Disclaimer: Anything that's from the Harry potter world, belongs to JKR. I
only own the plot.
Chapter 3- Reality or hallucinations?
In the week next to the fair, Ginny had taken accustom to never look in her mirror when she was alone in the room.
Actually she wouldn't look in any mirror if she was alone.
Hermione looked surprise when, the morning after the fair, Ginny covered her mirror with a sheet. And she looked even more surprised when Ginny asked her to always remember to put the sheet back on, after she's done with it. She would go ballistics if anyone forgot to replace it.
And when Ginny needed to use a mirror, she would find excuses to make Hermione stay with her in the room.
But even with company, she would remove the sheet with trembling hands, waiting to see him staring back at her, with his cold eyes.
As if avoiding mirrors wasn't enough, she would avoid anything that would reflect. When she was in the kitchen, she wouldn't look at the pots and pans, and instead she would concentrate very hard on her food. She would even avoid looking at her fork and knife.
Later that week Ginny when she was reading calmly in her room, she heard a knock on the door.
'Ginny dear, can I come in?'- the voice sounded sweet, but had a hint of concern on it.
'Sure Mom!'- she answered.
Mrs. Weasley came in the room and her concern increased at the sight of the covered mirror.
'Honey, is there something you'd like to tell me?'
Her mom sat in the bed near her, and looked at her with a worried face. Ginny looked up from her book.
'No mom. Why do you ask?'
Mrs. Weasley looked at the mirror, and Ginny followed her look.
'Ever since you came back from that fair you've been acting very strange! You've been covering mirrors, and hiding from reflections.'
Ginny looked at her mom. What would she do if she told her the truth? That Tom Riddle had been appearing to her in mirrors, and that he had chased her through a labyrinth all made of mirrors, and that she was tired of having mirrors all around her.
She would lock her up in St Mungo's, that's what she would do.
'I'm fine mom! There's nothing to worry about! I. I just dislike mirrors since I got lost in that labyrinth at the fair! That's all! - Ginny spoke in the sweetest and most cuddly tone she could manage. And then she made an innocent look, and her mom looked a little less worried.
'Well, if there is anything that you would like to talk about, you know that I'm always here for you!'-said Mrs. Weasley giving he daughter a hug.
'Thanks mom!'
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Far way, in a dark and cold dungeon, Voldemort was walking down a hallway.
He came to a tapestry, and touched it with his wand. The tapestry rolled up, and Voldemort steeped in to a very small room. The tapestry rolled back down, and he touched the wall with his wand, revealing a second room. But this room was all made of mirrors.
The walls were mirrors, the ceiling was a mirror, and even the floor was one big mirror. Though there were no candles, or anything that could give light, the room was very well lit.
In the center of the room was another mirror, sided by two large bronze snakes. The snakes had their mouths opened and were holding the mirror up with them.
Voldemort made his way to the mirror. He looked at his reflection for a moment, and then he touched the mirror with one of his long fingers.
'Show me Virginia Weasley!'-He commanded.
All the mirrors in the room started to glow. After a moment an image began to appear in them, and Voldemort frowned at what he saw.
A sheet! The only thing that he could see in the mirror was a sheet. For the last week all that he could see in the mirror was that stupid sheet!
He knew that she was just behind it, but the sheet hid her from his sight.
'Still hiding are we!'-his voice showed a bit of amusement.
'Looks like I'm paying you a visit a bit sooner then I thought.
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Ginny tossed and turned in her bed. She couldn't sleep. Something was troubling her.
She looked at the clock. It was half past midnight.
She got out of her bed and made her way downstairs to the kitchen, to get a cup of warm milk. That usually helped her sleep.
Voices from downstairs made her stop. It was her parent's voices. They seemed to be arguing.
'She's been acting so strange lately! I don't now what to do!'-her mothers voice sounded odd. Almost as if she was crying.
'Now Molly, don't worry. She'll be fine.'- her fathers voice was slightly insecure.
'Fine? How can you say she going to be fine? Have you seen what she's been doing lately? Its like I don't know her anymore!- Ginny tried to hold a gasp. They were talking about her! She was sure! Did her mother think she was crazy?
'Do you think this as anything to do with. Well. What happened to her?- she heard her father ask.
'I don't know! I think that she lost her mind. It was bound to happen, but, I didn't expect it so soon!'- Ginny sat on the steeps, holding her hand in front of her mouth. Her mother thought she lost her mind!
'Well if it gets any worse. Honey, there places were we could put her.'
What? Put her way? No!-Ginny thought-I don't want to go away!
Ginny got up and ran silently to her room. She got in her bed, and started to cry. Her parents thought she was crazy! Her parents were thinking of sending her away!
This couldn't be true. It couldn't be! Why would they do that?
Because-said a voice in the back of her mind-you've been acting crazy! Covering mirrors and hiding from reflections.
But that's no reason to put her away. Didn't her parents love her? Ginny thought of what she should do. Maybe if she started acting normal again, they wouldn't send her away.
