Ginny-

31/8/98

I should be starting my 7th year at school tomorrow. I should be getting up to the smell of mum frying something for breakfast and trying to sneak a peek at Harry as he takes his turn in the bathroom.

That isn't what I am doing. No, instead I am sitting at a desk in a new room thinking about my last few weeks of summer, and wondering if the man who owns me will allow me to go back to classes this year.

Three weeks ago I gave myself to Tom. I gave him the last bit of myself that he allowed me to own completely. And I don't regret it for even a moment. Because when I did, when he took the last bit of innocence I had left he changed. It was only for a moment, but for that moment I saw Harry in his eyes and I saw love in their depths.

Tom pulled away from me like I was made of hot coal after the moment had passed, and sent me from him room. He said he would punish me for saying Harry's name, but he has yet to actually follow through.

I can see it in his eyes every meal we have together. On one hand he wants me again, but on the other hand he fears that having me will bring back the man I love. The fear seems to outweigh the lust because he hasn't made a move to even touch me in the last three weeks.

Even Riddle has been quite in that time. I think they both still fear the boy hero and that makes me happy. They should fear him, because if he is in Tom, I know his soul is the stronger of the two. At least that is what I like to tell myself…

"What are you doing?" Tom's voice comes from the doorway and I stuff the journal into the desk and jump to my feet.

"Nothing." I tell him and put myself between the desk and him. He hasn't been to my room in a very long time, so it is more than a surprise to see him there.

"You were writing in a journal." Tom says with an amused smirk on his lips. "Haven't you learned your lesson yet?"

"It is a non magical journal." I tell him a nerves bunch in my gut. I don't want him to touch it. It has become somewhat of a respite for me to empty my thoughts onto the page.

"I see. Well I will not take it from you if that is what worries you. Why would I care if you have fallen into old habits?" he asks with a sneer. "I have come by to remind you that the students will be returning tomorrow. I wish for you to be at my side during the welcoming feast." He said with a small knowing smile.

"I have no reason to submit to you again." I warn him with my back straight, thinking of all the students new and old coming back to school makes me nervous once again.

"If you are good you can have this." he said and held up a long thin box. "I had it made just for you." he tells me with a taunt in his voice.

It is obviously a wand box, which confuses me to no end. He is giving me a wand? Does that mean I will be able to attend class?

"Why?" I finally ask as I take a step towards him.

"Because I do not want an ignorant twit as my Empress. But you must be on your best behavior to keep it." He says as he opens the box and shows me the blood red wand.

I can't help but reach out and brush my fingers over the smooth wood, the wand calls to me. This is my wand. Something made only for me.

"But I must warn you, if it more loyal to me than you." he says as his hand moves to my chin so I will look into his eyes. "If you try and use it in a way I do not approve of, you will not enjoy the result. Do you understanding my Lioness?"

I frown and look back to the wand in the box. I wonder what would happen if I tried to use it to escape? "I understand." I tell him and he lets me take it from the box so I can look at it more closely.

"Try it out." He orders and steps back.

I look around for a moment and lick my lips as I try and think of the first spell I will cast in months. I decide on a simply transfiguration spell to turn my teacup into a mouse then back again. "Thank you." I can't stop myself from saying as having magic back is more of a relief that I could have imagined.

"Just remember it will be taken away just as quickly if you do not behave." he says firmly as he places a hand on my shoulder.

My stomach drops and I look back at him slowly wondering exactly what he was thinking. Would I have sex with him again just to keep my wand? Well if it meant I could see Harry again I might.

"I will soon have an answer to our little problem my sweet, and then we can finish what we started before." he tells me softly as he looks into my eyes. "I will enjoy you fully next time."

He says with dark promise in his voice.

Luna-

It has been hard work to do everything to the robe that I needed to cover my identity fully. I am glad to have the elves help and their loyalty. I am on my first test of the robe outside the house. It is very odd to have the much higher vantage point the spells give me.

I stand in the shadows of Knockturn alley and watch as people pass. It seems to be more busy than usual today, but I guess with the students returning to Hogwarts makes everyone a bit more excited to shop. Who would notice you buying a bit of poison with so many people about?

I wait for my target patently. He has sent me everything from candy to books, all laced with hexes to try and bring me under his control. Again I am glad for my elves and the protection they give me, not that I would have opened anything from him anyway if I think about it.

When I finally see his pock marked skin I smile and wait for him to pass my hiding place. I follow him down the street almost seeming to float like a dementor, though no one has noticed yet. When he is mostly alone I grab him from behind and toss him into a side alley just to test the strength of the robe.

