This chapter is nowhere near as long as last week. It is however, just as good...right? I'll let you get back to me on that.
For what I have done please forgive me. Please. Sorry in advance.
Things are starting to pick up again as we get closer to Christmas, the only question is whose storyline do we wish more of? Gwendolyn is most assuredly going to be a big part of the next chapter, trust me. I'm thinking I may add in a Ron perspective, but not too sure.
Chic. Geek. Fangirl. Freak: I love writing their relationship with Luna. She is one of my fsvourite characters, I just love her to biiits. I'm glad you loved it! To be honest I had a lot of fun writing that scene. I promise things will be a litter nicer in the next chapter. We'll have a full reunion of our little Quartet (with Neville and Luna too). *crosses fingers you like this chapter cause I did something baaaaad*. This is going to be a back and forth innit? Yepp it is. I've decided :p. Yoooou're the amaaaazing one that makes me feel super happy after I see your review. Seriously you're brilliant! Love ya!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and only the storyline is mine.
December 1st
The woods were eerily quiet. Perhaps it was an indication of the events to come, that the woods somehow knew something was about to go horribly, terribly wrong. Theodus led the way, his back straight, chin raised and head high. A toothy grin on his face as they neared to the small cabin, Ginny was rumoured to be staying.
Blaise was worried. This could go wrong in so many ways. Any nervous energy that he was exuding was dispelled or perhaps it was overridden by the excitement radiating off of Theodus. In a way I can understand why he's so ecstatic, this is the first real 'lead' that we have on the Weasleys. I just hope to Salazar that this deranged monster doesn't try and kill her.
Blaise bit the inside of his cheek by accident as they neared the cabin. The metallic taste swirled around his mouth. Closer. They were getting closer. I hope Red is as good a liar as we need her to be or we're all fucked.
The trees were thinning out, the only sounds their feet as their boots crunched over the leaves and twigs strewn about the forest floor. Then there it was, a plain wooden cabin, the windows were boarded up, the door was hanging ajar. Theodus' confidence began to falter as he stared at the cabin. Blaise knew that Ginny had a few water flasks filled with water, a Hunter's knife, and a few other bits that made it look like she had lived in the abandoned cabin. A blanket. She'd even managed to get the water flowing through the old pipes, so her cleanliness wouldn't be questioned.
Theodus gestured with his hand to get ready, his wand in one hand, the other reached for the door knob. Please I don't know if this will change anything, but if there is a God or some form of deity up there. Please let us make it out of this alive. I can't handle Red dying. Heck I don't want to die. Please. I'm begging you. Blaise pleaded.
Blaise watched with fearful eyes, expression impassive, wand clutched tightly in his hand as Theodus pushed open the door and burst inside. Well here goes nothing. Blaise followed the other Death Eaters, and sitting in the middle of the small worn down cabin was Ginny, stuffing her face with something out a can. She carefully put the can down, wiped her face with the back of her hand. Finishing her chewing she looked up at the group of men in front of her. Gulping she made a noise of satisfaction. Ginny's eyes searched for him; and Blaise almost laughed when she looked directed at Theodus Nott, legs crossed, hands on her knees, her wand beside her and asked calmly, "can I help you boys?"
The insolence that came out the small redhead's mouth floored Theodus. A slow grin grew on his face as he looked down at her. If only the Dark Lord hadn't ordered him differently he would have gifted her to Theo to break her fiery will. Well that did add to the fun of it all when they were stubborn. She reminded him a lot of his daughter.
"Aren't you full of surprises," Theodus said in a predatory tone, his eyes raking over Ginny who was staring at him defiantly. It was the same look he had given a servant girl before he beat her within an inch of her life a few weeks ago when Blaise went to discuss business. She had taken too long to bring them tea. Blaise insisted he didn't mind, yet Theodus didn't listen. His mind was made up.
"Sir. It seems as if the intel was correct, shall we take her in?" Blaise asked tentatively.
"First I want to ask her a question...where is the rest of your family girl?" Theodus snarled, crouching down in front of her, his hot breath hitting her face.
"I don't know...I can't remember anything after the wedding," Ginny stated blankly. That's our girl. Ok sweetie just keep that up and this should go smoothly...should.
Theodus raised his hand to hit her, and to Ginny's credit she didn't even flinch.
"Sir." Blaise drawled, trying to sound cavalier. Surprised when he heard how calm his voice sounded.
"Yes, Zabini?" Theodus sneered in a sweet tone, looking over his shoulder at the Italian.
"How about I use Legilimency? As you recall I'm not too fond of hitting women. I think we can get information out a lot faster this way," Blaise explained.
