Chapter 6
It was at breakfast a couple of days later that Ginny received her first piece of mail in 1944. She was in the middle of nibbling on a crispy strip of bacon when the large tawny owl swooped by to deliver her a small scroll.
Ginny already had her suspicions of who it could be from though her hands trembled slightly as she unfurled the parchment. It was not an odd sight for students to receive mail and as far as they knew the 'new' student was no different.
Let's discuss your progress after class this afternoon. Transfiguration is certainly a fascinating subject isn't it?
-Professor Dumbledore
She glanced toward the head table but Dumbledore was in deep discussion with the headmaster. She turned back to her breakfast eating in silence. Evelyn had decided to skip breakfast and instead study for her next class so Ginny had to go at it alone.
Since Evelyn had found out about her after-detention walk with Tom Riddle she had been giving her knowing smiles. It frustrated her to no end that she was so close to just exploding and telling Evelyn exactly why it was she disliked him so much.
Ginny bounced up after finishing her breakfast. She couldn't squash down that feeling of hope. Just maybe she would be arriving home soon. She had had enough of feeling on edge every hour of every day, even if it had only been a week or so. The only thing that worried her now was saying goodbye to Evelyn. Despite her misplaced fondness for Tom Riddle she was a good person and Ginny would miss her.
It seemed that classes would progress very slowly for Ginny today as she was already counting down the minutes until her meeting with Dumbledore.
-V-
Finally the time had come, it had been difficult to concentrate all day and Ginny was nearly buzzing with anticipation.
"Miss Fawcett." Dumbledore said when she approached him after class. "Let us speak in my office." His office was only around the corner and it took no time at all before they were seated just as they had been that first evening she had arrived, hot tea sitting in front of them both.
"I trust you've been doing well since your arrival." He spoke softly after a moment of silence.
"Yes I've been … well." She wasn't sure if that was the right word to describe how she was doing.
"I've heard from most professors that you seem to be progressing well. Good news." He nodded to himself. "I've noticed you've taken to the company of Evelyn Hopkins. Very intelligent girl, I hope she's assisting in your… transition here."
Ginny nodded reverently. "Very helpful."
"I've asked you to meet this afternoon to see if you've settled."
Ginny couldn't hide the disappointment on her face. "So no news on when I can return back home?"
He apologetically shook his head. "I'm afraid not Miss Fawcett. It seems it will be quite a tricky task." He opened his mouth as if to say more but chose not to.
"I don't know if I'm doing this correctly." Ginny blurted out feeling embarrassed. "I just mean…" She trailed off, not entirely sure how to word her thoughts. "I know the future… I mean… how can I not…. do something… with the things that I know." Ginny blushed at her incoherency.
"You have a terrible burden on your shoulders Miss Fawcett. One I would not wish upon anyone. You have a responsibility."
Knowing where this was going Ginny could feel the prickling of tears welling up in frustration.
"Resist temptation. Mysterious thing, time. Powerful, and when meddled with, dangerous." He clasped his hands together and settled further back into his seat.
Ginny sat abjectly, willing herself not to cry in front of one of the most powerful wizards of all time. Once was enough back in first year.
Sensing her fragile state of mind, he rose from his seat signalling the end of the conversation. "I will be in contact with you as soon as I've heard back from my contact. In the meantime don't hesitate in asking for assistance."
Ginny began to shuffle towards the door, wishing she did not have a Defence against the Dark Arts class in an hour.
"As I always say Miss Fawcett, help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it." Were his parting words before Ginny left his office.
-V-
After classes for the day had been completed and Evelyn had left for a prefect meeting, Ginny found herself curled up on a rather comfortable armchair in the common room, flipping through the pages of the Daily Prophet, trying to distract herself from what Dumbledore had said. Ever since last year's atrocious reporting on Harry she had always read anything printed on its pages with a jaded eye.
'Grindelwald's Terror' was emblazoned on the front page and Ginny scanned through the printed words, finding it much more distressing than listening to Professor Binns discussing it in class decades later.
A few other Ravenclaw students were scattered around the common room but just as it had been for the past couple of weeks, they did not pay any mind to her. Ginny was just thrilled with the fact that they weren't staring anymore.
It had been hard getting through her last class. If anything she felt stupid for getting her hopes up like that. Dumbledore had said it would take time and she would just have to deal with that however she could. She longed to really talk to someone about her problem. She felt too intimidated in Dumbledore's presence but who else was there?
Hearing the door to the tower creaking open Ginny glanced up to see Evelyn returning from her meeting. She watched her walk towards the dormitories, almost skipping. It looked like she had just heard a particularly amusing joke as she was sporting a large grin. Instantly curious, Ginny folded up her paper and followed the prefect up to the dorms.
Evelyn was standing in the middle of the room, hands on her hips when Ginny entered.
"Meeting was good then?" Evelyn jumped, hand to her chest and spun around to face a now smirking Ginny.
