A/N:sorry it's taken so long, but I've kept to my promise. It's published. Thanks to all my reveiwers, particularly Boo, who keeps encouarging me. This chapters for you, since you wanted it so much. I know you've heard about it, but its all written down now. Hope you, and all my other readers enjoy it. Please Reveiw.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, even though they're fabulous, and I want to thank J. K. for creating them.
A silent castle was all that greeted Ginny she walked, shivering, through the echoing entrance. The eerie quiet made her paranoid, starting at the sound of house elves clicking their fingers, lighting candles in the dreary great hall before lunch. She looked in to see them, and saw Dobby struggling to light a candle. He clicked his fingers again and again, but looked stressed and distracted. I can relate, she thought. She watched as he eventually lit it, and turned to find herself face to face with most unexpected, and unwanted, person.
"Weasley," Snape grinned, as patronisingly as possible, "I wonder - is it something that runs in your family? First Bill, a smart-talking loud mouth, Charlie, who, to be honest, never really cared for rules, then the twins, who, frankly, there is no need to explain, Ron can't keep himself out of trouble, and now you…dear dear…wouldn't you follow in Percy's footsteps?"
"Not if my life depended on it, sir."
"It's a shame; Slytherin are doing so well; I wanted to see the look of disappointment on every Gryffindor's face. Why are you here, Weasley?"
Ginny lied through her teeth, "Quidditch doesn't interest me, sir. I didn't think I had to stay; I decided to come back while it's quiet."
"But don't you want to be there when Slytherin wins? I mean, no other Gryffindors are here; in fact, no-one else is here at all."
"Other than you, sir, no. But then I don't think I'm breaking any rules by being here."
"No, I suppose not. Well, off you go."
Ginny walked toward the marble staircase as Snape stalked with a slightly angry air toward the front doors. She paused, waiting for the doors to close, and then went back down the steps at speed, swinging round the end of the banister, and running unwillingly toward an unknown destination. Her feet took her without the need for her to think. The power inside her was thinking, controlling, instead. She recognised the route though. Down two steps, round the corner. The wall still beheld the faint, deep red message. Ginny's fingers still faintly told the same story. She placed her hand on the door handle, gently breathing in as tears rolled down her cheeks; who would she hurt next? Why didn't she have any control? What if someone died? How did this happen, and when would it ever end?
She closed her eyes, breathing out slowly. If she had to do this, she would do so with pride. She stepped quietly into the room, looking around for Myrtle. Suspecting her in the window, Ginny looked up. Her assumptions proved worthy as Myrtle turned her head sharply to the door, flinging her pigtails with the action. Wide-eyed, overdramatic terror spread over Myrtle's face as she recognised the person before her.
"No," she said quietly, "no, no, not you."
"I'm sorry, Myrtle, I don't have a choice."
Tears flowing like rivers down her face, Ginny walked apprehensively toward the sink, feeling him take over with every step. As she heard the hisses protrude from her mouth, she had no chance of overcoming the power. He was too dominant, too threatening to even attempt to stand up to. She was only allowed to watch her life be pulled away from her, run past her like a film. Her hair flicked in front of her hair as she was made to run, and her eyes were forced to look around at the dark, damp walls of the cave. Drips filled her ears with resounding noise, and her hand rose in front of her face, brandishing a wand. "Lumos" spoke the whispered, sinister voice. Suddenly her eyes relaxed, and her hearts rhythm steadied. Was her controller afraid of the darkness? Surely, he can't be. Not if he knew what fear he was unleashing in everyone else.
I fear nothing, girl. I only allow fear in others.
Ginny doubted it, but it seemed her controller had chosen to ignore her rebellious opinions. He ignored everything else about her, why not this? Suddenly, an idea sparked in Ginny's mind. Could she take over? Ginny concentrated hard, and attempted to force her wand to drop from her hand. Come on, drop it. Just let it go. Ginny heard the clatter of wood on wet stone. Yes! A rush ecstasy filled Ginny, pride at finding a way to overpower.
Oh, well done, said the voice sarcastically, you dropped your wand. Very useful.
It's better than having you taking complete control. Plus, you never know how strong I could get. I could fight you. You aren't part of me.
That's where you're wrong girl. I'm inside you, living off your blood, your food. I'm more a part of you than anyone else could be.
But…no…I don't want you!
Oh, big surprise. Now can we carry on? Frankly, this argument is boring me. Plus, a battle of wits with someone so badly armed is so unfair.
Ginny thought nothing. He picked up the wand and carried on through the stony passage, till he stopped at the familiar door. Parseltounge whispers protruded from Ginny's lips, and the door opened to a much grander section of the chamber. If Snape knew I was here, thought Ginny.
If you knew some of the places Snape has been, girl.
He continued toward the centre of this room, and began to chant Parseltounge to the monument in the centre. The floor vibrated. Out of nowhere, a huge snake appeared at her side. He looked up at her as if awaiting orders. Suddenly Ginny felt too overpowered. She blanked out.