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Face of War	By : dweek Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Voldemort/Ginny Views: 19603 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 4
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- 6
A/N- First I would really like to thank Eclectic Pet my awesomely awesome beta for helping me to revise this chapter! I know it has been a while in coming so I hope it doesn't disapoint!

Ginny-
I’m standing at the top of the Astronomy Tower looking out over the grounds of Hogwarts. The stone is cold under my bare feet and the wind whips my hair around my face. My hair is longer than I remember; it’s almost as if the wind is pulling at it making it grow.
It couldn’t be later than noon, but the whole world seems dark. I have this idea pop into my mind that Tom is making even the sun as dark as his heart.
“You’re being melodramatic.” Tom says as he walks up behind me. “Not even the Dark Lord can make a force such as the sun an evil one.”
I shake my head blinking as I realize it isn’t Tom, but Riddle, who’s talking to me. This is a dream I tell myself before looking down at my own form. The dark sun reflects off a stone on my hand. I’m wearing a wedding band on my ring finger. Two snakeheads grasp a black stone as if they’re about to eat it. My stomach is full and rounded by what I can only assume is Tom’s child. I feel all hope drain away as I realize how my soul is locked with Tom’s.
“That’s already true.” Riddle reminds me. “Well of course it’s a dream, but it’s yours, not mine.” Riddle tells me as he leans back against the ledge and looks me over. “I wouldn’t have you so… pregnant.”
“Would you stop doing that?” I ask as I finally look up at him.
“Doing what?” He asks innocently.
“Answering my thoughts.”
“My dear, I’m inside your head, these are all your thoughts.” He points out with a chuckle. “Why do you think you’re dreaming about this?” He asks and motions to my form.
“I guess I’m just thinking about the future. This is what he wants, right?” I ask him and look down at my stomach again.
“This is exactly what he wants, what do you want?” He asked and reached out to touch my stomach as if there was a real baby inside.
“I can’t have what I want so why bother?” I ask as I look back out to the Forbidden Forest.
The world changed around me and I find I'm suddenly on a broom surrounded by what can only be the pitch for the Quidditch World Cup. Thousands of fans are screaming my name.
I shake my head and fly down to the ground so I can walk away from this image.
“You can’t hide it; I see this dream in your head.” Riddle tells me as if it’s something I don’t know.
“It’s an old dream.” I explain as I take off the pads and look for a door out of the pitch. “It’s too selfish now, I could never be happy doing this.”
The dream changes again and we’re standing outside of the Burrow. I can see my whole family inside through the front window. They’re eating a meal together and laughing and joking, like we always did. Fred is putting a fake spider in Ron’s soup while George distracts him. Hermione and Percy are debating some sort of practical application of magic as Harry watches with complete confusion as he tries to keep up. Something wet falls onto my neck and I can’t look any more.
“Now this is something you want more than anything, don’t deny it.” Riddle says and I find him sitting on the garden wall.
“Yes. You’re right, but I can’t have this. Half of them are dead and the ones who aren’t…”
“Need your protection.”
“Yes.” I agree unable to make myself look back into the window.
“So that’s how you end up trapped in marriage and bearing his child.” Riddle states, but it feels like something we both already knew.
“But you must want more.” He continues after giving me a moment to breath. I feel him close to me before he reaches down and takes my chin so I’ll look at him. “You can have so much more with him. If you play his game, if you give him what he wants he’ll give you the world. Literally.”
“I don’t want the world.” I remind him while I work on not crying.
“Then decide what you do want.” He tells me firmly.
“I’ve been working…” I start but he shakes his head.
“Yes, you’ve been working to get mudbloods and the other unclean protected. You’ve been working to protect your family. If these are the only things you ask for he’ll always see you as his…” he paused as he tried to decide on the right word. “...rebel queen.”
“So I should be selfish so he thinks I’m more like him?” I ask taking a step away from him while I shake my head. “So he’ll trust me more?” I add and have to laugh at the idea of him trusting anyone. The sound is hollow compared to the laughter that comes from inside the house.
“No one is like him Ginny, no one.” Riddle tells me seriously. “In all the world, do you know who knows him best? Who really knows Lord Voldemort, his true face?”
I shake my head and try to ignore the sound of laughter coming from inside my old home. “I don’t know. Can we please go?” I ask with a bit of desperation in my voice.
