Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 17: Broken Pacts.

February 5th 2000.

"Ah! Monsieur, Madame is pregnant!" Lauren cried as Ginny sunk down onto her chair dejectedly; she knew this was going to happen, having been sick every morning before Tom awoke.

"That is relieving," he said, walking forward, and placing his hand on Ginny's shoulder. "We no longer require your service, Lauren, you can go back to your chambers now."

"Yes, Monsieur," she said, bowing and saying her congratulations to an expressionless Ginny.

"Ginny, Ginny, is this not good?" he whispered. "Did you not want another child? You were very upset when we lost the other. And look, I've given you another," he placed his hand on her stomach, and in his eyes he was daring her to disagree, daring her step out of line….

"It's wonderful," she said with a smile.

"And, now, I can only hope that it is a boy…." Tom stood up and went to his desk, and pulled out a small brown book, he flipped through the pages and sighed as he put it back in the drawer. "Unfortunately, we have to move again soon, do you think you can handle that?"

"Yes…."

"My armies in Switzerland are fully mobilised, and ready to join my other army in Russia."

"So?" she questioned.

"Now, we must be nearer to Russia, so I can go undetected as quickly as possible, if trouble should arise. The invasion begins, my little wife." He chuckled, and stood in front of her again. "Do not worry, as I said before, you are safe from the world. I am your protector. When I rule, you will be my Princess, and everyone will treat you as such."

"Why do you lock me up?"

"You are mine," he said as if it explained everything. "I don't want anyone taking you away from me, especially since you are now carrying my child."

Ginny stared up at him. She had given up hope of help, but if Tom felt she was under 'threat' of being taken back to her rightful place, then it seemed that her friends search for her was something to have faith in….

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Tom had been sly in his dealings with Russia; nobody would be prepared to fight for their country. And nobody would come to the Russians aide. Tom moved Ginny to Estonia, where his armies had stationed themselves, hidden of course, to ready themselves for the takeover.

Ginny noticed that Tom was not as attentive as he was the first time she was pregnant; he was either in meetings with some General or another. When he was at home, he locked himself away in his study, and, rarely, he would spend time making Ginny feel useless or small.

May 15th 2000.

Springtime had arrived; flowers were beginning to bloom, the tree buds opening to reveal earthy green leaves. Ginny was in the garden, it was smaller than the one in France, and it was much more windier. "Ginny!" It was Tom; he was standing on the steps of the patio.

"Yes?" she answered.

"Come here," he gestured. "Come on."

She pushed herself up, adjusting her dress from its makeshift position. "What?" she said as she drew nearer to him.

"I won't be seeing you for quite a while after this Friday, and I know that you will be upset," he smirked ironically, holding his hand out for her to take. "As you know, I'm going to Russia, but the drab times of consolidation mean that you will be alone."

She walked up the steps and took his hand; he led her into the small parlour room. "So you won't be here when the baby is born?" she said, faking an upset voice, but really hoping he would not be.

He turned to look at her, his eyes roving her face and seeing the sad expression, he smiled, thinking her concerned and thinking that she wanted him to be there. But, in all truths, Ginny had become an expert in acting over the past few months. "Don't worry yourself," he whispered, sitting her down beside him. "I'll only be gone for approximately three months." He kissed her head and stroked her hair. "My lovely Ginny, I think I shall miss touching that soft skin of yours."

Ginny realised that he wanted her to say the same back, but she had some limits. He leant in to kiss her, and she instinctively pulled away.

"Don't pull away," he murmured, pulling her back toward him, "I shall not harm you, you know." Ginny let him do as he pleased, since she remembered the last time she had disobeyed. She opened her mouth slightly, not wanting him to see any resistance. He smiled and gave her what he thought she wanted. "Time will pass quickly, Ginevra, and you shall have the child to keep you company," he placed his hand on her stomach, and looked down at her seriously. "You understand why I must do this?"

"Yes, Tom," and she did, she understood his motives, but did not agree with them, "I understand."

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Ron lay in bed. It had been a long time since he suggested Dark magic. Harry and Hermione had refused point blank, and it seemed as though they had given up. But he was determined to find his sister and he did not care how she was found….

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A/N: Once again, short. I actually thought it was going to be longer than this, but that maybe because I took some pieces out of it. Please review. At least 10 please.