Title: The Rising Phoenix. Chapter: 24 – The Locket
Main Characters: Harry Potter, Ginny Potter nee Weasley
Author's Note: Due to circumstances out of my control (namely the weather and crazy flooding conditions) I couldn't upload yesterday and so I'll upload two chapters today. This one now and the next chapter will be later tonight. I'll put a reminder on that chapter so that you don't get messed up and think you missed something.
Oh this chapter gives some insight into Sirius, I hope it answers some of your questions!
Thank you for your reviews so far! Enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters!
Sirius paced his rooms, his hands behind his back and his expression in that of a permanent scowl. He had been grounded by Harry because of his fighting with Snape which meant that he was not to leave the manor. It was all the bloody Snivelious' fault, Sirius thought to himself with a vengeance. Lily had almost been hurt in their latest fight. Sirius was pretty sure the curse came from Snape's wand. At least that was what Sirius told himself. The truth was that he didn't know who was responsible. They both had been casting dark curses, both letting their hate override their logic and letting their emotions rule their actions. Now neither Lily nor James would speak to him unless absolutely necessary, Remus was mad at him, Dora wouldn't even look at him, and even Audrey was being cold towards him. Nick would still act as normal with him, but he could tell that his mother and everyone else in the manor was mad at him. He tried to ask Sirius why but Audrey had just told him that he had gotten into an agreement with the others.
Right now, Harry had sent Luna, the Twins, and Minnie out on a distraction mission while he and Ginny went after the locket. The same locket that bore his ancestor's name. Sirius had tried to sneak out with them, but found that a ward was keeping him inside the manor. When he confronted James about it, he found that it was Harry who actually put it up. It expired an hour after the two girls came back, giving Sirius no time to get there in time to help. That told him two things. James had altered his own wards to let Harry put one up and that James agreed with Harry's punishment. It made him re-evaluate his actions of the past. James and him had only gotten into a serious spat once before. Back when James had pulled Severus back from the Shrieking Shack and a rabid werewolf. It had taken three months for Remus to talk to him again and four for James to even look at him. An additional two before their relationship was back to relatively normal, but it had taken Severus groveling his apologies to the two. He refused to say anything to Severus, even though the others wanted him to.
Sirius never told them why he had actually done it in the first place. He had been sneaking into a boom cupboard with a Ravenclaw at the time. He had seen Severus and his other Slytherin friends, Malfoy, Nott, and the others, were heading to an unused classroom. They had been talking in serious tones but had an unmistakable cheer about them. Sirius had abandoned his encounter for the night and followed them covertly using the map. He managed to eavesdrop on them using some clever spells and discovered that Snape and the others had taken the Dark Mark. They all were now working for Voldemort. At first Sirius had told the other three what he had heard. Neither James nor Remus were interested. They thought that he was being paranoid and that Voldemort wouldn't take a sixteen year old as his Death Eater. He thought that he was just looking for another reason to hate Snape. They didn't like Snape either, but James had started to lay off him a bit more since he was trying to get Lily's attention.
Sirius had decided to do something himself when it was clear James and Remus didn't believe him. He had lured Snape into the tunnel to the Shrieking Shack when he had gotten into an agreement with the Slytherin one day. He had been happy with his actions when he knew Snape was heading down the tunnel. He knew that as a wolf, Remus would bite the boy. If Severus was bitten, Sirius believed that Voldemort would have little use for him or that he'd be kicked out of Hogwarts. Looking back now, that was a stupid belief as it wouldn't have happened. If Remus had been allowed to stay, Dumbledore would have accommodated Snape as well. But he was a sixteen year old boy at the time. In his happiness, Sirius had let out the news to Pettigrew. Unbeknownst to Sirius, James had also heard what Sirius did. He had realized something that Sirius hadn't thought of. If Remus bite Snape, or worse mauled Snape, Remus would be the one who got in trouble. He'd likely be expelled from the school, and that was the best case scenario. James had put his own life in danger to not only save Snape, but to keep his other best mate out of trouble.
Sirius knew that the choice he made that day was not his best but he also knew that Snape was a Death Eater. He knew that he still loved Lily throughout their Hogwarts years and he knew that Snape was insanely jealous of James because he finally got Lily to return the affections he had for her. When Snape had joined the Order of the Phoenix, everyone was happy because they had a spy in Voldemort's ranks. But Sirius knew better. He remembered the look on his face that day. He remembered the enthusiasm in his voice when he and Lucius Malfoy talked about taking the mark and their introduction coming up. He couldn't prove it, but Sirius knew that Snape and Malfoy and most of the Slytherins in that year were Death Eaters. And that they were for almost two years. Sirius had kept a close eye on all of them for his last year and a half. He wouldn't let anything happen to his family because of junior Death Eaters. From his parents and his brother, he knew what the initiation was like. Or at least he had a general idea. They had to murder, rape, destroy property, or any combination of the three to get the title.
