Rachel E. Thompson
Email: racheview@yahoo.com
Web page: www.racheview.com
Rating: R
Category: Action/Drama
Disclaimer: Alas, I don't own Harry and Co.
Summary: Voldemort won and imprisoned the world under his regime. Now six years later, a new resistance called Lils struggles on their crusade to free the world again. So where does Ginny Weasley fit in? H/G, R/HG, N/L. OoTP Spoilers.
Author's Note: This is my sugar baby fic! It practically spawned on its own, and I've been possessed to finish it ever since. So here it is, my mauling of a classic tale by J.K. Rowling.
***
Chapter Seven. Return of Remus
"Remus!"
An exhausted Remus Lupin lurched a few more steps. He tilted sickly from one leg to another. He groaned as his eyes rolled into the back of his head. Thereafter, his knees gave out. He collapsed hard onto the rug in front of the counter. Blood quickly colored the floor beneath his body.
Ginny Weasley rushed up and knelt beside Remus. Her brown eyes widen, as she saw the severe damage dealt to the werewolf. Teeth marks marred his entire body. There were black and blue blotches along his jaw, throat, and arms. The most severe of wounds was revealed, when she pried his soiled cloak back. There, she spotted a large bloodstain to his left-lower side.
"Mum," Her son, James cried from behind her. His large green eyes shifted between the adults. "What's wrong with Remus? He's bleeding… Mum, is he going to be okay?"
"Go get your aunt and uncles."
"B-but I want—"
"Now! Do as I say!" Ginny ordered more harshly then she would of normally liked. James looked torn for a moment. He grimaced, as he flung up his hands in anger. The child turned on his heels and sprinted towards the kitchen.
"G-Ginny?" Came a croaked whisper from the floor. The redhead turned back to Remus, and felt a faint smile move over her face. Her eyes grew slightly blurry with the onslaught of tears. "Ginny, it is you." Remus wheezed, "I… I finally found you."
"Shh. Save your strength, Remus." Ginny told him. "You're safe here."
Remus's body seized up. More precious lifeblood dribbled out of his mouth, as Lupin's body suffered another violent shutter. Ginny gripped the werewolf's hand tightly in her own. "Hang on, Remus."
"Hurry up, Uncle Ron!" James cried frantically as he erupted from the kitchen. The boy's green eyes were still wide with fright. He tugged on the taller of his two uncles. "Hurry up! In here!"
"Awright! What's going on?" Ron griped, as he grudgingly followed the boy. "The kid's tearing around like it's the end of the bloody world." He rounded the counter, and instantly the annoyed expression slipped. "Remus? You look like someone tried to eat you alive, mate!" His sister sent him a glare for his tactless remark. Ron motioned Ginny back so he could assess the damage himself. "Damn. Is there anywhere on you that isn't hurt, Remus?" The werewolf smiled tightly at the redhead wizard.
"Ron, knock it off." Ginny groused, "He needs help."
"I'm working at it, Ginny. Don't have kittens."
George and his sister-in-law, Hermione Weasley came out of the kitchen just then. "Merlin! Professor Lupin! When did he get here? Blimey… What happened to him?"
Hermione's eyes roved uselessly around the lobby. "Professor Lupin?" The brunette inquired softly. "Where is he?"
"Here on the floor, Hermione. And he just arrived, George." Ron answered, as he slung one of Remus's arms over his shoulders. "Ginny get the door, will you? And help me out here, George. We'll get him to a bed. Hermione, take the boy."
Ginny rushed to the door of the flat and yanked it open, while the Weasley men grunted and groaned under the weight of the former DADA professor. They dragged his limp body off the floor and weaved around the counter. The men stumbled past Ginny and into the flat.
"James, dear, come with me." Hermione tried, as she grabbed onto James's hand. "Let your uncles care for Remus. You can see him soon, I promise." When it looked like that wasn't going to work, Ginny jumped in. "James, you wait in the kitchen with your cousin Azalea." Her son gave a soft whine, but stomped to the kitchen regardless.
"Ginny, fetch the first aid kit!" Ron called from down the hall. "Be quick about it."
"I'll get it, Ginny, I know right where it is. You go see if you can help them." Hermione told the younger witch. Ginny quickly followed her sister-in-law into the flat. She broke off to the guest room where her brothers were settling Remus in, while Hermione continued down the hall.
Ginny rushed forward to help steady the elder wizard. There was a tense moment when George let go too soon and Remus almost tumbled off the bed. This earned him a dark look from half the room.
"Sorry, mate."
"Never mind all that, George." Ginny cut in. "Remus lean back, thank you. There. George, Ron, help me get his robe off. That's it… Easy now. Oh Ron! Not so fast! Be gentle!"
Ron sent a glare at his little sister, "Will you relax, Ginny? You're making me nervous!" The redheaded witch sent a sour look his way, and earned a soft laugh from Remus.
"Ah. It's good to hear you two arguing again." Remus murmured, with a wide grin on his face. The Weasley children exchanged a look, before they shared a smile.
"Here we are," Hermione announced, as she entered the bedroom. In her hands was a large white bag, with a red cross on it. She passed the fabric satchel to Ron. "Hello Remus, it's good to have you with us again."
