Chapter 8


Wednesday December 3rd, 1997
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The Corridor between the Dungeons and the Entrance Hall
4:08 p.m.

The fall had passed rather quietly for Ginny, school had started and she threw herself into her studies. Her time was spent almost entirely with Hermione when she wasn't in class, the two most often found either in the library, the Common Room, or the Room of Requirement. Hermione had been named Head Girl, but had chosen to not have Ginny there too often considering the fact her fellow Head, Blaise, just happened to be a good friend of Draco's, and Hermione wasn't about to tempt fate. So far things had gone well, Hermione had managed to keep Ginny and Draco from running into each other, though that hadn't been quite too hard since Draco seemed to not be even attempting to run into Ginny, though that didn't keep him from staring at her longingly from across the room at meals. Ginny had been receiving one letter a week from him every week on Saturday mornings, though so far Ginny hadn't even been able to bring herself to read them.

She had written to Louise and Fleur in time, the latter more than the former, but she had kept the lines open. She knew that Louise was pregnant, though that was an announcement that had even made the Daily Prophet, but Louise had written her first to let her know before it became public knowledge. Ginny and Hermione were both expected in France Christmas morning so they could attend the Winter Ball that night, Louise easily gave her blessing for Ginny to bring a companion. Outside of that though, the knowledge of Ginny's place in France had remained a well-kept secret, the only people in England who knew were Blaise and Draco of course, the Weasleys minus Ron, and a few of the higher members of the Order who were in the know so they could help keep her safe.

It was the first week of December, and school would be ending for the holidays two weeks from Saturday, so with finals fast coming, Ginny had stayed after class in Potions for a brief period of time to talk to Professor Snape, which she hadn't exactly been thrilled about since he still treated most all Gryffindors rather horribly, but she needed the advice so… as a result she hadn't met up with Hermione as she usually had done by then, and she was in a bit of a hurry to catch up with her friend.

"Bloody hell," Ginny cursed quietly as Pansy and her cronies crashed into her and knocked all of her books and papers out of her hands.

"Watch where you're going Weaselette," Pansy snarled as she turned to sneer at Ginny. "You're in snake territory now," she continued as someone else drew their wand and cast a quiet spell in Ginny's direction causing Ginny's bag to split along the bottom seam and spill it's entire contents all over the corridor floor.

"Rien de dieu…fils d'une chienne…" Ginny rattled off along with a number of other rather colour phrases, as she knelt down to start collecting her belongings. (God damn…son of a bitch…)

As luck, or fate, would have it, Draco and Blaise happened to walk up to the hall at the same time as all of this was happening, both stopping in surprise. "Well," Blaise prompted as he looked quickly at Draco, "You going to do something?"

"I'm supposed to keep my distance remember," he countered. "Besides, I highly doubt she would welcome my help."

"Oh for heaven's sake Drac, helping her now wouldn't be a bad thing, it might make her begin to look at you differently," Blaise shot back, but seeing that he wasn't about to move he huffed a frustrated sigh and threw his things at Draco before stalking towards the group. "Parkinson, back off," he growled at Pansy as he drew close to where Ginny knelt.

Kneeling down he picked up one of her books and handed it to her, "Hey Gin," he whispered once Pansy and her minions were gone.

"Slytherins are all bloody the same. Spoiled, selfish, arrogant as all get out…" Ginny grumbled as she reached out and took the book being held out to her before reaching out to pick up her scattered quills.

"Glad to hear you have such high opinions of my housemates," he teased as he picked up a few more loose items, "Though honestly the majority of them deserve that," he chuckled as he turned his attention to quickly fixing her bag.

"You shouldn't be helping me, I'm a Weasley little Gryffindor remember," Ginny said taking her bag back and stuffing everything haphazardly back inside before getting back up and turning around, intent on walking away, knowing Bill wasn't that far away.

"I like to think we established a small friendship too, Gin," Blaise called softly, before looking around the corridor, "Take care of her since the idiot I call a friend won't..." he spoke quietly, hoping Bill, who he knew had to be near would hear, though he definitely didn't expect a response, nor was he disappointed when he didn't get one.

"You barely know me Blaise," Ginny said turning around slowly.

"Time doesn't make a friendship Gin, and yes we barely had time to know one another, but I still care about you, respect you, and only want the best for you in this life."

"Then if you insist on this conversation I suggest we go somewhere a little less public so that word doesn't spread to those best left in the dark, don't you agree?"

"True, but I wasn't insisting on a conversation Gin, merely trying to make my point clear that you still do have friends. If you want to talk, then by all means I'll happily follow you, if you don't... I'm not forcing you."

"What is it with men, Slytherin men in particular, always talking in bloody riddles?" Ginny said throwing her hands up in frustration.

"It's something Snape drills into our brain," Blaise chuckled.

"Well, I'm sick of it!"

"Honestly, so am I," Blaise nodded.

"Would you just stop already," snapped Ginny in frustration. "I have had the day from hell thanks to your head of house and your fellow housemates. If you want to talk without me killing you, then I suggest we go somewhere else and you stop talking in riddles."

"Okay," he held up his hands. "Just, you ever want to talk, you know where to find me okay?" he offered before turning and making his way to where Draco stood in the shadows of a side hall. Once he was actually in the hall out of Ginny's sight, he grabbed his stuff then smacked Draco rather roughly over the back of his head, "Idiot."

"What is it with the men in my life?" grumbled Ginny as she turned and made her way from the dungeons towards the library.


Sunday December 21st, 1997
England
Voldemort's Current Location
12:00 a.m.

