Author's note: Ok, the first chapters are a bit angsty, and do drag, but they're basically just there to cushion the actual plot. Sorry if they're skimpy and don't seem to serve a purpose. Please bear with me, I promise that at least the third chapter and those following will be much better. Anyhow, for the most part, the story follows canon. Of course, I did take some liberties so that if JKRowling didn't say that it certainly did not happen, then I'm assuming that it could have happened. There is some out-of-character-ness for sure, especially since the readers don't know much about Ginny in the first few books. Well, hope ya'll enjoy! Constructive criticism welcomed!

It was several hours later when the Weasleys and Harry clambered

out of the Ministry cars and bustled into Kings Cross Station. Ginny had been forced to recover from her pity spell after George had tried to open the bathroom door by throwing dung bombs at it. This had resulted in him having to wait an extra hour to get in, for Ginny had stubbornly refused to get out until after she had taken a shower.

The group arrived shortly at platform nine and three quarters, with plenty of time to spare. Ginny watched idly as her father and Harry casually leaned into the barrier and disappeared. Percy then resolutely grabbed her about the arm and marched through the wall, dragging Ginny unceremoniously behind him. She was gasping by the time they reached the other side where their father was waiting.

Percy puffed out his chest, exclaimed, "Ah, there's Penelope!" and strode off to a girl with curly long hair. Ginny shared an amused look with Harry as Fred and George entered behind them and brushed past to greet their friend, Lee Jordan.

After everyone successfully joined them, Ginny followed Ron and Harry onto the train with Hermione at her side. They packed their trunks in an empty carriage, and then went back off the train for last minute goodbyes to Mr. And Mrs. Weasley.

Ginny hugged her mother around the waist and received several kisses before hugging her father and boarding the Express. She waved back at them as they train began to crawl away and Harry quickly jumped on. He muttered something to Ron and Hermione as the locomotive picked up speed.

"Go away, Ginny," Ron said gruffly. Ginny was slightly taken aback as her hopes were crushed. Had she really been foolish enough to think she would actually be able to sit with them?

"Oh, that's nice," she said acidly as Hermione shot her an apologetic look. Ginny spun on her heel and continued to the front of the train as the trio headed towards the end.

Ginny slowed her pace as she decided she had reached a point where her brother would not be able to see her if he turned around. She stopped and leaned against the corridor wall. The way was empty; everyone else seemed to be capable of finding a compartment to sit in. She knocked her head lightly on the wooden siding, upset at her inept social skills.

"Lousy good ―for― nothing…" Ginny stopped as the wall behind her gave way and she began to fall backwards.

She barely had time to utter a sound when she collided with someone behind her. Of course, I just have to lean against a door and not an actual wall

Strong hands were wrapping themselves about her arms as Ginny fumbled to regain her footing. Her heart was thumping loudly against her chest.

The person behind her let out a laugh as Ginny straightened her skirt and turned around to mumble an apology. Her brown eyes widen in panic as a boy with black hair and a handsome face with devious white smile looked back at her. It was him.

Ginny stood frozen, her hand hanging in the air, half way extended to her mouth. Her mind was racing, screaming that this couldn't be possible. Telling her to do something− when it hit her.

This boy was too young to be Riddle, looking no older than Ron. He reached a hand out to her shoulder. "Are you alright, Miss?"

"Err," Ginny faltered as she was still recovering. I'm stupid to think he could be back. Why am I so quick to believe he can return? "Yes," she mumbled clumsily.

The boy looked mildly surprised and asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Ginny wasn't sure what he meant until she remembered that he had opened his compartment door to find her seemingly waiting there for him. "Oh! Umm, no, I'm so sorry about that. I didn't realize –I mean, I thought that was the wall– not your door or anything –it's not as if I was waiting for you– oh gosh, I didn't mean it like that ―because I might wait for you if I knew who you were– but I don't –and…"

He was watching her with increasing interest as Ginny awkwardly searched for the right words.

"I –err– I'm terribly sorry," she concluded lamely as he continued to smile at her. Ginny fidgeted uneasily under his slightly cocked gaze. His hand was still on her shoulder.

