Warning: Explicit scenes ahead.

RETURN

Ginny pressed herself against her wall for support, a myriad of emotions passing through her all at once. Shock, anger, disappointment, relief, sadness, loneliness.

She wasn't pregnant.

Ginny could not believe it. A moment of disbelief had hit her when the Madame had told her, and even she had the good grace to appear surprised by the outcome, considering the report Ginny had given her. As promised, she kept out the more interesting details, the details the Madame and the Council would have loved to know, but she had been truthful about his frequency of bedding her. The Madame had just shrugged her shoulders, chalked it up to 'the wrong time', then said Ginny should make even more of an effort.

She sighed heavily and dropped down to the floor, hugging her knees and biting her lip. How could it be possible? And why were the fates so cruel as to deny her this? After everything…. Of course, she didn't really want a baby, hadn't wanted any of this at all, especially not with a Death Eater, but if she had to then she would love it and care for it. If she had to endure all this suffering, then the baby was her reward, something for her to love again and be loved. She had built all that up in her mind so much, that being told she still wasn't pregnant was a stab in the chest.

It also meant Malfoy would continue to visit her, and that was the worst of all. Lying with him had been a chore, his callous manner grating, his resentment tiresome…. Not to mention his utter disregard for the pain he had caused that first time, and she was certain he must have known, must have realised she was a virgin. It had surprised her when she mentioned it and he had been so obviously shocked by it. Then, back at the cottage, lying with him had almost been a dream, especially that last time…. She couldn't stop thinking about the last time…. It rotated in her mind like clockwork, thinking about his skin, his lips, his eyes, his hands all on her, surrounding her, overwhelming her. It scared her to think of it, to think of the way it had made her feel. It scared her because she couldn't lose control, toying with him, playing with his mind, was her only power. She couldn't lose it, and she certainly could not start thinking of Draco Malfoy like that, ever.

This is what she dreaded, him coming to her bed and taking her like that again, making her think and feel. And then, there was the other part of her that dreaded the return of his cold and callous way of fucking her, now they were back in the castle…. After being taken so beautifully, she didn't think she could cope with that again. It was all too confusing.

She jumped as she heard a loud bang, from downstairs it sounded like. Ginny stood, and went to listen at the door. No other noise came, so she left her room to investigate, tentatively walking down the steps to the living area.

Malfoy was sitting in his armchair, head in his hands, his Captain uniform still on. She stared at him for a moment, wondering if she should just leave, but she knew she had to tell him they had failed this month. There was no point in holding it off, even if he was angry or upset, whatever was the matter with him.

She coughed to make him aware of her standing there, and he glanced sharply at her. "What?" he asked, his tone curt. She hadn't expected anything less, the castle had made him change back into the irascible and cold version of Malfoy again, this is what she dreaded to see when he decided to lay with her again.

"I saw the Madame today," she said quietly, and the frown he had on his face disappeared, though she expected it would return very quickly. "She told me I'm not pregnant, so…" she trailed off, there was nothing else to say. He knew what it meant.

He growled in aggravation and fell back against the armchair, he reached up and plucked the cap from his head, tossing it onto the coffee table with undue force. "How?" he asked, his tone still harsh as he looked at her again. She was a little angered by the accusatory glint there, as if it was her fault alone. "How is that possible?"

"The Madame said it just wasn't the right time," she replied steadily, not letting his anger get to her. This wasn't her fault. It was just the way it was, it wasn't always as easy as people thought.

"When is the right fucking time?!" he shouted suddenly, making her jump in surprise at how loud he became. "Well? When?!" He growled again, angry and aggravated when she didn't respond, a hand dragging through his hair as he sat forward again, frowning deeply as he thought.

When he stood sharply, Ginny took an involuntary step back, thankful he wasn't looking at her to see it. She hoped he was not even thinking about taking her to bed now, not when he was like this. She hadn't seen his real anger up until now, had only seen it subdued, controlled, like everything else about him. But he simply paced the room, and got himself a drink from one of the cabinets to down in one go.

He was incredibly tense, she could see that even with his back to her and she daren't speak or do anything. He took another drink and rolled his shoulders back, before facing her again.

"Fine," he said steadily now, his anger muted once more. "I want you to take your dinner upstairs, I want to have mine in peace. Come to my room by eight, and I won't tolerate you being late, girl."

Ginny stared at him, her fear confirmed. She shook her head then, unable to speak, cursing herself for being frightened of him now. It had been so much easier when he was horrid to her….

"No?" he asked, frowning. "You are refusing me?" He set his empty glass down on the side, but he did not move yet.

