Chapter II - Adaptation
"This is an outrage!" roared the eldest of the Weasley clan, fist coming down to pummel the poor, old table in front of his headmaster. "What I don't understand is the blatant disregard of one's rights. This is ridiculous. Tradition or not – my sister will not be owned."
"Bill!" Molly\hissed through her teeth. She straightened out her jumper and took a deep breath. "I'm sure this is some sort of mistake. Surely, one cannot own a person. It is inhumane. Ginny is not some toy – she is not an object. To wish for someone – to desire them – is all right – but to actually receive this person as a gift?! It's preposterous."
The Weasleys stood around the frail figure of their old friend with quivering hearts and uncontrolled anger. It took almost three hours to control the youngest boy – Ron – from either tackling Malfoy or flirting with Padma. Charlie was clenching his fists, Percy was reading up on slavery, Fred and George were ready to battle it out with a case of dungbombs, and Ron was tied to the nearest chair.
"I assure you, Molly," Dumbledore said softly, "this is no mistake."
"It has to be," Percy announced, still flipping through pages, "you can't just receive someone as a token. Chosen by a star or not – I won't have a bloody Malfoy owning my sister," he repeated.
"It's a tradition," Dumbledore stressed. "A tradition that has been passed down for many years."
"Then why now? Why not before? I don't remember a tradition when I was in school," Charlie snapped.
"It was not awoken then, Mister Weasley," he answered patiently. "When the ceiling opened to welcome the sky, the faculty and I knew that the tradition was once again born. When four students are chosen by the impact of a star – their founding fathers or mothers see them as deserving."
"Oh, really," scoffed Ron. "Is that why Susan chose a room full of chocolate? Or Padma to be completely and utterly …" He began daydreaming. "That gorgeous hair … oh, and those lips … I could just –"
"We cannot control what they desire, nor their wish. You must understand that the founding fathers and mothers chose them because they were to fulfill a momentous journey – a path, if you will. Which way they roam and how they roam it is their decision." He took of his glasses and smiled. "Who knows if Susan's room full of chocolate could benefit a life? Or if Padma's irresistibility could change the world? Who is to know if Neville's wish could transform even the worst of all beings?"
"And Malfoy's wish?" sneered Bill. "What of his wish? Wishing for Ginny is disgusting – it's malicious. What could he want with a girl? That imbecile – that conniving, horrible bastard," he finished, already shaking.
"Maybe Malfoy's wish could end the tragedy in the world," Dumbledore continued.
Arthur stared into the flames of the hearth and cleared his throat. "Is there any way we can stop this?"
"I believe not, Arthur," Dumbledore replied.
"Is there any way we can prevent him from harming her – hurting her?"
Dumbledore looked out the window and responded, "Trust me when I say that the young Malfoy will not harm your daughter. His intentions are far more complicated than you think."
"Can we prevent him?" Arthur asked him.
"She is his for the taking. What he chooses to do is his choice. We cannot stop an ancient bond such as this. Nothing can."
All nine hearts ached piercingly in the room as the fire cackled mockingly at their misfortune.
Ginny watched as her things were being moved from her room. "I don't understand – I – no, wait! Please be careful with that!" she shrieked, diving into her floor to catch the snow-globe that slipped out from a box. She let out a breath. "My grandmother left this for me," she finished quietly, slowly getting up.
She glanced around the room and sighed. All her things were being moved to a room adjacent to Malfoy's and it pained her when she realized that she couldn't do anything about it. She stared helplessly as the house elves grabbed at her belongings and dragged them out of Gryffindor towers.
There was nothing she could do.
"Gin," Hermione called from the door.
Ginny looked up and attempted a smile. "They were just … they were just taking, you know, some of my things to …"
Hermione quickly walked over and placed a hand on Ginny's shoulder. "I can't imagine what it must feel like – but know this, Ginny Weasley, you cannot be bought, bargained, or branded by anyone, understand? You are your own person and I know this – I know you. This stupid tradition is nothing when it comes to the will of others. I will find a way, Ginny. I will find a way to break this … this curse and free you. I hope you know that."
