Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling except the plot – the plot belongs to me – I've worked very hard on it. :)
Chapter 22: (there is no denying it) This chapter has to be named "What you've been waiting for" but to be nice and organized, I'll stick to a proper name - Point of No Return
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The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs awoke the next day to find that their Quidditch match had been postponed indefinitely. A few people groaned about this but others knew it was all part of doubled security after the events of the previous night. The whole school was buzzing with discussions about the attack at Hogsmeade the previous night and different theories had already been formulated.
Harry very rarely felt the way he was feeling when he woke up and got dressed for breakfast. For one of the few times in his stay at Hogwarts, he all but wanted to be at Hogwarts at that time. Everything seemed so complicated, so surreal. The attacks – his scar – abnormality everywhere and most of all – Ginny's strange behavior. She'd been terrified the previous night but he couldn't understand why she had run away from him – or started crying. He somehow felt he was the cause of her troubles but what was he doing wrong?
The attack at Hogsmeade only troubled him further. In view of the events, he didn't think much about the postponed Quidditch match but that the danger was closing in. All the dreams he had that year – those strange visions warning him about trouble in his future…it all seemed so close and so dangerous now. His vision still came back very clearly to him and one of the reasons why he was very troubled that morning was that that night he had seen a strange dream…
It was pitch black – as it often was in his dreams. Darkness surrounded everything – there was no light, not even a single beam of brightness. He stood there, as if waiting, somehow knowing he was waiting for something…suddenly, he shielded his eyes – as the voice spoke, a bright light seemed to glow in the distance, shedding warmth on him. The orb of light grew in size, slowly, steadily and he felt increasingly warm. And then, there was the voice…
Beware! The glow that you hold dear
May become your terror
The Darkness watches with an evil eye
And soon, may become a horror…
Darkness has chained the Glow…and approaches you…soon, will you be deceived and defected and loved and forgotten and shocked and terrorized and torn and tried! Hold on to and protect whatever you truly possess for in your oncoming journey…
At this point in his dream, Harry had been shaken awake by Ron to get ready for school. For a few moments, Harry had laid still, his expression blank as remnants of the dream stirred around in his mind. If only he could have had heard that part…
What oncoming journey? Harry thought as he went down to breakfast with Ron, very quiet.
What did he have to protect? What was within him that he had never realized? How would be shocked and terrorized and torn - ?
It made no sense at all to Harry and he tried to dismiss the dream as a figment of his imagination. But…somehow is still felt too real…
* * * * *
'Where's Ginny?' Harry immediately spotted the fact that Ginny was not at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall.
'She didn't come down,' said one of Ginny's friends hesitatingly. 'She says she's not hungry.'
'What? Isn't she going to classes?' Hermione asked. Ginny's friends shook her head.
'I don't know, she said she wasn't well…'
Hermione nodded and glanced at Harry for an instance before resuming her breakfast. Harry didn't not have any time to ponder Ginny's absence; Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat at the Teachers' table.
'Your attention please,' he said, in a serious and rather grave tone. Immediately, Harry checked to see if all teachers were present – he understood why everyone was whispering and talking so much. A strange lump formed in his throat as he realized neither Professor McGonagall nor Professor Snape were present. Other teachers did not look too good too – they looked quite tired and weary.
'It's strange we're having classes today…the teachers don't look good at all, as if they've been up all night,' Ron commented in a low voice to Harry.
'Each one of you present right now, yesterday, witnessed an attack on the village of Hogsmeade,' said Dumbledore, his voice resonating throughout the hall as every person held his or her silence.
Dumbledore's eyes surveyed the large Great Hall, seeming as if they rested on each and every person.
'The attack yesterday was planned by Voldemort…and carried out by his Death Eaters…'
Several whispers broke out throughout the students at the mention of Voldemort's name.
'I was absent from the school as I was busy in London. Thus, this attack was thoroughly unpredicted by any of the members of the Order of the Phoenix. However, I applaud the teachers for their outstanding bravery and courage in the face of such extreme and sudden danger. In my absence, Professor McGonagall lead the senior teachers to defend the school and most of all, to assist the innocent people of Hogsmeade in whatever way they could. The attack was prolonged and by the time Ministry Aurors and I myself arrived, the Death Eaters had Disapparated.
