This is my first fic which I decided to write after trying and failing to look for good Hinny fics starting from the end of CoS that didn't feel too clunky and were good representations of the characters. I plan on making this story run to Voldemort's eventual defeat, although I have yet to decide how this comes about. Please let me know any thoughts you may have about the quality of the writing or the direction of the plot; I appreciate any and all feedback. That's about all I have to say for now, so without further ado; I give you: The Remnant.

Β· π•Ώπ–π–Š π•½π–Šπ–’π–“π–†π–“π–™ Β·

The silence in the chamber was paramount, a stark contrast to the epic battle which had occurred mere moments ago. As Harry's heart rate fell, he started to register the scene around him once again, the steady drip drip of the ink still oozing from the diary the only sound in the cavernous hall.

Letting out a shaky breath and a nervous half-laugh to break the engulfing silence, he clambered to his feet and began to gather up the various items strewn around the chamber. Looking at the diary, still in the spot where he had cast it after Riddle's startling… death? He decided he didn't want very much to do with the object that had possessed his best friend's sister.

Shuddering slightly, he turned his back upon it and hurried over to the far side of the chamber where Ginny was just starting to stir. As he neared her, she sat up slowly, her wide, uncomprehending eyes slid over the body of the snake before landing on Harry. Their eyes met, and before he knew what was happening, she had flung herself upon him and began sobbing hysterically into his shoulder.

"Harry β€” oh, Harry β€” I tried to tell you at b-breakfast, but I c-couldn't say it in front of Percy β€” it was me, Harry β€” but I β€” I s-swear I d-didn't mean to β€” R-Riddle made me, he t-took me over β€” and β€” how did you kill that β€” that thing? W-where's Riddle? The last thing I r-remember is him coming out of the diary β€”"

"There there" said Harry, feeling rather out of his depth, "Riddles gone Ginny, It's all over. He can't hurt you anymore."

"I'm going to be expelled!" Ginny sobbed, as Harry gently set her down, "I've looked forward to coming to Hogwarts ever since B-Bill came and n-now I'll have to leave and β€” w-what'll Mum and Dad say?"

"It'll be okay Ginny, trust me." Harry cautiously put an arm around her small frame, still clinging desperately to him. "Professor Dumbledore will understand, he'll help straighten everything out." Harry silently wished that he was better at comforting girls than he currently was, unfortunately the only girl he'd ever managed to hold a good conversation with was Hermione, and she was β€” well, Hermione.

The thought of his petrified friend shook him out of his reverie and he started to tow the now sniffing Ginny towards the chamber's exit. Before they reached it however, she stiffened and began tugging on Harry's arm. Stopping to follow her gaze, he was unsurprised to find it was the diary of Tom Riddle that had captured her attention.

"Harry, " she began with a whisper, "is thatβ€”" she choked, unable to continue.

"Yeah, it is." Harry murmured back, unable to think of anything he should or could say. She surprised him by letting go of his hand (which he only now realised she had been holding vehemently onto) and stumbling towards the evil book. He followed, half-wondering whether Riddle was possessing her and began to reach into his robes for his wand when she stopped a few paces away. Nothing happened for a moment, then she opened her mouth as if to speak, before shutting it again. Understanding her unspoken request, he stepped past her to retrieve the book, saying how they should probably take it to see Dumbledore when they got out of there.

Without warning, the diary burst open at his fingers touch, bathing the both of them in an unearthly, red glow and blasting them back several metres. A red haze filled Harry's vision and a mind numbing pain stabbed into his brain, his scar felt like it was on fire! The last thing he heard was Ginny's screams of fright and pain before he blacked out from the agony