Notice:

P.S.: Check out my full story againf. After reading A Guide for NonBrits Writing Harry Potter Fanfics by Pinky brown, yesterday, I was forced to do many little changes in the story and to my displeasure found that I (again) had left some grammar unedited, which I did edit now.

So, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9 and Chapter 10 have been brit-picked or brit-checked and posted.

So, please read it again and inform me of any grammar mistakes, or un-checked American words.

Thanks.

P.S.: Hoping that it will end, otherwise I will never be able to continue my story and I still have 3 stories to brit-check.

P.S.: If you find anymore mistakes tell me, I will damn my pride and find a beta.

Thanks once again and again and again…


Authors Note's: Hello. This is the longest chapter I have written ever for any fic. In word, the word count of the story (excluding everything except story) is 14,488. Enjoy.

Thanks to HyperLily, AryaAliceLuna, golfnjen83, Aamaterasu for reviewing my story.


CHAPTER – 11

ALONE WITHOUT YOU

Ginny, Neville and Luna sat their silently, weaving a plan to inform other D.A. members when the bell rang, indicating the end of the second period.

"We need to be off," said Ginny, flinging her bag on her shoulder.

"Ah yes," said Neville, "it's a free period for me."

"Lucky idiot," Ginny muttered, her face turning grim.

"What do you have now?" asked Neville, probably after noticing Ginny grim expressions.

"Double DADA," said Luna, standing next to Ginny.

"Oww," said Neville, "good luck, then."

"Don't be so melodramatic," hissed Ginny, walking to the entrance of the library.

Luna and Ginny hurried off to the DADA class and hopefully arrived in time to slip in the class in the last second. Amycus took roll call and his face was still contorted in rage as his beady eyes looked menacingly at the Gryffindors.

"Homework," Amycus demanded. Everyone shuffled in their bags and took out the rolled parchments. Amycus eyes swept the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff completely ignoring Slytherins.

"If you haven't completed homework, tell me now or…" Amycus let the sentence trail-off, looking maliciously around the class.

When no one stood, Amycus glared; waved his wand and all the rolled parchments came flying to him. He banished them without reading, pointed a finger at a Gryffindor and said, "Give me a summary of your homework."

The boy cast furtive around and said, "I… d… don… don't know."

"Why?" Amycus boomed, his eyes flashing as an evil smile crept over his face.

"Y… you d… didn't to… told us, us to memo — memorize," stuttered the boy, looking at his desk intently. Ginny felt pity for the boy.

"If I say jump from the astronomy tower, will you jump?" snarled Amycus, who was really enjoying himself.

The boy didn't answer, instead looked at his desk more intently.

"Answer me," demanded Amycus as he whipped out his wand. Ginny hand instantly tightened on her wand and from the corner of her eyes she saw the same reaction from Luna.

"I asked you something," snarled Amycus and pointed his wand at the boy. He whispered something and a jet of blue black ray erupted from his wand and hit the boy squarely on his bowed head. He began to gibber incoherently and clamped his hands on his neck, probably trying to slow the speed by which he was gibbering.

"Changed your mind yet." Amycus laughed and his laughter was followed by the cheers from the Slytherins. The boy was turning blue in the face looking like he was unable to drew breath. It was very much possible seeing that he was hardly able to close his mouth or stop his speech. When Ginny was about to curse Amycus, Amycus waved his wand again, muttered something and the boy knees jerked and smashed loudly in the floor. He cried in pain but the colour in his face seemed to come back, as it was not blue anymore.

"This was only a flash," Amycus said, as he turned to look at the class, "of the punishment you will be getting from now on, if you dare to defy me. Miss Weasley?" He added sharply, jerking his head in her direction.

"Yes, Professor," said Ginny, trying to put as much as maliciousness she could in the last syllable.

"Explain the effect of the curse for which you volunteered in the last class?" Amycus sneered.

Volunteered. Ginny glared at him, and it only seemed to profound his sneer more.

"Miss Weasley I'm waiting for an answer," said Amycus, fingering his wand.

"Yes, Professor," said Ginny, not even trying to mask the hatred she felt for him, "First of all, I didn't volunteer to be the dummy for the spell practicing. And secondly I have written that it in my homework."

"I am very well aware of that," said Amycus and he sent a curse in her directions before Ginny could retaliate. Ginny lungs constricted and her intestines clenched trying to force their way out from her hips. Ginny screamed in pain as his eyes bulged out and watered.

After some moments the pain ended, leaving behind a stinging feeling and a deep painful throbbing.

"Now, let's try again," said Amycus, "Explain the effects of the curse for which you volunteered in the last class?"

Ginny kept quite; partly because of the disdain she felt for the man and partly because of her inability of speech as her throat was feeling very itchy and dry and her wind passage was hurting like hell. It only delighted Amycus. He pointed his wand at her and smiled. Ginny clenched her wand tightly in her hand and readied herself for retaliating the moment the curse came. She saw his lips moving, and automatically muttered, "Protego!"

An invisible shield was expanded between her and Amycus even before Ginny completed the incantations. Ginny was thankful for it as the curse was deflected by the first shield and her shield stood there unscathed. She cast a wary glance around and saw Luna stowing her wand back. She smiled at her friend and turn to look at Amycus, who was snarling like an angry cat.

"Well, well," said Amycus, "aren't you daring little bint?"

Gryffindors glared at him and Slytherin grinned. Ginny kept quite, looking for the sign of next assault.

"You like dueling," said Amycus leering, "I will make it possible for you. You will duel Mr. Crone" — Crone stood up from his chair and grinned — "right here and now. Move down now."

Ginny, who was too happy to oblige, walked down. She felt her hip joint crying in pain as she tried to trudge down to the floor. Ignoring the pain, not wanting to give satisfaction to the Slytherin, Ginny rushed to the centre of the class and pulled out her wand. Crone too, descended down, looking smug. When he stood in front of her, he said, smirking, "Like what I did to your pets. You are next."

Ginny smiled in amusement and was about to retort, when Amycus said, "Let the duel start."

A curse missed Ginny ears by inches. Ginny instinctively responded, "Ventus!" missing Crone by a millimetre.

Crone yelled, "Stupefy!" The beam of red light missed Ginny by an inch.

Ginny as soon as the spell missed him, yelled, "Impedimenta!" Crone jumped aside and yelled, "Depulso!"

The spell was poorly aimed and it hit the floor near the teacher desk. Splinters of wood flew in every direction and Ginny had to erect a shield in order to guard herself. The curse used on her by Amycus, had left her hip joint throbbing madly, resulting in very forced and secluded moments.

Crone regained his composure faster than Ginny would have credited him for and launched several curses at her shield. But Ginny shield was too powerful for his curses. Ginny smirked at Crone disgruntled expressions.

"Diminuendo!" Crone hissed. The charm hit Ginny shield and she felt it shrink. Not missing even a beat, she dropped it completely and hissed, "Incendio!"

Crone robe caught fire and he started to stamp on them, showing Slytherin trademark foolishness. Ginny laughed with the other Gryffindors and said, "Need help, Crone. Aqua Eructo!"

A thick jet of water erupted from her wand and shoved Crone body forcefully, knocking him in the wall. Slytherin booed and swore but Ginny ignored them.

She walked menacingly toward Crone, ignoring the cry of pain from her body. She stopped when she was three metre away from Crone, who was struggling to get up and said, "This if for trying that filthy trick on me. Carpe Retractum!"

Crone body flew in the air and started to pelt in the air toward her. Ginny jerked her wand when he was near her and smirked when he was dumped in a heap at her feet.

Crone shook his head, scampered backwards and Ginny was amazed how fast he had recovered. But she thought she saw a flash of light before he got up.

Ginny hissed and said, before Crone had a chance to retaliate, "Densaugeo!" The curse hit straight on Crone's face and he staggered backwards, as his teeth started to enlarge. Ginny saw Crone trying to say something and she said, feeling bored, "Mimblewimble!"

Crone started to stutter and few of the Gryffindors laughed. And to Ginny horror she saw that all her spell effects were vanishing. She glanced around and saw Amycus muttering the counter curse. Feeling anger seeping through his bones, she yelled three curses in succession, "FURNUNCULUS! LEVICORPUS!" — Ginny drew a deep breath — "VENTUS!"

The effects were instantaneous. Ugly boils sprouted on Crone skin as he was dangled in midair by his ankle. And just after a moment of dangling he was knocked in the wall. Gryffindors cheered, as she heard Amycus yell, "Levos come down NOW."

Levos stumbled downwards and even before Amycus could resume the duel he hissed, "Confringo!"

Ginny jumped in time, just to avoid the jet of orange light which blasted a hole in the floor. Soon the splinters were flying everywhere and Ginny seeing her chance, pointed her wand from where the most splinter flew and said, "Waddiwasi!" and whipped her wand at Levos. Many splinters ran at him, and Levos had to erect a shield in order to protect himself from the assault.

Ginny got all the time she needed. She pointed her wand at Levos, concentrated her energy and shouted, "Reducto!"

