DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. Don't sue, I'm poor. EXCEPTION: I own the Witches of Trane, the Crystal Orb, the flying carpet idea for the story (kinda), the idea that the forests of Albania are next to the Dead Sea, the Door of Serenity, Fabrisia, home of the nymphs and Amethyst Cove.
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CHAPTER 22: Hell's Elevator (Chapter rated PG-13)
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Meanwhile...
Ginny turned and faced what was in front of her fearlessly. To her surprise, it wasn't the doom she thought it would be, but seemed to only be a muggle contraption called a elevator. Ginny had been in one, once, and thought they were silly. Why used a elevator when you can just take stairs?
The elevator had a intricate carpet, with dark red swirls and flowers, and a light pink background to it. The walls of the small room were covered in the same thing, interrupted by gold wall-paneling as well. Ginny saw the button panel. There were 100 buttons, but no stop or emergency buttons like she remembered noticing in the muggle ones. There was also a half-clock with the numbers 1 to 100 at the top of the elevator. The number one was illuminated, and in about 15 seconds of being on the elevator, Ginny felt her stomach lurch as the elevator began to fall, as fast as the speed of light. She heard the world flying by as they fell, and Ginny heart was in her throat. She tried to scream, but no sound came out.
Her headmaster was standing calmly across from her, observing the elevator. "It's a wonderful invention, isn't it?" he asked after a moment. Ginny didn't think it was that wonderful. She felt like throwing up.
The numbers at the top of the elevator lit up and within a second, changed to the next one, all the way until they got to 99.
Then, just as suddenly as it started, the elevator stopped. Ginny almost hit the ceiling, and fell down, gasping and panting for air, shaking.
She stood up after she collected herself, and her headmaster sighed.
"Hell's elevator." he said, out loud. Ginny gasped, and wondered if he really meant to say that, or if it was a accident.
Though, when the door slid open to the elevator, she forgot all about doubting her headmaster. It was Hell.
The sky was red and overcast, the floor littered with blood and evil things, heads stuck on posts, surrounding a dead garden, mouths open with screams of terror. Ginny bent over and vomited. She felt like her entire being was thrown onto the ground, and she started to sob.
She didn't want to be here. She didn't know why she was here or how she got her anyway. It seemed like just yesterday that she was at home with her brother, bewitching dishes to clean them, in a race of whose would be clean faster. Ginny knew that it was really a week ago, though, and even the thought made her want to puke again. And she almost did, until she felt Dumbledore's slender hand on her shoulder, beckoning her to get up.
She did, and looked at her headmaster. She had seen him brave many evil things and hard obstacles, and never even make a sound. But now, he was ten shades paler, and there were tears in his eyes. He made no effort of brushing them away as 2 slid down his bony cheeks.
Ginny also noticed dark bags under his eyes, that she didn't see before. He was getting old, and would probably be retiring soon.
'This might be his last adventure before he does.' thought Ginny sadly as they started to walk.
Even his once confident and elegant stride seemed to falter. Ginny wondered what times these must be to make her headmaster, the most collected and calm man she ever knew, be this way.
'It must be horrible.' she thought, worrying as they continued to walk through Hell. Dumbledore seemed to know the way through dead gardens, graveyards, pits of lava and fire and tall bushes, until they appeared at a dark castle surrounded by grotesque-looking gargoyles. Ginny wondered how she missed seeing the tall castle on their walk here.
"Ginerva, I want you to know," began Dumbledore, turning towards here, worry apparent in his silver eyes, "none of this was your fault."
Ginny nodded, wondering what he meant, when suddenly something flew from the sky and landed on her headmaster's shoulder. She gasped. It was Fawkes, his Phoenix!
Dumbledore didn't seem surprised at his appearance, just petted him affectionately. Then they began to enter the dark castle, Ginny hoping for the best. -To be Continued...-
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Hermione's hopes dropped to her stomach as Laurel, the mermaid, inforned her that if Hermione was to go to get help in restoring her to her body, she would need to take it with her as she swam.
Hermione sighed, and dipped one foot into the water, swirling it in circles.
This circumstance made Hermione recall a song she once heard on her radio at home, "They've clipped my wings again tore them apart and then left me."
'It's a very appropriate song right now.' thought Hermione as she thought of what to do.
Laurel sighed and sat back in the water, her head just above the water. Draco put his hand on Hermione's shoulder protectivley.
"You should go." whispered Draco in her ear.
"How?" asked Hermione.
"Apparate." he replied.
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Another good chapter, I think. Review por favor. I wanna reach 100 reviews by Wednesday, lets see if we can pull it off, eh?
P.S. Sorry to the few that reviewed before I put up chapter 21. Because of fanfiction's updating and changing servers, I'm not getting any e-mail alerts about reviews, so I didn't notice them until after I put up the chapter. I didn't forget about you! I love all my reviewers.
P.P.S The line to the song in the chapter ("They've clipped my wings again tore them apart and then left me.") whoever can guess it first, I'll mention in the story. Haha.
Flavagurl - Oh yeah! How was it? Thanks!
XX-Dracos-Dark-Queen-XX - Review happy is my kinda happy! Thanks! Hope you review again. :-)
random llama127 - Sneaky you.
Kathloonakins - Thanks so much!
Scarz - Spectacular!? I love that word. I'll use it in the story and dedicate it to you. Haha. Thanks!
Lestatlover1784 - Oh. Heh. Forgot about that. I always forget the books. If it weren't for the movies, I'd have no memory of them at all. I remember movies way better then books. And I'll put a unicorn in, I promise. :-) Just for you.
Kathloonakins - Thank you!
dan-lovr - Thanks Chloe! I'm really really glad you really really like it!
XX-Dracos-Dark-Queen-XX - Right-o. :-)
