Six:
Ginny woke up the next morning to a loud pounding on the door. Morning rays of fresh sunlight didn't reach the cold, damp dungeons, and Ginny shivered as Lucius mumbled incoherently in his sleep. Ginny froze. What was Lucius doing here? In her bed? With his arm around her?
The events of the past night rushed back to Ginny and she relaxed, staring bemusedly at the strong arm wrapped around her waist. Thick blonde hair started at the wrist, and trailed off just past the elbow, giving way to well defined muscles. Ginny sighed contentedly and was just about to drift off to sleep when the heavy pounding cut through the silence again. Her eyes flashed open, and she tried to sit up.
"Lucius, wake up!" Ginny called loudly, unable to remove his vice-like grip from her waist.
She sighed to herself and blew softly in his ear. Lucius eyes shot open and he blinked several times. When his eyes finally adjusted to the dim candlelight he took in her panicked face and flung himself from the bed. He stared at her for a moment, and then stared at the door. His shoulders slumped.
"Shit!" he muttered.
"That about sums it up" Ginny whispered furiously.
"Run back to your room and get in bed." Lucius commanded before rushing to the door.
Ginny had just closed the hall door when Lucius opened his and led a very angry Severus Snape into his bedroom. He gestured for Severus to sit, and he sat across from him on a small settee. Lucius lit a fire in the hearth. Severus glared at him.
"Isn't it a bit early, mate?" Lucius mumbled sleepily.
"It is noon." Severus said darkly.
"Oh. I see. Can I help you, then?" Lucius asked dryly.
"You can tell me where Miss Weasley is." Severus said. "She's not in her rooms."
"She came by last night to ask if I knew how to break the wards on your store room. That's the last I saw of her." Lucius said, a little loudly.
Ginny removed her ear from the door and ran down the hall. She threw her door open and warded it behind. Ginny skidded to a halt outside the bathroom and walked inside to get ready for the day ahead. She took one look at herself in the mirror and grumbled. She looked bad…very bad.
Dark circles colored her eyelids, and her face looked deathly pale. A shocking contrast to her bright red hair, which was currently matted and tangled to where it greatly resembled a rat's nest. Or Hermione. Ginny sighed to herself. She'd better get to work fast.
~*~
Severus stalked down the hallway that connected his, Lucius' and Ginny's rooms. Something wasn't right in the state of the Howgarts Dungeons, and he was determined to find out what. He stopped in front of the young woman's door and knocked sharply. Ginny came to the door after a few minutes and opened it, fully dressed.
"Yes, Professor?" she asked.
"When I came by earlier you didn't answer." Severus said accusingly.
"I must not have been awake yet. I only just fell asleep at dawn." Ginny said. "Is there something you needed?"
"No." Severus said, as if he didn't believe her. "Lucius is waiting in the sitting room, lunch will be served in five minutes."
With those final words, he stalked down the hall and through a portrait hole that lead to his classroom. Ginny let out a breath of relief and ran down the hall to Lucius' sitting room. She stopped short at the door and smoothed her hair before entering.
~*~
Ginny entered the sitting room to find it empty. She sighed and started to move forward, but was stopped by an arm around her waist and a hand firmly covering her mouth. Ginny panicked momentarily and started to struggle, but then a familiar scent drafted towards her, and she relaxed. Lucius spun her around, his arms still around her waist.
"If Severus would have found us like that he would have killed me."
"I know. I'm sorry." Ginny muttered.
"I believe I was the one who carried you to my bed, Gin." Lucius whispered huskily.
Ginny started at the feeling of his breath so close to her face. A chill ran down her spine as Lucius tightened his grip around her waist and pulled her closer. Ginny's petite frame fit perfectly in his arms. She shivered at the first touch of his lips on her neck. He nipped and played his way up her neck and throat until his lips finally captured hers. His kisses became more urgent, and Ginny willingly opened to him. His tongue probed her mouth with skill and desire, yet Ginny sensed something else as well. This was her last coherent thought, for Lucius had nibbled her bottom lip, and all rational thought flew from her mind.