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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
- 7
- 8
- 9
Ginny-
Going back to a normal school day had its ups and downs. On one hand, I was free to expand my mind and be around normal people for a while. Not that anyone would really talk to me, but it was still nice listening to people talk to one another. On the other hand, the four days left of the week brought with them a never-ending ache every time I sat, moved, or really breathed at all.
I walk slowly into the great hall to find myself some dinner. Since for some reason Tom had banished me from seeing him I’ve been told I have to eat with the general school population. This again has been a mix of good and bad.
I take a place at a rather empty table and try my hardest to ignore the slight burning on my back and hip. My hand moves to the spot the Dark Mark seems to still be burning into my skin and I can’t help to long for him. I have to wonder if that’s part of the spell, he put on me or if it’s just the fact that he’s one of the few men in the world I can be myself with. Or maybe I’m just so very broken and confused that I grasp for the man that causes all my pain.
“Is it true?” A familiar voice asks bringing me out of my thoughts. I look up to see my sometimes companion Warrington looking back at me.
“Is what true?” I ask as I glance to the door to find Adrian standing guard for me. Already this school year I’ve noticed Warrington only wants to speak with me when neither Draco nor my brother are on guard.
“There’s a rumor going around that the Dark Lord put a Dark Mark inside your quim so that if any other man were to…” He starts but I cut him off before he can go on.
“No.” I snap trying not to blush. “I’m so very glad my body is an entertaining topic of conversation these days.” I tell him dryly.
“Yeah I bet it’s nice to know not everything changes.” He says with a chuckle that makes me frown.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Weasley, your body has been a topic of conversation since we were thirteen. You can’t even tell me you didn’t notice guys noticing you before all this happened.”
I glower at him. “It’s not the same.” I snip before leaning forward to get some potatoes. I groan as my shirt rubs against my back, but I quickly try to cover it up with more talk. “Uh, did you understand what Pro…” I start when Warrington takes my hand.
Not only does my mind come to a halt but I’m pretty sure those directly around us fall silent as well.
“Ginny, you’ve been limping around all week, what’s wrong?” He asks actually managing to sound worried.
I pull my hand away and try not to look around. “You shouldn’t do that.” I snap at him.
“Tell me what's wrong.” He says as if he doesn’t care the amount of trouble he could get into for just touching me. I’m sure now that the people closest to us are listening to every word of our exchange.
I take in a slow calming breath before looking directly at Warrington. “I’m sure you heard I acted out earlier this week?” I ask and wait for him to slowly nod. “There are consequences for such things.”
“But... how can you still be in pain?” He asks sounding very confused. “I’m sure it isn’t anything a healer couldn’t fix?” He adds nervously, as if he doesn’t really want the answer.
“Most of it would be simple.” I tell him with a slight smile. “If I had seen one.”
“Ginny!” He says looking taken back. “You have to go to a healer! Do you want me to take you?”
I smile at him sadly. “I’m not allowed.” I tell him simply. Deciding I’m not hungry with the way he’s looking at me now. I slowly get up and walk out of the room. When I get into the hall Adrian steps in line silently behind me.
“Is he following?” I ask curiously knowing I couldn’t really outrun the boy at the moment.
“He isn’t quite that stupid.” Adrian answers sounding as if it was a close call.
“Do you like your position as my guard?” I ask as I slowly head back to my chambers. “I’m sure it’s rather dull most of the time.
“Dull is fine for me my Lady.” He says as he moves into a step beside me. “My father wants me to try and get moved to the Dark Lord’s personal guard.”
“You have somewhat of an opportunity here. You could tell the Dark Lord that a student was making advances on me before the rumors get to him. He would be grateful.”
“He was acting like a concerned friend, and I don’t want to be moved my Lady. I like serving you.”
“Why would you ever wish to serve a blood traitor?” I ask with a slight smile.
He frowns at the slight, as if he wants to reprimand me for calling myself that but decides better of it in the end. “I have several reasons actually. I’m sure you know about Tracey and I. But also, I respect Draco, and you my Lady. Most people in the world will never actually know how honorable or brave you are, but your guard sees it nearly every day.”
I’m stunned for a moment by how he sees me and I can’t help but flush. “You wouldn’t think I was so honorable if you understood what I’m letting happen to your Tracey.” I tell him risking a glance to his face.
He frowns shaking his head. “I’ve an idea of it. But I wouldn’t blame you for her ambition.”
I nod slowly looking to the floor in front of us. “If you know her real goals why stay with her?” I ask after a moment of silence falls between us. This is the most I’ve spoken to Adrian and I’m finding I want to understand the people who’ve decided to support me.
“You’ll think less of me if I tell you the truth, m’lady.” He says as a rueful smile forms on his lips.
“Now you have me very curious.” I tell him smiling myself.
“Tracey and I have been in mutual lust since my fifth year. Before the Dark Lord won, we were even making plans for marriage. We’re both from good pureblood families, it made scene. Now, the fact her family is minor nobility makes a difference. There would be no advantage for her to marry me. My family is neither particularly rich nor powerful.”
“You’re giving me reasons why you shouldn’t be together. So why keep true to her?” I press.
He laughs shaking his head. “Well it’s kind of heady thinking about the fact the Dark Lord gets my seconds.” He says in a very low tone.
“You guys aren’t actually…” I start in alarm thinking what would happen if Tom found out Tracey was fooling around on him.
