Chapter 8

WARNING: Contains what may be considered statuatory rape.

"Our only way out is through deception."

Hermione drew with her finger in the dirt on the ground. "We must fool the guards if we are to make it out alive."

"Okay, so we fool the guards. So what? We don't know a thing about the structure of the building, let alone where we are on Merlin's green earth," said Cho. She laid on the filthy floor with a sigh.

"Look, if we can just get one of us to actually get a look at this place, we can find a door, or at least a weak point. That's why tricking a guard is important—if we can get one to take someone for a walk, we can get out of here. So... basically... someone has to seduce a Death Eater," Hermione finished hesitantly.

The three girls turned to face Cho. She exhaled slowly.

"Of course, it has to be me."

"Ronald—I hope you know this young lady. Her name is Lavender. I do not want to hurt her—but I will if swift action is not taken. If you are not here in three days, she dies. You must come alone. Attached is a portkey. Only you and you alone can activate it. Act quickly."

Arthur set the letter down slowly.

"Should Ron see this?"

Remus turned toward him. "He's an adult, Arthur. You can't keep this from him. It is clear he must go. The only thing we can do is prepare him accordingly." Arthur laid his head on the table at Remus' words.

"He's my boy, Remus. I can't lose him, too. Losing the twins in the fire, Ginny being taken..." He trailed off in sorrow.

"This may be the only way to find Ginny. You know that. Molly knows it, and your sons do, too. You must trust Ron to do what he can," said Remus in response. He put his hand over Arthur's.

"He's stronger than you think. He can do it."

Ginny stumbled through the door into the vast, empty room. Only the Dark Lord, perched on his throne, was there.

No Death Eaters.

No Nagini.

Voldemort's eyes sparkled with an unfamiliar sheen when he saw Ginny. Hate? Lust? She couldn't decide. Voldemort stood and clasped his hands together. He spoke quietly, yet with definite power.

"Ginevra."

It was one word, just a name, but for Ginny, it brought back memories she had long buried.

"Her rash hand in evil hour

Forth reaching to the fruit, she pluck'd, she ate,

Earth felt the would, and Nature from her seat

Sighing through all her works, gave sighs of woe

That all was lost."

Tom set the heavy tome next to Ginny.

"What does that mean? It's beautiful." Young, naive Ginny, with her cinnamon eyes of innocence, stared up at Tom with barely bated curiosity.

"It's about you, Ginevra." Ginny raised her eyebrows. "Well, not per se, but it can be. My dear, all you must do is take from the garden, and you too can be free." He stroked her freckled face. "All those who hold you back deserve the darkest consequences. You can defy the rules set before you, act on impulse, be great. Adam and Eve be damned, Ginevra. You will be Lilith." He kissed her palm. "Accept me, Ginevra. Together we shall purge this world of what is wrong, and rejoice in the celebration of peace and purity." He pulled her face to his and kissed her deeply.

"I'm yours, Tom. Always and forever."

She closed her eyes in bliss as he pulled her skirt up.

"My Hecate, my Gaia, my queen," he whispered rapidly in her ear.

"My Lady."

Ginny opened her eyes.

Voldemort was now in front of her. He stroked her face slowly, as if she was fragile enough to crack.

"My Lady."

She touched his hand, and spoke softly in verse.

"The mind in its own place, and in itself

Can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven."

She exhaled slowly.

Voldemort smiled.