A/N:
It's been decided. They're still soul mates. And, yes, I did get the whole
soul mate thing from reading, and writing fics, based on the L.J. Smith books. (Read
the Night World series, they're awesome!) Newayz, on the topic of THIS fic. I think
I could have done better on this part, but for now, I'll keep it like this. The next
part will be the last (yup... you heard me right) and we'll all see what happens ^-^
Hope you enjoy!
Usual disclaimers apply.
Revelations- Part 5
By Iris Marie
They didn't need to talk, their thoughts moving through them like waves
upon the shore. They knew what each feared, what each needed, and they were both
terrified and happy at the new revelation. Deepest secrets were now being explored,
and Harry was amazed at how long she liked him. The secret yearnings came flooding
to him, and he felt somewhat embarrassed.
A hand went to the enjoined wands and when they looked up, Dumbledore was
carefully surveying it, his lips in a confused frown. But, his eyes were glittering
with profound curiosity and happiness. "Well, I must say, I haven't thought that I
would witness a soul mate joining. Especially when it dealt with *that*!"
"What's *that*?"
Dumbledore offered them the enjoined wand and Harry saw with surprise as
the handle of it had a lily-like design. "When two magic's would join to become
one. When I saw the white light flash through my room, that was a symbol of a
soul mate joining, but when it lasted in waves the way it did, it only meant
one thing." He then paused, staring at the two. "Ahh... so that's why he took
both your locks of hair."
"But what can he do with it?" Harry asked, a protectiveness over Ginny
empowering him. He glanced at her, and saw her eyes wide with fright.
"Strip you from your powers," he said, taking the wand and turning it
around. "Harry, try to use this," he said, giving him the wand.
Harry took it, and raising it, said, "Wingardium Leviosa!" He pointed
his wand to a book, but nothing happened. Not even a spark... nothing. He felt
fear rushing through him, and he knew instantly that it wasn't just his own,
but Ginny's. He glanced towards her direction and her hands were clasped
tightly together. He could feel her thinking of her vision, and trying to show
to her that nothing like that will happen, he raised the wand again. He then said,
"Lumos." It was a fairly simple charm that he had been doing since his first
year. But, once more nothing happened.
Ginny then told Dumbledore what she saw, the first time and then the
next time. And Dumbledore stood there listening and when she had finally finished, he
ran a hand through his long beard and once more Harry saw those aging lines on
his face. "The council will have to be gathered once more. Hopefully with Draco's
information and Snape's potion, everything will work out the way it will." He
looked at the wand again, staring at it with a look of lost hope. "I came running
because if you two were capable of using it, it would have been an invaluable tool
against Voldemort. I suppose that's why he took what he did." Dumbledore sighed
again, handing the useless wand to them.
Dumbledore turned around, but then he paused and looked towards them
once more. Smiling, he said, "Oh, and congratulations. I, myself, am shocked
that there are soul mates in my school."
"But I thought that when you met your soul mate, the first time you
touched will be when it hits you," Ginny said, looking down.
"Yes, but what if you didn't like the person that you were to be soul
mates with? I mean, you'd have no choice. So, through the years it seemed to
have become modified. Evolved, as one might say. So, instead of simply touching
and finding your soul mate, you'd have to first accept the fact that you liked
the other person, and once you do and touch, that's when you'll get the soul
mate joining." He then paused and glanced at the wand. "And in the matter of
you two, it seems as if it wasn't just a soul mate joining, but a magic
one at that." He sighed again. "You both should go to sleep. We'll call the
council together this morning and I want you both there."
Harry and Ginny nodded, watching as he walked out of the portrait door.
They stared at each other a moment later, speechless as to what to say next,
but words were not needed for then they smiled and went up their separate ways.
And that night, above all nights, was full of peace and comfort, the odd emptiness
they'd always feel inside, now gone to be replaced by something warm and pure.
------
Ron and Hermione stared at their best friends, shocked to say the least,
then taking up the wand and turning it around. Ron still couldn't exactly close
his hanging jaw, and Hermione was debating to be glad, or mad. Ron and her never
really exactly had a 'soul mate joining'. Then again, she had read that soul mates
were rare... only a few, extremely few, had it.
"Well...." Ron trailed off, staring at his sister and best friend. All
right, he thought that they might have 'liked', but soul mates? He looked at the
wand again, the proof of what they said. He didn't wake up to waves of white
light. No one else seemed to have either. "Well..."
"Stop, it's as odd as it might be to you, to me," Harry said, looking at the
wand with confusion. "If Ginny's right, he's going to attack tonight. I mean, why
wouldn't he? It'd be a perfect time to get me. I can't even defend myself."
"Don't say that," Hermione said, leaning back and then getting up. "There
must be SOME solution to this. And I intend to find it."
"But if Dumbledore didn't know about it, Hermione, what are the chances that
you will?"
