Disclaimer: Anything that's from the Harry potter world, belongs to JKR. I
only own the plot
Chapter 3- A not so normal day.
Ginny tossed and turned in her bed. She simply wasn't sleepy. She had given that excuse to Narcissa to get rid of her, but her mind was too full to sleep.
Her mind was on her family. If she played her cards right, she might just see them again.
Who are you kidding Ginny?-she thought-He's never going to let you see them.
Maybe she could charm him! Seduce him so that he would give in to her request. After all, she didn't have those lessons for nothing. After dinner!-she decided-I'm going to play the seductress!
She got up from her bed. It had been nearly two hours since she was trying to sleep. It was almost dinner time, and she wanted to get ready for her act.
Ginny picked up a bell from the night stand and rang it. There was no sound coming from it, but soon her maids came rushing in to the room, ready to get their mistress dressed.
Norah as usual was the first to come in. She would always wait in the sitting room next to the bedroom, as though she was afraid that Ginny would try to sneak out if she wasn't there.
Without a word Norah chose a dress for her, and began dressing her. The other maids walked in, and began doing her make up and her hair.
They all stood back to admire their work. Ginny, as usual, was stunning.
Ginny sighed. She looked beautiful in the mirror, but that thought didn't make her happy. She would rather be dress in rags and be with her family.
When dinner time came, a bell rang somewhere on the room, which meant that he was already waiting for her.
She made her way to the dinning hall, with her dress flowing behind her, and her maids following her.
When she reached it, two servants opened the doors, and Ginny walked in alone. Lord Voldemort didn't like to eat with a crowd, so all the maids would wait outside.
The doors closed behind her, and she noticed that her husband was not at the table as usual, but looking outside a window, with a dreamy expression on his face.
He looked at her and smiled, walking in her direction.
'Good evening, my dear!'-he said as he grabbed her hands and pulled her in to a kiss.
'Good evening.'-she replied with a week smile.
Before she had entered the hall, she was sure that she could play the seductress. But one look at him and her courage faded. How could she seduce a man that already had everything? Including her!
But if he was in such a good mod, maybe she wouldn't have to act, and could just ask him to let her see her family as a birthday gift.
Still grabbing her hand, he led her to the table. Then he pulled her chair, and she sat down. The food magically appeared on their plates. It was something that reminded her of Hogwarts, every day.
Wile they were eating, Voldemort kept talking about things that were indifferent to Ginny. She would listen and nod her head, and occasionally ask a question so that he knew she was listening. Ever since the coronation, he would dine with her every night, and talk about the days events.
On the first day she was surprised that he would talk with her that way. As tough they were really a happily married couple. But after a wile she realized that everyone needed someone to talk to. Even her. Sometimes she would find herself talking with Narcissa about trivial things, because she simply needed to talk about something.
And that was not all she noticed. After the first year of marriage, she noticed that she needed some affection to. She had come from a large family, were everyone was close. Then she was tossed in to a life were no one would touch her in a caring way.
Her maids would touch her to dress her. Narcissa might give her a hug once in a wile, but no one touched her with warmth. No one but her husband that is.
She looked at him wile he ate.
How had she become so accustom to him? The fact was that without him she was alone, and she hated to be alone. So she got used to him, to his touch and to his presence. She still hated him, but the hate had been put aside to make way for her needs.
In the middle of the meal, Lucius Malfoy came bursting in to the hall, with a very concerned face. Ginny and Voldemort looked up at him in surprise. No one ever walked in on their meal. Voldemort hated interruptions.
Lucius walked all the way up to were the Dark Lord was, and whispered in his ear. Voldemorts face went from surprise to concentration, and from that to anger.
He got up abruptly from the table, with an angry look that made Ginny shrink.
'How dare him!'-his voice was low, but full of anger and menace.
Lucius was obviously scared. He was Voldemorts right hand, but one could never tell what could happen to the carrier of bad news. And the news he brought were most certainly bad.
Voldemort made his way to the doors, with a determined step. He stooped, looked back at Ginny and whispered something to Lucius that made him look at her to. She heard a faint 'Yes my Lord.' from Lucius and both left the room.
Norah immediately came in as Voldemort left. She sat down on a chair near the fire place and waited for her Highness to finish her meal. When Ginny was done, Norah rang a small silver bell that was on the table, and the dirty dishes disappeared.
Ginny looked at the clock that was on top of the fireplace. Half past eight. It was too early to go to bed, so she made her way to the library. She thought that some reading might give her some sleep.
There were two libraries in the palace. The biggest one was on the 1º floor, and the other was near Voldemorts privet study. Though the second one was smaller then the first, it was still as big as Hogwarts library.
The smaller library was mostly full of books about the dark arts. It had also a smaller section of more harmless books about magic and other things like arts, muggle science, music and history. Those were the only books she was allowed to read. The rest of the library was for the exclusive use of her husband.
She took a book about arts from the shelf and sat down near a window. The night had fallen and all she could see was the lights of the city in the distance.
She opened the book on her lap, and began to read. Norah had dismissed the other maids, and sat down reading next to her. Ginny wasn't paying attention to what she was reading. She was more busy thinking about what might have happened to make Voldemort so angry. Hardly anything would go wrong for him, and she hadn't seen him so angry for a wile now.
Wile she was lost in her thoughts, a noise came from behind the closed door. Norah immediately looked up at it. Ginny could see the tension on her face, as though she was afraid of whom it might be.
