Chapter 3
Deep in thought, the sound of a doorknob turning made Ginny's stomach flip- flop. Staring wide-eyed at the door as it slowly creaked open, she was relieved to see a little house elf, equally wide-eyed, timidly enter the room. Upon seeing the creature, she gave it a small sympathetic smile. It's eyes darted downward immediately and it walked swiftly over to the breakfast table. Ginny watched quietly as, with much effort, it moved one of the large velvet chairs to the center of the room. It proceeded to give the chair a thorough going over with a feather duster, though Ginny didn't see a speck on it- or anything else for that matter. The task seemed to have no point whatsoever except to further exhaust the poor house elf. When it was done, it stood dutifully beside the chair and cleared it's throat:
"Master is requesting that you take a seat, Miss."
Ginny rolled her eyes. She wished Lucius would just get on with things and end this ridiculous charade. She was growing tired of it.
"You may tell Master his request is noted," Ginny remarked with an attitude. The house elf looked horrified.
"Please, Miss!" It said, sounding absolutely desperate.
Ginny softened instantly, remembering that the house elf merely worked for the Malfoys and not willingly at that. She slowly crawled out of the large bed and walked over to the chair. She spoke gently:
"You know, the reason your Master is upset is because of me. It isn't your fault."
The house elf looked around cautiously as if it was about to do something highly illegal.
"Everything is Solly's fault, Miss."
Ginny raised her eyebrows in surprise. She tried to think of something comforting to say, but found herself at a loss. She decided the best way to help the little elf was to simply sit in the chair, which she did. The oversized chair made Ginny feel very small. Her toes just brushed the floor when she sat properly so she drew her legs up to her and shifted them sideways. Solly let out a small sigh of relief and left to clear the breakfast table in one trip by stacking things perilously high. Ginny watched as he shakily made his way past her and out the door, which then closed and locked itself.
'Despicable,'She thought as she considered Solly. She imagined Hermione marching up to Lucius and slapping a S.P.E.W. sticker right on his forehead- she would do it too! Ginny broke into a genuine smile- the first in, well, she couldn't remember how long. Her face fell just as quickly when reality reminded her that she didn't know where Hermione was or if she was even still alive. This only strengthened Ginny's resolve to stand her ground as she awaited Lucius' inevitable interrogation.
Ginny had expected Lucius to return promptly but he didn't. There were no clocks in the room but it seemed to Ginny she had been sitting for hours. The light outside was turning from violet to gray as the sun sank below the western horizon. The fire behind her was reduced to a few glowing embers. Hunger gnawed at her stomach and it was again uncomfortably cold. She felt weak and struggled to keep her eyes open. Ginny wondered exactly how long she had been unconscious. If it had been more than a few days, she could be dehydrated and that could be dangerous. She studied the large oak door in front of her and pursed her lips. If Lucius was coming, he didn't give any indication.
Ginny got to her feet again, shivering as they touched the cold marble floor. She walked quickly over to the bathroom. The movement made her light-headed and she leaned on the sink for support. She grabbed one of the sleek silver faucet handles and gave it a turn. She was elated when a steady stream of cool, clear water presented itself. Not wasting any time, Ginny cupped both hands under the faucet and began to drink. She was sure this was the best thing she had ever tasted in her life. Obviously she hadn't realized how thirsty she was and it was several minutes before she turned the water off and began to walk back to her designated chair, brushing her hair out of her face and wiping her mouth with her hands.
She didn't notice him at first, he was standing so still. Pale blue-gray eyes staring at her from across the room. His impossibly blond hair tied back as he stood quietly with his hands behind him. Ginny gasped when she finally noticed him, fully expecting to be alone as she had been. The cheerful sarcastic expression of the morning had been replaced by one of indifference. She hated this emotionless glare. It made him look like someone who had lost his soul. Or sold it. After a minute, he gestured toward the chair, not saying a word. Ginny slowly returned and sat down without argument.
Lucius paced slowly back and forth. Ginny watched him intently, afraid to take her eyes off him even for a second. She knew that look. Crookshanks had the same one when he would stalk prey in her family's garden.