The world shifts around us and I find we’re standing back on the tower where we began. I look back down at myself. I’m back to being pregnant and dressed finely as I had been before only now I’m wearing green, Slytherin green.
“I always liked you better in that color. Now answer my question or we go back.” Riddle says, but I don’t really care what color I’m wearing.
I breathe in a tired breath and look up at him. “I don’t know. One of his followers, Bellatrix maybe?” I guess so he’ll leave me alone.
“Bellatrix sees him as the god he wants all of his followers to see. Unless you think he really is a god, try again.” Riddle says like he’s a teacher and I’m a disappointing pupil.
“Dumbledore used to know him, and he taught Harry a lot.” I point out.
“The old fool only ever saw one side of him, he never truly understood.” The dark haired man shakes his head. “Besides both he and the boy are dead, so they don’t really count.”
“I don’t think Harry is dead.” I admit to him because I know I can’t hide things from him anyway.
“I know, and you really should drop that foolish hope.” Riddle tells me with a frown. “Harry is as alive as I am. I’m sure what you saw was a small glimmer of him holding on, but nothing that could take its own form. But you’re off topic. Who knows Tom best Ginny?”
I frown and look at my hands, examine the small snakes on the wedding band on my finger. “Maybe Daphne.” I say after a moment. “He…” I start but he shakes his head.
“He showed her the monster.” He says looking at me seriously.
“You’re trying to say it’s me.” I realize after a moment.
Riddle only smiles.
“How can it be me?” I ask feeling like I’m about to panic. Why does it frighten me so much to think I know Tom better than anyone?
“Why do you think he chose you to be his lioness? Why do you think you’re not rotting in the cell next to your friends? Or sold off to some rich old Death Eater as a reward for his service.” Riddle asks.
Words Tom said to me recently come to the forefront of my mind. I thought at the time it had been Harry who made him say them, but now I’m starting to doubt.
“If he could love anyone, it would be you.” Riddle says the words on my mind. “I don’t want you to be like him.” He adds going back to whatever point he was really trying to make.
“What do you want Riddle?” I ask and my voice reflects how mentally tired I am in this moment.
“I thought it was obvious, I want us both to live long and happy lives.” He tells me as if he was speaking to a child. “I want you to think, and use what you have to both our best advantages. I don’t want you beaten and broken. You would be no fun to play with if you were, and you’re my only toy.”
“So you’re helping me deal with Tom so that he’ll not break me? You want me to get him to think I’m truly accepting a place at his side.” I ask so I know I understand what he said.
“No Ginny. I want you to truly accept a place at his side.” He says making me frown.
“I…” I start to tell him he just repeated what I say when I realize the difference. “I can’t do that.” I say and the panic quickly returns.
“Than this is not your future.” Riddle says and motions to my form. “This is.” He adds before all I can feel is white-hot fire. I scream as the pain shoots through my entire body never letting up.
Luna-
I sit at my desk with my knees pulled to my chest so I can rest my head on them. Blaise and I went out after we were forced into the engagement, but I wasn’t any fun. He took me back to his place and gave me the ring that now rested on my finger. He told me it had been his grandmother's on his father’s side.
I fiddle with the ring looking at it closely. It’s actually rather pretty for a prison. The stone in the center is a ruby and it’s held up by the three moons of the Zabini crest. Blaise told me the ruby represents the purity of blood of his family line. He explained that the ring is said to be cursed. If any bride less than pure would put it on she would lose the finger. Though he quickly added, that no one had ever tested if the story was true.
“Miss?” Minty knocks on the door to my office bringing me out of my thoughts. “Mr. Ronald is here to see Miss.” She adds without pause.
“Take him to the garden; I’ll meet him out there.” I tell her giving one last look at the ring before I take it off and place it in my pocket.
When I see him sitting on one of the low garden walls my heartbreaks just a little more than I’m ready for and I let out a sob I don’t mean to.
“Luna?” He asks with a frown. “What’s wrong?” He looks pale and thin. I see noticeable black circles under his eyes; I see the color of worry surround him. But for all that he’s handsome and strong and all I want to do is fall into his arms and let him hold me.
“I…” I start leaving a space between us so I can say what I need to. “You can’t come here again.”
“What?” He asks with a frown moving closer to me.