"How dare you!" Rookwood yells and his wand is already in his hand. "Do you know who I am? What I am?"

"I know exactly what you are Augustus Rookwood." I say in a much deeper voice than my own. A voice so low it sends chills down my spine.

"Who are you?" He asks, as he narrows his eyes to try and see my face. All he will see is shadow, as if the robe is moving without an occupant.

"Let us just say I am not happy about the way your kind defiles my name." I tell him and smirk at his confusion. "I can stay quiet no longer while scum such as yourself walk this earth. I have a massage for your Master." I tell him taking a step closer right into his wand. "Tell him I am coming for him, he can run from me no longer." I say and rip the wand from his hand while he is stunned at my words.

"The Dark Lord runs from no one!" he says looking panicked now that I have his wand.

"Voldemort runs from me." I tell him forcing myself to use the man's name. "Death is coming for him now." I say and break Rookwood's wand before Apparating back to Serendipity.

"How did it go Miss?" Minty asks the moment I appear back in my room.

I take the hood down and step out of the robe. "I think it was a good trial run. I think he may have peed his pants when I broke his wand." I tell the little elf with a smile.

"Serves him right for trying to take advantage of Miss." Minty says with a firm nod of her head.

"I am going to have to do more than scare Death Eaters with his Minty." I tell her with a frown as I put the robe away.

"Of course Miss. Dose Miss know what she wants to do next?" Minty asks as she follows me out of my room.

"Now that the test is complete I think we should focus on the of the Muggleborn camps." I tell her about a thought that had been forming in my head for the last few weeks. "It would be a good start, but I have to find ways to get them out of the country first."

"Maybe Mr Ronald could help Miss?" Minty offers and I smile.

"Mr Ronald can't know what I am up to, but I do think I need to contact him under a different face." I say with a smile trying to think of how Ron would react to meeting Death.

"Would Miss like Minty to find Mr Ronald for her now?" She asks with a bit of a squeak, I don't she doesn't like to leave the manor, but she always offers to help in whatever way she can.

"No Minty. I will have to be patient." I tell the elf with a smile. "For now I should head to work before Blaise wonders what is keeping me.

Minty's eyes darken at the name. "I don't like Mr Blaise Miss, he is always trying to touch Miss."

I shake my head and look at her. "Sometimes I like it Minty, but you must never tell him that." I say with a smile.

"Like it Miss?" Minty asks looking very confused.

"It is nice to know a man desires you, more so when that man is as pretty as Mr Blaise." I tell her as we head down the stairs.

"It is nice to know you think I am pretty." Comes a very arrogant voice of that I did not wish to hear in that moment.

Minty squeaks and looks down at Blaise with wide eyes. "Minty did not know he was here Miss, Minty is sorry! Minty will go and punish herself now." The elf says and before I can tell her to stop she has disappeared with a popping sound.

I sigh and turn to look at Blaise with narrowed eyes. "You know perfectly well I think you are pretty." I say as I even out my expression.

"But it is always nice to hear. Muffin let me in, said I should wait here while you were getting ready, oversleep?" he asks curiously.

"Well you know how it is? My lover was over very late last night and simply wore me out." I say deadpan.

Blaise narrows his eyes for just a moment before he realizes I am playing with him. "I would know if you had a lover besides me." he says a bit too stiffly.

"Oh? Are we lovers?" I ask curiously. "I don't think once counts."

"We will be when you finally realize I am what is good for you. I heard you have been getting gifts here." He says as his eyes twinkle with mischief.

"So you are the one who told him where I live now?" I ask as I get to the bottom of the stairs.

"You know he would stop once we announce our engagement." He tells me smoothly without really answering my question.

"There are a few problems with that. The first being you have not actually ever proposed and the second being I would never accept." I tell him before heading towards the dining room.

"Never say never." Is his only response as he follows me down the hall.

Daphne-

I take a deep breath and make sure my green suit is perfectly straight before I step through the floo. I say the words clearly and with more than a bit of pleasure.

"Ministry of Magic." I dust myself off a bit as I enjoy the sound of my heels clicking against the stone floor of the main building. I go directly to the man at the small window to get my guest pass.

"Name and reason for being here?" The greasy looking man behind the counter asks.

"Daphne Greengrass, I am here to see Dolores Umbridge, Department of Mudblood Correction." I tell the man in the most pleasant voice I can muster.

"Ah yes, you are on the list. Take the elevator down to sub-level eight." The man says before looking up at me. "Going to be working with us here at the Ministry Miss Greengrass?" he asks suddenly as he gets a better look.

