Hi All,
Welcome to chapter 13 of Little Red Bird. Thanks for showing it love.
As always, keep the flames low, any constructive criticism is welcome. Drop a comment, it's always refreshing and gives more ideas on how I could improve the fic, or maybe even take the plot forward.
As always,Don't like, Don't read. - DZ2
Disclaimer: All HP rights and characters owned by JK Rowling, and fics are created for entertainment only
Ginny returned to her dorms to find Astoria sitting on her study desk, engrossed in writing up her assignments. She didn't realise the doors open and close, continuing to work on her homework.
"Missed me?" Ginny remarked as her friend suddenly turned around to see Ginny standing near the door. Astoria ran forward and engulfed her in a bone crushing hug, "Sweet Circe! It's good to see you back, Gin!"
Ginny grinned happily and returned the hug with affection, "I know, Tori. Don't worry I'm back and as good as new."
"Yes, Gin! I've been thinking a lot these past few days. I've always felt lost since Mel was sorted in Hufflepuff, you came in and filled that gap Gin. I don't like many people, Mel and you are two of the only ones I trust implicitly. I don't want you getting hurt, so please, I implore you, please let me in. I'll protect your secret as much as I can. I've asked my father for Occlumency lessons and have started working on meditating for it."
"Tori, you don't have to do that. I still trust you, it's just that these are very dangerous secrets. If I tell you, there's no turning back if you do agree. So, I'll say this again, please think carefully about it. It's as dark as saying you'll follow the Dark Lord."
Astoria stepped out of the embrace, taking another step back she looked into Ginny's eyes intently, her face turned impassive as she was lost in thought. Another moment passed, Ginny felt she revealed too much, just as Astoria replied, "You called him the Dark Lord! You support him. Only those who support him call him that, Gin. You need to be careful saying his name in front of the light side."
Ginny let out a sigh as she sat back on Astoria's bed. Her eyes downcast, she contemplated what to say, anything she says will probably affect their friendship. "Would you hate me if I did? Would you break our friendship if I were to say I'm a Dark witch. Darker than you could imagine, beyond the factions. What if I was more?"
Astoria moved to sit next to her and held her hands reassuringly, "Gin! What's going on? You know I wouldn't do that. Trust me for once. My family neither supports him, nor do they fight him. We're neutral, but much more leaning towards the dark side. We do want our traditions preserved, but we preferred not to support either side. He was fine with that in the last war, so long as we aided his cause in some way. I'm sure we would continue with similar arrangements this time around as well. It's alright, Gin! If you want to actively support him, I'll be with you. Weasley or not, it doesn't matter to me. You. Are. My. Friend! That's the bottomline!"
"You need to work on your occlumency, Tori. Once you have sufficient shields, I'll tell you more things. Fine, I will be taking an active part once He comes back. Till then, I need to stay in the shadows and be prepared. This last week showed me I was anything but prepared. 3 second year students managed to take me down. Just by physical force and a few spells. I had become a bit cocky I guess. Good! It means I need to prepare myself better. And since you so graciously volunteered, I have a long term goal and you'll come along for the ride." Ginny remarked taking out the shrunken book professor Snape gave her and enlarging it with a tap of her wand.
"What. Is. That?" Astoria questioned looking wide-eyed at the old book.
"A guide for improving physical fitness and strength. I have done a ritual to improve my body's magical core and strength capacity. Now I just have to work towards filling that. You can maybe workout with me, it'll help your body too."
"Wait, wait, wait-a-minute! Backtrack a bit! You've done What! When? Morgana's pants, when were you going to tell me Gin!"
"Eventually" Ginny replied with a sheepish smile.
"When did you do it?" Astoria crossed her arms and questioned her firmly.
"Samhain"
"Is that why you were missing that evening?" Ginny nodded in response. "Anything else, you want to say?"
"Yes, there's no Heir of Slytherin. It was just a prank and a way for me to dispose of the cat after the sacrifice."
Astoria covered her face with her hands and just groaned in response, "Ginny, Merlin, those are Dark and Banned by the Ministry. You'd be shipped off to Azkaban if you were to get caught."
"But I didn't. For Salazar's sake, I'm not careless, Tori. I had help for that ritual and it was planned for a while now. No, I can't give you who helped me without better shields. Besides, now you're there to help me with those, not that I've any plans right now."
"One day you'll be the death of me, Gin!"
"Oh Quit whining Tori, and get ready to grow some muscles. We'll start next week." Ginny responded with a wide grin and hit Tori with a pillow, which slowly turned into a full blown pillow fight.
Ginny and Astoria started referring to the old book and finally found the abandoned room Professor Snape suggested. It had a few archaic looking heavy metal discs, metal bars, a cushioned flat bench and some other equipment covered in dust and cobwebs. If the book was any guidance, then it was likely that the room was unused since the 70s era. That's when the muggle studies co-curricular physical education subject was discontinued. It was just what she needed. Honestly, muggles although filthy, did get some things right. She had introduced Astoria to Dinky, but didn't let her know the House she served.
Dinky was asked to clean up the place and make it usable. The little elf went the extra mile and not only cleaned up the room but also oiled and cleaned up the equipment into pristine condition, ready for use.
The first few days were quite exhausting for both of them. Neither fully understood the proper form and had sprained themselves a bit. However, with regular practice and use of the guide, they settled into a routine. Now, everyday 5-6AM was dedicated to workouts.
