Chapter Seven – Veritaserum
Professor Dumbledore looked at her sadly. Ginny tried to listen to her body. From what she knew of Veritaserum, she should feel light headed. She should feel a willingness to answer any question asked of her. She didn't feel any of those things. Which only meant one thing.
Professor Snape had given her fake Veritaserum.
Just the thought of Professor Snape doing that for her made her feel dizzy. How did he know to do this? Quickly, she forced herself to concentrate. She let herself stare into space.
"Ginerva, if you could kindly tell me where you went after quidditch practice last night?" Professor Dumbledore asked calmly.
Ginny let her voice sound dreamy and far-off. "I went to the astronomy tower," she answered.
"Did you attack any student last night?" he asked.
"No," she said simply.
"Are you in contact with Tom Riddle in any way?" he asked after a moment of silence.
"No," she said yet again.
The room was silent for the next few minutes. "You gave her only one drop, correct?" she heard Professor Snape ask Dumbledore.
"Correct," Professor Dumbledore answered wearily.
A few more minutes passed. Ginny stayed in her seat, staring at a corner of the room.
"The effects should be wearing off soon," Professor Snape said to the Headmaster. Ginny decided she would act normal in another minute.
She shook her head back and forth quickly, and rubbed her eyes.
Professor Dumbledore sighed. "You are free to go to class, Miss Weasley."
Ginny stood up slowly. "Thank you, sir."
She walked to the door when Professor Snape stopped her. "Miss Weasley," he called out. She turned and faced him. A look of understanding passed between them. "Do try to be careful."
-----
Ginny practically ran through the hallways. She decided to skive off Charms. There was no way she would be able to concentrate. She ran up to the owlery, hoping that no one would be there.
She was in luck. It was empty. She looked at the window, wondering again how she escaped his questions. Professor Snape knew she was loyal to Tom. That could be the only answer. He was trying to protect her!
"Tom!" she called out.
What have you to say, Ginerva...
"Tom, Professor Snape knows! He knows that I'm on your side!" she cried. He told her so many times that Snape didn't know.
Does he? Do not worry, Ginerva. He is loyal. You are safe...
"How many other people know?" Ginny asked quietly.
That is not your concern...
He sounded angry. He was always angry with her lately.
"I'm convinced that Professor Dumbledore knows it was me!"
He knows nothing, he is a fool...
"Please, Tom..." she said, feeling defeated. He didn't answer her. Nothing she seemed to do lately pleased him. She desperately wanted to help him and his cause. Why was he doing this to her?
She stayed in the tower until the bell rang. Slowly she headed towards the Great Hall for lunch. She was in a hallway when suddenly Draco appeared. He smiled, and pulled her into an empty classroom.
"Can you believe the attacks?" he asked between kisses.
Dare she tell him? Not yet, she decided. She kissed him back, and rubbed his bottom suggestively, trying to make him forget.
He started kissing her neck. "Did you attack them? You and...him?" Draco asked, his hand gliding up her bare thigh.
"I'm not sure," Ginny said, not willing to confess completely. But all logical thought went out the window when he started caressing her there. "Draco!" she shouted out. Oh, it felt so good...
Draco quickly waved his wand and put a locking and silencing charm on the room. They barely removed any clothing, but there he was inside her, filling her.
Ginerva...
Ginny gasped, which Draco mistook as a sign of pleasure, and started thrusting harder. Tom had never initiated contact before. She always had to call him to her side.
Ginerva, you say you are loyal, but look at you now...
Ginny was careful not to say any words out loud. She didn't want Draco to know.
Draco demands payment, she said in her head, forcing her thoughts to Tom.
You will be mine someday, Ginerva. Mine and mine alone...
Ginny could feel him leaving her thoughts and breathed a sigh of relief. Draco was just finishing up. Ginny made all the right motions, and said all the right things to make Draco happy. But inside she was reeling.
She knew someday soon she was going to have to make a choice.
----
"We're going to be fine, Ginny," Draco said. Two weeks had passed since the students had been attacked. Luckily, Tom had not possessed her since. Though Ginny was wary. She kept waiting for something to happen.
But now she had more important things to worry about. She was going to her first real Death Eater meeting. Draco was going to be inducted tonight, and he asked if she would be there with him. She was going along as his parent's guest. Though his parents were not told who he would be bringing.
She put her black hood over her head. Her hair still could be seen. She really didn't want anyone knowing who she was, and her hair was a dead give away.
Draco seemed to realize the problem at the same time. "Hang on a minute," he said, getting out his wand.
He tapped her hair and muttered "Capillago Secus." Ginny's hair slowly changed from a dark red to a raven black.
