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I'll protect you from the hooded claw

1

26. July 1996

She ran. As fast as she could manage.

The faint orders of her mother, to come back immediately, were just ignored by her. She ran. With a blurry view she ran the path, that she knew so well, that would lead towards the next road. All the familiar surroundings seemed to try to catch her and hold her back, to bring her back to what she once called home but turned into something totally different over the past three years. Everything changed after her first year at Hogwarts.

It wasn't just what happened to her after her faithful encounter with Tom Riddle's sixteen-year-old self, it was more the people around her that changed for the worse. She became stronger and more determined not to be told that she couldn't do things because she was "too young", "a girl" or "too fragile".
She wanted to show them that she wasn't any of those things – well she was a girl, obviously, but she never would be a weak, little girl who would be told what to do. That's what Tom did in the end. He told her how pathetic, lonely, and weak she was. He told her what she had to do, and she had no other choice than to do as he wished. He controlled her – and that was the last thing she would ever let anyone do to her, not even her own mother.

She came to a halt as she reached the street. Far away from the hell that her childhood home became. The young witch tried to catch her breath and wiped away the sweat from her forehead. She managed to calm down a bit, but her thoughts still couldn't form any coherent plan or even any sense right now.
All she knew was that she had to go away, somewhere, almost everywhere was better than that. So she pulled her wand from the pocket of her jean shorts, checked if any Muggle was around, and held it outstretched in front of her. Within a few minutes the familiar purple double-decker bus came to an abrupt stop in front of her.

"Hiya, this is the knight bus for stranded witches and wizards. My name is Stan Shunpike and, on this lovely summer day, I'll be your conductor. So, hop on young lady." A boy in his early twenties greeted her with a pimpled face and motioned her onto the bus.

"Ehm...,"she began but didn't really knew where she should go now. "I've got ten Sickles and seven Knuts...so ehm...how far could I get with that?" she asked hesitantly and rummaged in her pockets to get the coins out. The young conductor raised his brows slightly and looked at her closely.

"Well it looks like a rebellious kid who wants to get away from 'ome for a while, heh?" he remarked.

She wanted to interrupt him hotly, but he continued directly as he saw her anger rising. "But tha's nothing I would ever stop kiddo, believe me I would be the wrong person to judge ya there...oooh man, the ol' times. Wha'ever! Make it five Sickles an' we can let ya out at Godric's Hollow. From there ya can use one of the pubs' floo-network to get to some friend of ya till ya parents cooled down a bit, heh? But be caref'l there aren't a lot of Muggles around... thos' live much too 'nitted with our folk together there to easily tell'em apart," he said and took the five Sickles from her, gave her the ticket in return, banged on the driver's window and told him the next station would be Godric's Hollow.
Just in time she took a seat as the bus made a big leap forward and the so familiar countryside became a blur of green and brown outside the windows.

Due to the fact that both Godric's Hollow and Ottery St. Catchpole were located in the South West of England, the journey (which came much closer to a roller coaster ride than an ordinary bus ride) was quite short. Her polite 'good bye' was the only exchange of words since she received her ticket and the bus took off behind her.
Now she stood in the middle of a small village she only visited once with her parents when she was younger. She let out a frustrated sigh, but also one of relief. Godric's Hollow would probably be one of the last places her family and THEY would look for her. That thought brought back the memories of this morning and her emotions began to stumble again.
She stood in front of what looked like a war memorial statue and took a good look around. Cottages stood on either side of narrow and cobbled roads. People were crossing the street greeting each other, talking to each other or walking casually along the street. The centre was a village square with only a church, a post office, a pub, and a few retail shops that she just couldn't really tell what was a Muggle establishment and what was not.

A soft whimper escaped her trembling lips, her tears started to fall again and she felt suddenly totally lonely around all those people and somehow weak – two things she never wanted to get to her again. 'Well, that works bloody fantastic. I'm so pathetic!' she thought as she sat down on the steps leading to the small statue and buried her face against her knees which were squeezed tight to her body by her arms.
She didn't know how long she sat there, but some time during her breakdown big dark clouds covered the hot summer sun and from one moment to the other, it began to rain cats and dogs. This was the final piece and she started to cry again, but not quite like before. No, she cried loud and through the rain you could hear her strangled, painful cries and sobs – well if anyone would have been around.

She cried because of the betrayal of her family, – well mostly her parents but nevertheless - she cried because she started to cry in the first place and because all of her life went down the pipe (quite literally) three years ago.
Suddenly the rain stopped dropping down hard on her bare skin and in an instant she was dry like she never sat, who knows how long, in the pouring rain.
She looked up and was startled to see the most beautiful emerald green eyes looking down at her, holding out the left hand to her and with the right one holding an enormous umbrella which could easily hold three people.