"I don't want you like this," she finally said, hating herself for her voice wavered as she spoke.

He stared back at her for a moment, and she wondered if the other Malfoy was still in there at all or if he had been discarded at the cottage entirely. "That is the beauty of this arrangement, it doesn't matter if you want me or not," he said harshly, his mouth cruel.

"Don't do this," she said, near begging him and walking backwards to the stairs, wanting to hide from him. Though where she could hide, she didn't know. Her heart lodged itself in her throat as he pushed away from the cabinet and advanced her. Before she could barely turn to run away, he had her in his arms.

"I've had a long, arduous day," he muttered into her ear, and her heart pounded against her chest for fear of what he might do. "Made all the worse by being told you still don't carry my child. The least you can do is lay back and fucking take my cock as you have done many times before. Eight o'clock, and I'm telling you now, if you are late…." He left his threat open-ended.

"You're hurting me," she whispered, his arms tightly wrapped around her.

"What time will you be in my room?" he growled in her ear, ignoring her protests.

"Please, let me go!" she begged, almost on the verge of tears now.

"What time?!"

She stared at the step in front of her, his breath on her neck, his body pressed hard against hers and she couldn't believe this was the same man…. "Eight o'clock," she finally whispered, and he released her, but before she could run from him, he caught her arm again.

She turned to look at him, dreading whatever else he had in store for her. "And, Ginevra," he said, surprising her by using her name. It was cruel, so cruel, for it reminded her of that last time. "Don't ever refuse me again." He finally let her go then, and she was ashamed to run from him, frightened by his manner and anger. Frightened by what she was dreading, frightened because she couldn't go back to how she was before, when she thought of him as nothing but a means to an end. Back then, she didn't care.

When her dinner arrived, she could barely finish it, too anxious at what night time would bring. She didn't know what to do. Should she play the submissive part he loved so much? Or should she be the rebellious girl that riled him up so well? Or should she try to replicate their last time together, where she showered him with the affection he obviously craved? None of them seemed right, even being submissive seemed like it wouldn't work, like it wouldn't assuage his ire. No part could be played with him tonight, she could only hope he would take pity on her. How utterly pathetic…. To be completely in his hands, under his power and will.

When it neared eight, her heart started to pound again, her palms dampening with anxious sweat, and she was at a loss of what to do. Freshening her face didn't help, changing her dress didn't help, nothing helped. She finally left her room, steeling herself and remembering she was brave, had survived battles, had survived a war. She could do this, be indifferent, let him see she didn't give a fuck about him beyond his duty. It was all easier said than done.

Ginny shook her hair back, swallowed hard and knocked on his door.

"Come," his curt voice came from within.

She opened the door, eyes down as she turned to shut it again. When she turned back, she stayed by the door, her back against it. Ginny had never been in his bedroom at the castle before, aside from her moment of delirium…. It was huge, so much bigger than hers. There was a whole other sitting area, another large fireplace, empty for now as the weather grew balmy, and his bed was huge as well, a four-poster made from dark wood, and covered in plush sheeting and pillows.

"Just on time, Ginevra," he said, saying her name again, surprising her. He sat upon one of the armchairs, leant forward with a drink in his hand again, shirtless and shoeless, his trousers unlaced. Ginny wondered if he was still angry, he appeared to be much calmer than he had been earlier…. "Get away from the door," he ordered, before taking his drink in one gulp and placing his glass on the table in front of him.

She breathed deeply, wanting to move, but she couldn't gauge his emotions just now. She didn't want to lay with him when he was angry, truly angry.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you attempting to disobey me again, girl? It doesn't work out well for you, does it, when you disobey me?" She stiffened as he stood up to his full height, and it wasn't until now she realised how intimidating it could be.

"Why are you angry with me? I haven't done anything to you," she finally said, finding her voice as he came toward her.

"You won't release me," he growled at her as he stopped in front of her, hands by her firmly on the door so she couldn't escape. Ginny was confused, he spoke as if he were her prisoner. "All you need to do is carry my baby, that is all. Then I can be released from you, you understand?"

"It isn't my fault it didn't happen," she whispered fiercely for she would not be blamed for that. "It is not as simple as you think."

He hit the door behind her, making her jump, and he glared down at her. "Do you think I care about the particulars?" He hissed. "Take your dress off," he ordered, stepping away from her, "now."

Ginny shook her head once more. "No, I won't. I don't want you when you are like this," she said, repeating her sentiment from earlier.

"If you don't take your fucking dress off now, I'll do it for you," he warned, his voice low and dark, his gaze unforgiving. "This is the only way I'll be fucking you if you don't obey me, do you understand?"

