"China Doll"

Chapter 10

"Back at the Dolls House"

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It had been a year of sufferings, shattered hopes and sorrow: when Ginny was captured, it was as if the world had crashed. Mrs. Weasley suddenly seemed ten older years, her watery eyes swollen: she blames herself to have let her baby girl to attend that course. Harry was even worse: he repeated that it was his fault, that it wouldn't have happened if Ginny hadn't been his girlfriend. They had searched her; Dumbledore had even excogitated a rescue plan; Snape had attempted more and more times to find out where the girl was, but only the Dark Lord, the Twelve and some Loyal knew it and they wouldn't have revealed it not even under Veritaserum. The only sure thing was that Ginny was sound and alive. Then Halloween came and Severus had saw her, it looked as if she was ok; then the Dark Lord's strange speech, the toasting, the banquet, the celebrations for the future victory. Seizing the opportunity, the traitorous Death Eater had furtively followed the Evil Wizard, the Superior Ranks and the prisoner till the dead gardener's cottage: Snape was too far to hear what they were saying. Ginny was frightened, but being a true Gryffindor she tried to fight Lord Voldemort. Then the dementor with its kiss; then the spell and finally the girl's soul of the girl: the Potions Master knew that that was an important ingredient for dark potions -a new concoction to conquer power and immortality: it needed also a virgin's heart and the liver; the Professor was sure that his student was still virgin -after all she was a Gryffindor- and her death was decided. Dumbledore took the burden to break the news to the girl's family: Molly was like mad, she said that her daughter couldn't be dead, her hand was still on "mortal peril"! Some day later they found out that the clock wea broken. The Weasley wore mourning: Arthur, not having his daughter's corpse, he organized a symbolic funeral and they buried one of Ginny's braids that her mother had cut before she left for her first year at Hogwarts. It was then that Percy made it up with his family and Harry found comfort in Cho.

The spring came, fierce and cruel in its vitality and it was followed by the sultry summer. It was in a late July morning that Molly got a letter: it told her that her daughter was still alive. It started a dense correspondence, an owl every two days: Ginny had been found, almost dead, in Greece and then carried in Italy; she had been saved in extremis but she didn't remember not even her name. The convalescence had been long: the words of Miss Bianca Trao had played sincere and warm to the poor mother's ears. It was Ginny to write the letter in which she announced that the doctor had judged her enough strong for a coming back home trip and that she would have come at five in the afternoon, August 12th.

They were all around the fireplace, quivering in wait: despite it was August, a lively flame danced in the Burrow's fine living room. Bill, in his corner near the window, watched his family and friends: his father had again that affectionate warmth in his eyes and smiled his weary but happy smile; his mother had some grey hair in more in her coppered head and she stared the flame hardly holding back the tears. Charlie had come too: he had come with his girlfriend, Alexandra. Percy and Penelope sat on the sofa nearby the french window, waiting in silence. Fred and George were unusually quiet, but their faces said that something would happen. Ron, leaning on his father's desk, looked with hostility at Hermione speaking in a low voice with Krum; at the youngest son's side, Harry was scratching his scar: Cho had refused to come, she didn't feel like meet the whole Weasley family. Grandmother Rose O' Cleeve had come the day before from Ireland and whiles away the time arguing with aunt Cynthia aunt, Mr. Weasley's aunt. From the Order of the Fenice there was only Madeye Moody, Lupin and Tonks. Ginny's schoolmates had come too: Luna Lovegood, a weird Ravenclaw; her dormmates Shantal Queen, Eufrasia Tussilage, Audrey Badin and Laura Chant; Colin Creevy, with his camera hanging to the neck, he talked with his housemates Richwar Gelbwurzel, Evan Zaffrey, Attilius Labour, Xavier Northmann and Joseph Pratt. Some one laid a hand on his arm: Fleur smiled at him and Bill smiled back.

The young man sighed and leaned against the door's jamb: it was then that he heard it. Lingers and hesitant on the entrance, a young girl looked inside the house: the summer sun kissed her long curls, vibrating like the flames dancing in the fireplace; she was wrapped in a pale lilac simple chemisier.

" Ginny!"

The word escaped from his throat. The girl turned: her smile happy with a serene joy, her cornflower eyes shone full of emotion.