"I take it, thanks to your appearance, that you don't really want to be found, even due to the fact that you are being searched for all over magical Britain, Miss Weasley" Lily Potter said as she helped the girl off the steps and under her dry umbrella.

"Nope, I'm playing a big game of hide and seek for the moment," she retorted and rubbed her puffy and slightly red eyes from all her crying.

"Well, then I'm more than willing to help you with that hide part." Lily chuckled, winked at her, and the two women made their way through the small village.

After initially being startled by her eye colour and the striking resemblance to her sons eyes, Ginny took a good look at the woman next to her. Lily was a beautiful woman. She had soft pale skin, thick, dark red hair that fell short over her shoulders; and almond-shaped, bright emerald-green eyes. At the height of 5'5", Ginny was a shade higher than Lily but not significantly.
The farther they walked, the bigger became the gaps between the houses and properties. After a good ten-minute walk in silence, the rain stopped, Lily folded her big umbrella and tucked her arm through the younger girl's left arm.

"So tell me, what caused such a big riffle through your family haven that you got half the magical society on your case?" Lily asked as both of them were met with the first hot sun rays again. Now without the big umbrella surrounding her, she saw that they were walking towards open fields with the ocean located on the right and wet crunching pebbles underneath their feet.

"I...," she started and looked thoughtfully to the woman to her left side who smiled gently at her and squeezed her arm to show the young witch her support.
But before she could continue Lily stepped in herself.

"You know what? Let us discuss this matter with a cup of tea in a more comfortable place just behind that hill, hmm?" Lily suggested, smiled at her and leaned closer to the young witch's ear.
"The Den is located at 77 Ocean Lane in Godric's Hollow," she whispered, came to a halt, and let Ginny take five or so steps towards the now visible building just behind the hillside they just passed. Ginny Weasley stared at one of the most beautiful buildings she had ever seen in her life.

Under her feet, the stony path turned into one of full green grass with a beautiful field of wildflowers to both sides. Ahead stood a black iron gate framed by perfectly trimmed hedges cut in to lions, that stood guard on both sides. Behind that beautiful scenery stood a proud three-story stone house in beige with big white french windows. It looked amazing.
It wasn't the kind of pompous grand house, more like a cozy and really small castle but nonetheless perfect. All those trees and flowers spread across the property made the look just more heavenly, welcoming and somehow you could just feel love radiating from every inch of it.
That last thought was accompanied with another image of a totally different building and a painful emotion somewhere deep inside her rose, that caused her smile of awe to falter.

"Come on in, sweetheart. Harry and the boys are down by the ocean and Rose, Daisy, and Daniel are out with their godmother. We've got enough time to plan and talk more about your hide, to prevent the unwanted seek." Lily said as she walked past Ginny casually and opened the gates.
Somehow, as Ginny Weasley walked through the iron gate guarded by the two lions, she had a feeling that maybe now, maybe right here she could really hold onto all her promises she made to herself three years ago.
All she had to do was to come up with a proper plan.

"You would expect something more from the outside but this is it - welcome to The Den!" Lily exclaimed as she crossed the threshold followed by Ginny again in total awe.

"My childish husband and that prat he calls a best mate came up with that name after we moved in," she said, took off her shoes, put the umbrella away and turned to the silent witch next to her. "Well, how about a tea and then we can talk, hmm?" Ginny nodded and smiled gratefully at the older witch.

"I think I'd like that, yeah."

"Then go and sit down on the back porch. I'll bring us some tea and biscuits, sweetheart," Lily replied and showed her the way through what looked like a very cozy living room to a big glass door that lead onto the back porch.

Ginny admired the view after she stepped out onto the big back porch. "This is just amazing!" she muttered to herself and took in her surroundings.
There were a few chairs and a table. In the right corner, towards the ocean, was a comfortable porch swing that could easily hold four people. The whole back porch was under an extended roof, so the burning noon-sun was blocked at that moment.
Everywhere your eyes met a different kind of rose, lily or daisy (and a few different flowers) in every possible variation - along the wall, in one of the many flower pots on the back porch and even on the grass that opened up into a huge garden. A part of the garden looked like a little playground with a swing, a skid and everything needed.
Towards the left she saw a wild growing forest with a clear path through it. If she was right and all the stories about the Potters' were true, inside that forest laid their huge quidditch pitch with everything a private quidditch pitch would need. Potters loved their quidditch. Just like her and just like her brothers.

