"I had always credited Black with some small amount of intelligence, but I think that I grossly overestimated him," Riddle commented as he and Ginny entered the dungeons together that Friday. Ginny glanced up to see Orion and Abraxas huddled up in the front of the potions room, neither of them so much as glancing in Ginny's direction. They hadn't all week; Ginny assumed that Orion was trying to pacify Riddle.
Not that he needed to, surprisingly enough. To Ginny's shock, after they'd returned to the common room that night, Riddle had resumed acting like his normal self, as if he had completely forgotten about the incident in the first place.
It was frustrating, the way that Orion and Abraxas had both taken up the habit of disappearing whenever Ginny came anywhere near them, especially when Riddle was apparently impassive to the whole thing. Ginny would've figured that Abraxas wouldn't have been quite so into it because he didn't know what was really going on- or Orion Black better have hoped that Abraxas didn't know what was going on- but whatever Orion had told him had him hiding just as much as his friend.
"Why would you say that?" asked Ginny, going back to Riddle's comment about Orion Black's stupidity. She took out her books and leaned back in her seat, glancing over at Riddle. The Head Boy was busy watching Orion, who didn't seem to be doing anything out of the ordinary. "He's just talking."
Riddle pursed his lips, saying, "He hasn't even looked at you since our confrontation. Such a blatant change of behavior… it only increases my suspicions. Orion Black is trying to mollify me."
Riddle said 'mollify' as if Orion was cooing in baby voices and offering him candy.
"Er," said Ginny, internally thinking that Riddle was the only person alive who would be mad at his archenemy for staying away from his girlfriend. "Maybe he's just scared. You were just a tiny bit…, uh, vexed when you found us."
An amused chuckle fell off Riddle's lips.
"Vexed?" asked Riddle, like Ginny was ridiculous. Well, Ginny figured, at least he realizes how scary-angry he gets sometimes. Realizing the problem is the first step to finding a solution. "I am beginning to wonder if Hufflepuffs spend their free time practicing politically-correct euphemisms." He shook his head like he couldn't believe her, then dryly added, "And no, I know better than to think that Orion Black is scared of me. I fully realize that he is attempting to make you appear as innocent as possible."
"Aren't I always as innocent as possible?"
That, apparently, didn't warrant a response, because the small amount of amusement that had been in Riddle's features melted into a fake kind of playfulness- a playfulness that no doubt covered something serious at best, and sinister at worst.
"Ginevra, you are too smart not to realize that Orion's behavior only means he has something to hide. That both of you have something to hide." Riddle's fake-smile twisted into a very, very real smirk as he lightly continued, "I finished the mandrake draught early this morning, but…" He stopped for a dramatic, rather Voldemort-like pause, "You're not being entirely honest with me now, and it seems that you enjoy talking about me behind my back, so I am… extremely concerned that waking McCreery will only exacerbate this behavior."
"It's Mason," argued Ginny. "He won't-"
"Ginevra, you know as well as I do that Mason McCreery is much more dangerous to me than Orion Black." Ginny's grip tightened around her quill as Riddle finished, saying, "Before I give you that draught, I want the truth about your late-night conversation with Black. I need to know that I can trust you."
That's why he's been so good lately, Ginny thought in frustration. Riddle had been waiting to spring this on her- a stupid plan to get her to willingly tell him a truth that she absolutely couldn't. And he'd waited, waited until Ginny knew how close she was to seeing Mason again, just to make his threat all the more potent.
It was even more frustrating because, though Ginny had expected him to do something, this… definitely was not it.
"I-I-" started Ginny, hesitating. What was she supposed to tell him? To trust her when she was wanted Mason awake to do exactly what he feared? Ginny struggled to come up with a good excuse of some sort, but, before she could say anything, Slughorn entered the room and began instructing the class.
Ginny didn't pay any attention at all. Her brain was busy trying to come up with lies, with stories that she could tell Riddle to convince him to give her that draught. Anything but the truth, because Ginny knew that she needed Mason. He was the one who really knew about the Hallows, the one who could help her, and… well, Ginny missed him.
Letting Riddle keep that stupid draught from her wasn't an option.
As Ginny tried coming up with excuses, Riddle stared at her. Ginny forced herself not to look back at him, but she could feel his eyes burning into the side of her head. Like he was trying to do Legilimency without eye-contact. Or maybe he was trying to intimidate her, to scare her into compliance.
That last thought almost made Ginny laugh. If she hadn't run away from him, screaming, yet, surely someone as smart as Riddle wouldn't expect her to start now.
Then, after what seemed like the shortest class hour of Ginny's life, Slughorn concluded his lecture. Riddle stood to his full height and swiftly gathered his books, then waited with deceptive patience while Ginny slowly collected her own things, putting each item into her bag with unnecessary care, still not knowing what to say.