Voldemort smiled as he watched his newest follower return to the gathering of other Death Eaters, holding onto his arm, the knowledge of the man's pain only making it more enjoyable to him. He had been quiet for some time, making plans, the first major plan at the moment wasn't Harry Potter, instead it was finishing what he had started so long before, the destruction of France and Navarre, his desire to slowly torture the girl who had escaped him sixteen years prior had only increased upon learning she was carrying an heir. It would be such sweet revenge to destroy that kingdom's belief system when they lost their beloved queen and the heir they had been hoping for for sixteen years.

And what better way, then through the final new member to be initiated tonight. It was no secret that the young Malfoy had spent time in France growing up, so he might reclaim his place as the Duc d'Orléans, a close friend of their young queen, and through Draco he would gain access to the brat, and then he could simply see Draco on the throne and be able to control France through him.

Smirking he looked out at those gathered, knowing that every other man and woman had come and been given their marks, only the boy remained. And yet... the boy wasn't there... curious...

"Lucius," Voldemort called as he sought out the blonde man.

"My Lord," Lucius said as he stepped forward, bowing low.

"Where is your son?" he asked simply. "He should be here, should he not?"

Lucius knew he could not tell the Dark Lord the truth about his son's whereabouts, and not just for Draco's sake, nor the Queen's but for the sake of his daughter-in-law as well, despite the issues she may be having with his son, if the truth of Ginny's union with his son was known to the Dark Lord, her life would be in even greater danger than his son's thanks to his Lord's recent discovery of her family lineage. The longer Lucius held out in answer, the greater the pain he felt, thanks to a spell placed upon him by the Dark Lord shortly after his return to England after Draco and Ginny's wedding. If he tried to lie to the Dark Lord, either blatantly or through an act of omission, the spell would cause him unimaginable pain. The longer he tried the fight it, the greater the pain became, eventually sending him crashing to his hands and knees before the Dark Lord. "He is in France, my Lord," he ground out finally.

"France?" Voldemort questioned as he looked at the man, "What pray tell is he doing in France? He was to come receive his mark before laying claim to the title I believe..."

"He was, my Lord, but my son had other plans it seems…"

"Oh? Do tell," he ordered.

"He has laid claim to the title this past summer. He is the Duc d'Orléans…he will not serve…"

"What!" Voldemort roared, casting crucio spells on everyone present in his anger, though the majority of his anger fell on Lucius. After everyone had been brought to their knees, he finally relented as he focused on Lucius. "So, Draco is the new Duc... That required his marriage, did it not? When did he marry?" he asked rather conversationally.

"Summer…my Lord…" Lucius managed through his renewed pain.

"And you chose not to say anything. How very naughty of you Lucius," he shook his head, "It must have been near the time Isidora wed I imagine..."

"About a month after, my Lord. He had to wait for his bride to reach sixteen…"

"Oh? Well then, quite young this bride of his isn't she... some French noble I imagine?"

"A French noble of English birth my Lord…"

"English?" he turned to look at Lucius rather quickly. "Just exactly who did Draconis marry Lucius?"

Lucius grimaced at the thought of having to name his son's bride, knowing he was practically signing his own son's death warrant and his daughter-in-law into slavery to the man he called master. "It is the very girl you seek, my Lord. Ginevra Weasley, her Grace, the Duchesse d'Orléans."

"Weasley," Voldemort chuckled "Well, well, well, things are certainly getting interesting," he smiled. "You are dismissed, nothing you have seen here is so be spoken of, even amongst yourselves," he ordered those gathered, "You, you shall stay," he focused on Lucius. Shortly thereafter everyone save Lucius and Wormtail had vanished, looking at the shorter man Voldemort nodded, "Summon Snape, tell him I need him to brew me a potion, but he doesn't need to know what happened tonight that he missed."

"Of course my Lord," Wormtail nodded before hurrying off.

Turning his attention back to Lucius, Voldemort smiled, "Come Lucius, I have a few plans for you, you've kept your silence for far too long..."


Tuesday December 23rd, 1997
Hogsmeade, England
Madame Alexandra's Dress Shop
10:24 a.m.

"You're going to kill me, aren't you?" Ginny asked as she and Hermione were making their way out of the shop, after having picked up their dresses for the Winter Ball the following evening.

"I'm seriously thinking about it," Hermione nodded. "Do I even want to ask what this cost?"

"Nope. This doesn't even include the jewellery I have planned to go with it. That will be delivered tomorrow," Ginny replied.

"Oh Gods," Hermione moaned, "You're spoiling me for all future people who buy me clothes you realize."

"Oh I think Viktor can handle it," Ginny giggle as they stepped out onto the street, nearly colliding with someone. "Oh excuse me," she apologized, looking up only to discover that the person she nearly walked into was in fact her father-in-law. "I'm sorry Mr. Malfoy, I didn't see you there…"

"It's quite alright Miss Weasley, no harm done," Lucius replied, keeping his gaze firmly on Ginny, trying to fight the effects of the potion they'd forced on him moments before they'd forced him into the Floo point. "I suggest you and your friend hurry on back to the castle, you never know who you might meet out here," he said, nodding to Ginny before stepping around her and continuing on down the street.

Ginny got the strangest feeling that Lucius was trying to tell her something with his last comment but for the life of her she couldn't figure out what it was.

"Ginny?" Hermione asked concerned before yelling from down the street drew her attention and she saw Harry and Ron racing down the street, casting spells at a number of Death Eaters. "Ginny, get inside," she nodded towards the store they had just left, "I'm going to help Ron and Harry..."

"Hermione…" Ginny called after the other girl as she watched her friend run into the middle of the fight. She was about to chase after her until she felt a hand land on her shoulder.

"She'll be fine, Gin," Bill spoke softly, "Let's get you to safety first..."

