I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream
I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam
And I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you, I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream
'Once Upon A Dream' by Lana Del Rey
She sees a river stretching out before her for an inconceivable distance. Somehow, she is standing in a boat being propelled down the river by some invisible force. It is dark, blacker than night, and she realises that she is underground and there are no stars to be seen, just a weak greenish light from a lantern on the prow.
"I'm sorry," comes a voice at her side, and when she turns she is unsurprised to see Him there. She knows that somehow he must have enchanted her, but now she is fully awake and aware of his trickery.
"Are you?" she asks with an angry stiffness. "Then maybe you shouldn't have done it." She turns her face away, crossing her arms and lifting her chin. She realises that his cloak is slung over her shoulders, keeping her somewhat protected from the damp chill in the air. One hand caresses her cheek gently, then more firmly as he turns her back to him.
"Forgive me. I'm a weak man, too weak to fight against my desire to have you."
She says nothing, just looks up into his stormy grey eyes as he closes the gap between them and she feels the sudden heat of him through the thin material of her dress. His arms wrap around her, his hands stroke the bare skin of her back and make her flesh prickle with anticipation.
"Forgive me," he says, low and earnest even as he bends down to her and she curves her body to his.
"No," she says harshly, and then his lips are on hers and she forgets everything except how good he feels.
When they finally land, she sees that the ground itself is black stone, cold slate that gives no warmth. He helps her from the boat with a strong hand, and she shivers as her bare feet settle on the ground. There are many lanterns, but the air seems to swallow the light like a living thing, leaving the area dim and murky.
She pulls away from him hastily, and feels a burst of anger radiate from him before it's dampened. She stupidly agreed to this, has followed him to the actual end of the earth, to a place with no sunlight or flowers, and now he wants her to be the Queen. This place is Death to her, barren, and it makes her feel sick. She hugs herself, feels grief welling inside of her, wants to rage and destroy everything, but instead she only shivers.
"Come, my love," he says, and she has no choice but to follow.
—
Ginny's return to consciousness was fast and extremely painful. She felt like she was being forced upwards into her body, and when her eyes snapped open she was hit with a wave of nausea so powerful that she immediately turned over and was sick on the floor. She vaguely heard a commotion, voices and footsteps, and then someone vanished her mess and a hand settled on her shoulder.
"Ginny! You're awake!" It was Harry. Harry kneeling by her head and stroking her clammy skin, and, oh, what she wouldn't have given for him to care five years ago. But that desire was long gone, and instead her stomach rolled and she gagged.
Harry hastily backed away, probably out of fear for the state of his shoes. Another flurry of footsteps brought her mother into view, and Ginny threw her arms around her. "Mum," she cried, burying her face in Molly's shoulder.
Molly made soothing noises and stroked her hair, and the nausea faded enough for Ginny to hazard a look over her mother's shoulder. She saw her father first, looking wan and worried, then Hermione chewing her lip and Ron an ugly puce colour, rage distorting his features. A small distance away stood Draco and his mother, both pale and drawn, Draco's mouth set in a hard line.
Ginny felt her mother tensing, drawing a deep breath, and winced before she'd even started. "Why would you touch something magical that you know nothing about? Have you learnt nothing at all? You could have died, and then what?!" Molly yelled, making Ginny's ears ring as she pulled away.
"Mum, I'm fine-"
Then the fireplace flared green and a tall woman with sharp cheekbones, elaborately braided hair, and the lime green robes of a Healer stepped through. Narcissa immediately stepped forwards, welcoming the statuesque woman, who introduced herself as Healer Davis. She fixed her dark eyes on Ginny and smiled gently, then walked across the room and knelt beside the chaise that Ginny was lying on. "You must be Ginevra," she said in a melodic voice. "Do you mind if I take a look?"
Ginny shook her head quickly. The Healer waved her wand and a pulsing, glowing ball of light formed in the air. It floated gently over Ginny, and sometimes flashes of colour would appear. When that happened the Healer would twitch her wand hand and make the ball stop for a moment, appearing to study the mysterious colours inside. Ginny watched closely, feeling apprehensive, but smiled a little as she saw Hermione edging closer and watching the spell work with fascination.
"Hmm," the Healer finally said. "So, what happened before you fainted?"
"Well, my dad and I went for a walk-"
"An unauthorised investigation, you mean," Draco snapped, and Ron's head jerked like he was about to charge.
"You have dark objects in your house!" Ron exploded.
