Persuasion (PG-13, 14,800 words) (01/03)
Title: Persuasion (01/03)
Rating: PG-13
Words: ~14,800
Summary: It's Ginny's second year. The Chamber of Secrets still lies closed. Her diary, however, is wide open, and she's been writing in it for the past year. Tom Riddle has her firmly in his grasp.
Notes: For omniocular's September challenge, the AU Extravaganza. My prompt was "63. The Chamber of Secrets is not opened in Harry's second year. It's Ginny's second year now, and she's still writing in Riddle's diary."
This hasn't been beta-read, and I'm sure it shows in the construction of plot. It was really hard to keep together. So if you spot something missing or contradictory, let me know, please!
Thanks to my husband for coming up with the title, even without reading it!
And it's been split into three parts, because it's too long for a single LJ entry; however, it is a one-shot.
17 September 1993
Dear Tom,
Why does Harry like Hermione and not me? It's not fair. She's ugly, she's a Mudblood, and even though she's so smart, it's just books. She has all that bushy hair, and her teeth would look much better on a beaver. At least I don't have classes with her, but then she's in the common room all the rest of the time, talking in that high-pitched voice and bossing people around.
She sounds like a horrible person, Ginny.
She is! I wish I could kill her.
Why can't you?
Well... isn't it illegal?
Yes, but if you're not caught?
I'm bound to be, aren't I? They'd find it in my wand, you told me about the Priori Incatatem
There's another way.
Yes?
Have I told you about the Chamber of Secrets?
No. What is it?
Well. In my fifth year, I'd of course heard about the Chamber through rumours and my own research into Hogwarts' secrets. I knew there was a monster, and I knew it was supposed to rid the school of Mudbloods.
REALLY?
Yes. And I opened it.
HOW?
The entrance is in the girls' toilet on the second floor. But you have to speak Parseltongue to open it.
Snake language??
Yes.
You speak Parseltongue?
Yes.
Cooool. So, what about the monster?
It's a Basilisk.
WOW
Yes. It's big, it's very big. And to control it, you
have to speak Parseltongue, I get it. So. Can I learn Parseltongue?
Not really.
Pooh.
But...
What? Tom, come on, what?
Well... How badly do you want to open the Chamber?
Very badly! I want to get Granger for being such a... such a... such a bitch!
That's a very bad word to use, Ginny.
I know. But it's the only one that fits her. But go on. How do I open the Chamber?
How much do you trust me?
What are you going to do, Tom?
I'd have to possess you.
But if you do that, I'd not be able to remember what I did, would I?
Yes you would. It's only unwilling possession where the person doesn't remember.
So... it's more a collaboration?
Yes. Yes, I suppose it is. I'd be more like a little voice in your head.
All right then! When can we get started?
Why not now?
24 September 1993
MURDER AT HOGWARTS
Parents who send their children to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are always aware of the risks of placing so many magical teenagers in such a confined space. Accidents are bound to happen, and in fact do, quite often-but a children's school duel is nothing compared to the gruesome fate that third-year Muggleborn Hermione Granger met last night.
Miss Granger, who was considered by her teachers as the brightest witch of her generation, and who had already distinguished herself by her excellent work last spring uncovering the scandal of Gilderoy Lockhart's falsified exploits, was found dead in a girl's toilet by one of the Hogwarts ghosts.
"She was covered in blood, and there were gashes all across her skin," reports "Moaning Myrtle," the ghost who discovered the body. "She looked awful," she adds excitedly.
Your reporter was unable to view the corpse, but the students who were drawn to the scene by Myrtle's shouts confirm that there was a lot of blood, and that written on the walls in the girl's blood had been the message: "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, beware."
The Chamber of Secrets is a longstanding Hogwarts myth. Legend says that when Salazar Slytherin left the school, he also left, concealed in a secret chamber, a monster who, one day, would purge the school of the unworthy-meaning Muggleborns like the unfortunate Miss Granger.