"Oh," she paused. "I was just looking for you."
"And here I am." Ginny jumped onto her bed, throwing her copy of the prophet onto her bedside table. "How was the meeting?"
At this Evelyn gave a rather sly smile before hopping on her own bed to face Ginny. "Oh nothing very interesting to report I'm afraid." Her tone implied otherwise. Ginny's curiosity was piqued.
"Oh really now?" She said airily lying back against the bed's headboard and crossing her arms. "And why don't I believe you."
"I have not the foggiest idea what you're talking about." She said primly.
The redheaded witch harrumphed and continued to watch her friend not meet her eye with that sly smile still plastered on her face.
Never one with much patience Ginny counted to three before blurting out. "Come on, out with it!"
"Alright, alright!" Evelyn laughed. "It's just-" She let out an uncharacteristically girly giggle.
"Merlin this must be good." Ginny slid to the edge of her bed, kicking her legs out excitedly.
"Oh yes, you'll just love it." She paused for dramatic effect. "A certain wizard whom you irrationally dislike has been asking about you."
Ginny's stomach dropped instantly, almost too afraid to ask she murmured. "Please tell me this is a joke."
Evelyn, finding great joy in the situation, laughed again. "Tom Riddle wants to know everything about you." She sang teasingly.
Face in her palms Ginny groaned, cursing herself for not shutting her big mouth when he walked her to the common room. "I'm such an idiot."
"You know I'm still waiting to hear exactly what happened after detention. You're being very coy you know." Smiling mischievously Evelyn shuffled closer. "You must have left a lasting impression."
"Merlin I'm an idiot." Ginny repeated.
"Explanation now, complaining later."
"I… I can hardly remember. It was nothing. He just thinks I don't like him."
"Well you don't." Evelyn scoffed.
"Yeah, but he wasn't supposed to know that." She mumbled under her breath. "Well what did he ask you?"
Evelyn pursed her lips in thought. "Well, he didn't ask me anything."
Ginny waited for her to continue but it became evident she was going to make Ginny drag out every bit of information. "Who did he ask then?"
"He didn't exactly ask anyone."
Ginny fell back on her bed hands to her temples. "Evelyn! Did you make that up just to embarrass me?"
Evelyn reddened. "I suppose I may not have worded things properly…" She trailed off.
"On purpose!" Ginny exclaimed. "Just to antagonise me and I thought we were friends!"
"You're being very dramatic Ginny." Evelyn was still smiling. "He didn't ask about you per say-"
"So you lied."
"-but a few others were and he seemed quite interested." Evelyn continued, ignoring Ginny's interruption. "It was before the meeting had officially begun and we were waiting for a few of the late ones. Cyril from Hufflepuff was asking if you'd settled down alright, lovely guy though kind of forgetful, I told him how you were doing great. That it was like you'd always been at Hogwarts, never getting lost." At this Ginny closed her eyes in frustration, yet another slip up. "Tom was watching me, listening to my answers I would guess. Anyway by this point everyone's arrived and Cyril said 'It must be exciting knowing someone looking for manticores in Australia'-"
"He's looking for dragons." Ginny interjected, trying to save face from her latest slip up on her 'background'. "Atleast I can remember that one." She thought.
Evelyn gave her a knowing look. "I know, so does Tom Riddle who told him as such."
Ginny frowned, not liking that he knew things about her, even if it was common knowledge to the school. "That's strange."
"You don't understand. It was very out of character for him." She said excitedly. "He never talks about anyone… or anything really, at least not like that. Everyone in the room went silent."
Ginny's frown worsened, she didn't like this latest development at all. She wasn't supposed to attract any attention yet she had, and from the very person she absolutely shouldn't have. She had been worrying about this more and more for the past couple of days. Each time she walked by Riddle he would always greet her, not Evelyn only her, much to the amusement of Evelyn, and now he was talking about her. What was she supposed to do if Dumbledore didn't want her to interfere?
"I think you've intrigued him. Maybe he wants to know what your tutor taught you. He seems interested in all things magical." Evelyn was still laughing about the incident and teasing her now quiet friend. "Come on, dinner should be served soon."
The two girls made their way down to the Great Hall, thankfully discussing classes instead of boys. Ginny's mind was still elsewhere trying to assess what her next move should be towards Riddle. She'd purposely been taking long routes to class today just to avoid the possibility of seeing him but she didn't think that would be enough knowing how ruthless he was when he wanted something. The only problem was, Ginny wasn't sure what he wanted. Did he know? All she could hope for was that Evelyn was over-exaggerating the situation.
Taking a seat at the Ravenclaw table Ginny began to pile up her plate with roast beef. Evelyn learnt quite early on that Ginny had a ravenous appetite. Growing up with all her brothers Ginny couldn't quit old habits. At least she didn't look nearly as horrendous as Ron when he ate, but tonight was different altogether.
