From last chapter…
Harry was about to explode with rage when he felt Tom lift the silencing spell. He fixed Riddle with a deadly glare before shouting furiously, "Whatever it is – you won't get away with it. You have all these witnesses and they'll all know that you abducted Ginny!"
"On the contrary, my boy." Tom stopped his pacing and kneeled in front of Harry, making sure that he had the Boy-Who-Lived's full attention. "Everyone here," he gestured to the immobilized guests with his hand, "will believe what I want them to. Only you, Harry Potter, will bear the burden of the truth."
Harry didn't get a chance to figure out what Tom has meant by that before he was clubbed over the head. The last thing he saw was a crying Ginny being led away. He struggled to keep his eyes open, and he watched as his Ginny mouthed two words to him before he fell into unconsciousness.
"Forgive me."
Chapter 3: Awakenings
In his dream, Harry was underwater. His movements felt slow and surreal, and the concept of time – along with his worries and troubles slipped away like sand slipping through fingers. The waters encasing him was murky, and yet comforting. He looked around, and finding nothing of interest, felt calm. For the first time in months – maybe years, actually – Harry was not worried about one thing or another. He merely drifted back and forth, and enjoyed thinking about nothing at all.
Tick, tick, tick
Harry turned his head around, in a vain attempt to locate the source of the sound. He idly wondered what would make that sound – though, the ticking did sound vaguely familiar.
Tick, Tick, Tick
Confused, Harry shook his head – as if he was trying to remember something. He tried to maintain his calm, even as he was filled with a sudden of dread and blind urgency. Well, now he's just angry at how quickly this carefree feeling is slipping away. It seems like everything good in his life is slipping through his fingers, like, just like…
TICK, TICK, TICK
Harry awoke to the worried faces of Ron and Hermione.
"He's awake!" A relieved sounding Ron announced to the rest of his family, who all bustled into the Burrow's living room. Hermione ignored the commotion and moved to Harry's side, "how are you feeling?" She asked worriedly.
"Gin..ny. We have to go save Ginny!" Harry managed to get out. Everyone only stared at him with glassy eyes, while Hermione tried to calm him down. "Harry, please, you have to calm down…"
"Calm down! How can I calm down when Ginny's been abducted by Riddle!" Harry erupted, as he shook Hermione's comforting hand on his arm.
"Abducted by Ridd-?... Look, Harry, I know this is rough for you, but….I think the letter will explain everything." Ron interjected, placing one firm hand on Harry while handing him a note with his other hand.
Harry was too angry to argue, and ripped the parchment from Ron's hand without another word.
Dear Harry,
I know it won't really matter what I say right now, but no matter what, I never intended to hurt you. I do hope that you will allow me some time to figure things out on my own. To Mum, Dad, and the rest of the family – I love you all; please allow me the time to find out my own path.
All my love,
Ginny
As he read the note, his face turned from anger to horror to sheer disbelief – he didn't even notice that he sat back down onto the couch. He looked up and prayed desperately that it was some sort of joke, but the eerie silence in the room told him everything he needed to know.
"This can't be…it just can't…it looks like Ginny's writing, but I saw him take her…I saw it with my own two eyes!" Harry looked to his best friends and silently pleaded with them to believe him. However, all he saw in Ron and Hermione's eyes were pity and sorrow. Feeling his heart drop to the bottom of his stomach, his eyes turned to the Grandfather clock sitting on the mantel.
Tick, tick, tick
The golden hand that represented Ginny sat immobile, and it pointed to "lost."
TBC
A/N: So sorry this took so long, and also for the short length of this chapter! I'm actually not too happy with this chapter, but I wanted to post something. Once I get around to chapter 4, I'll probably revise this one as, as well. For those readers who have commented and also placed "Reunited" on story alert, thank you so much! I really hope this is something that you enjoy! I really don't know how I want this to end yet, because I'm really feeling sorry for Harry right now. Don't worry, all the confusion and questions from this chapter will be answered in chapter 4, when we get to Tom and Ginny's point of view.
Once again, thanks for reading! And please review - I love to hear what you have to say (especially since I'm not sure where I want this story to go.)
