Chapter Thirteen

Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?

Ginny gasped suddenly as a warmth flooded her chest. When had she lost the warmth? What caused it?

She put the questions aside as Pansy spluttered to life again. "Fuck! I hate that!"

"Coming out of a trance or helping a Weasley?"

Pansy smirked at Ginny. "Both, love. I managed half the task. The window's closed but I have no idea who opened it."

Ginny winced as she stood up. "What was my soul scape like?"

"It was in two parts. A warm, happly little hovel," Pansy refrained from saying what she had seen there. "And a dark chamber."

Ginny sighed. "Shit."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "You know this place?"

"Unfortunately. It's called the Chamber of Secrets. I spent an unhealthy amount of time there my first year at Hogwarts."

Draco and Pansy winced this time, realizing the implications.

"I knew there was the possibility there was a window in there, but after Voldemort died, I never really worried about it."

"So, where do we go from here?"

Ginny bit her lower lip. "Pansy, do you have any weapons?"

"Some. What kind are you looking for?"

"I'd like a sword. A crossbow would be more than welcome too, but I'll take what I can get."

Pansy led Ginny and Draco into another room. The walls were lined with weapons of all size and shape.

"Take what you like. I can always get more."

888

Ginny resisted the urge to take Draco's hand as she stared at the sink. She knew what she had to do, but she hesitated. Was she really ready to show him this side? Like it or not, she didn't really have a choice.

"Open," She hissed in Parseltongue. It was one of her legacies from her time with Tom. Not her favorite memory but on occasion it proved useful.

Draco gave her a glance but turned his attention back to the opening door. Ginny bit her lip.

"Well then?" He asked quietly.

"Let's get this over with." Ginny said, slipping into the pipe. She wondered breifly how she would get back out. Was Fawlks still around?

They had apparated to Hogsmeade where they made their way stealthily into Hogwarts. Ginny had spent perhaps too much time with Sirius Black and she knew every possible way into and out of Hogwarts.

Ginny stumbled to her feet at the bottom of the pipe and moved so Draco wouldn't run into her. He arrived a moment later. Ginny drew the sword she had brought with her and motioned him to follow her. He took out the crossbow and moved abreast of her. She scowled at him but he just shrugged. He was not going to just stand back this time. Not now, not ever. Not where she was concerned. He had lost her once and he would not lose her again, even if it meant giving her up.

Together they made their way down the hall to the room Ginny remembered so well. The giant skeleton remained where it had resided for years, ever since Harry killed the creature.

Ginny moved quickly into the guard position as the creature came forward. She would never call it a man, she knew. It looked like a man, a handsome man with brown hair and a nice smile. But the empty eyes told a different story.

"Come back to me?" He cooed.

Ginny raised her sword. "Not quite."

"You can't kill me, child."

"I've killed others. I killed men far greater than you."

"No, you haven't. You haven't killed a soul."

"There's a first time for everything." But Ginny's hand shook. He wasn't a real human. She knew that. So why couldn't she do this?

Draco watched Ginny as she stood frozen. He swore at himself, but it needed to be done. She had to kill this creature.

"You fucking pansy, Weasley." He snarled, hating every word the moment it left his lips. "You can't do a goddamn thing for yourself, can you?"

Ginny felt the words strike her as though blades. "What did you say to me?" she whispered.

"You've been running around, letting Potter fight all your battles. You couldn't stop it last time even to save yourself. Five sickles says you can't do it this time either."

Ginny's eyes bore into him and she turned fiercly to face the creature. With a single fleche, she severed its head. She turned her hazel eyes on Draco.

"I never want to see you again as long as I live." She snarled, before running from the room. Draco could hear the carefully controlled sob in her voice and hated himself. But he had saved her.

So why did it feel like he had lost everything?

(A/N: Ok, I think there will only be one more chapter. What say you all? Just kidding. There will be one more chapter, But I think we'll throw in a oneshot sequel with Pansy and our mystery woman from chapter 12.