Chapter Nine: Heart's Desire
Ginny startled awake, surprised to be thinking of a Christmas so long ago. Her second year had been an interesting time. It had been too soon after the Chamber of Secrets for her to have connected with her year mates, but then there was always Harry. As Ginny looked down, she realized she'd been playing with the beaded bracelet on her wrist again. Maybe there was another reason she'd thought about that Christmas…
Ginny got out of her childhood bed. Surrounding her were memories of her past, including memories she would rather forget. Ginny sighed softly. It wasn't like she could turn down sleeping at her parents' house either. What would she say? 'Mum, I'm sorry, but I'm going through a thing with my non-ex boyfriend. Did I mention I thought he was dead only three months ago? Yeah, so now isn't a good time for me to be immersed in the past.'
Ginny gave a little snort. Yes that would go over very well with her parents. Ginny slipped on a pair of warm shoes and wrapped herself up in her dressing gown. Silently, she made her way to the bathroom to freshen up. As Ginny looked at herself in the mirror, her reflection showed a haggard red haired woman with deep bags under her eyes.
This couldn't be her, could it? Ginny looked like she'd barely slept a couple of hours, but that couldn't be right. A quick flick of her wrist and the time floated in front of her. It was barely two in the morning. Merlin, what was she doing up this early?
Ginny stepped out of the bathroom and stopped. She had a choice here, go back to her childhood room and try to get some more sleep, or… Ginny moved down the stairs, skipping the creaking step. Realistically, she knew she wasn't going to get back to sleep. So, why even try? Besides, there was just too much on her mind. Ginny grabbed her coat at the door and swung it on as she left the house quietly.
If Ginny was being honest with herself, she knew there was really only one thing, one person, on her mind. But, to be fair, Harry alone was enough to be too much. A chill wind pierced Ginny, causing her to hold her coat tighter to her body. In doing so, a rectangle box pressed into her side.
Not to mention that after everything he'd done, he had the audacity to get her a present. He had the audacity to remind her of better times. Well, she didn't need those reminders. They were in her dreams, and her nightmares.
Ginny slowed as she came upon the frozen pond that was her hideaway. It was her place of solitude. She'd always come here to think, to be alone. Ginny sat down at one of the larger stones and pulled her coat closer. A warming charm would have done the trick, but for some reason she wasn't in the mood. She had a bad feeling about tonight. Perhaps it was the darkness of the sky, or the chill within her bones, but something felt wrong.
A gust of wind swirled around her whipping her hair against her face. Ginny was being silly. Her sleeplessness was not a dark warning. It was the remnants of her fear after speaking with Tonks. She'd seen right through her. Tonks always did, somehow. And now, Ginny could admit she feared that Tonks knew too much about her work. She feared Tonks knew that Ginny was working for the Reaper now. Of course, Tonks hadn't out right accused her of it. Still, the hint was there.
What could Ginny even do if Tonks knew? More importantly, what if someone else knew or could figure it out? Ginny's shivered without the help of the chill winds as she thought about what Dumbledore could do with that knowledge. However, these were just what-ifs. Dumbledore didn't know. For if he did know, he'd be doing more than breathing down her neck.
No, Ginny really shouldn't have been worried about Tonks knowing her dark secret. Since the summer before her fourth year at Hogwarts, Tonks had proven time and time again that Ginny's secrets were safe with her. And this was no different. Ginny was sure of it. Even so, she was afraid. The problem was that Ginny wasn't sure what she was afraid of.
The light pressure of Harry's gift seemed to burn in her side. Finally, Ginny relented and pulled the neatly wrapped gift out. Her hand ran over it, hesitantly. It was a gift so she should open it, but something was stopping her. If Ginny opened this gift now, she would know without a doubt that he still loved her.
Ginny sighed heavily as she closed her eyes and set the parcel back down in her lap. If only she were still that little girl Harry had left at the train station waiting for him. This was what she was supposed to want. It should have been simple, could have been. But Harry was a coward, and Ginny wasn't the little girl who easily forgave anymore.
Another strong wind blew through her causing a shiver to run down Ginny's spine. What was she going to do about this boy? She wished this could have been easy. She should hate him, and yet in her room housed a gift she'd not been able to stop herself from buying. Was she any less of a coward?
Ginny snapped her eyes back open. She would go back to Azkaban just to check in, toss him his gift as colleagues and make sure he know that too. Ginny didn't want him to get the wrong idea about them.
Ginny looked out over the frozen pond, and just stared at the black iced water. Her reflection dark with the light of the moon and the stars.
It could wait for later in the morning. Ginny got up and walked back to the Burrow. She'd get back up at five or six, and pop-in give Harry a 'Happy Day' and his present. There was just no point in wasting the money and not giving it to him. Harry was really the only person she knew who would enjoy it or could even use it, so there was no point in trying to re-gift it either. Besides, she'd be back before any of her family realized she had ever been gone.
Ginny set her coat back on the rack keeping her gift in hand. She briefly paused at the Weasley family Christmas tree. It's brightly colored mismatched lights and decorations hand-made and bought alike brought back memories of past Weasley Christmases. Ginny remembered fondly of waking up at the arse crack of dawn, and if her brothers and she could manage it several hours before said crack. However, those earlier days weren't going to be happening this time. No, everyone would trickle in some time after nine, and it would stay that way until the little ones were big enough to demand change.
Ginny made her way into her room, and reached under the bed to pull out the box she'd been keeping Harry's gift. She'd put her present away and…
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The glow of her talisman was blazing. She was surprised she'd not felt the vibration through the box. Ginny briefly wondered how long it had to have been on to become this intense before dismissing the thought. Hadn't Harry promised not to call her in today?
Ginny frowned down at the glowing vibrating talisman as she contemplated ignoring it. Harry had probably just gotten lonely and wanted to take up her time. Nevertheless, she was the Healer General, not to mention she was under contract. Besides, if she didn't respond Harry might retaliate. He never did like Ron…
Whatever the reason for Harry's call, Ginny would be damned if she showed up in her nightdress. So, she set the box on top of her bed and changed into a pair of jeans and her Weasley jumper from last year. As Ginny reached back into the box for her talisman, her hand bumped the presents within. If this was one of Harry's attempts at a date by getting them to exchange gifts, then she'd be damned if she brought them with her. He'd have to find another way to waste her time.
Ginny closed the box and slid it back under her bed. She pocketed the talisman before making her way quietly down the stairs. On the way out the door, she grabbed her coat before walking far enough away from the Burrow to apparate to Azkaban.
As Ginny walked passed the empty guard station, she couldn't help but notice the subdued feel about the place. It didn't take her long walking the nearly deserted tunnels to realize that Harry had really meant 'bare minimum' staff would be on duty, which peeved her even more to get called in this late. All she knew was that man better be dying to have called her here tonight.
