Lovers In a Dangerous Time
Chapter Eleven
It's Hard to tell if I Exist
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Harry spent the day at the Burrow, sleeping in Ginny's room. While the rest of the house was up and about, doing their daily things. Large, dark curtains had be placed over the windows so they could sleep peacefully. Harry and Ginny remained curled up in each others arms, listening to the movement outside the door until the sun set again. The day reminded him of the first time Lupin had locked him up at the Burrow, at least this time he had company. By the time they awoke it was pitch black outside and time for their meeting with the VLG.
Ginny got up and started to push through her clothes, looking for something to ware. "What exactly do they want with me? I didn't do anything."
Harry pulled on his shirt from the day before and said, "I don't know Ginny, I don't even know what they want with me really. I have a feeling they expect me to hunt down Malincov however."
"I'm nervous Harry." Ginny said timidly.
Harry walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "You? Never, your Ginny Weasley! The bravest girl I know."
Ginny pushed him off with a smile, "Oh shut up Harry. Come on, we need to go see Ron and Hermione before we leave."
Harry and Ginny made their way downstairs to find Ron and Hermione sitting at the kitchen table drinking tea and flipping through a rather large book. Hermione was jotting down notes while Ron was making faces at a series of grotesque images. One of which showed a rather graphic drawing of a vampire burning to death. Harry poured himself and Ginny a cup of tea then sat down to look at the book as well.
"So, did you find anything that will help me Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Well, yes and no." Hermione said without looking up from her notes. "There is a law in the books that states, any vampire turning a human into another vampire can be sent to Azkaban for life. But it also states that any vampire may use self defense to protect himself against another vampire." She took down another note, "But I'm not sure if what you did was self defense or not, was he going to kill you if you hadn't turned Ginny?"
"He tried to kill her! I had to do something!" Harry said, pounding his fist into the table. "But yes, I'm sure he would have killed me if I hadn't acted when I did."
"Your sure? You mean he didn't actually say he was going to kill you too?" Ron asked.
"Look, what does it matter? He plunged a stake through her heart, no healer on this planet can cure a person from that much damage. I did what I felt I had to do to save Ginny."
"Don't get upset Harry, we're beyond happy over it. We don't want her to die any more than you do, but in the eyes of the Ministry what you did was unlawful. If the VLG or anyone else turns you in, you could be sent to Azkaban. This is the very reason why I think you two should support the VLG and get the laws changed, you're living proof as to why it must be done." Hermione was very passionate in her words.
Ginny put a hand on Harry's arm, "I think that Harry would like nothing more than to change the Ministry's views on us but he also doesn't want to be made a front man. The Ministry tried to the very same thing to him and he refused then."
Hermione frowned, "I personally think it's time for you to stand up to the Ministry Harry. I'm sorry I'm not of more help but you better be going, the VLG is expecting you."
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Unsure of where exactly they were meeting the VLG that night, Harry and Ginny settled themselves to wondering the streets of Hogsmead for some sign of them. The day was drawing to an end as midnight approached. Harry felt very out of place on the deserted roads of Hogsmead, the only people around were drunks and heavily cloaked figures. Harry kept a protective grip around Ginny's waist as they walked past a surly looking man with a walking stick.
At ten past midnight the first sign of the VLG came into view. Harry and Ginny were resting on a bench outside of the post office when Erin and several other people Harry remembered from the other night approached. They exchanged pleasant greetings as Harry introduced Ginny to them in turn. As nervous as Harry was about this meeting he couldn't help but feel that had he meet these people on friendlier circumstances he could find himself enjoying their company.
"Thanks for coming tonight Harry, and Ginny. I would invite you into the Three Broomsticks for a drink but I'm afraid we are short on time, so I'll get to the point quickly." Erin said as he seated himself on the bench, gesturing for Harry and Ginny to do the same. "Unfortunately for all of us, Malincov escaped. As long as he is free to keep creating vampires the Ministry will never see our side of the story. We need you Harry, we need you to help us. Our insiders can only do so much, they put their lives at risk everyday as it is. You have seen first hand what he is capable of doing, will you help us, will you help the VLG?"
"What would you have me do?" Harry asked.
Erin smiled, "Basically we need you to help us hunt him down. If at all possible to immobilize him then turn him over to the Ministry, but that can't be done...kill him. If you join us, we will give you a place to stay while you served. When we get warning that he mite be around you will accompany us. When we meet with the leaders of the VLG you will sit in on the meetings. You will stay with us until he is gone."
"And what happens after that? What will you do with us afterwards." Ginny asked, surprising Harry at her angered tone of voice.
"Well, we would like for Harry to help us with our efforts to change the Ministry's laws and become a full member of the VLG. You included too of course, Ginny." Erin smiled. "We know your efforts during the fight against Voldemort, I personally wouldn't want to come up against you in battle."
Ginny smiled, "What do you think Harry?"
Harry looked at Ginny intently and said to her privately, Ginny, your getting yourself involved in this. I don't want you to join the VLG just because of me. If you got hurt I...
I'm not leaving you Harry, where you go, I go. It's as simple as that. Were connected now, more than ever before. If you feel pain so will I, it wont matter If I'm with you or not. I'm going to be there to fight beside you. I think we should do this, we stand a good chance of finding him if we stick together.
Harry knew it was pointless to fight her, he turned his attention back to Erin and said, "I will help you fight Malincov only if Ginny can come with me and you promise me that I am free from the VLG the moment Malincov is dead or locked away."