"It's good to be back, Hermione." The brunette smiled softly at Remus, who tried not to stare at Hermione's scarred over eyes. It was certain the questions were forming in the werewolf's head.
"I'll be with the children, managing the front if any of you need me."
"You want some help, Hermione?"
"No thank you, Ginny. Stay here."
"Alright, Hermione." The redhead witched answered, as she turned back to her brothers and Remus. Ron immediately busied himself with the first aid kit. Meanwhile, George unbuttoned Remus's ruined shirt. The eldest Weasley whistled lowly, as he stared at the angry wound. The jagged injury stretched from Lupin's thigh up to the bottom of his ribcage.
"Bugger all…" George whispered. "How are you still conscious?!"
"Okay." Ron brought over a purple bottle filled with a magical elixir. He popped the cork and poured some on a white wash towel. He nervously glanced up at the werewolf. "I'm afraid this will sting like a bitch, mate." Remus nodded weakly. Ron placed the towel on part of the inflamed wound.
"Damn!" Remus roared, as he jerked away. He grit his teeth, as the tonic fizzed on his skin. The elixir would have to eat away at the infected area first, before it could begin to actually heal him.
"Sorry. It's almost over though," Ron tried to soothe. His blue eyes never left the purple and green bubbles. It didn't take long before the elixir's fizz turned red with blood. The innkeeper dabbed at the mess, before he poured more straight onto the wound. Again, Lupin yelped. "Just a little more to go now, mate."
When the medicine fought off all the pollutants in the gash, the potion glowed a golden-yellow. The injury sealed over with gray scar tissue. Finished, Ron applied more to anywhere else that needed. Again Remus winched, but these stings seemed bearable.
When Ron had completely finished, George handed him another bottle from the kit. It was colorless until the younger wizard shook it. Within the v-neck bottle, the liquid fizzed like a carbonated soda. The fluid ignited into a soft red, as the bubbles glowed like ambers of a fire.
"Firewhiskey helps knock off the shock." He explained, "Drink up." The former DADA professor greedily took large gulps of the alcoholic beverage. The werewolf's face twisted at the bitter taste of the liquor. He coughed, as the Firewhiskey burned his throat. The former Keeper took it back and replaced the cork.
"So. What happened?"
"George!" Ginny hissed, appalled by her older brother. "Let him get well, before Remus has to relive it!"
"Ginny's right," Ron added. He patted Remus's arm. "Get some rest. We'll talk later." Remus smiled gratefully. The redhead wizard then collected the first-aid kit and headed out of the room.
"See you in a bit then, Professor. Have a jolly nap, ol' man." George grinned cheekily. He paused briefly beside his sister. He smiled encouragingly and squeezed her arm, before he quickly let go. Ginny watched him disappear around the doorjamb, before she turned to look back at an exhausted werewolf. The redhead mother grabbed a small stool and pulled it to the bedside. She sighed softly, as she sat herself down.
Ginny was the first one to speak. She leaned forward and took the former professor's hand. "I'm happy you're okay. I was so worried." As she spoke, her eyes lost focus. In her mind, she relived the past few days. "Everything's such a mess, Remus. There's so much to tell…"
"It will be alright, Ginny." Remus told her gently. Ginny let a bittersweet smile slip over her face. Somehow, she couldn't help but feel reassured by his words. "There will be plenty of time for that," he finished.
"Get some sleep, Remus. You've more then earned it."
"Yes. I believe I might have to agree."
The redhead didn't move from his side, even after he had dropped into a deep sleep. Ginny closed her eyes and bowed her head over his hand. Relieved tears came to her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. A flood of joy warmed her soul. Perhaps things were starting to look up. "Thank Merlin."
***
James Harry Potter was very much like his father, but there was a great deal of his mother in him as well – even if Ginny couldn't see it. It especially showed in his facial expressions and it scared the bejesus out of one Ronald Weasley. He watched the boy, who sat beside him in the empty lobby of Lils Inn. The boy angrily kicked his feet under himself, as he glared hard at the front door. He had sunk into this mood since Remus had arrived.
Remus had arrived. That was still quite a bit of a shock. The werewolf had been a step away from death, when he stumbled into the inn. With proper attention, the former professor's wounds had faded. Lupin drifted in and out of consciousness since then. Though, that had been expected with the state of exhaustion his body had been.
And there still hadn't been any word from Lils, or her dog of the same name.
Then there was James. His expressions would change faster then a Firebolt Special Addition. It especially amused his uncle, because he couldn't ever imagine Harry allowing such a free view of his inner turmoil – No, this wild display was his sister's characteristic.
"Oy," Ron said, he couldn't take it a moment longer. "Cheer up, mate, you'll see ol' Remus soon." The boy glanced up at his uncle. James's freckled nose wrinkled, as he looked very doubtful of that fact. His uncle reached over and ruffled the child's hair. "Don't make a face like that, it will stick that way."
"Hey!" James pushed weakly at the large hand that tussled his hair. "Uncle Ron!"