I take a step back shaking my head. “You’re going to hate me.” I tell him.
“Tell me what’s wrong.” He asks now standing directly in front of me, close enough to touch.
I pull the ring out of my pocket to hand to him, and then turn my back so I don’t have to see his reaction.
“Why?” Ronald asks so softly I almost don’t hear him.
I wonder for a moment if I should tell him the whole story. Tell him about Rookwood and how I got myself into this whole mess. I decide it’s the only fair way.
“I killed a Death Eater. It was an accident, and he attacked me. But there was a witness and he was a member of the Dark Lord’s inner circle.”
“So this witness is blackmailing you into marrying him?” Ron asks, his voice changing from sad to angry.
“He’s blackmailing me into marrying Blaise.” I correct not knowing if it will make a difference to him.
“Oh I’m so very sure Zabini had nothing to do with it.” He says in a tone that’s obviously sarcasm.
“He’s just trying to protect me.” I tell him finally turning to look at Ron.
“He’s just trying to own you.” Ron corrects in an even more angry tone. “That’s what he has wanted from the start. Now he thinks he’s going to get it.”
“You don’t understand you didn’t see his face when I told him I was attacked.”
“Luna. Come with me now. Leave here and we can find a place to keep you safe.” He presses and takes my arm. “Please?” When I look into his eyes, I see the hurt and not the anger.
I lean in without thinking and brush my lips against his. Resting my forehead against his, I breathe in his air shaking my head. “I can’t Ron. I have to stay; I have to help in what little way I can.”
“I love you.” He tells me softly like that should make a difference.
I can feel tears running down my cheeks breathing slowly to control my voice. “That’s why you have to leave, and never come back.”
“No.” Ron says pulling me into a tight embrace. He kisses me, and this time there’s nothing gentlemanly about it. It’s a passion filled kiss; one that easily takes what little control I have away and leaves me breathless.
“I’m going to marry him.” I tell Ron when he lets me breath again.
“I know.” He says, but doesn’t let me go. “And you’re going to have an affair with me.” He tells me like it’s a simple truth. “You’re going to have love in your life. Then when this war ends, you’ll be mine.”
I can’t help but smile at his plans. They’re so sweet, so innocent. He still carries a light of hope in him that’s so very rare in this time of darkness. It makes me love him more.
Daphne-
This time when I’m woken up in the middle of the night by a pounding on my door it is George Weasley and he looked panicked. “She won’t stop screaming. They told me to get you.”
I had hoped this wouldn’t happen again, but as they still don’t know why it happened the first time, I guess it has been a silly hope. I pull a robe on before leading him back to the dungeon.
“Did they send anyone to retrieve the Dark Lord?” I ask looking at him seriously.
“Yes, Draco just thought it would be better if I got you.” He says listening to me only because of his worry for his sister. “Someone said it has happened before?’
“Only once.” I tell him like that should make him feel better. “Did Draco give her the potion?”
“He tried, but she won’t swallow it.” George sounds more worried
When we get to her room, the Dark Lord is standing over the healers as they try to calm her. Usually screams of pain in this castle are met by smirks and dealt out by our Lord. But at the moment the Dark Lord looks almost as worried as Ginny’s brother.
“Why isn’t it working you fool?” He snaps at the healer. He’s probably wishing he had learned the healing arts at the moment so he wouldn’t have to rely on another.
“Maybe we should put up a silencing charm.” One of the healer’s suggests softly. The look the Dark Lord gives him makes him take a step back. “So that the whole castle isn't woken my Lord.” he tries to explain himself. “The children…”
“Can wake for all I care. If she has to suffer screaming because you’re too incompetent to sooth her, than all can suffer with her.” The Dark Lord says with blazing red eyes. All in this room know the man will not survive the morning if Ginny isn’t soothed quickly.
I step forward sitting next to Ginny on the bed. I touch her face softly and whisper in her ear. “Ginny, it’s only a dream. He can only hurt you as much as you let him. Ginny let it go, let us help.” I tell her softly repeating my words until the screaming turns into whimpering.
“I’m sure you can handle it now that she’s done most of the work.” The Dark Lord says coldly. “Miss. Greengrass follow me.”
I look up at him swallowing before I glance to Draco. He nods slightly and I get up and follow the Dark Lord out of the room.
