Ginny and Dolohov returned from the hospital wing, to be met with a raging party in the Slytherin Common Room. Ginny was jostled from person to person, congratulatory pats on the back and loud-mouthed declarations of love by some of her more eccentric housemates kept her from finding Tom in the crowd. She wondered where he went, but her musings fell away when their Head of House entered the room grandly, followed by two tall wizards, one wearing long quidditch robes Ginny recognized as belonging to the Chudley Cannons of this time.
"Miss Wesley, Mr. Dolohov. This is Marcus Gordley the Coach for the Chudley Cannons and Daniel Raffet from the Daily Prophet," Professor Slughorn introduced. "They were very impressed with the game."
The coach addressed Ginny in particular as he spoke. "We just wanted to be the first to congratulate you on your win and express our eagerness at seeing the rest of your games this year. You and Mr. Dolohov are quite the pair and led by one of the damn finest chasers we've ever seen in Mr. Riddle," Gordley said. Ginny nodded faintly, not appreciating the attention. She didn't crave it like she used to and nothing was going to change that, she was sure. Had this happened in her day, she'd have been chatting away with this coach, eager and excited for the particular address, but now it only made her cringe.
She stayed glued to Dolohov's side, gripping his sleeve with one hand. He would be the only one to notice and he was one person she didn't mind hiding behind, because he would make up for anything she lacked, because he was... a true friend. She shivered at that, knowing all the horrible, terrible things he would do in the future, all the nasty, depraved acts he would perform.
"We've been told this is your first year on a broom?" the coach continued, getting quite close to her. Ginny became increasingly uncomfortable as a camera flashed in her face. All she could see were lights, red and green flying all around her, striking friends and enemies alike, taking those she loved from her, those she would never get back. Memories flooded from all sides and she couldn't filter them out. She couldn't respond though she was sure they were staring at her, waiting for a response. She wasn't there though. She was lost in her nightmares, in her worst memories. She kept her feet beneath her, but only just as the urge to bolt became overwhelming, nausea overcoming her.
Ginny felt a hand come over her shoulders and was pulled back into someone's side, instantly grounded. She looked up at Tom and relief swelled within her, his face banishing all the earth-shattering memories, and easing the knot in her chest. "That's our Gin. She's a natural," Tom said, meeting the man's eyes directly.
"As are you young man. The way you command the field..."
"I have different things in mind for my future than quidditch and I believe Gin Wesley does as well, not that I'd ever get away with speaking for her, would I Gin?" he asked softly.
"No, not in my plans right now, but I appreciate your kind words and that you came to see our match," she said, forcing much more enthusiasm into her voice than she really felt in the moment.
"I see. Professor Slughorn has told us great things about you. If you ever do begin to see it as a part of your future, please be sure to let us know," the coach grinned, though there was a bitterness in his expression. He obviously was not used to being dismissed so easily.
"I apologize for being so abrupt with you but I would really like to speak with my seeker here. If you'll excuse us," Tom said with that small, contagious smile of his that seemed to appease everyone around him. Both men nodded in understanding. He led Ginny away, leaving Antonin to appease Professor Slughorn's need to meddle in the lives of all of his students.
"Thank you," Ginny said, nodding to a group of sixth years raising their cups of butterbeer to her and grinning broadly.
"Feeling better?" he asked.
"Much," she replied softly, glancing about shiftily. "Quidditch," she let out in a sigh with a small chuckle. Tom gave her a charming grin.
"Seems so meaningless when one looks at the big picture doesn't it?" Tom asked, keeping his arm around her securely as if he somehow understood her need for it.
"Maybe we need a little more light-hearted meaninglessness in our lives. It makes you happy doesn't it? When you're on that pitch… Don't you feel free?" she asked. He smiled slightly, nodding.
"I suppose you're right," Tom agreed.
