Chapter 39 – All That Glitters
Submitted Monday 10 October 2011
A/N: Two more chapters to go. I will be posting them on 10/17 and 10/24 respectively. I will also be adding a new story Prologue for the sequel which you may add a story alert to if you'd like. That's because I will be taking off one to two months to research and write the first chapters. I promise to write a few trailers (short snippets to give a taste of what will be in the next story). I'm sure the way this chapter ends will have some heads scratching. This is the last chapter before the mystery is finally solved. It's also your last time to say who you believe it is in a review. Don't go telling me "I knew all along" if you don't write it in a review before next Monday. I'm interested in reading what you guys have to say.
Ginny's week flew by. She'd thought at first that anticipation would overcome her and the week would creep along but Dean and Demelza helped. They spent much of their free time outside on their brooms performing passing drills. They felt that with so much time practising apart it was important to keep sharp but Ron was correct when he'd said in April that the chemistry the trio had developed over the past several years would overcome any rustiness.
Ron had kept a careful eye on her since her tirade on the pitch the Saturday before. He'd asked her how she was more than once. Her answer, of course, was that she was fine. She hadn't talked to Harry since that afternoon and he didn't sit near enough to her in class for them to have to speak. Otherwise she never saw Harry. He hadn't been to a meal all week and he was nowhere to be seen outside of class. She obviously wasn't the only one to notice this – Dean asked Ron at lunch Friday about it and he was rewarded with a shrug.
More strange was Saturday. She didn't see Harry that morning at breakfast and when she arrived at the clubhouse to change he was nowhere to be seen. As she began to change she noticed that the room was unusually quiet. Normally Ron's Gryffindors were a rowdy bunch. Ron didn't give a pre-game speech so much as a call to arms.
Ron finished with his gear and made an awkward noise, "Hmp Hmm. There's been a few adjustments to our lineup today. Sheldon will be taking Ginny's place at Chaser."
Ginny went scarlet, "Why? Because I spoke up and..?"
"Ginny will be taking Harry's place at Seeker," Ron quickly interjected.
The room filled with moans and groans. Ginny sat down so she didn't fall over. She felt like she'd just been pantsed in front of the Great Hall, "But...I can't..."
"What?" Ron asked, "Step in? You've been practising against arguably the greatest Seeker in the history of Hogwarts Quidditch, our brother excluded, for nearly two months. Granted, you didn't get much notice but it's not different than when we had to make do in the past. And besides, you've beaten Cho before. She's better than she was then but so are you. Just remember that we need to be up by at least ten before you take the snitch. As long as we tie them for overall points we win the Cup with a greater number of wins."
"But..?"
Ron anticipated her question. "Why is he not playing? It probably didn't help that he divided the team our last practise. Otherwise, he had his reasons. He told me after watching the Chasers perform at our last scrimmage that he felt confident we could win with the team in this room." There were several murmurs in the clubhouse. Ron could feel the room deflate. He decided he needed to lighten the mood a little, "What, you think I can't save enough goals to keep us in it?" A few nervous laughs were heard.
"This is what we are going to do. We only need to be ahead by one goal. The Chasers need to play patient and keep the quaffle in front of them. Beaters need to keep the bludgers off of Ginny and on that kid Davies. Davies can pass as well as any Chaser at Hogwarts but he's still young and the bludgers will disrupt his game. I want everyone but Ginny to ignore Cho..." Ron now spoke to Ginny, "I want you to imagine that Cho does still have a thing for Harry. Pretend you're a Slytherin and play rough."
Harry now spoke to the Chasers, "You won't have Ginny's scoring but you lot have built chemistry and with Davies dodging Bludgers you should have some openings. Ginny, you watch out for Inglebee – she is as mean as Millicent and as accurate with a bludger as George. Everyone got it?" Ron finally asked. After a few moments of mumbling, Ron said louder, "If you lot don't think you can do it I'll go ask the reserves if they want to play. Are we Gryffindors or not?"
