Chapter 7

As the days passed into weeks, the students fell into normal study habits and the eight students in Dumbledore's special project found that they were not only enjoying their classes but were actually learning more than their classmates. The professors were pleased with the improvement and progress of the students involved in the project. While showing marked improvement in each of the four subjects, each student was showing a particular aptitude for one of them. Ginny's it appeared was Transfiguration as she was the one student closest to achieving an animagus transformation, much to McGonagall's delight.

There were two things that helped Ginny get through the days. One was the letters that she still received from her mystery writer and her growing friendship with Harry. As Ron spent more time alone with Hermione, Harry found himself increasingly alone and so turned his attention towards Ginny, who was more than happy to have Harry as a close friend. As the weeks passed, Harry became more and more certain that there was something more than an academic partnership between Ginny and Draco, having noticed that Ginny tended to disappear like clockwork every Friday evening. Despite this suspicion, Harry never once pushed Ginny for information and was always waiting for her in the Common Room when she returned. He never pressured her to talk when it was obvious that she was in pain or he comforted her as she cried after returning from her time with Draco.

Ginny's time with Draco progressed as the weeks passed much as it had at the start. They would meet in the potions classroom to study for an hour or two before going to Draco's room for the next few hours. It quickly became apparent to Ginny that Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape were unsuccessful in finding a way to stop Blinky from his weekly visits as he continued to appear each week to remind Ginny of her place and her duties as well as force the anti-conception potion on her. Ginny never told anyone of Blinky's continued visits, instead learning to hide the pain and discomfort he caused.

Draco had written to his father at the beginning of December informing Lucius of his and Ginny's decision to remain at Hogwarts for the holidays, citing a heavy workload due to their special project classes as well as their regular classes as the reason. Draco's letter infuriated his father. The Dark Lord had requested an update on Lucius' progress in turning Ginny to their side and Lucius had planned to show the Dark Lord his progress when the children returned home for the holidays. When Lucius had informed Draco that they were expected for Christmas he had been working under the assumption that Ginny was ignorant of many of the rules of Sanctuary under which she had sought protection. It now appeared that she was not as ignorant as he had hoped much to Lucius' dismay and frustration and it would be pointless for him to visit them at the school for he could do nothing against Ginny. In Lucius' mind, Ginny was growing far too comfortable with her situation and Blinky's weekly reminders were not being effective enough to put the girl back where she belonged in Lucius belief, so he set about arranging a little reminder for her.

One would think that the Christmas holidays would make it easier for Ginny and Draco to see each other for their weekly sessions, if only that was the case. Ron had decided that the Christmas holidays were the perfect opportunity to keep a closer eye on Ginny. He had taken to following her wherever she went and was always present in the room regardless of if she was studying in the library, eating in the Great Hall or playing exploding snap with Harry. Fridays were the worst. Ron insisted on spending the entire evening with his sister, although for the past three weeks something always seemed to come up so that at least one of them was not able to be there, allowing Ginny the opportunity to get to her meetings with Draco. Unfortunately for Ginny, the fates were not on her side this Friday and she was stuck sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room playing chess with Ron.

Harry had been watching Ginny all day and now as the clock ticked closer to the time that she normally disappeared, he watched Ginny get tenser with each passing minute. "Mione, I need your help," he said as he sat down in the window next to his best friend.

"Sure Harry, what can I help you with?" asked Hermione as she closed her book.

"I need you to help me get Ginny away from Ron."

"What? Harry why? You know Ron has been determined to spend time with Ginny for the entire holidays," argued Hermione.

"Yeah and I know that it's driving Ginny absolutely nuts," countered Harry.

"And you would know this how Harry?" wondered Hermione, a knowing look in her eyes.

"I just know Hermione, and it's not like that so get that look off your face," replied Harry tiredly. "Ginny and I are just friends."

"Whatever you say Harry," commented Hermione with a smile.

"So will you help me?"

"I guess," sighed Hermione good-naturedly.

"Thanks Mione," Harry replied with a smile as he helped Hermione to her feet before leading her over to where Ron and Ginny were playing by the fire. "Hey guys," he greeted. "Would you like to go for a walk Ginny?"

"Oh," commented Ginny as she looked up at Harry, only to see something in his eyes. "I'd love to."

"She can't go," replied Ron. "Ginny's spending the evening with me."

"I'm not a child Ron," Ginny snapped. "You don't get to decide who I spend time with."

