Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, it is the property of the brilliant J.K Rowling. This story is the product of her marvellous characters and world and my imagination.

Any constructive criticism is welcome, as are any reviews. Enjoy the chapter.

Marriage To A Monster

"I have decided that since you have just turned seventeen and are now an adult in our world it is time," his smirk grew wider and Ginny panicked.

Deciding it would be best not to show fear she just rearranged her features into a confused face, "time for what Tom?"

Tom grinned, "why time for you to become my lady of course Ginevra. We're going to be married."

Ginny was incredulous, "you can't be serious Tom, I'm never going to marry you. I hate you and everything you stand for and I won't be your lady." He just looked at her as teacher would look at a child who didn't understand a simple concept, "of course you will Ginevra, for you shall be my queen in the new regime."

She pulled away from him, "you can't make me," she shouted, "I won't do it and you need me to say I do." Tom just shook his head in amusement, "darling, this is the wizarding world and I am the most powerful wizard of all time. You can protest all you like, we will be married and you will learn to like it."

If this were a different conversation Ginny would have reiterated her belief that Tom was just a big bully and that Dumbledore was the most powerful wizard, but she was too busy fuming and desperately trying to get out of her terrible fate. She noticed the panic fleetingly displayed on Severus' face, but it quickly disappeared when Tom turned his face in the direction of where he was standing.

"Severus," said Tom, "I'm afraid you won't be able to leave for a few days as I have lots of work for you to do, it's so lucky you don't have to work for that fool Dumbledore anymore." Severus nodded and Ginny met his eyes for a second, there went the silent plan for him to tell the Order what was going to happen.

Tom looked satisfied and turned his attention back to Ginny, who was subtly trying to edge out of the door. "Ah Ginevra, not trying to escape again are you?" and she didn't miss the cruel spark in his eyes. She shook her head, not trusting herself to speak and he smiled. "good, go to your room and stay there. You'll need a good night's sleep for the wedding is to be tomorrow and you'll have to get up early to prepare."

Ginny just fled the room and practically ran up to her room, tears falling and her mind full of a thousand thoughts. Married by tomorrow … how would she get out of it … she couldn't … she wouldn't … not to that monster … she had to tell the Order.

Severus wouldn't be able to let them know, he'd be busy for days and couldn't risk leaving, plus he'd be around death eaters so much he'd have no chance to send a patronus. So that left it up to her. She would have to use a talking patronus, she only hoped it would work since she only really knew the theory. But she'd have to do it straight away, Tom could be there any time and after the … marriage … she shuddered at the word, she was being forced into she doubted she'd ever be out of Tom's sight.

She lifted her wand and picked a happy thought, the day Harry had kissed her, and let it flow through her until the silver horse burst out of her wand and she sighed in relief, that was the first bit over with then. Placing her wand to her throat she whispered the incantation and began to dictate her message.

When she was finally done she headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed, she believed Tom was right and she would need every minute of sleep for the next day. Who knew, when she woke up it might turn out to have been some terrible nightmare.

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Hundreds of miles away and the Order of the Phoenix was having a meeting, thinking it was strange that they hadn't heard from Snape yet, when a silver horse burst through the wall and came to rest in front of Dumbledore. Harry looked momentarily excited, "that's Ginny's patronus, I recognise it from the D.A!!" This news brought silence to the room, especially from the Weasleys. The horse opened it's mouth and began to speak in Ginny's clear voice;

"I've only just learnt this spell in one of the library books and I hope it works. I would have sent word by Severus, but he's going to be busy with work for Him for a few days and won't have time to leave or send a patronus. I'm afraid I have terrible news. He came down today, at the end of my potions lesson and told me I would no longer be having them. Because I have turned seventeen and am now an adult he has decided that I am to be married to him. I don't want it, but he says he has ways even if I refuse to say 'I do' and I'm scared. I don't think I'll be able to escape this Professor Dumbledore and I had to send this message before He arrives again. I am ok physically, so far, but I miss you all so much. I can only hope you'll be able to find me soon. Give my love to everyone and tell them I miss them terribly. Keep the faith and remember that I will never turn to the dark and will always be waiting for you. Goodbye."

The cries of anguish that came from Molly, Hermione and Tonks were loud and the clenched fists and burning eyes of the men were just as bad. But the worst was from the boy-who-lived, whose emerald eyes burned with an intensity few had seen and whose expression said it all, Voldemort was going down as soon as possible and he would save Ginny.

Dumbledore merely watched with a heavy heart and a worried mind. They could not stop the wedding and he felt huge guilt at leaving Ginny to such a terrible fate. But when Voldemort finally went down they would save the girl, he could only hope she hadn't lost herself by the time that day arrived.

