Year Four, Part Six
Ginny blinked awake, sighing and stretching her arms as she sat up in bed.
She paused mid-stretch, the sunlight streaming through the window glinting against the fresh tattoo on her arm.
She smiled, running her fingers gently along the borders of it, where her pale, freckled skin suddenly turned black.
Bellatrix snorted in her sleep, turning over and rubbing up against Ginny's thigh again.
Her smile feeling like it would tear her face, Ginny lay back down, cuddling up against Bellatrix and resting her head on the older witch's mop of curly hair.
She closed her eyes, relishing the sensation of another body pressed up against hers so peacefully, Bellatrix's comforting presence calming her.
Her thoughts began to drift fuzzily, entering the strange, liminal state between wakefulness and sleep.
Whether dream or just hazy memory, the events of the previous night began to replay in her mind.
'The acrid smell of burning flesh began to fade as the Dark Lord withdrew the tip of his wand, the charred patch of skin on her arm clearing up before her eyes and taking the form of the Dark Mark.
Total exultation consumed her, a bestial triumph roaring through her veins.
This was it. After all this time, finally, she was his for all the world to see.
"Thank you, my lord," She whispered, raising her head and meeting his fiery gaze, "I will do you proud."
"Yes," he said, "You will. Go, celebrate. Enjoy yourself. You are one of us now."
Then she was swept away, a glass of wine thrust into her hand. She drained it with a laugh, and it was immediately replaced by another.
All the Death Eaters crowded around, clapping her on the back or shaking her hand, offering congratulations with welcoming smiles that seemed as real as hers was.
Even Mulciber seemed pleased, and at one point a laughing Pettigrew handed her another cup of wine.
She'd heard about it a few days before, how the induction of a new member was always a cause for joy, but she'd never expected it to be this happy and carefree.
Throughout it all, Bellatrix stood by her side with a hand around her waist, occasionally leaning over and whispering things in her ears that made her ears redden and her toes curl up.
At some point, she and Bellatrix left the party, ending up alone in her bedroom with their bodies wrapped around each other and their lips glued together.
Bellatrix's mouth left hers, latching onto her neck as her hands worked, pulling Ginny's robes off of her with a sound of fabric ripping.
Gripping Ginny's bra tightly, Bellatrix pushed her roughly onto the bed, tearing the bra off of her as she slipped out of her own robes in one sinuous, graceful motion.
Ginny tried to sit up, but a strong hand hit her chest, squeezing and twisting her nipple even as she was pushed back onto the bed.
"Just relax," Bellatrix laughed, pulling her own underwear off and tossing them carelessly to the floor. "Let me take care of you."
Ginny caught a glimpse of a thick patch of dark hair at Bellatrix's crotch as she took a step closer toward the bed, kneading Ginny's breasts until without warning she dove onto her, making a noise somewhere between a laugh and a growl.
Their mouths met again, teeth gripping at Ginny's lip for a second as a hand snaked into her panties, dancing along her clit and probing the wetness at her entrance with infinite slowness.
"B-Bella-" Ginny moaned, "Just-"
Bellatrix jerked her hand up suddenly, tearing Ginny's panties right off her and leaving long, deep scratches up her thighs.
"Beg me," Bellatrix whispered, "Beg me, baby."
"Please, p-please, just-"
Her head darting down, Bellatrix bit into Ginny's shoulder, hard enough that Ginny could feel the skin breaking.
"You want me to fuck you, don't you?"
The pain from her shoulder and thigh seemed to mingle with the pleasure and desperate need that roared through her like an all-consuming flame, obliterating all thought and leaving nothing but urgent sensation behind.
Unthinking, Ginny raised her head, seizing one of Bellatrix's tits in her mouth, her tongue lashing out and flicking the nipple.
Nails dug into her, leaving furrows in her back.
"Beg me. You want me to fuck you, don't you?"
"Please, please, fuck me, please Bella, pl-"
Bellatrix's hand shot down, digging deep into Ginny and moving around while her thumb rubbed over Ginny's clit.
