Another Rabbit Hole

Another Rabbit Hole

A 7^th Year tale by Lady Pensieve

Written before HBP

Harry sat in the study hall with his arm around a very cute Ravenclaw. As happens when a war is on, people form quick friendships and even quicker attachments. The fact that someone has just saved your life brings out that kind of confidence and trust rather quickly.

Lilith had been such a person. This is why his arm draped over the brunette's shoulder, his fingers absentmindedly playing with the ends of her hair. Across the table from them, Hermione and Ron kept their distance from one another.

Understandable, thought Harry. His friends were too close to allow themselves to be close. At times, their relationship caused each more pain than either could handle, especially during the last year.

No homework was getting accomplished. No big plans were being discussed. No strategies. It was just the beginning of another school year...their last. The younger students were in their houses already, while many of the 7^th years were free to take over other areas of Hogwarts. Most pulled together in groups or couples, not wanting to leave those they'd missed over the summer; those that had survived, that is.

Harry knew he should be paying more attention to the conversation...to Lilith, only his eyes kept wandering the hall. A swift kick from Ron under the table brought the youth's attention back to the present moment. Ron knew where Harry's mind was, even if Harry didn't. He also knew how much the girl next to the Boy-Who-Kept-Living cared for him, and she deserved better than what she was getting.

Picking up on Ron's movement, "Lilith, I really need your opinion on some things... erm...girl things." Hermione rose, hand on Ron's shoulder pinching it, hard. Ron knew better than to wince. "You boys won't mind if we take off for the evening, right?" Ron might be able to keep his chess strategies a secret forever, however, there was nothing else that Hermione couldn't read in his befreckled face. Ron sighed to himself. This was not how he'd planned to spend the evening.

Waiting for the girls to leave, Ron went on the offensive. "You know Harry, you've got to get your priorities straight." He watched his best friend's face. Clueless, totally

clueless. "Harry, you're beginning to irritate me. You've got to keep your mind on the person you're with, mate..." Harry stared blankly at Ron. "Not me, you blithering git! Lilith!"

"I don't understand."

Right...the boy wonder doesn't understand. The freckled face became red as the gangly youth hung his head down and lifted his eyes. "You should be thinking of the girl you're with" damn you "...and not on my sister."

Harry may not have blushed, but he felt the rush of blood course through his body. "I don't know what you mean, Ron. Ginny's not even here...she left about ten minutes ago."

"Right. And where's Lilith right now?"

"What? Erm...didn't she go with Hermione?"

What a colossal waste of time! Ron got up, shaking his head, and walked away. It took Harry a minute. No, he didn't want to think about THAT, about her. Why would he, anyway? It's not like they had a 'thing'. We're just friends...besides, Ginny was involved with... no... Harry grimaced in remembrance. Miles had been killed by Death Eaters last June. That's one good reason Ginny shouldn't just walk away by herself... and it's not good to be alone with Death Eaters seemingly able to appear almost anywhere.

Though he wouldn't admit it, Harry began a search for Ginny. Not in her house, nor anywhere else inside Hogwarts. He knew she wouldn't go outside, shouldn't go...but she loved to go down by the lake, by the willow...

Feeling the need for a brisk walk, Harry sought some fresh air. Yes...that's what he was going to do, get some air and check out the grounds for anything suspicious.

Even if you don't think you know where you're going, it's amazing how fast you can get there. So, it didn't take long to see the slender figure leaning against the ancient willow. No need to pull his wand. Although dark, a full moon loomed overhead. At first Harry kept his distance. Ron will want to know his sister's all right, he told himself. I should go back and see if Lilith has left Gryffindor Tower yet.

Ginny felt his presence before he ever got close. Knowing nothing would make him actually approach her, she decided to take matters in her own hands...yet found it difficult to look anywhere but down. "Harry, stop standing there gawking. I'm fine." Then, with a burst of courage, the ginger-haired girl continued with: "Go away."

Openmouthed, Harry stood there like a lump. He kept seeing himself leaving, staying.... maybe even moving toward the girl. "Ginny?"

Maybe he'd actually meant to say something to her, only as she turned in his direction the ground melted away from her feet. Quickly, she dropped into the earth.

"Ginny!" Harry screamed in shock. Jumping forward, the pale youth aimed his wand beneath the falling girl, forming a web beneath her.

