Chapter Nine: Wearing Steel That's Bright And True
Ginny ran.
She tore at her arms as the charmed boat made its infuriating progress back to the shore. She nearly forgot Malfoy's wand at the Ministry return area, and scraped her elbow raw in the Floo network. The worst was the trip from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts. She took the shortcut through the Shrieking Shack, which she'd traveled multiple times with Harry last spring. The cold, damp air moved sluggishly in and out of her nose, and she worried that she might suffocate in the underground passage. But Ginny ran just the same.
She ran, and her mind worked furiously. Draco had told on Percy. Ostensibly, she was only minutes behind the Auror squad. There was still time. Maybe. The damage had been done, but would the Ministry report that Percy was a Death Eater if they couldn't find him? The only option would be for the Order to get there first. They had to move quietly, quietly, and…do what, exactly?
She drew fire into her lungs and willed her feet to keep beating against the ground. It was all she could do not to stop for breath. A distinct feeling of betrayal ran thick through her veins and made her muscles ache. She was a fool, trusting Draco Malfoy not to hurt her. Ginny tried to dam her thoughts against that particular path – she didn't want to take energy away from running – but it was inexorable. She thought about Draco, and about Tom, and she could feel hysteria forming on the borders of her mind. Not again. It was hard to question an eleven-year-old about poor judgement, but now Ginny was sixteen and she, of all people, should know better than to trust a snake.
Finally, she could see natural light. She took a rock and leaned it against the critical knot of the Whomping Willow, then banished the stone from a safe distance. Shin-high snow was impeding her progress, but she hiked her robes and bounded across the Hogwarts lawn and into the castle. Dimly aware that she'd be in for it if Filch caught her tracking mud through the halls, she scurried to the Headmistress' office, but she didn't know the password and the gargoyle was less than forthcoming. Ginny threw her winter cloak at the gargoyle's feet and tore off for the staff room. Professor Lamentina and Professor Sinistra were at tea, and looked quite annoyed at this sudden disruption. "Have you never been taught to knock?" Sinistra asked irritably, replacing her teacup with a haughty clink.
"McGonagall," Ginny gasped.
Lamentina's eyes widened immediately. "What happened?"
"Need to talk to her. Now." Now that Ginny had stopped moving, the stitch in her side bent her over double.
"Was there mischief in the village?" Sinistra asked, still looking mistrustful.
Ginny appealed directly to Lamentina. "Please. It's urgent."
"I'll be back shortly," Lamentina promised Sinistra, who snorted. "Come, Miss Weasley."
There wasn't enough oxygen in McGonagall's office. "Order," Ginny told McGonagall as soon as she pushed ahead of Lamentina.
McGonagall gave her a hard look and then looked over Ginny's shoulder. "That will be all, Arianne," she said to Lamentina, who was lingering in the doorway.
"Of course," said Lamentina, withdrawing with a petulant frown.
"Now what is the meaning of this, Miss Weasley?" McGonagall asked, sounding nearly as irritable as Sinistra.
Ginny kneaded her side, her breath hissing through her teeth but not seeming to take hold in her body. "I need your help," she panted, acutely aware of the bead of sweat trickling down her hairline.
"That much is obvious."
"It's Percy. We need to hide him." McGonagall went still. "He's a Death Eater spy but Draco Malfoy told the Ministry where to find him and Snape, and- Professor!" she cried in alarm as McGonagall shot to her feet, flinging her chair against the wall. "My mum's heart will break! He's harmless! Please, listen!"
Static crackled around the room like a living creature. McGonagall looked murderous. Snarling, the Headmistress drew her wand.
Ginny had made a terrible mistake.