"I'm afraid this curse is unbreakable," Ginny whispered, eyes gleaming with tears. "I'm so sorry to say that any help is useless. There will never be a way," she sobbed, throwing herself at Hermione.
Hermione soothed her. "What I don't understand is why he desired you. I don't see what he could possibly need. You are an enemy to him. Unless …"
But, her thoughts were interrupted when a knock sounded at the door.
"Miss Weasley," Professor McGonagall called, "you are needed in your new dormitory."
"Oh, Padma, let me take your books!" Ron squealed, tripping over first years to get to her. "Let me! Oh, let me!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ronald!" she snapped. "Ron, get a hold of yourself!" she roared, taking him by the collar and effectively cutting off his oxygen intake. "Stop it!" she hissed. "You're making a fool of yourself – along with the rest of the male student body!"
"But, she's so … she's so …"
"Absurd!" Hermione finished. "Who would honestly want all this attention? An idiot! That's who! By God, she's got all the males salivating after her! It's ludicrous!"
"Hermione! Hermione!" yelled a small voice from behind the raging testosterone.
"Wait … is … is that … Luna? Luna, is that you?" Hermione tried screaming.
Soon enough, a small, blonde girl stood before her. "Have you …" She tried catching her breath. "Have you spoken to Ginny? I've looked for her, but all her things were moved from her rooms!"
Hermione nodded. She opened her mouth to say something when a shoe flew past her head. "Oh, bollocks," she mumbled, grasping Luna's arm and rushing out from the corridor. "Moronic traditions," she muttered.
Finally reaching a less chaotic spot, Hermione turned to Luna and said in a rush, "Malfoy ordered for her to live with him – in his Head Boy dormitory."
"What?!" Luna all but exhaled.
Hermione couldn't find the words to explain. "He has complete control, Luna. Not even the Ministry could fight it. There was an emergency hearing last night and Mister Weasley couldn't do a damn thing!" She immediately apologized for her unsophisticated wording.
"Is this all because of the tradition?" Luna asked.
"Bugger the tradition!"
"Hermione, you've got to calm down," Luna consoled. "It's hard to understand – I know it. But, if it's an ancient tradition and if the deities did choose the four students for a reason, then we have to trust them. He may have complete control, but he doesn't know our Ginny. She's a vicious beast and you know it. She'll fight when no one can."
"Why did he choose her?" Hermione questioned, at a loss.
"There can be many reasons," Luna replied. "All we know is that the tradition will reveal its secrets soon."
"How do you know this?"
"Didn't you hear Professor Snape talking in the east corridor? He's lecturing almost all the students, along with the rest of the faculty as to what might happen."
"No," Hermione shook her head, confused, "I didn't hear a thing. I was with Ginny most of the day before she had to leave."
"Snape said something about secrets and reasons concealed," she described. "I didn't hear the rest. A gorgeous group of butterwings were soaring just out the window. It was glorious, 'Mione, you should've seen it. It'd be nice to have a batch of them. They make a great batch of butter for potatoes. Have you tried it?"
"Luna," Hermione intervened. "Back on track."
"Padma!" yelled a voice from behind them.
"Oh, no, not Harry," Hermione groaned, sticking out her foot and wincing as Harry hit the ground. "Harry, you have to stop this. You have no idea what you're doing."
"But … just look at her," he breathed, green eyes following the girl's movements.
"Yes, yes, look at Padma, I know, Harry," Hermione lifted him off the ground and pushed him against the wall for support. "Did you see Ginny today? Have you spoken to her?"
"Yeah … she's with … with … oh, Padma …"
"Harry!" She smacked him lightly on the cheek. "Pay attention!"
"Harry, where's Ginny?" Luna asked slowly.
"Outside. On the pitch. With Malfoy." He spotted Padma once more. "Darling... Padma … sweetheart … my love!"
"Oh, Circe." Hermione let go of her best friend and watched as he sprinted to the corridor they just dashed away from. "Boys."