Norah got up made her way to the door, and slowly opened it. She made a face of relief as Ginny heard a boisterous voice on the other side. Her heart sink. She knew to whom that voice belonged to.
Draco Malfoy entered the library and bowed lightly at Ginny.
'Good evening Milady!' -he said to her with an ample, but nervous smile.
Ginny scowled at him. The last thing she wanted right now was for Draco to interrupt her reading. Not that she was really reading, but she didn't want him near anyway. Norah seemed please to see him. Well all her maids would be pleased to see him. He was one of the reasons why they all wanted a job at the castle. Draco was the most eligible bachelor in the entire wizarding world.
He was the son of the Emperors right hand, Lucius Malfoy, and he was rich, handsome and powerful. Only the death eaters prior from the Hogwarts attack had the right to be in Voldemorts inner circle. They and there families were the most important people in the world, next to the royal family. After Dumbledore's fall most of the pure blood families had joined Voldemort, as Death Eaters. But only the originals ones had the honor of being part of the Emperors inner circle of friends. Marrying Draco would be a passport to that circle.
Draco looked at her nervously. She looked at Norah and saw that she too was nervous. He picked a book from the shelf and began to read it. Ginny noticed that he would look up at her from the book at every ten seconds, as tough to make sure she was still there. This was making Ginny very uneasy.
What was going on? What news could Lucius possibly have brought to make everyone look so anxious? There was something being hidden from Ginny, and she didn't like it.
She looked up from her book. Norah was sitting near her, apparently reading. Draco was near the door. He had the book in his hands but his eyes weren't moving. It seemed like he was trying to hear any sound coming from the corridor.
Ginny was tired from the tension in the room. She closed her book with a bang that made both Draco and Norah jump. Then she got up from the chair and looked at Draco, then at Norah and then back at Draco.
'Will someone tell me what is going on?'-she asked feeling a little exasperated.
Draco looked at her with apprehension on his face.
'Maybe its time for you to go to bed, Milady!'-the tone of his voice told her that it was not a request.
One would expect that the Empress had a little more control over her life then this. But she in fact had very little power over it. She could only make trivial little decisions about her life. Very few people could be the boss of her, but Draco and Norah were two of the few.
Draco opened the door for her. She sighed and left the library. Now she had no choice but to go to her room and wait for her husband.
Draco had insisted on accompanying her to her room. She noticed that he was playing with his wand in his pocket.
When she got to her room he bowed and bide her good night. Norah closed the door behind her, took one of Ginny nightgowns from the dresser, and helped her undress. Usually there would be more maids there.
The room was silent, so Ginny was expecting to hear Dracos footsteps leaving. The sound never came. She looked at the door and noticed his high polished shoes walking back and froth, between the door and the floor. He was watching the door. This was definitely not normal.
She got in to the bed and watched Norah leave in to the next room.
Ginny decided that it was best to wait for her husband, to ask him what was going on.
One in the morning came and he wasn't there. Two in the morning and he still wasn't there. She was having trouble keeping her eyes open. Before three in morning she fell asleep.
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The morning came with its usual promise of a summer day.
Ginny looked at the clock, the maids should be coming in at any minute now.
She waited and waited, but her maids never came in. Ginny tried to rise from the bed, but a hand on her waist hold her down. She turned around to see Voldemort sleeping beside her. He must have gotten in to bed when I was asleep, she concluded.
'Stay with me.'-he said wile he was pulling her by the waist and kissing her neck. His tone of voice was sweet and Ginny new that tough it had sounded as a request, it was an order.
He sounded sleepy. She thought that he must have come to bed at a really late hour. His hand travel along the curve of her body and stooped at her hip. He began kissing her neck again, going higher and higher, until he reached her earlobe, and nibble it.
His hands were traveling again, this time making their way upwards.
Ginny wasn't feeling up to this right now. She looked at the clock. It was almost ten in the morning. He had most likely told the maids not to disturb them this morning.
His hand reached her breast, and began caressing it. She really wasn't up to this, this morning.
She got out of the bed and went for the bathroom.
'Were do you think you're going?'-he asked in a disappointed voice.
'To take a bath.'-Ginny said in an innocent voice.
She turned around to look at him. He was lying with his face up; the sheets were around his waist. She could see his pale chest that contrasted with his long dark hair. Voldemort never slept with clothes on. She had to admit, he was very handsome.
He was smiling at her. His smile and his eyes were very seductive. Ginny got puzzled for a moment. He didn't look angry with her getting up when he was obviously starting something. By the contrary he was all smiling and staring at her.
'Go and take you bath then!'-he said with a curious smile.
Ginny went to the huge marble bathroom, thinking about this. Yesterday he left her with a look of anger on his face, today he was in very good mood. Just what had happened during the night?
She took of her night gown, letting it fall to the floor. Then she went down the steps of the swimming pool, feeling the water against her body. When the water reached her waist she dived in to it, and swan underwater.
She emerged a few feet away from the pool stairs, and rubbed her eyes. Then she heard someone diving in to the pool. Turning around she saw Voldemort swimming towards her. Well it seemed that there was no avoiding him. In the mood or not, he always got what he wanted from her.
He surfaced right in front of her, the water that reached her shoulders, could only reach his chest. He looked down at her with a smile. Then he gently grabbed her face and pulled her in to a kiss.
She could feel his hands traveling down her neck and her back. A thought came to Ginny's mind. If he was in such a good mood, then this might be the perfect time to ask to see her family. All she had to do was make sure that he kept that good mood.
