Chapter 2- Malfoy Manor

Ginny followed the man without hesitation. Even if she had felt like resisting, she couldn't have made herself; she was just too bone-weary. The Malfoy- whichever one this was- led her off the beach and onto a boardwalk, then across to a busy street. They walked along the side of the road slowly, wary of Cassie's short legs.

In a matter of minutes, the buildings had been left behind, and trees grew close together surprisingly fast. The road beneath their feet became hard-packed dirt, and the sound of the waves faded into a disquieting silence. With their footsteps the only sound, and the shadows thickening quickly around them, Ginny's heart began to flutter nervously. As they rounded a bend in the road, she opened her mouth to say something, anything, but found herself standing motionless.

Malfoy Manor towered up before them, high gray turrets rising almost to the sky. A thick stone wall surrounded the large, treeless grounds, blocking passage inside with a wide and very heavy-looking gate.

"Mommy."

Ginny looked down at her daughter and smiled at the way the caramel-colored eyes overshadowed all else on her face.

"Big."

Ginny hoisted the girl onto her hip, smoothing reddish-brown hair from the small face. "Yes, very big."

Malfoy, smiling along with Ginny at Cassie's amazement, moved forward. He pulled out his wand and began to undo the locks, speaking back over his shoulder as he worked. "Have you ever been here before?"

Ginny nodded before realizing he couldn't see her. What exactly was she supposed to say? The only time she'd been inside was when she'd accompanied her father here on a raid last year. "Once. On a. . . social call."

"I intend to have you stay here at the manor until the summer holidays are over," Malfoy was saying as they walked up a long, dark corridor. "When school resumes, you can go to Hogwarts and find whoever it is you're looking for."

Ginny stopped short. "Stay here?"

"Yes. Is there a problem with that?"

Ginny resumed her pace, frowning to clear her thoughts. After a moment of contemplation, she decided that bluntness was the best approach. "I'm somewhat confused over your kindness."

Malfoy's eyebrows climbed nearly to his hairline. "I beg your pardon?"

"Why are you being so nice?"

"Should I be otherwise?"

"Well. . ." Ginny bit her lip, suddenly recalling a conversation she'd had with her father a few years ago. 'The Malfoys haven't always been like they are now. I believe that it was Lucius Malfoy who started this trend of evilness, and that they were a fine family before he came along.' "No, I suppose not."

Still eyeing her curiously, Malfoy pulled up abruptly and threw one of the many doors lining the walls. He motioned her and Cassie inside, then followed them through the door. "I'm sorry I have nothing better to offer you than this. I'm afraid it's the best I can do on such short notice."

Ginny looked around the lavish bedroom, complete with roaring fire and heavy velvet drapes, and grinned. "It'll be a challenge, but I'm sure we'll manage somehow."

Cassie took off running with a delighted giggle, heading for the adjoining bathroom, pausing to run a hand over the drapes on the way. Ginny watched her go, and waited until her daughter was out of hearing before speaking.

"I'm Ginny, by the way. Ginny Lupin. And that's my daughter, Cassie."

"Xavier Malfoy."

Ginny opened her mouth to say something else, but Cassie came toddling back out of the bathroom, stuttering in her excitement.

"Momma, they have a- a- Mommy, they have a orange tub! And the bottom is-" Cassie curled her fingers. "Paws."

Ginny looked to Xavier for an explanation, and found him chuckling to himself. "That particular bathroom has a cast-iron, claw-foot bathtub."

A wide grin spread across Ginny's face, and she bit her lip to keep from laughing at her daughter. "That's very interesting, Cas."

"Well, I should go." Xavier turned to leave, opening the door to let himself out. "I'll have some food sent up, if you like."

Ginny nodded fervently. "Yes, please. And- Cassie, stop jumping on the bed- Thank you so much for everything."

Xavier just nodded and started to leave the room. He paused in the doorway, however, and looked back at the pretty red-head, hesitating. "It might be in your best interest to stay in here for a while. Some of my. . . more questionable friends like to drop in unexpectedly, and I don't think you'd enjoy running into them."