Ginny stopped on her platform and turned into the corridor that would lead to her apartments. If Harry was going to call her this late, then he could wait a little longer for her to get changed. After all, he was only going to send her back to put on her uniform anyway…
Owen stood nearly as motionless as the Lord General she was looking over. Her Lord was pale, paler than she'd ever seen anyone get. More importantly, he was shivering and yet sweating at the same time. It was textbook fever and blood loss. It should have been easy to treat, but still after everything she'd done so far the Lord General looked no better. If anything, he looked worse… She was way out of her league here.
It didn't help her nerves that Generals Nott and Greengrass were pacing in the corridor behind her. They were waiting, like she, for the Healer General to arrive. Until then, of course, First Lieutenant Owen was charged with the duty of keeping the Lord General alive. As she looked down at his body, she couldn't help the thought that it didn't seem to be going all that well.
"That's it! We can't wait any longer. If she won't come to us, we'll bring her here." General Nott's voice sounded in rage.
"Oh? And how the hell do you plan on doing that Theodore?" There was a sarcastic tone to General Greengrass' voice.
"We'll send someone…" General Nott started with uncertainty in his voice.
General Greengrass interrupted General Nott with little hesitation, "Where? Her flat? It's bloody Christmas! You expect her to be there? Oh no, wait. We'll just send someone to the Order's headquarters. That'll be easy. It's not like its bloody unplottable, and under the bloody Fidelius charm! Or I don't know, maybe we send someone to the Burrow!? Which our loving dying Lord has so kindly made impenetrable!"
Owen couldn't help her winces after each of General Greengrass' points. It seemed impossible to get to the Healer General, their only option seemed to wait for her to come to them.
"So we sit here and do nothing!?" The rustle of robes told Owen that General Nott was shaking his head in answer of his own question. "Daphne, I don't care if we have to breakdown every single ward put up! I don't care if we have to send a hundred soldiers out to find her. I don't even care if we kill every damned single Weasley to break the Burrow wards to find the Healer General! I am not leaving the life of our Lord in the hands of that incompetent fool, half-trained and half-cocked!"
Owen bowed her head slightly as she tried to pretend she couldn't hear the conversation happening barely two feet behind her. The worst part of their conversation was that General Nott was correct. She was half-trained. All she had to do was keep the Lord General alive long enough for the Healer General to arrive. If she were honest with herself, she knew she wasn't even doing a good job at that.
The only diagnostic spell she knew had revealed that the Lord General had a severally broken arm, magical damage, weakened magical core, and several deep and superficial cuts. All things she could tell from just looking at her Lord. There might have also been internal bleeding, but Owen couldn't be sure. At least not with the spells she knew.
Damn it! The only thing she did know how to heal was the broken arm. Owen looked at said broken arm. It was starting to change to a purplish color, but still Owen hesitated to treat it. The Healer General had made clear that broken bones when on a severally damaged patient were the last thing to heal. You can't waste magic on something that can be set by hand, especially when there are worst wounds to treat. Besides, it wasn't blue yet, so the Lord General was not likely to die from that, hopefully.
Owen had already tried to heal the flesh wounds; however, the best she'd been able to do was scab the smaller ones over and slow the bleeding of the larger ones. Whatever had caused them just did not respond well to the only deep wound healing spell she knew.
So, yes. To an outsider, Owen looked like an incompetent fool, because she was. The Healer General hadn't taught her enough spells that could have helped in this situation. In fact, the only thing Owen knew she could do well now was pray and hope. Pray that the Healer General would arrive soon, and hope the wounds on the Lord General's back and shoulder weren't from a werewolf. Owen cast another diagnostic spell. Although, at this rate it probably didn't matter where the bite and scratch marks came from as they were getting worse by the minute.
"…Of course not! Damn it. You there, Lieutenant!" Owen tuned back into the Generals' conversation as they directed their attention at her.
"Sir!" Owen came to attention in front of them with a sharp pivot.
"You're just in the way." It was a simple statement, but Owen still felt the sharp barb of the words. She tried not to let it show as General Nott continued, "I have another task for you instead."
"Sir. Ma'am." Owen replied wearily given the subject the Generals were just talking about she had an idea about what they could want. The only problem was she wasn't sure it would do them any good.
Owen pretended not to see General Greengrass look down at her name tag before she spoke for decorum's sake, "Lieutenant Owen, the Healer General needs to be emergency contacted. As you are not doing anything of worth here, we would have you go to retrieve her."
"That damned talisman will be useful here, to trace and find her." General Nott moved to the Lord General's desk and pulled out a box. "Use this to find her. The golden one will take you to the Healer General's home. If she's not there. You use the silver one to contact me and I'll arrange to get some Weasley blood so that we can break through the wards."
General Nott looked away from Owen after he handed her the tokens. "My Lord General is sure to have some type of leverage to the place. Either way, we can use Weasley blood and the Healer General's talisman to directly apparate to her."
"Still, it will take some time to find. So, while we're finding this information, we want you to go directly to the Healer's flat. You have one hour." General Greengrass continued.
"Oh, and Lieutenant." General Nott called out.
"Sir!"
"If you're not back in an hour, don't come back. Ever."
Owen swallowed heavily. "Sir, Ma'am, permission to speak."
"You don't have time to speak, now get out of here!" General Nott raged.
"Yes, sir!" Owen replied as she put the rune stones into her pocket and turned to leave. She knew her place. Owen just hoped this would not negatively affect the Lord General's recovery.
Something in her face must have shown her troubled thoughts as General Greengrass stopped her at the entryway, "Wait. Lieutenant. Speak quickly."
"Ma'am." Owen gathered herself before she spoke. This was not something to be said foolishly. "To the best of my knowledge, I don't believe the Lord General will last an hour. I would suggest taking him to St. Mungo's if I have not brought the Healer General here within the next thirty minutes, ma'am."
General Greengrass nodded in understanding. "We'll take your opinion into consideration. Now go find the Healer General."
Owen took one last look behind her at the broken figure of the Lord General. Now, she understood what the Healer General had meant last week about the unspoken responsibilities of a healer. You will see the strongest men at their weakest. They trust you, you must not take that for granted.
Owen walked quickly to the exit. She had never seen the Lord General so weak before, and she feared that if she couldn't find the Healer General soon all would be lost.
In her distraction, Owen nearly ran head first into someone walking into Anaon. Her eyes first aligned on… Green robes? Could it be? Owen looked up to see the confused face of the Healer General. "Thank Merlin, you're here. We need you urgently, ma'am." Owen pivoted on her heels and turned back into Anaon. At her return, General Nott gave her a scathing look before his eyes clearly found the Healer General behind her.
