Disclaimer: Not mine.
Chapter Eleven: Choices
Ginny had descended into the depths of the Department of Mysteries expecting a fight. Hell, she had gone there looking for one. But she had also expected to play it safe, to be a shadow that none noticed until it was too late to stop her. As soon as she saw Harry with his head bowed and a defeated look, that plan didn't just go out the window. She lit it on fire and threw it out.
When the fourteen year old had heard that the Toad had hurt Harry, something had awakened. It was like a monster – one that demanded that anyone who dared to hurt her Harry paid and paid dearly.
Wait – her Harry? Despite the confusion that was welling up, the Gryffindor matched stares with the person who was responsible for her innocence being taken at eleven. She allowed no emotion to show through. Nicolas had taught her that the more blank the face, the harder it was to duel someone. Especially if they looked as young as she did. But even though it was good for them to underestimate her, it was a double edged blade. Keeping her emotions under control was harder when expressionless. Her fear proved that.
The girl's mind was racing, because now that she had gotten herself into this mess, she had to get herself out of it. Preferably with the five students escaping. In fact, that was the only thing the girl cared about. Realizing that she would do anything and everything to save people who she considered friends – even if they hadn't seen each other for three years – made her fear evaporated. In its place was a determined calm.
Ginny's mind settled into the familiar fight mode as she prepared for the duels. She knew that she would not regret anything that happened this night, even if it was her own death – as long as the other's escaped.
The shadow she had stepped out of put her almost at a ninety degree angle with her five friends. At least she had gotten that close before losing her cool. The Gryffindor allowed an inside wince for her foolishness before returning her complete attention too the thirteen witches and wizards that were going to do their best to slaughter her.
Voldemort really looked nothing like his sixteen year old self, and that made it a little easier for Ginny to stare at him. Where as Tom had been – as much as she hated to admit it – handsome, this creature certainly was not. He didn't even look human. "And who are you? Another one of the old fool's followers?"
The fourteen year old smirked inside. Stupid. It was stupid to assume that she was a 'follower' of Dumbledore. His condescending tone also indicated that he was underestimating her. Good. That meant her plan was working. "Who I am is of no consequence. Neither is who I follow. All you need to know is that in this moment – right here, right now – I am your worst nightmare."
Tom's eyes narrowed, while most of his inner circle started to howl with laughter. It was the perfect chance, with only Voldemort watching her, to move to a place that would allow her to protect the others. She put on a burst of speed, sprinting passed the Death Eaters.
Ginny easily made it to where the five were before her opponents started to cast spells. Of course, she hadn't been able to resist punching the goatee man on the way there – it had sent him to the ground. She spun quickly putting her back to the Hogwarts students and pulled out her wand before shouting, "Protego Maximus!"
Her magic responded to her will, creating a shimmering shield that divided the room in half. One side held the six under-aged witches and wizards, the other the insane adults. Protego Maximus was rarely used, simply because it took so much power. It was however, the strongest magical shield known.
The Gryffindor had cast it not for the physical protection it provided but for because of Tom's reaction. No matter how strong a shield was, Unforgivables would shatter it. Voldemort however would order no Unforgivables to be used because of the fact he was intrigued. It took a very powerful witch to be able to properly summon up a Protego Maximus.
Knowing that the protection wouldn't last all that long, Ginny half turned to the five still pointing her wand at the shield she had created. All of them looked surprised, with their mouths hanging open. Well, not all. Harry had an intense look that was even more disconcerting than Voldemort's reptilian eyes. She shook her head slightly. Concentrate Weasley. You need to concentrate to stay alive.
"We need to figure out a plan to get all of you out." The teen kept her voice under control despite her heart leaping up into her throat at the sight of Ron's unconscious body. Hermione responded what all of them were surely thinking. Save for her unconscious brother, of course. "Why should we trust you? How do we know that you aren't just pretending to help us but are really following Vol-voldemort?"
Ginny allowed her eyes to soften somewhat. "You have very little choice. And you know that I'm not following that bastard because I hate him more than anything else in the world. I will say that while I also don't follow Dumbledore, I'm on his side. Besides, I am willing to die to insure you get out of here. That is all you have. My word. I have no way to prove my loyalties."
The brightest witch for her age still looked unsure, as did Neville. Harry still had that look on his face that made Ginny want to run very far, very fast. Ron was still drooling, out cold and Luna was studying her carefully before she said. "I trust you. There are livedyworts around you. They only gather around someone who is speaking the truth."
The fourteen year old's face was broken by a smile. She knew now that at least Luna recognized her. The last conversation that the two had shared had been about livedyworts, whatever they were. "It doesn't matter if you trust me or not, though it helps. All that matters is getting you five out of the Ministry."
