Twenty - Eight
"Shhh do you hear that?" said Dean halting his friends with his out stretched arm. Seamus and Neville listened, "Sounds like those two oafs are talking," said Seamus. Peering around the corner the three friends saw Crabbe and Goyle half way down the hall. "I don't see why we have to stand here and baby sit Filch, we've already knocked him out," said Crabbe's distant voice. "You want to cross Draco with the way he's been acting this year?" countered Goyle's low voice. "No," Crabbe said sharply, "Something's off with him, but I'm not putting my head on the chopping block to figure it out." The three Gryffindor men looked at each other in shock; this was the most they had heard the two Slytherin's ever speak. "I didn't know those two knew how to put a complete sentence together," muttered Dean while listening. "Just shut up and keep on your guard, you know what he said. We have to 'deal' with anyone we come across," said Goyle. Neville tensed gripping his wand harder and looked at his two friends. "Shall we do this the easy way or the fun way?" Seamus growled. "Personally, I could do with a bit of fun," Neville whispered. If Dean and Seamus were surprised at their friend's slow to evolve Gryffindor bravery they didn't show it at that moment. "Ready?" said Neville. "You mess with one lion," Seamus started. "You face the entire roaring pride," finished Dean.
"Hello boys!" Dean called out as they approached the Slytherin pair. Crabbe and Goyle spun around looking surprised. Striding forward quickly Dean marched with Neville to his right, Seamus flanking his left. All three men looked imposing as if ready to face down death. Dean had his wand out and ready, Seamus and Neville had their wands in their back pockets fists clenched. Before the two brutes could respond Dean raised his wand, "Expelliarmus!" he cried out. Crabbe and Goyle's wands flew out of their hands landing at Dean's feet. The two Slytherins looked down at their now empty wand hands and then up at each other in total confusion. "I've always wanted to do this," said Neville rearing his arm back and throwing it forward with all his might. His fist smashing hard into Goyle's nose, a sickening crunch echoed off the walls. Crabbe stood stunned for a moment not believing what he was seeing; Seamus took advantage of the halfwits stupidity, side stepping with his fist up shooting his foot out at hip level landing a powerful side kick into Crabbe's midsection. As the Slytherin bent forward from force of the blow Seamus brought his fist up in a stiff upper cut that caught Crabbe's jaw snapping his head backward. Neville ducked as Goyle swung with his right fist; his left hand over his gushing nose, blood covering and dripping off his fingers. Neville brought his fist up connecting it with the boy's large stomach, the Slytherin grunted as the air was knocked out of him. Crabbe and Goyle dropped to their knees, "Stupefy!" Dean yelled, knocking the two out. "I was just getting started!" protested Neville. "I must thank me dad for those muggle martial art lessons every summer," said Seamus looking at the two lumps now on the floor. "We better try and find Filch," said Neville. Seamus wrinkled his nose, "Do we have to?" he said. "Yes, we do," said Neville rolling his eyes. "I'll stand guard over these two morons," said Dean.
Seamus and Neville made their way further down the corridor; Filch was supposedly in a closet according to the piece of parchment Harry had shown them earlier. Seamus walked to a door opening it, he had heard rumor of such a map, but passed it off as legend. He'd definitely have to ask Harry about it later. Pulling his wand out of his pocket he muttered, "Lumos", stepping forward into the utility closet. The light from the wand cast shadows over everything in the small room. Against the far wall propped up into a sitting position was Filch, Mrs. Norris lay stretched out on her side near Filch's feet. "Neville I found 'em," Seamus called out. Kneeling closer to inspect the janitor Seamus noted a large lump on the man's temple, it was slowly turning a nasty shade of black and purple, a thin line of blood ran down his cheek from the apparent gash that caused the lump. "One of those two beamed him a good one," muttered Seamus.
The steady rise and fall of the older man's chest showed he was still with the living. Seamus reached his hand out lightly touching the cat's side, she too was breathing but other than that he had no idea if she was hurt. Neville stopped in the doorway of the closet, "They alright?" he asked. Seamus stood up looking on the shelves for something to press against Filch's forehead to help with the mild bleeding, "They knocked him for a good one, better go get Madam Pomfrey," Seamus said reaching for a clean rag. "Right," Neville said before turning and running back up the corridor to Dean. "Filch ok?" asked Dean. "Not sure, I'm going to go get the nurse. Sure you'll be ok with those two?" said Neville nodding his head to Malfoy's henchmen still out on the floor. "Yeah, their not going anywhere anytime soon," Dean looked down at them with disgust.
