IT was the Weasleys against the Harrys and Ginny was not on the side of her family. Her wand drawn, she stood alongside Transfigured Severus and pointed the wood straight onto Riddle. The only one calm as a clam was the Dark Lord himself. Arms up in a defensive manner, Riddle met both parties' attention with the demeanor of a lamb.

"I know who I am," he whispered. "So do all of you. Mum? Dad? Come-"

"Don't listen to him," Ginny said to her parents. "He's been Voldemort this whole time."

"Ginny step away from that wizard," Mum said, eyeing Severus. "And that one too-"

"No."

"Ginny."

"You don't understand. Take him. Take Voldemort. He's right there."

"Oh Ginny, he's fooled you too?" Riddle laughed softly. "You know whose side you're on. That traitor wants to see me fall, has been stalking my every move. Mad. Obsessed. I didn't want to let you on, but he's trying to take everything from me."

"Liar."

"Evil doesn't die," Riddle said, nodding to Transfigured Severus. "It only changes its shape."

One way that Riddle was correct.

Mum disagreed.

Being a Weasley unfortunately meant that temperament did not change, but only strengthened with time and a determined Molly Weasley snagged her daughter up with an Incarcerous . Ginny's body was wrapped and bound and she was pulled over to where the rest of the family stood. Feet floating above the floor, Ginny winced, prying herself free from the magic.

"You both need to go outside," Mum said firmly as Ginny floated over to her side, falling to her knees. "We will find out which wizard is which. As for me, I don't trust either of you to tell the truth. I'll take you both if I have to."

Anyone who would mess with Molly Weasley was a fool. Dad was in equal parts in complete awe and terror regarding his wife.

Transfigured Severus looked at Ginny, his eyes glistening darkly. Ginny bit her lip and he nodded in return.

"Very well," Severus said. "But I can choose my own opponents, Margaret, as can your daughter."

With that, he released Ginny from the binding and Apparated outdoors after a nimble Riddle.

Ginny sprinted over to Severus' side as he cast a deflective force field before the Burrow door, but not before George grabbed her arm, and pointed his wand at Severus and yelled, "Revelio."

Severus' disguise melted away, his hair turning long and his face aging by the millisecond. Ginny fell to her knees, her hand the only thing keeping her stuck between both sides of the barrier.

"Ginny! Don't go," George yelled, voice muffled by the magical barrier.

"Severus Snape, if you had any respect for the Order, you will leave Ginny out of this! She's just a child!" Mum yelled. "George help me—Arthur pull Ginny over-"

"Don't worry darling," Dad joined in, helping George secure Ginny's hand that was desperately trying to pry herself free. "You're safe."

Ginny watched her family's spells helplessly ricochet against the forcefield. They desperately cast hexes and charms to break through, but Severus' resolve held firm.

That's when Dad's eyes flashed with recognition. He looked at Severus and then at Ginny. "So … this?"

"Yes." Ginny's eyes filled with tears. "I didn't know how to tell you."

"Dad, don't let her go," Charlie and Ron screamed.

"Arthur Weasley!" screeched Mum.

Dad looked at his little girl in the way only a father could. With a parting nod of approval, he released her hand. It was at that moment that Severus' shield fell and Ginny tumbled in the snow in his direction. Thank you, she mouthed to her Dad before scrambling after Severus.

"I'm not letting another one of my children die. Not on my property." Mum's wand shot out a spell that bounced right off a second shield erected between the two parties. She stumbled back, eyes wide.

"Actually, it's the Ministry's scene of crime," replied a new voice.

"Says who?"

"Says the Ministry's biggest benefactor." From the shadows emerged none other than Lucius Malfoy, wand holding the magic shield firmly in place. Dressed to the nines in a burgundy cape with fur trimming, and polished boots of black leather, he strode—no, floated over the mounds of snow like Father Christmas, his white hair floating about him in a graceful aura.

Mum's face reddened and her tongue spat dirt. "You shite-"

"That's neither here nor there Margaret-"

"I don't care what Percy says, Malfoys are not to be had here."

"Funny. Similar words to those your daughter uttered." Lucius shrugged in a think-nothing-of-it manner. "Life's too short for grudges. Carry on Severus. Ginevra."

-xxx-

Severus and Ginny followed Riddle into the snow-filled field beyond the Burrow. The light of the Burrow faded away. It was dusk now and the only light was the one coming from their wands.

"We fight then?" Riddle said, whipping around and still transfigured as Harry.

"I do not kill past students," was the dry reply as Severus used Incendio to warm a duelling pathway in the snow.

"Severus just strike him," Ginny whispered, grabbing Severus by the arm.

"Traditions must be kept," Severus said, taking his place at the center of the path.

"Oh to Hell with traditions-"

"-I did not try to stop you from making your choices. You must trust me to make mine."

"Tom-" Ginny said, running towards Riddle. "I'll never forgive you. If you kill him I'll-I'll." Ginny grabbed the collar of his jumper. "I'll always follow you. Won't let you out of my sight until I'm through with you."

"You'll follow me either way." He looked at Severus. "Loose ends are inevitable. Don't you agree?"

"-no"

"-off. Get off." Riddle grinned, slowly peeling her fingers off his jumper.

Ginny cried, "What is wrong with you? Why can't you leave us alone? You want family…love…you won't get it with me or with any Weasley."

"That's where you're wrong Ginny," Riddle hissed. "I already have it. I've held on to it through the years, the love of a little girl who took me for her friend. Love doesn't pass with time, it only grows stronger. Isn't that right, Severus?"

Severus' expression darkened.

"Ah, I see what is happening here," Riddle gloated maliciously. "Perhaps old Snape has found room in his heart for another." He shrugged. "Alternatively, maybe this is one of his many gambles, his fleeting fascinations. Oh Ginny, did you not know? Of course you must have. He was one of your clients in your silly little town. The resident Don Juan. He has no place in his heart for another witch in the long run."

"Shut up," Ginny whispered.

"Would you be the one to reveal the truth?" Riddle lifted a hand. "No, toying with the girl is far too cruel, even for you Severus. Although you know cruelty far too well."

Severus said nothing, his eyes boring into Riddles. They flashed dangerously as he ignored the provocation. With silent acceptance, Ginny stood back allowing the inevitable to occur.

Two titans came together, on one end Severus, on the other, Riddle. They drew their wands to their noses, eyes piercing into each others' as they began the duel.

"Let's count how many times the dead can die," Riddle hissed, striking his wand downwards.

"As many as required," Severus countered, wand striking downwards.

"I should have left you in that shack, covered in blood."

"Your mistake. Haven't you taught me the fine art of revival by personal example?"

"The student challenges the master," Riddle turned, and began to walk. "Let's see."

Severus turned at the same time and began to walk away in a straight path. Ginny watched as their distance increased and their muscles tensed with each movement. She hoped Severus knew what he was doing, but at the very last second, her feet began to give in and she struggled to keep still. Ginny dashed forward the moment Riddle began his turn.

In a split second, wand drawn and lips open, Riddle yelled, "Avada Kedavra." The green streak of light shot forwards, piercing the air. All sounds hushed.

Ginny's heart beat slower than ever, like a fading scream. She sank to her knees, her body struck with a sharp, throat-constricting bolt and her eyes met Riddle's in stark defiance. And to her great triumph, his brows shot up as he dashed towards her just before her head hit the ground.