Title: Lady Darkness
Author: Emcee and rain
Rating: R
Summary: The Order deals with the Ministry's reaction to Voldemort's death, Bellatrix and Lucius converse and Ginevra acquires a new possession.

Author's Notes: Thanks to Pablo for the beta. Lyrics in the chapter title from "Negative Creep" by Kurt Cobain.

Disclaimer: "Harry Potter" and the characters, places and things related to it do not belong to me. They are from the brilliant mind of JK Rowling. They belong to her and her publishers. I am not making any profit from this fan fiction.

xxiii. 'I'm a negative creep alone... Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more...'

Harry stared at the headline of the Daily Prophet clutched in Remus' hand. His lip curled in absolute revulsion.

YOU-KNOW-WHO KILLED IN DEATH EATER COUPE

  Remus had been the only one calm enough to read the article. Of course, they knew all the details already-- Snape had told them. Most likely, Snape's version was far more accurate than the Prophet's.

"Fifteen Death Eaters responsible for the coupe have been fully pardoned," read Remus. "Names have not been given out, to protect the parties from retribution. All of the Death Eaters are being given soul healing and will be reintegrated into society based on how they react to the treatments."

"This is bullshit!" Sirius barked. He was pacing the floor, more like a caged tiger than dog at the moment. "Fudge is just going to let those murderous bastards out because he thinks he's got Voldemort."

"He's going to retire," Remus said tiredly. "Fudge. He's decided to step down." He sipped his tea. "I suppose he wants to go out on top-- as the man who killed Lord Voldemort."

"--And get out before he realizes the Voldemort isn't gone!" Sirius snapped. He shook his head savagely. "They can't think defeating Voldemort is that easy! They can't be this stupid!"

"Sirius!" Yuki stepped in his path, grabbing his shoulders. She gripped him tightly. "You have to calm down . Ranting and raving isn't going to do us any good."

"Nothing's going to do us any good," Harry mumbled. He rested his head in his hands. "The Ministry is going to stop being careful. We'll have to work in secret again..."

"It's not the same," Remus said calmly. "As much as he will try to claim so, Tom Marvolo Riddle is not Lord Voldemort. He is a sixteen-year-old child with delusions of grandeur. Ginevra is no better. The Death Eaters will not trust them as implicitly as they would Voldemort. They will turn on them."

With a grunt, Sirius pulled out a chair and sat down. "I only hope they slip up quickly. We can't afford to have the Death Eaters free to attack."

"They're brash," Remus assured Sirius, assured everyone. "They will be unable to keep a low profile."

Harry glared at the picture of Voldemort's corpse on the cover of the Prophet. People were filing by him, spitting on the horrific body.

"They're going to hit us hard," Harry murmured. "We have to be ready."

"I can't believe this!" Bellatrix seethed. She paced like a caged tiger in Lucius' study. She rubbed her hands, lip curled in a snarl.

Lucius chuckled as he uncorked a bottle. He filled two glasses with rich brown scotch. "Come on, Bellatrix. We're supposed to be celebrating. You've been cleared of all charges against you. You're a free woman for the first time in years." He handed the glass to her. "All you have to do is fake your way through a few sessions with a psych-healer.

"Bully for me," Bellatrix muttered, knocking back her drink in one gulp. "It still doesn't change the problem I'm facing. That we're all facing."

Lucius arched a brow. "I was under the impression you were quite pleased with our new, improved Dark Lord."

"I have no qualms with the Dark Lord," Bellatrix growled. "It is that little redheaded sprog he's parading around and calling a Dark Lady!"

"Sprog?" Lucius laughed heartily. "The Dark Lady is all grown up, Bellatrix. Quite..." He grinned. "...Womanly."

"She is but a child," Bellatrix spat. "Born of blood traitors. Friend of Harry Potter! She is not worthy of a place at his side or in his bed!"

Lucius shook his head, his laughter unabated. "Oh! Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!"

"Scorned?" Bellatrix flung her glass at the wall. It shattered into pieces. "I am not some whore that has been cast aside!"

"That is exactly what you are, Bellatrix," Lucius hissed. "Twenty years ago you shared a bed with both Rodolphus Lestrange and the Dark Lord. Now Azkaban has made your husband feeble and the Dark Lord's attentions have moved to one younger and prettier."

