Iuga Sortis III: The Beginning

Six

Tonight. It would all begin tonight.

Nothing would go wrong on this night, not on the night where people were out and about, saying that annoying little phrase for a few pieces of Muggle candy.

It was his favorite holiday, after all.

"They won't know what hit them," he said with a smug smile.

"Severus said Hogwarts wasn't allowing students to go into Hogsmeade," Voldemort reminded him.

Pettigrew shrugged. "It doesn't matter. Sooner or later, the children will have to come out . . . and I'll be ready. Hogsmeade is merely an appetizer for things to come. The main course is still being cooked."

The half-demon sighed. "What do you plan to accomplish by razing Hogsmeade to the ground?"

Pettigrew turned to face Voldemort. "Fear. What else?"

"There is already fear; I've seen to that."

"But you have yet to wreak havoc on the wizarding world, and if you refer to that pitiful display your Death Eaters managed during the Quidditch World Cup, that was among the most pathetic displays I've ever seen in my life."

Voldemort snorted. "Thank you."

"Anyway, they will be so distraught over the burning village they'll come down and try to rescue everyone. It's the perfect plan to draw them out, so we can capture them."

"I thought we only wanted Isis."

"Of course. But I want to torture the others before I kill them."

The other wizard shook his head. "Waste of effort. It would be best to just kill them all in one fell swoop."

Suddenly Voldemort was in the air, his eyes bugling as his hands futilely tried to remove the pressure around his neck.

"I've spent too many millennia looking for them, and if you think I'll make their demise easy, you have another thought coming. Now if you fancy yourself giving me unwanted advice again, you'll find yourself in a burning building tied to a wall. Do I make myself clear?"

Voldemort didn't say anything, but Pettigrew knew by his silence the other wizard complied.

His lip curled. "Good. We leave at eight."

He dropped Voldemort, who was gasping for air, and went to his private rooms. Pettigrew muttered the password as the wall disappeared to allow him entrance to his quarters.

He poured himself some whiskey and drank it in one gulp, gasping a bit as the liquid went down his throat. He stared into the fire as he spun his glass in his hand.

"Burn, baby, burn."

Fire was such a beautifully destructive element, and he cherished it greatly. The smoke, the heat, the anguish--it was enough to send him leaping for joy. The only thing left to do was wait for them to take the bait.

Especially Osiris . . he always takes the bait.

Pettigrew's lip curled maliciously. "He'll do anything to protect her."

The git sacrificed himself--twice--to keep his sister-wife safe, and each time said sister-wife outwitted him into saving her sacrificial brother. The myths of their lives portrayed Osiris as an asinine god who fell for every pathetic trick on his life, but Set knew better.

If it only it happened that way . .

Set changed the accounts of what happened to boost his own popularity, and he had for a while, but even then he was subservient to someone else.

Set was born a god, not a servant!

But in the end, that never mattered. He fell out of favor with Ra the moment he tore himself from his mother's womb, and since then, all the favor had been on his infernally perfect brother and his sister-wife. Nephthys hadn't been as important as those two, and he used that fact to his advantage . . but even she could not be swayed for long.

Damn her astuteness.

Nephthys had always been too smart for her own good, despite her decision to leave with him. He played on her insecurities, and even the most intelligent of women could succumb to his silver tongue. He just wished she stayed down long enough to accomplish his goals, but now she had what she always wanted--Osiris' love.

Pettigrew rolled his eyes. Just thinking about them gave him a toothache.

Love was for spineless men who hid behind their women. Both Osiris and Apedemak suffered from that infliction, and for it Osiris got his body chopped up and Apedemak written out of history.

Set chuckled. That would never happen to him--he was history; he made history.

Another chapter would be written tonight--the night where everything came to a head.

This time, the world will know of my might!

His hand curled around the glass, and he threw it into the fire, watching the flames roar to life as the remaining alcohol in the glass fueled it. He'd forgotten how troublesome Osiris could be--almost more so than Apedemak. The ruler-god had been such a non-issue for so long he didn't even fit into Set's plans.

But that was before the bastard ruined my Conception Ritual . . .

That little twit Malfoy played him for a fool, and for that he would pay. This time, not only would he chop up the body, but he'd cremate it in the fire, ensuring the infernal god wouldn't reappear again.

Pettigrew chuckled. "Oh yes. Fire is a most beautiful thing . . . just as her eyes are--the color of fire . . . and her sister's hair--soft flames burning down her back . . ."

He wiped off the drool that began to run down his chin before conjuring another glass of whiskey. They would be his this time. He'd had Nephthys before, and she seemed perfectly fine in her vacant contentment. Apedemak ruined it all by coming to rescue her, though it was Osiris behind the entire thing. He'd always thought the love Osiris felt for Nephthys was more than platonic, and if Set had any doubts about that before, they were all removed when he saw Draco's staunch defense of the Weasley girl; the imbecile even had the gall to smirk at him once Dumbledore revealed his true identity.

Oh yes . . . they will pay . . . greatly . .

Maybe this time he'd get Thoth as well; he was a meddlesome old god.

Thoth couldn't let Osiris stay dead as he was supposed to--oh no, he had to help Isis bring her stupid brother-husband back to life. Set could've screamed when he saw Osiris at the banks of the Nile, and he knew Thoth had something to do with it. It was no secret Isis had been receiving instruction from Thoth for a long time, and he was the best magician in the land. Thoth was perceptive, powerful, and proficient.

