Chapter 28: A Snake and a Gift from Ravenclaw
Harry noticed a thin silvery shaft of sunlight gleaming through the small space between the curtains covering one of the small windows in their flat. He looked down at Ginny's sleeping form and smiled. To him the young woman, who had fallen asleep in his lap, looked like an angel. He slowly leaned down and gently kissed the top of her head.
"I love you, baby," he whispered to her.
Ginny shifted a bit and wrapped her arms around his neck. Harry tightened his hold on her knowing that she had not had another nightmare, so she had slept peacefully on his lap. He looked at her once more and smiled a little brighter.
Another hour passed as Harry held his wife. He kept his eyes on her sleeping form as he thought back over the six years that he had known her. With each memory he either smiled or cursed himself. Of course he mentally kicked himself when he thought about how for three of those six years he had missed opportunity after opportunity to get to know her. Then his memories from his fifth year came forward and he cursed himself for choosing Cho Chang over her. His sixth year moved into focus and he smiled while he thought about learning how he truly felt about her. He smiled brighter when his memories of their first kiss came forward. After a moment he was cursing himself yet again when his memory of their break up came forward. He soon realized that he had almost lost the only woman that he would ever love though, and now here he was with that very woman sleeping in his lap. It was with this final thought that he smiled once more. He silently vowed at that moment to make sure nothing ever happened to her, even if it meant sacrificing himself to save her life.
A moment later Ginny's eyes fluttered open to meet her husband's. She saw his soft smile and smiled back.
"What are you smiling at," she asked sweetly.
"An angel," he answered.
Ginny smiled brighter as she leaned up, giving him a kiss.
"I love you too, baby," she said as their lips parted.
Harry pulled her close, holding her as though he needed her warmth to survive. Ginny squeezed him equally as tight hoping that something wasn't wrong. When the couple parted slightly, Ginny noticed the slightly bloodshot look in her husband's normally bright green eyes.
"Did you sleep at all," she asked, already knowing the answer.
"No," he replied.
"Why not," she persisted concernedly.
"I was too content watching you sleep," he answered.
Ginny smiled but she knew that he was only telling her part of the reason that he had not slept.
"Harry, I know better. Now tell me why else you didn't sleep," Ginny said in a tone that suggested that she would not be satisfied with anything less than the truth.
"I couldn't sleep after you had your nightmare," he answered in a resigned tone.
Ginny saw a protective look form in his eyes as he answered. She knew that the nightmare had upset him almost as much as it had her, but she had no idea that it had bothered him that much. Harry suddenly began staring off at something on the wall behind his wife. Ginny saw this and knew that he had just gotten lost in some thought that had been gripping his mind.
"Baby, look at me," Ginny said softly.
Harry slowly turned his gaze to meet hers. All at once she saw sadness, torment, and concern in his eyes.
"What wrong Harry," she asked.
"Something about your nightmare got to me," he answered.
Ginny didn't know how to respond to this. On one hand, she knew that Harry would do anything to protect her, but on the other, she could understand how he might have felt because he had some of the same nightmares. After a moment she did the best thing she could think to do and pulled her husband into a hug with the hope that it would comfort him.
For several moments the couple held each other, taking in each other's warmth. Ginny looked up at Harry and noticed that his eyes had changed a little. She knew that he was thinking about her but she couldn't get over the idea that his thoughts might still be on her nightmare.
"Baby, it was just a nightmare. Don't let it keep you from fighting," she said softly.
"Gin, if anything, your nightmare makes me want to fight more," Harry told her.
"Then what got to you," she asked.
"The thought of you being alone if I…," Harry said, not being able to actually mention that he might die.
Harry's words hit Ginny with the force of a rogue bludger. She would have never thought that Harry Potter, her Harry, the bravest wizard that she had ever known, would doubt his own abilities just because of a nightmare.
As if their thoughts of the moment had become a beacon, a large black owl tapped on the window. Harry jumped at the noise but recovered quickly. Ginny reluctantly got up to let the owl in and removed the letter it carried. She glanced at the scribbled hand writing on the envelope but did not recognize it. She did, however, notice that the letter was addressed simply 'To: Harry Potter'. How the owl found them, Ginny didn't know, but she did know that she didn't like the thoughts running through her mind. She took the letter to Harry who looked at it closely before opening it.