“Do you plan to marry him?” He asks as he leads me to his office. I breathe out a sigh of relief that we’re not going to his chambers.
“No my Lord.” I tell him honestly. “Draco is a good friend, but we don’t bring each other any benefit in marriage.”
“He could make you an actual Lady.” He points out as he motions me inside.
“But that would weaken his political position. Did you call me here to speak about Draco my Lord?” I ask confused.
“No.” He said and moved around me to take up the place of power at his desk. “Have you seen what she sent me tonight? This act she’s proposing?” He asks, but he already knows the answer.
“Of course my Lord.” I say with a bow of my head.
“This is your doing.” He adds after a moment. “It’s well thought out and something I can actually support without looking weak. It’s protecting the Empire’s assets without focusing on the fact the assets are people in some eyes. People like to think their government is protecting their money. In the end she gets what she wants, her mudbloods are protected from unwarranted abuse and torture.”
“I made a few suggestions Sir. I helped clean the language, but the rest is her.” I tell him honestly.
“You’re protective of my lioness now.” He says and it’s not a question. “Is it only because she saved you from me, or do you have other reasons?”
“She’s my path to power my Lord. Why wouldn’t I protect that?” I ask him, when he smiles, I know I’ve given him the correct answer.
“I chose well when I picked you.” The Dark Lord said with a nod. “As long as the little bond you have with the Malfoy boy is always used for the betterment of mine or my lioness’ position, I’ll not use it against you. Now tell me what you want.”
I frown at him confused by what he’s asking for. “What I want Sir?”
“You’ve done me a small service tonight; I owe you a small boon.” He tells me with a wave of his hand. “Choose quickly or it will be lost forever.”
I frown more deeply and try to think of something simple I could ask him for. “My Lady has two maids, have you noticed them my Lord?” I ask and try to seem uninterested.
“I know of them yes. Why?” He asks and I can tell his patience isn’t on my side.
“Tracey Davis has a habit of flirting with you my Lord every time you’re near.” I tell him, which makes him smile slightly.
“I hadn’t noticed does it upset my Lady?” He asks curiously.
“I think it more amuses her when you obviously show no interest in Miss. Davis. The favor I would like for you my Lord, is when she does flirt, maybe every so often you could show some interest.”
“Why would I do that?” He asks frowning, as he’s obviously annoyed at being asked to play childish games.
“It would help me gain more control over her ladies. It might also make my Lady jealous. My Lord could use it to his own advantage.” I say calmly.
“I’ll consider it.” He says and waves his hand to dismiss me.
Ginny-
When I wake the first thing, I feel is someone pressing a cool cloth to my head. I smile at first because it feels nice. I open my eyes slowly, half expecting to be in the hospital wing. Riddle had done a number on me. I can still feel the ache in my joints and the soreness in my throat.
When I look up into the red eyes of the person caring for me, I think how pretty they are before I realize whom it is. I look around, wondering if we’re alone. When I find no one in the room with us, I look at him again.
He withdrew his hand, looking at me seriously. “You’re wondering why I’m lowering myself to care for you?” He asks without emotion.
I try to speak and find my throat more raw than I thought. I clear it to wet my sore voice box. When I finally speak it’s a rough sound, but he’s oddly patient with me. “Yes, my Lord. I’m sure a healer could…” He stops me by holding up his hand.
“They were not doing their jobs to my satisfaction.” He told me firmly. “Now I think we need to discuss what happened.”
I look away from him; I don’t want to tell him about Riddle. I’m not sure why but I think he’ll take it badly. Though Riddle’s lessons are sometimes painful, they have helped me survive in Tom’s world.
“Bad dream.” I tell him without looking at him.
“Obviously, but they could not wake you, or even give you a dreamless potion. Something in you stopped them.” He says sounding angry.
“I’m sorry my Lord.” I tell him clearing my throat again.
“Drink this.” He snaps holding a foul smelling bottle to my lips.
He doesn’t really give me a choice as he tips the contents into my mouth. It burns and I almost spit it out, but Tom covers my mouth with his hand until I swallow the potion. I wonder for a moment if he poisoned me, but then my throat starts to feel better.
“Why are you having such bad dreams lioness?” He asks after a moment to make sure I’ve swallowed it all.
