Disclaimer: I am not J K Rowling or Robert Jordan and their worlds of Harry Potter and the Wheel of Time. These two created the fun little worlds I have decided to play in with no thought of profit to myself. So I promise that if I did own these I wouldn't have had Hermione with Ron, though I would have been happy to see her be married to Rand al'Thor if ever the two worlds should meet.
Chapter Eleven : Song and Dance Man
Sluggishly the boat struggled up the wide Manetherendrelle River making their trip slower and harder than Ginny would have wished for. Yet with the gulls screeching and cackling she was glad they were not the vultures and ravens swarming over Ghealdan just now. War had forced the Aes Sedai to slow their journey and eventually take to the river as the highways were choked by armies, refugees, and brash brigands.
At this moment she was glad of not having to see the boys off fighting just yet. It wrenched her heart to see how they were growing more into weapons than men, exactly like any good Warder. The lot had even began to take on an ease with carrying their implements of butchery. The things now looked more an extension of their boys limbs than the unnatural bits of metal they were. In the once goofy wizards' eyes was now a watchful wariness, and a slightly hunted expression. This was only heightened by the terrifying fact that they may go stark raving mad for using magic, or might wind up gentled by the girls' own teachers for the safety of mankind. And if they would have been forced to fight she knew Harry's noble nature would have disallowed him from simply walking away from the cruel butchery of innocents. Once there he was all too likely to use any means available to him to save everyone he could.
On the deck the boys were stripped of their coats and shirts, furiously working the battle forms of their chosen weapons. Sweat was pouring glistening trails down their chests and foreheads under the searing late summer sun scorching them. A sight that fascinated the girls something awfully, and made concentrating on embracing the One Power a neat trick. More when their respective wizard would pause now and again to smile at them. A treat after all the heartache of the tyrannical separation of the road set in place by the lead Aes Sedai and poor communication between the boys and girls. For some this was more troubling as it was still not completely done haunting them.
Harry was smiling less and less these days. To the despair of Ginny and her rival friends.
The start of the downward spiral may have been earlier, but it had been complicated by a moment that at the time seemed small and innocuous to the girls. A stray comment or two were at fault as with most things. Simple misunderstandings really, and had been on a good night too of all times.
Nearing the small port town that they had rode into for taking a boat north, the Aes Sedai had let the girls off early that night so everyone could rest up. Naturally they had sought the boys out in relief of fighting to be more open to Saidar. Hungry for the companionship of their adorable wizards. A small argument had been boiling away with the too pretty interloper Seandra among the already accepted group after the clueless Harry. It was simmering when the two groups reunited. Few fully reckoned the strain the boys still had been under for a long time, and this added tension enhanced the incipient catastrophe.
Angelina and Alicia had been making plans for some time once they had set some rules for themselves and Ginny's wilder brothers down in stone. None in that quartet were willing to become cloned couples of Arthur and Molly Weasley. After discovering the depth of connection that inhabited the Wader bond that held old Therell to Kaliandra, they had made up their minds. Fred and George would be bonded to them as soon as the pair of witches learned how to do it. Of course Tracey found this a spectacular idea for Blaise as well, once there own arguments were put to rest. A reunion that had both Slytherins a bit sheepish for a time. The rest of the girls had taken to discussing the Warder Bond regularly. Every time there was a pause in other conversations in point of fact. None of them were positive how the lot of boys- aside from the twins who actually asked for it- would take to the concept unfortunately.
When they joined the boys that one ill fated night. Eager for some fun, they found their lovely lads one and all in a dark mood. Why they were, was a mystery to this day. Some rot about following after Slytherin and setting fire to the Blight before it happened. Ginny and the girls wanted to get them to open up as this did not sound good at all, but as with most things of late the wizards wouldn't say a word more. This aggravated her and her friends to no end, but the boys had been acting more like the laconic Warders. Bow to the Aes Sedai, grow grim, and then go make the world kneel to their particular Aes Sedai by what ever means necessary.
In this tense atmosphere the silly goose Emmatilde, a farm girl that dreamed of adventure, spoke up longingly, "I don't think I could choose Red. I like boys, but goodness a Green I can't imagine becoming either. Just imagine the scandal people would make of me trailing about a half dozen men wherever I go? What of you Seandra? Do you want a Warder?"
"Yes, I already know who too. Angelina and Alicia aren't the only girls to have a boy waiting for them." tittered the flirty man stealing cow, "It's as good as done."
