Elizabeth Turner: Here you go...

Allana, Mixed, Emmy Hart, Purrtinapearson, Priz, Ultrapuella: Thank you!

Chapter Three

For a while, Ginny was unable to say anything in response. Finally, she spoke. "I know."

"Do you?" Lucius asked, cupping her chin and drawing her lips to his. Ginnay sighed into his kissed. His tongue traced the part of her lips, as if asking permission to enter. She obliged, and their tender embrace continued. Lucius' hand wound to the back of her head and buried itself in her hair. At long last, Ginny pulled away.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked breathily.

"Doing what?" he responded, still barely inches away from her.

"Killing the Death Eaters." Ginny knew she sounded harsh, but she had waited long enough for answers.

Lucius sighed, drew back, and closed his eyes. "Because someone has to stop them."

"But, won't Voldemort just recruit new supporters?"

"Voldemort can't approach people. He trusts no one apart from his closest council of supporters." The ghost of a smirk crossed his features. "And they're gone."

Ginny's eyes were downcast. "Won't he know that it's you?"

"Eventually." He reached out and squeezed her hand. "This is my only way to avenge Draco's death."

Her eyes flickered up to meet his. "Let me help you." Her whisper died at the look on his face. How could she have put him in this position?

FLASHBACK

She remembered a time, nearly a year and a half ago, when she and Draco had first started seeing each other. No one outside of their inner circles knew until one morning, without thinking, she wandered over to the Slytherin table at breakfast and slid her arms around his neck.

She was angry and disgusted when he pushed her away, but any trace of pity she had felt for him disappeared when she saw the fire in his eyes. He was truly angry with her. It was the most serious fight they ever had.

END FLASHBACK

*

Around the same time that Ginny had found her way into Dumbledore's office, Hermione was entering the hospital wing to check on Harry and Ron. When she sat on the foot of Ron's bed, his eyes were the most serious she had ever seen them.

"Hermione, look, I know you said you didn't want to talk about this, but I need to know." He took her hand in his. "Is Ginny going to be alright?"

"Hermione hesitated, collecting her thoughts. "I don't know, Ron. At first, she seemed like she would be fine, but now, I don't know, she seems different. It's like she found something out, something she didn't want to know."

"About what?"

"Ron, I really don't know."

Ron's eyes were cold know. "For Merlin's sake! I warned her not to get involved with that bastard!" He looked over at Harry. Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione thought she saw Harry nod at Ron, steely resolve in his eyes. Hermione shook her head.

"Ron, Harry, you tow aren't going to do anything rash, are you?"

"Hermione!" Ron's face was the color of his hair. He dropped his voice. "Just stay out of it. It's for Ginny. Remember that."

A/N: Guys, I am so incredibly sorry that it's taken me almost six months to update. I hope I didn't lose all of you. I promise to update again soon. (Of course, by my standards, soon could be any time before Christmas!)