The Pounding Rain

The Pounding Rain
Chapter Five
Falling

Do you know the rain is falling?
Do you know it's pounding on your back?
Do you know the wind is blowing?
Do you know, it's tearing you apart?

Colin lay limp on the floor. Shoot... this isn't good... I wondered. What happened to Cho? Questions whirled around in the hurricane of my mind, and I sat motionless at the side of the room as the professors huddled around Colin's still body.

"Take him to Madam Pomfrey," McGonagall told Sprout. The Herbology professor's mouth was open in a stunned 'O', but she shook her head and regained her composure. She pointed her wand at Colin, said, "Mobilicorpus" and was out of the room before I could bat an eyelash. McGonagall was sorting out more orders, but I'd lost focus. Colin's terrified face hung behind my eyelids. What's happening? Queasy with dread, curled up in my chair. Then I ventured a glance at Harry.

His hand was held to his forehead and his eyes a contortion of pain.

Then I knew.

Ron told me once, when Harry was at the Burrow, that the reason he woke up screaming was because he had nightmares about Voldemort, and that when Harry's scar hurt it usually meant Voldemort was near, or else there'd been an attack.

Voldemort is in the castle or close enough to it to make Harry's scar ache, I guessed.

I shivered at the thought of how close Voldemort was. The room got colder; it felt as though Tom's ghost where standing behind me... I could feel his fingers on my shoulder; feel their frozen grip on my heart. Get away from me...The Chamber of Secrets wavered in place of the lounge... memories came haunting back...

"But Ginny, I thought you trusted me," he had said. "You know I wouldn't hurt you."

You already did! I know who you are. Get away.

"You were nothing without me! Nothing but a whimpering little girl too lost in her own fantasies to ever make them a reality. I could have helped you. You're making a mistake."

I made a mistake when I wrote in that diary the first place. You're nothing but a memory. Leave me alone!

Shouts outside the room woke me from my trance. Thank you. I focused on the lounge; Professor McGonagall's hands were shaking; Professor Snape glared at the door; Professor Flitwick paced across the room. And on the other side of the door, someone screamed.

Professor Flitwick, being closest to the door, flung it open. The corridor was crowded with students. Prefects ushered whimpering first years forward; some of the students ran dazedly, as though about faint or be sick. Wild fear sparked in their eyes.

McGonagall, making her away across the room in a second, pulled a student aside and demanded, "Do you know what happened to Cho Chang?"

The young Ravenclaw sniveled in fear and stared up at her for a minute or two before he could bring about the words.

"She... it went dark... why wasn't anyone there?"

"What went dark?" McGonagall asked, watching the boy with a mixture of curiosity and panic.

"The Great Hall." His eyes widened. "And she... she was bitten. But you can do something about it, right?" His lip trembled as he stared expectantly up at the Headmistress. "Y-you can f-fight a vampire? Right?"

He looked torn between his two options: the safety of the professors to the safety of his common room. His eyes flickered from the professors to the hall.

McGonagall turned to Professor Flitwick.

"Filius, watch over the students," she told him, "and make sure nothing happens to them on their way to the dormitories. Professor Sinistra, Professor Vector, do the same. And Severus..."

She continued with her instructions, but my gaze was still fixed on Harry. He was gasping for air and as pale as a ghost. I covered his quivering hand with my own. Startled, he turned to me. Then it was my turn for surprise: his eyes were dull and helpless with fear. I couldn't stop my jaw from dropping; I'd never seen Harry scared before. And I scowled at myself for thinking that just because he was The-Boy-Who-Lived he had to be brave. "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."

Confused and nervous eyes stared into my own, but it didn't seem as though he saw me. It was as though he was lost in another dimension. No, two important decisions, each just as dangerous. And the consequences of each alternative would be replayed over and over again. What would make more sense? Go to the Great Hall to find the vampire, or going to find Voldemort? I was certain that Harry would not go back to the dormitories despite the tempting lure of safety. That wasn't Harry.

"Harry?" I said tentatively. The words came out loud, and I realized that all the professors had left. He shook himself from his trance.

