1

The Chamber of Secrets

In Three Parts

Part One: Prelude to Terror

Harry stared across the common room at Ginny Weasley. He smiled at remembering seeing her run after the train his first year and the connection he felt when they had locked eyes. It had filled him with such hope that they were going to be great friends.

Somewhere something seemed to have gone wrong. When he had arrived at the Burrow, the ancestral home of the Weasley's, after he had been rescued by Ron and his Twin brothers Fred and George, she had seemed to avoid him.

It wasn't that she wasn't interested he was sure, because he had seen her looking and peeking at him for the remainder of the summer. Every time he had caught her, she had blushed deeply, sometimes smiling shyly but most often looking embarrassed at being caught which caused her to run off.

He had tried to be friendly but hadn't gotten very far. The few times he had approached her she had blushed deeply, stammered (if she said anything at all) and run away.

While he had found it slightly amusing, he also found it highly frustrating. After all, he was just trying to be friendly. He had so few real friends and thought that with Ginny going to start Hogwarts that fall, she could use one too.

The other problem had been Ron, her slightly older brother and his best mate. He seemed determined to keep them away from one another or maybe it was better to say he tried to keep Ginny from spending any time with them. No matter what they did, Ron didn't want her to have any part of it. He had even prevented her from playing Quidditch with them.

He had claimed it would have made the sides uneven as they usually played with just the twins, but Harry was sure they could have gotten Percy to play if they had asked. He had played on occasion if one of the twins couldn't. To him, things just didn't add up.

That left Harry with the dilemma of what to do once they were at school. While Ron was still acting the same, there were times when he could get away from his best mate if he really wanted to. He had tried to talk to Ginny but the results was much the same as it had been at the Burrow over the summer.

Harry hadn't let that deter him and he continued to try to befriend the youngest Weasley. Not that it did him a lot of good. From the beginning of the term he had tried his best to befriend her but she had not seemed to return his efforts.

The thing was, Harry had noticed a change in the youngest Weasley. While when she had first arrived at school she was pretty much like the rest of the First Years, a little unsure and not very willing to approach the higher year students, she had become even more reserved as the year progressed.

It was now to the point that she hardly spent any time with her year-mates any more. The little she had laughed and joked was also missing and Harry found that quite perplexing. It was as she were a completely different person and he found that somewhat troubling.

Yes, he understood that her older brothers had kind of put her off, saying they were much older and couldn't be seen hanging around with a Firstie but he couldn't understand her complete withdrawal from everyone. Something seemed definitely wrong but he had no clue as to what it was.

Harry took a quick look around and smiled lowly when he noticed there wasn't anyone else about. Ron and Hermione were missing and while he was sure Hermione was in the Library, he wasn't quite sure where Ron had gotten to. Surely he wasn't in the Library too. He only went there when Hermione dragged him there and Harry was usually included if she did so.

No matter, Harry saw it as a perfect opportunity to talk to Ginny. Rising slowly and not acting like he had any place particular in mind, he made his way over to where she sat at one of the work tables writing in a book.

She was so engrossed in what she was doing she didn't notice him until he sat down next to her and said "Hi, Ginny."

Harry almost laughed at her reaction. She slammed the book shut and stared at him, the colour draining from her face but there was something about her look that made warning bells go off in his head. He knew he'd have to tread carefully if he was to get anywhere with her.

"Sorry I scared you," he said with a what he hoped was a friendly smile. He was pleased when he saw her relax some, giving him hope that maybe things could be different than in the past.

"T-that's okay," Ginny replied, though she did blush fairly heavily. "I w-wasn't paying m-much attention to my surroundings and you just st-startled me."

"So how are your classes going?" he asked, hoping to keep her calm and talking about normal things so she wouldn't run away.

He was pleased when he saw her relax a little more as the tension that had been present diminished quite a bit.

"P-pretty good," she replied, glancing several times at Harry but having a hard time keeping eye contact.

Harry did notice that she had the book she had slammed shut held tightly in her hand, so much so that her knuckles were turning white. He also noted it wasn't a text book or one that had anything to do with school work.

"So who is your favourite Professor?" he asked with a smile.

Ginny gave her first true smile at his question. "I'd have to say Professor Flitwick," she said without stammering for the first time. Her eyes also brightened up though for the moment she still wouldn't directly meet his eyes. "I do like Professor McGonagall too, but she's not as fun in class as Flitwick is."

Harry gave her a warm smile. "I bet ninety-nine percent of the students agree with you," he said pleasantly.

"Only ninety-nine?" Ginny teased, her smile growing.

"Well there is Hermione and I'm sure a few of the Ravenclaws agree with her," Harry replied, more and more glad that Ginny seemed to be loosening up.