Erin stuck out his hand, "You have a deal Harry." Erin shook Harry's hand excitedly then stood up. "I'm sorry I can't stay to tell you more but I have to go, Tracy will give you more instructions."
A short blond girl with small red lips and slanted eyes stepped forward and smiled at Harry. Erin whispered something in her ear that Harry couldn't understand then he vanished, closely followed by the rest of the VLG members. Tracy stayed, rooted to the spot until they were all gone. Tracy smiled and said, "I can't express how happy I am that your joining us!"
"Where do the VLG live?" Ginny asked.
"Right now our headquarters is in London, the top floor of the Leaky Cauldron. I'll move in with another member and you two can have my room for the duration of this venture. But you should know that from time to time we move to new locations." Tracy said.
"The Leaky Cauldron? Well, that's a fitting place, I doubt that you ever get recognized as vampires in a place like that. I doubt you would have to move from there." Harry said.
"That's why we choose it, nobody ever looks for us there. But we don't always move because we have to, but to keep the word of our location low. Anyways, gather up what you want to bring with you then meet me at the Leaky Cauldron tomorrow night. Just let the barman know that your with Erin and he will show you upstairs, I'll be in my room waiting for you." With one last smile Tracy vanished leaving Harry and Ginny alone again on the dark streets of Hogsmead.
"Well, we're in it now." Ginny said as she took Harry's hand and started to lead him down the road.
"I hope we know what were getting ourselves into Ginny."
"The two of us together are a formidable force Harry. If we continue to strengthen our connection we could be unstoppable. Malincov will regret ever messing with us, you will see."
Harry leaned down and kissed the top of her head, "I hope so Ginny, I fear for you and your safety."
"You shouldn't, because I have you to protect me." Ginny replied. "Enough of this worrying, let's go gather our things."
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The next day came and went rather quickly. Ginny had accompanied Harry over to Tonks and Lupin's house to gather up his personal things then they retreated back to the Burrow. While Ginny was packing, Harry explained to the Weasley's what had happened with the VLG and how they had promised to serve them for the time being. To Harry's surprise most of them seemed fine with it, only Mrs. Weasley was being over protective and insisting on locking Ginny up so she couldn't leave. Finally she calmed down and came to reason, realizing that Ginny was in good hands so long as Harry was with her.
The Leaky Cauldron was as musty and dingy as ever when Harry and Ginny arrived several hours later. It was late but that did stop the stream of vagrants, hags, cloaked wizards and various other creatures from hanging around the bar. Harry and Ginny stepped out of the large fire place, brushed themselves off then headed towards the bar to speak to the barman.
"Excuse me, I was told to tell you that we're here for Erin." Harry said as he eyed the barman.
"You are, are ya?" He grunted and cleaned a glass with a rag. "What do you want with him? We get too many folks about here asking for Mr. Lovegood and they never state their business."
"Our business is our own, will you take us to him please?" Harry replied.
"Don't mean no harm Mr. Potter, It's me job to keep an eye out for this sorta thing." He put his glass down and walked around the bar. "Come with me."
As they followed him up the stairs Harry couldn't help but feel that something was amiss. This was the first real public appearance he had made since he killed Voldemort and yet nobody seemed to care. Either that or they didn't want to offend him by asking questions. Not that Harry minded, he was afraid that the moment he walk into the bar he'd have twenty people around him. But at the same time he was slightly hurt that he didn't even get a second glance from most people in the bar. They must have been told I was coming, was Harry's only line of thought.
Ginny must of heard what Harry was thinking, I was wondering the same thing, why didn't anyone approach you or ask questions. Something doesn't feel right.
As they reached the top landing the barman turned around and said, "This is as far as I go. Go down the hall to your left, Mr. Lovegood's door is the third one down."
"Why can't you go any farther?" Harry asked as the barman squeezed between him and Ginny, heading back down the stairs.
He shot Harry a nervous glance, "I have my reasons." Then nosily made his way down the stairs and out of sight.
Harry took the last few steps up and headed down the hallway, Ginny on his heals. Harry counted doors and just as he was about to knock on Erin's door, Tracy came bounding out of another room just down the way. It was the first time Harry had seen any member of the VLG not clocked in full black robes. She was dressed in ripped jeans and a dirty white t-shirt, she looked as if she had been cleaning. Harry shot her a smile and walked towards her.
"Good evening Harry. Don't bother bugging Erin, he's in with Jamie at the moment, another leader of the VLG. Come down this way and I'll show you your room." Tracy popped back into the room she came out of, Harry and Ginny followed.
The room was nothing special, one large bed in the center, a dresser and a standing mirror by the window. It brought back memories of the room he spent time in just before his third year at Hogwarts. Harry and Ginny sat their boxes down on the bed and looked around, Tracy watching them all the while. Ginny smiled and said, "Well, it's not the best room but at least we won't be here long, I hope."
"Yeah, we have stayed in better places before, but the food is good and we have the whole floor to ourselves. I'll let you two settle in, I'll just be two doors down if you need anything. Erin will be in to see you in a little while, stay put until he comes." Tracy walk towards the door, "Oh and if you get a chance tonight, take a walk through Diagon Alley, I think you will find it of interest. Goodnight."
Ginny looked at Harry, "What do you think she meant by that?"
"I have no idea, Ginny."