Hello everyone, it is with pleasure that I present to you Chapter 9. Enjoy the read!
My one and only universe
Chapter 09: The Potion's Four Ingredients
Ginny found herself utterly engrossed by the ceiling. She had made a daunting request of her friends several hours ago — to aid her in brewing a potion. Their agreement had largely hinged on Jim's eloquent persuasion, which had effectively stymied their queries. Yet she could sense that Eliott, at least, hadn't been entirely fooled.
For the moment, she had to make do. She shifted in her bed, arranged her pillow behind her head, and attempted to shut her eyes. However, the images of the Basilisk and the Chamber of Secrets sprang forth so abruptly that her eyes snapped open.
Insomnia had been Ginny's companion since the night had fallen. She glanced at the room's central clock, which displayed half past three in the morning. A few beds over, the steady rhythm of Anny's breaths indicated a peaceful slumber.
Ginny exhaled a sigh and rolled over again. Scott Ashwing... She was still grappling with disbelief. How had he changed so drastically? She had trusted him implicitly, and now she questioned everyone's trustworthiness. It felt as though all the certainties she had taken for granted were mere illusions. Not only Scott Ashwing, but what if even her friends were not as they seemed?
No... she refused to believe that Jim could be nefarious, or Anny, Jessica, or Eliott. She had to trust them; they were all she could rely on. And they must trust her too, for who else could they confide in? Albus Dumbledore? She yearned to confide in him, to unburden herself. But Scott had threatened to unleash the snake if she divulged her plans. Could she risk it? The snake was massive. How many would perish before Dumbledore could intervene? How many would be wounded?
The magnitude of it all was overwhelming. Yes, she was terrified, perhaps more than anyone else. Had Scott revealed the Chamber to someone braver, they might have contrived a plan to thwart him and rectify the situation. But the burden had fallen on her, Ginny Weasley.
It wasn't that she deemed herself lacking courage—she was a Weasley, after all—but she wasn't reckless.
Her gaze returned to the ceiling. After hours of contemplation, she felt she knew its every detail. From the tiny crack in the upper left corner to the spots where the paint had begun to peel, she could map it out perfectly. She gently closed her eyes and exhaled a deep breath.
This time, no disturbing images emerged.
For now, she had to comply with Scott's commands. And wait... wait for something to happen, for an opportunity to act.
Yes, just wait.
Only when the clock struck four in the morning did sleep finally claim Ginny.
"Class dismissed for today. Remember to turn in your assignments on your way out, and bear in mind, we commence practical work on restraining spells tomorrow!"
Harry stretched as he watched his students exit the room, engrossed in their conversations. The seventh-year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were diligent students, never evading their responsibilities—a virtue absent in the third-year Gryffindor-Slytherin students whom Harry would teach in an hour.
He sighed while arranging his papers and allowed a smile to form. Despite their differences, the upcoming classes would be stimulating for both parties; he had procured an exceptionally animated boggart.
Acknowledging the Ravenclaw who handed him her assignment, he accepted it with gratitude. Despite his preference for practical applications, he recognized the necessity of theoretical knowledge, especially for the seventh years preparing for the N.E.W.T.
"Here, Professor Majes."
Scott Ashwing proffered the three sheets of parchment that Harry had assigned. The Boy Who Lived collected them, adding them to the pile of submitted assignments. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that the Ravenclaw remained, seemingly intrigued by the documents on his desk.
"Something on your mind, Mr. Ashwing?" Harry asked, a smile playing on his lips. "A problem?"
Scott reciprocated the smile. He shook his head in dismissal.
"No, not at all, Professor. Just lost in thought. Have a great day," he concluded, swinging his bag over his shoulder before exiting the room.
Harry released a sigh. Had he been like that as a student? So distant? He shrugged his shoulders and picked up the pile of assignments.
Everyone had submitted their work, it seemed. Skimming the first few responses, he noticed they had done reasonably well.
He stretched his arms. With an hour to spare before his class with the third years, he decided to make headway on grading the assignments.
The first several sheets passed rapidly under his scrutiny, and soon only the scratch of his quill against parchment filled the room. His eyebrows furrowed when he came across Ashwing's paper.
It was impeccable.
Ashwing had already demonstrated his extraordinary skill in practical classes, and it appeared he excelled in theoretical knowledge as well.
His quill traced an "O" for Outstanding on the student's paper.
