CHAPTER 16
Harry didn't know how long he spent in the forest, just staring at the spot where Ginny and Cho had disappeared. A cool breeze was rustling through the trees, that froze Harry to the bone. Finally he awoke from his thoughts and looked around. Harry heard cries coming from deep within the forest, so Harry turned around and started walking back out, towards the lake. There lying on the grass was his Firebolt. He picked it up, mounted his broom and flew back to the Gryffindor Tower. As he was flying, he remembered what happened and a wave of anger flowed over him as he remembered how that filth ridden Wormtail, dragged Cho back to the forest and Malfoy with Ginny slung over his shoulder that they disappeared out of his sight. With every minute Harry became more determined to bring Cho and Ginny back, though he didn't know how. Flying away was out of the question, but then how he remembered last year and Voldemort had Harry brought to him, Harry was sure Voldemort would do the same. Only this time Harry wouldn't run away. This time Harry would fight and bring Ginny and Cho back.
By that time he reached the window of his dormitory and flew in. He quickly dumped his Firebolt on his bed and bolted downstairs. There he found Ron, Hermione, Fred and George in a corner. Harry walked up to them and looked at them gravely.
"Erm, Ron, Fred, George. I have some bad news for you", Harry said grimly. "What?", Ron asked.
Ist Ginny. I was in the dormitory looking at the map, when I saw Ginny and Cho outside. Well two Death Eaters came out of the forest and were walking towards them. I quickly got my broom and flew down to them, but I couldn't stop the Death Eaters. They took a portkey and disappeared with them", Harry said slowly.
"What?", Ron shouted standing up.
"But it can't be", George said shocked.
"I couldn't stop them. I'm sorry, I should have been quicker", Harry replied bowing his head.
"Its ok harry, you done your best. And we're glad that you at least tried", Fred said.
"But i didn't save them", Harry replied getting angry.
"Fred's right. You done your best and that's all that matters. Besides you could never take down two fully grown Death Eaters", Hermione said.
"We have to tell Dumbledore", Harry said getting up. Ron, Hermione, Fred and George followed him out of the common room to Dumbledore's office.
The next few weeks, Harry and Ron were very down, since Ginny's kidnap. Ron was rarely smiling much anymore and Harry was feeling guilty again, for not stopping the Death Eaters. He was barely concentrating on his studies anymore, even though the OWLs were only weeks away. Harry couldn't cheer them up, so she tried to force them to study, but that wouldn't work either. She finally decided to go easy on Ron and help him study, whenever she got his attention. Harry would just aimlessly roam the corridors, reliving that night in his head over and over again. The thought of Cho in danger, or worse dead, plagued Harry's thoughts day and night and the thought that he couldn't save his best friend's sister didn't help the matter. He rarely got much sleep at night and even when Madame Pomfrey gave him some Pepper-up Potion to help him sleep, his thoughts invaded his dreams.
With the help of Hermione, Harry studied the hardest he could and he was actually prepared for the exam. Hermione had also been very kind to Ron and allowed him to copy her homework and helped him study. The night before Harry had trouble sleeping;
Harry was back at the graveyard that night, when he saw Giny's and Cho's dead bodies. Beside them was the grave of Tom Riddle. Harry shouted and jumped away, trying not to look a their mangled bodies, when the world swirled around in front of his eyes and he once again saw the half decayed body of Cedric Diggory. A pair of red, snake-like eyes appeared in front of him and Harry heard the familiar cold voice of Voldemort. "They will rot here until the end of time", and with that the thin, frail body of Voldemort appeared in front of him, with the red eyes boring into his mind. Harry shouted and awoke from his dream. Harry was sweating badly and shaking from head to foot. He got up slowly and noticed it was still dark. He quickly got dressed, got some books and went down to the common room. The common room was empty and harry made himself comfortable on a sofa and started revising. When it was time for breakfast, Harry went down to the Great Hall and found Ron and Hermione already eating breakfast.
"Hello Harry", Hermione said raising her head out of a book.
"What's wrong?", Ron asked.
"Another nightmare", Harry replied taking some toast.
"Again?", Hermione asked.
"Yeah with Ginny and Cho in it again", Harry said downhearted.
"Don't beat yourself up about it Harry, Dumbledorewill find them and bring them back", Hermione said. "Now we have to stay positive and be confident in them".