"Where the bloody hell have you been!? We called you two hours ago!" General Nott demanded angrily.
"No…" Owen heard the Healer General whisper softly to herself as she passed by Owen, completely ignoring the other two Generals to enter the Lord General's domain. The Healer General transformed before her eyes as she always seemed too when working on a patient. Her face became a blank mask of concentration as she began a complicated set of spells. Owen caught only one, a diagnostic spell, but it was not the basic one the Healer General had taught her. She could only guess the other nine or so where other variations of the same.
"Bryony, get the emergency kit from my office." The Healer General called over her shoulder as she ripped the Lord General's shirt off to get a better look at the wounds. The last thing Owen saw before running to get the Healer General's supplies was her putting her wand away as she manually searched the Lord General's body for wounds.
"Here it is, ma'am."
The Healer General didn't even look up as she continued a very complicated series of wand movements. Owen couldn't take her eyes off the dancing arms, and only once the Healer General had finished her series of movements did she take the kit from Owen's outreached hands without so much as a backwards glance.
"I need potions 11, 14 through 19, and 45 from the potions cabinet, Bryony."
"Yes ma'am!" Owen replied as she hurried to comply. She had never seen the Healer General like this. Before, ever opportunity was a teaching moment, but not this time. The Healer General barely acknowledged her existence and only to tell her to get several raw ingredients.
As Owen hovered in the background, she watched as the Healer General re-opened the wounds Owen had painstakingly scabbed over, and increased the blood flow from the much larger wounds she had slowed.
The Lord General jerked in his sleep causing the poultice the Healer General had started applying to fall off and onto the floor. The moans of pain coming from the Lord General worried Owen.
"Is he alright?" General Greengrass' voice asked hesitantly.
"Bryony, I need splint material like we practiced."
"Yes, ma'am."
Owen brought back long thin pieces of wood, along with the cloth bandages she'd had purchased for this occasion. Finally, something she could do.
Her General took the material with a sharp thanks before beginning the muggle style splint for the Lord General's broken arm. Owen couldn't help the disappointing look that crossed her face, when she realized her General would be doing it on her own. She knew she shouldn't be upset, this wasn't just any patient, it was the Lord General.
The Lord General, who was unnaturally still… Oh, no.
"Is he supposed to be that still?" General Nott questioned fear in his voice.
This time, her General did not ignore the question, "I have him under an induced sleep. Nothing I do now will wake him, and thus he'll stop moving when I don't want him too." Her General wiped her hands and turned to face the other Generals after finishing the splint in a time Owen couldn't have hoped to achieve. "Now, if you would stop interrupting me, I might be able to finish healing Harry."
Without any further interruptions, her General set back to work. Owen watched as her General re-applied the poultice. Over the next hour, Owen was made of use by throwing the used poultice away so that her General could reapply the Lord General's wounds with a fresh one. Finally, the bleeding was under control. Although, Owen has no idea why her General didn't simply close the wounds earlier and save them both the time and effort. Owen added the question to the long list she'd been creating throughout the Lord General's healing.
After her General finished wrapping the last of the Lord General's wounds, her General stepped back and surveyed him closely. Owen also took a good look at the Lord General. He looked healthier, he was breathing easier, and his color had improved.
"Is he going to be alright?" General Greengrass risked asking the question at the Lord General's relaxed state.
"I've taken care of his more major injuries." The look on the Healer General's face was not something Owen wanted to be on the other end of. "I fixed the internal bleeding first, then moved on to cleaning his wounds from the nasty inferi bites, but Harry's still got a light fever."
Inferi? Owen didn't know how her General knew those bites where from inferi, so she put it on her list of question to ask later.
"There's still a problem with the spell damage Harry took and he's managed to get hair-line fractures on nearly all the bones in his body, but otherwise, he'll be fine." Her General continued.
"And that stuff around his arm? Is that serious?" General Nott questioned.
"Ha! Probably the least serious wound this stupid man has managed to obtain in the few hours since last I saw him." Her General replied harshly. "I've had to set his broken bones because he's reached the limit of magic I can use at one time, which is precisely why I'm leaving the hair-line fractures alone. I'll give him three to five days of rest, before I'll consider taking it off and healing it and the rest of his fractures properly."
"So, our Lord will be fine?" General Greengrass questioned again.
Owen watched the Healer General closely. There was a frown on her lips, which was not a good sign. "It's the spell damage I'm worried about. Still, I think I've seen this one before, but… Until I counter it I'll keep Harry under an induced sleep. I'll check my notes in the morning. If it's what I think it is, then the counter should be in there." As her General finished speaking, she headed for the doorway.
"Hold it Healer General. Where the bloody hell do you think you're going? That is my Lord over there, and you will stay here until you have healed him – completely!" General Nott spoke as he barred her General's passage.
However, her General was undeterred. She simply pushed aside General Nott's arm. "It's nearly five in the morning, Nott. My parents will be up at eight. I'm going to get a couple more hours of rest, and then I'll check on Harry before I leave."
"Leave!? It'll take you an hour to get there and back again!" General Nott continued, but made no move to stop her General's exit.
"You seem to be forgetting I have a bed here." The Healer General paused at the doorway. "Oh, and Bryony. Good work. Get some sleep. I'll want you to monitor Harry in the morning until I can get back. Can you do that?" Her General asked kindly. Owen should have known she'd never have forgotten about her.
"Yes, ma'am." Owen came to attention before her General, then quietly followed her out. The Healer General might have only two stars on her shoulder, but it would be clear to anyone that she had the authority of four. Owen couldn't help but be proud that the Healer General was her General.
"Crucio!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Lucius tried not to look too hard at the withering man at the Dark Lord's feet. He was going to die, along with the five men who'd been in front of him, but Lucius could really care less. He'd been in this business long enough to know there were casualties in war. This was just a part of the job.
No, what he cared about was the undeniable truth that he, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, was next in line. He'd been hoping that the Dark Lord would tire, but it looked far from the case. Each man before him seemed to invigorate the Dark Lord even more, which could mean only one thing. Lucius was next to die.
The mission had failed through no fault of his own. He'd made sure Umbridge got her old job back. Lucius had pushed Minister Fudge hard. So hard in fact, he cashed out of favors with the Minister. Did he think the Dark Lord would care? Not in this mood. More importantly, he was unsure whether the Prisoner would take this as an act of betrayal. Lucius supposed it didn't matter now. The Prisoner would be too late in killing him. Of course that left his family…
Shite! What had he been thinking? Even if he died tonight, that wouldn't stop the Prisoner from enacting his revenge if he saw fit. Even more, Lucius wouldn't be alive to try to talk him out of killing his family. Still, what choice did he have? Die by the Dark Lord's hands for refusing to do his job, or die by the Prisoner's hands for doing his job?
