Chapter 10

Ginny clung to Draco's waist tightly as she felt the spin of apparition. The black blindfold on her face made her feel even more dizzy and off-balance than she normally would during side along. Once the spinning stopped and she felt her feet on solid ground, she breathed a sigh of relief, hoping the waves of nausea within her would recede. She felt Draco's grip on her loosen, and a movement as if he was looking at their surroundings.

"I don't think they were fast enough to follow us." She heard Draco's voice above her. There was something off about the way he spoke. She felt him reach for her hand and clasp it, towing her behind him.

"It's just this way." he said. She heard it again. It was a very slight tremor in his voice. As they walked, Ginny struggled not to trip over her own feet, but his voice had been disconcerting enough to distract her.

"Malfoy," she said, stumbling a bit in her blindness, but his hand helped her regain her balance, "What is it? What's happened? Did you see Tom when the wards went off?"

He slowed his pace but did not stop. "No," he said quietly. "But Lucius was there."

"Oh." Ginny didn't know what to say. She knew that Lucius and Draco's relationship at this point was complicated at best.

"Actually," Draco continued, "I had been wondering if he was still alive."

Ginny wondered if Draco would have felt an enormous amount of guilt if Lucius had been killed, knowing that his actions may have tipped the scale in the already precarious position the Malfoys were in before he escaped with her.

"Alright," she heard Draco say, "it's just in here. There are two steps so be careful."

Ginny lifted her feet, taking one step and then the other, letting Draco's hand guide her. He led her inside a room, and she felt the warmth of being indoors. A few more steps and Draco was holding her shoulders, urging her to sit.

"Stay here," he said, guiding her to a comfortable seated position on what felt like a lounge. "I have to do the wards outside. Do not take off the blindfold yet. And for the love of God, please do not go anywhere or try to run away."

"Alright! I won't!" she snapped, folding her arms across her chest and leaning back into her seat. "Just hurry up, I don't fancy being blind much longer."

She heard his footsteps leave the room, and it felt like ages that he was gone. She was just beginning to doze off when she heard a door open and footsteps enter the room.

She sat up quickly. "Malfoy?" she said nervously, "Is that you?"

The footsteps slowed, and Ginny tensed. Malfoy was just messing with her, right? But it really could be anyone... she felt tempted to rip the blindfold off her face. As the footsteps approached her, her nerves got the best of her, and she reached up towards the blindfold. As her hands felt the smooth fabric, a voice was suddenly whispering in her ear.

"I thought I told you to leave that on."

Ginny shrieked and jumped at the sound of Draco's voice, swatting at the air where she thought Draco had been.

"That was not funny!"

She only heard him laugh, but he pulled her hands away from her face.

"The wards are done, but don't take off the blindfold yet, I want to get rid of all the mirrors first."

Ginny huffed. "Don't you think this is a bit overkill?"

"Not really." he muttered. "He's managed to find us every time so far. And seeing as this is the last safe-house at my disposal, I say we use every precaution."

For the next twenty minutes or so, Draco roamed from room to room, in... wherever they were, finding mirrors and breaking them. Ginny would hear cracks and shatters in the distance, then the sounds of shards being swept away.

His footsteps signaled his return.

"Alright. I think I got them all. Now at least he can't use the mirrors to find us."

Ginny felt his hands at the back of her head, untying the blindfold. As the fabric fell away, she blinked in the bright lights, moving her mussed hair out of her face. They were in a cottage, and it appeared to be run-down and shabby, like no one had bothered to upkeep it for years. Furniture was torn and dusty, and a couple portraits had fallen off of the walls onto the floor. It hardly looked like anything resembling a Malfoy residence.

"Are you sure this is going to be up to your standards?" she asked, suppressing a giggle. She turned around to see him standing behind her, and as she did, he looked around the cottage with mild disgust, wiping a hand on his trousers as he did so.

"It will have to do. Besides, this location is important. There's a village nearby, and there is someone there who we need to see. Someone who I think can help us."

Ginny rose from the lounge, brushing off her skirt. "Who's that?"

Draco looked at her with a smirk. "Let's just call her a 'wise woman', and leave it at that. Trust me on this one."

"Well, that's problematic, because I don't trust you at all."

"Yes, you do." He challenged with a smile, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

She chuckled at the smile, promptly forgetting herself. Their eyes locked for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts, when Ginny's stomach gave a loud rumble. She groaned, putting both hands on her stomach.

