Chapter 12 - The End of the Rope

Holy frijoles! Look at that fast response! This is really the highlight of my week, people, when I get to post another chapter and thank all the people who keep me motivated.

dancetdplc: That means a lot to me. This story basically started out as a stupid dream/form of catharsis, but it's turned into a (p)lot more. As for length, I've finally managed to nail down the important events that need to happen and how they're going to play out, but I don't know how long it's going to take me. It is a dark piece, but I think it's also a good piece.

Amelle: Heh heh. I wasn't going to just let Lucius be alright with this little waif coming out of the boonies and usurping his place as Tom's favourite. But did he count on her whooping him? Oh no!

DeadlyFate: Believe me: more Lucius-bashing to come!

ennui deMorte: I hoped the torture shows how grey the light can become and furthers Ginny's confusion as to where she belongs.

Jaimie Lynn Potter: Thanks! I'll be sending you the next chapter as soon as I get my butt in gear. I've been a good girl about watching my Ps and Qs (plotholes and questions) but I could always use another set of eyes. Let's see how this goes, shall we?

Laverne: Glad to have you aboard the good ship "Gin and Tonic". Long may her twisted sails fly, eh? :D

Aliesha: I was wondering where you were, girl! And thanks for the Merry Christmas. You have one too, or a Happy Chanukah or a nice Eid, or a rocking Winter Solstice.

Author's Note: This will probably be the last chapter of "Chosen" for this year, unless I find time over the holidays to get down with my muse. Enjoy, and have a happy, safe, and review-filled holiday season!

Warning: This chapter contains more than a bit of het sexual content, so if that makes you squirm, this is your notice.

            Ginny opened her eyes gradually as she became aware of her surroundings again. She doubted it was the portkey that was making her so disoriented, but the place she was back in: Tom's study. 'Home sweet home.' she thought bitterly. Death Eaters were appearing steadily all around her and all of them looked ready to collapse. Stifling the vague instinct to alleviate their discomfort, Ginny instead opted to sink into the soft leather of Tom's chair, where she propped her heavy head up on her hand and looked very aloof.

            But truth be told, she was beyond exhausted. The day's events had left her with a bizarre combination of acute panic and vague numbness. Her plans had fallen to pieces around her like a shattered shield and everywhere she looked, Ginny saw only the encroaching darkness that had been bordering on her mind since Tom had appeared to her. The only thought that saved her was the hope that Tom would be too busy celebrating his victory and planning the next move to spend anytime with her alone. 'I don't know if I can push him away gently enough and retain my place in the inner circle.' she thought. 'I'm just too tired.'

            Shaking her head, Ginny gave herself another impromptu pep talk. 'Oh no you don't, Weasley.' she thought. 'You're not going to panic. You're going to remember that you have the power and the strength, and you will use everything you see to your advantage.' She scanned the room, noting that none of the men looked healthy at all and some looked downright frail. 'We should have just killed them when we had the chance.' she thought bitterly. 'What is the point of keeping them alive when they can only cause suffering?' Out of the corner of her eye, Ginny could see Lucius and Dolohov whispering together in a corner of the room but as soon as they felt her gaze, they smiled plastically back at her and huddled even closer together. Ginny scowled. 'The nerve of him!' she thought indignantly. 'He knows my strength and yet he still conspires against me. I guess another lesson in just what an angry Slayer can do is in order.' She crackled her knuckles in anticipation, but suddenly she stopped. 'Okay, where the hell did that come from? I don't think like that. Do I?' She shook it off, and continued her assessment of the room, noting with satisfaction that Bella was nowhere to be seen. 'I hope he killed you, bitch.'

            Suddenly, her venomous inner tirade was cut short by a hand on her shoulder. Startled, Ginny whipped her head up to look into Tom's frowning face. 'That's my chair.' he said simply.

            "Sorry." she whispered, easing out of the chair slowly as not to appear weak in front of the men. Smiling sheepishly, she lowered her head and came to the sick realization that she was standing on top of wine red patch Snape's blood. Ginny edged away from the spot to stand in front of the fireplace, hands gripping each other tightly behind her back.

            "Loyal Death Eaters," Tom's voice boomed. "It pleases me greatly to see you all before me again, even after enduring such terrible mistreatment at the hands of Dumbledore's delusional followers." Several of the Death Eaters grumbled angrily and Tom held up a hand to silence them. "Patience." he said theatrically. "They will be dealt with soon enough." Ginny could have sworn she thought she saw Tom smile darkly at her, but dismissed it as he continued. "I know you thirst for revenge as I do, but in order to best extract our bloody retribution, I must have more people to command. We must swell our ranks, and the story that the Daily Prophet will no doubt be running on your escape will help us in that end. It will plant the first seeds of fear, doubt, and panic in the populace, especially when it is revealed that the supposedly infallible Order of the Phoenix was betrayed by one of their own." Tom looked excitedly around the group. "Men, Virginia Weasley has joined us."

