The Pounding Rain

The Pounding Rain
Chapter Six

Sway

And I see you nod your head
And your violet eyes close
Your tiny body sways
Red blotch growing on your coat

Voldemort: the name thousands of wizards and witches feared for years, the most powerful wizard in Britain, except for maybe Dumbledore. And hundreds of wizards and witches followed him and his Dark ways. I had been one of the few who'd faced him and lived, but I regretted every day of my first year, when I had the diary. I'd endangered the whole school because of my stupidity; it was my fault those people got Petrified. It was time to make up for my mistakes. I had been lucky that no one died, but even so, my actions were unacceptable. How could I let a diary take control of me? Why can't I get over this?

Harry's presence beside me was a great comfort. If he hadn't been there, I can't imagine what I would have done. I'd never been so nervous. I was too afraid to turn back, though. We'd come this far. And I would not live with the regret of knowing that I could have done something and didn't. Not again.

We were there, at the edge of the ice-covered lake. This is where the dream begins. But is this the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning?

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"Harry," I whispered, staring ahead at the whitish-clear surface of the lake, "I'm scared. I'm honest-to-goodness scared... I've never been this scared before. Not again." Not ever again.

Drawing in a shaky breath, and blowing out a dense cloud of air that condensed in the icy atmosphere, he answered, "Don't be. Nothing bad will happen." Why don't I believe you, Harry?

We were still holding hands, but I didn't care if he wanted to let go, I wouldn't. The fear inside me was too great. I could feel my heart pounding against my ribs, fluttering to get away... I wanted to run away. Panic sizzled inside my soul as memories of first year - of Tom Riddle - flashed behind my eyelids. I wish I could fly away.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No, but better get this over with as soon as possible." He didn't reply, just took one cautious step forward onto the ice, testing it. Without a word, he gestured for me to follow him and then we were out there, step after step towards the center of the lake, towards Voldemort. I bit my lip; something just wasn't right - something was missing, some sort of loophole that I hadn't caught onto that could save us or ruin us.

Movement on the ice caught my eye, and I looked down to peer at it. Strange shadows floated beneath the surface of the ice... Where are they coming from? At first they were vague, lifeless forms. And then, all of a sudden, as though spotting us, they raced to the top and, startled, I slipped. Harry grabbed my hand to keep me from falling.

"What?" he asked whispering.

I winced. Shadows of light swam before my eyes... "There were... things... in the ice. Shadows... they looked like people crying for help like they were trapped or something. It was... they looked - dead."

He dared to look down, and while he didn't slip he caught his breath. A raindrop fell from the sky and caressed his cheek, and thus signaling the open downpour about to begin. At first it dripped steadily, drip drop drip drop, but suddenly, like the shadows in the ice - what were those? - it raged down on us relentlessly, as though trying to delay us. Harry shivered and peered through the shower of rain.

And all of a sudden, they stood before a dark, obscure figure. As they approached it cackled insanely, never ceasing or dying out, but a steady shriek of laughter that chilled them to their core. Shuddering, they stopped and waited.

"So," the figure said, suddenly calm, "you came. I knew you would."

With the howling wind as his only answer, Harry held his ground defiantly.

"Who is this you brought?" he asked, tilting his head to look at me. "You know what happens to companions. Unless you've forgot your dear friend Cedric?"

Harry flinched, his eyes locked in a torment of guilt. He blinked a tear away.

The figure interrupted him before he could say anything, "Lord Voldemort can change your life," the figure continued on. I jumped, startled. That wasn't Voldemort? Or does he speak in third person? But Harry must have noticed something before, because he was not surprised. "He can change your life like he changed mine." The figure raised his hand, which was glinting silver in the sudden spark of lightning.

"I'm not like you," Harry sneered in reply. "I'm not a coward. I'd die rather than betray my friends." I shivered. What was I doing out here? This is the battlefield for people greater than I...

"What can they do for you that the Dark Lord can not?" the figure demanded. "What powers do they have that my master does not? He is the epitome of power!" But he sounded doubtful and almost ashamed.

"What has Voldemort ever done for you, Wormtail?" Harry asked quietly. "You're his right hand man, aren't you? You gave him my parents - your friends. The one thing he wanted besides Dumbledore's own death. What did you gain? And what did you lose?"

The figure, Wormtail, whimpered. I watched their exchanged soundlessly lost. What's going on?