'Stop thinking about them! Right now is just about you!' she pushed her upcoming feelings down and pulled herself together again.
Ginny turned towards the other side and was met with a magnificent view. From the back porch you could overlook all the fields towards the beach and the ocean. On the surface the sun sparkled like a million diamonds. Now and then something would jump out of the water and disappear again. How she wanted to do just that; disappear - especially from HIM - and never be found again.
Her train of thought was interrupted by the scratching of a chair on the hard wood floor behind her.

"A Knut for your thoughts?" Lily smiled warmly at her and poured them both some tea.

"I was just mesmerized by how beautiful and peaceful it is here," Ginny answered and sat down beside the older witch.
She was able to admire the view and also not to have to look into Lily's eyes. They were just too much like Harry's and she didn't think she could look at him right now.

"Yeah, I find myself very often getting lost down here," Lily said in a kind of dreamy voice that reminded her a lot of her best friend Luna Lovegood.
Not that she had that many friends beside Luna and Colin Creevey. Both were in the same year as her and even after her disastrous first year, when she was responsible for Colin becoming petrified, somehow both of them still treated her no differently – and she loved both of them dearly for it.
The two witches sat in silence for a while and let the tea and view ease their minds. Ginny knew that Lily gave her time to talk when she was ready, and she was entirely grateful for that little gesture.

Her mother and everyone else in her family always forced her to talk to them, even when she didn't want to – but what she wanted never really mattered in the end.
So, after a few minutes and with her mind made up, she began to tell the woman next to her, that she couldn't remember meeting before, but still felt so familiar with, what was on her mind.

"My mother told me this morning that I have to marry that bloody-boy-who-doesn't-care-about-anyone-else-except-his-own-sorry-wobbly-arse-who-lived." Ginny cast a side glance at Lily and waited for a reaction of her use of language but Lily just stared ahead at the ocean with her cup of tea in her hand and a small smile that played at the corner of her mouth.

"And believe me I don't intend to marry or even be betrothed to Dumbledore's golden boy. I don't love him. Hell, I can't even stand to have him near to me and I'm quite sure I could never be happy with him. He's everything I hate and we have nothing in common. He's a spoiled brat that gets everything just because of something he did when he was fifteen-months old and can't even remember. He is boring and hates quidditch. He thinks he rules the world and everyone would fall to his feet especially after the tournament last year. Ugh and just because people tell me he rescued me down in the Chamber of Secrets everyone expects me to be thankful to him and to fulfil this stupid life debt. If I knew, I would have rather died down there than spend my life at the side of that stupid, boring and sorry excuse for a savior of the wizarding world!" Ginny ranted on and on and held her tea cup so strong that her knuckles turned white, even against her pale skin.

"Urrgh I hate all of that! And the most horrible thing is, that somehow my whole family went bonkers. I don't recognize them anymore. At least somehow Bill and Charlie are themselves. The parents I grew up with would have never let this happen to me. My father always told me that no man could ever be good enough for me and that if someone came along, he would have to prove himself first. Now they give me away like some kind of trophy or property as a reward." She huffed and sighed in frustration.
The fact that Lily just sat there and listened still attentive to her ranting somehow brought her temper to its peak and she exploded. Ginny sat her cup down rather forcefully on the table, stood up and began to pace back and forth.

"I hate myself for what I let them do to me. Every time they brought me down and ignored me. To this day, my mother still doesn't allow me to play quidditch 'because it's inappropriate for a girl and far too dangerous'. My arse! Rose has been playing since our second year and you visit to watch every one of her and Harry's games. And the boy I really would want to be with is just...," but right there she stopped when she realized what she wanted to say.

Her eyes widened and she turned as red as only a Weasley could do. Lily looked now directly at her with a knowing look on her face and one of her brows slightly lifted.

"So now please tell me how I should go on from here because I'm totally lost. This is one fat mess I can see just ending in me marrying that f … flippin' idiot. So, if you can make miracles happen, please, this would be the right moment for one."

Lily motioned to sit down next to her again and immediately took both of her hands into hers.

"First of all, if you do not fulfil the life debt, you would just lose your magic. I know that this would be bad enough, but you have to understand that they wouldn't let you go with that," Lily said calmly and gently, increasing the look of confusion on Ginny's face.

"Look, I'll tell you now something that you should have been told sooner. You are the seventh child and the only girl in seven generations. For some wizards and witches out there, this fact makes you stronger and gives you magical ability beyond compare"

"But I don't..." Ginny wanted to interrupt but Lily cut her short.

"I know, you don't see it like that, but a few are firm believers that you will grow into those powers. Among those is also Dumbledore and his golden boy. That's why they won't ever let you go. They think with you by his side, Neville Longbottom can defeat Tom Riddle," Lily explained.

