My Eternal Curse

Chapter Four

The Rules of Engagement

Ginny awoke slowly in her four-poster bed. She felt like she had been asleep for a week. She sat up and pulled open the curtain. Glancing at the clock, she saw that she would have plenty of time to shower and change before breakfast. Ginny slowly got to her feet and took a good, long look at herself in the mirror. She had dark circles under her eyes and looked terribly pale and worn out. Ginny still felt exhausted, but better than she had in weeks.

"You've seen better days, dear," the mirror said.

"Tell me about it," Ginny replied.

"I'm happy you're up and about again," the mirror said. "If you'd slept any longer your housemates would have summoned Madam Pomfrey."

"Slept any longer?" Ginny asked. "What day is it?"

"It's Sunday," the mirror said. "Your housemates tried to wake you, but you just brushed them off and went back to sleep."

"Sunday?" Ginny said. "I've been asleep since Friday... Wow, I guess I really needed it."

Ginny showered and changed, then went to survey herself in the mirror again. She still looked terribly pale with dark circles under her eyes, but she seemed a little less tattered then she had been. Her long, straight hair looked a little wild and unkempt. She wore muggle blue jeans, a navy T-shirt, and sneakers.

"Welcome back to the land of the living," Tom said, catching her off guard. "I was beginning to wonder if you were going to wake up."

"You wish," Ginny mumbled. She was starving. Ginny hadn't eaten anything since Thursday. "I'm going to breakfast..."

"You're not seriously thinking of going out there looking like that?" Tom asked.

"Like what?" Ginny asked, beginning to feel irritable.

"Like something that's been dead and decayed for five days," Tom said. "Don't you have any sense of femininity at all?"

"Go away," Ginny thought. She turned to leave, but Tom took control of her and headed for her trunk instead. They started rummaging through her things, pulling out an assortment of makeup and stuff she owned, but never bothered to use. "What are you doing?"

"I'm making you look presentable, for once in your life," Tom said. "For as long as we work together, you are going to look like a young woman, not a tomboy."

"Hey!" Ginny said angrily. "There is nothing wrong with the way I look!"

"Then you need to get your eyes checked," Tom said. "Or you've spent way too much time with your brothers... pick one."

"This is degrading," Ginny thought.

They picked up the stuff Tom had selected and returned to the bathroom. Ginny was far too tired to fight with him, so let him do the work. A half-hour later, Tom finally pronounced that she was fit for human contact. Ginny gazed into the bathroom mirror admiring Tom's work. Her long, straight, wild hair was now done up in a set of beautiful ring-curls. Tom had removed her freckles and the dark circles under her eyes with a blemish removal charm. Ginny wore red lipstick and makeup to accent her features, adding to what Tom called her 'natural beauty'. Ginny had to admit, he had done a surprisingly good job.

"I think you missed your calling Tom," Ginny said, mildly amused. "Instead of being He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, you should have been The-Makeup-Artist-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

"I fail to see the source of your amusement," Tom said. Ginny chuckled lightly at that.

"How did you learn to do that?" Ginny teased. "By practicing on yourself?"

"Oh, very funny," Tom said icily.

"Can we go down to breakfast before we starve?" Ginny asked looking at the time. "Or do you want to spend the next two hours dressing me too?"

"I think I did an excellent job," Tom said. "I must say... you look ravishing."

"Thank you..." Ginny said taken slightly aback. No one had ever complemented her like that before. Tom gave her back full control of her body, and they went down to the Great Hall for breakfast. The Great Hall was half full of students, but there were almost no teachers in sight. Only Professor Trelawney had seen fit to come to breakfast this morning, and she never came down for breakfast.

"Strange..." Ginny thought. "Where are teachers?"

"They're probably in a secret meeting or something," Tom said.

"A meeting about what?" Ginny thought.

"On how best to defeat Voldemort," Tom said. Ginny flinched when he said the name. "You're going to have to get over your pathetic fear of saying the Dark Lord's name."

"Then why isn't Professor Trelawney in the meeting with them?" Ginny thought.

"Like that old cow would have something useful to contribute," Tom said. "I could just picture it now..." Tom started to do an imitation of Dumbledore and Trelawney. " 'What's the next phase of our plan? Anyone?' 'My Inner eye tells me that The Dark One and Harry Potter will die in a duel sometime in the next two years... By way Minerva... That thing you fear will happen next Tuesday.' Asking her for a straight answer is worse than asking a Centaur. 'Mars is bright tonight...' Even a fool like Dumbledore wouldn't let an incompetent nitwit like her into their inner circle."

