Shrouding Darkness

Disclaimer: I did not create any of the Harry Potter characters, or story line.

Warning: Book six spoilers.

A/N: This is for a contest on the Third Floor Corridor. It's an awesome site and I really recommend checking it out!

That link to the site is here, if you would like to see other contest entries, or join up yourself. Just remember to say Moogle referred you:

http://www.thirdcorridor.proboards60.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=contests&thread=1158096856&page=1

Here are the rules for the contest:

A missive is discovered tucked behind the painting of Dumbledore in his old office. You may choose who finds it and what it says, but it contains instructions on how to find one of the Horcruxes. The problem is, a majority of the message is clearly speaking in code... Dumbledore never was very straightforward. The letter is from Dumbledore and does pertain to the Horcruxes, but how the characters handle it is your choice. However, in some way, shape, or form, the message prompts the getting together of two characters. You may choose which ones.

Shrouding Darkness

The candles flickered in the small room, casting eerie shadows across the walls. Little wooden tables dotted the dusty floor and chairs wheezed and creaked, as people moved and talked, while drinking their drinks.

Everybody was muttering seriously to one another. Everybody, except one…

Ginny Weasley sat alone, her face resting against the table, lost in her own thoughts. Her friends had left two years ago, when she was just seventeen, to go on a hunt for horcruxes; she had heard no word from them since…

Now she was a resistance fighter and tonight, her and her companions, were having a meeting in a small dirty pub called the Hog's Head.

Suddenly the door swung open, causing Ginny to snap out of her daydreams, as she glanced up at a man now standing in the room, his shadowy figure silhouetted against the lightening torn sky.

He moved forwards and many people gasped as a sheet of silvery blond hair glinted in the dim lights, underneath the drenched cloak. Only two people had hair like that, and one of them had been murdered not so long ago…Then that meant-

“Draco Malfoy.” A voice growled from behind Ginny. “What are you doing here? Death Eaters kick you out, did they? Find out what a coward you are?”

Draco turned and removed the cloak still covering his face. His grey eyes glanced maliciously down towards the person who had spoken; it was Seamus Finnigan. Ginny saw Seamus quiver slightly; Obviously, Draco Malfoy had learnt the art of intimidation.

“Coward, you say.” He said, his voice dangerously soft. “Tell me. If Harry Potter decided to not kill Voldemort, would you call it cowardice?”

Seamus didn't say anything and Draco gave a humourless laugh. “I thought so.”

No one spoke as he moved forwards and stopped in front of Ginny, his cool grey eyes taking in her every detail.

Ginny unconsciously pulled her robes tighter around her and looked at him defiantly. “What do you want?” She asked boldly.

“Your help, if you're up for it.” Draco said coolly.

It was an understatement to say Ginny was shocked. Why would Draco Malfoy come all the way here, just to get her help?

“What?” She said surprised.

“I need your help, Weasley. I can't put it any more blunt than that.” Draco said harshly.

Ginny found a letter being thrust in her hand and felt a beautiful, warm sense of relief sweep through her, as she realised this was Harry's writing. Her friends were okay and not dead, as she had feared. Relishing in the happy feeling of knowing they were all safe, Ginny began to read the letter. It said:

Dear Ginny,

I know you must be worried right now…but I need you to do me a favour. I need you to go with Draco and find the last horcrux. You two are the only ones who can do this.

Please trust me!

Love Harry.

Ginny glanced up and noticed that Draco was watching her intently.

“So, what are you going to do?” he asked.

Ginny frowned to herself. If she stayed she would be letting her friends down…but if she went….

Ginny glanced back up at Draco. She had not seen him since he had escaped from Hogwarts nearly three years ago. He had tried to kill Dumbledore but could not. Many people had called him a coward for it…but this wasn't why Ginny was so afraid to travel with him. She was afraid because of something that had happened much earlier that year….

Ginny walked across the courtyard, her long red hair swirling in the fierce wind.

The sun was dying, as it curled itself behind the shrouding dark clouds. The growing darkness didn't bother Ginny though. She often found her feet taking her down these beaten paths, as the sun set, making the lake look as if it were on fire.

A hand clamped over her mouth and Ginny found herself being thrust hard against a wall, as her captor pinned her arms by her side.

Ginny looked up, slightly dazed from the impact and found herself staring into stormy grey eyes; Draco Malfoy's eyes.

“Why are you following me?” He demanded menacingly, as he took his hand away from her mouth. His face leaning in so close that Ginny could see the tiny flecks of blue in those intense grey eyes.

