The Beginning
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters that you already know.
It was odd that she left in the headmaster's office but ended up in the corridor, and moreover, it was hard to decide which floor she was on, for the set of decorations were arranged in a way that was completely different from what she had known. It was quiet then; there was only the sound of constant dripping from the washroom nearby that filled the air. Clearly it was time for class.
"What shall I do now?" she tried to think. But the spinning sensation hadn't fade much, the harder she tried to get her brain to work, the more she wanted to throw up. Refraining from the urge, she stood up from the floor and stumbled into the washroom.
Having relieved and cleaned herself, she leaned on the basin, slowly combed her long hair with a conjured comb, feeling much better. It was then that she heard some gentle but steady footsteps in the corridor. It was near, and Ginny couldn't help but wish whoever it belonged wouldn't come in here.
Sometimes, the more you wish for a thing not to happen, the more likely it would really happen, because before wishing against it, your intuition had already detected something which your mind may not be able to realize, and those things had already decided on the opposite side of your wish.
The person came to a stop just at the door of the room and a knock was heard. There was nowhere to hide, so Ginny put on a natural and friendly face and turned to the door.
The figure appeared was a tall boy with jet black hair, and had a prefect's badge glinting on his half new robe. He had cold and intent ebony eyes, and the corner of his mouth went slightly downward, which formed a discontented expression...All too familiar appearance, the one she most feared to face yet had to face in this time---Tom Riddle, stood in front of her, and clearly up to something. He stared at her sharply, a hand moved instinctively up to his pocket where his wand hid. Ginny's face frozen, throat tightened and her heart beat quickened.
Tom Riddle also got a shock when he saw a girl he had never seen in "his territory", and his first reaction was to stun her and obliviate her, but something that even he couldn't tell made him change his mind. It was not in his nature to hesitate when the unexpected happened, but he did take some time to persuade himself to put on a nice face to this unacquainted girl.
After a moment of blankness, Ginny saw his wand hand turn to his collar instead of reaching the wand, and adjust it. He then smiled broadly and said, "Hello!"
Having no better idea, she returned a "Hello".
"You are new here, aren't you?" He asked slowly, examined her from head to foot, considering how to gain her trust.
"Yes." She reminded herself not to say much, because she still hadn't a full idea of how to make up her history.
"Well the headmaster hadn't informed me of this." He frowned a little, and then smiled sincerely, "I'm Tom Riddle, one of the prefects here. You look pale. Do you need any help?"
A pause.
His intent eyes rested on her face for some time, and then around, especially on the tap that never worked. Not discovering anything unusual, he became more composed.
"No, thank you." Ginny answered nervously, hoping he would go away.
But Tom didn't, he would never have her stay in here longer than necessary. So he offered again, "You haven't seen the headmaster, have you? Would you like me to take you there?" and showed her to the door.
Finding no excuse to leave behind, she nodded, "OK, thanks." before gingerly followed him out.
"I was just going to check on a student there, but unexpectedly found you. By the way, you haven't told me what your name is." said Tom casually, once they were in the corridor.
"Virginia Wea---"she bit her tongue just in time, realizing that it would be risky to have the would-be Lord Voldemort know her full name, and changed the word into the first name her hurried wit supplied, "Williams."
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Williams." Tom said, smiled again.
Ginny had to admit he was the most charming boy she had ever seen, especially with a pair of eyes so intent even when smiling. Then she found herself answering, "Nice to meet you too, Tom."
He shot her a quick glance in surprise, which made her realize in horror that she had said his name so casually as if they had long been friends! She flushed, lowered her head, reprimanding herself, "Mind what you are thinking and saying!" She only hoped it wouldn't be too big a mistake, and determined not to speak again before they arrive at the headmaster's office.
Silence fell between them as they walked through the corridor. Though nervous to feel the presence of the boy to whom she once opened her heart completely, and who cruelly used her for his evil purpose, Ginny couldn't help stealing glances up at him from time to time. His forehead furrowed slightly, and she hoped to see what lies beneath his handsome yet serious appearance, and most eagerly, to find something that did not bear the quality of evil.
"Are you trying to find kindness in VOLDEMORT?" she mentally scolded herself. But the previous thought always tended to come back to her. "Stop!" she struggled frustrated.
At the same time, Tom was also trying to solve the puzzle of the girl beside him. She had an air of mystery, something unusual, about her, and he sensed it not easy to draw this out simply by asking questions. Also there was a need to gain her trust, which he felt but could not explain. "She may be not all useless in the future." He reasoned, and noted to calculate her value when he found out more.
"Here we are, Miss Williams!" Tom's cool voice pulled Ginny out of her thought. She shook her head slightly and found herself facing the gargoyle she had seen not long before, only this was newer. A thought suddenly came to her.
"Is Professor Dumbledore the headmaster here?" she asked, hoping for the positive answer.
But came "No, he's the transfiguration teacher. The headmaster is Professor Dippet." And a puzzled look passed by his face.
"Oh, no." grumbled Ginny inwardly, "I should have thought of this at home."
