A/N: I'm so incredibly sorry! So much you don't know! I don't know what's come over me… no updates for 3 months! And I was supposed to have finished this story by now! I feel horrible. I have some excuse though… I took Precalculus this summer and my workload was immense… I took it in another state so I wasn't at my house and I didn't even have a computer to work on. I begged my mom all year for a laptop but alas… no cigar…
To my wonderful reviewers (and non-reviewers who will hopefully review since I've given them such a wonderful cliffy/present):
*Gohansfan* Thank you for thinking my chapter was brilliant! I hope you like this one too!
*Laylana-Fairyweather* this chapter answers your question!
*Fire-sprite16* I completely agree with you… I do need to get my act together and update more… ::curses my lazy self and tries a spell for inspiration… backfires… winds up with blond hair::
*Leena* My beautiful Beta reader!!! This chapter's for you babe!
*Meadow* I hope you're right! Just keep hoping!
Disclaimer: *looks up from reading HP5 yet again* oh yeah… not mine
~*Beauty is found within*~
Chapter 11I ran. My heart pounded in my ears as I fought my way through the undergrowth. Branches slapped at my face, surely leaving scars. All the while, a voice ran through my head, urging me onward, though I knew not the reason.
Suddenly reality hit me like a rogue branch from the Whomping Willow. What had I gotten myself into? I was lost in the forest, without food, shelter, or any hope of getting out alive.
Breathless, I doubled over, looking at the gaunt trees surrounding me. In the distance I saw a flicker of light between the tree trunks. I immediately headed toward it. As I drew near I saw that it was a small campfire. A hooded figure sat by the fire, warming his hands.
Drawing near, I began to inch my wand out of my pocket... Who… or what could this be? Suddenly the cloaked figure lifted its head and looked in my direction. A hand emerged, beckoning me onward.
Hesitantly, I edged forward. The figure spoke, "Don't be afraid; I won't harm you."
The voice sounded achingly familiar, but unlike any other voice I had heard before. It had a raspy quality, as if the owner had not spoken for quite a while.
I edged forward, eager to absorb the warmth and light of the blazing fire. He slid over a bit, giving me room to sit on a worn blanket. For a while we didn't speak. Finally, I screwed up my courage and asked, "Who are you? Why are you out here?"
I could almost feel him smile, "I should ask you the same. After all, ladies first."
I nearly laughed when he said that. Hearing the chivalrous words of a knight in shining armor coming from the mouth of such a serious mannered man was somehow hilarious. Working to keep a straight face, I answered, "My name is Ginny Weasley," His head snapped up as if receiving an electric shock to look me in the eye, his own still carefully hidden. As he turned his head, I just barely noticed a small glint of green. Where had I seen that shade before?
"Ginny Weasley?" He whispered, head bowed.
I sat there, unsure of what to say, he seemed so lost in his own thoughts. Since he seemed so preoccupied, I decided not to ask his name. Instead I asked, "Could you tell me where we are now?"
He lifted his head slowly and said after a moments thougt, "I believe we're in the forests near Devon, somewhere near the Otter River"
I gasped. That meant we were right by Ottery St. Catchpole! And that meant… the Burrow! I cursed myself. I had been so close to home for so long, but had never realized it.
He must have noticed the my small intake of breath for he asked if I was alright. I breathlessly answered in the affirmative, mind racing at the possibilities this new information provided. I bit my lip, if this mystery man knew where we were, maybe he could lead me home.
I opened my mouth to speak but before I could he said, "Would you like me to take you there?"
My throat went dry. "Where?" I asked, my voice shaking slightly.
"To the Burrow," he replied, "You're a Weasley are you not?"
I nodded slightly. Obviously he was a wizard; how else could he have known about the Burrow? Then a thought struck me, what if he was one of the rogue Death Eaters roaming around the countryside? Ever since Dad had become contender for Minister of Magic he was a prime target attack, Death Eater or otherwise. Damn, I should never have opened my big mouth. But then again, any wizard would be able to recognize the trademark flaming hair.
He spoke again, "I have no ulterior motives, if that is what you're wondering. Feel free to hex me if you doubt my intentions."
I silently weighed my options in my head; if I allowed him to take me home, he could still spring a surprise attack on us. Then again, my brothers could take on any Death Eater.
I replied slowly, "Alright, but I need to see your arm."
He nodded and pushed back the sleeve of his robe and I was faced with… a smooth, unmarred inner left forearm. Still unsure, I pulled out my wand and muttered Finite Incantatem. The skin remained blank.
I raised my eyes, "Alright," I said hesitantly. "I'll believe you for now. But if you give me any reason, I won't think twice about using my Bat-Bogey hex on you."
