Chapter 4 - A Nightmare of Her Own

It was fun, seeing Harry squirming nervously under her like that. To be honest, it had been very liberating to be able to finally seduce the boy who had purposely ignored her feelings for several years and not be affected by it. She had Draco...she got her revenge...but was it worth it? She winced at the recollection of her frightening ordeal with Draco's father a while ago. It seemed that she got more than what she bargained for. She was playing a very dangerous game...and maybe...just maybe...she had been wrong.

She had been so naive...pathetically hanging on to her foolish desire to be loved -- if not by Harry Potter then by someone equally great...equally handsome and brave -- and Draco - the hero of Slytherin House - was there, quite attractive in his own right and smitten with her innocent beauty. Their constant proximity weakened his resistance and unbeknownst to all, their relationship fluorished.

It was not just mere physical attraction anymore. She had discovered that deep inside, Draco was also a nice and sensitive person. The haughty demeanor was just an act, a curse of the Malfoy name. They shared each others dreams and fears. They made each other laugh despite everything that was happening around them. They built their own world at Grimmauld Place hoping that the dream would not end .... but like all dreams, they had to wake up to face the harsh reality. And it was a very rude awakening on their part -- Draco was expected to take the Dark Mark and Ginny was the enemy.

One way or another, they both had to choose. Assuming that it was expected of her, Ginny voluntarily surrendered herself to Voldemort's commands, not entirely realizing the repercussions of her hasty compliance or what her submission would entail. She blindingly followed her heart and to hell with the consequences. She felt so smart and mature then, truly believing that their love story would never end up like Romeo and Juliet - a muggle novel that she was fond of. But she became apprehensive as the days passed by. Despite her efforts, Draco slowly drifted away from her until one day, he did not return to their domicile. She did not understand. How could it end up like that.

She felt terrible. She cried for almost a week, thoroughly distraught and blaming only herself. Then a death-eater meeting was held and it provided her with a thread of hope. Voldemort casually dropped hints that Draco was having some doubts about her loyalty and that he could not envision himself having a future with someone who was totally different from him. The Dark Lord also implied that Draco's absence was due to a very delicate mission that he only assigns to his most devoted followers. It made her think.

After the meeting, Voldemort singled her out and enticed her with a proposal that she could not refuse --- Be a spy and she would earn Draco's trust and respect... Be a spy and she would be considered as one of the most powerful sorceress alive.... What person in his or her right mind would decline? Boy, that sounded so cool! Spies were always regarded with much reverie and respect and to be a spy at her age? It was simply awesome! So she agreed - like a child eager to try something new. And her mission was not even that difficult to achieve. She merely had to ensure that she could get back to the light side's good graces and extract as much relevant information as she could get without anyone being suspicious. The attack at the Ministry was just an elaborate cover-up. No one was supposed to get hurt. It seemed so easy.

Actually, it WAS so easy...until things started to get out of hand. Her tasks became more and more sickening and that was when she came to realize that the Dark Lord was training her to become the next Bellatrix Lestrange, the spy who used her alluring charms to get what she wanted. Harry Potter was her first target. She vaguely remembered the mocking tone of the Dark Lord when he asked her if she minded seducing Harry. Mind? Would she mind seducing the majestically handsome teenager she had a crush on for years? Was he dumb? It was too late when she figured that the Dark Lord had, in fact, been incessantly brilliant when he concocted the plan.

Now, she had no choice but to continue or she and her family might bear the brunt of Voldemort's wrath. She could not even return to Hogwarts because sooner or later, someone would cleverly uncover the truth. She felt guilty, yes, who wouldn't? In fact, it had been nagging her conscience since the task was handed to her though she had to admit that she had also been secretly excited at the prospect. But she was afraid....deathly afraid... and she was trapped by her own impulsiveness. How could she back out now? There was too much at stake.

Then, there was the thing with Lucius Malfoy, that evil bastard! Much as she hated what happened, she had to admit that at least they achieved their goal. Voldemort would be highly pleased and she would not be punished. People would begin to doubt the sincerity of the boy who lived and she would soon reap her reward. She just hoped that Lucius would not mention her 'uncooperativeness' a while ago - that would simply be disastrous. But what disobedient act did Draco commit to earn him such severe punishment? Well, she could only suppose that Lucius was lying. After all, Voldemort himself stated that he sent Draco on a delicate mission.

Feeling more confused than ever, Ginny made her way to Hogsmeade and apparated from there. Voldemort was waiting for her.

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Ginny immediately bowed upon seeing her master.

"My lord, you shall be pleased to know that the plan had been executed to perfection." she said, trying to conceal the nervousness in her voice.

"Yes, Lucius had already informed me. Unfortunately, he had also said something that was quite annoying to my ears. He said you had some minor disagreement earlier...perhaps you could explain." said the Dark Lord evenly but Ginny could sense a coldness there that implied several hours or possibly weeks of physical torture if she failed to provide him with a plausible excuse.