" Bill!"

The young wizard ran to his sister, holding her in a suffocating embrace and kissing noisily and repeatedly her right temple, just like he used when he went back home after a year at Hogwarts: how was soft and tender, his little sister, smelling like violets! And he barely noticed the light ghost of cologne. How was beautiful, his little rosebud! No, she wasn't any more a bud but a gorgeous flower in the blooming's splendor. Ginny laughed and her silvery laugher cheered again the Burrow.

" Don't squeeze me, you're choking me!"

Bill heaved his sister on his shoulder; she protested laughing as he carried her in the living room where they were greeted by a general cheering. The mother held herr daughter in a damp hug, soon imitated by her husband and sons: the twins waved their wands and firesworks sparkled the room, the sparks strasfigurated themselves in scented petals before laid on the guests. Moody tried to avoid a group embrace saying that they have to make sure that it was Ginny and that she was hex-free; but nobody listened to him. After have been crushed by his family, Ginny greeted her friends: since when she had put foot in the living room, Colin hadn't stopped to take photos. After she had embraced Tonks, Ginny was before Harry; a strange feeling made of anger, disappointment and jealousy boiled inside her and she felt a sudden urge to slap him: Harry had forgotten her and had thrown himself into Cho's arms- and thighs. At least that slut had had the good taste to don't come. Ginny was surprise by herself: she had thought in these terms about no one, not even that Slytherin girl and her friends that used to bother her! She putted away these thoughts and smiled at her former boyfriend: Harry smiled, a bit embarassed and his cheeks redden.

Molly had done a great welcome back party, spending lots of galleons to make her baby girl's return perfect: Ginny was happy to be back home with her family. Nobody had asked her what had happened while she was prisoner -if that was the right word to describe her condition at Elysian Fields before, and at Trao Villa after: if they have asked her, she didn't know what answer because, if she has told them the truth, they wouldn't have believed her. Ginny burst in a roaring laughter when Moody was suddenly covered with feathers -the twins had have put some of their more successful jokes in the food: the old Auror was very angry and limped behind Fred and George brandishing his wand and throwing curses. some one pulled gently the sleeve of her dress.

" Er.... Ginny, I... I'd like to have a word with you."

Harry stammered in embarassment; Ginny looked at him, angry and curious, and she nodded with a forced smile. They left the party, seeking privacy in the back garden: Ginny looked at him, her head bent on a side, waiting his explanations.

" Ginny, I.... I mean us... ooh, I don't know from where start."

" It's quite simple, from the beginning."

Harry looked at her and then lowered again his eyes.

" You.... you can't imagine how I have felt when those.... those bastards kidnapped you: I have felt.... like when Sirius died. Something inside me keep saying that it was my fault, that I had exposed you because you were my girlfriend. I swear you that I have done everything to save you, to bring back you home. Then when Snape--"

And he didn't say anything else, since Ginny kissed him: Harry was stunned by her kiss but let himself go and deepened the kiss holding her tightly. Ginny didn't know why, but something was wrong: despite what had happened in that year, she still loved Harry yet kissing him seemed wrong; and it was not because of Cho. Those weren't the lips she knew: the lips she knew were more feverish; arrogant and tenders at the same time. The lips she knew grazed damps, shy and stealthy hers as if they want to swallow her lips up and they were smooth like silk and soft like cotton candy. The lips she knew kissed her with a passion that wrapped her like a flame; and needed her as if their existence depended on her. The kiss Ginny knew was Tom's kiss.

" Ginny, we don't.... I am sorry, I would have wanted your coming back home to be perfect, but at this point.... now I am with Cho: I had decided that I would have waited to tell you, but... it isn't fair to pretend that everything is like last year, as if my feelings haven't changed. I don't mean that I don't care of you any more, but now I have Cho at my side and without her I don't know if I would have been able to... to go on living."

Ginny looked at Harry, a bitter smile curled her cerise lips.

" You are right Harry: so many things has happened in this year, so many things have changed... you have changed, I have changed and... and you can't love some one you don't know any more."

She ruffled his hair and she went back at the party.

* * *

" ... you have to communicate the Order of the Phoenix's new headquarters' location as soon as you'd find it: any private initiative is forbidden! You may go."