Simpering like the simpleton she is, Emmatilde asked in a conspiratorial whisper, "Oh, who is it? It's Lemm from Daltron Farm isn't it? He said he'd follow you to Tar Valon."
"No, he's just a silly boy. We're Aes Sedai, and as such need men." purred the cow, stoking an old argument into a blaze once more.
Tracey cooly sniffed, "Careful what you say here. You might find a world of trouble you're unprepared for. Squibs may be able to learn but we'll not let them take our men without a fight."
Harry's eyes glimmered dangerously at that.
"If he wanted any of you he'd have said, but then none of you really treat him well do you?" Seandra sneered coldly, "I've not tossed him over like you lot of shrews."
"That is enough girls." Therell had joined them tiredly, "Claiming a boy when you've not attained your Accepted Bands and Ring is for fool ninnies in need of a come uppance. Some never reach that. Some it takes twenty or so years. Now find a better topic before the Sisters catch wind of this one."
That had Harry stand and mutter in leaving without a single word for any of the girls that truly loved him. Neville made to follow but was stopped at a sad shake of her Harry's head.
Now three weeks on, he's not improved in mood. Even sleeping on deck instead of in the boys cabin. When he talks it was with only the boys or to the old Gleeman that had boarded with them. A haunted worry burned in Ginny's love's eyes whenever she caught a glimpse of them. Hatred flashed now and then when he glanced the Sisters, particularly the two Reds. Also he worked with a frenzied passion at his Warder training, where he was pressing hard the Warder's training him. A fury scorched his words and actions by all that the girls witnessed. But for all his rage he stayed and acted as if he was the Warder for the whole group. It broke her heart to see him tearing himself apart like this.
"He'll be some lucky Sister's salvation." Kaliandra remarked, startling Ginny, "Not a particularly handsome young buck, but nice enough. No, it's his devotion I think."
Blushing Ginny squeaked, "He's already saved my life. Killed a... a monster to do it. Almost dying to do it. That and fought a dark male channelor twice already. Once being for my sake. Lost his family to the same man as well. He doesn't give up."
Althiana purred with a slight lick of her lips, "Magnificent specimen then... My Keres, Olmehd, and Cormat agree that one day he'll be a legend. Never backs down and fights like a lion. Gorgeous traits for a Warder... Enticing."
"He is a true Gryffindor." Ginny giggled in English. This earned her a pair of cool gazes from the two Sisters. "Sorry, it doesn't translate."
"You say that at too convenient of times I think." the disapproving Althiana sniffed.
Harry was stretching out and eying the sky with yearning.
"If he was ready now, I'd bond him now." commented the Green with a near purr, "I still might. Oh yes I still might. Olmehd wants to test him a bit more but that buck has a home in my little collection I do believe. It takes a woman to train a boy into a man..."
In Ginny's mind, she was gnashing her teeth. The hag even try it, and Ginny would gleefully take one of the boats bill hooks to the woman. A flickering smile played on Kaliandra's kind face while she lightly patted Ginny's hand.
"Why does he stare at the sky so often?" Althiana remarked with eyes that studied Harry in ways the youngest Weasley found disturbing.
"He dreams of flying." Hermione gritted out, "Always has."
"Interesting... flight? What a thought." the too interested Green rubbed her chin in thought, "Then he needs a dream to hold him to this Earth."
Olmehd had called Harry out to the practice area. Nodding the boy strode calmly over, his fluid movements made Ginny bite back a sigh. She was supposed to be practicing opening herself to the sublime saidar, not being all silly over a boy she was losing by the day.
The round began. Harry was in his Seeker mode. Quick, daring, and deceptive but more and more he was less defensive and scarily offensive. It was a ballet of death for the people witnessing this. If they had been using real weapons, both men would be bleeding great rivers across the decking. It reminded Ginny of one other reason she dreaded the boys going to fight. They might be maimed or murdered and she was still only opening her strawberry blossom to the One Power. Try as she might, acceptance of life and her place in it came hard to her. She was a girl of action not quiet contemplation and surrender.
Thus she was unfairly unable to help keep her boys safe.
Her would be beau was learning to fight with sword, mace, and knife. Others as well, but those three were his chosen focus. Under the astute, grave tutelage of the Warders this combination of his brand and cudgel were growing deadly. Apart they were still potent in his hands but not as terrible to witness as they were together. Plus if he lost either in the heat of the moment, he is as ready with a knife in either hand. All while a dead darkness would cloud his one time gleaming eyes during these practices. Neville called it the oneness or the Void, and of all the Hogwarts boys Harry was the only one to keep hold of it.
