Chapter 24: Trials and Tribulations
A/N: Hello, my lovelies! I have no idea what caused the double posting of the previous chapter, but it has been fixed. Just a heads up to those who are not religious or dislike religion as a whole: heed this warning. The religious rite of exorcism has a lot of repetition because that is the structure of the prayers. I will not butcher them. Some sections of the rite have been removed. Otherwise, this section alone would take two chapters. As this includes an exorcism, if it creeps you out, don't read. I don't need theologians commenting either. Thank you very much. Things will get ugly; you have been warned. –Lux–
Esther Shaw always knew she wanted to serve the Lord. Her faith had been tested several times throughout her life. The first test was when her parents were murdered for aiding their Jewish friends in hiding from the Totenkopfverbande* during World War II. Her brother, Martin senior, had been spared because, by some sort of miracle, he didn't wake when the armed men came. Esther was the oldest, already in primary school, and she was in class that day. She found her parents shot execution-style after being tortured, and Helen, her mother, raped. But they didn't give up their friends. The family they were hiding was in the secret basement of the Shaw's bakery. [Totenkopfverbande or Death's Head Unit whose members operated Hitler's concentration camps.]
Esther's grandparents were alerted, and they had collected her and her brother. Together, they found the Jewish family very weak from lack of food and water. One of them had perished from a fever. Her brother Martin had barely been conscious when she found him. His bed and mattress were a mess, his skin severely irritated from being in clothes full of urine and poop, he was burning up and very weak, but he was alive. For a second, when Esther found him, she thought he was dead, but then he let out a soft cry, and she rushed to clean him. She ran to the neighbor's for some milk, but the woman had heard the shots, and she, having given birth recently, simply breastfed the starving baby. The neighbors didn't go to the Shaw's house because they thought everyone had been killed. As the Shaw's property was big, and there was a field of cows in between, the neighbors couldn't hear the baby crying from their home.
The second test was losing her brother Martin and his wife Camille in a horrible train accident. Her nephew had been so young, and she was named his guardian, so she became a mother overnight while battling the depression that followed such a loss. Esther never thought, looking back at everything she had been through, that the third test would involve magic and an exorcism, but alas, it was so. The reaction the young girl had to the very start of the rite proved that things were going to get really bad tonight. Esther was old and had lived a good life, but she didn't want her Martin to get hurt or worse while fighting someone else's battle. Esther knew that wasn't a Christian thought, but at the moment, she felt more like a protective mother and less like a nun.
Father Martin began: "Lord, have mercy."
Esther replied: "Lord, have mercy."
Martin walked around the bed and said, "Christ, have mercy."
"Christ, have mercy," the nun echoed.
"Lord, have mercy," he said.
"Lord, have mercy."
"Christ, hear us," Martin closed his eyes.
"Christ, graciously hear us," his aunt replied.
The priest continued, "God, the Father in heaven." Ginevra groaned and moved, straining against her ties.
"Have mercy on us," the nun closed her eyes. The girl started laughing maniacally, and the sound felt like a drop of cold water down a warm back for everyone who heard her.
"God, the Son, Redeemer of the world," Father Martin carried on.
"Have mercy on us," Esther started spreading incense, walking around the bed. Ginny growled and grimaced. "Stop that, bitch! It stinks! It's disgusting!" the girl's voice was starting to deepen. Esther tightened her hold on the thurible*, ignored her, and kept spreading the smoke around. [a thurible is a metal censer suspended from chains, in which incense is burned during worship services]
"God, the Holy Spirit," Martin prompted. He felt uncomfortable beyond the usual in a rite. He felt strangely watched and not by anyone here.
"Have mercy on us."
"Holy Trinity, one God," the priest took the bible and got closer to the girl. Ginny screamed, terrified, and pleaded. "NOOOOOOO! Charlie! Make it stop! It hurts! Please!"
"Have mercy on us," Esther wrapped her rosary more snugly to her hand. William had to hold Charlie back forcefully.
"Holy Mary, pray for us," Martin said.
There was an unnerving growl, and Ginevra's now manly voice replied, "Don't bring her into this!" It sounded scared and worried. Good, Martin thought. Let's see how you like the next part.
"Pray for us," his aunt replied, standing next to him.
"Holy Mother of God," the priest prompted. The creature inside Ginny growled and cursed, using insults that hadn't been heard for hundreds of years.
"Pray for us," Esther ignored her again. Even when many vicious words were against her.
"Holy Virgin of virgins," the priest said.
"Pray for us," the nun replied.
The creature's voice yelled, indignant but concerned, "She will not pray for you. She has no power here!"
The crucifixes in the walls were moving to be turned upside down. Martin took a deep breath. Spirits that can manifest physically with no difficulty are strong, and this wasn't the first time it had done so.
