One of A Kind

Chapter 14:Hide And Seek

Harry stopped dead in his tracks.

“What is it?” Hermione asked.

He put a finger to his lips and closed his eyes. She was there, he could feel her presence, how ever weak it was.

Ginny?

He got no response and continued to call her name. Finally, after what seemed like hours, he heard her voice.

Harry?

He grinned through his tears, that one word resounding in his head. He opened his eyes and found Ron watching him, a hopeful expression on his face. He nodded and registered the mixture of shock and overwhelming happiness on his best friend’s face. Hermione quickly drew Ron into a hug, smiling at Harry over his shoulder.

Harry, are you still there?

Yes, I’m still here. Are you ok?

Harry, Voldemort is here.

He felt panic grip him. Has he hurt you?

No, not yet. Harry, there is something I have to tell you.

What is it, Gin?

Avril . . . She brought me here.

He felt rage rise within him, followed quickly by guilt. Ginny, I am so sorry. I should have listened to you. I swear, when I get there I’ll –

You can’t do anything to her. She’s dead.

 He was silent for a moment, letting the full weight of her words sink in.

Ginny, Ginny, where are you? Do you know?

No. No, I don’t know. I’m so scared Harry.

He could swear he felt her shaking.

Shhh, Ginny. It’s ok. I’ll find a way to get there. Ginny, close your eyes and send me everything you know about where you are.

Almost immediately he saw a large, dark room. It was full of black clad figures that he recognized as Death Eaters. The only light came from the torches that ran along the stone walls. And on the far side of the room, Voldemort sat upon a throne.

Ginny, I am going to go to Dumbledore. Maybe he can help me find you.

I miss you Harry. And I love you. I want you to know that.

No, Gin. Don’t talk like that. I WILL find you. I promise.

~*~

“Harry, I regret to say that I have never seen this room before,” Dumbledore said, looking closer at the Pensieve. He had pulled the image from Harry’s mind.

“There has to be a way to find it! He has Ginny!”

“Harry, we will find a way to get to her. Now, tell me everything that Miss Weasley shared with you.”

Harry ran his hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. “Voldemort is there, but he has not hurt her. Avril was the one to bring her.”

“Miss Nicholson?” Dumbledore interrupted.

Harry nodded.

“Does Ginny know if Miss Nicholson is still there?”

Harry dropped his gaze. “He killed her.”

“I see.” He rose from his chair. “Severus, I need to speak with you,” he said rather loudly. Harry shot him a bewildered glance. How did he expect to get Snape here? But all questions were chased from his mind as his Potions master materialized in front of him.

“Yes, Headmaster?” Snape asked curtly.

“Severus, you have been called tonight, have you not?”

“Yes, and it’s getting rather hard to ignore.” As he said this, his hand went to his fore arm. There, Harry knew, burned the Dark Mark.

“I must ask you not to ignore his calling tonight.” Dumbledore spoke calmly.

Snape’s eyes narrowed. “What? Why would you want me to go there tonight? There is no information that we need.”

“No, there is not. There is, however, a student in Voldemort’s grasp.”

“And who would this be?”

“Ginny Weasley.”

Snape’s eyes traveled to Harry, as if noticing him for the first time. “You cannot expect me to take him along.”

“I daresay that Harry would not have it any other way.”

“This is absurd! He is just a child! I will get the girl back, but he must stay here.”

Harry jumped to his feet, his eyes flashing with anger. “IT IS MY FAULT SHE GOT TAKEN IN THE FIRST PLACE! I REFUSE TO STAY HERE WHILE GINNY IS THAT CLOSE TO VOLDEMORT!”

“Mr. Potter,” Snape hissed, his lip curling, “Voldemort cares not about puppy love. He will kill her and force you to watch. Your presence will only put her in more danger.”

“I will protect her or die trying,” Harry said through clenched teeth.

“Severus,” Dumbledore said, “ There is no time for debate. You will take Harry with you. May I suggest that you go now, before it is too late.”

Snape scowled. “Very well. Potter, get over here.”

Harry stood beside him. Snape laid a hand on his shoulder and muttered under his breath. Instantly, the room began to swirl around them, fading into darkness. Their was a ringing in his ears. Then, as quickly as it had begun, it was over. He landed with a thud. Snape stood up in one fluid motion and smirked down at him, but helped him to his feet none the less. Harry immediately began walking, following the pull of Ginny’s presence. Snape jerked him back.

“What do you think you are doing?” he hissed.

“I’m going to find Ginny.”

“Going to get the both of you killed, you mean. How do you even know where she is?”

“I can feel her.”

Snape sneered at him. “Potter, as sickeningly sweet as that is, you are not going anywhere until we find you a disguise. You walk in there as you are now, and you have no chance of getting her out. This way,” he said, and began walking in the other direction.

Snape stopped behind a corner, drawing his wand and pointing it at a Death Eater who was standing guard. He hit him with a stunning spell and he dropped to the ground. Snape knelt beside the unconscious figure and removed his cloak, handing it to Harry.

Harry pulled the hood over his face and looked at Snape, who nodded. He then closed his eyes for a moment, letting Ginny’s presence wash over him. He found himself walking and knew that he was getting closer to her. He stopped outside of a nondescript, wooden door.

“She is in there.”

Snape looked at him skeptically. “Are you sure?”

Harry nodded, his hand flying to his scar.

Slowly, Snape pushed the door open. This was not the room Ginny had shown him. It was much smaller.

He looked around and his heart nearly jumped out of his chest as his eyes fell on her. She lay on the floor, presumably unconscious. He rushed forward, falling to his knees beside her. He lifted her limp form from the floor, pushing her hair away from her face. He was reminded of the Chamber of Secrets. No, this won’t be like that. I won’t let it. He gently shook her.

“Ginny, please wake up. We’re going back to Hogwarts.”

He was beginning to give up when he heard he heard her.

Harry? No, he can’t be here. This must be heaven.

No! Ginny, it’s me, I’m here!

Her eyes fluttered open and he felt his heart swell with joy. He leaned his face toward hers. Just as their lips were about to meet, Snape cleared his throat.

“Might I remind you that we are still in danger?”

Harry quickly regained his senses. “Ginny, do you think you can walk?”

She nodded weakly, allowing him to pull her to her feet. He put an arm around her waist and they followed Snape out of the door. They were walking down the corridor when a cold voice cut through the air like a knife.

“And what, may I ask, are you doing with my prisoner?”