"What the bloody hell was that about?!" muttered Ron.

Hermione watched as Ginny walked out of the Great Hall, following Professor Dumbledore, and then immediately looked over at Harry. She noticed he didn't seem that confused or surprised when Dumbledore had strolled over to Ginny after breakfast had finished. He continued to stare at the door long after Ginny had disappeared through the double doors.

"Harry?" asked Hermione. "What's going on?"

He didn't respond. Instead, he poured himself a glass of pumpkin juice, but Hermione noticed a slight tremor in his wrist as he did so. He pondered the glass before taking a slow sip. Finally, he looked up at them both, and with that strange telepathy the three of them had, she knew she wasn't going to get anything out of him. But she also knew that Harry knew what Dumbledore wanted to discuss with Ginny.

"Okay, you don't have to tell us," replied Ron. "But is she okay?"

Harry hesitated still pondering his glass of pumpkin juice and now biting on his bottom lip. Hermione hated when they kept secrets from each other, it made her uncomfortable. They were at their strongest when they helped each other through things, when they were kept in the know about everything.

Ron slammed his hand down on the glass Harry was holding. Both Hermione and Harry jumped slightly at the movement.

"Listen, Potter," Ron growled. "That's my baby sister… I know you know what's going on, I know you might not be able to say the ins and outs, but I asked you a question. Is she okay?"

Ron was glowering over at Harry, but Harry was standing his ground and scowling straight back at him. The two of them stayed stuck like that for a minute or two before Hermione finally rolled her eyes.

"Alright Harry, we get it," sighed Hermione. "And he might be a bit frustrated – BUT Ronald does know that you would talk to us, and involve us if Ginny wasn't okay… Correct, Ronald?"

The two boys were still frowning at the other.

"Oh, that is enough!" Hermione hissed at the two of them. "Ronald, drop it. I'm sure Ginny will tell us whatever it is, when she is ready, and it is on her terms. It clearly isn't Harry's place to talk about it."

After a minute, Ron sighed and released the glass that he and Harry were both holding on to, before catching Harry's hand in his own momentarily. Hermione watched Harry squeeze Ron's fingers with an apologetic look upon his face.

"Alright, alright," said Ron. "I'm just- just worried about her is all."

Hermione leant forward and grasped both of their hands in her own, making eye contact with the two of them. They all took a moment there, no one saying anything, no one feeling the need to fill the silence.

"Whatever it is, Ron," Hermione started, but knew she didn't need to finish the sentence as she looked across the table at the two of them and they looked back at her. They always knew that whatever came up for the three – well four, now – of them, they would tackle it together.


The last time Ginny had been in Dumbledore's office was not really a terrific memory to recall. Fawkes had flown them straight from Chamber to Dumbledore's tower, through the window and plonked them right down in front of the Professor's desk. After a few minutes of the two of them alone, Dumbledore had charged into the room, slightly out of breath. That was the least amount of composure Ginny had ever seen from Dumbledore.

Whilst Harry had explained everything that had down in the Chamber, Ginny had sat silently. She remembered feeling so very lost and scared. Even though she knew it was good Tom was gone… she was feeling kind of hollow. Ginny knew that she was safe, yet still she recalled feeling torn.

Ginny was pulled back from her memory when Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Can I offer you a flump, Ms. Weasley?" he asked kindly, whilst he presented her with a bowl of pastel coloured, soft lumps. "I hear they are all the rage in the Muggle world at the minute."

"Um, no thank you, Professor," she answered politely as she sat down in the large armchair he had gestured to. Ginny crossed her legs and pulled the sleeves of her robes down into the palms of her hands, to play with the fraying ends. This was uncomfortable, and it made her nervous. She wasn't sure where to look or what to say, so found herself focusing on Dumbledore's strange collection of instruments dotted on the shelf to her right.

"How about tea?" he asked, presenting a bright blue teapot decorated with yellow and pink quaffles. Ginny shook her head and smiled politely.

Dumbledore had settled himself opposite her and placed the bowls of flumps and teapot on the coffee table between them. He folded his arms under his long sleeves and looked at her over his half-moon spectacles. They together in silence for a long while, Ginny watching with the instruments on the shelves, Dumbledore watching Ginny.

