Chapter 10

When Ginny woke the next morning, it was to find herself in a strange room and a strange bed, strange at least until reality hit and the memories of the events from the day before came flooding back. With a groan, Ginny rolled onto her back, her hands over her face. When she felt something slide across her mid-section, Ginny turned her head to the side, meeting someone else's gaze. When recognition of just who it was she was sharing a bed with sunk in, Ginny's eyes widened in fear as panic set in.

"Ginny, what is it? What's wrong?" Draco asked in sleepy concern when he saw the look in Ginny's eyes.

"Get away from me," ordered Ginny, panic and fear lacing her voice as she bolted upright in bed.

"Ginny wait!" Draco pleaded, when Ginny threw the covers back and leapt out of bed, climbing out after her.

"No!" cried Ginny when Draco got too close. "No. Stay away from me. You're going to get me killed!"

"Ginny, listen to me," Draco begged as he tried once more to get close.

"Oh Gods, he's going to kill me. It's not my fault," cried Ginny.

"Ginny, listen to me," Draco ordered, grabbing a hold of Ginny by the arms.

"Don't touch me!" cried Ginny frantically as she fought against Draco's hold. "Let me go!" she pleaded as she finally broke free before running into the bathroom, slamming and locking the door behind her before Draco could follow.

"Ginny let me in," Draco asked as he stopped next to the bathroom door.

"Go away! Please just go away and leave me alone," pleaded Ginny desperately through the door.

"I'm not going anywhere Ginny, not until you let me in and explain," countered Draco.

"There's nothing to explain," cried Ginny. "Please…just go. Before he finds out and comes after me. Draco please…just go!"

"Mr. Malfoy? Miss Weasley?" Severus called as he knocked on the door to the room.

At hearing his name, Draco looked between the two doors. With a sigh, he rested his hand on the bathroom door for a moment before walking over to the door leading to the hall. "Professor Snape?" he asked, surprise evident in his voice.

"Good morning Mr. Malfoy," greeted Severus. "I've come to escort you and Miss Weasley to breakfast," he explained before nodding towards the closet. "There are clothes for you and Miss Weasley in there. I'll wait for you in the hallway while both of you change.

After Severus closed the bedroom door, Draco made his way over to the closet where he dressed in a set of simple black robes. Once he was dressed, he made his way over to the bathroom door, where he tried once more to get Ginny to come out. "Ginny, please come out."

"Go away," came Ginny's frantic cry through the door.

With a sigh of defeat, Draco pushed away from the bathroom door and made his way across the room, opening the door leading into the hallway. "Ginny won't come out of the bathroom Professor."

"I see," nodded Severus. "Go ahead to the dining room then Mr. Malfoy. I'll follow with Miss Weasley shortly and please let the Dark Lord know we'll be a few minutes behind," Severus continued before giving Draco directions.

"Yes Professor," replied Draco before turning and making his way down the hall.

Once Draco was on his way, Severus made his way into the room and over to the bathroom door. "Miss Weasley," he called, knocking on the door.

"Go away," replied Ginny through the door.

Severus stepped back, blinking a few times before shaking his head lightly. "I'm afraid that isn't possible Miss Weasley. So until you come out of there, I'm going to be out here."

"Professor Snape?" asked Ginny tentatively, uncertainty evident in her voice as she cracked open the door.

"Hello Miss Weasley," Severus answered softly. "Is everything alright?"

"Is he gone?"

"Who," pressed Severus lightly.

"Mal…Draco," replied Ginny.

"He's gone to breakfast yes. May I ask, why do you want him gone?"

"Because I can't be with him," replied Ginny quietly as she made her way over to the bed, sitting down heavily. "Because if he finds out I stepped out of line…oh Gods, when he learns of this he'll kill me."

"Miss Weasley…whatever are you talking about? Who will kill you?" Severus asked concerned.

"Lord Malfoy," whispered Ginny, her eyes on her hands. "When he learns I spent the night with his son, he'll kill me."

"Miss Weasley…Ginny…" Severus began still lost. "How will he know? And why would he harm you?"

"He'll know professor, he always knows," cried Ginny as she wiped away a tear, rising form the bed and making her way over to the window. "I am his son's whore, nothing more. I am to service his son once a week. I am not to be alone with him at any other time and for no longer than necessary. When he learns that not only did I do my duty last night but also that I shared his son's bed…He nearly killed me after the mistake of sending my letter with Hedwig. He will kill me over this."