"You've got a point," Ginny said, feeling slightly amused. Ginny sat down at the Gryffindor table and started in on her food like a starving man.

"Be careful Ginny," Tom said. "You don't want to get any of that in your mouth..."

"Shove off Tom," Ginny thought as she swallowed another bite.

"Oh, goody," Tom said. "Nosey fools at 12 o'clock."

Ginny looked up and saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione heading toward her. Harry took the empty seat to her left, while Ron and Hermione took the other two to her right.

"Good morning," Ginny said.

"Are you feeling ok Ginny?" Hermione asked.

"I'm fine," Ginny said. The lie came to her easily. "I guess I've just been studying for my OWL's too hard. Don't worry. I don't plan to on straining myself like that again."

"Are you sure you're alright?" Ron asked, concerned. "Maybe you should go see Madam Pomfrey."

"I'm fine," Ginny said. "I'm just a little tired that's all. I don't need a Mediwitch. I just need to ease up on the studying."

"Studying is important," Hermione said. "Just don't push yourself too hard."

"Remember, if there is ever anything you need to talk about, we're here," Harry said.

"I will," Ginny said.

"I'm proud of you, my little princess," Tom said. "You're learning... We may survive this yet."

"But at what cost?" Ginny thought mournfully.

"I like your new look," Harry said. "It suits you."

"Thank you," Ginny said, blushing slightly. To her surprise Tom didn't comment on that. Suddenly, a large, midnight blue owl flew into the great hall, heading straight for the Gryffindor table.

"I wonder who that's for," Tom thought. Ginny was surprised when the strange owl landed in front of her, deposited a small parcel covered in brown paper with the words 'To Ginny' written neatly on it in blood red ink, then left. Ginny examined the package carefully before opening it. Inside the parcel was a wooden box made of oak with an intricate design carved on it. A small blood red ruby was embedded in the center of the cover. Ginny felt compelled to touch the ruby, and slowly placed her hand on top of it. She felt the box scan her for several moments before accepting her. She removed her hand as the box opened on its own. Inside the box sat a small note written on a piece of parchment, and a beautiful necklace. Ginny picked up the necklace and held it up to get a better look at it. It had a single, large, flawless, blood red stone seamlessly suspended from an equally flawless gold chain. The stone itself almost glowed with a light of its own. It was gorgeous. She immediately put it on and read the note that was written in the same handwriting as on the outside of the package.

Keep the necklace with you always... you will need it.

Use it well.

- A Friend

"Who is it from?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know," Ginny said, staring at the strange note in her hand. "I've never seen anything like it before..."

"Maybe you've got a secret admirer," Harry said.

"Maybe," Ginny thought. The five of them ate the rest of their breakfast in silence; none of them noticed the boy at the Ravenclaw table watching them.

*~*~*

Ginny ran out of the library at break-neck pace, paying little attention to where she was going. She had spent so much time finishing her Charms essay that she was going to be late for Potions class. Professor Snape had little patience for tardiness, and the last thing she wanted to do was get on his bad side. Ginny reached the top of the stairs and ran straight into someone else. They both lost their balance and fell down the steps. "My wrist!" Ginny thought when she cried out in pain, as they tumbled down the steps. They finally reached the bottom of the stairs in a tangled heap of arms and legs. Ginny disentangled herself, careful not to use her right wrist. The pain was almost unbearable; she tried to move her fingers, but couldn't.

She was startled out of her reverie when the person she ran into cried out in pain. He was a teenage boy, about her age, with wavy, shoulder length, chocolate brown hair. He was wearing Ravenclaw robes, and his silver and green rimmed wire frame glasses were askew. He had piercing cobalt blue eyes, and an almost handsome face. He looked like he was in a lot of pain.

"Where are you hurt?" Ginny said.

"My leg..." the Ravenclaw boy said in a strained voice. Ginny saw that his ankle was at a funny angle. It was definitely broken.

"We got to get you to Madam Pomfrey," Ginny said, as she considered her options. She didn't trust herself doing a levitation charm with her wand arm injured. The last thing he needed in this state was to be dropped. At least they were on the same floor as the infirmary. Ginny helped the boy to his feet and caught him when he accidentally put weight on the broken foot and fell over. Ginny sagged under his weight as she half-dragged, half-carried them both to the hospital wing.

