The Seers' Truth: Beyond the Darkness
By Lady Lestrange
Chapter 35
Criminy
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter characters and previous situations belong to JK Rowlings. No infrigement is meant or implied. No money is made from this Fanfic. Thanks JK.
--Lady Lestrange
Special thanks to my beta, ennui de mort who always does such a good job being my extra muse as well as proofreading, moral support and just plain fun.
15 reviews: I really hate blackmailing you into reviewing, but hey, I'm a Slytherin. It's in my nature, so when there are 15 reviews for this chapter, the next one will magically appear. Love my readers and reviewers. Answers to the reviews follow the story. You guys are catching up to me, so maybe I should make it 20 reviews…
(A/N: I've been reading a number of fanfics in installments like this one myself, and find it is sometimes hard to remember exactly what has happened before-In a fic as complex as this one is, I thought having a reminder may be helpful for you. If you want to skip it, just page down.)
Up to this Point: Alternate 5th year book. Voldemort was uncertain which was the prophecy child, Samara or Ginny so he kidnapped them both. Beatrice made a mad dash after them in her animagus form. She has been since crucioed and rescued and returned to Hogwarts still in her bunny animagus form.
Harry, Ron and Hermione struggle to figure out how the prophecy might aid them. The trio travels to Hermione's house, Samara's house, the Riddle house and eventually the Snow Castle in search of the girls.
Ginny, who has a Dark Mark, is torn between the visions of Tom in her head and what to do to stay safe from Voldemort at the Snow Castle. Snape is an unexpected help to her.
Voldemort meanwhile has some unpleasant Christmas surprises in store for Harry and Neville. Neville's grandmother ends up in the hospital and the Dursley's are dead, leaving Snape as Harry's guardian.
Back at Hogwarts, the trio tries to ascertain how they will save the girls. They enlist Draco and Lauren's help.
Voldemort has some trouble within the ranks and sends Ethan to learn with Narcissa and Gloria. Meanwhile, the trio works out some differences with Draco, and miss a chance to save the girls. Now, Snape gives some timely advice and Harry invites Neville to their little planning gatherings, which ends in an altercation between Neville and Draco.
Voldemort sets his plans in motion by giving Samara the Dark Mark, but she is far from defeated by this. Ginny on the other hand is ready to give in to save her family. The plot continues as Volemort sets family members upon family members in a quest to destroy all who might thwart him.
Meanwhile, Harry considers the meaning of curcio and tries to puzzle out what Voldemort is doing by reading his scar pangs.
Ethan and Edward prove their worth to Voldemort and Beatrice is finally released from the bunny animagus.
Ginny, under polyjuice potion, is impersonating Madam Amelia Bones. She is following direct orders from Voldemort who is speaking to her in parseltongue from the small snake animagus she is carrying. She saves her father and her brother, but doesn't seem to be able to save herself.
However, Harry Potter and his trusty Gryffindor rescue squad is on the way. Unfortunately, they get waylaid. Ginny is unconscious and the girls are currently looking for the boys and wind up in Voldemort's dungeon with a slew of vampires and a three headed dragon. The boys, Harry, Ron and Draco are going to rescue the others from the veelas, but Valeriana and Narcissa get in the way--or not-- Luckily the twins are armed with puppy puffs and a sense of humor. Now, the intrepid trio have some difficulty determining a course of action. It's no wonder! Perhaps, they should put it to a vote there are so many people involved in the decision. Well, as Dumbledore says, "it is the decisions we make, that make us the witches and wizards we are!" And now, since the group has saved Neville, will they be able to save themselves.
For further discussion, visit: YAHOO GROUPS, TheSeersTruth
Chapter 35
Criminy
SSSSSS
Harry startled when Ginny and Samara suddenly Apparated right next to him.
"Bloody hell," he breathed, looking up at Ginny. "When did you learn to do that?"
"Tom!" Ginny shouted in his head.
Tom ignored her. She did that often enough to him.
"Tom!'
Tom stood transfixed staring at the wand that he had just used to Apparate them. He had a wand in his hand. He just enjoyed the feel of it in his hand. He could feel the warmth of the wood and the power of the magic. The soaring power of the Pegasus wing feather within was different than his Phoenix, but still an air creature. He had never held a wand that was completely under his control since—what? First year—before the sorting. Yes, because after the sorting, he had to wrest control from Salazar every time he wanted to do a spell.