About then, George walked out of the kitchen eating a sandwich. He paused to have a look at the costumer line up, and winched at the sudden lack in tenants. They had been doing decent on sales up until two mornings ago, when a number of clients checked out of the inn and no one had checked back in. "That's odd… We've had at least five boarders every night the past three weeks… I hope it's not another slouch. I wanted to buy me some new robes."
Ron rolled his eyes at the idea. "You'd do better to invest your money, George."
"In what? I can't exactly invest in Voldemort's Gold, can I?"
"I hear the American's stock market is doing well."
"What's with you and stocks lately?" George grumbled, "Mercy me! Dad would be tickled pink, if he knew his little Ron was investing in the Muggle's Stock Exchange!"
"Oh shove off, George."
George smirked, as he continued to flip through the Lils Inn's guest book. "Hullo, not all is as dark as it seems. Mr. L. Johnson signed up to stay a whole 'nother week. Lovely." George spoke mostly to himself. He turned his attention back to his family, "What's this? What's with the dreary cloud, lad?"
"Oh he's just pouting," Ron supplied.
James sent a sharp glare at his uncle. "I'm not pouting, Uncle Ron!"
The redhead wizard rolled his blue eyes skyward. "Oh yes, my mistake."
"Come, come, boys." George tsked, "Ronnie, don't pick on my favorite nephew. Don't worry about Remus, Jamie, he'll wake up soon and all will be merry." George took a large bite of his sandwich, as he addressed the boy. "Don't get so down."
Ginny walked in to hear the end of the conversation. "What's going on out here?"
"Mum!" James leaped from his seat and rushed up to his mother. He grinned hopefully up at her, "Can I see Remus yet, mum? Can I?"
"Not yet I'm afraid, sweetie. Remus is resting. Soon, though." James sulked again, but his mother quickly scooped him up and rested him on her hip. She bounced him to produce a small smile, before she turned to her brothers. "Where's Hermione gotten off to? I was just with Mum, she wasn't there."
The husband of the said woman, didn't look up from a two-foot long scroll. Ron scribbled something down. He answered in a distracted manner, "She went out with Azalea. She said something about researching magical winds…" George snorted at the idea. Ginny, meanwhile, felt a frown tug at her mouth. "I don't know why, she wouldn't say. Hermione gets like that though. Hermione has to have something to research, or she'll go mental. I say she's already there, but apparently I don't know what I'm talking about." A sour look came over his face, before he shook his head. "But she'll be back later…" Ron continued on to a different topic, unaware of his sister's change in mood. "Oy, George! Did you clean out those rooms like I asked you to?"
"No. I'm afraid you are mistaken, dear brother." George said around a large bite of his sandwich. "It's your turn on housecleaning, Ronald. I did it all last week and the week before last."
"You weren't even here last week!"
"Oh stop arguing you two," Ginny growled at her brothers. "I'll help you, George, we'll get done sooner." The taller man stuffed the last portion of his sandwich into his mouth, a cross look. That was not the type of end to the argument he was looking for. The young mother decided to change the subject, "Has there been any news from Lils?"
"Not yet. Should be anytime now." George answered. "You're still worried about that nightmare?" Ginny nodded her head slowly, as she placed a kiss on her son's forehead. She hoped that James didn't share some type of link with Voldemort, but if he did, she wanted to be ready.
"It'll be alright, Ginny." Ron tried to reassure her. The redhead mother sighed heavily, as her eyes locked on her still sulking son. There was a weighting feeling of dread that had recently hit her. She had thought with Remus's arrival her anxiety would of faded some, but it hadn't. Something was going to happen soon, she could feel the tension grip the air.
"I hope so, Ron."
It was then the entrance door chimed. The group glanced up to the figure that entered. "Afternoon, Mr. Johnson," Ron called out to the man.
Mr. L Johnson was cloaked in a holey and tattered black robe. His face was hidden with a thick red scarf. His wizard's hat sat cocked forward on his pointy-head. It was no surprise to see him under layers of clothes to conceal his identity. Everyone was weary about drawing attention to himself or herself with Voldemort's army in control.
Mr. Johnson's dry hacking cough was the only answer, as he stumbled by the counter. The Weasley family remained silent until he was almost all the way up the stairs.
"Well. Friendly bloke, isn't he?" George groused, as he watched the man disappear up the stairs. Ron only shrugged and replied, "At least he's paying, George. Many of those types don't." The elder Weasley shook his head in disgust, "Well… I hope he doesn't cough on me, is all."
"George," Ginny snapped. "Don't be so rude. The man's ill!"
"That's why I said it. You don't know what he might be carrying. And I can't exactly go see a healer if I get sick, now can I?" Ginny glared at him. She had to admit he was right, even as tactless as he put it. The redhead decided to let the argument drop.
"Whatever. I'm going to check on Remus. Then we'll start cleaning, George."
Her eldest brother did not look happy by the prospect of cleaning. "Be that the case, I better change…"
"Why?"
"Oh my dear, sweet, but very naïve sister!" George wrapped his arm around her shoulder. There was a certain mischief spark in his eyes. When he spoke next, he lowered his voice dramatically. "You will soon understand."