Although Dumbledore made no indication that she should see him for any more instructions, she thought it easier to explain this odd situation to him than to others. So she said, "I think I should see Professor Dumbledore first." Seeing Tom's unreadable face, she couldn't help but felt panic and tried to make up "He's the only Professor whom I have known before..."
"Strange. Knowing Dumbledore but not the headmaster." Thought Tom, and put this new item to his list of odd things about the girl.
Deciding there wouldn't be much wrong in her seeing Dumbledore first, he led her around the corner, to the end of the next corridor, and knocked on the wooden door there.
A tall wizard with long sweeping auburn hair and a beard—a much younger version of Dumbledore stood behind the oak table, smiling amiably to them. "Think we have a guest today. Come, and sit down." And he gestured them to two floppy armchairs.
"Er, Professor," said Ginny hurriedly without a look to the chair, "I have some matters to talk to you..." she didn't utter the word "privately", but expressed it with a glance to Tom's direction, and Dumbledore took the hint.
"Thank you Tom, for bringing her here. And now I think you should go back to class." He said kindly.
"Anytime, sir. Good day." Tom answered politely, before slouching out of the room. Dumbledore looked down at Ginny, who had taken her seat, eyes sparkling, "And how can I help you, Miss—"
"Williams, my name's Virginia Williams." Supplied Ginny immediately, "and Professor, I hope you can understand that I'm a future student of Hogwarts, transferred here on a special mission of secrecy, and that's the only truth I can tell you. I hope you will trust me." Feeling Dumbledore's penetrating eyes on her, she stopped, looked up.
It was not all because of her independence and unwillingness to receive indications on a self-depending mission like this that she didn't tell all the truth, but she somehow felt rather than reasoned that it would be better to do it alone.
"Get some courage!" she ordered herself, as Dumbledore's regarded her carefully, face turned sober and thoughtful.
He finally nodded, and began slowly, "Then I suppose you know the rules of time travel, and the disastrous results if you are not careful?"
Ginny gave a relieved sigh, "Yes. We wouldn't have made this decision if we had other choice to save the world of the dark future, and I will only change the things that the mission required."
Dumbledore nodded again, "And I think you need to make up a history to fit yourself here? Where do you intend to be from?"
"Er... Beauxbatons" said Ginny hesitantly, "Is that all right?"
"Of course. So you will be an orphan, transferred from Beauxbatons here. Which year are you in?"
"I just began my six year back at home..."Then it reminded Ginny that she still didn't know the date, and she asked.
"It's the same date as that you left, only in 1947. Your journey has been quite exact. I wonder who will be powerful enough to make this..."At this, it was hard for Ginny to hide her amusement, but Dumbledore continued, "Then it's settled that you should join the sixth year here, but I'm afraid you have to be sorted once more, as a transferred student. Is it OK?"
"Quite OK, Professor." Ginny said, smiling. And Dumbledore took her to the headmaster.
Ginny sat under the big sorting hat, nervously waiting for its comment.
Then came a little voice, "Went back in time alone to do a dangerous task, ah? You sure have the bravery for a Gryffindor. Don't panic. Although I can see everything in your mind, I will tell no one...No, it's not this that made you panic, it's the plan you have in your mind...Rather cunning, isn't it? You want to be in Slytherin? I won't deny you do have some Slytherin qualities..."
"Please, put me in Slytherin, I have to for my mission. Please, help me!" She pleaded repeatedly.
"I see you also have a stubborn mind. OK, I agree to put you in SLYTHERIN!"
Hearing the shout of the hat, Ginny got out of it, grinning inwardly. "The first step done." She said to herself, mind made up, "and I will get nearer to him, look for the chance to kill him, or disable him of killing."
She gave the hat back to Professor Dippet with a "thank you". The little old man smiled to her in congratulation and said, "I will inform everyone of your arrival later at dinner. As the dorms of Slytherin are all full at the moment, you'll have to have a small single room beside the girls' dorms. Since you are an orphan," Dippet turned into a sympathetic tone, "the school will pay for your education out of its charity funds. You will find all your things in your room, which the girl prefect of your house will show to you after this class. Now you may go look around, Miss Williams, have a nice day."
Ginny bid the professors good day, and left.
Back to fifty years after, Dumbledore sat in front of the Pensieve, and touched the silver substance with his wands. A silver figure of Flitwick immerged out of it. "Have you heard of a prophesy, Headmaster?" his voice echoed, "When old wound reopened, old love remembered. When mind of darkness meets the head of fire, that is where hope last remained..." "We all wish you success, Miss Weasley." murmured Dumbledore.
A/N: Thank you all for your review and your support. I'm sorry I wasn't able to use any of the names you supplied. I planned to, but my habit is to think of the next scenario at the very last moment, and when it comes to the name part, I had to choose a name that first sounds like Weasley. Luckily, a name did come into my mind then... In fact, I would more like not to detail Tom Riddle's cunning thoughts. But here, I think I should reveal his situation of mind when the story happened. Please tell me if you like this Riddle (or Ginny) or not, and, what do you like him (her) to be.