Chapter 3: Terrible Lie

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, just my own creative thoughts.

"Ginerva Jane Calpernia Weasley, what were you thinking falling asleep in the middle of the field late at night?!" her mother's voice screeched as she groggily reached for her cup of coffee on the kitchen table.

"Mum, it wasn't that I left late at night. The sun was barely setting! And it's not like I intended to fall asleep there!"

"What your mother is trying to say is that this happened out in the open. Who knows what could have happened to you?" Arthur Weasley attempted to explain.

Ginny sighed, "You mean you were worried some Death Eater might just happen to cross a random muggle farmer's field and come across me, right?"

The rest of the occupants of the kitchen tensed. She had voiced a concept that they had preferred to have left unsaid.

Her mother's temper ran out, "Yes! Merlin's beard, yes Ginny! We've already had too many close calls during Order business, we do not need stupidity to add to injury and worry well!" she shouted.

A silence fell.

Ginny bowed her head not for what she had done, oh no, but from the sudden understanding that she could never tell her family what really had happened. The tremendous secret weighed down on her like a ton of school books. If she told them who knew what the vampire would do? And he said he would be back, back, probably, for more. But, when would he come? She was leaving for Hogwarts in a couple of days so would he find her there or would she be safe?

Since that time in Hogsmade, Ginny had been researching vampires and knew their habits as well as any author did. She came to experience the unhappy reality that very little was actually certain about this magical race. From a scholarly point of view, her new position was incredible; she would be in close contact with a real vampire and not one of those weak bloods that are so often caught and sometimes enslaved like vampire Sanguini she saw at one of Slughorn's parties last year. This one was an ancient, powerful and real one; like those that used to rule the wild lands in the Alpes, the Black forest in Germany stretching into Eastern Europe, the Balkans and into deep Russia and the Near East. Part of her was excited, but the other, more sensible part of her, was terribly frightened. And now it was all a secret to be kept, she didn't dare entertain the idea of even telling her closest friend, Hermione. But, then again, she probably wouldn't see Hermione ever again. Since they were about to leave in a couple of days into their probably last adventure, things were going to be a lot more lonely.

Ginny resurfaced from her reverie to hear that she had been grounded for the rest of the summer, unable to go outside at all even if there was a family dinner in the garden; she would have to eat it alone in her room. She doubted if this was really going to be the case because her mother usually calmed down and grew lenient out of compassion. But, she took the punishment in stride, feeling rather discontent, but realizing that she only had a few days left till the final train ride to school it did not matter. Anyways, this way she would spend her days in her room and away from Harry. So really, her mother did her a favour by excusing her from the awkward moments and wasted energy of avoiding him the rest of his stay. It all turned out rather convenient to her. She had much more important matters at hand now, anyways. A small sneer appeared on her lips at the thought of Harry's diminishing importance in her life; it was a pleasure to feel free again.

The following nights Ginny experienced restless sleep, as if something had now been planted in her mind and started to take root, infiltrating all the dark crevices of her mind. It was uncomfortable and it brought back memories she had rather not relive. With her arrival at Hogwarts something else joined her dreams – some sort of piercing thought, like a probe. And finally, by the fourth day back at school, as she drifted into a tired sleep, she heard his voice.

"So this is where you are now, the silly wizarding school."

Ginny glanced around her pale, dream form trying to locate not only her location but his. "And I thought you wouldn't be able to find me." She replied, haughtily. "Have you been why I haven't been able to sleep well all week?"

He suddenly appeared in front of her, an elegant, slightly foreign dark cloak thrown over his form. He smiled, "So you're clever, that's encouraging."

Scowling, Ginny crossed her arms, "I'd appreciate it if you left me alone while I slept. I do need some rest, you know, and you keep poking about in my memories that I'd rather forget."

"I've noticed you seem to be rather defensive of them. I apologize for your discomfort. I was just curious."

"About what?"

"Your mind. If you didn't have such a defenceless, open mind then I wouldn't have been able to contact you for a lot longer."

She narrowed her eyes, "Well, I don't see what the use is. It's not like you can drink my blood through telepathic connection. And it's impossible for a stranger to enter Hogwarts, so better luck next time with that whole Blood Source thing." She turned her back to him and started strutting off into the darkness, hoping that she could just walk him out of her dream. No such luck.

Before she knew it her head was pulled back by her hair – not roughly, for it did not hurt, but strongly enough to frighten her a little. His eyes were turning into red pools amongst the normal grey; her throat tightened.

He leaned down, very close to her face, "I wouldn't be so sure. Without Dumbledore, Hogwarts is fair game for the likes of me." He whispered harshly and smirked, enjoying her rather terrified expression then he let go and pushed her forward into waking up, gasping for breath on her bed.