"How are you, Ginevra?" said Dumbledore. He sounded extremely serious Ginny noted and finally she looked at him and shrugged with a half-smile on her face.

"Uh, fine thank you, sir," she replied. "And you?"

Dumbledore chuckled.

"You know, it's been a long time since a student asked me how I am doing, and I am doing very well thank you, Ms. Weasley," he smiled at her, which dropped away quite suddenly. "I wanted to ask how you are feeling after the task?"

"Fine, sir," she answered puzzled. "Why do you ask?"

Dumbledore paused and continued to watch her over his glasses, his blue eyes searching her own for an answer Ginny did not know how to give. After a moment or two his brow furrowed, he shook his head slightly.

"You are quite the enigma, Ms. Weasley," he said as he leant forward to pour himself a cup of tea. "How long have you been learning occlumency?"

Ginny was even more confused, and that emotion must have been written all over her face.

"Ah, I see," he whispered.

"Uh, I'm sorry sir, but- what I am doing here?" Ginny had no idea what was going on or what Dumbledore was talking about.

"Have you ever noticed you can do more than other students your age, Ginevra?"

Ginny didn't respond. She knew she was smart; she was the top of all her classes in her year. Ginny wanted to reply humbly, but an image appeared in her head momentarily. Pebbles.

"Um," she hesitated. "I mean, I'm good at classes and stuff, yeah."

"More than that," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at her. "Have you heard of occlumency before, Ginny? May I call you Ginny?"

"Yes and no," she responded. "I mean, yes you can call me Ginny, and no to the occlu-ma-thingy."

"Have you ever made something happen before, without meaning to," he continued to probe her. "Perhaps you were angry or very sad or- "

"I'm sorry, sir," she interrupted. "What is going on here?"

Dumbledore considered her for a moment.

"Whilst you were under the lake in the second task, Ginny… Harry told me about an incident," he spoke with slow deliberation. "You won't remember anything, but he said some of the merpeople refused to let you leave. Even though you were his hostage."

"I do remember," Ginny whispered. Dumbledore's expression, for a split second, was one of shock. He regained himself promptly. "I remember feeling like… like I was supposed to be there."

Dumbledore considered her again.

"Please sir, will you just tell me what's going on?" asked Ginny.

"Well, Ginevra, I believe the reason that the merpeople wanted to keep you under the lake had – has something to do with Tom Riddle," Ginny felt her mouth pop open.

"You recall who I am speaking about, correct?" Ginny scoffed at his question. Now she was offended. Not just offended, but also goddamn livid.

"You are kidding me, right?" she laughed grimly. "Yes, Professor, I remember the guy who possessed me, made me do horrible things to animals, forced me to put other students at risk and ruined my first year. Yes, I think it may be a little difficult to forget him."

"I beg your apology, Ginny. I meant no offence," he tipped his head towards her.

"What about him?" huffed Ginny. "Why would he have anything to do with me or the lake?"

"Well, merpeople, just like humans I might add, are a complex group. They can be good or bad," said Dumbledore. "And the ones that we may consider bad, recognized yourself and Harry. For reasons I am still trying to decipher myself but after discussing with their chief, the bad merpeople wanted to keep you in that lake."

"I believe they wanted to offer you to Lord Voldemort," said Dumbledore.

"But-," her head was spinning. "But, sir, Voldemort – well, he's dead."

"I don't imagine so, Ginny," his face had softened. "Whilst he isn't around right now, I don't believe Lord Voldemort to be gone indefinitely."

"Why?" Ginny's chest hurt, her stomach hurt, her head hurt. She couldn't make sense of any of the thoughts bouncing around in her skull. "Why does he want me?" she finally forced some words out.

"I cannot be sure, unfortunately, Ginny," said Dumbledore. "But I believe when Tom Riddle possessed you during your first year, that he left a mark on you. Last year, I noticed you had some trouble with the dementors. Madam Hooch told me she found you at the edge of the Quidditch pitch at the end of last year, with a dementor close by you. It seems it was drawn to you. I can imagine that was not the first time you had had a run in with a dementor?"

Ginny nodded, pulling at the frayed ends of her robes again.

"And you did not think to let a Professor know?"

