Chapter 14 (Real Problems)
Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling; I own nothing at all.
"How is she, Madame Pomfrey?" asked a voice, I recognized immediately as Ron.
"She will be fine. Ms. Weasley just needs rest. But she'll be here for at least two days. I won't release her until I'm sure she's fully recovered." said the matron.
It was difficult to pry my eyes open, and it was twice as difficult to speak to Ron, but I did.
"Ron, did they get him?" I asked hoarsely.
"GIN! MADAME POMFREY, GINNY'S AWAKE." Ron screamed. "Who was it, Gin?"
"Zabini." I breathed. Barely.
I saw Ron turn red with rage. I saw Madame Pomfrey come back into the room, and she gave me some water, which helped me to speak somewhat easier.
"Ron, I-I-." I began talking to him.
"Ginny, you need your rest." said Hermione, who was also here.
They all were there. But I needed to tell Ron everything I could before something awful happened. Somewhere in me, I just knew. Things were going to get worse before they got better.
"Ron, listen. Zabini and I dueled. I cast Crucio on him." I began, but was interrupted.
"Good, that's nothing compared to what I'm gonna do to him." Ron said heatedly.
"Ron, listen, please. Tom's still here…in me. He's not gone. I heard him, practically the whole time. Egging me on. He's still in my head." I said despairingly.
Ronald was shaking his head back and forth, staring at me like I was crazy.
"Ginny, don't worry. Riddle's been gone for six years now." Ron breathed worriedly.
"NO, NO! He never left, Ron." I tried to scream. "He's still in me!"
"Ginny, come now. I destroyed the diary and Riddle. I killed that basilisk." said Harry assuredly.
"Don't talk to me like I don't know what is what. He's still in me, Ron. I know it! I can feel him. If you don't find a way to be rid of him, I will." I said to Ron.
"Ms. Weasley, you have undergone a terrible event which has deeply traumatized you and has convinced you that you are in fact-," began Madame Pomfrey.
"No, no, no! I know what I'm saying. I'm not crazy, nor am I traumatized. Listen to me. Why won't any of you listen?" I cried.
"Ginevra, I'm listening. Go on." said Draco quietly. What was he doing here…with all of them?
"At first, I didn't hear him or feel him. It was like he wasn't even there. Then, Zabini cast Crucio on me. I was on the floor, writhing in pain and screaming. I thought I was going to die, but Tom's voice began talking to me. He told me to stop being weak, to fight back and I did. I obeyed, again. He told me to Crucio Zabini and I did, without hesitation. I wanted to kill him. I think I would have. Draco, believe me. Tom's still in me." I begged, through tears.
"Ginevra, I believe you. Now, how to help her?" asked Draco, more to himself.
"I don't think anything can help me. Who knows how strong he is now?" I said.
"Dumbledore." said Harry, his gaze thoughtful.
"Fabulous, Potter. Really brilliant. Dumbledore's dead." said Draco nastily.
"You would know, wouldn't you, ferret." Harry said scathingly.
"He meant the portrait." Hermione said, nodding her head thoughtfully. "Dumbledore's portrait in his old office." she finished.
"So, Granger, since you're so clever... how do you suggest we get inside the office to speak to him? You know how McGonagall is." Draco spat.
"Just…tell her the truth, I guess." Hermione said mildly, knowing that wouldn't work.
"Brilliant, we'll tell her the truth." Draco spat vicously, glaring at Hermione. Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Malfoy, lay off." Harry began, annoyed. "We'll tell her we know something of the attacks going on here, which really isn't a lie after all. We'll owl her and ask if we can meet her in her office. We'll say that we need her absolute discretion over the matter. You're coming too, Malfoy. We'll have to look convincing." Harry said thoughtfully.
Draco scowled, distaste was etched over his entire facial features. Nevertheless, he nodded. "That might work," he sneered.
"Still, when we get there- how do we alert Dumbledore that we wish to speak to him? What if he's not in his portrait?" asked Hermione smartly.
"We'll just have to stall Professor McGonagall. It's the only chance we've got to get near him. We'll figure it out." finished Ron.
"My dears, I'm telling you, Ms. Weasley has just experienced a traumatizing event that has truly rendered the poor girl temporarily inept to decipher-." began Madame Pomfrey.
"Please, Madam." begged Ron. "She's my sister. I'd rather attempt to save her from a nonexistent threat, rather than not attempt to save her from an actual threat." He said with conviction.
"Alright, Mr. Weasley. I won't interfere with your plans. Now, OUT! The four of you, get out." Madame Pomfrey yelled.