Potter,
The Dark Lord's snake will be at Hogwarts to collect the gift from Ravenclaw from its hiding place. Listen for it. Use your unique gift to catch the snake and find the gift. The snake will arrive tonight.
Anonymous
Harry reread the letter and grinned evilly. He knew that this was the lead that he had been waiting for. Ginny noticed Harry's grin and knew that the letter must have been something important.
"So," she asked expecting him to understand what she was asking about.
"The Ravenclaw Horcrux is here in the castle and Voldemort is sending his snake to get it," Harry answered.
Ginny nodded. This was good news in her opinion. The simple fact that one horcrux was already in the castle and the last one was going to lead Harry right to it meant that there would be no more hunting.
"We need to tell Ron and Hermione," Ginny said quickly.
"After I inform McGonagall," Harry replied.
Ginny silently agreed with that as she knew that he would have to pass the message along to the Order.
The couple dressed and sat down at the small table in the kitchen with ink and parchment so that they could write out a note to Ron and Hermione. The idea would be to have them meet Harry and Ginny near the tree where the trio had spent much of their time outdoors discussing the Sorcerer's Stone in their first year. From there they could find a place to talk about the horcruxes and make plans for that night. Harry also wrote a quick note to Professor McGonagall telling her that he needed to inform her of a 'new development', as he put it, in his search.
Once they had sealed the note to the headmistress, Harry called Dobby so that he could deliver it while Ginny sent Hedwig with the note to Ron and Hermione.
A few hours later Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione sat near the tree that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had sat under often during the trio's first year. Harry told his friends about the letter that he had received earlier that morning and what he thought it meant. Ron agreed with Harry and Ginny that this was good news but Hermione seemed uneasy about it. Her concern was that Harry would be walking right into a trap and, even though he would not be leaving the castle, he would not be able to get help in time if anything went wrong. Harry did concede that Hermione had a point and told her that he would figure out a way to keep himself out of trouble.
Shortly after leaving Ron and Hermione, Harry and Ginny found themselves sitting in the library going over book after book, researching things that they needed to complete their homework. As the couple worked, Dobby appeared.
"Harry Potter sir," the elf squeaked unusually quiet.
Harry jumped as he heard Dobby causing the elf to squeak in fright. While Harry looked around frantically to find the source of the voice, Ginny watched, trying to stifle a laugh.
"Jumpy are we," she joked.
Harry gave her an unimpressed glare before smiling at her so that she understood that he knew that she was joking. He turned to see a frightened Dobby cowering behind a nearby chair.
"Sorry Dobby, you surprised me," Harry said quietly.
"Dobby is sorry sir, he has come to deliver a message from the headmistress," the elf replied.
Harry leaned down so that he could hear Dobby properly and nodded.
"Dobby has been sent to tell Harry Potter that he is to see the headmistress before supper," Dobby said.
Harry nodded that he understood and thanked his friend. Grinning widely, the house elf disappeared leaving Harry and Ginny alone.
"What time," Ginny asked.
"Before supper," Harry answered.
Ginny nodded and went back to her homework knowing that Harry would want to think about the meeting.
Hours later, after completing his homework, Harry was climbing the stairs leading to Professor McGonagall's office. As he progressed, Harry's mind went over the possibilities of what he would hear when he went through the door to the office he was approaching. All too soon for his liking, Harry reached the office door and knocked.
"Enter," Professor McGonagall's voice said through the door.
Harry entered the office and took a seat in a chair by the desk.
"I understand that you received a letter from our mystery source," Professor McGonagall asked.
Harry nodded, hoping that the headmistress understood that he would follow the letter's lead with or without her permission.
"Then I have to assume that you will be busy tonight," the headmistress stated.
Harry nodded again.
"I have already informed Hagrid about this and told him that he is to keep a look out for the snake. I have also told him that he is not to touch or approach it," Professor McGonagall said.
