A Dark Encounter

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, just my own creative thoughts.

This is set in the Trio's 6th and 7th year, although it's really about Ginny, and sorry if there are any discrepancies with the book's plot. I'm just doing my own thing here, so chill out.

Chapter 1

"Common Hermione, Seamus said they got them in two days ago. They might be all gone by now!" Ron whined and tugged Hermione's arm childishly.

"Then what's the point of going if they're already gone?" She replied tartly.

Ginny and Harry giggled as they watched the show. The rest of the Gryffindor table was equally amused.

Ron frowned in Harry's direction, "As if you didn't want to try the sweet heaven of Honeydukes' new flavoured Ludicrous Licks, Harry? You said you wanted to try them yourself yesterday."

Harry shrugged, "Yeah I guess I did. Seamus really made them out to be good, but can we really trust him?" he leaned over to Ginny and whispered, "I have a feeling these candies were more inspired off the twins' work than just being delicious."

Ginny blushed a little at his sudden proximity and agreed with him. "They do sound a little suspicious."

Hermione huffed disapprovingly, "I don't understand how candy can be worth trekking into Dementor infested Hogsmade, especially since we've got a potions paper due tomorrow!"

They all quieted down.

"You're certainly talented at sucking out happiness, Hermione." Cormac commented and reached over the table to grab some toast.

"Are you sure you're not related to a Dementor somewhere in you family tree?" Dean finished the insult and got a high-five from Cormac.

She rolled her eyes. "Well, really, I am the only sensible person here?" her eyebrows shot up.

"It won't be that bad. And we don't have to go for long, you know, Hermione; just an hour. It will do us some good to get outdoors and improve our concentration when we get back to working on Potions." Harry tried to persuade her diplomatically.

She crossed her arms stubbornly.

"We can pop into Gladrags and get that scarf you liked last time we went." Ginny cooed.

"See here, Hermione, who knows when next we'll have a Hogsmade weekend with the way things are going, so the scarf might not be there when you finally get the chance to go and then you'll feel like me who missed out of the most amazing sweets ever," Ron added.

"OK! You can all stop! Fine, fine, we'll go." She finally agreed and they all started to eat faster in order to be gone sooner.

The day was windy, grey and cold. The entire walk there, Hermione demanded assurance from Ron that it was all worth braving the weather. He of course always responded in the affirmative, feeling more excited with every step. Ginny had come along as well, having nothing much else to do but procrastinate from homework and going to Hogsmade was a better method than sitting around in the common room having to deal with the Creevey's fawning over their new near-fetish with some Quidditch player. At least they had moved on from Harry Potter, but only a little. There was also the matter of Ginny's feelings for Harry. She felt a little flutter when he talked to her and came near her, but it was all very frustrating. He had seemed interested all these years, but never did anything. And she wasn't going to repeat her first year all over again by being the one that initiates it. She had had enough of silly boys; she had dated quite a few of them unsuccessfully. And now she wasn't sure what to think about Harry. Were her feelings for him worth holding on to? Or would it be more prudent to just move on already?

Sometimes she felt more than fifteen, sometimes she felt too old to be around most people in Hogwarts. Perhaps it had been because of the diary, because of her exposure to Tom Riddle. He had opened her eyes to many terrible things, but also got her used to interacting with a different sort of person. She had to admit, she missed the types of conversations she had with him; intellectual, curious, they made her crave his knowledge. That was the frightening part.

As much as Hermione was known for being a bookworm, no one seemed to notice Ginny's particular fondness for it as well, perhaps because she didn't flaunt it as much as Hermione. But Ginny preferred to read alone. And so she had never really developed really close friendships with any of her peers. Hermione, granted, she felt a particular bond with; she was one of the few that had the intellectual capacity and knowledge that she liked. But, beyond that, Ginny maintained many friends and companions to do mischief, but nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing satisfying.

"What are you thinking about Ginny?" Harry asked as they entered Hogsmade at last.

She smiled, "Nothing much. I was considering buying a hat at Gladrags. It could be useful on the way back."

"Definitely. I think I might buy one as well. You certainly have a good idea, Gin."

Harry then got distracted by her brother who dragged him towards Honeydukes.

Hermione stood there watching disapprovingly muttering, "I just do not understand."