It is always possible that Miss Granger's death was merely teenage anger taken to a criminal degree, and that the message regarding the Chamber of Secrets was designed to stir up panic; it is also possible that the Chamber of Secrets does, in fact, exist, and that a terrible monster now roams Hogwarts' halls, preying on Muggleborns and half-bloods.
It is also possible that this is part of a larger plot: the escape of Sirius Black in July has put the Ministry on the watch, wary of Death Eater activity and attempts to find He Who Must Not Be Named and bring him back to power. One Ministry analyst confirmed that using the Chamber of Secrets' mystique for the murder of a student would be well within typical Death Eater ploys.
"Their ultimate aim is what they see as the purification of the wizarding race," the analyst said. "Whether or not the Chamber actually has been opened, it's just the sort of thing they'd like to claim they've done."
In addition, it was revealed that Miss Granger was one of Harry Potter's closest friends. Harry Potter, famous for his defeat of He Who Must Not Be Named in 1982, at the mere age of one, refused to meet with the Prophet to comment on his friend's death. Miss Granger's other close friend, a Ronald Weasley, admitted that he was "terrified" by the Chamber, and that Miss Granger's death "really freaked me out."
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster, was unavailable for comment, although the Daily Prophet was able to interview Lucius Malfoy, a respected member of the school's Board of Governors. Mr Malfoy expressed his concerns that Headmaster Dumbledore, who is now 162 years old, might not be quite capable of handling something so dangerous as these murders.
For the full transcript, see page 12.
INTERVIEW WITH LUCIUS MALFOY, HOGWARTS BOARD OF GOVERNORS
DP: Thanks so much, Mr Malfoy, for agreeing to this interview.
LM: It's my pleasure.
DP: So do you believe in the Chamber of Secrets, Mr Malfoy?
LM: I do. Hogwarts is a highly magical place, full of nooks and crannies that are impossible to learn during one's seven years there-I find it completely plausible that such a great wizard as Salazar Slytherin would be able to hide an entire chamber.
DP: Do you believe there's a monster of sorts in there?
LM: Yes.
DP: What kind?
LM: It could be anything, really. But considering how violent the poor Miss Granger's death was, I would assume it had lots of teeth. Perhaps a chimaera, or a sphinx. I really don't know, though, to be honest.
DP: You have a child at Hogwarts, correct?
LM: Yes, my son, Draco. He's in his third year.
DP: Are you concerned for his safety?
LM: No, not at all. Our family is Pureblood, as far back as history can be traced, so if the murder is the result of the Chamber of Secrets, he's in no danger.
DP: But what if it's not the Chamber; what if it's a crazed lunatic? Some pet theories say that Sirius Black must have broken into the castle somehow and murdered the girl.
LM: Draco can defend himself. But again, he's a Pureblood. And I thought Sirius Black's target was Harry Potter?
DP: Do you think other parents should be concerned for the safety of their children?
LM: Yes, I think so, especially parents of Muggleborns and those of mixed parentage. Whether it's Sirius Black or the Chamber of Secrets, non-Purebloods are definitely at risk at Hogwarts.
DP: What are your opinions on Headmaster Dumbledore's actions so far?
LM: What actions? As far as I know, he hasn't done a thing. These are our children in danger, and he's probably sitting up in his office sucking sherbet lemons or folding his socks. Without meaning to offend the good headmaster, I think time is wearing on, and that his age is showing.
DP: Will the Board of Governors be taking any action against the Headmaster?
LM: We were in discussion late last night, as soon as the girl's body had been found, and our current agreement is to wait and see. I personally advocated removing Dumbledore immediately-I mean, a murder at Hogwarts? It's unthinkable!-but my fellow Board members overruled me and decided to give Dumbledore a chance to catch the murderer.
DP: Thank you, Mr Malfoy, for your time.
LM: Again, it was my pleasure.
27 September 1993
Dear Tom,
Harry's now sad because Hermione's dead, and Ron's even worse. Why can't I make Harry happy? Should I tell him that I killed her because she was unworthy of him?
No. That's not a good idea.
Why not? It's the truth.
