Ch. 6 – The Sacrifice

Severus dressed for the Start of Term Feast nervously. He couldn't remember the last time he had worn his dress robes; he hoped they weren't too out of style. He stared at himself in the mirror. The robes were hunter green velvet, trimmed with silver embroidered Celtic knots. The robes fell right above his ankle, where the silver knotting stood out starkly against the black leather of his boots. Well, if he had to say one thing nice about his dress robes, he looked far less pale in hunter green than in the black he wore constantly.

When Ginny had told him she wanted to do his hair, he immediately fled to his private bathroom, where he washed his hair four times in a row. Amazingly, it still managed to look greasy… he just hoped that it didn't feel that way to her.

He knocked nervously on the door to her room. "Coming," her voice floated out to him. She swung open the door to her room and greeted him with a smile.

"You look…" he started.

"You too," she said quickly, perhaps to spare him the embarrassment of having to finish the statement. Severus took a moment to admire the beauty before him. She was wearing royal blue fitted – very fitted – silk robes. The topmost layer of the robes had a celestial theme embroidered into them using a thread just one shade darker than the fabric itself. The result was that the pattern looked ghostly and only appeared when the light hit it just right. Her red hair lay gathered over one shoulder - a flame against the watery tones of her robes; her eyes reflected the depth of the earth.

They stood staring for a few moments. "Come in," Ginny said softly. "Have a seat," she said motioning in the general direction of her bed. Severus nodded and took a seat as he was told. She gathered a brush and several hair accoutrements before walking over to him. She sat on the bed and looked at him, nervously. "This might be easier if… um… you sit in front of me."

Severus cleared his throat to reply, and then thought better of it. He sat in front of her, heart pounding. To his surprise, she put her hands on his shoulders and maneuvered him back, so that he was sitting between her legs. He tried not to notice the heat of her thighs as she began to brush his hair; he didn't succeed.

Ginny brushed his hair tenderly, as Severus closed his eyes. She tried not to notice the look of exquisite pleasure on his face, or the fact that his head was were it was. After thoroughly brushing his hair, she tied his hair back with a dark green ribbon. "There you go."

He stood, rather shakily, and made his way to the full length mirror. "Like a totally different person," it said, "You can even see his exquisite eyes. No, there's no need for him to hide behind his long hair."

Severus wrinkled his nose. "You don't think the ribbon makes me look..." gay, he thought, "feminine."

"Of course not!" Ginny and the mirror replied simultaneously. "You look marvelous," Ginny continued, "Are you doubting my fashion sense?"

An evil grin appeared on his face as his eyes swept over her reflection in the mirror. "I would never doubt your fashion sense, Ginny. Shall we?" he asked offering her his arm. Together they made their way to the Great Hall, where most of the Professors had already gathered. Dumbledore said nothing at the fact that Ginny and Severus arrived arm in arm, he only raised an eyebrow.

McGonagall and Flitwick bombarded them at once asking Ginny how she had been and berating Severus for keeping her hidden in their dungeons. Severus said nothing, only scowled in their general directions. "She is my apprentice after all," he finally replied.

"'Ullo, Ginny," said a gruff voice.

"Hagrid!" she said in an excited voice. She pulled away from Severus and the others long enough to give the big man a hug. Severus frowned slightly, but stalked off to talk to Dumbledore. "I'm sorry that I haven't been to visit! I've been… busy."

"I don' doubt tha'. 'Spect he's got you nearly locked inta tha' dungeon o' 'is," he said nodding in Snape's general direction.

"Not quite, Hagrid. Don't feel bad, I've been here two months and haven't seen anyone other than Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore. I've been busy with my studies… and, well… other business."

"I know all 'bout tha' otha business. Madam Rosemerta told me, tha' you an' Snape was in Hogsmeade on a date, today."

"News travels fast, it does seem. It wasn't a date… and even if it was… I'm an adult, Hagrid. The other business I was referring to is for Dumbledore."

"Tha's wha' I told 'im, I did. But 'e only said 'e was gonna kill tha' 'greasy git'."

"Oh, no. Ron was with you?"

"Came ta visit Fred n' George," Hagrid nodded grimly. Luckily, Dumbledore saw fit to interrupt.

"The students will be arriving shortly. We should all go to our positions. Ginny, you can sit by Severus at that end of the table, Madam Hecate, why don't you sit next to Minerva," Dumbledore said to the new DADA professor.

A disappointed Hagrid sauntered off to meet the first years as the Professors took their seats at the head table. In a moment the Great Hall filled with the din of the returning students. Professor Snape's current choice of clothing seemed to be a topic of conversation, even among his Slytherin students. His scowl deepened when a group of Gryffindor's laughed and pointed in his general direction.

Dennis Creevey, now a sixth year student, waved eagerly at Ginny at the head table. She flashed him a smile and saw out of the corner of her eye that Severus' scowl deepened. "We're just friends, Severus. At least, Ijust want to be friends; I know Colin had a thing for me, but I'm not sure about Dennis."

He mumbled something that sounded awfully like insufferable brat, but Ginny wasn't sure. She watched the sorting with amusement. It brought back so many memories; happy ones – for she had been sorted into Gryffindor, and not so happy ones – for she was already writing to Tom in that blasted diary of his.