"Where in the hell is she?" Ron asked running beside his best friend as fast as they could down a long corridor. "She should be close by," said Colin gripping his wand tighter as they approached another set of stairs to descend. A distant scream rent through the otherwise quiet of the castle, "Ginny!" Harry yelled at the top of his lungs racing down the stairs into the darkness.
Neville burst through the empty infirmary calling out for the nurse; he received no answer in return. Quickly he ran to the end of the long rows of beds to the nurse's office door. Madam Pomfrey was on her back on the office floor, her legs crumpled beneath her. One arm was stretched out to the side, an empty bottle beside her upturned palm, bright orange medicine puddled near the mouth of the bottle. Her other arm was flung across her forehead. "Madam Pomfrey?" Neville knelt down beside the nurse feeling for a pulse on her neck; it beat strong beneath his finger tips. He said a silent prayer of thanks, standing back up he looked around the room finding it empty. "She must have been stunned," he spoke to himself. Neville ran back towards the infirmary doors, before he could reach them they flew open. Professor Dumbledore came in with Professor McGonagall, Hermione and Ginger entered right behind them. "Madam Pomfrey is out cold on the office floor, it looks as if she might have been stunned," said Neville. "We found Filch and Mrs. Norris in a closet, Filch is hurt, hit his head somehow. We heard Crabbe and Goyle as much as confess." said Neville looking back and forth between the two Professors. "Where are they now Neville?" Professor Dumbledore said, his usually twinkling eyes flashed a hint of anger.
"Dean and Seamus are with them near the library not too far away from Filch. We had a bit of . . . er. . . a run in of sorts with them Professor." Neville ducked his head a bit waiting for Professor McGonagall to yell at him. "Very well then, Minerva, call Serveus and see to Poppy, have him meet us near the Library, join us as soon as you can. Miss Granger if you would please get Madam Pomfrey's medical bag in her office and follow me, Miss LeMange please stay and assist Professor McGongall. Mr. Longbottom, lead the way if you would please," said Dumbledore with an air of calm control. Everyone flew into action, Hermione ran back retrieving the medical bag, giving the nurse a fleeting glance as she rushed through the office. She ran back out of the infirmary catching up with Neville and the headmaster, "Professor, what about Ginny?" Hermione tried to remain calm. The headmaster stopped in his tracks looking down at the young woman clutching the bag, nodding to himself he spoke, "Neville, you and Hermione continue on and meet Professor Snape. Please pass along the message that I want everyone brought to the infirmary as soon as possible," said Dumbledore. Hermione and Neville turned without further instruction and hurried on their way as the headmaster turned striding in the opposite direction.
Ginny's legs burnt from pushing herself so hard, her feet hurt from the constant pounding of bare flesh against cold stone. Her heart was racing in her chest as her breath came out in quick pants. She was half way down a dim corridor deep within the castle, looking behind her she checked to see if Draco had reached her yet. Turning to face forward her eyes bulged in horror, she screamed, coming to an abrupt halt. Draco stood at the end of the corridor, the orb projecting Tom's hazy figure floating up beside him. Malfoy's face was yet again blank, his feet planted apart as he stood tall and stiff, his arms out at his sides, his wand gripped in his hand. Tom's form had an amused expression on his face, arms crossed in front of his chest, "Tut, tut Ginny. Running away like that, for shame," His expression changed to one of extreme anger, "Enough of your games girl, time to become one with me. Don't worry my dear; I'll never forget your 'sacrifice' to me," Tom sneered. Draco began advancing on her with long purposeful strides. "Ginny!" She heard her name called from behind her. Ginny's hair flew out around her as she spun looking behind her. Harry was running as fast as his long legs would carry him. Following right behind him on either side was Ron and Colin, all with their wands out looking murderous. Ginny looked back over her shoulder to see Draco moving closer. "What in the hell!" she heard Ron shout looking back between Malfoy and Riddle's image. "Stop them!" Tom shouted. Ginny only had a second to dive out of the way hearing Draco yell, "Revertia Status!" swinging his arm down. "What the Fu. . ." Colin began to shout in confusion at the floating figure hovering near Malfoy, before the jet of light hit him in the chest throwing him back several feet where he landed in a heap.