It was annoying, really.

Dumbledore was just as bothersome as the essence within him and, unfortunately, just as powerful. For all of Dumbledore's eccentricity, there was a reason Voldemort feared the old wizard so much. Even when he was at Hogwarts, Pettigrew trembled at the sight of the Headmaster; he always seemed to know the truth just by looking at someone.

Thoth was the same way, except he didn't even have to look. It was as if Thoth picked up on some kind of scent or other non-visible clue that revealed someone's untrustworthiness. Dumbledore was a liability to the cause, and he had to be eradicated with the rest of the gods.

Easier said than done . . .

Pettigrew growled and began to pace. He knew this attack was only the beginning, but it was time to bring things out in the open. All of the undercover offensives were getting them nothing but defeat, but bringing innocents in would bolster morale and pleasure. He also knew Dumbledore would keep the little gods and goddesses away from Hogsmeade . . . but he had a feeling they wouldn't listen.

He hoped they wouldn't; this fire was for them.

Pettigrew chuckled. He couldn't wait to meet her . . . to meet Isis. He wondered if she would be as beautiful now as she was then: mahogany skin and golden eyes, hair the color of midnight and a smile as bright as the sun, a body of soft, luscious curves that made many a god turn twice to look, then fall into deep depression because she didn't belong to them.

She didn't belong to him.

She belonged to Apedemak.

Pettigrew threw this glass in the fire as well. The most powerful goddess in the world went and fell in love with the lion god from the south. Apedemak was not worthy of her, just a big pussy who hid behind honor and loyalty.

Well, bollocks to that!

Pettigrew refused to lose to some teenage twit--the war or Isis. He didn't care how old the reincarnate was, or even if she were a fat, slovenly thing. She had the essence of Isis, and that trumped any detriments the reincarnate could have.

Oh well . . . guess we'll find out what they are tonight, won't we?

He would win her this time, and no one--not Apedemak, not Osiris, or anyone else--would stop him.

Get ready, my love . . . I'm coming for you . .

He went to the small table by his armchair and rang the bell. A small, worn house-elf answered the call. "You rang, Sir?"

"Fetch my battle robes and draw my bath. I have a 'hot' engagement tonight."

The house-elf bowed. "As you wish, Sir."

"And another thing . . ." The house-elf remained bowed as he waited for Pettigrew's next instructions. "Tell Voldemort to call the followers to meet at the outskirts of Hogsmeade. It is time."

Pettigrew turned his back to the house-elf and grinned as he heard the bathwater running. This time his drink of choice was scotch, and he downed it quickly.

"What to do when I finally catch the smarmy little bastards . ." he muttered. "Must ponder that as I soak."

Pettigrew chuckled evilly as he shed his clothing as he walked to the bathroom. He eased himself in the warm tub and closed his eyes, breathing in the scent. "Frankincense . . ."

He sank further into the tub and sighed. He'd been so consumed with the attacks he never planned the appropriate victory party. Of course much had changed from the original circumstances all those centuries ago--the essences of his foes were inside mere teenagers. Not that it mattered to him; he would delight in destroying them.

He thought to put them under a permanent curse, similar to Imperius, except their feelings of helplessness would increase ten fold. They would know exactly what they were doing, but could no more stop it than time.

Pettigrew smiled. "Helplessness is a most awful feeling . . . I will delight in seeing them deal with it for the rest of their lives!" He took another deep breath and frowned. "Maybe not the Weasley girl--perhaps I can let Voldemort borrow her for a while . . . and let the Malfoy boy watch! Splendid!"

He laughed cruelly as he stepped from the bath and changed into his robes. He smirked at his reflection in the mirror.

"It won't be long now, my pet . . . I eagerly await thee!"

He blew a kiss to the mirror, then Apparated where the other Death Eaters and Voldemort were waiting. They bowed before him, and he rolled his eyes.

"Stand up, you idiots!" he snarled as he kicked one of them over. Voldemort said nothing, letting the god take the lead. "Tonight is the night we let the world know our might! We will make it pure for us and our families and eradicate the muck that taints our magic and our blood!"

The Death Eaters cheered, and Pettigrew could feel their sadistic glee.

"Hogsmeade will burn tonight as a testament to our strength! We will destroy those who dare stand in our way! We will capture the four who continuously deny our victory, battle after battle! Mr. Harry Potter, whose mother's love won't be enough to save him this time. Mr. Draco Malfoy, who betrayed his father and his bloodline because of lust. Miss Virginia Weasley, who is a blood traitor and caused the shining hope of our cause to decry it all for a piece of arse--she will not deny us a second time. And lastly, a girl who has yet to be named, but could potentially be a bigger threat than the other three combined. She will be a great asset to the cause. We will accomplish this all tonight, my Death Eaters. This fight will not be in vain!"

They cheered again, and he smiled. Pettigrew looked toward Voldemort. "Anything to add?"

Voldemort crossed his arms, his wand pointed heavenward. "I'm eager to start the demise of Potter. Give me the word."

"Why do you have your wand?"

Voldemort smirked. "I want to kill Potter with it--the same wand that killed his parents."

Pettigrew grinned at him and waved his hands over the group. "N0te."

The bodies of the Death Eaters shimmered, as did Voldemort's. The Dark Lord gave him a curious glance.

"A Fire Protection spell, Voldie."

"What about you? Won't you need it?"

Pettigrew said nothing and held his palms out toward the town. His eyes closed, and he began to mutter. "Tooute kwxt."

