Chapter 3
Draco and Ginny did not get to see each other privately again that week until it was time for them to renew the contract between their families, and even then they were not alone, Draco was not aware of their chaperone although Ginny was and she felt the pain that proved it. Their second time together proceeded much the same as their first time had and after spending a number of hours in bed with Draco, Ginny stumbled back into her rooms, Blinky's pain curse the strongest she had yet felt because she had had the audacity to doze off in Draco's arms that night. It was a mistake she would never let happen again, swearing it as she collapsed onto her bed, giving into the sweet oblivion of unconsciousness.
Late the following afternoon, Draco convinced Mitsy to open the passageway between his and Ginny's rooms so that he could surprise Ginny and escort her downstairs to meet up with his parents before everyone left for the ball. Draco was not prepared for the vision that met his eyes when he entered Ginny's bedroom. Although Ginny's back was towards him, he could see her reflection in the mirror. She was even more beautiful then when he saw her after she first arrived a week earlier. Ginny's hair had been pulled up into an elaborate French twist, his mother's triangular shaped, diamond tiara resting just in front of the hair piled on top of her head, the diamonds a cool contrast to the fiery redness of her hair.
"You're beautiful," Draco complimented breathlessly.
"Merlin!" exclaimed Ginny in shock as she looked at Draco in the mirror. "You startled me. What are you doing here anyways?"
"I came to escort you to the Ball of course. And I'm very sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Draco apologized as he walked up behind Ginny and rested his hands on her shoulders.
"You shouldn't have come here," admonished Ginny as she fastened her earrings. "If your father finds out…"
"He's not going to find out Ginny," reassured Draco. "As far as he's concerned we met in the hall on the walk downstairs. Here let me help you with that," Draco offered as he helped Ginny fasten her necklace.
"Thank you," commented Ginny once the choker was fastened.
"Now come here," instructed Draco, taking Ginny by the hand and helping her from the seat in front of her vanity. "I want to see just how beautiful you are, all of you, not just your pretty face."
Ginny could not help the light blush that spread across her face at Draco's words.
When Draco got a good look at Ginny, he was struck speechless. Ginny had not only his mother's diamond tiara in her hair but she also wore diamond string earrings, a five-band diamond bracelet on her right wrist and a five-strand diamond choker nestled snugly at the base of her neck. Her dress was a white satin sleeveless ball gown, embroidered with fine silver threads and diamond dust.
Ginny started to worry the longer Draco simply stood there staring at her. "Is something wrong? Do you not like it? Is it not the right thing to wear? Your mother, she…" Ginny's words trailed off as Draco laid a finger on her lips to silence her string of questions.
"You. Are. Beautiful," Draco reassured her. "No, not beautiful. You're stunning…you're gorgeous…you're a…a Goddess."
"You really think so?" asked Ginny nervously.
"Yes I do. No one will be able to take their eyes off you tonight, but don't worry, I have no intention of leaving your side even for a moment," assured Draco. "Now shall we?" he asked, placing a white satin cape around Ginny's shoulders, before holding out his arm.
Once Ginny had taken his arm, Draco led her from her room and down to the Entrance Hall, where his mother and Father were waiting.
"Ginevra, don't you look simply lovely this evening," purred Lucius, hiding his fury at seeing Ginny on his son's arm, under cool indifference. "Might I have a word with you, it won't be but a moment and then we will be on our way."
"Of course Lord Malfoy," agreed Ginny, sharing a concerned look with Draco before following Lucius from the Entrance Hall and into his study.
