A/N: I hope you all enjoyed that almost-two-month-long cliffhanger. xD I have nearly everything in this fanfic planned out now. Except for the ending. I don't have that yet.

Anyway, so here is the next chapter. It's a bit short, but it's where the plot begins to move forward.

Enjoy!

There was nothing. No dark or light, no hot or cold, no joy or suffering, no life or death. There was only existence, and this was an existence she was not yet aware of. It took time, but slowly, slowly, she became aware of her own existence. She could feel her own body, the sensation of her fingers and a sharp chill in her toes. And then – more slowly – she realized she could feel something rough around her. Wood. She was lying on wood.

Ginny opened her eyes and blinked a few times, trying to clear the dark film from her eyes, but it wasn't film. It was night, and the darkest part of night. The moon and stars had disappeared from the sky, covered by thick clouds. The air was chilled with a hint of moisture. The smallest of raindrops fell from the sky, yet she was soaked. She must have been lying in that boat for quite some time.

The boat had traveled quite a ways. She was so far she didn't recognize the landscape. There were thick trees around the bank, with ancient, thick and twisted trunks. Some were full of dark leaves that blocked her view of the sky, and some were empty skeletal arms reaching up to the clouds. She couldn't see more then a few feet into this strange wood.

Ginny sniffed, trying to keep her nose from running. There was a scratchy feeling in the back of her throat that told her she'd earned herself a cold for sleeping outside in the rain, in nothing but a thin white gown. Realizing what she was wearing, she quickly looked down, then closed her eyes in embarrassment when she realized her nightgown was now see-through. She hoped no one had seen her – it would be humiliating.

But at the same time, she needed to find someone. She didn't know where she was or how to get back. Surely Harry would be worried –

Harry. She'd tried to kill Harry. He must hate her now, actually. Or think her completely mad.

But it wasn't her fault! It's wasn't her fault! It was thanks to Tom. Tom's anger and hatred of Harry had filled her so completely. He'd used her body to strangle Harry, wrapped her hands around his throat. It wasn't her fault. But how could Harry ever understand that?

Ginny pulled her legs in and sank her head onto her knees, and cried. What was she to do now? What was going to happen to her? She didn't even know how she was going to get back home…

She sat there in the boat, crying as the rain went from a light sprinkle to a harder fall. The ice cold drops nearly felt like they were piecing her skin. With a small sob, she looked up and glanced around her, trying to figure out a way home. She could push the boat back, but there were no rows. And she wasn't sure which direction she'd come from – the boat could easily have turned without her noticing.

As Ginny peered into the dark wood, she noticed a light shaking towards her. It rocked back and forth and was faint – a lantern. Someone was holding a lantern and coming to the edge of the river.

Carefully, she stood and wrapped her arms around her front, hoping to protect her modesty and her arms from the cold. As the man holding the lantern stepped into view, she noted his chocolate-colored goatee and hair that had strands of silver in them, and the lines in his otherwise clear skin.

It was Hades.

He approached the edge of the riverbed beside the boat and took note of her wet hair and shaking knees before speaking.

"And what are you doing out here, Weasely?"

"I-I-I…" her voice was difficult to use. Her throat ached and her voice felt like it was frozen and needed warming up before she could use it properly. "I…w-was-was j-just…" her voice was coming out tight and quiet, but she couldn't force much more sound out.

"You know there's a search party out for you?"

Ginny blinked. A search party? She'd only been gone the night. Although, considering how she'd left, maybe it wasn't that surprising.

"I f-f-fell asleep in-in this b-boat," she stuttered. She lifted a hand to her lips and felt how cold they were, how frozen they felt. Likely they had a hint of blue to them now. She was just beginning to realize how cold she was, how thoroughly soaked. Her whole body shivered violently, from her head to her toes. No wonder she was stuttering.

"You fell asleep?" Hades looked unsure, and moved a step closer to peer into the small rowboat. "In this tiny thing?"

"Y-yes."

"For two days?"

Ginny felt the cold sink to her core. "F-for w-w-what?"

Hades glared up at her. "You've been missing for two days. When did you fall asleep?"