I assure you that no Death Eater or any other people can ever Apparate into the grounds of Hogwarts in any case or conditions. I repeat what I said on the first day of term…Hogwarts is well protected. It is one of the safest places there are right now. The delaying of the Quidditch Match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff which was to be played this morning was only due to safety reasons and as a mark of respect to those teachers who have been severely injured and wounded in yesterday's attack.
Thankfully, no lives were lost of any teacher of Hogwarts. However, I offer my condolences to all those fifty four innocent villagers of Hogsmeade who were murdered mercilessly by the Dark Forces.'
Silence surrounded the hall – an eerie silence that strangely contained within itself the stench of death. No one could speak at that moment as the graveness of the situation set in. Dumbledore clearly sensed it and was silent for a moment.
'In such dark times, I must remind you to be united and repel evil in all its forms. We never know where evil hides but when you see it, never turn back. Evil may be anywhere and you, as students need to be aware of its forms. Those who have shown bravery and courage to save the lives of others…they've always been remembered as the conquerors of evil – their efforts will never go waste.'
Harry found the Headmaster looking intently at him with warm blue eyes. The Headmaster smiled at him and looked away at the general student body.
'I must also inform you that classes will not be held today. I assume no one would appreciate holding of classes today and in light of recent events and the injuries and wounds of various teachers, I allow classes to be withheld today. The Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff will be held tomorrow.'
At this latest announcement too, there were no comments in the crowds. No one spoke a word.
'Please observe peace and before leaving, please remember – never lose courage and hope. There is always a path leading out of all evils. If you have the power to do good – to help someone, never hesitate to do so…that is all.'
Dumbledore turned to the teachers and silent whisperings broke out across the Great Hall. Harry stared at a knot on the wooden table, his gaze fixed. He couldn't help thinking about that Dumbledore had said – fifty four villagers had been murdered…the Dark forces were rising. There was no doubt about it. His visions, they were real…the vision he had had at Christmas too…
The time shall come soon…
In just a few moon…
Against this force that rises like a black tower
You have only one power…
The power grows which slowly within
It's innocent…knows no sin
You will have only one chance so use it well
What happens though, only time can tell
Time changes everything, time changes everything…
Harry felt a strange heat rise within himself – like the warmth from the dream…like…like…the warmth from the Charmzirius…
What power did he have?
'Harry?'
'Harry?'
Harry looked up as he heard his name. He realized the Great Hall was empty and only he was sitting there now. Ron and Hermione seemed concerned and Hermione was frowning slightly. He got up quickly.
'Sorry,' he mumbled. They knew how it was for him and didn't say anything about it.
'Do you want to come for a walk since we don't have classes?' Hermione asked quietly. Harry nodded, realizing it had been a long time since the three of them had gone for a walk together.
* * * * *
Ron looked at Harry with genuine concern. Harry didn't look like a normal fifteen and a half year old boy. He looked so much older. The expression he had right then on his face was so serious and so concerning. Ron felt very worried for his best friend. He looked over at Hermione, raising an eyebrow as the three walked down the steps of Hogwarts castle into the grounds.
Hermione shrugged slightly, clearly saying she didn't know how to really distract Harry from his troubled thoughts and silence. Harry looked up and caught the worried expression on his friend's face. He smiled slightly.
'Hey, it's alright. Don't look at me like that…'
Ron smiled, slightly relieved.
'No, it's just nothing…'
Harry shook his head, slowing down slightly. 'I just know something is happening but…'
Harry hesitated and stopped walking, gazing out into the distance with restless eyes.
'Do you want to sit down?' Hermione asked gently, sensing the intensity of the situation was troubling Harry. Harry nodded slightly and the three sat down on the late-winter grass.
'Is everything ok?' asked Hermione in a tome of voice used with those who are ill. Harry smiled slightly.
'Don't look at me as if I am sick or something…it's just that I have no idea what's going on…I have this strange feeling as if…as if…something is happening…I don't know what but…I had this dream tonight…'
'A dream?'
