Chapter Three, Contact She Would Rather Forget

Ginny hazily opened her eyes; her head felt as if the tiniest movement would trigger an explosion. Pain cursed through every fibre of her body. Food was lying on the floor beside her feet but she did not have the energy to move. Her broken ribs were like daggers in her side.

Footsteps resounded down the corridor, the noise pounding in her head. This is what had woken her up Ginny realised and she prayed that they would pass her cell and leave her be. Her prayers were not answered this morning however: the footsteps paused outside her cell and the door flew open.

Ginny remained on the floor as if sleeping heavily. She would not get up. She didn't believe that she could. The person quickly approached and kicked her non-to-gently in her side. The pain was sickening as her ribs were once more crushed, but Ginny did not open her eyes. She would pretend to be dead if she must, if they could only leave her alone.

The foot collided once more with a particularly tender rib. She did not scream but the pain was excruciating. Her body began to feel light as gravity spiralled into nothing. The room grew dark a second time as she embraced the liberating freedom and her mind closed to her surroundings.

………………………

She woke up in a bed….. a bed? The oddity of this revelation did not occur to Ginny until her fingers curled around cold, silken sheets. Her bed had never felt like this at home. Sunlight was trickling through a window opposite, the curtains carelessly drawn to her right. A chair sat in the darkest corner of the room.

Her ribs no longer hurt, her body no longer ached and the throbbing in her head had gone completely.

Suddenly the room darkened as a tall figure rose from the chair walked to the foot of the bed.

"So your awake then. I was considering the possibility of shaking you or knocking you into consciousness. It was getting a little boring without seeing your miserable face staring through the bars."

Ginny groaned. Draco Malfoy stood, hands in pockets, staring at her angrily. She was not prepared to defend herself against another torrent of abuse. She decided that she would play it cool.

"Is there something I can do for you Malfoy? As you can see, I seem to be indisposed at the moment. Maybe you could come back later?" She was trying her luck and she knew it.

She thought she caught the flicker of a smile, no, a smirk but when she looked again his brow was furrowed and his eyes were dark.

"Is my bed satisfactory?" Ginny jumped, how could she know? She had never been in his bedroom before, let alone seen his slimy bed.

The penny dropped with a sickening thud. She leapt out of the bed attempting to rid herself of his foul, repulsive germs. Looking up she realised that the amusement this caused Draco, must have surely overridden her present state of outrage and disgust.

"Well there's no need to be so rude. You've slept in it long enough." Draco paused, as if pondering whether he should go on then decided this was acceptable and then continued, "I've camped out in my guestroom for the last few days."

Ginny's contempt vanished as confusion clouded her thoughts of revenge and ultimate destruction. "I've been asleep that long?"

"Unconscious I would say. You passed out four days ago, so we carried you here." Then, as an after thought he added, "I um, it was, well, the nearest bedroom."

Ginny did not remember passing out nor could she think what could have been the cause. Her limbs felt heavy and weak. Unable to support the weight of her fragile body, she collapsed to the floor. Uncertain what to do, Draco paused for a few seconds, the cogs wiring in his mind, then as if coming to a very abrupt decision, he took a clumsy step forward a caught her arm (somewhat uncertainly). Ginny grabbed his hand and pulled herself hastily up off the floor without a moments thought. She refused to appear weak in front of the man she despised more than the Dark lord himself, though she feared the other greater.

Ginny wiped her hand against the side of her skirt as an afterthought, trying to rid herself of the contact she would rather forget.

Draco's hand hastily drew back into his pocket and he stepped back moodily. He hand never realised how uncomfortable the guestrooms were in this place. They were not really intended for honoured visitors, rather those who would stay as short a time as possible. He was not going to put up with another night in a lumpy bed.

Ginny pondered whether to get back into the bed or stay standing. In the end she opted for a compromise and perched on the side of the bed, glaring at Draco Malfoy. In an unconscious state, she had felt somehow peaceful but that peace was slowly lifting. She had not thought about Harry in several weeks. She hoped that he was alright. What was more, she hoped that he would rescue her soon.

A tear trickled down her cheek and onto her lap. Wiping it away hastily, she realised that she had been staring at Draco with a peculiar but determined frown. He looked somewhat uncomfortable and coughing, he averted his eyes.

A candle suddenly lit in the corner of the room and a house elf hobbled through a concealed doorway. It placed a tray of food onto the bed then turning its eyes fearfully to Draco, it waited upon an order. Ginny picked up some bread and chewed absently, staring at her hands.

Draco did not look at the elf, but spoke all the same. "Make sure she eats the food, she'll need it. I'll be back with father in a few minutes."

Then, turning to Ginny he spoke again. "He wants to discuss your situation here and the limited value that you have. Be nice to him Weaslette, he can easily dispose off you if you don't co-operate. The Dark Lord has been patient enough."

Ginny didn't need telling twice. She had not eaten for days and she knew she would not have enough energy to fight him. Her mind had hardened during her time in captivity, but her body had become weaker and she was all too aware of it.

Too soon, footsteps resounded down the corridor outside her bedroom. The door flew open and in walked Lucius Malfoy.

A/N Thanks for all the reviews everyone and keep them coming. Sorry the story is so depressing. It will lighten up a bit soon.