Starry Starry Night

She cried that night, not in horror or frustration but weeks of hard work had finally paid off. Her tears were that of relief. Once she had awoken his memory, she could talk to him whenever she wanted to be near him. He was patient with her, and gentler than he had ever been to her, if remotely possible. Ginny knew she was slipping into an embassy of comfort and love each time she read his replies to her.

After a while, they went further with the friendship. Tom would call to her, by rustling the pages of the diary that she would leave open while doing her work. It was no harm for no one could see any words. Tom, as he was no long human but a mere memory she had created, was becoming stronger. It wasn't long before he passed the invisible barrier and was becoming a spirit alone, no longer part of Lord Voldermort.

Yet, Ginny was not satisfied. Together, they worked to bring him to solid form. Ginny would sit in that very toilet with the diary open, staring at the snake on the tap, and focused all her thoughts to Tom while ignoring Moaning Myrtle. It took even longer for him to create a shape then it was to reach him. And when Ginny finally did it, Tom held the wispy shape for a few seconds before suddenly disappearing into Ginny's body. Then words appeared on the diary.

Ginny was so tired that she collapsed from exhaustion in the Common Room, only to be woken up by Hermione the next day.

Tom persuaded her to give up and just converse through the diary. Ginny, stubborn and headstrong as she had become, refused and continued with the same procedure day after day. The only difference was that she did it in the privacy of her own dorm. After months, just before Christmas that year, she managed to do it. But the only way of keeping Tom in solid form would be for his spirit to absorb Ginny's energy bit by bit. It drained her terribly but she was willing to go through all that for her dear friend.

All this while, Ginny turned to Charlie whenever she had problems. To Charlie, Tom was a 'dear friend' for she could not bring herself to frighten her favorite brother. People thought Ginny was going mad, walking around with a diary and looking so tired all the time. But Charlie stuck by her during the whole time.

The night before Christmas, Ginny sat up alone in her dorm and conjured up Tom again by focusing her thoughts on him again. Ron and Harry were busy playing Exploding Snap in the Common Room where everyone else who did not return home for Christmas. Their parents were in Romania visiting Charlie.

"I wish you could stay longer... I wish I was more powerful... with more energy to keep you here with me," Ginny sighed. Then realizing the words coming out of her mouth, Ginny flushed a little and did not look up at Tom who was sitting on a corner of her bed. She knew she had fallen in love with Tom. Their conversations were like ecstasy, keeping her alive and going when things were down.

"Virginia, I know what you mean. I do wish for you to see me more often," Tom answered, smiling charmingly at her.

No, Tom. You'll never know what I mean. You'll never know how much I appreciate you for being there... For being my friend... But that's all we are, aren't we? We're just friends, to your eyes. I just wish you knew how much I really love you; Ginny thought silently and bit her lower lip. A wave of lethargy washed over her.

"I do know, Virginia Weasley," Tom spoke again, his voice nearer. Ginny looked up finally, but before she could react, Tom pressed his lips on hers firmly but gently. A little energy flowed out just as some flowed back into her, as if trying to create equilibrium between the two bodies. Realizing what was happening, Ginny kissed him back, hungrily, only to meet with a larger hunger on Tom's part. More energy was flowing out than it was flowing in.

Then Tom pulled away suddenly, looking horrified. A word had barely escaped her lips and Ginny watched as Tom Riddle dissolved into the air. Her energy returned but she fell onto the bed limply, crying herself to sleep.

Tom was not at all horrified by the kiss. He was horrified by the fact that he had told Ginny how much he loved her. And he knew it wasn't right. A human and a spirit could never be. He wasn't even a ghost since his body was still physically alive, housing a man who went by the name of Lord Voldermort. The two talked about it but Ginny's tears poured freely, touching Tom's heart. He finally gave in to the part of him calling for Ginny's love.

Ginny was indeed growing more beautiful with each day as well. She was popular in school for her delicately chiseled features, the soft fiery red hair and the warming coolness in her eyes. Even Draco's head turned for hers a few times along the corridor. But all Ginny had feelings for was Tom. Admirers were aplenty, driving Ron quite plainly up the wall. Ginny remained neutral about the situation in school however. She had Tom and that was all she wanted. There were times she thought of him and spoke to him in thoughts. She could not hear his reply but knowing that he could read her mind was enough for her.

"What did you think you were doing? Flying in the rain after 9 o'clock!" an angry voice chided. Ginny turned around and saw him. Grinning sheepishly, she looked back out to the raining field. Tom sighed and sat down next to her. Almost immediately, Ginny leaned on Tom. Her energy was flowing into him as expected.

"You could have been killed out there," Tom's voice shook. Ginny looked up at him, expecting to see anger and rage flashing in his eyes. Instead, she saw fear in them. "It's your life, Virginia. Don't throw it away."

