Gabe swore under his breath at the two combatants sitting stiffly in his office, bracing himself for the difficult task ahead of him, "Olivia I know that this is rather difficult for you, seeing as it is your brother and sister, but we are grateful for the help that you have given us."

Owen snorted, "Probably bloody helped them do it."

Olivia glared at Owen, but refrained from commenting on his muttered words. Instead she turned to Gabe, "I was thinking, the other day that this was almost impossible to take in. I mean the deception began back when Teddy was in school, an eleven year old isn't capable of that kind of deceit, and my Mum was not in any state of mind to be able to pull it off either."

Gabe sat back, his face blank as he realized that he too had been over that very problem. He had not shared his worries with anyone, the realization that their was still a third party to the murders still out there not something that anyone in his family needed to know about just yet.

Olivia chanced a glance at Owen, shock and anger written on his face as he thought through what she was telling them. Olivia took a deep breath, "I think it might be Cassie's father, he helped mother escape all those years ago and though she never talked about it he was probably still in contact with her."

"Do you know who he is?" Gabe measured his voice so that his tone was clipped but not angry sounding.

"No, I was hoping that maybe there was some clues in her journal. Or even they would tell us," Olivia looked down at her hands, the nails bitten to the quick and the palms rough from her work with the dragons.

"So you are no use to us," Owen snapped, his eyes flashing as he took in the small form next to him, "For all we know you do know who this bastard is and are just trying to protect him. Probably waiting for the opportunity to finish us off like-."

That was all Owen got out before Olivia had her wand out and pressed to his throat, the tip pressing in so that he couldn't breathe correctly. Owen went for his wand, his hand stayed by the point of a knife pressed into his groin. Wide angry grey eyes, met blue fire, carefully he held his hands up so that she could see that he was making no move towards his wand.

"I came here to help, because I don't want another family torn apart by hatred like mine was," Olivia whispered, her knife pressing dangerously closer as she spoke, "I will not stand to be insulted. I am an honest person; though some people I am related to have done wrong I am not one of them. You would do well to remember what prejudice does to a person, after all it wasn't to long ago that your family was on the receiving end of some rather nasty tongues."

Gabe stood up; he knew that Olivia wouldn't do anything to Owen. She wasn't the type, to much innocence in her eyes. Plus the fact that Owen had been taken by a girl that was a good head shorter than he was, was to good of blackmail to pass up. Walking around he held back his laughter at the sight of the knife brushing against his brother, "Olivia I know he is a prat but my mother still would like grandchildren off him."

Olivia pushed her knife further in, feeling the fabric of Owen's pants scrape against the blade, as quickly as she attacked she backed off. Stowing her wand in her pants pocket, and the knife in her ankle sheath; turning to Gabe she smiled, "I wasn't going to slice anything off, just prick it if the need arose."

Owen stilled the need to check to see if he was still in tact, "Bloody hell woman, are you insane?"

"You are pushing it Malfoy," grinding her teeth against the urge to curse him she began walking to the door, "As it seems that my services are not required I will be going."

The two brothers watched as she walked out of the office, the door slamming in her wake. Gabe let out a bark of laughter as he looked at the ashen look on his brother's face.

"Come on it wasn't that bad," Gabe laughed going around to his seat, "She wouldn't have cut it off Owen. She only wanted to scare you a bit."

Owen gave him a look that clearly stated what he thought of Gabe's mental state, "Next time someone holds a knife to your bits you can tell me it is nothing."

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Sera looked up at the moon, her bright blue eyes taking in every aspect of the pale orb. Sitting on her haunches near her small cottage she sighed at the only steady companion in her life. Unlike most were-wolves who had been bitten, Seraphina was unique in more ways than one. Sera's parents met at a Herbologists conference when they were both fresh out of school. Neville swept the young Greek witch off her feet with a few well placed poems, and rare plants that though not beautiful to the layman's eye was to the young witch better than diamonds. Celeste came nine months to the day after the wedding, and Bryony found her self pregnant with Sera almost two years later. Craving a late night snack she had lumbered down to the garden to pick some fresh fruit to satisfy the hunger. Too late did she realize the garden gate was open, the full light of the moon had until that moment been a gentle friend, but with the snap of a twig she came to fear it. They found her still lying next to the apple tree, her body ravaged by the wolf but her heart still beating. Bryony never woke up after her attack, her body to traumatized to sustain both her and the babe in her belly. For six months she laid in St. Mungos, near the beds her parents in-law had occupied for the better part of their lives.