"How can we? My little sister is in the hands of You Know Who. Mum is distraught and Dad doesn't know what to do. Theymay be dead for all we know", Ron said angrily getting up.
"He's still not taking it well, is he?", Harry asked.
"No there's nothing I can do", Hermione replied.
"We had better got to class, we have exams", Harry said getting up. The two rose and walked out of the Great Hall to class.
The first exam Harry had was Herbology. Professor Sprout had decided to give them a written exam on all the plants they studied. Harry felt his spirits rising as he answered the questions, knowing he was getting them right. He quickly ran down to Hagrid's Hut for the next exam.
Hagrid smiled at them and asked, "Feeling good Harry?"
"Yeah", Harry replied smiling.
"'Rite then! Everyone gather round", Hagrid said gathering everyone around a few boxes.
"These are Hawkins", Hagrid said opening one of the boxes and revealing a large sapphire, blue bird, that resembled a hawk. The bird stretched her wings and revealed what looked like crystals at the end of her wings. She opened her beak and flames came out of her mouth.
"Beauty isn't she?", Hagrid said. "Now everyone take a tray. The thing to do is to feed your Hawkin the right food. Your Hawkin will let you know when you fed it properly", Hagrid said. Everyone got a box and started feeding their Hawkins. Harry closed his eyes, took a random guess and decided to feed his Hawkin some strange meat that looked like some furry little animal. The Hawkin took the food and started eating it, and when it was finished it got up and stretched ist wings, squaking loudly.
"Well done Harry, full marks for you", Hagrid said beaming. Harry grinned from ear to ear, and seeing what Harry done, Ron copied and also got full marks. Though Hermione disapproved, she kept quiet and smiled as Ron was beaming. Next Ron and harry headed up to the north tower, to Divination. They entered the stuffy, dark classroom and sat down at the back. Professor Trelawney swooped out of the shadows and looked at the class, through her big lamp-like eyes.
"Welcome all, the fates have told me that I should expect to give you a test today", Trelawney said and Ron sniggered. "Would each person take a cup, some tea and drink the tea so only the dregs remain. I want you all to tell me what you see. Let your third eye be clear", she chanted. Harry and Ron quickly got up, got a cup, drank the scalding tea and started reading their tea leaves. Professor Trelawney was walking around the classroom, inspecting what each person read iun their tea leaves and noting it down on a sheet. After that she handed each person a set of tarot cards and asked to read the other's future. Ron was greatly over-come with a fit of laughter, that Trelawney asked Ron to leave the class. Ron scowled at herand quickly left the class. Since Harry didn't know what to do, he once again made everything up and hoped against hope that Trelawney believed him. Next was lunch and they raced downstairs and met hermione in the entrance Hall, who was beaming.
"Professor Vector gave me two OWLS", Hermione said grinning. They walked into the Great Hall and quickly ate lunch. Soon it was time to go to their exams again, so they raced off towards the dungeon for Potions. This exam Harry had been dreading more than anything, and he slumped down at the back beside Ron.
Snape walked in, with a smirk on his face and said, "Alright then, seems you have your OWLS now. First thing, Potter move away from Weasley and Granger and sit beside Malfoy. Granger move over to Miss Parkinson and Longbottom move beside Weasley", Snape growled. Harry stared at Snape coldly and moved up to the front to sit beside Malfoy.
"Alright, I want all of you to make a Wiggenwald Potion and I will take points off, if the colour is wrong, that means you Mr Longbottom I want the right colour, any ingredients put in too late and if the potion doesn't work. Now begin", Snape said coldly. Harry began cutting up his roots and adding eye of Newt, wishing for the exam to be over as soon as possible.
When he finally finished, Harry was glad to get out of the class, but he had the strange feeling he had failed Potions. He quickly made his way up to History of Magic, where Professor Binns had given them an essay on The Burning Days. Harry was thoroughly relieved to leave the class, as the essay almost made him fall asleep, but none the less he answered as much as he could. The second last exam was Transfiguration and by Harry's point of view, the hardest. Professor Mc Gonagall had given them an assignment to turn large rocks into flowers, the more detailed and exotic the better. Harry had finally managed to turn his rock into an orchid and left the class, feeling very pleased. The last exam was Defence Against Dark Arts, and Harry was glad that the exams were almost over. He walked into the classroom and sat himself down beside Ron and Hermione. Professor Ellis had given them a written exam on all sorts of creatures and shortly afterwards Harry was free.