"Bill this is Harry and Ron we're talking about here. You know what they're like," Ginny argued as she allowed Bill to lead her back towards the store, neither one noticing Lucius making his way back towards them. "They're going to act first and then maybe think later. They're going to get themselves killed before they can be of any use to Dumbledore."

"She's absolutely right you know," Lucius observed. "I would be more than happy to stay with young Ginevra while you go after the others," he offered as he stopped next to them.

"Mr. Malfoy... I'm afraid I couldn't..." Bill began to argue. "Besides, aren't you here on business?" he glanced towards the fighting pointedly.

"I assure you Mr. Weasley, I have no knowledge of what is going on here. My guess is it's a group of new initiates eager to test out their skills in battle. I'm sure my son would entrust his wife to my care for the few minutes that it would take you to ensure the safety of her friend," Lucius said.

"While your son might, my Queen wouldn't, so I possibly couldn't take you up on your offer Mr. Malfoy..." Bill countered.

"Bill, I'll be fine," Ginny piped up; turning to face Bill so she was standing between the two men. "Mr. Malfoy rescued me from Diagon Alley at Easter, what's to say he won't protect me now? Go help the others. Please?"

"Ginny..." he began to argue, before stopping at the look on her face. "Fine, fine, I'll go, I'll check on them, but people from the Order or Aurors should be here by now anyway... I can't believe you have me so wrapped around your little finger," he sighed.

"Thank you," Ginny said, leaning up and kissing him lightly on the cheek.

"You're welcome," he answered with a sigh before quickly hurrying off to check on his brother and the other two.

Once Bill was out of sight, Lucius stepped closer behind Ginny, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket, one that was heavily laced with a potion not unlike the Muggle chloroform. Before Ginny could react, Lucius' hand with the handkerchief had slipped around and covered her mouth, "Forgive me, my dear," he whispered in her ear as he felt her body go limp against his chest, quickly picking her up before she collapsed to the ground and making his way up the street a short way before stepping through a door that opened to allow him entry.


Tuesday December 23rd, 1997
Versailles, France
The Château de Versailles
Salon d'Apollon
11:47 a.m.

"You look tired Dora," Fleur spoke softly as she sat down in a chair across from Louise.

"I'm five months pregnant Fleur, I'm not sleeping well," she shrugged. "Too much on my mind, add to that planning for the Winter Ball," she sighed.

"True, true," Fleur agreed. "Have you heard from Ginny?" she asked softly.

"To my knowledge she is still coming, and bringing a companion, I believe William said it was young Miss Granger, Viktor Krum's love..."

"Hermione," Fleur nodded, "Very smart that one, and no doubt she has already studied everything she could get her hands on about Court."

"That is good," Louise nodded, "It will be good to see her again," she smiled sadly. "It hasn't been the same since she left..."

"No, it hasn't," Fleur agreed softly. "We were wondering, have the physicians told you what the babe is yet?" she asked with a smile for a change of subject.

"You honestly think I would answer that with only one of you here? The others would kill you and then me," Louise laughed as she let a hand rest on the swell of her abdomen.

"A woman can always try no?" Fleur countered with a smile.

Before Louise could respond, the doors of the salon were flung open, startling both women. Behind them André stepped forward, sword automatically drawn even as they all realized that the man who had so dramatically entered the room was Bill, even as he continued into the room and fell to his knees before Louise.

"My Queen, forgive me," he spoke, the three in the room exchanging concerned looks even as André put away his sword and Louise reached forward to lay her hand on his head.

"Whatever for William? What has happened?" she asked softly.

"Ginny..." Bill paused, taking a deep breath before raising his eyes to hers, "She's gone, my Queen."

"What?" Fleur cried as Louise merely looked at Bill, expression unreadable for the time being.

"There was an attack in Hogsmeade, Hermione and Ginny were in town picking up their gowns for the Ball. Hermione ran after Harry Potter and my brother Ron when she saw them fighting a few Death Eaters, and Ginny begged me to go and make sure they were all right. I initially refused, but Lucius Malfoy was there, supposedly not a part of the attack, and she claimed he would protect her as he had at Easter. Forgive me, I agreed to her staying with him and followed to merely check on them. But when I returned they were gone, and I found this," he held out Ginny's wand.

"When was this?" André took over as Fleur held her hands to her mouth, merely in shock, while Louise continued to watch Bill sadly.

"Twenty-eight minutes ago, I already have Musketeers searching Hogsmeade for her," he focused on the Captain before looking back at Louise. "I'm sorry, my Queen, the Gods forgive me if anything happens to her…"

"Shh," Louise whispered as she reached forward and wiped away the tears that had fallen down his cheeks. "You had no reason to doubt Lucius, no reason to fear for her safety in his protection. This is not your fault," she continued, a bit more forcefully as she tried to make her point clear. "We will find her, and we will bring her back where she'll be safe. And I am going to insist you take a break, not a long one, but one just the same," she continued as she looked over at Fleur and nodded.

Fleur nodded as she rose and crossed to her husband's side, helping him up and leading him from the room with no protest, it was obvious to everyone else in the room that the shock of what had happened had finally hit Bill, but there was no doubt that in a short time he would be back in London looking for his sister.

"Isidora," André spoke softly as he stepped up to the chaise where Louise still sat, letting one hand fall to touch her shoulder. "I've already sent messages ordering more Musketeers to England to begin searching. Should I summon another of your Ladies for you? Or Aleksander perhaps?"

"No," she shook her head before holding out her hand so he could help her up. "I want to know everything, find out what is going on from William's second in command, and find the Musketeer assigned to keeping an eye on Lucius. We need to know when the last time he was at Malfoy Manor was. I want her found André, before I have to go and tell Drac what has happened," she looked over at him before leaving him for now as she made her way towards the Cabinet du Conseil, knowing he would know to find her there when he had the information.