She sighed, running a hand through her bushy hair. "Well, what else can I
do, Ron? I can't just sit here doing nothing!" But then she paused and then her eyes
grew wide. "I GOT it! Phoenix ashes... oh Ron! I get it!"
"What do you get?"
"The potion that Snape was making. Phoenix ashes... Just think about it! What
do Phoenix tears do?"
"They heal wounds," Harry replied, remembering all too well the time when the basilisk's
fang dug into him. It was Fawkes who began to cry against him and it was then that the
poison fled, and the wound, from his body.
"All right... now think of what the ashes would do!"
Harry and Ron, however, didn't get it. Ginny sat, her mind replaying what she saw
in her visions. The first time was Harry, with a girl covered with some liquid. All right...
second time was the lily, burned on the floor. Now, phoenix ashes placed into a potion. When
combined...? Phoenix tears heal. The ashes are a stage when he's like withering away, but then
he gets rejuvenated. So... when the lily is dead, like how it is now, wouldn't the potion
make it come back?
Ginny stood up, her mind racing with the possibility. She glanced towards Hermione,
seeing if she was thinking the same way. When Hermi nodded, Ginny laughed, the dread for
the coming night going away. Harry was looking at her in confusion, and then the link
between them opened once more and her thoughts and hopes poured into him like a rushing
stream, and even though he didn't get most of it, he still couldn't help but smile at
the warmth of her.
"ALL RIGHT! I see that ALL of you might get it, but remember me?" Ron asked,
staring at them. Hermione laughed, not mockingly, but adoringly and Ron's frown was
wiped from his lips.
"I'll tell you eventually," Hermione said, repeating what he had told her the
previous night. He opened his mouth to argue, but then his eyes glittered, finally
remembering, and they stood like that, not an argument in sight.
-------
So the council had they're meeting, Ginny being made to tell them every single
detail from her visions. Snape then told them of the potion he had been brewing for the
past weeks and by sundown, it will be ready and done. Of course, though, everyone was
holding their breaths, the fact that Voldemort was supposed to attack Hogwarts that night
in everybody's mind. Dumbledore had tried to call Cornelius Fudge, tell him what was
happening, but he had turned away from the information, saying that it was just some
girl's stupid dreams. When he told of the soul mate joining, he just simply dismissed
the whole idea, saying there was no such thing. By then, Dumbledore himself lost his
temper, the new council knowing they will not get any support from the old.
Protection wards were everywhere, the school now worse then it was when people
were getting petrified. No student wanted to step out of their dormitory, their teachers
having to stay with them. And Ginny and Harry were especially being watched over, McGonagall
as tense as a cat. So that was why Harry and Ginny were forced to sit on the couch, Ron
and Hermione trying to persuade McGonagall to at least let them stand up.
It was a bit uncomfortable for both of them as they sat next to each other. And
then, finally, Ginny said what had been in both of their minds. "Harry... I don't know
if I love you... I mean, I know I like you... I've always liked you... but I'm only
fourteen and... well..."
Harry sighed with relief. "It's all right, Ginny. I... I don't know what I feel
either... I mean... well..." he trailed off, his ears burning. "Soul mates are supposed
to be deeply in love with each other... I don't know if I love you like that... It's
just too quick to say, you know?" And then, once more, a feeling of mutual understanding
and relief passed the two, the question off of both of their minds.
"Well, we got her to calm down a bit," Hermione said, even though her wand was
still held tightly in her right hand.
"A *bit*... little, little, little *bit*."
The portrait door sung open and Snape stood there. "Harry... Ginny... please
follow me." They nodded, and standing, followed the potion teacher out of the door.
---------
Draco sat in the corner of Dumbledore's office, his head laid in-between his hands.
Dumbledore felt sorry for the boy, knowing that he'd never be able to go back to his family.
And Draco must have known that already, but he wouldn't show it. His eyes were still steely
blue, his white blonde hair still kept in place. He had told them that Voldemort was indeed
planning to attack tonight. Had said that he was trying to kill Nagini because the snake
was like an extra to Voldemort's power. Had said that Voldemort wanted, above anything
else, to kill Potter.
Dumbledore took a seat next to his bird, watching as the sun continued to set
while a lazy orange hue swept the sky as skillful as a painter's brush. And
then, to his utter amazement, his office melted away to be replaced by an open meadow
and a bright blue sky. He looked around in amazement, the scenery so beautiful and
familiar. And then, he saw her.
He sucked in the air, watching as the beautiful body swayed like a willow in the
breeze, her laughter ringing, not shyly, but with a melody in them that made his heart
flutter. She was gathering flowers, as she had always did, this Muggle woman whom
his heart reached for when he had gone for a small tour in their world. Oh, the simple
sight of her still made his heart beat so hard even at his old age. She glanced up
at him, her smile widening, her eyes shining. Playfully, she walked backwards, enticing
him to follow, and despite everything, he couldn't resist. Standing up, he began
following her, as if a youthfulness in him had been regain. He followed, in those
meadows of green, the bright blue sky twirling around him.