“No, no, but we were before she became his Mistress. So it’s sort of the same thing.” He says with a shrug. He looks over at me for a moment as if he’s trying to decide something. “I still care what happens to her, I’m not completely heartless m’lady.”
“I never said you were I’m just not so certain she would have the same concern for you.” I tell him thinking about how little Tracey considered Adrian these days.
“Not like I have a lot of time to find a match with this job. So why not wait till the Dark Lord is done with her?” He asks almost sadly now.
I bite my lip wondering if I should tell him what I know. I decide he deserves to know. “Once the Dark Lord is done with her she’ll be sent away from the castle, she will no longer be my maid.”
“So I won’t have much time for her either.” He says taking in the information.
“If she plays her hand carefully he’ll set her up with someone appropriate. He made the offer to Daphne when she was being forced to be his Mistress.” I say carefully.
He frowns and nods slowly, still obviously thinking. “My Lady, I do care about her.” He repeats oddly.
“I realize that.” I tell him as I wonder where his thoughts are going now.
“That’s why I need you to talk her out of a very stupid plan. I know we’re over now, but I don’t want her to get herself killed.”
I frown stopping as I wait for him to go on.
“She has it in her head to trick the Dark Lord into giving her a child.” He says in a rush before he loses his nerve. “I’ve been betting on the fact she can’t pull it off, but it still makes me worry.”
I sigh as I try to play out in my mind what would happen. Most of the scenarios playing did end in Tracey’s death.
“She thinks if she’s pregnant with his heir then she’ll take your place.” He explains as if I couldn’t make that connection myself.
“I’ll see if Daphne will talk to her about it.” I say more to myself than him before I start moving slowly again.
“Probably better than trying yourself.” He agrees with a slight frown before looking around and stepping back into position behind me as others pass.
When I enter my chambers, I find Daphne sitting on the floor with scrolls and books spread out around her. Millicent is getting to her feet and blushes as Adrian looks in. Tracey on the other hand winks and blows him a kiss.
“Adrian, please leave us.” I tell him seriously waiting for the door to close before I stomp over to her and slap Tracey across the face. “Are you trying to get him killed?!” I snap unable to hold my tongue. After the conversation with him just then I was feeling protective, and this stupid girl played very dangerous games.
Tracey is on her feet with her arms crossed over her chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She says glaring at me.
I glare right back. “You can’t flirt with Adrian, you can’t talk to him, and you can’t be seen with him. Tom isn’t a forgiving man, and he doesn't like to share his toys. You are now one of his toys. Do you understand?”
“Who’s Tom?” Tracey asks suddenly looking confused.
“You two should go.” Daphne says suddenly from my side. “Ginny is obviously tired from her day.” She tells them while I try not to panic.
Why did I have to let that name slip in front of Tracey? I’m frozen in fear of what I just did until the girls close the door behind me. When I hear it latch, I fall to my knees. “He’s going to kill me this time.” I say shaking my head.
Daphne kneels down next to me and sighs. “No he won’t.” She says kindly as she brushes hair from my face.
“You’re right; he’ll just kill George or someone to punish me. I’ve pushed him too much lately.” I say thinking of what could be worse than death.
I feel her hand stroke my face again, and I’m keenly aware she isn’t so quick to disagree with the new statement.
“Do you think if I killed myself before he found out I could save them?” I ask not looking up from the floor. It isn’t the first time I’ve considered suicide in this place, but now I have a lot more access to things that could bring my death.
“I think he’ll torture and slowly kill the rest of your family just to punish you for your disobedience.” She says after a moment.
I nod slowly seeing the truth in her words. “How can I love such a man?” I ask myself still so distraught I’m not really thinking about what Daphne may hear.
She takes my hand in hers and squeezes it gently. “Because after everything else I see the way he sets your soul on fire. You’re never so much yourself as when you’re with him.”
I look up into her eyes. “You really don’t think I disgusting for caring about him after everything he’s done to you and our world?” I ask with a frown.
“No my Lady.” She says sadly. “Mostly I just worry about what that love will end up doing to you.”
Luna-
Thankfully, Blaise is more unsettled by our night of snuggling than he would have been if we just had sex. I decide to use the distance he starts to give me to get some real work done. When I’m not working on official articles for the magazine I start to scour the Radcliffe library for any information on soul magic.
I’m not exactly hopeful I’ll find anything, but the library is so big that I can’t help but at least look. I set my mind to believe there is some way to save Harry, even if I’m not really sure we can bring him back. Anything would have to be better than sharing a body with the Dark Lord.
I’m deep into taking notes about the magical theories behind reincarnation when I feel a hand on my shoulder making me jump out of my skin.
“Lady Radcliffe.” Lestrange greets me with an amused smirk. “I’ve recently volunteered to take over one of young Master Malfoy’s old responsibilities.” He explains as I blush for being caught off guard. “What’s this for?”
“Why didn’t Minty announce you?” I ask looking around for the elf.
“She’s a bit busy at the moment; I wanted to see what you get up to in unguarded moments.” He explains looking down at my book with an odd look.
“An old hobby of mine.” I tell him pushing the book aside and getting to my feet. “How can I help the Empire?” I ask settling my hands in front of me somewhat protectively.
“We want these stories to be added to your next issue.” He says holding out a familiar envelope.
“What sort of stories are they?” I ask opening the package and flipping through papers as I start to head to my office where I work on the magazine.
“Mostly the usual government business, but we’re also announcing the auction of those Class Ds we’ve been holding on to.” He says sounding very pleased as he follows me.
“Oh.” I say trying not to sound as displeased by the idea of people being bought and sold as horrible.
