A/N: Hey guys, it's Lauren. Here's the alternate ending. It's a little darker and more violent than I usually write, so if you don't like that stuff, don't read it. Don't worry, it's not too bad. I hope you guys like it! Tell me what you think! If you guys really like it, I may even do a little Sliding Doors thing and continue the story in two forms, the one as it is now, and what would have happened after this, if I had used this one. Hmm…we'll see. Review and tell me what you think!

Lauren

Disclaimer: No own Harry Potter.

Chapter thirty-five

Obscene Outcomes

"Harry, what—Harry, what are you planning to do?" Ron asked, frightened for his life and knowing exactly what he was planning to do.

But Harry didn't listen. There was too much adrenaline running through his veins.

"Harry! Come on now, just breathe, it's not that bad really! I mean—"

"Not so bad?? NOT SO BAD!! Are you kidding me?!?! Ron, Malfoy not only kissed my girlfriend and your sister, but he also caused one of the most depressing moments of your life!! Have you forgotten what you went through when Hermione didn't talk to you and said she hated your guts?? Ron, that practically killed you! How can you tell me that's not that bad?" he yelled, smoke practically rising from his ears. The common room had fallen completely silent, besides the inevitable cough from the left side of the room. All eyes were on Harry and Ron, who were in the middle of the room.

Ron's face was turning red. Yes, it's true, it did almost kill me, he's right…oh god, what am I gonna do? Ah, I know exactly what's gonna happen, the question is, do I want to be involved?

Ron shook his head determinedly.

"Let's go, Harry."

With that, the common room parted and Harry and Ron skulked through to the portrait hole. People gasped and whispered frantically, wondering what was going to happen. The two of them climbed through the portrait hole, followed by a crowd of followers. Harry would have told them to stay behind, but he was too focused on the upcoming moments.

Upstairs, Ginny and Hermione had heard every word Harry had said. Yep, he was that loud. Ginny felt her heart drop into her stomach as Hermione nearly fainted. What were they doing?? There was no way this would turn out well. Ginny ran to the door and slid down the stairs as fast as she could, with Hermione not far behind. Ginny tried her best to push through the crowd, but they were quite persistent.

"Let me through!!" she yelled, but the noise was so loud no one heard her. Merlin, I've got to stop them, god knows what kind of trouble they'll get into. And Draco! Oh god, oh god, oh god… She pushed even further through the crowd and finally began to squeeze her way through.

She made it to the portrait hole and pulled herself through hopefully, only to find another crowd of people in her way.

"Merlin!! What the hell am I supposed to do now??" she asked no one in particular.

Hermione finally made it to Ginny, completely out of breath. She grabbed Ginny's hand and pulled her right into the next crowd. "Hermi-" she shrieked before she was swallowed by the swarm of people.

"Harry, are you absolutely sure you want to do this?" Ron asked, checking once more before they descended the stairs to the entrance hall. Harry looked at Ron and nodded.

"All right…"he sighed.

If Harry was doing it, than Ron would to. There was no way he would abandon a best friend in need.

Malfoy was sitting in the great hall with Goyle, laughing and eating, when he looked up at the ceiling and saw the rain as it began to trickle. Mm, looks like a storm is coming… he thought nonchalantly. He had no idea what a storm it was.

Ginny and Hermione slowly crawled in between the crowd, coming up for air every once in a while. People sure were obstructive. But just as they thought they were finally getting somewhere, the people stopped.

"What's going on?" Ginny asked, trying to stand on her toes to see over the people.

"Here, have a boost," Hermione replied, sticking out her folded hands. Ginny smiled appreciatively, then slid her foot in between her hands and propelled herself up.

"Oh my god…" she whispered.

As soon as Malfoy looked down from the ceiling, he saw Harry and Ron standing in front of him at the table.

"So, Malfoy…" Harry said menacingly.

Malfoy shifted nervously in his seat. For the first time he could remember, he was actually afraid of that damn Potter and his little Weasel friend. He was afraid to open his mouth, for he couldn't be sure of what pitch his voice would be in, so he clenched his jaw and glared at him coldly.

"We need to have a little chat, outside. You up for it?"

There was never a challenge Malfoy could turn down. Especially from Harry Potter. He stood up, trying to show confidence and strength, when he really felt awful inside. He opened his mouth slowly as he left the table.

"Sure Potter, why don't we, er, chat…"

The three of them walked slowly and civilly from the great hall as people from the other three tables caught notice. Soon everyone was chattering madly and standing up to follow.

"Hermione, we have to get outside, now! Now!" she yelled down as she jumped to the floor. She grabbed Hermione's hand and squeezed it tightly as she pulled Hermione harshly. Hermione was scared by the way Ginny squeezed her hand; she had been scared before, but now…she could feel her heart catch in her throat.

The three warriors pushed the door open to find the rain pouring madly. But it didn't matter. What was about to happen couldn't be stopped. Of course, like any large, curious population of people would, the followers pushed their way through the doors and gathered around the soon-to-be fight scene. There was utter silence, except for the harsh rain dropping violently. Silence as the two Gryffindors stared Malfoy down like prey. Silence.

Silence.

Until-

"Harry, don't do it!!!"