"My name is Blaise Zabini, and you must be a Weasley." The boy withdrew his hand from her shoulder, only to sweep hers to his lips. Ginny felt her cheeks flare as she remained rooted to the spot, completely dumbstruck.

"Ginny," she replied automatically, as Blaise let her hand fall gently to her side. His eyes glided over her.

"Do you need a place to sit?" he asked, moving to allow her access into the compartment. There were several abandoned cloaks strewn across the seats. Blaise obviously had companions –two of them very large according to the garment size– who were possibly making their way back at this very moment.

"Will you have room?" Ginny found herself saying. You dimwit! Just say no!

"For you, of course." And Ginny stepped in.

She walked to the window seat and settled herself into the comfortably cushioned bench. To her relief, Blaise sat opposite Ginny, and not right next to her, which she had started to think he might.

After minutes had passed, and neither one had exchanged a word, Ginny again became unnerved with the boy's lingering watch.

"So, Blaise, what –err– house do you belong to?" Ginny tried conversationally as she readjusted her skirt again.

He contemplated this question as his eyes rolled over her hair. "I'm in Slytherin, third year."

"Oh" was all Ginny said at that. Does every guy I meet have to be in Slytherin?

"Yes, I'm quite happy with where I am." Blaise said, interrupting her thoughts, his smile becoming tilted into a smirk, "Ironic. Isn't it? I mean, to have a Gryffindor and Slytherin sitting so peacefully with one another."

Tch, it's only peaceful because I'm too freaked out to do anything because you keep staring at me! Ginny forced a smile, "I suppose."

As The Hogwarts Express traveled progressively north, the skies grew darker and more ominous. Storm clouds gathered and the wind began to howl. Ginny and Blaise sat opposite one another, chatting sparingly about Quidditch and classes, the summer holiday.

Mid-afternoon approached, and the witch with the food cart arrived from the southern end of the train. She was plump and had graying hair, looking very much like a loving grandmother. Blaise was kind enough to buy Ginny a few cauldron cakes and chocolate frogs.

When the witch had left, Blaise handed Ginny the assorted sweets. "I hope you like these."

"Thank you, I do, but I'm not really that hungry…" Do you really expect me to eat in front of you while you keep giving me that creepy look? I just want to get out of here. Ginny offered a small smile then tucked the food safely away in her worn robes. "That was really kind of you to get me that. Thanks."

Blaise observed her as she again fiddled with her plaid skirt.

Just then the compartment door slid open. Blaise started and tore his gaze from her. Ginny turned to see the new comers.

Her eyebrows furrowed. Oh Merlin, not that bloody git!

Draco Malfoy leaned on the doorframe, his arms crossed, and his stance haughty. His platinum blond head barely reached the chin of the two boys behind him, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. Malfoy opened his mouth to say something to Blaise, when his eyes caught sight of Ginny. His faced turned sour in surprise, then confusion, and finally anger.

"What―" he pushed himself off the doorframe and into the compartment― "is" ―he strode towards Ginny― "this" –he leaned to her eye level― "piece" –he glared at her― "of" –he snarled― "shit, doing in here, Zabini? In my seat, no less!"

Ginny could almost see the daggers flying from Malfoy at Blaise. She had stopped breathing some time ago and was presently suffocating herself as the atmosphere tensed inside the compartment.

"Miss Weasley is here as my guest, Draco. I invited her in." Blaise regarded Malfoy coolly.

Ginny swiftly shot up from her seat, "You know, this was quite interesting Blaise, but maybe—"

Malfoy cut her off as she felt him enclose his fingers around her arm, "Do you honestly expect me to sit with this trash, Zabini?"

Ginny drew in quick breaths as her right hand began to lose blood. She grimaced as Malfoy dug his fingertips into her flesh. What the hell am I doing here? She screamed at herself.

"That's quite enough," Blaise had also moved to his feet and was reaching to uncoil his classmates grip. Malfoy snatched his hand away, finally remembering his father's words, '…that by touching filth, you become filth'.

