Chapter 5

Harry tossed and turned restlessly in his sleep. Hermione warned him that time was up. It was time to come home. But he was lost in a labyrinth. There seemed to be no end. Every exit disappeared.
Suddenly, Ginny appeared before him. Her red hair glowing, her brown eyes challenging, her wand aimed at his heart. "Looking for something, Potter?"

"The way out, Ginny. We have to get out of here." He reached for her hand, but she pulled away. Slowly, she faded into the distance, calling his name.

The images shifted. A green light. His mother's pleading cries. Sirius falling through the veil, never to return. Remus and Tonks lying lifeless beside each other in the Great Hall of Hogwarts.
Icy cold. A rattling sound close by. A cold hand clasped his wrist. The screaming grew louder. Dumbledore falling from the tower. Cedric Diggory dead in the graveyard. His vacant eyes stared straight at Harry.

Harry jolted awake. He stared directly into the dark hood of a Dementor, just centimeters from his face. The horrifying creature leaned over him. Harry grabbed his wand from the ground beside him and shouted, "Expecto Patronum!"

A massive, elegant stag burst forth, driving the Dementor away. But to Harry's horror, at least thirty more were approaching. He glanced to the side. The fire was out. Ginny lay asleep, her face pale, murmuring in her sleep.

A Dementor swooped toward her. Harry called her name and directed his Patronus at it. The stag drove it off before it could touch her. Harry sent his Patronus toward the others, but the shadows shifted, and he knew more were coming. They had to get out of there.
Harry knelt beside Ginny and shook her roughly awake.

"Potter, what—?" Ginny rubbed her eyes and glared at him.

"Dementors." Harry pointed upward. Ginny's eyes widened as she saw the stag battling the Dementors, and she jumped to her feet.

She glared at the Dementors in fury. "I've always hated those things," she growled. She raised her wand skyward. "Expecto Patronum!"
A large horse erupted from her wand, rearing and hovering before her. It turned to look at her.
"You know what to do. Help the stag and drive them off," Ginny commanded. The horse obeyed, galloping toward the Dementors.

Harry frowned at her. Ginny gave a sheepish smile. "She doesn't get to chase Dementors often. Usually, she just floats around protecting me."

Harry quickly scanned their surroundings. The damp, chilly walls of the cave glistened in the weak light of his wand. Stalactites hung like sharp knives above them, and the sound of dripping water echoed in the silence. The air was icy cold, heavy with the palpable presence of Dementors.

"We need to find a tunnel. It's the only way to escape," he whispered to Ginny, his voice almost lost in the darkness.

Ginny nodded, her eyes sharp as she lifted her own wand, casting a beam of light from its tip. Their Patronuses battled the Dementors, but there seemed to be no end to them. The darkness threatened to swallow them whole.

"Pick one," she said resolutely. "I'm ready to hold them off."

Harry cast a quick glance at the openings around them. There were at least three tunnels leading into the darkness. He felt paralyzed; which was the right one?

"Left," Ginny said suddenly. He looked at her in surprise.

"Left? Why left?"

"Because I said so," she replied dryly, giving him a slight shove. "Come on, Potter. It's that or freeze to death."

Harry couldn't help but smile faintly, despite the threat looming over them. He took her hand, and together they sprinted into the left tunnel, their Patronuses following close behind. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the narrow space as they navigated the winding paths.

The cold followed them, a lingering presence. Harry glanced over his shoulder and saw the shadows of the Dementors in the distance, their faces hidden under their hoods, but their unbearable presence unmistakable.

"They're not giving up," he whispered.

"Neither are we," Ginny snapped, her face determined. She gripped her wand tightly and looked at him. "We need a plan."

"That way!" Ginny shouted, pointing toward a tunnel that opened to their right. She grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him along. Their Patronuses fought bravely, but the Dementors seemed endless. As they sprinted into the tunnel, Harry felt the cold grow stronger, an icy wind whipping against them.