Thursday December 25th, 1997
Wiltshire, England
Malfoy Manor
The Master Suite
7:12 p.m.

"You may as well stop pretending Miss Weasley, I know you're awake," Lucius said from where he stood looking out the window. "And I wouldn't suggest getting out of that tub either if I were you," he said when he heard her get up. "There are special healing oils in the water that your body needs after everything the Dark Lord has put you through," he explained, smiling when he heard Ginny lay back down in the water. Turning around to face her, he wasn't surprised to see her laying back down in the tub, her head turned away from him and her eyes closed. "Besides, it's not as if I haven't seen a naked woman before Ginevra," he said as he made his way over to the tub, kneeling down next to it and gently brushing a strand of her hair off of her forehead, ignoring the necklace that now graced her neck.

"Where are we?" asked Ginny quietly, not recognizing her surroundings.

"We are in the master suite at Malfoy Manor, our prison if you will," Lucius replied.

"Our prison? But you were in Hogsmeade…"

"Only to do the bidding of the Dark Lord. I had a keeper while I was there. Unfortunately I am a prisoner here, much the same as you. You see the small gold ring on your right baby finger?" he asked.

Ginny lifted her hand out of the bubbly water and examined her hand and saw the ring Lucius spoke of. "What about it?"

"Consider that your prison guard. As you can see I too wear a similar ring," he said holding up his right hand to show her his matching ring. "A little gift from the Dark Lord. It will prevent you from leaving the Manor, no matter what you try. You are, as am I, effectively a prisoner within the Manor walls."

"But why you? I mean if what Draco told me is true…"

"It is," Lucius said. "I failed to give the Dark Lord what he wanted and therefore he no longer trusts me to do as he bids without more direct control over my movements."

"What did he want?"

"My son. He wanted Draco as one of his minions before he reclaimed the Duchy so that he could take out Louise and rule France through him. As you know, my son had other plans in regards to his future, plans which included you…"

"You don't know," Ginny said interrupting him.

"Know what?"

"He intends to marry Gabrielle Delacour once she comes of age…"

"Ginevra you can't honestly believe that," countered Lucius. "My son would never marry you if he intended to leave you for someone else. If he wanted a marriage of convenience he would have chosen someone like Pansy Parkinson, not someone like you."

"You seem so sure about that…"

"Ginevra, after Draco announced you as his intended last year, his mother and I questioned him on his choice. We wanted to make sure he'd truly given it enough thought knowing the history of hatred between our families, especially after everything during your first year."

"I always knew your family was of the nobility but I was utterly surprised to find out that Draco had feelings for me, not to mention that he wanted me for his bride," Ginny said quietly.

"I was concerned at first about the suitability of the match, not so much for Draco's sake but for yours. I wasn't sure how you would take to court life, but Draco assured me that you had just as much right as any of the other ladies at court to be there, if not more given your family history."

"My family history?"

"Yes, Draco told us that along with being in love with you for as long as he could remember, he had also done some checking into your family history so that should ever the question arise as to your suitability, he would have the information at hand. It turns out that your great grandmother on your mother's side was born into a family by the name of Carey. She was an only child and the last to carry that name in the wizarding world. The Carey family was a well known and prominent French wizarding family ever since the sixteenth century, along with their English Muggle counterpart."

"Their English Muggle counterpart?"

"The Carey family was a family of the English Nobility during the time of King Henry VIII's reign. When his youngest son was born and it was discovered that he held magical powers he was sent to France to be raised and it was given out that he had died of the sweat. The young boy grew up in France and established his family there amongst the French nobility, thereby creating a second Carey line amongst the wizarding nobility. It is to that line that your family can be traced and as such you can be traced back to Henry Carey, the English nobleman who was the start of the French wizarding line. Henry Carey was the son of Mary Boleyn and Henry VIII. Mary is the sister of Henry's wife Anne," Lucius explained. "The necklace you now wear belonged to Anne Boleyn herself," he said as his finger traced the pearl choker that graced Ginny's neck before he picked up the small golden 'B' that hung from it with it's three small pearls that hung from the bottom branch of the 'B'.

"His little Boleyn girl," Ginny whispered.

"Excuse me?"

"That's what he called me shortly before I passed out as he fastened it around my neck. He called me his little Boleyn girl but I don't know why," Ginny said.

"Unfortunately, I think I do," Lucius sighed.

"You do?"

"He's lost his heir through Draco but with you being married to Draco, that makes you La Dauphine. If he were to take out Louise and Draco, he could place you on the throne if there was a baby in your belly, a baby put there by him, he could rule France and Navarre through you and with your connection to the Boleyn's, the Carey's and the Tudor's he may take a run at Westminster and Buckingham as well once he has France and Navarre under his control."

"You mean that he…that I…oh God…I think I'm going to be sick…" Ginny said leaning over the side of the tub.

"Deep breaths Ginevra," Lucius soothed as he rubbed her back. "Unfortunately there isn't much we can do but what we have to in order to survive this."

"Would you do something for me?" asked Ginny, lifting her gaze until it met Lucius'.

Lucius looked into Ginny's eyes and knew immediately what it was that she was asking. "Ginevra we can't…"

"Lucius please…if I have to be with…Draco and I never…And I want to know what it's like…Please don't let me remember that as my first time…" Ginny pleaded.