"Alright, next order of business: the Weasley needs to be fed." she stated simply, looking around the dilapidated cottage. "Is there a chance of finding anything good in here to eat?"

"There is when the pantry is magical," Draco said lazily, "and forgive me for placing your safety above food intake. I forgot with Weasleys its usually the other way around in terms of priorities."

Ginny sniffed. "Good, and don't you forget it."

X

With Weasley fed and no longer complaining, Draco set about getting them ready to go to the village. The very idea was heinous and reckless, but he couldn't help but feel that it was absolutely necessary. He knew very little about magical bonds, and with every passing hour, Tom was closer, the Order was closer, and options were becoming more limited.

Ginny had found some fresh clothes, and was using Draco's wand to freshen them and transfigure them to her size. As he watched her work, her brow was creased in concentration, and her long red hair fell over her shoulder, glistening in the sunlight through the window.

Yes, what they were about to do was reckless indeed, but they desperately needed answers.

Ginny smoothed out her freshly transfigured robes, and Draco walked up to her, wrapping her cloak around her shoulders and fastening the clasp.

"Are you sure about this?" she whispered, and he could tell how nervous she was. He finished the clasp, smoothing out her hood and collar with his hands as she stared at him.

"I'm a Malfoy," he said, touching the tip of her nose with his finger, "I'm always sure."

Ginny rolled her eyes. Draco brushed her hair with his hand, fingering the long red locks.

"This could be a problem," he said, pulling out his wand, "your hair is very recognizable." He ran his wand down the length of her hair, and the red slowly darkened into deep brown. "There, a little less, 'Look I'm a Weasley,' now."

Draco pulled her hood up, and she looked at him quizzically.

"What? Don't tell me you're hungry again-"

"Not that! Don't you think you're a bit recognizable as well?"

"I've already put obscuring charms on us. I'll keep my hood up, that should be enough. Now come on, we're wasting time."

Draco grabbed her hand, leading her to the door, convincing himself that they were doing the right thing.

X

Under a rainy, cloudy sky, the two cloaked figures left the cottage, walking towards the little village. They walked side by side down a winding path, hands clasped, and Ginny chose to converse in order to settle her nerves.

"Tell me about this wise woman." she said, giving Draco's hand a small tug. His steps were much more confident than hers were.

"Her name is Nevanthi."

"What is she like?"

"I don't know. I've never met her."

Ginny's mouth dropped open. "How on earth do you know we can trust her?"

He slowed his walk, looking towards the village, his eyes clouding in thought.

"My mother," he said simply. "She has been to see her before. She always spoke very highly of her." He resumed his pace. "Women go to her for answers, for guidance."

"Oh." She felt by his tone and closed expression that this conversation was over, and she knew better than to press him. But a part of her really wanted to know what Narcissa had needed such guidance for...

Then again, she thought, as she stumbled over a root, Draco helping her recover her balance, maybe she didn't want to know.

X

They entered the outskirts of a little village, lingering in an alleyway and studying the scene. Vendors had set up small shanties and tents, selling various robes, talismans, and other magical items. The town was much smaller than Hogsmeade, and the buildings were all in various states of disrepair. Many of the residents had shadowed, closed faces, like a cloud of depression had settled on the little town.

Ginny kept her hood up, cloak wrapped tightly around her, and clung tightly to Draco's hand. He also had his hood up, and made to walk further into the street and into the crowd of people. She quickly pulled back on his hand.

"Wait!" she gasped, whirling him towards her, "What do we do if things go sideways? Shouldn't we make a plan?"

Draco looked back at the crowd of people before leaning down and speaking to her.

"Easy. If things go sour, whatever you do, don't run. You'll never outrun a spell, especially without a wand. Just stay close to me. Everything will be fine." He began to lead her towards the bustling street, but then stopped again and turned to her. "Unless of course I specifically tell you to run, then by all means, run." Ignoring Ginny's protests, they began walking again.

"Do you think we'll run into Death Eaters here?" she asked nervously, looking around for familiar faces.

"If it was just me," Draco said quietly, "I would be in and out without seeing a single soul. But since I have you, and you are an absolute magnet for bad luck," he looked back and winked at her, "I'm positive we are going to run into trouble."

