Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the works by JK Rowling. I, like so many others, am merely borrowing them as a basis for my own work of fan fiction.

Insanity

Chapter 4 – Establishing the Bond

November 9, 2001, 11:00 am The Lion's Den, Godric's Hollow

Ron's jaw dropped as he took in the ominous air of the chilly room in the lowest sub-level of Harry's home. "Wow, mate! Look at this place!"

"Harry, you cannot be serious about this!"

"Mr. Potter, I was willing to go along with this ... but I did not anticipate ..."

"Albus, I thought we were on a first name basis now." Harry chided the old wizard gently, and then turned to his two oldest friends. "Ron, Hermione, I am very serious. You both recognize this room, don't you?"

"Harry, this is where we found Ginny ... where you ... killed ... Malfoy."

"Full marks, Hermione. Yes, this is a re-creation of that room, with a few additions that I had Dobby help with."

Harry had escorted the five witches and wizards into the specially prepared room in the basement of his home. For the past few weeks, he and Dobby had been working on recreating the dungeon where Draco had kept Ginny for those horrific two weeks of her capture and torture.

The dank stone walls were oppressive and seemed to emit an aura of old pain and suffering, even though the room was practically new. Torches were spaced around the walls, providing flickering illumination that revealed the other furnishings. Centrally located in the room, two large, overlapping equilateral triangles outlined in white quartz were set into the dark gray basalt stone of the floor. At each point of the two triangles, a triangular block of gold was inset to form the corner point. At each of the six intersections of the two triangles, a block of silver was inset, forming the intersection. The tip of one triangle pointed due north and the tip of the other pointed due south. Each side of the two triangles was 3 yards in length.

Four blocks of an unidentifiable stone were positioned near the tip of the north-facing triangle. Attached to each block was an iron chain and attached to the chain was an iron manacle, etched with runes. Other runes covered the chains and were etched into the surface of the blocks. A large wooden table stood against one of the walls of the room, and two cabinets stood in a back corner. One wall was empty of all decoration or other items save for a thick wooden door set between two torches, while on the other walls hung a variety of implements, including whips, clubs, knives, pokers, and other implements of torture. A large brazier filled with glowing coals sat atop a 4-foot high pedestal made of the same basalt as the floor. The pedestal was set a yard or two away from the tip of the south-pointing triangle.

After those present, save Harry, finished looking around the room in grim astonishment, they all turned to look at their host. Harry moved to the four blocks of set near the tip of the north-facing triangle and pointed at the chains and manacles. "These Wizard Cuffs have been charmed so that they are controlled through the room itself and can be repositioned by verbal commands given to the room. Before Ginny arrives, you will fasten these manacles to my wrists and ankles. When the bond ritual is complete, Ginny will have complete control over the room and the manacles. Once you have left us here, the door will seal and will only open again after atonement has been reached or I am incapacitated ... or dead."

Remus looked vaguely green, and he swallowed several times before speaking. "Harry, this is ... Sirius would not have wanted you to do this ... nor would your Mum or Dad."

"I quite agree, Harry, you cannot be allowed to throw your life away," Albus agreed in a calm voice, although there was a distinct edge to his tone.

Harry shook his head sorrowfully and looked at the last surviving link to his parents and godfather. "I'm sorry, Remus, but I disagree with your assessment of my Mum and Dad. My Dad gave his life for my Mum and I, and my Mum gave her life for me. They sacrificed themselves for me when I was just a baby.

"Sirius did the same thing when he went through that damnable veil at the ministry ... he chose to spend his life so that I might live.

"I absolutely believe that they would understand that I can do no less than that for Ginny. If my life is what it takes then I will be pleased with that.

"And Albus, I know I don't need to remind you that I am an adult now ... not one of your students any longer ... and nobody has any say in this but me."

Hermione bit her lip and thought furiously before contributing her thoughts to the argument. "We could decline to participate in the ritual ... keep the bond from being formed."