Blaise tenderly guided Ginny out past Malfoy, who was now rubbing his palm as if he had been scorched. They stepped between the skulking masses of Crabbe and Goyle, and promptly set off for the end of the train.

"Ginny," Blaise said as he stopped at the end of next carriage to catch his breath, "I'm really sorry about that."

"No, no…I should've…It's not your fault," she replied lamely, leaning against the wall to steady herself. Blaise rested his arm on the wall as well, his eyes staring at Ginny behind ebony locks. "Blaise, you—"

The train gave a sudden lurch and Blaises' lean frame slammed into Ginny's slender one. The lights flickered and the train came to a slow stop.

Ginny uttered a hoarse cry, then wriggled free from Blaise. She took a few steps backward, apologized for who-knows-what, and sprinted to the end of the train. She knew Ron was back there somewhere. She dodged between heads that were now sprouting out of the compartments. Everything suddenly plummeted into Darkness.

Ginny reached what she hoped was Ron's compartment and slid the door open and slipped inside.

She bumped into someone and yelped.

"Who is that?"

"Who's that?"

"Ginny?"

"Hermione?"

"What are you doing?"

"I was looking for Ron—"

"Come in and sit down—"

Ginny didn't hesitate and fell into what she thought was the nearest seat. She ended up in someone's lap instead.

"Not here! I'm here!"

Ginny flushed, of course she just had to sit on Harry. She tried to move again, and then stepped on Neville's toes. "Ouch!" he exclaimed.

There was much commotion as Ginny tried again to find a new place to sit. She crawled along the floor awkwardly, her hands stretched before her. She suddenly met what felt like a soft wall, and realized with a jolt in her stomach that she was gripping the front of a person's cloak.

"Quiet!" a hoarse voice issued from the figure Ginny was resting into. My God, who the heck am I clinging to? She snatched her hands to her chest just as the person whispered a spell.

The shabbily clothed man was holding a small ball of blue fire in his outstretched hand. He had brown hair that was streaked with premature gray strands, and had a face that looked young but worn beyond its years. His eyes were dark with an oddly yellow tint to them. They were alert and wary as they scanned over the room.

"Stay where you are," his hoarse voice said calmly. He was now on his feet and was heading to the door.

Ginny was overcome with a miserable chill as she watched the door slide slowly open before the man could reach it. Something was standing there, its tall hooded figure eerily illuminated by the glowing orb of blue flame.

The Thing took in a long, raspy breath and Ginny felt as if her very soul was being tugged away from her. She was suddenly overwhelmed with a horrible feeling…

She could hear something now, it was very faint at first, but was growing stronger as her body grew weaker. It was laughter, a high-pitched malevolent laugh.

And then it was a voice…

"You're mine Virginia Weasley. All mine, and you love it…"

The floor was painfully cold and rough like stone, her robes were torn and damp. Cool hands were snaked about her shoulders, drawing the life out right through her skin.

"You're a part of me and I you forever, Virginia."

"My name is Ginny. My name is Ginny…" she hadn't realized that she was shaking, that her stomach was convulsing, or that she was speaking. But the feeling was leaving her. She was not in the Chamber with Riddle. She was on her way to Hogwarts. She was with Harry…

Ginny delicately pried her eyes open. She was still in the compartment, and the Thing had gone. The lights were back on, and the train had begun moving again.

The man, Hermione, Ron, and Neville were gathered around something on the floor.

Harry.

"Will he be alright, Professor?" Hermione asked the man, her eyes pleading.

"Yes, he should be fine. Ron, try to wake him up again."

So that explains who the man is. Ginny quietly watched her brother shake and slap Harry on the face. Ron was calling Harry loudly into his ears.

Harry finally stirred and mumbled something Ginny couldn't make out.

"Are you okay?" Ron asked his best friend, his face apprehensive.

Harry began to speak again, Ginny watched him attentively. He glanced at her, his face pale and dripping with sweat.

A loud crack caused Ginny to jump. The Professor was breaking a large chunk of chocolate and handing everyone a piece. Ginny accepted hers and huddled in the nearest corner. The conversation that the others were having was lost to her as she shuddered uncontrollably by herself. She clamped her eyes shut again as they watered threateningly. She didn't want to cry anymore.

