(Author's Note: I've been hastily forgetful in thanking my friend KaoruDirenGreyMember...the whole rest of the plot from beyond the first chapter was her doing. I appraise her for that.)

Chapter Seven:

She had told him that evening what she truly wanted. They sat together on his bed and she clung desperately to him, in fear of losing him.

"How do you think they'll react?"

"They'd be furious. Severus already explained that he wanted to help...but I can't allow him. I don't want my baby to kill."

"I'll help as long as I can. But we need to figure out what he's being so cryptic about." Draco's voice was soft and his hair was so pretty as it fell in glittering wisps down to his eyes. She held his gaze for a moment before she spoke.

"Maybe he'll pull back..."

"What?"

She untangled herself from him, and just barely let his hand go as she paced the Slytherins dorm. Carefully she touched the walls, her fingers gliding slowly over he wood. He watched her steps; tantalizing beauty. She had let her hair out of that bun and it fell in soft waves down to her hips. Everything about her made his body tingle, everything about her...he loved. She wasn't scared of the Dark Lord...and this is why she stood, to explain it to him. He sat up and stared at her, he reached and put his glasses back on and grabbed a cigarette.

"Maybe...maybe he'll withdraw because he doesn't want to hurt this baby. But then why would he still..." Suddenly she stopped and stared at him, her eyes widened before she dropped to her knees.

"SHUT UP! You stupid girl...I have plans for that thing inside you. The boy isn't worthy of this knowledge, you've disappointed me many times already. Do you want me to rip that baby from your body and kill you both...tonight? I will if you so much as utter another word. The darkness you carry will not only kill you when it is born, but everyone you love. Once you die, I will take this baby...it will be a part of you, but that will not be enough. I need more...and I will get it."

Her fingernails dug into the skull as produced blood on her fingers as she pulled them away. She couldn't breathe...things were fuzzy. He ran to her side so fast that he tripped on his way and now had to crawl. He pulled her against him again as now it was her turn to cry. She couldn't breathe...and he was holding her and she was crying. Now she realized that she could truly love this boy...because of who he was at this very second.

"We need to get more help. I won't be enough. Come on."

Gently he picked her up and cradled her just like he had done that first night. She was in no position to walk. She probably wouldn't make it very far. He sighed as he stepped into the hallway. It was dark and he was walking softly along with her in his arms. Once he stopped, she looked around and jumped from his grip.

"I told you..."

"He's the only other one who can decipher Riddle's puzzles. He's the father of that abnormality you're carrying."The truth struck her sharply and she shook her head.

"Fine..." She murmured bitterly and refused to look at him until he took both her hands and smiled. That was when she knew that she could win this. With his faith in her...she could do anything.

He knocked on he door very quietly and heard a scuffle from the other side. He emerged seconds later, looking rather wide eyed.

"Surely this can wait, Mr. Malfoy—Ginny? What's going on?"

Snape watched her from the corner, she was leaning against the wall. Draco was the first to speak, and as he did so he reached for Ginny's hand. She came up beside him.

"Can we come in, Severus?" Her voice was rather quietly toned as she looked away. She'd never called him by his first name before, well not to his face. He nodded and looked at the mother of his child most serenely.

"What's going on?" He asked again as they both sat down. He took a seat at his desk and leaned back in his chair some.

"Well..." Ginny started but something stopped her. It felt as though a hand was tightening on her throat. She could hear voice questioning her but they seemed so distant. He was angry...angrier then ever. And he was going to kill her right then and there.

"No...you will stop talking...or I swear I will kill you before that demon is even born."

She felt the hand retract and she breathed normally once more. Concerned etched on the pale faces in front of her. Draco pushed the hair away from her eyes and touched her cheek; his fingers flew delicately over her skin, sending a shudder through her. Snape looked at her but didn't make any moves to comfort her.

"What happened?" He asked after Draco sat back down next to her.

"I-nothing." It wasn't fair. Tom had the power to hurt her and she couldn't tell either man what was going on. Tonight she would call for her dark spirit again...and she hoped he would be more civil with her.

And so later that night she sat cross legged in the middle of Draco's bathroom. They hadn't made much headway tonight, so Ginny wanted to leave. They would return to Snape soon enough.

"Tom...?"

"You should not be speaking to me. You ungrateful rat."

"You're not being fair." Soft bitter laughter surged through the tiny room then.

"Fair? I am the one who is not fair? My dear Ginny...you really are very stupid, aren't you? I'm the Dark Lord...I do not play fair. You get involved with a boy that has been nothing but vicious to you...where is my fairness for that? I loved you enough to give you a child...and you will not stop my plan! I have sat and waited for too damn long for you to realize that you belong with me. And since I cannot get you...I will use that dark inside you. Your only child will be the bait to my plot...if you truly care for it, then you will drop the Malfoy boy and let things play out. As for his role as the child's father, he won't live long enough. Oh yes, I plan to kill that boy. As for Severus...let's just save that fun for later, shall we? I am giving you this information because I know that you cannot stop it from coming. You'd better watch yourself at the Masquerade Ball...you will be in for a world of trouble for your disloyalty."

And then there was silence. The door swung open and he stepped inside. He wore only black boxers as he leaned against the wall.

"It hurts...I know, but you've got to be strong."

"I c-can't." Her voice was stricken with fear and sounded very small.

He damned near tripped over her as he made his way down to the floor. He reached his hand up in the darkness and was relieved when his fingers brushed her cheek again that night.

"You can do this...I have faith in you." He whispered and was surprised to hear her shifting. He assumed she would stand to leave and go sit by the fire, like she had other times. But instead, she did something he didn't expect.

She had kissed him.