My Eternal Curse

Chapter Eleven

Be careful what you wish for...

Ginny walked into her empty dorm room, shutting and locking the door behind her. She dumped the bags on the floor, carefully placed the carrying case on the bed, and sat down beside the case. Ginny felt tempted to let her familiar out of confinement, but she wanted to talk uninterrupted with Tom, first. She pulled out the small guide she had gotten about her familiar, and absent-mindedly flipped through it. Ginny wasn't sure what she wanted from Tom at this point, but she was determined to get it.

"Tom..." Ginny began, feeling a little insecure about all of this. "You said you had killed before... What did it feel like to you?"

"Why do you want to know?" Tom asked, defensively. "Are you afraid of what you're becoming, perhaps? Afraid that the feelings you felt were, somehow, abnormal? That with that one act, you became the monster you accused me of being, not so long ago? Let me tell you this, my little princess... Your precious normal people consider murder, by normal standards, to be an abhorrent and cruel act, unless... it is done for the sake of their precious side of Light. Then, and only then, can it be accepted, and even then, the 'so-called hero' is supposed to regret having saved their arses in the first place. Who's to say what is normal about murder, and what is not? Tell me... are you asking me if what you are feeling is socially acceptable? So you can go on placating the masses, by continuing to feel guilty about this? Or, are you asking me if what you feel is truly what you are deep down, but have been too afraid to experience until now?"

"I'm not a monster," Ginny said, equally defensive. Ginny hadn't thought about it like that. Why was she asking him? What did she think she'd gain by asking this? But, she still felt the need to know, to compare, and try to understand it somehow. She refused to back down this time. She was tired of letting Tom get free rein all the time. He had something she wanted, and he was going to give it up, one way or the other.

"I wasn't calling you one," Tom said, softly. "I was asking you what you want from me, what you really want from me. Do you want me to tell you how I felt when I killed Myrtle, so that you can use it to take some imaginary moral high ground? Continuing to distance yourself from me, so that you can pretend that we are nothing alike? Or, are you asking because you want to know, to really understand what you're thinking? What you're feeling? What you're becoming?"

"I... Why do you always make it hard for me?" Ginny sighed. "I asked you a simple question-"

"Nothing is ever simple about murder, Ginny," Tom said, forcefully. "The question you've asked in neither simple, nor easy to put into words... I will tell you how I felt... but only if you are willing to tell me the truth about how you felt. The real truth... Try to put it into words yourself, before you ask me that."

Tom felt almost certain she wouldn't answer that question, not so soon after the Death Eater's demise. As long as she didn't answer, he didn't have to think about his... mistake. On the off chance she answered, she could be easily diverted.

Ginny didn't have a clue as to what he was getting at by putting her through this. Why would he want to hear her describe it to him, when he was there? When he knew what she felt. I don't want to feel it again! Why did he want her to relive it, when it was still so fresh in her mind? Why? But if she wanted to hear how Tom had felt, then she had no choice but to comply. She let her mind go back to the moments before the Dark wizard's death, when the only thing that had been on her mind was protecting Harry.

"When he caught fire, I was more than a little shocked," Ginny explained, trying to sort out what she had seen and felt. "I had no idea he was behind me until the snake attacked him. In my mind it had happened so fast... at first. Then it was almost like a wizarding photo stuck in slow motion. The way he tried to resist the pain long enough to put it out... The way he screamed when all his efforts backfired. At first, I felt enraged and, somehow, elated. I felt like he had gotten what he deserved for attacking us, for trying to kill us. I wanted him dead... Then, as the flame grew, and I watched him suffer, my anger and euphoria vanished, leaving only pity, sorrow, and nausea behind. I thought that no one deserves to die like that... It was horrible... utterly gruesome..."

Ginny wiped away a tear. She'd felt her distress increase with each syllable, until it had become overwhelming. She couldn't go on, and to her surprise, Tom didn't push her to. They sat there for what seemed like hours, but what must have been only a few minutes. Then Tom spoke.