"You have no power here! Sinners, the both of you!" the spirit yelled.
Elloise pulled Tonks closer and whispered in her ear. "We are not alone, and I don't mean whatever freakshow is in there."
"I know. Someone is here, but we did the spells and the wards. The goblins have not detected any-"
"Aurors, beware," a goblin guard spoke softly behind them.
The young Aurors got in defensive posture facing outward, their wands ready. Bill joined the goblins in keeping the wards strong. They were pleasantly surprised that he knew what he was doing.
"St. Michael," Martin said a bit louder over Ginevra's screams.
"No! Don't call him! Stop this, I beg of you!"
"Pray for us," Esther stepped back as something banged against the walls of the led chest, and there was a sound of glass breaking inside. Elloise and Tonks watched from the open door in absolute shock. Ianthe didn't even need to see. She was holding on to a column. Her knees felt weak. Ginevra's back started arching off the bed.
Martin stepped next to Ginny on her right side and placed the Bible next to her face. She was right to be scared of St. Michael. "Saint Michael the archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan, and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."
"Amen."
"St. Gabriel," the priest carried on with the litanies as if they hadn't stopped at all.
"Pray for us."
"St. Raphael,"
"Pray for us."
"The Saints have no power here! This land has been corrupted! Has it not, Esther Shaw!?"Ginevra growled.
Martin frowned slightly. He side-eyed his aunt, and she gave him a look that said she would explain later. "This is holy land. I blessed the soil today in preparation for this."
Ginevra laughed with a man's voice and said, "Priest, you have lost the right to bless anything. You have broken your vows!"
"I have not broken my vows. Temptation is only a sin if you give in to it," Martin replied. Esther grabbed his forearm.
"Do not engage with it. That's what it wants. It's buying time," the nun whispered.
"All holy angels and archangels," Father Martin forced himself to carry on.
"Pray for us."
"All holy orders of blessed spirits,"
"Pray for us."
"St. John the Baptist," Martin prompted.
Ginevra hissed angrily. "He was beheaded for a reason, the fucking fool!"
Martin frowned; all this knowledge was not something that the girl would have a clue about. His aunt replied without second thoughts, "Pray for us."
"St. Joseph,"
"Pray for us," Esther caressed the cross at the end of her rosary.
"You will pray to a cuckold!? You are pathetic!" Ginevra laughed.
Aunt and nephew had to take a deep breath at that.
"All holy patriarchs and prophets,"
"Pray for us."
"St. Peter,"
"The denier? Really?" Ginevra laughed evilly. "He denied your God three times! He will deny you too!"
"Pray for us," Esther growled. This disrespectful creature was getting on her nerves.
St. Paul, "Pray for us."
"His faith didn't keep him safe, and neither will yours! That unwavering fan of Jesus was beheaded with good reason!"
"St. Andrew,"
"Pray for us."
"Crucified, luckily!" Ginny smirked, and the upside-down crucifixes shook and fell from the wall, shattering on impact against the stone floor. Outside, several gasps were heard.
And so Ginevra, who knew nothing about the catholic faith or the bible, disparaged Saint after Saint with information she simply could not have heard. Her insults grew in decibels, as did her growls.
"St. Mary Magdalen,"
"A whore? You will bring a whore into this… Really?"
"Pray for us."
Martin was starting to worry. The spirit seemed bored. Only the Mother of God and the Archangel seemed to have any serious reaction. He carried on regardless, his aunt Esther unwavering. They kept praying as Ginny kept saying more concerning things.
"All holy saints of God."
"Intercede for us," Esther grabbed the aspergillum* and the girl started turning green. [An aspergillum is a liturgical implement used to sprinkle holy water]
"Yes, do ask… You are going to need all the help you can get, Esther Shaw," Ginny snapped. "Consorting with fallen women, bearing false witness in their stead, lying to your priest… hypocrite."
"Be merciful," Martin took Oil of Catechumens* and crossed the girl's forehead. He barely escaped her attempts at biting him. The oil touched her forehead, and the skin turned red and started breaking out in an angry rash. [It is the oil used in baptism, and it is believed to strengthen the one being baptized to turn away from evil, temptation, and sin.]
"Spare us, 0 Lord," Esther took a deep breath.
Dry lightning cracked, and the heavens began to pour. Ginevra laughed in a manner that reminded people of Bellatrix Lestrange, quite unpleasantly so. She showed her teeth and showed her now split, snake-like tongue. This made both priest and nun recoil for a second.
"Oh, I think I will not spare you, Martin Shaw."
Martin's brain rushed. She couldn't know his name. She hadn't seen him at all. Unless… Of course! The priest smirked, "I wasn't asking you. My salvation is not in your hands… Lord Voldemort."