I don’t know what to tell him, I know he would be able to tell if I lie to him, but there’s no way I can tell him the truth. “What would you want; to not make me tell you?” I ask him softly, my voice much more clear.
“You’re trying to make a deal little lioness. In this moment I only wish to make you better.” He tells me shaking his head. “If you don’t wish to tell me, then you’ll not be permitted to leave this bed for at least the next week. You’ll take potions of dreamless sleep before bed until I say otherwise, and I’ll be the last one you see before bed each night.”
I bite my lower lip but nod in agreement. “If that’s what you think is best my Lord.” I tell him before nodding again. I lay back in the bed turning away from him.
“It’s almost morning.” He tells me running a finger over my cheek. “I’ll stay until another caretaker comes.”
“You don’t have to my Lord.” I tell him, just wanting him to leave me alone.
“You’ll not be left alone until I feel it’s safe to do so.” He says firmly, leaving no room for argument.
“Why do you care so much my Lord?” I ask before I can stop myself. His hand withdrawals from my cheek and I fear I have angered him.
“You’re an important part of my future plans Ginevra. I need you healthy and whole.” He says before he places a hand on my stomach. “You’ll be my wife, and the mother of my heir. I thought I had already made this clear.”
I try not to pull away from his hand, but I do flinch at his touch.
He chuckles low in his throat. “What has you so worried my lioness? Is it the idea of a marriage, or the child? Neither will happen before you graduate.”
“And after?” I ask as I take my NEWTs at the end of this school year.
“It depends on how fast other plans move.” He says simply as he withdraws his hand again. “Get some rest, and we can talk about this when you’re feeling better.”
I take in a deep breath nodding. “Yes my Lord, but you know that marriage, and an heir, they will cost you.” I push as I remember the lesson of my dream.
He smirks, leaning down so his lips hover over my own. “They’ll be well paid for.” He tells me and kisses me so softly that I imagine it’s Harry controlling the action. I close my eyes and kiss him back.
When he pulls away, I look up to see only Tom’s red eyes looking down at me, and a smug expression on his face. “Rest.” He says getting off the bed so he can give me some space.
I lay in bed dozing for what seems like hours before someone opens the door and I hear voices.
“My Lord, I didn’t expect you to be here.” Tracey says in a way that tries very hard to seem shocked. I know she wouldn’t be down before Daphne if she hadn’t known Tom was in my room.
“I was watching over my lioness.” He says obviously not looking up from whatever book, he had been reading. There’s a pause in his words as I can hear the book being put down. “You’re one of her maids?” he asks with a bit more interest in his tone.
“Yes, my Lord. Tracey Davis.” She tells him and there’s a rustling of clothes.
“Please sit. Keep me company as your Lady sleeps.” He asks her in a charming tone that’s usually reserved for more important people and myself.
“Thank you my Lord.” Tracey says moving to one of the chairs across from him. “I could watch her if you have more important things to get to my Lord.” She offers only once she has sat down.
“No no, I have things I need to tell her Head Maid before I go.” he says dismissively. “How do you like serving your Lady?” He asks sounding actually curious.
“I enjoy it greatly my Lord. I just wish there was something more useful I could do for our great empire.” She says her voice suggestive as she tries to flirt with him once again.
I’m deciding if I should tell them that I’m awake to save her from another embarrassing moment when he answers. “What did you have in mind?” He asks in a seductive tone that I have only heard him use privately with me.
There’s an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach that I can’t explain as I think about how he must be looking at her. His dark eyes will be focused on her completely, letting her feel like the only thing in his world. I swallow hard when I realize I’m jealous.
“Anything my Lord desires.” She says back and now I feel like I need to know what he’ll say next. How he acts around her when he thinks I cannot see or hear.
“Oh I desire a great many things, Miss Davis.” He tells her and I can hear the movement as he stands. “I’m not sure you could help me with much of them.”
“I would help you with whatever I could my Lord. Please, call me Tracey.” She says softly, pretending to be shy.
I try to shake the feelings that are going through me away. I shouldn’t be feeling jealous. I didn’t feel this way when he was with Daphne. But he didn’t talk like this to Daphne; he was cold and hard whenever he was speaking to her.
“Tracey would you like to visit my office later today so we can talk about this more?” He asked and I clench the fist under my pillow.
