Disclaimer: Don't own it, ya da ya da ya da…

A/N: Review! Hope you like the chapter :-D

Chapter 7:

Ginny was becoming more and more uneasy over the next week. She kept getting somewhere without knowing what had happened. For instance, she would decide to go study in the library and would suddenly be in a bathroom with a horrible ghost or in a deserted corridor she had never even seen before. When she wrote to Tom about this, he advised her to be careful at all times in case someone was harming her and feeding her a Potion. Be alert, he would write. It will all be fine. Meanwhile he stayed interested in her social life- who her friends were, what her parents were doing, the latest rumors about the Dark Lord- anything. But especially Harry Potter.

Harry was what Ginny had begun imagining Tom looked like. Dark hair and gorgeous eyes- heroic and brave, and caring, all at the same time. The perfect boyfriend. Only Harry wasn't Tom- this was what was frustrating. One morning she returned from Potions downcast and mad- Snape had taken more points from her, again. Why did he hate her? She was a Malfoy- and even more, his goddaughter! It was not her fault she was in Gryffindor- was it?

"Aw, cheer up, Ginny," offered Ceridwen as they entered the portrait. Of course, Ginny had rather deserved the points taken- she hadn't done any homework. And she'd really meant to- but she'd disappeared again. Maybe she should tell someone about this? But who would believe her? Nobody. Ginny was pulled from her thoughts by an outburst from a Weasley twin.

"MAKE WAY, YOUNG GRYFFINDORS! THE DANGEROUS HEIR OF SLYTHERIN IS COMING THROUGH!" Ginny looked up, startled. They were just talking about stupid Potter, who a great number of people actually believed was behind the attack. Harry entered the common room to a bunch of first years backing up, terrified- and Fred or George Weasley asking him who the next target was. "Well, Mrs. Norris is down- what about Filch this time-? Or Snape- I'd say he deserves a little visit from the monster within, don't you think, O Mighty Heir-" He then bowed with a flourish. Harry rolled his eyes and muttered something angrily to Ron. "Come on, Harry," protested the other twin, "We were just having fun…"

"Well, it's not funny!" shouted Ron. "Look- they're terrified!" he said, pointing at the first years.

"Are not," said Ginny loudly, putting on her façade.

"Except the one who actually knows who's behind the attacks," said Ron disgustedly. Ginny swelled in anger.

"Take that back, Weasel!" she shouted.

"Ginny," came some warning voices behind her. Ginny rolled her eyes. "Listen! The heir of Slytherin would not be some stupid first or second year, like Potter! It's probably someone really experienced in dark magic!" she exclaimed.

"Like you, Malfoy?" asked a third year. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"I don't have time for this- excuse me, Powerful Slytherin Dark Lord of the Chamber," she said sarcastically, brushing by Harry as she ran up the stairs.

Then a thought came to her. What if Harry was opening the chamber? Yeah, right. She just couldn't accept the fact that it was her. No. No way.

The year passed slowly enough. Ginny was sure that nobody was onto her, though. How could they be? The next attack came without warning. During the day had been an exciting Quidditch match; Gryffindor vs. Slytherin. Ginny was secretly glad that Gryffindor had won- and she was severely disappointed in her brother's Quidditch abilities. A bludger had attacked Harry Potter the entire time- most unusual. Of course Ginny had no doubt that the culprit was in Slytherin- all of whom were laughing their asses off in the stands and on the pitch. Ginny had been quite worried- but Harry had done all right. Until the end, when Lockhart seemingly de-boned his arm… Ginny had heard some of her brother's friends betting on how long Potter would be in the Hospital Wing and what type of excuse Lockhart would give. He really was a horrid teacher, however handsome he might be.

That evening, Ginny remembered going to brush her teeth after a late night of homework. When she came back to her senses, she was standing in the bathroom that was always out of order, on the first floor. It was pitch black in the room besides a luminescent figure in one of the stalls. "Hello?" Ginny whispered timidly.

"W-w-what do you want?" wailed a short, plump ghost.

"Nothing," whispered Ginny, slipping from the bathroom. It was extremely difficult making her way back to her dormitory, as she was pale and shaking. She noticed that her robes didn't seem to fit the same way anymore. She was getting thinner- but every time she went to eat, it seemed, she disappeared for hours on end!