She put her arms around his neck and kept kissing him back. Then she lifted her legs and put them around his waist.
He made his way backwards to the wall of the pool. When he felt his back touching the wall, her turned them around and pinned his body against Ginny's. He grabbed her legs and pulled her up, so that he was at eye level with her breasts. Then he began exploring them with his tongue. Ginny started to feel aroused. No mater if she liked him or not, the fact was that he knew every week spot she had, and she couldn't help herself to fell this way.
He kept kissing, nibbling, sucking, and teasing her. Them he let her slip down his body, so that her hips were at the same level as his. Still holding her legs, he opened then wider and shoved himself in to her. Ginny gasped. He was too big for her, and it always hurt in the beginning. He started the pace slowly, so that it would hurt less, but he new when her pain would turn in to pleasure, and began to pick up the pace.
Small waves formed in the pool due to their rhythmic movements. Soon Ginny began to fell waves of pleasure inside her. He held her closer and came right after her.
He staid inside her for a wile, holding her, wile she played absent mindedly with his hair. She was thinking of a way to ask him to see her family. He looked her in the eyes and lifted an eyebrow.
'Is there something you want to tell me?'-he asked with his seductive smile.
Ginny looked at him in surprise. Did anything ever escape his eyes?
'I was thinking. I mean.'-she was feeling nervous. What if he got angry at her? What would she do? She put on her most innocent look, and got ready for the storm.
'You know that my birthday is coming up, right?'-he nodded.
'Well. I was wondering if I could ask you something as my birthday present.'-he looked at her with a face that told his surprise. Ginny had never asked anything from him. But somehow, he seemed happy for her asking something.
'What would you like?'-he asked with a look that said that he would give her anything she wanted.
'I was wondering if I could see my family.'-comprehension dawned on his face, and much too Ginny dismay, he back away from her, and sawn to the deeper part of the pool. She didn't now what do, but she wasn't going to back out now.
'I've never asked anything from you! And I've always obeyed you!'-she said out loud so that he could hear her on the other side of the pool.
He stared at her with his deep scarlet eyes, as though he was examining her. Then he sawn back at her, and pulled her to him. It was his turn to play with her hair. Ginny noticed his frown of concentration. He was thinking of what to do.
'Tell you what!'-He began. Ginny crossed her fingers.
'I'll think about it!'- She sighed of relieve. She was expecting a lecture, or worse.
'Thank you.'-was all she could say.
After their bath, they both went to their room to get dressed. Ginny was hopping to get dressed without her maids, but before she could open the closet Norah and Sarah came in to the room.
Voldemort went to his own privet chamber, somewhere were not even Ginny was allowed in. The maids dressed her as usual, and the day went back to its normal routine.
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Ginny was standing in front of the mirror. She hated Saturdays! Hate them! Hate them! Hate them!
Sarah was calmly arranging her hair, Joan was sewing the end of her dress, Kim was polishing her shoes and Norah was choosing the jewels she would wear. The rest of the maids were somewhere around the room, looking for something to do.
The reason of all that fuss was the court.
Saturday was when Ginny made her appearance in the court. After all, as her husband once said, there was no point in having an Empress if he couldn't show her around.
Her maids were also nervous. Three of them would accompany Ginny to the court, and all of them were hoping to be chosen. Of course Ginny already new who two of them would be. Norah was one; she would always go with her everywhere so the court wasn't an exception. Sarah would also go; she was so charming and cheerful that Ginny could help to favor her. As to the third one, she would probably let Norah pick for her.
Joan finished sewing and began helping Sarah. Kim knelled near Ginny, put the shoes in front of her, and guided her foot from under the dress to the right shoe. The dress didn't allow her to see her feet.
When they were all finished, Norah brought a necklace and a headpin. Ginny looked at Norah's choices. The necklace was one of her favorites. Two kneeling angels made of crystal, facing each other, with a topaz in the center. The headpin was a dragonfly with a woman's head. Norah gently placed the necklace and the headpin on Ginny, as the others looked at her with proud smile.
She looked at herself in the mirror. As usual she was striking.
All the maids were admiring her in silence, wile Ginny was wondering if there was a way to skip court tonight.
Then, a knock on the door made them all jump. Kim made her way to the door, and opened it. Lucius came in to the room, looking cheerful. He looked at Norah and the other maids and his smile faded.
'Why aren't you dressed yet?'-he snapped.
They all stared at him. It wasn't customary for him to go to Ginny's dressing room, and it was even more odd that he was worried with the maids being dressed. Looking at the surprised faces around him he sighed, and began to explain.
'The Emperor is going to make an important announcement tonight and he wants all of the maids to be there! Now go and get dressed!'-he commanded with an annoyed face.
The maid's faces went from surprise to joy, as they heard Malfoy talk. Almost all of then went running out of the room, in to their quarters, to change in to more formal dresses. Ginny chuckled as she watched the younger maids look of absolute glee.
The thing is, when they were all gone she was alone with Lucius Malfoy. And she hated him even more then Saturdays.
Ginny sat on a chair near the window, looking at the sky as it turned darker.
'May I?'
Ginny looked around to see Lucius standing right beside her with a wand in his hand. She was puzzled.
'His Highness asked me to take some of your blood, since he couldn't do it himself on the other night.'-he was clearly waiting for an answer, but all she could do was stare. She had forgotten about the blood. And it seemed that Voldemort had forgotten to. He must have been really worried the other night, to forget something that was obviously important to him.