At Seraphina's birth no congratulatory cigars were exchanged, no words were spoken at all. Because with the giving of life, the taking was to harsh a reality. Bryony died two minutes after her daughter was brought into the world, never to see the small golden skinned face so like her own. Or to know of the curse that had been brought down on the innocent head.

Healers were stunned as they watched the small baby transform into a were-wolf cub with the ease of one changing your clothes. She became a science project before she was able to crawl, though still vicious in her wolf form she was a novelty in the fact that the curse didn't hinder her in any of the usual ways. She got more energy before the moon, something that had been a hindrance when she had been a toddler. With the good came the bad and Sera never forgot that she was the constant reminder to her father that her mother was gone. Every time she felt her wolf side lurking in the corners of her mind she remembered the laughing face looking out from the only reminders of her mother.

Shifting on the soft grass of her garden; Sera got to her feet, shaking herself off she began making her way towards the open door of the cottage. Seeking the warmth of the fire and the softness of her bed, Sera sighed mentally as she padded into the one room house. Bypassing the kitchen area and jumping onto the bed set against the far wall, settling down she watched the flames flicker cheerily.

The pop of an apparition had her hackles rising automatically, raising her head Sera watched through narrowed eyes as a dark figure stopped just short of the open doorway. Sera wasn't worried that the intruder would harm her, the only people who knew where she lived was her family and a few friends. Sitting up; she growled as the person came into the room pushing back the hood of their cloak as they approached. Sera settled back down at the sight of her sister, looking typically beautiful and out of place in the humble cottage.

"Hey little sister," Celeste whispered shrugging off her cloak she sat down on the edge of the bed next to Sera. Her pale white hand coming out to brush at the fur along the back of Sera's neck, "I came to check to make sure you were okay. Dad sent me."

Sera made a rumbling noise deep in her chest, something that they both recognized as laughter. Celeste smiled, "Plus we hadn't hung out in awhile, though when you can't talk is probably one of my favorite times. I guess I will see you tomorrow."

She gave her sister a one armed hug, burying her nose in the soft fur covering the smaller form. Sera nuzzled her shoulder, causing Celeste to pull back, "I love you Seraphina, now get some rest. And don't forget to come see me in the morning."

Sera nodded, yawning she laid down and watched her sister apparate away, leaving her once again alone in the night. The moon as her companion as usual.

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Draco looked up as his wife walked into the library her face set in grim determinacy. Setting his paper aside he waited as she came to stand in between his outstretched legs, "What is it, love?"

Ginny leaned down and captured his lips in a kiss, her mouth hard and nothing like the soft kisses that she had given him just that morning, or even the wild passionate ones that the soft ones eventually led into. Her fingers holding his head in place as she demanded a response from him in an almost scientific way, Draco stiffened and pulled away. His eyes snapping to hers, fury in the grey matched the fear in the golden.

"What the hell is wrong with you Ginevra," Draco pulled her hands away from his face, his hands holding her abnormally cold ones in a tight grip.

"How do you know it is me? Before you were fooled,"Ginny paused taking a breath before whispering, "and we haven't ever talked about it."

Ginny could feel the tears pooling in her eyes, she had been in love with this man since she was sixteen. Having gone through so much in the beginning of their relationship she knew it was foolish to doubt him so late. Her body shaking with fear and anxiety, "I'm sorry, so very sorry to doubt you but I have to know how do you know it is me?"

Draco looked up at her, anger at her obvious doubt squelched by the real fear he saw in her eyes. Pulling her onto his lap he cradled her in his lap, his hands stroking her hair as she buried her face in his chest. "Remember when I found you, and I took you to your parents?"

Ginny nodded, not having the strength to voice her understanding. She closed her eyes as Draco began to talk. Their story filling her heart with love and clearing out the doubt.

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Draco looked up, spitting the blood out of his mouth as he leveled his eyes on the masked man before him. Standing up he braced himself for the next blow, it wasn't long in coming the curse hitting him in the back from another man. His teeth gritting in pain as he was forced to his knees once more; he refused to cry out because to cry out would be a sign of weakness and he couldn't afford to show any sort of weakness to the people surrounding him.