They were now immersed in the crowd. Draco seemed to know exactly where they were going, and she allowed him to lead her. They made a turn at a run-down book shop, and Ginny stopped dead in her tracks, her hand tugging on Draco's, looking at the side of the building in horror.

On the side of the building, she saw herself staring back at her. Dozens of copies of the Quibbler were plastered on the side of the building, where her face blinked back at her. Above her head were the words 'Missing.' Scattered around in fewer amounts were various pro-Death Eater propaganda, and a large Ministry notice with a large photo of both her and Draco. Above their heads was the notice, 'Wanted for Questioning.'

"Oh, god," was all Ginny could say. She turned to see Draco's reaction, and he was eyeing himself critically.

"Really?" he said incredulously, ripping down the photo of himself. "This is from last year. Look at the circles under my eyes, I look like a corpse."

"We should get out of here," Ginny blurted, beginning to panic, "we shouldn't have come, this was a terrible idea-"

"Absolutely not," Draco said, grabbing her wrist and pulling her closer and tucking her long hair into her hood, "Unless you make a spectacle of yourself, we'll be fine. We're already almost there so we might as well finish. Now come on."

They made their way down an alleyway to the front of an Apothecary. They entered, finding it empty save for two women at the counter. The women were silent as the pair approached the counter.

"I'm looking for Nevanthi." he said in a low voice. One of the women raised her eyebrows, speaking in an accent Ginny had never heard. She could not tell if the woman was young or old, but she had dark hair and dark skin, and was eyeing Draco critically. While the two had eyes locked, Ginny felt a movement over her shoulder, and turned to see a dark, young man with the lightest shade of blue eyes she had ever seen, step up behind them, blocking the exit.

"Who told you of Nevanthi?" the woman sneered at Draco, "And why do you seek her?"

Draco lowered his hood, and Ginny tensed at the blatant revelation of who he was. The young man blocking the exit did not move or react.

"My mother is Narcissa Malfoy. She has been to Nevanthi before. I come on behalf of my friend," he turned to Ginny, gently pulling her forward. "She needs her help."

The first woman continued to look dubious, folding her arms across her chest, while the other looked bored, picking at her nails.

"Nevanthi is very busy. She has... important matters to deal with."

Ginny felt Draco's body tense, could see anger flash in his grey eyes as they hardened towards the women in front of them. He stepped closer, lowering his voice to a dangerous pitch.

"She is Ginny Weasley," he said fiercely, "and her life is at stake. The Ministry and the Order of the Phoenix are looking for her. The Dark Lord desires her, and if he manages to obtain her, he will use her to make himself even more powerful. Now, SURELY, that is something that Nevanthi can spare a few minutes to address?"

The woman did not flinch at Draco's glowering, but the bored one looked up from her nails, eyeing Ginny curiously. Ginny thought for a moment if she should beg, plead, or start crying in order for the women to take pity on them and let her see Nevanthi. But before she could make a decision, she felt the hood being pulled from her head, her dark hair spilling out around her shoulders. The blue-eyed young man who had been standing behind them was right next to her. He reached out a hand to her hair, narrowing his eyes. As he did so, the charm was released, and Ginny felt a warming sensation as her dark locks slowly turned to crimson red once more.

The young man's eyes lit up in recognition.

"Ah, the Weasley girl," he said slowly, looking her up and down appraisingly, "you've a steady price on you, you know. A thousand galleons to turn you in, last I heard."

Before Ginny could open her mouth, Draco had flown in front of her, separating the two of them.

"Get away from her!" Draco snarled. He grabbed the man by the shoulders and shoved him up against the exit door with a slam.

"Don't you fucking touch her!" Draco spat, grey eyes blazing. His hands were in fists at the boy's collar. The young man only looked surprised for a moment, before he chuckled. Looking thoroughly unconcerned, he tapped lightly on one of Draco's clenched fists.

"Relax, Mr. Malfoy," he said with a toothy smile, "Nevanthi is the protector of women, and my mother. Don't you think she'd have my head if I did such a thing?" Draco eyed him closely, breathing heavily. The anger did not leave his eyes, but he released the man's robes.

The women at the counter didn't react, but appeared slightly amused at the scene that had just unfolded. The bored woman went back to examining her nails. "Always with the theatrics, Ollie."

