A/N: Thank you, SometimeSelkie!

I am so excited about the response I have been getting lately. Thank you all so much! I had to rework a part of this chapter so if there are some terrible SpaG mistakes, don't blame my beta. They are all mine.

The Safe House

Chapter Thirty-Two

Ginny had spent the afternoon crying into her pillow as Thuban took his nap. She had pulled herself together as much as possible in front of the baby. She had played games with him and read to him, but occasionally he would ask for Draco, and her heart would break all over again. She kept thinking of the broken vial and what it could mean. It had been a comfort to her to know that they could not annul her marriage. Now she wasn't sure if she even was married. She didn't doubt that Draco loved her, but all of the things her family had been telling her were starting to get to her. She just couldn't believe that he had betrayed her, but what if it had started out that way? What if he had betrayed the Order?

That night, she refused to leave her room for dinner, and she could see the concern in her parents' eyes as they brought in a plate for Thuban. But Ron, Hermione, and Harry had also returned, and she wanted nothing to do with them. By nine, she had started to give up on George showing up. She was terribly afraid of what would happen the next day with the specialist. She was not very familiar with psychiatric healing, but she didn't trust anyone to look into her mind at this point.

She was staring out her window when she heard a short knock on the door. She didn't bother with answering; it wasn't as if it would matter what she said. She did not turn her head as she heard the door open followed by some heavy footsteps. She did place her hand protectively on the cot that was sitting next to her.

"Gin? Can we talk for a minute?" Harry stood in the middle of the small room and watched her fist clench more tightly around the bar of the cot. "Please? I'll answer some of your questions."

Ginny knew he was not a terrible man, but sitting in her room for the second day with no idea of what was happening to her husband was making her hate the wizard that she had once loved.

Harry stepped closer to the sleeping baby. He had not yet been very close to Thuban, and he had been deeply disappointed when Ron informed him that he was indeed hers.

"Don't even look at him."

"Okay. I'll just sit on your bed, if that's all right." He crossed back over to her bed and waited for her reply.

She slowly turned towards him and scooted her chair over to block the cot.

"Ginny, I know you have every right to hate me right now." She scoffed. "If you're right, then you have nothing to worry about."

"Really? So if it's proven that I am under no spells, then my husband will be set free?"

He sat down and looked her straight in the eyes. "He will still have to face trial. He was a Death Eater, and he committed crimes."

"He committed crimes in order to stay working as your spy. Doesn't that count for anything?"

His eyes softened. "I heard about the vial."

"So? And don't avoid answering my question."

"Molly said it shouldn't have broken. It could be a sign, Gin."

"A sign that we will have to perform the ceremony again. I'm sure they also told you how they terrified my son today."

"Yes," he replied tiredly. "I'm sorry. Ron just doesn't think very clearly."

"I don't care what they think he did, I will never forgive them for this. I will never forgive you."

"Ginny, you don't mean that." He took a deep breath. "Do you know what they have been through?"

She glanced to the cot. "Dad told me that they lost their baby. I truly am sorry for them," she said quietly. Then she sat up straighter and added, "but I refuse to believe that Draco had anything to do with it."

"Well, they do believe that. It changed them. Ron almost lost Hermione as well. He has never let go of his anger, and it's consumed him at times. I've been worried about him for a long time. And to answer your question, the Wizengamot will have to decide if he knowingly set up the Order for that attack."

She noticed that he had dropped his eyes. "You're lying. You know everything I am saying is the truth. You just love having all this power over him, don't you? What do you think is going to happen, Harry? That I'm going to wake up and realize that I never really loved him? That I still love you? The night I ran from you… I did still love you, but even then I didn't want to be with you anymore. And after this, I hope to never have to see you again."

"Ginny, I am not lying. Yes, I would give anything to have you back. I do still love you. And right now, I choose to believe that once you have been treated, you'll realize that you still love me. I just can't trust that he hasn't done something to you. Can't you understand how this looks to me? … It wouldn't be the first time someone messed with your mind." His face paled as he realized what he had said.

"I can't believe you," she whispered.

He stood up and dropped to his knees in front of her. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have … that was uncalled for "

Her face was completely blank. "You would love his son?"

He couldn't read her eyes, but he also couldn't help but to feel encouraged by her question. "Yes. I would love him as my own. Ginny, I would have loved Voldemort's son if that's what had happened to you. Thank God it didn't, but it wouldn't have changed anything about the way I feel for you. I love you, Ginny. I always will." He slowly reached for her hand and held it tightly.

She continued to look past him for a moment before lowering her eyes to his expectant face. "But something did happen to me, Harry. And it changed everything about the way I feel for you. I think you need to go. Unless you are willing to take me to him, I have nothing left to say to you." She pulled her hand away from him and turned towards the cot, leaning her head against the railing and slipping her arm through the slats to stroke Thuban's arm wrapped around his stuffed dragon.