"Come off it, George." Ron cried as he whirled towards his brother. "So you found that horrid… Mess the one time…" His face twisted in disgust, as he relived the memory of whatever this mess was. His blue eyes shifted side long to her James. Apparently it was too inappropriate to share if front of the child. "It wasn't so bad."
"Not so bad?" George exploded, his scowl tugged on his beard. "I'm still suffering from the trauma, thanks to what those two disgusting people left! Were they raised in a barn?"
"No, but they sounded like it."
"Ron! George!" Ginny cried, as she tried to cover her son's ears. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she caught on. "That's enough! George, go change." The brothers exchanged an amused set of looks at their sister's embarrassment. "Jamie, wait here with your Uncle Ron."
"Can't I see Remus too, mum?"
"Oh alright, but be quiet, Jamie." The young mother told him, as she returned the child to the ground. "Don't wake him. Remus has had a hard time getting here, he needs his sleep."
"Okay, mum."
Once inside the flat, Ginny glanced up. Remus had sauntered up to the doorway to have a look around. He leaned heavily against the doorjamb as he did so. His legs trembled slightly under his weight.
James let out a loud whoop of joy. "Remus!" Instantly, the werewolf's head whipped around. A large grin lit his face, "Jamie, hello, my boy!"
"Remus Lupin!" Ginny cut in. "What in Merlin's name do you think you're doing?! Get back to that bed! This instant!" Inwardly, she winched. She sounded just like her mother. "You're not well!"
"I'm alright, Ginny."
"You most certainly are not! George, take him back to bed!"
George smirked at the former professor, before he shrugged. "Sorry, Professor, lady's orders. Off to bed with you." Her brother moved around Ginny and James. He ushered the thwarted Remus back into the bedroom.
The werewolf followed, but not before he half heartily grumbled, "Call me Remus, George. Goodness, I haven't taught anything for years!" Once Remus was resettled back on the bed, Ginny tugged the covers back up around his shoulders. "I'm alright, Ginny. You needn't fuss so much." He told her, as he tried to push the blankets back down.
"Nonsense. You were half dead when you came here, Remus! I don't care if you are a werewolf, you can't possibly be well enough to move about! You need your rest!"
"I'm alright… I grow tired of this confounded bed. Help me out here, George."
"Sorry, mate." George quipped, as he leaned back on his heels. A cheeky grin moved over his face. "Ginny's right this time. Even if you are a werewolf, you've had a bit of a roughin' up. Take it easy. You won't get many more chances."
Remus sighed in defeat. His blue-green eyes shifted to the quietest member of the group. James had kept to his word and was remaining silent, but it was obviously painful. He almost bounced in place, as he moved around his mother's skirt to stand next to the bed. "Ah! How's my wee-Jamie?"
"Okay Remus! Took you long enough to get here!" Ginny made a scolding noise. Behind her, George busted up laughing. Her eyes narrowed severely on her brother, who quickly suffered a coughing fit.
Remus just laughed happily, "I feel exactly the same way, Jamie."
"Remus," George steered the conversation forward. "What happened after Ginny and James left?" The aged wizard shifted his eyes towards George, before he glanced back at Ginny and her son. "Jamie, would you be a good lad, and fetch me some water?"
"Sure, Remus!" The boy rushed off.
"They knew it was us, Ginny." The redhead witch grimaced at that information. "I'm not sure who tipped Voldemort and his forces off, but he sent a small army after us." Lupin shook his head, as his eyes clouded over with visions of the past. "I held them off as best as I could. But… But even I'm no match for five Death Eaters and a band of Dementors. So I fled. Not before I met Lucius Malfoy's son… I could hardly tell the difference, that boy has become as vile and bent as his father."
"Draco," George growled murderously. Ginny shivered at the heartless tone in her brother's voice. "You were lucky then, Remus… The dirty son of a bitch hasn't left many alive after he gets through with 'em."
"Well, it wasn't as if he didn't try…" Remus grumbled darkly, as his gaze harden. "I never imagine all the times I ran across that boy, he would become so… Bloodthirsty and cold." He shook himself as if to drive the image of Draco Malfoy away once and for all. "I managed to slip away, no easy feat, mind you. I couldn't risk them tracking me, so I apparated to random locations… But by the time I thought it secure enough to stop, I was already transforming into my other self. In all the confusion, I hadn't any Wolfsbane Potion on me… And… Well, some of my injuries were self-inflected, to say the least."
"Oh Remus," Ginny whispered in sympathy.
The elder just waved her concern away. "It's really alright, Ginny… When I came back to myself, I followed James and you… Imagine my surprise when I ended up here in Diagon Alley, of all places…" His voice darkened, as he seemed to remember something. "Ginny Weasley, are you mad? What drove you to Diagon Alley?! You could have been found easily!"
"I know it was unwise but—"
"Ginny!" Remus's face colored slightly in anger. "It wasn't just unwise, it was suicidal!" His eyes wide with fright, as if he relived his uncertainty and terror. "I was afraid Voldemort had captured the both of you! You could have been killed for all I knew."
"Really, Ginny, he's right you know… What possessed you to come here where all the trouble is?"
