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Darkness Rising | ||||||
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Category: Post-OotP, Alternate Universe Characters:Albus Dumbledore, Draco Malfoy, Harry/Ginny, Hermione Granger, James Potter, Lily Potter, Luna Lovegood, Minerva McGonagall, Other Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Romance Warnings: Death, Disturbing Imagery, Intimate Sexual Situations, Mild Language, Mild Sexual Situations, Sexual Situations, Violence Rating: R Reviews: 245 Summary: ON HIATUS FOR NOW. Sequel to Innocence Lost. Read that one first. Harry's fifth year. More surprises are in store for Harry and company. Harry has to learn how to handle an evil teacher, an evil wizard who wants him dead. He finds the answers to why he and Ginny can practically feel the others' emotions. Oh, and Harry's parents are alive? He has a sister? Hitcount: Story Total: 108168; Chapter Total: 5381 Author's Notes: Lots of stuff happens. Just read on. |
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The door to the shack flew open, startling Ginny. Rabastan Lestrange walked in, leering at her. Ginny shuddered feeling dirty on the inside now, not just the outside. She sat by the fireplace, knees drawn up to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs, and stared at the Death Eater defiantly. Rabastan licked his lips and smiled, revealing rotting teeth. "Still alive, are ya? Should've known you'd last awhile." He licked his lips again. "Me, I like 'em with some fire. Makes things much more fun." He walked over to where Ginny still sat and roughly pulled her up. "On your feet." A shiver of perverse pleasure coursed through him as he rubbed himself against her. A shiver coursed through Ginny, but of disgust, not pleasure. His breath smelled foul, his hair reminded her of Snape's and his unwashed body stank. Her mind sought some way to stop what was surely coming next, but she had no weapon, of any kind. "Or better yet, on your knees." He pushed her shoulders, forcing her to kneel in front of him. One hand continued to stroke himself a few seconds longer before lifting to unbuckle his belt. Pants undone, he reached out and grabbed Ginny by her hair and started to pull her closer but stilled at her words. "I thought I was supposed to be saved for Voldemort," she said, thinking fast and furiously. "Won't he be upset to hear that you touched me before he could? Imagine what kind of discipline he'll use. Are you sure you want to risk that?" Rabastan growled in frustration and shoved her away from him A few hard strokes later, he finished with a grunt. Not bothering to clean up, he fastened his pants, still glaring at Ginny, as if everything was her fault. "What does he really want with me anyway? I deserve at least that much. You know I'm not going anywhere. How can I?" Rabastan smirked. "Same thing he's always wanted. To take over the world and you're his tool." Ginny stared at the man in front of her. She had absolutely no idea how she could help Voldemort achieve his evil goal. "Don't know, do ya? Well, let me be the one to enlighten you. You see, when two people bond, it's a great experience, so they say. The thing is, when one of the two dies, the other's soul begins to mourn and dies soon after. So, the Dark Lord is hoping you'll die soon and at his hand, taking that bloody pain of a boyfriend with you." Laughing, he walked away from her to the door. Turning back, he added, "Hope you're ready, 'cause the next visitor you have will be Him, if you're still alive." He shut the door and was gone, leaving Ginny in a state of shock. She hadn't known that little fact about Bonded couples. How could Voldemort's followers know that and not us? Or did Dumbledore know and not tell us? It seems Harry and I need to have a little talk with the Headmaster and he'd better seem genuinely surprised to hear of that fact. She began pacing the floor, thinking of that conversation and Harry, but mostly Harry. Suddenly, a squelch came from in front of the couch. Cautiously peering over the back of the couch, she walked up to investigate. At first, he thought she was imagining things. Rubbing her eyes, she looked again. Harry lay in the space right in front of the couch, eyes closed, chest heaving as if he'd just run a marathon. Several things went through her mind. First, she wondered how he'd managed to find her. Then she worried that he'd somehow been captured and brought here with her. Lastly, she wondered if someone was impersonating him, liked they'd done Hermione and Ron. Why they'd do that, she hadn't a clue, but the thought was still there. Keeping her distance, she walked around the side of the couch to see him clearly. Harry opened his eyes and studied his surroundings, eyes widening when they found Ginny. A giant smile on his face, he weakly got to his feet