Best Kept in Secret

by evanescence147

Where is the line between good and evil? There is Black and White, but many shades of gray. Ginny is sent on a mission, but can she destroy the man she has loved since first year, or will she fall into darkness? GinnyxTom

3. Welcome to Hogwarts

Shadows all around you as you surface from the dark
Emerging from the gentle grip of night's unfolding arms
Darkness, darkness everywhere, do you feel all alone?
The subtle grace of gravity, the heavy weight of stone

You don't see what you possess, a beauty calm and slear
It floods the sky and blurs the darkness like a chandelier
All the light that you possess is skewed by lakes and seas
The shattered surface, so imperfect, is all that you believe

I will bring a mirror, so silver, so exact
So precise and so pristine, a perfect pane of glass
I will set the mirror up to face the blackened sky
So you can see your beauty every morning that you rise

Chapter II

A soft ding, slowy and steadily growing louder entered my foggy brain and filled my slumber with dreams of a sound I couldn't make disappear

A soft ding, slowy and steadily growing louder entered my foggy brain and filled my slumber with dreams of a sound I couldn't make disappear. Suddenly, I bolted forward as everything that happened yesterday, smashed into me.

I dared not cry, for if I did, I feared I'd never stop, never ever stop. I grabbed my small black suitcase, and quietly went downstairs. Professor McGonagall, Hermione, and my family members sat in the living room, waiting, for me. Professor McGonagall stood, pacing, her face full of anticipation and slight worry. Hermione sat next to Ron in this thing that was too big to be a chair but too small to be a couch. My mum and dad stood together, holding each other so tightly. Fred and George stood by the small dingy window and Charlie by the book case.

The room was darkly light, dingy, and old. Ha just like the rest of this house I thought darkly.

"Good Morning, Darling," Mum said her eyes red, "Are you well?"

I nodded, snorted softly, slightly, what else could I say, I thought coolly. I sat down on a singly chair, lowering my single bag, and said nothing, though my mind begged to differ. It was racing from thought to thought, starting something, dropping it, starting in the middle of something else. I wanted to scream, my head hurt so bad, but I held it in. I always held it in.

"G-Ginny," Hermione whispered, "This is the time turner,"

Hermione held up a gold chain, with a golden heart locket. She took Ginny's wand, and whispered "Ginny Weasley," and with a soft click the locket opened and a small time turner was in it.

"Every turn it goes back a year, since it is September 5th, when you enter Tom's teenage years, you will be there on the same date, September 5th. Do you understand?" Professor McGonagall asked her voice soft and warm. I nodded, again.

"When you finish the mission, say to the locket "Finished" and kiss it. The magical spell I have placed will then thrust you forward into time, into roughly this exact date, time and place. We will all be waiting," Hermione said, and smiled an encouraging smile.

"The locket only responds to your wand, your voice, and my voice, and the password is Ginny Weasley. Here is a note for Professor Dumbledore, explaining as much as possible without giving much away and asking that he allows you into the school, and creates a false background story about you," Hermione said, handing Ginny the locket.

"Whenever you are ready," Ron said, ruffling my hair. I nodded.

"I love you all, so much," I whispered, "And I will not fail,"

"We love you too Ginny, so much. And you're father and I are so proud, we all are. You are taking on a very big and brave mission, and we are so happy you agreed to it, and…and we believe in you Ginny. You will succeed," Mum said, tears running down her face, but a proud smile beamed out from under the blotchy redness and tears.

I smiled, with one last hug for everyone, savoring the feel, savoring the warmth, I pulled away. I took the time turner, and allowed Hermione to twist it for me. She stepped back quickly, and suddenly I felt myself being sucked into this black hole, my mind reeling, though I dared not move.

I allowed the current to pull me in whatever direction I was supposed to go. Blackness was all around me, it was enticing yet frightening, and I felt myself involuntarily shiver. Suddenly I slammed into something hard, and I felt myself topple slightly and start to fall.

As I was falling, my mind was reeling, what was I suppose to do. Out of fear, all I could do was hold onto my wand and my bag.

CRASH

My body slammed into ice cold water. I was so tired, and the surface was so far away. I needed to breathe, but I couldn't move.

I'm so tired I drowsily thought, it feels so nice this darkness, this nothingness.

Suddenly I felt something pulling me up. My grip on my wand and bag tightened. I was being pushed and pulled towards the surface. Feebly I tried to break free.

Let me go I thought angrily to myself, leave me alone

I hit the surface, and my body forced me to gasp for breaths that I had so willingly lost. It was cold, but the air was warm. I shivered slightly, the robes drenched. I turned towards the figure sitting next to me, dripping wet, and raised an elegant eyebrow.

"Bloody hell girly," the strikingly familiar voice gasped, "What are you trying to pull?"

