Chapter Fourteen: The Discovery
Tentatively, Ginny stepped off of the invisible ledge and into the blue. Everything was a deep and glorious sky blue. Nothing but a cooling breeze touched her. Falling endlessly, Ginny sank into the realms of her death.
Penny discovered Ginny's body. After shaking Ginny for several minutes in disbelief, Penny let out a scream. The common room immediately filed in to see what was wrong. Professor McGonagall was called and as they waited, Hermione comforted Ron as Harry tried desperately to shake Ginny awake before being pulled off by a compassionate Neville.
Ginny looked around and realised that the blue sky was fading to black. Far below, a landscape of lights and fires burned dimly. Above her, distant calls seemed to be screaming her name.
"Are you sure you should be here Ginny?" asked a compassionate and gentle female voice. Ginny turned and sitting in mid-air next to her was the Snaggle.
Penny stormed out, not being able to stand the closeness anymore. Everyone was trying to reassure her, but she just felt so claustrophobic. Madame Pomfrey almost ran into her as Penny was fleeing the common room.
Outside, some pupils had overheard the gossip about Ginny and amoungst them stood Draco. Penny pushed past him before he could say a word and ran out into the grounds.
Ron, Fred and George were distraught and were allowed to stay as Madame Pomfrey ushered everyone else out. Harry was led away by Hermione, shaking and muttering to himself. No longer a brave and heroic figure, he looked utterly and profoundly lost. Hermione was silent and hugged him as they reached the common room.
Ginny looked around as details of the city below became more and more apparent. The city seemed like a large and sprawling medieval village, yet was so big it spread from horizon to horizon. People below looked up and began to wave at Ginny.
"Now, as part of the deal you have made, I am contractually obliged to inform you that you still may redeem yourself, providing you answer both willingly and truthfully to the questions." chimed the Snaggle in her best air-stewardess voice.
"Let me go home! Help!" screamed Ginny, as if suddenly realising for the first time her predicament.
The Snaggle cocked her head to one side and smiled at Ginny kindly. "Oh, please don't fret. You are in no danger, and free to leave whenever you wish." smiled the Snaggle. Ginny did not trust it's rodent-like features one bit.
Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape and Professor Trelawney pushed through the buzzing Gryffindor common room and into Ginny's bedroom wordlessly. Hagrid appeared soon after and was there to re-assure everyone that Ginny would be fine and for that everyone to get to the main hall for breakfast immediately.
Neville Longbottom hid behind one of the room's curtains until the common room was completely empty. As the last sounds of Hagrid's entourage headed for the main hall, Neville pressed his ear to the bedroom door.
"I've tried to raise her, but it's no use unless she makes the effort..." sighed Madame Pomfrey from behind the door.
"Then we shall have to wait." sighed a weary Dumbledore.
"You boys, hold onto your sister. Tell her you love her. Quick!" barked Snape and Neville could hear Ginny's brothers lamenting.
Neville stepped backwards into the common room, smiled, and raced into his bedroom.
Ginny grasped the Snaggle's hand as the ground loomed up. The Snaggle tutted to herself and with a simple hand gesture, the two slowed and slowed until, they landed like two feathers on the cobbled streets of the dark city.
"Welcome to my home." smiled the Snaggle.
Around Ginny, the ancient houses were well-lit and some of the inhabitants had come outside to see their new arrival. Many were dressed in archaic robes and fashions. There were many men and women, of various ages. The creepiest thing about them, though Ginny, was that they looked both happy and normal.
Tentatively, Ginny stepped off of the invisible ledge and into the blue. Everything was a deep and glorious sky blue. Nothing but a cooling breeze touched her. Falling endlessly, Ginny sank into the realms of her death.
Penny discovered Ginny's body. After shaking Ginny for several minutes in disbelief, Penny let out a scream. The common room immediately filed in to see what was wrong. Professor McGonagall was called and as they waited, Hermione comforted Ron as Harry tried desperately to shake Ginny awake before being pulled off by a compassionate Neville.
Ginny looked around and realised that the blue sky was fading to black. Far below, a landscape of lights and fires burned dimly. Above her, distant calls seemed to be screaming her name.
"Are you sure you should be here Ginny?" asked a compassionate and gentle female voice. Ginny turned and sitting in mid-air next to her was the Snaggle.
Penny stormed out, not being able to stand the closeness anymore. Everyone was trying to reassure her, but she just felt so claustrophobic. Madame Pomfrey almost ran into her as Penny was fleeing the common room.
Outside, some pupils had overheard the gossip about Ginny and amoungst them stood Draco. Penny pushed past him before he could say a word and ran out into the grounds.
Ron, Fred and George were distraught and were allowed to stay as Madame Pomfrey ushered everyone else out. Harry was led away by Hermione, shaking and muttering to himself. No longer a brave and heroic figure, he looked utterly and profoundly lost. Hermione was silent and hugged him as they reached the common room.
Ginny looked around as details of the city below became more and more apparent. The city seemed like a large and sprawling medieval village, yet was so big it spread from horizon to horizon. People below looked up and began to wave at Ginny.
"Now, as part of the deal you have made, I am contractually obliged to inform you that you still may redeem yourself, providing you answer both willingly and truthfully to the questions." chimed the Snaggle in her best air-stewardess voice.
"Let me go home! Help!" screamed Ginny, as if suddenly realising for the first time her predicament.
The Snaggle cocked her head to one side and smiled at Ginny kindly. "Oh, please don't fret. You are in no danger, and free to leave whenever you wish." smiled the Snaggle. Ginny did not trust it's rodent-like features one bit.
Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape and Professor Trelawney pushed through the buzzing Gryffindor common room and into Ginny's bedroom wordlessly. Hagrid appeared soon after and was there to re-assure everyone that Ginny would be fine and for that everyone to get to the main hall for breakfast immediately.
Neville Longbottom hid behind one of the room's curtains until the common room was completely empty. As the last sounds of Hagrid's entourage headed for the main hall, Neville pressed his ear to the bedroom door.
"I've tried to raise her, but it's no use unless she makes the effort..." sighed Madame Pomfrey from behind the door.
"Then we shall have to wait." sighed a weary Dumbledore.
"You boys, hold onto your sister. Tell her you love her. Quick!" barked Snape and Neville could hear Ginny's brothers lamenting.
Neville stepped backwards into the common room, smiled, and raced into his bedroom.
Ginny grasped the Snaggle's hand as the ground loomed up. The Snaggle tutted to herself and with a simple hand gesture, the two slowed and slowed until, they landed like two feathers on the cobbled streets of the dark city.
"Welcome to my home." smiled the Snaggle.
Around Ginny, the ancient houses were well-lit and some of the inhabitants had come outside to see their new arrival. Many were dressed in archaic robes and fashions. There were many men and women, of various ages. The creepiest thing about them, though Ginny, was that they looked both happy and normal.