and tried to close the distance between them, puzzled when she backed away. Ginny narrowed her eyes, attempting to see past the exterior to the person inside. "Who are you really?" Harry put his hands against his chest in an 'It's me' gesture. He pointed to his throat and shook his head, attempting to convey the idea that he couldn't speak. He silently begged with his eyes to believe him. Deciding to let her come to him, he stayed put. "How do I know you're really Harry? How did you get here?" Harry held out the pendant so she could see it better. Realizing she stood too far away to see it properly, Harry removed it from around his neck for the first time since putting it on back on his birthday. Holding it out, he encouraged her to take it. Ginny didn't take it, but she did study it a little closer. She remembered what Bill had told them about the pendant's 'special qualities'. Still, that alone wasn't enough to convince her. "For all I know, you took that from Harry. I need real proof. Tell me something only Harry and I would know." Again, Harry pointed to his neck and shook his head. He opened his mouth and tried to force air past his taxed vocal chords but nothing came out. Wincing from pain and frustration, he wracked his brain for something only the two of them knew then looked around for something to write with, cursing himself in his mind that he didn't think to bring paper and pen. Finally finding a stick, he scratched something in the dirt next to the fireplace. After 1st poisoning... He made sure she'd read it before wiping the dirt clear to write again. Twins caught us kissing in hallway. Immediately upon reading this, Ginny threw her arms around Harry and nearly knocked him over. She ran her hands over his chest and felt his heartbeat. Then they raced over his face and into his hair. In the next instant, their mouths were fused together. She was dirty, she was sure her mouth had gotten fuzzy, and she knew she smelled not-so-nice but since Harry didn't seem to care, neither did she. Tears slipped from beneath her lids to meet and join with their counterparts, forming a single spot of wetness. Weak and out of breath, Harry pulled back and sat on the couch, pulling her into his lap and holding her close. Burying his face against her neck, he let the rest of the tears fall as they washed away his fear for her. He hadn't known what he'd find when he'd attempted to reach her but to find her whole and unharmed was more than he'd expected. The next several minutes, they shared tears as they shared relief at the other's well-being. Raising his head, Harry gazed into Ginny's tear bright eyes and mouthed 'I love you.' Ginny replaced the necklace around Harry's neck and gave him another soft kiss. Harry placed one hand over the pendant on his chest, as before, and placed one of her hands over his. With his free arm, he held her tightly against him. Closing his eyes, he pictured his bed in the Hospital wing and willed them to be there. Energy waning, he drew on Ginny's magic, feeling it flow freely to his core. A squelch and they left the little shack far behind. ++++ They missed the bed. Reappearing on the floor in the middle of the room, Harry lay there, too drained to move. Their sudden appearance brought everyone running over. Pomfrey checked Ginny over and deemed her fit enough. After calling for Whimsy to bring some food and drink, she levitated Harry to a bed, checked him over and muttered under her breath about stubborn Potter boys. Harry, having no strength left, smiled weakly at her before falling asleep. Whimsy brought a tray laden with fruits, breads, and cheeses. Some goblets, a pitcher of water and one of pumpkin juice also sat on the tray. When Ginny had had her fill, Hermione took her to hers and Harry's room to get a shower and change of clothes, before Ginny was completely bombarded with questions. "You should take some time to rest," advised Hermione gently. "You heard Madam Pomfrey. Harry used way more energy than he really had. He's going to be out for awhile. Stay here and get some sleep." "I'll get some sleep but I'll do it with Harry at my side." Hermione nodded in resignation. She'd known what Ginny's response would be and, to be honest, she couldn't really blame her. If it had been Ron who'd been so ill and then she'd been taken, Hermione knew she wouldn't want to leave Ron's side, either. She still couldn't believe they were together now. She'd definitely have to thank Harry when he was awake to hear it. Upon their return to the Hospital wing, Dumbledore asked Ginny to go over everything that had happened. Eyebrows raised at the revelation of how Draco had delivered the poison both times. When Ginny got to the part about why they'd wanted her and what they'd hoped would happen, she watched the wily Headmaster closely and was dismayed at what she saw. "You knew, didn't