Disclaimer: A minor Star Wars reference. I also took a quote from the Buffy episode, "Villains". It was stated in a few other episodes too. See if you can spot it!
Author's Note: Not one, but two character deaths in this chapter. You may or may not like who the causalities are. You have been warned. ;) Yeah, yeah, I'm evil. Okay, on with the show.
Chapter Ten: Explosion of Rage
The revelations and events of the previous night still weighed heavily on Ginny's mind the next day. All she did all day was sit in her room. She wouldn't even come down for meals, despite her mother's pleas for her to eat.
She wasn't the only one to do so. Hermione too stayed in Ginny's room during the entire day, pretending to read her schoolbooks, yet a sob emerged from her from time to time. Ron shut himself up in his own room. His reason was that he didn't want to be forced to talk to Percy. Even Fred and George were unable to lighten the overall mood of depression.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley spent the entire day talking to Percy. What they talked about was kept secret, but when the conversation was over, there wasn't a dry eye among the three of them.
As for Dumbledore and the Order, they each took shifts of guarding Wormtail (who was still tied up in the kitchen) and trying to force Voldemort out of Harry's body. Aloud, everyone said that there was no room for failure. However, Ginny knew exactly what they really thought: it was what everyone else was thinking…
Harry was going to die.
Ginny lay upon her bed in silent anger. It wasn't fair. Harry had done so much for the wizarding world… he'd gone through hell and back ever since the night Voldemort had killed his parents. And they were just going to give up and let him die?
How dare they? Ginny thought furiously. If they thought that Harry was going to die from the beginning, they shouldn't have even come!
They've done all they could, a voice in her head said reasonably. It's not fair to blame them; it wasn't their fault this had happened. You're acting like Harry.
But Harry had a right to be mad at Dumbledore, Ginny argued. God knows how I would have acted if my godfather died and I had such a burden placed on me…
Maybe… it would be better if Harry died.
She was immediately horrified with herself for even thinking that. Harry wouldn't die… he couldn't die!
On the other hand, he'd been through so much already. Was it really fair to want him to live when he was in so much pain? She remembered his wan, tortured face when Voldemort had temporarily released him. He looked as though he was on the brink of insanity, and after what had happened, she couldn't blame him.
Even if the possession didn't kill him, he still wouldn't last long with the knowledge that he had killed Kreacher, purposely or not. His life would be very hard… letting him go would be an act of mercy.
But if he died… who would stop Voldemort? The prophecy was clear: one had to kill the other. The wizarding community would fight as hard as it could against Voldemort, only to lose in the end. Harry was the only one who could defeat him for good.
God, this is complicated, Ginny thought morbidly. If only there was something I could do…
Another thing was nagging at Ginny's mind: Voldemort had accused her of being in love with Harry. When she denied it, he'd said that she was lying…
He was the liar, Ginny thought, her face burning. Harry's just my friend. He was just using my old crush on him to get me going.
That silly crush had been dead and buried for a year now. She had gone out with Michael Corner (who had turned out to be a whiner) and spoke more openly to Harry without blushing like an idiot. But she still cared for him as a friend.
Are you sure? a little voice in her head asked slyly. He knows when you're lying, after all…
I was telling the truth! she retorted.
Or maybe you're just lying to yourself, the voice pressed. Don't you still care about him?
Of course I care about Harry! she thought, blushing. Why else would I be worried about him?
You don't necessarily have a crush on him anymore, but that doesn't mean you don't have feelings for him, the voice pointed out.
That's the same thing! Ginny protested.
No, it isn't, the voice replied. A crush is something that you can get over either immediately or over time. And it's mostly based on shallow things like the person being good-looking or famous. Are those the only reasons why you liked Harry in the first place?
NO! she thought furiously. I didn't like Harry because he was famous! I liked him because he's brave and a good person!
Having feelings for someone, the voice continued, is when you like --- or love --- that person for who he is. Just like you do. Face it, you're far from being over him. You love him.
Refusing to continue this ridiculous conversation with herself any longer, Ginny looked out the window. The sun was setting. Another day was passing and still Voldemort was in Harry's body. How much longer could this go on?
The Order must have left the master bedroom by now… maybe, just maybe… she could try and contact Harry again. It was better than just sitting around in this room doing nothing!
She stood up and walked out of her room. Hermione, her face buried in her book, didn't even notice her leave.
