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Chapter 3 – Family and Loyalties
Three weeks passed and Serverus's demeanor improved greatly, at least in Draco's opinion. His once biting remarks and creative criticisms became thoughtful comments and suggestions that Draco was able to use in his training. Although Draco loathed to admit it, the change in Serverus was solely due to Ginny's presence. As such Draco learned to accept Ginny and begrudgingly appreciate her – especially when it came to mealtimes.
One afternoon when Ginny returned from the market Draco noticed that she was nervously clutching the paper. "What is that Ginny?" Draco inquired.
Ginny looked Draco in the eyes and sighed. "It is a copy of the Daily Prophet."
At that moment Serverus walked into the room. Ginny grabbed his hand and led him to the couch. She handed the paper to Serverus. On the cover of the paper was a picture of Hogwarts. The picture portrayed the castle in ruins. The headline read "Hogwarts Destroyed"; the caption below the picture read "As the castle lay in ruins following a Death Eater attack Headmistress McGonagall vows to rebuild." Serverus quickly scanned the article and learned that the construction would take place immediately and the estimated date of completion would take more than two years.
Serverus could not hide the smile on his face as he said "It appears that you are here to stay Ginerva. I hope that you are not too disappointed."
"Disappointed to stay with you, never." Ginny replied. Draco inwardly sighed with relief. "It appears that hope is dwindling. If they can destroy Hogwarts… what is next? Is now where safe?"
"You are safe with me, Gin, always." Serverus said as he leaned in to kiss her forehead.
Draco rolled his eyes and set off for the kitchen. Ginny took that as a signal. She kissed Serverus and got off the couch informing him that it was time for her to prepare lunch. She found Draco routing through the fridge. She cleared her throat and he turned around. "I am going to prepare lunch; you can help if you want" she informed Draco.
He left the kitchen in a hurry. Ginny shook her head as she watched him go.
In the middle of the night Ginny was sitting at the kitchen table drinking her usual cup of Hot Cocco. Her mark burned and she knew the men in her house would go without sleep tonight.
Serverus walked downstairs. He had woken up to find his arm burning and his bed empty. This was becoming a usual occurance for him. He walked into the kitchen with Draco on his heals. He stopped next to Ginny. "Nothing to worry about, love. We will be back soon." Draco gave Ginny a nervous smile, but said nothing.
"Be careful and come back to me. You too Draco" she said as she squeazed Serverus's hand. In a blink of an eye Serverus and Draco appeared in Riddle Manor.
Lord Voldermort sat in his throne. Wormtail stood at his left. It only took a moment for Serverus to realize that he and Draco were the only one's summoned.
"I understand that you have a most unexpected and delightful houseguest Serverus" Voldermort hissed.
"Yes, My Lord." Serverus replied as he looked at Wormtail in disgust.
It was dawn when the intoxicated Severus and Draco returned to the cottage. Draco drank for fear of losing Ginny. Serverus drank in fear of how Ginny would lose it when Severus informed her of the Dark Lord's demand.
"I will tell her. Go to bed and sleep off the booze." Severus said.
"We can't lose her Snape." Draco said with glassy eyes and slurred speech.
"We won't." Severus said firmly.
Draco nodded and climbed the stairs to his bedroom.
Serverus walked into the kitchen. He knew she would be there; he knew that she could not sleep if she thought that he was in danger. How many nights did she stay awake in his rooms waiting for him to get back from a death eater meeting, an errand for the Dark Lord, or an errand for the Order?
Flashback November 1996 – Ginny's Four YearServerus was grading papers at his desk in his office. Ginny sat beside him doing her homework for DADA. He looked at her and could not fathom why she would bother doing a through job on an assignment for Umbridge when she was learning worlds from the DA and from him.
Suddenly his arm burned and he cringed. He saw her flinch as she grabbed her own arm.
"He is calling you again isn't he?" She said through gritted teeth.
He hated Voldermort for putting that mark on her arm, for forcing her to live that pain even though she was not one of them.
"Yes. I have to go. Curfew is approaching you best get back to your dormitory." Serverus replied as he got up from his seat.
"No. I will stay here, finish my homework, and wait for your return. Someone needs to be here to heal you. Why you won't go to Madamn Promfey is beyond me." Ginny said as she looked at him with glistening eyes.
"Lock the door and put a charm to block light and sound. We can't afford for Umbridge to find you in here." Serverus said as he prepared to leave.
"I will; be careful" she said as he hugged him.
He held her close as he said "I will." He flooded to Riddle Manor.
He did not return until 3 am. He found her at his desk reading ahead in her studies. He was bruised a bloodied. She looked up from her studies when she heard him enter.
She took in his appearance. She already had all the healing supplies she needed on the desk in preparation for his homecoming. She knew all too well how Tom could be when his is frustrated or angry.