Sirius didn't know what Severus did to become a Death Eater, but he knew that at the time of his initiation, he was at least willing to do those unspeakable things. He knew that no one really knew who told Riddle about the Prophecy, but he believed it was Snape. He knew that Snape was an ambitious man, and he wouldn't put it past the Death Eater to try to advance in Voldemort's ranks by turning on his once time best friend and school boy rival. James and Lily were Sirius' family. James was his brother in all but blood. Lily was first his sister-in-law but now he treated her as a sister. Audrey and Nick were his family, his blood family and the heir to his name, and Sirius loved them very much, but James and Lily, and Remus and Tonks too, all held a special place in his heart. Many members of the Phoenixes were his family now too.
Sirius knew that while Lily and Snape had grown apart after her marriage to James, after the Potters had lost Harry, she and Snape had rekindled their relationship. And James was a friend of Snape's now too. Sirius firmly believed that once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater. They were friends like He, James, Remus, and Pettigrew used to be friends. Sirius was determined to protect his family from threats, all threats. That included making sure that a friend wouldn't betray them. James went through that once before, Sirius wanted to make sure he didn't do it again. And Lily had suffered enough already, she didn't want her best friend to be the source of agony once again. Sirius would continue to examine every move Snape made with a critical eye. He would protect his family, even from themselves if he had too.
Sirius heaved a sigh in frustration. Harry didn't understand. None of them. They all wanted to believe the best of Snape but Sirius knew better. He looked over at the clock, saw the time and left his room, his destination being the meeting room. James was leading the meeting while Harry was out. Why they were even having a meeting now was beyond him, but he was expected and Sirius was in enough hot water as it was. Not that Snape was in much better position. Lily wouldn't even speak to him. Lauren even seemed cold and distant towards the spy. Something that normally Sirius would have relished in, but having no friends to relish it with, made it not quite so fun. Sirius was one of the last to enter and took his seat, no one speaking to him as he did so.
~RP~
Harry and Ginny stood at the entrance of the sea cave. The waves were crashing and spraying everywhere. Harry remembered the last time he had come here and couldn't help but shiver a little.
Ginny grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "You don't have to do this Harry."
Harry breathed deeply, the sea air stinging his nose a bit. "Yes I do. I know what that potion does. I know how ugly it will be. I can't ask James or Lily to relive their son's death. I can't ask Severus to relive what Riddle has made him do."
"I know Harry," Ginny assured him sadly. She sighed, "I just wish there was another way."
"I know." Harry replied and then faced her. "Ginny, promise me that you'll make me keep drinking."
"I-."
"No matter what," Harry added looking straight into her eyes.
As Harry's eyes searched hers, Ginny realized that this was going to be very hard. A lot harder than she had thought. She jerkily nodded. "I promise." She replied after a moment.
Harry continued to gaze closely at her, he trusted her, there was no doubt about that. But Harry knew what it cost him to force Dumbledore to drink. He himself was not sure of what the effects on him would be and he hated to put Ginny through that. Harry looked at the small House Elf that had accompanied them. Libby was looking into the cave with a frightened expression. The Elf could tell this was a place of dark magic.
"Libby, I know I cannot give you orders,-."
"Master James ordered Libby to obey yous sir. What do yous want of Libby?"
"I need you to make sure I drink all of the potion if Ginny can't make me."
"Harry!" Ginny objected but Harry didn't pay her any attention.
"Yes sirs," Libby promised, her head bobbing twice.
"Also, did James tell you we had to come home?"
"Yes sirs. Master James said Libby had to come home with young master Harry and mistress Ginny." Libby nodded vehemently.
Harry nodded satisfied.
"Harry, we should get a move on." Ginny reminded Harry gently. Harry nodded and took a deep breath. The three moved through the deep water at the opening and climbed up on the rock at the seemingly solid back wall. At the hidden entrance Harry took out the pen knife Lily loaned him.
"Harry-!" Ginny groaned in complaint when he sliced his palm. She watched as he smeared his blood on the wall and the doorway appeared. Harry healed his hand and then led the other two inside and the cave was exactly how he remembered it. Harry cast a lumos maximus and the cave was thrown into a whitish blue light. The lake was perfectly still, no wind or water current to disturb the surface. The reflection of the bluish light from the lumos made the cave creepy, even more so since Harry knew what lie under the perfectly still water.
"Remember, don't touch the water." Harry warned the other two and led them on the treacherous trail towards where the boat was supposed to be. Harry reached the spot he remembered and stopped. He turned to Libby as he remembered what Dumbledore said. "Libby, can you take Ginny to the island?" The little elf nodded and reached for Ginny's hand. "Wait! Wait until I've reached the island."
"Harry-."
"Ginny, trust me." Harry assured her. She sighed in frustration before nodding once. Harry flashed her a reassuring smile before reaching down and grasping the chain. He quickly hauled the boat in, appearing out of seemingly nowhere, and Harry climbed in once it reached the shore. He felt a sense of dread as the boat drew closer to the little island. It scrapped against the rock and Harry stepped out tentatively. He almost slipped and only by grabbing onto the boat did he manage to stay above the water. A second later, a crack echoed through the cave and Ginny and Libby appeared before him. Harry stepped around them and climbed to the middle of the island where the basin stood. Ginny watched him, a concerned look on her face.
