A Dark Turn For Ginny
Amelia could see the next bit was costing Harry so she asked him to continue.
"I'm assuming Snape gave you enough information to arrest Dumbledore but I would like you to sit on that for now and offer ministerial support to the planed tournament scheduled for Hogwarts."
Harry could see the expressions changing so pushed on, "my number one priority is to take down Riddle and granting those requests will go a long way to achieving that aim. I want Dumbledore dealt with probably more than you do but while that old bastard sits scheming and planning world domination Riddle fires off unforgivables like the psychotic megalomaniac he is. Which one do you think we should deal with first? Dumbledore wont run and hide because he's to proud to think he'll ever get caught while Riddle killed his father and grandparents when he turned seventeen."
Hermione continued, "We will be letting the old fart think he's manipulating us whereas he'll be doing exactly what we want, taking out Dumbledore first might push any fence sitters into Riddle's camp and that is something we definitely don't want."
"We need to be clear here, you're not asking for Dumbledore to get special treatment, it's just the order in which we deal with people that concerns you both." Amelia wanted no chance of misunderstandings developing.
"That's exactly right," said Harry, "I want Dumbledore in Azkaban for the rest of his life but I need Riddle dead so I can live mine."
Amelia glanced at Shack who gave the slightest of nods so the plan was approved, the fact that she was in total agreement with Harry's assessment that Riddle was by far the greater danger was the sole reason for her decision, Amelia wasn't Fudge and not for sale.
"This leads us on to another problem that none of us could have foreseen, in every case the death eaters have fled and abandoned their children who are presently attending Hogwarts. We need to reach a decision by Friday on what to do with them but I fear most are headed for an orphanage." The reaction of the two teens shocked Amelia; these were death eater kids most of whom had tried to make their time at Hogwarts miserable.
"That's not going to happen Amelia, Riddle is a product of an orphanage so that idea can be discounted immediately. If you can keep Dumbledore away from us we would like to go to Hogwarts on Thursday and meet with them individually, we will make them an alternative offer to an orphanage and meet all expenses." Harry was again making it up as he went along but he knew he couldn't put someone in an orphanage, not even Draco.
"I would like these two to accompany you if that would be ok, neither have any time for Dumbledore and will keep him away from you under my orders."
Hermione hesitated before replying, "as long as any extra curricular activities we engage in remain between the five people present in this room, again you have my guarantee we wont break any laws."
It was an intrigued Madam Bones who agreed, thanked them for their hospitality and decided she wouldn't miss Thursday so invited herself along as well. She had a feeling this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
As soon as they left Harry turned to his betrothed, "Help!"
She just laughed, "surely you know by now I would have an idea and I can't wait to see Draco's expression when we tell him."
Her idea had Harry howling with laughter, now if they could get past Dumbledore and visit the chamber and room of requirements they could have almost all their business done before their wedding.
....
Ginny Weasley was not enjoying the final week of term in Hogwarts, she knew her family was poor and had used her family's friendship with Harry to counter some of the worst quips aimed in her direction by her peers. Now that friendship was publicly over they were merciless in their verbal attacks.
Harry calling the twins bullies had also curtailed their adventures as no one laughed at their pranks anymore, only consoling the victims. Ron was walking about as if his head was up his arse and Percy was just Percy, the pompous prat had ruined her life when he pulled her wand from her hand and didn't give a shit.
Yes it was safe to say the Weasleys were not having a good time and she was on her way to an unused classroom where her father had called an emergency family meeting, Ginny had a premonition that this was not good news.
Her father and four brothers were already seated by the time she arrived so they started right away.
"I've called everyone here today because things have really taken a turn for the worse lately, the Burrow has been completely destroyed and your mother is in St Mungo's undergoing treatment to determine what happened. We will have to live in a tent I've managed to borrow for the foreseeable future, combined with the news of Harry's betrothal to the mudblood I'm afraid the family can't wait any longer but must sell it's only available asset."
Ginny was totally confused by her father's remarks, what did they have that was worth enough money to rebuild the burrow? Her heart sank to her shoes when she noticed her father and brothers were all staring at her, surely they would never stoop that low.
She pulled out her wand but Percy was once again faster as he grabbed it from her hand, "you can't be seriously considering selling me?"
"It's called a betrothal and we would receive a bride price," Arthur then cast a spell on his daughter that made her glow white for a few seconds, "good, a virgin will fetch a higher price."
"For Merlin's sake I am too young!" Ginny protested loudly.
Arthur Wesley just smiled at his only daughter, "Your middle name's also Molly so I was just making sure you didn't take after her, I'll try and get something arranged for over the holidays so enjoy your last few days of school, I'd take you home now except we don't have a home to go to."
"Do you mean I'm getting married this summer? How is that possible and who will be the groom?" Ginny couldn't manage to keep the horror out of her voice.
"Of course it will be this summer, we need the money now and the groom will be whoever offers us the most. We might have to buy you some new underwear because prospective grooms will want to see what their getting for their gold."
Ginny couldn't believe the way her father was discussing her body like it was something he owned and could be sold to the highest bidder. "You sick bastard, I'll kill myself before I'll let some stranger put his hands anywhere near me, I don't care how much gold he's got. I'm you're daughter not some side of beef to be sold at the market."
Arthur looked positively smug, "You're a pureblood daughter and the family magic will prevent you harming the goods, so to speak. You will do your duty and marry whoever I decide, regardless of their age or any other conditions, you will do your duty as a wife and not bring shame on our family honour."
"What bloody honour, you stand there talking about honour and selling your daughter to the highest bidder in the same breath, you really are a sick bastard." Ginny was screaming at him now and praying she would wake from this nightmare soon.
"No I'm your father and head of the family, my decision is final so you will have a husband this summer and the Weasleys will have a new house."
She could see the determined look in her father's eyes and there would be no help coming from her pureblood brothers either. Her mother was prepared to use a love potion on Hermione so Ron could have her instead of Harry; she was unlikely to be horrified at this arrangement.
Ginny sunk to the floor and curled into a ball, her body racked with sobs as she cried for her lost life while listening to her brothers argue for improvements to the new house her body was going to provide. She had no wand, no opinion, and no option but to obey her father's wishes and be sold to the highest bidder where by magic she would be his to command.
The only people who would pay money for a bride were those that couldn't get one any other way, Ginny knew she was destined to be some old mans plaything and that thought had her vomiting all over the floor.
Being a pureblood female was not something Ginny would ever boast about again.
....
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