"Yes, you could do that. And if you do, one of two things will happen; I will find some other people who are willing to help, although any bond formed without the participation of her family and my friends will be much weaker, or both Ginny and I will die.

"I told Mum ... err Molly ... a few days ago that Ginny was my life, my everything. In the midst of that horrible war, we fell in love ... we joined our lives together ... we dreamed the same dreams of a future after the war. She became my hope for the future ... my only hope. And now ... that hope is broken ... through the actions of a cruel, mean spirited boy who simply wanted to destroy me by destroying her.

"With this bond, I believe that I can help bring her back ... fix what is broken in her spirit ... that to me is worth any risk, any pain, any sacrifice. If I can do this, even if I am not here to be with her, you guys can help her live again." When he had finished speaking, Harry closed his eyes and bowed his head, not wanting to look at his friends.

Shaken by the appearance of the room and unable to contain himself at the very real possibility that he would lose his best friend, Ron burst out talking. "Oh, Harry, we just don't want to lose you! You're important to us, just as important as Ginny! How can you expect us to do this knowing that we will probably lose you?"

Tears started dropping from Harry's eyes as he stood in the center of the room watching his friends. "I'm sorry, everyone. Trust me when I say that I am aware of what I will be doing to you all. But I also know my limits ... I know what I can do ... and what I cannot. I know that I cannot go on living without her in my life. That may be selfish of me, but so be it. I learned very well during my preparations for the war just how far I could go, and just how long I could last in certain situations.

"I know my limits, and I am almost at the end. Every day I wish it were different ... every day I wish that Ginny and I had more time together. The joy and wonder and love that we shared in the time we had was amazing. And the gaping wound left in my heart is all the larger and more deadly because of the strength of what we shared.

"All I am asking is for you to give me this chance to bring her back. I honestly believe that I can reach her and help her. Please let me try!"

As Harry turned his teary gaze upon Hermione, she nodded her head and said, "Okay, Harry. I will let you try."

"Me too, mate ... I just wish, ..." Ron couldn't continue speaking as his throat closed in sorrow.

"I understand, Ron, I wish things had worked out differently, too."

"Mr. Potter, I am an old man, and I had hoped that you would be following in my footsteps as headmaster one day."

Harry looked at his ancient friend, and took in the weariness in his expression and the sadness in his eyes.

"Albus, please call me Harry! And who knows, the future is not set. With any luck at all, I may be ready to follow in your footsteps in a few years." A small smile came to Harry's face as he continued. "Don't forget, Professor Trelawney did say that I would have lots of children, be Minister of Magic, and Headmaster!"

Albus laughed gently at these words, knowing how little credence Harry gave Divination in general and Sybil Trelawney in particular.

"Harry, you were right, your folks and Sirius would have been very proud of you for doing this. I apologize for what I said earlier ... it's just ... I don't want to lose you too!" Remus' careworn face was even more grave than usual as he contemplated the loss of this young man that meant so much to him.

"I know, Remus, I know. I don't want to lose you either. Promise me something, will you?"

"Anything, Harry."

"If I don't make it but she does, please take care of her for me? Help her understand?"

"I'll try, Harry. I promise that I'll try to help her understand."

"I want to show all of you something. In addition to all these gruesome implements, this room contains something very special. In that far cabinet is a special pensieve. Do you remember when I started collecting all of your memories about the final two weeks of the war?"

As he talked, Harry started walking toward the far corner of the room where the two cabinets stood side-by-side.

"Yes, Harry."

"I do, mate."

"Yes, Mr. Po ... Harry, I do."

Harry put his hand on the cabinet door's handle and turned it. "Well, I read a lot of books on the magic of pensieves, did a lot of talking to a few unspeakables, did a lot of work with Filius, and finally produced ... this." As he said the last word, Harry pulled the door of the cabinet open, revealing the interior.

"And this is?"

