AN:I'VE BEEN LOOKING OVER MY MATERIAL AND I FEEL AS IF I HAVEN'T BEEN DETAILED ENOUGH. I'M GOING TO TRY TO FIX THAT. IF YOU NOTICE ANYTHING OR WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT A SITUATION LEAVE A COMMENT AND I WILL TRY TO ADRESS IT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. THANKS FOR READING! R&R
Chapter 11
Harry found Ginny rummaging through her attic. She was shuffling through boxes the last time she'd been here was when she was digging out the map to return to his father. She apparently didn't find what she was looking for in the box she was currently searching because she shoved it to the side violently and began franticly looking in another one.
"Gin, what are you doing?"
"I'm looking for a necklace, half of a…OH! Here it is!"
She pulled out a necklace it was a locket. She placed it in her pocket and began descending the stairs that lead to the main level of the house. She wondered into the kitchen and sat down at the table. The look she gave him made him sure that he wasn't going to like what she was going to say.
"I think you should take Lilly away for a while, somewhere out of country."
"What!?" He was appalled how could she think he'd leave her now?
"Harry listen, I made a dreadful mistake and it would seem a fatal one. I should have killed that bastard when I had the chance all those years ago, if I had Luna would still be alive. If I had Zoe wouldn't be in danger now. I won't allow my mistake to hurt anyone else. Collin will see you and Lilly as a way to get to me. He knows that he will have to kill me to get Zoe, he knows I'll protect her until my last breath. I don't intend to let it get that far but he will target you and Lilly to hurt me. I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to any of you."
He understood what she was saying. If their positions were reversed he would tell her to do the same. It didn't change the facts though. He loved her, he loved Zoe. He wasn't leaving.
"No." he said as he crossed to the fridge and pulled out a butter beer, he got also handed one to her.
"Harry," she started. "It won't be forever, I'm hoping to resolve the matter quickly."
"I understand Gin, but I'm not leaving you or Zoe."
"Harry, I'm sending Zoe away." That surprised him but it shouldn't have.
"Where?"
"It'll be safer I if I don't know but I've already spoken to Ron and Mionie about it they are both taking a leave of absence from work and taking Zoe with somewhere safe."
"I'll send Lilly away but I'm staying with you. I'm going to help you prove what Collin did. I'm going to help you stop him and if necessary I will help you kill him."
She looked at him and was once again struck by how much she loved him. She'd known for months but hadn't wanted to say so because she felt it was all moving so quickly. She'd never been one to leap without looking, she'd evaluate the relationship before giving all her heart. It was quite a distinction between her personal and professional life. While on a mission she'd dive head first into danger, she had always been prepared and ready for any turn something might take but she wouldn't falter because the situation was dangerous. With her heart she was much more cautious. What surprised her most of all was how comfortable she was trusting Harry with her heart and especially with Zoe.
"Harry, I don't know what I would do if I lost you. I don't want you a part of this."
"Gin, I'm a part of this. End of discussion."
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"Auntie, why aren't you coming with me?" Zoe asked doe eyed. It broke Ginny's heart.
"I want to pet, I truly do." Ginny said holding the girl close. "You need to go with Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione for a while. I'll collect you and we will spend some much needed quality time together."
"I don't want to go." Her voice was small. Lilly, James, and Harry were all there as well. Lilly (jr) had gone to stay with Remus and Tonks for a while. They were currently on holiday somewhere far away.
"I have something for you." She put the necklace around Zoe's neck, the little girl held the locket part in her hands. Ginny wore a matching one. "Your mommy and I bought these after Hogwarts, no matter how far apart we were if one of us needed the other the locket would glow and transport us to each other." Ginny took a breath. "I had intended to give it to you when you left for Hogwarts as that would be our first time being separated for a long time but it seems we had use for it earlier then intended."
"So if I need you, this will take you too me?"
"Yes, pet." She embraced the girl again and kissed her hair. "Now, I need you to be good and I need you to be brave. Can you do that for me?" Zoe nodded with tears in her eyes. "Good, I love you Zoe" Tears formed in Ginny's eyes as well she looked up at Ron and Hermione "Well you'd better be going, I bet you're going somewhere wonderful and you'll have lots of fun with your Aunt and Uncle."
Harry placed a hand on Ginny's shoulder as they watched Zoe go. She placed her hand over his as well and closed her eyes for a moment as if she were intending to capture Zoe's face in her memory.
No words were exchanged between the Potters and Ginny. No words of comfort or encouragement. It was as if every one of them knew there was nothing that could be said to help the pain that she was feeling. The threat was real, and no one knew how this would play out. One thing was clear though, Ginny would kill Collin or die trying.
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Collin breathed in the murky air of his surroundings. He felt completely comfortable in the dark ally. The hookers glanced at him but made no crude offers, he wasn't offended. He'd visited places like this often and while he saw how they would proposition other men they felt skittish of him. He looked until he found the one that had the same colour eyes as Luna. The wig was in his backpack and he intended to release some of the agitation he felt.
The bitch had sent his Zoe away. He'd find her but apparently it would take more time then he'd hoped.
No matter, the end result would be the same. Zoe would be his.