"You're my baby sister Ginny, that gives me every right to say who you can and cannot spend time with," Ron informed her rather harshly.

"Screw you Ron," snarled Ginny, jumping to her feet. "You're my brother not my father, therefore you have no say in my life."

"Besides Ron, it's not like Ginny's going to be spending time with a Slytherin or anything. I'll be with her the entire time, I swear," Harry promised.

"This is Harry we're talking about Ron. Who better for Ginny to be with than the Boy Who Lived himself," pressed Hermione.

"You swear you'll be with her the entire time?" demanded Ron.

"You have my word Ron," swore Harry.

"Fine. Then go," sighed Ron in defeat.

"Come on Gin, let's get out of here," Harry said holding his hand out to Ginny.

"Yes lets," agreed Ginny, taking Harry's hand and letting him lead her out of the Common Room. "Harry I…"

"It's okay Gin," Harry said interrupting her. "Go. He's waiting for you."

"Thanks Harry," replied Ginny giving Harry a kiss on the cheek.

"Just promise me something Gin?"

"What's that?"

"Promise me that you'll be careful and that someday you'll tell me what's going on," pleaded Harry.

"I promise," replied Ginny with a small smile.

"And don't worry about Ron. I'll deal with him," reassured Harry. "Meet me in the alcove just down from here when you get back," he said, pointing out the alcove he meant. "Now get going," he instructed after Ginny nodded in understanding.

"Thanks Harry," Ginny said, the sincerity I her voice evident as she took off down the corridor at a jog.

Ginny ran all the way from the Gryffindor Common Room down to the dungeons, bypassing Severus' classroom and making her way directly to the entrance to Draco's room.

"You're late little lion," chided Salazar.

"I know," panted Ginny.

"The dragon whose lair you enter is not pleased," Salazar cautioned.

"It wasn't my fault," countered Ginny. "Please let me in."

"If you enter it is at great personal risk to yourself," warned Salazar.

"And if I don't the risk is only that much greater. Please Salazar, I must get in there," pleaded Ginny.

"As you wish little lion," Salazar sighed before swinging open admitting Ginny into Draco's room.

"Sorry I'm…"

"Where the hell have you been Red?" demanded Draco grabbing Ginny by the arms.

"What difference does it make? I'm here now aren't I?" snapped Ginny as she tried to break out of Draco's hold on her arms.

"You were supposed to meet me over an hour ago," snapped Draco in irritation.

"Screw you Malfoy, don't you think I know that?" snarled Ginny, breaking Draco's hold at last.

"Well then where the hell have you been?" demanded Draco. "Off shagging Potter perhaps?" I've seen they way you act around him lately…"

SMACK!

"You bastard," snarled Ginny. "You were actually starting to convince me that you were different than your father but I guess the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. Screw you Malfoy, screw your father and screw whatever the hell it is that's going on here. I've had it. I'm through Malfoy. I'm not doing this anymore. If Tom wants me that badly he can damn well come and get me himself," finished Ginny in defeat before turning and starting towards the door leading back out into the corridor.

"Wait!"

Draco's plea caused Ginny to stop in her tracks or so he thought. He never saw what Ginny did. He never saw Blinky hiding in the shadows, nor did he see the grimace that crossed Ginny's face nor the fact that her hands were balled into fists so tight that not only were her knuckles a ghostly white but her nails were actually drawing blood, all because Ginny had learned to hide the most obvious outward signs of Blinky's torture.

"Red, I'm sorry," Draco apologized as he walked over to Ginny and turned her back around to face him, at which point Blinky dropped his spell, releasing Ginny from her pain. "When you didn't show up at the potions lab like usual, I started to get worried that something had happened to you…"

"Ron happened," interrupted Ginny, not raising her gaze to meet Draco's.

"Weasley?"

Ginny nodded. "He refused to let me out of his sight all night. He insisted on spending quality time with me," explained Ginny.

"How did you get away from him then?" wondered Draco. "Especially since we both know he has a massively large stubborn streak."

"Harry."

"Potter? How much does he know Red?" demanded Draco.

"I haven't told him anything more than the fact that we're academic partners for Dumbledore's project. He knows there are things I'm not telling him but he isn't demanding explanations or anything. I'm sure he has his suspicions but he's not about to tell them to me or anyone else for my sake if nothing else," explained Ginny. "He's not going to do anything to jeopardize what's going on here Malfoy. He proved that tonight by getting me away from Ron and telling me to come here. If anything we can use this to our advantage. It'll be much easier for us if Ron thinks I'm with Harry instead of you."

