Impossibilities
Chapter 8 - One Body Hit the Ground
Disclaimer: not mine- nuf said.
A/N: hello again... *waves* wow... *stares a reviews* those were some interesting reactions i got from those last 2 sentences... i don't know why i did that... i'm really evil i mean REALLY REALLY evil. Blame the narrator *glare from narrator* she made me do it, *narrator rolls eyes* and don't ask me why i talk about the narrator like she's another person, but i do... oh well. sorry about the major cliffie... glad you're still all paying attention... *grin*
Hey Kat ~ PUH-LEESE TELL ME YOUR PEN NAME
I NEED BOOK FIVE
************************************************************************
Peter Pettigrew stared in shock at the still body lying on the ground. He barely noticed as his wand arm dropped limply back to his side. He could not think, he could not breathe, he could only stare
.
Harry James Potter lay sprawled on his stomach. The left side of his face pressed against the ground causing his glasses to twist at an awkward angle. Not a single movement betrayed any sign of life.
Wormtail could not, would not believe it. He ought to be happy... hell he ought to be ecstatic- but instead his mind was gripped in an icy numbness. He could not have killed him.
It was impossible.
Harry Potter was meant to be killed by the Lord Voldemort himself, not just any old dumb Death Eater, especially not some low-class, untrustworthy, dumb Death Eater, and most decidedly not Wormtail.
It just simply isn't done!
There is an order to these kind of affairs, a process that just isn't meant to be ignored. Follow me through this, if you will:
Firstly, there is always the brave, handsome, clever, daring, and all around sickenly superb Hero. It never fails, no matter what the situation, some guy has to be the hero, always.
Next, of course, there is the cunning, evil, brilliant, dark, and all around rather depressing Villain. The villain has little choice in the matter- if there's a hero, then there's a villain... period.
The Hero has his Best Friend/ SideKick and other "Good Guys" to help him out, but in the end he usually does the actual saving of the day.
The Villain, on the other hand, has all his evil henchmen to do his bidding (or dirty work) while he actually conceives the evil plans.
Now the Hero can either destroy the Villain (much to the joy of all the Good Guys... and sometimes the joy of the Bad Guys as well) or the Hero can be disastrously defeated by the dark treachery of the Villain.
But those are the only possibilities. The henchmen never, and I mean never, get to kill the Hero. It just doesn't work that way.
This, Peter knew, meant he had made yet but another stupid mistake. One which he was sure was uncorrectable.
Wormtail tried to force his brain to give him an answer. Perhaps he was over-reacting. Maybe his Master would be glad that he had killed Harry. But poor, slow Wormtail greatly doubted that idea. His terror of the Dark Lord automatically convinced him the Voldemort was going to be angry, very, very angry.
And when Voldemort is angry, everyone gets to know about it.
As you can well see, Wormtail was rather preoccupied, and because of this he failed to remember the presence of George until a bit too late.
************************************************************************
Pure terror filled George as Wormtail leveled his wand directly at him. Peter's eyes were glittering with some mad, wild light- a totally unnatural glow.
George was drowning in panic, it fogged his senses. He had always thought himself a rather levelheaded kind of a guy, but this was just tad too intense for comfort.
Vaguely he heard Harry give a yell as Wormtail's thin cruel lips formed the deadly words. Automatically George's arms flew up to ward off what he knew was unblockable. Had he been in a calmer state of mind he might have laughed out loud at the absurdity of the defensive action. Really- trying to bloke the Killing Curse with your bare arms.
He felt rather than saw Harry leap in front of him. The act of protection so surprised him that he let his arms fall, gasping as he watched Harry's body hit the ground and go still.
This wasn't happening.
Harry couldn't possibly be dead; it couldn't happen- The Boy Who Lived just doesn't keel over on you.
Yes, yes, that was definitely it- this was all just some horrible mistake.