Draco sat still as another wave of coldness crashed through him and when he
raised his head, he froze. Dumbledore was gone, the door wide open. Once more that
wave of freezing wind crashed through him, and then, as if in a dream, the walls shimmered
away and in its place was an open field. Voldemort was in his throne, the cauldron that
brought him back in front of him like an altar.
Draco looked around, seeing the Death Eater's in their places and he wondered
if his father and mother were among them. But then, a laugh that came from the throne
rang through the air and when Draco looked, Voldemort's eyes were shining pure red, his
horrible snake slithering over his shoulders. "Draco Malfoy... back to his old self?"
He didn't reply, the eyes bearing down at him nerving him, but he wouldn't
dare show it. Instead, he straightened his back, his head held high.
Voldemort laughed again. "Such arrogance for a young child! I suppose it's
the Malfoy blood?" He then paused. "But, you're not anything like your father. You
have betrayed me, Draco. You have betrayed Nagini." He took the snake, and as if it was
a dog, took its jaw and swayed it in front of him. "You know the penalty of such a
thing."
Draco felt another shudder run through him. He kept still and quiet, his
head not inching lower, but gaining height.
"However, as your father had said, you *would* be very valuable in certain
ways. So, if you would ever like to redeem yourself in my eyes, I ask for your simple
cooperation."
"And what if I object?" Draco asked, looking about him and wondering if he
could get away. He saw Voldemort's eyes flash dangerously, and he kept his cool
air.
"I would advise you to not do that."
"And why not?" He asked contemptuously and then, shocked, Voldemort laughed
again, the threatening air about him now gone.
"Oh! What a boy you are! I would really pity killing you," Voldemort
said, petting the snake that was coiled on his lap. "Then again, Nagini here is
hungry." The snake hissed as if emphasizing the point, and not even Draco could
stop himself from taking a step back. "Now, as I now know that you wouldn't turn
the offer to live, here's what you have to do. I want you to make sure that potion
that Severus is working on is ruined. Do you hear me, boy? I want you to destroy
that."
"Why?"
Voldemort's eyes flashed with annoyance once more, and before he could respond,
he raised an annoyed hand and motioned for him to leave. "You better do it now."
Draco felt the world about him shift again and when Dumbledore's office was
back, he felt more chills rush through him. Standing up, Dumbledore still was not
in the office and taking Fawkes, he rushed down the stairs and through the two gargoyles.
He'd be damned if he just stood there doing nothing.
-----
Snape lead the way and by the time he stopped, they were in the dungeons,
a big black cauldron boiling in the middle of the room. Snape silently motioned
them forward, and then taking a big wooden spoon, swirled the potion counterclockwise
five times. When he was done, Harry stepped forward. Firmly talking the wand inbetween
his hands, he dipped it into the boiling liquid.
Ginny didn't know what to exactly expect. But, she thought that there might
be a big bang or some smoke. At least some indication that anything happened. But,
nothing did and Snape was staring with frustration towards his potion. "Ginny."
Ginny nodded, and Harry still holding the wand, they dipped it in together.
She didn't know what they hoped to accomplish by it, since it hadn't worked the
first time, and just like what she thought, nothing did happen. Snape, by now,
was muttering to himself.
"Maybe you missed an ingredient?" Harry asked, looking at the wand. Raising
his arm, he said, "Lumos." Once more, like before, nothing happened. Glancing towards
a clock, he saw it was almost 6, close to sundown.
"I didn't miss anything!" Snape said, staring about his dungeon. "I don't
understand... why didn't it work!?"
They heard a door bang open, and turning around, Draco was sanding there,
Fawkes by his side. "Dumbledore's gone."
"What!?"
"I was sitting in his office, and when I looked up, he was gone."
"But why? How?"
Snape paused, and then his eyes lighted up. "There must be someone else here
who is letting Voldemort gain access. C'mon."
"Where are we going?"
"To the Forbidden Forest. There is a possibility that Voldemort has the whole
castle warded from any use of magic." As if trying to show his point, he raised his wand
and said, "Avis!" Harry remembered Mr. Ollivander use that spell last year when he was testing
out the wands. Before, little birds came bursting out of the tip of the wand, but Snape's
wand gave a little puff of smoke, and then died out. Snape was shaking his head in
annoyance, and then he grabbed Harry's arm while looking at the clock. "C'mon... we don't
have much time."
They were about to run out, but Draco stood back. Ginny glanced towards him and
offered her hand. "C'mon."
But he shook his head, stroking Fawkes. "I have to find Dumbledore."
Ginny nodded and before Harry took her arm, she ran up to Draco and encircled
him with her arms. "Thank you, Draco, for helping us." Pink patches were forming on
his cheeks and he gently, and awkwardly, pulled her away. Coughing slightly, he nodded,
and then Harry, Snape, and her were running out of the door.
