The Dragons Bride- chapter 11

When Ginevra awoke in her comfortable bed the next morning it was easy to believe the events of last night was all a bad dream. She was safe and warm in her room. Her books were stacked as she liked them. Her dress for the day was hanging where she had placed it the night before. Upon rising from the bed she found her breakfast on the table waiting for her, just like the past two mornings. When her tummy grumbled she made her way to the tray to see what delicacies M'lord Dragon had provided for breakfast this morning. A tender pork steak and fried potatoes today, along with a pot of the wonderful spiced English tea Mr. Longbottom had introduced her to yesterday. Pouring some tea into the dainty cup provided she took a deep breath and breathed in the rich spice. Yes, it was very comfy in her cell today. She took a satisfied sip and moved to have a seat in her chair, which for some reason was moved over by the window. Taking a step towards the chair she raised her face towards the grate, hoping to catch a cool breeze of the morning on her face.

She froze in shock when her eyes beheld the window. There was a newly patched but very jagged rip down the wall. As if someone had ripped a piece of parchment down the center. Or a dragon had ripped a stone wall in half. The Grate had also been encased in a thick layer of fresh mortar. It had not been a dream. The cup slipped from her nerveless hand and crashed to the floor. She was too lost in her panic to notice. Her breathing was becoming shallow and she was trembling from head to foot. Her knees gave way and she crashed to the floor unable to save herself or move. Deep terrified sobs came tumbling from her lips as her mind kept repeating, 'Heaven help me! It wasn't a dream"

When Neville arrived a short time later to retrieve her breakfast tray, he found her curled in upon herself as a baby does. When he spoke to her she was unresponsive. Her face white as milk and her eyes wide with fear. Her whole body was shaking as if from a hard chill. He took the sheet from the bed and wrapped it gently around her hoping to warm her. Speaking in a soft, soothing voice her began to reassure her. "It's alright luv. Your safe and nothing is going to harm you. Just try to relax and breathe normally. I am here and you are fine" He told her repeatedly as he gently rubbed her back. She didn't seem to hear him, lost in her fright as images of her escape and recapture played in her mind's eye. Her eyes locked on the ripped and repaired window.

Neville felt he had been kneeling by her for hours. He was beginning to despair as he didn't seem to be getting through to her. He decided he needed to go for help. He needed to get harry he would know what to do. He released the hand he had been rubbing and started to rise to his feet when suddenly she grabbed his hand in a tight grip.

She had turned her face to look at him and she was trying to speak but nothing was coming out. He leaned closer to her and said softly. "What is it dear?"

"He is a Dragon" She whispered.

Neville sighed and sat down on the floor still holding her hand. Yes My dear, He is." He answered her with a small nod. "But he is completely harmless. He would not hurt a flea. He most certainly would never harm you. "He rushed to assure her." I know he seemed a bit harsh last evening but he was only concerned with returning you safe and sound, if a bit damp "He said with a small chuckle.

The life and fire suddenly returned to Ginny's face. She sat up perfectly straight and asked in a frosty tone "A bit damp? The overgrown ugly scaly bastard tried to drown me! He tried to crush me in his claw and he almost set me, as well as the whole village on fire! Meant me no harm? If he meant me no harm, he should have just allowed me to go home! "She shouted.

Neville rose slowly to his feet and backed away from her. He was no hand at dealing with irate females. That was Harry's area of expertise He made one feeble attempt to reason with her while she raged. "Now my dear, Be reasonable. I know this situation is not easy on you but he has done all he can to insure your comfort and pleasure. He has done his best to fulfill your every request. "

Ginny drew in a shaky breath trying to calm herself down. She looked at Neville with open malice and anger as he mopped his brow with his handkerchief.

"Mr. Longbottom, Would you be so kind as to make one last request of your Friend for me?" She asked in a sweet mocking tone.

Neville thinking she was coming round quickly agreed. "Of course my dear, and I'm sure he will be only too glad to grant you anything you wish, within reason of course."
"Of course. Then will you kindly ask him .To go straight to hell!"

