The importance of Being Virginia

Chapter Three: Genghis Khan and Hairgel

Virginia threw the book across the room in anger. She'd taken the alertness potion two days ago and she'd spent every minute of the last two nights trying
to find a spell. But she'd found nothing. The potion only lasted for three days, she was running out of time. She thought angrily of what she'd done in her dreams, of how he'd taunted her. You can't kill fear. She froze, you can't kill fear. She couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it. Here she'd been trying to find a spell to get rid of dreams, when she should have been focusing on fear. She scrambled through the pile of books that she'd gotten from the library. There hadbe sbe something. She look in the index and found that there was a spell for fear. She quickly flipped to the page, and her heart sped up as she read. Miedius manifiestus - Allows the caster to cast out her fear into a physical manifestation of it. By destroying the manifestation they destroy the fear. She stared down at the book. It was so easy. How could it be this easy? She felt elation fill her, she'd found it. She'd finally be free of him. She looked around her room. She couldn't cast the spell here. She looked outside, dawn was just breaking. No one would be waking up for at least another half hour. She grabbed the book and dashed down the stairs. When she reached the lake she stopped. This would be perfect. Hands shaking with excitement, she opened the book. She read the instructions over a few times memorizing them, then she set down the book, and closed her eyes. For the first time in her life she intentionally thought about Tom. She visualized him in her minde wae way his brown hair was slightly waved. His piercing brown eyes, the little scar just beside his eyebrow. When she had a pie ofe of him that was so clear she almost felt his presence in her mind, she pointed her wand.
"Physico manefisto." She opened her eyes to find herself face to face with Tom. It was just like the boggart, he was there before her, flesh and blood. But she knew this time it wasn't real. She focused all her anger for him, all her hate and wand still pointed, yelled, "Destructo!"

Nothing happened. He just stood there smiling at her. She couldn't believe it hadn't worked. Well she'd just have to try something else. She pointed her wand at him angrily," Finite Incantum." The blood drained from her face as her spell had no effect.

He leaned his head back chuckling, he tilted his head as he looked at her."You don't seem very happy to see me Virginia."

"But it's just a spell." She pointed her wand at him again. "Finite Incantum!"

"Really Virginia, this could soon become tedious.e wae waited five years inside of you for the day I could get my body back and we could be together, and all you do is cast obviously ineffectual spells at me over and over."

"What do you mean inside of me? What are you talking about?" But she knew. He had never really left. It hadn't been her fear making her dream, it had been him.

"You didn't actually think that destroying the diary would destroy me did you? It merely weakened me, made me have to change residence's. And conveniently, there was a weak and unconscious body immediately available for me to enter. I have to say I've enjoyed my stay with you far more than I enjoyed being in that journal. I give you five stars, I'll defiantly recommend you to friends," he laughed.

"But, why didn't you just take me over again?"

"Well the truth is, I was too weak. Your little Harry Potter almost killed me. He seems to have a habit of doing that. And much like my older, and from what I've heard, less attractive self. I had to recuperate for a few years. But I didn't start getting really strong until you yourself became stronger. It was quite interesting to experience vicariously. I imagine I'm the only male that has."

She remembered. She'd woken up, and found blood on the sheets. It had been the first time she'd dreamed of him. The first time she'd truly felt desire.

"By that time, I'd already been with you for two years. I'd come to know you as I'd never known anyone. Your drive for power was so similar to my own. And by then you weren't a little girl anymore. I wanted you. I knew that in time I could take you over but I didn't want to. I wanted to be able to stand face to face, like we are now. I wanted us to be together, like we were meant to be. So I waited. Growing stronger on a diet of your deepest fears and wants. And then I planted the idea for this spell in your mind. And here I am."

You can't kill fear, he'd taunted with a secret smile. She'd done just what he wanted her to. Like she always did.

"And now, my sweet Virginia, after five years, I'm finally free. And we can be together." He stepped toward her and was surprised when she stepped back.