Thundered the Death Eater wrapped it a blood colored cloak; the Dark Lord made a tired gesture and his followers bowed and disappeared: in the room were left only the Twelve and the twenty-one Prussian purple cloaked Loyal. The members of the two upper ranks looked at each other: their Lord had said nothing for whole the meeting and for he had had a strange behavior, how say... melancholy. Was Lord Voldemort sad? The Baron almost laughed at this thought, but he held back knowing what would have happened. The Evil Wizard got up from his high-backed chair; the remaining Death Eaters bowed at his passing: the sky was clear and quilted with stars, almost to make fun of the Dark Wizard's mood: a Loyal stepped forward.

" If I'm allowed to ask, my Lord and Master, why are you so... weird this evening? What is bothering you?"

Voldemort turned, a black dyed wooden mask hid hes sweat pearled face, and he stared at the girl: there was no doubt about her identity; women between his followers were fewer than the first war. He blew amused to hide his embarrassment.

" It is not you assignment your ask such questions, Millicent: in few months you have conquered what other wouldn't reach in whole their whole miserable life. I don't need a confidante."

And they trembled at the harshness in his voice. Millicent swallowed bitting her lips; she knew that she would have been punished for her impudence. But the Dark Lord went back to look at outside: how he wished to have his pretty china doll there and then! But she had gone back home, he had took her to the gate and /he/ had taken that decision: how he wanted to erase everything and go back in that day's early afternoon and to hold her again and... no! He must stop think about her, he have to get her of his head! Such nonsenses were for idiot, sugar-coated and hormones driven teenagers, not grown-up men like him. He must let out his anger: he ordered to his more trusted followers to leave.

" Stay Millicent."

The young woman stopped, quivering in waiting: he walked around her, peering at her with his eyes hidden by his mask's shadows. He stopped at her right and he bent his head.

" Listen and answer with sincerity, Millicent: if your life depends on some one's safety, what would you do?"

Millicent was amazed: she had expected everything but that question!

" My Lord and Master, my life belongs to you and..."

" Answer my question, it is an order!"

" Well." she bit her lips not knowing how answer," Being your loyal follower, my life runs on a thin edge; I'd try to keep him or her safe even if this would mean lock this person in Azkaban. By the way, I'd keep an eye on him/her. But, my Lord, I don't understand the reason of your question."

But Lord Voldemort didn't answer, lost in his thoughts: he crossed the room with silent footstep; he finally looked at again the young Death Eater.

" What do you want more than everything in the world?"

" Beauty." she replied on impulse, then added," To be more pleasant in the eyes of my Lord and Master."

Voldemort arched an eyebrow behind his mask and a smile curled his lips.

" Beauty needs some sacrificies: I warn you, it'll hurt."

He chanted a litany in an unknown language and Millicent felt squeeze by a great pain: it was as if her bones and muscles move inside her body. The young woman collapsed on the ground: she didn't know how much time it lasted, the pain had distorted her time perception. She opened her eyes: her vision was darkened and after a couple of minutes she recognized the fine shoes sticking out a robe as the Dark Lord's. He beckoned her to get up and to look in one of the mirrors on the walls: still painful, Millicent executed the silent order and took off her mask. It wan't her, nevertheless those eyes were like lifeless black wells as hers and also that plain black hair was as hers; but the shape of that face was more fine and elegant than her rough feature. The body was different too: the eight was the same, not a solid heap of meat and muscles but a nimble and gracefull sylph. Voldemort appeared behind her shoulders, observing their reflection in the mirror; he then made to appear a photo from thin air and handed it to the girl.

" I Suppose that do you know this person." She nodded hidding baddly her disgust," You are an animagus, aren't you?"

" Not yet my Lord, but I won't be long."

" Good. I want you to keep an eye on this person, I want a daily report and I order you to not talk about thi s assignement with anyone. And now, little Milly, why don't we explore the possibilities of yours new appearance?"

And Millicent Bulstroke smiled, while a spell clouded her sight and an icy hand grazed her arm.

* * *

That was one weird night for Ginny: though her sleep had been full of dreams, it was as if she has only slept; a simple and refreshing blackness. She waked up around nine in the morning, when her mother called her for breakfast: full of a weird euphoria, Ginny wore a robe -one the few things Tom had putted in her bag- and went downstair. She was welcomed by a delicious and inviting smell of sausages and french toasts and by the frying pan familiar frizzling: her family sat around the table and her mother was at the stoves. They turned to look at her, as if she was a ghost but then Bill got up and made some place for his sister.

