The Twelve Days of Christmas
By deemarie
Chapter 10. January 2
They had pressed Dr. Gresham for information. But he could give them no more than that somehow Jane was involved with an obscure Mayan goddess. He would have to consult some of his reference books to confirm that.
"I'm almost positive about it, though," he said. "We will have to access Miss Weasley's memories to be absolutely sure."
"Can you do that?" Jane asked.
"Yes," Jacob smiled at her. "There are a number of ways. But I can't do it right now. I need time to recover." He turned to Snape. "It seems age may be catching up to me. A few years ago I would have been able to do the second spell right away."
Harry, Remus and Jane left the two old friends reminiscing. They went back to their rooms. Dinner was awaiting them. They ate quietly, tired out from their experience. None of them could talk about what had happened. The experience was too fresh, their emotions too close to the surface. It wasn't something to be discussed right away. They all needed time to think about what they saw. Harry and Remus thought that Jane wouldn't care to talk about it just yet. When he finished, Harry yawned. Too much had happened and he was mentally and physically exhausted. He bid them good night and went to bed. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Remus was already in bed when Jane emerged from the bathroom. Her heart lurched as she saw him laying there eyes closed. She knew he wasn't asleep, merely waiting. How comfortable he looked in just pajama bottoms. Jane was wearing the top. She knew he was self-conscious about his body. His chest and back were scarred from his transformations. But they were a part of who he was. His face was lined but it gave him character. The gray in his hair blended well with its normal sandy colour, he wore it a shade long, Jane loved how it felt when she ran her fingers through it. She looked long and hard at him, memorizing him in repose. She wanted to keep that image with her wherever she ended up, Remus at peace, relaxed.
"Coming to bed, love?' he asked eyes still closed.
"Yes," she crawled in next to him, but didn't lie down. Remus opened his eyes and rose to his elbow beside her.
"You're not tired?"
"I am. It's just..."
"Just what?"
"I've been thinking."
"Well, we all have, Jane." She slapped his arm playfully.
"Be serious, Remus," he sobered. "Do you remember what Ix Chel said? My destiny lies elsewhere. Do you think she meant this? Or is there something more?" Remus sat up beside her.
"I don't know. It seemed to me she meant something more than this. I don't think this was involved in 'destiny'. I think this was an accident, a chance encounter. At least that's what I hope. Perhaps there's a way for us to be together."
"Remus, you saw me as I truly appear. I mean, not in Ginny's body. What do you... How do you..."
"Jane," he turned her head to him. "I didn't fall in love with you because of your appearance. It's your heart, your soul that drew me to you. It's what's in here," he pointed to her heart. "We're alike, you and I. Two halves of a coin. Jane Wilson completes me, not Ginny Weasley." He stared deeply into her eyes.
"The Jane Wilson I saw was beautiful. If I had met you as you truly are, I'm certain I would have loved you from the first. It's me who isn't the beautiful one, darling. I'm amazed that you could even bear to touch me."
"But you are beautiful, Remus."
"You're being kind."
"No, it's not that way at all." She touched a puckered scar above his heart. "These are precious to me. They show me how you have suffered and been so alone. They make me love you more knowing what you have endured alone. I want to ease that loneliness."
"I'm not exactly a youth."
"Does it matter? When you think about it, I'm really older than you, you know. When all that happened to me, you were a very young child."
"I never thought of that. Do you think I have a thing for older women?" It had come out of the blue, his attempt at humor. It struck a chord, deep within her and her laughter bubbled to the surface. The tensions of the last few days fled and Jane relaxed and leaned back in the bed.
"If that's true, then I must be a deliciously scandalous older woman. Care to raise a few eyebrows?" She held her arms open to him. He leaned down to her and began to love her slowly savoring every part of her.
Harry arrived in the Great Hall searching for Jacob, hoping to find him at breakfast. Judging from his prodigious appetite of the day before, Harry was sure the Doctor would be up early trying to satiate himself. He wanted to know how he would access Ginny's memories. If he would use the same spell as the night before. He woke this morning with a burning desire to know how Ginny had disappeared. Did she suffer? Was she in pain now? Where was she?
He was disappointed not to see Gresham in the Great Hall. Perhaps he was breakfasting with Snape. Harry certainly didn't want to intrude on that.
He saw Ken and Alex sitting among a number of Griffindors. Ken looked up hopefully. There were quite a few more students present today. The balance of them would arrive on the train tonight as term started the next day. The murmuring of the students present had begun to change. More and more faces turned his way. Of course they would, he thought, the Boy-Who-Lived, the legendary Harry Potter was back at Hogwarts. Excited whispers coursed through the room. It seemed to Harry as if he were transplanted back to that first day at school so many years ago. His nervousness of the child he had once been began to take hold. He hadn't wanted the attention then, and now 12 years later he still felt the same.
He looked over at the Griffindor table. Ken still looked at him, hope in his eyes. Alex had turned to him also, a broad smile brightening her angelic face.
You know, Harry, he thought, you're not 11 years old anymore. I'm not the Boy-Who-Lived anymore. Not really. I'm Harry. Harry James Potter. No more, no less. If it weren't for that simple twist of fate, I would still be Harry, just Harry. There's nothing wrong with a little hero worship. Taking a calming breath, Harry smiled.
"Hope you're saving me a seat, Barrowman!" he shouted.
