truth. He remembered when Narcissa was pregnant with Draco. Mood swings were the first symptom to show up and the last to leave, and for a woman who was already dramatic as it was... Well, if Ginny got anything from her mother's DNA, she was sure to be just as crazy and moody. "Look I don't like that you hurt my baby, but I can see how the misunderstanding happened." he said "But I swear on Merlin's grave if you ever hurt her again I'll kill you my self" Lucius said.
Tom gave him a sad smile, from the way Lucius was acting Tom could expect more of this kind of behavior. This would be a long nine months. "Where is she Lucius, I have to talk to her..." Tom said after a few minutes. "Her mother took her to Saint Mungo's to get a check up. You'll want to hire a private healer, but for the first check up Hospital will be fine. The don't start asking personal questions till a little farther along..." Lucius said. "Come on, we'll wait for them inside." he said. Tom followed Lucius inside to the drawing room where Narcissa and Ginny would be entering through once they returned. "Oh, and best way to make her stop being mad at you. Say you're sorry, it's one hundred percent your fault. Even if it's not and she's acting like a mental case, it's your fault. Until she gives birth, it's your fault" Lucius laughed.
Not even ten minutes later green flames spit out of the fireplace, both female Malfoy's emerging from the fireplace. "Tom!" Ginny cried happily, running to him, throwing her arms around his neck. He gave Lucius a confused look, he was expecting Ginny to be furious with him and he'd have to grovel like Lucius said. The blond man only laughed, shaking his head. "Or you just wait for the next mood swing..." he explained, motioning to Ginny.
"Tom I'm sorry I left last night. Were you worried?" she asked, smiling up at him with an innocent look. "Yes love I was, you shouldn't have run off like that. You could have been hurt, the baby could have been hurt." he said. So what if he used her mood swings to his advantage. "So, that means you're not upset anymore?" Ginny asked hopefully, chewing on her lip with a look like she was about to cry. "No love, I was never upset. I was just surprised. I've never pictured myself as a father. So when you sprang it on me I didn't know how to react. I'm thrilled, we're going to have a baby." he said affectionately, kissing her forehead. "Good" was all she said as she plopped down on the sofa, opening a shopping bag she held in her hand.
She dumped the bag onto the sofa beside her, pounds and pounds of different candies, sweets, and chocolates spilling onto the sofa. "Bloody hell Gin, you can't eat all that!" Tom exclaimed, shocked. He'd never seen Ginny to have much of a sweet tooth, plus he figured all that sugar couldn't be good for the baby. "I can too eat all that if I want to eat all that" she snapped "Right mama?" she asked with a small smile as she bit the head off a chocolate frog. "Tom, just let her eat what ever she wants." Narcissa said. "Be thankful she's wanting normal food right now, wait till the food cravings set in, then you'll really be grossed out" Lucius added, earning a glare from his wife. "With Narcissa it was always a french toast peanut butter, pick and ice creme sandwitch" he shuddered, thinking about the horrible dish his pregnant wife loved. "The smell of pickles still makes me queasy" his last comment earned a large pillow hurled at his face, almost knocking him off the sofa.
The first few months flew by fairly quickly. There were fewer and fewer incidents where Ginny ran home to her mother. Though, when she did he'd still face down Lucius, though each time the man seemed less and less angry and more and more amused. "Really? Why are you enjoying my pain? I love her, but she'd bloody mental!" Tom snapped when he came over to fetch Ginny after saying he didn't want a taste of her spaghetti with anchovies and chocolate sauce.
Every time Ginny would smile at him sheepishly and apologize for running off. He'd pull her into a hug and sooth her worries until she was back to normal again, or as normal as she'd been since August.
Ginny on the other hand was tired of feeling like a crazy person. One minute she'd be freaking out at Tom for the pillows on the bed being crooked and the next she'd be blubbering like a baby because her shoes were not in color order. She was tired of it all, tired of have no control over her emotions. It was even getting to be a bad idea for her to attend his death eater meetings. Most the time she'd be fine and sit there and listen to the boring reports with out incident. But then there were other times where she would hex the Death Eaters because she felt one of them was staring at her stomach, which was swelling more and more with every passing day.
At the most recent meeting she'd hexed Bellatrix seven times. When asked why afterwards the only answer Ginny gave was "She annoys me..." After that Tom would stop letting her come to the meetings unless she took a calming drought before entering the hall. He needed his Death Eaters in prime condition for the up coming battle, which was now only weeks away.
