Title: Lady Darkness
Author: Emcee and rain
Rating: R
Summary: Ginny's new behavior becomes even more of a worry to the Order. When they become too troublesome, she targets one of the members.

Author's Notes: Thanks to Pablo for the beta. Lyrics in the chapter title from "Paint it Black" by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Disclaimer: "Harry Potter" and the characters, places and things related to it do not belong to me. They are from the brilliant mind of JK Rowling. They belong to her and her publishers. I am not making any profit from this fan fiction.

vi. 'I look inside myself and see my heart is black.'

The sun was peeking over the horizon when Ginny opened the door to Twelve Grimmauld Place. Her limbs felt heavy, her energy drained. The back of her skull throbbed. Every time she hunted for Tom, the aches increased.

It was just sleep deprivation. It had to be. She had been trolling Knockturn Alley all night. She needed rest. That would make it all better.

Ginny placed her foot on the first step when she heard someone clear her throat. She turned slowly. She sighed when she set eyes on her father.

Usually pleasant, all traces of cheerfulness were gone from Arthur's face. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest. His face was lined with stern disapproval. "Would you care to tell me where you were, young lady?"

Ginny looked down at the floor, studying the green and threadbare rug. "I couldn't sleep. I needed to get some fresh air."

Arthur frowned deeper. "Your mother gave you explicit instructions not to leave the house. That includes having a walkabout in the middle of the night."

Putting a hand on her stomach, Ginny felt her inside churn. She needed to lie down. She needed to get away from reprimands from her parents. Why couldn't they understand what she had to do? "That's easy for you to say. You don't have to spend all day and night inside this place. It's awful!"

"It's only been a day, Ginny." Arthur put a hand on Ginny's shoulder, guiding her to sit on the steps with him. "You know, your mother and I are just worried about you. We're not punishing you to be mean or because we don't like you."

"But, Dad! I only went out for a moment!" Ginny protested, starting to rise.

Arthur stopped Ginny from getting up. "Sweetheart, you have to realise how dangerous it is out there. The Death Eaters are getting more active. They know you are friends with Harry and will hurt you if they can. The best thing you can do is stay put. You're being punished so you know the severity of the situation."
Ginny eyed Arthur. He was the thing Molly cherished more than anything. If Molly was going to try and keep Ginny from the man she loved, she would take the man Molly loved away.

"I know, Daddy," Ginny sighed, affecting her best little girl voice. "You explain things much better than Mum. She gets too angry."

Ginny leaned in, pressing her lips to Arthur's cheek. She concentrated, feeling the Basilisk poison coursing through her.

But Arthur didn't stiffen in shock. Ginny pulled away, furrowing her brow. There were no black veins on his skin. "It didn't work..."

Arthur shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid it didn't, Sweetheart. I still have to tell your mother you left the house."

"That's so unfair!" Ginny screamed, jumping to her feet. Mrs. Black's portrait awoke, howling.

Sirius ran in, hefting the curtains shut, swearing under his breath. Ginny paid it no mind. "You know she's just going to keep me in the house longer!"

Arthur winced at the twin shrill voices. "I'm sorry, Sweetheart. But you have to face the consequences for your actions."

You're lucky you're still alive, Ginny thought with distain. She balled her fists, trying to keep control of her anger. She couldn't lose control. She had promised Tom.

"I have to leave for work," Arthur said, still calm. "If you want to talk more about this when I get home, we can."

Ginny shook her head, scowling as he left.

"He's only trying to protect you, you know," Sirius said, finally wrenching Mrs. Black's curtains shut.

Ginny whirled around to face Sirius, putting her hands on her hips. She narrowed her gaze. "You have no idea what I'm going through."

"Really." Sirius turned slowly, sidling up to Ginny. "Yeah, I've got absolutely no clue what it's like to be stuck in this place. I've only been stuck here for two years-- Oh, except for the time I was dead. You're not getting any sympathy for me."

"Unlike you I have places to go, people to see," Ginny spat, challenging Sirius to respond. The temper of Sirius Black was legendary and she could use a good row.

Yet Sirius stayed perfectly calm. There wasn't even a flicker of anger in his cool grey eyes. "It's a guy, isn't it? Someone you're absolutely crazy about.

Someone you're worried Molly and Arthur won't approve of. I understand these things. Back in my day, there were more than a few girls who were crazy about me-- and parents who weren't."

"Yeah, it's a guy," Ginny answered truthfully. "And I know Mum and Dad aren't going to approve."

