The Butcher's Bill chapter 3: Funeral
Because Harry had gone to sleep the earliest he was also the first awake. He rolled off his mattress and into the cold pre-dawn morning air. He left the Burrow behind, stepping out into the darkness and the cold outside. Harry shivered slightly, having gone from the warmth of bed to the coldest part of the night, just before dawn, in the space of a few minutes. He wandered aimlessly, knowing he could get back to the house if he had to. He was out to give Ginny as much breadth as she needed to begin her healing process. He could deal with Ginny hating him, that was unavoidable, but he couldn't ever deal with Ginny having to go through what he had gone through, risk becoming what he was becoming.
Harry saw a low stone bench and took a seat, figuring he was in the Weasley garden he took the seat. He sat there, virtually motionless until the sky began to turn a slight shade of grey, heralding the coming sunrise. Suddenly Harry heard approaching footsteps, but in the gloom couldn't make out their identity. He wanted to stay out of the Weasley's hair as long as he could manage, and that meant staying undetected, so Harry rolled backwards off the bench and into the weed-covered bushes off the walkway. Up walked Ginny, carrying a lantern. She walked past the bench without stopping or looking down at him, so he was fairly confident he was well enough hidden. After she had passed out of sight Harry picked himself up and dusted himself off. She was past, but she might come back from wherever she was going by the same path. He needed to move. He looked down the path, not able to determine if he had been here before. He was suddenly very curious where it was the youngest Weasley was going so early in the morning. He found himself following her silently, just able to make out the path by the predawn light. The glow of the lantern ahead brought him up short.
Ginny was standing before a short, but wide stone. Harry could barely make out the stone in the low light. Ginny set the lantern down, but not on the convinient table of the stone, but on the ground. Ginny then knelt down and began to cry. Harry could hear her racking sobs from where he was standing. The situation was just too bizarre, why would Ginny leave the house early in the morning to cry in front of a big rock? Harry crept forward, hoping to find out the secret of the stone when he realized that there were many more of those stones, in slightly varying size and shape, lying in neat rows extending outward from where he stood. Ginny's voice came to him, free of tears by the sound.
"Why do you follow me out here? To this place of Weasley family?" She stood and faced him,
"Do you really believe you are a member of this family?"
It suddenly dawned upon Harry where they were... A graveyard. The sun was beginning to break the horizon and he could see his surroundings much better. The Graveyard was small, but only contained those of the Weasley blood line. Harry stepped up to Ginny and replied,
"I understand that I'm not a Weasley, which is why I've fled the house today." Harry paused, Ginny looked down at the gravestone.
"As much as I want to believe what they tell me I can't help knowing that it's my fault they are dead." Harry looked back to the outline of the Burrow just visible behind him.
"Them?" Ginny asked quizzically Harry turned back to her, a sad look on his face.
"I made a list in my head last night, of people who have been killed by or because of me. I will never forget a single name on this list as long as I live." Ginny was speachless.
"I hope this list doesn't ever grow even a single name longer, but there is one more that needs to be added." Harry said quietly, almost to himself, almost forgetting that Ginny was there.
"Belatrix?" Ginny asked, thinking of her killing Harry's Godfather. Harry gently shook his head.
"No, she has more reason to kill me than me her."
"Why?" Ginny was at a loss for words, she didn't understand why Harry was acting like this.
"I killed her husband." Harry said, his voice catching. Ginny looked at him quizzically.
"But... he was trying to kill you, why shouldn't you have killed him?"
"Who am I to say that my life is more valuable than someone else's?" Harry sighed. "If I let myself justify killing one person, how long down the road will I be before I have to justify more deaths? What will that lead to?" Ginny was silent for a moment.
"You said one more name needed to be added, who are you talking about?" She asked. Harry drew a stuttering breath and said,
"Voldemort"
Ginny flinched at the name, but her eyes grew large.
"You can't be serious Harry, you-know-who will be defeated by Dumbledore, it's not up to us to stop him."
"There was a time," Harry said, "when I believed that too."
"What do you mean by that?" Ginny asked, a look of worry crossing her features. Harry ignored her question, looking down at the gravestone she had been crying at. It was a double gravestone, with two names on it, George and Fred Weasley.
"Why is Fred's name on this as well?" Harry asked.
"Fred insisted, saying that they had been inseperable in life, so they'd be together in death too."
"Isn't that a bit morbid? Having a grave set up for you before you even die."
"Actually no, my gravestone is over there." Ginny said, pointing, "I got it the summer before last. It's a Weasley tradition to set your own grave."
"You don't find that the least bit mad?" Harry asked
"It's a very liberating feeling to know what will happen after you die. When I die my body will be put to rest beneath this stone where it will stay for all time. Because I know this I can live life without fearing death." Harry had nothing to say to this. It made some sort of sense. He had no idea what would happen when he died and it was oddly disconcerting, more so than he would have expected. They stood together in silence for a time, neither looking at the other until Ginny spoke again.
"You don't have to... I mean... that is to say... I don't need your absence to rejoin the family." She looked down to the ground. Harry simply looked to her, seeing her embarassment.
"Why" he simply asked, knowing the answer, but knowing that she wanted to say it.
