A/N: Hey! Sorry it took me a little while to get the last chapter up, been having some personal issues. This is kind of an uneventful chapter. Anyway here's the next one, hope you like!

Chapter Fifteen: Tragedy Makes It's Move

Ginny moaned through the darkness that surrounded her, what had happened? One moment she had been with everyone and then the next she was here. This place was damp, more so than the rest of the castle by far. It also smelled of rotting flesh and mothballs, the stench burned at her nostrils and was almost unbearable. She wrinkled her nose and opened her eyes to find a small candle burning a path of light through the darkness. She was scared to move; hardly anything was visible in the small amount of light and the obvious disarray of the rest of the ruinous castle hid secrets in the space between herself and the light.

There she waited, listening for any sign of life, anyone to keep her company in this desolate place. Even a viscous guard to torment her and taunt her with the thought of freedom, the thought of being with her friends again. Her wish was soon granted, for beyond the flickering light of the candle two crimson eyes came to life. A smile seemed to materialize as the light reflected off the ivory color or fangs. She shuddered and felt her body tense, fear welling up within her as the eyes advanced, followed by glitters and flashes of black.

"It seems you have awakened." Called a rough, snakelike voice.

Ginny nodded timidly, figuring that either this creature was adapted to the dim light of it could see in the darkness that shrouded them so well. The sound of slimy flesh peeling apart soon resonated through the tiny room, it was up to something. An evil plot perhaps? Or merely feeding…but on what?

"Human, will you have me devour you now or do you wish to give your companions an attempt for a valiant rescue which will utterly fail causing their demise?" the creature questioned wittily.

"You won't win! Harry and the others will save me and you'll be dead!" she yelled, trying to make herself believe it.

A tremendous roar came forth, ringing in her ears as the loud footfalls of the creature retreated. She had angered it, and for the time being was left alone to wallow in her misery. Would Harry and the others be able to save her? Or was the strange creature correct?

In another corridor Harry and Arthur trudged along, still searching and hoping. Harry growled angrily and slammed his fists against the wall. Arthur put a comforting arm around his shoulder, sighing deeply as Harry let a single tear flow down his flushed cheek.

"Now Harry, don't lose hope just yet. I'm sure we'll find Ginny." He said in a low tone.

"What if we don't? It's my fault…all of it…" Harry replied.

"No Harry. This is the Dark Lord's plot. He is to blame."

"But he's after me! Don't you see it? How can you not? Everyone I've ever loved or ever will love will be taken away by him! I'm destined to be alone!"

Silence answered him, but not a truthful silence. This silence was stern, not awkward. It was as if even though Arthur couldn't say the words Harry knew what he was thinking. He wanted Harry to keep his faith.

"Let's go." Harry muttered, moving himself from the wall to continue down the corridor.

Draco nearly spat on the woman but wanted to keep Hermione safe and restrained himself.

"You know your orders, go!" she urged.

With a heavy heart Draco turned on his heels and headed for the exit, he would bring the Potter boy to her in exchange for Hermione.

"Oh and Draco dearest." She called after him.

"What?"

"Do hurry back."

He watched helplessly as the woman tightened the bonds on Hermione yet again. With a final glare at her he hurried out and searched for Harry. The corridors were long and dark but he knew them well enough, his father made sure he walked them everyday. The cruelest training for memory, leaving a child in a dark hall and telling them that if they wanted to live they would find their way out. He searched his memory to remember which direction Harry had set off in, the third corridor on the right perhaps? With a shrug he thought up a plan, only one way to get Harry's attention.

"HARRY!" he bellowed, "HERMIONE IS IN DANGER!"

Draco stood and waited, he knew the hope of finding Hermione would lure Harry to him. After that, he could only plan his steps as he took them.