Bellatrix grey eyes were burning with anger. "I just need to prove myself again. What does that little girl have to offer that I do not?"

"Hm." Lucius circled Bellatrix, eyeing her appraisingly. "Let me see... The Dark Lord is a handsome young stud. His consort is a gorgeous, ripe and sensual strawberry." His eyes narrowed. "While you spent the prime of your life rotting in Azkaban. I have no idea why he would rather bed her than you."

Bellatrix laughed coldly. "Are you telling me that you will follow that little twat with no question?"

Lucius unbuttoned his collar, pulling back his shirt and showing off the twisted scar on his shoulder. "I think the little twat made it clear if I do not I will be severely punished. And this was before the Dark Lord's allegiance to her."

Bellatrix's lip curled in a snarl. "Mark my word, Lucius... I will die before I bow to that child."

Ginevra's white trainers squeaked on each hesitant step she took down the stairs. She leaned heavily against the banister.

She was garbed in a short wool skirt, white knee-high socks and the sky blue jumper she had worn when she had escaped from Twelve Grimmauld Place. Her lips shone with pink lip-gloss and her long hair had been plaited into pigtails.

She made her way carefully into the audience chamber. Her knees were trembling.

Tom looked up from the papers he read. "Princess." He rose to his feet, striding across the room to meet her. "What are you doing up, Darling? You're still weak. There's no one you need to put a show on for."

"I couldn't remain inactive." Ginevra let out a laboured breath. "I will be fine. I promise."

Tom raked his icy gaze over her. A wicked smirk dominated his face. "Why are you dressed so, Princess? Are we playing a game?"

"A game?" Ginevra giggled. "You like this?"

Tom ran a thumb over her lower lip. "There is something quite appealing about fucking the darkness into this innocent little schoolgirl."

"Another time, my darling Dark Lord," Ginevra purred, sliding her hand over Tom's shoulder. "I'm afraid I have an errand to run."

Tom leaned in, nipping Ginevra's earlobe. "We will send Wormtail out instead," he whispered darkly, sliding his hands up her skirt. "Come, Princess... I will bend you over my throne and..."

"Uh uh..." Ginevra shook her head. "I'm afraid I am the only one who may do this particular errand, my Lord. It's... Personal."

Tom nuzzled Ginevra's hair. "What is it, Princess? What do you have to do? May I come with?"

"You are quite busy, my Lord," Ginevra whispered. "Besides, this is something I must do on my own."

Tom frowned. "I'll still like to know what is it."

Ginevra pulled away, smiling. " Just something that will come in handy..."

Shakily, Ginevra sat down at the table at the Leaky Cauldron. She looked around at the denizens of the tavern. They were toasting, celebrating the death of You-Know-Who. Stan Shunpike was bragging about spitting on the corpse.

"I'm surprised you wanted to see me."

Ginevra looked up. She smiled at Percy. "I'm glad you received my owl."

Percy slid into the seat across from Ginevra. He was very stiff, looking at her suspiciously. "What did I do to earn a visit from my baby sister?"

"Is there much celebrating at the Ministry?" Ginevra asked casually, slipping her wand out and holding it loosely under the table.

"Of course there is," Percy replied. "This is the greatest event in history. Better than His first demise. This is certain."

"Percy." Ginevra reached out with her free hand, grasping Percy's. She raised her wand beneath the table. "Mummy and Daddy don't believe He's dead."

"I'm not surprised," Percy said sadly. "They want a reason to fight, to be in their little group with Dumbledore. It must hurt that someone else was able to take care of You-Know-Who before their precious Harry Potter could." Percy looked away. "I know you probably think he's so great, but..."

"I don't," Ginevra said quickly. "Oh, Percy... You've been right . And now that You-Know-Who is dead and they won't admit it... I can't put up with it any longer. I can't be around them! We had this huge row and... and..." She hiccupped, crocodile tears sliding down her cheeks.

Percy looked horrified. "Ginny... No..."

She wiped away her tears. "Oh, Percy... I don't know what to do!"

"You need my help," Percy said softly. "You can come stay with me, Gin."

"Actually, I already have somewhere to stay," Ginny whispered. "But you can come with me." She smirked. " Imperio. "

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