My face tightened, and I sucked in a gulp of air in surprise. Closing my eyes for a few seconds, and opening them they began to focus on very beautiful black haired teen boy with chocolate colored eyes and his Gryffindor colors showing brightly.

"I…well…" I stammered, the boy became perfectly clear in my vision, and suddenly my heart flopped and skipped. It was Potter, except not Harry Potter, but it was still a Potter. Even with drenched hair, the Potter had that famous crazy black hair. I stood up suddenly, thrusting my wand into my pocket.

"I…thank you," I said finally, and then I ran. Racing towards the castle, ignoring the queer stares I received and bursting threw the doors coming. Skidding to a halt, wide eyed, flushed and slightly panting I realized I face to face with Dumbledore.

Fandamntastic I thought bitterly, first the black lake, then Potter, now Dumbledore. Hell, what else can go wrong?

"Ah, um and who are you?" Professor Dumbledore asked politely, a slight twinkle in his blue eyes. I resisted the urge to hug him, but failed. Grabbing him in my arms, I almost laughed at the bemused expression Dumbledore gave me.

"My name is Ginny, and it's great to meet you," I said, and extended a slightly wet note to the professor. Dumbledore took the note apprehensively, and began reading. It was hard to distinguish any emotion in Dumbledore's face…I never could do that in the present so it wasn't a surprise when I couldn't do it 40 some years ago.

"Ah Miss Ginny, I believe a nice chat in my office will do," Professor Dumbledore said lightly, I smiled. I could feel Dumbeldore's mind press against my own, trying to read my private thoughts. My smile became a smirk; my occlumency was to put it boldly, perfect. It even could withstand Voldemort at his height of power. Dumbledore could never breach my mind, nobody could.

"Well, it seems you are not from our time," Professor Dumbledore said calmly. I nodded curtly.

"And you have a mission, any details?" Professor Dumbledore asked, I smile.

"I'm sorry Professor, but I can't give too much away. I promise that I will not kill anybody, and I will only stick with my mission," I said confidently. Professor Dumbledore nodded.

"Your name will be Ginny Hale, and you are a pureblood from Romania, which I believe you are familiar with that place?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, very," I said, having been to Romania many times visiting Charlie. Charlie, my heart ached at his name.

"Alright, you may roam around Hogwarts, and get yourself acquainted with everything. Dinner is at 6 o'clock sharp, and you will give a brief introduction about yourself, and then you shall be sorted.

"Since today is a Friday, you shall have the weekend for getting ready for classes and everything. You school supplies will arrive tomorrow, and your class schedule will be arriving shortly. I'm guessing that people in the future are more advanced, since you have created a time traveler that can go so far back, so the classes should be fairly easy.

"You will be in your with the other students in 6th year, since that is the year requested. I shall see you tonight, Miss Hale," Professor Dumbledore said smiling, I nodded, and holding on tightly to my small black bag, I left the room.

I did as Dumbledore instructed, I roamed around the school. I walked around comparing Hogwarts then to Hogwarts in my time, often amusing myself with silly little stories my mum use to tell me when I was a child. I started singing softly to myself a little tune that always seemed to find its way into my head.

I will bring a mirror, so silver, so exact

The Black Lake lay right in front of me. Glistening innocently, like it did not know that it had almost claimed a life. I glared at it, and sat down, still singing.

So precise and so pristine, a perfect pane of glass

The sun began setting, and a beautiful display of colours began dancing merrily on the Black Lake.

I will set the mirror up to face the blackened sky

It started getting chilly; I shivered slightly, and took a quick look at my watch in my pocket. It was almost 6, almost time for dinner. Sighing, I stood up, and began walking towards the castle grounds, passing a group of boys animatedly talking of Quidditch, a cute couple holding hands whispering to each other, and a girl standing alone her eyes staring into space.

You will see your beauty every moment that you rise

I walked into the Great Hall, and an overwhelming feeling of lost slammed into my. Tears threatened to escape, but expertly I held them in. A small hush fell over the crowd, as girls began eyeing me up some looking for friendship, others already rivalry splashed across their face, and yet others didn't really mind my presence.

I began walking towards the staff table. Professor Dumbledore rose, and smiled at me encouragingly. I smiled faintly back.

"Students," Headmaster Dippit said in a scratchy voice, "Please welcome Miss Ginny Hale. Please a little about yourself Miss Hale,'

"Well…" I let my sentence trail off thoughtfully, "My name is Ginny, as you know. I'm sixteen, and I lived in Romania. I was home schooled all my life…but then my parents had a little accident. My dad was a dragon trainer…and he was showing us this new female Hungarian horntail…and she…well…now I need to go here," I spoke softly, knowing how convincing my lie was.