"Would you do it again, if it meant protecting someone, or yourself?"

At first she wanted to cry out 'No! I wouldn't! I couldn't!' but the instant she had thought it, she knew it wasn't true. Suddenly, she understood why Tom had asked her; until she had recounted the tale, she didn't see that, on some level, she had enjoyed it! The very idea made her sick to her stomach. In that moment, she had been no better than the Dark Lord or the Death Eaters. For an instant, she had become the very thing she had accused Tom of being, a monster.

"I would," Ginny whispered.

Tom felt all this run through her mind, and knew that he had done what needed to be done, for both of them. He knew, better than anyone did, what this would cost her, but in the right hands, that price would be well spent. In the end, it was far better for her to rid herself of these illusions on her own terms, and not the terms of others. He hadn't wanted to push her, but after today, he was sure that their time was short. She had to be ready to handle whatever the future held in store for them, and soon... The moment had come, and he knew that this could go either way. Something had to give, and he prayed it wouldn't be Ginny. Tom knew that he had to choose his next words carefully.

"How far are you willing to go to protect them?" Tom asked.

"I'd do anything for them," Ginny whispered. Part of her wanted to lie, but she was tired of lying all of the time, especially to herself. Was she somehow becoming the very thing she feared most?

"Anything?" Tom asked. "Would you give everything for them? Your heart, your life, your soul?"

"Why do you want to know, Tom?" Ginny asked, raising her voice slightly. Tom had, unwittingly, stirred up all the turmoil that had been threatening to consume her for the last few months. Ginny felt like she was going to explode. "Wasn't today proof enough for you? You already have my answer... there is no point in putting me through all of this. You never answered any of my questions, my snake! What did it feel like to kill an innocent? If it is in your best interest, are you prepared to hurt me? To take my life, in favor of your own? What is it you want from me, Tom Marvolo Riddle? You're supposed to be the next Voldemort... Merlin, you were him... I am so bloody sick of this! The lies we've built, your so-called plans, all of it. Don't I get a say any more? I'm not stupid, Tom! You want to take the Dark Lord's place, and you need me to do it. You want me to become just like you, to become you. You don't want Ginny for anything; you want She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named! Your creation, your perfect ally, your slave... Well, I'm sick of it, of all the intrigue. I want out... and I'm going to take it before I lose my mind! Before I lose myself..."

Ginny jumped off her bed, and headed for the door. Tom stopped her dead in her tracks. Where had all of this come from? Why was she doing this?

"Where do you think you're going?" Tom asked, in a deadly whisper.

"I'm going to put a stop to this..." Ginny whispered, mirroring that same deadly tone. "I'm going to jump off the Astronomy tower... care to watch? Oh, wait, you don't have a choice, do you?"

"Why are you doing this to yourself - to us?" Tom asked. Would Ginny kill herself just to spite him? She was serious. He had to put a stop to this, now.

"Why do you think?" Ginny sneered. "All of my life I've been manipulated in one form or another. By my family who wanted to mold me into the model daughter, by my teachers who wanted to influence me, and now by you... I'm tired, Tom, weary... I can't live out the empty existence you'd choose for me. I can't be what you want... just let me go!"

Tom heard the pleading and desperation in her voice at the end of her declaration. He could feel complete sincerity coming from every syllable she spoke. Somewhere, deep down, in a place Tom had thought long dead, it moved him. It hurt to see her suffer like this. Tom mentally shook his head. Where was all of this coming from? He instantly tried to bury these ludicrous feelings, and get back to the task at hand. He didn't have time for these dangerous and traitorous thoughts, right now. He had to stop her.

"Don't you see, I can't," Tom whispered. "If you die... you will take me with you, and I can't have that. I want to live even if you don't, and as long as you survive, so do I."