"I need a mirror," she said, smiling slightly. Seeing that they were in the Room of Requirements, a mirror instantly appeared on the wall. She drew back her hood and looked at her reflection. The dark hair offset her pale skin nicely.
Draco brought a small signet ring from his robes. "This is the Portkey my parents sent me," he told her. He slipped the ring on his finger. "We should be leaving in just a minute or two."
Ginny put her hand in his, feeling the cool gold of the ring next to her skin. "How are you going to introduce me?" she asked.
Draco grinned. "I thought I'd call you Myrtle," he said slyly.
"I like it. I'm sure Moaning Myrtle won't mind us borrowing her name," she laughed.
Suddenly Ginny felt a sharp tug by her navel. A few minutes later, she was in the middle of a deserted field. She knew she shouldn't be afraid, but she couldn't help it when a shiver of fear went up her spine.
"Where are we?" she whispered to Draco.
"Near the Riddle family estate," he answered. "This is his Headquarters."
They walked towards the looming mansion. It was not nearly as impressive close up. The windows were cracked and the paint of the shutters was peeling. The door Ginny and Draco walked through seemed to be off of it's hinges.
Ginny tried not to look around too much. Death Eaters were everywhere. They all seemed to be staring at her. Ginny cursed herself, she should have changed her appearance more!
"Draco," a smooth voice called out. Draco grabbed Ginny's arm, directing her through the crowd. He stopped in front of two masked people.
"Mother, Father," Draco said politely. "This is Myrtle."
Ginny bowed. She could tell his parents were looking her over, trying to guess her real identity. Luckily, Ginny had put her hood well over her eyes.
"Welcome," Draco's mother told her.
Lucius Malfoy held out his hand to Draco. "I'm proud of you, son," he said.
Draco shook his father's hand firmly. "Thank you, sir."
She looked around the room. The meeting seemed to be in a large ballroom. There were easily forty people in the room. Every single person in the room wore a mask.
Ginny saw a short, fat, balding man who wore no mask enter the room. "This is Wormtail," Draco muttered to her. Ginny nodded. She could feel the energy and the anticipation building in the room.
There was a flash of light and a resounding crack. Lord Voldemort had arrived.
----
A/N – Capillago (Hair) Secus (Different), Latin is borrowed with permission from Kerrymdb's awesome story Radishes and Turnips. It's a Neville/Luna fic, full of sweetness and goodness. Very different than the fics I normally read! Cheers!
Professor Dumbledore looked at her sadly. Ginny tried to listen to her body. From what she knew of Veritaserum, she should feel light headed. She should feel a willingness to answer any question asked of her. She didn't feel any of those things. Which only meant one thing.
Professor Snape had given her fake Veritaserum.
Just the thought of Professor Snape doing that for her made her feel dizzy. How did he know to do this? Quickly, she forced herself to concentrate. She let herself stare into space.
"Ginerva, if you could kindly tell me where you went after quidditch practice last night?" Professor Dumbledore asked calmly.
Ginny let her voice sound dreamy and far-off. "I went to the astronomy tower," she answered.
"Did you attack any student last night?" he asked.
"No," she said simply.
"Are you in contact with Tom Riddle in any way?" he asked after a moment of silence.
"No," she said yet again.
The room was silent for the next few minutes. "You gave her only one drop, correct?" she heard Professor Snape ask Dumbledore.
"Correct," Professor Dumbledore answered wearily.
A few more minutes passed. Ginny stayed in her seat, staring at a corner of the room.
"The effects should be wearing off soon," Professor Snape said to the Headmaster. Ginny decided she would act normal in another minute.
She shook her head back and forth quickly, and rubbed her eyes.
Professor Dumbledore sighed. "You are free to go to class, Miss Weasley."
Ginny stood up slowly. "Thank you, sir."
She walked to the door when Professor Snape stopped her. "Miss Weasley," he called out. She turned and faced him. A look of understanding passed between them. "Do try to be careful."
-----
Ginny practically ran through the hallways. She decided to skive off Charms. There was no way she would be able to concentrate. She ran up to the owlery, hoping that no one would be there.
She was in luck. It was empty. She looked at the window, wondering again how she escaped his questions. Professor Snape knew she was loyal to Tom. That could be the only answer. He was trying to protect her!
"Tom!" she called out.
What have you to say, Ginerva...
"Tom, Professor Snape knows! He knows that I'm on your side!" she cried. He told her so many times that Snape didn't know.
Does he? Do not worry, Ginerva. He is loyal. You are safe...
"How many other people know?" Ginny asked quietly.
That is not your concern...
He sounded angry. He was always angry with her lately.
"I'm convinced that Professor Dumbledore knows it was me!"
He knows nothing, he is a fool...