Groaning, Ginny arched her back, riding Bellatrix's fingers as that incredible warmth arose, beginning around Bellatrix's hand and spreading out through her body.
She was shaking, sweat dripping down her forehead, moaning out mingled pleas and Bellatrix's name in equal measure, her hips bucking and feet shaking madly.
Teeth fixed themselves on her shoulder again, bright islands of pain in an ocean of bliss, pushing her over the edge into an all-consuming orgasm.
Mind-numbingly pleasure enveloped her, the entirety of her body burning with it.
Panting, it seemed as if every inch of her had become hyper-aware; her legs were trembling against the silk bed coverings, Bellatrix's knees trapping them in place. Her belly fluttered, that incredible heat continuing to grow within her until she felt as if she would explode with the wonder of it all.
With a cry, she crested some hill that she hadn't even known was there, entering a state where nothing seemed to matter but the glorious sensation encompassing her whole being.
Eventually, the pleasure faded to a dull hum and she fell back, gasping for air as her heartbeat slowly returned to normal and Bellatrix pulled her fingers out of Ginny.
"I told you I'd take care of you," Bellatrix whispered, "now it's your turn."
Gripping Ginny by the shoulders, Bellatrix pulled her forward, twisting around and manoeuvring them until Ginny's face was inches from her crotch.
"How do I-"
"Just use your tongue," Bellatrix whispered, "And your hands. Now, baby."
Still coasting on the waves of her orgasm, Ginny leaned forward, slipping her tongue between Bellatrix's lips and licking at the warm wetness.
Moaning, Bellatrix began to rock back and forth, grinding along Ginny's mouth.
The scent and taste of Bellatrix drove Ginny mad; again, thought vanished, instinct taking over and jamming her face forward, her tongue and mouth working furiously as her hands moved, caressing Bellatrix's things and roaming, stroking through the mound of hair and rubbing her clit.
Ginny's jaw was just starting to ache when Bellatrix cried out, pushing her shaking hips forward and flooding Ginny's mouth and chin with her juices.
Bellatrix slid off of her, coming to rest with her breasts pushing on Ginny's back and her leg over Ginny's.
"You are incredible," she whispered, reaching over and flicking Ginny's nipple again. "My brilliant baby."
"I've never had anything like that," Ginny replied. "That was-"
"It will only get better," Bellatrix promised, shifting her head and dragging her teeth along Ginny's shoulder. Idly, she began to stroke Ginny's arm, tracing the outline of the Dark Mark with one nail that stopped just short of cutting into Ginny.
"It will only get better. I love you, my sweetling. You're like the daughter I never had."'
Something pulled at her hair, startling her awake.
"Good morning, sleepyhead."
"G-good morning," she yawned, opening her eyes.
Bellatrix was sitting up in bed, a satisfied smile on her face as she tugged at Ginny's hair again, pulling her up.
"You look even more delectable than you did last night," she murmured, pulling Ginny close and nipping softly at the top of her ear. "I think I'll make you scream my name this time. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
Fingers tightened around her tits, squeezing them and releasing, twisting at the nipples.
Heat rose in her belly, wanton desire wiping away her tiredness.
"Yes."
Bellatrix laughed, her smile turning positively cruel as she touched Ginny's thigh, pressing down hard on the long scratches her nails had left.
As Bellatrix opened her mouth to speak, a series of loud knocks sounded at the door.
Burning fury flickered across her face for an instant, before the smile replaced it again.
Making not a move to cover her and Ginny's nakedness, Bellatrix called: "Come in."
The door opened, and Narcissa Malfoy walked in, a supercilious look on her regal features.
"Good morning, Cissy," Bellatrix said, giving Ginny's nipple another flick. "To what do we owe this pleasure?"
"Firstly," Narcissa drawled, eyes narrowing onto the blush spreading across Ginny's face. "It is already noon. Secondly, I came to give you those robes you requested, and to collect the letters you wanted delivered."
"You could have waited until we came down," Bellatrix said lightly.
