Down Came the Sky

Chapter Eleven: Down Came the Sky

Ginny, dear,

It's been a while since you have written home. How are your studies going? I trust you're keeping busy studying for your OWLs. I can imagine that Quidditch is keeping you busy as well. And how is Harry? Ron mentioned that he seems happier since Christmas. Do you have any plans for Valentines Day?

Nothing is new at the Burrow. Dad has been working over time at the Ministry, but don't worry! We still find time together. Bill has decided to stay at the London branch of Gringotts permanently, and Dad and I are thrilled! He's been coming around for dinner and even bringing Fleur with him. Don't tell Bill, but I'm hoping he'll keep this one. Of course, we miss you kids terribly, but I know I have my girl every holiday. Send an owl back when you have a moment. I love you.

Love,

Mum

PS: Share the treats with everyone.

Ginny smiled fondly at the small parchment her Mum had written on and set it to the side, reaching for the box of fudge she had sent along with it. She hadn't realized how much she missed her mum. As silly as she felt admitting it, the letter from her mum made her feel slightly better--as if she was a bit more protected. Even though Ginny was determined to follow through on her promise to support Harry, fear was beginning to trickle into Ginny's thoughts more frequently. At that moment Ginny was feeling particularly normal and she reveled in the normalcy as she broke off a small piece of fudge and let it melt in her mouth.

"Aren't you gonna share that?" Ron said from across the table, carelessly tossing his parchment aside. Hermione eyed the action disapprovingly, but stayed silent.

"Only if you say please," Ginny replied, grinning at him. Ron scowled and reached for the fudge but Ginny pulled it out of his grasp.

"Harry, pass that to me will you?"

"You're so stubborn!" Ginny gibed before Harry could respond. "Would it kill you to be nice to your dear little sister every once in a while?" Ron raised his eyebrows doubtfully at her and Ginny pushed the box of fudge across the table to him while shaking her head.

"Thank you so much, Ginny," Ron gushed unconvincingly, breaking off a piece of fudge and popping it in his mouth. He grinned at her with the candy stuck to his front teeth. Ginny snorted and rolled her eyes.

"I think you might be dropping off the edge."

Ron shrugged and closed his mouth; Ginny could see his jaw working to get the fudge unstuck. Harry, who had remained mostly silent for the majority of the morning, pulled the box of fudge toward him and broke off a piece. His expression glazed as he stared out the window but Ginny watched him shrewdly. She thought it odd that he didn't notice that she was staring at him.

"Harry?" she inquired, dropping her hand to his. She jumped when feelings of shock traveled up through her fingertips and she pulled her hand away quickly. Harry blinked a few times, and turned to her.

"The game should go well today...the weather is great."

Ginny wasn't sure how to respond to this. Surely Harry would have felt that too, she thought? But then again, Ginny realized, that occurrence wasn't abnormal compared to the floating chairs, breaking vase or Harry's burn inducing fingertips. She nodded and leaned her chin in her hands.

"And Summerby's never played against you," Ginny added casually, staring out the window herself. "I reckon he's all ready wet himself in anticipation." Harry grinned at her.

"Well, you sure know how to make a bloke feel good about himself." Ginny smiled and patted him on the cheek.

"Only you," she said softly. Harry's smile remained on his face, but softened into one that Ginny couldn't read very well. He looked pleased, perhaps a bit embarrassed, but whatever else he was feeling, Ginny couldn't place. She looked out the window again to the gray sky, broken with patches of blue where the sky peeked through. This Quidditch game was exactly what she needed.

***

Ginny swooped around Zacharias Smith and swiveled herself so that she was open to receive a pass from Katie Bell. She caught the Quaffle and ducked a Bludger, tucking the Quaffle further into the crook of her arm. She squinted ahead at the hoops and saw the Hufflepuff Keeper eying her from a distance. She bent down on her broom, plunging ahead full speed while the Hufflepuff Keeper braced himself for the goal. Jordan Dorny, the other Gryffindor Chaser, was closer to the hoop than Ginny and surreptitiously lingered in the corner of her eye. She kept her gaze ahead and, praying that Jordan was paying attention and chucked the Quaffle sideways. Jordan caught it and tossed it into the unguarded hoop. Ginny flew over to clap her on the back as the crowd erupted. She felt a large grin spread on her face while she flew into another formation, her veins pumping with adrenaline.