Once Ginny was in the room, Lucius threw up privacy wards and silencing spells before back handing Ginny across the face hard enough to once more split her cheek and send her crashing into his desk, cracking a few ribs in the process. "I guess you really are as thick as I always suspected your family to be," snarled Lucius as he grabbed Ginny by the arm and hauled her back to her feet. "I thought you had learned your lesson last week about presuming yourself to be a member of this family but I guess the lesson just didn't take so I'll just need to teach you a new one," he sneered coldly as he threw Ginny to the ground. "Has the little whore got nothing to say for herself? Oh yes Ginevra, that is what you are, a whore. A high priced one, but a whore none the less," Lucius informed her as he began raining heavy blows across Ginny's body with his snakehead cane. "How dare you presume yourself worthy of my son; you are nothing Ginevra," he sneered as he grabbed Ginny by her hair, pulling her torso up off the floor as he knelt down next to her. "You are not here for your protection Miss Weasley but to protect my son. As long as you appear under my control, My Lord will leave my son alone," Lucius informed her coldly as he flipped Ginny onto her back, pinning her to the floor, her arms above her head in one of his hands while the other roamed her body freely. "And as for your lesson in where you belong, I believe that would best be learned under my careful supervision. I think you should spend the nights you are not in my son's company, in mine, learning your place under a Malfoy, beginning tonight," he finished, kissing Ginny forcefully, before rising to his feet in one fluid motion and straightening his hair and robes. "As much as I would like to begin your lessons immediately Ginevra, it would not do to have Draco keep Pansy waiting any longer than necessary. Good day Miss Weasley," Lucius finished before exiting the study and returning to Narcissa and Draco.
"Where's Ginny Father?" asked Draco in concern when Ginny did not return with Lucius.
"It appears that young Ginevra has changed her mind about accompanying us this evening," Lucius offered by way of explanation.
"What did you do to her Father?" demanded Draco.
"I didn't do anything to her Draconis, and don't use that tone of voice with me," snapped Lucius coldly. "You need not concern yourself with why Ginevra does what she does. The only time you need concern yourself with her is when you bed her."
"But Father…"
"Enough Draconis," ordered Lucius harshly. "Your betrothed is waiting for you, let us not keep Pansy and her family waiting any longer than we already have," instructed Lucius as he ushered Draco and Narcissa out the door to the waiting carriage.
Ginny lay still on the floor for a few minutes after Lucius left. Only when she was fairly certain that Lucius would not be returning did she attempt to get up. Ginny carefully made it to her feet, her body protesting the entire time as she fought back tears of pain. "I will not give into the pain. I can't, not yet. Not until I'm someplace safe," commented Ginny fiercely to herself. Taking a look around the room, Ginny realized that it was the same room in which she and Draco had appeared in when she first arrived, as well as the one she and Narcissa had used to portkey to and from Diagon Alley. "This must be one of the main points of entry into the Manor, which means…" Ginny thought aloud as she stumbled to the fireplace, checking everything on the mantle. "Oh thank the Gods," Ginny sighed when she found a box of Floo Powder. Her mind made up, Ginny drew her cloak's hood over her head and threw the Floo powder into the fireplace before stepping in, calling out her destination and disappearing into the green flames.
It was one of Ginny's less than graceful landings out of the Floo network but given her current condition she was just grateful to still be conscious.
"Sweet Merlin!" cried Rosmerta when she saw Ginny collapse to the floor after falling out of her fireplace. "Are you alright Miss?"
"Dumbledore," replied Ginny, her voice laced with pain. "Must…see…Professor…Dumbledore."
"Of course," agreed Rosmerta. "I'll just get him on the Floo…"
"NO!" cried Ginny desperately. "Not safe…need to…get…to…Hogwarts…"
"Miss you can barely stand, how do you expect to make it all the way up to the school?" asked Rosmerta in concern as she watched Ginny pull herself shakily to her feet, the bruising on her arms not going unnoticed. "It would be faster to fire call…"
"Faster yes," agreed Ginny through gritted teeth. "Safer…no. I have to get to Hogwarts before they get back," commented Ginny as she turned towards the door, grateful Narcissa had insisted that all her clothing be spelled to be stain resistant as she was fairly certain at least one of the welts on her back had begun bleeding when she had arrived a few minutes earlier and she was thankful that neither her cloak nor her dress gave any indication of the true extent of her injuries.
"Miss! Wait, let me help you," offered Rosmerta, carefully taking hold of one of Ginny's arms when Ginny stumbled into one of the tables.