That's what she would do! Act normal! That way they had no excuse to send her away! Even if she had to see Tom Riddles face in mirrors for the rest of her life!
She sobbed quietly in her bed, and cried herself to sleep.
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Ginny was in the hedge maze. She dreamed of the beautiful garden every night and it was the only thing that made her calm down.
Every night she would wear a different dress, walk around the garden and play with the animals. Feeling wonderful, and free of all concerns.
Tonight though, something was different.
Ginny walked to the center of the maze. She knew the way by heart now, after all those dreams. But when she came to the maze's center she stopped and stared at it.
The fountain was gone, and in its place was a mirror held by to snakes.
She walked slowly to it. What was a mirror doing in her dream? As if she hadn't enough of mirrors in real life, now they had to haunt her dreams also?
She came close to the mirror, but not to close, and she was looking at it as if it could jump and attack her at anytime.
There was something on the mirrors surface. Ginny came closer, to the mirror, trying to see what it was.
It was letters! But what were they spelling? She came a little closer. Then the letters came closer to each other and formed a word.
Hello
And suddenly the word was replaced by a reflection. Ginny jumped backwards. It wasn't her reflection. It was Toms.
Tom smiled at her, as Ginny back away.
This couldn't be true. She really was going nuts. In her dream! How could he be in her dream? This was her safe place! This was the only place were she was sure that he wouldn't invade.
Them, something happened that made Ginny give a small scream.
Tom was stepping out of the mirror.
First he put a foot out.
No, this can't be happening!-her mind screamed.
Them he slowly detached himself from the mirror, as if its surface was made of water.
This is a nightmare! Wake up Ginny, this is only a nightmare!-her mind kept screaming.
And finally the other foot came out from the mirror.
Ginny stared at the figure before her. He was still smiling at her. She was frozen! She didn't know what to do! An uncomfortable silence was all around the maze. The birds weren't singing, the tiger wasn't roaring, all the familiar sounds of the maze were gone.
He was the first to break the silence.
'Surprised?'-he said raising an eyebrow. Ginny somehow found her voice.
'What are you doing here?'-she asked, with her voice shaking with fear.
'Well, you've been hiding from me, and I really wanted to see you!'-he said taking a step forwards.
'But I don't want to see you, so. disappear, or something!
This was too much. First the mirrors, now in her dreams, would he ever leave her alone?
'Do you want me to go away Ginny? Do you really want me to go away?'-he was making a look of mock hurt, as he stepped towards her.
'Of course I do! You've brought me nothing but pain!'-and with that she started to back away from him.
He is only in you head Ginny!-her mind kept saying- He is only in your head, and he can't hurt you because he isn't real!
'Pain, Ginny?! You know nothing about pain!'-he said with a hiss.
Ginny was scared out of her wits, as he came closer and closer with his cold eyes, and his evil smile.
'But you don't need to know about pain!'-he said, this time with a gentler expression.
Ginny kept walking backwards, trying to get away from him, but suddenly he waved his hand at her, and an invisible force pulled her into his arms. He held her arms by her writs, wile she tried to push him back, almost in panic. But he was to strong.
He pulled her by the arms and grabbed her small waist. Then he leaned his lips to her ear, and whispered in a way that made goosebumps all over her skin.
'I know what your greatest fear his Ginny.'-he whispered it as if he was telling her that he knew a nasty secret.
Ginny remained quiet. Her cheeks were burning, and she was trying her best not to cry in front of him.
He had let go of her arm, but was still holding her by the waist. With his free hand he gently lifted up her chin, and leaned down to kiss her lips. Before he could get there thought, she turned her head and he kissed her face instead. He chuckled, and grabbed her chin harder, making her look at his eyes
He moved his lips towards her ear again, and whispered once more.
'Do you know what you greatest fear his, Ginny?'
'You're afraid to be alone! You're afraid that everyone abandons you!'-and with that he looked back at her face.
'I would never abandon you! But your family, I'm not so sure that they wouldn't!'
'You're lying! They would never abandon me!'-Ginny tried to push him harder, now more then fear she was feeling anger. How dared he talk about her family like that! They loved her!
'Never you say?'-he laughed at her.
'Aren't you forgetting something?'-he dragged her to the mirror, and made her face it. He was grabbing her by the arms and holding her back against him.
She had no choice but to look at the mirror.
Her mother and her father came in to view. They were sitting at the kitchen table, and talking. Her mother was crying, and her father was trying to comfort her.
The scene Ginny had heard when she was in the staircase played in the mirror, and something that she hadn't heard before made heart freeze.
'Yes! I guess it's the best choice! Well have to put her away!'-she heard her mother saying.
Tom turned her around to face him.
'Is this how they will never abandon you? Is this your loving family?'-he said pointing at the mirror.
Ginny felt confused. Her family thought that she was insane, and wanted to put her away. She would be alone. And Tom was right, that was her greatest fear.
But this wasn't right! Something was wrong with what she had seen, and she knew it! Her family wouldn't leave her because of some covered mirrors. Something was distorting her thoughts.
It was Tom, it had to be! He was making her mind believe that her parents would abandon her!
