Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Chapter 2 – Wards, Unexpected Houseguests, and Visions

Ginny awoke early the next morning and decided to cook breakfast. She went in the kitchen and began work. Before long the sweet scents of breakfast filled the cottage. Ginny heard footsteps behind her, but thought nothing of it as she knew Serverus would awaken to the banquet she prepared. Thus she was surprised when she turned around to find herself staring in stale grey eyes.

"Draco Malfoy?" Ginny asked unable to hide her shock.

"Weaselette." Draco sneered.

"Aw, now Malfoy be nice or I will not allow you to have any of this lovely breakfast that I have just prepared." Ginny said as if she were a mother reprimanding a child.

"How do I know it is not poisoned. What are you doing here anyway?" Draco replied as he wearily eyed the food.

"Why would I poison it when I didn't even know you would be here?" Ginny retorted.

Draco moved past Ginny without answering. He could not remember the last time he had a full meal. He sat at the kitchen table and waited to be served.

"There are blueberry pancakes, french toast, sausages, bacon, and scrambled eggs on the table feel free to serve yourself. Are there any other housemates I should be made aware of other than yourself?" Ginny questioned.

"Oh I think I will let you be surprised. What are you doing here Weasely?" Draco responded.

"That is between Ginerva and myself Draco. It most certainly does not concern you." Serverus said as he walked into the kitchen. He walked to Ginny and gave her a peck on the lips. Draco dropped his jaw in shock. Then Serverus took his seat at the head of the table and began filling his plate. "To answer your question Gin, Wormtail lives in the basement. The Dark Lord was gracious enough to provide him to me as a servant for my duties."

"Draco, Miss Weasely will be staying in our company until the next school term begins. I trust you will make her feel welcome." Serverus informed Draco with a look and tone that left no room for disagreement. Then he directed his gaze toward Ginny. His eyes became soft as well as his tone. "Draco is currently my ward. His inability to kill Dumbledore left is effectiveness as a Death Eater in question. His mother's death was his punishment for his failure. As such I was appointed as his guardian and was able to convince the Dark Lord to allow me to train Draco in the fine art of potions and healing."

"I see." Replied Ginny. She turned to Draco and asked "How are you studies going Mr. Malfoy?"

"Fine." Draco replied in his confusion. Why was Snape telling Ginny his personal business? Who was she to him?

Behind Serverus someone cleared their throat. Ginny looked up from her seat at Serverus's right to see Wormtail standing behind Serverus with a look of confusion on his face.

"Hello Scabbers. Or do you prefer Wormtail?" Ginny greeted Peter Pettigrew.

"Miss Weasely?" Wormtail asked in surprise.

"Hole in one, Wormtail. Do sit down and have some breakfast." Ginny responded.

Wormtail looked to Snape for confirmation. With a scowl Snape extended his hand to the seat at Draco's left. Wormtail sat and helped himself to breakfast all the time looking at Ginny with a look of puzzlement on his face.

When breakfast was completed Serverus invited Ginny to join Draco and him for lessons. In truth he did not want to leave Ginny to Wormtail's devices. In the basement of the cottage was a large laboratory filled with a the ingredients and utensils a potion master could wish for.

"Years ago when I set this cottage up as a safe house I set wards to give the cottage the appearance of a worn down shack to anyone who was not invited. I also set the wards to disguise any magic. As such you can preform magic within the cottage without fear of being found by the aurors." Serverus informed Ginny as they walked through the dungeons. Ginny peered in the rooms and saw muggles lying on the floor.

Serverus saw where Ginny's gaze had wondered and spoke before Ginny could ask questions. "Those are specimens for Draco to practice with and experiment on; they are given to Draco after the Death Eaters are finished having their fun with them." Ginny nodded and decided not to comment.

As the day progress into night Ginny acted as a doting wife toward Serverus, confusing all but the two of them. Ginny found herself sipping hot cocco in the kitchen during the middle of the night. Serverus awoke to find his bed empty. He walked downstairs to find her staring off into space.

"What are you thinking of, my love?" Serverus startled Ginny from her daydreaming.

"I was thinking of the first time we talked as people not as a student and a professor. Do you remember Serverus?" Ginny asked.

"How can I forget?" Serverus responded as he sat next to Ginny. She poured him a glass of hot cocco.

Flashback October 1993 – Ginny's Second Year

Ginny awoke with a start. She heard screaming. It took her a moment to realize the screaming was coming from her. At the beginning of the year Professor Dumbledore had given her her own room to deal with the nightmares without inconveniencing the other students. Ginny left her room and set off for the kitchens. She needed something to calm her nerves.

The tears in her eyes distorted her vision. She walked into something solid and realized a moment too late that the object was Professor Snape.

"Miss Weasely, is there a good reason why are out of bed in the middle of the night?" Snape asked with a sneer.

Ginny looked up into Snape's midnight black eyes. She responded with the last thing Snape would ever expect. "It depends on your definition of a good reason, sir. I… would you be will to join me in the kitchens, Sir. I… I need to talk to you."

Snape looked into Ginny's chocolate brown eyes and discovered she was serious. "Very well Miss Weasely, follow me." Snape said, his curiosity getting the better of him. It was the first time a Gryffindor ever came to him with a problem.

Ginny followed Snape into the kitchens. Dobby appeared before them and asked "What can I get you Miss Weezy, Professor?"

"Hot cocco please Dobby." Ginny replied with a weak smile. "The same." Snape said.

Ginny and Snape sat at a near by table. "Well Miss Weasely?" Snape said impatiently.

Ginny looked into his eyes and said "Professor I have never told anyone any of this before. No one has ever asked, but I feel you will understand. I don't know why, I just do."