Breakfast turned out to be delightful. Once the initial shock of the students had worn off, Harry found he enjoyed telling the kids about some of his experiences. He was telling them about Norbert, Hagrid's pet dragon when Jane, Remus and Dr. Gresham had turned up for breakfast. Remus and Jane joined him, but Jacob went to the staff table. Remus told Harry that Jacob felt obligated to dine with the staff.
When the last of the plates had cleared, the students all left to go about their business. Term started on the morrow and most of them needed to catch up on homework they had put off. Some things never change, Harry thought. He, Jane and Remus sat expectantly. They were waiting for Gresham. He had bid the staff good morning and was walking toward them.
"Well, are you ready?" he asked Jane. She nodded.
"Professor McGonnagal has given us permission to use one of the empty classrooms on the second floor. I don't want to intrude on Severus."
"Will the professor be joining us?" Jane asked.
"No, Severus' part in all this is over," he replied. "Shall we go?" They followed Jacob to the classroom. It had already been transformed. The room appeared to be almost identical to the meeting room of the evening before, all but the fire pit was present. In its stead, a raised dais was in the center of the room. It was draped in numerous fur pelts. Jacob turned to Jane.
"Before we start, Jane, I need to know, do you have any memories of Miss Weasley's after she left Hogwarts. Any at all, even the slightest trace." Jane thought for a long time, but there was nothing. Nothing beyond Ginny's third year at school.
"I was afraid of that," Jacob's normally smiling face held a grim appearance. He turned to Remus. "Are you sure you want to be here, Remus?"
"Of course I'm sure. Why?"
"As I told you last night, I cannot use the same spell. I thought perhaps I might be able to use a variation of it, if Jane had some recent memories of Miss Weasley's. But she doesn't. The only other way to extract what we need involves some blood-letting, and Harry must be involved."
"Blood-letting," Remus nearly shouted. "Now wait a minute, Gresham..."
"It's noting major, Remus," Jacob said. "It's Harry's part in all this that may disturb you." That stopped them all.
"I'm not sure how deeply Miss Weasley is embedded. You may be needed to coax her out."
"How?" Harry asked, suspicion in his voice.
"Physical contact. I'm sorry, Remus, there is no other way."
"Now wait..." Harry began.
"Physical contact..."Remus spoke at the same time as Harry.
"Harry, Remus," Jane shouted. They all turned to her. "We need to do this," she said forcefully. "I need to do this. I have to set things right. Remus, maybe you better leave."
"No," he said shaking his head. "I won't leave you. We can do this." He turned to Harry. "It's all right. I'll understand. Can you do this, Harry?"
"If Jane wants this, then I'll do it." Remus sat on the bench.
"Dr. Gresham, let's get this over with," Jane said.
"Normally, this ceremony is performed naked..." Remus jumped up. Harry's mouth hung open. Jane's eyes went wide. "Under the circumstances, I think we can modify the ceremony. With a wave of his wand, their clothing changed. Jane wore a thin strip of white linen covering her breasts and a short white skirt. Harry and Jacob each wore a loincloth of buckskin, Jacob's ever present necklaces dangled on his chest. Remus had returned to his seat, but his eyes never left Jane.
Jacob had Harry stand at the foot of the dais. He had Jane lie upon the skins. With another wave of his wand the room dimmed, the only light coming from torches on the wall. At the head of the dais a table appeared. There were clay bowls upon it; most were filled with an assortment of herbs. The largest was empty. The torches flickered and light bounced off the blade of a wicked looking knife. Jacob looked at each of them in turn as he spoke.
"I want you all to know that whatever pain is involved in this ceremony, I am truly sorry for. There is no other way to reach Miss Weasley. Nothing in the normal wizarding world would be able to bring her here. I've checked. Even this spell cannot keep her here. It is essential we know how the transfer occurred. It is the only way I can determine what needs to be done to set things right." He turned to Remus.
"There are things you may see which will hurt you, Remus. For that I am sorry." He turned back to Jane and Harry. "I am not sure at what point the spell may end. You may be doing things, feeling things when it's over that are rather intimate. The feelings may linger. Are you ready?" Harry looked at Remus; his mouth was set in a thin line. He nodded to Harry. Harry turned to Jane. She smiled at him, trying to reassure him. They were ready.
Jacob moved to Jane's side. He closed his eyes and extended his hands over her. He took a deep breath and began to chant. It was the same language as the previous night. Harry never took his eyes off Jane. He could feel the ancient magic begin to gather. Jane's eyes closed and her body lost the tension it had. As Jacob chanted, Harry began to hear his own heart beating. Was that his heart? Or was it the sound of distant drums?
Jacob took up one of the herb filled bowls and moved to the torches. He tossed small bits in each one. The scent of sage filled the room. Harry felt his own tension ease. Jacob moved back to Jane. He sprinkled some of the herbs around her. He moved to a second bowl and repeated his movements. Jane looked to be asleep. Her breathing deep and even. A third time Jacob repeated the herb ceremony. The room was filled with the smell of herbs and earth, the secret places of the forest. Harry was swaying in time to Jacob's chanting.
He came to stand over Jane. From the pouch around his neck, he took a pinch of powder and blew it over Jane. As the dust settled on her, she tensed again.
"Come forth, Ginny! We are waiting for you." Jacob had stopped chanting, the soft sound of drums and the barest whisper of a flute echoed off the walls. They waited. Nothing happened. Jacob began softly chanting again. He reached for the largest bowl and the knife. Remus tensed, but he wouldn't interrupt.