On a shelf in the cabinet, sat a large bowl made out of a silvery metal. It had a matte finish, and etched into the sides were many runes. Just visible in the bowl was a silvery liquid that continually flowed and shifted.

"This pensieve contains an integrated set of memories covering the time from when Ginny was abducted, through each of the following days, including the day Voldemort fell, and ending when we rescued her ... and I killed Malfoy.

Harry closed his eyes in remembered pain before continuing on with a little shrug of his shoulders. "Although in that last bit it looks like I am killing myself, since he was using polyjuice at the time. Fortunately it wore off just at the end.

"I am going to try to convince her to examine the contents of that pensieve. If I cannot manage that, however, I want you guys to work on her when this is over. After she sees it, you can donate it to the Ministry ... call it 'The Last Days of The Dark Lord' or something ... or maybe 'What Happens When Ferrets Get Too Big For Their Britches'. The pensieve itself is made out of platinum, Remus, so even though it looks like silver, it is safe for you to touch with your bare hands."

After shutting the cabinet door, Harry moved on to the next cabinet and opened its door, revealing several shelves with food and drink items on them.

"This cabinet has a cooling charm on it and is stocked with water, pumpkin juice and sandwiches ... just in case it takes a while."

"You are planning on getting hungry?" Quipped Ron.

Harry smirked at Ron's attempt to lighten the atmosphere. "Not for me, you prat, for Ginny. Speaking of food, how about lunch? I think that Dobby is preparing something special today."

"Harry!"

"Hey, I need to keep my strength up. Besides, you have to think positively ... this is going to be the first day of the rest of my life!"

November 9, 2001, 4:00 pm The Lion's Den, Godric's Hollow

After enjoying a delicious lunch prepared by Dobby and Winky, everyone parted ways. Ron and Hermione went off to be by themselves for a while and enjoy the afternoon. Albus went back to Hogwarts to take care of some school-related business, Remus went to his home, and Neville went to his greenhouse to work with his plants. Prior to leaving they had all agreed to meet back at his house at 6:15 to get ready for the ritual.

Harry sat alone in the kitchen of his house reading over his will one last time. Aside from some small bequests to his friends, the majority of his estate was to be left to Ginny. In the event he did not survive what he was about to do, he wanted to make sure that she was taken care of. If the worst case happened for both of them, and Ginny was not healed after the ritual then her inheritance would go to a trust administered jointly by Ron, Hermione, and her parents.

The last thing that Harry needed to do was ensure that Dobby and Winky were willing to serve Ginny if any of these events happened.

"Dobby, Winky, can you come here for a few minutes, please?" Harry had finally gotten used to being able to ask for the house elves presence simply by speaking out loud.

With a pair of small cracks, Dobby and Winky appeared in the kitchen next to Harry.

"You called Dobby, Harry sir?" After many months of effort, Harry had finally convinced Dobby to call him Harry rather than Harry Potter, but had not had the same success in getting him to drop the 'sir' business.

"Winky is here, Master Harry." Harry had been less successful in convincing Winky not to call him Master.

"Please, Dobby, Winky, sit down with me."

Used to this request from their friend and master, Dobby and Winky clambered onto the special chairs that allowed the two of them to sit comfortably at the table.

"I just wanted to make sure that you two were still willing to accept Ginny as your friend and mistress in the event something happens to me tonight." Harry knew that his request that Dobby and Winky serve Ginny after he was gone caused the loyal house elves a great deal of distress, but he also knew that without someone to serve and love that the two of them would not be happy.

"Yes, Harry, sir, Dobby will serve Mistress Ginny Wheezy if he must. But Dobby wishes there were another way to help Mistress Ginny Wheezy." Distress was evident on the small being's face and in his large luminous eyes as he looked at his friend.

