Chapter 7

Monday December 22nd, 1997
Wiltshire, England
Malfoy Manor
Lucius' Private Chambers
12:18 a.m.

It was just after midnight as Lucius started making his way up towards his rooms, his sister, the guest of honour, got the privilege of remaining behind to see all the guests out and Narcissa had retired for the night an hour before. His run in with Ginny in his study earlier in the evening had given him plenty to think about. It certainly explained why images of his sister's pet project had been haunting his dreams at night. At least now the vision had a name.

Once safely behind the closed door to his rooms, knowing Narcissa would never dream of ever setting foot inside, especially since her rooms were on the other side of the manor, Lucius made his way over to the fireplace and picked up the decanter of Firewhiskey he kept there and a glass. As he stood there drinking his glass of Firewhiskey, he thought about the night's events as he stared in the softly crackling fire. He did not know if he should be grateful or annoyed at this wife's timing earlier when she had come looking for him. He could not bear to think of what might have happened if Narcissa had been five minutes later. As he finished his Firewhiskey, he admonished himself for having such thoughts about his sister's newest friend and charge.

Lucius remained where he was for a few moments after finishing his Firewhiskey before turning, intending to leave the glass on the small table by his chair for the house-elves to collect in the morning, before heading off to bed for the night, only to have the glass slip from his fingers and shatter on the marble that made up the floor in front of the fireplace.

Ginny had not intended to fall asleep in the chair in front of the fire and was not even aware that she had until she was startled awake by the sound of something shattering. Once awake, Ginny let her gaze travel up the figure standing before her, afraid of just who it might be, only to have her gaze meet that of the one man she wanted but could never hope to have. "Oh Goddess," Ginny cried quietly when reality sunk in and she leapt to her feet, the blanket that had been covering her falling to the floor. "I beg your forgiveness your Grace," Ginny pleaded as she dropped into a curtsey, desperately afraid of what Lucius might do to her having discovered her in his private rooms. "If you will grant me permission to leave, your Grace, I will return to my rooms," she said as she curtsied once more before turning to make her way from the room, taking Lucius' silence as tacit permission to leave.

Ginny had barely taken a step when she felt something wrap around her waist seconds before she was pulled backwards and forcefully thrown up against the bookcase that filled the wall next to the fireplace. Before she could do or say anything, Ginny felt herself being lifted off the floor as she was pressed back against the bookcase and her mouth was suddenly being devoured.

As she felt herself being lifted, she knew that she would have to rely on Lucius to hold her up but that she could make it easier for him if she could wrap her legs around his waist. The only problem came in that she could not seem to get her skirts out of the way, it was as if they were caught on something and no matter how hard she tried, which really was not all that hard given her current situation pinned up against the bookcase with Lucius doing the most amazing thing with his mouth that her brain refused to think of anything save the rather intense sensations she was feeling, she could not get her skirts up and out of the way.

As her skirts continued to not give way, Ginny whimpered in frustration causing Lucius to growl against her neck as he took hold of Ginny's skirts and with a sharp yank, freed them from the fire poker they had snagged on tearing them in the process. Once her skirts were free from the poker Ginny quickly pulled them up and out of the way. As she was wrapping her legs around Lucius' waist she felt him rip her panties off seconds before he slammed into her, entering her hard and fast.

By the time Lucius entered her, they were both so caught up in the intensity of what they were feeling and in the situation that neither one heard Ginny cry out when Lucius' abrupt entry tore through her innocence and neither one noticed the tingling sensation that swept through their bodies binding them together.

It did not take long for Lucius to reach completion, pulling out of Ginny as his breathing slowly started returning to normal. As his breathing calmed down, his brain started to clear and the reality of what he had just done and to whom started to set in, causing him to step back from Ginny rather abruptly before turning and stalking over to the window.

Ginny was still trying to clear the stars from her eyes and the fuzziness from her head when Lucius suddenly pulled away from her, the sudden loss of his weight causing her to fall to the floor with a squeak of surprise.

"I'm afraid it is my turn to beg for your forgiveness, Countess," Lucius said quietly from his spot at the window when he heard Ginny squeak, his voice practically echoing in the near silence of the room.

Ginny carefully got her feet under her and managed to slowly walk, on legs that felt like jelly, over to where Lucius stood looking out the window, his back to her. When she was close enough she reached out and put her hand on his arm.

