Chapter 28: Cat's Catch

When Harry and Ginny walked out of the bedroom the following morning, they saw no sign of Ron or Hermione. Taking advantage of the fact that they were still alone, Harry pulled Ginny into his embrace to kiss her again. They had gotten very little sleep during the night, but even so, Harry felt he would never get his fill of being with her.

Harry was wondering what Ginny would think if he suggested that they go back into the bedroom when two very soggy people entered the tent.

Ron was carrying a wrapped bundle and Hermione had a bucket of berries in her arms. Hermione greeted Harry and Ginny with a broad grin and a cheery "good morning" and then proceeded to set the bucket on the dining room table.

Ron eyed them somewhat crossly and said, "You two slept in late."

Harry smiled lazily and replied, "I guess we were both tired."

Hermione gave Ron a warning nudge with her elbow, "Ron… Maybe you should go change into something dry."

Ron placed the bundle on the hearth and walked past them toward one of the other bedrooms without further comment.

Hermione's teeth were chattering from being out in the wet cold and she said, "Even though it's still pouring rain, we thought we'd scrounge something up for breakfast. Ron caught a few fish from the stream."

She unwrapped the bundle that Ron had been carrying to reveal two large fish. "Harry, why don't you start preparing them while I go change? I'm sure Ron will deal with, um… things better once he's dry and fed."

She winked at them with another grin and then went into the bedroom where Ron had gone.

By the time Ron and Hermione had joined them in the living room again, Harry already had the fish frying in a pan over the hearth fire.

Hermione had been right about Ron; once he came back in dry clothes and Harry handed him a share of the food, his mood lightened up.

The rain had stopped by the time they finished eating but the weather was still cold and the sky remained a heavy gray. Harry was anxious to get back to Nadia and Ivan's because Mohamier's caution from the previous day was still making him very uneasy. He would feel better once they were back in the safety of the library; and the sooner they got there, the sooner he could begin training.

Several hours after they broke camp the rain began to fall again. Soon they felt the cold and damp down to their bones even with the water repelling charm they had placed on their traveling cloaks.

Ginny had taken Harry's hand as they walked and he was surprised at how cold it was; her teeth had also begun to chatter. Hermione sneezed several times beside them so Harry stopped.

Harry said, "Maybe we had better make camp for the night."

"About time!" Ron exclaimed in relief. "I think we're all going to catch our death of pneumonia as it is."

Soon the tent was up and they were again warming themselves by the stone hearth. Harry and Ron had snared a rabbit along the way so Harry stepped outside to prepare the meat for a stew. When he came back in, he saw that Ron had pulled out a small chess set and had challenged Ginny to a game. Hermione was curled up on the couch with a blanket over her and was reading yet another book she had borrowed from Nadia.

Once the stew was cooking, Harry joined Ginny to help her gang-up on her brother.

They eventually checked Ron's king to which he replied, "It's really not fair playing two against one!"

Ron moved his king out of danger and Ginny laughed, "It didn't bother you when you beat us."

Ron was about to retort when Hermione sneezed again and blew her nose.

She sniffed miserably and said, "I'm definitely coming down with a cold."

Ginny looked at her sympathetically and then got up to retrieve her cloak that she had hung on a dining room chair to dry.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked, looking at her quizzically. "It's still pouring outside and it sounds like another thunder storm has come up."

Ginny replied, "I saw some herbs that Nadia told me about growing near the stream. I can use them and some of the other herbs we brought to make a tea that will clear up Hermione's cold in no time."

Harry stood up and said, "I'll come with you."

Ginny said, "No, you stay here. I won't be long."

Harry started to protest, "I'd feel better if—"

"Harry, I am perfectly capable of picking herbs by myself," Ginny replied, frowning at him. "They aren't far from the tent and I'll be right back."

Before Harry could say anything more, she went through the door and left him staring after her. Perhaps he was being overly cautious, but he did not like the thought of Ginny going out alone.

"Better to let her go, mate," Ron said. "You know how Ginny gets if she thinks someone is being over protective."

