Author's note: First of all, this is my first fanfic, so I love constructive critisism (but I love compliments even more). Second, I wrote this with the assumption that my readers have already read all of the Harry Potter books. And last of all, please keep in mind that I am American, so I may accidentally use words that Britains wouldn't and I appologize for that.

Disclamer: I don't own Harry Potter or any related characters. I'm only borrowing them.

Chapter One

June 13, 1993

This can't be happening. It can't be true.

First his girlfriend, and now his sister? Percy Weasley could not image how he could possibly feel worse. Just moments ago Professor McGonagall had told him and his brothers that Ginny had been taken into the Chamber of Secrets.

Why? Why his little sister? Percy knew that Ginny had been looking off color and shaken since the attacks began. He had cornered her more than once, telling her that if she knew anything, she should tell him or a teacher. He remembered talking to her just after Penelope and Hermione were attacked.

Flashback

"Ginny," he had choked out. Even though he knew Penny would be fine when the Mandrakes were mature, the shock of seeing her as if made of stone hadn't worn off. "If you know something, anything about . . . about the attacks, you'd tell me . . . right?"

Ginny had looked nervous and offended. "Why would I know anything?" She had gone into self-defense mode. Typical sister behavior.

"It's just . . . you've seemed so pale lately. It gets worse every time there's an attack, and . . ." he paused. He didn't want to could like he was accusing her.

But Ginny wouldn't let it lie, "And what, Perce?"

"And . . . I don't remember seeing you at the Quidditch match. Where were you?" In fact, Percy thought, he hadn't known Ginny's whereabouts during any of the attacks.

"I . . . I was . . ." she had stuttered, "Look, just leave me alone, Perce. I'm fine!" And with that, she had run up to the girls' dormitories where he couldn't follow.

End Flashback

Looking back, Percy thought that maybe he shouldn't have been so accusing towards her. He had only managed to push her away. Percy didn't know how he would forgive himself if Ginny didn't make it out of there. He was her big brother, and at Hogwarts, he was the eldest. It was his responsibility to protect his siblings, and he was failing. As he lied down to sleep, he prayed for a miracle.

So much for miracles. Percy was shaken away the next morning. He opened his eyes to see his twin brothers standing over him. George looked as though he had been crying, and Fred had a very blank expression on his face. Percy's heart sank.

"Perce . . ." Fred's voice was barely above a whisper, "Mum and Dad just got here. You should get up."

Percy was on his feet instantly, "Did they find Ginny?"

Fred bit his lip and looked away. George answered.

"Yeah. Harry, Ron and Lockhart found her last night. They went into the Chamber."

"Are they alright?"

Fred gave Percy a sympathetic look, "Maybe you should sit down again, Perce."

Percy refused. He stared his brothers in the eye and said slowly, "Look, just tell me what happened."

George took a deep breath and the whispered so quietly that Percy had to strain his ears to hear, "Ginny didn't make it."

The Weasleys left school early that year. Harry and Ron had explained what had happened in the Chamber. Harry had defeated the Basilisk and destroyed Riddle's diary. But the destruction of the diary had come too late for Ginny.

The train ride to London was a long and quiet one, as the Weasleys were the only passengers. Percy was reading, Ron staring out the window, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley holding each other for comfort. Fred and George had taken another compartment, but the absence of explosions meant that they were grieving too.

They all disembarked when the train rolled into King's Cross. Bill and Charlie were there waiting for them. Both had come back to England after hearing what happed to Ginny. Mrs. Weasley pulled both of them into a hug and cried while they comforted her as best they could.

Many more tears were shed by the time they reached the Burrow. Percy's brothers all disappeared up the stairs to their bedrooms. Percy wandered into the kitchen where the old family clock hung. Eight hands were pointing to "Home." The ninth hand was missing entirely. And it was this, more than anything that set in the reality that he had known all along.

Ginny was dead.