LuSa: Thank you so much for your review! Oh and I hope you review for this chappie too!
Wisperinglilies: I'm so glad you like it :3 Sorry I can't update til Friday though, I hope this long chapter makes up for it! It's 11 pages on word!
Devil's poodle: I'm really grateful that you've stayed with me all the way to chapter 4! This means a lot for me and I hope you like this chapter! I? Write well? You've gotten me confused with someone else!
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Okay, this is my longest chapter I've EVER written, and it's all for you! I won't be able to update until Friday, so I made this Chapter extra long to make it up to you guys! I have to say I was absolutely gleeful when I got 6 reviews for Chapter two. I was surprised when I got 4 reviews for the short chapter three! I want to thank you all for reviewing and giving me so much encouragement, and I will say again: this chapter is for all of you!
A Whisper in the Wind
Chapter Four
By: Death of Roses
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
'Confused' is probably the lightest way to put my current feelings. An endless sea of questions kept swimming through my head, showing no mercy as it flooded my thoughts, pushing all other thoughts aside. What do I feel about Draco? If, IF, I like Draco, what will I tell Dean? How will I explain?
I groaned, tossing and turning in my sleep. Please, please, I thought to myself, let me sleep!
After what seemed like an eternity, I had finally drifted off to sleep, but was met by a nightmare.
I dreamt of myself running, the sound of my own footsteps echoing across the hallway only succeeded in making me even more frightened than before. What was I running from?
'Ginny…'
I felt my blood go cold as I ran even faster, not caring if I was already tired beyound belief. Even if I couldn't run, I still have to run.
'My precious Ginny.. Why are you running?'
That voice… it was all too familiar.
It was none other than the cold voice of Tom Riddle. As I ran, I took numerous amounts of twists and turns, not caring if I got lost. The only thing that processed into my mind was 'run'.
As I made a sharp turn around a corner, my footing somehow slipped, causing me to hit the floor with a loud 'thud'.
'Ginny…'
Ginny sat up abruptly, her breathing ragged and uneven, beads of sweat trickled down her body, drenching her clothes. Her whole body shook in fright, her eyes still widened in fear. So to say, if Ginny hadn't been so frightened, she would have been thankful that she didn't scream and wake her dorm mates up.
I was scared.. so scared.. I told myself over and over that that was only a dream, that Riddle was gone, and wouldn't come back. As much as I told myself that, I still couldn't calm down. The memory was so vivid, so real. And it happened before.. It happened before.. just before the Chamber. I remember it.
Slowly, I shut my eyes, not shaking as badly anymore. But then again, how could I forget about it?
Deep breathes, deep breathes, I told myself. Soon, I calmed myself down, although I couldn't do anything about the sweat.
But I still couldn't get the memory of Tom Riddle out of my mind.
I went to the first place that would give me confort; the Room of Requirement.
As she danced wildly to a fast piece, her heart beating hurriedly and new sweat dripping off her forehead. She was lost in the feeling, lost in the wonder, and lost in herself.
-
Three shadowy figures sat in their respected common rooms, all leaning over a certain map.
"What's she doing there?" Shouted a red head.
"I don't know, but I think we should go find out." One with messy black hair and a thunder-shaped scar running down his forehead.
"Really, you should give the girl her privacy!" A female voice said in a know-it-all fashion. (3 guesses to who these three are, and the first two don't count XD)
The two boys simply ignored her, plotting their scheme.
-
Ginny Weasley wasn't a person who would make things up and lie about it, especially to herself. She was an honest person, at least until she met Riddle. That changed things. She could lie, but she still couldn't lie to herself.
And she wasn't lieing when she thought she had felt a pair of eyes watching her as she exited the Room of Requirements, sending shivers down her spine.
She was scared, for she was SURE that someone was watching her, staring at her, their gaze piercing through her like a knife.
She really, really, wanted to hurry up and go back to the Gryffindor Tower.
She walked, not showing any traces of fear on her face, walking at normal pace. She couldn't let the person know that she was afraid, no, she wouldn't.
"Ginny."
She litterally jumped at the sound, spinning around and drawing her wand, about to mutter a 'stupefy' spell before she saw who it was.
"Woah, Gin!" Harry said quietly. "It's just us!"
She felt herself relax, letting out the breath of air she didn't know she had been holding. "Thank Merlin. What are you guys doing out this late?" She whispered, keeping her voice down so they don't send Filch running their way.
"That's what we're supposed to say!" Ron hissed.
"We used the map and saw you out, we were worried Gin!" Hermione explained.
"I'm fine, I can take care of myself, and you guys go back to the common room. I'll be fine on my own." Ginny stated firmly.