Another cheer broke out from the crowd and Ginny looked around to see Harry and Summerby both streaking downwards. Harry's broom had the advantage as they both flattened the dive into a sharp turn. Ginny was hardly aware that she was yelling herself hoarse encouraging him as his arm stretched out and she let out a loud whoop as his fingers closed around the snitch. She descended quickly and began running in his direction, intent on throwing her arms around him.

It was as if the entire world changed to slow motion in a single second. Harry landed as gracefully as ever and continued downward, dropping to his knees and placing his forehead on the ground.

The clouds had been threatening the sky all day, but it was at that moment that they obstructed the sun and began spitting tiny rockets of hail, piercing Ginny's skin. She quickened her run toward Harry and when she reached him he was sitting on the back of his heels; she could see the reflection of the sky in his glasses. His eyes closed briefly behind the reflection and not a moment later he turned his head to retch. The stench was horrible, but Ginny still dropped to her knees and gripped his shoulders, looking into his eyes directly.

"Are you okay?" she yelled over the crowd. Harry lightly shook his head and stared at the ground. He started wheezing, turned his head and vomited again. Ginny held her breath and leaned in toward him. "Is it him?" she asked as quietly as the crowd would permit. The rest of the team was approaching them and Harry looked up at her. His eyes were wide and frightened, confirming her fear. "What is he doing?" she whispered as Ron approached them.

"Harry?" he said weakly. Harry slowly rose to his feet, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and started walking to the changing room. Ron determinately went after him, pushing a few people out of his way in the process. Ginny stood up shakily and stared after them, but it seemed her feet had pasted themselves to the soft, muddy ground. With a great deal of effort, punctuated by a loud squelching sound, she unstuck her feet and followed after them. Her heart drummed in her chest as she came closer to the changing room, but a slight tug of her chest seemingly urged her forward. So she went on, feet heavy, skin numb and brain brimming with curiosity and dread.

"It was stupid of me," she heard Harry grumble as she stepped inside.

"You didn't know it would turn out this way," Ron replied, and Ginny turned the corner to see Ron pacing as Harry slumped on the floor with his head in his hands. Ginny quietly walked over to Harry and sat down in front of him, placing her hands on his knees.

"What happened?" she asked, leaning in toward him. Harry shook his head.

"I can't believe I was so thick..." he trailed, frowning at Ginny's hands.

"Harry--" Ginny started.

"I hate this!" Harry interjected, leaning his head back against the wall. "I can't beat him...I can't. I know I can escape him, but he's stronger than I am...he's--"

"You will beat him," Ginny said firmly. "You have to, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that you win." Harry shook his head and closed his eyes.

"But--if my emotions are what make me stronger than him, then I'm done for." Ginny felt her heart thud in her chest suddenly and she leaned in towards him.

"This doesn't mean anything," Ron voiced and Ginny spun around to look at him.

"What happened?" she repeated, looking between Harry and Ron.

"He thought he'd see how strong his Kaigdin Magic defenses were," Ron replied, eying Harry for reassurance.

"What does that mean?" Ginny said, turning to Harry.

"I took down my Occlumency shields this morning to see if I could use my emotions to keep him out. Obviously, he got through to me during the game." Harry shook his head and wiped his mouth on his sleeve.

"But it worked all day before the game?" Ginny frowned. Harry laughed bitterly at this.

"Because of you," he remarked, running his hand through his hair.

"Me?" Ginny whispered.

"I don't know what it is, but he somehow can't handle...you." This didn't make any sense to Ginny at all. She was certainly was handled quite thoroughly in her first year by Tom Riddle. And she was around when Harry was possessed...an experience Ginny tried to push far out of her mind.

"Really?" she questioned. "Are you certain it's me or what you feel about me."

"I don't know," Harry admitted heavily. "It's always worked with you, but I feel differently--" He broke of suddenly and shot a nervous glance at Ron. Ron was staring at the two of them seriously.

