An Unexpected Turn of Events
Chapter Thirty-six
Ginny spent the morning trying to keep busy, she figured that if she could keep her mind occupied that she'd miss Harry less. It was only partially effective, half the things she did were ones that Harry would have helped with and that made her think of him.
By lunch time her melancholy had returned full force and once again she hardly ate anything. Molly watched her with a sad look and she did feel a little guilty about not telling her and Harry how to break the trace. She sighed but said to herself that she had done the right thing and that Ginny would be safer at the Burrow than running around who knew where with Harry.
Ginny excused herself leaving half her lunch on her plate not even waiting to see what Molly had prepared for pudding. She made her way up to hers and Harry's room and pulled out the poem to re-read it. Once again she felt the tears forming in her eyes as she finished reading. Laying down she hugged Harry's pillow to her hoping that by filling her arms she'd miss him less. It was with her face buried into the pillow, smelling Harry on it that she fell asleep.
XX
The next morning Harry got up and entered the kitchen to find Hermione and Fred making breakfast. Harry still had no appetite but finally succumbed to Hermione's insistence to eat something so he accepted a plate of what they had made.
Hermione shook her head as she cleared the table, Harry had eaten half a slice of toast, a couple bites of sausage and maybe half an egg. She knew at this rate he would be starving himself back to his Dursley appearance in no time.
Once breakfast was done he retrieved the velvet pouch that held Gaunt's ring. "Hermione could you please bring me the Basilisk Fangs," Harry said softly.
Hermione went and quickly retrieved the bag that held the Fangs. Harry donned his Dragon-hide gloves, pausing while doing so, remembering his birthday with Ginny by his side.
Harry removed the Ring from the bag and looked at it carefully. On the face of the large black stone that was mounted on the ring was engraved a strange device. It was a triangle containing a circle and they were bisected vertically by a straight line.
The gold ring was very heavy and massive, and Harry thought the shoulders were damaged or deformed at first but on closer inspection, a face was crudely wrought on each one. As Harry looked at them he realized they were Tom Riddle's face.
Harry let each of his companions look at the ring and they were all equally disgusted at the visage staring up at them.
Harry held the ring sideways so that one of the faces was up, he took one of the Basilisk Fangs and stabbed straight down through the face. The ring sizzled and sparked as the fang's venom ate a hole through it. Withdrawing the fang he turned the ring over and stabbed the face on the opposite side. As the second face melted under the assault of the venom, black smoke began to pour out of the ring and a low moaning wail was heard.
Once the fang had burned completely through the ring the smoke stopped and the wailing ceased, the stone fell off rolling across the table, coming to rest right in front of Hermione with the engraving staring directly at her.
She began to reach for it but stopped, for some reason she couldn't bring herself to touch it. Fred and George looked at Hermione with her hand poised over the stone, staring at it as if she was mesmerized.
George was concerned, "Hermione, what's wrong?" he asked.
It took a moment for her to answer, but she finally broke her gaze from the stone and took her hand away. "I'm not sure but I don't want to touch that stone," she said with a shudder, "It feels cold, very cold and I don't like it one bit."
Harry, who still wore his Dragon-hide gloves reached out and placed the stone back in the velvet pouch that held the ring. "Maybe it's best if we keep it in here for now," he said.
Fred reached carefully for the remains of the ring but when he felt nothing coming from it he picked it up. "This part seems to be OK," he said as he looked at the deformed gold up closely. "At least the ugly git's faces are gone from it," he added jovially.
George snatched the ring from Fred's hand as he held it up to look at it closely. "Let me have a look, Freddie boy," he said.
Before he had a good look at it Hermione was holding out another of the velvet bags which she had opened, "Put it in here," she said forcefully. "Now!"
"What for?" asked Fred who was trying to get it back from George.
"It may still have traces of Basilisk venom on it and we don't have a Phoenix handy to cry on you to save your lives, so put it in here," she reiterated.
George reluctantly dropped the remains of the ring into the pouch. "Kill-joy," he whispered.
"I heard that!" said Hermione.
Harry watched the antics with little excitement, he was glad they had found and disposed of another Horcrux but he didn't feel good about it. He left the three others in the tent and went outside to be alone. His insides felt all twisted and what little breakfast he had wasn't sitting well.
He went over and sat on a large rock that was under a nearby tree, sitting down he tried to get his rebellious stomach under control but it was no use, as he sat there he suddenly vomited and the little breakfast that he had came spewing out.
Hermione had watched him go and she followed him to the doorway of the tent. She was very concerned about Harry he hadn't been acting well since they had left the Burrow and even though they had found their first Horcrux she was very worried about him.