Rosmerta helped the mystery woman from the Three Broomsticks, through Hogsmeade and up towards Hogwarts Castle in silence, not wanting to push the girl for information she did not want to share. The mystery woman's voice was familiar to Rosmerta; making her wonder if the stranger was actually a student at the school. She had been fairly certain as to who the mystery woman was until she caught a glimpse of the skirt of the dress the young woman was wearing, knowing that the student she was thinking of could not afford such an extravagant and expensive gown. Even the cloak the woman wore to hide her identity screamed money, leading Rosmerta to believe that it was next to impossible for this young lady to be the student she first believed her to be. As Rosmerta led Ginny into the castle, they came across Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Entrance Hall.
"Rosmerta? What are you doing here? Is everything all right? And who is this young woman with you?" questioned Minerva.
"I'm fine Minerva," replied Rosmerta. "This young woman came tumbling out of my fireplace a few minutes ago asking to see Albus. I thought it best to accompany her," explained Rosmerta.
"Albus is in the Great Hall as dinner is about to begin for the staff that is presently here," explained Minerva as she started towards the doors leading to the Great Hall, indicating for Rosmerta and Ginny to follow her.
"Ah Minerva, there you are," greeted Albus as the three women entered the Hall. "And I see you've brought guests with you," he chuckled, his eyes twinkling merrily. "It's a pity poor Severus is tied up in his lab this evening. I'm sure he would have enjoyed the company of our guests, especially the young lady who has decided to remain hidden in her cloak."
"Forgive me Albus, but as I said to Minerva, she," Rosmerta indicated Ginny, "tumbled out of my fireplace a short while ago insisting on speaking with you in person, despite her condition," explained Rosmerta.
"Her condition?" asked Albus in concern, moving his gaze from Rosmerta to Ginny's cloaked form. "Tell me child, what has brought you here today that is so important you apparently have risked your very health by walking here from Hogsmeade?"
"Sanctuary," replied Ginny shakily.
"I see," replied Albus seriously, the ever-present twinkle disappearing from his eyes. "Filius, Minerva, if you'll come with me please. Rolanda, you as well as Pomona is currently away from the school. As for Severus, I'm afraid he cannot be disturbed presently. Minerva if you would assist our guest, we will all head up to my office," Albus instructed as he led the professors and Ginny from the room, leaving behind the others to speculate about the mystery woman in the white cloak and her plea for sanctuary.
"Albus, what room is this?" asked Minerva when Albus led the group through his office into a previously unknown room.
"This, Minerva, is the Founder's Room," replied Albus as light flared to life illuminating four large portraits, one of each of the four founders of Hogwarts.
"What is the purpose of this room Albus?" questioned Filius Flitwick curiously.
"This room was created by the Founders for the use of the school Headmaster, should he require the advice of the Founders for any reason," explained Albus. "It is also used in situations such as this, when a plea for sanctuary has been made. It is up to the Heads of each House as well as each Founder to determine whether sanctuary will be granted. My role will be to break any stalemates, should one occur."
/-/I may have no other choice/-/ thought Ginny sadly. /-/I can't go back to Malfoy Manor. I won't./-/
"Now then child, tell me why you have come here seeking sanctuary," asked Albus kindly.
"I have nowhere else to go Headmaster," replied Ginny, wrapping her arms around her midsection under her cloak as pain lanced through her body.
"Are you alright child?" asked Minerva in concern when she saw Ginny sway slightly.
"Yes child, are you alright? Rosmerta mentioned you appeared injured," commented Albus.
"Oh please!" cried Rolanda Hooch in annoyance. "We have seen no proof of any injuries. All we have is the word of a barmaid."
"Is this enough proof?" asked Ginny as she carefully undid the clasp of her cloak, removing the hood from her dishevelled hair, allowing the cloak to pool on the floor around her and showing everyone in the room the welts, cuts and bruises that covered the parts of her body and face not hidden by her dress, revealing her identity in the process.
"Miss Weasley?" squeaked Filius in shock being the first to recognize the young woman before them.
"Yes Professor," replied Ginny.
"Oh dear, you poor child," soothed Minerva as she took Ginny carefully by the arm when Ginny stumbled after being hit by a dizzy spell. "Who did this to you child?"
"Lo-Lord Malfoy," replied Ginny as Minerva helped her into a chair Albus had conjured for her.
