A/N – I am so sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. I had my term paper to do for English and I turned it in on the 15th. I am so glad that is over! WHEW! Anyway, hope you all like this chapter! Thanks to everyone who reviewed! You guys make me so happy!

Oh – here is a quick timeline to this story. I'm going by the publication date of CoS (which was in 1998). So... Ginny's first school year was from 1998-1999. Which means that the Chamber was opened in 1948, when Tom was sixteen. Ginny's sixth year (the year this story takes place) would be from 2003 – 2004. Just so everyone follows! OK! Now onto the story!

"OH MY GOD!" Ginny jumped up, shaking the table and startling everyone around her. "I'm going to be late!" She grabbed her messenger bag and sprinted from the Great Hall.

Ginny glanced at her muggle watch, it had been a gift from Hermione for Christmas, and she had exactly seven minutes to make it down to the dungeons. If she ran the whole way, she might make it. The last thing she wanted was a detention for being late to her detention. Ginny skidded to a halt in front of the cathedral size, cherry wood door. She looked at her watch and smiled.

'Right on time!'

Chapter 4

I stuck around St. Petersburg
When I saw it was a time for a change
I killed the Tzar and his ministers
Anastasia screamed in vain

The large door to the dungeon classroom wailed in agony as Ginny pushed it open slowly. She poked her head into the classroom.

"Professor?"

No one answered. Ginny entered and looked around. Snape did not appear to be back from dinner yet.

"How curious… Snape is always on time." Ginny spoke aloud to herself.

She placed her bag gently on the table. All the slime had been cleaned up days ago, but the room still reeked with its stench that had failed to dissipate. What now? It was extremely unlike Snape to be late for a detention he had given out with such mirth. The dungeons were unusually dark, but a glimmer of light caught Ginny's eye in the back of the room. Hidden in the shadows was the same chair she had envisioned Tom Riddle sitting in so inconspicuously. She wandered over to the chair. It was just a normal chair. Reluctantly, Ginny reached out and brushed her hand over the rough wood. It was covered in layers of dust. She surely had imagined him sitting there, it would be impossible for such an amount of dust to acquire over a few days. Convinced that the chair was nothing out of the ordinary, and that perhaps she should see Madame Pomfrey about her lack of sanity, Ginny turned confidently from the chair and was about to walk back to her bag, when the same glimmer of light caught her attention. Frustrated, Ginny marched back to the chair. The glimmer had disappeared again. She tapped her foot impatiently, unsure of what to do. In one swift movement she brushed the inch and a half of dust from the seat of the chair.

"OUCH!" Ginny yelped and pulled her hand back. Something had burned her.

There, on the corner of the seat of the chair, a snake was carved delicately. It glowed lightly and suspiciously. Ginny cradled her hand close to her. She pulled it away and blew on the spot that burned lightly, while glaring menacingly at the initials. She glanced at her hand; TMR was forming from her burn.

"No…" Ginny closed her eyes tight and re-opened them. The snake was getting clearer.

At that moment the dungeon door swung open and Snape stalked in looking positively murderous. He slumped down into his leather chair, unaware of Ginny's startled presence, and muttered incoherently.

"Professor?" Ginny called out timidly.

Snape's eyes shot forward and bore into Ginny.

"What are you doing here?" He snapped.

Ginny was stunned, first he was late and then he forgot? "I'm here to serve my detention."

Snape blanched for a moment, "Oh. Yes. See that bucket over there?" He motioned to a thoroughly disgusting looking tin pail. "You are to scrub all the tables and chairs."

Ginny pursed her lips into a line; this was not exactly what she had been expecting. Her last few detentions with Snape had involved attempting the previously failed potion. She would have preferred that to scrubbing the bedraggled tables. Snape went to work grading papers and occasionally glanced up to make sure Ginny wasn't using magic to perform her task. The mark on her hand was showing crystal clear now, almost like a branding.

"Professor?" Ginny called out.

Snape glared at her, "What is it, Miss Weasley?"

"Well… I was just wondering… did you know that the chair just over there has…" Ginny trailed off, unsure of how to put it. "I just think you might want to take a look at it, sir."

"Heavens, Weasley, does it have a spider on it? For God's sake!" Snape marched over to the chair, past Ginny, and stared at it for a few moments.

Without turning around, Snape spoke gravely. "Have you touched this chair, Miss Weasley?"

Ginny wrung her hands, nervously stuffing the branded one into her pocket. "No."

"I think you're telling me a lie. I can see that a hand has wiped the dust from the seat." Snape rounded on her. "Let me see your hands."

"No." Her own reply stunned her a bit; she had never talked back to a teacher before. Her voice sounded slightly different to her own ears.

"Yes." Snape growled.

"No!" Ginny shot back.

"You will let me see your hands. That is an order!"

Ginny made no move to comply and Snape grabbed her wrists roughly, pulling her hidden hand from her pocket. She had balled both her small hands into tiny fists.

"LET ME SEE YOUR HANDS!" Snape roared.