"Ooof! Great catch, Potter!" She surveyed her predicament. Hands on hips, which was incredibly difficult to do, given her position, Ginny continued: "Now, how do you intend to get me out of here?"

Saucy, even when put in situations that would have made any other girl panic. Her gentle humor put Harry at ease; even bringing a small smile to a face that had grown tight with fear. That's when the dirt around Harry's feet suddenly cascaded downward. Feeling the pull of gravity and the loss of steady ground beneath his feet, Harry plunged forward trying to hold on to his wand for dear life.

Harry passed Ginny, then - bounced. She'd tossed a netting of her own to keep him from plummeting further. After a frozen moment in time, the pair began laughing at their situation. Ginny looking down at Harry, and Harry smiled in return, until...the ground closed above them.

"Lumos!" Both engaged their wands, bringing light to their present situation.

"Looks like we're going to have to go down, rather than up Harry. How do you want to handle this?"

Surprisingly, it was Ginny who came up with a plan that got them to the bottom of the shaft. Begrudgingly, Harry admired the way Ginny always bested every situation that confronted her. Why do I keep thinking of her as...well, fragile? Still - she's Ron's sister and younger, and he never forgave her for that valentine in his second year. After all, she'd had such a crush on him back then.

"Are you sure some of those spells you used back there are quite legal, Ginny", Harry teased.

"I'm not a Weasley brat for nothing," Ginny laughed. "Why we're almost as good as the one and only Harry Potter for not following the rules."

Funny how Ginny's freckles seemed to disappear when all they had was a wand's light, Harry thought as they continued walking down the tunnel. What was it about this girl? Unconsciously, he'd almost grabbed her hand. Good thing her wand was in it. Okay, he thought. Lilith...think about Lilith. She'll be sodded off at me when I finally get back. That kept him sustained for a whole two seconds. How could he concentrate on a relationship that really didn't exist...the relationship with the Ravenclaw, well, Ron was right...maybe Harry should get his priorities straight. 'Straight! Eyes straight! Brotherly love...Ron's sister', Harry demanded of himself, half laughing.

"Do you think this tunnel will ever end?" asked Ginny. The quiet had become intense.

"End?" Harry's voice nearly cracked, but Ginny, lost in her own thoughts, didn't catch it.

Thank God it's so dark he can't see how stupid I must look. Ginny had never given up on Harry. Certainly she'd made sure he thought so...but...

Hermione was the one who made her realize that you cannot get what you want unless you're willing to figure out how to get it! "Do you honestly think Ron deserves me? He's such a git where social graces are concerned - but...once he comes of age, so to speak - the only girl he's going to see will be ME...I'm making sure of it."

Two years before the bushy-haired girl had a lovely discussion with Ginny, calmly explaining that Harry was not ready for a relationship, and when he was...well, it had better be someone who knew what she really wanted and how to get it. Someone that understood what a boy like Harry would require.

That meant Ginny needed to do research...to date other boys...to gain experience...to find out who she really was and what she liked and didn't like. Even as Ginny went out with various boys, her gaze never left Harry, nor did her heart. That innocent schoolgirl crush finally blossomed into respect and love. And still Harry ignored her. It's what brought her out to the willow each evening. A quiet place to try and not think about how ignorant the boy was, and what a stupid git he is!

At first, others thought she was trying to make Harry jealous - only Harry didn't understand that kind of thing. He was almost as stupid as her brother that way.

All these thoughts went through Ginny's head as the pair continued through the tunnel. "Harry, none of this makes sense. Why were we dropped into this tunnel? Who's behind it? Who did they expect to catch? After all, nothing's happened, and we've been down here for hours. I'm just wondering if there will be any surprises around the next corner?" Harry said nothing. His mouth was dry and his mind preoccupied.

After another round of silence, "Brilliant! This was meant for you!" Ginny stopped dead in her tracks, and Harry stumbled valiantly trying to keep himself from running her down. Turning to her and seeing her cream-colored face alive with a look of surprise, Harry wanted to pay attention, but for some reason all he found himself doing was noticing how her freckles were strangely absent in this light.

Excitement pulsed from her eyes. "Yes! This wasn't some kind of test, like I thought. No! You were meant to be stranded here so you couldn't help...Harry, there's something going on at Hogwarts. I'd bet on it. You're the only one foolish enough to walk around the grounds at night. They counted on that - and voila! You're trapped here."

