The Cruelty of the Past

Chapter 17

I Don't Like Mondays

When Ginny made her way to her DADA class she had to admit she was wearing what could definitely be called a Malfoy smirk. She couldn't wait to show Harry up in front of the whole class! After what he threatened this would be sweet revenge, and he wouldn't see it coming. She happily took the seat in the front that Hermione saved for her. "Ginny, how was your weekend?" Hermione asked.

"Well, it started off really bad, but got better," Ginny explained, smiling.

"What happened?" Luna asked. She was sitting on the other side of Ginny.

"Lucius suggested we..." she searched for the right word. "... improve my wardrobe to the standards expected of a Malfoy wife."

"And you fought over that?" Hermione guessed.

"No, that's when it got better. I hate to admit it, but it was fun spending his money. The shoppes he took me to didn't even have price tags!"

"Well, I guess it's good that you're at least getting along," Hermione said.

"I didn't say we were getting along, but we're both trying."

Then the door opened and Harry walked in. His eyes fell on Ginny. "Alright class, let's see how you all are doing with the Imperius Curse. Mrs. Malfoy, you're up first." Ginny intentionally made herself look doubtful as she rose, but at the same time she relaxed herself. Harry rose his wand and declared, "Imperio!" After a few seconds, he gave the command, "Come stand in front of me."

Ginny couldn't help but notice that Lucius' curse was much stronger. Instead of doing as Harry ordered, she instead sat back down and commented for the whole class to hear, "I would rather not." She then made like she was examining her nails. However, she watched out of the corner of her eye for Harry's reaction. He was in shock and his month was literally hanging open.

Hermione spoke before Harry could, "How did you do that?"

Ginny smirked again and said, "I don't know; I guess my homework paid off."

There was nothing Harry could say in front of a roomful of students. Ginny couldn't help that she was very pleased with herself, and wanted to share this with someone who would enjoy the reaction as much as she had. Who better than someone who felt that Harry was 'The boy who lived' only by dumb luck? Lucius! He would take as much joy in this as her. She couldn't believe that she was looking forward to talking to Lucius Malfoy!

Once again as class ended, Harry ordered Ginny to remain behind. "Ginny do you want to tell me what that was all about?" he asked immediately after the last student exited the room.

Ginny really didn't want to talk to him about this. "You were mad and said I was not to return to class until I could beat it, so I made sure I could."

"Ginny, there is no way you could have learned to resist it without practice. If he used it on you, it's your ticket out! He will go to Azkaban, and because of his history he'll be dead in no time! Then you'll be free!"

As he said the words, Ginny knew that she would never be able to tell anyone because of the additions to the curse, but she didn't want Lucius to die for using the Curse on her. He did it to help her. She didn't think anyone should be killed for helping someone. Oh yes, she was sure Lucius should spend a lifetime in Azkaban for the things he did in the past, but she wouldn't send him there for this!

"Professor Potter, you told me not to return unless I could beat it, and I did! I did my homework and learned how. As for Lucius, he has allowed me to go almost anywhere in the Manor I wish, and I used the resources in the Manor to my advantage. Now you're upset because I did what you asked. You know what? I think I'm about to drop your class, because clearly I will not get a fair chance in here no matter what I do!" She then stormed out of the classroom.

"Ginny! Ginny, wait!" Harry yelled as she disappeared down the hallway.

Ginny had a free period next and took a moment to pen Lucius a note:

Lucius,

I did it! You should have seen his reaction! It was priceless!

Thanks,

Ginny

Ginny headed down to the Quidditch pitch after sending her owl, Candy, to the Manor with the note. She looked around and was reminded of the loss of Colin Creevey. While he never tried out for the team, he came to every practice he could and was always taking photos. He once told her he planned to make a memory book of the Gryffindors' years at Hogwarts.

She watched as Professor Wood taught flying to some Slytherins and Hufflepuffs. She thought about her weekend and her time with Lucius. She was really surprised at the effort he was putting into this. She still wondered, knowing how manipulative he could be, was he just playing with her? If he wasn't playing with her, could they become friends at least? She honestly hoped so, for their child needs to grow up in an environment where his parents at least like each other.

She then thought of her own parents' marriage and how she dreamed of having a marriage like that. Even after all the years, and children, she knew that they still enjoyed being together. She had seen the looks across the table that were filled with promise, and the fact that her father still used his pet name for his wife, and even how it was clear, no matter where they were, that Molly was still the only woman who caught his attention.

She didn't even realize she was crying until Oliver Wood sat down next to her and handed her a handkerchief. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked quietly.

She took it and wiped her face before replying, "There's nothing to talk about, really."

"Don't say that; if it were true you wouldn't be crying," he said.

She dabbed at her eyes. "Everything is just so messed up."