"Enough," the voice was cold with authority. The Death Eater let up on the curse, Draco dropped his head in relief before pushing himself off the cold stone floor of his own dungeon. The thought brought a smile to his face at the irony that of all the people that the Malfoy forbearers had planned on torturing in the cold place not one of them had planned on it being a Malfoy. Pain burning through his body Draco regained his feet once more, his gaze falling on the figure sitting just beyond the circle of men that had been cursing him.

Lord Voldemort twirled Draco's wand in his long pale fingers, "Tell me young Malfoy why did you help Potter?"

Draco braced himself, his jaw clenching to keep from screaming as the pain settled in his bones, "I didn't help Potter, I helped my son."

"Ah yes, your son," Voldemort smiled, his flat lips curling over unusually straight teeth, "How is the boy? Does he favor you or Ginevra?"

Draco felt lead settle in his stomach as Voldemort said Ginny's name, almost like a lover's caresses, before he could answer though another voice broke in, "He looks just as my son did at that age my lord."

Voldemort turned and stared hard at the hooded figure of Lucius Malfoy, "None of the mudblood lovers traits? Good."

Draco watched as his father came to stand next to him, Lucius threw his hood back giving his son a sneer, "I am sorry that you won't get to meet my grandson my lord, but Draco has hidden him from me."

Draco stiffened, as Voldemort turned his gaze avidly back to him, "Really? And why would you do such a thing Draco?"

His mouth dry with apprehension, Draco cleared his mind before answering, "Because my lord, I believed it unsafe for my son to remain in England while our place is so unstable."

"Unstable," Voldemort stood his anger and power evident in his very stance. Raising Draco's wand so that it was level with the younger man's face, "Do you doubt I can handle Potter? Do you doubt my power?"

Draco's stare remained impassive, "No my lord, I do not doubt you. But I do not want to risk my future and yours with the spies that are in lurking in our midst."

Voldemort pondered his words, "My future? I take it you are promising me your first born as a heir?"

Draco stilled himself at the horror of the very thought, "Yes of course, my lord."

"As titillating as that is I shall have my own heir," Voldemort held his hand out to a dark figure in the corners of the room, "Though perhaps as his older brother your son will be beneficial as a servant to my own."

Draco noticed the stiffness of two other occupants of the dimly lit dungeon, Snape and his father. All three knew what the monster before them wanted, and all three feared his next words.

Voldemort sat back down on his throne like chair, his face twisting in a malicious grin, "I have always had a special fondness for our dearest Ginevra, bring her to me Draco and I will forget what your foolishness."

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Draco threw the cloak away from him as he walked into the small apartment, ignoring the blonde man who was looking through pictures at a table in the living room. Stalking through to the kitchen he pulled the cabinet door open containing the occupants' meager liquor supply.

"You drank all the scotch last night," Colin called out not looking up from the shot he was examining. "I think there might be some tequila behind the sherry."

Draco looked at the unfamiliar bottle for a moment before shrugging and raising it to his lips, the taste not completely unpleasant as it burned its way to his empty stomach. Walking into the living room he paused to look at a picture of a very pregnant Ginny standing in a field of flowers laughing at the camera as she tossed flower petals into the air. Tracing a finger across the cheek of the witch in the picture he took another swig of tequila.

"Malfoy as much as I love having a brooding millionaire in my flat, do you have to insist on drinking me out of my alcohol?" Colin asked sitting back on the couch as Draco flinched as the potent imported drink burned down his throat.

"Creevey just because I don't particularly like the idea of killing mudbloods does not mean I will not hex you," Draco snarled before walking down the hall to Ginny's room, slamming the door as the young photographer flinched down at the photos of a smiling Michael and Ginny before him.

Draco sat down on the quilt covered bed; leaning against the pillows he took another swig from the almost full bottle. His mind numb from the Death Eaters meeting and body on fire from the Cruciatus curse that he had been subjected to. He had taken to hiding out in the small flat in the hopes that he would feel closer to the woman that was miles away from him, the woman who he loved. The woman who hated him, the very woman he couldn't live with out and who on the orders of both Voldemort and Dumbledore he was going to turn over to Voldemort by the next meeting.

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Ginny looked up from her seat under the arms of a sprawling oak, watching as Michael played with the moss hanging from one of drooping branches. The little boy was golden from playing in the warm sunshine that was so different from the somewhat dreary sun of England. His white hair was if possible lighter looking with the newly acquired tan that he had acquired from playing out on the small stretch of beach that was on the edge of the property. Turning her attention to the couple who were lazily swinging yards away, her heart swelled at the sight of her parents sitting so relaxed and very much alive. And with that joy came a little bit of a heart break at the fact that Draco had been the one to get them out of danger and to hide them away this time.

