The Seductress

Part XI

Stranger With My Face - The Last Destiny

February 14th - Morning

Harry James Potter was sitting down at the Gryffindor table, observing his dull batch of food. He was not interested in eating, hearing Ron's babbles about the Cannons, nor was he at all eager to learn more about Pavarti's new makeover from Ron's date, Lavender. All he wanted to do was think. Think hard. And there was one thing to think about. The Valentine's Ball.

It was to be held at 8 o'clock, and any volunteers eager to help out would arrive at the Great Hall at 7 o'clock, to put up streamers or bewitch paper hearts float around. Hermione and Harry would arrive early of course, to watch and help out. A clutch at his stomach grabbled as Harry thought about Hermione. He grinned, knowing that although he was exceedingly nervous, he could manage. This was a person he had known for years, and grown to fancy a bit, and the thought of a night with a pretty girl like Hermione made him pretty excited.

Where was Hermione, anyway? She usually came to breakfast earlier than the rest, ready and prepared to start a new day of learning the arts of witchcraft and wizardry. However, this particular morning, she appeared to be nowhere in sight. The usual lather of crowds grew in the Great Hall, and minutes passed by. Classes were about to begin, this time there were only five that third years to seventh had to attend to, while the rest continued their daily ritual of learning. Dumbledore had sadly announced that only 3rd-7th years could attend to the ball, while the first and second years would attend the feast at six o'clock. There had been lots of protests and groans about this, but Dumbledore did not back down, and the other professors supported him, saying that they were far too young to be admitted into the dance, and that when their third year arrived, they would make sure they would be able to go.

Finally, the groans lessened and the shouts were decreased as the older students began chatting excitedly about the Ball. There were rumors of what the staff had planned, because they were asking for volunteers, mainly from the prefects and heads, which looked oddly suspicious. There were also chatter about what new band would play for the Ball. The teachers had announced that it was not accurate yet, but they were thinking they could bewitch a muggle band to play. Muggleborns and half bloods found this rather generous, as they loved muggle music, but purebloods and Slytherins frowned upon this, insisting that it should not be allowed. Finally, the chatter vanished as the first bell to sound the first class rang. There was a rumble of book bags, books picked up and tossing around, and more talk about homeworks they had missed as the 5th year Gryffindors walked to their first class, Astronomy. For once, Harry didn't mind walking there, as, after the usual sufferings of the Professor's sad eyes and death wished upon him, there were only three more classes left after this, before everyone in their third year and above got ready, exchanged dress robes, and met their date for eight.

Harry entered the misty room, which smelled now of old perfume and dust. The lights were dimmed, and the only shining ones came from various candles, placed on random tables. There was a large hardcover-chart placed on each table, which included two chairs. Harry was joined by his table by Ron, who looked at the chart with a look of puzzlement.

Harry read the inscription carefully. It was a large picture of stars and crosses, and a serial of very confusing arithmetic numbers and in the middle, in curly letters formed:

Advanced Astronomy Lesson

"Huh! Advanced, my ass. She's probably going to talk about how we're going to be attacked by werewolves, and then kill you to show her prediction worked," Ron said, snorting.

Harry, however, frowned more steadily at the chart, ignoring the rumbles of mystical words that formed out of Professor Trelawny's mouth, and he found his eyes glued to the pictures. One certain on, on the east, was a heart shaped figure, with a arrow shot through it. It looked vividly real, as if Harry could touch it, he could actually feel the beating of it, and the blood that trickled across it.

He shivered. A strange sensation was going through him as he leaned forward, looking more anxiously at his chart. There was something familiar about it...

He tried to hold back a yell as his head began to ache, and his eyes closed.

Images flashed throughout his mind, each one horrid then the pervious. He yelped out loud as he opened his eyes again, and felt everyone's eyes piercing on the back of his neck.

"What's wrong?" Ron hissed softly under his lips.

Harry put his hand up to his forehead in confusion and suddenly bolted right out of his seat.

"I have to go," he said, and before anyone knew what was happening, he swung open the door, and in a moment, it slammed closed.

~

It had been a long time since Hermione Granger felt so exhilarating in her life. She touched her soft features, a grin in her face. There was a steady voice in her mind, telling her exactly what to do. And she wanted to do it. It made her feel free, dangerous. Soft little freckles. The outline of a curved fourteen year old figure. She was smaller than she used to be, and her hair was the color of fiery red. She touched it with the bane of her fingertips, letting her flesh wander the smooth silky hair. She looked up, her eyes flashing in the reflecting mirror. Why had she gone so long without feeling like this, without looking so beautiful? Her small lips, which were thinner than before set in a small frown. How come Ginny had gotten everything, the body, the innocent looks, and she had been left with big teeth and bushy hair? Education, it didn't matter to her anymore. What mattered was that she was dazzling, and surely Draco and the others would fall for her now. And Ron. Sweet, oblivious Ron was going to pay that he ever set eyes on another girl besides her. She was going to get control of Ginny's life, and although her mind was a blur why she had suddenly reformed the moment the ribbon swung around her hair, it turned into sleek, straight red hair didn't matter. It didn't matter.

What did matter was that it was happening. It was all for her. She was going to get the attention, the kisses, and she was going to be the princess of the ball. No matter what it took.

She was vaguely aware that she was in Ginny's dorm, but why not? It all belonged to her now, didn't it? She was Ginny now. The old, shy, innocent original Ginny would have to go, as soon as Hermione snapped her fingers.

Her hands gracefully opened the drawers, and took out the short, red dress. It was longer than Hermione had expected, but the blood smeared across it didn't repulse Hermione at all. It was obvious Ginny had placed a length charm on it, to make the hem grow a few more inches. After all, from what her mind told her, Ginny hadn't worn it since she was eight.

Hermione placed the dress before her, a slow grin spreading out of her face.

Then suddenly, a shriek exploded behind her.

Hermione turned around, nonplussed.

There, stood in the doorway, was Ginny Weasley.

"Who - what are you?" she demanded, looking at her with the wide brown eyes.

"First, I think you should answer that question," said Hermione, looking at Ginny's face. Ginny's eyes widened a bit more, and her lips parted in a gape.

"You look just like me..."

"I am you..."

"No! No! No you can't be! I'm Ginny Weasley!"

Hermione's eyes blinked slowly, and the grin playfully flickered slyly.

"Yes you are. And I, am Virginia Riddle."

~

Things are confusing, I know, but if you concentrate and re-read some chapters, I think you will get it.

Thanks for reviewing,

(I want more! HINT: RIDDLE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TOM RIDDLE)

Love,

~Court