He had Apparated, not just himself, but another person with this wand. It felt wonderful. He looked at the group. He recognized Harry Potter right away and the girl with the bushy hair, Hermione. There was a Weasley in tattered, bloodied robes that someone had inexpertly mended. That was Ron and then the twin brothers, which would be Fred and George. There were two other boys, one was a Malfoy. The other he didn't know.
"Longbottom," supplied Ginny. "Neville Longbottom. Harry asked you when you learned to Apparate, Tom. I can't answer him. You have to—Keep your mind on the project."
"Uh—Quite a while ago, actually," Tom answered, turning to look at the girl he had Apparated. She was complaining with colorful metaphors and dramatic gestures, running on at the mouth as usual—Samara. He had never realized how beautiful she was.
"Why do people keep doing that to me," snapped Samara. "Would it have been too much bloody trouble to say you were going to Apparate? First, you are bloody freaking out with His threatening you in the Parseltongue and then you just—" Samara frowned, reaching her hand out toward Ginny's aura as she suddenly got quiet. "Gin?" she said softly.
"She's so pretty," noted Tom. "You didn't tell me she was pretty—" and as her magic touched his at the intersection of their auras, he reached out his hand to catch hers. "And her magic is—"
"She's your niece, Tom. Don't be gross," snapped Ginny.
"I didn't turn into a dog and lick her face," whispered Tom.
"Are you ever going to let that go?" asked Ginny. "You didn't say that out loud did you?"
"No," laughed Tom, "probably not. Did I?"
"Oh Merlin!"
Tom was still gripping Samara's hand, magic crackling violently around their clasped hands. Tom closed his eyes, reveling in the nearly forgotten feeling of magic against skin.
Samara had twisted her hand out of Ginny's, looking at her strangely.
Suddenly raucous laughter rang into the corridor, echoing around them with a SonorousCharm. "If you are going to Apparate with a wand, my dear, you have to cover your tracks by backtracking better than that." Salazar laughed again. His voice echoed by a group of Death Eaters. "What a marvelous game," he said, the SonorousCharm still booming from some undisclosed place. "I haven't played Apparition tag for centuries. Come out, come out, wherever you are—"
"Idiot!" snapped Draco. "Don't you know you have to back track or they can follow the Apparition trail?"
"I did," snapped Tom right back, and Disapparated.
"How could he follow us that quickly?" asked Ginny when they reached another floor.
Tom didn't answer, but Ginny got a sense of worry from him. Perhaps Salazar had a closer affinity because it was Tom's magic and not hers.
"He doesn't know it's you! Does he?" asked Ginny.
They Disapparated again, several times, doubling back and making a snarling mess of the signatures. "I don't think so," said Tom. "I'm using your wand. Harder lose him though, using a wand." They appeared briefly in the Beauxbatons' room and a group of Veelas and witches were tittering about the lost Muggles.
They looked up at Ginny curiously.
"Apparition Tag," Tom announced. "The Master says, 'Have fun, but don't kill anyone he needs.' The children are all Prey. The adults are Predators."
"Are the Muggles part of the game?" asked one of the Veelas as several others Disapparated with obvious glee.
"I think so," said Tom with a shrug. "Handicaps for those with better skills," Tom paused as if concerned for the girls. "Be careful," he said. "The Master has surprises for the winners and the losers." Without acknowledging the Veelas mixture of fear and excitement, he Disapparated, reappearing near the Gryffindors who had only moved the length of the corridor, and were arguing about whether or not to leave the forth floor. "Why are you still here? Run, you fools," snarled Tom
"Go! Go! Go!" Hermione was urging them. "Run! They're coming. We don't have time for conversation." The girl with the bushy hair shoved Ginny forward too, but Ginny didn't run.
"Don't touch me," Tom snarled and Hermione backed up, startled. Tom turned to Samara. "I'll meet you in the third guest room in the East wing—"
"Where?" muttered Ron.
Tom ignored him and continued to speak to Samara. "Where you played with the Elementals for the week you were comatose, Samara. It's right across from His chamber. Do you remember the room?"
Samara nodded.