Lucius looked down at the hand that now lay gently on his arm before slowly turning around so he was facing Ginny, their roles seemingly reversed as he refused to meet Ginny's gaze.

Once Lucius was facing her, Ginny slowly reached up and laid her hand gently on his face, running her thumb lightly along his cheek before slowly letting her hand slide around to the back of his neck, as she raised herself up on her toes.

"Countess…" Lucius began.

"Ginny," she whispered as she succeeded in gently prodding Lucius to lower his head and close the gap between them.

The same intoxicating feeling swept through Ginny and Lucius once more as their lips met in what started out in a rather chaste kiss that quickly deepened once more.

It wasn't long before Ginny felt herself being spun around and pushed backwards, Lucius once more pressing her into the wall next to the window. "Bed," she whimpered when Lucius broke his hold on her mouth by moving his attention to where her neck met her shoulder. "Bed please."

At hearing Ginny's quiet plea, Lucius wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her off the floor as he started devouring her mouth yet again. As soon as he felt Ginny's legs wrap around his waist once more, he manoeuvred his way through the sitting room and into the bedroom beyond.

"Countess," Lucius called as he gently shook Ginny's shoulder. "You need to get up Countess."

"Mmm…what?" Ginny asked sleepily as she rolled over so she was facing Lucius.

"It's time for you to get up," Lucius said as he rose from where he was sitting on the bed next to Ginny. "You're dress is across the foot of the bed," he said as he made his way towards the door leading to the sitting room. "Do be quick about it Countess," he told her before stepping into the sitting room, closing the door behind him.

Ginny laid where she was for a few minutes as her sleep deprived brain tried to process what Lucius had said, not liking the coldness she had heard in his voice. When her brain had finally processed everything, Ginny slowly climbed out of bed, her body protesting, and pulled her dress over to where she was sitting. She had a little trouble getting her dress done up due to the low zipper and her muscles protesting against everything she was asking them to do. Once her dress was done up, Ginny carefully rose to her feet and slowly made her way towards the door to the sitting room, using the surrounding furniture for support, the tear in her skirt quite evident as she walked. Ginny stood with her forehead leaning against the sitting room door for a few minutes, unsure of what she would face on the other side. Taking a deep breath, Ginny stepped back and opened the door, stopping suddenly on the other side when she saw Lucius standing at the window, a house-elf standing next to him.

"It is time for you to return to your rooms Countess. Bixie will show you the way," Lucius said, never once turning his gaze from the darkened window. "You need not fear Countess, Bixie will speak of this to no one and I suggest you do the same."

"Your Grace?" Ginny asked. Her quiet voice was full of confusion as she was not quite sure what to make of his rather cold tone.

"I in no way hold you responsible for the events of last night Countess," Lucius said.

"I'm sorry, your Grace, but I…I don't understand," commented Ginny quietly, even more confused now.

"Last night was nothing more than a fanciful dream, Countess. It never happened. You were never here. It is something that can never happen again, will never happen again, of that I can assure you," Lucius explained, still not turning away from the window to look at Ginny. "It would be best if we refrained from ever being in the same room together again in future if you value your life and that of your family."

"Oh," replied Ginny. Her voice was barely louder than a whisper in the quiet room as her heart broke into a hundred pieces. "Of course, your Grace. You have my word that no one shall learn of what happened here last night. And you need not worry, your Grace; you will never set eyes on me again. With your permission, your Grace, I beg your leave to return to my rooms," she said as she dropped into a curtsey, her voice trembled slightly as she fought back tears, determined not to let him see just how much and how deeply his words hurt her.

"You may go," Lucius said dismissing Ginny. "Countess," he called just as Ginny reached the door, causing her to stop and turn around to face him once more.

"Yes, your Grace?" she asked, her hopes rising that he might be changing his mind.

"Do be good enough to take your shoes with you," he said as he strode into the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

"Right, my shoes," Ginny sighed quietly in defeat. Her hopes plummeting and her heart breaking into even tinier pieces as she walked over to the bookcase next to the fireplace. She picked up her shoes and made her way back over to where Bixie was waiting for her at the doorway, following the elf into the hall.

"Bixie, you're sworn to secrecy right?" Ginny asked quietly as they made their way out into the main part of the Manor from the wing that housed Lucius' rooms.

"Yes Miss," replied Bixie.

"Then can you take me to the Manor's Floo point please," Ginny requested.