"Lord Malfoy? As in Lord Lucius Malfoy? He did this to you Miss Weasley?" asked Albus neutrally.
"Yes Professor Dumbledore. As a reminder of my place," Ginny informed them. "This was merely the first part of my lesson."
"What do you mean by lesson Miss Weasley?" asked Minerva, afraid of what Ginny's answer might be."
"Sweet Merlin Minerva!" cried Rolanda in annoyance before Ginny could answer. "You can't honestly tell me that the lot of you truly believe these lies? What reason would Lord Malfoy have for associating with the likes of a Weasley, who is so far beneath the Malfoys as to go unnoticed by them?"
"That is enough Rolanda," ordered Albus before turning his attention back to Ginny. "What was this about a lesson Miss Weasley?"
"I made the mistake of accepting the invitation of Lord Malfoy's son to accompany him to the End of Summer Ball thereby presuming myself the equal of a Malfoy…"
"You? The equal of a Malfoy?" sneered Rolanda derisively. "A Malfoy whore maybe…"
"Silencio!" cast Albus. "I believe we've heard enough out of you Rolanda," explained Albus sadly.
"Miss Weasley, did you not say you had accepted young Draco's invitation and yet Lord Malfoy did this to you?" asked Filius in confusion.
"Yes Professor…to both," replied Ginny. "Professor Dumbledore, if you turn me away you will leave me with no choice but to go to the Dark Lord. I cannot return to the Burrow as my parents will only return me to Malfoy Manor and I will not go back there. You can see for yourself what I have to go back to, another beating and worse. Please Professor, don't turn me away," pleaded Ginny.
"I think it's time we vote," suggested Albus. "As Severus is unable to join us, he will abstain from voting. All those in favour of granting Ginevra Weasley sanctuary here at Hogwarts, raise your wands," instructed Albus as Minerva, Filius, Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw all raised their wands. "Sanctuary granted. Welcome to Hogwarts Miss Weasley."
"Thank you Professor," replied Ginny gratefully.
Albus dismissed Filius and Rolanda, but not before obliviating the memory from Rolanda's mind. /-/A shame Pomona's not here. She would not have reacted so unfavourably to the poor child/-/ thought Albus as he led Minerva and Ginny back into his office. "Now then," Albus began taking his seat behind his desk. "Minerva, I think it would be best if Miss Weasley stays with you until term begins later in the week. If you will assist Miss Weasley there I will ensure a house-elf is there to assist in preparing Miss Weasley's room as well as sending Severus by with some healing draughts as well as some Dreamless Sleep."
"Of course Albus," agreed Minerva as she took Ginny's hand, carefully putting her other arm around Ginny's waist, leading her from the Headmaster's office.
After leaving Albus' office, Minerva carefully led Ginny to her office and into her private chambers that lay just beyond, where, as Albus had indicated, a couple of house-elves were waiting. The castle had already seen fit to add on an additional room to accommodate Ginny in Minerva's quarters but the room had yet to be furnished, which was what the elves were there to do.
Ginny did her best to hide her fear of the house-elves while she answered their questions about the type of furnishings she required but as soon as Minerva released her hold, Ginny was backing from the room as quickly as possible.
"Miss Weasley, are you alright?" asked Minerva in concern when she noticed Ginny's reactions to the house-elves.
Unable to explain her fear, Ginny merely shook her head.
"Shh Miss Weasley…Ginny, it's alright. You're safe here," soothed Minerva as she took Ginny's hands in hers and led her over to the couch near the fire in the sitting room, helping Ginny to sit down. "You're safe here. No one's going to hurt you," Minerva reaffirmed pulling Ginny gently into her arms and rocking her gently when Ginny finally allowed her tears to flow freely, the tears she had been suppressing since the first blow by Lucius. "Let's get you cleaned up and ready for bed," suggested Minerva as she carefully removed the tiara from Ginny's head and placing it on the coffee table when Ginny's tears started to subside.
Wiping away her tears, Ginny nodded in agreement before following Minerva from the sitting room and into the bathroom, where with Minerva's help, she eventually sunk into a nice bath that soothed her aching muscles and made the welts and cuts sting at first before soothing those as well.