Harry turned back to Ron and realized that he was probably right; she would only be out for a short time and she had said the herbs were nearby.

He chuckled, "You're just happy the odds have shifted in your favor since you'll only be playing me now."

Harry sat back down to continue the game and Ron grinned back, "Maybe…"

Ron started making a remarkable comeback but that was partially because Harry kept watching the door for Ginny's return. He was attempting to concentrate on his next move when they heard a scream above the sound of the wind.

Harry stood up so quickly that he up-ended the chessboard; he pulled out his wand and tore out of the door, into the wind and rain. He stopped to look frantically from side to side and realized he had no idea which way Ginny had gone. Ron and Hermione came up behind him with their wands drawn.

Ron said with a note of panic in his voice, "Where did she go?"

Harry stared into the rain that was now becoming torrential, but he could detect no signs of Ginny.

Trying to keep his voice steady, he shouted, "Ginny! Where are you?"

There was no response, but Harry was not sure that he would be able to hear an answer above the wind and falling rain. He was about to tell Ron and Hermione that they should split up when he saw a flash of light in the distance much like a curse or a hex being fired. Ron and Hermione had seen it as well and they all took off in that direction.

Finally, a slight movement ahead of them caught Harry's eye.

Ginny was standing with her back against a very large tree and she was looking and pointing her wand in the opposite direction. Harry followed her gaze and his temporary relief at finding her vanished.

No more than ten yards in front of her was an extremely large black panther. It was crouched as still as a statue but it looked as though it was preparing to spring right at Ginny.

Harry crept closer and raised his wand just as the cat took a step toward Ginny, who let out a frightened whimper. He shot a stunning hex at the cat but it flew harmlessly over its back. The animal took no notice of Harry and remained focused on Ginny as it took another step toward her.

This time Harry, Ron and Hermione each shot off stunning hexes but they all missed their target as well. The cat took several more steps forward and then stopped and turned its head to look directly at Harry. He gasped in surprise when he noticed a chain around its neck and he saw a human familiarity within its deep blue eyes.

The cat turned back toward Ginny again and before Harry could react, it sprang at her. Ginny screamed and threw her arms up to protect herself as best she could.

Fear clenched Harry's stomach and he ran toward the cat, "LINA, NO! STAY AWAY FROM HER!"

Many thoughts jumbled through Harry's mind all at once; he had not known that Lina was an Animagus. Nor would he have imagined her jealousy would drive her to harm Ginny. He also realized his wand was useless since Lina still wore the protective necklace that her grandfather had charmed for her. His only chance was to keep her away from Ginny physically.

He sprinted forward in an attempt to knock into Lina before she was able to make contact with Ginny but Lina had too much of a head start. Just when it looked as though the cat's powerful paws were going to pound right into Ginny's chest, it over-shot its target and landed on the ground past Ginny's left.

Ginny fell and attempted to scramble away but her body was shaking so violently that she was having trouble moving. Harry pulled her to her feet and then positioned himself between her and the cat; if Lina was after Ginny, she was going to have to go through him first.

Harry looked Ginny over worriedly and saw that her robes and hair were completely soaked but, otherwise, she seemed uninjured.

Harry asked, "Are you alright?"

Ginny was still shaking badly but she said, "Yes… That's Lina? She started to come after me but my hexes kept missing…"

Ron and Hermione rushed up to make sure Ginny was unhurt and Harry turned back to watch the cat. It was growling and snapping at something that it had trapped between its front paws. It then dawned on Harry that Lina had not really been trying to attack Ginny; she had been after something else.

Harry took a step closer to get a better look at what the cat had caught. Whatever it was began to squeal in fright. A shape began to grow in front of the cat and as it grew, the squeal began to take on the sound of a human voice.

"Help me!" they heard the terrified voice of a man cry out.

Harry yelled, "Lina! Back off!"

Without thinking, Harry tried to pry the cat away from the struggling man but it growled angrily and struck Harry hard across the shoulder with a powerful paw. Harry cried out in pain when the cat's claws ripped through his flesh and the force of the blow threw him several feet through the air.