" you Know, for an instant we have thought that it was only a dream: you don't know how many times we have imagined to see you go down from the staircases."

The older brother explained winking; Ginny smiled and sat; her mother laid a plate with least ten sausages and another one filled with butter and strwberry jam spreated french toast.

" Ah, mum, you don't need to cook so much for break fast...."

" Nonsense! You look a little bit run down and after what has happened you have to eat."

Ginny opened the mouth to protest, but gave up and she began to eat, trying to avoid that her mother filled again her plate. They had almost finished when two owls came: the first delivered a Hogawrts letter for Ginny: she needed to pass an exame to attend her seventh year. The other wasn't an owl, but a proud looking kite. The latter bird made fall an envelope on Ginny's knees and then flew away: it was from Bianca. Ginny opened it and inside there were a shrank trunk and a letter: Bianca had sent her belongingses, just as Tom had said, and in her letter the woman told /their/ version about how Ginny ended up at Villa Trao. It ended with these words:

" .... you are free to tell what actually happened, but you remember that nobody would believe you."

Ginny started reading those words bit her lower lip: it was true, telling the truth meant have a room booked at the St. Mungus Grand Hotel; but she had to tell to thne Aurors every information she had about the Death Eaters! Perhaps Professor Dumbledore would have believed her: sure, why no? To the Ministry's agents she would have blurted the tear-jerkers Bianca had suggested her -rather, imposed; while to the Order of the Phoenix's old founder she would have told the truth. In the meantime Mrs. Weasley had enlarged the trunk and had opened it searching her daughter's wand: it wasn't there, but atop the pile of garments there was an other letter and she handed it to Ginny. It was from Tom, his elegant and spidery handwriting was unmistakable.

Dear Virginia,

I know that your family isn't wealthy, the Ministry's employees has ridicoulosy low pays! So I have decided to open for you a small but honorable account at Gringotts: I don't want my china doll to go around with second-hand clothes.

My respects,

Uncle V.

Ginny looked horrified at the letter and the enclosed key: it was as if Tom wanted to tell her that she was nothing but a swore for him. She threwwith disgust and anger the small metallic object, which tinkled near her father's feet; and she tore the letter throwing the fragments in the burning fireplace. Ginny climbed the stairs two at times, locked her bedroom's door and plunged on the bed devastating the thin, faded bedspread with her fists: how dared that filthy being to keep treating her in that way? If Tom wanted to torment her, why did he have allowed her to go back home?! She didn't know why, but tears began to flow on her face; and without she could stop them, sobs shook her slender body. A large and callous hand laid on her back: Ginny looked at her comforting father, their eyes of the same hue.

" Why are you crying, rosebud?" Ginny lower her eyes bitting her lips; Arthur ran a hand through his sparse hair and sighed," I know that it's difficult for you to talk about it, but... the Ministry want to know what has happened in this year today: I am sorry, I wanted to avoid or at least postpone it but I have been only able to obtain Tonks to be at.... the meeting. Come on, get ready, we don't have much time. Ah, I've bring you the thing Ms. Trao has sended you."

Mr. Weasley kissed his daughter's cheek, embraced her and left. Ginny wipped away her tears and went to take a shower.

* * *

About an hour later, Mr. Weasley and his daughter were at the Ministry: Ginny didn't care of her surroundings or people's curious glances; her thoughts whirled around what she should have told to the Aurors and to what she would have told to good, old Dumbledore. She followed her father lost in her thoughts; and without noticing it, Ginny was sitting in an office with an unknown, pig eyed man staring at her, Tonks with her bubblegum pink hair and her moral supporting father. The Auror, a man in his fourties, stooped forward.

" all right, Ms. Weasley, can you tell us what have happened after the day you were kidnapped?"

Ginny told the first part of her stay at Elysian Fields among "I don't remember well."

" And then, what have happened?"

Asked the Auror with interest. Ginny opened her mouth to tell everything, but she closed it and tightened her lips.