From what you've told me, your Harry thinks with his emotions rather than his brain.
He's not my Harry.
Give him some time to get over her death. He will, in a little while.
How long?
Perhaps a month.
A MONTH?
It's not long. Just until Halloween, really. But now tell me, did you enjoy killing?
Well, it was nice to see how shocked she was. And that snake-you didn't tell me how big it is!
It's huge, I know. But that makes it all the more impressive when the victim sees it. Imagine how hopeless Hermione must have felt right before looking into its eyes.
I know. I feel so great.
Why did you slash her up? I thought you were only going to use the Basilisk to kill her and then write the message.
I thought about just using red paint, like you told me, but then I thought that blood would be a lot cooler. And I really, really hated Hermione.
How did it feel, cutting her skin? What did you use?
I used my wand, of course. What, did you think I'd use a knife? Like some common Muggle?
No, my sweet Ginny. I was actually asking which spell.
Oh. Diffindo, of course. It's the only cutting spell I know. Are there others?
Yes. I'll tell you more later. Oh, dear Ginny, I am so very proud of you.
Really, Tom? You're proud of me?
Yes, yes, very proud. I wasn't sure you would actually go through with the killing.
I'm not a Gryffindor for nothing!
I never thought I would be proud of a Gryffindor. Amazing how things change.
Thanks so much!! Anyway, I should probably get to Transfiguration. You know McGonagall; if I'm late she'll put me straight in detention.
Yes, I knew Minerva.
Ooh - you never told me you knew her at school! You'll have to tell me more later. Bye, Tom!
Bye, Ginny.
6 October 1993
Dear Mother and Father,
I received your letter, and while I understand your concerns, I myself feel duty-bound to stay here at the school, to support both teachers and students in this time of hardship.
I have spoken with my siblings, and although I have pressured both Ron and Ginny to return home, neither will hear a word of it. Of course Ron will go wherever Harry is, and as Harry has no better home than his Muggle relatives (and from what I hear, they're pretty awful), Harry will be staying here. Ginny is being sullen and moody-you know how she can get-and while I might be able to convince her, it will take time. Fred and George have their O.W.L.s this year, so personally I think it's very important for them to stay, as those exams are extremely important for their future careers... whatever they may be.
Please, do not worry overmuch about us. You have long said that you trust Professor Dumbledore; let your trust extend through this bout of uncertainty.
Love,
Percy
6 October 1993
Mum-
No way. We're staying.
Gred and Forge
7 October 1993
Dear Daddy,
Since you don't take the Prophet, I wanted to tell you that a girl was murdered a while ago here. She was found all bloody in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. You remember Myrtle, of course. Glasses, spots, whiny voice. I don't like her much-she teases me about my hair. You would think that a girl like Myrtle wouldn't tease, since she was teased so much herself (and she'll tell anyone who'll listen about it), but I suppose a Gurmuple got into her heart and froze it a bit, seeing as how she's a ghost.
Anyway, there's nothing much else to report, apart from the murder. I'm doing well in my classes. Snape had to award me a point yesterday because I prevented Ginny Weasley's cauldron from exploding. I could tell he didn't like doing it, but if I hadn't thrown in a handful of fairy eggs, he wouldn't be alive anymore. Ginny was so distracted yesterday, that's why her cauldron nearly exploded. She'd put too many nettles into her Engorgement Solution, AND it was boiling instead of simmering. But I didn't think that a Wrackspurt had got into her, because she has red hair and you know how they prefer blonde and black. So I wonder why she's so distracted? It can't be because of Hermione, since Ginny didn't really care for her.
Oh, well. Say hi to Humperdinck for me. I hope his front hooves are feeling better. Luna
9 October 1993
Dear Tom,
Mum's finally agreed to let us stay. I can't believe how scared people got by that Chamber of Secrets message!
Slytherin is a powerful name to throw around.
Yeah, I can tell!
Did you enjoy the fear?
You bet I did. I wish I could tell them it was me, though! Everyone's suspecting that idiot Draco Malfoy, because of his family.
The Malfoys are nothing.