Ron threw a glance over his shoulder looking at Colin before turning his attention back, wand up pointing at Malfoy. "Riddle!" Harry spat the name out. "Harry Potter, you are always the fly in my ointment aren't you," Riddle's hazy figure glared at Harry, "You won't succeed in stopping me this time Potter!" Ginny knelt on one knee, hands planted on the cold stone floor panting for breath looking back and forth between Draco, Riddle and Ron, Harry. Ron's face was contorted in pure hatred, "Leave my sister alone!" he bellowed. Tom's powerful cold gaze turned to Ron, his nose curling in disdain. "Yet another Weasley, how quaint." sneered Tom. "You won't have her, she's mine!" Harry yelled his fist shaking with rage, "You will not take her away from me ever again!" Tom's evil chuckle chilled Ginny to the bone, "Finish him," Riddle whispered. "Draco NO!" Ginny screamed. Draco's entire being began to shake his arm quivering violently, his face contoured in agony, "Ginny. . ." he choked out as his wand arm rose up.
Time began to move at a painfully slow pace. Split seconds stretched into minutes in Ginny's mind. Sounds began to blur in her ears. She turned her head slowly screaming at Harry and Ron to run, Ron slowly raised his arm up shouting something at the same time Harry was also shouting raising his wand further. It was too late, she could see the spell already begin to leave Draco's wand. There was nothing else she could do, "NO!" she screamed with every inch of breath within her lungs and launched herself up and forward facing Harry. Ron's spell flew out of his wand, a flash of silver light; it hit the hovering orb shattering it into a shower of sparkling dust. Riddle's scream bounced off the walls as his ghostly figure exploded. The spell Draco cast hit Ginny in the back at the same moment Harry's spell shot towards Draco. "Ginny!" Harry and Ron cried out together. She was enveloped in a blinding white light lifting her up off of the ground. Her arms flew out beside her as her head flew back. Her back arched up as her hair flew out wildly around her; a soul wrenching scream escaped her lungs as searing pain tore through her body. She could not see Draco slump unconscious behind her from Harry's spell as her body convulsed. She watched helplessly at Ron and Harry's horror struck reaction. A thick void of blackness pulled her away. 'Harry, Ron. . .' She thought split seconds before it was over, ' I'm sorry. . .'
Blinding brightness, never ending darkness. Flashes of gold and fiery red. Cooling wetness, a flood of warmth. A soothing melody playing on the senses and a feeling of contentment.
For the second time in recent history Ginny's brain felt terribly fuzzy. Ginny squinted one golden hazel eye open, all she could see was red, lots and lots of carroty, fiery red. Her eye brows furrowed down as she slowly opened the other eye, even more red joined the other side of her vision a lot with a spot of brown and a shock of black. Ginny blinked several times looking around her. Molly Weasley turned her head away from the men's conversation looking down at her daughter absentmindedly smoothing the blanket. The first thing she noticed was her daughter looking around in confusion. "She's awake!" Molly cried out.
Everyone turned their attention at once to the bed. Ginny realized that her entire family was standing or sitting before her along with Harry and Hermione. Everyone rushed forward at once beaming happiness and relief at her. Molly immediately bent forward embracing her daughter in a lovingly fierce hug. "Oh my sweet girl, we were so worried." She felt her hand being squeezed, turning her head she saw Harry sitting on a chair on the same side of the bed she found him when she woke up like the last time. He was smiling down at her, a look of complete relief washed over his tired features. Molly pulled away to be replaced with Arthur holding his daughter delicately in his arms, "My girl, my sweet girl. I was so afraid," her father whispered into her hair, tears threatened to fall as he pulled back smiling down at her. She was hugged in turn by each of her brothers, Harry not once letting go of her hand. "About time you decided to join us," said Fred standing behind Bill waiting for his turn. "We were about to start using you as a tester for some of our new products to get you to wake up!" George said pushing Bill and Fred aside to embrace Ginny giving her a large zerbert on her cheek. "You gave us a right fright," said Charlie at the foot of her bed. Ron stood beside Harry and Hermione beaming with joy looking down at his sister.