Harry stood up and watched her smiling at her son. He crossed to the door and turned back. "What if I'm right? Would you at least forgive me, if I'm right about him? We could have a good life, the life we were supposed to have."

She remained fixed on her baby as she answered him. "If you're right about him, Harry, I don't know what I would do."

ooo

Pansy stood outside of the prison, waiting for Narcissa and Luna, tapping her toe. Narcissa had contacted the journalist after leaving the prison the day before. Since they had connected during Narcissa's false interview, Narcissa was hoping that Luna would be willing to help them with Draco's story. Pansy had been pacing back and forth until she was very rudely told to stop by the only litigator that she trusted to handle Draco's case. It was a miracle that she was able to get him there so early. She'd had to convince him to fly on a Muggle plane in order to keep his arrival a secret.

"For God's sake, Pansy. It's 6:57. They are not even late. And you could actually spend this time talking to me about the case instead of fidgeting like a scared little Hufflepuff."

"Draco is my friend! And Harry is my … Well, I don't know what Harry is to me anymore, but can't you understand how difficult this is for me? Part of me wants to be happy that he is back, but the other part of me hates that he brought her with him. How fucked up is that? If she weren't here, then at least he wouldn't be locked away – "

"And then Potter could come running back to you. That's what you really mean."

"This is all your fault, Blaise!" She stopped tapping her foot and threw her arms up in the air, glaring at the tall, handsome man.

"My fault?" Blaise Zabini stepped away from the wall he had been leaning against.

Pansy walked up to him and poked him in the chest as she spat her words. "If you hadn't been so enamoured with her in school, then Draco would have never even noticed her!"

He grabbed her finger and held it tight, leaning forward with a smirk on his face. "And spending two years locked away in some house with her would never have made him notice her? Come on, Pansy. Let's be honest. You can't have Harry and you can't have Draco. That's what's really pissed you off." He tossed her hand away and then resumed his position against the wall.

"You're daft! I don't want Draco. I want to be free from Harry." She looked shocked at her own admission. "I can't believe I just said that."

He chuckled at her. "You always have had to learn things the hard way. But that's why I love you. Come here." He held open his arms, and she hugged him. "I know you're worried about Draco. So am I. But I'm the best, and we will get him out of this. Just like old times, right? Draco mouthing off and getting all the Gryffs after him."

She laughed at his reference and then gave him a serious look. "He married and impregnated their princess. I don't think this will blow over."

"I still can't believe it. I would have bet good money that he would be the last to settle down…. Has she changed him?"

"I only saw him for a half an hour, but he did seem a little more human." She made a face and then mimicked Draco's normal mask. "He actually was quite emotional. Then again, he did just reunite with Narcissa."

"Speaking of which, here they come." The two parted and greeted their companions.

Pansy decided that they should enter the prison in two pairs, ten minutes apart. Luna and Blaise would enter together, registering to meet with Boris Gladstone, a repeat offender who could be easily be bought if it came to it. Pansy and Narcissa would be returning to Mrs. Goyle. Pansy's position being the owner of the prison allowed the two of them to enter unaccompanied. It would be very easy for Pansy to sneak over to Blaise and Luna, and then bring them to Draco. All had to register their wands at the front desk, much like at the Ministry. Only Aurors and guards were allowed to carry a wand into the cells. For anyone else to enter a cell, his or her wand would be placed in a secure container located at the opening of each hall.

Draco yawned as he heard his door opening. He wasn't sure who would be visiting him so early and only prayed he wouldn't be starting his day with another visit from Potter. When he sat up and saw his mother, he immediately jumped up and embraced her.

"What are you doing here? Did you find Ginevra?"

"No, not yet. Well, she should still be at the Burrow. George has agreed to get her out, but not until we help you." She hugged him again, so happy at seeing him once more.

"Mum, Potter said they were sending some kind of specialist to her today. I don't know what they will do to her." He shook his head in worry as he walked away from her.

"She'll be fine, Draco. If everything goes smoothly, George will go get her this evening. Pansy just dropped me to your room; she went to get Blaise and Luna Lovegood, who are waiting at another room."

"Blaise?"

"He has been in Italy for quite some time, but Pansy was able to reach him last night. He arrived in the middle of the night. He's very confident that you will be set free."

"I'm glad someone is. And Lovegood? Why is she here – oh, is she working for her father's paper?"

"No, she works for the Prophet. She already ran a piece on your death. Oh, there's so much still to tell you."

Blaise walked into the room. "Not until he explains to me how amazing it was to be locked away with that hot little redhead for two years!"

Draco flashed the wizard a smug smile. "That's my wife you're talking about."

"I know. I can't believe she got you to marry her. And how do two people get married all by themselves, by the way?" He lifted his eyebrows at the tall blond. Pansy and Narcissa shared a curious look. Luna opened her notebook and sat down, ready to take down his response.

"Pureblood Binding Ritual," he drawled in true Malfoy style.