"Aye!" replied the crowd. Ron looked at them fiercely, "Then show it. Get out there and show it! This is my last match as a Gryffindor and I plan to win it!" With that, Ron led the the Gryffindors out to the pitch.
Ginny wouldn't remember much of the next quarter hour. The crowd was still filling the seats as the teams warmed up. She didn't even notice that most of the Ravenclaws were wearing badges with Harry's face on them. The badges flashed back and forth between "Harry Won't Find the Snitch" and "Looking in the Mirror." The second image included a picture of Harry admiring his reflection in a small vanity mirror. If she'd been watching, Ginny would have noticed the disappointment on the faces of the Ravenclaws when the lineups were announced by Tobias, "And in a usual turn of events, Harry Potter has been replaced by Ginny Weasley as Seeker for the Gryffindors for the final match."
Soon enough the whistle was heard and the match began. Ginny wondered if the reason Harry was not in the match was because he still had feelings for Cho Chang. Though distracted, out of the corner of her eye she saw a bludger heading for her and she ducked. She decided right off that she needed to stay close to Cho and rather than looking for the snitch on her own she immediately closed in on her opponent.
She'd never liked Cho. The opposing Seeker had been her opposition in many ways over the years. Ginny'd known from the beginning of her Third Year that Harry had something for her. She saw how he looked at Cho in the library when he should have been studying back then.
Her Fourth Year Cho had been so whiney. Harry had fallen all over her at first. He cooled off after their trip to Hogsmeade but Cho still annoyed Ginny well after that. It wasn't like with Hermione, who Harry had always adored...there was no spark between those two. For Harry and Cho there had always been a spark but no fuel to keep the fire going. Ginny had always known that if Harry had ever felt the slightest spark with Hermione it would be over for Ginny and Harry. They could complete each others sentences but they were more like brother and sister.
Ginny shook her head. She was getting distracted and Cho was too good a Seeker to leave alone. There was a rumour that the Harpies were looking hard at Cho at Seeker and this disappointed Ginny. Granted, they'd see little of each other because Cho would be up in the sky and Ginny would be filling the hoop. Still, for years Ginny had a quiet rivalry with the older Ravenclaw.
Below, Ron had his hands full. Dean and his fellow Chasers were overwhelmed by the trio of Ravenclaws opposing them. They did as they were told and made sure to stay in between the Ravenclaws and their goal but Davies was too good a passer and the Gryffindors were often out of position. Ron dove left for his third save only to miss by a fingertip.
Tobias made the call:
"Weasley let's in the score! The Ravenclaw Chasers are swarming around the Gryffindor goal much of the early going. If the Gryffindors don't get it together soon, we...erm, the Ravenclaws will make an easy show of it.."
"The Gryffindors have the quaffle. Dean is making a move to midfield. He passes to to Demelza – Oh! Davies intercepts the pass and makes a charge at the goal. He's going to take the shot himself – No he passes to Bradley. Bradley shoots, Oh! Ewww..."
When the Ravenclaws came barrelling in, Ron lost his breakfast. What was worse was that he got sick on his hands and didn't have time to wipe them off before the quaffle came at him. He blocked the goal, deflecting it back to Bradley who picked it up from the left wing. When he felt the sticky mess on the quaffle he looked down and nearly got sick himself, "Weasley, you nasty bugger. Time Out!"
The announcer Tobias explained, "It appears we are taking a time out to clean the quaffle. The Gryffindor Keeper has finally taken his in-game ritual to a new level. The Ravenclaw Chasers have headed to their bench and they are putting on gloves. Let's see if this affects their ball handling skills. Oh, what's that? The Ravenclaw Captain is now speaking with Madam Hooch."
