part seven  Alone

       In his dream, Ginny was being taken by Sterling. He dragged her down Diagon Alley and into Knockturn Alley, where he forced her to use a Portkey with him. Ginny hated Portkeys, they always made her feel sick to her stomach. She repeatedly tried to escape, but Sterling held her tightly to him, and forced her hand onto the old boot. Immediatly, she felt the pull of the Portkey and shut her eyes, waiting for the moment when she felt her feet once again planted on solid ground. She opened her eyes and saw before her a huge dark castle, set like a shadow against the black velvet of the night sky. She felt Sterling's grip on her relax and she half-turned in his forced embrace, looking at his face. He stood as though mesmorized by the sight of the crumbling structure. Suddenly, he twisted her arms behind her back cruelly, making her cry out.

      "Let's go." he said, kicking the backs of her legs to make her walk forward up the hill to the castle's massive front door.

       "Where....are.....we?" she asked, trying to stay a step ahead of Sterling to avoid his abuse.

       "Home." he said softly, as if in awe of the ruinous palace before him. They continued up the overgrown path lined with flagstones and they reached the top of the hill. As they walked down the crumbling stone walk to the front door, the moss-covered columns bearing great torches burst into flames, lighting the path with black, flickering light. When they reached the heavy wooden door, marred by cracks and age, Ginny gasped. Boldly emblazened on the front was an emerald Dark Mark.

       Sterling pushed her forward as the door swung open. The two stepped inside and Ginny looked around at the great hall that stretched before her, at least three times as big as Hogwart's great hall. The room was decorated with faded tapestries and old furniture, all of which was covered with dust and cobwebs. The once-shiny marble floor beneath her feet was rough and flithy. Suddenly, she heard a voice from the far end of the hall, and she started in terror.

      On the other side of the room, sitting in a high throne encased by shadows and darkness, sat Lord Voldemort. Sterling fell to one knee and forced Ginny down as well, but she kept her eyes on the seated figure.

       "My Lord, my Father, I have brought my chosen bride." Sterling said, his voice strangely husky. Voldemort rose from his chair and stepped down the moth-eaten carpeted stairs, quickly crossing the space between himself and Ginny. She felt herself trembling but she continued to watch the black-cloaked figure move toward her. She heard Sterling stand up and move respectfully to the side when Voldemort approached her. She felt relieved that his hiddeous face was cloaked. She never wanted to see his face again as long as she lived. Voldemort stopped before her, and said in his oily voice.

      "Stand up child." Against her will, Ginny felt herself being risen to her feet. Her chin was lifted until her face was level with Voldemort's. He lowered his hood and she opened her mouth and screamed.

        Harry bolted awake, Ginny's screams still seeming to echo all around him. He jumped out of bed and ran down the hall, pounding on Ron and Hermione's door before opening it and flicking on their light.

        "Ron! Hermione WAKE UP!" he yelled, racing to their bed and shaking them both awake. Hermione untangled herself from Ron's grasp and sat up, blinking in the light.

       "What's wrong Harry?" she asked, with urgency in her voice. Ron looked slightly confused.

        "I had a dream about Ginny! I think I might know where she is!" he exclaimed. Both Ron and Hermione waited to hear more.

   to be continued....