"I-I…j-just after I l-left-left," she muttered. She moved to get out of the boat, and nearly fell face-first into the edge of the boat due to her legs locking up. Hades grabbed her shoulder before she fell, then set down the lantern and picked up her. He set her back on the solid ground and only let go of her when it was certain she wouldn't fall over again.

She looked up at him, a weak smile on her blue lips. "Than-thank you," she stuttered. Hades grunted in response and picked the lantern up again.

"Just after you left, hm?" he glanced at the boat again, than back at Ginny's shaking form. "You slept for two days, then."

"I-I guess s-so…" she muttered, though the idea of it terrified her. What had caused her to sleep so long? But then…then she recalled that originally she felt as though she were dying. Sleeping for two days was certainly an improvement.

"Well, I guess we ought to get you warmed up," Hades said, though his voice sounded rather like gravel. "Don't want you dying of hypothermia, or anything."

It was very strange, having an ex-Death Eater being polite to her, helping her. She wasn't sure why he was…

Wait. Why was Hades out here, helping her?

Shivering, she looked up at him, lines appearing between her brows as she frowned in confusion. "W-why are you h-helping m-m-me?"

A smirk formed on Hades's face as he took his arm and began leading her away from the boat. "Who said I was helping you?"

Ginny felt warmth like a wave through her body as adrenalin began coursing through her veins. Something about his tone was…sinister. "Th-then who are you h- helping?" The adrenalin made it easier to speak.

Her heart dropped when Hades wrapped an arm around her waist and gripped her side tightly. He looked down on her, a cruel sparkle in his eye. "The Dark Lord."

Ginny weakly tried to pull away, but she knew it was no use. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I'm doing what Lord Voldemort instructed me to do."

Ginny stopped walking, digging her feet into the soft earth. So Hades began to drag her along with him, seemingly without effort. He didn't look as strong as he obviously was.

She took a deep breath. "But he's d-dead!"

Hades let out a cackle of laughter. "Yes, he is. But he left instructions for me, along with that folder of yours," he said, almost gleefully. "He said that if you were to come for the files, I was to treat you with respect – but to be certain you would not be with Harry Potter."

"W-what?" Ginny asked breathlessly.

"He told me to be certain you were not in a relationship with Harry Potter. I assume it's to make that Potter boy miserable so that he will be easier for another Death Eater to kill," Hades said, shrugging. "All I know was I was to send a clear message that should Potter be near you he would be in danger. That's why I killed the Mudblood hiker."

"You killed the hiker?" Ginny almost shrieked, half with relief and half with terror.

Hades cackled again, the closest she imagined he'd ever come to a full-on laugh. "Yes. And now that Potter and you are no longer together – everyone knows you tried to kill him – I assume the Dark Lord wouldn't mind if I finished you off, too."

Now Ginny bent her knees and hit the ground. She flung herself forward to that Hades stumbled, then she pushed herself back onto her knees and reached for the waist of his trousers, where she could see the end of his wand sticking out. The lantern hit the ground and went out as her fingers clutched the end of the wand, but before she could pull it out Hades grabbed her wrist and twisted her around, flinging her onto her back. She winded and gasped in pain before moving her legs to kick him in the gut. Hades grunted, and then reached for his wand. Instead of cursing her, he jammed the end of it into the hollow of her throat. She choked even when he moved the wand away, attempting to gasp for air but her throat still feeling closed up. It was hard to see with tears blurring her vision, but she could make out the outline of Hades aiming his wand down at her.

"Ava-" Suddenly, his wand hit the ground as Hades grabbed his head and fell to his knees, screaming. Ginny wondered for a brief second what had caused his sudden pain, looking around in a panic for where a curse could have come from…afraid it was coming for her next. But then she felt it. Energy draining from her body, feeling like it was escaping her body. Could she be using magic without knowing it? But this wasn't what it felt like to cast a spell…

What are you waiting for? Take the wand!

Tom! Was he causing the headache in Hades as he had in her? But why? And how had –

You don't have time to think, Ginevra. Act!

She reached out for the wand and felt relief fill her body when she managed to take hold of the cool, smooth wood and then back away from the Death Eater. She held it up to Hades's face and…stood, shaking, unsure of what to do. Hades glared at her and tried to move forward, but the pain was too intense.