She watched as he lost his breakfast and it made her doubly worried, he had not eaten anything the day before and now what little he had eaten he had lost. She quickly conjured a glass of water and took it over to him.
"Here Harry," she said gently as she handed him the water so he could rinse his mouth out.
Harry gratefully took the offered glass and rinsed. "Thanks Hermione," he said.
"Come back inside Harry and I'll make you some tea, it should help settle your stomach."
Harry sat there for a moment before nodding his head, "All right," he finally said.
Hermione vanished the glass and offered her hand to Harry who graciously accepted the help to rise. They went back into the tent to find the Twins actually pouring over the notes on where to search next.
Harry sat down and hoped he wouldn't vomit again as his stomach refused to settle down. Hermione soon brought him a mug of hot tea to which she had added extra sugar.
"I know it's a bit sweet," Hermione said, "But you need the calories."
"Yeah mate," said Fred "We can't have you passing out on us."
"Ginny would never forgive us," added George "If we returned you broken."
Harry gave a small chuckle, the first they'd heard since they left on the hunt. But then his laugh turned into a small sniffle and then Harry had to turn his head as his eyes began to tear up. He hated himself for his weakness, sure he missed Ginny but he couldn't believe that he could hardly function.
Harry sipped his tea and found it did help settle his stomach and had a calming effect on his tumultuous mind. He finished his tea, thanked Hermione and went back to his room to lay down.
Fred and George looked at Hermione for guidance, they were unsure of what to do.
Hermione just shrugged her shoulders and went to grab a book to read for a while till Harry came out and said what he wanted to do next. Looking at the books they had grabbed at the last minute was one Harry had gotten from Ginny, Magical Laws and Statutes. It appealed to Hermione's academic side and she sat down and began to read.
XX
Bellatrix sat at the head of the table where Voldemort usually sat when he was in attendance. She watched gleefully as Lucius fumed at her presumption. She didn't care as she knew that the Dark Lord was occupied with something else. She had carte blanche to plan and execute her Grand Plan of destruction.
She silenced everyone by slamming her hand on the table, "Listen, this is going to be the most devastating attack the Ministry has ever seen," she cackled gleefully. "Travers, the plans," she commanded.
Travers unrolled the huge parchment on the table for all to see. Bellatrix looked at the plan with a maniacal gleam in her eye. "As you see we will have five teams of five attacking at separate points all making their way to a central point were they will Apparate away. Quick, clean and simple, the Aurors won't know which way to turn."
Lucius looked at the layout and realized the target was the Great London Wizards Faire scheduled to begin the next weekend. It was held every other summer to let Wizarding businesses and people meet, sell and congregate in a muggle free atmosphere. People from all over England and the continent would be there. If Bella pulled this off she would cement her position as Voldemort's second in command.
Lucius was looking for weaknesses he could exploit to foil her plans and he thought that he saw several. He nodded slightly to Crabbe and Goyle while Bella was talking to Dolohov and Travers. Later they would meet to plan for Bella's downfall.
XX
It was late afternoon before Ginny awoke, she looked about the room for a moment expecting to see Harry but then remembered his leaving and her heart fell again. Her memory of her earlier dream doing little to comfort her now.
Her eyes fell once again on the poem that Harry had left her and she held it close to her chest as she gave a silent prayer for his safety. She rose and went down stairs and joined Molly in the kitchen.
"Need any help Mum," Ginny asked in a small flat voice.
Molly looked kindly at her daughter, "Sure hun, why don't you help with the potatoes while I get the roast ready for the oven."
"OK Mum," Ginny said without any enthusiasm.
Ginny went to the sink and began to peel the potatoes while thinking about Harry, her inattention cost her as the knife slipped and she cut her hand quite deeply. "Oh," she said as the pain stung her.
Molly turned quickly and saw the blood pouring from Ginny who was just staring at it like it wasn't real. Molly quickly took her wand and cast a healing charm, staunching the flow and knitting the severed skin back together.
She steered Ginny over to the table and forced her down into a chair. "Ginny," she chided, "I know you're missing Harry but you need to be careful and pay attention to what you're doing."
Ginny sighed, "Yes Mum," was all she said. Standing abruptly she said "I'm going to sit out back."
"All right dear," Molly said kindly.
Ginny when out and sat on the porch swing and sat staring off to the horizon, wondering where Harry and the others were, rocking gently, just passing the time till she could go to bed.
XX
Remus slowly became aware that he wasn't alone any more. His keen senses let him know that Tonks was in the room. He sat up suddenly startling her and causing her to trip and fall on the bed next to him.
She looked at him embarrassed until he laughed at her. "Sorry about that," he said. "My wolf sense told me some one was here and I sat up to see who it was."
Tonks sat up and laughed to, "I was just coming in to see how you were doing before starting dinner."
