A Bond of Trust Forged

Chapter Four- "Rooster Feathers and a Petrified Cat"

10/30 and 11/1

Ginny opened the diary frantically. "Dear Tom," she wrote, "I think I'm losing my memory. There are rooster feathers all over my robes and I don't know how they got there!"

"Rooster feathers?" Tom asked.

"Yes! I have no idea how they got there!" Ginny scribbled into the book, panic stricken.

"That is indeed a puzzle. Do you sleepwalk, or something like that that would cause you not to remember?"

"Well, I did sleepwalk when I was little, but only when I was under stress," Ginny wrote back thoughtfully.

"But haven't you been under stress? You did tell me the other day that you still haven't made any friends, and that your schoolwork was quite overwhelming," Tom reminded her.

"Yes, I did tell you that. We do have an awful lot of homework, and I still haven't made any friends. Is something wrong with me, Tom?"

"Nothing is wrong with you, Ginny. You're just a bit stressed from school. It's your first year at Hogwarts. I can assure you Ginny, these things take time to get used to. You'll be all right."

"Do you really think so, Tom?"

"I know so."

"No one's ever understood me like you Tom. I'm so glad I've got this diary to confide in, it's like having a little friend I can carry around in my pocket," Ginny said sincerely.

"Thank you Ginny dearest. I'll always be here for you."

Ginny smiled faintly and closed the diary. She started to pluck the feathers off her robes.

* *
*

Two days later, Ginny opened the diary with shaking hands. "Dear Tom, I have no idea what's going on. I can't remember what I did the night of Halloween, but a cat was petrified and I've got paint all down my front."

"That's very peculiar, Ginny. What could it be from?"

"I don't know, Tom. I don't know. But, I'm scared. I have no idea what is going on. Everything is just so strange. I can't remember anything that I do at night anymore. Something has to be wrong with me. Why else would I do such strange things and not remember what I did? It's almost like some horrible dream. Oh, Tom, I am so frightened!"

"It's ok, Ginny. Everything will be all right. Maybe you ate something strange last night. It could also be your stress that's causing you this. Everything will be fine eventually, Ginny. Don't worry."

"But Tom, how can I not worry? What if I do something bad? What if I hurt myself? What if I hurt someone else? Oh, Tom, what is going on? I can't just give these things time. I just can't. If I wait too long, I may cause someone harm!" Teardrops fell on the pages.

"Ginny, don't cry. I'm sure it will all be explained someday," Tom consoled her.

"You always say that! You're not worth writing to if you don't help me with my problems!" Ginny slammed the diary shut, fuming.