On the way up to the master bedroom, she ran into Ron. "'Lo," he said hoarsely. His eyes were red and puffy.
Ginny didn't know what to say to him, so she just nodded in response.
"They've left the room, if that's what you're wondering," Ron went on, as though he were reading her mind. He hesitated. "D'you want to…"
"Yeah," Ginny replied automatically. "I have to try. Do you want to come?"
Ron was silent, looking at the ground.
"Ron, you know perfectly well that what that --- that thing said to you wasn't at all what Harry thinks," Ginny said vehemently. "He's a liar, Ron, you know that!"
"I know," he said quietly. "But it still hurt, you know?"
"I know it does," she said as patiently as she could, "only Harry's going to hurt a lot worse if and when this whole ordeal is over. We need to be there for him, no matter what."
Ron swallowed, then nodded. "Yeah, you're right. He's my best friend… I can't just let him die. Let's go, then."
They went up to the master bedroom. Ginny took out her hairpin and started to pick the lock, but froze when she heard Harry's voice through the door.
"No… no… please…"
"D'you hear that?" Ron whispered excitedly. "That's Harry! He must be fighting You-Know-Who!"
Ginny felt relieved. I knew you could do it, Harry! she thought happily.
Her joy was short-lived when she heard Voldemort's voice say, "It is no use trying to fight, Potter. Your upcoming death will be a lot less painful if you cooperate."
"No… go away!" Harry was moaning.
"Go away?" Voldemort repeated mockingly.
"I… hate… you…" Harry spat weakly.
Voldemort laughed wickedly. "Ah, good. Hate me all you want… your hatred makes me even stronger!"
"What's going on?" Ginny whispered to Ron fearfully.
"It looks like they're having a conversation with each other," Ron muttered. "Harry's trying to fight and he's losing. Bloody hell, I'm glad I can't see them; it would look so weird hearing Harry talk in different voices…"
"Quiet!" Ginny hissed. "I want to hear the rest." They pressed their ears to the doors and listened.
"You should be grateful that I haven't left your body yet, boy," Voldemort hissed. "Because once I do, you'll die --- but not before I kill every single one of the Weasleys."
"No…" Harry rasped. "Don't you dare hurt them…"
"What do you care? They are no longer your friends; they hate you now. You surrendered yourself to me and sold them all out. You're a murderer now, just like me…"
"No… no… I didn't mean to…"
"Murderer… Murderer… MURDERER!"
"Shouldn't we do something?" Ron whispered anxiously.
"What can we do?" Ginny shot back. "Voldemort would kill us if we tried to do anything!"
"Don't say his name!" Ron gasped.
"It's just a name, Ron!" she said boldly. "If Harry can say it, anybody can!"
"GET OUT OF MY BODY!" Harry was screaming.
"Why do you continue to struggle when you know you can't win? Now let me deeper into your mind so I can find out more about this little organization of Dumbledore's…."
"No… I won't sell them out… get out of my body!"
"I'm warning you, Potter," Voldemort said in a dangerously low voice, "if you fail to cooperate, there will be consequences. I'm not afraid to damage your body, even when I'm still in it."
There was silence. "What are you doing?" Harry croaked, suddenly sounding fearful.
"This is your last chance," Voldemort said smoothly. "Either surrender and die a more painless death, or suffer a prolonged death. Whichever you choose does not bother me."
"Do whatever you whatever the hell you want, I won't sell them out!" Harry bellowed.
"Suit yourself," Voldemort hissed venomously.
At once, there was a slashing noise, as though something was cutting into flesh. Harry's agonized screams penetrated the barrier of the door.
"Oh my God, Harry!" Ron yelled. He rammed his body against the door.
"Ron, what are you doing?" Ginny gasped, horrified.
"I'm not going to let that bastard hurt my best friend!" Ron shouted. "Help me break down the door!"
Ginny didn't argue; Harry was in trouble and needed help. Together, the two of them slammed against the door. It took almost ten attempts until the door finally burst open. They raced into the room, and gasped in horror at the grisly sight before them.
Harry (who was apparently still in control) was bound to the bed, moaning in utter agony. Deep gnashes had been cut across his arms, legs, and stomach. He was bleeding profusely, soaking the bedclothes and floor.
"Oh my God, Harry!" Ginny cried, rushing to his side. "What happened? What he do to you?"
