CHAPTER 20
The Changing of the Tides
Harry woke up late the next morning and looked around him. Cho had left her bed and Harry thought she had been released, and the curtain was still drawn up around Ginny's bed, but since Harry didn't hear anything, Harry presumed no-one was there. Professor Ellis was still sleeping, so Harry got up quietly and walked over to Ginny's bed. He slipped under the curtain and sat down beside her bed. Harry looked into those cold lifeless eyes, and the pain and weariness came flooding back to him. He remembered the night before and it seemed to him, that it was in slow motion, making Harry relive every sinlge moment in fine detail. He shook his head and looked at Ginny again. He took her cold hand and held it tightly.
"I'm sorry Ginny, for not saving you and I'm sorry I didn't stop those Death Eaters from kidnapping you weeks ago. I should have acted sooner, oh Ginny I'm so sorry", Harry said slwoly, as the pain was becoming unbearable again.
"Goodbye Ginny and I'll miss you", Harry said and let go of her hand. He made his way back to his bed and saw that Professor Ellis was stirring. She opened her eyes and looked at Harry. Harry walked over to her bed and sat down on a chair beside her bed.
"Are you ok Professor?", he asked.
"Yeah", Professor Ellis replied weakly and sat up in her bed. "I never got to thank you for saving my life Harry. I'm so sorry for bringing you to You Know Who. I thought my parents would be proud of me, but I was wrong", Professor Ellis said bitterly.
"Its ok and I forgive you for bringing me to Voldemort. I think I understand what you are going through, I saw how you love your parents and I just felt sorry", Harry said.
"Harry I think you should know how this all happened. You see my parents are You Know Who's most trusted and obediant Death Eaters and they always have been. You see shortly after I was born, You Know Who found some ancient spell that he wanted to test on someone, and my parents used me. This spell was very advanced and dangerous as this spell was meant to give the wearer great power but no-one ever knew what. You see I only barely survived because of some necklace I was wearing at the time, it was a dragon with a little red ruby on the dragon's neck", Professor Ellis said.
"Wait a minute, do you mean this?", Harry asked as he took out his amulet from under his pyjamas and showed it to Ellis.
"Yes I think it is", Ellis said with her eyes sparkling, "Well as far as I know You Know Who thought the spell was too risky and abandoned the idea. This spell burned a mark in the form of flames of fire with an inscription underneath, on my left shoulder blade".
"Yes we saw that, the day when we were serving detention with you", Harry replied.
"Ah yes, I was worried you would start asking questions. Anyway this amulet saved my life and gave me these permanent white streaks in my hair. Well for most of my childhood I was always very sickly and weak and I was laways left to take care of my younger brother Thomas. I had a very difficult childhood as there was always an inner turmoil in me, I hated You Know Who with a great passion, yet I loved my parents very dearly but I also hated them for being on You Know Who's side. This turmoil continued right through Hogwarts and when I was chosen to be in Slytherin, I was very angry. My parents had been in Slytherin and I was so angry. I always got myself in detention, but then other times I would try my hardest and show everyone that I didn't belong in Slytherin. When I was in third year You Know Who fell and my parents disappeared too, dumping me and my brother to be taken care of by our grandparents. We were at Hogwarts at the time. For a long time I was happy living with my grandparents, but I soon found myself longing for my parents, but they never showed up again, that is until a few months ago, when they started talking to me. My brother and I soon presumed they were dead and we tried to live a normal life as possible. I was happy, but in my last year, everything changed. My brother died, because he also had spell put on him and he eventually died of it. He was only in fourth year at the time. Well I finished my N.E.W.T.s and aimlessloy roamed the earth for the next five years. His death unstabled me a lot and I spent the next five years trying to find myself. At the age of 22 I got a job at the Ministry of Magic, and worked there until Dumbledore offered me the job of Defence Against the Dark Arts. I took it, as I thought I could repay the damage my parents caused, by helping to fight against them. Well a few months after being in Hogwarts, my mother wrote me a letter. I have been talking to her and dad, for the last few months, using the Floo Powder and they finally convinced me to kidnap you and bring you to You Know Who. They told me they would forgive me and we could be a family again. I was so desperate and glad to see them, that I gave in and I'm sorry for that. It was foolish of me", Professor Ellis said sadly. "And that is my story, I suppose I will have to go to Azkaban to serve my sentence".
