Sinister Charm and Deception
Chapter Seven
A/N: Well, I thank you all for reading this fanfic, and from this chapter on is where all the 'interesting' events start to unfold. Now, just to clear something up, I'm aware that every HP author portrays Ginevra with a main personality whether it's innocent, fiery, dark, etc., but the Ginny in my fic is 12, and therefore her personality will often reflect those of an average 12 year old girl…setting aside the fact that they may or may never have been possessed by the evil memory of Voldemort. So, Ginny's character will still have most of her innocence, curiosity and naivety left, (c'mon, she is still a child!) but at times she'll also be confident and fiery, and more "aware" than when she was 11. So don't be surprised if Ginny still acts a bit little. I believe the incident kind of helped her mature emotionally a bit imo.
Disclaimer: Oh, and I don't own any of the characters.
Drip. Drop. Drip. Drop.
Am I back in that terrible place again? Oh no, please don't let me wake up in that horrid Chamber once more! Ginny Weasley stirred, she back ached from the hard bricks that covered the floor. She could hear the faintest sound of water dripping, and the air smelled stale and full of decay. Yet, when she finally opened her eyes, her mind registered that she wasn't in the Chamber of Secrets. Her heartbeat calmed somewhat, yet it still wouldn't stop beating fast.
So where was she?
Sitting upwards, Ginny looked around the odd space she was in, and when she saw the familiar pattern of bricks and the lighted flame torches that stuck to the wall, she gasped. She was in a dungeon! And not just any dungeon either. Ginny was in the dungeon hallway that led to Potions. But everything looked more…new.
"This must be a different year…" Ginny muttered to herself. She held her robe close to her body, every exhale of her breath was actually visible in small white puffs.
"Greetings, little Ginny." A smooth voice called.
Turning her head, Ginny gasped and saw Tom Riddle standing silently near a corner not far away, leaning debonairly against a column. Ginny never recalled a column rooted there in that corner before on her way to first year potions, but she didn't really care about that now. Tom was looking calmly at her, one eyebrow raised in a questioning manner. He was in his Slytherin robes, his prefect badge gleaming in the dim corridor. A small smirk was plastered on his face. His hands seemed to be stroking something that was slowly moving around his neck.
It was a medium-sized green snake with patches of black and orchid scales. The snake was assessing her shrewdly, as if sizing her up---to determine if her arm or leg was tender enough for a bite. One peculiar thing that Ginny noticed while staring fearfully back at it was that one of the snake's eye was lemon-yellow, whole the other eye was demon-red. Both of them made the serpent look more intimidating.
Ginny's body reflexively backed away without her even knowing it. Seeing this, Tom grinned like a proud father. Of the snake that is.
Tom looked from the snake back to her a few times and finally spoke. "Oh, where are my manners?" His tone was mocking, satirical. He gestured to the snake and smiled at her.
"Ginny, behold. My new best friend, Ysen. He is a bit older than you, but yet still so playful!"
"What is this all about Tom?" Ginny asked unemotionally. "Where did you get that snake?"
Tom looked thoughtful, while the serpent around his neck made an odd noise that sounded like hissing laughter. "Well love, since you have made a new friend, I knew that you wouldn't need someone like me anymore, so I fancied myself a new friend as well. A friend who is reliable and trusting. And not," He emphasized, eyes narrowing, "someone who'll forget about their old friends just because someone new came along."
So this is what it's all about… Ginny resolved."Are you jealous Tom?" She unwisely blurted out. Her expression was of childlike curiosity.
"No…" He drawled out lowly, his face unreadable. "Jealous is too strong a word. Distraught is more like it." He added smiling mysteriously; stroking the snake tenderly on it's scales. Ysen purred.
A silence ensued. The serpent stared at Ginny, Ginny stared back at Ysen, and Tom stared at Ginny. Finally Tom, smirking, held the snake towards Ginny with a malevolent spark in his eyes. He knew she despised snakes. This ought to be interesting…
He specifically chose to have a snake with him in this dream to see how she would react, not because of some 'friend issue'. But so far, Ginny wasn't showing any signs of fright.
Which is quite a bother, since Tom wanted to have a little "fun" with her.
He decided that he should make the first move. Just to get the tape rolling. Ysen turned to him and hissed. That's when Tom got a marvelous idea.
"Hey, little Ginny, how would you like to hold him? I believe Ysen has taken a liking towards you." Tom grinned wickedly, a shadow crossing his features. He extended his arms, letting Ysen wrap himself around them and started closing the distance between him and his favorite little Gryffindor.
