Ginny sat on a hill in the dusty, morning sunlight, writing. The sound of her pencil scratching paper mingled with the voices of rowdy boys and girls. For a moment, she was taken back to Hogwarts. The memory was bittersweet, bringing her a strange sort of comfort, along with a pang of regret. Shaking her head, she looked back down at her paper. A long list of names stared up at her.

"What've you got there, Ginny?" Ron's voice asked, coming up behind him.

"Er, nothing. It's none of your business." Flipping the page around, she put her arm over it.

With a shrug, Rom lifted his eyebrows and sighed. "Well, breakfast is ready."

"Thanks, I'll go get some later."

"Okay..." He rolled his eyes and turned. Then, before she could stop him, he grabbed the paper out of her hands.

"Hey! Come on, give it!" She shouted, jumping up from the grass.

"What is this?" He asked again, giving the paper a confused glance.

"It's just a list of names-"

"Potential boyfriends?"

"No! Just- come on, give it back!"

"If I do, will you tell me why you've made a list?"

"Fine!" She fumed, holding out her hand.

With a guilty grin, Ron passed it to his sister and nodded expectantly.

Ginny sighed and sunk into the grass again. Crossing his arms, Ron sat beside her.

"This is a list I've started making-"

"Obviously." He smirked.

"Will you let me finish?"

"Sorry. Go ahead."

"Anyways," she sighed, "it's just a list of people who I know are alive. That's all."

"Oh. Er, that's...a good idea." He instantly looked very awkward.

"So, you can go to breakfast now."

"Oh yeah. Okay. Um, bye." With that, he started to stand up, but paused. He seemed to be having a battle inside of his head. "Er, are you doing okay?" He asked suddenly.

"What?" Her forehead creased.

"Are you, you know, doing well? I mean, with everything that's going on...Harry, and stuff. Hermione just- I mean, I just thought I'd...you know..." He sighed, looking like it had taken him a great deal to ask.

For a moment, Ginny just stared at him, as if debating whether to laugh or cry. Then, with a sharp breath, she threw her arms around his neck. "You're such a dork, Ron!" She laughed through tears.

"Oh, er, don't cry!" He actually looked rather scared as he said this. Patting her back, he saw Hermione in the distance. Meeting her eye, he mouthed, "help", but received only a laugh in return. "Do you...do you want to talk about it? Or do you want to talk to Hermione about it? I mean, she's a girl, and it might be easier for you, being a girl yourself, to um..."

Ginny laughed and wiped away a tear which slid down her cheek. "That's actually really considerate. Who are you and what've you done with my brother?"

"What's that supposed to mean? When am I ever not-"

"How about when you forgot that it was my birthday until after dinner when mum made a cake and you smelled it baking?"

"Well, I remember buying you a brand new quidditch world record book to make up for it." He crossed his arms.

"Okay, but what about when you cursed my mirror so it blew a raspberry every time I looked into it?"

"Not my fault. That was before I even went to Hogwarts, so I didn't have any control over it. And, you were being a real pain in the-"

"Or the time that you cut up my doll's dress to make quidditch robes for the garden gnomes?"

"...yeah, not sure I've got an excuse for that one." He grinned. "I guess I haven't been the best brother."

"No." Ginny smiled, pushing his shoulder. "You may be dim, and conceited, and a bit of an arse sometimes, but you're a pretty decent dim, conceited arse."

"Thanks." He said dryly.

"Come on, lets go get some breakfast." She laughed, standing. And as they walked together back to the campfire, she linked her arm with his and added, "...Ron? Thank you."

"Ah...Bellatrix. Come in." Voldemort breathed in response to the knock which sounded at the door. He sat in the highest tower of the Malfoy's manor, facing a tall window. Beads of rain pounded against the glass, reflecting what little moonlight showed through the clouds. Creaking loudly, the large, oak door opened.

"My Lord, you called for me." She whispered, falling to the ground before this chair.

"Yes, obviously. And I assume you know why I have ordered you back from the dungeons..."

"It...I'm afraid...I don't recall-"

"Hmm." He rose and walked to the bookshelf lining the wall. "I want to know something. And I want the truth. As you know, there is no use in lying. I have many ways of getting it out of you."

"Yes, My Lord." She bowed her head, shaking slightly.

"Why won't you kill your nephew? Do you...care...for him?" He curled his lip at the word, "care".

Bellatrix cackled, but, seeing the Dark Lord's face, quickly silenced herself. "No, My Lord. It's my pleasure to dispose of a traitor, soiling my own blood."

"Hmm. Yes... I'm sure... Crucio!"

With a scream, Bellatrix wrapped her arms around her body and curled into a ball. "Please...please, My Lord...Let me...prove..."

"Ah, you wish for a chance to gain my favor? To show me that you are not afraid of ending meaningless lives, even if they are close to you?" He relieved her. Gasping for breath, she crawled to his feet.

"My Lord, it is all I live for." She whispered frantically.

"A bold statement."

"How can I prove it to you?"

"Ah, Bella. The death of Mudbloods, Muggles, and Blood-traitors is no more significant than the death of an insect beneath your foot. The ability to kill without feeling is the greatest asset a wizard can posses. Do you still believe this?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"I would like you to prove that you do."

"How?" A deranged smile began to creep onto her face.

"You must kill whomever I bring into this room."

She nodded, smile widening.

"If you do this, I will offer you a chance." Reaching down, he caught around her neck and pulled her to her feet. "Rarely am I so generous. Consider yourself lucky."

"I...I do, My Lord! It is an honor to be in your presence!"

"If you succeed, I have a task I must send you on."

"What is that, may I ask?"

"We have discovered a very large camp of fugitives. Survivors from the Battle of Hogwarts, mostly. By the sunrise after the next, I want it turned to ashes."

"Excellent, My Lord! I will look forward to it!"

"Hmm. Very well. Bring in the prisoner!"

Quickly, the door swing open and a man appeared, dragging a crouched-over woman roughly by the arm.

"Sister?" The woman asked, weakly.

"Will this be a problem for you, Bellatrix?" Voldemort whispered, his lifeless eyes stabbing into her.

"Not in the least." She hissed, drawing her wand.

Andromeda looked at her sadly. "Sister, please. The only thing you will gain from my death is guilt. And that is something that will never-"

"Silence, woman!" Voldemort breathed. "Now, Bellatrix."

Slowly, an insane grin spread on Bellatrix's face. Her eyes gleamed with a sickening combination of pleasure and hate. With a small cackle, she lifted her wand above her head. "Avada Kedabra!"

The look of betrayal froze on Andromeda's face. With a loud crack, her knees hit the ground. Her shadow glided down the wall.

"Now, tell me where this camp is, My Lord." Bellatrix spoke without flinching.

"Very well. You have earned my favor. Pray you do not lose it again."

A/N Hey Guys! I know... It's been two weeks. I'm SUPER sorry. I know it's not much of an excuse, but I've been sick, so I haven't been doing much of anything, besides binge watching Adventure Time. Anyway, a special thanks to ArumaR, AllHellBrokeLoose666, ElsaElphieGinny, and notsing for reviewing! You guys are amazing.

Also, if you like this story, please go check out me newest HP fic, "Amortentia". It's just a one shot about Merope Gaunt, so feel free to give it a read and review!

Don't forget to review, follow, and favorite! And have a great week!