While Ginny had been soaking, Severus had arrived with the required potions. Minerva helped Ginny apply the healing salve to the cuts and welts that littered her body before giving her the bone mending potion for her ribs. After helping Ginny into a nightgown and into her new bed, Minerva made sure she took the Dreamless Sleep potion, staying with her until Ginny was finally sleeping.
When Minerva re-entered her sitting room, she was not prepared to find the Potions Master waiting for her.
"I want to see her Minerva," instructed Severus.
"See who Severus?" asked Minerva.
"The one requiring the potions Minerva, and don't tell me they were for you because we both know that is not the case," replied Severus.
"You're right Severus, they aren't for me, but I'm afraid that she's already sleeping," Minerva informed him.
"Well then send her down to see me tomorrow morning," instructed Severus as he turned to leave.
"Why the sudden interest Severus?" asked Minerva, stopping Severus by the door.
"Because I may be the only person here who can truly understand what she's going through Minerva," replied Severus. "Good night Minerva."
"One more thing Severus," begged Minerva. "Have you ever heard of someone being afraid of house-elves?"
Severus did not answer right away, alternating his gaze between Minerva and the tiara sitting on her coffee table that he had noticed earlier. "Minerva, I must insist on speaking with our guest first thing in the morning. See to it that she comes to see me. Good night Minerva," Severus instructed before leaving Minerva's sitting room.
Ginny woke the following morning to a tapping at the window. It took her a few minutes before she remembered that she was at Hogwarts and what had brought her here the day before. Ginny was hesitant to get out of bed and let the owl in for fear of who it might be from. Lord Malfoy would surely have learned of her disappearance and the first place he would look for her would be the Burrow, so it was not inconceivable that the owl might be from either Lord Malfoy or her family. With a sigh, Ginny pulled herself from her bed and opened the window, letting out a sigh of relief when she recognized the owl as belonging to her mystery lover. Ginny carefully removed the letter and returned to her bed, slowly opening the letter.
My Beautiful Fireling…
As Ginny read the letter she took comfort in the words of undying love and devotion, knowing she would never find that in the arms of Draco Malfoy. When Ginny was done reading the letter she refolded it and placed it carefully on the bedside table, which is when she noticed a folded piece of parchment with her name on it. Wondering who this note could be from, she opened it and quickly scanned it.
Miss Weasley,
I apologize for not being present when you wake but I must attend a meeting with the Headmaster. Please make yourself at home.
Professor Snape has requested that you see him upon waking as he would like to check on your condition seeing as Madam Pomfrey is away and will not be returning for a number of days.
M. McGonagall
/-/I guess I better go see Professor Snape/-/ sighed Ginny. /-/Heaven forbid I should lose Gryffindor points before school even starts. But what do I wear? I can't go in this nightgown and I don't have any other clothes except what I was wearing yesterday/-/ thought Ginny in a panic before sighing in defeat and walking over to the chair her dress was laid across. Picking up the dress she walked into the bathroom to get dressed for her meeting with Professor Snape.
Not long after, Ginny found herself making her way through the dungeons towards Snape's office, grateful she had thought to put her cloak on as well as the dungeons were not that warm, even for late August. Ginny knocked on the office door and waited for her professor to answer. When Severus did not come to the door, Ginny knocked again, a little louder the second time. When there was still no answer, Ginny decided that she would just have to come back later. She was only a few feet from the door when it crashed open, causing Ginny to stop in her tracks, her body tense with fear.
"In the name of the Gods Narcissa, why did you come to the office door," growled Severus in annoyance, causing Ginny's panic to increase.
Ginny forced herself to turn around and face the annoyed Potions Master. "You asked to see me Professor Snape?" asked Ginny nervously as she took a few hesitant steps back towards the office. "Professor McGonagall didn't say where to find you so I just assumed…"
"Miss Weasley?" asked Severus, interrupting Ginny's nervous rambling.
"Yes Professor? Look if now isn't a good time I can come back later," offered Ginny as she stepped back away from Severus, ready to bolt at any moment.
"That won't be necessary Miss Weasley," reassured Severus. "Please come in," he offered, stepping back from the door behind her. "Follow me," he instructed as he led Ginny through his office and into the sitting room of his chambers. "Please sit."
