CHAPTER 11: Consequences
The halls were empty, the Great Hall packed with students and professors eating breakfast. Getting to the classroom had been simple. The issue was getting to the dog. No doubt he was being held in Carrow's office. An office coated in dark magic, well protected by wards, and Merlin knew what else. There was no way she could break in undetected. No way to avoid setting off alarms.
Not entirely sure that she wasn't signing her own death warrant, she attacked the door. She tried incendio, but the flames were only absorbed by the wood and disappeared. She tried a blasting charm, but it was repelled and sent back towards her, leaving her sprawled on the floor. She cast every attack spell she could think of, but all that happened was alarms were ringing, smoke was filling the classroom, and her panic level was rising. Of course Carrow would have thought of all the violent spells. What she needed was to do something clever, something so unexpected he wouldn't have thought to protect against it.
And then suddenly, she had it. Focusing on the doorknob, she transfigured it into a bit of rope. Yanking the rope out, she was then able to slam her body against the door and heave it open. She could hear the pounding of people racing up the stairs and down the hall. She blasted the cage open, and then cried in despair as the dog did nothing but lay there. His eyes were so sad, so full of pain and hopelessness, that Ginny realized he would never be able to run out of the room. His body and spirit were broken. He wanted nothing other than the pain to end.
The realization that there was only one way for him to escape a life of pain and torture hit her like a ton of bricks. Her knees thudded onto the floor, and she gently dragged the dog out of the cage and into her lap. She whispered soothing words, stroked him with a frantic desperation, and kissed the top of his head. As the dog closed his eyes and gave a deep breath, Ginny prepared herself. She could hear Amycus yelling, and knew he would be here in seconds. There was no other way to help. Whispering 'diffindo', Ginny made a clean slice through the neck.
Dog cradled in her lap, blood soaking into her robes, she looked up to find herself staring at both the Carrows and Snape. Amycus was red with rage. "Like dogs do you? Let's just see how much you like them when I string you up for their pleasure! I'll call the mutt in right now! We'll string you up in the Entrance Hall and have the whole school watch as Greyback's pack comes for you. You'll be such a treat for them; tender, young flesh." She could only stare at him, trying to process his words. He was telling her she was going to be mauled. Bitten, scratched, gouged. Was she going to die? Was this it? Was Greyback going to tear her throat out?
"While undoubtedly deserved, I don't believe it would be a wise precedent to begin executing children Amycus. Parents might be outraged. Miss Weasely, do lay the filthy mutt down and follow me." There was no doubt in her that out of the three available options, Snape was who she felt safest with. Gently sliding the dog to the ground, Ginny got up and followed her Headmaster out of the room in a daze. On their way to his office, students and professors alike lined the hallways, gasping and whispering as she passed by. She realized they probably thought it was her own blood drenching her robes, but couldn't be bothered to reassure anyone or explain what had happened. She really had no idea what would happen next.
Snape didn't deign to even look at her, much less speak to her. The only acknowledgement of her the entire way up, was right before entering his office, he shot a spell at her robe to get rid of the blood. No doubt he didn't want it staining the floor. Ginny stood there, silent and afraid, as Snape walked over to the floo and called a man at the Ministry. "Arthur Weasley is required at Hogwarts immediately. Mark his file. His daughter was just apprehended breaking into a professor's office and attempting to undermine the curriculum."
Ginny paled at the words 'mark his file'. She knew her father was being watched. Had she just condemned him? Panic was clawing at her, breathing was becoming difficult, and she was vaguely aware that she was about to pass out.
When she came to, her first thought was that she must be dreaming. Her dad was there kneeling in front of her, eyes worried but unmistakably filled with love. "Hey there Gin bug." Ginny lunged into her dad's embrace and began sobbing, closing her eyes and reveling in the feel of his hand patting her back. A cough made her dad tense up, and Ginny reluctantly opened her eyes. Her dad gently pushed her away and stood up. It was then that she saw Snape looking as sour as ever, with two Ministry officials flanking him. "Get to it Weasely. We're not here for you to be comforting her." The man that had spoken looked at her father with irritation and impatience. Her dad's face went red. "Right, yes." And then he was scowling at her. She felt completely bewildered. He was mad at her?
