They Apparated to what Ginny assumed was the warehouse on the outskirts of Carlisle. Sure enough, the black form that Severus referred to as the 'Obscurial' had landed in front of the doors, transformed back into Marcia and slithered inside. Severus held his breath until she was out of sight and relaxed his grip on Ginny's hand.
"We go inside now?" she whispered.
"Not now. It would make it far too obvious that we were on its trail." Severus relaxed, sinking down into the grasses. "I would like to see if any other figures enter the warehouse tonight to prove my suspicions that this is indeed a meeting place for-"
"-for the Dark Lord ….Voldemort?"
"I do not know."
Ginny and Severus waited hidden for what felt like hours and watched a few cloaked figures Apparate on the grounds and enter the warehouse.
"She called you…Severus," Ginny whispered.
His response was an understanding grunt. He knew Marcia the Obscurial knew.
Finally when the scene was clear, Severus took some notes into a notepad hidden in his robe pockets and slammed it shut before Ginny could ask him what he had written about.
"Severus," Ginny whispered, and when no comment was made, continued, "am I game to be part of your plan?"
His brows furrowed. "Game?"
"I mean, can I be included?"
"Previously I would have said no," Severus began, "But since then, you've made it clear that you are a skilled asset to assist in some operations. That and I am certain I cannot convince you to be a mere observer."
Ginny smiled. "So, you do need an assistant?"
"I wouldn't use that term-"
"-helper?"
"Perhaps, a confidente."
"A confidente." Ginny laughed. "Sounds formal. I'll take it. So what is my first mission, boss?"
To her surprise, he handed her his notebook, though reluctantly. "Here you will find the names and physical descriptions of all the members of Cagailshire and surrounding areas I believe are in conference with Riddle or are related to his mission to reawaken his body. If you see or have any information on any of them, you are to write to me immediately or send me a Patronus. I need to be aware. According to my calculations, they are using this warehouse at their Safe Keeping. They are going to strike soon—I assume the arrival of Potter and his Aurors is a good sign that they will make themselves known."
"Do you think they will kill Harry in an attempt to make a political point?" Ginny whispered.
Severus nodded. "Unlikely. I do think Riddle will be waiting for a very grand moment to make his mark. The Obscurial did not reveal anything to me, although Im certain, she is aware of my knowledge of Riddle's operations. She has been looing at my forearm."
"Harry said that the Aurors will be making a public statement to the press by the end of next week and bringing in more men if they think there is an immediate threat in Cagailshire."
"Then we will be on the lookout to find any weak links who we can corner and who can offer information," Snape said, and lowered his voice. "By force, if we have to extract it from them."
"I won't let you down," Ginny said decisively, clutching the book to her chest. It felt like finally there was some semblance of respect between the two of them. That's when Ginny doubled over and threw up all over Severus' shoes. At least the sight of the covered in muck was the last thing she remembered before the world went black.
-xxx-
"Merlin Ginny, I'm so glad you're okay. Where the bloody hell were you." This was Harry Potter, pulling Ginny in for a huge hug on the doorstep of her flat the next morning.
If Harry had questions, Ginny had a million more. She was not sure how she got home. She could only assume Severus had Apparated with her to her flat after she, oh Gods, after she threw up over him. Ginny didn't drink much as a bartender so she was pretty damn embarassed she let herself get so drunk on her date with Harry that she had to let the insides of her stomach out. That combined with the sighting of the Obscurial and the stakeout at the warehouse was likely too much for her poor digestive system.
"After you left to the lavatory, I got note of Dark Matter lurking in the restaurant from Will. I was worried something happened to you when you didn't show," Harry went on.
"Harry, I'm really sorry. It was irresponsible of me. I just felt so sick, must have been the wine, I didn't want to cause a scene."
Harry sighed. "Ginny you don't have to love me…I understand that. But I do care for you, and nothing is going to change that. I need to know you're safe. If you wanted to leave dinner, you should have let me know. I would have taken care of you and brought you back home. But it's not right that you Apparated like that on me without so much as a Patronus or a message."
Ginny continued nodding in agreement adding in the occasional 'you're right' and 'I'm sorry' like a broken record. There was nothing else left to do. Yes, it was selfish of her, but the only other choice would be to reveal that she was in fact chasing an Obscurial and sticking her nose into Ministry business with the one many the Ministry despised — Snape. Finally, some combination of her apologies seemed to calm Harry down and she invited him in for a coffee.
As Ginny began to brew a fresh pot with a quick spell, she noticed a flask of Pepper-Up Potion that Ginny could only assume was left by Severus. Downing the entire flask, her stomach instantly clenched and she hurled the remains of last night's dinner into the kitchen sink. As soon as she did, she instantly felt relieved and well awake and rested.
Carrying two coffees into the parlor, she sat with Harry and stirred her milk and sugar into her own cup as Harry talked about last night's sighting and traces.
"Could it be an Obscurial?" Ginny asked.
Harry laughed. "Obscurials don't exist. And if they did, they don't survive well past childhood. Dumbledore's younger sister had been one and she passed away. One of the things they taught us in the Auror Academy was not to find the exceptions to the rule, but to assume the status quo was true. Question, question, question anythinhg after."
"But, you're saying that the being in the restaurant last night could have hypothetically been an Obscurial?"
"Hypothetically yes," Harry said, taking a long sip of his coffee. "But the truth is, we don't want to make assumptions until we know for certain."
"Right."
"Listen Gin, don't get tangled up in this, okay? It's my job now to take care of all of us," Harry said, leaning in to take both of her hands in his. "Let me take care of you. Trust me. I don't want you to have to go through anything painful after Fred's death. I know you're strong enough and you've got the biggest heart of anyone I know, but you don't have to be strong with me. I want you to relax and be happy."
It really was the most generous message Ginny received in a long time, but it did not make her heart soften. She knew Harry was trying to be kind and chivalrous and masculine, but she just wasn't ready to let herself be taken care of. Ginny was already committed to finishing hunting down Voldemort and righting the wrongs that he committed during the war. She did want to sit back and watch Harry and his Aurors take care of it by themselves. She wanted in on the action.
"Harry, that's really kind of you," she said, "but suppose I want to help? I want to be useful to you."
"I know Gin and that's why I love you," Harry said, then instantly began muttering a bunch of incoherent things to mask the statement. "But I don't think I could look your mum or dad straight in the face and tell them that I let you join me in hunting down Voldemort. I've watched too many people I cared about die and I won't let you become one of them." Harry shuddered, "besides if your mum found out there were Death Eaters in Cagailshire, she'd Floo down here herself and would drag you back to the Burrow."
"Sounds like mum," Ginny said, leaning on Harry's shoulder.
"This is nice." Harry Summoned a few blankets over and tucked Ginny in, planting a soft kiss on her forehead. "Besides I can't have my date to the ceremony sick."
"The ceremony?"
"My promotion," Harry grinned. "Rumour has it Minister Shacklebolt would like to hold the upcoming ceremony here in Cagailshire, it being a rich historical site. And something about my promotion to Head Auror."
"That's phenomenal Harry!"
That's right, Ginny thought, kicking herself for being incredibly inattentive to Harry during their 'date' where he probably mentioned his promotion at least thrice. Truly her mind had been … elsewhere.
"Promise you won't do anything too Gryffindor," he whispered.
"I'll try to act by the book," Ginny said tactfully.
She had promised someone else she'd do just the opposite.
A/N: Next chapter is up a bit earlier as I have some commitments tomorrow. Didn't feel like being naughty and leaving a cliffhanger for Tuesday. Enjoy!