Harry Potter and all characters, etc. belong to J.K. Rowling, not me.
If You Can Help Her – Chapter 38 – Recovery
As soon as the minister announced, 'Lord Voldemort is back,' the people in the stands flinched at the name and silently stared at Minister Bones.
The first people to speak were reporters who began bombarding her with questions. Amelia raised her hands to silence them. "Instead of asking individual questions, let me tell the story. First of all, because of precautions he took, Voldemort was weakened and banished thirteen years ago, but not completely killed. Peter Pettigrew found him and together, they found a way to give him a new body. The Triwizard Cup had been turned into a portkey by Lucius Malfoy, and when both Fred Weasley and Harry Potter grabbed it – that's right, they both touched it at the same time, it brought them to the cemetery where Voldemort's muggle father, Tom Riddle, was buried."
"Are you saying that you-know-who's a half-blood?" one of the reporters blurted out.
"Yes. His real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, but he hates that muggle name so he rearranged the letters to say 'I am Lord Voldemort' because he likes that name better. Anyway, Mr. Weasley managed to escape to get help, and Professor Dumbledore and I were able to capture several Death Eaters and rescue Harry Potter. Peter Pettigrew died during the battle. Mr. Potter has been through enough tonight and I'll thank you to leave him alone as he needs medical attention." She then turned to Dumbledore. "Is there anything you would like to add, Headmaster?"
Pointing his wand at his throat, he told everyone, "Only that difficult times lie ahead. Very soon we will all have the choice between doing what is right and what is easy. I pray that we will all make the right decisions and that together we will be able to stand against this threat to our way of life."
While Albus was speaking, Harry was levitated in the direction of the hospital wing, with an entourage consisting of the Weasleys, Sirius, and Hermione following close behind.
While they were moving, Harry called out, "Ginny?"
"Yes, Harry, I'm here," she assured him, grabbing onto his hand.
"Did I hear correctly that you took out Lucius Malfoy?"
She blushed. "Er, well…"
"That's right!" bragged Ron, "Didn't know what hit him!"
Harry smiled. "Good job!" He sighed, thinking about his own lack of performance in the graveyard.
Sensing his mood swing, Ginny declared, "You did great, too!"
"At being tied up while he took my blood!" He began raising his voice. "He used me! The only reason I'm alive is because he'd planned something special and I'm sure entertaining for his buddies to see! I was just…"
"You're not the only one Tom ever used! You're not the only one he's made feel helpless!"
He felt her anger and pain at the memory of Riddle's diary. "I, I know, it's just…I'm supposed to be the one doing the rescuing. Not the…"
"Helpless victim?" added Ginny.
"Now, Ginny-dear," interrupted Molly, "I wouldn't…"
"Mother."
"Yes, dear."
"Shut up."
Molly could see the determined look on her daughter's face, and realized that Ginny knew exactly what Harry was feeling, so she probably should keep out of this. "Yes, dear, but don't tell me to…"
"Shut up." Ginny turned back to her bond mate. "Listen to me, Harry! I'm sure you'd have found some way out of there if Dumble…"
"Not unless Tom gave me back my wand, I wouldn't! I was completely at that monster's mercy and he knew it! I'm sorry that Fred was in danger because of me. I…"
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU TOLD HIM TO LEAVE YOU BEHIND, YOU STUPID NOBLE PRAT! I'll bet the two of you could've escaped together, but…"
"Ginny," interrupted Fred.
"Stay out of this! I'm not through with you, yet!" She turned back to Harry. "Even though it was stupid, you were a hero trying to rescue Fred, ready to sacrifice yourself. You really need to do something about your martyr philosophy. Anyway, because of that, some Death Eaters were stopped. Who knows what else might have happened? Maybe no one would know he was back!"
"Yeah, right! I know you're trying to make me feel better, Ginny, but I know when I've failed!"
At that moment, they arrived in the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey shooed everybody out, leaving Harry free to wallow in his misery while she treated his various injuries. He soon felt comfort being sent to him by Ginny, but he concentrated hard and sent it back to her. He then felt hurt and anger coming from her. About that time, Pomfrey gave him some dreamless sleep potion, which he gladly drank.
-IYCHH-
"Stupid git!" shouted Ginny as she felt her comfort returned.
"What?" asked Hermione, who was standing nearby, outside the hospital wing doors.
Glancing around for prying ears, Ginny finally whispered, "I tried to send Harry comfort, but he sent it back. He wants to wallow in self-pity."
"So, you can refuse each other's feelings being sent through your bond. That's interesting. I…"
"Hermione, the point is that he's in pain and won't let me help!" Her eyes filled with tears as she felt his depression grow, and then subside. "He's in some kind of weird, unemotional sleep now."
"Madam Pomfrey probably gave him dreamless sleep potion."
"I wonder if this is how I felt to him during the second task." She shrugged. "At least I can get some relief from his depression."
About then, Pomfrey allowed them to come in and sit by Harry, even though he was asleep. The others were all nearby and filled up the hospital wing long enough for everyone to see that Harry was all right, at least physically. After about an hour, everyone was kicked out of the hospital wing again, and no matter how much Ginny protested, she was included in everyone.
-IYCHH-
As she lay in bed trying to sleep, she was able to tell the moment that the dreamless sleep potion wore off.
Harry had awakened at about four in the morning to thoughts reminding him of what a helpless freak he was. 'Even Ginny could defend herself, but not me,' he thought. 'Voldemort took my blood and there wasn't a thing I could do about it but scream from the pain! That monster is using my blood to kill people! I am a worthless freak!'