"The situation is this: I have a very generous offer for you and I suggest you take it so we are in each other's company for as little time as possible." He continued. "You will tell me the location of DA headquarters and I shall release you."
Ginny simply stared at him, surprised that he thought it would be this easy.
"Well, what do you say, Miss Weasley?"
Ginny was silent. Lucius was increasingly impatient. "Did you hear what I said girl?" His voice filled the room and echoed down the long corridors. "I'm offering to spare your life!"
Still she said nothing. Ginny simply stared at him with expressionless eyes. She held Lucius' intimidating gaze, refusing to look away in fear. She studied his pale blue-gray eyes, a stark contrast to her warm brown ones. He was cold, powerful, proud, and yet completely controlled by someone else. For all his expensive possessions and prestigious position, in the end he was just a slave. Finally, she spoke.
"I'm willing to die for my friends, and they would do the same for me," Ginny stated firmly.
Lucius shook his head at her. "You're so quick to give your life over for these 'friends' of yours. You're so terribly naive, Miss Weasley," He said mockingly. "If you knew half the things I know about your 'friends' you would have come running to our Lord long ago with their secrets."
"Mr. Malfoy, you've wasted your time thinking up these lies, and telling them to me is wasting mine," Ginny said flatly.
For once Lucius seemed at a loss for words, as if he couldn't fathom how death could be preferable to betraying a friend. Perhaps he never had a friend worth dying for. Sad, Ginny thought. She had always been blessed with wonderful friends and family. Who would she be today if she hadn't had them? She was a shy, lonely girl when Tom Riddle had first approached her. Without her friends, no doubt her life would have turned out very differently, had she lived at all. Continuing to stare at Lucius, she softened her expression a bit. Surely there was a part of him that was still human, someone capable of empathy, of feeling something...anything.
Lucius squinted his eyes slightly in confusion. Grown men trembled before him. Why wasn't this girl doing the same thing? Probably out of her bloody mind, he told himself. But perhaps the female mind was different. Perhaps a different kind of arm twisting was in order.
Seeing as the intimidation tract was getting him nowhere, Lucius changed his tactic. He turned to face her and cocked an eyebrow in feigned surprise. He spoke in a low, sinister voice.
"Very interesting, Miss Weasley. Really, it amazes me how selfish you are."
Ginny straightened in her chair. The comment surprised her. She was sure another cruciatus curse was coming. Lucius continued.
"You say you cannot live with betraying your friends, but how can you die knowing that you've murdered your parents?"
Before she knew what she was doing, Ginny leapt out of her chair and with all the strength she could muster, slapped Lucius Malfoy across the face. She brought her hands up to cover her mouth, not quite believing what she had just done. Lucius turned back to face her. The look of shock on her face amused him. He saw the momentary lack of confidence he had been waiting for, and pounced on it. He seized Ginny by her wrists and threw her up against the nearest wall. With his face inches away from hers, and a look of pure evil in his eyes, he continued in a much angrier tone.
"It's no secret that I despised your father, Miss Weasley, however, I endured his presence at the Ministry of Magic for nearly two decades. All he ever talked about was you and your vapid brothers. Isn't it exciting what Bill is doing in Egypt! And Charlie with those bloody dragons! Don't forget Percy's new position at the Ministry or those nitwits Fred and George and their silly inventions! Ron and his ridiculous Quidditch tricks! But you, Ginny dear. Oh, I heard all about you. How brave you were against Tom Riddle. How beautiful and grown-up you looked at the Yule Ball. How you were more intelligent than all your brothers combined. How he always knew you would make him so proud."
Tears streamed down Ginny's face.
"Yes, Ginny. You were the apple of his eye. Just imagine what it would do to him if something were to happen to you. Something you could have easily prevented."
Lucius lifted her off the ground so her face was level with his and leaned in. His lips grazed her right ear.
"What kind of daughter would you be then?" Lucius whispered harshly. He paused dramatically to let that last thought linger in her mind. And then he dropped her.