George closed his eyes, his breathing was rising to hysterical as he willed himself to wake up. This was just some terrifying nightmare. Any second now he would wake up in his room, Fred would be snoring in the other bed, and Ron and Harry safe upstairs.
George opened his eyes.
Harry still lay on the ground.
This time white-hot fury surged into George's body. His eyes narrowed to slits and a wild agitated scream tore from his throat.
"YOU KILLED HIM!!" George yelled launching himself at Wormtail, "YOU KILLED HIM!"
George could not think clearly, he only knew that it was unfair and that he wanted revenge. He was not totally aware of what he was doing. He was angry and that was all that mattered.
George knocked Peter heavily to the ground, landing fully on top of him. Reaching into one of his secret pockets, George whipped out a wand and pointed it at the stunned Wormtail's head.
Peter's own wand had been flung from his hand by the force of the impact and was now several feet away lying innocently on the ground. To a random by passer it would never have been taken for a murder weapon.
For a few moments neither wizard moved. George's breath was heavy and labored and his eyes hectic with grief. Harry wasn't just George's little brothers friend. He was his friend too. His teammate. The greatest seeker George had ever played with.
And now he was dead. Killed by this man. He should do something, anything, but George could not make his mind think of a single spell. He stayed frozen in place- wand pressed against Wormtail's forehead, knees digging into Wormtail's chest.
He hesitated too long. Peter seized the opportunity to shove George momentarily off of his chest. The moment was long enough for Wormtail to pull in his legs and send a foot solidly into George's midriff.
George lost his grip on his wand and fell back clutching his stomach and resisting the urge to vomit. All air had been knocked from his lungs. He could only gasp and choke as his eyes watered madly.
Wormtail's fingers fumbled along the ground, they closed around a smooth polished stick of wood and he sat up pointing his wand in front of him.
He was shaking violently now. All he wanted was to escape- to leave the situation far behind him. Harry reminded him far too much of another dark-haired man. A man Wormtail had last seen similarly sprawled on the ground...
When had things become so complicated? All Peter had wanted was a little power, a little recognition. He had been tired of being overshadowed by his talented friends. He hadn't known exactly what he was getting into before it was too late. Voldemort had threatened him, Peter would have died if he hadn't told the Dark Lord he was the Potter's Secrete Keeper. He hadn't had a choice.
Or had he?
/"THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED...DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU..."/
No! He had no choice. He had to do what he did. It was the only way. What was there to be gained by defying his Master? Nothing! No choice... no choice...
Choice...
Wormtail's last glance at the scene showed two boys on the ground. One face down, inky black hair stark against the ground. The other on his knees, bright red hair hiding his face as he leaned forward holding his stomach.
And then Wormtail Disapparated.
Running from the past, running from the present, running from the future...
************************************************************************
It took George several minutes to refocus himself. His stomached ached where the booted foot had slammed into it. But it was a dull ache, ignorable under the more pressing circumstances.
He swore realizing Wormtail was gone.
The coward... turning tail and fleeing. Disgraceful.
And Harry...
George scrambled over to the fallen body. He was terrified of what he would find, what he knew he would find. Yet some how, he felt a faint hope still burning inside...
This was the Boy Who Lived after all. Could Harry have defied death once again?
Please please please let it be so. Harry didn't deserve to go like this. Stupid, brave, heroic Harry. How could he have done that? Taking the curse meant for George- that was a debt one could not repay.
He just wasn't dead, George refused to allow Harry to be dead.
Desperately George rolled the body over. He inhaled sharply when the lightning shaped scar came into view- for it was a scar no longer. In its stead was a cut, covered in bright crimson blood. Harry's oddly contorted glasses hung lopsidedly from his face.
Gingerly George pulled the glasses off and set them on the ground near Harry's head. The younger boy's body was too still... far far too still.
Try as he might George could not distinguish any rise or fall of the chest. Perhaps that was only because anguished tears obscured George's vision... or perhaps it was because there was nothing to see.
George franticly moved his fore and middle fingers along the side of Harry's neck, searching for some kind of pulse, however weak.