"How long have I been out?" Ginny asked as Fred hugged giving her a zerbert on her other cheek. "Four days," Hermione answered "We thought you were trying to pull a sleeping beauty on us, 'cept Harry would kiss you and you didn't wake up," said Fred. Ginny looked up at Harry who grinned at her, "Well it was worth a shot," he said shrugging his shoulders. Percy leaned in giving Ginny a quick peck on the cheek before stepping aside. Charlie embraced her in a tight hug rubbing her back. He stepped back as Ron and Hermione came around to the 'hugging' side of the bed. Hermione bent down wrapping her slender arms around her best friend, "I was so afraid I'd lost you, my closest thing to a real sister," she said pressing her cheek firmly against Ginny's. Ginny could feel her cheek become damp from Hermione's tears. Hermione pulled back smiling happily at Ginny.
Ron slowly sat down staring at Ginny, a rampant range of emotions flashing over his face. He gripped her shoulders in his large warm hands looking at her for several seconds before speaking. "That's twice, Gin. Please don't scare me like that ever again," his voice cracked as tears welled up in his eyes. Ginny knew that he was referring to Riddle. Ron pulled her into a firm embrace. Harry let go of her hand so she could wrap both of her arms around him, rubbing his back gently. She could feel Ron squeezing her tight. Their hug lasted longer than any of the others; no one made a move to interrupt the two youngest Weasley siblings. "I love you Gin," Ron whispered into his baby sister's ear. "Aw Ron, I love you too." Ginny whispered into her brother's ear hugging him as tight as she could. Eventually the two pulled back as Ron gave her a final rub on the back. He stood up and Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist resting her head on his shoulder. The family continued to smile bigger than Ginny had ever seen them smile before, like it was Christmas and Birthdays all wrapped up in one.
Ginny turned looking over at Harry. He slowly moved from his chair to the side of her bed, never taking his eyes off of her. "You risked your life for me," He said flatly. Ginny frowned slightly taking his large strong hand back again into her own. "You did it for me," she said in just as even a tone of voice as he had. She could see out of the corner of her eye her mother open her mouth to say something but her father's hand on her shoulder stopped her. Her entire family stood quietly watching. "That was different," Harry said. Ginny looked deep into his beautiful eyes, those same eyes that enchanted her from the moment she saw them. "I'd do it again to, because I love you," she said reaching up brushing aside a lock of black hair from his forehead. "And I'm not the only one," said Ginny. She could see everyone nod their head in agreement. "Your my world, I couldn't stand to lose you." said Harry. "You won't," Ginny said, her tone was final, "I'd go to the depths of Hell for you Harry." Ginny's grasp on Harry's hand was so firm her knuckles were white. Harry searched her face with his eyes pleading with her silently. "I'm not going to let you walk away from me," she whispered fiercely. Harry gave a shuddering sign. "Harry," Ron said sternly looking at his best friend, "I would have done the same thing, we all would have." Each and every Weasley including Hermione in turn looked him straight in the eye in strong determination nodding to him. Even the ever joking twins were sober nodding in agreement.
Ginny watched her family she didn't think she could have been more proud of them. "Harry, you're family," Molly said looking hard into Harry's eyes. "Family and friends are always worth it," Arthur finished for her. "I'm sure if you ask any of your mates in Gryffindor they'd say the same thing. Hell I'm sure that would go just as well as Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw," said Fred. "You mess with one lion," said George. "You face the entire roaring pride," said Bill with a curt nod. Harry turned back looking at Ginny, she smiled sweetly at him. "I love you," he said softly. "I love you," said Ginny. Harry leaned forward slowly, raising her chin with his fingers. Gently he brushed a tender kiss across her lips. Cat calls and whistles filled the quiet infirmary as her twin brothers as well as Charlie and Bill joined in on the fun of razzing the couple. Arthur smiled placing his hand on his wife's shoulder squeezing it gently. Molly reached up squeezing his hand back a misty look in her eyes. Ron stood with his arm around Hermione's shoulder, kissing her forehead gently, feeling her squeeze his waist.