Deep in thought, the sound of a doorknob turning made Ginny's stomach flip- flop. Staring wide-eyed at the door as it slowly creaked open, she was relieved to see a little house elf, equally wide-eyed, timidly enter the room. Upon seeing the creature, she gave it a small sympathetic smile. It's eyes darted downward immediately and it walked swiftly over to the breakfast table. Ginny watched quietly as, with much effort, it moved one of the large velvet chairs to the center of the room. It proceeded to give the chair a thorough going over with a feather duster, though Ginny didn't see a speck on it- or anything else for that matter. The task seemed to have no point whatsoever except to further exhaust the poor house elf. When it was done, it stood dutifully beside the chair and cleared it's throat:
"Master is requesting that you take a seat, Miss."
Ginny rolled her eyes. She wished Lucius would just get on with things and end this ridiculous charade. She was growing tired of it.
"You may tell Master his request is noted," Ginny remarked with an attitude. The house elf looked horrified.
"Please, Miss!" It said, sounding absolutely desperate.
Ginny softened instantly, remembering that the house elf merely worked for the Malfoys and not willingly at that. She slowly crawled out of the large bed and walked over to the chair. She spoke gently:
"You know, the reason your Master is upset is because of me. It isn't your fault."
The house elf looked around cautiously as if it was about to do something highly illegal.
"Everything is Solly's fault, Miss."
Ginny raised her eyebrows in surprise. She tried to think of something comforting to say, but found herself at a loss. She decided the best way to help the little elf was to simply sit in the chair, which she did. The oversized chair made Ginny feel very small. Her toes just brushed the floor when she sat properly so she drew her legs up to her and shifted them sideways. Solly let out a small sigh of relief and left to clear the breakfast table in one trip by stacking things perilously high. Ginny watched as he shakily made his way past her and out the door, which then closed and locked itself.
'Despicable,'She thought as she considered Solly. She imagined Hermione marching up to Lucius and slapping a S.P.E.W. sticker right on his forehead- she would do it too! Ginny broke into a genuine smile- the first in, well, she couldn't remember how long. Her face fell just as quickly when reality reminded her that she didn't know where Hermione was or if she was even still alive. This only strengthened Ginny's resolve to stand her ground as she awaited Lucius' inevitable interrogation.
Ginny had expected Lucius to return promptly but he didn't. There were no clocks in the room but it seemed to Ginny she had been sitting for hours. The light outside was turning from violet to gray as the sun sank below the western horizon. The fire behind her was reduced to a few glowing embers. Hunger gnawed at her stomach and it was again uncomfortably cold. She felt weak and struggled to keep her eyes open. Ginny wondered exactly how long she had been unconscious. If it had been more than a few days, she could be dehydrated and that could be dangerous. She studied the large oak door in front of her and pursed her lips. If Lucius was coming, he didn't give any indication.
Ginny got to her feet again, shivering as they touched the cold marble floor. She walked quickly over to the bathroom. The movement made her light-headed and she leaned on the sink for support. She grabbed one of the sleek silver faucet handles and gave it a turn. She was elated when a steady stream of cool, clear water presented itself. Not wasting any time, Ginny cupped both hands under the faucet and began to drink. She was sure this was the best thing she had ever tasted in her life. Obviously she hadn't realized how thirsty she was and it was several minutes before she turned the water off and began to walk back to her designated chair, brushing her hair out of her face and wiping her mouth with her hands.
She didn't notice him at first, he was standing so still. Pale blue-gray eyes staring at her from across the room. His impossibly blond hair tied back as he stood quietly with his hands behind him. Ginny gasped when she finally noticed him, fully expecting to be alone as she had been. The cheerful sarcastic expression of the morning had been replaced by one of indifference. She hated this emotionless glare. It made him look like someone who had lost his soul. Or sold it. After a minute, he gestured toward the chair, not saying a word. Ginny slowly returned and sat down without argument.
Lucius paced slowly back and forth. Ginny watched him intently, afraid to take her eyes off him even for a second. She knew that look. Crookshanks had the same one when he would stalk prey in her family's garden.