"We can be together?" She laughed and it held the edges of hysteria. This was all to much to handle. She just couldn't wrap her mind around it. Tom was alive. "And what, raise little deatheaters? Sit on the porch swing, telling them the story of how Mommy and Daddy met, and Daddy tried to kill Mommy. I can see it now."

"I can't believe your still mad about that, It's been five years! You want me, I know you do. We're meant to be together. I love you."

She was so shocked by this deceleration, that she didn't resist as he grabbed her arms.

"I know you love me too. Come with me, together we can rule the world."

"I've never wanted to rule the world, just my own life. You obviously don't know me, for all you've been living in my head for five years." It made her sick to think of it, all these years he'd been there. It tainted all her experiences, to know that he'd been there, watching. "And you're crazier than you used to be if you think I love you. I hate you, I want nothing more than to erase your existence from the world."

A hot burning rage swelled within him, and quicker than thought, he swung his hand, backhanding her with all his strength.

The force of the blow caused her to fall back, hitting her head on a tree that had been a few feet behind her. She lay there for a minute, dazed. But the incredible pain in her cheek was quickly clearing her mind.

He rushed to her side."I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, you just made me so mad. Don't worry, I'll heal it," he said frantically searching his robes for his wand. He frowned as he found his pockets empty.

He doesn't have a wand, she thought. Realizing this might be her only chance, she quickly raised her wand. "Stupefy."

He fell over backwards with a thud. She slowly got to her feet, swaying dizzily. She leaned one hand against the tree, trying to get her balance. She felt so weak. The potion must be wearing off, and the head injury wasn't helping matters. She gasped as she saw Tom stir, blinking his eyes and slowlsingsing to his feet. She couldn't believe it. She'd just stupefied him, he shouldn't be waking so soon. It must be because she was so weak, she didn't have the strength needed for the spell to work.

"Well," he said, brushing off his robes,"It seems I'm in need of a wand." He looked at her for a moment. "I think that I've caught you off guard. You need a little time to get used to the idea of me being alive again. It's perfectly understandable. There are some things I need to take care of anyway. I'm very much interested in catching up with my older self." He turned and started walking towards the forbidden forest. "I'll be back Virginia."

She started to raise her wand, but decided against it. She knew she didn't have the strength to cast an effective spell. She felt a wetness on her head and touched it. Her hand came back bloody. There seemed to be an awful lot of it, but then head wounds did bleed a lot. She knew she'd probably lose consciousness soon. She watched in frustration as Tom disappeared into the forest. She couldn't just let him get away. She needed to get help. She turned and staggered her way toward the castle as quickly as she could.

When she reached the outer doors, she could barely open them. She'd never realized how heavy they were before. By the time she finally managed to get them open, she was so exhausted that she had to rest a minute against the doors. She looked down the entry hall at the Dining hall doors. It was probably only twenty feet, but it seemed an insurmountable task. But I have to do it, she thought. I have to warn them about Tom. She closed her eyes briefly, and with the last of her strength, she walked to the dining hall.


Draco sat at the table, sipping his orange juice. He was thinking about Virginia, he'd been doing a lot of that lately. He smiled remembering how she'd come to sit with him yesterday at lunch, unsettling the Slytherins, and pissing off a certain Gryfiindor. She'd come rushing up to the table, face flushed and eyes bright.

"I'm a genius, ask me why."

"Because you've figured out that I'm better company than those nauseating Gryffindors?" he asked innocently.

"In case you've forgotten, I'm a nauseating Gryffindor," she answered drily. "You can tell by the little lion on my robes. And Slytherins are far more nauseating than Gryffindors, at least some of them.”


"You Virginia, may be a Gryffindor, regrettably, but you're certainly not a nauseating one. And do I dare to hope that the some of them you're referring to doesn't include me? I'm touched."

The corner of her lip turned up slightly in a smirk."That I find you slightly less nauseating than most Gryffindors? Talk about damned by faint praise. It's certainly nothing to get exited about."