'You don't need to know pain Ginny! Come to me! I'll never abandon you! They don't deserve you!'-he was holding her, and talking with such gentleness, that reminded her of the way he talked to her in the diary.
Ginny put her hands on her ears. She wouldn't listen to him this time! He was only in her head! He was not real! He couldn't take care of her!
'Leave me alone! You're not real, and I don't believe you! You're not real!'-she shouted trying to ignore him.
That only made him furious.
'Not real am I? I'm more real then you think!'-with that he took her hand and pressed a fingernail on it. She gasped with pain and shock, as he showed her the bleeding coming from the palm of her hand.
'Wake up and you'll see if I'm real or not! WAKE UP GINNY!'
And with a muffled scream she sat on her bed. Ginny was breathing heavily. She looked at her hand and had to muffle another scream.
She was bleeding. How could she be bleeding? This wasn't right! It was a dream, not reality! People didn't get hurt in dreams!
She got up and ran to the bathroom.
Her whole body was shaking. Ginny opened the tap, and put her hand under the running water. There was a nasty cut in the palm of her hand, and it wouldn't stop bleeding.
She grabbed a towel and pressed it against her hand, wile she sat on the bathroom floor crying.
'What's happening to me?'-she whispered between sobs.
*******************************************************
The next morning all the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione were eating their breakfasts in the small kitchen.
All but Ginny.
Miss. Weasley looked tired. She was looking at her children with a concerned look.
'Where's Ginny?'-she asked looking around-'It's not like her to get up late!'
Ginny walked in to the kitchen looking like she hadn't slept all night. She sat at the table, and looked at the palm of her hand. It had healed overnight.
Her mother was about to say something, but a sound of flames and a voice in the fireplace got everyone's attention.
'Arthur? Are you there?'-Cuthbert Mockridge's head was on the fireplace, and he looked concerned.
'Hello Cuthbert, want to join us for breakfast?'-her father asked politely.
'No time for that! There was a robbery at the Quidditch Museum, and everyone that's not on vacation is being called!'
Everyone in the small kitchen had their attention on Mr. Mockridge.
'Well it must have been quite a robbery if their calling everyone! What did they steal?'
'I don't know! The reason why they are calling everyone is because the night guard swears he saw Anna Lestrange! Fudge already went to Azkaban to check on her.'
'I'll be there in a minute!'-her father said, kissing his children, and leaving the kitchen.
Mr. Mockridges head disappeared from the fireplace with a pop, and the kitchen filled with conversation about the robbery.
Ginny was wondering who Anna Lestrange could be, to make the ministry go to such an uproar.
The twins got up from the table, said goodbye, and dissaparated to Diagon Alley.
Ron, Hermione and Harry, were planning on doing the same, and asked Ginny to go with them. She refused claiming that she was too tired, and she would join them later.
Her mother was cleaning the table, as they went to the living room. Soon Ginny heard the sound of flames and knew they were gone.
Now was a good time to ask her mother about what she heard last night.
She wasn't sure if she wanted to hear what her mother would say, but she had to ask her! She had to know if what Tom had said in her dream was true.
'Mom? Do you think I'm going crazy?'-Ginny asked with a trembling voice.
Her mother looked at her with surprise on her face.
'Of course not, Ginny! Why do you ask that?'-Miss. Weasley put back down the plate she was holding and looked at her daughter, with concern and surprise.
'Well! I heard you and dad talk last night and.'-her mother sat down next to her and put an arm over her shoulder.
'Did you think we were talking about you?'
'Well, I know I've been acting strange lately, but it's because of that labyrinth mom, I'm not crazy.'-Ginny was almost crying when her mother held her.
'Honey, we weren't talking about you!'-Ginny looked at her mother.
'You weren't?'-she asked confused.
'Of course not honey! We were talking about grandma. She had an accident a week ago, and she hasn't been herself since them! She curses everyone she sees, including me, and she's not able to take care of herself anymore.'
Ginny stared at her mother. She knew she should bee sad for her grandma, but she couldn't help to feel relieved at the news. And after all, she didn't know her grandma very well.
'Oh! I'm sorry about grandma.'- she said with a sad look
'Its okay honey, shell be fine.'
'Can I go and meet Ron?'-her mother was still looking concerned, and Ginny didn't feel like being asked about what made her think her that her parents were talking about her, in the first place.
'Sure honey! But before you go, is there something that you want to tell me?'
Ginny pondered for a moment if she should tell her mother about her dream. The dream wasn't normal, and she knew it. But if she told her mother, she would make a fuss about it, and drag her to St Mungo's.
'No mother. Everything's okay.'- and with that she kissed her mother goodbye, and made her way to the fireplace before her mother would ask her anything else.
*******************************************************
Ginny made her way to the Flourish and Bloots, thinking that maybe there was a book or something that might help her understand what was going on with her.
When she got in, the first thing she saw was Hermione hovering over some books. She went to her side and took a peck at the book she was reading.
'What are you reading?'-the pictures in the book were of people transforming in to animals.