The streetlamps went out one by one, and the light gathered around his palms. The Death Eaters gasped in disbelief and moved out of the way of the fireballs. Surprised exclamations could be heard from the town, even some squeals of delight.

Pettigrew's smile became larger at the looming danger they faced. He fashioned the light into a medium sized ball, and it glowed menacingly. "Mi0e."

Suddenly the ball of fire shot from his hands and hit the building directly in front of Zonko's Joke Shop. Heart-wrenching wails and blood-curdling screams rang through the night sky as people fled the blazing town.

It was music to his ears.

The Death Eaters hadn't moved a muscle since the light from the lamps gathered around him. Pettigrew sighed and rolled his eyes. "Must I say everything in English? I said 'attack!'"

Immediately the Death Eaters sprang into action. Curses flew in a colorful display as he and Voldemort watched the chaos unfold.

"Nice shot," Voldemort muttered.

"Thank you." He grinned, and they walked lazily into the blazing town.

~~~~~~

There was happy chatter in the Great Hall as the pumpkin candles floated above them. The ceiling was menacing and cloudy--the perfect atmosphere for such a holiday. Halloween was always a festive time for Hogwarts students, and even the teachers lost their worry for this brief moment. Later that night everyone would put on costumes and trick or treat through the halls of Hogwarts, tricking themselves into believing a war wasn't on the brink of starting and treating themselves to an illusion--at least for the night, anyway.

She wanted nothing more than to leave. She didn't feel like putting on a costume. In fact, she didn't even feel like eating. Her stomach felt queasy all day, and she'd had a restless night's sleep.

Something's going to happen tonight . . . something bad.

She dreamed last night. She couldn't remember many of the details, but she did remember seeing fire, and the only word she could recall was "hell."

She shuddered violently.

"Ginny?"

She yelped and snapped her head up, her eyes focusing on the speaker. "Ron!"

"Are you all right? You've been holding your stomach ever since you sat down, and not only that, but Malfoy's been staring at you like a cobra ready to strike!"

Her eyes darted to the Slytherin table and met Draco's frowning face. His eyes were piercing and full of concern. She shrugged and shook her head. His frown deepened and inclined his head toward his right. She looked where his head directed and gasped. Nia's posture eerily mimicked hers.

Oh no.

"Ginny? What's wrong?" Ron asked again, this time placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Stomach's queasy," she muttered.

A wand appeared in her line of vision and tapped her goblet. Ginny frowned and peered into it.

"It's ginger ale. It should help settle your stomach," Hermione explained.

Ginny lifted her eyebrows in comprehension, but didn't take a sip. "Thanks."

"Uh--aren't you going to drink it?" Ron asked.

She glanced at him before taking the cup and drinking its contents.

Hermione looked at her expectantly. "So?"

Ginny offered a brief smile. "Thank you for the help."

The older girl became sullen. "But it didn't."

"You meant well."

"Maybe you should go lie down," Harry said slowly.

Ginny nodded. "That sounds like a good idea."

"I'll walk with you, then," he suggested, looking toward Ron for confirmation.

"Thanks, mate. We'll be up shortly."

Harry nodded and walked Ginny out of the Great Hall. His hand grasped her arms lightly as he led her through the Entrance Hall, but instead of heading up the stairs toward the Tower, he led them to the dungeons. He stopped them by a wall a little ways past the Potions classroom.

"Ouwn."

The wall slid open, and he escorted her through it, her eyes looking upon him questioningly. He ignored her look and didn't let go of her until the wall slid closed behind her.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"Sirius' room."

"Where is he?"

"Order Headquarters."

She looked at him with a confused expression. "But how? No one's supposed to know--"

"He's there with Snape."

Her confusion increased. "Why?"

Harry took a deep breath. "Because they think Death Eaters are to be called tonight."

The color left her face. "How do you know this? Wasn't Snape at dinner?"

He shook his head. "No. And I know this because I overheard Snape talking with Sirius earlier today when I went to see him."

The sickening feeling she had increased ten-fold, and she held her stomach. "Don't tell me this, Harry . . ."

"You know something, don't you? You dreamed."

She shrugged. "So what if I did? I don't know what the hell it means!"

"What did you see? If you told me, we could make it better! We could stop them!"

She hunched over and walked toward a chaise, where she collapsed in it unceremoniously. "Stop them?"

Her voice was hollow, and Harry went around and knelt before her. "We can stop them, Ginny."

She looked at him incredulously. "How?"

He gave her a wry smile. "Why do you think we've been training our arses off for the past year?"

"To give the thin and thick of it, all hell will break loose in a year's time."

"Asar!"

She sucked in a wild breath, and her eyes grew larger. Asar warned them when she and Draco stumbled upon the Room, and she'd all but forgotten it until now. It had been a year since they'd been in the Room, and everything the gods told them had come into fruition.

"Ginny?"

She didn't register his voice. Her mind flashed to her dream.

"Hell! Fire! Set!"

Her exclamations came in spurts, and she felt Harry's strong arms come around her. He dragged her to the floor where he was, and his hands ran through her hair in a comforting gesture.

"Calm down, Ginny . . . calm down . . ."

She shook her head wildly and grasped his forearms. "I can't! It's starting today, Harry! The war's starting today!"