He nodded to the third year who was handing out goblets of pumpkin juice, cider, and butterbeer and took a cup of pumpkin juice, knowing it was her favorite and pushing it into Ginny's hand. He gave her another distant smile and she nodded in thanks, taking a long drink of the deliciously sweet concoction. It reminded her of home and not the painful, hellish home she had come from but of the Burrow before the war, before Hogwarts even, reminded her of her mother making it especially for her, her only one sweet baby girl. She would curl up in her mum's arms and her mother would read to her some nonsensical story. What it was about didn't matter because her mummy was there and nothing would ever harm her.
She felt tears in her eyes again, an intense longing to see her mother again, but she controlled her tears. She'd become an expert at that. It just seemed that there were so few things that were truly worth crying about anymore. She'd see her mother again and even though she'd be all grown up, she'd make sure that the other Ginevra Weasley, the Ginevra Weasley of the next generation would live the kind of life that she so craved.
She realized she was being sat on a couch and blushed, hoping she wasn't irritating Tom by being so lost. She wasn't even paying attention to her surroundings. He finally relinquished his grip on her shoulders, but he sat beside her and his proximity was enough. She took a small sip of her pumpkin juice and leaned forward, with her forearms resting on her knees. She stared into the fire, her red hair falling over her shoulders, shadowing her face.
"Tom! A picture to remember the greatest game of quidditch ever played!?" a boy shouted and for some reason this shout broke through her stupor. Tom was smiling and when she looked up at him she couldn't help but smile as well. It truly was infectious and seeing him happy made her happy.
"Antonin, Septimus, oi, come on now!" the boy, Todd Graves, called waving them over. Professor Slughorn of course couldn't keep himself from joining. Ginny felt Tom's hand wrap around her own and gasped in surprise, but he was pulling her to her feet already and Professor Slughorn had placed a hand on her shoulder. Antonin stood over her shoulder, hovering in an ever-protective way and the other guys joined, Trevor and Dane of course side by side, Dane grabbing his best friend in a friendly hug. Septimus and Dave lurked behind, situated over Tom and Trevor's shoulders.
"Do you still have the snitch Gin?" Todd asked, excitedly. She frowned, realizing she'd not kept it. Tom held it out of course and Ginny smiled up at him, reaching out with her free hand and taking it in a tight grip, holding it up triumphantly. The light was nearly blinding. A roar went up from the packed common room, at least half the Slytherin house probably making it into the picture as well.
"Brilliant, simply brilliant!" cried Professor Slughorn, exuberantly.
"Antonin, kitchens?" Tom asked, his voice very soft.
"Mh," Antonin nodded his acquiesence. Ginny sat down, a bit crestfallen that her two friends were-
"Unless Gin has other plans," Tom said, with humor in his tone.
"Oh, I didn't... right," Ginny mumbled, standing again.
"Think she got knocked a bit in the head," Antonin said, his voice jesting though few would be able to distinguish it from his normal tone.
"It would appear so, thinking we'd leave her to these monsters. I do believe she does not see us as the true gentlemen that we are," Tom said. Ginny rolled her eyes smoothing out her mangled Slytherin sweater. She banished her Slytherin robes with a flick of her wand and followed Tom from the common room stealthily, Antonin right on her heels.
"Tom, should be be out here? I know you're head boy and all, but... that muggleborn boy was petrified by something... and Professor Du-the professors say they don't know what," Ginny said, feigning slightly edginess as she glanced around. Tom shook his head.
"Don't worry about filth like that Ginny. He probably deserved what he got, coming into this school thinking he is-"
"Tom! Don't talk like-"
"It's just the truth," Tom shrugged. "I don't think we need to be worrying about what is out there. If we do come across it, which is unlikely, who better to face it than us?" he questioned cockily. Ginny scowled, crossing her arms.
"Still, you know I don't like when you talk like that," Ginny muttered. Tom didn't respond and they sunk into a slightly tense silence.
"Ginny, what do you want to do after Hogwarts?" Antonin asked. Ginny started, looking over her shoulder at him. Antonin wasn't usually the curious type and he very rarely asked questions, direct ones at least. He walked up beside her and Tom looked intently at her as well. She smiled slightly.