Harry stepped up to the basin and peered down. He couldn't see anything under the potion. Harry took a deep breath and scooped up some potion in the goblet. Harry shuddered and brought it to his lips but paused when Ginny laid a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, I love you."
Harry put the goblet down and stepped over to her. He leaned down and kissed her passionately, but tenderly at the same time. When they separated, Harry leaned his forehead against Ginny's. "I love you too," Harry whispered. "More than my own life," he added and Ginny closed her eyes. Harry broke away from her and stepped back up to the basin. He grabbed the goblet and again took a steadying deep breath before taking the first goblet full.
Ginny stood nearby, watching with wide and frightened eyes. Harry closed his eyes and drank. Immediately he cringed for as soon as the potion touched his tongue he was seeing images. Memories started to replay and feelings washed over him. It was more of a distant echo at the moment, but Harry knew it would soon be stronger.
He managed to another cup, than another before he was finally overwhelmed. Harry cried out as he watched Cedric die. He felt the uncontrollable urge to keep drinking and soon the potion was flowing down his throat. Harry was soon enveloped by seeing his parents, Sirius, Cedric, Severus, and Fred die. He saw the faces of the dead staring back at him from the cold stone floor of the Great Hall. Remus, Tonks, and Dumbledore joined the other faces asking why they had to die. Why they had to wait so long for Harry to arrive and get rid of Voldemort.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! It should have been me!" Harry tried telling them. But they wouldn't listen.
~RP~
Ginny and Libby watched as Harry drank three goblets of the potion before he finally succumbed to the effects. He fell to his knees and clutched his head. With a pang of guilt, Ginny remembered his words and her promise. She scooped another goblet full and bent down to give it to Harry. She forced another two full goblets down his throat, ignoring what he was muttering. It was when he started yelling that she faltered.
"I'm so sorry! It should have been me! I'm sorry!" Harry screamed to his unseen demons. Ginny started sobbing herself and tried to administer another goblet but backed away when Harry fell to his side and shook his head. "Kill me! It should have been me! Kill me!"
Ginny moved to refill the goblet with what would be his sixth when Harry started sobbing and Ginny heard her brother's name. "Fred, Fred, I'm sorry! It should have been me. Not you! If only I had been quicker, if I hadn't waited so long, you'd still be here. Fred, please forgive me, please!" Harry pleaded with his demons and Ginny froze and paling. The look of terror, sadness, and desperate longing cut straight to her heart. Libby moved forward and put her little hand on Ginny's arm.
"Are yous needing Libby to take over mistress?" Ginny couldn't answer the House Elf. She finally just bobbed her head yes when Libby asked for the third time. Libby took the goblet from Ginny and tipped the potion down Harry's throat. She got another half a cup from the basin, finally emptying it, and forced it down Harry's throat. Libby stepped back and Ginny crawled forward to her husband who was now lying silently on the rocky ground. Tears were leaking out of his eyes and his breathing was somewhat labored.
"Harry?" Ginny asked in a whisper, her hand hovering inches from his cheek. She was hesitant to touch him, not knowing how he'd react. "Harry?" She tried again, her voice a little stronger.
Harry's eyes opened slowly to focus on her. Ginny saw the red rimmed eyes and knew that he was still somewhat trapped with his demons. She laid her hand on his cheek and only then did Harry speak, in a croaky voice. "Water."
"Libby, get the water for Harry, I'll get the Horcrux." The elf gave her a quick head bob and scurried to the water's edge. Ginny stepped back up to the basin and retrieved Slytherin's Locket. She turned back in time to see Libby tipping the water into Harry's mouth and Inferi starting to climb the island's edge.
"Ok Libby," Harry said in a pain filled voice. The elf grasped his hand and reached for Ginny's. Before Ginny could grab her hand though, the Inferi were on them. They started to reach and grab at Ginny. She sent fiery curses at them and kept them back. Harry was feebly stirring and Libby was being dragged back. An Inferi managed to grab her ankle, its ice cold fingers sending chills up her leg, and pull it out from under her. Ginny fell backwards and slammed her head against the rocky ground. She was only vaguely aware of the Inferi starting to drag her towards the water's edge.
~RP~
Harry felt as if his legs, arms, torso, pretty much everything was on fire. He felt as if pins and needles were slowly being pushed into him. The faces of the dead still haunted his sight and still whispered to him. But Ginny's yelp of pain cleared enough of the fog from his brain for one thought.
FIRE! That was what they needed! Harry waved his wand and a lasso of fire appeared just as Ginny was half in the lake. Libby had managed to get free with some of her magic and ran forward to help Ginny. As she did so, Harry started feeling horrible and overcome. He fell to a knee and his fire flickered a few times before it went out. Ginny and Libby were coming closer and saw Harry fall.
