Chapter 38: Strange And Horrible Things

Note: Here's to another round of reviews.

To the Jersey Girl Next Door: James isn't an Inferi; he's still very much alive in my story, as I wrote several chapters ago. Also I thought giving Molly her just deserts was something that was sweet.

To Viktor Krum's lazyllama101: Hermione can have Slytherin qualities sometimes. As Ron said in the first book Hermione is scary, brilliant, but scary.

To GurlOfTheNight: Winks and thanks for your review.

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A few nights later Dumbledore called a meeting of the Order of The Phoenix. He wanted to tell them of what Marcus had reported about Ron. Ron's wife wasn't happy about the idea that she was now married to a Death Eater, but Moody was interested in knowing how Ron had gotten cursed.

"It's a new spell that Voldemort has been working on," Dumbledore explained. "And I'm afraid that it's going to have horrible replications on everyone involved."

"Do you think that we should warn Hogsmead?" Remus asked.

"That would be a good idea," Dumbledore said. "On another note, I think we might have another spy working for us. I've told Marcus about what the benefits will be if he spies for us and what might happen if he doesn't. I believe that Marcus will do the right thing."

"And what if he doesn't?" Kingsley asked.

"I don't want to think about it," Dumbledore said.

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The owl that had Ginny's present arrived at Molly's house. Molly was excited about the idea that she had gotten something from her daughter. She gave the owl something for its trouble and then unwrapped it. The pot looked wonderful with all its strange designs. She opened the top and let out a horrible scream. The same rotting hand that Hermione had given to Severus stared right at her.

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"So do you think that my mum got my little surprise?" Ginny asked Hermione.

"I think so," Hermione said, grinning. "Could you excuse me, but I've got to write another letter to my parents."

And she was gone.

When Hermione had disappeared she headed for the library. She had an essay to do for Advance Defense Against the Dark Arts. When she entered the quite of the library she put her bag down and went looking for the books that she needed. Suddenly she felt a hand over her mouth, the smell of a rather expensive collogue assaulting her senses.

"Well isn't it Snivellus little hore," he hissed. "I've got a little message for you to give my old school mate. Tell him that I'll kill him and when I do; there will be no one around to find his worthless body. Now will you give him that little message for me?"

Ginny nodded, fear flooding her. He laughed.

"I sense your fear," he whispered. "I like that! No wonder my Master liked controlling you. I bet it was fun to be in that little mind of yours, feeding on all your little fears."

He turned her around and slammed her against the bookcase.

"Please leave me alone," she begged.

James laughed.

"Do you think I'm going to leave you alone just because you beg me to, I don't think so," he whispered. "In fact, I think that I should have a little fun with you so that the message is even louder for him."

He took out his wand and cast a silencing charm on her. No one heard what happened next.

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"Stupid students," Madam Pince hissed, seeing Ginny's bag and no Ginny. "Thinking that I'm some stupid Muggle lost and found person."

She tossed her bag on the other side of her desk and then went to put books back in their place. As she turned a corner in the Dark Creatures section she found the owner of the bag. Ginny was lying in a pool of blood and her eyes were closed. She touched her throat and felt a weak pulse. She picked her up and hurried her to the Hospital Wing.

"MADAM POMFREY," Madam Pince screamed as she entered the wing.

Madam Pomfrey appeared at once and gasped when she saw that the librarian had Ginny.

"Lay her on the bed," she told her.

Madam Pince did what she was told and the Matron started to check her over. She then raced to get Healing Potions and gave them to Ginny. Once they had taken effect, she checked to make sure that the baby was alright. To her relief the baby was fine.

"I need to inform the Headmaster and Severus at once," Madam Pomfrey told her. "Thanks for bringing her."

"No problem," she said.

And she left.

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"Hello, Marcus," said Draco Malfoy when he saw his former Slytherin Captain.

"Hello, Draco," Marcus said. "I don't see you at the revels anymore."

Draco grunted.

"I would like to, but Dumbledore is always watching me," he told him. "Of course if our Master has an idea on how I can get out of here and come, then I would welcome it."

Marcus grinned at him.

"I'll see what I can do," he told him.

And he was gone.

He continued to walk around, trying to figure out what his choice was. He knew that Dumbledore was offering him a chance of keeping out of Azkaban if the light side won, but what were the chances of that. As he turned the corner he ran right into a solid object. He looked to see that it was a tall Gryffindor. She had managed not to fall to the ground when he ran into her.

"Um, sorry," she said, going pink. "Are you alright?"

"Um, fine," Marcus said, completely taken by this girl. "What's your name?"

"Amelia Moon," the girl answered. "Um, you must be Marcus Flint."

He nodded, just as Millicent Bulstrode appeared, looking tall and intimidating.

"Hay, Mudblood, stay away from Marcus," she shouted.

Amelia eyes filled with tears and she ran off. For some unknown reason this made Marcus angry.

"What did you do that for?" he asked. "She wasn't doing anything to me."

"Marcus, she's a Mudblood," she told him. "You work for the Dark Lord and I'm sure that he would hate you associating with something like that."

Deep inside Marcus wanted to associate with Amelia Moon.

Note: I guess this is turning into a two-part chapter. Next chapter: This chapter wraps up with the surprise guest that helps Hermione out and includes Severus Death Vow, Harry's refusal, Hermione's four legged secret, and Marcus's decision.