“Maybe you should buy a few yourself. You could use the extra help around here.” He says as a jab to my elves.
“We’re fine.” I say looking at him for the first time. I mostly see him surrounded by the darkness that’s in most Death Eaters, but I can also see how pleased he is and a growing desire that makes me very uncomfortable being around him.
“Is there anything else you need Sir?” I ask wanting him to leave now before we have another incident.
“I want to watch and see how you work.” He says as he follows me right into my office.
“I usually don’t have an audience.” I point out.
“I’m sure you can make do.” He says as he takes the seat across from mine. “Where is your loving fiancé?” He asks looking around as if Blaise was hiding behind a stack of papers.
“Blaise has been working from our Diagon Alley location the last few days.” I tell him as I start to organize the papers he gave me into how exactly I’ll be working on them.
“Is he, and why is that?” Lestrange asks sounding curious and I see a bit of that desire flare from the corner of my eye.
“I’m not allowed to have sex until our marriage rite. Now that I’m forbidden to him he finds that I’m too much of a distraction and temptation to work around every day.” I explain as I skim the auction details. “It’s going to be held at Hogwarts?” I ask looking up to his curious eyes.
“Not allowed to have sex?” He asks not seeming to have heard anything beyond that.
“The ritual that’s been chosen to honor our marriage requires the woman be chased for at least three months.” I tell him without emotion.
“I see, so this directive comes from the Dark Lord?” The Death Eater asks and I’m actually surprised he didn’t know all this already.
“I assume, though he doesn't contact me directly.” I explain with a shrug. “Now the auction, it will be held at Hogwarts?” I ask trying to get him back on task. I’m glad to see the Dark Lord’s command has diminished the desire in him.
“Yes, it will be a formal occasion held out on the lawns.” He says getting to his feet. “I’ll leave you to your work.”
“Thank you; I’ll contact you if I have any other questions.” I tell him with a smile.
Without another word he leaves making me let out a slow breath. A moment later a very dirty looking Minty pops into my office. “Very Bad MAN! VERY BAD!” Minty cries looking around in a panic.
“What happened?” I ask getting to my feet wondering what exactly the Death Eater has done to my elves.
“Bad man has elf repellent charm!” Minty says in a panic. “Minty tries very hard to warn Lady. Minty not be able to get here.”
I let out another sigh of relief. “That’s fine as long as you’re okay.” I tell her frowning at her clothes. “What happened to you?”
“Minty tries every way to get to Miss. Minty climbs on roofs even.” She explains looking suddenly shy.
“Well thank you for trying, but I’m fine. Do you want to go get cleaned up?” I ask looking her over.
“Minty does Miss.” She says looking down at her dirty towel.
“Go ahead, I’ll be fine here.” I tell her and wait for her to go before I sit back down to get to work.
I start to go over every detail of this auction. They haven’t yet listed what ‘merchandise’ will be offered but it does mention it will be completely Class D with no actual ‘criminals’ or non-wizards. They also plan to only sell around sixty of these people for the first event.
They really are turning it into a social gathering as if selling people was some kind of sport people would enjoy watching. The entire thing makes me a bit sick and I know I have to take some action against the camps soon.
Daphne-
When I get back to my room after spending some time, trying to calm Ginny down, all I want to do is crawl into bed and not think about anything for the rest of the night. I play with the idea of inviting Draco to distract me but I decide it’s better not to take up too much of his time.
I’m half dead as I stumble into the dark room and head right for the bathroom to get ready for sleep. With teeth brushed and only a pair of knickers to sleep in, I fall onto my bed without really seeing the room. When I land on something softer than my sheets, I frown and move my hand around the bed. Picking up a handful of the odd object it takes me a moment to realize they’re rose petals.
Sitting up in a mix of confusion and nerves, I look around the room to find every surface covered with vases of purple and blue roses. I blink a few time because my brain can’t process what they could possibly be doing in my room. Draco wouldn't send something like this while we had to keep our relationship discreet.
Half of me wants to just fall back into the bed and deal with it in the morning, but the other half is too worried that it could be some sort of play I need to know about now. What if someone were trying to set me up for something?
Begrudgingly I get to my feet and start searching vases for a note. Hoping that this is just some easily explained crush, which I’ll have to deal with. I find it in a vase of all emerald green roses that I hadn’t noticed at first in my sleepiness.
Miss Greengrass,
Care to join me for a more casual conversation?
~Antonin
I think, looking down at the short message before looking around the room once again. I shake my head not really understanding why the man would move in so fast. I didn’t really even flirt with him during our meeting.
Deciding I better get Draco’s council on this I wrap my robe around me and head down the hall to his room. Knocking softly it’s only a moment before he answers.
“Daphne I don’t think this is a good idea.” He says with a frown looking up and down the hall.
“I need you to see what is in my room.” I say knowing why he thinks I’m here. “I got a gift from Dolohov.”
“Didn’t we decide you were going to take that slowly?” He asks as he follows me back to my room.
“I was I didn’t give him any kind of impression when I saw him.” I told Draco before opening my door.
He glanced inside and frowned more deeply than I would have expected. “This is a Malfoy move.” He says moving further into the room. “Let me guess, the note is short maybe just an invitation to something?” He asks and I blink as I hand it over.
After he looks at it for a long moment, he nods to himself. “Yeah, this is definitely a Malfoy move.”
“What do you mean?” I ask unsure why it matters that Dolohov did something he would do.