"What, but why?", Harry asked startled.
"For kidnapping you, aiding Death Eaters and for giving You Know Who my gift, which, as I hear have now made him a Sithra", Ellis replied.
"I'll speak for you and I'll tell them you were tricked, they can't send you to Azkaban", Harry exclaimed.
"Even if they don't send me to Azkaban, I still want to. I want to serve my term, like everyone else", Ellis replied.
"You can't, you'll go mad in there, or worse die. Sirius Black was in there and he said it was terrible", Harry exclaimed.
Professor Ellis smiled and said, "I have to and I want to Harry". Harry sighed and the door opened. Dumbledore walked in and smiled as he saw Harry talking to Professor Ellis.
"Ah Harry, do you think you could come down to my office, I need to have a talk to you about the night again, if you feel up to it", Dumbledore said.
"Yeah Professor, let me just get changed and I'll go up to your office", Harry replied and Dumbledore left the hospital wing. Harry drew the curtain around his bed and quickly got changed into new clothes, brought up from his dormitory. He said goodbye to Professor Ellis and ran down to Dumbledore's office.
He stopped in front of the stone gargoyle and panted, "Chocolate Eclairs", before hurrying up the stairs. He knocked on the door, and when Harry heard Dumbledore's office, he entered.
"Ah Harry, so good of you to come so quick, sit down", Dumbledore said.
Harry sat down and asked, "What did you want to see me for?" "You told me last night, that an amulet of your saved you, well if it is ok with you, I would like to examine it", Dumbledore said. Harry took off the amulet and handed it to Dumbledore. Dumbledore held the amulet up high and examined it.
"Ah yes, how interesting. I never would have thought", Dumbledore mused.
"Sorry Professor, but what is interesting?", Harry asked.
"This amulet, it has got quite a history to it. The amulet is called "The Phoenix Light" and is quite old. I believe the stone, you see on the dragon's neck, is part of a very old and powerful stone called "The Phoenix Stone"', Dumbledore said pointing to the dragon on the amulet, which had its wings folded around it, and had a small ruby on its neck.
"Sirius gave it to me as a birthday present, and said that it used to be James'. He told me it has some sort of power and helped my dad out, whenever he was in trouble", Harry said.
"Well as much as I know it reacts differently to each person, but to you it reacted very strongly. It may have something to do with the fact that your wand core is a phoenix feather, but I believe it was because of the power inside you", Dumbledore said.
"What do you mean power?", Harry asked.
"When Voldemort tried to kill you when you were a baby, he transferred some of his powers to you, and that was what saved you and Cho from being killed by Voldemort", Dumbledore said.
"You mean I have some of Voldemort's powers inside me?", Harry asked.
"Oh yes and that is partly why Voldemort wants you dead, you are a threat to him. But I will not tell you the main reason why he wants you dead yet. When the time is right, I will tell you. Thank you Harry", Dumbledore said handing Harry back the amulet. "Keep that amulet safe, it is very powerful and you may need it soon enough".
"Erm Professor, what will happen to Ginny's body?", Harry asked sadly.
"Mr and Mrs Weasley will take her body home with them tonight, I think they will want to make the funeral arrangements", Dumbledore said.
"Thank you Professor", Harry said and left Dumbledore's office.
