The Seers' Truth: Beyond the Darkness
By Lady Lestrange
Chapter 28
A Precarious Faith
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter characters and previous situations belong to JK Rowlings. No infrigement is meant or implied. No money is made from this Fanfic. Thanks JK.
--Lady Lestrange
Special thanks to my beta, ennui de mort who thought of the title and who always does such a good job being my extra muse as well as proofreading, moral support and just plain fun.
15 reviews: I really hate blackmailing you into reviewing, but hey, I'm a Slytherin. It's in my nature, so when there are 15 reviews for this chapter, the next one will magically appear. Love my readers and reviewers. Answers to the reviews follow the story.
(A/N: I've been reading a number of fanfics in installments like this one myself, and find it is sometimes hard to remember exactly what has happened before-In a fic as complex as this one is, I thought having a reminder may be helpful for you. If you want to skip it, just page down.)
Up to this Point: Alternate 5th year book: begun before OotP was published. Voldemort was uncertain which was the prophecy child, Samara or Ginny so he kidnapped them both. Beatrice made a mad dash after them in her animagus form. She has been since crucioed and rescued and returned to Hogwarts still in her bunny animagus form.
Harry, Ron and Hermione struggle to figure out how the prophecy might aid them. The trio travels to Hermione's house, Samara's house, the Riddle house and eventually the Snow Castle in search of the girls.
Ginny, who has a Dark Mark, is torn between the visions of Tom in her head and what to do to stay safe from Voldemort at the Snow Castle. Snape is an unexpected help to her.
Voldemort meanwhile has some unpleasant Christmas surprises in store for Harry and Neville. Neville's grandmother ends up in the hospital and the Dursley's are dead, leaving Snape as Harry's guardian.
Back at Hogwarts, the trio tries to ascertain how they will save the girls. They enlist Draco and Lauren's help.
Voldemort has some trouble within the ranks and sends Ethan to learn with Narcissa and Gloria. Meanwhile, the trio works out some differences with Draco, and miss a chance to save the girls. Now, Snape gives some timely advice and Harry invites Neville to their little planning gatherings, which ends in an altercation between Neville and Draco.
Voldemort sets his plans in motion by giving Samara the Dark Mark, but she is far from defeated by this. Ginny on the other hand is ready to give in to save her family. The plot continues as Volemort sets family members upon family members in a quest to destroy all who might thwart him.
Meanwhile, Harry considers the meaning of curcio and tries to puzzle out what Voldemort is doing by reading his scar pangs.
Ethan and Edward prove their worth to Voldemort and Beatrice is finally released from the bunny animagus.
Ginny, under polyjuice potion, is impersonating Madam Amelia Bones. She is following direct orders from Voldemort who is speaking to her in parseltongue from the small snake animagus she is carrying. She saves both her father and her brother but will she ever see them again? What will Voldemort do to retaliate? And will Harry Potter really be able to rescue the girls? Do they want to be rescued?
For further discussion, visit: YAHOO GROUPS, TheSeersTruth
And now, on to the story…
Chapter 28A Precarious Faith
After Ginny had returned to the Snow Castle, she had closeted herself in her room and cried. She didn't know how to change the situation she was in.
"I don't know why you are bawling," said Tom. "You didn't really think He'd let you go, did you? Even you aren't that stupid."
"I'm not stupid," shouted Ginny. "I'm not."
Tom said nothing, thinking that her fragile psyche couldn't stand much more at the moment and he had no desire to inhabit a crazier body that he already had.
"And I'm not crazy either," snapped Ginny.
"And that's why you're talking out loud to the man in your head," said Tom sarcastically. "I can hear you just fine when you just think, Ginny Love, if ever you would deign to try that pastime."
Samara had tried to comfort Ginny with the fact that their plan had succeeded. She had saved both her brother and her father, but she would never get to see their faces again. She knew without a doubt that He would never let her go home now.
"Ginny Love, I don't know why you are crying. Nothing has changed," said Tom impatiently. "You did this when you took the Dark Mark."
"I didn't mean to," Ginny wailed.
"Don't tell me, the reality of what you choose to do has only now come to your attention?"
"Something like that, Tom," Ginny agreed.
Samara seemed to understand that Ginny was having a conversation with Tom as well as with herself. When she was lucid, Samara had tried to get Ginny to eat supper, but Ginny couldn't even begin to think of food. The realization of what she had done, coupled with the after effects of the polyjuice, left her completely unwilling to eat. She had finally told Samara to go to supper without her, and she had abandoned herself to crying.
All of Tom's cajoling couldn't bring her out of her depression, but finally Visha's hunger brought her out of her room. She had to get the basilisk something to eat even if she didn't want anything for herself. It was not Visha's fault she was in this fix.
"He will let you go," said Tom. "At least briefly. He has to."
"What?"
"He won't keep you a prisoner now."
"Do you think so, Tom?" asked Ginny trying to feel heartened by Tom's opinion.