Undoubtedly a promising student... He was about to proceed to the next assignment when a knock on the classroom door interrupted him.
"Come in!" he called, while organizing his assignments.
The door creaked open, revealing a blonde Hufflepuff girl he recognized.
"Professor Majes, Professor Bermatus requested your presence in the dungeons," she announced. The young girl, shy by nature, kept her gaze steadfastly focused on her feet.
Harry scratched the back of his head in mild annoyance.
"You're the Hufflepuff Prefect, correct? Why are you the one delivering this message?"
The young girl blushed faintly before stammering her reply.
"I... I was in Professor Bermatus's class. We were preparing a Draught of Living Death. He was tied up with the end-of-class preparations and couldn't leave... so he sent me."
Harry released another sigh.
Ginny found herself aimlessly navigating the lonely corridors of the second floor. She had left her friends abruptly at the end of their Charms lesson, claiming a pressing matter required her attention. At the moment, she yearned for one thing; solitude, the freedom to reflect without interruption or disturbance.
Ever since Scott had threatened her, a shroud of confusion engulfed her. She was unsure who to trust, to whom she could unburden her thoughts. The fear of making a mistake and causing a calamity loomed ominously over her. If someone got hurt, would it be her doing? Was it because she had defied Scott?
Throughout the entirety of the Charms lesson, Eliott had persistently thrown her disconcerting glances. Was he harbouring suspicions about her? Did he have inklings about something? He had attempted to engage her in conversation after class; that was when she had made her escape.
Convinced that she had distanced herself enough, the redhead rested against the wall and slid down in resignation. Ginny pressed her hands against her forehead, shutting her eyes tightly. Her present concern was to adhere to Scott's demands: to procure the ingredients for the potion.
A potion for what, she wondered? Could it be worse than the snake? Impossible... Nothing could be more horrifying than that creature running rampant. Yet, the potion was intended for Professor Majes. Would he be the one to consume it?
Professor Majes...
Chaos had ensued ever since he had stepped foot in Hogwarts. Could his arrival be the cause of Scott's transformation?
Maybe he could provide assistance... Maybe...
Her train of thought was abruptly derailed by a muffled melody. An instrument? No, it was someone humming softly in the distance.
Regaining her composure, the redhead rose and traced the source of the sound. The humming echoed from an adjacent corridor. This wing of the castle was usually deserted, especially at this hour when the premises were largely vacant. Turning the corner at the end of the corridor, she froze.
A blonde girl was crouched nearby one of the ornate statues lining the walls, humming a gentle tune as she moved her hands through the air, seemingly grasping at an invisible entity.
Ginny tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She was merely another student, nothing more.
She was about to make her exit when the young girl hailed her.
"You're Ginny Weasley, aren't you?" The girl's voice rang out, pure and untainted by ill will.
As the blonde rose, Ginny got a clear view of her face. Recognition flashed across her features.
"You're Lufoca... Luna Lovegood," she corrected herself just in time to avoid a slip.
Luna Lovegood, widely known as Lufoca by virtually every student at Hogwarts - and even a few professors, was the most eccentric student in the school. Her unconventional personality and childlike innocence distinguished her from the rest... She had no friends.
Hearing her name, Luna's face lit up with a smile. She rose, dusted off her Ravenclaw robe, and approached Ginny.
"Usually, nobody comes here. Are you lost?"
A soft chuckle escaped Ginny. Luna's innocence was endearing.
"Not really, Luna... And you, what brings you here?"
She gestured towards the spot where Luna had been crouching moments before.
The Ravenclaw placed her hands behind her, her smile broadening.
"I was guiding the Pyrimont fireflies back to their nest! I believe they had lost their way in the castle, much like you."
"I wasn't lost, Luna..."
Luna shrugged nonchalantly, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"Ah, well, people often lose their way around here."
Ginny held back a smirk, thinking it was more likely that Luna was the one who frequently lost her way. After seven years exploring the castle, Ginny could confidently claim an intimate familiarity with its layout.
"Pyrimont fireflies usually have an excellent sense of direction. Since they are invisible to the naked eye, someone must have unknowingly relocated them..."
Luna's expression grew sombre as she recounted her tale. Pyrimont fireflies? Ginny had never heard of them, suspecting it was yet another whimsical creation of Luna's imagination...
"It's a shame that people don't respect them more... After all, just because we can't see something, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist, right?"