Ron and Harry nodded (the former rather reluctantly), but Hermione looked at her suspiciously, but still agreed none the less.
The left, leaving Ginny all alone. She cursed in her mind, as she felt the pair of eyes on her again. Why, she thought, oh WHY didn't she ask to go along with them?
Ginny took a different path to Gryffindor Common Room, unlike the Trio; who took the secret passages, causing them both to go in separate directions.
Ginny made her way up a set of staircases, and when she got to the top, she felt a pair of hands come in contact with her shoulders, pushing her down the stairs.
She screamed, and before she could get a look at the attacker's face, she blacked out.
(I was thinking of ending it here.. but seeing as how happy those reviews made me, I'll continue!)
I found myself in darkness.. black, black, darkness. This wasn't the kind of darkness that Tom Riddle had put me in. No, this was the opposite. This was the other kind of darkness, where no evil is here. No thoughts, no worries, no frustrations, no delimmas exist here. It's a soothing darkness, away from my fears.
I wanted to stay there forever.
-
"Gin! Oh god, Gin!" Harry gasp, running over to the body of Ginny weasley. It was not a pretty sight, and it made his heart die 10 times over just by seeing it. Ron and Hermione followed, the same reaction, but Ron's reaction was ten-fold when he saw the state Ginny was in.
Blood was everywhere (since the staircase was REALLY high. Don't ask.) and the biggest wound was on her forhead, blood making it's way through her hair and on the floor from the wound. Her eyes were closed, her body deathly pail. Hermione took control of the situation, quickly kneeling next to the injured girl, checking to see if there was a pulse. There was, but a really weak one.
Ron, was speechless and utterly shocked at the sight before him.
"Harry, go inform Madam Promfrey about this." Hermione said hastely. She couldn't waste any time, time was precious but short when a life was concerned.
When Harry didn't move, but simply stared, Hermione shouted: "Now!" This snapped him out of his shock, as he hurriedly ran towards the Hospital Wing.
Hermione was usually the kind of person who had answers to everything, always getting top grades in all of her classes. But as she watched someone that she loved dearly go in a near-death situation, even she was worried and at lost of what to do. She was as scared as Ron and Harry were for the girl, but still; She had to act quickily and use her brains in this, or it could mean Ginny's life. So, even as a semi-genius, she could be forgiven for being scared in times like these.
Harry, always the part of 'hero', was also frightened for his best friend's sister's health. He was brave and courageous when it came to fighting and going head on with Voldemort and his deatheaters, but he felt so afraid when it came to losing a dear one. He couldn't be blamed, after all, he already lost his parents. The only things he had now were his friends. He wasn't prepared to lose them.
"Wingardium Leviousa." Hermione hollared as she pointed her wand at Ginny's body, then dragging her to the hospital wing, Ron following after; still at a loss for words.
Hermione was tired and panting when she got to the Hospital wing, where Madam Promfrey and Harry Potter were standing at the doorway, awaiting nervously (or at least the latter was.)
Madam Promfrey already had a stretcher out and motioned for Hermione to carefully set Ginny on it, which the girl immediately obeyed.
The healer wasted no time in getting Ginny into a bed, then looking over her, doing a spell to stop the bleeding.
"Now, can you please explained what happened here?" She looked at them expectantly.
"We were heading to the Great Hall for Breakfast when we ran into her, Madam Promfrey. We saw her in this state," Hermione glanced over to Ginny, "At the bottome of a set of stairs. From the position she was laying in, I would say she was pushed by someone or something." Hermione pointed to Ginny's body.
Ron, finally regaining his ability of speech, cut off Hermione. "Is Gin going to be alright!" He asked, his eyes widening as he brought himself to look at Ginny again. It pained him dearly to see Ginny in that position.
"She seems to have a pretty bad wound on the head, it wouldn't necessarily be that bad, but it seemed to have happened overnight, so," The healer paused, pointing to some dry blood. "So, the major thing is the loss of blood, but she should be fine in a couple of days.. that is.." Madam Promfrey looked hesitantly at them, as if debating whether to tell them or not.
"That is what!" Ron asked, scared of the reply.
"That is.. unless the person refuses to wake up." Madam Promfrey said with a sigh. "Not even the best of healers can save As good as healers are, we can't save someone if they want to die."
"No.. No.." Ron shook his head disbelievingly. "She WILL wake up. She wouldn't want to die!" Ron firmly stated.
"Well, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to ask you two to go to your classes, since I have to tend to this patient. Tell Proffesor Snape, you two DO have potions, right?" Hermione nodded at this. "Well, tell him I apologize for keeping three of his students and making them late." Ron was about to protest, but Hermione clamped a hand over his mouth
"Off you go then, Dearies." Madam Promfrey shooed the Trio out, sending them off to their classes.