I heard the commotion that Ron and Harry made, upon leaving the Hospital Wing. I heard the door shut, and looked to the matron.
"Now, sleep dear. We'll talk in the morning." said the matron. And sleep, I did. I slept better than I had in a while.
Upon waking up, I immediately noticed Neville, Luna and Colin by my side. I smiled at them, and they smiled at me. Neville wisely alerted Madame Pomfrey that I was awake, and I got up and hugged Luna. For some stupid, embarrassing reason, we both began to cry.
Colin and Neville looked dumbfounded and awkward.
"I thought I'd never see you again." I told Luna, tearfully. "Any of you." I breathed.
"I'm so glad you're alright. Are you well?" asked Luna concernedly.
"Yeah, I feel really good. Back to normal, actually." I said, looking at the matron.
"Yes," she said begrudgingly. "I've never seen a patient whose underwent the Cruciatus- heal so fast. This generation." she sighed.
"You may leave, Ms. Weasley. I see no need for you to spend your weekend caged in an infirmary." She said with a stern smile.
"BUT, if you feel odd or light-headed, I want you back in here young lady. Is that understood? Don't make me find you, Ms. Weasley." threatened the matron.
"Yes, ma'am." I said, with a smile. I got up, closed the curtain and dressed.
Now, I was walking down the hall with Luna, Colin and Neville, heading to Gryffindor tower. We said the password and entered, seeing the Trio. We sat down comfortably next to them.
"Did they get Zabini?" I asked, certain that he would be ousted out of here for sure now.
"In a way, yes. McGonagall hasn't decided what to do with him just yet." said Hermione.
"WHAT? WHY?" I asked, fuming.
"They don't want to sentence an underage, pureblood wizard, with no real affiliation to Voldemort or the Dark Arts to Azkaban." spat Hermione with disgust.
"And what am I? A muggleborn, who was in bed with Voldemort and a worshipper of the Dark Arts. Does being a Weasley mean nothing to McGonagall?" I asked Ron furiously.
"They'll get him, Gin. I will get him. He's only underage by two weeks. He better hope they expel him, before I kill him." said Ron, in an unusual cold manner. I nodded at him.
"Did you write the letter, Harry?" I asked, changing the subject.
"We thought it better that Hermione write it. You know, McGonagall favors her." Harry said. Hermione blushed.
"We're still waiting for her response. It won't be long, knowing McGonagall. We're about to head up to Malfoy's room." Hermione said, distaste evident in her voice.
"Thank you all…for allowing Draco to see me, yesterday." I said gratefully.
"He insisted. At least, we know he'll hurt himself before he hurts you. That's for sure." said Ron spitefully.
"And how do you know this?" I asked, wondering where this was coming from.
"The ferret punched me when I refused to allow him anywhere near you." said Harry, his fists slightly clenched.
"And he nearly punched me too." added Ron. I smiled.
"See, I told you he's my friend." I said, teasingly.
"Ginny, we still had a right to be concerned and you were still wrong." Colin said.
"I'm not speaking to you, but I'm sorry to everyone else." I told Colin, glaring at him.
"What are you, two years old? 'I'm not speaking to you'. Grow up, Gin." said Colin teasingly.
I stood up, with my hands on my hips and glared at him. Everyone slowly left us to it, except for the Trio. They were always nosy.
"Don't tell me to grow up. Stop acting like you can tell me what to do, you insufferable prat." I said in rage.
Now, Colin's 6'3 frame was towering over me.
"Well, maybe if you weren't so stubborn, people wouldn't have to scream at you like you're daft." said Colin, now angered.
"You think I don't know what's best for me. Like I need you to tell me what to do. I'M NO IDIOT, Colin!" I screeched, my fists balled up.
"I never said you were an idiot. I said you were acting like a child, there's a difference." screamed Colin.
"Oh, and that's so much better." I screamed, fuming toward common room exit.
"Where do you think you're going?" Colin screeched, now purple in the face.
"Out dammit!" I screamed back at him.
"No you don't! Have you learned nothing?" He roared at me, following me out of the room.
"Yes, I've learned a lot. Especially about you." I spat.
"And that being?" he said, his voice challenging and angry.
"You- Make- Me- SICK! Leave me alone. If I want to talk to you, I will." I said angrily.
I was now staring into Colin's stormy eyes, and I felt a tug in my stomach. I felt pure rage at his audacity. Somewhere in me, I knew he meant well. How dare he care so much? Damn him for it.