Oliver looked at her for a minute before speaking, "Like?"

Ginny glanced around the pitch. "Everything! I haven't heard from my family. Well, Mum sent one note with Hermione. My husband, who hates my family and tried to kill me as a child, is trying to make this betrothal work. Harry is being a total ass, and I'm thinking of dropping DADA."

"What's happening there?"

She bit her lip before replying, "First, he flips out last Friday because I couldn't resist the Imperius Curse. Then today, when I did, he almost flipped out again because I completely resisted it. I can't win with him."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you and he were pretty close, right?"

She only nodded.

"He's most likely hurt then."

"He said as much. I don't care if I sound selfish, but it's my life that's screwed up, not his. He has disappointment, yet I'm the one who has to live with this for the rest of my life. I have enough to deal with without his stuff too!"

"You're right. Look, if you want to drop the class I can see if we can set things up for you to take your NEWT in DADA. So, you have tryouts today. Do you mind if I come and watch?"

She looked up at him. "I don't mind, as long as you don't try to take over on me. I've heard all about your days on the team."

He faked a hurt look, then rose his hand as if making a vow. "I'll only add my two cents if you ask me for it."

When Ginny left the pitch for her next class, she felt like she had a new friend! Later that evening, tryouts went quite well, with everyone looking forward to life returning to normal. As Ginny headed off the pitch, she was met by the Headmistress. "Ginevra, Professor Wood spoke to me about the problems you have been having in Defense Against the Dark Arts. I understand you would like to drop the subject."

Ginny nodded.

"I was worried about that until I heard you are able to totally resist the Imperius Curse. I'm going to allow you to drop it; however you will have to take your NEWT for it with the rest of your year in the spring." The older woman stopped and faced Ginny. "I'm worried about you, Ginny. I had hoped you would have come to me first."

"Oh ma'am, it's not like that! I had gone down to the pitch on a free period to clear my head and Professor Wood was there. He came and talked to me, that's all. I would have come to you myself, but today is just crazy what with tryouts and all!"

"I understand. Ginny. I will inform Professor Potter that yo are dropping his class."

Ginny was lucky to have freed up her schedule from DADA; that time could be filled with her etiquette lessons. When she sat in her next Transfiguration class, she realized that Professor Wood had never come down to watch the tryouts like he had told her he would. She shrugged it off until the end of the class.

"Mrs. Malfoy, would you mind staying behind for a minute?" he asked of her.

Hermione raised an eyebrow as she looked over at Ginny, who only shrugged her shoulders. Ginny remained in her seat as the others filed out.

Oliver came and perched on the desk in front of Ginny. "Sorry I didn't make it to the tryouts yesterday," he said as he eyed her. "That was the only free time the Headmistress had where I could talk to her about your problem in Defense."

"Yes, I wanted to thank you for that."

He smiled warmly at her. "I was glad to help. So how did tryouts go?"

She sighed deeply. "I don't know. I can't make up my mind."

"On who?"

"Beaters, really," she admitted.

Oliver gave a slow nod. "Fred's old position?" She sadly nodded. "Who had the position since then?"

"Coote."

"And where is he now?"

"He never recovered after our last match last year. He knocked a Slytherin off their broom and received an Unforgivable detention."

Oliver's eyes grew big. "I heard it was bad here, but I never knew things were that bad. Unforgivable detentions?"

"Yes. He was only a half blood, so they weren't too worried," she said without thinking. The second she heard herself she covered her mouth, but muttered, "I'm beginning to sound like them!"

Oliver came closer and gently pulled her hands away from her face. "No, you were stating the mindset of them, not your own beliefs, Ginny." He then changed the subject. "Does anyone look promising?"

"A couple of people weren't bad, I guess."

"How do each of them get along with the rest of the team?" he asked.

"I don't really know, to be honest."

He smiled at her. "Well, you don't have to make up your mind now. Have both do team drills at practice for awhile to see who fits well with the rest of the team. I will come to the next few practices and watch if you want a second opinion."

She smiled back at him. "That would be great."

"Let's head to lunch; I know how you Weasleys are about your meals," he teased as he led her out of the room.

"'Kay," she agreed.

As they walked he asked, "Is it just me or does it seem like this place is missing something?"

"It's missing a lot of people," Ginny admitted.

"Oh I know, but I mean doesn't some part of you miss the slight fear about running into Snape and how many points he was going to take from Gryffindor."

"A little."

"The place just doesn't seem right without him," Oliver sighed.

A/N I must admit I'm a little disappointed in the number of reviews this story recieves. I know there are ALOT of marriage law stories out there, and thats why this is not one of those, that it's only Ginny in this forced marriage, so that she and Lucius are alone in their feeling with others only able to be able to try and understand. That how I want this to be different. Any way please feed the author with a review!