"Me?" He rolled his eyes. "Then what were you doing out there. You're the one that always goes to that damn willow tree every evening." As soon as the words were spoken, Harry tripped on his own tongue, stuttering: "I mean..."

"I know what you mean, Harry. Don't get your knickers in a twist." Ginny laughed softly to herself. She didn't need to see the skinny wizard in a brighter light to know how uncomfortable he was. "Alright then. Let's think of it another way. I'm getting tired and hungry. Let's move a little faster. The quicker we get out of here, the quicker we find out what's really going on." The redhead quickened her pace. "There has to be an opening somewhere."

An hour later, the tunnel broke into two separate paths, one moving up, and the other down. An argument ensued. Harry felt the only way out would be up. Ginny knew things didn't always work that way.

"Let's each take one - fifteen minutes in, fifteen minutes back." Her voice sounded way too excited. "This way we'll each have a better idea of which way to go."

Harry didn't like this turn of events at all. "No. We'll take this together or not at all." He countermanded, bending his face into hers for emphasis. Did everything he say always come out as if they were 'together, a couple' ,he wondered.

"Harry, I'm hungry and thirsty, and we both need a bath," she laughed easily. He tried to say something but she brushed a finger against his lips. "No. We do it my way this time. I'll see you in half an hour," she said and began to skip up the tunnel on their left.

He wanted to call after her, scramble up the tunnel with her, only...she was right. The excitement was over. Finding a way out as soon as possible was the only logical choice. "Call if you need me!"

"Sure, and you scream if you need me, Harry." He listened as her voice trailed away with a fit of laughter.

Beginning the descent Harry chided himself for being so nervous. Whatever this was, a test or a diversion, it should be over soon, and they'd be back at Hogwarts. Everything would be fine...then again, what if it wasn't? Harry walked faster. The quicker he found an exit, the quicker he could get Ginny, get out of there, and find out the truth. So far, though, this tunnel didn't look very promising.

Just as Harry was just about to turn back, the tunnel expanded and he heard water splashing in the distance, echoing. Curious, Harry moved further, and within moments began to lose sight of the walls that had surrounded him all this time.

Now the wand's light no longer touched walls or lit his way. Not knowing if he were about to step off a cliff, or into an underground lake, the youth decided to start back. The splashing water made him realize how thirsty he was...and, following some instinct, Harry made a choice.

"Nox." Darkness prevailed. Stupid! What was I thinking? He shook his head at his own dunderheadedness. Time to get back to Ginny. That's when it happened. What caused it, the boy would never know, yet all at once light slowly unveiled a magnificent cavern with stalactites and stalagmites all about, like lanterns at a festival. At the far end waterfalls cascaded into refreshing pools of water, frothing at the encounter.

"Yes!" Harry wanted to run to Ginny Weasley as fast as his legs would carry him, but... He hadn't realized how parched he was. How long had it been since they'd fallen down the rabbit's hole? Probably mid-morning by now, he thought. First I'll check out the water, make sure it's safe, then find Ginny.

Doing a quick test - the water seemed fine, quite inviting actually, so the young wizard drank, then splashed the coolness over his face, around his neck, and drank some more. Smiling, Harry laughed softly and realized Ginny would love this - he needed to get her.

Rising, Harry had only moved a few feet away when his legs stopped supporting him. His body was betraying him, leaving him helpless. As if in slow motion, Harry fell to his knees. What? Adrenaline shot though his system. What was going on - he couldn't move.

"Well, well, well, MISTER Potter." The voice, familiar, and sarcastic, reverberated throughout the cavern. " I see that lack of knowledge conjoined with your abundant supply of rash behavior has caused you some permanent damage this time, BOY!"

Harry's head swam, but he knew the voice without having to look around. "Snape!"

"Yes. Severus Snape. The one who will finally get to put a Potter in their rightful place...on their knees before me." The man strutted before him, deriving pleasure from being able to look down on the struggling form before him.

He tried, but whatever Harry did, he couldn't seem to get up, move away, or stop the drone of Snape's oily voice in his ears. Didn't Dumbledore trust...Didn't I? Harry's sight blurred, his head buzzed - what was this? Rubbery legs left him kneeling before the man in black.

