You Set Me Free
By Duck Goddess
Disclaimer: Don't own anything except the plot and Leah Campbell.
basketball15 – Okay, I said don't diss Ginny but don't diss Leah either. She is merely reckless, she doesn't think before she acts and her love for Colin is messing up her brain.
blackfox360 – I was hoping I would gain the reputation as a nice author but I guess I'm too evil. sobs. I HATE reading cliffies as well but writing a cliffhanger is fun. smirks evilly
eatingmania – Yeah, didn't think it would be funny.
Okay, I've had 143 hits so far but only 16 reviews. Please, please, PLEASE review even if you just read this story for a random reason or you're only going to say: I read this story. I'd really, really appreciate it because reviews really cheer me up. God knows how depressed I've been.
Chapter Five
Ginny sprinted down the stairs with the note in her hand. She flew by the Golden Trio and Harry stopped her.
"Ginny, what's wrong?" he asked. She wriggled out of his grasp and ran out the Portrait Hole. The Trio exchanged looks and ran after her.
She ran all the way to Dumbledore's office without stopping. That bastard, Ginny thought angrily, if he sent Order members to look for Colin, Leah would still be here. She's going to get herself killed!
"Ginny, wait up!" Ron called. Ginny didn't wait. She already lost one best friend, she wasn't going to lose her other.
"Skittles," she said quickly and ran up the stairs.
"DUMBLEDORE!" Ginny roared. He looked up.
"Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said calmly.
"LEAH IS GONE! SHE'S GONE TO LOOK FOR COLIN!" she shouted.
Dumbledore's face was guarded.
"Is that all?" he asked serenely.
"IS THAT ALL YOU CAN SAY? I'VE ALREADY LOST ONE BEST FRIEND AND NOW MY OTHER IS GONE! SHE'S GOING TO GET HERSELF KILLED BECAUSE OF YOU! IF YOU SENT SOME PEOPLE OUT TO LOOK FOR COLIN, LEAH WOULDN'T FEEL THE NEED TO SEARCH FOR HIM! YOU'RE A FUCKING BASTARD! YOU FEEL LIKE YOU DO THE RIGHT THINGS ALL THE TIME! WELL YOU DON'T!" Ginny screamed. Her head looked like it was on fire – her face was flushed and her fiery, dark red hair stood on end.
Harry, Ron and Hermione had already arrived and they looked positively scared.
"I am sure, Miss Weasley, that they will be alright," Dumbledore said, unfazed by Ginny's temper.
"Last time, you said that you were sure that Colin was dead. He isn't. Look at this," Ginny snapped, slamming the note onto his desk. Dumbledore read the note.
"He's at her house," he said quietly.
"Exactly why Leah went looking for him," she replied furiously.
"How did she know this?" Dumbledore asked.
"Like hell I care! You need to send Order members, NOW!" Ginny said hotly.
"We don't have any proof that Colin is there apart from Leah's note and she can sometimes…get a little mad," Dumbledore said, "We can't afford to lose any more members. We don't have any more."
Ginny looked livid – incensed beyond rage. She stormed out and slammed the door behind her.
"Looks like she's got Mum's temper," Ron said without thinking. Hermione elbowed him and glared at him.
"Why won't you send any Order members out?" Harry asked quietly. Ron and Hermione exchanged looks. He was pissed.
"We can't afford to send any more members. We only have a few left," Dumbledore explained.
Harry, too, looked angry. He, too, stormed out and slammed the door. Ron and Hermione left as well. They got back to the Common Room to find Ginny sitting in an armchair, staring into the fire. She looked up and sighed.
"I think I'm going to have to rescue them," Ginny said.
"Ginny! NO! It's not safe!" Ron said automatically, in his overprotective-big-brother mode.
"Ron, I know you have my best interests at heart but they're my best friends. I can't just leave them there in mortal peril. If they die, I die," Ginny said stubbornly. Ron looked torn.
"Ron's right, Ginny," Hermione said, supporting her boyfriend.
"You don't know who you're going to face," Harry said worriedly.
"Harry, I have to do this," Ginny said, her eyes boring into his.
Harry sighed.
"Fine. I'm coming with you, then," he said, putting his arm around her.
"So am I," Ron said boldly. They all looked at Hermione.
"Fine," she said exasperatedly, "Just to make sure you don't do anything stupid."
"I highly doubt you'll succeed, Herm," Ron said affectionately. Hermione smiled.
"Thanks, guys, for coming with me," Ginny said gratefully.
"It's what we're for, Gin. Going on stupid rescue missions," Harry said, kissing her forehead.
"When are we leaving?" she asked.
"We should leave tomorrow morning. We'll get there by nightfall," Hermione said, "Do you know where she lives?"
