Fragments

Chapter 5

Rubber Chickens?!

Everywhere around Ginny Weasley was blackness. It took her a moment to realize that her eyes were closed. Mentally sighing, she opened them. She found that she lay at the foot of Salazar Slytherin's statue as she had when Tom Riddle had first pulled himself out of her. 'Great,' she thought coldly, 'It wasn't a dream.'

She could feel someone staring into her back, and, with great effort, rolled her head up to see who it was. Draco Malfoy was staring down at her with a stunned expression on his face. He seemed quite limp, as though all the arrogance, pride and prestige had just drained out of him. ( http://members.tripod.com/~tiny_q/QA/qa49.html - A/N: The picture came first. Then this scene. It's really old, that's why it looks like crap.)

Their eyes met and they stared at each other. Neither speaking nor moving. The only sound the distant drip, drip of some fluid.

"My father caused all this, didn't he?" Malfoy finally whispered, so softly that Ginny almost didn't hear him. "All if it."

"In a way," she whispered back, still laying on the ground. "But it doesn't really matter now. It's all in the past. Nothing can be done to change it."

"But that's just it. I could have." She stared up at him blankly. Seeing this he continued, "I saw it all. How he used your energy to come to life. How Potter came down here to save you. How he defeated Tom Riddle then he walked over to you, woke you up and left. But it wasn't you; it was like a ghost of your younger self. You just lay there. I thought you were dead. And I did nothing to stop it."

"Malfoy-" she started but he continued as though he hadn't heard her.

"I can't believe I never realized what happened." He was staring past her now, to some place of Malfoy Mental Angst. "And here I walked around as though it were some large joke. People could have died. You could have died."

"Malfoy, you were twelve," Ginny said a little louder than before. Something wasn't right about this. Malfoys didn't have mental breakdowns.

"Doesn't matter," he said slowly. "It still happened. Twice."

"You were brainwashed by your father," she responded even more loudly than before. "All kids are. They look up to their parents and think of them as something to imitate because they don't know any better."

"Then why haven't I figured it out for sixteen years?" he muttered, eyes going oddly large. "Why have I been walking around like my father's clone?"

"Well, it had to happen sometime and it's better now than later on," she said softly. "And your father really grained it into you. I mean, you are his only child. His heir."

"I still should have known better," he said.

"Why?" she asked firmly, yet gently. "Because you are Draco Malfoy? Everyone goes through a crisis of faith at our age. Why should you be any different or receive special treatment? Just be glad that you figured it out now rather than after you made some huge mistake. Like becoming a Death Eater and be doomed to live a life like Snape's."

He continued to stare past her, then all of a sudden his eyes snapped back into focus. He looked at her with what seemed to be a new found clarity.

"You know Weasley," he said, a grin tugging at his lips. "I can't believe I am saying this, but I think you're right."

"I can't believe you said it either," she muttered, then grinned up at him as he continued.

"Perhaps this is why I was dragged into this," he said, his grin broadening. "To realize that I am better than my father. That he is wrong."

"Perhaps," Ginny agreed. It made sense in fact. Perhaps they were both here to learn something. That thought scared her slightly more than she thought it would. Did that mean there was someone out there holding all the cards?

Her thoughts were disrupted, as they seemed to frequently be around here, as she felt Malfoy grab both her hands and pull her to her feet. He was now smiling fully and she felt the world tip oddly as vertigo struck her. Malfoy hung on.

"Aww, isn't that sweet," a sickeningly familiar voice cut through the air. Ginny, regaining her composure, stepped away from Malfoy and looked around the chamber for the source of the voice. "Romeo and Juliet have gotten over their differences and will soon be on the path to their inevitable deaths."

"Show yourself, Riddle," Ginny snapped, sounding much braver than she felt. Her eyes darted around until a cloaked figure stepped out of the shadows to the right and came into view.

"Tempter, Ginny. Temper," the figure drawled. "Is that any way to treat an old friend?" With that, he pulled back his hood to reveal Tom Riddle in all his dangerous beauty. Just as Ginny remembered him. Just as she saw him in her dreams.

He walked closer to her, looking her up and down from head to foot. He stopped a few feet from her and smiled his heart shattering smile. 'How could something so beautiful be something so deadly?' she found herself wondering, looking in awe at the young man before her. Then slapped herself in disgust. 'Control yourself girl,' she hissed. 'He's the enemy, remember?'

"You've changed," Riddle said after a moment, continuing to look at her appreciatively.

"You haven't," Ginny hissed back, forgetting the fact that she had just been drooling over his appearance. He may look pretty, but inside his soul was as black as night.