Winky merely nodded her head in agreement with her mate; her large eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"I know, my friends, I know. I wish there was some other way also, but I can't find one. I am hoping that this will work out for the best, and that one day soon you will have both Ginny and I here to take care of. And one day after that our children, too." Harry smiled mistily at the thought of he and Ginny having children. Children that would have his green eyes and her brilliantly red hair, or his messy black hair and her lovely chocolate brown eyes.

"Thank you for this, Dobby, Winky. I truly appreciate what you have promised to do." Harry, in a move that surprised himself, knelt down at the side of their chairs and wrapped his arms around each diminutive house-elf in turn, hugging them tightly as tears rolled down all of their faces.

November 9, 2001, 6:30 pm The Lion's Den, Godric's Hollow

Once again the six witches and wizards had gathered in the basement room. All but Harry were dressed in Wizarding robes. Harry was dressed simply in dark trousers and a white long sleeved shirt.

"Albus, you stand here at this intersection. Neville, you are here. Remus, here. Hermione, here. Ron, you are here at the southern-most point, which will be behind me.

"Remember, you are casting for the strength of the overall bond of atonement, not for either part. You must say your part of the ritual in turn, starting with you, Albus, and proceeding clockwise. I have already given the others their parts.

"I will be here, at the southern end. Ginny will be placed at the northern end. When they get here, the Weasley's will place Ginny at her spot. I need you, Albus, to be ready to place a body bind on her, and maybe a silencing spell as well until after the ritual is over. After placing Ginny, Fred and George will take these two positions here. Bill, Charlie, and Percy will take these positions, and Arthur and Molly will fill in here and here.

"Ron, you will start the ritual off, followed by Fred and George in clockwise order. After that, Bill will start the other part, with Charlie and Percy following in clockwise order. And then it will be Albus' turn."

"You seem to have this well planned out, Harry."

"I would hope so, sir. I have been doing little else but plan since I found this bond ritual many months ago."

November 9, 2001, 6:45 pm The Burrow

All of the Weasleys but Ron were standing in the living room as Ginny made her way down the stairs to them. All of them were dressed in dark Wizarding robes, and even the twins had given up their usual bright ensemble for more sober colors for this event. When Ginny reached them, they all noticed that she had not reestablished the concealment charms, and was extremely pale with dark circles showing clearly on her thin face, pale under her sunken eyes. Her hair, though clean, was not its usual vibrant, lively mass, and instead hung limply to her slumped shoulders.

"Mum, Dad, where are we going? And why are all you guys here as well?"

"Well, dear, we are going to take a little trip."

"Muuum, you know I don't like going out any more!"

"I know, dear, but this is important. There is something big going on at ... the Ministry ... tonight. He has finally been caught red handed."

"Who, Mum?" Ginny's lifeless, dull voice reflected her appearance, and was a far cry from her former vibrant, lively tones.

Molly's forced her voice to remain flat as she responded, "Harry Potter."

"No! I don't want to see him! How can you do this to me?" Ginny's distress was plainly evident in the rising tone of her voice, and she was shaking her head in denial as she spoke.

Molly, in an attempt to head off an episode, spoke in very soothing tones as she stepped closer to her daughter. "Ginny, you don't understand. He has finally been found out!"

Panic and confusion were evident on Ginny's face. "Why do you keep calling me Ginny? My name is Ginevra! And what do you mean, 'caught out?'"

"They have finally gotten the proof of what he did! They are bringing him to a special trial tonight ... in a few minutes ... and we are all going ... your father and I, all of your brothers, and you, dear." Molly's voice shook a little as she spun the story along, trying to keep her daughter calm while not getting caught lying to her.

"So, Ron is finally going to realize the truth about the great Harry Potter?" Ginny almost spat the name as though it were something foul in her mouth.

"Yes, Ginny ..."

"GINEVRA!" Ginny's eyes flashed with a little of their old spark as she reminded them of her preferred name.

"Yes, Ginevra, I guess he will finally see the truth." Arthur's voice was calm and soothing as he stepped to Ginny's side opposite his wife.