"HARRY!" Ginny screamed as the Inferi started getting closer again. She waved her wand and started throwing balls of fire at the Inferi. She saw Harry fall and ordered Libby to him. "Get Harry out of here Libby!"
Libby looked around at the undead that was coming closer to her young masters and squeaked in fear. She could see that Master Harry was unable to react to the approaching zombies as he had succumbed to the vile potion he had consumed. She raced forward to Harry, grabbed his arm with her little hands, took one last look at Ginny, and then apparated away with a crack.
Ginny heard the crack and saw Libby leave with Harry. She sent another fireball at the approaching Inferi and saw with satisfaction that the fireball took out two zombies. She turned and fired another one at the few that were sneaking up on her. She didn't know the spell Harry had used to make the ring of fire around them and hoped that Libby would come back for her soon. She wouldn't last much longer against all these Inferi.
Ginny felt cold slimy hands grab her legs and suddenly she was falling forwards as the hands jerked her legs out from under her. She fell hard to the rock and had the wind knocked out of her. She kept up firing balls of fire even as she was pulled backwards. She twisted and turned, trying to get a clear shot at the zombie pulling her but she couldn't as more zombies came and started pulling her in. She felt the water at her feet and slowly was pulled into the ice cold lake until she was completely under the water. Ginny twisted and fought the zombies, but they had an amazingly strong grip on her. She couldn't get away from them no matter how hard she died. She could feel her lungs screaming for oxygen, burning in need. Ginny tried to fight but as her need for oxygen grew, her efforts grew weaker.
Ginny was on the verge of drowning, her sight was going to tunnel vision, when suddenly big bulbous eyes appeared in front of her. Little hands reached out and grabbed Ginny's hand before she felt a jolt of electricity flow through her and into the Inferi holding her. The current was a warm tingling sensation to her and didn't harm her at all. As soon as the cold hands let her go, Libby apparated away, taking Ginny with her.
~RP~
The meeting of the Phoenix Flame was in full swing with everyone but Harry and Ginny and Luna and Minnie present. James was currently leading the meeting with everyone giving him their full attention. Well, almost everyone.
Sirius and Severus were currently holding a staring contest. Both were refusing to back down from the other and neither was willing to concede defeat to the other as well. The only problem with this contest was that no one else was aware of the fact it was going on. They were sitting on the opposite sides of the table while James was talking to the gathered group.
"Where are they?" Lily asked in worry.
James checked his watch. "If all went to plan he should be coming back soon."
"Don't worry Lils," Remus said kindly while looking worried himself.
"Severus, did you bring the right potions?" James asked turning to his friend. He was met with silence when Severus didn't reply. Everyone was looking at him and then at Sirius and a few people groaned when they realized what was going on.
"Severus," Dora said nudging him since she was next to him.
He just scowled but didn't break eye contact. "I brought them James."
"Are you two listening to us?" James demanded angrily.
"Of course Prongs," Sirius told him without breaking eye contact with Severus.
James huffed but decided to let them be. At least they weren't tearing the house apart in a duel. He decided to carry on. Hopefully the two idiots would shape up when Harry arrived. For their sake at least. "Ok, Harry and Ginny left right before breakfast this morning. They were going after Slytherin's locket. If they get it, he can destroy it, making it the fourth Horcrux we've found and destroyed. Now Severus, did you bring the required potions to help him when he gets back?"
"Since he wasn't sure what the potion was that he was going to have to drink, he described the effects to me as best as he could. Based on that description and what I know of the Dark Lord, I brought several different antidotes for different potions." Severus answered still staring at Sirius.
"The Potions Master can't tell us the correct potion?" Sirius taunted. "How refreshing."
"Sirius," both Lily and Audrey growled in unison.
Sirius shut up fast, but he shrugged in a way that clearly showed he thought he had a valid point.
"There are several potions that give the drinker hallucinations. There are also many that cause the subject to become weak. I would have to have a sample of the potion or see the effects myself to be certain as to what it was." Severus replied, his lip curling as he glared at Sirius. He only answered the question because he could tell that others were thinking something of the same thing.
"But you will be able to help him right?" Lily couldn't help but ask as she looked at her old friend both fearfully and hopefully.
Severus nodded. "I will. With Audrey's help Harry will be fine."
"Alright," James looked at his watch. "Harry said it shouldn't take too long. When he gets back, he'll be in pretty bad shape because of this potion."
James wrapped up that topic by moving on to the Weasley twins. "Now, for the Weasley twins, how's the radio show going?"
"Great." George replied grinning. We have a large audience…"
"…and it keeps growing." Fred finished.
"And the Death Eaters have still not been able to trace it." Severus added inclining his head at the freckly and energetic twins without looking away from Sirius. "The Dark Lord is still demanding the two responsible for the show be found and executed." He sighed and then turned to look at the two boys he had grown to like. "If he ever gets his hands on you two, you'll die an extremely slow and painful death." Severus told them with a little grimace on his face.
"Oh great," Fred complained. "That means we have to start really insulting snake face."