Ginny was somehow more confused than before but also relieved. Lily did something that she couldn't remember anyone else doing before; she gave her some answers to her questions, treated her not like a child AND called that dark tosser not by some idiotic name but his rightful name.

"What is it about the life debt? I don't want to lose my magic. Isn't there something that can prevent me from marrying Neville AND let me keep my magic? And what about my family? I've got the feeling that there is so much more behind it, but I can't get it. It's so frustrating!" Ginny raked through her hair and let her hands sink down onto her knees. Her eyes focused on Lily as she kneeled down in front of her.

"I'm sorry to tell you that I can't give you an answer to any of those questions right away but I promise that you will get some in the morning, okay? I have to talk to James and the others about this first and most of all with Harry. So...," Lily answered and pulled her into a bone crushing hug.
'Must be some kind of mother thing, those hugs' Ginny thought but welcomed the comfort the older witch offered her.
The embrace didn't last that long because Ginny was reminded that it was quite a while since she went to the loo.
After she found the loo with Lily's description (the second door on the right) she locked herself in, took care of her needs and stood now in front of the mirror.
Somehow the girl that stared back at her wasn't the same that greeted her this morning in the bathroom of The Burrow and it seemed to her she hasn't seen herself properly the last three years.

Her hair was tangled and full of knots thanks to all of the rain. Her chocolate brown eyes seemed lifeless and bloodshot from all the crying or just from the life she lived the past years - who'd know?.
"Where is the difference and who cares?" she mumbled to herself while she dried her hands.
She winced at that realization. Who did really care? Who looked out for her right now because they cared for her? Didn't they all care just for the powers she could possess one day? The young witch shook her head slightly and stopped that train of thought. Those thoughts didn't do any good to anyone.

When Ginny went to step out onto the back porch again, she was startled because she saw a big black dog laying his head down onto Lily's lap who stroked his head gently.
Ginny saw her whispering something to the animal but couldn't hear it from where she stood and just heard the whimper escaping the dog. Just as she took one step towards them the dog turned his head around and banged with his tail on the hardwood floor of the back porch.

In the same moment, she corrected herself that this dog was definitely a wolf, not a dog. He let out a bark that sounded to her strangely happy, made a leap towards her and the next moment she felt herself pushed to the living room floor rather gently while the wolf licked her face banging his tail at the door the whole time.

"Boy, get down from her!" Lily tried to pull away the animal, but he wouldn't budge one single inch.
The wolf had his front paws at either side of Ginny's head to put a bit of his weight off of her where the rest of his body laid across her petite form.

After the initial shock, Ginny realized that the wolf was quite friendly and (being the animal friend her old-self was) she began to giggle at the animal's ministration.
"Get down! Would you listen?!" Lily tried once more to pull the wolf away from Ginny but this time with less enthusiasm.
So, Lily Potter returned to her seat with a smile on her face as she watched the content look on Ginny's face when she hugged the wolf like mad and pulled him closer to her with every hint of sadness and feeling of being lost gone.

It was killing her. Her baby girl; her daughter was out there on her own. It was tearing her apart. Molly Weasley sat down at the kitchen table and started to peel the potatoes. With her own hands. Muggle-like; something you'd have saw Fred and Georg doing two weeks earlier after they charmed every book in the house to read out their content out loud ... every book ... at the same time...

But right now, Molly felt so...shattered and unfocused that she deemed it to be safer not to use magic at the moment. She felt horrible. Somewhere deep down inside of her hovered this feeling, telling her that something was off. Being the mother of Gred and Forge for over 18 years, taught her to trust that feeling whenever it arose; and in the last three years, there has been more than one occasion she thought something was fishy.
Her motherly instinct told her that something was looming, even kind of threateningly, over her family. Over the past years, she always reasoned it back to what happened to Ginny during her first year at Hogwarts.

Her Ginny. She ran away and no one knew where she was.
She already floo-called all of Ginny's friends. Luna, Colin, Neville. None of them saw her.
Neville Longbottom. He was a good boy; so nice and caring. He saved her baby girl's life back then and afterwards even tutored her to review the school stuff she missed. Molly knew that she and her daughter talked about Neville this morning, but somehow she couldn't recall exactly what they were talking about. Sure, it was something that made Ginny run away, but what was it?

That was another matter. She and Arthur seemed to be more oblivious on certain days and after certain events. It was a bit unnerving, but they put it down to getting older and started to get acquainted with it.

Refocusing on this nagging feeling inside of her, she somehow came to the conclusion that it might not be a bad thing that Ginny got away.
"Whatever it take,; I'll protect you from the hooded claw, my darling"
Her motherly love told her that she was safe and everything was all right; or at least will be all right again soon.