She showed Lucius her arm, and nodded. He took her hand, and lifted the sleeve of her magnificent dress. Then he made a cut on her wrist with his wand, and filled a small vial with it. After closing the cut, he stared at the vial with an ecstatic look, rolling it in his hands and holding it up against the light.
Ginny watched him with curiosity. The man was really interested in her blood. The door on the other side of the room opened, and the maids came back in, with their beautiful dresses and talking happily.
Lucius immediately hid the vial in his pocket, and offered a hand at Ginny. She took it and got up from the chair. Still holding her hand he directed her to the door, and from there to the magical stairs.
The throne room was on the ground floor, and the main staircase would take them directly there. As soon as they steeped on the first step, the steps started moving downwards.
When they reached the ground floor Lucius led her to the throne room. They stopped in front of the enormous doors, and he nodded to one of the guards. Both guards opened the doors, and Ginny could see the interior of the room.
The throne room was a vast circular hall, surrounded by golden windows and with a beautiful black marble floor. Today though, the floor could hardly bee seen since there were literally hundreds of people in the room.
And those hundreds were all staring at her.
She steeped in to the room, aware of all the faces watching her. A servant on her left made himself be heard.
'Her Supreme Highness, the Empress Virginia Voldemort.'-he said for the whole room to hear.
Everyone bowed, or got on his knees, as Ginny made her way to the throne were her husband was waiting for her. She was looking strait forward, as Narcissa always told her to. 'Looking strait ahead wile you walk is showing superiority!'-she reminded hearing Narcissa say.
Ginny knew that those on their knees were of lower position. Death Eaters that had joined late in the war, people from less important families, and the occasional wizards from some part of the world considered vulgar. Those that merely bowed were from higher families, like the families of the early Death Eaters.
All the room was silent wile she climbed the marble steps towards the throne. All remained quiet when Voldemort took her hand and lead her to the throne beside his. All was soundless until she sat on her throne.
And when she did, all rose and the whispers began.
Ginny could hear the whispers caused by her entrance. Some were talking about her dress, some about her beauty, and some about her elegance.
Ginny just hated to be the center of attention, as she was every Saturday night.
Half the women were looking at her with an ecstatic look; the other half was looking with looks of pure envy.
As Sarah and Norah settled themselves beside her, the theme of the whispers went from the Empress to her maids. Some women looked at them with looks of even more envy. Her maids were the top of society, and every girl who didn't have the chance to be one simply hated them.
The court had resumed back to normality, and Ginny watched as several wizards showed their gifts to the Emperor, families came with the request for marriage, and other unimportant business.
Ginny sighed as a wizard asked her husband to grant his son with permission to marry a girl from another family. She didn't know why, but Voldemort had made a law were no one in the high families was to marry without his permission. People couldn't even get married if he didn't allow them.
After all the affairs were taken care of, Lucius clapped his hands and the night's entertainment came in. A magical band came in, as well as some headless ghosts juggling with their heads, magical animals on display and much more. Everything that would entertain the elite of society. It looked like a circus to her.
Ginny knew that this wasn't a normal court day. The regular court, were her husband would make decisions on things that actually mattered, was during the week. And for the really important decisions, on things that mattered to the whole empire, he would gather the governors from his provinces, and decide with them.
Ginny recognized one of these governors in the middle of the crowd. What was his name, she wondered?! She was sure that she had seen him before.
After a wile Lucius rose his hands and the all the noise in the room halted. Voldemort rose from his chair, and took a step forward, looking to the crowd before him.
'I have an announcement to make this evening.'-his face didn't betrayed any emotions.
'As you know, the Quidditch world cup hasn't been held for two years. I have decided that should take place again. This year the Cup will be held in Egypt, in the province of Bruno Lestrange.'
Ginny looked at the crowd. They were all applauding and smiling at the perspective of having a Quidditch world cup again. The man she had noticed made its way to the throne steppes, and bowed at the Emperor. Then he thanked him for the honor, and went back in to the crowd.
The entertainments resumed, and Ginny listen as the conversations in the room turned to the Quidditch cup. Bruno Lestrange had become the center of attention; there were people all around him. Ginny saw Lucius Malfoy trying to reach him through the mob. A man walking in the opposite direction ran in to him, he had dark hair and dark clothes. The man made a quick bow to apologize and left, leaving Lucius infuriated.
The night went on, and Ginny was feeling more and more bored. Voldemort noticed it and rose from his chair. He offered her his hand and announced that they would retire for the night.
They passed trough a door behind the thrones, in to a small room. Norah went with them, but Sarah remained outside, and joined the other maids.
Ginny was already making her way to another door, which led to a hidden staircase, when Voldemort told her to wait.
Shortly after, Lucius came in to the room. He began to search the pockets of his robes for what Ginny assumed was the vial. He searched his inside pockets, them his outside pockets, them the inside pockets again. His face was getting as white as his hair, and his eyes began to show panic.
Voldemort didn't look pleased at all. In fact his voice was as cold and menacing as Ginny had never heard.
'Well Lucius? Where's the vial?'-Lucius kept searching his pockets again and again. But to Ginny it was more then clear.
The vial was gone.
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Well first of all I would like to thank the people that reviewed. Thank you very much.
Okay, the scene in the pool is a bit clumsy, but it was the first time I ever wrote something like that,*blushes*, so you'll have to excuse me.
I now I said that I might put Voldies and Ginny's first night on this chapter, but I can't do it till her after her birthday, for plot reasons. As for the other characters, ill try to put them on the next chapter.