you?" she accused angrily. "You knew and didn't bother to tell anyone, especially us. How could you keep that from us?" In his bed, Harry suddenly felt as if he was caught in a thunderstorm and began to stir. Catching the movement, Lily turned to Ginny. "Ginny," she said quietly but firmly, "you need to try to stay calm. Harry's waking up." Glancing over at her love's face and stirring form, she closed her eyes and attempted to put a lid on her anger. Harry needed to sleep and he wouldn't get it if she remained riled. Breathing deeply, she sent some calm and comfort to Harry through their link, before opening her eyes. Noting she'd been successful at calming him, she smiled slightly and then turned her attention back to Dumbledore. "Why didn't you tell us?" "I rather thought you had enough to be going on with. I didn't want to add to it. It was a mistake not to tell you. I apologize. If there's ever anything else I learn about your...situation...I'll let you know what it is." Suddenly feeling tired, she nodded and yawned simultaneously. All she wanted now was to be left alone and to sleep. Ginny felt as if the nurse had read her mind when she spoke. "Okay, that's enough for now. She needs to sleep just as much as Mr. Potter. Everyone out, and this time I mean everyone." Several hugs, kisses, and 'welcome backs' later, the room was finally empty. She knew of the Union but years of believing young folks shouldn't share beds were hard to overcome. Poppy took pity on the young witch this time and expanded Harry's bed. Perhaps she couldn't empathize with what they'd just gone through, but she could sympathize. Ginny sent the nurse a grateful look then climbed into the bed next to Harry. Before she could even settle in, Harry, sensing her presence, rolled over and pulled her close, sighing contentedly, slumbering on. The steady thump thump of his heart and rise and fall of his chest lulled her to sleep. ++++ Lightning flashed, thunder boomed, rain poured. Entire families, men, women, and children were locked inside their houses while the houses themselves were set on fire. The screams that reached him were music to his ears. Smoke permeated the air and he inhaled deeply, enjoying the scent. In the middle of the street Voldemort punished Bellatrix and Rabastan for allowing their prisoner to escape. He cursed them over and over, using the Cruciatus. The Death Eaters' screams mingled with those of the nearby families and it pleased him greatly. Harry woke with a start, trembling violently, sweat pouring from his face and chest, breathing heavily. Heart racing, he reached up and rubbed his throbbing scar. That hadn't happened for quite some time and it certainly bothered him that it had begun again. "You want to talk about it?" came Ginny's quiet inquiry. She'd known the moment it had begun and pulled him out as soon as she could. Harry sat up and reached for the ever present notebook and pen. Thinking back over what he'd seen, he realized it hadn't been much, thanks to a certain witch who now sat beside him, patiently waiting. Families were being burned alive, Gin, he wrote. I could hear their screams, could smell the smoke. Out in the middle of the street, Voldemort used the Cruciatus on Bellatrix and Rabastan because you escaped. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I'm sorry you had to see that." Ginny enfolded Harry in a bone crushing hug. Silently, she thought Rabastan deserved it for what he'd almost made her do. Shivering at the memory, she pushed the revulsion she'd felt down deep, hoping to keep Harry from noticing. No such luck. Harry pulled back and studied her carefully. He got the impression there was more to that shiver and flash of revulsion he'd felt from her than just his dream. Leaning back, he waited, for he knew, if he waited long enough, she'd tell him what was bothering her. Sighing heavily, she told him what had transpired just before he'd arrived at the shack. By the time she'd finished, she didn't need their link in order to tell how upset Harry was. His eyes were hard green rocks, his nostrils flared, jaw clamped shut, chest heaved and his hands were fisted tightly. Judging by the furious storm raging inside him, Ginny knew sending him peace and calm wasn't going to work. She decided to use it instead. Closing the curtain around them, Ginny moved the notebook and pen to the bedside table. Then, sitting on her knees, she proceeded to snog Harry senseless before pushing him backward and straddling his hips. "Hmm. I hope you're just happy to see me," she said, a wicked grin on her face. She started unbuttoning his pajama top when he closed his hands over hers in an attempt to stop her. "Let me do this, please. It will help...both of us." How could I possibly deny her this after what she'd just told me? He acquiesced and moved his hands to rest lightly on her