She arrived in her bed, finally, and lay silent listening to her classmates sleep for a long time, shaking all the while. What was happening to her? She didn't sleep that night. For about an hour, she wrote with Tom. Then she waited. At long last, Jaclyn's alarm sounded through the room. A familiar song of the Weird Sisters was playing.

"Morning," yawned Maeve, sitting up. Ginny pulled at her curtains. Kayla and Ceridwen both were covering their heads with their blankets, and Jaclyn even looked tired. But Maeve gasped when she saw Ginny.

"Ginny! I know I'm usually nit-picky and stuff… but Merlin, you look horrible! You're nearly white, literally…. Have you gotten any sleep the past week?" At this, everyone sat up groggily.

"Gee, Gin," said Ceridwen thoughtfully. "She's right- why are you shaking? And your eyes are so bloodshot- you look awful. Are you feeling all right?"

"Er… yeah, I suppose," said Ginny in a small voice. What was happening to her? "I- I've just been- stressed lately."

"Are you eating?" demanded Kayla. "If you even think about being anorexic or something, I will personally bring you to the Headmaster…"

"Yes, I've been eating," said Ginny disdainfully. "I'm hungry right now." She then hurried and showered, coming downstairs not feeling any more refreshed. Suddenly, she turned around and ran back to the bathroom and vomited. Something had happened- she knew it. Thankfully, today was a Saturday, and Ginny had no classes. She rushed to eat breakfast and sat at the Slytherin table in between Trista and Draco, who both also commented on her appearance. Draco kept a close eye on her as she ate her toast and eggs, as if she was trying to get away with something.

"So did you hear about the attack last night?" asked Draco maliciously to the group around him.

"Attack?" asked Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle, Eira, Nott, and Pansy with excitement. Ginny's heart was racing. Attack? The blood drained from her face.

"Yeah," said Draco. "It was Creevey- that stupid Gryffindor always following Potter around…"

"Don't they all?" asked Eira nastily.

"I don't," said Ginny acidly. "You'd better remember who your betters are, Zabini." A Gryffindor would have retorted to that, Ginny knew. But Eira didn't. She simply glared at Ginny.

"Was he the one with the camera?" asked Crabbe. Draco nodded. The boy- Colin- he sat by Ginny in Charms. Ginny didn't particularly care for him. He was annoying. But why would she attack him? She didn't like Muggle-borns, but attacking them? Killing them?

"Is he dead?" asked Ginny shakily.

"No. Petrified again. Bloody attacker can't do anything right. But I'll bet anything next time there will be a killing…. I hope it's Granger."

Ginny returned to the Gryffindor table to find them talking about the same incident, though in a much more different manner than the Slytherins. "Hey, Ginny," said Jaclyn sadly as Ginny sat down. Jaclyn had had a crush on Creevey- that's why she was so upset, apparently.

"Hi," said Ginny thoughtfully. "What is the Chamber of Secrets again?" she asked quietly. Jaclyn looked at her, surprised.

"You don't know? Where have you been?"

"Er… no, I don't." Ginny was truthful- she hadn't been able to pay attention to the rumors floating around. She had to know what it was she was opening- if she was even the one doing it, that was.

"Well- it's a chamber Slytherin created to rid the school of Muggle-borns, and- he left it there, and the monster with it, for his heir to carry out the deed."

"What's the monster? And where is it?" asked Ginny curiously.

"Well, nobody knows either answer. Isn't it scary? Do you think it's really- you know, open again?" Ginny shrugged. How could she be opening it? She wasn't the heir of Slytherin! And if she was- then why wasn't it Draco opening the chamber? It definitely wasn't Draco. Maybe Slytherin liked her better? Or what if she was adopted? And that was why she had reddish hair instead of platinum blonde… Ginevra Rhiannon Malfoy! You- are- not- adopted- or- the heir- of bloody SLYTHERIN!

"You okay, Malfoy?" asked Potter as he passed. Ginny looked up and realized she was panting.

"I- I'm fine, Potter," she said coldly. But at the same moment, she felt her heart aching. Stupid Potter!

After that incident, things seemed to become almost normal. Ginny finally began to sleep once more and gained color. She tried the best she could to forget about her suspicions every time she passed the corridor where the message was written. Even though everyone around her seemed to be getting more frightened, Ginny was feeling better and better. She laughed at the people trying to sell protective items- Jaclyn even bought garlic from some bloke in fourth year.