Ginny was about to retort when a chill seized her. Neurons in her brain sparked, and a revelation came crashing down on her. Just because we can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist... Merlin, why hadn't she considered that before!
"Luna! You're a genius!" exclaimed Ginny, rushing off down the corridor.
With a serene smile, Luna watched her depart.
"She found her way, then?" she mused aloud, her words echoing in the empty corridor.
Ginny dashed towards her common room, her heart pounding in her chest. Swiftly, she rattled off the password to the Fat Lady, her eyes already scanning the room for the presence of Anny, Jessica, Jim, and Eliott. When she found none of them in sight, she let out a relieved sigh. Wasting no time, she ascended the staircase to her dormitory, taking them four steps at a time and hastily unzipped her suitcase.
With a swift flick of her wand, she dispelled the illusion spell and drew out the Marauder's Map.
Last time, their efforts to locate Professor Majes on the map had failed, a problem they were yet to solve. However, Ginny had an epiphany - she had been looking in the wrong place.
Just because we can't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist, she mused.
A sense of belated realization dawned on her; she had been missing the solution that had been right under her nose. The name. His name. Majes wasn't his true identity. Twice, she had heard the other name - first, during a sudden vision in the corridor, and then when Scott had referred to him by that name while they were in the Chamber of Secrets.
Potter.
There, in his classroom, the name Harry Potter prominently stood out above the miniature footprints. The map did not recognize false identities. Ginny wasn't entirely sure about the magic that empowered the map, but she trusted it implicitly.
Her certainty solidified; Harry Majes did not exist, but Harry Potter certainly did. Ginny clapped a hand over her mouth in surprise. The map typically displayed "Professor" before the names of the faculty.
However, it was different in the case of Harry Potter. As one mystery seemed to get unraveled at Hogwarts, another would soon take its place.
With a sigh, Ginny folded the map and tucked it back into her suitcase.
Harry Potter... Why was he concealing his identity? Was there something he wanted to keep hidden? Could he be... the malevolent wizard they feared?
She didn't have the answers yet. But, at least she knew where to begin her search.
A few minutes later, Ginny exited the common room, her bag slung over her shoulder. She felt a renewed energy coursing through her veins. Perhaps the answers to her myriad questions and, more importantly, the solutions to her problems, were hidden within that surname.
The Great Hall clock read two o'clock. Ginny was fortunate to have her first class at three, providing her an hour to utilize. Without further delay, she set off, navigating the labyrinth of the castle's corridors until she reached the sanctuary of diligent scholars: The library.
Despite their lack of success, Jim had been onto something when he suggested looking into the records of wizards births. Ginny located the book in no time and settled down at one of the vacant tables. The library was scarcely populated at this hour, save for a handful of studious Ravenclaws.
Ginny paused for a moment, her eyes shut tightly. She felt a surge of anticipation at what she was about to unearth. For the first time since the beginning of the year, she felt she was on the right track.
The book, cataloging witch births in alphabetical order, had a substantial section dedicated to the 'P's. Ginny traced her finger along the lines, moving from Pawell to Peters until her eyes landed on the name she was searching for.
Potter.
Her heart hammered against her ribs as she read the name, visible at the page's turn.
Next to it were the latest descendants of the Potter lineage, with brief notes accompanying their names.
Charles Potter (1928 – 1990) married Ashley Potter (1932 – 1990).
Child – James Potter (1960 – 1990).
The last of the Potters had perished barely a decade ago, in 1990. Had a particular incident led to the demise of all the Potters? Was it an accident? There was no mention of a Harry Potter. Could he possibly be using a pseudonym for his first name as well? No, the Marauder's Map would have picked that up. Was he perhaps from a different branch of the Potter family?
Ginny scanned the pages for a long while but to no avail. Frustrated, she closed the book, her lips pinched together.
All that effort had led to nothing. All she learned was that the Potter family had no direct descendants.
Stretching, Ginny got up from her chair and replaced the book on the shelf before making her way out of the quiet sanctuary of the library.
It was quarter to three. Time to head to Botany class. She sauntered to the greenhouse on the ground floor where Jim greeted her enthusiastically.
"Ginny! Over here!"
Jim, Eliott, Anny, and Jessica were standing slightly apart from the rest of the students who were preparing to enter the greenhouse. Ginny managed a small smile as she joined her friends.
"Where have you been? We were starting to worry again, you know..." Jessica admonished, her hands akimbo and a pout on her lips.