"Blood of the missing, taken," he cut a small slit in Jane's arm and let a few drops of blood fall into the bowl, "we call for you!" Again they waited. Jane's breathing became rapid but nothing else happened.
"Blood of the lover, taken," he cut Harry's forearm and mixed it with Jane's, "he calls for his bride!" A shadow passed over Jane. Harry felt his soul stir. Come to me, Ginny, he thought. I'm seeking you. I want to find you, bring you home! Jacob backed away from Jane. He took up the chant again.
Harry watched her struggle to come to him. He could feel her presence. It was close but something was keeping her from him. He watched the rise and fall of her breasts. She needed him. He knew she was cold, far away and in icy dark. He must warm her; coax her to the light and the warmth of his embrace. He crawled on to the dais. There was no one else but Ginny in this vision with him. He lay down next to her and took her cold body in his embrace. It was his warmth she needed.
"Come to me, love," he whispered. "I'm here, waiting for you." He kissed her forehead. "Ginny, don't be afraid. My arms are around you. You're going to be safe with me." Her body was limp in his arms. He kissed her lips. He began stroking her back, trying to get her to respond to him. His lips traveled to her neck, flicking his tongue against the sensitive skin. Her breathing quickened. She began to move. Her body was responding to his feather-like kisses.
"Ginny, come to me. Come home to me, love." He looked at her. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. He stared deeply into their depths. She was here.
"Ginny," it was the barest of whispers, and then his lips claimed her. Her arms cam around him and she returned his kiss. Their lips broke apart. Jacob spoke a harsh word and they froze. They were caught in a moment in time, all of them were.
A ghostly white figure rose from her body and glanced about the room. Her eyes settled on the lovers entwined on the dais.
"Harry!" she shouted. "I'm here!" She looked about. "But where am I?" Her eyes landed on the men against the wall. "Remus? Remus Lupin? Remus, what's happening?" A second figure began to emerge from the man standing beside Remus.
"Do not be afraid, Ginny," he said.
"Who are you? Where am I? What's happening?"
"My name is Jacob. You are at Hogwarts. We are trying to find you. Can you remember anything?" Ginny fought the panic she felt raising inside her. She stared intently at Jacob. She didn't fear him. There was a sense of peace coming from him. She knew he spoke the truth. He wouldn't hurt her. She struggled to remember. She cast her thoughts back. For a long time now, she had known only darkness and cold. Sanity had slowly been slipping from her grasp. She held on only because of Harry. Harry would come for her. Harry would find her.
"You must cast your mind back farther, Ginny. How did you get lost? We need to know. It will help Harry find you." She tried but all she could see was the darkness, all she felt was the numbing cold.
"I can't!" A third figure appeared. "Harry!"
"Ginny, you must help me. I want to find you. Do you trust that I will?"
"Yes, Harry. You're all I have left."
"Then calm yourself. And think." She would do what he said. Taking a deep breath, she reached out for him. He moved closer to her. Harry's palm came up. Ginny raised hers. They touched. Ginny's breath caught in her throat. She could feel the love he had for her. It was a palpable thing. She could feel it creeping up her arm. It reached her shoulder. Harry's warmth flooded through her body. Hope rose in her heart. She closed her eyes and let her mind flow.
The guide she had used refused to take her further than the village. That place was haunted. He would advise against going to the temple. Then why had he agreed to take her this far? Money was of course the motivating factor. She could pay him more. She needed to get to the temple. But he wouldn't budge. If she wanted to go on her own, fine. He would stay in the village and wait for her, but he would go no further.
Fine, she would go on her own then. But he better stay here and wait for her. Of course he would. She had paid him for that. A local teenage boy had witnessed the exchange. If the sinorita wished it, he could guide her to the temple. She quickly agreed. They had provisioned for a week's stay and made the trek to the temple.
The jungle had overgrown most everything. The two of them cleared the entrance to the temple. As they uncovered the entry, Ginny would stop and take notes. She sent the boy to other parts of the complex so that she could record the markings magically in her notes for later study. When she did so, she would feel faint stirrings about her. It took two days to uncover and record the entrance. It was none too soon. The weather had taken a turn for the worse. They were able to get the entrance open.
The temple was musty and cold. Lichen covered the walls inside. Beneath, Ginny saw traces of beautifully carved walls. The colors must have been magnificent at one time. She could see traces of them where the lichen had not encroached.
There was magic here. Ginny could feel it. It caressed her skin. She felt the presence of power. She was breathing it in.
No wonder the guide had refused to come here. The magic was so strong; the muggles could sense its presence. The rain had begun in earnest now. They set up a camp of sorts inside the entrance. Night was coming on. As it darkened, they kindled a fire. The wood was very wet and the boy was trying to get the fire started. Between the damp wood and the boy's nervousness he was having trouble.
Ginny slipped her wand out. She deftly aimed and timed her spell to get the fire going when the boy struck a spark. Unfortunately, when she used the spell, it had set the walls of the temple echoing. The noise so severely frightened the boy that he took off running. Ginny called to him, but he wouldn't come back.
She had made a map. If the boy didn't return, she would be able to find her way back. It was late now; she would continue her investigation in the morning. She settled down to sleep.
The thunder had her instantly awake. Ginny couldn't tell if it was morning or night. The rain came down in torrents. She couldn't see two feet beyond the doorway. The wind was whipping fiercely. It sounded like a dozen Hogwart's Express trains were rumbling by. Ginny retreated further into the temple. She knew that was no mere storm. It was a hurricane, and a strong one. She hoped the temple was sturdy enough to withstand its ferocity. Watching the storm would do nothing but make her nervous. She turned toward the ceremonial altar. She might as well continue examining the interior; it would take her mind off her nervousness.