            There was a ripple of confused murmurs as all eyes turned to Ginny, who muttered a soft "meep!" before steeling her gaze against them. Tom smiled proudly. "It is as I told you. She will add her gifts to our ranks and make us completely unstoppable." Tom gestured for Ginny to join his side and put a protective arm around her. "Her Slayers abilities, combined with my power and our great numbers will spell the downfall of Hogwart's and the rest of those pitiful Muggle lovers." He scanned the room, eyes wide with anticipation. "Meet your new empress, men, and watch the world tremble before her."

            "Milord, the girl you warned us of is a Weasley? They haven't been anything of importance in centuries!" cried Rudulphus Lestrange, aghast. However, seeing Tom's rapidly darkening expression, he paused and winced. "With all due respect, sir, are you sure she's worthy?"

            Tom's icy glare seemed to root everyone to the spot. "I wasn't aware that you were in a position to question me, Ruduplus." he growled, before setting the Cruciatus Curse on him and turning to the rest of the Death Eaters. "Virginia's worth to us has been proven beyond reproach. How many of you pathetic worms have noticed that Severus is not here?" he asked sharply, and smiled as they exchanged questioning murmurs. "Yes, that's right. He has been permanently cut from our ranks. Severus was a spy, turning over our secrets to Dumbledore, so Virginia took it upon herself to kill him for his betrayal." He smiled proudly as he wrapped an arm about her waist.

            The Death Eaters' glares changed slowly into grudging approval. All except Lucius regarded her with what could almost pass as respect.

            "I wasn't aware that Hogwart's students receive training in the use of Unforgivable Curses?" he asked mildly. "That's certainly an interesting development in the curriculum."

            Ginny summoned the last vestiges of her strength and rolled her eyes. "I don't need a curse to dispatch someone." she replied haughtily. "I took his old portkey and ran him through with it, for sentimental value." she drawled, eliciting snickers from some of Tom's followers.

            Lucius, however, was unmoved. "How poetic." he sniffed. "Why not use a spell? There are at least a dozen that I can think of that are very legal but would produce the same result." He glanced at her suspiciously. "Unless, of course, you wanted him to survive, but, of course, I doubt that's the case." he finished, smiling thinly.

            Ginny raised an eyebrow at him. "I expected someone with a reputation for being as vicious as yourself to have a little more imagination, Lucius." she said. "Killing him right off would have been bordering on merciful. Am I to assume you don't think traitors to our great lord deserve to suffer?" she asked sweetly, making a show of cracking her knuckles as she looked him in the eye.

            Much to Ginny's amusement, Lucius's eye seemed to twitch mildly. "How very creative of you." he answered tensely. "Welcome aboard."

            Tom watched with satisfaction as the power play came to an end. "You really know how to handle him, Virginia." he murmured. "I'm impressed." Oblivious to the relieved sigh Ginny exhaled, he turned his attention back to the men in front of him. "There is one final development that you need to be aware of. I have acquired another new ally. Drusilla?" he called out the door.

            "Look at all the nice people, Miss Edith." The Death Eaters turned simultaneously to the door, where Drusilla stood in a low-cut red beaded dress, cradling her doll.

            Tom nodded. "Drusilla, these are my followers. Remember the men I told you about?"

            Dru nodded distantly as wafted into the room. "So full of hate." she said, sniffing Mulciber lightly. "And power." She passed in between Avery and Goyle when suddenly, her gaze locked and she smiled happily. "You've come back to me." she breathed and made her way over to where Lucius stood, looking puzzled. "Exactly the same, every part of you. Such wondrous power and grace, like a lion. " she said, voice full of muted wonder as she skimmed a hand down his side. "Oh, we're going to have so much fun!" she cooed, snuggling up against him.

            Lucius looked torn between desire and confusion. "Milord?" he questioned, subtle efforts to edge away from the lusty vampire causing both Tom and Ginny to smirk.

            "Drusilla is our other new ally." he said smoothly. "She has the Second Sight and has been very accommodating in sharing her visions with me, including  the one that brought you back from Azkaban." His lips began to twitch again with amusement as Dru started to moan and rub against Lucius's hips, furthering his discomfort. "Dru?" he asked, waving a hand through her line of vision. "Dru, I need him to focus."