Ginny shrugged nonchalantly and stuck her tongue out, to add to her indifference.
While she tried to appear unperturbed, Jim grabbed Ginny by her shoulders and brandished a vial right in front of her eyes.
"Ta-da!" he announced, his grin wide enough to reveal all his teeth.
Ginny took a moment to understand what Jim was showing her. In the vial, a few strands of hair floated lazily.
"Jim, is this..." Ginny began, reaching out to grab the vial, but Jim pulled it away at the last moment.
With a sly wink, Jim nodded.
"Lucky that Eliott and I passed by Majes' office during the break! The door was locked, of course, but that meant... nobody was there! We took a chance... A quick "Accio" at the door gap and voila!"
Eliott adjusted his glasses on his nose.
"It's natural to lose hair, especially in a place where one spends a lot of time. It wasn't unusual to find some in his office," he reasoned, backing up Jim's narrative.
Jim pocketed the vial and patted it lovingly.
"I'm not sure if this potion plan is going to work! But I'm having a blast!"
Anny and Jessica shared Jim's enthusiasm, while Eliott moved closer to Ginny. He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"I don't know what you're planning, Gin'... But you can trust us, we're here to help."
Ginny opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. She looked away instead.
"Hey, what are you all doing out here? Get inside!"
Professor Sprout's stern voice was one they couldn't ignore.
Meanwhile, Harry trudged out of the potions classroom, feeling disgruntled. Bermatus had delegated the responsibility of overseeing the detention-bound students to him, claiming he "didn't have time".
Sure, as if he had nothing better to do...
Ginny collapsed onto the common room sofa alongside Anny, a clear sign of fatigue. She rubbed her neck and shoulder for a moment, eyes closed, before releasing a weary sigh.
Two friendly hands descended onto her shoulders, and Jim began to knead her tense muscles.
"Stressed much, Gin'?" he asked, his voice filled with mild amusement.
Ginny allowed the soothing massage to continue for a moment before shrugging him off.
"I'm okay, Jim... It's just been one of those days," she replied, her voice lightened by a small smile.
Eliott and Jessica strolled in not long after, taking their places in the vicinity of the already assembled group.
"The Botany class today was unbearably long!" Jessica groaned, collapsing dramatically into a chair. "So much theory! I can't wait until we've taken our N.E. and can finally escape these never-ending lectures!"
Eliott chuckled, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. His amusement vanished quickly, replaced by a stern expression.
"Alright, so what's the plan for collecting the remaining ingredients we need? I'm still of the opinion that it's not a great idea..."
Jim stood up and asserted himself at the center of the group.
"Come on! A tiny drop of blood and a sliver of skin isn't a huge deal! Besides, it's just to discover his true identity, it's not like it's really dangerous!"
Ginny's gaze involuntarily drifted towards her feet as Eliott emitted a sigh of exasperation.
"Perhaps... Any other suggestions then?" Eliott inquired, his face a stoic mask.
"Why don't we all ambush him after class?" Jim proposed, the suggestion hanging in the air devoid of any hint of humor.
Jessica grabbed him by the shoulders, playfully pretending to hit him.
"And get ourselves all expelled, right?"
The boy tried to wriggle out from his friend's playful hold.
"Hey, I'm serious!"
Their lighthearted banter eased the tense atmosphere, and Ginny even allowed a small, clandestine smile to cross her face. Eliott caught her smile and winked.
Anny, rubbing her hands together in a nervous gesture, swung her feet over the edge of the sofa. After a few false starts, she finally seemed to summon the courage to speak.
"I... I might have a suggestion."
A hush immediately descended upon the room.
Anny was usually shy and much more comfortable following the group rather than leading.
Jessica released Jim and immediately turned her full attention to Anny.
"Go on, Anny. We're listening."
The brunette averted her gaze, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. Unconsciously, her hand found its way to her ponytail, brushing it over her shoulder.
"We did have a Botany class today, right?"
Classes had concluded a few hours earlier, and Ginny found herself in the secluded corner of the East Wing corridor. They had spent the previous night strategizing their plan and now the time had come for its execution. As Jim had succinctly put it, "A good plan is one executed swiftly."
The redhead cradled a small pot filled with soil. Beside her, Anny appeared more anxious than usual.
"What if it doesn't work?" Anny asked, her voice betraying her nerves.
Ginny gifted her with a reassuring smile.
"If it doesn't, we'll just try something else. But Anny, it's a sound plan."