A hand grasped her chin, and her eyes were directed to his. "Are you sure about this?"

Ginny took a series of deep breaths before answering. "I was warned--we were warned it was to happen in a year. I'd forgotten until now . . ."

"We who were warned?"

She rested heavily against him. "Draco and I were. Asar told us when we found the Room and--"

"Room? What room? What are you on about?"

She pulled back from him to look in his eyes. "There's a Room, with pictures of the gods. They told us who we were, what our purpose was. We stumbled upon it last year."

He frowned. "Why haven't I been to this room? Has Nia been?"

Ginny shook her head. "They'll call you when you're ready."

His jaw clenched. "We're doing the best we can! We're not as advanced as you are, Ginny."

"We met the gods before we ever had our first training session, around three weeks before it, actually."

"And you didn't think to tell us until Christmas?! No wonder you were giving Nia and me strange looks!"

Ginny bit her lip to keep the grin from forming. "Right, Harry."

"Well, since you were able to meet them, when will Nia and I?"

She shrugged. "When you're ready, they'll call you. That's how it worked with us."

He frowned. "But by then it'll be too late. You think it's going to happen today!"

Ginny sighed and nodded. "My dreams aren't as clear as Nia's, but what I saw, and Asar's warning, all lead to the same conclusion."

His arms slackened around her. "Nia . ." He eased her off his lap and stood.

"What are you doing?"

"Nia can't go."

Her brows furrowed. "Can't go where?"

"She can't go with us to stop them. It's too dangerous."

Ginny felt her annoyance rise. "Oh, give me a break!"

He looked at her with a shocked expression. "Ginny!"

She glared at him. "She's been busting her arse in training, and you're going to tell her she can't go? She'll curse you so bad you'll wish it came from Set!"

"She's not ready! I already said we weren't as advanced as you and Draco."

"If that's the case, you shouldn't go either!"

"But I know how to fight Voldemort and the Death Eaters! We still have the wands to use, and I'm a legal adult now! I will be of some use. You and Draco can work on Pettigrew, and I can work on Voldemort."

"I thought she was getting better! At least that's what Jamilah's been telling me."

Harry sighed and nodded. "She is. Our link sessions have steadily improved, and so has her control over wandless magic, but she's still not ready to go into the field!"

She sniffed. "Don't be surprised if Nia shows up there anyway . . wherever 'there' is."

"You didn't get the location?"

Ginny shook her head. "All I saw was fire. I didn't get a read on the location."

"Dammit."

She watched as he began to pace and felt her dread rise again. They couldn't stop the Death Eaters if they didn't know where they were going to be. She tried to remember the rest of her dream, but the fire was all she could see. She didn't know how they could stop them--she didn't feel prepared at all. What if there were other people where the fire was? Could they save them and stop the Death Eaters too?

~Ginny.~

She sucked in a wild breath and yelped.

Harry stopped pacing and looked at her. "Are you all right? Did you see something?"

She shook her head. "I didn't see anything else . . . sorry . . ."

~Ginny, where are you?~

Her frown deepened. ~Draco?~

He chuckled. ~Surreal, isn't it, love?~

Ginny nodded quickly. ~How are you doing this?~

~The link. I didn't know where you were, so Nia suggested I try you telepathically. She said she got the idea from some Muggle comic, X-Men . . .~

She chuckled a bit. ~And you thought Muggles were worthless!~

She heard him humph, and she chuckled again. ~Just tell me where you are. Nia has something to say that may prove interesting.~

~I'm in the dungeons--Sirius' room.~

~Good. See you soon.~

Her hand went to her forehead, and she gave a short laugh. That was the most bizarre thing she'd ever experienced.

"What's so funny? You had this dazed expression on your face, and you were laughing," Harry asked her.

"Draco and Nia are coming."

"What? How do you know that?"

She grinned at him. "Draco just told me."

He frowned. "How could you possibly know that when you aren't even in the same--oh! The link!"

Ginny nodded and laughed. "That is great! The link can help us out so much during the battle! It's a sort of secret weapon!"

"Does it only work between you two?"

Ginny shrugged. "I don't know? Do you want to try?"

"Sure! You try to talk to me," he said.

"Okay." She closed her eyes and channeled her energy to her thoughts.

~Harry?~

There was no reply, and she opened an eye to look at him. His eyes were closed as well, and he seemed to have no sign of realizing her call. She shook her head and tried again. ~Harry.~

There was still no reply. She smirked.

Time for a little fun . . .

~Harry Potter is the sexiest thing on two legs!~

He didn't respond. Her eye opened again, and his countenance remained blank. She frowned.

~Yesterday I saw Nia and another Slytherin fourth year--he was very cute, by the way--holding hands and laughing as they walked to Care of Magical Creatures.~

It was still quiet, and her shoulders slumped.

~Liar.~

Ginny's eyes popped open and saw a smirking Harry looking her way. She squealed and launched herself into his arms, legs locking at his waist.

"It worked!" she exclaimed.

"You are lying about Nia, right?"

She pulled back and lifted an eyebrow. "No . . . I was lying about the 'sexiest thing on two legs' comment. You know that title belongs to Draco, love."

"Speaking of legs--kindly put my girlfriend's lovely pair on the floor where they belong, Potty."

She giggled at Harry's groan and disentangled herself from him. She turned to see a glaring Draco watching them, his hands crossed before him. Nia glanced at them before looking at her hands, brushing past Draco to get further in the room.

