Disclaimer: I own nothing. I've taken some excerpts from the HP books- but please don't sue. I am but a poor fanfiction writer…

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Previously:

"…Even if I was able to… contact the Dark Lord… what makes you believe that he would not hesitate to kill you on sight?" he asked delicately.

"He won't," Ginny said, with overwhelming confidence that was not her own. "He needs me."

/\\\

A Lingering Memory
Chapter Three: In The Common Room

"I grew powerful, far more powerful that little Miss Weasley. Powerful enough to start feeding Miss Weasley a few of my secrets, to start pouring a little of my soul back into her…"

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"As much as I would love to hand you over to the Dark Lord, Miss Weasley," Snape said truthfully, in a tone that clearly showed that there was nothing he would rather do more, "I, sadly, am not privileged with the knowledge of his whereabouts. In fact, no has known for 12 years. You have your boyfriend, Potter to thank for that."

Ginny held back a retort, and let the boyfriend comment slide. She knew it was in her best interest to hold her tongue.

The Potions Master swiftly walked back towards his chambers, only pausing under the threshold of the door. "Oh, and Miss Weasley… fifty points from Gryffindor. Good night." And with that, he disappeared from the corridor.

"No matter," Ginny mused as she walked back to the Common Room, "I'm sure someone else will prove to be… more helpful."

/\\\

"Did I do the right thing, Professor, getting rid of the diary?"

"Yes, Harry… you did the right thing. I believe Miss Weasley is confused, which is solely Tom Riddle's doing… I have no doubt that he told her all sorts of lies… Miss Weasley is a smart young witch, and I am sure that she will come to her senses."

"Thank you, sir…" said Harry, who felt as if a rather large weight had been lifted off his chest. "I think I'll go find her… let her know that we're here for her and all…". As he spoke, he grew more confident. "Yeah," he affirmed, "I'll do that."

"That would be most wise, Harry," Dumbledore commended, eyes twinkling again.

As Harry turned to leave, Dumbledore called out, "Oh, and Harry… well done with the basilisk."

Harry grinned in reply. His footsteps echoed down the stairs, and the door clicked shut.

Dumbledore sucked a Lemon Drop thoughtfully.

When Harry reached the portrait of the Fat Lady and entered the Common Room, all he saw was a flickering fire in the fireplace and empty chairs.

He eyed the staircase that led to the Boy's Dormitory warily. He wouldn't be surprised if Ron and the others had stayed up late waiting to pester him with questions he didn't particularly feel like answering.

That armchair by the fireplace was starting to look much more welcoming, now that he thought about it…

So he sat and stared at the dimly glowing coals. Thoughts crossed his mind as he drifted between realities, thoughts which involved a certain red headed girl.

/\\\

Ginny crept through the portrait, enveloped in the darkness. The only light was the soft glow from the fireplace. Her eyes drifted to the shadow who sat snoring in the armchair.

The person stirred, and turned over in his sleep. He mumbled something incoherent.

Ginny tiptoed over towards the mysterious figure. As she did, the mumbles grew more frantic and the he began to thrash wildly in the arm chair. She was peering over to see who it was, when suddenly his eyes flew open in terror.

She still could not make out the outline of his face, but his green eyes gave him away.

Harry didn't appear to notice her, however, as he fell from the chair to the floor and began to writhe in silent pain, clutching his forehead as if it would fall off. Instinctively, Ginny knew he was holding his scar.

Ginny watched with morbid fascination as the minutes ticked by, and Harry continued to wriggle on the floor and holding back his screams. And, as abruptly as he had starting thrashing, his body went limp and still.

Now that the excitement was over, Ginny became aware of her surroundings. Looking around to make sure that no one had seen, she walked away from Harry's motionless body and up to her dormitory without look back.

/\\\

In the morning, Ginny woke up, showered, got dressed, and ate breakfast as normal. It was crucial to her plan that no one realized anything was out of the ordinary.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the Slytherin table.

Or more specifically, Draco Malfoy.

/\\\

AN: sorry it took me so long to update, my computer's been acting up and my internet's been down. I almost died. And then I've been taking care of my poor mother when she was sick… but I don't want to make any excuses…

Anyway, I have a pretty clear idea of where this is going and it's coming along all right. Reviews always make me work harder, though!

Once an author's story got a flame

It was his fault, he got the blame

He deleted his fic, writer's block made him sick,

And his writing was never the same.