"I'll meet you there." Ginny Disapparated again, making several more circles, and finally appearing in the corridor outside the dungeon.
Ginny mentally shrieked.
"Pipe down, would you?" said Tom. "I thought I saw someone I knew here earlier."
"We had a hell of a time getting out," Ginny complained. "And I don't care who you want to meet up with, I am not going back in there!"
"You forget who is in control of our body," Tom said. "But I'm not in any hurry to go back there either. I just wanted to see if I could get in close enough proximity to find her—through Legilimency—we should have enough of a connection—" Ginny could feel the smirk coming on her face.
"Her?" squeaked Ginny, wondering how Tom got close enough to anything in that dungeon to have a 'connection'. It was certainly disconcerting. Ginny tried to shake her head and failed. She felt like she left part of herself about three Disapparitions back.
"Come now, don't be jealous," said Tom.
"I am most certainly not jealous," snapped Ginny, trying to push all thoughts of sharing magic—and whatever else—with a vampire from her mind. The thought made her nauseous.
"Don't be crass," said Tom. "It's unbecoming. We worked closely at one time. I count her as the only friend who hasn't betrayed me, and I believe I can still contact her with the Legilimency." He hesitated. "You know that's possible with a bond of friendship only, provided the magic is compatible—like Pansy and Draco—but since vampires have mind powers too, it makes it easier. I just want to find her."
It sounded too strange even in her mind, which was quintessentially Gryffindor. "You want to—um—rescue her?" Ginny shivered
"No. No." said Tom. "She doesn't need rescuing. She's a vampire. She's quite capable of taking care of herself these past thousand years or so."
Ginny choked. "Of course she's a vampire," thought Ginny. "That was most of what was in the dungeon—creatures."
"Creatures!" sniffed Tom, insulted at Ginny's thought. "You remember Darla," said Tom exasperated. "Bookstore—Knockturn Alley. Now be still and quiet so that I can find her, unless you'd rather smash down this nice ward we made and go in and take a look."
"No!"
SSSS
A few moments later, Tom found Darla. She was happily feasting on dragon's blood with those she had sired.
The thought instantly brought bile to the back of Ginny's throat although only it was only a mental image. She had no actual control over her body and couldn't retch if she wanted to. She could, however, feel sick.
"Tom, can we get out of here," she begged, but he was insistent, ignoring her feelings of nausea.
"No," he answered sharply. "We need her help."
Ginny tried to sink back into a pleasant memory as Tom spoke to Darla, but she was having trouble accessing any. Truth be told, she wanted to know what Tom thought he had to say to the vampire. At last Ginny just listened to the conversation.
After they exchanged pleasantries, and Tom managed to get Darla to stop eating, Tom asked Darla to distract Salazar and especially the female Death Eaters."I've put the Veelas up to the males—"
In exchange, Tom promised to dismantle the ward that Ginny had put up earlier.
Ginny felt panicky. "Tom, I don't think I like your dropping that ward. You'll turn the vampires loose on the castle."
Tom snorted, unconcerned, and pulled the magic from beneath the ward. It collapsed like so much paper and the vampires streamed through. Ginny tried to cringe away, but none of them attacked her. Ginny had a moment's glimpse at Darla grinning at her, blood still collected between her teeth, before they Disapparated, returning once again to the Gryffindors..
SSSSSSSS
"Samara? Draco? Where are we supposed to go?" Lauren asked.
Draco hesitated, holding his wand in front of him.
"What are you doing, Malfoy?" sneered Ron.
"If Death Eaters come through that door," he said succinctly, "You're the enemy."
"I told you Malfoy would betray us," said Ron
"He hasn't betrayed us yet," replied Samara as the threesome hurried along the corridor. "This way," said Samara.
Draco skidded to a halt as Ginny Apparated right in front of him. "Don't you check proximity before you Apparate, idiot Weasley?" he snarled, pushing past Ginny.
"Shut up, Malfoy, I didn't hit you," said Tom.
"Are you all right, Ginny?" said George.
"We could force feed Malfoy a couple of Weasley experiments," added Fred.
"Or just beat him to a pulp for you," added Ron.
"Dream on," said Draco, bits of fire dripping from his fingertips.