Please review. The reviews give me the will to find some time to write in my already full schedule. Thank you.
Chapter 3- A not so normal day.
Ginny tossed and turned in her bed. She simply wasn't sleepy. She had given that excuse to Narcissa to get rid of her, but her mind was too full to sleep.
Her mind was on her family. If she played her cards right, she might just see them again.
Who are you kidding Ginny?-she thought-He's never going to let you see them.
Maybe she could charm him! Seduce him so that he would give in to her request. After all, she didn't have those lessons for nothing. After dinner!-she decided-I'm going to play the seductress!
She got up from her bed. It had been nearly two hours since she was trying to sleep. It was almost dinner time, and she wanted to get ready for her act.
Ginny picked up a bell from the night stand and rang it. There was no sound coming from it, but soon her maids came rushing in to the room, ready to get their mistress dressed.
Norah as usual was the first to come in. She would always wait in the sitting room next to the bedroom, as though she was afraid that Ginny would try to sneak out if she wasn't there.
Without a word Norah chose a dress for her, and began dressing her. The other maids walked in, and began doing her make up and her hair.
They all stood back to admire their work. Ginny, as usual, was stunning.
Ginny sighed. She looked beautiful in the mirror, but that thought didn't make her happy. She would rather be dress in rags and be with her family.
When dinner time came, a bell rang somewhere on the room, which meant that he was already waiting for her.
She made her way to the dinning hall, with her dress flowing behind her, and her maids following her.
When she reached it, two servants opened the doors, and Ginny walked in alone. Lord Voldemort didn't like to eat with a crowd, so all the maids would wait outside.
The doors closed behind her, and she noticed that her husband was not at the table as usual, but looking outside a window, with a dreamy expression on his face.
He looked at her and smiled, walking in her direction.
'Good evening, my dear!'-he said as he grabbed her hands and pulled her in to a kiss.
'Good evening.'-she replied with a week smile.
Before she had entered the hall, she was sure that she could play the seductress. But one look at him and her courage faded. How could she seduce a man that already had everything? Including her!
But if he was in such a good mod, maybe she wouldn't have to act, and could just ask him to let her see her family as a birthday gift.
Still grabbing her hand, he led her to the table. Then he pulled her chair, and she sat down. The food magically appeared on their plates. It was something that reminded her of Hogwarts, every day.
Wile they were eating, Voldemort kept talking about things that were indifferent to Ginny. She would listen and nod her head, and occasionally ask a question so that he knew she was listening. Ever since the coronation, he would dine with her every night, and talk about the days events.
On the first day she was surprised that he would talk with her that way. As tough they were really a happily married couple. But after a wile she realized that everyone needed someone to talk to. Even her. Sometimes she would find herself talking with Narcissa about trivial things, because she simply needed to talk about something.
And that was not all she noticed. After the first year of marriage, she noticed that she needed some affection to. She had come from a large family, were everyone was close. Then she was tossed in to a life were no one would touch her in a caring way.
Her maids would touch her to dress her. Narcissa might give her a hug once in a wile, but no one touched her with warmth. No one but her husband that is.
She looked at him wile he ate.
How had she become so accustom to him? The fact was that without him she was alone, and she hated to be alone. So she got used to him, to his touch and to his presence. She still hated him, but the hate had been put aside to make way for her needs.
In the middle of the meal, Lucius Malfoy came bursting in to the hall, with a very concerned face. Ginny and Voldemort looked up at him in surprise. No one ever walked in on their meal. Voldemort hated interruptions.
Lucius walked all the way up to were the Dark Lord was, and whispered in his ear. Voldemorts face went from surprise to concentration, and from that to anger.
He got up abruptly from the table, with an angry look that made Ginny shrink.
'How dare him!'-his voice was low, but full of anger and menace.
Lucius was obviously scared. He was Voldemorts right hand, but one could never tell what could happen to the carrier of bad news. And the news he brought were most certainly bad.
Voldemort made his way to the doors, with a determined step. He stooped, looked back at Ginny and whispered something to Lucius that made him look at her to. She heard a faint 'Yes my Lord.' from Lucius and both left the room.
Norah immediately came in as Voldemort left. She sat down on a chair near the fire place and waited for her Highness to finish her meal. When Ginny was done, Norah rang a small silver bell that was on the table, and the dirty dishes disappeared.
Ginny looked at the clock that was on top of the fireplace. Half past eight. It was too early to go to bed, so she made her way to the library. She thought that some reading might give her some sleep.
There were two libraries in the palace. The biggest one was on the 1º floor, and the other was near Voldemorts privet study. Though the second one was smaller then the first, it was still as big as Hogwarts library.
The smaller library was mostly full of books about the dark arts. It had also a smaller section of more harmless books about magic and other things like arts, muggle science, music and history. Those were the only books she was allowed to read. The rest of the library was for the exclusive use of her husband.
She took a book about arts from the shelf and sat down near a window. The night had fallen and all she could see was the lights of the city in the distance.
She opened the book on her lap, and began to read. Norah had dismissed the other maids, and sat down reading next to her. Ginny wasn't paying attention to what she was reading. She was more busy thinking about what might have happened to make Voldemort so angry. Hardly anything would go wrong for him, and she hadn't seen him so angry for a wile now.
Wile she was lost in her thoughts, a noise came from behind the closed door. Norah immediately looked up at it. Ginny could see the tension on her face, as though she was afraid of whom it might be.
Norah got up made her way to the door, and slowly opened it. She made a face of relief as Ginny heard a boisterous voice on the other side. Her heart sink. She knew to whom that voice belonged to.