"They really need to lower their sexual need."
"Luna!" whispered a scandalized Hermione.
"What?" she asked innocently. "You know it's true."
Ginny kept her distance. Getting too close was not within comfort zone and she definitely did not want to be anymore uncomfortable. It was the most lavish dinner she had ever had – but she could not enjoy it much due to the company. He didn't say a word – nor did he look her way. If she was in her right mind, she would rather have this than anything, but she felt sorry. He seemed ashamed in a sense.
He reached out to take a glass, when Ginny's hand shot out to grab his. She stared, wide-eyed and shocked at her action. "Oh, God," she breathed.
He lifted his eyes and stared back. "Ginevra," he stated.
"Why me, Malfoy?" she blurted.
He pulled back his hand, but was stopped at the wrist with her small, slender fingers. "Please don't ignore me. I just … I need to know. Was this to humiliate me? To hurt me? Did you want this to –"
"I could never hurt you," he said quietly, standing up.
Ginny followed. "Wait – let me help," she offered, folding the blanket they were on.
They cleaned up their dinner in silence. The only sounds heard were the brushing of fabric, the clanking of silverware, and the low hoots of the surrounding owls.
"Malfoy," she broke the eerie quiet, "If this tradition is solid, then I guess … I guess I'm yours."
"I did not expect to wish for you," he stated, turning to her. "I did not want to take you from your home, your house, your family and friends."
"Malfoy –"
"But, I had to. I needed to. Seeing you … I cannot stop you if you believe me to be a hideous person. Just know that in choosing you – I made one of the most important decisions of my life."
"Ginny! Ginny!" echoed a voice in the distance.
Ginny shut her eyes and took a breath. "I don't know your reasons and I sure as hell don't know why this is all happening, but I want to tough this out – together. I'm not a coward, Malfoy, and neither are you. If this is what has to be – then this is what has to be."
"Stay away from her," slurred an angry voice. "You stay … stay!"
"Zacharias?" Ginny acknowledged.
"You stay away from my … my bloody g-girlfriend," he hiccupped.
Ginny looked to Malfoy in alarm. "Oh, Circe, he's sloshed!" She swiftly caught Zacharias by the torso as he slid to the ground. She couldn't hold them both up, so she went down with him. "Zacharias! What are you doing? You're drunk!"
"He can't have you … you're – re – re mine!"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I'm not your girlfriend, you nitwit," she informed him.
"Don't speak such non – s – s- sense!" Zacharias declared. "You will be Ginny Smith … you hear? I will not have it any other …"
His head hit the grassy ground with a thud and Ginny began giggling at the sight of him snoring. She stared up at Malfoy. "Quite the predicament, don't you think?"
He disregarded her comment and stated, "If I am to own you, Ginevra, I will own you."
Ginny gently placed Zacharias on the ground and sat back, coming to her senses. This was Malfoy – there was no laughing, nor was there any affection. She expected a friendship at the most, but only received a cold slap in return.
"That's what I am, isn't it?" she realized, "A simple item to be owned."
Malfoy knelt gracefully before her, Zacharias separating them like a barrier, and said, "You will dispose of him tomorrow morning at breakfast. I no longer wish to see him shadowing you like an uncouth swine."
"Giving me orders already?" she asked sadly.
"No. Just protecting what is mine."
Before he could announce the levitating spell to lift Zacharias off the grass, a large, red flare flew up into the sky.
"What's going on? What's happening?" Ginny inquired, in a panic.
"Leave Smith," he ordered, already running towards the castle, wand drawn.
"Malfoy, we can't –"
"I said leave him, Ginevra!" he demanded, motioning for her to follow. "Hurry. Take out your wand."
Ginny muttered a quick protection spell over Zacharias and raced after Malfoy. "Wait – you're going too fast –"
She ran straight into his back and nearly fell to the floor. She felt oddly secure in his arms. "Malfoy," she whispered. "Do you know what's going on?"
He searched her face for any signs of fear. He found nothing but concern. "Are you prepared?"
"Yes."
"Let's go."