"Just promise me you won't tell him what's going on," Draco begged, lifting Ginny's chin so he could look into her eyes. "The fewer people who know the truth about us and about your Sanctuary, the better it is for you and the safer you'll be."

"I know."

"Good," commented Draco leaning in to kiss Ginny, only to have her turn her head away at the last possible minute.

/-/Stop thinking like that Ginny. It can never work between you/-/ Ginny chided herself a few hours later. She was lying on her side in Draco's bed watching him sleep, her thoughts wandering to future possibilities no matter how much she argued with herself.

She was just beginning to doze off when she heard a noise outside the door leading to the Slytherin dormitories, causing her to sit up suddenly, never once waking Draco next to her. She was on her feet in an instant when she heard what sounded like someone talking to the guardian portrait. She gathered her clothes as quickly as she could before bolting into Draco's closet, leaving the door open a crack, just as the guarding portrait opened admitting someone to the room. Ginny prayed that whoever it was, was only there long enough to wake Draco because one of his younger housemates needed him for some reason which would give her the chance to finish dressing and get the hell out of there.

Once Ginny was done dressing she cracked the closet door open a fraction more, just enough to see what was going on in the main room. She was not prepared for the sight that greeted her when she peeked out, causing her to gasp and stumble backward until her back hit the closet wall, at which point her knees gave out on her and she collapsed to the floor, the whole time praying that what she had just seen and what she could hear was not really happening and if it was then they did not hear her just now and that it would be over fast, although knowing how Draco liked to take his time when he was making love to her, she had a sinking feeling she would be stuck there for a while listening to every moan and whispered 'I love you' coming from both of them.

A while later after the sounds from the other room had faded away, Ginny carefully unfolded herself from her spot at the back of Draco's closet and crept over to the door, wiping away her tears in the process. Peeking through the crack once more, she was relieved to see both Draco & Pansy sleeping soundly. /-/Now's your chance Ginny. Not only that you have your proof that all of Draco's promises are nothing but empty lies/-/ thought Ginny biting her lip as she stepped back from the door. /-/Now to get out of here without them noticing me. McGonagall did say I just needed a little more determination. Well I've got all the motivation and determination I need on the other side of this door/-/ thought Ginny grimly. With every last ounce of mental strength and determination she had Ginny, Ginny threw herself into her animagus transformation. Seconds later where Ginny had been standing, there was now a small red fox.

Ginny padded over to the closet door, pushing it open just enough for her new form to slip through. With a slight hesitation and a quick glance at the bed to prove to herself that what she had seen and heard really had happened, Ginny made her way out of Draco's room, slipping out into the corridor in front of Salazar's portrait and scampered off down the hall as fast as her little fox legs would carry her.

Unfortunately Ginny had never spent a lot of time in her animagus form to truly get used to moving the way a fox did so when it came time to stop running, she was not exactly ready to deal with the skid factor presented by the stones that made up the dungeon floor and went skidding by the door to Severus' office, finally coming to a stop about twenty feet past the door. After righting herself, Ginny quickly padded back to Severus' office door, where she started digging at the base of the door, whining and yipping at the same time, hoping to get her professor's attention.

When he heard the ruckus at his door, Severus rose from his desk in irritation and stalked over to the door, throwing it open in annoyance. "What?" he demanded. He had just spent the past few hours in the rather uncomfortable presence of the Dark Lord being questioned on the whereabouts of one Ginevra Weasley and was not in the mood to deal with petty student squabbles and issues. When there was no one at the door, he slammed it closed, cursing those that thought it was funny to knock on his door then run off, only to come face to face with Ginny when he turned around. "Miss Weasley," he hissed in greeting.

"Professor I…"

"Silence!" snarled Severus, causing Ginny to take a step back in fear. "How dare you! Do you think this is some kind of joke? Do you think it's funny breaking into my office? This is not your Common Room Miss Weasley. You do not have the right to come and go as you please. Do I make myself clear Miss Weasley?" When Ginny nodded, Severus continued, "I am your professor, I am not your friend Miss Weasley. You would be wise to remember that. A hundred points from Gryffindor for trespassing in a professor's office and a month's worth of detentions. Now get out of here," he snapped.