"Tom, I'm coming with you" Ginny argued when he told her she'd be staying here. "No, you most certainly are not. You're eight months pregnant, and my bride. I will not have you any where near the battle. I won't have you or my baby harmed." he said, the second he saw the angry flash in her eyes he knew he said the wrong thing. "Your baby?" she hissed, wrapping her arms protectively around her stomach. "I was under the impression it was our baby, seeing as I'm the one who is swollen up like a giant whale!" She screamed, her magic lashing out at the room, another side effect of her last trimester, her magic was slipping out of her control and was easily affected by her moods.
"Ginny that isn't what I meant" he said in a gentle tone, by now he'd gotten used to groveling for her to not be mad at him anymore. God he couldn't wait for his rational wife back. "I only meant that I don't want either of you to get hurt" he said as he came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, one hand gently rubbing her stomach. "I'm not a coward. I won't hide" she said angrily, leaning against him. "I know you're not a coward little one. I know you're the strongest woman in the world, and the strongest witch" he said. He was still the greatest, most powerful, wizard in the world. But his Ginny was a close second. "I'm glad you think so Tom" she cooed, a devilish smile played on her lips. "I do think so love, I know you can handle yourself in every duel" he said, not realizing he was stepping right into her trap. "Good, then it's all settled" she said giggling delighted. "I'm going with you" she said as she bounced out of the room, leaving a confused Tom standing in their bedroom. "What the bloody hell just happened?" he asked himself as he followed her out. Fine, he'd let her come with him, he'd simply have her removed and restrained before the battle really started.
The night of the final battle came quicker then Ginny expected. She put on her robe and her mask, holding on to her father's arm as they aparated to the forbidden forest. Lucius had stopped trying to talk her out of coming after he spoke with Tom. Both were aware of the plan Tom had devised to keep Ginny safe. Though he knew she would be angry at him for twisting his promise, it would be worth it to have her safe at home when he returned.
Ginny smiled when he told her to go to Riddle Manor. Did he really expect her to leave him. Then the unexpected happened. He told Bellatrix and her idiot husband to lock her away at home until he came for her. She sat in Riddle Manor, fuming over the situation. Hundred of miles away from her all her loved ones, except her mother who was here with her, were off fighting for the cause while Ginny was stuck at home playing patsy.
The only reason she stayed put was because her mother was here, as much as she wanted to, Narcissa never gave her a chance. That was, until an intense pain ripped through her body and her mother went for a pepper up potion to help her. She knew it was labor pains, but there was something else. A rising panic she could feel, and after concentrating on the feeling she knew it was coming from the baby's magic. The baby was scared, and as soon as she focused more on that fear she knew why. Tom was in trouble. She didn't know how she knew, or what kind of trouble he was in but she had to get to him.
She closed her eyes and focused on the edge of Hogwarts grounds, finding aparating while pregnant was even more awful when you're doing it by yourself. She ran as fast as her legs would carry her, though it looked more like a fast waddle. She finally reached the center of the battle where Harry and Tom were locked in a duel. Two blinding lights hitting each other, struggling for dominance. She could see Tom was loosing, his magic depleating, he wouldn't be able to hold on much longer. She tried transfering her magic to him, but she could feel a block. She knew he was blocking her. He was fulfilling his vow to protect her with his life. "NO! TOM!" Her screams were drowned out as she saw Harry's curse break through Tom's, hitting him in the chest. "NOOOOOOOO!" She screamed as she watched his body fall to the ground.
His eyes never left hers, his right hand had dropped his wand once he knew that he was not going to win this. He extended his hand, as if reaching for her. Letting her know he did all this for her, he was willing to face death to keep her safe. Ginny's breath caught in her throat, hot tears streaming down her cheeks as she stared at his lifeless body. She knew he was gone, she knew he'd never come back, but she had to save him. She needed him. He couldn't leave her alone like this.
The next few days went by in a blur, she'd either be nursing Tom or trying to sleep. She wasn't able to eat and was living off of nutrient potions so she'd still be able to nurse Tom. Draco and Pansy visited her every day, her mother seemed a permanent fixture by her bed. Her father had been arrested for war crimes, but just as Ginny had said he played it off on the imperious curse, and the fabricated memories of him trying to save Harry kept him from Azkaban.
Months went by and Ginny became more and more of a ghost, barely eating, barely sleeping. She'd lost so much weight everyone was worried her body would cave in and she'd die. It wasn't until Tom turned six months old that anything really changed. Narcissa had run out quickly to get more nutrient potions and when she returned Ginny and the baby were gone. She hadn't left her room since that night, and now they weren't there.