Clearing his throat, he said, "Sorry," and looked away.

I sighed, but didn't turn my head; I kept gazing at him. His eyes were closed in a sad, torn sort of way and his mouth twisted in a frown.

He squirmed. "I have to go." He stood and walked to the door. Silence had overtaken it. At least the students are somewhere safer than the halls of Hogwarts. Hopefully.

But the quiet was not reassuring, more like the tense calm before the storm. Harry hesitated by the door.

"Ginny," he said hoarsely, "I know you're smarter than to follow me, but just in case... don't. Go back to the dormitories."

What? I leapt to my feet, boiling in resentment. "Don't follow you!" I shouted back at him. "Go back to the dormitories? Who do you think I am? I'm your friend, and I'm sticking by you. I'm not going to let you get yourself killed!"

His eyes widened in wonder and shock.

"Right," I yelled sarcastically. "Right, I'll just go back to the dormitories and sit up there worrying my heart out over you. You've got another thing coming if you think I'm ever going to do that."

Brows furrowing in puzzlement, he asked, "Why would you want to come?"

"I can help you."

He looked away. "No. It isn't safe; you can't come."

"You can't tell me what to do," I argued. "I'll just follow you and you can't stop me."

He didn't appear to like the idea at all, but he didn't have much will left to protest. "Don't come."

"Don't be silly, of course I'm coming."

"But - "

"We're wasting time." I pushed past him and started down the corridors in the opposite direction of the common room.

And then we were walking through the stone passageways of Hogwarts towards the shadows of the future and my greatest fears.

})({

The halls were eerily silent, save the soft padding of our own feet. It was impossible to see beyond the pool of light pouring out from Harry's wand, for the torches hanging from the walls had burned out shortly after we left the staff room. While it was freezing around us, nothing was colder than my heart, which pounded in trepidation. I'm going to see him again... I don't want to see him again... My fists were clenched tightly, nails pressing into my palms and leaving crescent marks. As we pressed on to what I was certain would be our own doom, I watched Harry walk beside me. His brows were knitted in concentration, focused on the space in front of him. Neither of us dared to speak. For one thing, my mouth had gone dry for fear and my throat was tight, so even if I'd wanted to, I don't think I could have. The main reason was really because if we did try to make conversation, whatever evils lurking in the shadows would hear us and know where we were. If they didn't already...

Suddenly, with a chill wind that blew through the corridor, I wanted desperately to turn back. I'd made a foolish mistake; what do I think I can accomplish by heading into danger with Harry? What am I here for? When I had started studying books beyond my year, I had insisted on telling myself that it was only a precaution in case I ever faced a Death Eater, or maybe the Dark Lord himself. Yet, I never believed I would have to. Not unless I went looking for trouble, which was exactly what I was doing now. I don't know how I figured, but the whole time I think some part of me expected this coming. Some part of me almost knew that eventually, I'd try to make a hero out of myself, and go try to rescue Harry. Not that he'd need me to rescue him, but I owe him. I owe him because he saved my life when I thoughtlessly trusted Riddle's diary my first year. Owe him for rescuing me from my own blindness and stupidity. Now, here I was, making another idiotic mistake. I'll probably get myself killed...

And then, the most insane thought popped into my mind. At least Harry will have Cho. If I die, he'd never care. If he died, I couldn't bear it. In any case, Cho was ready to welcome him back with open arms. He had a reason to live, and I didn't. Even though it hadn't been the first time I'd thought like this, tear sprung to my eyes. Trying to blink them back, I only managed to make them tumble down my cheek faster. Lucky, they're silent tears. Silent tears of the mourning gray sky.

Someone in front of us cleared his throat. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard it. Without thinking, I grabbed Harry's hand, which I found to be just as clammy and cold as mine.

"You're earlier than expected," hissed a cold, calculating voice, "but it won't be a problem."

I was stunned silent, but somehow Harry had managed to find his voice. "You did it, didn't you?"

Did what? Looking up, I realized that from where Harry was standing he had a slightly better few of the person - or creature - before us. Then, I followed his gaze, and nearly fell back in shock.

