Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Chapter 5 – The First Test

The Golden Trio embarked from the cave at dawn. They followed the instructions Dumbledore left for Harry in his desk. Harry was unable to believe his luck when he received the letter from Dumbledore's estate at the reading of the will. Harry thought it was almost as if he knew his death was coming; it was just too bad his couldn't see would would bring him to the pearly gates.

At midday, they arrived at a stream. The directions read follow the stream north to gold that hits the ocean. They followed the stream until it divided into two smaller streams but neither of the streams went immediately north.

"Great now which way do we go?" Ron whined.

"Look, you and Hermione stay here. I am going to fly on my broom over the streams to see which one hits the ocean. It can't be far now." Harry said as he took off.

On the ground neither of the streams gave a golden hue. In the air the left fork glimmered with gold and sang to him. He knew that he should go back to Ron and Hermione, but he couldn't resist. He followed the golden stream to a golden waterfall that bleed into the ocean. He saw someone siting on a log on top of the waterfall. The person had long fiery hair, a golden complexion that radiated a golden aura, and was wearing a green gown made of the finest silk. He approached the vision wearily then gasped as he realized what sat before him. "Ginny?"

"Hello Harry." The vision said as she took his hand. "Walk with me."

"What are you doing here Ginny?" Harry asked.

"I am here to guide you because Dumbledore wished it so. Hold on tight to my hand Harry and leave your broom behind. It will be here when you come back."

Harry placed his firebolt on the ground. He took hold of her hand and watched her transform into a fiery gold phoniex. Ginny dove into the ocean while holding on to Harry tightly. Harry held onto his breath as he and Ginny flew into an underground cave. Beneath the water that flowed into the cave were riches beyond Harry's wildest dreams. Harry was so mesmerized by his surroundings that he did not notice Ginny morph back into a her human state. He reached out to touch the specks of gold when Ginny grabbed his hand.

"No Harry. They are cursed. All these jewels are nothing more than poison designed to lure the greedy to their deaths. We are here for one thing and one thing only, the worst of the lot – We are here for Hufflepuff's Cup."

"How are we to get the cup. When we tried for the locket Dumbledore died. It was all for nothing; the locket was fake." Harry said in desparation.

"I am well aware of the consequences of your last escapade Harry. We do not have time to dwell on the past. The past will not repeat itself this time. After all you have me. If you open your eyes you will learn more from that fake locket than would even imagine." Ginny said with a smirk.

"Don't smirk like that; you resemble Malfoy. It is erie." Harry said. "How am I suppose to get the cup?"

"Do you remember what it looked like from the house elf's memory?" Ginny asked.

"How do you know about that? How do you know about the cup? Why would Dumbledore want you of all people to guide me? Why didn't you tell us you are an amingus?" Harry asked suddenly becoming suspicious.

"We do not have time for these childish games Harry. Get the cup however you see fit. I will heal you in my other form if you should need me to." Ginny said exasperated.

"How do I know you are really Ginny?" Harry asked.

"Ask me a question that only Ginny Weasley would know." Ginny said. She was becoming bored quickly. If it wasn't for Dumbledore she would have left Harry here to die as he did her at the Burrow.

"When was the first time we slept together?" Harry asked.

"Really is that all you can come up with?" Harry looked at her with wide eyes. "Fine, We have never been intimate with each other."

Harry nodded as Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Get on with it Harry." Ginny said as she watched Harry pace around the small pond.

Seeing no other alternative, Harry reached into the water and grabbed the cup.

He turned back to Ginny. "Nothing happened." He said in shock.

"I know." Ginny replied. "Don't drink from the blasted thing; then you would surely need my services. Are you ready to head back?"

Harry nodded.

"Then hold on tight." Ginny took to flight once more. She led him to the waterfall where she transformed once again. "Remember Harry, do not drink from the cup."

With that said Ginny was engulfed in flames.

"Ginny…" breathed a stunned Harry.

Ginny appeared in the cottage surrounded by flames. Severus looked up from the couch where he was reading his paper.

"Did everything go well Ginny?" Severus asked.

