Someone to Watch Over Me

Chapter 2

Ginny quickly recounted the whole incident to Taylor. Taylor was a very attentive audience; always commenting in the right place.

"Wow. That's really creepy. I don't know for sure if he's stalking you, but I'd certainly keep an eye on him," she said when Ginny was done.

"No. I know he's stalking me. It doesn't really surprise me, seeing as how he's done this before..." she said and trailed off.

"What? He's stalked you before?" Taylor said.

"Well, yes. When I went to Hogwarts, Brian was in the year above me. He had a terrible crush on me, but I didn't like him very much."

"How come? I mean, he seems pretty cute to me," Taylor said, pushing a stray lock of brown hair out of her face.

"Yeah, he's not that bad looking, I have to admit."

"Well then, what's the problem?" Taylor jumped in.

"I was about to tell you before you interrupted!"

"Sorry," Taylor sheepishly replied.

"See what I mean!" Ginny said in mock exasperation. "How do I ever put up with you?" she smiled. "Anyway, the problem with Brian is that he is just too over the top. I mean, when I'd turn him down for Hogsmeade visits, he'd flounce off and say that I'd regret this someday, or something cryptic and stalkerish like that. And when I turned him down in 6^th year for the Winter Ball..." she trailed off.

Taylor looked at her expectantly. "So, what'd he do?"

Ginny paused. "Well, I don't know... Oh, I can trust you. Just promise me that you won't tell anyone. My life may depend on this."

"Oh, you can trust me! I won't tell a soul," Taylor replied. "Wait a minute," she told Ginny as she flipped the sign to closed and cast an Imperturbable charm on the store. "Okay, continue," she said.

"Well, after I said no, he did something really odd. He didn't give me a cryptic threat, he just said "Fine," and walked off. I should of known right then that something was wrong," Ginny said, and paused.

"Later that day, I couldn't sleep, so I was wandering around the castle. I was lost in my thoughts, and didn't notice some rustling behind me. The next thing I knew, I was cornered in a deserted hallway. Brian was standing in front of me, holding my wand and his." Ginny paused, perhaps to let it all sink in.

Taylor looked shocked. "He took your wand? How?"

"Well, he had this odd ability where with some spells he only had to think the incantation, not say it aloud like most people. It's a very rare gift. He talked a bit, mostly out loud to himself. Then, he turned to me and said, "Ginny, if I can't have you, then no one can."

"No, he didn't!" Taylor shrieked, knowing what would come next.

"Yes, he pointed his wand at me, and started to say the killing curse. Luckily for me, Harry couldn't sleep either, saw what was going on, and saved me. Unfortunately, Brian wasn't at all pleased with his plan being foiled. He vowed that someday, he would make me and Harry pay for interrupting his plans. I guess that someday is almost here." She sighed.

"Wow. Ginny, I'm on your side, and I promise I'll do all I can to help you out," Taylor replied.

"Thanks, Taylor, that really means a lot to me," Ginny said, and smiled. "We'll have to be alert. He's already found me, all that's left is for him to find Harry."

"I wonder how long it'll take him to find Harry?" Taylor asked.

"Probably not that long. Brian has his ways." Ginny looked out the window, a worried look in her eyes.

* * *

Later that day, Brian sat on the deep scarlet sofa in his apartment. The window shades, once white, had now faded to a pale yellow, were pulled down tight over the windows, allowing no natural light in. The only light came from a small lamp on a slightly crooked table next to the sofa. The lampshade was a rich chocolate brown, the same color as Ginny's eyes...

While he sat there, he was cradling and stroking a rather large picture of Ginny. It was a wizard photo, so she smiled, winked, and laughed. "Soon, you will be mine," he told the picture, before kissing it passionately. "But what to do about your boyfriend... But first, let us find out who it is."

He got up, put on his cloak, and left the apartment. Brian strode down the sidewalk. The glint of Ginny's red hair caught his eye in the fading light. She was sitting at a small table, enjoying dinner with her boyfriend, Harry Potter.

"Harry Potter," Brian mused to himself, "How interesting. Well, this'll be fun."

* * *

Harry,

I have some bad news I have to tell you right away. I'm so mad I can barely write this note. It's about Ginny. I saw her at the park yesterday with Malfoy. Luckily, I had a camera with me and took a few pictures, so I'd have proof. I knew that'd be the only way you'd believe me. Meet me tomorrow at The Leaky Cauldron at 12:30 and we'll talk.

Ron

* * *