“It means father has decided to join the game.” He says with a sigh. “But what does he want out of this?”
“Maybe he thinks if I’m married or something you won’t give me so much attention?” I say slowly as I start to understand where this train of thought is going.
“Maybe.” He agrees as he nods slowly. “How did you find him during your meeting?” He asks waving the note to indicate whom he was talking about.
“Surprisingly intelligent.” I tell him as I sit down on my bed and watch him pace. “He may be working on a whole lot less side projects or whatever, but he’s no fool.”
Draco shakes his head as he assimilates this information. “Was he charming or anything?” He asks not looking up at me.
“I didn’t find him particularly charming. I didn’t find him rude either.” I say after a moment’s thought.
“I don’t like my father’s involvement, maybe we should find someone else for you?” He says finally stopping to look at me more seriously. “I’m sure he’s let our relationship slip to Dolohov so the man will be on guard against it.”
“Probably, but your father would be able to do that with any man I married. Better to see how this relationship develops. Make it at least seem I’m falling into your father’s trap?” I ask looking at him unsurely.
Draco blinks at me a few times and starts to nod slowly before it slowly speeds and a smile spreads across his face. “You are a brilliant woman. Yes, let’s play into this for a bit, just to feel out exactly what’s going on. It isn’t as if you have to jump into his arms to start a relationship with him. We should also pretend that you never told me about all this.” He says motioning around him.
“Unless he finds out from the house elves or something.” I point out.
“I’ll go now, to try and save the illusion.” He says nodding to himself before heading to the door.
I fight the urge to go after him to steal a kiss or two since we had this moment alone. As an empty feeling settles in my gut, I remind myself that I’m not that kind of clingy girl. With one flick of my wand, I lock my door and with a second, I vanish the petals from my bed.
When I let myself fall into the sleep I so badly need I have dreams of standing on the edge of a cliff. Men from all parts of my life are pulling me off and holding me on the ledge and all I want to do it find which side Draco is on. I wake with a start before I discover it and I feel uneasy as I look at my clock.
I usually sleep in on weekend mornings. Trying to get to Ginny’s room around eight or nine instead of six thirty. When I blink at the clock next to my bed, the hand is pointing mockingly at the ten.
It takes me a few moments of blinking before I’m pushed into action. I rush around my room getting ready for the day. Taking a quicker shower than usual, I still spend time to make myself look perfectly presentable for the day.
By the time, I get down to her room I’m out of breath from trying to make up time by running. I note there’s no guard on her door as I pass into the room, wondering where Ginny was. Inside I find Tracey boredly flipping through a magazine.
“You know you could try to better yourself.” I mention as I glance around. “Where’s Millicent?” I ask wondering if she was late too, no wonder Ginny ran from the room.
“Out on a walk with our Lady.” She says in the same mocking tone she always uses. Tracey sets down her magazine and looks up at me with a wide knowing smirk. “Who’s Tom, and before you try to lie to me, you should know I’ll ask the Dark Lord if I don’t like your answer.”
I sigh knowing this had to have been coming; Tracey wasn’t dumb enough to not miss the signs of distress Ginny gave after saying the name.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I told her as I came around to sit across from her. “You saw the way the Dark Lord has been with our Lady this week?” I ask enjoying as Tracey goes slightly white. “Would you like to join her?”
“It would upset him to ask?” She asks trying to get more information. “Is he Ginny’s lover that no one knows about?” She adds trying to figure out the connection.
“Something like that.” I tell her just a bit amused at how close she actually is to the truth.
Ginny-
It’s the first time in a while that I wake alone. Ever since the last dream, I’ve had people watching over me in the night. But without Tom here to direct and the exhausting day yesterday turned out to be, everyone actually went to bed. I decide to enjoy the solitude by going to take a hot bath. My back was scabbed over now but it was still safer than letting jets of water blast against it.
I find a bit of comfort in the normal activity of drawing my own bath and slipping into the warm water. I lay back to enjoy the heat surrounding me and close my eyes to savor it. I feel the water flowing around me, caressing my wounds and soothing them.
The caresses become more purposeful, brushing areas that arouse and I can’t help let out a soft moan of pleasure. Before I realize what’s happening I’m moving my body with the motion of the water and a slow beautiful pleasure starts to build.
“Oh.” I moan as I feel him press inside me, my hands moving to my hips to meet his own.
“That’s it pet, surrender.” He says against my ear before laying soft kisses along my neck.
I’m half way to release before my brain reminds me that I should be in a bath alone. Opening my eyes, I look up into Riddle’s smirking face. “I’ve missed you.” He says shifting us so he can press himself further into my wanting form.
The shock of it does nothing to dissuade my mounting pleasure our connected bodies is causing.
“Riddle?” I ask as he hits a particularly wonderful spot inside of me.
“You fell asleep in the bath.” He explains obviously enjoying our connection as well. “No potion to protect you now.”
“Are you going to punish me?” I ask thinking about how Tom had been lately.
“Only if you want me to.” He says with a knowing smirk.
“I don’t!” I gasp again nearing my peak and wondering if the climax will wake me.
“It won’t, I’m not letting go so easily.” Riddle answers my thoughts.
When the pleasure of our union washes over me, I scream letting all my worries go with it, just for that moment. Riddle doesn’t stop there becoming rougher with each thrust as he seeks out his own climax. I wonder if he feels the pleasure the same way I do and I’m answered with a sharp bite to my neck as I feel him emptying himself inside of me.