A whimper escaped Ginny's lips as she searched around for an exit out of the dungeon. But that was when she discovered that two solid walls have grown in, trapping her in the small confined space. The door was behind Tom, and it was impossible to make a run for it. He would just catch her.
Ysen's eyes gleamed with evil glee as Tom approached closer, less than 8 feet away. Tom was smirking cruelly as he tauntingly coaxed, "Aw Ginny, he only wants you to hold him. Is that too much? He won't bite---unless I say so." Leering viciously at her backed up against the wall, Tom walked closer still.
Ginny, her expression equivalent to a deer that has been caught in the headlights, let out a terrified yelp and ran to the farthest corner away from Tom and his dreadful play. She panted and kneeled, her hands supporting her weight as she swallowed the lump that has formed in her throat. What is he trying to do? Scare me? I am scared, couldn't he see that? I have to get away!
Finally finding her voice box, Ginny spoke in emotional duress, "D-don't try to get anywhere near me with tha-that thing!" She screeched hysterically, pointing at the hissing snake with her eyes wide.
Riddle stopped in his tracks looking extremely offended. Ysen sulked and buried his arrow-like head in Riddle's chest, an imitation of sobbing.
"Now that was a bit harsh, wasn't it love? Ysen is more than just a thing. He is a living-breathing creature like you and I. He just wants to be near you and you made him cry." Tom shook his head reprovingly at her.
"Now, let's try this again."
Tom walked from the corner she was backed against previously to the new one she had just ran towards, and smirked triumphantly as he had her successfully cornered; yet he was still about seven feet away.
Deciding to make this already fun game even more thrilling, Tom made a small amend in his plans. He wasn't going to force her to hold the snake. He was going to torment her by making her choose to willingly let herself hold the snake.
Oh, who knew how much fun it was to scare with a brave little Gryffindor?
Then again, she has never really been brave much. Tom thought as he crouched and held his arm out, wrist up. He hissed to Ysen in Parseltongue on what he wanted him to do. Ysen flicked his tongue, slowly nodding and slithered on the ground towards Ginny, not even caring if the floor was freezing.
Ginny was drowning in fear. Questions flew through her head. Why is Tom doing this me? I want him to stop it! This isn't funny! Why!
"Why, Ginny?" Tom caught the look of confusion in her eyes and sneered. "Because I want you to feel what I feel everyday in my heart. First there is fear, then it shall dissolve into sorrow, and finally, pain." He smiled; his half-lidded eyes have lost their greenness. They were now all sorts of colors. Every time he blinked, his pupils would turn from pale lavender, to maroon, and finally to red.
Ysen suddenly reared up and hissed, then resumed slithering towards Ginny at a faster pace. Ginny suddenly had the impression that Tom was the snake this time. She turned to look at Tom-
But he was nowhere to be seen.
Tom had vanished, and unfortunately, so did the door.
Ysen, or rather, Tom, flicked it's tongue again and opened it's mouth wide, four-lengthy needle-like fangs expanded, hissing aggressively.
It's going to bite me! I've never been bitten by a snake before! Ohhhh… Ginny screwed her eyes shut and held her trembling hands over them. Tom, please stop this! I didn't mean what I said to you about your blood before! I'm sorry! I'll never do it again!
"Is that a promise?"
A warm breath hit the side of her neck. Ginny gasped when she felt a cold hand grasp her shoulder while another gripped her arm.
"Tom?"
She didn't dare open her eyes for fear that she'll be met with the fearsome eyes of the snake; it's fangs within striking range. Her only answer was the grip on her shoulder and arm tightening somewhat.
"Y-yes." Ginny's voice came in a whining intonation.
She expected for him to release his grasp on her, but instead he slid them towards her wrist, grasping them and pulling them away from her eyes.
"Ginny, look at me. No, don't struggle or I shall never let you wake up. I have complete control over your dreams, love." He smirked maliciously at the glare in her eyes. Ah, yes. There was still some spunk left in her.
Ginny gulped and turned her head to the side, glancing at him.
"Now, let's test your bravery, shall we? Stand still Ginny." He instructed firmly.
Ginny was about to ask him what he was going to do, but then she felt something cold wrap around her left leg. She took in a sharp intake of breath, determined not to let tears fall. Now that she knew about his 'power' over her dreams she didn't dare step out of line. If she did, she may never regain consciousness again.
