Chapter Four, Deal or Die: How Cliché

"Miss Weasley", Lucius Malfoy drawled. Ginny grimaced. He was possibly more abhorrent than his son.

Lucius did not appear put off by this obvious lack of reception, although Ginny suspected that he would prefer if she grovelled at his feet, sobbing and begging for freedom.

Draco stood behind his father smirking. Ginny realised that she had forgotten to wipe the look of evident repulsion from her face and the adult Malfoy was growing impatient.

"Miss Weasley, I hope that your stay with us has been a pleasant one." It was a crude comment, but Ginny could not hold back the tears of laughter. What could she say, the guy was funny. He stood proud and unfazed, apparently waiting for her moment of hilarity to finish. She was clearly very emotionally affected by her imprisonment and he would be patient, for now.

Ginny slowly recovered and though the tears continued to stream down her red face, she stood firm, waiting for his next comment. When he judged a sense of authority to have been re-established, Lucius Malfoy continued.

"As you can see, your surroundings have changed considerably."

"Although no more favourably." Ginny added quietly.

He continued, ignoring the interruption. "The Dark Lord has considered your presence here and feels that there are only two things to be done with you." He paused for a dramatic effect. It was utterly lost on Ginny.

The pause was too long and Ginny was slowly growing red in the face. The concentration it took to contain her laughter was too much.

"If you do not help us, we cannot help you and so we have come to a conclusion. Either you help us, or we will cut short your stay with us. It is as simple as that." Ginny would not be bullied by a man twice her height without some kind of fight and so she stood her ground. "So it's a Deal or Die thing? How Cliché."

"Yes quite, but I warn you, The Dark Lord is not a patient man and neither am I. You have a day a think on it. The deal, which I'm sure you agree is rather reasonable, is as follows:

If you aid us in our conquest, you will be honoured among the Dark Lord's inner circles, and you will live comfortably, your stay with us much more agreeable. And you will be companion to my son for the remainder of your stay.

If, on the other hand you chose to request our generous offer, we will be forced to kill you. You must understand, Miss Weasley, that without your services you are of no use to us.

These are your choices…choose."

Ginny stood for a moment thinking, then seeing that the adult Malfoy was turning to leave said, "when you say, companion to your…" She paused, peering down her nose at the somewhat towering figure, trying to find the best word to describe such an arrogant, slimy prick. "…your son, what exactly does that entail?"

"You keep him company, help him on his rounds, that sort of thing. If we are to refine your character for more proper company, we cannot have you in such primeval guise, and all the manner and grace of a savage."

Ginny was shocked and strangely insulted by this comment, but as if trying 'all the manner and grace of a savage' for size, she spat on his feet and relished in the disgusted groan emitted from his rat-like mouth.

"And will I be given back my wand?"

"I don't think that will be necessary for now do you?" The hope was there however. He had not said 'never'. If she was to escape, she needed her wand. Ever wall was guarded, every door locked and every window sealed. The best thing she could do was to gain their trust, then their support and then finally she would be gone.

The plans for her escape and revenge began churning in her mind. She would try to be nice to Draco Malfoy and gain his trust, perhaps even his friendship. Excitement was building up inside her. Suddenly she had a plan, a focus, something to drive for. The excitement was exhilarating, almost as blissful as freedom. Before she could give herself enough time to think things through properly, Ginny felt the words tumble out of her mouth.

"OK I agree. It's a deal."

"What exactly is a deal Miss Weasley?"

"I will help you as long as you keep to your half of the bargain."

"I am a man of my word." And with that he was gone. Draco remained, however. His features eerily matched her own: oddly pleased with himself.

Ginny sat on the bed, head in hands and her mind wiring. What had she done? She was betraying her friends. If they found out about this deal, she would have no allies: no one to save her. They would simply think she was a traitor, and who knows, perhaps she was. Ginny did not have much time to think about this any further as Draco advanced on her and her small body flew across the bed and onto the floor.

"Well, well. As my companion I expect we're going to have lots of fun." He sneered and picking her easily off the floor and threw her towards the chair. "This is my bed, I'm not being deprived of my own furniture another day. You can sleep in the chair. It's a piece of trash anyway." Ginny lay where she had landed, curling into a ball as tears trickled down her bruised face. She was a fool and traitor, and she knew it.

A/N sorry about this chapter. It was a bit boring I know but it was necessary.