"But Miss, his Grace tell Bixie to take the young Miss back to her chambers before the rest of the house wakes for the day," replied Bixie nervously.

"Bixie please, if I am to have any hope at all of keeping the promise I just made to the Duke, then I can't stay here," Ginny told the elf desperately. "No one will know that you helped me, I swear. Bixie please, I can't stay here."

"Alright Miss, follow me. Bixie will take you to the Floo point," Bixie said as she made a left turn out of the hallway they were currently in and started down a flight of stairs.

A few minutes later Bixie led Ginny into a familiar looking room. It was the room Ginny had first encountered Lucius in the night before after Simeon had attacked her.

"Travelling powder is on the left side of the mantle, talking powder is on the right," offered Bixie.

"Thank you," replied Ginny with a small smile. "Oh Bixie one more thing."

"Yes Miss?"

"I have no way of lighting the fire. My wand is up in my rooms and…" Ginny's words trailed off as Bixie suddenly disappeared from the room only to reappear moments later, Ginny's wand in hand. "Thank you," Ginny said as she took her wand from the elf.

"Goodbye Miss," Bixie said before disappearing with a pop.

After the elf had left, Ginny made her way towards the fireplace, lighting a fire with her wand before reaching into the jar on the left side of the mantle and withdrawing some Floo powder, which she quickly threw into the flames, calling out her destination as she stepped into the fire.

Monday December 22nd, 1997
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Albus Dumbledore's Office
5:31 a.m.

They had agreed to meet at such an early hour because they both agreed it was likely one of the only times during the day that neither one of them were likely to be needed by one of the students or one of the other professors, so it came as quite a surprise when the fireplace in Albus' office flared to life at half five in the morning.

"Miss Weasley," asked Minerva in confusion, not quite sure if the distraught and dishevelled young woman who had just emerged into the office from the Floo network was indeed one of her students. Her confusion stemmed from the fact that the young woman in front of her had her hair up, messy though it may be, a diamond and sapphire tiara on her head in amongst what looked like had been hanging curls at one point, a diamond and sapphire necklace with matching earrings and bracelet, she was wearing a sapphire blue ball gown that appeared to have a large tear down the left side of the skirt and she was holding a pair of heels that matched the colour of her dress in one hand and her wand in the other. The only thing that told them who they young woman could be was the colour of her hair; it was flame red, the same colour as Ginny Weasley's hair.

Ginny nodded as she finally broke down, the barrier holding her tears back crumbling as she collapsed to the floor.

"Oh child," cried Minerva. Rushing to Ginny's side the minute she saw her collapse, crouching down beside the distraught girl as Albus laid a blanket around her shoulders. "Are you alright?" she asked worriedly.

Ginny shook her head, too overcome to be able to form words.

"Who did this to you Miss Weasley?" Albus asked as he too crouched down in front of Ginny. "Was it one of the nobles?"

Ginny nodded.

"Who was it child?" pressed Minerva.

A look of panic crossed Ginny's face as she shook her head furiously, her tears increasing as her panic grew.

"Minerva, why don't you take Miss Weasley here to the Hospital Wing and have Poppy look her over and I'll get in touch with Molly and let her know what's happened," Albus suggested as he got back to his feet.

"Of course Albus," agreed Minerva. "Come child," she said as she helped Ginny to her feet. "Give me those," she said as she took both the shoes and the wand from Ginny. Wrapping an arm around Ginny's waist, she helped her student from the room and up to the Hospital Wing. "Stay here child," she told Ginny quietly as she helped her sit down on one of the beds in the ward before making her way into Poppy's office.

Poppy and Minerva emerged from Poppy's office a few minutes later, Poppy in her dressing gown, Minerva having woken her and they made their way over to where Minerva had left Ginny sitting on the bed. "Oh my," commented Poppy quietly when she got a first look at Ginny, tears still falling silently down her face. "Minerva, would you mind pulling the screen?" she asked. "I want to get her out of this dress and I would prefer it if no one could see her if they suddenly walk in here."

"Of course Poppy," Minerva agreed as she pulled the screen across to block Ginny from view. After helping Poppy get Ginny changed, Minerva stepped out of the curtained off area, leaving the matron alone with her patient.

While Poppy was examining Ginny, Albus and Molly arrived in the Hospital Wing.