After she had calmed down enough for her father to explain the events of the months prior, and for her to come to terms with it Ginny had been nothing short of amazed. With her reunion with her family she had been able to analyze the events that had transpired in her life since her sixth year. Her love for Draco was something that she couldn't have expected, passion and emotions ruled over logic and reason. The following betrayal was as sudden as the romance; she knew the hold his sense of duty had over his actions. The pride that had been ingrained in him, something that Dumbledore had warned her about only moments before Draco made his choice. The thought had crossed her mind that they had moved to fast to quick, but the unwanted voice in the back of her mind had whispered that would she still feel the same fire as she did the last time they were alone if what they had felt was a fluke of timing.

"Ginny," Ginny stilled at the voice so familiar and missed that she had to close her eyes for a moment before turning her head to look up at Draco.

"What do you want?" Ginny fighting with the urge to fling herself in his arms or punch him.

Draco watched as Michael suddenly noticed him, running to fling his arms around his father's legs. Draco easily lifted the little boy up, nuzzling the soft cheek with his own, "Hey there little man, I missed you to."

"Dada, Grandma and Pop-pop swimming," Michael threw his little arms around his father's neck, "Dada swim?"

Draco laughed, hugging the small body, "We'll swim when I get back okay?"

"So you just came to check on us? And then you are off again?" Ginny didn't know why she was so angry at the thought he was popping in and out, something that should have thrilled her. Climbing to her feet, Ginny dusted off her shorts before holding her arms out to Michael, "Michael go tell Grandma that it is time for your bath okay?"

The little boy's face lit up, he loved bath time. Wriggling out of his father's arms he took off running to his now alert grandparents, screaming it was bath time the entire way. Once the three were out of earshot behind the closed doors of the small house Ginny whirled on Draco. Her face flushed with anger, weeks of dwelling on the events of her life since meeting him she was beyond ready to face off with him.

"You can't make promises you can't keep Draco, not to him," her voice low with rage, Ginny glared up at him, "He loves you and will be heartbroken when you don't keep your word. I will not stand for it."

Draco nodded, "I have no intention of not following through with that promise Ginny, I have always kept my word."

Ginny scoffed, "Really? What about me? You promised me always remember? Always apparently isn't even a full year."

Draco gritted his jaw, "I never broke that promise."

"You held a bloody wand to my throat Malfoy. I don't know about other couples, but that pretty much breaks a relationship," Ginny poked him in the chest for emphasis, "You broke my heart and I will be damned if you break my son's."

Draco grasped her finger, using it to pull her closer. Quickly he captured her lips in a bruising kiss, his tongue plundering inside to claim her. Draco wound crushed her to him, wrapping his arms around her to lift her up so that he didn't have to bend and so that she was completely off the ground. Her body flush with his, so that she could feel his desire, tearing his mouth away from hers before she could respond he dropped her to her feet, both breathing hard.

"When I say always Weasley, I mean it," turning he walked to the house nodding to Arthur who was waiting for him on the screened porch. Ginny watched dazed as her father greeted Draco with a welcoming handshake before the two men sat down to talk.

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Ginny looked across the table filled with food at Draco cutting Michael's food up as their son impatiently waited. It was such a normal scene, so natural that you would never guess that this was the first meal that the two had ever shared. The two blonde heads bent together as Draco cut and Michael stole bits of food off his plate.

"Draco how are our boys? And Harry," Molly asked as she sat down with a fresh basket of rolls.

Draco looked up from his task, "Bill and Fleur are in France with her parents, planning the wedding the last I heard. Charlie is on a mission for Dumbledore in Australia, grumbling about being away from his dragons."

Ginny watched the joy on her parents faces, her brow furrowing at the thought that Draco was responsible for their joy. But how did he know about her brothers, the last time she had spoken to any of them they were ready to kill him for what he had done to her.

"Percy has been seeing to the twins book work when he isn't working at the ministry, and only when Fred will let him because he is to busy with the shop," Draco smiled at that, his face lighting up with something Ginny had only seen one or two times, joy. Startled Ginny's arm slipped from and landed in her plate, blushing she found Draco's laughing eyes on her when she looked back up.