"Shhh do you hear that?" said Dean halting his friends with his out stretched arm. Seamus and Neville listened, "Sounds like those two oafs are talking," said Seamus. Peering around the corner the three friends saw Crabbe and Goyle half way down the hall. "I don't see why we have to stand here and baby sit Filch, we've already knocked him out," said Crabbe's distant voice. "You want to cross Draco with the way he's been acting this year?" countered Goyle's low voice. "No," Crabbe said sharply, "Something's off with him, but I'm not putting my head on the chopping block to figure it out." The three Gryffindor men looked at each other in shock; this was the most they had heard the two Slytherin's ever speak. "I didn't know those two knew how to put a complete sentence together," muttered Dean while listening. "Just shut up and keep on your guard, you know what he said. We have to 'deal' with anyone we come across," said Goyle. Neville tensed gripping his wand harder and looked at his two friends. "Shall we do this the easy way or the fun way?" Seamus growled. "Personally, I could do with a bit of fun," Neville whispered. If Dean and Seamus were surprised at their friend's slow to evolve Gryffindor bravery they didn't show it at that moment. "Ready?" said Neville. "You mess with one lion," Seamus started. "You face the entire roaring pride," finished Dean.
"Hello boys!" Dean called out as they approached the Slytherin pair. Crabbe and Goyle spun around looking surprised. Striding forward quickly Dean marched with Neville to his right, Seamus flanking his left. All three men looked imposing as if ready to face down death. Dean had his wand out and ready, Seamus and Neville had their wands in their back pockets fists clenched. Before the two brutes could respond Dean raised his wand, "Expelliarmus!" he cried out. Crabbe and Goyle's wands flew out of their hands landing at Dean's feet. The two Slytherins looked down at their now empty wand hands and then up at each other in total confusion. "I've always wanted to do this," said Neville rearing his arm back and throwing it forward with all his might. His fist smashing hard into Goyle's nose, a sickening crunch echoed off the walls. Crabbe stood stunned for a moment not believing what he was seeing; Seamus took advantage of the halfwits stupidity, side stepping with his fist up shooting his foot out at hip level landing a powerful side kick into Crabbe's midsection. As the Slytherin bent forward from force of the blow Seamus brought his fist up in a stiff upper cut that caught Crabbe's jaw snapping his head backward. Neville ducked as Goyle swung with his right fist; his left hand over his gushing nose, blood covering and dripping off his fingers. Neville brought his fist up connecting it with the boy's large stomach, the Slytherin grunted as the air was knocked out of him. Crabbe and Goyle dropped to their knees, "Stupefy!" Dean yelled, knocking the two out. "I was just getting started!" protested Neville. "I must thank me dad for those muggle martial art lessons every summer," said Seamus looking at the two lumps now on the floor. "We better try and find Filch," said Neville. Seamus wrinkled his nose, "Do we have to?" he said. "Yes, we do," said Neville rolling his eyes. "I'll stand guard over these two morons," said Dean.
Seamus and Neville made their way further down the corridor; Filch was supposedly in a closet according to the piece of parchment Harry had shown them earlier. Seamus walked to a door opening it, he had heard rumor of such a map, but passed it off as legend. He'd definitely have to ask Harry about it later. Pulling his wand out of his pocket he muttered, "Lumos", stepping forward into the utility closet. The light from the wand cast shadows over everything in the small room. Against the far wall propped up into a sitting position was Filch, Mrs. Norris lay stretched out on her side near Filch's feet. "Neville I found 'em," Seamus called out. Kneeling closer to inspect the janitor Seamus noted a large lump on the man's temple, it was slowly turning a nasty shade of black and purple, a thin line of blood ran down his cheek from the apparent gash that caused the lump. "One of those two beamed him a good one," muttered Seamus.
The steady rise and fall of the older man's chest showed he was still with the living. Seamus reached his hand out lightly touching the cat's side, she too was breathing but other than that he had no idea if she was hurt. Neville stopped in the doorway of the closet, "They alright?" he asked. Seamus stood up looking on the shelves for something to press against Filch's forehead to help with the mild bleeding, "They knocked him for a good one, better go get Madam Pomfrey," Seamus said reaching for a clean rag. "Right," Neville said before turning and running back up the corridor to Dean. "Filch ok?" asked Dean. "Not sure, I'm going to go get the nurse. Sure you'll be ok with those two?" said Neville nodding his head to Malfoy's henchmen still out on the floor. "Yeah, their not going anywhere anytime soon," Dean looked down at them with disgust.