"Lord Voldemort wants you dead, so I can't take the pleasure of leeching the life out of your pathetic body. In lieu of that, I've decided to confiscate your very soul, Mister Potter!"

The greasy man loomed into Harry's sight, almost spitting at him. "How does it feel? Groggy by now, I would well expect. You're my first, Potter. A curse. Created just for you." Snape seemed particularly pleased with himself. His broom up the ass stature made his strut before Harry seem almost comical, only Harry's senses weren't allowing him any pleasures.

"I combined the right potion and intent - MY intent, Mister Potter - remember that - my intent is what finally brought you down." Now the Potions professor bent over Harry, sneering at the boy.

"Don't like Dementors, do you Potter. Well this potion comes from them - from the precious drops of their Death Kiss." Harry's blood froze. He looked for his wand - could his Patronus help? No matter, his body didn't respond. "Took time to get that, I must tell you," Snape seemed to be talking to himself.

It's not the Imperius Curse. I can still think...not quickly enough though - how stupid...a special curse - Dementors - THINK!

Attention focused on Harry once more. "Have the images begun, Potter? Has all your wrongdoing started to catch up with you...the famous Mister Harry Potter? Is the happiness draining away, bit by bit? Tell me, Mr. Potter. Inform me, Mr. Potter. Teach me, MISTER POTTER!" Right now the only face Harry could see was Snape's - and thank God without much clarity, yet that voice punctuated each and every word. Snape always liked being dramatic about his work.

"You think of yourself as the HERO, don't you. Everything works out for the hero in the end, doesn't it Potter?" The professor paused, almost for effect. "Not... this ...time."

"Do you realize how many people you've put in danger in your years at Hogwarts? At least with the Death Eaters, people knew what they were getting. But not with you, Potter. You...you give people a cause, then they willing run to their own deaths.

"Last year proved how invaluable you are in diminishing our numbers. But until the Dark Lord decides to take you...I've prepared a personal hell suitable for the likes of you." Snape paced back and forth before the lad, anger seething from every pore. "It's time you had to review your past indiscretions... seeing each one of them, over... and over... again." Spit from the man's mouth fell upon Harry, so forced were the words he spoke. "The next time you meet Lord Voldemort, you wont be in any condition to wage any battles against him. It will be a glorious sight to..."

"Imperius!" Ginny stood only twenty feet away when she hurled the curse at Snape. At first there was a look of shock, then submission. Ginny moved forward, her wand pointed, and at the ready. "I don't know what's going on here Professor Snape, but whatever it is...make it better...NOW!"

The black-haired youth wanted to warn Ginny - she couldn't take this man on and win, but the words were lost. Pictures formed in his head - memories of Ron struggling with the Devil's Snare, nearly dying; then again being hit by the Queen in the Wizard's Chess game. In the background the young wizard could once again hear his mother's voice, begging for her son's life, as she was killed. Next came the croaking, high-pitched laugh of Voldemort; Cedric dead, and Hermione struck by a purple flash, falling to the floor, all because of him. What little strength remained ebbed away. Slowly Harry fell roughly onto his back, hitting the stone floor hard.

Above Harry, the cavern ceiling turned into a picture screen showing Ginny, cold as ice in the Chamber of Secrets. His entire fault. His life played before him showing each miserable second...finally all of the deaths from his sixth year began. Hogsmeade destroyed. Bodies everywhere; one Creevey brother bending over the other, crying, ignoring the battle to mourn his personal loss. Harry felt as though each one was his responsibility. "No!"

Harry's cry pulled Ginny's attention from Snape for a nano second. It was all the man required.

"Expelliarmus". Ginny's wand flew into his free hand. The sound that came from his throat grated against their eardrums. "Do you still want to save this creature before you, Miss Weasley?" She nodded angrily, her cheeks flushing bright.

Snape raised his voice, knowing Harry was enraptured. "See Mr. Potter. Another one willing to toss herself upon the funeral pyre for you. Should I hand you a wand and let you do it yourself? Or, as usual, will you send lambs to the slaughter, to clear a path for you."

Ginny moved closer. "Snape - we thought - Professor Dumbledore trusts you, we have all trusted you with our lives. What is this? What are you doing?" Begging might be necessary, but she wasn't about to beg until she had to. Certainly she wouldn't let him see her be a wretched girl about this.