The young man shrugged, before smoothing his robes. "I can't help it, it's boring around here." He turned back to a wary Ginny and Draco. Draco was in front of Ginny, one arm held out to keep her back. He continued to glower at the young man.

The young man chuckled again, and gave Ginny a slight bow.

"Come, Miss Weasley, I'll take you to my mother."

X

"Let me see you, child."

Ginny was in a dimly lit room that reminded her of Professor Trelawney's tower, though quite a bit more interesting to look at, and with a much less overpowering smell.

The woman swept her long, dark, braided locks over her shoulder, reaching out her hands to Ginny. Ginny walked over to her, allowing the woman to take her hands. Nevanthi gently pulled her hands so that Ginny knelt on her knees before her. Looking up at the woman, she saw her piercing blue eyes searching her own. Ginny felt completely overpowered, and shut her eyes from the strain of Nevanthi simply looking at her. She felt a ripple in her thoughts, almost like Nevanthi was practicing Legilimency on her. Instead of memories flashing through her mind, she felt like the woman was searching her feelings, examining her soul. Emotions swelled and whirled within her, like they were being stirred in a cauldron. The waves of feelings slowed and stopped. Ginny felt a chill as something dark and cold rose up inside her, and she trembled. Nevanthi abruptly let go of her hands.

Ginny opened her eyes, feeling oddly out of breath. She looked up at Nevanthi, who was regarding her with... she couldn't decide if she saw sadness, pity, or both.

"Ginny Weasley. His hold on you is strong." She said in her deep voice. Ginny could only nod. Nevanthi was still looking at her closely, searching her for something.

"The Dark Lord has put his darkness in you."

Ginny winced a bit, but once again nodded. "Yes." she whispered.

Nevanthi leaned back, sighing. "You seek answers, as do all the women who seek me. But you must know, that I cannot see all things, nor do I know all things." She waved her hand across her chest, as if gesturing for Ginny to look across the room. As she did, on the opposite end of the room, a small stream appeared. It was babbling gently, flowing from one wall and disappearing into another. In the stream, there were leaves. Large tree leaves of bright red and yellow, floating gently on top of the water and following the current until they too disappeared into the wall. Nevanthi stood, walking over to the stream, and kneeling down next to it. Ginny followed, curious, and knelt next to her, watching the leaves as they traveled.

Nevanthi stared at the water intently. "The leaves represent knowledge. They are answers not meant for man or mortal. But some, like myself, can catch them, can see them." She reached a hand out a grabbed one of the large leaves, examining it closely. "Like little fragments of the past, and of the future." She turned to Ginny as she held the leaf in her hand, gesturing to the dozens of leaves that continued flowing past her, disappearing. "I could grab the leaves, these little pieces of knowledge, as fast as I can, but I will never have them all. Do you understand? You must know this before you seek answers."

Ginny sat back on her heels. Of course, she wanted answers, all of them. But that would be impossible. But perhaps even if she had just the tiniest bit of help, the smallest of direction, it could change everything.

"I understand," Ginny said. "I do. I came to you because I need help, and even if you don't have all the answers, I would truly be grateful for any help I could get. Any guidance... anything, really. I'm quite... lost at this point, and we're running out of time."

Nevanthi nodded. "He is pursuing you."

"Yes. I know we are... bonded, that's how he's been finding me." She held her breath nervously. "I need to know. How can I break the bond?"

"His hold on you is strong," she repeated, "that I know. But, if you are bonded to him... well, the best way to break a bond is to forge a new one."

"Alright, but how?"

"The boy," she said quietly, "Give yourself to him."

Ginny's eyes widened.

"What?"

"Your virginity holds great power. Give it to the boy, and bind yourself to him."

"I can't- I don't..." she could hardly form a coherent thought. "That's completely mad...isn't it? There isn't something... something else?"

Nevanthi looked contemplative, hands clasped together in her lap.

"His hold is strong..." she trailed off, and then she nodded to herself, agreeing to her own conclusion. "Only the strongest, most ancient magic could stand a chance, or even a hope... The purity of a pureblood, this is among the strongest of powers that exist in our realm. For a creature so bathed in darkness, only such powerful purity such as this could cast his darkness out."

Ginny crossed her arms, trying to hide her shudder. Nevanthi looked back at her, smiling encouragingly.

