Crimson Gold, Priz, Miss.Charlet: Thank you very, very much!

Chapter 11

Later that same evening, Ginny was sitting alone in front of the fire, in her favorite armchair. Suddenly, she yelped with surprise as Lucius' head appeared in the fire with a small 'pop.'

"Are you alone?" He asked. She nodded. "Good," He continued, "I was going to just drop into Dumbledore's office, but I wanted to tell you this too. I've just met with Voldemort. He was slightly reluctant, but he seems to trust me. In a week or two, I'll take you to him, as long as you have no objections."

Ginny hesitated. "Am I going to regret doing this?"

Lucius considered her for a long moment before answering. "Ginny," he said quietly, "you are all I have left. I couldn't bear to lose you. I will do absolutely everything that I possibly can to be sure that no harm comes to you. The truth is, even though I know that I can never replace Draco to you, I am coming to love you." He avoided her gaze as silence fell.

Ginny gathered her voice. "Thank you." She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, leather-bound book. "These are Professor Snape's notes." She put the book in the fire tongs and passed it to Lucius. He took it.

"Right," he said, "thank you. Goodnight, then."

"Night," Ginny replied, tucking her knees under her chin. Then-

"Lucius?" she called.

"Yes?" He stopped in the process of withdrawing his head from the fire.

"Be careful. I don't think I could stand to lose you, either."

The corners of his lips turned up slightly. "Sweet dreams, love."

"Sweet dreams."

--

"Ginny?" Hermione asked at breakfast the next morning, "You didn't come up to the dormitory until late last night. Were you all right?"

Ginny started. "What?-Oh, yes, I was fine-I fell asleep in front of the fire again. Those chairs are so comfortable."

Hermione smiled. "Well, I'm glad to see that your sleeping patterns have gotten back to normal, at least."

Ron looked up from his plate full of sausages. "You have been seeming more lively lately. Are you back to yourself?"

Ginny grinned. "More or less."

--

That afternoon after lunch, Ginny and Hermione were sitting in the courtyard.

"So what happened?" Hermione asked, catching Ginny completely off guard.

"What do you mean?" she asked, a pink tinge beginning to creep into her freckled cheeks.

"Last night, you were gloomy and cranky, and this morning and today you've been downright cheerful. What happened after I went to bed?"

Ginny shrugged, trying and failing to look noncommittal. "Nothing, really."

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "All right, then, don't tell me. But I'm not going to be fooled by that I-don't-know what-you're-talking-about act. Something did happen."

Ginny laughed. "Well, if you know, why did you ask?"

"Because you're happier than you've been in weeks! I want to know why!"

Ginny smiled and looked at the ground. "I'll tell you when this is all over."

--

In Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Lupin was going over the anatomical adaptations of vampires and werewolves, but Ginny's mind was elsewhere. She was back in front of the fire, speaking to Lucius the night before. She was ready to do whatever he asked of her. Knowing that she was so important to him, surprisingly, made her feel prepared to face Voldemort. They could stop him. Peaceful time to sort out everything they were feeling was the greatest motivation she had ever felt.

"Miss Weasley?" came Professor Lupin's voice, snapping her out of her reverie.

"Hm?" She replied. Several of the class stifled laughs.

"Why are fangs an unreliable way to recognize a vampire?"

"Er-because not all vampires have fangs? It depends upon how they're made. Only those who are bitten while alive have fangs."

"Very good! I can barely imagine how far ahead you would be if you actually paid attention in class, Miss Weasley."

Ginny flushed. "I'm sorry, Professor."

"That's quite all right. Now, as I was saying, vampire fangs are an essential ingredient in potions to delay what, otherwise, would be almost certain death. Additionally, they have been used for centuries in the quest for immortality. In fact, Voldemort is rumoured to have done quite a few experiments with them in his own search for everlasting life. However, you would have to speak with Professor Snape for more on their uses in Potion brewing." The bell rang. "One foot of parchment on identifying vampires for next class! Miss Weasley, hang back a moment, please!"

Ginny approached the front of her classroom. "I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention, Professor."

Lupin smiled at her. "That's not a problem. Professor Dumbledore took the liberty of telling me what you're going to do. I just wanted to let you know that I'm here for you if you ever need any help or advice."

"Thank you, Professor."

"Of course. This is an extremely brave thing for you to do. I have great confidence that you can make a difference in the fight."

Ginny started. "Do you really think so?"

Lupin looked at her, slightly confused. "Certainly. Why the surprise?"

"I don't know. It just seems like everyone else is humoring me, trying to make me feel like I can help."

"Ginny, I don't know of a single Professor here who doesn't think you will be helpful. Even Professor Snape, though he may not show it, stands fully behind you."

Ginny smiled. "Thank you very much, Professor. I needed to hear that."

--

That evening in the common room, Ginny was finishing her vampire essay. She had just finished writing that the only foolproof way of identifying a vampire was a faint ring of red around the pupil of the eye when Ron approached her.

He pointed at the empty chair across from her. "May I?"

Ginny nodded.

Ron began. "I'm sorry that I've been such an arse. I can't even imagine what you've lost, but if it had been me, I would have killed a few Death Eaters myself. I'm very proud of you."

Tears welled in Ginny's eyes. "Thank you so much, Ron. I'm sorry for not understanding why you wanted to protect me."

"Don't be sorry. And for Merlin's sake, please don't cry again. I didn't want to make you cry!"

TBC