Subject: Fifteen
Everything was black except for the light at the end of the corridor. Ginny was panting for breath running as fast as she could, panic pushing her to go even further. She was soaked with sweat, her nightdress tattered and torn. There was no sound save the pounding of her bare feet against cold stone and her ragged breathing. The tunnel began to morph, the large stonewalls moving and changing, Ginny slowed to a halt looking at her new surroundings. Instead of tall stonewalls on either side of her she was now looking at long columns of giant snakeheads. Ginny shivered violently wrapping her arms around herself; down at the end of the hall of snakes was the tall hideous statue of Salazar Slytherin. Ginny couldn't stop herself from walking forward; she hated this place and would rather die than be here again. Ginny looked around trying to find another way out, total and complete blackness was behind her, snake head statues on either side of her. Looking forward to the feet of Salazar's statue she was relieved to see a familiar male figure with raven black hair standing with his back to her. "Harry!" she cried out running towards him. She reached him shaking with cold, she raised her arm up out touching his shoulder, as he still hadn't turned around, "Harry?" she said again. He slowly turned around, Ginny stumbled back horror stricken, her heart completely stopped before slamming against her chest, "Tom", she barely whispered. "Hello, Ginny my dear," Tom Riddle said with a demented evil smile.
"No!" Ginny screamed. Sitting straight up in bed she was disoriented, seeing Snakes still on the dorm walls. "Ginny!" Harry yelled being ripped out of sleep he grabbed her arms. She began to fight him off still screaming in confusion. Searching the room in panic Ginny came out of her dream realizing she was back in Harry's dorm. Harry was looking at her worried and somewhat frightened for her. He didn't say a word, instead wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight until her shaking subsided. "Ginny, please tell me." Harry pleaded. She closed her eyes; tears sliding down her cheeks, the fear still strong within her. "I was in the chamber again," she said. Harry thought she was telling him that she was reliving the nightmare they went though with diary, Tom Riddle and the Chamber of Secrets. Ginny didn't bother to correct him; she couldn't bring herself to tell him the truth. "I have to protect him", she thought to herself. They settled back into his bed, holding her tight Harry stroked Ginny's arm until she fell back asleep. He had the feeling there was more she wasn't telling, it had to do with the Chamber, but he didn't want to force her to relieve the trauma again tonight. Kissing her temple Harry resolved to get to the bottom of this.
The day had arrived for the students to return to Hogwarts, Harry and Ginny were sad to see their time together end. "So how are we going to explain to my brother that you've staked claim on his little sister?" Ginny asked as they sat together on the couch waiting for the students to return. "I'm not sure, I rather enjoy having all my body parts whole and in working order. I fear if we tell him that may not be the case after he is through with me." Harry chuckled. "We may as well get it over with as soon as possible," said Ginny. Harry nodded as the students began to file into the common room. Ginny slide a few inches away from Harry, he gave her a questioning look and she winked at him. Harry and Ginny noticed that the last students to enter the common room were all from the sixth and seventh year. Harry glanced over at Ginny and she nodded, both were suspicious and had an idea how convenient it was no one else stayed behind for the break. The group continued to glance over at the two on the couch, trying to figure out if anything happened between them during the holiday. Hermione and Ron were the last to enter right, the couple walked over to the couch where Harry and Ginny sat. "Hiya Harry" said Ron, looking back and forth between them. "How was your trip?" Harry asked Ron. Hermione looked up at Ron and blushed. Ginny decided she defiantly had to corner her later and get the entire story. "So, er.. Um.. How was your holiday?" Ron asked. Harry looked at Ginny, "I don't know, how do you think the holiday went?" he asked her. Ginny shrugged her shoulders, "Ehh, it went." The two on the couch noted how they were being watched out of the corners of eyes by half the room pretended not to pay attention. They could also see an obvious disappointment come over everyone. Ginny smiled in a sly manner and crawled over, sitting across Harry's lap, Harry not changing his expression wrapped his arms around her waist. "I do believe it could have been a little longer of a break though." Harry smiled and kissed Ginny on the forehead. Hermione's face broke out into a huge smile and she bounced on her feet holding Ron's hand. For some reason the entire room broke out into cheering.