Feeling thoroughly relieved, Harry decided to take a walk outside in the cool evening breeze and watch the sun setting behind the Forbidden Forest. As he was strolling along near the lake, Harry heard a cry and looked upwards to see a large white bird flying towards him. As the bird came closer, Harry recognised it as Hedwig and caught her, before she fell onto the ground. Her left wing was badly damamged and bleeding freely, and she had a few scars around her face. Hary noticed there was a note on her wing and carelfully took it off.
Harry, I'm sure you were very worried about your precious owl. Well don't worry I took great care of her and there are two girls here who say hello. I know you want to rescue them, you being such a noble person, but if you want them back and alive, you will have to come and find me. Give yourself in while you still can... Voldemort
Harry crumpled up the note and stuffed it in his pocket, and carefully carried his owl back to his dormitory.
"What you're not going to track him down are you?", Hermione asked worried.
"Harry say, you won't. You'll get killed", Ron said.
"What do you want me to do? Leave Cho and Ginny to die? I can't", Harry replied exasperated.
"Harry please don't!", Hermione said pleadingly.
"Alright I won't" Harry said tucking the note back in his pocket. He walked over to the pillow, where he laid Hedwig on and noticed she was sleeping.
"I think we should bring her to Hagrid, he will get her back on her feet", Hermione said pointing to Hedwig.
"Yeah you're right", Harry replied. He picked up the pillow with Hedwig on it and walked down to Hagrid's hut.
"Hagrid, can we come in?", Harry called knocking on the door.
"Come in", Hagrid replied opening the door. "What happened to Hedwig?"
"You Know Who, he must have captured her and kept her the whole year. Look she's injured. Can you heal her?", Harry asked worried.
"No problem Harry, I'll take care of her. She'll be right as reign, now off you three get to the castle. You know ye shouldn't be here at night", Hagrid said shooing the three out. Harry, Ron and Hermione walked back up to the castle in silence.
Harry didn't know how long he spent in the forest, just staring at the spot where Ginny and Cho had disappeared. A cool breeze was rustling through the trees, that froze Harry to the bone. Finally he awoke from his thoughts and looked around. Harry heard cries coming from deep within the forest, so Harry turned around and started walking back out, towards the lake. There lying on the grass was his Firebolt. He picked it up, mounted his broom and flew back to the Gryffindor Tower. As he was flying, he remembered what happened and a wave of anger flowed over him as he remembered how that filth ridden Wormtail, dragged Cho back to the forest and Malfoy with Ginny slung over his shoulder that they disappeared out of his sight. With every minute Harry became more determined to bring Cho and Ginny back, though he didn't know how. Flying away was out of the question, but then how he remembered last year and Voldemort had Harry brought to him, Harry was sure Voldemort would do the same. Only this time Harry wouldn't run away. This time Harry would fight and bring Ginny and Cho back.
By that time he reached the window of his dormitory and flew in. He quickly dumped his Firebolt on his bed and bolted downstairs. There he found Ron, Hermione, Fred and George in a corner. Harry walked up to them and looked at them gravely.
"Erm, Ron, Fred, George. I have some bad news for you", Harry said grimly. "What?", Ron asked.
Ist Ginny. I was in the dormitory looking at the map, when I saw Ginny and Cho outside. Well two Death Eaters came out of the forest and were walking towards them. I quickly got my broom and flew down to them, but I couldn't stop the Death Eaters. They took a portkey and disappeared with them", Harry said slowly.
"What?", Ron shouted standing up.
"But it can't be", George said shocked.
"I couldn't stop them. I'm sorry, I should have been quicker", Harry replied bowing his head.
"Its ok harry, you done your best. And we're glad that you at least tried", Fred said.
"But i didn't save them", Harry replied getting angry.
"Fred's right. You done your best and that's all that matters. Besides you could never take down two fully grown Death Eaters", Hermione said.
"We have to tell Dumbledore", Harry said getting up. Ron, Hermione, Fred and George followed him out of the common room to Dumbledore's office.
