Rev Raptor MK II: First story, fifth chapter. No flames?

Title: Even in the Shadows

Summary: Harry is an assassin. Ginny is his target. Will he be able to go through with it?

Additional notes: I am so sorry for the delay. I got in trouble at school and my dad grounded me and I just got my computer back. And also, since you people have been so kind and patient, I plan to make this the last and longest chapter. Then I can start working on my fic for Zoids! So without further to do…an idea that I've been sitting on for quite a while.

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What did she mean "I can't change you back!"? I have a job to do! I have a life to live! Sweat broke out over the fur on my back. Ron's shaking hand began to stroke my neck. I could tell he was worried too. None of this made sense. I was merely transfigured. Hermione graduated at the top of every class. She's the smartest person I know! Why can't she change me back?

I began to quake in fear. I was sure my two best friends could hear the thudding of my heart. This wasn't fair! Of all the people to get changed, it had to be me. And of all things a ruddy ferret. Oh, where was Dumbledore when you needed—

Now there's an idea forming. If I could get Hermione to get in touch with Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall…just one of them would suffice. But how can I get it through to them?

I looked up. Ron and Hermione were conversing in heated tones, Hermione's face placid, Ron's, livid. I only picked up snatches of their conversation. "Why can't you change him back?"… "I tried! I can't!"… "What do we do now?!"…

I shook my furry head. Why didn't Hermione think of it! She was smart enough! If only there was a way…

'I've got it!' Ron yelled. I squeaked and fell off the back of the couch, and I cursed the day I was born. Clawing my way back up the back of the couch, I perked my ears up to catch exactly what he was saying; I didn't have to wait long.

'We can take him to Dumbledore!' he declared proudly. My face faulted for a minute while I watched Hermione. Her face was one to cherish forever. A look of pure happiness…with a little confusion.

'Ron! That's a great idea but, we don't even know where Dumbledore is.'

You can always send an owl.

Ron seemed to voice my thoughts exactly. 'We can send Pig with the letter and he might come to us!' Wow. I guess I didn't give the guy enough credit.

Hermione laughed and threw her arms around his neck. 'Ron you're a bloody genius!' The said person blushed a bright red. I grumbled a little and waddled to the kitchen. Laying there smack dab in the middle of the counter. How did it get there?

I heard Ron and Hermione talking again and now and again Pigs screeches. God he was an annoying owl. Thinking that made me think of my own owl, Hedwig. She was killed two years ago while delivering a message to Sirius in Cancun. I still haven't gotten over it.

Without realizing it, my four furry feet had carried me over to my wand. It just…sat there; basking in its own glory. I touched the end deftly. Sparks flew out the tip. New hope flooded through my veins like liquid fire. What had been the spell McGonagall had taught us…?

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Ron swore loudly, making Hermione gasp.

'Pig! Stay still!'

'Stop scolding him and maybe he will.' Hermione was feeling rather cross by the fact that Ron had thought up something she couldn't. In doing so she had caused Pig to make such a ruckus by tying the parchment too tight to his leg.

When they finally got the owl ready, a loud "thump" followed by an equally large "ow" called from the kitchen. Pig took off from the open window while the fiancées walked to the kitchen, only to see a familiar looking wizard laying on the floor with his robe covering most of his face.

Hermione was the first to speak.

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I felt for sure that my butt was ruptured. But my mind was taken off of that thought when I heard Hermione screech "Harry!" and run to pull me to my feet. She threw her arms around my neck and gave me the tightest hug of my life. Ron looked at me…and yelled.

'Harry! You've got claws for fingernails!' Indeed. As I looked at my hands splayed across Hermione's back, sure enough, ten lengthy black studded claws stared me right in the face. I stared in shock.

Pulling away from the death grip Hermione, I ran the index finger of my right hand against the skin of my left arm. It bled instantly.

'Damn that's sharp.'

Once again I go and state the obvious. They're looking at me "Well duh!"

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I, Harry Potter, swear, I will never get distracted from a mission again. Sirius was already asleep when I got home. I kept my hands in the sleeves of my robe nonetheless.

My room was deathly quiet when I walked in to grab a change of clothes. Deftly, I snagged my wand on the loose thread in the sleeve and ordered it to stay there. "Your wand obeys you? Teach me!" You ask? Unfortunately (for you) I cannot. One day I merely wished my wand to stay in my sleeve, and it did. Five minutes later, I had successfully completed my first mission.

Stealing away quickly into the night, I headed for The Burrow. Yes folks, no matter what I thought of Ginny, I was going to go through with it. It was my job after all. My broom and Invisibility Cloak made no noise as it perched on the ground right underneath Ginny Weasley's window. My wand was still securely secluded in my sleeve, ready to come at a call.