"Well, it's hard to explain, but, I think it was selfish of me to seek your exile from the family." She hesitated, "I was blaming you when it wasn't really your fault. And you've shown you've suffered enough by it that I shouldn't be putting salt in your wounds." she grinned nervously at him and offered her hand, "So, no hard feelings then?" Harry looked at her hand, and took it, grinning,
"Never."
* * *
They walked back to the house together, Harry holding the lantern. It was a misty morning, visibility was low and they were upon the house only a short time after they saw it. Ginny strode through the front door while Harry took a moment to put out the lantern and hang it on a peg. Thinking about the graveyard he took a glance back into the gray clouds of mist, and saw a shadow move. A moment later there was nothing, in the roiling mist there were plenty of shadows to mistake for something else, but that shadow had caught Harry's eye, and he wanted to find out why. Preparing for the worst he pulled out his wand and cautiously stepped back into the fog. He slowed to a crawling walk, trying to move without making noise, straining to hear the telltale sounds that would give away the location of the shadow from earlier. Hearing nothing he bore right, circling the perimeter of the house, hoping to spot any evidence of an intruder if indeed there was one. His search proved useless and he turned back to the house. A step toward the house revealed more than his searching had. An arm flew around his neck, choking him. Harry felt himself dragged off balance, the offending arm squeezing all air from him. He tried to struggle, but he was already feeling light headed and weak. He was almost unconcious when he hit the ground suddenly. There was shouting, but Harry couldn't hear it. He barely heard the sound of popping above him, All he could focus on was the texture of the grass on his face, it was the only sense not obscured by a hazy uncertainty. The world snapped sharply back into focus when he heard a woman scream.
He rose, his vision swimming, momentarily unsure of where he was. A black shape came forth out of the gloomy mist. The deranged mask marked it as a Death Eater. The Death Eater paused, holding still for a moment, then slowly turned to him. Harry turned expecting to see the house, but when he saw an impetrinable wall of fog he was disoriented, the Death Eater raised his wand. There was another female scream, this one coherent,
"Antis hydris."
The Death Eater gasped in a dry scrape, unable to complete his own incantation, his mouth and throat were completely dehydrated, making intelligible speech impossible. A firm hand grasped Harry's collar and dragged him forcefully away. He was about to resist when he realized the figure had the red hair of a Weasley. The house loomed large before them, the fog had grown thicker and it was now impossible to see higher than the second story of the Weasley house. The world was shrouded in a blanket of white shadow. Harry was led inside the house, where he saw Ron and Fred, still in their pajamas but looking very alert and a little frightened. Harry looked around and saw that it was Mrs. Weasley who had saved him. Mrs. Weasley was looking around, breathing hard.
"Oh, it's so hard, leaving all this behind to be destroyed, oh where is that husband of mine?"
As if invoking him, Arthur Weasley and Percy popped in just at that moment.
"Hurry, we managed to delay them for a few moments, but we need to get out of here." Arthur turned to the fireplace.
"Incendio" A fire was now burning brightly. Arthur turned back to them again.
"Where's Ginny." Harry asked. Everyone looked crestfallen.
"Ginny... was taken...and I think she was killed." Ron said hesitantly. "She was calling out your name, then she turned to the right, there was a flash of light... green light. Ginny screamed and fell down. I think it was Avada Kedavra." Molly herded them over to the fireplace, where she tossed in the rest of the Floo powder.
"We're going to the Ministry of Magic, we'll gather there and then figure out what to do about Ginny." She explained. Harry smiled almost to himself.
"Your body will be put to rest beneath that stone where it will stay for all time." he whispered to himself, then shook his head. It was his turn to go through the firey portal to the Ministry.
"But not today." He turned away, letting the emerald flames turn back to orange, It was crazy, what he was doing, absolutely mad. There was no other word for it, but he couldn't back down now. It was obvious they were here because of him. Not another witch or wizard would die because of Harry Potter unless it was by Harry's own hand. He swore that to himself, on pain of death. He pulled out his wand as he walked out the screen door onto the porch, just as a Death Eater was climbing up the steps.
"Expelliarmus"
The Death Eater was blown backwards off the porch, pitching backwards to hit his head on a loose stone as his wand sailed into the air. Harry didn't even bother catching it, running to the left and diving off the porch to avoid a barrage of curses. Rolling to his knees he drew a bead on one of his assailants.
"Conjunctivitis, Furnunculus, Densaugeo." He didn't pay attention to which ones hit, he stood and began running deeper into the mist. He couldn't give away his position by calling out to Ginny, he also couldn't take his time to search for her, and he also couldn't hope to defeat the entire force of Death Eaters, however many were left.
"Flaesk Ruptus" he heard to his right. A beam of light flew wide, narrowly missing Harry. It hit an old fencepost, shattering it almost to the ground. Harry changed directions to run away from the source of that spell. The mist was getting thicker, shrowding everything in ever deepening gray. He almost couldn't make out his feet under him, visibility was so low. A dark shape appeared suddenly before him, skidding to a halt he raised his wand, performing an expert "Petrificus Totalus"
To Harry's suprise the figure didn't lock up and fall over, but reached out and grasped him by the neck in a vise-like grip. The abnormally long, cold fingers seemed familiar to Harry and when his scar stabbed him with pain he knew it could be none other than Voldemort himself. Harry was picked up off the ground, dangling by his neck. He gasped for air, but he felt the darkness pressing on him already. He heard Voldemort speak in the dry scrape he had for a voice.