"Well not with the doorman." I tell him simply and walk away towards the elevators. I feel like my old self in these halls. There is nothing here that I can not overcome. Here I am a woman with power to weld and I love it.

When I make it down to Umbridge's office a knock three times before I let my hand drop.

"Enter." A sickeningly sweet voice orders with a small giggle at the end that makes me want to puke.

I open the door and greet the old professor with another sweet smile. "Miss Umbridge." I greet her casually.

"You can call me Dolores my dear, we are colleagues now it seems." She says sweetly, but I can tell it is taking most of her will not to jump over her desk and throttle me.

"Well you can call me Miss Greengrass, Dolores." I respond happily.

She giggles again and motions for me to sit down in front of her desk. 'What can I do for you today Miss Greengrass?" She asks getting straight to business thankful.

"As I am sure one as well informed as yourself knows I have gained the appointment of Head Maid to Lady Weasley." I start and am about to continue when she interrupts me.

"Yes I had heard that, what I don't understand is why the maid to a piece of property has any say in how my department is run." She says as her smile falters for a moment.

"Oh, I have no say whatsoever Dolores." I tell her happily. "The Dark Lord has only given me permission to observe and takes notes that I am to report back to Lady Weasley."

"So there will be no actual interference?" The woman asks as her eyes narrow, her fake smile gone.

"Not at this time." I answer and pull a small notebook from my purse. "The Dark Lord just wishes for my Lady to get a more full understanding of how his government runs."

"To what purpose?" The woman asks her eyes narrowing again, though she looks a bit more relaxed.

"Are you questioning the Dark Lord's wisdom?" I ask without answering her question as I pull a quill from my purse as if I am ready to make a note of it.

"No no, of course not. I could just give you better information if I knew exactly what sort of things the Dark Lord wishes for your Lady to know." She covers quickly.

"Ah well, that is wise of you." I compliment her on her backpedaling. "But all information can be useful." I say and smile more widely as if I have just made a friend instead of an enemy.

Ginny-

By the time Daphne gets back from her meeting at the Ministry I have regained control of the shivers Tom's dark promise had given me. The part that upset me the most was I could not decide if I was revolted or excited by the idea of being with him again.

When I decide that he is just playing with my mind I get myself to calm down not put it out of my head for the moment.

Daphne returns with a wide smile on her face and sits down on the couch before she pulls a notebook from her purse.

"We have a project!" She says happily and I frown as I go to sit with her and see what she is talking about.

"How bad is it?" I ask not liking the way she is so happy about the mistreatment of the muggleborns.

She sighs and rolls her eyes at me before getting comfortable in her seat. "Not as bad as that woman wants it to be." She says and starts to flip through her notes. "The Dark Lord has kept all the more famous names for himself, and they are still sifting through merchandise and deciding on value. They are planning the first auction in a few weeks, and right now they are keeping all those captured in camps around England."

I frown at the light way she is talking about other witches and wizards. "So what do you think we can do for them?" I ask shifting in my seat.

"Well right now they have no more rights than your average chair. They have no one protecting them from what their future owners might use them for. If we approach it as a protection of assets campaign I think we can get them some buffer like you want." She says and then looks into my eyes. "We are never going to be able to set them free my Lady, but if we approach this way we will keep them from being too brutally tortured, raped, and killed."

I chew on my lower lip and try and process what she is saying. I can see the logic of what she is saying, but hurts to not be able to help more, but in my position shouldn't I feel lucky that I will be able to help at all?

"So how do we introduce a law like that?" I ask I don't really have any experience with any of this so I will have to reply on Dahpne's knowledge. I am sure that is why she is helping me, to show her value, and make it so I rely on her.

"Well the first thing we need to do it make your power known." She tells me simply.

"I don't have any power." I point out to her with a frown. She rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

"You do, just don't know it. We need to build relationships with powerful people. One way you can do this is by taking on other maids." She says as if she is explaining this all to a small child. "Being a maid to the Dark Lord's consort would give any family a status boost within the empire." She added while I am still looking at her in confusion. "Maybe adding a few young men as well as guards under Draco isn't a bad idea either."

"All to build a relationship with their parents?" I ask to make sure I am understanding her. "I would have to ask the Dark Lord for that you know?" I add wondering what i would have to give him.

"Exactly, I will get a list together of the families that would be the most beneficial to us." Daphne said with a smile. "And don't act like you are above making deals with the Dark Lord, I hear Bill and Fleur are doing well with the baby." She says to drive her point home.