Ginny giggled at his statement, a sound that Harry found he liked very much.

"I thought Hermione was one of your best friends?" Ginny asked, her eyes sparkling.

"She is!" protested Harry, "but even I'll admit the girl takes studying much too seriously."

"That's so true," Ginny agreed with a small giggle. "Merlin, I bet she sleeps with some of her books."

Harry laughed but grimaced slightly. "Please, that's a mental image I could do without."

Ginny's eyes were dancing and it looked like she was going to say something when suddenly she shut back down, her eyes were looking past Harry.

Harry glanced where she was looking and found Ron stomping across the common room, a huge frown on his face.

What are you doing bothering Harry for?" he said accusingly to his sister, a huge scowl enveloping him.

Before Harry could say anything, Ginny said, "I'm sorry," so softly that he barely heard and she grabbed her things and ran off to the girl's dorms. Harry's eyes followed her and he felt his anger growing.

Ron watched her go, his face twisted in anger. "Why did you let her sit with you?" he snarled at Harry.

Harry looked at Ron incredulously, his anger simmering right below the surface, threatening to explode at any moment. "I sat with her!" he spat angrily before storming off out of the common room, leaving a stunned Ron staring after him.

He was vaguely aware of passing Hermione right outside the portrait hole but he totally ignored her, knowing he needed to get away before he did or said something that he'd probably regret later.

Hermione watched slack-jawed as Harry stormed past her, his face a mask of anger and she wondered what had set him off. Though as she thought about it, she knew there could only be one reason.

She entered the common room and seeing Ron staring after the disappearing Harry, she hoped to get some answers.

"What's got Harry so upset?" she asked with great concern.

Ron shrugged and looked at her sheepishly. "I have no idea," he lied, not wanting to tell her the truth.

Hermione knew from the look on Ron's face that he was lying to her but she knew at the moment it wouldn't do any good to call him on it. It would only lead to them having a royal row and that would get her nowhere. For now she knew she just needed to bide her time and she knew she'd figure things out.

Harry and Ginny

Harry spent the next couple of hours wandering the castle, not feeling fit company for anyone. He had even skipped dinner, feeling no inclination to join his friends. It wasn't like he had never missed a meal or two growing up. In fact as he thought about it he had probably missed more meals than he actually eaten at his relatives.

The realization startled him and for the first time he really wondered why he was forced to return to Privet Drive every summer. The thought really bothered him but he didn't know who to talk to or what to do about it. That did nothing to improve his mood.

Harry just continued to wander randomly, though subconsciously he was heading towards a particular location, his private refuge.

He ended up in a little niche that he figured was about as far from any of the common rooms as one could possibly get. He had found it during one of his night-time wanderings the previous year after receiving his Dad's cloak. It was some place he had never told Ron or Hermione about, wanting a place he could get away from them if he had to.

And this was definitely one of those times. Ron had really upset him with the way he acted towards Ginny and he really didn't want to get into it with Hermione at the moment. The girl could just get on his nerves on occasion. She had an unerring knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.

He was deep in thought when someone opened the tapestry that hid the niche and he heard them say "I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone was here."

It took a moment but it finally sunk in. "Ginny!" he exclaimed. He stood, reaching out and grabbing a hold of her arm as she turned to leave. He was really glad to see her and didn't want her to leave.

"H-Harry," she said in surprise, her eyes widening as she blushed heavily

"Please don't go," he pleaded as it looked like she was about to bolt.

Ginny looked at him hesitantly, a sad look on her face. "You really don't want me to go?" she asked uncertainly.

"No, please stay," Harry said softly, trying anything to keep her there.

"You sure?" she asked surprised but still with that sense of sadness about her.

"I'm very sure," Harry said, giving her arm a small tug.

She came in and sat down, thought she kept her eyes firmly on the floor. She seemed very reluctant to remain where she was and Harry hoped he could talk her into staying.

Harry looked at her, wondering what he had to do to re-establish that connection that he had felt with her. Thinking back he visualized what had happened that first time and the image of their eyes locking struck him like a Bludger.

He smiled as he tenderly used a couple of fingers under her chin to turn her head towards his. At first she resisted but he kept applying a soft, steady pressure and eventually she gave in.

Ginny felt his fingers under her chin, lifting her head towards his. At first she tried to resist him, but she found it futile. Slowly she relaxed and let his fingers lift her head towards his. She almost closed her eyes but forced herself to keep them open, afraid of what she'd find.

Slowly Ginny's eyes came up into view and then suddenly Harry's locked with hers and he felt the connection snap back into place. A feeling of elation filled him and he couldn't help but smile at all the wonderful things he was feeling.