"Ron, stop!" yelled Hermione.
At the same time Molly said, "Ronald Bilius Weasley!" in her sternest voice.
"It isn't dark!" roared Ginny, surprising everyone into silence. "Dad checked and there was no dark magic in the room!"
"See, Mother," Draco said snootily, sounding exactly like the boy he had been ten years ago, "this is what we get for inviting these people into our home."
The yelling from all sides resumed, and Harry bodily grabbed Ron and shoved him from the room with Hermione behind them, apologising all the way.
Ginny wasn't sure if Narcissa had said something to Draco in the chaos, but his mouth was once again clamped shut and two pink spots of anger had appeared high on his cheeks.
"Carry on," said Healer Davis quietly, smiling. She hadn't once looked away from the light during the chaos.
"It was a bouquet of flowers. I don't know why I touched it. It was like I couldn't help myself. And then I just blacked out."
"This," said Arthur, and floated the bouquet towards the Healer. "She passed out, and she was twitching and moaning and saying nonsense things." His voice was even but his eyes betrayed his fear. "I picked her up and just ran back-" his voice cracked and he cleared his throat anxiously. "Is she alright?"
The Healer took a moment to waft the ball of light over and around the flowers, studying it carefully. "Well, you were right in that she does not appear to have been in contact with any dark magic. Curiously, she does appear to react magically to this bouquet of flowers. Mrs Malfoy, do you have any idea what kind of magic is in these?"
Narcissa shook her head. "No. They were a gift from my husband, but I put them away after-" she stopped herself suddenly, but the Healer seemed to understand.
"Did you ever experience any strange effects after touching them?"
"Never," Narcissa frowned.
"Well, whatever the spell is, it doesn't seem to be innately harmful. Ginevra-"
"It's Ginny," she corrected, and heard her mother's sigh of disapproval.
"Ginny, I apologise," Healer Davis smiled. "How have you been feeling since you woke up? Do you remember anything from after you touched the flowers?"
Suddenly, it all came rushing back. The river, the boat… and Draco. Her eyes flicked anxiously to him and her mouth felt suddenly dry. Surely it hadn't been real? It felt so true, right then - that she really had been kidnapped by Draco, and that he had kissed her with such passion and longing. She felt herself turning a furious red and looked quickly away from him. "I had a strange dream, but I don't really remember. When I woke up I was dizzy and nauseous, but that faded quickly and I feel fine, now."
"Wonderful. Well, then, I'd like to transfer you to St Mungo's for some further testing if you're agreeable?"
She suddenly wanted nothing more than to get far, far away from Malfoy Manor and Draco. "Yes," she said, nodding vigorously. "I would love that."
"Lovely! Can you stand?"
Ginny moved cautiously, but her nausea and dizziness seemed to be completely gone, and soon she was standing with confidence and walking towards the fireplace. She remembered the spinning and the ash of Floo travel and hesitated. "Could we… maybe apparate instead? I don't much like Floo travel."
"Of course, whatever is easiest for you," Healer Davis said with a warm smile.
"You'll have to exit the grounds by the front gate first," said Narcissa. "Tofty!" The house-elf appeared with a pop. "Escort our guests to the front door please."
"Yes, Mistress!" he squeaked and bowed, and the remaining Weasleys left without another word to their hosts.
"Unbelievable!" Molly exclaimed as soon as the door shut behind them.
"Mum, cut it out," Ginny said harshly. "It wasn't their fault."
"It was mine," Arthur said miserably.
"Dad, no!" she cried. "I don't know why I touched the stupid thing but I'm fine now and it was nobody's fault!" Their steps crunched on the gravel drive and she focused once more on not twisting an ankle as she did her best to tune out the long rant Ron was having behind her. The lane seemed a lot shorter than it had on the way in, and before she knew it, the massive iron gates were creaking open and they were all walking through.
It felt like she had run straight into a brick wall. She stopped exactly where the gate would be and could go no further, like there was an invisible barrier that only affected her. She stumbled back and right into Ron, who swore and caught her from falling, and the commotion got the attention of both her parents and the Healer. Ginny blinked owlishly, unsure of what had just happened, and Ron nudged her back towards the gate. She felt like they were all watching, waiting apprehensively, and then-
This time she did fall, right on her bum on the wrong side of the Malfoy property line, with her family and Harry and Hermione and the Healer watching her with confusion from the other side of the gate. It started to creak closed again, and Ginny felt uncontrollable panic welling in her chest. This time she took it at a run, careening towards her mother as fast as she could before being forcibly thrown backwards, smacking her head on the ground and crying out in pain.