He threw back his head and laughed, drawing the frowning stares of the Slytherins and the Gryffindors.

She reached forward, snatching a grape from his plate a small smile playing about her lips. " I'm glad that you find me so amusing. But If we could get back to the topic at hand?"

He cleared his throat trying to fight back a smile. He hadn't laughed like that in years. But he always seemed to be biting back a smile when she was around." Yes, of course. Why are you a genius?"

"I, have found something to replace the yoko bark in the alertness potion." She noticed his expression was that of someone less than impressed and raised a hand to forestall any sarcastic comment. "Something that's stronger, easier to make into a potion, and had absolutely no weakening come down affects."

His eyes lit with interest at that and he leaned forward. "What is it? How did no one every think of it before?

"No one ever thought of it, because it's something only muggles use."

"Muggles!" he said in a shocked tone. The idea that muggles could think of something wizards didn't disturbed him.

"Yes muggles. Lets skip the whole muggles are inferior blah blah blah. The useful ingredient in yoko bark is caffeine, which muggles use to an absurd extent. Hell they even make a tea out of yoko bark. There isn't much you can find that muggles haven't used so it's pointless to get all worked up."

"I am not worked up. I was merely surprised. Do go on." He said stiffly, he refused to be ruffled any further. Who cared if a muggle had thought up something a wizard hadn't. Wizards did thousands of things muggles couldn't.

"Well the reason no one's ever thought of it, is because it's mainly used only by the muggles in China. Of course the Chinese wizards are just as separated from muggles as we are, so not many of them know of it. It's called ma huang tea. All you have to due to prepare it is boil it for ten minutes. Can you imagine, Ten Minutes! The yoko bark has to be boiled for at least two hours! Now all we have to do is find a way to combine it with a few other ingredient to make it last longer and we'll have successfully made a new and better potion!"

"But how did you find it? You yourself admitted that even most Chinese wizards hadn't heard of it."


"Well I was up late last night wog ong on something and I got frustrated with it so I decided to take a break. Hermione gave me a book on muggle remedies, since she knows how much I like potions. Apparently some leader named Genghis Khan used it and a few other ingredient to make a tea to keep his guards awake. If they fell asleep it was, Off with their heads. Which, come to think of it might be partly responsible for their alertness. I certainly wouldn't need any tea to keep me awake it the alternative was to have no head."

"This Genghis Khan sounds interesting. It seems like an efficient and effective way to make sure you're guards are doing their job. Maybe I'll incorporate that into my security when I'm older."

"The tea or the cutting of heads part?"

" Both. Naturally. One must always have options," he said with a smile.

She couldn't help the burst of laughter that escaped her. She seemed to be laughing a lot lately arounlfoylfoy, which was something she didn't normally do. It must be because their sense of humor was so similar. No one else seemed to appreciate her dark humor so she'd had to be amused by herself. It was nice to have someone who appreciated it, someone she could share it with.

Draco smiled as she laughed. He couldn't believe it, but he was really starting to like her.

He was broken out of his revery by the sound of the door opening, few students got up this early, and he was hoping it was Virginia. She was a very early riser. He smiled as he saw the edge of her long red hair. When she turned and he saw her face, marred by a dark bruise, he was at her side before she'd taken two steps.

"What happened? Are you alright?" He brushed her hair back examining her cheek.

"I need Dumbledore," she said looking over his shoulder at the teachers table. He wasn't there. She closed her eyes fighting an urge to scream. He wasn't there and she'd never make it to his office.

Ginny bent her head in defeat, and Draco saw that her hair was stained with something. He reached his hand and lightly touched it, It was blood. A lot of blood. He turned quickly yelling for Madam Pomphrey who was sitting at the head table. She was at there side in seconds. She immediately noticed the blood and conjured a stretcher. Ginny let herself be laid on the stretcher, she was so tired. As they left the dining hall, she looked up and saw the trio coming down the stairs. She focused on Harry, he was the only one who'd actually seen Tom. "Wait. Stop." She looked up at Draco," Get Harry." He frowned bumplimplied, walking quickly over to the stairs. They all rushed up to her side but she had eyes only for Harry. "I need you to listen to me."