Theodus stared at him with one eye for a long time, his face slightly obscured by shadows. His hand slowly lowered and he stood up, took a step back and then gestured for Blaise to take his place. The rest of the Death Eaters raised their wands, as an indication that an attempt to escape would be an exercise in futility.
"You're a year older than me right?" Ginny asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Yea," What are you doing Red?
Ginny didn't say anything else, when Blaise knelt on the floor, placing his fingers to her temple. Blaise thought that would be it, and that the numerous wands pointed at her would cause her to be quiet, but a moment later-
"Why are you doing this?" Ginny asked softly, tears brimming in her eyes. Theodus scoffed.
"Women. Too weak and soft." Only Blaise could see the way Ginny's eyes hardened and darted to Theodus when the man wasn't looking.
"How much this hurts all depends on you. You resist and it'll hurt like nothing you have ever experienced. You let me in and you won't feel a thing. You choose."
"Not going down without a fight," Ginny said simply. Well here goes nothing.
"Legilimens," Blaise whispered. They needed to make this as convincing as possible. Blaise entered Ginny's mind as found nothing. It was blank. He tried to look around and all he saw were white walls. Starch white. Emotionless. Blank. Maybe I need to try a little deeper? He finally reached something, the images were jarring and abrupt. Images of dancing, laughing and drinking filled his senses. That must be Bill, and his wife...what was her name again? Right, Fleur.
Whilst Blaise was looking around her head, he faintly heard Ginny's screams of anguish, and he felt the presence trying to move past his own walls. It was aggressive and relentless. Theodus. Blaise gently extracted himself from Ginny's mind, and strengthened the walls around his own.
When Blaise removed his hands from Ginny's temples, she fell with a thud onto the wooden floorboards. Red is a really good actor, I didn't feel any resistance on my way out. The real question is why is Theodus trying to see into my mind? Stupefy, Blaise thought in Ginny's direction, her body relaxed and became limp.
"She was telling the truth," Blause turned to face the rest of them. A bored look on his face.
"Fuck!" Theodus swore, raking his fingers through his hair. Blue eyes flashing as he paced the room. "Get her out of my sight. Take her to Hogwarts. Just- fuck."
You don't need to tell me twice. "Yes, Sir," Blaise nodded, bowing slightly. Putting one hand on Ginny, and he apparated them out of there.
Blaise looked around at their surroundings, and began to laugh maniacally. They were on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, on the side of the road.
"We actually fucking pulled it off. Expecto Patronum," Blaise waved his wand, overjoyed to see his Falcon Patronus. "We did it. Red safe. Soon there." Blaise kept it short and simple. Theo was free all morning, so he was back at the cottage awaiting to hear from them. We did. Somehow we did. It actually worked. Thank you if you're up there deity. Seriously, thanks.
...
December 6th
Shell Cottage
"Ronald, Ronald where do you think you are going?" Molly asked, pulling on her son's arm as he kept walking towards the door.
"I've been here too long, Mum. I've wanted to go back to Harry and Hermione since I left, but I didn't have any idea where they would be. So I stayed here. I stayed here and I can't anymore. It's driving me mental. I need to at least try and find them before I go barmy," Ron explained, facing his Mother as he opened the front door to Shell Cottage.
"Snatchers. Theodus Nott has made it his mission to find us. How exactly do you plan to find them. It's too dangerous, Ronald." Molly sniffed, clutching at his shirt sleeve desperately. Sirius had informed her of Ginny's placement at Hogwarts, and it's success, but now all of her children were going to be in harm's way and she couldn't handle it.
"This is war, Mum. It would be easy to just sit here and wait it out, and hope we come out on top, but my friends are in danger. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if they died and I wasn't there to try and at least find them." Ron said to his Mother in a soft tone, pulling her into a hug.
"If you don't come back in one piece Ronald Weasley, I'll make you regret it. You hear me?" Molly cried into his chest.
"Make that two of us," an amused tone said just outside the door. Ginny was standing there in full school uniform, her hair piled messily on her head.
Ron blinked twice, unable to believe his eyes. Then he began to wonder at the back of his mind, how he must look to Ginny. His hair was shaggy and covered his ears, he had ginger scruff covering his face, and his dark circles were terrible. Yet Ginny stood before him, as if there was no war, as if everything was back to normal.
"Ginny, dear!" Molly let go of her son, and hurried over to her daughter, hugging her tightly. "How are you, sweetie. How are your boys? Still safe, or as safe as they can be?"