It was thrilling to see his silky whirling even if it frightened her. Dashing this way and that her love moved like he was death made flesh. Not a single wasted movement as far as she could tell, but every step was taking him closer to the killing fields. Each spinning parry or swipe had her ache in the certainty he was going to be butchered or broken on the blood soaked plains of Ghealdan soon.
Althiana had taken to breathing in little gasping breaths with a hand over her bosom. "Yes he has nice potential..."
Flickering flashes of wooden practice tools cracked and clacked as a dirge in Ginny's mind's eye. A soundtrack to the tragedy of her love's life. Thankfully before she broke down in a sobbing fit, Therell called out, "Halt. That's enough for now. Rest my brothers."
Grinning the men all laughed and shook hands. It was morbid, but boys were idiots.
At this Althiana left. Kaliandra spoke to the air, "A good Warder needs to be shown appreciation. It helps their moral. Silly things live in a world of death and immanent violence. It helps to see some light."
Glancing at each other Hermione, Parvati, Luna, Daphne, and Ginny herself superstitiously got up and tried not to rush down to him. Angelina, Alicia, Padma, and Tracey were none too slow either in moving in on their wizards. Ginny praised the Light that Seandra had been too sea sick to be aware of what was going on.
A little thrill coursed down Ginny's back at the sight of Neville gladly meeting Padma halfway. The pair had been cooling off as of late. With the likes of Seandra around back in Coltran's Down, the girls were growing rather distraught that the man thief would target their men. While they had to hop to for the Aes Sedai, Seandra and the boys were growing dreadfully too chummy for the teen witches. For some reason the boys grew distant since then.
Now however for at least these two, she was cheered to note they were back on. The couple only had eyes for each other. All in all a good match.
With his back to them, Harry was talking again to the old gleeman Thom. What he was saying had the girls slow to a stop. "I may not stay in Tar Valon. I have things needing done and I'm unsure if I have long enough of a life span to do it all in."
"Don't go running off to die just yet boy. You're not even a man yet.." Thom suggested with a fraction of a nod to the girls. "Others might take exception to you throwing away your life. Don't be a fool. You can't fight the world alone."
"I can't let them down. Besides I'll be dead soon enough. I feel something. See it almost." Harry's shoulders slumped. "If I could, I'd run off to be a song and dance man like you Thom. Just to live for a change, but I think my old mentor knew I would not live to manhood. He always tells me he wishes for me to enjoy life."
"Could it be he cares?" Thom strummed his harp.
"It could be but I also know I've already fought my family's murderer twice and likely will again. Thom, I killed my first man at eleven and a Shadowspawn like monster by twelve, then faced my parents betrayer by thirteen. My life is geared towards burning out quickly." her love informed the old man, "If I could live a normal happy life I would do it gladly."
Ginny felt her heart twist into a knot, she just wanted to hold Harry tight.
"Then by all means live then when you do have a chance. I believe you have those willing to enjoy it with you." Thom then did nod fully towards her and her rival friends.
Startled Harry turned to them and tears threatened to escape his iron control. As one the girls swarmed him. Even Luna was actually a little teary eyed, in her own way. It was not right for him to feel this way. Why couldn't he see they loved him? All he had to do was ask and any of them would give their life for him. Ginny owed that much and more to the great silly lovable prat. But her love of him wasn't built by a debt. He was about the only person to have noticed her beyond her family on occasion. She had crushed on the boy Harry Potter ever since she saw a photo of him in the Daily Prophet and was drawn to his sad eyes. Then fell hard for him in Kings Cross as he noticed she was alive, then learning whom he was, she became his witch in total. Idiot little chit that she was then, she blurted out her desire to see him and hoped to talk to him. Harry was the only wizard she ever wanted in her life.
Staring at them in horror and longing, he made to resist. As they all stepped a little closer, he stiffened and sobbed, "I'm sorry I can't. I'm twisted and broken. I can't choose not now especially. I'm sick and wrong."
Parvati delicately took his face in her hands, "How long have we went over this. You don't have to choose right now. We keep that for later. Right now you're our hope and my greatest treasure." Her friend gently kissed him, seemingly cracking him physically by how he trembled all over.