Time passed quite slowly for Harry and he had few memories left of them. Harry was only dimly aware of what had happened and the days seemed to melt into one another, but a few days after the fateful night, it was time to leave again. As Harry walked down to the Great Hall for the leaving feast, he looked around him and looked at the old castle, with its old paintings, torches hanging on the walls and the homely and warm feel to the castle. Harry smiled for the first time in days and took in the beauty of the old castle. He walked into the Great Hall and noticed, that like the year before, the hall was draped in black, and Harry sat himself down beside Ron and Hermione. Ron was still as quiet as ever and Harry and Hermione haven't been able to have a proper conversation with him, since that night. They would just sit there and be glad of each other's presence. Hermione was still in a state of shock and Harry often caught her crying, or sobbing. Her eyes were still puffy and she barely smiled or spoke a word at all, to anyone. Harry, though not as badly off as Ron, since this wasn't the first time it had happened, stopped blaming himself but still did not cheer up. It seemed the whole school was acting the same way and the students were showing Harry, Ron and Hermione a lot of respect, and even the Slytherins weren't giving them their usual nasty comments, save Malfoy and his younger brother, who found the whole situation rather funny. But after Fred and George had threatened him, he had stopped and gone back to scowling at them, and hissing remarks when they passed. Harry stopped caring after a while and even Hermione wasn't showing her usual annoyance. Harry was snapped back to the presence, when Dumbledore got up and the whole hall went quiet.
"Another year, and even though I was hoping this would not happen again, it has and more people have suffered. We all mourn the passing of Ginny Weasley, trusted friend, happy sister and carefree girl. Her death shouldn't have happened, but as it usually is, she has died, for no purpose, other than Lord Voldemort's will. She was killed by Voldemort, but not in vain as her death has given others a chance to live. If it hadn't been for her, three more people wouldn't be sitting here, and for that we have to remember Ginny for, for she was a girl much liked, who had many friends and caring brothers, who mourn her death today. I would like you all to raise your glass to Ginny Weasley and remember that she didn't die in vain", Dumbledore said as he got up and raised his glass in the air. There was a scraping of chairs and the hall replied, by raising their glass and saying, "To Ginny". Harry looked over at the hall and saw that many Gryffindor fourth years were crying or sniffing, and when Harry looked over, he could see Malfoy and his little brother, sitting defiantly in their seats, scowling at the Slytherins standing around them.
"And I would also like to thank Harry Potter, for if it hadn't been for him, Cho Chang and Professor Ellis might have died too. His bravery and defiance to Lord Voldemort, showed his true strength and if it hadn't been his willingness to survive, that fateful night might have turned out worse than it had. So I would like you all to raise your glass and toast to Harry Potter", Dumbledore said and once more the hall replied by raising their glass and murmuring, "To Harry Potter".
And with that Harry was once more, taking the train home. He was sitting in their compartment, watching the scenery passing by, not speaking a word.
Harry decided to break the ice and ask, "Ron, what is going to happen to Ginny's body?"
Ron looked up and looked at Harry rather sadly, before replying, "I suppose her funeral will be held in a few days. You and Hermione are invited of course, if Dumbledore lets you come Harry".
"I'm sure he will", Hermione said looking up, "And I would love to come Ron", Hermione said smiling a weak smile.
"Yeah I'll come Ron", Harry replied.
"So tell me Harry, how are you and Cho?", Ron asked.
"I don't know what you're on about", Harry said blushing.
"I saw you two in the corridors, she seems to be a lot happier with you around", Ron replied smiling, as Harry blushed even more.
"I was just comforting her, she did go through a lot", Harry said. "Anyway look at you and Hermione, you seem very happy together".
Ron blushed as he held Hermione's hand and said, "Well I can't say anything against that". Then Ron's smile faded again and he said wearily, "It will be so different going home and not having Ginny there anymore. Everything's changing so fast".
"Yeah everything is changing and things are looking bleak for all of us", Harry replied.
"But we must never give up hope as long as we have each other and Dumbledore to protect us", Hermione said looking up and Harry once more saw the defiance that he knew in Hermione.
"Yeah as long as we have each other we will never give in. United we stand, divided we fall", Harry said grimly as Ron and Hermione nodded.
Hermione replied, "Yeah, united we stand, divided we fall and we'll always stick together"...