"Yes," said Tom. "You haven't found his emerald."
Ginny's heart sank.
(POV)
Harry studied the Maurader's Map looking for Draco and Lauren. They were no where to be found.
"Maybe they are already in the Forbidden Forest, Mate," said Ron.
"Maybe," said Hermione. "In any case, we don't have time to wait. We just have to assume they will be there to meet us. Where are your brothers?" she asked Ron.
"Already out," said Ron. "Probably trying to bring something to eat. Maybe they didn't want to make too much of a stir," he added. "With the lot of us leaving at once—"
Harry nodded. "Well, let's go then." He paused as he entered the Gryffindor Common Room. "I'm going to walk with you," said Beatrice as she rose in a fluid motion from the chair by the fire—Ginny's chair, thought Harry. He noted that Neville was standing beside her, his hand on her shoulder.
"No," said Harry. "It's dangerous—"
"Everything is dangerous," intoned Lavender as she came down the stairs. She clutched Seamus' arm as if she expected him to disappear. Dean walked a few steps behind them.
"Have you had any word from Parvati?" asked Hermione.
Lavender shook her head. "She's still in St. Mungo's," said Lavender. "They aren't very hopeful."
"Oh—" Beatrice looked stricken. "I didn't know," she said glancing from Dean to Lavender and back again.
"How could you?" asked Lavender gently. "You weren't exactly yourself either, Beatrice. Are you going to dinner?"
"Ah—no," said Harry. "We have something we have to take care of first. We will see you later. You can go to dinner though, Beatrice--"
"No, I—I'll see you later, Lavender," said Beatrice.
Lavender nodded and proceeded out of the common room with Dean and Seamus.
"I thought you weren't coming with us," Harry said to Beatrice. "We discussed this. There is no point in you endangering yourself again. What if someone recognizes you?"
"What if someone recognizes you, Harry?" she asked pointedly.
"She's not coming with us," said Neville.
Beatrice nodded. "I just thought I would see you off."
Harry frowned. "I don't like you walking back alone," he said. "This is the Forbidden Forest—"
"That's what I told her," said Neville.
"I'll be fine," said Beatrice. "I can outrun most of the stuff in the Forest, and you said we aren't going that deep."
Harry sighed. Who was he to tell others what to do? After all, he hated it when Dumbledore got that patronizing attitude with him. "Let's go," he said. "We need to hurry."
It was cold on the walk across the grounds, but Harry was filled with the heat of battle. Now that the time was here, he could think of nothing else. Even Beatrice's hand laced in his was not enough to take his mind from his task. When they arrived at the appointed spot in the Forbidden Forest no one else was there.
"Where's Draco?" asked Harry, looking at his watch as it blinked 5:27.
"One minute," said Hermione as she wrapped her cloak more securely. She moved closer to Ron as the winter wind started to pick up. Harry squinted into the distance. Two people were coming at a run: Fred and George.
"Well, you didn't really expect the Slytherins to show up, did you?" sneered Ron, his breath blowing out in little puffs against the January air.
"I kind of expected Lauren," said Hermione. "How far into the Forbidden Forest do you think we have to go before we use the portkey?"
"Not far," said Harry. "I just didn't want anyone in the school to see us, and I thought we would have to meet the Slytherins. We could probably use it now. We're outside of the new wards around Hogwarts."
"Do you think the Slytherins got the place mixed up?" asked Fred.
"No," said George. "We aren't that far into the Forest. No one could get lost."
"Do you think we are portkeying into a trap," asked Neville, "and that's why they aren't here?"
"I don't think so," said Harry thoughtfully rubbing his scar.
"Well, wands drawn," suggested George.
"We're older. Maybe we should go first," said Fred, "and—"
"Are you out of your mind?" barked Ron. "We go together! She's my sister too. I have as much right as you to go—more—I'm more experienced with this sort of thing." He rubbed his cold hands together.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Well, let's hope it's at least warm at the Snow Castle."
"Warm? At the Snow Castle?" questioned Hermione.
"For luck," said Beatrice pulling them all into a quick group hug. She kissed Harry quickly on the cheek and dropped into her Animagus form, running in a zig-zag path all the way out of the clearing.
Shesha poked her head out of Harry's sleeve to watch the rabbit, but hers weren't the only eyes on Beatrice. Neville watched her too. "I hope she's safe," whispered Neville.
"I hope we're all safe," said Ron, "and I still think you should have left that at the dorm," admonished Ron as he indicated Shesha. "It will turn on you."
Shesha stirred in agitation on Harry's wrist and he hissed at her to be still. He didn't tell Ron that Koschei was on his other wrist.
"5:28," said Hermione, laying her hand on the portkey. The others followed her lead and within seconds they had portkeyed to the cupboard at the Snow Castle.
They were squashed on top of each other in the cupboard.
"Ow," muttered Fred. "George, your wand is in my ribs."
"Lumos," said Harry trying to sort out the confusion.