"I would have," Narcissa replied, her voice suddenly frigid, "Had your brother-in-law not been delighted to tell me the most ridiculous piece of gossip. At least, I hoped it was ridiculous. Now I see that it is true, sickening though it may be."
"And what do you mean by that?"
If Narcissa's voice had been cold, Bellatrix's was ice. Ginny wouldn't have been surprised to see frost forming on the windows.
"Act on whatever perverted desires you have," Narcissa spat. "But do not force them upon a child! I would have assumed there were depths that even you wouldn't sink to."
"I didn't force her," Bellatrix laughed. "She is as willing as anyone ever has been."
"I'm not a child," Ginny said, the instant Bellatrix finished. "I'm fifteen in August!"
The moment the words left her lips, Ginny regretted them, realising how stupid they sounded and wishing she could pull them back.
Her cheeks began to burn as Narcissa turned a cool gaze on her, a single perfect eyebrow arching.
"Fifteen in August," she murmured. "Truly, you are ancient. I take it back, you are clearly old and wise enough to make decisions for yourself."
"The Dark Lord thinks that she is," Bellatrix said softly, gripping Ginny's arm and thrusting it forward. "And this says that she is. What do you care, anyway? Once upon a time, you'd have wanted to join us, not stand there with your self-righteous recriminations!"
"That was many years ago," Narcissa said, hints of a blush appearing on her porcelain cheeks. "I grew up. I have a child of my own, Bella! Perhaps if you did, you'd-"
Seeming to realize that she had gone too far, Narcissa stopped talking mid-sentence, her mouth forming a thin line.
"Get out," Bellatrix hissed.
"Bella, I'm s-"
"Get out, sister. And be thankful that you are my sister. GET OUT!"
"I gave the robes to the house-elf," Narcissa said quickly, taking a step toward the door. "But I need to take those letters."
Snarling, Bellatrix grabbed her wand from the bedside table, making Narcissa flinch as she waved it.
Two folded envelopes rose from the table by the window, flying over to Narcissa.
"GET OUT!"
Narcissa fled, snatching the letters from the air and giving a last, apologetic look as she did.
"Just shut up," Bellatrix spat, before Ginny even had a chance to say anything. "I don't want to hear it."
"I didn't say anything."
"Don't."
Sighing, Ginny lay back down, watching with a suddenly heavy heart as Bellatrix stood up and began to get dressed.
"So," Ron said, "What did Slughorn want?"
Harry shrugged, sliding into the seat between Ron and Hermione near the back of the Charms classroom.
Strangely enough, Flitwick wasn't there yet. Harry was sure that he would be more than a little bit late, after the way he'd had to run from the Potions dungeon a full fifteen minutes after class had finished.
"Not much," he said, "Just to tell me that he knew my mother, apparently she was one of his favourite students. I think he wanted to hear my side of the story too, he was dancing around last June a lot, and what happened with...with Ginny."
"Do you think he believes it?"
"I think so. Just the way he was talking-"
"I think he does," Hermione interrupted. "Professor Dumbledore chose him for a reason. Of course, he's a good teacher, but I'm sure that-"
Hermione cut off as the classroom door opened, but Flitwick was not alone.
McGonagall walked in with him, both of them wearing extremely grim expressions.
"Mr Weasley," McGonagall called, her stern voice tempered with a note of pity, "I'd like to talk with you outside, please."
Ron's hands shook as he stood up, his face paling rapidly even as his ears reddened.
Harry stood up a moment later, sharing an alarmed look with Hermione.
"Professor McGonagall, what-'"
"You as well, Potter. And you, Miss Granger."
Ron gave Harry a weak, sickly smile as they left the classroom, the sound of Flitwick telling everyone to quiet down echoing through the closed door.
The smile quickly faded, a terrified look crossing his suddenly wan face.
"Professor," Ron asked in a hoarse voice. "Wh-what's going on? Is-my family... what's going on?"
"We will take in my office," McGonagall said.
Harry's legs felt like lead, every step requiring almost superhuman effort.
