Disclaimer: I take it by now you've all figured out that I don't own any of this. But just in case….
It all belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Chapter Nine: Diagon AlleyHermione was in her element, thought Harry. Books were stacked high on every surface in his living room, except for his kitchen table, which they had moved in to provide more surfaces to spread things out on. The table held a large map of Europe and Asia. He, Ron, Hermione, Charlie, and Percy were all leaning over it. Andrew sat talking with Ginny in a corner, taking her official statement. Fred and George, oddly quiet and studious, sat on the couch, pouring over two huge volumes: Plotting the Unplottable and Hide and Seek: Finding Your Enemy. Bill marked dates on a calendar, trying to make out a timeline of events. Every so often he would wave his wand over it, wait, then swear. Harry guessed that the dates weren't locking in correctly with the events.
Harry drew his wandering mind back to task.
"Now here," Percy was saying "is where the river starts. Ginny said she never came near any rivers, so far as she can recall. So she wasn't anywhere near there. Over here, however…it all starts to fit. And Ginny distinctly remembers a sea voyage."
"But isn't that a landlocked sea?" Ron wanted to know.
"No," said Hermione. "It has a very narrow pass to the ocean. Ginny could have left from a port there." Hermione pointed. "And look." Hermione tapped the map. "Forests, and some mountains. Ginny remembers seeing or walking through both. I think we have it pretty much nailed down."
"Except for actually finding the stronghold." That was Charlie, a grim smile on his face. "The bastard's probably made it Unplottable, but Fred and George are working on that."
As if on cue, Fed poked his head out of Plotting the Unplottable. "Bingo," he sang out. "All we need is something of his, something that was in the castle for an extended period of time. We can trace it back. Mind you, it's a pretty complicated spell, and only someone who knows what the place is like can do it, but I think it's our best shot."
Harry looked at Fred. "That would mean that Ginny would have to perform the spell," he said. "And what are we going to do for one of Malfoy's possessions?"
Ginny looked up. "You're talking about me. I can tell." She excused herself from Andrew, and walked over. "What is it?"
Harry explained what they needed, and what she would need to do.
"Easy," she nodded. "You can use that cloak I stole. And I can cast the spell. If it means getting Malfoy." She paused, and then smiled, lopsidedly. "On one condition," she stipulated.
"What's that, Gin?" asked Ron worriedly.
"That I get a wand of my own."
And so, an hour later found Ginny, Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the Leaky Cauldron, wondering where to go first. Hermione had just suggested that they go to Madam Malkin's first to get Ginny some new robes, when they heard a shriek. The four turned in unison, and a flying shape nearly knocked Ginny over.
Jessica-the same Jessica who had come for help on the night of Ginny's kidnapping, threw herself onto Ginny, buried her face in Ginny's shoulder, and burst into tears.
Ginny looked a little surprised at first, and then seemed to realize who she was hugging.
"Jess?" she gasped, looking at the head of curl blond hair buried in her arms. "Is that you?"
"Gin! Oh, you're alive, I knew it! Everyone thought you were dead, but I knew you weren't! Where have you been, what have you been doing?" She pulled back to look at Ginny and noticed her stomach. She smiled.
"Oh, you too? Congratulations! Is it a girl or a boy?" She patted her own stomach. "This little girl's due to be born in a month and a half."
Ginny faltered, then smiled back. "I don't know, I wasn't planning on this…it wasn't really my choice."
Jessica looked horrified. "What?"
"It was Malfoy," explained Hermione. "Voldemort gave Ginny to him, and well…"
Jessica grabbed Ginny in a hug again. "How ever did you escape?"
"I'll tell you the whole story over a Butterbeer," said Ginny, walking to the counter. But Hermione put a hand out to stop her.
"No alcohol, Ginny. It could hurt the baby."
Ginny frowned. "Oh, fine. I guess you're right." She looked at her old friend. "How about you come shopping with me?" She turned to the trio. "Do you mind if I catch up with Jess?"
"No! Not at all, go ahead!" Hermione made shooing motions with her hands. "Just go to the twin's shop and Floo home after you're down. It hasn't changed since you were…last here. You have your Gringotts account key, I don't think your Mum ever disbanded your account, and it kept growing interest. We'll expect you back by seven for dinner with Andrew to discuss the plans. OK?"
Ginny sighed. "Yes, Mum." She stuck out her tongue playfully, and giggled. She looked happy. Harry was glad to see it, but he wished that he had been the one to make her laugh.
Harry watched Ginny walk out of the pub with her friend, talking excitedly. He was surprised to feel a twinge of jealousy, and he felt an irrational jealousy towards Jessica. He wished he was the one walking out of the pub with Ginny, arm in arm, smiling.
He turned, and caught Hermione looking at him with a strange satisfaction on her face.
"What?" he asked.
"Oh," she responded airily. "Nothing." She elbowed Ron, who also smirked.
Harry looked at the both of them. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Hermione repeated, looking at Harry innocently. Ron began to snicker. He quickly turned it into a cough.
It must be a marriage thing, Harry decided, before dismissing the incident.
A/N: OK. And there you go. Another chapter. I think my best yet.
Now, I have an important question. The way I'm writing this now is pretty much leading into a sequel, which I anticipate to be much easier to write and altogether better. My question: would anyone read it?
Sorry, people, no review thank yous this time. My email is being evil. Yell at IT, not ME.
Now, back to the old grindstone.
PEACE!