And Severus thought he had it bad…
The Dark Lord rose his wand arm again to curse the underling, probably for the last time. Lucius could only be grateful that the unlucky man had played a more involved role as a member of the muggle retrieval group. The fact that he'd not been a part of the main attack force was of little importance. None of those members would have survived after all, and the Dark Lord still needed someone to punish. The man before the Dark Lord just happened to be one of those persons.
Better him, then me. Lucius thought darkly knowing his situation was not far removed.
"My Lord!" Some idiot called out from the back of the room. Lucius was sure he was about to be a dead idiot soon if he didn't bring good news. "One survived!" Ah, and there it was despite the impossibility.
"What!?" The Dark Lord demanded.
A slightly battered youth who couldn't have been all that much older than his own son came limping into the room. Whoever had spoken before had disappeared. He probably didn't seem to want to risk the Dark Lord's wrath if this didn't turn out well. Smart man. Lucius would have killed to be in his shoes, and could still be killed if this didn't go well.
"My Lord." The young man bowed low before the Dark Lord.
Lucius eyed the youth carefully. A survivor? Now, this was a very rare event for the Reaper. In fact, he'd never heard of it before…
"Tell me boy, what happened." The Dark Lord questioned smoothly, but Lucius could see through the charm of old. He'd long since stopped being fooled by that voice.
"He didn't apparate in like we thought he would. So, we had to set up again once he'd already arrived." The youth paused here as if lost in memories. It was a foolish move.
"What happened boy? You are trying my patience."
The young man bowed his head in apology before he continued, "He got to Umbridge. Did some fancy ward thing so we couldn't get to her. I'm sorry my Lord."
"I don't care about some woman. Tell me what happened, boy!" The Dark Lord was clearly in a rage, completely dropping his charming act.
"My Lord! It was just one, sir. He beat the inferi, the muggles, the rune traps. Just one. And then he killed them all. All of them. David, we were just talking, but he… he won't…" The young man trailed off in a ramble his eyes becoming teary. It would do him little good, the young fool. Lucius hoped his own son could have done better in a situation like this.
"Crucio!"
"AHHHHHHHHH!" The young man fell to the ground as he screamed in pain.
"Who is he!?" The Dark Lord demanded. "WHO IS HE!?"
"Potter. Harry Potter. He's alive, and he's the Reaper." The young man replied between heavy breaths as he tried to pick himself off the ground, but only his arms seemed to support him.
There was silence as the Dark Lord took in this new information. Lucius prayed that the Dark Lord would not look his way. It was impossible for him to know, not from that admission. Not unless Severus let something slip.
After the moment of silence, the Dark Lord looked back at the young man. Lucius did not let his relief show. His friend had not betrayed him, yet. "You did well getting here, boy. It must have been hard to survive such an attack."
The youth nodded clearly not understand where this was going, "I was in the back when the tunnel collapsed. David… he…"
"No, you did well." The Dark Lord replied kindly. He was too kind especially for failure. "Avada Kedavra!"
Lucius looked at the lifeless young man body slumped back to the floor. At least he'd never seen it coming…
"This changes everything." The Dark Lord spoke to himself, before dismissing the rest of his followers.
As Lucius walked out swiftly but unhurriedly, he couldn't help but to agree with the Dark Lord. He might not die today, but that was little comfort with the magnitude of this news. It changed everything. Soon he'd have to make a choice, the Prisoner or the Dark Lord. Only one could be the winner of this clash, and Lucius would be damned if he was going to be on the losing side, again.
Lucius damned Severus again. He could play both sides to the end of time. It wasn't like he had two Dark Lords who would sooner kill him than risk his betrayal…
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Ginny groaned as she tried to slap her clock off.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Where was that bloody thing?
Beep. Beep. Beep.
"Ahh!" Ginny screamed as she threw her pillow at her alarm clock.
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
The sound only grew louder. What the bloody hell? Ginny finally opened her eyes to find her wand below her head giving off the annoying alarm. That's right she wasn't in her apartment. Ginny sat up and closed her eyes as she grabbed her wand to turn off the alarm she'd set earlier.
Being the first time she'd ever slept here, she was surprised at how well rested she felt. Would she have liked another couple of hours? Yes, but she always wanted another couple more hours, so that was no different.
Ginny slid off her soft warm bed before making her way to her bathroom for a quick shower. She shouldn't have been here. Not on Christmas. She should be warm in her bed at the Burrow sleeping away the morning until her mother woke her to help with breakfast and Christmas dinner preparations.
Instead, Ginny was waking an hour earlier than even her mother would be up on Christmas, and why? For some man… Ginny closed her eyes as she sighed enjoying the warm streams of water rolling down her back. Who was she kidding? Ginny knew she'd have never gotten back to sleep anyway.
Ginny stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a warm fluffy towel so she could quickly finish the rest of her morning ritual. Ginny didn't know who the bigger fool was last night, or this morning she supposed. Her for caring, or Harry for being a prat.
Ginny opened the dresser in her room. Bingo! Although Jim had mentioned it was fully stocked, she had never checked and didn't want to assume Harry had clothes brought just for her apartments here. However, it seem Ginny needn't have worry. She quickly changed into a brand new pair of jeans and a Weird Sister's graphic t-shirt before putting on her Weasley sweatshirt.
Ginny ignored her Healer General robes as she didn't plan on taking an extra trip to put them away again. Instead, she grabbed her coat and made her way out the door. Ginny really needed to be making her way out of here and to the Burrow, but… There was a patient to see.
Upon entering Harry's room, Ginny was surprised to find Nott sitting next to him.
"I'm surprised to see you still here. Your father not expecting you for Christmas?" Ginny asked as she moved over to Harry's bedside.
"My father will understand." Nott replied as he looked up from his book. "Harry always was good at getting me to stay for the holidays." There was silence for a moment as Nott looked at Harry. "Will he be alright?"
Ginny paused at the softness to Nott's voice. Nott had spoken to her a handful of times, and none of those interactions could have been called pleasant. However, his worry for Harry cast all of his previous interaction with her in a new light. Nott might not care for her much, but he did care for Harry.
Ginny casted several of her more basic diagnostic spells. After taking in all the information, it took her a moment more to decide what was best to tell Theodore. "His fever isn't getting any worse that's always a good sign." Ginny pulled a piece of parchment out of Harry's desk. "Have Bryony check on Harry again in an hour. If the fever hasn't gone down, make sure she follows these instructions. I'll be back after pudding, but if anything goes wrong, buzz me. I'll get here as fast as I can."
Theodore nodded as he took the parchment. Ginny sighed heavily as she moved a strand of hair out of Harry's face. "You reckless git." Ginny spoke softly.
"Is there something else, Healer General?"