"I continue to wonder, how it is that such a pathetic, underaged wizard with knowledge of only the most rudimentary curses and hexes can continue to survive encounters with adult wizards who make it their hobby to find new and better ways to kill."
"Where's... Ginny?" Harry coughed out. Voldemort laughed his harsh laugh.
"So like the Potters, a meaningless sentiment before you die." Voldemort grinned, "I suppose you're in love with her then, you Potters must have a thing for redheads."
Harry ignored Voldemort's meaningless taunting, he wasn't in love with Ginny, he was risking his life to prove a point, not to save Ginny's life. If it were any other human being in her position he would've come just as readily. No, Harry was focusing on getting away from Voldemort. Inspiration struck in the middle of Voldemort's next sentance, saying something about waterfoul and gunpowder. Harry raised his wand, closed his eyes and shouted, "LUMOS" at the top of his failing voice, the sudden, bright light compounded by the heavy mist glared in Voldemort's suprised eyes, and he dropped Harry.
Harry hit the ground running, darting off in a random direction. He was now completely disoriented, had no idea how to escape, much less find Ginny, and Voldemort himself was after him. This day just kept getting better and better. A white-hot beam of light shot past Harry, grazing his shoulder and setting his cloak aflame. He ripped it off and threw it to the ground and kept running. He noticed that the mist had cleared significantly in the path of the flame. Thinking quickly he raised his wand.
"Incendio, Incendio" pointing his wand at two other points off either side of the path cleared by the first flame bolt. He chose the left path and took off running again. He continued running in the relative clarity of the flame-cleared path for several long moments before the mist pressed down again. Harry didn't know in what direction Ginny might be, he didn't know where the house was, he wasn't even sure where Voldemort was in relation to his position. He fell to his knees, hopeless that he could do anything to help anyone. It was then he saw the hint of red somewhere in the roiling fog at the edge of his sight. He hurried over, finding Ginny, facedown in the dirt. He rolled her over and found she was barely breathing. He was about to dispair, he may have found Ginny, but without a method of escape it was useless.
Out of nowhere a strong wind began to blow, disturbing the fog. Finally it was beginning to clear.
"Alright, Potter, this ends now." A vicious voice called. Harry lifted his wand toward the source. Standing there, among the final remnants of the earlier all-pervasive mist was Lucious Malfoy, without his mask and his cloak's hood down.
"Where's Voldemort? And the others?" Harry asked
"I make killing my business, an underaged wizard will present no threat to me." Malfoy said confidently.
"Is that what you thought that night in the Ministry of Magic? Did Rodolphus Lestrange think that as well?" Harry asked, threat evident in his voice. He had no real hope he could frighten the Death Eater away, he just hoped to psyche him out a little.
"Those were occasions where we were taken by suprise and had to give chase through unfamilliar terrain, where you could easily ambush or evade attempts to capture you. A situation where luck played a much larger part than skill, and no one denies you have incredible luck." Malfoy drew his hand through his hair. "Now, in a toe to toe battle with nothing around to hide behind and no mist to conceal you, luck is a factor only in theory and I shall best you, what's the phrase? Fair and square."
"A duel then?" Harry smirked. Malfoy nodded. Harry lowered his wand and nodded.
"If you win, I'll tell you the counter-curse to the hex I put on the girl." Malfoy stated
"If you win, I won't be in any shape to tell you anything." Harry responded. Malfoy laughed an honest laugh.
"It's death's door which exposes the strangest things in people, I suppose in you it's humor." Malfoy composed himself.
"Enough, we duel." Malfoy bowed, Harry returned the bow. They both drew into defensive stances and Harry suddenly realized he hadn't had an official duel since he was in the dueling club in his second year, where he hadn't learned much. During the D.A. Meetings he was most often the supervisor, not engaging in much practice himself. As a result Harry felt a pang of uncertainty, but when Malfoy's wand shot forward to attack his mind cleared and he found himself reacting on instinct. Sidestepping the first of Malfoy's hurled hexes he lowered his own wand, shouting.
"Flipendo."
The beam flew true, but Malfoy brought his wand up and parried it as if it were a sword thrust, then brought it around to arc into the curse he saw be used to fell Hermione in the department of mysteries.
"Porpyra" was the incantation he used, and instead of a shower of purple sparks that had assailed Hermione, Harry found himself facing the wall of a purple inferno. Hardly having time to react he threw his arms up over his face, expecting to feel the flames lick over his body, devouring it in an instant. Instead he was knocked off his feet, where he lay screaming in agony for several seconds before the fire went past him, roaring on into the hillside and exploding with bizarre amethyst light.
"Stand. You may be a Mudblood, but I'll allow you to die as a Wizard."
Harry shakily got to his feet, the shockwave of such a powerful spell had knocked him down, and had given him serious burns that felt as if they were festering and growing, like embers had dug into his flesh and were burrowing still deeper. Malfoy was grinning.
"Now you see why I knew I would win. Mastery of the Dark Arts conveys enough power to overwhelm such puny ants as you."