"Where in the hell is she?" Ron asked running beside his best friend as fast as they could down a long corridor. "She should be close by," said Colin gripping his wand tighter as they approached another set of stairs to descend. A distant scream rent through the otherwise quiet of the castle, "Ginny!" Harry yelled at the top of his lungs racing down the stairs into the darkness.
Neville burst through the empty infirmary calling out for the nurse; he received no answer in return. Quickly he ran to the end of the long rows of beds to the nurse's office door. Madam Pomfrey was on her back on the office floor, her legs crumpled beneath her. One arm was stretched out to the side, an empty bottle beside her upturned palm, bright orange medicine puddled near the mouth of the bottle. Her other arm was flung across her forehead. "Madam Pomfrey?" Neville knelt down beside the nurse feeling for a pulse on her neck; it beat strong beneath his finger tips. He said a silent prayer of thanks, standing back up he looked around the room finding it empty. "She must have been stunned," he spoke to himself. Neville ran back towards the infirmary doors, before he could reach them they flew open. Professor Dumbledore came in with Professor McGonagall, Hermione and Ginger entered right behind them. "Madam Pomfrey is out cold on the office floor, it looks as if she might have been stunned," said Neville. "We found Filch and Mrs. Norris in a closet, Filch is hurt, hit his head somehow. We heard Crabbe and Goyle as much as confess." said Neville looking back and forth between the two Professors. "Where are they now Neville?" Professor Dumbledore said, his usually twinkling eyes flashed a hint of anger.
"Dean and Seamus are with them near the library not too far away from Filch. We had a bit of . . . er. . . a run in of sorts with them Professor." Neville ducked his head a bit waiting for Professor McGonagall to yell at him. "Very well then, Minerva, call Serveus and see to Poppy, have him meet us near the Library, join us as soon as you can. Miss Granger if you would please get Madam Pomfrey's medical bag in her office and follow me, Miss LeMange please stay and assist Professor McGongall. Mr. Longbottom, lead the way if you would please," said Dumbledore with an air of calm control. Everyone flew into action, Hermione ran back retrieving the medical bag, giving the nurse a fleeting glance as she rushed through the office. She ran back out of the infirmary catching up with Neville and the headmaster, "Professor, what about Ginny?" Hermione tried to remain calm. The headmaster stopped in his tracks looking down at the young woman clutching the bag, nodding to himself he spoke, "Neville, you and Hermione continue on and meet Professor Snape. Please pass along the message that I want everyone brought to the infirmary as soon as possible," said Dumbledore. Hermione and Neville turned without further instruction and hurried on their way as the headmaster turned striding in the opposite direction.
Ginny's legs burnt from pushing herself so hard, her feet hurt from the constant pounding of bare flesh against cold stone. Her heart was racing in her chest as her breath came out in quick pants. She was half way down a dim corridor deep within the castle, looking behind her she checked to see if Draco had reached her yet. Turning to face forward her eyes bulged in horror, she screamed, coming to an abrupt halt. Draco stood at the end of the corridor, the orb projecting Tom's hazy figure floating up beside him. Malfoy's face was yet again blank, his feet planted apart as he stood tall and stiff, his arms out at his sides, his wand gripped in his hand. Tom's form had an amused expression on his face, arms crossed in front of his chest, "Tut, tut Ginny. Running away like that, for shame," His expression changed to one of extreme anger, "Enough of your games girl, time to become one with me. Don't worry my dear; I'll never forget your 'sacrifice' to me," Tom sneered. Draco began advancing on her with long purposeful strides. "Ginny!" She heard her name called from behind her. Ginny's hair flew out around her as she spun looking behind her. Harry was running as fast as his long legs would carry him. Following right behind him on either side was Ron and Colin, all with their wands out looking murderous. Ginny looked back over her shoulder to see Draco moving closer. "What in the hell!" she heard Ron shout looking back between Malfoy and Riddle's image. "Stop them!" Tom shouted. Ginny only had a second to dive out of the way hearing Draco yell, "Revertia Status!" swinging his arm down. "What the Fu. . ." Colin began to shout in confusion at the floating figure hovering near Malfoy, before the jet of light hit him in the chest throwing him back several feet where he landed in a heap.