Ginny looked over at Theodore, shook her head before changing her mind, "Actually yes. There's got to be a faster way to get here."
"Oh?" Theodore paused for a moment before pulling out a talisman similar to her own. "Use this at the corridors across from yours. You should be able to apparate directly in when using it."
"Alright. Thanks." Ginny replied before making her way back toward her own platform.
Ginny was less surprised to bump into Daphne when she got out into the corridors Theodore had directed her to. This seemed to be where Harry's friends stayed as the corridor looked almost identical to her own across the platform.
"Greengrass." Ginny spoke in greeting.
"Weasley." Daphne replied as she made her way passed. Ginny snorted at Daphne's reply, causing said witch to turn back in question. "Excuse me?"
"Sorry. It's just, I was beginning to think no one knew my name around here. Nott only calls me Healer General as does everyone else. Except for Harry. It would be nice to think at least my fellow Generals would call me by name is all."
"It's not against protocol, of course. Theo's just resistant to change. He'll come around eventually."
"And you, Daphne?"
"I know where this ends, and whether I like it or not you will be with us for some time to come." Ginny stared hard at Daphne at her reply, only to have Daphne look away. There was something not said within Daphne's comment, but it was best not to address it here and now. "Happy Christmas, Ginny." Daphne replied as she exited the corridor.
"Happy Christmas, Daphne." Ginny replied to her receding figure. Daphne was clearly on her way to sit by Harry's bedside with Theodore. Whatever Daphne and Theodore were, it was clear that they were also very good friends.
Ginny gently shut the Burrow front door as she set her coat down. She'd seen the lights on in the kitchen on her way in. The sounds of pots and pans moving confirmed what she'd seen earlier, her mother was up early.
"Dear were you outside all this time? I was looking for you this morning to help with Christmas preparation." Her mum called out as Ginny tried to sneak up the stairs. Ginny smoothly stepped down into the kitchen as if that were her true intention all along.
"Morning mum." Ginny replied as she moved to give her mother a kiss on the cheek. "Outside?"
"Yes, dear." Mum nodded her head in the direction of the family clock that damned family clock. "Or did you need to get something from your apartment?"
Apartment? She might as well go with it. "Yeah, I had to make a quick stop at my place. Where do you need me?" Ginny immediately changed the subject hoping her mother wouldn't catch her in the lie. It was close enough to the truth that her mother shouldn't, but it was best not to tempt fate.
Her mother paused to look Ginny over before determining Ginny had not lied. "The potatoes, dear. Hermione should be here soon enough."
"Is Fleur not coming?" Ginny asked knowing the topic would get whatever remaining doubts out of her mother's head. Fleur may have been a brave witch willing to fight with the best of them against death eaters, but the day she battled it out in the Weasley family kitchen would be one cold day in hell. Ginny planned on getting front row seats for it too.
As expected her mum's face became indignant as she replied, "No Ginny, Fleur will not be helping with the Christmas preparations. Oh, that woman…" Ginny tuned out her mother's rant. She'd heard it a dozen times. Something about how mum doesn't know how Bill and her precious grand babies get any decent food. To be fair, if her mum would agree to have a couple of French dishes on the menu, then Ginny was sure Fleur would have been happy to help.
"Oh, but enough about that, dear. I'm really looking forward to meeting your Harvey today. He is coming, isn't he?" Mum inquired eagerly. "I think this is one of your longest relationships yet, and it's about time we all meet the lucky man."
Ginny tried not to flinch, but failed. "Uhmmm." Ginny looked over at her mum with a sad smile on her lips. "Sorry mum. He's not going to make it." Oh, her mother was going to be so disappointed when they broke up.
"I think I understand Ginny dear. Christmas is a bit much for a first introduction into the Weasley family. I'm sure he'll make it to one of our smaller family dinners. Yes that might be a better idea with just me and your father, and perhaps Ron and Hermione too." Her mum nodded to herself clearly planning the whole evening. "Yes, a much easier atmosphere, and then we'll have him meet some of your other brothers."
Ginny nodded hesitantly in agreement with her mother. She knew she shouldn't encourage her, but it would definitely make Christmas easier if she just let her mother continue thinking this way. They were, after all, still together. Even if that wasn't likely to last.
Ginny tried not to sigh in frustration, but it was frustrating having to worry about other people's feelings regarding her own relationship when really it should be how she felt or didn't feel. Still, her mother's heart was in the right place. Mum just wanted her children to live the happy married life she had, and until then Ginny could expect this kind of behavior.
Even so, Ginny didn't have to like it. Especially as the youngest, she shouldn't even be bothered until all of her older brothers were married first. It just wasn't fair that for the past six years her mother was on her case about having or not having a boyfriend. If she had one, then it was always when well we meet him and when do you think you'll get married. If she didn't, then it was always I know so and so is looking for someone, or something along those lines. She was the youngest, so why did her mother seem to think she should have been married ages ago?
Merlin knew mum wasn't getting on Fred or Ron's case about not being married yet. Ginny ought to just tell her mum that she'd get married right after Charlie did. Ginny had to stop herself from snorting at the thought. Her mother would probably have a heart attack. Poor Charlie. Ginny was pretty sure he'd found the love of his life years ago, Norberta his favorite Norwegian Ridgeback dragon.
"Oh, today's going to be a great day. Two years in a row all the family's going to home for Christmas!" Her mum continued happily as she moved around the kitchen. "I'm so glad Charlie took that new job up in Scotland. It's so nice have all my babies home for the holidays."
Ginny ignored her mother's sniffles knowing she always seemed to get overly emotional during the holidays. It was nice having Charlie closer to home. Although, it hadn't gotten more than a line in the Prophet when the Ministry had created Skye Dragon Sanctuary in Northern Scotland, Charlie had gone on and on about his new dragons enough for Ginny to get the gest. Her brother had been offered a high ranking dragon handler job at the new Skye Dragon Sanctuary. The Ministry was getting dragons from all around the globe, including his Norberta as a starter population. There was even a larger Reservation up in Iceland somewhere.
The floo activated, spitting out Hermione Granger.
"Hermione dear. So good to see you. Happy Christmas." Her mother spoke as Hermione went to hug and kiss her mum.
"Happy Christmas Molly, Ginny. It's so good to see you both." Hermione moved from her mother to her giving Ginny a bear crushing hug that Ginny was sure Hermione had picked up from her own mother. "Especially you, Miss too-important-to-have-lunch-anymore Healer. Merlin when was the last time I'd seen you without it being a Sunday or an Order meeting? I'm still surprised you got out of work today with the schedule you keep."
"Ha. Ha. Haa." Ginny replied sarcastically. Oh if Hermione only knew… "I'm not even going to touch that one because it's Christmas. Happy Day to you by the way."
"Where do you want me Molly?" Hermione asked as she magical banished her coat to the coat rack.
