Chapter Fifty: Ginny Weasley's Revelations

Shocking things are learned about Ginny.

(i) The characters and world of Harry Potter are the property of J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this.

(ii) Thank you to all the readers who have stayed with me through the writing of this tale. Your patience has been truly amazing and your continuing reviews are so appreciated. I promise I will finish this story. I will not abandon it.

Bill Weasley had just settled down to the pleasure of a romantic dinner with his beautifully pregnant wife. They were delighted that their daughter would be with them soon, but they also wanted to savour their last Valentine's evening before the expanding of their family.

Fleur's cooking was always a delight, and today, especially, she had outdone herself. Bill's contribution to the meal had been the large bouquet of blood red roses that he had bought, the beautiful elf-made crystal wine glasses he'd procured through a contact in the banking world and the light, floral non-alcoholic elf-made champagne.

The sudden arrival of a weeping Winky at Shell Cottage was nothing short of shocking.

"Master is wanted," said Winky, her voice trembly but determined.

"Who wants me?" asked Bill, already having risen to his feet to collect his wand as he spoke.

"Headmaster sir," said Winky, even as she followed him, watching his every movement.

Bill was dressed in his soft cotton pyjama bottoms, an obviously Weasley woollen cardigan in forest green unbuttoned over his muscular, bare chest. The couple had dressed for comfort. Fluer was in a simple fleece nightgown the colour of caramel. Her own Weasley woollen cardigan of sunflower yellow bringing out the golden tones of her pale hair.

The couple had no idea as to what was going on. All they knew was that there was to be a ball at the Castle. But, even as they began to talk about what could have happened, he summoned his dragon-hide boots and socks, and began preparing to depart. Bill supposed that time was of the essence.

Winky wailed loudly. "No time. Master must come now." And before Bill do more than thrust his feet hurriedly into his boots, or say anything further to his wife, the elf had tugged his hand into her own and whisked him away from Shell Cottage.

Fleur pushed herself out of the chair she'd been sat on, and with great care began to lower herself to the carpet in front of the fireplace. But before she could do more, the elf was back. "Mistress must get Mistress' wand," instructed the elf. Then seeing the frown and slow pace of the witch, the elf wrung her hands and magicked the wand into the blonde's waiting hand. That done, she ensured Fleur had warm shoes and socks on her feet, and another cape like wrap over her attire. The elf paused, looked around the room. Then she dashed into the sitting room and returned with a warm blanket. Fleur could only shake her head as house-elf care for mothers'-to-be warred with immediate action, before being whisked away in the way of her husband.

Fleur hadn't protested the manhandling. The fact that the elf had returned for her had calmed the young woman. The fact that Winky had then ensured that she was warmly dressed further proved that at least it wasn't something like an all out attack on the castle that had demanded their presence. She had quickly realised she's be going to the castle, where, obviously Bill's expertise was required. At least the years of war had taught them all to respond to emergencies with alacrity.

Lucius and Narcissa found themselves deposited next to the infirmary bed on which Hermione had been placed. Looking at the still, motionless form of their daughter, the two could, this close, feel the pain she was in. Perhaps it was their connection wrought through the soul binding ritual where they'd taken the place of her parents. Whatever the reason, they felt her pain, the white-hot fire in her soul, just as if she had been of their blood, created of their magic.

Lucius recognised the pain. Grasping Narcissa's hand tightly in his, he leaned over the form of Hermione and placed his hand over her forehead. This was the fire that came at the taking of a life. It was what occurred when the soul was ripped at the act of murder.

The patrician looked at the dark wizard holding his daughter's hand on the other side of the bed. Did Severus recognise what was going on? But even as he wondered how to tell his son-in-law what he suspected, Severus raised his eyes. Blood-shot with the obviously shared pain of his soul bound beloved, he said hoarsely, "Her soul is being split."

Lucius nodded. "It is. I think because she herself is pure, has not used the killing curse, our souls are attempting to cushion and suppress the tearing apart of her own."

Severus frowned. This was magic he did not understand. Had never understood. But, he knew he would give his life, his soul for Hermione. He could well imagine that his soul, his magic, felt the same and was thus trying to help mitigate the effects of the curse. "So if we focus our magic, can we halt the progression of the curse?"

Poppy had been listening to their words. From her place beside Severus, she said, "I don't know about halting the curse, but you might have stopped the effects being immediate, that's for sure. The heat's been taken out of it. At the moment there's no advancement to the curse."

Kingsley coughed politely to draw their attention to him. "Should I alert the Aurors, officially, I mean?"

Severus frowned again. He could see why Kingsley was asking this. At the moment, this was Hogwarts' business. Even at a stretch, Order business. To inform the Aurors would be to bring the Ministry, bureaucracy, into it.

But that question was shelved at the doors of the Infirmary were suddenly pushed open. Minerva stood, her tartan evening finery dishevelled by the burden that followed her. Ginny Weasley, tied up and silenced.