But there was nothing. George's hands shook with fear and despair his eyes were becoming hectic and panicked as he pressed harder into Harry's neck- it had to be there...
Nothing.
More nothing.
There was no use, Harry was gone.
It was all George's fault... Harry was dead, he was-
Wait! There was something...
George scarcely dared to breathe... had it just been his imagination? He leaned closer hoping, praying, begging with all his might that it was real...
And...
YES! There it was again. George could have danced with joy.
It was a heartbeat- painfully slow, yet still steady.
"Harry?" George asked frantically, "Harry, can you hear me?"
George didn't bother to consider that it was completely impossible that Harry was alive. This is Avada Kedavra we're talking about. It's not called the Killing Curse for any old reason.
Suddenly Harry gasped, his whole body jumping. George's eyes widened. "HARRY?!?" he asked again.
Harry's eyelids fluttered slightly. "George?" he whispered hoarsely, "Wha- what happened?" He struggled to get up becoming distraunt. "Where's Wormtail," he asked wildly, though his voice barely above croak
George pushed him back flat on the ground. "Stay still," he said eyes filled with concern, "Just- just calm down. He's gone, disapparated I think."
George tried to think of what he should do. He was scared, dammit he was terrified. Harry needed medical attention, fast!
"Just stay still," he said again casting around for some sort of inspiration. A sign... anything... telling him what to do.
Very reluctantly Harry relaxed. "What happened? He was-" Harry broke off, "he was going to kill you..." Harry hands moved to clutch his aching forehead. His body felt like lead, and his head felt like fire.
"You- you saved me," George said slowly, "You took the Killing Curse for me." He looked as if he could not believe it. "You were hit and you're still alive."
Harry closed his eyes. He didn't understand anymore than George did. How had it happened? He had no mother here to protect him this time, and yet...
"Help me up," Harry ordered reopening his eyes.
George protested, "Don't you think you should-" Harry ignored him, struggling to get to his feet by himself. He could barely even sit up.
"You need to stay still," George told him firmly, "Here," George caught him and drew one of Harry's arms over his shoulder. "I'll carry you."
Harry resisted. "I'm too heavy for you," he tried to say attempting to stand up. His legs felt like rubber and his head spun. He was so dizzy he could hardly see straight. "Where are my glasses?" he mumbled feeling his face distractedly.
George set them firmly on his nose than scooped Harry up in one smooth motion. "You are definitely not too heavy," he stated. Harry didn't answer. He felt so dizzy he couldn't stand to keep his eyes open. His head pounded and it hurt to breathe.
He hardly registered the fact that George was walking back towards the Quidditch field. All he wanted to do was sink into the gathering darkness at the edges of his brain. He had never felt so tired.
************************************************************************
George glanced with worry at Harry's face every few steps. The fifteen-year-old was fast dropping into unconsciousness. Harry needed help.
"FRED!" he yelled, trying to go faster without jostling his burden, "FRED! RON! Where are you?"
"George?" a voice called from his right. He hurriedly changed course to that direction moving as quickly as his heavy load would allow.
"Ron! Fred! Over here!" he called out. He heard a crashing sound approaching and then Fred and Ron burst through the trees panting. Their red faces clashed with their flaming hair. Both sets of eyes widened in horror as they saw who George was carrying.
"OH MY GOD, HARRY!" Ron cried out, rushing over to his friend.
"What happened?" Fred asked George.
"Wormtail shot the Killing Curse at him," George replied bluntly. Ron froze at these words, terror flooding his eyes. No! That was impossible... Harry couldn't be dead... he couldn't.
"Is he-" Fred began, but George cut him off.
"He's alive. I've no idea how, but we need to get him back to the house. He woke up for a minute, but I think he passed out again."
Ron nodded his face tight with worry.
"Do you want me to carry him?" Fred asked eyeing his exhausted brother, "You looked pretty wiped out."