"We're just about ready to put in the turkey, and then you can help me with the goose."
Ginny only gave half her attention to the conversation around her. Hermione's mention of lunch had reminded her of something… The Ministry! The very Ministry that Hermione worked for, but Harry controlled. The same Ministry that had given her brother a job in the UK handling dragons.
What the bloody hell did Harry need with a dragon reserve, let alone two assuming those were the only ones he owned? How had she missed this?
Charlie wasn't the only member of her family that had directly benefited by Harry takeover of the Ministry either. Her own father had been promoted and his department increased more than twenty times it original size. Percy had been fast tracked through the Ministry ranks for the past four years gaining promotion after promotion at a record setting pace. In fact, give him another five years and he'd be ready to run for Minister of Magic.
Bill had mentioned getting a promotion as part of the recent Goblin treaty. He was now the chief consultant for the Ministry on behave of the Goblin's of London. Even Ron was doing well in his Auror training considering Harry could have stonewalled him or even have him kicked out of the program all together. Furthermore, Ginny knew Theodore had invested heavily within the twins' very successful shop. He'd even given them the startup capital.
The only member of her family that Harry had not elevated, improved, or simply not sabotaged was her. But why? Why had he done all of this? To show her he cared? That he loved her? If any of that were true, then why try to destroy it all?
"Ginny, you must agree with me about this. House-elves should be given more rights and freedoms. They're nothing more than slaves right now."
"Uh."
"I just think that if the Minister is going to put all this effort in to fixing the other races' inequalities he ought to at least look at my new bill. I swear I've even toned it down a little."
Ginny smiled as Hermione continued on the same line. She could speculate all day, but Harry had already taken up to much of her time this day. Now was about her family. Besides, speculation meant little in the face of reality.
Despite Ginny's best intentions, she could not stop her thoughts from finding their way back to Harry. She fidgeted and was caught multiply times distracted throughout the day. Ginny could not hide the fact that she wanted to be somewhere else, and she was sure everyone picked up on it. Luckily, no one mentioned it.
Still, Ginny held the talisman close waiting and yet hoping against a call. She'd not felt this anxious at Christmas since her first year at Hogwarts. Ginny was sure Bryony would call her if anything went wrong, but she was barely an apprentice and could miss something a more seasoned Healer would not. It really couldn't be helped, Ginny was needed. After saying her quick goodbyes, Ginny ended up leaving before pudding.
It took her five minutes to get to Anaon and most of that was the walk out of the anti-apparition wards around the Burrow. Ginny was going to have a nice chat with Harry about getting one of those installed for her corridor.
As Ginny entered Harry's domain, she was unsurprised to see only Bryony sitting by Harry's bedside.
"Ma'am!" Bryony spoke as she came to attention at Ginny's entrance.
"You're dismissed Bryony. Go celebrate the holiday."
"Yes, ma'am!" Bryony replied before she began to walk out of the room.
"Oh and Bryony," The young woman turned around in one smooth motion still stiff in attention. "Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas to you too, Healer General ma'am!" Bryony replied before completing another perfect pivot and exiting the room. Ginny shook her head at Bryony's retreat. Some people were just meant for a life like this.
Ginny made her way to Harry's bedside and gently pushed a stray hair off his face. "I'm missing pudding for you."
Ginny watched him for a moment more. When he was like this, he seemed so… innocent. Ginny cast a quick diagnostic spell. Harry's fever was down, and his magic seemed to be getting stronger. Still, Ginny didn't want to risk waking him up just yet. She still needed to look into his spell damage.
Ginny pulled out the notes that she'd grabbed from her office earlier, and took the seat next to his head. Harry was out of the woods now, and that was really all that mattered…
"Happy Christmas, Harry."
What is your heart's desire, Harry Potter?
Harry slowly opened his eyes. His muscles were sore and his arm was killing him. He must have injured it working out again. The light was bright, brighter than he remembered. Harry found himself groaning at the pain as he tried again to open his eyes.
"Hey. Hey Harry. Relax." A soft woman's voice sounded as he was pushed gently back into his bed. As Harry's eyes slowly came in to focus, brilliant red hair surrounded the beautiful face of an angel. Harry had always known that mirror was a gateway to the future. Harry had finally fallen in and this woman was his wife.
No, not his wife. He wasn't married yet. Furthermore, Harry remembered those brown eyes. Ginny's face finally came into complete focus, but Harry couldn't figure out if he were still dreaming or not.
The Ginny standing before him did a complicated set of wand motions. The probe of her fingers along his temple felt so real, but what was Ginny doing here on Christmas? Harry could have sworn he'd given her two days off, or really the day off. After which, Ginny had further given herself Boxing Day off as well.
"What are you doing all the way out here?" Or he tried to say, but only more groans come out.
"Don't try to speak yet, Harry." Ginny helped Harry sit up, and then helped him drink a rather nasty potion. Despite its revolting taste, it did sooth his throat and the soreness within his body. "You're awake earlier than I thought you'd be. At least everything looks good." Ginny replied as she gave him a soft smile.
Why was Ginny here? "I'm surprised you're still here and not off spending the rest of Christmas with your family?"
"You think I'd be here right now if it were still Christmas?" Ginny snorted in amusement. "No, Christmas was days ago. You've been asleep for the past three days. "
Three days? How? What was the last thing he remembered?
Harry's boots crushed the light powdered snow that covered the cobbled streets of London… every shop had some sort of light or decoration proudly on display.
There was snow everywhere and colored lights. No, no that's not it. Ginny.
"Ginevra," Harry's baritone voice called after her, "A word."
There was Ginny. She was still mad at him, so Harry had given her the day off.
"Don't bother. It's a company holiday. Only the bare minimum will be working. If we have a problem, I'll call in Owen. She'll be thrilled, I'm sure."
Yes, Harry had let Ginny off for Christmas and had given her a Christmas gift.
Harry handed over the small wrapped box as he spoke, "I thought I'd get you something to match."
But then Daphne had interrupted. Why had Daphne interrupted again?
"Umbridge."
"She's become a Death Eater, Harry!" Daphne said.
Yes, Umbridge had finally become a Death Eater, and Harry had killed her.
Umbridge eyes held the fear he'd denied her more than ten years ago. It was the sweetest Christmas gift Harry could have asked for… "Goodbye Umbridge. Dementors could only dream to be like you."
He'd killed her, but it had been a trap.
…the dark bodies refused to go down. Harry used increasingly more painful and stronger spells, but he didn't even get a step of hesitation. Then they were upon him, scratching at him, biting at him. One of the dead bodies crawled at his arm. Inferi!
Yes, Harry clearly remembered the inferi and the Imperiused muggle with the pipe.