Lucius looked deep into Ginny's pleading eyes and knew he could not deny her her request, not after the part he had played in bringing her to where she was now. Placing his hand gently on her cheek he leaned in and captured her lips in a tentative kiss while his other hand reached down and pulled the towel towards him that was lying on the floor next to the tub. Breaking the kiss, he helped Ginny stand before wrapping the towel around her before he picked her up and carried her out of the bathroom and into the bedroom where he set her down on her feet next to the bed. "Are you sure?" he asked quietly.

"I'm sure," she replied, reaching up on her tiptoes to lay her lips against Lucius' and initiate another chaste kiss until she felt Lucius' tongue ask for entrance, at which point he quickly deepened the kiss. It wasn't long before Lucius had her lying back on the bed under him.


Friday December 26th, 1997
Wiltshire, England
Malfoy Manor
The Master Suite
6:09 a.m.

Lucius and Ginny had been sleeping peacefully, Ginny wrapped protectively in Lucius' arms until a crash echoed throughout the master suite, jolting them awake. Before either one of them really had time to react, the bedroom filled with Death Eaters, a number of them coming around to Lucius' side of the bed while another made his way towards Ginny. Unfortunately for Ginny, she never saw the Death Eater approach her side of the bed until he was already beside her so she was not prepared for when he viciously grabbed a hold of her hair and yanked her head back, forcing her to drink a potion, letting go of her just as quickly once she was done choking it down. As the Death Eater was forcing the potion on Ginny, the others grabbed a hold of Lucius and forcefully dragged him from the bed, disregarding his struggles to remain with the young witch and dragged him from the room, not even stopping long enough to throw a robe over his naked body.

The Death Eaters dragged Lucius from the Master Suite through the Manor into the guest wing to where the Dark Lord had set up residence a number of days before, depositing the him rather unceremoniously on the floor in front of Voldemort's feet as the lead Death Eater, Avery, if Lucius had to guess, went to speak quietly with the Dark Lord.

After a moment Avery stepped back and Voldemort focused on Lucius, "Good morning," he smiled, "So, have you been enjoying the company of young Miss Weasley? Oh, forgive me," he corrected himself with a smirk, "young Mrs. Malfoy."

"Forgive me, my Lord, I meant no disrespect," Lucius said. "I am aware of what you are planning for the girl, my Lord…"

"Oh, you have no idea what I am planning Lucius," Voldemort chuckled as he rose and strolled towards him. "You've actually played into my hands quite well."

"My Lord?"

"You thought I wanted a child that bore my blood, yes?"

"An heir to rule France and Navarre," replied Lucius.

"But why would I have a child to rule France and Navarre when it's only claim of royal blood is through its mother, to the British throne? On the other hand, if the child can claim royal blood through it's father to the throne of France and Navarre, as well as the British throne through it's mother... that child would be of much greater use to me don't you think?"

"Oh God," Lucius whispered in shock as he collapsed forward to his hands and knees, realizing exactly what Voldemort's true intentions were in regards to him and his daughter-in-law. "My Lord please, I beg of you. Do not ask me to do this to my son."

"Ginevra believes I will come for her at any moment. I suggest you use that to your advantage Lucius, that is if you wish your son to live to see his next birthday."

"Why are you doing this, my Lord?"

"My dear Lucius, I'm not doing anything. If anyone is at fault here, it is you. You should have brought him to me when you had the chance," he chuckled evilly before bending down to Lucius' level and looking him in the eye. "You, Lucius Malfoy, will go back to that room and you will bed the girl. How you do it, I do not particularly care, make it nice for her if you like, but it shall be done. And the child she bears will give me England, France, and Navarre."

"Yes, my Lord," replied Lucius quietly, knowing he had no choice if he wanted to continue living, if only to keep Ginny alive long enough for the Musketeers to rescue her and get her back to his son.

"Good," he nodded as he straightened, casting a crucio towards the man for good measure, and the fun of it. Returning to his chair he watched as Lucius fought against the pain, before deciding he might as well leave the man able to preform the action required of him and removed the spell, then waved a hand to have the nearby Death Eaters drag him back to the Master Suite.


Saturday February 14th, 1998
Versailles, France
The Château de Versailles
Salon de Mercure
11:41 a.m.

Just shy of eight weeks had passed since Ginny's disappearance, and there had been no sign of the girl in that time, much to the heartache of those that loved her. Since the moment she was discovered missing, Musketeers had been searching all of England and Scotland for Ginny, though it hadn't taken long for a group to be established at Malfoy Manor, watching for any sign from within once the Musketeer assigned to watching Lucius never reported in, giving everyone who knew cause for concern. The Order of the Phoenix as well had joined in the search to a degree, Dumbledore and the Weasleys being alerted, though Dumbledore bowed out to let France do the majority of the searching. In all honesty, France and Navarre had the greater assets at their fingertips then the Order did in this, but that didn't keep him and Louise from exchanging news and working together as much as possible. She didn't exactly welcome the man into every aspect of their world, but she knew they had a common goal, and she would do anything to achieve that goal.

The news had been, by some miracle, kept secret from Draco until after the Winter Ball, though it hadn't taken long for him to seek her out following the official end of the Ball that night, demanding to know where Ginny had been. As expected, he had immediately been set on going to find her, though a few words, a few threats, and even a few spells to monitor his location those first few days kept Draco within the château; though it was obvious to all that the château was the last place he wanted to be.

It was no secret though, to anyone in the château who lived and worked there, that hope was slowly becoming hard to hold on to, especially for the young Duc and the Queen. So, when a Musketeer burst into the salon where Louise was with her remaining Ladies, André watching over them, the last thing anyone dared to pray for was some sort of news.

"My Queen," the man spoke as he strolled across the room and fell to a knee before her. "We've received word from Wiltshire, the Duchesse and Monsieur Malfoy were both spotted," he quickly explained, Fleur and the others gasping as they sat forward, eager for more news.