"Didn't know that you two were so interested," Ginny chuckled.
"How could we not be? We graduate this year," Tom said.
"Besides, apparently you're a magical genius. Slughorn told Tom about your OWL marks," Antonin said.
"Magical genius," Ginny muttered, rolling her eyes once more. "How ridiculous. Wait, OWLs? I actually hadn't seen those results. They're in?"
"Slughorn has had them for weeks," Antonin told her helpfully.
"Seriously?" she demanded, very irritated that he'd not told her anything about it.
"I'll remind him that you haven't received the results tomorrow," Tom assured her.
"How'd I do?" she asked, vaguely remembering the day she'd sat them. It had been a long and tiresome Saturday, an easy distraction from her pain. She understood why Hermione liked learning so much now. Compartmentalizing things made it easier and books rarely caused her to remember her past. She had assumed she had done alright, but really hadn't thought much of it.
"Ridiculously high scores for a student without formal training," Tom commented, raising an eyebrow. He was thinking again, thinking too much about her story. Damn... inquisitive... infuriating Slytherin heir.
"Well, don't keep me in suspense Tom, tell me what I got!" Ginny didn't try to hide her irritation.
"Oustandings in Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Potions, Transfiguration, and Divination of all things,. Then Exceeds in Muggle Studies, Astronomy, and Arithmancy," Tom said, coolly. Ginny balked. Seven Outstandings and three exceeds? Had she really been that stupid? What had she been thinking actually doing well?
"I-er-I guess Dumbledore must have... er... I don't know how..." Ginny trailed off.
Tom's stern expression suddenly broke and a smile dawned on his features. "I will figure you out Ginette Wesley. You are an enigma to be sure," Tom said, good-naturedly. Ginny kept her head down, wondering how she'd even managed those marks. Honestly, she'd only gotten five outstandings when she'd taken it a few years before and she'd had two exceeds. How had she...? The standards were lowered! Of course they were, the more the magical world advanced, the more the standards for the students advanced! What a dolt!? She knew that. That was why her classes seemed easier now. They literally were.
Antonin was the one to tickle the pear and they entered a moment later, Ginny trying to figure out some way to recover, but there was nothing. She was beginning to think that this was something that would be better left alone.
She was soon overwhelmed by house elves, but Tom had them dispatched in short order. They were back in moments with platters of sandwiches. Ginny took a small sandwich and nodded her thanks, seating herself with her two friends, true friends... but for how long. She swallowed her pessimism and stared at the sandwich in her hand, resting her chin in her hand, lost in dark thoughts.
She was going to have to stand up to him sometime or other and none of these small admonishments about being anti-muggleborn and nonsense. She was just afraid because... she really cared about him, them, both of them. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Tom looking at her worriedly. "Eat, you're too thin," he said, his voice deep and serious.
Ginny shook her head, her long hair falling about her face, a tangled horrid mess, not that she cared. She set the sandwich down. "Would we be friends, Tom?" she asked softly, distracted by her thoughts.
"What are you on about now Quidditch star?" Tom chuckled, placing his hand atop her head and ruffling her hair slightly.
"I feel like I'll never really understand you, either of you. You hate muggleborns, but... I don't see why. I could have very well been a muggleborn. I was raised as such. Weren't you as well?" she asked, looking at him, with true tears glittering in her eyes. "I mean, hating muggles I might understand, avoiding them whenever possible, but muggleborns are in the same situation we are. They came from nothing and had to work their way into the wizarding world just like y-"
"Do not compare me to them!" Tom's voice was dark, too dark. She was treading on dangerous ground.
"Why? They're wizards as are we!" Ginny argued.
"Oh shove it Gin," Dolohov said gruffly. She glared at him fiercely around Tom's back a look that he was of course immune to. "No one wants to hear that nonsense. They bring dirty muggle blood into these halls and if they were all run out it would be best for everyone else. It threatens the security of the entire wizarding world. Disgusting, dirty parents threatening to go to the media, threatening to tell and actually doing so leaving the ministry to clean up their mess," Dolohov ranted.
