Chapter 12: Twice Fooled
Ginny could hardly wait for Saturday. The rest of the week floated by like a dream, with no more night terrors since the one she had had after talking with Harry. Even though everyone stared at her, Ginny couldn't help but have a smile on her face as she walked down the corridors to her classes. She was going to see Harry soon! That was all that mattered.
She had spent a great deal of her evenings arguing with herself as to what to wear. Finally, she had given in and asked Ron for some money to pay for a new set of maternity robes. She really didn't have anything that fit her and looked good. Surprisingly he didn't put up a fuss, and soon she was the proud owner of some deep burgundy maternity robes that she was sure Harry would find quite fetching on her, (which she purchased by owl order of course).
Saturday morning dawned bright and crisp, and Ginny found herself rising as the sunlight filtered into her room. This morning she didn't even grumble at her early awakening, rather, she bounded from her bed and over to the window seat. I'm seeing Harry today! she thought over and over. Then her heart sunk as she noticed the clock hanging on her wall. It was 5:30 AM. She still had 11 and a half hours before she would see him. With a sigh she grabbed a blanket and a book and made her way back to the window.
Around 9 Ginny heard Ron emerge from his room. All too cheerfully Ginny tore from her own to greet him in the common.
"Good morning Ronnikins!" she said with a large smile.
"S'matter with you Gin? Why do you have to be so damn awake?"
"Aww spoilsport! Come on! I've been up for hours, couldn't you at least be happy to see your dear sister in the mornings?"
"Alright Gin," he relented, kissing her on the cheek, "Good morning. There? Better?"
"Much. What's for breakfast?" she wondered and wandered into the dining nook. There the table was set for three and held an assortment of baked goods in a basket and a plate of fruits. Each morning seemed to host a group of breakfast foods from the house elves: pastries, eggs and bacon, waffles and pancakes, fruit, cereals, etc. Ginny was happy about this mornings selection- she could go for a good scone right then.
After grabbing a blueberry scone she asked Ron "Where's Hermione?"
"She had to leave last night for something at work…Got an urgent owl about something…uhh…I don't remember what," he told her through his own muffin.
She rolled her eyes. Ron was hopeless sometimes.
"You really should try to pay attention more, you know," she scolded. All she got was a stone cold glare in reply.
"Fine," she told him, finished with her scone. Sighing she relented a bit. "It doesn't really matter. I'm going to go for a walk to kill the time. I'll be back soon." With a wave from Ron, who was now immersed in the Daily Prophet, Ginny took her leave.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Ginny loved the halls of Hogwarts when they were vacant. They were so beautiful to stroll through and admire, and you always found something new and interesting everywhere you went. Around 11 she finally returned to her room after a lively debate with a painting of giraffe over ghosts' rights. She laughed to think that a giraffe really thought that ghosts should have to be licensed like dogs.
She walked into their suite to find that Ron was gone. She sat on the couch for a while trying to think of something to do when she heard a pecking noise at the window. A large tawny owl was waiting outside with a letter in its beak. Intrigued, Ginny lurched off the couch as quickly as she could, let the bird in, and tore open the letter which she saw was addressed to her.
Ginny,
No time to explain, but there's been a change of plans! Please meet me out by the Shrieking Shack at 3 PM. I promise you that I know what I'm doing—we won't be seen! I'll explain it all when I see you soon,
Love Harry
Ginny was puzzled by this note. For starters, Hedwig hadn't delivered it, and she couldn't believe Harry would change plans on her that quickly. But it was Harry's writing—she was sure of that. She debated about trying to contact him via mirror, but she realized that he would still be in training since it was still the morning. He had said that he got the afternoon and evening off, after all…Maybe the owl was one of the auror's, or an owl for the department or something…
Sighing, she let the owl back out the window after scribbling a reply on the back of the letter. Harry better make this good, she grumbled to as she made her way to her room. She only had a short time to get ready, and now she had to walk into Hogsmeade. Apparating her pregnant self took more energy than it was worth, but if she walked she could take a more leisurely pace and be just fine. It's all worth it to see Harry, she reminded herself, as she got into the shower. Just think that you're lucky you're going to see him a couple hours earlier.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
A large tawny owl flew through the window to land on a desk.