Several gasps could be heard outside. It was as they feared, and his chilling laughter just confirmed it.
"Took you long enough, priest. I am inclined to be offended as I am not easy to forget," Ginny-mort replied with an ugly scowl.
Martin grinned. I got you! "From all evil, deliver us, 0 Lord.*
"Deliver us, 0 Lord."
"From all sin,"
"Deliver us, 0 Lord."
"You sure have a lot of that to pass around. Each and every one of you here and your people. Let's see… A heretic priest traipsing around with witches and wizards, how quaint," Ginny-mort said all this slowly in a mocking tone.
"From your wrath," Martin took the aspergillum and sprinkled water towards the bed. Ginny-mort moved wildly like a snake to avoid being burnt by it while she groaned and grunted at the pain caused by her ties.
"Deliver us, 0 Lord," Esther was growing more and more concerned. Why did her nephew know this creature?
"If that other Lord has truly been seeing all you are doing, you should fear his wrath. I know you definitely should fear me," Ginny-mort replied, her eyes quickly growing all black.
"From sudden and unprovided death,"
"Deliver us, 0 Lord."
"You see, priest, when you are like me, you don't need deliverance from death… you just need countermeasures," Ginny-mort cackled.
In the kitchen, the royals were equal parts shocked and enraged.
"How many bloody Horcruxes are there!?" Nagkrat punched the table, and it split. Each half fell to either side.
"Voldemort is a menace to us all! We need to start searching for those things purposefully!" Gankra agreed with vehemence, but she fixed the table nonetheless. The nuns had been far too accommodating to destroy their few belongings.
"Tomorrow, I will sign a decree establishing this as a priority for our people. We will assign a task force to deal with this," Nagkrat was decided.
The book banged against the walls of the led chest violently as they kept praying.
By the mystery of your holy incarnation, "Deliver us, 0 Lord."
"By your cross and passion,"
"Deliver us, 0 Lord," the nun replied as her rosary began to feel warm. Oh, Dear!
"By your death and burial,"
"Deliver us, 0 Lord,"
"Iaaaaaaantheeeeeee!" Ginny-mort said in a sing-songy male voice. "Come in here where I can see you, dearie!"
Lady Greengrass was by no means a coward. But a possessed girl calling her name frightened her more than most things she had experienced on Earth.
"Lady Greengrass, no!" Tonks stood at the door barring Ianthe.
"Let me through! His minions cost me my husband and my home, and I will not allow him to cost me anything else!" Ianthe pushed Tonks aside, who huffed in annoyance.
"Yes, Lady Neutral, show your face. I have always admired your courage. You and Tobias would have done so well in my ranks."
Martin frowned. "Leave her out of this," the priest growled.
"Touched a nerve, did I?" Ginny-mort laughed with a lifted brow. "Worried, cleric?"
"Listen, you disgusting waste of air and magic, there's nothing you can say to me to make me join you!" Ianthe bellowed.
"I don't need you to join me. I just want our priest here to think things through. He wouldn't want his dirty laundry up in the air!"
Martin refused to give in. He tensed his jaw and continued, growling, "By your holy resurrection."
"Deliver us, 0 Lord," Esther put a supportive hand on his back. Was her nephew in love?
"You want to play hardball with Lord Voldemort, Shaw? I don't recommend it. Ask Lily and James Potter… Oh, wait! You can't…." Ginny-mort laughed.
Charlus had to hold his wife with all his strength to prevent her from joining Ianthe inside.
"Do you know who has been considering becoming a layman, Ianthe?"
Ianthe closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was not a blushing teenager. She knew Martin had feelings for her, but she also knew he left the country to stay away from her and respect his vows.
"What do you know of the sacrifices people make for those they love?" Ianthe approached Ginny-mort, with Esther doing her best to pull the younger woman back. Martin paled; his eyes widened. She knew. Fuck.
"Love? Fancy little word people throw around a lot. I have never met a person worthy of my love."
"You are incapable of love, you psychopath!" Tonks yelled over her shoulder from the door.
"Nymphadora Tonks… The metamorphmagus turned Auror, who has had the hots for her uncle her entire life dares to judge me? Do they know how you gender bent all through Hogwarts because of that? Wanting to bite his pillow? Did you tell the family how your panties got ruined when the werewolf cornered you!?"
Elloise yelled. She was incensed for Tonks,"Tais-toi! T'es une raclure de bidet!" [Shut up! You bidet scum!]
"Everyone stop!" Lord Potter bellowed. "Do not engage with that bastard! He's stalling!"