"He cares for you, Ginny Weasley. As much as he is capable of. He carries great fear for you. He fears for your safety." She stopped, reaching a hand out and placing it on Ginny's. "I know why you hesitate. The boy has darkness in him as well. His soul is pierced with many wounds... and you have the power to close those wounds. Give yourself to him. He will not refuse you. Bind yourself to him, and it will save him as much as it will save you."

Ginny's mind was reeling. Give herself to him? Bind herself, to Draco Malfoy of all people? Sure, that thought had crossed her mind more than once lately, but it had also been when he had been snogging her so hard she forgot her own name...

"And if I don't? What happens if I don't?"

"The choice is always yours, child." Nevanthi sighed. "But know this: never in all my years have I seen such a hold on someone as the Dark Lord has on you. He will surely find you if the bond is not broken. When he does, it does not take a seer to know that he will destroy you. He will destroy you both, you know this." She lifted her hand and gave a small wave. Immediately, an image filled Ginny's mind.

Draco.

He was on his knees in a dark cell, hands bound behind his back. His face bruised and bleeding. His head was bowed slightly, swaying as he knelt, and Ginny could feel that he was in great pain. It was evident that he had been tortured for days, if not weeks. Tom moved in beside him, wand drawn. Tom was whispering to him, and whatever he was saying, she knew it was about her, and it was causing Draco to tremble. Despite this, he looked up at Tom with determined eyes and jaw set. Tom laughed at the defiant gesture, before standing up and leaving the cell. As he did, there was a great coldness, and three dementors entered the cell. Their presence caused Draco to collapse on his side, his sweaty face paling. The dementors leaned in, eager for their feast. She watched in horror as the light left his eyes, and he was left as a shell of what he once was, completely devoid of anything good or living. She tried to reach out to him, but her hands only met darkness...

"No!" she screamed. She opened her eyes, which had been tightly screwed shut. She was on her knees, kneeling next to where she had seen Draco, hands on her head and eyes tearing. She gasped. "That can't happen," she said shakily, "it just can't. Not after everything that's happened. Not after everything he's done." She stood slowly to her feet, where Nevanthi was eyeing her calmly.

Ginny gulped. "I'll do it. I'll do it to save him. To save both of us."

Nevanthi nodded solemnly. "Do this, and it will set you on the right path."

Ginny took a deep breath, willing her spinning thoughts to slow down.

"I will."

X

"Are you alright?"

Ginny had left the Apothecary, looking pale and shaken, and Draco was both anticipating and dreading what she had to say about their meeting. Draco led them to a small alleyway slightly out of sight of the bustling throngs of people. He had placed the obscuring charms back on them, and no one seemed to take notice of the alleyway's existence. Ginny stared straight ahead but clamped down a hand on his forearm. "I'm okay." she said, but in an oddly high-pitched voice. Draco shuffled his feet anxiously. He wanted to give her time, but the more time they spent in the village, the more likely they were to be discovered.

"Alright, Weasley," he said gently but firmly, "let's get this over with. What did she say?"

"Um, well," Ginny visibly gulped, "she said quite a few things."

"Well?" He asked impatiently, eyebrows raised, "What is it? Do you have to do something?"

"Ah," Ginny nodded, avoiding his gaze, "actually yes. I do... er, need to do something." She felt her face reddening and puckered her lips in a horrible attempt to look casual.

Draco didn't move or speak, but seemed to be waiting with bated breath, so she continued. Might as well grab the blast-ended skrewt by the stinger and get this over with...

"She... uh, Nevanthi, that is, told me to do something to you! I mean, you have to do something to me!"She winced at the pathetic explanation, holding an embarrassed hand to her forehead.

Draco however, seemed relieved.

"Oh," he breathed out. "So, there is a way! For a moment I was worried- well, never mind. What do I have to do? Am I to put a spell on you? Is it dark magic? No, no, not even Nevanthi dabbles in dark magic... but I wouldn't put her above performing a sacrificial ritual of some kind, she has been known to recommend more obscure brands of magic..." He trailed off, before looking at Ginny with a slight panic in his face.

"Wait a minute, is it a sacrificial ritual? It is, isn't it? Am I going to have to let you cut off my hand or something?"

If Ginny hadn't been so horrified by what she needed to tell him, she would have laughed at his conclusions. But all she could do was shake her head.

"Don't worry, Malfoy. I assure you, you'll come out of this fully intact. As for me, on the other hand, well..."