"When do we leave, Dad?"

"We have a special portkey that will bring us to the secret location at 7:00 tonight ... in 5 minutes."

"Will he be there?"

"Yes, Gi ... Ginevra, he will be. But don't worry, he will be in restraints and won't be able to hurt you."

"Good!"

November 9, 2001, 6:55 pm The Lion's Den, Godric's Hollow

As the time ticked away, Harry took his wand out of his pocket, handed it to Albus, walked over to his appointed spot in the overlapping triangles and picked up the restraints from the floor.

"Okay, Remus, it is time to lock me into these Wizard Cuffs."

"You're sure, Harry?"

"Absolutely. Leg cuffs, too, Remus."

Once the restraints were locked, Harry stood motionless with his hands by his sides and his head bowed. Waiting.

November 9, 2001, 7:00 pm The Burrow

"Three, two, one, and here we go!"

November 9, 2001, 7:00 pm The Lion's Den, Godric's Hollow

With a soft pop, the eight Weasley's arrived in the basement room.

Ginny, upon catching sight of Harry standing in the middle of the room, started yelling. "Where are we? This isn't a courtroom! What is HE doing here?! I ... mmmmph"

Albus' eyes widened at the violence of her outburst, and with a quick wave of his wand muttered two spells. "Silencio. Petrificus Totalus. My apologies, Miss Weasley, but this is happening for your benefit. Ronald, please help your brothers with your sister."

The six Weasley brothers gently picked up their sister and moved her to her position opposite Harry in the overlapping triangles. Her eyes rolled wildly and her mouth moved as she cursed silently at them and at Harry.

After they positioned their sister, the six brothers assumed their positions at the primary points of the two triangles. Their parents took the two open positions of the six intersections between them.

At a nod from Harry, Ron drew his wand, unfolded his piece of parchment and started speaking in a clear slow voice. His wand moved in a complicated pattern as he worked his way through the first part of the ritual.

"I, Ronald Bilius Weasley, pray to Jehovah, the Lord of Lords, and beseech His help as I initiate the formation of the bond of atonement between the victim, my sister, Ginevra Molly Weasley, and the subject, Harry James Potter. This bond is the bond of transference and will give Harry James Potter the pain of Ginevra Molly Weasley so that he will understand what he has wrought. May the one true Lord Yahweh bless this bond so that it results in atonement between them."

When Ron finished his part, a softly glowing azure line formed between Ginny and Harry. After gaping at the line for a moment, Fred continued with the second part of the ritual. When he finished speaking the words of the ritual, the azure line brightened and thickened slightly. George finished the first part of the three-part ritual, and as he made the last wand movement and said the final words, the azure line once again brightened in intensity and thickened.

Eyes open wide in startlement, Bill almost fumbled his wand as he began the second part of the ritual.

"I, William Andrew Weasley, pray to Jehovah, the Lord of Lords, and beseech His help as I initiate the formation of the bond of atonement between the subject, Harry James Potter, and the victim, my sister, Ginevra Molly Weasley. This bond is the bond of revelation and will give Ginevra Molly Weasley the emotions of Harry James Potter so that she will know when he has made atonement. May the one true Lord Yahweh bless this bond so that it results in atonement between them."

As Bill finished the first recitation of the second part of the ritual, a second line, this one emerald green, came into being linking Harry and Ginny. As next Charlie and then Percy recited their parts, the emerald line brightened and thickened.

Eyes twinkling for the first time in days, Albus started tracing the complicated wand movements while reading the start of the third part of the ritual.

"I, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, pray to Jehovah, the Lord of Lords, and beseech His help as I initiate the ritual of reinforcement of the bond of atonement between the victim, Ginevra Molly Weasley, and the subject, Harry James Potter. May this strengthening help ensure that atonement is reached and that the bonds are not ended until they are no longer needed. May the one true Lord Yahweh bless and strengthen this bond so that it results in atonement between them."