Alright Harry. I can't wait to see you and hear your explanation for this!
Love Ginny
A smile played at the lips of the most dangerous man in the country for the first time in a long while. Soon it spread wider and wider until a laugh that would shatter glass omitted from the space that was opened as his mirth progressed.
He had him. Tonight was the end of Harry Potter.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
"Ahh!" Harry dropped his wand and clutched his scar. Kingsley, who he had been dueling, stopped to stare at the young man in front of him as he fell to his knees.
"Potter! Are you all right!" Mad-Eye growled with concern. Harry didn't respond; just continued to breathe in raspy breaths and clutch his forehead for a few more seconds. As Kingsley reached him his breathing returned nearer to normal and he released his head.
"I'm…okay," he replied shakily, rising once more.
"What the hell was that Harry?" Tonks asked from the sidelines. "You scared us!" It was then he noticed that everyone was staring at him.
"Uh…well…he was just happy. Very happy," he shuddered. "The happiest he's been in 17 years I think. It was just a bit much to take. I'm sorry I made such a scene." He fidgeted with his hands, feeling a sudden need to check up on Ginny.
"Maybe it's a good thing you're getting this afternoon off, Potter," Kingsley told him, resting a hand on his shoulder and attempting a smile through the unsettling news. Voldemort happy was not a good sign. Instead of showing his true feelings he simply asked, "Now, can you finish our duel?"
Harry tried to hide his discomfort. He really wanted to check on Ginny, but he had his obligations.
"Of course, sir!" he replied. He was sure Ginny was fine. After all, what place was safer than Hogwarts? Only his arms, and soon she would be there as well. With that though putting his mind at ease, he concentrated on the task at hand once more.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
When Ginny finally arrived at the outskirts of the Shrieking Shack it was more than a relief. First of all she was cold, then secondly she was sore from walking so far, and thirdly, she was only too happy to be away from the townspeople. It seemed that the affairs of Hogwarts had spread to the village, and Ginny had walked through the streets amid hushed whispered and wide eyes. She had held her head high, but this time it had been harder. These people didn't even know her at all—who where they to judge? At least at Hogwarts she had Dumbledore to stand behind her.
And now to make matters worse, Harry was late. Grumbling to herself she dug in her pocket for her mirror. Frowning, she dug deeper. Dammit Weasley! she cursed herself. Great time to forget to change the contents of your pockets from one robe to another. Fuming at her forgetfulness and Harry's tardiness she began to pace along the fence.
"Hmm…What's this?" she asked noticing a tuft of red fabric up ahead. She bent low to examine the object in the snow.
A beautiful doll lay on the ground, with only a sprinkling of snow on top of it. "Someone must have lost you recently," Ginny mused. What child would be playing near here? she shuddered to think. She grabbed the doll and stood up, dusting the snow from it's face. She didn't even have time to widen her eyes as she felt a familiar tug on her navel as the portkey was activated…
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Finally 3 PM rolled around and Harry was released from training. He rushed into his apartment to shower and get ready for the night ahead. He resisted his urge to mirror Ginny even though he was a bit unsettled. He wanted this night to be special and see her for the first time in person. Plus, he tried to reassure himself, she was safe at Hogwarts…
He was ready all too soon. It was only 4 PM and he had an entire hour to kill before going to get her. This left him with more then ample time to pace and get nervous about proposing, rehearsing what he was going to say over and over until he started to forget things. Normal nerves got to him and he began to wonder if Ginny would reject him since it took him so long to think of proposing. What would he do if she said no?
He thought about this for a few minutes before common sense pushed into his brain forced those thoughts out. Luckily he glanced at the clock at that time to notice it was 4:50. A huge grin spread over his face. In a few short hours, Ginny would hopefully be his fiancée. With a quiet pop he disapparated to the front gates.
Hogwarts was pretty quiet on a Saturday at 5PM. Harry saw a few students returning from Hogsmeade or enjoying the vacating sun on the grass. He tried to entertain his thoughts with fond memories from his own Hogwarts years as he waited for Ginny.
