Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Hazardous Sanity Chapter Four: Love And Death

Sirens moan.
They're forever crying.
Maybe someone's dying.
The sound sticks inside my head.
Talk to myself, I'm company,
But who is to say if nothing is said?
- Fishbowl by AFI

She was out again on one of her late night trips, a sharpened blade dangling from her fingertips. Lana Gwen glanced at her surroundings. The hallway was dark and slightly eerie. No one seemed to be out, which really didn't surprise her. But she had been positive there was a prefect or two about.

Soft footsteps echoed off the walls and Lana gave a malicious grin. Sarah Ramirez strolled around a corner and into the hallway. She seemed oblivious to the redheaded girl across from her. Sarah had her brow furrowed and her hands played around a Ravenclaw tie which hung loosely from her neck.

Lana observed her quietly from the shadows. Sarah walked on, her hands never leaving the blue and bronze tie. "Ramirez," Lana acknowledged quietly with a hint of amusement.

The Ravenclaw froze.

"Are you afraid, Ramirez?"

"Who are you? No students are allowed out at this time of night," she replied with an authoritative air.

Lana Gwen laughed softly.

"Scared, are you? Why don't you come into thelight, then?" Sarah spat angrily.

Lana laughed again. "For a Ravenclaw prefect you are pretty feeble-minded. Most students would run the other way if I was after them."

"As a prefect, I command you to come out into the light!"

"Why don't you come into the darkness?" Lana asked politely.

Then, deciding she played enough, Lana spoke again. "Alright. You'll be sorry." She walked slowly out of the shadows. Sarah gave a sigh of relief, "Oh. It's only you Ginny. You scared me. You know, if you weren't a prefect as well, I would be taking a lot of points from Gryffindor right now."

"Sorry, my dear, Ginny isn't here right now. I'll be glad to give her a message if you wish."

Sarah stared at her a moment, then gave a scowl. "Very funny, Gin. You really shouldn't play around like that. There is a killer about, you know. I thought of all people, that you wouldn't think of this as a joking matter.

In reply, Lana gave a harsh laugh. "Ramirez, you were always a loyal friend. Albeit an obnoxious one, but loyal. Loyalty pays off nicely. I think I'll kill you in a more humane way for being such a good acquaintance."

Sarah merely sputtered and took a step back, but it was too late because Lana was already on her. The Ravenclaw tie was hastily tightened and quickly cut off the girl's air supply. If anyone were to walk in at that moment, they would be in for an odd sight indeed. Ginevra Weasley, tiny, slim, and innocent looking was on a really tall, stronger looking Ravenclaw and strangling her with her own house tie.

Lana Gwen sat on Sarah's chest as she struggled to breathe. This girl wasn't the easiest to kill, but she had done it and came out of the whole thing with only a few scratches on her face. Sarah Ramirez came out of it dead. The look in her eyes was one of pure horror.

"I wonder how Ginevra will react to her ex-girlfriend getting killed," Lana pondered softly. Thinking of this reminded her of Hermione Granger. "We could make a powerful team if she were to join me."

Lana Gwen contemplated having Hermione as a partner as she walked through the halls and into her dorm. Then she caught sight of the mirror. Steel gray eyes looked back in a face full of malicious glee. Soon I'll rule this sorry school, and Hermione Granger as well.

"Hey Ginny, are you okay? You've been out of it lately."

Ginevra swept a hand quickly through her flaming red hair. "It's nothing, Hermione... I just... I..." How was she supposed to tell her best female friend that she was in love with her?

Hermione gave her a concerned look and said, "If you have any problems, Ginny, you know you could talk to me, right?"

"Yeah," she replied softly, "I know..."

But instead of saying more, Ginny just began to study the notes in her hands closer. Her friend's small, neat writing flowed into her vision and she moved closer. A small part of her was overjoyed to read Hermione's beautiful words, sentences. It was pure poetry in her eyes.

Ginny felt the other girl's gaze on the back of her neck and warmed considerably. Other than that, there was no more mention of Ginevra's behavior.

The tension practically sizzled between the two girls. Hermione was always able to tell what was wrong with Ginny, so now, when she wasn't able to, she tried her best to figure it out. This was the thing that both annoyed and touched Ginny. To have someone give all their attention to her for long or short spaces of time was really nice with such a big family. But being coddled and pried for information always annoyed her somewhat.

And now, when her ex was dead, she really wanted to be alone and talk to someone at the same time. But she couldn't tell Hermione she was gay, couldn't tell her about the feelings she had boiling in her for months. Or could she?

Hermione's understanding, she won't judge me on my sexuality. But... she might stop speaking to me if I told her I loved her... That's it! I won't tell her I love her, but I'll tell her I'm gay! That way, I can talk about Sarah with her. Maybe she can't love me... but she can help me through this.

"Hermione... I- I have something to tell you. But I'm not sure how. Can you meet me tomorrow after classes? Please, I really need to tell someone," Ginny pleaded.

Hermione looked surprised at the sudden outburst. "Ginny, anytime you want to talk, I'm here. This isn't about..." she trailed off, giving her friend a significant look.

"No! No, I just need to get something off my chest. So we're on for tomorrow, right?"

"Of course."

Ginevra sighed in relief. Then she gathered her things and went up to sleep. While she walked up the stairs she felt Hermione's chocolate eyes on her back and smiled.

If I can't have Hermione, then I'll just have a really close friend. One I've been craving since I lost Tom Riddle's diary.

A sudden shudder flew through Ginny at the thought of his name. Wondering why she had such a violent reaction to it, Ginny climbed into her bed for a full night's sleep.

"Ah, Gwen, what a pleasant surprise! Not going out tonight, I see."

"I can't kill too many people around the same time, Salazar. You know this. That crackpot headmaster will figure out what's going on," Lana snapped. She really wanted to be out and Tom teasing her like this was getting old.

"Is that anger I hear? Better be careful, Hermione doesn't approve of pointless fury." He waited while these words sunk in before continuing. "I know what you're planning Lana Gwen, and it won't work. There's more Ginny in you than one would think. You are aware she loves Hermione Granger as well, aren't you?"

The girl trembled with rage. How dare he! "Of course I know, Salazar! That does not mean I'm similar to Ginevra! Hermione Granger is a truly admirable creature! She has abundant beauty and perpetual intelligence! She would be most valuable as my queen!"

"Ginevra Molly Weasley loves Hermione Jane Granger. You are seeing her through the eyes of Ginny. You are my creation, you will be MY queen, and you will follow my directions. Hermione is a silly school girl who will only try to help Ginny. She will never love her and never love you."

"SHE WILL LOVE ME! SHE WILL BECAUSE I WILL MAKE HER!"

Tom only smiled. "Hermione is straight. If you want to control the world as my right hand, you will be too. I created you, and I can destroy you. Now become your own person, Lana Gwen, and kill Hermione Granger."

Lana stared at him in horror. "No," she whispered.

Tom scowled. "You belong to ME! You WILL kill Hermione Granger!"

Once again, for a reason unknown to her, Ginny woke up screaming.

A/N 6/18/05: Yey! Another chapter fixed.