Despite her hesitation, Ginny's desk was soon clean and she was forced to sling her bag over her shoulder and begin walking out of the room, followed closely by Riddle. She'd gotten to know him well enough that she could feel his confidence. He had her and he knew it.
As they walked, in the direction of the Chamber, Ginny noted- like Riddle was that sure she would tell- Ginny contemplated a potential beginning for their conversation.
"Do you trust me, Riddle?" Ginny finally started, half-hoping that he was going to answer in the negative. He shouldn't have trusted her.
Riddle blinked once and shrugged.
"In some matters, I suppose so," he said without hesitation. His dark eyes met hers. "Although I am beginning to have very… dangerous suspicions in others."
"Dangerous for me, I suppose?" asked Ginny, just for confirmation.
"Naturally."
They walked on for a while longer.
"Remember," tried Ginny, "when I knew you were hiding Mason, but you said that even if I knew you were lying to me, that I should trust that you were lying for a good reason?"
"I did wind up telling you."
"Yeah! When I forced you into it."
Riddle looked at Ginny and smirked, commenting, with way too much self-satisfaction, "I was under the impression that you fully comprehended that, right now, I am attempting to force you into admitting your own secret. However, if I am mistaken, please, enlighten me and I will go to greater lengths to make my intentions easier to understand."
Smart arse.
"Oh, screw you," Ginny muttered under her breath. She'd have to tell Riddle something if she was going to wake Mason up, that was fast becoming obvious, but what?
Then another thought struck Ginny.
Did she even need Mason?
Ginny cringed. What a Slytherin thought- not wanting to save Mason because he was her friend, but rather because of what he could do for her. Still… Mason would understand, right? That she couldn't tell Riddle any of this without putting herself in terrible danger?
But unfortunately Ginny did need Mason; keeping him petrified wasn't really an option. Orion Black had no idea what she should do about the Hallows, and Mason had to explain everything to her, to tell her why he was so concerned about her finding out about them in the first place.
"I… Orion heard that my necklace hasn't been working so hot," Ginny finally ventured. There was nothing too condemning about that statement. Maybe it rubbed dangerously close to Riddle's time travel theory, but it didn't confirm anything. "He didn't explain anything, not really… but he just mentioned that you were suspicious about why it's not working, and that I should be careful around you."
Immediately, despite how careful Ginny had been about what she said, Riddle tensed and stopped. Ginny carefully slowed as well, hesitating a few feet behind him, being careful not to venture too closely.
"Orion Black couldn't have known about that," Riddle said darkly. He let out a low breath. "My theories were hidden. He doesn't know the magic necessary to counter my defensive charms… he should have lost his hand just from trying-"Riddle cut off abruptly and spun to face Ginny. "It wasn't Orion, was it?"
"Riddle! I don't know," Ginny widened her eyes, pleading with him to believe her. "Orion just told me about the necklace, nothing else."
Riddle obviously didn't believe her, but said, "Very well, we will talk about the necklace, though the other topic would have been much safer for you." He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger and exhaled, his face twisted from the effort he was making to stay calm. "Of course, what you said is true. Your necklace is not 'working so hot'."
"I still don't get how that could have you so worried," Ginny said with feigned ignorance. "Are you mad that it can't make you immortal anymore?"
Smirking darkly, Riddle said, "Hardly." He reached out and gently trailed a hand down Ginny's neck, the touch ghostly light, taunting almost, until his fingers closed around the gold chain that she wore around her throat. The chain that held Riddle's Horcrux.
"I have no worries about my immortality," said Riddle softly. He ran a finger over his ring, almost protectively, like he was worried that Ginny would harm it. "I am more concerned about you… about your strange presence here. Your unlikely appearance at the beginning of your seventh year."
Ginny stared Riddle right in the eye. Daring him to use whatever Legilimency he'd been learning on her, showing him that she trusted him fully even when she wanted nothing more than to run.
"My parents died, Riddle," Ginny choked out. "Just because you've got bloody trust issues doesn't mean that you can accuse me of lying about that, because believe me, they are gone. Maybe the necklace doesn't have as much magic as it should, but it's old. Why is it automatically my fault?"
Riddle said nothing.
"I told you what Orion and I talked about," said Ginny accusingly. "You said I could wake Mason if I told you."
The Head Boy let go of Ginny's necklace and took a step back, everything about him entirely unreadable.
"My Horcrux, that ring, is the first thing you noticed about me," Riddle said quietly. "The first time that we met, you commented on my ring. I do not believe in coincidence."
It didn't take very long for Ginny to catch what Riddle was getting at.
"You gave it to me to try to catch me," Ginny accused. She narrowed her eyes. "What would you have done if it disappeared? Killed me?"