Harry raised his wand, trying to think of a way to defeat the obviously superior duelist with much more destructive magic under his belt. He awaited the next assault, ignoring the older man's gloating. Malfoy grew annoyed that his prey wasn't even listening so raised his wand again.
"Nuzune"
A grayish black bolt shot forth from Malfoy's wand, travelling slightly slower than it would normally. Harry lowered his wand to the ground in front of him.
"Bak" and the earth in front of Harry exploded upward in a shower of stone and dirt, catching the dark curse within it's mass. As it fell back to earth Harry was prepared for his own assault on Malfoy. Releasing a Bat-Bogey hex was his first move, just as much a distraction as the defense he had administered was. He then ducked to one knee and fired a Jelly legs curse at the Death Eater's midsection. He wasn't fooled, and was able to deflect the more dangerous Jelly legs curse, but he was cut badly by the Bat-Bogies before they were dispelled. The man was able to grin after it was done.
"Not bad, I must appologise if I understated your abilities, you are a worthy opponent." Malfoy said. Harry didn't know how to respond except to stand back up to his full height again. They circled one another, probing the other's defenses with small flicks of their wands. Malfoy suddenly grinned, pointing his wand at Harry's heart and began to chant the Killing Curse. Harry, upon understanding what spell was to be cast dove into his own series of curses. He hit Malfoy dead-center with an Impedimenta curse, slowing the chant to a slow drawl. He followed up with a swift Jelly-legs curse and a petrificus spell that hit his wand arm, causing it to seise up and send his wand flying, and the green jet of death off into the air. Malfoy sank to his knees at the impact of the Jelly-legs curse. Looking up at the burnt Harry he knew that he had been defeated.
"As promised, I'll tell you the counter curse for your friend, but I will beg one last favor of you." Malfoy said, his eyes still proud, but no longer defiant. Harry sneered.
"You want a favor, after trying to kill me you want me to grant you a favor?"
"The ministry is probably on it's way, I want you to kill me before they arrive."
"Why should I do that? You probably know recent information about Voldemort's plans, if I kill you these secrets will die with you."
"Voldemort no longer has plans, he's at full power and is now simply spreading as much terror as possible, killing wizards and muggles alike. It's a war, not a game of chess."
"That sounds like a load."
"Not only that, but when Voldemort finds out I failed he'll simply kill me through the Dark Mark. I'd rather die on the battlefield than through a remote death like that."
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"I give you my word as the warrior who could've finished you off while you were on the ground, but allowed you to stand."
Harry considered, then asked,
"What's the counter-curse for Ginny? If it works I might grant your request."
"It's Olispira Cantoni" Harry pointed his wand to Ginny's inert form and repeated the words uttered by the Death Eater. To Harry's relief Ginny slowly stirred, and sat up. She looked at Harry confusedly.
"Stupify"
The red stunning beam hit Ginny and she fell back into unconsciousness. Harry sighed.
"I couldn't let her see what I'm about to do." He turned his wand back to Malfoy who smiled in relief that he was about to die. Harry realized he knew only one spell that could really end a life. He prepared himself, mustering all his remaining magic.
"Can you grant just one more request for me?" Harry nodded.
"Tell my son to avoid the Dark Lord, tell him that his way is not the right way after all, and that I realized this just before I died." Malfoy laughed. "Wasn't it me who was just saying that it's death's door which exposes the strangest things in people?"
"How can Malfoy... I mean, Draco... not know that it's the wrong way to follow Voldemort?" Lucious smiled slightly,
"Harry, my boy, there's not a person alive on this planet who would fight for something he knew was wrong. We Death Eaters honestly believe that it's best for the Muggles to live under those born with magic powers, and those of the old families above all." Malfoy shook his head, "But can you promise me you'll tell him?" Harry nodded. "I promise."
"Thank you."
"Goodbye, Mr. Malfoy" Harry finally chanted his spell.
"Avada Kedarva" Just after he had finished. all around him the popping of multiple apperations were heard. Around him, just missing having witnessed Harry perform the killing curse on a kneeling man were a half dozen Aurors. Harry sighed in relief. At least one thing had gone right this day. He collapsed, the last spell having taken everything out of him. His chuckled a bit under his breath, he was going to have to add another name to his list...
Lucious Malfoy.
A.N. Whew... this chapter took me only a couple hours to write, just a couple hours that took place several months after it had started. I guess I just needed to get into a groove. Anyway... one thing I mean to make clear is that Harry really does mean what he thinks to himself while being choked by Voldemort. He's not in love with Ginny... yet. He is willing to risk, maybe even sacrifice his life to save her, but because of his promise to himself not to let another die because of him, not because he's in love with her. He's already risked everything to save her life once without being in love with her, so I don't think him doing the same again means he's any more in love. This isn't to say he's not going to fall in love with her later, just that this isn't a story where Harry is the knight in shining armor who sweeps convenient love interests off their feet because he's so wonderful. Harry is developing into a bit of a monster... I personally don't think the choice he made at the end was the right one... but that's just my opinion, he could have been right to do so. Next chapter Harry will learn that he can't do something like what he did without consequences, and we'll see the very beginnings of the Harry/Ginny aspect... hopefully.