He felt the need to say something, but nothing came to mind, and he was sure nothing would at least until they found out what was going on.
He was certain that it couldn't be good, whatever it was. An icy fist seemed to clench around his heart, a terrible suspicion rising in his mind.
Ron had said that the family was all on guard, that they were worried Ginny would have to prove her loyalty to Voldemort somehow.
'It can't be,' he told himself sternly, 'They're all under guard, it can't be!'
But he knew it had to be something, something serious enough for McGonagall to pull Ron aside.
'I have to say something! I can't just keep walking here like an idiot!'
"Hey," he said, nodding to Ron in what he hoped was a reassuring manner. "Whatever it is, we'll deal with it."
Ron opened his mouth as if to speak and then closed it, nodding wordlessly with his face taking on a greenish hue.
McGonagall ushered them into her face, pausing before taking her seat to wave her wand and conjure up two chairs on either side of the one already in front of her desk.
"Tea?" She asked quietly as they sat. "Water, juice?"
They all shook their heads.
McGonagall's lips pursed into a thin line for a moment before she nodded, sighing softly.
"There is no easy way for me to say this: Ron, your brother Percy was found dead in his flat this morning, along with his flatmate."
The sudden rushing noise in Harry's ears almost blocked out Hermione's gasp. Ron's hand jerked convulsively, gripping at empty air for a moment as his face went slack.
"Per-Percy's dead? But-how?"
The pained, nearly blank shock in Ron's voice made Harry's insides turn to ice.
He flung an arm around Ron's shoulders, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes.
'Ginny,' he thought numbly, 'God, it must have been Ginny.'
"They seem to have been murdered," McGonagall said, confirming Harry's fears. "The investigation-"
"Was-," Ron interrupted, the words dying in his throat. He shook his head with a cough before continuing again. "Was it-do we know-was it her?"
"It is too early to tell. But it seems to be the most likely option."
Ron seemed to collapse into himself; he dropped down in his seat, sliding forward slightly, his face a perfect picture of miserable confusion.
"I'm so sorry, Ron," Hermione whispered. "We're here for you."
"Yeah," Harry said, clearing his throat. "We're with you, mate."
"I know this must be a terrible shock," McGonagall said, "But-"
"The-the twins," Ron said, "has someone told them? Where are they?"
"They were in Transfiguration class when I received word. They have already returned home."
"It-Percy? Are you sure? It can't be-he's really dead?"
Wincing, Harry tightened his grip around Ron.
"Ron," he heard himself say, before realising that he had no idea how to continue. "Ron, mate-"
"I'm afraid there is no doubt," McGonagall said sadly, her eyes distinctly damp. "It is true. Your parents are waiting for you. Mr Potter and Miss Granger will fetch anything you would like us to send."
"You-you two will come, right?" Ron asked wildly, looking at Harry and Hermione before turning his attention back to McGonagall. "They can, right? Easter's next week, they can leave early, can't they?"
"It has already been arranged with Sirius. They will be going to him tomorrow."
"We'll be there," Hermione whispered, "Ron, we'll be there."
Ron seemed to not hear her; he continued to stare at McGonagall, shaking his head softly.
"Come, Mr Weasley," McGonagall said, standing up and walking over to him. "Your parents are waiting. We'll be using the Floo."
Hurriedly, Harry stood up before Ron could leave and seized him in a hug.
Ron still wore that shell shocked look, even after Harry let go and Hermione jumped in to copy him.
"Potter, Granger, I will speak with you both later this evening."
"I'll-I'll see you guys," Ron muttered, before walking over to join McGonagall near the fireplace.
Harry's legs worked automatically once they left McGonagall's office, pulling him toward Gryffindor tower. He could hear other students calling to each other in the distance as they went to lunch, but food was the furthest thing possible on Harry's mind.
"He's going to be a wreck," Hermione whispered as they walked through the portrait hole.
Harry gave a start; it was the first time either of them had spoken since leaving McGonagall's office.
"He never got a chance to reconcile with Percy," Hermione continued, her voice thick and teary. "God, Harry. This is terrible."
