A/N: Hey guys! I'm back, and raring to go! I've read the newest Harry Potter book (In just 9 hours I might add, very proud of myself!), and have plenty of ideas for my latest fanfiction. (Incidentally, I couldn't believe who the half-blood prince was, though I probably should have, it was kind of obvious now that I think about it! I reckon the books get better as they go along, The Half-Blood Prince is my new favourite.)
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this except the actual story below and in future chapters, now do you mind if I get on with it? No? Good.
Xela
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She shivered, and wrapped her arms around her thin body. The dungeon was entirely dark, and the stone floor cold. It was like a scene out of her nightmares, except this one was very real. She distantly heard screams, and although the sound terrified her, they were of no concern to her at the present moment. She just wanted to be warm. What I wouldn't give to have a cup of Mum's famous cocoa, and one of her horrible crochet rugs. She felt tears prickle in her eyes at the thought of her mother. Correction. What I wouldn't give to see her; just one last time. She hadn't seen anyone since she was brought here, asleep, the night after Bill and Fleur's wedding. It had been a few weeks, maybe a month, since she had woken up in this horrible place. She didn't know where she was, didn't know who had put her here, with no food and little water. All she knew was that she wanted to go home, and never leave the safety of her mother's arms again.
Feeling the now familiar pangs of hunger, she groaned, and clutched her aching stomach. She'd never known hunger before, her family may not have been very wealthy but at least she had been fed and warm.
Startled out of her reverie by the sound of the bolts on the door being pulled back, she shrunk back against the wall, afraid. The door opened- a beam of light crossed the floor causing Ginny to whimper as it hit her eyes, and the stench of blood followed whoever it was in. They laughed, and Ginny flinched. It was a male, definitely, and she really didn't like the sound of that laugh. He walked over to her and lifted up her chin, smirking, taking in her thin, shivering body clothed in nothing but a thin cotton nightgown.
"So girlie, think you're ready to talk?" the man asked harshly. She remained quiet, and he slapped her.
"Now, now Macnair, We was told to get the wench out so we could put this room to…ah…better use."
Her eyes widened. She knew where she was, but now she wished she didn't. She now realised what the sticky substance on the walls was, and shuddered.
"That's right girlie. It's blood," Macnair said menacingly, and pulled her up roughly. She cried out in pain, and they forced her out of the room none too gently. She could hardly walk, the lack of food, water and use had taken its toll. She was no longer the healthy girl she once was, but a mere shadow of the girl who was already fading from her mind. They shoved at her, moving her down the hall to another cell, where they pushed her in, and she fell to the floor.
"Please, sir… Some food…I'm so hungry…" she trailed off, afraid of their reactions to her request, but they just laughed.
"Maybe if you're a good little girl missy, then the master might decide to take pity on you," the other sneered, and they left the room laughing.
She lay on the floor for what seemed eternity before she had the strength to look around her new prison. It was dimly lit by a small window high up in the wall and seemed a little cleaner than the one she had just vacated. At least she could tell whether it was night or day. It was only after a minute that she realised she wasn't alone. She crawled over to the body hunched over in the corner, and put her hand on his arm. He looked up quickly, and her relief changed to hatred.
"Malfoy," she hissed.
"Weaslette," he hissed back, and moved away from her. She did the same thing and moved as far away from him as she could before curling up in a ball and trying to get herself warm. She found herself once again thinking of her mother and she sobbed quietly as she let the cold take over.
"If we sat together, it would be a bit warmer," a small voice came out of the shadows many hours later, and Ginny started. Is this really Malfoy?
"Yeah right, since when would you ever want to sit with a Weasley?" she sneered, her teeth chattering.
"I've been so cold, for so long…I don't know how long I've been in here. A few months I suppose," he said, and whimpered.
She blinked in shock.He must have been in here since Dumbledore's death- Harry told me how Malfoy couldn't kill him. She suddenly pitied the poor guy, and moved back across the room. She reached him, and sat down beside him, leaning against the wall.
"Why are you in here?" she asked softly, though she already knew the answer.
"I'm weak. I couldn't fulfil my duties," he said harshly, his voice cracking.
"There's nothing weak about wanting to kill someone," she said softly, and fell silent. They sat there, barely touching, but she already felt a little warmer.
"I'm sorry about before," she said a few minutes later. "You're right, I feel a little bit warmer," she added quietly.
"Me too," he said, replying to both statements.
"Have they fed you at all?" she asked, noting that his body was just as thin as hers, most likely thinner.