The spell hit Levos shield squarely and blasted it with a resounding bang. Before Levos had a chance to recover, Ginny said, casually, "Orbis!"

Levos started spinning around rapidly. Gryffindors laughed and their laughs were followed by the laughs from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff.

"Enough," yelled Amycus. He flicked his wand twice. Levos stopped spinning and Crone became good as ever, though he behaved as his body was still sore. Ginny smirked which quickly turned into a grimace, when she saw both of them advancing on her. From the corner of her eyes she saw Luna standing up to help her, but at the precise moment Amycus mumbled something and a black bluish shield erupted blocking her pathway.

"Now, lets see how a brat of a blood traitor or better saying a slag defend herself," Amycus sneered, sitting on the edge of his table.

Ginny felt anger pumping through her body. Her eyes flashed, her grip on her wand tightened and she glared at her opponents with new found resolution. Her power was mostly spent and her body was aching worse than ever, but she would be damned if she let them had it their way. If she was going to fall, she would fall with grace and would be defeated like a warrior. With her determination, came the face of Harry standing in the Department of Mysteries, glaring at the Death Eaters, when he knew that they were no match for them.

Feeling adrenaline pumping through her body, Ginny flexed her wrist, whipped her wand and yelled, "Reducto! Reducto! Reducto!" The three blasting curse, launched in succession made the two Slytherin dazed and they had to cast a shield in order to save them from the force of the spell. But their shield was no match for the triple blasting curse as they shattered both of the shields with a bang.

Levos recovered quickly as Crone was in front and said, "Tarantallegra!"

Ginny jumped and was able to move aside before the jinx hit him, but it was after a terrible payment. As soon as she turned to jump aside, her hips screamed in pain and Ginny felt like someone was trying to tear them apart. Ginny gasped in pain and had to drop herself on the floor in order to prevent herself from being a curse mark. The painful landing didn't help in reducing the pain. Ginny hadn't even recovered yet, when a shower of coloured rays pelted toward her. Ginny rolled and was able to cast a shield just in time.

The consistent shower of curses and jinxes were weakening her shield by every passing second and Amycus and Slytherin taunts and jeer weren't helping her at all. If this continued, her shield would be down in matter of seconds. Her grip on her wand was loosening because of her sweaty palms. Ginny gulped, waiting for the perfect time to drop her shield completely and attack. She was waiting for the trademark Slytherin gloating, which they were sure to do when they felt like they were winning. That would be her time; that would be the time of retaliation. But it had to come fast, before her shield was down. She could feel her shield flickering and had to move her shoulder in order to stay away from a path of curse.

Suddenly the curse-fire ceased. Crone leaned over her, his nose touching her shield and said, "What happened blood traitor? Can't fight back. Hurt are you? I will give you a second option; we can continue our escapades from that night…"

"In your bloody dreams," Ginny hissed. The surge of anger which rushed in her body was so powerful that she didn't know what spell, curse, hex or jinx she cast, but a satisfied smile came over her lips, when she saw her adorable bats attacking Crone face. Levos was too shocked for a moment and that was Ginny needed.

"Diffindo!" Ginny hissed and smile satisfactorily when a blur of red appear on his wand arm, followed by a cry of pain and the sound of clattering of wand against floor. Ginny quickly backed away, got on all fours and pushed herself in a standing position, hissing a little, when she strained her hips. Now, Ginny was back in the fight and she could still feel adrenaline pumping through her body. The hate, contempt, disdain, loathing, disgust she had for these particular Slytherins were powerful and more prominent then any emotion… at the present time. As she repeated Crone words in her mind, her anger fueled, as her hands twitched with anticipation. She had a wonderful feeling of slapping both of them, but one look at Amycus, warn her instead. So, instead, she pointed her wand at the floor between Crone and Levos and shouted, "Confringo!"

She watched with satisfaction as the floor blasted with a bang and a crater appeared on the floor. Both the Slytherin were blown-off sideways; Crone smashing in the wall, while Levos smashed in the restraining wall Amycus had created. Ginny still feeling the wonderful effects of adrenaline, pointed her wand at Crone, deciding which curse to use. And then at the precise moment some of the non-Slytherins cried, which suspiciously sounded like 'Cheating', 'Jump' and 'Beware'.

Before Ginny could decipher what it meant, she felt herself knocked forward by some indescribable force. She cried in agony as she felt her stomach twisting in knots, and her intestine clench. She felt her head smashing in the floor, but the pain she excepted didn't come. Maybe it came; maybe the other parts of her body were in more pain, so she didn't notice it. She wanted to black-out but something was keeping her tethered to the consciousness. The pain continued and slowly but steadily she started to lose the feeling of her stomach and intestine. They were now just throbbing points.

And then the pain stopped. Ginny thought she finally blacked out, but no she could still see the brown floor. After a split second, Ginny gasped and screamed in pain, loudly then she could have believed she could. The slowly easing pain was now back in full force. Her eyes bulged out and watered, her body shook with the amount and longevity of the pain. Breathing seemed like an inhumanly task to her. She was very well aware of the sheen of sweats that had been accumulated on her skin.

Then from the corner of her eyes, she saw Crone standing up, looking at her maliciously. Even in her fragile condition, Ginny couldn't help but snarl at him. Crone saw it, sneered, pointed her wand at her and said something. It took much time to sink in Ginny brain and she only managed to know what the spell was, just before it hit her.

"C…r…u…c…i…o…"

And then the pain came back, worse than ever. She felt like someone was stabbing her heart with hot knifes, again and again and again… She felt the joint of her bodies, grinding and moving away from each other. In the back of her mind, she heard a scream, a very terrible and blood curdling scream. She wanted to feel pity for the crier but she couldn't. She was amazed that she wasn't screaming her lungs out, seeing that she was herself in torturous pain. Her eyes rolled back in her sockets, meeting darkness. Her throat sounded itchy and dry and she faintly heard someone banging on the restraining wall that Amycus had created.

Ginny couldn't care less. She just wanted to die or just blackout for the time being. Maybe when she awakes she will be with Harry, in her protective arms and this would all turn out to be a nightmare.

She was inching forward to blacking out, when the pain stopped. She heard someone scream and it was very different from the scream she had previously heard. She saw a mane of dirty blonde hair, but she couldn't concentrate as the alluring blackness tried to hold her, engulf her and tried to take her away from all the pain. Ginny was very much happy to oblige. But again, she heard someone laugh and murmur something, maybe it was more than murmuring but it sounded like that to her.

"R…e…n…n…e…r…v…a…t…"

"…"

Ginny cried in agony as the pain came back. The darkness was dissolved in red and she became aware of her extreme ragged breath, her madly beating heart and her drenched clothes. She glanced at her clothes, panting heavily and saw it wasn't blood, not all of it anyway. Her clothes were drenched with water or precisely sweat. Ginny tried to get up, but her joints point blankly refused, making her scream in pain to firm their point. Ginny's head smashed against the floor, with a faint thump. Ginny raked her hand in her hair and pulled viciously on them, trying to surpass every other pain in her body. But it didn't. It just gave her more pain, more throbbing. The world swam in her view, becoming a whirl of colours. Ginny looked around and saw the figure of girl with dirty blonde hair, curled in a ball. Ginny thought she knew the girl. Ginny knew if she strained her memory she would remember who she was; but thinking hurt.

And then her legs snapped together as a jolt of current pierced from her heart to her full body, making her aware of her surroundings. Her vision cleared, but at a terrible cost. The pain which had started to subside pumped into existence again. Ginny couldn't even scream in pain and agony because somehow her throat had become raspy, itchy and extremely dry. She didn't know how it happened and quite frankly, if she even tried it was of no use. The pain was just too much, too much. Ginny swallowed thickly as she stared at someone, someone who was looming over her.

Then a pair of warm, smooth arms draped her shoulder. Ginny saw the mane of dirty blonde tresses again. Her eyelids dropped, closing her eyes partially. The pair of arms lifted her up gently, very gently. She got up on her knees and she felt them pop and crack painfully. She swayed dangerously but was held firmly by the pair of arms.

"Ginny are you feeling like walking?" came a voice from her shoulder. The voice was familiar, very familiar, but not the one she wanted to hear right now. The voice belonged to a girl whereas she wanted a boy to be here, Harry to be here. She wanted the pair of arms to be his, the voice to be his. Her heart skipped a beat and Ginny blanched. She could feel sobs in her throat, but they didn't come out. She felt tears in her eyes, but they too refused to come out. A wave of nausea rolled over her, making her gag.

"Ginny?" came the voice again. She knew the voice very well, but somehow she couldn't put a finger on it.

"Enough," Ginny heard another voice. It was cruel, hard, devoid of emotions with a victory note in it.

"But Ginny is very weak," Ginny heard the voice from her shoulder. Was she speaking?

"She can't even move," said the voice from her shoulder again, "She is even bleeding."

It was not her own voice, Ginny was sure. Still it was familiar, very familiar. Ginny summoning her strength turns her head a little in the direction of the voice. Her neck muscles cried in pain and she let out a low yelp. Something turned on her shoulder and she saw a pair of eyes, two silvery grey eyes which were filled with concern. Her dirty blonde hair were covering most of her eyes and her forehead was turning purple.