"I-it was an act, My Lord. House-elves might be listening and I wanted everything to look real." she replied, adopting a light and casual tone.

"Really?" He sneered at her then turned to Wormtail who was hovering at the door, as usual. "Wormtail, bring her to the dungeon. Don't give her food. Let her suffer for a week." Then he returned his mocking gaze to the terrified girl. "You should have invented a more convincing alibi."

Wormtail immediately seized her arm and dragged her along a dank and smelly corridor.

"You're lucky that you only got this for punishment." whispered Wormtail to the scared girl.

"You mean, there are worse?" she asked, licking her lips nervously.

"He could have killed you or fed you to the wolves." he replied without much emotion then upon seeing her frantic expression, he added. "You've been so blind, girl." He shook his head remorsefully and Ginny was surprised to see him looking so defeated. "We've been so blind."

"Well, well...Fancy seeing you here, my little whore!" The two stopped to glare at the formidable figure blocking their path.

"I swear I'm going to make you pay." hissed Ginny angrily and took a few steps backward as Lucius approached her.

"Not a very smart move. You should not have defied me earlier." He smirked slightly as his eyes maliciously checked out her slender curves. "You would have enjoyed it, you know. My son is nothing compared to me."

"BASTARD!" she slapped his spiteful face with all the strength left in her body, unable to contain her temper anymore.

"How dare you!" Lucius retaliated by pinning her forcefully to the wall and assaulting her trembling mouth with such ferocity that she found it difficult to breathe. His hands started to invade her private parts once more and Ginny was instantly frozen with fear. But suddenly, two exceptionally strong arms yanked the monster away from her and hauled him violently to the floor.

"Wormtail?" Lucius stared disbelievingly at his assailant.

Ginny could only whimper in surprise, glad that Wormtail was there but still horrified. She had been attacked twice by the same man and on the same day. Both times, she had been saved but would she always be that lucky?

"Leave her alone, Lucius. The master has plans for her." said Wormtail with uncharacteristic hostility in his voice.

Regaining his composure, Lucius hastily stood up and assumed a dignified stance. "Next time you won't be as fortunate." he spat and left without saying another word.

The two visibly relaxed and continued their journey quietly but Ginny could sense that something was bothering her companion.

"What is it, Wormtail?" she ventured.

The thin man scrutinized her expression, judging her sincerity and her ability to handle what he was about to tell her.

"Do you regret your decision now?" he asked instead.

Ginny was taken aback by his question. She was not expecting that, least of all from him. She decided to play it safe. "Why do you ask? Do you?"

"I wish I could turn back time..." he then replied without so much as a glance at her direction.

"What do you mean?"

Wormtail fearfully scanned the room before he frantically whispered his reply, muttering so fast that Ginny could only make out the words "Holocaust", "Lost Prophecy", and "must save Harry" from his rantings. She would have requested him to repeat his statement but seeing his edginess, she knew it would be too much to ask.

"Listen, Ginny, you don't have the Dark Mark yet and neither does Draco. You do realize that Draco refused, don't you?" he said in an urgent whisper but the girl only looked shocked at the revelation.

"You mean Draco is really being punished here? B-but Voldemort said he just sent him on a ---"

"Voldemort is a manipulative son-of-a-bitch!" he cut her off. "You saw what he did to Bellatrix and you still believed him? What kind of a fool are you? He used you. He tricked you into believing that that is what Draco wants. I'll be damned but you've been blinder than I thought! Draco refused because of you. He loves you...loves you so much that he was willing to suffer here than lead you to a life of eternal damnation."

"Oh, my God!" Ginny bit her lip as the pieces of the puzzle slowly fit together in her mind. "Why didn't you tell me before?" she cried in anguish.

"I wanted to but I did not have the chance." replied Wormtail as he led her to a cell with a lone and unconscious occupant in it. "Look at Draco. Who would have thought that Voldemort would do that to the only son of his most loyal servant? But he doesn't care what happened to his minions. For him, his slaves are just pawns in his pathetic war games...something to be discarded if they had already outlived their usefulness."

Reluctantly, he pushed her in. "I don't know what will happen now but please try to figure out a way to escape and I'll help you in whatever way I can. I don't want you to suffer the same fate and live a life of regret." Then he added reluctantly, "...like me.."

"What about Harry? I put some poison in his drink!" she panicked slightly at the recollection. 'I'm sorry, Harry!'

"Don't worry, I already gave him the antidote. He'll live." he averted his gaze. He was fully aware of the Dark Lord's plan to dispose of him as soon as Lucius fulfills the next part of his most intricate scheme but he did not have the heart to inform the girl about that. She was already consumed with so much guilt and too much information might push her to the limit.

"What about you?" she asked, looking at the man with sympathy.

The thin man shook his head regretfully. "There's no more hope for me. I am in too deep."