"I need to talk to S-Snuffles," Harry whispered, looking around the Common Room. The room was mostly empty, with only a few seventh years sitting around.
Still, it was too full to contact Sirius from there.
Hermione nodded, teary-eyed.
"Ask him about tomorrow," she said, "I'm-I'm going to write to my parents."
As Harry started walking towards the staircase, a loud tapping sounded.
Turning, he saw a small tawny owl flapping its wings frantically outside the oval window, insistently pecking at the glass.
Angelina, who was sitting closest, hurried over and threw the window open.
The owl fluttered in and immediately made a beeline for Hermione.
That cold feeling of dread that he'd experienced when walking to McGonagall's office returned, a sensation of an oncoming catastrophe just lingering over his head and waiting to fall.
Hermione was obviously feeling the tension as much as Harry was; her fingers were trembling as she untied the envelope from the owl's outstretched leg.
She tore the envelope while opening it, and her face paled the instant she began to read, eyes widening madly and her legs beginning to shake worryingly.
'Something's wrong, something else happened.'
"Hermione, what-"
She shook her head, her throat working as if she was going to throw up, and suddenly fell back into the chair behind her.
Harry was at her side immediately, fear gripping him as tightly as when McGonagall had pulled Ron from the class.
"Hermione, what is it?"
Everyone was looking at them now, Angelina walking over with a concerned look.
"My-my parents-" Hermione whispered, her attention back on the letter.
Gritting his teeth, Harry pushed himself forward, dreading to see what had so upset Hermione.
"I liked the pictures your parents had of you on the mantelpiece. I killed them both, Mudblood," the letter said, a jolt flying through Harry as the meaning of those stark words registered.
"It was easy. Stupid Muggles, they had no way to fight back. I used the Cruciatus first. They both screamed and begged like animals, and your mother even pissed herself.
They lived like animals, and they died like them too.
They were animals, and now they're dead, and it's your fault.
I held the wand, but it was you who killed them. You killed them when you made friends with Potter, Mudblood. It was your fault, and this is your punishment. This is what will happen to everyone who stands by his side.
It's your fault, Mudblood."
There was no signature, but it didn't need one. Harry had seen Ginny's handwriting too many times to not recognize it.
"Fuck," he whispered, "Hermione-"
Hermione made a noise deep in her throat, something that sounded like it could have been a cough.
Then she was bawling, her hands covering her face as her whole body shook.
"What happened?" Angelina asked, "Harry, what-'"
"Get McGonagall or-or someone," he snapped, "quickly!"
As Angelina ran for the portrait hole, he put his arm around Hermione, feeling like someone of Hagrid's strength had punched him in the belly.
'This is because of me,' he thought, hot tears starting to stream down his cheeks, 'All of this is because of me.'
"I believe that more of the Hit Wizards are now amenable to our goals, my lord," Lucius said. "Yaxley has been assisting me, and we have managed to ensure that several of those who we are certain of have been given potions and greater responsibilities. Of course, they are not entirely ours, but with Parker being made Captain, they will be far less of a threat."
After a moment, the Dark Lord nodded, and Lucius continued.
"So far, it appears that the Dementors are willing to serve you, my lord. However, they are still stubbornly negotiating their terms. They wish free reign, my lord."
"Tell them they can have it, but only in Muggle areas. And ensure they understand that they are to wait for my signal. What else?"
"Fenrir reports that an additional pack of wolves are listening to him more often. He believes that he will have them soon enough."
"Good. Tell me, Lucius. What of Potter?"
"Fudge is most upset that Potter's defence club hasn't yet been caught," Lucius said, "However, he did tell me that Madam Umbridge has been speaking to some of the students on the list. One of them has agreed to inform her when next they meet. Potter will be expelled, my lord. And Fudge believes that he will be able to use this to remove Dumbledore from the school as well."
Ginny smiled, resisting the urge to cackle.
When she'd told Lucius about the DA, he'd acted very condescendingly toward her, as if it was a matter of no consequence.
