When the War is Over: Chapter Twelve
(I don't own any copyrights to the Harry Potter series, or anything to do with it.)
In my dream, I wander through our house, running my hands across all the familiar objects; The couch is worn, the table is smooth, and the walls are solid. I notice that the windows are clouded; I try rubbing a hole in one of the window panes, but outside all I can see is tendrils of fog swirling around near the ground. A shiver runs up my spine, and I draw my sweater tighter around my protruding belly. In my dream, Harry comes down the stairs with a wide grin on his face. He draws me into an embrace, and kisses me for long time; I am breathless when we part.
"What was that for?" I ask playfully, leaning against his chest.
"Can't I kiss my wife?" He replies.
"Anytime," I breathe.
A golden band shines from his hand, matching the one I wear on my own.
"Come into the kitchen," he takes my hand and pulls me, "I have something to show you."
In the kitchen, he turns away from me and seemingly bends over the counter. With a grin on my face, I fold my arms and wait.
"What is it?" I ask with mock impatience.
"This," he says. He turns around and plunges the sword through my chest before I have time to react.
I awaken bated in sweat, my heart pounding in my throat! I feel my chest, but no sword wound is there, leaking my life blood from my body, so I throw off the covers. Sliding out of bed, I put one hand on my stomach to steady my large belly, and waddle to the window. The full moon is a haunting yellow and hangs high in the star strewn sky; A shadow seems to move across it...was it my imagination just now?
I shiver, vividly reliving the dream, and I wonder, is he looking at the same sky right now? I'm so close to having the baby, will I ever be able to show her to him? I feel it in my blood, and it presses on my mind and heart, this prophecy; I know it must be fulfilled, and soon, but the details are still not there. It seems they have temporarily abandoned the castle, and our best laid plans must now be revised; We are back at square one. I know it's early, I know I should go back to bed, snuggle under the covers and keep the chill of the night away from the baby, but I am restless, this dream has alerted all my senses into wakefulness.
I slip on my robe and slippers, and slip out into the corridor, no one is in sight. Wandering aimlessly up and down the corridors, I soon find myself at our makeshift owlery. The door creeks open ominously, but only a few bright eyes greet me, most of the owls have gone hunting. My breath mists before me; The owls shuffle their feathers irritably, perhaps in annoyance that I might have come to send a message at this hour. The large window is pushed open, but the view beyond is just of the plain brick wall that surrounds Grimauld Place.
Hedwig suddenly soars through the window, the only white owl in the owlery, and finally healthy enough to deliver messages again. She studies me with one eye, and clicks her talons at me; I notice a letter tied to her leg. Who would be using Hedwig to send messages? I wonder, but I take the letter anyway, and let curiosity get the better of me. I nearly drop it when I recognize Harry's seal! Tearing it open, I pour over it.
Dear Ginny,
If you have received this message, than all hope is not lost. I cannot say much, only that my behavior months earlier was the result of Voldemort twisting my mind against you all. I know I must have frightened you terribly, and for that I am sorry. The reason I write this, is that I might have a chance to escape, but I need your help! A window of opportunity is going to present itself soon, but I cannot get out alone. Meet me at the gates of the castle at noon on the 21st, and I help me! I look forward to seeing our daughter.
Love,
Harry
Confused, I turn the letter over, but there is nothing else written. His words somehow sound...so cold. How does he know about our baby? I wasn't pregnant enough to show when we last met...The 21st is tommrow...
In the kitchens the next day, Moody and Lupin pour over the letter.
"I'm afraid we'll need to conduct a whole list of spells on this letter, to prove Harry really wrote it," Lupin announces.
"How long will that take?" I ask.
"Give me about three weeks," Lupin suggests.
"Three weeks!" I shout, "in three weeks our window of opportunity will have passed! We have to be there at noon today!"
Hermione and Ron glance at each other.
"Ginny," she says quietly, "there really isn't a 'we' in this matter. In your condition, do you honestly think we'd let you go with us?"
"Thank you for reminding me that I'm carrying the 'Chosen One's' baby," I snap, feeling guilty for doing so, "but I'm not about to sit around and let my baby's father rot in Voldemort's hands while you all try to figure out if a letter was really written by him."
"Now that's not fair," Ron says, seeing tears spring to Hermione's eyes at my cold remark; He suddenly looks angry, "we all care about Harry as much as you do Gin, but you have to think about what your doing! How are you going to help him like that?"
"Someone has to help him!" I whirl around, and waddle from the room. I know I've hurt them, but I'm tired of waiting, tired of wishing, tired of wanting. If they won't help him, I'll do it myself.
In my room, I pack a bag with some small items like medicine in it, and I gently ease open my window. Aiming my broom, I hover a few inches off the floor, and gently glide through the open window. A soft rain is starting to fall, and I pray I'll make it before the storm hits with it's full force. I fly forever, the rain grows steadily worse. I am drenched when I alight on the ground before the castle gates. Nothing matters now, just getting to Harry.
I can hear voices calling to me, voices that sound like Ron and Hermione, but I don't stop. Harry stands in the middle of the courtyard, drenched in the fine rain, unmoving, with his back to me.
"Harry!" I cry out, rushing towards him. He turns around opens his arms to me. I rush into them, needing this, needing him. "How did you escape!" My tears fall all over his face and clothes, and I kiss him over and over again.
"It was easy," he replies, a little to coldly, and I freeze. Where is the familiar warmth? Where is the gentle tone in his voice? I look up into his dead black eyes, the fear is like an electric current coursing though body.
"Time to die," he hisses.
With a powerful sweep of his arm he launches me backwards through the air. Something connects with my body, piercing it though and leaving me sagging ten feet above the air. In shock, I reach up, feeling the jagged stone spear protruding through my chest.
Harry's eyes suddenly clear, and he shakes his head; He looks at me with wide eyes, and I hear him scream my name. Ron and Hermione are somewhere nearby, I can hear them howling in agony. My last thoughts are of the baby that will never be born, of the life I will never share with Harry or my friends and family; I die...