Chapter 14 – He'll wish he'd never been born

When Harry arrived back at the common room, he was very surprised not to find Ginny waiting for him. He looked over at the tall grandfather clock that stood next to the main fire place and it read 6:55pm, surely she would have returned from the library now.

Harry looked again carefully round the room before joining Ron and Hermione sitting on the sofa near the dormitory staircase, he briefly looked up them before sitting down next to them.

"Harry have you been to see Dumbledore?" Asked Hermione checking her wrist watch and looking back up to him.

"Yeah, but..." His eyes searched the room again resting on the portrait hole, "Have you seen Ginny? I thought she'd be here waiting for me!" He spoke as his eyes moved again to meet Hermione's.

"No not since earlier today." Ron replied for her, "Where did she say she was going before here?"

Harry again looked at the portrait hole as someone who wasn't Ginny came into the room, "Library." He took a deep breath and turned back to his friends, "But she knew what she was going for, it wouldn't have taken her very long...wonder where she is?"

"She's probably just bumped into Colin or someone and got talking." Hermione tried to put Harry's mind at ease as she looked down at the book in her hands and continued reading.

"Yeah...that's it." He replied but he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right, he tried to tell himself that he was being stupid and over protective, but he couldn't settle.

All of a sudden Harry felt Ron jab him in his side with his elbow, "Harry...can you hear me?" He asked exasperated.

"Er...yeah what?" Harry replied not really taking any notice of his friend.

"You were just ignoring me...I was asking you what Dumbledore wanted." He said as Hermione looked up from her book to listen what Harry had to say.

Harry didn't respond, not hearing Ron at all as his head was spinning with different scenarios of what might have delayed Ginny. He didn't realise that Ron had spoke until he clicked his fingers in front of Harry's face, waking him up from his current state.

"Erm...I'm going for a walk...see if I can find her!" He spoke not looking at either of his friends as he strode out of the portrait hole.

Both Ron and Hermione watched him leave and then looked at one another shrugging, "Suppose he'll tell us later then." Grumped Ron.

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Harry tried to shake the sickness that rose up his throat as he searched the corridors while heading for the library. There weren't many people moving 'round the castle that night, the castle's stone walls gave Harry an eerie feeling that did nothing for the worry that was building up in the pit of his stomach.

He rounded another corner and noticed something on the ground ahead of him, something small and slim line. When he approached it he realised it was someone's wand that had been snapped in two, he quickly retrieved them and examined the pieces. He was relieved that he didn't recognise them as being Ginny's, he pocketed them as continued his journey.

All of a sudden he heard a sob escape from someone's mouth ahead of him, he broke into a run following the noise until he skidded to a stop and saw Ginny huddle on the floor in one of the castle's alcoves. She held herself close and was trying to stifle the noise that was coming room her. Her clothes and hair looked dishevelled, he also noticed a rip to her t-shirt where it met her torso.

He carefully approached her, moving down onto his knees in front of her. Harry felt like he had swallowed a stone as he looked at Ginny, he gathered all his strength knowing that he was going to have to be strong to comfort her.

"Ginny?"

She looked up, relief filling her as she launched herself into his arms. He held her close to his body rocking her back and forth whispering comforting words in her ear, as she let the tears fall from her face.

He knew that she wouldn't want to talk to him in the middle of the corridor, and she wouldn't want anybody else seeing her this way. He picked her up and carried her to the empty classroom across the hall and settled her on the desk, as he placed a locking and privacy charm on the door, so they would not be disturbed.

"What happened Gin? I was so worried." He asked her gentle as he caressed her cheek in the palm of his and as he looked deep into her tear strained eyes.

"Oh Harry I'm sorry...I thought I was pretty tough but..." She took a deep breath looking down at her feet until she raised her head back up again, "It all hit me and it scared me thinking what could have happened!"

Harry was really disturbed now, what had happened to her? He had not seen her like this since the chamber of secrets all those years ago; she was always so strong even after her nightmares of Tom Riddle.

"He just caught me off guard and...ahhh how could I be so stupid not to have my wand in my pocket! Why did I leave it in my bag?" She argued with herself annoyed at her ignorance.