"Why don't I help you," Remus said amiably.
"Fine," said Tonks as she rose and offered her hand to Remus.
Remus took the offered hand and let Tonks help him to his feet. They went to the kitchen where she started to pull things out to make dinner for them. Remus pitched right in and they began to coordinate their movements so that they didn't hinder the other person.
"I want to thank you for letting me stay here today," he said sincerely. "I don't remember the last time I had such a restful sleep."
"Good," replied Tonks, "I knew you needed it, you looked so beat this morning."
They ate their dinner while catching up on what each other had been up to. Remus had been trying to contact and persuade the werewolves that Voldemort wasn't the choice they wanted to make. He would betray them as soon as he was done using them. He wasn't sure how effective he'd been and figured it was wait and see how things played out.
Tonks caught him up on the goings on in the Ministry with the attacks that they weren't allowed to talk about and all the inter-Ministry politics. With Fudge being forced to step down and Scrimgeour taking over as Minister of Magic but still not doing much openly so as not to panic the public.
Tonks knew it was just a matter of time before things exploded in their faces and the house of cards they were relying on came tumbling down around them.
Remus was enjoying the dinner and company immensity, it had been quite a while since he had a chance to just sit and talk.
"So have you given any thought to they advice I gave you this morning?" Remus asked.
Tonks looked at him with twinkling eyes and a smirk on her face, "Oh yes, I was doing paperwork most of the day so I had plenty of time to think about it."
"Come to any conclusions?" he asked.
"Yes I have," she replied. "I've decided to follow it and make the first move."
Remus laughed, "Good the poor blighter won't know what hit him."
"Oh, I know," Tonks replied with wicked grin. "I know."
Dinner was finally finished and Remus was clearing the table and putting the dishes in the sink when he was aware of Tonks coming right up behind him. He turned around and she was standing very close with a smile on her face.
Remus was a bit confused but before he could say anything she stepped as close as she could, reached up and ran a hand through his hair before slipping it behind his head and pulling him down into a searing kiss.
Remus was taken totally by surprise but found his body responding to her advances. She was warm and soft, her lips felt so wonderful on his and he found his arms coming up and pulling her closer as the kiss deepened.
Suddenly he was aware of what was happening and pulled back abruptly. He put his hands on her shoulders and tried to push her away. He got a bit panicky and looked deep into her eyes, his own filled with confusion.
"Relax Remus, I promise this won't hurt a bit," Tonks said softly.
"No, I can't do this," he said feebly. "What about the guy you like and. . ."
Tonks laughed lowly, "Really Remus you can't be that thick, can you?" she asked as she ran her fingers through his hair again.
His eyes suddenly lit up. "You can't be serious?" he whispered in disbelief. "I'm much too old for you and I'm a . . . you know a. . ."
"Werewolf," she finished for him. "As for old, you're not That old, I like to think of you as. . . Mature," she finished as she began to run a hand over his chest.
"But Tonks, really, think about what you're doing," he said trying to get some semblance of control back.
"I told you, I thought about it all day, just like you told me to," she said idly as she began to unbutton his shirt.
Remus, in one last attempt to extricate himself, grabbed her hands and pleaded, "Please Tonks..."
She silenced him with another kiss and his resistance crumbled and with a deep moan he wrapped his arms around her and returned her kiss tenfold. His aching want coupled with the exquisite feeling of her warm willing body pressed against him drove him wild. In one swift motion he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom.
All the way there she was unbuttoning his shirt and by the time they arrived she was able to push it off his shoulders so when he set her down she was able to peel it off him in one motion.
With a desire he hadn't felt in ages he tore Tonks' jumper off her not caring that he ripped it in the process.
Tonks' desire was no less as frenetic as his and she roughly unbuckled his belt. They hurriedly undressed each other and tumbled into bed. Bodies intertwining, hands groping, lips touching, everywhere they could reach.
Their first coupling was rough and frantic, both wanting to reach their climax as soon as possible, both were overwhelmed by the sensations that they were experiencing. In a shattering explosion of want and desire they came together wildly thrashing about the bed with the release of their pent up desires.
As they came down off their pinnacle, they both relaxed in each others arms, revelling in the afterglow of their lovemaking.
"Merlin, Remus,"Tonks said breathlessly. "That was bloody fantastic."
Remus held the younger woman in his arms, feeling exactly the same thing but beginning to question his participation. "Yes it was," he said at last. "But..."
Tonks put a hand over his mouth, "If you say one thing about age or your condition, I swear I'll hex you so bad you'll think you were hit by a lorry."
Tonks push Remus over onto his back, keeping him inside of her and began to slowly ride up and down on him causing him to become hard again. Moaning deeply, she began rotating her hips and grinding herself on him.