George nodded, and Fred came forward and took Harry's limp form from him. "Come on let's go."
Ron immediately started forward, but George paused, "I'm going to go back and grab my broom. I'll fly ahead and tell Mum we're coming." Fred nodded curtly then turned towards the direction of the Burrow going as fast as he could, Ron right beside him.
George turned and hurried back between the trees. Arriving back at the tiny clearing where he and Harry had met Wormtail, he hurried over to his broom. He was about to mount when three things caught his eye.
Harry's Firebolt, and two thin polished wands. Remembering that he had dropped his as had Harry, George picked up both wands without a second thought. Next he looked at the Firebolt. Here he hesitated momentarily, speed was the important thing... and of course Harry wouldn't mind if he borrowed his broom...
Tucking his own broomstick under one arm and leaping astride the Firebolt, George sped towards his house. He spotted Fred and Ron down below him, and let go of his Shooting Star letting it's built in emergency lander float it down to the ground. Then he was off.
************************************************************************
Fred and Ron arrived at the Burrow to find an extremely distraunt Molly Weasley waiting outside with a very windblown George and somber Arthur Weasley.
Ron dumped the three brooms he'd been carrying on the porch (his own, George's and Fred's) then rushed after his parents and brothers who had taken Harry inside.
Ginny and Hermoine hovered off to one side. Staring with tear-filled eyes at Harry's bloody forehead, and still frame. George was explaining quietly to them what had happened. Ron heard Ginny yelp as Wormtail's identity was briefly explained.
"We have to take him directly to Hogwarts," Arthur said (he now held Harry in his arms as Molly hovered frantically beside him, tears staining her face.) "Ron, get the floo powder," he ordered, "George start the fire."
Both of his sons rushed to obey. Within seconds a large blaze roared merrily on the fireplace. Molly cast a pinch of Floo Powder into the fire, turning it bright green. "You go first Arthur," she said watching anxiously as her husband, carrying Harry, stepped into the flames.
"Albus Dumbledore's Office!" he yelled.
She sent Ron next, followed by George, Hermoine, Fred, and then Ginny. Lastly Molly threw in her own pinch of Floo and yelled, "Albus Dumbledore's Office," as clearly as she could above the roar of the fire.
************************************************************************
Arthur stepped out of the fireplace in Dumbledore's office briskly, knowing that the rest of his family would soon be following.
Professor Dumbledore sat at the desk against the far wall. Dumbledore looked up with surprise as he heard Arthur enter. His face immediately darkened when he saw Harry.
"Albus I-" Arthur began, but was cut off by the arrival of the rest of company.
Professor Dumbledore regarded them gravely. "What happened?" he asked quietly.
They all rushed to explain at once. Dumbledore held up a hand to stop the unintelligible flow. "Who saw what ever took place?"
George stepped forward slightly and Dumbledore nodded to him. With a deep breath George began to explain. Dumbledore listened silently for a few moments, then turned to his office door. "Come. You will all finish telling me later. We must get Harry to the hospital right away."
He held the door open for Arthur who carried Harry down the stairs first, the rest of them followed behind like a trail of worried ducklings.
"Professor Dumbledore, what is the meaning of this?" Madame Pomfrey demanded as the large crowd of worried red heads came rushing into her domain- the foremost carrying an unnaturally still body.
"Questions later, Poppy," Dumbledore responded, "Harry needs medical attention first. He's been hit by Avada Kedavra."
Madame Pomfrey gasped with shock, eyeing the body with renewed wariness.
"He's quite alive," Dumbledore assured her.
"I know that," she snapped back. Briskly she ordered Arthur to lay Harry down on one of the beds before ushering them all away.
Molly stepped foreward guiding Ron and George ahead of her. "These two need a little fixing up as well," she said, one eye remaining fixed on Harry and the other glaring at Madame Pomfrey.
"Yes, yes," Madame Pomfrey said, waving them aside, "Have them wait on those beds over there. I'll see to them in a few minutes."