"Shh, deep breaths Ginny. Come, sit down and tell me everything," Severus instructed before leading her to the edge of the bed so she could sit once more.

"Professor, you know about the events that brought me to Hogwarts in search of Sanctuary and you know what he did to me when he learned of my plea. I have spent every day since that day, living in fear," Ginny began as fresh tears fell. "He's always there watching, making sure I do only what I'm contracted to do. If I don't…" she trailed off as memories flashed before her eyes and she began to tremble.

"What was there Ginny?" asked Severus as he laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"My keeper, Blinky Sir," explained Ginny. "Even when I'm alone with Draco, I'm never really alone. Blinky's always there waiting. Waiting to force a potion down my throat or inflict some kind of torture on me.

"This has been going on every week since September and yet you said nothing, even after promising you would report the next time the house-elf attacked you?" asked Severus.

"Yes Sir," replied Ginny. "I tried coming to you Professor but you yelled at me and threw me out of your office. You were the only one I thought I could come to and you turned me away,' countered Ginny.

"When was this?" asked Severus, clearly confused. He had no memory of what of the events Ginny was referring to.

"It was the last week of the Christmas Holidays Professor. I accidentally started to doze off next to Draco when I was woken by a sound coming from the other side of the doorway leading to the Slytherin dorms. I jumped out of bed and started getting my things but I ran out of time and had to hide in the closet. I got trapped in there, I don't know for how long but I had to sit there and listen, listen while Draco made love to Pansy Parkinson. I had to sit there and listen to him tell her how much he loved her. Professor McGonagall said I just needed a little more determination to hold the transformation. Well I suddenly had all the determination I needed on the other side of the closet door so I performed the animagus transformation and sought out the one person I thought I could talk to and you threw me out of your office," explained Ginny.

"I am sorry Ginny, I had no idea of what you'd been through that night. I had been here at a Death Eater meeting and had only just returned when you showed up at my door. I am not trying to make excuses Ginny, all I can do is ask for your forgiveness," Severus said honestly.

"Blinky found me the next morning when I was in my room in Professor McGonagall's chambers. He made sure I got the message from the night before. It was after that that I used Hedwig to send the trunk back to Lady Malfoy. I returned to my room in Professor McGonagall's chambers later that day after a run in with Pansy and Millicent out on the grounds. I must have cried myself to sleep because I woke up there the next morning, only I wasn't alone. Blinky was there with another message from Lord Malfoy. The next thing I remember is waking up in the Hospital Wing," continued Ginny.

"By the Gods Ginny, I am so sorry," sighed Severus at the end. "Listen to me Ginny, I know that you are concerned about Lord Malfoy and his house-elf, but they cannot touch you here. You are here under the Dark Lord's protections; he will not let anyone harm you."

"And Sanctuary was supposed to provide me with that same protection Professor, and yet Lord Malfoy was still able to strike at me around these protections. Whose to say he won't strike out at me in the same way, or even do it himself now that I'm a prisoner of his Lord and Master?" demanded Ginny.

"Because Lord Malfoy has no fear of many things in this world, but the one thing he does fear is his Lord and Master," Severus answered with a slight smile. "We failed you once Ginny, but I can assure you; even if he were to try something here…The one time would be the end, for the Dark Lord would deal with him swiftly and quickly. Give it a second chance," he requested softly. /-/Give me a second chance/-/ he thought sadly.

"I don't have much of a choice do I," commented Ginny sadly as she stood up from the bed. "Is there something I can change into?"

"There are clothes for you in the closet," Severus informed her. "I'll wait for you in the hall while you change," he said rising from the bed.

Ginny nodded in understanding before making her way towards the closet.

As Ginny walked away from him, Severus cast a scanning charm on her to see if his potion worked the way it was supposed to. Getting the answer he expected, Severus turned and made his way out into the hall, Ginny joining him a few minutes later and the two of them making their way down to the dining room where Tom and Draco were waiting.

"Severus, Miss Weasley, good of you to join us. I trust you slept well Miss Weasley," Tom began when they entered the room.

"About as well as could be expected I guess T…Oh…Uhm, forgive me but I don't know how to address you," admitted Ginny quietly a she sat down opposite Draco.

