My computer hates me. You're all lucky I love you, because if I didn't, I would TOTALLY not rewrite this whole chapter.

Part II, Chapter 12: Goodbye Love

You don't want baggage without lifetime guarantees
You don't want to watch me die?
I just came to say

Goodbye love
Goodbye love
came to say
Goodbye love,
Goodbye.

Just came to say

(Glory)
Goodbye love

(One blaze of)
Goodbye love

(Glory)
Goodbye love

(I have to find)
Goodbye

- RENT (Goodbye Love)

Ginny was falling quickly down some sort of hole that seemed to have no end. It reminded her quite a bit of Alice in Wonderland as she was falling, impacting the cold, hard ground and soon-arriving death. When she finally did hit the ground, however, it was as if the ground had been softened. Either way, the fall did hurt, and she moaned in agony as she rolled onto her back and looked at her hands; scraped. She reached up and touched her head, feeling the sticky sensation of blood.

She stood up carefully, looking around her. It was extremely dark, and she could hardly see her own hand in front of her face. She knew she was outdoors, though, by the wind against her face and the odd noises in the distance. She could feel someone next to her, standing there, whispering, but couldn't see them.

"Wh-Who's there?"

Suddenly, the sound of whispers overtook her, and as the sound became louder and louder, she felt herself slip out of consciousness.

Ginny awoke to the sound of water dripping on the floor; the sound echoed in her ears and shattered the silence that once filled the dark cavern she seemed to be in. Seconds later, ice-cold water was being thrown in her face, and she gasped at the cool, burning agony. She sputtered and gasped, blinking away the water and trying to figure out who her attacker was. She attempted to move her arms, but couldn't; after closer observation, she saw her hands were shackled to the wall, as were her ankles to the floor.

Holy crap, she thought to herself, I can't see anything, and I'm apparently a convict! What the hell is happening?

"Hello, Weasley," a cold voice said musically, sounding charming hypnotizing. And although he was using all the charm he could to make her blinded, she knew in the back of her mind that his voice was evil. That something about him wouldn't be good in the long run.

And if she ever had doubts about that odd feeling, what he said next concluded she was right.

"Are you ready to die?"

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"What do you mean she fainted?" Ron asked, fists clenching.

Draco grumbled. This was getting annoying, these stupid redheaded twats asking him over and over again whether he attacked their bloody sister. He loved her, didn't they know that? -- Well, no, actually, they didn't. And if they did, well... he was sure they wouldn't threaten him with death, they'd actually do the deed themselves.

George opened his mouth, and Draco groaned in anticipation of the twins-completing-one-another's-sentences thing that occurred almost all the time.

"Yeah, don't you mean you --"

"-- knocked her out?"

"Oh, come off it," Draco spat, "don't you think you'd know if I bloody knocked her out?"

In the blink of an eye, Charlie had Draco backed up against the wall, dragon tooth knife up to his neck. "Do you know, you bloody git, how easy it would be to kill you?"

"Do it, Charlie," Ron hissed. "No one would miss the ferret."

Charlie opened his mouth, as if to say something, but Ginny cried out, twisting and turning in bed. She yelled out, something incomprehensible, but still equally unnerving. Everyone was silent as she twisted and turned, then finally settled down. Charlie moved from his position on top of Draco and sat next to his little sister on the bed, lightly stroking her head.

"Listen," Bill said slowly, "although I'm the first to admit that Draco really, really, deserves a nice beating --"

"So then let's," Ron hissed, getting ready to punch.

"-- We have more important things to discuss!" Bill spat. "For example... Ginny's life. Sound important to you?"

There was a quiet grunt of approval.

"Well, I think it's best that we stop bloody talking, yelling, arguing -- whatever the hell we're doing -- and start paying attention to Ginny. She's the one we're all here for. Without Ginny, none of this would even be happening."

She's the one we're all here for... Draco silently repeated, thinking of just how true Bill's statement really was.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ginny wondered what was happening, though she very well knew what was going on. She wanted to act stupid, blind, clueless -- but it was too unlike her, and it was too far a stretch for a time like this. She knew that death was going to come soon, without anyone even knowing. She was sure she was in her own mind, tied up in odd fantasies and illusions. Her family was probably surrounding her in bed, watching as she cried relentlessly, frowning. And suddenly, she would eventually stop crying. She would eventually fade out.