"I'm fine," Tom answered. "I think I lost them. After several Apparitions back to the Beaxbatons' wing—at the very least He should lose a few of the Death Eaters to the Veelas. Darla and her children should take care of at least some of the others." He frowned at the blonde boy. "So, you're a Malfoy," he said aloud, studying him with concentration. Did you ever tell me his first name, Ginny? He wondered.
"Draco," Ginny replied.
"Yes, I am a Malfoy," agreed Draco. "Dra—co—Mal—foy—. You had it yesterday, Weasel. Keep working on it, and you'll be as smart as your brother there. " He gestured, dripping sparks.
"Stop talking out loud, Tom. They can hear you muttering to yourself. You look stupid."
"I never look stupid." Tom thought, and then aloud he said, "You'd better release some of that magic, Malfoy, before you go up in flames."
Draco looked down at his flame filled hands and giggled, but Samara grabbed his wrists and sucked some of the magic off just as a scream echoed through the air. She startled away from him.
Everyone jumped. "What the hell?" snapped Harry, startled, looking worriedly into the corridor where the scream came from.
"Vampire," said Tom. "Veelas generally don't upset their victims."
"Don't dawdle Potter," said Draco. "Get moving. My grandmother moves faster."
"Seeing who your grandmother is—" began Tom, but Neville interrupted.
"There are vampires here?"
Ginny grinned. "And Veelas and werewolves, as well as the odd giant or two—"
"Shut up, Gin," spat Ron. "You don't know what you're talking about."
Tom tensed in anger, but Ginny persuaded him to ignore her brother. He looked at the corridor, trying to get his bearings after flitting through the Beaubaxtons' wing. It was different when Ginny was in control of the body. He felt lost, but that could have been the buzz of Veela magic in his head, even though, since he was in a girl's body, none of the Veelas had directed their magic at him.
A shift in the power of the wards made Tom look up. "Uh—oh. I don't like that."
"Was that the wards?" asked Neville.
"I didn't feel anything." said Ron.
Draco frowned but said nothing.
"A strengthening spell or a re-adjustment," said Tom. "They want to make sure their prey doesn't escape."
"But then," Ginny wondered, "if the wards are up, would they still be able to Apparate within the castle now?"
"Don't know," said Tom. "I think they are more concerned about us getting out. They can be patient."
"I feel them," Neville continued. "What are we going to do? We won't be able to Apparate, or use the Portkey, even from one room to another." Beads of sweat broke out on Neville's face.
"Get a grip, Longbottom," snapped Draco. "Are you a Gryffindor or not?"
"We haven't been able to do that since we got here, Neville," said Hermione more calmly. "They just double checked for holes. Dumbledore will get them down," she said, and then a look of pure horror crossed her face as she realized what she had said. The shock of seeing Dumbledore's dead body washed over all of them again. "I mean the—Order," she said weakly. Her hand went to her mouth as she glanced quickly at Draco and then back to Harry, her wide eyes searching for reassurance from Harry.
"No one knows were here," said George softly.
"Only Snape," added Fred.
"Maybe I should just face Voldemort now," said Harry. He said nothing about the Order and neither did either of the Slytherins.
"Maybe you should," snarled Draco, pushing past Harry and pointing. "This corridor leads to the main Hall," said Draco, shoving the others in the opposite direction down a narrow corridor. "There's a fireplace—"
"The fireplace won't work," Ginny reminded Tom. "Remember, the only one open to the outside is in his private chamber?"
"I know—" Tom said to Ginny, and then aloud, "It won't work."
"Will you just shut up, Ginny!" snapped Ron.
"Why don't you!" Tom snapped back. "Mutus!"
Ginny was divided between mirth and horror. "This really wasn't the best time to curse my brother, Tom. Please tell me you used your wand."
"Oh—I forgot," thought Tom. "Wand. Right."
"Shit."
Shesha hissed under Harry's sleeve, just as the pop of an Apparition was heard. "Another comes," and Harry cursed, pushing the others against the wall. Harry quickly un-muted Ron and urged, "Use your niche spell again, Ron. They are on both sides of us."
"No," Visha corrected. "This one is a friend."
The basilisk hissed in greeting as Koschei slithered excitedly off of Harry's wrist and dropped to the floor, hissing, "Mistress!"