He sits up after and sooths the mark with his thumb. “I wish I could leave something permanent on you.” He says regretfully as his other hand moves to the gleaming mark on my stomach.
I look down at myself noticing he’s done nothing to hide the bruising my body was suffering in real life. “You like me like this as much as he does.” I say pulling back from him and looking for something to cover myself with.
Suddenly I find myself in a white cotton dress as I stand alone in a meadow I once saw in a book when I was a child. There had been unicorns in it in the book, but nothing of the sort lingered here now.
“What are you playing at today?” I ask looking around to see where he could be hiding.
“I need you to start skipping your potions.” He says from just behind me as I feel arms wrap comfortably around my form. “I don’t like not being able to speak to you.”
“You should have thought of that before your last punishment.” I remind him.
“That wasn’t a punishment, I was making a point.” He says moving around to look at me. “It isn’t like you’ve been doing very well without me.”
I frown and look to the ground. “I don’t think you can do anything to fix this.” I tell him thinking about my slip from the night before.
“Oh that isn’t what I’m talking about. He knows Ginny, and that isn’t good for us.” He says with a frown.
“Knows what?” I ask thinking there would be a lot different treatment if Tom had discovered the Riddle in my head.
“No, he knows you love him.” He says shaking his head.
I bite my lip and look at the grass for answers. “A lot seems to change in a couple of weeks.” I point out trying to play things light.
“We both know you’ve loved him since you were eleven so don’t even try to play that game with me Sweet. In the last week you’ve just been forced to come to terms with it.”
“I still love Harry.” I snap in the same way I had with Tom.
“Oh I know you do darling.” He says taking my cheek. “But you’re starting to wonder who you love more.” He says as he tilts my chin up. “Like when you thought for a moment that Harry would win the body and Tom would be no more. I could feel the panic in you.”
“Do we have to talk about this?” I ask pulling away.
“No, what we need to talk about is how we’re going to do damage control. Now that the Dark Lord knows you love him, we need to make…” he starts up but I cut him off.
“No. I’m not playing like that.” I snap.
“He thinks he has power over you, like he has over the Lestrange woman. He thinks he can make you do things just for the sake of your love.” Riddle presses.
“Well he’s wrong.” I cut back, crossing my arms.
“So when he returns in a week or so you won’t go jumping into his arms and begging for his comfort?”
I glower up at him. “No. I’ll only do things for him within the boundaries of deals we’ve already made.”
Riddle laughs. “So you’ll let him beat you again and then go off and fuck his current slut.”
I lick my lips and nod slowly. “I’ve agreed to that.” I admit softly.
“And you don’t want my help at all…” He starts but there’s a sudden jolt to my body and he disappears in a flash.
I’m being shaken and when I open my eyes, I look up into Millicent's worried face.
“My Lady.” She says her dress half wet as she pulls me from the now cold tub. She looks wide-eyed and worried as she keeps shaking me. “You could have drown.” She says as I try to stand on my own.
Once I’m able to get to my feet, she’s there with a robe to wrap around me. “I was worried when I was the first here.” She says as she helps me back to the main room.
“What time is it?” I ask reorienting to being in the real world once again. I find with just the robe, I’m more stiff than in actual pain this morning.
“Nine my Lady.” She answers looking from me to the door worriedly.
I frown as well but shake my head. “I kept Daphne late last night, she deserves a bit of a lie in.” I tell Millicent reassuringly.
“Should…” She starts seeming uncertain about something. “Should I help you get ready then?” She asks obviously feeling uncomfortable with the idea of taking Daphne’s place.
“I would rather do it myself.” I tell her and the girl looks relieved.
I pick myself out a warm and loose fitted sweater dress and get into it carefully before brushing my hair out myself. It has been a while since I’ve brushed my own hair and it reminds me of the dream on the tower. My hair is longer than it’s been in a while, going past my shoulders and settling on the tops of my breasts. Unable to do anything fancy I pull it up into a ponytail just to give it a finished look.
By the time I’ve finished all this Daphne still isn’t here, but Tracey has since walked in. I glance between the two girls and stand.
“I want to go for a walk.” I decide feeling like moving is the only thing that will help my body now.
“Have fun.” Tracey snips settling into one of my chairs and pulling a magazine out of her bag.
“Would you like me to come with you?” Millicent asks, sounding a bit pleading, as she obviously didn’t want to be left alone with Tracey.
“Sure.” I tell her kindly and we make our way out to the castle proper. On the way, I decide that I really don’t know much about Millicent. Reminding myself on how it had felt to learn about Adrian I start up a conversation for the sole purpose of learning more about my maid.
I frown as I listen to her talk about herself and discover the girl has no real interests and dreams of her own. She’s spent most of her life trying to please a mother that reminds me a lot of Tracey. Being a large girl had played a very key part in her identity, and she was very self-conscious about it, even now.
I remember my brother calling her Troll Face when we were younger. I hadn’t thought much about it at the time, she was a Slytherin and they were the enemy. Now I wonder how I would have reacted to everyone around me calling me names like that.
“What about after you’re married?” I ask as she tells me about all the steps she plans to take in order to find a good match.
“After?” She asks looking a bit confused. “Well, I’ll be married so I’ll have children and...” She shrugs obviously not really planning beyond that.
“So that’s everything you want out of life?” I ask curious. It isn’t that I didn’t understand or respect the impulse to be a mother and wife, but not having any other real interests confused me.
“Those are the things that are important for a woman.” She says simply.
“You had a very different up bring than me.” I tell her diplomatically before looking around to see where we were.