The man had fear in his eyes… Harry's brief hesitation cost him as the man swung his pipe at him. Sending Harry sailing across the four-way pass.
And the children, those poor children caught in a fight they should never have been a part of.
The whole corridor shook as the child blew up seconds later.
Lestrange!
"Who would have thought itty, bitty Potter would be the Reaper?" One of the Lestrange brothers spoke as a group of twenty Death Eaters appeared from the hall.
He had the Lestrange brothers to blame for this, and Avery.
…the pain so intense. Momentarily, he was confused and his body tore at him, but Harry pushed the pain to the side. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Harry kept his head down and his breathing quick and heavy. It was a slight movement of the air that signaled Avery lowering his wand arm. It was all Harry needed.
But he'd won… He'd won, and he'd killed them all. Harry tried to move his arm but it was bound in plaster, a muggle style cast. So, Harry moved his other arm. Where was it? Where was it?
"Where is it?" Harry replied hysterically. How could he have lost it!?
"What is it, Harry? Where is what?" Ginny replied quickly.
"My token. A blue gem. It was on me and now it's gone. I must have it! I couldn't have gone through all that just to… just to lose it now!" Harry moved to get up, but Ginny petrified him in place.
She sighed heavily before moving to his bookcase of treasures. "All this over a token?" Ginny picked up something from the bookcase, and moved to show Harry the blue gem. "See it? It's safe, now stop moving around. I did not spend days healing you just for you to reopen your wounds."
Ginny released him from her spell. With Ginny's eyes on him, Harry didn't even pretend to try to sit up more. Ginny cast a quick spell before nodding to herself. "Looks like you haven't reopened anything. Although with your reckless behavior, I should have left you in the coma for a couple more days. I've half a mind to put you right back under, Theo's nagging be damned." Ginny eyed Harry warily. "I hope I can trust you to get your bed rest…"
"Yes. Yes, of course."
Ginny shook her head at Harry as if she didn't trust his word. "You really did a number on yourself. I hope it was worth it." The low voice Ginny used scared Harry more than if she'd yelled it.
"I…" Harry was unsure how to reply. Umbridge had put him away here in Anaon. She'd not been satisfied with him going to Azkaban. No, she'd rather see him tortured before being put to death. So, killing her had felt worth it, but the way Ginny was looking at him now made him question himself.
Ginny turned her back on him probably having seen his answer in his eyes. "Get some rest, Harry."
Harry laid back down. Three days. He was getting sloppy. He could not allow something like this to happen again. Never again. If he could help it…
The soft murmur of voices slowly arose Harry from his sleep. Harry was fully awaken by the loud raucous of laughter that followed. He listened closely and finally came to the conclusion that his friends were surrounding him. He could hear Theo right beside him, Daphne close by, and Blaise as loud as ever. A small smile came to his lips as he opened his eyes to see them.
Just as he'd thought, Daphne was in his direct line of sight placing Theo next to his head and Blaise… Harry turned his head slightly to see Blaise's head and shoulders in one of the largest two-way mirrors ever constructed. It heartened him to see them all there even if Ginny was not among them.
"Well if it isn't sleeping beauty." Blaise spoke garnering the attention of the other two in the room to Harry's prone figure.
"Oh, dear. We didn't wake you did we Harry?" Daphne replied.
"It's good to see you too Blaise. And no, Daph. I was already starting to wake before the party started." Harry replied as he started to sit up. Seeing his intentions, Theo bent over to help. "It's been a while since we were all in the same place. I'm surprised Blaise didn't rush over here to be here in person."
Blaise gave a short snort before replying, "Oh, I nearly did. Then I remembered how you'd chew me out if I left the operation to the dolts over here. It turns out taking over the world isn't as easy as you make it seem."
"It's all about getting others to do the work for you Blaise. What do you think I have you for?" The room roared in laughter. "Still, I'm glad you're there. I'm not an invalid just waiting to croak."
"Not anymore, you mean." Blaise replied seriously. "Daphne and Theo filled me in on your close call. If Tracey were here…" Blaise shook his head before starting again, "At least we know you're in good hands with Weasley as your Healer."
"A very dedicated, and personal, healer." Daphne replied with a sly smile as she nodded toward his desk.
Harry turned his head to see a neatly wrapped present that he could tell was not from any of his three friends simply by looking at its style. A smile came to his lips. So Ginny did get him a present. "You telling me you guys didn't get me a bunch of 'Get Well Soon' presents?"
"What and try to compete with your personal Healer?" Blaise replied.
"I know Blaise, what could I possible get that could compete with Ginny?" Daphne added.
"I didn't know you were on first name bases." Theo replied darkly.
"Theo…" Daphne began.
"No, don't Theo me." Theo replied angrily. "Am I the only one here in reality?'
"Theo, you're over reacting." Blaise replied.
"Over reacting!? Perhaps that's because I'm the only one acting! She nearly had Harry killed! She took her sweet time getting here, yet I'm the bad guy? What happens next time, huh?"
"That's partially my fault, Theo. I told her I wouldn't call, so she wasn't expecting it. Ginny probably didn't even have the talisman on her at the time." Harry answered.
"Then are we simply forgetting the obvious?" Theo looked around at Blaise and Daphne clearly looking for a backup that wasn't going to show. "This cannot end well. Do you think, do any of you think that Weasley's never going to find out the truth about our involvement with the Burrow attack?"
"That's enough, Theodore. We've talked about this before, and I don't need another lecture."
"With all due respect my Lord, I cannot sit ideally by as I watch you fall more and more in love with this woman. She will betray us all when she finds out!"
"I said enough."
"I will not let my Lord, our Lord delude himself into believing this will end well. How can it!?"
"I said ENOUGH!" The word came with an uncontrollable power that Harry had not meant to unleash.
"I'm sorry my Lord." Theo replied backing down.
"Out." Harry replied softly.
"Theo only means well, Harry." Daphne replied softly.
"I said get OUT! All of you."
Daphne nodded her understanding as she and Theo walked out together without another word. Blaise gave Harry one more long look before he too winked out of existence.
What is your heart's desire?
Theo was right. He was always right. This could not end the way he wanted it too. Not with Ginny chained to him against her own will.
This could never end the way he'd planned.
Harry watched Ginny move swiftly. One last set of tests, she'd said, before she'd finish healing his remaining fractures and remove his cast.
Ginny stepped back to exam her work. "A clean bill of health I hope?" Harry questioned.
"Healthy enough. Your magic's where I want it to be, and you've recovered remarkable well even with me as your Healer."
"Modest aren't we?"
"Would you have wanted me if I was?" Ginny asked challengingly. The answer was no and they both knew it. "Anyway, you get to take the cast off."
Harry kept his eyes on Ginny as she worked. He'd seen more of her now than ever before. It was… nice. Harry let his eyes trail down to just above her breast. "You're not wearing it."