"Molly, we know how strong your feelings and opinions are in regards to the nobles and their way of life and we know how you feel about your daughter accepting the training offered her by the Countess de Winters, but now is not the time for harsh words and recriminations. I believe Ginevra has already been punished in a way that no young woman should ever be punished, and it is far worse than anything you as her mother could do to her," Albus said as they waited for Poppy to emerge from behind the screen.

"Albus, what's going on? What's happened to my daughter?" demanded Molly worriedly.

"Ah Poppy, how is young Ginevra?" Albus asked as Poppy made her way over to them.

"If you all would come with me, this is something best discussed behind closed doors," Poppy said before leading them all into her office, closing and warding the door behind herself.

"Poppy?" Molly pressed.

"Ginevra's been assaulted both physically and sexually," Poppy said, eliciting a gasp from the others. "She has a gash on her cheek, which could have been caused by a ring or something similar. She has extensive bruising on her back and a few hairline fractures in her ribs along her back. It looks as if she was thrown into a bookcase or a wall or something along those lines."

"What about the…the sexual assault?" Molly demanded her voice full of worry and concern.

"Poppy, what is it?" pressed Albus when he noticed the uncertainty on Poppy's face.

"I'm not one hundred percent certain about whether it really was sexual assault at all," admitted Poppy.

"But you said…"

"I know what I said Minerva," Poppy sighed. "The injuries Ginevra sustained could have been caused either by her being raped or by her engaging in rough sex."

"I find it a little hard to believe that a nice quiet girl like Ginevra would willingly engage in rough sex. She had to have been raped," commented Minerva adamantly.

"Has she said anything about who may have done this to her?" asked Albus.

"No Albus," admitted Poppy. "She's barely said anything about what happened last night. The only answers I can get out of her are that he was a noble and that he was married."

"Thank the Gods for that," sighed Molly, a hint of relief in her voice.

"Molly you can't honestly be happy that his happened to your daughter," Minerva accused in disbelief.

"I am far from happy that my daughter has been forced to go through what she has Minerva," snapped Molly in irritation. "No mother in the world would wish for their daughter to suffer through the indignity of being raped…"

"But unless she comes out and actually says she was raped…"

"And that's not about to happen Poppy," Molly argued.

"But…"

"No Minerva, she's right to keep silent. She said it was a noble and I know how they operate. If she were to accuse one of them of this type of crime, it would be far worse for her then if she just kept quiet. Poppy, you said she admitted that the man was married correct?" she asked turning towards Poppy.

"Yes she did," replied Poppy. "You want her to take the potion then," she said realizing what Molly was getting at.

"Yes I do. If he was married that means that when he took her innocence the bond that is supposed to form never did and if we can restore at least that innocence to her then she will be able to bond with her own husband when the time comes," Molly explained.

"Bond?" asked Minerva in confusion.

"It's something that happens when a girl of noble blood sleeps with a man for the first time, when he breaks through her innocence, causing her to bleed, a bond forms between them that will ensure a long marriage. The couple will find themselves drawn to each other. It's not a compulsion like you might think. It's actually quite hard to describe the actual sensation. The bond makes it almost seem ridiculous if you were to even consider being with another. It doesn't foster, create or force love on the couple but it does make it so no other is quite as appealing as your partner," Molly explained.

"What if he's married, like in Ginevra's case?" questioned Albus curiously.

"The bond only forms when neither person is bonded to another. That is why I was so relieved to learn that the one who did this to my daughter is married because it means he's already bonded to another, leaving Ginny free from a bond with her husband. That's why if we restore her innocence the bond will form with her own husband. The bond does not prevent you being with another, it just means it won't be as enjoyable as being with the one you're bonded and married to," offered Molly.

"Not to change the subject or anything as I'm finding this discussion quite fascinating," commented Albus with a smile. "But about young Ginevra. Might I suggest she return to the Burrow with you for the remainder of the holidays? Allow her to begin healing in a place where she feels safe and away from the influence of her noble friends. I will even place her under the Fidelius Charm if you so wish. We can erase the knowledge of her whereabouts from Minerva and Poppy here, even myself if you wish to be her secret keeper."

"Thank you Albus," replied Molly. "I would be honoured if you were Ginny's secret keeper."

"It is my pleasure Molly," Albus commented with a smile. "I think it best if we get young Ginevra home as quickly as possible before Josephine Malfoy realizes her latest pet project is not where she thinks she is and comes looking for her."

"Of course," Molly agreed, turning and taking the collection of potions Ginny would need to help her heal her injuries from Poppy before stepping out of the office and into the main ward.

