Chapter 2

The following morning Ginny was woken from her fitful sleep by a tapping at her bedroom window. Ginny turned bleary eyes towards the window, only to gasp in shock when she saw a familiar owl outside on the balcony. Ginny winced as every muscle in her body protested as she attempted to get out of bed, thanks not only to her time with Draco but mostly thanks to the torture inflicted on her by Lucius' order. When Ginny finally made it to the balcony doors, she was shocked to see that the owl did indeed have a letter tied to its leg. Ginny carefully untied the letter from the owl, which seemed to nuzzle her hand before taking flight and returning to its master, whoever they were. Ginny slowly opened the letter, unsure if she wanted it be from her mystery man or not.

My Beautiful Fireling,

/-/It's from him/-/ thought Ginny. /-/But then why wouldn't it be seeing as nobody knows about me and Malfoy. Oh Gods, I hope my mystery man continues to write. I don't know how I'll survive my time here without his letters/-/ prayed Ginny silently before continuing to read her latest letter…her lifeline.

"Girl is expected for breakfast in twenty minutes," snarled Blinky from the doorway a short while later.

Knowing what lay in store for her if she did not do as was expected of her, Ginny, using the wall behind her for leverage, got to her feet and made her way towards her bathroom. Ginny looked longingly at the tub wishing she had the time for a nice relaxing soak but knowing otherwise opted for a quick shower instead.

After emerging from the shower, Ginny looked everywhere she could think of in her suite of rooms for a hair dryer. After wasting five minutes in a pointless search for a non-existent hair dryer, Ginny quickly pulled on the nicest outfit, next to her 'wedding dress', that she had, even though she knew it would definitely not live up to Lucius' standards.

When she was finally dressed, Ginny followed Blinky down to the breakfast room, where Lucius, Narcissa and Draco were already seated.

"So good of you to finally grace us with your presence Ginevra," Lucius sneered as Draco pulled Ginny's seat out for her before returning to his own.

"I apologize for being late Lord Malfoy," replied Ginny, refusing to make eye contact with any of the Malfoys. "I seem to have lost track of the time this morning…"

"I assume that might explain why you are dripping water all over my rather expensive antique furniture?" inquired Lucius condescendingly.

"I am sorry about that Lord Malfoy but I could not find anything to use to dry my hair this morning," replied Ginny.

"What about your wand Ginny? Why didn't you just…"

"Ginevra is still underage Draconis," interrupted Lucius. "And therefore the restriction on underage magic still applies to her."

"But Father…"

"But nothing Draconis, the matter is closed," Lucius informed him. "But the matter of your attire Ginevra I'm afraid is not. Where in the world did you get that rag you are wearing Ginevra? You look no better than a mudblood harlot."

Ginny looked down at her pale blue cotton sundress and picked at an invisible thread. "I'm sorry Lord Malfoy," Ginny apologized again. "It's the nicest dress I have and any robes I own are my brothers' old school robes."

"Why does this not surprise me?" Lucius sneered mockingly. "Narcissa dear if it would not overly burden or inconvenience you much, might you consider escorting Ginevra into Diagon Alley and acquiring some real clothing for her that is much more, shall we say…appropriate?"

"Of course Lucius darling," agreed Narcissa. "Ginevra dear, whenever you are ready…"

"I am ready now Lady Malfoy," replied Ginny as she placed her napkin on the table.

"But Ginny, you've hardly eaten anything this morning," Draco pointed out in concern. "And you barely ate anything last night either."

Ginny looked down at her untouched plate of food. "I suddenly seem to have lost my appetite," replied Ginny, not looking at Draco. "Lady Malfoy, I am ready to go whenever you are."

"Of course child," replied Narcissa. "Lucius, Draco, if you will excuse us."

"Of course Narcissa, Ginevra," replied Lucius with a dismissive nod.

"Mother, Ginny," replied Draco as he watched his Mother lead Ginny from the room. He was worried about Ginny, but knew better than to bring his concerns to his father's attention.