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Ginny awoke to an amused voice above her, "wake up Ginevra, today is the day." She blinked at the bright lights and sat up to find herself face to face with Tom. She quickly shook herself awake and pulled the covers closer around herself, no way was she going anywhere near him in her night clothes.

"Doesn't this mean we can't get married," she spoke with hope, "you aren't supposed to see the bride before the wedding. Then again," she added on as an afterthought, "the bride is supposed to be willing to marry the groom and that definitely isn't the case here."

Tom merely smiled angelically, "I don't care for that tradition and as to the second complaint, you don't have to be willing, you will do as I say." Ginny's glare intensified, "I will not and you can't make me," she declared resolutely. Tom's face remained the same, but she could see a hint of terrible anger behind his eyes, "oh yes you will Ginevra. First you will shower, then put on the gown I've laid out, then do hair and makeup. You will then wait for someone to escort you down and you will marry me. For every thing you do not do as instructed I will arrange the deaths of ten people, some you will know and others will just be innocents. Do we understand each other."

She just nodded, terrified of the side he showed rarely to her. It was out of the question for her to disobey any order and he knew it, she would never let what happened to Dean happen to anyone else, she couldn't have it on her conscience.

"Someone will be up in exactly an hour and a half," he told her, the dangerous smile replaced by a calmer one. She remained still as he kissed her on the cheek and left the room, barely realising she had been holding her breath until she let it out on his exit. She supposed she would have to get ready, Tom's anger was legend to behold, so she'd been told by Severus and she'd seen it on occasion herself.

She carried out the motions of showering, dressing and then sorting out her hair and make-up mechanically, taking just over an hour to complete it all. The dress was exquisite, white silk and beautifully embroidered, it was the dream wedding dress she'd described to Tom when she had been eleven years old and she was surprised that he remembered. It was still her dream dress, but now she'd give anything not to have to wear it, especially not if it meant she had to marry Him.

She didn't know what to do with her hair, he'd told her once that he thought it looked beautiful loose and that in itself made her want to put it up, but something stopped her. She got the feeling that he'd know she'd done it purposefully and would find some sly way to punish her for it and she couldn't have that. Sighing she took the brush, getting rid of all the tangles and letting her hair remain loose, cascading down her back in rich red waves.

Her makeup was simple, some shimmery eye shadow, mascara and lip gloss was all it took to complete her toilette. Looking in the mirror she had to admit she looked more beautiful than ever before, but the feeling was tinged with worry and anger at being forced into a marriage with Voldemort. He was the only one who wanted it, she certainly didn't and she could guess his followers weren't too happy about him marrying a girl they saw as a 'blood traitor'.

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Once she was ready she sat herself carefully on one of the chairs, trying not to crease her dress and thinking of a thousand and one places she'd rather be. A while later a knock was heard, before the door opened and Severus entered. He grimaces apologetically, "I'm so sorry Ginny, the Dark Lord has sent me up to escort you downstairs."

She nodded tersely, "well if that is what his highness wants then of course I'll oblige," she spoke sarcastically and with more than a hint of anger and bitterness. Severus found he couldn't blame her, she'd found herself in a most horrible position.

Their walk was silent, each lost in their own thoughts, but Severus stopped abruptly outside the ballroom they were just about to enter and gripped her wrist. "There will be only a few present to witness the marriage, myself included, but the ball afterwards, where he will 'present' you to the death eaters, will be very busy, but He will probably keep you near him. Just remember to do as you are told or you could find yourself or your friends in very dangerous positions."

Obviously not expecting her to answer, he swung open the door and pushed her inside, following at a small distance. This ballroom was obviously the smaller one, but it was still lavishly decorated and she could see Tom waiting at the end of the room, with a man who looked like a ministry official. No one else but the two of them, Severus and herself were present and for that she was thankful.

Tom beckoned her with a grin and she walked forward slowly, as if hoping that something would happen in the interim to prevent the wedding. She was obviously out of the little luck she'd had since her capture and met Tom at the small archway.

She tried not to think of the corrupt ministry official performing the ceremony, or the words said, but she couldn't ignore it when they arrived at the vows. Tom spoke his quickly, clearly and with a smirk on his handsome face. But when it came for Ginny to say 'I do' she faltered.

Tom's eyes narrowed, "come now Ginevra, you know what you must say." But she shook her head resolutely, she couldn't possibly go through with this and Tom sighed. "I didn't want to have to do this Ginevra, but you have forced my hand." He motioned to Severus, who disappeared and reappeared a few moments later with a prisoner struggling in his arms. Her expression was horrified when she saw who it was - Fred.

