DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own anything Harry Potter affiliated. If I did, I would be sending this off to a publisher...not posting it online.
CHAPTER FIFTY THREE: THERE WILL ALWAYS BE HELP
Almost silently, Ginny picked up the fallen sheet of parchment. Removing her wand she held it to the crisp blank sheet, but decided, that just incase she got it wrong, that she should probably sit. Moving to a nearby chair, she accidently knocked over a stack of books resting on it's armrest.
Turning at the sudden comotion, Harry yelled to her, "Ginny! NO!"
Taking no heed in his warning, she continued with her idea, whispering, "I honestly swear that my intentions are of love."
A brillant light emerged from the center of the paper, pure and blinding. All but Ginny frantically covered their eyes. She however was amazed at the sight before her. Hundreds of thousands of tiny dots appeared upon the blank page, sparkling and dancing, swirling and curling. Drawing boundaries, buildings and roads alike, and although the sheet was small, the map was expansive. It covered the distance of the entire forest, starting at the school and working its way out ward. She never realize how large it actually was. Thinking back nearly nine months, she realized that in her distraught stage what seemed as though she was flying over the entire forest, was actually a distance barely even one tenth of half of the forest.
Still the blazing light shown brightly, black pixels now filling in the smaller details. Trees became roughly outlined, along with caves and hollows, clearings and dwelings, each with their characteristics. There were hundreds of different areas, belonging to thousands of different creatures. Some living peacefully together, while others were solitary in clans. Slowly, the light began to fade, absorbing itself into the inner workings, becoming part of the map itself. The lines shimmered with the warmth of it, glowed with the pureness.
As hands, arms and cloaks were drawn down from eyes and faces, they were immediately returned. For, when their defences were down, the light blazed yet again. Bursting forth from the center, it created a spout that washed down upon the edges of the pages, creating a flowing script that encircled the entire map. Quietly, with wide eyes, Ginny began to read, calling the others to her as she spoke.
"Love's true light and deepest desires brings forth in lovers the purest of fires.
Burning deep within each being's heart, it's the passion of stars, an immense work of art.
So raw, so pristine, so full of beauty; no evil can withstand its exemplar glory."
The light faded into a bleak text, barely noticable against the imagery within. Harry carefully withdrew the map from Ginny's fingers, unsure of what it might do next. Slowly turning towards Remus, he asked, "What does that mean."
"I think the question to be asking," he started, 'is not 'what does it mean,' but, where did it come from?"
Professor McGonagall looked preplexed, though it might have been her eyes trying to regain focus. "You didn't put it there?"
Shaking his head, Remus took the map from Harry, carefully examining every aspect of the parchment. "I'm afraid not Minerva," he said. "That entire 'presentation' was new to my eyes."
"Didn't you unlock it before now?"
"Of course I did Albus. I opened it many times, checking and double checking every aspect of it," Remus tossed the map onto the grand desk, next to the older one. "I spent the whole of a month doing nothing but making sure it was in perfect working order."
"A month?" Ginny questioned, "An entire month on just checking it? But that means you've been working on it for-"
"Almost six months. I started working on it soon after the search for your myserious 'cabin' was halted. I've opened it countless times, but never," he yelled, "NEVER has it done that."
"Close it."
"What?" Harry asked.
Ginny repeated herself, "Close it, and reopen it. See what it does, if it does it again."
"Alright, I see what you're getting at," Remus said, tapping the parchment, clearing it of all contents. "Here," he handed the paper to Harry, "you try it."
"I honestly swear that my intentions are of love," he spoke, holding his wand in the direct center of the blank paper. Like frost upon a window, lines began to creap across, filling in the details of the forest. But there was no light, no brillance or beauty. There wasn't even a hint of script upon the edges. "How is this possible?" Harry asked, tapping the map and handing the blank piece to the next person to try it.
Person after person, the map did nothing of important significance. It was just the same frost-like drawing that Harry had gotten. Even Dumbledore was slightly disappointed when the map plainly drew itself in. Grimly, he cleared the map and handed it to Ginny. Not sure what to expect, not even sure why she was trying, she spoke the key, "I honestly swear that my intentions are of love," and watch in awe as a pure white light washed over the parchment revealing a map. Looking up for answers, she found none. All were as confused as she.
"How?" she asked, "Why?"
"Magic works in mysterious ways," Dumbledore responded with a slight chuckle, "it isn't always what we want it to be, nor does it always do what we intend it to. Magic has a mind of it's own, it's own intentions. It is impossible to explain."
Gasping, as if searching the room for air, Ginny was horror struck as she looked down upon the map. There was a new item seated in the center of the forest, surrounded by various dots scattered about, with various names. Each seemed to be stationed around a small square. But there were so many dots gathered within it, it was impossible to tell who each one represented. "The cabin," Ginny whispered, calling more attention to herself, "But I can't see anything, it's too small." Defeated, a tear rolled down her cheek, "This could be anything!" she exclaimed to the people around her. "If only it were bigger!"