Madam Pomphrey interrupted. "We need to get to the infirmary, you can talk there."

Virginia reached out her hand and clamped it around Harry's wristTom'Tom's alive."

Harry glanced quickly at Malfoy. "Ginny he's gone, I..."

She gripped his wrist harder, and Draco could see blood starting to trickle from where her fingernails dug in. "If you every listen to anything I say listen to this. You didn't destroy him, he's been in me watching and waiting, and now he has his body back, he's looking for a wand, you have to tell Dumbledore. You have to tell him. Do you understand."

Harry's face had gone white," Yes I understand, I'll tell him."

She gripped harder and partially rose up from the stretcher. "Swear it."

"I swear."

She sighed with relief and turned to look at Draco. "I took the potion, I'm to weak to be healed, don't let her," she said before finally mercifully slipping into oblivion.

"What is she talking about? What potion?" Madam Pomphrey asked Draco.

"She must be talking about the Alertness potion," he said, thinking back to that night in the dungeons, she'd come out of the store room looking vaguely guilty, now that he thought about it. "We were experimenting with it the other day. The potion makes you weak, and with a head wound on top of that, you'll have to wait a to heal her."

Madam Pomphrey frowned," Yes I know. It's a good thing she told us that she had taken it. I cannot imagine what the energy drain of healing would do to her in this state. Well enough mucking about, lets get this girl to the infirmary."

They all hurried to the wing, except for Harry, who had dutifully gone to find Dumbledore.

It wasn't until Ginny was tucked safely in bed that Ron really thought about the fact that Malfoy was there, such was his worry for his sister.

"Malfoy why the hell are you still here?" Ron asked when he turned to find him standing at the foot of the bed.

"I'm worried about her, not that it's any of our business," Draco sneered. Weasley really brought out the sneer in him.

"It is my business, I'm her brother!"

"Talk like that is what's had her mad at you for the past few days. Your really never learn, it's kind of amusing. I suggest that if you ever want her to speak to you again, that you try not to say who can be friends with her."

"Friends! You're not friends. You don't even know what a friend is. She's only been hanging out with you for a few days, and as like as not, that was probably just to piss me off."
"It's amazing how self centered you are, every decision that Virginia makes is not related to you. And we certainly are friends, we clicked instantly. We have a lot in common, including a strong dislike for you."

"You bastard.."

Hermione grabbed Ron's arm to stop him from leaping on Malfoy.

"I don't think that Ginny would appreciate you trying to piss off her brother either. I'd keep that in mind if you want to be " friends" with her." Her voice held a slight mocking tone. She doubted the Malfoy was even capable of friendship. She figured that he was either trying to shag her or trying to piss Ron off by hanging out with her. She really disliked him and was tempted to let Ron pound the little wanker. However, her fear of punishment and her anal retentiveness in regards to rule breaking, kept her grip on him firm.

Dumbledore entered, Harry not far behind, putting an end to their little squabble.

Ignoring them Dumbledore went to Virginia's bedside. He reached down and gently touched her bruised cheek. Frowning he called to Madam Pomfrey.

"Poppy, I need to know if it would be alright for me to wake her for a few minutes."

"Yes, actually she should be woken to check her lucidity, before we let her sleep for too long. It's always best to be cautious with head wounds."

With a nod, Dumbledore turned back to Virginia, gently rousing her.

Virginia slowly opened her eyes, frowning when she found Dumbledore towering over her. Her first thought was, what was Dumbledore doing in her bedroom. Her second that was that she wasn't in her bedroom. She was in the hospital wing. If her surroundings weren't enough, the incredible pain in her cheek would have given her a clue. She looked again at Dumbledore and despite the pain, she sighed in relief. Harry had gotten him, she'd been afraid that he hadn't believed her.