He saw her after a moment and struggled more, shouting out to her and calling her name. She tried to go to him, but Tom had a firm grip on her arm and she was unable to. He gave her an evil grin, "well Ginevra, you have a choice. You can refuse to marry me and I will kill your beloved brother and then force you into it anyway. Or you can marry me and I will let your brother go in a goodwill gesture."

Fred was shaking his head violently, "don't do it Ginny, you don't want to marry him, you can't. Don't sacrifice your happiness for me." But Ginny had tears falling down her face, "I won't let anyone else die because of me Fred, I'll save you because I couldn't bear it if you died."

She turned to Tom, face wet but clean due to magical makeup, "how do I know you'll actually release him if I do this." Tom grinned, knowing he had won, "I will make an unbreakable vow to have your brother sent back to where we caught him, which happens to be that silly shop of his, as soon as we are married and I will promise not to immediately recapture him."

Ginny could still see Fred shaking his head at her and the sad, but resigned look hidden in Severus' eyes. She knew that he knew what she would do, there was no other choice really. She hung her head and nodded slowly, refusing to look up and see the look of triumph on Tom's face … and the look of horror mingled with sadness and pity in Fred's face.

The unbreakable vow was soon performed with Severus as bonder and then it was back to the ceremony. She had supposed that Fred would go back to the dungeons for a bit, but Tom had waved Severus forward, "keep the Weasley brat here, I suppose it would be nice for Ginevra to have at least one family here on the momentous occasion of her wedding.

She listened to the motions of the marriage again, listened as the vows were repeated and Tom said 'I do' again. Then he turned to her expectantly and with an air of destroying any possibility of freedom she might have had, Ginny spoke the two dreaded words before she could change her mind and Fred ended up dead; "I do."

She didn't think she'd ever seen Tom this pleased, even more so than when he'd first caught her. Fred, on the other hand, had a look of ultimate devastation on his features and she leant down to whisper to him as Tom led her away as his wife. "Sorry Fred, I couldn't let them hurt you. Tell everyone I love them and miss them, tell Harry he is my only true love and that I will find a way back to him."

Fred nodded sadly and disappeared with Severus when Tom dismissed them to return Fred. She was glad it was Severus since that meant that the Order would receive word quickly and Fred would remain unharmed. She could barely tell where Tom was leading her, to the bigger ballroom she supposed. She definitely didn't want this stupid ball to celebrate something she despised so much. All she really wanted was to lie down on her bed and cry, but she knew of course that Tom would never allow that.

They reached a set of oak double doors with intertwined serpents as handles and Tom paused for a moment. "Ginevra," he breathed the word slowly, his silky tone making it sound like a seduction rather than everyday conversation, "my wife." She tried not to grimace and must have succeeded, for he just leant down to kiss her, on the mouth this time. This kiss was more heated than any previously had been and she guessed it was because they were now married. Oh Merlin, she really didn't want to think of the wedding night, surely he wouldn't expect her to …"

But there was no time for that now, the doors were flung open and Tom escorted her to the top of a beautiful balcony type area overlooking a ballroom. There were so many death eaters there, the men in formal robes and the women in some of the most beautiful dresses she had ever laid eyes on.

The moment she and Tom entered, the music and dancing in the ballroom stopped and the 'guests' turned to see the pair above them. Tom smirked arrogantly, "my faithful death eaters, tonight we celebrate, for tonight you receive your Dark Lady. May I present Lady Ginevra Riddle."

I know Voldemort is supposed to hate his muggle name, but I needed a surname for the pair and I couldn't really call her Ginevra Voldemort, so Ginevra Riddle it is. As for the 'Lady' title, well she isn't a real lady, but since Tom calls himself Lord Voldemort, I figured he'd want Ginny to have a title and since he wants her to be the new Dark Lady then that led to Lady Ginevra.

A special thanks to Talon3 who gave me the idea of Tom capturing one of Ginny's family members. I know you suggested Ron, but since he, Harry and Hermione are currently not allowed to leave the new headquarters then it would be very difficult for him to be captured. Fred would be working at WWW so he would be an easier target. I suppose I could have killed him off or had him turned death eater as you suggested, since that would be more in Voldemort's character. But I'm just going to pretend that getting to marry Ginny and making Fred watch would make him happy for the moment. Also, I am loathe to kill one of the light characters I like and so you will tend to find in my stories that it is often the same characters that die, because I don't care as much about them.

As always, the next chapter will be up in a few days.