Chapter 11:
"A meeting of the what?" asked Ginny curiously.
"The Order of the Phoenix- movement against You-Know-Who… we are living at Headquarters…" said Fred, gazing at her as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Oh," said Ginny, looking around the staircase uncomfortably. "I thought you all boarded here or something together," she said truthfully.
"We aren't that poor, Malfoy- er- I mean…" began Ron, who then stopped, flustered.
"Shhh," hissed Hermione. "That doesn't matter right now! Listen- it's starting!" She flung Ginny a long, pale string. "It's an Extendable Ear. Listen if you want."
"You trust me?" asked Ginny skeptically.
"No, we don't," said George disdainfully. "But you have already unconsciously signed a contract. We will know if you say anything to anyone, and then we will turn in the Malfoys."
"I didn't sign it!" said Ginny despairingly.
"Well your father did. It was in the bloody contract. And the thing is bad for everyone- anyone steps out of line, we're all pretty much dead. Is that enough of an incentive?" Ginny nodded slowly. "So- are you going to listen or not?"
"I guess." Ginny feebly imitated the others, putting the string in her ear, and watching as it slid down the stairs and through the doors. Immediately, sound erupted in her ear.
"How could nobody know?" It was the incredulous voice of Mrs. Weasley- her mother. "Severus- you were her bloody godfather? You had to remember- had to know… how were you not told about her? Couldn't you ever tell that she didn't look at all like them?"
"The girl had very light red hair and eyes exactly like Draco's!" exclaimed her godfather. Snape was here? She began panicking slightly. Oh, no! No, no, no! She would be a traitor if she didn't tell her father! But she couldn't! But maybe Snape was spying on these people… but then shouldn't she tell her true family? Which true family? "And I certainly never fathomed that Lucius would kidnap a Weasley! Nobody did! So what is the story we're all going by again?"
"The story we are being forced to comply with- until we find a way to break the contract-" began another familiar voice. Dumbledore. "Is that Peter Pettigrew kidnapped Ginevra for his master for reasons unknown- and we are going to try to clear Sirius this way. He then panicked and put the girl in the newborn Malfoy's cradle later on and brought the Malfoy baby to his Master. Voldemort-" Ginny shuddered "-then killed the child." Peter Pettigrew was alive? Sirius Black wasn't guilty? What the hell? How could they expect her not to let some of this slip? "But let us move on now… let me assure you that I and several others have set to work in getting the contract broken. That, of course, means we can't exactly trust Ginevra yet, as sorry as I am to say it. She could double-cross us, even with the Malfoys in Azkaban. But hopefully her being with us will change her mind, and she will be a part of the movement against Voldemort."
Yeah, right, thought Ginny contemptibly. I will never join them! Suddenly she became aware of Hermione, George, Fred, and Ron's furtive glances among each other. Oh, yeah… Ginny wasn't to be trusted with Order information. Ha.
"Er… Ginny?" asked Ron tentatively. "Maybe we should all go do something else, and not listen…"
"Yeah, right!" said Ginny loudly. "I know I'm not supposed to be trusted or whatever, but honestly! You all aren't either! You're not of age, remember?"
"We're of age!" said Fred and George indignantly at the same time.
"You know what I mean. But fine, if none of you want me listening. Great way of welcoming your new sister! Making her feel like some sort of spy or enemy! Now I definitely won't want to 'come to the light' or whatever you want to call it!"
"Wait," called Fred or George as Ginny began stomping off. She spun around. "Fine… I guess you're right, Ginny. But you do know that nobody- and I mean nobody- messes with Fred or George Weasley and gets away with it," he said very seriously. "We wouldn't hurt you because you're our sister- but you say anything to anyone, and Draco Malfoy gets torn to shreds. We will kidnap you- even though you're family- to stop you betraying the Order. But I suppose we shouldn't worry about that until the contract is broken."
"Well said, Forge."
"Why thank you, Gred." Ginny rolled her eyes at this and ignored the skeptical glances of Ron and Hermione. She put the string into her ear to hear the rest of the meeting.