"Harry we need you. Don't leave us just to be noble." Hermione took his arm to stabilize him, "Why waste our energy on this world worried about choosing right now?"
Parvati stepped aside, allowing the brunet to kiss their daft wizard. When Hermione took advantage of that, she had him reeling with the passion the normally reserved girl kept hidden away. As their lips met, his tremors stopped as he moaned from the intimate contact.
Yet with the rocking of the boat, so too did his anguish surge back in after Hermione broke the kiss to catch herself from falling.
Backing away he grimaced, "Do you know I want that? I do. Yet I'm afraid. I'm terrified after what I've felt."
Gliding up and patting his face tenderly, Luna stated, "I'm not finished with you yet. I never will be I fear, so you absolutely must stay."
Pausing Harry tried to turn away as great wracking sobs tore his composure to shreds, "You don't understand. You never can thank the Light. I'm dead here and back home."
Turning him to face her Luna stood on tippy toes to lightly kiss him. It had the effect of having him encircling Luna with his arms protectively, "All I really want to do is be here protecting you as long as I have breath. Even... Oh please don't make me name that devil. Don't you understand?"
"I think we all do Potter. Now stop running unless you're bringing us with." Daphne challenged him bravely and out in the open finally, "I'll follow you anywhere. And I mean anywhere Harry Potter."
Gobsmacked he blurted out, "You wouldn't! I wont let you die with me!"
"If you're dead you bloody well can't stop me now can you?" the Slytherin dared him to say more, but tears were leaking down freely from her dark eyes. He reached out and brushed away these as he cupped Daphne's elegant face.
"But I ruined your life by dragging you here?" he wept while the Slytherin beauty nuzzled into his hand.
"No you rescued it. I'm free to love the man of my dreams, and that man is you Harry Potter." she cradled the stunned boys war hardening hand, then flung herself into his arms weeping harder. "My life is not worth it without you in it." She then hissed something that had Harry lean back as he hissed in return. Her nod had the boy hesitantly hiss more before he claimed her lips for a passionate snogging that curled the toes of the other witches watching it.
Not all of the listeners were overly joyous by all that hissing. A crew member nearby stumbled as he did a side stepping double take as he eyed the couple hard. Meanwhile Thom the globe trotting gleeman was twisting and playing with his prodigious thick white mustache.
Daphne broke the kiss with another weepy hiss.
Afraid to be left out, Ginny stood still and watched on in trembling uncertainty.
Her Slytherin friend backed away with her hand out for Ginny. Frightened now too badly to move she was startled when both Daphne and Harry took her hands.
"Hi!" she lamely squeaked out.
His shy smile was a glorious sun to her by how warm it made her feel all over. "Hello Ginny..." Daphne just shook her head and pulled the two of them closer together.
Taking a moment to look her in the eyes her love spoke softly, "Ginny. Who would have thought we'd face the Chamber of Secrets twice now? But this time- But this time I see what I'm fighting for now. Not just my best mates baby sister who puts her elbow in the butter. I see a young woman who I let myself want to get to know more of. Get to know more of though she runs faster than a cheetah when I look her way. I wish I hadn't been a stupid git and got to know her before all this. Forgive me."
Quaking in fear of losing him she squeezed the stuffing out of him, "You're forgiven only if you stay right here mister."
Grunting in surprise he reached up to cup her cheek, letting his thumb brush away a tear, "Till your safe..."
He tilted her chin up to gingerly to place a feathery soft kiss on her lips. For a first kiss ever it rocked her world, however she wanted more and to banish from his mind to leave her behind. With no experience at all with kissing outside of her Harry Potter plushie from when she was five, she pressed her lips into his maybe a touch to forcefully. This was not the fantasy boy of her childhood, this was the man whom cared enough to face a nightmare monster and death for her. Not caring a whit that she was responsible for it or that they hardly knew each other. This was the boy whom now looked ready to go off and die in fear of hurting her and others. Well not on her watch. She loved him and she'd fight for him with all her heart and soul no matter the cost.
Her deepening their kiss took him off guard but soon he was giving her much more than she ever imagined a kiss could hold. His lips lingeringly nibbled on hers as his hands held her face and body up. She was growing dizzy while her toes curled into knots. Weakening from the storm of emotion he poured into her, she leaned more and more into his arms. Though she had scoffed at a Witch Weekly love story that had the witch moaning from the kiss at the end, Ginny did just that herself. This was what she knew love should hold, not some fantasy of pumpkin's turned carriages carrying a witch away from a Ball.