He landed hard on his back and clutched his now injured shoulder; when he drew his hand away, it was covered in blood.

Hermione screamed his name and Ginny and Ron ran to help him but Harry was already getting shakily to his knees. He got to his feet with their help, ignoring the blood that had begun to flow freely down his arm.

"Get off him, Lina!" Harry raised his wand and shouted. "If anyone is going to kill him, it will be me!"

Ginny, Ron and Hermione stared at Harry in shock and then they looked back toward the cat. It paused for a moment and then they watched it transform into the familiar form of Lina. As she stood over the crouching man, she pulled her wand out of her cloak and pointed it at him.

Ginny found her voice first, "Harry… What do you mean you will be the one to kill him? Who…?"

He did not seem to hear her. Ginny watched in confusion as Harry walked over to stand next to Lina and looked down at the quivering man before him. The man was very scruffy looking, he had a pointed nose, and small, watery eyes that grew wide with alarm as Harry approached. It was obvious that Harry knew him but Ginny had no idea who he was; not until he shifted slightly and she saw that his right hand looked like he was wearing a silvery glove, just as Harry once described it to her.

"Hello, Pettigrew." Ginny heard cold, hatred in Harry's voice. "I've been looking forward to meeting up with you again."

Wormtail groveled, "H-Harry, p-please! N-no! I b-beg you! Have m-mercy—"

Harry pointed his wand at Wormtail's heart.

Hermione called to him franticallt, "Harry, you can't!"

Harry ignored her. He stared into Wormtail's pleading eyes and then a bright white light shot out of his wand and hit the other man directly in the chest.

Wormtail involuntarily covered his face in fear until he realized he was still alive. He looked up questioningly at Harry.

"A hex I learned especially for you…" Harry said coldly, "to keep you from transforming until I'm through with you."

"You said you vould kill him!" Lina shouted accusingly at Harry. "He cannot live after vot he has done!"

She moved toward Wormtail again but Harry stopped her.

Near hysteria, Lina screamed, "You told Grandfather that you vere not followed! But you led him and the others right to us!"

She began to sob heavily and she buried her face in Harry's chest. He motioned for Ron, Hermione and Ginny to cover Wormtail while he held Lina and tried to calm her.

Harry took Lina by the shoulders and held her out so he could question her.

"Tell me what happened. Where is Mohamier?"

He looked into Lina's grief-stricken face and realized he already knew the answer. "He is dead! Death Eaters came out of novere; there vere so many! Grandfather distracted them so I could get avay… I did not vant to leave him but he made me; and vhen I looked back… I saw them… they killed him!"

In shock and sadness, Harry asked gently, "Are you sure that Mohamier is…"

"I am sure," Lina said and she began to cry against him again.

Harry held her and said, "I'm so sorry…"

As Lina clung to him, he chanced a look at Ginny. She had her wand trained on Wormtail but she was watching Lina with sympathy in her eyes.

Lina continued, "I heard von of them congratulate him for following you and finding us… vhen I transformed I found his scent and yours… I knew he vas following you again."

Harry looked back at Wormtail who let out a frightened whimper at the hatred flashing in his green eyes.

Wormtail made to move away but Ron stopped him, "Move again and you'll wish you hadn't!"

Seeing the fury in Ron's face, Wormtail whimpered again but he remained completely still.

Lina continued to cling to Harry but he said quietly to her, "I need to find out from him what they are planning. Do you understand?"

Lina sniffed and whispered, "Yes."

She reluctantly released Harry and he turned to Wormtail, "Stand up."

Wormtail immediately obeyed.

Harry said, "How long have you been following us?"

Wormtail replied unsteadily, "S-since she met you that night at the tavern. I was told to wait there to see if she returned."

Wormtail gestured toward Lina but he quickly lowered his hand when Ron raised his wand higher at him.

Harry asked in surprise, "You were watching for Lina?"

"W-we thought she would lead me to her grandfather."

Lina let out a shocked gasp.

Harry said sarcastically, "I'm sure you wasted no time letting your master know you had found me, too."