Lightning flashed, illuminating the interior. There were people here. Ginny gasped. The light lingered. It must be the magic. There was a ceremony going on. Slowly the images faded and semi-darkness returned.
The magic was building up inside her. She climbed up the altar. She needed to feel this. It was so powerful. It felt like - like Harry. Like the power of love that emanated from him. Again, the lightning flashed. The images were stronger now. Ginny opened herself to the power. There were bodies entwined all about her. Desire was a tangible thing.
Ginny wished Harry was here. Her body had begun to crave his; she wanted to feel his rock-hard muscles against her soft yielding flesh. The vision, though longer this time faded again. She was breathing heavily. The magic was flowing through her, around her. God, Harry, she thought, I need you.
The lightning had struck right outside the temple entrance. The ground beneath her feet rumbled. She was alert for the next vision to appear. What happened next was purely instinctual on her part. There was no thought involved, her reaction was quick and violent, for there before her was Tom Riddle. Tom doing something completely vial to a woman tied to the altar. She was shouting at him. There was no sound. Ginny had pulled out her wand and cast the spell without thought; not realizing it was merely a vision. The jet of purple light passed through the figure of Riddle and ricocheted off the wall directly back at her. It struck her a powerful blow. The stones of the temple walls began to shake as Ginny fell limply beside the altar. A piece of roof directly above her broke from the temple and crashed down crushing her legs. The excruciating pain caused her to pass out.
The celestial garden had appeared. Ginny's broken body lay in front of Ix Chel and Jane.
"My Lady," Jane exclaimed. "Why have you brought this poor child here?"
"It is not her time to pass beyond, little one."
"Surely, that was her fate?"
"No, little one. She is destined for more. I cannot allow her to pass beyond."
"Why, my Lady?"
"Her fate is tied to that of the warrior's."
"The boy?"
"Yes, if she were to leave existence now, he too would die. There would be no reason for him to live."
"But if she remains here, how will he know she lives still?"
"He does not realize, but deep inside he would sense her departure. He would know."
"How do we return her to him?"
"You must leave me for a time, little one. The spell that rebounded on her has left her spirit weak and trapped in the heart of the temple. You, little one, will take her place and return to the warrior to lead him here."
"I do not want to leave you, my Lady."
"You must. It is the only way. Their destiny must be fulfilled, lest the world become an evil place. You will do this for me, little one."
"Yes, my Lady. But you will be alone again."
"For a time, yes."
"Then I will do your bidding. It will only be a short time."
"But you will not remember, little one."
"My Lady!"
"Have no fear, child. There will be a way for you to return. The means are already in place. Go now, little one. Go to the warrior and bring him to the lost one."
Ginny's ghost-like figure began to disappear. She gripped Harry's hand tightly.
"Come find me, Harry!"
"Don't go, Ginny!" Jacob's voice sounded inside of Harry.
"I know where she is, Harry. We will find her." They faded back into their bodies. Harry's eyes flashed open.
"Ginny!" he cried. He kissed her in desperation. Hoping against hope that she would stay. She returned the kiss wanting to hold on to him as long as she could, but the force pulling her back was too strong. She left as they broke apart.
The flames from the torches died down. Semi-darkness left a pawl in the room. No one moved.
Jacob had passed among them, making them drink from the final bowl on the table. Their emotions were running hot and hard. Rage and jealousy filled Remus. Desire coursed through Harry. Despair ran rampant in Jane's soul. The potion took effect quickly. Their emotions calmed, subsided to be replaced by a dull throbbing in their heads.
"You must rest now. Go back to your rooms and sleep. We'll make plans later," Jacob said.
Jane was the first to wake. She rose from Remus' side and donned her dressing gown. There was a chill in the room. She stoked the fire in the grate, tucked the covers tightly about Remus and went into the common room.
Jacob was there, sitting on the couch, absentmindedly munching on a sandwich. He took a swig from his bottle of butterbeer and saw Jane. He smiled.
"Feeling better?" Jane rubbed the bandage on her forearm.
"No," she said as she took the seat next to him. "That was a wicked thing you did to us."
"I know. It is never an easy spell to use. Love, desire, sexual craving are never easy to control."
"Then why use it?"
"It was the strongest spell I could use to bring Ginny to us. Anything else wouldn't have given us the time to get the information we needed."
"You mean there was another way?"
"No. Not really. There was another spell I could have used, but the information would not have been so clear. I know that temple. I know exactly where it is. I wouldn't have known otherwise. We could have been searching for it for months.
"I know this will hurt, but the sooner we find Ginny, the better. Better for Harry and Ginny, better for you and Remus. The longer you stay, Jane, the more difficult your parting will be."
"You're right. I can't do that to Remus."
Harry and Remus rose shortly after Jane. The four of them sat in front of the fire and made plans. Apparition was out of the question. Jane could not do it. It was either the Floo network or Portkey. They couldn't use the Portkey for direct entrance to the temple. The magic inside and in the surrounding area was too strong and ancient to guarantee their safety.
They decided to use a combination. They would Portkey to the Yucatan; use the Floo powder to the nearest wizarding village. The trek into the jungle would take the first 40 or so kilometers by muggle transport. The last few accomplished on foot.
"I need to stop at the Burrow," Jane said. "I need to say good bye."
