Unexplainable
A/N: Well I couldn't just leave Ginny in that moral predicament so I decided to go ahead and write the next part. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter obviously. If I did then Hermione and Ginny would be together, Luna and Cho would be a couple, and Harry and Ron would be snogging each other senseless. Alas this is not true so thus we have to content ourselves with the boring old hetro ships.
We all sit in silence for the remainder of the train ride, each group on their respective side of the train. Well silence except for Ron's continued moans. The fact that he seems to still be in pain sends a fresh bought of fearful shivers through my limbs. After all Hermione had already taken care of him as best she could. And Hermione knew some pretty advanced medicinal spells. For example I know for a fact Hermione could easily fix my broken nose with a wave of her wand. Not that I'm about to ask her to do that. Not after what I did. I deserve to sit here in pain, tasting my own nose blood. Ok wow that was a disgusting thought even for me. But I have already soaked Neville's handkerchief through and I'm not about to ask any of them for another one. Nor am I about to break the bubble of inaction that we are currently residing in to go get a towel just in case any motion from me could result in a fresh bought of retaliation from them.
Hermione was currently clutching an ice-laden bag to Ron's lower jaw, which was taking on a purplish tint. His eyes were both swollen closed and little white things that could be his teeth littered the floor. More ice bags lay taped to his arms and chest, covering more purpling skin and several pieces of bloody gauze. One thick pad of it dangerously near his heart appeared to need changing as blood seeped through the already soaked surface. Ron's face itself bore several long scratches that still trickled a bit of blood that Harry was wiping away with tissues. All this, the bags, ice, tape, tissues, and gauze had been conjured by Hermione. Yes lets not anger the powerful witch anymore shall we. Pain fills my eyes as I take in the sight of my badly injured brother being tended by my best friend and the boy I have had a crush on since before first year. You'd think I would be used to scenes like this. After all that we've been through. I draw a shuddering breath as I face the realty. No this isn't the same as all those times. It's worse because this is all my fault. I did this. Hanging my head I let myself bob and sway with the rhythm of the train running smoothly toward its destination and the consequences for my actions. I wonder what they'll do to me. Not just Harry and Hermione, but the teachers. I attacked another student and seriously injured them. And lets not even think about what Mom and Dad will have to say about this. I shudder at the thought.
Too soon I felt the gentle slowing down and squeaking of brakes that heralded our fast approach of Hogsmeade. None of us have put on our robes yet, having been thoroughly distracted. Now there is no time. Great now we'll really stick out. Like having two bleeding bleeding Weasleys wasn't conspicuous enough. Might as well put a neon sign over our heads saying "Trouble Here". I chuckle bitterly at the thought. This appeares to wake Hermione up out of her reverie.
"And what might I ask is so god damn funny Genevra Weasley," Hermione poses with an icy calm. "Do you generally laugh when you maim your own flesh and blood for NO REASON!" I could see she was fast losing her cool along with her own reason, and was about to start in with the groveling and begging when Harry steps in.
"Don't Hermione. Just….don't. I'm sure Ginny feels horrible about…whatever just happened." Harry sounded tired and almost in pain himself as he said this. It had the desired effect though. Hermione snapped her mouth shut and resumed looking down at Ron, though fire still smoldered in her eyes.
Taking this as my cue to begin the groveling I blurted, "Yes, Yes! Of course I do! I feel horrible!" I burst into tears again. I spoke thickly though, trying to sound as repentant as possible.
"I feel absolutely atrocious. I don't know what the hell got into me. Actually I can only say that hell or some demon or something got into me and possessed me. I can't believe myself! What I did! I don't even know how I was capable of that!" By this point I am out of my seat on my knees in front of Ron's prone form, snotting myself and blubbering as I clutch wildly towards him in an attempt to make him believe me, to make him understand. It is becoming harder and harder to get the words out as emotion overtakes me. "You are..my..BROTHER! I…could….NEVER…hurt…YOU! At this point I simply collapse onto the floor in repentant self-loathing tears.
"But you did…" I immediately cease in my sobbing when I hear the pain behind my brother's hoarsely whispered words. "You did Gin. I know I can be a twat sometimes and treat you like a bother but I would never hurt you. I would kill anyone who would dare hurt you. But you hurt ME…why Gin? I know I was getting on your case but bloody hell why?" Stunned by his raw emotional speech, I can do little but sit and stare at him open-mouthed while the tears dry on my face. I am beyond tears now. I struggle to find my voice, at last only managing to come up with a squeak that is about as satisfying as the only answer I have to offer him.