Her body uttered a sob nonetheless, which gained the attention of Hermione. The bushy-haired older girl swept towards Ginny and slipped her arm around Ginny's back. She whispered soothing sounds to Ginny and tried to calm her nerves. The chocolate began to soften in her hands and she took a bite from it before it melted onto her fingers.

The effect was instantaneous, and she was flooded with a reassuring feeling of warmth that lasted the rest of the trip until the Hogwarts Express finally pulled to a scheduled stop at the Hogsmeade station.

As everyone jumbled to get off –Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Neville being the forerunners― Ginny was left in the compartment with only the Professor.

She was still crouched in the corner when he approached her, his worn robes fluttering slightly.

"Are you going to be all right, Miss Weasley?" The man asked her soothingly.

Ginny was not surprised to find he too already knew who she was, what with the trademark Weasley hair and freckles.

"I think so, Professor…" she had no idea what his last name was.

"Lupin." He helped her to her feet and she smiled at him in thanks. "Would you like an escort?"

He was worried about her. Ginny blushed, someone who isn't spine-chilling cares about me… "No, thank you. I'll be fine Professor."

He bid her a farewell and Ginny stepped off the train onto the platform and into the storm.

The wind was howling, and the rain was pelting her ragged clothing –she was soaked in seconds– but the real mess was the clutter of students. People were heading in every which way, pets were scampering beneath her feet, and owls were fluttering awkwardly in the blustery weather.

She was almost at a carriage where some of her fellow Gryffindor second years were climbing into, when she felt something slink around her waist.

Ginny felt the hairs on her neck bristle as someone tilted their head into the bend of her neck.

"Hello, Ginny." said the silky voice of Blaise Zabini.

Ginny removed Blaises' hands and turned to face him, her chest quivering with the banging of her heart. "Please don't do that, Blaise…"

Blaises' look remained smug as Ginny started to frown uncertainly, her hand slowly edging to her wand pocket.

"Ah, Ginny," Lupin emerged from the crowd, "Care to join me in this carriage?"

Ginny nearly cried at the Professors timing. She beamed at him, grateful for an excuse to get away from Blaise. "Yes, that would be great! Thank you."

She strolled to where Lupin was standing and accepted his hand when he held it out to assist her into the horseless carriage. He followed her in.

Ginny flopped into the luxurious interior, happy to be free of the rain. Professor Lupin positioned himself across from her and studied the scenery through a small circular window as the carriage bumped along.

They rode in silence, sometimes commenting on particularly big lightening flashes.

"Thank you for that back there, Professor." Ginny blurted out unaware that she intended to say that aloud.

"That was no problem, Miss Weasley. I saw that you were quite shaken up after that dementor paid us a visit, and I only wanted to make sure you made it safely to the Castle." he smiled pleasantly at her.

Ginny was going to say more, when his face suddenly darkened, as he regarded her in a serious manner and said, "I suppose it was about what happened to you last year that put you in such a troubled state?"

He spoke in an almost casual manner, as if being possessed by a Dark spirit was a normal thing.

"Err, yea. I didn't realize Dumbledore had told you that..." Ginny admitted.

He looked at her in a thoughtful behavior, as if thinking of asking her something when the carriage pulled to a stop. They had reached Hogwarts.

What ever it was that Professor Lupin had meant to ask Ginny, she never found out. As she stepped out after him, they both noticed Malfoy and Harry some ways off seemingly ready to hex each other. Lupin and Ginny shared an exasperated glance before the Professor marched off to settle the dispute.

Ginny watched him go shortly before heading up the marble steps and into the school to the awaiting feast.

As always, the enchanted ceiling reflected the sky above, and tonight it was dark and overrun with storm clouds. Ginny was sitting at the Gryffindor table admiring it, when a person sat next to her.

Ginny scooted over to let the girl have more room. She seemed vaguely familiar, she was in Ginny's year. Ashlyn Wischard. Ginny smiled, "Hello, have a good holiday, Ashlyn?"