How could it have been? The monster should be destroyed! Voldemort... why did you reawaken him? What are you offering him so that he even listens to you? He's powerful enough on his own...

"Did what?" The vampire grinned wickedly. This isn't making sense... had he been this confident in the book? Oi, you idiot, is that all you can think about of the creature who could kill you or worse?

"You bit Cho." Harry was scary, his voice clipped and half strangled with fear and laced with hatred.

"Who? Oh... you must mean that little Chinese girl..." His smile widened at Harry's expense. "Oh yes, you do. Don't worry; I didn't drink all her blood. Just decided to save some for later. It's a shame though; the girl doesn't really have the spark it takes to be an actual vampire. I'll just have to kill her. These things happen."

All Harry could do was grit his teeth and clench his fists, but even that was more than what I could do. I just stood there, dumb, remembering bits of random bits of Defense Against the Dark Arts class and what I'd read in history books, and comparing the creature from those books to the one in front of us now. I had to peer around Harry to see him well, but I didn't dare do so in case he'd see me, too. Coward. Just like in first year... No! Shut up.

His voice is too secure. What is he planning? What's Voldemort got up his sleeve? Dracula stepped forward anxiously, then stopped and grinned. Pointed canines glistened white despite the lack of light; it was just as frightening as I'd imagined.

Outside, lightning flashed. I clutched at the back of Harry's robes. We were standing by a window, but it'd been too dark inside and outside to tell. It was just behind Dracula's looming figure. And Dracula's eyes finally fell upon me.

"Well, well, well. Who do we have here? Lord Voldemort did not mention you." I didn't look at him. Wouldn't. Couldn't. "Look at me, won't you?" he barked. Resistance to him was impossible though, and I found myself staring fearfully upon his pale features. Remember that Muggle movie? Think happy thoughts... I tried to recall home, safe in my room or the kitchen or by the fire, drinking Mum's hot cocoa or playing Exploding Snap with Fred, George, and Ron...

"Pretty little one we have here." He stopped in closer to examine me. Somehow he'd got to close... I felt his icy breath upon my face, his empty black eyes peering into my own, evaluating my heart. I wanted to scream in his face to get away from me! But I couldn't. He held some impossible power over me that I could not explain. Just like first year all over again... No! Snap out of it.

"Get away from here!" I snapped, finally finding bravery. "Get away from this castle! You don't belong here!"

I backed away and, at the same time, Harry pushed Dracula into the shadows, catching the vampire off guard. But it only resulted in his taking extra measures to be even more careful. Bloody vampire. No pun intended...

"But I thought you loved the other girl? That Cho...? Why so touchy about this one?" Dracula taunted.

Harry didn't even take the time to think his next actions out. He lunged. His arms grappled for Dracula's throat, while his legs powered him forward. The momentum carried them to the ground, and they scuttled there for a couple minutes. Now that I'd found my voice, I screamed bloody murder. Maybe a teacher would come. Someone. Anyone. But no one came.

My mind swirled in a blur. What should I do? Physical harm will not stop Dracula... only deter him. There's only one way to stop him, but I didn't even own a stake.

Amidst the darkness, in another brief flash of lightning, a haze of red caught my eye. It disappeared as suddenly as it had come, but left a... hat? The Sorting Hat?

I bent down to pick up the hat and stared at it in my hands. What - how do I use it? Maybe, if I put it on my head, it could give me advice...

I gently set the hat on my head.

But before anything could happen, something grasped my shoulders and roughly threw me backwards. I collided with an impossibly cold body: Dracula's. Where's Harry?

He bent his head towards my neck. Don't let him bite you. I tried to twist away from him, and instead of landing a bit on my neck he hit my cheek. He didn't bite, but fear spiraled up my spine in a tornado of cold. "Get away from me, you monster," I whispered.

His only reply was a short chuckle. Then he lunged towards my neck. Disgusted and scared out of my wits, I did the only thing I could think of and stepped on his foot. He howled in pain for a moment, but it was just enough for me to break free from his grip. And while he was distracted, Harry appeared from the shadows, blood dripping from his forehead, and hit Dracula in the back. Hard. Dracula screeched and wrenched over, crouched on the floor like a pile of clothes.