Harry realized there were so many things he hadn't been telling his friends that ha occurred to his throughout the year and as his closest friends, they had every right to know. They had been with him in his darkest hours and he realized it was time they shared in the dreams he had been having. He didn't know how or where to start but somehow it all came pouring out, one bit after the other…the two distinctive dreams he had had so far that always seemed to warn him; the intensity of the scar pains he had been having since the later part of the year; the death-like chill of the Charmzirius…
'Harry, why didn't you tell us all this before?' Hermione's eyes were wide with wonder. Harry shook his head, exhausted.
'I didn't think much of that dream at Christmas myself…it seemed meaningless but tonight, I had one again and this time, it felt so…real…almost scary…'
'Did you tell this to Dumbledore?' asked Ron.
'I told him about this first dream and I haven't had a chance to tell him much about the pains in my scar…when Snuffles visited me in the Hospital Wing, he'd said he'd inform Dumbledore himself,' said Harry, feeling very tired somehow.
It seemed something was pulling at his heart and creating a feeling of fright and restlessness and…warmness inside him. He didn't know where that feeling was originating but somehow it felt as if it was rising from within himself.
'But the dream you just had…what's this Glow?' Ron queried, glancing at Harry.
'Ginny,' said Harry suddenly.
'What?!'
'No, Ginny, she's there,' said Harry, sitting up and looking into the distance. Out by the lake, a tiny figure with vibrant and distinguishable red hair, was sitting under a tree.
'I was going to talk to her but she didn't come downstairs –' Hermione informed Harry but he interrupted her, getting to his feet. He had to do this.
'Can I meet you two later? I have to talk to Ginny, there's something…'
'It's okay, we'll meet you in the Commonroom later,' said Hermione, as she and Ron got up. She gave Harry a warm smile before leaving.
Harry saw Ginny sitting out by the lake and knew he had to talk to her. Whatever was going on between them…he knew it wasn't helping to ease out the troubles that he already had. The strange, constant feeling of guilt that surrounded him…as if it was his fault she was upset around him…it made the load of everything that was falling on him, heavier.
* * * * *
A shadow fell over Ginny and she raised her head slowly. Her expression was quite unreadable and hardly understandable. Their gazes locked for an instant but before Harry had registered the warmness within himself that grew when she looked at him, Ginny looked away.
'Ginny…' Harry pleaded, 'I have to talk to you.'
There was silence and Ginny did not turn to him
'I have to talk to you,' Harry repeated, growing slightly worried.
'What?' It came out as a barely audible whisper and she still did not meet his eyes.
Harry had no idea what to say or how to start. What would he ask? Why had she slapped him? Why did she run away from him so many times?
'Whatever's troubling you – '
'Nothing's troubling me,' she cut in immediately, a cold tone in her voice.
'Something is wrong and you're hiding it from me,' said Harry, a bit forcefully.
'I'm hiding nothing from you,' Ginny spat, clenching her fists. But Harry couldn't stand it much longer It was evident everything was not okay.
'Then why do you run way from me?' Harry asked.
'I don't run away from you,' she said clearly and harshly.
'But you do, you ran way from me yesterday and the day before –' Harry was starting to get irritated. What was wrong with her?
'Maybe you should have thought not everybody's crazy about you, some people do hate you, you know,' she said coldly and the words hit Harry like stones. He was taken aback and somehow he couldn't believe she'd said that. It was just…crazy. Everything that had happened between them…the Ball at Christmas…friendship…everything was…nothing?
'What?' he said incredulously.
'You heard me,' she said firmly. A thousand thoughts whizzed through Harry's mind as he tried to make sense of what she was saying to him. It didn't make any sense and somehow, from within Harry, strange warmth floated upwards, slowly enveloping him – it was the feeling from his dream. Somehow, it seemed to push him towards her and unconsciously, he took a step forward.
'You hate me?' he asked quietly. There was a short silence after which she replied, in a softer tone than before,
'Yes.'
'But I like you,' said Harry suddenly. There, he'd said it.
'What?'
Harry noted the element of surprise in her tone. It gave him an advantage.
'I like you – a lot and I don't want you to hate me.'
There was silence again, longer this time until Harry heard her whisper,
'It doesn't matter any more.' It had been a bare whisper and very soft. The coldness of only a moment ago seemed to have vanished.