Because Harry had gone to sleep the earliest he was also the first awake. He rolled off his mattress and into the cold pre-dawn morning air. He left the Burrow behind, stepping out into the darkness and the cold outside. Harry shivered slightly, having gone from the warmth of bed to the coldest part of the night, just before dawn, in the space of a few minutes. He wandered aimlessly, knowing he could get back to the house if he had to. He was out to give Ginny as much breadth as she needed to begin her healing process. He could deal with Ginny hating him, that was unavoidable, but he couldn't ever deal with Ginny having to go through what he had gone through, risk becoming what he was becoming.
Harry saw a low stone bench and took a seat, figuring he was in the Weasley garden he took the seat. He sat there, virtually motionless until the sky began to turn a slight shade of grey, heralding the coming sunrise. Suddenly Harry heard approaching footsteps, but in the gloom couldn't make out their identity. He wanted to stay out of the Weasley's hair as long as he could manage, and that meant staying undetected, so Harry rolled backwards off the bench and into the weed-covered bushes off the walkway. Up walked Ginny, carrying a lantern. She walked past the bench without stopping or looking down at him, so he was fairly confident he was well enough hidden. After she had passed out of sight Harry picked himself up and dusted himself off. She was past, but she might come back from wherever she was going by the same path. He needed to move. He looked down the path, not able to determine if he had been here before. He was suddenly very curious where it was the youngest Weasley was going so early in the morning. He found himself following her silently, just able to make out the path by the predawn light. The glow of the lantern ahead brought him up short.
Ginny was standing before a short, but wide stone. Harry could barely make out the stone in the low light. Ginny set the lantern down, but not on the convinient table of the stone, but on the ground. Ginny then knelt down and began to cry. Harry could hear her racking sobs from where he was standing. The situation was just too bizarre, why would Ginny leave the house early in the morning to cry in front of a big rock? Harry crept forward, hoping to find out the secret of the stone when he realized that there were many more of those stones, in slightly varying size and shape, lying in neat rows extending outward from where he stood. Ginny's voice came to him, free of tears by the sound.
"Why do you follow me out here? To this place of Weasley family?" She stood and faced him,
"Do you really believe you are a member of this family?"
It suddenly dawned upon Harry where they were... A graveyard. The sun was beginning to break the horizon and he could see his surroundings much better. The Graveyard was small, but only contained those of the Weasley blood line. Harry stepped up to Ginny and replied,
"I understand that I'm not a Weasley, which is why I've fled the house today." Harry paused, Ginny looked down at the gravestone.
"As much as I want to believe what they tell me I can't help knowing that it's my fault they are dead." Harry looked back to the outline of the Burrow just visible behind him.
"Them?" Ginny asked quizzically Harry turned back to her, a sad look on his face.
"I made a list in my head last night, of people who have been killed by or because of me. I will never forget a single name on this list as long as I live." Ginny was speachless.
"I hope this list doesn't ever grow even a single name longer, but there is one more that needs to be added." Harry said quietly, almost to himself, almost forgetting that Ginny was there.
"Belatrix?" Ginny asked, thinking of her killing Harry's Godfather. Harry gently shook his head.
"No, she has more reason to kill me than me her."
"Why?" Ginny was at a loss for words, she didn't understand why Harry was acting like this.
"I killed her husband." Harry said, his voice catching. Ginny looked at him quizzically.
"But... he was trying to kill you, why shouldn't you have killed him?"
"Who am I to say that my life is more valuable than someone else's?" Harry sighed. "If I let myself justify killing one person, how long down the road will I be before I have to justify more deaths? What will that lead to?" Ginny was silent for a moment.
"You said one more name needed to be added, who are you talking about?" She asked. Harry drew a stuttering breath and said,
"Voldemort"
Ginny flinched at the name, but her eyes grew large.
"You can't be serious Harry, you-know-who will be defeated by Dumbledore, it's not up to us to stop him."
"There was a time," Harry said, "when I believed that too."
"What do you mean by that?" Ginny asked, a look of worry crossing her features. Harry ignored her question, looking down at the gravestone she had been crying at. It was a double gravestone, with two names on it, George and Fred Weasley.
"Why is Fred's name on this as well?" Harry asked.
"Fred insisted, saying that they had been inseperable in life, so they'd be together in death too."
"Isn't that a bit morbid? Having a grave set up for you before you even die."
"Actually no, my gravestone is over there." Ginny said, pointing, "I got it the summer before last. It's a Weasley tradition to set your own grave."
"You don't find that the least bit mad?" Harry asked
"It's a very liberating feeling to know what will happen after you die. When I die my body will be put to rest beneath this stone where it will stay for all time. Because I know this I can live life without fearing death." Harry had nothing to say to this. It made some sort of sense. He had no idea what would happen when he died and it was oddly disconcerting, more so than he would have expected. They stood together in silence for a time, neither looking at the other until Ginny spoke again.
"You don't have to... I mean... that is to say... I don't need your absence to rejoin the family." She looked down to the ground. Harry simply looked to her, seeing her embarassment.
"Why" he simply asked, knowing the answer, but knowing that she wanted to say it.