" The first thing I remember after Halloween is waking up at Trao Villa: I don't know what happened in the meantime or how I've ended up there."

She began to tell Bianca's lie, which was more acceptable than the truth. When Ginny finished, her father embraced her and Tonks and the other Auror looked at her with sympathy. Then the other Auror began to make questions about the Death Eaters and their plans: this time Ginny didn't hesitate and said everything she knew among increasing coughs.

" Pardon me," the girl coughed," may I have some water?"

" Sure. Accio water!" Tonks handed a glass to the girl, whom drank greedily. " From your word it seems that You-Know-Who had keep you in his hide-out: do you remember anything that could help us to defeat him or where this place is?"

" Well, What's-its-name Fields is in a hilly area; there is a village due west.... and about /him/, there is something that could help you to find him and--"

A strange feeling of illness caught her, Mr. Weasley quickly gave her another glass of water.

" Ginny, are you all right? You look so pale...."

" Don't worry dad. " the girl groped," I'm just tired. However, now Voldemort has a new appearance and is unrecognizable: now he could be walking quietly through Diagon Alley under our nose. There is only a way to recognize him, and it is a hea---"

The words died in her throat; an atrocious pain clamped her heart and then Ginny collapsed consciousless on the floor. Immediately the three adults tried to revive her, but their spells were useless: Arthur took his daughter and ran in the entrance from where he reached St. Mungus.

The healers didn't know what caused young Ms. Weasley's heart attack: her body was healthy and there wasn't trace of recent hexs. Ginny spent the next day in the hospital and then went back one: her mother would have wanted the healers to investigate more, but Ginny was tired of mediwizards and hospitals.

When Ginny, her father and Bill arrived at home, the girl found a pleasant surprise: Blaise was at the Burrow, regardless of Ron's murdering looks. The two teenagers nodded at each other with a small smile.

" I hope that you don't mind if my visit wasn't announced, Virginia Rose."

" It's ok, I am happy to see you after so much time."

" I also am happy to see you, I have known... Melinda sends this for you: she wished to come but... er... she has an appointment that cannot be postponed."

He handed her a gift, which she unwrapped impatient: it was a dark red with golden flourish leather covered book.

" Louise Miller-Blaige's last book! Thank her for me."

Mrs. Weasley entered the living room with some tea for her guest and family.

" You know Ginny, it has been Blaise to tell us that you were still alive and that you wereat Ms. Trao's house: you are lucky to have a friend like him."

Blaise coughed his tea at Mrs. Weasley's words and Ginny looked amused at him: he had stayed constant in his feelings for her, even when she was with Harry. Even after her supposed death: after she have known him, Ginny had considered Blaise more than a friend.

" When I have come, your mother has told me that you were in the hospital: I suppose that you were there for a check in, Virginia Rose."

Said Blaise recovering his composture. It was Bill to answer.

" Actually Ginny has felt ill the other day."

" Oh, that's bad. A consequence of what have happened?"

" We don't know it: the healers have found nothing strange and no traces of hexs."

" But it's strange that she has felt ill during.... while we were at the Ministry." added thoughtful Mr. Weasley," I mean, that morning you were well, Ginny, you were so happy."

Blaise started hearing those words and frowned: he threw a glance to Ginny and cleared his throat.

" May I ask in which circumstances have been verified this illness?"

" I was telling how recognize... /him/ and I have felt ill." Ginny answered lowering her look, then smiled weakly," don't worry Blaise, I am all right."

" Actually you haven't been very well since when you have begun to speak about the Death eaters' ranks. " added Arthur," you coughed so much that I feared you could spit blood."

" And there weren't traces of hexs..." Blaise whispered to himself, then he held Ginny's hands " Do you remember if they have made you read a parchment and/or drink something?"

Ginny bit her lips and she nodded, while her fingers traced signs on his hands' palms -their old code. The young wizard turned pale and closed his eyes; then squeezed her hands in his and took a deep breath.

" I felt that something wasn't right; it was weird that /he/ has brought back you home without erase your memory. There are traceless rituals and spells; not even the more experienced wizard would be able to feel theit presence: I fear that they have done one on you, Virginia Rose." He ran nervously a hand throught his hair. " In some secret orders some of them are used to assure the followers' loyalty followers: the one they did to you is to prevent you to give any of your informations. If you try to talk, you-'ll feel ill, and more important is the information you're giving, worse you feel: this spell could kill you."