"Ginevra Molly Weasley. You have acted foolishly and recklessly. I know you've always had a big heart, had a hard time ignoring the helpless. But how dare you disrespect and disobey your betters! Just think of how your mother would feel if I told her what you've done. I am ashamed. From now on, if you step one toe out of line, I will be immediately notified and forced to come here to punish you publically. Do not force me to do that Ginevra." Ginny tried very hard to give away nothing and read between the lines. Obviously, he didn't mean everything he was saying. It was an act for the Ministry officials. But he might mean some of it. She was pretty sure he really did not want to see her get in trouble again. That he wanted her to keep her head down and stay safe.
The Ministry official cleared his throat meaningfully. Her dad jerked slightly, and then clenched his jaw, taking out his wand. She could only look at him wide-eyed. Surely he wasn't going to… "Turn around Gin." If it wasn't her dad telling her to, she wouldn't have done it. But whatever was going on, she trusted he knew what was best. He loved her and whatever he did now, it would only be to keep her safe. She stood up, turned her back to him, and tensed for the blow.
She shrieked as the force of a lash came down on her back. Her hands fisted at her sides, her eyes shut tight, she sobbed and cried out as the lashes continued. She fell to her hands and knees halfway through, unable to stand. She knew what the spell was. Knew that it wasn't supposed to hurt nearly this much or go on for so long. She had never been subjected to it before; even for her worst offenses, she had always gotten nothing more than swats on her backside growing up. But she did know Charlie had gotten four lashes once when he left Ron unsupervised near his broom. Ron had been a toddler, and Ginny had only heard stories. Every time the height seemed to change, from twenty feet to fifty feet. She also knew George and Fred had gotten a fair few over the years, but never more than one or two at a time. Just enough to make them pause and think before doing something they knew was dangerous.
Finally, it stopped. And then just as she was feeling the first bit of relief, she heard Snape assure the Ministry official she would also be serving a double detention. She looked behind her to see her father. He was pale and shaken, but she knew it was about the lashing. That he thought this was the worst of what she would have to endure, and felt absolutely miserable about his part in it. He didn't know. He didn't know that detention now meant being crucioed. And she found she couldn't tell him. Didn't want him to know. It would only devastate him, knowing that he couldn't keep her from being tortured.
"Let's go then Weasley." Ginny and her dad were only able to share one last glance before he was suddenly flooing back to the Ministry and leaving her at the mercy of her Professors. She stared at the fireplace, hoping desperately for him to come back, but nothing of the sort happened. Snape's voice cut through the silence, and Ginny was forced to accept she wouldn't see her dad again until the Easter holidays. "You will have detention today at both lunch and supper. Now get to class." Ginny nodded once at him, and then turned and walked out, unable to come up with anything to say. So she wasn't to die today. Only be tortured.
Going to class was less than useless. She stood in the back of the class, refusing to sit, knowing her entire back would protest anything touching it. Even now, it stung and smarted horribly. The material of her shirt was almost too much to bear. If she was a boy, she would have shucked it off. As it was, she had already taken her robe off, unable to handle the weight of it on her back. Thank Merlin it was Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall simply continued to teach, not even pausing as she slid in through the door. As Ginny stood there, McGonagall pretended not to notice her, forcing her classmates to do likewise. Well, discounting all the stares and whispers.
Once class finished, she was the first one out the door. She walked down the corridor quickly, not up for answering any questions. Unfortunately, her other morning class was Potions. Lacking McGonagall's tact, Slughorn immediately looked at her as she entered, and began speaking. "Miss Weasely! Recovered are you? How reassuring. No more blood I hope. And just what was all that about this morning anyhow?" The rest of the students had all stilled, and she had all eyes on her. Lovely. "I'm sure the Headmaster will explain at lunch professor." Slughorn only stared at her in confusion.
"Oh come now Miss Weasley! Surely you can tell me." Ginny worked to keep from glaring. Exactly why Slughorn felt the need to delude himself into thinking he was friends with his students was beyond her. If she had known last year that her bat boogey hex would give her the dubious honor of being a member of the Slug Club, she wasn't so sure she'd have ever cast it. Even if he had refrained from hosting his little parties this year, she had no doubt he still thought of her as one of his.