Oh gods, she couldn't say it!

Draco sighed in relief, but hadn't grasped the idea yet. He ran a hand over his face. "Alright, so then what? Wait, do I have to cut off your hand? Why are you turning so red? Spit it out, will you?"

"No one is losing a hand, you lunatic!" she yelled in frustration. Then, collecting her thoughts and calming herself, she took a breath. "But it is a sacrifice, I suppose... It's me, Malfoy. I will be the one sacrificing something." she said, rubbing her hands over her eyes, "and you're going to help me."

Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods...

Just figure it out already you daft idiot!

But he was just looking at her expectantly.

"Malfoy," she said, mustering up her last shreds of bravery, "Tom Riddle is full of darkness. If I need to drive him out, to destroy our bond, I need to destroy it with something ancient and powerful. Something that repels darkness. Something pure..."

She hesitated before adding her last point.

"My purity."

As she emphasized the last words with her lips, she saw understanding seemed to finally creep back into his eyes, and as it did, his mouth fell open ever so slowly.

Neither of them spoke, nor seemed to breathe, for several moments. She allowed time for the words to come together, for him to comprehend what she would be asking him to do. And for a few mortifying moments she thought he might laugh at the idea, but then she felt his hand on her shoulder.

She saw the desire in his gaze, coupled with something vulnerable. He reached up to her, both hands gently holding her face, a thumb moving along her cheek.

"You mean, I can have you?" he whispered, and his tone sent a tingling heat crawling through her. But then his brow furrowed. "Wait, are you sure? I mean, are you absolutely sure?"

The way he was touching her, looking at her, made her wonder why she ever had any doubts in the first place... He was looking at her like he was terrified she was about to change her mind. Lust aside, she had to do it. For both of them.

"I'm sure. Really." she smiled at him. Draco leaned into her, kissing the smile right off her face. Despite his many flaws, despite who he had been, what he had done, right here, in the dirty alleyway, his lips on hers, legs touching, hands entangling, had an absolute feeling of rightness about it. A part of Ginny, the part long forgotten that Draco Malfoy had seemed to awaken, was struggling out of the cage inside her again. The part of her was longing to break free, and was telling her that not only did she have to do this, but she wanted to do this. She wanted to completely surrender herself to the boy whose arms were wrapped around her, and she felt no fear at the thought.

Draco broke their kiss, and Ginny swayed on the spot. "Wait," he said, and she was pleased to note he was slightly breathless, "If we are going to do this, its needs to be right. It needs to be strong. We could..." a flash of inspiration flickered across his face, and his grey eyes glinted. "Let's get you back to the cottage, and then I need to come back. I need to see Nevanthi. She can help us. I know what to do."

X

With Ginny safely back at the cottage, Draco returned to Nevanthi.

After an hour gone, he walked back into the cottage, pleased to see Ginny pacing back and forth in worry, but completely unharmed. His trademark smirk was back on his face. Afterall, he had gotten what he needed.

Ginny raised an eyebrow at him. "You seem awfully pleased with yourself. I'm surprised they let you see her. As pretty as you think you are, you don't pass for a woman."

Draco only shrugged his shoulders. "I have my ways, Weasley. Besides, it was the women in the shop I spoke to... They have agreed to help us."

"With what?"

Draco suddenly found his nails very interesting. "We are to meet her and her handmaids in the forest near the cottage tomorrow night at sundown. They are going to help us with a bonding ceremony."

"Uh, a bondingceremony?"

"Yes," he said, meeting her gaze, "just like the ancient Beltane ceremonies for youth who had come of age. We'll do a proper bonding ceremony, so that we can make the bond as strong as we can. Hopefully strong enough to break Tom's hold on you."

Ginny nodded, "It will work," she said firmly, but her eyes were wide. Draco could see the inner turmoil.

"Listen to me," he said gently. He walked up to her, and couldn't help himself as one hand clasped a lock of hair, and he ran his fingers down the length of it, admiring the softness, "You can change your mind. You can back out at any time. I won't be angry, I promise. This may not work, Weasley, you have to know that. Have you thought about that? I mean, really thought about it? If we do this, and it isn't strong enough to break this bond, is that something you can live with?"

Ginny was silent, allowing the words to sink in.

Draco decided to lay his cards on the table, bracing himself for a possible blow.

