A month into school and Ginny was becoming restless. She had been given not one, but three Crucio's now. The first, was for being Harry's girlfriend and for back chatting Carrow on the first day of class. The second, was for writing and essay that wasn't about the benefits of Crucio, but rather the cons, and the third was today in class, when she had refused to use Crucio on Colin.
Carrow had paired them up and decided to make them practice the curse on each other. Ginny stood firmly to the ground, wand behind her back and refused to do it. Colin whispered anxiously, "Ginny, you must do it! Just make it quick!" Ginny scowled at him but otherwise didn't move a muscle. Carrow had walked up the line of students; all being forced to Crucio their class mates. It was sickening to watch and more than one scream filled the room at the current time. She just wanted to block it out of her mind for a little bit so she closed her eyes.
Then Carrow approached her and said slyly, "Weasley, why aren't you doing as you're told." Ginny pursed her lips and said calmly, "I won't do this to my friend. I refuse. It's barbaric!" Carrow glared at her, hating her defiance. He chuckled and shouted to the class, "Students! Watch and learn what happens when Miss Weasley defies me…yet again. It's her third time in one term. She's refusing to curse her friend. It's unfair that he gets extra treatment, correct?"
There was a deathly silence that followed and Ginny watched in horror as Carrow aimed his wand at Colin. He sneered, "Let's teach Weasley whose boss shall we?" He muttered under his breath, "Crucio," his wand pointed at Colin. Colin collapsed on the floor instantly, like Ginny had done the previous few times. She covered her mouth in shock, watching Colin squirm on the floor beneath Carrow's cold, hard smirk. Ginny couldn't stand it anymore. She hurried in front of the wand and then she felt the now familiar sensation of white of knives spiking her relentlessly. It went on and on- the pain.
When it was over, she realized she hadn't blacked out like the last two times. Colin was bending over her, pale and frightened. She didn't dare get up as Carrow leered at her from above. He said snidely, "If you disobey me one last time Weasley, you shall suffer a worse punishment." The pain still hurt for hours after she'd been cursed. And that's when Ginny got an idea. It was a very un-Ginny idea, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt like it would be the only thing to numb the fiery pain inside her.
After dinner, Ginny spoke with Seamus, Neville and Colin. She whispered to them, "Let's go to the Room of Requirement! I want to see something…" They shrugged and nodded. On the way out of the hall, they ran into Luna and she joined them. Both Seamus and Neville had been subdued after what they'd heard happen in Defense today. They'd also been getting Crucio'd for the dumbest things and were also hurting.
Ginny lead them to the Room of Requirement. She thought a dangerous thought in her head three times. Then when the room opened. Neville gasped when he saw what Ginny had been thinking of. The room had turned into a comfortable looking lounge, complete with a kettle, chaise chairs, a multi-coloured scatter cushion pillows and even a bar stocked with drinks.
She grinned and headed for the bar, grabbing a massive bottle of Firewhiskey. Neville's eyes widened in surprise, "Are you serious Ginny? We could get into trouble." She grumbled under her breath, shooting him a nasty glare, "We're already in trouble!" Seamus laughed and grabbed some glasses from behind the bar. She began pouring them out and handing them to the boys. They all took one but when she offered Luna, her friend declined, "No thanks, Ginny. I don't like the taste."
Ginny shrugged and emptied the bottle into her own glass. Seamus said morbidly, "This was a good idea, Ginny. Alcohol makes you feel numb. It might help with the after effects of the pain." She nodded and sighed, drinking from her own glass. They went to Madame Pomfrey of course, to deal with the physical injuries. But Seamus was talking about the mentality that came along with all of the torture they were enduring. Ginny spat angrily, "Carrow told me if I cause him anymore trouble. I'd suffer a far worse punishment." Neville muttered, "There's nothing worse than Crucio." Luna shook her head miserably, "I can argue, Neville. Losing someone you love is a far worse pain." This statement caused Ginny to drink the whole glass of burning liquid at once.
Seamus shook his head and said, "Hey, I have an idea. Let's play this drinking game. Dean told me about it. Muggle's play it at parties." Colin laughed, "Oh, I've heard of it! My cousin's friends play it." Ginny frowned, "How does it work?" Seamus shrugged, "Basically, say I'm going first. I'll say, "Never have I ever…kissed Draco Malfoy." This caused all of them to laugh. Seamus chuckled and continued, "If it's true, then I take a drink. If you've done the same thing, then you also drink. You have ten fingers and every time you have done something, you lose one. The person who loses them all first, is out. The last person left standing with the most fingers, wins. Understand?" They all nodded and Ginny replied eagerly, "Let's play!"