thighs. The cool air against his now partially bare chest gave him goose bumps. The butterfly kisses she rained across his chest, down his stomach and back up to his mouth, made him shiver, breath quickening. He'd have thought he was too weak for this, but he'd have thought wrong. Her hips jerked against his causing another intense emotion to take up residence inside him. Problem was, the motion caused the bed to squeak. Freezing at the sound, they listened intently for footsteps. Hearing nothing but their harsh breathing, they continued kissing. Hips moved and, again, the bed complained. Once more, they froze and listened. Several heartbeats later, kissing resumed. Not wanting to take any more chances, when Ginny pressed against him again, he held her there, not allowing her to move, and pressed himself upward. Not being able to move added a new level of intensity to the familiar need. Ginny thought it so hot, she was amazed nothing caught fire. Pressing downward, she found she could still move the slightest little bit. So she did, once, twice. It was enough. Suddenly, she buried her face in Harry's shoulder in the effort to keep quiet as she was consumed by tsunamis of pleasure. As it was, little moans still escaped. For Harry, just being against her almost made him lose control. Her first movement, slight though it was, sent him on his way. They met in pleasure's storm and rode it out together. For the first time, Harry was glad no sound could escape his throat. He could have shouted at the intensity of what he was feeling and he instinctively knew it wouldn't be much longer before he and Ginny became married in every sense of the word. They lay there several moments, neither able to move. Ginny finally lifted her head and, looking into Harry's eyes, was satisfied at what she saw. No longer were they haunted or angry but tired and happy. Also noticing his realization regarding their physical relationship, she nodded in agreement. Scooting onto her side, head on his shoulder, arm wrapped around his waist, she fell asleep seconds after Harry. ++++ Two weeks later, Harry was still staying in the Hospital wing, but he could finally speak, even if it was only a raspy croak. He was also down to only two potions a day. A very mild pain potion and the anti-addiction one. He learned he'd have to spend one final week in the ward before Pomfrey would release him. No amount of cajoling did any good. The nurse was firm. One more week. Another thing Harry had learned, to his utter embarrassment, was that he'd done a lot of talking while he'd been ill, which was part of the reason he'd lost his voice. It had come about one weekend morning when Ginny had asked for some privacy for a while and closed the curtain on the two of them when their friends had left. She sat facing him on the bed and just looked at him. It made him feel antsy. "What?" he rasped. "Harry," she paused, gathering her thoughts. "I want you to know something. That whole thing with Riddle's diary, it's what brought us to where we are now. As horrible as the experience was at the time, I wouldn't change it. You were twelve, Harry. You weren't expected to speak out against an adult, even if it was Draco's father. There's nothing to forgive." Color drained from Harry's face and he suddenly felt queasy. "How did you know?" "While you were delirious, you started talking. A lot of it had to do with your experiences here at school but you did talk about some of your earlier experiences, too." Harry weakly groaned, drew his knees up to his chest and buried his face against them. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, Harry," she softly said while running her fingers through his hair. "None of us think of you any differently. We just wish you'd actually said how you felt." Ginny's choice of pronouns jerked his head back up. "Us? We? Who all heard this?" Ginny looked a bit uncomfortable but answered his question. "All of us. As in me, Ron, Hermione, the twins, Cherish, my parents, your parents, Dudley, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Madam Pomfrey, Professors Sprout and Snape, Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall probably heard most of it, too." "Great," Harry muttered. "Just bloody great." "Harry, answer me this. Have any of those people I just told you about treated you any differently?" Thinking back, he realized that no, they actually hadn't. Not a single person had let on that they knew all the secrets he'd kept locked inside. Realizing Ginny actually wanted him to answer, he shook his head. "See? There's nothing to feel bad about." Harry was on the verge of retorting when Ginny interrupted. "You have to let it go, all that guilt and pain. Do you trust me?" Harry nodded somewhat uncertainly. He trusted her completely, he just didn't know where she was going with that question. "Close your