I dress nicely for dinner. I make sure to do my hair and look more presentable to ask the Tom for the right to take on more staff.

There is a nervous little slip in my stomach as I sit in the dining hall and wait for him to be done with his business for the day.

"I am sorry to keep you waiting my lioness." He tells me when he takes his down seat. "You look lovely." he comments after pouring himself some of the black liquid he is always drinking. "What is it you want from me this evening?" he asks straight out.

"What makes you think I want anything at all my Lord?" I ask him in the soft tone he likes the most.

"Because you only put effort into your looks when you wish to ask me a favor. What is it?" He asks looking directly at him.

I sigh and look to my lap. "Daphne thought it would be a good idea for my status if I took on a few more maids, and maybe some more guards." I tell him lightly.

"She wants you to have some favor to curry with the important families of our Empire." he says knowingly and sits back. "What are you offering me in return?" he asks as a smirk settles on his lips.

"What would you like?" I ask not wishing to give more away than he was willing to take for the favor.

"I want an offer from you." he presses not giving an inch.

I take in a long slow breath and start to think about what the health of all those muggleborns would be worth to me. "I do not think it is that big of a favor, it really only helps your cause in the long run." I start out and sit a bit straighter. "So I offer that I will put effort into my looks, not only when I am with you but at all times. I will be more presentable as your… consort, as Daphne calls me."

Tom rubs his chin in thought and I feel nervous as he seems to be studying me. "That is reasonable, I will give you six positions you can fill. I do not really care if you wish for guards are maids. Only any men you invite to be close to you will be approved by me. Is that agreeable?"

"Yes my Lord." I say letting out a slow breath of relief.

Luna-

I was drying my hair from my evening shower when Minty suddenly appears in the bathroom with me. I quickly summon my robe and cover myself before I frown at the elf.

"Can you please knock?" I ask the elf kindly.

"Oh!" She says and bangs her head against the wall. "Sorry Miss, Minty didn't think."

"Stop hurting your self." I order her and sigh. "Why have you come Minty? I was just getting ready for bed." I tell her as she looks back at me.

"Miss you have a visitor! Mr Ronald has come to see you and he is very banged up!" Minty says as if she just remembered again. "Mop and Muffin are seeing to him in the drawing room."

I frown and nod, pulling the robe around me tightly I head directly for the room where I will find Ron. By the time I get there the elves have healed most of his wounds, fortunately it looks like he has just been in some kind of muggle fight.

"What happened?" I ask as I come over to sit on the couch by his feet.

"Have you ever heard of football?" Ron asks and grins at me, one of his eyes still swollen. "Well it seems muggles are very serious about it." He tells me and takes his head. "I was hiding out at muggle pub and a few got into a row over a game and then the whole pub erupted into a mad fight!' he says waving his hands about. "It was actually rather brilliant, I think I may go back next week."

I chuckle and shake my head. "With the way Minty was talking I thought you had gotten into a row with some Death Eaters."

"Nah, Death Eaters I can handle, mad muggles, now that was scary." He tells me with a grin. "I thought I would use it as a reason to come by though, sorry for the hour." he says as he notices my robe. "That's pretty." he says his ears turning a bit red.

"Thank you, it is new." I tell him as I run my hand over the blue silk of the bathrobe. "So why did you want to stop by?" I ask and set a hand on his leg shyly.

"Well, I thought we could go out on a proper date." He says not meeting my eyes at first.

I smile and tilt my head. "Where would you like to go to?" I ask with amusement in my tone.

"Oh well, I guess we would have to stay in, but we could have a picnic on the grounds and just... have a date." he says and waves his hand about a bit. "You know we could just forget about the world for a while and talk about normal teenager stuff, like quidditch, and food?"

"That sounds kind of wonderful. We could talk about what teaches we hate and the fact I have had a crush on you since 3rd year." I tell him as a real smile comes to my face.

"Yeah exactly and… wait since 3rd year?" He asks as his train of thought is derailed. "When did that happen? How did you even notice me in your 3rd year?" He asks with a frown.

"Well that was the year of the Triwizard Tournament." I tell him and he nods as if he already knows this part. "I guess I first really noticed you after Harry succeeded in the first trial. You ran over to him, I have no idea what you said, but you had the most lovely color of, loyalty, mixed with guilt, family, and amazement."

"I have no idea what you just said." Ron tells me with a goofy grin on his face. "Harry was the big hero that year, why not fall for him?" he asks with a bit of a dark cloud edging his expression.