5 PM rolled around and he rubbed his hands together eagerly, and tried to wipe the ridiculous grin off his face to no avail.
5:10 and Harry began to get impatient.
5:20 and Harry began to get worried.
5:30 and Harry was scared. He wasn't waiting any longer, he decided, and set off to the castle to make sure everything was alright. Soon he burst through the door into Ron's suite.
Ron was sitting at the table, grading DADA work.
"Where's Ginny, Ron?" Harry asked, worry creased in his brow. Ron looked up from his grading, surprised.
"With you, mate? Isn't she?" His eyes widened when Harry shook his head.
"When was the last time you saw her, Ron?" Harry asked him, trying not to panic, now that he realized something was definitely not right.
"Well, Hermione left around midnight…got an owl from work, then I went to bed…woke up around 9, then Ginny and I ate breakfast around 9 or 10…then she went for a walk, and I went out to practice some Quidditch and didn't get back till 2 or so. I had lunch in the Great Hall…Ginny wasn't here when I got back. I assumed she was with you…" Ron's face was slowly turning green as he too realized that Ginny was missing for sure now. She wouldn't pass up the chance to see Harry for the world.
"Okay, I'm going to ask the students if they saw anything, check her room, will you Ron? See if there's anything in there, please," Harry told him and rushed out the door after Ron nodded.
Harry was thoroughly worried now. Something in his gut told him she was in more danger each second it took to find her. He debated his course of action as he raced through Hogwarts, but finally settled on entering the Great Hall.
He pulled open the doors and rushed in. Most of the students were seated at their tables, talking quietly and sharing a few laughs over their food. When Harry entered the Hall, it became deathly quiet instantly.
"Has anyone seen Ginny Weasley today?" he asked the room, trying to keep his voice devoid of any emotion. The students began to murmur.
"This is very serious! Has anyone seen her after 11 AM today!" Harry raised his voice a bit for this statement. A Ravenclaw 5th year stood up.
"I saw her in Hogsmeade today. She was wearing nice robes and walking towards the edge of town. Like towards the Shrieking Shack. I think it was around 2:30 that I saw her." Harry noticed the other students began to nod in agreement. They had seen her in Hogsmeade too.
"Thank you." He said curtly and ran out of the door after an obvious look towards Dumbledore. Meanwhile the Headmaster's eyes widened in realization.
"Minerva," he said, turning to the McGonagall, "Please make sure all students currently in Hogsmeade return at once." She nodded but curiosity got the better of her.
"Of course, Albus, but may I enquire as to the reasoning?"
He paused a moment, sighing with closed eyes, before answering.
"I think tonight will forever be remembered as the Final Battle," he told her honestly. Her eyes widened.
"Surely not, Albus. Harry is not ready to fight Him yet!" Dumbledore nodded his agreement.
"And yet he must. Voldemort has found Harry's weakness and we must hope that Harry can overcome any grief he will feel tonight and rid the world of this evil. I must say that I am not overly optimistic, though."
"Shouldn't we send him help!" she asked, desperately.
"You know the prophecy, Minerva. Only Harry has the power to kill Voldemort. I had only hoped we might discover what that power was before the final battle though," he told her solemnly.
Then something snapped inside of him…an idea…could it be true? The discarded prophecy…the one that Harry's had replaced…could they be linked? Suddenly there were too many unanswered questions. Dumbledore quickly rose to leave.
"Excuse me, Minerva. Perhaps I shouldn't be so quick to doubt the outcome of events tonight. I think there might be another force to help our side tonight…if I am right…well…I must go check. Please gather the students. Do not alarm them just yet…" he told her, quickly withdrawing to his office, and leaving the other professor completely baffled.
Minerva McGonagall took a deep breath before thinking about the unusual conversation she had just experienced. She had shared many a cryptic conversation with the man who had just left her in the past, but this one was one of the most puzzling. First, she noted that Dumbledore had not told her what Harry's weakness was. She thought about it for a minute as the truth slowly dawned on her. Ginny. Lord, she thought. Through all of this, Harry found love. What a remarkable child. No, a remarkable man.
