Chapter 6

"Mum!"

With a dart Charlie jumped up and caught his mother just in time. He put his arms around her waist and supported her. Slowly Molly regained consciousness again, heard the startled voices of her sons.

"What's the matter?"

"Mum, everything all right?"

She leaned against Charlie, nodded weakly and clutched the letter to her.

"Sit down. You are ashen," Charlie said and led Molly to her chair.

Bill handed her a glass of water. Molly sat down, took a sip, then looked up and whispered nearly inaudibly,

"It is from Ginny. The letter is from Ginny."

"What?"

"From Ginny!"

While her sons stared unbelievingly at the parchment that she still pressed to her, Molly felt fear seizing her. With trembling hands she opened the letter. In the first instant the black lines seemed to blur in front of her eyes. Pulling herself together, she took a deep breath, and, with a husky voice, she began to read aloud what her daughter had written.

Dear Mum and Dad, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George and Ron,

as unbelievably it may sound: I am all right. Harry rescued me from the dungeons and I don't think that I'm currently in peril of my life, so do not worry about me. Please write back immediately, whether Ron, Hermione and Luna have survived the attack. I just have to know, even if…if they…Tell me the truth, will you?

And Ron, don't blame yourself for what happened. You couldn't have prevented it. That goes for everyone else as well.

I have seen Snape. He surely told you that I'm Harry's lover, didn't he? But that isn't so bad. He hasn't really hurt me so far. Besides, he has allowed me to write this letter.

The closer I get to know Harry the more mysterious he becomes. I'm not sure, but I think perhaps I can convince him to help us fight against the Dark Lord. There is something very wrong in their relationship from what I have witnessed up until now.

Both behaved rather strangely as Harry took me along to the Death Eater assembly. I had the expression that the Dark Lord was downright taken aback to see his son. The reason for their behaviour I haven't found out yet, but I'll keep my eyes open. And perhaps I can even get Harry to let me go. At any rate I'll try everything possible to get out of here.

Harry knows that Snape is a spy. Please, warn him. Though I have no idea if he is in any direct danger, he should be careful.

Mum and Dad, don't worry about me. I'm really fine and we will see each other again. I'm sure of it.

Ginny

After Molly had ended, there was an astonished silence.

"He rescued her from the dungeons? And allowed her to write a letter? Why on earth should he have done that?"

"Perhaps, for a change, he is a nice Death Eater," his twin replied without taking his eyes off the letter.

"What a lot of rubbish, George. But doesn't that mean that Ginny is fairly fine?"

Molly looked into Fred's hopeful face and felt how her worry and fear were displaced by relief for an instant.

"I hope so. Oh, Ginny, why of all people did it have to be my little girl?" she exclaimed and even if Ginny's words had given her new strength and the paralyzing desperation had left her, she couldn't help herself. She began to cry.

Bill laid a hand comfortingly on his mother's arm.

"Ginny is alive. She isn't in the dungeons anymore. And for that we all should be grateful. Judging by her letter she hasn't given up hope and we shouldn't either. We should…"

The front door slammed shut and little later Arthur Weasley entered the kitchen. He noticed their flushed and tear-stained faces and stopped dead in his tracks.

"What happened?"

"Dad! Where have you been?" Charlie asked simultaneously.

"I was at Godric's Hollow, talking with James Potter. I stayed overnight at his place. But what has happened? Molly, what's the matter?"

Worried Arthur stepped towards his wife. Molly looked up and held the letter out to him.

"Ginny. She has written."

Arthur's eyes widened. His lips formed the name of his daughter. Then he seized the letter. After a while he sank on the next best chair.

"I think we have to show the letter to Albus," he said finally and ran his fingertips over the parchment.

A loud crash caused them all to flinch. Without hesitation, Bill and Charlie grabbed their wands and carefully crept to the direction from where the noise had come. Arthur, Percy and the twins followed seconds later. Ron, who wanted to go as well, was held back by Molly, who was staring with a white face through the open door into the hallway.

Shortly afterwards Ron and Molly heard Charlie's surprised voice.

"Hermione? What the hell are you doing here?"

As soon as Ron realized that his girlfriend had caused all the trouble he freed himself from his mother's embrace and raced into the living room. There Bill was just helping Hermione up from the ground. Obviously she had come via Floo powder to the Burrow.

"Hermione? What are you doing here?"

While Hermione was still fixing her clothes, she cast an angry look at him.

"If I had known that you would not be happy to see me, I surely wouldn't have come."

"I didn't mean it like that, Hermione! Of course I am glad you came," Ron said quickly, went to his girlfriend and hugged her tightly.

"Hermione! How nice to see you again."

After Molly had greeted Hermione as well, Arthur sent a message to Hogwarts. Half an hour later the Weasleys, except for Ron and Hermione, set off to Hogwarts. On account of the request of the Weasleys there would be held an Order meeting soon.