Draco paused momentarily, wondering where Voldemort would have led Dumbledore.
And then, he realized where. Taking Fawkes, he also ran up the steps and into the
halls.
When they exited the castle, the sun was just beginning to set and Snape
urged them further. In his hands was a bottle full of the potion that he had brewed
for nearly two months. Originally, it was meant for renewing Dumbledore's youth. But,
then the plans quickly changed, everybody knowing that a wand forged from soul mates
would be the most potent tool.
As they reached the edge of the forest, Ginny paused, her vision coming back
to her. She saw herself in the middle of the woods, her body laid on the floor, dead.
Harry, realizing her pause, gently took her hand. "Ginny... look at me..."
She looked towards him and his eyes were full of warmth. "I promise that
nothing like that will happen... Ginny... I promise." He squeezed her hand and
then she nodded, running with him to catch up with Snape. They went as deep as they
dared and then Snape was already uncorking the bottle.
"What time is it?" Harry asked. Snape glanced wildly to his watch, and saw
that it was past six.
"Almost time. C'mon, we better hurry up." Harry and Ginny came forward, the
wand clenched tightly between their enjoined hands. Snape tipped the bottle forward
and they all watched in anticipation as the first few drops began to fall.
But then, in the path that lead back to Hogwarts, a scrawny man stepped
forward and screamed, "Accio!" The potion and it's contents flew to the floor and
they watched in horror as the precious liquid sunk into the ground.
"Hello Harry," Peter Pettigrew muttered, his scrawny body shaking, but a
determined grin on his face. "You look more like your father each time I see you."
Harry was shaking with hatred, remembering the time when he had released
the man. "I saved you from Sirius and Remus."
"And I am thankful of it," Peter said. "But, my master told me that if I
don't do this properly, it will cost me my life."
"Yes, and we all know how cowardly you are!" Harry yelled.
Peter flinched. "You'll understand soon how valuable life is." And then he
raised his wand and said, "Mosmordre." The Dark Mark made it's way into the sky and
they watched in horror as robed men and women stepped from the forest.
"How is life without any friends?" Harry asked, directing his attention
to Peter. "My father trusted you! My mother trusted you! And you just tossed it
away... their friendship... their trust, for what?" Harry watched as Peter's face
twisted with pain. "What is the point of life when no one cares for you!? When no
one loves you!?! When *you* can't love?"
"Oh, that's quite simple," a voice muttered and Harry froze. Peter was still
shaking, from either the entrance of the one cloaked man, or from Harry's words, he
didn't know. "For power, Harry... power." He was about to walk towards him, but then
he paused, looking at the Weasley girl on the floor. Her who body was trembling worse
then Peter's and Voldemort felt amused at the fear that radiated out of her. He walked
forward, till he was in front of her. He distantly heard Harry give a struggle for him
to stop.
"Ah... and you're Ginny." Her eyes had a faraway look though, as if she didn't
realize that he was in front of her. "What is your little secret?" He asked, bending
slightly. He reached towards her, attempting to force the secret out of her. And
Ginny sat there, dumbly, remembering the vision of herself in the middle of the
woods, dead.
The voice she kept hearing in her dreams was laughing now, repeating what it
had told her since the beginning. 'You can't save yourself. You never will. You never
could.' And as Ginny glanced up towards the man who had killed numerous Muggles as well
as wizards... a man who was going to not only kill her, but those who she cared for, the
once dormant magic that laid within her sprang into life. She felt it spread through
her whole being, the magical silver flames that told to all who she was and what she
will become, engulfing those that had brought forth the hatred that caused it to awaken.
And Ginny continued to scream as her body felt as if it was about to explode with the
newly found magic that ran through her veins. And she didn't stop till Harry was holding
her, begging for her to stop. And once she did, did the exhaustion and pain of giving
out all that energy overcome her.
"Are you all right?" He asked, wiping away the strands of her hair out of her face.
Her face was pale, her skin already broke out into a sweat. Voldemort had fled, his
followers quickly following his move. Harry still could see the shock that ran through
his face before he stumbled backwards and apparated.
Ginny nodded her head, wrapping her arms around him and trying to catch her breath.
She didn't need to know that Voldemort had fled. She didn't need to know what had happened.
But then, she sat up, glancing towards the school. And before anyone of them could get up,
they saw red flames licking the sky.
to be continued...
Ugh, I know. This part was VERY poorly written. I might revise it, get the words
to at least flow, but for now it'll have to stay like this. The next part will be the
last, and hopefully it'll be better written then this part. I'm really sorry again
for how this part was written!
Do you want Harry to go through the same revelation that Ginny went through?
Should he have his own secret, dormant power? Anyway, please r/r! Thanks for reading!