Tom gazed as her a moment before smiling. "In private, such as this," I don't see why you can't continue to call me Tom. It is what you are more accustomed to after all Miss Weasley."

"Thank you…Tom," replied Ginny quietly, her eyes on the plate in front of her.

"Good, well then, there are a few things we need to discuss about your stay," Tom continued as he poured himself a glass of pumpkin juice. "The chains that you both now wear are both your keeper and your protector. They will keep you within the boundaries I have set for you. In other words you may go anywhere on the grounds you like, as long as you stay within the wards that protect the house. The necklaces will let you know when you've strayed too far, are too close to the boundaries of the wards or are nearing an area I have deemed forbidden. I strongly suggest you heed the warnings the necklaces give you. If you do not, the consequences will be most unpleasant. The necklaces will also protect you from harm, regardless of if that harm should come from your own hand or someone else's. In regards to my Death Eaters, neither one of you have anything to worry about. They are being instructed to keep their distance and not speak with you. They will however, watch over you to ensure your safety, so if they tell you to do something, do it, as it is for your own protection. Do you both understand?"

"Yes Tom," replied Ginny quietly as she played with the food in front of her.

"Yes Lord Voldemort," agreed Draco.

"There is one more thing in regards to the necklaces," began Tom as he took a sip of pumpkin juice. "One final measure to ensure your safety. Only the one who placed the necklace on you may remove it. This prevents anyone other than this person from taking you from the grounds. If anyone should try, it will lead to their immediate death. This means that only I may remove your necklace Miss Weasley and only you may remove your necklace Mr. Malfoy."

"Yes Lord Voldemort," Draco replied before turning his attention back to his breakfast.

"Everything alright Miss Weasley?" Tom asked curiously when he saw Ginny's head snap up as she stared at Draco in shock. "I take it Mr. Malfoy neglected to inform you of his decision?"

"Yes Tom," replied Ginny quietly.

"Well that is a matter for the two of you at another time," instructed Tom. "There will be a meeting for all my Death Eaters later today, a meeting the two of you will attend, so that they may see you and be told of their responsibilities where the two of you are concerned. Appropriate clothing will be supplied to the two of you. Now onto the matter of your schooling, Severus?"

"Yes my Lord?"

"You are responsible for ensuring that Mr. Malfoy and Miss Weasley remain caught up in their studies. How you choose to go about that is your concern, just see that it is done," instructed Tom.

"Of course my Lord," agreed Severus, bowing his head slightly.

"The bedroom I have given the two of you will be your sanctuary, your safe haven. From this point on, no one, not even I, will attempt to enter it without your express permission, with the exception of the house-elf I have given you to oversee your care. Is there a problem Miss Weasley?" Tom inquired when he noticed that Ginny had paled considerably at his mention of the house-elf.

"No…" Ginny began swallowing nervously. "No Tom, no problem at all."

"Good. Jezzybelle!" Tom called, summoning a house-elf who appeared at his side seconds later. "This is Jezzybelle. She is the house-elf I have given to you. She will ensure the two of you are well taken care of and have anything you may need," he informed Draco and Ginny before turning towards the house-elf. "Jezzybelle, this is Miss Weasley, your new Mistress, the young lady I was telling you about yesterday. The young gentleman across from Miss Weasley is her companion Mr. Malfoy, he will also be under your care."

"Yes my Lord," replied the house-elf. "Jezzy will take good care of her young Mistress and the young Mistress' young man. My Lord will see. Jezzy do a good job."

"I'm sure you will Jezzybelle. Now why don't you go and say hello to your new Mistress," Tom suggested.

"My Lord…" Severus began in concern, having seen Ginny's initial reaction when the elf showed up.

"Quiet Severus," ordered Tom as he watched the elf approach Ginny, who had dropped her fork the minute the elf started towards her.

Ginny tried as hard as she could to remain calm as the house-elf started approaching her but the minute it got within a foot of where of she sat, fear and panic took a hold of her. She knocked her chair over as she leapt to her feet, tripping over it slightly in her haste to get away from the elf, her breaths coming in short, shallow rapid succession, her fear and panic causing her to start to hyperventilate.

"Bloody hell," cursed Draco leaping to his feet as he watched Ginny back across the room towards the corner, the house-elf following her in confusion.

