TCOTP

Chapter 10

Confrontation

By two in the afternoon, Ginny had packed most of her life into her trunk, even though many of the things had to be minimized to fit. She was unsure as to whether it was laughable or sad that her whole life could fit into one trunk. Before heading downstairs, she looked at what was left in the room; mostly childhood things that she couldn't bear to throw away, but felt would seem childish to take with her. The walls still held her christening gown and the movie poster. She hoped that in time she would be welcome to return to this room if she ever needed to.

Ginny pulled the door closed and parked her trunk in the hall next to her door so she could get it later. She then heard voices in the house; her brothers were arriving. She had decided to wait until shortly before Lucius would arrive to tell them; that way she could get away quickly. She shook her head at the idea of looking forward to Lucius Malfoy arriving! It's not that I like him, I just don't know how long I can handle everyone being upset with me, she thought to herself. When she got downstairs, Bill and Fleur had just arrived and Fleur was already helping in the kitchen. Charlie was talking with Bill. Ginny went over to her mum. "Can I help, Mum?"

"No, no, dear. Go talk with your brothers."

When she walked into the living room, Bill looked up at her. He didn't smile at her, but rose and looked at Charlie. "Excuse us, brother. Ginny, come outside with me."

She nodded and figured he had something to tell her about the curse. They walked in silence for a bit. "Gin, do you have something to tell everyone?"

No, he couldn't know! "No," she replied, trying to sound calm.

Bill stopped walking and turned towards her. "Then I guess you can't tell me why my goblin boss told me to extend his congratulations on your marriage to Lucius Malfoy?"

"Perhaps he heard of the betrothal?" she tried to guess.

"No, Ginny. You see, the bank itself is magical. The minute a marriage is official, the bride's name is added to her husband's personal accounts. Walder found it with the recent account changes this morning," he quietly explained.

She had tears in her eyes. "It's true!"

"I know that! Why, Ginny?"

"I did it for you, and the others. Please, I planned on telling you all today. Just let me have a couple more hours before I tell them."

He, too, had tears in his eyes. "Ginny, you didn't have to!"

"Please, Bill! Don't cry."

"Don't cry? My baby sister felt she had to prostitute herself for everyone else's sake. Ginny, don't you get why we all fought in the war? It was for you, so you wouldn't become some breeder to people like him!"

"Bill, please try to see it from my point-"

"You don't understand; we would have been okay. Things would have worked out somehow." He paused. "I'm not going to make you go through this twice. I'm sure last night was difficult enough for you. I'm just sorry you didn't have more faith in us." Bill was not mad, but instead appeared to be very hurt. "Let's head back to the house."

"Thanks, Bill. I never wanted to hurt you all. I-"

"Leave it for now. Come on." He turned back towards the house.

When they arrived back, Fleur asked, "Where did you two go off to?"

"I was just sharing some head student advice with Ginny," he explained.

"Well, Ron and George should be home any time. Hermione promised to drag Percy away from his desk, but it must be taking her longer than she anticipated. And Harry Flooed; he had a meeting come up, so he will be late," Molly explained.

As usual the table was set up out in the back yard. Ginny, Molly, and Fleur began taking out the food and the men gathered. Ron and George arrived first, then shortly after, Hermione arrived with Percy. They both looked like they were in bad moods. Ginny tried to enjoy the meal and the interaction of her family. This was peace and she truly didn't want to disturb it. Four o'clock arrived and she still waited for Harry; she only wanted to do this once. But when four-thirty came around, she knew she had to do it now.

"I have some news to share!" Hermione said before Ginny could speak. Everyone stopped and listened. "I'm going back to Hogwarts to finish my seventh year," she happily explained.

This news was met with happiness. Molly looked at Ron. "You should do the same, Ronald. " He ignored her comment.

"Um, I have something to tell you all," Ginny said as she stood up. "Last night I told you all I was spending the evening with Luna and Neville. Well, I wasn't. Last night I married Lucius-"

"Ginny!"

"Ginevra!"

"Oh my God!"

"No, Ginny!"

"We told you we would be fine!"

"How could you?"

"Relax, it can be annulled," came her father's voice.

"No, Daddy; it's done. We're officially husband and wife."

"Ginny, why didn't you tell us what you were planning to do?" Fleur asked.

