Chapter Six

Ginny gave a small yawn as she tried to snuggle deeper into her new warm covers. Marcus Flint had showed up near dawn this morning and had thrown a bundle at her. Her grogginess had evaporated into shock when she realized that the package contained several very thick blankets. Since Flint's only communication with her was a sneer, Ginny could only guess at who had cared enough to have sent her blankets. The only person she could think of was Draco. Ginny allowed herself a little smile when she thought about him. Despite his vehement claim that he cared nothing for her, Ginny suspected that Draco was lying to himself.

Glancing at the tiny clock perched precariously on the windowsill, Ginny realized that she would need to get up now if she were to be ready for another day's work. She sighed, but pushed off the warm cocoon of covers and was immediately greeted with the familiar cold that was a constant companion during her time at Malfoy Manor.

Hurriedly dressing, Ginny tied her hair into a neat bun before making her way down the cramped corridor out of the servants' quarters. As she was about to enter the main chambers, a hand clamped over her mouth as another grabbed her arm. Losing her balance, Ginny was unable to fight against her assailant and was easily dragged into a nearby closet.

When she stumbled into the closet, Ginny heard the door close behind her. Finally, her assailant lifted his hand off her nose and mouth. After the initial gasp of air, Ginny began coughing violently as her swift intake of breath had brought all the dust that had accumulated in the room into her lungs. Ginny was still wheezing when a familiar voice sounded behind her back.

"Miss Weasley, I see that you have not been completely honest with me," Snape's silky voice said behind her.

Ginny froze, her scratchy throat and burning lungs forgotten. Snape? Nothing good could come out of a sudden ambush by Snape.

"What do you want?" Ginny asked in a calm voice, trying not to betray her anxiety.

"Your so called 'mission' has failed. You've been caught, and quite easily I might add. The Order is no longer getting any more responses from you."

Ginny's heartbeat quickened. Snape knew? Would he tell Draco?

"I-" Ginny began, but was interrupted by Snape.

"No, I don't want to hear any lies or excuses. And not to worry, I won't betray your little secret. I just wanted to let you know that your hard kept secret was discovered quite a while ago. But, that's not what my purpose for this impromptu meeting." Snape stated.

"Really? Then what is it that you want from me?" Ginny asked, raising her chin.

"I just want to warn you. You'll be faced with some…hardships in the near future. Just be sure that you make the right decision at that time," Snape advised. "You have always made decisions for the wrong reasons, make sure that this one is made for the right one."

Snape then walked briskly towards the door, but before he twisted the knob, he turned around to face her.

"Remember, none of us are free. Including me."

Ginny was about to ask what he meant, but Snape had disappeared. His cryptic message confused her, but Ginny knew better than to disregard it. Even if it were a lie, there had to be a reason why Snape would tell it to her. Regardless of whether or not it was the truth, Ginny would have to figure out what it was that Snape desired of her. What frightened her the most at this moment though, was the situation surrounding Lupin's mission. She didn't know how the Death Eaters had discovered her mission, but if Snape said that he would keep it a secret, did he mean that only he knew? But that was impossible. He sought her out today, most likely because he had just discovered that she was here under Lupin's orders, so someone else must have told him. But who? It couldn't have been Draco, or he would have had her tossed back into the dungeons, so it must have been someone else.

Massaging her temples, Ginny rubbed her tired eyes and exited the closet. Ginny brushed off the dust from her robes and then continued on back to the main chambers. She had a full day of work in front of her, and unless she wished to not sleep tonight, she had better get started now. Tonight, after she finished her work, she would try to dig around for information and figure out just what kind of jeopardy she was in.

She continued on her path to Narcissa's room, where she would spend the morning keeping Draco's mother company. Oddly enough, though Ginny had disliked Narcissa when she and Draco were dating, these past couple of weeks had caused her to grow quite close to the aging woman. Narcissa had discarded that cool veneer and talked to her animatedly. Though all of their conversations revolved around Narcissa and the woman kept up her haughty attitude, Ginny appreciated the other woman's candidness.