By deemarie
Chapter 10. January 2
They had pressed Dr. Gresham for information. But he could give them no more than that somehow Jane was involved with an obscure Mayan goddess. He would have to consult some of his reference books to confirm that.
"I'm almost positive about it, though," he said. "We will have to access Miss Weasley's memories to be absolutely sure."
"Can you do that?" Jane asked.
"Yes," Jacob smiled at her. "There are a number of ways. But I can't do it right now. I need time to recover." He turned to Snape. "It seems age may be catching up to me. A few years ago I would have been able to do the second spell right away."
Harry, Remus and Jane left the two old friends reminiscing. They went back to their rooms. Dinner was awaiting them. They ate quietly, tired out from their experience. None of them could talk about what had happened. The experience was too fresh, their emotions too close to the surface. It wasn't something to be discussed right away. They all needed time to think about what they saw. Harry and Remus thought that Jane wouldn't care to talk about it just yet. When he finished, Harry yawned. Too much had happened and he was mentally and physically exhausted. He bid them good night and went to bed. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Remus was already in bed when Jane emerged from the bathroom. Her heart lurched as she saw him laying there eyes closed. She knew he wasn't asleep, merely waiting. How comfortable he looked in just pajama bottoms. Jane was wearing the top. She knew he was self-conscious about his body. His chest and back were scarred from his transformations. But they were a part of who he was. His face was lined but it gave him character. The gray in his hair blended well with its normal sandy colour, he wore it a shade long, Jane loved how it felt when she ran her fingers through it. She looked long and hard at him, memorizing him in repose. She wanted to keep that image with her wherever she ended up, Remus at peace, relaxed.
"Coming to bed, love?' he asked eyes still closed.
"Yes," she crawled in next to him, but didn't lie down. Remus opened his eyes and rose to his elbow beside her.
"You're not tired?"
"I am. It's just..."
"Just what?"
"I've been thinking."
"Well, we all have, Jane." She slapped his arm playfully.
"Be serious, Remus," he sobered. "Do you remember what Ix Chel said? My destiny lies elsewhere. Do you think she meant this? Or is there something more?" Remus sat up beside her.
"I don't know. It seemed to me she meant something more than this. I don't think this was involved in 'destiny'. I think this was an accident, a chance encounter. At least that's what I hope. Perhaps there's a way for us to be together."
"Remus, you saw me as I truly appear. I mean, not in Ginny's body. What do you... How do you..."
"Jane," he turned her head to him. "I didn't fall in love with you because of your appearance. It's your heart, your soul that drew me to you. It's what's in here," he pointed to her heart. "We're alike, you and I. Two halves of a coin. Jane Wilson completes me, not Ginny Weasley." He stared deeply into her eyes.
"The Jane Wilson I saw was beautiful. If I had met you as you truly are, I'm certain I would have loved you from the first. It's me who isn't the beautiful one, darling. I'm amazed that you could even bear to touch me."
"But you are beautiful, Remus."
"You're being kind."
"No, it's not that way at all." She touched a puckered scar above his heart. "These are precious to me. They show me how you have suffered and been so alone. They make me love you more knowing what you have endured alone. I want to ease that loneliness."
"I'm not exactly a youth."
"Does it matter? When you think about it, I'm really older than you, you know. When all that happened to me, you were a very young child."
"I never thought of that. Do you think I have a thing for older women?" It had come out of the blue, his attempt at humor. It struck a chord, deep within her and her laughter bubbled to the surface. The tensions of the last few days fled and Jane relaxed and leaned back in the bed.
"If that's true, then I must be a deliciously scandalous older woman. Care to raise a few eyebrows?" She held her arms open to him. He leaned down to her and began to love her slowly savoring every part of her.
Harry arrived in the Great Hall searching for Jacob, hoping to find him at breakfast. Judging from his prodigious appetite of the day before, Harry was sure the Doctor would be up early trying to satiate himself. He wanted to know how he would access Ginny's memories. If he would use the same spell as the night before. He woke this morning with a burning desire to know how Ginny had disappeared. Did she suffer? Was she in pain now? Where was she?
He was disappointed not to see Gresham in the Great Hall. Perhaps he was breakfasting with Snape. Harry certainly didn't want to intrude on that.
He saw Ken and Alex sitting among a number of Griffindors. Ken looked up hopefully. There were quite a few more students present today. The balance of them would arrive on the train tonight as term started the next day. The murmuring of the students present had begun to change. More and more faces turned his way. Of course they would, he thought, the Boy-Who-Lived, the legendary Harry Potter was back at Hogwarts. Excited whispers coursed through the room. It seemed to Harry as if he were transplanted back to that first day at school so many years ago. His nervousness of the child he had once been began to take hold. He hadn't wanted the attention then, and now 12 years later he still felt the same.
He looked over at the Griffindor table. Ken still looked at him, hope in his eyes. Alex had turned to him also, a broad smile brightening her angelic face.
You know, Harry, he thought, you're not 11 years old anymore. I'm not the Boy-Who-Lived anymore. Not really. I'm Harry. Harry James Potter. No more, no less. If it weren't for that simple twist of fate, I would still be Harry, just Harry. There's nothing wrong with a little hero worship. Taking a calming breath, Harry smiled.
"Hope you're saving me a seat, Barrowman!" he shouted.