eyes." She waited for him to comply. "Now I want you to remember those things you feel guilty over or ashamed of." Pause. "Now I want you to put them in a box and seal it up tight. Once you've got it sealed, throw that box into the stream behind The Burrow and watch it float away." After doing as Ginny suggested, Harry had to admit he did feel lighter. Opening his eyes, he smiled and asked, "How did you know of that little trick?" "It's something Mum used to do with us." "Thanks." ++++ Another thing he'd learned during his stay in the ward, Draco, Blaise and Pansy had been caught and sentenced to house arrest, not being allowed to study or sit their O.W.L.s. They were being forced to repeat their fifth year. "Not bad enough, if you ask me," groused Ginny. The original quartet were sitting around Harry's bed talking over this latest bit of news. Dumbledore had just been there to update Harry on the situation. "What I can't believe is that Draco managed to brew a poisonous potion made specifically to react to Harry and not anyone else." Hermione had that look on her face that said 'There's more to this and I will figure it out.' "I mean," she continued, "that's tricky work. Having put that stuff on everyone's plate, he could have poisoned all of us, but only Harry was. As good as Draco may be, I don't think he's that good." "What, you think he had help? But who?" "Anyone, Ginny. It could have been any of the Death Eaters. All they'd have to do is brew it, give it to Lucius who would then give it to Draco." "Nothing can be done about it now," Harry whispered. To change the subject, Ron jumped into the conversation. "So, next weekend is Hogsmeade weekend, finally. You going to get to go, Harry?" Hermione looked at her boyfriend as if he'd suddenly declared he hated the Chudley Cannons. "Of course he can't go, Ron. He's just barely got his strength back and she's still keeping him another week. She's not going to let him go." Harry sighed. They may have begun dating but their squabbling hadn't stopped. Deciding to try to head off one of Hermione's rants, he talked over her, or at least tried to. "She's right, Ron. I can't go. I can't even play Quidditch now." "Oh. Well, the Seeker spot will always be yours for when you're cleared to play and we'll bring you back some stuff from Hogsmeade." "Thanks." ++++ Fina lly, the day came for Harry's good-bye to the Hospital wing, again. Unfortunately, he also had to say good-bye to Ginny. She hadn't had a chance to do any Christmas shopping and this was likely the only chance she'd get. "I'll only be gone a little while." "It's okay, Gin. Take as long as you want." They stood off to the side of the main doorway, ignoring the gathering crowd waiting to leave the school. "I will and 'as long as I want' won't be too long. I just hate leaving you here." Harry smiled encouragingly, while inside he felt disappointed for not getting to go. It was like third year all over again. "Just go. The sooner you go, the sooner you can come back. Besides, I can use the time to try and catch up on my studies. I'm way behind, remember?" "Of course I do." Leaning in, Ginny gave Harry a lingering kiss. "Oh, come on!" griped Ron as he pulled Ginny away. "It's not like you'll be apart forever. It's just a little trip down to Hogsmeade and back." Ron missed the dangerous look in Harry's eyes but Hermione didn't. "Um, Ron, why don't we let them be and just go on into Hogsmeade." "Oh, come off it, Hermione," Ron complained, "It's just a simple walk into the village." Ron glanced at Harry and then looked again. He had a look in his eyes that he, Ron, had seen only twice before. Once, last year, when he and Harry hadn't been speaking. His own fault, of course. He'd made the mistake of insulting Ginny. Harry had shoved him against a tree, arm at his throat and threatened him. The second time was when Harry and Ginny had been reclining on the common room couch when, he, Ron had come along and pulled her away from Harry. Much like he'd just...Uh oh. Harry had nearly hit him then and his eyes were just as hard then as they were now. Letting Ginny go as if he'd been burned, he turned to Hermione. "I think you're right. Let's go." Shaking his head as if to clear it, Harry returned his attention to Ginny, who was smiling. "What?" She tilted her head a little then said with a laugh, "I like it when you go all 'MINE' over me." At Harry's puzzled look, she laughed again. "What else would you call what just happened between you and Ron? You did it last year, too. I thought you were going to hit Ron, right there in the common room. I bet he remembered that, too. It would explain why he changed his tune so fast." "I felt like it. I don't know. It was like this monster in my chest jumped up and begged me to hit Ron." "It showed but don't worry. It's a good thing. Now, he'll leave us alone for a