Draco Malfoy entered the library and bowed lightly at Ginny.
'Good evening Milady!' -he said to her with an ample, but nervous smile.
Ginny scowled at him. The last thing she wanted right now was for Draco to interrupt her reading. Not that she was really reading, but she didn't want him near anyway. Norah seemed please to see him. Well all her maids would be pleased to see him. He was one of the reasons why they all wanted a job at the castle. Draco was the most eligible bachelor in the entire wizarding world.
He was the son of the Emperors right hand, Lucius Malfoy, and he was rich, handsome and powerful. Only the death eaters prior from the Hogwarts attack had the right to be in Voldemorts inner circle. They and there families were the most important people in the world, next to the royal family. After Dumbledore's fall most of the pure blood families had joined Voldemort, as Death Eaters. But only the originals ones had the honor of being part of the Emperors inner circle of friends. Marrying Draco would be a passport to that circle.
Draco looked at her nervously. She looked at Norah and saw that she too was nervous. He picked a book from the shelf and began to read it. Ginny noticed that he would look up at her from the book at every ten seconds, as tough to make sure she was still there. This was making Ginny very uneasy.
What was going on? What news could Lucius possibly have brought to make everyone look so anxious? There was something being hidden from Ginny, and she didn't like it.
She looked up from her book. Norah was sitting near her, apparently reading. Draco was near the door. He had the book in his hands but his eyes weren't moving. It seemed like he was trying to hear any sound coming from the corridor.
Ginny was tired from the tension in the room. She closed her book with a bang that made both Draco and Norah jump. Then she got up from the chair and looked at Draco, then at Norah and then back at Draco.
'Will someone tell me what is going on?'-she asked feeling a little exasperated.
Draco looked at her with apprehension on his face.
'Maybe its time for you to go to bed, Milady!'-the tone of his voice told her that it was not a request.
One would expect that the Empress had a little more control over her life then this. But she in fact had very little power over it. She could only make trivial little decisions about her life. Very few people could be the boss of her, but Draco and Norah were two of the few.
Draco opened the door for her. She sighed and left the library. Now she had no choice but to go to her room and wait for her husband.
Draco had insisted on accompanying her to her room. She noticed that he was playing with his wand in his pocket.
When she got to her room he bowed and bide her good night. Norah closed the door behind her, took one of Ginny nightgowns from the dresser, and helped her undress. Usually there would be more maids there.
The room was silent, so Ginny was expecting to hear Dracos footsteps leaving. The sound never came. She looked at the door and noticed his high polished shoes walking back and froth, between the door and the floor. He was watching the door. This was definitely not normal.
She got in to the bed and watched Norah leave in to the next room.
Ginny decided that it was best to wait for her husband, to ask him what was going on.
One in the morning came and he wasn't there. Two in the morning and he still wasn't there. She was having trouble keeping her eyes open. Before three in morning she fell asleep.
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The morning came with its usual promise of a summer day.
Ginny looked at the clock, the maids should be coming in at any minute now.
She waited and waited, but her maids never came in. Ginny tried to rise from the bed, but a hand on her waist hold her down. She turned around to see Voldemort sleeping beside her. He must have gotten in to bed when I was asleep, she concluded.
'Stay with me.'-he said wile he was pulling her by the waist and kissing her neck. His tone of voice was sweet and Ginny new that tough it had sounded as a request, it was an order.
He sounded sleepy. She thought that he must have come to bed at a really late hour. His hand travel along the curve of her body and stooped at her hip. He began kissing her neck again, going higher and higher, until he reached her earlobe, and nibble it.
His hands were traveling again, this time making their way upwards.
Ginny wasn't feeling up to this right now. She looked at the clock. It was almost ten in the morning. He had most likely told the maids not to disturb them this morning.
His hand reached her breast, and began caressing it. She really wasn't up to this, this morning.
She got out of the bed and went for the bathroom.
'Were do you think you're going?'-he asked in a disappointed voice.
'To take a bath.'-Ginny said in an innocent voice.
She turned around to look at him. He was lying with his face up; the sheets were around his waist. She could see his pale chest that contrasted with his long dark hair. Voldemort never slept with clothes on. She had to admit, he was very handsome.
He was smiling at her. His smile and his eyes were very seductive. Ginny got puzzled for a moment. He didn't look angry with her getting up when he was obviously starting something. By the contrary he was all smiling and staring at her.
'Go and take you bath then!'-he said with a curious smile.
Ginny went to the huge marble bathroom, thinking about this. Yesterday he left her with a look of anger on his face, today he was in very good mood. Just what had happened during the night?
She took of her night gown, letting it fall to the floor. Then she went down the steps of the swimming pool, feeling the water against her body. When the water reached her waist she dived in to it, and swan underwater.
She emerged a few feet away from the pool stairs, and rubbed her eyes. Then she heard someone diving in to the pool. Turning around she saw Voldemort swimming towards her. Well it seemed that there was no avoiding him. In the mood or not, he always got what he wanted from her.
He surfaced right in front of her, the water that reached her shoulders, could only reach his chest. He looked down at her with a smile. Then he gently grabbed her face and pulled her in to a kiss.
She could feel his hands traveling down her neck and her back. A thought came to Ginny's mind. If he was in such a good mood, then this might be the perfect time to ask to see her family. All she had to do was make sure that he kept that good mood.
She put her arms around his neck and kept kissing him back. Then she lifted her legs and put them around his waist.