Since she'd killed Percy and the Muggles, however, her been treating her with a modicum of respect. Not quite as an equal, but Ginny thought Lucius Malfoy treated nobody like his equal.
But he didn't chuckle anymore, didn't give her that disdainful look.
That, she thought, was as good as she could hope for. At least until her information handed Potter to the Dark Lord on a silver platter.
"And the rumours?"
"I have dropped further hints to Fudge, my lord. He now believes completely that-"
Lucius glanced at her for the barest fraction of a second.
"That Ginny had been bullied by Potter, or perhaps was tossed aside in favour of the Lovegood girl, and that Potter's treatment of her caused her to snap. I believe we will see mention of this in the Daily Prophet, when the investigation is complete. I would not be surprised if that were to happen tomorrow already."
The Dark Lord nodded, turning to Ginny.
"Who else is close to Potter?"
"The rest of my family," she said quickly, "he views them as a second family. Besides them, Sirius Black, Lupin, and Hagrid."
"What of his roommates? Other school friends?"
"He is not close to any of them, my lord. Their deaths would still affect him, but not-"
"Your family is under guard, as is Lupin and the rest of the Order. Black is hiding beneath the Fidelius, and that oaf Hagrid is at Hogwarts. Who else?"
"I-no one that I can think of, my lord. I'm sorry. I know the Secret of their Headquarters, I could-"
"You would be captured. I will not throw away a useful asset."
Ginny stood a bit straighter, preening at the hidden compliment.
"You are certain that Potter will hand himself over?"
Ginny swallowed thickly, feeling horribly tense. She was sure of it, if there was anything she could be sure of with Harry.
"I am," she whispered. "He will, my lord. Especially once he's been expelled."
The Dark Lord tapped his armrest, hissing softly.
The great snake slithered forward, creeping up the legs of his chair like a vine, before coming to rest with its head in his lap.
"If you are right," he said, his voice a silk dagger, "you will be rewarded beyond words. If you are wrong, you will suffer my...displeasure. For your sake, think carefully. Are you certain the boy will hand himself over?"
"Once he knows that the people he cares about are suffering because of him, he will, my lord. Especially if he has been expelled from Hogwarts. As long as the Order doesn't stop him, he'll come to you. I'm sure of it."
"Ensure that the rumours make it into the newspaper," the Dark Lord ordered, his gaze burning into Lucius. "I want Potter to know despair. To know hatred from all sides. Do it, Lucius."
"As you wish, my lord."
"And I hope for your sake, you are correct." He said, turning to Ginny.
'I am. I am. I hope I am.'
"You made the paper, Weasley," Dolohov said, nodding to her as she walked into the kitchen. "First time?"
She yawned, absently rubbing her ass.
It still felt tender and sore. She'd checked, before getting dressed and coming downstairs, and a perfect impression of Bellatrix's teeth was still there, indenting the soft flesh.
Since the night she had been Marked, Bellatrix had been insatiable, dragging her to the bedroom they now shared at least once a day, not to mention their nightly activities.
Bella had been rougher as well, almost as if their first night had been a warm-up.
Strangely enough, Ginny found herself enjoying it.
In fact, she had enjoyed Bellatrix's scratches and bites almost as much as she had enjoyed her tongue.
"I was in the paper after I killed Luna. When I tried to kidnap Potter."
Dolohov smirked, showing her the front page for a moment.
Two large photos hung beneath the headline; one was of her with a wide smile while the other showed her family wearing black robes and sombre, tearful expressions, standing in front of an open grave with a plain wooden coffin in it.
"You've got a five thousand galleon bounty on you," he said with a wink. "Not bad, but not quite as much as a dangerous Azkaban escapee."
"Give me a bit of time," she said with a laugh. "I bet I'll have a higher bounty than any of you in a year. If not sooner."
"You should read this article," he said, tapping it a few times with his spoon. "It's actually pretty funny. Apparently, you were in a love triangle with Potter and the Lovegood girl. Well, they don't come right out and say it, but it's heavily implied. Was that Lucius' work?"
