Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my imagination and whatever else is in this story that doesn't make sense. I was inspired by J.K. Rowlings wonderful world. Enjoy, and please read and review! I love reviews!

Spellbinding

Page 12

If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come; the readiness for love.

~ Shakespeare

The night was cool, dark and starless, with a slight breeze from the lake that lifted her long red hair. The moon spied down on her from a cluster of frail clouds for only a moment. Not for very long, just long enough to light the path that lead her way.

She stepped from the cave and stood by the riverbank. She lifted her hood to cover her face. Her cloak was long and flowing like the wind. Black like the shadows behind her in the cave. Ginny watched him move about from the windows of the house. She lifted the omnioculars to her face and followed his every movement, like a hawk.

They were her brother's, the very one's he'd used during the Quidditch World Cup years ago and they were a bit out of focus, she adjusted one knob on top, and gave the tiny metal wheel a spin. They zoomed in well enough.

It was late, well past midnight when she set her plans into motion. Severus would have to leave the Headmaster's office precisely at midnight, he always did to search the grounds of the school and make sure no one was out of bed, and wandering about.

Amazing she thought, he employs himself as Headmaster and yet he still takes a fancy to patrolling the corridors like a second ranking teacher. To bad for him, that she was the youngest sister of the two biggest rule breakers Hogwarts had seen in ages. Fred and George, knew the secrets of Hogwarts better than the Bloody Barron himself. Ginny timed it perfectly and used the hidden exit behind a wall portrait of the third floor. A portrait, that allowed her entrance into the Headmaster's office .

It was a a bit uncomfortable, waiting there until the coast was totally clear. But is was not until Professor Snape's midnight stroll, then she made a dash for his fireplace, she had no way of knowing if it would indeed lead her to Tom, but she had to try. She could only guess that their new Headmaster would surely have a way to reach him should the need arose. It was a hunch really, but there was nothing else to go on. And now that she found him. She wanted to punch him and kiss him at the same time. For weeks now he kept her at bay, saying that it simply was not safe. That she would be better protected there behind the walls of Hogwarts, until he made the arrangements to safely move her away, where she could never be found. Not even by him.

Professor Snape, was to have her suited and boarding a ship by this week's end. She was to depart from London, and head towards the eastern sea.

How bold could one person be, to think he could just ship her off like some ruddy package of basil. And what about her friends? What about Harry, Hermione and her brother Ron. Didn't he care about the danger they were under in these past weeks. What about her mother and family, did he seriously think she would simply abandon them, or him for that matter. She had finally made up her mind. She was going to hit him. Right in that wily, scheming little, half-muggle chin of his.

Sly as a fox she began to climb the wooden planks that boarded the walkway from the lake. Her sneakers were making a noisy clumping sound as she tiptoed, so she stopped for a moment and removed them.

Now, in her bare feet and without the weight of tennis slowing her movement she moved quicker. She loved it….she loved the idea of doing something so daring and so completely independent and of her own free will. Take that Hermione! You're not the only witch with a bit of girly know-how, she thought inwardly. She climb onward towards the lake house. She knew he was completely unsuspecting of her arrival.

He loved it….and smile to himself about her. He loved the breathtaking innocence of her, nothing frighten her, or if it did he could never tell. It was the one thing he loved so much about her. She was so brave, when no one in the world expected her to be; not even him.

He knew about her….Snape had delivered him a letter only seconds ago.

Dear Mr. Riddle,

It seems as though, my office has been invaded by an intruder.

Good thing I've set those charms in place when I took office.

It seems that you may be receiving an unexpected visit from a rather

determined Miss Ginny Weasley. Do let her know that I do not take kindly

to my office being invaded, regardless of her intentions and that will be

fifty points from Gryffindor. Enjoy your evening.

Severus

Tom watched her from the foe-glass upon his writing desk. He knew the moment her beautiful feet touched the first stone upon the riverbank, that he would never send her back. He'd been wishing for her for so long. To hold her, to see how beautiful she had become. He loved her to much to endanger her life, if even for a moment. Her safety was the only thing that mattered to him. She should not have come to him, but now that she was here, so close, he'd die before he'd sent her away tonight.

Riddle knew the layout of this entire house, every room, every entrance, but he was amused with watching her attempts to enter undetected. Wasn't he suppose to be the darkest wizard alive, had she gone completely mental…he laughed as he watch her stumble over a window shrub, and started swearing beneath her breath. She made a such a lovely burglar, it made him laugh harder, when her red hair tumbled about her face as she landed on her stomach. Her clumsiness trigger so much excitement him.

He doused the light, and hide as he heard the French doors from the kitchen give a sudden click.