Harry nodded once again, thankful that the headmistress thought far enough ahead to keep his friend safe.
"So, what is your plan," the headmistress asked.
"I'm putting a few members of the Guard on alert and Ron, Hermione, and Ginny will be nearby," Harry stated,
"That sounds reasonable, but may I suggest that you also inform Remus and Alastor so that they might be ready to help," Professor McGonagall asked.
Harry took his time considering the suggestion. Being honest with himself, it would be a good idea to have someone available to help if something went wrong, but that meant that he might have to deal with one of them trying to tag along as a bodyguard and he didn't want that.
"I'll inform them, but on the condition that they leave me to my task and not try to accompany me," Harry said finally.
"Than sounds agreeable," Professor McGonagall replied.
Harry nodded and stood to leave, sensing that the meeting was over. As he got near the door, Harry turned back, hearing a noise behind him.
"Yes Professor," he said.
"Good luck tonight, Mr. Potter," the headmistress said with a slightly proud smile forming.
"Thanks," Harry replied.
A few minutes later Harry found himself on the second floor slowly walking toward the Defense Professor's office. As he got closer he nervously went over what he was going to say to his friend. Just as he raised his hand to knock on the door, a voice caught his attention.
"Out for a little walk before supper," the voice asked.
Harry turned to see Remus Lupin with a slightly grim look on his face.
"Actually, sir, I was coming to talk to you," Harry said.
"Well that much is obvious, but I wonder if that might have something to do with a certain letter that you received this morning," Remus said.
"It does," Harry stated simply.
"Well then let's talk in my office," Remus suggested.
Harry nodded and stepped aside to allow his teacher and friend to open the door. Once inside Harry took the seat he was offered and explained everything that he could about what he was to do in just a few short hours. Remus listened quietly, going over each piece of the puzzle in his mind. As he thought, Remus had an idea come forward.
"Harry, do you have the letter with you," Remus asked.
Harry took the letter out of his pocket and handed it to his friend. Remus looked over the letter and grinned evilly.
"At last some nobility out of the vermin," Remus said, thinking out loud.
"Huh," Harry said in confusion.
Remus realized that he had spoken and shook his head.
"It appears that Voldemort has a rat in his ranks and I have a pretty good idea of who it is," Remus answered.
Harry looked at his friend unsurprised by this. Remus caught this and got curious.
"So, this isn't the first letter that you've received," Remus asked.
"No, it is the third," Harry answered.
"When did you get the first two," Remus asked.
"When I had to leave the school for the Hufflepuff Horcrux," Harry said.
Remus nodded, obviously thinking back to their meeting that night.
"So, you want Alastor and me to be ready just in case you need help," Remus asked.
"Yes, but this time I won't be alone," Harry answered.
"Who will be with you," Remus asked curiously.
"Ginny," Harry answered.
Remus saw a fire light in Harry's eyes when he answered. Somehow he knew that Harry would be triumphant, but that also told him that his best friend's son would be fighting the battle of a lifetime soon. Too soon.
Harry stood and turned to leave, having said what he needed to. As he left, Harry felt a bit of curiosity at who may have been sending the letters. He was about to turn back but decided against it and pushed the thought from his mind.
Best to focus on what I need to do tonight, he thought.
Harry went down to the Great Hall for supper. As he walked through the doors he spotted his wife and best friends eagerly awaiting him. Quickly he made his way over to them and took a seat.
"Everything is in place," Harry said quietly.
Ron and Hermione nodded but Ginny frowned slightly. Harry caught her frown but said nothing with the hope of getting through the meal before he told her any more.
"Harry," Ginny said softly.
"Yes love," he said equally as soft.
"What are you planning," she asked, also voicing the question that seemed to be on Ron and Hermione's minds.
"Not now," he said with a look that told her that he didn't want anyone to overhear.
Ginny knew better than to question her husband further when he took on that look.
The four of them ate in relative silence, each thinking about Harry's mission. Harry was going over his plan in his head, shaking a thought off occasionally, while Ginny sat thinking about anything but what could happen. Ron and Hermione were also trying to avoid thinking about anything bad happening but were still trying to be realistic.