I know. But no one else does.
But you know that if you reveal yourself as the culprit they'll put you in St Mungo's at the very least, or maybe even Azkaban.
Ooh, I don't want to go there.
No, you don't.
Have you been there, Tom?
Yes. Once.
What was it like?
Dementors everywhere, sucking out happiness from your soul. The prisoners scream for a while, but then they go silent, and most of them eventually die of despair.
That sounds like an awful way to go.
I think it would be.
Oh! Speaking of Azkaban, did I tell you that Sirius Black has escaped?
No. Who's Sirius Black?
Oooh. He was one of You-Know-Who's followers, and he killed something like a dozen Muggles before he got captured.
Not bad.
Not bad?! A dozen Muggles, and you say "Not bad"??
Well, you've told me about the Dark Lord, and he must have killed hundreds of Muggles. So a dozen...
But I don't know if You-Know-Who actually killed them personally...
This is true.
But Azkaban! He escaped from Azkaban!! How is that possible?
I really don't know. But I'd love to meet the person who did.
So would I. Ooh. I wonder if I can?
One thing at a time, my dear Ginny! First you have to get Harry, right?
Oh, yes, of course. But I still think it would be cool to meet Sirius Black, to find out how he escaped.
But if they found you in the presence of a known murderer, you'd be arrested.
Yeah, I guess.
And if you told them about killing Hermione, you'd yourself be a known murderer, and get sent to Azkaban. And if you were sent to Azkaban before meeting
So, I don't want to tell them that I killed her.
No. Not yet.
But...
Yes, Ginny?
But... what if I was so powerful they didn't dare arrest me?
How do you mean?
What if I was as powerful as You-Know-Who?
The Dark Lord? You want to be as powerful as him?
That'd be awesome, wouldn't it? Can you imagine it? I'd be the Dark Sorceress... I'd have to change my name since Ginny, even Ginevra, sounds so girly.
Have I told you about my nickname, Ginny?
No! You haven't told me much about yourself at all, Tom. Come to think of it, that's not very fair.
But I've given you so much, haven't I? Spells, and enchantments, and I've helped you make your first kill.
Well, the Basilisk killed her, but yes, you've done a lot for me. I'm sorry. But tell me about your nickname! Tell me about your time at Hogwarts!
How about I let you figure out what my nickname was, Ginny? I bet you'll be very surprised indeed.
Okay, sure. But I'll need a hint, obviously.
My full name is Tom Marvolo Riddle.
Right, you told me that.
Rearrange the letters, Ginny.
T O M M A R V O L O R I D D L E
A E I O O O T M M R R V L D D
D E A D L O O T M O R
Tom, this is hard!
Yes.
Can't I have another hint?
Take out I A M and then work with them.
I A M
T O M R V O L O R D D L E
L O R D-I see a Lord! Cool.
Lord ... T O M R V O D L E
E L D O V R M O T
Lord...
V O L D E M
Tom, that's not funny.
No. But it's true.
Ginny? Ginny, where have you gone?
Ginny, did I scare you? I didn't mean to. But I had to tell you at some point. I'm still your friend, your Tom.
How could you!?
Ginny, no, please don't close
15 October 1993
Dearest Luna,
How are you doing? Still alive and everything, I hope. School sounds dreadful. Are you sure you don't want to come back? Humperdinck's been pining. Went off his feed last week and I had to bribe him with treats to get him to eat again.
But, it's your choice. It's always been your choice about Hogwarts. I can only teach you so much.
Now. As for your friend Ginny... I worry about her. She's a Weasley, and they're known to be unstable. Did I tell you about the Weasley family role in the Goblin Rebellions of 1845? This was back when the Weasleys were very rich and influential, and it was in fact a matriarchal clan... No wonder Arthur married Molly Prewett, she fits right in... but anyway-yes. The Weasleys were very rich and influential, and the Goblins were fighting over their right to run Gringotts. For the beginning of the rebellion, the Weasleys were fully on the side of the Ministry, along with the Malfoys, the Blacks, and the Crouches, saying that the Goblins were charging too much in withdrawal fees, and that the taxes were too high and the interest too low. Rich people want to keep their money, you know. Well, actually, you don't know, since we've never been rich.