As Albus finished speaking a dim white light sheathed the azure and emerald lines currently connecting Harry and Ginny. As Remus, Neville, Hermione, Arthur continued with their recitation of the third part of the ritual, the white sheath grew brighter and thicker. Finally it was Molly's turn to conclude the ritual. When Molly finished the final recitation, both the now brightly glowing azure and emerald lines were completely hidden in the brilliantly white sheath.

A minute passed as the brilliantly white light sheathing the twin bonds lit the room with its glow. Between one breath and the next, both Ginny and Harry and the glowing white line connecting the two of them were limned in golden light. With the golden light came an exultant ringing sound. After a few moments, during which everyone stood awestruck and motionless, the golden light surrounding Harry and Ginny faded as if it were being absorbed into the two, leaving behind the now brilliantly golden line between them. After another few moments passed, the golden line dimmed and vanished from sight.

Albus smiled knowingly as the golden glow disappeared, signaling that the ritual had been more than successfully concluded. Sighing to himself at what he knew must now take place, he stepped toward Ginny, drawing her wand from an inner pocket.

"Miss Weasley, once we have left this room will be sealed. Everything in this room, from your wand to those implements on the walls are yours to use. Mr. Potter has been placed in special magical restraints that can be controlled by your verbal commands given to the room. You have my solemn oath, and the word of Minister Bones that nothing that transpires in this room will be punishable by wizarding law. We will leave you now ... what happens next is completely up to you."

November 9, 2001, 7:15 pm The Lion's Den, Sealed Room

After the door softly closed, a red light glowed around the edges signifying that it had been sealed.

For several minutes, Ginny stood there in front of Harry, staring at him with a lost, wounded look in her eyes. Harry felt immense fear overlaying another emotion ... love? ... coming through the new bond. After those minutes, she closed her eyes for an equal amount of time, and when she opened them the lost, wounded look was gone, having been replaced by the fierce look of a predator. During the time that her eyes were closed, he felt the emotions coming through the bond shift from fear to anger, from anger to rage, and from rage to a white-hot fury that washed away any other traces of emotions that might have been there. Feeling the immensity of the fury assaulting him through the bond, Harry, for the first time since he had committed himself to this path, felt the cold stirrings of fear in his heart – fear for what might come of this. Mustering his courage, he pushed the fear away – he was prepared to pay the ultimate price in this desperate gamble to restore Ginny to herself – and let the love he felt for her come to the surface and emanate through the bond.

"Well, well, well. I bet you never thought you would be in this position, did you Harry?" The coldness in her voice outdid even Voldemort's, and Harry, despite his resolution, felt shivers down his spine.

Harry swallowed against the sudden dryness of his mouth and throat and opened his mouth to reply. "Ginny-"

"Don't call me Ginny! My name is MOLLY!" Her eyes, once so lost and dull, flared to cold brilliance.

"Ginny ..."

"CRUCIO!!"

Author's Notes:

I apologize to anyone who may be offended at the wording of the bond ritual(s).  It is not my intent to make this a supernatural or religious fic.  In this fic I make the assumption that Witches and Wizards are creatures of God and were created by God (please don't jump all over me for that ... after all, this is a work of fiction), just as we all are.  I needed a vehicle to power the bond that was external to the Witches and/or Wizards involved that was capable of judging whether atonement was reached.  My choice for that vehicle is God.

About all I can say to the reviews I have received is WOW!, and of course, THANK YOU!

Thank yous to the latest reviewers: rebekah1, SanityEscapesMe, Silver Warrior, Bottled-Message-Inc, MaraudersIce05.

To respond to a few reviewers:

Rebekah1: The Bond is not a potion and it should show Ginny how Harry truly feels about her. Someone she believes to be Harry has horribly hurt her and caused her current problem. The intent of the bond is to prove to her that it was not Harry who hurt her, which should remove the source of her problem. Will it work? Keep reading to find out.