"Oh! Ginny," the girl gave Ginny a quick hug in hello, "Yes, it was fine," she said as she tossed a strand of long silvery-brown hair over her shoulder. Ashlyn had a slim, pale face and large hazel eyes.

Ginny had often been foolish enough to envy the young girls luck in the gene pool, but she had hardly recognized Ashlyn this year. Her eyes had dulled, and her face seemed washed out.

"I'm fine," Ashlyn had caught the worried look on Ginny's face, "It was that awful dementor on the train. It walked right into our compartment…"

"Oh, yes, one almost did the same to me and my brother, but Professor Lupin was there and got rid of it." Ginny said, "I was quite distressed myself."

The hall suddenly went quiet, and Ginny immediately turned her attention to the staff table. Dumbledore was standing up to make an announcement, his blue eyes twinkling behind his half moon spectacles, "I take this time to ask for your attention, the sorting ceremony is about to begin."

Ginny saw Professor Flitwick walk around the staff table carrying a crooked stool with a dusty old hat on top. He walked to the center space between the house tables and the teachers, and placed the hat and stool down.

Professor Sprout then led in the first years, all of who looked very small and timid. Ginny remembered being just like that only one year previous.

The hat had only just begun its song when Ashlyn, the girl sitting next to Ginny, jumped to her feet. Her hair swished behind her back as she glided to the door of the Great Hall and disappeared. Ginny watched her go, apparently the only one who noticed the girl's departure. Unsure of what to do, Ginny quietly got up and followed her classmate.

On the opposite side of the room, another figure furtively left after Ginny.

The silver head of Ashlyn Wischard was already half way up the stairs to the second floor when Ginny exited the Great Hall.

"Ashlyn!" Ginny called out in a whisper. The girl paused, and without turning, shook her head at Ginny and continued on her way.

Ginny stubbornly tracked her, wondering the whole while what was happening. Was she still feeling ill?

At the top of the staircase, Ginny spotted the girl enter a room just beyond the third coat of armor, across from a picture where a maiden sat reading a novel.

Quickening her footsteps, Ginny soon reached the entrance, and realized it was a girl's lavatory. She leaned her head against the wooden surface, listening for any sound. Small weeping noises barely penetrated the thick door. Ginny rested her hand on the brass doorknob and slowly opened it.

Ashlyn hadn't bothered to lock herself in a cubicle, but merely collapsed on the tiled floor beneath a sink. Her body was trembling with her little cries. Ginny knelt down to her classmate; the floor was icy to her bare knees.

"Go away," Ashlyn choked out as Ginny reached her hand out to comfort the girl.

"I'm not going to leave you here." Ginny stated matter-of-factly. Ashlyn halted her whimpers briefly, and turned her moist eyes to Ginny. Her mouth was slightly agape, her expression confused.

"Why did you follow me?"

"Err, well, I wanted to help you," Ginny said truthfully. "I know what it's like to feel lost and miserable—"

"No you don't," Ashlyn let out a dry laugh. "Believe me, you have no idea what it's like to go through what I'm going through right now."

Ginny hesitated, why did she bother to go after this girl she hardly knew?

"Well, maybe I don't exactly. But I can try to help, what ever you're dealing with, you can share the load with me." Ginny smiled in a hopeful manner. She was glad to see Ashlyn return it.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you like that," the girl's thick-lashed eyes fluttered, the tears continued to slowly flow down her flushed cheeks. "I'm not sure what any of this means right now. I'm so disorientated. Still trying to get my bearings, I guess…"

"Oh…well, if there's anything I can do, I'm here for you," Ginny tried in a reassuring manner.

Ashlyn sniffled, and rubbed her eyes, smiling appreciatively, "Yes, thanks, that's great to hear. But, as for right now, I'm just going to clean myself up. I'll be back down to the feast in a few. You go ahead of me…"

Ginny nodded in understanding and raised herself to her feet, "I'll be saving a seat for you."

She helped Ashlyn to her feet, and then left the girl to her own doings.

Ginny closed the door softly behind her, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention from anyone. She started on her way back to the feast.