"What price did you pay for Voldemort's acceptance?" Harry repeated, glaring at the figure. Fury raged through his veins. "Tell me, Wormtail," he seethed, "at my parents death, what did you gain?"

Confusion was an understatement of what I was feeling. What's going on here? Who is this? Where is Voldemort?

Wormtail was at a loss for words. "I... I told you... He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has ways... ways of torture... and he kills you if you don't listen... what was I to do?"

Harry gritted. "And Sirius told you. Die before betraying your friends. I don't have time for you. I saved you once - I don't think I'll feel like doing it again."

Who was this person before me? Where's the Harry I knew?

And then I remembered with a burst of anger. Wormtail... that's the name for Peter Pettigrew! Ron had explained to me, the summer after my third year, what had happened in Harry and his third year; I knew everything about Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew... I was still just unused to it, since I'd always been taught that Sirius Black was a murderer and Peter was the hero, the one who suffered through it all.

"You know you can't kill me," Harry said, noticing Wormtail's fingers on his wand. "I saved your life three years ago, and you're still in my debt. Besides, I don't think your master would be too delighted if he wasn't the one to kill me."

Without another word, Wormtail disappeared into the shadows of the night.

The wind and rain tore at us once more as we continued our trek across the ice towards peril. Harry scowled in the dark, but his eyes were brimming with tears. He raised his arm and rubbed furiously at his eyes. "I think I got dust in them... or something." I pretended to believe him.

Too afraid to maintain my steady gaze forward, I looked over my shoulder at Hogwarts. It was so different than when I'd first seen it as first year... When it looked proud, safe, and powerful. Now, under the curtain of rain and dark clouds, it looked weakened and hopeless.

What's going on in there? What is Dracula doing? Are Ron and Hermione safe? No... no, focus on the task at hand. Voldemort reawakened Dracula - so for the time being, he's going along with his plan. If Dracula is let loose in there, there's a chance that a large amount of students - and even some teachers - were bitten. Did Dumbledore ever come back? Can the teachers take Dracula without him? At least Dracula isn't out here with Voldemort. If Harry can distract Voldemort long enough - or get their wands connected, maybe - then I could probably set a curse on him. Revenge... would be nice. Will that work? It would have on Tom... but Voldemort is older, more experienced... more powerful...

But the wonder would not allow me to tear my gaze from Hogwarts. It was finally Harry who gently nudged me and urged me forward. We don't have time to waste. Reluctantly, I moved on.

It was a long stretch of time before anything happened again, and it seemed like an eternity. Fear slowed down time, apprehension slowed down reality. Whatever got me through those next few hours would never save me again. Eventually, the storm let up and the clouds overhead grew lighter, but it was only in our dense circle of hopelessness. When I took one last look at Hogwarts, it thundered and rained as though there would never be sun again.

More maniacal laughter reached our ears and we halted. Wormtail would not dare confront us again tonight, so this was it. This was Voldemort.

My assessment was proved, unfortunately, moments later.

"Voldemort," Harry said.

"Harry Potter," Voldemort spurned. "The-Boy-Who-Keeps-Escaping-Me. The Boy-Who-Lived. But not for long. I've said this before, but tonight I will make sure that it does not happen again."

Harry swallowed, as though he could gulp down his fear, but he didn't say anything.

Voldemort raised his wand.

Everything happened in slow motion. Voldemort's arm rose as though pushing through water; his lips moved as though he struggled to speak. "Avada - "

"Coward!"

Time resumed its normal speed, and I wondered who had dared to shout such words at the Dark Lord. It hadn't sounded like Harry, but they were both staring at me as though I were insane. Then I realized... Idiot.

"What did you say?" Voldemort commanded.

"I said," I persisted, more shakily than before, "coward."

Voldemort did not seem at all intimidated, but rather amused. He strode closer to us, twirling his wand between his fingers. Nope, fifty years later and you're still just as cocky and arrogant as you were when you were sixteen. Guess some people never change. But now he was stronger and more willing to kill. Oh, God. What have I done?

"And what makes you think that I'm a 'coward'?" he queried. "Do you think that just by saying that, it'll make you seem all the more braver?" He laughed. "Foolish girl."

'That's not even original,' sneered that voice inside my head.

Of course not. Voldemort's too busy to be 'original'. Wait, what am I saying? Voldemort is about to kill me, and all I can think about is how creative he is?