"Ahh!" Ron complained. "You've blinded me, Harry!"
Hermione, practically on top of Neville was blushing furiously, and trying to push herself off of him. "Sorry Neville."
"Oi, Hermione," said Ron as he pulled her to her feet and Fred opened the door, causing Neville and George to fall out onto the green and black marble floor.
"It's ok, Hermione," Neville stuttered as he brushed himself off.
"It doesn't look like anyone is here," said George. "Maybe it isn't a trap."
"It's a good thing no one is here," said Harry annoyed. "You are making a lot of noise."
"Well that was what Snape wanted wasn't it?" said Hermione.
"Noise?" said Fred confused.
"A chance for us to get the girls out without interference," explained Hermione
"It still could be a trap," added Ron.
"Let's assume that Professor Snape was being a help to us," said Hermione. "And if he was, we only have about nine minutes to find the girls and get out of here."
"We should split up," suggested George.
"No!" snapped Fred. "What if one of us gets lost? Do we leave them behind? We only have one portkey back."
"Unless I make another," said Harry.
"No, It will take precious time. Let's just look for the girls," said Hermione.
"Gryffs," drawled a familiar voice. "Over here." Draco stood stiffly against the wall, off to one side of the room. He rolled his eyes. "You certainly know how to make an entrance, Potter," he drawled.
"Why weren't you where you were supposed to be, Malfoy?" snapped Ron. "We waited in the Forbidden Forest."
"Not you didn't," said Draco. "You're right on time: 5:28." Draco brushed absently at imaginary lint on his cloak. "And maybe I had better things to do than babysit a bunch of Gryffs," he said.
"I think you have some explaining to do," said Hermione folding her arms across her chest defiantly. "You were supposed to meet us."
He shrugged as Ron lowered his wand. "Unavoidable Weasley. I was hit with a curse. My dad Apparated me home and I had to convince him that I was well enough to go back to Hogwarts. Then I had to convince Madam Pomfrey which was—well—impossible." Draco took a slow deep breath. "You're lucky I got here at all. I'm not supposed to Apparate. Madam Pomfrey said, I don't know enough about the condition of my ribs to put them back correctly and I could puncture my lung again, plus the spine-- I have a portkey." Draco tossed a spoon into the air. "This will take me back to Hogwarts infirmary. I at least need to keep the apparition to a minimum. It hurts like hell."
"What happened to you?" asked Hermione.
"I told you. Curse," Draco said shortly. "Look, we don't have much time. Where's Lauren?"
"We were hoping you could tell us that," said Harry.
Draco bit his lip. "Okay," he said, but when he didn't continue talking Harry wondered if he might not be thinking too clearly. Maybe it was because of the curse, or maybe he had taken some sort of pain potion that was acting as a Confundus charm.
This didn't bode well for the rescue attempt. "Draco," Harry said, "do you know where we need to go?"
"Don't be stupid, Potter, of course I know the way to Samara's room. Ginny's is right down the hall from her. They should be back by now."
"Back from where?" asked Ron, but Draco didn't answer. He already started to move off in the direction of Samara's room. "As far as Lauren is concerned, I have a notion what happened to her too. She's probably here."
"Here?" said Hermione. "But she isn't a Death Eater."
"Not yet," said Draco taking long strides down the corridor and leaving the Gryffindors to follow.
"Draco," said Harry. "Lauren was supposed to bring the Polyjuice."
Draco didn't break stride. "We'll wing it. You Gryffs are good at that."
"What about the Invisibility cloak?" coaxed Harry. "At least some of us could hide under it. We would be less conspicuous."
With a grunt of annoyance, Draco threw the length of material at Harry. It caught on Neville's arm as he ducked. "You lot, go ahead—get under it since you brought half of Gryffindor Tower," sneered Draco.
As Harry added his piece to the cloak, a small group of Durmstang boys came around the corner of the corridor and saw Draco, Ron, Fred and Hermione.
Draco started to push Hermione towards the boys and the Invisibility cloak, but it was too late.
"Hey, Draco," called one of the boys. "What are you doing with the Mudblood?"
"You—!" began Ron but Draco interrupted loudly.
"What do you think?" said Draco roughly pushing Hermione against the wall and holding his wand under her chin. Then he addressed the Durmstrang boys. "Get lost. This is a private party."
"Aren't you going to share, Draco?" whined one of the boys.
"With you lot? Forget it. Besides," he smirked, "after the three of us are done with her, she'll be pretty much used up."
Hermione smacked Draco and he pushed her abruptly to Ron.
"I think she's too much woman for you, Draco," taunted one of the boys and in a blinding flash of light, he was on the floor. The other two were summarily cursed and crumpled unconscious. Draco closed his hand over the fire and turned to Ron and Fred. "One of you need to obliviate him," said Draco. "I don't want to do the perimeters wandlessly. I might put them in St. Mungos."
"Obliviate," said Fred.
