Title: The Labyrinth of Decaying Memories

Author: Morbid Romantic

Genre: Horror/Angst

Pairing: Tom Riddle/Ginny Weasley

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Not the lyrics, characters...nothing.

"Give me a reason to believe
That you're gone.
I see your shadow so I know,
They're all wrong."

-Evanescence (Even In Death)

Chapter Three: All Around Me

"You are to move all of those," Snape points to a large stack of boxes, "all the way over there." His wand illuminates a dusty, cobwebby corner. I nod, heart sinking as my eyes take in all of the boxes I have to move. I flex my hand, which is still somewhat stiff, and walk over to the pile of molding cardboard as Snape leaves me.

The news of my freak out had spread quite quickly. All day I had carried the burden of troubled stares and laughter. Hermione had received the cold shoulder once I had discovered that she was the source of the problem, and I had quickly evaded Harry's troubled glance and open arms.

Ever since our separation last year, and his triumph over Lord Voldermort, my footsteps have been dogged by him. Every where I turn, I see his emerald eyes begging to be let back into my life.

I let out a sigh and scoot the heavy box that was in my arms as far into the corner as I can. As I walk back to the boxes, my ears pick up the sound of footsteps behind mine. I stop, the footsteps move one step further, then stop. A shiver creeps up my spine as I look around and see no one.

I take another step forward, and then stop. The imaginary soles of shoes pound against the stone two steps behind me, and then stop. The silence is suddenly loud around me.

I let out a breath and pick up another box. I slowly carry it over and stack it back onto the box I had just placed in the corner. I continue to work, occasionally brushing spiders off of the cardboard. The footsteps continue to mirror my own, getting louder with each step.

Suddenly they stop. I let out a sigh of relief and turn around.

The shadowy figure moves to my side. I spin around with wand pointed forward, the scream choking me as it tries to rise out of my throat. The silence rings in my ears until I hear the footsteps start up again, this time running through the maze of boxes and trunks.

My breath hurts my throat as it passes rapidly in and out from between my lips. The temptation to faint waves over me as the footsteps increase in speed, running to me, then from me. I look around. I can't see anything.

Suddenly the footsteps are right next to me. Then behind me, then in front, then over into the maze again. A feeling of someone being with me crushes its way into my spine. My breath becomes rapid, zipping into my lungs with a loud sob. It feels as if I do not have enough eyes to see what is around me. It's above me, below me, in front of me.

A whisper of "Tom" stains my breath. I start to move backwards, my head starting to ache from the strain of keeping me conscious. Suddenly I am forced forward and I land on my hands and knees with a loud yelp. Pain shatters its way through my knees and hands. I loud out another loud sob and quickly scramble to my feet.

The footsteps stop. The presence has left.

I quickly dash towards the maze, winding my way into a corner.

I suddenly am caught in two strong arms. A scream tears its way out of my throat as I start to cry.

"Whoa, whoa..." I hear a familiar voice say in a hushed, comforting tone. "Ginny? What's the matter? Gin? Look at me."

My head is tilted up but a strong warm hand. My eyes meet the suddenly welcome sight of concerned emerald eyes behind thick rimmed glasses. I let out another sob and sink to Harry's arms.

"He won't leave me alone." I manage to spit out through my tears. My body shakes and Harry holds me tighter.

"What? Who? Let's get you out of here." Harry keeps a strong arm around my shoulder, leading me out towards the door.

Things suddenly start to dim. The black invades my vision, and my brain blissfully slips into unconsciousness with a whisper of "Ginny."


TBC