"Our next matter is Harry Potter," said Dumbledore quietly. "He is not doing well at all, I'm afraid."
"You can bloody well say that again," said a man in a bitter tone. Ginny smiled to herself, thinking that at least she knew the man wasn't Snape.
"Calm down, Sirius," interrupted a voice of reason… a werewolf ex-Professor. Ginny shivered. "It's for his own good, after all… He'll know soon enough, though it must be rather horrible for him right now."
"Try telling him that without telling him about the Order…" said Sirius, annoyed.
"Hear, hear," muttered Ron and Hermione.
Dumbledore cleared his throat to quiet the room. "Like I was saying… We finally have the guard up and running. To everyone in the guard, I cannot stress the importance of keeping an eye on Harry at all times. Both Death Eaters and Ministry members alike will be dying to somehow discredit him. I think it is also best that you remain unseen. Miss Tonks, can I please have an update on the Auror training?"
Ginny smiled inwardly- she liked her cousin Tonks. "Of course, Prof- Albus. They aren't really telling us much about You-Know-Who. They're just saying to disregard all calls about that- that it's just… 'Dumbledore's fools' trying to discredit Fudge, and that is nothing to worry about. 'Harry Potter, unfortunately, has suffered severe mind damage which will be needing therapy as soon as he is out of Dumbledore's hands,' they say."
There came several loud angry murmurs. "Quiet, please. Thank you, Ny- Tonks. Now, Kingsley on the hunt for Sirius.
"Thank you, Sir. Nobody suspects anything right now, as far as we know. We are being fed information that Sirius is in Tibet at the moment. We will also have to 'investigate' the recent Quibbler article about Sirius really being Stubby Boardman…" He laughed loudly. "Thanks, Dedalus, for giving Mike Lovegood some of that to think of… what a trip. And how someone actually was convinced that was the truth- very good stuff."
A loud, bark-like laugh was heard ringing out. "You'll have to pick that one up for me, as I can't really get out myself."
"If I happen to see it, Sirius, I'll be sure to bring it back."
"And on the Ministry- Mr. Podmore?"
"Of course."
"Wait- excuse me a moment, Professor; I'd better go check on the children and make sure they're asleep." Ginny's stomach fluttered. Mrs. Weasley!
"Shit!" cursed Fred loudly.
"Oh, bloody hell- you two can Apparate! I have to go to the third landing!"
"Every man for himself," said George before disappearing with a small pop, followed in quick succession by Fred. Then Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were left to run for it. Ginny was quite excited by the high-speed chase. Mrs. Weasley had begun climbing the stairs by the time they finally began moving, quickly and silently. Hermione and Ginny ran into their room and shut the door behind them a bit too loudly, giggling hysterically.
"RONALD WEASLEY! I sent you to bed an hour ago! What are you doing? Trying to spy on the meeting? Ron, you know that-" Ginny grinned at Hermione, who was snickering.
"I can't believe he got caught," she whispered.
"But Mum!" Ron complained. "I was just trying to get some water! I'm- I'm- positively parched! It was because of… a candy Fred and George left in my room- it was called Desert Delight, and I didn't know it made your mouth feel all sandy and junk. I'd realized I forgot to brush my teeth, and they'd put it in my toothpaste!"
"Enough! Go get water and then straight to bed! I'll be having a talk with your brothers in the morning!" She then stomped off, disgruntled. Ginny began giggling helplessly.
"Do Fred and George really have candies like that?" she asked curiously.
"I wouldn't be surprised," said Hermione truthfully. "They've been coming up with all sorts of things over the years… but most likely Ron was trying to put the blame on them instead of on himself."
"Oh," said Ginny. "Figures, I suppose." The room was silent for a moment as Ginny and Hermione each slipped into bed. Then Ginny spoke up quietly. "What's it like… being here; on this side? Friends with all these… Weasleys, and people, and Harry Potter? W-What's it l-like?" Ginny was feeling tears well up. She missed being home already.
"Well," said Hermione thoughtfully. "It's amazing. You are in this tight-knit group who loves and understands each other and helps each other out. And of course, we're all fighting for the same cause. But there's such diverse, wonderful people, and we're always laughing. And so many adventures!"