She took a deep breath before continuing. "First thing's first, you need to transfigure the unconscious boy into something you could fit into your pocket. Like a hamster."
Hermione answered with expected response. "We haven't learned how to do human transfigurations!"
Ginny stared at the young witch for a moment. "So you would rather leave him?" She asked in an uncaring tone. "You will have to run and you can't do that carrying an unconscious person. Besides, I have a feeling that while you haven't learned in school, you already know the theory."
The bushy haired teen looked uncertain. "I do know the theory. But I've never practiced, and there is so much that could go wrong."
She smiled at her fellow Gryffindor. "I won't lie. There is a lot that could go wrong. But if you focus, if your entire being is determined on transfiguring that boy into a hamster, nothing will go wrong. Magic is about intent and focus. If you have those two things then you can do anything. Everything is possible when you have enough nerve."
Hermione nodded slowly before turning to Ron, pointing her wand at him. Her hand shook slightly as she whispered the spell that would have the desired effect. "Human Animali."
The six teens watched as Ron shrunk until he was a red furred hamster. Hermione gently picked up her brother and put him in her pocket. Ginny nodded at her. "Well done. It proves that you are a truly great witch. I will not be able to hold the shield for much longer and still be of use so I'm going to explain my plan quickly."
Taking a deep breath, she started to talk. "After I drop the shield, I will cast a spell that will engulf this entire room in smoke. I will wait ten seconds so that you can figure out where the exit is, but after that it is going to be very difficult to see – and breathe – in this room. I want you to run. Run to the Atrium and don't look back. No matter what. You understand? No turning back. When you get to the Atrium use this," Ginny paused for a moment to pull a pendant out from underneath her shirt, ripping it off her neck and throwing it on the ground. "It's a portkey. If you say refuge than it will take you to the place that the person who said it feels safest."
Harry was still staring intensely at her as Hermione picked up the portkey. "What about you?" he asked.
She raised an eyebrow. "I'll be making sure you have enough time to get away." All the others gasped. Ginny just shrugged. "Like I said it doesn't matter if you trust me. It also doesn't matter if I die as long as you guys live."
The five teens stared at her. Ginny turned back to her shield. "On the count of three, I will drop this shield. Remember, ten seconds is all you have."
She prepared herself to face her death. It really wasn't such a bad thing, to die for the people she cared about. "One."
It would be worth it, as long as they lived. It was a way to make up for her past mistakes. "Two."
Ginny gathered all the courage that her house was known for as she said, "Three." And dropped the shield.
Twelve witches and wizards had their wands pointed at her, but their Dark Lord was just looking at her. One. Voldemort remained silent before saying, "You are powerful." Two. "Join me and I will fulfill any of your desires." Three.
The Gryffindor couldn't help it. Four. She snorted. Five. "In your dreams Tom." Six. "There's no way in hell that I'll ever join you." Seven. "I'd honestly rather die." Eight. Voldemort looked angry. He didn't have good anger management skills apparently. Nine. "That can be arranged." As he raised his wand, Ginny counted the final second – Ten – and shouted, "Fumapperet!"
Instantly smoke covered the entire room. She heard startled shouts and curses as she moved quickly to the exit. The teen had arrived there before any of the others and waited until all of them passed through the door before slipping through herself. She shut the door and quickly placed several charms on it to make it unpleasant to say the least when it was opened.
She smiled when she turned to see the five disappear up the stairs. They were doing as she asked, not looking back. She calmly moved to the bottom of the stairs, drawing Lámina de Chama and prepared to make a stand against thirteen powerful opponents. With her wand in her right hand and the sword in her left the girl felt as prepared as she ever would be.
Ginny wasn't afraid as the door started to open with screams of pain. She had made her choice and it was one that she could live – or die – with.
Harry couldn't stop thinking about the girl who had saved them. Even as the five sprinted to the Atrium, his mind kept coming back to her. She had said that it didn't matter if she died. And what was truly scary was that it wasn't hard to believe that she meant that. Especially since she had stayed behind to fight Voldemort by herself.
The boy-who-lived panted as he skidded to a halt in the atrium. Hermione held out the phoenix pendant that the girl had said was a portkey. It's not right, he thought as he placed a finger on it. She shouldn't have to die for us. For me. Hermione asked if they were ready and in that split second before she said the activation word Harry made his decision. "Re –" Hermione began to say but was interrupted by Neville's "Harry!"
It was too late for her to stop though so she looked on in horror as she finished the word "-fuge." And Harry was left behind in the empty Atrium. I'm sorry, Hermione. But I couldn't leave her. With that thought, Harry Potter turned around and sprinted the way he came. Back to the mysterious girl who was willing to die for them. As least now she won't die alone.