"I told you when all of this started, that I will not be used again!" Ginny cried. "I meant it! If you want to make me a monster, make it so that I can never go home again, then I don't want to live! If you want to work with me as an equal, as a complete individual, and not a slave... then, maybe... we can become a team, but I won't submit any more! Not to you, or anyone else! If anyone will submit... it will be you, Tom Riddle, or nothing. Our lives are in your hands... choose wisely."

"You wouldn't," Tom said, with a dangerous edge in his voice. He knew the moment that it left his mouth that she would, in an instant.

"Tell me no, and find out..."

Who was this Slytherin before him? Who would force him to submit? Who, he now knew, could make him submit? He had made a monster. One he could scarcely control... Damn, he had rubbed off on her too much. He had forgotten... far too much in her presence, and now he was paying for it. He had wanted her to get in touch with her Slytherin nature, and she had done just that... Tom felt a swell of twisted pride over her. She had taken his lessons and turned them right back on him. She was not the person he had first met. Who she was, he didn't know anymore, but he relished the idea of finding out. Yes, if anyone could be his equal, it would be her. For the first time in his life, he could sacrifice something, willingly.

"Be careful what you wish for..." Tom said, sounding amused. "You are not the same person I met, long ago. I see that now. You are something more... I will do what you ask. I swear it on the grave of Salazar Slytherin, my most honored ancestor. I will always treat you as an equal, and I will never shirk from my duties to you, even if it goes against my own best interest. Despite the odds, you have gained some of my trust and respect, Virginia Weasley. I can not completely trust someone lower than me, and the ones that I consider equals, I would never trust. You have earned more today than anyone else has from me. Do not waste it. Once it is gone, it will never be given again."

"Thank you, Tom," Ginny said softly, taken aback by this sudden change. For the first time since all of this started, she could feel his sincerity. He meant every word. "I promise you, you will not regret this..."

"Let us hope not..."

Ginny sat back on her bed. Neither spoke for a long time. Finally, Ginny decided to break the silence.

"So... partner," Ginny said. This was going to take some getting used to. "What were your plans? Your real plans for us?"

"I think that would be obvious," Tom said. "I would train you in the Dark Arts, darkening your heart as I went. In the end, you would have turned on your fellow Gryffindors, and turned to the Slytherins for company. In time, you would have gained their trust, fear, and respect, creating the ties we would need later. When school was done, we would have immersed ourselves in the darkest regions of the Dark Arts, becoming more powerful than you could have ever imagined. If Potter and Dumbledore hadn't defeated Voldemort by that time, we would have offered our services to the side of Light, as a good wizard, of course. All the while, gaining support and allies along the way. Together, we would have struck down Voldemort, becoming a hero. Then, when they were at their weakest, we would strike. They would have crumbled easily beneath our feet, and we would taken their place, becoming the true power in the wizarding world."

"That's obvious?" Ginny said, feeling slightly awed, and very unnerved by his plan. "What would you call obscure? Wait, don't answer that one. I'm not sure I want to know. You know... you still haven't answered my question. How did you feel when you killed Myrtle?"

"If you must know..." Tom sighed. "Then I will tell you. I had entered the girl's bathroom to open the Chamber of Secrets once more. I had already attacked the students several times; careful not to kill the other Slytherins, or get the school shut down. At that point, the school had been my only means of escape from the horrible muggle world I had been trapped in for most of my life. The last thing I wanted was to be back in that muggle orphanage again. I may have boasted to Potter that the girl died because I had planned it, somehow. That couldn't be further from the truth. The truth is that the girl was simply in the wrong place, at the wrong time, when I opened the Chamber. I didn't know that she was there until she had opened the door to the stall, and, by then, it was too late. One look, and she died instantly. At first I was shocked and appalled, and, on some level, even guilty. I couldn't understand why I hadn't felt her presence sooner. I should have checked to see if I was alone. The shock I felt slowly gave way to feelings of justification. I told myself that if she didn't spend all of her time wallowing in self-pity, then she wouldn't have ended up like this. It was her fault, not mine. At last, I felt a dark, twisted elation, and power at having killed her. That I could snuff out a life, any life, and get away with it, seemed like an almost dark intoxication... One, I guess my other self can't get enough of..."