As soon as Severus' tirade was over, Ginny bolted past him and out into the corridor where she quickly transformed once more and took off for Gryffindor Tower. In her haste to get away from Severus and to her Common Room as quickly as possible, the issue of how she was planning to stop never crossed her mind, despite her earlier mishap and thus resulted in the same outcome, that of her skidding past the portrait of the Fat Lady, unfortunately, she had been running at a much faster clip this time which meant she skidded that much farther than before.

"What in the world?" wondered Harry when a small ball of red fur went skidding past the alcove he was sitting in. Rising from his spot he made his way out into the corridor just as the red ball of fur was righting itself, revealing that is was in fact a small red fox. After shaking off the indignity of its skid down the corridor, the fox trotted over to where Harry was standing, sitting down in front of him.

When Harry looked down at the fox sitting in front of him, he found himself looking into a familiar pair of chocolate eyes. "Ginny?" he asked in disbelief only to have her appear suddenly in front of him.

"Hi Harry," replied Ginny quietly.

"Gin, how…when…how?"

"Harry, please, I'll explain but can we please just get inside?" pleaded Ginny.

"Ginny, what is it? What's wrong? Did he do something?" questioned Harry in concern when he noticed that it looked like Ginny had been crying.

"Harry, please."

"Alright Gin, alright, we'll go in," replied Harry as he took Ginny's hand and led her over to the Fat Lady, giving the password before leading Ginny into a blessedly empty Common Room. /-/Thank you Hermione./-/

"Harry, would you do something for me?" asked Ginny nervously.

"Anything Gin, you know that," reassured Harry.

"Would you lay on the couch with me in front of the fire and just hold me for a while? I normally wouldn't ask this of you but I just don't want to be alone right now," explained Ginny worriedly, afraid that he would say no.

"Of course Gin," replied Harry with a small reassuring smile before leading Ginny over to the couch.

"He hurt you, didn't he?" Harry asked quietly once they were lying down and he had his arms wrapped protectively around Ginny. "Do you want to talk about it?" he pressed when Ginny had nodded.

"I wish I could Harry, by the Gods I wish I could," sighed Ginny sadly.

"So how long have you been an animagus?" asked Harry, changing the subject to something Ginny could talk about.

"Tonight's the first time I've managed to hold the transformation for more than a few seconds," replied Ginny. "McGonagall's been teaching us in our special project classes."

Harry and Ginny lay there talking for a while but before long they were both sound asleep, neither one hearing Hermione come down the stairs to check and see if they had returned, nor feeling the blanket that she laid on top of them before returning to her room.

When Hermione made her way down into the Common room the next morning, she was not surprised to find Harry and Ginny still sleeping on the couch, Ginny held protectively by Harry. Hating to disturb them, Hermione sighed when she came to the realization it would be better to wake them herself then have Ron do it when he came downstairs in a complete panic because Harry was not in his dorm room. Hermione made her way over to the sleeping couple, shaking Ginny lightly by the shoulder in the hopes of waking her. "Ginny," she called quietly.

"Hermione?" asked Ginny sleepily as she rubbed her eyes.

"Hey Ginny," replied Hermione. "I hate having to wake you like this but better this then Ron when he comes down any minute."

"What time is it?" asked Ginny curiously.

"Almost ten," replied Hermione.

Ginny nodded in understanding, knowing Ron really would be down any second, as she sat up extracting herself from Harry's arms.

"Gin?" asked Harry sleepily, Ginny's movements having woken him.

"Hi Harry," replied Ginny.

"What's up?" asked Harry as he sat up next to Ginny, Hermione making her way to the other side of the Common Room to let the two speak privately.

"Ron'll be up soon," replied Ginny.

"And given his current paranoia about you it's probably best if he doesn't find us sleeping together," commented Harry.

"Yeah," agreed Ginny. "Listen Harry, about last night…"

"You're welcome," replied Harry, kissing Ginny gently on the forehead. "You better go."

Ginny nodded before rising and making her way over to the stairs leading to the girls dormitories, disappearing from sight a few minutes later.

Once Ginny was gone, Hermione made her way back over to the couch that Harry was still sitting on, sitting down beside him. "What happened last night Harry?"

"Nothing happened Hermione," replied Harry, running a hand through his hair.

"Come on Harry, you can tell me," pushed Hermione. "Something must have happened between you and Ginny, after all the two of you spent the night down here together."