bit." A final kiss and Ginny was hurrying down the lane that led to Hogsmeade. Harry watched her leave then noticed another couple, shyly holding hands. He couldn't believe it when Neville asked his permission to date Cherish. All he could do was stare at the teen a moment before telling Neville he hadn't needed to ask. He was happy for them. Cherish seemed able to pull the guy out of his shell more than anyone else had. Heaving a sigh, he decided he might as well try to get some work done. ++++ Harry was back in classes and hated it. People were still talking about his latest stay in the Hospital wing in voices barely quieted. He guessed he should have expected it; he'd always been the subject of gossip. He'd just figured, by now, something else would have caught their attention. His voice still hadn't fully returned but was improving. Now it just sounded as if he had a bad cold. Most of his professors, at least, had taken everything into account and not called upon him to speak during class. Most, but not all. Tort seemed to think it her personal duty to make sure he spoke as much as was possible. She quizzed them on the last chapter they had read and called upon Harry for the lengthiest of answers. Needless to say, towards the end of class, his voice was back to a scratchy whisper. When called upon, once again, to answer a question, Harry opened his mouth but hardly anything would come out. "What was that, Mr. Potter? I don't think we heard you." Narrowing his eyes, loathing her smug smile, he tried to answer but his voice just wouldn't cooperate. A whisper was all he was going to get. "Speak up, Mr. Potter. You're not being heard." Her tone had gone from smug to stern. When he just sat there, refusing to open his mouth, she shook her head. "Typical. You have the entire class waiting to hear you and you refuse to speak but you insist on speaking and being heard when it's not your turn. I guess a punishment is in order. Detention tonight and bring Miss Weasley. I think she'll be interested to know what's going on. One more refusal out of you, Mr. Potter, and it's no more Quidditch." Just then, the bell rang. Everyone scrambled out the door. "That was completely unfair." "Of course it was, Hermione, it's Tort," reminded Ron. Harry started to reply to that but Hermione stopped him. "No, don't talk, Harry. Save what's left of your voice. It'll give your vocal chords a break." Nodding, Harry followed his two friends into the Great Hall. ++++ That evening, Harry and Ginny showed up at Tort's office for Harry's detention. "Good, right on time. And I see you brought Miss Weasley." "Mrs. Potter," Ginny said through clenched teeth. "What was that? I didn't hear you?" "You heard me." "Watch your tone with me or you'll be in detention next." "Gin," Harry interrupted. All he had to do was look at her for her to get the idea. When Ginny remained silent, Tort smiled as if she'd won the war. "Now, sit down you two. Mr. Potter will be doing some lines. Miss Weasley, you'll watch." Tort handed some parchment and a quill colored blood red with black along the fringe. "You won't be needing ink. Now, you'll be writing 'I will speak up and be heard' until I say to quit." Wondering what Tort's ulterior motive was for Ginny to be there, he put the quill to parchment and began to write. Halfway through the first sentence, Ginny gave a little shriek. "Ow!" She shook her left hand trying to dispel the pain. Upon seeing why her hand suddenly burned, she gasped, head shooting up to look at their professor in disbelief. Out of all the things the professor had done, this was the most unbelievable. Using a Blood Quill was an arresting offense and a short time in Azkaban came with it but to use a Companion Blood Quill earned you a long stay in Azkaban. Finally realizing Harry had been trying to get her attention, she turned to him, still in shock. "What's the matter?" Silently, Ginny showed him her hand and watched as he paled, clamping his jaw in an effort to keep from speaking. His eyes were as hard as jade and yet burned with a fury she'd never seen. The framed photos began to rattle on their hooks and papers from Tort's desk began flapping and falling to the floor. "Is something wrong?" the professor asked in her simpering voice. Tort speaking was the gasoline to Harry's fire and he exploded. The photos fell from the walls, glass breaking into tiny shards. The papers ripped themselves into pieces then caught fire. An angrily waved hand and the photos gathered up together and hurtled towards the professor, who screeched and dived under her desk, slamming into the wall behind the now hiding Tort. "You want to know what's wrong?" Harry asked, his anger raging violently. He waved his other hand in a slashing motion, and the burning bits of paper also flew at the Defense professor, going under the desk this time. She yelled