The Captain was indeed asking Madam Hooch if the mess could be cleaned up. Bradley had a weak stomach and the smell alone could make him wretch. The Professor banished the puke and the match soon resumed. The Gryffindor Chasers were still at a disadvantage but gradually a change could be seen. Ron made save after save and it was wearing on the confidence of the Ravenclaw Chasers. Also, the Gryffindor Beaters, Felix Kelly and Peakes, though not as talented as Inglebee, still focused all of their energies on throwing off the rhythm of the Ravenclaw Chaser Davies. The Ravenclaw Chaser began looking over his shoulder after a particularly close bludger whisked by his chin. With Davies more tentative, the Gryffindors were finally able to get the quaffle to midfield.
Ginny also had to keep an eye on the bludgers. Inglebee, with her thick arms and large torso, was devastating with the bat. More than once Ginny ducked a shot that would have crushed her. She decided this was a second good reason to stay close to Cho. She hoped that the Ravenclaw Beater would be reluctant to swing for Ginny if Cho had a shot at getting hit as well. She continued to watch for the snitch but it was nowhere to be seen for the first hour.
After two hours Ginny caught her first glimpse of the snitch. Remembering her time with Harry she tried to slowly gather her position without getting Cho's attention. She was about to spring into action when she remembered the exchange between her and Harry their previous practise. She looked to the scoreboard and the Gryffindors were still behind 30 to 20. The Gryffindors were once again singing "Weasley is our King." Instead of charging for the snitch, she kept herself between it and Cho and hoped the Ravenclaw would not notice it.
She needed to buy time. Ginny tried chatting Cho up, to distract her, as they flew side by side, "Great weather for Quidditch today, eh?" The plan backfired. Cho tried to look past Ginny in an effort to see the snitch, "You wouldn't be talking to me unless you wanted to distract me and you wouldn't have changed sides unless you planned to block me. Where is it?" Ginny blushed. She didn't dare look back for fear she'd give the snitch away.
Cho went into a dive and Ginny was forced to follow. She began to think about how Harry had blocked her when she would imitate Cho and she did her best to use the same moves. Cho tried and tried to get separation from her but Ginny harassed her with every move she could think of. Ginny knew that they were getting close to where the snitch had been but she still didn't dare look for it. She knew if she saw it her eyes would give it away and Cho was watching her as much as she was watching the area where the snitch had been. This made Ginny realise that Cho didn't see it. Eventually Cho became frustrated and she started climbing again so she could renew her own search.
Bludgers had flown near them many times before but for some reason Ginny felt the instinct to duck. When she did, a bludger flew past her and scored a glancing blow on one of Cho's shoulders. Cho glared at her Beater and shrugged the injury off. Ginny stole a glance at the score and it was now 30 to 30. She knew she needed another score but she began searching for the snitch again with hopes she'd be ready to pounce when the score was right.
Cho Chang found it first. Ginny saw the gleam in Cho's eyes that told her a move was about to be made. Ginny didn't know where the snitch was but the Ravenclaw began to ease her way away from Ginny. The Gryffindor gave Cho her space at first hoping the change of direction would give her a hint as to where the snitch was. Ginny saw that the Gryffindors had scored another goal and Cho obviously noticed too – Cho knew that the Ravenclaws' fortunes now rested on her shoulders.
Ginny could see that Cho was preparing to dive. Ginny made one last desperate move, "Did you know that Harry didn't play today because he still has something for you?" This froze the Ravenclaw and she looked over shoulder at Ginny, "What?" Cho, having been distracted, darted her eyes for the snitch to make sure it was still there before she dove. This gave Ginny the bit of information she needed and she dived ahead of Cho. Cho had lost position to her because of her split second of initiative. Ginny's Firebolt provided the final bit of advantage and she was just at the snitch when she felt a wrench.
Tobias told the story:
"A bludger struck the back of her broom and it's knocked her off course – probably just enough for her to miss the snitch. Wait, what is she doing? She's flying sideways on the broom in order to make up for extra space! She's let go of her broom and all that holds her to it are her clenched knees. She's stretching for the snitch but her broom has lost control. She's in a spin! Somehow while spinning out of control she nabbed the snitch! Her broom is spinning faster and faster out of control! I don't know if she will be able to get a hold of the broom!"
