Hmm, still no reviews, then? What a shame, because I really wanted to know what you guys think of the story so far. Anyway, I guess it would be a weekly update if everything goes as planned.
Enjoy Reading!
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VENOMOUS CURE
Chapter 2: A Midnight Discovery
"Hermione, please stop.." Ginny implored in a small voice.
"I'm sorry, Ginny. But I'm really afraid. What if he does something stupid?"
There was another pause, and Harry found himself waiting for Ginny's reply.
"Hermione, look... I know you're worried about him, but you know as well as I do that he won't listen to anyone. At least not now." She went on to say, "The fact that I'm in love with Harry doesn't have anything to do with this."
Harry grasped the back of the dusty desk chair with a shaking palm. His face paled significantly. He swiftly remembered when Hagrid had carried his supposedly dead body back to the school grounds and Voldemort announcing his death to everyone. He remembered that one pained scream going against the dark Lord. It was Ginny's. He felt like the world as he knew it just shifted.
"You're just as stubborn as him."
"Fine, Hermione. Maybe I will talk to him. Satisfied?"
"Thank you."
The room fell silent after they left. Harry slowly regained his composure and hurriedly exited the room and rushed down the stairs as though escaping his demons. He kept putting one foot in front of the other until he reached the front door then rounded the corner and headed straight for the Burrow gates. He walked through and vanished with a soft pop.
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Ginny and Hermione volunteered to help with dinner since Mrs Weasley wasn't feeling well. Ron and Charlie were debating the theory of playing quidditch while riding dragons rather than brooms in the living room. Harry was nowhere to be seen, nor was George.
"Good afternoon, girls!" Mr. Weasley greeted as he walked through the kitchen door, "Where is Molly?"
"Mum had a bit of a stomach ache, so we-" Ginny cut herself smiling. Her father was already ascending the stairs.
"Ron, could you please set the table?" Ginny yelled in the direction of the living room.
"You know he's just going to ignore us, right?" Hermione stated matter-of-factly.
"I know, but then he will be the one doing the dishes." Ginny grinned mischievously.
Hermione smiled back smugly, "Works for me."
As everyone gathered for dinner, George made an appearance. As expected, he seemed like he had been drinking and, overall, miserable.
Ginny just avoided looking at him and peered out the window for what seemed like the hundredth time, but still, there was no Harry in sight. Hermione was starting to get a bit worked up and was casting worried glances in Ginny's direction.
It wasn't that Ginny wasn't certain that Harry was alright, God knows how he could scare the heck out of all of them just by disappearing without a single word like right now.. but she was sure that he would never do something as idiotic as abandon the closest thing he had to a family without notice. If she was too cowardly to do it, Harry would be too.
I should probably talk to him like Hermione suggested..' Ginny thought. She wasn't looking forward to having that conversation.
She glared at the kitchen door, sighed, and scooped some mashed potatoes, then watched as her brothers eventually followed suit.
After dinner, the two witches left the mess in the kitchen for Ron to clean up while they relaxed in the garden, enjoying the crackling embers in the fire pit. Even though it was mid-June, the air was a bit more crisp than one might expect.
Ginny knew they were both pretending not to be anxious for Harry to show up. It was getting slightly dark, and there was still no sign of him.
"Ginny, about earlier... I really am sorry," Hermione softly apologised again.
"It's fine, Hermione," Ginny shrugged, but then she found herself adding, "I was a bit hurt, but then I should have expected you to put me second, I guess."
Hermione shook her head, "That's not true, and you know it!"
"It's alright, honestly," Ginny replied dismissively, waving her hand, "It would have been more weird if you chose me over him, you know."
"No, Ginny... I don't think you understand," Hermione's cheeks heated as she tried to explain, "I know it's none of my business, and I shouldn't be thinking like this, but ever since Ron and I got together, I can't stop hoping..."
"What?" Ginny asked curiously.
"I just want to... see you both happy, you know. And... I keep wishing for you to end up together." Hermione's face was flushed so pink by the time she stopped talking.
"Hermione, that's..." Ginny didn't know what to say.
"I know it's childish, but I consider Harry my brother and you my sister. That's why I keep pushing you to put some sense into him, I suppose."
"I consider you my sister too, Hermione, but this is-" Ginny started to say but her friend cut her off.
"I know. Believe me, Ginny. I do," Hermione was trying to convey something through her eyes, and Ginny suddenly remembered the many evenings she used to spend in Hermione's dormitory, listening to the poor witch vent and cry about her idiot brother.