"It's my life after all, love."

"I need you," Tom argued gently. He put his arms around her and pulled her closer to him. "I felt your presence like I always do when you think of me. Then I see you on the Firebolt in the sky during an approaching thunderstorm. I never knew fear like that, Virginia. The mere fear of knowing that I might lose you."

"I lead a charmed life, Tom," Ginny giggled. Tom's worried face relaxed and broke into a wide charmingly crooked smile. Tom felt something hard touch his legs through the robes and saw that Ginny was still clutching onto the Firebolt. He knew how much she wanted a broomstick and had bought it for her.

"It's really nice, isn't it?"

Ginny nodded and held it closer to her body. She paused for a while before speaking again, "I think of you when I hold it. And I thought it was really funny when Dumbledore told Ron it was a present from him to me for saving that bunch of Year Ones from the giant squid that year. When he said he bought it, his blue eyes were so gay that I was so afraid that Ron might think Dumbledore was lying. But Ron is so full of admiration for Dumbledore he couldn't care less if Dumbledore told him a lie while laughing and juggling socks."

"Socks can be juggled?"

"Of course not! That's what makes it sillier," Ginny giggled again. Tom sighed but the smile never left his face. Never had he imagined a girl like Ginny or any girl for that fact would learn to accept his present state as not part of him at all. But he had Ginny in his arms. She was his to hold, to kiss and to love.

"But..." Tom started, not knowing whether he should continue on. Ginny looked at him expectedly, tucking a wet strand of hair behind her ear. "Go on."

"Dumbledore feels that you and I are just going through a phase in life where we both need someone the most. But he thinks it's just not going to last. Even if it did, it wouldn't do us any good, would it? He is right to think that, Virginia," Tom finally said. He looked at Ginny who was chewing her lower lip. Reluctantly, she nodded but snuggled closer to Tom. Her energy was seeping out of her and she was getting tired as always.

"Is there no way for both of us to remain like this forever?" Ginny asked. Tom remained silent for a long time and she raised her head slightly to look at him. Tom's eyes were staring at nothing in particular but she could tell that there was an inner struggle within him. Then he leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"I'll let you rest for a while. Give me about 10 minutes." Then Ginny watched as Tom dissolved into air. Her energy was coming back and she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The rain was letting up finally. It was close to 11 and she knew Ron would be searching for her. But she had told Hermione about wanting to fly. Hermione would cover up for her as always.

Looking up to the dark sky, the clouds were vanishing in front of her eyes, giving way to the stars that lay hidden before that. Drizzle of rain scattered across the large velvet canvas while the stars shone like diamonds trapped in a large net. Counting only the brightest stars, it totaled up to eleven of them.

Her thoughts returned to the last conversation she had with Charlie on a night like that. There were once again eleven bright stars in the sky. She confessed about what she had done, but never once did speak of Tom's name. No one seemed to know what she felt and even Ron was as buggy as Percy could be. She didn't need an older brother; she needed a friend. And Charlie was just that for her.

After she finished, Charlie took her in his arms again and held her tightly. "I'm not saying you're wrong. This spirit has proven to be a true friend though most of them can't be trusted. I cannot fully comprehend the enormity of the situation just as yet but I'll try my very best for you, little sister. So everyone thinks you're insane?"

"They do. They all think spirits are bad... But my friend is not. He wants to help. I know he wants to but there's nothing he can do since his physical being is still thriving. I want to be like him, just so I can be with him, Charlie."

"There is a way of doing it but it is very advanced magic beyond even me. Ginny, be strong for your friend and me. When the day comes, it will come. I guess Dumbledore might know the art of changing a human to spirit instead of ghost when he or she dies. But whether he would impart the skill onto me would definitely be debatable. You're my sister, Ginny. I just want the best for you."

"Thanks, Charlie. It's just so frustrating at times. I can't tell anyone but you. They wouldn't understand or even listen. They won't want to listen and just stay in that comfort zone of theirs. Why are some people so stubborn? And yes, everyone thinks I'm bloody out of my mind."

"That'll make the two of us," Charlie laughed good-naturedly. Ginny was comforted by the familiar warm chortle and started to laugh as well.

Oh Tom, you do want to set them free from Voldermort, do you not? I want to either. But there's so much I can do, and I can't do that.

"Of course, you can. You can, but people won't listen," a voice answered. Once again, Tom sat down next to her. She leaned in and nestled against him. They sat in silence then Ginny gripped onto Tom's robes.

"Can you stay until I sleep, Tom? Please, just this once." Ginny needed no answer for Tom's arms wrapped around her protectively. She then closed her eyes and fell into a slumber slowly under the same starry night sky where Charlie had held her to sleep as well.

The very next morning, Dumbledore approached Ron during breakfast. "Mr. Weasley? There's something you should see. Come with me."