Breakfast turned out to be delightful. Once the initial shock of the students had worn off, Harry found he enjoyed telling the kids about some of his experiences. He was telling them about Norbert, Hagrid's pet dragon when Jane, Remus and Dr. Gresham had turned up for breakfast. Remus and Jane joined him, but Jacob went to the staff table. Remus told Harry that Jacob felt obligated to dine with the staff.
When the last of the plates had cleared, the students all left to go about their business. Term started on the morrow and most of them needed to catch up on homework they had put off. Some things never change, Harry thought. He, Jane and Remus sat expectantly. They were waiting for Gresham. He had bid the staff good morning and was walking toward them.
"Well, are you ready?" he asked Jane. She nodded.
"Professor McGonnagal has given us permission to use one of the empty classrooms on the second floor. I don't want to intrude on Severus."
"Will the professor be joining us?" Jane asked.
"No, Severus' part in all this is over," he replied. "Shall we go?" They followed Jacob to the classroom. It had already been transformed. The room appeared to be almost identical to the meeting room of the evening before, all but the fire pit was present. In its stead, a raised dais was in the center of the room. It was draped in numerous fur pelts. Jacob turned to Jane.
"Before we start, Jane, I need to know, do you have any memories of Miss Weasley's after she left Hogwarts. Any at all, even the slightest trace." Jane thought for a long time, but there was nothing. Nothing beyond Ginny's third year at school.
"I was afraid of that," Jacob's normally smiling face held a grim appearance. He turned to Remus. "Are you sure you want to be here, Remus?"
"Of course I'm sure. Why?"
"As I told you last night, I cannot use the same spell. I thought perhaps I might be able to use a variation of it, if Jane had some recent memories of Miss Weasley's. But she doesn't. The only other way to extract what we need involves some blood-letting, and Harry must be involved."
"Blood-letting," Remus nearly shouted. "Now wait a minute, Gresham..."
"It's noting major, Remus," Jacob said. "It's Harry's part in all this that may disturb you." That stopped them all.
"I'm not sure how deeply Miss Weasley is embedded. You may be needed to coax her out."
"How?" Harry asked, suspicion in his voice.
"Physical contact. I'm sorry, Remus, there is no other way."
"Now wait..." Harry began.
"Physical contact..."Remus spoke at the same time as Harry.
"Harry, Remus," Jane shouted. They all turned to her. "We need to do this," she said forcefully. "I need to do this. I have to set things right. Remus, maybe you better leave."
"No," he said shaking his head. "I won't leave you. We can do this." He turned to Harry. "It's all right. I'll understand. Can you do this, Harry?"
"If Jane wants this, then I'll do it." Remus sat on the bench.
"Dr. Gresham, let's get this over with," Jane said.
"Normally, this ceremony is performed naked..." Remus jumped up. Harry's mouth hung open. Jane's eyes went wide. "Under the circumstances, I think we can modify the ceremony. With a wave of his wand, their clothing changed. Jane wore a thin strip of white linen covering her breasts and a short white skirt. Harry and Jacob each wore a loincloth of buckskin, Jacob's ever present necklaces dangled on his chest. Remus had returned to his seat, but his eyes never left Jane.
Jacob had Harry stand at the foot of the dais. He had Jane lie upon the skins. With another wave of his wand the room dimmed, the only light coming from torches on the wall. At the head of the dais a table appeared. There were clay bowls upon it; most were filled with an assortment of herbs. The largest was empty. The torches flickered and light bounced off the blade of a wicked looking knife. Jacob looked at each of them in turn as he spoke.
"I want you all to know that whatever pain is involved in this ceremony, I am truly sorry for. There is no other way to reach Miss Weasley. Nothing in the normal wizarding world would be able to bring her here. I've checked. Even this spell cannot keep her here. It is essential we know how the transfer occurred. It is the only way I can determine what needs to be done to set things right." He turned to Remus.
"There are things you may see which will hurt you, Remus. For that I am sorry." He turned back to Jane and Harry. "I am not sure at what point the spell may end. You may be doing things, feeling things when it's over that are rather intimate. The feelings may linger. Are you ready?" Harry looked at Remus; his mouth was set in a thin line. He nodded to Harry. Harry turned to Jane. She smiled at him, trying to reassure him. They were ready.
Jacob moved to Jane's side. He closed his eyes and extended his hands over her. He took a deep breath and began to chant. It was the same language as the previous night. Harry never took his eyes off Jane. He could feel the ancient magic begin to gather. Jane's eyes closed and her body lost the tension it had. As Jacob chanted, Harry began to hear his own heart beating. Was that his heart? Or was it the sound of distant drums?
Jacob took up one of the herb filled bowls and moved to the torches. He tossed small bits in each one. The scent of sage filled the room. Harry felt his own tension ease. Jacob moved back to Jane. He sprinkled some of the herbs around her. He moved to a second bowl and repeated his movements. Jane looked to be asleep. Her breathing deep and even. A third time Jacob repeated the herb ceremony. The room was filled with the smell of herbs and earth, the secret places of the forest. Harry was swaying in time to Jacob's chanting.
He came to stand over Jane. From the pouch around his neck, he took a pinch of powder and blew it over Jane. As the dust settled on her, she tensed again.
"Come forth, Ginny! We are waiting for you." Jacob had stopped chanting, the soft sound of drums and the barest whisper of a flute echoed off the walls. They waited. Nothing happened. Jacob began softly chanting again. He reached for the largest bowl and the knife. Remus tensed, but he wouldn't interrupt.