            The vampire stopped her motions reluctantly. "Can I keep him?" she asked excitedly. "Can I make him mine again?"

            Tom shook his head. "Play all you want, but none of my people are to be turned. It's the same answer you've gotten every time you've asked that." Dru pouted but backed off and settled for gently caressing the Senior Malfoy, who appeared to have accepted Tom's implied orders. "Now, you have all been assigned rooms here at the manor for your protection. Wormtail will be along shortly to escort you to them."

            Suddenly, the former rat stuck his very human head in the door. "Is it time to settle in?" he asked nervously. Tom nodded. "Alright then, if you'll all follow me." he said, trailing off as several Death Eaters purposely shoved past him. Lucius and Dru walked out, arm in arm, and she growled inhumanly at Wormtail as she passed, giggling as a wet spot appeared on the front of his trousers.

            "Alone at last." Tom murmured silkily as the last Death Eaters left the room. He wound his arms around Ginny's waist and nuzzled the back of her neck, causing her to tense. "Is something wrong?" he asked, pulling away slightly.

            Ginny shrugged limply. "It's been a long day. I just want to lie down for awhile." she explained. "Do I get a room too, or should I just make myself comfortable in the chair?" she asked teasingly.

            Tom frowned. "Absolutely not. You drool in your sleep." Ginny hit him playfully on the arm and he smiled. "Of course I made arrangements for you. Follow me."

            Tom and Ginny exited the study and went down the long hallway to where it ended in an abstract painting of a snake eating its own tail. "Sssyeth hess ssoyethh." Tom hissed at it and the wall disappeared to reveal a curving set of stone stairs. Without looking back, Tom led Ginny up the seemingly endless ascent until they reached the most beautiful bedroom Ginny had ever seen. The walls were panelled in deep cherry wood and were lined with massive books (no doubt about the Dark Arts) and crystals of all shapes, sizes and colours. Along the western side of the room, a beautifully panelled window soared, ground to ceiling, revealing the most breath-taking view of the sunset Ginny had ever witnessed.

            But the centre piece of the room, it's most exquisite object, was the gigantic four posted bed which seemed to grow out of and dominate the wall farthest from her. Blood red velvet curtains had been drawn back to reveal black silk sheets that clothed a thick mattress and enormous black pillows. A massive black duvet had been pulled back slightly, giving it an extremely inviting look, one of being ready to be enjoyed. The whole setting radiated power and sexuality and the notion of accepting whatever actions were necessary to maintain her cover suddenly didn't seem phase Ginny so terribly.

             She took a tentative step forward and looked up in amazement at Tom, who was looking quite pleased with himself. "May I look around, milord?" she asked breathlessly.

            Tom nodded regally and gestured around. "This is to be your new bed chamber." he announced as Ginny walked slowly around the room. "I think you'll find it somewhat more appealing than either of your old ones." he drawled.

            In spite of herself, Ginny grinned. "It's the most exquisite place I've ever been!" she exclaimed, turning to Tom and beaming. "Thank you!" she breathed before turning back to her reverent examination of the room's contents. "It's so beautiful." She made her way over to the window wall and traced the rippling arc of the sunset.

            Tom walked over to her and took her hand. "Only the best for the lord and lady of the manor." he murmured, kissing it gently.

            Ginny stiffened slightly. "This is your room?" she asked, suddenly incredibly nervous.

            Tom nodded. "Of course. What did you think I was going to do? Force you to live with a room full of Death Eaters?" His eyes narrowed slightly. "If they put one hand on you, I would kill them. You're mine now, and no one else's."                                                                                                                                                 

            Ginny swallowed quickly. "So, is there a bathroom up here?" she asked brightly, turning to face him. She hoped to distract him from both his newfound scowl and further mentions of sleeping arrangements.

            Tom stared at her, brow furrowed in a silent question and Ginny's smile stretched painfully. Finally, after a minute, his gaze cleared and he nodded, leading her to a door in the paneling. "It takes up the rest of the third floor." he said proudly, opening the door. "It makes the prefects bath look like a puddle." The marble basin extended as far as Ginny could see and she could count no less than 70 taps coming from along its sides. Fluffy towels were stacked neatly against one wall, where equally soft-looking white terry cloth robes hung in perfect order. Suddenly, the unbidden image of Tom slipping in silently to join her in the pool flashed across her tired mind, but Ginny could not summon the will to banish it. Instead, she smiled softly and snuggled against Tom's chest. "Everything is perfect." she whispered, closing her eyes.