"I'm alright, Mum. They are trying. Draco hasn't been sleeping well. I was wondering if you had any dreamless sleeping potion?" Ginny frowned in concern.
"Draco is it?" Ron grunted.
"Ronald Weasley. This is the first time I've seen you in months. Don't be a git and make me hex you," Ginny scowled.
"Both of you behave. There is enough strife going around. No need to have a go at one another." Molly scolded her two children, letting go of Ginny and firmly looking them sternly in the eye. "Yes, I do have something. That poor dear needs to stop running himself ragged. Sirius reports back about him all the time." Molly said worriedly, placing a hand on her cheek. She shook her head, and then walked back into the house, brushing past Ron.
"Going somewhere then?" Ginny pointed at his attire and the large rucksack on his back.
"To find Harry and Hermione." Ron said curtly.
"Oh don't be like that. They are not as bad as you think they are." Ginny rolled her eyes, knowing that Ron was still suspicious of her boys.
"You're conso-"
"Don't you dare say I'm consorting with the enemy!" Ginny growled. "You have no idea what they've been through the past few months. Months you've been shacked up here may I remind you?" Ginny said coldly, growing defensive.
"Pardon me?"
"You heard me, Ronald."
"Ginevra," Ron moved to walk out of the house and past Ginny when she reached out to grab his arm. Ginny flinched when something took over her, and then Ron's mind was filled with images. Some were clearer and more vivid, others were blurry, fuzzy, the sounds and movements indistinct.
Then they slowed and Ron was sucked into a memory.
...
"Draco you are not a monster," Ginny had her hands gently looped around his shoulders, his head was in the crook of her neck.
"I couldn't protect, Lu. I'm sorry," Draco whispered.
"Theo told me that you saved her though," Ginny reminded him.
"This war needs to end, Red."
"I know,"
"I've been lucky...the Dark Lord hasn't made me kill...much," Draco spat the man's title as if it tasted horrid. "Theo and Blaise...damn bastards have been making them do unspeakable things. I can't keep doing this, Red. Pretending to enjoy the display when he tortures someone in front of us. Trying not to throw up in Alecto and Amycus' presence. Not doing anything when they use Muggleborns as targets in Defense," Draco choked. "Why would she want to be with someone like me? After all this? She deserves so much better."
"Hermione loves you. She knows who you are, and like I told Theo. As long as you don't enjoy it, then I will always forgive you. I'm sure Mione is the same,"
"Red. I just-" Draco pulled back slightly, and Ginny moved the hair out of his face, as silent tears streamed down his face.
"She loves you. Get a grip, Dray. She told me no matter what happens during the war, she is always going to love you." Ginny stated, wiping away his tears.
"I hope there is enough of me left to love when all of this shit is over," Draco laughed harshly.
"There will be, trust me."
...
Ron gasped as he stumbled backwards from his sister, reeling from what had just happened. "Hermione and-"
"Hermione and Draco are together. You better not give her any shit for it when you find her and Harry. You will find a way to come to terms with it before you see her again. She loves him, he loves her, and as her friend you need to respect that." Ginny crossed her arms over her chest.
"I...I need to go," Ron rasped, his voice hoarse as he turned on his heel and apparated.
"That's new..." Ginny frowned. I just wanted to show him. I wanted him to understand. I hope I haven't screwed everything up. Molly was highly distressed when she came back outside to find only one of her children, a dreamless sleeping potion in hand.
...
December 12th
Third Floor Corridor
Outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom
Hogwarts
Ginny had been at Hogwarts for elven days now. Eleven days and she had yet to see Theo, Luna, Neville or Blaise. Draco had come to see her in the middle of the night on her first night. That was when he warned her than Alecto had made it her mission to watch Ginny's every move.
Speaking of the Carrows. Ginny had already landed herself detention. Which was going to be taking place in a matter of minutes. In fact she was on her way to the DADA classroom right now.
Neville was whipped, Luna was burned, Terry Boot was used as target practice last week in Defense. Those were only the instances she had heard of thus far. Alecto had easily bypassed several people on Ginny's list of people to pay pack in kind for what they had done to her loved ones.
Ginny strolled down the corridor until she reached the Defense classroom, her wand was hidden in the waist band of her skirt. I don't care who she is, I'm not going to take any punishments without fighting back.
Ginny hesitated as her hand touched the doorknob. Before she could turn it however, the door flung inwards, taking her by surprise as she stumbled in. The room was dark and there was a weird smell wafting to the right of her. Cautiously she turned to look at it, and she found Alecto staring at her heatedly.