Riddle shrugged unashamedly.
"Most likely. However, you still do have it, and neither it, nor you, show signs of damage." He closed his eyes and released a low breath. "You're too good of a liar for me to trust completely, but, until you prove otherwise, I will not take any action." Ginny sighed when Riddle concluded, "I will allow you into the Chamber. You gave me the information that I have asked for."
Ginny stared, and Riddle, not entirely comfortable with her shock, abruptly changed the subject, guessing, "Mulciber is the one who spoke with Orion, isn't he? He is the only Death Eater who would dare."
"I…" started Ginny. She didn't know what to say; especially not now that it seemed Riddle had just given her what appeared to be a free pass. "I... I don't know who it was. Orion just told me that his 'sources' got him the information."
Riddle appeared unconcerned.
"I hardly need your confirmation. I cursed the fool for stupidity and now I'm afraid that I'll have to kill him for intelligence."
"Riddle-" Ginny started, almost choking on the word. "I… I'll…"
"Our relationship would end rather abruptly after that, wouldn't it?" interrupted Riddle coolly. He let out a low, chilling chuckle as he turned away from Ginny and began walking forward again. "Holding me back, as always."
Ginny followed after him, confused and terrified and relieved all at the same time.
"I'm rather surprised that we actually still have a relationship," Ginny blurted nervously. She noticed they were finally approaching the second-floor lavatories and had to hold back a sigh of relief. Riddle really was going to let her wake up Mason. "What's it been? Two weeks, and you're already ready to kill me."
"I wish that were the case," said Riddle unconcernedly. They entered the bathroom together and the Head Boy continued, "Unfortunately, I've not found anything quite damning enough to bring myself to eliminate you over... yet."
"Unfortunately?" asked Ginny.
"Of course," the Head Boy said. Ginny could see a strange emotion brewing up in his eyes, one that he couldn't quite hold back and one that Ginny didn't know how to interpret. "You're too distracting to be left alive."
"Well that's... sweet," Ginny swallowed. She let out a low breath and reminded herself that she didn't need to be so nervous anymore. She was in the clear, thank Merlin. At least for a really, really short amount of time. "Now, er..." She gestured to the row of sinks in front of her.
"I'll escort you to the Chamber and will show you to McCreery, as well as give you the draught. Then, as I mentioned previously, I will leave so as to avoid any unwanted injuries. Oh, and Ginevra?"
"Huh?"
"Be careful."
Ginny wanted to believe that he was warning her about the basilisk and the Chamber, damn she wanted to believe that, but something in her gut knew that he wasn't expressing concern. He was warning her. To be careful about what she did, what she discussed, with Mason.
Yeah, Ginny thought miserably, hating herself for being such a liar. I'll be careful not to get caught again.
Then Riddle began hissing at the sinks again, all while Ginny watched carefully, reminding herself that he had just admitted to considering killing her, and that, even though they were going out, now really was not the time to think about how strangely attractive she thought it was to hear him speaking Parseltongue.
Almost like he knew exactly what Ginny was thinking, Riddle smirked just a small amount too widely when he stepped back and let her through the hole in the ground first. This time, Ginny barely even hesitated before stepping in, and she only stumbled a little bit when she landed. Of course, Riddle still made her look clumsy and uncoordinated, but she was getting rather used to that.
Neither of them said a word as they made their way through the underground labyrinth. Riddle was still clearly on the fence concerning what his opinion of his obviously dishonest girlfriend should be, and Ginny didn't want to say anything to incriminate herself, not to mention that she was pretty sure that Riddle wasn't in the mood for any mindless small talk. Both of them were unsure and, at least in Ginny's case, nervous, and so they simply moved forward in silence, not commenting on the impossible tension that was settling in the dark tunnels.
After what seemed like an eternity, Riddle came to a stop in front of the entrance to the Chamber. Ginny's heart thudded against her chest- a reaction that was impossible to cure- as the snakes moved under Riddle's command, circling back until the doors slowly swung open. Riddle stepped briskly into the Chamber, cloak snapping at his heels, and Ginny followed closely behind.
Riddle's first move was to walk over to the cauldron he had worked on the week before. Carefully, he poured a small sample of the potion into a single tube and put a stopper on it, then stashed it in his pocket and vanished the remainder of his ingredients. Ginny didn't move as Riddle purposefully moved towards one of the giant snake statues and hissed at it. She was even too shocked to jump when the statue split in two, revealing a hollow middle and a scarily still person.
Ginny inhaled sharply when Riddle flicked his wand and easily maneuvered Mason out of his hiding place and into a spot only a short distance away from Ginny. Even though it looked like he was made of stone, Ginny still had to hold back tears at seeing Mason for the first time in so many weeks. Longer, really, if she counted how long she'd been mad at him, avoiding him because he was mad at her for turning her back on the world and going out with Lord Voldemort.