"You haven't even given them the chance, have you?" Sirius cocked his head to the side, his long black hair fall in front of his face. "You keep on running around with him behind their back. Maybe if you were to try introducing him to them, they'd lighten up a bit."

Ginny couldn't help but laugh. That would be quite a sight to see. She would come home, Tom on her arm. Mummy, Daddy, this is Tom Riddle. He's the Heir of Slytherin and a younger version of Lord Voldemort. But he's a prefect, so you don't have to worry about me. That would be quite entertaining. "Somehow, I doubt it."

Sirius gave Ginny a big smile. He must have thought it was charming. She thought it was creepy. "Here's a secret I've learned about Molly. Make your issues look smaller than others. With seven kids to worry about, she's only got the energy to focus on one. That's why Ron was able to get away with sleeping in the same bed with Luna last night. Molly was too busy being worried about you."

"Yeah, thanks for the advice." Ginny turned, heading up the stairs. "I'll keep it in mind."

She wasn't concentrating on what Sirius was saying. She wanted to know why Arthur had survived the Basilisk kiss. It had proven fatal now to several wizards. Why was Arthur any different? Was it because she kissed him on the cheek and not his mouth? "Why didn't it work?" She asked herself.

It was because he is your father, Pet. Tom said gently.

Ginny jumped, gripping the edge of her bed. Luckily, Ron and Luna were already in the kitchen. She would hate to have to explain her surprise to them. "You know, it's really intrusive when you do that, Tom."

Oh? You're saying I cannot drop in on my servant when I wish? Don't forget your place, Pet. There was a note of warning in Tom's voice. I told you not to kill your family for good reason. You're not ready to yet. Your body won't allow you to feed him the poison of my Basilisk.

Ginny scowled. So she was weak, unable to kill her father. Why was that so hard for her to do? "I could have done it."

No you couldn't, Pet. It's all right. Their time will come soon enough.

"They're not going to let me out again," Ginny murmured. "They will be keeping an eye on me."

You'll find a way. I'm sure of it. You are very resourceful.

Ginny's eye caught a glimmering from Hermione's nightstand. She strode to the table, picking up the shining, silver heart. Ginny held it up, eyeing it closely. A smile spread across her face. "I'm sure something will present itself."

"It's normal teenaged rebellion."

Remus was sitting beside Molly at the kitchen table. He squeezed her hand reassuringly, smiling. "Believe me, we all went through it. She's just testing her limits."

Molly frowned deeply, looking from Remus, to Bill, to Tonks and finally, Sirius. While what they were telling her made sense, it still deeply troubled her. Except for Percy, Ginny was the child Molly had to worry the least about. The only time Ginny had displayed any problems was when Tom Riddle was controlling her. That had been resolved five years ago. She was fine now.

"Arthur didn't seem worried about it, Molly." Sirius leaned back in his chair, putting his feet up onto the table. "You shouldn't. Remus is right. It's just a rebellious streak."

"And you all went through rebellious streaks?" Molly looked hopefully between the four Order members. She smiled fondly at Bill. "You needn't tell me about your rebellious phase, Bilius Weasley. I know all about it." She eyed the dragon fang dangling from his ear.

Bill gave his mother a broad smile. "Oh, I don't think you ever found out all about it mum."

Both his mother and his finacee cast him disparaging looks. Bill sat up board-straight, his ears turning red. "It really wasn't that bad."

Tonks elbowed Bill in the ribs. "I was pretty bad. Thought my mum would have a fit with her leg up when I showed up for hols dressed in leather with a lime green Mohawk. She tried to make me change it back right then and there. Also made everyone call me 'Jane' for three months."

"A lime green Mohawk?" Bill repeated, staring at Tonks in disbelief. "Now, we went to school at relatively the same time. How come I don't remember this?"

"I can change my hair when I want, you prat." Tonks rolled her eyes. "You think I'd try that sort of thing in front of McGonagall? Mum I can deal with, Minerva McGonagall on the other hand..." She shuddered.

Molly shook her head, turning her focus back onto Remus. "You went through a rebellious streak?"

Remus shifted in his seat, running his hands through his hair. Sirius let out a barking laugh. Remus shot him a dirty look. "It was a little difficult for me to go through a rebellious phase. My parents were very open."

Sirius coughed loudly, "Crazy!"

Remus sighed, shaking his head, patently ignoring Sirius. "They felt any sort of deviation in their guidance was a healthy form of individuality. I think the only thing I ever did they didn't like was eat a steak in front of them."

