Chapter 139 Ginny's Diary (1)
August 8, cloudy
'Mother had just left, and she had checked my baggage again to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything, but she hadn't found you - and I had just found you, T. Riddle's diary, and you were so old, and like all the books and robes I was about to take away, you were all dusty and no one could have picked you out right away.
I mean, I was grateful that Mum had made them clean and tidy, but I also wanted something shiny and bright, like, like what Della had worn before, she was such a dresser and such a nice person, and she used a shrinking spell to make two Muggle clothes fit me and gave them to me, and they were beautiful clothes - but I don't have any robes that bright.
Are you Della's diary? I don't think so. Although she reads a lot of old books, she doesn't need a blank old book, right? And she is "D", not "T".
Oh, what am I saying, I just don't want to ask her, because I might lose you, Riddle's diary, I want too much to have my own little space. '
[I am also very happy to be owned by you. I don’t know any Della. Can you tell me your name, dear lady?]
'What? You can talk back? Daddy said it wasn't a good sign to have a book that talked to you.'
[A book that you own and can talk back to, dear lady, I am willing to share all my happiness and troubles with you, please tell me your name]
'Ginevra Molly Weasley, you can call me Ginny - oh, I must have lost my mind, I can't bear to hand you over. What should I call you?'
[Tom Riddle, just call me Tom]
Della pushed open the bathroom door and returned to Ginny's small room where she had lived during the summer vacation. She saw Ginny leaning over the shabby little desk, moving her feather pen.
Ginny didn't say anything, but what she wrote echoed back. Della listened, reached out her hand, and passed through.
This is a real memory.
Della could only watch quietly. When Tom Riddle's flamboyant handwriting appeared, the shadow of an illusory young boy also sat on Ginny's small table with his legs crossed. His legs must not be short, because his feet stretched forward a lot when they landed on the ground.
As the feather pen moved, the shadow gradually faded away, revealing his original handsome appearance. He and Della were simply cast in the same mold. Della looked at him, but he just lowered his head and looked at Ginny.
Tom Riddle's eyes were gentle, and when you put them on a little girl, you could even see doting. Even though Ginny couldn't see him, he still looked at her with such gentle eyes, but Della could see the red light flashing in his black eyes from time to time.
Tom Marvolo Riddle, nice to meet you at last.
Della thought so at first, and then immediately felt sorry for Ginny. She also blamed herself for being so careful with her. If only she had noticed something was wrong earlier.
May 9, rain
"I think I was the only one among the new students who came to school wearing old clothes and carrying tattered books. Although no one laughed at me for wearing old robes, they were very friendly, but just standing with my classmates, I couldn't help but compare my clothes. Why can't I have a new robe? Maybe I could have, but Lockhart's books are too many and too expensive. Mom has tried everything, and she also has to take care of my brothers.
And my classmates were not surprised at all that I brought those old things. I know that Weasley is already tied to rags. Oh! I shouldn't say that! I am such a bad girl. My brothers never complained about these things. They all went through this, and each of them was able to live a good life in school.
But I still feel sad.'
In an instant, Della was back in the dormitory of Gryffindor Tower. It was her first time here, but she had no interest in looking around this bright and warm place. She saw Ginny looking up and talking to her roommates with a smile. Her smile was as cheerful and warm as ever, but the words she wrote with her head down were so self-deprecating that it made people feel distressed.
Tom Riddle reappeared, still sitting on the table, still with his feet on the floor, still much closer to Ginny than Della was. Della watched him reach out and gently touch Ginny's head, even though Ginny couldn't see or feel it.
[There's no shame in feeling bad about this, you're Ginny first, then Weasley, but I'm a little surprised you said that, in fact I was just proud of you.
You are so sensible, such a good daughter, such a good sister, and you have such a sweet laugh. Although I can't see it, I can hear the conversations surrounding your laughter. You are such a lovely girl.
Be proud, Ginny, your pain has not diminished your charm at all. I bet you are the most dazzling Gryffindor among the freshmen.
Tom's reply was a little corny, but it was on paper and Della might have said the same thing. Ginny was immediately moved and her hand holding the quill was shaking with excitement.
'Thank you, Tom, I know you're just trying to comfort me and compliment me, but I really needed those words, and it's so sweet of you.'
September 9, sunny
'It's been terrible, Tom, it's been terrible from yesterday to today.
Ron got a Howler from Mum this morning. It was such a disgrace. Everyone was watching him at breakfast, and Mum mentioned me! In the Howler, in front of everyone, I was mentioned!
I could hear the concern in her words. She still treated me as her precious little daughter as she did at home. However, with so many people staring and laughing, I couldn't enjoy her care at all and even felt a little resentful.
Blame Ron, blame Mom.
Tom, I can't stand your compliments. I'm not a good sister, nor a good daughter. I don't want to be like this, but as soon as my mother called me in the roaring letter, so many eyes slid down on me, I not only felt uncomfortable, but also felt like my whole body was on fire. That old robe seemed as if every pair of eyes could spray fire on it and then burn me to death.
They must be thinking, Look! Another funny Weasley!'
[Ginny, you are still a good daughter and a good sister. I said, you are Ginny first, and then Weasley, and you have done your best in your second identity.
Also in public, you didn't lose your temper, didn't show your embarrassment, and even smiled. What a nice Ginny!
I will no longer praise you as a good daughter or a good sister. You are a good girl and the best little lion in Gryffindor.
Tom Riddle was still sitting next to Ginny, still looking at Ginny with concern under Della's gaze, and then slowly revealed his true face.
[But I feel sorry for you, Ginny. You are so good, but you don't get everything you deserve. You try so hard to be considerate to your family, but they always embarrass you. It makes me sad. You deserve better...]
The devil bared his fangs at the girl who had confided her true feelings to him and swallowed up a child surrounded by love. He digested her brothers' worries and her parents' care for her into her family's misunderstanding and distrust of her.
'Tom, you are so kind. No one cares about my feelings like you do. I am so glad that I have you, a friend like you who I can talk to.'
The girl opened her soul to her best friend, but in return she was only exploited and betrayed by the devil.