"What is happening?" Molly shrieked, and then wands were out. Several spells shot towards the closing gates, but ricocheted into the night, one nearly hitting Hermione. It was chaos; Molly screamed, trying to force her way back in. Arthur pulled her back, trying to stop her beating on the gate. The others cast more spells to no avail as Healer Davis looked on, horrified. The gate clanged shut as Ginny sat up and rubbed her head, panting and bereft.
"Mum!" she cried, and Molly threw herself at the gate with renewed vigour.
Suddenly the gate creaked again, the iron bars twisting into a mockery of a face. "She cannot leave," the voice boomed with a harsh finality. "She belongs to the Manor now." And with a fresh screech the gate became a gate again, and tears began to slide down Ginny's face.
"Mum, what do I do?" she sobbed, running to the bars and trying to find a good place to climb. But it seemed that she couldn't actually touch any part of the fence or gate. The barrier was impenetrable.
"Stand back!" her mum yelled, desperation making her sound wild. She pushed up her sleeves, took out her wand, and let out such a fierce Relashio that the shockwave made everyone stumble back. The gate didn't budge, nor was there a scratch on it.
Molly was steeling her jaw and raising her wand again when Healer Davis stepped forward. "Let me try," she said gently, placing a light hand on Molly's raised forearm. She hesitated, but then dropped her arm, looking fiercely at her daughter. "I'm Healer Davis, here to see the Malfoys," she announced clearly, and the face appeared again.
"You may enter," it said. "You and only you." And then it whined as it opened again.
Molly made to follow, but seemed to have the same issue as Ginny and could pass no further. A strangled cry of rage tore from her throat, and Ginny let out a series of gasping sobs. "Go home," the Healer instructed firmly. "I will deal with this, and send Ginny by Floo." The words 'if I can' were left unsaid, but they were all thinking them, and the implications had them all reeling.
"Ginny, no-"
"Molly!" interrupted Arthur. "Healer Davis is right. We can't do anything here. We'll go home and wait for Ginny." Molly didn't look away from her daughter, and her eyes filled with tears even as she tilted her chin defiantly. "Molly," Arthur repeated, more gently this time, and a single strangled sob burst from her mouth.
"Come home, Gin," she said, and Ginny nodded emphatically. Whatever was happening, surely Narcissa or Draco could fix it. She had to go home, she just had to. She let Healer Davis guide her by the shoulder back towards the house, and although she refused to look back, she knew that her parents didn't look away until she had stepped through the front doors again.
Tofty the house-elf appeared once more, bowing and looking more than a little confused. "Miss has returned!"
Ginny felt her tears drying, felt her chest heating with anger. "Get Draco." she hissed through her teeth, balling her hands into fists and already dreaming of all the ways she could hurt him. This had to be his fault, somehow, and if he didn't fix it immediately then she would hex him in front of his mother. Tofty sprinted from the hall, looking terrified, his little white tea towel fluttering around his legs.
By the time they returned - Draco speed walking with a distinctly unsettling expression of worry on his face - Ginny had worked herself into a complete fury. She was pacing and muttering hexes to herself, Healer Davis completely forgotten where she stood near the wall, watching them all. "Malfoy!" Ginny barked when she spotted him, levelling her wand and making him stop short. "What the bloody hell did you do to me?"
If she hadn't been so angry, she would have laughed at the look on his face, a mixture of shock and indignation that made his mouth gape open for a moment. He recovered quickly, running a hand down his lapel, and looked coolly at her. "I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about," he said with the beginnings of a sneer. "I believe we asked you to leave, so the more prevalent question is why are you still here?"
Ginny sputtered. "I'm here because your stupid gate wouldn't let me out!"
"I believe if we find somewhere calmer to go I may be able to help," Healer Davis interrupted. "And perhaps Master Draco can bring me those flowers again?"
He seemed unsure of what to do for a moment before giving a quick jerk of his head and beckoning Tofty over. "Take them to the drawing-room again," he ordered, then spun on his heel and disappeared from the hall.
Ginny seethed the whole way there. She remembered hexing him in Umbridge's office in her fourth year and imagined doing it now, and actually smiled, although she couldn't see how terrifying a smile it was. When they reached the drawing-room, she had a good look around, still thinking of all the ways she could make him regret whatever ridiculous prank this was. The room was mostly white panelling, with a bank of windows that would have let the morning light fill the room were it not dark still. The furniture was all pastels, tea tables, chaise lounges, and velvet throw pillows with tassels. The overall effect was quite pretty, and Ginny considered lighting something on fire.
