Ch 13 – Have Hope Until It Kills You
I've just come up with another story! Yay! I had to stop myself from starting it because I know you guys would have, uh, hurt me? So I promise to finish this story before starting to post the next one. Has anyone seen the movie "Slap Her, She's French" ?
~*~*~*
Please breathe, please breath Ginny chanted in her head as she felt Louise's pulse again and again. It was no use though, she stayed completely motionless and ice cold.
Ginny looked around frantically, lost at what to do next. It was just starting to sink in. She felt the familiar feeling of tears sliding down her cheeks, she hadn't cried in a while. Hadn't cried because she had Louise.
Louise. Dead.
How could this have happened? She had seen her minutes before, bright and laughing. So alive.
Now so not alive. She had to find someone, maybe there was still hope. There had to be.
She heard footsteps and voices in the hallway and looked up to see a very disgruntled Harry and Ron walk in.
"I can't believe he made us clean the whole thing without magic!" Ron was muttering furiously.
"I don't think I'll ever get the dirt off! Hagrid has got to keep the pens cleaner, it was just one big pile of crap!" Harry said disgustedly.
"Yeah, well this IS Hagrid we're talk-" Ron stopped abruptly. He had just caught sight of a silently sobbing Ginny hugging a limp body and looking over at them from the window.
Harry swore under his breath and ran over to her while Ron just stood there, stunned.
"I. . was looking. . .all over for her. . . and then. . . I found her. . .and. . . she was like, like. . . like this," Ginny sobbed, her eye makeup running. It took all of Harry's strength not to take her in his arms.
Ron was still and shock, but seemed to snap out of it for a second to suggest they take her to the hospital wing.
Ginny resisted the urge to say that it was obvious she was dead, no person could be that cold and still be alive.
"Ok, we'll have to carry her," Harry said softly, hardly believing this was happening. Ginny nodded her tear stained face and once again Harry barely stopped himself from hugging her.
"Couldn't we just use a levitation charm?" asked Ron, still standing on the other side of the room.
"Oh yeah, right," Harry muttered. Ginny remained still, she could feel the old Ginny lurking inside her.
Harry muttered the spell and Louise instantly floated into the air, as stiff as a board. She looked like a mannequin, pale, cold and lifeless. Yet but so innocently beautiful with her angelic hair and delicate facial features.
They walked out of the common room door. It was like a funeral march. Well, in a way it was.
People stopped what they were doing as the 3 walked down the corridor. There were murmurs and whispers.
"Did they have a fight?"
"No, why does she look dead then?"
"She commit suicide!"
"Isn't that the exchange student?"
Ginny ignored the whispers and the not so silent remarks about her tearstained face. It didn't matter. Nothing did. Not anymore. She felt like the part of her that could feel had been ripped away, except for a dull ache of pain.
They reached the door of the hospital wing. Madam Pomphrey came to the door with an irritated expression on her face.
"What is all the whispering about? This is a hospital wing! Go back to your-"
Madam Pomphrey had gone statue still. She had caught sight of the lifeless floating girl in front of her.
"Bring her in this instant! What happened?" she asked.
"We don't know," answered Ron. He had been waiting for Ginny to answer but she seemed incapable of speech.
Madam Pomphrey put her fingers on the spot where Louise's pulse should have been. It was no surprise when her face visibly fell. She drew her hand back and looked at them sadly.
"I. . . I'm sorry." Was all she managed to say.
At that moment a very flustered Professor McGonagall strode in.
"What is all this nonsense about someone being dead? There is about 40 students waiting outside this room, what is going on?" she demanded.
They all turned and looked at Louise, who was now lying on top of one of the crisp white beds. The colour of Louise's cheeks were almost the same colour as the sheets.
Professor McGonagall paled and went over to the bed. She felt her cheeks and murmured something while moving her wand. Louise's body glowed for a second and then went back to how it had been.
"It is no use Minerva, she's gone," Madam Pomphrey said quietly, bowing her head.
There was silence. One of the deepest silences Ginny had ever known. She fell to her knees and wept at hearing the truth said so easily. Ron looked at her with sadness and lent down beside her, stroking her back. Harry stood behind her, unsure of what to do. He settled for patting her back distantly.
The door opened admitting a gust of air and Albus Dumbledore.
He seemed to already know what had happened. But strangely enough, he did look like there was no hope left. He walked over to Louise on the bed and stared at her for what seemed like hours. He slowly laid his hand over her heart and closed his eyes.