"Nia?" Harry said softly.

"Hmm?" She still didn't look at him.

"It's not what you think," he assured her.

Her golden eyes met his, and she nodded. "I know." Her focus shifted to Ginny. "Did it work?"

Ginny walked to the younger girl and hugged her. "You're brilliant, you know that?"

Nia laughed shortly and returned the hug. "I just read a lot, that's all. I figure, if it worked for Scott and Jean, why not you and Draco? Besides, Jean had red hair like you do!"

Ginny laughed and pulled away from her. "And you? Who would you be in this comic?"

Nia grinned. "Storm--mainly because she's one of the few black mutants in the comic--but she has such a cool power."

"What is it?"

"She controls the weather, and she can fly."

"You, who doesn't like heights?" Harry asked liltingly.

She glared at him good-naturedly. "I've been gettin' better!"

He nodded at Ginny. "Yeah! She lets me breathe now!"

"And what does this 'Jean' character do?" Draco asked.

Nia looked at Ginny. "She's a telepath. She can read people's minds and control things without touching."

Ginny blew on her fingers and rubbed them on her jumper. "I'm working on that . . ." She saw Draco roll his eyes, and she sauntered toward him. "Got something to say, Malfoy?"

He smirked and wrapped his arms at her waist. "Nothing, love."

"Oh my God!"

The whispered exclamation resounded loudly in Ginny's ears, and she whirled in Draco's arms quickly. "Nia?"

She saw the younger girl collapse to the floor, and Harry's arms came around her. "Nia? Nia, baby, speak to me . . ."

Nia began shaking her head and rocking. "Fire! Fire!"

Immediately an image came forth, and she saw people running frantically. "Dear Merlin!"

"What is it? Where is it?"

Ginny's eyes locked with Nia's. Nia leapt to her feet, and Ginny followed her, ignoring Draco and Harry's cries. They ran through the throng of students and pushed open the entrance doors.

Ginny gasped at the sight before her. Hogsmeade was ablaze.

"Fuck."

Ginny turned to Nia in surprise. "Nia!"

The other girl looked at her incredulously. "I know you're not about to chastise me as Hogsmeade turns into hell itself!"

Ginny heard screaming and looked behind her. Students had come outside and were pointing and yelling at the inferno down the hill.

"Hogsmeade's on fire!"

"What about our trips? What about the butterbeer?"

"How did it happen?"

"EVERYONE INSIDE! NOW!"

Professors started leading the children back inside the castle. She and Nia moved toward the greenhouses, out of the sight of the teachers. As they reached their destination, Draco's voice popped in her head.

~Where are you two?~

~By the greenhouses.~

She saw Draco and Harry run through the crowd toward them, their faces asking silent questions.

Ginny shook her head and looked back and the scene. This had Set and Voldemort all over it. "Yep . . . hell has most definitely broken loose . . ."

Nia glanced toward her. "I reckon we should put it back where it came from then." She went to go down the hill, but an arm stayed her. "What the--"

"You aren't going anywhere."

Oh shit!

Nia turned slowly, her eyes as bright as the fire down the hill. "What did you say?"

Harry was firm, his jaw set. "You aren't going down there. You'll stay up here where it's safe."

Nia's jaw dropped incredulously. "You've got to be kidding me!"

"What's about to happen here could make Hogsmeade seem like a candle burning," Draco whispered in Ginny's ear.

Ginny rolled her eyes and separated Harry from Nia. "Now is not the time to get chauvinistic, Harry."

"But it's a trap! Can't you see it?" Harry asked frantically.

"I see a town burnin' to ashes, and the longer we stand up here fightin' about it, the more people are gonna get hurt!"

Ginny sighed and nodded. "Nia's right, Harry. Jamilah has us training for a reason. We've got to go and help."

"Well, you're not going without us! We're coming, too!"

Ginny groaned as she saw Ron and Hermione join the group. They weren't dressed in Halloween costumes either.

"Oh great, the Weasel wants to join," Draco said wryly.

"Just because my sister loves you doesn't mean I do, Ferret, so watch it!" Ron snarled.

"Hello? Burnin' town, people, burnin' town!" Nia said.

"Right. I agree with Potty, love. You should stay here."

"But Drac--"

"Here me out, okay?" Nia closed her eyes and nodded. "I'm with Potter on this one--this is clearly a trap. But as long as he doesn't know who you are, there's nothing for him to catch. I'm not saying you can't help. You can usually see what's happening whenever we fight, and you can be our eyes and ears--but in safety."

"And as I told Harry, I ain't sittin' here while y'all out gettin' yourselves killed!"

Ginny looked at the fire, then looked at Nia. There was nothing more she wished to do than to go into the town and help them, but she couldn't leave Nia by herself, either. Nia was right--she had a right to be involved more than as a sideline person, and Ginny would join in protest with her.

"I'll stay up here, then," she said after a moment.

Five pairs of eyes stared at her in surprise. "You? Giving up a chance to fight? This must be a trick," Ron muttered.

Ginny glared at him before looking at Draco and Harry. "I'll be here to keep Nia out of trouble."

"I don't need a damn babysitter!"

Ginny quirked an eyebrow at her. "Trust me."

She saw Draco narrow his eyes out the corner of hers. ~What are you planning to do?~

Ginny tilted her head but didn't return the message. "You might want to go now, or there won't be a Hogsmeade left to save."

Draco's lips formed into a grim line, and he shook his head, walking towards her and grasping her neck gently. She closed his eyes at the feel of his lips against her forehead. "Love you," he whispered softly.