Ginny shook her head, biting her lip and Dumbledore sighed.

"Ms. Weasley, you must learn to ask for help from time to time," he spoke wisely. "You are not alone."

Ginny nodded again. She found herself unable to speak and absurdly felt a lump in her throat. Frustrated with herself she angrily brushed away the tears that began to fall.

"Tom tried to take your soul, Ginny," he continued. "And whilst he didn't succeed-,"

"Sure about that?" Ginny forced out. "I mean, really Professor, are you sure about that? Sometimes… sometimes I have these thoughts. It's like they don't belong to me. I have these dreams and I feel like…" she trailed off. Ginny was afraid about how much she had revealed.

Dumbledore allowed the silence to prolong, waiting to see if Ginny would continue.

She didn't.

Tom Riddle was back in her life.

Ginny bought her feet up to perch on the edge of her seat, rested her forearms on her knees and buried her face away from Dumbledore. The list of people that had seen Ginny cry was growing so much longer and she was getting sick of it.

"You are not alone, Ms. Weasley," Dumbledore had leant forward to pour himself more tea, placed the teapot down on the coffee table again, before reaching out and placing his hand on her knee.

Frustrated she wiped her face along her robes before resting her chin on her forearms and looked up at the old man in front of her. He smiled softly at her, squeezed her knee once then reached for his cup of tea. "I am to believe you have a close group of friends. Ms. Granger, your brother and Mr. Potter?"

She sniffed once, still trying to pull her emotions together and nodded at him.

"Mr. Potter I'm sure will be of great benefit through this discovery. I am glad yourself and Mr. Potter have become as close as you are. After the trip to the Chamber of Secrets, I believed the two of you would be able to find some common ground in order to help each other."

Ginny looked at Professor Dumbledore, confused by his words.

"That's why I had asked him to remain close to you, Ginny."

Remain close to her?

"He will be able to continue supporting-," but Ginny cut him off.

"Continue, sir?" she asked, confused. Did Dumbledore know what else was happening in her life?

Suddenly she was more fearful than before. Isn't that ridiculous? She thought humorlessly to herself. That Malfoy terrifies her more than Tom Riddle. But that was something about immediate danger that did that to her. Tom was in the bylines, awaiting his return… but he wasn't here right now. Ginny didn't imagine she would have to go to Riddle's room later – that he would have her do appalling things later, do appalling things to her – things he made her body enjoy, things that would follow her into her nightmares.

"Ah, perhaps I have said too much," Dumbledore intruded on her inner monologue, and for the first time ever, she realized that he looked embarrassed as he stared down into his tea. She waited for him to continue, too scared to talk. Did he know, did he know, did he know?

"I believe I will allow Harry to discuss that with you, should he see fit," Dumbledore regained composure speedily. "I would not wish to review his personal matters without his consent."

Ginny didn't know what to say to him. Did he know? What has Harry told him? What was going to happen now?


Ron knew Ginny hadn't been in lessons today, as Looney Lovegood had already asked the trio where she was at lunch. This didn't help his anxiety. Harry's face grew dark when he found out Ginny had been missing all morning and he looked over to the teachers high table. Dumbledore was there, so where was Ginny?

Ron was almost too busy contemplating that thought, which meant he nearly missed the exchange between Harry and Dumbledore. It was an extremely small nod, but a nod all the same in Harry's direction.

After that Harry had gotten up and walked away without another word to Hermione and Ron.


"Lairy Flights," said Harry to the gargoyle, who began to twist to reveal a flight of stairs which Harry immediately rushed up and pulled open the heavy wooden door. Ginny glanced over at him calmly and seemed unsurprised to see him, sluggishly she returned her gaze back to the roaring fire next to her.

"Hey," he said lamely. Ginny said nothing. Harry walked towards her and perched himself on the arm of her chair. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and bent to place a kiss on the crown of her head. They sat in silence for a long time.

"Why is this happening, Harry?" Ginny whispered.

Harry took a moment to consider the question. There were a lot of reasons that this was happening, but mostly it was because of him. If he hadn't had forced himself into the Wesley's lives, into all his friends lives, none of them would be in danger. This was all his fault.