"Come on!" snapped Ron, but it was too late.
Maura ran from the opposite corridor around the bend and skidded to a halt, her eyes taking in the group as she brushed her damp hair out of her face. "All children?" she muttered.
"Good! You can help me, girl," said Draco, shoving Ron forward with the point of his wand.
"Draco!" warned Ginny.
"I've got it," said Tom, reaching forward to grasp Maura's hand. "Let us go," Tom urged, Ginny's eyes glazing over and staring hypnotically into Maura's eyes. "You have to run from the Predators."
"Stop it, Tom," said Ginny. "Just tell her we have Koschei. She'll help us."
Maura's eyes never left Ginny's as she seemed to realize they weren't just playing a game. "You were leaving?" asked Maura, she shook her head, breaking eye contact. "This—this wasn't a game—this was a rescue attempt!" Then Maura looked down in surprise and scooped up her snake. "Koschei!" she squealed, breaking the concentration momentarily, but Tom immediately re-established it.
"Yes," said Tom softly. "We have to get to His private chamber—your parents' room. It's the only floo out. Is there a short cut?" A crackle of magic left Ginny's body, flowing through her hand to Maura's.
"Tom, what are you doing?" asked Ginny. "She'll help us without—"
"Sh-h-h," Tom said aloud, addressing Ginny.
"Don't talk to me out loud," hissed Ginny in his thoughts. "I can hear you!""And I can hear you," thought Tom. "So shut up so I can do this spell!"
"Not so easy carrying on two conversations at once is it," snapped Ginny, at the same time as Maura spoke.
"What?" Tom said aloud. "I'm afraid I didn't hear you, Maura."
"I said, 'You won't get by His wards, and the floo won't work without his spell.'" Maura looked from Ginny to Draco.
"Let me worry about that," said Tom, re-establishing eye contact.
"Are you out of your mind, Ginny!" snapped Ron. "You might be good at wards, but you're not that good."
"Out of my mind," Ginny thought "You could put it that way." Ginny couldn't help but laugh. Maybe it was hysterical laughter.
Tom seemed to think Ron's comment was hilarious too, but thankfully he said nothing.
"I hate to say it, but I agree with Weasel," said Draco, frowning.
"Wanna bet, Malfoy?" asked Tom. Ginny's eyes were now sparkling with mirth.
"Yeah, I would," said Draco, "except that when you lose, I doubt I will have a chance to spend my money."
Tom became serious once again as he addressed Maura. Tom now grasped both of Maura's hands and Ginny could feel the magic fairly leap through him to her, more powerful this time. "Maura?" Tom said questioningly
"Yes?" she answered, now completely under his spell.
"Maura," Tom said again. "You were just about to help us. You said there was a secret passage to your parents' room."
"She didn't say—" began Harry.
"There is," she said brightly. "I'll show you."
"Tom," said Ginny warningly. "Don't you put her under Imperio! It's not necessary."
Harry exchanged a glance with Draco, and his face creased into a frown as he followed the group at a jog.
"Tom!""Ginny. I didn't use the wand and I didn't say the word. No one will know."
"I know!" shouted Ginny.
"This way," said Maura, taking them through a number of twisting narrow corridors. Finally she said, "I should leave you here—it's not far now. Just follow this corridor to its end and you will remember."
"And if anyone's coming, you can lead them away," Tom said.
"Yes," she agreed. "I'll tell the Master you went the other way."
"Tom, she's a little girl. She shouldn't be doing this. She should be playing, not—not—"
Suddenly, Maura shoved away from Tom. "Ginny!" she growled. "I thought we were friends! I know that spell! Lucius taught me—You tried to—to—"
"Apologize," snarled Ginny. "Hurry Tom. Apologize now! We're friends! Tell her we are desperate and you forgot yourself."
"I'm sorry," Tom blurted. "I abused your friendship. But truthfully, it is safer for you if He thinks you did not help us of your own free will."
Maura nodded seriously and then hugged Ginny, whispering as she squeezed her friend. "I'll tell Him you went the other way, Virginia. Get out of here." She paused a moment. "I'll miss you."
"But he'll know," said Harry Potter. "You can't lie to Voldemort! He's a Legilimens. He'll hurt you," protested Harry. "Don't put yourself in danger."