Her heart sped up as she looked at him. Taking in the still slightly boyishness of his features, the innocence that still lurked in the not yet fully hardened cheeks and the fullness of his mouth. Something low in her belly began to stir, desire humming through her as Draco smiled at her parents while deftly pulling the knife Michael had snatched out of their sons chubby fingers. Ginny found her self studying him as he talked, ignoring what he was saying and instead watching him as he began to talk to her father discussing the latest going on's at the ministry. His grey eyes though flitted back to her, a dark promise held in the silvery depths that caused her face to become flush and her heart to speed up, desire coursing like fire through her veins. All to soon, Michael was yawning over dessert and Ginny was standing up to take him up stairs to put him to bed. Walking around the table she bent to pick him up, only to straighten up quickly as Draco easily lifted him up as he stood.

Holding the sleepy child in his arms he turned to her, "Show me where."

Ginny nodded mutely, smiling to her parents as she led Draco out the kitchen and up the narrow stairs to the second story. Turning the light on in the small bedroom that Michael was staying in she pulled the covers down on his bed as Draco walked over and placed the now asleep boy on the small toddler bed. Ginny leaned over, her arm brushing against Draco's as she removed Michael's shoes and socks. Leaving him in his cotton shorts and shirt; she brushed his hair off his forehead before straightening. Her eyes widening as Draco leaned over to brush a kiss to the small forehead, pulling a sheet over him before lifting the small railing so that he didn't tumble out of bed in his sleep.

Straightening he locked eyes with her, holding out his hand he waited for her to take it with a raised eyebrow. Ginny slipped her hand into his, feeling her hand more than any other part of her body as he closed her smaller hand in his own. Tugging her from the room and leaving the door open a crack to let light into the now darkened room.

"Where is your room?" Draco didn't turn around as he asked, simply tugged her behind him as he opened the nearest door to see for himself.

"Second door on the left," Ginny smiled as he shut the closet door and began walking again tugging her behind him. Ginny felt desire running along her arm and through her body where he was holding her hand.

Practically jerking her arm he pulled her into the room and shut the door, releasing her hand he turned around and simply stared at her. Ginny looked up at him, her eyes wide as she took him in. He was standing within inches of her and filled her vision, his breathing ragged as he waited for her to do something. Ginny nodded, reaching up she grazed his jaw as she moved along his jaw line to tangle her fingers in his hair. Draco's eyes closed as she ran her fingers through the silky strands, stepping closer Ginny applied light pressure to the back of his neck. He lowered his head obligingly, eyes still closed as Ginny leaned up to kiss him. Her lips brushing across his slowly, teasingly, Ginny closed her eyes as she remembered all the good that had come with him.

Draco muttered a curse against her lips before crushing his mouth to hers, gentling as she responded to him willingly. Draco pulled her against him, his hands running along her back pulling her shirt up so that he could touch her bare skin. Tearing his mouth from hers he yanked the shirt over her head, leaving her in her pants in bra. Draco stared for a moment, memories flooding him, the last time he had seen her like this, the first time. Trailing kisses from her jaw to neck he sank to his knees in front of her his eyes flashing as he took in the changes that Michael had done to her body. Her breast were fuller, filling out her bra more than the last time he had seen her. Faint marks could be seen on her sides, from where her stomach had stretched to accommodate the growth of their son.

Draco kissed her flat stomach, looking up at her as he began to undo her pants, "I have missed you, I dreamed about you everyday."

Ginny's head fell back as he brushed kisses across her skin, smiling she stepped out of her pants. Feeling as he stood up to capture her mouth with his again. Strong fingers kneaded the back of her skull as he tangled his fingers in her curls. Ginny reached for the buttons of his shirt, fingers more nimble than the last time she had done this task. Quickly the last barriers separating them from one another were discarded and they were falling on the bed together.

Draco propped himself up on his elbows looking down at her, his eyes dark with passion, "L'ho amata sempre, il mio fuoco. Farò sempre."

Ginny looked up at him, cupping his cheek in her palm, "So, il mio drago. L'amerò sempre."

Draco kissed her, love pouring through the simple action as he surged forward to enter her. Both pulled away from the kiss at the sensation of being one again after such a long time. Draco held her gaze as he began to move, every slight motion sending pleasure through them.