Wormtail would not meet Harry's eyes but he nodded hesitantly.

Harry said, "So you followed us to the church. Then you contacted your mates to attack Mohamier after we left?"

"Y-yes."

Harry asked, "Did the Death Eaters take the artifacts from him?"

Wormtail twitched nervously, "I-I don't know what you are talking about."

With his uninjured arm, Harry grabbed Wormtail by the throat and slammed him hard against a tree.

Harry held the vérité ring in front of him and said angrily, "Don't lie to me! This ring will tell me if you do. I asked you if they took the artifacts! Vérité!"

Wormtail stared at the ring for a moment and then said in a strangled voice, "Y-yes! They took three pieces of stone from the pockets of his robes…"

The ring did not change color and Harry swore under his breath. He released Wormtail who coughed and rubbed his throat.

Ginny stepped next to Harry and said worriedly, "He'll have the whole tablet then."

He exchanged a knowing look with Ginny— Voldemort would soon have full use of the tablet as well as the knowledge of how to use Harry to make its spells work.

Harry replied, "But at least now I know what he will be armed with."

Harry turned back to Wormtail and said, "Voldemort got what he wanted and you knew we were going back to the village. Why are you still following us?"

Lina said, "He vas trying to sneak up on her." She indicated Ginny.

Even though he thought he already knew the answer, Harry demanded, "Why? Vérite!"

Wormtail looked quickly to Ginny and then back to Harry. "No! I was not after her… I…"

The stone in Harry's ring wrinkled and turned yellow.

Harry stepped menacingly closer, "You are lying! What were you planning to do to her? Vérite!"

In an attempt to placate Harry, Wormtail cried, "I was not going to harm her!"

The ring remained blue and Harry asked, "Then why sneak up on her?"

Fear crept back into Wormtail's eyes, "S-so I could…"

Wormtail's voice trailed off and Harry lost all semblance of patience. He grabbed Wormtail again and threw him to the ground.

Pointing his wand in Wormtail's face, Harry demanded, "Tell me what you wanted with Ginny!"

Wormtail squeezed his eyes shut tight and remained silent.

Hate for the man before him coursed through Harry; he had lost many people that he loved and cared about due to Wormtail's actions. Tonight he had planned to take Ginny from him, too.

Harry said coldly, "Tell me what I want to know! Crucio!"

Wormtail screamed in agony and Ginny, Ron and Hermione stared unbelievingly at Harry. Not only was he using an Unforgivable Curse but he was watching Wormtail writhe from the effects of the curse with an expression close to satisfaction on his face.

Perhaps even more frightening were Harry's tone and words; they were eerily similar to those they heard Voldemort use when they had connected to his mind in Saint Mungos.

Ginny grabbed his arm and said, "Harry, stop!"

Harry ended the curse but he said to her, "This man is the reason I grew up without parents! He betrayed them… and Sirius! He's the one who killed Cedric and helped bring Voldemort back! Now he's after you…"

Harry looked back at Wormtail and said angrily, "You wanted to be the one to deliver her to Voldemort so he can use her!"

Wormtail looked at Harry pathetically; when he did not answer immediately, Harry pointed his wand at him again.

Wormtail cowered away and pleaded, "Please… not again… I beg you…"

Harry spat, "Why shouldn't I? You laughed along with the rest of them while you watched Voldemort torture me. You deserve far worse for everything you've done!"

Wormtail began to whimper again and Harry watched him in disgust but he made no further move to curse him.

Ron stepped forward and asked, "So what do we do with him now?"

Harry yanked Wormtail to his feet and said, "We'll take him back to the village and then get in touch with the Order. I'm sure they will be more than happy to help us pry information out of him."

Before anyone could react, Wormtail curled his silver hand into a fist and swung hard at Harry. The magical hand was extremely strong and when it made contact, there was a burst of stars and pain within Harry's head. The impact lifted him off the ground and sent him reeling into the others and Wormtail desperately grabbed a wand that one of them had dropped.

Then, with a speed born out of desperation, Wormtail turned from them and began to run blindly through the forest.