Molly nodded, and with a tight smile nudged George and Ron towards the direction indicated.
"I need peace and quiet to work," Madame Pomfrey stated flatly, "Complete focus is absolutely essential, kindly go away."
"Of course, Poppy," Professor Dumbledore said with a half bow before anyone else could argue. He turned to the large group of strained people all craning the heads to look at Harry's still body. "Come along now," he said, "I need to hear exactly what happened."
Very reluctantly they all shuffled back towards the gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office. "Baulderdash," he announced and the Gargoyle leapt out of the way.
Before they could enter the stairwell, Professor McGonagall came hurrying around the corner.
"Wait a moment Albus," she said, "I've sent some guest up there already. They came to talk to you, said it was very important. I asked them to wait up in your office."
"Who is it?" Dumbledore asked, slightly annoyed to be interrupted at a time of crisis such as this, but, as always, he did not let it show.
"Remus Lupin," Professor McGonagall replied, "he uh... brought his dog with him," McGonagall scowled slightly and Dumbledore gave a half smile, "Another gentleman was with them. I didn't recognize him, and he didn't offer me a name."
"I see," Professor Dumbledore responded, "Thank you Minerva."
Professor McGonagall nodded crisply and turned to walk back down the hall. Ginny watched the expression on Hermoine's face with puzzled eyes, McGonagall's words seemed to mean more to Hermoine than they did for her... but what?
Back in the hospital wing George was faced with a puzzle of his own. He had shoved his hands into his pockets and rediscovered the two wands he's stuffed in them. One he knew was Harry's. But the other was not the one he had had before.
To be accurate, it hadn't exactly been his wand in his pocket to begin with. It was only a joke wand he liked to carry with him- the latest model to be exact... capable of 2 common spells before turning into a rubber chicken, or mouse, or other such nonsense.
But the one he had now was definitely not the same one. It must be Wormtail's... but Wormtail had had to use a wand when he Disapparated.
But that would mean the wand Wormtail had wasn't a real wand...
Oh... dear.
************************************************************************
A/N: I meant to have a bit more, but everyone was so desperate to have me post, and it took me so long to do- so here you go. Of course that means that the James and Harry reunion is even MORE delayed... but what the hey. I apologise again for the long delay... i was out of town for a week and then i had to retype half the chapter cuz it made no sense and i start school next week and i have summer homework i have yet to finish *guilty look* sorry... i have lost of excuses... *sigh* at least i finally got them to Hogwarts... *wink*
And remember.... it's the day before the term starts, so that's why all the teachers are there...
Thank you's, Comments, Questions, Answers, Concerns, Ect:
Cammy: So Harry isn't dead... you're right, that would have been interesting... but I couldn't do it... *wink* thanks for reviewing.
Bodie: it's all yours- glad you reviewed.
WeasleyTwinsLover1112: glad you liked, yes i'm a bully, but perhaps i've made up for it...
Jeva: good gog! calm down I'VE WRITTEN THE NEXT PART *hides behind computer and gingerly holds out chapter eight* yes i will put you in my fic... hmm kaydee and jeva feuds... that could be REALLY fun... *rubs hands together and cackles* THAT YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE REVIEWS.... I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!!!! i love insanity more please.
Coolkatz88: i made you wait a long time. I'M SO SORRY! but here it is now.
KaSo-LuVeR-4eVeR: *cackles* glad you liked it... i am evil aren't i? hope you liked this part.
Belle: thanks for reviewing... wow a fellow early school return sufferer. I feel for you mate, i really really do.