I notice two things in that moment. First, we don’t actually have one of my guards with us. Secondly we had somehow made our way down to one of the sub-dungeons I was pretty sure Tom was using as a place to keep actual prisoners.
Millicent seems to notice this as well and takes my arm as she decides which direction we should head back in.
“No.” I say looking around and licking my lips. “I want to see who is here.” I tell her bravely.
“It isn’t like you can do anything to help them m’lady.” She points out looking nervous as she drops her hand.
“I know, but I still want to know.” I say looking around for guards before I head further into the area.
“It is strange no one is protecting down here.” She says as if she was hoping to see someone soon.
“Maybe there’s no need. They’re more than likely wandless and starved. Not going to put up much of a fight.” I point out.
When we start to pass doorways, I notice the low numbers marked on them. Many of the doors are actually partly open showing the fact they’re not used. “Cell fourteen...” I murmur to myself and start looking around for the number. “I want to see who’s in cell fourteen and then we can go.” I tell the other girl.
“Why?” She asks looking for the number with me.
“I’ve heard him talk about it before.” I remember the way he was so cold when he spoke of the person within it.
When we get to the door marked fourteen I look around to make sure no one can see us before trying to peak in the small window in the door. I frown when I realize I’m too short, and just when I’m about to think of another way I’m being lifted to the window.
I look back at Milly and give her a smile before looking into the small chamber. Within there’s a small figure curled into a ball. The girl is dirty and scared her hair a mass of knots and blood. My stomach sinks as I see her and I find my voice too dry to speak.
After swallowing three times I finally force the word from my mouth. “Hermione?” I ask and my voice still shakes. The girl looks up to me, her amber eyes wild but still very much aware.
“Who’s that?” Came her scratch reply.
Before I can answer her, I’m dropped on the ground and Milly is moving back from the door. Confused by her sudden reaction the hairs on the back of my neck start to prickle before I hear him speak.
“I was wondering when you’d make your way down here pet.” Tom says sounding more than a little amused.
Luna-
I’m not sure how late it is but I’ve spent most of the day going over every scrap of data I’ve collected on the muggleborn camps of Britain. My last strike against them was a low security place with flawed protection. This time I know I can’t get that lucky again.
I’m back to being completely zoned into my work when someone places a plate down next to me. Thinking it’s Minty I take half of the sandwich and refocus on my work.
“What are you working on?” A very not Minty like voice asks making me jump for the second time that day. I look up to find Blaise with a frown on his lips as he looks at the work over my shoulder.
“Nothing, just curious.” I tell him shoving papers aside before he can grab a few.
“These are guard schedules for one of those Mudblood camps.” He said and his frown is getting even deeper. “Luna?”
I lick my lips trying to think of exactly what I could say to him that would put his mind at ease. “I was curious.” I told him sort of honestly as I sit back. “Ron left them and I wanted to see what he was up to.” I lie complete.
“He’s never told you what he’s up to?” Blaise asks still frowning.
“No, he wants to protect me from all of that.” I say with my own frown.
“That’s something we can agree on.” My soon to be husband says and he tosses the paper into the fireplace and pulls his wand to light it ablaze.
I sit back in my chair looking up at him. “I don’t understand you. Why do you keep protecting me?” I ask him curiously. “I mean I know you have grown fond of me, but where’s that limit? Anyone else would have assumed the worse and called Death Eaters to arrest me.”
“You are my future; your well-being is also mine.” He says as if that’s reason enough.
“I’m sure if you called them you could still marry me, have me have your children.” I point out thinking of Ginny.
“You would hate me if I did that.” He points out as if that should matter.
“I might, but why do you care? Care enough to...” I motion to the ashes in the grate. “Burn it instead of use it? I mean you found out I was protecting the most wanted wizard in the empire and all you did was tell him to leave.”
He sighs and takes a seat on the corner of my desk so he can look down at me. “Luna, I don’t really care about the Empire. I have no loyalty to the Dark Lord or any of this stuff beyond what it can do for me. It doesn’t benefit me to turn you in when I know you’re already going to be a loyal wife. So why go through the bother and risk you ending up in Lestrange’s bed?”
“Because I might be a rebel with the intent to take down this whole empire before the end.” I tell him watching the colors move around him.
Protectiveness flairs in his colors and he reaches out gently to stroke my cheek. “I’ve grown fond of your oddness.” He tells me softly.
“You don’t think I’m capable of it?” Not understanding his words completely.
“Oh you are.” Blaise agrees stroking my cheek again. “And I’ve come to respect your brilliant mind. But I’m pretty sure your boyfriend will keep you out of these things as much as I would like to.”
I blush as jealousy brightens when he refers to Ronald.
“You really do care about me.” I say as I think back to his drunken rant the other night.
“In my own way.” He says with a smirk as his fingers trail down my neck and play with the collar of my shirt. “Will you please stay away from this stuff so I don’t have to protect you from yourself again?” He asks with a frown as his glances to the rest of the notes on my desk.
“I can’t promise not to be curious about the world around me. It’s my nature to seek out the hidden.” I tell him knowing I’d feel too guilty lying to him when he was being so sweet.
Blaise sighs shaking his head. “Just stop being so good at it then.” He says with a playful smirk.
Daphne-
It’s almost one when Millicent comes back to the room alone, looking white as a sheet. She glances to Tracey and shakes her head slightly, obviously not wishing to talk in front of the other girl.