'Professor McGonagall told me last year that I had good chances to become an animagus, so I've been looking for books about it ever since.'
'That one looks interesting.'-Ginny said as the figures in the book kept changing from people to animals.
'Well, it's got good pictures, but I was looking for something with a bit more theory.'-Hermione closed the book and turned her attention to the shelf.
Ginny viewed the shelf's, looking for a section that might interest her.
She found the "Magical Maladies and Injuries" section, and browsed the books. She took one out of the shelf, and started reading it.
After a wile she felt that she was being watched. She looked up from the book and found Draco Malfoy, on the other side of the store looking at her with an interested look. He wasn't reading or holding any book. He was just staring at her.
She turned back to her book, scowling. What on earth did he want? She didn't need any of his stupid remarks about her family right now! She glanced up at him, and then back to her book. He was still staring.
She ignored him for a wile, but his stare was really staring to unnerve her.
She put the book back on the shelf, and was about to take another when she noticed that one of the books had a silver disk, that reflected the store.
Normally she would look the other way, but she could see Draco's reflection in it, and he was still staring at her.
Pretending that she was still browsing the books, she watched his reflection. Soon another person came up next to him. It was Lucius Malfoy. He followed his sons look, and turned to Draco. Ginny held back smile.
Lucius was obviously angry at his son. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but by the look of fear on Dracos face, it wasn't pleasant.
Lucius took the young mans arm, and almost dragged him out of the store.
Ginny sighed of relieve. For once she was happy that Lucius was there.
She took another book from the shelf that had caught her attention.
"Magical induced mind disturbances", she read. She wouldn't have dared to read it in front of Draco, but now she was alone.
She had opened the book, and start reading it, when a voice behind her made her freeze.
'Magical Maladies and Injuries. Not the usual section for Hogwarts students is it?'-she turned around and found Lucius Malfoy staring at her with the same look as Draco's.
'What I read is not of your concern Mister Malfoy!'-she replied, closing the book with a thump.
He took the book from her hands. Ginny watched anxiously, as he read the title.
'Magical induced mind disturbances. An interesting reading, I'm sure, but I don't think you're going to need it!'-and with that he placed the book back on the shelf.
'I can assure you that you are quite sane.'-he almost whispered, holding the same knowing smile that he had the last time she saw him.
Them he kissed her hand, and left the store, leaving Ginny to her confusion.
Looks like Malfoy is even more crazy hen me!- she thought-either that or he knows something that I don't.
She took the book back from the shelf, and looked for the page she was reading before she was interrupted.
"Magical Mind Dysfunctions Chapter 4- Visions and Hallucinations
Visions and Hallucinations are most common in witches and wizards who either had a magical accident, or had contact with dark magic in a young age. A magical accident or contact with the darkest forms of magic may cause a magical trauma in the brain, which will reappear several years after. The person in question may experience dreams, visions and hallucinations related to the cause of the trauma. In the case of magical accidents it's recommended therapy or magical treatment of the brain."
Magical treatment of the brain? Ginny didn't like the sound of that! But what about contact with dark magic?-her mind wondered.
She leaped several pages until she found one small paragraph about it.
"In the case of contact with dark magic, the problem is not physical, but psychological. Usually the best form of treatment for that kind of hallucinations is to confront them."
Well that's not very helpful!-she thought closing the book and placing it once more on the shelf.
'Ginny, lest go and meet the guys at the Quidditch shop!'-Hermione had finished her browsing, but Ginny didn't feel like going. She wanted to try what she had read in the book. By now she would do anything to get rid of Tom Riddle!
'No thank you! I think Ill go home and help my mother with the lunch!
They both left the store together, but split up in the street. Hermione headed for the Quidditch shop, and Ginny headed for the Leaky Caldron.
Once at home, she ran upstairs to her room, without saying a word to her mother.
Okay Ginny, - she thought-time to confront the hallucination.
She removed the sheet with trembling hands, and looked at the mirror.
She watched her reflection, waiting for Tom to appear, for about fifteen minutes. But there was no Tom.
'Tom?'-she tried with a shaky voice. But there was no response.
There was no one on the mirror but her.
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Okay first of all, the most important thing.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, to all of those who reviewed.
You are my motivation to keep writing.
Second! Anisky, he doesn't look in the mirror two years after he rose. If you didn't notice, "Lucius began his tale of the events that took place two years ago.". That means two years before Voldie rose. But I guess it's not that obvious. When you know what the plot is, its a little easy to forget that the readers might not notice these things.
And all those spelling mistakes that you pointed were made out of pure distraction. Its things like this that made me conclude that I need a Beta Reader.
If anyone would like to volunteer, then mail me to catarinaf@hotmail.com. I will choose someone that is over 18, and that may read both my stories.
And don't worry Anisky, I'm not offended at your review, by the contrary, I'm thankful.
Voldemorts mirror really exists. If you would like to see it, just find a book about René Lalique. He was a famous jeweler, and made the mirror, that is currently in exposition in the Gulbenkian museum, here in Portugal.