"Fine. I'm out of here. I don't need this and I don't need you." He spat, so much like Draco.
Then, he turned on his heel and left. His words ached me to my core. He didn't need me.
Why did I want him to need me, more than anything, at this very moment in time?
Turning around and walking back into the tower (I had learned my lesson, damn him), I stormed up the girls staircase and entered my room. I fell onto the bed, deciding to fall asleep.
Hermione woke me up, saying that we were to meet McGonagall in half an hour. Now, we needed to go to Draco's and "get our stories straight."
"Draco can't be seen with us, Hermione. He'll have to use Harry's invisibility cloak." I said seriously.
Hermione nodded, and I followed her down the staircase. Harry and Ron were waiting for us both. Hermione told Harry my suggestion and he summoned the cloak.
"Let's go." said Harry and we followed him to the Room of Requirement, which wasn't far from the Tower.
After the usual ritual, we entered Draco's lavish room. The others, not used to it, gaped for what seemed like forever.
"Close your mouths." Draco said with a smirk. I sat on his bed, looking at the Trio.
"Can we hurry this along? I have things to do." I said wryly.
"You stole my line, Ginerva." smirked Draco. I smiled back, barely.
I could only think of Colin and my row with him.
"Yes, well, let's figure out what to say and then we can move on from here." I said impatiently.
"What's wrong with you?" Draco asked, concernedly.
"Colin." Ron said, and I glared at him. Draco scowled with disgust.
"That mudb-," Draco began but Ron had stepped towards him.
"Watch your mouth, Malfoy." Ron growled. Draco sneered.
"You're in my room, Weasley. I suggest you remember that." spat Draco, looking at Hermione.
"Draco, I told you to stop calling him that." I said slowly. He scowled and rolled his eyes.
"Fine. So you two had a lovers spat, huh." He said teasingly, yet somewhat spitefully.
"Draco, do me a favor and shut up." I said seriously. Surprisingly, he became silent- although furiously so.
"Fine, so this is what we're going to say…" said Draco, and him and the Trio came up with the plan over what to tell McGonagall.
I zoned out.
Had I messed up things irreparably with Colin? Would he forgive me? Would things between us go back to the way they once were? Would I lose him over something so stupid? He had no right to control me. He has no real sway over me. I mean, who the hell does he think he is?
By the time I was done mulling over these thoughts, Draco was already solely under the invisibility cloak; standing near the Trio, waiting for me. I followed them to the stone gargoyle that's the entrance to the Headmistress's office. We said the password and hopped onto the winding staircase.
"Come in," said McGonagall, and we did, closing the door.
Draco snatched the invisibility cloak off and folded it neatly, setting it on his lap.
"Speak," said McGonagall and Hermione began.
She told of the attacks and how she thought they were organized attacks around the school. Then, she had Draco back up her claims, with Draco supplying McGonagall with the names of radical Slytherins, plotting and carrying out the attacks. Meanwhile, Ron and Harry were silently mouthing off to Dumbledore's portrait. They were careful of McGonagall. They didn't want the Headmistress to be suspicious of them.
"I need proof, Ms. Granger, Mr. Malfoy. However, I thank you for alerting me to the situation at hand and I will take your considerations under advisement. Now, I assume you brought Ms. Weasley here to ask about the decision concerning Mr. Zabini. We have determined that he will be expelled from Hogwarts and that a Wizarding committee shall decide his fate, in regards to a life-sentence in Azkaban. Is there anything else I can help you all with?" Professor McGonagall asked patiently.
"No professor." We all replied.
"Well, if that's all, I wish you all a lovely day." She said, dismissing us all.
"Actually, Minerva, would you mind if I speak to them privately? It's been so long since I've talked to students. I miss the stimulating conversations I once had with peers. Oh, and Minerva, how rude not to offer them lemon-drops." said Dumbledore's portrait. His eyes were twinkling mischievously. Professor McGonagall sighed with annoyance and rolled her eyes.
"Pardon me, it was so impolite. Would you all care for a lemon drop?" She finished, sickeningly sweet. We shook our heads no, and she nodded with gratitude.
"I shall leave you to it then, Albus." said McGonagall, leaving the office, mumbling something about Slughorn.
"So what really is the issue, Ms. Weasley?" asked Professor Dumbledore, his gaze and his voice serious now.
Looking into his sparkling, blue eyes, I wondered how he knew I had a problem? Shaking it off, I decided to answer him.
"You know of the situation that happened between Zabini and I?" I asked.