"Somewhere called Lancaster Gate," Ginny replied, "But I don't know London very well."
"I do. I live there," Hermione said.
"How do we get there?" Ron asked.
"We can't floo. If there are Death Eaters there, they'll kill us in an instant," Ginny replied.
"We could just go on brooms," Harry said. Hermione instantly paled.
"Sorry, Herm," Ginny said apologetically.
"It's alright. It's for a good cause, right?" she said weakly.
"Right. We can disillusion ourselves because invisibility cloaks won't stay on," Ron said.
"Okay, meet in the Astronomy Tower at 5:00. We can take off from there. We go south and rescue Leah and Colin," Ginny said.
"What about the Death Eaters?" Hermione asked.
"I'll know what to dowhen I meet them."
Draco arrived at the half-blood's house, looking bored. He looked around – the house was filled with Death Eaters.
"The basement is filled with cells now," one of them said.
"Good," a familiar voice said.
He spun around. His father was there.
"Hello, Draco," Lucius sneered.
"Father," Draco said.
"I thought you were busy being Dumbledore's little saint," Lucius said coldly.
"That was just a way to gain their trust. I can betray them to you," Draco said, smirking evilly. Lucius assessed him. Draco held his ground and put on his 'mask'.
"Well, you can't get the Dark Mark now as the Dark Lord isn't here," Lucius said.
Look disappointed, his voice said. Draco looked disappointed.
"There's no need to look like that, Draco. People will think you're weak," Lucius said. Draco inwardly rolled his eyes.
"Whose house is this?" he asked.
"Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement," Lucius drawled.
"Tim Campbell," Draco said. Suddenly, he stopped. Tim Campbell. Leah Campbell. Ginny's best friend.
"Why are we here?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
"We've captured a mudblood. He's Weasley's best friend. We can lure her to him and I'm sure Potter will be with her. The Dark Lord will kill them," Lucius said, smirking.
Oh shit, Draco thought.
"That's an excellent plan," Draco said, "Can I see the mudblood?" He inwardly winced. He hadn't used that dreaded word in a long time. Lucius narrowed his eyes.
"Alright," he finally said. Draco went down to the basement and saw a figure huddled on the floor.
"Creevey," he hissed.
Creevey looked up.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I don't know myself," Draco replied.
"Damn wards," Creevey muttered, "I tried to climb out the window but I got thrown back in." Draco inwardly rolled his eyes at his stupidity.
"Get me out!" he said.
"I can't," Draco replied, "If the Death Eaters find out that you've vanished, they're going to suspect me and I'm working for the Order. You have to stay here."
"No," Creevey said, "Leah is coming. They're going to kill her."
"As well as Ginny and Potter," Draco said coldly.
Creevey looked crestfallen.
"Ginny's coming as well?" he asked. He was about to lose both of his best friends and he was in love with one of them.
"I'm not sure," Draco said, "I have to warn Dumbledore. Stay here." He got up and Disapparated.
Draco arrived in Hogsmeade and walked back up to the castle. He said the password and walked up the stairs.
"Professor," Draco greeted.
"Have you seen Colin Creevey?" Dumbledore asked quickly.
"Yes," Draco said, surprised that he knew.
"So he is at Leah's house," Dumbledore said under his breath.
"Yes. Look, Professor, you have to stop Harry Potter from going. Voldemort will kill him," Draco said. I'm surprised you actually care, Draco.
He's my partner. I'm not going to let him die!
"Harry is ready. It's his time," Dumbledore said softly.
"What about Ginny?" Draco asked angrily.
"She'll go with him. She was meant to," he said quietly. Draco sighed, knowing that his emotions were going to go out of control with worry,
"I guess I'll see them tomorrow. I have to back," Draco said and he walked out.
Leah flew on her broom, surrounded by clouds. She shivered and had some more of her chocolate. She looked around her and saw that the clouds had cleared. She was right above London.
She saw a big, green patch and flew towards that. Her house was near Hyde Park. She flew towardsLancaster Gateand saw her house.
Leah arrived outside the house, surprised that none of the Death Eaters were outside. She disillusioned herself and walked inside. Leah made her way to the basement and saw the cells.
"What the hell have those sick freaks done to my house?" Leah muttered angrily. She looked around and saw Colin.
"Oh my God," she breathed.
She tried to open the door but it was locked. Leah grabbed her wand.
"Alohomora," she said. She pushed it but it stayed put.
"Reducto," she tried again. It had no effect.
"Crap," Leah muttered, "Colin!" He looked up and frowned. No one was there.
"Oh shit," she muttered and removed the charm. Colin gasped.
"Leah," he breathed. Suddenly, his eyes went wide and he paled. Leah frowned and turned around. There was Lucius Malfoy with narrowed eyes and his wand held steady.
A/N: REVIEW!