chapter eighteen

Ropes and Reprieve

"Just where do you think you're going?" Ron said angrily, blocking Harry from getting to the statue of the witch.

"I'm going to look for Ginny, just like I said," Harry blurted out.

"You're not going to Honeydukes," Ron stated.

"You wanna bet?" Harry pushed him aside.

"Well, you're not going alone, that's for sure!" Ron shouted.

Harry turned on him. "Look, if Ginny's in trouble then it's because of me. I'm not going to let her get hurt!"

"But she's not your responsibility!" Ron spat.

"She's my friend!" Harry said as he stepped closer.

"She my sister!" Ron moved closer, too.

Harry had almost said something more, but instead stared silently at Ron, breathing heavily and trying to calm his nerves. "I know she's your sister, Ron…everyone knows that. But this isn't about you. It's me they want, so it's me they're going to get."

"Harry, you don't always have to be the lone hero," Ron spoke in a tone unfamiliar to Harry. "You always think that you have to solve things on your own…like no one really cares about you. Well, I've got news for you…I don't want to see you hurt anymore than I want to see my sister get hurt. So will you stop being so bloody obstinate and let me help you?!"

"Fine…" Harry shrugged. "You want to come with me? Then lets go."

"Oh no, you don't!" Hermione panted, running up to them with Daphne chasing behind her.

"Hermione…." Ron started to say something but was cut off.

"I thought you two might try something like this! You're not going in there without any help!" She said firmly.

"Ok then," Harry was getting very frustrated and couldn't help thinking that time was running out. "We'll all go!"

"No! I mean real help…like Dumbledore or Lupin." Hermione looked very worried.

"I don't think we have time for a chat with Dumbledore, Hermione!" Harry reared. "If you want to go and talk it over with him, then fine. But I'm going in there before we waste any more time!" He turned and opened the secret passage revealing the underground tunnel.

"OK! OK! Just wait!" Daphne shouted. "If there's no stopping you then go ahead…but be very careful! Hermione and I will go tell Dumbledore what's going on and we'll send help as soon as possible. Don't do anything more than what you have to do," she said, taking Hermione by the shoulder and leading her to Dumbledore's office.

With a nod, Harry climbed into the tunnel, followed shortly by Ron. The darkness surrounded them and Harry said, "Lumos," to light his wand. "You could have stayed with them," he said.

Ron sighed heavily, "Didn't you hear a bloody word I said back there? You know, just because I pick on her all the time doesn't mean I don't care about her."

"I know Ron!" Harry bit, "Of course you care about her…she's your sister!"

"Then why are you in such a fit about it?" Ron had lit his wand, too.

"Because…I care about her, too," Harry was afraid he had said too much, but he added, "And I'm tired having people I care about getting hurt because of their association with me." There was a pause before he continued softly, "And I guess I didn't want you to come along because I'm afraid you might get hurt, too."

"Well, thanks," Ron muttered, "but wouldn't it be easier on you if you had a friend on your side?" he asked.

Harry turned around and looked at Ron. They gave each other weak smiles before heading down the long tunnel to Honeydukes.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** *

Harry pushed the trap door open just enough to see around the cellar. It was dark and he couldn't see very far into the room. "We're going to have to chance it," he whispered to Ron who nodded for Harry to go ahead. Trying to keep as quiet as he could, Harry pushed the door open until he could step out. He helped Ron up and they looked around.

"Ginny?" Ron whispered. "Are you here?"

Harry walked around the crates, checking behind them for any signs of Ginny, but found none. Suddenly the tinkle of a bell sounded and they could hear footsteps moving about above them. Ron and Harry froze, looking up at the ceiling. The footsteps stopped right over their heads and then…a voice was heard.

"I told you I wouldn't be gone long." It was a man's voice, very drawn out and cold.

"Who's he talking to?" Ron mouthed to Harry, and Harry shrugged. "Ginny?" Ron mouthed again, and Harry nodded.

"Perhaps," Harry whispered.

The man started walking again and the sound of paper ripping filled the air. "I'll even be kind enough to start a fire for you." The sound of wood being shifted rattled the floor. "I'll have to go down and get some new logs, though. You be a good little girl until I get back."

The footsteps neared the stairs leading down to the cellar and Harry and Ron panicked. Harry motioned for Ron to hide behind a large crate, just as he was now doing. Harry ducked out of sight and pulled the invisibility cloak around him just as the man started down the steps. Harry reached for the amulet and pulled it out, clutching it in his hand. Harry tried to control his racing heart, but as the man grew closer, his heart beat faster.

"This will do," the man said, picking up some firewood from the corner. Harry was about to heave a sigh of relief at the sound of the man going back up the stairs when he said, "Hold it…well, well, well, what do we have here?" Harry could hear the man walk over towards the crate that Ron was hiding behind. "GOTCHA!" Harry heard Ron screech and struggle with the man.