"Was one of the adventures when- the attacks? In my first year?" asked Ginny timidly.
"Yeah," whispered Hermione in a hoarse, pitying voice. Ginny didn't answer. "So… what's it like being a Malfoy? And in that Pureblood, Slytherin society? Is it awful and cold and sinister, as everyone thinks it is?"
"Sort of," whispered Ginny truthfully. "It's certainly… different, I suppose. Within our families, we're really loving and affectionate, really, until a certain level of maturity or age is reached. Then- you kind of assume a role, almost. You have this- this- this mask, I guess. But it isn't like you're hiding your true self. It's about dignity. We don't have all these large groups of friends, but we have several friends who are very, very close. And- I don't know. It's my home. I can't imagine growing up any other way…" Ginny then started crying silently. She was glad Hermione didn't speak anymore and that she was covered by darkness. A Malfoy crying was unheard of. But I'm not a Malfoy. Yes, I am!
The next morning she woke up to sunlight beginning to pour through the window. It took her a moment to remember where she was. A wonderful aroma filled the room, and Ginny realized that someone must actually be cooking breakfast. She had always though that human-cooked food was better than the food cooked by House Elves. She opened her eyes and sat up wearily, seeing that Hermione had already made her bed and left the room. The clock on the wall read Nine-Ten. Ginny debated on whether or not to go downstairs. She was just about to shower and change when an owl tapped at her window. It was Meryl! This must be Ceridwen's reply. She excitedly let Meryl in.
The owl dropped her letter and looked around for treats. Ginny smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Meryl. No treats today. But have some food and water in your cage…" Ginny then ripped apart the letter.
Dear Ginny,
Oh, you poor thing! You need to tell me all about what's happened. Of course you may stay over the summer- my parents said yes! But do you think the Malfoys would be too happy with the arrangement? Because, though I am not ashamed one bit of it, I am a half-blood, and I know your father looks down on that. I mean- Mr. Malfoy. So you're really a Weasley! Merlin! Are you going to wear your hair bright red the whole year? Oh, Ginny! I feel horrible for you. Is there anything you want or need?
Anyway, my summer's been good. You really should come stay with us. Do you know how Eira's reacted to this? That'll be quite funny. But you needn't worry about losing any friends or status over this- except maybe some of your scummy Slytherins. Except Trista and Maeryn, of course. But guess what? You can try for Quidditch this year! They need a Keeper on Gryffindor! But that may be the only plus.
Now, onto more serious topics. Is You-Know-Who back? I know you know, having had contact with both sides so far this summer. Please tell me; it's important to know. But we shouldn't write anything too important- after all, Owls can be easily interrupted, if you get my drift. Write back as soon as you can, Gin. Please don't go insane! I am here for you. Did you tell Michael yet?
Love from Cerr
Ginny smiled at the contents of the letter. Ceridwen had started using Cerr as a nickname last year, as she'd been really frustrated during a detention when she had to write her whole name- Ceridwen Ekaterina Nicolette Matthews, whilst her partner in crime simply had to write Mary Ann Wright. "That's a twenty-two letter difference!" she'd complained loudly. "That's it! My name is now Cerr Kat-olette Matthews… and that's still longer than Mary's name!"
"Well look at my name," Ginny had reasoned. "Genevieve Erin Arianna Black Malfoy…" Ginny now wondered what her real full name was. Probably Ginevra something Weasley. Common and pathetic. She wondered vaguely if she could fit the Prewett part of her in; some of them were decent, though they were mostly made of blood-traitors.
She quickly showered, and was surprised that there was no line, with all the people living here. She was deeply disappointed in herself that she was already used to her brown eyes and dark red hair. She wondered if the Weasley would get terribly upset if she changed them back just for a day or two? If she wrote home, her Mother would send Malfoy shampoo… and her hair would be normal again in a second. But what would the Weasleys say? Why should she care?
Ginny walked down the stairs thoughtfully. On the way down, however, she ran into a man who'd done business with her father on previous occasions. One of the most disgusting people she'd ever met- and he was talking with the twins.