When Harry had finished he leaned over and whispered in Ginny's ear before kissing her cheek and getting up. Ginny's eyes followed her husband until he had left the Hall and then turned to Ron and Hermione. She noticed the questioning look on their faces and decided to answer them.
"He said he wanted to talk to me before he got all of us together," she said quietly.
Hermione nodded understanding and turned back to her supper while Ron looked confused. Ginny saw this and shot him a look that clearly told him that he should just eat and not worry about anything. With that, Ginny got up and went to find her husband.
Ginny met Harry a few minutes later near the entrance to the Transfiguration Corridor. She looked around slowly the make sure that they were alone before turning her gaze to meet his. As she found his eyes, Ginny noticed a troubled look mixed with that of deep thought. She knew that he had something on his mind by the way that he had asked for her to find him after she left the Great Hall but she had no idea of what he might want.
"Hey, you okay," she asked softly.
"Yeah, just got a lot on my mind," he answered with a kind smile.
"You want to talk about it," she asked, hoping that she wouldn't upset her husband.
"Not here. I just want to have you to myself for a while," he replied.
Ginny smiled sweetly at her husband. Something about what he had just said made her feel like she was the most important thing in the world to him. The couple walked the corridor for a few minutes, holding each other while matching their steps. At some point Harry started filling her in on how he was going to complete his task. He told her that he wasn't sure about where he would be led by the snake but knew that once the snake reached its destination he would be able to capture and destroy both of the two remaining horcruxes at one time.
"But how are you going to cast the spell alone," Ginny asked, knowing that 'Amoris Sanationis' required at least two people who share a mutual love for each other to cast it.
"Because I won't be alone," Harry answered.
Ginny looked confused at first and then shocked. Harry, the man who took on anything dangerous alone, was going to share his task with someone. Who that someone was really didn't matter at the minute, but the fact that he wouldn't be alone did.
"Who's going with you," Ginny asked.
"You are Gin, and Ron and Hermione will be our backup," Harry answered.
At that moment, Ginny felt an uncontrollable urge to snog her husband senseless. She launched herself at him, kissing him soundly before gently pushing him toward a tapestry hanging over a particular piece of wall that concealed an alcove that she had made use of before. Once the couple was concealed by the tapestry, Ginny kissed her husband fiercely. She felt as though his including her not only demonstrated how strong his love for her was, but how important she was to him.
Several breathless moments later, after Ginny felt that she had sufficiently shown her appreciation, the couple went to find Ron and Hermione. As they walked Ginny felt Harry's nerves begin to build slightly, causing some anxiety to set in. She knew that he would be thinking about how to finish his task quickly but his anxiety told her that he was also thinking about what lies in the path ahead after he destroyed the final two horcruxes. Without noticing the couple had walked right past the Great Hall and out onto the grounds.
Ron and Hermione spotted Harry and Ginny walking past the Great Hall as they were walking through its doors. They followed the couple out onto the grounds hoping to catch up to them quickly. Hermione noticed that Harry seemed to be oblivious to anything around him except Ginny. Somehow she knew that he was thinking about something serious, and possibly dangerous, and she didn't like it. She knew that whatever Harry was thinking about would make him do something that would risk his own life and he would push everyone away to keep them safe. Deciding at that moment that she couldn't allow him to do this, she took the only action that she knew would stop him.
"Stupefy," she muttered, directing her wand at Harry.
Ginny screamed as Harry fell to the stunning jinx. When she turned she noticed that Hermione and Ron were behind them and Hermione had her wand out. Pointing her own wand at Hermione, Ginny prepared to jinx.
Hermione paled quickly as she watched one of her best friends fall and then paled even more when his wife took aim at her. She felt terrible about jinxing Harry but knew of no other way to keep him from pulling one of his disappearing acts in the name of his damned nobility. Now she was facing and extremely angry red head who had a very nasty signature jinx.
Ginny stared at Hermione feeling angrier that she had ever been. 'How dare she jinx Harry,' Ginny thought as she raised her wand a bit higher to jinx Hermione. It was then that Hermione ran toward her looking panicked.