I'm sorry for that, my dear. Your Mum was much better about money than I am. I do miss her very much.
Sorry. Rambling there. The Weasleys began the rebellion on the side of the Ministry, along with the rest of the rich folk, but then when the Goblins began attacking and killing, they switched to join with the Goblins. Self-preservation, they said. It was smarter to be on the side that was winning. Well, yes, that's true, but I think it far more likely that they were bribed to join the Goblins. Or that a Yipping Jiggery got into their water and made them all a little insane. Yes, I think that's probably the most likely.
Anyway, my dear, keep an eye on Ginny. She might be going insane, you know.
Love,
Daddy
17 October 1993
Tom, tell me how you put a bit of yourself into this diary, and tell me what you've been doing to me.
You came back, Ginny! My dearest friend, I'm so happy to
Stop it. Tell me what this diary is.
How will you know if I'm lying?
I'll know. Spill.
Like I told you, this diary contains a memory a memory a frag What did you do? What's happening?
It's Veritaserum that I stole from Snape. I've saturated the diary in it. Now spill, or I'll chuck you in the fire.
Damn you.
Already done. Talk. Write. Whatever. Spill.
This diary is a Horcrux. It contains a fragment of my soul. I don't know if I managed to succeed in making more, but that was my ultimate goal. I wanted to make six, so I'd have a seven part soul. I did not want to tell you that. I hate you.
How do you make a Horcrux? And why?
Why? Think, idiot girl. If part of your soul is elsewhere, what would happen if someone tried to kill you?
So when Harry defeated you twelve years ago, you didn't die because of this diary? Because part of you was still here?
Obviously. And perhaps elsewhere. But I wouldn't know, since I'm only the sixteen-year-old version of myself. You'd have to ask my remaining spirit.
Interesting.
Don't you ever think about being immortal? About never having to die, about having that ultimate power over life and death?
But what kind of life is it if you don't have a body?
It's still life!
I dunno. I just can't get over the fact that you grew up into You-Know-Who. He did-you did such awful things. You murdered two of my uncles, and you tried to kill Harry when he was only a baby. How could you do that?
I don't know, Ginny, since I'm not that person now. Now, I'm just Tom Riddle, Hogwarts prefect and smartest boy of the year. I haven't done any of those things. But I'm sure that when Lord Voldemort decides to kill someone, it's for a very good reason. Don't you agree, killing with reason is okay? You killed Hermione Granger because she was in your way.
I did.
And I, or rather my future self, must have killed those people because they were in my way. It's one of the truths of the world, Ginny. People with ambition will wind up hurting others. But you can't let it bother you, because it's just the way of life. Anyone who doesn't have ambition of their own, anyone who can't hold their ground, they deserve to die. Don't you agree?
I suppose. Yes, I guess that makes sense.
Anyway, Ginny, tell me, have you decided on your title?
No. Everything sounds stupid.
Like what?
I don't want to be a Princess, or a Duchess, or a Queen.
You've heard of Queen Jadis, haven't you?
No. Who's she?
Fictional character, in a series about a land called Narnia. Queen Jadis ruled the land for a hundred years, keeping it snowbound and turning anyone who opposed her to stone.
Wow, cool.
But then she gets killed by some Muggle kids who come in through a wardrobe door and take over as four kings and queens. Brothers and sisters.
I can't imagine wanting to rule jointly with MY brothers. What's the point of being in charge, if you have to argue over everything with your family?
That's what I was thinking. I only read that one story; there were six others, but I heard they were all the same.
How dull.
But my point is, don't discount the power of the title "Queen."
It's certainly better than Lady. Lady Ginny! Ha! As if.
It does sound rather weak.
You came up with a good name, I admit. What does it mean?
Flight of death. It's french.
And you want to be immortal.
From what I hear, Ginny, I *am* immortal.
Very true. What about something like, The Great Sorceress?