"Mundungus, you're asking way too much for mere- Oh, hello, Ginny."
"Hi," said Ginny quietly.
"If it it's not young Miss Malfoy- 'ello, there… tell your father I said 'ello, and tha' it was nice doing business with 'him last month there-" Then at the killing looks of Fred and George, he quickly corrected himself. "Ah… Mr. Malfoy, I mean- your real father 'ardly ever will do business… unless when it comes to the Muggles-"
"Enough, Dung," said Fred, agitated. "Come on. Ginny- breakfast will be ready in about ten minutes I think. You can go ahead down." Ginny wanted to reply that she didn't need a Weasley to tell her what she could or couldn't do, but she bit back her tongue and continued down the stairs, vaguely wondering what Fred and George were doing with Mundungus Fletcher.
When she arrived downstairs, Mrs. Weasley was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Sirius Black was grumbling about the kitchen. Ginny was the only other one in the kitchen. She sat down at the table and opened the Prophet, but she kept becoming distracted by Sirius's mutterings. "What's the matter with you?" she asked finally.
"What's the matter with me?" demanded Sirius. "I'll tell you what's the bloody matter! You and I are alike, Ginny. Both prisoners in this God-forsaken house!"
"You're a prisoner here?" she asked interestedly. "And 'prisoner' sounds kind of morbid. I'd rather think of it as being a bit… confined," she said truthfully.
"Hmm… well that's not how I see it. I just want to be free again! They don't understand! Starving in the cliffs was better than this shit- excuse my, er, language, if you find it at all-"
"Offensive?" supplied Ginny, smiling. "No, not really, I suppose. You know, you're my Mother's cousin. I've heard bits and pieces about you before."
"Have you?" asked Sirius calmly. "Well, I don't want to hear it. I've had enough of the whole lot of those bloody people…this whole house. You know, I actually had some hopes for Narcissa. She was halfway decent for awhile. But they finally got the fear and the old ways instilled in her- broke her energy and spirit. It's really a shame, what monsters they turned out to be. So are you like them? Or are you a rebel, like I was? I've heard you're a Gryffindor. That says a little, but may only be because you were a Weasley. Who knows with that Sorting Hat?"
"I'm exactly like them," said Ginny angrily. "I should've been a Slytherin; I wanted to be a Slytherin, and I thought I belonged in Slytherin. All I know is that I had better not lose my Malfoy status." Sirius snorted derisively.
"You know what? That's despicable. You're lucky you're here, you know that? I know you don't want your ideas to change, but honestly! In the society you want to be a part of it's not only the half-bloods and blood-traitors and half-breeds and Mudbloods that are degraded. Women are, too, you know. You're in a losing battle. Do you want to marry an older, ugly servant of Voldemort?"
"They wouldn't make me do that!" shouted Ginny.
"Oh, yeah? You go ahead and think that!"
"You shut up!" yelled Ginny.
"Make me," challenged Sirius.
"I can and I will," said Ginny threateningly. Sirius laughed, which made Ginny even angrier. "Harry has a really stupid godfather!"
"So do you," laughed Sirius. "Isn't yours dear old Snivelly?"
"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"
"Whoa!" yelled Tonks, walking in with Lupin on the argument. "Settle down, children!" she joked.
"You can't tell me what to do!" yelled Sirius and Ginny in unison. Remus Lupin laughed. Ginny glared at him.
"Okay- so what's the matter here?" he then asked diplomatically, face straightening.
"HE started it," said Ginny heatedly. "He insulted my family!"
"Which one?" asked Tonks wryly. Lupin elbowed her.
"Both," said Ginny with a mounting dislike for the convict.
"Well she said that she supported the Malfoys and my ex-people I lived with!"
"Your family?" asked Ginny.
"I have no family," said Sirius coldly.
"Yes you do, Padfoot…" said Lupin sadly. Padfoot? Thought Ginny curiously.