The next few weeks, Harry and Ron were very down, since Ginny's kidnap. Ron was rarely smiling much anymore and Harry was feeling guilty again, for not stopping the Death Eaters. He was barely concentrating on his studies anymore, even though the OWLs were only weeks away. Harry couldn't cheer them up, so she tried to force them to study, but that wouldn't work either. She finally decided to go easy on Ron and help him study, whenever she got his attention. Harry would just aimlessly roam the corridors, reliving that night in his head over and over again. The thought of Cho in danger, or worse dead, plagued Harry's thoughts day and night and the thought that he couldn't save his best friend's sister didn't help the matter. He rarely got much sleep at night and even when Madame Pomfrey gave him some Pepper-up Potion to help him sleep, his thoughts invaded his dreams.
With the help of Hermione, Harry studied the hardest he could and he was actually prepared for the exam. Hermione had also been very kind to Ron and allowed him to copy her homework and helped him study. The night before Harry had trouble sleeping;
Harry was back at the graveyard that night, when he saw Giny's and Cho's dead bodies. Beside them was the grave of Tom Riddle. Harry shouted and jumped away, trying not to look a their mangled bodies, when the world swirled around in front of his eyes and he once again saw the half decayed body of Cedric Diggory. A pair of red, snake-like eyes appeared in front of him and Harry heard the familiar cold voice of Voldemort. "They will rot here until the end of time", and with that the thin, frail body of Voldemort appeared in front of him, with the red eyes boring into his mind. Harry shouted and awoke from his dream. Harry was sweating badly and shaking from head to foot. He got up slowly and noticed it was still dark. He quickly got dressed, got some books and went down to the common room. The common room was empty and harry made himself comfortable on a sofa and started revising. When it was time for breakfast, Harry went down to the Great Hall and found Ron and Hermione already eating breakfast.
"Hello Harry", Hermione said raising her head out of a book.
"What's wrong?", Ron asked.
"Another nightmare", Harry replied taking some toast.
"Again?", Hermione asked.
"Yeah with Ginny and Cho in it again", Harry said downhearted.
"Don't beat yourself up about it Harry, Dumbledorewill find them and bring them back", Hermione said. "Now we have to stay positive and be confident in them".
"How can we? My little sister is in the hands of You Know Who. Mum is distraught and Dad doesn't know what to do. Theymay be dead for all we know", Ron said angrily getting up.
"He's still not taking it well, is he?", Harry asked.
"No there's nothing I can do", Hermione replied.
"We had better got to class, we have exams", Harry said getting up. The two rose and walked out of the Great Hall to class.
The first exam Harry had was Herbology. Professor Sprout had decided to give them a written exam on all the plants they studied. Harry felt his spirits rising as he answered the questions, knowing he was getting them right. He quickly ran down to Hagrid's Hut for the next exam.
Hagrid smiled at them and asked, "Feeling good Harry?"
"Yeah", Harry replied smiling.
"'Rite then! Everyone gather round", Hagrid said gathering everyone around a few boxes.
"These are Hawkins", Hagrid said opening one of the boxes and revealing a large sapphire, blue bird, that resembled a hawk. The bird stretched her wings and revealed what looked like crystals at the end of her wings. She opened her beak and flames came out of her mouth.
"Beauty isn't she?", Hagrid said. "Now everyone take a tray. The thing to do is to feed your Hawkin the right food. Your Hawkin will let you know when you fed it properly", Hagrid said. Everyone got a box and started feeding their Hawkins. Harry closed his eyes, took a random guess and decided to feed his Hawkin some strange meat that looked like some furry little animal. The Hawkin took the food and started eating it, and when it was finished it got up and stretched ist wings, squaking loudly.
"Well done Harry, full marks for you", Hagrid said beaming. Harry grinned from ear to ear, and seeing what Harry done, Ron copied and also got full marks. Though Hermione disapproved, she kept quiet and smiled as Ron was beaming. Next Ron and harry headed up to the north tower, to Divination. They entered the stuffy, dark classroom and sat down at the back. Professor Trelawney swooped out of the shadows and looked at the class, through her big lamp-like eyes.