"Language Mr. Malfoy," chided Severus, earning him a death glare from Draco as he made his way around the table and over to Ginny.

"Get away from me," Ginny pleaded desperately, her attention focused on the house-elf in front of her. "I didn't do anything wrong. Please just leave me alone," she begged as she finally reached the corner, her back hitting the wall.

"Jezzy not going to harm Mistress. Jezzy never harm Mistress," countered the house-elf in confusion and concern as it stepped closer to Ginny, closing the gap between them.

"Get away from me!" begged Ginny as tears started falling.

"Shh Ginny, it's alright," Draco soothed, taking her into his arms as he stepped between her and the house-elf. "You're safe. She's not going to hurt you. I won't let her, I promise."

"It's not my fault Draco. I didn't do anything wrong," sobbed Ginny into Draco's shoulder as she clung to him.

"I know Fireling," Draco soothed as she kissed her temple. "This is not my father's house-elf Ginny. She's not going to hurt you. In fact she seems quite upset that you're afraid of her," he observed.

"Jezzy not mean to upset her Mistress," commented Jezzybelle as she wrung her hands. "Jezzy a bad elf. Jezzy must punish herself…"

"Jezzy no," ordered Draco, turning slightly to look at the elf. "You have done nothing you need to punish yourself over. Your Mistress has had a horrible experience with a house-elf, which is why she reacted the way that she did. You need to earn her trust, that's all."

"How Jezzy do that?"

"Show her that she can trust you and that you will never ever hurt her in any way," instructed Draco.

Jezzybelle gasped in shock. "Jezzy would never ever ever hurt her Mistress. Jezzy is a good house-elf. Jezzy will take excellent care of her Mistress and her Mistress' companion. Mistress will see. Mistress can trust Jezzy," Jezzybelle promised with determination. "Jezzy is sorry for frightening Mistress. Jezzy will make it up to her Mistress," the elf swore before disappearing with a pop.

"It's okay Fireling, the elf's gone," reassured Draco.

"You promise?" asked Ginny tentatively, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I promise," replied Draco, kissing her temple once more before turning his head slightly so he could see Tom. "Lord Voldemort, by your leave, I would like to take Ginny back to our room."

"Of course, Mr. Malfoy," agreed Tom with a nod.

Draco carefully picked Ginny up, with a nod to both Tom and Severus; he carried her from the room.

"Forgive me my Lord," Severus began once Draco and Ginny were gone. "But was that really necessary?"

"Yes Severus it was," replied Tom taking another sip of pumpkin juice. "I had to see for myself if what you said about Lord Malfoy's house-elf was true, and judging by Miss Weasley's reaction, I would say the torture inflicted upon her was more extensive then you led me to believe."

"It was more extensive than I thought my Lord. I learned only this morning that the torture occurred on a weekly basis, not just the few times I told you of," Severus informed him.

"A weekly basis?" demanded Tom, his eyes flashing dangerously.

"I'm afraid so my Lord," replied Severus.

"I see," commented Tom. "And your potion Severus. Was it successful?"

"Thank you," Ginny said quietly once she and Draco were back behind the closed door of their room and he had set her back on her feet.

"What for?" asked Draco in mild confusion.

"For what you did just now, in the dining room," explained Ginny.

"Ginny, you don't have to thank me for that" admonished Draco lightly. "You were frightened, and you had every right to be frightened, which is completely understandable given what my father had his house-elf do to you. Don't apologize," he ordered, placing a finger on Ginny's lips when she tried to do just that. "You have nothing to apologize for. Nothing of what's happened to you is your fault. You're the victim in all this," he told her sternly as he pulled her into his arms, kissing her forehead.

"Why are you here?" asked Ginny quietly a short time later, her voice muffled against Draco's shoulder.

"What do you mean?" countered Draco in puzzlement as he pulled back slightly, brushing strands of Ginny's hair behind her ear.

"Tom said that you put this on," Ginny said as she traced the bit of Draco's necklace, which was showing through his robes, with her fingers.

"I did," admitted Draco as he caressed Ginny's cheek.

"Why? Why give up your freedom like that?" Ginny questioned curiously.

"Isn't it obvious?" asked Draco a hint of teasing in his voice. When he saw the look of confusion on Ginny's face, he took pity on her. "It was you."