“Tracey you can go to lunch.” I tell her with a sigh. “With Ginny spending the day away I think we can all take a break.” I add after a moment before I take Milly’s arm and lead her out as if nothing is odd about the girl.
Tracey tries to follow us for a while; very aware we’re working to keep something from her. So it takes me closing my door in her face in order to get Milly and I some privacy.
When I turn to look at the taller girl, I see she actually looks a bit messed, with dirt on her dress, face and hands. She’s looking around at the flowers still decorating my room and obviously trying to calm herself.
“What happened?” I ask her after putting up a silencing charm just to be safe.
“Are they from Draco?” She asks instead of answering my question.
“No, from another admirer.” I tell her as I move to the shaking girl and put my arm around her. “What happened Milly?” I ask carefully.
“We were just wandering around. The Lady was interested in who I was and how I was raised.” She explained blushing slightly as she thought about the attention. “But somehow we ended up in the Dark Lord’s private dungeons.” She says, as she turns a bit whiter. “I wanted to go but she wanted to see who was down there. She saw something I’ve been sworn not to reveal, and then the Dark Lord took her.” She finishes and lets out a slow breath.
“Was he mad?” I ask curious how in Merlin’s name they even got near such a place. “He seemed happier actually. Like he wanted her to find that place.” She admits obviously confused.
“Then everything is fine, I’m sure she’ll be returned to us in no time.” I say taking her hand and squeezing it.
“You didn’t see him Daphne, I don’t know if he’ll ever let her go.” She says looking a bit sick.
“He doesn’t have to.” I tell her trying to be comforting. “We’re the ones who keep her when he doesn’t have the time.” I try to explain carefully.
“But she isn’t better from the last time; she fell asleep in the bath this morning. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t gone looking for her.” Millicent starts to ramble and I frown all the more.
“Who drew her bath?” I ask seriously.
“I think she did.” She says getting to her feet and fidgeting. “What should we do now?”
“Wait until we’re called to collect her.” I tell her simple. “For now I think you could go and see if Adrian has heard anything.” I say trying to get her to refocus.
“But I don’t think he’s on today.” She says sounding very confused.
“All the better. If he hasn't heard anything maybe you two could take a walk down to the village and maybe get some sweets for the Lady when she’s feeling better.”
Millicent blushes as she realizes what I’m suggesting. “But what...” She starts and I shake my head.
“Go; keep your mind on things you can do something about.” I tell her patting her on the shoulder. “You did well today, now take a breath and do as I say.” I press firmly.
The girl nods after a moment before leaving me to my own thoughts. What did he plan to do to her now? Was he even going to have a Consort left if he kept punishing her like this? Taking in a long breath, I decide I need to talk to the Dark Lord. As bravely as I can I head down to his office thinking to set up a proper appointment to speak.
Oddly when I tell his guard what I want he just opens the office door. “Our Lord is expecting you.”
Stepping into the Dark Lord’s office I see that he really is here, and not off somewhere torturing Ginny yet again. I jump slightly when the door closes behind me, not truly mentally psyched for this meeting just yet.
“Ginevra will not be needing you for the rest of the day.” He says not looking up from his work.
Swallowing to wet my throat, I force myself to speak. “My Lord I’m worried about her.” I tell him as steadily as I can. This will be the first time I’ve disagreed with him to his face, and he isn’t known to take these things well.
His quill stops moving at my words and he chuckles only slightly before he continues his work. “You think I’ve been too hard on her lately?” He asks without looking up.
“I think if you’re much harder on her she’ll break in a way that will be useless to you.” I tell him in a way so he knows this isn’t rebellion in me.
“She’s not being punished Miss Greengrass.” He informs me with a smirk. “I needed a certain set of circumstances for my plans to have their full effect.” He says finally looking up at me.
“What...” I start to ask when he raises an eyebrow at being questioned at all. The question dies on my lips.
“Those circumstances were achieved this afternoon. Now. She’ll not need you the rest of the day so you should go to the Ministry and check on her interests there.” He says in way of dismissal before he sealed whatever he’d just been working on with his a spell. “Since you’re going anyway you’ll take this to Lord Dolohov.” He finishes holding the scroll out to me.
“Yes my Lord.” I say taking the scroll and bowing my head before moving out of the room as fast as I can politely.
Once free of his office I take another deep breath and head to my room to get my cloak. Antonin’s note had been the last thing on my mind all day. Now that I was heading to his office, I started to construct a good response in my head. I made sure to look my best before heading to the Ministry.
Twenty minutes later, I’m standing in front of his assistant once again. “I have a message for Lord Dolohov from the Dark Lord.” I tell her thinking that takes importance over my other business with him. Well at least it would to them.
“Oh, go right in.” She says obviously not wishing to hold up the Dark Lord’s works even for a moment.
When I enter the office, I find that Antonin isn’t alone. Lucius Malfoy is sitting in the chair I took last time I was here. He rather looks funny as he tries not to be touched by any of the stacks around him.
“Miss Greengrass, what a lovely surprise.” The other man in the office says sounding pleased.
“Lord Malfoy.” I say coldly then smile at Antonin. “Lord Dolohov.” I say with a much more pleased tone. “I have a message for you from the Dark Lord.” I say and hold the scroll out to him.
“Thank you dear.” He says taking the scroll and opening it with a complicated spell. While he’s busy, I turn to Draco’s father.
“I didn’t expect to see you here my Lord.” I tell him to see what he’ll reveal.
“Antonin and I are old friends. Actually we were talking about heading out to a late tea, why don’t you join us Miss Greengrass?” He asks forcing a smile.