What I could see of his face twisted into a wry smile.
"I'll keep that in mind." He said. "You should try and get some sleep, we can get moving in the morning."
I nodded as I spread my cloak on the ground. Luckily it was a semi-warm night and I was still wearing my heavy gown from dinner. I could still see the man sitting on his log, now scribbling in a small, ratty book. If only I could see his face. No doubt due the incident in second year, anything faceless scared me unconditionally. I would wake up screaming from nightmares of hooded figures attacking me in the dark.
But I was too tired to think of that. My escape had drained me, physically and emotionally. I soon drifted off to sleep with a feeling of safety and love surrounding me.
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I awoke to the sound of the fire being put out. I sat up and the man pointed me to a small, nearby stream. I washed my face and drank greedily, when I suddenly thought of the beast. I had run out so quickly, without giving a thought to the beast, not even giving him a reason. The house elves must have told him, I reassured myself.
But why was I so worried about the beast? He had kept me hostage, forcing me (no, never forcing me) to stay. I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that welled inside me. The parchment had shown me the object of the beast's desire, and I was afraid. Not of the beast, certainly not. I knew he would never intentionally hurt me. But I couldn't think… didn't even know what to think.
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We walked through the forest without uttering a single word. I cast about for a topic but ended up on a big load of nothing. Thus, the majority of our journey passed in silence.
Finally, I could see the trees thinning… the sunlight was shining through the leaves… I could hear birds singing again! And not far away, I saw the Otter River, where my brothers and I used to play for hours on end.
I nearly cried for joy. I was almost home! I could see my family again… see my dear nieces and nephew.
I started running as soon as I saw the Burrow. I could see Ron outside, degnoming the garden and I called out for him. He raised his hand to shield the light and stared. He sat down and began fanning his face, most likely thinking he was hallucinating. I reached him and threw my arms around his neck, tears welling up in my eyes. It was almost comical, my usually otherwise neat Ron, courtesy of Hermione, sitting in the mud with a dazed look in his eyes.
"Ginny?" He croaked, "Is that really you? I'm not imagining things right?"
I wiped my cheeks, "It's me Ron, really me."
He shook his head, "No, it's not you… it can't be."
I was getting quite tired of this, "Of course it's me you dolt!" I cried and smacked him upside the head.
He finally came to his senses and ran inside, shouting something along the lines of, "SHE'S BACK! FIRE-TEMPER IS BACK!"
I laughed, remembering the old nickname he had given me, after I pushed him into the river for setting my doll on fire. I turned to see the mystery man grinning and said, "Come in with me, I'm sure my family would love to meet you."
His face fell, "I can't…" he muttered, "I have things to do; things to take care of."
I put on my best pouting face, "But you must!" I said, "You brought me home! I really want you to meet my family."
But of course there was no need, since a stampeding herd of red-haired buffalo came charging out of the house.
"GINNY!!" Mum came rushing up to me and swept me in a giant hug. I could see Hermione sobbing into Ron's chest while he patted her awkwardly on the back.
Mum let me go and the rest of the family surged forward, practically choking the life out of me. I found it difficult to hug Hermione, owing to the round lump in her middle.
"You're pregnant again!" I squealed and she nodded, fresh tears spouting from her eyes. Ah… hormones… that would explain the crying.
Fred and George came barreling at me, almost knocking me to the ground. Percy, as usual, wasn't there. Bill and Charlie were though, showering me with hugs.
Then came the questions…
"Where were you?" (Everyone)
"We were worried sick!" (Hermione and Ron)
"How did you get back?" (Bill and Charlie)
"We missed you, you tetchy little thing!" (Fred and George)
"Did you eat well?" (Mum, who else?)
Finally I was able to pry myself away from their grip and began telling them everything… well… nearly everything.
I told them how I had lived in the castle, how the beast had been so kind to me. I told them about the research I did on seers and the finding of Speculum Magus, earning another reprimand from Dad about the potential danger of dark objects. I told them about the roses, the beautiful greenhouse, and the enormous orchard. But not once did I mention the strange feelings I had been going through… the guilt I felt at leaving.
At last Mum noticed the figure standing outside our circle and asked me surreptitiously, "Ginny? Who's that man?"
I immediately turned and dragged him forward, "Weasleys, I would like you all to meet the man who saved me and brought me home."
Two bright red patches had appeared on the man's cheeks, "Well… I didn't really save her…" he mumbled.
"Nonsense!" Mum cried, "You saved my baby girl!" And she wrapped him in a giant hug.
"What's your name dear? I didn't quite catch it the first time."