He made his way backwards to the wall of the pool. When he felt his back touching the wall, her turned them around and pinned his body against Ginny's. He grabbed her legs and pulled her up, so that he was at eye level with her breasts. Then he began exploring them with his tongue. Ginny started to feel aroused. No mater if she liked him or not, the fact was that he knew every week spot she had, and she couldn't help herself to fell this way.
He kept kissing, nibbling, sucking, and teasing her. Them he let her slip down his body, so that her hips were at the same level as his. Still holding her legs, he opened then wider and shoved himself in to her. Ginny gasped. He was too big for her, and it always hurt in the beginning. He started the pace slowly, so that it would hurt less, but he new when her pain would turn in to pleasure, and began to pick up the pace.
Small waves formed in the pool due to their rhythmic movements. Soon Ginny began to fell waves of pleasure inside her. He held her closer and came right after her.
He staid inside her for a wile, holding her, wile she played absent mindedly with his hair. She was thinking of a way to ask him to see her family. He looked her in the eyes and lifted an eyebrow.
'Is there something you want to tell me?'-he asked with his seductive smile.
Ginny looked at him in surprise. Did anything ever escape his eyes?
'I was thinking. I mean.'-she was feeling nervous. What if he got angry at her? What would she do? She put on her most innocent look, and got ready for the storm.
'You know that my birthday is coming up, right?'-he nodded.
'Well. I was wondering if I could ask you something as my birthday present.'-he looked at her with a face that told his surprise. Ginny had never asked anything from him. But somehow, he seemed happy for her asking something.
'What would you like?'-he asked with a look that said that he would give her anything she wanted.
'I was wondering if I could see my family.'-comprehension dawned on his face, and much too Ginny dismay, he back away from her, and sawn to the deeper part of the pool. She didn't now what do, but she wasn't going to back out now.
'I've never asked anything from you! And I've always obeyed you!'-she said out loud so that he could hear her on the other side of the pool.
He stared at her with his deep scarlet eyes, as though he was examining her. Then he sawn back at her, and pulled her to him. It was his turn to play with her hair. Ginny noticed his frown of concentration. He was thinking of what to do.
'Tell you what!'-He began. Ginny crossed her fingers.
'I'll think about it!'- She sighed of relieve. She was expecting a lecture, or worse.
'Thank you.'-was all she could say.
After their bath, they both went to their room to get dressed. Ginny was hopping to get dressed without her maids, but before she could open the closet Norah and Sarah came in to the room.
Voldemort went to his own privet chamber, somewhere were not even Ginny was allowed in. The maids dressed her as usual, and the day went back to its normal routine.
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Ginny was standing in front of the mirror. She hated Saturdays! Hate them! Hate them! Hate them!
Sarah was calmly arranging her hair, Joan was sewing the end of her dress, Kim was polishing her shoes and Norah was choosing the jewels she would wear. The rest of the maids were somewhere around the room, looking for something to do.
The reason of all that fuss was the court.
Saturday was when Ginny made her appearance in the court. After all, as her husband once said, there was no point in having an Empress if he couldn't show her around.
Her maids were also nervous. Three of them would accompany Ginny to the court, and all of them were hoping to be chosen. Of course Ginny already new who two of them would be. Norah was one; she would always go with her everywhere so the court wasn't an exception. Sarah would also go; she was so charming and cheerful that Ginny could help to favor her. As to the third one, she would probably let Norah pick for her.
Joan finished sewing and began helping Sarah. Kim knelled near Ginny, put the shoes in front of her, and guided her foot from under the dress to the right shoe. The dress didn't allow her to see her feet.
When they were all finished, Norah brought a necklace and a headpin. Ginny looked at Norah's choices. The necklace was one of her favorites. Two kneeling angels made of crystal, facing each other, with a topaz in the center. The headpin was a dragonfly with a woman's head. Norah gently placed the necklace and the headpin on Ginny, as the others looked at her with proud smile.
She looked at herself in the mirror. As usual she was striking.
All the maids were admiring her in silence, wile Ginny was wondering if there was a way to skip court tonight.
Then, a knock on the door made them all jump. Kim made her way to the door, and opened it. Lucius came in to the room, looking cheerful. He looked at Norah and the other maids and his smile faded.
'Why aren't you dressed yet?'-he snapped.
They all stared at him. It wasn't customary for him to go to Ginny's dressing room, and it was even more odd that he was worried with the maids being dressed. Looking at the surprised faces around him he sighed, and began to explain.
'The Emperor is going to make an important announcement tonight and he wants all of the maids to be there! Now go and get dressed!'-he commanded with an annoyed face.
The maid's faces went from surprise to joy, as they heard Malfoy talk. Almost all of then went running out of the room, in to their quarters, to change in to more formal dresses. Ginny chuckled as she watched the younger maids look of absolute glee.
The thing is, when they were all gone she was alone with Lucius Malfoy. And she hated him even more then Saturdays.
Ginny sat on a chair near the window, looking at the sky as it turned darker.
'May I?'
Ginny looked around to see Lucius standing right beside her with a wand in his hand. She was puzzled.
'His Highness asked me to take some of your blood, since he couldn't do it himself on the other night.'-he was clearly waiting for an answer, but all she could do was stare. She had forgotten about the blood. And it seemed that Voldemort had forgotten to. He must have been really worried the other night, to forget something that was obviously important to him.