"Welcome all, the fates have told me that I should expect to give you a test today", Trelawney said and Ron sniggered. "Would each person take a cup, some tea and drink the tea so only the dregs remain. I want you all to tell me what you see. Let your third eye be clear", she chanted. Harry and Ron quickly got up, got a cup, drank the scalding tea and started reading their tea leaves. Professor Trelawney was walking around the classroom, inspecting what each person read iun their tea leaves and noting it down on a sheet. After that she handed each person a set of tarot cards and asked to read the other's future. Ron was greatly over-come with a fit of laughter, that Trelawney asked Ron to leave the class. Ron scowled at herand quickly left the class. Since Harry didn't know what to do, he once again made everything up and hoped against hope that Trelawney believed him. Next was lunch and they raced downstairs and met hermione in the entrance Hall, who was beaming.
"Professor Vector gave me two OWLS", Hermione said grinning. They walked into the Great Hall and quickly ate lunch. Soon it was time to go to their exams again, so they raced off towards the dungeon for Potions. This exam Harry had been dreading more than anything, and he slumped down at the back beside Ron.
Snape walked in, with a smirk on his face and said, "Alright then, seems you have your OWLS now. First thing, Potter move away from Weasley and Granger and sit beside Malfoy. Granger move over to Miss Parkinson and Longbottom move beside Weasley", Snape growled. Harry stared at Snape coldly and moved up to the front to sit beside Malfoy.
"Alright, I want all of you to make a Wiggenwald Potion and I will take points off, if the colour is wrong, that means you Mr Longbottom I want the right colour, any ingredients put in too late and if the potion doesn't work. Now begin", Snape said coldly. Harry began cutting up his roots and adding eye of Newt, wishing for the exam to be over as soon as possible.
When he finally finished, Harry was glad to get out of the class, but he had the strange feeling he had failed Potions. He quickly made his way up to History of Magic, where Professor Binns had given them an essay on The Burning Days. Harry was thoroughly relieved to leave the class, as the essay almost made him fall asleep, but none the less he answered as much as he could. The second last exam was Transfiguration and by Harry's point of view, the hardest. Professor Mc Gonagall had given them an assignment to turn large rocks into flowers, the more detailed and exotic the better. Harry had finally managed to turn his rock into an orchid and left the class, feeling very pleased. The last exam was Defence Against Dark Arts, and Harry was glad that the exams were almost over. He walked into the classroom and sat himself down beside Ron and Hermione. Professor Ellis had given them a written exam on all sorts of creatures and shortly afterwards Harry was free.
Feeling thoroughly relieved, Harry decided to take a walk outside in the cool evening breeze and watch the sun setting behind the Forbidden Forest. As he was strolling along near the lake, Harry heard a cry and looked upwards to see a large white bird flying towards him. As the bird came closer, Harry recognised it as Hedwig and caught her, before she fell onto the ground. Her left wing was badly damamged and bleeding freely, and she had a few scars around her face. Hary noticed there was a note on her wing and carelfully took it off.
Harry, I'm sure you were very worried about your precious owl. Well don't worry I took great care of her and there are two girls here who say hello. I know you want to rescue them, you being such a noble person, but if you want them back and alive, you will have to come and find me. Give yourself in while you still can... Voldemort
Harry crumpled up the note and stuffed it in his pocket, and carefully carried his owl back to his dormitory.
"What you're not going to track him down are you?", Hermione asked worried.
"Harry say, you won't. You'll get killed", Ron said.
"What do you want me to do? Leave Cho and Ginny to die? I can't", Harry replied exasperated.
"Harry please don't!", Hermione said pleadingly.
"Alright I won't" Harry said tucking the note back in his pocket. He walked over to the pillow, where he laid Hedwig on and noticed she was sleeping.
"I think we should bring her to Hagrid, he will get her back on her feet", Hermione said pointing to Hedwig.
"Yeah you're right", Harry replied. He picked up the pillow with Hedwig on it and walked down to Hagrid's hut.
"Hagrid, can we come in?", Harry called knocking on the door.
"Come in", Hagrid replied opening the door. "What happened to Hedwig?"
"You Know Who, he must have captured her and kept her the whole year. Look she's injured. Can you heal her?", Harry asked worried.
"No problem Harry, I'll take care of her. She'll be right as reign, now off you three get to the castle. You know ye shouldn't be here at night", Hagrid said shooing the three out. Harry, Ron and Hermione walked back up to the castle in silence.