"Would you be filled with regret," he whispered, his hands running down her arms, "if you gave yourself to me, and it did not save you from Tom?"

She looked at Draco. His eyes were boring into hers.

"Would you?" he repeated.

X

Ginny's mind was reeling, as it seemed to always be the last few days. Draco was standing oh so close to her, and she imagined what it might be like to be with him in all the ways she had never been with a man. The flitting thoughts took her breath away. But then she forced herself to ponder the question he had asked... what would she feel if it accomplished nothing? Shame? Regret? Loss? Afterall, he was an enemy to her family, to Harry... She thought of her family, scorning her, telling her how filthy and selfish she was. She thought of Harry, and him looking at her with such betrayal. A Death Eater, he would say, A Malfoy of all people...

But that was who he was, not who he is...

She thought of him on his knees, handing her his wand, and how he completelysurrendered himself to her. Showing remorse in the only way he knew how. She thought of his laughter, so rare but beautiful none the less. His grey eyes that showed unimaginable depths of sorrow and loss, but that lit up when he looked at her. His lips on hers. His boyish smile when he looked at her that last night at Malfoy Manor.

'I'm rescuing you.'

No, she could not regret this. She had come to care for him, and she would go to the ends of the earth if it meant saving him from the fate she saw in her vision with Nevanthi. She knew that he too cared for her, as much as Draco Malfoy was capable of, and the thought of the two of them sharing something so sacred, even just for one night, seemed wonderful and right.

It would work, it had to work. She would bind herself to Draco, and he would take her, and she knew that he would treasure her gift to him, and that gift would be kept safe and far away from Tom, where he could never have it.

She grabbed Draco's face, forcing him to look at her.

"I would not regret it for a moment," she whispered softly, "No matter what happened, I would treasure it forever."

X

Ginny slept fitfully that night.

First, she dreamed of gentle caresses, lips kissing her skin, and a feverish heat. Then the dream had morphed into a nightmare. Her hands were tangled in Draco's blonde locks, and he looked down at her beneath him. As he did, he reached up and grabbed one of her hands, pulling it out of his hair, and holding it in front of her.

'Look at your hands, Ginevra.'

She had looked, and the hand was dripping blood. When she looked back up at Draco, it was Tom above her, and he was laughing...

She had woken up gasping for breath. She was thoroughly frightened but at least she hadn't screamed. Draco slept on in the next room, though she heard him tossing and turning, muttering in his sleep. She lay back down in her bed, trying not to think about why in her nightmares she always had blood on her hands, and every time she knew it was not her blood, but someone else's...

X

The following day passed in a blur of nerves and awkward silences. Ginny spent a fair amount of the day pacing a hole in the floor, and Draco sat in a large torn armchair, staring into the unlit fireplace.

Finally, after many agonizing hours, the large clock in the dusty foyer chimed. The couple looked at each other, much like they had that night in Malfoy Manor, the night of the ceremony with Tom.

It was time.

Draco led Ginny to the edge of the property, towards a small path leading into the woods. He paused as they approached the edge of the clearing and turned to her.

"Remember what I said. You can still change your mind."

"I remember," she said, more confident than she felt. She hoped he couldn't feel the slight tremble of her hands, "is it safe in there, though?" she asked warily, nodding towards the dark woods.

Draco nodded, giving her hand a squeeze. "Nevanthi's handmaidens have used their magic on the grounds for the ceremony. We will be well-protected until dawn." He waited a moment, watching for Ginny's reaction. She gave a slight nod, and began leading her once again down the path into the forest. HIs hold on her was gentle, but firm as he led her. Her heart was racing, as she thought about what lie waiting at the end of this path.

The pathway became darker as he led her, and he lit his wand to guide the way. The air was heavy and thick, almost suffocating. Just when the darkness felt unbearable, Ginny looked ahead where Draco was leading her, and saw glimmering lights in a small clearing in the forest.

The scene was straight out of a fairytale, or maybe a portrait at Hogwarts. The moonlit clearing was lush with soft grass and moss, and a small trickle of a waterfall splashed in the background. Small fairy lights lay scattered about, casting soft glows. In the clearing stood three women, clad in long blue robes; Nevanthi's handmaidens. To the side stood Ollie, also clad in blue, which made his blue eyes look other-worldly in the moonlight. As Draco and Ginny approached, the women curtsied, and Ollie gave a bow.