Tom grinned when he felt her form shudder under his spider-like fingers. Apparently little Ginny has never encountered a real snake before. Her mind had no definition of what a snake could truly be capable of. The farthest she could know about serpents are that they're reptiles and cold-blooded; some could be poisonous, while others may be threatening. After all, Ginny did see the Basilisk corpse that lay in the Chamber.
This might turn out to be beneficial for both of them; he could have his fun while she learns something.
Ginny's lips trembled as she prayed. Please let this be over soon. Please let this be over soon!
"Relax, sweetie." His words sounded so kind and compassionate. Yet they were betrayed by his tone, which sounded serious and devious. "The is for what you have said earlier to me. I cannot let you go without your retribution." He sounded so calm and callous. What did you expect? Tom Riddle to be nice? He is evil, Ginny, heartless!
"I'm sorry…" Ginny said, biting her lip when she felt Ysen slither around her waist, circling and then finally settling around her neck, teasingly flicking his tongue at her pulse point. Oh no, he is going to bite and poison me!
"Don't move, little Ginny. His venom is lethal. But you needn't worry about me ordering him to strike you, unless, of course, you provoke me, like how you did in the library…" He smirked, his breath still grazing the side of her cheek.
Panic started rising in Ginny again as she tried to wrench her wrists out of Tom's pressuring grasp that left nail marks on her soft skin. Tom chose to let her go nonetheless, smiling malevolently.
But he wasn't finished yet.
Saunter casually around her to face her terrified features, he reached hand up, as if about to strike at her, but instead he stroke Ysen's head.
Ginny was so frightened from all of this she was close to crying. A tear slides down her cheek, but the snake laps it up with its forked tongue. Tom, either out of mock sympathy or curiosity, tilts her chin up. "Are you cold little Ginny? You're knees are shaking you know."He says, a satisfied look on his face.
"Ysen, you have done well. You are dismissed."
Tom spoke in Parseltongue, and the snake hissed obediently and slowly slithered down Ginny and unto the ground then into a dark corner where it disappeared.
Remembering his question, Ginny nods yes, hoping that if she says what he wants her to say, he would go away and let her wake up.
That had the opposite desired effect.
Tom looked thoughtful at first, then a mischievous smile slowly spread across his face as he purred, "Well Gin, I know a method that could warm you up in seconds…"
Ginny's confused expression turned into one of disbelief and queasiness as the true meaning of Tom's words sank in. Tom pulled her closer and bending down, kisses her on the forehead. Feeling as though someone had put a hot damp towel on both of her cheeks, Ginny's heart beat faster and blood rushed to her ears.
To be honest, Ginny always wanted Harry to be the first boy to kiss her, so being kissed by someone else, even if this someone else is more charming than the Boy Who Lived, was sort of a disappointment. Still, the sensation made Ginny want to do the craziest thing, which was wring her small arms around the neck of the boy whom she had loathed ever since he betrayed her trust. Ginny blinked-
-and woke up in the library, her cheek resting against the cool surface of the table.
She quickly glanced at the clock and saw that it was nearly midnight. Ginny hastily hurried back to her dorm, running up the stairs and arriving at the portrait of the Fat Lady. She was snoring pretty loudly.
Ginny coughed.
The Fat Lady woke up with a start, and looked around drowsily. "Password?" She mumbled.
"Kayseillus."
Yawning, the Fat Lady swung open, and Ginny promptly walked in. The common room fire was still burning, though very dimly.
Whether if it was her imagination or not, Ginny thought she saw Tom sitting in one of those armchairs in front of the fire. She rubbed her eyes and stared into the fire, Tom's eyes burning freshly into her mind. She is supposing that the reason he isn't speaking to her now is because he is letting her have some peace after the traumatic dream.
Funny how cruel and merciless he could be one minute and "nice" he could be the next.
Or maybe that was because he was tired as well.
Yawning, Ginny climbed up the stairs to the girl's dormitory and quietly opened the door, careful not to wake anyone up.
Slipping in, she closed the door and walked towards her trunk. Ginny quietly changes and gets into bed. On the way, she notices that her new friend Chasity has some Dreamless Potion by her bedside table, and she takes a couple drops of it and fell into a dreamless slumber.
Poor Ginevra. Tom really is evil, isn't it? But then again no one can blame him for liking little Ginny, and no one can blame her for falling for his irresistable charms.
Next chapter: Riddle's Comtemplation
We finally get inside that calculating mind of Mr. Riddle as he thinks about his goals, his current situation and who could ever forget about his little princess?