© Iris Marie 2000
It's been decided. They're still soul mates. And, yes, I did get the whole
soul mate thing from reading, and writing fics, based on the L.J. Smith books. (Read
the Night World series, they're awesome!) Newayz, on the topic of THIS fic. I think
I could have done better on this part, but for now, I'll keep it like this. The next
part will be the last (yup... you heard me right) and we'll all see what happens ^-^
Hope you enjoy!
Usual disclaimers apply.
Revelations- Part 5
By Iris Marie
They didn't need to talk, their thoughts moving through them like waves
upon the shore. They knew what each feared, what each needed, and they were both
terrified and happy at the new revelation. Deepest secrets were now being explored,
and Harry was amazed at how long she liked him. The secret yearnings came flooding
to him, and he felt somewhat embarrassed.
A hand went to the enjoined wands and when they looked up, Dumbledore was
carefully surveying it, his lips in a confused frown. But, his eyes were glittering
with profound curiosity and happiness. "Well, I must say, I haven't thought that I
would witness a soul mate joining. Especially when it dealt with *that*!"
"What's *that*?"
Dumbledore offered them the enjoined wand and Harry saw with surprise as
the handle of it had a lily-like design. "When two magic's would join to become
one. When I saw the white light flash through my room, that was a symbol of a
soul mate joining, but when it lasted in waves the way it did, it only meant
one thing." He then paused, staring at the two. "Ahh... so that's why he took
both your locks of hair."
"But what can he do with it?" Harry asked, a protectiveness over Ginny
empowering him. He glanced at her, and saw her eyes wide with fright.
"Strip you from your powers," he said, taking the wand and turning it
around. "Harry, try to use this," he said, giving him the wand.
Harry took it, and raising it, said, "Wingardium Leviosa!" He pointed
his wand to a book, but nothing happened. Not even a spark... nothing. He felt
fear rushing through him, and he knew instantly that it wasn't just his own,
but Ginny's. He glanced towards her direction and her hands were clasped
tightly together. He could feel her thinking of her vision, and trying to show
to her that nothing like that will happen, he raised the wand again. He then said,
"Lumos." It was a fairly simple charm that he had been doing since his first
year. But, once more nothing happened.
Ginny then told Dumbledore what she saw, the first time and then the
next time. And Dumbledore stood there listening and when she had finally finished, he
ran a hand through his long beard and once more Harry saw those aging lines on
his face. "The council will have to be gathered once more. Hopefully with Draco's
information and Snape's potion, everything will work out the way it will." He
looked at the wand again, staring at it with a look of lost hope. "I came running
because if you two were capable of using it, it would have been an invaluable tool
against Voldemort. I suppose that's why he took what he did." Dumbledore sighed
again, handing the useless wand to them.
Dumbledore turned around, but then he paused and looked towards them
once more. Smiling, he said, "Oh, and congratulations. I, myself, am shocked
that there are soul mates in my school."
"But I thought that when you met your soul mate, the first time you
touched will be when it hits you," Ginny said, looking down.
"Yes, but what if you didn't like the person that you were to be soul
mates with? I mean, you'd have no choice. So, through the years it seemed to
have become modified. Evolved, as one might say. So, instead of simply touching
and finding your soul mate, you'd have to first accept the fact that you liked
the other person, and once you do and touch, that's when you'll get the soul
mate joining." He then paused and glanced at the wand. "And in the matter of
you two, it seems as if it wasn't just a soul mate joining, but a magic
one at that." He sighed again. "You both should go to sleep. We'll call the
council together this morning and I want you both there."
Harry and Ginny nodded, watching as he walked out of the portrait door.
They stared at each other a moment later, speechless as to what to say next,
but words were not needed for then they smiled and went up their separate ways.
And that night, above all nights, was full of peace and comfort, the odd emptiness
they'd always feel inside, now gone to be replaced by something warm and pure.
------
Ron and Hermione stared at their best friends, shocked to say the least,
then taking up the wand and turning it around. Ron still couldn't exactly close
his hanging jaw, and Hermione was debating to be glad, or mad. Ron and her never
really exactly had a 'soul mate joining'. Then again, she had read that soul mates
were rare... only a few, extremely few, had it.
"Well...." Ron trailed off, staring at his sister and best friend. All
right, he thought that they might have 'liked', but soul mates? He looked at the
wand again, the proof of what they said. He didn't wake up to waves of white
light. No one else seemed to have either. "Well..."
"Stop, it's as odd as it might be to you, to me," Harry said, looking at the
wand with confusion. "If Ginny's right, he's going to attack tonight. I mean, why
wouldn't he? It'd be a perfect time to get me. I can't even defend myself."
"Don't say that," Hermione said, leaning back and then getting up. "There
must be SOME solution to this. And I intend to find it."
"But if Dumbledore didn't know about it, Hermione, what are the chances that
you will?"