"Lu… Luna," Ginny whispered, feeling her knees buckle.

"Yes, Ginny," said Luna, "let's take you to hospital wing."

"Wait," said a man. Ginny felt her hackles rose at the sound, "Miss Weasley will not be visiting hospital wing and neither will she take any classes off. Understood?"

Luna mumbled something and dragged her to her chair. Ginny still felt weak, weaker if possible. The pain was still there, but it was encompassed by the throbbing in her body. It was worse than before, the pain was tolerable, but the throbbing was not. Ginny's head hit something hard as her vision swayed. Someone laughed and Ginny again felt a piercing pain in her body. She shot upward and her vision cleared. She became aware of the fact that she was sitting in a chair, and that her hips were paining because of their position. But she couldn't do anything. Her body was far too weak, far too weak for anything except lying flat and crying in pain.

"So, now when Miss Weasley is awake," said Amycus, his eyes shining victoriously, "let's continue with the class. We saw a stint of dueling here. We saw how Mr. Crone and Mr. Levos showed team work and won the duel, which Mr. Crone could've won himself. So, fifty points to Slytherin for the fabulous teamwork. We also saw an effective Cruciatus Curse by Mr. Crone. It's very advanced magic, advanced than anything you have done or learnt yet. So, I think Mr. Crone deserve twenty point for such good and advanced magic."

He paused to give the Slytherin their chance to cheer. The DADA class was soon filled with cheers from the Slytherin. No other house participated in it. On the other hand, they all looked sulky and were glaring at Amycus and the Slytherin.

"Now," said Amycus and Slytherin stopped cheering, "coming on Gryffindor. Miss Weasley showed no use of Dark Arts, which merits point deduction. Thirty five points from Gryffindor. She also created havoc in class, by using blasting curses. It also merits punishment. So, Miss Weasley will spend the detention by sweeping and re-constructing the classroom floor, walls and chairs. And now on Ravenclaw. Miss Lovegood interrupted the class and so, twenty points are taken from Ravenclaw house. And as for punishment, Miss Lovegood will be accompanying Miss Weasley in the detention."

He paused for a second, a nasty smirk on his face.

"And Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood are not allowed to visit the Hospital wing today," said Amycus. Ginny head shot up at this comment, 'Miss Lovegood'. What did he meant by it? Before she could enquire, someone spoke up.

"Professor," said a student from somewhere near Ginny.

"Yes Mr. McLeay," said Amycus.

McLeay. Ginny couldn't help but frown in disgust. That Brian prat, Ginny thought.

"Isn't Cruciatus Curse one of the Unforgivable Curses?" asked Brian.

"It was Mr. McLeay," said Amycus, "But the Ministry felt the need to introduce Unforgivable Curses in the course because of present time. Undesirable Number 1 is on the run and we all know, a boy who can kill Dumbledore will not stop until he has the control of the Ministry in his hands. It means the use of Unforgivable Curses by him. Now, Ministry wants the Hogwarts students to be on their alert on what they might face when they come face to face with Undesirable Number 1 and his followers. We want you to be ready, to be able to defend yourself. So, after a long discussion with the Minister, Headmaster and the Board of Governors and me, we came to the conclusion that it is best to introduce them in the course."

"Oh," said Brian, "Thank you, Professor."

The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Students got up from their chairs and started to head outside.

"The detention will start at seven o'clock," Amycus said to Luna and Ginny and walked away with a sneer on his face. Luna supported Ginny and slowly and steadily walked out of the class.

"Ginny," someone called her. Ginny knew the voice and she whispered quietly to Luna, "Luna, don't stop. Keep walking."

Luna nodded her head and continued to drag her. They rounded a corner and trudged down the stairs. Brian caught up with them when they entered the Great Hall. But because of the crowd of the students, he lost them again. Ginny smiled in relief.

The Great Hall was milled with students, all of them rushing to their house tables to eat lunch. Ginny and Luna made their way to the Gryffindor table and Luna sat beside her, not going to the Ravenclaw table for eating lunch.

The bell rang again, signaling the end of lunch. Ginny hadn't eaten anything and from the look of Luna, she hadn't too. Now for the first time, Ginny looked at her friend after exiting the DADA class. She was pale and her face was scraped at many places. There was a purple lump on her forehead. Ginny wanted to ask her how that had happened, but found herself unable to speak. When she opened her mouth, she felt like it was stuffed with cotton. Luna silently and wearily got up, draped her arm around Ginny's shoulder and headed towards the door.

Ginny heard someone calling her and Luna, but neither she nor Luna gave any attention to the caller. They both were feeling weary. Walking continuously and steadily was taking all of their power.

"Stop now Ginny," Brian said, his hand on his knees as he blocked their path.

"Move aside," whispered Ginny. She didn't even have the energy to behave coldly.

"Hey Ginny," came a second male voice from behind. Ginny brightened up, hearing Neville voice.

"What are they doing here Neville? Isn't this their Herbology class?" said another male voice. It was of Seamus. She heard their footsteps approaching and from the corner of her eyes she saw Brian scowling.

"What's this toerag doing here?" asked Seamus to no one in particular, "I clearly remember telling him to stay away from Gin — Ginny what the hell happened to you? You are pale, Merlin you are bleeding." He added in a panicked voice as he looked at her.

"Did he do this Luna?" asked Neville, pointing in Brian direction, "And what the hell happened to you. You too, look pale, Luna."

"Amycus," Ginny grunted out, "We have to be in Herbology class."

"No Ginny, you don't," said Seamus, "You need a warm bed in hospital wing for two nights."

"Banned," Luna supplied, "And Carrow ordered us not to skip any class."

"That son of a hag," grumbled Seamus, "Let's take you to Herbology."

"You don't have classes?" asked Ginny, feeling a little power in her body.

"I don't have," said Neville, "This is the time for Transfiguration class for seventh year. Seamus has this class to attend though."

"Go Seamus," said Luna, "Neville will take us to Herbology."

"I don't need a bodyguard," Ginny mumbled, feeling indignant.

Seamus laughed, wheeled around and said, "Meet you at dinner."

The three of them started walking to greenhouse six for Herbology class. All the while, Luna filled in Neville about what happened in the DADA class. Neville face blanched more and more as Luna continued to reminiscent the happenings of DADA class. Ginny barely concentrated on their conversation, staying awake and walking was taking much from her body

Finally, they reached greenhouse six. Neville knocked on the door, as Herbology class had been started ten minutes earlier. An irritated Professor Sprout came out and said, "What do you want?"

Professor Sprout face softened when she saw Neville and it blanched when she saw Ginny.

"Oh dear!" said Professor Sprout, "What happened?"

"Amycus," said Neville, not even trying to keep the disdain out of his voice. Professor Sprout face hardened as she moved aside to let the girls enter. She stood there and talked to Neville for sometime more, before she entered and motioned the girls to a secluded corner. All the others were wrestling with a plant, trying to procure something, but they both were motioned to an empty table.

Slytherins in the Herbology class were very less. Only two Slytherins had opted for Herbology this year thinking of it as a very weak field. And Ginny and the others were happy about it, because they could outnumber the Slytherin easily here.

"Are you both fine?" asked Professor Sprout, holding something in her hands.

"Yes."; "I'm. She is not."

Ginny and Luna said at same time. Ginny glared at Luna, feeling betrayed.

"No, you too are not what one will call fine," said Ginny, trying to trash Luna statement about her condition.

"You both are not fine," said Professor Sprout, giving them a flask which contained a weird looking potion, "Drink it and the wound will heal. I must go now." She added when the two Slytherin glanced at their direction, a nasty sneer on their faces.

"Drink it up Ginny," said Luna, shielding the flask from view.

"You need it as much as I need it," Ginny protested. She took the bowl from the table and poured half of the content in it. Luna gave her a reproaching look, but nevertheless drank it. She grimaced and at one point she looked as she may throw it all out. But after that split second of reaction, she sighed.

Ginny taking her cue, drank it all up trying her best not to taste it. But alas, she had to. As soon as the potion touched her tongue, she felt like she would vomit it all out. Her throat constricted refusing to take it in. Ginny after a mighty push, swallowed the potion, her expressions turning grim. But as soon as the potion hit her stomach, she felt it working. The parts of her body which were throbbing, relieved and her limbs which previously felt like that they had been leaded, felt lively again. Her eyes which were feeling sleepy, came into sharp focus.

"What was it?" asked Ginny, screwing her face because of the bitter aftertaste of the potion.

"I don't know," said Luna, shrugging. She poked her tongue out and started rubbing it with her thumb. Ginny wrinkled her nose in disgust and said, "What are you doing Luna?"

"Cleaning my tongue," said Luna, matter-of-factly, "you should do it too. It will remove that bitter aftertaste."

"Thanks," said Ginny, eyeing her tongue, looking disgusted, "but I will manage."