When they broke as she was nearly catatonic from his addicting kiss, he murmured, "I'm so glad I woke up even if it is a bit late."
"Its not too late mister, mister. And its about time you woke up too. We've about ran out of Chambers of Secrets." she giggled lightheadedly, glad of his strong arms aiding her oxygen deprived limbs in standing.
"Now I've seen everything, a Green Warder." Thom mumbled with a smirk as he lit his long stemmed pipe.
Harry reached down into his small coin purse and pulled out two fat gold coin. Flipping them to Thom, he asked with a wide smile. "I owe Ginny some dances and now is as good as any. Probably the best time all things considered. Would you care to play a few?"
"Boy, where under the Light did you find all these Manetheren Eagles?" the old gleeman inquired, but still made the coins vanish before they could even glimmer in the sunlight. "Their extremely rare as they're a few thousand years old."
"Really? Learn something new everyday." Harry laughed in confusion. Ginny was afraid that Thom would run off and tell the Aes Sedai, "We got them from the belly of the Serpent and in a Galaxy far, far away."
"Harry!" Hermione gasped in alarm.
"There is a story in all this but I'm too humble a man to tell it." Thom smirked, "But I can play a suitable tune I wager. You want fast or slow?"
"What would it cost to keep playing for a bit? We've been at a go for ages." Daphne requested with the same hope in her eyes Ginny herself felt, "Please if you would."
Strumming a few notes in no particular fashion or pacing, but more to just test the tuning, Thom answered lightly. "It would be my pleasure milady. Just let me finish tuning. A harp is a delicate touchy instrument."
"No worries. We'll be ready when you are." Parvati assured the man, "We'll just be over there readjusting our wi- man's mind is all." The girls all winced at Par's near use of the word wizard instead of man.
Guiding their noble git of a wizard off to the side, the girls sat him down and proceeded to vigorously make him realize he belonged to them. At first he was resistant again, but five girls to his one kept him in place. Especially armed as they were with the knowledge he refused to hurt them for any reason. Yes it was unfair, but somedays in somethings, being unfair was called for. Making their love see reason was just such a thing.
Having him sit, they each made certain to hold a part of him. Luna, ever the sly and quick thing, had plopped into his lap where she crooned one of her happy nonsense songs. Parvati and Hermione had a shoulder apiece as they sat slightly behind him to lean against his back, hugging him close. Daphne claimed his free hand as his other was busy steadying little Luna. That being the case, Ginny sat down at his feet to lay back against his legs. It felt so natural to lay her head on his knee with Luna taking to petting her hair. They had no room for Seandra here, nope, nope, nope.
His eyes welled with love and devotion for them. I was so simple, he was theirs and they were his. Ginny was under no illusion that any of them would give up on him easily. She absolutely wouldn't, so why would they?
Neville and Padma joined them, holding hands and just a touch mussed. A sight that made Ginny beam. Her plan had worked in part. Neville, who deserved a love of his own, was clearly head over heels for Parvati's twin, as was Padma for him.
"The captain says we'll reach Whitebridge tonight or sometime tomorrow." said the tall blond wizard informatively, "We're supposed to pack everything up incase it's tonight."
He chuckled wryly as none of the Hogwarts lot had unpacked.
"That may be where Emmatilde scurried off to." remarked Luna on the scatter brained Ghealdaner farm girl who had the girls' cabin a right mess.
Eventually the others filtered over to where Harry and them sat as well. Unity was their greatest asset and most effective comfort. All of them needed each other, even the Slytherins. Here those old house rivalries meant nothing. This was a time and place to just be friends.
Thom gave a long trilling strum of his harp finally, "I'm ready if you all still wish for a dance or two. Though if we make port tonight, we all should be ready to leave when it's time. Captains like our's here get testy if made to wait."
"We're already packed ourselves." Harry grinned impishly, "We just don't trust our things to anyone. A hazard of our circumstances."
Thom laughed and began some testing notes, while the group stood up and sorted themselves out. With the central clear area not nearly as big as the Inn at Coltran's Downs, they decided five couples at a time would work. All five of the boys would eventually dance with all nine of the girls. It was awkward, but as best as they could do right then.