As he continued to stare at her, Ginny crossed her arms over her chest, feeling uncomfortable under his hawk like gaze. She felt like some rare item and he was the appraiser, calculating how to exploit her to his greatest profit. Unconsciously, she took a step closer to Malfoy, who was standing there in silent awe.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded. "Are you just anther fragment of my mind because you seem to be more aware than the others were."

"Still clever as ever, Ginny," Riddle purred. "But not clever enough. No. I am not a part of your mind. And let me tell you, it's been hell staying here. You are really screwed up. You know that though, don't you?"

"Not as screwed up as you are," she snapped back. "What the fuck are you doing in my head?!"

"Funny you should ask that, because I was just about to tell you," Riddle smirked. Ginny narrowed her eyes and stared at him, waiting for him to continue. "I've been here ever since that blasted Potter destroyed my diary. I needed some place to go and you, my dear, were just what I needed. I have been bidding my time ever since. Trying to figure out exactly how to get back at him and how to see you again.

"I was weak at first, so I just drifted through your mind, absorbing all that you are. Working out how to bring you in here. To me. It took me a while to realize that ghosts can scare the mind into comatose as long as you press on the right brain cells. It was an accident really, and I knew that if I pressed too hard you would die, taking myself along with you. Yet it was my only option so I waited until Peeves showed up and took my chance.

"For four years I have waited to see you again, my dear. Four long years, and now you will be mine."

"And how do you intend to make me yours?" Ginny snapped, feeling a chill pass through her. Once again, she stepped closer to Malfoy.

"Well at first I simply planned to keep you here, in your head. Then when I would tire of you I would take over your mind and body and return to the waking world. Rejoin my older self. Then you brought your friend with you," he said, looking darkly at Malfoy. "And I got a better idea."

"You mean you didn't bring him here?" Ginny asked in confusion, glancing at the boy in question. "Then why is he here?"

"Beats me," Riddle chuckled. "But I might as well take advantage of the situation. Instead of taking over your body, I will simply leave you both here and take over his." He laughed evilly. "But until then, you are mine to do with as I wish. And if you entertain me enough, perhaps I will allow you to return to your body along with me. But we'll see how that goes, shall we?" With that he took a menacing step towards her. Ginny felt the color drain from her face.

"I don't think so," Malfoy said suddenly, the first words he had spoken since Riddle's appearance. He stepped in front of Ginny, reaching back to move her safely behind him.

Her eyes widened.

So did Riddle's.

"Excuse me?" he gasped, staring at the blonde in disbelief. "Do you know what you're saying, and to whom?"

"I am saying that if you want Ginny, you have to come through me first. And I am talking to an egotistical prick who has spent too much time in a little girl's mind. No offence, Weasley," he added, glancing back.

"None taken," she said, too astonished to take offence.

"You'll regret you said that," Riddle hissed.

"I already regret a lot of things I have said," Malfoy hissed back. "Why not one more?"

The two of them stared each other in the eye. To Ginny it was like a showdown from an old Muggle movie. She was extremely glad neither of them had a gun. Or at least she hoped neither of them did. Mainly Riddle.

"You know what this means, don't you?" Riddle finally asked, breaking eye contact and the silence that had descended upon them. He took a step back.

"I have a feeling I do," Malfoy drawled, his arrogance slowly returning. Ginny smirked from behind him as she saw him bring himself up to full height. He was taller than Riddle by four inches.

"A duel?" Riddle asked.

"A duel," Malfoy agreed. "But I don't have a wand."

"You won't need one," Riddle said with a grin. He snapped his fingers and, with a flash of light, two swords appeared in his hands. He tossed one to Malfoy, who caught it with ease. "You do know how to use one I assume?"

"But of course," Malfoy drawled. "Do you?"

"Good," he responded, ignoring Malfoy's last comment. "But first," he turned his attention to Ginny who was watching the proceedings with interest. With a wave of his hand, Ginny found herself imprisoned in a crystal cage. She pounded on it.

"Hey!" she and Malfoy yelled as one. He spun around to look at her through the crystal.

Riddle smirked. "It's for your own protection, Ginny," he said coldly. He waved his hand again and the crystal rose eight feet into the air. "This way you won't get caught in the crossfire. Nor can you interfere." He turned his eyes down from Ginny to Malfoy, who was looking up at her warily. "So that's it. You win, you become her champion. If I win, I become hers."

"Sounds right to me," Malfoy said with a grin.