            Tom lifted her head up to level with his with a finger. "Now, Virginia, you'll be expected to earn your keep." he said seriously, looking into her deep green eyes. "Just because you're my consort doesn't mean you'll be exempted from regular Death Eater duties."

            Ginny's eyes bulged a fraction. "Consort?" she whispered. "We'll be sleeping together."

            Tom's look turned predatory. "There's only one bed." he whispered huskily as he nipped her neck. "And I don't think the floor will be very comfortable."

            Ginny closed her eyes and let Tom's arms encircle her and draw her closer to him. "No, I don't imagine it would be." she whispered, drowning in the pleasure that Tom's lips were evoking from the sensitive spot behind her earlobe. "No, not at all." Ginny found all further words impossible as Tom captured her mouth in another of his now infamous kisses and thrilled to his touch as he snaked a hand inside her robes.

            "Hmmm." he murmured as he paused his ministrations to rake his eyes over her. "Those robes will definitely have to go." With one quick motion, Ginny's school robes landed on the floor, and now she stood in just a thin white cotton button-up and pleated skirt. Tom closed his eyes and moaned. "Actually, I rather like the idea of you never wearing clothes again."

            Ginny blushed. "What about 'earning my keep'?" she joked. "What about the others' reactions when I come to meetings, naked as the day I was born?" she asked, playfully flicking his earlobe with her tongue and sending shivers down his spine.

            "Then I'll just have to gouge out their eyes." he growled as he scooped her up and deposited her on the bed. Ginny landed with a gasp that was quickly smothered as Tom fell on top of her, kissing her passionately until she was sure her head would spin. While his lips continued working their magic, his hands flew to the buttons of her shirt and, with infinite patience and amazing coordination divested her of her shirt. Ginny gasped as the cool air brushed over her hot skin, but was quickly distracted by Tom undoing the hooks of her plain, front-close bra. Liquid heat centred in her as his tongue slowly circled the taught bud of her left nipple and she gasped his name as he gradually applied more pressure while gently kneading the other breast. 

            Ginny looked down at him through heavily lidded eyes as he moved his attention from left to right, deftly switching hand and mouth. With only a passing thought to her newfound wantonness, she moaned loud and low. "Oh gods, Tom." she murmured. "Never stop."

            Tom paused his ministrations to lock their lust-darkened eyes. "The best is yet to come, my love." he purred, grinning wolfishly at her as he hastily divested himself of his shirt.

            Licking her lips with anticipation, she greedily drank in the sight of his magnificent body. "Merlin, you're amazing." she breathed.

            He grinned and grabbed her hands, pinning them behind her head. "Mine." he growled possessively, dipping to tug at her pert nipple with his teeth.

            Ginny almost screamed. "Do that again!" she cried breathily, and cried out again as he obeyed. His hips rocked into hers as he continued, creating a delicious heat and causing Ginny to moan and hiss in the sheer pleasure overload.

            Tom smirked as his mouth came up to claim hers one last time. "You know you just said 'table clock' in Parseltongue." he laughed, eliciting an embarrassed giggle from Ginny.

            "We'll have to work on my linguistic skills later." she panted. "Much later." Tom nodded quickly before rushing down to fuse his mouth to hers. His tongue found hers and shimmied sensuously against it. Moaning, Ginny wound a hand into Tom's thick hair and pulled him closer against her. 'I could do this for hours.' she thought distractedly as the thrusting of tongues and hips gradually took up more of her focus. 'It's not actually that bad. Maybe I can distract him from world domination by making out with him all the time.'

            However, an alarm bell went off in her head as she could feel a hand skimming up her inner thigh. Suddenly, she panicked. "Wait!" she cried.

            Tom broke the kiss and frowned. "What is it?" he asked, annoyed but stopping his hand.

            Ginny took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I'm a virgin." she blurted out, screwing her eyes shut. "I'm not ready. Don't be angry."

            With a long exhale, Tom slid slowly off the bed. "Of course I'm not angry, Virginia." he answered smoothly, pulling his shirt back on.

            Ginny slowly opened her eyes. "You're not?" she asked hesitantly.

            Tom shook his head. "Why would I be angry?" he questioned as he walked towards the door. He turned sharply and quietly descended the stone stairs.

            In the distance, she could hear him hiss the password at the wall and strained to listen until she could no longer hear his footsteps. It was only when she was sure he was out of earshot that she broke down and sobbed until she wretched. Watching the sun set with bleary eyes, she welcomed sleep when it finally claimed her.