Ginny patted her friends arm affectionately, "I don't think we ever will." The two girls set off to Gladrags and ten minutes later exited and went back to meet the boys at the Three Broomsticks. Before they arrived, however, Harry and Ron caught up and ushered them back into the sweet shop, insisting that Hermione give a try to their free sample. Ginny didn't feel like following this time. She searched her bag to put on her new French beret when she realized she had left her wallet in the store. Sighing she turned back.

The seamstress recognized her immediately and handed the raggedy leather pouch to Ginny. "You should be more careful, young lady! Just because there are Dementors everywhere, doesn't mean there aren't pickpockets!"

"Thank you. I will." Ginny left the store and began the walk back for the second time. However something made her pause as she passed a narrow, slanted alley a little before Zonko's. She crossed the road, avoiding a group of people and stood at its entrance. She sensed something down there; something calling. She strained her ears; yes, there were voices, terrible, suffering voices. Chains, she heard chains and clawing walls. Ginny was terrified, but she still felt drawn to venture into this little noticed alley way. Her hands trembled as her feet started to move forward, as if without agreement with her will.

"I wouldn't go down there, if you want to come out right again." A voice ripped her out of the trance. She realized that she had been under some dark spells' power just a moment ago – sapping all her instincts numb and her will dry.

She turned to the source of the voice, gratefully. But, her relief was soon dissolved. She didn't exactly feel in danger in the man's presence, but intimidated yes. He had sharp, wild features; as if carved from ancient marble by icy Scottish wind and the rage of the north seas waters. His eyes were almost black, like his messy hair, but they looked warm when he looked upon her. She shuddered. If it were not for his imposing looks, brought upon by his height and frame, she might not have felt so one edge. And yet, he had saved her. "Why won't I come out right again?" she asked.

"Did you hear the voices?"

She nodded.

He looked back into the alley, "Only those who have truly tasted darkness can."

"What's down there?" Ginny tried again.

He smiled bitterly, "That's where they keep the vampires imprisoned."

She frowned in puzzlement, "Isn't that safer for the towns people? Don't vampires serve Volde- I mean, the Dark Lord?"

He looked at her curiously, "Not all vampires are in league with him and those who are would never get caught by vampire hunters. No, sadly the vampires kept there are entirely innocent, but the Ministry imprisons them there nonetheless."

Ginny's heart felt colder with every word he spoke. His voice was so frozen and the reality of these creatures so unjustified that all Ginny could do is look down and feel guilty. She felt her mind invaded by sorrow and suffering that was not hers; it was as if her mind was opened. It started to overwhelm her. She felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Perhaps, you should go home before the Dementors sense such an easy target."

She understood the hidden meanings in his words. How thoughtful of a stranger, she thought. If the Dementors sensed her aguish at the moment they would pounce on the occasion to finish her off. "I will go meet my friends; they'll take care of me."

He nodded a wiped a tear off her face, "I do not comprehend how you had the ability to see the alley in the first place. I am sorry you experienced that."

His touch suddenly was gone and when she looked up, so was he. She looked around and saw unsuspecting passers-by. They alley had vanished as well, replaced by a little house with Belgian lace curtains. Ginny was stunned. It felt like nothing strange had occurred at all. And yet, she still heard a tiny whisper of pain in the wind. She shrugged it off and went to the Three Broomsticks.

Upon entering the establishment, she was relieved to see her three companions waiting for her.

"Merlin Ginny! You look terribly pale." Harry stated as she sat down across from him at the table.

She tried to smile, "I bumped into a rogue Dementor when I was returning from Gladrags. I forgot my wallet there you see."

"You took a long time coming back! We were so worried about you! Who knows what could have happened to you! It's not the time to walking around by yourself, Ginny." Ron scolded her.

"Sorry Ron, you can stop yelling at me already." Ginny muttered through clenched teeth. Her temper was on edge.

Hermione noticed, "Ron, calm down. Ginny's safe, it's all fine. Rosemerta, could we have another butterbear please? Thank-you."

The journey home was colder and less pleasant. The trio was engrossed in their own secrets, alienating her completely out. Ginny had given up being included in their plans a long time ago. Last year was just pure luck. That whole escapade in the Department of Mysteries had been intense and frightening, but secretly Ginny relished the idea of fighting again. That made her exclusion even more difficult to bear with a happy countenance. She shrugged. Whatever, at least I know one thing they have no idea about; vampires in Hogsmade, she thought to herself contently.