"Ron, do you even know how amazing you are?" I ask looking at him with wonder. "Do you know how strong of a man it takes to stand next to the hero? To hold up a person who has the world on their shoulders and never once try and use their fame to get your own? I know some have said you were trying to ride his coattails, but if you actually were you would have been in the limelight a whole lot more than you were." I tell him and I can see by his expression he doesn't believe me.

"Harry used to say stuff like that. Stuff about where he would be without 'Mione and me, but it was mostly her you know. She was the real one that held him up, she was brilliant." He tells him and looks down as he thinks of the woman he loves.

"You don't have to believe me, I still know it is true." I tell him sadly. "Would you like to spend the night? I can have Minty made up a room for you."

"Thanks." he says looking up at me with a bit of a smile. "Luna can you promise me something else?" he asks and I can tell his mind his shifting to a new subject.

"What is that?" I ask folding my hands in front of me.

"Friday afternoon, I don't want you anywhere around Gringotts. I won't tell you more than that, but I want you safely away from there." he tells me with a firm tone.

"I won't show my face anywhere in Diagon Alley that day if it makes you feel better." I promise him with a sad smile.

"It does, thanks." he says and sits back so Mop can finish her work.

Daphne-

I am finally back in my own room. I get into my night clothes and sit at my vanity to brush my hair and relax from the stresses of the day. I think today went very well. Though I had to spend a great portion of it with that foul woman Umbridge, it was a very enlightening experience, and it will help with many of my future plans.

As I am going over my day in my head I hear a knock on the door. I already know who it is, there has only been one person to visit my chambers in the last few weeks, though we never do more than talk.

I get to my feet and open the door to look up into his gray eyes. "Ginny in bed?" I ask as Draco moves into my room.

"Yes, she wanted me to tell you she would need you early tomorrow, she wouldn't say way." He tells me as he sits down on my bed.

"Does she know about your visits?" I ask with a frown on my lips, I am not ready for anyone to know about whatever it is that is forming between Draco and I.

"No, she thought she was sending me here." He says and rubs his face with his hands. "How did your talk with her go?" He asks with a sigh.

"She was rather responsive actually, she is smarter than I originally gave her credit for. She said she was going to ask the Dark Lord tonight." I tell him as I sit down next to him.

"Yes, it seems like the youngest Weasley turned out to be the smartest of all." Draco says and looks up to me before wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me into his side so I can rest my head on his shoulder.

I close my eyes and breath in his scent. We have been doing things like this since he told me he was falling in love with me a few weeks ago. We don't talk about it, we just awkwardly try little things like this out to see how they feel.

We were both brought up in cold homes, where love was only a thing to take advantage of in another, so everything we try feels foreign, but nice. Every time I wonder what he is feeling, tonight I decide to ask.

"Draco, what are we doing?" I ask in a low voice.

"We are trying to build a future for ourselves." he says though I know he knows what I am really asking. I stay silent, refusing to let him off the hook that easily. "Being stupid." he adds finally.

"The Dark Lord offered you to me once." I tell him softly and saying well within his grasp.

Draco chuckled and shook his head. "What would a marriage bring either of us Daph?" he asks still thinking about the future. "You are too useful of an ally to take out of the picture, and I need my wife to give me at least once heir."

"Do you still think you can get the Lovegood girl?" I ask more bitterly than I mean to.

"No. That ship has clearly sailed. The Dark Lord put her well and truly off of me, it is a wonder he didn't do the same to you." he says resting his head on top of mine.

"I am stronger than Lady Radcliff." I say her title in tone that will clearly tell him what I think of nobility.

"You are." he agrees and runs his hand up my back. "Which is why I can't marry you" he tells me sadly. "But I never planned to care about my wife anyway, did you have plans to love your husband?" he asks softly.

I shake my head and laugh. "No, my plan was to marry the weakest man I could stand and use him to gain more of an upper hand in the political arena."

"You should marry a Death Eater" he tells me firmly. "I will start to think about who would be the easiest to control."

"You should marry foreign nobility, somewhere that ties will be useful once it too joins the Dark Empire." I tell him so he knows he isn't the only one who can make plans for the other.

"Maybe Italy, Blaise has some cousins that have yet to be deflowered." Draco tells me with a slow nod.

"So we marry other people, and we what?" I ask unclear of this future he is describing.

"You will be my Mistress of course." he says with such finality I can't help but laugh.

"And you will be my Lover?" I ask with another laugh and pull out of his arms. "Do people like us actually love our Mistresses and Lovers?" I ask moving to go sit back at my vanity.

"People like us don't fall in love Daphne." He says in his same firm tone.

"Than I am back to my first question, what are we doing?"