Two evil cliff hangers in a row...I'm terrible. But I have to finish a project and this is a good spot to end. The fight is next update. "You're nothing but a boy with daddy issues Tom." I do love insults. Hopefully I'll be able to write some more after I finish my homework and that project. If not, I apologize but I really need to focus on real life for a little bit.
Thanks to those who reviewed:
mdauben- One cliff hanger replaced with another. I hadn't mentioned any bond between Harry and Ginny before that chapter. As to Umbridge, I thought that she should really suffer.
LeprechaunJV- Siruis isn't going to die yet. As for what happens later to him and Fred that's anyone's guess. I can't promise that they won't die for certain, because in wars people die. Thanks.
sachaelle- Tell me, was the previous cliffy better or worse than this one? If it's worse I apologize for killing you. When I said that about Harry's training, I meant that all the other events built up to it but after that one incident he would really throw his heart and soul into training. And it's the fight at the Department of Mysteries that does that, because - as you put it - his inability save himself or others.
Anonymous Reviewer: Strolling Along - I apologize in advance if this response is a little to heated. Your review just touched a nerve. At this time, Ginny doesn't know everything. She also isn't - as you put it - 'uberpowerful'. She's human. She makes mistakes. And you will find out exactly how powerful she is in the next chapter. I never said that she was capable of standing up to Voldemort and his inner circle, merely that she is. That is an assumption that you made. As for Ginny training nonstop - that has only been happening for the past few months. Before that it was a far more relaxed atmosphere where she had the weekends off and quite a bit of free time during the week. Harry is still the chosen one, but if you remember I mentioned another prophecy that pertained to Ginny. As for the Death Eaters growing more powerful, I had already planned that. I know that if there isn't more powerful enemies - and conflicts - than this story would be extremely boring. Everything isn't solved. Ginny at the moment, while powerful still has very little experience compared to Voldemort. And that is why I believe everything isn't solved. As for why she wouldn't take Harry to the Flamels, its because the Flamels decided to train Ginny not that Ginny decided 'Oh I need to be more powerful. I need to find someone to train me.' and then walked up to the Flamels and asked them to train her. As for what the Flamels could do - you're right. They could do a lot...They are also over 660 and have been with out the Philosopher's Stone for about four years. I'm messing with the amount of Elixir they had stored, but its running out. They're dying. Soon they'll be six feet under and unable to help Ginny. *takes deep breath* I apologize again for the mini-rant I went on in answering this review. It's just it touched a nerve - like I said. I mentioned earlier that my characters would be powerful but that they would have to work for that power. If you still think that Ginny is all powerful in a few chapters then you're welcome to say so...And I will be happy to ignore you. Until then, I suppose.
Anonymous Reviewer: kai- I didn't think I was that evil but thanks for putting it in perspective for me. Maybe it's because I know what will happen.
Anonymous Reviewer: pyro- Err...I'll take that into consideration. No promises, but I'll think about it.
Cobra0000- Thanks...And I suppose you'll find out what happens.
benperez31- I'm glad you like it. As for when Ginny reveals herself...Sooner than last chapter now...Just kidding, you're right near the end of Hogwarts' term is when the Weasley's find out where there daughter/sister is.
Anonymous Reviewer: Nymphadora- And many other things as well, I was just to lazy to mention it...Like I said, blame Google about the foreign language stuff. As for the typos, no beta but I have been trying to be more aware of the mistakes that you pointed out...As I said, Real Life was bound to catch up some time. It's a bit harder to write stuff with all the projects and homework I currently have. Nice comments about Ginny fighting Voldemort. As for the calvary arriving...Not likely. She's going to have to get out of this one herself. Luna is a bit more perceptive than anyone else, so she was the first one to realize it was Ginny. And now Ron's a hamster too. He's just not having a very good day, is he? As to your bottled inspiration, reviews are just as good - if not better. So don't worry about that.
Thanks to those who Favorited EFGG: davyt0247 , simplyamazing , faberryachele , joy-fun-fun , OTSCon , HPFanWriterPerson , on crimsonsnow , benperez31 , tman12345 , and Lennon's Girl .
Thanks to those who put EFGG on their Alerts Lists: peace-and-war , nailpeter83 , storyteller1333 , Moromu , broonksa , and FITMK .
*If you are on the favorites list you will not be on the Alerts one.
I'm putting this AN here at the end to say that I've made a deal with the devil.
Well...Not literally, but still, its pretty close. You don't need to know
the reason for this but the short of it is that I gave up computer
privileges for the next week to get something from my
Mom. So That update, probably won't be coming for
a while. I apologize, but Real Life, really
Sucks sometimes. Just thought
that you deserved to know.
BPB - 4/21/11