Luna continued that disgusting behaviour. Ginny in an attempt to distract her, asked, feeling genuinely curious for the answer, "How did you got injured?"

Luna stopped rubbing her tongue, wiped her thumb on his robe (Ginny stared at her, revolted), heaved a sigh and said, "When Crone was torturing you under Cruciatus Curse I knew I had to do something. I banged on the restraining wall Amycus had created and demanded to get in. He was not very fond of the idea. He glared at me and when I continued to pound the shield he let me enter. As soon as I entered Crone turned on me and used the Cruciatus curse on me."

Luna told it all in a matter of fact tone, except the Cruciatus Curse part. Ginny felt a surge of fondness for her friend. She hugged her, surprising Luna, making her protuberant eyes bulge more.

"Oh Luna," said Ginny, "You are a very good friend."

Luna hugged her back. She entangled herself after some moments and resumed the rubbing of her tongue. Ginny wrinkled her nose again and shook her head, mildly amused.

A boy came to them. He was a Gryffindor, that all Ginny knew about him and his name was Adeel. He eyed Luna thumb and turned to Ginny.

"Here take these," he said, pointing at the two rolled parchments in his hand, "I have copied all the notes for today lesson."

"Thanks," Ginny mumbled, "Thanks for your help."

"It's nothing," he said, "and anyway Professor Sprout said to me. And I hope you get better." He added with a blush. He looked at Luna, screwed his face and headed to his seat. He gave Ginny a dazzling smile and Ginny groaned.

"Oh… I think he likes you," said Luna in her matter-of-factly tone. Ginny just wanted to dug a hole and bury her head in it. She was so embarrassed.

The class passed without much happening. Ginny was happy that she wouldn't have to do the work, because after the class, all the others were covered in bruise and waiting in a line to get potion. Ginny and Luna were ready to slip out, when they saw Professor Sprout motioning them to stay put. Ginny feigned revising her notes and waited for the last student to walk out of the greenhouse. When the greenhouse was empty Ginny and Luna walked toward Professor Sprout.

"Here take these," said Professor Sprout, handling them half a dozen phial.

"What are these?" Ginny asked a little uncertainly.

"They will heal cuts and bruises," said Professor Sprout, "Now go on. I think you have Transfiguration now."

Ginny nodded and she and Luna walked out of the greenhouse, heading toward the oak gate. None of them talked to the other on their way to the Transfiguration classroom. When they were just a corridor away, Ginny stopped Luna and said, "Here take these."

She gave her half of what Professor Sprout had given her. Luna looked uncertainly at the phials and said, "Why are you giving me these?"

"You are injured too," said Ginny and when Luna showed every sign of protest, Ginny pressed on firmly, "Ravenclaw house at present time holds more D.A. members than Gryffindor. So, your need is greater than ours and its not that I am giving you every single phial. I have kept half for myself."

Saying this, Ginny strode forward. When she didn't hear another set of footstep following her, she stopped, looked over her shoulder and said, "Hurry up. The class has been started."

Luna looked at her and then at the phials. She pocketed them, rushed to her and said, "Thanks."

They both rushed to the Transfiguration class. Professor McGonagall stood on the door, looking angry. Her lips were so tight lipped that they were invisible. She was towering over them and Ginny suddenly found herself wishing that she and Luna were still being tortured in DADA class.

"In," she said, her expression stern.

Luna and Ginny scurried in the class, their eyes frantically searching for free chairs. There were no two free chairs together. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Brian indicating the chair next to him, which was free. She ignored him and saw a set of chair in the corner of the class. She grabbed Luna hand and dragged her to the chairs. All the others were taking notes from the blackboard. Ginny sat on the chair and started shuffling in her bag, trying to find an inkpot, quill and parchment.

Professor McGonagall strode toward them. Ginny blanched and felt sweat forming on her forehead and head. She got a nasty feeling that she is not going to like what is coming.

"Miss Weasley, Miss Lovegood," said Professor McGonagall. Ginny detected a faint trace of concern and care in her voice. She slowly lifted her face and saw Professor McGonagall looking at both of them. Her face still held the stern expression but there was a trace of worry in it too.

"Yes Professor," Luna spoke up. She was the first one to recover from the shock, or maybe she wasn't shocked at all.

"Are you both all right?" asked Professor McGonagall, "I heard from Mr. Finnigan and several of the staff and students that you and Miss Weasley were looking beaten up in lunch."

"Nothing Professor. We both are all right." said Ginny, before Luna could blurt the truth out. Luna always had a knack to blurt this kind of things out. She felt angry that Seamus had divulged the information. He was so going to pay for it

Professor McGonagall looked at her skeptically and said, "I had confirmed with your classmates about what happened in DADA" — her face hardened — "and I as a matter of fact know that you and Miss Lovegood were assigned to the Cruciatus Curse."

"We are fine now," said Ginny, panic rising in her chest. When Professor McGonagall continued to look at her with raised eyebrows, Ginny elaborated, "Professor Sprout gave us some dis — I mean potion, which healed us."

"It could've only healed you physically," said Professor McGonagall, "the scars in mind will take much longer to heal."

"Anyway we are fine now," said Ginny, trying to sound confident.

"You don't look fine, Miss Weasley," said Professor McGonagall, "Miss Lovegood may be put in the category of fine, but not you. Your skin is still pale and you sway a little while walking."

Ginny gulped. She looked at Luna for support. Luna looked back at her, her eyes staring unblinkingly at her. After some seconds she said, "Yes Professor. Ginny is not fine. Amycus," — A muscle in Professor McGonagall lip twitched, giving the impression that she was trying hard not to smile — "I mean Professor Carrow" — Luna looked disgusted, which was saying something — "used some kind of curse on a boy and Ginny and then forced her in a duel with Crone. She was winning when he started helping him and called Levos to help him. Ginny after an initial trouble, looked as she will win" — Professor McGonagall looked proud — "but then he used a curse on Ginny which knocked Ginny. Then Crone used the Cruciatus on her and when I tried to help, he used it on me."

"But you held your front in your fight," said Professor McGonagall and it was really odd to see her emotional, "your parents would be proud of you."

"Fat chance," Ginny mumbled under her breath.

"We wouldn't have," said Luna, "if Harry hadn't taught us all that."

Even Professor McGonagall face beamed with pride, which she quickly adjusted back in her stern expressions. And at that moment Ginny remembered something, something which McGonagall had said, " 'Okay just this once. But you have to promise that you will tell me every time you are hurt. I have promised Molly, I mean your Mum to look after you.' "

Ginny gulped, looked at Professor McGonagall and said, in a whisper, "Don't tell my parents."

Professor McGonagall reacted as Ginny suspected. Her expressions hardened and she said in a commanding voice, "No Miss Weasley. I have promised your parents and if I remember correctly we talked about it. And this is just too big of a happening to be ignored."

"But Professor," Ginny said, more firmly than before, "you know my Mum. She would go ballistic. She would storm in the school. Do you want that?" Ginny finished with a pleading note. She had known Professor McGonagall for six years and she knew that trying to be hard on her would not help her. She had to make her feel emotional, that was her only chance. And if the change of look on Professor McGonagall face was any indication, she had hit jackpot.

"But still Miss Weasley," said Professor McGonagall, a little softly than before, "your parents need to be informed."

"So, so, so…" Ginny said, thinking about a worthy excuse, "Yes. Tell them about the first incident. That way you would keep your promise and my Mum will not go ballistic."

Professor McGonagall looked unhappy about it. It was indicating that Professor McGonagall was going to refuse. Ginny kicked her mind in overdrive and tried to think an excuse, an excuse worthy of her Mum and Professor McGonagall.

"Yes," Ginny said suddenly, "you can tell her that I was practicing dueling and I got hurt. That's good."

Professor McGonagall still looked unhappy. Ginny felt her heart sunk. Clutching at the last straws, she said, "You can't just tell her that I was subjected to Cruciatus Curse. She will, she will… you know what she will do and I don't think it will be good for the Order… for Harry."

Professor McGonagall stern expression softened and her face screwed in thinking. Ginny felt terribly guilty, dragging Harry's name in middle, but he was her last escort. Even when he was far away from her, he had helped her…

"Okay Miss Weasley," said Professor McGonagall, looking resigned, "I won't tell her about the Cruciatus. But about all the other things, I will."

That was the best that she could hope for. But still she felt she could bargain more.

"And what about Luna?" asked Ginny, trying to sound concern, rather than excited, "Won't you tell her father?"

"I will pass this information to your Mum and I think she is more than capable of passing it to Miss Lovegood father." Professor McGonagall completed with a look in her eyes, which clearly told that she knew what she was planning. Ginny sighed.

"Now back to work," said Professor McGonagall, "copy down the notes. Do it fast, half the period had already passed."

Ginny got a nasty impulse of using her injuries as a way to worm out, but thought better and started copying down the notes from the blackboard.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Ginny stood up and stretched her fingers. After a monstrous yawn and a glare from Professor McGonagall, Ginny walked out of the classroom. Her eyes were feeling heavy and she still had a detention to do. Ginny sighed again and arched her back, hearing it pop. Her bag fell off from her shoulder and on the ground with a thump. Ginny shook her head and plowed her hand in her robes for her wand. It wasn't there. Ginny panicked, searching her robes frantically.