My limber hands snagged against the wall underneath her window. Cursing myself for my stupidity, I called my Firebolt to me, and it floated up until I was in her bedroom. The curtains rustled as I quickly stole across her bedroom floor to her bed. Strangely; it was empty.

'Harry, what are you doing here?' Ginny's voice came from the doorway. Fear coursed through my veins for the second time today. My wand abruptly fell into my outstretched palm. Swiftly, I pointed it at her. She let out an audible gasp and stepped back.

'Don't move. It will be quite painless.'

Was that me? Blood rushed to my head. Never before had I heard such malice in a voice that belonged to me. More fear rushed onto her face. Sweat broke out profusely and shone in the dull moonlight. It was a pitiful sight. I actually felt a bit sorry for her.

I took a step back. She took a step forward, her small thin face, pulled –if possible, tighter. I felt a fluttering curtain brush my neck. Ginny's face looked ghastly in the moon. Her flaming hair seemed to light on brighter fire.

'You're going to kill me like you did all those others…aren't you?'

The question was more of a statement then anything.

'How did you find out?'

I heard the grandfather clock strike eleven.

'You told me. Just now.'

I could almost hear the smirk in her voice as I evaded my head to the side. I knew it would have come to this sooner or later. The second story window was right behind me. Seconds seemed to be an eternity as I groped around for my answer.

'Yes,' I finally managed to croak out, 'would you like it to be quick and painless, or drawn out and painful?'

I looked at the illuminated watch plate. 11:30.

'Why?' she looked so small. Her pale face was gleaming with sweat by now as she pulled her own mahogany ten-inch dragon heartstring wand.

I merely smirked and held up my own wand ready to strike. At midnight, her life would end.

'Its my job.' I stated simply. She need no more answer then that. She would not live to tell it to anyone.

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I heard the seconds tick by slowly.

Noise reached my ears from the stairwell. A moment later, Hermione and Ron barged in, breathless.

'Ginny, what's going on?' Hermione gasped as she looked at me; and fainted. My eyes held no mercy. Ron looked at me with equally cold eyes. Although he was torn between his sister and his best friend.

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Shit. This was not how it was supposed to go. Ron and I began a heated staring contest while Ginny tried to shuffle out the door despite her brothers grip on her shoulder.

'You go nowhere!' I snarled.

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I pointed my wand at Ron's moving hand. Had I not been trained properly, I would not have seen the sleight.

'Accio!' I cried. My best friends wand flew into my hand, as well as Ginny's. My head screamed and my heart ached.

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God be damned. Someone's life was going to end tonight. Without word or warning, Ron lunged at me and managed to get his scrawny hands around my neck. The wands dropped from my hand in surprise as I began the meaningful task of separating his life ending fingers from around my neck.

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Spots dance before my eyes. Ron was way stronger then he looked. I looked to Ginny with pleading eyes. She held my green gaze for a moment, before breaking away. Baka.

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My vision was nearly a haze by now and Ron didn't seem to want to let go. Slipping my fingers through the break in his, I managed to get a good breath of air before I was kicked in the shins. The wall behind me suddenly became the only thing holding me up.

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My vision dimmed even more. Just as soon as it dimmed, it let go. Ron had been pulled back by Hermione who was now gazing at me with tear filled eyes.

'Why, Harry?'

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I backed over to the window. My wand lay forgotten. I couldn't have gotten it anyway. I looked into Hermione's face which was now tear streaked.

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'I'm sorry.' Me? Apologize? Hardly. I was more apologizing to my parents and Crocknaw. I had failed them both. Sirius and Remus. My life, here at 23.

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Dong

Dong

Dong

Dong

Dong

Dong

Dong

Dong

Dong

Dong

Dong

Dong

They say before you die your life flashes before your eyes. Indeed it does. I saw myself in those years with the Dursleys. The day I had been accepted at Hogwarts. My first adventure with the Sorcerers Stone. The Chamber of Secrets. Me and Hermione rescuing Sirius from a life in Azkaban, the wizard prison. Me winning the Triwizard tournament. The Quidditch Cup Championship in my sixth year, was all I saw, before my body hit the ground.

I was dimly aware of bones crunching in my neck and back. Then…all darkness.

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Rev Raptor MK II: So how was it? I know it may be a bit long and confusing but if you have any questions, e-mail me at RevRaptorMKII@netscape.net. R+R onegai? Arigato for all the reviews and patient you have shown me! * Huggles reviewers* I wuv you all!

Harry: Uh yeah…so what happens to me?

Rev Raptor MK II: Oh! I almost forgot! Lemme know in the reviews whether I should have an epilogue or not ok minna-san? Nani!? * Looks at Harry* Disgusting…

Harry: What? I only died.

Rev Raptor MK II: Yeah but it's the way you died…