"You know, I was so excited when Theodus told me you'd be coming to Hogwarts." Alecto was dresssed in black lingerie. Black stockings that attached to her laced up bodice, and a pair of bright red heels.
What the actual fuck? Ginny was starting to understand why her boys hated the Carrows so much. "Why is that?"
"Your Mother was quite a fiesty woman, so I would expect her daughter would be the same. Oh I do hope you don't disappoint me, Ginevra,"
"Don't call me, Ginevra," Ginny snarled.
"This can either be easy, or it be hard. You sit and take your punishment like a good girl, or I tie you up. Your choice," Alecto purred, pulling a whip from behind her back. Raising and pulling the whip taut between her hands, her long tongue darted out and licked the leather. This woman has completely gone off the bend. She's barmy.
"You're insane,"
"I do always prefer it when things are a bit more challenging. Don't you worry my sweet. I'll take good care of you." I need to get out of here. Ginny thought suddenly in a panic, when large arms wrapped around her shoulders and lifted her off the ground. Shit.
"Oh Amycus, love. Tie her up for me will you?"
Ginny kicked out and squirmed, but it was futile. She almost managed to get her wand when Amycus put her down to put one of her hands in the roped loop. He hit her, hard; across the face, and whilst her left eye watered and swelled shut, he pushed her hand through the rope, tightening it. The rope rubbed against her hand, her skin chafing, her wrist rubbing raw.
After that it was only a few minutes before Alecto was kneeling in front of her, peering up into her face as Amycus leaned against a desk a little ways away. Ginny learned two things in the next few moments. Alecto did indeed have a back fetish, and the weird smell intensified in the corner she was standing. She was looking defiantly in front of her, refusing to make eye contact at either of them.
Alecto moved in a slow circle around Ginny until she was directly behind her, her cold fingers trailing down Ginny's back.
"It seems you're wearing too much. You really shouldn't interrupt Amycus when he's teaching those filthy Mudbloods their place." Alecto said, her breath washing over Ginny's neck, causing the hair to stand up on the back of her nape.
Ginny felt her robes, shirt, bra and a layer of skin cut open after Alecto flicked her wand. Don't say anything you'll regret Ginny. Don't say anything you'll regret. Ginny bit the corner of her tongue, and then made sure to move it into the recesses of her mouth, as to not bite it off by accident.
"How many times did she talk back, sweetie?" Alecto asked Amycus, who shrugged before responding.
"I lost count. At least twelve."
"Then I suppose I'll lose count as well," Alecto grinned darkly, her nail tracing a line next to the flesh wound on Ginny's back.
"Since you haven't been here from the beginning of the term, you wouldn't know any better. So I'll let you off easy, with only whippings today. Next time I won't be so nice."
"For your sake I hope there isn't a next time," Amycus spoke, his gruff voice a warning as he eyed Ginny. There was something strange in his eyes. He looked almost...tired, weary.
"Without further ado, let's get this party started," Alecto ran her tongue over her bottom lip, one hand against her face. Ginny refused to cry out when the whip hit her back, once, twice, thrice. Even as she lost count, her back throbbing with pain as the blood oozed out of her open wounds. Her skin felt raw, and even though she hadn't cried out, her throat was dry and sore from her silent screams.
"Enough, pet. Fetch one of the boys to take her to her dorm," Amycus strode up behind Alecto, standing behind her, one hand on her neck, the other wrapped around her waist.
"How about the Nott kid? Zabini and Malfoy are both supposed to return late from their missions, and he is the only one that should be back by now," Alecto sighed, leaning her head back on her twin's shoulder.
No...not Theo...Ginny thought weakly, spots were beginning to dance in front of her eyes, the edges of her vision were blurry. He may...kill you. Her knees felt wobbly, and knocked together once before her legs gave out. Anyone but Teddy. Then her body went limp, and she fought to stay awake, vaguely aware of Alecto patting her head, but her eyelids grew too heavy, her limbs felt numb, and then she fell into darkness.
...
What the hell could that bastard Amycus want so late? I just got back from that long, crazy rant from Macnair, I am not in the mood to walk in on him and Alecto having fun.
Theo faltered when he saw the door was ajar. Something felt off, wrong. Narrowing his eyes, he held his wand against his robe sleeve, keeping it hidden. Taking a deep breath he pushed open the door and turned to his right. The first thing he saw was her ginger hair.
