Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, it is the property of the brilliant J.K Rowling. This story is the product of her marvellous characters and world and my imagination.

Any constructive criticism or reviews are welcome. Enjoy

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Punishment

Fearing the worst she looked up with trepidation to see her worst fear confirmed - Tom Riddle was standing above her and looking down with a face like thunder.

Her eyes widened and she gulped at his next words, "well, well Ginevra, what do we have here. Looks like someone tried to escape and needs to be punished."

Well crap, she was definitely screwed now.

She looked up at him, "erm, I was taking a walk." He looked down at her with amused disbelief, "you can't honestly expect that excuse to work Ginevra." Guess not, she thought mournfully, well it had been worth a shot.

His eyes were cold now, "I did inform you Ginevra, of the severe consequences that you would face if you tried to escape. Now I discover that you have attempted just that, you are an intelligent girl, but that was an incredibly stupid move."

Ginny looked fearful, she didn't want to think about what was going to happen to her now. Tom offered her his hand and she took it, knowing there was really no other option. He pulled her up off the ground rather forcibly, "follow me Ginevra, your punishment awaits I'm afraid."

She got even more panicked as he led her upstairs, where she was pretty sure the torture areas were kept. She knew he wouldn't kill her, not with his twisted idea of her being some kind of soul mate, but that didn't mean that he wouldn't torture her for disobeying him. The thought made her feel rather ill, a feeling which only increased as he led her into a large circular room with chairs round the edge and a large space in the middle.

She was surprised when he took her over to a group of seats and told her to sit on the one to the right of his elegant black throne. She darted her eyes nervously around the room, as if expecting some torture to be sprung upon her.

It confused her as Tom summoned one of his death eaters and instructed him to bring "their latest" in, was that some sort of new torture instrument?

But she understood when she saw the death eater return, dragging a weak Dean Thomas with him - the latest prisoner. "Dean," her voice came out in a sort of shriek from the shock of seeing him there and when he lifted his head at the sound of her voice she cringed at the cuts and bruises marring his face. She tried to stand up, to get to him, to help, but she felt her wrist being grabbed in a bruising grip by Tom, who pulled her back down to her seat with a cruel smile.

"Ginny," Dean seemed almost happy to see her, but not surprised and she wanted to know how he knew she was here. Her silent question was answered a moment later when he spoke in a hoarse voice, "I found out what happened the day before the bastards got me. I've been thinking of joining the Order and I saw Harry and Ron at a meeting, they told me about how they'd taken you."

She turned to Tom with horror and he smirked, "we found him trying to prevent some muggle torture." Ginny's face furrowed in anger, "let him go, he hasn't done anything wrong." But Tom's smirk remained, "I'm afraid I can't do that Ginevra, you see he is your punishment."

She felt cold, "you can't do this. You can't torture him because of me, it isn't fair," she was almost hysterical by now. Tom placed a restraining hand on her arm, "ah my dear Ginevra, you misunderstand me." He pulled out his wand and before she could even blink he said only two words, "Avada Kedavra." The green light shot from his wand, hitting Dean square on the chest and enveloping him in a green glow.

Ginny's eyes widened as she saw the light leave her ex-boyfriend's eyes and she didn't look at Tom as he spoke his next words. "A short, sharp shock should suffice as your punishment I think. Try anything like your earlier escapade again and it won't just be some ex-boyfriend."

Ginny was frozen, but those words brought her back to life and she began pounding his chest with her fists, crying and screaming at him, "you monster, how could you?"

He caught her arms to prevent any further damage to his person before waving his wand. She felt a sudden surge and found herself back in her bedroom with Tom by her side. He kissed her tear stained cheek and she was too distraught by the death she had just witnessed to stop him. He then exited the room with parting words indicating he would see her for breakfast.

Ginny couldn't even muster the energy to change into her nightgown herself, she merely waved her wand and it was done. She didn't bother washing her face clean of the tears, there was just no point.

As she huddled under the covers she thought of Dean's dead eyes and the thud of his lifeless body hitting the floor in front of her. It was her fault, her stupid fault for trying to escape. She knew she'd never get Dean's death off her conscience and she'd never forget his dying face.

That night Ginny Weasley sobbed for three hours straight until exhaustion overtook her and she fell asleep, salty tears streaking her face.

As always, the next chapter should be up in a few days.