Ginny's heart pounded furiously in her chest. Her body was well aware of how close he was to her and Ginny tried desperately to control her thoughts…she hoped that he did not know legimens.

“I wasn't following you.” Ginny said breathlessly. “I was just taking a walk.”

Draco looked at her, disbelief etched in his expression. “And you just happened to be going where I was going?” He asked scathingly.

Ginny glared at him. “What's it to you, Malfoy? What have you got to hide?” She asked, her face instinctively moving closer towards him in her frustration.

Their eyes were locked on each other, and Ginny unconsciously licked her lips. That seemed to be all Draco needed, as he suddenly crashed his lips against her own in a fury of passion.

If Ginny was surprised by his impulsive action, she didn't show it. She surrendered easily to his kiss, winding her hands around his neck as their bodies pressed against each other.

Draco's kisses became more demanding, as his hand slid up her shirt, causing something in Ginny's lust fogged brain to register where this was leading. She knew that she wouldn't be able to control her actions soon, so intoxicated was she by his kisses.

“Please.” Ginny whispered, her knees going weak from his touch. “Please, stop.”

Draco seemed to come to himself at her words, as he quickly stepped away in shock. His eyes flashed angrily at her, as though it was all her fault and without a word, he swiftly walked away, not even bothering to look back.

Ginny slumped to the ground and hugged her knees. Her lips felt bruised from kissing and her body felt weak. She didn't know how she would be able to face anyone after this…let alone Draco Malfoy.

What was it about him? And why did he have this effect on her?

Ginny shook her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts and stood up dizzily. She knew she would never let herself be that close to Draco Malfoy again, for her own sanity.

“Well?” Draco demanded, his voice snapping Ginny out of forgotten memories.

She realised she really had no choice.

Ginny sighed. “I'll do it.”

Draco nodded and before anyone could do, or say anything, Ginny felt a familiar pull at her navel, as she realised that Draco had grasped her hand and they were both now travelling somewhere with a portkey.

Ginny fell hard against the ground, as they appeared on a large expanse of grass. She still had not gotten used to travelling by portkey.

She sat up and was surprised to see Draco's hand in front of her. His expression was of impatience but Ginny still couldn't help but feel a strange feeling growing inside her.

He seemed so different. His hair had grown much longer and his face, although still pointy and pale, had become much more structured, making his appearance more soft than the sharpness of his younger days.

It was not just his features that had changed though. It was in the way he moved, the way he spoke and the very aura that surrounded him. There was no spoilt brat in him; there was only unspoken battles and pain.

Ginny took his hand and was pulled with surprising ease to her feet.

“Where are we?” She asked, as she curiously looked around the field.

Draco let go of her hand and pointed up to the looming shadow in front of them. “Hogwarts.”

Ginny stared at him in shock. “We're at Hogwarts?”

Draco nodded and started walking, causing Ginny to have to run to catch up.

“Why Hogwarts?” Ginny asked confused.

Draco sighed and looked at her, an annoyed expression on his face. “Because the horcrux is here. Honestly, Weasley, use that brain of yours.”

Ginny scowled but decided to ignore the insult. “So how are we going to find it then?”

“Dumbledore.” Draco answered tiredly, as he pulled out his wand and blasted open the gates.

“Dumbledore-wait-”

Draco sighed. “Can you just shut up so I can get us inside?” he said, firmly cutting off her words.

Ginny opened her mouth to retort but Draco placed his hand over her mouth.

Unwanted thoughts came back in Ginny's brain and Draco quickly took his hand away; obviously some memories had not been forgotten for him, either.

“Look.” He said hastily to cover the awkward moment. “We don't know who may be listening…let's just wait till we get inside, okay?”

Ginny nodded and followed him through the gates. She couldn't help but notice his tensed manner and the way his eyes scanned the grounds, as though he was expecting something to jump out at them. Maybe they were in more danger than she realised…

Unconsciously, Ginny moved closer to Draco, as they came to the great doors, leading into the castle.

“Be ready for anything.” Draco whispered, as he moved his wand in a swift motion to remove the barriers on the castle.

Ginny swallowed and clutched her wand tightly as the doors swung open. The very air seemed to whisper with magic, as they walked inside the dark and derelict castle. The storm sounded muffled inside but Ginny could still see the flashes of lighting briefly lighting the castle.

Draco lit his wand with a muttered “Lumos” and the small beam of light illuminated the hall.

Ginny shivered slightly, as she looked around the empty hall.

“Are you cold?” Draco asked blankly, as he noticed her shivering.

