A.N./ The later parts of the this chapter are in POV's. First it's Ginny, then Bridget, and finally The man in the mask. Just in case you don't figure it out.
Chapter 9
Everyday since a hidden face from Hogsmede brought Bridget Potter back from Hogsmede, there was fuss over her…even if she didn't know it. Not only had she been rushed to Hogwarts Hospital Wing, but as Madam Pomfrey began to exam in her, she soon realized what was in Bridget's body. There was no way she could treat this, she knew nothing about the Muggle drug.
"Take this," the nurse said handing an old boot to the hidden man. "Make one of her fingers touch it too, when I tap my wand on it the two of you will show up in the Emergency Room of St. Mungo's, tell them her name is Bridget Lynn Potter. She's seventeen years old, she has Vodka, and a Muggle drug called Ecstasy in her system. More than I've ever seen. But you must hurray." The man nodded, and put his own finger on the old boot and got Bridget's too. "I will contact her family as soon as you leave with her." Madam Pomfrey tapped the boot and they were gone.
As Madam Pomfrey ran to Professor Dumbledore's quarters, things began to pop up in her head as things do when your very panicked. It seemed like everything wrong and horrible happened to the Potter family, it was as if it were cursed. But most of the time it had to do with Dark Magic…what had Bridget Potter done to herself? They'd lost so many family members…could the Potter family bare to lose the youngest of them all?
"Poppy?" Dumbledore asked as he opened his bedroom door, blinking because of sudden light. "What's going on?"
"Bad news Professor, very bad. Bridget Potter had somehow sneaked out of school tonight to the Hogsmede night life, has consumed lots of Vodka and the Muggle drug Ecstasy."
"Oh dear." Dumbledore said stepping out of his quarters and heading for the Head's room with Madam Pomfrey trying to keep up with him.
"Doesn't she know how serious alcohol and Muggle drugs can do to a Witch? Doesn't she know that Muggle drugs have more of an effect to us than Muggles?"
"I'm guessing she didn't Poppy."
"But what would drive her to doing such a drastic thing! The way she was dressed it looked as if she'd been in Cauldron."
"I have no idea Poppy, but something has defiantly changed. Bridget has always been the carefree one of them all, the one nothing has happened to. But obviously something horrible and drastic has happened."
"Craters," Dumbledore said to the portrait protecting the Head's quarters. The door opened and Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey headed up the stairs. "Poppy you wake up Adora, I'll get Harry."
Five minutes later the four of them were headed to the suite that Draco, Susan, and Breeanna Malfoy shared. Once they'd waken Susan up they all marched to Dumbledore's office and sat down.
"Professor, Madam Pomfrey what can be so important that you wake us up at two in the morning?" Harry grumbled, he never was a morning person.
"Bridget," Dumbledore said gravely and Madam Pomfrey had gone back to the Hospital Wing to owl Arabella and Sirius and also Anthony.
"What!" Harry said standing up and looking around just then noticing that they never went to Gryffindor Tower to get his baby sister. "Where is she?"
"What's going on?" Susan said starting to get scared.
Adora stayed in her chair breathing in and out, Dumbledore knew she knew a little bit.
"Bridget had to be rushed to the Emergency Room of St. Mungo's."
"What!" Harry said his brilliant green eyes about to pop out of his head.
"Why?" Susan asked on the verge of tears.
"Madam Pomfrey had someone bring Bridget from Hogsmede tonight."
"What would she be doing in Hogsmede tonight?" Harry asked concerned as he and his twin sister sat back down in their seats.
"Enjoying the nightlife, she was at Cauldron." Everyone gasped, except Adora. "She had a lot of Vodka and Muggle drug Ecstasy in her system."
"IS SHE BLOODY CRAZY!" Susan yelled.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked confused, "I mean I know it's a bad drug but…"
"But nothing," Susan said shaking her head. "Muggle drugs hurt Witches and Wizards way worse than they do Muggles. As our senses are more heightened."
"So when do we get to go to St. Mungo's?"
"As soon as Arabella, Sirius, or Anthony gets here."
Dumbledore's office door opened and the three adults came running in, and a very tired baby crying in Arabella's arms…obviously very grumpy at being woken up at this time of night.
"Where is she?" Sirius asked almost totally out of breath.
"St. Mungo's."
"Oh dear," Bella said holding Roselyn close to her rocking back and forth and they baby's eyes began to flutter asleep again.
"When can we go?" Anthony asked.
"Now, the children want to go with you." Dumbledore said motioning to Harry, Susan, and Adora. "You can go by my fireplace, Floo powder is above in the Flower pot."
China…
"Master," the spies said bowing down to his feet again.
"You two come very late to me tonight and on a night I haven't even called you on. What's the matter?"
"Nothing master," the first one said trying to reassure the master. "The youngest Potter was sent to St. Mungo's a bit ago."
"How can you be certain?"
"She's been buying enough of the drug for me that I knew she'd collapse soon enough."
Voldemort began to cackle, "Good. How are you giving her this drug?"
"She comes to me before she heads to Cauldron."
"Ah," Lord Voldemort smiled. "A wild one is she?"
"Just lately," the second spy said.
"Interesting. Guess not all Potter can be goody-goodies. I will call the two of you back in a week, we will break into Azkaban and release the rest of my faithful servants."
St. Mungo's…
The masked man sat in the Emergency waiting room still in his costume as others looked at him funny, he knew that the Potter family would be along soon and he needed to leave, they couldn't know about Bridget. They couldn't know that she'd been doing this for almost a month now, that he'd seen her every night down a Vodka Tonic and take one or two pills of Ecstasy. They couldn't know that he'd been following her around, chasing after her at Cauldron, as if he was some kind of stalker. He saw them at the door just making it into the waiting room and the masked man walked out with his head down, hopefully they wouldn't notice him.
Hopefully The Daily Prophet would say something as to her condition and not how she got there. The Potters had ties to the paper as they all basically owned it so it would most likely not say why she was in the hospital but would say how she was doing and when her release was expected.
So for now he was headed back to the castle…back to complete sadness…back to the castle to think about the lovely Bridget when she didn't even know he was alive.
The masked man Flooed into Dumbledore's office and he was surprised to see Dumbledore there, he figured Dumbledore would be at the hospital or in his sleeping chambers.
Albus Dumbledore gave the man a kind smile, "I should have known. I should have knows, but I won't tell a soul."
The Daily Prophet had said that Bridget was in the Hospital wing and she'd accidentally eaten something that she was allergic to and made her go into a spasms. The man snorted to himself, likely story as the girl was basically allergic to everything being an extra premature baby.
The school seemed to buy the story, but it was obvious to the masked man that the teachers knew the real truth, you could see it on their faces. They were all worried about Bridget Potter, well all but Snape. It was well known that Snape hated the Potter family, because James had pulled pranks on Snape in school and Snape had loved Lily for as long as Snape had first put his eyes on the redhead.
December flew in and out and soon the Christmas Ball plans had started coming to effect and finally Bridget Potter was back at Hogwarts. The first morning she'd gotten back everyone watched her at breakfast, to make sure she didn't eat something she was allergic to again. Seamus, Dean, Lavender, and Pavarti were surprised to see that the Potter family wasn't watching her as closely as they were.
The next Hogsmede trip was the day that Bridget had come back and they were all going into Hogsmede to go shopping for Christmas and for their outfit to the Christmas Ball. Bridget only went to Hogsmede for Christmas presents, she didn't want to attend the ball. She wanted to be back at Cauldron, dancing her heart out and running into her Zorro.
Bridget's family and friends were upset that she wouldn't be attending the dance as she still seemed depressed but of course they had no idea to what and she wouldn't let anyone in. She was still avoiding Neville and Oliver like the plague and her family wanted to question but knew better not to. The more they pushed this issue the more she'd spin out of control.
Everyone who wasn't attending the ball would leave on the twenty-second as the dance was that night, the people attending the ball would leave on the twenty-third. Even though Bridget wasn't attending the ball she wouldn't leave until the next day with her family. She knew she couldn't ride the train back by herself. Adora, Ginny, and Susan begged for Bridget to join them that night but she told them she had no intention in going. She didn't want to see couples sucking face all night, and she didn't have a date.
Ginny was about to remind Bridget that she'd turned all of the guys that tried to ask her when Bridget said, "Not that I wanted a date anyways."
So that night after her family left, Bridget headed to the Library. She been given lots of homework as she had been absent while in St. Mungo's plus she'd have homework over the Christmas holidays. There was a couple other people that had decide to stay and not go to the dance. Bridget thought she was the only one but shrugged it off. Bridget went to the farthest table in the library and began to study and start on homework.
An hour into her homework a voice made her jump and turn pale, "Why aren't you at the dance Bridget?"
She looked up to see none other than Neville Longbottom standing over her and she gulped, "I didn't want to go."
"And why not? You know I'd take you."
"I didn't want to go with you," she growled.
"Oh," he said nodding and sitting across from her which made her even more angrier. She was glad anger was overtaking her fear of him, "I see. You hoped Wood would ask you out and as soon as he'd found out he wasn't the only one to 'tap that ass' he dumped you in a spilt second. So here is the mighty Bridget Potter, in the library studying while everyone is enjoying the dance."
"Obviously not everyone," Bridget said with an evil smile. "If everyone was having a great time, you'd be there too. Still afraid I'll spill the beans on you?"
"No," he said rolling his eyes at her but his voice didn't sound as confident as his face. "It's not like you have any proof anyways, no more seamen and there was enough there from me and Wood most likely."