He almost lashed out and killed the Carrrows right there and then, but he found a small musical voice at the back of his head begging him not to. Our future it said. Even the voice was almost not enough to keep him grounded. His rage was so potent, that he ignored the twins attempts at small talk, and headed straight to Ginny; because if he didn't check and make sure she was alive first, he was definitely going to bring a world of hurt down on them. Pure fury filled him when he walked behind her and saw her back, bile burned at the back, he literally saw red. He didn't even notice that his fingernails had dug into the palm of his hand, and blood was dripping slowly. His fingers were shaking as he leaned forward and pressed his fingers to her neck. Relief washed over him when he felt a pulse, it was slow, but it was there. Numbly he gently removed the bindings from her wrists, being careful to catch her when she fell forward. Ensuring that no part of him was touching her, he carefully placed her face down on the cold ground, turning her head to a side as he did. Ginny's bangs were covering most of her face, which was unnaturally pale.
Staring at her now all he could think was two weeks ago she had been in his bed, exactly like this, but her cheeks were flushed, and a small smile had touched her lips when she told him to let her sleep in a little longer. Theo forced himself to look at the extent of her injuries from a clinical perspective. It was bad. He was almost positive it was worse than Neville's had been. I am going to kill Alecto. I don't think I have ever hated anyone this much in my life, and that's saying something.
"It really is rude not speaking to your superiors, Nott," Alecto sneered, her heels clicking as she made her way over to them. Theo's face was cast in shadows as his eyes glanced up at her, a murderous look on his face; his blue eyes had darkened to a deep blue, and Alecto took a step back unwittingly. Theo grabbed his wand and levitated Ginny off the ground.
"I've had a tough evening, and if you don't mind, you're in my fucking way," Theo snarled nastily, flicking his wand and throwing Alecto across the room. Amycus flew up, wand raised.
"How dare you?" Amycus said agitatedly.
"How dare I?" Theo laughed harshly, advancing on Amycus. "How dare I? That's downright funny. Now why don't you lower your wand before I cut off your hand?" Theo asked dangerously.
"You impudent little-"
"I suggest you get out of my way before you join your sister on the floor," Theo growled.
Amycus looked torn. His eyes darted over to his twin, who was holding her head and wincing. Making a split decision with a grimace; he lowered his wand, and ran over to his sister.
Theo looked at the Carrows filled with disgust and hate. Then he glanced back at Ginny and he allowed for a sliver of his real emotions to peek through. It burned, his chest burned and fear rose up inside him as his hands trembled. I need to get Red to the Room of Requirement. Right now. Theo strode out of the room quickly, making sure that it didn't appear too rushed to the Carrows.
...
I need to get into the Room of Requirement. I need to get inside where the others are. I need Lovegood and I need Longbottom. I need them right now. Right damn well now. Theo paced furiously in front of the Room on the Seventh Floor. The door barely formed before Theo was rushing inside. "HELP. LOVEGOOD! LUNA! I NEED HELP," Theo yelled, a tear running down his cheek and he levitated Ginny into the room behind him.
"Theo?" Luna hurried up the stairs, hair flying out behind her. She was wearing a think dark blue cotton tee shirt, black shorts and pink and green striped socks. "Oh...my...Gin," Luna gasped, grabbing the hair tie off of her wrist and in one swift motion throwing her hair into a ponytail, retrieving her wand from behind her ear.
Then Theo fell apart, he sank down to the ground and watched almost as if he wasn't in his body anymore. It didn't feel real, watching Luna move the fabric away from Ginny's back and levitate her towards her tent. Theo saw Draco stalking towards him, his platinum haired friend knelt in front of him. Draco placed his hand on Theo's shoulder, but he didn't feel it, he stared straight past his best friend's face and saw Luna ducking into her tent at the back. He did feel Draco press his forehead to his, and he somehow that was all he needed to reassure him that it was okay to let go. Theo didn't try and stop the tears from falling, and Draco grasped the back of his neck firmly, and the last thing he heard before he blacked out, was a faint "Red is going to be okay."
I promise that the Carrows will get what's coming to them. I won't use backs as a place of punishment again though, any suggestions on punishments though are welcome. I'm seriously thinking about having a scene with the Order, hmm not too sure.
I have thankfully gotten over my writer's block for Promise. So I'll probably be posting two chapters this week *fingers crossed* Fall Through Time is most likely going to be a day late. Sorry about that. *edited on Wednesday, 26th August, this one comment right here about writer's block*
Oh yea. Come September my updates will be a little less frequent, so maybe every other week as opposed to every week. I can guarantee, that the chapters will be very short and probably not very good if I post weekly. I'm sorry .
I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Love you,
Indieblue xx
P.S. I posted this chapter on Monday, but I didn't get a notification, and I wasn't sure if you guys did either, so I'm reposting it. So hope you enjoy it!