After they went, Madam Promfrey turned to look at Ginny. "Where to start.." She murmured to herself as she began getting some potions for the young girl.
I hear voices.. no.. not that voice. Go away… Why do you haunt me so? What did I do to deserve this? What did I do to serverve this nightmare?
Ginny…
I hear you. I hear you, Tom. I still remember how you used to call out to me. I remember you, for you will always be a memory to me. A memory that didn't die with the Diary. You know Tom.. I know you're not here anymore, but I can still hear you calling out to me whenever I'm alone… It haunts me. Why do you do this to me, Tom?
Ginny.. You're pathetic..
Tom.. I know.. I can still hear you say those words. It was when I was in the Chamber and you were about to kill me. Don't say it again Tom... don't say it again...
You're weak Ginny.. You're just like me when I was young..
No! I'm nothing like you!
If you do live.. what will there be to live for? Is it really worth it?
No!
I had realized that whatever Tom said was always right. Those had been the exact words that he whispered in my ear when I was laying in the Chamber. And how funny it is to hear them now.
But.. is it really worth getting up, when your down, only to meet tomorrow?
I don't want to go back.. I hate having to live everyday under the shadows of everyone, seeing the pity in their eyes when I stare at the diaries in the bookshop, remembering the Chamber Incident. I remember the whispers around me when I was in my second year, the year after Tom Riddle. 'Poor Ginny.. look at her.. I heard she was posessed by a book!' I always did ignore those people, but I couldn't help but feel a pain in my heart whenever they said that.
I didn't want them to say that.
At that time, I really wanted someone to pull me on my feet, tell me to 'live with it' and say 'other people have had worse' or something like that. I don't want their pity. I hate all the pitious looks I always got, and even from my own family!
I hated it…
And now, look where I am. I'm in darkness. I remember how I had spend days after days wondering about how it would end if the great Harry Potter hadn't saved me. Would it be something like what I'm feeling now? Endless darkness?
I really wanted to reach out, find something to hold onto in this darkness. It was scary, being there and having voices yell and insult me. Voices of Tom Riddle.
I could just close my eyes and sleep…. Never waking up… never..
-
"Malfoy! Guess what?" Blaise called towards Draco as he entered the Boy's Dorm. The two boys had skipped dinner entirely, not really hungry. Draco was now laying on his bed, looking at the ceiling.
Draco didn't reply.
"Well, Your favorite red-head has landed herself in The hospital Wing!" Blaise flopped down on his bed, looking at Draco.
"And what, may I ask, does that have to do with me?" Draco grumbled. The little Weaslette could go to hell for all he cared.
Blaise ignored him. "Draco." He said quietly, "She's in a coma."
Draco raised his eyebrow. He was shocked, but didn't show it on his face. What he showed was mild curiousity. "And what did she do this time? Fall of the stairs?" He laughed.
"Actually, she did. It's from the loss of blood, or so I heard, and I also heard Madam Promfrey mumbling about 'refuses to wake up' or something." Blaise explained.
Draco was silent as thoughts ran through his head.
"So?" He said, stripping off his clothes and only leaving on his boxers as he got in his bed (insert drool and sigh here), about to close the curtains.
"It has nothing to do with me." He stated as he shut the curtains tightly around his bed.
Blaise merely sighed. He supposed it should be expected for Draco Malfoy to act this way… for now. Blaise smiled. Getting him and the Weasley girl together would be so much fun!
And Blaise, in all in it, for fun.
-
Draco malfoy shut his eyes, trying to get to seep. So what if the Weaslette is in a coma! It means nothing to me! Nothing! I tell you, Nothing! He thought to himself firmly. But.. we was a bit worried.. and what if she died.. no! Malfoy's do NOT worry!
He started remembering the day when he saw her dancing, how graceful and at ease her moves were, how she jumped and landed with such emotion, showing everyone 'I love dancing'.
Sure, Draco Malfoy wouldn't admit it, but he also knew how to dance. Any kind, from waltz to Ballet. Of course, this was what his Mother, Narcissa had requested to be taught to him, saying 'all fine gentlemen should know how to dance properly. I refuse to see a Malfoy who can't hold his own feet on the floor!'.
He was good at Ballet, but before he met her, he didn't enjoy it much. It just.. didn't appeal to him. But when he first so her dance, saw all the emotion she put in the simple moves and jumps, he was awed. For the first time, he felt all the emotion, all the passion in a simple but beautiful dance.
All from a small girl.