"I'm not in danger," said Maura blithely. "He won't know I'm lying. I'm only twelve, and anyway, you put me under Imperio." Her eyes narrowed. "He took all of my parents' things and threw them aside so he could take their room. He took it. He commandeered my house—mine—and changed all the passwords to Parseltongue." She hugged Ginny suddenly, and then Harry, thanking him for returning Koschei with a quick kiss on the cheek. Cuddling her snake, she winked at the group and, throwing up a fire filled hand, she Disapparated.
Hermione sucked in her breath. "Didn'tshe say she was twelve?"
"She can Apparate," Ron said, looking at the spot where she had been.
"Well, at least we know we still can Apparate inside the castle," said Harry. "A lot of good that does us."
Tom was still reeling with the feelings of Maura's arms around him. He knew that she had only hugged Ginny and only as a friend, but it had been so long since he had felt the touch of another witch or wizard that he couldn't keep his concentration. Salazar had always, always, explored the thoughts of whomever touched him. It was hard not to use the Legilimency talent. The probing was automatic. He considered what he had learned from the brief contact. He had felt the warmth of her body and her magic and the tension of all the others around him suddenly escalated as he realized they were addressing him. He yanked himself back to the present as he realized that Ginny was screaming at him.
"Tom! We have to go! Move this body of ours. We need to reset the ward on this floor and run. You are faster than any of the others."
Tom didn't even think of his wand. He raised his hands and set the ward with near miraculous speed. "That should slow down Salazar and his Death Eaters," he said as he gestured to the Notice-Me-Not ward that he had just made to protect their floor.
Draco reached for his wand.
"Forget it Malfoy," said Tom coolly, fire crackling in his hands as he faced Draco. "We don't have time to duel." Tom winked. "Maybe later. Anyway, you'd lose and you don't want to be lying unconscious in this corridor when the Death Eaters come."
"Who in the bloody hell are you?" snapped Draco.
"Leave my sister alone," said Ron, stepping forward.
"That's not your sister, Weasel," said Draco. "She can't do a ward like that and I know Imperio when I see it. This person reeks of Dark Magic. I know you see it, Samara. How'd you do it? Polyjuice?"
"We'll discuss it later," said Tom politely. "I know a short cut to his private chambers. Follow me." When they hesitated he said, "You do want to get out of here, don't you, Malfoy?"
None of them could argue with that, and they began to hurry after him.
"I want to know how you know a short cut," muttered Lauren as they ran.
"I want my sister," said Ron, pulling his wand, but holding it uncertainly before him as he hurried along the corridor. He wasn't ready to trust Malfoy, but Ginny setting that ward was just weird and he wondered what she did to Maura. "We're not leaving without my sister," he insisted.
"It's her," said Samara as Tom paused along an unmarked corridor and hissed, "(Open)" to the secret passageway. The wall moved itself into an arch and Tom stepped through.
"What?" Harry and Neville both had their wands trained between Malfoy and Ginny.
"It is Ginny," said Samara.
"You don't know that," said Draco. "Polyjuice."
"Auras!" interrupted Samara. "And no one else can speak Parseltongue. I tell you it is Ginny, and she's probably the only chance we have to break His ward."
"But how does she know the Imperius Curse?" uttered Hermione. "And without a word—without a wand!"
"You're taking Malfoy's word again, Hermione," said Ron.
"In fact," Hermione continued. "Nice as it is, how did she know that ward—wandlessly?"
Samara's eyes were on Ginny, as if begging her to understand, asking her in advance to forgive her for sharing her darkest secret. "Because," said Samara, "Ginny was possessed in first year, and that person never left her."
"What!" Suddenly, every wand was trained on Ginny.
"Expelliarmus!" snapped Harry, and Tom clasped his hand around his wand, feeling the heat blister his hand as Harry fought him for it, but he was rather practiced in this battle and he had no intention of letting go. With his opposite hand he reached for the Elementals, using wind to push Harry away from him. Ginny was screaming at him. The Muggle girls scattered frightened, and Tom very gently let the wind die down. No one moved.
"Criminy," said Tom.
Answers to ReviewsHAPPY CHIRSTMAS
Elbereth Glad you enjoyed. Actually, they have been trying to leave, and I hoped you enjoyed the latest "amazing and weird feats".