I’m not in love with him, why am I so angry that he’s giving another girl attention? Maybe it would be better for me if he were no longer interested. He wouldn’t try to seduce me anymore, only use me against the rebellion. I would be able to handle my life here better if he saw me as just a tool. Even with those thoughts, I can’t press down the feeling of wanting to place myself between Tom and Tracey. To let her know he’s mine, and she cannot take him away.
“I would love the honor my Lord.” She says in an excited tone.
“Will you go and retrieve Miss. Greengrass, I need to get to work, and I can no longer dally around this room.” He asks kindly.
She responds in a non-verbal way as I hear the door open and close again. I wonder if I should tell him now that I heard their little flirtation when I feel a weight on the bed as he’s sitting next to me.
“I want permission to take her as my Mistress.” He says simply. I open my eyes and frown up at him.
“You knew I was awake?” I ask without answering his question.
“Of course, part of the potion you took was to keep you awake, but restful.” He says as if it’s obvious. “Do you really think I would let you sleep so soon after what happened?”
My cheeks flush a bit as I frown. “I guess not. Do you like her?” I ask trying to sound more interested than jealous.
“If I did, would you give your permission?” He asked and it takes all my will not to whimper.
“Why do you need my permission?”
“Like Miss. Greengrass, Miss. Davis is under your protection. You know how hard I am on my Mistresses.” He says with more detachment in his voice than when he was speaking directly to her.
“You want my permission to rape her?” I ask as I remember what I witnessed him do to Daphne.
“Oh I don’t think I’ll be nearly as hard on this one. She wishes to be my Mistress after all, and she has noble blood.” He says as if that makes all the difference.
Luna-
Ron didn’t let me move far from him the rest of the night. He went so far as to sleep on a little sofa I have in my room. He refused to sleep in the bed like I offered. Now it’s nearly five in the morning and he’s flopped over the furniture like someone trying to sleep on a bed meant for a doll.
After an hour of watching him, it’s nearly five, and he only moves to seek out a more comfortable position that doesn't exist. I decide it’s safe to slip out of the room and do so. The moment I step from my chambers, Minty is at my side. She’s beaming up at me like Christmas came early.
“I’m still marrying Blaise.” I told her so she doesn’t get her hopes up.
“Why would Miss do that?” She asks with a pout.
“Because if I don’t; the Dark Lord would have a right to take away my house.” I told her and let understanding come to her in its own time.
“That would mean Minty and her family would be taken away.” She said worried.
“Yes, it would.” I tell her and make my way into the room I keep Death’s cloak. “I need to buy or steal a new wand. Someone might recognize mine.” I tell her to change the subject.
“How can Minty help?” She asked trying to seem as pleased as she was when I exited my room.
“If Ronald wakes before I get back tell him I was getting some things for breakfast.” I tell her before I step up into the cloak. When I pull the mask down and close the front, the cloak takes on a tall male form.
Turning on the spot; I Apparate from my home to Diagon Alley. When I walk I keep to the shadows, I don’t wish to be seen by anyone, though there are few people out at this hour. When I make it to Ollivander’s Wand Shop, I find that there’s a light on in the back.
I haven’t seen the old man since we were both trapped in the dungeon of Malfoy’s Manor. I wonder now if he was actually given his freedom when the war ended. The front door is well locked so I move around to a small alley at the side of the building. When I look into a small window in the back door, I see Ollivander himself sitting at a small workbench carving a wand. The door unlatches before I can even try the handle.
Most find his abilities to sense what’s needed disturbing and unsettling. When I met Mr. Ollivander for the first time, it felt like I had found a kindred soul. We kept each other safe at Malfoy Manor, and because of that, I kind of trust him more than anyone else alive. Maybe more than I trust myself at this point.
I step through the door and close it behind me. “Will you please take that thing off Miss. Lovegood?” He asks without looking up from his work.
I smile to myself and step out of the cloak. “But I’m not here for myself. I’m here for him.” I tell him motioning to the cloak.
He nods over his work but still doesn’t look up. “I didn’t think they took away your wand when they made you editor of your father’s magazine.”
“You don’t approve?” I ask stepping towards him carefully.
He didn’t say anything for a long while. A silence falls between us as he finishes working on the wand and turns to look at me. “I was worried that you had lost your way Miss. Lovegood. But I see now…” he starts looking past me towards Death’s cloak. “That you’ve been walking a hidden path.”