'Why?' Harry couldn't understand what she meant.
'It's nothing, just forget…everything,' she said but Harry wasn't going to turn back when he had come so far.
'I know it's not just nothing and I won't forget anything…I know you're keeping something from me and I want to know…'
The warmth around Harry seemed to have increased manifold and become almost tangible. Encouraged by it, he stepped forwards and leaned down beside her.
'What is it?' he asked softly. She was looking at her lap and hadn't looked at Harry once.
'I…I…can't tell you – ' she whispered.
'Whatever it is, it's hurting you terrible, I know…tell me, I'll help you…' he whispered in reply and came down to her level, still not being able to see her face.
'You can't…' Her voice shook and Harry was surprised. He couldn't hold back any longer. He leaned forwards and turned her face towards him by placing a hand under her chin. Tears were flowing down her face and as she lifted her eyes, something flooded through Harry – something he couldn't explain. It seemed that warmth that had been enveloping him, motivating him had multiplied and surrounded them both. It seemed as if it wasn't from within himself – but his…soul.
Her eyes seemed tell him something but he couldn't understand what…
Something was pushing him further towards her…her could recall…incidents like this had happened…even yesterday…but he felt something was different about today. He wouldn't let her run away this time and he held her gaze firmly with his own. He opened his mouth to say something but could manage no sound. Her eyes had gone wide and Harry wondered suddenly if she could possibly feel the same way he was feeling…
Harry felt strange. It was as if the whole world had disappeared leaving only the two of them…
Before, he could think of anything else, he leaned in and softly touched his lips to hers. It was the softest of kisses and lasted for a fraction of a second but it Harry's mind turn into a wild maze of scrambled thoughts. It made his eyes fly open. When he'd kissed her, something had surged upwards inside him. There had been something…a strange feeling inside him. It had felt as if an ancient sentiment was being reborn, emerging from within him. But in surprise and shock, he had pulled away and almost immediately, the strange sensation had vanished.
He gazed at her to find her eyes were wider than before and he was sure that he'd felt that strange sensation too. He blinked, unable to speak. That feeling – it had been warm like the one enveloping him but it had been eerie too…and new…he couldn't harness it.
Harry looked at Ginny to find her eyes wide…almost…terrified. He couldn't understand what was happening. Was she angry? Shocked?
But he didn't have the chance to find out…
...to be continued...
Author's random babbling: Haha! There I go again…it's the second proper cliffhanger in my entire series so far and it's quite maddening…sorry, I was writing on and on and on but I decided that if I had to put this chapter up before I begin on revision for my exams which are coming (yes, again), I'd better pop in a cliffhanger! :)
I'm really sorry, I know I am being really mean to you but I did not do this on purpose – honestly! I will try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible, probably in a week (at the most) and three days at least.
So now you know why this chapter is called Point of No Return or maybe you don't know. I wanted to call it something like "What you've been waiting for" or something but I wanted to be nice and proper. :)
Anyway, I've put some rather interesting references to Harry's past – that is the dreams Harry has been experiencing and his real past as told my J.K. Rowling in the real books. Those references will be helpful in working out the mystery.
Again, many of you have figured it all out by now…(it wouldn't hurt to act as if you haven't, will it, just to keep me assured I did a good job with the mystery?)…you've been guessing right in most places but you only know, I guess, the main concept. There are a thousand winding paths in the plot that you may not have even noticed. I'll write a last chapter called "The Explanation" or something and it's going to point out tiny references most probably just skipped while reading.
Now, last but definitely not the least is my tribute, salutation, respect, gratitude and thanks for all those people who have reviewed me so far and especially those who have been reviewing regularly! You don't know how much it means to me to see those reviews increase after every chapter uploading! :) Reviews are which encourage me, really! Now, I feel so happy that I've got 221 reviews for this story! :)
Also, as everyone loves getting replies, I want to reply to some reviews again today and all those who have replied are sure to find their name mentioned (with a tiny phrase) if a reply isn't given.
Baby G 2007: What can I say for you? I applaud you! You must be one of the most "responsible reviewers" on the web! The way you put in a compliment or for every chapter was very great and heart-warming…thanks a lot for that…I hope you work out the mystery ;) and that you're enjoying yourself thoroughly! Btw, if you've got Msn Messenger, I've added you to my contact list.