"That's the plan isn't it? Talk me to death? Rely on my, um, better nature?" Snape to the end, sarcastic and caustic. The oily man looked down at the redhead, eyebrow raised. "I hadn't expected to catch you in my trap, you silly girl." Turning to Harry:

"It's just like a Potter to feel safe at the exact moment he should be on guard. This was entirely too easy. Sloth, Potter, sloth!" His hand motioned Ginny away. It was obvious that Snape no longer enjoyed his triumph. "Unfortunately, I tire of you both. Mr. Potter, " he said, looking down, "is distinctly no more fun."

"Professor. Fix him!" Spoken as if her mere words would have some magic in them, some siren's song to captivate and lure him into better actions.

"What do you take me for? Do you think I arranged all this, just to just kiss and make up, you snide little witch."

Harry heard what was going on, he just couldn't pull enough of himself together to take part. Must concentrate. Must block this out. "Snape", Harry finally gasped. Snape looked down, taken aback. How did this child have the strength left to fight his curse!

"Leave her. Ginny, run, get out of here - hurry." Another black moment took over the youth's vision, yet he struggled to keep track of what happened right next to him.

"Ah, that's the curious thing Mr. Potter." Snape kicked Harry in the side with enough force to gain the young wizard's attention. "Want to know the cure? It's amazingly brilliant. Someone that loves you, someone you love, has to give up their life to save you!" Snape savored every delicious moment of this new legend he created. "Don't you love the irony? One more picture for your memory book." Snape paused for affect.

" Perhaps the last one."

Ginny paled, but stepped between Snape and Harry. "All right then, I volunteer. Bring him back. Bring him back now!" Snape looked like he'd eaten a frog.

"NO!" screamed Harry, no more deaths on his account. He struggled to maintain his sanity.

"Do you ever run out of people willing to toss themselves aside for you, Potter?" Ginny moved to her left slowly, trying to get Snape's attention away from Harry.

"You're the one adding the body count, not Harry. Harry's never asked anyone to do anything. He's always been the first to put himself in danger." Snape was still too close to Harry. Ginny didn't know whether he'd be able to actually 'do' anything, but she needed to give him some room to make a move if he could.

She continued edging to her left. "If it gives you such pleasure - if you need to see someone beg - LOOK AT ME," she screamed.

"It won't work, Miss Weasley. The poison is already in his system, annihilating his self control, allowing my curse - the Potter Curse, I think I'll call it - yes...I like that... All will think of the Potters as nothing more than a curse upon the land, as I've always known."

The Professor continued his reverie, until he recognized Ginny's ploy. "Hold it! Stop there. Take your pathetic hero and return to Hogwarts - that tunnel", he motioned to his right, "will take you where you need to go. Let Dumbledore try to figure out how to save the boy - that will take his mind off Voldemort for awhile," he sneered. He was getting bored with this childishness.

"No!" screamed Ginny, almost stamping her foot. "You said there was a cure - do it now, Snape, you lily-livered, grease ball of a man, impotent in everything that counts... friendless...hopeless...and reckless." She had to get his attention, get him emotional, if she wanted to have some control.

"Do you think Dumbledore won't come after you first? Do you think you'll get away with this?" Ginny stepped right under the man's nose - close enough to take her wand back - only the girl had given up on that. She couldn't take him - not now, but there was one thing left that might work. "Make it right, Snape."

Ginny carefully avoided looking at Harry - even though she could see him out of the corner of her eye. The teen's face displayed the agony of all he went through. She couldn't stand it. "Dumbledore won't come after you for my death - but you leave Harry like this and he'll make sure you can't hurt anyone ever again!" Blue eyes burned into black. Standing more than a foot taller, Snape felt the heat of her, the commitment of her, pushing at him. "I stand here willing to give my life for Harry's of my own free will. Give Harry back his life!"

"Oh, for pity's sake!" Rolling his eyes, Snape stepped back.

Harry lay on the stone floor, unable to defend himself or Ginny. 'She is magnificent', he thought. Then, without an instant's hesitation, Snape sent a blinding red light bursting from the end of his wand. Ginny slumped to the ground quietly, not far from where Harry lay.