She's let go of it and she is falling in the air! The broom too seems to be in freefall. She has righted herself but she and the broom are headed to the ground fast. She has it. She has the broom! She places it between her legs and..."
The quiet in the stadium was due to the collective intake of breath. Ginny somehow had righted herself, grabbed the broom and recovered before hitting the ground. The noise heard once all were sure she was safe was a mixture of sighs and cheers.
"Gryffindor has won it! I can't believe I'm cheering because Gryffindor has won it! Ginny somehow pulled the impossible and she was able to come out with the snitch and her life. This is Tobias Turner congratulating the Gryffindor Quidditch team and wishing that everyone enjoy your weekend!"
The crowd rushed the pitch. Ginny was still dazed and she walked unevenly for the clubhouse as she was hugged and patted on the back. The Gryffindors tried to lift her on their shoulders but she fought them off. Eventually she made it to the clubhouse and she sat on a bench crying until the others began to file in.
As Ginny and her Quidditch mates changed, Ron brought in a familiar face and a witch Ginny had never met. "You were all brilliant!" declared Gwenog, "And Ginny, I'd been told you could play Seeker but I'd never have believed it if I hadn't seen it." Ginny blushed, "Thank you. I didn't expect to play Seeker today. I was supposed to be at Chaser but Harry..."
"Yes, I heard," Gwenog answered. "Ginny, this is Glynnis Griffiths, the..."
"Harpies Manager!" exclaimed Ginny, "It is very nice to meet you Mrs. Griffiths," she said as she shook the manager's hand excitedly. Glynnis kept her gracious smile that she reserved for Harpy fans and took the excitement in stride.
"Yes," answered Gwenog. "I forget she's a fan," the Harpies Beater explained to her manager. "Ginny, Glynnis and I are here because we are looking to sign a Seeker." Ginny's smile evaporated and her shoulders slumped, "Yes, I was supposed to be playing at Chaser today but something came up and..."
Again she was interrupted, this time by Glynnis, "We were very impressed today. You don't have Cho's experience but I can tell you have so much more upside than Miss Chang. From what I understand, this is your second time to match up against Miss Chang at Seeker? You were victorious the first match as well?"
Ron interrupted, "She was brilliant that match too." The glares he received from Gwenog and Ginny caused him to shrug and return to changing.
"Yes Mrs. Griffiths. But I really hope to play at Chaser," answered Ginny, "It's my natural position."
Now it was Gwenog's turn to frown, "I know how you feel Ginny but," the manager shook her head and eyed the other Gryffindors changing and Gwenog stopped, "Erm, we really think that you would make a better fit as our Seeker." The Harpy manager continued, "I was a Seeker with the Harpies in the 50's and I've spent my life signing and coaching up the best female talent ever since. I assure you that with proper training I could make you as good a Seeker as the Harpies have had in quite some time."
Ginny looked hurt, "I've always dreamed of playing for the Harpies. I just imagined that I'd be playing Chaser. I've always enjoyed scoring. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy playing Seeker as well but there is more moment to moment action at the Chaser position."
Gwenog and Glynnis shared a look. Glynnis pulled out a contract, "Ginny, I understand how you feel. I hope that you will consider our offer. Gwenog has told me a lot about you and I think you would be perfect with our club. Please contact me or Miss Jones if you have any questions...and please, if you decide to consider any other offer, speak with us before making a decision." She paused, "And Ginny, I don't wish to place any pressure on you but we will be making an offer to Miss Chang if we have not heard from you by the end of the week. There were many scouts here today and both of you will be in great demand with the recent dearth of Seeker talent to come out of England the past four years."
"Yes Mrs. Griffiths," was all Ginny could eke out. I will speak with my family and have a decision as soon as I can."
"One more thing," Mrs. Griffiths said as they made for the door. "I'd prefer to have you start for us this year. If you are unable or unwilling to make the commitment required to train then we can sign a starter for one year. But I think you could start if you are willing to make the necessary commitment. That said, you need to consider long and hard because if you commit to the training regimen then you cannot change your mind. Once you commit you will be bound to follow the training and the lifestyle changes." Gwenog got the door and Glynnis waved," Enjoy the celebration Ginny. You earned it." Gwenog also waved and they were gone.
The Weasleys, including Bill, George, Ron, Mum and Dad, sat in the Room of Requirement with Hermione. This had become a weekly event on Sunday nights because of the revelation that Fred was indeed a ghost. Fred had tried to leave Hogwarts but he found himself grow weak as he stepped off the grounds. George found this odd as Fred was not especially attached to the school emotionally. Strangely, some ghosts could leave freely and others found themselves bound to the school.
Tonight's meeting was especially important because Ginny had to make a decision. Ginny considered herself an independent person but she still considered this a decision that should at least have family input. "So, what do you think?" after she explained the details of the offer.
Her mum spoke first, "The owner of a joke shop and now a Quidditch player..."
"Mum!" Ginny knew her mum disapproved of the position.
George asked, "Have they discussed compensation yet?"
"Yes. They made an offer start immediately but it requires me to live and socialise only with the team for a year. They also offered to ease me into the position and begin as a reserve. It pays roughly a quarter of the starter contract and I'd spend the entire first year on the bench...barring injury."
George nodded, "You realise that means Harry too?...everyone but the team for the first year?" Ginny nodded and George continued, "They don't allow for holidays or for emergencies. They plan to work you day and night so you can learn the position. Now I'm not saying you should walk away from that – it's a tremendous opportunity. But it is also a tremendous sacrifice."
Ginny frowned, "But I just want to play. Quidditch players earn well anyway, don't they?"
Ron smiled, "Oh yes. A starting Seeker can earn from 50,000 to more than 100,000 Galleons a year. Reserves I'm not sure."
I spoke with Ollie and he said that Puddlemore was interested as well, Ginny. I know you and Gwenog are mates but she's taking advantage of this to get you signed before the other clubs can get in contact. Ollie said the other clubs were likely furious that the Harpies were allowed into the clubhouse. Normally clubs are required to wait until end of NEWTs before making offers. They are hoping to get a verbal agreement before the other clubs have spoken or evaluated you. There were several scouts there Saturday and all were very impressed."
"But the Harpies are who I want to play with. I'd just hoped to play Chaser instead."
Ron gasped, "But Seekers earn twice what Chasers do. The Seeker is normally the face of the club. You'd instantly be famous. You could endorse brooms and..."
"...And it's boring," replied Ginny. I was in the thick of the action as Chaser but as a Seeker I spend most of my time looking. I get it, if I do well at Seeker then I become a star. But Gwenog is a star as a Beater. If I'm good enough I can become a star at any position Ron."
George shook his head, "Good girl sis'. If you know what you want don't sell out for a few Galleons. Happiness is much more important than any of that other mess. If you want , I'd be happy to help with the financial details. Have them send any updated offers to me...if you want."
Ginny smiled, "That would be wonderful. I'm not good with that sort of thing."
Mum looked at dad, "Ginny, you are sure this is what you want to do. You have so many other talents. You do realise this will make children nearly impossible."
George nodded, "Ginny, you should know that it states that once you become pregnant you automatically accept termination. Most Harpies players only play four to six years and that is a major reason why. That is what I hear happened to the previous Harpies Seeker." Bill and her father looked concerned.
"Yes, I read that. I don't have plans to marry while I'm in the league. It creates too many conflicts." When Ginny said this Hermione's ears perked up. Molly looked very concerned.
Once the group broke up and Hermione was heading back to the Tower with Ginny, she finally asked, "Have you spoken to Harry about marriage?"
Ginny sighed, "Hermione, you know how I feel. I've waited all term for Harry to commit to me."