"Me?" asked Ginny in bewilderment as she stepped back from Draco. "Why would you stay because of me? What about Pansy?"

"What about Pansy?" asked Draco in confusion.

"You love her, I know you do. I heard you tell her so yourself," replied Ginny.

"Ginny, what are you talking about? I don't love Parkinson, I love you," Draco countered.

"I heard you Draco," argued Ginny. "I heard you tell her how much you love her and then I had to listen to Pansy go on about what a great lover you are…"

"Ginny, I have no idea what you're talking about," Draco told her, taking a hold of her arms. "I would never tell Parkinson that I love her and I sure as hell would never sleep with her, not willingly at least."

"I saw you Draco. I saw you and I heard you," argued Ginny.

"When?"

"Christmas Holidays Draco," Ginny said stepping away from him and walking over to the window. "It was the night I was late meeting you. I dozed off next to you and was woken when I heard Pansy coming into your room. I hid in the closet. I didn't want to believe what I was hearing at first so I peeked out the door and that's when I saw the two of you. It wasn't all that long after that that I heard you tell her that you loved her. I thought…"

"What did you think?" pressed Draco quietly as he stepped up behind Ginny, resting his hands on her shoulders.

"I thought that if I didn't let you kiss me, that if I denied you just that one little part of me, that it wouldn't hurt so much when you left me but that night…that night showed me that it didn't matter what I tried to deny you, it was going to hurt just as much regardless," Ginny said wiping away a few escaping tears.

"Is that why you've never let me kiss you?" asked Draco in astonishment as he turned Ginny around to face him.

Ginny nodded as Draco wiped away her tears.

"Ginny, I believe you when you say that that is what happened that night, and for that I so terribly sorry but I honestly had no idea it was Parkinson I was making love to. I thought it was you, that you had decided to stay the night for once," explained Draco. "But that does explain why Parkinson started hanging off me more than normal after the holidays."

"It was then that I realized…"

"Realized what?"

"It was then that I realized that no matter how hard I tried to deny it, I was in love with you, but I also realized that no matter how much I loved you, I could never truly have you," Ginny said as she stepped away from Draco and made her way towards the bed.

"But you do have me Ginny," Draco told her grabbing her by the hand and turning her back to face him. "Lord Voldemort gave me the choice. I could stay here with you or I could return to Hogwarts. I chose to stay. I chose to be with you," he said as he caressed her check once more.

"But why me? Why choose me?"

"Because I love you," Draco said leaning close.

"You love me?" asked Ginny, still uncertain as Draco continued to close the distance between them.

"More than life itself," replied Draco as he closed the last remaining space between them and finally, for the first time, kissed the woman of his dreams.

"Don't," pleaded Ginny softly when Draco broke away a short while later. "Don't stop," she urged as she began unbuttoning Draco's robes.

"Ginny are you sure?" asked Draco curiously, putting his hand over Ginny's and stopping their progress.

"I'm sure," replied Ginny. "I'm not doing this because I have to. I'm doing it because I want to. I need to do this Draco. I need you…"

Ginny's words trailed off as Draco reclaimed her lips for another soul searing kiss, as he carefully started removing Ginny's robes before picking her up and carrying her over to the bed, where he spent the better part of the morning and early afternoon making love to her.

Harry was a wreck. It had been over twenty-four hours since the wards around the school had sounded and it had been discovered that both Ginny and Draco were missing and Ron was found unconscious near the gates with Draco's broom on the ground next to him. The minute he had learned of Ginny's disappearance, a nagging worry settled in the pit of his stomach that her disappearance had something to do with not only her involvement with Draco, since he too was missing, but also with whatever it was that she could not tell him.

His worry increased when Hermione had pointed out at lunch a short while ago that Severus was also mysteriously absent having not seen him since lunch the day before, before Ginny and Draco disappeared.

He was now sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room, attempting to study but found his mind wandering back to Ginny and what could have happened to her. He had been staring into the fire for a while when it happened. When his vision blurred and he was no longer staring into the Common Room fire, instead he found himself standing in a room full of Death Eaters.

"Welcome my followers," greeted Tom as he stopped in front of his throne. "I have summoned you all here for a very important announcement. As you are all aware, looking to the future is vital for each and every one of you. I am no different. I too must look to the future, but when I did, I did not like what I saw. And so I made plans to change this bleak future. A future that affected not only me but all of you, my loyal followers as well. And so I present to you, my faithful, our future. Severus!" he called as the doors to the throne room opened to reveal Severus waiting on the other side.