"I- Well," he began, but didn't finish. How could he put into words the thoughts that were building up in his head? It was only a matter of time before they all worked out that this was his fault. That they would all be better off away from him. The thought petrified him.

"Does Dumbledore know?" Ginny's voice was numb. "Does he know about Malfoy?"

"No," Harry gasped. "No, he doesn't. Why? Did he say something? Did you tell him?"

"No," sighed Ginny. "No, I didn't. It was just something he said. He said you would understand what I am going through more than anyone."

Now it was Harry's turn to sigh. Harry thought back to the conversation that he and Dumbledore had in the hospital wing, after Harry had face Voldemort back in his first year.

"Sir, there are some other things I'd like to know, if you can tell me… things I want to know the truth about.…"

"The truth." Dumbledore sighed. "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution. However, I shall answer your questions unless I have a very good reason not to, in which case I beg you'll forgive me. I shall not, of course, lie."

"Well…Voldemort said that he only killed my mother because she tried to stop him from killing me. But why would he want to kill me in the first place?"

Dumbledore sighed very deeply this time. "Alas, the first thing you ask me, I cannot tell you. Not today. Not now. You will know, one day…put it from your mind for now, Harry. When you are older…I know you hate to hear this…when you are ready, you will know."

"But what I must tell you Harry," Dumbledore spoke finally. "Is that I do not believe this is the last time you will be caught up with Lord Voldemort."

"He's coming for me too Gin," Harry whispered darkly to her.

Harry had never told anyone that before. Not even Ron and Hermione, although he thought that they had probably guessed as much by now. He had just never said the words out loud before. Harry realised, although he may not admit it, those words were pretty goddamn terrifying. They were even more especially scary looking straight into those big brown eyes staring up at him, the other eyes Voldemort was probably hunting down too.

"I don't understand, why us Harry?" Ginny spoke softly.

Harry couldn't answer that. Ginny's eyes were locked on his and the lack of light behind them scared him. Slowly he moved from the arm of her chair and on to his knees in front of her until they were face to face. Her whole expression was non-existent. Harry placed both his hands on her shoulders and shook her ever so slightly.

"Hey," he whispered and with a deliberate slowness and maintaining eye contact, he leaned forward to touch his forehead to hers. "Don't disappear on me, Red."

Her bottom lip quivered and Harry's eyes darted down. Without thinking, he leant forward to press his lips to hers. After a few seconds, Ginny pulled back away from him. And for the first time since he had walked into the room, the ghost of a smile fluttered on Ginny's face. Ginny bought her hand up to rest on his cheek, leaving their foreheads pressed together, she closed her eyes and sighed contently.

"Let's just go someplace, Harry," her voice sounded so heavy. "Let's just run away from all this shit. I don't want to deal with this anymore. I can't... I can't do this."

The prospect of running away with the girl in front of him didn't sound too bad to Harry. For a few seconds he really contemplated that idea, about running and hiding out in the muggle world with Ginny. They could wake up early and go for runs together. Harry would cook bacon and eggs when they got back, he had plenty of practice from the Dursley's. He could show Ginny television and they could spend hours curled up together on the sofa. Maybe they could get a cat. Harry had always wanted a pet... well, other than Hedwig of course.

"That sounds just about perfect right now, Gin," Harry raised his hand to stroke her cheek. "But, I can't... we can't."

"Why? What's keeping us here?" she pulled out of his embrace to focus on his face more intently. "We can bring my brother and Hermione, if that's what's holding you back?"

She was serious, Harry could tell.

"Red, I really wish we could do that. You have no idea how much I would love to do that..." Harry stood and took Dumbledore's previously vacant seat across from her. "I just can't. I can't run away from..." he trailed off.

"From what?" Ginny looked at him confused. "What's keeping you here?"

Harry stared into the fire for a long time before finally answering her.

"It's a long story, and if it's okay with you, I think I'd like to share it another day."

After a few moments of looking into his eyes, Ginny nodded.

"Well, what can you tell me?"

AN: Thanks for the few reviews you folks are leaving me! I really appreciate them!

I hope you guys can see that this is going to be a re-write of GOF, OOTP, HBP, DH. And that it isn't just going to be about what's going on with Malfoy, it'll be more than that. It's nice to see I have a few followers and looking forward to posting some more soon.

:)