Ax: I've got to say something first – you always remind me of a real axe somehow – the way you go "ACK" and "chop" at me :) Haha, I mean it as a light hearted joke…you're quite a faithful reviewer too…thanks a lot for the reviews…and yes you'll see more and more of Ginny and Harry and more of strange incidents but then again – the end's not far. :) Keep reading!
Nimbuschick: Hi there! You're a very faithful reviewer and therefore, thanks a real, real lot for checking back frequently and reading and complimenting my works! About your stuff, I've read "Stag in the Dark, Beauty in the Wter" and I'm sure I reviewed it…I haven't been able to check up the latest works though…"Stag in the Dark, Beauty in the Water" was an awesome fic too, you did a great job on it, thumbs-up to you!
About Ginny…hmm…she could have left the footprints in which case you are implying that she was out in the rain…hm…one of my more observant readers…:)
And Draco and jealousy? I forgot there are Draco/Ginny shippers out there, really! Well, I have to clarify, Draco was not jealous and it's okay if you don't understand his exact emotions right now since that is a part of the plot that will be fully disclosed in the end. Read and review as you always do for now! :) Also, for everyone I am adding here that keep an eye out for Draco's new henchman in disguise…not Crabbe and Goyle, it's someone new mentioned in past chapters. It may explain Draco's "looks" in chapter 20.
Munku – JGSPTV: Ooops…:) I know how that feels really, I do! I've got some favorite authors too and they upload right after I've checked, felt dismayed and disappointed and gone off to do other stuff. So, answering the first part of your review, I guess it would help to inform you that I usually i.e. often upload a new chapter between about 1400 – 1600 GMT. That would be between 2 pm and 4 pm GMT. That's the time I am usually online.
I'll be getting the next chapter out, as I said, at the most in a week. And oh…I…uh…WOW…that made me BLUSH! You honestly said those things! Oh, dear, I really do treat all my reviewers equally and I'd reply to everyone if I could but I try to reply to those who've asked something usually…your comment can NOT be feeble in any way. I know how it feels to have your review replied to and believe me, I check for reviews at least once a day and I often visit the profiles of prominent reviewers. YOURS – I have visited. As guardian of this fic…WOW, that's another compliment…:O What can I say? I can just stammer that I appreciate all your comments…they are very valuable to me and I'd like nothing more than constructive reviews…:) please…
Well, as much fun as I have had in writing this story, I don't want it to end too but there's the excitement of getting to the part that I know you'll love most out of the entire story… the end is every thing you could have imagined and couldn't have imagined…
I hope you keep reading and replying as you've always done!
Sue Merritt (melissafaith@HardyNet.com): Thanks a LOT, LOT, LOT, LOT, LOT for reviewing at my inbox! I LOVE reviews by mail just as much as I love the reviews at fan fiction.net! I'm really flattered by your comments and compliments – I mean, I never wondered anyone would like my story so much as to –print- it out! And about the plot, yes, I couldn't do without a plot in this story. The plot developed as I wrote chapters 3 and 4 and that's where my interest in the plot began and I managed to tangle and twist it enough to create a muddle…haha, I'm sure you'll be SURPRISED when you find out all the answers in the end! Also, this maybe the ONLY one of my stories that has a plot – all the others are just fluff, really…
Keep reading and reviewing!
Others I've want to mentioned here who receive credit for reviewing either chapters 19 or 20 are:
Lbj: Great, thanks, here's the next chapter!
Sierra Sitruc: cheers! Keep reading and reviewing faithfully!
HarryandGinny4eva: Of course, they'll keep coming! You just keep checking back at my profile once in a while! :)
Okay, here, my friends I must depart after a MONSTER of a review… (Anyone seen "Monsters Inc."? I have yet to do that :) )
I'll be seeing you soon…till then, be happy and take care!
(If you've made it so far, you'll probably be reviewing? :) )
Love, Love and only Love,
Pottergirl (Ameera K.)
* * * Drop a line at ameerak86@abba.zzn.com…I love your mails! * * *