But, Draco being a Malfoy, would die before he admitted this.
-
"What did you mean when you said someone pushed her?" Harry asked Hermione. The Trio were crowded around a table, the common room all to themselves for they were the only ones still awake at this ungodly hour of the night.
"I meant what I said. Didn't you see the position she was laying in at the bottom of the stairs? That in by no means tripping. And her robes, the part where her shoulders were, were a bit rumbled like someone pushed her. It had to be, but the question now is, who?" Hermione explained in her usual tone.
"When I'm going to find that piece of filth, I'll make that SOB make sure her was never born!" Ron hissed, fury clearly shown on his eyes.
Harry was about to say something when Hermione got to it before he could.
"We all know how much you care about Ginny, but that doesn't mean you should go killing someone! It would land you in Azkaban!" Hermione berated in a motherly fashion.
Ron visibly softened. "Sorry mates… well.. I'm of to sleep, I'm tired and have this huge headache.." he groaned, making his point even clearer. "G'night Harry, G'night Herm." He muttered, then stood up and made his way up the boy's dorm.
Harry and Hermione started sympathically at his back until he was out of sight.
"Yes, well, it IS pretty late, I guess I better get some rest too. Good night Harry." Hermione said softly, gathering her books and materials. "Oh and, Harry?"
"Yes?" Harry replied, also following her action of gathering his stuff.
"Keep the Marauders Map with you. It'll no doubt come in handy." Hermione said, then they both went to their separate dorms.
Ron tossled and turned in his sleep, or lack of. It's all my fault.. He thought. I wasn't there for her, again.. He accused himself. We used to be best mates before I went to Hogwarts.. then I started ignoring her. He groaned. And in her first year, she got possesed. And even then, I still wasn't there for her! Damn it! And now.. I neglected her and now.. she's landed in the hospital wing. Tears pricked his eyes, threatening to be let out. If I was there for her, none of this would have happened. She would still be happy and smiling.. not knowing the pain of reality in the world. She would be pure and innocent. He gulped, trying to make the tears go away with no avail. It's all my fault.
One shiny, silver, tear make it's way down his cheek and on his pillow, followed by many more tears. Tears after tears, he cried himself to sleep.
-
The night of the day after, Draco had indeed came to visit Ginny. And his heart cringed at the helpless form of the small red-head, once so full of life and laughter. Needless to say, he didn't come back again, afraid of showing weakness. And he felt very, very, weak near her. A whole week had passed since Ginny was in the Hospital Wing, making the Trio as worried as ever.
Ron, constantly crying himself to sleep at night, was also failing in his classes, never seeming to pay attention. Harry and Hermione could only watch, their hearts breaking, as their best friend suffered.
"It seems it's about time I pay a visit to Ms Weasley.." Dumbledore said to Fawkes, who let out a cry, flapping it's wings. Dumbledore got up and made his way to the Hospital Wing. As soon as Madam Promfrey spotted him, she rushed over, asking 'was everything alright?'
"How is Ms Weasley doing?" Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling as he made his way over to Ginny's bed, sitting down at the stool beside her.
"The poor girl still refuses the wake, but her physical health is much better. I'm afraid the only thing we can do now is wait and see."
"I see. That will be all, Poppy." Dumbledore looked at the young girl as Madam Promfrey went to tend the other patients.
Dumbledore closed his eyes, concentrating.
-
Well, hello Ms Weasley.
I opened my eyes, but still only say darkness. That voice.. it was so soothing and caring. I reconized it at once, it was none other than Dumbledore!
'Why, hello Proffesor. What brings you here?'
Just checking up on you. When do you plan on going back?
I stayed silent for a while, not knowing the answer. I hadn't planned on going back, to be truthful.
'I like it here.'
Do you miss your brother?
'Well.. yes I do, Proffesor. How long have I been gone?'
A week. I see you have quite the talent for dancing.
I blushed, wondering how Headmaster knew.
'I love dancing.'
Do you like it here, Ms Weasley?
'It is quiet here.. no nightmares. No fear. No thoughts.'
People are concerned for you. I believe that even a certain Malfoy came to see you once.
I was shocked. Malfoy? Come to see me? I felt so happy, though I didn't know why.
'I am afraid to go back.'
Oh? What are you afraid of?
'Tom. He haunts my memories.'
I see… Fear only gets worse if you don't face it.
'Will you.. take me back?'
I could hear him chuckling, the sound was so pleasant.
I'm afraid not, Ms Weasley. I can't, but you can.
'How'?
The simplest thing is a wish.
'Thank you, Headmaster.'
To Be Continued
Thank you for all your encouragement! This chapter is for you guys!