Ginny drank in every word Tom had spoken, almost hypnotized by the dark picture he painted of himself. As Ginny listened to him, she began to understand why he had avoided the question. Tom hadn't felt proud of what he had done, and he didn't want her to read between the lines and see it. The fact that Tom had felt guilty for what he had done surprised her. Was Tom the complete monster he appeared to be? That couldn't be possible... could it?

"You're not proud of what you did, are you?" Ginny asked, gently.

"What makes you think that?" Tom asked, sounding like Ginny had just slapped him.

"The way you said it tells me that," said Ginny. "You sounded-"

"Sounded like what?" Tom snapped. "Sappy? Nostalgic, perhaps? Trust me, I am neither... Don't you dare try to find the soft and fuzzy side of Lord Voldemort. I assure you, it isn't there to find."

Of all the responses he had expected from her, laughter wasn't one of them.

"Don't mock me..."

"I'm not mocking you," said Ginny. "It was just that the mental image of a soft and fuzzy Dark Lord was priceless."

"I'm glad one of us finds this funny," Tom said, with an icy tone in his voice.

"Believe me, I don't find any of this funny," Ginny said, soberly. She felt that they needed a change of subject, fast. She wasn't going to get any further right now, anyway. Ginny wondered if there was anything left of his soul after all of the time he spent immersed in the Dark Arts. Perhaps she could come up with another way to get to him later. Maybe then she could find out what really lay beneath that mask of hatred and cruelty. "Why don't we let our new familiar out? I think it's been in there long enough."

Ginny opened the carrying case, and the snake slid out. It took a few moments to observe its surroundings, before addressing them.

"Hello again, young one," the snake said.

"Sorry to keep you confined like that," Ginny hissed.

"After what I've overheard, I understand," the snake hissed, sympathetically.

"You heard all of that?" Ginny hissed, warily.

"Your side," the snake said. "Not his... Tell me, young one, why do you hold the souls of two?"

"The souls of two?" Ginny asked.

"Within you is the soul of not one great wizard, but two," the snake explained, slithering onto her lap. "I sense great potential between you two, like none I've seen before... Your aura of power is palatable to me. I can taste your strange mix of magics now... Joinings like this are very rare... how did you become one?"

"That is a long story," Ginny hissed, almost thoughtfully. "Perhaps I can tell, you sometime... You were talking about a bonding in the store, what is it?"

"When I am bonded, I will be permanently linked to the wizard for life," the snake said. "For as long as both of us live, I will be the wizard's familiar, and loyal confidant. It is hard to describe in words how the bond ebbs and flows ... hopefully you two will be able to see for yourselves soon. Would you both agree to be bonded to me for life?"

"When the wizard dies, can you bond again?" Ginny asked.

"No," the snake said, sadly. "The bond can only happen once in a lifetime. When the chance is gone, it is gone... I sense that you two are worthy... I ask you one last time, will you two willingly bond with me. I will be loyal to both of you for as long as I draw breath."

"I have heard of her kind, Ginny," Tom said slowly, as if trying to remember something long forgotten. "Her species is used for some the most dangerous, and obscure magics. She could be a powerful ally... I agree to be bonded to her."

"We agree to attempt the bonding with you," Ginny said, feeling a little uncertain.

"Very well then..." the snake said. Without warning the snake struck, sinking its venom-pumping fangs into her arm. Ginny cried out in pain and surprise, as the snake let go of her and slithered out of her reach.

"Why did you bite me?" Ginny asked, feeling faint suddenly. "What..."

"To establish the first connection," the snake said. "My venom can create a temporary bridge between us... If we are destined to bond, the true bridge will form from it, and become permanent. If not, you will be unharmed... relax, young one. You must remain open for this to work."

"You could have warned me..." Ginny said vaguely, as she laid back on the bed. Tom could feel the venom run its course through Ginny's body at an accelerated rate. Ginny closed her eyes as the world faded away.