Remus groaned along with her, this time their lovemaking was much less hurried, more languorous, more loving. Remus pulled her down onto his chest and rolled over and began to thrust slowly and deeply into her.
Tonks responded and met him thrust for thrust, their passion building as they kissed and caressed each other as they made love. Finally they approached their crisis's and though less frenetic it was much more intense. Tonks came slightly before Remus and thrust up lifting him as she moaned out his name causing him to bury himself deep into her as he poured his essence into her hot wet centre.
Spent, they both collapsed back onto the bed, breathing hard and clinging tightly to each other. Finally Remus rolled off of Tonks but kept his arms wrapped around her so he could pull her close. Tonks grabbed the blanket and pulled it over them and they fell into an exhausted sleep.
XX
Harry came out into the common area in a foul mood, his time spent alone in his room had him out of sorts. He wanted to get the hunt over as soon as possible and staying here did nothing to help them accomplish that.
"Let's go," he said impatiently. "We can't stay here any longer. We need to move."
The Twins and Hermione looked at him like he'd lost his mind, "What's the rush?" Hermione asked.
"We need to get going," was all Harry said and he stalked out of the tent.
Fred and George looked at Hermione, "He's losing it," said Fred
"Yeah, completely barmy," said George.
Hermione looked sadly back at them and simply said "Ginny, he misses Ginny."
They followed Harry out of the tent and while Hermione removed the wards Harry brandished his wand and packed the tent. Looking around grimly they joined hands and Apparated away.
XX
Charlie and Sarah Apparated to the Burrow to talk to Hermione and see if she would be the third Bridesmaid and pair with one of the Twins. They found Ginny sitting out on the porch swing looking very forlorn.
They came up to her and Charlie asked "Hey Ginny, what wrong?"
Ginny looked up at the pair with tears in her eyes, she tried to say something but couldn't get anything out. The tears began to flow down her cheeks and Charlie and Sarah sat down, one on each side of her.
"What is it Ginny?" Sarah asked tenderly.
Ginny looked Sarah in the eyes then closed hers and rested her head on Sarah's shoulder. "They're gone," she sobbed softly.
"Who's gone?" asked Charlie.
"Harry, Hermione and the Twins."
Sarah put her arm around Ginny and held her close as Charlie went inside to see if he could get any additional information from his mother.
"Hey Mum, what's this about Harry, Hermione and the Twins being "Gone"?" he asked.
Molly looked back at him sadly, "The left this morning on some kind of mission so that Harry could defeat Riddle."
"Why didn't Harry take Ginny along with him?" Charlie questioned.
"Because Ginny still has the trace on her," Molly stated strongly.
"But why didn't they just. . ." Charlie started.
"SSHHHH," Molly hushed him.
Charlie looked at his mother with shock written all over his face. "You're telling me you didn't tell them?" Charlie whispered.
Molly's face fell, her guilt evident. "I just couldn't," she said. "I want to keep her safe Charlie, I just couldn't tell her."
Charlie shook his head, not believing what he was hearing. "Mum," he said with a look of extreme disappointment on his face. "If she ever finds out you'll lose her for sure. Merlin, you just about disowned us for hurting her and you turn around and do something just as bad if not worse."
Molly had no answer and just turned back to fixing dinner, tears in her eyes knowing Charlie was right. "Please Charlie, Please don't say anything, I'm begging you. She's my only daughter, my little girl. I just couldn't do it," Molly pleaded softly.
"You know I won't say anything Mum, just because I know how devastating it would be for her," Charlie said with disappointment in his voice.
"Thank you," was all Molly said.
Charlie went back out and found Ginny and Sarah still in the same position that he left them in. He sat back down beside Ginny and looked at her sympathetically. "Ginny," he said softly, "Is there anything we can do to help?"
For a moment he thought she wasn't going to answer but then she said softly, "Will you take me to Potter Cottage for the afternoon?"
Charlie looked at Sarah who still held Ginny in her arms, she gave him a nod letting him know that it was OK with her.
"Sure Ginny, we'll take you there. Let me go tell Mum where we're going and I'll be right back."
Ginny sat up and wiped her eyes, "OK, and thanks you two."
Charlie was back in a moment and helped Ginny rise, he and Sarah each took a hand as they made their way to the Apparation point.
Molly watched them walk away out the window, her heart torn with her emotions. She knew she had disappointed Charlie and hoped that it wouldn't affect their relationship. She kept them in view till they disappeared as the Apparated away.
XX
AN: Another Horcrux gone but things are not going smoothly. Harry and Ginny are suffering severe separation anxiety.
Molly's deception has been found out, can they keep the secret from Ginny or will she find out and if she does will she be able to forgive her mother?
Stay tuned for more.
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