XXX
Half an hour later, they had gotten through five questions. Ginny only had two fingers down. She wasn't feeling like she'd had enough yet. She knew her mother would probably kill her, but she didn't care right now. Now it was her turn to say the question, "Never have I ever…been in love." She downed a big gulp of her cup, as did Neville and surprisingly Colin.
A silence descended over them, everyone feeling somber. Ginny felt like breaking. She had tried to be strong. She had tried so hard to force Harry from her brain. But every time she tried, it seemed like the thought of him came back tenfold. She pulled the coin out of her pocket. She carried it around with her. It currently read : unknown destination. This really frustrated her. She wasn't sure if it meant that the coin couldn't locate them, or that the signal was broken or what it meant. She just knew she was frustrated by it.
She placed the coin back in her pocket and sighed miserably. Luna had been fairly quiet the whole evening. She was drinking a glass of water and she raised it then suddenly, "To Harry, Ron and Hermione...may you return to us safely as soon as possible. May whatever you're trying to achieve be worthwhile. Please know that while you're fighting to save our lives, wherever you are…we're also fighting for our freedom in our school. We miss you here every day. It's just not the same without you." Throughout her entire speech, Ginny smiled at Luna gratefully, with a raised glass. She felt like the whole time she had been the only one missing the trio this much. Now, looking around, it seemed like they were all feeling the same way. Ginny drank after Luna's speech and she felt slightly better, "Thanks Luna. That's really sweet of you."
Then Seamus muttered under his breath, "And to Dean. I hope you're safe and well…where ever you are." Ginny finished her glass and nodded in agreement, "To Dean. We miss you too." There was silence and Ginny filled up everyone's glasses with a new bottle of Firewhiskey. They tuned into a radio station that the Order were running under code names. It was called, "Potterwatch." Everyone had code names and Lee Jordan was the main presenter, currently speaking:
"Good evening all. River here. Thank you for tuning in to Potterwatch, for those who have managed to successfully do so. It has been a mere month since our famous friend has disappeared from the face of the planet earth. There are no new whereabouts, but we have heard from a source, namely, Royal, that there is a very valuable object in the headmasters office at Hogwarts. An object that would no doubt, immensely help our rebel. Tell me, Royal, what do you know of it?"
Ginny wondered who Royal was throughout Lee's speech. Finally, when the voice came on, she could recognize it instantly:
Thank you, Royal! Well as it turns out, this object is of high importance, yes. It could help our…rebels as you call them River, to cope on their mission. We aren't entirely sure of their mission of course. The only one with possible information on that would be er…" he tried to think of a possible name. He fumbled and Lee added, "How about Weaslette? Although that's pretty obvious…"
Ginny blushed! She couldn't believe they were talking about her. Her friends were all staring at Ginny disbelievingly and Ginny swallowed another mouthful of her drink again. The fire sensation was no longer having an effect on her, but it was number the pain. She listened carefully:
Royal continued: Yes, Weaslette may have some information about Lightening that the rest of us have not been privy to…but nonetheless, it would be prudent for Weaslette and her friends to know that the Sword of Gryffindor could be of great use to the trio on the run. I know it has immense powers that could help Lightening and company, but I would not wish to ask too much of Weaslette.
At this, Ginny stared at Luna, Colin, Neville and Seamus! What were they talking about? The Sword of Gryffindor!
River replied: Ah yes, because of the change of headmaster? And I heard there are some really awful new teachers too. What is your opinion on staffing selection, Royal?
Royal said slowly: You know…River, I don't know how the new staff are being allowed by the ministry to teach. I've heard some truly horrific things have been happening at Hogwarts. There's been a lot of…torture using the Cruciatus curse, and for extremely juvenile forms of disobediences. I'm surprised that headmaster, Professor Severus Snape, allows said teachers to get away with it.
River sighed and said: I am too. I know some good friends of mine are worried about their youngest sister. How terribly sad is it that students can't feel safe in their own school?
Royal said angrily: I agree, River. It is not right, nor is it fair. My nephew goes there and he is in Hufflepuff. My sister is distressed over the letters he sends home. Which reminds me, to any Hogwarts students who may be listening. Be careful of what you say in your letters to your family back home. They are most likely being monitored by the ministry.
Ginny's eyes bugged wide. She took another gulp of the fiery drink and stared at her friends in dismay. She whispered, "Did anyone mention anything of the Carrow's in letters home?" Colin whispered, "I only mentioned I was worried about Dennis because of them." Ginny nodded. She had purposefully not said anything to her mum and dad because she knew they would pull her out the minute they heard of what was going on. She became lost in her own thoughts and sipped her drink, slowly starting to feel a little tipsy.