"Well, it's hard to explain, but, I think it was selfish of me to seek your exile from the family." She hesitated, "I was blaming you when it wasn't really your fault. And you've shown you've suffered enough by it that I shouldn't be putting salt in your wounds." she grinned nervously at him and offered her hand, "So, no hard feelings then?" Harry looked at her hand, and took it, grinning,
"Never."
* * *
They walked back to the house together, Harry holding the lantern. It was a misty morning, visibility was low and they were upon the house only a short time after they saw it. Ginny strode through the front door while Harry took a moment to put out the lantern and hang it on a peg. Thinking about the graveyard he took a glance back into the gray clouds of mist, and saw a shadow move. A moment later there was nothing, in the roiling mist there were plenty of shadows to mistake for something else, but that shadow had caught Harry's eye, and he wanted to find out why. Preparing for the worst he pulled out his wand and cautiously stepped back into the fog. He slowed to a crawling walk, trying to move without making noise, straining to hear the telltale sounds that would give away the location of the shadow from earlier. Hearing nothing he bore right, circling the perimeter of the house, hoping to spot any evidence of an intruder if indeed there was one. His search proved useless and he turned back to the house. A step toward the house revealed more than his searching had. An arm flew around his neck, choking him. Harry felt himself dragged off balance, the offending arm squeezing all air from him. He tried to struggle, but he was already feeling light headed and weak. He was almost unconcious when he hit the ground suddenly. There was shouting, but Harry couldn't hear it. He barely heard the sound of popping above him, All he could focus on was the texture of the grass on his face, it was the only sense not obscured by a hazy uncertainty. The world snapped sharply back into focus when he heard a woman scream.
He rose, his vision swimming, momentarily unsure of where he was. A black shape came forth out of the gloomy mist. The deranged mask marked it as a Death Eater. The Death Eater paused, holding still for a moment, then slowly turned to him. Harry turned expecting to see the house, but when he saw an impetrinable wall of fog he was disoriented, the Death Eater raised his wand. There was another female scream, this one coherent,
"Antis hydris."
The Death Eater gasped in a dry scrape, unable to complete his own incantation, his mouth and throat were completely dehydrated, making intelligible speech impossible. A firm hand grasped Harry's collar and dragged him forcefully away. He was about to resist when he realized the figure had the red hair of a Weasley. The house loomed large before them, the fog had grown thicker and it was now impossible to see higher than the second story of the Weasley house. The world was shrouded in a blanket of white shadow. Harry was led inside the house, where he saw Ron and Fred, still in their pajamas but looking very alert and a little frightened. Harry looked around and saw that it was Mrs. Weasley who had saved him. Mrs. Weasley was looking around, breathing hard.
"Oh, it's so hard, leaving all this behind to be destroyed, oh where is that husband of mine?"
As if invoking him, Arthur Weasley and Percy popped in just at that moment.
"Hurry, we managed to delay them for a few moments, but we need to get out of here." Arthur turned to the fireplace.
"Incendio" A fire was now burning brightly. Arthur turned back to them again.
"Where's Ginny." Harry asked. Everyone looked crestfallen.
"Ginny... was taken...and I think she was killed." Ron said hesitantly. "She was calling out your name, then she turned to the right, there was a flash of light... green light. Ginny screamed and fell down. I think it was Avada Kedavra." Molly herded them over to the fireplace, where she tossed in the rest of the Floo powder.
"We're going to the Ministry of Magic, we'll gather there and then figure out what to do about Ginny." She explained. Harry smiled almost to himself.
"Your body will be put to rest beneath that stone where it will stay for all time." he whispered to himself, then shook his head. It was his turn to go through the firey portal to the Ministry.
"But not today." He turned away, letting the emerald flames turn back to orange, It was crazy, what he was doing, absolutely mad. There was no other word for it, but he couldn't back down now. It was obvious they were here because of him. Not another witch or wizard would die because of Harry Potter unless it was by Harry's own hand. He swore that to himself, on pain of death. He pulled out his wand as he walked out the screen door onto the porch, just as a Death Eater was climbing up the steps.
"Expelliarmus"
The Death Eater was blown backwards off the porch, pitching backwards to hit his head on a loose stone as his wand sailed into the air. Harry didn't even bother catching it, running to the left and diving off the porch to avoid a barrage of curses. Rolling to his knees he drew a bead on one of his assailants.
"Conjunctivitis, Furnunculus, Densaugeo." He didn't pay attention to which ones hit, he stood and began running deeper into the mist. He couldn't give away his position by calling out to Ginny, he also couldn't take his time to search for her, and he also couldn't hope to defeat the entire force of Death Eaters, however many were left.
"Flaesk Ruptus" he heard to his right. A beam of light flew wide, narrowly missing Harry. It hit an old fencepost, shattering it almost to the ground. Harry changed directions to run away from the source of that spell. The mist was getting thicker, shrowding everything in ever deepening gray. He almost couldn't make out his feet under him, visibility was so low. A dark shape appeared suddenly before him, skidding to a halt he raised his wand, performing an expert "Petrificus Totalus"
To Harry's suprise the figure didn't lock up and fall over, but reached out and grasped him by the neck in a vise-like grip. The abnormally long, cold fingers seemed familiar to Harry and when his scar stabbed him with pain he knew it could be none other than Voldemort himself. Harry was picked up off the ground, dangling by his neck. He gasped for air, but he felt the darkness pressing on him already. He heard Voldemort speak in the dry scrape he had for a voice.