One of the women approached Ginny and held a hand out to her.

"Come."

Ginny looked quickly at Draco, who nodded encouragingly. "It's alright. They're here to help."

Ginny hesitantly reached her hand out toward the handmaiden, who began leading her away with the other women. She looked back once more at Draco, who nodded again in reassurance.

They walked for several minutes, before coming to a second clearing. In the clearing was a large, clawfoot tub. The women helped Ginny undress and get into the tub. She was sure that they had added a potion to the bubbly water, because she immediately felt her nerves ease and her fears calm. The handmaidens washed her body and hair, then toweled her dry. She was so calm and relaxed she didn't care that she was perfectly capable of washing and drying herself.

Wrapped in a towel, the handmaidens applied various lotions and oils to her skin. One of the women dried her hair with her wand, leaving it long with a slight curl to it. She pulled part of her hair back out of her face, pinning it with flowers. The women then began weaving several tiny plaits in her hair. One handmaiden whispered an incantation onto a feather, and then began weaving the feather into the braid.

One of the handmaidens grabbed what looked like an ink bottle, and she recited a long and complicated incantation as she held and waved the ink bottle around. The other handmaidens all grabbed a tiny brush, each dipping theirs into the ink bottle.

Ginny felt a shock of cold as she felt the ink make contact with her skin. The Handmaidens each had an arm, and when she looked down, she saw they were painting a series of runes on her skin, elbow to forearm. Then they painted runes on her hands. When they finished her hands, Ginny gently touched the ink, wondering if it would smear, and it did not. She sat and they gestured for her legs, where they painted her from the knees down, leaving several runes on her bare feet. Just when she felt like a piece of parchment, the handmaiden who had held the inkbottle approached her. Instead of using a brush, she dipped her finger into the ink, and smeared a small cross on Ginny's forehead. This must have pleased the handmaiden, because she smiled, and gestured Ginny towards a chair, where a clean white dress lay draped across it.

The Handmaidens helped her into the white dress. She felt a chill in the thin garment, but then she was covered with a red cloak, and the handmaiden raised the hood to cover her head.

The three Handmaidens stood back and observed Ginny, looking her up and down. They muttered to each other before one turned to Ginny.

"You're ready."

X

Draco tried not to tap his foot in impatience as he waited for Ginny. Ollie only laughed at him, shaking his head slightly. Ollie had taken Draco to a bath, which had felt luxurious despite the odd location, then had dressed him in simple shirt and trousers. Ollie had then muttered an incantation on a bottle of ink, and painted runes on Draco's hands, arms and feet. He did not question the runes or the incantations, he just found himself hoping that this would work.

It had to work.

Ollie began setting up a stone altar, lighting several candles on it with his wand. Draco heard a rustling of leaves and turned to see the Handmaidens walking back down the path towards them. Ginny was behind them, and when she came into view, she smiled beautifully, walking right up to him without hesitation. It made his throat want to close, and his stomach made a flip-flop motion.

He led her to the altar, where Ollie beckoned him to remove her hood. He did so, and as he did he could now see her fully in the moonlight, and he became completely mesmerized by her.

Her brown eyes were dark and sparkling. Her lips were curved into a nervous smile. Her simple dress only showed off her natural beauty. Her long red hair was partially pulled back, tied with braids and flowers, the rest cascading down her shoulders. A slight breeze rustled her hair and cloak, and he caught her flowery scent. She smelled incredible, and he was intoxicated by it. He saw the painted black runes on her limbs, and the smudge of a cross on her forehead. For a heady, insane moment, he forgot that they were doing this out of necessity, or to save their lives. He could only think about how much he wanted this, and how her sweet smile was telling him that she wanted this too.

Words failed him for a moment, but Ollie was beckoning the couple to kneel at the altar. He turned back to Ginny. "Do you still want to do this?" asking because he felt he must, "it's not too late to turn back."

She looked so goddam beautiful, somehow making flowers and feathers and ink look like royalty. And he found himself hoping, pleading, with the Universe, with the gods, with anyone, that she would say yes, and that she would somehow find him worthy of her, even for one night. Because the thought of her saying no, of her leaving him, and not being near her again, never hearing her laugh or smile, suddenly became completely unimaginable, completely unbearable.

Her sweet smile did not waver, and her eyes became blazing as they looked at his.

"I'm ready."

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