The reassurance seemed to work; Anny locked eyes with Ginny, returning her smile before quickly falling back into her state of worry.
"I just hope Jim and Eliott will manage... I hadn't considered they'd have to pilfer from Professor Bermatus' store."
Ginny shrugged nonchalantly.
"They've done it before... And they have the Marauder's Map with them. They'll spot anyone coming."
As if on cue, the figures of the two boys materialized at the end of the corridor. Out of breath, Jim and Eliott arrived.
"So?" Ginny asked, her voice strung a little too tight.
Eliott was gasping for air, propped against the wall, while Jim was practically bent double. In response, Jim weakly lifted a thumbs-up.
"No sweat! We've got the potion... Had to bolt out though, Bermatus was storming in like a man on a mission. Must've forgotten something in the dungeons after class."
Ginny nodded, absorbing the news.
There was no turning back now. Once they had acquired a piece of flesh and a drop of blood, only a tear remained.
Jessica soon appeared down the corridor, gesturing for them to follow.
"All clear," she began once the group had caught up with her. "Professor Majes is in his office, and the coast is clear."
Jim clapped his hands enthusiastically.
"Perfect! Operation Carni-Voracious commences!"
Harry stretched languidly, a quill in his hand. At last, he had finished correcting the assignments he had given the fourth-year students the day before, and now he could turn his attention to the preparation of upcoming lessons.
On his desk, a precarious pile of half a dozen books teetered, each dealing with the intertwining histories of the magical and Muggle worlds.
Ever since a sharp, familiar pain had surged through his scar, a pain echoing the sensations he experienced when Voldemort was alive, he had plunged into a deep study of this world's history. He was determined to ensure no dark wizard, reminiscent of Voldemort, lurked in the shadows.
From his research, it seemed that no significant evil sorcerer had come to the surface since 1945.
A dull thud echoed in the room, disrupting his train of thought. With a swift wave of his hand, he stilled the shaking of the cupboard nestled in the room's corner.
For the third-year students, he had managed to procure a particularly fierce boggart. This led to the recent practical lessons being more strenuous than usual.
Another noise reverberated, and again Harry raised his hand.
But this time, the gesture failed to silence the sound.
He looked up, furrowing his brows, as he saw the cupboard sat still, devoid of any movement.
Another thud echoed.
Attuned to the noise, Harry listened carefully, attempting to trace the source of the sound.
It was as if something was pounding against the wall. In the hallway.
With a swift, fluid motion, he drew his wand and walked towards the door.
The pounding grew louder.
Gripping the doorknob, he flung the door open, hurling himself into the corridor with an unexpected vigor.
The first thing that met his sight was a rushing green mass, which promptly slammed into him. The Boy Who Lived was propelled by an unknown force. His body took flight, and just in the nick of time, Harry managed to cast a cushioning charm that mitigated his fall against the stone floor.
Wasting no time, he erected a preventative shield around himself. Pressing his hands against the cool stone, he pushed himself up in a nimble pirouette, a move worthy of a gymnast. His back sent a clear message that he'd best not repeat that move soon unless he fancied spending his life paralyzed.
In a fraction of a second, his demeanor shifted from Hogwarts' benevolent professor to a battle-hardened duelist.
He finally got a clear look at what had so violently ejected him into the air: a giant plant. Dozens of whiplike vines were thrashing through the air, dominated by an enormous, spherical, yellowish head.
The plant let out a high-pitched screech before launching its vines towards the professor.
Nimbly, he evaded the initial onslaught, countering with a sharp cutting spell aimed at the reaching tendrils.
Two severed pieces of the plant flopped to the floor, wriggling like slowly roasted eels.
Without missing a beat, Harry brandished his wand, unleashing another wave of spells. They traversed the corridor, causing sonic and visual vibrations before striking the plant's stalk. The cut was clean and precise, provoking another shriek from the plant.
A trace of surprise flickered across Harry's face when sap – or was it saliva? – dripped from the plant's gaping maw. Barely half a second later, a dozen green tendrils lunged at him.
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he twirled his wand, gripping it like a dagger, and dashed forward.
Harry's body wove between the plant's attacks, severing each vine that strayed within his reach. The more he cut, the more new stems sprouted. But The Boy Who Lived pressed on, inexorably, towards the towering head of the plant.