                                                                                                *

            Tom's stride turned from forceful to bordering on bouncy as he walked down the second floor corridor; had he been inclined to the habit, he was sure he would have been whistling a jaunty tune. Smirking, he stopped in front of the door across from the study and pressed an ear to it, already knowing what he would find. Moans and high-pitched giggling could be heard by even the casual passer-by and Tom smiled to himself.

            "Glad to see you two are getting along." he said loudly as he disabled Lucius's locking charm walked through the open door.

            Lucius jumped and bit back a curse while Drusilla rolled languidly to one side, completely unperturbed at being viewed in the nude. "Come to join our happy game?" she questioned, slowly licking the tip of her index finger.

            Tom ignored her and spoke directly to Lucius. "As usual, I was right." he announced smugly.

            Lucius stifled a groan as he sat up and bunched the sheets up over his naked bottom half. "Right about what, my lord?" he asked politely.

            "She's pure." Tom answered.

            Dru giggled insanely as she rolled around the bed. "Puzzle piece hasn't a spot on her." she said, laughing to herself. "Perfect, ripe for the taking." She rolled around until she was looking up at Tom. "Will she be coming to our party too?" she asked, gesturing to Lucius and winking at him.

            Tom shook his head. "No, Drusilla. I think I'll keep her to myself for awhile." He frowned contemplatively. "At least until after the siege. She's bound to get dull by then."

            Lucius appeared to be thinking something over carefully. "But, if you don't mind me asking, why her? Why a Weasley?" He winced and waited for a sound Crucio, but it never came so he continued. "I know the spell calls for a virgin's first blood, but surely there are dozens in the village who would gladly give themselves to you, milord." He looked up at Tom, who smiled enigmatically. "If there's something we should know about her, I'd rather you tell me first."

            "Oh, Lucius. Sweet arrogant Lucius." Tom sighed. "There are sometimes when you over-estimate my opinion of you." He looked down benignly. "But now isn't one of those times. Do you remember four years ago, when you gave Virginia my diary?"

            Lucius scowled. "And then that bloody Potter brat almost destroyed it."

            Tom tensed but continued. "But before that...unfortunate setback, I was able to pour quite a bit of my power into her, which allowed her to open the chamber and control the basilisk."

            "Big snake, pretty snake. Hungry snake wants some blood." Dru sang softly to herself.

            Tom and Lucius both rolled their eyes. "Anyway, when Potter destroyed my memory, he also destroyed my chances of reclaiming the power with which I had invested Virginia." Tom said. "But now, when I claim her, I not only get the final ingredient for the ward-breaking spell, but the last remainders of my power." Tom grinned triumphantly. "I trust that clears up Virginia's purpose with us. You don't need to worry Lucius; she's just another step in my rise to ultimate power."
            Lucius chuckled. "And I was worried that you actually had feelings for her, smug little bitch. Can I ask something? When you get tired of her, will you give her to me?" He smiled darkly, oblivious to Tom's darkening glare. "I've got a few things I'd like to try on her."

"Oh no, my pet. You've made him angry." Dru said tremulously.

Lucius looked up just in time to see Tom's wand pointed at his chest.

"CRUCIO!" Tom cried, and Lucius hit the floor with a dull thud, trying desperately not to scream.

Tom stepped over to him, and stilled his writhing with his foot. "Watch your mouth, Lucius. She's not out of my favour yet." he said calmly. "Finite incantatum."

            Lucius stopped struggling at once and rose shakily to his feet. "I'm sorry, my lord. Forgive my impertinence." he mumbled, eyes focused on the floor.

            Tom smiled over-brightly. "What's there to forgive?" he exclaimed as he made his way back to the door. "I'll tire of her soon, no doubt. Carry on!" he called over his shoulder as the door closed and relocked itself.

            Dru growled. "Thought he'd never leave." she moaned as she pulled Lucius back down on the bed and slid herself down onto him.

            However, Lucius's face fixed itself into a mask of rage. 'He's never been that protective of any of his girls, not even Bella.' he thought, casting a glare the ceiling above him. 'I don't know how but that little bitch has bewitched him.' He growled as the effect of Dru's pistoning hips swam back into his awareness. Angrily, he pushed her down so that he was mounting her and bit her shoulder violently. Dru screamed and giggled, which seemed to encourage Malfoy's violence. He struck her hard across the face and smiled evilly as he saw a single reflexive tear fall down Dru's smiling cheek. Driving madly into her, he crested long and hard, screaming out brutal names and a promise that he would one day make Ginny pay.

I told you today would just suck for Ginny. But don't worry - she's going to wake up a whole new person. And Lucius thought he had it rough with her good side. Heh heh heh.