"All, all my hate cannot be bound
I will not
be drowned by your thoughtless scheming
So you can try to tear me
down
Beat me to the ground
I will see you screaming
Why are you trying to make fun of me?
You think
it's funny?
What the fuck you think it's doing to me?
You take
your turn lashing out at me
I want you crying with your dirty ass
in front of me"
-Evanescence
It was the third night since Ginny had been home for the holidays. As each night before she was nervous, even though in the past two nights she had not received a beating. She didn't understand what he was trying to do. She knew he hadn't changed even when she saw how delighted her mother had been when she hadn't been beaten. Something about him had changed, but it certainly wasn't in a good way.
Over the past two days he had seemed shifty and his eyes were even more watchful than before. There was an eerie distance between Ginny and him, almost as if he was holding himself back from something he desired. Why didn't he just beat her already? He hadn't showed mercy in the past, so what was there to hide?
Ginny sat on her bed in deep though as she unknowingly played with the necklace Draco had given her. She adored it more than any other present she had received in the past.
It was nice having a room all to herself again. Her mother had made sure she would have the room to herself so that she could deal with the beatings without anyone else knowing. Hermione, Harry, and Ron were all sleeping in Ron's room and Ginny liked it better that way. In the past when Hermione had slept in Ginny's room she had bored her with all her talking of school work and other Hogwarts events that Ginny wasn't the least bit interested in. It was already ten-thirty and Ginny figured he wouldn't be coming to her room tonight. She crawled under her covers and placed her knife beneath her pillow.
As she drifted into a light sleep she thought of Draco and what he was doing for his holiday.
Ginny woke up instantly, as her door was slammed open. She quickly checked the time and it was just twelve-thirty. She quickly got out of be and turned on the light to see what had made the noise. The instant she turned her light on she regretted it. Stephan was standing in the doorway. He was drunk, she could tell by his smile and could smell the reeking alcohol coming off his breath. Fear overwhelmed her as he took a step forward with a drunken smile and slammed the door shut. She knew this would come eventually, she only hoped it would later rather than sooner. Even though she knew what was coming, Ginny still backed into the corner and huddled against the wall.
"You little bitch! You thought I was gonna let you off that easy!" he yelled with a slur. Ginny could tell he was heavily drunk and maybe she could escape with only a light beating. But as soon as his fist made contact with her stomach she knew the alcohol only seemed to make him even more powerful. Ginny wheezed in pain as she tried to stand up.
"Come here you!" he shouted and grabbed her by the hair launching her against the wall. Ginny's back made contact with her dresser and she fell to the ground. He swiftly walked over to her and began to ruthlessly kick her stomach and legs. Ginny cried out in the extreme pain she was experiencing.
"Shut the fuck up you little whore! Don't you think you would be used to it by now!" he screamed. The pain was so intense that tears were coming out of her eyes. But he only laughed and threw her against her bed.
Ginny thought he was finally finished. She thought he would then cuddle her in his arms and then tell her she was beautiful. But he came charging at her with fury in his eyes.
The fear and pain in her eyes grew to the worst it had ever been. He was doing something he had never done before and all Ginny could do was panic. He was groping her breasts with his hands and then he began to touch her.
Only when she had gathered enough courage to push him up and run into the corner had he stopped. He gave a cruel smirk and left Ginny to sit in her own filth. She had never been violated in such a way and it scared her to death. All she could think was if he was going to come back again. She ran over to her bed and grabbed her knife, clutching it to her chest. She waited fifteen minutes before quietly walking to the bathroom, knife still in her hand.
Ginny stepped in the shower, tears streaming down her eyes. She had been too scared to do anything. When she closed her eyes she saw his hands touching her everywhere, tearing at her clothes. She opened her eyes instantly.
Ginny sat on the shower floor letting the water run over her. She felt just like the filthy little whore he always said she was. She had to get clean no matter what it took. Ginny frantically grabbed a sponge and began to scrub her body. She scrubbed her body twice but still the filth would not come off. She scrubbed again until her skin became red and severely irritated. She looked at her knife and pressed the button on the handle. The knife slid out and she barely looked at it before her skin was sliced open. She was making deep, thick cuts and watching the blood run down the drain. But she still felt dirty and filthy. So she cut again and again until she realized it wouldn't work.