"What did he want this time Severus?" Ginny asked him.
He smirked at her and said "Another plan ruined by the Order. He needed an outlet for his frustrations. No one escaped his clutches without being 'Cruico'ed at least once. The members of his inner circle, such as myself, were even less fortunate."
Ginny frowned and began to heal him. When she was done she led him to the bed and climbed into the black silk sheets with him. He looked at her questioningly. She answered his unspoked question. "Just for tonight Severus; just hold me tonight."
He nodded and they fell asleep in each others arms.
Present Day – August 1997He found her siting at the kitchen table reading one of Draco's healing texts.
"Ginerva." Severus said in way of a greeting.
"Severus!" Ginny ran into his arms. "You are not injured" she said with a smile.
"Don't rejoice yet Gin – we have much to discuss" Severus said. He lead her to the kitchen table and informed her of the Dark Lord's demand.
The next morning Draco arose to the smell of breakfast. It was his favorite scent. Then is stomach turned as he thought of the night before. What if he never smelled those sweet scents again?
Draco arrived in the kitchen to find Severus and Ginny at the kitchen table. Ginny raised her head to see Draco walk in. She took in his sad eyes and said "It's okay Draco. There is no other way."
Draco looked at her. His face fell. "You can not be serious."
"I am. It will be okay. Have faith. Sit down and eat you breakfast. We have a busy day ahead of us."
Later that night…
Severus, Ginny, and Draco flooed to Riddle Manor. They arrived to find the entire congregation assembled. The death eaters split down the middle allowing Severus, Ginny, and Draco to approach the dais where the throne sat. When the approached the dais they say two throne present as well as a diamond tiara on a purple silk pillow.
Lord Voldermort rose from his throne when they reached the dias. "My loyal followers, I trust you will join me in the welcoming my daughter and only heir Ginerva Weasley" Voldermort's voice boomed over the crowd.
Voldermort pointed his wand toward Ginerva. Her simple black robes were transformed into silk gold robes. Voldermort extended his hand to Ginerva who joined him on the platform. He took the tiara off the pillow and placed in on Ginny's head. "I crown you Princess Ginerva Riddle."
Suddenly classical music blared over the crowd from music that played with only the single tap of Voldermort's wand. A grand ball was underway. Voldermort extended his hand to Ginny who joined him in a waltz. After the dance was finished Voldermort retired to his throne and Ginny turned to face a death eater – one that she knew all too well. "Hello Percy."
"Ginny. I'm shocked, but delighted. I knew you would see the light." Percy said as he led her in a dance.
It took all of Ginny's self restraint not to roll her eyes. If he only knew she thought.
"Well my brother, it seems the diary has had long lasting effects" she said with a smirk.
Flashback 1993 – Christmas – Ginny's second yearGinny sat in the kitchens after another night of tremors. She knew that Severus would join her eventually.
She turned around when she heard the door open behind her. Professor Dumbledore looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes. He joined her at the table and ordered a banana split from one of the house elves.
"Miss Weasley. Pardon an old man's intrusion but you look lost. May I offer you a word of advise for the future?" Dumbledore began.
Ginny looked up at him in shock. Wasn't he going to take house points away or give her detention for being out after hours? "Of course sir" she said.
"When I am dead and buried the Dark Lord will call for you to stand with him at his side. You must join him them. It is necessary in order for the light to win the war that is encroaching."
"Sir? What war?" Ginny asked.
"Tom is not gone Ginny. He will return to full strength. When he does he will call for you. The diary that you wrote in – the one that possessed you – held a piece of his soul. When that part of his soul possessed you in manipulated yours. You became his daughter in addition to being the daughter of Arthur and Molly Weasley."
Ginny shook her head in shock.
"We need you to manipulate his Dark Order from the inside. Oh and no not take the betrayals too badly. Remember you are and will always be a Weasley. As such you have a kind, good soul full of light and with promise no matter how Tom may have manipulated in. Now I will go as Professor Snape will be here soon and I am sure you have much to discuss with him. Goodnight Ginny."
"Goodnight Professor." Ginny called as he walked out the door.
Five minutes later Severus arrived to find Ginny sobbing. He picked her up and held her close until the sobs subsided. She told him everything that Professor Dumbledore said.
Present Day – August 1997When the ball was finished Severus, Ginny, and Draco arrived home at the cottage. Ginny sat Draco down and explained to him how she was the Dark Lord's daughter. She told him of the diary, the chamber, and the manipulation of her soul. She left out the meeting with Dumbledore because she did not know yet if she could trust him with the knowledge that she was working of for the light, even if it was without their knowledge.
When they all retired for the evening Ginny and Severus laid awake in bed both thinking of the trials that await them in this war. Ginny thought of her role as a princess in changing the Dark Order. Severus thought of ways to protect Ginny.
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