Martin was grateful for the interruption so he could continue. Ianthe squeezed his forearm reassuringly and stepped away. This reenergized him, "By your wondrous ascension,"
"Deliver us, 0 Lord," Esther was feeling more tired with each minute. She was no longer young. It had been a long rite, and they were only making progress now.
"By the coming of the Holy," Martin prompted.
"Deliver us, 0 Lord."
"He's not coming, priest… You are all alone. You have always been alone. You will die alone too," Ginny-mort laughed.
Martin's stomach squeezed painfully. The evil spirit had stabbed him with such words. Suddenly he heard Pope John Paul II's voice inside his head saying: "I plead with you, never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid." He would follow this advice. He had given up on a family voluntarily to serve the Lord, and he would not quit because he felt lonely and scared at times. With renewed strength, he said, "Spirit, the Advocate,"
"Deliver us, 0 Lord."
"On the day of judgment," Martin said with vigor.
"Deliver us, 0 Lord," Esther felt her pulse quicken as the air grew dry and colder.
The room got quiet as Ginny-mort closed her eyes. The only sound was rain pouring. The girl(?) started crying. As she opened her eyes, they were growing back to normal.
"Charlie…" she whispered.
Charles stepped into the room, pulling his arm away from Bill's grip. "Ginny?"
"Why are you letting them hurt me? My throat hurts, my body aches, my head is killing me," she said in a pained, small tone. Her head hanged, and her dull, messy hair covered most of her face. "Help me!"
"Ginny, everyone here is trying to help you. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named managed to possess you. We are trying to get him to leave you alone," he explained without approaching.
"NO! He is not going to leave me! Not like you have. He wants me. He knows my talents. He promised me I will be Lady Potter no matter what!" the girl wailed. She lifted her face, and gone was the girly softness replaced by a sinister grimace. Her eyes started darkening again. William had to come in to physically drag Charlie out.
Lady Potter had to restrain her husband, who was about to charge into the room and give that child a piece of his mind.
"We sinners," Father Martin said.
Esther replied, "We beg you to hear us."
"That you spare us,"
"We beg you to hear us."
"Why would he spare you? You didn't show mercy to those men, Esther, did you?" Ginny-mort growled.
"That you pardon us,"
"W-We-" Esther fell to her knees crying. That would haunt her forever. She covered her face with her shaky hands. They deserved it, but she had gone against her faith and her principles. Although it was in defense of those girls, it was still wrong, and she knew that. Esther tried to stand and help, but the creature looked at her, and she felt as if someone had shoved her diaphragm inside a slim tube. She tried hard to breathe, but no air was reaching her lungs. She fainted, and Martin barely managed to catch her before she hit her head.
Ginny-mort laughed, "Oh! Bugger! You need someone faithful to continue, Father, do you not? How inconvenient that you are surrounded by people who cannot help you… You can go get me some young nun. I would love to break her psyche and rattle the very foundations of her faith. Go get me some fresh meat, will you?"
A crack of apparition made everyone jump in defensive mode. A cloaked and hooded appeared a few feet away from the priest, "I had a feeling you would need me."
Elloise had the intruder bound in seconds. "Who the fuck are you!? How did you get in? How did you find us?"
Martin crouched and motioned for Andromeda to come in. She levitated the old woman outside and into the chapel for the other nuns to help her. The Aurors covered Andy as she left in case someone else came in somehow.
"I didn't get in. I was here before you. Now, kindly untie me. Father Shaw can't do this alone."
"Who are you!?" Elloise insisted, her wand pressing painfully into the man's jaw.
"Father Charles O'Brian," the man pulled back his hood and semi-bowed.
Lord Potter rushed to him so quickly that Elloise had to jump out of the way. Ginny-mort started speaking parseltongue, but Dorea realized it was almost only expletives thrown at the second priest.
"You! You fought something like this with us before! Under Hogwarts… Who do you work for?" Charlus demanded.
"I am a Catholic priest. That is all you need to know right now."
"You are not a priest. You are a prizard… You were the one we couldn't catch. You helped kidnap Daniel Granger! Why should I trust you?" Martin countered.
"I wish you no harm. I have been here for hours. If I wanted to hurt you, I would have done so already… Father Martin, make up your mind before it's too late," Charles looked with worry at the creature that was starting to levitate off of the bed. The only things preventing her from flying was the ties.
The Aurors were ready to take O'Brian down, but they didn't want to hurt Charlus, and, in all honesty, the levitating possessed girl gave them the creeps. If Father Martin didn't get any help, he would not stop whatever was happening.
Martin looked concerned. "Fine, but we need to talk later. Promise you will not vanish when we are done,"
"I promise," O'Brian nodded and crossed himself. Martin nodded back, hoping he wouldn't regret this.