"If I came forward they could always use Vertiserum and you know it." Bridget said writing at her essay.
"You wouldn't dare," Neville said growling almost in her face.
"Try me," Bridget said with a dead look in her eyes. "I have nothing else to live for but to see you suffer. You will rot in hell."
"Yeah," he said nodding. "And I'll meet you there in ten to twenty years."
"Get away from her," came a voice behind Bridget that made her gasp.
"Aww," Neville said cocky. "Is Wood here to save the day for wittle-bitty Potter?"
"Knock it off," Wood said getting in Neville's face.
"Both of you leave me alone!" Bridget screamed getting looks from not only the librarian but the few students that were in the library. Bridget stomped off with her books in her arms.
She was almost to the Gryffindor tower when someone came out of nowhere and stopped in front of her, "Please don't walk away from me."
"Oliver please leave me be," she said holding back her tears.
"You know you can trust me."
"No," she said being stubborn. "I can never trust another man."
Oliver nodded and ran his hand through his hair nervously, the way Bridget had heard her dad use to do. "Because you were rapped."
"I don't want to talk about this," she said trying to avoid him.
"You've got to Bridge! It's the only way you'll ever get over this!"
"Why don't you go tell the whole bloody school my shameful secret!"
"Why are you ashamed! You didn't ask him to do that to you!"
"Leave me…just leave me alone!" She sobbed pulling her books closer to her.
"I won't walk away."
"Please."
"No Bridget, I'll never give up on you. We belong together."
"JUST STOP IT!"
"No."
"STOP IT!"
"That son of a bitch," Oliver swore. "He's got you so twisted you think this is your own fault."
"It is!" She screamed.
"Bridget no it's not."
"Like hell it's not!" She screamed where he could swear the whole school could hear. "If I hadn't ever said yes to him, if I hadn't started falling for you, if I had broken up with him before he passed out, if we hadn't ever…"
"Made love," Oliver finished for her with passion in his voice and then it changed. "Bridget you can't go back to the 'what ifs'."
"Leave me alone!"
"No," Oliver said putting his arms around her and pulling her close. "I'll never let go."
"If you love me let go of me," she said sternly. Bridget felt Oliver stiff up and finally he released her and walked off.
Bridget stood there for a moment frozen…he'd let go. She shook herself and began to head back to Gryffindor Tower so she could go to sleep and forget about all her problems. It would be grand to go back to Cauldron. Bridget's eyes glazed over, everyone was at the dance and wouldn't be back until late. The dance would be really late. Bridget went under her bed and found her tight little red dress, and little it was. She was going as the devil. Little horns to go on her head and she'd have a pitchfork.
Bridget transformed into her black cat with those mysterious eyes and hopped her way out of Gryffindor tower. The man in the mask shook his head, he knew she'd do it. Everyone had been watching her like a hawk lately and she hadn't been able to leave. Now everyone was at the dance and she was leaving again. Of course he'd have to follow her.
The Great Hall…
The Christmas ball was a smash! Everyone was just formal, but I wished that Bridget had come along with us. She only didn't have a date because she turned everyone down. I looked up into his eyes and he sighed.
"Ginny come on," Harry said pulling me closer. "She's not coming and we know it. We all tried our best. Say what is she doing tonight since she refused to baby-sit Breeanna?"
"Catching up on all the homework she missed and starting on our homework we'll have over holiday." Harry nodded knowingly, he knew how much homework Bridget was behind on…he'd seen all the homework I'd been doing lately.
"Something's wrong."
"Huh?" I asked stupidly.
"Something's wrong with her."
I rolled my eyes, "I thought you said to drop the Bridget topic."
"You brought it up," he said maturely and I smiled as I got closer to him. We were matching, of course. He wanted to wear black robes and I wouldn't let him. I said green to match his eyes, and he only agreed if I wore the same color as green did so well with my hair.
I looked across the room to see Susan and Draco, they looked truly happy and it made me happy. Draco had always had a horrible childhood because of his late father. Then on the other hand Susan has had almost every death threat thrown at her, it's time they have peace. Draco in simple black robes and Susan in a lilac color. With the lights I could see that rock on Susan's finger glimmer and I looked down at mine and smiled, Harry was all mine. We'd be married soon and I honestly couldn't wait!
Adora and Ron were a few people away from us and they seemed to also be having a great time which was something. Because Adora's mind kept being ripped apart…well not physically, Voldemort was trying to get in and she was fighting him out. Ron had been patient but you had to be when your girlfriend was the best Seer in a century! And just day by day Adora's powers got stronger…I could feel it. But then again that would mean mine were getting stronger as well.