"Bout bloody time!" Dean yelled from across the room. Colin and Ginger, who were sitting on a near by chair together, smiled at the new couple. Ron grimaced at his sister on his best friend's lap, "Just keep the snogging to a minimum for the love of everything holy," he said. Hermione smacked him on the shoulder. "What!" Ron protested. "You remember that brother dear", said Ginny "I can just as easily write to Mum as you can." Ron blanched, " 'K, Gin lets not get too hasty here." Ginny jumped off Harry's lap and grabbed Hermione's hand leading her to the stairs. "Where are you two going?" said Harry. "Girl talk", Ginny winked at him and headed up the stairs with Hermione in tow. "I think it's time we find out exactly what you and my brother have been up to."
Once Ginny had shut the door on Hermione's dorm room she rounded on the pretty brunette. "Spill it," Ginny said. "Well, um.." said Hermione. Before Hermione could finish Ginny grabbed her and hugged her tight. "I don't know what you did, but thank you." "So your not angry with us for setting this up?" said Hermione. "I have to admit I was wondering how it was possible for everyone to be gone." Ginny replied as she took a seat on Hermione's bed. "It wasn't really that difficult, most of the students were already going and those that weren't we set up for them to go to another's home. They were all more than willing when they found out why." said Hermione joining Ginny on the bed. Hermione lay across the bed propping her head on her hand. Ginny reclined back on her elbows turning her head to look at Hermione. "Your not getting off that easy darling, tell me about your trip." Hermione turned red and began to giggle, "It was great," she said. "Uh huh, and?" Ginny pressed. "And, I'm not telling you, Miss Ginny Weasley, my intimate involvements with your brother!" said Hermione. "Ah ha!" Ginny said triumphantly. "Oh! You!" Hermione reached beside her and smacked Ginny with a pillow. "Aww, 'Mione I won't tell if you don't," Ginny gave her an all-knowing smile. "Just promise me you won't give details," Ginny shuddered, "I really don't want the mental picture of my brother going at it with my best friend." Hermione laughed and said, "Same goes for you and my other best friend." It was Hermione's turn to shudder. "Ready to go find our men and make them worry that we've shared every lustful detail?" Ginny stood up. "Yep, always fun to mess with their heads," said Hermione. The girls linked arms heading down the stairs.
Down in the common room Harry and Ron sat on the couch watching the room. "So you're dating my sister now huh?" said Ron. "Is that alright with you?" asked Harry. Ron didn't say anything at first, he finally turned his head to look at Harry, "She's my sister," said Ron. "I love her and would do everything possible to make her happy. I'd die to keep her safe." Harry said looking directly in Ron's eyes. Ron looked him once over, "Well I suspect she wouldn't be right too happy if you went and got yourself killed." Ron started to laugh, "Bonus is now you get to enjoy the brunt of some of that temper she's got." Harry cringed, "I think I'll try to avoid that at all costs." "Mum's gonna be thrilled, I once over heard her talking to Dad saying that she knew you two were destined." said Ron. Harry looked at the stairs seeing Ginny and Hermione walking arm in arm towards them, Ron followed Harry's gaze also seeing the girls. "You do know, those two are going to be loads of trouble, especially when they put their heads together." Ron said as the girls approached. "Yeah, but think about all the fun," Harry answered. "Ugg, Harry that's my sister!" Ron said feeling completely disgusted. Harry punched Ron in the arm, "Pervert."
Ginny waited until her other dorm mates were asleep before she snuck out of bed. Harry had given her his invisibility cloak to use to come to his room at night. Ginny walked quietly up to the seventh year male corridor and was reaching for Harry's door when a sound behind her made her freeze. Turning around to look she saw Hermione sneaking quietly in the boys section of dorm lightly tap on Ron's door before it opened. Ginny had to put her hand over her mouth to keep from making any noise. Ron opened the door apparently waiting on her, after Hermione had stepped into his room Ron looked around the corridor before shutting it. Shaking with silent laughter Ginny went to turn to the door when she heard yet another noise. Ginny stood still watching, and within less than a minute she saw Sage sneaking up to Neville's room. Ginny almost gave herself away with a gasp of surprise if it hadn't been for the fact that Sage tapped on Neville's door before stepping in. Ginny shook her head thinking to herself, "Wait until I tell Harry about this!"