Ginny shook her head, “No, it's just…”

Draco laughed. “I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be brave.”

Ginny glared at him, causing Draco to laugh even more.

“When you're done.” Ginny snapped.

Draco sobered up, but the amused glint still clung to his eyes and a mocking smile lurked at his mouth. Ginny couldn't help but think his face looked so much more appealing when he was smiling, even if it was at her expense.

“So, you said Dumbledore would lead us to the Horcrux. Did you mean the portrait?” Ginny asked, while mentally reprimanding herself for such treacherous thoughts.

“Very good, Weasley. You have a brain after all.”

Ginny rolled her eyes, “Whatever.” She muttered, as she started walking again.

Draco suddenly put his arm out, causing Ginny to stop suddenly.

“Malfoy, what-”

“Shh.” Draco whispered, as he put out the light on his wand with a muttered “Nox”.

They were instantly cast into darkness and Ginny found not being able to see very disconcerting, considering she was standing in a dark hallway with Draco Malfoy.

Suddenly he grabbed her arm and pulled her behind a pillar. Ginny was pressed against his chest, as the space was so small. Her heart was pounding furiously; Ginny didn't know if it was from fear or being so close to Draco.

A swish of a cloak sounded in the hallway and soft footsteps echoed through the night, as someone moved past them, their tiny beam of wand-light, briefly lighting up the silver strands on Draco's head.

“That was close.” Draco whispered, letting out a relieved sigh.

Ginny stepped away from his chest and thanked the darkness that was hiding her expression, as she knew her face would show only too well her confusion.

Gathering her wits together, Ginny looked up to where she thought his face would be. “Who do you think that was?”

Draco was quiet for a moment, as though pondering something. “I think it was my father.” He said softly.

“Your father? But…he's dead, Malfoy.” She said quietly.

“I know he's dead, I just- I can't explain it….” Draco trailed off and lit his wand again. “C'mon. We'd better get a move on.” He said briskly, as he started walking again.

Ginny nodded and followed Draco down the dark hallway. She was a little worried as to what would happen. If this really was Lucius Malfoy, they were in a lot of trouble; he was certainly no pushover. She had many encounters with him, but none were as bad as the time he slipped an innocent looking diary into her cauldron when she was eleven years old. The diary contained Tom Riddle's memory, or rather a piece of his soul. That soul piece possessed Ginny and forced her to attack her fellow students and almost kill herself in the process. Luckily for Ginny, Harry had come to her rescue, but he wasn't here to rescue her this time…

Ginny chanced a glance at Draco's profile and noticed the grim look on his face. Could he be right in saying this was Lucius Malfoy? Or was it simply someone else…

“We're here.” Draco said curtly, as he pointed to the giant gold statue of a griffin.

Ginny felt her breath hitch in her throat. This was Dumbledore's office. No one had been here for three years since his death, McGonagall had decided to close the school and focus her attempts on the war, rather than to be headmistress and allow her students to learn in danger…

So here they were, about to be the first people to enter the room since that day.

Ginny gave a fleeting look at Draco, who appeared to be deep in thought.

Is something wrong? Ginny asked with a frown.

“You need a password to get past this statue.” Draco mused out loud, “I don't know it.”

Ginny sighed, “Well, how are we supposed to get in then?”

Draco frowned, as he paced in front of the statue, his brow creased in thought. “When we were a school, Dumbledore always had his password as lollies, right?”

Ginny nodded, not really sure where this was going.

Draco stopped in front of the griffin, “Maybe it hasn't changed then. Quick, what's a lolly?”

“Um…fizzing whizbee?”

Draco let out a frustrated noise, as the statue did not move.

Ginny continued to say lollies until finally she just couldn't take it anymore. “How are we supposed to get this?” She demanded. “It could be a pineapple lump for all I know!”

To both Ginny and Draco's shock and amazement, the statue moved aside, as the spiralling staircase started to move upwards.

“It was pineapple lump?” Draco said surprised. “What is that?”

Ginny shrugged, “Some muggle candy that a friend got from her trip in New Zealand…Anyway, I think we'd better hurry.”

Draco nodded and together they walked onto the escalator-like stairs, finally coming to an elaborately designed door.

“This is it.” Ginny said excitedly.

Draco raised his eyebrow at her and turned the handle. The door opened and a round circular room met Ginny's eyes. It was just how she remembered it. The beautiful shelves stacked with trinkets and odds and ends, as well as the portraits that adorned the walls. Only these portraits were empty, their inhabitants having left long ago.