As if by command, a square appeared around the area inquestion. Slowly the box expanded, zooming in on the small square, which was now being revealed as a house. Exterior and interior became more definate, more visable, mainly showing two circles of guards. One group was surrounding a smaller group of people, while the other was protecting only two dots. Oddly, there were twice as many people circling the two dots, as there were surrounding the group, making it obvious as to who the two were.
"We've found them," she whispered, releasing a few more tears, "Harry! This is them, right here!" Ginny pointed to the two warded dots. As she pointed, names appeared, hovering slightly about. One read James Potter while the other read Maggie Potter.
"We've found them, alright," Harry said, hugging Ginny, "but now, how do we get to them? How do we get to them without risking their lives?"
"I'm not sure," Ginny said, settling into his arms, "We can't do it alone. Look at all of those guards! Not only the ones protecting the room they're in, but the ones on the outside of the building, too. I'll bet the place is just crawling with alarms waiting to be set off. Who knows how many we'd have to go up against!"
"Professor," Ginny said, removing herself from Harry's embrace, "We need your help."
"I'm afraid Ms. Weasley," Dumbledore spoke, "that I cannot help you."
"What?" she asked, echoed by both Professors Lupin and McGonagall.
"You must do this on your own. You and Harry."
"Please," she pleaded, tears running down her cheeks, "you can't be serious! There is no possible way that we could go in there and come out alive."
"I'm sorry, but-"
"But nothing Professor," Harry interrupted, "Didn't you once tell me that help will always be given to those who ask for it?" Dumbledore met his gaze, and what were once loving and strong pools, were now glazed over. "Well," Harry continued, "here I am, here we are asking you for help. Please Professor. Please if not for us, then for our children."
Dumbledore looked around his office, at the faces that were meeting him. The determined gazes of people who needed him, who were asking for his help, but could he give it?
"Well Professor, what is your answer?" Ginny demanded.
Could he give it? Could he risk it? Every person was urging him to respond, hoping for what they wanted to hear. He was standing between a rock and a hard place, uncertain of the affects of what either choice could bring. "I guess, my answer is-"
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A/N: Oh! Cliff hanger! I'm so cruel sometimes. But, I finally was able to find time to write and post! Yay! The wait could not be avoided, and I'm not sorry about it, either. If I would have been able to update sooner, it wouldn't be the same story that I would have written. That's just fate for you. Hope you enjoyed this one, I really tried my hardest to make it my best.
CHAPTER FIFTY THREE: THERE WILL ALWAYS BE HELP
Almost silently, Ginny picked up the fallen sheet of parchment. Removing her wand she held it to the crisp blank sheet, but decided, that just incase she got it wrong, that she should probably sit. Moving to a nearby chair, she accidently knocked over a stack of books resting on it's armrest.
Turning at the sudden comotion, Harry yelled to her, "Ginny! NO!"
Taking no heed in his warning, she continued with her idea, whispering, "I honestly swear that my intentions are of love."
A brillant light emerged from the center of the paper, pure and blinding. All but Ginny frantically covered their eyes. She however was amazed at the sight before her. Hundreds of thousands of tiny dots appeared upon the blank page, sparkling and dancing, swirling and curling. Drawing boundaries, buildings and roads alike, and although the sheet was small, the map was expansive. It covered the distance of the entire forest, starting at the school and working its way out ward. She never realize how large it actually was. Thinking back nearly nine months, she realized that in her distraught stage what seemed as though she was flying over the entire forest, was actually a distance barely even one tenth of half of the forest.
Still the blazing light shown brightly, black pixels now filling in the smaller details. Trees became roughly outlined, along with caves and hollows, clearings and dwelings, each with their characteristics. There were hundreds of different areas, belonging to thousands of different creatures. Some living peacefully together, while others were solitary in clans. Slowly, the light began to fade, absorbing itself into the inner workings, becoming part of the map itself. The lines shimmered with the warmth of it, glowed with the pureness.
As hands, arms and cloaks were drawn down from eyes and faces, they were immediately returned. For, when their defences were down, the light blazed yet again. Bursting forth from the center, it created a spout that washed down upon the edges of the pages, creating a flowing script that encircled the entire map. Quietly, with wide eyes, Ginny began to read, calling the others to her as she spoke.
"Love's true light and deepest desires brings forth in lovers the purest of fires.
Burning deep within each being's heart, it's the passion of stars, an immense work of art.
So raw, so pristine, so full of beauty; no evil can withstand its exemplar glory."
The light faded into a bleak text, barely noticable against the imagery within. Harry carefully withdrew the map from Ginny's fingers, unsure of what it might do next. Slowly turning towards Remus, he asked, "What does that mean."
"I think the question to be asking," he started, 'is not 'what does it mean,' but, where did it come from?"
Professor McGonagall looked preplexed, though it might have been her eyes trying to regain focus. "You didn't put it there?"