They had to reach the end of this tunnel—and fast.

The tunnel seemed endless, its darkness a living thing wrapping around them. The cold deepened, like icy needles pricking their skin. They ran hand in hand until the ground beneath them began to tremble. Harry felt Ginny's grip slipping.

"Ginny!" he called, his voice echoing through the tunnel. But before he could pull her back, the floor between them collapsed. Harry stumbled forward, his fingers just missing her. He watched her disappear into the darkness, her terrified scream fading away.

"GINNY!" Harry yelled, his voice raw with panic. He stood frozen, listening to the sound of falling debris. The tunnel suddenly fell silent, save for his ragged breathing. The floor reformed beneath him.

Ginny was gone. He was alone.

Ginny felt a sharp pain in her side as she landed on the cold ground. She scrambled to her feet, her wand still clutched tightly in her hand. She was alone. The cold here was unbearable, as though it was slowly draining the life from her.

"Ginny," came a soft voice. She looked up, her breath hitching. Two figures stood before her. Her mother and father. But that couldn't be...

"Mum? Dad?" she croaked, her voice hoarse. She took a step closer, her hand trembling.

"Dear Ginny," Molly said softly, her eyes warm. "We're here for you. There's no need to be afraid. You're safe now."

"No..." Ginny shook her head, tears stinging her eyes. "You... You're dead. This isn't real."

Arthur smiled sadly. "But it feels real, doesn't it? Look at us, Ginny. Don't you miss us? We're here. Forever."

Ginny's legs felt weak, and she sank to her knees. She couldn't hold back the tears. She wanted to believe it was true, that she could see and touch her parents again… But deep down, she knew it was a lie.

Molly stepped closer. "It's really us, sweetheart. We're so proud of you."

"It can't be. You're dead!" Ginny sobbed, crawling backward, away from whatever they were.

"That's not true, sweetheart. We're here," Arthur said, spreading his arms. "Haven't you missed us? Don't you want to hug us?"

"You're dead. Stay away from me." With trembling hands, Ginny aimed her wand at the two figures before her.

"Sweetheart, come with us," Molly said, extending her hand. "You've suffered enough, love. You've fought so bravely, but you don't have to anymore."

"We're so proud of you," Arthur added.

Ginny stared, tears streaming down her face, at the figures before her. They looked so real. Everything was perfect, down to the kind smile on her mother's face. Her gentle voice. Her father's warm expression. She lowered her arm, her wand dangling loosely in her hand.

Her will to fight was slipping away. How wonderful it would be to go with them? She didn't even care where. As long as she could leave this misery behind.

"I've missed you so much," she sobbed, her heart aching painfully. She would give anything for just one more day with her parents.

"You can stay with us forever, Ginny. Take my hand," Molly said, reaching out to her.

Ginny hesitated. She looked into her mother's warm eyes, the ones she had missed so dearly. She wanted to be with them. Slowly, she extended her hand.

Xxx

Harry forced himself to move on, leaving the collapsing tunnel behind. He had to find Ginny. The cold was suffocating, but he kept moving, driven by something deeper than fear. But suddenly, he froze. They were standing in front of him. His parents.

"Harry," Lily said softly, her voice fragile but filled with love. "Oh, dear boy… You've been through so much."

"Come to us, Harry," James added, extending his hand. "You're not alone anymore. You don't have to fight anymore."

Harry felt a wave of longing. It was so tempting, to give in to the illusion. But a voice in the back of his mind screamed at him. This isn't real.
He shook his head sharply. "No! You're dead. This… this is a trick. I won't be fooled." He raised his wand. "Vanish!"

The shadows dissolved into smoke. Harry felt his strength return. He knew he had to keep going. Ginny needed him.
But he hadn't taken a step before Remus and Sirius appeared before him. Harry took a step back and swallowed. He had barely come to terms with Sirius' death. He had never processed Remus' death.