"Blood of the missing, taken," he cut a small slit in Jane's arm and let a few drops of blood fall into the bowl, "we call for you!" Again they waited. Jane's breathing became rapid but nothing else happened.
"Blood of the lover, taken," he cut Harry's forearm and mixed it with Jane's, "he calls for his bride!" A shadow passed over Jane. Harry felt his soul stir. Come to me, Ginny, he thought. I'm seeking you. I want to find you, bring you home! Jacob backed away from Jane. He took up the chant again.
Harry watched her struggle to come to him. He could feel her presence. It was close but something was keeping her from him. He watched the rise and fall of her breasts. She needed him. He knew she was cold, far away and in icy dark. He must warm her; coax her to the light and the warmth of his embrace. He crawled on to the dais. There was no one else but Ginny in this vision with him. He lay down next to her and took her cold body in his embrace. It was his warmth she needed.
"Come to me, love," he whispered. "I'm here, waiting for you." He kissed her forehead. "Ginny, don't be afraid. My arms are around you. You're going to be safe with me." Her body was limp in his arms. He kissed her lips. He began stroking her back, trying to get her to respond to him. His lips traveled to her neck, flicking his tongue against the sensitive skin. Her breathing quickened. She began to move. Her body was responding to his feather-like kisses.
"Ginny, come to me. Come home to me, love." He looked at her. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. He stared deeply into their depths. She was here.
"Ginny," it was the barest of whispers, and then his lips claimed her. Her arms cam around him and she returned his kiss. Their lips broke apart. Jacob spoke a harsh word and they froze. They were caught in a moment in time, all of them were.
A ghostly white figure rose from her body and glanced about the room. Her eyes settled on the lovers entwined on the dais.
"Harry!" she shouted. "I'm here!" She looked about. "But where am I?" Her eyes landed on the men against the wall. "Remus? Remus Lupin? Remus, what's happening?" A second figure began to emerge from the man standing beside Remus.
"Do not be afraid, Ginny," he said.
"Who are you? Where am I? What's happening?"
"My name is Jacob. You are at Hogwarts. We are trying to find you. Can you remember anything?" Ginny fought the panic she felt raising inside her. She stared intently at Jacob. She didn't fear him. There was a sense of peace coming from him. She knew he spoke the truth. He wouldn't hurt her. She struggled to remember. She cast her thoughts back. For a long time now, she had known only darkness and cold. Sanity had slowly been slipping from her grasp. She held on only because of Harry. Harry would come for her. Harry would find her.
"You must cast your mind back farther, Ginny. How did you get lost? We need to know. It will help Harry find you." She tried but all she could see was the darkness, all she felt was the numbing cold.
"I can't!" A third figure appeared. "Harry!"
"Ginny, you must help me. I want to find you. Do you trust that I will?"
"Yes, Harry. You're all I have left."
"Then calm yourself. And think." She would do what he said. Taking a deep breath, she reached out for him. He moved closer to her. Harry's palm came up. Ginny raised hers. They touched. Ginny's breath caught in her throat. She could feel the love he had for her. It was a palpable thing. She could feel it creeping up her arm. It reached her shoulder. Harry's warmth flooded through her body. Hope rose in her heart. She closed her eyes and let her mind flow.
The guide she had used refused to take her further than the village. That place was haunted. He would advise against going to the temple. Then why had he agreed to take her this far? Money was of course the motivating factor. She could pay him more. She needed to get to the temple. But he wouldn't budge. If she wanted to go on her own, fine. He would stay in the village and wait for her, but he would go no further.
Fine, she would go on her own then. But he better stay here and wait for her. Of course he would. She had paid him for that. A local teenage boy had witnessed the exchange. If the sinorita wished it, he could guide her to the temple. She quickly agreed. They had provisioned for a week's stay and made the trek to the temple.
The jungle had overgrown most everything. The two of them cleared the entrance to the temple. As they uncovered the entry, Ginny would stop and take notes. She sent the boy to other parts of the complex so that she could record the markings magically in her notes for later study. When she did so, she would feel faint stirrings about her. It took two days to uncover and record the entrance. It was none too soon. The weather had taken a turn for the worse. They were able to get the entrance open.
The temple was musty and cold. Lichen covered the walls inside. Beneath, Ginny saw traces of beautifully carved walls. The colors must have been magnificent at one time. She could see traces of them where the lichen had not encroached.
There was magic here. Ginny could feel it. It caressed her skin. She felt the presence of power. She was breathing it in.
No wonder the guide had refused to come here. The magic was so strong; the muggles could sense its presence. The rain had begun in earnest now. They set up a camp of sorts inside the entrance. Night was coming on. As it darkened, they kindled a fire. The wood was very wet and the boy was trying to get the fire started. Between the damp wood and the boy's nervousness he was having trouble.
Ginny slipped her wand out. She deftly aimed and timed her spell to get the fire going when the boy struck a spark. Unfortunately, when she used the spell, it had set the walls of the temple echoing. The noise so severely frightened the boy that he took off running. Ginny called to him, but he wouldn't come back.
She had made a map. If the boy didn't return, she would be able to find her way back. It was late now; she would continue her investigation in the morning. She settled down to sleep.
The thunder had her instantly awake. Ginny couldn't tell if it was morning or night. The rain came down in torrents. She couldn't see two feet beyond the doorway. The wind was whipping fiercely. It sounded like a dozen Hogwart's Express trains were rumbling by. Ginny retreated further into the temple. She knew that was no mere storm. It was a hurricane, and a strong one. She hoped the temple was sturdy enough to withstand its ferocity. Watching the storm would do nothing but make her nervous. She turned toward the ceremonial altar. She might as well continue examining the interior; it would take her mind off her nervousness.