Then Draco swept into the room, his face hard and angry, his mother behind him carrying the vase of flowers. Ginny blinked, surprised, all thoughts of revenge gone. Narcissa was touching the flowers? What could that mean?
She glided across the floor and placed the vase on a table, and gave Ginny an indecipherable look. Healer Davis stepped forward and waved her wand at the elaborate arrangement, poking and prodding and making it light up different colours. Then she came back to Ginny, who softened her scowl, and did the same to her.
Nobody spoke. The tension in the room was palpable. Draco seemed to be focusing all of his attention on a spot somewhere near the ceiling, and Narcissa had a vague smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes. Ginny tried not to radiate too much anger, but she was sure she was failing miserably.
"Interesting," Healer Davis finally announced, and Ginny's attention snapped back to the tall woman. "It appears that this bouquet somehow tethers one's magic to the property. I've never seen anything quite like it. Mrs Malfoy, do you know anything about it?"
Her brow furrowed and her lips pursed. "No. As I said, it was a gift from my husband. It clearly doesn't affect me, and I'm not sure what purpose… I can write to him and ask, if you wish."
"That would be wonderfully helpful. In the meantime, it seems that Ginny will not be allowed to leave the grounds."
"What?!" Ginny shrieked, her anger returning full-force, all of it directed at the Malfoys. "I told my parents I would be home, just lift this stupid enchantment-"
"Enough," Narcissa commanded. It wasn't loud, but it was forceful, and Ginny's mouth snapped closed. "Whatever is happening here, we did nothing to you. I'll send Tofty to notify your family, and Draco can take you to one of the guest rooms." There was an air of finality to her words that left no room for argument.
"May I take the flowers to St Mungo's with me?" Healer Davis asked, interrupting Ginny before she even had a chance to say what she wanted to.
"Of course," Narcissa nodded. "Thank you very much for coming here tonight and helping Miss Weasley."
Ginny scoffed. Nobody had helped her yet, and she was finding it hard to believe that Healer Davis was just going to leave her here. With the Malfoys, of all people. She wondered, exactly, how much they might really know about the flowers and the mysterious enchantment preventing her from leaving. Draco, at least, seemed angry about it, which was rather incongruent to his pleasant attitude at the party, but perhaps unsurprising considering the way her family had acted. She felt a deep sense of shame suddenly, and so it was with a quiet acquiescence that she followed Draco through the Manor.
She heard the paintings whispering after she passed, picture upon picture of pale, haughty looking Malfoy ancestors. She wondered if any of them, perhaps, could give some insight into her predicament. After ascending the stairs, Draco led her to a door and stopped to face her. "This is your room for the night. If you need anything, just call for Runky. She's my elf but I've told her that we have a guest."
"Thank you," Ginny managed to say, not without some stiffness. "And I'm sorry," she added, "for mine and my family's behaviour earlier. I know it's not dark magic, and we shouldn't have been snooping. It wasn't your fault."
He nodded shortly. "There are some nightclothes inside for you." Then he turned and walked away, and Ginny felt a flash of irritation. He was infuriating. She mentally rescinded her apology. The only thing she was really sorry about was being stuck here in this infernal house with that absolute git. With a sharp nod, as if she had decided something - and perhaps she had - she entered her bedroom and promptly gasped.
It was simply beautiful: white and cream with hints of gold everywhere, a plush bed and hangings and a darling sitting area by a balcony door. Draco hadn't lied; there was a nightgown laid out on the bed, although it was rather an old style, it looked soft and comfortable. She could see two other doors, one closed and most likely a dressing room, and another that led to a dark bathroom, which she went to investigate.
Gold-veined marble covered the en-suite from floor to ceiling, and a massive claw-foot bath stood opposite a white sink. She felt like she was in the world's poshest hotel, and she nearly giggled before stopping herself. No, this was Malfoy Manor, and she refused to enjoy even one second of it. She got ready for bed, finding the bathroom stocked with all sorts of toiletries, before she changed into the nightdress and climbed into the opulent bed covers. It was like lying on a cloud, and now she couldn't help the small smile that crept over her face. Well, maybe she could enjoy one thing, if only for a night... She drifted off with the small smile still on her lips.