"I continue to wonder, how it is that such a pathetic, underaged wizard with knowledge of only the most rudimentary curses and hexes can continue to survive encounters with adult wizards who make it their hobby to find new and better ways to kill."
"Where's... Ginny?" Harry coughed out. Voldemort laughed his harsh laugh.
"So like the Potters, a meaningless sentiment before you die." Voldemort grinned, "I suppose you're in love with her then, you Potters must have a thing for redheads."
Harry ignored Voldemort's meaningless taunting, he wasn't in love with Ginny, he was risking his life to prove a point, not to save Ginny's life. If it were any other human being in her position he would've come just as readily. No, Harry was focusing on getting away from Voldemort. Inspiration struck in the middle of Voldemort's next sentance, saying something about waterfoul and gunpowder. Harry raised his wand, closed his eyes and shouted, "LUMOS" at the top of his failing voice, the sudden, bright light compounded by the heavy mist glared in Voldemort's suprised eyes, and he dropped Harry.
Harry hit the ground running, darting off in a random direction. He was now completely disoriented, had no idea how to escape, much less find Ginny, and Voldemort himself was after him. This day just kept getting better and better. A white-hot beam of light shot past Harry, grazing his shoulder and setting his cloak aflame. He ripped it off and threw it to the ground and kept running. He noticed that the mist had cleared significantly in the path of the flame. Thinking quickly he raised his wand.
"Incendio, Incendio" pointing his wand at two other points off either side of the path cleared by the first flame bolt. He chose the left path and took off running again. He continued running in the relative clarity of the flame-cleared path for several long moments before the mist pressed down again. Harry didn't know in what direction Ginny might be, he didn't know where the house was, he wasn't even sure where Voldemort was in relation to his position. He fell to his knees, hopeless that he could do anything to help anyone. It was then he saw the hint of red somewhere in the roiling fog at the edge of his sight. He hurried over, finding Ginny, facedown in the dirt. He rolled her over and found she was barely breathing. He was about to dispair, he may have found Ginny, but without a method of escape it was useless.
Out of nowhere a strong wind began to blow, disturbing the fog. Finally it was beginning to clear.
"Alright, Potter, this ends now." A vicious voice called. Harry lifted his wand toward the source. Standing there, among the final remnants of the earlier all-pervasive mist was Lucious Malfoy, without his mask and his cloak's hood down.
"Where's Voldemort? And the others?" Harry asked
"I make killing my business, an underaged wizard will present no threat to me." Malfoy said confidently.
"Is that what you thought that night in the Ministry of Magic? Did Rodolphus Lestrange think that as well?" Harry asked, threat evident in his voice. He had no real hope he could frighten the Death Eater away, he just hoped to psyche him out a little.
"Those were occasions where we were taken by suprise and had to give chase through unfamilliar terrain, where you could easily ambush or evade attempts to capture you. A situation where luck played a much larger part than skill, and no one denies you have incredible luck." Malfoy drew his hand through his hair. "Now, in a toe to toe battle with nothing around to hide behind and no mist to conceal you, luck is a factor only in theory and I shall best you, what's the phrase? Fair and square."
"A duel then?" Harry smirked. Malfoy nodded. Harry lowered his wand and nodded.
"If you win, I'll tell you the counter-curse to the hex I put on the girl." Malfoy stated
"If you win, I won't be in any shape to tell you anything." Harry responded. Malfoy laughed an honest laugh.
"It's death's door which exposes the strangest things in people, I suppose in you it's humor." Malfoy composed himself.
"Enough, we duel." Malfoy bowed, Harry returned the bow. They both drew into defensive stances and Harry suddenly realized he hadn't had an official duel since he was in the dueling club in his second year, where he hadn't learned much. During the D.A. Meetings he was most often the supervisor, not engaging in much practice himself. As a result Harry felt a pang of uncertainty, but when Malfoy's wand shot forward to attack his mind cleared and he found himself reacting on instinct. Sidestepping the first of Malfoy's hurled hexes he lowered his own wand, shouting.
"Flipendo."
The beam flew true, but Malfoy brought his wand up and parried it as if it were a sword thrust, then brought it around to arc into the curse he saw be used to fell Hermione in the department of mysteries.
"Porpyra" was the incantation he used, and instead of a shower of purple sparks that had assailed Hermione, Harry found himself facing the wall of a purple inferno. Hardly having time to react he threw his arms up over his face, expecting to feel the flames lick over his body, devouring it in an instant. Instead he was knocked off his feet, where he lay screaming in agony for several seconds before the fire went past him, roaring on into the hillside and exploding with bizarre amethyst light.
"Stand. You may be a Mudblood, but I'll allow you to die as a Wizard."
Harry shakily got to his feet, the shockwave of such a powerful spell had knocked him down, and had given him serious burns that felt as if they were festering and growing, like embers had dug into his flesh and were burrowing still deeper. Malfoy was grinning.
"Now you see why I knew I would win. Mastery of the Dark Arts conveys enough power to overwhelm such puny ants as you."