"Nothing happened last night Hermione," snapped Harry. "Besides I made a promise to Ginny that anything she says to me is private. I'm not about to break that promise."

"HERMIONE!" cried Ron, before Hermione could say anything, as he came crashing down the stairs from the boys' dorms, racing over to her.

"Calm down Ron," instructed Hermione as she turned to face her boyfriend.

"But Hermione," began Ron again. "Hiya Harry, Hermione, Harry's missing. He's not in the dorm and his bed hasn't been slept in." It took a few moments for reality to sink in for Ron. "Harry!" he cried when he finally realized Harry was sitting next to Hermione.

"Hi Ron," greeted Harry.

"Where the hell have you been all night? Last time I saw you, you were leaving here with…you bastard," cried Ron as he punched Harry in the jaw.

"What the hell was that for?" demanded Harry, rubbing his aching jaw.

"What the hell did you do to my sister?" snarled Ron angrily.

"Nothing Ron. I didn't do anything to or with Ginny last night except take a walk with her and talk," explained Harry.

"Then why hasn't your bed been slept in?" demanded Ron accusingly.

"After Ginny and I got back last night we sat down here talking for a while. When she went up to bed, I stayed down here. I must have fallen asleep on the couch here since that's where Hermione found me a few minutes ago," replied Harry. "Now if you don't mind, I'm going to see Madam Pomfrey about something for my jaw," he finished getting up off the couch.

"Sorry about that mate," apologized Ron as Harry made his way across the Common Room.

"Whatever," replied Harry as he stepped through the portrait hole. /-/It was worth it if it keeps Ginny safe./-/

After showering and changing Ginny made her way down from her dormitory and into a blessedly empty Common Room. Ginny made her way from Gryffindor Tower to her room in McGonagall's chambers. She was not surprised when she felt an all too familiar pain sear through her body the minute the door closed behind her.

"Master hopes Girl has finally learned her place," sneered Blinky as Ginny collapsed to her hands and knees under his pain curse.

Ginny nodded seconds before the increasing pain ripped a scream from her chest.

When Blinky released Ginny from the curse a few minutes later, she collapsed bonelessly to the floor, allowing Blinky to walk over to her and force the anti-conception potion into her mouth, causing her to cough and splutter as she choked on the potion. Once Ginny had swallowed most of the potion, Blinky disappeared from the room, leaving Ginny on the floor where she had fallen moments before.

Ginny lay there where she had fallen for a few minutes before rolling over and getting to her hands and knees. Carefully she made her way over to the closet, using the door handles as leverage to get back on her feet. Once she was standing again, Ginny opened the closet door and carefully pulled out the trunk Narcissa had sent her months earlier. Cursing quietly when she realized she had nothing to write with, she opened the trunk and rummaged through it until she came across some parchment and a 'Never-Out' quill. Closing the trunk once more, Ginny placed the ink and parchment on top of the trunk and began writing.

Lady Malfoy,

I want to thank you for the kindness you have shown me. You will never truly know what your kindness has meant to me.

My rather 'sudden' departure from Malfoy Manor over the summer had nothing to do with anything either you or your son may have done. Your son has shown me nothing but kindness in our time together. Unfortunately, no matter what you believe your son's feelings towards me may be, it has become painfully clear to me what my role in your son's life is, and therefore I cannot accept the gift contained within this trunk. I mean no offence Lady Malfoy, but I don't feel as though I deserve a gift such as this. A gift such as this belongs to the one your son truly belongs with. Unfortunately, I am not that one.

Do not worry Lady Malfoy, when Harry defeats the Dark Lord and my obligation to your son is complete, I will walk away. I will not try to hold onto your son in any way as I have learned my place and it is not at your son's side.

Ginny Weasley.

Ginny refused to let the tears come as she picked up the parchment and quill from the trunk, folding the letter and placing it carefully on top of the trunk's contents before closing the trunk once more and shrinking it down so an owl could deliver it for her.

Carefully getting to her feet, Ginny picked up the shrunken trunk and made her way from her room in McGonagall's chambers to the owlry.

"Hi Gin," greeted Harry from where he was sitting in the window with Hedwig when Ginny entered.

"Harry? What are you doing here?" wondered Ginny.

"Avoiding Ron," replied Harry with a grimace as he rubbed his chin.

"Why are you avoiding Ron?" questioned Ginny as she stopped next to Harry, stroking Hedwig lightly.