"Ms. Weasley, young Harry here has just told me that you believe Tom is alive. I'm very interested to know how that could be."

"Where should I start?"

"I find the beginning's usually best."

"I've had dreams, every night, for the past three years. I thought it was just leftover fear of what happened, causing me to have nightmares. I finally decided to do something about it. So I cast Miedius manifiestus. I tried to cancel the spell, but it wouldn't work. That's when he told me, that he hadn't been destroyed all those years ago, only the diary had, and he'd just put himself into the closest available place, me. You need to tell the ministry and get them out there looking for him. He's looking for a wand, and I don't think he's going to ask someone nicely to borrow it. He was headed toward the forbidden forest the last time I saw him. If you hurry someone might be able to find him."

"Ms. Weasley, I knew Tom when he was young. He wasn't quite the horrible murderous person his older self is now. I don't think the ministry will agree that he's a threat. There's a war being fought, I don't think they have anyone to spare."

"Not a threat? Have you been listening to anything I've been saying?" she asked angrily. "He's been living inside of me for five years. He knows everything I know and he told me after he gets a wand he's going to pay a visit to his older self. And you say he's not much of a threat."

"I realize that this is very upsetting for you, but I'm not ready to believe that he has heard everything, we only have his word for that. But even if that should prove to be true, I doubt you know any information that would be dangerous if it reached ..certain ears."

"I'm the last person who would take his word for anything. I know because in a dream he talked about how I'd put crucio on that boggart of him."

So that was this Tom, Draco thought. At least now he had a face to go with the name. Although he was still thoroughly confused. He wanted to ask some questions, but he figured they had forgotten he was there and he didn't want to remind them. He had a feeling he wasn't supposed to be hearing this.

"And I know more than you think. I know about Snape." Snape was a deatheater, but he secretly spied for Dumbledore. The trio and Dumbledore looked shocked at this, while Draco continued to look confused. "I know where Harry spends his summer." Two summers ago everyone had agreed that Harry shouldn't have to spend his summers with the Dursleys. her parents had been pleased to have him stay with them. "And I know all the passwords to get in." The blood drained from her face. "You have to warn my parents to change them, I can't believe I didn't think of that.' Forgetting herself for a moment she added," Not that they have anything to fear from him, wouldn't want to upset the in-laws. He'd probably just rifle through my room for love tokens."

"What?" said everyone one in the room excepting herself and Dumbledore. He was pretty unflappable, but she could tell he was curious, too.

"Yeah that's the best part. The only reason he hit me was because I didn't react the way he thought I would to his declaration of love. He even tried to heal me if you can believe it. I think I preferred it when he was trying to kill me."

Silence met this statement. No one knew quite what to say.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and nodded. "Forgive me, your right of course. He fooled me once before. I won't underestimate him again. I'll make sure that your parents change the wards. Try to get some rest. we'll talk more when you’re better," he said and with a sigh and strode quickly out of the room.

She turned to look at Draco with a tired sigh."I suppose you’re curious to know what we're talking about."

"Ginny I don't think you should...," Ron started.

"There's no point in keeping it a secret anymore," she interrupted. "And if anyone has the right to decide who to tell it's me."

"As much as I'm dying to find out another chapter in the life of the Mysterious Virginia Weasley. It can wait. You need to sleep, and I can tell it's hurting you to talk. I'll let you get some rest and come see you tomorrow. I'll take the wonder brats with me, as there all pretty thick, they probably don't see you need your sleep. I think If I speak slowly and simply, along with descriptive gesticulating, I might be able to get through to them."

Ginny laughed as all three of them looked indignant at this insult. Ron started to speak, but she held up a hand. "I really do need to rest, I'll see you all tomorrow. Okay?"

Ron's face softened. "Alright, try to get some sleep. I'll come see you tomorrow." He looked as if he was going to say something else, but thought better of it.

As the foursome left the room, Draco turned in the opposite direction of them, planning to go back to his room before class. He had a lot to think about.

"Malfoy, we need to talk," Ron said in a low voice.