Ginny smiled and nodded to her. Hermione sighed and continued, appearing more at ease now that she was deep into the conversation, "Ron came around eventually. I believe what we saw last year made him recognise his sentiments," Hermione's eyes were distant as if she was rehearsing something in her memory. She turned to Ginny and continued with a determined look, "I know I'm not as strong as you are-"
"What are you talking about? Of course, you're strong, Hermione," Ginny protested.
"But you are stronger, Ginny. That's why I believe you're the only one who would be able to get Harry out of whatever this is," Hermione glanced at her friend momentarily before adding, "I believe if you put your mind to it, you will get whatever you wanted in the end, Ginny."
Ginny gulped difficultly. She wasn't about to stubbornly try and convince Hermione otherwise because she knew the other witch would never understand, so she just smiled at her, "Well, I don't think it is that simple, but I understand what you mean. Thank you, I guess,"
"Anytime."
Later that night, Ginny couldn't help thinking about what her friend said. Hermione, of course, had no idea what she was saying. She had no idea that Ginny's love for Harry was never that simple. It wasn't a silly crush that eventually turned into something else. Something stronger, like Hermione thought. Like Luna thought. Like even she thought for a bit. Everyone thought It was love. Maybe even deep love.
It was not.
Her love for Harry was her sole reason to live and hope. He was also her only path to insanity and death.
It was a disease. A lethal sickness, but a beautiful one nonetheless.
Ginny sincerely didn't want to continue her line of thinking. It would only lead to one thing, but she found herself lured to him like some irresistible magnet.
Harry.
The emerald was the first thing to devour her brain. Her breath rasped. His smile was next to engulf her in bittersweet flames. Her heart raced. His face embraced her to the well-known hell. She fought for focus and clarity. She missed thinking about him without drowning in darkness. So she tenaciously fought.
Ginny was thankfully alone in her room since Hermione had most likely sneaked away with Ron. She allowed the thought of him wanting to leave the Burrow to finally fully register in her brain and she crumbled to her bed. The prospect of not seeing him every day was like a knife that pierced right to her soul.
Ginny let out a desperate laugh. Even when he was right in front of her, she missed him. Ginny's tired heart gave a tiny lurch then and she knew without a doubt that she would be hopelessly ill and empty if he left. If not dead.
Her life ceased outside of Harry. She shamelessly admitted this to herself years ago. He was her disease. His remaining close was never the answer. His going away would make it even more ugly, dirty. Even when she was literally suffering a blasted curse her heart wouldn't let go of him. As if he was an unforgivable sin, she kept clinging to him.
Harry had stripped her of everything. He had emptied her of all, but him. Ginny felt tired of it, but like the ancient mountain that doggedly survived day after day despite the harsh nature, she knew that she wouldn't trade her exhaustion for anything.
One devastating glance from him was enough to take her breath away. He would call her name and it would make her weak and strong in ways she had never felt before. She felt happy to see him like she never felt for anything else.
'He isn't here yet,' she realized with a heavy heart.
The darkness became too much for her to keep battling, and she succumbed to her sleep and usual torture.
Too worried about Harry, Ginny forgot to cast her usual privacy charms before falling into a fitful sleep marred with accursed darkness.
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Harry didn't want to think about what he had just heard. But the words seemed to spin endlessly inside his skull. He didn't even stop to consider where he just apparated. He looked around and noticed that it was the forbidden forest. The very same spot where he had willed for his soul to cease to exist. It felt like a lifetime had passed since then, not just weeks.
Harry seriously considered the idea of ending his own life almost every day since that fateful morning. The most painful part was that he knew that he would never have the nerve to do it. Not again. So he was just left with this bitter anger and remorse. Somewhere deep down, he knew that the Weasleys would never think of him as the reason for Fred's death, but that just made it even worse.
And now this. Now, he just discovered.. this.
He couldn't bring himself to think the words inside his head just yet. It was overwhelming... even for him.
Someone up there was having a big, fat prank on him, that's for sure.
After years of her just being ... there, it was rather bizarre for Ginny to say that she was in love with him. Not 'fancied him' or 'liked him'... Well, he somehow knew that she had a crush on him a long time ago, but he assumed she had moved on. Obviously not.
Apparently, she'd become in love with him. And she's been so for a very bloody long time. Harry never once stopped to think about Ginny in any way. She was just another Weasley to him. Ron's younger sister. Oh God. Ron.
Harry felt like drowning in a tiny cup of tea, his throat felt constricted, and he let out a desperate growl. This was extremely messed up. His head hurt, and he knew that thinking anymore about this was going to be futile. He resolved to pretend he hadn't heard a thing, but somehow, he knew it was going to be easier said than done.