Not Ginny - Not Ginny - Not Ginny!' Through his visions, Harry could see no movement from the girl. First his mother, now Ginny. It was his only thought - for how long he didn't know. The moment kept replaying for him in living color. Each play taking a bit of him further away from the sight before him, further away from the screams that played in his head, further into a dark hole where he wouldn't have to think anymore.

Time passed. Ginny felt life returning to her aching body, and moaned. Harry! Quickly she jumped up and went to him, lifting him into her lap. His eyes, those beautiful green emeralds were lifeless, staring into space - not even seeing the visions that had tortured him anymore.

That was it - Ginny was pissed. Using ever bit of magic at her command, she flooded herself into the boy she'd loved for so long - only it was no use. No use shaking him, no use calling his name, no use to cry over him because nothing could disturb Harry now - Harry was gone.

It took time, but Ginny formulated a simple plan. Harry was hers. Taking him back to Hogwarts would do no good. No help there. Besides, so many looked up to 'the boy who lived'. No one could see him this way. Let them think he's off on another adventure - remember him alive, well and full of fire.

Besides, if this were indeed a new curse, then Madam Pomfrey had nothing in her bag of tricks to help, and Ginny probably wouldn't be allowed to stay with Harry. Right now, no power in the world could tear her from him.

The cure required Ginny. Unconditional love. That's her, all right. The girl had done everything she could to keep Harry from knowing the truth. Playing the part, going out with other boys - only no one would or could ever replace Harry in her heart, not from their first meeting at Track 9¾.

Thinking quickly, Ginny moved them into the Shrieking Shack and then, waiting for darkness to hide her, she slipped into Harry's dorm as everyone slept. The invisibility cloak taken from Harry's dorm allowed her to roam about the school. Even in sleep she could see the worry on her brother Ron's face, yet waking him would do no good. The worry, the choices must be hers.

Grabbing supplies and books, Ginny had one last thing to do, then back to Harry. Leaving a note for Dumbledore, Ginny beseeched the headmaster to give her at least three days, promising to contact him if there was no change.

Was she being a child? Did she think this was some kind of silly romance novel, where love wins the day? Ginny knew a part of those things may be true, but in reality, she just loved Harry. Couldn't explain it. Wouldn't try. Snape said only someone who truly loved Harry could save him. It couldn't matter that he was suppose to love them back. Harry did love her, albeit like a sister, but it was still love.

Time passed much too slowly. Through it all, Harry remained in the well of his mind. Nothing Ginny did, nothing she read, nothing she thought of helped. Three days later, covered by the cloak, Ginny waited by the stone gargoyle guarding the entrance to the headmaster's office. When Professor Dumbledore finally came, the wizard moved quickly past her, whispering, "Follow", in a voice only she could hear. How did he do that? I'm invisible, aren't I?

Entering the hospital wing, she followed the headmaster to an area in the back that was sectioned off. Motioning for the invisible girl to sit on the cot, Dumbledore turned to stare directly at her, waiting patiently for her to remove the cloak. On a table, laid before her, were more supplies, wonderful warming foods, medicines, plants, herbs and books, some from the restricted section of the library.

"How are you, my dear Ginny?" Spoken so softly. She wasn't sure if she could hold up to this treatment. Her insides went sloppy. The redhead had prepared herself for a fight, for screams, for admonishment. None came.

"I'm, uh, good - but Harry..."

"Ah, Harry. I'm afraid there's very little hope there. You know that, now, don't you?"

"No, I don't." Yes, she did. "He's not responding to anything. I can crash pans together in front of him and he doesn't blink. I'm glad that he's not writhing in pain anymore, only..."

"Yes, yes." Professor Dumbledore sat at the edge of the cot and took her hands in his. "You've taken quite a lot upon yourself. I appreciated the note, and Madam Pomfrey and I have managed to come up with a few things that might help you." He motioned to the table. "You were right to keep Harry away from school. But, now... I need your promise that if nothing changes in the next week, you'll bring Harry back."

Her resolve quickly grew stronger. "You are putting a lot of trust in me, Professor. Thank you. I'm surprised..." she hesitated, looking down, then meeting his ice blue gaze.

"No need to be. You've shown the ability to rise to every occasion Miss Weasley. Now, I have a few suggestions, if you'll take a moment..."