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Ginny loved Harry. She also loved the rest of the Potters and Sirius it was rare that people she hadn't known a few years ago would drop everything and help her do something so dangerous to save someone so precious.
They all shuffled around the room sorting through files. She'd told them the name she needed.
"Ginny?" James asked. "How do you have so many criminal informants?"
"I was willing to throw out cases to protect them."
"Doesn't that defeat the point?" Sirius asked.
"Not really, it was never my first choice, I'd only do it if the case was low risk for example if I were after some low level drug dealer and got the name from a CI and their identity was revealed then it causes more harm than good. I'd get the low level drug dealer but my CI could end up hurt, killed or scared into silence and whoever was giving that drug dealer his orders would just replace the low level offender. If it was a larger case I'd make sure I got permits to obliviate anyone who was interviewed about the case to protect the informant. Word got around that that's how I worked and people grew to trust me and if you have that." She found the file and pulled it out. "They are always there when you need them no matter how long it's been."
They gathered around a small desk as she opened the file and pulled out a burner cell phone.
"Fiona, hey it's Ginny. I need to talk to you"
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They met at a small diner. The woman who walked in was a far cry from the woman Ginny had known. She was aware when she left the agency that Fiona had intended to clean up her life and Ginny was not only happy but also proud that she'd done just that.
"Ginny," Fiona smiled as she sat down. "I was surprised to hear from you. What's going on?"
"Hi Fi, I don't have a lot of time to waste so I'm just going to jump right in. I need you to get word to a few of your former contacts that I'm looking for a man named Collin Creevey. If anyone can tell me where to find him I'll pay handsomely."
Fiona looked nervous. "Look, Ginny you know I'd love to help you but I've turned around. I'm not in that life anymore."
Ginny smiled. "I can tell and I'm really happy for you. I'd never ask you to do anything to risk pulling you backwards but I know you and I'm willing to bet you help other girls get out. I'm sure you remember how hard that can be. All I'm asking you to do is make a phone call and give them a name. Nothing else. I swear." Ginny paused a moment, Harry and Lilly had come with her while James and Sirius had gone to the ministry to conform some things. The air was tense and charged, Ginny's voice wavered slightly when she continued to speak. It was the first time Fiona had heard Ginny with anything but strength in her voice. "The man I'm looking for stalked and killed my sister and now he is coming after my niece, whom my sister left in my care."
Fiona looked at Ginny. "Ok, I'll make the call."
"Thank you."
With that Fiona got up to leave and while she felt that Collin deserved everything Ginny was going to give to him she felt a bit of pity for the bastard. Fear isn't weakness when heard in a woman's voice. When a woman is afraid especially for a child, fear should inspire nothing but terror in that woman's opponent. And Ginny wasn't just out to protect Zoe which inspired the fear. This man had killed her sister. Ginny was out for revenge for her sister's death. Revenge was something else no man could do quite like a woman. Fiona was certain that only God himself could save Collin from Ginny and she doubted God would waste his time.
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Harry, Lilly and Ginny walked into her home. Everything was silent and still. Ginny had put up some of the strongest barriers Lilly had ever seen to ward against Collin and the three of them were sure they were safe.
Harry went upstairs to change. Leaving Lilly and Ginny alone in the living room.
"I haven't had a chance to properly thank you." Ginny said as she lit a fire. Lilly looked at her. "For what you're doing. You're risking a lot to help me and I want you to know that I know that and that I'm thankful."
Lilly greatly liked and admired Ginny. She hadn't said it to her son because she refused to be one of those mothers but she would like nothing more than to call Ginny her daughter-in-law one day.
"Ginny, let me assure you there is nowhere else any of us would rather be. First of all we all love Zoe and consider her family. If you mess with one member of my family you mess with all of us and that is not something anyone should ever do. And second of all my so is in love with you; so even if Zoe wasn't a factor we'd all still help you."
Ginny smiled and blushed slightly. "Thank you." She said again.
"I know you've heard about Jackie" she said the name with the distain that anyone would expect. "I never liked her, and when I found out she was pregnant I didn't want Harry to marry her. I knew it would be a mistake. I wanted him to be a father to his child but not to marry that woman. She proved every low opinion I had of her true when she left that beautiful little girl. I think you my dear are a much better match for my son. And I swear to you we will stop this Collin character and protect your beautiful niece." Lilly was now holding Ginny's hand, stroking it lightly. They pulled away when they heard Harry coming down the stairs and a moment later James and Sirius were coming through the front door. Ginny looked at them without saying anything. Everyone in the room held the same question. Sirius spoke first. "We've spoken to the minister, if you can prove that Collin escaped Azkaban, killed your sister and brother in law and is actively planning to kidnap Zoe then he will be completely within his rights to order the dementors kiss. He would of course want to skip a trial as he wants to keep the Azkaban break outs quite. Which means we need to apprehend Collin, take him to the minister of magic and question him under the truth serum. Once that is done a dementor will be called and Collin will be given the kiss of death the same night."
Ginny sighed. "Good, then we only have to capture Collin. The rest will sort itself out in the minister's office."
AN: In interest of complete disclosure I have to let everyone know the Criminal Informant conversation I took bits and pieces from episode 2 of Chicago PD. No copyright infringement intended. Hope you enjoyed Read&Review. Thanks All!