"What happened, Ginny?" asked Luna, the worry in her voice clear.

"My wand," Ginny said slapping her robes in an attempt to find her wand.

"It's in your bag," said Luna, "I put it there when I dragged you to your chair."

"Ohhhh!" Ginny sighed, feeling relived. She lifted her bag, pulled her wand out and looked at it admiringly. She stowed it in her robes and walked towards the Great Hall, feeling her stomach grumble.

The Great Hall was filled with students, all of them swarming around their respective tables. Ginny hurried to the Gryffindor table, waving goodbye to Luna who rushed to the Ravenclaw table. They both were in such a hurry because they hadn't eaten from morning. And after that kind of vigorous dueling Ginny could've eaten a hippogriff. She sat beside Neville and Seamus and didn't even spare them a glance. She piled her plate with various items and dug in them, feeling a little cheerful.

She finished her dinner and belched. Finally, food was in her stomach and it somehow made her feel more cheerful. She noticed the sulking face of Seamus and Neville and asked, "What happened?"

Seamus glared at her and said, "Except Neville turning a babbling duck in front of… why did you that do that Neville that hurts."

"Anyway," said Ginny, smiling, "continue with your story, Seamus. That sounded a bit interesting."

Seamus opened his mouth, looking gleeful when Neville cut him off, "We just before dinner came to know about our detentions."

"Where is it?" asked Ginny, feeling curious.

"In the dungeons," said Seamus, "we have to mop Potion classroom floor, right after dinner. Terry and Ernie had to polish suit armours and Michael and Anthony have to polish hospital bed railings. None of us are allowed to use magic. We have to do it all by hands."

"You got off easy," said Ginny, "Me and Luna have to reconstruct DADA class."

"Yeah, Neville told me about it. Hang on," said Seamus, looking revolted, "Me and Neville got-off easy. We got the hardest detention. Some seventh year Slytherin dunderhead broke his cauldron and spilled all its content on the floor. Slughorn could have vanished it with a wave of his wand, but no that wanker Amycus had to come and put his ugly face in the situation."

"Oh," said Ginny as understanding dawned on her, "still mine is harder. I'm completely exhausted. I would sleep on this chair."

"I have settled that up," said Neville.

"What!" exclaimed Ginny, feeling something fishy in the situation.

"Lavender, Parvati, Padma and Susan had agreed to help you," said Neville, "They will come and help you at around seven fifteen."

"Why did you do that Neville?" asked Ginny, looking at him in disbelief, "There would be someone who will supervise our detention."

"I don't think so," said Seamus, "there are around 30 detentions today, including yours."

"30!" said Ginny, disbelief etched all over her face.

"And that's just an assumption," said Neville, "Maybe there could be more, but not less, and 20 of them are on Gryffindors."

"That's just plainly revolting," exclaimed Ginny.

"We know," said Seamus as he started brooding again.

"But still there could be Slytherin supervising the detentions," said Ginny.

"Yes, there could be," said Neville, "And there's the second reason, it would be better if you have more, ah, people."

"I can hold my ground in my battles," said Ginny, crossing her arms over her chest.

Seamus rolled his eyes, and said, "Don't make me remind you about the last time."

Ginny felt like someone had spat on her face. She turned to Seamus, her face glowing red with anger and said, "That was different. I was unprepared. And you shouldn't even talk to me, you betraying plonker."

"What have I done?" asked Seamus, indignantly.

"What have you done?" Ginny said, mockingly, "Who couldn't keep his trap shut in front of Professor McGonagall? Not me, I presume."

Seamus blanched and started to stutter. Finally regaining his composure, he said, "You never told me otherwise and neither did you explained me your story about how you turned to a piece of rotten scum. And when I heard talks about how you were tortured I added mine two Knuts in it. I don't think it was wrong. It's called worrying about your friends."

"And what about keeping friends trust?" asked Ginny more confidently than she felt. He was trying to make her guilty and the worse thing was, it was bloody working.

"I never broke your trust Ginny," said Seamus, smugly. Ginny got the faint impression that he knew he had achieved success.

"You never told me to reveal that particular piece of information," he continued, "So, you can't blame me. I'm not guilty."

"That is just, just gross," Ginny huffed and glared at him. Seamus glared back at her, unabashed. Ginny huffed again and turned to Neville, "Don't you have a detention to fulfill."

"Ungrateful brat," Seamus mumbled as he got up. He turned to Neville and said, "Get up."

He got up, mumbled a bye to Ginny and headed toward the dungeon. Ginny for the first time noticed that they both looked better than they did in the morning. Ginny smiled and cursed loudly. She just remembered about D.A. She hadn't confirmed that if they were having a meeting today. Ginny glared at her watch, feeling resigned and saw that she had around half hour to herself.. Getting up, she waved at Luna and in the process looked at Ernie and the others. They all looked considerably well. She smiled and turned to look at the staff tables. She was amazed by what she saw.

Amycus and her sister Alecto were red with anger and both had a scowl on their face. They were discussing something in angry hurried whispers to Snape. Snape looked indifferent as she continued to listen to the brother and sister. Sometime a scowl would appear on his face and something else, she couldn't put a finger on because of the distance. Ginny shook her head, happy to see the Death Eater having a hard time. She flung her bag pack over her shoulder and headed towards the Gryffindor common room.

Just before she was going to head up, Ginny stopped, wheeled around and headed towards the Ravenclaw table. She approached Luna and said, "Meet me here in thirty minutes. Okay?"

Luna nodded and turned back to her meal. Ginny smiled and headed toward the Gryffindor common room, ignoring all the conversation and whispering that had emanated when she had approached the Ravenclaw table.

She entered the Gryffindor common room and found it empty except some first years, who were trading chocolate cards in a corner. Ginny trudged up the stairs to her room and dropped her bag on her bed. She sighed. The bed looked alluring, warm and comfortable, almost completely opposite of what her evening was planned to be. Ginny headed in the bathroom, hoping to get a quick bath to release the tension from her body. Ginny stood in front of the mirror looking at her face. It was pale, her eyes were bloodshot red and her hair was a mess. She noticed some scratches on her neck and arms.

Ginny quickly stripped to her undergarments and stopped. Her body was covered in bruises, most of them at the point of healing. Still there were some purple bruises and most of the healed one looked a disgusting shade of yellow. There was a swelling on her right shoulder blade, where the Cruciatus Curse had hit her. Healed scratches were now a faint line of silver, which would take time to fade completely. Right above her navel was a knot. She touched it in an attempt to melt it. She winced as soon as her fingers made contact with it. But putting on a brave front, she continued to gently rub it, wincing occasionally. After ten minutes of painful rubbing, the knot seemed to dissolve.

Ginny sighed, dumping the idea of bathing. Her body looked like she had been put under gruesome amount of torture. Maybe it had been. She bent to pick her robes up and felt the muscle in her hip twitch with pain. Ginny grunted, stood straight her back pointing at the mirror. She slowly turned her head around and looked at the reflection of her hips in the mirror. They were red and by the look of it there was a mild swelling around them. Ginny groaned, closed her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling her chest hitch.

She quickly dressed and glanced at her wristwatch. She still had ten minutes. Ginny hastily combed her hair, splashed cold water on her face in an attempt to keep sleep at bay and headed to her bed.

As she passed her trunk, she felt an attraction toward her trunk, she had never felt before. And it was because of the phial of Amortentia she had snuck from Potions. It sat between the folds of her jeans, calling out to her. She didn't want to use it now, because she knew if she did she won't be able to leave the room. Still a voice in her head said,

'You deserve it. After what you have gotten today, you truly deserve it. Just a sniff, it won't do any harm.'

Ginny didn't know when she had reached her trunk, opened it and started skimming for that particular jeans. When she got the control of her emotions back, she had the jeans in her hand and was snaking her way in the folds to take out the phial. The temptation was just too great to be stamped on. Ginny slowly took the phial out and gazed at the golden potion in amazement and awe. The small phial held what she couldn't have. The small phial held the most seductive thing she had ever smelt. The small phial held Harry smell. Ginny's hand shook as she tried to open the cork. She started sweating, making her hand slippery. As she brought her hands near the cork, the phial slipped.

She saw in slow motion as her fingers brushed against the cork of the falling phial and as the phial gave in the gravity and started to fall down. Ginny panicked, her ability to think and act gone. And then suddenly, without even thinking or knowing, Ginny bought her knee upward, in the way of the falling phial. It clinked painfully with her knee, but averted its pathway with a jerk. It was tossed on the side and fell on her four-poster. It rolled on the mattress and after a moment of rolling it stopped. Ginny sighed and slumped on the ground, massaging her knee. She wiped her hands on her robes, pulled her wand out and murmured the incantations of Unbreakable Charm. The phial glowed yellow and then returned to normal. Ginny tentatively lifted the phial and clicked it with her finger. It didn't make a sound except a very faint thump like it was made of rubber. Ginny smiled, looking at the phial longingly. She glanced at her watch and her eyes turned the size of saucer. She was late, very damn late. She was supposed to meet Luna two minutes before. Ginny hastily stowed the phial back in the fold of her jeans, stowed it back in the trunk and closed it with a heavy bang.