With a heavy heart, he pointed his wand at Sirius. "I'm sorry." He whispered a spell, and Sirius disappeared. Only Remus remained. "I could use some good advice, Remus."
Remus extended his hand. "Take my hand, and it will all be over. You can finally rest."

Harry shook his head. "I don't have time to rest, there's a girl..."

"She's the enemy, Harry. You don't need to save her," Remus said.

"I have no choice." Harry pointed his wand at Remus. "The real Remus would understand. I'm sorry, my friend."

Remus disappeared. Harry continued on his way. He noticed the cold was slowly fading.

"Still hopeless, Potter," sneered a familiar voice.

Harry turned around, his wand already ready. Snape stared at him arrogantly. Harry chuckled and shook his head. "Voldemort must be really mad to think I'd ever take your hand, Snape."

"I'm not here to hold your hand, Potter."

"Good, time to say goodbye." Harry raised his wand.

"You asked that foolish werewolf for advice."

Harry stopped and glared at Snape. "He's not foolish."

"Listen. I'll give you a tip. Out of the goodness of my heart."

"Do you believe that yourself?"

"Follow the river, Potter. Water always flows outward." Snape looked at him arrogantly. Harry raised his wand, but Snape had already vanished.

Xxx

Sobbing, Ginny bent forward, ready to stand up and take the hand. Molly moved forward, her expression suddenly eager. And that change made Ginny make a different decision.
She raised her wand at Molly. "I'm sorry, mom."

"Sweetheart—" Molly stood frozen.

"I would love to be with you, but I'm not ready yet." Ginny whispered a spell, and both Molly and Arthur disappeared in a flash of light.

With trembling legs, Ginny turned around. It felt like losing her parents for the second time. She leaned against the damp cave wall, trying to calm herself again. It wasn't real.

Voldemort was playing a sick game. Physically, she could handle it, but this was mental, and that was on a whole different level.
She had to find Harry.

Ginny looked around and saw a door on the right. She ran towards it and tried to pull it open. But the door was locked. She pulled again. The door stayed shut. She raised her wand. The spell bounced off, and she had to duck to avoid being hit.

"Fantastic," Ginny muttered. She pounded her fists against the door. She hit it so hard that her hands started to bleed.
After what felt like hours, she gave up and slid down, exhausted, against the door. She looked at her damaged hands.

"Don't be so sad, sis."

Ginny looked up. Charlie was sitting a few meters away. His face battered from his work as a dragon trainer. His crooked smile firmly on his face.

Ginny looked to the sky. "No, not again. Go away, you're not real."

"Well, well, that's not how you greet your favorite brother, is it, Gin?" Charlie laughed.

His booming, oh-so-familiar laugh filled Ginny with love and joy she hadn't felt in years. She smiled while her eyes fought against the rising tears.

"I've missed you, brother. No one keeps Fred and George under control anymore."

"Are they still so awful?"

"The nail in my coffin," Ginny nodded. A heavy silence fell. Ginny looked at her brother. She knew it wasn't real. But it felt good to talk to Charlie. She had been ten when he died. They hadn't said goodbye. She had so many questions left.

"Why did you have to leave that day?" Ginny asked, her voice choked.

"I had to work, Gin, you know that." Charlie gave her a sideways look. "You look so sad."

"Mom and dad never really recovered after you died, Charlie. They did their best, but everything felt... broken."

"Everything is as it should be, Ginny," Charlie got up and walked towards her. He knelt next to her. "It hurts me to see you like this, Ginny. Take my hand. I'll take away your pain."
He extended his hand.

Ginny stared at it. How many times had she taken his hand? Charlie was the only one in the family who didn't "mother" her because she was the youngest; he treated her as an equal. It would be so easy to take his hand again.
Just like before.

Ginny shook her head. "You're not real."

"I can assure you I'm real, Ginny. Feel it." Charlie moved his hand but apparently couldn't touch her.