I look down unable to meet his gaze. “I have been walking a very fine line.” I tell him. “But I’m doing my best to keep true to myself.”
“That’s the only thing that can be asked of you. Now, for a new wand.” He says getting to his feet. “I have a few you can try out. None of them will sing for you like the one you hold now. Willow, seven inch, Centaur hair core. These are a very rare combination. The Centaurs rarely give such things to a wizard you understand.”
“I never asked; how did you get my core?” I ask and look down at my wand. It has served me well.
“One came to me. They said I would need one of her tail hairs and that I should pair it with willow. Weeping willow to be precise.” He said with a shake of his head.
I blink a few times before looking back up to Mr. Ollivander. “He gave a hair just for me?” I ask feeling a strange flutter in my stomach.
“She felt it was important, it could be for you, or whoever inherits your wand. Centaurs a funny beings; it’s never easy to understand what they do.”
“It has always suited me well, but it doesn’t fit him.” I said looking back at the cloak.
“No, not at all.” He said, as he looked at the cloak. “He needs something much more dark.” He thought for a moment and started to pick up boxes from around his store, before putting them all down. “No, it has to be something my father made.” he told me and suddenly headed down a back hall.
I waited for him in his workroom looking around at the small bottles of things he had collected for cores.
“I have four that I think may do the trick.” Ollivander says almost making me jump, as I didn’t hear him return. I turn to look at him nodding as I look to the boxes in his hand.
“I don’t usually sell my father’s wands. They tend to be a bit…” He starts before shaking his head. “Well you’ll see.” He tells me and holds out the first wand. “Beech, five inches, with an Augurey feather core.”
I wave the wand and it starts to rain and thunder above our heads. “Nope.” He says and takes the wand away so the storm will clear. He hands me the next wand. “Elm, four inches, with a Ramora scale core.”
I only get half of a wave in before he takes it out of my hand and replaces it with another. “Hawthorn, eight inches, with a grim hair core.”
I wave the wand this time and a dark light settles over me. It feels strange but somehow it fits how I feel when I wear the cloak.
“That’s it. I should have known from the start.” He says with a nod. “It’s best if you not use it outside of your alter ego there.”
I nod slowly. “They all invoke some sort of dark energy?” I guess about his father’s wands when I look up to him.
“He was a much more serious wandmaker than myself. He also believed in the blood traditions.” He told me sadly.
I frown at him and look down at the wand in my hand again. “Thank you for this, you won’t tell anyone, will you?” I ask sounding more like a child than I care to.
“No. He can work best if they only see his face when he’s out.” Ollivander says and motions to the cloak. “But don’t let him consume you.” He warns me seriously.
Daphne-
When I open the door, I hear Lord Voldemort’s voice before I see him sitting on Ginny’s bed. “...So I could enjoy her more fully?” He asks before they both look up to me.
“Should I wait outside?” I ask not wishing to interrupt, but dying to know exactly what they were talking about.
“No, I need your help in convincing your lady of something.” The Dark Lord tells me and motions me closer. “I wish to make Miss. Davis my Mistress.”
I had asked him to give her a bit of attention, but I had no idea he would take the act that far. I look for regret inside me, but I can’t find any. Tracey made herself an enemy of my ambition and she was dull witted about it. I realize I also feel there’s no way the Dark Lord would treat a girl of noble birth exactly as he treated me.
“This seems very sudden my Lord.” I say so that Ginny doesn’t think I’m completely cold.
He chuckled and shook his head. “You wished for me to look at her, and now I have. I wish to taste her as well.” He tells me in a deep voice that makes my stomach cold.
I look up to Ginny, ready for her outrage that I had nudged the Lord towards anyone, let alone one of her maids. All I see in her eyes is worry, and something else that doesn’t look like it belongs there.
“My Lady, I’m sure your maid would be more than happy with the offer, as would her parents.” I point out trying to calculate how much power with would give Tracey herself.
Ginny looks from me to our Lord. When she bites her lower lip, I know she’ll give in. “You may take Miss. Davis as your Mistress under three conditions.” She says sitting up a little straighter in bed.
The Dark Lord smiles at this and places a hand on her blanket-covered leg. “What does my lioness want?” He asked in almost a loving way. It’s a side of the Dark Lord a rarely see, and it disturbs me every time.