"I don't know, George." She muttered, but soon she felt her temper flare. She was sick of everyone treating her like she was fifteen again. She was a grown adult capable of making her own decisions. "I don't know, okay! I just… I had a feeling," the witch finished lamely.
"A feeling?" Remus repeated harshly, "Damn it, girl, you risked James's and your life on some damn feeling? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is here? How thick you are into the nest of Voldemort's evil? I know you have more sense then that, Ginny Weasley!"
Ginny flushed under his words, as she nervously shifted from one foot to the other. "Well it wasn't as if I had much of a choice, alright? I didn't know if you were alive or dead… I needed help… I figured…"
"You figured you find someone here," George finished for her. "Ginny… This place is full of the wicked… It's lucky you stumbled upon the Lils Inn. People only care about themselves these days, and if they could get their hands on you… Do you realize there is a reward out for you, dead or alive? And it's not some measly treasure, luv, I'm talking about money that would have even Goblins short winded."
"It all turned out alright!" She snapped. "Besides, I was more then careful."
"Ah yes." Remus scowled at the redhead woman. "I suppose your idea of careful were transfiguration spells? You realize how risky it is to use spells now, don't you? I really wish you would of thought more ahead, Ginny. This isn't like you."
"I'm sorry, okay!" Ginny felt her temper snap. Her face felt like it was on fire by this point. It was all she could do to keep from stomping out of the room. "But we have more important matters to worry about, instead of my blunderings!"
"Such as?"
"James had a vision," George finally came to his sister's aid. "Or at least, we reckon he had a vision."
"A vision… What? What did he see?"
"Well, the lad says," George sighed heavily as he continued to explain. "James saw a 'snake-face-man' cast a curse on Ginny. It killed her. Hermione figures it has to do with Voldemort and Harry's link. She thinks it might have been passed down to James."
"I see." Remus's voice roughened at the idea of James in danger. "What are you planning?"
"A friend of ours has a…" George struggled to think up a word for the leader of the Lils Resistance. "She has a knack, for these type of situations. We're only awaiting her instructions before we move any further."
"And who is this friend?"
"Lils."
"Lils?" Remus's eyes widen with recognition. "As in the leader of the new resistance, Lils?"
"The very same."
"You knew about all this, Remus?" Ginny asked, feeling a twanged of betrayal. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"It wasn't worth mentioning at the time, Ginny."
"The hell it wasn't! How could you keep something like this from me?"
"Ginny," George soothed, "Ease up girl."
"It's alright, George. I should have told her about the resistance, but I didn't want to get your hopes up, Ginny. You understand, don't you?" The redhead witch huffed and crossed her arms in response. Remus looked at her a long moment, before he turned back to George. "But I always figured you boys would be in the thick of things, if you were still alive." There was a long bout of silence before the former DADA professor changed topics. "Regardless of anything else. We should get James and Ginny back into seclusion."
"Oh yes," George grunted. "Bloody idiot I am, hadn't thought of that!"
"No!" Ginny snapped, as her arms uncrossed. A look of pure fire flicked over her dark eyes. "I'm not going to go back and hide like – like some coward! I'm sick of hiding! I want to fight this time."
"Ginny!" Remus cried in dismay. "Would you listen to yourself a moment?! You're being reckless! It's not safe for you or James during this dark time. If Voldemort should happen across Lils Inn – well, just think of it!"
"No!" She snapped, her face heated with an embarrassed blush. Ginny knew she was wrong, but she didn't care. "I'm sick of it! I'm not going to run off and hide and… And loose anymore of my brothers! I'm not leaving again! I'm tired of running from Voldemort!" Her eyes wide and wet with unshed tears. "I don't care anymore! I just want this madness to end!" She then whirled around and stomped out of the room.
"Ginny!"
"Ginny, wait!"
The redhead ignored the protests from the bedroom, as she charged down the hallway of the flat. She found herself once again in Hermione and Ron's great room. Ginny collapsed onto the main sofa, all her energy zapped from her system. The redhead moaned before she buried her face in her hands. Her shoulders slumped, as she felt a wave of embarrassment and depression sweep over her.
Now that she was alone again, her logical side won out over her stubborn temper. She was wrong. She really could not remain in Diagon Alley, no matter how much her heart willed she did. She could not stay with her family at Lils Inn… It was far too dangerous.
The redhead sighed yet again, as she realized something else. She should go apologize to her brother and Remus. Again, something she did not look forward to.
"Everything seemed so simple when I was young."
There was a soft nudge to her elbow. Ginny glanced up to see Lils, the dog. The sheepdog whimpered, before he placed his head in her lap. Large puppy-dog eyes gazed imploringly up at her. The witch laughed sadly, as she ran her fingers over his velvet ears. "Hello… Have you come to tell me that I'm a complete idiot too, Lils?" The dog moaned and licked her wrists. The redhead sighed despondently and pressed her forehead to the dog's.
"I wish Harry was here, Lils." She whispered to the sheepdog. "I miss him so much."