"Are you alright child?" asked Narcissa in concern as she led Ginny into one of the most expensive and exclusive stores in Diagon Alley. "You seem a bit pale and I too noticed that you've hardly eaten since you arrived at the Manor yesterday."

"I'm fine Lady Malfoy," replied Ginny quietly, quite intimidated by the store she found herself in.

"Are you sure child? My son hasn't done anything he should not have has he?" queried Narcissa worriedly.

"No Lady Malfoy," replied Ginny as she was ushered up onto a stool to be measured. "Your son was the perfect gentleman. The kind of man any girl could ever dream of having and she that does…she that does will be the luckiest girl in all of England," offered Ginny sadly knowing that Draco was not meant for her but for another.

As the morning wore on, Ginny had lost count of the number of various dresses and robes she had tried on, only knowing that the take and discard piles were growing, the discard pile at a much faster rate then the pile of items they were going to take. Ginny grew concerned when the talk and the clothes turned that of the Hogwarts uniform.

"What's the matter child?" asked Narcissa when she saw the distraught look on Ginny's face.

"Lady Malfoy, I…it's just…you've been so generous already. I can't ask you to buy me my Hogwarts things as well and there is no way I could pay for any of this. My family can barely afford the robes at Madam Malkin's."

"Oh child," cried Narcissa quietly as she moved to stand in front of Ginny, taking both of Ginny's hands in hers. "Even if you weren't one of us now, a girl as beautiful and as special as you deserves the best money can buy. I'm sure your parents did what they could but as their only daughter, they should have seen to it that you had what you needed, not merely what they already had. If they had raised you the way a proper pureblood girl ought to be raised. You could have brought prestige to your family with the right match, a match much like the one with my Dragon, child. A match that is good for both of you. You are the fire my Dragon breathes, child. You have found yourself a good match in my son."

"A match that will never be acknowledged and one that will not last Lady Malfoy," replied Ginny quietly. /-/No matter how much I may want it to./-/

"Nonsense child," chided Narcissa lightly. "I know my son and I saw the way he looked at you yesterday. You are his heart's desire. You are the one that fills his dreams at night, never forget that," Narcissa ordered. "Now no more arguments child, I am getting you not only your Hogwarts robes but all of your supplies as well as a new trunk."

"Lady Malfoy, please…"

"Ginevra, what did I just say?"

"No arguments."

"Exactly."

"But Lady Malfoy…"

"No arguments Ginevra," scolded Narcissa with a smile. "We will get your supplies after a nice lunch but before we leave here there is one more item that I would like for you to try on and I know exactly where you can wear it."

Ginny sighed in defeat, knowing it was pointless to argue with Narcissa Malfoy, or any Malfoy for that matter, but even she had to admit the lady had exquisite taste and this last item was no exception.

It was late afternoon by the time Ginny and Narcissa returned to the Manor, having spent a pleasant day out shopping. Ginny was surprised when she entered her rooms upon returning to find that all their purchases had already been delivered, her robes and dresses hanging in her wardrobe in her bedroom and her supplies in the bookcase and desk in her sitting room.

Knowing she had some time before dinner, Ginny decided to make use of her time and her rather large bathtub and take a very nice, long relaxing soak before dressing for dinner. Once done with her bath, Ginny wrapped herself in a nice warm bathrobe and returned to her bedroom to get ready for dinner. Ginny was oblivious to the fact that she was not alone in her room until the other person spoke.

"Ginevra," purred Lucius dangerously from the chair in the corner, opposite Ginny's vanity.

"Lord Malfoy!" cried Ginny in surprise as she leapt to her feet, spinning to face Lucius.

"Tell me Ginevra, do you consider yourself one of us now? A Malfoy?" questioned Lucius dangerously as he stalked towards Ginny.

"No…no Lord Malfoy," replied Ginny nervously as she tried to back away from Lucius only to back into her vanity.

"Yet you felt it your right to spend my money on your school things?" demanded Lucius as he grabbed Ginny forcefully by the arms.