Martin started anew, "Son of God,"
"We beg you to hear us," O'Brian took the holy water and sprinkled it directly at Ginny-mort. Her wails were quite telling, but the bubbles on her skin were proof of how badly this hurt her.
"Do not keep in mind, 0 Lord, our offenses or those of our parents, nor take vengeance on our sins," Father Martin prayed.
Charles followed, "Our Father who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation,"
"But deliver us from evil," Martin replied.
Ginny-mort's struggling loosened her ties, and her feet came out of them. She immediately started kicking around, trying to reach the priests.
"God, by your name save me, and by your might defend my cause."
"God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth," Charles continued.
Martin went on, "For haughty men have risen up against me, and fierce men seek my life; they set not God before their eyes."
Charles took out his blessed bible and placed it over the creature's stomach. It fell flat as if a heavy stone had been dropped on it, and its legs were rendered immobile.
"See, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life."
"Turn back the evil upon my foes; in your faithfulness, destroy them."
" Freely will I offer you sacrifice; I will praise your name, Lord, for its goodness,"
"Because from all distress, you have rescued me, and my eyes look down upon my enemies."
"Glory be to the Father."
"As it was in the beginning."
The bed began to shake under Ginny-mort. Both priests stood on each side of the bed and stretched their hands to hover over the girl's head.
"Save your child."
"Who trusts in you, my God."
"She is not a believer! This will not work!" Ginny-mort yelled.
"Let her find in you, Lord, a fortified tower."
"In the face of the enemy."
"Let the enemy have no power over her."
The bed shook hard enough that the priests had to take a couple of steps away, but they did not stop.
"And the son of iniquity be powerless to harm her."
"Lord, send her aid from your holy place."
"And watch over her from Sion."
The led chest starting shaking as well. Elloise's eyes widened. That chest needed Bill, Martin, Charlus, Tonks, and two goblin guards to move it. That's how heavy it was. And now it moved as if it was made out of cardboard. Tonks gave her a worried look.
"Lord, heed my prayer."
"And let my cry be heard by you."
"God, whose nature is ever merciful and forgiving, accept our prayer that this servant of yours, bound by the fetters of sin, may be pardoned by your loving kindness," Charles was glad he still remembered these prayers as exorcism wasn't something he did.
"Holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who once and for all consigned that fallen and apostate tyrant to the flames of hell, who sent your only-begotten Son into the world to crush that roaring lion. Hasten to our call for help and snatch from ruination and from the clutches of the noonday devil this human being made in your image and likeness. Strike terror, Lord, into the beast now laying waste your vineyard. Fill your servants with courage to fight manfully against that reprobate dragon, lest he despise those who put their trust in you, and say with Pharaoh of old: 'I know not God, nor will I set Israel free.' Let your mighty hand cast him out of your servant, Ginevra No-Name, so he may no longer hold captive this person whom it pleased you to make in your image, and to redeem through your Son; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever," Martin felt his muscles aching from all the dark energy floating in the room.
"Amen," the other priest replied. He was not an exorcist himself, but he had a lot of respect for Shaw and others like him. It took a lot of faith and strength of character, not to mention studies, to be able to do this.
Martin stood at the end of the bed and extended his arm forward, pointing all his fingers towards Ginny-mort and gathering all his faith, he began: "I command you, unclean spirit, Lord Voldemort, along with all your minions now attacking this servant of God, by the mysteries of the incarnation, passion, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the descent of the Holy Spirit, by the coming of our Lord for judgment, that you tell me by some sign your real name, and the day and hour of your departure. I command you, moreover, to obey me to the letter, I who am a minister of God despite my unworthiness; nor shall you be emboldened to harm in any way this creature of God, or the bystanders, or any of their possessions."
Ginevra shook in the bed. She started throwing up a foamy white substance. Once she stopped coughing, her manly voice replied. "You will never have my real name!"
"Oh, really? It's a good thing he doesn't have to ask you, Tom Riddle!" Lord Potter bellowed. "Do you really think I wouldn't have had you investigated thoroughly when you murdered my son and daughter-in-law?!"
"Ugh. Parents… Such an inconvenience!" Ginny-mort groaned. She shook her head and laughed.
Martin Shaw lay his right hand on the girl's head: "Tom Riddle: may Jesus, Son of Mary, Lord, and Savior of the world, through the merits and intercession of His holy apostles Peter and Paul and all His saints, show you favor and mercy."
Charles replied, "Amen."
Martin crossed himself and crossed the girl. "The power of Christ compels you, Tom Riddle. Leave this child alone."
"No! Don't! Stop it!" Ginny complained and wrestled with O'Brian as he forced her to drink Holy Water, but she was still tied, so he succeeded in making her swallow by pinching her nose. She convulsed once more and fell limp. Everyone stopped moving, waiting for her to breathe. When her chest finally rose, everyone let out a sigh.