Ginny all but ran to the Great Hall, skidding at corners and jumping on the stairs. She was inwardly thankful that neither Filch nor Mrs. Norris were here. She stopped in the Great Hall with a jerk, her eyes sweeping around looking for the familiar dirty blonde hair. She spotted Luna sitting alone on the far end of the Ravenclaw table. She hurried to the Ravenclaw table and tapped Luna on the shoulder.

Luna turned around, stood up and said, "Let's go."

That was one of the many things she liked about Luna. She never reprimanded or be shirty about anything. Ginny smiled and hurried off to the DADA class. The door to the DADA classroom was opened. Ginny glanced inside, lit some lamp for light.

She sighed when she saw the floor and walls of the classroom. Craters of size varying between bludger to snitch were all around the floor. Cracks on the walls were evident too and not to mention scorch marks of curses. Ginny walked inside and in one of the corner saw the material which they have to use to reconstruct the class. Ginny cursed colourfully under her breath, whipped out her wand and pointed at the ground where splinters of wood were strewn.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Ginny said and heard Luna say the same incantations beside her. The designated splinters flew and were collected in a huddle. Ginny and Luna made two different huddles of splinters. When here eyes had swept the floor once more and hadn't found anything more, she pointed it at the huddle and said, "Evanesco!"

The huddle of splinters vanished. She turned around and saw Luna had already vanished her huddle and was now cleaning the scorch marks on the wall. Ginny pointed her wand at the wall and started mimicking Luna spells. And then four figures entered the classroom. Ginny strained her eyes and saw the four figures were of girls. Squinting her eyes more, she saw that the four girls were Lavender, Parvati, Padma and Susan. The girls smiled at each other and started working. Ginny, Susan and Luna cleaned the wall, while Lavender, Padma and Parvati worked on the floor. No one came to supervise their detention.

Because of the combined work of the six, the room was back to normal in an hour. The six of them quickly slipped out of the room. They saw Snape coming toward them. Ginny face hardened and became red with anger. She gripped her wand tightly. Lavender, Padma, Parvati and Susan slipped around, probably not wanted to be seen as they were helping Ginny and Luna.

"Both of you were supposed to be in detention," said Snape, his voice cold. Ginny and Luna nodded their head, curtly and disdainfully. "Then what are you doing here?"

Ginny clamed her teeth and said harshly, "We have completed our detention." Ginny bit on her tongue to stop the flow of the swearing which had reached its tip.

"Huh?" Snape looked skeptical, "Have you now?"

He walked toward the DADA classroom and glanced inside. He turned back to look at her and snapped, "Than what are you doing here? Go back or do you want one more detention Weasley and you too, Lovegood."

Ginny gripped her wand so tightly that the blood flow in the tip of her fingers stopped. Her breathing became ragged and heavy and her wand twitched in her hand, pleading her to use it on the bastard. But she resisted, knowing that she had no chance in front of him. Snape smiled curtly and continued his walk.

Lavender, Padma, Parvati and Susan came from their hiding places. Lavender must had noticed the murderous look on her face, because she leaned and said in a whisper, "It's no use fuming. We have a meeting today. Save your energy for it."

She smiled and Ginny smiled back at her. They all continued walking. Susan separated from them with a wave of hand and headed down the stairs. Luna and Padma too, separated from them when the way to their common room came. So, the group which started as a group of six diminished to three when they reached the Gryffindor common room.

Ginny looked at the sofa wistfully as she approached it. She was going to plonk down on it when she saw Seamus face.

"What the hell Seamus?" Ginny snapped, suddenly feeling irritated, "Every time I see you, you look like dragon dung."

"What can I do about it?" Seamus snapped back, "Miss Tantrum Queen."

"I'm no tantrum queen," Ginny hissed, whipping her wand out, "And if you know what's good for you, you will keep your mouth shut."

"Or what?" growled Seamus, whipping his own wand out.

"You don't want to know Seamus," snarled Ginny, glaring at him, "you really don't want to know."

"Hell, I want to," said Seamus, standing up on his legs. Ginny for the first time, noticed the boils and blister on his hand. Some of them were oozing pus from their cracked red skin.

"Eww," Ginny said automatically, as she saw yellow greenish pus seeping from one of his blister.

"Disgusted by them, are you?" Seamus said, pointing at his blisters.

"Yes," Ginny accepted, eyeing them with disgust, "Can't you do anything to them?"

"No, I don't want to," said Seamus, sarcasm dripping from every alphabet, "It's the new fashion. Here try some on your skin." He added scooping some of the pus on his finger and waggling it in front of her face. Ginny backed several steps, looking at his hand in fear.

"What happened?" said Seamus, enjoying himself, "Is the great Ginny Weasley scared from some pus from boils."

"Don't, don't come near, near me," said Ginny as her back hit the wall, "I'm warning you Seamus, I'm warning you."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," said Seamus, as he clenched her fingers in a fist. His face screwed in pain, as pus started seeping rapidly through the cracks of blisters. He opened one of his eyes a crack and looked delightedly at the result. His hand was now covered in revolting looking yellow green pus. Seamus smiled as he extended his hand to touch Ginny. Ginny whipped out her wand and pointed it at Seamus, who merely raised his eyebrow. The incantation of Bat-Bogey Hex was on her lips when Seamus lifted his hand and wrapped it around the middle of her wand. He slid his palm down, leaving streaks of yellow green pus behind. The spell was forgotten somewhere on her lips, as feeling of nausea swept over her. When his palm was mere millimetres away from her palm, Ginny threw her wand away in disgust. It clanked with the floor and Seamus laughed. Ginny cursed under her breath, having lost her only weapon. She was readying herself to punch him, when Neville called out, "Stop it now."

Seamus turned, pouted his lips and said, "I was just starting to get fun."

Neville smiled, took out a glass container and said, "Use it now. Bandages are on the rug."

Seamus turned away with a scowl and Ginny breathed in relief. She still couldn't hold her wand, it looked too revolting right now. She turned soulful eyes toward Lavender, who giggled, pulled out her wand, pointed it at her wand and said, "Scourgify!"

The pus was siphoned off from her wand. Ginny mumbled thanks and picked her wand up, twirling it in her fingers. She pointed it at Seamus back, when Neville came to her and forced her to drop her hands to her sides.

Ginny glared at him and hissed, "You always take his side."

"I do not," said Neville, a little indignantly.

"Oh yes, you do," said Ginny, "If you didn't then you wouldn't have stopped me from hexing the devil out of him."

"And why would I let you do such thing?" asked Neville, looking a little amused, "Anyway he was not at fault here. You pissed him off."

"I didn't piss him off," said Ginny.

"Oh yes, you did," said Neville and pressed firmly when she gave every sign of interruption, "You were the one who snapped at him first and ultimately initiated the fight."

"So, why was he lying on the sofa, like he bloody owns it?" asked Ginny, crossing her arm over her chest and glaring at him. Neville looked at her incredulously. Ginny gulped and said, "Okay, okay. What happened to both of you anyway?"

"Detention result," Neville said, showing her his bandaged hand, "The spilled potion reacted with our skin. When Slughorn came in to check, he silently slipped us the balm. He said it will help with the boil and he was not wrong. It is helping, my hand feel less hot and are not paining as much as they before."

"They are hurting," said Ginny.

"Yes," said Neville, "And that's why Seamus was being so shirty. He tends to become irritated when he is confused or is in pain."

"Big deal," Ginny mumbled, glaring daggers at Seamus back.

Silence surrounded them. Neither Neville nor she spoke for moments. Unable to take more of the silence, Ginny said, "When is the meeting?"

"Meeting?" Neville looked surprised for a moment. But when the word sunk in, he said, "At eight forty-five."

Ginny glanced at her watch and said, "We only have twenty minutes."

"It's more than enough," Neville assured and for some reason he looked nervous, very nervous. He started shuffling on his feet and started casting furtive glance around the room. Sweat started beading his forehead as he glanced around the silent room.

"What happened?" asked Ginny noticing the sudden change of attitude of Neville.

"S' nothing," mumbled Neville, still looking uncomfortable.

"Be a wizard," said Ginny, "And tell me what happened? You look like shit, like you did in your first year, whenever you were in Snape class."

"You weren't in Hogwarts at that time," hissed Neville, getting more uncomfortable.

"I have heard tales," said Ginny, smiling.

Silence surrounded them again. Neville still looked uncomfortable and he started fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. Ginny grew irritated, and she snapped, "What the hell is wrong with you Neville?"

Neville kept quite and Ginny had a nasty feeling of Bat-Bogey Hexing the truth out of him. She was just going to pull her wand out, when Neville mumbled, "I've to give some kind of speech in the meeting."