Ron, Harry and Hermione exchanged glances and all three of them followed Dumbledore until they reached Madam Pomfrey's. Ron grew worried and his face turned ghastly white when he saw a familiar red hair lying motionless on a bed. "Sir, I do not know the meaning of this. This is not some sick joke, is it?"

"Mr. Weasley, it is no joke. Today morning, I saw something on the steps leading out to the Quidditch field. Sending Hagrid out, he returned with a cold limp body belonging to that of Ginny Weasley. We brought her to Madam Pomfrey but we were too late. She died, quite frozen by the cold last night. All she had was her Firebolt and the Gryffindor cloak that was quite a distance from her body. We have notified your-"

Then suddenly, the rest of the Weasley family burst through the door and Charlie ran to the bedside, staring at his only sister. He looked to Dumbledore. Dumbledore gave him a knowing glance then a soft sad smile before walking out.

Molly and Arthur stared speechlessly at the still figure. Fred and George looked at Charlie, then their sister, then Charlie again before turning to Bill. Even Bill looked so helpless suddenly. The once 'all-knowing' Percy was rubbing his arms and looking away. Hermione ran out of the room, choking back on tears. There was nothing Harry could do but run after his friend. Charlie stroke Ginny's hair.

"Wake up, Gin. It's not funny, you know? Come on, Gin," George started and walked to the bedside where Charlie was kneeling by. Ginny did not move, her face frozen. George closed his eyes in pain and put a comforting hand on Charlie. Fred came over and put his arms around George's shoulders. Then, he whispered to his twin, "George, don't be like this."

"Ginny's mad, Mom. I knew she had a problem! And I kept asking her to get help but she didn't want. Now this..." Ron groaned and Molly held her boy closely as Ron cried. Ron did not know how long he cried for but soon, Molly's arms disappeared and the masculine scent of Percy and Bill filled his mind as two pairs of arms engulfed him in a bear hug. Bill looked on as Percy finally looked at Ginny's figure. Then Charlie forced a smile amidst tear-stained cheeks and looked at his sorrowful family.

"Guys, she's smiling. Ginny is happy now. She really is."

By the end of the day, the whole school was talking about Ginny's death. Bill, Percy and their parents went to Dumbledore's office. Fred, George and Ron went back to the old Common Room and sat there in silence with the rest of the Gryffindors mourning the death of their sister. Harry and Hermione were there already. Charlie, on the other hand, walked the halls and corridors that he once did. Students passed him, all talking about Ginny's death.

"She was always so strange. Smart, fit, popular... she had it going for her. There's a rumor that she was going mad. I still think it was the Chamber of Secrets."

"I never did understand her. She would look so tired at times, and lively at others. She wasn't possessed... was she?"

"Pity she was bright, beautiful and everything every other girl wanted. Just that she was plainly insane. What's with that diary she always kept? It's so old."

"Mr. Weasley, I believe I have something of your sister's," a voice interrupted a bunch of chattering girls. They turned, saw Charlie, and ran away. Charlie looked up and saw Dumbledore holding out an old diary for him. He took the diary gratefully and before he could thank Dumbledore, Dumbledore spoke first.

"I think your sister has something to tell you. Why don't you write to her?" Dumbledore turned around to walk but Charlie spoke up.

"She is happy now, isn't she?"

"She's with her friend now, if that's what you're wondering. But yes, I would imagine her to be happy right now," Dumbledore replied, his blue eyes twinkling. Charlie smiled weakly.

"Thank you, Sir."

Dumbledore nodded and walked back towards his office, whistling a little tune. It seemed a little familiar to Charlie. Then he remembered. It was the tune of the singing valentine Ginny had sent to Harry. Fred and George were singing it on top of their lungs and would tell everyone the story if they would listen... or even if they did not want to.

Charlie opened up the diary to reveal empty pages. Then he closed it. Walking to the steps leading to the Quidditch field, he opened up the diary again. His thoughts raced back to how she had conversed with Tom Riddle when she was in her first year. Suddenly, it made sense. Her 'friend' was Tom Riddle. He was after all living and dead. No anger rose in him but a sense of pity for Tom. He leaned against the wall, took out an ink pen and wrote on the first blank page.

The ink dissolved into the page and suddenly, it seemed like there was another hand writing in the diary. Each line disappeared slowly, giving him enough time to read it.

Charlie smiled weakly. After his name faded into the page, he replied.

< You will think of me, won't you? I miss you, already>

Charlie stared at the words. Images of the starry night returned to haunt him. He remembered how Ginny complained about how no one knew what she was talking about. He didn't know on that very night. But things were clearer to him finally. Then he started to write again.

Charlie held the book in his hands, the blank page staring back to him. After a long while, someone was writing again.