"May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, come upon you and remain with you forever," Martin blessed the girl with Holy Water, and her skin no longer reacted to it.
"Amen," Charles O'Brian sighed.
"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: 'Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to all creation. He that believes and is baptized will be saved; he that does not believe will be condemned. And in the way of proofs of their claims, the following will accompany those who believe: in my name, they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will take up serpents in their hands, and if they drink something deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and these will recover." Martin said all this from memory. [Mark 16:15-18]
"Lord, heed my prayer," Charles replied. "And let my cry be heard by you."
Father Martin carried on, "Almighty Lord, Word of God the Father, Jesus Christ, God, and Lord of all creation; who gave to your holy apostles the power to tramp underfoot serpents and scorpions; who along with the other mandates to work miracles was pleased to grant them the authority to say: 'Depart, you devils!' and by whose might Satan was made to fall from heaven like lightning; I humbly call on your holy name in fear and trembling, asking that you grant me, your unworthy servant, pardon for all my sins, steadfast faith, and the power - supported by your mighty arm - to confront with confidence and resolution this cruel demon. I ask this through you, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and God, who are coming to judge both the living and the dead and the world by fire."
"Amen," Charles replied.
Both priests crossed themselves. Martin crossed Ginevra once more. She still wasn't moving but moaned in pain and opened her eyes. With Charles' help, Martin maneuvered the girl and placed the end of his stole on her neck, and, putting his right hand on the girl's head, he said: "See the cross of the Lord; begone, you hostile powers!"
Charles didn't know what followed. Martin handed him a small book and pointed to a specific line, "The stem of David, the lion of Juda's tribe has conquered."
"Lord, heed our prayer," Martin replied
"And let my cry be heard by you," Charles read.
Ginevra started shaking again. The veins on her face and neck were popping. The struggle was still ongoing to the shock of everyone but the priests. She looked around in fear but with a deep frown.
"God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I appeal to your holy name, humbly begging your kindness, that you graciously grant me help against this and every unclean spirit now tormenting this creature of yours; through Christ our Lord."
"Amen."
Ginevra looked at Charles for a moment, and her eyes went pitch black once more. "O'Brian, my friend. Have you told them you betrayed me? Do they know who you are helping? Do they know why?"
Charles let go in pure shock and Ginevra, having recovered her ability to move, jumped back towards the pillow with a strength and agility that she shouldn't have had after hours of being tied up.
Shaw took a step back. This shouldn't be happening, "I cast you out, unclean spirit, along with every Satanic power of the enemy, every specter from hell, and all your fell companions, in the name of our Lord Jesus +Christ. Begone and stay far from this creature of God. For it is He who commands you, He who flung you headlong from the heights of heaven into the depths of hell. It is He who commands you, He who once stilled the sea and the wind and the storm," outside, lightning cracked, and the wind howled as if threatening the man. But Martin was resolved. He would free this child.
"Hearken, therefore, and tremble in fear, Satan, you enemy of the faith, you foe of the human race, you begetter of death, you robber of life, you corrupter of justice, you root of all evil and vice; seducer of men, betrayer of the nations, instigator of envy, font of avarice, fomenter of discord, author of pain and sorrow. Why, then, do you stand and resist, knowing as you must that Christ the Lord brings your plans to nothing? Fear Him, who in Isaac was offered in sacrifice, in Joseph sold into bondage, slain as the paschal lamb, crucified as man, yet triumphed over the powers of hell," the priest traced the three signs of the cross on Ginevra's brow as he spoke. "Begone, then, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Give place to the Holy Spirit by this sign of the holy cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever."
Ginny-mort let out her loudest screams and wails yet. She let out a string of expletives in Latin and Aramaic and held her chest. Suddenly air wasn't reaching her lungs.
"Amen," O'Brian opened a chest he enlarged and placed it in front of Ginevra.
Martin took a deep breath. "God, Creator and defender of the human race, who made man in your own image, look down in pity on this your servant, Ginevra No-Name, now in the toils of the unclean spirit, now caught up in the fearsome threats of man's ancient enemy, sworn foe of our race, who befuddles and stupefies the human mind, throws it into terror, overwhelms it with fear and panic. Repel, 0 Lord, the devil's power, break asunder his snares and traps, put the unholy tempter to flight. By the sign of the cross," Martin crossed the girl yet again. "Let your servant be protected in mind and body." Martin crossed the girl's chest. His strength was reducing by the minute. "Keep watch over the inmost recesses of her heart; rule over her emotions; strengthen her will. Let vanish from her soul the temptings of the mighty adversary. Graciously grant, 0 Lord, as we call on your holy name, that the evil spirit, who hitherto terrorized over us, may himself retreat in terror and defeat, so that this servant of yours may sincerely and steadfastly render you the service which is your due; through Christ our Lord."