"It's not the muggleborn's fault if their parents react in such a way!" Ginny said standing. Dolohov stood as well. A loud bang shook both wizards. Tom's fist had come down onto the table.
"That is enough, both of you," he said, his voice a deep, terrifying hiss. Ginny growled, sitting down heavily and crossing her arms, refusing to eat or speak to either of them.
"Someday you'll understand what Antonin is talking about Ginny," Tom said, the name sending a jolt through her entire being. She had another terrible flash behind her eyes and could practically feel their hands on her, the death eaters, pulling her to the ground, then their spells, the crucio, the pain... She stood sharply again, her heart pounding heavily. She turned from them, ignoring the slightly frightened house elves. A hand wrapped around her wrist and she was halted immediately.
"Ginny," Tom said, his voice much softer than before.
"Don't call me that name, ever again" she grumbled, pulling her arm away sharply. "Do not follow me Antonin," she snapped, not looking back as she left the kitchens, her high from the quidditch game now gone. She found herself at the Gryffindor Tower before she knew it and groaned. Of course she'd end up there. She rolled her eyes at herself, turning away from the portrait of the fat lady and letting out a deep breath, attempting to collect herself. She leaned against the wall and swallowed hard. She heard footsteps below and disillusioned herself swiftly. Of course Tom would send him... and Antonin would follow his orders. She watched him blunder up the stairs then continue on past, of course not even noticing the fat lady's portrait or guessing what was behind it.
She watched him continue on without hesitation, crossing her arms. He hesitated before her, but continued on after a moment.
"It would appear Dolohov's not very good at recognizing an illusionary charms, eh?" a voice said from halfway down the corridor. She turned sharply, wand held in a steady hand at the speaker.
"Oh come on, I'm not going to attack you!" the guy raised his hands, his grey eyes sparkling with humor.
"Alec? What are you..." she trailed off, realizing what a stupid question that was. He was probably headed to his dormitory. "I-sorry you startled me."
"I didn't think the quidditch goddess could be startled by anything!" he laughed, walking forward as she lowered her illusionary spell and her wand.
"Sorry to startle you. I didn't think anyone would be wandering the hallways this evening, especially not someone like you. Shouldn't you be celebrating?" he asked, his handsome face breaking into an even wider smile. "You really were spectacular."
"Er... thanks. I thought you Gryffindors hated it when a Slytherin player was good," she frowned at his kindness. In her time there wasn't this sort of friendliness between any Gryffindors and Slytherins at all. He however, was talking to her with all the appearance of an old friend.
"Walk and talk?" Alec suggested. Ginny nodded and they set off for nowhere really.
"Our team's pretty strong as well. I'm glad we'll have a good match. It's always exciting to face Tom on the pitch. He hates when I block his beautiful shots, thinks that there's no way a muggleborn could actually be good at something," Alec chuckled.
"You're a muggleborn?" Ginny asked. Alec regarded her for a few long moments seriously, before inclining his head, his silvery hair falling in his eyes pretty eyes.
"I am," he said, his voice steady and sure.
"I was raised by muggles," Ginny explained as they turned into the next corridor, heading for the stairs that led down to the fifth floor. They went straight past the sixth for some reason.
"And you're in Slytherin?" he questioned, casting her a sidelong glance. He opened a doorway and she stepped through with a soft 'thank you', not quite used to the chivalry of the era.
"I'm the product of two standup purebloods who didn't want a daughter," Ginny said with a distant smile. Alec kept his distance, but there was sympathy in his eyes.
"I've finally found where I belong though, don't go feeling sorry for me," she chuckled.
"With Tom?" he questioned, disbelievingly. Ginny stiffened.
"Sorry. Sorry. I'm sounding like Felton aren't I?" He scratched the back of his head, shrugging apologetically.