Ginny was aware of a humming sound. Dumbledore just stood there for what seemed like even longer with his hand not moving. The humming sound continued, almost like it was growing louder. Louise seemed to be surrounded by a golden glow.
But nothing happened. The glow faded and she went back to being an ice statue. Dumbledore bowed his head as his hand dropped limply to his side.
They knew now there was truly no hope.
And then it happened. Or at least Ginny thought it did. Her finger seemed to twitch slightly. Maybe her tears were stuffing up her vision.
No, there it was again. Definitely bigger. Her hopes rose. Could it be? Another twich, even bigger. By now everyone in the room had noticed and their faces were showing hope.
Dumbledore was looking very surprised, Ginny knew this was a miracle. Truly there must have been an angel looking over her.
But the twitching was getting bigger, a bit odd. Her whole body was twitching now. Ginny's hope was starting to turn into horror.
Louise's arms and legs were flailing in the air. Her neck was flopping to the side and her eyes were open but rolled back into her head.
Ginny shrieked and pointed at Louise started foaming at the mouth and gurgling. Her back was arched but her limbs were still flying everywhere.
Dumbledore was looking distinctly worried. He put a hand on her heart again but it did nothing. Professor McGonagall was gripping Madam Pomphrey's shoulder tightly, her face tight with worry. Ron and Harry were gaping openly.
Ginny shrieked again as Louise gave another horrible jerk and fell of the bed, her whole body still jerking madly. The thing that was so creepy was that though her body was being so violent, her facial expression was exactly the same as when Ginny had found her.
Dumbledore bent down and picked her up. Louise was still shaking but Dumbledore had her in an iron grip. His face expressionless he stepped toward the fireplace and yelled "My office" and disappeared.
"No!" Ginny shouted, running over to the fireplace. "No! Come back!"
"Miss Weasley, control yourself!" Professor McGonagall snapped, face pale.
"No! She's alive!" Ginny shouted. She had to get to Dumbledore's office, he was sure to let her in. He knew how close they were.
Ginny ran out the door and headed straight towards the headmaster's office. She ignored the loud whispers and ran faster. There was still hope, even though Louise looked like the fit could kill her, she was alive.
But for how much longer?
She skidded to a stop outside the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office.
"Dumbledore!"
She waited. Nothing.
"Open the door! Now!"
Still nothing.
"Cockroach Cluster! Lemon Drop! Er, Canary Cream!"
The gargoyle remained still no matter how many times Ginny kicked it, called out names, screamed and yelled.
She fell on the ground and beat her fists on the cold stone. What on earth was happening to Louise? She knew that girl was dead. It was impossible for her to be alive. She had felt her pulse; well she hadn't felt her pulse because there was none. No one could be that cold and lifeless and then start having a fit.
Or maybe that was it. Maybe that was the beginning bit of some weird fit. One that made you almost dead, then all the other things start happening. The fit.
She felt her eyes fill up again. She didn't know how she survived all those years without Louise, but she did know she couldn't survive anymore.
At that moment Harry and Ron ran around the corner and stopped when they saw her lying on the cold ground beside that statue, crying.
Wordlessly they sat down beside her, looking like they couldn't believe the events that had taken place in the last half an hour.
"If only," Ginny said quietly, "If only it was a miracle, but its not. I thought for a second it was, but I was wrong. No one could live through something like that. No one."
Ron didn't say anything, just gazed at the curious paintings staring back at him. Harry stared down at Ginny. She was beautiful, a different beautiful from what she had been lately. A vulnerable beautiful. Anything would be able to hurt her right now.
Harry looked up when he heard footsteps clattering down the steps coming from the opposite direction of he and Ron.
Ginny hid her head, not wanting anyone else to come. She couldn't bare it.
It was Hermione. Her face was worried and sad. She caught sight of them and her steps slowed as she came closer. Ginny relaxed, Hermione may not be the best comforter in the world because she talked and analysed so much, but she was a friend.
Hermione kneeled down in front of Ginny and gathered her in a hug. Ginny tried to respond by hugging back, but didn't have the strength or the will.
"I'm so sorry Ginny," Hermione whispered, Ginny nodded. "But there is still hope, and of there's still hope we have to have hope." Ginny nodded a bit more forcefully, thanking Hermione silently.
"Well doesn't this make a cute little picture?" came a sneering voice. Ginny stiffened, why, oh why did he always show up at the worst moments?
"Well then take one and piss off," snapped Ron, getting up to stand in front of Malfoy and his two cronies.