And then... what would happen? Would there be a moment of silence, or would cry immediately start? Would they begin making plans for her funeral? Would she even have one? Would Draco go move with Sera now that she was out of the way?

Silently she cursed herself for mentioning Draco at a time like this, considering all that was going on. Draco probably wouldn't care if she died. Actually, she was almost positive that he left once she'd collapsed out of fright and was sitting at his mansion right now, counting down the hours until Ginny would be, well...

This man, this strange and mysterious man, was standing across the room, muttering things into a cauldron. Ever-so-often a burst of light would come from his wand, letting Ginny get a glimpse of him. He had long silver hair that seemed to go down past his back, and he had broad shoulders. Eventually she stopped being curious and just screwed her eyes shut, willing the throbbing pain of her back, head, and hands to stop. Her mind began wandering once more, and she couldn't help but think of Draco.

He had said he loved her, and he seemed quite... well, maybe 'truthful' wasn't the proper terminology, but it was something along those lines. He came back to her... No. No, he didn't come back for that reason. He had an ulterior motive. Maybe he learned that he'd die if he didn't marry Ginny, and that's why he came?

'He said he loved you,' a voice said in her head. 'Just leave it at that.'

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Draco sighed heavily and sat next to Ginny, holding her small, delicate palm in one hand and stroking her head with the other. He was alone with Ginny (finally) since her noble brothers were running around like chickens who had temporarily misplaced their heads. At first, it was extremely amusing -- watching a bunch of red-haired blokes freaking out about every little thing did have its light moments. However, soon Draco learned it really wasn't all that funny after all, and decided to help out.

Of course, mimicking the brothers by running around and yelling like a girl wasn't exactly the proper way to help... and it certainly didn't get any of the guys in a better mood. Draco was forced to act serious when Bill barked, "Just sit down and bloody watch Gin, you bloody ferret!" And Draco wasn't one to disobey a werewolf, especially when one was in child-protection-mode.

The only thing Draco could do now was wait. ...And prod around a bit in Ginny's belongings. He continued telling himself it was wrong, and that he shouldn't be doing it, but honestly -- that only increased the desire to spy, spy, spy! So far he hadn't found anything of importance; a letter from Harry dated from Ginny's fifth year, stating how much he loved her. He not-so-silently scoffed and let out a loud 'pssshhh' to which all the brothers looked at him with curious expressions.

About fifteen minutes later, however, Draco finally found something interesting: an unopened letter addressed to Ginny Weasley with no return address. With a sweeping look around him to make sure no one was watching, he tore it open like a child opening a Christmas present he found in his closet without anyone knowing.

Dear Miss Weasley,

I have now been forced to tell you twice to move from Malfoy Manor. If you don't, a disaster beyond your wildest comprehension will occur.

Do not doubt me, girl. I'm always there. I always watch. I'm in your mind

Give the Manor back to its rightful recipients.

- S.S

Draco's mouth opened to form a large 'o' as he silently tossed around thoughts in his head. Could all this -- Ginny's leaving, her sickness, her unconsciousness -- be because of this infamous 'S.S'? This man -- apparition -- thing was somehow in Ginny's mind; who knew what was going on in there? There was no one to save her from her thoughts!

He paced around the room, trying to think of a way to help Ginny. Last time Ginny had problems with her 'mind,' she had been sleepwalking. All Draco had to do was touch her shoulder and he was immediately admitted into her dream. Perhaps that could happen again, with much concentration... But it might be dangerous. What if he couldn't come out? What if they were both stuck there forever?

Draco glanced at Ginny's small, fragile body, sadness filling him. To think that someone was inside her head, taunting her, poisoning her... hurting her... made him insane. He felt his insides broiling with the thought of someone touching Ginny, making her hurt. It made him murderous.

Without another thought, he sat next to her bed, put both hands on each shoulder, and concentrated with all the strength left in his body.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The man across from Ginny cleared his throat and began speaking, still with his back facing her. "So, Weasley, ready to tell me why you ignored everything I told you?"

Ginny opened her mouth, but no sound seemed to come out. She was petrified.