"If you ladies would be kind enough to wait here, I shan't be long," Albus said before following Molly out into the main ward, leaving Minerva and Poppy alone in Poppy's office.

When they were out in the main ward, Albus took the potions from Molly allowing her to finally go to her daughter, who was suddenly looking a lot younger than her sixteen years.

"Ginny," Molly called quietly as she sat down on the bed next to Ginny, gently brushing some of Ginny's hair from her face.

"Mum?" asked Ginny, her voice very quiet and timid.

"Yes Ginny, it's Mum," Molly soothed as she gently ran her hand along Ginny's arm comfortingly.

"Mummy?" asked Ginny, her voice almost childlike as she started to cry. "Oh Gods, I am so sorry Mummy. I am so sorry. I should have listened to you. I'm sorry," she sobbed as she curled in on herself.

"Oh Ginny, my dear sweet Ginny. You have nothing to be sorry for," Molly soothed as she pulled Ginny into her arms, allowing her to cry. "They took advantage of you, of your innocence. You are not to blame for any of this," she reassured as she rubbed Ginny's back soothingly.

"You're not mad at me?"

"No sweetie, I'm not," Molly said, causing Ginny to cry harder.

As Molly sat there holding her crying daughter, Albus collected Ginny's belongings and put them in a bag with the potions before performing the Fidelius Charm on Ginny. "Molly, it's time," he said as he handed the bag and a quill to her, the quill being a portkey that activated the minute Molly touched it, taking her and Ginny back to the Burrow instantly.

Monday December 22nd, 1997
Wiltshire, England
Malfoy Manor
Josephine's Library
9:24 a.m.

The morning after the ball everyone slept in quite late, but the first thing Josephine did upon waking was seek out Ginny, growing more concerned the less she saw of her. She sent the other girls out to search the manor as Eva tried to calm her down while the elves searched the manor in places they could not go.

"I'm sure she's fine Josie," Eva spoke quietly, "I beg of you stop pacing, Horacio wouldn't let me use a hangover potion and you're making me seasick..."

"You don't understand," she hissed, as she looked at her best friend, "I left her in Lucia's room's last night."

"What!" Eva shrieked before grabbing her head, "Dear Merlin Josephine what in the Goddess' name were you thinking?"

"I was thinking he might be able to help her in a way none of us could. Simeon really threw her for a loop last night... which reminds me, I need to deal with him later, and I need to speak with my nephew, he's the only person who would tell Simeon about Ginny's past."

"Remind me to not be around when you go after your nephew, but I'll be there with you when you take care of Simeon... though I have no idea what you're talking about..." Eva frowned.

"I'll explain later... I need to go find Lucia..." Josephine sighed before heading to the door, "Let me know as soon as someone finds something..."

"Of course," Eva nodded.

Josephine quickly made her way towards the one place her brother would be this time of day, his study... "Lucia," she began without preamble, "I need to speak with you."

"Not now Josephine," countered Lucius.

"Oh no, we're having this conversation now," she countered, "I can't find Ginny anywhere."

"And you believe this concerns me how exactly?" asked Lucius, raising an eyebrow in question. "She is your pet and therefore you responsibility. Not mine."

"Considering I know the last person to see her, other than me, was you... oh I believe it is your problem brother mine," she argued evenly.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Lucius countered as he turned his attention back to the papers on his desk.

"Alright, you may want to kill me but here we go I'm confessing," she sighed, "I'm the reason she was in your rooms last night."

"Have you been drinking at this hour of the morning sister? The Countess of Rosewood was not in my rooms last night."

"Bullshit," Josephine snapped, "And don't you dare chastise my language. I left her in your rooms; I know full well she never returned to her rooms, which leaves me knowing full well that she was with you. Deny it all you want but you can't tell me that given the opportunity nothing happened."

"You're hallucinating Josephine. I have not laid eyes on the Countess of Rosewood since leaving her in my study last night."

"Goddess above Lucius Charles William Malfoy!" Josephine yelled, "By the Goddess' name do not make me call upon her to make you tell the truth. I do not care that you may have had relations with her last night, all I care about is that a girl I care about a great deal is now missing. By our ancestor's blood if you do not tell me what happened I will never forgive you if something has happened to her."

"I have not seen her since early this morning Josephine," Lucius sighed. "The last I saw of the Countess of Rosewood was when Bixie escorted her from my rooms."