Ps- I'm not happy with this chapter, so I may change it later.
Chapter 3- Reality or hallucinations?
In the week next to the fair, Ginny had taken accustom to never look in her mirror when she was alone in the room.
Actually she wouldn't look in any mirror if she was alone.
Hermione looked surprise when, the morning after the fair, Ginny covered her mirror with a sheet. And she looked even more surprised when Ginny asked her to always remember to put the sheet back on, after she's done with it. She would go ballistics if anyone forgot to replace it.
And when Ginny needed to use a mirror, she would find excuses to make Hermione stay with her in the room.
But even with company, she would remove the sheet with trembling hands, waiting to see him staring back at her, with his cold eyes.
As if avoiding mirrors wasn't enough, she would avoid anything that would reflect. When she was in the kitchen, she wouldn't look at the pots and pans, and instead she would concentrate very hard on her food. She would even avoid looking at her fork and knife.
Later that week Ginny when she was reading calmly in her room, she heard a knock on the door.
'Ginny dear, can I come in?'- the voice sounded sweet, but had a hint of concern on it.
'Sure Mom!'- she answered.
Mrs. Weasley came in the room and her concern increased at the sight of the covered mirror.
'Honey, is there something you'd like to tell me?'
Her mom sat in the bed near her, and looked at her with a worried face. Ginny looked up from her book.
'No mom. Why do you ask?'
Mrs. Weasley looked at the mirror, and Ginny followed her look.
'Ever since you came back from that fair you've been acting very strange! You've been covering mirrors, and hiding from reflections.'
Ginny looked at her mom. What would she do if she told her the truth? That Tom Riddle had been appearing to her in mirrors, and that he had chased her through a labyrinth all made of mirrors, and that she was tired of having mirrors all around her.
She would lock her up in St Mungo's, that's what she would do.
'I'm fine mom! There's nothing to worry about! I. I just dislike mirrors since I got lost in that labyrinth at the fair! That's all! - Ginny spoke in the sweetest and most cuddly tone she could manage. And then she made an innocent look, and her mom looked a little less worried.
'Well, if there is anything that you would like to talk about, you know that I'm always here for you!'-said Mrs. Weasley giving he daughter a hug.
'Thanks mom!'
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Far way, in a dark and cold dungeon, Voldemort was walking down a hallway.
He came to a tapestry, and touched it with his wand. The tapestry rolled up, and Voldemort steeped in to a very small room. The tapestry rolled back down, and he touched the wall with his wand, revealing a second room. But this room was all made of mirrors.
The walls were mirrors, the ceiling was a mirror, and even the floor was one big mirror. Though there were no candles, or anything that could give light, the room was very well lit.
In the center of the room was another mirror, sided by two large bronze snakes. The snakes had their mouths opened and were holding the mirror up with them.
Voldemort made his way to the mirror. He looked at his reflection for a moment, and then he touched the mirror with one of his long fingers.
'Show me Virginia Weasley!'-He commanded.
All the mirrors in the room started to glow. After a moment an image began to appear in them, and Voldemort frowned at what he saw.
A sheet! The only thing that he could see in the mirror was a sheet. For the last week all that he could see in the mirror was that stupid sheet!
He knew that she was just behind it, but the sheet hid her from his sight.
'Still hiding are we!'-his voice showed a bit of amusement.
'Looks like I'm paying you a visit a bit sooner then I thought.
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Ginny tossed and turned in her bed. She couldn't sleep. Something was troubling her.
She looked at the clock. It was half past midnight.
She got out of her bed and made her way downstairs to the kitchen, to get a cup of warm milk. That usually helped her sleep.
Voices from downstairs made her stop. It was her parent's voices. They seemed to be arguing.
'She's been acting so strange lately! I don't now what to do!'-her mothers voice sounded odd. Almost as if she was crying.
'Now Molly, don't worry. She'll be fine.'- her fathers voice was slightly insecure.
'Fine? How can you say she going to be fine? Have you seen what she's been doing lately? Its like I don't know her anymore!- Ginny tried to hold a gasp. They were talking about her! She was sure! Did her mother think she was crazy?
'Do you think this as anything to do with. Well. What happened to her?- she heard her father ask.
'I don't know! I think that she lost her mind. It was bound to happen, but, I didn't expect it so soon!'- Ginny sat on the steeps, holding her hand in front of her mouth. Her mother thought she lost her mind!
'Well if it gets any worse. Honey, there places were we could put her.'
What? Put her way? No!-Ginny thought-I don't want to go away!
Ginny got up and ran silently to her room. She got in her bed, and started to cry. Her parents thought she was crazy! Her parents were thinking of sending her away!
This couldn't be true. It couldn't be! Why would they do that?
Because-said a voice in the back of her mind-you've been acting crazy! Covering mirrors and hiding from reflections.
But that's no reason to put her away. Didn't her parents love her? Ginny thought of what she should do. Maybe if she started acting normal again, they wouldn't send her away.
That's what she would do! Act normal! That way they had no excuse to send her away! Even if she had to see Tom Riddles face in mirrors for the rest of her life!
