(A/N: Proud to say: I've gotten over my writer's block! YAY! I know what I want to do with the plot for at least another four or five chapters…but I still want to hear from everyone who reads this. Your opinions and criticisms matter a lot to me and may even change my mind about the direction I'm planning on taking this. I LOVE EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED LAST CHAPTER! You all made me feel so much better about it. I thought it was painfully boring and awful, but I was glad to hear that you didn't hate it! Thank you all so much! And an extra thank you to The Creatress for mentioning me in her story, "Circles"! Thanks!)

Chapter X
Evasion

The grey sky began to fade as color crept along the early morning horizon. Ginny had woken up earlier than usual; she was kicked awake by her now seven-month old unborn daughter. She smiled down at her large stomach and tightened Tom's bathrobe around her. The sun was rising beautifully in the clear December sky. A light frost had settled over the manor's vast gardens, and it sparkled in the sunrise hues of red and gold. Ginny inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh winter air.

It was a sad thought really. Today she would escape Tom, but she would also be leaving behind this beautiful manor and go home to the Burrow. She had grown quite accustomed to its luxurious atmosphere, and she was particularly fond of her library. Ginny shook her head. I will not regret leaving. She thought firmly. I will not miss this manor and I will not miss Tom. Ginny turned from the balcony to look into the bedroom at her 'darling husband.' He was still asleep; still buried under the mound of pillows and large, soft comforter. Ginny laughed quietly. She could barely see his head of dark, shiny hair among all of the pillows. Ginny felt her face grow slightly hot in the cool winter air, and she realized that she was blushing. No. I hate him. I hate him and I'm leaving him. Harry is coming for me tonight. I belong with Harry. She thought adamantly. However, somewhere deep inside her, a small part of her knew she didn't wholly believe it.

She turned again to the sunrise, glaring past its blinding rays of light. Snape had visited her last night to explain her escape plan. They both decided it would be best to sneak out quietly, rather than stage an attack on the manor. At three-in-the-morning, Harry will lead a small group of Aurors to the balcony, where she now stood, and they would fly off to the Burrow on Buckbeak. Simple enough, Ginny thought. As long as Tom doesn't wake up. Ginny shivered. If Tom caught her with Harry…she couldn't even imagine his reaction, but she knew it would be violent. The plan will work.

The manor was protected with charms and enchantments, much like Hogwarts, but it was invisible to anyone who didn't know its exact location. Snape had assured her this wouldn't be a problem. He told her that all she needed to worry about was being on the balcony at exactly 3:00. And that's what she would do. Suddenly, a pair of long, thin arms found their way around her waist, shaking her from her thoughts.

"What are you doing out here in the cold…and in my bathrobe?" Tom asked, sleepily.

Ginny tried to stifle a small giggle as he trailed light kisses down her neck. He knew that was one of her weak points. He knew her so well—knew exactly where to touch her to get his desired reaction. Ginny released a pleased sigh, watching the mist her breath formed float away.

"It's so beautiful out here…" She said, staring out at the gardens again.

"Well, you can look at it from inside. I don't want either of my girls to fall ill," he said, resting a hand possessively on her stomach.

Ginny nodded and allowed Tom to take her inside.

"Breathe in…good."

Doctor Bissell had arrived at the manor and proceeded to check on Ginny and the baby as she usually did this time every month. The mediwitch held her wand against Ginny's stomach, instructing her to breathe.

"Good…very good," Doctor Bissell said, nodding to Tom. He was standing over Ginny, watching the mediwitch like a hawk. Though Ginny never said anything, she found it to be very annoying how protective he was.

"I'll say you're due on..." The mediwitch shuffled through a small stack of papers. "February 4th."

"February 4th," Ginny repeated softly. It had just settled into her mind—she would be a mother in less than two months. She always wanted to be a mother, and soon she would become one. Though she imagined it would be under different circumstances, nothing could put her out of her terrific mood. Not even Tom, who was now sporting a mixed expression of haughtiness and pride, could ruin it for her.

"I shall see you in a few weeks to review the birthing plan," Doctor Bissell said, beaming at Ginny.

That's what you think… "Thank you, Doctor. I'm looking forward to it," Ginny said, shaking her hand before she disapparated away.