Mrs. Weasley started, hardly holding back a pained sob; Mr. Weasley, Bill and Ron were shocked and unable to utter word; Ginny looked at the boy with wide eyes while in her mind she relived the last days' events: it had been Bianca! The strange goodbye toast was nothing but a spell; she now understood why Bianca had written her that if she told the truth she would have gone to St. Mungus! Not only because was the most absurd experience in the world; but also because Ginny would have felt ill just talking about it. It was Molly to break the silence that had fallen in the Burrow's nice living room.

" There... there must be a way to break it, right?!"

" There is, but it isn't easy." Blaise sighed with anger dyed voice," Only who has performed the spell could break it; and I don't think that this certain some one would do it. I am sorry, I have wanted to give you more cheerful newses."

" Why should we believe you, Zabini? Everybody knows that Slytherin had turned as the worse wizards and witches! Who assure us that you aren't a Death Eater? Who knows, perhaps You-Know-Who has sent you here to spy us."

Blaise looked at Ron with impassive face, he then hissed full with anger.

" I could understand that you have doubts, Ronald Weasley; but I don't bear you accusing me to be a Death Eater! The Zabinis of Dolciacque has never ever mixed with power obsessed, crazy megalomaniacs and surely I won't be the first to interrupt this millenary tradition! Thank the affection I feel for your sister or I would give you a taste of what happens to who dares to besmicth the name of a Fetialis."

A blow of wind invested Ron making fall the teapot and two cups: the boy shivered; the wind was unnaturally icy for the summer. Blaise dried the spilled tea with a spell and picked up the cheap porcellain splinters.

" I am sorry to have ruined your tea set, Mrs. Weasley, it's not my abit to lose my self control: I'll send you a new one this evening. It's time for me to go back home. I'll visit you again Virginia Rose."

The young wizard said goodbye his hosts and Ginny took him to the door; Blaise wore his traveling cloak.

" Ah, I almost forgot it! Do you remember the letter I gave you last spring?" Ginny nodded. " Can I have it back for a couple of days? I need it to resolve a business concerning you too."

Ginny looked at him curious and then went in her bedroom to come back with a roll of parchment sealed in navy blue. Blaise put the parchment in his cloak's folds and went to the wooden gate. Unable to hold back longer her curiosity, Ginny squeezed the arm of Blaise, who looked at her arching an eyebrow.

" Nobody won't hear us here." she said," that... that is your promise of marriage; I think to have the right to know why you want it back."

He stroked her the face with his fingertips and smiled.

" I have denounced Thomas Marvolo to the Ponteficies: what he has done to you is not so in line with the Confraternity's rules; he has used you, usurping a claim that belong to me. I couldn't break the bond between you, but I could make be worth my claims and avoid that he troubles you again: and who knows, maybe I could order to Bianca to undo the spell. I promise you that I'll do everything to free you from this trouble. May I....?"

Ginny nodded smiling and Blaise stooped to kiss her: Blaise's kiss was diametrically opposite to Tom's, but it had a delicate tenderness and a sincere affection that the other lacked. Blaise closed the gate smiling to his beloved and disapparated with a pop. Encouraged by Blaise's words, Ginny went back in with light step and a smile on her lips.

" Why do you allow to that Slytherin to be so close? If he isn't a You-Know-Who's follower, I bet that he'll be quite soon."

Ginny frowned and Ron tightened his lips in a grimace of anger.

" Not all Slytherins are Death Eaters: they are also among our /noble/ Housemates. Or are you forgetting Wormtail? And if I allow to Blaise to take liberties with me, it's because surely he deserves me at least ten times more than a scared some one."

Ron looked stunned at his sister, whom tsked and went in her bedroom.

* * *

It was a quite Sunday in family; Ginny studied for her exame with Bill's help while the twins were degnomizing the garden: even if Fred and George lived in the flat above their shop, Mrs. Weasley still punished them when they did some trouble at the Burrow. Bill checked the equation on which his sister was working, finding both procedure and result perfect.

" I think that you should ask Hermione to tutor you: with her help you could hope to reach her levels."

" Nah, nobody can match Hermione; except..."