In the first group hand in hand with Harry was Ginny. She wanted desperately to enjoy some time with Harry. Which was exactly what she got as they spun and skipped, sidestepped and twirled about the small clearing. Gazing the whole time into each other's eyes, her and him were in a world all their own. When the time came for the pass, she was deliriously happy as she was swept into George's arms. In her love's green pool like eyes had been pure adoration, hope, and a bourgeoning love that stole her breath.
"You look pleased little sister. Did you drown Seandra when none of us were looking?" teased her brother with a rakish wink.
"No, but it's an idea. George, Harry loves me. I've seen it!" she confided with her cheeks and ears burning.
Worry flickered on her sibling's face, "You realize he's not liable to pick you or any witch? He's afraid of the future, and frankly I agree. Going the way Slytherin did may be our only choice. Me and Fred are staying around for a bit till we- Well the Old Snake King might have had the right of it."
That floored Ginny. She refused to accept losing her brothers and Harry in one fell swoop. There had to be something that could be done for them. "Maybe... maybe you all could go home now. Leave us girls and return back there. It's where we belong anyway."
"We've thought of that little Ginnikins. We wont leave you lot, and the Sisters wont let you go. So we stay." George replied after a time of just smiling at her. As she spluttered out inanely to deny them this idiocy it was time to be passed to Fred.
Catching her, he smiled on her too, unnerving her when he spoke, "It really is for the best baby sister our's. At least this way some of us will have learned the truth and be able to bring it back. We've all dedicated our lives to giving you this time, to keep you safe in whatever way we can."
Hearing her roguish pair of brothers talk this way was terrible. "Why haven't you lot told us all till now? We could've left already. Went back and forced our way out of Slytherin's Chamber. We could have!"
"Maybe, but then we'll never know will we." Fred laughed in self derision. "But lets not get all weepy just yet. We may find a way to avoid Slytherin's Fate."
Pensively she relented for the moment, staying silent as the dance went on. Both Blaise and Neville were giving her rueful smiles as well. She shared a horrified look with the other girls. All of them were equally as horrified and heartsick as she. Having avoided slavery for the witches, war in Ghealdan, the bitter attempts to break them apart, and starvation in the Chamber of Secrets itself they were losing the boys anyway. They had not learned soon enough to get home and away from this mad house world. The girls had in a sense signed the death sentences for their boys. It was twisted and wrong, but their choices so far had been so terribly limited.
Spun around and caught by Harry for the final turn, Ginny wanted to weep and wail. However her kind gentle wizard needed strengthening love to keep on fighting. She would not jinx him by being pulled into some pre-mourning pile of mush that would sap his will to stand strong. It hurt and was unnatural, but she would do it. She did do it and kept at it even after the last step and twanging chord.
When that happened she flung herself into him and snogged them both crosseyed. Somehow she had to keep him safe and home with her, "Harry don't you dare give up. Don't you dare."
"Do I ever?" he held her close, petting her hair, "If Voldemort can't get me to, then this wont either. Though I will never see you hurt by something, anything I could prevent."
Trying to make out a way to dissuade him from ever leaving her she choked out, "Good, and don't dare forget it." She hugged him tight till he was safely secured in Daphne's arms. They may be rival's for him but they were united in wishing he stay right at their sides.
It also effectively parried the clawing grasp of Seandra whom had just wobbled up on deck, insisting on joining in with them. The red headed tart interloper had to settle for stumbling into Blaise for a spot in the rotational dance.
Off to the side, at the bow of the deck, was where Ginny, Angelina, Alicia, Tracey, and Padma gathered to watch and discuss this travesty in a hushed whisper. Even if it was in English and not in Common Tongue, they didn't wish to be overheard. Meanings could still be understood from the tones used.
"Do we dare let them escort us to Tar Valon? That is pressing everyone's luck just a bit." Sniffed Tracey with a dark glare for Seandra, "I don't like it now with the Reds we have here. What if Fred and George pull another Canary Cream incident? I played off the blame for that one, but how many times can we do that?"
Nodding stiffly Padma eyed Neville somberly, "My Nev is bad about accidental magic. It just bubbles away in him. The more it escapes, the more terrified he gets. When that happens he tries even harder to block it off. Adding the stress that builds up more."
Heartsick Ginny sniffles in a deep breath. Her own man had that same problem. Magic seeped out of him constantly. At Hogwarts he could let it go, but here it was worse than at #4 Privat Drive. There he might get a reprimand and a few days of no food, but here though was far different reactions. Here his sort were considered dangerous animals, or less than animals by how the Reds acted. Nations would rise up to hunt him down in order to put him down as if he was rabid, and in extreme cases his sort can be far worse. It was the creed and reason for the existence of the Red Ajah to see such work done with brutal efficiency.