Harry whipped out his wand and shouted, "Petrificus Totalus!" Before the spell could hit, however, Dracula transformed into a large bat and flew off. The moment he was gone I collapsed onto the floor myself, shivering and sobbing like a baby and hating myself for my fear.

"Ginny," comforted a voice. Harry's voice... then I realized with a sudden jolt that his arms had somehow wrapped themselves around me. "Are you okay?"

"H - Harry?" I squeaked. "I... I..." I faded off, whimpering.

"It's over now," he told me, "and you don't have to worry about it."

I sniffed. You're making such a fool of yourself in front of Harry. Shouldn't you be stronger after all these years? But you couldn't go up against Dracula and only come out by a bit of luck and feel strong. Still, I felt the nervousness and anxiety leak out of me as Harry's arms soothed my soul. This feels so good... so right. And then, I did feel even the slightest bit stronger.

"Harry," I said, clearing my throat. I turned to look at him, even though cold tears trickled down my face. His expression hurt me. His emerald eyes, usually so animated with happiness, at least until his fourth year, were an eternity of sadness and pain. "Harry," I repeated louder, because he wasn't focusing.

"I'm sorry," he stammered. Then he shrunk away like I'd burned him or something. "We... don't have time for... this. Do we? No, no. I wasn't thinking. We'd better... better move on... can't stay here or he'll come back..."

For a brief second I missed his embrace, but then I figured I should be happy I'd had one in the first place. I shook off the longing and the hoping. It was a friendly hug. Don't get your hopes up.

We continued through the corridors even more cautiously. Before I knew it, we were passing the Great Hall, and then we reached the entrance to Hogwarts. Once again, I could feel horror wrap its frozen fingers around my heart. And then we were outside Hogwarts.

The air was bitterly cold. Silver frosted the grounds, and mist hung like thick curtains around them. Gray clouds raged above us in swirls of wind and rains and lightning; thunder clapped around us like a bullwhip rushing the clouds onward.

A blast of sound ripped through the air, but it wasn't the thunder or roaring winds. It came from the lake.

I stopped. What am I doing here?

'It isn't fair that you have to be here, you know,' murmured that little voice in my head. 'It's not too late to go back.' I shouldn't have been thinking this; I can't get that stupid inner voice to stay quiet!

'Damn straight you can't.'

Oh, shut up.

I paused, glanced back at the door and the lake.

'Why are you doing this?'

I bit my lip and turned back towards the door. No. Be decisive, Ginny. And don't take the easy way out again. Harry saved your life, and you owe him. And most of all, you love him, and you can't let him go out into danger alone. It'll kill you to just wait around in the common room while he faces the ultimate evil. Chin raised in a defiance, I spun around once more and faced the lake. I shivered.

"Harry," I whispered, "we're not going to make it." I gulped, shook my head, and corrected myself. "I'm not going to make it."

He scowled at me, but worry danced in his eyes. "Don't say that, Ginny. You don't know that."

But I do know. You're wrong.

"You know that dream you had?" he asked. What a random comment. "The one you told us about?"

I nodded. Another rage of noise rushed to us from the lake.

"I had it, too," he said, "but it wasn't quite the same."

That was odd. Wasn't it?

He struggled for the right words. "It wasn't Voldemort out on the ice. It was Dracula."

I stared down at my hands. A sudden gush of wind whipped at my hair, tossing it back behind my shoulder. The wind bit at my cheeks and sleet pricked my face. It was although the wind was to tear me apart and break my heart. I felt numb.

The past few weeks whirled around in my mind like a hurricane of memories. Cho breaking up with Harry, the Quidditch match, helping him win back Cho's heart, hearing him say that he didn't love Cho... his warm embrace... What if we both die tonight?

But what if we didn't? Wasn't that possible? Harry had survived Voldemort so many other times. There was hope being here with him. And hope was what I needed; it was what might get me through this. Harry might even defeat Voldemort now. And if he does, then at what price? I chanced a look at him and saw apprehension, fear, anger, faith, and protectiveness all molded together.