"Who are you?" The man roared.

"Ron Weasley…and you've got my sister up there!" Harry was impressed at Ron's lack of fear.

"Weeellll…" the man droned. "I thought that little red headed snippet up there was a good catch, but you're even better!"

Harry could hear Ron struggling against the man. "What do you mean I'm better?" Ron said sternly.

"As bait…I thought he'd surely come after that pretty little thing I've got upstairs. But, no mind…you're his best friend. He'll most certainly come after you!"

The rage in Harry grew as Ron said, "And just what to you intend to do to him once he gets here…if he gets here?"

"That's none of your business, boy!" The man spat and started dragging Ron toward the stairs.

"No! But it's my business!" Harry yelled at the man as he stood up, coming out from hiding and removing the cloak.

"Harry, NO!" shouted Ron.

"I told you Ron, it's me he wants…not you!" Harry stepped from around the crate and could now see that the man was older and very rough looking, with pale skin, dark brown hair, and piercing blue eyes that narrowed on Harry.

"Harry Potter," the man said. "At last I have my trophy."

Noticing that the man had tied Ron's hands behind his back, Harry stepped closer. "I am not your trophy!" He hissed defiantly.

"Oh, but you are!" Ron struggled with the man as he continued. "My master has sent all of his Death Eaters out to find you, promising great rewards for the one who actually catches you! And here you are…my catch of the day!"

"I'm here…but you haven't caught me!" Harry very much resented the idea of being caught by this man.

"I beg to differ…I have." He threw Ron to the ground and said, pointing his wand at him, "Petrificus Totalus!" and Ron's body went rigid, making him fall heavily to the floor.

Harry held out his own wand, ready to use an Unforgivable Curse on the man when the man said, "I wouldn't if I were you. You harm me and you'll never get your friend back!"

Harry froze, not really believing him, but not wanting to chance hurting Ron any further. "What do you want from me?" he growled.

"Nothing much…just your wand for now," the man snickered.

"My wand?" Harry looked at it. If he gave this man his wand, he'd be defenseless. But what would the man do if Harry didn't give him the wand? Thoughts raced through Harry mind. What was he to do?

"THE WAND!" the man shouted. "Give it to me or I'll kill the girl!"

"Ginny…" Harry had almost forgotten about her. "I want to see her."

The man narrowed his icy blue eyes. "Very well. I'll bring her down, but if you so much as move, I swear, I'll kill her."

Harry nodded and stood, waiting for him to return. A moment later, Ginny was flung on the floor next to Ron. She looked up at Harry with wide, bloodshot eyes. She was bound, too, more so than Ron. Her mouth was gagged and her legs were tied up. Harry gasped at the sight of her tear-streaked face.

"There she is, Potter. Either you agree to give me your wand or she dies. The choice is yours."

Breathing very rapidly, Harry looked down at Ginny. She shook her head as if to say, "Don't do it Harry!" But he couldn't stop himself. Harry held out his wand to the man and he snatched it from him. Ginny whimpered through her gag and closed her eyes.

The man's mouth formed an evil smile. "Did you know that the best way to control someone using the Imperius Curse is to cast it using their own wand?"

Harry shook his head, knowing what was coming next. Before he could dodge it, the curse had been placed, and suddenly Harry felt nothing but total relaxation. His head had gone light and dizzy feeling, as if he were floating in air. He could barely understand why the man was handing him a wand, but there it was, in his hands. The wand Harry now held wasn't his own, but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered to Harry right now.

Harry heard the man speaking, but it sounded like he was in a cave, very far away. "Now, I will prove to Lord Voldemort that I am his faithful servant! For I control Harry Potter!" A strange voice in the back of Harry's mind said, "Kill the boy."

Kill the boy…Harry thought about it. Kill what boy? "Kill the boy," the voice in his head said again. Harry looked down at Ron. Ron must be the boy he was supposed to kill. Harry raised his wand and pointed it at Ron. "Kill him, NOW!"

"Why?" Harry thought. "Why should I…I mean..it really doesn't seem necessary…"

"Kill the boy, NOW!" he heard again. He looked at Ron lying helpless on the floor. Why should he kill a defenseless young man, lying knocked out on the floor? It was really a silly thing to do.

Harry slowly moved his eyes down to look at the amulet hanging around his neck. "Yes…use the magnification power of the amulet and KILL HIM!" Harry touched the wand to the ruby in the amulet, but instead of pointing the wand back at Ron, he pointed it at the man.

"Conjunctivitus!" Harry shouted, and instantly he felt himself return to normal. He looked at the man screaming and covering his eyes, knowing well that the man was now blind.

Harry ran over to Ginny and began to untie her. "Oh, Harry! I thought for sure you were going to kill Ron!" She panted, rubbing her wrists.