"You seemed surprised to see me sir," commented Ginny as she carefully sat down on the couch before the fire, while most of her minor injuries were healed, some of the more severe ones were still present and her ribs, though healed, still ached.
"I will admit that you were most decidedly the last person I expected to find at my door this morning Miss Weasley," agreed Severus. "I mean no offence Miss Weasley."
"It's alright Professor Snape, none taken," replied Ginny. "Professor Dumbledore said you could not be disturbed yesterday when I showed up here. I guess I just figured Professor McGonagall would have told you when you brought the potions last night."
"She told me nothing more than you were already asleep, so I asked her to send you here this morning," explained Severus. "Which reminds me, have you had any breakfast?" he asked as he handed Ginny a cup of tea.
"No Professor, I came straight here," replied Ginny, taking the cup from Severus.
With a nod, Severus walked to his fireplace and threw in some Floo powder before ordering a light breakfast for Ginny from the kitchens. Minerva's question from the night before had him curious and he wanted to see if his suspicions were correct, so he did no intercept Dobby a few minutes later, when the house-elf appeared with Ginny's breakfast.
Severus watched as Ginny paled at the sight of the house-elf. He watched as her teacup fell from trembling fingers, to shatter on the hard stone floor. He watched as Ginny, her body trembling, backed as far away from the confused house-elf as the room would allow. He watched as Ginny's back hit the wall and she slid down it to curl herself into a protective ball. He watched, as his worst fears about the child were proven true right before his eyes.
"Thank you Dobby," Severus said dismissing the house-elf as he strode to the corner Ginny was currently occupying. "Miss Weasley?" he called out quietly, placing a gentle hand on Ginny's shoulder, only to have her flinch and try to retreat even further into the wall. "Ginny?" he tried again, trying to break through Ginny's mantra of 'I'm sorry.' "Ginny it's alright. I'm not going to hurt you. No one here is going to hurt you. The elf is gone. He can't hurt you, I won't let him," Severus reassured soothingly.
"You promise?" came the quiet request from behind Ginny's arms.
"I promise you Ginny. You're safe here. No one will ever hurt you in these rooms," reassured Severus, who suddenly found Ginny in his arms, silent tears falling down her cheeks.
Severus merely sat there and let Ginny cry for a time before leading her back towards the couch by the fire, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders. "Talk to me Ginny," he encouraged as he took a seat at the opposite end of the couch. "If you're worried about anything you say making its way back to Lucius Malfoy, don't be. Whatever is said in these rooms, stays in these rooms, with the exception of what I feel the Headmaster and your Head of House need to know in order to help you and to protect you."
"What makes you think this has anything to do with Lord Malfoy?" asked Ginny quietly, her gaze on her hands.
"I have known Lucius Malfoy since we attended Hogwarts together and I also know Narcissa as well. I recognized the tiara on Professor McGonagall's coffee table, which is why I expected to see Narcissa at my door this morning.
"Oh," commented Ginny quietly.
"Is he the reason you came here seeking Sanctuary? Is he the one that beat you?" asked Severus gently, not wanting to frighten Ginny more.
"Yes Professor," replied Ginny. "I ran from Malfoy Manor because just before he left after beating me, Lord Malfoy told me my lesson would continue when he returned. It's bad enough I'm being forced to whore myself to Lord Malfoy's son, but I just couldn't let Lord Malfoy…he was going to r…rape me sir. I just…I couldn't…"
"It's alright Ginny," soothed Severus as he ran a comforting hand up and down Ginny's back. "Why don't we start at the beginning? How did you end up at Malfoy Manor to begin with?"
"Just over two weeks ago, I was called downstairs only to find Lord Malfoy and his son in the living room with my parents," began Ginny as she wiped away a few stray tears.
"What were Lucius and his son doing at the Burrow?"
"My parents were reluctant to tell me. They just kept telling me to go back upstairs and start packing. It was Lord Malfoy that finally told me what was going on. That he and his son were there because apparently my life was in danger and that he was going to protect me," continued Ginny.
"How was he going to protect you?" queried Severus.