Harry woke up late the next morning and looked around him. Cho had left her bed and Harry thought she had been released, and the curtain was still drawn up around Ginny's bed, but since Harry didn't hear anything, Harry presumed no-one was there. Professor Ellis was still sleeping, so Harry got up quietly and walked over to Ginny's bed. He slipped under the curtain and sat down beside her bed. Harry looked into those cold lifeless eyes, and the pain and weariness came flooding back to him. He remembered the night before and it seemed to him, that it was in slow motion, making Harry relive every sinlge moment in fine detail. He shook his head and looked at Ginny again. He took her cold hand and held it tightly.
"I'm sorry Ginny, for not saving you and I'm sorry I didn't stop those Death Eaters from kidnapping you weeks ago. I should have acted sooner, oh Ginny I'm so sorry", Harry said slwoly, as the pain was becoming unbearable again.
"Goodbye Ginny and I'll miss you", Harry said and let go of her hand. He made his way back to his bed and saw that Professor Ellis was stirring. She opened her eyes and looked at Harry. Harry walked over to her bed and sat down on a chair beside her bed.
"Are you ok Professor?", he asked.
"Yeah", Professor Ellis replied weakly and sat up in her bed. "I never got to thank you for saving my life Harry. I'm so sorry for bringing you to You Know Who. I thought my parents would be proud of me, but I was wrong", Professor Ellis said bitterly.
"Its ok and I forgive you for bringing me to Voldemort. I think I understand what you are going through, I saw how you love your parents and I just felt sorry", Harry said.
"Harry I think you should know how this all happened. You see my parents are You Know Who's most trusted and obediant Death Eaters and they always have been. You see shortly after I was born, You Know Who found some ancient spell that he wanted to test on someone, and my parents used me. This spell was very advanced and dangerous as this spell was meant to give the wearer great power but no-one ever knew what. You see I only barely survived because of some necklace I was wearing at the time, it was a dragon with a little red ruby on the dragon's neck", Professor Ellis said.
"Wait a minute, do you mean this?", Harry asked as he took out his amulet from under his pyjamas and showed it to Ellis.
"Yes I think it is", Ellis said with her eyes sparkling, "Well as far as I know You Know Who thought the spell was too risky and abandoned the idea. This spell burned a mark in the form of flames of fire with an inscription underneath, on my left shoulder blade".
"Yes we saw that, the day when we were serving detention with you", Harry replied.
"Ah yes, I was worried you would start asking questions. Anyway this amulet saved my life and gave me these permanent white streaks in my hair. Well for most of my childhood I was always very sickly and weak and I was laways left to take care of my younger brother Thomas. I had a very difficult childhood as there was always an inner turmoil in me, I hated You Know Who with a great passion, yet I loved my parents very dearly but I also hated them for being on You Know Who's side. This turmoil continued right through Hogwarts and when I was chosen to be in Slytherin, I was very angry. My parents had been in Slytherin and I was so angry. I always got myself in detention, but then other times I would try my hardest and show everyone that I didn't belong in Slytherin. When I was in third year You Know Who fell and my parents disappeared too, dumping me and my brother to be taken care of by our grandparents. We were at Hogwarts at the time. For a long time I was happy living with my grandparents, but I soon found myself longing for my parents, but they never showed up again, that is until a few months ago, when they started talking to me. My brother and I soon presumed they were dead and we tried to live a normal life as possible. I was happy, but in my last year, everything changed. My brother died, because he also had spell put on him and he eventually died of it. He was only in fourth year at the time. Well I finished my N.E.W.T.s and aimlessloy roamed the earth for the next five years. His death unstabled me a lot and I spent the next five years trying to find myself. At the age of 22 I got a job at the Ministry of Magic, and worked there until Dumbledore offered me the job of Defence Against the Dark Arts. I took it, as I thought I could repay the damage my parents caused, by helping to fight against them. Well a few months after being in Hogwarts, my mother wrote me a letter. I have been talking to her and dad, for the last few months, using the Floo Powder and they finally convinced me to kidnap you and bring you to You Know Who. They told me they would forgive me and we could be a family again. I was so desperate and glad to see them, that I gave in and I'm sorry for that. It was foolish of me", Professor Ellis said sadly. "And that is my story, I suppose I will have to go to Azkaban to serve my sentence".