After several panic filled moments she found her daughter and grandson sitting in the garden by the rose bushes. Ginny sat in the dirt, Tom pulled close to her chest as she shook with silent sobs. "Ginny?" Narcissa approached her cautiously, not sure what was going on. "Mama" Ginny sobbed, looking from the sleeping infant in her arms to her mother. "I can't do this with out him. I can't keep going with out him" she sobbed, placing gentle kisses on her son's forehead. "Yes you can Gin, you're a strong woman. I know it hurts now, but he wouldn't want you to give up. And he certainly wouldn't want you to abandon your son. He grew up without parents." Narcissa said in a soft voice. "Tommy will already never know his father, do you think Tom would want him to not know his mother too?" Narcissa knew she'd said the right thing when she saw something spark in her daughter. Something she was worried they wouldn't see again. A spark of life, some recognition of what the future might hold.
From that day on Ginny vowed to be the mother to Tom that her husband never had. She'd be the best mother there was. She'd love her son, spoil her son, teach her son everything he needed to know. She'd always be proud of her son and he'd never question if he was loved.
The days flew together and soon Tom was walking and talking, getting into everything he could reach. Ginny would laugh, her mother called it the terrible two's, but Ginny just said it was Tom trying to get even with her for being so crazy during her pregnancy. Every night when she was putting her son to bed she could feel an extra presence. It wasn't a ghost, but something similar. A spirit stuck on this plane, waiting for something or some one. It should have given her a spooky feeling, but it was oddly comforting. She found herself talking with it some times when she thought she was alone. She never got any hint that anyone was actually there, but she knew. Someone was there, and she liked to think it was Tom.
"Ama! Ama!" She was brought out of her thoughts when she heard Tom calling her. She thought it was so adorable. He'd always heard her calling Narcissa Mama, but he couldn't quite say it, ama was as close as he ever got. She opened her arms wide as a bouncing little boy with brown hair bounded into her arms. "Ama, Ora is smelly!" Tom made a face, pinching his nose closed. Ginny laughed, cuddling him close, tickling his stomach. "Ama, stop" Tom giggled, thrashing in her lap.
Ginny looked over at Pansy, chuckling to herself. She was amazed, not even three months after the birth of their first child Aurora she was already pregnant with their second child. A boy the intended to name D'Artagnan, much to the rest of the families dismay. "Pans, would you keep an eye on him while I change Aurora's diaper?" she asked as she passed a giggled Tom to a very pregnant Pansy. "Sure, and thanks Gin, it's horrible trying to take care of a one year old while you're pregnant. The smell is enough to make you sick. And the last thing I want to do is get sick on her" Pansy said, looking like she was going to cry. "Don't worry about it sissy" Gin said, moving over to the playpen.
She picked up the little girl in her arms, smiling to herself. Aurora looked so much like Pansy it was almost comical. "Come on, Auntie Ginny is going to make you all clean" she said, nuzzling the babies cheek as she walked over to the patio table, laying the baby down.
"Ama! When is Untul Drato toming home?" he asked. "As cute as that is, I can't wait for him to get over this stage." Ginny said to Pansy. She finished changing Aurora and swapped kids with Pansy, now holding Tom in her lap "Tom, UnCle DraCo is Coming home soon" she said, emphasizing every 'c'. "Okay Ama" he said, wrapping his small arms around her neck "Honestly, he had the 'k' down pat, but 'c's seem to stump him every time" she chuckled. "Why are you so excited to see Uncle Draco?" she asked the little boy in her arms.
"It's a setret" Ginny looked at him oddly for a second. "Baby, the word is secret" she said. Tom tried the word a few times, only getting a little closer to the correct pronunciation. "You can tell mama your secret" Ginny was now very curious what horrible habits Draco was teaching her son. "Untul Draco is going to teach me to fwy" on one hand she was thrilled he finally pronounced Draco's name right, on the other hand she was ready to strangle that idiot brother of hers. "Uncle Draco can't teach you today sweetie, Mummy needs to talk to him today." Tom looked a little said but nodded his head "Okay Ama"
"Where is my little grandson?" She heard her father call from behind her. She smiled as Tom jumped out of her lap, running to Lucius. "Gwampa! Gwampa!" The little boy started jumping up and down with his arms stretched up to Lucius, wanting to be held. "Well, where can he be? I don't see him anywhere" Lucius teased, putting his hands above his eyes, pretending to search the grounds. "Gwampa can't find me!" Tom called, giggling. This was one of his favorite games. He ran under the table, peaking out every few seconds at Lucius. "Well Gin, dear, it seems Tommy has given me the slip again" he said, with an exadurated look of defeat, barely hiding his smile as he watched his grandson peak out at him.