She sighed, running a hand through her bushy hair. "Well, what else can I
do, Ron? I can't just sit here doing nothing!" But then she paused and then her eyes
grew wide. "I GOT it! Phoenix ashes... oh Ron! I get it!"
"What do you get?"
"The potion that Snape was making. Phoenix ashes... Just think about it! What
do Phoenix tears do?"
"They heal wounds," Harry replied, remembering all too well the time when the basilisk's
fang dug into him. It was Fawkes who began to cry against him and it was then that the
poison fled, and the wound, from his body.
"All right... now think of what the ashes would do!"
Harry and Ron, however, didn't get it. Ginny sat, her mind replaying what she saw
in her visions. The first time was Harry, with a girl covered with some liquid. All right...
second time was the lily, burned on the floor. Now, phoenix ashes placed into a potion. When
combined...? Phoenix tears heal. The ashes are a stage when he's like withering away, but then
he gets rejuvenated. So... when the lily is dead, like how it is now, wouldn't the potion
make it come back?
Ginny stood up, her mind racing with the possibility. She glanced towards Hermione,
seeing if she was thinking the same way. When Hermi nodded, Ginny laughed, the dread for
the coming night going away. Harry was looking at her in confusion, and then the link
between them opened once more and her thoughts and hopes poured into him like a rushing
stream, and even though he didn't get most of it, he still couldn't help but smile at
the warmth of her.
"ALL RIGHT! I see that ALL of you might get it, but remember me?" Ron asked,
staring at them. Hermione laughed, not mockingly, but adoringly and Ron's frown was
wiped from his lips.
"I'll tell you eventually," Hermione said, repeating what he had told her the
previous night. He opened his mouth to argue, but then his eyes glittered, finally
remembering, and they stood like that, not an argument in sight.
-------
So the council had they're meeting, Ginny being made to tell them every single
detail from her visions. Snape then told them of the potion he had been brewing for the
past weeks and by sundown, it will be ready and done. Of course, though, everyone was
holding their breaths, the fact that Voldemort was supposed to attack Hogwarts that night
in everybody's mind. Dumbledore had tried to call Cornelius Fudge, tell him what was
happening, but he had turned away from the information, saying that it was just some
girl's stupid dreams. When he told of the soul mate joining, he just simply dismissed
the whole idea, saying there was no such thing. By then, Dumbledore himself lost his
temper, the new council knowing they will not get any support from the old.
Protection wards were everywhere, the school now worse then it was when people
were getting petrified. No student wanted to step out of their dormitory, their teachers
having to stay with them. And Ginny and Harry were especially being watched over, McGonagall
as tense as a cat. So that was why Harry and Ginny were forced to sit on the couch, Ron
and Hermione trying to persuade McGonagall to at least let them stand up.
It was a bit uncomfortable for both of them as they sat next to each other. And
then, finally, Ginny said what had been in both of their minds. "Harry... I don't know
if I love you... I mean, I know I like you... I've always liked you... but I'm only
fourteen and... well..."
Harry sighed with relief. "It's all right, Ginny. I... I don't know what I feel
either... I mean... well..." he trailed off, his ears burning. "Soul mates are supposed
to be deeply in love with each other... I don't know if I love you like that... It's
just too quick to say, you know?" And then, once more, a feeling of mutual understanding
and relief passed the two, the question off of both of their minds.
"Well, we got her to calm down a bit," Hermione said, even though her wand was
still held tightly in her right hand.
"A *bit*... little, little, little *bit*."
The portrait door sung open and Snape stood there. "Harry... Ginny... please
follow me." They nodded, and standing, followed the potion teacher out of the door.
---------
Draco sat in the corner of Dumbledore's office, his head laid in-between his hands.
Dumbledore felt sorry for the boy, knowing that he'd never be able to go back to his family.
And Draco must have known that already, but he wouldn't show it. His eyes were still steely
blue, his white blonde hair still kept in place. He had told them that Voldemort was indeed
planning to attack tonight. Had said that he was trying to kill Nagini because the snake
was like an extra to Voldemort's power. Had said that Voldemort wanted, above anything
else, to kill Potter.
Dumbledore took a seat next to his bird, watching as the sun continued to set
while a lazy orange hue swept the sky as skillful as a painter's brush. And
then, to his utter amazement, his office melted away to be replaced by an open meadow
and a bright blue sky. He looked around in amazement, the scenery so beautiful and
familiar. And then, he saw her.
He sucked in the air, watching as the beautiful body swayed like a willow in the
breeze, her laughter ringing, not shyly, but with a melody in them that made his heart
flutter. She was gathering flowers, as she had always did, this Muggle woman whom
his heart reached for when he had gone for a small tour in their world. Oh, the simple
sight of her still made his heart beat so hard even at his old age. She glanced up
at him, her smile widening, her eyes shining. Playfully, she walked backwards, enticing
him to follow, and despite everything, he couldn't resist. Standing up, he began
following her, as if a youthfulness in him had been regain. He followed, in those
meadows of green, the bright blue sky twirling around him.