Josephine nodded, "Thank you Lucia," she whispered before rising, "If you ever wish to talk, or yell at me or whatever, I'm here. The Goddess knows I probably deserve your anger, and you know as always that my silence is yours," she spoke quietly before making her way towards the door to seek out Bixie.

Monday December 22nd, 1997
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Albus Dumbledore's Office
10:49 a.m.

After finding out Ginny had left the manor the night before, Josephine went to the first place she suspected Ginny might go, the Burrow. Kylie was playing in the yard, which proved her suspicions, but Ginny was nowhere to be seen, which left her with only one explanation, and led to her walking through the halls of Hogwarts heading towards the office of the very esteemed, yet exceedingly hated by her, Headmaster. Calling upon the Goddess' help, the entry to the office opened and she made her way up to the inner sanctum of the man.

"Countess de Winters," Albus greeted, not all that surprised to find the woman in his office, he was just surprised it had taken this long.

"Dumbledore," she spoke quietly, "Who cast the Fidelius Charm on Ginny?"

"I beg your pardon? Someone placed a Fidelius Charm on Miss Weasley? Whatever for I wonder."

"Don't play the innocent card with me; I lost my naivety a long time ago. I do not know exactly what happened that led Ginny to leave so suddenly last night, but I'm not going to loose my friend because you and yours no doubt took this chance to keep her away from her birthright."

"It was Miss Weasley's choice Miss Malfoy. She chose to leave the school with you and the poor child was terrorized by your kind. Do not accuse me of manipulating the situation as it was she who chose to return to the safety of her family and it is my hope that she remains where she is, for her own safety, not to mention her sanity," Albus said.

Josephine remained silent for a few moments, locking her anger down for the time being, "You have never had any respect for the nobility, a fact I have never understood since you seem to have such strong beliefs and respect for the founders of this school, all nobles in their own right. I know of whom it was that 'terrorized' her as you put it last night and punishment has already begun being implemented. I do not doubt that she chose to return to her family, but that does not mean I do not suspect that you, and especially her mother, are not quite happy to use her sudden change of heart and whatever it was that happened beyond the incident I know of to keep her from taking her place in that which she has already claimed. Did you even ask her if she wished to be placed under the Fidelius Charm before performing such strong magic? I would not be surprised if you didn't, but know this; even your most powerful magic will not keep me from ever seeing her again. She is the Countess of Rosewood, a title she laid claim to last night. I will not force her to see me, but someday I know that our paths will cross or she might seek me out. Regardless of your feelings about me and my kind as you so delicately put it, we do not turn our backs on those we consider friends, and I will never turn mine on her."

"And yet you stand by and watch as one you claim to consider a friend is brutally raped? Is that your idea of friendship Miss Malfoy?" demanded Albus. "The girl that arrived in this office this morning was nothing but a shell of the girl that left here a few days ago."

Josephine raised her eyebrows at the accusation, "I do not know what it is that you have assumed Dumbledore, but I know that she was not raped last night, she was assaulted tis true, but nothing more than being hit, if you can even consider that to be a minor infraction compared to what you are suggesting, and the one who dared to raise his hand to a Countess is being swiftly dealt with. What you believe did not happen; I would give my very title on such a thing. I will not deny that she might have come here exceedingly traumatized, but it was not because of what you accuse us of, nobles may have a great many faults but to assault someone in such a matter is certainly not one of them, that is something only those who do not live by the rules of honour would do."

"Miss Weasley was treated by Poppy this morning not only for a cut on her face but for numerous cracked ribs and her back was badly bruised. Poppy believes that she was sexually assaulted and Miss Weasley all but admitted to that fact, admitting it was a noble but refusing to give his name other than the fact that he was married. Add to that her dress was torn from the hem almost to the waist line and all the evidence points to Miss Weasley being raped last night," Albus said a hint of sadness in his voice. "This is your fault Miss Malfoy for introducing Miss Weasley to a world in which she does not belong."

"This conversation will get us nowhere for you will never accept the fact that Ginny does belong among the nobility to which she was born and she, along with her brothers, were denied because of her mother's hatred for those to which she was born, a hatred that none ever understood for her parents loved her dearly and would have let her have anything in this world. I do not know exactly what happened last night but I do know the noble whom she was with and I know that this man would never harm her in such a way, her injuries might very well have been acquired when she made her way here... But as I said, we will never agree so this conversation is pointless. But know this Dumbledore, if you attempt in any way to interfere in the future, to deny her that which is her's, the consequences will be more than you can ever imagine." With that, she turned and disappeared down the stairs before he had a chance to respond; making her way from the school and apparating once she was clear of the wards.