"Don't worry about it," Ginny muttered, sighing.
"You really like him though?"
"He's a good friend," Ginny said. "Once you get past the fact that he's a bit opinionated that is..."
"Right, like he hates anyone who was born to non-magical people," Alec muttered, but she left that one alone.
"You're really good at Potions I hear tell," Alec said.
"I do alright," Ginny shrugged.
"Well, you're one of the best in all of our combined classes. If someone was going to give Septimus and Tom a run for his money, it'd be you," Alec said.
"What are you...?"
"I just think it might be nice for someone to knock him off his academic pedestal," Alec shrugged. "Even if it is his own best friend."
"That's ridiculous. I'm no where near-"
"Ten times better actually," Alec smiled endearingly. She stepped back as it sent a strange shiver through her. He really was good looking. She blushed, wondering where that thought had come from. She crossed her arms once more as her stomach churned uncomfortably.
"I know Tom doesn't like my kind, that Tom doesn't like Felton as well, but it would be nice if you were to give us a chance. I really like you and I know Fel does as well. Poppy keeps asking about you, but she's too afraid to talk to you, because she's a half-born and Tom looks down on them as well," Alec said, seriously. Ginny looked to the side abashed.
"Does everyone know about Tom's prejudice?" she asked, softly. She bit her lip nervously.
"Not the teachers and oftentimes not even some of the students, but we're not all blind Gin," Alec said, a keenness in his eyes that told her that he was not one to miss such things.
"Anyways, why were you hiding from Dolohov?" he asked, interested.
"I wasn't... not really," she sighed lying easily. "There was a reporter in our common room. I'm sure he wants to make sure I get back down there. Slughorn probably sent him."
Alec chuckled. "Slughorn can be a bit pushy, eh. I would've thought he'd send Septimus though. He's more your mate isn't he?"
"Septimus is a bit too... Slytherin for my taste nowadays," Ginny muttered.
"Haha, says the girl who is friends with the Prince of Slytherin," Alec said bowing grandly, a grin on his handsome features. Ginny found she couldn't contain the smile that tugged at her lips which he seemed pleased with.
Her smile dropped in an instant when she a hissing voice reached her ears from the darkness. Alec began to speak, but she leapt forward, covering his mouth with her hand and holding him against the wall. He looked down at her in confusion. She looked around carefully, nervously with a wand clutched in her hand.
"Kill... devour their flesh... kill them all," a voice echoed. She shivered, looking around to see where they'd gotten to. They had been walking for too long and were too far away from the Gryffindor Common Room. Her hands shook as she remembered the last time she'd heard this voice, the last time she could feel the magic of the basilisk as it slithered through the pipes of the school.
"Dark Magic... very dark," she whispered. She waved her wand with her free hand and two mirrors appeared. She caught them both, pressing one into Alec's hands. "Don't look at anything except through the mirror and if you see any movement, close your eyes right away." They were on the same floor as Dumbledore's office.
"Gin... what-"
"Just trust me okay?" Ginny whispered as quietly as possible, pulling him down the hall by his sleeve. "Did you hear what happened to that boy?"
"Jeffrey? Everyone did," Alec said.
"It's about to happen again," she said, stopping and placing her hand on the wall. She pressed her ear to it. The voice was getting farther away. She would rather leave Alec here, but that would leave him an easy target. She tried to weigh the pros and cons of leaving him behind, but then realized how Slytherin she was being. She sighed, grabbing Alec by the hand.
"Gin, you're beginning to scare me," Alec said. She glanced back at him.
"Mirror Alec! You need to believe me. I need to get you back to the Gryffindor Common Room," Ginny said. The voice was coming back. Her heartbeat picked up. She broke into a sprint, careful to check around corners with her mirror before moving forward again. She could practically taste the magic of the young basilisk: so dark, so powerful. A shiver ran through her and she realized quite acutely that the smell of her blood which was dried upon her uniform would only serve to lure the damn basilisk to her. They were close now, heading up the staircase towards the fat lady.