"Yeah."
She forced a laugh, ignoring the thought of everyone she knew reading those lies about her.
"It's good. He might be incredibly full of himself, but he knows what he's doing."
"It definitely seems like it."
Chuckling, Dolohov folded the paper and held it out for her.
"They've also got some quotes from a so-called Healer specialising in emotional trauma. I think you'll enjoy those parts. Some of their other stuff isn't too far off the mark. They think you've fallen in with us, although they're very unclear about how you managed that."
"Thanks," she said, taking the paper from his outstretched hand. "Could use a laugh."
"No problem. Honestly, I'm impressed. Not everyone could do what you did."
"It was easy, none of them were expecting-"
Dolohov shook his head, his features sunny and warm.
"I meant killing your own brother. Most people wouldn't be able to do it. You really are Bellatrix's protégé, aren't you?"
She smiled, trying not to show how happy she felt right then.
"I'm trying."
Slowly, her breathing returned to normal, her heartbeat slowing to its usual rate.
Bellatrix coiled over her, legs tangled up with Ginny's.
With a deep-belly laugh, she nipped at Ginny's ear, leaving small punctures in her lobe and a few drops of blood dripping down.
"I love you, baby girl." She said, slipping over to lie beside Ginny, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"I love you too," Ginny said, shifting over until Bellatrix's hands were resting on the swell of her breasts.
"When we don't need to hide anymore," Bellatrix whispered, "I'm going to take you on a hunting trip. We'll get a troupe of muggles and release them into the forest, and see who can catch more. And I'll finally be able to show you how to carry out an interrogation. Maybe I'll even get that boy's parents, and we can make them watch until it's time to play with them. Would you like that?"
Bellatrix's nails drew circles around Ginny's nipples, making Ginny's heart speed up again.
"I think I would l-like that," she answered, inhaling sharply as a nail cut deeper than they had until then.
"Good. That's a good girl."
She lay there for a few minutes, only the sound of their breathing and her occasional gasp breaking the silence.
"I've been thinking about cutting my hair," Ginny said suddenly, "or dying it black."
Bellatrix's hands stopped their motion, the nails suddenly sharp against her skin.
"Why would you do something so immensely idiotic? She hissed, reaching out and seizing a fistful of Ginny's hair and tugging it back sharply.
"I think-"
"I like your hair the way it is," she said, pulling at it again. "And I don't let you change it. How dare you?!"
"I just-I-it was just an idea!"
"It was a terrible idea! Why would you want to do that? Your hair is perfect!"
Breathing deeply, Ginny banished the instinctive fear Bellatrix's tone had aroused, forcing her mind to work.
"I don't know who I am anymore," she whispered, "I'm not the same girl I was. I'm not-I don't know. I killed my brother. My brother. They were-the pictures in the paper, they spoke to them at the funeral-they're not my family anymore! I'm not-I don't know who I am!"
Bellatrix laughed softly, releasing Ginny's hair and resuming her stroking.
"Poor baby," she said, kissing Ginny gently on the neck, "You should have said that before. You are who you are. It doesn't matter who your family are. You still are who you are. You're not really someone new. You've just finally shown who you really are. You still are the same girl. You're just not hiding anymore."
"I know. But-maybe I should change my name. To really be someone new. To show that I'm not that hiding anymore."
Bellatrix's hands shifted, dropping over to Ginny's arm and beginning to stroke around the edges of the Dark Mark.
"This shows who you are," she whispered. "More truly than something as meaningless as a name. You are Ginny Weasley. Ginevra, if you're feeling pompous. You are one of the Dark Lord's most loyal followers. That is who you are. The colour and length of your hair mean nothing about who you are. Your name shows nothing about who you are. Making small, stupid changes will not change anything about who you are."
"I know that. I just-I don't feel it."
"Then feel it! You are Ginny Weasley and it is time for you to show the world who Ginny Weasley really is."
"I-I will."
"Good. One day, they'll fear your name as much as they fear mine. I promise."
"They will." Ginny agreed, a smile tugging at her lips.