"Maybe you should help him, Ginny," Ron said quietly. It appeared as though this was a difficult suggestion for him to make as he gazed at her with worry.

"What should I do?" she replied in a whisper. Ron looked over at Harry, peering at him closely and Harry's expression contorted into a scowl as they seemingly had a silent conversation.

"No, Ron," Harry finally said flatly.

"But Dumbledore--"

"He said it was a possibility, but it's still dangerous."

"But if it works with her--"

"No."

"There doesn't seem to be another alternative," Ron retorted hotly. Harry opened his mouth, but Ginny spoke before he could reply.

"Can you please tell me what's going on?" she cut in loudly, causing both Harry and Ron to stare at her. Harry dropped his eyes to his hands and grimaced. He absently scratched his head and looked back at Ginny, suddenly looking nervous.

"Dumbledore had this idea," he started slowly, "that since you affect my Kaigin magic so strongly that it might become even stronger if you open up your Kaigdin channel."

Ginny opened her mouth to reply, but found she didn't understand. She had never heard Harry speak of a Kaigdin channel before.

"The channel let's you perform Kaigdin magic," Harry explained, most likely responding to her look of confusion.

"Why should I perform the magic--I thought the ministry only approved you to use it."

"It did, because the result is usually chaotic if more than one person has their channel open." Harry said this while glaring at Ron. Ginny shut her eyes and rubbed her temples.

"Can you please tell me what that means? Will we both blow each other up or something?"

"It's a possibility."

Ginny opened her eyes quickly. Harry's comment was sarcastic, yet still serious. She obviously hadn't grasped the intensity of what Kaigdin magic was, Ginny realized.

"I want to speak with Dumbledore," she said calmly, looking between Harry and Ron. "I'm going to help you figure this out." She stood up resolutely and grabbed Harry's hands, heaving him up. The Quidditch pitch was still littered with people, many of whom gave Harry strange looks as he reappeared. Hermione rushed up to them, her expression brushed with worry.

"We're going to see Dumbledore," Ginny said out of the side of her mouth. Hermione nodded in comprehension as they all headed into the castle.

Ginny marched through the corridors with her determination rising. Dumbledore had to clarify this so she could help--she was tired of feeling sick with worry while all she did was watch Harry suffer. She heard Harry grunt as she tugged him forward by the hand, it felt like he had stumbled, but she was so set on getting to Dumbledore that she continued dragging him forward.

"He might not be back from the game yet, Ginny. You can slow down," Ron said irritably from behind her. Ginny ignored his comment until they all reached the statue of the gargoyle. She stopped abruptly and turned to Harry, looking at him expectantly.

"Do you know the password?" she sighed at his look of confusion. Harry nodded and mumbled "Pepper-Imp" as the Gargoyle sprung aside. Harry took the lead as the four of them clambered up the stairs to Dumbledore's office. He lightly knocked on the door and looked worriedly back at the group. Hermione was still uncharacteristically quiet. She clung to Ron's arm, glancing around worriedly as if she was trying not to look at Harry. Ron gazed at the door with a steely expression. Ginny caught eyes with him for a moment, but he portrayed no emotion and dropped his eyes to the ground. Ginny thought he must have been scared too. Harry knocked on the door again, this time a bit more forcefully, and it swung open not a moment later. Everyone was quietly staring at Dumbledore when Ginny realized that it was she who dragged them all up there.

"Professor," she started quietly. Professor Dumbledore looked down at her, smiling gently and gave her a nod, stepping aside so that they could enter. Ginny took a breath, steadying herself and mustered her courage. "I want to help Harry anyway I can, but you need to tell me how." She heard Harry begin to protest and suddenly stop. She turned around to see Ron's hand clamped over his mouth as he nodded for her to continue. "I want to learn about the Kaigdin channel."

"I thought you might," Dumbledore responded, walking around to sit behind his desk. He motioned for the others to sit as well. Ginny noticed that Hermione was listening raptly, perched on the edge of her seat. Ginny scooted her chair near Harry's and clasped one of his hands between her own. When she looked up at him, he seemed angry with her, but he didn't pull his hand away; instead he let her grasp it as he balled it into a fist.