"Love you, too."

He pulled back and looked at Nia. Her eyes followed and saw Harry cradle her face in his hands.

"I'll keep him safe for her," Draco murmured.

She nodded. "I know he'll return the favor for me."

He kissed her forehead again and went to Nia.

Harry walked up to Ginny and hugged her. "We'll be back soon."

"You better be, or there's no telling what Nia will do."

He looked toward the younger girl. "I want her to be safe, Ginny."

Ginny smiled and cupped his cheek. "I know you do, Harry. You love her."

He grinned a little and kissed her cheek. "See you soon."

He separated, and Ron and Hermione exchanged hugs as well. Soon the four of them were off down the hill, and Nia came to stand beside her. The fire seemed to grow larger since the last time she looked, and she took some comfort that there were Aurors already down there helping and fighting.

"I should be down there," Nia muttered.

Ginny nodded. "I agree, but Draco and Harry are right. You should remain out of sight as long as you can--at the very least until you can control your powers better."

She snorted. "You mean until I can be an expert like you are."

Ginny rolled her eyes and crossed her arms in front of her. "That's not what I mean--"

"That is what you mean, Ginny. Don't lie. But it's a valid concern. I ain't as good as you. It's a wonder they ever picked me to be Isis . . ."

Ginny looked at her sadly and hooked her arm through Nia's. "I think you're a brilliant girl, Nia. It's just not your time yet."

"And when will that be? When there's no wizardin' world to save?"

Ginny shook her head and brushed a tendril of hair from Nia's face. "No. Your time will come when you stop being scared."

Nia snorted again. "Scared of what?"

"Of your feelings for Harry . . . of the feelings he may have for you . . ."

Nia tensed. "I just have--"

"A tremendous amount of love for the Boy Who Lived."

Nia shook her head. "No, I don't."

Ginny looked pointedly at her. "Nia, be honest."

The younger girl pouted. "I don't wanna!"

Ginny removed her arms from Nia's and wrapped them around her neck. "You do know it's okay to feel that way, don't you?"

"No, it ain't."

Ginny pulled her head back. "And why not?"

"I'm only fourteen, Ginny. He wants a real woman, or at least deserves one."

"And you don't think his 'real woman' is you? You're Isis; he's Apedemak. You two love each other!"

Nia separated from her and walked down the hill a bit. "And when Set's gone and the threat disappears, what will happen to this love?"

"Nia--"

"Who's to say what I feel for him is just the Isis in me respondin' to the Apedemak in him?"

"Because it doesn't work that way. The people themselves have to be in love with each other before the essences have any chance at a reunion."

Nia gave her a sideways glance. "And just how do you know this?"

Ginny grinned. "A little birdie told me."

"And that explains why you two are so much better than we are--you two do love each other."

"Yes."

"And that explains why Harry and I aren't--because we don't."

Ginny shook her head. "No. It's because you won't admit it to yourself."

Nia turned to face her. "So it's my fault?"

Ginny shrugged. "In a way, it is. You're not being honest to yourself, and, in a sense, you're blocking some pretty powerful magic from coming through as it should."

"And if I just admit that what I feel for Harry is more than a crush, then I'll be as advanced as you and Draco?"

Ginny shook her head slowly. "I'm not saying that. There has to be a mutual admittance, at the very least to yourselves. Draco had admitted he loved me to himself long before he spoke a word of it to me. That's why we were able to pick up on the wandless magic so fast."

"And when you finally told each other?"

A soft smile graced Ginny's face. "It was as if the verbal declaration unlocked the last bit of magic. It was the most wonderful feeling I'd ever felt in my life, Nia. I'm not saying it will be easy, or even that you two will reach that point this year. But admit it to yourself, love. It'll take so many burdens off your shoulders, and you can stop lying to yourself."

"But it's so easy," Nia whined.

Ginny laughed shortly and raised her eyebrows. "I know it is, but, in the end, it wastes so much valuable time and energy, don't you think?"

Nia bit her lip and nodded. "I'll admit I've been very tired comin' out of the link sessions."

"It's hard trying to hide that from your partner," Ginny agreed.

"Yeah . . ."

~Ginny.~

Speaking of links . . .

~Yes, love?~

~We're at the town, but we can't go inside because it's too hot and smoky. I don't know how the Death Eaters are surviving in this hellhole.~

Ginny smirked. ~Set's running the show, remember?~

~Yes, I know. But we can't help anyone or stop the Death Eaters until we can see. Granger's working on Fire Resistant charms, and Potter's trying to figure out a way to pierce the smoke. But there's only so much we can do. I think some Aurors are here, but I'm not sure . . .~

Ginny looked up and saw Nia staring at the fire. She went beside her, not saying a word.

"The fire's not going out," Nia murmured.

"Harry contacted you?"

Nia nodded. "This ain't good. They can't do much if they can't even get into town."

"I know. Maybe Pettigrew cast a spell on the fire?"

Nia did not answer and walked a few steps down the hill. Ginny followed her.

"What are you thinking?"

Nia still didn't answer, but now a golden aura overcame her body. Ginny's eyes widened as she saw Nia's eyes become gold--including her pupils and the whites of her eyes. Thunder clapped above them, and she looked to the sky. The new moon heavens became even darker, and she felt the electricity crackle through the air.

"Nia . . ."

The other girl still said nothing, and a mighty wind began to howl. The dark clouds passed over the castle and settled above Hogsmeade. Nia's arms rose to the above her head and she began to mutter. "W0i, xrok 0ax."

