CHAPTER TEN: TRAPPED

HENRY FELL unconscious not long after the two strangers assaulted him. When he finally awoke, he was in a dismal chamber, in what he could only assume was a cave of some sort. He stood up and hit his head on the ceiling; these people were not trying to be hospitable.

He heard a voice coming from somewhere close by, the voice of someone very angry. Hoping to uncover any information at all, he sat silently listening to the conversation.

"But we captured the boy, my Lord—"

"Where is the GIRL?"

"She wasn't there, my Lord, but rest assured we will—"

"SHE is more important than that idiot of a mudblood-traitor! GO FIND HER!"

Pause. "Yes, my Lord."

Henry heard footsteps coming in his direction and pretended to still be asleep on the floor, opening his eyes just enough to see the man passing by. He was one of the men who had attacked him, but now he wasn't hiding his face with a mask. He had greasy black hair and a permanent scowl on his lips, causing Henry to shudder with recollection. He could feel that this man was evil, that he knew him before and had experienced his unpleasantness.

The next person to pass by was much younger, the second person who had captured Henry. He too was very recognizable, and he stopped in front of Henry's cell, smirking.

"Too bad the little Weasel doesn't remember anything," he said, almost laughing. "If he did, we could torture him to get information."

"Come, Zabini," the first man said commandingly.

Zabini scowled and turned to leave. "I do believe, Professor Snape, that you do not enjoy my company."

The first man scowled, but did not turn. "Not at all, Mr. Blaise. Now, come!"

Blaise Zabini rolled his eyes and followed Snape down the corridor. Henry sat up, staring at where they had been, letting memories flood his mind.

They were both from school. What school he did not know, but Snape had been a teacher there and Zabini another student. As he envisioned them in his mind, he often saw Mark with Zabini, confirming everything he had been suspicious of.

Mark was trying to kill Melanie.

Yes, he was trying to kill Henry as well, but that was hardly important.

Melanie would not die.

The first voice he heard, asking about 'the girl', had no doubt meant Melanie. The voice had sent chills up his spine, causing him to shake in fear. This voice was pure evil, unlike Snape who was only partly evil. He obviously wanted both him and Melanie dead, but Henry didn't know what for. He wished their names had been said, to give him just one more trigger to delve into his lost memories. Zabini had called him 'Weasel'. He guessed it was supposed to be a demeaning nickname of some sort, but he had a feeling it was close to his actual name. If he knew his name, Henry had a feeling that everything would become clear.

She knew Harry talked to the teachers as well, because all of them seemed to be keeping a close eye on her. Hethought she wouldn't dare try to leave with all of them watching her, but it didn't matter. She was a prefect, Head Girl to be exact, and had already paired herself up with Luna while on the train. Their first patrol would be tonight, which meant that tonight, they would escape.

But something was bothering her. She replayed the horrible memory over and over in her mind, trying to discover the reason she hadn't been able to see the thestrals. She was staring right into Ron's eyes when he was hit with the curse, and watched Hermione run to him. They had just admitted to liking each other, which had happened in the form of Hermione snogging Ron senseless after he expressed concern for House-elves. She smiled at the memory, wishing they were there for her to tease about it.

But maybe they were! It seemed completely impossible, but why else could she not see the creatures? It looked like the curse hit them, but with so many curses flying around, who knew if she had seen right? And there were no bodies. Had the two of them been stunned and kidnapped, to be held as leverage when Harry reached Voldemort, to be used as hostages?

Were they still alive?

There was now no doubt in her mind that the two of them had survived that night, else she would have seen death. But had Voldemort given up on waiting for Harry and killed them out of impatience? If he had, it made no difference.

But if he hadn't…

She had to find Harry fast. There was a chance their best friends were still alive and breathing, there was a chance they could still save them.

Harry had to know. She had to find him even more than before.

The Owlery was cold that night, but Ginny didn't mind. She waited as Luna summoned her thestral friends, impatiently pacing back and forth. Any moment now, a teacher would barge in and interrupt their escape, she just knew it. They all knew her better than to think she would stay at Hogwarts like a good girl. She had to leave.

"They're here!" Luna exclaimed excitedly. Ginny quickly felt the air and with Luna's help mounted one that Luna called Thunder. Just as they were about to depart, Charlie burst through the Owlery doors, followed by McGonagall and Sprout, their faces full of delight, for some strange reason.

"Ginny!" Charlie exclaimed, reaching for her and she flew out of the window. "Ginny, wait! We have good news! You have to stay!"

She shook her head. "I have to go, Charlie! There's nothing to keep me here!"

"Wait!" he screamed, but he was soon out of earshot. Ginny smiled in relief as she soared through the sky, seemingly supported by nothing, completely content.

After a couple hours of searching, she looked down into the forest and saw two figures sitting in a clearing. One was walking in a circle, putting a protection charm on their camp.

Ginny smiled. It was almost too easy. She and Luna soared down towards them, making sure they landed a certain distance away, trying to surprise Harry and Neville as much as possible. She couldn't wait to see his face, full of surprise. Yes, she could escape no matter how many odds were stacked against her.

She led the way, Luna close behind. Stepping into the clearing, she saw that the charm had been completed already. She smiled her best smile and called out to Harry.

"Hello, Harry!" she said, looking around for signs of movement. She knew he wouldn't be very happy with her, so she decided to persuade him the best she could. "Come on, let us in. If you don't, we're bound to get into trouble, aren't we?"

At that very instant, Snapecame flying out of nowhere, covering her mouth with his hand, his wand to her throat. She stared at Luna, obviously frightened as Zabini held her in a similar way.

"Trouble?" Snape hissed in her ear. "I think you just found it, Miss Weasley."

Ginny quivered in fear. She knew Harry had been right, they were after her, they were trying to kill her.

And she had walked right into the trap.

A/N: Tsk, tsk. Not the smartest move, Gin. Anyway, let me know what you thought of this chapter! :D