Dumbledore stood as the sorting was finished. "Welcome one and all. I'm going to make this as short as possible. First, students are all kindly reminded that wandering into the Forbidden Forest could mean a slow and painful death, or a quick and painless, one depending on what you run into first. I, however, suggest that you do not press the odds."

"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has kindly asked me to remind everyone that there is to be no spellcasting in the halls, no jokes played, or dungbombs dropped, nothing from any joke wizarding shop, and ESPECIALLY from the Weasley's shop or mail-order catalogue displayed or it will be confiscated. Now, onto happier business… we have with us a new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Madam Roselinda Hecate." Madam Hecate rose to be recognized with less than enthusiastic applause. "Also, as some of you may have noticed, Miss Ginerva Weasley, who left just last year, has seen fit to rejoin us. She has become Professor Snape's apprentice and will be acting as an Assistant Professor."

Ginny stood to the raucous applause of her old schoolmates. No one seemed to notice that although Gryffindor was making the most noise, Slytherin was the next loudest. "Now, everyone, enjoy your meal!" With that the food appeared and the ravenous students dived in.

Ginny couldn't have been happier, but Severus seemed to be brooding. "What's wrong?" she asked him.

"Nothing… I was just noticing there seems to be an awful lot of Gryffindors in the incoming group."

"Come now, it's not as if you hate the Gryffindors. I mean, at least, you don't truly hate all of them."

"Of course I do," he snapped before he realized what he was saying. "I mean that… er…" he blushed profusely. "Not you, of course, but… as you are no longer in Gryffindor… damn. You got me," he said resigning to her. An impish grin spread across her face and into her eyes. Severus couldn't help but smile, which he immediately attempted to hide by taking a large drink out of his goblet. It was too late, however, for more than one person in the room had noticed it.

The feast ended and students began to file out of the Great Hall. The professors hung back allowing the prefects to do their duties; when the Great Hall had finally cleared, Snape began to escort Ginny back to her rooms. "How did you enjoy your first Start of the Term feast sitting at the Head Table?"

"Well… I always wondered why you all looked so smug sitting up there… now, I know."

"Do you?"

"Yes, it brings back memories of your time here as a student."

"That might be why the others look smug, but for me… it's the promise of fresh meat," he said with a grin on his face.

"Ahhh… of course!" she said softly, "New people to scar the wits out of."

"You give me credit, Ginny. Most of them have no wits before they get here. How can I scare out of them what they don't have?"

They found themselves in front of their rooms much to quickly. Ginny smiled nervously at him.

"Well, I suppose this is good night," he said softly.

"Yeah," she said sounding slightly regretful. Their eyes locked and they stood staring for a few moments. "Um, Severus."

"Yes?"

"Are there any students behind me?"

He broke eye contact with her long enough to look over her shoulder. "No, not that I can see; are there any behind me?"

"No, not unless they have an invisibility cloak."

"As Potter no longer goes to school here…"

"Shhhhh…" Ginny said putting a finger to his lips. She took a step closer and moving her finger replaced them with her lips. Severus stiffened in shock and then relaxed, returning the kiss eagerly. His arms wrapped around her and pulled her to him while his tongue tasted her lips.

Ginny moaned softly and opened her mouth for his tongue. Her head was spinning. She was in Severus' strong arms, his gentle hands rubbing up and down her back as his tongue explored her mouth tentatively.

Her soft moans of desire coursed through Severus like a fire. He felt his own need for her rising in waves when her hands rand up his neck and freed his hair from its constraint. She ran her hands eagerly through hair and over his neck. He pulled away reluctantly.

"I…" love you, she thought, "want to thank you for a wonderful first date, Severus."

"Likewise."

He fought the urge to sweep her back into his arms as she pulled away, and smiling went into her room. Ginny would have no trouble sleeping tonight.

Damn it, her arm itched like crazy. She awoke with a start. Her left arm was itching like… like she had suffered a burn that caused her to be more sensitive than usual. Slowly, the itching increased to a shooting pain. She exhaled sharply each time the pain hit. There was a soft knock and whisper at her door, "Ginny?"

"Severus? What the hell?" she whispered back.

"Do you feel it too?" he asked.

"Yes."

"It's him calling us. Time to go, Ginny."

"I'll be right out," she said, blindly grabbing for the only black clothing she owned. She dressed quickly and joined him shortly.

"It's always like that. The itching, then the message where to meet comes, by owl, or floo, or whatever method he chose. Next, he becomes more insistent. The pain increases the longer you wait."

"Where are we to meet him?" Severus looked grim as her handed her the letter. "The Forbidden Forest? But that means he's here…" He didn't reply as they left the dungeons and crossed the grounds quickly. They plunged into the forest head long. Her heart was pounding as Severus led her expertly through the forest; her hand was wrapped around the wand hidden in the pocket of her cloak – there was no way she was going to be attacked because she was unprepared.

They found him easily enough. He was in a clearing, not too far into the forest. This might easily be the clearing where Harry had seen Voldemort drinking unicorn blood – not that she would know it by sight, but he had told her about the incident.