-IYCHH-
As Ginny felt his despair, she knew she had to do something. Fearing that he would simply reject any comfort she sent him, she decided to make her way to him. She thought about getting Harry's cloak after getting dressed, but decided she didn't want to be caught in the fourth year boys' dorm in the middle of the night. She snuck out without his cloak.
Her small size and ability to hide helped her to slowly make her way toward the hospital wing. When she stepped into the dark room, Harry's hand reached for his wand. "Who is it!" he asked while pointing his wand at her.
When Harry felt her sudden fear, he realized the identity of the visitor. He put down his wand. "Ginny, you shouldn't have come here." He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry you had to feel what I'm, I'm feeling, but there's nothing we can do about it. Maybe. Maybe Dumbledore could find a way to protect you from the bond to…"
"Harry James Potter, don't you DARE finish that sentence!"
"Last night, I thought I was going to die! I wondered what would happen to you! I don't know why you want to be linked to a useless freak like me, anyway!"
"You weren't useless in the Chamber of Secrets!"
"But I am, now! I just stood there tied up while that rat cut my arm! I couldn't do a damn thing about it! Then again, I nearly died in the maze without help from Voldemort! They had a huge spider; I guess one of Aragog's kids, in there. It's what broke my leg! If Fred hadn't blasted it, I'd have died before getting to the cup. I guess that would've ruined Tom's party even before Dumbledore did." He chuckled slightly to himself. "At least he wouldn't have my blood in him. I wonder if that gives me a bond with him, too."
"That's not funny!"
"No, it's not. It means you're indirectly connected to him. We really need…" Smack! Ginny slapped him in the face.
"Don't you ever dare to suggest breaking our bond again! Look at me!" He turned his face, which was developing a red mark where she'd hit him. "I love you, and want to be with you, bonded to you, for the rest of our lives. I don't have all the answers, but I know that shutting yourself away from the people that love you will not stop Voldemort!" She sobbed. "I'm just glad you're all right."
"Quite right, Miss Weasley," agreed a familiar voice behind them.
Ginny turned. "Professor Dumbledore. I was just…"
"Relax, Miss Weasley. I quite understand." He then turned to Harry. "I, too, am relieved that you are alive and well, and that is what is most important. By sending Mr. Weasley for help, you saved both of your lives. I have no doubt that Voldemort only wanted you, and would've killed the extra person who was with you if he'd had the time."
"I, I suppose so," Harry admitted, "But I can't stand the idea that Voldemort has my blood."
"Now, he'll be able to touch you," stated Dumbledore sadly, "unlike when he possessed Professor Quirrel. I had hoped that you would be able to spend some time at the Dursleys this summer to renew the blood wards, but they returned my letter with the word 'no' written on it. Apparently, they feel that since they are no longer your guardians, they won't give you house space."
Harry finally smiled, and Ginny was glad to feel that it was genuine. "I can live with that."
"I suppose you'll have to. But that does take away some protection from you. Black Manor is going to be put under the Fidelius Charm with myself as Secret Keeper the day before the students return home. Sirius has also agreed to allow the Order of the Phoenix, a group of people dedicated to Voldemort's downfall that I organized during his last reign of terror, to use the mansion as headquarters. It will be difficult not having a spy in the organization." He sighed. "Anyway, I trust you won't mind that the Weasleys will be moving in there for a few months as well, until the Burrow can be properly warded." The smiles on both Harry and Ginny did not go unnoticed.
"What about Hermione and her family?" asked Ginny. "They're muggles, and Hermione is a muggleborn witch who's friends with Harry. Are you going to protect them?"
"I suppose I'd better. They are very likely to be targets. Death Eaters won't expect much opposition from them. We'd better at least ward their house if not move them into hiding."
"Is there any way you could put an extra ward that won't allow a Dark Mark to enter?"
"That's an excellent suggestion, Mr. Potter. I just wish I could…maybe now I can." He scratched his chin while considering. "I believe that I shall add a ward like that to the protection around Hogwarts."
"What else is being done, professor?" asked Ginny.
"Well, I gave Minister Bones some suggestions. One she accepted while the other she didn't. She will be removing the Dementors from guarding Azkaban in a few weeks, once she has put together a proper guard. She agreed that those foul creatures will join Voldemort, anyway. At least now they won't free the prisoners when they leave. I suggested her sending an envoy to the giants, but she refused.
"I believe that the ministry will be sending information leaflets to everyone, telling them what they should do if they are attacked. I certainly hope that the Death Eaters will allow their victims the time to review the leaflet during attacks." Harry and Ginny chuckled as Albus' eyes twinkled. "In any case, I do believe that it is time to leave Mr. Potter alone to go back to sleep. Miss Weasley, I shall escort you back to the Gryffindor common room."
After she briefly kissed Harry and said, "Goodnight," she followed Dumbledore out of the hospital wing. Harry couldn't say he was entirely over his depression, but he did feel a bit better. He had to admit he was glad that the Weasleys would be spending the summer at his house. He wondered how closely Mrs. Weasley would monitor him and Ginny.
-IYCHH-
In a ceremony a few days later, both Fred and Harry were awarded 500 Galleons for tying in the Triwizard Tournament. The cup (after having the portkey spell removed) was to remain in the trophy room at Hogwarts unless/until the contest is held again. Harry agreed to go in as a partner with Fred and George's joke shop. Ginny apologized to Fred for her outburst, and the four of them decided to pull a prank at the leaving feast.
-IYCHH-
Chapter end