Sirius allowed a flash of triumph cross his features as Severus was the first to look away. James just rolled his eyes at them. Most everyone laughed at Fred's comment and soon almost everyone was smiling. Severus opened his mouth to reply when a crack sounded. Almost everyone was on their feet and their wands in their hands in a flash. The source of the noise was a House Elf standing on the middle of the table and a very pale and unconscious Harry next to her.
"Libby!' James exclaimed in surprise.
"Harry!" Lily cried in horror at the same time.
"Young Master Harry is being hurt! He is needing help!" Libby cried anxiously. Severus and Audrey immediately leaped into action before Libby had finished.
"Libby, where is Ginny?" Lauren asked noticing the fiery red head wasn't in the room.
Libby gave a squeak and disappeared with a crack.
~RP~
Ginny landed in a heap on the floor next to the table in the dining room. She immediately threw up some water and started coughing and shivering. The water had been cold. And so had the Inferi.
"Ginny!" Lauren was crouched down by her, her wand running over the younger woman. She could see bruises forming on her legs and the shivers racking her body. She was drenched, so Lauren correctly inferred that she had been immersed in water. And judging from the coughing and retching of water, Ginny had very nearly drowned. Lauren quickly cast a warming charm on the younger woman and looked around for some help.
"Harry?" Ginny whispered softly, her throat raw.
"He's with Audrey and Severus right now," Lauren told her helping her up into a sighting position. She looked over at the table where Audrey and Severus were a flurry of activity.
Severus used his wand to carefully go over Harry. Audrey was doing the same on the other side. He looked up at the same time that Audrey did. "Did you get the same thing?" Audrey asked as her face paled.
"The Vector Potion," Severus nodded and took a breath as if steadying himself
Audrey nodded in assent and watched as Severus quickly removed the vials of potion he had brought. "Will any of those work?" She asked softly.
"It had better." Lily said looking over at Lauren and seeing Ginny. She quickly went to the younger woman's side, knowing that she needed attention herself.
"Severus?" James asked. He was pale and looking at Harry who had not moved yet.
Severus pursed his lips and uncorked the vial to a purple potion. He tipped half of it into Harry's mouth and Audrey had to gently massage his throat to get him to swallow. Almost immediately Harry's color started to get better and his breathing got easier. Severus blew out a breath he had unknowingly been holding him. "Good job Severus." Audrey told him, relief evident in her voice.
"Don't thank me yet," Severus warned looking up from the pale boy before him. He knew that Harry was not out of the woods yet. "Lily, is the potions lab still fully stocked?" Severus asked turning to Lily. Lily nodded and squeezed Ginny's shoulder as Severus swiftly stood up and disappeared into his old potions lab.
Ginny was feeling slightly better at his point. Lauren had given her a pepper up potion and had warmed her up a bit. She also had a heavy blanket draped around her shoulders and she was standing next to Lauren who was supporting her as she was weak from her experience in the cave and watching Harry.
"Will someone please tell me what it is and why it's got you all acting like Harry is on Death's door?" She asked very softly.
James took a deep breath after sharing a look with Audrey before nodding and coming to stand near her. He pulled her into one of the seats by the table and sat down next to her before he started to explain. "It's a very old potion, one that most people don't know about. It makes you relieve your worst moments in life or your worst memories. You get enveloped by the feelings and the environment you are forced to watch and eventually lose your mind. There is only one cure and it is impossibly hard to brew."
"And what is going now?" Ginny asked looking past James to Harry who was still lying on the table where Libby had dropped him.
"Severus gave him a stabilizer to prevent any more deterioration." Audrey told her as she cast another diagnostic charm at Harry. She looked up satisfied at the results, but wincing somewhat. "He's not safe to move yet."
James nodded and cast a cushioning charm at the table so Harry wouldn't wake with a back ache on top of everything else. He looked up at Lily who had started a fire in the dining room grate. "How long until the antidote is made Lily?"
Lily sat back and sighed. Mentally she was calculating. She had never brewed that potion but she did know of it. "Severus brewed the antidote to get his masters. If I remember right, he'll have it done in an hour." Lily informed them all.
"Wait, wait, so Harry could die?" Ginny asked looking at them growing extremely pale.
The others exchanged a look which Ginny followed with horror.
"Tell me! Could he die?" She demanded.
Lily nodded sadly. "If he doesn't get the antidote within four hours of consuming, he'll first succumb to the horrors his mind plays for him and then he'll give up on life all together and perish."
The silence that followed was deafening. Ginny gulped and stared at Harry, tears forming in her eyes. She heaved herself to her feet and stumbled before James caught her arm and steadied her. He helped her limp over to Harry where she sat down on the chair next to him. Ginny reached out to run her fingers through Harry's messy hair. "You stupid, noble, git," she softly whispered to him, a few tears dropping onto his face, "we could have found a different way."
"Ginny," Audrey said softly after a moment. "You're bleeding."
"I'm alright." Ginny said sniffing and giving her a deadly glare.
Audrey just returned it, not letting Ginny avert her. "Let me look at it."
"When Harry is better." Ginny argued.