"Please, Tom..." she said, feeling defeated. He didn't answer her. Nothing she seemed to do lately pleased him. She desperately wanted to help him and his cause. Why was he doing this to her?
She stayed in the tower until the bell rang. Slowly she headed towards the Great Hall for lunch. She was in a hallway when suddenly Draco appeared. He smiled, and pulled her into an empty classroom.
"Can you believe the attacks?" he asked between kisses.
Dare she tell him? Not yet, she decided. She kissed him back, and rubbed his bottom suggestively, trying to make him forget.
He started kissing her neck. "Did you attack them? You and...him?" Draco asked, his hand gliding up her bare thigh.
"I'm not sure," Ginny said, not willing to confess completely. But all logical thought went out the window when he started caressing her there. "Draco!" she shouted out. Oh, it felt so good...
Draco quickly waved his wand and put a locking and silencing charm on the room. They barely removed any clothing, but there he was inside her, filling her.
Ginerva...
Ginny gasped, which Draco mistook as a sign of pleasure, and started thrusting harder. Tom had never initiated contact before. She always had to call him to her side.
Ginerva, you say you are loyal, but look at you now...
Ginny was careful not to say any words out loud. She didn't want Draco to know.
Draco demands payment, she said in her head, forcing her thoughts to Tom.
You will be mine someday, Ginerva. Mine and mine alone...
Ginny could feel him leaving her thoughts and breathed a sigh of relief. Draco was just finishing up. Ginny made all the right motions, and said all the right things to make Draco happy. But inside she was reeling.
She knew someday soon she was going to have to make a choice.
----
"We're going to be fine, Ginny," Draco said. Two weeks had passed since the students had been attacked. Luckily, Tom had not possessed her since. Though Ginny was wary. She kept waiting for something to happen.
But now she had more important things to worry about. She was going to her first real Death Eater meeting. Draco was going to be inducted tonight, and he asked if she would be there with him. She was going along as his parent's guest. Though his parents were not told who he would be bringing.
She put her black hood over her head. Her hair still could be seen. She really didn't want anyone knowing who she was, and her hair was a dead give away.
Draco seemed to realize the problem at the same time. "Hang on a minute," he said, getting out his wand.
He tapped her hair and muttered "Capillago Secus." Ginny's hair slowly changed from a dark red to a raven black.
"I need a mirror," she said, smiling slightly. Seeing that they were in the Room of Requirements, a mirror instantly appeared on the wall. She drew back her hood and looked at her reflection. The dark hair offset her pale skin nicely.
Draco brought a small signet ring from his robes. "This is the Portkey my parents sent me," he told her. He slipped the ring on his finger. "We should be leaving in just a minute or two."
Ginny put her hand in his, feeling the cool gold of the ring next to her skin. "How are you going to introduce me?" she asked.
Draco grinned. "I thought I'd call you Myrtle," he said slyly.
"I like it. I'm sure Moaning Myrtle won't mind us borrowing her name," she laughed.
Suddenly Ginny felt a sharp tug by her navel. A few minutes later, she was in the middle of a deserted field. She knew she shouldn't be afraid, but she couldn't help it when a shiver of fear went up her spine.
"Where are we?" she whispered to Draco.
"Near the Riddle family estate," he answered. "This is his Headquarters."
They walked towards the looming mansion. It was not nearly as impressive close up. The windows were cracked and the paint of the shutters was peeling. The door Ginny and Draco walked through seemed to be off of it's hinges.
Ginny tried not to look around too much. Death Eaters were everywhere. They all seemed to be staring at her. Ginny cursed herself, she should have changed her appearance more!
"Draco," a smooth voice called out. Draco grabbed Ginny's arm, directing her through the crowd. He stopped in front of two masked people.
"Mother, Father," Draco said politely. "This is Myrtle."
Ginny bowed. She could tell his parents were looking her over, trying to guess her real identity. Luckily, Ginny had put her hood well over her eyes.
"Welcome," Draco's mother told her.
Lucius Malfoy held out his hand to Draco. "I'm proud of you, son," he said.
Draco shook his father's hand firmly. "Thank you, sir."
She looked around the room. The meeting seemed to be in a large ballroom. There were easily forty people in the room. Every single person in the room wore a mask.
Ginny saw a short, fat, balding man who wore no mask enter the room. "This is Wormtail," Draco muttered to her. Ginny nodded. She could feel the energy and the anticipation building in the room.
There was a flash of light and a resounding crack. Lord Voldemort had arrived.
----
A/N – Capillago (Hair) Secus (Different), Latin is borrowed with permission from Kerrymdb's awesome story Radishes and Turnips. It's a Neville/Luna fic, full of sweetness and goodness. Very different than the fics I normally read! Cheers!