KAT: I loved the Review... just what i needed. The word Blar ALWAYS makes me happier... cuz i think of RB saying with a high pitched "nih" and then the really low "blar" and i laugh and laugh and laugh... and laugh... so Harry's didn't die *cheers* and about Wormtail... things just might get a bit interesting in his department... WHAT IS YOUR PENNAME
Shei: Doesn't my school start WAY too early? We get out in the first week of june though... that's probably before you... but you are SO lucky... i feel like summer has hardly started... you're friend goes back on Oct. 5? THAT'S NOT FAIR! anywho glad, you liked the story... i don't mind a bit if you leave some reviews to talk to other reviewers.. no worries... have a nice day. *wink*
Usako2000: Thanks... i understand about the whole not reviewing regularly thing... i'm kinda bad about that myself so i'm really REALLY honored your reviewing mine... well Wormtail didn't die (yet) *evil laughter* and Harry didn't die either so its a compromise. Wormtail did seem a bit out of character didn't he? well i was thinking that maybe he was more confident when old voldie wasn't breathing down his neck.. i dunno. thanks again.
The Yellow Submarine: thanks for reviewing.. cliffies are VERY evil... but fun to write.. no james or Remus or Sirius or Lily or Cedric yet.... but lot's in the next chapie!
Kaydee: hello again. *sigh* i love your reviews... the highlight of my day... i borrowed and worked off of some of your title ideas... tell me what you think... i haven't decided yet. you're so lucky you go back on Sept. 3. *sigh* i DO miss Canada... it was really fun... *looks depressed* anywho... i get out in the first or second week of june... so yea that's probably why... couldn't they just shorten the school year? sheesh... i think i'm going to have fun when i finally get around to writing about you and jeva *evil grin* FUN FUN FUN! oh yea... music.... umm... i like smash mouth, third eye blind, matchbox 20, bare naked ladies, weezer, counting crows, beatles (of course), simon and garfunckle, the list goes on and on, and it get's pretty random.... oh well... this fic probably won't be very dark.. or maybe it will. i'm not very good at writing dark... then again i've never really tried *looks thoughtful* well oh well, for now stick with neutral for you angst fix she's excellent at that... THANKS FOR THE TITLE IDEAS!
Unlimited: wow... first time i've every been called a bastard... interesting... anywho thanks for reviewing... here's some more.
Kaiser in Disguise: more for you right here.
Kranberries: YAHOO! i love it when people like my a/n's *grins* thank you so much for reviewing. i do try to keep this semi realistic and i'm glad someone thinks i'm succeeding. just keep breathing over there, here's the next chapter.
Kedi: ok.... i understood the first and the last one, and i have obeyed and given it to you, but what languages were the others?
Mistress of Darkness: Well, here you go, i've updated. I'm so glad you like it! thank you SO MUCH for reviewing! i'm your hero *stares with shock at computer screen* tha- that's incredible THANK YOU *dances around* isn't the whole book 5 thing insane... dumb dumb mean ol' jkr...
Allison: glad you like it, thank you so much for the review... here's some more.
Nicole Wood: please don't hex me *looks nervous* here's some more. you think i'm brilliant? a genius? no definately not... but thanks *looks at comp in awe*
Lily: all yours... now you know who fell...
OK SO THESE PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY BEEN SPOKEN TOO... but this is different:
Kaydex, Srta Zombie, and Lady Javexalot: first let me applaud you on the names... very nice. and second let me run and hide before i am attacked EEK! now after i got over the fact that your reviews are rather frightning *grin*i found them very funny... and also quite successful i ran over to my computer and got what i could done and posted asap. every hour... very scary... *runs and hides* *comes back feeling silly* now please put both coke and coffee down! coffe stunts your growth! i know that for a fact! my mother is only 5' 2" that is what i have to look forward to!!!!!! aaaaaaaahhhhhh i'm gonna be short (actually i'm taller than me mum already... but what the hey) thats right kaydex give her some juice... she needs it. '''''ACTUALIZA TEMPEST O YE PARTO LOS DIENTES!!!!! nice banner by the way *shades eyes to gaze lovingly at banner* DON'T break my teeth! i just got my braces off two months ago and they're all nice and straight now.. my parents payed good money to get them like this *wink* so once again guys i apologise for the long delay.. hopefully it wont take nearly so long this time... *sigh* later days.