Draco turned to face them. "Are you breaking up with me?"
Ron turned red. He spat out through gritted teeth," I want to know what your doing hanging around with my sister."

"We've been over this, we have a lot in common, we amuse each other, and we decided to be friends. Really, your annoying enough the first time, there's no need to repeat yourself."

"I can't tell you not to be friends with her. That's her decision." he admitted grudgingly. "But if you hurt her. All that will be left when I'm done with you is a giant pile of hair gel."

Draco bristled. He hadn't really worn hair gel since third year. He shuddered when he thought about how he used to slick his hair back. If there was one place where he was vulnerable it was his vanity. All it took was the mention, of his unfortunate relationship to hair gel to piss him off.

"I don't think Virginia, would like the fact that your threatening me. I believe this wouldn't be minding your own business. She's already mad at you. Imagine what will happen when I tell her about this little episode. She might never talk to you again."

The color drained from Ron's face. "You wouldn't."

“Believe me I would. But she's obviously going through a lot right now. She doesn't need to be fighting with you on top of that. Just mind your own business," he said before turning and stalking off toward his room.

He flung himself down on his bed. This friendship thing was harder than he'd thought it would be. They hadn't even really known each other for very long, but he really liked her. He liked having someone he could be himself around. Someone who could appreciate him. And he enjoyed her company. She made his life more interesting. All in all he was finding the whole friendship experiment to be a good thing. But when he'd seen her hurting, he'd felt helpless and angry. Someone had hurt his friend. And he was worried about her, which frankly was not an emotion he was used to. He'd never had to worry about someone else before, and he didn't like it. And he'd actually passed up a chance to get that stupid git Weasley. He turned to look at the clock on the wall. It was almost time for potions. He'd better go early so he could tell Snape that Virginia wouldn't be there. That's what friends do, he thought sardonically.



Virginia watched Draco. She had just told him everything. not not everything, some things she wasn't going to tell anyone.

"So you opened the Chamber of Secrets because you were possessed by a Diary that carried the soul of Tom riddle, who is Voldemort when he was sixteen. A diary that my father slipped into your cauldron. Harry destroyed the diary and Tom went into you, but no one knew. Now he's alive, with a body, and he's gone to visit Voldemort, who is him, but older."

"Yes, that about sums it up."

"Hmmm," Draco said.

"Hmmm? That's all you have to say? I'm surprised--you're usually so articulate," she said drily.

"It's a lot to take in." He kept coming back to the part where she'd told him of is father's involvement. It didn't surprise him. He'd learned that his father had done a lot of bad things, this was hardly the worst. But he was afraid that this one was going to directly effect him. He didn't want to lose his first real friend over something that wasn't his fault, but he was used to being judged by his father's actions.

"So my father gave you the diary?"
"Yes," she said with exasperation. "I can't believe that you're focusing on the least interesting part of the story."

"And you still want to be friends with me?"

"Of course I do. I don't want to be friends with your father. I'd have to respectably decline any invitation to a family reunion, but I don't see why it should effect us any."

"You don't see.. my father almost got you killed!" He turned away from her running his hand through his hair.

"Sins of the father? Come on Draco, I'm smarter than that."

"You really don't blame me?"

"I really don't," she sighed with exasperation. "Now can we talk about something else? I'm starting to wish that the trio were back."

"Dire straits indeed," he said with a smile. "So when are they letting you out of here?"

"I have to stay another night. I'll be back in class tomorrow. I suppose I have a lot of homework."

"Actually no, it was mostly reviewing. Even Snape didn't assign anything. He seemed quite concerned when I told him you were in the infirmary."

"What did you tell him?"

"Just that you weren't well, although, I'm sure that Dumbledore's told him something."

Her faced turned ashen. "He's going to hate me." She found that the thought caused her considerable pain. She'd really come to respect him over the years.

"Why would he hate you?" he asked puzzled.