For the next few days after Ginny's tirade, the Dragon was nowhere to be found. Yet his presence was as inescapable as the wind tossed sea. She would awaken from a dream tossed sleep and search the shadows for him only to find herself alone. Although Neville continued to bring her delicious meals prepared from the village's finest offerings, she often found herself without appetite, pushing the food from one side of her plate to the other.

Neville never mentioned him but almost every day he brought her another gift from his treasure trove-a gilt hairbrush inlaid with mother of pearl, precious first edition novels in fine calfskin covers, fine oil paints with several canvases for her to create on.

On the third morning of her forced solitude, Neville came through the panel carrying a large sheet wrapped burden. Ginny jumped up from her chair unable to disguise her childlike anticipation of what the gift may be. All that was visible of the new treasure was a pair of golden dragon's talons clutching golden balls. The sight of the talons made her shiver and her breath catch. Neville rested it against the wall with a grunt of relief. He drew a folded slip of stationery from his pocket and handed it to her.

Neville looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to read the note. Her pride would not let her give them the satisfaction. She crumbled the note into a ball and threw it into the hearth. Neville looked at her disappointedly and prepared to unveil her gift but Ginny stopped him with a sharp cry of "No!"

He made no comment and tactfully withdrew, leaving her alone again.

Late that evening, she sat attempting to read, but her mind wouldn't settle enough to let her. She threw the book down in disgust. She was so confused. She couldn't eat, she couldn't sleep. She couldn't read. If it wasn't so absurd she would have said she was suffering from lovesickness. But how could she be falling in love with a man whose face she had never seen. A man who denied her freedom yet showered her with endless gifts. She must not forget, no matter what enticements he sent her way that he was a monster! A real live fire breathing dragon with claws that would burn them alive without mercy if he was angered. A man whose kisses set her on fire from her very soul and made her yearn for his touch. She jumped up from the chair and started to pace the chamber as her fury began to rise. She was furious with her faceless captor but she was even more furious with herself for falling under his spell. She looked around the tower. Thanks to her hosts generosity she was not lacking in objects with which to bash him over the head the next time he came swaggering through her door. But he seemed to be avoiding her company as studiously as he once sought it. Her gaze fell on her full supper plate. So he thought he could woo her favor with expensive gifts and sweet words did he? It was time M'Lord Dragon learned Ginny Weasley was made of sterner stuff.

Neville marched into the ante chamber with the supper tray. The Dragon continued to write in the ledger book before him. "I told you I wasn't hungry Nev" he said without looking up. Neville sat the tray on the open book. "Apparently you're not the only one who isn't hungry."

The Dragon looked at the full tray before shifting his gaze to Neville. "Is she ill?"

"She doesn't appear to be, but this is the sixth meal she has refused."

"Two days with no food. What kind of game is she playing?"

"A dangerous one if you ask me. She is very pale and unsteady on her feet. She would have fallen earlier if I hadn't caught her" Neville Replied.

The Dragon shook his head. Lack of sleep had put him in a horrible temper. His first instinct was to grab the tray go up there and force her to eat, even if he had to force feed her every bite.

Deciding that was his second instinct as well he stood and reached for the tray. Neville stayed him with the words. "The sun is just setting; it's not dark enough yet!"

Swearing the Dragon sank back into his chair. He had chosen the role of nocturnal predator and now must wait for dark to confront his quarry.

"Where are you going?" he snarled to Neville retreating back.

"Off to terrorize the villagers. Thought I would get an early start tonight. I must say you setting the field on fire has set them on edge much more efficiently than my pipe playing and ghost stories. They seem ready to tear each other apart. Shouldn't be long before they are begging to hand over the traitor and the gold now!"

"Good! The sooner we can be away from this damned place the better! I can't wait to leave it all behind."

Neville beamed an angelic smile at him as he backed out the door. "Are you sure you want to leave it all behind?"

The Dragon did not notice his friend was already gone when he answered in an agonized voice "No."