Dumbledore quickly tutored Ginny, going over and over spells that she might use, including permission to use the Imperio Curse, so that Harry could manage his own feeding and other calls of nature. The last spell, however, made her eyes pop in wonder, yet she tried and...Disapparated from the hospital wing right to the Shrieking Shack! No cloak would be needed. She could come and go without anyone seeing. Notes left; supplies waiting. The headmaster explained that he'd created a 'pipeline' available only to Ginny, and only in these two places.

Schedules in order, Ginny pictured the Shrieking Shack in her mind and POOF! She was there! Dumbledore must have done something to make it so easy - after all, her brother Percy said it took him forever to learn that one. Then again, Percy didn't have one on one instruction with the greatest wizard in the world.

It was horrible having to use the Imperio Curse to get Harry to take care of the business of living. So he ate, slept, and took plant remedies (better to be asleep when taking some of them, Ginny thought, holding her nose). Harry would NEVER have allowed anyone to take him over like this...where was he! Why couldn't she get through!

And that was the real question. Was Harry still alive? Did the poison slowly eat at him until there was nothing left? Snape had said it would capture his very soul...

How could she find out if Harry was still in there, trapped or just too mentally shocked and exhausted to care?

Studying had never been a problem for Ginny. Wanting to impress Harry, someday, with her abilities - she became a very organized person, keeping several books going at the same time. Actually that's what helped her now.

She'd learned to put one fun book amongst the heavy instructional books, to sort of cleanse her mind. So, when the solution did come to Ginny, it caused a fit of short-lived giggles.

Not from one of the restricted books, nor from one on magical herbs or medicinal potions. No, none of them. Enhancing Relationships with Potions. Of course it was never intended to be used the way she planned, - but did it matter? Harry was losing ground every day. Only Harry mattered.

The plan was risky. The spell was meant to enhance sexual pleasure between consenting parties. An exchange of energy in certain moments proved to enliven experiences. From what the book intimated, each person's life force mingled, blended, and allowed for heightened experiences, in a sense each feeling not only their own pleasure but also that of their partner. Unfortunately Harry had very little life force left. Well, Snape laid out the rules. Whether truth or lie, there was only one way to find out, and if Ginny talked to Dumbledore about it...well, he'd never let her go through with it.

It took too much time to refine the spell. With only a few hours left before she must return Harry to Hogwarts, Ginny sat the young wizard down.

Ginny straddled Harry's legs, pressing closely to him. "Harry, you must hold me tight...very tight. Do not let go under any circumstances." Looking into those vacant green eyes unnerved her. His arms wound around her slim body, pulling her close. "All right", Ginny's voice cracked. Steady, girl, she told herself. "Now listen carefully. I want you to kiss me, Harry, kiss me with all your might. Don't stop, just keep going."

Silly really. Definitely being a silly school girl, she thought. Still, it's how it works in the book, and - well - If I'm going to end up losing my life...I might as well get a kiss out of it. But it won't come to that...it just won't. Embarrassment would be the least of her problems, she knew, so as Harry pressed his mouth to hers, Ginny flicked her wand and began the transfer.

Soon it was apparent, there would be no exchange. Quite literally, she was giving her own life force to Harry. He had none to give. Hopefully he would only need enough to bring him out of his stupor. That should leave plenty for Ginny...if everything worked; if Harry weren't so deep inside himself that he needed every last molecule of her.

My first kiss with Harry. Ginny felt nervous being here, like this, with the boy she loved for so long. Disappointment drowned out the excitement quickly though, leaving her with just a task to perform. Without Harry being 'there' the kiss had no fervor, no joy.

It began as strange sensation that assailed Ginny, tingling and tickling her. Not all bad. Keeping contact, she spun her wand again, repeating the spell in her mind - mustn't lose contact...that was crucial. Slowly the tingling turned to a dead cold in her extremities. I can handle this. Come on Harry....Come back to me!

Pain started to strain Ginny's body. Every cell of her body started to scream all at once, and she began to feel her own light slowly creeping into Harry. Come on Harry...come on!

Consciousness began to slip away, so she pulled Harry even tighter, holding on, keeping the necessary contact, yet it was hard, so hard; much of her had left and ... could there be much left to go? Trying to keep him under the Imperius Curse, while working on her new charm...Ginny voiced her last thought. Harry! Where are you?

