A/N: Okay, so like I've told a few people already, its finals week. As in final papers that I've put off till the last minute, final exams, packing, and preparing to move back home. So expect sporadic updates as best for the next two weeks.
And in answer to the question in my reviews. They are in Minerva's mind, so while Malcolm and Albus and Tom all see Minerva as she was in her seventh year she and Ginny see her as she normally is.
Chapter 8: Broken Chains
The dungeons were dark when Ginny and Minerva scurried down the steps, loaded up with books. There was a desk in the middle of the room and Tom was sitting at it. He looked up as they entered. "So glad you changed your mind Minerva. Hand the books to Ginny." She did as she was bid. Tom motioned her to the front of the desk with a flick of his wand.
Panic settled on the older witch's face as she moved. "Crucio." He whispered, pleased. Minerva collapsed on the floor, withering and screaming.
"Tom, stop it! Stop it!" Ginny cried out. Her eyes were locked on the pained figure on the cold stone. Ginny backed away from the sight and she pleaded with the wizard.
He listened to her finally. The screaming stopped and after dropping the books, Ginny ran over to her professor. Minerva was barely conscious and Ginny brushed back the dark hair that was obscuring her face. "Honestly Ginny, after everything you've done, you'd think you be able to stomach a little screaming." He hissed, disgusted.
"I didn't do anything." She insisted weakly. "You did, it was your fault Tom."
He laughed. "My fault? Really? If we cast Priori Incantatum I wonder whose wand it would come out of." She whimpered and tried to ignore him as she concentrated on calming McGonagall. "I think we need to rebuild your tolerance Ginny. You've become weak. This time you will cast the curse on Minerva."
"No. No, Tom, no." She begged even as she pulled away and stood up.
"Yes Ginny. Point your wand at her."
"No. No. No. No."
"YES!" And her wand pointed at the figure cowering on the floor. Tears were obscuring her vision, but Ginny could see the understanding and forgiveness in Minerva's eyes. "I want to hear her scream Ginny."
Ginny's hand was shaking and she slammed her mouth shut , biting her tongue to keep from speaking. Tom's demands grew louder, more insistent and Ginny felt her jaw trying to pull open against her will.
"Don't do it!" Remus yelled from the doorway. "Fight him Ginny, he's in your mind, you can fight him!"
Ginny whirled around. He was there, Remus was standing there along with the Headmaster. She began to fight even harder. She wouldn't cast the curse on McGonagall, not in front of him.
"Ginny Weasley! CAST THE SPELL!" Tom demanded as loud as he could.
"CRUCIO!" She cried out. But in the last seconds she forced all her will and turned her wand from the transfiguration professor. Tom screamed as the spell hit him. The curse broke his hold on her and Ginny pulled her wand down, horrified.
When he stood he was weaker. He stared at the trembling witch in front of him but she felt no compulsion to listen to him. Remus moved to her side and put an arm around her. "He has no hold on you anymore Ginny." He soothed her. "Now you can begin to heal."
Albus Dumbledore had entered the room at the same moment Remus had and while Remus went to comfort Ms. Weasley, Albus hurried to his deputy's side and helped her stand. He felt nervous; wanting to say the right thing to help her, to lend her strength so that she could defeat this, but uncertain of what to say. Snape's words rang in his head. Trust yourself. So he spoke from the heart. "Listen to me Minerva." He whispered softly as she leaned on him, staring at the boy in front of her. "He has no hold over you. This is your mind, you are in control. You can defeat him. You are stronger than he is."
She stared doubtfully at him but slowly his words took root in her mind and he could see the confidence unfurling like a rose through her eyes. "Think about everything he's done to you Minerva, and stop him."
She was still leaning heavily on his arm, but she stopped shaking. "Imperio!" Riddle cast as he noticed her. "Kill Dumbledore Minerva."
She only struggled for a moment. "No Tom." She raised her wand in his direction. "I once told you had killed every last human feeling I had ever had for you, but I was wrong. I was still afraid of you." She picked her head up proudly and stared down at him. "Now I'm not even frightened of you. And its time that you paid for what you did to me. Avada Kedavra."
He was gone. The last bit of strength faded from Minerva's body and slumped in the headmaster's arms. "It's over." Were the last words she heard.
Ginny smiled as she watched her professor succumb to the blackness. "I think we should all get out of her mind." The young witch whispered. She too began to weaken but she stood on her tip-toes and kissed Remus's cheek. "Thank you." Then she too faded out, falling limp.