"Well? I'm waiting."

"I... I don't even know who you are --"

The man turned around and she could do nothing but gasp. "Oh yes you do. I'm sure you've seen me about -- in books, perhaps? I know you've read about me, surely. How could you not? You go to my school."

She took an unsteady breath, her heart racing. "Salazar Slytherin."

He turned around, and she gasped, backing up closer to the wall. His face was rotting with age, and he looked much like a corpse who had been left out of its grave for a few days. His eyes and hair were the only things that were intact; silver and vibrant.

"You called?" he sneered, mouth opening to show small, jagged pocketknives used as teeth.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Draco found himself walking through a cold forest, slushy snow on the floor, water dripping from the icicles that once were vibrant on the wintry trees. It was midnight in Ginny's brain, and everything was covered in icy roots. He was careful where he stepped, careful not to fall. He was so careful with menial things like walking, but so useless when it came to things of importance... like saving Ginny's life.

Where the hell are you? he asked himself, Merlin... Where the hell are you?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"What happened to you?" she asked. Her head was throbbing with fear, the type of fear that you get when you think someone's in your house and no one else is home but you. When you're so shook up that your bedroom door is locked and you're sitting in the far corner, holding your brother's old baseball bat and praying no one is there.

He smirked. "It's hard to look so attractive when you're dead. I must admit... it took me a while to put all the pieces back together, but I think I'm pretty good looking. For a corpse, at least."

Suddenly the cauldron bubbled behind him, and the light mood changed. He spun around and began focusing on the spell, and Ginny looked around. There has to be a way out... She muttered. Suddenly, she heard a voice in the back of her heard...

'Where are you? Merlin, where the hell are you?'

Ginny glanced around the room. Was someone there...? Er...

'Ginny?'

Um? This was getting weird. There was no one there, yet she was hearing noises. Was fear driving her mad?

Uh... yes?

'Bloody hell... are you serious?' the voice responded.

Ginny stared at Salazar. He didn't seem to notice anything was going on...

Uh... yes? What the hell is going on? Am I dying?

She heard a laugh in her head. 'Gin! It's me! Draco! Where the hell are you

Instantly Ginny's mouth broke into an insane grin. She felt like singing, dancing... She never thought she'd hear his voice again. New thoughts filled her head; maybe she wouldn't die... Maybe she'd have a chance... Draco, I'm in this weird --

"Don't think about it, Weasley," Salazar croaked from across the chamber, turning around. "I can hear everything you're thinking. You do realize we're in your brain, right? Your thoughts? Everything you wonder echoes in my head."

'What, Ginny? Where are you?'

Tears sprang to her eyes. Maybe she wouldn't live after all.

"I wouldn't count on it," Salazar sneered with a smile. "And give him any hints -- visuals, anything -- and you're dead quicker. Hear me?"

Ginny nodded slowly, tears pouring down her cheeks.

"Now tell him goodbye."

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Draco continued wandering throughout Ginny's woods until he finally found something in the distance -- the light view of a castle. There was nowhere else she could be. All she had to do was give him some sign... why wasn't she answering?

What, Ginny? he asked, prodding. Where are you?

He heard murmuring in the background, and gasping; he knew that sound. Ginny was crying. Oh, God.

'Goodbye, Draco...'

Author's Note: I'm sorry! I tried to put this all in one chapter but it doesn't work. I had a whole bunch of ideas to add onto this chapter but I can't add it all in... It gets a bit too congested, you know? Thank you all for your encouraging reviews! I know this was a waaaaay delayed chapter -- I haven't had one out since January, have I? -- but I've been reaaaally busy. Gosh, school suuucks, man! Anyway. I'm DEFINITELY going to have a chapter out by Valentine's day, considering... (Smiles and whistles innocently) Please keep up the uber fantasmic reviews, guys! It makes me write quicker!

What I'm planning on writing after Salazar's Curse is finished (tell me what you think)
Title: Winter in Spring

Idea: Three years ago, Ginny read in the Daily Prophet that Draco Malfoy had mysteriously vanished after his father's death, and was wanted by Death Eaters and the Ministry of Magic for a high ransom. But the situation Ginny's gotten herself in may just make her rethink about those old newspaper articles.