Draco sat still as another wave of coldness crashed through him and when he
raised his head, he froze. Dumbledore was gone, the door wide open. Once more that
wave of freezing wind crashed through him, and then, as if in a dream, the walls shimmered
away and in its place was an open field. Voldemort was in his throne, the cauldron that
brought him back in front of him like an altar.
Draco looked around, seeing the Death Eater's in their places and he wondered
if his father and mother were among them. But then, a laugh that came from the throne
rang through the air and when Draco looked, Voldemort's eyes were shining pure red, his
horrible snake slithering over his shoulders. "Draco Malfoy... back to his old self?"
He didn't reply, the eyes bearing down at him nerving him, but he wouldn't
dare show it. Instead, he straightened his back, his head held high.
Voldemort laughed again. "Such arrogance for a young child! I suppose it's
the Malfoy blood?" He then paused. "But, you're not anything like your father. You
have betrayed me, Draco. You have betrayed Nagini." He took the snake, and as if it was
a dog, took its jaw and swayed it in front of him. "You know the penalty of such a
thing."
Draco felt another shudder run through him. He kept still and quiet, his
head not inching lower, but gaining height.
"However, as your father had said, you *would* be very valuable in certain
ways. So, if you would ever like to redeem yourself in my eyes, I ask for your simple
cooperation."
"And what if I object?" Draco asked, looking about him and wondering if he
could get away. He saw Voldemort's eyes flash dangerously, and he kept his cool
air.
"I would advise you to not do that."
"And why not?" He asked contemptuously and then, shocked, Voldemort laughed
again, the threatening air about him now gone.
"Oh! What a boy you are! I would really pity killing you," Voldemort
said, petting the snake that was coiled on his lap. "Then again, Nagini here is
hungry." The snake hissed as if emphasizing the point, and not even Draco could
stop himself from taking a step back. "Now, as I now know that you wouldn't turn
the offer to live, here's what you have to do. I want you to make sure that potion
that Severus is working on is ruined. Do you hear me, boy? I want you to destroy
that."
"Why?"
Voldemort's eyes flashed with annoyance once more, and before he could respond,
he raised an annoyed hand and motioned for him to leave. "You better do it now."
Draco felt the world about him shift again and when Dumbledore's office was
back, he felt more chills rush through him. Standing up, Dumbledore still was not
in the office and taking Fawkes, he rushed down the stairs and through the two gargoyles.
He'd be damned if he just stood there doing nothing.
-----
Snape lead the way and by the time he stopped, they were in the dungeons,
a big black cauldron boiling in the middle of the room. Snape silently motioned
them forward, and then taking a big wooden spoon, swirled the potion counterclockwise
five times. When he was done, Harry stepped forward. Firmly talking the wand inbetween
his hands, he dipped it into the boiling liquid.
Ginny didn't know what to exactly expect. But, she thought that there might
be a big bang or some smoke. At least some indication that anything happened. But,
nothing did and Snape was staring with frustration towards his potion. "Ginny."
Ginny nodded, and Harry still holding the wand, they dipped it in together.
She didn't know what they hoped to accomplish by it, since it hadn't worked the
first time, and just like what she thought, nothing did happen. Snape, by now,
was muttering to himself.
"Maybe you missed an ingredient?" Harry asked, looking at the wand. Raising
his arm, he said, "Lumos." Once more, like before, nothing happened. Glancing towards
a clock, he saw it was almost 6, close to sundown.
"I didn't miss anything!" Snape said, staring about his dungeon. "I don't
understand... why didn't it work!?"
They heard a door bang open, and turning around, Draco was sanding there,
Fawkes by his side. "Dumbledore's gone."
"What!?"
"I was sitting in his office, and when I looked up, he was gone."
"But why? How?"
Snape paused, and then his eyes lighted up. "There must be someone else here
who is letting Voldemort gain access. C'mon."
"Where are we going?"
"To the Forbidden Forest. There is a possibility that Voldemort has the whole
castle warded from any use of magic." As if trying to show his point, he raised his wand
and said, "Avis!" Harry remembered Mr. Ollivander use that spell last year when he was testing
out the wands. Before, little birds came bursting out of the tip of the wand, but Snape's
wand gave a little puff of smoke, and then died out. Snape was shaking his head in
annoyance, and then he grabbed Harry's arm while looking at the clock. "C'mon... we don't
have much time."
They were about to run out, but Draco stood back. Ginny glanced towards him and
offered her hand. "C'mon."
But he shook his head, stroking Fawkes. "I have to find Dumbledore."
Ginny nodded and before Harry took her arm, she ran up to Draco and encircled
him with her arms. "Thank you, Draco, for helping us." Pink patches were forming on
his cheeks and he gently, and awkwardly, pulled her away. Coughing slightly, he nodded,
and then Harry, Snape, and her were running out of the door.