"Lord Malfoy please…" pleaded Ginny. "The Lady Malfoy was most insistent…"

"Well then I shall humour my wife…for now," commented Lucius as he stepped back and released his hold on Ginny. "I would suggest writing to your parents about your Hogwarts supplies as every thing purchased in that vein today will be returned," instructed Lucius as he prepared to leave. "Oh and one more thing Ginevra…"

"Yes Lord Malfoy?" asked Ginny nervously.

As soon as the question left her mouth, Ginny found herself being backhanded across the face, hard enough to have Lucius' ring cut her cheek and knock her to the floor.

"Remember your place Miss Weasley, right there on the floor at the feet of a Malfoy," Lucius sneered. As he reached the door to Ginny's bedroom, Lucius turned back to face her. "I assume you will not be joining us for dinner this evening?"

Ginny shook her head in response, not trusting her voice which she knew would be heavy with the tears that were falling down her cheeks.

Once Lucius was gone, Ginny carefully got to her feet and made her way towards her wardrobe where she pulled out, not one of the new nightgowns Narcissa had bought her but a pair of her old flannel pants and a tank top, which she put on with trembling hands before returning to her vanity, where she spent the next few minutes trying to get her cheek to stop bleeding. Ginny was not surprised by the light purple bruise forming on her cheekbone, nor the dark blue handprint bruises on her upper arms.

/-/You were right Ginny. You will never be a member of this family, no matter how Draco treats you. You now bear the marks that prove your place in this family; a place that is lower than that of the house-elves/-/ thought Ginny as she carefully pulled a cloth from her face to check the bleeding.

Once Ginny had finally gotten her cheek to stop bleeding, she made her way over to her bed and carefully climbed under the covers.

Meanwhile…

"Mother, have you seen Ginny at all since you returned?" asked Draco in concern as Lucius seated himself at the dinner table.

"No my Dragon," replied Narcissa. "Not since we returned, why?"

"It appears that young Ginevra has taken ill Draco," offered Lucius before Draco could answer his mother's question. "Do not worry Draco. She will be quite well by the time you need her again. Blinky will look after her."

"Father, about Blinky…"

"What about him Draco?" demanded Lucius coldly.

"Is he really the right elf for Ginny Father? Blinky can be a little…harsh for a house-elf. Wouldn't it be better to give her one of the female elves? What about Beana or Liska?" questioned Draco in reply.

"And risk them growing attached to one another? I think not Draco. Ginevra's services are only temporary and as such she shall have an elf that will remember that and do as instructed, making sure that Ginevra does as she's expected to," Lucius informed him coldly. "Is that understood Draco?"

"Yes Father," replied Draco, knowing that trying to argue the point was a waste of time but it did not stop his growing concern for Ginny, especially given the way his father had been talking.

"Mitsy!" called Draco once he was in his rooms after escaping from dinner.

"Yes Master Draco sir? What can Mitsy do for you?" squeaked the house-elf that had appeared in the room.

"I want you to take me to Ginny's rooms," instructed Draco.

"Sir?" asked Mitsy in confusion.

"Take me to Ginny's rooms," Draco repeated.

"Mitsy is sorry Master Draco sir but Mitsy does not know who Master is speaking of," explained Mitsy. "Who is Ginny?"

"Well then get one of the other elves that does know and they can show me," snapped Draco in frustration.

"Forgive Mitsy Master Draco sir, but none of the other elves will know that as none know who this Ginny is," replied Mitsy.

Draco was completely confused now. "Well then get Blinky. He's the one in charge of her care," he ordered.

"Blinky is not looking after a Ginny Master Draco sir. He's looking after Girl," Mitsy informed him.

"Girl?" asked Draco in disbelief.

"Yes sir. Girl," replied Mitsy.

"What does this Girl look like Mitsy?" asked Draco as he tried to rein in his temper.

"Mitsy does not know Master Draco," replied Mitsy nervously. "Blinky is only elf allowed to be in her presence."

"But you at least know where her rooms are?" demanded Draco. "Then take me there," he ordered at Mitsy's reluctant nod.

"Mitsy sorry Master Draco sir, but Master can not see her," commented Mitsy sadly.

"And why not?"

"Because Girl's rooms are sealed and warded against entry or exiting each night after dinner once Girl returns to them on Master Lucius' orders," explained Mitsy.