Draco leaned heavily against the wall. "Merlin, I wanted to do that since they had me cornered under the veritaserium. I thought it would be a bad time to leave my magical signature though.
Hermione laid into him. "Don't you ever touch me, you Slytherin bastard!" She slapped him across the cheek.
"I should have given you to them," muttered Draco his hand going to his cheek. "And I was under the impression you were smart." He turned striding past them and gasped with his own sudden movement. "We need to hurry," he said, but made no move.
"Malfoy," muttered Ron menacingly.
"What's wrong with you?" asked Harry, pushing the Invisibility cloak off of himself and peering at Draco. "Are you hurt?"
"I told you twice already. Curse. It was meant for Voldemort. I took it, and even though I shielded Testudo, it shattered some ribs. Without the Testudo it would have crushed me, so Voldemort owes me—which is a good thing."
"Wizard's debt," said Fred.
"Sweet Merlin," breathed George.
"Right," said Draco. "Of course, it wouldn't be a life debt, since he's immortal and he'll probably find some way to get out of it. He doesn't want to owe anybody."
Hermione folded her arms. "That sounds more like a Gryffindor act than a Slytherin one. I thought you said you wanted Voldemort dead."
"Mutus!" hissed Draco. "Are you out of your mind? You can't say that here." He snapped in a hoarse whisper. "You're smart enough to figure it out," he said, unwilling to explain his strange behavior. He dropped the mutus spell and shook his head in exasperation.
"An alibi, in case we are caught," muttered Hermione under her breath.
"Did you have to take skele-gro?" asked Harry.
Draco nodded. "Vincent is taking my place in the Infirmary while I am here."
"Ouch," said Harry, who had very unpleasant memories of skele-gro from second year. "That's a true friend."
(A/N: I thought very hard about how polyjuice should work. According to JK, Crouch kept Moody's disfigurements, so Crabbe acquired Draco's broken/crushed bones--as Harry says, "ouch.")
"I think so," said Draco with a wry grin. "I don't think Madam Pomfrey will notice. She seems to be rather busy." He paused. "Just here—" He pushed open a door and was met with a wand tip at his nose, and then Samara dropped her wand and launched herself on Draco kissing him full on the mouth and holding him tightly.
"You're going to kill me, woman," he growled paling. "Get off." He pushed her to arms length. "It feels good to taste your magic, again" he said softly while pushing her hair behind her ears. "I've missed you."
Her basilisks had slithered off of her and launched themselves on Harry Potter with the same zeal as their mistress, hissing, "Tsez! Shesha! Tsez!" and biting both Shesha and Harry. Koschei slithered off of him, giving free rein to the basilisks. She slithered into the corner under the bed.
"Stop!" Harry shouted as loud as possible in parseltongue, shoving several of Samara's basilisks off of him, wincing from multiple bites.
The entire contingent of Gryffindors had drawn their wands and were wondering where to point them.
"Get in here," Samara snapped, "before someone sees the lot of you." She pulled Draco into the room and the others followed. "Be still," Samara ordered her basilisks sharply, and all of them stopped, silent and still, awaiting her orders. As she spoke, Harry Potter pulled several basilisks off of himself, calming them and hissing to them in parseltongue. He was bleeding from several needle-like bite wounds. The Gryffindors were appalled when Harry went to the corner and fetched Koschei and put her back on his left wrist.
Samara, immediately turned back to Draco, ignoring the exchange between Harry and the basilisks. Without even taking a breath she apologized, "I'm sorry, Draco. I didn't look. I should have known something happened to you. He was about ready to kill you when he left me, and then I couldn't talk to you at the Ministry and you took that curse for Him. I was so worried about you." She kissed him again.
"Ministry?" interrupted Hermione, but Samara ignored her. Her attention was fully on Draco.
"Your aura looks like shit," she said as she ran her hands up and down his chest as if to assure herself that he was indeed alive.
"He wasn't going to kill me," said Draco. "He knows the Old Magic. He's not stupid and I thought Testudo would hold the one at the Ministry. I miscalculated a little." He smirked. "Of course, if I'm at the Hogwarts' hospital wing, I can't be here, now can I?"
By now, Harry had extricated himself from the basilisks and they had returned to Samara.
"I was still worried," said Samara arranging a basilisk as she kissed Draco again and asked, "What spell were you hit with?"
"Consisus infractus,"said Draco. "And why in the hell did you let Him give you the Mark?"
Samara took a breath ignoring the second comment. "So how many bones were broken?"
"Three vertebrae and four ribs," said Draco as he inched one of Samara's basilisks aside so that he could rest his hands at her waist. Salacia, unwilling to leave her chosen spot curled herself around Draco's arms as well as around Samara's waist.
"Two ribs punctured a lung, but it was the spine that Madam Pomfrey was worried about. Some of the vertebrae were crushed and she had to remove them. She thought it was Vincent's mistake. He's going to be in detention for the rest of the year, I think, as well as taking my place in the infirmary now."