"I gather, Harry, that this was not your idea," Dumbledore continued, surveying Harry closely. Harry must have taken this as a cue to start a rant, because it took about three times to shut him up.

"Of course it wasn't my idea. It was Ron's idea--but I don't think we should do it--"

"And I still think we should," Ron cut in, but Harry ignored him.

"Who should know better than me anyway? I've been trying...and failing with this magic for months now. We could end up burning down Hogwarts if we get into an argument with our channels open! You know what happened--what's happened when I forgot to close my channel all the way. I burned Ginny--" He was becoming more tense and Ginny tried to soothe him by running her thumb over his fist. "What if she had her channel open at the same time? We could have, I dunno, set fire to Gryffindor Tower or something!"

"What about the positive possibilities?" Dumbledore asked, staring at Harry calmly.

"They probably won't work." Harry was breathing heavily from his yelling and he slumped in his chair. He looked defeated and Ginny could have none of that.

"What are the positive possibilities?" she asked Dumbledore.

"You can't be serious," Harry said before Dumbledore answered. "Ginny, haven't you been listening. It's too dangerous. I don't even like using it." He looked at Dumbledore sharply, but the old professor merely gazed at him thoughtfully.

"I will, at least, inform you, Ms. Weasley. How Harry uses his Kaigdin magic is up to him. I trust you will let him decide." Ginny nodded, and looked at Harry while giving his fist an affirming squeeze. Harry stared at their hands with his mouth pulled tightly in anger. Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"The strength of Kaigdin magic lies in the emotions of the executor," at this he nodded at Harry, "but it also is effective through those the executor is emotionally attached to. Harry may draw strength from the positive emotions that he feels, but he draws even more strength from what you three," he indicated Ron, Hermione and Ginny," feel for him." Dumbledore paused, a small smile resting on his mouth while the twinkle in his eye seemed directed entirely at Ginny. She shifted self-consciously. "It has become apparent, even apart from his magic, that your and Harry's mutual feelings are strengthening his magic--he merely has to practice controlling it now." Ginny heard Harry grumble something she couldn't understand and she straightened in her seat, waiting for Dumbledore to continue. "However, I have noted that he is the most adept in executing his magic when he uses his feelings of--" He paused and looked at Harry carefully at this moment, Harry leaned his forehead on his hand and shook his head.

"Because I more than like you," Harry mumbled. Ginny's heart leapt, even though Harry looked like he might be sick with embarrassment at admitting his feelings in front of the group.

"Harry, you know I love you, right?" Ginny could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She found the admission exhilarating. Harry looked up at her and nodded as his fist relaxed.

"That's why Harry's magic might strengthen if you open your channel, Ms. Weasley," Dumbledore continued. "If you both open your channels based on your feelings of affection for each other, Harry will be able to gain more power."

"I'll do it," Ginny said immediately. Harry glowered at her and Ginny sighed. "It's about more than the 'what-ifs', Harry. We need to figure out a way to beat him."

"But I'm supposed to beat him, you don't--"

"Harry, please, you know I won't give in. I can't sit around while he slowly wears you down."

"You don't have to--"

"Of course I don't, but I will. I hate Voldemort," her heart skipped a beat as she said his name, "and I love you, so there really isn't a choice. Please, let me help." Harry didn't respond. He looked around to Ron, who nodded in encouragement. Hermione was leaning on Ron's arm, her brow furrowed in thought.

"I think she should do it," she said quietly.

"It still makes me nervous," Harry responded, turning back to Dumbledore.

"As it should," Dumbledore replied gravely. "Kaigdin magic is very serious, that's why many countries have outlawed it." Ginny was starting to get nervous, but her determination was set; she was not going to shrink away.

"I--I reckon it would work if Ginny learned how to open her channel," Harry stammered, gazing out the window fearfully. Ginny blew out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding and laced her fingers with his.

"Very well, why don't we start now?" Ginny felt a shudder of nervousness pass through her as she stared at Dumbledore intently. Harry's hand tensed as Dumbledore continued. "Now please, Ms. Weasley, close your eyes and tell me what your most prominent feeling is at the moment."