Gosh, it seemed stupid. Mason had been the smart one, and even if Ginny still wasn't going to listen to him, she also reminded herself that he was the intelligent one in the situation and that all of his anger towards her had been totally logical. Merlin, she wanted to hug him and beg for forgiveness, because gosh, he looked so sad, not moving and skinny and with those big eyes that didn't seem to see anything.
"Ginevra," said Riddle impatiently. Ginny hurriedly turned around and looked at him, holding out her hand for the draught and hoping that she wasn't being too presumptuous. With a tight feeling in her chest, she vaguely wondered whether or not Riddle had changed his mind.
Riddle placed the bottle in Ginny's hand, and the Head Girl sighed in relief. Okay. Maybe Riddle wasn't quite as evil as she thought.
"You don't have any more wrong moves," Riddle warned carefully. "I am trusting you with that."
You shouldn't.
"Don't worry," Ginny said, wanting really badly to hug or maybe kiss him to show how grateful she was that he actually kept his word. She didn't, though. They were kind of almost fighting, at least she thought so, and she didn't think he'd appreciate any friendly gestures at that moment. "I promise I won't do anything to hurt you. Thank you so much for giving this to me, and-"
"Hug me and get it over with," Riddle said coldly. Ginny stopped talking and stared. Did Voldemort just ask for a hug?
"What?" asked Ginny.
"It will be hours before you shut up otherwise," the Head Boy replied evenly, looking Ginny straight in the eye and somehow managing to appear more apathetic than Mason, which was really saying something at that moment.
"But we're fighting."
Then Riddle shook his head and raised a hand, settling it gently on Ginny's cheek, his eyes softening and his posture relaxing so quickly that Ginny vaguely wondered whether or not her boyfriend was bipolar.
"You should know better Ginevra. Death threats, arguments, power-plays... I'm not fighting with you. It is simply how I think. You need to realize that..." Riddle raked his free hand through his hair in a very, very un-Voldemort-like movement and said with so much apathy that Ginny knew he was working to cover up something else, "You need to realize that I am unmistakably fond of you. I may not trust you entirely, and perhaps you make me unbelievably angry a ridiculous amount of the time, but, what I'm doing... I am not looking for a reason to hurt you."
Ginny didn't know why, but she suddenly had the strangest urge to start crying.
"Then what are you doing?" she asked quietly, not looking at Riddle, and hating herself for being this emotional around him, especially when she needed him to think that she was strong and perfect and somebody who he could trust. "Because it seems like you're pretty intent on finding an excuse to kill me."
"I am," said Riddle. "But only because I desperately need motivation to save myself."
Then, before Ginny could really even comprehend that, Riddle was already walking away. Ginny stared after him, unable to believe that he had just said... that. That he'd gone from infuriating her to worrying her to scaring her to... to whatever in the hell that was, in about two hours. It was ridiculous and somehow she hated it and loved it at the same time.
It was also ridiculous that all she could think about was how Riddle had forgotten his hug.
Releasing a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding, Ginny tore her mind away from Riddle and moved towards Mason. Carefully, Ginny pulled the stopper out of the vial and slowly, with shaking hands, poured the pale green potion into Mason's partially open mouth.
At first nothing had happened, and Ginny was sure that Riddle had tricked her, but then, after several seconds, Mason's face seemed to gain a little color. Almost like a black-and-white Muggle movie coming to life, Mason slowly unfroze, his hands mindlessly twitching, and then his shoulders moving a bit, and then his eyes, blinking steadily, taking in his surroundings with obviously well-practiced calm.
Then his gaze rested on Ginny.
The second that Mason's lips broke into a wide, rarely genuine smile, Ginny rushed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, holding him close and saying, "I thought you were dead. I was sure that you hated me, and then you gave me that book, and I figured it all out and I wanted to tell you so badly, but you were gone, and then Riddle said I made the basilisk attack you but I really didn't know I was doing it, and he was so good about it. He brewed the potion and now you're here and safe, and I am so sorry."
Ginny took a deep breath and backed away quickly, her face deep red. She'd had a problem with babbling when she was twelve. Now, when she was supposed to be having a serious conversation with Gellert Grindelwald's nephew, that little problem just had to pop back up.
"Er, sorry."
"Ginny," Mason said slowly, sounding amused. Not Riddle amused, but warm, happy amused. "Give me a second... I'm tired, and..." He flexed his fingers out in front of him, almost like he was amazed they were still there. "And very, very confused." He looked her over, his eyes stopping on her necklace- Riddle hadn't tucked it back under her shirt after he'd grabbed it- before returning to her face, a little wider than before. "I think... I think we really, really need to talk."