Ginny ran her hands down his back, feeling his muscles move as she arched into him. Her breath hitching as he sped up, golden eyes locked with silver. Draco leaned down and kissed her slowly leisurely, and Ginny lost her self in feeling him.

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Ginny rolled over her arm reaching for Draco's warmth only to find cold emptiness. Opening her eyes she smiled as she watched him standing in front of the window, sitting up she held the sheet to her. Her eyes just watched him as he stood arms braced against the window sill, the silver moonlight made his hair gleam in the light and the skull and snake tattoo on his left arm stand out harshly. He looked like a fallen angel, and the man that she loved.

"What are you thinking about?" Ginny asked, resting her arms on her raised legs as she watched him.

Draco turned, leaning back against the wall as he looked at her, "You."

Ginny grinned, "I'm right here silly, why would you need to think about me for."

Draco smirked, walking over he sat down next to her running a hand down her arm marveling at the silkiness of the lightly freckled appendage. "I never thought you would forgive me. After all I had done to you, I thought I had lost you forever."

Ginny nodded, smiling sadly at him, "I thought you never loved me, that you were just using me."

Draco leaned over to kiss her shoulder, his tongue snaking out to taste her. "I loved you since the night on the Quidditch pitch. I am a fool."

"Draco, what is wrong? There is something else going on besides you apologizing," Ginny lifted her hand to cup his cheek turning his head so that she could look him in the eye.

"When I learned about Michael I became a double agent for Dumbledore," Draco paused taking her hand from his cheek and holding it lightly in his hand, "I never thought I would turn against my family's wishes and beliefs. But seeing you and our son, and not being able to be with you because of what I believed in broke me."

Ginny closed her eyes to stop the burning of the tears at the back of them, "Draco you don't have to-."

"Yes I do," Draco cut in, scooting closer to hold her face in his hands forcing her to look him in the eye, "I tortured and killed in the time between. I enjoyed it Ginny, the hate made me feel alive. Then I saw you again."

"I went to Snape, furious at him for not telling me about Michael. He was right in not telling me though," Draco leaned down so that his forehead was pressed to hers, "I would have stolen him from you Ginny, raised him to be like myself and Father. To be a murderer, a slave to Voldemort."

"Draco none of that matters," Ginny began her hands coming up to touch him, only to meet empty air, as Draco moved away anger emanating from him as he glared down at her.

"Damn it Ginny," Draco yelled, "Don't you understand I am still doing those things. The only difference now is that Dumbledore supports me. I still attend meetings, I still have to participate or they will know what I am and then Voldemort will not only kill me but you. And if that wasn't bad enough he wants-."

Draco cut off in mid-sentence turning to the window, his fists clenched. Ginny stood up, the sheet wrapped around her, closing the distance between them. Raising a trembling hand she soothed the tenseness of his neck, Draco turned quickly catching her hand in a bruising grip.

"He wants you Ginny, and I have to fucking give you to him or the whole damn cause is lost," Draco whispered, his voice barely recognizable with its harshness.

Ginny blinked up at him, "What?"

"He wants you Ginny," Draco looked at her his eyes beseeching her not to make him say it again.

"Wants me? No," Ginny shouted, understanding coming swiftly and like death to her heart, "And you are going to give him to me aren't you?"

Draco didn't respond; though his fingers tightened, bruises forming under his grip. Her face drained of blood, Ginny jerked away from him only to brought back by his grip on her.

"So what was this, one last shag before you pass me on to your master? Let go of me," Ginny struggled the sheet falling in her attempts to get away from him, "Damn it Draco, let go."

Draco hauled her against him, his arms coming around her as her fists newly freed began to hit his chest. Pinning her to him he spun so that she was held between the wall and his hard frame.

Ginny kicked and punched as much as she could, but he held her unflinching as tears began to fall. Unintelligible curses falling from her lips as he remained mute, her question of why being the only thing truly audible over the mixture of tears and anger.

"Because," Draco began as her movements became sluggish and she yielded against him. His face buried in her hair, Ginny's tears hot on his chest, "Because I must."

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Ginny cried as she kissed Michael's cheek good bye, the little boy waved to his mother and father happily from his grandmother's arms. Molly smiled sadly at her, kissing her daughter's forehead before hurrying inside with the happily chattering boy.

Pausing Molly turned in the hallway turning to Draco, "Draco you will watch out for her won't you?"