Ginny looked around. Her roommates were still asleep. Good. She didn't want any of them to witness her shivery, sweaty state. Grabbing her towel and soap she crept off to the Prefect's bathroom. There would be no further sleep tonight. As she lowered herself into the lovely bubbly concoction, she thought about her present situation. The vampire - oh God, she didn't even know his name! – seemed to have the ability of legilimency, how curious. But this bizarre term he kept using to describe her mind, this "open mind" thing really bothered her. Technically, if you aren't taught occlumency you aren't supposed to know how to defend the mind. But, he seemed to imply that there were natural barriers and then there were those vampires that had started it all. If it wasn't usual for wizards and witches to hear their trance-inducing incantations then either her knowledge of magic was missing an important link, or wizarding magic was missing a link to the rest of the world. Ginny decided she would look into this later. The most important problem she had on her mind at the moment was that he had unearthed memories that had begun to haunt her again. She sighed and sunk underwater.

Tom Riddle, oh how he had changed her life. It wasn't really well-known that the diary had possessed her years ago, but then again that just suited her just fine. Sometimes, when her temper got out of control, something familiar to those days flared inside her. Ginny smiled at the memory of what she had done to Draco with her tweaked version of the Bat-Bogey Hex. She had been furious then and he had been the cause of it. It felt so good to let out that little tiny bit of extra power into that hex, power that came from a darkness that was formed during her first year. Tom had helped create that little crack in her other-wise good upbringing. Since then she had never really had close contact with a truly dark person, until now. Maybe it was his presence in her mind that had made her reflect on herself like this. Usually, she would be too afraid to confront that part of her that she kept so well caged and suppressed inside her soul. It was more than uncomfortable to accept that she secretly harboured more than usual dark intentions, thoughts and desires, especially with such a good family and a good, heroic boyfriend. Ex- boyfriend, she corrected herself.

She slumped in the bath again, watching the mermaid playfully toy with her hair as she peered at Ginny flirtingly. Ginny's eyebrow rose questioningly. The mermaid blushed and jumped back into the lake water.

"I see I'm not the only one that enjoys the sight of you wet and naked." Drawled an all too familiar voice behind her.

She whirled around fury seething from her as she hid her body with the edge of the pool. He was leaning against the far wall, half in shadow or maybe he just looked like part of the shadow naturally with all his dark coloured clothes and all. "Even though, from here I can't see much at the moment." He added in an amused tone.

"Adore me so much already that you can't stay away even for a few hours? How touching." She leered.

This time he glared at her and started towards her. She immediately felt a little less courageous than before. He stood above her. "I suggest you hold your tongue. Presently, you are at my mercy, wand-less and greatly vulnerable. What makes you think you can get away with such speech?"

Ginny was beyond herself; she smiled. "I see you are the type to feed off all that fear-control business. I've faced the likes of you in battle many times." She could see her assessment of him did not lie well.

"I do not think those enemies were anything like me. Nevertheless, even with your wand you would not survive against me. Spells do not work the same. But," he paused and an evil, smug glint appeared in his eyes, "I suppose you've had contact with a little more unusual wizard before."

Ginny went pale. So he had seen penetrated her only defences. She pushed off the edge and sank into the pool and her own anguish. This way, at least he wouldn't be likely to follow her; he didn't seem the type to jump in after her when she clearly needed a moment to herself.

He leaned back against the wall pensively. Perhaps that had gone too far, he thought. Obviously, that period in her life would be a sensitive one, but it is very, very curious. She had harboured the young version of the Dark Lord in her mind; she had let him in as she had let me in. But she had not the intention of letting me in. He had come to a revelation: Riddle had stripped her of her mind's natural defences. It all made sense now, then a sudden wave of craving swept through him. He needed to feed.

When Ginny finally resurfaced he addressed her. "Get out of the water and dress. I need to feed."

She watched him with haunted, blank eyes closely not moving. Finally, as if she had made a decision she moved toward the pool access. "Don't look." She demanded protectively. He wordlessly turned his back on that side of the bathroom. Still a little suspicious she dried off and dressed more rapidly than ever in her life.

She tapped him on the shoulder to let him know she was done. He gave her a rather apologetic look as he turned to face her. "Is that supposed to be your way of saying sorry? Looking at me like that?"

He grinned, "Perhaps," his features didn't look so intimidating anymore; in fact Ginny finally had the ability to appreciate his good looks.

"One more thing!" she put her hand up hurriedly as he started to lean closer.

"What?"

"I'd like to know your name." Ginny's voice was soft in timidity.

He leaned into her ear and pulled away her damp hair, "Amadeus."