Prologue

The room was dark and the air full of incense. The torches on the wall fluttered in the draft, but the figure bent over the large cauldron didn't seem to notice, in fact his whole attention was held by the image he was watching in the clear, glass-like surface. He dropped more herbs into the substance and muttered in a language that was not English - the scene changed and he inhaled sharply. This was not right...something had changed since his last vision. This could not be allowed - he would have to intervene... but how to do it? It must be done delicately, or the entire fabric of time could be destroyed and the world with it.. He closed his eyes and chanted again; this time when the scene changed again, he nodded approvingly. Yes...she would do. She is mated to the Chosen One in heart, mind, and soul...if not yet in body. She will help him fulfil his destiny and put right what has gone so dreadfully wrong. Yes, he would do it, and the future would be saved for magical and non-magical people alike.

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The Dark Lord was fast losing his patience with his followers, and their repeated failure to capture or kill any of Harry Potter's friends. The young man had been a thorn in his side for too long, and he wanted him dead. The Death Eaters needed an example of his true supremacy, and he was going to show them what happened to all traitors.

"Lucius," he ordered.

"What does my Lord command me?" Malfoy knelt before the Dark Lord.

"Tell me what you know of the one they call Ginny."

"Only that she is a pureblood, and a traitor. She is Potter's little girlfriend, and a passing teenage fancy I'm sure."

"I have been in his mind...before he learned to shut me out, and I have seen the depth of his love for her - they are true soul mates. She can be used against him... yes I think that will work...I will use her to get my hands on Potter, and when I have tortured and killed him; those that doubt me will see what true power is."

The Dark Lord's amused laughter raised the hair on Malfoy's neck, but he knew better than to comment.

"One of my most trusted spies tells me that Potter, along with his blood traitor and mud blood friends, will be in the Ministry tomorrow. I want you to go there and bring me the blood traitor - and Malfoy...I know of your enthusiasm for torture and killing, she had better be alive and untouched when you come back, or you'll suffer the consequences."

"As you wish my lord. Lucius Malfoy stood and swept out of the dark, dank room, his cloak billowing behind him.

"My Lord, why not bring Potter here and kill him? He has eluded your Lordship too many times." Wormtail said his head bowed low.

"Because, he has grown too powerful, and has too many friends who are willing to die for him. I must weaken him mentally and emotionally, and then he will be mine. And Wormtail..." Voldemort said casually,"- don't ever question me again." He pointed his wand at the cowering man and muttered Crucio. He held the spell for several minutes, while Wormtail screamed. It was music to his ears.

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"Hurry up Ginny and make a wish already," Ron groused. Honestly the girl was taking forever on a stupid birthday cake wish.

Ginny opened one eye and glared at him with a look that promised violence as soon as their mother's back was turned. She blew out the candles and turned to the young black haired man standing next to her. This was it...she was seventeen, and she could finally defy her parents and join him in finding the remaining Horcrux. He winked at her and leaned into to kiss her gently. She took his hand and sat down.

"Well go on then birthday girl, cut the cake." Ron said grinning. She smiled sweetly, at him took out her wand, and muttered several spells. The cake cut itself and flew to waiting plates, and then with Ginny conducting them with her wand, the plates flew to her family and friends.

Ron looked extremely annoyed and she said,"What...you didn't think I was going to do that the hard way, I'm of age now remember?" She grinned widely

"Oi, how could I forget, when that's all you've been talking about for weeks."

"Ron - leave your sister be and eat your cake," Molly admonished him with tears running down her face. She couldn't believe her last child was an adult. She was so proud of the beautiful and strong young woman sitting across from her.

It was close to ten o'clock before Harry and Ginny could slip away. They walked out of the Burrow and strolled through the trees hand and hand, not talking, but simply enjoying each other's company. Harry remembered Bill and Fleur's wedding the summer before and how Ginny had bullied him into admitting he still loved her. If he was honest, it didn't take a lot of bullying - he'd been miserable since they broke up. She convinced him they were stronger together, and he finally admitted she was right. The last year had been hard, she hadn't wanted to go back to Hogwarts, but Molly put her foot down and Ginny went.

The trio had spent the year looking for Horcruxes and had found and destroyed all but one - the locket that had been switched in the cave the night Dumbledore was murdered. They had all taken their last years courses by correspondence. Only McGonagall had known where they were - she had been their secret keeper. Now Ginny would take her last year's courses in the same way, and could join them to find the last Horcrux, ending this war once and for all.

"Are you ready to go to the Ministry tomorrow?" Ginny asked as his arm came around her waist.

"I hope that Hermione is right, and it's in the Department of Mysteries," Harry said.

"I can't understand why the Minister would keep it there and not tell you - he knows what you have been doing doesn't he?"

"Yes he knows, but only because I had no choice but to tell him. He was the only one who could point us in the right direction last fall to find Helga Hufflepuff's cup. I still don't trust him - we've had to many close calls. I think he's either helping Riddle, or there is a spy close to him that is...either way it's going to be very dangerous tomorrow."

He turned to her and put his hands on her shoulders, looking her right in the eye. "Ginny I'd be so happy if you would stay here tomorrow...I can't bear it if anything happened to you."

"Harry Potter you know that's not going to happen, so stop asking me. I'm of age now - can handle myself and I want to help you end this."

"Ok my love, I should know better than to argue with you. Please promise me you will be careful," his eyes pleaded with her.

She put a hand to his face and said, "I promise I will be careful Harry." She lifted her face to his and as their lips met, they seemed to melt into the darkness around them. For awhile at least, there were no thoughts of Riddle, or the chaos around them.