In the distance, Ginny heard the entrance to the Lils Inn chime. There was muted talking coming from Remus's room. If she focused hard enough, she could hear James joyously speaking to Ron, before he entered the hall. The boy charged into Remus's room with the glass of water. Inside, the two men erupted into tense laughter. There was a soft moan from her lap. Lils nuzzle his wet nose into her fingers.
The dog suddenly jerked away and barked at her.
"What?" Ginny then remembered why the sheepdog had been gone. Lils, the woman, had sent word. The witch now noticed the dog's collar. Tied to it, was a small roll of parchment. The witch immediately put aside her darken mood. "You're back! What did she say, Lils?" However, all she received was another bark and a gesture for her to follow. "Alright, alright, I'm right behind you."
***
Ginny pushed opened the door to the flat and let the sheepdog lead her out into the lobby. Behind her, James raced out of the hall at the sound of the dog. His green eyes lit up. "Lils! You're back!"
Ron glanced up from some paperwork. The wizard smirked as James and Lils greeted one another. "Well… Business is slow today, and I'm hungry," He lied, "What do you say we go to the kitchen?"
His younger sister nodded, before she turned to the dog and the boy. The pair tried to playfully wrestle the other to the floor. "Come on, boys. That's enough. Into the kitchen." Lils barked and raced ahead of them, James hot on his heels.
Inside, they found the recently returned Hermione. Ginny noted the large stack of old texts in front of the sightless brunette. A pad of paper was already thick with notes on the 'magical wind' subject. In a nearby highchair, Azalea let out a loud screech, as Lils walked over to the baby and licked her toes. James groaned, and complained about his girlie cousin. "It's just a dog, Azalea! Lils won't hurt you!" The baby bounced in her chair, and bit at her plastic toys. She drooled around the duck in her mouth. "Girls."
"James."
"What, mum?"
"Hush."
"He's back, Hermione." Ron told his amused wife, as he paused to pull out the Quieting Orb. He activated it, before he slid it back into his pocket. His wife smiled gently and replied, "I noticed."
"Well," Ginny gestured wildly with her hands. "What did she say, Ron?"
"Don't know yet… How about it, mutt, what did Lils say?" He asked, and the sheepdog walked over to the redhead wizard. He raised his head enough to reveal the scroll. Ron bent down and retrieved the note from the collar, then unrolled it. He read over it quickly and whispered a soft, "I see…"
"What?" Ginny asked, as she felt her stomach tighten. "What did she say, Ron?"
"She wants to bring James and you under her protection. She can grant the both of you asylum in the United States. Voldemort still hasn't taken the States, so you'll be more than safe there. And Lils even secured safe passage to New York, you're free to go where you want from there."
"America?" Ginny gasped, her hands fluttered to her throat. "That's so far away."
"Ginny," Hermione whispered, "It's the best chance you both have."
"Actually… Hermione," Ron begun slowly, as if he knew a row was sure to start. "I want you, Mum, and Azalea to go too. I already had it arranged with Lils, she thinks it's for the best. And not only that, think of the good you can do over there! Hermione, you're the smartest woman I know… You can help them plan the assault on Voldemort from there… They need witches like you."
"No, Ron! I won't leave you!"
"Look, Hermione…" His shoulders slumped. "I want you all out of danger. Things are getting worse here, not better. I'd feel a whole heck of a lot better if you were all out of harm's way." He went on in a beseeching tone, "Please, 'Mione… Just do this for me…"
There was a long bout of silence, in which the only sounds were Azalea's soft gurgles. Ginny was stunned as much as her sister-in-law. She couldn't believe Ron had gone around Hermione. Then the tense silence was broken, as Hermione sighed in defeat. Ginny glanced over to see the brunette lift her daughter from the chair. She bounced the content child on her hip, while she stared into nothingness. The calm reaction worried Ginny more then any explosion.
"Please, Hermione… I need you safe, now more than ever."
"A-alright. I'll go." Her voice trembled with emotion. Ginny watched Hermione's eyes grow wet with tears. "Umm…" She ducked her head and wiped at her dark eyes. "I'll – I'll go pack our things then." With that, she all but ran out of the deathly quiet kitchen.
Ron watched the upset woman leave, before he collapsed into the side of the counter. He lowered his head in self-disgust. Ginny only gaped at her older brother in a mixture of surprise, anger, and even pity. It was a long moment, before he seemed to have the courage to even look at his sister. "You'll leave first light tomorrow."
"In the morning?" Ginny whispered in horror. "So soon?"
"Yes." There was another beat of silence. "It's for the best," he seemed to be saying this mostly to himself. Ginny felt tears prickle at her lungs, but she did a better job to cage them. She leaned into the adjacent counter, her eyes locked on her brother's. "I'm sorry, Ginny." Ron whispered after a moment.
She just shook her head and forced a watery smile. She wouldn't have him apologize for something that was unavoidable. Once again she was going to the sidelines to watch, and once again she hated every minute of it. "It's alright, Ron… You're right. Remus and George are right. So is Lils. We should leave, we're putting to much at risk." She then glanced towards the kitchen door. "But… Please… Please go talk to Hermione, Ron. Don't let your last night together be wasted on a stupid row, okay?"
