Chapter 2

Isolation

Ginny awoke the next morning to the sound of Severus Snape's voice.

"Make sure she has two drops of this, on the tip of her tongue, every hour. She'll be better by tomorrow afternoon and will be able to continue with her lessons. Make sure she doesn't get bombarded by visitors, family only."

"Of course Professor." Madam Pomfrey replied dryly. She took the potion over to Ginny and said, "Tongue out please."

Ginny shook her head; she didn't want to take a potion she knew nothing about. Even if a teacher had made it.

"Don't be silly, Miss Weasley. It will help you recover much faster than anything Madam Pomfrey can provide." Severus said in an unusually soft voice.

"But, what is it?" Ginny asked her voice raspy from the attack.

"It's a healing potion that I've altered to prevent scarring. It also works three times faster and tastes like honey and ice cream." He replied sweetly.

Why is he being so kind to me? Ginny thought to herself. She stared at him trying to decide whether to take the potion or not.

"Okay, I'll take it." She looked for Madam Pomfrey, but she had bustled off to a patient loudly vomiting.

Severus walked over to her bedside table and picked up the potion.

"Tongue out please, Miss Weasley." He said. She thrust her tongue out obediently and he carefully let two drops fall onto the tip.

"There it wasn't so bad, was it?" He whispered as he sealed the vial of potion.

"No it wasn't…" Ginny paused. "May I ask you a question Professor?"

"You may." His eyebrow arched with curiosity.

"Is it normal to feel so alive after an attack like this? I mean… It sounds silly but, I wanted to die. I still want to die so I can forget what happened in the chamber. After the attack though I feel as if I'm stronger than before. Like there is something inside of me willing me to live. I thought it was adrenaline, but that has worn off." She watched him as she waited for him to answer. She could see confusion in his eyes.

"Well…. I wouldn't know, because there has never been an attack like this before. I am actually surprised that you survived. You are a very lucky young woman. Don't worry about anything now. Just rest and get better. I want you back in my classroom as soon as possible and I expect your work to be up to your normal standard." Severus paused, he wanted to say something more reassuring, but thought better of it and left.

Ginny watched him leave, she felt more confused than before. She knew something was different, her body felt healthier than ever, even though she was still healing. She just wished someone could explain it to her. She was frightened that he was inside her again. Waiting for the right time to posses her and make her do horrible things again. At least the basilisk was dead. What could be worse than that?

Ginny rolled onto her side and watched everyone in the hospital wing. None of them looked genuinely sick and they kept sending curious glances her way. She felt a sudden surge of hatred towards them.

I wish they would go gawk at some other freak! She thought to herself. She felt heat rise up from her insides.

"STOP LOOKING AT ME YOU WORTHLESS WANKERS!" She screamed, picking up her wand. She sent curses flying in every direction. She didn't care who she hit anymore. She just wanted to share her pain.

Everything went black, just the way she liked it.

Severus ran back towards the hospital wing. All he could hear was screaming and crying. He surveyed the wreckage and was reminded of The Dark Lord. Everything reeked of dark magic. He looked over to Ginny's bed and saw her hanging limply over the edge her wand still clutched in her hand.

"What has happened Severus?" Albus Dumbledore asked as he walked over to madam Pomfrey.

"I am unsure, headmaster. It appears Miss Weasley is responsible for the curses, but how could she have the energy for such magic after her ordeal? It is most curious."

"Most curious, indeed. Wake her please, Severus."

"Of course." He replied as he obediently walked over to the young witch.

"Rennervate."

She awoke kicking and screaming.

"Leave me alone!" She cried desperately, before she had even opened her eyes.

Severus just waited for her to calm herself and open her eyes. He looked her over, she seemed annoyed. Only annoyed and she used dark magic? Where did she learn these spell? You wouldn't find them in books at Hogwarts!

She opened her eyes slowly and took in the scene before her. She smiled, That will teach them!

The she looked up at her potions master. He was looking her over with his eyebrows furrowed. Something was different with her. He could see that now. Something else had happened that night and he knew The Dark Lord had meant for it to happen.

"What have you done, Ginevra?" He asked, disappointment dripping from his voice.

She broke into tears and started clawing at her flesh.

"Help me, please!" She cried. "He's inside of me! He's going to kill me. Oh, please help me!"

Albus and Severus looked at each other. The girl was in need of serious help.

"Severus, a word please." The elder wizard directed him to the corner of the room.

"We cannot let anyone see her like this. I believe she really does think Voldemort is inside her. Either the events from the chamber have addled her brains or something else happened when she was attacked. What are your thoughts Severus?"

"We can't put her is St Mungo's. It is too dangerous to her and others. I think he may have plans for her. He gave me orders to watch over her. We cannot allow her contact with students, for fear of this happening again. This is most disturbing, she is so young." Severus looked over at her. She was rocking herself, her wand still clutched in her hand.

"You are correct, we must isolate her. It seems you must have contact with her though. We want Voldemort to think he is getting what he wants. I will transform one of the dungeons as a dormitory of sorts for her. She will continue lessons using teacher's notes. I will see her everyday and hopefully I can correct what has happened to her. You may see her whenever you need to, but she will not be able to leave on her own. It's the best we can do until we figure out what has happened to her. I will also tell her family, although I will leave you out of it." He chuckled at his last remark.

"Of course, thank you headmaster."

Severus helped Madam Pomfrey clean up the hospital wing before heading to his office. He sat behind his desk and put his head in his hands. He sat still for what seemed years. He raised his head at a small pop sound.

"Master awaits." Said the elf.