Sirius grinned at Remus, giving him a swipe upside the head. "And the only time you did that was when it was the full moon, Mama's Boy. Now me--"

"Don't even bother," Molly cut off, waving her hand dismissively. "Your entire life is a rebellious streak, Sirius Black."

"I think I should take offence to that." Sirius grabbed his chest in mock-indignation.

"Face it, Pads, you've always been a disagreeable little berk." Remus patted Molly's hand. "Now, we know Ginny is seeing someone she's not too up to talking about. That might have a lot to do with her new attitude. Maybe instead of punishing her you should try talking to her about it."

"You don't think..." Bill started.

"Don't think what?" Tonks asked, raising a brow.

Bill's ears turned redder. "Well, she's got this new boyfriend. And she's been off-colour. Plus the mood swings. You don't think she might be... Pregnant?"

Molly shrieked, letting go of Remus' hand to clutch her head. "Don't you dare suggest that! My little girl is saving herself for marriage."

Sirius let out a snort. "Did you, Molly?"

Bill threw his hands over his ears, hugging his head. "I'm not hearing this!"

Molly sighed. "I suppose you're right. Oh, grow up, Bill." She put her head in her hands. "I'm being silly. We have more important things to worry about than Ginny's change in attitude. I mean, poor Luna..."

"It's all right, Molly." Remus patted her shoulder. "We're all worried about Ginny. But you're right. Tonks, have you heard anything yet?"

Tonks shrugged. "I was at the Burrow with Dawlish last night. No one could figure out who would want Luthor dead. From what we've been able to figure, it was probably random. With all of his blood missing like that, he was probably drained for very dark magic. He might have just been convenient."

"But why would the Burrow be convenient for them?" Sirius wondered aloud, pacing.

"Perhaps." Remus stroked his chin. "The Death Eaters thought no one would look there, seeing as how it's been abandoned."

"What should we do with Luna?" Bill asked, hugging Tonks closer to himself. "This can't be easy for her."

"Ron said Luna doesn't want to talk about it," Sirius supplied. He stopped pacing. "She just wants to know what she can do to help the Order. She also wants to make sure the next issue of the Quibbler gets out. Says that's the way her dad would have wanted it."

"Dumbledore will be coming by tonight to speak with Luna." Remus ran his fingers through his hair. It was a nervous habit of his. "He also said one of Luthor's associates will be handling the release of the magazine until-- and if-- Luna wishes to take over."

"I suppose the best thing we can do is wait until Dumbledore gets here." Molly stood up, straightening out her apron. "I should get started on dinner. We have a house full of starving people to take care of."

Remus gave Molly a reassuring smile. "I'm sure everything's going to be fine, Molly. Don't worry."

Ginny looked absolutely terrible.

How could Tom find her attractive when she looked like this? Just looking at herself in the mirror was painful.

Her lips were such a dark red in dim light they appeared black. The look was exacerbated by the paleness of her skin. Ginny was normally pale, but all traces of colours was drained from her face.

There was something wrong with her. She could feel it.

No! She was so close to having Tom. She wasn't going to let anything, even her own body, stand in her way.

There was a pounding on the door. Ginny jumped, whirling around the face it. "What?" she demanded.

"Come on--" One of the twins said. His voice was filled with pain.

"We really need the bathroom," The other finished.

Ginny shook her head furiously. "I'm in here."

"We really need it."

"Very badly. Our new product--"

"--had a bad reaction."

Ginny rolled her eyes, throwing open the door. The twins were hunched over, clutching their stomach. Ginny fought the urge to smile at their discomfort. "You're going to use the bathroom at the same time?"

"Sometimes relief--" The twins ran into the bathroom.

"--Is worth lack of privacy." They shut the door in Ginny's face.

Ginny sighed, going downstairs. She had been asleep all day. Best thing to do was at least put in an appearance at dinner.

Molly was pulling dishes out cupboard. Ginny blinked, watching her mother trying to keep Tonks away from the cutlery. "Do you need some help, mum?"

Turning, Molly blinked at Ginny. She gave her a gentle smile. There was a hint of hopefulness in her features. "Why... Ginny... Of course. That would be lovely. Can you get the roast out of the oven? Oh, and I've made some beans for Remus." She turned back to the drawer. "A vegetarian werewolf. I will really never understand it."

Ginny turned to the oven, opening the door. She looked at the bowl of beans for Remus. She reached into her pocket. Carefully, Ginny uncorked the phial of silver, ground from Hermione's new necklace. She poured it into Remus' food, stirring it around. She smiled, pulling both the beans and the roast out of the oven.

If Molly needed someone else to care for to get off Ginny's back, Ginny would provide such a person.

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