A thrill sparked within Harry as he fought. It wasn't that he enjoyed combat – not against wizards, at least. But he had to admit, this particular encounter was invigorating. For the first time in a long while, he felt the freedom of unhindered movement. The stakes of this confrontation were minimal. It was just him and the monstrous plant.
A new wave of tendrils encircled him. With a swift, precise movement of his wand, he carved a figure-eight in the air, and a sonic and light explosion erupted around him.
The smoke that formed dissipated within seconds, revealing Harry, standing in the midst of the corridor, encircled by a score of severed tendrils.
The plant seemed stunned, disoriented.
Seizing this fleeting moment of respite, he dashed once more towards the center of the monstrosity.
The yellow head emitted a final growl before Harry's wand plunged into its soft flesh, emitting a symphony of sound and light.
The head, along with the rest of the plant's body, collapsed onto the cold stone. After verifying that the plant was truly incapacitated, Harry withdrew his wand, finally allowing himself a moment to breathe.
He surveyed his surroundings, wondering what could have spawned such a creature. His breath gradually slowed, but a sharp pain suddenly struck him. To his knowledge, this type of plant was unheard of... However, it did bear some resemblance to a Drosera Sarracenia – only much larger and far fiercer.
His right hand brushed over his shoulder, discovering a shallow wound. Blood was seeping through his torn robe.
The adrenaline had masked the pain of the hit, but now he felt it. He sighed as the fallen plant let out a last raspy breath.
A laugh escaped Harry, more of a release from the ebbing tension than of genuine amusement.
Merlin's beard! This world was determined to drive him to madness. Couldn't he enjoy just a few days of peace?
His fingertips lightly probed the wound before he winced and swiftly pulled them away.
"Professor Sprout!" he called out abruptly. "Could someone please explain why there's a giant murderous plant in my hallway?!"
Jim's laughter echoed around the room, the sound jarring against the stunned silence that enveloped the rest of the group.
"Did you see his expression when he caught sight of the plant? It was as valuable as a pile of Galleons! Shame I didn't have the presence of mind to take a snapshot!"
With a swift, unceremonious slap on the back of his head from Jessica, his laughter came to an abrupt halt.
"Are you out of your mind? It was not supposed to unfold this way! The risk was too great. If someone had seen us..."
Muttering under his breath, Jim massaged the back of his head. "No one did..." His words were barely audible through his clenched teeth.
Meanwhile, Ginny's heartbeat was just beginning to slow down, having teetered on the edge of a calamity. What if the professor hadn't managed to keep the creature at bay? What if he had died... because of their reckless antics?
Unintentionally, her body began to shudder as the enormity of the situation sank in and the realization of the possible consequences dawned upon her.
Eliott's comforting hand on her shoulder snapped her out of her morbid thoughts.
"Are you okay, Gin'?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
The redhead nodded, inhaling deeply to regain her composure. She was not alone in her guilt; Anny, standing next to her, appeared to be just as shaken.
The group had congregated in Jim and Eliott's dormitory, fleeing to the safety of their room immediately after the chaos had ended.
Their original plan was straightforward enough. In Herbology class, they had been learning about the most dangerous plants indigenous to England. The Drosera Sarracenia, known for its rapid movement, was capable of ensnaring and consuming medium-sized mammals when fully grown. Although not inherently harmful to humans, it was known for its aggressive nature.
During the previous day's class, one student had ventured too close and had been lashed by a vine with such swiftness that it had left him with a severe scrape.
This incident led Anny to propose the idea of using the plant to engineer an "accidental" scrape on Professor Majes and thus gather the necessary ingredients - a sliver of skin and a droplet of blood - using an attraction spell.
However, the adult plant was immovable, posing their first obstacle. The solution they came up with was to encourage the growth of a seedling using a growth potion, one they had crafted multiple times in their sixth year, and which they knew was stored on Professor Bermatus's shelves.
But, as fate would have it, the plan did not go exactly as they'd intended.
The recipe dictated the use of merely three drops to trigger the plant's growth into adulthood. But the sudden sprout was so unexpected that Jim lost his balance, accidentally tipping the entire contents of the vial into the pot.
The subsequent havoc, as you already know, was beyond their wildest imaginations.
Snapping Ginny out of her introspective thoughts were two flasks spinning before her eyes, one containing a reddish liquid, the other a piece of slightly pink skin.
"There you go, we've got the ingredients, Gin'!" Jim announced, his cheerfulness out of place amidst the lingering tension.