Harry took hold of her hands and locked eyes with her. "I thought you knew me better than that. I would never kill Ron." His eyes stayed frozen on hers for what seemed like an eternity, but what was really only a few seconds. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.

"Harry!"

Harry broke away from Ginny to turn and see Sirius running down the steps. "What happened?" he said, watching the man squirm in agony.

Harry looked at Ginny, "You tend to Ron. Make sure he's ok." She nodded and Harry stood, starting in on an explanation. Harry noticed that the man, now calming down, was still holding Harry's wand in one of his hands.

What happened next happened so quickly that Harry didn't even have time to blink. He was in the middle of telling Sirius what had occurred when he saw the man point the wand randomly out and say, "Avada Kedavra!"

Green sparks went hurling towards Ginny, who was standing over Ron. Harry didn't even think, but jumped over to her and grabbed her out of the way, bringing her to the ground and out of harms way. As they fell to the floor, Harry saw Sirius jump at the blinded man and transform, in mid-air, into his animagus dog self. Sirius landed on the man and began biting and scratching at him in fury. The man was soon unconscious.

Harry held Ginny still for a moment, his pulse racing and his breathing heavy. They watched as Sirius tore Harry's wand out of the man's hand and jerked it towards Harry. Harry, standing up, took his wand back and helped Ginny to her feet. "Are you all right?" he asked hoarsely.

"Yes," she said in nothing more than a whisper. "But I can't wake Ron up."

"Leave that to me." An older voice said, as Albus Dumbledore came down the stairs, followed by Hermione and Daphne.

"RON!" Hermione squealed and ran to him.

Harry looked with puzzlement at Daphne who said, "We came as quickly as we could. Moody's upstairs as well." Harry looked over to Dumbledore, bending over Ron, while Hermione bit at her fingernails. Dumbeldore mumbled something Harry didn't recognize and Ron's eyes opened.

"Is he going to be all right?" Harry asked.

"Certainly, but I'm sure Madam Promfrey will want a visit from all of you." Dumbledore said, helping Ron to his feet.

Once Ron was steadied, Hermione crashed into him with an all encompassing embrace. "Hey…" Ron said to her. "I'm ok."

But Hermione didn't seem to want to talk. She kissed him full on the mouth, right in front of every one. Harry looked away, not wanting to intrude on the moment, and, by pure accident, caught Ginny's eye. He felt his face go red.

"Now then, what have we here?" Dumbledore turned his attention to the man lying on the floor. He examined the man's face and eyes as Harry blurted out an explanation. Dumbledore shook his head as disappointment settled on his face. "Who would have thought…" he muttered.

Harry looked down at the man and saw that his dark brown hair was lighter now…in fact, it was blond. "Professor Dumbledore, the man's hair has changed color. I think he's using a disguise!"

"Of course he is, Harry," Dumbledore stood up. "This is not Mr. Honeyduke. This is someone doing a poor job disguising himself as Mr. Honeyduke."

Dumbledore waved his wand over the man and said, "Alterare normal." The man's hair went even blonder than before. His skin darkened from the pale color to a deep tan. He looked younger and not as fierce as before. Harry wondered at this. The man was scarier looking disguised as a candy shop owner then he was in real life.

"Ernie McNair," came a growl from the stairs. Harry hadn't noticed Mad-Eye Moody coming down to the cellar. "I spent years trying to prove he was a Death Eater." Moody kicked the man with his false leg. "And you…" he said to the dog next to McNair, "I think the ministry owns you an apology."

Sirius reverted to his human form and stood before Moody with a surprised look on his face. "You're not going to arrest me?"

"Why would I arrest a perfectly innocent man? Especially one who has sworn to protect Harry Potter." Moody's magical eye swiveled to look at Harry while his normal eye stayed on Sirius. "Dumbledore explained things to me a while back…and after what I've just witnessed here, I'm sure the ministry will reevaluate your sentence."

Harry beamed at his Godfather. A wave of relief crossed Sirius' face and his shoulders fell, as if he had just had a very heavy load taken from them. He looked to Harry and smiled.

"Alastor, I trust you will be able to deal with this situation?" Dumbledore said, referring to the still unconscious Ernie McNair lying on the floor.

"That I can, sir. You'd better get those students out of here. They don't need to witness this." Both of Moody's eyes were now peering at the body on the floor in a way that sent a cold shiver up Harry's spine.

"Right then, shall we?" Dumbledore signaled for them all to head up the stairs. Daphne went first, followed by Hermione and Ron, who were joined hand in hand. Harry watched as Sirius had a word with Moody before he headed up the stairs, too. Harry, looking at Ginny's hopeful face, reached out and took her hand in his. She smiled up at him, and they joined the others at the top of the stairs.

****Daphne Affigo is an Alphie creation. Harry Potter and all other characters are property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers.