Chapter 23

The Waxy Candle

"Are you all right?" Lara asked, running into the room. "What happened?"

"I tripped," Harry lied.

"It sounded like someone was shouting. Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Well, if you need anything, we're right down the hall." She left and closed the door behind her.

Harry walked over to Ginny. They had managed to get her back on the bed before Lara had entered.

"What was that about?" Sirius asked.

"I'm not sure, but whatever it is, it's not good and it better not be permanent or hurt Ginny,"

Harry said.

"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going to sleep downstairs away from all you people before something else bizarre happens," Draco said, walking out.

"It's probably a good idea to go to bed," Hermione said. "I'll sleep downstairs."

"Me too," Ron said. "Goodnight,"

The rest wished them a good night and watched them leave the room.

Sirius readied the blankets for himself and James as James said goodnight to Lily, despite the fact that she couldn't hear him.

"You going to sleep, Harry?" James asked.

Harry didn't answer.

"Harry?"

"Yeah, just a sec," Harry leaned down and kissed Ginny on the forehead. He stood up and walked to his bed. James made sure Harry was sleeping before he himself went to sleep to make sure Harry got some much needed rest.

Thankfully, the night was uneventful and most of them had slept in. James woke to a quiet shriek coming from Lily. James rushed over to her.

"Lils, it's alright. We found some nice people to let us stay with them. We're safe. Lils, I'm so sorry! It wasn't supposed to hit you."

"I know you didn't, James. You don't need to apologize." Then, Lily noticed Ginny. "What happened to her?" she asked, alarmed.

"The Cruciatus Curse."

"Oh! Harry must be so upset!"

"He is, especially after what happened last night." Lily gave James an expectant look, knowing he would explain his statement. "Ginny suddenly woke up and grabbed Harry. She started shaking him and telling him to go home because…because Voldemort is going to…kill Harry soon." James shuddered "Just saying it is terrifying."

"We don't know that for a fact, though, right?" Lily asked.

"No, we don't know, and Harry's still going to continue his quest."

Just then, Ginny stirred. She moved her head so she was facing Harry, though her eyes were closed. "Harry," She called softly. "Harry," she said again, a little louder than before.

"I'd better wake him up," James said walking toward Harry.

"Harry," He said, tapping his shoulder. Harry jumped, causing James to scream and trip over Sirius.

"Ow! Prongs! That hurt! Why'd you wake me up? It's not like we have class!" Sirius said, rubbing his leg James had stepped on.

"You scared me!" Harry exclaimed.

"Sorry! You scared me!" James said sheepishly. "I just thought you'd like to know Ginny's calling your name."

Harry's smile immediately vanished as he pulled his blankets off him and walked toward Ginny. He sat on her bed and held her hand. "I'm here, Ginny. I'm right here." Ginny moved her head once more to face Harry. Her eyes fluttered open. She looked around at the room and her eyes suddenly grew fearful.

"We're at the Brunson's aren't we?" she asked.

"How did you know that, Ginny?" Harry asked.

"We have to leave now! Voldemort's coming! He'll be here at noon! What time is it?" she asked. Harry looked at his watch. "Eleven thirty."

"Harry, please trust me! We must leave now!" Ginny stood up speedily, but fell backwards into Harry's arms. "Take it easy, Ginny. We'll leave now, but please be careful." Harry's eyes became fearful because Voldemort was on his way and Ginny knew about it.

Ginny stood with the help of Harry who had fully recovered his strength. James and Lily were the last out the door and walked into the room where the rest were sleeping.

"Wake up! Wake up! We have to leave now!" Ginny bellowed. Draco jumped off the couch and fell to the floor, as Ginny had shouted right over his ear. Ron woke up quickly as well, but in not the same manner as Draco. Ron thought it was pretty funny seeing Draco fly. It reminded him fondly of Draco Malfoy: The Amazing Bouncing Ferret. Hermione got up and asked, "Why do we have to leave?"

"Voldemort will be here in thirty minutes!" Ginny cried.

"Ginny! You're alright!" Ron exclaimed and rushed over to hug his sister.

"Later, Ron! We have to leave."

"What's all this about leaving?" Top asked, walking in from the kitchen. "Oh! You're awake! Wonderful!" he said to Lily and Ginny.

"Voldemort knows where we are and we have to leave now! If we don't Harry's going to die!" Ginny cried.

"He's coming here!" Lara cried and practically fainted into her husband's arms.

"You had better leave too," Harry said. "We don't want him to hurt you just for helping us."

"We have a cellar outside. We can hide in there. I'm not leaving my property," Lara said.

"Come on! We have to go!" Ginny pleaded.

"I'd feel a lot better if I knew you were safe," Harry said.

"Don't worry, Mr. Potter, we will be. Now, it's a matter of life and death here, so I want you to leave right now!" Top said.

"We can't thank you enough for letting us stay with you," Hermione said.

"It was our pleasure. Now, go on! We don't want to be responsible for not letting you leave," Top said.

They gathered the few things they had brought inside with them and walked, or rather were pushed by Ginny, out the door. They walked through the trees and found the van they had used last night.

"Now where?" James asked.

"Away from here," Harry answered. "We'll figure out more later."

They filed into the van and Hermione started the car. The car was tense with silence. Ginny had really been freaked out over something. Was it a dream? Or a vision? Whatever it was, she thought it was real. Better safe than sorry, I guess. James thought.

They drove for a few hours when Hermione announced, "We need more gas."

"We need more what?" Ron asked.

"It's what the car runs on."

"I thought it ran on the road and we have plenty more of that!" Sirius said.

"No, Sirius. We put gas in the engine and it makes the car able to move."

"We don't have to get gas," Lily said.

"How else are we going to keep the car moving?" Harry asked. "You were raised with cars. You should know."

"I do know, Harry, but we can use a charm to keep it going without gas. I used it on my parents' cars so I can do it on this."

"Now where are we?" Ron asked.

"I'm not sure."

"Look! There's a city up there. Maybe we can ask someone where we are," Draco said. "I also suggest we get out and stretch our legs also. I'm desperate to get away from you Gryffindors."

"If you want to." Hermione ignored the last sentence he said and drove the car further into the city and parked on the side of the street. They all hopped out of the car and stretched. It felt wonderful after being trapped inside a car for five hours.

"I'm hungry!" Sirius said.

"Me too," Ron said.

"I think we all are so let's stop complaining and find someone who can help us," Harry said.

"Who made you the leader of us?" Draco said.

"No one, I'm just trying to help us out, Malfoy, now get over it and help us!" They walked down the street after Hermione put a locking charm on the mini van.

They asked every person they could if they spoke English, but no one they could find had any idea what they were saying. They sat down on some stone steps to rest.

"Maybe if we split up, we can find something quicker," James suggested. "We could meet back at the van in an hour?"

"It wouldn't hurt to try," Hermione said.

They stood up once more and split into pairs. James went with Lily, Ron with Hermione, Ginny with Harry, and Draco with Sirius.

James and Lily walked all over looking for someone who could help them, but each new attempt was another failure. They now had fifteen minutes left and were feeling very discouraged.

"Great! Now it's snowing again!" James exclaimed.

"Come on, then. Let's go ask inside that building right there. The name is also in English so there's bound to be someone who speaks English in there." Lily and James walked up to the building. The sign over it read "The Waxy Candle."

They walked in and found the place was dimly lit. All the occupants kept to themselves and wore dark robes.