“Right, which one is Dumbledore's?” Draco asked, his grey eyes scanning the room.

Ginny stared about the walls at the empty portraits, her eyes resting one by one, on the faded gold edging of the frames. One painting, in particular, caught her eye. It was not designed in anything spectacular like some of the paintings but it was almost as if the very simplicity of it gave forth a powerful aura.

“This one.” Ginny said, pointing to the portrait. She didn't know how she knew it was Dumbledore's but she knew, without a doubt, that this was his portrait

Draco turned and walked towards the portrait. To Ginny's surprise, he started feeling the blank canvas and sliding his hands along the frame.

“Uh, what are you doing?” Ginny asked confused.

“Potter told me that the horcrux has something to do with Dumbledore's portrait.” Draco said, as he continued his search.

He made a small sound of triumph and pulled a folded piece of parchment out from behind the portrait.

“What does it say?” Ginny asked, as she rushed over towards Draco, as he unfolded the parchment.

Draco handed Ginny the parchment, a frown once more crossing his lips. Ginny glanced down at the parchment and read:

Nrot yb lavir doolb,

A nosmirc wolf fo etah,

Erif dna eci, hguouht setisoppo,

Detinu ta eht etag.

Evol lliw tset eht ghnerts,

Fo eht egaruoc ni ruoy straeh,

Ot erutnev peed ni ezam-ekil swodahs,

On thgil llahs ediug ruoy htap.

A lous dellif htiw ecilam,

Si gnitiaw peed nihtiw,

Eht htuom fo a tnaig,

Ohw skaeps ylno ni nis.

Yortsed eht ssenkrad,

Esaeler eht tghil,

Siht si a eurt erusaem,

Fo ruoy evol dna thgim.

Tearing her eyes away in confusion, Ginny looked at Draco. “What is this language?”

Draco shook his head in defeat. “I don't know.” He said heavily.

Ginny could tell this was a blow to him. She had never seen him look so dispirited, and she could understand why. If they couldn't figure out the clues to the horcux, how could they possibly find it?

Ginny read over the parchment again, her mind willing her eyes to break through the code…and then she realised.

“Malfoy!” Ginny said excitedly. “Come here quick.”

Draco walked over and glanced at her curiously. “What?”

“Read this backwards.”

Draco took the parchment and began to read:

Nrot yb lavir doolb,

Torn by rival blood,

He stared at Ginny in amazement. “I don't believe it.”

Ginny smiled at him, unable to suppress the burst of happiness inside her at figuring it out; she had never thought herself as particularly clever.

Draco stared back down at the parchment and began to decipher the code.

Torn by rival blood,

A crimson flow of hate.

Fire and Ice, though opposites

United at the gate.

Love will test the strength,

Of the courage in your hearts,

To venture deep in maze-like shadows,

No light shall guide your path.

A soul filled with malice,

Is waiting deep within,

The mouth of a giant,

Who speaks only in sin.

Destroy the darkness,

Release the light,

This is a true measure,

Of your love and might.

“It's a riddle,” he said after a few minutes.

“Let me see again.” Ginny said, as she took the parchment from his hands.

Ginny frowned to herself. She didn't understand it at all. The first segment was obviously talking about her and Draco, which made sense, since Harry said only they could find the horcrux. Obviously they had to unite somehow to open some sort of pathway.

The second segment appeared to be talking about what was beyond the pathway. It seemed as though they would have to help each other through the darkness…though why it talked about love, Ginny did not know.

The third was obviously the horcrux and where it rested. A giant who only spoke sin? Ginny didn't understand this line at all. And the last segment was simply destroying the horcrux…but how were they going to find this gate?

“I understand the first part, but how are we supposed to find this gate, Malfoy?” Ginny asked in confusion.

Draco frowned, “It's somewhere like a maze…Do you know of any place in Hogwarts that is like a maze?”

Ginny thought of all the places in Hogwarts that could possibly be like a maze. There were the dungeons but those weren't so bad…and then it hit her: the Chamber of Secrets had maze-like tunnels and was very dark...but how were they going to get in there? Neither of them could speak parseltongue…

“What about the Chamber of Secrets?” Ginny mused out loud.

Draco looked at her sharply. “You've been there before, right?”

Ginny nodded.

“So, you know where we can get in?”

Ginny nodded again. “But you need to be able to speak parseltongue to get in.”

Draco smiled, “I have a feeling that we won't be needing any parseltongue.”

“Why's that?” Ginny asked surprised.