"And you're going to be in pain for the rest of the year," said Samara, running her hands over his torso. "Merlin, this is a mess. You shouldn't be moving."
"Stamina and pain potions. That little Hufflepuff girl of Vincent's wrapped some sort of Muggle bandage around my ribs to keep them still. She kept telling him he should be loyal to his friends." Draco rolled his eyes.
"Sally Anne," said Samara aghast. "Are you accepting Sally Anne now?"
Draco shrugged. "She was there and she was helpful."
Samara just smiled and kissed him again.
"Well, loyalty has its uses. Anyway, I'm a little foggy with potions, so we need to hurry and get out of here before the sleep potions that Madam Pomfrey gave me kick in."
"You didn't drink them and Apparate here!" said Samara concerned.
"No. I didn't drink them at all. I spat them out and Pergoed the floor, but I did have them in my mouth so they'll have some effect. Now, let's go. We're here to rescue you. Look!" he gestured. "I brought the whole Gryffindor rescue squad. Is Ginny in her room?"
"I think so, but—"
"We don't have much time," said Draco, unloosening Salacia from himself, and stalking to the door "Let's go."
"Go where?" asked Samara, looking at the Gryffindors.
"Back to Hogwarts," said Harry Potter opening the door and peering down the corridor. "Dumbledore will listen to your side of the story."
Samara's eyes narrowed. "He didn't before," she said.
"He thought you took down Hogwarts Wards," said Harry.
"And what makes you think I didn't?" asked Samara.
"Shesha," said Harry. "It was when they were hatching, wasn't it?"
Samara looked at him thoughtfully. "Yes," She said, "but I don't see that it would be a good thing for me to go back. I just want to disappear…until…"
"Until Harry fulfills his part of the prophecy," said Draco. "Come on. Let's go!"
Samara didn't move and Draco came back to her. "Look," he said. "I know you wish you didn't have to choose sides in this war. To tell the truth, so do I, but you can't just go back to the Muggle world. It isn't safe."
"I know," she said.
He kissed her gently. "Come on," he said again.
(POV).
"Draco!" called Gavin as Draco started to exit the room with Samara on his arm.
Damn it, thought Draco, pushing the door closed in the Gryffindor's faces. Now, if questioned, Gavin will tell Voldemort I was here, and there is no way he won't be questioned when Samara comes up missing. Draco ran a hand through his hair and tried to look nonchalant.
"Had to visit my woman," said Draco and with a slight Imperio push, continued. "Don't tell anyone I was here, OK?"
Gavin put a finger to his lips, but with a wink, said, "Sure. Be careful then, your Mum's back."
"My mum?" said Draco concerned.
"Yeah, she brought Lauren—kicking and cursing I might add." Samara clutched Draco's arm. She wasn't going to tell him this--
"Lauren ran your mum through a merry chase of Apparition tag before she and Carman cornered her," continued Gavin. "I think they sent Alvin back to Hogwarts but he didn't want to go unless he could take Lauren with him. Your Mum gives Carman a run for her money in the curse department," Gavin commented, shaking his head. "She is some witch. She crushed the fingers of his right hand one at a time." Gavin shivered. "It was brutal. She made us all watch. I'm just coming back from her chambers where Carman had us assembled. Alvin won't be holding a wand for some time."
"What about his left hand?" asked Draco.
"This is Alvin we are talking about Draco, not you. He'd kill someone if he tried to use his left hand for magic."
"Well, that's what I was thinking of," said Draco with a slight grin. "What about Lauren?"
"Dungeon," said Gavin. "Awaiting the Master's return."
Gavin slapped Draco on the back and said, "Tell Millicent I miss rabbit hunting—in your Forbidden Forest—not his Hall," Gavin corrected with another shiver and Draco nodded. Slowly, he straightened himself to an upright position after Gavin had slapped him.
"Is Narcissa in the dungeon with Lauren?" Asked Samara.
"No, I don't think so." Gavin smiled grimly. "No time for play today." He shivered. Thank Merlin, your Mum didn't visit me in the dungeon," Gavin continued talking to Draco. "I wouldn't have had any feathers left at all. As it is, it will probably be a good week before I can fly any distance. Tell Millicent, OK?"
Draco nodded, with teeth gritted, and glanced at his watch still not trusting himself to speak. Nonetheless, he had to get moving.
"Oh, Carman seemed really insistent that everyone get back to Hogwarts in time for dinner, so don't let her catch you here. She'll be pissed, " warned Gavin as he started down the corridor toward his room. "See you later—" He hurried off and a relieved Draco opened the door to let the Gryffindors out. Samara pointed her wand at the back of Gavin's head. "Obliviate," she said.
"What perimeters did you use on that Obliviate?" Draco asked Samara.
She smirked at him. "You were never here."