"How did you know where-"
"Later!" she snapped. "You're a prefect right?" He nodded mutely. "Then get in there right now and keep any and all students from leaving, got that?"
"Come inside with me," Alec snapped, catching hold of her hand tightly, as she turned to go back down the stairs.
"I'll be fine Alec," Ginny said, irritated that he wasn't listening to her. She looked the open staircase area over with her mirror carefully.
"I'm not leaving you out here if it's dangerous!" Alec argued. She shoved him hard.
"I can easily cast a memory charm on you. Is that what you want?" she demanded. "Go inside and keep quiet about this, got it?" Ginny snapped.
Alec stared at her surprised. She growled, turning on her heel and running down the stairs, willing them to change as soon as she'd stepped foot on them. Alec of course, being the Gryffindor he was and therefore unable to leave well enough alone, attempted to follow her, but the staircase was out of his reach before he could get to the staircase. She could hear the voice. She ran through the hallways, banishing the mirror, on her way towards the dungeons. The hissing voice became more and more bloodthirsty, sending a chill through her entire body. She felt utterly nauseous, desperate to stop him, to keep him from hurting people, from killing them, because if she couldn't she knew what she had to do and she didn't want to do it. She didn't want to be the one to... She turned a corridor and saw a boy walking down the hall, looking around edgily.
"Bloody idiot, you're really a Ravenclaw?" she demanded. "Get to bed. Didn't you hear about that Morris boy. The halls are dangerous at night!" she snapped.
"Who are you to talk?" the boy demanded, through the darkness. She stepped forward, lighting her wand swiftly and settling her nastiest glare upon the younger student, probably a fifth or sixth year. He stepped back in surprise upon the realization that it was Tom's girl as she was referred to behind her back. She wasn't actually as oblivious to that fact as everyone thought.
"Sorry, Wesley... I didn't know that it was-"
"Get to your dorm, it's dangerous," she whispered sincerely, stepping forward and placing a hand on the boy's shoulder, not caring that he cringed slightly before looking up at her, surprised at the swift change of demeanor on her part.
"Right," he nodded. He disappeared into the darkness and she followed a bit behind, hoping that her proximity would keep the basilisk away. She felt the chill of the castle seeping into her bones as she turned from the Ravenclaw common room, the voice still whispering through the halls.
Ginny drew her wand, drawing a deep breath. "Expecto Patronum," she whispered, a brilliant light bursting forth from her wand, a horse. Sweat beaded down her face with the effort it took for such a complicated, well-developed patronus. "Tell him," she ordered. The patronus knew the words. It wasn't some kind of recording device one sent from place to place.
She shook with what she could only define as fear. She could easily face a front of five death eaters alone, but the idea of facing her greatest childhood fear was proving to be too much. She slowed to a halt, staring at the ground as she felt something move behind her, a familiar sound of leathery skin on stone floors. A hard swallow and sudden inspiration was enough to gather the courage for her to do what she was about to do. She took off running and felt herself being pursued.
"Good," she thought, darkly. She came upon the familiar bathroom that had belonged to Moaning Myrtle in her day. She was going to make damn certain that Moaning Myrtle never existed. She grabbed the sink, steeling herself for something that she had never even thought she'd have the courage to do, to even attempt. She kept her eyes closed, the slimy beast coming towards her still.
Ginny stood straight, removing her hands from the sink, letting them fall lifelessly to her sides, right hand barely keeping its grip on her wand. "Tom!" she shouted as loud as she was possibly able. Her yell echoed through the bathroom deafeningly and no doubt through the chambers below. Her magic flowed from her, shattering the mirrors in the room and blowing through the stalls, sending wood flying. She snapped her eyes open and rather than use the voice that he once gave her, the voice that would stop the beast she raised her head, face set with fierce determination as she looked its reflection dead in the eye. This may be the stupidest plan she could have thought up, she told herself before her whole body seized and those yellow eyes practically turned her to stone.