Harry scooped her up in his arms again and rested her on his lap as he placed small kisses to her brow. "Shhh...it's alright Gin, I'm here it's over."

"That's the thing, I don't think it is. I think it's just the beginning!" She said shakily into Harry chest.

"What do you mean...what happened?" He asked calmly again.

"Malfoy happened Harry!" She ground out sitting up in his arms.

Harry's blood ran cold, what had that bastard done to her? Rage was filling his body thinking of the ferret coming anywhere near his girl, had he hurt her, had he said something to her that had put her in this state. Whatever he had done he was going to pay, he would make sure of that.

"Harry he...bumped into me in the corridor. I dropped everything on the floor; I didn't know it was him till he spoke as I was collecting my things together."

Harry mind was racing but he managed to remain calm as Ginny spoke, he knew she needed him now and that he could let his steam off later.

"And...?"

"He pushed me up against the wall and...pressed himself up against me! He said...he said he wanted me!" She ground out before letting another sob escape her mouth.

Harry felt well and truly sick as he listened to Ginny as she told him what had happened. How dare he go near her? How dare he talk to her the slimy git? God help him when I get a hold of him. How dare he touch his Ginny?

However something else was troubling him further, he knew that Malfoy was dangerous. He had just talked to Dumbledore about it, he was pretty sure he was a death eater. He said he wanted her and the reason he did was because she was with him.

'Shit,' he thought 'this was the exact reason I tried to hide my feelings from everyone, she means so much to me and I've made her hurt like this. How could I be so stupid to fall in love with her, Voldemort is going to stop at nothing to get her from me.'

After she had finished sobbing they sat wrapped in each other until she fully calmed down and pulled away from his chest. She looked deep into his eyes, she knew what he was doing; he was blaming himself for what had happened.

She jumped from his lap and spun round facing him, "Don't you dare!" She warned him fixing him with a piercing gaze.

"What?" He asked pretending he didn't know what she was talking about, even though he knew fine well.

"You know what!" She stamped her foot leaving all her upset behind and letting it turn to anger. "Your blaming yourself like usual!"

"I can't help it." Throwing himself up frustrated, "I love you so much, you're my family Gin and I've turned you into a target!"

"I was already a target Harry, ever since the chamber I have been. I fought him, he invades my dreams seeking revenge and he'll do anything to get it." She tried to explain hotly.

"I'm so scared for you though!" He said moving forward crushing his body to hers and looking down into her brown eyes.

"Harry we're in this together, we'll fight him together, we'll fight for our future, and we'll live on!" She sighed hoping to convince him.

Harry could feel the pride for this girl swirling through his body; she had just experienced something truly horrible but she wouldn't let it stop her from loving Harry. The danger she was in scared the living shit out of him. She wanted to fight beside him for their future, their life, their children, and for others.

He nodded, "What did I ever do to deserve you?" He leant down and placed a delicate kiss to her lips.

"Shhh...just kiss me, take away the memories!" She whispered as they softly placed their lips to each other.

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After the girls had gone to bed in the early hours of the morning after sharing the information Harry had learnt from Dumbledore, he turned to Ron.

He re-told him what had happened to Ginny after she had been to the library and how he had found her. Harry could see the anger radiating from him, his fists clenched as his eyes narrowed into slits.

"I'll kill him Ron! How dare he even speak to her never mind touch her and try...and try!" Harry said through gritted teeth, he leant forward in his seat and cradling his head in his palms.

"I know mate...I know." Ron replied laying a hand on Harry's shoulder, knowing his best mate was in turmoil; his anger would have to wait.

"He's dangerous Ron...He's not the school bully anymore, it's not safe to walk this castle on our own anymore!" He sighed, "Imagine if she hadn't gotten away from him...he could have destroyed her!"

"Don't Harry...just don't!" Ron ordered, "We'll get him...when he's not expecting it, he'll wish he'd never been born!"

Authors Notes

Sorry for the delay, I had to re-write this chapter. The other I had was horrible and it wasn't realistic in the slightest, it just didn't fit the story at all. So I started from scratch and this just flowed from me and when that happens they end up my favourite chapters.

Please review and let me know what you think, good or bad!