Ginny bit her lower lip: Tom had been a model student in his days at Hogwarts and a perfect teacher for her.

" Except who Ginny?"

" Never mind. Could you explain me this spell? I have tried it yesterday afternoon but I don't understand why I do it wrong."

Bill smiled and watched Ginny cast the spell, correcting her mistakes. The two siblings were deep in a Transfiguration's chapter when they heard a distant rumble, as the noise of a motor. Fred threw a gnome and stared the road crossing the wood; Mrs. Weasley went out wiping her hands on her apron.

" What's that noise?"

" I bet it's Harry" said George, then he stooped over his sister grinning. " He uses Sirius' old motorbike to travel. You know, he doesn't yet have his Apparation license: he failed thrice!"

A big black motorbike appeared on the reoad, coming near the Burrow roaring: it stopped and the biker took off the crash helmet.

" Hi, do you mind if I stay at your place for a little bit?"

. ~* . ~* . ~* . ~* . ~* . ~* . ~* . ~* . ~* . ~* . ~* . ~* . ~* .

What? Did you really believe that CHIDO was over? Ah, thin faithed and scarce eyesighted readers: with the last chapter the ITALIAN PHASE was over, not the whole fic!

Ok, what do you think about this chapter? Sure, Ginny is now tasting a bit of domestic quietness -but can we talk about quietness when the twins are on the loose? - and soon she'll be back at Hogwarts where she'll be safe from Voldemort and his acolytes. But what about dear old Tom? Not only Harry is the usual pain in the back, Blaise will do everything to free his beloved from the old pervert megalomaniac! Harry prefers Cho to the dear Ginny -de gustigus non discutandum- and Hermione is deeply in love with Viktor, while Ron is stewing in his own juices.

A special thanks to Dumblydoor, my new beta who will help me send this fic! And a hi to the Tom_Riddle_Great_Gruop's members: this chapter is for all of you :D

From FF.net

Lil kawai doom: Tom has his reasons to be kinder, even if we won't discover them now.

Ennui2: thank you and compliments, you have guessed lots of things! Yours only wrong deduction is the one about the ritual: it-s just the safest way to keep Ginny's mouth shut; you know, memory charms could be easily broken....

RaisilinofMetallica: yeah, Tom doesn't want to admit that he needs Ginny not even to himself.

Princess of mordor: I am sorry, but if I answer this question I would give some anticipations XP By the way, CHIDO will count 42 chapters, so you have to bear me for a long time ;)

Angel: you were one of the many to believe that CHIDO was over, phew! Perhaps my new beta is right, I should use a bigger font... But CHIDO will have a sequel, the only thing you can do is to read and wait XP

Ruby4: please, don't cry or I'll cry with you -short circuiting my precious keyboard! Slowly you'll find out what will happen: but Harry doesn't leave Cho and Blaise wants to have Ginny for himself; while old Voldie id seacking comfort in Millicent- I think that he has made her become a knockout on purpose, after all he likes beautiful women ;)

Blue=silver-sapphire: what?! You were having doubt about ME being the Queen of Evilness?! ::calls Tom and asks him to punish the rash subje- reader::

Theophania: neither Voldie nor Scarface deserve her; the only man on earth to deserve Virginia is Blaise, Blaise I say!

From AFF.net

Sushified: that's the right attitude with CHIDO. Wait, ma'dear, wait….

From FF.it

Nimue: your comments are the most appreciated, you judge the event and how it is written! Knowing that I write well is one of the things that makes me happier:)

* Dona86*: bravo! Yes, the eye of the cyclone.... but I don't want to tell you how long it will last XP

Ele: "With this chapter ends CHIDO's Italian phase" means that the event will take place in Great Britain. Ginny is at home with her happy and large family and Blaise ready to marry her as soon as she will leave Hogwarts. There is still much, much to write.

Anonymous: I'd like to know why you think this fic is on the wane; I just want some explanations.

Deelit: I use to write first in Italian and then translate in English. All my fics has been first published in English until Ele hasn't begged me to publish in Italian too. I've just read a couple of passage from "Mastro-Don Gesualdo", but I like Verga and I hope to buy some of his books as soon as I get some money.

Shall Evilness reign.

Herentas Meridiae, Queen of Evilness