Hi! I'm Ichigo and this is my crazy alter-ego, Kaori!
Kaori: For all intents and purposes, she's the crazy one.
Oh, shush, you. Anyway, this fic is the first in a set of four that we're writing in response to a bet.
Kaori: Our friend actually bet us money that we couldn't do it. So, of course, we had to do it.
Of course! But anyway, it's disclaimer time. Kaori?
Kaori: We don't own Harry Potter.
So there.
Ginny woke slowly. She was sure she was dead. There was no way she could have survived that. She had been nearly torn in half. Or so it seemed.
Her vision swam. Her side still ached, but it was a dull ache. Gradually, the mist cleared from her eyesight, and she could see that she was lying in a hospital bed, probably in St. Mungo's, with anxious, worried faces surrounding her. Harry's face split into a relieved grin as he saw her open her eyes.
"She's awake," he said. There was a collective sigh. Ron looked as if he were about to faint with relief. He leaned heavily on Hermione, who weathered his weight with a slight grimace. Fred and George looked serious for the first time in their lives. She felt herself smile. She was alive. She was alive.
Seeing her weak smile, Fred and George seemed to relax. "We knew you'd be all right," Fred said confidently. Ginny sat up slowly. Everyone else winced on her behalf. Her hand flew to the bandages on her stomach.
"What happened?" she prodded. The last thing she remembered was that strange spell, the one that had threatened to rip her in two. "Who won?"
"We did," said Ron. "For now, anyway."
Ginny's face fell. "It's not over, then."
Hermione shook her head.
George cleared his throat. "We're really sorry to duck out of here so soon," he said, "but now that you're awake, we've got to get back to the store." Fred nodded apologetically.
"It's all right," Ginny said. "I understand."
The twins leaned in and each gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Glad you're all right," Fred said sincerely. The two rose, brushed off their robes in perfect unison, and left.
It was only then that Ginny noticed there was somebody else watching over her, standing back a few feet. She was tall and muscular, with dull blonde hair and a heavy jaw. Her sleeves were pushed up to her elbows, revealing the remains of a Dark Mark. The flesh had been marred, the brand mutilated, slashed through with six parallel scars, and a seventh running through them all.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron followed Ginny's gaze to the young woman by the wall. "Millicent found you," Harry said. "If she hadn't..." he trailed off, not needing to say more.
That's right. The unexpected reversal of Millicent Bulstrode and Pansy Parkinson had been a huge gain for their side. Ginny's eyes met those of the other woman.
Millicent Bulstrode had grown attractive over the years, not pretty, but striking: She had acquired that strange sort of beauty that makes men insecure and other women blush. But it was her eyes that had captured Ginny. They were half-hidden behind a small pair of glasses, and when they looked at you they spoke. I have seen horrors, they said I have committed crimes you couldn't imagine. Eyes that searched your soul for forgiveness. For redemption. Ginny shivered.
"Where's Neville?" Ginny asked suddenly. "Oh, Merlin, he hasn't..."
"No," Hermione said. "He's fine."
Ginny sighed with relief. But then suddenly, she realized who else was absent. "Ron," she said slowly. "Where are Mum and Dad?"
Ron seemed to retract within himself. Harry and Hermione exchanged a look.
"Well," Hermione said, rubbing Ron's back. "We don't know."
"They're missing?" Ginny said desperately, looking from Hermione to Harry to her brother.
Harry nodded. Ginny deflated. Harry took her hand and squeezed.
"I'm sure they're all right," Harry said. He was twenty-three and beautiful, still in that peculiar state where men manage to seem manly and boyish at the same time.
"How do you know?" Ginny said dryly, looking her best friend in the eye.
"Can't you feel it?" His emerald eyes shone with sincerity. There was silence for a moment.
Millicent stirred where she stood. She seemed to be lost in thought.
Hermione made a sound in her throat. "Er- Ginny." She chewed on her lip, as if trying to find words. "We – er, we can't stay."
Ginny furrowed her brow. "Why not?"
"Well... we got the okay to stay here until you woke up, but..."
Ginny knew what Hermione meant. They were going to battle. Without her. Her heart sank. She wished she could go with them.
"Be careful," she said quietly.
"We will," Ron said solemnly. He stood up, then leaned down to hug his little sister. "I love you."
"Love you too," Ginny said, squeezing him. She hugged Harry and Hermione, then the three turned to go.
"See you soon," Harry said.
Millicent moved from her place by the wall, falling in step a few paces behind the other three. She stopped by Ginny's bed and looked down at her. "I'm glad you're okay, too," she said quietly. Her voice was low and throaty.
"Thanks," Ginny said. She smiled. "That was a brave thing you did, you know," she added honestly. "You and Pansy."
"Thank you." Millicent's face showed the shadow of a sad smile. She nodded briefly, as if bowing, and then followed Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who had stopped to wait for her. Millicent didn't try to catch up with them. She was always a few steps behind. Ginny knew that she didn't consider herself worthy to walk with them.
She didn't know just how worthy she was. More than worthy.
Millicent was the only one to turn and look back as she reached the door, giving Ginny an awkward half-smile. Ginny suddenly hoped beyond hope that Millicent would find the redemption she sought.
Four people left Ginny's bedside together that day, heading for what they hoped would be victory.
None of them would come back.
That's it for the prologue! Please come back for Chapter 1!
Kaori: Read and review!
Thank you!