For all that though, she knew he didn't mean any harm. And of course, the fact that he had liked Harry wasn't to be ignored. He was an ally, just like all the other Professors. Trying to give them as normal of a year as possible. She pushed her annoyance away, and managed a small smirk. People still needed to see her as strong after all. "Let's just say I might have done something that rather upset Professor Carrow." His eyes widened, an excited gleam taking over his face. No doubt he felt some sort of pride that one of 'his' had struck a blow against the Carrows. "Ah yes. I see. Well, do put your things down. We ought to have started brewing by now." She went to go put her bag onto an empty table, when to her surprise, Lizzie called out. "Want to partner?" Ginny gaped at her old roommate for a second, before smiling and heading over.
Lizzie looked over at her nervously, and then faced the board for Slughorn's instructions. As they began to brew, Ginny waited patiently for Lizzie to begin the conversation. A quarter of an hour later, while adding crushed beetle, Lizzie finally spoke. "The room's a lot quieter without you. I think I might even miss your snoring." Ginny stared at her for a second, and then grinned. By the end of class, the two were stifling giggles and chatting as if the last four months hadn't happened.
Ginny was so excited to have regained Lizzie's friendliness, that she almost forgot to dread lunch. Entering the Great Hall though, her stomach twisted and her heart pounded. She was going to be brave. Neville had been tortured yesterday. Today was her turn. Passing right by the Gryffindor table, she walked to the Head Table and stared right at Snape. He met her eyes and nodded, before standing up to address the Hall. "As many of you may have guessed, Miss. Weasely made a terrible mistake this morning. In a fit of idiocy, she decided that a dog's wellbeing was more important than wizards and witches learning a crucial skill. For this serious lapse of judgement, she has been granted leniency. Make no mistake though. If there is a next time, mercy will be in short supply." And with that, the torture started.
She didn't hear a word in her afternoon classes. She only sat slumped in her seat, unable to do anything but stare at the wall with a glazed expression. Her body was throbbing, so sore and painful that every movement caused her to yell out in agony. She knew other sixth year students were helping her. That they were the only reason she was able to make her way to class. They were supporting her just as Seamus and Justin had done for Neville last night. Her last class ended an hour before dinner, and she had recovered enough to smile wearily at the seventh years heading towards her. "We've got her. Go on and take a break."
Lavender was the first to speak, disapproval and concern warring with each other. "How could you have been so reckless? Neville is barely managing, and now you've gone and followed in his steps. What were you thinking! You two are going to end up dead, and for what? A moment of defiance? It's not worth it! What if tomorrow was the day? The day he came and needed us to help fight?" Ginny couldn't help but be shocked. She had never thought of that. Was that what Laender was expecting? For the trio to show up any day and lead them into battle?
Then again, who knew what would happen? Harry, Ron and Hermione had been gone over five months now. Surely they were almost done with whatever they were doing. Even if they weren't about to show up though, Ginny knew there was another reason to behave now. "I know. I can't…I can't do something like this again. They called my dad in. Marked his file and forced him to come and punish me. If he hadn't…if he had shown pride about what I'd done…I think they would have arrested him." Her voice was low and scratchy, but everyone seemed to have heard her. Pale, shocked faces surrounded her.
"Blimey, Gin. I suppose it works both ways, eh? They're using Luna to control her father, and now they're using your dad to control you." Ginny nodded and swallowed the lump in her throat.
Refocusing the conversation, she asked Neville how he was doing, and then helped launch Seamus into a discussion about how Puddlemere United would fare with the loss of their keeper; said keeper having just traded to the Flacons for a 260 galleons a year pay raise.
Going into the Great Hall, she tried her best to be discrete. She didn't need or want any sympathy. She just wanted the day to be done with. Without explaining herself, she continued walking while everyone else stopped to sit down. She heard them call after her, and forced herself to walk more quickly. Her legs were burning with the effort, and it was almost a relief when she was once again hit with the cruciatus curse and could allow herself to collapse to the ground.