"Well then tell me how she got in here last night if her rooms are sealed?" questioned Draco. "It was later than this when I found her in here."

"Mitsy does not know Master Draco sir."

"So help me Mitsy, either find me a way in to Ginny's rooms without tripping my father's wards or by Merlin, I'm giving you clothes," Draco threatened, causing Mitsy to squeak and run into his bedroom.

"Only way Blinky could have brought Girl here without breaking the wards would have been through special door," explained Mitsy when Draco entered his bedroom.

"What special door?"

"This one Master Draco sir," replied Mitsy snapping her fingers, causing a door to materialize in the corner opposite to Draco's bed.

/-/That's almost the exact spot where I saw Ginny standing last night when I came in/-/ Draco thought as he approached the door. "Mitsy, go to the kitchens and bring me back a sandwich. If anyone asks the sandwich is for me and you are to tell no one of this understood?"

"Yes Master Draco sir," replied Mitsy before disappearing.

/-/Here goes nothing/-/ thought Draco as he opened the door, stepping through into what appeared to be a dimly lit bedroom. After allowing his eyes to adjust to the new light, Draco scanned the room quickly, his eyes coming to rest on the figure sleeping in the bed next to where he was standing. "Ginny?" he called quietly as he gently sat down on the bed next to her.

"Malfoy?" Ginny asked sleepily as she turned onto her back towards the sound of the voice.

"That depends on which Malfoy you would prefer," teased Draco, growing more concerned when he noticed Ginny shrink back from him. "Incendio," he cast with a flick of his wand, lighting the torches in Ginny's room. "That's…" Draco stopped his though when he turned back to Ginny, only to notice the bruises on the arm that lay exposed on the comforter. "Ginny what happened? Where did these come from?" he asked indicating the bruise.

"It's not important and it doesn't matter because nothing happened," replied Ginny, not meeting Draco's concerned gaze.

"Ginny it…" Draco's words trailed off as he caught sight of Mitsy in the doorway, tray in hand.

"Thank you Mitsy," Draco said as he took the tray from the house-elf. "Go on back to work. I'll call you when I'm finished here."

"Yes Master Draco sir," replied Mitsy before vanishing.

Once the elf was gone, Draco closed the door before returning to Ginny's bed, laying the tray beside her before retaking his seat. "Eat," he ordered gently. "Ginny, please eat something," he pleaded when Ginny did not touch the food. "As much as you may find this hard to believe, I…care about you and I can't bare the thought of you going hungry. You must be famished; I mean you didn't have any dinner last night, nor breakfast this morning and I can only imagine how you must have dealt with lunch with my mother. Don't get me wrong Ginny, I love my mother dearly but she can be quite…intimidating," mused Draco with a chuckle.

"Your mother has been very kind to me since I arrived," replied Ginny quietly, taking a tentative bite from the sandwich.

"I think she's just happy to have another female in the house, especially one that is not Pansy Parkinson," commented Draco, disgust entering his voice at the name.

"But I thought you liked Pansy?" questioned Ginny in quiet curiosity. "I mean you're almost always together and you look like your perfect together, the perfect pure blood Slytherin couple."

"That's what you are supposed to think and supposed to see," explained Draco as he gently brushed a stray piece of hair from Ginny's undamaged cheek. "Appearances, especially mine, can be deceiving; Pansy is nothing but a simpering little social climber determined to claw her way up the ladder of society any way she and her family can."

"Then why do you spend time with her, let her hang all over you the way that she does?"

"Have you been watching me Ginny? Has Gryffindor's little Fireling been watching the big bad Slytherin Dragon?" asked Draco teasingly. He was pleased to note the faint blush spread across Ginny's face.

At Draco's teasing words, Ginny turned her head away hoping to block his view of her face as much as possible. "If you don't like Pansy, why are you always with her?"

"Because she's my betrothed," replied Draco, practically spitting the last word in distaste. "As long as the Dark Lord lives I have to maintain the image I have and that image is the one of the Death Eater in training who simply adores Pansy Parkinson."