"He had my parents agree to an arranged marriage between his son and me," replied Ginny. "The paperwork had already been signed and sent to the Ministry before I even found out so I had no choice but to go with Lord Malfoy and his son. When I went back downstairs after packing a few things, that's when I learned that Lord Malfoy offered my parents quite a sum of money for them to agree."
"It is not uncommon amongst the noble families for the groom's family to pay the bride price to the family of the young woman the son is to marry," explained Severus, in explanation for the payment made by Lucius. "Your mother, having been raised by a noble family would know of this practice and would therefore expect it from a family like the Malfoys. What happened when you reached the Manor?"
"I was left with Lady Malfoy. She helped me get dressed for my wedding dinner, which for me never made it past the soup course."
"Why was that?"
"Lord Malfoy started saying things about my upbringing or rather lack thereof and then he started questioning my ability to please his son," Ginny replied. "I was confused. I didn't understand why he would go to all the trouble of arranging a marriage between his son and me, only to treat me like I was a stain on the carpet, so I left but that's when I first learned what Lord Malfoy's true opinion of me was."
"And what might that be?" asked Severus curiously.
"I was nothing more than a body for his son to practice his bedroom skills on since when Harry finally defeats Tom, this sham of a marriage between Lord Malfoy's son and I will be over and his son will be free to marry the girl he still remains betrothed to."
Severus continued to question on the events since Ginny first arrived at Malfoy Manor. He learned about the kindness Narcissa had shown, as well as Draco's treatment. The fact that Lucius would beat the girl did not surprise Severs as he had seen Lucius behave in such a manner many a time in the service of the Dark Lord, he just never thought that Lucius would go so far as to have one of his house-elves do his dirty work. Severus had a new found respect for the young Gryffindor. It took a great deal of courage to go through the type of physical and psychological abuse and not only walk away from it but to seek out help as well.
When they were done talking, Severus gave Ginny another healing potion as well as a mild sleeping potion, letting her get some sleep on his couch while he went to speak with Albus and Minerva.
"Ah Severus, how is Miss Weasley this morning?" asked Albus as the Potions Master entered his office a short while later.
"I gave her another healing potion and a mild sedative," answered Severus as he took a seat in front of Albus' desk, turning down the proffered tea.
"Is she in your quarters or Minerva's?"
"Mine Albus," replied Severus. "She did not know the password to Minerva's. It has also been an emotionally draining morning for her so I thought it best she get some sleep right away."
"I see," commented Albus. "Did she open up to you about what happened to her Severus?"
"Yes she did. She told me everything."
"Why Severus?" asked Minerva from the seat next to Severus. "Why open up to you and no one else?"
"You asked me a similar question last night Minerva," Severus commented. "Did none of you wonder about her attire? Why she was dressed in a manner more befitting one of society's elite than a Weasley?"
"We did Severus, but at the time her injuries were of greater concern," Minerva explained. "Can you tell us how Miss Weasley ended up involved with Lord Malfoy? She claimed he was the one who beat her."
"I can't answer that Minerva, I'm sorry," replied Severus.
"You can't or you won't?" Minerva countered.
"Won't," replied Severus. "I gave Miss Weasley my word that I would only discuss with you what was needed to protect her, everything else remains confidential."
"That's fine Severus," commented Albus. "What can we do other than protect Miss Weasley under Sanctuary?"
"Well to start, she needs proper clothes and she'll need school supplies. Second, we need a way to pair Miss Wealsey with Draco Malfoy so that they can spend time together without raising suspicions," offered Severus.
"But Severus, It was Miss Weasley's involvement with Draco Malfoy that led to her being beaten was it not?" asked Minerva in concern. "And the rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin has only grown stronger since You Know Who's recent return."
"Minerva, Miss Weasley's involvement with the Malfoys is not of her doing. She has found herself trapped in a situation beyond her ability to deal with and has sought out our help. From what she told me this morning, young Draco is also a victim of what is going on, only he is an unknowing one as his father has apparently left him in the dark about certain situations," explained Severus. "And as for getting Miss Weasley and Mr. Malfoy together on a consistent basis, I do have an idea about that…"