Sighing she realized that Albus was right. Harry was the one who was made for this job. Rising, she whispered under her breath before going to round up the students, "Good luck Harry Potter. May the spirits be with you."
………………………………………………………………………………………………
With this bout of new information, Harry raced off the grounds and apparated to nearby the Shrieking Shack.
"Ginny!" he yelled, knowing it would be useless. He kept up calling, just in case as he searched along the fence and at the outskirts of the trees surrounding the area. After ten minutes of searching both magically and physically he fell to his knees in the snow, head in his hands.
He had failed her, and now she was gone. Emotions boiled up inside him and he shouted "IF YOU'VE HURT HER TOM! IF YOU'VE HURT EVEN ONE HAIR ON HER HEAD…"
Suddenly a bright flash of red entered his vision. His head snapped up to a fence post where he noticed something odd. He tore from the ground and ran to the post to see a lock of bright red hair tied with a burgundy ribbon hanging from a nail.
"Ginny?" he whispered, eyes red and brimming with shame as he reached for the lock of hair. Bastard! He thought as he felt a familiar tug on his navel…
Author's Note: Ahhh what would a fic be without at least one cliffhanger? I know it's sort too…Sorry all, but I promise that the next chapter will be up in a couple of days at the MOST. I truly apologize for the wait: life just hit me full force. Instead of going into the many details, I'll just skip straight to the reviews.
Also, just to know, the title of this chapter is "Twice Fooled" because Harry was fooled twice by the portkey trick. Hehehe….anyway, thanks for reading and I would love to hear your thoughts!
And lastly, before I get to the promised review-replies, I would like to express how I hate it when people beg for reviews, but I must admit that one of my biggest wishes is to get over 100 reviews. So take that comment however you see fit.
MeaghanPotter: I'm so sorry it took so long! You won't have to wait as long for the next one ;)
YelloWitchGrl: Yay! I'm so glad you think I did better! I'm not to happy with this chapter, but the people who I got to read it before I posted it said it was great :S not as helpful as I wished, but hey, what can you do…lol anyway, I keep meaning to post a review for your story, because every time I tried to the servers were overloaded! Thanks for the review!
Saint Emo: Again, sorry for the wait :( I'm so glad you like it though! I hope you don't hate me after this cliffhanger! I promise to get this chapter done faster ;)
couldntthinkofagoodpenname: Oh yes, so many things did happen. Tell me, could you tell that her dreams were Voldemort using Occulememcy to get into her mind? Just wondering if people realized that…but I'll explain it more in the next chapter…;) Thanks for the review.
donttouchmysexyferret: Oh yes, I love your name. Very wonderful :D Anyway, I hope you realize that Voldie knew they were supposed to meet and then drew her away. That was what the 5PM thing was…does that make sense? Lol please tell me if it doesn't…Thanks again for the review :)
Elane217: I noticed you signed on Ch 6. Did you get a chance to read more? Did you like it better? I'm glad you like my story though :) Thanks so much for the review!
volleypickle16: Thanks for the review! I hope you enjoy this chapter.
youdon'tknowme: ASH "the closest thing I have to a beta" LEY haha do you like my clever name? lol PS I never give up. Kinda like Harry ;)
felidoodlepoodle: Ah yes, the promised action. I still promise it. It'll come…someday…lol! Thanks!
cantatedomino: Thanks for the compliment! I really appreciate it and I'm so glad you enjoy the story! I hope you like this chapter too!
Sarahbuggs: wow did you like how you guessed my plot? Nicely done, lol! However, some of those ideas won't be coming I'm afraid. ;) How ever did you guess that they couldn't be married when Voldie was around? muahaha you'll just have to wait and find out, though. Don't worry, I've got my bases covered ;)
SiriusLivesOn: OH! A tribal dance! Where can I sign up?
kamiellie: Thank you very much! I'm so glad you enjoyed!
Lori: shhhhhhhhhh…do not try to feel my wrath as you will soon be spending days upon days in a car with me across the country!
Julie: thank you for the suggestions! Yes they are a bit long, but they are helpful nonetheless. I wasn't so happy with this chapter: what do you think? I'd love a comment on it when you get the chance ;) Thanks again!