Charles saw in amazement how the girl started coughing as her eyes went back to normal. "Amen."
Ginevra started to heave and move as if she wanted to throw up. When she finally did, what came out of her was a black, thick, foul-smelling liquid. It screamed and bubbled when it touched the inside of the chest.
Martin closed the lid and wrapped all too familiar chains around it. He then sprinkled Holy Water on the chest and placed his hand over the lid. "I adjure you, ancient serpent, by the judge of the living and the dead, by your Creator, by the Creator of the whole universe, by Him who has the power to consign you to hell, to depart forthwith in fear, along with your savage minions, from this servant of God, Ginevra No-Name, who seeks refuge in the fold of the Church. I adjure you again, not by my weakness but by the might of the Holy Spirit, to depart from this servant of God, Ginevra No-Name, whom almighty God has made in His image. Yield, therefore, yield not to my own person but to the minister of Christ. For it is the power of Christ that compels you, who brought you low by His cross. Tremble before that mighty arm that broke the dark prison walls asunder and led souls forth to light."
The chest on the bed shook as Ginny was held up by Charles. She was coughing blood. Martin semi-embraced the girl and prayed, "May the trembling that afflicts this human frame," he crossed her on her chest. "The fear that afflicts this image," he crossed her on her brow, "of God, descend on you. Make no resistance nor delay in departing from this girl, for it has pleased Christ to dwell in her. Do not think of despising my command because you know me to be a great sinner. It is God Himself who commands you! The majestic Christ who commands you! God the Father commands you! God the Son commands you! God, the Holy Spirit, commands you! The mystery of the cross commands you! The faith of the holy apostles Peter and Paul and of all the saints commands you! The blood of the martyrs commands you! The continence of the confessors commands you! The devout prayers of all holy men and women command you! The saving mysteries of our Christian faith command you!"
Ginny-mort was fighting back hard. The slim muscles on her body spasming. Martin was in similar pain. He had been tensing his muscles for a really long time. The priest was in commendable shape, but this was taking too long. Physically it was taxing; spiritually, it was soul-crushing.
Tonks could barely believe what she was seeing. Everyone else seemed as shocked as she was. But then it hit her. She looked at Elloise, and they both mouthed: "The book."
"Father Martin! The book! You have to exorcise it too!" Nymph exclaimed.
As if it heard her, the led chest moved as if thrown by a giant against the far end wall, narrowly missing the camera. It went as far away from the priest as it could get. "Oh, no, you don't!" O'Brian growled. He opened the chest with significant difficulty, and the Aurors froze the book when it jumped out, intent on doing who knew what.
Charles motioned for the Aurors to throw the book to the floor. Martin knelt by it and placed his hand hovering over the blank cover. Charles sprinkled the tome with Holy Water, and it began to melt. He mouthed to Martin, "One last push! You got this! God is with you!"
"Depart, then, transgressor. Depart, seducer, full of lies and cunning, foe of virtue, persecutor of the innocent. Give place, abominable creature, give way, you monster, give way to Christ, in whom you found none of your works. For He has already stripped you of your powers and laid waste your kingdom, bound you prisoner, and plundered your weapons. He has cast you forth into the outer darkness, where everlasting ruin awaits you and your abettors. To what purpose do you insolently resist? To what purpose do you brazenly refuse? For you are guilty before almighty God, whose laws you have transgressed. You are guilty before His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, whom you presumed to tempt, whom you dared to nail to the cross. You are guilty before the whole human race, to whom you prof erred by your enticements the poisoned cup of death," Martin growled with significant effort. His energy levels were dangerously low.
The book opened, and Martin was hit by some strange jet of purple light on the chest before Charles could help him. Shaw fell unconscious, and Charles rushed with the small book to continue while Andromeda and Ianthe rushed in on shaky legs to help Martin.
With a shaky voice, Charles read, "Therefore, I adjure you, profligate dragon, in the name of the spotless Lamb, who has trodden down the asp and the basilisk, and overcome the lion and the dragon, to depart from this girl and this book," he crossed the girl and the book. Crossing the book made him feel stupid. "Tremble and flee, as we call on the name of the Lord, before whom the denizens of hell cower, to whom the heavenly Virtues and Powers and Dominations are subject, whom the Cherubim and Seraphim praise with unending cries as they sing: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of S-Sabaoth."
The book floated, and bloody letters appeared. "You will die like your parents, Charles."
"No… I won't. Stop it!" Charles complained, suddenly holding his head as pain pierced through him.
"Humiliated, exposed as a fraud, excommunicated for your heresy," the book wrote. "Your church should burn you on the pyre!"