"Our deepest apologies Miss Hale," Headmaster Dippit said, and paused for a few moments, "The hat if you please,"

I took the sorting hat, and placed it gingerly on my head.

Well…hello there, your brain is so…knowledgeable and smart; you would do well in Ravenclaw. But I see bravery in you Gryffindor would also be a good house.

How about Slytherin…you could be great you know. It's all here, in your head. And Slytherin could help you on your way to greatness, there's no doubt about that.

Ginny shivered at those familiar words. She remember Harry talking about his sorting experience, and felt that these words belonged to Harry and should not have been spoken to her.

I see much sadness The Hat whispered, and I see a mission, ah, I know the house for you.

"SLYTHERIN," The Hat shrieked, waves of relief in Ginny. She took the hat off, and nimbly walked towards the Slytherin table. Applause rang loudest from the table; most Gryffindors didn't even bother clapping hearing the hat yell Slytherin.

"Hello Ginny, my name is Eileen Prince," I looked up to see a pale yet beautiful girl grinning cheekily at me.

"…Hey," I murmured softly.

"Ginny…you know for a pureblood from Romania…you look a lot like a…Weasley," A loud voice said coldly, a low hiss of disapproval rang out at the name of the infamous blood-traitorous family. Ginny turned to a boy with silver blond hair, and a pointed chin. A Malfoy…

"And what's your name ferret?" I demanded moodily. A small giggle escaped my lips at Malfoy's shocked expression. Apparently not many people messed with him.

"Well…that's what you get for screwing around with a newbie," a calm voice came from the seat next to me. I saw a very short girl, no taller then five feet sitting next to me. Her thick brown hair to her shoulders, her bangs slightly covering her gray eyes glued to her book. At a few seconds, she looked up, smiling shyly.

"My name is Winona Yaxley," Winona said softly. She looked nothing like the Yaxley that had so coldly killed Charlie. I shivered involuntary at the thought of my dead brother. In fact Winona looked so small and frail, I was afraid that I would break her with one little poke.

"And this prick," Winona said in her soft voice gesturing to him, "Is Tom Riddle,"

I nodded curtly, and grabbing a chocolate pudding cup, and busied myself with eating. Snorting slightly, I thought of Luna, and her strange adoration of Hogwart's chocolate pudding. Of course her adoration disappeared the moment she tried my mum's pudding. I smiled faintly at the memory, grasping it close to me as long as possible.

"How about a hello," the painfully familiar voice asked disdainfully, I raised an eyebrow, keeping my cool.

"How bout a bow," I asked coolly, a few gasps were heard from those sitting near enough to hear. Tom mirrored my raised eyebrow expression. I returned to eating my pudding.

"You know normally I would hex people who spoke so rudely, but since you are new I'll let this slide, once," Riddle said coldly, his black eyes boring into. A small giggle escaped my lips, sounding to me a little hysterical.

"Thank you so much," I said, my words dripping with sarcasm. Riddle narrowed his eyes, and glared at me. I continued to eat my pudding, but was slightly distracted with the soft push in my head.

"Cute, you're trying to use occlumency," I said in a baby voice, "Note the very important word; trying,"

We glared at each other for a few moments; everyone felt the tension around us. I could see a few sympathetic looks.

Ha, Riddle has no idea who he's dealing with I thought I guess this may give me a start.

"Enough of this, it's boring me to no end," I said, and stood up. I started walking away, but Riddle's voice stopped me.

"Do you have any idea where you are going?" His bored voice rang out, the hall slightly hushed.

"I'll figure it out, Riddle," I said, I started walking again.

"Hale," I turned slightly, having forced my mind to get use to the last name. I raised an eyebrow.

"Watch yourself," Tom's voice said coolly, and already I could see an evil little plot forming in his mind.

"Don't act too cocky Riddle, I know how to take care of myself," I said, and with that I walked out of the Great Hall, a rush of whispers racing around. I closed the doors behind me, and realized Riddle had a point. I had no idea where the Slytherin common room was.

"Ginny?" A soft voice rang out, I turned to see Winona. She was fidgeting slightly with her hands. Her eyes cast away. I nodded gratefully. I followed her, and together we walked towards the common room.

"I…you should be more careful," Winona finally blurted out. I looked at her in surprise.

"You shouldn't pick fights with the toughest guys in school, Malfoy, Riddle, and Potter being the top three," Winona said, and a sharp look crossed her face as she mention the Gryffindor name.

"I…" I paused and saw true concern written all over Winona's face, her eyes shinning determinedly. My heart melted a bit, and her sign of affection.

"Not to mention, you've already got a lot of rivals because not only are you really beautiful, and you are probably really smart, but Potter," That cross look flashed across Winona's face again, "…saved you,"

"Y-you know?" I asked, surprise flashed into my face for a few seconds.