"He'll be fine for now. Lily has the right ingredients downstairs and Severus is a master brewer. Just let me take a quick look." Audrey coaxed.
She might as well as have talked to the doorknob for all the good it did. Ginny just glared at her again and turned her attention back to Harry. Audrey couldn't blame her, if that was Sirius in her lap she'd probably be hysterical. Lily just rolled her eyes at Audrey and gave her a significant look. Audrey approached the younger Potter woman, her wand raised and started to cast a diagnostic spell at Ginny.
"Audrey," Ginny said in a warning tone.
"Ginny, let her heal you so that you can be fine when Harry wakes up," Lily chided gently.
Ginny sighed and decided that the two other women were correct and nodded her ascent to Audrey. Audrey nodded in return and raised her wand again. She waved her wand over Ginny's bloody head and found that Ginny had a small gash right above her ear, but it was minor. Her limp was from a sprained ankle but there was nothing else wrong with the young woman. Audrey quickly healed the cut and Ginny's ankle and sat back.
"Thanks Audrey," Ginny thanked the other woman softly. Audrey just nodded and turned her attention to Harry. Every few minutes, she'd check how Harry was doing. Audrey also healed the few cuts and bruises she found but by far the only thing wrong with Harry was the potion he had willingly drank.
Finally, fifty five minutes later, Severus emerged from Lily's potion lab. He had a steaming goblet that was filled with a vivid orange potion. He crouched next to Harry and, with help from Ginny and Audrey, opened Harry's mouth and poured the potion in. Ginny massaged his neck and together they got Harry to drink the whole goblet full. The effect was almost immediate. Harry's rapidly moving eyes stilled, his clenched fists relaxed, his labored breathing eased, and the few tears that he had been shedding stopped.
"Thank you Severus." Ginny said again putting her hand over his once it was clear Harry was recovering.
Severus let out a relieved breath himself and let his shoulders slump. He nodded and looked to James. "He can be moved, but he can't cast or receive any magic for the next twenty four hours."
James nodded in understanding and scooped Harry up in his strong arms. Ginny rose from her position as well to follow James up the stairs to her and Harry's suite but she stumbled again, this time from exhaustion that was taking its toll. Fred and George hurried forward and helped her, both of them giving her a concerned look. Fred slipped his arm around her waist and helped her along. George followed behind them, leaving the rest in the dining room. When they reached Harry's and Ginny's suite, James laid Harry on the bed and George took Harry's shoes off. He and Fred left as Ginny and James tugged his jeans off and pulled the covers over him. "He'll be asleep for a few hours at least Ginny," James whispered.
Ginny nodded and looked at him. "I'm going to stay with him."
James just nodded in understanding and left as she crawled into bed with Harry. She snuggled next to him and soon she was fast asleep as well.
James came down the stairs to see Severus handing a list of the ingredients he used to Lily so she would know what she had to replace. Audrey was talking softly with Sirius but they all stopped and looked at James when he entered the room.
"Ginny fell asleep with Harry."
"That must have been something crazy," Audrey muttered shaking her head and sitting down. "The bruises on both of them were pretty horrible."
"It looked like Ginny had almost drowned," Lauren added n agreement.
"We'll just have to wait until Harry wakes up to hear the whole story." James said looking up at the ceiling above him in the general direction of their room.
~RP~
Harry woke up feeling cozy and warm. He blinked and looked around and realized after a second that he was in bedroom at Potter Manor. He also realized that Ginny was sleeping next to him, her arm on his chest and her head on his shoulder, using him as a pillow. He smiled at the sight of her and kissed the top of her head. She stirred a little and Harry grinned. He shifted a little bit and, realizing he really had to go to the loo, he gently scooted out from under her and quickly made the trip to the bathroom. When he got back, he saw that Ginny had woken up and was now sitting up and waiting for him.
"Hello love." Harry greeted scooting back into bed with her and putting his arms around her.
"Don't 'hello love' me, Harry James Potter." Ginny scowled at him pushing his arms away and turning to glare at him.
Harry looked at her in surprise as he realized she was really mad at him. "What did I do?"
"WHAT DID YOU DO? WHAT DID YOU DO?" Ginny sputtered indignantly. "YOU JUST ALMOST BLOODY DIED! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DRINK THE STUPID BLOODY POTION?" Ginny roared at him.
Harry cringed away from her anger as she screamed at him. "I'm sorry love," Harry tried to explain. "You know I couldn't ask anyone else to drink that potion. I knew what it does to people-."
"DID YOU ALSO KNOW THAT YOU WOULD HAVE DIED IF YOU HADN'T GOTTEN THE ANTIDOTE IN FOUR HOURS?" Ginny roared. "YOU'RE LUCKY SEVERUS IS ON OUR SIDE, IF HE WASN'T YOU'D BE DEAD RIGHT NOW!"
"But I'm not dead and Severus is on our side, so we're alright." Harry tried to tell her cheerfully.
It didn't help. In fact, it probably made it worse.