Ginny shook her head. "You're not real."
"I can assure you I am, Ginny. Touch me." Charlie moved his hand, but apparently couldn't reach her.

Ginny slowly sat up. "No."
"Gin."
"Leave me alone." Ginny turned her face away, closing her eyes in the hope that Charlie would disappear when she opened them again.

He hadn't.

Charlie looked at her with deep sympathy. "We can be together again."

Ginny swallowed. How often had she wished for that? To be whole again, with the entire family? "Does it hurt? Dying?"

"I promise you it doesn't hurt," Charlie said. "Do you remember when I taught you how to fly? Your first ride on a broomstick. You were..."

"Five," Ginny said. Tears streamed down her cheeks as bittersweet memories flooded her mind. No one else had wanted to teach her to fly. Percy thought it was too dangerous. Bill was too busy with school. Ron was too obsessed with chess to bother teaching his little sister. She hadn't even tried asking Fred and George; the twins would've found it far too amusing to watch her fail. "Mum was furious."

Charlie grinned. "I've never seen her so angry."

"Steam was coming out of her ears," Ginny chuckled through her tears.

A heavy silence fell. Ginny looked at her brother. He seemed so real. They shared the same memories.

"It's just like flying, Gin. You take off, and that's it. No pain. Promise." Charlie extended his hand.

"I can't, Charlie. I'm sorry." With a sob, she pointed her wand at Charlie. A bright flash of light. She was alone again.

A voice in the distance, behind the door. She heard someone calling her name.
"Ginny?"

It was Harry. Ginny ran to the door, reaching for the doorknob, but it was scorching hot. She quickly pulled her hand back.
"Harry, I'm here!"

A thud against the door. A curse.
"The door is protected against spells," Ginny said.

"Step back," Harry's muffled voice came through.

Ginny moved back. The door flew open. The force pushed Ginny backward, and she fell over.

Harry stood in the doorway. Ginny was sobbing on the floor. "Ginny." Harry ran to her and knelt beside her.

Ginny looked up with bloodshot eyes. Tears streamed down her face. "Are you real? Please tell me you're real."

"I am." Harry reached out his hand, but Ginny slid away from him. "Ginny."

"Prove it. Nothing is real in this room. Prove it."

Harry slowly stood up. "Okay." He pointed his wand at the ceiling and whispered, "Expecto Patronum." A giant stag appeared between them. It radiated power and calm.

"Harry." Ginny took a deep breath.

"I told you it was me, didn't I?"

Ginny jumped up and hugged him. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "I saw my parents and Charlie. They wanted me to come with them. I almost did."

Harry wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. "It's okay, Ginny. You're safe now. No one can hurt you."

They stood like that for a few minutes until Ginny slowly calmed down. She slowly let go of him and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Never thought I'd be happy to see you, Potter."

Harry smiled, his arms still around her waist. And he realized he didn't want to let go of her at all. Only when she looked at him questioningly did he quickly release her.

She looked at him thoughtfully. "You know, Potter, you're not at all like I imagined."

"Sorry to disappoint you," said Harry.

"No, quite the opposite. You're not so bad."

Harry pretended to gasp dramatically. "Oh no. Does this mean you're not going to kill me?"

"Shut up, Potter, let's not exaggerate."

Harry chuckled amused.

"We need to get out of here before they come back," Ginny said, already walking towards the door. "I'm so done with this place."

"What? Not such a fan of Voldemort anymore?" Harry teased.

"Shut up, Potter," Ginny snapped.

Harry grinned and illuminated the tunnel for them. Somewhere far away, he heard a river. "Come on, we need to go this way."

"How do you know that?" Ginny asked.

"Let's say I got an anonymous tip," said Harry. Unconsciously, he took her hand, and together they walked into the dark tunnel.
Harry hoped that Snape was right and that it wasn't another one of Voldemort's tricks.

A/N: Let me know what you think of this story so far. I hope you like it!