Ginny took the steps two at a time, as she strolled down the hall, passing students on their way back to their common rooms or students rushing out to stroll on the grounds for the few hours of daylight that were left before dinner.
While all the students were hustling around, chatting with their friends, and complaing about the homework with classmates, Ginny walked determinedly towards the seventh floor, towards the tapestry with Barnabas the Barmy.
After pulling the familiar metal handle of their secret room open, Ginny spotted Regulus immediately sitting on a couch by the blazing fire.
This was her second time meeting Regulus, the first time, the day after she had met with Dumbledore in his office, she told him how she was possessed by Tom Riddle's dairy when she was younger. Although she left out some of the finer details- such as when she was younger, he was actually when he was older because she was from the future. And she didn't go into all of the details of just how damaged the possession had left her, he accepted her story without question. In fact it brought them together as allies. Regulus confided in Ginevra about which of her classmates and their parents were Death Eaters.
Both of them having been tricked by Tom Riddle's charm, and neither one wanting Tom Riddles rise to power to finish at the very top.
Regulus looked over in her direction as Ginny walked through the room and headed towards him.
"I didn't see you at lunch today," Regulus spoke as soon as Ginny sat down.
Ginny's heart flopped at the notion that he was looking for her amongst the sea of students at the Gryffindor table.
"Yea, I had to finish up some homework, so I skipped lunch to work in the library," Ginny responded causally.
"You must find it hard to have free time, with all the Qudditch practices I know your team needs, and with the amount of assignments before the Easter break. We both know that Ravenclaw has one of the best teams this year, especially with Wood and his new training schedule he put them on.."
It wasn't all the early practices James had been scheduling that was causing Ginny's homework to pile up. It was the recollection of what her and Sirius had witnessed the night they snuck into Hogsmeade, and the knowledge that in some way she was the cause of it. Her meeting with Dumbledore had left her uneasy and Ginny found she was spending more and more time in the library but for once it wasn't to do homework. She was trying to research anything she could find on horcruxes. She had even borrowed James invisibility cloak- without his knowledge to sneak into the restricted section in the hopes of finding more information on them. All she had discovered was a small mention in one book- and that was only to echo what Dumbledore had told her, that a horcruxe was an act of evil and it would go into no detail on what or how they were created. But finally on the third night Ginny found a mention of one book that she was sure would explain a horcrux in more detail, and it was a book she knew for certain was not in the library here.
"I got an invitation for the Malfoy Easter ball," Ginny pronounced, focusing on the task before her, as she cut Regulus off during his Quidditch talk.
Regulus nodded, as if he expected this.
"Lucius mentioned his father planned on inviting you," Regulus retorted, confirming Ginny's suspicion that the news didn't surprise him.
"Apparently Mr. Malfoy doesn't personally invite anyone," Ginny added, looking at Regulus for confirmation.
"No, not that I'm aware of," Regulus responded.
"It's odd then, isn't it?" Ginny replied, casually, looking over at Regulus.
"It is," Regulus said nodding.
"Are you going too?" Ginny asked, when she realized that Regulus wasn't going to elaborate as to why she received a personal invitation.
"I doubt my family would suddenly decide not to attend," Regulus chuckled.
"Well It's good to know there'll at least be one person I'll talk to," Ginny grinned.
"What about Riddle?"
"I spent most of my childhood wishing the nightmares of him would go away, and then dreading that one day they would and I wouldn't remember him at all," Ginny started, looking at the fire. "And now he's really here, and I've got the same feelings, only he doesn't remember me, and I know so much about him. Our roles are completely reversed," Ginny added.
"And you're still unsure if you want to put yourself in the middle of that, or play it safe and ignore him completely?" Regulus guessed.
"No, I know I have to do better than put myself in the middle, and that scares me more than going to sleep and bracing myself for a nightmare revolving around him and the things he made me do," Ginny responded solemnly.
"So you're going to the ball to what spy on him?"
"No, not exactly. Remember the first time we were here, and I asked if you would be willing to help me ensure that when the time comes Tom could be stopped?" Ginny asked nervously, as she focused on the flickering flames and how fast her heart was beating, unwilling to meet Regulus's gaze.
"Yes, and then you didn't talk to me or a week, and up until I got your note today, I assumed that you had regretted confiding in me at all."
"Well I need a favor," Ginny spoke softly.
"Anything," he answered instantly.
Ginny couldn't help but smile as she glanced over at him, he was starring openly at her, eagerness and concern mixed into the grin on his face. Ginny was reminded how grateful she was for his honesty, and friendship. He always seemed to be a source of comfort.
"I'm looking for a book, one that can't be found here at Hogwarts," Ginny spoke, her voice wavering.
Although Ginny trusted Regulus, and was so appreciative of their friendship she found that she was unable to confide in him about the conversation she had with Professor Dumbledore and their search for horcruxes.
"Ok, and what makes you think I can find it?" Regulus asked confused.
"This particular book is one that is too dangerous to be placed in Hogwarts- even in the restricted section. From what I gather there are only a handful of copies in existence."
"And I know just the type of people who may have this particular book in their libraries," Regulus nodded in understanding, the previous excitement disappearing from his face as he pulled it into an unreadable expression.
"Yes," Ginny responded honestly.
"What's it called?" Regulus asked, starring into the fire now.
"Secrets of the Darkest Arts it's written by Owle Bullock."
"Alright, I'll find it for you."
"Thank you Regulus," Ginny said, feeling a weight lift off her shoulder.
"Listen, if there isn't anything else I have to get going, I'm meeting someone," Regulus spoke, not turning to face her.
"Oh, sorry I didn't mean to keep you," Ginny responded slightly hurt by the change in his demeanor.
"Don't worry about it, I'll see you around, I'll let you know when I find that book," Regulus said, as he stood up from the couch and headed out of the room, leaving Ginny to wonder what it was she said that seemed to effect his mood.