She had just reached the staircase landing she had a sinking feeling in her stomach that someone was watching her. Ginny spun around and came face to face with Draco Malfoy.

He was standing before her now, glaring at her through narrowed, icy slits.

"Weasel."

"Malfoy," Ginny said raising her chin, and mimicking his cross-armed stance.

"I don't know what the hell you and Blaise were doing today, but stay away from him. I don't want your worthless arse anywhere near Slytherin." He smirked, "No matter how easy you may be…"

Ginny let her mouth hang open in mortification at that, I'm easy? Since when? and then, "Go to hell, Malfoy."

He sneered at her one last time before brushing past her down the stairs, his velvet robes swirling behind him.

Ginny did not follow him, but instead waited for Ashlyn at the stairs.

It was several moments later when Ginny's new friend caught up to her. Ashlyn was looking much better now, her hair had been combed through and her face washed and sparkling with a fresh layer of makeup. She greeted Ginny with another hug.

"I just really want to thank you," Ashlyn said, beaming, "Last year I barely talked to you, and I feel terrible about it now..."

"Aww, don't worry. I wasn't much of a communicator last year either." Ginny said, "Up for dinner, you think?"

Ashlyn looked at her stomach as it gave a low growl, "Heh, I think that means 'yes'."

Both of the girls giggled their way down the stairs, but made sure to compose themselves before entering the Great Hall. After all, it would be unfortunate for them to get in trouble after being in the school for less than an hour.

It was in their favor when none of the teachers took notice of them making a late arrival for the feast.

Good thing the teachers are so thick this year, Ginny thought to herself as she sat down next to Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch team keeper and captain, and set about gathering kidney pie, mashed potatoes, steamed carrots, and biscuits. Next to her, Ashlyn was doing the same but with doubled helpings. Ginny giggled at her friends overflowing plate of food. "Hungry?" she asked.

"You don't know how much," Ashlyn said through a mouthful of potatoes.

Ginny didn't know what to say to that, Ashlyn was eating like a starved person. She instead dismissed that thought and turned her attention to the staff table where she potted Hagrid and the new professor Lupin chatting animatedly about something. Both looked extremely relaxed and at home. Hagrid was merrily swingy a large tankard as Lupin was sipping casually from a wineglass.

"Are you going to finish that, by any chance?" Ashlyn was looking over Ginny's shoulder at a particularly delicious looking dumpling.

"Oh, go ahead..." Ginny had stopped looking at the staff table, her attention now being held by another pair of eyes from across the room.

Blaise Zabini was sitting next to Draco Malfoy, but was openly staring at Ginny. He smirked at her and licked his lips.

Please let that just have been to get some extra gravy off his lips... Ginny's face blanched.

Blaise was relentless in that he continued to gaze at her during dessert ("Oooooh, you gonna eat that tart, Ginny?" asked Ashlyn), to when all the plates had been cleared ("Good thing I grabbed this before my plate disappeared," Ashlyn said) and right up until Dumbledore finally dismissed the students ("Do you think I can bring any of this stuff to our dorm, Ginny?" queried Ashlyn).

"Yea, yea, sure," Ginny answered her friend, "Let's just get out of here..." she hopped from her chair and followed her brothers Fred and George out of the Great Hall.

As the large group of Gryffindors made their way to the common room, Ginny was finally feeling the effect of the long day. Her legs felt like lead as she dragged them continuously onward, her hair was flaccid and her clothing sagging along the floor as her posture decreased with each step. The only thought that kept her going was how much more comfortable her bed will be than a face full of wooden floorboards.

It was with great pleasure that Ginny collapsed into her four-poster bed after getting ready for sleep. She could hear the other girls in her year bustling around, still awake with excitement. Ashlyn couldn't seem to calm herself enough to get into bed, though her face was pale with fatigue. Instead she was listening intently to Fides Winslow's trip to Druid ruins in Northern Ireland that her mother had uncovered in early June.

Finding it all too difficult to stay focused on her friend's endless chatter, no matter how interesting it may have been, Ginny slipped into slumber, her last thoughts drifting about a raven haired boy.