Pushing open the heavy oak door, Ginny saw that Narcissa was already sitting by the window gazing out into the gray skies.

"Hello, Narcissa," Ginny called.

"Oh, you! I have so much to talk to you about," Narcissa gestured to a stool nearby, and Ginny obediently walked to it and sat down.

"I was most shocked today, when I saw this other red-headed girl walk into my room," Narcissa began. "Of course, I told her that I didn't want her to be here, because I didn't like her."

Ginny frowned, there were times when Narcissa confused her with her stories, because they all seemed to be nonsensical.

"So, I told her, 'Drusilla, get out!' And since I'm obviously the lady of the manor, she had no choice but to depart from my room," Narcissa sniffed. "I tell you, ever since that Weasley girl left, Draco has been parading around with Drusilla. I honestly can't understand why. I mean, of course, I never liked the Weasley girl, blood-traitor mind you, but this Drusilla-"

Ginny suddenly became alert.

"Mrs. Malfoy, who is this Drusilla?" Ginny asked slowly.

"Silly girl, I've told you so many times. She's the girl that Draco found to replace that Weasley girl. She's been here for so many years, and I hear that she is quite the Death Eater. She thinks that everyone is under her spell, but she doesn't know that I'm not!" Narcissa giggled. "I hear them say that she is so beautiful, and I suppose that she might pass off as acceptable, if not for that awful red hair!"

"So she's been by Draco's side for a long time?" Ginny asked, her voice strained.

"Oh yes, many years. Though I hear that she's not involved with him romantically, but more like a partner. Why are you smiling, child? You must learn to smile discreetly. It's not ladylike to show your teeth when you smile. Anyway, of course, I'm sure that she wishes she were romantically involved with him, who wouldn't wish to be a part of the Malfoy family, but Draco knows better. We don't even know if she's from a good family! And that terrible red hair. Could you imagine the children? Malfoys with red hair? How dreadful," Narcissa remarked.

"Yes, red hair is just ghastly," Ginny replied dryly.

"I'm glad that you're sensible enough to agree. Of course, I do have to say, I don't even know if I'll even see grandchildren. The way Draco's been acting recently! Of course I know he's busy, but he should at least come and see his mother." Narcissa suddenly paused, and a sad expression passed over her face. "I guess…I guess it is partially my fault. I don't think he ever forgave me for denying the Weasley girl. You must understand, mixing blood like that…but he did care for her, exceedingly. I of all people should understand the unpredictability of love. If I'm not mistaken, he will always love that Weasley girl."

Ginny felt sympathy for the older woman but also felt a rush of relief that Narcissa believed that Draco's feelings for her were still present. As Ginny was about to reach out to Narcissa to comfort her, Narcissa suddenly lost all signs of sadness and smiled widely at Ginny.

"Now, I was thinking that I should take breakfast. Silly girl, didn't even ask if I were hungry," Narcissa shook her head.

Ginny could only sigh. Even though these sudden mood changes were very common with Narcissa, Ginny had yet to become accustomed to them.

"Right away, ma'am," Ginny replied.

---

After spending five hours with Narcissa and then another two hours in a freezing cellar organizing wines, Ginny felt her body whimper in protest to the amount of work she had been assigned. Pausing, she sat down next to an aisle of red wines.

Just a moment, she told herself, she would rest just a moment before she would finish organizing the wines. Just a minute…

---

"Jargus, I sent for Gin- Weasley, half an hour ago, where is she?" Draco barked.

"I'm very sorry sir, but unfortunately no one has been able to find her," a very pale Death Eater simpered.

"What do you mean you can't find her?" Draco snarled. "It's nine o'clock at night. She should have finished all of her tasks and gone to eat dinner with the other servants. That's why I called for her. Are you stupid or just incompetent?"

Jargus physically shrank away from Draco, frightened that tonight might be his last night.

"I'm very sorry, sir, but we have checked the servants' dining halls and their quarters, but we can't find her," Jargus stuttered. "It seems if she has just disappeared."