"You know," said Maeve, "You're not Muggle born, Jaclyn!"

"So?" she asked.

"Yeah," said Ginny thoughtfully. "Weren't your parents both a Witch and Wizard anyway?"

"Yeah," said Jaclyn. "But my grandmother was Muggle-born…" Ginny nodded sympathetically. She actually felt bad for the half-bloods. That one stupid Muggle in their family trees ruined perfectly good blood. But what about love? If they loved each other- shouldn't it be all right? No- not unless they wanted to disgrace wizard kind.

Before Ginny knew it they were well into November. That was when it happened. She was writing to Tom one second- the next she was lying in a pool of water outside Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. She strained her ears to hear the voices inside it-

"I can't believe it happened again- and a double attack!" it was Ron Weasley talking.

"Yeah," said Harry. "And everyone thinks it was me- Why am I always the one to find the victims?"

"I don't know, Harry. Do you really think it's Malfoy? I'm almost sure it is…" Ginny's mouth opened. Were they talking about her?

"Stupid prat Draco Malfoy- He thinks he's so great. Doesn't seem to like it that everyone's convinced it's Harry, though…" He was right. Nobody was talking to Harry Potter anymore. People were just too frightened. Draco was rather angry.

"It's not bloody scarface! I won't believe it!" he had complained to Ginny just the other day. Ginny then slinked away from the bathroom. What were they doing in there? She decided she didn't want to know- What if she got caught, though, somehow?

Dear Tom-

I'm almost positive it's me opening the Chamber. Another attack happened yesterday, and I don't know where I was! Oh, Tom! What do I do? I'm so scared. What if I get expelled? Should I turn myself in?

Ginny, I really don't see how it can be you, dear. You worry too much. Everything will turn out for the best. The school will be rid of mudbloods, Dumbledore will be sacked or even worse, and maybe one day I'll be strong enough to come to you.

Really? Tom, I don't see how that's possible. How on earth would you come here? Where are you right now, anyway? It's so confusing!

The more you write, Ginevra, the more human I become. You can bring me back to life. We can see each other- maybe do great things.

Are you dead right now?

I'm somewhere in between. I'm a memory, remember?

Yeah. I'm so scared, Tom. Why am I a Gryffindor? I wish I wasn't opening the Chamber! Why am I? Why? Please, Tom- I thought I was better, and I'm not! I'm not… I am frightened and feel like a little girl. I am not powerful enough to open the Chamber of secrets and release the monster, Tom. I need to go to Transfiguration. Bye.

The next two weeks passed slowly, Ginny's physical and mental well-being deteriorating the entire time. Draco was convinced she had some sickness- and the stupid Prefects kept telling her to go to the Hospital Wing. They were probably just afraid of catching whatever she had. But they didn't know- you can't catch being the Heir of Slytherin. But then how had she gotten it?

Draco and his friends were enjoying the frightening atmosphere of the school, strutting around proudly. Ginny was almost mad at him for it- what would he do if he knew who the culprit was? They decided to stay over Christmas break- Draco because the momentum seemed to be building of the fright and Ginny was pretty sure he wanted to be here if it toppled over the edge. Ginny decided to stay as well as to not look like a homesick first year- even if she was. Also, Tom told her she should probably stay in case someone followed her to the Manor or something horrible like that.

She quickly found that Potter was staying- so were Granger and the Weasleys. They were definitely up to something, though she didn't know what. Christmas day was rather boring. Trista was her only friend who'd stayed over Christmas, so when Ginny woke up she hurried to the Slytherin common room with her presents. Nobody there minded, as the people who stayed were mostly Draco's and her friends.

"Happy Christmas!" said Ginny excitedly.

"Morning," said Draco, reclining on an uncomfortable-looking armchair.

"Happy Christmas," said Trista. Ginny then started on her presents. Her parents had given her a beautiful new robe and expensive-looking jewelry, as well as a unicorn statue with sapphire eyes. Draco had given her a bracelet. Ceridwen had given her another statue that would make it snow when turned on for a radius of three feet- and when it turned off, the snow would disappear. From Maeve she received a book about Pureblooded families which she'd already read, and from Trista she got a book about different Quidditch teams, which pleased her the most of all.

When Draco saw it, he raised his eyebrow. "You, fly?" he asked skeptically.