Too general. Do some name research, think about it for a while. Mine took me two years, so don't feel like you have to hurry!
All right then.
So, do you forgive me for being who I am?
Yes, yes of course. You'll always be my Tom.
I will at that. And you'll always be my Ginny.
It's so great that I have you for a friend, Tom. No one understands me the way you do.
No, I don't think they do.
20 October 1993
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
As Muggles, we know we can't help much in the fight against whatever maniac is killing the children at your school, but we wanted to let you know that, financially, we're willing to contribute however much money it takes to catch him. The entire Granger family, from my wife's grandmother to my littlest nephews, loved Hermione, and we have a great deal of assets available. We'll do whatever it takes to catch and imprison her murderer.
Yours,
Jane and William Granger
21 October 1993
Dear Mr and Mrs Granger,
I know that, as a teacher, you're not supposed to have favorites, but Miss Granger was one of mine. Intelligent, kind, and very determined. Rest assured we are doing all we can to find her murderer.
As for your offer of money, I'm extremely grateful for it. For now, the school's finances are sufficient, though we will certainly contact you if we find ourselves in need.
Thank you, and please accept my most sincerest condolences,
Albus Dumbledore
23 October 1993
G I N E V R A M O L L Y W E A S L E Y
What are you doing, Ginny?
What does it look like? Help me out, here.
R A M O N A G I E V L L Y W E A S L E Y
E V I L R A M O N A
(Hey, that's good)
Evil Ramona... leaves
G N L Y W E S L E Y
Do I have to use all the characters?
I don't see why.
Evil Ramona... I like that.
G N L Y W E S L E Y, G W E N L E E S Y
Gwen... Nah.
Evil Ramona, I'll stick to it.
If you like.
Don't you like it?
I think it could be better, but it's a starting point. You're still young, Ginny.
Well, when did you plan on taking over the world?
I was fourteen. It was summer, so I was stuck in the orphanage. It wasn't any specific incident, though-it was just a realization that Muggles were a sickness on the face of the earth. I knew, with a burning passion, that unless I made it my mission to stamp them out, no one else would.
Wow.
How's your quest for Harry going?
Badly. He spends all his time with Ron. And whenever he *is* in the common room, Colin's bothering him.
Colin?
Colin Creevey. My year. Didn't I tell you about him? He's got this camera. He's a Mudblood too. He's always taking pictures of Harry. It's like Harry's some sort of rock star.
Disgusting.
I want to wring his neck whenever I see him botherin Harry. Harry doesn't want Colin around!
Why don't you?
Why don't I what? Oh! You mean I should kill Colin?
I don't see why not.
Good idea. But how?
The Killing Curse, of course.
OH!
You'll want to practice on small things first, like bugs, and then bigger animals like toads, cats, or owls.
What's the curse?
Avada Kedavra.
It sounds delicious.
You have to hate, too. You have to hate what you're aiming at, and you have to bring that hatred into the very core of your soul. You have to feed on it, and then you can kill a person.
I'd better get practicing.
24 October 1993
Dear Gran,
School's not going so well. Professor Snape hates me, as always, and Professor McGonagall keeps telling me that if I really wanted to succeed, I could. I do want to succeed! I want to do well! But I'm just not very good at Transfiguration.
Charms is all right. Flitwick's really nice, as always. We're starting some illusion, which is a lot of fun... well, sort of. I mean, I keep thinking how good Hermione would be at it. I miss her. She was really, really nice.
Oh, also, Trevor's gone missing again. But I swear, I didn't lose him! I kept him locked in his tank except when I had him out on my desk, and he simply disappeared one day, from the tank! I think someone might have stolen him, as a joke. Maybe the Weasley twins... when he returns I bet he'll be purple or orange or something.
Anyway, hi to Uncle Algie and Aunt Enid. I hope their experiment with the meringue worked out. Have a good Halloween!!
Love,
Neville
On the inside of Ginny's Potions book:
This book is the property of Ginny Weasley Evil Ramona Ginevra the Great
Part II
Part III