"It's not for me to say." She sighed at the look of irritation that flashed across his face, but some things weren't her business to tell. " I really need to talk to him. Could you get him for me?" she asked.

He looked at her for a moment. He was curious and slightly irritated that she wouldn't tell him, but he understood the need for secrets. He had plenty of his own.

"Sure, I'll just run right up and get him. Honestly I feel like your little errand boy," he said with a slight pout.

Ginny bit her lip to hold back a smile. Draco Malfoy pouting was one thing she'd never thought to see. " Oh come on, I'm lying in a hospital bed, fighting bravely through the pain," she said in a mock serious voice. "And you won't do me one little favor?"

He started to smile, but stopped taking in her cheek. "Is it still hurting? When are they going to be able to heal it?"

"Apparently they have to wait until morning. Madam Pomphrey said another good nights sleep should get my strength back up. Personally I think she's still mad at me. Probably in her office right now, kicking up her heels, sadistically enjoying my pain," she said with a narrowed glance.

"Honestly, what do you have against that woman?," he asked shaking his head.

"Nothing," she said with a frown, wincing and touching her fingertips to her cheek.
"I'll go get Snape, but you have to promise to rest after he's left."

"That's fine by me. It's nice to be able to sleep," she said with a smile. She'd slept through the night, a dreamless sleep. She'd been so happy when she'd woken, that she hadn't minded the pain.

Draco left and came back with Snape, tactfully making up an excuse and leaving them alone.

"Ms. Weasley, how are you feeling?" he asked coming to stand by her bed.

"Not to well." She paused, twisting the sheets in her hand. "I suppose Dumbledore told you."

The corners of Snape's mouth twitched upward slightly. She always got straight to the point. "He did, yes."

"You realize you can't continue to spy. The first thing he'll do is tell them. It will be his way to get into the group. I've effectively ruined what you've spent years working on, and destroyed our only chance for inside information." She looked up at him, a mixture of anger and guilt in her eyes. "I suppose that what I've done transcends taking house points. You'll have to move me into the category of Those To Be Despised Forever, along with such illustrious persons as Harry Potter and Sirius Black. The company is sure to drive me mad, which is sufficient punishment I hope," she finished bitterly, looking back down at the sheets.

She looked back up, startled, when she heard the sound of his deep chuckle. Over the years she'd been able to wrestle out a smirk and occasionally a smile, but never a chuckle. She was amazed that he found anything funny at the moment.

"Ms. Weasley, no matter how deep you've fallen into the dark recesses of self pity, please refrain from comparing yourself with those two imbeciles. The truth of the matter is, none of this is your fault, and I certainly don't blame you. No one foresaw that this could happen." He paused looking at her thoughtfully. "And to tell the truth, I'm more relieved than angry about the end of my spying career." His hand clenched into a fist at his side, he made a conscious effort to relax it. "It was, It was not pleasant."

She just stared blankly up at him, at a loss for words. Was Snape...Confiding in her? Her life was just getting too strange lately. "Professor, I know it must have been..hard. But you still did it.You sacrificed to help others. I don't know if I can handle the fact that some of them might die, because of what I did. That it might mean the difference bet win winning and losing this war."

"Let me share with you something that took me many painful years to come to understand. I used to think after every attack, that it was my fault. I had killed these people because I had failed to find out about it." He stopped for a moment, closing his eyes. When he spoke again his voice was full of emotion. "Those deaths plagued me. I would never have survived if I hadn't realized it wasn't my fault. The only people responsible for their deaths were those who killed them." He cleared his throat, narrowing his eyes at her. " You are far more obviously not responsible, and I'll hear no more of this foolishness. Is that understood?"

"Yes Professor," she answered with a smile. He had lightened her burden somewhat, but she still felt guilty. Tom was out there somewhere, because of her. She didn't know what he was doing, but she was sure it wasn't good.


AN: To my sole reviewer, I'm glad you enjoy the story. Next chapter coming soon, keywords: Slimy Slytherins Suck Sublimely and sexual Olympics with Neville.