His blue eyes continued to gape into hers. Before a slow smile of gratitude moved over his face. "Thanks, Ginny." She watched him jerkily turn, and head out to find Hermione. Once he was gone, Ginny turned back to her quiet son. James was hunched over the kitchen table, his face darken. His eyes glared at the tabletop, and his jaw set.
"We leaving again, mum?"
"Yes, James." Ginny answered softly. James puffed up his cheeks for a moment. His green eyes flashed with anger and confusion. He still didn't understand why they had to keep running. "We're going to New York, James. It's safe there."
"Where's that?"
"Across the Atlantic Ocean, in the United States."
"Oh," James frowned harder. He pushed back from the table, his gaze finally lifted to hers. "I hate this, mum."
Her heart bled. Ginny approached her child, with what she hoped was a calm look. Inside, she felt as if her heart was ripping in two. The redhead knelt at his side, and stroked his hair. "I know, love. I do too. But… There's really nothing we can do. As much as I hate to keep on running, it's too dangerous for us to stay here. We're putting to many people in danger, and you don't want that do you?" She watched him shake his head. Ginny smiled sadly, "We have to go."
"I don't want to!"
"Jamie…" Ginny pleaded, as she pushed the hair out of his green eyes. "Voldemort will find us if we stay here… You don't want that, do you, love?" He sullenly shook his head. The redhead witch continued to run her fingers through his hair. "It will be all right, Jamie. You'll see. But we have to let your Uncles do their job. For them to do that, we have to be safe, it's the only thing they ask of us. You understand? Voldemort is much too powerful right now—"
"I hate him!" He interrupted angrily, as he yanked away from her hand. He shot out of his chair, and caused it to clatter onto the ground. "I HATE VOLDEMORT!" He shouted loudly, as his face grew red with passion. "I'll kill him! Then he'll leave us alone!" The boy then spun around and charged out of the kitchen. His mother fell back to the floor, paralyzed in disbelief. Tears crested in her dark eyes, as she pressed her trembling hands to her mouth.
"James." She whispered in horror, even though he was long gone from the room. Never, had her son spoken to her like that. So it had begun, just like it had with his father. That seething anger was set in place, and would only grow stronger as the years progressed. In her mind, she saw Harry Potter angry and withdrawn from the world… Soon her son's image replaced it. The redhead witch choked on a sob, her eyes slammed shut but tears still escaped. Voldemort would foreshadow her son's childhood just as he had done Harry's. It wasn't fair. James shouldn't hate at such an age, at any age really. Nor should he ever wish the death of another, no matter who it was…
"Damn you bastard," she wheezed, "Harry wasn't enough… You have to take my son too!"
Ginny felt something lick her salt raw cheek. She slowly glanced over to see the forgotten Lils. The redhead sniffled loudly. Fire returned to her eyes, before she gripped the sheepdog's face. "You tell that mistress of yours, she best kill Voldemort… I won't stand by and watch, as my son falls into that same trap his father did. I won't let my James be forced to take someone's life! If I have to… I'll kill Tom Riddle myself."
***
The red glow of the sunset splashed on the carpet in Molly Weasley's room. Ginny turned her attention from the prism of colors on the floor, back to the task at hand. For the last hour, she had tried to settle her nerves by packing some of her mother's things. Her brown eyes lifted and landed on her mum. A halo of red-gold surrounded Molly's head, as she stared out the west-facing window. Mrs. Weasley was still in her rocker, unaffected by the tense air of the household.
"This is it, mum." Ginny sighed miserably, as she drew a dress from the closet and wrenched it off the hanger. "This is the last night we'll be at Lils Inn, mum. I know we have to go to protect James, but I don't want to leave Ron and George. Why does this keep happening? Why do we keep getting separated?" She folded up the dress and placed it in a traveling bag. "This is all my fault!" She cried angrily, "If I hadn't of come, Hermione and Azalea could still be here with Ron! Not dragged off with us because Ron suddenly got the notion it's not safe!"
"—Come on, lad… Don't be upset. It's for the best, you know." George's voice drifted up from the main room. Ginny paused and tilted her head in the direction. Her sadden brown eyes stared at the empty doorway to the hallway. "…It will be over before you know it, James. Then we'll all be together again… You'll see… Try to buck up."
"Uncle George?"
"Yes, Jamie?"
"Will Voldemort ever go away?" There was a long beat of silence. The eavesdropping witch felt her chest tighten, that was a question she had wondered many times. Would they be doomed to suffer under Voldemort's regime forever? Would James and she be fated to keep on running? Would the world ever know peace again?
"One day, James." George firmly answered the child. His sister smiled sadly at her brother's faith. He stilled believed after all the bad that had happened, that they would prevail… She couldn't help but admire her elder brother. There was hope, even if it was hard to find. In fact, it existed in this tiny inn, tucked in a small, nothing of an alley. Lils Resistance.
"…One day, because even Voldemort can't outrun justice forever, lad." George went on, "Your Uncle Ron and I will help see to it, you can be certain of that." There was a long beat of silence and when the uncle spoke to his nephew again, his voice was tender but strangely earnest. "I need you to do something for me, James. Can I trust you to do it?"