Ginny was scared, the filth would not wash away and she was lost. She looked down at her knife again to see if it would save her but caught a glimpse of her necklace. She must have forgotten to take it off when she had changed. That's when it hit her, she needed Draco. She needed Draco to help wash away the filth that covered every inch of her body. She quickly stepped out of the shower and threw on her clothes not caring that her body and hair was still drenched with water. She ran to her room and grabbed her wand from her dresser and then ran downstairs.
Ginny walked over to the fireplace and grabbed the pot of floo powder. There was just enough to get her to Draco's but not enough for anyone else to follow. She walked into the fireplace and prayed it would work. She threw the powder down and green flames surrounded her as she screamed, "Malfoy Manor!"
Ginny was hurtling through ash and felt the normal queasy feeling that she normally got when traveling by floo powder. In an instant she was in another fireplace. As she tried to step out she lost her balance and went crashing to the floor.
Draco sat in silence as he ate his meal. It was normally this way whenever his family ate together. No one ever talked except for Lucius, and when he talked it was only about Voldemort. Each meal he ate at home he practically died of boredom, but for the past few nights it had been bearable. He spent most of his meals thinking about Ginny and if she was okay.
Draco then heard a loud crash coming from the hall. He looked over to his father whose head had popped up immediately.
"What was that noise?" Lucius asked. He said as he got up and started towards the door.
"I'll look father," Draco said respectively.
He left when he heard Lucius mutter, "Go on then."
"Shit." Ginny thought. She had forgotten about the time difference in France. It was probably just eight or so and they were eating dinner. A door creaked open and Ginny panicked already knowing what would happen. But she let out a deep breath when she saw it was Draco at the door. He had a look of shock and confusion on his face. She quickly lifted herself off the floor and ran to him giving him a hug. He hugged her back but pulled away quickly.
"Ginny, what are you doing here?" he said with a frantic whisper.
"I had to get away. He-," but she was cut off when Draco spoke.
"Shh, come with me," he grabbed her hand and led her behind the stair case, "stay right here and don't move. I've got to try and excuse myself from dinner. If I'm not back in the next few minutes stay put and hide yourself as best as you can until I come get you."
Ginny nodded and Draco turned around and walked back towards the dining room.
"Well boy, what was it?" Lucius asked impatiently as his son entered the room.
"A new house elf dropped a platter of food," Draco lied quickly.
Lucius sneered, "Those rodents are so worthless. I don't even know why I bother with them."
"Father? May I be excused from dinner? I'm not particularly hungry," he said.
"I suppose. You're lucky I'm in a decent mood tonight. But don't you take that tone with the Dark Lord. He wouldn't be pleased with your actions."
Draco bowed his head respectively and swiftly left the room. Once the door was closed her ran over to Ginny and rushed her up the stairs. Ginny slowly walked towards the bed as she admired the elegant room. When she finally sat down and looked Draco in the eyes all she could do was break down into sobs.
Draco looked into her eyes. He saw more pain and fear then he had seen before. He quickly ran up to her and pulled Ginny into a close hug. Only until she had calmed down would he ask her what happened. But if she didn't talk he wouldn't force her. It had obviously been traumatic; this was the worst he had ever seen her.
It took a good fifteen for Ginny to regain some control over her emotions. She slowly pulled back but Draco could still see the tears streaming down her face. Before he could say anything Ginny rolled up both of her sleeves and bore her arms out to him. There were dozens of cuts on both arms. Deep and thick and most of them still let out some blood. Only one or two had seemed to begin to scab over. He suspected Ginny must have just done it before she flooed to his house.
"I tried to use the necklace, Draco, but it wasn't strong enough. I tried to wash it away but the dirt wouldn't come off. So then I tried to cut it away, but the hurt didn't go away. I don't know what to do! I'm so confused!" Ginny sobbed.
"It's alright Gin, I'm here now," Draco said softly.
"No it's not alright!" she shrieked, "It's never going to be alright!"
"Gin, please tell me what happened. If you're not comfortable yet I can wait, but please try," he said. When Ginny saw the sorrow in his eyes she did her best to collect herself.
She took two deep breaths and waited a few moments to calm her nerves. She slowly began to tell her tale from when she arrived at the burrow until up to the point she arrived at the manner. When she finally finished, another wave of tears flooded her eyes and Ginny broke back down into hysterical sobs.
Draco had never felt more rage against someone in his entire life. Someone he cared for deeply was broken down in sobs in his arms and the man who was responsible for her pain was walking free. Draco tried his best to control his anger; he didn't want Ginny anymore upset than she already was.