“Our blood will open the gate.” Draco answered as he headed towards the door.

“What do you mean, `Our blood'?” Ginny demanded.

“Rival blood and fire and ice. Don't you get it, Weasley?” Draco asked impatiently. “We are the fire and ice; we're opposites but must unite. We must join the rival bloods as one, to erase all hate. That is what it is talking about.”

“So, we're going to join our blood?” Ginny said surprised. “How?”

Draco shrugged, “That's just the impression I got.”

Ginny nodded, it did seem to make sense; the only thing was, Ginny wasn't exactly thrilled about bonding her blood with Draco. That was powerful magic and usually led to the two people's fates being intertwined…Ginny was not sure she wanted her destiny to be bonded with Draco Malfoy.

Ginny glanced at Draco to see how he felt about this but his expression was closed. With an inward sigh, Ginny walked towards the door and looked at Draco with a questioning look, as though silently asking if he was going to just stand there all day.

“Let's go then.” Draco said, as he pulled open the door.

Ginny silently made her way to the spiralling staircase, frowning slightly to herself. How strange that she should be going back to the Chamber when she had almost died there, all those years ago. She didn't know what to expect but she was glad she wasn't alone this time. Even if Draco had been her enemy and always hated her, she could at least find some comfort in his being beside her.

“Where is the entrance to the chamber?” Draco asked curiously, as they started walking down the hallway.

“It's in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.” Ginny replied distractedly, still lost in her own thoughts.

“Myrtle's?” Draco said as he came to a sudden halt.

Ginny saw his face pale slightly. She wondered why he found that news so shocking. “Yes, Myrtle's bathroom. You know her?” Ginny asked curiously.

Draco's expression closed off again, as he started walking, “We've met.” He said shortly.

Not wanting to intrude on his privacy, Ginny let the subject rest and continued walking, both of them appearing to be too deep in their own thoughts to make attempts at conversation.

The large wooden door of Myrtle's bathroom came into view and Ginny heard Draco give a heavy sigh.

“Let's go then.” Draco said quietly, as he pushed open the door.

The smell of decay and mould assailed Ginny's nostrils, as she stepped into the dark bathroom. There was no trace of a mopey ghost, no flooded floors. It was dark, silent and foreboding.

“Where is the entrance?” Draco asked, his eyes taking in the derelict bathroom with a slight curl of his lip.

Ginny pointed to the rusted sink and waited for his ingenious idea on how they would get down there without parseltongue; a feat she still doubted.

Draco walked over to the sink and ran his pale fingers over the chipped tile. The steady drip of the tap caused his eyes to lock onto a small serpent carved into the flaking metal.

“Here.” He whispered to himself.

Ginny watched as Draco shifted his gaze from the tap up towards the wall. Something in the cracked brick seemed to attract his attention, as he touched something indistinguishable.

“What are you looking at?” Ginny asked curiously.

Draco gestured for her to come over and pointed at a thin line of green in the wall. If the brick hadn't fallen away, Ginny was sure they would not have seen it.

“What is it?” Ginny enquired.

Draco tapped his wand against the green rock and muttered something Ginny didn't understand. She watched intently, as the crack grew larger, as chips of brick fell away. A large glittering green snake glared at them through emerald eyes. It's mouth open in a snarl, as it hissed silently.

Ginny noticed that in its mouth, there appeared to be a small opening, as though something could be put inside.

“Hold out your arm.” Draco said commandingly.

Ginny held out her arm, not sure what he was about to do. To her horror, Draco pulled out a silver dagger and placed it against her creamy skin.

“This might hurt,” He said softly, as he placed more pressure on the dagger, causing a trickle of crimson to creep from the wound.

He then hastily slashed his own arm with the dagger and quickly placed the dagger above the snake's mouth. They both watched as the fused blood dripped from the glinting silver, falling freely into the snake's mouth.

The snake glowed an unearthly green and then miraculously the walls began to shake and the drain in the floor opened to reveal a dark and ominous tunnel.

“This is it.” Ginny said, unable to keep the fear out of her voice. Memories were playing like broken records in her head. She remembered only too well her fear in being forced to come down here for her own death.

Ginny shuddered slightly but stopped, as a hand took her own in a firm grasp. She looked up in shock to see those intense grey eyes watching her with what appeared to be silent sympathy.

It was in that moment that Ginny was truly glad she was down here with Draco Malfoy and no one else. He knew what it was like to live in the dark, so he also understood the dangers of what might happen in those maze-like tunnels.