Minerva's magically restrained burden was almost immediately taken from her by an efficient Kingsley. His magic was stronger than hers in such matters. He had Ginny placed on a conjured seat that held her securely as they waited to find out what hex she had used.

Once Minerva's breathing returned to normal, she quickly explained all that had occurred in Gryffindor Tower.

Winky had only been tasked with fetching Bill. But she knew the curse-breaker would not want to leave his pregnant wife alone at night. She disliked being free, and although working for Hogwarts was an adequate alternative, she wanted to belong to a family. She'd taken the Headmaster as her own. She didn't mind that he had the elves from Lestrange Manor to care for him now. She knew him and she'd been caring for him since she'd seen what he did for the children at Hogwarts. Now, she flapped her hands in agitation and tried to do what she knew she should.

Fleur was relieved to be with Bill again. Seeing Hermione on the bed explained why her husband had been needed. Now, she conjured a comfortable chair and sat in a corner, not too far from Ginny and listened. Even as she settled into her chosen spot, two young house-elves wearing school insignia arrived with tea and sandwiches for her. House-elf efficiency and caring at its best. Fleur grinned ruefully and picked up a sandwich. It wasn't the food she'd cooked so painstakingly, but their celebrations would keep. At least nothing had been on the hob or in the oven.

Winky, meanwhile, in the way known to house-elves made her way to Lestrange Manor. She needed Harry Potter. Elves could sense when healing required love, selfless love, and that was what the Headmaster's Hat-Giver needed now.

The Castle too was not slow in ensuring its Lord and Chatelaine had the security they needed. The Castle hadn't been able to stop the attack on its Châtelaine. The Castle could not directly interfere in action taken by its inhabitants. But it could, now at least ensure that the Châtelaine was healed and given the care she needed. To that effect, a magical, invisible barrier was erected before the Infirmary, transforming the wooden doors to clear glass that allowed observation and sound to filter through but did not permit anything and anyone unwanted to cross into the Infirmary. Even sound from outside could not enter into the Infirmary.

Ron, George and the rest of the Weasleys were shocked to hear the gossip that Hermione had been attacked by Ginny doing the rounds in the Great Hall. Molly was furious. As if her beloved daughter would do something that despicable. It was obviously a false rumour. She could not accept the student talk that Ginny had attacked Hermione while her back was turned. Vocal in her denial at the besmirching of her favourite's name, Molly asked and asked again where the Headmaster and Deputy were.

Theo had on hearing the news, immediately looked towards the Malfoys. Seeing their absence and watching Luna, Astoria and Draco making their way out of the Hall, he ran to catch up. Hearing from them that the senior Malfoys had been fetched by elf, Theo nodded.

"I'll go comfort the Weasleys. I'm sure Ginny will be helped by having her parents with her."

Draco frowned. "It doesn't look good."

"No," agreed Theo. "It doesn't. And she hid her Darkness from me. She's obviously been doing it for years. It's been buried deep."

Draco sighed, but was tugged on his arm by Astoria. "We need to go now, my dragon," she said softly.

Theo nodded once, sharply. "I'll be with you presently."

The dark-haired young man turned away and made his way to his future in-laws with a thoughtful frown. He was not willing to let go of Ginny. He'd committed to her in his mind. She was the one, for political reasons but also because her passion and fire spoke to him. He would fight to ensure she was cleansed of the Darkness or at least, healed enough to carry on and give him the children he knew lay in their future together.

Molly grasped him by the arm as he approached. "What's going on, Theo?" she demanded.

He gentled her with his voice and his arm around her. "I've spoken to Draco. The Malfoys were fetched because it looks seriously dangerous for Hermione. Ginny's obviously been hiding from us all how deeply Riddle had infiltrated her mind. She really seems to have lost it and attacked Hermione from the back."

"To the Infirmary then," said Arthur.

"Yes. That's where the Malfoys went. Draco, 'Tory and Luna, too."

They made their way to the Infirmary as one, and were met, outside of the place where the doors used to be by Luna, Astoria and Draco.

Molly, when she saw Ginny restrained by Auror strength black ropes began to screech in anger. "What's the meaning of this?" she yelled. If the barrier had not been in place, she'd have resorted to fists and kicks at Kingsley, whose work it obviously was. But the barrier was strong and none of the Weasleys could get through. The gasp that went through when Luna, Draco and Astoria were admitted was loud.

Seeing the young people go where she could not, really broke Molly. She cried, she screamed, and she threw herself against the invisible barrier over and over again. She wanted to get to her daughter, not willing to listen to reason. All that she could see was her youngest in custody.

Arthur finally was forced to magically restrain his wife and hold her as she sobbed.

Percy, meanwhile held his two younger brothers back as they struggled to get to their sister and Hermione. He didn't know what was going on. But he could see that Kingsley, Professor McGonagall and Severus were within. He trusted them to not do anything to needlessly hurt his sister, no matter what she had done.

Bill on arrival, forgot the world around him. His focused narrowed to the bed and the woman lying on it. All personal feelings, all emotions were put aside. A master at his craft, he did his own diagnostic charms, listening with one ear as the others discussed what they suspected. Only when he too was sure that their diagnosis tallied with his did he step back and rub his hand against his forehead.