Kill him!

"I can't!" Ginny gasped.

He will kill you!

"I won't use an Unforgivable!"

Then you'll die!

"Of course you won't, you're a weak Mudblood lover who-" Hades began screaming, letting go of his head and getting to his feet.

Ginny closed her eyes tight. "Accio boat!" Then she hit the ground.

"What did you just…" The sentence drifted as Hades comprehended what was about to happen. He had no time to react; the boat hit his head with a loud th-wack and he hit the ground. Less than a second later the boat landed somewhere behind her.

Nervously, she looked up at Hades. He was motionless and a stream of blood flowed from his head, but he was breathing. She'd need to get back home and tell people he was –

But she couldn't go home, could she? Whether she'd murdered the hiker or not, she had still tried to kill Harry. They would find out about the voice in her head, only they would assume she was crazy. And since Tom would never leave, she would be trapped forever in St. Mungo's with no way to get rid of him.

Do you really want to know how to be rid of me, Ginny dearest?

Ginny winced as she pushed herself onto her feet. She hadn't realized how sore her muscles were before…but then, of course they were. She'd been laying basically still for two days. "I don't believe for a second you'll tell me, Tom."

What if I were to promise to tell you, right now?

"I'd know you were just teasing me," sighed Ginny. She then growled in frustration when she realized that hitting the ground with the wand had broken it in two. She dropped one piece to the ground then threw the other half into the river. "You never tell me anything straight out."

Start on your way home. Follow the river to your left.

This caused Ginny to pause. Why would Tom want her to go home – back to Harry?

Of course I don't want you to go back to him. But you must gather some things for your journey.

Ginny frowned. "What journey?"

You must gather three items. Then you must recite a spell. And then…I will no longer be here.

"Why would you help me get rid of you?" Ginny breathed. Shock filled her mind. She couldn't comprehend that he had been here torturing her for so long and now suddenly…he was going to set her free. It couldn't be possible that he was giving her hope. There had to be some catch.

Do you think I enjoy being trapped in you head, little Ginny? No. It is time for me to move on.

Actually, she did think that he enjoyed it. But she wasn't about to argue. She had hope, finally. She couldn't spend time thinking about what his true motives were. For all she knew, he really was ready to move on.

"What items?" she asked, now moving forward, towards the river.

I am not giving this to you, Ginevra. There is a price to pay.

As she turned left, Ginny gnawed on her bottom lip, and realized she was beginning to get feeling back in it again. "I knew this was too easy. What do you want?"

One…tiny…little…secret.

"A secret?" she breathed, making her way through a thorny path beside the river. She winced as her dress caught one of the bushes and scratched her legs.

One secret. One you do not even like to admit to yourself.

Ginny bit the nail of her thumb as she walked. A secret? Something she didn't like to admit to herself? Why would he want that?

Which is more important – my motives or your freedom?

She knew she was being tricked. But she was so desperate to be free, to have her normal self back. Maybe she could fix her life, fix things with Harry, have friends again, help her family heal…

"One secret," she murmured, trying to search her memories for one thing he did not know and that she did not like to think about. There was one secret that was obvious – one she felt he wanted to hear. But he must already know. If she could avoid saying it out loud, then she would.

You know what I want you to say. Say it.

She shook her head weakly.

Say it and be free.

She took in a slow, deep breath as she attempted to focus on moving forward. The words sat at the tip of her tongue, refusing to leave her mouth.

Say it.

"When I was a First Year…I…" she began. Then she decided to just say it quick and get it over with before her indecision and agonizing amused him too much. "When I was a First Year, I was in love with you."

She moved forward without another word, tears of humiliation gathering in her eyes. This was probably what he wanted – her to feel embarrassed, hurt, low. Well, he'd succeeded.

…That secret will do, he said with satisfaction. Yes. It'll do nicely.

Artificial: I just realized I did one of my 'old school' ending authors notes last chapter. xD Sorry about that. Well, please review. It encourages me to update faster. Not trying to convince you to review (except I totally am), but being honest. xD