“Oh yes!” Dolohov agrees sounding distracted while he read the scroll. “I insist.”
“I just came to deliver the note and see what happened in your department last night?” I say shaking my head.
“Checking on that interesting law your Lady wrote up.” Lucius asks without referring to her in the tone I’d come to expect from grown Death Eaters. He actually sounded respectful.
Taken aback by the tone it takes me a moment to answer. “Yes, my Lady will be most interested in the outcome in the morning.”
Lucius gives me a knowing smirk. “Or whenever it is you see her next.” He says leading my thoughts to dark places. It was really unsettling me to not have seen Ginny at all today, and he seemed to be implying it might be a while before I saw her again.
“Exactly.” I say not wishing to reveal my feelings on the subject.
“So if you're not needed back at the castle you’ll come with us.” Antonin says as he finishes with the scroll and shakes his head slightly at Lucius.
A message passes between the two men that makes Lucius suddenly frown. “Actually I think I need to back out now that I think about it my friend. There’s something back at the castle I should check on.”
“So suddenly?” Dolohov asks but I could tell he wasn’t surprised by the sudden change. “I’ll have to entertain the lovely lady myself then.”
“Best that way maybe.” Lucius says getting to his feet. “Narcissa can be such a jealous creature.” With a bow of his head for each of us Lucius leaves Antonin and I alone.
Licking my lips I look back to the man, I thought I was going to seduce. “You know I’m not exactly a twit.” I tell him finding a very Ginny like statement coming to my lips. “Didn’t get the answer you wanted from the Dark Lord?” I ask motioning to the scroll.
Antonin chuckles at my bluntness shaking his head. “You didn’t seem like a twit last time we met, but Lucius has a way of convincing me otherwise.” He admits with a relaxed tone.
“Lord Malfoy thinks very little of me.” I admit something he obviously already knows. “So what’s the game?” I ask taking the seat across from him. “Why all the flowers?”
“The game is that you’re well positioned for a future in power.” He says seriously. “Power within that castle. Others have told me you’re the only reason Lady Weasley is still alive let alone thriving. With my power here at the Ministry and your growing influence in the castle we make a good match.”
“I’m not a Death Eater.” I remind him thinking those were the ones in power wherever one went these days.
“More balance.” He presses. “That distinction is going to become less important as our nation expands. Don’t tell me you didn’t come into my office last time partly to size me up for yourself?” He asks knowingly.
“I did.” I admit easily. “But I found you to be too intelligent for what I was looking for.”
He laughs nodding. “I see, so you’re looking for a man you can control, a puppet?” He asks sounding amused.
“Marrying someone I can’t manipulate seems dangerous to me.” I tell him and I have to admit I’m enjoying this openness we have going at the moment.
“Is that because of what happened with the Dark Lord or because you just like to be in control?” He asks making me actually blush.
Sometimes I let myself forget how many people were aware of my humiliation at the Dark Lord’s hands. “A bit of both I guess. Honestly, at the moment I’m looking for a man I can easily cuckold. You didn’t seem like one to me.”
“Lucius is looking for a man you can’t and I’m not. So it’s true that you and his son are lovers?” He asks making me blush again.
“Yes, and I’m really not willing to give him up. Which brings us back to the fact I decided against you.” I point out.
“You both have the same power base, so he doesn’t do anything for you politically.”
“Which is why I’m not marrying him either.” I point out with a smile.
“So the sex is good?” He asks bluntly, as he tries to figure me out.
I smile as I think about our night in the bath. “The sex is very good. Which is hard for me right now.” I admit blushing at my weakness.
“You trust him.” He says knowingly. “Let’s get to know each other Daphne, maybe you can trust me.”
“Why put in such work when you could happily take most any woman easily?” I ask pushing back. “I’m sure I could set you up with the Dark Lord’s current Mistress once he’s done with her.”
He laughs the idea away. “I told you I want a sharp mind for my partner. I’ve heard stories about her as well, and I don’t think she’s up to my standards for a wife. Add to that she’ll have no power once the Dark Lord is done with her, and she’ll be at best a trophy wife for someone.”
“But I’m not giving up Draco any time soon, so where does that leave us?” I ask then wave my hand to dismiss whatever he planned to say next. “Look, even if I never planned to sleep with him again, we work as a good team towards our goals. Could you really have your wife working closely every day with a man she used to fuck?”
Dolohov thought about this for a long moment before answering. “I could if she swore an oath never to go outside of our marriage with anyone.”
“Then you should find a girl that’s willing to do that.” I tell him before getting to my feet. “Are you going to tell me how the vote went?”
He only smiles as he gets to his feet as well. “Only if you come to lunch with me.” He says moving around his desk.
“Why are you pressing this?” I ask him as he moves towards me.
“I’ve already told you.” He answers as he leads me out of his office, his hand moving to the small of my back as we walk.
“You’re not telling me something.” I press this time as I let him lead me out.
“You’re not telling me plenty of things.” He answers lightly.
“You know I’m not from a noble family.” I say trying a new tactic. “I’m not sure what Lucius told you.”
“I’m not either.” He smirks. “I was granted my title by the Dark Lord for my loyalty and service.
“So you don’t care what my bloodline looks like?” I ask with a frown.
“Are you a pureblood witch with proven fertility?” He ask when we get to the elevators.

I stop dead in my tracks at the question, as a cold stone seems to settle in my stomach. “He told you about that?” I ask pulling away from him.
- 7
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Face of War