"Yeah, I'll do anything you say, Uncle George."
"Good, that's my lad… I need you to look after your mother, grandmum and aunt Hermione… You're going to be the only man among 'em, and women tend to loose their minds from time to time." Ginny felt her tongue click against the roof of her mouth. "But I want you to be patient with the ladies. And do try and remember to keep your wits about you. Alright?"
"Okay. Hey, Uncle George?"
"Yes, my ickle bean?"
"Can I have some Weasley Wizard Wheezes before I go?" There was a lighthearted chuckle from the elder wizard. Ginny stifled a giggle; George really had rubbed off on her son. "Of course, my boy! However, you have to promise you'll only use them when you're up to no good, alright?"
"Okay!"
The redhead shook her head at the pair. She turned to finish packing her mother's things. That was when she noticed Remus stood in the doorway of Molly's room. His eyes rested on the widow. A haunted look settled over his face.
"Remus?" Ginny whispered, to draw his attention away from Molly. "What is it?"
"May I speak with you a moment, Ginny?"
"Umm… Okay." She whispered and then followed him back into his room. Ginny rung her hands, as she peered over at the old DADA professor. He calmly shut the door and stared at it a long moment.
"Ron's informed me about Lils's plan." Remus began softly, his eyes lifted to her. "He said that, she secured you and James a safe way to New York?"
Ginny nodded, "Yes… Hermione, Mum and Azalea too… We leave first thing tomorrow." The redhead let her hands drop. She leveled her shoulders, before she spoke in a firmer tone. "I agreed to go."
"Good." There was an uncomfortable beat of silence, before he spoke again. "You know I'm not angry with you, Ginny, right?"
The redhead smiled sadly. "Yes, I know. I'm sorry I behaved like that earlier…"
"No." Remus waved her apology away. "No, it's perfectly all right, Ginny… I was wrong to scold you like that. You're an adult and have been for… For a long time… I know that… It's just… It's just that James and you have become very important to me… since… Since everything that's happened." He whispered passionately, as he fixed her with an intense stare. Ginny felt her neck heat with a Weasley blush, as she gaped at the werewolf.
"Ginny." Remus took Ginny's hands in his. "I only want you both safe. It's all I've ever wanted for you." Ginny felt her throat seal up. She quickly leaned over and hugged him tightly to hide her tears. Lupin tightened his larger arms around the redhead witch. He then whispered in her ear, "I don't think I could of made it through all these years, if it wasn't for James and you." The witch frowned and leaned back. She watched Lupin smile sadly, before he ran both his callused hands along her face. His large fingers pushed her locks of red behind her ears. "I'm sorry what war is doing to you, Ginny… I'm sorry I couldn't protect Harry…"
"Remus! It wasn't your fault."
"I know that, Ginny, dear. But," Remus smiled bitterly. "It doesn't stop some part of me from thinking otherwise." The werewolf continued on before she could say anything more. "Ginny, I know you. And I know you want to stay and fight. But not yet… Maybe never if I have any say in it, that much I swore to Harry. And I won't allow you to be put in danger. I won't let what happened to Harry, Lily, and James happen to little Jamie. Your son will at least have his mother with him. He needs you."
"Remus…" Tears slipped from her eyes at his proclamation. Even so, she felt a chill grip her soul. That sounded too much like a goodbye speech. He was up to something.
"I am sorry." The werewolf whispered, "I'm sorry that I won't be able to go with you all to America." Ginny's brown eyes widen. She felt like someone had kicked her in the chest. 'No! Not again!' She thought wildly, 'I can't loose you again!'
"Remus, you can't! Not when we're all together again! I can't do all this by myself!"
"You can, Ginny. You will, Ginny, because you have to."
"What about you, Remus? Where will you be?"
"Here." Before she could say anything, he held his hand up. "Ron and George need all the help they can get, Ginny. So, I decided to stay and assist the Lils Resistance any way I can. I might be able to apply some of the old Order's tactics in Lils Resistance." Off her crumbled look, he finished earnestly. "I have to try. If I can help, I will."
"But…"
"I already signed on with George… He agreed that they need me. I have to help them, Ginny… I have to help them defeat Voldemort… I want to do this. I have to do this."
Ginny closed her eyes and rested her forehead on his shoulder. She knew she wouldn't be able to talk him out of it, Remus Lupin was a stubborn man when he wanted to be. 'So that's it then…' She thought mournfully, 'I'm loosing everyone I love… All over again…'
She raised her head and looked up into his kind eyes. Ginny forced a smile, but it threatened to crumble into tears. "I know. I-I'll miss you, Remus."
"Not as much as I will miss you, Ginny." Remus told her after a moment of silence. "We'll see each other one day, when all this is over… I promise." The redhead looked him over, before Ginny nodded to his oath. She hoped he was right.
"Then I'll hold you to that, Remus."
***
TBC…
And there it is, FINALLY. Sorry about the delay, but life does tend to get in the way from time to time. Hopefully things will settle back down now that I've finished school. And a great BIG thank you to all those who have taken the time to leave me a review! It makes me all warm inside, thanks. :)