She showed Lucius her arm, and nodded. He took her hand, and lifted the sleeve of her magnificent dress. Then he made a cut on her wrist with his wand, and filled a small vial with it. After closing the cut, he stared at the vial with an ecstatic look, rolling it in his hands and holding it up against the light.
Ginny watched him with curiosity. The man was really interested in her blood. The door on the other side of the room opened, and the maids came back in, with their beautiful dresses and talking happily.
Lucius immediately hid the vial in his pocket, and offered a hand at Ginny. She took it and got up from the chair. Still holding her hand he directed her to the door, and from there to the magical stairs.
The throne room was on the ground floor, and the main staircase would take them directly there. As soon as they steeped on the first step, the steps started moving downwards.
When they reached the ground floor Lucius led her to the throne room. They stopped in front of the enormous doors, and he nodded to one of the guards. Both guards opened the doors, and Ginny could see the interior of the room.
The throne room was a vast circular hall, surrounded by golden windows and with a beautiful black marble floor. Today though, the floor could hardly bee seen since there were literally hundreds of people in the room.
And those hundreds were all staring at her.
She steeped in to the room, aware of all the faces watching her. A servant on her left made himself be heard.
'Her Supreme Highness, the Empress Virginia Voldemort.'-he said for the whole room to hear.
Everyone bowed, or got on his knees, as Ginny made her way to the throne were her husband was waiting for her. She was looking strait forward, as Narcissa always told her to. 'Looking strait ahead wile you walk is showing superiority!'-she reminded hearing Narcissa say.
Ginny knew that those on their knees were of lower position. Death Eaters that had joined late in the war, people from less important families, and the occasional wizards from some part of the world considered vulgar. Those that merely bowed were from higher families, like the families of the early Death Eaters.
All the room was silent wile she climbed the marble steps towards the throne. All remained quiet when Voldemort took her hand and lead her to the throne beside his. All was soundless until she sat on her throne.
And when she did, all rose and the whispers began.
Ginny could hear the whispers caused by her entrance. Some were talking about her dress, some about her beauty, and some about her elegance.
Ginny just hated to be the center of attention, as she was every Saturday night.
Half the women were looking at her with an ecstatic look; the other half was looking with looks of pure envy.
As Sarah and Norah settled themselves beside her, the theme of the whispers went from the Empress to her maids. Some women looked at them with looks of even more envy. Her maids were the top of society, and every girl who didn't have the chance to be one simply hated them.
The court had resumed back to normality, and Ginny watched as several wizards showed their gifts to the Emperor, families came with the request for marriage, and other unimportant business.
Ginny sighed as a wizard asked her husband to grant his son with permission to marry a girl from another family. She didn't know why, but Voldemort had made a law were no one in the high families was to marry without his permission. People couldn't even get married if he didn't allow them.
After all the affairs were taken care of, Lucius clapped his hands and the night's entertainment came in. A magical band came in, as well as some headless ghosts juggling with their heads, magical animals on display and much more. Everything that would entertain the elite of society. It looked like a circus to her.
Ginny knew that this wasn't a normal court day. The regular court, were her husband would make decisions on things that actually mattered, was during the week. And for the really important decisions, on things that mattered to the whole empire, he would gather the governors from his provinces, and decide with them.
Ginny recognized one of these governors in the middle of the crowd. What was his name, she wondered?! She was sure that she had seen him before.
After a wile Lucius rose his hands and the all the noise in the room halted. Voldemort rose from his chair, and took a step forward, looking to the crowd before him.
'I have an announcement to make this evening.'-his face didn't betrayed any emotions.
'As you know, the Quidditch world cup hasn't been held for two years. I have decided that should take place again. This year the Cup will be held in Egypt, in the province of Bruno Lestrange.'
Ginny looked at the crowd. They were all applauding and smiling at the perspective of having a Quidditch world cup again. The man she had noticed made its way to the throne steppes, and bowed at the Emperor. Then he thanked him for the honor, and went back in to the crowd.
The entertainments resumed, and Ginny listen as the conversations in the room turned to the Quidditch cup. Bruno Lestrange had become the center of attention; there were people all around him. Ginny saw Lucius Malfoy trying to reach him through the mob. A man walking in the opposite direction ran in to him, he had dark hair and dark clothes. The man made a quick bow to apologize and left, leaving Lucius infuriated.
The night went on, and Ginny was feeling more and more bored. Voldemort noticed it and rose from his chair. He offered her his hand and announced that they would retire for the night.
They passed trough a door behind the thrones, in to a small room. Norah went with them, but Sarah remained outside, and joined the other maids.
Ginny was already making her way to another door, which led to a hidden staircase, when Voldemort told her to wait.
Shortly after, Lucius came in to the room. He began to search the pockets of his robes for what Ginny assumed was the vial. He searched his inside pockets, them his outside pockets, them the inside pockets again. His face was getting as white as his hair, and his eyes began to show panic.
Voldemort didn't look pleased at all. In fact his voice was as cold and menacing as Ginny had never heard.
'Well Lucius? Where's the vial?'-Lucius kept searching his pockets again and again. But to Ginny it was more then clear.
The vial was gone.
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Well first of all I would like to thank the people that reviewed. Thank you very much.
Okay, the scene in the pool is a bit clumsy, but it was the first time I ever wrote something like that,*blushes*, so you'll have to excuse me.
I now I said that I might put Voldies and Ginny's first night on this chapter, but I can't do it till her after her birthday, for plot reasons. As for the other characters, ill try to put them on the next chapter.
Please review. The reviews give me the will to find some time to write in my already full schedule. Thank you.
