Downtown London was unnaturally quiet, even for this time of evening. Many people had decided that they were much safer in the comfort of their own homes. However, this was not the case for the wizarding families of London. They all knew that the horror roaming the streets was a lot more than a group of rogue teenagers who had had too much to drink. No, the wizards knew better. They knew that there was no such thing as being safe even in their own homes, even if the fidelus charm had been cast.
Such was the case of the occupants of number 12 Gimmauld Place. Many of the house guests were still awake trying to distract each other from their impending thoughts of what lay waiting for them outside. Even Albus Dumbledore himself was having trouble trying to keep thoughts of disaster away from his twinkling eyes. He stood in the dining hall with his fellow Order members who looked even more terrified than he himself felt. It was very packed in the room, but no one dared to open a window for the tiniest of thoughts that someone could come in through an open window.
However, upstairs on the top floor, one window stood wide open letting the cool breeze blow into the stale house. In that window sat a teenage red-head. She sat facing the moon and it's fullness of glory. Just as she wiped a tear from her face, she heard a faint tap on the door followed by a soft "Ginny?"
"Come in," She told the visitor timidly as she quickly brushed any trace of tears from her face. "It's okay, I'm still awake." She added as her guest quietly entered the room.
"Hey, Lily." Ginny said with a forced smile. "How are you holding up?"
"I should be asking you the same question. You were the one that went to school with him." Lily replied as she sat down on top of the old desk that Ginny was sitting at. "You knew him better than anyone here tonight."
Ginny cringed and then banged her head on the desk. "It's not even that Lily. Neville was a great guy and all, but it's not only his death that has me upset. His death brought up all the others who have died trying to kill you know who; especially, the death of my brother, Ron." She tried to force the tears away, but they were relentless and cascaded down her face like a waterfall.
Lily jumped off the desk and took Ginny in her arms. "I had a feeling you would react this way. That's why I came up." Lily took a moment before continuing. "I understand Ginny. I understand completely. Every time another child dies, I see my baby boy dying all over again. It tears me to pieces." Lily, too started to cry.
"That's why we have to keep fighting, Lily. We have to fight because they can't."
"Yes, you're right. But our last hope just died with Neville, what chance do we have now?"
Ginny pulled away slightly to look into Lily's green eyes. "I have an idea, Lily. It's mad, but it just might work. If not, then it just might kill us. However, I believe it's worth a go." Ginny had stopped crying, and instead had a pure determined look.
Lily, on the other hand, held a slightly skeptical look. "What are you considering Ginny? If it's anything Molly wouldn't approve of, then I can't allow you to do it." Lily crossed her arms when she spoke of Molly.
Ginny stood up and walked to the center of the room, where she turned to look back at Lily. "If it works, then why not?" Lily opened her mouth to speak, but Ginny stopped her. "No, Lily, listen to me. At least hear me out. It was something James said the other night, it was off hand and I didn't catch the entire conversation, but he said the words "other dimension". Lily, what if we could travel to another dimension to find help? Isn't the possibility worth a try?"
"Ginny, James wasn't really thinking when he said that. We don't even know if other dimensions exist!"
"Isn't it worth a try, though? I can't stand this sitting and waiting game we're playing! We pinned all our hopes on Neville and look where that got us? We need to get up off our arses and try all our options! I can't stand to see another Ron or another Harry die!" Ginny was hysterical now, with tears falling down her face. Lily walked over to her.
"Oh Ginny, I understand! It's just this could be very dangerous. Who will go? Who would even let us?"
"I will go."
"And what would that do to your mother? She's already lost half her family, what would she do if she lost you also? Do you really want to put her through that?"
"Listen lily. This is bigger than me, Mum knows that. Honestly, I'm in more danger here than anywhere else. I'm going to Dumbledore tomorrow about this. I just wanted to know that you're on my side."
"Are you going to tell Molly?"
"Yes, but not until the time is right."
Lily let out a large breath, "Yes, I'm on your side Ginny. I just don't want anything to happen to you." She gave Ginny a small smile through her tears "You're my only confidante."
"I wonder Lily, could I have a word?" Lily jumped slightly then turned to see Albus Dumbledore standing next to her.
"Of course, sir." Lily got up before quickly sending a shrug in answer to the curious look James was giving her.
Dumbledore led the way into Sirius' brother Regulus' old room. As she stepped in she noticed that she was not the only one called to this secret meeting of Dumbledore's, sitting on Regulus' old bed was Ginny.
"Ah, Lily, you are probably figuring out what this is about now." Dumbledore said as he closed the door and put an enchantment on it, most likely to ward against eavesdroppers. "Miss Weasley here came to me about two weeks ago with a curious suggestion, a suggestion she told me she confided in you first. Afterwards I did quite a bit of research on the subject, and I must admit my findings are extraordinary."
"So there are alternate dimensions, professor?" Ginny blurted out.
"Yes, Miss Weasley, I believe there are. Nine hundred years ago a man with the name of Rhience Danello discovered that certain everyday potions ingredients reacted differently when placed together. Curious to find out what this potion did, he drank it. When he returned he told everyone about a place, a world if you will, where he was dead. No one believed his story, and so locked him up as if he was insane. While locked up he wrote down everything he did to make this potion, in hopes that one day his name would be cleared." Dumbledore looked at the two women very sternly. "If done wrong, this could end your life. Are you sure you want to go through with this Miss Weasley?"
"Yes, professor. Someone has to do something." Ginny replied.
"Alright then, since that is settled. His potion is very simple, with very simple ingredients. This is also why I have asked you here Lily. The potion is so simple in fact, that we will very well have it done tonight."