Ginny averted her gaze. In light of the evening's events, she found herself questioning her resolve to proceed with their plan.
"Gin'?" The gentle voice of the Gryffindor to her side broke her internal debate.
With her lips pursed tightly, the redhead finally voiced her decision.
"I... I'm going to bed... I'm exhausted, we'll revisit this tomorrow."
With that, she took her leave, ascending the stairs to her dormitory with quick, determined strides. Just before her exit, she reclaimed the Marauder's Map that Jim had utilised a few hours earlier.
Three out of the four necessary ingredients were now in her possession. Should she persevere? Or was it time to accept defeat, confess to Dumbledore, and risk stirring up a catastrophe?
Safely ensconced in her bed, she closed her eyes. It wasn't late, just barely nine, and she wasn't sleepy. But she needed to find her inner calm. The pace of the events was proving to be too overwhelming for her.
The sound of footsteps indicated the arrival of either Anny or Jessica to the dormitory. Pulling her blanket over her face, Ginny sought comfort in the familiar softness.
"Goodnight, Ginny."
Ginny jerked the sheets back to identify the speaker, only to find Scott Ashwing grinning at her from the center of the room.
"I see that you're making impressive progress, even exceeding my expectations."
Approaching the edge of her bed, Scott took a seat. Ginny remained silent, scrutinizing him with furrowed brows.
"It would be a pity to quit now, don't you agree?" he continued, his electric blue eyes meeting hers as he ran his tongue over his lips.
"Do you know what would be an even bigger pity?" Leaning in, Scott closed the distance between them, his lips a breath away from Ginny's.
"If the Serpent is unleashed prematurely. If I don't have all the ingredients by tomorrow..."
Before he could finish, the dormitory door swung open, Anny and Jessica strolling in, engrossed in their conversation.
"Ginny? Are you feeling alright?" Anny asked, noticing Ginny upright on her bed.
Blinking in confusion, Ginny saw Scott had vanished without a trace. It was clear neither Jessica nor Anny had seen him.
Nodding, Ginny managed a weak smile, waving at her friends before sinking back into her bed.
She listened to the hushed whispers of Anny and Jessica, their conversation eventually trailing off as they too succumbed to sleep.
The tear.
She had to procure a tear from Harry Potter at the earliest. Else, the school was on the brink of a devastating disaster.
With Anny's and Jessica's breathing indicating their peaceful slumber, Ginny waited a bit longer before rising from her bed. The dormitory clock read 11:45 pm. Most students would be asleep by now.
Clutching the Marauder's Map, she left her bed. The Gryffindor common room was empty. As for Harry Potter? It took her no more than a few seconds to locate him. He was still in his office.
What now? How was she to proceed? She decided she would figure it out when she got there.
The redhead, Ginny Weasley, slipped from the common room, evading Filch and the ghosts with the aid of the enchanted map. Within a matter of minutes, she arrived at the professor's office unimpeded.
A faint luminescence seeped from beneath the door, suggesting the presence of an occupant within.
Her heart throbbing in her chest, she approached the door and, summoning her bravery, rapped on the wood. Initially, there was silence, followed by the muted echo of footsteps, and finally, the door creaked open, revealing the professor's countenance, a mixture of tension and curiosity.
Recognition widened his eyes.
"Miss Weasley? Why are you here at this late hour?"
Ginny stayed silent, her gaze fixated on her shoes.
Harry's brow creased in concern, and he idly twirled his wand, conjuring nothing. Seeming satisfied, he swung the door wider.
"Come inside," he invited, stepping aside to permit the girl entry.
Ginny moved into the room, and Harry closed the door in their wake. The office was notably disordered, its central table strewn with open books in a seemingly haphazard arrangement.
An uncomfortable quiet filled the room as Harry repositioned himself behind his desk.
"I gather you have a valid reason for roaming the corridors at this hour?" he queried, his tone as much about easing the tension as it was professional obligation.
Ginny stayed silent. She hadn't prepared an answer. She twiddled her fingers in a manner reminiscent of Anny.
Unable to contain it any longer, tears began trickling down her cheeks.
Harry sprang from his seat.
"Miss Weasley?! Are you okay?" He advanced towards the distressed girl, gesturing in consolation, yet stopping himself at the last moment.
"Er..." Harry stuttered, uncertainty clouding his reaction. "Do you need a handkerchief?"