It was rather strange—less than five months ago, Ginny had thought about jumping off the balcony, but after a few short months, she found that she had so many reasons to live. She was going to be rescued. The Order was coming tonight…Harry was coming tonight. She would get to see her family again, and with her daughter on the way, they could all live happily ever after. Being a single parent didn't seem so bad either, especially because she would have her own mother to help her. Ginny couldn't help but smile.

The day had passed quickly for Ginny, despite checking the clock every ten minutes. Now, her only obstacle was dinner with Tom…and, of course, escaping the manor tonight. Simple.

With a heavy sigh, Ginny pushed open the doors to the dining room to find Tom waiting for her. A small smile crept onto his face as she took her usual seat next to him on his right.

"I've been thinking of possible names for our daughter," he said, as a house elf began to serve dinner.

"Oh?" Ginny said, rather amused. It doesn't matter; I'll be the one to name her.

"How does Abigail Riddle sound to you?"

"Abigail Riddle?"

"Yes. One of its meanings is 'my father is strength,' roughly, in Hebrew," Tom said, proudly.

"I don't like it." She said wincingly.

"Oh. What about Belinda? In German, it means 'beautiful serpent.'"

"I don't care what it means. It doesn't sound right. I don't like it. Do you have any others?"

"Yes," Tom said, growing slightly irritated. "Do you like Rachel? Does Rachel Riddle sound okay to you?"

"No," Ginny said flatly. Tom groaned.

"Victoria?"

"No."

"Angelina?"

"No."

"Naomi?"

"No."

"Brianna?"

"No."

"Christina?"

"No."

"Sabrina?"

"No."

"Well, what do you want to name her?" Tom snapped. He was annoyed that she didn't like his names.

Ginny thought for a moment, the replied with a small sneer: "Harriet."

"No." Tom said dangerously. He clearly wasn't amused now. "Absolutely not."

"Calm down—I wasn't serious!" Ginny said quickly. "I actually like the name Bridget."

"Bridget?"

"Bridget."

"Bridget Riddle?"

"…Yes?"

"I like it. I'm not quite sure of its meaning, though…" Tom said, poking at the tomato bruschetta on his plate distractedly.

"Well, I'm glad we finally agree on something," Ginny said, smiling.

Night had descended on the Riddle manor. It was nearly three-in-the-morning, and it was unusually quiet. The typical noise of owls and other night creatures was noticeably absent. It could have been her nerves, or her enormous excitement, but Ginny was beginning to feel sick. She stared at Tom's sleeping form in the moonlight. I'm sorry.

She kissed him lightly on the cheek before creeping out of bed. She tip-toed silently over to the balcony doors and turned the cold, iron handle as quietly as she could. Wearing only her black cotton nightdress, Ginny stepped out onto the balcony, scanning the skies for any sign of Buckbeak.

Squinting into the darkness, she saw a faint light in the distance. It grew nearer and nearer until she saw them. With tears threatening to spill from her eyes, she saw Harry, Ron and two Aurors on Buckbeak's back. The hippogriff landed on the balcony with a loud clap of its hooves. Ginny immediately spun around to see if Tom had woken up. He only turned over on the bed and remained sleeping.

"Ginny!" Harry whispered, jumping from Buckbeak. He pulled her to his chest, hugging her tightly. Ginny was unable to hold back her tears. She turned to Ron, who was staring at her in disbelief.

"I'll kill him." he started, staring at her large stomach.

"Ron…" Harry said warningly.

"Harry—look at what he's done to my baby sister! Why can't we just kill him now?" He said, removing his wand from his robes.

"We don't want to start anything now. Snape said we should just come and get Ginny. We don't want her getting in the middle of a fight or anything. Especially when she's…well…like this." He said motioning toward her. "Now, come on. It's time to leave."

Harry and Ron helped Ginny onto Buckbeak's back, when unexpectedly; the hippogriff began to buck them off.

"No! I forgot! Ginny was supposed to bow before climbing onto him!" Harry whispered furiously.

The hippogriff released a loud squawk and proceeded to clap its large hooves on the stone floor of the balcony. In an instant, Tom was awake—and livid. He apparated onto the balcony, eyes ablaze and wand drawn, glaring at Harry with utmost revulsion. Ginny had never seen him so angry. Snape apparated closely behind him, with his wand pointed between Harry and Ron.

Without delay, Harry and Ron jumped onto the hippogriff. Buckbeak gave another loud squawk, and they took flight, narrowly avoiding the countless curses erupting from the end of Tom and Snape's wands. Ginny's tears turned from elation to anguish.