Looking deep into Ginny's eyes, he could tell she was feeling the same things. He couldn't help but smile at her and gently ran the back of his knuckles down her cheek.

"Harry/Ginny," they sighed together.

Harry shifted his hand, cupping her cheek, marvelling at how soft her skin was. A contentment he had never experienced before filled him and he knew deep in his heart that it was because of Ginny.

Ginny leaned into Harry's hand, revelling in the warmth it was affording her. All her doubts and misgivings vanished with his touch and look. She knew she'd be forever lost in his emerald green eyes that held such love for her.

"There, that's better," Harry said softly, smiling at her.

Ginny just nodded her head imperceptibly, keeping her eyes locked on his. She couldn't believe how wonderful it felt. There was such a depth of understanding in his gaze and it sent a shiver down her spine.

Harry was concerned for a moment but the smile that spread across her face and the look in her warm deep chocolate brown eyes told him he had nothing to worry about.

"I'm so glad that I have you back," Harry whispered with a smile.

Ginny looked at him bewilderedly.

Harry chuckled softly. "I'm glad the connection is back. I felt it just like you did when we locked eyes as the Express left King's Cross my first year and don't try to deny it."

Ginny dropped her eyes for a moment but smiled demurely as she blushed prettily. "I – I wasn't sure of it were true or just wishful thinking," she said quietly as she looked back up into Harry's emerald eyes.

She gasped as she saw how deep his feelings for her were. It was if a part of her had been missing and now she had found it. It both startled her and filled her with a feeling of such completeness it was a little overwhelming.

Harry wrapped his arms around her and drew her into his body, burying his face in her long luxurious sweet smelling hair. "Umm," he moaned contentedly.

Ginny couldn't help but giggle lightly at him. Though she found it a little funny, she also found it very endearing. Like that, do you?" she asked lowly.

"Very much," Harry murmured, "You smell so bloody good."

Ginny felt her heart swell. Though she knew her family loved her, she was also the youngest of a family of nine and had never really had someone love her so completely and thoroughly just for herself.

Suddenly her world came crashing down around her as the voice of he so called friend "Tom" rang in her memory. The hurtful words he had spoken to her, tore at her heart.

How she was the last and least of all her siblings. How no one would ever come to love her. That she was nothing but an added burden on her family and that they'd have been much better off if she had never been born.

She closed her eyes and tried to pull away from Harry as she began to sob. It all seemed so true and that Harry couldn't really feel anything for her.

Harry was having none of it and he wrapped his arms more tightly around Ginny, preventing her from leaving him. Though he didn't know what was wrong, he knew he'd do anything he could to help her.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice laden with his concern.

At first Ginny just sobbed harder, overwhelmed by what she was experiencing. Then she slowly relaxed into Harry embrace and let things go. Nothing mattered but being held by him and she never wanted to be without his arms around her again.

She lost track of how long she stayed in Harry's embrace. All she knew was while she was there she felt safe, something that she hadn't felt for quite some time.

She tried desperately to tell Harry about Tom and the Diary but somehow Tom prevented her from doing so and she despaired at her situation.

Harry knew something was wrong and whatever it was it was keeping Ginny from telling him about it. It nearly broke his heart at not being able to help her.

The clock struck out the half hour and Harry knew they needed to get back to the common room before curfew. Tenderly he helped Ginny rise, never letting go.

She clung to him like a lost soul and she thought that perhaps she truly was. She realized that there was something truly sinister about the Diary but she felt powerless to stop what was happening.

Luckily the ran across no one as they made their way through the castle and up to the Gryffindor common room. The halls were surprisingly empty, not even any og the ghosts were about.

Their luck further held as they entered through the Fat Lady's portrait. There were just a few upper years still in the common room and they barely spared a glance at the pair as they entered.

Harry escorted Ginny to the stairs to the girls dorms where he reluctantly let go of her. He wished there was some way he could keep her with him but the look he was getting from the seventh year prefect told him that option wasn't available.

Ginny threw her arms around him and they shared a brief but intense hug. She felt the same as Harry, not wanting to be separated. To her it was as if she was leaving all sense of safety and security behind.

"We'll figure this out," Harry whispered into her ear.

"I hope so," Ginny whispered back forlornly.

Harry watched her slowly climb the stairs up to her dorm, vowing to himself to do whatever was necessary to help Ginny.

Little did he know that it wouldn't be till late the next night in a place of Legend that he would get to speak to her alone once again.

A/N: Here is the first chapter as a rewrite. It's a little over 1000 words longer. I hope it clarifies some of the things people commented on in their reviews from the Bits and Bobs rendition.

It is a bit shorter than my usual chapters for a regular story but so be it. Hopefully the next two will compensate for that.

As always, please review.