Draco released her hand and jumped into the dark depths of the tunnel. Without a backward glance, Ginny followed him. There would be no turning back now…

OOOOO

Ginny barely stopped herself from falling into a puddle of filth, as she came flying out of the tunnel. She looked up to see Draco dusting himself off and frowned as she looked around. There were several tunnels leading from this one room and Ginny had no idea which was the right one to go in. Tom was controlling her, the last time she had come down here but this time she had no dark spirit to guide her way.

“Where do we go from here?” Ginny asked Draco.

He shrugged and pulled out his wand again, muttering Lumos, as he did so, to cause the small light to shine forth.

“Let's try this one.” He said, as he moved towards the tunnel on their left.

Ginny nodded and also brought out her own wand, which she lit; the tunnels were far too dark to navigate with just one wand light.

Ginny wrinkled her nose in disgust at the repulsive smell; it was the smell of death, lingering in the small corpses of rats and other tiny creatures littering the foul tunnel. Filth covered the walls and slimy water splashed up against her legs as she walked.

Draco did not appear perturbed by any of this, as he walked purposefully forward, his grey eyes examining their surroundings with a suspicious look.

“Stay close.” He said over his shoulder, “We don't know what may be lurking in her.”

Ginny nodded and began to walk faster, her eyes fearfully watching the shadows dance in twisted forms across the tunnel walls.

She couldn't explain it but for some reason, Ginny felt as though something dark was beginning to surround them. It was almost as if the very air was filled with malice.

“Malfoy.” Ginny said earnestly, “I think there is something here with us.”

Draco turned his head and suddenly gave out a cry of shock as he clutched his head in pain. It was then that Ginny saw a shadowy form moving closer to Draco.

Ginny had read about these creatures. They were made from the malevolence that resides in an evil spirit and could not be destroyed by anything other than a pure emotion, such as love. The horcrux must have summoned the creatures and Ginny realised they were obviously trying to invade Draco's mind by the pained expression on his face.

“Malfoy, you have to fight them! Don't let them get to you!” Ginny cried as she ran towards him. She had no fear of them trying to invade her mind. Once they had chosen their target they would not stop until that person was destroyed.

“I'm trying.” Draco gritted out but Ginny could see his strength of will was failing, as he collapsed to his knees, clutching his face.

The shadows swarmed around him until all Ginny could see was the outline of his body shimmering in a weird black mist.

“Malfoy?” Ginny said hesitantly, as he lay very still.

Draco looked up and Ginny gasped, recoiling in shock, as she saw the red glint in his grey eyes. His expression was very dark, as he stood up and gazed at her unblinkingly, the same weird mist hovering around his body.

He moved towards her, as he drew out the silver dagger from his robe, a horrible smile twisting his features.

Ginny stepped back and seemed to lose her balance. An awful plummeting sensation filled her stomach, as she crashed against the ground, only to stare up in horror, as Draco advanced towards her, the dagger glinting sinisterly in the wand light.

“Malfoy. Stop!” Ginny pleaded. Her wand had landed far from her reach when she had fallen and Ginny had no way to get to it in time.

Draco appeared to not even hear her, as he leered unpleasantly down at her, bringing the dagger above his head, as thought he were about to plunge it into Ginny's body.

“Please!” Ginny begged, fully crying now. She didn't know how she was going to get through to him. He was being completely controlled by the shadow creatures and if she didn't stop him, he was going to kill her.

“Draco, I know you can hear me. You must fight it. Don't let them control you!”

Draco seemed to hesitate, as though the use of his name had finally registered something in his brain.

Ginny took her opportunity, as she plunged on, “Draco. You don't want to hurt me. Think what you're doing! You're letting the darkness control you. I know you're stronger than this!” Ginny cried, as she stood up, gaining her courage.

Ginny could see the battle happening behind his eyes. Emotions were flickering like storms in those grey depths, as the reddish glow began to fade in and out.

“Look at me!” Ginny said imperiously, as she grasped his face in her hands, staring straight into his eyes. “You will fight this! You will because I know there is still light in you!”

Draco looked at her with a pained expression. To Ginny's amazement, and immense relief, the dagger fell out of his hands with a dull clang. He gave a sudden gasp, as though he were breathing for the first time again and fell forward into Ginny's arms.

Ginny staggered slightly, under the weight of Draco's body, as she helped him to his feet again.

“Are you okay?” She asked breathlessly, as she studied his face.

Draco nodded, closing his eyes, as he leaned against the wall. “I'm sorry.” He said in a strangled voice.

Ginny shook her head, “It's okay. I know you didn't mean it.”