'Or how creative he isn't.'

Oh, shut up and be helpful.

"What seems foolish to me," I argued, confirming to myself that I indeed was insane, "is that even though you're one of the most powerful wizards in England - no, probably the most powerful wizard in the world, and you have to so dishonorably kill Harry here without giving him a chance to defend himself."

Voldemort shook his head and sneered vehemently. "Your pathetic attempt to save his life is entertaining, but only to a degree. I've heard that excuse too many times to be bothered by it. It's just a petty attempt to stall, and it won't work."

I slumped, defeated. What made me think I could stand up to Voldemort in the first place?

"I know you," he continued. "You're that pesky little girl from the Chamber of Secrets. Wormtail told me about it. Faithful Wormtail. But he's expendable. You, however, are not." He glared at me. "Come here!"

I stepped back, determined not to obey him.

'Go to him.'

What?!

'Go to Voldemort. He's not going to hurt you or anything.'

No... he... he's evil...You're lying...He's the Dark Lord, he doesn't care! He'll kill me...

'Remember first year? How Tom Riddle was so nice to you? He helped you through your problems. Day after day, he comforted you. Did Harry ever do that? No, I didn't think so.'

But...

'But what? Honestly. You're important to Voldemort. He needs you. Why not help him? It'll do you good. Harry doesn't care about you. So why bother fretting over him, when Voldemort can help you reach higher goals than Harry ever could?'

Why not... go to... Tom... Tom can help me...

"Ginny?" Harry's voice echoed in my heart. "He's trying the Imperious Curse on you. Don't give in..." He squeezed me hand. "Please?"

I shook my head slowly, feeling feverish. "No."

"No?" Harry repeated, shocked. His eyes widened in panic, his jaw dropped in surprise. "But - "

"No, I will not go to Voldemort," I declared, raising my chin and taking another step backwards. "I will not return to you, Tom."

Voldemort frowned. "So be it. I have other ways... to ensnare the mind." His eyes flashed dangerously. "You might not come willingly, but you will come." He raised his wand.

"Don't you touch her," Harry interrupted, stepping in front of me. "Your fight is with me, not her."

Voldemort arched his eyebrows and his eyes shifted to Harry. "Do you know how familiar this scene is?" he questioned, red orbs glinting mischievously at Harry. "Oh, yes. You look just like your father, standing in front of his wife protectively... and you'll die like him, too!"

Harry raised his own wand, but I could see by his quivering hands that he was scared. "You remember, don't you," he began shakily, "that our wands cannot be used against each other. It's pointless to fight. It's a stalemate."

"I don't think so," Voldemort denied. "You're dead, Potter, along with your pathetic little friend."

The two stood there, glaring each other down. Each of them was too distracted to pay attention to me... and that was how I knew that I had to take action. Harry's wand wouldn't work against Voldemort's, nor would Voldemort's work against Harry. They were at a draw. I was the only one who could do anything. It was up to me to defeat Voldemort, but that was impossible. However, I might be able to distract him long enough... What will I do? What would be something he wouldn't expect? The tickling charm? "Rictusempra"? It'd distract him, certainly, but was Voldemort ticklish?

'Those puny spells won't do anything against Voldemort! He's the Dark Lord, you idiot!'

That was when I knew it'd work. There was something odd about that voice; it was catering to the Dark side and I trusted it as much as I trusted Fred and George. No, I trusted the voice less, if that were possible. And I knew what to do... but did I have the courage?

Do it now! Before Voldemort starts his curse!

But Voldemort was already opening his mouth to speak, and whether the words that came from it would be useless words or an actual spell, no one could foresee. I would not take the chance that Voldemort was just making conversation.

"Rictusempra!" I shouted, pointing my wand at Voldemort. The curse did not him, as he dodged it, but once again I'd managed to distract him. That was good enough.

"You little pest!" he shrieked, obviously suddenly furious. "Will you just stay out of the way?"

"No," was all I could meekly force out of my mouth. Terror flooded through me like a tidal wave; I could not move or speak or even breathe. He's going to kill me. He's going to kill me. I'm dead.

"No? No? What gives you the right to say No? I'm in charge here. Get. Over. Here. Now."

I could not resist this time; his Imperious Curse was too strong for my will to resist, and I walked over to him.