Ron and Hermione on the other hand went into Ron's room and talked about Ginny's letter. With a thoughtful expression in her brown eyes Hermione shook her head.

"I don't understand it. It doesn't make any sense! Why should the son of the Dark Lord fight against his own father? How can Ginny come to such an idea?"

"I don't know. But I'm glad that he has allowed her to write and if it's true, that he hasn't hurt her so much, and Ginny hasn't written it only to calm us down, I will be grateful to him forever; even if he is a Death Eater and the Dark Lord' son. The question is only what Ginny understands by 'he hasn't really hurt me'," Ron said and sighed.

Then he looked at Hermione.

"Do you think she is right? That it really wasn't my fault?"

"Oh, Ron. Of course it wasn't your fault. How can you think that?" Hermione said and inched closer to Ron.

"How is your arm, by the way?"

"Apart from still hurting a bit, it's all right again. The healing potion worked rather fast," he said and smiled slightly.

In the next moment his smile disappeared, however. He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

"Do you believe that we'll ever see her again?" he asked sadly, not sure if he wanted to hear an answer.


As the Order of the Phoenix had gathered in Hogwarts and Albus Dumbledore had told that Ginny Weasley had written a letter, the eyes of all present focused inevitably on the parchment that Albus were holding in his hands.

Albus cleared his throat and read aloud Ginny's letter. The following silence was broken by Severus Snape.

"He knows that I am a spy?" he asked appalled.

Quieter, he added,

"How did he discover that?"

Albus nodded.

"It seems so, although it's rather irrelevant how he found it out. I wonder, however, why the young Lord didn't expose your secret. To come back to Ginny's letter, it doesn't give us much information, unfortunately. But if Ginny is right with her hunch and she really should manage to convince the young Lord to change sides it would provide us with an immense advantage.

He would be a fountain of knowledge. Let alone his power that surpasses even Voldemort's according to Severus. With his help we could actually win the war. In any case we would have a better chance by far than at the present moment."

"That is absolute nonsense! He is the son of Voldemort! Why should he fight against his father? Perhaps he has forced the girl to write that letter!" Alastor Moody said.

"Why should he do something like that? He would achieve nothing with it."

"How should I know? It is hard to believe, however, that he should treat a prisoner so courteous. That doesn't make any sense, Albus."

"No, it doesn't. But it is pointless to think about that. We have no choice as to wait and to see what will happen. Severus, did you already find a trace of where the missing students are kept prisoner?"

Severus shook his head.

"I hadn't much time so far to search the dungeons. But my work as a spy is over now anyway," he said in a bitter voice.

To his surprise, Albus raised one eyebrow.

"Why should it be over, Severus? The young Lord didn't betray your secret and if he had wanted to do so, he would have done it long ago. Therefore I don't think that you are in any immediate danger. Furthermore, your information is much too valuable as that we could carelessly give it up."

While Severus still was trying to decide, whether Albus was right with his assessment of the situation, Albus inclined his head thoughtfully and then looked over to the Weasleys.

"Have you written to your daughter yet?"

"No. Arthur insisted upon showing you the letter as soon as possible," Molly said with a sidelong glance to her husband.

"Why?"

"I've wondered if Ginny could help us. If the young Lord has allowed her to write that letter, she could perhaps try to ask him if he knows where the missing students are."

Arthur stared at Albus.

"Are you out of your mind, Albus? What if he gets angry? What if he hurts Ginny then for real? That you didn't take into consideration at all, did you? Have you forgotten what Severus told us just yesterday? He tortured those Muggles. Even the children!

Moreover, the Death Eaters will surely not be afraid of him without a reason! Or do you think that all those stories and rumours about him are not true?"

With crimson face Arthur suddenly turned to Severus and added,

"And you told us Ginny looked like she had been hit! No, Albus, I won't allow you to endanger her even more than she is already!"

"I don't know what to believe anymore. But it would be worthwhile to try it, Arthur. It would be Ginny's choice," Albus said in a calm voice.

"You think that a fifteen year old girl can decide such a serious thing?" Alastor asked rather skeptically.

"Yes, and if Ginny could persuade him to allow her to write a letter, then I don't see why she shouldn't manage to find out something that could help us. So please write to her that we are missing five students and ask her, if she could try to find out what happened to them, Molly."

Molly nodded hesitatively while Arthur still was angrily shaking his head.

"But know let us speak about something different. We still have to decide what we'll do about that list Voldemort wants to have," Albus Dumbledore said and let his gaze wander questioningly over the gathered Order.

"Why don't we just give this list to Voldemort? If he wants to attack us separately, we only have to avoid staying in our houses alone. We could move to Hogwarts, couldn't we? There is place enough in these lovely walls. And concerning the information: we only take information that can't harm us or we come up with some," James Potter suggested, and the majority of the members nodded in approval.

