Summary: Ginny Weasley is off to her 6th year at Hogwarts. She knew it would be different; Voldemort had taken over, Snape was headmaster and the Carrows were there, but she did not fully appreciate exactly how bad it would be.
Please note: While I love this story and can clearly see where I am going with this, I'm not too happy with this first chapter and am much happier with the second one, so if you don't particularly like the flow of the chapter, please read the second one before making you're decision about this fic.
I would like to thank my wonderful beta Lorna for helping me with my shocking grammar and errors made in haste to change to fit the storyline after I worked out what I wanted it to be.
Disclaimer: I own nothing in my story, despite the fact that I have been asking for it since I was first swept into this magical world of Harry Potter. I just have fun playing in J.K's little world.
Chapter 1: A Warm Welcome back
The first proof of change was the chill. Hogwarts had only ever been surrounded by dementors once before; in her second year, when Sirius Black had escaped from Azkaban. But even then it was nothing like this. The dementors were in the school grounds, swarming amongst the students, using their fear to detect signs of defiance. Ginny Weasley only knew about this method of control, because she herself had been pulled aside with a group of other students - mainly fellow DA members - soon after her arrival.
Now the group were being held in the dungeons, supervised by the Carrows and forbidden to talk. That is, until they were individually taken away for interrogation by their new headmaster.
About ten minutes ago Neville had been pulled in for one such interrogation and had just reappeared, clearly shaken and pale. Now, it was Ginny's turn and she had made up her mind not to be taken away without a fight.
'Next,' motioned a woman Ginny realised to be Alecto Carrow. She was a stout faced, podgy woman who looked rather unhappy to be there, Ginny assumed that she'd rather be taking part in the interrogation than just controlling those who remained to be questioned.
Ginny didn't move. 'I said NEXT!' said Alecto loudly and with more force as she gave Ginny a hard blow to the back of the head.
Ginny still didn't move. She knew what would come next; even an idiot could tell Alecto wouldn't let her go on like this for much longer. Sure enough, Alecto went to take out her wand.
'Expelliarmus!' Ginny was too quick for her and revelled in the thought of doing something rebellious, like she assumed Harry was...wherever he was.
What she had not counted on, however, was Amycus, Alecto's brother.
'You filthy little blood traitor!' Amycus screamed, 'You would dare to disarm my sister', CRUCIO!'
Ginny was in agony, it felt like she was on fire. She wanted to die then and there. She knew that she was giving them satisfaction by screaming but the pain was just too much to do otherwise.
When Ginny regained consciousness she was in Dumbledore's office. Then she realised with a pang that it was no longer Dumbledore's, but Snape's It was at this point that she realised that she was not alone as she had originally thought, but indeed there was another person there.
She recognised this individual at first glance and was filled with utter loathing. How could she not? Those eyes, those cold dark eyes belonged to a man, a man whom Dumbledore had trusted, but had betrayed him and caused his death. They were the eyes of Severus Snape.
Ginny glared at him in defiance, she would not show any sign of defeat. Not to that man.
'Sit,' ordered Snape.
Ginny didn't move.
'Now, now, Miss Weasley, anyone watching would think that you were being deliberately rude to your headmaster. You wouldn't want them to think that, would you?'
Ginny continued to glare.
'Or perhaps that's exactly what you want: to act like your precious Harry. Harry Potter, the boy who abandoned you all.' Snape sneered. Ginny held back the tears that were fighting for release upon the mention of Harry so she decided to think about the situation that she was in.
She was alone with Snape, a murderer and known death eater. She was wandless (she assumed that it had been removed while she was unconscious). The cruciatus curse was bad enough when preformed by Amycus Carrow, she didn't want to even think about Snape using it on her. She had no choice but to obey instructions for the time being. She decided to get up and sit on the chair that Snape had motioned towards earlier.
At that moment the door burst open and in walked Professor McGonnagall.
'Yes Minerva?' The dislike was evident in Snape's voice.
'I noticed that Ginny Weasley did not return with those who were interrogated and was concerned.'
'How very devoted you are to your students,' Snape said with a sneer. 'You needn't worry, she is here with me.'
'I must insist then, that she gets some sleep. She has classes tomorrow and it is nearly midnight.'
'Very well, I will be done with her soon,' Snape said, annoyance rising in his voice.
'I will wait outside to escort her back to her dormitories then,' said Professor McGonagall and she left the room with a last worried glance in Ginny's direction. Ginny was relieved; Snape wouldn't do anything to her while Professor McGonagall was out there.
'Now Ms Weasley, let us cut to the chase: Hogwarts has changed, and as long as I am headmaster you will no longer be able to get away with the antics you displayed tonight. Any rule breaking, disobedience or troublemaking will be punished severely as demonstrated earlier. There are dementors and Death Eaters waiting at every passageway out of the school. Do you have any questions?'
'No.'
'No who?'
'No, Professor.'
'Leave.'
Ginny left at once, to find Professor McGonagall waiting for her outside.
Authors Note: As I said before, I'm not particularly happy with how this chapter flows so if you didn't like it please give the second chapter a chance, I promise that my chapters will be like that from now on. I just wanted it to happen that way even though the chain of events is extremely fast.
Please R&R even if you don't like it, in which case tell me why.