"Ginny, He's waiting until we've sat NEWTs. He doesn't think it's right to do it before then."
"Well that brings us back to the beginning. He's always so worried about what is right. I've been ready since you lot returned from the wilderness. I'm not this goody goody girl that spends my nights up worrying about what's right. I don't want to wait until I'm married for my first time. I don't want to get married right away and become a baby factory like my mum. Bless her, I love her, but I want more with my life. Part of that dream is becoming a star Chaser for the Harpies."
Ginny stopped, "I know you want Harry and me to be happy and to live a fairy tale like Broom Hilda or The Witch and the Wandering Wizard but you can't will two people to be together. Besides, where is he Hermione? He spent months treating me like rubbish while I helped him train to beat Ravenclaw and then at the last minute he backs out of the match because he had things he had to do. Have you noticed that no-one speaks to him any more? He left the team in a bind and I had to bail him out. Why should I even speak to him? Where has he been since?"
Hermione was sad. She knew that Ginny was right. Harry had let everyone down and now he was going to pay the price. Harry the Hero was now Harry the Traitor to many Gryffindors. She didn't understand it any more than Ginny did.
Meanwhile, Harry was in Hecate's cottage. He had spent most of his time there recently. He pulled a kettle of tea off the fire as she revised her most recent lessons, "Harry, I appreciate you helping me with this recently. Most of the lessons are impossible to practise without a test subject."
Harry nodded.
"You've been especially moody recently. You spend evenings here and barely speak. I get more conversation out of Whiskers. Care to chat?"
Harry shook his head.
"Let's get started then. As promised, no big questions. Anything you want to know about?"
"It's too bad you can't tell me who's after the wand" Harry groused.
"I thought you wanted to stay away from serious questions?" Hecate quipped.
Harry considered, "How will I do on my Magical Creatures exam?"
"Harry..." Hecate smiled, "I'm not sure if I can predict your grade but I'll try."
Hecate set some fresh flowers in the oils above the flame and the smell of jasmine filled the air. She pulled out her cards and this time only laid out three. She took his hand and concentrated as she ran her fingers over the cards as she had done before. Finally she opened her eyes and looked sympathetically at Harry, "There won't be a Magical Creatures exam."
"But why?"
Hecate's eyes glazed over and her grip tensed, "Though the wizard has fallen he still lives. His tomb lies empty and he he has returned for what he believes is his. An owner of the wand...he yearns to hold it...to touch it. He has watched you longingly for months when he feels you are not looking and he is now ready to take what he believes is his. He will kill you or one you love if necessary."
Harry watched as Hecate's grip softened and her focus returned. She looked at Harry curiously, "What is wrong Harry? It's simple. Your Magic Creatures lesson is an elective and Hagrid feels already that you have done well."
"I need to go," Harry was troubled, "I need to go check something. I need to go."
Without waiting for pleasantries Harry stepped out of the hut and began walking for the edge of the forest. He was thinking about what Hecate said. There was only one fallen wizard that he knew of that had a tomb and that had owned the wand. It could have been any of the previous owners really but he got the feeling that only one wizard fit all of the criteria.
As he reached the clearing he began to run. He ran for the monument that held his mentor and the man he respected so much. He remembered Dumbledore's portrait looking at his wand with such longing – knowing that it held powers similar to those of the Elder. His wand was not the Elder Wand but Dumbledore's shade thought it was the nearest thing to it and desired it all the same. He reached the tomb huffing and puffing and his mind still racing.
Harry stood in front of the tomb undecided how to proceed. If he was wrong he'd be desecrating the home of a fallen friend. Then again, if he was at least respectful...Harry pulled out his wand, "Confringo."
The stone split in two with a 'CRACK!' and Harry levitated the pieces so that he could look inside. The tomb, large enough for someone to stand inside, was empty. Gone was the body, the wrappings, everything.
Could it be true? Could it be Dumbledore?