He appeared soundlessly at the usual apparition point just outside the Burrow's gate. He started to walk resolutely towards the rear door of the kitchen when he smelled it again. That same foul odour seemed to be growing stronger each day. He was nearly startled out of his skin when he turned his head slightly to see Dumbledore's body standing a few paces away. Harry felt as if this was worse than his darkest nightmares, all he could feel was sheer terror... His lungs were desperate for air, but panic held him captive. He slowly willed himself to calm down. Dumbledore was still standing there like a bloody lamppost, and Harry noted that this time he wasn't looking at him and smiling that freaky smile like he usually did. He was simply standing there looking up at the Burrow.
Up towards Ginny's room, to be precise.
Harry felt shivers running down his spine. His ears were ringing, and the black spots swimming in his vision only disoriented him further. He shut his eyes tightly, trying to will away the horrific image and praying that Dumbledore would just be gone, but when he flicked them open, Dumbledore's smashed face was inches away from Harry's. Harry was so terrorised and frozen to the spot that he merely kept staring into Dumbledore's sad eyes. They were a bit mushed, but the grief w as compelling nonetheless. And beyond the sadness, there was something else, something that made Harry's breath catch.
It almost looked like Dumbledore was pleading for help.
Harry blinked, and Dumbledore was gone. He let out a loud gasp turning left and right to check his surroundings. He was scared out of his mind. 'What the hell was that?'
After a few minutes, Harry was able to move his legs and walk inside. He climbed the stairs, avoiding the creaky ones so he didn't disturb anyone sleeping. He was just passing by the first-floor landing when he heard a muffled sob. He strained his ears to hear better, and sure enough, the sound of someone crying reached him. He followed it till he came to a stop outside Ginny's room. The door was slightly open and he couldn't help but notice that she was sleeping. He peeked around the doorframe but found that Hermione's camp bed was empty. He groaned internally, for he had a pretty good idea of where she was. Or rather who she was with.
Harry was contemplating lying down on the couch in the living room when he heard Ginny's whimper. It sounded off. He reached for her bedside, thinking that she was in pain or something, but as soon as he took a closer look at the faded moonlight coming through the window, he realized that she was having a nightmare, a very distressing one.
Harry wasn't sure what to do. He wanted to wake her up, but how was he going to explain himself being there? It wasn't an everyday occurrence that he would just happen to be inside Ginny's room in the dead of the night when everyone else was asleep (well, except for Ron and Hermione, maybe). He was still having a hard time deciding whether or not to stir her awake when he heard what Ginny said next and forgot how to properly breathe for the third time that night.
"Please, Tom... let me go!" Ginny's begging voice came pained and tormented.
And then, the strangest thing happened. Harry couldn't help but stare at her body as it started thrashing about on her tiny bed. Ginny was clenching her teeth so tight and she appeared to be on the verge of screaming. Harry instinctively reached for his wand and secured her room with a silencing spell, then closed the door with another wave of his wand dangerously mere seconds before she started screaming like there was no tomorrow.
'What the hell?!' Harry feared his brain was about to explode with all that he was seeing. It looked like Ginny was at the receiving end of a cruciatus curse, but how was that even possible?
He remembered Dumbledore staring at her room. His eyes screamed sadly for help. 'What was going on?'
Suddenly, everything went silent and motionless. Ginny's screams died out abruptly, and her movements stilled slowly. Harry figured she may wake up, so he moved to leave. But Ginny didn't wake up. Her voice came worn and hallowed, but nonetheless clear.
"Okay, okay... I will do it! I'm gonna be a good girl and do it, please!" Ginny whispered in anguish.
And then she was inching her shaky hands towards her covers, and they disappeared underneath them. And as if Harry hadn't seen and heard enough madness that night already, he watched as if in slow motion as she bent her knees and parted her legs wide open. Harry turned briskly to face the opposite wall.
'No, no, no, no..' Harry chanted frantically inside his head. 'This is not really happening!'
His blood was running very cold in his veins, and he struggled to breathe. Harry's insides clenched violently, his stomach revolted and his heart was beating so fast it threatened to stop. He felt the room swimming for a second and crushed to the floor, silent. If he thought overhearing Ginny saying that she loved him was the shock of his life, it was nothing compared to what he was witnessing at this very moment. Still facing the wall, Harry heard Ginny sobbing painfully.
Harry thought madly about waking her up and relieving her of whatever this was. He refused to call it a nightmare.. even nightmares weren't supposed to be this dark. Nightmares didn't control and possess someone's body. But then Harry realized he couldn't do that. She would be devastated to know that he witnessed something like this.
"No, Tom! I'm not crying.. please, no!" Ginny's last word was hissed violently, and Harry knew she was being tortured by the curse when she started screaming again.
'But how?'