"I'm actually a very good flier, Draco." Draco snorted and turned back to his friends. Ginny rolled her eyes as her owl tapped on the window with another parcel. She walked over to the window and opened it, taking her package and reading the card.

"It's from Aunt Andromeda," said Ginny, frowning, looking at the emblem.

"What?" demanded Draco, coming over for a look. Ginny opened the letter to see it was from their cousin Nymphadora, not Andromeda.

Dear Ginny and Draco

Hello- I am your cousin Nymphadora, though I go by Tonks. I never met you and I am twenty years old, in Auror training. My mother was killed last week, and it was her wish for me to meet you all. Your mother asked me to come stay with your family for the summer, so I wanted to go ahead and introduce myself. Have a good Christmas!

Your Cousin,

Tonks

Draco and Ginny exchanged amazed glances. "What is the meaning-" began Draco. "A half-blood, at our Manor? I'm writing home. Open the gift- see what it is."

Ginny did what her brother said, mind spinning the whole time. She always knew about this cousin, of course- but had never really thought about meeting her or something. She opened the package, which had a present for both her and Draco. She opened hers- it was a mood ring. Who needed a mood ring? She studied the colors and their meanings before tossing Draco his present, which was a book. Ginny watched Draco's eagle-owl fly gracefully from the room and out the window, wondering what its reply would say.

That night she was alone in the Gryffindor Tower with the exception of the Weasley twins, who she was almost beginning to tolerate- okay, well, like- but not the way she liked Harry. In another way. They played Exploding Snap with her, talking about their past Christmases as Ginny listened.

"Yeah, Fred- remember the time we changed the names on all the packages-?"

"The look on Charlie's face when Bill got a new broomstick- and when little Ron got Percy's So you Want to Work in the Ministry book!"

"That was great- and the year we sent Filch a package of Christmas lights that looked like Snape…"

"and when we gave Bill that zit mirror…"

"Those were the days," sighed George, and Fred nodded in agreement. "So what about you, Ginny?"

"Er…" said Ginny, looking up. "They've always been very nice, and- er- quiet, I suppose. With lovely presents and food…"

"Laughter?" asked Fred. "Hugs? Greetings? Merriment?" Ginny bit her lip and shook her head slowly.

"But that doesn't mean they weren't good! They were wonderful. The best days of my life, some of them. Just because a family isn't like the 'tender love Weasley clan' doesn't mean they're not happy," she said defiantly.

"Are you happy?" asked George.

That night she went to bed with a lot on her mind. The weeks passed by, Ginny's health deteriorating again. Right after break, Granger mysteriously ended up in the hospital wing. Ginny had secretly hoped that she had been attacked- for Ginny remembered what she'd been doing around the time Hermione disappeared, and she actually had people to vouch for her. But it ended up that Hermione had turned herself into a cat somehow- probably trying to do some NEWT level magic or something.

Ginny was up in her room, thinking, when she decided to write to Tom, who had been scaring her a bit lately, talking about him coming to life or about the Chamber of Secrets. Finally, a conversation drew Ginny over the line.

Hello, Tom. It's been hectic lately. Do you think I'm a descendent of Slytherin? I'm scared- I know I've said it before, but I can't help it!

Ginny, I've told you over and over again: you are not the heir of Slytherin. Just don't worry. You know, the Chamber was opened during my time at Hogwarts. Would you like to travel through one of my memories?

What?

One of my memories, Ginny. I can show you.

No, I don't think so, Tom- But suddenly, the pages of the book began flipping until they reached a date, and Ginny was sucked into the book.

"TOM!" she screamed. She was in Hogwarts- a Hogwarts of a different time. "TOM! LET ME GO! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR MEMORY!" Then a tall, raven-haired boy walked past her. It was Tom- she knew it was. "TOM!" she screamed, but he didn't seem to hear her. Then, without warning, she was jerked back into her present time. Frightened, she snapped the book shut and ran to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, where she ran into none other than Aidan. Could this day get no worse?

"Watcha got there, Gin?" he asked curiously.

"Oh; it's nothing- just found this book… Ten points if you get it through Myrtle's nose!" she then added in a whisper. Aidan chuckled and threw the book, which landed in the toilet and sent Myrtle into another tantrum. Ginny hurried away before she was caught.

()))))()()()()()()()(()(())

A/N: Please review! The next chapter will be out soon! And the plot about the kidnapping will happen in less than four chapters, I promise! Thanks for all your comments!

Jinglez