His strength overcame Ginny and she had no choice but to give in as he pried her fists open. He surveyed her palms and found no trace of anything. Ginny was shocked to see that the marking on her hand had disappeared. It had been so vivid only moments ago. His deep brown, almost black, eyes bore right into her flesh.

He spoke quietly, "You are dismissed."

Ginny yanked her wrists free and hurriedly exited the classroom. She ran through the dark hallways on her way to the portrait hole, there were very few people in the halls at that time of night and she had no worries about running into anyone.

"Apostate!" Ginny shouted at the Fat Lady.

She was busy primping and made no move to open.

"Apostate." Ginny declared impatiently.

She still made no move.

Ginny slammed her fist on the wall, "Damn it! OPEN UP!"

The Fat Lady closed her compact and it emitted a small poof of powder. "Now, is that anyway to speak to your elders? Try saying it nicely and maybe I'll let you in."

"Apostate," Ginny cooed in a sickeningly sweet voice.

The Fat Lady clapped her hands together, "thank you!"

She swung open and Ginny wriggled through the portrait hole. The Common Room was almost deserted except for Hermione and Ron who had fallen asleep together on the large, red velvet sofa near the fire. Ginny smiled at how cute they were. She slowly crept up the staircase to the 6th year girls dorms, and winced at the eighth step. It always creaked ridiculously loud. She could always tell if someone was sneaking in late because of that step. Ginny flopped onto her bed and pulled the curtains closed.

She glanced at her palm and still saw nothing there. It was so confusing. What had happened in Snape's classroom? She had never spoken to anyone, especially a teacher, in such a rude manner. Ginny leaned back on her pillow and it felt warm. Perplexed, she lifted it up. Tom's diary was still there, but surely it was not causing her pillow to be warm? Ginny picked it up gently and it seemed to come alive with her touch, almost humming in her hands.

'What harm could it do?' She asked herself.

Ginny opened the humming book and took out her quill. She dipped it in the ink and, before she could changer her mind, scribbled a quick sentence.

Hello. Is anyone there?

The ink sunk into the page and reappeared moments later in beautiful, scrawling handwriting.

I'm here! May I inquire as to whom is writing in my diary?

Ginny chewed on the end of her quill. Should she give her name? No, she quickly thought of an alias for herself, one she would not forget, she decided on her middle name.

My name is Wilhelmina. What is your name?

I'm Thomas M. Riddle. Please, call me Tom. Your name is beautiful, almost poetic.

Ginny felt herself blush, despite her worries. Another sentence crept from under the page.

I'm so glad someone found this diary. I get so lonely with no one to talk with. I think we're going to be the best of friends!

It was almost like a surreal replay of her first year. He was saying almost the exact same things to her. But, this time, she was not fooled.

I'm sure we will be! I go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Have you ever heard of it?

His reply came quickly.

Yes! I'm here right now! But not in your time. It is 1948 where I am. What year are you in?

He obviously had no recollection of their first correspondence.

I'm in 2003. Ginny replied shortly.

That is so brilliant! I'm surprised my magic stood the test of time. I have to admit I wasn't sure if it would. What year of schooling are you in? I'm in my sixth year.

That's what year I'm in, too. Ginny scribbled quickly, It has been very nice talking to you, Tom. I am going to sleep now. I have my hardest class tomorrow morning.

She turned and grabbed a tissue from her nightstand to wipe her quill dry. Another sentence bubbled from under the pages.

It's been nice talking to you, too. I've missed my little angel, very, very much.

The words dissipated into the page quickly, before Ginny had a chance to see them. She closed the diary gently and placed it under her pillow while grinning mischievously.

'Soon, I'll gain his trust and have him right where I want him, then I'll stop him from ever becoming what he is now. Harry will have his parents back, Neville's parents won't be insane, and Sirius… he'll still be alive.'

With that pleasant thought, Ginny drifted off into dreamless sleep.

In another part of the castle, Snape was pacing back and forth in his classroom. Dumbledore sat serenely behind Snape's desk.

"Something is wrong here. Something is very, very wrong." He said sternly.

"Severus, not to be rude, but I do think you're overreacting. I'm sure Miss Weasley had a bad night and that was the cause of her outburst towards you." Dumbledore stated logically.

Snape was not convinced. "No, Albus. You should have heard her voice. I've never heard that tone in a student's voice ever… I never expected to hear it coming from the likes of Ginevra Weasley. Something about it unnerves me. It's almost like it wasn't the same person for a moment and then a split second later she was fine."

"Teenaged girls are prone to mood swings." Dumbledore reasoned.

Snape rounded on him. "Look at this chair." He pulled the dust laden chair up to Dumbledore. He pointed a long, crooked finger at the snake carving. "Do you see that?"

Dumbledore examined the carving. "Severus, any Slytherin student could have carved that in there as a form of house pride."

"Oh, really? Well, then, I suppose it's a coincidence that the snake carved into that chair bears a striking resemblance to this?" Snape pulled his sleeve up to his elbow to reveal the Dark Mark. The snake carved on the chair seemed to be a primitive version of the snake emerging from the skull's mouth on Snape's arm.