Contrary to expectations, Ginny flung herself into his embrace. With her head buried against his chest, she broke down completely. The accumulated weight of recent events poured out of her. She yearned for reassurance, for someone to convince her everything would eventually be okay. Someone to shield her from Scott.
Harry wrapped his arms around the young woman. He swayed gently, comforting the sobbing Ginny with whispered reassurances.
They stayed like that, the world seeming to stand still around them.
Eventually, Ginny's tears subsided, and she cautiously detached herself from Harry.
"It was us..."
"Excuse me?" queried Harry, appearing taken aback.
"The carnivorous plant, it attacked you because of me..."
Harry recoiled from the revelation.
"You were responsible for..."
"It was meant to be a joke... A terrible joke, it didn't go as planned... I'm sorry, I'm sorry." A fresh wave of sobs wracked her frame.
Harry simply nodded his understanding.
"Well... it's not the end of the world... I mean, it's serious, but no one got hurt... But why?"
Ginny distanced herself from Harry. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
"Not now... I can't explain... Please, believe me."
Her voice was riddled with desperation.
"Alright, alright, Miss Weasley. Did something happen?".
Ginny backed away further, shaking her head in denial.
Harry's brows furrowed.
"I'm here to assist, you know? You're safe."
He had inadvertently transitioned from formal to informal language.
Ginny retreated a little more until her foot bumped against a cabinet at the back of the room.
Harry let out a resigned sigh.
"Miss Weasley... Ginny... I'm on your side, I can..."
"No! No! No you can't!"
She had yelled, not knowing why. Why was he so eager to help her? Why was he so protective? In her agitation, she collided with the cabinet behind her. The door swung open and a black mist billowed out.
The mist swirled in front of the professor, slowly morphing into recognizable figures. A man appeared, older than Harry, but bearing a striking resemblance. Beside him stood a red-haired woman. Then other figures emerged: a woman with curly hair, her brother Ron, herself, and a few others that Ginny couldn't identify.
Harry watched them, his gaze hollow. The first man to materialize moved towards Harry.
"Liar," he declared emotionlessly.
"Coward," continued the woman beside him.
"Unworthy," added another man with curly hair.
"Weak," it was Ron, her brother, who had uttered the word.
"Worthless," echoed another voice.
The figures took turns voicing their accusations. Harry watched them, petrified, until something within him seemed to snap. Just as the figure resembling Ginny was about to speak, he raised his wand.
"Riddikulus!"
The apparitions burst into a million fragments of confetti, and the black mist was sucked back into the cabinet.
Exhaling deeply, Harry slid down against his desk. Ginny, stunned by the spectacle, wasn't sure how to respond. Eventually, she approached Harry.
"Boggarts, nasty little things, aren't they?" he managed to say, addressing the girl.
She remained silent. As Harry chuckled weakly, she noticed a single tear sparkle in the corner of the professor's eye. She swallowed hard, her heartbeat quickening. This was her chance, possibly her only one.
Her wand was concealed in her pocket, but she couldn't risk being seen by Harry. She would have to manage without it. She whispered an almost silent "accio". Nothing happened. She attempted once more: still nothing.
Her heart hammered even harder in her chest. She had to do it!
One more whisper, and a single tear floated from Harry's eye. Ginny knelt next to the professor, simultaneously retrieving a small flask from her pocket, into which she guided the floating tear.
"It's getting late," Harry mentioned, indicating the clock as Ginny knelt by his side. "I'll escort you back to your common room."
Ginny nodded her acknowledgement.
"We'll resume this discussion tomorrow... Report to my office after your classes with your group. I presume Mr. Railways and your friends are involved, correct?"
Ginny mumbled an affirmative response.
Harry aided her to her feet and they exited the room.
"You know," Harry began as he secured the room with a swift wave of his wand, "I've got a knack for getting into trouble. So, I'm quite familiar with problems... If there's anything you want to discuss, remember I'm always here to help."
Ginny smiled back at him.
"Yes, I'll remember."
She could have confessed everything. But she chose not to. A few words that could have altered the course of events.
She turned to the professor who was returning her smile, and for a moment, lost herself in his gaze. In his eyes, she could see concern, determination, and courage.
And what could he decipher in hers?
End of chapter 09.
Next chapter: Harry Potter, the boy who lived
See you by the end of the week for Chapter 10 ! Just a reminder, this story will have a total of 17 chapters + 1 epilogue, but from now on, the chapters will be longer.
