The first possession

Time passed peacefully, and hardly anything of note happened at Hogwarts during those weeks-apart from the chaos Lockhart caused in class.

By now, Ginny had more or less understood why Mr. Riddle thought so little of Lockhart's books.

"He's a complete idiot!"

Ron had said this over meals more than once, but it always drew Hermione's disapproval. Hermione was practically a mindless Lockhart fan. Even after watching him make a mess of things several times, she still believed wholeheartedly in the fictitious Lockhart portrayed in his books.

During this time, Ginny also grew increasingly dependent on "Mr. Riddle" and trusted him more and more. She shared almost everything with Cyrus: her happiness, worries, troubles, and fears. She had all but laid her entire soul bare to him, and Cyrus greedily devoured her secrets and fears.

Now-

"Ginny" raised her eyes, her expression completely different from usual.

Or perhaps it would have been more appropriate to call her Cyrus now.

This was Cyrus's first attempt to seize control of Ginny's body in the weeks since term had begun. He was extremely cautious, ready to abandon the attempt at the slightest sign of trouble. In fact, however, it went even more smoothly than he had imagined.

Cyrus stuffed a meat patty into his mouth, then took a long gulp of Pumpkin Juice. Although this was not his own body, he could now feel everything it felt. Tasting food again after so long put him in an excellent mood, and he planned to wander around after breakfast.

"Colin Creevey?" He turned to look at a very small, thin boy with gray hair sitting nearby at the table.

"What is it, Miss Weasley?" Colin Creevey turned toward him in surprise. Since the start of term, he had yet to speak to this very cute classmate.

"Tell them I need to be excused from class. I'm not feeling well."

"But you look perfectly heal-thy... all right." Colin Creevey stared blankly at Cyrus's retreating back. Before he had even finished speaking, Cyrus had already strode away.

Cyrus wandered around the school first, then headed toward the Forbidden Forest. He needed to find out where the school's roosters were kept, then look for an opportunity to kill them all.

Passing beside the grounds, Cyrus gradually left the castle behind and stepped onto a path. From there, he could see a vast forest in the distance. The Forbidden Forest covered at least several hills, and a wooden hut stood at its edge.

Cyrus approached step by step and saw Hagrid bent over in his vegetable patch. The pumpkins growing there were almost taller than Ginny.

"Hey!" Hagrid spotted him and immediately straightened up, shouting, "You there, young witch, get back! The Forbidden Forest's no place for you!"

"Hello, Hagrid. I'm not going in, just taking a walk." Cyrus did not stop, but slowly approached Hagrid's pumpkin patch. "Those pumpkins are huge. Did you use an Engorgement Charm?"

"Ah, it's you, the little Weasley girl." Hagrid now recognized Ginny, and his manner immediately grew warmer, though he also became more wary. Thanks to those two troublemakers, Fred and George, Hagrid had developed something of a dread of the Weasley family. "Just gave them a little help. They'll be even bigger by Halloween. Want to come in for a bit?"

"No, I'm just wandering around." Cyrus had no intention of sampling Hagrid's culinary horrors and immediately declined. "Don't worry. I won't go into the Forbidden Forest. I know it's dangerous in there."

"That's good. You're much better behaved than your two brothers." Hagrid was delighted that he would not have another troublemaker to deal with.

Cyrus made a circuit along the edge of the Forbidden Forest and soon found the roosters in their enclosure. He could also feel Hagrid glancing over from time to time,

afraid he might suddenly plunge into the Forbidden Forest. With no opportunity to act, Cyrus had no choice but to stroll slowly back.

"The air is lovely here. I'm heading back now, Hagrid. I'll come and visit another time."

"Of course you can!" Hagrid said, a little reluctant to see him go.

Hagrid had always extended his affection to the friends and family of those he liked. The Weasley boys got along well with him, and they were kind to Harry, too. As a result, he was very friendly toward Ginny as well. The hut beside the Forbidden Forest did feel rather lonely most of the time.

Even Harry and his friends did not visit very often.

By the time Cyrus returned to the castle, classes had probably already started. There was not a soul in the corridors. Just in case, however, he took out Ginny's wand and cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself.

Like Voldemort's wand, Ginny's was made of yew. Cyrus was surprised to discover that it was actually quite compatible with him. Yew symbolized death and rebirth, making it very appropriate for him in his current state.

The only pity was that Ginny's magic was a little too weak, so the Disillusionment Charm was not as effective as he had imagined. Nothing showed while he stood still, but whenever he moved, a faint outline appeared around his body, like a layer of raised glass.

Still, it ought to be enough as long as he was careful.

Cyrus cautiously made his way toward the girls' bathroom on the third floor.

Just then, Filch's shrill voice reached his ears.

"What is it? Have you found something?" Filch cried excitedly. "A student skipping class?"

Cyrus saw Filch hobbling after the scrawny cat, excitement written all over his face.

Mrs. Norris had probably caught Cyrus's scent. With her head lowered, she approached the spot where he stood. As she drew nearer, she slowed, probably because the scent was stronger there.

Mrs. Norris raised her head, her gaze puzzled, then raised her head again and looked toward the corner in confusion.

Filch immediately looked over as well.

"There's nothing there!" he cursed under his breath, then said viciously, "They must be hiding! Using spells, too-that makes it worse!"

After patrolling Hogwarts for so many years, he naturally knew that certain spells could conceal a person from view. Situations like this had happened more than once. At first, Filch had thought Mrs. Norris was mistaken, until a student's half-baked Disillusionment Charm suddenly failed. Only then had he understood what was happening.

He immediately reached out and began feeling around nearby, looking like a blind man whose eyes worked perfectly well.

Though the action looked ridiculous, it was certainly effective, especially when Cyrus's spell was imperfect and any movement would give him away. If this went on-

Seeing this, Cyrus had no choice but to take a risk. With the smallest possible movement, he lifted his wand and aimed its tip at Mrs. Norris:

Confundus Charm!

Mrs. Norris let out a shriek, all her fur standing on end, giving Filch a fright.

Before Filch could speak, she dashed away as though she had discovered some other lead. Filch immediately limped after her.

Cyrus breathed a sigh of relief and continued toward the third floor.