Albus agreed.

"Good, then we'll do it as James said. I think it would be the best if we would begin to write the list now, so that Severus can give it to Voldemort as soon as possible."


It was the singing that woke her. Ginny opened her eyes, rolled over and listened, completely amazed. Never before had she heard such beautiful and moving singing. As she realized that it had to be Harry's phoenix, she wrapped herself in the blanket and went over to the other room.

There she found Harry standing at the open window. He leaned against the wall and stared out into the park, while stroking over the black shimmering feathers of his phoenix with one hand.

Ginny paused and wondering where he might have spent the night, she regarded Harry, who hadn't noticed her presence yet. Finally she started moving.

"Harry?" she asked timidly and going towards him, she prayed that he wouldn't be angry with her anymore.

Slowly he turned around. His face was expressionless as he looked at her. Then he reached for something that had lain on the windowsill and went to her.

"Here, the letter is for you," he said and held it out to her.

Ginny was suddenly wide-awake. Fear caused her heart to thud painfully against her chest.

She took the letter and ripped it open.

Dear Ginny,

Ron, Hermione and Luna are fine. Apart from Ron who broke his arm nothing happened to them. But you, Ginny! Is everything really all right, my darling? We are all so worried about you.

It's hard to believe that the young Lord treats you decently. Oh, Ginny, I wish I could fetch you out of there and you would be in safety now. But you'll see, we'll come up with something, Ginny. Don't give up hope. The Order will find a way. Regarding your teacher, he knows. He'll be careful.

Ginny, with you, five other students went missing in the attack. Albus asks you, if you could try to find out if they are still alive and where they are kept prisoner. But please only do that, if you are absolutely sure that it isn't dangerous for you. Don't risk your life for them, do you hear me? I could not bear it if I were to lose you, Ginny.

I hope that you'll receive this letter. We sent it with his phoenix, which returned to us after we had come home from Hogwarts. If the young Lord allows it, write us back as soon as possible, will you?

Take care of yourself, my little one, and be careful. Never forget where you are. And don't endanger yourself needlessly. Somehow everything will turn out all right.

We love you

Mum

They were alive! Nothing had happened to Ron, Hermione and Luna! With glowing eyes, Ginny looked up.

"Thank you, Harry. Thank you, that you gave the letter to me," she said and clutching the letter to her, the blanket nearly slipped away from her. That reminded her that she still hadn't dressed. While Ginny went back into the bedroom, the young Lord silently gazed after her.

As Ginny had emerged out of the bathroom and one of the house-elves had brought her a light blue robe, she sat down on the bed and reached for the letter a second time.

How much the letter meant to her, probably no-one could imagine. And to know that her brother, Hermione and Luna were fine, made her just happy and yet she suddenly felt how burning tears welled up in her eyes.

Quickly she blinked them away and concentrated on what her mother had written. Somehow she had to help the missing students. Only too well she remembered her cold, wet cell in the dungeons, the horrible fear which she had had, the tortured wizard who had been murdered by the Death Eaters.

The thought that her classmates were completely at the mercy of the Dark Lord's followers caused her to shudder. She herself had had plenty of luck – something that her classmates certainly hadn't had.

Thoughtfully she gnawed at her lip. Should she ask Harry for help? He had given her the letter. She knew that he hadn't needed to do it. And he had neither demanded anything in return, nor had he opened the letter before and had read it. She just wanted to stand up as she heard steps. Harry sat down on the bed next to her and with one hand he lifted her chin up.

"Tell me everything you know about the Order of the Phoenix."

Ginny froze. But a look into his cold eyes led her to suspect that she hadn't misheard. Frantically she searched for an answer.

"Why do you want to know this?"

She had hardly spoken these words, as she bit her tongue. What a silly question. As if she didn't know who he was.

"Tell me. I could so easily force you."

Incredulously, Ginny stared at him. She didn't want to believe that she had been so wrong about him.

"Please, let go of me. You are hurting me," she whispered.

"Tell me."

His voice now had a dangerous undertone and Ginny felt fear rising in her.

"No, no…"

Panic seized her, but under no circumstances would she tell him the few things she knew. She would neither betray her family nor the Order.

Harry let go of her chin and grabbed her shoulders instead. Desperately, she began to struggle against Harry's too tight hold, but Harry was a great deal stronger than she. He pushed her onto the bed and held her slender wrists above her head.

Motionless, she lay beneath him. Unable to budge, she stared up into emerald eyes.

Time seemed to be standing still.

She felt his breath on her face, felt his heart pound just as fiercely as her own. How long he held her, she didn't know, but gradually his grip loosened. The coldness in his eyes abated. Something akin to regret flared up in them. Abruptly he let go of her and stood up. He took a deep breath and said quietly,

"I'm sorry, Gin. Forgive me."