Draco scowled, infuriated by the uselessness of the Death Eaters, but then a thought occurred to him. What if she had escaped? But that was impossible, the Malfoy Mansion was highly fortified, so neither anyone could intrude nor could any servant or prisoner escape. But, what if? Ginny Weasley had always been a highly gifted witch, what if she had found a way? If she had, he would search the entirety of England, that's what he would do. She would not get away.

"Send all the Death Eaters on a search throughout the Mansion. I want her found!" Draco roared.

The frightened Death Eater jumped at the volume of Draco's voice, before quickly hastening away. Draco himself went into a mild panic. Where could she be? Conjuring up a schedule of her activities for today, he looked through all the different tasks and their locations. Grabbing his wand, Draco apparated away.

His first stop was Narcissa's room. However, the only person in there was his mother. It was ironic really. Narcissa had once despised Ginny. She had looked at her as if she were filth on the sidewalks, but now she constantly asked for her red-headed companion.

Draco moved to his mother's side, and then took an extra second to pause by her sleeping figure. Pulling up her covers, he sighed as he looked down upon her. If only their lives had been different. Not allowing himself to linger by her side, he quickly apparated to the wine cellar, the next task on Ginny's to do list.

Appearing next to the aisle of Bordeaux wines, Draco was suddenly hit with a memory of one night many years ago.

---

"I swear, Draco, I can't understand why you spent so many galleons on a glass of 'Bor-dox' wine," Ginny shook her head at Draco, as they sat on the rug in front of the fireplace in his room.

Draco chuckled, before taking the bottle of wine out of her hands and settling it on the ground next to her.

"First of all, it's pronounced "Bor-dough" and second, because I thought it would be a good idea to get you slightly tipsy before telling you that you'll be meeting my parents tomorrow," Draco teased.

Ginny's eyes widened to the size of saucers and then immediately shrunk to slits, as she scowled at her boyfriend.

"We talked about it Draco, I really don't think it would be a good idea for me to meet your parents. They already don't like me."

"Yes, but I think that your charm will win them over, just like it did me," Draco smiled unconvincingly. "And besides, I met your parents remember?"

"Actually, I do remember. I remember my brothers threatening to curse you into the next millennium if you ever dared to show up on our doorstep again, and I also distinctly remember a bowl of rice pudding landing on your head, courtesy of my mother. Oh yes, and I remember that my dad then nearly lit you on fire, when he was yelling and accidentally sent one of those Muggle matches flying onto your robes," Ginny replied dryly. "And, I doubt that any type of persuading will ever convince Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy to approve of me, a mere Weasley."

"That day was quite terrible wasn't it?" Draco reminisced with a pained expression on his face. He remembered trying to put out the fire on his robes while mopping rice pudding out of his face and trying to dodge well aimed curses. "But, my point is that no matter what my parents think, I'm simply telling them that I will be with you no matter what their opinion is. I think that I owe them at least an explanation as to why I will not be marrying any other witch."

Pulling her into his arms, Draco kissed her on the forehead.

"I love you Ginny. And no one can change that."

---

Draco sighed. Staring at the row of Bordeaux wines. They had made so many promises to each other, but in the end they had broken all of them.

It was then that Draco noticed a figure lying motionless on the ground a couple aisles down. Frowning, he prepared himself to hex whoever it was lying there napping, before he realized that, that shade of red hair only belonged to one woman.

Rushing forward, he knelt down by Ginny's side, frantically shaking her by the shoulders in order to revive her.

"Damn it, Weasley, wake up! Enervate!" Draco yelled, but Ginny's eyes stayed closed.

Scooping her up, Draco disapparated, appearing in his room moments later.

Lying her gently on his bed, Draco cursed whichever Death Eater was assigned guard duty today. How could they have not realized that one of the servants was missing? Draco swore that he would find out who it was and leave the man with a warning he wouldn't forget.

"Get me a HEALER!" Draco roared.

A chorus of "Yes, sirs" and then scrambling sounded just outside his door after his voice echoed through the room.

