Chapter Eight – Seven Long Weeks

"What did you say?"

Tom had heard clearly what Ginny's conditions were but thought…hoped that Cissa had mistakenly said it. Ginny was probably just a really deep sleeper.

"Sir, I said she is in a coma."

Cissa looked at his face to see him comprehend the current situation. First she saw anger, which slowly changed to worry. Why did the Dark Lord look so worried? She was a pureblood soon to be his wife, but it wasn't like he loved her. She would have to ask her husband Lucius about this.

"You must have made a mistake. Check her over again."

Knowing that the results wouldn't change Cissa told the Dark Lord that it wasn't worth the time to look for other problems. "The hard hit to the head has put her into a coma Sir. No matter how many times I check her for other injuries, only the one to the head will appear. If you think it necessary to check again though, I will let you stay to know that I tell the truth."

Tom looked Cissa in the eyes and quickly entered her mind to see if she was lying. He observed her medical assessment and found that indeed she was right. Ginny was in a coma.

Cissa was glade when he broke eye contact. It was horrible knowing that the most powerful dark wizard in the world was able to read you mind at any moment. For someone who had never known occlumency, trying to block one of the best legilimens was very foolish.

Tom cleared his throat before addressing Cissa one more time. "When will she be back to normal?"

"That Sir is hard to tell. It could be days, months, or years. Maybe even never. There is a potion I will be giving her twice a day. It makes sure that they brain and heart are kept alive. She will also be hooked up to life support, giving her body water and nutrience. Is that satisfactory?"

With a nod Tom took one last look at Ginny and left the hospital to inform his entire guest list that the wedding was to be postponed.

All the muggle servants were placed in the dungeons cells until time for their use. The dumb muggles still thought they won tickets to a vacation in the Bahamas. Sure he wanted wizards to work for him instead of the filth he had locked in the dungeons, but he couldn't let the wizarding world find out about his wedding.

Tom was angry. He had worked hard to make sure things would go perfectly. He had obliviated their families into thinking that his servants were going on a long vacation. Now that they were going to be held in the dungeon it would be harder to make them forget what they had been put through while in his castle. Letting them go after it was all completed looked less likely then before. If Ginny remained in a coma too long he would have to dispose of the muggles instead of letting them go home happily, thinking that the Bahamas was a blast.

Tom hated inconvenience and this coma problem was a huge one. He needed Ginny to awaken. Once they got officially married and bonded he would be able to get all the whereabouts of the order. Sure she could have told him without all the trouble but once his wife all that she knew he would know. Thankfully he was able to keep his thoughts to himself, for the husband was superior to the wife.

Deciding to stop worrying Tom went to see Lucius. Lucius always could help him in times of need. He was great at getting things done and would be able to notify all guests of the current situation.

Once business was done the two sat down in his study where Tom drank away his worries.

It had been seven weeks since Ginny had fallen into her coma. Tom had visited every day to see if improvements had been made. So far it was the same. Her body was still functioning normally and she was as healthy as could be.

Tom knew that getting angry wouldn't help anything but he was tired of waiting for his information. All he wanted was their location and his fiancé had refused to give it to him. Because of her he had to arrange a marriage and consummate it, all for a towns name.

Looking down to her still body Tom picked up her hand and held it in his. He shook her arm, once again, like every time he came, hoping she would be jostled out of her coma. Of course it didn't work like all the other times.

Losing his temper to started to yell. He threatened her, her family, friends, everyone and anyone she knew. Throughout his yelling spree Tom didn't notice Ginny's eyes flutter open. She had felt him shaking her arm and had been close to waking, but when he had started to yell, she was pulled into consciousness.

Saying in a small, raspy voice Ginny told Tom, "Is that what you do to all your girlfriends? Insult them until they start listening?" Not knowing why Ginny chuckled.

Tom could see nothing funny about the situation they were in. Ginny had just awoken from a long coma and then went strait into insulting him. The silly little girl had nerves. Pushing those thoughts aside Tom yelled for Cissa.

With a pop she appeared. When she saw Ginny sitting up she ran to her and quickly cast spells to insure she wouldn't fall into another coma. Next she asked her questions about who she was and what she remembered before she hit her head. Ginny had been afraid to talk at first but the niceness in Cissa's voice talked to her into telling her story.

When she was finished Cissa looked at Tom and said in a reproachful tone, "You weren't feeding her? No wonder she passed out. Lack of food, water, and sleep are a deadly combination." Tuning to Ginny she said, "You are lucky that he found you as soon as he did. Without proper treatment," Cissa turned to give Tom a look, "You could have died."

Ginny was grateful for the mediwitch and thanked her for keeping her healthy. Surprisingly Ginny was tired, so she asked if she was able to sleep. First she was told to eat and drink what Cissa prepared but after that she was allowed to rest.

Tom had pestered her while she did what Cissa told her. Asking why she had tried to leave, why she hadn't just been good and stay put. He also told her that their wedding had been postponed but could now be arranged in a week. At the mention of marriage Ginny had stiffened and scooted away from Tom, but she knew no matter how hard she fought she would be forced into it.

Tom informed her that the rings and dress had been made and bought. All she had to do was say, "I do." Now all she could do was wait till she became Mrs. Riddle.