Shaking his head, Remus took the map from Harry, carefully examining every aspect of the parchment. "I'm afraid not Minerva," he said. "That entire 'presentation' was new to my eyes."
"Didn't you unlock it before now?"
"Of course I did Albus. I opened it many times, checking and double checking every aspect of it," Remus tossed the map onto the grand desk, next to the older one. "I spent the whole of a month doing nothing but making sure it was in perfect working order."
"A month?" Ginny questioned, "An entire month on just checking it? But that means you've been working on it for-"
"Almost six months. I started working on it soon after the search for your myserious 'cabin' was halted. I've opened it countless times, but never," he yelled, "NEVER has it done that."
"Close it."
"What?" Harry asked.
Ginny repeated herself, "Close it, and reopen it. See what it does, if it does it again."
"Alright, I see what you're getting at," Remus said, tapping the parchment, clearing it of all contents. "Here," he handed the paper to Harry, "you try it."
"I honestly swear that my intentions are of love," he spoke, holding his wand in the direct center of the blank paper. Like frost upon a window, lines began to creap across, filling in the details of the forest. But there was no light, no brillance or beauty. There wasn't even a hint of script upon the edges. "How is this possible?" Harry asked, tapping the map and handing the blank piece to the next person to try it.
Person after person, the map did nothing of important significance. It was just the same frost-like drawing that Harry had gotten. Even Dumbledore was slightly disappointed when the map plainly drew itself in. Grimly, he cleared the map and handed it to Ginny. Not sure what to expect, not even sure why she was trying, she spoke the key, "I honestly swear that my intentions are of love," and watch in awe as a pure white light washed over the parchment revealing a map. Looking up for answers, she found none. All were as confused as she.
"How?" she asked, "Why?"
"Magic works in mysterious ways," Dumbledore responded with a slight chuckle, "it isn't always what we want it to be, nor does it always do what we intend it to. Magic has a mind of it's own, it's own intentions. It is impossible to explain."
Gasping, as if searching the room for air, Ginny was horror struck as she looked down upon the map. There was a new item seated in the center of the forest, surrounded by various dots scattered about, with various names. Each seemed to be stationed around a small square. But there were so many dots gathered within it, it was impossible to tell who each one represented. "The cabin," Ginny whispered, calling more attention to herself, "But I can't see anything, it's too small." Defeated, a tear rolled down her cheek, "This could be anything!" she exclaimed to the people around her. "If only it were bigger!"
As if by command, a square appeared around the area inquestion. Slowly the box expanded, zooming in on the small square, which was now being revealed as a house. Exterior and interior became more definate, more visable, mainly showing two circles of guards. One group was surrounding a smaller group of people, while the other was protecting only two dots. Oddly, there were twice as many people circling the two dots, as there were surrounding the group, making it obvious as to who the two were.
"We've found them," she whispered, releasing a few more tears, "Harry! This is them, right here!" Ginny pointed to the two warded dots. As she pointed, names appeared, hovering slightly about. One read James Potter while the other read Maggie Potter.
"We've found them, alright," Harry said, hugging Ginny, "but now, how do we get to them? How do we get to them without risking their lives?"
"I'm not sure," Ginny said, settling into his arms, "We can't do it alone. Look at all of those guards! Not only the ones protecting the room they're in, but the ones on the outside of the building, too. I'll bet the place is just crawling with alarms waiting to be set off. Who knows how many we'd have to go up against!"
"Professor," Ginny said, removing herself from Harry's embrace, "We need your help."
"I'm afraid Ms. Weasley," Dumbledore spoke, "that I cannot help you."
"What?" she asked, echoed by both Professors Lupin and McGonagall.
"You must do this on your own. You and Harry."
"Please," she pleaded, tears running down her cheeks, "you can't be serious! There is no possible way that we could go in there and come out alive."
"I'm sorry, but-"
"But nothing Professor," Harry interrupted, "Didn't you once tell me that help will always be given to those who ask for it?" Dumbledore met his gaze, and what were once loving and strong pools, were now glazed over. "Well," Harry continued, "here I am, here we are asking you for help. Please Professor. Please if not for us, then for our children."
Dumbledore looked around his office, at the faces that were meeting him. The determined gazes of people who needed him, who were asking for his help, but could he give it?
"Well Professor, what is your answer?" Ginny demanded.
Could he give it? Could he risk it? Every person was urging him to respond, hoping for what they wanted to hear. He was standing between a rock and a hard place, uncertain of the affects of what either choice could bring. "I guess, my answer is-"
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A/N: Oh! Cliff hanger! I'm so cruel sometimes. But, I finally was able to find time to write and post! Yay! The wait could not be avoided, and I'm not sorry about it, either. If I would have been able to update sooner, it wouldn't be the same story that I would have written. That's just fate for you. Hope you enjoyed this one, I really tried my hardest to make it my best.