"Well I would Weasel, but it would dirty up my room because the mudblood would be in it," drawled Malfoy lazily, flicking a look at Hermione and Ginny on the floor. Harry had already gotten up and was standing beside Ron, wand out.
"Well then go because you're dirtying up our room just being here," Harry said, fingering his wand.
Malfoy glowered and looked at Ginny.
"Not so tough now are you Weasley? Dear me, don't don't you look a sight, I take back what I said about this being a cute picture." Malfoy grinned evilly, smile growing wider when Ginny didn't answer.
"I wonder how long your little spastic friend has to live? Heard she was foaming at the mouth. Sounds a bit like a disease to me, maybe she caught it from you. Or rather from your family, living in that dump I'm surprised you haven't all ended up like that pathetic weirdo in there. And don't get me started on scarhead here, although I recall he's already starting having fits. You know, in fourth year. I mean-"
Malfoy stopped in pain and shock as he looked up into Ginny's piercing gaze. He was doubled over in pain because Ginny had just gotten up and kicked him very hard in the groin. She was pleased to see his eyes getting watery, and not only with pain, he was gazing at her with pure fury.
"Never insult anyone I like in front of me again Malfoy, or I swear as everyone here as my witness, I will make you sorry until the day you die." Ginny said slowly and deliberately.
Malfoy had begun taking steps backwards and now turned and half walked and ran away, but not before casting Ginny a hate-filled glare.
Ginny sagged against the statue, the feeling of anger replaced just as quickly by despair again.
Professor McGonagall strode around the corner towards them, not looking that angry but not that happy either.
"Potter, Weasley, Granger, Miss Weasley. Class. Right now." Harry, Ron and Hermione stood up and looked expectantly at Ginny. But she remained sitting next to the statue.
"No. Don't even bother Professor. Nothing you do or say will make me move from this place. Nothing." Ginny said firmly.
There was something in her tone that made them all realise this was very true and she would not change her mind.
"Fine, the rest of you, go. GO!" McGonagall said after a moment of silence. They hovered for a second but seeing Ginny wouldn't move and McGonagall was looking daggers at them they reluctantly shuffled down to their next class.
McGonagall surveyed Ginny for second before nodding and striding off.
~*~*~*~*
It was now 8 pm the same day and Ginny had not moved an inch. Thankfully Dumbledore's office was quite out of the way from everything so she only had to endure a few stares and whispers.
Harry, Ron and Hermione had come to stay with her every minute of their spare time. They didn't say a word, just sat down beside her until they were forced to go again.
There had been not a peep from Dumbledore's office the entire rest of the day. Judging by the teachers faces as they went by, they hadn't seen him either. It was really quire frustrating.
She had a few nasty encounters with Filch that day, who had insisted that he needed to clean the very spot she was sitting on. Apparently he would be fired if he didn't clean that very spot. Ginny found this highly doubtful and refused to budge and inch. Not even Snape with all his threats could make her move. No one could until Louise herself walked out of that office.
McGonagall walked up to them for the 7th time that day.
"You must go up to Gryffindor tower now, otherwise you will be breaking school rules. Well you've already broken a few of them today," She was looking mostly at Ginny when she said this.
"No, I told you I wouldn't move and I'm not going to Professor. Take as many points as you like, I am not moving." Was the obstinate reply.
"If Ginny's not moving, we're not moving. We refuse to let her stay down here by herself all night," said Harry.
McGonagall threw up her hands in defeat, although her face looked ever so slightly amused.
"Fine I will inform the staff but I'm warning you, move from here and you will receive so many punishment you wont know what hit you." And with that she flicked her wand and 4 purple squashy sleeping bags appeared, identical to the ones they had slept in in the hall in their 3rd year.
~*~*~*~*
It seemed to be around 2 am in the morning. Ron, Hermione and Harry were fast asleep. But Ginny sat up wide awake on top of her sleeping bag, she didn't want to miss anything.
Hermione said that while there was still hope, she had to have hope. Well she would hope until it killed her.
~~Like? I hope you did! I spent AGES on this chapter! Notice how long it is? *latches on to random reader's legs* ppppllllleeeeaaaaasssssseeeeee congratulate me on making it so long and yummy? *puppy eyes* p-p-p-please? I think it was a pretty good chappie myself :D hope there was enough DETAIL luvhp224~~
note – there are quite a few reviews meaning there is quite a few answers, just bare with me ok? (some review answers are from ch 11)
ch 11:
Thanks to: Scholcomp25, miss prongs, Kemenran, nessypotter, Ronaholic, zeldagrl436, ginnyweasly-fan, VampyreBlood*Suicide, cj, Little Wings, Serpentspawn, Danagal,
Bonnie Black – it is about time
Rayssa Radcliffe – 100 chapters?! Wow. . .