"I've no idea what curse my sister used," he said in a resigned tone of voice. "I can't believe her Darkness is this strong. This is seriously Dark Magic. Soul destroying magic is not easy to wield."

Kingsley nodded his head. And Minerva's accounts show that she just cast the hex in an instant. And that she had the strength to do it again.

Bill shook his head. "If she thought she was strong enough to take on Professor McGonagall, then she's lost her senses."

Kingsley grimaced in agreement.

But it was Narcissa who responded. "Not if Ginny's not the only one in there," she said, her eye-brows slowly raised to indicate the young witch glaring at the people congregated around the Infirmary bed.

"What do you mean?" demanded Severus in agitation. His hand tightened on Hermione's. Could things get any more complicated and terrifying?

"Well, this is just a thought, but what if he placed an imprint of himself in her, like in a Horcrux, but not as live, not as real. Just a shadow, one that could slowly, insidiously act. If she is doing this to get back at you, at us, by destroying and hating our beloved Hermione, a mudblood in his mind, that makes sense, doesn't it?" The cool voice of Narcissa was at odds with her expressive eyes that showed her own fear and unhappiness.

Lucius nodded his head once, slowly, thoughtfully. "It can't be a Horcrux or our Dark Marks would have given us some indication. But yes, a shadow, or a mist that works to slowly contaminate her own growing Darkness; whispering, teaching, shaping. That would give us some explanation. It would also help to explain why no one spotted how badly she was affected by the Darkness."

Draco sighed and pulled Astoria closer to his side. He needed her and her strength right now. Seeing Hermione, who he had started to actually love like the sister he had never had, one he could argue with, tussle with and laugh with, so still and silent, hurt. "Theo was definitely working on her and trying to get her to control her Darkness."

Narcissa inclined her head. "Yes. At least he is with the Weasleys. He's not abandoned them."

Astoria turned to look at the Weasleys, most of them, faces pressed against the barrier, listening to their conversation. She knew she was speaking the truth as she met Theo's eyes through the separation. "Theo's in this for the long haul. Slytherin men when they commit to a relationship, mean forever. He'll fight with the Weasleys to protect Ginny. To ensure she survives this."

Even as the words left her mouth, Theo nodded his head from the other side. She had said it and he would not, could not deny it.

Molly turned to look at the young man standing now beside Ron. She reaching out her arms and embraced him. She could not hold her daughter as she sat in sullen silence so near, and yet so far from them all. But, she could hold the man who had tied himself to her precious Ginny with bonds of affection and commitment.

Fluer had wanted to go to her mother-in-law, but the emotions were high. She knew, if she was seen to be so obviously leaving the Infirmary to comfort the Weasleys would not be accepted. But now, now that Molly had calmed down, the Frenchwoman kissed her husband and walked slowly to the barrier. She wasn't sure if she could pass, but she was allowed the slip through, just the merest hint of warmth indicating that there was magic at work protecting those within.

Going to Molly, she gently touched the older witch. "Ginny'z not in a good plaze, right now. But Bill will care for her. Pleaze, don't upset yourzelf."

Molly sobbed and pulled her daughter-in-law into a hug. She had never truly warmed to the foreign daughter-in-law she had not anticipated. There had been grudging respect as the beautiful witch had stood by Molly's precious Bill. She had even begun to care for her as she watched the part-Veela support Bill and the family through the war and its culmination. But now, Fluer carried the first grandchild to come to their family. The only other female Weasley was suddenly a comfort, now that she could not hold her Ginny. "My daughter. How could she have hidden her Darkness? How could she have done this?" The older witch was broken. She could now realise why Ginny needed to be restrained. But she didn't have to like it. Even if it made sense.

The tableaux was set, when Harry and Claudia were suddenly brought into the Infirmary by Winky,

Molly started yelling in incensed rage again. "Why is he being allowed into the Infirmary when Ginny's family are forced to just watch?"

Harry was greeted by Draco with an arm slung around his shoulder. Taking the couple to a side, Astoria and Draco quickly told the new arrivals what had taken place.

Claudia listened and hushed Harry when it looked like he was about to interrupt. Once the narration was over she looked thoughtfully at Hermione.

"If the love Severus, Lucius and Narcissa have for Hermione has helped to ease, or halt the curse, then shouldn't our love, all our love for her help reverse the curse?" the Veela asked in her soft, clear voice.

The trio immediately grasped the concept and drew the attention of the older people still stood around Hermione. As Claudia once again explained her hypothesis, Poppy began more diagnostic charm-work.

Bill, meanwhile, conjured paper, quill and ink and commandeered the bed nearest to Hermione and transfigured it into a desk. Conjuring a chair, he called out for Winky. "The pens, the Muggle calculator and the four red leather bound books from my study desk in Shell Cottage." He had a curse to break.

A/N: Love it or hate it, please let me know what you think.