"He… cut… me from inside…" Harry said weakly. "He's inside me… he can hurt me whenever he wants to…"
"That bloody bastard!" Ron growled. He started to untie one of Harry's hands from the bedposts. "He's losing blood fast," he muttered to Ginny. "Come on, we have to get him downstairs…"
Ginny nodded, and quickly started to untie Harry's other arm.
"No!" Harry gasped, breathing heavily. "No… you can't… he'll come back! Leave me here… if I die, he'll leave."
"The hell we will!" Ron retorted furiously.
"We are not leaving you here!" Ginny insisted. She had free his arms and now was working on his legs. "If you die, then the Order's efforts to save you will all be for nothing!"
Once Ron and Ginny freed Harry from his bonds, they pulled him upright. Each of them wrapped one of Harry's arms around their shoulders in order to support him. They half-dragged, half-carried him out of the room and hurried down to the kitchen.
Percy met them down the corridor. He blanched at the sight of Harry. "Ron, Ginny, what happened?" he hissed. "Why did you bring him down here… You-Know-Who will kill us!
"Harry's in control of him now --- not that you'd care!" Ron spat angrily. "You-Know-Who attacked him from inside of his body. He needs help!"
"Why didn't you just leave him upstairs and alert one of the Order members then?" Percy shouted. He moved in front of the entrance to the kitchen, blocking their way. "It could be a trap! You-Know-Who may come back at any moment!"
Harry uttered a high-pitched cry of a pain, filling Ginny with rage. "Who are you more afraid of: You-Know-Who or Harry?" she yelled. "You'd just leave him upstairs to bleed to death just because you think that he's a psychopath?"
Using her free arm, she shoved Percy out of the way. "No --- wait --- don't!" he cried, but Ron and Ginny just ignored him and went into the kitchen.
Everybody was gathered there, including Hermione, who took one look at Harry and gasped in fright.
"Harry!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, rushing towards them. "Oh Harry dear, you're hurt!"
"What are you doing?" Mad-Eye Moody barked. He brandished his wand and pointed it at Harry. "Bringing him downstairs… you'll get us all killed!"
"You don't understand!" Ginny explained. "Harry's in control --- at least for the moment! Tell them, Harry!"
"Everyone, it's me," Harry said hoarsely, "but you have to put me back upstairs… he's going to come back any minute, I can feel…" He froze, his eyes widening. "You…"
Ginny followed his gaze to see Wormtail tied up. His eyes widened in fright at the sight of Harry, and he struggled even harder out of his bonds.
"Oh no," she whispered, realizing her mistake. Voldemort said the other night that he was strong when Harry was afraid or angry… if Harry lost control, Voldemort would come back…
"YOU!" Harry roared, his face contorting into rage. "WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?"
"Harry, calm down!" Ginny shouted, trying to restrain him.
"We know how you feel, but get a hold of yourself!" Ron said, trying to keep his grip on Harry.
"YOU --- DON'T --- KNOW --- HOW --- I --- FEEL!" Harry screamed. In spite of his injuries, he yanked himself out of their arms and started towards Wormtail.
Ginny tried to grab him again, only her arms and legs felt frozen. She looked around and saw that nearly everyone had tried to get to Harry, but stood as still as statues.
"What's going on?" Mr. Weasley exclaimed.
"Voldemort," Dumbledore replied simply, his eyes blazing. "He gave him his powers… and Harry's using them to make sure we can't stop him."
"Oh no…" Hermione moaned, frozen in place. "Harry, don't! Please be reasonable!"
"Don't do anything you'll regret, Harry!" Dumbledore called out.
"You stay out of this!" Harry snarled. Then he rounded on Wormtail. "This is all your fault!" he rasped. "How dare you show your face here!"
"It wasn't my fault!" Wormtail whimpered in terror, trying in vain to undo his ropes. "They brought me here against my will. Harry --- Harry, I didn't kill Sirius… I never would have hurt him… he was my best friend!"
"LIAR!" Harry screamed, making a clutching gesture in his fist and Wormtail started gasping for breath.
"You betrayed my parents to Voldemort," he went on, every syllable trembling with fury. "You framed Sirius for what you did. You brought Voldemort back to power. You killed Cedric Diggory.
"Sirius lost twelve years of his life in Azkaban because of you! I should have let him kill you when I had the chance! Nothing good came out of your life! Because of you, I never had a family; I had to spend my entire childhood with people who don't give a damn about me! And Sirius had to spend the rest of his life on the run! Why should he die when filth like you get to live?"