"I'm sorry, but it couldn't be helped," the snake's voice sounded like it was coming from a great distance. "You should be passing the first stage soon..."

"Your just as bad as Tom..." Ginny whispered. Without warning, strange images and sensations flew through Tom and Ginny's mind like a hurricane. In the tempest Tom caught glimpses of peoples and things long gone. It was like nothing he had ever seen before. It was as if thousands of years of history and experiences flashed before his very eyes. He heard Ginny gasp in wonder.

"What are you doing to us, snake?" Tom asked.

"You're seeing race memories of my predecessors and their wizards," the snake's voice echoed through their minds. Tom could feel the snake sending mental tendrils into his mind, trying to form the connection. He could feel that the snake was in trouble... it was having difficulty creating the link with them. Tom willed himself to strengthen the connection, until the snake had a chance to finish the bond. After a few moments, he felt Ginny do the same. Slowly the bond began to solidify, and the images changed from the snake's memories to their own. Tom could see his and Ginny's lives flash before their eyes. Ginny and Tom had a flash of insight, and cried out into the storm.

"Ix Chel!"

At once the storm in their minds ceased, and they were thrown back into reality with shocking force. Ginny breathed heavily, as if she had just run a marathon. She tried to catch her breath, at the same time Tom tried to calm his mind, which was still reeling from the experience. After a few minutes, they managed to compose themselves enough to speak.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Ginny asked, sounding worried.

"Tell us what?" Tom asked.

"She didn't tell us that trying to form the bond between two wizards would be dangerous for her," said Ginny. She searched her mind for the bond, and found it after a few tense moments of searching. It had worked, and she could feel that the snake was exhausted after the experience, but otherwise all right. "Merlin, if she failed, it could have killed her..."

"Are you alright, snake?" Tom asked.

"I... will be fine," the snake said wearily.

"You can hear me?" Tom asked, sounding surprised.

"Of course, child," the snake said. "Part of the power of the bond. In time you will learn to use it, as I can."

"Call her by her name, Tom..." Ginny said in an almost dreamy voice. "We've named her Ix Chel..."

"What we yelled into the storm..." Tom said. "What is an Ix Chel?"

"Ix Chel, the "Lady Rainbow" in your tongue,"

Ix Chel explained, "was a Mayan goddess of the Moon, whose believers associated human events with its phases. She was a bringer of Life, as well as a destroyer. And a protector of weavers and women in childbirth. Her jug was the source of the floods that destroy the works of humanity, and the waters that bring vitality. Water is a very powerful symbol of life. Her companion is the sky serpent, who carries the waters of heaven in its belly. Ix Chel, in essence, brought life and took it away... I am honored that you would think me worthy of such a name."

"It's a beautiful name," Ginny said. "I'm glad you like it."

There was a knock at the door. Ginny sat up and looked out the window. It was night. What the hell... Were they really under for that long? Ginny checked the time. It was almost time for dinner.

"That's probably Harry, Ron, and Hermione," Ginny said. "They probably came to make sure that I go to dinner tonight."

"Great," Tom said, unenthusiastically. "Just what we need... the dream team."

"Dream team?" Ix Chel asked.

"It's what some people call Harry, Ron, and Hermione when they're together," Ginny said. "Though I don't know why..."

"Ix Chel, the boy with the lighting bolt scar on his forehead," Tom said, "is known as Harry Potter. He is Parseltongue, and under our care, for the moment. He does not know of my existence, along with much of what is really happening to us, and he mustn't find out. We would be in grave peril if anyone knew about us, especially Albus Dumbledore. They... would not understand, and may hurt us if they get wind of our secret."

"That's the understatement of the millennia," Ginny said.

"Do not worry," Ix Chel said. "I will keep your secret, and protect this Potter, as I would protect you."

"Thank you," Ginny said. Ix Chel slithered up Ginny's arm until it rested its head on her shoulder, encircling her arm as it went, looking almost like a living decoration. "What are you doing?"