Picking at her roast beef with her fork, not quite able to stomach what she usually could, Ginny glanced around the room. She couldn't stop herself from roving her eyes past the Slytherin table, pausing on the pale face of one Tom Riddle. It seemed he too did not have quite an appetite, his plate still full, fork in one hand poking at the food like her. He had his chin resting in his palm lazily as he listened to his housemates.
Why did this have to happen to her? Sensing eyes on him, Riddle glanced up his gaze gliding directly to the Ravenclaw table. It happened more times than she would have liked, these shared looks. Almost as soon as his eyes had made contact with hers his lips pulled up into that same mocking smirk he saved for her. It made her blood boil. She glared for good measure before pointedly staring down at her plate.
What a mess.
Her thoughts were pulled back to the present when Ethan Harris came striding towards them with an easy smile on his face. Ginny grinned back, happy for the distraction, as he made his way over to their end of the table and taking a seat opposite them.
"Ginny, Evie." He said with a nod to each. "Gregans finished last year didn't he?"
"Yes he left and yes they are looking for a new chaser this year Ethan." Evelyn huffed. "Should have known that was why you came over here."
"Now now," He replied, hands up in mock surrender. "I also wanted to check on how Ginny is holding up."
Ginny perked up at the talk of quidditch. "I'm sensational thanks for asking Ethan." She deadpanned. "What's this about a new chaser? Are we talking about Ravenclaw?"
Evelyn sighed as it became clear that quidditch would once again be the main topic. "Yes, Ethan over here," She jabbed her fork towards him. "Tries to get all the details of our team even though I repeatedly tell him I don't know anything he doesn't."
He shrugged good-naturedly. "Maybe one day things will change."
"Well when's the try outs?" Ginny asked, getting excited at the thought of hopping back on a broom.
Evelyn frowned, tilting her head to the side. "It's on the weekend I think. Why did you want to watch?"
Ethan had cottoned on already to what Ginny was suggesting. "No way! Are you going to try out?" He exclaimed.
Looking at Evelyn's expression of shock, Ginny was regretting speaking up. "Yes," she said uncertainly. "I'd be a good chaser."
Ethan shook his head in disbelief. "You're something else Ginny Fawcett."
"There's no other girls on the Ravenclaw team Ginny." Evelyn explained. "Nor the Slytherin or Gryffindor team, I think there's one in Hufflepuff though. It's just…" she trailed off
"It's stupid!" Ethan interjected. "You should try out, though you'll never match my skills on the broom." He bragged.
Ginny debated the two options in her head. Yes, she was trying to keep a low profile and it seemed this may cause a bit of a stir here at this era of Hogwarts, but on the other hand she knew being on the team would be a needed distraction. "I will try out."
"I'll cheer you on." Evelyn gave her a small smile, though still looking quite puzzled at the thought that Ginny actually wanted to try out.
"Excellent." Ethan rose from his seat. "I'll be sure to inform the captain of this great new Intel I just received."
Both girls rolled their eyes before waving goodbye. Evelyn did not broach the subject of quidditch again, instead choosing to discuss her latest potions essay. Ginny hummed in agreement and nodded when necessary but was more distracted with a certain dark wizard whose gaze she could still feel was upon her. Refusing to look up Ginny stared down and attempted to ignore the prickling feeling on the back of her neck and the goose bumps forming on her arms.
Ginny was embarrassed by her reaction to him. He was still just a student after all, granted a very twisted and deranged student with grand schemes to take over the wizarding world, but Ginny reasoned these plans hadn't come to fruition yet.
Dumbledore had told her to stay away and to resist temptation to purposely alter the future, but how could she stop herself?
How about I don't change the past… maybe I can just observe.
Ginny nearly slapped herself right in the middle of the Great Hall. Of course it was so simple. She didn't have to go up to Riddle and off him or demand him to stop his silly scheme. All she had to do was find some useful information. Things that would help Harry. There must be loads of dark deeds Riddle got up to here at Hogwarts that would be useful. Maybe she could just find those.
The next obstacle presented itself, how would she find out his hidden secrets? She certainly couldn't bring herself to befriend him. Just one look from him caused her to scowl and hide and he didn't seem to be in desperate need for friends. There was no one she could try and question.
Ginny continued to ponder what to do when she noticed Riddle rise from his seat and begin to stride purposely out of the hall. Impulsively Ginny stood up, hands splayed atop the table.
She was going to follow him.
-V-
A/N: Another chapter, yes! Hope everyone is enjoying so far. It's always a slow start at the beginning trying to set up the back drop but it's getting to the main plot of the story and I'm excited! Ginny's on a mission, haha. I'm sure we can all guess it's not the best idea to spy on the future Dark Lord buuuut that's Ginny for you.
And yes that is a direct HP quote, couldn't resist.
Please leave a review with your thoughts on this chapter, I'd appreciate it. THANK YOU!