"Once a fortnight or so they bring in a bucket of water-" he gestured to a bucket near him, "and some bread, I don't know how much, maybe half a loaf.
What about you?"
"Only water," she said wincing as the hunger pangs hit her again. He wriggled around a bit and produced a slice of bread, which he handed to her.
"Uh...Thankyou," she said gratefully, surprised at his kindness, and ate it ravenously.
"Don't worry about it. The girl who brings it in snuck me a little extra last time."
"It was still very nice of you to give me it," she insisted.
"Well, I suppose we're in this together. Better get some sleep, little Ginny," he said, and shifted a bit to allow her to curl up with him. Surprised at him using
her first name, she leant her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes, feeling warmer than she had felt for a long time.
Ginny woke up and removed herself from Draco's arms, feeling somewhat embarrassed. She crawled over to the bucket and cupped her hands, scooping
water up and drinking it eagerly. The cold water soothed her cracked and dry lips, and she sighed delightedly.
"Going to drink all my water, are you?" Draco asked, having woken when she had moved.
She blushed. "I'm sorry, I just-"
"It's okay, have as much as you want."
Again Ginny was surprised at the way Draco was treating her, but, still thirsty, she turned back to the bucket and drank several more handfuls before
moving back to Draco.
"Here," he said, and broke a piece of bread in half. He handed her one of the halves and she smiled gratefully. It didn't do much to ease the hunger pains, but, between the water and the little bit of bread, she was feeling a little better. She moved closer to him, for even though it was daytime- as far as she could
tell- it was still very cold. He put his arm around her and they sat there silently for hours before falling asleep once again.
A group of wizards quietly entered the dungeons, having broken through the enchantments around the old house, and checked each room.
"Ugh," one of them whispered, looking in the (almost) empty blood splattered room.
"Come on Tonks," another whispered, and she moved away to continue searching.
"Neville?" another voice said incredulously, and was shushed quietly by several others. Neville Longbottom was pulled quickly out of a cell and two of the wizards took him outside where they would be able to disapparate.
"I've found her," Tonks whispered. "But Draco Malfoy is with her."
There were a few gasps of surprise that were quickly muffled, and then one voice spoke.
"Bring him too, Harry told us how he couldn't bring himself to kill Dumbledore- that's probably why he's in here. He certainly looks as though he's been in
here since Snape killed Dumbledore, poor chap."
Bill picked up his sister and strode out, Tonks and Moody accompanying him, while Kingsley Shacklebolt picked up Draco- cursing at how light the poor boy was- and followed, the rest of the wizards followed after them, making sure they wouldn't be attacked from the rear.
Ginny awoke to sunlight streaming in the window and looked around, confused. Am I dreaming? She thought to herself as she recognised the room she stayed in at number 12, Grimmauld Place. She was about to pinch herself when the door opened and her mother came bustling in, carrying a tray of food.
"Mum," she said wonderingly, and Mrs Weasley jumped, nearly dropping the tray.
"Ginny!" She cried, and, after putting down the tray, bent down and hugged her daughter tightly.
"Mum!" she gasped in pain and her mother let go.
"Ginny, I'm so glad you're alright!" her mother said, and burst into tears. "What with Percy still not talking to us, and Ron, Harry and Hermione leaving-"
"They've left?" Ginny asked, her heart sinking.
"Yes dear, they left the night you were taken. They had no idea, else they would have stayed."
"Oh," was all Ginny could say, as she thought of Harry. I hope he's okay.
"Anyway, I've got a tray of all your favourite foods here, you're way too skinny, why when I get my hands on those death eaters," Ginny listened to her mother's chatter, still trying to accept that she was safe and warm and back where she belonged, with her family, or what was left of it.
"I 'ave given ze boy the tray you gave me," Fleur swept in and rushed to Ginny's side. "Oh Ginny I was so upset when I found out you 'ad been taken, and on our wedding night!"
"Who?" Ginny asked.
Fleur stopped. "I'm begging your pardon?"
"Who's the boy?"
"Why, ze boy they found with you!"
"Draco? Draco is here?"
"Of course 'e is 'ere. E's in worse shape than you are, my sweet Ginny!"
"Is he alright?" Ginny asked, and made to get up, but Mrs Weasley pushed her back down onto the bed.
"Yes he is, but why are you so worried?" Mrs Weasley asked disapprovingly. "What about Harry?"