The voice of Lee Jordan continued: so basically all Hogwart's students should be extra careful with what they write in their letters. Thank you, Royal, for departing some much needed information to us. Please try and catch us next week at the same time…Wednesday evening at eight o clock sharp. The password will be Padfoot. This is River and Royal, signing off.
Lee finished his speech and then the wireless turned into a fuzzy noise. They all stared aimlessly at something in the room, quiet being their only comfort. Luna interrupted the silence, "Well, my dad has also been trying to publish about Harry's innocence in The Quibbler. At least not everyone is dumb enough to believe what the ministry is telling them. Father said he's been selling a lot lately."
Ginny smiled at her gratefully and Seamus murmured, "How did you know to tune in, Ginny?" She shrugged and replied in a whisper, "Fred wrote to me about it. I better reply and tell him to be careful." She downed the rest of her Firewhiskey. She tried getting up, but felt a bit whoozy. She sat back down again and she sighed, "I wish I had cake right now. I have a craving." She pushed her head in her hands. At least the pain from Crucio had been numbed, like she hoped. Now she just felt a little dizzy.
Neville said, "Let's get you down to the kitchen. We can get you something to eat." She nodded gratefully and said to the rest, "You guys go back to the dorm. I'll be there soon." She smiled at her friends, who departed and Colin said firmly, "I'll come with you guys." Ginny shrugged her shoulders, "Sure. Whatever suits you."
They went through a portrait shortcut and ended up on the ground floor. There were still people coming out of dinner and she went down a flight of stairs. There was a painting of a bowl of fruit. She hadn't had much at dinner which is why the drink was affecting her so much. She paused and Neville asked in amazement, "How do you know where the kitchen is?" Ginny giggled and replied, "You're forgetting who my brothers are, Nev. Fred and George have told me all of Hogwart's secrets over the years."
She leant forward to where the prickly pear was and rubbed it. It started laughing at her and then transformed into a door handle. They pulled open the door and stepped inside a room filled with bustling house elves.
The first to greet her was Dobby. He hurried up to her excitedly and said in his high-pitched voice, "Miss Weasley! It is good to see you again." She leant down and hugged him, "Good to see you too, Dobby!" He grinned at her and asked carefully, "Is it true, Miss Weasley, that Mr Potter has not returned to Hogwarts this year?" Ginny sighed and whispered, "Yes Dobby, it's true. But I can't say why." Dobby smiled at her and said quickly, "May I have a word alone, Miss?"
Ginny frowned but followed Dobby to a broom cupboard off the kitchen. She heard Neville asking one of the house elves to make Ginny a sandwich. Dobby looked at her with wide, brilliant eyes. He said to her enthusiastically, "I have seen Mr Potter myself Miss Weasley." Ginny's eyes widened in surprise, "Really?! Is he ok Dobby?" Dobby nodded and said in a whisper, "He's fine, Miss Weasley. I say him at…" Ginny interrupted his sentence, "Grimmauld Place?" Dobby nodded and grinned, "Yes, Grimmauld Place. Although methinks they are not longer there." She nodded in agreement, "They're not. They're camping in some forest or another."
Dobby chuckled and grinned excitedly, "Miss Weasley, Mr Potter wrote a letter for you. He gave it to me to pass it on in case you ever came knocking!" Ginny could hardly believe her ears! She opened her arms wide and Dobby ran into them. She sighed, "Thank you Dobby! You may have just made my whole term so far." Dobby hugged her back and then said, "Just wait here, miss. I need to go and fetch it from my bedroom." Ginny nodded and waited patiently for him. He hurried back with the letter, and handed it to her. It had Ginny Weasley written on the front in Harry's semi-neat scrawl. She beamed the most genuine smile she'd had all term. Dobby said proudly, "My strict instructions were to give to Miss Weasley only if she came down to the kitchen. Mr Potter didn't want people asking questions about why I was there." Ginny hugged him again and said happily, "Oh Dobby! You're really the best! Thank you so much!" He grinned at her and his big ears flopped backwards, "Anytime, Miss."
When Ginny returned to the kitchen, Neville and Colin were waiting patiently, a sandwich and a packet of Bertie Botts beans all ready and waiting for her. She thanked Kreacher who had made them, and then they headed up the stairs, while getting one last hug from Dobby on the way out. When Ginny got to her dormitory, she was relieved to see it was empty and she hurriedly opened the letter, no longer feeling tipsy.
A/N: Hey all! This will most likely be my last chapter before I go tomorrow. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. I wanted something fun to lighten the mood. But hope you all have a good holiday and I will be writing again soon. Peace out.