An unreadable expression crossed Dumbledore's face. "Miss Weasley touched this chair, you said?"

Snape nodded.

"There was no marking on her hand?"

"None." Snape replied.

Dumbledore was quiet for a moment, "I don't believe we have anything to worry about, Severus. We'll just keep a close eye on Miss Weasley. Voldemort may be trying to use her again as a mean of gaining back his power. Goodnight, Severus."

"Night, Albus."

Voldemort awoke with a start. His snake like red eyes scanned the room for any sign of Wormtail and found him asleep on the floor near the door. Voldemort walked over to him and kicked him in the ribs.

"Get up you vile piece of shit!"

Wormtail scurried awake and crawled across the floor clutching his ribs.

"Get me Bellatrix Lestrange. Now."

Wormtail half ran and half crawled out of the room.

Voldemort reclined in his antique chair. The fabric on the right arm of the chair was torn and some stuffing was beginning to show. Impatient, he stood and walked over to the cracked mirror. His snakelike face appeared even more distorted in the broken pieces, but something was different. He stared hard at himself and noticed his eyes had a tint of blue to them. Perplexed, he leaned closer to the mirror; sure it was the light and shadows playing on his eyes.

A meek knock grabbed his attention. A disheveled Bellatrix stood in the doorway. Voldemort straightened up.

"Bellatrix," he said coldly. "Sit down." It wasn't an invitation, but more of an order. She sat instantly on a small bench.

"Have you made any progress in finding my diary?"

"Well, no, my Lord. I'm afraid I have not. However, I have many agents out searching as we speak. It's only a matter of time…" Bellatrix kept her cool physically, but her voice betrayed how nervous she was. The last thing she wanted to do was displease her master.

"I have located it. There is no need to look for it, I have my own idea. I should have known that if I wanted something done right I should have done it myself. Now leave my presence, before I change my mind… and kill you." Voldemort said softly.

The weeks flew by and before anyone knew it, it was November already. Christmas was creeping up so fast. Ginny had continued to write in the diary. Her relationship with Tom grew and flourished. She found that he still played the same games. He was as charming as a snake and always knew what to say and when to say it. Still, Ginny was not the naïve eleven year old girl she had been, and played his game with skill. She was almost sure she was having an effect on his psychosis. The secret remained her own, though she desperately wanted to tell Hermione. Hermione had been a nutcase recently with all her schoolwork and Ginny had barely found time to pull her away from her studies long enough to talk to her. It was just a lazy Saturday afternoon.

"Hey, Hermione!" Ginny greeted Hermione as she rushed down the stairs. "Where are you going?"

Hermione hurriedly stuffed her books into her messenger bag. "I'm late for my arithmancy tutoring session!"

Ginny was astounded. "Hermione! Why on earth would you need tutoring for anything?"

"It's not for me! I'm helping out a group of fourth year Ravenclaw's who are in danger of failing. I've got to run! Catch you at dinner!"

Before Ginny could even say goodbye Hermione had rushed out of the portrait hole.

"She's got so much going on… I wish she would make some time for her friends. I feel like she doesn't even listen to me anymore." Ginny sighed.

"Mmm hmm." Ron nodded.

"Not like you listen to me either!" Ginny huffed.

"Hey, isn't that Hermione's time turner?" Ron pointed to a tiny hourglass lying on the floor.

"Yes, it is." Ginny snapped. She hated to be ignored. She picked it up gently and put the chain around her neck.

"I think Hermione needs that…" Ron trailed off.

"So… go take it to her." Ginny said.

"Nah, if she needs it she'll come back."

"Ron," Ginny started, "she doesn't even realize she left it." Ron stared at her blankly. "Oh, never mind! I'll take it to her."

Ginny sprinted out of the common room.

"Ginny? Where are you going?" Harry called out as she sped past.

"I've got to catch Hermione and give her the time turner!" Ginny glanced over her shoulder quickly.

She turned her attention back to her path and ran right into Colin Creevy. The load of books Colin was carrying flew everywhere. Ginny and Colin both tumbled down the stairs. As Ginny tumbled, the sands in the time turner slid back and forth. The world around Ginny began to spin, but she couldn't tell the difference as she continued to somersault down the stairs. She finally landed at the bottom of the stairs with a loud thud. Ginny lay there in shock when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her up.

"Are you alright?" A tall, blonde boy, about 17, pulled Ginny into a standing position. "What on earth were you running so fast for?"

"I'm fine. I just needed to give Hermione her time turner. Have you seen her?"

"I'm afraid I don't know who you're speaking of." The boy replied.

Ginny was shocked; everyone in school knew who Hermione was! "Surely you know Hermione! Hermione Granger."

"No, I'm afraid not." The boy replied.

"Well, have you seen Harry around?"

The boy continued to look perplexed, "Harry who?"

"Harry Potter!" Ginny was stunned.

"Sorry, love, I've never heard of him."

That's when Ginny realized something was very, very wrong.

Hope you all like it! I'll try to update quicker than last time! Reviews make me smile! (But heaven forbid I should joke about holding a chapter hostage for reviews… some people don't find it amusing…)