"What is this I hear about you two having a date?"

Damn, news does travel fast. "It was not a date, milord. We went into Hogsmeade for some lemonade," Ginny said softly.

"I wasn't asking you, my Queen," he said with a growl as her grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her to his side, "I was asking him," his voice was furious as he kicked dirt in Severus' direction.

Severus dropped to a knee and lowered his head. "It was not a date on my part either, Lord Voldemort. I merely thought Your Queen would enjoy lemonade on a hot day."

"And you couldn't have gotten lemonade from the house elves at Hogwarts?"

"Lady Voldemort expressed interest in a walk, milord."

"Is this true?" he asked turning on Ginny.

"Of course," she replied resolutely.

In one swift motion Voldemort landed a kick squarely in Severus' stomach, grabbed him by the hair and pulled his head back, so that Severus was forced to look him in the eyes. Ginny barely suppressed the urge to draw her wand and attempt to curse Voldemort to death.

"If I ever hear that you laid a hand on her, I will kill you. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, milord" Severus managed to get out between gasps for air. The well placed kick had managed to knock all of the air out of him. Voldemort released his hair and Severus coughed as his windpipe relaxed.

"Get up you pathetic fool. You will be present for my Queen's welcoming." Severus stood as ordered. "To the Killing Ring."

Ginny saw the Forbidden Forest slide away from her as a ring of stone came into view. Was it possible to Apparate not just yourself, but someone else? Apparently it was, because that's what Voldemort had just done.

In the center of the ring a woman was bound and gagged; she was guarded by several Death Eaters who hit her anytime she made a sound. Next to them was a table made of a thick flat slab of stone supported by two large boulders. Voldemort stalked to the center of the circle, pulling Ginny behind him. Severus melded into the crowd of Death Eaters.

"My Queen, I've brought you a willing sacrifice," came Lucius Malfoy's voice. Clearly, he was one of the witch's guards.

"My Ginny has no stomach for murder," Voldemort said softly. "I remember how upset she was at having to kill the roosters. Perhaps I shall take the sacrifice. You will help me though." He said rounding on Ginny. "Cast the full body bind on her."

"What? Why?"

"Do it!" he yelled.

Ginny took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Petrificus Totalus."

The witch's movement ceased and her eyes were frozen wide in terror. In one swift motion the guards lifted her onto the stone table and disappeared into the watching Death Eaters. Voldemort moved to the witch, put one hand on her forehead and one above her stomach. "Put your hand on my shoulder," he demanded. Ginny obeyed.

He began to chant in Parseltongue. Suddenly, Ginny wished that she hadn't gained the ability to understand Parseltongue from being possessed.

"Soul of the innocent, unbind yourself.
Free yourself from your prison of bone and flesh.
Obey me. Obey me."

Underneath the hisses of Lord Voldemort Ginny could hear the muffled anguished cries of the victim. She wished she could turn away, but she was anchored in place, her eyes locked onto the blue eyes of the witch. Tears were gathering in the corners of the victim's eyes.

Ginny could feel the static of the magical energy gathering in the air

"Come to me, soul of the innocent.
I am your master.
No longer are you bounded by flesh.
Come to me. Come to me."

The woman looked as if she were deflating. From her mouth a blinding white light began to shine. Ginny wanted to run, to scream in terror, but she could only stare at the event taking place.

"I am your master, now.
I am your body.
Soul of the innocent, become my power.
Enrich me. Enrich me."

With a final hiss the white light emanating from the bound and gagged woman's mouth flowed like water into Voldemort. There was sickening crunch as the woman died; her skin was a dry husk resembling the shed skin of a snake that only served to hold bones resembling petrified wood. The woman's eyes had dried into hard balls of stone. A moment later,Ginny felt heat entering her from Lord Voldemort. She could hear the woman's long silent screams, and suddenly silence. Her body radiated with new found power.

"Welcome, my Queen."

A/N: Wow… that's a long one. I didn't really expect it to be this long when I started writing. I had a hard time writing the final scene – I'm not good at making up long ritual-like spells. Please let me know what you think by reviewing.

Thanks to all my reviewers on previous chapters!

Chihiro13 – Thank you for your wonderful comments! I had a hard time with my first idea for a fic, too. My advice: keep reading and eventually something will come to you. As far as style – make mental notes on what authors you like to read do and what they don't do. Then figure out what your natural style is. Don't attempt to write exactly like your favorite authors, but see if you can work some of their techniques into your style.

Velvet Storm – I am really enjoying your fic Does it Remain?. I'm glad to see that you are enjoying my work as well. I take it as a very high complement, because of your talent as a writer.

Zizou – I am glad that you are enjoying my story. I will have to think about translating it though. I will let you know sometime after I post the next chapter. Thank you for your interest.

Well, I have some good news and some bad news. I was just accepted for an internship at the local school system. While that's awesome ('cause I'll be getting paid $10/hr) I'm going to be working nearly twelve hours a day five days a week. That means I'll have a lot less writing time. I'll do my best to finish it before June 23 (when I start), but I might not. Please be patient with me after that date!