*~*~*

Tom watched the whole scene play out from the depths of Ginny's subconscious. He felt Ginny's pain, and winced. They finally reached the hospital wing with the boy in tow. He watched as Madam Pomfrey healed their wounds. He noticed that, despite herself, Ginny was scarcely able to take her eyes off him the entire time. He could feel her guilt and concern for him and... Ginny was scared, and yet, was quite taken with the boy. Wasn't that... interesting. He studied her emotions further. She was very attracted to him and wanted to get to know him better, but was terrified, that if she did, it would be their undoing. Rightly so, Tom thought. Such connections could prove to be deadly. But what if he could be useful to us? Tom studied the other boy with great intensity. He had a great deal of talent, and a potential within him, just waiting to be exploited. There was something about him... a darkness that seemed like a blossom waiting to bloom, and with it a dark need to prove himself. That caught Tom by surprise. Could this young man become a valuable asset to them? Or something else perhaps?

"I'm sorry," Ginny said sheepishly, doing her best to keep the trepidation out of her voice. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"Neither was I," the young man said, offering her his hand. "My name is Mark, Mark Dippet. What's yours?"

Tom recognized the name, and smiled. What an interesting turn of events...

"Ginny Weasley," Ginny said taking his hand. Part of her wanted to get as far away from him as possible, and another part of her wanted to get know him a little better. She mentally shook her head at that thought. Now could not be a worse time for personal attachments...

"Pleased to meet you," Mark said, kissing her hand then letting it go. "So, what class were you heading to?"

"Potions," Ginny said, feeling slightly unnerved by his gaze. "He's probably going to give me Detention for this."

"You don't have anything to worry about," Mark said. "Snape is sick. Potions classes for today were canceled."

"How do you know?" Ginny asked.

"I would like to know that as well," Tom thought suspiciously.

"I heard Madam Pomfrey telling Professor Trelawney when I left breakfast this morning," Mark said. Tom didn't believe a word of it, unlike Ginny, who did. "So what year are you in?"

"I'm a fifth year," Ginny said.

"Me too," Mark said. "What's your next class?"

"Divination," Ginny said.

"I should just go..." Ginny thought warily.

"I've got Divination too," Mark said.

"How come I never noticed you there before?" Ginny asked, feeling slightly curious, and 'suddenly' very suspicious of him.

"People tend not to notice me much..." Mark said. "Why don't we head out to our next class? Who knows? The impossible might happen and we might get there early."

"Good idea," Ginny said.

"Why am I doing this?" Ginny thought, as they left the hospital wing on their way to Divination. "I should just make up an excuse and leave... but what would one little conversation hurt? It would be nice to have a normal conversation with someone for a change."

"Did you know that there is a rumor going around that the halls to Divination class are cursed, so that people always get lost on they're way there?" Ginny said, hiding her discomfort.

"I wouldn't be surprised," Mark said. "I don't think I know anyone who doesn't get lost on their way there."

Mark and Ginny talked in route and discovered they had a lot in common with each other. Tom listened to every word they said, as he continued to study Mark closely. The longer they were together the clearer the impression of darkness seemed to him. Mark has definitely been studying the Dark Arts... but to what end? Was he merely fascinated by the subject? Could he be a Death Eater, or an ally in disguise? Tom couldn't be sure, but he needed to find out somehow... Should he dissuade Ginny from befriending him? She seemed to be doing that all on her own. Despite her outward appearance of calm, her irrational desire to bolt was beginning to get the best of her. Would keeping their distance from him protect them, or put them in even greater peril later? No, if he turned out to be an ally, that would be a mistake, and if Mark was an enemy doing that could prove disastrous. Ginny would be the perfect tool to find out... He would wait and let this play out... Perhaps even nudge Ginny in the right direction, from time to time... until he was sure.

*~*~*

Ginny and Mark chose to sit together in Divination class. The heavy perfumes and incense that hung in the air always made Ginny sleepy. Once or twice, Ginny had been caught snoring during a lesson. Professor Trelawney had not been amused, and took five points from Gryffindor. Despite her fears, Ginny was happy that she had someone worth talking to for a change. Maybe she wouldn't fall asleep this time. Halfway into the lesson, she and Mark were forced to stop talking when their Professor caught them. Not long after that Ginny's senses were under attack by Professor Trelawney's sleep inducing fumes again. Ginny just couldn't keep her eyes open for another second, and drifted off to sleep...

Ginny was flying on a broomstick over the Quidditch field, with Harry. There wasn't a cloud in the sky... perfect for Quidditch tryouts. Ginny turned and saw Hermione and Ron talking to each other in the stands. Suddenly Ginny heard a scream and saw Harry fall off his broom, plummeting to the ground below.