"What, but why?", Harry asked startled.
"For kidnapping you, aiding Death Eaters and for giving You Know Who my gift, which, as I hear have now made him a Sithra", Ellis replied.
"I'll speak for you and I'll tell them you were tricked, they can't send you to Azkaban", Harry exclaimed.
"Even if they don't send me to Azkaban, I still want to. I want to serve my term, like everyone else", Ellis replied.
"You can't, you'll go mad in there, or worse die. Sirius Black was in there and he said it was terrible", Harry exclaimed.
Professor Ellis smiled and said, "I have to and I want to Harry". Harry sighed and the door opened. Dumbledore walked in and smiled as he saw Harry talking to Professor Ellis.
"Ah Harry, do you think you could come down to my office, I need to have a talk to you about the night again, if you feel up to it", Dumbledore said.
"Yeah Professor, let me just get changed and I'll go up to your office", Harry replied and Dumbledore left the hospital wing. Harry drew the curtain around his bed and quickly got changed into new clothes, brought up from his dormitory. He said goodbye to Professor Ellis and ran down to Dumbledore's office.
He stopped in front of the stone gargoyle and panted, "Chocolate Eclairs", before hurrying up the stairs. He knocked on the door, and when Harry heard Dumbledore's office, he entered.
"Ah Harry, so good of you to come so quick, sit down", Dumbledore said.
Harry sat down and asked, "What did you want to see me for?" "You told me last night, that an amulet of your saved you, well if it is ok with you, I would like to examine it", Dumbledore said. Harry took off the amulet and handed it to Dumbledore. Dumbledore held the amulet up high and examined it.
"Ah yes, how interesting. I never would have thought", Dumbledore mused.
"Sorry Professor, but what is interesting?", Harry asked.
"This amulet, it has got quite a history to it. The amulet is called "The Phoenix Light" and is quite old. I believe the stone, you see on the dragon's neck, is part of a very old and powerful stone called "The Phoenix Stone"', Dumbledore said pointing to the dragon on the amulet, which had its wings folded around it, and had a small ruby on its neck.
"Sirius gave it to me as a birthday present, and said that it used to be James'. He told me it has some sort of power and helped my dad out, whenever he was in trouble", Harry said.
"Well as much as I know it reacts differently to each person, but to you it reacted very strongly. It may have something to do with the fact that your wand core is a phoenix feather, but I believe it was because of the power inside you", Dumbledore said.
"What do you mean power?", Harry asked.
"When Voldemort tried to kill you when you were a baby, he transferred some of his powers to you, and that was what saved you and Cho from being killed by Voldemort", Dumbledore said.
"You mean I have some of Voldemort's powers inside me?", Harry asked.
"Oh yes and that is partly why Voldemort wants you dead, you are a threat to him. But I will not tell you the main reason why he wants you dead yet. When the time is right, I will tell you. Thank you Harry", Dumbledore said handing Harry back the amulet. "Keep that amulet safe, it is very powerful and you may need it soon enough".
"Erm Professor, what will happen to Ginny's body?", Harry asked sadly.
"Mr and Mrs Weasley will take her body home with them tonight, I think they will want to make the funeral arrangements", Dumbledore said.
"Thank you Professor", Harry said and left Dumbledore's office.