Ginny laughed. "Oh mum, it's nothing like that! Can you really see me falling for him? No, he was just surprisingly kind to me while we were in that cell together- he gave me the only food I've had since the wedding."
"Of course, the food!" Mrs Weasley grabbed the tray and put it on her daughter's lap. "Here, eat up!"
"Thanks mum," Ginny said, and began to eat hungrily, although she couldn't eat much.
"Ginny, eat up! Come on!"
"I can't mum. I'm full. Really, I am," Ginny said gently, but her mother looked worried.
"I suppose it's just because you're not used to eating, but I'll leave it here in case you want some more."
"Oh thanks mum, but listen, do you reckon I could have a shower? I smell really bad, you know, after living in a dungeon for the last month or so."
"Of course dear. Fleur, can you get Ginny a towel?"
"Of course Molly. I'll be right back," she said and hurried from the room.
Molly sighed. "I've grown to like that girl. She's been very supportive over the time that you were missing."
Fleur hurried back in and handed Ginny a huge fluffy yellow towel. "'Ere Ginny."
Ginny thanked her, then went to stand up, and collapsed. Mrs Weasley nearly fainted, and Fleur hurried out of the room to come back with Bill a moment later. He picked up his sister and gently laid her back on the bed.
"Geez sis, you really do smell bad," he said gently. "But don't go killing yourself just for a shower," he turned to Fleur. "Honey, I've got to go to work.
Something came up, but I'll be home for dinner. Don't forget how I like my steak, okay?" he asked, grinning.
"Rare like any normal person!" she said happily. "I'll 'ave it ready for you when you get 'ome," she said, smiling at him.
"Thanks love," he said, kissing her cheek as he walked out.
"Well, uh, mum, do you think you could help me to the shower?" Ginny asked weakly.
"Uh, sure dearest. Mobilicorpus!" Mrs Weasley waved her wand and levitated Ginny into the adjoining bathroom.
Ginny grinned. "Hey, that was pretty fun! Thanks mum."
Mrs Weasley just lowered her gently into the bath and left the room, depositing the towel on the floor and closing the door.
Ginny pulled off the nightgown and looked down at herself. Her ribs were sticking out, and her breasts were small. She choked back a sob, and turned the taps on, filling the bath with steaming water. It felt beautiful, getting all the grime and urine off her, being clean for the first time in a month. She turned off the tap and wrapped herself in the towel, still sitting down.
"Mum," she called, and her mother came bustling in with some clothes for her. She helped her daughter get dressed and levitated her out of the bathroom
onto the freshly made bed.
"How's Draco?" Ginny asked, concerned.
"He won't eat," now even Mrs Weasley sounded worried about him. "We cleaned him up-" she blushed slightly. "I mean Lupin did, but all he does is lie
there, staring out the window."
"Can I see him? I could try to get him to eat," Ginny asked her mother.
"I suppose," she said reluctantly, and raised her wand to levitate her out of the room.
Ginny was sat down in a chair next to Draco's bed, and what her mother said was right. Draco lay still, and his eyes were dull. His hair was lank; the only
sign he was alive at all was the slight rising and falling of his chest as he breathed.
She picked up a glass of water. "Draco," she said softly, and he turned his head slightly to look at her.
"Please Draco, please drink something," she said pleadingly, holding the glass out to him.
He just lay there, staring up at the ceiling.
"Come on Draco, it'll make you feel better," she said, and helped him to sit up. She held the glass to his lips and he took a sip before moving his head away.
"Just a little bit more," she beseeched him. He looked up at her and took another small sip.
'That's it," she said encouragingly. "A little bit more."
She pleaded with him again and again, and he eventually finished the glass.
She then pulled over the tray and took the bowl of ice cream off it (Enchanted to never melt!) and spooned up a little bit.
"Here, do you remember the taste of ice cream? It's one of my favourite foods, I bet it's one of yours too," she said, and he opened his mouth slightly to let
her put the spoon in. He swallowed and reached for the spoon. She gave it to him and he spooned another little bit into his mouth. While it was a painstakingly slow process, Ginny watched with baited breath as he finished off the ice cream. She laughed delightedly, and he smiled at her, a glimmer of life showing in those scarily lifeless eyes.
It's a step. A small one, but a step all the same, she thought to herself as she laughed.
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I hope you liked the first instalment of my newest fic! I've completed another, called True Colours, if you liked this one. Please review, I'll love you forever,
I swear! Reviews make me write more, and they make me feel good, so please review!
Xela