She sobbed quietly in her bed, and cried herself to sleep.
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Ginny was in the hedge maze. She dreamed of the beautiful garden every night and it was the only thing that made her calm down.
Every night she would wear a different dress, walk around the garden and play with the animals. Feeling wonderful, and free of all concerns.
Tonight though, something was different.
Ginny walked to the center of the maze. She knew the way by heart now, after all those dreams. But when she came to the maze's center she stopped and stared at it.
The fountain was gone, and in its place was a mirror held by to snakes.
She walked slowly to it. What was a mirror doing in her dream? As if she hadn't enough of mirrors in real life, now they had to haunt her dreams also?
She came close to the mirror, but not to close, and she was looking at it as if it could jump and attack her at anytime.
There was something on the mirrors surface. Ginny came closer, to the mirror, trying to see what it was.
It was letters! But what were they spelling? She came a little closer. Then the letters came closer to each other and formed a word.
Hello
And suddenly the word was replaced by a reflection. Ginny jumped backwards. It wasn't her reflection. It was Toms.
Tom smiled at her, as Ginny back away.
This couldn't be true. She really was going nuts. In her dream! How could he be in her dream? This was her safe place! This was the only place were she was sure that he wouldn't invade.
Them, something happened that made Ginny give a small scream.
Tom was stepping out of the mirror.
First he put a foot out.
No, this can't be happening!-her mind screamed.
Them he slowly detached himself from the mirror, as if its surface was made of water.
This is a nightmare! Wake up Ginny, this is only a nightmare!-her mind kept screaming.
And finally the other foot came out from the mirror.
Ginny stared at the figure before her. He was still smiling at her. She was frozen! She didn't know what to do! An uncomfortable silence was all around the maze. The birds weren't singing, the tiger wasn't roaring, all the familiar sounds of the maze were gone.
He was the first to break the silence.
'Surprised?'-he said raising an eyebrow. Ginny somehow found her voice.
'What are you doing here?'-she asked, with her voice shaking with fear.
'Well, you've been hiding from me, and I really wanted to see you!'-he said taking a step forwards.
'But I don't want to see you, so. disappear, or something!
This was too much. First the mirrors, now in her dreams, would he ever leave her alone?
'Do you want me to go away Ginny? Do you really want me to go away?'-he was making a look of mock hurt, as he stepped towards her.
'Of course I do! You've brought me nothing but pain!'-and with that she started to back away from him.
He is only in you head Ginny!-her mind kept saying- He is only in your head, and he can't hurt you because he isn't real!
'Pain, Ginny?! You know nothing about pain!'-he said with a hiss.
Ginny was scared out of her wits, as he came closer and closer with his cold eyes, and his evil smile.
'But you don't need to know about pain!'-he said, this time with a gentler expression.
Ginny kept walking backwards, trying to get away from him, but suddenly he waved his hand at her, and an invisible force pulled her into his arms. He held her arms by her writs, wile she tried to push him back, almost in panic. But he was to strong.
He pulled her by the arms and grabbed her small waist. Then he leaned his lips to her ear, and whispered in a way that made goosebumps all over her skin.
'I know what your greatest fear his Ginny.'-he whispered it as if he was telling her that he knew a nasty secret.
Ginny remained quiet. Her cheeks were burning, and she was trying her best not to cry in front of him.
He had let go of her arm, but was still holding her by the waist. With his free hand he gently lifted up her chin, and leaned down to kiss her lips. Before he could get there thought, she turned her head and he kissed her face instead. He chuckled, and grabbed her chin harder, making her look at his eyes
He moved his lips towards her ear again, and whispered once more.
'Do you know what you greatest fear his, Ginny?'
'You're afraid to be alone! You're afraid that everyone abandons you!'-and with that he looked back at her face.
'I would never abandon you! But your family, I'm not so sure that they wouldn't!'
'You're lying! They would never abandon me!'-Ginny tried to push him harder, now more then fear she was feeling anger. How dared he talk about her family like that! They loved her!
'Never you say?'-he laughed at her.
'Aren't you forgetting something?'-he dragged her to the mirror, and made her face it. He was grabbing her by the arms and holding her back against him.
She had no choice but to look at the mirror.
Her mother and her father came in to view. They were sitting at the kitchen table, and talking. Her mother was crying, and her father was trying to comfort her.
The scene Ginny had heard when she was in the staircase played in the mirror, and something that she hadn't heard before made heart freeze.
'Yes! I guess it's the best choice! Well have to put her away!'-she heard her mother saying.
Tom turned her around to face him.
'Is this how they will never abandon you? Is this your loving family?'-he said pointing at the mirror.
Ginny felt confused. Her family thought that she was insane, and wanted to put her away. She would be alone. And Tom was right, that was her greatest fear.
But this wasn't right! Something was wrong with what she had seen, and she knew it! Her family wouldn't leave her because of some covered mirrors. Something was distorting her thoughts.
It was Tom, it had to be! He was making her mind believe that her parents would abandon her!