Time passed quite slowly for Harry and he had few memories left of them. Harry was only dimly aware of what had happened and the days seemed to melt into one another, but a few days after the fateful night, it was time to leave again. As Harry walked down to the Great Hall for the leaving feast, he looked around him and looked at the old castle, with its old paintings, torches hanging on the walls and the homely and warm feel to the castle. Harry smiled for the first time in days and took in the beauty of the old castle. He walked into the Great Hall and noticed, that like the year before, the hall was draped in black, and Harry sat himself down beside Ron and Hermione. Ron was still as quiet as ever and Harry and Hermione haven't been able to have a proper conversation with him, since that night. They would just sit there and be glad of each other's presence. Hermione was still in a state of shock and Harry often caught her crying, or sobbing. Her eyes were still puffy and she barely smiled or spoke a word at all, to anyone. Harry, though not as badly off as Ron, since this wasn't the first time it had happened, stopped blaming himself but still did not cheer up. It seemed the whole school was acting the same way and the students were showing Harry, Ron and Hermione a lot of respect, and even the Slytherins weren't giving them their usual nasty comments, save Malfoy and his younger brother, who found the whole situation rather funny. But after Fred and George had threatened him, he had stopped and gone back to scowling at them, and hissing remarks when they passed. Harry stopped caring after a while and even Hermione wasn't showing her usual annoyance. Harry was snapped back to the presence, when Dumbledore got up and the whole hall went quiet.
"Another year, and even though I was hoping this would not happen again, it has and more people have suffered. We all mourn the passing of Ginny Weasley, trusted friend, happy sister and carefree girl. Her death shouldn't have happened, but as it usually is, she has died, for no purpose, other than Lord Voldemort's will. She was killed by Voldemort, but not in vain as her death has given others a chance to live. If it hadn't been for her, three more people wouldn't be sitting here, and for that we have to remember Ginny for, for she was a girl much liked, who had many friends and caring brothers, who mourn her death today. I would like you all to raise your glass to Ginny Weasley and remember that she didn't die in vain", Dumbledore said as he got up and raised his glass in the air. There was a scraping of chairs and the hall replied, by raising their glass and saying, "To Ginny". Harry looked over at the hall and saw that many Gryffindor fourth years were crying or sniffing, and when Harry looked over, he could see Malfoy and his little brother, sitting defiantly in their seats, scowling at the Slytherins standing around them.
"And I would also like to thank Harry Potter, for if it hadn't been for him, Cho Chang and Professor Ellis might have died too. His bravery and defiance to Lord Voldemort, showed his true strength and if it hadn't been his willingness to survive, that fateful night might have turned out worse than it had. So I would like you all to raise your glass and toast to Harry Potter", Dumbledore said and once more the hall replied by raising their glass and murmuring, "To Harry Potter".
And with that Harry was once more, taking the train home. He was sitting in their compartment, watching the scenery passing by, not speaking a word.
Harry decided to break the ice and ask, "Ron, what is going to happen to Ginny's body?"
Ron looked up and looked at Harry rather sadly, before replying, "I suppose her funeral will be held in a few days. You and Hermione are invited of course, if Dumbledore lets you come Harry".
"I'm sure he will", Hermione said looking up, "And I would love to come Ron", Hermione said smiling a weak smile.
"Yeah I'll come Ron", Harry replied.
"So tell me Harry, how are you and Cho?", Ron asked.
"I don't know what you're on about", Harry said blushing.
"I saw you two in the corridors, she seems to be a lot happier with you around", Ron replied smiling, as Harry blushed even more.
"I was just comforting her, she did go through a lot", Harry said. "Anyway look at you and Hermione, you seem very happy together".
Ron blushed as he held Hermione's hand and said, "Well I can't say anything against that". Then Ron's smile faded again and he said wearily, "It will be so different going home and not having Ginny there anymore. Everything's changing so fast".
"Yeah everything is changing and things are looking bleak for all of us", Harry replied.
"But we must never give up hope as long as we have each other and Dumbledore to protect us", Hermione said looking up and Harry once more saw the defiance that he knew in Hermione.
"Yeah as long as we have each other we will never give in. United we stand, divided we fall", Harry said grimly as Ron and Hermione nodded.
Hermione replied, "Yeah, united we stand, divided we fall and we'll always stick together"...