"Because if I had you all would have tried to stop me. It doesn't matter now; it's done and there is no turning back." She didn't know what to think; she had expected them all to be mad. This was shock, and disappointment, as if they all understood her reasons. Perhaps her brothers were all happy she had done this. Their lives could carry on unaffected now. She was surprised to find herself getting mad about how they were all taking it. She then glanced at her mother, who had tears pouring down her face. It made her feel a little better to see someone was clearly upset. However, even this reaction was wrong; she expected her mother to yell, scream, and rant. "Please know I did this because I want you all to be happy."

"And you think we could all be happy knowing he's forcing himself on you?" Bill questioned.

Ginny realized that Bill was more angry now than earlier. He must be getting over the shock of it and moving on to being mad. She then guessed it would be the same for all of them. "I need to be going."

"Why? Why do you need to go?" Ron asked.

"Ron, you'll understand when you're married," Arthur explained. He got up and moved towards Ginny. "Is your trunk ready?" She nodded. He drew his wand. "Accio Ginny's trunk." After a second or two her trunk came down the stairs and through the kitchen door. "How are you getting back to the Manor?"

"Apparating," came her answer.

"I'll walk you to the point." Once they moved away from the others, he asked, "How are you getting past his wards?"

"Lucius said he would meet me at the boundary to the property," she sadly explained.

"Ginny, you knew all along you were going to do this, right?"

"No, I didn't. I had decided when it was Draco that I would if I had to."

"Ginny, I'm really disappointed you didn't speak to me beforehand."

"I'm sorry, Daddy."

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

"I'm fine; really, Daddy." Harry just then Apparated ahead of them. He looked very happy. "Dad, I need to tell Harry. It would be best if we were alone."

Arthur nodded. "I'll owl you."

"I love you, Daddy." He smiled weakly and turned to head back to the house.

Harry came over. "Ginny, I have a surprise for you!" he said happily.

"Harry, I have something to tell you, too."

"Fine, but let me go first. I just finished with Professor McGonagall. She has had the worst time filling the Defense Against the Dark Arts position because of the curse. She asked me to take it because if anyone could beat the curse, I could! I will be at Hogwarts all year!"

"That's- Wow! Harry, I need to return this to you." She reached into her pocket and pulled out the ring he had given her. "Harry, last night I married Lucius." She could feel the tears burning her eyes.

Harry's face held no expression. After two full minutes of silence, he spoke, "What?"

"I did it, Harry. I'm sorry! I didn't want to hurt you, but I had no choice!"

"No choice? No fucking choice? You married a Death Eater! Perhaps you missed it, but they lost the war!"

"I did not miss it; I know what I did! I had to, for my family!"

"Your family? Guess what? None of them wanted this!" He paused, then made a face like he had just realized something.. "You know what? Your nothing but an opportunistic, gold digging whore!" He shoved her out of the way and stormed past her.

Ginny then watched as he Apparated away. She stared at the spot where he disappeared from for a few minutes. She knew he would be mad and hurt. She had hoped he would understand. Really, she had just done the same thing he had; she gave up her life for those she loved.

"Are you ready to leave?" Lucius asked. He had arrived in time to see her tell Potter, but neither of the young people had noticed. It made Lucius wonder how Potter had not been captured earlier; the boy clearly was so unaware of his own surroundings.

Ginny took a moment to regain control of herself, then reached down to where her father had placed her trunk and lifted it up before turning to face Lucius. "Yes, I'm ready." She stepped towards him. Lucius reached out and took the trunk from her, then placed his arm around her and Apparated them home. This time they arrived in Lucius' study. It was a handsome room, very well appointed. It had a clearly masculine feel to it. "Winny said dinner would be served at seven," Ginny informed him.

"Good, that will give us time to go over a few things first," he said as he removed his business cloak, leaving him in only his slacks and dress shirt.

"Could it wait for a bit? I need some time to be alone."

He considered this for a long time. While he heard most of what was said between her and Potter, he didn't understand why she was so upset by Potter's actions. "Why did his reaction affect you so much?" he asked.

Ginny stared at him. Did he expect me to open up to him? she wondered. What did it matter anyway? She was sure he would find out soon enough. "On my birthday, Harry had asked me to marry him," she admitted.

This made more sense now; she was in love with Potter, he thought. He then replied, "I understand, but we do need to go over some things before you leave tomorrow. Do you think you will be ready after dinner?"

"Yes. Thank you," she muttered, then slowly made her way out of the room.