Chapter 4: Snakes

Ginny watched what took place in the Great Hall with interest. She had heard of the great queen of all living, almost all wizard families have. They were said to be descendents of the five great spirits of creation. The queen had five children, each of whom was said to be the human form of one of the five, and now Ginny was one of the privileged people who got to see one of them. Ginny had always thought they were just myths that mothers would tell their little children before bed. But judging by the blood dripping down Malfoy's cheek she figured Medea was as real as she could get.

Ginny's fascination was not complete, however. She could see Hermione's distaste as easily as she could see Harry's confusion. It puzzled her. She understood Harry's confusion. She would not be surprised if he did not know about Medea's family. He did not grow up in the wizarding world and his aunt and uncle who raised him hated anything they viewed as "super natural". What Ginny did not get were Hermione's emotions.

It's probably the rule-breaking, Ginny thought to herself, calmly giving an explanation to Hermione's irritated expression. She returned to her food but every few moments she would sneak another glance at Medea. Fred and George will be so jealous! From the stories, Medea is the queen of mischief. Ginny grinned evilly to herself. Her brothers would kill to have a chance to pull a prank on the princess of pranks. Well, maybe not kill.

As Ginny watched Medea from the corner of her eye Medea whispered something in Harry's ear. Ginny could not hear what Medea said but she had a clear view of Medea's eyes. All of a sudden Ginny felt guilty. For as long as Ginny could remember she had an amazing talent for understanding people. She would watch them as they talked and sometimes she would just get the feeling for the other person's thoughts. It was hard to keep secrets from Ginny, more often then not she would detect that a person was not being truthful. Her ability was only visual; it left her very gullible when it came to writing.

"I'm going back." She announced to nobody in particular as she stood up to leave. A few people looked at her and turned back to their food.

"I'll walk with you." Dean Thomas said, "I finished eating anyway."

Ginny smiled at him. She liked Dean though she did not know him very well. He had always nice to her and this kindness had only increased in the past year. Sometimes she got the feeling that he was hiding something from her, but Dean was hard to read, even for Ginny.

They were the first to leave the Great Hall so when they reached the Gryffindor Common Room they were not surprised to find it empty. Ginny walked over to the big red chairs rear the fire and curled herself up into a ball. She was still feeling guilty for staring at Medea when she should have accepted that Medea would not like the attention. She was angry with Dumbledore for giving away her identity after all.

Dean sat down next to her but did not say anything. That was another thing Ginny liked about him. He could sense when talking was not the best idea. In his presence Ginny felt her guilt wash away. They both stared at the fire, enjoying the silence of the empty common room when the sounds of talking outside announced the arrival of more Gryffindor students.

The two continued to stare at the fire but the moment was ruined. The common room was now full of excited chatter. Ginny noticed that Hermione and Ron had come back with the other students but Harry and Medea had not. She was about to worry when the talking stopped.

The portrait of the pink lady that covered the Gryffindor entrance swung shut silently behind Harry and Medea. The only sound that could be heard was a slight hissing above Ginny.

Harry looked to the source of the hissing fast enough to see a long green snake fall from the rafters and curl itself around Ginny's neck. Ginny gave a startled scream. From the corner of her eye she could see the snakes white fangs as it prepared itself to lunge them into her throat.

"Stop!" Harry yelled pulling out his wand. The snake looked up at the wand and gave out a series of hisses that could only be interpreted by Harry as laughter.

"What would you do to me if I did not?" The snake asked, "My master said I may feed upon whomever I wish during my mission."

"I will blow you to bits," Harry strengthened his grip on his wand and took a step forward.

"Then I hope you have good aim," The snake laughed again, "or you may hurt your little friend here."

Harry was at a loss of words. He knew the snake was right; it was clinging too tightly to Ginny for Harry to risk cursing it. He looked around the room. Ron looked terrified. Hermione had her wand out and her face was set but Harry knew that she would not do a thing as long as Harry was still talking to the snake. Medea was standing behind him looking pale but focused. All the other people were watching him to see what he would do.

Harry's gaze wandered from person to person and then back to Ginny. She looked scared, very scared, but Harry could see some hope in her eyes. She trusted him. She believed that he could save her like he did years ago in the Chamber of Secrets. He had to save her.

Harry took a deep breath and was about to curse the snake when Crookshanks leaped up and swatted away the snake as though it was nothing but a fly. The snake landed on the carpet and started hissing angrily at the cat who was now licking its paw and totally indifferent to the snake's existence.

Medea acted fast. Without giving the room more than a glance she located a basket and with a quick swipe of her hand it came flying across the room and landed over the snake. The basket moved a little as though a strong force was trying to free the snake but was unable to.

Harry stared at Medea with amazement. Everyone in the common room did, but Medea's eyes never left the snake and it's cage.

"Talk to it fast," she said with clenched teeth, "I can't hold it long" Harry nodded and turned back to the snake.

"What do you want?" He asked trying to sound confident but was still too stunned.

"I have a message from my master," The snake replied angrily. "He will defeat you! You can never match the strength of the most powerful wizard."

Harry's anger began to rise. "Tell me what the message is before I curse you into the next world," Harry said in a surprisingly clam yet threatening voice.

"I have power," the snake replied, "You will not kill me as long as you haven't heard the message."

Harry stared at it for a moment before replying softly, "Try me."

Medea shook slightly with the effort of holding the basket. Her left hand was stretched out in the direction of the snake as though she was pushing something down. Her right hand was clenched to a fist at her side and Harry could see that her knuckles were white. Harry looked at her for a second and returned his focus to the snake.

"I have received a letter today, is that your master's message?"

"My master does not write silly letters," the snake laughed, "The author of the letter has been punished."

"Then tell me the message!" Harry raised his voice

"My, my, you are loosing your patience." The snake answered evilly. "My master said that he will meet you to show all how weak the Boy Who Lived really is. It is a shame to kill a distance, not as much fun. Will you meet my lord's challenge?"

Harry stared at the snake for a few moments and then at Ron and Hermione who were staring intently at him. He knew he had no time to discuss the issue with them, Medea could not hold on for much longer. The basket shook violently, almost freeing itself from Medea's magical grip. The charms that were thrown at it by the other people in the room did not seem to help. Harry had to make up his mind quickly.

"Tell him I will," Harry said resolutely as he fixed his gaze back on the snake. "I will meet him at the time and place that he chooses. Now be gone!"

"Then tell the little lady over there to release me, before she kills herself by trying to keep me," The snake said with scorn. Harry nodded to Medea and she pulled her left arm back. The basket came free at once and flew to the other end of the room exhibiting the power that was captured under it. It hit the wall with such force that it chipped away some of the stone before falling to the floor, completely bent out of shape. The snake disappeared with a small pop.

"You took your time." Medea said weakly to Harry before she fainted into his arms.