'You don't need to know pain Ginny! Come to me! I'll never abandon you! They don't deserve you!'-he was holding her, and talking with such gentleness, that reminded her of the way he talked to her in the diary.
Ginny put her hands on her ears. She wouldn't listen to him this time! He was only in her head! He was not real! He couldn't take care of her!
'Leave me alone! You're not real, and I don't believe you! You're not real!'-she shouted trying to ignore him.
That only made him furious.
'Not real am I? I'm more real then you think!'-with that he took her hand and pressed a fingernail on it. She gasped with pain and shock, as he showed her the bleeding coming from the palm of her hand.
'Wake up and you'll see if I'm real or not! WAKE UP GINNY!'
And with a muffled scream she sat on her bed. Ginny was breathing heavily. She looked at her hand and had to muffle another scream.
She was bleeding. How could she be bleeding? This wasn't right! It was a dream, not reality! People didn't get hurt in dreams!
She got up and ran to the bathroom.
Her whole body was shaking. Ginny opened the tap, and put her hand under the running water. There was a nasty cut in the palm of her hand, and it wouldn't stop bleeding.
She grabbed a towel and pressed it against her hand, wile she sat on the bathroom floor crying.
'What's happening to me?'-she whispered between sobs.
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The next morning all the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione were eating their breakfasts in the small kitchen.
All but Ginny.
Miss. Weasley looked tired. She was looking at her children with a concerned look.
'Where's Ginny?'-she asked looking around-'It's not like her to get up late!'
Ginny walked in to the kitchen looking like she hadn't slept all night. She sat at the table, and looked at the palm of her hand. It had healed overnight.
Her mother was about to say something, but a sound of flames and a voice in the fireplace got everyone's attention.
'Arthur? Are you there?'-Cuthbert Mockridge's head was on the fireplace, and he looked concerned.
'Hello Cuthbert, want to join us for breakfast?'-her father asked politely.
'No time for that! There was a robbery at the Quidditch Museum, and everyone that's not on vacation is being called!'
Everyone in the small kitchen had their attention on Mr. Mockridge.
'Well it must have been quite a robbery if their calling everyone! What did they steal?'
'I don't know! The reason why they are calling everyone is because the night guard swears he saw Anna Lestrange! Fudge already went to Azkaban to check on her.'
'I'll be there in a minute!'-her father said, kissing his children, and leaving the kitchen.
Mr. Mockridges head disappeared from the fireplace with a pop, and the kitchen filled with conversation about the robbery.
Ginny was wondering who Anna Lestrange could be, to make the ministry go to such an uproar.
The twins got up from the table, said goodbye, and dissaparated to Diagon Alley.
Ron, Hermione and Harry, were planning on doing the same, and asked Ginny to go with them. She refused claiming that she was too tired, and she would join them later.
Her mother was cleaning the table, as they went to the living room. Soon Ginny heard the sound of flames and knew they were gone.
Now was a good time to ask her mother about what she heard last night.
She wasn't sure if she wanted to hear what her mother would say, but she had to ask her! She had to know if what Tom had said in her dream was true.
'Mom? Do you think I'm going crazy?'-Ginny asked with a trembling voice.
Her mother looked at her with surprise on her face.
'Of course not, Ginny! Why do you ask that?'-Miss. Weasley put back down the plate she was holding and looked at her daughter, with concern and surprise.
'Well! I heard you and dad talk last night and.'-her mother sat down next to her and put an arm over her shoulder.
'Did you think we were talking about you?'
'Well, I know I've been acting strange lately, but it's because of that labyrinth mom, I'm not crazy.'-Ginny was almost crying when her mother held her.
'Honey, we weren't talking about you!'-Ginny looked at her mother.
'You weren't?'-she asked confused.
'Of course not honey! We were talking about grandma. She had an accident a week ago, and she hasn't been herself since them! She curses everyone she sees, including me, and she's not able to take care of herself anymore.'
Ginny stared at her mother. She knew she should bee sad for her grandma, but she couldn't help to feel relieved at the news. And after all, she didn't know her grandma very well.
'Oh! I'm sorry about grandma.'- she said with a sad look
'Its okay honey, shell be fine.'
'Can I go and meet Ron?'-her mother was still looking concerned, and Ginny didn't feel like being asked about what made her think her that her parents were talking about her, in the first place.
'Sure honey! But before you go, is there something that you want to tell me?'
Ginny pondered for a moment if she should tell her mother about her dream. The dream wasn't normal, and she knew it. But if she told her mother, she would make a fuss about it, and drag her to St Mungo's.
'No mother. Everything's okay.'- and with that she kissed her mother goodbye, and made her way to the fireplace before her mother would ask her anything else.
*******************************************************
Ginny made her way to the Flourish and Bloots, thinking that maybe there was a book or something that might help her understand what was going on with her.
When she got in, the first thing she saw was Hermione hovering over some books. She went to her side and took a peck at the book she was reading.
'What are you reading?'-the pictures in the book were of people transforming in to animals.