"Naturally, of course." replied Dumbledore, popping some lemon drops into his mouth.
"Well, while he was placing the Cruciatus curse on me, I heard Tom in my head again. It was like he never even left. I think he's still in me, Professor." I said fearfully.
Dumbledore looked troubled. After a while, he responded.
"Ah, so his memory lives." said Dumbledore, his voice sad, but thoughtful.
"But professor, I destroyed that Horcrux. He's gone, dead." said Harry, his green eyes flashing fear and doubt.
"Indeed, Harry, you destroyed the horcrux, which strengthened the memory. However, one must think of it as two entities rather than one. It's less confusing that way. You see, a memory is just that- a memory. A memory is not meant to take on its own life force. It is simply a recollection that's meant to last and endure in ones mind or in a pensieve. However, I've always wondered did Riddle use some other method to manifest his memory so…vividly?" Dumbledore continued.
"Or I should say what method allowed Riddle's memory to manifest itself physically? Undoubtedly, it was the horcrux. Nevertheless, the second most powerful entity are memories. Memories are meant solely for the mind. Combine this with the horcrux, and the memory takes on its own life. Yes, Harry destroyed the horcrux. Mr. Riddle's memory, however, still lives for one reason alone." Dumbledore said, his voice very tired and old.
"You see, Mr. Riddle and Ms. Weasley share a connection still. Although young Harry destroyed Mr. Riddle's soul, it is the memory that became one entity with the horcrux. Since their souls were once one, their memories became one. The soul is forever destroyed, yes. However, the bond lies in the memories, not the soul. It will be with Ms. Weasley forever." Dumbledore concluded.
I couldn't hold back a gasp. I wished to interrupt the Headmaster but he continued.
"You see, Voldemort always underestimated the ancient magic of bonding. I believe that he only began to see the implications of bonds at the end of his life. Especially, with the diary which is why he punished Lucius so mercilessly. The diary was his treasure, his weapon. It comprised of a memory solely dependant on a soul. Once Riddle's soul was destroyed, the bond preserved the memories of him. A consequence to soul bonding is that the souls become so intricately connected, where the distinction loses itself over time. Ms. Weasley and Mr. Riddle were bonded for nearly a year." Dumbledore continued.
"Mr. Riddle is a harmless memory that will forever endure. However, he is a powerful memory. He will always be one of Ms. Weasley's most powerful memories. So powerful, that she may hear him from time to time and even see him in her sleep. He will seem real, but he will always be a memory. Physically, he cannot manifest himself. His soul is destroyed, gone. Do not worry, Ms. Weasley. He will never gain control of you again. There will be times…where you will feel like he is compelling you. Understandably, no one has ever really bonded so deeply in this manner, especially by dark magic. No one truly knows the consequences of this- including myself. Unfortunately, Tom Riddle will always have a place in your mind...but not at the forefront of it, Ms. Weasley. He is just a very bad memory." said Professor Dumbledore, his voice very regretful and sad.
"Do not despair, Ms. Weasley. A memory is a memory, no matter how powerful. Just put some of the memories from your mind and, in time, the connection will weaken and the memories will slowly fade away. It will one day restore a sense of normality to your life. Try a pensieve." the former Headmaster said lightly.
"So…let me get this straight. Since the memory could no longer depend on the piece of Tom's soul, the connection that my soul temporarily shared with his forced the memory to latch onto me for survival. However, it's a memory that can't hurt or possess me, right?" I asked.
"Correct, Ms. Weasley. Don't forget the pensieve." said the professor good naturedly.
"And you mean to tell me that Voldemort didn't foresee this?" I asked astounded.
"He made a habit, on more than one occasion, to underestimate the power of bonds. However, I do not think Voldemort ever considered the scenario where a piece of his soul and his memory could become so intricately bound with that of another. Only Voldemort will ever know how he truly wished to use the diary to his advantage. I can say for certain that he never truly intended to bond with someone for nearly a year. Most could not resist him for long. Even he could foresee the danger in such a deep bond. You are truly a remarkable witch, Ms. Weasley." finished Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling.
I sighed, with some relief. "Since all the fragments of his soul is destroyed, he will never threaten anyone again." said Professor Dumbledore, a fatherly smile on his face.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore." I said. He smiled and nodded.
We all got up to leave.
"It will take unity for Hogwarts to survive the impending battle. Remember that. I bid you all farewell, and good luck on your N.E.W.T.s." said the professor, clearly amused by the sight of us all together.
And with that said, we left the old man's former office, wondering, What in the hell was he talking about?
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