Ginny laughed and said, "Why do you have to? No one forced you."

"Because I was the one who assembled the D.A.," snapped Neville.

"Me and Luna helped you too," said Ginny casually, "And I don't think it is hard to babble some words in front of a group of people. I don't know why you are having fits of panic over it."

Neville lips curled into a nasty smile and Ginny got a feeling that she is missing something. She replayed the conversation in her head, all the part she remembered and she felt colour draining from her face. She swallowed thickly, looked at Neville who had a victorious sneer on his face.

"What?" snapped Ginny.

"So, do you want to discuss what we are going to say there?" said Neville. He still looked uncomfortable, but the sneer on his face was reducing the effect.

"I don't want to," Ginny whined and when Neville looked like he had scored 12 NEWTs, Ginny continued, "It's not like I don't want to. It's just that, me and Luna are in sixth year and there are many seventh years who are more than perfect for the job. Take Ernie and Seamus for example."

"Don't you think I have not played that card," said Neville, "But their winning excuse, 'no one of us is so close to Harry as you three are. You three fought along him, Ron and Hermione in the Department of Mysteries and on the night of Dumbledore death'. So, we get to lead the D.A., yay."

"Don't any others have objections to it," said Ginny, "I mean no seventh year will like to be leaded by two sixth year. You are fine. After all, you are their fellow mate."

Neville snarled and was about to say something, when Seamus interrupted, "We have to get going mate. Time is already eight thirty-five."

Neville blanched and nodded his head. Ginny didn't show any sign of movement, as she stood their like a log of wood. Neville nudged her and motioned to the portrait hall. Ginny gulped and nodded her head. Seamus, Neville, Lavender, Parvati and Ginny moved out of the common room and walked to the Room of Requirements. In the way to the Room of Requirements, they met Luna, Ernie, Anthony, Michael, Susan, Padma, Hannah and Terry. They all walked toward the corridor and stood in front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy being clubbed by those trolls, where Room of Requirement appeared, when called. Neville walked past the bit of wall three times, his face screwed in concentration.

After the third time, a highly polished door appeared on the wall, where just moments ago was plain wall. They all hurried in and saw the door behind them closing. The floor was lined with cushions and the walls were covered with bookshelves which were filled with books.

"What did you demanded about?" enquired Ernie.

"A place for learning defense," said Neville glancing around the room.

"Let's start the meeting now," said Seamus enthusiastically and Neville shot him a dirty look.

Ginny hurried off to Luna and said, "Luna have anybody told you who are the three, who are going to take Harry, Ron and Hermione place?"

"No," said Luna, looking somewhere unknown to Wizard-kind, "but I think it will be you, Neville and me. We were the three closest to Harry, Ron and Hermione. Am I right?"

"I hope you were not," said Ginny, "but yes you are right. This lot except us to give some kind of bloody speech or something like that. I mean they all are old D.A. members. They all know what is happening, so why in the name of Merlin they need a shove forward. I will never ever understand it."

"Everyone needs a leader, who can show them a way forward," Luna stated matter-of-factly.

"Why us?" asked Ginny, "Neither I nor Neville nor… you, I presume want to do it. Can't someone who is willingly to do it, be the leader and ease our burden."

"No one want to take the role of leader here," said Luna, infuriating Ginny more.

"And I am no exception," hissed Ginny, "So why me?"

"Harry too, didn't want to be the one teaching the D.A.," said Luna plainly, "If he hadn't, would we have a chance against the Death Eaters we faced last year."

Ginny snarled at her friend. Without knowing or knowingly she had used the thing, the name of the person for whom she could jump in front of death. Ginny glared at her, thinking of a reasonable and worthy excuse, when someone tapped on her shoulder.

"What!" Ginny hissed, turning. There stood Seamus, looking like he was getting bored. He made a show of scratching his temple, screwed his face and said, "You and Luna should go at the front. We can't except Neville alone to cope with the old crowd. And anyway we need three people to guide us."

"Why don' you go Seamus?" hissed Ginny, "If I remember correctly, our old leader has two friends; one is a witch and second a wizard. So, Luna or I could be the witch and you could be the wizard. What do you say?"

"No, no, no," said Seamus, "you see, we need three people who know them most. And no one in Hogwarts was so close to the three of them then the three of you. After all you fought in Department of Mysteries together and…"

"They didn't want to take us in the first place," Ginny muttered under her breath, ignoring Seamus blathering completely.

"Ginny, Luna," Neville called and Ginny cursed under her breath. She turned to Luna and saw that Luna was already gone. Cursing under her breath again, Ginny strode forward, ignoring the smile Michael gave her.

The three of them stood in front of the group casting furtive glances at each other. Luna among the three looked at the most ease.

After moments of painful silence, in which Seamus started to snigger, Neville cleared his throat and said hoarsely, "Hello."

Ginny feeling indignant and feeling all of it as personnel insult strode forward and said, "Welcome back. You all are previous members of D.A. if I am not wrong, so what the bloody hell you want to know about. You all lot know as much as we know, so why this bloody formality."

"You three are the closest to Harry," said Seamus, who was clearly enjoying himself, "tell us where he is and what is he doing?"

Ginny shot him a dirty look because Seamus very well knew that she and for that matter neither Luna nor Neville knew where here is. Hell, You-Know-Who himself didn't know where Harry is.

"I don't know," said Ginny, and Seamus started protesting. Ginny cheek muscle twitched and she yelled, "SHUT UP! If I would have known, don't you think Snape would have asked me by know. After all he is a Legimens."

"But we think they know you know," said Hannah, "that's why they are targeting you."

Ginny lips curled in a nasty smile as she said, "They are targeting Seamus too. Drag that git up here and let's hear his two Knuts on the topic. Come here Seamus."

Seamus shook his head and said, "I know as much as Hannah know."

Ginny cursed and Neville said, "Stop it now. Let's forget where those three are for the moment and think about what we are going to do. Carrows are specifically targeting the D.A. members. We have to retaliate, we have to fight in order to survive. We have to put on resistance or at the end of term we all will look like rotten flobberworms."

"Hear, Hear," said Seamus and some others followed his lead.

"Okay stop it now," said Ginny, feeling her cheeks go red because of the sudden attention, "So, let's call it a day."

"Why?" demanded Padma, "we only have started now."

"Because," Ginny said, showing her wristwatch to the assembled students, "its nine thirty already. And I don't want to get caught and spend my evenings in punishment."

"Nor do we," said Terry, "But the curfew has started and I don't think it will hurt to practice a little."

"Yes."; "Yeah"; "I agree" boomed in the Room of Requirements.

Ginny growled, Luna looked indifferent, but Neville said, "I don't think it's a good idea. We have to do homework and prepare our self for tomorrow. We need sleep to heal our wound and bruises, not practice."

When they started to protest, Ginny shouted, "Me, Neville and Luna are going. You all know the incantations and their motion. Practice yourself."

Saying that Ginny stomped-off to the door, Neville and Luna on her heel, looking a little reluctant to follow. Luna hurried off to Ginny and whispered, "Will you tell them about Potterwatch?"

"How do you know about it?" Ginny asked.

"Your brother told me to remind you in case you forget," said Luna, smiling. Ginny scowled, wheeled around and scurried to the group.

Seamus saw it and said, "Changed your mind, have you?"

Ginny gritted her teeth and said, "Do anyone of you have a wireless?"

"Why do you want one?" asked Seamus, with a smile, "Missing the programme of beauty tips, are you?"

"No," Ginny said, "I want to shove it up your arse and see how much of pressure it can handle."

Everyone chuckled, while Seamus glared at her looking murderous. There was a low murmur after which Ernie said, "There is one in our common room."

"Does it work?" asked Neville, looking confused.

"Yes it works," said Hannah.

"Can you smuggle it here?" asked Ginny, looking hopeful.

"I think so," said Ernie, "But do you think it's good for a prefect."

"Stop being such a wimp," said Terry, "Did they care that you are prefect when they were whipping your arse."

Ernie turned red and kept quiet. Ginny seeing the silence continued, "Bring it here as fast as you can."

"Okay, but may I ask why?" asked Hannah.

"Yes," said Ginny, "but this shouldn't go out of this room."

Everyone nodded in understanding. When Ginny was satisfied, she continued, "A programme will start tomorrow at night."

Ginny waited for a few second, thinking there would be an interruption but when none came, she continued, "It's called Potterwatch. It's about showing support to Harry."

"What will they broadcast in the show?" asked Ernie. This question was probably on every one mind.

"That I do not know," said Ginny, with a defeated sigh, "but it is going to be fantastic, that I can assure you."

"Do all of you have your D.A. Galleons?" asked Luna suddenly, surprising many.

"Yes we have," everyone murmured in affirmative.

Everyone murmured again and when all seemed satisfied they headed toward the door, forgetting about training. The boys slipped out of the room first, checked the corridors and beckoned the girls to follow. Gryffindor common room was the closest, so Gryffindors were leading the way. Unfortunately for them, they met Peeves on the way. His face cracked into a smile and he opened his mouth to yell, when Seamus whispered, pointing his wand at the poltergeist "Langlock!"