'Professor McGonagall told me last year that I had good chances to become an animagus, so I've been looking for books about it ever since.'
'That one looks interesting.'-Ginny said as the figures in the book kept changing from people to animals.
'Well, it's got good pictures, but I was looking for something with a bit more theory.'-Hermione closed the book and turned her attention to the shelf.
Ginny viewed the shelf's, looking for a section that might interest her.
She found the "Magical Maladies and Injuries" section, and browsed the books. She took one out of the shelf, and started reading it.
After a wile she felt that she was being watched. She looked up from the book and found Draco Malfoy, on the other side of the store looking at her with an interested look. He wasn't reading or holding any book. He was just staring at her.
She turned back to her book, scowling. What on earth did he want? She didn't need any of his stupid remarks about her family right now! She glanced up at him, and then back to her book. He was still staring.
She ignored him for a wile, but his stare was really staring to unnerve her.
She put the book back on the shelf, and was about to take another when she noticed that one of the books had a silver disk, that reflected the store.
Normally she would look the other way, but she could see Draco's reflection in it, and he was still staring at her.
Pretending that she was still browsing the books, she watched his reflection. Soon another person came up next to him. It was Lucius Malfoy. He followed his sons look, and turned to Draco. Ginny held back smile.
Lucius was obviously angry at his son. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but by the look of fear on Dracos face, it wasn't pleasant.
Lucius took the young mans arm, and almost dragged him out of the store.
Ginny sighed of relieve. For once she was happy that Lucius was there.
She took another book from the shelf that had caught her attention.
"Magical induced mind disturbances", she read. She wouldn't have dared to read it in front of Draco, but now she was alone.
She had opened the book, and start reading it, when a voice behind her made her freeze.
'Magical Maladies and Injuries. Not the usual section for Hogwarts students is it?'-she turned around and found Lucius Malfoy staring at her with the same look as Draco's.
'What I read is not of your concern Mister Malfoy!'-she replied, closing the book with a thump.
He took the book from her hands. Ginny watched anxiously, as he read the title.
'Magical induced mind disturbances. An interesting reading, I'm sure, but I don't think you're going to need it!'-and with that he placed the book back on the shelf.
'I can assure you that you are quite sane.'-he almost whispered, holding the same knowing smile that he had the last time she saw him.
Them he kissed her hand, and left the store, leaving Ginny to her confusion.
Looks like Malfoy is even more crazy hen me!- she thought-either that or he knows something that I don't.
She took the book back from the shelf, and looked for the page she was reading before she was interrupted.
"Magical Mind Dysfunctions Chapter 4- Visions and Hallucinations
Visions and Hallucinations are most common in witches and wizards who either had a magical accident, or had contact with dark magic in a young age. A magical accident or contact with the darkest forms of magic may cause a magical trauma in the brain, which will reappear several years after. The person in question may experience dreams, visions and hallucinations related to the cause of the trauma. In the case of magical accidents it's recommended therapy or magical treatment of the brain."
Magical treatment of the brain? Ginny didn't like the sound of that! But what about contact with dark magic?-her mind wondered.
She leaped several pages until she found one small paragraph about it.
"In the case of contact with dark magic, the problem is not physical, but psychological. Usually the best form of treatment for that kind of hallucinations is to confront them."
Well that's not very helpful!-she thought closing the book and placing it once more on the shelf.
'Ginny, lest go and meet the guys at the Quidditch shop!'-Hermione had finished her browsing, but Ginny didn't feel like going. She wanted to try what she had read in the book. By now she would do anything to get rid of Tom Riddle!
'No thank you! I think Ill go home and help my mother with the lunch!
They both left the store together, but split up in the street. Hermione headed for the Quidditch shop, and Ginny headed for the Leaky Caldron.
Once at home, she ran upstairs to her room, without saying a word to her mother.
Okay Ginny, - she thought-time to confront the hallucination.
She removed the sheet with trembling hands, and looked at the mirror.
She watched her reflection, waiting for Tom to appear, for about fifteen minutes. But there was no Tom.
'Tom?'-she tried with a shaky voice. But there was no response.
There was no one on the mirror but her.
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Okay first of all, the most important thing.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, to all of those who reviewed.
You are my motivation to keep writing.
Second! Anisky, he doesn't look in the mirror two years after he rose. If you didn't notice, "Lucius began his tale of the events that took place two years ago.". That means two years before Voldie rose. But I guess it's not that obvious. When you know what the plot is, its a little easy to forget that the readers might not notice these things.
And all those spelling mistakes that you pointed were made out of pure distraction. Its things like this that made me conclude that I need a Beta Reader.
If anyone would like to volunteer, then mail me to catarinaf@hotmail.com. I will choose someone that is over 18, and that may read both my stories.
And don't worry Anisky, I'm not offended at your review, by the contrary, I'm thankful.
Voldemorts mirror really exists. If you would like to see it, just find a book about René Lalique. He was a famous jeweler, and made the mirror, that is currently in exposition in the Gulbenkian museum, here in Portugal.
Ps- I'm not happy with this chapter, so I may change it later.