Ginny's eyes flashed at his joking tone and she changed positions. She was now kneeling in the bed and had her hands on her hips. "HARRY JAMES POTTER! DON'T YOU DARE JOKE ABOUT THIS! YOU ARE EXTREMELY LUCKY AND A COMPLETE STUPID, NOBLE, SELFLESS GIT!"
Harry chuckled a little at that. She usually complimented him towards the ends of her tirades. "Thank you love." He probably should have left that alone though. Ginny smacked his shoulder in annoyance and Harry tilted right to avoid the hit. Except, he forgot he was on the edge of the bed and his motion caused him to fall off the bed, head first.
WHAM! Harry landed on the floor in a crumpled heap. "Ow." Harry breathed after a moment and Ginny crawled to the edge of the bed in concern. She started laughing at his position and that's how Lily and Audrey found them when they opened the door.
"What's going on here?" Lily asked, amusement in her eyes. Beside her, Audrey was watching in concern.
Harry untangled himself and sat up. "Ginny was not happy with me and let me know it and then I fell off the bed. Now she's laughing at me." Harry's tone changed to mock annoyance at the end of the explanation.
"Well she should yell at you." Lily agreed. "You had us all worried."
"I am sorry about that." Harry replied but was looking at Ginny. Ginny had stopped laughing a few seconds after the two women appeared in their doorway and now nodded in acknowledgement of Harry's apology. "And I should have better described the effects of the potion to Severus."
"No," Audrey contradicted. "There was no way Severus would have known it was that potion unless he saw your symptoms. It also doesn't help that that potion is very rare and very hard to brew."
"Plus you said yourself that Dumbledore died after drinking the potion but only because of the situation." Lily reminded him. Harry had told them of Severus killing Dumbledore on the latter's orders to protect others. "You couldn't have known all the symptoms."
Harry nodded as he remembered the symptoms. He didn't know how Dumbledore could fight it for so long. By the time Severus had killed him, Dumbledore had been leaning against the wall for support. Harry supposed that perhaps Dumbledore had known a way to use his magic to keep the demons at bay whereas Harry had not. He shuddered as he thought of what he had seen and heard and he felt a familiar hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Ginny looking down at him, concern in her eyes.
"I'm alright Ginny."
"I know you are now Harry. But when you drank that potion, you saw terrible things." Her eyes softened as she took his hand. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Harry shook his head. "We've talked and talked about it before love," Harry said and Ginny knew instantly what he had seen. "I've gotten over it and don't hold myself responsible anymore."
Ginny glared at him with a raised eyebrow and he chuckled.
"Well alright, not as responsible as I once did."
"That's better." Ginny approved grinning softly.
"But when I drank that potion, it all came back tenfold. There was nothing I could do to stop it. I felt completely responsible… devastated… and I wanted to kill myself so I could take their place." Harry explained softly and looking at the ground.
"There's no way you could have." Ginny said just as softly.
"I know Gin," Harry assured her looking up at her. "But that's how I felt."
The two fell silent as they looked at each other and finally Lily broke the silence. "Well you must be hungry after sleeping for eight hours and that harrowing trip." The two looked at her in surprise. They had forgotten the other two were there and also that they had slept so long. "How about some French Onion Soup and a sandwich?"
"Sounds great." Harry agreed standing up and grabbing his jeans.
~RP~
The next day, Harry had been cleared by both Audrey and Severus as fit and able to use magic again. Severus had chided him in his subtle way about not telling him which potion it was. He had said something about him being a Gryffindor and James Potter's son which had made Harry laugh because it reminded him so much of the Severus he had known.
"Laugh all you want, but it's true." Severus scowled as he glared at the other.
"Yes Severus. Although I've managed to come this far," Harry pointed out grinning.
"Luck. All luck."
"I won't deny that." Harry agreed still grinning and Severus walked away shaking his head and muttering about teenagers. "I'm twenty you overgrown bat!" Harry yelled after him and Severus just kept walking. He left the cottage and disapparated, probably heading back to Riddle who would miss him if he was gone too long.
"Harry!" Lily chided but amusement was written on her face. Harry just shrugged in response, an amused smile on his face.
"How did Luna and Minnie do?" Ginny asked suddenly. In all the chaos, she hadn't the time to ask.
"They did just fine. No injuries and they managed to burn a fair few of the Death Eater shops in Diagion Alley before they had to leave. Several Death Eaters are also out of commission." Lily answered grinning proud of what the two girls had done. The Twins had also been there but they mostly left the fighting to the two girls.
"Good." Harry answered smiling as well before he looked to Ginny. "So you got it right?"
Ginny nodded and pulled out Slytherin's locket. "Here." She handed it to Harry who quickly examined it and then smiled in relief.
"What are you so happy about?" Lily asked curiously.
"This is the real one. Not a fake." Harry explained.
"Oh, that's right." Lily said in an understanding tone. She remembered the story Harry had told of him, Ron, and Hermione trying to destroy the other one and how when he went with Dumbledore it had been a fake.
"Alright, we are going to need some space to destroy this thing. Ginny, you're going to have to help me."
