Chapter 12: Recognition

    She wished it was a dream, but it wasn't. Ginny sat up in bed, brushing her hair back from her face. Beside her, Sterling slept soundly. It amazed Ginny how he could be so evil, but still look so peaceful in sleep. Carefully, so as not to wake him, she slipped out of the bed and pulled on a robe.

     While Sterling had cast a spell that kept her locked inside the falling-down castle, Ginny was free to go wherever she wanted. Sterling rarely used the Imperius Curse on her...she shuddered and kept walking down the dark corridor, trying to shake thoughts of Sterling out of her head. She wanted to try to think about her past, she knew she had to remember if she was to escape. That dark-haired boy in her dreams, who was he exactly?

     Something inside told her that he was her boyfriend, her love. But then there were also images of a tall, slender blond-haired boy. Someone she knew was wonderful, but terrible at the same time. Who were they and why were her dreams filled with them? She knew that she hadn't lived her always and that Sterling wasn't her lover, by choice anyway.

      She collided with someone and fell to the floor. She looked up to see the shrouded figure of Lord Voldemort standing over her. He reached out his scaly hand and helped her to her feet.

     "What are you doing up so late, Ginny? The dreams again?" he asked. Although at first she had been scared of Voldemort's snake-like features and hissing voice, she knew that much wisdom could come from him, if one took the time to listen. He had helped her with much, and her powers, both magical and mental, had developed incredibly under his tuitilage.

      "Yes, they're getting clearer now. The dark-haired boy, he's got a mark on his forehead, like a scar or something. Rather odd isn't it?" Ginny asked. Voldemort started walking slowly, and motioned for her to walk with him. The two walked slowly down the corridor towards Voldemort's chambers, where he rarely allowed Sterling to go.

      "I suppose it's time. The stars are right." Voldemort said in a low hiss. Ginny looked at him curiously.

      "Time for what?" she asked. Instead of answering, Voldemort handed her her wand.

      "Have you mastered the curse yet?" he asked. Ginny nodded.

       "The Avada Kedavra? Yes, I have." she said, unable to keep the note of pride out of her voice. It had taken her over two months to learn that curse accurately. She had practiced it on several small animals, and she had it down.

        "I'm going to ask you to do something for me, a mission of sorts." Voldemort said. Ginny nodded again.

        "Yes, anything." They had reached the doors of Voldemort's chambers and they walked inside. Tied to a column directly in front of them was a boy with blond hair. He was unconscious, Stunned was Ginny's guess. She looked at Voldemort for orders.

       "Kill him, then I'll give you instructions." Voldemort turned and headed back towards the door. Ginny looked at the boy, then turned to Voldemort.

       "Kill him? How?" she shrilled. Voldemort laughed evilly.'

       "Anyway. Avada Kedavra, anything. It doesn't matter. You've got thirty minutes." The door slammed behind him and Ginny was alone. She pointed her wand at the boy and said "Ennervate!" and a few seconds late the boy awoke. He looked at Ginny in shock.

       "Ginny?!" he whispered in a hoarse voice. Ginny looked at him suspiciously.

       "How do you know my name?" she asked. The boy smiled.

       "Ginny, don't you recognize me?! It's me, Draco! Harry and I have been looking for you for months! He's going to be so glad. Come here,and help me get out of these ties, quickly, before Voldemort comes back!" the boy said eagerly, pulling up on the ropes. Ginny shook her head slowly and his smile faded.

        "I don't think so...I don't think so." she said slowly. The boy looked shocked.

       "Ginny, what are you saying?! You're being held hostage, Ginny!" Ginny slitted her eyes and raised her wand.

        "I've got my orders." she said. "AVADA KEDAVRA!"          

            Harry woke with a start. He scrambled out of bed and looked out his window at the moonlit lawn below. A limp figure lay sprawled on the wet grass, while a shimmery emerald-green Dark Mark lit the sky above him.

          to be continued.