and jumped out from under the desk, patting out the hem of her robes. "I'll tell you what's wrong. What's wrong is you using something like...that on students." Another wave of a hand sent the chalkboard rolling menacingly toward the now frightened professor. "What's wrong is you abusing your position to further your ideals. Your evil and all you spread is evil and hate." Hands waved jerkily, angrily slashing. Shaking himself out of the trance-like state his anger had put him in, he looked around at the destruction that used to be Tort's office, breathing heavily and feeling a little weak. The photo frames were in splinters, the glass in pieces, the photos, themselves, shredded. The drapery around the window, added since he'd last been there, appeared as if a wolf had attacked them. Burning bits of paper floated down from the ceiling. The chalkboard had been split into three pieces. Tort's desktop resembled the pointy end of an egg. Professor Tort cowered in the corner. To his left, Harry saw Ginny nonchalantly standing there as if a major storm hadn't just blown through. She was even smiling drolly. Seeing that Harry was done, Tort gathered herself, stomped over to him and wagged her finger in his face, despite having just witnessed Harry's temper. "That's it. I've had it with you. No more Quidditch for you, ever. You're hereby banned from ever playing again. You shall be in detention for the rest of the year. Cornelius will be hearing about this and I daresay that new decrees are warranted. Just wait." Noting the look on Ginny's face, she stomped over to Ginny. "And you missy, you didn't help me at all. Just stood there looking smug. You could have been hurt." Ginny snorted at that. She'd stood still and let Harry's rage play out around her knowing he wouldn't allow anything to hurt her. In fact, she'd noticed, with the glass shards from the frames, he'd redirected their route around her. It may have appeared that he was out of control, and maybe he was close, but he'd had enough control to protect her. Looking around at the damage, she had to admit, it was an impressive bit of wandless magic. He'd done it all with his own magic. Seeing Ginny wasn't the least bit concerned, Tort changed tactics. "Okay then, maybe this will get through to you. All team sports are disbanded unless I give permission otherwise. Effective immediately." Smiling at the outrage on their faces, she continued, "And also, the Ministry no longer recognizes hand-fastings as actual marriages, so you can remove those hideous bracelets now. You, Miss Weasley, will be staying in your proper dorm. Mr. Potter, you'll be in your proper dorm. Boys and girls will no longer be allowed to be less than two feet from each other. In between classes and during class, the distance will be reduced to eighteen inches. At mealtimes, and only at the tables, the spell will have no effect. I have been waiting for this for quite some time. I just needed an excuse and you, Potter, have given it to me. Proximity spells are already in place. If you get too close, you'll get a shocking surprise. And to keep either of you out of the other's dorm room, spells are in place to block you from entering the wrong doorway." "You can't do that. The Minister is the only one who can make those kinds of laws." "Oh, but I can, missy, because I have the Minister's ear. He'll agree to anything once I tell him it's to help get this school in order." "How will I get my clothes if I can't go through the boys' doorway?" "Not to worry. They've already been moved and a bed is waiting for you, too. The same for you, Mr. Potter." Harry had been rubbing his bracelet and the action caught Tort's attention. "I see you have yet to remove those bracelets. Are you trying to get yourselves expelled?" "They won't come off," Harry rasped defiantly. "They can't be removed until the year and one day time period is up." "Oh, that's rubbish." After several attempts to remove them had failed, she cast a Disillusionment Charm on them. "Now I don't have to look at them." The couple rubbed their wrists. In their minds, they knew the bracelets were still there, but their hands told them the bracelets were gone. They could no longer feel them. "You're lucky I don't have you expelled but I believe in second chances. Now, get out of here." ++++ "I'm sorry, Gin. It's all my fault. I completely lost it." "We'll get around it in some way and she'll get what's coming to her." Ginny reached out to grab his hand but as soon as her hand crossed that distance barrier, both of them were shocked by a fairly strong electric charge. "Ow!" both cried. "That's what she meant by 'shocking surprise'." "Dumbledore won't stand for this." "Gin, he may not have a choice." That thought occupied their minds as they made their way back to the common room. |
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