Draco's eyes snapped open, as he stared at her with an unreadable expression. “I tried to kill you and you don't even care?”

“You weren't yourself. I knew that it was just the creatures. There's no point in worrying about it now.” Ginny said, shrugging slightly.

Draco gave her another strange look but didn't say anything.

“Are you ready to keep going?” Ginny asked, as she picked up her wand, while keeping a wary eye for more shadows.

“I think so.” Draco said gruffly, as he steadied himself.

Ginny nodded and started walking when she felt Draco grab her arm.

“Wait.” He said tiredly, “I…want to thank you.”

“Thank me?” Ginny said, as she turned to face him. “For what?”

“For saving me.” Draco said softly, his eyes burning with a strange glow. “I was trapped in the darkness. Trapped in my own fears and hate… but I heard a voice. Your voice; you told me to not give up and somehow…I found the light again.”

Ginny smiled, “I knew you could do it.”

“Let's go then, Ginevra.” Draco said, as he started to walk.

For some reason, Ginny had the mad urge to cry. She couldn't understand why his using her name had so much effect on her but those words changed everything. It was his way of saying that she finally had gained his respect.

“Right.” Ginny said softly.

OOOOO

They continued to walk down the tunnels, until the darkness seemed to lift a bit, as the opening came into site.

An ominous aura surrounded them, as they walked onto the stone platform that lead to the giant statue of Salazar Slytherin; his giant stone mouth still open from where the basilisk had slithered from it so long ago.

“So this is it.” Draco pondered out lout. “The Chamber of Secrets.”

Ginny nodded, as she gazed about the foreboding room. There were so many memories in this place; memories of screaming and crying, as she fought the possessive spirit that controlled her. A wave of icy terror that spread over her, as her spirit drained away from her body.

Ginny shook her head; she needed to get over her past if she was to do this. She couldn't let her fears control her.

“You okay?” Draco asked in some concern.

Ginny nodded, “I'm Fine. Let's just get this over with.”

They both looked up the statue and finally it made sense to Ginny. “A giant that speaks only in sin” She murmured.

Ginny turned to Draco with a grim look, “I have a feeling we're supposed to go inside the mouth.”

Draco agreed and started walking towards the statue, Ginny following close behind.

A sense of unease settled in Ginny's stomach, as they entered the dark cavern of Salazar's mouth. Just as before with the shadows, Ginny knew now that something wasn't right.

“I don't like this.” Ginny said quietly.

Draco nodded, as though he too had felt it. “Let's just keep our eyes out for anything suspicious.” He said softly.

Ginny gripped her wand tighter and glanced about the dark cavern. To their surprise, candles flickered to life, as tear shaped flames formed along the walls.

“Welcome.” A chilling voice said from the shadows.

Ginny watched as a man with long silvery hair walked out from the darkness. His grey eyes glittered dangerously in the soft firelight.

“Lucius.” Draco gasped. Ginny noticed that the hand holding his wand was shaking slightly.

“Son.” Lucius said in icy tones, “So nice of you to join me. I never thought I would be able to teach you this lesson.”

“Oh, and what is that!” Draco spat angrily.

“Death.” Lucius said with a twisted smile, as he fired a curse at Draco.

Draco grabbed Ginny and dragged her down on the ground with him. The spell flew over the heads and smashed into the wall.

“Go destory the horcrux.” Draco said quickly, “I'll deal with Lucius.”

“Okay.”

“GO NOW!” Draco yelled as he jumped out and fired a curse back at Lucius.

Ginny scrambled to her feet and dodged through the curses, as she sprinted towards the other end of the cave.

Lucius was too busy with Draco to notice her running past and so it was with a sigh of relief that Ginny found herself outside the fray.

Panting slightly, Ginny raised her wand and glanced about the room. It was fashioned like an old bedroom and Ginny briefly wondered if Salazar used to sleep here.

Shaking her head slightly, as though to shed the trivial musings from her mind, Ginny started to search for the horcrux. She had no idea what it would be but she knew it was here. The evil lingered in every corner of the room…

“Where could it be?” Ginny whispered. She jumped slightly, as she heard a particularly loud scream from the cavern. She hoped Draco was okay.

Trying to focus, Ginny started opening the rotten wooden draws and hunting through the boxes that littered the ground. She could just picture Tom laughing at her expense, as she searched for his horcrux in a panicked frenzy, all the time worrying if they were going to make it out of here alive.