Rain, cease fire.

"Bloody hell."

It was as if the sky poured a cauldron of water over the town, and the flames finally began to shrink. Nia remained as such until the fire went out completely, and the golden aura around her disappeared.

"So that was your 'Storm' moment, eh?"

Nia grinned at her. "You like?"

Ginny stared at Nia for a moment before she smirked. "Draco's not going to like that. Today he wore his good school robes."

Nia chuckled. "He can cry me a river when he gets back."

~Whoever brought on the sudden rainstorm . . . thanks--bloody brilliant. I expect a new set of school robes by Christmas.~

Ginny giggled. ~Right, Draco. I'll get right on it.~

~I'm completely serious, love.~

~Just get to kicking some Death Eater arse, will you?~

She could feel his smirk. ~Yes, ma'am . . . do you want me to keep the link open?~

Ginny frowned. On the one hand, she wanted to make sure Draco and the others were all right at all times, but she didn't want to hear all his thoughts, especially when she could do little to help. ~No. Close it. I have faith you'll come back to me.~

~As if I would do anything else. I love you.~

~I love you, too.~

She looked toward Nia, whose eyes were transfixed on the smoldering town. She'd forgotten Nia could see what was happening during the battle.

Suddenly she moaned and fell to her knees, favoring her left side.

"Nia!"

Nia began to whimper and roll on the grass. Ginny fell to the ground beside her and cradled Nia. "What's wrong, Nia? What are you seeing?!"

But her speech was too jumbled for her to answer.

Ginny reopened her link with Draco. ~Draco! What's going on there?~

There was no reply immediately, and Ginny's panic increased.

~Draco!~

~It's getting pretty serious here. Pettigrew just hit Harry with some sort of Stunner--he's rolling on the ground in pain. I think Sirius has got Harry; he's bringing him up there to you. I can't get a good read on the situation, but it looks serious--~

He'd stopped talking, and she heard him grunt.

~What was that?~

~A Body Bind on a Death Eater--think it was Macnair. Never liked him much . . .~

~Where are Ron and Hermione? Where are the other Aurors?~

~They're still down here, cursing the hell out of Death Eaters. Some Order members and other medi-wizards are tending to the people. There's a lot of injury and death here, love.~

~Yeah, well, as soon as they get here, I'm coming down there. I hate this!~

~No! Stay! The farther away you are from these freaks the better!~

~Draco Andrew Malfoy! I will come down there when Sirius gets here with Harry! Is that understood?~

~Clearly, but just so you know, Sirius is in disguise, an advanced Polyjuice Potion. He'll look like Fletcher.~

~Great.~ She broke the link with him and tended to the girl in her arms. Her eyes were rolling to the back of her head, and her temperature was rising dramatically.

Oh Merlin, Harry! Get here quick! She's feeling exactly what you are!

"He's coming, Nia. Just hold on . . . as soon as he gets here, I can heal him . . ."

Hopefully . .

More minutes passed, and there was still no sign. Nia's thrashing calmed until she grew still--too still for Ginny's liking.

"No, no, Nia. I don't think so! C'mon! C'mon!"

Finally "Fletcher" came up the hill with Harry in his arms. He rushed to her side and gently laid Harry's prone body on the grass beside them. "Fletcher" began to change, but Ginny shook her head.

"Don't do that, Sirius. There are eyes everywhere on these grounds." Sirius nodded, but was visibly shaken.

"Do you know what the curse was?"

"It was spoken in a foreign tongue. I couldn't tell you if I wanted to," he said hollowly.

"We need to get this shirt off him, so I can see the wound," she muttered even as she ripped the buttons to Harry's top.

What she saw almost made her retch. The entire left side of his body was translucent, his skin turning green, blue, and purple. She could see his muscles swell--they were already the size of grapefruits--and sweat dripped heavily from him. Ginny froze, having never seen a person in such a state.

"Ginny! Can't you do something? Hermione told me to send him to you!"

She put Nia beside Harry carefully before crawling toward him. Her hands glowed scarlet, and she placed them directly on his wound.

"Sooxe 0ou."

Slowly Harry's skin went back to normal, and his breathing became regular again. She wiped his brow gingerly, glad to see the sweat stopped coming.

"Check on Nia, please, Sirius."

The older man nodded and looked at her in awe even as he did what he was told. "How did you--I mean isn't that--dear Merlin!"

Harry coughed and moaned, his hands going to his abdomen. His eyes opened slowly, and they looked into her, unfocused. "Where am I?"

"You're on the hill at Hogwarts."

He frowned and tried to sit up, but Ginny placed firm hands on his shoulders to stay him. "You need rest."

"What I need is to go back down there! What about Set and Voldemort?"

"The others will take care of that, mate. Listen to Ginny and stay here," Sirius recommended.

Harry's head turned to the sound of Sirius' voice. His breath caught when he saw who was in his arms. "Nia!" He tried to get up again, but Ginny kept him in a prone position. "How did she get hurt? She wasn't supposed to get hurt!"

Ginny sighed and stopped trying to keep him lying down. She compromised with him and let Harry recline against her chest. His eyes were full of concern for the young Slytherin, and her heart broke. "It's the link she shares with you, Harry. She feels what you feel . . ."

He looked at her wildly. "Well, can't we turn it off? This can't happen every time I go to fight!"