This time, there was no getting up. Ginny laid still with silent tears sliding down her cheeks. Just breathing was enough movement to keep her in perpetual agony. Never mind the thought of being able to lift her hand, much less get up and walk. After what must have been an hour, she heard Filch's voice, and convulsed with fear as she realized he planned to drag her to her room. And then Snape's voice cut through. "No. Leave her here. She'll spend the night on the stone floor. As a dog would." This was met with the malicious laughter of the Carrows, but in fact Ginny was relieved. She wouldn't be moved. Wouldn't have her muscles screaming at her, pain shooting through her with every jerk of movement. Then the voices were gone, the candles went out, and she was left alone.
It was one of the longest nights of her life. Exhausted beyond her measure, her eyes closed and she slept off and on, but never for long. The pain had become a constant throbbing, and even turning her neck slightly made her cry out. As the night wore on, the stones under her seemed to get harder, colder, and rougher. What she wouldn't give for a mattress. A pillow. Even a blanket. As her body got colder and colder, she would find herself shivering, making her sob in pain at the movement. There was a dull ache in her stomach, her body long past the point of hunger. A headache had formed, whether from cold, hunger, tiredness, or something else. All she wanted to do was sleep. Find some escape from all the physical pain. But she couldn't. Couldn't get comfortable enough to do any more than doze. It was miserable.
Eventually, the sun began to rise and the Hall began to lighten. Soon people would be coming in for breakfast. She had to get up. Show them that she would be okay. That she wasn't broken. Moaning and gasping, she slowly sat up. The pain was no longer as acute. In fact, she was able to stand and walk shakily towards the table. Though her legs wobbled and she winced with each step, she realized she could do this. It was Friday now. Only one more day of classes to get through.
She was almost to her seat when Professor McGonagall came in. The two witches stared at each other for a moment before McGonagall was rushing to her side and wrapping an arm around Ginny's ribcage. "That's it dear. Put your weight on me. Let's get you settled." Ginny sagged into her Professor gratefully. By the time others began to trickle in, Ginny was seated and nibbling toast.
The morning passed quietly, no one doing any more than eyeing her and asking how she was. Each time, Ginny forced a smile and tried to come up with some witty, nonchalant response. Neville was looking much better today, and Ginny was reassured that she would probably be the same as him by tonight. In Muggle Studies, she managed to sit and take notes, giving Alecto nothing to call her out on. Even better, she managed to spend her free period before lunch going to the Quidditch changing rooms and taking a long, hot shower. The shower did wonders. She exited the shower sleepy and relaxed. And then she shrieked in surprise and clutched her towel tight to her chest. "What the bloody hell!"
Draco only looked at her, not even getting up from the bench he was sitting on. His legs were out in front, ankles crossed. His back was leaning up against the wall. His arms were folded across his chest. Nothing to indicate he wasn't completely relaxed except for his face. He was staring coldly at her, anger flashing in his eyes. Ginny sighed. "Don't start. I know"
"Do you? Do you really get that you risked your life for a fucking dog?" She stared at him and something in her broke. She had worked so hard to be strong for the past two days. To be brave. She didn't know that she needed to cry. To fall apart. But she did. Draco was up in an instant, holding her as she sobbed into his shoulder. "I didn't…I didn't know what else…to do. I had…had to do…s…something." She felt him breathe deeply and squeeze her even tighter.
"First off, that's rubbish. You didn't have to do anything. Second, you definitely didn't have to run head first into Carrow's bloody office." He pulled back from her to look her in the eyes as he continued. "You didn't even have so much as a distraction. Darkness powder? Fireworks? You must have something stashed away. You could have waited for class to start, lured him out, gone in and killed the dog if you had to, and gotten out before anyone saw you."
His suggestion cut through her sorrow, and left her flummoxed. Why hadn't she thought to try a distraction? Carrow might still have suspected her, but he wouldn't have been able to punish her on suspicion alone. Part of it was because she had hoped to help the dog escape alive, but even then, Draco's plan still would have been better than what she had done.
"I don't know…I guess I wasn't thinking…" Draco scoffed. "Obviously." She glared and tried to pull away, but his grip around her arms tightened. "What if you're pregnant? What if you just risked our baby?"