Saturday January 17th, 1998
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Gryffindor Tower
The Sixth Year Girls' Dormitory
10:42 a.m.

She knew Harry had been disappointed when she told him she would not be at the Quidditch match but she also knew he understood her reasons why. Ever since they had started going out just after her disastrous debut and subsequent return to the Burrow, his relationship with Ron had been under tremendous strain and Harry needed to focus on the game, not on her or his slowly deteriorating relationship with her brother. He also knew that she had been having problems sleeping ever since they had returned to Hogwarts. She never spoke of why she had trouble sleeping but he could tell that whatever the reason, it was slowly taking its toll on her so he was quite understanding when she told him that she was going to take advantage of everyone being at the match today and try to get some sleep.

The Common Room had been empty when she had returned after breakfast, all of her housemates down at the Quidditch pitch for the game. Despite the emptiness of the room, Ginny continued up to her dormitory, climbing into bed, closing and sealing the bed curtains behind her. At least this way no one could disturb her when they returned from the game later.

Her last conscious thought was a prayer to the Goddess to grant her sleep free from dreams. She had not been asleep long before she felt someone take a hold of her right hand and wrap their other hand around her waist, sweeping her into a waltz as music played in the background.

The last thing he remembered was sitting at his desk in his study only now he felt himself taking a hold of someone's hand with his own as his other hand wrapped around her waist before sweeping her out across the floor in to a waltz, music playing in the background.

"Are we dancing? Are we really here? Is this feeling something real or will it disappear? Are we dancing? Does the music soar? Was this lovely song I hear ever heard before?" he asked as his partner lifted her gaze to meet his. "Are your eyes confessing things I alone can see or is my imagination flying away with me? Are we dancing? Please say we really are then I'll know that I reached into the sky. I reached into the sky and touched a star."

"Is this feeling something real or will it disappear? Was this lovely song I hear ever heard before? Are your eyes confessing things I alone can see or is my imagination flying away with me? Are we dancing? Please say we really are then I'll know I reached into the sky and touched a star," she said moments before the music ended and she dropped into a deep curtsey, her eyes dropping to the floor in front of her. "Your Grace."

"Ginevra," Lucius began as he put his hands on Ginny's arms and pulled her back up to her feet. "What have I told you about that?"

"Where are we?" asked Ginny. She took a step back out of Lucius' hold on her arms and stepped around him to take a better look at her surroundings.

They were in a large room, bigger than the ballroom at Malfoy Manor where the Winter Ball had been held. The southern and western walls were made of glass and led out onto a terrace that overlooked the formal gardens on these two sides of the building. A beautiful crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, which was painted with a mural depicting scenes of the games Arthur would hold for his knights. The north wall consisted of a set of double doors that led out into what Ginny assumed was the rest of the house. Along with the doors, the north wall also contained a large fireplace, over which hung two portraits, one of which could only be King Arthur while the other was Queen Guinevere, the Pendragon banner hanging between them. The east wall consisted of floor to ceiling mirrors, making the room appear bigger than it already was. The walls of the room that could be seen were painted a rich cream colour with gold accents.

"What is this place?" asked Ginny quietly, her voice echoing through the large room as she neared the mirrors, taking in her appearance. She was wearing a white strapless silk chiffon ball gown, the bodice, waist and hem covered in beadwork made of silver crystal tubular beads that formed trailing flowers. A train containing the same beadwork at the base trailed out from the top of the bodice's back, covering about a foot of the floor behind Ginny as she walked. Around her neck lay a thin diamond chocker; she wore single strand diamond earrings that brushed her shoulders and a thin diamond bracelet on her right wrist. Her hair was pulled up in a French twist with a few curls escaping over the side of her tiara, which was almost two inches in height with three rows of two diamonds forming a point in the centre with accents of Aurora Borealis.

"If I recognize the room correctly, then I believe we're in the Grand Ballroom at Camelot," replied Lucius, as he stepped up behind Ginny, he was also dressed rather elaborately. He was wearing black dress slacks under a three quarter length white coat that had gold braiding at the buttons, cuffs, and epaulettes and around the high red collar. He wore a red sash around his waist and a matching red ribbon in his hair holding it back in a ponytail at the base of his neck. Over the top of everything he wore a red and gold cape that was tied across his chest, over one shoulder and under the other, trailing out behind him a few feet as he walked.