"I'm so sorry Ginny but I thought he was going to run off on you again," the older witch said.
"What? Hermione, what the bloody hell gave you that idea," Ginny snarled.
"I don't know. I guess it had something to do with the look I saw on his face," Hermione replied trying to stay as calm as possible.
"And what look would that be," Ginny growled viciously.
"Like he was going to do something and claim that it would be too dangerous to have any help," Hermione said.
Ginny stared intently at Hermione trying to push back her anger enough to make the older witch understand that Harry was not going to run off this time. After a moment Ron caught up and drew his wand.
"Enervate,"
he said, directing his wand at Harry.Ha
Harry came to not sure of
what was happening. He looked around and saw Ron with his wand out,
as did Ginny. When he looked at Ginny's face he could see only
blind fury in her eyes. When he followed her glare he saw Hermione,
who looked quite shaken and on the verge of tears.
"What happened," he asked groggily.
"Your friend decided to stun you to keep you from running off," Ginny pounded out angrily.
"WHAT," Harry asked in surprise.
Harry looked straight at Hermione show immediately took interest in the grass as tears began to flow.
"I'm sorry Harry, I don't know what I was thinking," she said.
Harry felt a bit hurt by Hermione's actions but seemed to understand where she might have gotten the idea.
Harry walked over to Ginny and whispered a few words into her ear. She nodded and copied Harry's words to Ron. Once the siblings had walked far enough away, Harry stood in front of Hermione.
"'Mione, look at me," Harry said softly.
Hermione refused to look up.
"Please," he added with concern in his voice.
Hermione looked up slowly but stopped before her eyes met his.
"I'm sorry," she muttered, clearly still trying to get control of herself.
Harry stepped forward and placed a finger under his friend's chin, raising her gaze to meet his.
"'Mione, I understand," he told her.
"But I still…," Hermione started but couldn't bring the words that she wanted to say forward.
Harry released her chin and pulled Hermione into a tight friendly hug.
"Its okay 'Mione, I forgive you," he whispered to his friend.
Ginny watched the exchange between the two friends. All at once she understood that, even if she was still angry with Hermione for stunning Harry, he had forgiven her.
Harry and Hermione joined Ron and Ginny a moment later. Immediately Hermione ran to Ron's side hoping to make sure that he understood what was going on. Ron put his arm around her and pulled her close to his side. Harry told them that the four of them should get inside so that they could talk. Ron and Hermione nodded and followed Harry and Ginny in.
Once inside the four stepped into a classroom with a window facing the forest. While Harry began casting charms on the room to make sure that they were not overheard or intruded upon, Ginny rearranged some of the desks and chairs so that everyone could sit and talk easily.
After taking seats Harry filled Ron and Hermione in on his plans for what he would do about the snake and the Ravenclaw Horcrux. For a few moments Harry watched Hermione's guilty expression deepen but also saw her gradually recover. He knew that his friend had only done what she thought was right.
The four sat in conversation for almost an hour before something outside caught Harry's eye. When he looked closer he saw a red ball shooting skyward from just outside the edge of the forest. As he watched the ball reach its apex it burst into red sparks.
"Its time," Harry said grimly.
Ginny stood and went to Harry's side, taking his hand and gripping it tightly. Ron and Hermione nodded and left the room to take their places so that they could be ready to help if it was needed.
Harry and Ginny walked out of the room just in time for Harry to pick up a strange voice. The voice had a feminine tone to it and seemed to only be audible to him. With one hand holding Ginny's he made to follow it with Ginny doing her best to keep up. The couple followed the voice around the Entrance Hall until they came to a corner. Harry listened hard to the voice, trying to determine where to go to follow it. Ginny watched her husband who seemed to be staring off at something near the ceiling. She was just about to ask him what was happening when he turned and started toward the marble staircase, dragging her along. As they ran up the stairs Harry tracked the voice. All of a sudden he made an abrupt turn onto the second floor running down a very familiar length of hallway. It was then that Ginny received a jolt in her heart, triggering a memory that she had done her very best to bury deep in the back of her mind. All too soon Harry came to a stop, causing Ginny to bump into him. He looked over at her and noticed that she had gone completely pale and had started to shake as though she were freezing.