Ron threw a glance over his shoulder looking at Colin before turning his attention back, wand up pointing at Malfoy. "Riddle!" Harry spat the name out. "Harry Potter, you are always the fly in my ointment aren't you," Riddle's hazy figure glared at Harry, "You won't succeed in stopping me this time Potter!" Ginny knelt on one knee, hands planted on the cold stone floor panting for breath looking back and forth between Draco, Riddle and Ron, Harry. Ron's face was contorted in pure hatred, "Leave my sister alone!" he bellowed. Tom's powerful cold gaze turned to Ron, his nose curling in disdain. "Yet another Weasley, how quaint." sneered Tom. "You won't have her, she's mine!" Harry yelled his fist shaking with rage, "You will not take her away from me ever again!" Tom's evil chuckle chilled Ginny to the bone, "Finish him," Riddle whispered. "Draco NO!" Ginny screamed. Draco's entire being began to shake his arm quivering violently, his face contoured in agony, "Ginny. . ." he choked out as his wand arm rose up.
Time began to move at a painfully slow pace. Split seconds stretched into minutes in Ginny's mind. Sounds began to blur in her ears. She turned her head slowly screaming at Harry and Ron to run, Ron slowly raised his arm up shouting something at the same time Harry was also shouting raising his wand further. It was too late, she could see the spell already begin to leave Draco's wand. There was nothing else she could do, "NO!" she screamed with every inch of breath within her lungs and launched herself up and forward facing Harry. Ron's spell flew out of his wand, a flash of silver light; it hit the hovering orb shattering it into a shower of sparkling dust. Riddle's scream bounced off the walls as his ghostly figure exploded. The spell Draco cast hit Ginny in the back at the same moment Harry's spell shot towards Draco. "Ginny!" Harry and Ron cried out together. She was enveloped in a blinding white light lifting her up off of the ground. Her arms flew out beside her as her head flew back. Her back arched up as her hair flew out wildly around her; a soul wrenching scream escaped her lungs as searing pain tore through her body. She could not see Draco slump unconscious behind her from Harry's spell as her body convulsed. She watched helplessly at Ron and Harry's horror struck reaction. A thick void of blackness pulled her away. 'Harry, Ron. . .' She thought split seconds before it was over, ' I'm sorry. . .'
Blinding brightness, never ending darkness. Flashes of gold and fiery red. Cooling wetness, a flood of warmth. A soothing melody playing on the senses and a feeling of contentment.
For the second time in recent history Ginny's brain felt terribly fuzzy. Ginny squinted one golden hazel eye open, all she could see was red, lots and lots of carroty, fiery red. Her eye brows furrowed down as she slowly opened the other eye, even more red joined the other side of her vision a lot with a spot of brown and a shock of black. Ginny blinked several times looking around her. Molly Weasley turned her head away from the men's conversation looking down at her daughter absentmindedly smoothing the blanket. The first thing she noticed was her daughter looking around in confusion. "She's awake!" Molly cried out.
Everyone turned their attention at once to the bed. Ginny realized that her entire family was standing or sitting before her along with Harry and Hermione. Everyone rushed forward at once beaming happiness and relief at her. Molly immediately bent forward embracing her daughter in a lovingly fierce hug. "Oh my sweet girl, we were so worried." She felt her hand being squeezed, turning her head she saw Harry sitting on a chair on the same side of the bed she found him when she woke up like the last time. He was smiling down at her, a look of complete relief washed over his tired features. Molly pulled away to be replaced with Arthur holding his daughter delicately in his arms, "My girl, my sweet girl. I was so afraid," her father whispered into her hair, tears threatened to fall as he pulled back smiling down at her. She was hugged in turn by each of her brothers, Harry not once letting go of her hand. "About time you decided to join us," said Fred standing behind Bill waiting for his turn. "We were about to start using you as a tester for some of our new products to get you to wake up!" George said pushing Bill and Fred aside to embrace Ginny giving her a large zerbert on her cheek. "You gave us a right fright," said Charlie at the foot of her bed. Ron stood beside Harry and Hermione beaming with joy looking down at his sister.