“I’m not agreeing to this blindly. If she’s in any pain from what you two do together she’ll always be permitted to see a healer.” She says firmly, and I’m impressed she’s thinking of Tracey’s well being. She’s still a little Gryffindor after all this time.
“At no point will she ever have more political influence than me.” That’s the Slytherin, I have been hard at work nurturing in her, and it almost makes me smile to hear.
“Those seem reasonable, what’s the last condition?” He asked with a tilt of his head.
“When you grow bored of her, you’ll be the one to send her away from this castle, and I’ll be allowed to choose a new maid.” I blink at her last condition. It’s a very smart move, when the Dark Lord tosses Tracey away, Ginny will not have gained an enemy in the Davis family.
The Dark Lord, who has nothing to fear from any of the noble lines at this point, actually laughs at her final request. “I agree, but you’ll be the one to send her to my chambers tonight.” He adds in a knowing tone.
“Fine.” Ginny says looking away from him as he gets up.
“You can watch her from here Miss. Greengrass.” He said and got to his feet. “I’ll see you tonight my dear lioness.” He adds before closing the door.
I frown and look to Ginny, more has happened this morning and I need her to tell me. I decide to take the friendly route and go to sit in the place the Dark Lord just vacated. “How are you doing?” I ask softly as if I’m worried about her.
She took in a deep breath, shaking her head as she laid back down. “I’m on bed rest until further notice. He’s worried I’ll be too sick to carry his child some day.” She says with disgust. She has more to say but she holds it back, so I venture a guess.
“You think he doesn't see you as a woman so much as a thing to carry his seed?” I ask carefully.
“Why would I care?” She snaps too quickly.
“Because he sees Tracey as a woman, and he used to make such advances towards you.” I remind her slowly.
She takes another deep breath closing her eyes. “How am I messed up enough to be jealous?” She asks softly. “How can I actually want his attention?”
“You’re not going to like this.” I tell her placing a hand on top of one of hers. “I think you may be in love with him.”
She shook her head and bit her lower lip hard enough I start to worry that she’s going to draw blood. “I love Harry.” She tells me and her voice breaks just a bit.
I frown at her and squeeze her hand to be comforting. “I know.” I tell her forcing myself to keep my tone kind. “Harry was your first love…” I start and she breaks down into sudden tears.
“No.” She tells me shaking her head.
“No, what?” I ask with a frown.
“I’m starting to fear he wasn’t my first love.” She tells me breathlessly. “I think he was right.” She says and I don’t understand.
“Who was right?” I ask when the door opens. I look up to give the person a glare.
Milly stops dead in her tracks when she sees us. “I’m sorry my Lady, should I go?” She asks softly looking to us with worry.
“I need some time alone.” Ginny says wiping her eyes. “Could you two go collect my homework for the day?”
“But our Lord said…” I start but she looks up at me with pleading eyes.
“Please?” She asks again softly and I nod.
“Of course my Lady.” I say before squeezing her hand one last time.
I get up and join Milly at the door. “Send a guard if you need us.” I tell her with a nod. At the moment Warrington is her guard. When the door shuts, I look up to him. “Do not let anyone into this room until I get back.” I tell him firmly.
“No one?” He asks with a frown.
“If they outrank me, than by all means let them in, but otherwise, no one.”
“Yes ma’am.” He says with a nod of understanding.
I wait until we’re to the stairs before I speak to Milly. “Tracey is about to show her true colors to our dear Adrian.”
“Really? How is that?” She asks sounding excited.
“She’ll be offered the position as the Dark Lord’s Mistress.” I tell her simple.
She takes my arm gently to stop me. “That’s why our Lady was upset?” She asks seriously.
I smile at her tiredly. “That’s part of it.” I tell her honestly.
“Will she be okay? We won’t have to answer to Tracey soon, will we?” Milly asks with a worried frown.
“No. The Dark Lord has important plans for our Lady. More than likely he’ll get bored of Tracey and then we’ll no longer have to deal with her at all.” I explain.
“But there’s a chance he decides...” She starts and I cut her off.
“No. There really isn’t. Our Lady is key to a few of his plans for controlling the Empire. Even if he felt nothing for her, she would still be the future Empress. It’s our jobs to make sure she’s up to the job, and crush anything that gets in her way.”
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Face of War