"Everyone knows, and although myself and the Slytherins truly hate it Potter is well… "Popular with the ladies," as he puts it…and well you already have enough enemies from those fan girls, you definitely don't need Tom Riddle as you enemy as well," Winona said quickly. I smiled.

"Thank you, so much for your concern," I said, and Winona sighed a breathe in relief, "But I can take care of myself,"

Winona nodded in defeat, but smiled good naturedly. I knew we would be good friends…even if she was a…Yaxley.

We entered the dark dungeons, and stopped in front a bare stone wall with a tiny crest of a snake.

"Silvertongue," Winona said softly, and the door opened revealing a long, low corridor which we entered.

"The greenish effect is from the Black Lake," Winona said seeing my confusion. I raised a surprised eyebrow but said nothing. We found a door, and entered into the common room furnished with green lamps and carved armchairs. A black fireplace with a green fire light, crackling merrily. All around me the Slytherin colours of green and silver danced around.

"Welcome to the Slytherin Common Room," Winona said brightly, smiling I come to the two stares separating the girls and the boys dormitories.

"The left," Winona said, answering my silent question. I quickly walked upstairs, and after a few moments found my room. Winona had followed me in, and smiling brightly she said

"You're sharing a room with me, and Eileen. Our other two room mates are Tara Lee and Evelyne. They're twin sisters, though they don't look much alike," Winona said, and slid onto her bed.

I nodded, and listened as she talked away about all the people at school, the annoying teachers and cool teachers, and of course the boys. Winona once you get to know her was not shy. At first I thought she was a little plane, but once I had really gotten the time to look at her, I saw her skin was a very beautiful toned color, and her hair cut worked very well with her short body.

I began unpacking my clothes, putting them in the closet next to me. Winona inspected my clothes, biting her cheek when she saw something really cute. My clothes were actually in better shape then my brothers, seeing as I was the only girl, and luckily I didn't get hand me downs from my brothers, thank God.

The night stand next to me had a little drawer which I put all the little gifts I had received, and of course Hermione's book. I placed a small spell on it, so that only my eyes could read it. Suddenly I realized Fleur's dress, sighing I pulled it out. Winona almost burst into tears at the sight of the beautiful dress.

It was obviously made for a vela, because it was so beautiful, and probably would only accommodate a vela. It was a spaghetti strapped dress that fell to m feet in a flow of silky fabric. It was a soft silver colour; in fact it reminded me of the breath taking dress that Fleur wore to the Yule Ball.

I placed a handy charm on it making sure that it wouldn't be wrinkled, and folded it up and placed it in my draw. Then out of pure habit, I began placing spells on my drawers and closet so that nobody could open it but me.

"What are you doing?" Winona asked curiously.

"I'm making sure nobody will be able to open it, but me," I said simply. Winona's mouth hung out.

"What?" I asked surprised at her curios response.

"You can do silent magic," Winona breathed.

Ah yes… I thought, Silent magic, very helpful when you are sneaking up on someone.

"Yeah, I'm pretty good. I mean I can't do really powerful spells, but I can do simple little charms," I said with a smile. Winona sighed with a sudden awe of respect.

"Wow," Winona said, and suddenly the door opened. Two red haired girls walked in, their hair strikingly similar to mine, though mine was a more blood red then their carrot orange color.

"Hey…you must be Ginny Hale," the taller of the two said, "My name is Tara Lee Wistlet,"

"I'm Evelyne Wistlet," The smaller one said. I smiled a little forcibly, and shook their hands.

"I'm so tired, already we've got a million test to study for and its only been a week," Tara Lee complained, as she jumped onto her bed. Evelyne just shook her head at her sister's whinning, and took out a book. She reminded me a lot of Hermione, Evelyne did. And Tara Lee reminded me of Ron, and Winona…

I pushed all these thoughts out of my head.

Enough, I commanded myself sternly, stop thinking about them you have a mission to do

An hour or so later, Evelyne had closed her curtains, and with a crisp "Good Night" had promptly fallen asleep. Eileen had walked in with a clearly annoyed look on her face, flashing me a forced smile, she too closed her curtains, and without a single word fell asleep.

Finally, Winona and Tara Lee tired of talking, and they too fell a sleep. It was dark, it was quiet, and I was awake. I slowly slipped out of bed, and walked towards the window. I didn't worry about being seen, for all they girls had their curtains up. I sat right next to the window pain, and slowly tune that always made its way into my head, escaped my lips.

You don't see what you possess, a beauty calm and slear

It floods the sky and blurs the darkness like a chandelier

All the light that you possess is skewed by lakes and seas
The shattered surface, so imperfect, is all that you believe

I slowly left the enticing darkness of the night, and walked carefully back into my bed. Sighing, I fell into a deep dreamless slumber

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Onwards to the next chapter…

Evanescence147