Lucius slumped into a chair, making noises like he was crying. "Oh woe is me!" He called loudly, getting a fit of giggles from Pansy and Ginny. "Oh honestly papa, you're like an over sized child. You are a perfect companion for Tommy, someone at his maturity level" Ginny laughed. "I've lost my favorite little grandson, what ever will I do?" Lucius called dramatically, putting his hand over his eyes. "Gwampa!" Tom scrambled out from under the table, trying to climb into Lucius lap. "Don't be sad Gwampa! Here I am!" He said, pulling Lucius's hand away from his eyes. "Look! I've found him!" Lucius declared, picking up Tom, holding him tight as he spun around, causing a long stream of giggles to come from Tom. "Oh honestly papa" Ginny said, shaking her head, but it was nice to see the two of them together. They were always laughing.
Tom grew out of his cute little boy stage far to quickly for her liking. She seemed to put him to bed one night as a little two year old boy and she woke up and he was eleven years old. She almost broke down in tears when they went shopping for his first wand. Her baby was going to school come fall and she didn't know if she'd survive. He was the center of her world. Everything in her life revolved around this little boy in front of her.
"Mother, please stop looking so sad" Tom said while she watched him try wand after wand. She sighed, she also missed him calling her Ama or even Mama. Him calling her mother was just a stab in the gut telling her he wasn't her little boy anymore. He was he little man. "I'm only going to be gone for three months, then I'll be back for Christmas" he said, finally finding the wand that was right. She smiled at him sadly, patting her lap as she opened her arms for him.
He sat on her lap, giving her a hug. "I know you'll be back before I know it. It just makes me sad to see my little boy growing up" she said kissing his forehead. "It seems like only yesterday you were playing in the back garden, making mudpies with Aurora and D'Artagnan." she chuckled "Mother" Tom groaned, he was to old for her to be bringing up stories like that. She chuckled, standing him up before she stood up herself. "I believe that's everything" she said glancing over his list one last time. "Come on baby, let's go join Grandma and Grandpa for lunch, hmm?" she asked
Hermione burst into the burrow, nearly tripping over a toy someone had left on the ground. "Harry! Ron!" She yelled "Everyone, come down here" she said, very out of breath. With in seconds all the Weasley's and Potters were in the living room, staring at Hermione as if she'd lost her mind. "Hermione, you look like you've just seen a Milokin" Luna Potter said in a dreamy voice, looking at her like that was a totally normal comment.
Everyone in the room ignored Luna, but now they were used to her bizzare animal chatter. "Baby, what's wrong?" Ron asked, wrapping his arm around his wife's shoulder. "I thought you were on duty." he added, looking at his watch. Hermione should be on duty for another three hours. He and Harry were due to start their rotation then. "I was... I am" she said waving her hand dissmissivly, still breathing heaivly. "Well then what is it that you broke protocal and left the duty station to come here?" Harry asked concerned. Hermione was a stickler for the rules.
"No, it's fine. Kingsley knows I'm here... He sent me to get you, and any of the Weasley's who can help" she said, finally breathing normally. "Help with what dear?" Molly asked, all of them wishing Hermione would just spit it out. But they were used to her by now too, they knew if they gave her a minute she'd get back around to the point she was trying to make.
"The Riddle Manor. There is a crack in the wards" she said triumphantly, watching shock cross their faces. " 'Mione, you don't mean...?" Harry started, looking around the room. "Yeah I do. What ever was powering the wards has been weakened and there is a crack, big enough for one person to squeeze in at a time. It'd take us a while to all file in, but they think it's still filled with Death Eaters and Dark objects. Not to mention Ginny and her little demon kid" Hermione spat angrily.
Ron was the first to break the silence. "Mum you and Luna stay here with the kids. Dad, Bill, Charlie, Harry and Fred, come with us. We've got to get there as soon as possible. What ever is causing the crack might be repaired and we'll have lost the chance to get rid of everything in that house" he said. No one questioned him ordering them around. Everyone focused on Riddle Manor, everyone knew where it was, the problem was always getting inside. Now that they had their chance in, they couldn't pass it up.
"We're supposed to go in first, the rest of the back up will be here in a few minutes." Hermione said. Looking at the blank space you couldn't tell there was a house there. But if you knew where to circle you'd eventually find a small jagged sliver that revealed a house. The crack was about five feet fall and maybe two feet wide. It took some contorting, but finally all seven made it through.
Everyone stood there, looking up at what would be a beautiful country manor house if you didn't know what evil's lay with in, or what evils happened here. "Well, is everyone ready?" Hermione asked, but no one moved.