Ginny had cried for what felt like hours. She had become exhausted. If it weren't for her exhaustion the tears would still have been flowing. She slowly pulled away from Draco.
"Draco, do you think you could spare a pillow and blanket for tonight?" she asked quietly.
"No Gin, I want you to sleep in the bed. You need a good sleep. I'll sleep on the couch," He said gesturing to the sitting area in the entrance toward his bedroom.
"That's all right Draco, I've already invaded your space I'd be grateful just to sleep on the couch," she said softly.
"No," he replied firmly, "You are sleeping in the bed. Whether or not I must force you."
Ginny climbed under the covers and huddled against the sheets. Draco placed a kiss on her cheek.
"If you need me, I'll be close. Please try and get some sleep Gin, I know its going to be hard," Draco said and walked to the couch.
Ginny feared sleep. She knew it would only bring back memories of the night's events. But she soon felt her eyes grow heavy and succumbed to the darkness.
Draco awoke to whimpering. He shot up and was next to Ginny in an instant. He checked his alarm and saw that it was only two in the morning. Ginny awoke with a scream. Draco comforted her instantly as fresh tears rolled down her already stained cheeks.
"Gods, Draco. What am I going to do?" she whispered, "I have to go home or they'll get suspicious. You're all that I have left, they can't keep me from you."
"What time is it at your house, Gin?" he asked.
Ginny looked at the alarm. "It's probably about six. My brothers will be up around eight. What am I going to do?" she asked as more tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Come with me. We have to get you home. I don't want to risk all I have with you if my father found out."
Ginny silently followed him down the stairs to the hall in which she had first arrived. She felt the fear rise up in her again.
"I don't want you to go back there, Gin, but you must. Whatever happens, I'm here for you. I know that's all I can offer, and it's not much, but I can't lose you. And when you get your revenge, I'll be right by your side," Draco said sadly.
"Draco, that's all I need to know," She whispered.
Draco placed a gentle kiss on her cheek just before she stepped into the fireplace.
"I love you, Gin," he said softly.
"I love you too," she replied before throwing down the powder and yelling "The Burrow!". Within an instant the person he cared for to the bottom of his soul was gone and he could only hope that she would return to him when the holidays were over.
As Ginny stepped out of the fireplace she felt an intense fear sweep over her. She walked over to the living room but jumped back when she saw Stephan running down the stairs. He walked over to her and pulled her into a hug.
"Gods, dearest, I thought you were gone for good," he said. Ginny felt her fear turn quickly to anger and range. This was the man who made her feel filthy and worthless. And now he was pulling her into a hug as if nothing happened.
"Get the fuck away from me!" she screamed. Stephan stepped back in surprise. Ginny never fought back.
"Virginia, what has gotten into you? Tell me this instant!" he yelled trying to intimidate her. But he only saw her rage grow more as her eyes flashed dangerously.
"I am not afraid of you anymore! Stay the fuck away from me you fucking bastard!" she shrieked.
Stephan could tell that growing angry with her would only increase her rage.
"Ginny, beautiful, please tell me what's wrong," he said with a sickeningly sweet smile.
His smile was wiped clean off his face when he saw Ginny grab a pair of scissors that had been lying on the table.
"Virginia, what do you think you're doing with those?"
Ginny smirked with a nasty smile. She was the intimidating one now. She grabbed a lock of her hair and cut it. She then began to ruthlessly cut away at her hair. She finally stopped when her once beautiful hair was uneven and shredded on the floor.
"Am I still fucking beautiful!" she screamed pointing the scissors at him.
"No, actually you're quite ugly," he replied with a sneer.
"Good. Then maybe you'll keep your fucking hands off me!" she snarled. She threw the scissors on the floor, and before Stephan could react, she pulled back her hand and slapped him with all her strength.
Ginny then stormed up to her bedroom and slammed the door. She ran to her bed as tears of anger streamed down her face. She knew she was still in fear of the man who ruined her life, but her anger had overpowered her fear. If he tried to do anything again she would keep fighting back. She wasn't going to hide anymore. She wasn't going to let him beat her down.
A/N: Very emotional chapter. I know some of you might not have liked the whole thing that happened with Ginny and Stephan in the beginning. But it was essential to the story. It was essential that Ginny be pushed over the edge and past her limits so she could finally start healing. But there is still a lot to come. I thought along time before deciding what to write in this chapter. I even considered going a different route but in the end I think this was the best way to go. I hope you agreed.