"Perfect," he said. "We have to hurry. Carman and my Mother are back along with the Durmstrang and Beauxbaton kids." Draco started down the corridor at a jog, but broke back to a fast walk, putting a hand to his back. He paused to knock on Ginny's door, but Ron and Fred pushed forward, opening the door, and calling, "Ginny!"
But the room was empty.
"Where do you think she is?" Draco asked Samara.
Instead of answering, Samara addressed one of her basilisks. "Tisha," said Samara. "We need to find Visha. Where is she?" Samara glared at Neville who had his wand half out of his pocket when she hissed.
"Sorry," Neville muttered. "Reflex."
"Kitchen," said Samara, after hissing to the basilisk and Fred and George rolled their eyes.
"We should have known," said George.
"(Mistress with double magic must eat after drinking the magic changing water and gathering the nestmates,)" said Salacia. Harry said nothing, but Samara, knowing he understood the parseltongue, was giving him a searching look as he absently stroked Shesha.
"(I just recently realized that the basilisks are telepathic with each other,)" Harry said to Samara.
"(Only with each other?)" hissed Samara, and Harry frowned, but he couldn't ask her what she meant by that while in the company of the Gryffindors.
"(Shesha,)" asked Harry in parseltongue, "are all basilisks able to communicate by their thoughts."
"(Only bitemates,)" answered Shesha.
Harry tensed. Although this method of communication seemed to be very helpful at this moment, Harry had a flash of worry. "(And if one of your tsez wanted to know where I was, would you tell them?)"
"(It's not so much a telling, Master, it just is.)"
Samara reached out and grasped his shoulder, and hissed very softly, "(I know you want to talk to her now, but you are freaking them out.)" He realized that the Gryffindors were very uneasy about the basilisks and his hissing to them wasn't making them feel at ease. But he did want to talk to Shesha and the other basilisks. It was important. It was almost a need. It took him a few minutes to realize this was an effect of being bitten by the other basilisks. He couldn't do this now!
He noticed that Samara pulled her robes over them and the Gryfindors seemed to relax a little. Auras, thought Harry. Samara realized how nervous the Gryffindors were and sought to make them a little more comfortable with her and the basilisks. He wasn't sure if that meant she was being kind to them, or just cautious or secretive.
Nonetheless, Harry realized Ron was right. The basilisks had just become a huge liability. Voldemort could find them at any time. All he had to do was ask his basilisks. Harry wanted to talk to Shesha about keeping his whereabouts secret from anyone including the other basilisks, but he couldn't do it now, and he didn't think Shesha would understand anyway. He put one hand under his robe sleeve and stroked her gently. Koschei slithered up his other robe sleeve to his shoulder to get farther from Shesha. Her skin was cool and comforting. He wanted to curl beside her and fall asleep, but now certainly wasn't the time to go to sleep! This basilisk venom thing couldn't have happened at a worse time, he thought.
"How far away is this kitchen?" asked Fred as they jogged to keep up with Draco and Samara. "It's not like we have all day."
Harry started to lag behind. He was trying to remember the turns in the corridors in case he had to retrace his steps, but he realized that he was lost.
Neville stopped and returned to him. "Wait," he called after the others.
Draco frowned as he looked at the shivering Harry Potter, who was dragging behind and hissing to Shesha.
"Something is wrong with Harry," said Hermione who had put her arm around her friend. Ron moved back to help her.
"What's wrong with you, Potter?" asked Draco.
"Basilisk venom," answered Samara. "Some of my basilisks were a little over-zealous in their greeting," she said. She eyed Neville's itching wand hand. "It wasn't on purpose, and in the end it will give him greater communication with Shesha, just—not right now," she said.
"Well, suck it up, Potter." Draco tossed him a stamina potion from his pocket. "We need to hurry."
Harry caught the vial automatically with Quidditch reflexes that were undimmed by his sudden mental lethargy. He looked at the potion vial.
"For Merlin's sake, it's not poison. Drink it. You'll feel better, and we can't afford to have the great Harry Potter at less than your perfect Gryffindor best right now," snapped Draco.
Harry drank the potion and hurried after Draco and Samara. "Almost at the kitchen," Samara promised.
"I don't like this," Neville whispered to Hermione. "Basilisks and Slytherins—they could be leading us anywhere—into a trap.
"Do you think this is wise, wondering all about the castle?" asked Hermione.
"It's not like we have a choice," Ron whispered back as they reached the kitchen.
"Now, wait," warned Draco before he opened the door. "She might not be alone."
(POV)
Ginny sat at the table quietly transfiguring a piece of meat into a mouse for Visha when the door burst open. She turned, unwilling to share this quiet moment with any of the students at the Snow Castle and even less willing to share it with one of the adult Death Eaters. "(Ward me,)" she hissed automatically to Visha, although Visha didn't need the reminder. Ever since Ginny had cursed the Durmstrang boys, she had discovered she needed to watch her back or a curse was coming in retaliation. Once the figured out who had cursed them, they didn't seem willing to let it go. "I just—" she began, but then she realized who she was speaking to.
The surprised look on her face broke into a huge smile as she rushed to her brothers, hugging them all together. "Oh, I've missed you so!" she said between tears. "He promised me I could go home if I just—" she broke into sobs.
"(More bitemates! Mistress is happy!)" hissed Visha as she relaxed when she realized Ginny was not in danger.
"Sh-h-h, Ginny," hushed George as he hugged her, and then he jumped back. "Bloody hell! What is that?" he snapped, seeing Visha at her neck and pulling his wand.
"Umm, it's my new pet," said Ginny holding her hand in front of George's wand. "It's ok."
"I think your brothers wish they had bought you a nice owl, Ginny Love," Tom commented.
"(Not hissusss?)" asked Visha, surmising that Ginny was happy to see the group of wizards, but confused by George's threatening stance.
"(Not hissusss,)" repeated Ginny, between tears and hugs. "(Tsez. My tsez.)"
Ron growled and threw his hands in the air. "You too Ginny!" he said as he heard her hissing to the basilisk.
"I thought you said, you only remembered how to say, 'open' in parseltongue" said George worriedly.
"Sounds like you learned a few more words," said Fred.
"Actually no," commented Tom. "She didn't learn any new words. The parseltongue is mine. Not that she has any trouble using it. Now if only she wasn't so stingy with her body…"
"Tom, I'm not--" thought Ginny
Shesha slithered out of Harry's sleeve, hissing madly. "(Tsez! Visha! Do not bite Master, yet. He is at his limit of basilisk venom.)"
"Harry!" called Ginny hugging him, and switching to parseltongue, "(Are you bonded to any of the others?)"
"Quite a lot more parseltongue words," said George.
"Oh forget it, brother dear, Harry Potter is here. She doesn't even see you," Commented Tom
"That's not true, Tom!"
"(Others?)" said Harry confused.
"(No,)" Shesha clarified.
Salacia said. "(My mistress stopped them from biting him.)"
"(There was not enough time to complete the bond with Harry,)" said Samara clarified.
"Ginny Love, you are going to be dodging curses from your wonderful brothers soon," warned Tom. "They don't appreciate Visha like I do and you've been hissing to Harry and Samara for about five minutes, now."
"Ginny turned back to her brothers hugging Ron, yet again." Visha tasted him with her tongue, and Ron backed quickly away.
"She won't hurt you," Ginny promised. "Fred--George--"
"Can we save the heartfelt reunion till later," drawled Draco. "We have less than a minute to use the portkey, and that's if Snape managed to give us the full ten minutes he hoped for.
"Let's get out of here," Neville urged, clutching his wand. "I feel—"
While he was speaking they all felt the wards go back up. "No-o-o-o!" cried Hermione grasping Ron's arm as they realized they were trapped. For a few moments they all stood and looked at each other in fear.
(A/N: End of chapter YES I know I'm so evil. Nothing happens through the entire chapter and then I leave you with a cliffie. Oh well, it should at least get you to review promptly, and you did need some things explained. Muhahaha! --Lady Lestrange)
Answers to Reviews:
SwimminChica14: Yes, well, what Dumbledore is doing is coming soon, promise. You will soon see who is back at the Snow Castle. Remember Volde sent Carman with the children. He wanted the Hogwarts kids to get back in time for supper, so Dumbledore doesn't know who the children are. I think it's awfully sweet of Volde to care about the kids that much, don't you? Anyway, a number of the adults are still at the Ministy, which is part of the reason why Snape gave them the time 5:28. Of course, there are other reasons too.
Lauz: Well, you should feel guilty. Look how long it took you! Glad you finally reviewed though. I appreciate it. I don't mind the ramble. You can ramble all you like.
DarkLordLongbottom: Letting Neville kill Ethan and Edward? LOL. Well I hadn't considered that, but I promise Neville will have a very special part. I hope you read my previous book, THE SEERS' TRUTH; THE BROKEN BEGINNING, where we learn about Neville's awesome parents in "Fortune Favors the Brave." It's important that you understand Neville's background in this book.
Elbereth: There is always time for a friend. Thanks for the review.
Ennui deMorte: Evil girl. That's me. Just you wait, more stuff to come. As far as Dumbledore pissing off Volde, well it doesn't take much, does it? And I don't think Dumbledore was trying to piss him by calling him Tom. He was trying to remind him of his humanity, which was probably not a really smart thing to do, but then, Gryffs aren't really known for their brains. THANKS FOR BEING A GREAT BETA. Go read ennui's story: Worlds Wrought and Ruined, if you haven't done so yet. It's a great read.