"I'm coming with you," Ix Chel said. "I need food..."

"Alright," Ginny said. She stood and opened the door.

"Ginny, we've been-" Ron said. He pointed to the snake. "What the hell is that?"

"I am not a that!" Ix Chel hissed, sounding deeply offended.

Ginny willed herself not to speak in Parseltongue.

"This is my new familiar," Ginny said. "Her name is Ix Chel. Mark bought her for me while we were in Hogsmeade today. Isn't she beautiful?"

"You got a Divinus Animus," Hermione said excitedly. "I read about them in 'Modern Uses of Magical Creatures'. They're normally very hard to obtain. You're lucky you found one in Hogsmeade."

"Hello," Harry hissed to Ix Chel. "My name is Harry Potter."

"You speak our tongue?" Ix Chel feigned surprise amazingly well.

"Merlin, don't do that Harry!" Ron said. "You sound creepy... Why would anyone bother talking to something like that?"

"Sorry," Harry said.

"Who is that waste of magic?" Ix Chel asked.

"That prat is Ginny's brother," Tom said.

"Bigot," Ix Chel spat. "How could anyone stand someone like that for so long without strangling him?"

"I think you better take those comments back, Ron," Harry said. "You've offended her."

"What do I care what some stupid snake thinks of me?" Ron asked. "It's just an ugly creature of darkness anyway. I knew your tastes were weird Ginny, but this thing? You're sick if you want keep a Dark creature as a pet."

"I should rip his lungs out for that!" Ix Chel spat angrily.

"Don't bother," Ginny said. "We're out of here..."

Ginny pushed past them. Ron tried to grab her arm but she shrugged him off.

"Piss off, Ron," Ginny snapped. Ginny walked off, leaving them behind.

*~*~*

Hermione watched Ginny disappear down the stairs to the common room. She sighed. Harry looked upset, and Ron's expression was still filled with barely contained disgust.

"Why did you have to treat them like that, Ron?" Hermione asked. "The species of snake she got is harmless, generally speaking. Also, it certainly wouldn't have been available in a pet store at Hogsmeade if it was in any way dangerous to wizards."

"All snakes are considered Dark creatures," said Ron. "I wouldn't be surprised if it was manipulating her or something. Why would she want an ugly thing like that anyway?"

"I agree with Hermione," Harry said. "You shouldn't have treated her like that, and not all snakes are bad. I've met some very nice ones. They have feelings just like us-"

"Don't you dare compare those creatures with us!" Ron fumed. "Wizards and snakes are nothing alike. What is Ginny thinking, getting one as a pet, especially now? What is she trying to do? Ruin her reputation? Everyone knows that anyone who associates with them is bound for trouble, and you two are crazy if you're going to support her!"

Ron walked off.

"Ron-" Hermione started.

"Let's give them some time to cool off," Harry said. "Don't worry, they'll work it out."

"Your right, Harry," Hermione said. "Maybe once he's had a chance to think about it, Ron won't penalize her for it. Let's go down to dinner. We can try to talk some sense into Ron afterward."

*~*~*

Ginny headed towards the Great Hall at a very slow pace. Sometimes Ron can be such a jerk, but he usually comes around sooner or later. She would just have to wait, and try to make him see reason.

"Merlin, I hope that the rest of your family isn't like that," Ix Chel said.

"They aren't," Ginny said, sticking to English for now. The last thing she needed was to be caught using Parseltongue right now. "Ron's usually not that bad. Don't worry Ix Chel, he'll come around. Sooner or later..."

"Knowing him... you're going to have a long wait," Tom said. "Though, if most of the student body is like that prat, he'll be the least of your worries."

"What are you talking about?" Ginny asked.

"I'm talking about the prejudice many have towards snakes," Tom said. "Keep in mind that snakes are not normal familiars. If you go to McGonagall now, and explain your relationship with her, then they may have no choice but to accept it. If you don't, you will have even more problems on your hands."