As Severus made his way into the throne room, the Death Eaters divided, allowing him a clear path to Tom's throne.

Harry was not prepared for who he saw enter the throne room behind Severus. "Bloody hell."

"My followers, I'm sure some, if not most of you, recognize the young couple now standing before you," Tom said once Ginny and Draco were standing on the dais next to him.

"Forgive me my Lord," interrupted Nott. "But what do Miss Weasley and young Master Malfoy have to do with our future?"

"Everything," replied Tom. "They are your future. They and the child she carries. A child I claim as my heir."

"Oh Gods," cried Ginny in shock, falling backwards a step as Tom's words sunk in.

Only Draco heard Ginny's cry as Tom's pronouncement created quite a stir amongst the Death Eaters. "Silence!" ordered Tom, causing all commotion to stop.

"You bitch!" hissed Lucius as he shoved his way through his fellow Death Eaters, drawing his wand in the process. "Crucio!" he sneered, thrusting his wand in Ginny's direction.

"NO!" cried Draco as he leapt in front of Ginny, wrapping her in his arms protectively as the curse bounced off his back and hit Peter, who was cowering nearby.

Immediately silence fell over the hall, save for Peter who was crying out in pain. For a moment at least before every Death Eater save Lucius and Peter immediately pointed their wands at Lucius.

"That was not a wise decision Lucius," Tom began as he cast a silencing charm around Peter to silence him. "I had hoped the stories of what you did to the mother of my heir were greatly exaggerated, I'm disappointed to learn they were not."

"The girl is nothing but a vapid, social-climbing little slut my Lord who has somehow managed to bewitch my son into thinking he cares for the little slut. She's nothing but a whore my Lord," replied Lucius.

"Silence!" Tom ordered as he rose. "She is the one I have chosen to be the mother of my heir, of the two, she is of higher status to me than your son, or you yourself for that matter Lucius."

"My Lord, you can't be serious?" demanded Lucius incredulously. "There are other girls, more appropriate girls than this whore of a mudblood loving fool, for you needs. Purebred girls who would be more than willing to carry your child my Lord."

"Lucius, I didn't ask for your opinion about Miss Weasley, nor do I desire it. And it would do you good to keep those opinions to yourself from this point on," Tom answered evenly. "Severus, escort Miss. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy back to their rooms, I don't believe the mother of my heir has need to witness this."

"Of course my Lord," replied Severus with a bow. "Miss Weasley, Mr. Malfoy if you'll follow me," he instructed before turning and starting back across the throne room, Ginny and Draco following in his wake as Avery and Nott took up rear guard positions to prevent any more attacks on the young couple.

"What are they going to do to him Professor?" asked Ginny quietly once they were out in the hall, Avery and Nott remaining in the throne room and closing the doors behind them. "Oh Gods!" cried Ginny in dismay, her hands quickly covering her mouth as a scream could be heard coming from the throne room.

"Come on Ginny, lets get you upstairs," Draco said putting his arm around her shoulders and leading her off down the hall.

"GINNY!" cried Harry bolting to consciousness, finding himself in the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Harry what is it? What's wrong?" questioned Hermione worriedly as she fell to her knees next to Harry, who now found himself lying on the floor.

"Dumbledore. I have to see Dumbledore," replied Harry as he rubbed his scar, which was now an angry red colour and throbbing.

"You had a vision, didn't you?" asked Hermione as Harry rose unsteadily to his feet. "It was You-Know-Who wasn't it?"

"He has Ginny," Harry called back as he raced from the Common Room, all the way up to Albus' office. "Professor Dumbledore!" he cried practically falling through the door into the office.

"Harry, are you alright?" Albus asked concerned as he rose from behind his desk.

"Vision…Ginny…Vold…Voldemort…" Harry managed to get out as he tried to catch his breath.

"Alright Harry, take deep breaths and come sit down. Then explain everything to me," Albus instructed as Harry made his way towards the desk and he summoned a glass of water.

Harry collapsed into a chair opposite Albus, his head in his hands and his elbows on his knees. "He has them Sir. He has Ginny."