Ginny's face flamed. Our baby? He had thought about it too? At his words, she had felt an intense pleasure race down her stomach and go to her core. Had those words really turned her on so instantaneously? Yes. But that wasn't the only reason she was flushed. This was not something she had ever talked to a man about. Even with six brothers, she had never, ever mentioned it to a bloke. Her mother and other girls had been her only confidants. "I'm not…there's ways to know. Two weeks after we had sex in the carriage, I ermm...I know I'm not pregnant."
It had been the only time it might have happened. She still didn't quite know what she had meant by having unprotected sex with him that night. But as it happened, there hadn't been a consequence, and they hadn't had unprotected sex since. Her heart leapt as she caught a flicker of disappointment on his face, before his expression went hard again. She couldn't help it. She had to know. She spoke quickly, not wanting to give him time to move away from this topic.
"Did you want me to be? I mean, we're not even out of school yet. We have no jobs, we're not married. The world's gone mad around us." He sighed and looked over her shoulder at the wall. She stood still and waited. After what felt like the longest moment of her life, he looked back at her.
"The last time He was in power, it was years. So whatever happens, it's all about adjusting. Figuring out how to live. I'm graduating soon. Less than five months now, and I honestly don't know what I'm going to be living for. What I have to look forward to. If it had happened… I never thought I'd want to be a dad this young. But having a kid. It'd give you something to live for, wouldn't it?" Ginny's mind was a mess. Less than five months, and he would be gone. He would be living in the Manor with his parents, the Dark Lord visiting freely and controlling his life. He wouldn't stand a chance. Not unless circumstances changed somehow.
She went to sit, slightly worried she was about to faint. He let go of her and sat on the bench across from her, looking more vulnerable than normal. Waiting for her to speak. Waiting to hear what she had to say about what could potentially change their lives forever. "You've really thought about this?"
He nodded slowly, and then began speaking as it became apparent she had nothing more to say. "I didn't want to scare you off, but I actually think it might be the best thing for us. If you're a mum, they wouldn't make you attend Hogwarts next year. If I'm a father, I'd have an excuse to not get too involved in missions. We'd be able to retreat to some remote country house, and no one would think it odd that our top priority would be our child. The Dark Lord would probably find it amusing, and use it to taunt my parents about the Malfoy line declining in quality or something, but I don't think anything else would happen. My parents would be embarrassed, but they wouldn't disown me. Even if we didn't get jobs right away, they'd make sure we had plenty to live on."
It was alarming how much sense Draco was making. He was right about his parents. As much as his father might detest hers, the likelihood of Lucius Malfoy disinheriting a pureblood grandchild was low. And having a baby did seem like it might keep them from being subjected to death eaters on a daily basis next year. Were they really talking about this? Was living together and raising a baby really what he wanted to do with his life? "Draco, a baby isn't just something you can use to make your life easier. We would be parents for the rest of our lives."
He didn't get mad or glare. He only looked at her with a perfectly serious expression. "I know. We'd become a family. It's what we've talked about before, isn't it? Just sooner than expected. I'm not scared of becoming a parent. I'm scared of being killed." Ginny realized suddenly that she was scared too. Scared of seeing Draco on the other side of a war; of having to fight against him. Scared of losing him, of not getting to see him. "I don't…I'm not…I need time to think."
He stood up at that. Ginny looked up at him, worry etched into her features. Was he upset? She watched him walk towards her, searching his face for any hint of what he might be thinking. She couldn't find anything. Reaching her, he took her face in his hands, leaned down, and kissed her. "If you have to think, then think. Just don't take too long." And then he turned around and left the changing rooms, no doubt on his way to lunch.
Ginny changed back into her robes, managed to catch the tail end of lunch, and then headed to her afternoon classes. The physical pain was now becoming more manageable, but she still couldn't concentrate. All she could think about was what Draco had said. Becoming parents. She knew that the idea shouldn't be as appealing as it was. She also couldn't help but fixate on the fact that Draco was willing to have her be the mother of his child. To bond himself to her in a permanent way. They could be together. With a child in the mix, everyone would have to support their relationship. It would solve so many problems. But was it the right thing to do? Whatever she decided, she knew she only had two days. He would want an answer by Sunday. Merlin, this was going to be a long weekend.