"You don't have to come with me if this bothers you love," Harry said as he watched Ginny.
She started to nod, but realized that if she backed down now then Voldemort would have won another battle without so much as raising his wand. She set her jaw and the blazing look that she held when she kissed Harry for the first time showed in her eyes.
"No, we do this together," she said firmly.
Harry saw the look in her eyes and understood that she needed to do this as much for her as she did for him. Together the couple walked through the door and went to the tap that concealed the entrance to an area of the castle that had haunted their nightmares and created the bond that they shared.
"Open," Harry hissed out in Parsletongue to the tap.
The lavatory sank slowly into the floor and revealed the stone slide leading to the dark chamber below. Harry and Ginny stepped forward, still holding each other's hands tightly, and plunged down the slide.
As soon as the couple landed at the bottom, they lit their wands and looked around. Harry spotted the tail of his mark passing through the edge of the cave in and made to follow. Ginny stuck with him as though they were attached to each other with an invisible rope. A few moments later the couple reached the door to the chamber proper and found it already open. Harry frowned at this knowing that he had to use Parsletongue to open this very door five years ago. Ginny saw the frown appear and knew at once what he was thinking.
"Tom's not here Harry. We'd know it if he was," she said reassuringly as she directed her eyes to his scar for an instant.
Harry nodded as his frown disappeared and moved to continue on.
As they entered the chamber the couple spotted the Basilisk carcass rotting in the spot where it had fallen and averted their eyes, neither wanting to see the thing that nearly killed so many. Harry looked around hoping to spot the snake that he had been hunting but came up empty. Thinking a moment he knew why the letter had mentioned his gift. He went to the center of the chamber and sat down slowly, focusing on listening for any kind of noise. Ginny came close to him and took a position opposite so the she could see him.
Harry listened intently while Ginny watched in silence. At one point she considered asking if she could help but decided against it as she knew that Harry was completely focused on hearing something. What she didn't know, but she knew only he would be able to hear it. She waited with his for several agonizing moments before she felt the need in his heart to hear something so that he could complete his task and they could get out of the chamber. She reached over and took his hands in hers and wished that she could add her power to his. It was then that the voice returned and Harry knew where to go. He got up and face the statue of Slytherin. As he took his first step, the snake came pouring out of the statue's mouth. At first glance, the animal appeared a bit comical as its misshapen body moved but Harry quickly realized why. He drew his wand and pointed at the snake.
"Petrificus Totalis," he said.
The spell went wide as the snake dodged it with unnatural speed. Harry thought hard for a split second before aiming another jinx.
"Gin, activate your Galleon and go wait for Ron and Hermione. We need help and neither one has been in here yet," Harry yelled as he began to send jinxes in an attempt to stop or kill the snake. Ginny reluctantly did as she was told knowing that her husband would only ask for help if he truly needed it. As she left the chamber she took a look back and watched one of Harry's jinxes hit what appeared to be a Shield Charm on the snake.
Moments later, Ginny ran back into the chamber followed closely by Ron and Hermione. The trio looked for Harry hoping that he was still holding the snake off. Ginny spotted her husband first and directed Ron and Hermione to take positions around the snake. The four launched spells at the snake simultaneously. As the spells hit the shield it flickered and dropped. It was then that Harry noticed that the snake's shape showed that it had swallowed something that didn't quite fit its body. Immediately he knew what it was. Quickly he made his way over to Ginny and took her hand.
"Amorem Delere Malum," he bellowed, pointing his wand at the odd shape in the snake's body.
Seconds later the snake floated up completely surrounded by a green light so bright that the four were blinded temporarily. Then the ear splitting shriek came, assaulting their ear drums. As Harry's vision cleared he noticed that the snake was writhing on the floor. The four of them went forward drunkenly to be sure that the evil animal died, thus destroying the horcrux it carried, when it struck at them. It was then that their world was consumed in darkness as they passed out.