"Who does Harry?" asked Albus sitting forward in his chair, all twinkling gone from his eyes.

"Voldemort Sir," Harry answered raising his gaze to meet Albus'. "Voldemort has Ginny and Malfoy."

"How can you be certain it is Voldemort that holds Miss Weasley and Mr. Malfoy? It could very well be that Lord Malfoy has succeeded in getting Miss Weasley from the grounds with his son's help," Albus suggested.

"It's Voldemort Sir. It's the Dark Lord holding them. I'm sure of it," replied Harry.

"And yet you have no proof Harry. We will just have to wait for Professor Snape to return…"

"I had a vision Professor," Harry said interrupting Albus.

"Harry you know how vitally important it is that you keep up with your Occlumency," Albus chided sternly. "You must not allow Voldemort access to your mind. You know what happened the last time you allowed your curiosity over what you were seeing to cloud your judgment and we both know the outcome of these events."

"Yes Professor, but this time it was different," Harry argued.

"Different how Harry?" questioned Albus as he sat back in his chair, his fingers steepled before him.

"Well for starters, I wasn't asleep when it happened. I was studying in the Common Room," Harry began, rubbing his scar absently. "Before, when he first started breaking into my mind, it was with a purpose. It was to draw me out, to get me to do something or go somewhere."

"And you're saying this vision was not like that?" questioned Albus sceptically.

"Yes Sir," replied Harry.

"How so?"

"It wasn't directed at me. I wasn't even mentioned Professor," replied Harry.

"Then how can you be certain it was a vision and not a dream?" pressed Albus. "I am aware of your feelings for Miss Weasley Harry and I know how much time the two of you have been spending together, even though she is not free to be with you in the way that you desire. How can you be sure that what you saw is real and not some fanciful dream of a love struck teenager?"

"This is not some fanciful dream Professor," argued Harry, hurt that the Headmaster was refusing to believe him. "If you don't want to believe me than fine Professor," he said standing up. "But I know that what I saw is real and what I saw was Ginny Weasley and Draco Malfoy being held by Voldemort. If you're not going to do anything to try and get them back, fine, I will."

"You will do no such thing Harry," Albus warned rising and leaning across his desk.

"He's right," came a voice from the doorway.

"Severus," Albus greeted as he signalled the other man to come in. "Harry and I were just finishing," he said, giving Harry a look that said the discussion was now over.

Harry turned and stalked over to the door, stopping before Severus who was still standing in the doorway, blocking his path.

"I think Potter should hear what I have to say Headmaster," commented Severus from the door.

"If you're certain Severus."

"I am."

"Very well then, both of you please take a seat," Albus instructed.

"Potter's right Headmaster," Severus began once everyone was seated, causing Harry to turn and stare at him in shock.

"How so?" asked Albus.

"Miss Weasley and Mr. Malfoy must be rescued from Lord Voldemort and soon. Potter must defeat Lord Voldemort in the next nine months. If he doesn't, it will be too late and the death of the Dark Lord will be of little consequence," replied Severus.

"Within nine months?" asked Albus, expecting clarification.

"Yes Headmaster, within nine months," confirmed Severus.

"Why such a short time frame?" questioned Albus curiously.

"It really is true then Professor. What he said about Ginny?" Harry interrupted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm afraid so Mr. Potter," Severus told him. "You must kill Lord Voldemort before the ritual can take place, otherwise it will be too late and all will be lost."

"Is she alright Professor?" asked Harry in concern as worry laced his voice.

"As well as can be expected, given her current situation Mr. Potter," Severus reassured. "The experience was not a violent one for her. I made sure of that Mr. Potter and Lord Voldemort has ordered that she and Mr. Malfoy are to be left alone. Lord Voldemort wants Miss Weasley kept as comfortable as possible and for no harm to come to her."

"Is it Malfoy's?" asked Harry out of morbid curiosity. "Draco's?" he clarified.

"Is what Mr. Malfoy's Severus?" asked Albus in confusion. "What is Harry talking about?"

"Miss Weasley is with child Headmaster," replied Severus. "Mr. Malfoy's child."

"I see," commented Albus.

"A child Lord Voldemort plans to claim as his heir Headmaster," continued Severus.

"Then we have precious little time to waste," Albus noted as the three set to work on trying to figure out how to go about killing the Dark Lord once and for all.