Harry raised his wand, trying to think of a way to defeat the obviously superior duelist with much more destructive magic under his belt. He awaited the next assault, ignoring the older man's gloating. Malfoy grew annoyed that his prey wasn't even listening so raised his wand again.
"Nuzune"
A grayish black bolt shot forth from Malfoy's wand, travelling slightly slower than it would normally. Harry lowered his wand to the ground in front of him.
"Bak" and the earth in front of Harry exploded upward in a shower of stone and dirt, catching the dark curse within it's mass. As it fell back to earth Harry was prepared for his own assault on Malfoy. Releasing a Bat-Bogey hex was his first move, just as much a distraction as the defense he had administered was. He then ducked to one knee and fired a Jelly legs curse at the Death Eater's midsection. He wasn't fooled, and was able to deflect the more dangerous Jelly legs curse, but he was cut badly by the Bat-Bogies before they were dispelled. The man was able to grin after it was done.
"Not bad, I must appologise if I understated your abilities, you are a worthy opponent." Malfoy said. Harry didn't know how to respond except to stand back up to his full height again. They circled one another, probing the other's defenses with small flicks of their wands. Malfoy suddenly grinned, pointing his wand at Harry's heart and began to chant the Killing Curse. Harry, upon understanding what spell was to be cast dove into his own series of curses. He hit Malfoy dead-center with an Impedimenta curse, slowing the chant to a slow drawl. He followed up with a swift Jelly-legs curse and a petrificus spell that hit his wand arm, causing it to seise up and send his wand flying, and the green jet of death off into the air. Malfoy sank to his knees at the impact of the Jelly-legs curse. Looking up at the burnt Harry he knew that he had been defeated.
"As promised, I'll tell you the counter curse for your friend, but I will beg one last favor of you." Malfoy said, his eyes still proud, but no longer defiant. Harry sneered.
"You want a favor, after trying to kill me you want me to grant you a favor?"
"The ministry is probably on it's way, I want you to kill me before they arrive."
"Why should I do that? You probably know recent information about Voldemort's plans, if I kill you these secrets will die with you."
"Voldemort no longer has plans, he's at full power and is now simply spreading as much terror as possible, killing wizards and muggles alike. It's a war, not a game of chess."
"That sounds like a load."
"Not only that, but when Voldemort finds out I failed he'll simply kill me through the Dark Mark. I'd rather die on the battlefield than through a remote death like that."
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"I give you my word as the warrior who could've finished you off while you were on the ground, but allowed you to stand."
Harry considered, then asked,
"What's the counter-curse for Ginny? If it works I might grant your request."
"It's Olispira Cantoni" Harry pointed his wand to Ginny's inert form and repeated the words uttered by the Death Eater. To Harry's relief Ginny slowly stirred, and sat up. She looked at Harry confusedly.
"Stupify"
The red stunning beam hit Ginny and she fell back into unconsciousness. Harry sighed.
"I couldn't let her see what I'm about to do." He turned his wand back to Malfoy who smiled in relief that he was about to die. Harry realized he knew only one spell that could really end a life. He prepared himself, mustering all his remaining magic.
"Can you grant just one more request for me?" Harry nodded.
"Tell my son to avoid the Dark Lord, tell him that his way is not the right way after all, and that I realized this just before I died." Malfoy laughed. "Wasn't it me who was just saying that it's death's door which exposes the strangest things in people?"
"How can Malfoy... I mean, Draco... not know that it's the wrong way to follow Voldemort?" Lucious smiled slightly,
"Harry, my boy, there's not a person alive on this planet who would fight for something he knew was wrong. We Death Eaters honestly believe that it's best for the Muggles to live under those born with magic powers, and those of the old families above all." Malfoy shook his head, "But can you promise me you'll tell him?" Harry nodded. "I promise."
"Thank you."
"Goodbye, Mr. Malfoy" Harry finally chanted his spell.
"Avada Kedarva" Just after he had finished. all around him the popping of multiple apperations were heard. Around him, just missing having witnessed Harry perform the killing curse on a kneeling man were a half dozen Aurors. Harry sighed in relief. At least one thing had gone right this day. He collapsed, the last spell having taken everything out of him. His chuckled a bit under his breath, he was going to have to add another name to his list...
Lucious Malfoy.
A.N. Whew... this chapter took me only a couple hours to write, just a couple hours that took place several months after it had started. I guess I just needed to get into a groove. Anyway... one thing I mean to make clear is that Harry really does mean what he thinks to himself while being choked by Voldemort. He's not in love with Ginny... yet. He is willing to risk, maybe even sacrifice his life to save her, but because of his promise to himself not to let another die because of him, not because he's in love with her. He's already risked everything to save her life once without being in love with her, so I don't think him doing the same again means he's any more in love. This isn't to say he's not going to fall in love with her later, just that this isn't a story where Harry is the knight in shining armor who sweeps convenient love interests off their feet because he's so wonderful. Harry is developing into a bit of a monster... I personally don't think the choice he made at the end was the right one... but that's just my opinion, he could have been right to do so. Next chapter Harry will learn that he can't do something like what he did without consequences, and we'll see the very beginnings of the Harry/Ginny aspect... hopefully.