Trillium: I didn't kill Lupin, you silly girl. Why would Volde want a dark "creature" like a werewolf dead? More on Severus' patronus later. Thanks for appreciating the fight between Sirius and Valeriana. I was so disappointed in JK's version--not only did Sirius die, but they were COUSINS. They had a history. They were both in Azkaban. There was so much between them, that this fight should have emphasized, but JK's Bellatrix just seemed to want to kill Sirius and he, her. I think once she realized that her cousin escaped Azkaban, it just grated on her nerves, and let's face it, Valeriana or Bellatrix have a rather short fuse. I don't believe anyone is TOTALLY EVIL or TOTALLY GOOD or TOTALLY INSANE. I hope that is clear in my fic. As far as Dum with Samara. I think, in total Gryffindor mode, he just didn't think. He didn't know she was an Empath and if he did he may have hesitated using the Chamber of Heroes/Chains, or maybe not. He did want her to confess to what she was up to. He knew she was HIDING something. He didn't know it was the information that Snape was a Death Eater or he could have been more lenient. Of course, as you see, Draco had a reason for diving in front of that spell, and he didn't expect to get hurt. He did ward testudo, which is the strongest ward.
Raptors galore: Yes, that would make the werewolf pretty powerful--maybe you could say immortal. After all, though, Voldemort studied all of these folks. Vampires, Werewolves, phoenix--He wanted to know what made each of them immortal so that he could be immortal. Rescue in 8 minutes. Sorry to make you wait, but there are six chapters of "the rescue". Review soon.
Jager: Glad you liked. Please continue to r&r.
Field of Gold: Lots of excitement in the next few chapters. It won't slow down for about six chapters, then there is a catch your breath chapter where we figure out why things happened the way they did and then on to the final confrontation.
Remus: Mostly dead? LOL Glad you liked the twist. I was sort of disappointed no one said. Hey, Lady Lestrange, he's a werewolf, he can't be killed with a spell!
Fire-sprite16: Lots of Ginny/Tom in the next book too. One vote for Dumbledore's death--anyone else. Sniggers.
DraginLover: Glad you liked the Lupin twist and Severus is a spy, for both sides. Dumbledore thinks he belongs to the Light and Voldemort thinks he belongs to the Dark. He lives a very dangerous life. Glad you liked the scene between Valeriana and Sirius. That was my masterpiece and I had a hard time making Volde and Dum as good, because as soon as I read JK's verson of Sirus/Bellatrix, I was disappointed and wanted it to have more hidden meanings like them playing together as children (ie Quit) and the betrayal Valeriana felt (ie Azkaban) and I think it is important that they are both Blacks, even though Sirius rather neglects his background, I think he still does have some hidden pride. Even though Sirius basically won my fight, I couldn't kill of Valeriana yet, so the dementors showed how very alike they really are. I just can't see her hitting him with something inane and his falling through the veil. I hope JK has a good reason for it in the end, because at this point it is very unsatisfying to me.
Kemenran: More is on the way. Just keep reviewing. And you know you can tell me the one thing you like or the thing you hate….
Chernobyl: Glad you liked the Sirius/Valeriana fight. I liked it too. It's my favorite. Samara and Ginny were with Voldemort until Draco was hit with the curse and then Samara was hit with Avada Kedavra. Luckily the Auror was too exhausted to actually kill her. It made Voldemort nervous and he belatedly told both Ginny and Samara to get back to the Snow Castle with the rest of the children and take his basilisks with them. He only had one little detail to take care of--Dumbledore.
JamToeMan: Music is good
Wormtail: Thanks for saying they are getting better and better. I was wondering if the first book was better than this one since it got longer and more detailed reviews, but if you like it, that's the main thing. Sorry I killed you off--I couldn't help myself. The other animagi just wanted to eat you up…;LOL
Silverfox1: My other almost beta. Thank you so much for all of your help and comments and especially questions. I didn't think I could write them myself, because I would give away what was important in the chapter and I wanted to see if you would find it yourself. Invariably, silverfox always does. She also writes a great story. Check out her stuff. And Sevi, well you know Severus, he's always up to something, but he may have met his match…Uh..OH…
A/N: Now, please be a responsible reader and review. You don't have to pay for this "book" you only have to say what you liked or didn't like. It is very important for me as a new writer to see what works and what doesn't. Since I have been writing on fanfic, I have discovered that in the heat of the story, you often miss little clues and I have to repeat them--sometimes several times. (Go back and re-read THE BROKEN BEGINNING. You will wonder how on earth you missed that Edward was EVIL and you won't for a moment think he is a Gryffindor.) There are so many clues. Your comments are essential to my growth as a writer. If you are a regular reviewer, I promise I will someday send you a first edition signed copy of my "real" book (which I am already working on) and you can say, I knew that writer when she was 15 and a nobody, and I told her what she was doing wrong. LOL ..
NOW, GO REVIEW. 15 reviews till the new chapter. After you have reviewed, please go to the Yahoo group, THESEERSTRUTH. The link for this is on my bio page. Answer the questions there. Ennui and Silverfox have worked hard to make this interesting for you. Please don't let their hard work go to waste. Usually only 3-4 people answer the questions. You can ask your own questions too. Just come and discuss with us…Lady Lestrange