"What?!" Ginny shrieked. "This is so archaic! Battling for a woman! Talk about clichéd, not to mention sexist!" She pounded on the crystal. "Let me down! I can fight for myself!"

"Gin," Malfoy called up to her. She stopped. It was the first time he had ever addressed her by her first name. Not to mention nickname. "Shut up for once. You sound like a feminist."

"She is a feminist," Riddle sneered, glaring up at her. She gave him the finger.

"So what?" she yelled. "Now let me down!"

"I think you should stay up there," Malfoy called. "We wouldn't want you to break a nail!" Ginny sent him her dirtiest look then plopped herself down, cross-legged, on the ground. There was nothing she could do but watch.

"How do we decide who wins?" Malfoy asked Riddle, turning his attention back to the task at hand.

"Who ever dies first, loses."

"Oh," he said flatly. "Alright then."

Ginny slapped herself on the head. "Men," she muttered darkly and proceeded to watch the fight.

"Shall we get this over with then?" Riddle asked, raising his sword in a respectful way. "I am eager to be in the real world again."

"I think you will find," Malfoy began, raising his sword as well. The both bowed. Riddle lunged forward. "That you won't be going anywhere near the real world," he grunted as he fought off Riddle's attack.

To Ginny it simply seemed like blurred movement. They were both moving so fast that she found it hard to follow. Back and forth they went, the sound of their swords clashing filling the air. She did not have an eye for sword fighting but what she knew for sure was that Malfoy was backing up while Riddle was advancing. Not a good sign.

"Not so cocky anymore, are you blondie?" Riddle sneered as he proceeded to work Malfoy towards the wall. Yet the blonde simply grinned at him. They continued to fight. A moment later what Malfoy was doing struck Ginny. He was simply defending, allowing Riddle to wear himself out. The longer she watched the more she realized that Draco was barely working while Riddle seemed to be going at it full swing.

A moment later, Malfoy's back hit the wall.

"Ha!" Riddle laughed in triumph. "Not that great, are you?" He swung his sword back for a heavy blow. To Ginny's glee and Riddle's obvious horror, Malfoy shot his sword forward and deftly sliced at Riddle's chest. The adolescent Dark Lord roared with pain and rage and backed up a few hasty steps.

"Now who's not so great?" Malfoy sneered, beginning a series of quick attacks. All of which Riddle barely blocked. The last struck his arm, drawing blood. "Now who's the cocky bastard?" He grinned.

"Think you're so great, don't you?" Riddle growled. "Well, let's see how you handle this! SWITCH!" he called. In a flash of light, both swords were replaced.

"Lightsabers?" Ginny gasped, looking at the blue and red weapons. "How is that any better than a sword?"

"Good point," Riddle muttered sheepishly. "SWITCH!"

The lightsabers changed in a flash to become long sticks. Riddle immediately began to hit Malfoy on the head. Malfoy struggled to fight back but it seemed he had never been trained in using sticks while Riddle had. It was like Whack-a-Malfoy. Hit after hit he took, yet only returned one or two of his own.

Suddenly, Ginny got an idea.

"SWITCH!" she bellowed. The sticks flashed away to instantly return as gas powered chainsaws.

"That's such an improvement, Weasley!" Malfoy screamed, barely missing the moving blades as Riddle swung the machine downward.

"Sorry!" she called down. "Just trying to help!"

"Well stop it!" he called back as he raised the weapon up and arced it down towards Riddle's head.

Riddle's eyes widened with horror. So did his mouth. "SWITCH!" he screamed. The moving, roaring chainsaw flashed out of existence to be replaced by a sausage. "Ow," he said as the roll of processed meat struck his head. "Death by pastrami."

Malfoy frowned and hit him again. And again. And again. "Oh this is ridiculous!" he yelled at last. "SWITCH!"

Everyone stopped moving and stared at the object in the two teens' hands. Ginny began to laugh hysterically.

"A stuffed animal?" Riddle asked in disbelief. "You are going to beat me to death with a stuffed animal?!"

"Not just any stuffed animal" Ginny gasped between laughs. "A stuffed ferret!"

"Shut up!" Draco snapped, looking down at the white ferret toy in his hand. He shook his head and tried again. "SWITCH!"

The stuffed ferrets turned into insanely large mallets.

"Now this is more like it!" Riddle said, still laughing. He raised the hammer up and brought it crashing down. Malfoy just moved out of the way as the mallet crashed to the ground and kept on going. It went through the tile on the floor to reveal a large, bottomless pit.

"SWITCH!" Riddle called in alarm as the mallet threatened to tip him over. The mallets flashed away.