"Harry… please…" Wormtail begged.
"I'm not finished yet!" Harry hissed. His eyes were starting to glow again, but it was still Harry talking. "I lost my family because of you! I lost my godfather because of you! You took everything from me!" His voice was on the verge of breaking with grief. "EVERYTHING!"
He stopped. He started to shake. "Oh no…" he whispered. "No… no! He's coming, he's coming, he's coming, he's coming…"
His eyes suddenly went from green to red. A twisted smile curved his face. "I'm here," Voldemort said wickedly.
Ginny's insides turned to ice. Voldemort was loose… and none of them could move!
Taking no notice of anyone else in the room, he turned to Wormtail. He grabbed his arm and rolled up the sleeve of his robe, revealing the Dark Mark. He pressed one of his fingers to the brand. Wormtail let out a howl of pain.
"What is this, Tom?" Dumbledore demanded.
Voldemort smirked. "Your execution, Albus."
Within moments, the door to the house burst open. A group of hooded men in masks stormed into the kitchen. One of them stepped towards Voldemort and bowed. "We have come as you wish, My Lord," the voice of Lucius Malfoy drawled.
"Excellent," Voldemort cackled, "but do not attack them until I command you!"
"What are you talking about?" Wormtail shrieked. "That isn't the Dark Lord, that's the Potter boy!"
Voldemort turned to face Wormtail. "Oh no, Wormtail, it's me all right," he hissed. "Potter has kindly allowed me to use his body for the time being…"
"M-M-Master…" Wormtail stammered in shock.
"And now that my plan has come together, I'm afraid you are no longer useful to me," Voldemort continued, advancing on Wormtail.
"W-What d-do you mean?" Wormtail whispered, frightened. "I followed your orders, I spied on the Weasleys… I didn't mean to get caught! I beg your forgiveness, My Lord!"
"I knew you'd get caught," Voldemort said coldly. "Did you actually think I'd be foolish enough to have you get information about Dumbledore when I could simply inhabit Potter's body to find out for myself?
"No, Wormtail… I ordered you to come here because I know of Potter's hatred for you. I purposely harmed Potter today so that those insipid friends of his would free him and bring him to you. Once he saw you, his rage made me even more powerful… he can't fight me anymore. Now that I'm in control, I will finish off Dumbledore and his Order once and for all. But first," he paused, raising his hand, "I have a deal to fulfil. I promised Potter I'd kill all those responsible for Black's death, and now he will get his wish."
"No!" Wormtail wailed, cowering. "Please, Master! I have been faithful to you… I brought you back. My allegiance to Your Lordship is nothing but…"
Voldemort cut him off. "Bored now." A beam of light shot out of his finger at Wormtail, blasting a hole through his chest. He died before he even hit the floor.
Mrs. Weasley and Hermione screamed. Ginny felt as though she were going to throw up. It's all over, she thought. We're all going to die! She exchanged a glance with Ron, who looked at her fearfully. It's our entire fault… we never should have brought him downstairs!
"I told you!" Percy gasped to Ron and Ginny. "I told you it was a trap!"
"Ah, Percy," Voldemort hissed. He walked towards Percy, who was still unable to move. "The prodigal son… yes, Potter's memories have informed me of you as well. You rejected your own family in favor of the Ministry… You think that Potter is a lunatic. How ironic… because it's through him that you will meet your own end today."
"NO!" Mr. Weasley shouted. "Don't do anything to my son!"
"And why not?" Voldemort leered. "After all, he abandoned you. And he thinks that your precious surrogate son is raving mad for speaking the truth! You favored Potter over your own son, did you not?"
"NO!" Mrs. Weasley cried, struggling to move. "That's not true; we love both of them! We didn't take sides! Don't you dare harm my son, you monster!"
"Well," Voldemort said with a sinister laugh, "let's see how much you love Potter after this!" He fired another beam of light at Percy, knocking him clean off his feet.
"NO! PERCY!" Ginny screamed, but it was too late. Her older brother's corpse lay stretched out in front of her.
Voldemort let out a cold, cruel laugh. "That was certainly amusing," he commented. "It's a shame Potter will die soon; it would have been interesting to see how much psychological damage the responsibility of three deaths will do to him. Ah, no matter…"
He turned to the Death Eaters, who brandished their wands. "Destroy them all," he ordered.
To be continued…