"Damn. I didn't think a good little Gryffindor would go for that."

"It was her idea, mate. She's quite full of surprises." He wriggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Narcissa cut in, "Draco. Stop that. You should not speak about your wife in such a manner."

"What did I say?" He looked incredulously at her and then embraced his friend. "It's good to see you. Thank you for helping."

Pansy snatched Blaise away from Draco. "A Pureblood Binding Ritual? Are you fucking kidding? No one has done that for like a hundred years. How do you even know that spell?"

Draco's face fell a little. "I guess I didn't know it. Potter informed me yesterday that it didn't work."

Narcissa turned to her friend. "Pansy, all Malfoy marriages have been done with that ritual. And Draco, don't let him get to you. I'm sure that you performed the spell perfectly. Your father practically drilled all of those old rituals into your head since you could talk."

After Luna completed her interview with Draco and took his picture standing by the barred window, she started to head out the door, rushing to get the story finalized and printed in the next day's paper.

She paused at the door and ran back into the room. "Draco, I really do want to know all about Ginny, but I need to be at the Ministry by nine to speak with my contact there. Can I come back and talk to you about her later? I've missed her so much."

"Of course, Luna. Hopefully, you will soon be able to see her yourself. And if you come back, it should be today. I'm thinking that after your story hits, I will be much more closely monitored."

"Oh, Draco, you forget. I'm the press. They'll be afraid to keep me away." She smiled broadly and then winked at Blaise before leaving the room.

Blaise chuckled for a moment. "And I'm your litigator. They can't keep me away. And as soon as I can get the documentation proving that Ginevra is your wife, they won't be able to keep her away either."

"And how long will that take?"

"Normally, one or two days. But be prepared for the paperwork to be lost, repeatedly. So it may take a little longer. With Lovegood on our side, however, I think things will move along much more smoothly. Now, Draco, can they stay?" He nodded to Pansy and Narcissa. "I need to ask you some tough questions."

"Of course. I trust them." He smiled at the two witches sitting on his bed. He was seated at the desk chair and Blaise was on the desk, recorder in hand, and notebook on his lap.

"All right. What crimes did you participate in during your time as a spy?"

"Everything? I technically participated in many missions, but I rarely performed any Dark magic."

"Okay, that's good. Did you ever curse anyone?"

"Yes. But only when it would have caused suspicion if I hadn't." Blaise nodded in approval and wrote a few notes.

"Rape?"

"No!"

"Torture?"

"No."

"Murder?"

Draco put his hand to his head. "Yes."

"Is this the case Lovegood referred to? Felicity…" He looked back down at his notes.

"Cresswell. It was Felicity Cresswell. They were after her brother. She was a Muggle. Maybe thirty. She was very pretty. If she had been old and ugly, they would have already killed her. But someone had decided to keep her alive, decided to have a little fun with her. I usually left the missions as soon as I could, but Voldemort was starting to trust me more, give me more responsibility. I was actually in charge that night. The only time, too." He looked around the room and was surprised to see only understanding in their eyes. "They would have raped her and tortured her all night. I just couldn't watch, and I sure as hell was not going to join them. So, I walked over to her, knelt down, and asked her to forgive me. She looked so frightened. She begged me to save her. I couldn't say anything more to her without revealing my position. I just stood, walked away, and turned back quickly, firing the Avada Kedavra." He rubbed his forehead. "I needed to see their disgusting faces in order to do it. I wanted to kill everyone else in that room, but I had to kill this innocent woman."

Pansy interjected, "Draco, both sides have killed. They can't hold that against you."

Blaise looked up from his notebook. "Don't take this wrong, mate. You can't make her any more sympathetic than she already is. Don't describe her as pretty, young, or innocent. Was there anything else?"

"No. After that, I lost my privileges as a leader. They had complained to Voldemort about my spoiling their fun. Also, Potter gave me some bad information around that time. I was punished a lot that week." Narcissa lowered her head, also remembering that terrible week. Draco reached over and took her hand.

"Potter was giving you information to pass along to Voldemort?"

"Yeah. That's how you go about being a double agent. Both sides think you are working for them. It's tricky business, balancing the real leads and the bad ones. You can't always give false information to the side you are against – unless you want to die."

"And did you ever give false leads to the Order?"

"Not intentionally."

"Okay. Pansy thinks that may be part of what this is about. Once the Ministry formally announces your charges, we can better plan our strategy. And there is no one else to confirm that you were working as a spy?"

"No. Severus could have. It's going to be Potter's word against mine. Thank God for Veritaserum. Can we make him take it?"

Blaise frowned. "Probably not. We would have to prove that he knowingly set you up. That's much more difficult. All we need to focus on is that you did not betray the Order."

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A/N: Thank you for reading!

So I know this chapter didn't have a lot of action, but I hope you appreciate knowing what is happening anyway. What did you think of Harry's plea? And do you like Blaise?