It was at that moment that Snape knew she was going to open up about the chamber. He felt honored that she would come him about it.

"My family… they pretend it never happened. If they pretend then they can fool themselves into believing that It never happened; that I am not tainted. I am Professor. Oh, I wish to the heavens that I never wrote in that diary. I wish I had never told him my thoughts and dreams. If I hadn't…. If I was wiser…. If I had known then no one would have been hurt. Do you know what it is like to wait to die? To know that your time is coming and to be incapable to do anything about it? To know that you caused others pain and not be able to attone for your sins?"

Serverus waited patiently for her to continue. He knew there was more.

"No one has ever asked me what happened in the chamber. No one cares. I deserve no better I know that. He… he hasn't left me Professor. His stain is with me all the time." Ginny rolled up her left sleeve. On her left forearm was the Dark Mark. "He put this on me as I lay dying in the chamber. I can speak parseltongue, read minds, block others out. I don't even need a wand. Look." Ginny waved her hand and a chocolate chip cookie came to her. She did not utter a word.

"I see him everytime I close my eyes Professor. He laughs at me and tells me that I am his servant, his slave. I fought him off as long as I could before… when he possessed me. I will fight him again. Dumbledore says that they kept it quite. That no one but a select few know that I opened the Chamber of Secrets. Then tell me Professor, why do they all avoid me. Why does my family look at me with pity in their eyes instead of love." She said her voice steadily rising. "I want my life back!" She yelled.

Professor Snape took her in his arms and held her as tight as he could. She broke down in his arms. When her sobs calmed down he loosened her hold on her. "Miss Weasely, I am going to show you something but you have to allow me to explain before you pass judgement." He said as he looked deep into her eyes. He rolled up his left sleeve. On his left forearm was the Dark Mark. "I understand better than anyone what you are and were going through. Older and wiser wizards than you have been duped into his service." With that he told her everything. He told her that he joined the Dark Lord in a quest to study the dark arts but became nothing more than a puppet. He told her his role in the death of Harry Potter's parents. He told her how Dumbledore gave him is life and freedom back and the dangerous game he played as a double agent for the light.

As the night wore on Ginny and Snape came to an understanding. Neither one of them told another soul of what was said that night. They became confidants and friends. As Professor Snape led Ginny to her dorm they talked about quidditch and classes. They stopped outside the portrait that lead to Ginny's room. Ginny turned to Professor Snape and said "Goodnight Professor." Professor," she called as he turned to walk away, "you can call me Ginny."

Severus turned back to Ginny and gave her a tight lip smile. He said "Goodnight Ginny, when we are not in class you can address me as Serverus."

Present Day – July 1997

Over the years Serverus's and Ginny's relationship grew into friendship and eventually lovers.

"In never regretted confiding in you that night or any of the other nights afterwards. I don't know what I would have become if I hadn't ran into you that night." Ginny said as she looked into Serverus's eyes.

Serverus smiled at her and said "I love you Ginny."

Ginny kissed him and said "I love you too. I always have. I know what I promised you, but there is no point in spending time with all those other men. I know you are the only one who has my heart. The only one I want to be with. I don't care about the danger. I want to be with you."

Serverus looked deep into her eyes and said "Are you sure my love?"

"I have never been more sure of anything in my entire life." Ginny responded.

"What about Mr. Potter?" Serverus asked.

Ginny sighed. "He and I have a score to settle. That is for another day. For now let's go to bed and pretend that he doesn't exist."

Serverus smiled at Ginny and said "Lead the way." Ginny led Serverus up the stairs for a night of passion and love. Let the morning bring what it may; they had tonight.

Meanwhile….

As Molly Weasely lay in bed believing that her powerful daughter was acting as a hidden guardian for the trio, Harry sat outside a room keeping guard. In truth he was thrown out of the room that he paid for the three of them to spend the night in so Ron and Hermione could have some alone time.

He occupied his mind with ways to earn Ginny's forgiveness and love. He would start small with an apology. He knew it was not enough but at least it would get the ball rolling. He planned grand guestures. He planned the proposal. He planned the wedding. He planned his entire life with her. He wanted a full family like the Weasely's and with the Potter and Black inheritances he knew that they would want for nothing. He would work as an auror and she would stay home with the children.

It never crossed his mind that another would win her heart. If another began courting her he believed that the second that she realized he was back she would dump that suitor in a bat of an eye.

He believed that when he defeated Voldermort and had is revenge against Snape she would welcome him with open arms as a hero.

One moment his mind's eyes pictured her in a white wedding dress. The next he had a vision.

Ginny stood on a dais. The final battle all around her. She wore a green gown with a diamond tiara on her head. She looked at Harry and said "This way Harry. It won't be long now."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione followed Ginny. Harry spoke in a hushed voice "What are you doing here Ginny?"

"You are not the only one who this war concerns Harry. I am here for justice." Ginny replied.

Snape appeared around a corner. "Gin, over here. Quick!" Snape said.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione raised their wands. "Snape!" Harry snarled.

Suddenly, the trio was thrown into the war. Ginny appeared infront of them. Her eyes were white as was the aura around her. "All is not as it appears Harry. Why are you here justice or venegence? Choose now for it will decide the outcome of the war."

Harry was awoken from his vision by Ron. "Are you okay mate?"

"I'm fine Ron, just fine." Harry replied.

"Good then come in and get some sleep, we leave a dusk." Ron said as he ushered Harry into the room.

As Harry closed his eyes he saw the vision of emerald and light that was Ginny from his vision. To the image he whispered, "Goodnight my Goddess."

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