Ginny ran through the doors and almost slipped onto the stairs trying to make her way to them. She pushed through the spectators easily this time. Hermione stopped at the stairs, pausing to feel the threatening rain fall on her face. Something was wrong about this rain. Something far worse than the fight that was about to break out. Something incorrigible…Suddenly, she heard that voice in her head again. I told you you'd find me useful, didn't I? it said silkily. Hermione started. What? What is it, what is this that I'm feeling? It feels so…cold, desolate, I don't get it… she asked it, hoping it could give her some information while it was still here. Ah, well, something horrible *is* about to happen…maybe you should go see for yourself… Hermione tried to find it, but again, it had run off. She looked up at the sky again, dumbfounded.

"Harry, you can't do this! Please, stop, he didn't mean it, honest…don't you understand?" Ginny cried.

"Understand?? Understand what?! He hurt Ron, and he hurt me, and now it's time to hurt him…that's all I understand." Harry retorted, keeping his eyes on the shivering Malfoy.

Ginny felt tears build up, but she fought to keep them back.

"Harry, he's going through so much right now, can't you see? Crabbe is gone! He's going through a transition! He needs a friend, not to be knocked out!"

Harry turned his glare to Ginny.

"Why the hell are you defending him? Has he tricked you too? Ohh, I understand now…Tell me Ginny, did you enjoy that kiss? Huh?" he said tauntingly.

Ginny couldn't hold back the tears anymore. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. What has gotten into you Harry?

"Harry, how can you—how can you say that??" she said weakly, feeling the tears flow steadily and freely down her cheeks.

"You bloody kissed him back!!!!" he yelled, completely losing control of himself.

With that, Ginny silenced herself. It was a losing battle. There was nothing she had to defend herself. He was right. Completely right.

Harry turned back to Malfoy. Ron pulled out his wand, and taking his cue, so did Harry. He could feel the anger feeding him like never before. Suddenly he dropped his wand on the ground and balled up his fists.

"Harry, what are you doing?" said Ron and Ginny, simultaneously. But it was too late to reach him now. He raised his fists, ready to strike. All of the strength in every bone and muscle in his body was powering this punch, he could feel it. But as he shot his hand out to reach Malfoy, he felt his eyes close instinctively. And as soon as he did, he heard a painful yell. He opened his eyes, completely astounded by what lay before him.

Ginny lay on the ground, unconscious and bleeding on her lip. Malfoy was on the ground as well, behind her. But he was perfectly fine. Well, physically, yes, but the sight of Ginny on the ground like that in front of him made him a bit queasy. Ron looked shocked. No, more than that. Much more than that. He was even crying. He slowly knelt down to touch her. She was still alive, of course, but this…this was bad. Harry couldn't move. He was glued to the spot. What had just happened??

Harry's eyes were closed, and he extended his arm to give Malfoy the pain of his life. Ginny felt her heart race as she saw Malfoy's face scrunch up in expectant pain. Ron stepped back, not knowing what would happen. And Ginny did the unthinkable: she jumped out in front of Malfoy, knocking him over as she received his punishment. Ginny was knocked out instantly. The last thing she saw was the volumes of wrath Harry's face spoke.

Harry felt tears falling down his face. What have I done? How could I do this? To Ginny? Oh Merlin… He felt his knees give out and he collapsed to the ground next to her.

"Ginny? Ginny?" he cried hopelessly as he sobbed uncontrollably. He pulled her close to him as he heard screams from the crowd. Hermione looked down from the sky to see what was going on, and as soon as she saw Ginny on the ground, she ran inside to find Dumbledore.

Harry was unaware of anything around him. all he could see was Ginny. He loved her. He trusted her, of course. Too bad he didn't realize this before. Before...

Dumbledore followed Hermione outside as quickly as his old legs would take him. He stopped as soon as he saw the scene, and he felt his heart fill with sorrow. He walked over to Harry and, without asking any questions, lifted Ginny with unexpected ease and carried her to the castle. Harry stood up heavily and followed, with Ron, Hermione, and Malfoy in back. Up the stairs they went, silently solemn. They reached the hospital wing and were met by Madame Pomfrey.

"Oh goodness me, what on earth happened here???" she shrieked.

"Just a tragic accident, Poppy," he said quietly as he lay Ginny down on the closest bed. Madame Pomfrey didn't ask anymore questions and began to examine her patient carefully.

Hermione and Malfoy sat down, in utter shock. But neither Ron or Harry could sit. They were too unnerved. they stood a few feet away from the bed. There were a few minutes of silence as Pomfrey made her observations, then--

"Well, she'll be alright. I would wake her right now, but sleep will probably help her right now. She took a hard hit," she said, eyeing the boys suspiciously, "and will most likely bruise badly, right about here," she said, pointing at Ginny's jaw.

Harry felt his heart breaking with every word. He couldn't get his throat to speak, but somehow Ron knew what he was trying to say.

"Um, Madame Pomfrey, how long will she have to stay here?" he asked tentatively.

"I'd like to keep her in here for at least a couple of days, just to make sure everything's all right and that her jaw's not broken, which I don't suspect, but I have to be sure..."

Ron sighed and looked up at Harry. He looked back at Ron with the saddest, most apologetic look on his face. But Ron knew he was sorry. He knew how much he loved her. He didn't blame Harry. In fact, he really didn't blame anyone. It was just one big accident. Mistake, actually. One big mistake.