Ginny walked up the stairs that led to a door reading Sixth Years. She opened it slowly, being very tired. She yawned and found her bed, as soft and comfortable as ever. She plopped onto the blue bedding and sighed. It was good to be back home again. She tried not to think too much about Crystal and Kevin, her ex-friends. Instead Ginny concentrated on the next glorious day. Harry was the captain of the Quidditch Team, and hopefully would be holding tryouts. Thinking about soaring through the air like an eagle, she gently fell asleep, her head nearly missing the pillow.

Ginny sunk into a deep dream. She saw blood-red eyes and pale white skin staring down at her. The snakelike face had slits for a nose and didn't seem to be breathing. She felt cold, cold feelings, worse than the ones she had experienced with dementors. Then again, it wasn't surprising, because he was probably the leader of the dementors!

"Ah, little Ginny. You are awake," Voldemort said with a hiss. "Old friends, aren't we? Nice to see you again. Very kind of you to drop in."

"Thomas Riddle," Ginny said coldly, her chocolate brown eyes speckled with a frosty gray. "Pleasant to see you again."

"Long time, no see," he said, his red eyes shining with excitement. "But who could get to you with that idiot Sparks girl guarding over you?"

"Crystal---was protecting me?" Ginny said in disbelief. "But...I never knew...she couldn't have...I mean, she's not special in any way...a normal witch..."

"Ah," Voldemort said with a look of glee. "I'll explain. You thought Harry Potter was the only wizard that survived my attacks? Well, there was another. Three guesses who, and the first two don't count."

"Crystal," Ginny breathed.

"Very good," he said. "On with the tale. Who knew that the newborn baby girl would be dangerous? I was just aiming for the Sparks...a big mistake, underestimating the child. She had powers...powers even stronger and more powerful than mine. I didn't know that then. I had snuck inside the house, seeking revenge for the Sparks, who had tortured some of my most trusted Death Eaters. She was six months old then...even younger than Potter. I tried to kill her idiot brother first, Kevin, I think it was. But she stepped in front of him and took full blast of the curse. Somehow it backfired and hit me. I got weak and fled, a frail, dying spirit. Lucius Malfoy cured me of that wretched pain, but a part of my magic was gone."

Ginny nodded, awed at the story of Crystal's bravery and magic. She had known her friend was useful, brave, and kind, but never as a person who had defeated the darkest wizard of all times! It was incredible. Voldemort had seemed to have read her mind.

"Yes, surprising, isn't it?" he asked unenthusiastically. "Your friend, a kindhearted, knowledgeable person, being the one who weakened me for Harry Potter? Inconceivable!" He cackled. "But it is the truth, and you must know it before your very unfortunate death."

Ginny paled, her skin turning whiter than snow. Her flaming red hair dulled. Her chocolate brown eyes turned to a dusty hazel.

"Wha---what do you mean, my---death?" she questioned, trembling.

"Why, the one that is going to occur right about...now," Voldemort said exasperatedly. "If you didn't know."

"Give a young victim her last couple of words," Ginny snapped. "Even you should be honorable enough to give me my final request."

"All right," he said with a scowl. "Be that way. But only your final request, Ginevra."

"Crucio!" Ginny shouted, her eyes burning. "Petrificus Totalus! Stupefy! Rictusempra!!!"

A stream of spells hit Voldemort, making him unconscious. His red-blood eyes closed for a long, long while, Ginny guessed.