Ginny stopped as she came to a small bronze chest. It seemed to radiate pure concentrated evil. Ginny knew that this had to be where the horcrux was being hidden.

Ginny ran her fingers along the cover of the box and noticed a small wand, crossed with a dagger, was engraved on it.

“This chest is the horcrux.” She said to herself. “But how to destroy it?”

Ginny pondered the spells in her head and decided to just try out a few destructive spells. To her dismay, none of them worked.

“How? How can I destroy this?” She muttered frustrated.

She could hear that the battle between Lucius and Draco had escalated. The angry curses and explosions made it seem so much worse than if she was actually watching it, as horrible images would come into her head.

It was at that point that Ginny remembered something Hermione had said. The only way to destroy an evil spirit is to counter the darkness with light. Just like the shadows, only a spell made of the purest light could destroy this horcrux…

“Pur Lumiere!” Ginny yelled, as she focused on all the good emotions inside her.

A blast of blinding white light shot out from Ginny's wand and surrounded the chest. A horrible screaming pierced the air, and Ginny thought her head was about to explode from the sheer noise the chest was making.

The box shattered and vanished into black smoke, as the light faded away into nothing.

Ginny took a great shuddering breath, as she stood up. The spell had drained a lot of her magic and she felt terribly weak.

She heard a panicked scream from the cavern and a loud thud, as something heavy collapsed to the ground.

Ginny half ran, half jogged back down the cavern and stopped as she saw Lucius dead body sprawled on the ground, his cold grey eyes frozen in terror, as they stared up at the roof of the cave.

“Ginevra.” Draco choked through the blood in his mouth. He swayed slightly and then collapsed to the ground, where he lay very still.

“DRACO!” Ginny yelled as she ran past Lucius's body and fell to her knees at Draco's body.

“Wake up! Please, wake up!” She cried, as she shook him roughly. “We can go home now. It's finished, it's all over.”

But Draco stayed silent, his eyes firmly shut, as though he were dead.

“Don't leave me here alone…. We did this together and we'll finish it together. I- I won't let you die!” Ginny sobbed, as she cried onto his chest.

She could hear the faint heart beat pumping slowly and feel the shallow breaths from his mouth on her face. He wasn't dead… but he was either too weak or too tired to carry on.

“Don't give up, Draco.” Ginny whispered, “We've come too far to give up now.”

A cold hand touched her face and Ginny looked up through her tears to see Draco regarding her with a gentle expression. “You never would give up in me, would you?”

Ginny shook her head, as she sat up.

“Why?” Draco asked curiously.

Ginny frowned to herself. Why did she care so much? She hardly even knew him and yet, here she was crying because he might die. It wasn't just because he had helped her, or looked out for her. It was something more…something deeper.

“I don't know.” Ginny said truthfully.

Draco sat up and sighed to himself. “You know, if it were any other person who I was told to do this with…I don't think I would have came.”

Ginny's eyes glanced towards his face. He was not looking at her but instead staring hard at the ground, a peculiar expression on his face.

“When I found out it was you, I knew I had to come, if only to see you again.” Draco looked up and their eyes met, just as they had so many years ago. “Is it wrong in me to dare, no… to hope that you could possibly feel something for me?”

Ginny was quiet for a moment. “I won't lie to you.” She said quietly, “I didn't want to come here with you.”

Draco's expression fell slightly, as he looked away.

“I was afraid of what I would do.” Ginny said softly. “Afraid because of the effect you had on me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ever since that kiss, you've always been in the back of my mind; a secret hope that you'd come back. I tried to suppress my feelings but when I saw you again in the Hog's head, they all came rushing back.” Ginny looked at her hands, as she continued, “As we've travelled, I've come to realise that maybe I do care for you. Maybe it was more than just lust…maybe…just maybe, it was love....”

Ginny looked at Draco, who was watching her intently. “You asked me if I could feel something for you…well now you know. But know this, Draco. I won't be walking out this cave alone.”

Draco smiled, a true and happy smile, as he pulled her towards him, to kiss her softly on the mouth. “I don't deserve you.” He whispered, as he leaned his face against her head. “I've hurt you so much…but I'll try Ginevra. I'll try, at least for you.”

Ginny grinned and held out her hand, as she helped pull him to his feet. Placing his arm around her neck, she allowed him to rest his weight on her.

They made their slow but steady progress towards the tunnels, both knowing in their hearts that despite all the darkness they had faced…they had found their light.

END

A/N: Please keep in mind that this story has not been Beta'd, so I am sorry for the typos, weird sentencing and other things that my lovely BETA usually removes for me.

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