What if he loves me?

'You're grasping at straws.'

It could happen.

"Ginny?"

We could beat the odds.

"Ginny? Are you okay?"

I could have a chance after all.

"GINNY!"

I shivered. "What?" I asked dazedly.

"Are you all right?" I nodded timidly under his intense gaze.

"I'm fine," I answered. Or will be.

He bit his lip and ran his fingers through his hair.

Shoot. We don't have a plan! Or... or any protection. Damn it... Are we even still going after Dracula? Chances are he stayed in the castle. What are we planning to do? Idiot.

'Shouldn't you have thought of this before?'

I wasn't expecting it to happen like this!

'Of course not.'

"But the dream," Harry was saying. "I think... I've never done well in Divination or anything and I don't believe of a word of what Trelawney says, but I think that dream was... prophetic or something."

"So that's what you plan to do?" I asked, incredulous. "Take on Voldemort? You're barely ready. Not to mention... you don't have any armor. It'd be suicide to go out there."

"Well... um..." He stared at the ground. "I have my wand."

I wrapped my arms around myself as another gust of wind threw a wave of cold at us. "I know some protection spells. It'd be better than nothing."

"Anything would be better than nothing," he muttered. "What can you do?"

I cast a few spells and explained to him some enchantments he could use if in need.

Ten minutes later, we were still standing on the stone steps leading up to Hogwarts. In fact, the door was still open, swinging on its eerily creaking hinges.

"So. We're just going to go out onto the ice like in the dream? It still seems idiotic."

"We have protection," Harry said, not sounding very confident.

"Going to finally rid the world of Voldemort, then?" I queried, voice weak and trembling.

"We're going to try to do something."

"It still doesn't seem right, though. Going into this without a plan, or a reason, or - "

"We have a reason," Harry disagreed, "unless you think letting Voldemort destroy the world is a better one."

"I mean... it's not like... how are we going to..." I stared at him, dumbfounded. Did he honestly think we could pull this off? Did he think I could? I knew I wasn't ready, and judging by the apprehension in his own eyes, he wasn't either.

"Any way we can," he insisted. "We have to try something while he's here."

I blinked, and then I shifted to peer out over the lake. Nothing but danger waited there. "Yes, but it seems so... so... I don't know. Not right. Incomplete." I just don't want to this. I'm looking for a way out again, aren't I? Trying to run away. Coward! Chicken! So what if it's the truth? At least I'm being honest, not trying to pretend I'm someone else... My knees felt weak, my ears rang and my vision blurred. This is what it's like to be truly scared. I felt stiff... rooted to the ground. God, it's worse than the Chamber of Secrets and it hasn't even started yet. "I... Harry, I..." I choked on my fright. Admit it to him. "I'm too scared to do this. I don't even know what we're doing."

He came forward and took him hand. Emerald eyes stayed into my own brown ones, and he whispered, "We're looking for Voldemort or Dracula. One of them is bound to be out there. If we can stop one of them, then... And we can do it." He squeezed my hand. "And sometimes, you just have to do things, even if you are scared... but I... you know I'd rather have you up in the common room right now. I don't want you out there. But going back would be just as dangerous anyway, so better we stick together. We've come this far, right? Don't give up now."

"But - " His placed his palm on my cheek, rubbing a tear away with his thumb. I hadn't realized I was crying until he did that. "But we can't - we're not going to - to kill them... or... are we?"

His mouth was set in a thin, grim but determined line. His voice was hard, rough, and quiet. "If we have to."

My eyes widened; my mouth had gone dry. I couldn't say a word. I blinked again; clearing away tears, and took a deep breath. "Right. Then, we'll - we'll do what we have to do."

We took our fateful steps together, down the stairs and towards the lake. Our pace was slow, but it didn't matter. Voldemort was waiting for Harry at the lake and wouldn't move until we got there. It'd be just like the dream. And at least, this time, Harry does not have to bear the pressure alone. I squeezed his hand back.

And by the time we were crossing the frosted grass and almost upon the edge of the lake, I realized that Harry had not let go of my hand, nor did he want to.