Draco nodded gravely, "I will bring her back to you."

Ginny shuddered at the emotionless voice, turning to her father who stood by the portkey waiting to say goodbye, "Daddy."

Ginny flew into her father's arms as the tears began anew, arms tight around him she could feel him shaking with the force of his grief.

"I love you Gin-bean," Arthur whispered in her ear before hurriedly letting her go and turning back to the house.

Ginny cried softly as she and Draco reached for the old piece of crockery that was the portkey. Her eyes closing on the image of her father as the jerk in her navel pulled her away.

"Here," Draco handed her a handkerchief, "Wipe your eyes before they get here. Remember don't show any weakness but don't be overly strong."

Ginny nodded, wiping her eyes she straightened. After he had told her about the decision by the Order to give her to Voldemort he had instructed her on how to behave. Everyone was convinced that the man she had known as Tom Riddle would keep her as a toy and nothing more, three undercover spy's there to protect her at all times seemed adequate enough. Though now on the very eve of things, Ginny could feel him as if it was her first year all over again and Tom were possessing her.

The door of the small room that they had portkeyed into opened, Draco automatically stepping next to her to grip her by the arm as a hooded figure entered. Ginny felt her spine tingle as the person stopped, a delicate hand reaching up to push the hood back.

"Draco darling you look as if you are going to the gallows," smiling at her fiancé Pansy Parkinson stepped forward to give him a kiss, ignoring the woman next to him entirely.

"Pansy, I thought that you were in Brighton with your mother," Draco asked nonchalantly after the perfunctory duty was done. His hand never straying from its place on the unmoving Ginny, "Is she feeling better?"

"Yes, and looking forward to our wedding," Pansy raised a pale eyebrow at Ginny, "So this was the mission he had you on? To capture a blood traitor?"

Ginny stared at her, mouth firmly closed, brown eyes wide as she took in the woman that had tormented her in school. Pansy had grown into her pug nose, if such a thing were possible, the pale blonde hair was pulled back from a face that though not beautiful was intriguing. Ginny could find no fault in the outward appearance, and felt her temper rise at this thought. This was the woman that would get Draco, not Ginny.

"Come they are waiting for you in the ballroom, I believe you can leave that in one of the guest rooms for such as her," Pansy led the way, leaving Draco to drag the unresponsive Ginny behind him as they walked down the dimly lit corridor.

Pansy waved her wand at a section of empty wall, a door appearing in the stone. With a whisper of wind the door opened into a sparsely furnished room. Pansy stepped aside so the two could pass, "Hurry up Draco, I am going to go check your mother."

Pansy left them, a swirl of robes as she disappeared around the corner. Ginny felt Draco's grasp on her arm tighten in the new found aloneness, but he remained silent. Turning her eyes up she gasped, fear griping her. Gone was the man that she had always known and in his place was the sneering boy that had held a wand to her throat at the lake.

"Draco?" Her whisper was loud in the silence, and his harsh gaze fell on her without remorse. Shoving her in the room, Draco watched passively as she stumbled to a halt against the ragged bed.

"Keep quiet or you might not like who answer's your call," turning he drew his wand to seal the door in place. His jaw set firmly, "Someone should come to see to you in the morning."

"Draco, wait," Ginny ran to the door, her feet catching on her traveling cloak and causing her to stumble. Teeth catching on her lip as she fell, Ginny winced at the coppery taste of blood. Looking up she saw a flicker of something in the torch light in the silver eyes above her.

"Be careful Weasley, the Dark Lord does not like damaged goods before he gets a chance to play with them," Draco sneered, stepping back he flicked his wand and the door sealed itself with a click.

Ginny sat numb on the floor, looking at the stone melting around the wooden door. Blood dripping down her chin from her lip, she curled in to herself as sobs racked her body. Mind numb but heart painfully awake to the blank face that had just left her, he had tricked her again.

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A.N.: So sorry about the wait, it took a lot of rewrites to get it the way I wanted it. And I mean a lot. So for those of you who are still patiently reading this I give many thanks and I hope you review. I hope no one wants to kill me for the sort of cliff hanger, especially Becca, Tenechia, and Kelli; remember you love me guys.

Translations: Draco propped himself up on his elbows looking down at her, his eyes dark with passioin, "I have always loved you, my fire. I always will."

Ginny looked up at him, cupping his cheek in her palm, "And I you, my dragon. I will always love you."