I'm not sure how popular my last minute decision to paint the Weasley parents in a bad light is but I liked it. I only had to go back and change one tiny little detail in chapter 1 which is the first line Bellatrix has in this story. Like I said, I don't PLAN on the deatheaters becoming the good guys but you never know how it'll turn out until it happens. Any who, enjoy the story and like I've said, I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 7

Dumbledore felt extremely downtrodden. Not only had he believed Arthur and Molly when they said that Bellatrix had taken Ginny, he had assumed the best. He had let the poor girl down. He had assumed the best of her parents, never knowing that they had willingly given her up because they never wanted her in the first place. He sighed. He normally liked to see the good in people, but he couldn't see the good in what they had done. To give up your own child in the hopes of saving your own skins, it was so horrific that he had never imagined the Weasleys capable of it. But he had been wrong. They had fooled him because of his need to see nothing but the good. Dumbledore shook his head. It was going to be difficult to enact the plan now but it had to be done. And Albus Dumbledore always did what had to be done.

Hogwarts….

Harry was in his dorm room waiting for Ginny to get done with her last class before meeting him in the Great Hall for dinner. He had a large smile on his face and nothing could wipe it away. The only thing that bothered him was how someone had found out about their betrothal before they had told anyone. He frowned. His father had been extremely angry, swearing death to whoever had told Rita Skeeter about it before they had been ready. Harry personally didn't care, he was glad to see that everyone now knew that Ginny was his and he was hers. He suddenly grinned as he remembered a specific memory from the night of the ball.

The night of the ball…..

As Harry and Ginny walked hand-in-hand towards the Slytherin common room they thought about the events of the night. They were betrothed! Harry grinned. They were to be married after Ginny's 14th birthday and he couldn't wait. Of course they had been instructed not to tell anyone until the preparations had been made and the right people had been notified. Harry didn't care and he suspected that Ginny didn't either. Finally, they made it to the dungeon doors. "Mudbloods are trash." The password opened the dungeon doors and the pair entered to find that they were alone. Everyone else had gone to bed, leaving Harry and Ginny up alone. Harry got a fire going while Ginny waited and as the fire blazed, they talked. "When do you think they will tell everyone?"

Harry shrugged. "Probably soon but they'll wait until they're ready." Ginny nodded and grinned. "I can't wait to see the looks on the faces of my idiot brothers when they find out." Harry chuckled but stopped at Ginny's gaze. "I'm happy Harry. I'm truly happy. For so long I've felt unwanted because of what happened with the Weasleys, but you've made me so happy. You've listened to me when I ranted and were the shoulder for me to cry on. You've always been there for me and I could tell you anything and not be judged for it. I know I haven't always been easy to deal with but you've done a splendid job so far and I hope I can make you as happy as you make me."

Harry smiled at her nervousness. Her confession made his heart warm as only she could. "You know I've always enjoyed being with you Gin, ever since we were small children. I've given you my ear and my shoulder because…well….because I love you and that's what people do for those they love. Snape once told me about it…about love. But I didn't quite understand what he meant until this past year. I'd do anything for you Ginny because you're the one person I care about more than anything and I can't wait to be your husband and to call you Mrs. Potter."

Ginny was stunned. She had never expected anyone, least of Harry to say the things he said and now she looked at him. He was nervous but his bright green eyes, fixed when he was younger so he wouldn't need corrective lenses, they captivated her and she knew then that there was no one else on the planet that she would rather be with. "I…I love you too Harry."

Suddenly they were kissing. It was tentative at first. They slowly leaned forward until their lips met, but it soon became a wrestling match between tongues and soon they were up for breath, both flushed with huge grins on their faces. "Merlin that was wonderful Gin, I can't wait to do that again!" Ginny grinned mischievously. "Then why wait?" And the two lovers snogged the night away.

Present day….

"Shove off Malfoy! If I want to go up to Harry's room then I'll do it!" Harry had to laugh at the banter between his best friend and his very best friend/girlfriend. I guess that makes her my fiancé now. He smiled to himself. He had sent Hedwig to Gringotts with a letter to his account manager requesting a pair of specific items from his vault. He had the items in his pocket now. Just then, the door swung open and a grinning Ginny walked in. "Oi Potter! Are we going to dinner or not?"

Harry couldn't help but laugh. "Yes Gin but I need to ask you something first." Ginny rolled her eyes. "Get on with it then." Harry rolled off his bed and onto his knee in front of her. "Ginny, will you marry me?" He held out an engagement ring. Ginny squealed. "Of course I will you prat!" The kissed passionately until Harry pulled away so that he could put the ring on. "Do you really think I should wear this Harry right now Harry?" Harry had almost forgotten to tell her that. "Our betrothal is out in the open. Someone was listening in on our meeting and reported it to the Prophet. Father's right pissed about it. I almost pity the fool when father finds them."