Pulling up a chair to the bed, Draco reached out tentatively and then hesitated before he moved his hand forward to push her hair off from her forehead. He swallowed when he realized how clammy her skin was. They had worked her too much. She was so fragile, and Draco admitted to himself that he had pushed her beyond her breaking point both physically and mentally.

When a healer finally arrived, Draco was pacing around the room, unable to assume his usual cold demeanor. It had already been two hours, but Ginny still showed no signs of awakening.

The frail old man who limped into the room looked as if he were close to greeting Death himself. Draco was about to snarl at the man, but then he realized that an ancient healer was better than no healer.

The healer reached out a trembling hand to touch Ginny in order to evaluate her symptoms. After a few minutes of assessment, he mumbled something unintelligible under this breath.

"Speak up," Draco barked.

"So sorry, sir!" the old man squeaked. "I just said that the lady is dehydrated and fatigued."

"Then do something about it, don't just stand there telling me that," Draco growled, intensely irritated that the old man seemed completely incapable of doing anything.

"Unfortunately, I really can't do much for her, she simply needs much rest and water. Maybe some chicken soup," the healer replied, barely audible.

"What the hell kind of a healer are you?" Draco snarled, now on the verge of cursing the old man.

"I'm really sorry sir, no spell can reverse it, it's just that the body has to replenish-"

"Get out," Draco bit out.

The old man scurried out of the room, a shaking hand clutching his healer bag.

Staring at Ginny's pale face, Draco wondered to do. The useless healer had said that she would need soup and water. But how the bloody hell was she supposed to drink or eat when she was unconscious? Taking a deep breath, Draco decided that he would get the liquids and then figure out a way to get her to consume them.

Turning on his heel, Draco marched out of the room to fetch the necessary food. As he was approaching the kitchens, a place in the Mansion he had never been to, a soft hand latched on to his arm.

"Draco," Drusilla murmured.

"Not now, Drusilla, I'm in a rush," Draco told her, as he pulled his arm away from her.

For a moment, Drusilla looked surprised at Draco's abrupt behavior. He had never been short with her.

"But, it's important, Draco. It's about the Dark Lord," Drusilla warned.

Letting out an impatient breath, Draco raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.

"The Dark Lord told me that he is initiating a mass execution of the last Order members. He has had enough of their pathetic attempts at fighting and will begin a search-and-destroy program soon," Drusilla informed him.

"Yes, and why does this matter to me?" Draco asked impatiently. He didn't care who the hell died in the Order, in fact the only reason he had previously headed all the search-and-destroy programs was because he was afraid that a Death Eater would kill Ginny. At the time, he had told himself that it was simply because he wanted the honors of killing her himself.

"He's ordered the immediate killing of the Weasley family…including the youngest Weasley," Drusilla said quietly. Beneath her lowered lashes, her sharp eyes watched Draco's expression.

Draco's eyes immediately snapped to focus on Drusilla.

"I see," he responded coldly after a moment of silence.

"I just thought I could warn you before-" Drusilla began in what sounded like a sincere tone, but was interrupted.

"Thank you," Draco cut her off, before turning around and stalking off to the kitchens.

As the house elves prepared a bowl of chicken soup, which Draco had ordered to be made only with their best ingredients, Draco leaned against the wall and contemplated the dilemma he was in.

He was still in love with Ginny Weasley. He couldn't lie to himself anymore. If it were anyone else, he would not be here in the servants' quarters waiting for a bowl of soup before serving it to her like a common servant. Nor would he have panicked at her sickly state. He couldn't watch her die, but was he willing to go against the Dark Lord in order to protect her?

For the last ten years, this was the only life he knew. The only people who had played large roles in his life for the last decade were Drusilla, Snape and Voldemort. Even though they had never meant as much as Ginny had, they were constant presences. If he chose to protect Ginny, he would be forsaking the life he had grown accustomed to. If he chose to protect Ginny, he would be giving up a position of power and exchanging it for the life of a walking target of all the Death Eaters. If he chose to protect Ginny, then what the hell were the last ten years of his life for?

Author Note: I think that there should be just a few more chapters...hopefully.