"How long have I been out?" Ginny asked as Fred hugged giving her a zerbert on her other cheek. "Four days," Hermione answered "We thought you were trying to pull a sleeping beauty on us, 'cept Harry would kiss you and you didn't wake up," said Fred. Ginny looked up at Harry who grinned at her, "Well it was worth a shot," he said shrugging his shoulders. Percy leaned in giving Ginny a quick peck on the cheek before stepping aside. Charlie embraced her in a tight hug rubbing her back. He stepped back as Ron and Hermione came around to the 'hugging' side of the bed. Hermione bent down wrapping her slender arms around her best friend, "I was so afraid I'd lost you, my closest thing to a real sister," she said pressing her cheek firmly against Ginny's. Ginny could feel her cheek become damp from Hermione's tears. Hermione pulled back smiling happily at Ginny.
Ron slowly sat down staring at Ginny, a rampant range of emotions flashing over his face. He gripped her shoulders in his large warm hands looking at her for several seconds before speaking. "That's twice, Gin. Please don't scare me like that ever again," his voice cracked as tears welled up in his eyes. Ginny knew that he was referring to Riddle. Ron pulled her into a firm embrace. Harry let go of her hand so she could wrap both of her arms around him, rubbing his back gently. She could feel Ron squeezing her tight. Their hug lasted longer than any of the others; no one made a move to interrupt the two youngest Weasley siblings. "I love you Gin," Ron whispered into his baby sister's ear. "Aw Ron, I love you too." Ginny whispered into her brother's ear hugging him as tight as she could. Eventually the two pulled back as Ron gave her a final rub on the back. He stood up and Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist resting her head on his shoulder. The family continued to smile bigger than Ginny had ever seen them smile before, like it was Christmas and Birthdays all wrapped up in one.
Ginny turned looking over at Harry. He slowly moved from his chair to the side of her bed, never taking his eyes off of her. "You risked your life for me," He said flatly. Ginny frowned slightly taking his large strong hand back again into her own. "You did it for me," she said in just as even a tone of voice as he had. She could see out of the corner of her eye her mother open her mouth to say something but her father's hand on her shoulder stopped her. Her entire family stood quietly watching. "That was different," Harry said. Ginny looked deep into his beautiful eyes, those same eyes that enchanted her from the moment she saw them. "I'd do it again to, because I love you," she said reaching up brushing aside a lock of black hair from his forehead. "And I'm not the only one," said Ginny. She could see everyone nod their head in agreement. "Your my world, I couldn't stand to lose you." said Harry. "You won't," Ginny said, her tone was final, "I'd go to the depths of Hell for you Harry." Ginny's grasp on Harry's hand was so firm her knuckles were white. Harry searched her face with his eyes pleading with her silently. "I'm not going to let you walk away from me," she whispered fiercely. Harry gave a shuddering sign. "Harry," Ron said sternly looking at his best friend, "I would have done the same thing, we all would have." Each and every Weasley including Hermione in turn looked him straight in the eye in strong determination nodding to him. Even the ever joking twins were sober nodding in agreement.
Ginny watched her family she didn't think she could have been more proud of them. "Harry, you're family," Molly said looking hard into Harry's eyes. "Family and friends are always worth it," Arthur finished for her. "I'm sure if you ask any of your mates in Gryffindor they'd say the same thing. Hell I'm sure that would go just as well as Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw," said Fred. "You mess with one lion," said George. "You face the entire roaring pride," said Bill with a curt nod. Harry turned back looking at Ginny, she smiled sweetly at him. "I love you," he said softly. "I love you," said Ginny. Harry leaned forward slowly, raising her chin with his fingers. Gently he brushed a tender kiss across her lips. Cat calls and whistles filled the quiet infirmary as her twin brothers as well as Charlie and Bill joined in on the fun of razzing the couple. Arthur smiled placing his hand on his wife's shoulder squeezing it gently. Molly reached up squeezing his hand back a misty look in her eyes. Ron stood with his arm around Hermione's shoulder, kissing her forehead gently, feeling her squeeze his waist.