Charles whimpered and tried to close the book to no avail. His hands were severely burnt by the curses on the leather covers.
Andromeda force-fed Martin three different potions, did a couple of spells, and he regained consciousness. He was exhausted beyond the physical. His soul had taken a beating, and no potions could help with that.
Ianthe placed her hands on his chest. "We all believe in you. Your God will not abandon you, Martin. What you are doing is good. Come on, up, you have to finish this," she held him up by the waist with Andi's help. Close to the book, O'Brian cried like a child.
Ianthe helped Martin move his arm in a cross pattern with every order, "The Word made flesh commands you; the Virgin's Son commands you; Jesus of Nazareth commands you, who once, when you despised His disciples, forced you to flee in shameful defeat from a man; and when He had cast you out, you did not even dare, except by His leave, to enter into a herd of swine. And now as I adjure you in His name, begone from this child who is His creature. It is futile to resist His will. It is hard for you to kick against the goad. The longer you delay, the heavier your punishment shall be; for it is not men you are condemning, but rather Him who rules the living and the dead, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and the world by fire."
"Amen," Charles whispered. He stood up with difficulty and, with the book, continued. "God of heaven and earth, God of the angels and archangels, God of the prophets and apostles, God of the martyrs and virgins, God who has the power to bestow life after death and rest after toil; for there is no other God than you, nor can there be another true God besides you, the Creator of heaven and earth, who are truly a King, whose kingdom is without end; I humbly entreat your glorious majesty to deliver this servant of yours from the unclean spirits; through Christ our Lord."
Ginny fell back down to the bed unceremoniously as the book started bleeding out a similar substance to the one she threw up. Charles rushed to open a separate chest to contain the goo.
Martin looked at Ianthe gratefully as she moved his arm in cross patterns, "Depart, then, impious one, depart, accursed one, depart with all your deceits, for God has willed that man should be His temple. Why do you still linger here? Give honor to God the Father almighty, before whom every knee must bow. Give place to the Lord Jesus Christ, who shed His most precious blood for man. Give place to the Holy Spirit, who by His blessed apostle Peter openly struck you down in the person of Simon Magus; who cursed your lies in Annas and Saphira; who smote you in King Herod because he had not given honor to God; who by His apostle Paul afflicted you with the night of blindness in the magician Elyma, and by the mouth of the same apostle bade you to go out of Pythonissa, the soothsayer. Begone, now! Begone, seducer! Your place is in solitude; your abode is in the nest of serpents; get down and crawl with them. This matter brooks no delay, for see, the Lord, the ruler, comes quickly, kindling fire before Him, and it will run on ahead of Him and encompass His enemies in flames. You might delude man, but God, you cannot mock. It is He who casts you out, from whose sight nothing is hidden. It is He who repels you, to whose might all things are subject. It is He who expels you, He who has prepared everlasting hellfire for you and your angels, from whose mouth shall come a sharp sword, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and the world by fire."
"Amen," Charles replied as the chest was secured.
Charlie and Bill rushed to Ginevra's side when she started looking around, terrified and crying in earnest like the child she was. The room started growing warmer.
Esther, who had been reanimated by the goblins outside, stepped back inside. Her hand held her nephew's arm, and this reinvigorated him just enough to end the rite.
Martin took a deep breath, "Almighty God, we beg you to keep the evil spirit from further molesting this servant of yours, and to keep him far away, never to return. At your command, 0 Lord, may the goodness and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, take possession of this girl. May we no longer fear any evil since the Lord is with us; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever."
"Amen," Esther and Charles replied.
Outside, the storm had stopped. Crickets could be heard, and a gentle breeze removed the foul odor of the exorcised matter. Lord Potter was about to thank Martin when the young man fell on his knees and then on his face, overcome with exhaustion.
It took 3 days for Martin to wake up. He was brought to the Grangers' office, where he was kept on fluids, nutritious meals, and mandatory bed rest. Esther couldn't leave the cloister, but she had all faith in Daniel and Emma's skills. She knew she would have to confess to Martin, and while she dreaded the conversation, she knew she would feel better once she told him. Emma felt bad that she had not gone with Martin to the cloister. However, when Andromeda, Elloise, and Nymph told her what happened in detail, she was glad she hadn't seen it first hand. His Holiness had actually called the Granger's practice to speak with Martin on the phone and make sure he was okay. Then, the Pope had told him off for leaving without warning. The Potters had gone to meet with King Nagkrat and Gankra, hauling O'Brian with them. They would get all the answers they needed, no matter the cost.
A/N: Thank you for reading! The next chapter will be much more lighthearted, I promise. I hope there is no double-posting this time and that you are safe and healthy wherever you are. -Lux-