"Camelot?" demanded Ginny in disbelief, spinning around to face Lucius. "That's impossible," she said as she stepped past Lucius and started walking towards the windows. "This is a dream. It has to be," she said quietly, forgetting how her voice would carry.

"It's not a dream. It can't be because how do you explain the two of us having the same dream," Lucius observed as he turned to watch where Ginny was walking.

"I don't and if this isn't a dream, they why are you doing this to me?" cried Ginny spinning to face Lucius.

"Ginevra, I'm not doing anything to you," Lucius said soothingly as he stepped towards her, hoping to calm Ginny down.

"Aren't you?" Ginny demanded stepping away from Lucius as he neared her once more. "First you practically attack me the night of the Winter Ball…"

"I don't recall you trying to stop what was happening that night Ginevra," Lucius observed as he turned to face Ginny, crossing his arms across his chest.

"That doesn't change the fact that you threw me up against the bookcase and proceeded to have your way with me, which is not exactly the way I pictured my first time but that's beside the point," ranted Ginny as she began to pace. "Do you have any idea what it's like to get everything you've ever wanted only to have it taken away from you? Don't answer that. I forgot to whom I was speaking for a moment. Of course you don't know what it's like because it's not exactly something someone in your position ever has to worry about. What is this some kind of game to you or something? Torment the commoner who dreamed of a better life?"

"Ginevra…" Lucius tried.

"Why are you doing this? Why are you tormenting me like this? Why can't you just leave me alone? I am trying to do as you told me to. I am trying to move on with my life, but that's not something I can do if you keep doing this to me," cried Ginny desperately as she continued to pace.

"Ginevra, I'm not doing anything to you," countered Lucius in confusion.

"Then let me go," Ginny pleaded, tears in her voice. "You have denied me what I want; now all I'm trying to do is move on with my life with the only one left available to me. Please just let me go," she finished her voice barely above a whisper.

"I can't," Lucius said as he quickly closed the gap between them, pulling Ginny into his arms seconds before she would have collapsed to the floor, sobs wracking her body. "I can't," he repeated a few minutes later when Ginny's sobs had quietened a bit, leaning back slightly so he could raise Ginny's gaze to his before leaning down and kissing her.

As hard as Ginny tried to fight against it, she felt herself being drawn into the kiss. It was not long before Ginny felt Lucius deepen the kiss as his hands began to work at the fastenings of her gown. Before Ginny really knew what was happening, she felt herself being lowered to the floor, Lucius on top of her, entering her a few minutes later.

Ginny had no idea how long they lay on the ballroom floor, Lucius making love to her; she just knew that when she had arrived it was sunny out and now it appeared to be just after sunset. Lucius had pulled out of her a few minutes ago and he lay beside her on their bed of clothes under his cape, brushing escaped strands of hair off her face.

"Let me be your wish, your fantasy, your hopes and your dreams and I'll be your love and everything you will ever need. Stand with me on a mountain; bathe with me in the sea. Lay with me like this forever until the sky falls down on me," Lucius said as he caressed Ginny's cheek, wiping away a tear. "Why are you crying my Love?"

"Why are you doing this to me?" asked Ginny quietly, her voice full of her desperation as she tried to roll away from Lucius, only to have him reach over and pull her close, burying her head in his chest.

"Shh, my Love. It's all right. I'm not going anywhere," Lucius soothed as he gently rubbed Ginny's back in the hopes of quieting her cries.

Neither one knew just how long they laid there in each other's arms before they finally drifted off to sleep; they only knew that when they woke up, they were no longer together in the Grand Ballroom at Camelot.

"Mother Goddess why? Why are you doing this to me?" cried Ginny when she woke and found herself back in her bed at Hogwarts. She was crying so hard she could barely breathe and it was not long before she was stumbling into the girls' bathroom and into one of the stalls, emptying her stomach of what little food she had eaten at breakfast that morning.

When her sobs finally quietened, Ginny carefully rose to her feet and walked over to the sink, rinsing her mouth out with water before making her way back to her dormitory. "Mother Goddess, I can't do this anymore. I have to make it stop. I can't go on living like this," she said as she collapsed to her knees next to her trunk and started pulling everything out of it and tossing it all over the room, until she found what she was looking for. "I have to make it stop."