"Harry!" Ginny cried, as cruel and terrible laughter rang in her ears. She watched helplessly, as Harry hit the ground with a terrible thud...

"Ginny!"

"Leave her alone. Can't you see she's having a vision!"

"Wake up," Mark said, shaking her gently. Ginny slowly opened her eyes. Everything seemed a little hazy. She was lying on the classroom floor surrounded by her classmates. Her Professor was kneeling down beside her, her eyes gleaming with barely contained excitement.

"Mark..." Ginny said.

"What happened?" Mark asked, sounding worried. "You fell on the floor yelling Harry Potter's name..."

"I-I'm not sure," Ginny said, as she sat up, still feeling disorientated. "I was outside a moment ago..."

"What are you talking about?" Mark asked. "You've been here the whole time."

"What did you see child?" Professor Trelawney asked.

"I was outside..." Ginny said. "Flying on a broom with Harry, over the Quidditch field. I turned and saw Hermione and Ron talking about something in the stands. Suddenly I heard a scream... I'm not sure, but I think it was Harry. When I turned back, I saw Harry fall off his broom, but I couldn't stop him... It seemed so real."

"Did you see, or hear anything else?" Professor Trelawney said. "Even the slighted detail could be important."

"As Harry fell I heard this horrible laugh," Ginny said, a shiver running down her spine at the thought. As her disorientation wore off, she noticed the other students staring at her with scared, worried looks on their faces. Ginny felt like she was trapped under a muggle magnifying glass. All she wanted to do was escape their horribly unnerving gazes.

"It was probably just a nightmare," Mark said. "Or an effect of the fumes."

"You're probably right," Ginny said, feeling a little better. The other students were not convinced, and neither was Professor Trelawney.

"That was most certainly not a dream," Professor Trelawney said, giving Mark an icy glare. "You were having a vision of the death of Harry Potter!"

A torrent of whispers and gasps filled the classroom. Mark helped Ginny back to her chair. Ginny saw the excited look on her Professor's face, along with the concerned look on Mark's face, and sighed. She knew that the last thing Harry wanted were even more rumors about him, and from the looks of it, she had just inadvertently started a whole set of new ones. How was she going to get out of this one?

"I always knew that you had a strong Inner Eye," Professor Trelawney said. The end of class bell rang, and everyone jumped. "20 points to Gryffindor. Class dismissed... Remember to study chapters twelve through fourteen on visions for your test next time."

The class filed out slowly, everyone casting wary glances at Ginny on their way out the door. Ginny and Mark got up and headed for the door themselves.

"Stay Virginia," Professor Trelawney said in a dreamy voice. "I need to speak with you."

"But Professor-" Ginny started.

"This is important, child," Professor Trelawney insisted. "Do not worry. This will not take long."

"I've got to go," Mark said. "I'll see you at lunch."

"Bye," Ginny said, as she watched Mark descend the ladder from the Divination classroom. She turned back to her Professor, who was now sitting in the chair Ginny had just vacated.

"Please sit down," Professor Trelawney said, indicating the chair across from hers. Ginny sat down. "Has this ever happened before?"

"No," Ginny said. "It was just a dream."

"How do you know it's a dream?" Professor Trelawney asked.

"If it were a vision, wouldn't I know it?" Ginny asked.

"The untrained witch often has trouble distinguishing the two at first," her Professor said. "Did it feel like a normal dream?"

"No..." Ginny said, after thinking about it for a moment. "But what does that have to do with anything?"

"It has to do with everything," Professor Trelawney said. "The next time you have a vision come to me right away."

"Yes Professor," Ginny said, just wanting to leave.

"You may go," Professor Trelawney said. Ginny picked up her things and left the classroom. Was what she'd seen a dream, or a sign of things to come? Or was she just losing her mind? Suddenly a thought occurred to her. Tom hadn't said a word during all of this. Not one smart mouth remark...

"Tom?" Ginny thought. "Are you there?"

"Where else would I be?" Tom asked. "Disneyland?"

"Was that a dream, or a vision?" Ginny asked.

"I don't know," Tom said. "I've never even taken Divination before. Pay no attention to what that old bag says. She couldn't tell a real vision from a fake one if her life depended on it. Besides, real Seers are very rare. If you had the Sight, why didn't you have a vision sooner?"

"Good point," Ginny said. "They're just blowing all of this out of proportion."

But, no matter how hard Ginny tried, she couldn't bring herself to believe it.

__________

TBC