Ginny stared at him, knowing she must be looking at him in fear, but it was too late to hide any of that now. She swallowed hard and reached up to undo the ties on the front of her dress, not looking at him now for it only made it worse. If she obeyed him, perhaps he would not be so callous with her.

"Good, now, on the bed," he said, once she was out of her dress, naked to him, vulnerable. Her heart pounded then as she saw his eyes darkening with lust, even with the angry look there. "No," he murmured, making her halt her progress, "face the door instead."

Ginny sighed and went back to the door, facing it like some child being told off. She jumped as his hands came on her, forcing her to lean forward, her hands pressed on the door. Then suddenly, his hand was between her legs, rough and fervent in his stroking, though still it made her gasp and sigh, but he stopped when she seemed wet enough.

Without warning, he slid inside her fully and she grimaced at the size of it there. He hadn't prepared her like he usually did, with his hands and fingers, his mouth even. It was always easier to take him when she had come before, but he was not affording her that luxury today. He growled in pleasure though as he stopped right there at the hilt, his hands squeezing her bottom roughly and he moved inside her again, causing her to grimace once more.

She couldn't help the little squeal that came forth from her as he buried himself deep again. "Slowly, slowly…" she near whined. "It's too much… too much."

He merely scoffed and pulled one of her arms back, forcing her close to him so he could mutter in her ear. "You were fucking made to take all of me," he said. "Do you understand?" He growled as he slid back in again, making her squeal once more and he released her arm, letting her fall against the door again. "Do you understand?" He snapped at her.

"Yes," she replied, her voice wavering as he carried on his motion, only now his hands were holding her hips tightly, steadying her as he picked up the pace.

"Then say it," he ordered. Ginny shrieked as he pulled back on her hair, forcing her back again. "Say it!" He growled, and a thrill of pleasure sparked through her, despite herself and the fear she had felt. She could do

this now, for this was his resentment. He couldn't stand the fact that he had to be near her, fucking her still, couldn't stand that he hadn't been successful in getting her pregnant. All because he wanted her when he knew he shouldn't.

"Does it make you feel good to fuck me like this?" She hissed at him, gasping as he tugged on her hair again. "Because you hate yourself for wanting me? So you take it out on me instead? Makes you feel like a man, does it?" she sneered.

Then he stopped, pulled away from her to force her to face him. Pure anger crossed his face, but she didn't care now, this was his problem, not hers. He lifted her up and pushed her against the door before entering her again, pounding into her. "Your not worth enough to fuck any other way," he muttered in her ear.

She laughed. "And you're not man enough for me," she whispered in his ear. "You can't even put a baby in my belly… you're too weak. Ah!" She shrieked again as he smacked her bottom hard, but laughed soon after.

"Not man enough?" He growled at her, moving away from the door now to take her over to the bed, where he continued to fuck her hard, his headboard smacking against the wall with force. "I seem to remember you complaining just now that you couldn't bear to take me," he said. "Too much, too much," he said, mocking her, laughing low. "I'll have you pregnant by the end of the month, make no mistake… Now, be quiet and take it like a good girl."

He said nothing else to her then as he loomed over, his arms by her side, trapping her until he was ready to release her. He was relentless, nothing like he had been with her that last time, but it wasn't so bad as she had built up. It was never as bad as when he had taken her virginity. Despite it all, she had to admit he looked amazing above her, body glistening with sweat, mussed hair falling forward, brow furrowing with the concentration. She held onto his forearms, her grip tight as she watched him, enjoying him as she knew she shouldn't, especially since he had been so cold to her before and still was to a degree. Then he stiffened, groaning quietly as he came inside her finally.

He stayed above her for the shortest of moments, before pulling back from her. Now would come the harsh reality again, for she knew he was still in no mood to entertain anything like they had back at the cottage. He ran a hand through his hair as he sat on the edge of his bed, his back to her.

"Why were you angry earlier?" she asked softly. "Before I told you about… well, you know."

He glanced over his shoulder at her. "Leave, girl," he said, tiredness in his voice.

Ginny sighed, and slipped off his bed without argument. What was the point? There was some semblance of the man she had seen before, in his passion and the lustful look in his eyes, but he had turned cold again. The castle had made him turn back into Captain Malfoy, stoic, ruthless and intolerant. A man with a duty and responsibilities. And it didn't matter anyway, for she shouldn't want him at all, she shouldn't even care about him at all.

A/N: Thank you for all your reviews. More chapters to come, hope you enjoy it!