"Oh," replied Ginny quietly.

"Ginny," began Draco as he gently took a hold of Ginny's chin, turning her face towards him. "The thought of spending the rest of my life with Parkinson sickens me. When Potter does finally defeat the Dark Lord, I intend to hold onto what I have, to hold onto you."

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

"This is one promise I have every intention of keeping," reassured Draco as he caressed Ginny's cheek, his fingers brushing over the cut. "Would you please tell me what happened?" pleaded Draco as he turned Ginny's face more to get a good look at what his fingers felt. He was dismayed to see a cut on her cheek along with a purple bruise. "Who did this to you? Was it Father?"

Ginny nodded in agreement, keeping her gaze on her lap.

"Why would he do this?" asked Draco in outrage. "He's supposed to be protecting you, not beating you."

"I don't know why he made the arrangement with my parents but I can assure you it has absolutely nothing to do with protecting me," commented Ginny bitterly. "And as for why he hit me it appears that I had forgotten my place. That because of the contract between our families, I assumed I was your equal and therefore entitled to the same things as you."

"Meaning what Ginny? You went shopping with Mother and it was his bloody idea to begin with," raged Draco.

"Your mother was kind enough to buy me all new uniforms and supplies for Hogwarts. She even bought me a new trunk to carry everything in," explained Ginny, her quiet voice a contrast to Draco's rage.

"He beat you over uniforms and supplies!" questioned Draco in surprise and outrage. "I'm sorry Ginny, "he apologized sincerely when he saw Ginny shrink back from him in fear. "Will you let me heal you at least?"

"Please don't," begged Ginny, desperation evident in both her voice and her eyes.

"Why not?" asked Draco in confusion. "Surely you must be in some pain and if you're worried about the Ministry finding out don't be. There are wards on the Manor that prevent the Ministry from detecting any underage magic here."

"No it's…it's not that. It's just…if you heal what your Father did then he'll know you've seen me and …"

"And it will only make matters worse for you," Draco said, finishing Ginny's sentence for her. "Alright," he agreed rather reluctantly. "I don't like it but I don't want you hurt any worse because of me."

"Thank you," offered Ginny, placing a tentative hand on top of Draco's on the bed.

"You're welcome," Draco replied, taking Ginny's hand in his own. "Ginny, I…I mean would you…would you…"

"What is it? Are you alright?" asked Ginny in nervous concern. "I've never seen the Slytherin Prince tongue-tied and at a loss for words before," she teased.

"Please don't call me that," requested Draco quietly. "Not here, not in these rooms, in either of our rooms."

"I'm sorry," apologized Ginny, her sincerity apparent in her voice. "I didn't mean to offend you…"

"You didn't," reassured Draco with a small smile and a light squeeze on her hand. "It's just that the Slytherin Prince as you call it, is the mask that I'm forced to wear. It's not who I really am."

"I know and I am sorry. Since this whole mess started you've shown me a side of you I had no idea even existed. I much prefer the man before me to the Slytherin Prince anyway. Now what were you trying to ask me?" questioned Ginny with a slight smile playing teasingly on her lips.

"Well the End of Summer Ball is next week and I was wondering if you would like to accompany me," asked Draco nervously.

"I would love to," replied Ginny only to give a small laugh a few minutes later. "She must have known…"

"Who must have known what?" questioned Draco in confusion.

"Your mother," replied Ginny. "She made sure I would have the perfect dress."

"That sounds like Mother alright," chuckled Draco. "I think it's time for you to get some sleep," commented Draco in amusement when Ginny failed to stifle a yawn. "I'll try to see you tomorrow night if I can get Mitsy to open the doorway again."

"I'll understand if you don't," commented Ginny as she lay back down.

"If I don't, at least we will have our scheduled," Draco sneered the word, "time next week plus the Ball the following day."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight Ginny," bid Draco, leaning over and kissing Ginny on the forehead before making his way back into his bedroom. The door vanishing the minute the latch clicked closed. "I love you my beautiful Fireling," finished Draco, resting his forehead on the now solid wall before walking over and collapsing on his bed.