"Yeah, my dearest cousins," said Tonks sweetly, an arm around each Sirius and Ginny. "Can't we all just get along?" Sirius frowned heavily and Ginny folded her arms. "Well, then…"
"Breakfast is ready," sang Mrs. Weasley, bustling in with random trays and plates. Ginny sat down at the table, observing Mrs. Weasley cautiously.
"Good Morning, honey," smiled Mrs. Weasley. Ginny grinned feebly as her brothers and Hermione entered the kitchen. "Your father and Bill have already gone to work… so have some of the Order members here yesterday. Now, did they all explain the Order and your restrictions for not telling?" Ginny nodded glumly.
"Yeah."
"Lovely!"
"Speaking of work," said Remus suddenly, "I'd better get started on what Albus asked of me…"
"Yeah. I have to get to training, too," said Tonks then.
"You won't stay for breakfast, then?" asked Mrs. Weasley anxiously.
"I've already told you, Molly," yawned Tonks. "I'm not a breakfast person. I'm off. See you later, everyone."
"Bye," chorused most of the table. Ginny turned to her food, most of which was fattening. She ignored the bacon and eggs, and picked at her grapefruit and toast. She excluded herself from the conversation until it was directed at her.
"So, Ginny… Like dragons?" It was Charlie.
"Er- actually, yes," answered Ginny. She hoped she wouldn't have to engage too much in the conversation.
"Really?" he asked eagerly. "You should come to Romania some time with me; I work with them- nobody else in the family has any appreciation for them," he continued distastefully.
"Well can you blame me?" asked Ron. "I got bitten by Hagrid's stupid little Norbert- and I was in the Hospital Wing for a week!" Suddenly memory hit Ginny. She knew this story!
"You mean- the time Draco tipped off that you had the dragon and Filch caught you, and Hermione, Harry, Draco, and Longbottom had to do detention? And Harry saw that demon thing in the forest?" she asked excitedly.
"How do you know about that?" asked Hermione curiously. Ginny smiled, thinking about Draco.
"My brother." Her real brothers, she noticed, all looked upset when she said that. Oh, well. They knew what she meant.
"Well did he tell you that he almost ruined it?" asked Hermione. At the look on Ginny's face, she said, "obviously not." She then turned to Charlie. "How is Norbert, anyway? I'm sure Hagrid will be dying to know." Ginny's attention was turned to Mrs. Weasley and Sirius, whose faces fell when Hagrid was mentioned. She saw Charlie exchange a quick glance with his mother before answering. Ginny wondered what ti was all about.
"He's doing good, actually," said Charlie, grinning. "His mate is expecting a baby dragon already- the egg's due to hatch in December."
"More of them?" groaned Ron. "Well, DON'T tell Hagrid. He'll be wanting to adopt one, that's for sure." Charlie laughed.
"Ginny," said Mrs. Weasley a moment later. "Tell us what you like to do- we'd really like to get to know you better, dear."
"Well," began Ginny tentatively. "Er… um." I detest people like you… "I, er, am the third from the top of my class."
"How lovely," said Mrs. Weasley. Fred and George frowned. Ginny was glad that her father had never cared about her only being number three. 'Stay in the top five percent, and concentrate on becoming a lovely young lady, with the right ideas, Ginevra. That's all that matters for you. We're very proud of you,' he had said to her. She knew that Draco thought it wasn't fair- it wasn't. But Lucius had expected more of his only son than he had of his daughter- but that didn't stop Ginny from having high aspirations. She knew what she wanted to do with her life already- she wanted to get into Politics. Maybe be Minister of Magic! But what she also wanted was to get out on her own for awhile, and be independent. Now she wanted that more than ever, so she could choose her own loyalties instead of being passed around like a hot potato. Well, maybe that analogy was a bit melodramatic. But, too bad! It was the way she felt.
Later that day, she received a letter from Draco, finally. She opened it up with excitement.
Dearest Sister-
Hello! We all miss you here; the manor is very quiet without you. I can't wait until we can see you at Hogwarts. As you know, I've broken up with Pansy. Mother and Father have said there's talk of Eira Zabini and I being a good match. Can you imagine? That would be awful- she's pretty, but I can't stand the girl. Even though everyone knows you're a Weasley now (I shudder to say it), Mother and Father said they are still managing to keep you with the Malfoy status and in the Inner Society, and are even still working on your marriage. They say they are disgraced you're a Weasley, but you are still Pure-blooded and were raised the right way, and you know how people follow Father. Anyway, you will never guess what's happening!