She shrugged and wiped the sheen from his forehead. "I don't know, Harry; Draco and I can turn ours on and off. Maybe the link manifests itself differently with you, or it's a different type of link, but she's doing better now, right?"

Sirius shook his head. "She's still unconscious, but she keeps muttering things. At least she doesn't look sick."

Harry swallowed thickly. "Who's down there?"

"When I left, Dumbledore was fighting Voldemort, and Jamilah was fighting Pettigrew. I think he recognizes her. Malika looked so similar to Jamilah . . ."

"What about Draco, Ron, and Hermione?"

Sirius shrugged. "I'm sorry, Ginny. I lost them in the fight. There were so many curses being thrown down there. I think Hermione stayed and helped the survivors."

"Dear Merlin," she whispered. She sent up a prayer for the lost souls.

"I think I hit Voldemort with a hex, but Pettigrew got me good. I don't know what it was, but you got it out, Gin," Harry rasped.

"That's why I'm here," she said absently.

"Draco . . . watch out--uh . . ." Nia moaned.

Ginny froze and immediately went to her link. ~Draco!~

There was no reply; her panic began to rise.

~Draco! Answer me!~

Silence.

"Oh Merlin, no!"

Sirius looked at her with concerned eyes. "What is it, Ginny?"

She began to shake violently. "Draco's not responding. I have to go to him--Harry, do you think you can sit up?"

"I'm going with you--"

"Like hell you are! You're going to sit there and make sure Nia doesn't get worse!"

Harry looked at her for a moment before nodding reluctantly. She helped him into a sitting position, and he crawled toward Nia and Sirius.

"Stay safe, Gin," Sirius wished her.

She nodded and began to run down the hill. Her feet were light, and her heart beat rapidly. ~Draco!~

There was still no answer, and she felt her throat tighten with the need to cry.

You will not die on me now, Malfoy! You will not die on me!

She wished there was some way she could get there faster! Precious minutes passed as she ran toward the town, and her cries grew desperate.

"Your primary Animagus is the vulture--the griffon vulture to be exact."

She'd never explored how to change herself into the bird, but she figured now was as good a time as any to try. She closed her eyes and focused, putting her arms out as she ran. At first, she didn't feel any changes and grew frustrated, but suddenly she felt her mouth grow from her face and harden. Her eyes widened as she felt her eyelids sink back into her skull, and her eyesight grow keener. Her line of vision grew lower and lower as her bones readjusted themselves to that of the bird, but then she was soaring, higher and higher until Hogwarts seemed as an anthill would.

I did it! I changed!

Without warning, her bones started to grow again, and she feared she would change back to her human form before she even reached Hogsmeade, but that was not the case. Her wingspan became bigger and bigger until she was sure one wing was the size of the Quidditch pitch. Every time she flapped, there was a loud whoosh that accompanied it. She figured she was the size of Hagrid's hut.

Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle . .

She soared higher, for once glad of the moonless night--she didn't want to ruin the surprise. Ginny spotted Hermione first--she was helping medi-witches and wizards with the injured. Next she saw Ron, who performed a beautiful Bat-Bogey Hex on the Death Eater he was fighting.

Way to go, Ron!

There were many other Aurors and Order members fighting--Shacklebolt, Lupin, Tonks--and they were giving as good as they got. She still couldn't find Draco and unwittingly let out a cry.

The sound was unbearable, shaking the building frames and the trees around them. She looked down and noticed everyone stopped fighting and looked to the sky.

"Hello, Nephthys."

Though she was hundreds of feet in the air, she could hear the menacing voice as if the speaker were standing right next to her. Ginny's eyes darted to where the cocky greeting came. He was standing by the Three Broomsticks, away from the majority of the fighting. On the ground at his feet lay Draco.

He was not moving.

Pettigrew grinned at her evilly. "It seems history has a way of repeating itself, doesn't it, love?"

History--Osiris--death.

NO!

This cry was louder than the one before, and many of the fighters ran for cover. Most of the Death Eaters Disapparated.

"You stupid cowards! Do not think I will forget this!" Pettigrew seethed to his retreating Death Eaters.

Her sadness and frustration soon became something tangible. Ginny felt her eyes heat, and without warning a burst of energy came through them. When the smoke cleared, she noticed Draco's body was still there, if a bit singed, but Pettigrew was nowhere to be found.

Where is he? Where is that bastard!

She flew around Hogsmeade, looking for any kind of sign for Pettigrew or Voldemort.

~They're gone, Ginny . . . they've retreated.~

Ginny was not pleased by that update. She wanted them dead.

~Harry! How is everyone? Are they all right?~

~Dumbledore says a medi-witch is treating Ron. Dumbledore and Jamilah are fine. They're coming up behind you now.~

Ginny craned her neck and saw them staring at her.

~And what about Draco, Harry? Could you establish a link with him?~

~I have before. I'll try for you, Gin.~

Tense moments passed as she circled around Draco's form.

Harry cursed, and Ginny's heart shattered in a thousand pieces. ~He's not responding, Ginny. The bloody bastard is not responding!~

Ginny broke the link and let out another agonized cry.

"Take him to the castle, Miss Weasley. There's nothing more we can do for him here," Dumbledore said solemnly. A single tear ran down Jamilah's cheek, and she walked away from them hurriedly.

It was then Ginny realized vultures could not cry. As she scooped up an unresponsive Draco, she relayed a message to Harry about the outcome of the situation.

Draco was dead.

Pettigrew would pay.