Louise raised a shaky hand to her lips before she visibly swallowed and pulled herself together, holding out a hand to the man as he rose and helped her from her seat. "André," she looked over at her Captain.

"Go, gather the elite guard," he spoke to the man who quickly nodded before hurrying from the room.

"You too."

"What?" André focused on Louise in shock.

"I want you to lead them," she explained simply.

"Isidora," his eyes narrowed as he looked at her. "You can't honestly be standing there asking me to leave your side."

"I am, and I'm not asking, I'm telling you," she countered evenly. "This is Ginny we are talking about, the Duchesse d'Orléans, my cousin's wife and the love of his life, and most important of all, my friend," she continued as she moved towards him. "I trust all of the Musketeers that serve under you; I know you trained them well. But I need you there. I know you'll bring her home."

"Isidora..." he began before she raised a hand to stop him.

"Do not argue with me, not about this, please," she added softly. "Take William, and the two of you will bring her home, I know you will. The sooner you go, the sooner you'll return and you can argue with me later about this."

André sighed before nodding, "As you wish my Queen," he bowed before turning and hurrying from the room to complete his mission.

"Dora?" Fleur asked softly once he was gone.

"Should one of us find Draco?" Marina asked as she rose.

"Or his mother?" Arabella added.

"Or better yet, simply summon Alek, or Nikolay?"

She looked at Anastasia first and shook her head, "No, to all of those. Until we know for sure what the outcome is, we will not get Drac's hopes up, or have anything to do with Narcissa. I still do not trust her... And I will be fine without bothering my husband or..." she trailed off; even amongst the seven of them they had no term for what her brother-in-law was to her. "We will wait, and soon there will be news, God willing it will be only good."


Saturday February 14th, 1998
Wiltshire, England
Malfoy Manor
The Master Suite
12:05 p.m.

It had taken about fifteen minutes to gather those that were coming from France to participate in the rescue mission in England, André dividing the elite group up between England and to provide extra protection for the Queen since he wouldn't be there to watch her. As soon as they were ready, the group had apparated to Wiltshire, and using the advanced magic the Musketeers had spent centuries developing, they made their way unseen to the meeting point with those who were already watching the Manor. After André was filled in on everything there was to know that they had learned from watching the Manor, a plan was quickly formulated. They would go at noon exactly, when the guards changed shifts, a small blessing it seemed being that Voldemort had left not long before they arrived, if the report that had come in from the Musketeer who had been watching over Hogwarts in case Ginny somehow managed to return there was any indication, apparently the supposed 'Dark Lord' had decided to have some fun and attack the students of Hogwarts who were celebrating the holiday in Hogsmeade. The fate of the students weren't the major concern for those gathered in Wiltshire however, their minds intent on one goal, rescuing Ginny and Lucius.

As the clocks within Malfoy Manor struck noon, the Musketeers came from all four directions, sneaking past Voldemort's detection spells with their own spells, orders to leave none alive that might get into their way in the long run, or cause problems as they tried to leave. Only one Death Eater remained alive, the first that André and Bill came upon, who reluctantly led them straight to the Master Suite where Lucius and Ginny were being held.

The last thing either man expected when they opened the doors was to find Ginny and Lucius in a rather intimate looking setting, chilled champagne, strawberries, sitting in front of the fire. Both however kept any reaction to themselves as they pushed the Death Eater they had found, who Bill had identified as a man named Andrews, in front of them, drawing the attention of the two being held hostage.

"Bill?" asked Ginny in shock as she rose to her feet, Lucius following suit as he stood behind her, his hands going to her waist as she nervously played with the golden B on her necklace, not sure if her eyes were playing tricks on her.

"Ginny, Mr. Malfoy," Bill nodded at both of them. "We're here to rescue you," he smiled towards Ginny.

"We're prevented from leaving the Manor, I'm afraid," Lucius replied. "Thanks to these," he continued holding his right hand up to show them his ring, Ginny mimicking his actions a moment later.

"We can't remove them. Only one of his trusted Death Eaters can. Not even Lucius can remove them," Ginny said.

"And I suppose you aren't one of those Death Eaters?" André asked, his sword resting against Andrews' throat.

"Afraid not, there's not even any in the building," he smirked.

"We shall see," André countered with a smile before pulling his wand with his other hand and casting a spell in French before he began to speak, "Don't kill anyone else, we may need one of them," he spoke before another wave of his wand and dozens of small pieces of paper appeared out of thin air and flew out of the room. "You wouldn't happen to know if the Death Eater needs to actually cast a spell to remove those would you Monsieur Malfoy?" he focused on Lucius.

"No spell was used to remove it the day they forced me to take Ginevra from Hogsmeade," Lucius replied.

"Then we can figure it is merely necessary for the person to be able to remove them physically," André nodded. "Would one of you kindly turn the Duchesse around?"

"Why?" asked Ginny curiously, hoping her sudden fear did not show through in her voice, sure Lucius could feel her trembling as his grip on her waist suddenly tightened.

"There are things that one such as you should not have to see, your Grace," he answered gently as he looked at her, before looking at Bill and Lucius pointedly.

"Ginny..." Bill stepped towards her.

"It's okay, Ginevra," Lucius said quietly in her ear as he turned her around and pulled her into his chest, holding her tight against him so that she wouldn't see what was about to happen.

André nodded before turning and quickly and effortlessly sliding his sword into Andrews' chest and removing it just as quickly, letting the man's body fall. Wiping the blood from his blade, he sent the body to the closet with a simple spell before turning back to them, "All is done," he spoke softly before a knock at the door drew their attention, that was quickly followed by two more taps. Turning he moved towards it and opened the door, sword ready to strike before he lowered it, allowing the Musketeer on the other side to enter.