"Enough fun and games," he droned on, "I will not tolerate this foolish circus act. Get over there, and stay there, and be quiet." I obeyed, as though pleasing him were the most important thing in the world. I sat down on the ice, which, alarmingly, did not feel at all cold, and watched. "Now that that is solved, where were we? Oh, right. I was about to kill you..." He raised his wand hesitantly. Voldemort? Hesitant? "Maybe killing you... wouldn't be as fun," he mused. He twirled his wand between his fingers. "Say good bye, Harry Potter... say good-bye to your little friend here," he spat. His arm shot out before him and he pointed his wand threateningly towards Harry.

My heart pounded furiously in my chest. I'm going to lose him... I'm going to lose him... Iron hot against my frozen cheek; a tear trickled down my face. My knees gave out and I collapsed onto the ice. "Not Harry... don't take away Harry..." I whispered to no one, for Voldemort would never listen to the pleading of a useless little girl.

"Avada..."

The wand was turning... the arm moving... He won't kill Harry after all!

I was such a foolish girl. I let out the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. The wand is pointing at me!

"Rictusempra!" Harry shouted. It hit Voldemort on his forearm and he lurched into guffaws.

Oh my goodness. Voldemort... laughing... like that... All right, then, I've seen everything.

"Wormtail!" he called between chuckles. Immediately, the Death Eater was at Voldemort's feet.

"Yes, my Lord?" he said, glancing nervously at Harry. Harry glared at him and Wormtail turned back to Voldemort shuddering.

He could barely talk between his laughter. "Finite Incantatem!" he said, pointing his wand at himself. Straightening up, he bared his teeth. "Give me your arm," he commanded. Wormtail, knowing what his lord was asking him for, rolled up his sleeve and, wincing, held out his arm.

I took that moment to run. I half-sprinted, half-slid across the ice. There was a murmur of movement behind me; a blur of action that I could sense more than see. Someone shouted something and then -

Pain. Like hot daggers tearing at my skin; like scalding iron; like the coldest grip of ice imaginable. A piercing shriek filled the air; it took me a moment to realize that it was my scream. It seemed to last forever. I sensed a figure hovering over me, but all I could see were black spots on my eyes and vague shadows. And then, finally, it stopped. I was lying on the ice, shivering and gasping for breath. Voldemort cackled insanely; Harry held me.

Harry's holding me? Again?

I wasn't sure what Voldemort had done; it felt like the Cruciatus Curse, but there were strange aftereffects that I'd never read about. Harry stared at me fretfully and worrisome. "Ginny," he breathed, "you're coughing blood..."

I squeezed my eyes shut. My body felt numb, like a leg feels right before falling asleep. "I..." I choked, tasting a warm, smooth liquid. I went limp in Harry's arms, having no energy at all to speak or move. It was so much easier to give in to the pain and fatigue.

"Ginny," he whispered more urgently. "Ginny, don't go to sleep... stay with me..."

He pressed me to his chest; I didn't have any motive to move at all, even if I'd wanted to. This was what I had wished for, wasn't it? To have Harry embrace me like this... to have him care... But then, hadn't he always? He saved me in the Chamber of Secrets.

"Ginny... don't die on me." He paused. "I... I need you too much..."

Despite my pathetic state, my heart pounded in my chest. With that, I found inspiration to speak. "D-don't worry about me, Harry," I croaked. "Voldemort..."

"...can't wait." He did glance wearily behind him though, and shifted a little further from the dark lord. Apparently, Voldemort wasn't paying too much attention; the murmur of a group of people gathering must have been occupying. Were they Death Eaters?

"But - you can't let him - " A hacking cough interrupted my speech, and with each breath it felt like needles were stabbing me inside. What kind of spell did Voldemort use?

"Shh..." there was something troubling him. His expression was strained and sad. "I... I love you, Gin. I didn't realize it until now, but - "

"How touching," said Voldemort's sarcastic voice. "The farewell of two lovers," he sneered. He'd never understand love... "Hope you said your goodbyes. Avada Kedavra."

As the words tumbled fatefully out of his mouth, Harry moved beside me. He leapt over me, stood to block the spell, but he pushed me over as he stirred. I fell backwards, heading sharply hitting the ice. White-hot tore me apart again... but there was no green flash of light. The world spun quickly and slowly at the same time; everything was bright and dark. It felt like the Cruciatus Curse again, but had to be something different... it felt like... it hurt... I'm so cold... I... I... ...then everything disappeared... my world was darkness.