"I don't know. I just don't know. I can't explain what came over me. I just became so ANGRY….I don't even remember attacking you…it was intense…it was like I watching it from afar…like I couldn't even control my body…" At my words, Harry's head perked back up. He fixed me with soul penetrating stare and he had a spark of something unidentifiable in his eye.
"What did you just say?" he asked still fixing me with that same intense stare.
"Which part?" I whispered daring to hope he had an answer.
"What was the very last thing you said?" he asked in the same tone. By now Hermione was staring at him, apparently not yet catching onto his brain blast. But Ron was still looking at me, the depth of betrayal in his eyes taking my memory and speech away. It was like I had been thrown into a deep icy well, his disappointment and shattered trust drowning me, pulling me under.
"Ginny!" Harry whispered urgently putting a hand on my trembling shoulder and pulling me out of my consuming guilt. "You need to answer me. It could be very important." I shifted my gaze to Harry's field green eyes that were still fixed intently on my own. So different from Sydney's. The thought was a subconscious one, floating through my head without my bidding and gone as suddenly as it came. But it was enough to reawaken my mind to the task at hand.
"I said that it was as if I couldn't even control my body." I stated firmly, never letting my eyes leave his own for fear I would slip off into the cavernous guilt.
"I see…" sighed Harry, ruffling his hair and making it even messier than its normal rat's nest. I could tell from the growing spark in his eye that he had an idea, an explanation. This might not be my fault! The thought of vindication filled me with such a flood of relief and hope that tears of joy were streaming down my face in seconds as a huge smile spread across my face unbidden.
"WELL I SURE AS HELL DON'T SEE! AND WHY IS THAT BITCH SMIRKING! GET THAT DAMN SMILE OF YOUR FACE YOU BLOOD TRAITOR!" screeches Hermione as she flies into a passionate rage. On her last few words she strikes me across the face, leaving a few claw marks of her own. The angry words and the vicious hatred dripping from them wounds me more then the slap and leaves much deeper marks. I can only stare at her in shock and fear as her chest heaves with pure rage and she reels back her hand for another strike. I make no move to stop her. Even if Harry has discovered a reason for my violent outburst on my own kin, I still did harm him. I still maimed the man she loves even if neither of them will admit it. I can understand her pain and rage. I will accept any punishment she dolls out.
Harry tightly grasps Hermione by the wrist before she can let loose the next round. "WILL YOU CALM THE FUCK DOWN AND HEAR ME OUT HERMIONE! YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE REASONABLE ONE FOR MERLIN'S SAKE!" Harry appears rattled by Hermione's anger and actually seems to be having a hard time maintaining control of her wrist. "Please Hermione, surely you don't want to believe Ginny could do this either. Let me at least give you an alternate explanation then the fact that Ginny beat her brother to within an inch of his life simply because he pissed her off!" His words hung in the air, seemingly acting as a balm to Hermione's anger. Her breathing slows down and her wrist hangs limp in Harry's hand. Her anger collapses into grief as she wraps her arm around Ron's bandaged chest, being careful not to hurt him as she clutches him sobbing.
Harry watches the display through misty eyes as he released Hermione's hand and turns to look back at me. Harry's eyes hold the same haunted tortured look they did after he returned from the graveyard having watched Cedric die and Voldemort rise. He has to clear his throat a few times before he can continue.
"I don't believe this is Ginny's fault. Not entirely at least. It is possible that dark forces are at work here." Neville who has been quiet through this entire ordeal finally speaks up, questioning, "What do you mean 'dark forces' Harry? Who would want Ron injured?" I swallow nervously at the question. I think I already know what Harry is getting at. Please let me be wrong!
"We mustn't forget that Voldemort IS back despite what the Profit and the Ministry says. I believe Ginny was put under the influence of the Imperius. It's possible that the caster had wanted her to attack Ron in order to handicap or send a message to me. I also believe that had you not stopped her Hermione, she would have killed Ron…" Harry's solemn speech was met by absolute silence. His words hung in the air like a silver dagger waiting pierce our hearts with the fearful possibility it implied. It is possible that Voldemort can reach us even within the protection of Dumbledore. We are not safe. It is possible we have a spy in our midst.
Shit…
Double gulp. Well hope that at least soothes any angry outcries at Ginny's violent nature. Guess I'll have to write the next chapter soon…