I can't really write it in case it's intercepted. But. Tali hork enu. Dilk Arsnay Ril Kon. Lipp Off Ranlk Dothmu. Ish Say. Coft orp mildu ill nogs grin. Tilp orsh. Dups Ikne Nali Nort Emswa Rilk!
Ginny paused and tried to work out the code. Oh! She recognized it- they'd used it when they were younger; you made up nonsense words and put each real word in a sentence, the first letter starting it. T-h-e d-a-r-k l-o-r-d i-s c-o-m-i-n-g t-o d-i-n-n-e-r! Ginny gasped and continued reading.
I hope you got that. And it's right. Mum's a wreck… And Dad is actually nervous, I think. Trying to get into His good graces, I believe. But you can't tell anyone at all. So how is the barn? Is it really as small as they say? Does it smell terrible? Still seeing that Corner bloke? Give the Weasleys a rude gesture or comment for me, and is Potter and the Mudblood are there, torment them a bit. See you soon, I hope.
Your Brother,
D.L.M
Ginny folded the letter and put it into her drawer, almost trembling. He was definitely back, then, without question.
The next few weeks passed in a blur. She corresponded regularly with Ceridwen, Maeve, Trista, and Draco. All of them were sympathetic, but only Draco and Ceridwen new the truth about her kidnapping, and they didn't even know where she was. She still resented being part of this household, but found herself forming friendships with Sirius Black, who was stuck in the same boat as her, really, Fred and George, who resembled her personality so much it was unnerving, Bill, who was immediately her favorite brother, and Hermione Granger, to her distaste. For the most part the latter was because they were roommates. At least she desperately hoped it was so. And also from spying on Order Meetings- but it was pointless, really. The only stuff the managed to ever find out was that the members were working against Voldemort, and could continuously be heard complaining about 'guard duty.' Ginny continuously wrote to her real parents, who reminded her of who she was and how to act, and she missed them terribly. So, naturally, she was dismayed to be finally used to this new array of people, with dangerous ideas. Mrs. Weasley was a woman she learned to like a lot. She loved all her children dearly and stayed involved with everything. And Mr. Weasley, too, was very fun, however eccentric he was.
But one day in July, she woke up to the sound of panic through the halls. She slipped into a deep blue robe that had matched her other eyes and wandered out into the corridor. "What's wrong?" she yawned, as Ron and Hermione rattled away.
"It's Harry!" exclaimed Hermione. "We just got a message from your father… Harry was attacked by dementors! Oh, I'm so worried!"
"Why would my dad tell you guys this?" asked Ginny suspiciously.
"Not that father," said Ron, frowning. "OUR father. Your real one!" Ginny felt extremely foolish- she'd completely forgotten!
"Oh. Yeah. So Harry was attacked? Is he all right? Who sent the dementors?"
"Most likely You-Know-Who," said Ron worriedly. "You know, your parents' master."
"There's no reason to be so hateful, Ron Weasley!" yelled Ginny, stomping downstairs.
"Ginny, wait!" called Hermione. "We talked to Lupin already. Harry's okay- but he's coming tomorrow!"
Ginny's heat stopped. Tomorrow? Would she still like him? She had a perfectly wonderful boyfriend already… of course she wouldn't fancy him. The idea was absurd. And yet-
"I didn't ask you, Mudblood," said Ginny coldly, remembering his brother's request of calling them names. She was a Malfoy!
A/N: Okay, chapter done! Please review! And about some reviews saying this is sort of like The Face on the Milk Carton- yeah, you're right about the similarities! I love that book! But this is a Harry Potter fiction, and the only things in here like the book are the redhead situation and the kidnapping and coming back to the family… none of the plot is the same, so I'm not putting a disclaimer up for that. Make sure to review and a chapter will come sooner! :-D
((Jinglez))