"Rubber chickens?" Malfoy asked dryly. "And you were making fun of my stuffed ferrets?" He whipped the rubber chicken into Riddle's shoulder. It made a loud cracking noise. Ginny laughed. "SWITCH!"

The two rubber chickens disappeared to reappear in a flash as empty bottles of Molson Canadian beer. "I. Am. British," he hissed at the bottle in his hand. He then turned to Riddle who was still panting over his near fall and brought the bottle crashing down on the dark haired boy's head.

Riddle let out a startled cry as the bottle struck and shattered, cutting his right cheek. Looking down at the bottle in his own hand he began to raise it threateningly.

"SWITCH!" Malfoy screamed. The bottles turned into large wheels of cheese. He stared at it blankly for a moment.

"This is getting pathetic," Riddle suddenly sneered. "Enough of this!" He tossed his cheese to the ground and flung himself at Malfoy, fists-a-flying.

"Malfoy!" Ginny cried out in alarm as the blonde toppled down extremely close to the bottomless pit. The cheese wheel he had been holding moments before rolled over to the edge and went over. It hung in midair for a few seconds until gravity remembered its job and pulled the dairy product down, out of sight. "Be careful!"

"I'm always careful, Weasley," he grunted, giving Riddle a nasty right hook.

It seemed all the Slytherin's battles with her brother and Harry had paid off. Riddle was no match and was frankly getting his ass kicked. They fought on, getting bloodier and more bruised every second. A few times Ginny gasped as the two rolled extremely close to the edge of the pit.

"Get off me!" Malfoy finally snapped, flinging Riddle off of himself and getting warily to his feet. Riddle staggered to his own, wiping his bleeding lip with the back of his hand.

"I'll admit you were a tougher opponent that I first thought," Riddle hissed, pulling himself out of the hunch he had been in. "And if that bloody child hadn't killed my Basilisk, I would simply send him upon you." He took a few steps back.

Malfoy snorted.

"But I am destined for greatness, just as my older self has proven," Riddle claimed, a wild look descending upon his once handsome features. Ginny shuddered. He no longer looked like the Tom she had known. He was wilder, crazy even. It was then that she realized he was broken. Nearly defeated. Her heart skipped a beat.

"I will defeat you and rejoin him," Riddle said with misty glee, all the while backing up. "And we will be even more powerful than the world has ever dreamed!"

"There's just one problem with that," Malfoy began, stooping to pick up Riddle's fallen cheese wheel. "Your older self's a loser. He hides behind minions and magical creatures to do what he wants." He let out a cynical laugh. "The bloody git can't even kill the Boy Who Lived! Imagine! A Dark Lord who can't even defeat a child." Riddle looked horror struck and continued to back up slowly, ever closer to the edge.

"He's right, Tom," Ginny called from her cage. "He's incompetent. Out-dated. Passé. You are better off going independent. Start a coffee shop. Start an evil empire of caffeine. It's more addictive than it seems. Or tobacco. There's a killer for you. You'd have a better shot at greatness with that than with him."

"LIES!" Riddle suddenly shrieked. He was shaking, his eyes darting between them madly. "ALL OF THEM! I am great! I will be great! No one can stop Lord Voldemort! NO ONE!"

"Hey Voldy," Malfoy called above the other boy's rants. "Catch."

"Huh?" he asked, the hysteria dropping away to be replaced with confusion. He barely had a chance to react as the cheese wheel came sailing towards him, hitting him full in the chest.

Tom Riddle fell back, and just as the first cheese wheel had, floated momentarily in the air before dropping into the pit. He let out a scream of blood curdling horror and dropped from sight. It was the last time Ginny ever saw him.

A moment later she felt the crystal that was beneath her disappear and felt herself fall. She let out a yelp of surprise and closed her eyes, preparing herself for the inevitable impact of the not too soft ground.

"Gotcha!" Malfoy said cheerfully as she landed in his arms. She slowly opened her eyes and found them caught in his piercing blue-gray gaze. She saw the excitement there, and something else.

She was about to say: "My hero", but never got the chance for his lips were one hers in a searing kiss. He tasted of sweat and blood. Sweat and blood, she realized, that had been for her. A feeling fluttered in her stomach, so strong and intense she let out a tiny gasp.

Reality kicked in then, and Ginny realized she was being kissed madly by the most handsome guy she had ever seen. Not to mention one who had just defeated her worst nightmare and saved her life. And so she kissed him back with all the passion and intensity she could muster, to match his own.

And in the waking world, Ginny Weasley's eyes flew open.

~*~