Ginny sat up and could only nod. She trembled, waiting anxiously for what would happen next.

Harry turned around.

"Come," he said and went to the door.

Ginny followed him. As she realized, however, that he wanted to leave his chambers, she involuntarily stopped. He would not bring her back to the dungeons, would he?

"Ginny."

She looked up. Harry observed her.

"I merely want to show you something. Come."

At the last word his voice sounded pleading. Hesitantly, she went to him. To her boundless relief Harry led her into the park.

While they were silently walking along one of the pathways, Ginny tried to find a reason for Harry's contradictory behaviour. But she quickly gave it up. She just knew Harry too little for being able to understand him. Casting a sidelong glance at Harry, she wondered whether she should be afraid of him. What if he wouldn't let the matter with the Order rest? On the other hand, he had asked her to forgive him.

With an inaudible sigh she followed Harry through a little archway shortly afterwards. Astounded, she stared at the magnificent dark red roses.

"It was my mother's garden," Harry said softly.

"It is beautiful," Ginny said and looked at Harry questioningly.

Harry nodded. Then he averted his eyes from the roses and gazed at her.

"Ginny, I've asked you about the Order because I want to kill Voldemort. That's why I'm thinking about a plan. But for that I need to know all facts and options."

While Ginny was still trying to absorb his unexpected remark, Harry stepped to her and seized her hands.

"Please, trust me, Gin. Tell me, what you know."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

Ginny took a step back.

"Why not? You are the son of the Dark Lord! It's hard to believe that you want to kill him. And even if, how shall I know to what other purpose you would use the information? I would betray my family and the Order and that I just can't!"

Her anger vanished as swiftly as it had come. As she realized that she had screamed at him, she flinched. She was dependent on Harry and his goodwill and this she had just forgotten.

"Don't be afraid. I…"

Harry stopped and she looked up, scared. But she couldn't find any hint of anger in his face.

He seemed to search for words and while they stared at each other silently, she suddenly knew deep in her heart that he wouldn't hurt her. From where she had such knowledge she couldn't have said but she was certain.

"Why do you want to kill your own father?" she asked calmly.

Harry's eyes darkened. Merciless hate flashed in them. His grasp around her hands tightened.

"He isn't. He murdered my mother," he whispered, let go of her and turned around.

Ginny's thoughts raced through her head. Not only Harry's reaction last night was a lot more intelligible to her, but now she also knew the reason for his tense relationship he had with his father. Instinctively she sensed, however, that this wasn't everything by far. There had happened more. Whatever had taken place then, it had traumatized him and the wound hadn't healed until today.

She wondered what his childhood had been like, without a mother and left alone with the knowledge that his father had murdered her. Did he have anyone at all, who had taken care of him? Her next thought upset her. Did he perhaps even witness the murder of his mother?

The compassion she suddenly felt, was so great that she was incapable of speaking at the first moment. Then she laid a hand on his arm.

"I'm so sorry, Harry," she said quietly.

Harry covered her small hand with his own and gazed down at her.

"Will you help me?"

Ginny kept silent, regarded the roses.

"If you're against the Dark Side, then why did you torture the Muggle family yesterday?" she finally asked.

Harry, too, gazed to the flowers. Only after a while he answered her.

"Since the day he….killed my mother, nothing mattered to me anymore. Nothing had any meaning to me anymore. I existed, but I didn't live. But you changed this, Ginny. You have revived my feelings and my memories and have reminded me of my oath to take revenge on Voldemort.

You have to understand that I never again came near him since then. But to find a possibility to kill him and to have more knowledge to come up with a plan and to not only defeat him but as well his followers, I have to know what his intentions are, what he is thinking," he said and looked at her.

"I couldn't refuse as he asked me to torture them, Ginny. Or else he would have known immediately that I have no intention whatsoever to help him conquer the world. But so he only suspects it."

Ginny nodded thoughtfully. Then she took a deep breath.

"All right then. I'll tell you everything I know about the Order of the Phoenix," she said.

For the first time since she knew Harry, a genuine smile lit his face up.

"Thank you, Gin."

But Ginny raised her hand.

"I have also a request, Harry. My mother has written me that, apart from me, five other students went missing as well in the attack and I wanted to ask…Could you…Could we try to find them? Or do you know where they are?"

"They'll be in the dungeons. We can help them when Voldemort is dead. It would be by far too dangerous if we tried to rescue them now."

Desperate, Ginny shook her head.

"If we have to defeat him first it can be too late for them! They could be dead then! Is there nothing that we can do, Harry?"

"I don't know. The problem is that we can't attract attention. Voldemort doesn't trust me and if he should find out…at the moment I don't have a brilliant rescue plan. I have to think about it. Come, it's already late. You can tell me about the Order at breakfast or better said at lunch and perhaps something will occur to us how we can help your classmates."