"No, don't say that. It's never too late to change." she said kindly to the retreating figure. He paused for a while to consider it but went on his way without acknowledging her comment.

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Ginny immediately rushed to the side of the unconscious figure after Wormtail left. She tried to be as calm as possible as she stared at his hollow cheeks, deathly-white complexion, dirty clothes and chapped lips. How could they possibly get out of there alive when her knight in shining armour had obviously fallen?

Sensing her presence, the pale figure slowly opened his eyes and took in the glistening tears on her cheeks. Ignoring the scorching pain on his legs and arms, he positioned his back against the wall and cradled the weeping figure tenderly.

"What's wrong, love?" he asked, wondering why she was there.

"Oh, Draco! I have been so foolish!" cried Ginny and he hugged her some more to comfort her.

"Aren't we all?" said Draco.

"No, you don't understand!" exclaimed Ginny and she filled him with the recent events that followed his disappearance pausing only when she came to the part that effected Harry's incarceration.

"Love, you don't have to tell me everything if you don't want to...and to be quite frank, I'm not sure if I really want to hear it all." said Draco in understanding.

"You have to know...it would be better this way...no secrets." Draco nodded solemnly and braced himself for whatever she had to say.

"V-voldemort ordered me to seduce Harr-----"

"WHAT??????" exploded Draco in a jealous rage. He was very much conscious of the fact that Ginny had been in love with Harry for years and who could blame her -- Harry was the wonder boy and he was the bad guy. It pained him to imagine Ginny being intimate with another guy and now she was telling him that she was ordered to do it with no less than Potter himself. Merlin! There was only so much a man could take. "That does it. I don't think I want to hear the details anymore."

"Please, Draco. Nothing happened. He fell asleep. It would just be better if you hear it from me first." she said tearfully.

"Go on then." said Draco, resigning himself to more shocking discoveries.

"Then your father used the polyjuice potion to impersonate him." she shot one apprehensive look at Draco before she continued. "Then....he pretended to molest me at the Gryffindor common room to ruin Harry's reputation and make everyone believe that he had turned dark."

"I'm sure my perverted father enjoyed that." said Draco with a nasty scowl. "But it still doesn't explain why you had to be punished."

Ginny closed her eyes and sighed deeply. This was the hardest part and she was not sure how he would take it. "Well, it turned out that your um-father was not pretending anymore." She felt Draco's body tense at her statement but did not comment. "He ripped my clothes and he......."

"No, Ginny, you don't have to continue. I know. I saw him do it several times before. He forced me to watch." said Draco in a tone so cold that it sent shivers down her spine.

"But he ----"

"I SAID STOP!" Ginny trembled in fear and started to back away from him but Draco held her tight. "I'm sorry, love. I didn't mean to scare you." Ginny hesitantly looked up and was startled to see tears flowing silently down his cheeks. "Why do I have a father like him? Why can't I lead a normal life?" he murmured desperately to himself. "You know what? When they put me here, I was hoping against hope that Potter would come and rescue you again. At least you would be safe in their hands. Then Wormtail told me what happened at the Ministry and I felt instantly relieved. You're with people who loves you and eventually, you would learn to forget me. I know you're too good for me that's why I had to let you go. But now that you're here with me, I'm ashamed to say that I'm being pretty selfish at the moment. I don't want to let you go."

"And I'm feeling that way, too." said Ginny, caressing his cheeks affectionately, easing his worries away.

"I know. That's what's tearing me inside. This is not the kind of life I have envisioned for us. I want to give you a nice car, comfortable home where we can live happily with our children - a life without fear. But it seems that our relationship is doomed from the very start." he said dejectedly.

"Please don't lose hope. We'll be able to escape somehow. Wormtail will help us and maybe we can save Harry too." said Ginny earnestly and Draco reluctantly nodded in agreement. "...and to set things straight, I want you to know that your father did not succeed. That's why I'm here now --- as punishment for defying him."

"Then this means that we have to be extra careful. My father would never stop until he finally gets what he wants." said Draco ominously. "And I swear I would kill him if he touches you again."

"You can't do that." said Ginny despairingly.

"And why not?"

"You don't have a wand."

"Oh, don't worry about that. I learned a few things about muggle dueling from your beloved brothers . I could crush him with my bare hands. Like this." replied Draco and made a violent gesture with his hands. Ginny smiled wistfully as the action triggered some happy memories she had with her brothers.

"You miss them, don't you?" asked Draco upon seeing her expression.

"Yes." she replied simply. There was no point in lying.

"If we ever get out of here alive, I promise I won't pick on your brothers too much, even Potter and the Mud--oops Granger." said Draco and the familiar grin lit his face for a moment.

"Then I suggest you practice now because I do not intend to perish in this disgusting place." said Ginny with renewed optimism.

"That's the spirit! But there's one other thing that I must practice on."

said Draco and he winked suggestively at her.

"What?" asked Ginny, feigning ignorance.

"This." Then he bent over and kissed Ginny passionately.