But then she wouldn't live without him ever again. "I'm going to sound selfish. Just hear me out though. Harry and the other boys need to learn how to control things, but us and them don't do well on our own. We balance each other in so many ways I can't count. Maybe if they're with us, we can do what we can to alleviate some of the stress. You know, help calm them. Give them reasons to go on living. They already know some control, we just have to support them. Plus this Warder training they're about might build up their discipline."
They all stared at her then each other. Each girl had to weigh it and judge her logic, or lack there of.
However before they could debate it any more they were interrupted by a very unwelcome invader all things considered.
"What little dirty tricks are you all plotting?" Naleva coldly inquired as if she were spying on them the whole time, "Up here speaking a language the rest of us can't understand too. You're tricks with the pastries was cute to simpletons but not me. From now on I don't wish to hear any word spoken of that Tongue you use. I don't care if it's from your mysterious homeland. You serve the White Tower now, no where else matters."
"Yes Naleva Sedai." they intoned in unison.
"Now that we have reached an understanding in this, I also seem to remember my warnings about dangerous fraternization. As your little dance is one such I think it's time you all come with me. I'll find some useful work for your idle hands." the woman strode away and they knew that it was follow or be in serious trouble.
Passing the dancers, Naleva Sedai clapped her hands once, stopping the moment of pleasure the rest were still enjoying. Ironically just when Seandra was to be passed to Harry. Trying to hide a satisfied smirk at that small blessing, Ginny wished once more for a return to Hogwarts. But there hid a fear inside her that none of them ever will make it home whole and sane, if ever.
The night was spent scrubbing clean the Aes Sedai's cabins and their own. Hovering over them like a vindictive harpy, Naleva spent the time haranguing them some more about the evils of men. Waxing poetic over how the whole sex was less than human. Telling them of horrors perpetrated on innocent girls such as themselves, by boys just like the ones with them. Explaining in excruciating detail the dark depths that lurked in every man's heart. Especially boys nearing manhood, and how they were driven to be monsters by this demonic sounding need to despoil every upright female they come across.
Poor Emmetilde was wide eyed and frightened. In Ginny's humble opinion that girl was too weak and simpleminded to last long under Aes Sedai teaching methods. If the ninny made it, she would not be a very strong figure to look up to for younger witches.
By the time morning came, the girls had barely managed to catch a scant couple hours of sleep at most. A personal wish to use a bat boogie hex on the smug haughty faced Naleva Sedai boiled away in Ginny's weary mind. One day she might well do that to the ugly cow, but not until the Hogwarts witches had finished needing these Aes Sedai. Oh but great will be the suffering of Naleva Sedai.
Up on deck, Ginny found Thom staring up river towards a breathtaking sight. An enormous elegant white glass bridge spanned the river. Astonishingly people were traveling the majestic seemingly frail expanse without fear, as if it were normal to do this. It was a sight she would never forget or ever be able to adequately describe to others when and if she returned home. Not unless she found a pensive, and even then it may be dismissed out of hand by the jaded insular world she once belonged to. Magic was great but they could never build something like this nor could the muggles they hid from. This was incredible and humbling.
"You take care of that boy, you hear me girl." Thom grumbled with his pack already up on his shoulder to disembark immediately, "He needs you, even if he can't say it. I don't know where you all hale from but you're fine if innocent folks. If I didn't feel the pull to be elsewhere I might've traveled with you. I smell a fine tale being made by you all, but I guess it will be up to some other soul to record it as best as a mortal can."
Digging into her own small purse Ginny pulled out a large handful of coins, "I don't know where you're going but take these to pay your way. You helped us more than you could know. We owe you. I owe you."
"As your boy has so eloquently said before, I'm just a simple song and dance man. I've never been good at being more. So you keep it. You'll like as not need it later." the old man snorted in reply his eyes twinkling more than even Dumbledore's ever could.
"No we really don't. So if you don't take it I'll toss it over. It belongs to you, not us. We're just travelers lost along our way. You I'm afraid will need it more." she insisted, even stepping over to the rail threateningly. Sighing he made the lot vanish in a fabulous display of muggle slight of hand.
"Well maybe I'll head north and winter away this war. Bearlon sounds good enough for that." he let her hug him fiercely.