The man, as if dazed by the bone-crushing hug muttered, "Er… my name is… Evan."
I smiled, giddy about the fact that I finally knew his name… I wouldn't' have to call him "the man" anymore.
My family surged forward and began another round of hugging and questioning. I could see that Evan was flustered but also slightly pleased by the amount of attention being heaped upon him.
Mum herded us all back inside the Burrow and we sat down at the kitchen table. She immediately began bustling up the kitchen, throwing ingredients into various pots and pans, pointing her wand every which way.
Meanwhile, Dad had begun questioning Evan about everything. Where did he find me? Why was he in the forest to begin with? Evan looked extremely uncomfortable; it was obvious that he didn't want to give that information out. I tried discreetly to warn Dad but he just barged on, asking more and more prying questions.
"Don't worry," Hermione whispered, "he's just feeling bad about losing you in the first place. He doesn't want you to get hurt again."
I barely had time to think about her answer before Mum set out enormous plates of all my favorite homemade dishes. Without another thought I dug in, stuffing my mouth full of the delicious cuisine. My family stared at me, shocked. Normally I never ate this way. I looked at them sheepishly and shrugged, "I guess I just missed your cooking mum."
Her eyes immediately filled with tears and she jumped up, making some excuse about a boggart she needed to take care of. We could hear her bawling all the way up the stairs. Dad also excused himself and ran up after her.
"So," Ron said, "Now that they're gone, will you tell us what's really been going on?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat, "Wh-what are you talking about Ron?"
"You know what I mean," he cried in exasperation, "What happened to you? That… thing won't let you go for eight months and then you just come back all of a sudden! We're your family! You can tell us!"
I looked around the familiar worn wooden table at my brothers and Hermione, all determined to force the answer out of me.
"I… I ran away…" I mumbled, "I don't know why… but I just had to."
"I knew something was wrong!" Bill exclaimed, "He hurt you didn't he? Because if he did I'll kill that son of a bitch!"
"No!" I cried, "he didn't hurt me… there couldn't have been a kinder person. I just had to come home."
Charlie looked at me speculatively, "This doesn't make sense Ginny, if you had to come home, why didn't you come back earlier? You had us all crazy with worry."
Guilt welled up in me again and I buried my face in my hands. "I'm sorry," I whispered, "I don't know why… I don't know what happened."
Hermione threw her arms around me and glared at the men, "How can you say that Charlie? Ginny just got back home! You don't need to be asking her these questions. Why can't you just accept that Ginny has her own reasons for coming back now. Come on Gin, why don't you come upstairs with me? The children are up there napping. I'm sure they'd love to see you."
I nodded, and backed away from the table. Hermione smiled at Evan, who had been sitting silently through the whole exchange, "Why don't you come with us too?" she asked.
He looked almost shocked at the request but stood and followed us out of the kitchen.
The kids were asleep in my old room. I noticed with a pang how much they had all grown. I'd missed 8 months of their lives… 8 months I would never be able to relive again. I had missed Hope's first birthday and the twin's third. We watched them as they slept, little Harry with his soft red-brown hair, Athena with her endearing freckles, and baby Hope, who had become even cuter than before.
As Evan bent over the bed, stroking Athena's hair softly Hermione whispered to me, "Who is he really Gin? There's something so familiar about him… something I can't quite place."
I didn't answer her. The question had been plaguing me too. There was this quality about Evan, he seemed infinitely sad, yet at the same time hopeful and optimistic.
He straightened up and said with a small smile, "They're beautiful, what're their names?"
Hermione beamed and began introducing the kids, "This here is Hope, she's only 13 months old but mum insists she's old for her age. And this is Athena, Ron swears she's a mini-me, but I think I see his blindly stubborn streak in her. Last but not least this is little Harry. We named him after a dear friend of ours, who died in the last battle, about five years ago."
Hermione's voice choked, as was inevitable when Harry was alluded to. Evan had gasped slightly when Harry was introduced and lapsed into silence. His head was bowed and I couldn't see his expression.
Finally he lifted his head and said softly, "I'm sorry but I really must leave. I have business to attend to, people to meet."
I nodded slightly and he turned to kiss each child on the forehead. As he reached Hope she opened her bright blue eyes and giggled as she reached for his hood and pulled slightly. His head jerked up and the hood fell, showing a nest of jet-black hair, sticking up every which way. I heard Hermione scream as he turned around.
My eyes met his full on for the first time. I found myself drowning in a sea of emerald green. I was paralyzed… I couldn't even bring my self to breathe. My vision raked across his face, taking in the familiar cheeks, the full lips, and finally, the scar marring his forehead. A scar shaped like… a bolt of lightning…
