Summary: After the incident in the Chamber of Secret, Ginny felt like a part of herself was lost. It turns out she really enjoyed the power Tom had provided her and did whatever it took to feel that way again. Dark!Ginny

Rated: T

Genre: General

Warning Tag: Mentions of possession, Implied disobedience and physical aggression.

Craving

Ginny wished that her possession was taken more seriously than it was. It wasn't something that she could simply walk off and forget about entirely just because Tom's spirit allegedly was destroyed with the diary. Ancient magic practices were just as dangerous as it was useful, and because the modern-day methods have it more refined, and other methods were forbidden to expand upon, it doesn't mean that it is forever gone or that there are people out there who still used it regardless to this day.

She spent the summer recovering from the after-effects of being controlled by someone else, but Ginny didn't feel like she used to be before she came into contact with that diary. She never told anyone this strange feeling because she didn't think anyone would believe her or listen anyway. Instead, they would dismiss it and say she will be fine with more time.

It was strange feeling a bit empty, like a part of her was ripped away, but she wasn't afraid of this feeling, just a little lonely, a little lost. Traveling to Egypt and exploring the ancient structures didn't really help pull her mind off it, either. Instead, she remained hyper-aware of the magic that dripped off some of the structures and artifacts. Some she was drawn too more than others.

Boarding the train for her second year, Ginny yearned to find a place where she would be alone in order to dwell on the loss of herself, but the logical side of her said it would not be a good idea. Instead, she found Neville and Luna in a compartment and joined them. Exchanging a few pleasantries and her experience in Egypt, she managed to settle into a calm quiet after a while, turning to watch the landscape drift by through the window.

She remembered the encounter with the dementor all too well. It might have been the pivot that pushed her mind further into the darkness it seemed to have missed so much. She didn't respond to the negativity of being possessed that everyone thought she was, it was rather the loss of the intruder that became a core part of her identity. It wasn't too difficult to figure out that she genuinely missed Tom, and the fear that stemmed from losing him wasn't because she was afraid of him and what he had done through her, it was fear from losing a part of herself.

Finding that part of her again only sparked when she blanked out during situations she didn't want to deal with, lashing out when she was being bullied or heard someone talking about her behind her back without a second thought, or snapped at a professor when they critiqued her wand and spell work. It didn't go unpunished by the school, and the letters from her mother only irritated her more rather than did anything that involved correcting the behavior or comforting her cry for help. It got to the point where Ginny stopped caring and did what she wanted. It got a little better when her actions started to catch the attention of a select few Slytherins when she found herself snapping and defending one of their peers from another Gryffindor's harassment.

The fluid spellwork on the Bat Bogey Hex impressed them as well.

Of course, seeing a Gryffindor spending time with Slytherins caused a lot of uproar with Ginny's family, but at least she had friends that didn't talk about her behind her back. She wasn't a complete monster, she did confront and apologize to Luna for her behavior and name-calling and hoped that their friendship could be salvaged. Being so in tune with oneself really helped Ginny learn how to identify her true friends who'd support her.

It wasn't until fourth year when Ginny fully realized what she was truly craving. It was power, something she lost when Tom was destroyed. Professor Umbridge was gladly handing it out to those who would comply with her standards. Working for the organized tyrant would be difficult since she clearly favored Slytherins, she just had to prove she could be just as ruthless as they were to the cause.

In order to catch the woman's attention, Ginny needed something to offer her. This meant infiltrating the D.A.

Despite Ginny's anger issues and choice friends, her brother, Hermione, and Harry still relatively stuck by her and poorly attempted to curb her outbursts and steer her from the wrong crowds to no avail but she played along just enough that she was invited to the first meeting, and she knew every single person that attended. Hopefully the list would be enough to obtain that valued badge.

She needed to feel powerful again.

Originally Written For:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)

Monthly Challenges for All

Word Count: 786

Originally Written: January 2020