Ginny shivered at the punishment that the Dark Lord was sure to inflict upon the perpetrator. "Your brothers glared at me all day. I swear I wanted to hex their eyes out but I figured you'd like that pleasure." Ginny couldn't help but laugh. "I can't wait to see! Let them glare Harry, they're just jealous like all the other pathetic tarts in this school who can't have you or be you." Harry had to grin. "I'm certainly lucky aren't I? Anyway, I have the corresponding ring on this necklace I'm wearing so that you'll always know where I am and I will always know where you are. That way if we need to, we can teleport to each other. It's not apparation so we won't get in trouble for apparating without a license." Ginny nodded, intrigued. "Did you do this yourself?" Harry shook his head. "It's very complicated magic. I probably could do it but it'd take a while to perfect. It involves runes and other charms. Apparently these rings have been in the Potter family for generations and the charms are very old."

Ginny smiled at her fiancé. "Well it certainly warms me that you'd give me this ring." Harry smiled. "Only the best for you love." Ginny shivered in delight at the pet name, one of many.

After several minutes spent snogging, the couple made their way to the Great Hall to eat. Looking at the Head Table, Ginny saw her mother looking around murderously. She caught Ginny's eye for a moment and her gaze softened. Ginny flashed the ring at her and she grinned before turning back to glare murderously at everyone else. Snape also seemed in a foul mood as well. Suddenly, the doors open and Argus Filtch hobbled in and made his way the Head Table where he whispered something to Bellatrix. She grinned manically before jumping up and whispered to Snape. His mood seemed to lighten as he got up to follow her. They walked toward the Slytherin table and motioned for Harry and Ginny to follow. Curiosity piqued, the pair made their way around the table and followed the headmistress and the potions master out of the Great Hall.

After several minutes of walking, Ginny's curiosity got the better of her. "Mum, where are we going?" The headmistress didn't even turn her head. "To my office my dear, we have a bit of a surprise." Ginny looked at Harry, who just shrugged. Several minutes later, the gargoyle was leaping out of the way and the small group made their way up the stairs and into the office. Inside, they saw the Dark Lord standing next to Rita Skeeter herself, who looked quite pleased. "Ah Harry and young Ginny, welcome. Have a seat." Confused, the couple sat down on the couch. Rita got out her trademark self-writing pen and pad. "So what's it like being betrothed?" The Dark Lord looked at her in mock surprise but Harry could see the danger that Rita was in. "Why Mrs. Skeeter, that's not why I called you here." Skeeter looked startled. "But I thought you said that I would get an interview!" Voldemort laughed a high, cold laugh that sent shivers down Harry's spine and brought a touch of fear to Rita's face. "My dear foolish woman, I never said you'd get an interview merely that we wanted to talk." Skeeter looked shaken. "Did you think that I didn't notice the blue beetle buzzing around this room when we signed the contract?" Skeeter's face paled while Harry felt his own anger rise to the surface like an angry dragon. Bellatrix had a sneer on her face. "If we wanted the betrothal to be common knowledge so soon we would have had a press conference, not asked you to sit in and watch something which was none of your business." Voldemort began circling the trembling reporter like a shark circles its prey. "What should we do with you Mrs. Skeeter?"

"I-I don't k-know what y-you m-m-mean." Voldemort shook his head but a manic grin was on his face as he raised his wand. "Crucio!" Her screams echoed throughout the room as she writhed on the floor. Harry felt his rage roar in approval and call for more. Voldemort tortured her for several more minutes while Harry and Ginny watched in glee as the false reporter got what she deserved. When he finally got bored with her he dropped his wand and cancelled out the curse. He turned away. "Do you think you've been punished enough Mrs. Skeeter?" All he got as a response was sobbing. Ginny felt no pity toward the woman. Rita Skeeter has been playing with fire and it was high time she got burned. Voldemort turned his attention to her. "Ginny if you will." She nodded and pointed her wand at the sobbing heap in the floor. "Crucio!" She sat back as Rita screamed some more, it was like music to her ears. Several minutes later, she too grew bored so shecancelled out the curse and aimed her wand to utter a different curse. "Avada Kedavra!"

12 Grimmauld Place….

Sirius read the Daily Prophet with a small smile on his face. He didn't agree with murder, he couldn't help but be somewhat happy about Skeeter's death. That woman had been writing lies all of her career. What he didn't like, was that Ginny was being applauded for murder! "Ah yes, a somewhat depressing topic in the paper today isn't it?" Sirius turned to see Albus walking toward the dining area so he set the paper down. "Albus, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Albus Dumbledore held his arm out and Fawkes shimmered into visibility and took off in flight. "We need to decide what to do about the plan. The next challenge takes place in February and we need to make sure we're ready by the third challenge." Sirius nodded. "We will be. What about the Weasleys?" Albus shrugged. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Sirius nodded then motioned to the paper. "Do you think it's true?" Albus nodded. "Unfortunately yes and it doesn't surprise me. Your cousin did raise her so of course she would do this. It did shock me that they would flaunt it but it shows how fearless Voldemort's administration is. It's Gilderoy Lockhart all over again." Sirius nodded solemnly. "Amelia is worried that they have eyes on her." Albus looked sad. "Indeed, it may be time to pull her out." Sirius hoped it was. He didn't want to lose the woman he loved.

Hogwarts…..