"You've got a point," Ginny thought, heading towards Professor McGonagall's office instead. "It's probably our best bet to avoid more trouble..."

"Tell me, young one, who is this McGonagall we must see?" Ix Chel asked.

"She's a Professor here, and the head of my house," Ginny explained. "She's also the Deputy Headmistress. If we need to get support from anyone about this, it will be her."

"If we cannot obtain her help, will I be sent away?" Ix Chel asked, sounding slightly worried.

"Not if I have any say in it..." Ginny said. They arrived in front of Professor McGonagall's office. Just as Ginny raised her hand to knock, the door opened and Professor McGonagall stood before her, with a questioning expression on her face. She saw the snake on Ginny's arm and her scrutiny of Ginny increased tenfold. "I'm sorry to bother you, Professor... but I need to speak with you."

"Of course, Miss Weasley," Professor McGonagall said, as she moved aside to let Ginny in. "Come in and take a seat."

Professor McGonagall indicated the chair in front of her desk. Ginny sat down. Professor McGonagall closed the door and sat down behind her desk.

"I take it that what you have to talk to me about has to do with this snake?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Yes, Ma'am," Ginny said. Being careful to omit anything that could hurt her in the long run. She continued. "I know that snakes are not normal familiars, but she's not the average snake. Ix Chel is special, I'm sure of it. When I was in Hogsmeade, I found her in a pet store. Something about her drew me to her. I don't how else to describe it. So I bought her..."

"Go on, Miss Weasley," Professor McGonagall urged, after a few moments of silence.

"I've been bonded to her, Professor," Ginny said.

"A life bond?" Professor McGonagall asked, shocked. "Are you sure you've bonded to this creature, Miss Weasley?"

"Yes," Ginny said. "As far as I'm concerned, I was destined to bond with her."

At her words, Professor McGonagall stood and walked over to where Ginny was sitting. She pulled out her wand and pointed it at Ginny, mumbling an incantation that Ginny couldn't hear. After a few moments, a white beam of energy appeared, running from Ginny's chest to the snake. Professor McGonagall lowered her wand and the beam vanished from sight. Professor McGonagall sat back down behind her desk, and sighed.

"I'm sorry to question your story, Miss Weasley, but life bonds are very rare," Professor McGonagall said. "How did you enter into this bond?"

Ginny told her about what had happened, carefully omitting the parts about Tom. An uncomfortable silence filled the air after Ginny finished her tale. Several minutes passed. Then finally Ginny couldn't take the silence any longer, and spoke.

"My brother saw her and freaked," Ginny said, her feelings of worry making themselves known. "I'm afraid that others are going to react badly when they see me with her... Please don't make me send Ix Chel away! I need her. I know it..."

"Don't worry, I wont make you get rid of her," Professor McGonagall said. "I agree with you, Miss Weasley. She is special. To forge a life bond takes a great deal of power and control, and no ordinary creature can do that. You were right to come to me about this right away. I take it that you can understand her to some degree, at this point?"

"How did you know?" Ginny asked, feeling slightly alarmed.

"As your life bond solidifies, she will be able to make her wishes known," Professor McGonagall said. "In time, you may even be able to hear each others thoughts. It's a perfectly natural part of the process... There are many books in the library on the subject. Do not worry about your housemates, or the other students, Virginia. I will make sure that they don't overreact too badly. Are you planning on taking her down to dinner with you?"

"Yes, Professor," Ginny said. "She needs to be fed, and she eats normal food."

"Very well," Professor McGonagall said. "She can come with you tonight, but I'd rather you didn't take her with you to the Great Hall too often. I'll arrange something with the house elves tomorrow, so that you don't have to bring her with you all of the time."

"Thank you, Professor," Ginny said, getting to her feet. Professor McGonagall stood, and opened the door. Ginny walked out into the deserted hallway.

"I'll escort you to the Great Hall," Professor McGonagall said.

"Alright," said Ginny. Professor McGonagall closed the door and they left.

_________

TBC