There weren't any gyms in the wizarding world, and hence there was no need for workout clothes as such, which is why they had to settle for quidditch jerseys, trousers and footwear. Narcissa was gracious enough to send her the gear for both of them.
Meanwhile, Harry, Ron and Hermione had decided to lay low after Ginny's attack. They were thankful that Ginny didn't report them and it was a fruitless venture as Hermione had got a good look at Ginny and saw she had both her earrings intact. Hermione and Harry apologised by sending a Get Well Soon card, however, none wanted to confront her face to face.
They finally summed up her retaliation to just stubbornness and decided to focus on Malfoy as the next candidate to be likely as Slytherin's Heir.
That is how, Harry and Ron, found themselves roped into another one of Hermione's brilliant plans to brew Polyjuice Potion inside the abandoned girls bathroom on the second floor.
Within a month the potion would be ready and they'd have a chance to question Malfoy disguised as his lackeys Crabbe and Goyle. Hermione planned to go in as either Daphne or Milicent Bulstrode.
In light of the situation with Slytherin's Heir and the unknown attack on Ginny Weasley, Gilderoy Lockhart proposed to conduct Duelling classes for the interested students. The Great Hall was cleared and a 30 ft long and 4 ft wide podium was set up.
Multiple students from all houses lined both sides of the podium. Harry, Ron and Hermione stood alongside some Hufflepuffs from their year while Draco, Blaise, Theo and other Slytherins stood at the other end near the Ravenclaws. Ginny stood alongside Astoria and Melanie catching up with each other.
"Gather Round! Gather Round!" Professor Lockhart stepped on to the elevated dias strutting like a peacock. "Can everybody see me! Can you all hear me!" he said and turned around setting his gaze around the hall, "In the light of the dark events of the past few days, Professor Dumbledore has allowed me to train you all in the art of duelling. My assistant for today would be your dear Professor Snape."
Professor Snape ascended the dias with a bored expression as both of them took their positions with a stiff bow to each other. Then both turned and walked 5 steps and turned around, wand ready in a duelling stance. On the count of three, Professor Snape was the first to fire a powerful 'Expelliarmus' at Lockhart, and before he could respond the vain professor was blasted 10 feet back and landed sprawled on his back.
"Well done, Professor Snape. Of Course I knew what you were going to do. I was merely playing along for the students to see." Lockhart tried hard to save face.
Professor Snape on the other hand smirked at the incompetent nincompoop, "Perhaps it would be better if we let the students try and learn?"
"Oh yes, you are right. Uhmm, Potter, Weasley, Up!" Lockhart replied pointing them to come up stage.
However, the potions master interjected, " 's wand causes devastation with the simplest of spells. We'd have to send in a match-box likely. Might I suggest someone else?" he finished with a shrug, "Perhaps, someone from my House? Miss Weasley! Up!"
The moment became tense when Ginny walked up to the stage proudly wearing a smirk. Harry was suddenly nervous, not because of fear, but due to the incident where they left her and cowardly ran off.
Ginny stood right in front of Harry with her wand and both bowed to each other before turning around and walking to their positions. Harry mimicked the duel stance of the professors, whereas Ginny favoured her battle stance of standing front on. A look of disdain passed her face as both got ready.
"Now, on the count of three. Remember, Disarm only." Lockhart reminded them before starting the count.
Ginny fired off a powerful Depulso on the count of two, while Harry was caught unawares and was hit with the force of a bludger in the guts blasting back next to Lockhart. The Slytherins cheered for Ginny and booed Harry.
Harry stood with a fierce determination and fired a 'Rictumsempra' which grazed Ginny's shoulder as she tried to dodge the impact and rolled over and fell on her haunches.
Shrugging her left shoulder, she readied herself just as Harry fired the Disarming spell, with no time to counter, she jumped out of the way barely staying on the dias.
Ginny took the moment and fired off 'Locomotor Mortis' which caught Harry and was unable to move his feet. Harry tried to use a Finite on his legs which gave Ginny enough time to shoot a quick knockback hitting Harry squarely on his chest and got blasted off the stage. He saw an opportunity from his position and before walking up he shot a knockback she wasn't able to dodge and was knocked off next to the Potions Professor who watched on with a blank expression.
She gave her Head of House an imperceptible smile and within a split second turned around firing off the very spell Draco used the first time round on her 'Serpensortia!'. A 9ft long green horned viper emerged from the end of her wand and landed in the middle of the dias. Everyone, including Harry was distracted by the big viper slithering towards him that he missed the 'Expelliarmus' right before it hit him squarely snapping his wand away and ending the duel effectively.
Professor Lockhart tried to vanish it, but the idiot's spell only agitated the snake more. Professor Snape decided to intervene and offered to remove it, however by that time everyone could see Harry moving towards the agitated viper who was coiling to strike the Hufflepuff muggleborn right in front. Ginny smirked at her victory getting back down the dias and turned around when she heard a series of hisses from Harry's mouth as did everyone else while they stood wide-eyed watching Harry Potter speak Parseltongue.
Professor Snape regained his senses and fired off 'Vipera Evanesca' to remove the snake from the Hall. However, the damage was already done. To everyone, it seemed he was egging the snake on to attack the muggleborn.
Ginny stood back watching with a triumphant smirk as Potter, Ron and the Mudblood fled the Hall amidst chatter. This was even better to antagonise the Trio. She'd have to thank Draco for teaching her the spell.
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