Priz: Your hero? I take it you like the fic? Thanks!

BlackMystik: Glad you like it, thank you very much!

Julia Bartlett: You're right, werewolves are very cool, but I'm on the vampire side as far as sexiness goes… Thank you ever so much!

Chapter Fifteen

Lucius took a deep breath. When he spoke, his words were slow, calculated, and emotionless.

"When I introduce you, bow your head and say 'My Lord.' Every one- or two-word answer is followed by 'My Lord.' Be respectful, but don't grovel at his feet. Only speak when he asks you a direct question, and keep your answers as short as possible. He won't trust you if you don't keep eye contact."

"Is that everything?" Ginny asked, shakily.

"That's all you'll need for tonight." He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. "He'll be waiting for us. Are you ready?"

Ginny nodded. He kissed her quickly, and they vanished.

--

With a 'pop,' Ginny and Lucius reappeared in the hall of the Malfoy manor. A black-cloaked figure was sitting in the drawing room with his back to them. Lucius pressed a finger to his lips and wrapped Ginny and himself in black cloaks. He handed her a mask and they walked into the drawing-room.

"You're late." Came a cold voice from the pale, red-eyed man under the cloak.

"I'm sorry, My Lord," said Lucius. "May I introduce Ginevra Weasley?"

Ginny stepped forward and inclined her head slightly. "My Lord." She said quietly.

Voldemort surveyed her from under his hood. "Another Weasley defector," he said softly, "Welcome."

Ginny's head jerked up of its own volition. "Another?"

Voldemort laughed coldly. "Surely you know about your brother, Percy? He's been with me for just over a year. Now, why do you wish to join me?"

Ginny swallowed with difficulty, but maintained eye contact. "I feel that Hogwarts is in the wrong hands, My Lord."

"Very well." Voldemort turned to leave. "Good evening, Miss Weasley, Lucius." He disapparated.

Ginny removed her mask and began falling on weakened knees. Lucius rushed forward and guided her gently into a chair. He was about to pull away when she tightened her arms around him, shaking furiously. They held one anther for several moments as Ginny calmed down.

When Ginny's breathing returned to normal, she adjusted her head on Lucius' shoulder. "I think I need something to drink," she whispered.

Lucius moved toward the kitchen without the slightest hesitation. "I'll make a pot of tea."

--

About ten minutes later, Ginny was sitting with her chin on her knees and her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea in the kitchen. Lucius sat across from her, watching her with concern.

"I'm sorry that I put you in this position," he said.

Ginny shrugged. "I asked you to." For a long moment, they looked at one another in silence. Ginny sat her empty cup back on the table.

"Did you know about Percy?" she asked.

He shook his head. "No one knows about everyone."

Ginny sighed. "I wish he hadn't told me."

"No," Lucius said, "it's a very good sign that he told you. It means that he trusts you."

"Oh, bloody fantastic," Ginny said sharply, "just what I always wanted-the darkest, most evil wizard ever trusts me."

Lucius reeled, taken aback. "Ginny!"

Tears glistened in Ginny's green eyes. "I'm sorry," she said, looking down at her knees, "I'm just in so for over my head right now."

"I'll protect you, love-I promise."

"I wish everyone would stop telling me that!" Ginny snapped. "I don't want anything to happen to you, either."

"I never thought that you did, but you have so much more to live for than I do."

Ginny rested her chin on her knees. "Not if you're gone," she whispered. Lucius stood and walked forward to her. He kneeled in front of her, taking her face tenderly in his hands.

"Angel, look at me." He spoke softly. "Nothing is going to happen to us." He stood and gathered her in his arms. "This will be over soon, and I'll still be here, and I swear to you, I will still love you. But you need to promise me that I won't come back from a final battle to get kicked out of your life."

For the first time that evening, Ginny smiled. "You won't."

Lucius kissed her tenderly and passion built up behind his kiss until he hand pinned Ginny against the kitchen wall, their hands clasped together above their heads. He drew back, then kissed her again-slowly, sensuously this time. Ginny sighed lightly and sank into him. His tongue traced the part of her lips, and she opened them obligingly. She opened her eyes. His were closed. She unlaced her fingers from his and wrapped her arms around his waist as he placed his on her hips. Their lips parted.

"This isn't a good idea," Lucius said softly.

Ginny started. "Why not?"

He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. "Don't think that I'm not dying to carry you upstairs right this moment, but you're on emotional overload right now. You should go back to school, and we can continue this tomorrow night."

"Are you sure?" Ginny asked.

He kissed her briefly, "No, but it's the best idea." Then, as if refusing himself time to think, he disapparated, taking Ginny back to Hogwarts.

--

When Ginny and Lucius reappeared in the Forbidden Forest, Lucius conjured two chairs out of midair. He sat in one, motioning for Ginny to do the same.

"Safer territory," he explained, eyes twinkling. "I suppose you still have quite a few questions about Voldemort."

Ginny nodded.

"From now on," Lucius continued, "you'll pass him information once a week on Wednesdays. On Mondays, you'll meet with Professor Dumbledore and decide what information to give him. If all goes well, everything will be in writing, passed through me. You'll probably never have any more contact with him."

"That's a relief," Ginny said. Without warning, she leaned over to him and pressed her lips to his, kissing him deeply. When she drew back, her eyes were sparkling.

"Right," Lucius choked, "so you'll meet me here tomorrow night?"

Ginny smiled. "What time?"

"Nine."

TBC

A/N: Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Just to let you know, I have tendonitis in my wrist and, to make a short story long, I fell down the stairs yesterday, so I'm physically having a lot of trouble writing. There probably won't be an update until the pain gets tolerable-so, please don't kill me if it's not up by next Friday. Though, knowing how much I love writing this fic, it probably will be! Happy Christmas!