Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, sadly. Though this story is a bit different to what J.K. Rowling would have in mind.
He smiled down at his victim, eyes black as night and just as unforgiving.
"Please," the girl whispered, eyes and nose streaming. "Please, I, I'll do anything."
His knife traced a line over her neck. She whimpered as a trickle of blood escaped. He chuckled darkly. "You can't do anything, but squirm for your lord."
"Squirm?"
"Yes. Show me your pain because Voldemort wants to hear you cry!"
He lifted the knife.
She barely had time to scream.
Ginny shot up in bed, trembling and sweaty.
The nightmare woke her up, that terrifying nightmare. It was always the same, the crazed man stabbing the teenage girl. She hated it and every night it would plague her sleep because of the stories in the paper.
Stop it, you're being stupid, she thought to herself, shaking her red mane out. She concentrated on making her breathing even and slow.
Nothing will happen to you. You're safe.
"Hey, Ginny, are you ok?"
"Yes."
"You look a bit tired."
"I'm fine."
As they drove to school Ron watched his sister, worrying about her odd behaviour. Purple bags were beginning to set around her brown eyes and lately she was unusually quiet.
"Was it that dream again?" he asked.
"Piss off."
"But weren't they, you know, getting better?"
"I don't want to talk about it!"
He shut up but kept his eye on her, deciding Hermione might be a better person for talking to Ginny.
"Hermione, can I speak to you for a minute?"
"Oh Ron, hi. Hang on a minute, I've just go to finish this sentence."
Ron waited patiently for her to finish, her sentence being a paragraph long, and opened his mouth to speak when her pen was finally placed down. "Could you—"
"Hi, guys," Hermione interrupted cheerfully, waving towards the door. Ginny and Harry walked in together, both with grim expressions clouding their faces. Hermione's smile dropped. "What's wrong?"
"Did you hear the news this morning?" Harry asked. Ginny pulled out the nearest chair and sat down. Her face was paler than that morning.
"No, why?"
"Apparently there was another murder."
Hermione gasped sharply and Ron's insides turned over.
"They reckon it's the same guy as last time. Similar wounds and all. Also they said she was taken not too far from here."
"That's awful," Hermione murmured, gripping Ron's hand. They looked down and saw the clasp, then met each other's eyes. Ron's ears grew red and Hermione snatched her hands back to her own lap.
Malfoy listened to the conversation from a nearby table. "Ooh, watch out. Any of you could be next."
"Shut up," called Ron and Harry simultaneously. Malfoy made a face then went back to ignoring them. Ron realised Ginny had her head in her hands.
"Are you okay? Ginny?"
"Bloody hell, Ron, stop being such a worry wart." Ginny picked up her stuff and stalked out of the room. The remaining three exchanges confused glances.
"Is there something going on with her?" asked Harry, watching her go.
"I dunno. Can you talk to her sometime, Hermione?"
She nodded and gave Ron a hopeful look, one he couldn't return.
At lunch Ron was hunched over in his old car as Harry waited on the sidewalk.
"Mate, I know it's somewhere in here. I didn't even take it out."
"Then why did I let you borrow it if you didn't read it?" Harry sighed.
"I considered reading it. Didn't get round to it though."
Hermione and Ginny joined them, standing alongside Harry. He gave them a smile, glad to see Ginny was looking a bit better.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. I'm good now."
"Bloody hell! Look over there!" Ron broke them off, jumping out off the seat and up next to them. He pointed to where a circle of animated guys stood around a smaller group who battled in the middle. All fists were flying and blood was being drawn. Ron itched to show them what he was made of and inched forwards.
"Guys," Hermione and Ginny scoffed together, but still they watched fight, almost as interested as the Harry and Ron.
Because of their diverted attention, no one saw the maroon van stop on the quiet street, just next to where they were. No one saw the back doors open and two masked people in black slide out. And no one noticed the two stealthily creep forwards behind the four teenagers. No one expected anything.
Ginny shrieked in surprise as rough hands grabbed her from behind.
Hello.
Sorry I know it was a bit short but please review if you could. I would like to know if I should continue this story, and constructive criticism would be nice as well. Thanks :)