Draco paused momentarily, wondering where Voldemort would have led Dumbledore.
And then, he realized where. Taking Fawkes, he also ran up the steps and into the
halls.
When they exited the castle, the sun was just beginning to set and Snape
urged them further. In his hands was a bottle full of the potion that he had brewed
for nearly two months. Originally, it was meant for renewing Dumbledore's youth. But,
then the plans quickly changed, everybody knowing that a wand forged from soul mates
would be the most potent tool.
As they reached the edge of the forest, Ginny paused, her vision coming back
to her. She saw herself in the middle of the woods, her body laid on the floor, dead.
Harry, realizing her pause, gently took her hand. "Ginny... look at me..."
She looked towards him and his eyes were full of warmth. "I promise that
nothing like that will happen... Ginny... I promise." He squeezed her hand and
then she nodded, running with him to catch up with Snape. They went as deep as they
dared and then Snape was already uncorking the bottle.
"What time is it?" Harry asked. Snape glanced wildly to his watch, and saw
that it was past six.
"Almost time. C'mon, we better hurry up." Harry and Ginny came forward, the
wand clenched tightly between their enjoined hands. Snape tipped the bottle forward
and they all watched in anticipation as the first few drops began to fall.
But then, in the path that lead back to Hogwarts, a scrawny man stepped
forward and screamed, "Accio!" The potion and it's contents flew to the floor and
they watched in horror as the precious liquid sunk into the ground.
"Hello Harry," Peter Pettigrew muttered, his scrawny body shaking, but a
determined grin on his face. "You look more like your father each time I see you."
Harry was shaking with hatred, remembering the time when he had released
the man. "I saved you from Sirius and Remus."
"And I am thankful of it," Peter said. "But, my master told me that if I
don't do this properly, it will cost me my life."
"Yes, and we all know how cowardly you are!" Harry yelled.
Peter flinched. "You'll understand soon how valuable life is." And then he
raised his wand and said, "Mosmordre." The Dark Mark made it's way into the sky and
they watched in horror as robed men and women stepped from the forest.
"How is life without any friends?" Harry asked, directing his attention
to Peter. "My father trusted you! My mother trusted you! And you just tossed it
away... their friendship... their trust, for what?" Harry watched as Peter's face
twisted with pain. "What is the point of life when no one cares for you!? When no
one loves you!?! When *you* can't love?"
"Oh, that's quite simple," a voice muttered and Harry froze. Peter was still
shaking, from either the entrance of the one cloaked man, or from Harry's words, he
didn't know. "For power, Harry... power." He was about to walk towards him, but then
he paused, looking at the Weasley girl on the floor. Her who body was trembling worse
then Peter's and Voldemort felt amused at the fear that radiated out of her. He walked
forward, till he was in front of her. He distantly heard Harry give a struggle for him
to stop.
"Ah... and you're Ginny." Her eyes had a faraway look though, as if she didn't
realize that he was in front of her. "What is your little secret?" He asked, bending
slightly. He reached towards her, attempting to force the secret out of her. And
Ginny sat there, dumbly, remembering the vision of herself in the middle of the
woods, dead.
The voice she kept hearing in her dreams was laughing now, repeating what it
had told her since the beginning. 'You can't save yourself. You never will. You never
could.' And as Ginny glanced up towards the man who had killed numerous Muggles as well
as wizards... a man who was going to not only kill her, but those who she cared for, the
once dormant magic that laid within her sprang into life. She felt it spread through
her whole being, the magical silver flames that told to all who she was and what she
will become, engulfing those that had brought forth the hatred that caused it to awaken.
And Ginny continued to scream as her body felt as if it was about to explode with the
newly found magic that ran through her veins. And she didn't stop till Harry was holding
her, begging for her to stop. And once she did, did the exhaustion and pain of giving
out all that energy overcome her.
"Are you all right?" He asked, wiping away the strands of her hair out of her face.
Her face was pale, her skin already broke out into a sweat. Voldemort had fled, his
followers quickly following his move. Harry still could see the shock that ran through
his face before he stumbled backwards and apparated.
Ginny nodded her head, wrapping her arms around him and trying to catch her breath.
She didn't need to know that Voldemort had fled. She didn't need to know what had happened.
But then, she sat up, glancing towards the school. And before anyone of them could get up,
they saw red flames licking the sky.
to be continued...
Ugh, I know. This part was VERY poorly written. I might revise it, get the words
to at least flow, but for now it'll have to stay like this. The next part will be the
last, and hopefully it'll be better written then this part. I'm really sorry again
for how this part was written!
Do you want Harry to go through the same revelation that Ginny went through?
Should he have his own secret, dormant power? Anyway, please r/r! Thanks for reading!
© Iris Marie 2000