A/n: Long chapter. 1092 words! Phew! Thanks to all of my reviewers!
Four:
Ginny's idea of a bad day had been nothing compared to the hours following her "meeting" with Lucius and Severus that morning. They had had a conference with the Headmaster, who had agreed that their plan was he safest way of ensuring Lucius' safety, much to Ginny's disappointment. House Elves had Apparated to her house and collected several things she would need. Ginny was forever grateful for the powerful magic that allowed them to breach Hogwarts Anit-Apparation barriers.
"Miss Weasley?" Severus called, knocking on her door.
"Come in." Ginny called.
Severus entered her bedroom to find her filling her closet with clothes, muggle and wizard alike. She paused in her organizing to gesture for him to sit down. She took a seat next to him on the small couch opposite her bed. Severus cleared his throat cautiously before speaking.
"Miss Weasley, you are supposed to be in hiding, an therefore cannot eat in the Great Hall, or roam the corridors aimlessly. You may summon a House Elf whenever you want to eat, but Lucius has invited you to share mealtimes with him if you wish to have company." Severus said this very slowly, as if gauging her reaction.
"I suppose that will be fine. It's better than eating alone." Ginny sighed.
Severus nodded, "Lunch will be served for both of you in Lucius' sitting room at noon, and meals will commence at usual times should you chose to join him again." he said, then rose and quietly left Ginny to her thoughts.
~
"Miss Weasley." Lucius nodded when she entered the room.
"Mr. Malfoy, we are going to be spending a lot of time together, perhaps you could call me by my first name?" Ginny said irritably.
"Of course Virginia." Lucius muttered.
"Ugh, not THAT first name though." Ginny growled.
Lucius' lips tugged up at the ends, and then he let out a burst of roaring laughter. Ginny froze, then realized she had been pacing. She looked at the man in front of her, frightened. If she thought a solemn Malfoy was scary, this was enough to send anyone running. But still, she noticed he looked rather nice when he smiled. She supposed it was the absence of the ever-condescending sneer he usually wore. But, come to think of it, she hadn't seen that sneer in a while.
"Thank you, Virginia, I needed that." He gasped out, holding his stomach.
" I told you, don't call me that." Ginny hissed.
"That is your first name, correct?" Lucius smirked.
"Call me Ginny…or Gin." Ginny sighed, slumping down into the chair across from him.
"Gin…I like I. It suits you.," he said, looking her over again "You may call me Lucius."
"Not Luci?" Ginny grinned mischievously.
"Only if you have a death wish." Lucius said dryly.
Two house Elves arrived, and moments later Ginny and Lucius were being fed to their hearts content, and all bickering was forgotten for the time being.
~
"Professor?" Ginny whispered.
Ginny tiptoed into his office through the door connected to his sitting room. She found Severus at his desk, with his head down. Papers were scattered everywhere, and Ginny could hear soft, rhythmic breathing. She smiled to herself as she covered him with a heavy cloak that she found hanging from the door. She found some parchment and took the quill from his hand, scribbled a note and went through a door to the right of the desk. Moments later, Ginny reappeared holding a small blue vial in her hand. She closed the door soundlessly behind her.
~
"Miss Weasley, care to explain your need for a Dreamless sleep Potion from my private stores last night?" Severus asked as he stalked into the room.
"I…I left a note, sir."
"Yes, which is how I knew it was you that took it. I am not angry, Miss Weasley, just curious." Severus said calmly.
He smacked Lucius upside the head and snatched a small leather bound book from his hands. Lucius rubbed his head absently and glared at Severus back as he took his seat on the couch. He threw Ginny a mischievous smirk and waited for Severus to set the book down before summoning it and continuing his reading.
"I had a nightmare, that's all." Ginny muttered.
"A reoccurring nightmare?" Severus pressed.
"Excuse me?"
"Your records show that you requested Dreamless Sleep at least once a week during your school years." Severus said softly.
"I have the same dream, yes. It's…It's about Tom." Ginny said quietly, tracing a pattern on the floor with her bare toe.
He turned to face Lucius, who merely raised an eyebrow. Severus turned back to Ginny and summoned the book out of Lucius' hands without looking at him. Lucius merely glared at him again, sending Ginny into a fit of laughter.
"Have you considered using a Pensive?" Severus asked, stopping her laughter instantly.
"No. and I won't." with that, Ginny got up and left the room.
Severus sighed audibly and turned to Lucius. He held up the small black book and Lucius shrugged, smirking. Severus shook his head and glanced pointedly at the door, signifying what Lucius' punishment would be.
"Why me? She likes you!" Lucius complained.
"And she likes you as well, but she doesn't know you as well as she knows me. Next time you'll think twice before reading my journals." Severus hissed.
"It's not like there was anything interesting," Lucius grumbled, running for the door as Severus hurled a throw pillow at him.
~
"Miss--Gin?" Lucius asked softly as he pushed open her bedroom door.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Ginny was sitting cross-legged on her bed, staring avidly at the wall. Her bedroom was decorated much like Severus' sitting room, dark greens and grays with black wooden furniture. Lucius was surprised she hadn't changed it yet. He sat on the small couch opposite the bed.
"I said I didn't want to talk about it."
"And we wont." Lucius said. "We'll sit."
"And why?" Ginny asked, sounding frustrated.
"I'm not allowed to leave this room until I "talk" to you. If we aren't going to talk, I have to stay here long enough to make it look like we have." Lucius said dryly.
"Why?" Ginny repeated.
"Let's just say Severus' is very protective of his journals." he said.
Ginny slowly lifted her eyes o meet his, a mischievous light graced them, along with the wicked mile on her pretty heart shaped face. She raised an eyebrow in perfect imitation of the Potions Master.
"Snape keeps a journal?" she asked.