"I'll help you too Harry." Lily offered.
Harry looked a little hesitant and looked to Ginny. Ginny just shrugged and picked up the sword. He looked back at Lily and nodded slowly. "You may not like what you see though." He warned.
"That's alright, I can handle it. What do you want me to do?"
"Well if I can't stab this thing then you'll have to do it for me. But I think I will, so just make sure no one else comes in."
Lily nodded, it was simple enough. Ginny looked at Harry who nodded that he was ready. She put the locket on the old and already battered stool they had been using to destroy Horcruxes and then nodded at Harry. "Ready Harry. You sure you don't want me to hold it?"
"You'll just get burned when this gets going. Remember Ginny, I love you." Harry told her looking deep into her eyes. Ginny just smiled and backed away before gesturing at the stool.
Harry eyed the snake on the locket and closed his eyes. He searched his mind for the words he had said when he opened the Chamber of Secrets and then uttered the horrible hissing noise. The locket door sprang open and out came several beings. The room became dark and cold and feelings of terror and unease filled everyone present.
Lily, Fred, and Remus sprang forward. "Harry Potter!" They hissed in unison. "You have failed us. You were supposed to die, not us. YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO DIE!" Harry blocked them out and hefted the sword in his hands. Suddenly he found himself blasted against the wall by some unseen force that Harry was sure came from the locket. He struggled to his feet and tried to approach the locket, but found his way was blocked by some again unseen force. He slowly started to push through.
"You were supposed to watch and raise my Teddy!" The Remus-like thing shouted at him. "Instead you're here fighting a war that isn't yours! You're a horrible Godfather."
Harry stumbled a little in his push to get to the locket and glanced at the Remus thing. That was his first mistake.
"You are a horrible husband for my sister!" Fred yelled. "You strung her along all those years so that she could cry her eyes out for you when you supposedly died! You knew you were going to die and yet you still became her boyfriend. Only to break it up when it suited you! Now you've dragged her along on this new escapade where you both could die!"
Harry looked at the Fred-like thing, a little guilt on his face. Ginny could tell the Horcrux was starting to get to Harry, it had found his current concerns. "HARRY! IT'S NOT TRUE!" She yelled toward him.
Harry looked her way and a look of determination replaced the concerned and worried look that had been on his face. Harry took another few steps, fighting the unseen barrier and raised the sword. That's when the Horcrux unleashed its last and worst defense.
"Harry," the Lily-like thing stepped forward and looked at him, a look of love on its face. Harry spared it a glance thinking it was the real Lily at first and it continued as soon as his eyes landed on it. "We loved you, we are your parents. Not these people you have met. We were." Her face turned from loving to terrible. Her features became sharp and filled with rage. "YOU'VE REPLACED US! How could you? I gave my life for you and you've replaced me! You're selfish and a horrible man! HOW COULD YOU?"
Harry's face morphed into shock and then pure guilt. Lily had watched her look alike speak in awe and then anger. "HARRY!" She shouted taking a page from Ginny's book. Harry looked at her after she yelled his name a second time. "YOU ARE NOT A HORRIBLE SON!" She had to keep yelling because there was a wind that was now whipping around the room, howling and making it hard for Lily to stay standing, let alone speak. "AND YOU HAVE NOT REPLACED YOUR PARENTS!" She assured him. She would have said more but the wind picked up. Harry looked at her with an unfathomable expression before turning back to the locket.
"You don't believe that do you Harry?" The Lily-like thing said. "You've replaced me and you know it. You'll never see us again." Ginny and Lily looked at each other in surprise, they had no idea what that meant.
"No," Harry said speaking for the first time. "NO!" In one smooth motion, Harry brought the sword down on the locket Horcrux. The Horcrux look-a-likes screamed together and a brilliant light filled the room. Harry, Ginny, and Lily shielded their ears, closed their eyes, and turned away. As suddenly as it started, the high pitch scream ended and the wind stopped. Harry was the first to look. The room looked as if a tornado had gone through it, but nothing was damaged. The Horcrux lay on the stool, smoking and mangled above a fresh divot in the wooden seat.
Lily and Ginny looked around in surprise as well. "That was bloody scary." Ginny commented first. "I thought you said that it should be ok since you hadn't worn it and we didn't have it for as long as you did last time?" Her tone was a combination of surprise and accusation.
Harry shrugged sheepishly. "I was wrong?"
"I think it senses who is going to kill it and finds your fears. It wasn't until Remus spoke about you abandoning Teddy, which isn't true by the way, that it really found your fears." Lily guessed.
Harry nodded, he was thinking that himself. He put his hand in his pocket and withdrew two Hershey bars. He broke a bar in half and tossed each half to the girls. He himself sat down on the arm of the couch and ate three quarters of the other. They all felt better after the chocolate and then together they cleaned the living room. When they were done, Lily sighed and looked at the other two. "Well, I suppose it's time to join everyone else and tell them it's one more down."
"And you can get another dressing down from everyone else." Ginny added with a small smile. Harry just groaned as the two women laughed at him.