"Your brother decided to jump to conclusions before having all the facts and decided to punch me in the jaw," replied Harry. "So what brings you here Gin?"

"I'm sorry Harry. Ron punched you because of me," Ginny apologized.

"It's alright Gin," countered Harry.

"No Harry, it's not alright. You're at odds with Ron because you're helping me do things you know nothing about. It's not fair to you. You shouldn't have to choose between your friendship with Ron and me," argued Ginny.

"Gin, no one is making me choose anything," countered Harry. "Ron's just being a prat and a loving and concerned older brother. He'll get over it."

"It doesn't matter if he gets over it or not Harry, that's not the point. You're covering for me and you don't even know why," argued Ginny.

"Gin, it doesn't matter," countered Harry as he pulled Ginny towards him, wrapping his arms and his cloak around her. "You have your reasons for doing what you're doing and I accept the fact that you can't tell me what those reasons are right now. I know that in time, when whatever is going on is over, you'll tell me. Dumbledore paired you with Malfoy for a reason and I trust his judgement. He obviously thinks Malfoy's trustworthy…" Harry's words trailed off when Ginny started crying. "Gin, what is it? What's wrong Love?"

"I…I can't…"

"Shh, don't talk. It's alright," soothed Harry as he pulled Ginny as close as possible, comforting her while she cried. "So you never did answer my question from earlier about what brought you to the owlry," commented Harry a while later after Ginny's sobs had turned to sniffles.

"I need to send this," sniffed Ginny pulling the shrunken trunk from her pocket and showing it to Harry.

"Isn't that the small box you got in the mail a few months ago?" asked Harry when he got a look at the shrunken trunk.

"It is," agreed Ginny quietly. "I'm returning it to the person who sent it."

"Want to use Hedwig?" offered Harry.

"May I?"

"Of course," replied Harry. "Come here Hedwig," he called. Hedwig flew down from the perch she had gone to when Harry had taken Ginny in his arms and landed on his shoulder with a soft hoot. "Can you deliver something for Gin?" he asked, receiving another soft hoot in reply.

"Thank you Hedwig,' commented Ginny as she tied the package to Hedwig's leg. "Can you take this to the Lady Malfoy please," instructed Ginny as Hedwig took flight. After watching the owl disappear from sight, Ginny turned back towards Harry, who was watching her with a questioning look. "I'm sorry Harry but I…"

"It's okay Gin, really. As I said, you'll tell me when you can," commented Harry.

"Harry, I promise that when this is all over, I'll tell you everything," swore Ginny.

"I know you will," Harry replied as he caressed Ginny's cheek. "I got to go. I promised Hermione I'd meet her in the library half an hour ago. Are you going to stay here?"

"Actually, I thought I might take a walk by the lake," commented Ginny.

"Then here, take this," Harry said as he removed his cloak and wrapped it around Ginny's shoulders.

"Harry…"

"No arguments Gin," Harry ordered before Ginny could say anything. "It's too cold outside to be out without a cloak on and mine's here while yours is all the way up in your dorm. Besides mine will keep you warmer and a part of me will be with you. Walk with me?" he asked holding out his hand.

"Of course," replied Ginny with a smile as she took Harry's hand and they made their way out of the owlry.

"Don't stay outside too long," cautioned Harry a short while later when they stood outside the library.

"I won't, I promise," replied Ginny.

"Good," commented Harry, kissing her gently on the forehead.

"Ahh, isn't that cute. The mongrel and the half-breed," sneered Pansy as she and Millicent Bulstrode walked out of the library past Harry and Ginny and off down the hall.

"Just ignore her Gin," instructed Harry.

"I know," replied Ginny. "You better get going. You don't want to keep Hermione waiting any longer. I promise I won't stay out too long," she said with a smile before turning and walking off in the direction of the Entrance Hall.

/-/I wish you could tell me what it is that's eating you up inside Gin/-/ thought Harry sadly as he watched Ginny disappear off down the corridor before turning and making his way into the library.

Ginny made her way out of the castle a few minutes later and headed down towards the lake, where she came across a nice flat rock just big enough for her to sit on near one of the large oak trees. After drying off the rock and settling herself on it, she pulled out the parchment and quill she had taken from the trunk earlier and began to write. What she was writing she was not sure, she just let her emotions take over. She was letting her quill write everything she could not express vocally. After filling numerous pages of parchment, Ginny reached into her pocket and pulled out the letter that had been waiting for her in her room earlier that day.