Ron read the Prophet with shaking hands. He had always hated Rita Skeeter, but the way her murder was being flaunted disgusted him. What disgusted him more was that his own sister had aimed the wand. She's become a monster. He looked over at Fred and George. The normally jovial twins were both solemn. It showed how dire things looked when the twins weren't even laughing. He looked over at the Slytherin table to see Harry and Ginny, surrounded by a group of Slytherins, laughing about the paper. "That's just awful!" Ron looked over to see Hermoine with tears in her eyes. She had hated Skeeter as much as the rest of them, but she didn't condone outright murder. He felt a pain in his chest. He always hated to see Hermoine cry. It tugged at him and made him want to rectify whatever had done it. But there was nothing Ron could do about this. He couldn't control his sister. She really wasn't his sister anymore. She was the daughter of Bellatrix Lestrange and betrothed to Harry Potter, the son of their mortal enemy, Lord Voldemort. All he could do was watch as his former sister became what he had been raised to despise. He hoped that maybe one day he could get his sister back. Maybe they could even get Harry to come with her. But right now, all he could do was watch and wait, and comfort Hermoine Black when she needed it.

February, the Second Task….

Harry stood by the Black Lake and for the first time of his life, he was nervous. He stood on a dock ready for the challenge to start so that he could get to Ginny. She left to the Headmistress office the night before and had not returned and he knew that she would be waiting for him at the bottom of the lake. He hoped from one foot to the next waiting on the gong to sound so he could get her back. Harry stopped to breath. He pulled the gillyweed from the pouch on his suit and got ready to go. He watched as Bellatrix stood up. "Welcome all to the second task! Here, our contestants will have to swim down to retrieve what they would miss most from the merpeople! They have one hour to complete the challenge without the penalty! If you fail to retrieve your object, then they stay down there!" Harry suppressed a shudder. He knew he was going to succeed. He wasn't so sure about Delacour. She had a frightened look on her face. He shrugged. Ginny was his number one priority and that's what he was focused on. When the gong sounded, Harry forced the gillyweed down his throat and leapt into the cold water. As he felt the gills form and his hands and feet become webbed, he swam faster toward the center and down until he came to three poles. He looked at the people the champions would miss most. Ginny was obviously his. He didn't recognize the other two. He thought the younger girl looked kind of like Fluer. That must be her younger sister. He shook his head and went to Ginny. He cut her ropes and held her closely to him as he swam to the surface. He passed Krum who was half transfigured into a shark, and Fluer who had cast the bubble head charm on herself. He nearly snorted. How uncreative.

Minutes later, Harry burst to the surface first and swam to the dock, gently setting Ginny on it as he felt the gillyweed wear off so he leapt onto the dock after her. Madam Pomfrey bustled over to check them over, during which, Ginny woke up and hugged Harry's neck as Krum came up with some girl from Ravenclaw. Several minutes later, past the time limit, Fluer broke the water sobbing, with her sister in her arms, struggling to the dock. Ginny looked on in disgust. "I'm glad the girl is ok, but Fluer knew this was dangerous. If you knew you couldn't take it, then why even put your name in?" Harry shrugged. "I don't think Fluer knew that her sister would become part of the challenge Gin. But I knew that Delacour didn't have what it took anyway. She got lucky that Krum was a klutz in the first challenge. This time, she wasn't so lucky." Ginny nodded as Bellatrix got up to read the scores. Harry came in first with the fastest time in the history of the tournament. "Were you in a hurry to see me Potter?" Ginny teased with a grin though her cheeks were tinged with pink. Harry nodded sincerely. "I certainly was my love." Krum came next with Delacour in last with points docked because she finished outside of the time limit.

Later on, the Slytherins celebrated in the Common Room Harry's victory. Butterbeer was served as was food. Harry sat in an armchair with Ginny in his lap, arms around his neck, looking amusedly at the party going on in front of them. "Well Gin, I must say, Draco knows how to throw a party, especially when it's not wanted by its subject." Ginny giggled. "Oh now Mr. Potter you know you like the attention." Harry snorted. "I hate attention. I hate when people look at me and whisper about me. I'm just ready for the final challenge." Ginny kissed her fiancé. "Relax my love, the third task isn't until May, so you might as well enjoy the fun while it lasts. Harry just nodded as his lips claimed Ginny's once more, becoming oblivious to the party going on around them.

Man that one was starting to get a little long. I'm satisfied with it so far I just hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Anyway, I hope you don't mind me killing Rita Skeeter off. I certainly enjoyed doing it as bad as that sounds. Harry can't have all the fun right? Ginny has to get in on it as well. Obviously I changed some things up when it comes to the second task as it pertains to the rules. Obviously with Voldemort and his goons running things, there's going to be much more danger involved. I didn't really want to kill off Fluer's sister. I thought about it but ultimately I decided to only have one death. I'm not entirely sure what to do with Amelia but I hated how Sirius never did find love in the books so I may not kill her off. I'm not 100% sure yet though. Well, I hope you guys like this chapter! Remember to send me a PM or a review with any suggestions, questions, or criticisms you may have! Your involvement motivates me and gives me ideas. Thanks and enjoy!