DraginLover You were a little confused on as to what the once twice and three times means? I hope you understood in this chapter, that Tom realized that one Apparition would easily be followed. I don't think Hermione ever "liked" Samara, but Hermione is essentially a good person and that is what I wanted to show. I'm glad you think I did that.
Little Red Rabbit
More Tom/Ginny to come.
Riddled-Slytherin
Everybody loves the Ginny/Tom interaction See you folks were all complaining I didn't have enough Tom/Ginny before. Is this making up for the previous lack? I hope so.
Alaxander The plot builds! Actually the plot is pretty well built. Not too much left to do you know.
Sayuri-Kikio
I love getting beautiful reviews like yours. Not just because it's glowing, but because you read straight through and saw the flow of things that just doesn't happen when you read a chapter at a time. It's neat that you anticipated the Apparition Tag.
Lirael
I think you understand now what the third apparition was--Tom being careful and coving his magical signature. BTW, I love the Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen series….Don't you think Garth Nix should write a new one soon with the new "Power"?
Trillium rolling on floor? Cool.
LifeIsOrange So sorry about the cliffies, but there will probably be a few of them until the end. Lots of action kind of does that. Thanks for reading and reviewing, and don't cry all your tears yet…
Kemenran Ginny getting possessed? Well not exactly. And Voldie is busy, or gonna be.
Tiamat Warcraft
Thanks to your parents. Hope you got your sleep schedule straightened out.
kaili Hope your finals have gone well and you are ready for a read now…
Mistrunner Glad you liked the ending. How about the ending of this one? LOL
Silverfox1 Growls back I wanted to see your review. Oh well, I did read your comments on group and wish others would put some comments there too. Sigh. You doubt Harry has any clue that he insulted Draco and you are probably right. You said: While Ginny is trying to let Tom take her over she shows obvious outward signs of distress, but Samara doesn't seem to react to them in any way. That's true, mainly because if she reacted it would take away from the conversation between Ginny and Tom where I wanted the focus to be. I changed a few lines in the beginning of this chapter to show that Samara was indeed concerned about her friend and you also said, "If Voldemort can recognise Tom's magic, if Tom tries to get into his mind, won't he be able to recognise his apparition signature as well?!" Again, your astute review helped me to deal with that in this chapter. You are right, Voldie should recognize the signature. That is why I made sure that I had Tom use Ginny's wand even though he obviously could have apparated them wandlessly.
WesleyPeppers Samara's brothers are home safely in their muggle house because Voldie thinks Samara is a relation of a senile aunt of Draco's instead of who she really is. So Voldie doesn't know about Samara's family…luckily.
Pardon
You asked: Will you be a twisted little syltherin and let Tom subtly play puppet master again or will you give him a softer side? (do not think to judge Tom solely on what you have seen here. More to come.) Will Ginny revel in the feeling of the connection or will revulsion or even guilt come over her? (I don't think Ginny even knows that yet.) And what of Salazar? Does he sense the connection and on the same level samara?(He doesn't see auras so no, not like Samara, although he has other talents.)
Jager So sorry I missed your update. Damn, fanfiction. Thank you for this one.
Chernobyl
That was an evil cliffie, wasn't it. Well, as you see, not relief is in sight. Review soon. I guess you understand how the Ginny/Tom match works now. She can see if she chooses to. She can't control her body at this time. I will echo your comment: "and this one took entirely too long. People need to review faster!"
As far as Dumbledore being dead, there really hasn't been time for Volde to take advantage. They haven't been at the Snow Castle for days, you know, just a couple of hours. Will he take advantage? Well, what do you think? It's not still Christmas break. It's January. January 17th as a matter of fact. Remember when Draco stayed with Samara instead of taking the Hogwart's Express back to Hogwarts? He complained about Ginny being there, And then he had to Apparate to the Forbidden Forest and walk up. Losing track is what happens sometimes when you read it one chapter at a time in fanfic. It's a hazard of fanfic-dom.
cronenus
Hope your dad is feeling lots better by Christmas. I think Tom will have a little trouble giving back control now that he has it. You know how those Slyths are…No they are still two people.
15 Reviews gets the next chapter.