I kept having horrible dreams of people being murdered and days later their names and faces, the faces I saw would end up in the newspaper. Scary. I hadn't told anyone yet but I knew I should. Voldemort's voice was inside of my head telling me to leave the half-breed and join his side. Half-breed? Harry, as his dad is pureblood and his mother was Muggleborn. As I am a pureblood, but I hate the racist people like Voldemort. It shouldn't matter how much magical blood is in your family but your talent should matter. I loved Harry with every waking inch of me and I'd never let him go.
Which brought me back to Bridget, it seemed like everyone in our group was heels over head in love and Bridget was just there. Not trying to be mean of course. I really thought she had something with Neville and then Oliver came back in her life. So I thought she had something with Oliver, I thought it was going to finally stick…but then she dropped them both. She's single again and refused every guy in Hogwarts that asked her. A bit curious, but I'd have to think about that later…I was suppose to be having fun.
But how could I? My best friend had just gotten out of the hospital for going to Cauldron and taking shots of Vodka and hits of Ecstasy! I mean what was her bloody problem.
"You know I can hear everything that's going in your mind," Harry chuckled at me and I blushed.
"You're actually listening?"
"Not all of it, you were just looking as if you were thinking hard and I tapped in and you're thinking about my baby sister? Are you two lesbian lovers?"
I laughed, "No darling there's only you."
"There's a relief."
Hogsmede Night Life…
I had just turned back from a cat and my outfit looked exquisite! I tell you what those Muggles are top dogs on costumes. I took out my little red handbag and put my wand in it. Putting my devil horns on and carrying my pitchfork. My skirt was a little high, higher than mid thighs…okay if I bent over you'd get a full moon. Catch my drift? Harry, Grandfather, and Uncle Sirius would kill me if they saw me like this. But I liked being me, this was me! Did I mention the dress was strapless and leather? Oh man I love the way leather feels against your skin.
There it was my heaven, Cauldron. I slipped my red mask on which had little horns on it too, too cute! I loved coming here, I could be myself and no one had a clue who I was. I wasn't the miracle baby Bridget Potter, I was that hot girl over there.
"ID," the guy at the front of the doors said to me. I panicked, "ID! Since when!" But then I remembered my dealer told me there had been a lot of people watching Cauldron since I passed out. Finds out I'm not the only Hogwarts student sneaking out. She'd gotten me a fake ID, she was so good at it.
"Of course," I said flirting with the bouncer as I took it out. I read his tag and I recognized him, "Bubba you never asked me for my ID before. What's going on?"
He looked at the ID and then me and then handed it back, "Some stupid Hogwarts girl came in and got us all in trouble."
"Oh really?" I asked, "What happened?"
"She was mixing Vodka and a Muggle drug together almost every night. Go figure a Potter to go mess everything up for us, so now we've got to ID because Hogwarts students are sneaking in."
"Stupid Brat!" I said but I was kind of upset that they were all angry at me, but of course they didn't know my real identity so it was cool.
I walked up to the bar and hit it, there was that bartender again. "Vodka tonic."
"Back again? Where you been sweet cheeks?"
"Out of town," I lied. "Got business with Gringotts, had to go to the Americas. Had some important stuff messed up."
"Ah ha, need your ID."
Bridget sighed as she pulled it out again, "You too?"
He nodded, "Bridget Potter was sneaking in her and got us in all kinds of trouble. Taking Vodka tonics and Ecstasy. Kind of like you." He said starting to eyeball me.
I rolled my eyes, "Do I honestly look like that Potter brat?"
"Na," he said giving me back my fake ID and my drink. Once he walked away I took my pill again and I knew I'd be having the time of my life soon.
"You think that's wise?" A voice said behind me, I was going to tell him he could shove it up his arse but when I turned around it was my Zorro!
"Hey," I said a bit seductively.
"Hey yourself, you scared me the other night."
I blushed, "So you know who I am…I want to know who you are."
"Nope," he said shaking his head at me. "You'd hate me if you ever knew." I honestly doubted it so I shrugged and began to dance. He saw the alcohol in my hand and put two and two together.
"Still taking drugs with your alcohol?" I shrugged and this seemed to make him angry, "You want me to carry you back to Hogwarts again and you can almost die again!"
He was acting as if I was a baby, "Why are you being so hostile!"
"I care about your well being."
"Don't," I said looking away from him as I drank the rest of my drink down. "I'm a horrible person and a slut. Stay far away from me."
"You are not a slut," my eyes shot up. I knew who he was. Before he could say a thing a ripped off his mask. "You bastard!" I screamed at him as I ran off.
Damn, she figured it out. I thought to myself as I picked my mask off the floor and left Cauldron, there was no reason for me to be here if she wasn't here. She'd probably figured out by now that I had know the whole time who she was. I stopped by the Three Broomsticks and had me a shot of Firewhisky and headed to the bathroom to throw water on my face.
I looked up in the mirror and saw only me, she saw me…and now she'd probably hate me until her dying day.