"This is the only one," he spoke as he nodded towards the Death Eater that he held hostage.

"Monsieur Malfoy, is he one of Voldemort's trusted?" André looked over at Lucius.

"An initiate nothing more," Lucius said.

"Unfortunate," André sighed before nodding at the Musketeer who quickly took the Death Eater away. "Then we resort to option B," he looked at Bill who sighed before nodding.

"I'll be right back," Bill spoke softly to Ginny before disappearing.

"Are you alright, your Grace?" André asked softly while he waited for Bill to return. "Is there anything I can get for you? Or you, Monsieur Malfoy?" he looked over at Lucius.

"The only thing you can do for us right now is get us out of here, André," Lucius sighed as he felt Ginny wrap her arms around his waist. "Will William be long?"

"Hopefully not, he's gone to find someone that I am sure would fit the requirement for those," he nodded towards their hands.

"Well with your permission, we will wait in the bedroom."

"Is there any other way into the bedroom save this one?" André asked as he quickly crossed the room to look into the room for anyone who might be hiding there.

"The only way in or out of these rooms is through the door you came in or through the balcony doors," Lucius pointed out.

André nodded, "Then by all means," he agreed as he moved aside so they might enter.

"Come Ginevra," Lucius instructed quietly as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gently guided her into the bedroom where he helped her lie down on the bed before sitting down next to her. "Close your eyes and try to get some rest until your brother returns."

Meanwhile, André had taken up guard near the door so he could keep watch over them, but also give them a bit of privacy. He had his suspicions about what had transpired in these rooms, he only prayed Bill hadn't put two and two together, the other Musketeers would keep their silence as to what they had seen or suspected, but Bill had the unique position of also being a brother as well as a Musketeer... a very complicated position to be in if André's suspicions were true.

It wasn't long before Bill returned with Severus Snape in tow. "Monsieur," André spoke when he arrived. "I trust William has explained the situation..."

"Sufficiently," Severus nodded sharply. "Fortunately today was the day I was to administer Ginevra's dose of the potion, if the Dark Lord does a spell to look for magical signatures in the room, I can claim that I had arrived earlier to give the potion, after he left of course. And since apparently there are no survivors..."

"None," André agreed as he moved towards the bedroom and knocked on the door, "Your Grace, Monsieur Malfoy, our solution to the problem has arrived..." he spoke as Bill looked at Severus, gave a half shrug and drew his sword, holding it to Severus' throat, though if it was merely for show or not...

Ginny rose from the bed and slowly made her way over to where Bill stood with this sword at Severus' throat, Lucius standing about half a foot behind her.

"If you would be so kind, Monsieur Snape," André nodded.

He sneered before reaching out to grab Ginny's hand, and quickly removed the ring on her pinky, "There," he spoke as he handed the ring to André.

"Monsieur Malfoy?" André nodded towards Severus, "I believe it would be your turn now."

Ginny stepped aside, closer to André, allowing Lucius to step forward.

Just as quickly Severus repeated the process with Lucius, looking completely unhappy about it as if he was being forced, but this time he didn't hand the ring back to André, instead André handed the first ring to him.

"Well then, shall we? We need to get outside the gates to be able to apparate," André looked towards Lucius and Ginny. "Whenever you are ready..."

"There's nothing here that I want to bring with me André," Ginny said.

"Then shall we, your Grace?" André nodded as he held out his left hand, his sword in his right, though for now he had his sword pointing towards the ground close to his leg.

"Please," Ginny said, reaching out and taking André's offered hand and allowing him to lead her from the room, desperate to set foot outside the rooms that had been her prison for longer than she cared to remember, the others falling in behind them.

Quickly André led them back through the Manor, other Musketeers joining the line as they passed rooms where the men were. Before they actually left the building, all of the Musketeers cast invisibility spells upon themselves, Bill casting one on Lucius and Severus, while André cast one on Ginny, the spells allowing anyone else under the spell to see each other, but no magic or other person could see or track them. At last they made their way across the grounds and out the front gate, arriving at the gathering point where André took the rings back from Severus and slipped them into a pocket, then Bill disappeared long enough to return Severus to wherever he had come from, once he was back with them, André who had already returned his blade to it's scabbard, gently pulled Ginny towards him, "Trust me," he whispered softly before wrapping an arm around her waist and apparating them both away, Bill apparating with Lucius as the rest of the gathered Musketeers followed.

As soon as their feet were back on solid ground in France, André stepped back, keeping a hold of Ginny's hand as he quickly removed the invisibility spells, the others appearing shortly after as they removed their own spells.

"Are you alright, your Grace?" André asked softly.

"A little cold," admitted Ginny through chattering teeth, she'd forgotten to grab a cloak before leaving the Manor, of course it would have helped if she'd had a cloak to begin with.

"I would suggest a physician for her Grace," Lucius said, speaking up.

"I was already thinking that, but thank you, Monsieur Malfoy," André nodded as one of the Musketeers who had been in the building that served as headquarters to the men came over with a fur-lined cloak and held it out to André, he smiled a quick thanks at the man before easily moving the cloak around Ginny's shoulders. "We'll take one of the secret passages, and take you the Queen's Physician, alright Your Grace?" he asked as he once more offered his arm to her.

"Of course," Ginny said as she took André's arm. "Could you have Bill send a message to my mother? I would like to see her if possible."

"Of course," he nodded as he looked at Bill who nodded once, "Do you feel up to walking the whole way?" he asked as he led her towards the stairs so they could move to the Captain's private rooms in the building, which had a magical passage to his rooms within the château.