Peeves tongue stuck to his upper jaw. He opened his mouth many times, but no sound came. He made a rude gesture and hurried off. Everyone chuckled. The group consisting of Gryffindors took their leave when the corridor to the portrait of Fat Lady came.

After they had seen that every other got down the first set of stairs without being caught, the Gryffindors headed towards the Fat Lady. They said the password and climbed in, all looking weary. Ginny without even waiting a second, scurried off to her dorm room. As soon as she got in, she picked up her nightgown and walked in the bathroom to change it. Fortunately enough, sixth years hadn't got homework to do and Ginny was thankful about it. Quickly changing in her nightgown, Ginny flopped on her bed and eyed the trunk wistfully. She glanced at her roommates, all of them were fast asleep. Ginny silently pulled herself on her feet, cast a silencing charm on her trunk and opened the lid. Fishing in its content, Ginny procured the jeans in which the phial containing Amortentia was securely placed. She glanced one more time at her roommates and found them asleep. She pulled the phial from the folds of her jeans, folded her jeans back and restored it in the trunk, feeling smug.

Ginny laid herself on the bed and pulled the hangings shut. She turned around so that her back was facing her other roommates and uncorked the phial. As soon as she uncorked the phial, her nostrils were filled with the smell of freshly polished broomstick, of wild flowers, chocolate and Harry. Her eyes were dazed by the spiral steam emanating from the phial. Ginny sniffed again and her lungs were filled with the aforementioned smells. But somehow Ginny managed to ignore all the other smells, except of Harry. Ginny closed her eyes, and drew a deep breath inhaling the wonderful scent of Harry. She felt Harry's arms encompassing her waist, pulling her closer. Ginny sniffed again and she could have sworn that she felt his fingers raking through her hair.

Without even knowing tears started to roll down her eyes. She cried as she corked the phial back unable to stand his absence. The Amortentia for her was a curse and a boon at the same time. Ginny slid the phial in her bag and tried to sleep.

She couldn't. Harry's fragrance was all around her, taunting her about her helplessness. Harry had left her for safeguarding her, protecting her. This was the kind of protection he gave her. A room in hell. Somewhere in her mind, she knew she was wrong, she knew there was no way Harry could have known it but that part was somewhere in her mind, just somewhere unknown.


"Ginny, listen . . ." he said very quietly, as the buzz of conversation grew louder around them and people began to get to their feet, "I can't be involved with you anymore. We've got to stop seeing each other. We can't be together."

Ginny said, an oddly twisted smile on her lips while her heart shattered in her ribcage, "It's for some stupid, noble reason, isn't it?"

"It's been like . . . like something out of someone else's life, these last few weeks with you," said Harry. "But I can't . . . we can't . . . I've got things to do alone now."

Ginny did not cry, even when she could feel the sting of the tears in the corner of her eyes. She simply looked at him, pleading to him to stop.

"Voldemort uses people his enemies are close to. He's already used you as bait once, and that was just because you're my best friend's sister. Think how much danger you'll be in if we keep this up. He'll know, he'll find out. He'll try and get to me through you."

"What if I don't care?" said Ginny fiercely.

"I care," said Harry. "How do you think I'd feel if this was your funeral . . . and it was my fault. . . ."

What he had said was just as good as a proposal for her. He had admitted that he cared about her more than he cared about Dumbledore, the person who had always supported him.

At this moment, Ginny heart was overwhelmed with emotions, which were threatening to burst out. She wanted to tell him something, the truth about her feelings. But she couldn't face him and say it. So, she looked away from him, over the lake.

"I never really gave up on you," Ginny said. "Not really. I always hoped. . . . Hermione told me to get on with life, maybe go out with some other people, relax a bit around you, because I never used to be able to talk if you were in the room, remember? And she thought you might take a bit more notice if I was a bit more — myself."

"Smart girl, that Hermione," said Harry, trying to smile. "I just wish I'd asked you sooner. We could've had ages . . . months . . . years maybe. . . ."

"But you've been too busy saving the Wizarding world," said Ginny, half laughing as her heart continued to contort in panic and grief. "Well . . . I can't say I'm surprised. I knew this would happen in the end. I knew you wouldn't be happy unless you were hunting Voldemort. Maybe that's why I like you so much."

It was the truth, but truth wasn't always easy. She loved him because of all that, but she didn't want him to go away from her. Somewhere in her heart she knew this would happen, but until now, she had managed to keep it under wraps. But now, her heart was shattered, shattered in fine particles and all the emotions, all the feelings were bubbling on the tip of her tongue, ready to burst out.

A pained expression crossed Harry's face. He looked as his resolution was crumbling, crumbling to fall-off. A sliver of hope emanated from Ginny's heart. But it was short lived. Harry turned to look at Ron and Hermione. After a moment of looking at his best friends, he gave a miserable gesture and got up, leaving her alone.

As soon as his back faced her, Ginny let out the tears or rather the tears found their way out. Ginny couldn't let Harry see her like this. So, Ginny stood, turned around and ran, ran with all her might. She didn't know where she was going, nor did she care. Running gave her strength and a hope, hope that if she ran away far from the place, the place where that unfortunate event had happened it would all reverse, it would be back to normal. She would come back here and found Harry waiting for her, his arms open wide.

Ginny continued to run, ignoring the screaming of her leg muscles, ignoring the cries of people. Ginny own pain was so big, so profound that all the other miseries in the world were just nothing, nothing in compared to it.

Ginny suddenly stopped and found herself looking at the portrait of Fat Lady. She whispered the password and climbed in. The common room was virtually empty, except two or three fourth year, who were looking confused. Ginny trudged up the stairs, managing to control her tears for the time being.

She crashed on her bed, feeling the soft material of the bed sheet material in her mouth. As much as she tried to stop the conversation from replaying in her mind, she couldn't. Every replay was like a stab of hot knife in her non-existence heart. Ginny felt like she would not be able to feel again. The tears in her eyes dried up, but the grief felt like it had just increased. Ginny hiccupped and suddenly threw her breakfast out. It stained the bed sheet, splashed across her face and cloth.

Still she felt nothing, nor was she affected by the acrid smell of the vomit. She just looked at it blankly, like it was nothing.

She didn't know for how much time she was there, sniffing the acrid smell of her vomit and lying like a zombie. She didn't hear the opening of the door, nor did she hear the cry of her name. She was just there, but her mind was reliving every single second she had spend with Harry.

Ginny resisted when someone tried to pull her up. She didn't want to get up and face the reality. She wanted to hide, to force Harry up here and made him change his decision. But she hadn't had much energy to protest. Somehow lying on the bed had drained her of energy. One warm hand cupped her face and turned it. The person was Hermione, her eyes bloodshot red and her hair a jumbled mess.

As soon as Ginny saw her, she launched in fresh rounds of tears, the tears she thought which had dried up a long time ago. Her body shook with the force of her sobs as she retold the event of the last morning between hiccup and sobs. Hermione hugged her and started patting her back and murmured words of understanding during the short brakes she took.

Finally when she had completed retelling, Hermione said, "You know, Ginny. It was bound to happen. No one can stop him."

"I could," said Ginny, her eyes stinging because of the constant crying, "I could. If I could just have persuaded him, if I could just have said to him…"

"That's the point Ginny," said Hermione, "you didn't do it. Because you know him, you know that it was his choice, the choice which will in turn affect the future of the Wizard-kind."

"Doesn't he love me Hermione?" said Ginny, finally admitting the painful threat that had been zooming in her mind from the moment he had broke-up with her.

"Don't be stupid," said Hermione, sharply, "he does love you. Haven't you seen how he looks at you, how he behave around you. You yourself admitted that you could have stopped him. Do you think anyone other than the person who is so close to his heart could do it? I could give him a day long lecture and still he would be rooted to a decision." Hermione finished with an angry huff.

Ginny tried to smile, but it came out as a grimace. Hermione quickly siphoned the vomit from her robes, face and the bed sheet. She flicked her wand and Ginny's trunk rose in air. Hermione turned to her and said, "Put on a brave face Ginny. Because if you don't Harry would never be able to forgive himself."

"I know," said Ginny, "but why did he need to do this?"

"You know Ginny," said Hermione, "you know."


Authors Note's: Hello once again. I thoroughly enjoyed writing this chapter; my favourite chapter of this fic. How do you like my biggest chapter ever? Was it edited fine? Tell me.

Should I continue writing dream sequences/Flashbacks or not?

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Please check out my Dream Project 'The Ticking Life' and let me know what you think about it. I have placed two polls on my profile, answer them if you can.

Now on a serious note, give me 10 reviews and I will start writing the next chapter. Oh yes, I forgot this. I completed this chapter in 14.5 hours + 1.5 hour of editing. The reason I'm asking reviews is that I have five stories to update and I will choose the rhythmic speed for the fic which gets the most review.

Thanks and let me know all the answer to my questions in your review.

P.S.: Why won't let me use my breaks ~*~ and *~*? Tell me if you know. The dream sequence is not completed.