"As well as can be expected." Ginny replied. "How is everything on the home front?"

"The Dark Lord requests an audience with you tonight." Severus said with a looked that told Ginny to brace herself.

At ten pm Ginny, Severus, and Draco flooed to Riddle Manor. Severus and Draco took their places in the audience of Death Eaters – Severus with his comrades in the inner circle and Draco with the peons in the outskirts.

Ginny approached the Dark Lord who extended his hand to her as she climbed the dais.

"My loyal followers, tomorrow you will raid Diagon Alley at 10 am. Now we will finalize our battle plans so there are no mistakes such as what happened at the Department of Mysteries last year." Voldermort announced.

A voice from the crowd spoke volumes that the rest of the audience did not have the nerve to ask. "What is her place in your plans?"

Ginny recognized the voice at once. The voice belonged to Lucius Malfoy. "Perhaps you will let me address him, father." Ginny requested.

Giny steeled herself. Her eyes took on a golden hue. The people surrounding Lucius were pushed aside by an unseen force so that Ginny had a direct view of him. Ginny noticed with a certain delight that he was not standing in the vacinity of the inner circle.

Lucius was picked up by the force and dragged to the dais. His body stopped just before the platform and his body extended itself so that once would think manicles were holding his body in place.

"Lucius, how delightful to see you again. Now you asked my place in my father's grand plans. That is none of your concern. Your only concern at his time is to heed my warning. Time for games is over. Your place has been lost. If you want to survive you will mind your time and earn your place by listening to instructions unlike your foolhardy mission which enabled me to become what I am today. I really must thank you Lucius. Your short sightedness gave me purpose." As Ginny said this the golden aura around her brightened until it blinded the room. The invisible bindings holding Lucius tightened.

Lucius still beliving himself her superior laughed at Ginny. "Aw, does the little girl know how to light a room? Tell me child is there anything else you can do?"

"Oh yes, Lucius there is plenty."

The dawn found Lucius reduced to pudding. When he looked up at Ginny fear shined in his eyes.

"How can a Weasley like you do such things?" Lucius asked as he tried to stop his voice from trembling.

"Oh Lucius, I am not just a Weasley anymore." Ginny said with a harsh laugh.

As she left the dungeon that housed Lucius she silently prayed to what ever god that was listening for forgiveness. She could only hope that she could outweigh her bad deeds with the good.

Ginny approached the throne room to find the Dark Lord sitting on his throne.

"I have been waiting for you my sweet. You have proved yourself worthy to rule by my side. No one will challenge you now. Tomorrow we will begin your lessons. As my heir you must be a general. I will teach you how to wage war. Go now and be here at 10 am. Rest well child, you will need it."

Ginny returned to the cottage to find Severus and Draco waiting for her with grave expressions.

"You did shockingly well Ginerva." Severus said.

Ginny rushed into his arms. "Severus what have I become?"

Severus calmed Ginny as he said. "The deeds you performed tonight were necessary to prove your place. You passed the first test tonight. It will only get more difficult from here. You are strong Ginerva. I will be by your side through all of this. I love you and I will never leave you no matter what." Severus said and affirmed his words with a kiss.

"I love you too Severus." Ginny responded. Then she saw Draco; she was at a loss for words.

"Draco –"

"Ginny, it's alright. What you did tonight was something I wanted to do for years. Seeing him reduced to a sliver of a man – I will never have to fear him again." Draco said as he hugged her.

"Tomorrow it begins, tomorrow he teaches me how to fight, strategy, tomorrow we begin winning this war for the good of the wizarding world – for those who exist in between the light and the dark." Ginny said.

Ginny and Severus went to bed. Ginny dreamed of her happy childhood. Once Ginny was firmly asleep Severus rose from the bed. He met Percy and Draco downstairs in the living room. Percy indifferent in all places but his eyes – they shined in concern for his sister.

"How is she?" Percy asked.

"As well as can be expected. Someone with pure goodness in their hearts should never have to do such things. It was necessary to secure her place. Without her we will lose this war." Severus replied.

Severus stunned a rat in the corner of the room. "Now we can begin."