"The situation is this: I have a very generous offer for you and I suggest you take it so we are in each other's company for as little time as possible." He continued. "You will tell me the location of DA headquarters and I shall release you."
Ginny simply stared at him, surprised that he thought it would be this easy.
"Well, what do you say, Miss Weasley?"
Ginny was silent. Lucius was increasingly impatient. "Did you hear what I said girl?" His voice filled the room and echoed down the long corridors. "I'm offering to spare your life!"
Still she said nothing. Ginny simply stared at him with expressionless eyes. She held Lucius' intimidating gaze, refusing to look away in fear. She studied his pale blue-gray eyes, a stark contrast to her warm brown ones. He was cold, powerful, proud, and yet completely controlled by someone else. For all his expensive possessions and prestigious position, in the end he was just a slave. Finally, she spoke.
"I'm willing to die for my friends, and they would do the same for me," Ginny stated firmly.
Lucius shook his head at her. "You're so quick to give your life over for these 'friends' of yours. You're so terribly naive, Miss Weasley," He said mockingly. "If you knew half the things I know about your 'friends' you would have come running to our Lord long ago with their secrets."
"Mr. Malfoy, you've wasted your time thinking up these lies, and telling them to me is wasting mine," Ginny said flatly.
For once Lucius seemed at a loss for words, as if he couldn't fathom how death could be preferable to betraying a friend. Perhaps he never had a friend worth dying for. Sad, Ginny thought. She had always been blessed with wonderful friends and family. Who would she be today if she hadn't had them? She was a shy, lonely girl when Tom Riddle had first approached her. Without her friends, no doubt her life would have turned out very differently, had she lived at all. Continuing to stare at Lucius, she softened her expression a bit. Surely there was a part of him that was still human, someone capable of empathy, of feeling something...anything.
Lucius squinted his eyes slightly in confusion. Grown men trembled before him. Why wasn't this girl doing the same thing? Probably out of her bloody mind, he told himself. But perhaps the female mind was different. Perhaps a different kind of arm twisting was in order.
Seeing as the intimidation tract was getting him nowhere, Lucius changed his tactic. He turned to face her and cocked an eyebrow in feigned surprise. He spoke in a low, sinister voice.
"Very interesting, Miss Weasley. Really, it amazes me how selfish you are."
Ginny straightened in her chair. The comment surprised her. She was sure another cruciatus curse was coming. Lucius continued.
"You say you cannot live with betraying your friends, but how can you die knowing that you've murdered your parents?"
Before she knew what she was doing, Ginny leapt out of her chair and with all the strength she could muster, slapped Lucius Malfoy across the face. She brought her hands up to cover her mouth, not quite believing what she had just done. Lucius turned back to face her. The look of shock on her face amused him. He saw the momentary lack of confidence he had been waiting for, and pounced on it. He seized Ginny by her wrists and threw her up against the nearest wall. With his face inches away from hers, and a look of pure evil in his eyes, he continued in a much angrier tone.
"It's no secret that I despised your father, Miss Weasley, however, I endured his presence at the Ministry of Magic for nearly two decades. All he ever talked about was you and your vapid brothers. Isn't it exciting what Bill is doing in Egypt! And Charlie with those bloody dragons! Don't forget Percy's new position at the Ministry or those nitwits Fred and George and their silly inventions! Ron and his ridiculous Quidditch tricks! But you, Ginny dear. Oh, I heard all about you. How brave you were against Tom Riddle. How beautiful and grown-up you looked at the Yule Ball. How you were more intelligent than all your brothers combined. How he always knew you would make him so proud."
Tears streamed down Ginny's face.
"Yes, Ginny. You were the apple of his eye. Just imagine what it would do to him if something were to happen to you. Something you could have easily prevented."
Lucius lifted her off the ground so her face was level with his and leaned in. His lips grazed her right ear.
"What kind of daughter would you be then?" Lucius whispered harshly. He paused dramatically to let that last thought linger in her mind. And then he dropped her.