Lightning flashed, illuminating the interior. There were people here. Ginny gasped. The light lingered. It must be the magic. There was a ceremony going on. Slowly the images faded and semi-darkness returned.
The magic was building up inside her. She climbed up the altar. She needed to feel this. It was so powerful. It felt like - like Harry. Like the power of love that emanated from him. Again, the lightning flashed. The images were stronger now. Ginny opened herself to the power. There were bodies entwined all about her. Desire was a tangible thing.
Ginny wished Harry was here. Her body had begun to crave his; she wanted to feel his rock-hard muscles against her soft yielding flesh. The vision, though longer this time faded again. She was breathing heavily. The magic was flowing through her, around her. God, Harry, she thought, I need you.
The lightning had struck right outside the temple entrance. The ground beneath her feet rumbled. She was alert for the next vision to appear. What happened next was purely instinctual on her part. There was no thought involved, her reaction was quick and violent, for there before her was Tom Riddle. Tom doing something completely vial to a woman tied to the altar. She was shouting at him. There was no sound. Ginny had pulled out her wand and cast the spell without thought; not realizing it was merely a vision. The jet of purple light passed through the figure of Riddle and ricocheted off the wall directly back at her. It struck her a powerful blow. The stones of the temple walls began to shake as Ginny fell limply beside the altar. A piece of roof directly above her broke from the temple and crashed down crushing her legs. The excruciating pain caused her to pass out.
The celestial garden had appeared. Ginny's broken body lay in front of Ix Chel and Jane.
"My Lady," Jane exclaimed. "Why have you brought this poor child here?"
"It is not her time to pass beyond, little one."
"Surely, that was her fate?"
"No, little one. She is destined for more. I cannot allow her to pass beyond."
"Why, my Lady?"
"Her fate is tied to that of the warrior's."
"The boy?"
"Yes, if she were to leave existence now, he too would die. There would be no reason for him to live."
"But if she remains here, how will he know she lives still?"
"He does not realize, but deep inside he would sense her departure. He would know."
"How do we return her to him?"
"You must leave me for a time, little one. The spell that rebounded on her has left her spirit weak and trapped in the heart of the temple. You, little one, will take her place and return to the warrior to lead him here."
"I do not want to leave you, my Lady."
"You must. It is the only way. Their destiny must be fulfilled, lest the world become an evil place. You will do this for me, little one."
"Yes, my Lady. But you will be alone again."
"For a time, yes."
"Then I will do your bidding. It will only be a short time."
"But you will not remember, little one."
"My Lady!"
"Have no fear, child. There will be a way for you to return. The means are already in place. Go now, little one. Go to the warrior and bring him to the lost one."
Ginny's ghost-like figure began to disappear. She gripped Harry's hand tightly.
"Come find me, Harry!"
"Don't go, Ginny!" Jacob's voice sounded inside of Harry.
"I know where she is, Harry. We will find her." They faded back into their bodies. Harry's eyes flashed open.
"Ginny!" he cried. He kissed her in desperation. Hoping against hope that she would stay. She returned the kiss wanting to hold on to him as long as she could, but the force pulling her back was too strong. She left as they broke apart.
The flames from the torches died down. Semi-darkness left a pawl in the room. No one moved.
Jacob had passed among them, making them drink from the final bowl on the table. Their emotions were running hot and hard. Rage and jealousy filled Remus. Desire coursed through Harry. Despair ran rampant in Jane's soul. The potion took effect quickly. Their emotions calmed, subsided to be replaced by a dull throbbing in their heads.
"You must rest now. Go back to your rooms and sleep. We'll make plans later," Jacob said.
Jane was the first to wake. She rose from Remus' side and donned her dressing gown. There was a chill in the room. She stoked the fire in the grate, tucked the covers tightly about Remus and went into the common room.
Jacob was there, sitting on the couch, absentmindedly munching on a sandwich. He took a swig from his bottle of butterbeer and saw Jane. He smiled.
"Feeling better?" Jane rubbed the bandage on her forearm.
"No," she said as she took the seat next to him. "That was a wicked thing you did to us."
"I know. It is never an easy spell to use. Love, desire, sexual craving are never easy to control."
"Then why use it?"
"It was the strongest spell I could use to bring Ginny to us. Anything else wouldn't have given us the time to get the information we needed."
"You mean there was another way?"
"No. Not really. There was another spell I could have used, but the information would not have been so clear. I know that temple. I know exactly where it is. I wouldn't have known otherwise. We could have been searching for it for months.
"I know this will hurt, but the sooner we find Ginny, the better. Better for Harry and Ginny, better for you and Remus. The longer you stay, Jane, the more difficult your parting will be."
"You're right. I can't do that to Remus."
Harry and Remus rose shortly after Jane. The four of them sat in front of the fire and made plans. Apparition was out of the question. Jane could not do it. It was either the Floo network or Portkey. They couldn't use the Portkey for direct entrance to the temple. The magic inside and in the surrounding area was too strong and ancient to guarantee their safety.
They decided to use a combination. They would Portkey to the Yucatan; use the Floo powder to the nearest wizarding village. The trek into the jungle would take the first 40 or so kilometers by muggle transport. The last few accomplished on foot.
"I need to stop at the Burrow," Jane said. "I need to say good bye."