It didn't last as long as it did the first time since he could hear her catching her breath. Something started moving then, but Harry didn't understand what it was or maybe didn't want to. The wooden bed creaked, and Ginny's loud moans came mixed with her tormented sobs.
"I.. I.. wan- .." Ginny stuttered frightfully, "Please stop! I can't - " She cut herself off, but then continued, her voice convulsed and defeated, "I want you to.. to fuck me like the little whore I am."
Harry put his palms over his ears, horrified and repulsed. He felt something corrosive burning his stomach, and he gagged violently. His tears ran free down his face, and for the first time since.. ever really, Harry Potter was weeping like a baby. For the first time since the Chamber, Harry wished Tom was still there so he could kill him again.
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Ron and Hermione were holding hands and grinning stupidly at each other. They sneaked out a little while ago to one of the concealed spots by the vast timbers towards the far end of the Burrow border. They could see the road leading to the front entrance from this angle, but the kitchen back door was obstructed so they didn't see Harry arriving and heading inside after his encounter with the late Dumbledore.
But he certainly caught their attention when he burst through the front door like a bullet and sprinted to the small graveyard on the hill.
Ron shot up his feet and headed in the same direction with Hermione following close behind him. They found him curled up against Fred's gravestone crying. No, not just crying, Harry was emitting some deep, heart-wrenching sobs that shook his body violently.
Ron was sure that he had never seen his best mate crying like this before. Not even when Sirius died. But to see him this distraught about something over which he had absolutely no control whatsoever, Ron thought it was getting ridiculous. This needed to bloody stop. Now.
"Haven't you had enough?" Ron growled, edging closer to him. Harry did not even flinch.
"Ron, what are you doing?" Hermione whispered urgently.
"No, Hermione!" Ron snapped. "This is getting out of hand.. we didn't go through bloody hell and back for him to act like this!"
"Ron, please! Calm down!" Hermione touched Ron's arm.
"I am calm... I thought he'd come around if I just gave him some space, but can't he see that what he's doing is only hurting us?!" Ron muttered, turning away from Harry as if he couldn't bear to see him like that.
"He doesn't mean to be like this, Ron!" Hermione watched Harry with tears welling up in her eyes. Her heart was breaking for the closest person she had to a brother.
"Mum is barely keeping it together these days." Ron continued ranting angrily, "She doesn't deserve to be worried about losing another son!"
Harry wailed pitifully as if in agony. He started hitting his head with his fists dismally, and Hermione had the impression that he wasn't actually aware of their presence. She had this strong feeling in her gut that something was extremely wrong. This can't be solely about his guilt. Harry always blamed himself, but he never acted this way before.
"Dad is acting all tough when you can see he's hurting. And don't let me start with George. He is so bloody lost. I think out of all of us, Ginny is the strongest one, really."
Abruptly, Harry let out a dry, almost sardonic laugh, then. Hermione's eyes widened, and she looked alarmingly between her boyfriend and Harry.
"What in Merlin's fuck is your bloody problem?!" Ron bellowed, his face turning almost as red as his hair.
Uncle Vernon's face is nearly purple with fury as he storms into Harry's bedroom. His fleshy hand grabs Harry by the throat.
"You listen here, boy! I have had enough of your freakish nonsense! Year after yeae, we provide food and shelter for nothing in return. You are a useless burden, just like your freakish parents! I'll just have to teach you to be more grateful!" He yells at Harry, with a vicious look on his face.
Harry is flung to the floor, assaulted by a blur of punches and the room quickly fills with noises—of fists hitting flesh, bones cracking and grunts as Vernon lashes out full force.
Harry lay flat on the ground and stared at the open sky. He continued to laugh hysterically like a madman. Hermione had to do something. This was getting ugly fast. She discreetly reached for her wand and disarmed both of them. Ron glanced briefly in her direction but then turned his attention back to Harry.
Harry finally went deathly silent. He was gazing up towards the sky, unseeing.
Harry wheezes, attempting to take a shaky breath. He does nothing but hold in screams as Vernon starts whipping his back, relentlessly. He bites down on his lip harder, drawing blood. He refuses to make any noises and gives his uncle any further satisfaction.
So he just lays there instead, curled in on himself and waits for the beating to end. There was no use in fighting back. He learned forever ago that only made it worse. With no other option, he retreats into his mind, secretly begging for death. Death sounded peaceful and absolute.
Ron approached him threateningly and Hermione tugged at her boyfriend's shirt and hugged his back to try and stop him. He halted for a second and Harry finally turned his head in their direction. Hermione gasped at the look in his eyes.
He stared directly into Ron's face and whispered feebly, ".. kill me already, Ron."