LiZzIe-WeAsLeY – yeah I know ginny started to date him in OotP but like I said, I originally thought this up before that book came out
Me222 – I think the counter needs to either write a non-Romance or get out more
Mysticalecho – I'm glad you liked the letter, I thought it was a bit to fluffy for some people though but oh well
Clau-hogwarts-writer – I'm glad you liked it! Best chapter yet? Yay!
VoiCeZWiThiN – hehehe I personally love pillow fights
Dk Lili – I loved the ron and ginny scene too
Luna Moon7 – you have no idea how long it took me to think up a name for that chapter
Crazy Red – keeps us on our toes (I love that saying) it was a bout time, it was getting annoying making them fight all the time
Midnight fenix – wow thanks, that really makes me feel proud. . . I am so happy you like it now! Who was the person who said you were an idiot for not reading it?
Luvhp224 – you are one of my best reviewers, a about the sentence, it was purely a typo, I meant "had" not "has". Glad you liked my developing detail, I'm really trying. Dan now I have to work on the character's detail *sighs* I can never win ;)
Rebel Rikki – perth is in Australia, wowsers! I made you cry?! And laugh aloud?! *is amazed and proud*
Amanda – you should write a fic, its so much fun, especially getting reviews (hint hint everyone)
HGfanatic – thankyou thank you thank you! Glad you reviewed this time :D hehe I want a nose ring
HermyPenguin – it was mushy, but I needed some, well I think I did. . . glad you still liked the rest of the chappie. I made it so people would laugh (hopefully)
Eric2 – I ADORE that idea, I'll try and work it into the story. . . maybe at the end of the year.
Magic sparkle – poor McGonagall, nope, Lou's secret isn't to do with her parents. Hmmm well sort of. . .
Lisa – I will never be like that with my bros either so don't worry
Icegirl-kat – they throw food at you?! Hmmmm. . .
Jewls1 – its not like them to be enemies for too long
Ch 12:
I could reply to all of the idea reviews, but I have written ALL of them down and are definitely using a good number of them. Thankyou so much!
Thanks to – tolazytosignin, magicrules, Iara, nancyn, SilverKnight7, zeldagrl436, dolphingirl79, Schnuff, solar, magicrules, nessypotter, Siriusrocks23, BTS, Hannah, Ronaholic, Jennifer, DK Lili,
LiZzIe-WeAsLeY – I'm going to be a famous actress too! (hopefully)
Sillgoodwriterhehheh – then you're just pathetic. And no not all stories should be funny! How boring would that be? What about mystery, romance, thrillers, tragedies? HELLO?!
Jac – you reviewed my other story didn't you?
SmellyCat-190 – you're a new reviewer aren't you? I'm glad you like it!
Haileylovestomfelton – I adore tom felton too! He's soooo hot! Does sillgoodwriterheheh flame every story or something? That's so pathetic!
Naz1 – heheh vomiting pill – gotta love em. I'll go take a look, but for some reason my comp wont let me review, tis quite weird
HermyPenguin – what do you think now?
Miss-Aurelia – your review cracked me up, I would love for you to be my ally in my war against the clowns! And I'm glad you liked the Howler, it was just something I put in.
VoiCeZWiThiN – poor snapey. . . well she's not exactly dead…
LiZzIeWeAzLeY – they were funny because of the moment they shared after the Quidditch trials, they were embarrassed and unsure
Luvhp224 – what do you mean it didn't sound like me? I'm very bad with comas, I am always being reminded of that by my cow of an English teacher
Dracoisahottie13- it will be my last disclaimer because you know the disclaimer by now
Swishy Willow Wand – deeply sorry about the wait
Danni – does this answer your question. . . probably not but I promise I will (all in good time)
Kat Davi – thankyou for that review! An hour?! Is it really that long – I had no idea. You gave in ay? Had you been seeing it in the updated bits for a while? I'm so glad you liked it. Your review really made my day.
Jac- not exactly. . .
Jewls1 – yes it was a bit random I know
xxGinnyxx – haven't heard from you in a while, glad you found lil ole me.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN, YOU ALL MADE MY DAY IN FACT! I LOVE YOUR REVIEWS AND I'M DOING LONGER CHAPTERS JUST FOR YOU!
SO NOW REVIEW THIS CHAPPIE AND I'LL GET THE NEXT ONE OUT SOONER :D