"Excuse me?" Ginny stepped back quickly with his cast in hand. "I always wear my bracelet as you should have noticed." She absentmindedly touched her bracelet in response.
"No, my new gift." Harry leaned over to remove Ginny's hair from around her neck. He looked back up to find her staring at him hard. "You're not wearing it."
Ginny pulled away as she casted her eyes on anything but him. She must have found something because she returned her eyes confidently back to him. "I see you haven't opened your gift either."
"I was waiting for you, like old times." Harry leaned back to retrieve his gift. Once he had it in front of him, Harry turned his attention back to Ginny's hesitant eyes. "Unless you need to go get your gift…"
Ginny averted her eyes before pulling his wrapped gift from out of her robes. Harry didn't try to hide his smile. He'd never doubted. "You first."
Harry opened his gift as carefully as he opened all of his gifts to reveal a ramrod jade serpent with ruby eyes.
"The shop owner thought it was broken as the man he got it from said it used to change shapes, but once I saw the runes on the bottom I knew."
Harry turned it around. "Protection for the silent and power for the voice." Harry read aloud.
"So you can read it. I always thought you could." Harry looked up in confusion. "I remember runes like those well, from the chamber."
"It's in Parseltongue." Harry stared hard at the head of the snake. "Power." The serpent came alive and twisted itself around Harry's wrist before freezing once more. "Thank you, Ginny."
"I suppose I'm next then, huh?" Ginny opened her gift with care. It was behavior that Harry was not used to seeing in Ginny, and it reminded him again that this was not the same Ginny he'd left at the train station. "It's beautiful." Ginny replied with slight emotion in her voice despite her clear efforts to hide it.
The necklace matched her bracelet perfectly, he'd made sure of it. Harry supposed now with his jade serpent they would be a matching couple. "Here let me." Harry didn't wait for Ginny to give her permission. Instead, he took the necklace from her hands and leaned in to place the necklace around her neck.
He lingered there, coming back slowly letting his fingers run themselves through Ginny's hair, along her neck straightening the necklace, and finally up the line of her jaw. Ginny's lips parted slightly, and Harry found himself running his thumb along the bottom one. They were inches apart. He could kiss her, but…
Harry pulled away suddenly. He'd promised himself not to do anything that would make his situation worse with Ginny. One look at Ginny, though, and he knew he'd made a mistake. The anger in her eyes was powerful.
However, Ginny didn't react the way he'd thought she would. She simply swallowed her anger before moving to go, "If that's all."
At Ginny's retreating back, Harry knew it was now or never. "A moment more, please." Ginny turned back stiffly, her eyes still held her unspoken anger. "I've a second gift for you."
"Well I've no more for you, so this will be extremely one-sided." Ginny replied acidly. "Why don't you save it for my birthday?" At that she turned to go once more.
"I'm releasing you from your contract." There it was out and this charade was finally over.
"Excuse me!?" Ginny whirl around to face Harry. Her anger apparent as her face colored.
"Your contract is over, Ginny. I'm not requiring you to come back."
"Are you some kind of idiot!?" Ginny yelled as she stepped into his space. "You nearly died! And for what? Revenge! You could have had Umbridge sacked within the week, but no you walk right into a trap just to prove who's got the bigger balls!"
"Ginny, I…" Harry took a small step back as Ginny took another one forward.
"And if that wasn't good enough, now you want to get rid of the only Healer you have!" She took another angry step forward and Harry took hesitant another step back. "This bollocks move isn't for the good of the company. Damn it, Harry. You're not even thinking about yourself or me!"
"Ginny, I…" Harry tried again, only to be interrupted by the furious red approaching him.
"You think Bryony's ready for the shite your about to bring on her!? You're going to leave your company defenseless when it comes to healing! And why? Because you're a coward!"
Harry's own anger steamed at that accusation. "You should be happy! I'm letting you go, so now you don't have to worry about me coming after your brothers, your family! You can do whatever you want now, Ginny, without me!"
Harry's back hit the wall as Ginny grabbed him tightly by his shirt, pulling him in close. Harry found himself once again inches away from Ginny, only now he wasn't the one in control. The fiery look in Ginny's eyes scared him. He wasn't sure if she was going to hex his bits off or kiss him. More importantly, Harry wasn't sure he'd be prepared for either one.
"You're a fool." Ginny whispered right before closing the few inches between them. The kiss was searing, and demanding. They split only for a moment to catch their breath. It had been so long since he'd felt these lips on his, and so much had happened to them both. Harry let his passion, all of his desires out in their kisses.
Soon enough, he was the one in control with Ginny moaning out her own desires. A small part of Harry knew he should stop, they should stop. Ginny didn't know the half of what he'd done, and if she did, she would surely hate him for it. Harry had managed to talk himself into pulling away, only Ginny's hands found their way under his shirt, and he quickly forgot why he'd been fighting this.
Harry maneuvered Ginny toward his bed as he waved his hand to lock his deep red curtains in place. No one would be bothering them any time soon. Ginny let out another loud moan as his body hovered above her own.
What was his heart's desire?
Ginny gave out another loud moan as Harry ran his hands underneath her robes pulling them off as he went. Harry let his kisses trail along her neck following a path of old.
"Ahh." Ginny moaned out again. Harry had managed to find that spot right at the nape of her neck. With Ginny's wondering hands and his own growing desire, he knew where this was going to lead and he knew it was going to lead there fast.
This wasn't quite his heart's desire, but it was bloody well close enough.
AN: There you have it folks. Can you feel it? Can you feel the end is near? I just got to thank my beta bkats for helping out. They guy's like mind reader or something.
So, theoretically there should be only three more chapters to this story. I say theoretically, because everything between the 'Healer General' to 'Heart's Desire' was only outlined as one chapter... Yes, take a moment to think about that... Ideas from the Healer General... conflict in the middle... end with Heart's Desire... As you can imagine, that means there one of the next three chapters could end up being longer than I planned. Still, I highly doubt it as I'm not that good with fluff (who am I kidding, I couldn't write good fluff if I was locked in a room with the most fluffiest characters in existence and a gun pointed to my head... - *Write what you see damn it!*). So, I'll spare you guys and gals poorly written fluff scenes.
Side note, I'm a little peeved I didn't get to use the original title for this one, but my twin pointed out that 'Heart's Desire' would probably be more appropriate. (Dude has to be right 96% of the time...) And it was... (Big surprise, dancing in my seat...) Unfortunately, I have to change the title of the next one too... Yeah, I'm one of those who comes up with the best title and never wants to change it afterwards. What has my life come too?
KJ
PS Bryony is pronounced BRY-o-nee My twin keeps asking me for the pronunciation, so here it is.