"I'm not sure to be honest…" Ginny admitted.

"Would you object if I carried you then?" he asked softly, concern for her evident in his tone and expression.

"Never," Ginny smiled.

"Good to hear," he smiled before gently lifting her into his arms, waiting until her arms wrapped around his neck for security, and he quickly made his way up the stairs and into his study. "I should ask this now while we walk, would you be opposed to Isidora coming to see you right away? I know she will want to as soon as she knows you are safely within the château's walls."

"It would be nice to see a friendly face again, not that yours isn't friendly André," Ginny giggled as she pulled back slightly to look at him.

"Well, that is good to hear," he laughed, "And I'll let her know," he smiled as he nodded towards a tapestry on the wall he had stopped next to in his quarters at the Headquarters, "If you would be so kind as to lift that tapestry out of the way..."

"Like this?" asked Ginny as she pulled it up.

"Exactly like that," he nodded as he carefully moved one hand so he could quickly reach up and press his palm against the wall, and a moment later a section of the wall began to reshape itself, not that different from the way the wall of the Leaky Cauldron did to open to Diagon Alley. After it was completely open, his hand already once more firmly holding Ginny in place, he continued on their way, the tapestry falling back as Ginny let it go and the wall fixed itself behind them.

It wasn't more than ten steps before an opening formed in front of them and André stepped out into his office inside the château, and he moved over to set her down in a chair, "I'll be right back," he spoke softly before leaving the room to summon the Physicians, then returning before even thirty seconds had passed. "Madam de Barbarac will likely pick a room to take you to so she can care for you, but I didn't want to assume as to what room she would pick. Though I will insist it isn't your appartements," he explained as he sat down in the other chair next to her, "I imagine you are not ready to see him yet."

"I don't even know if he'd want to see me after everything I've put him through," Ginny said quietly, her gaze on her hands as she played with her wedding and engagement ring.

"If I might be so bold, and if you want to, blame Isidora for allowing me to be with her," he smiled, a soft smile that spoke of years of friendship, before focusing back solely on her, "He's afraid he's lost you, but he still loves you a great deal, it's obvious to any of us who look at him. I know that things were complicated, made that way by circumstances outside of your control following your wedding. But do not give up hope completely."

"I've done things I wouldn't blame him if he could never forgive me for," Ginny said.

"From what I have seen, love knows no bounds, and can forgive even the greatest of wrongs. I cannot speak for what he will do, but I can also not say that he will turn you away for the things that had been done. You will simply have to wait and see I'm afraid, Your Grace, none know everything that is to come, even those blessed with the Sight."

Before Ginny could say anything in response, there was a knock at the door and André quickly rose to see who it was, letting Louise's personal physician in, Madam de Barbarac. "Your Grace," she smiled as she gave a quick curtsy without missing a step as she crossed to Ginny's side. "It is good to see you in person once more. If you are ready, I was thinking we could take you to your former rooms within the château, I would prefer privacy, and thought you might as well."

"Thank you," Ginny said rising from her chair and wrapping the cloak tightly around herself self-consciously.

"Come on then my Sweet, let's get this done so you can go and simply relax," Madam de Barbarac smiled as she held out her hand to Ginny, "We'll do this my way," she continued before looking at André, "I know the Queen is eagerly awaiting news, she's still in the Salon de Mercure, I ordered her to stay put when I stopped in on her earlier, her Grace's guard can wait outside her rooms until I am done."

"I'll inform William," André nodded. "We shall see you soon," he smiled at Ginny as Madam de Barbarac pulled a small bag from her pocket and pulled out a bit of gold coloured dust. Putting the bag back in her pocket she retook Ginny's hand and before Ginny had a chance to respond to André, she tossed it in the air so it would fall over them, and the room around them shimmered away as the rooms Ginny had used before her marriage shimmered into view around them and soon they were completely in the rooms.


Saturday February 14th, 1998
Versailles, France
Château de Versailles
Salon de Mercure
2:18 p.m.

"Dora, you should probably stop pacing," Anastasia spoke up as she and the other Ladies watched Louise turn for her thirtieth pass across the room since news had come that the Musketeers had returned successful.

"It's either this or kill someone," she countered as she turned once more.

"Madam de Barbarac is going to kill us," Rosabella whispered to Marie-Thérèse.

"Very painfully," she agreed.

"I can hear you," Louise looked over at both of them.

"Then shouldn't that be a sign to listen to us?" Arabella countered. "For heaven's sake Dora, think of the baby, we're all eager to meet the prince or princess, but we would rather it be when the baby is actually due."

"Annoying ones," she snapped at them.

"You seem to be a bit testy."

Louise spun around at the teasing voice, reaching out to grab a table even as the three women nearest to her jumped to help steady her.

"Isidora," André chided as he crossed the room and moved her towards the couch to sit down, "I leave for a few hours and you're attempting to do ballet."

"Oh, stop being evil and picking on me," she muttered as she looked at him while the three retook their seats. "Well? How is she? How is he? Where is she? What happened? Why aren't you talking?"

"Because you already are," he chuckled. "She's not perfect, but she's alive, and she's here. The same goes for him, though I have Lucius under guard in the rooms you assigned to him, Aleksander's physician is with him checking him for any potions or other means of control Voldemort might have exerted over him. Madam de Barbarac has taken Ginny to her former rooms and is looking her over, and she has said she would like to see you."

"Thank you," Louise whispered as she raised her eyes to the ceiling before looking back at him and holding out her hand for him to help her up. "I'll come back with news," she looked at the others who nodded in unison, before focusing on André once more, "Tell me everything," she ordered as she moved towards the door, André falling into step beside her.

"We didn't actually mount the attack until noon," he began as they left the room.