The darkness receded. Light, bright and beautiful, penetrated lids that were closed. No, not closed, lids that no longer wanted to open, to see, to feel, to allow - what? Pain! That's what he remembered. Great pain.

Now, though, warmth spread through him. Not ready to come back, his mind screamed. Not ready for more pain. Yet the light beckoned to him, pulled at his senses, enticing him to live again, almost begging him to come out and play. Somewhere a voice called his name...urgently.

The surrounding warmth was love, love he'd never felt before, or if so, not in his memory. There were no conditions; just pure, sweet, giving love. The gloom dissipated. Feeling came back into a body that wanted none of them. A pressure assailed his lips, a sweet smell of roses rushed through his nostrils, and a softness crushed his body. Harry was holding someone. It felt good.

The pulsing had an ebb and flow to it. Imagination? Harry didn't know, but he found comfort, all at once, inside and out. His mouth...he was kissing someone and it felt right, it felt good. How? What - where?

As Ginny slipped away, suddenly Harry's consciousness became aware. Responding quickly, Harry shoved the beautiful girl in his arms away, hard, screaming: "NO!" Ginny's body flew against the far wall, sinking to the floor, where she lay unmoving.

"Good Goddess!" Quickly Harry ran to Ginny's side...a faint pulse still beat. Dazed, it took Harry a moment to understand it all. Scanning the books and scrolls, Harry found a letter lying on the table, begging him to not feel any guilt and accept her gift. "NO!" he roared again. Anger and shock brought him to action, and though he didn't know exactly what he was doing, the young man knew what he intended to do. Cradling Ginny in his arms, with no thoughts of how, only the need, Harry Disapparated.

Seconds later the pair arrived in the infirmary, where Madam Pomfrey seemed to be waiting. She motioned him to set the girl down on a waiting cot, then motioned him away.

Harry just stood there, adrenaline still pumping through his veins. How had this happened? His mind seemed blank, except for the need to know that Ginny was going to be all right. Someone took him softly by the elbow. Dumbledore. Had he been there the whole time as well?

"Come along Harry. Everything will work out. Come. Sit here." But Harry couldn't sit. If he didn't move he'd go mad. If he didn't move now, pacing back and forth, he would definitely do something stupid like search under every rock for Snape so he could kill him as an appetizer before going after Voldemort. The headmaster gently grabbed Harry's arm, motioning him to a chair.

"I can't go through this again", he said, lost. "Why? Why did Ginny DO that? Why would she give up her life like that, for ME?" His brilliant green eyes stared intently into Dumbledore's, as if the answer lay there.

"To save you, Harry. To save you." Harry knew that voice, the calmness amidst chaos. He knew this is the way Professor Dumbledore got control of situations, but not this situation.

"I didn't want that - I didn't ASK that." He looked away, finally dropping into a chair, sitting there, holding his head in his hands.

"No, you didn't. You've never had to ask, Harry." The professor's voice continued, so soft, so peaceful, but Harry's soul seemed cursed to lose all those he cared for.

"Harry, you can't live in a bubble. There are many people - many, around you who would do anything to protect you, to keep you safe." Dumbledore paused. "You inspire loyalty, Harry, whether you like it or not."

"Not anymore. No one will ever... I won't allow it!" His voice cracked, deserted him, leaving a giant lump in his throat that would not go away. Robbed of his voice, all the emotions pent up until he thought he'd explode from them.

An hour later, Madam Pomfrey appeared heading straight for Dumbledore. "Miss Weasley will survive. She needs her rest right now, and requested absolutely no visitors." The woman in white tried to keep her eyes off of Harry, but it was impossible. The young wizard jumped up, heading for Ginny. Although Pomfrey moved to stop the teen, Dumbledore held her back, with a glint in his eye. "Leave them for awhile, Poppy. They need to be alone."

Pulling the curtains aside, and seeing Ginny laying there, so pale, so small, shook him to his knees, where he gently pulled her hand into his and rubbed it against his cheek. He needed to touch her, to know for himself that she'd be all right.

"Ginny, I forbid you to do anything like this EVER again!" These words were not screamed - they came from his very soul, and all at once it didn't matter anymore whether he had the words right, or that this was Ron's sister, or how much he'd always kept his feelings in check. He knew he couldn't live without Ginny by his side.

Opening her eyes and seeing Harry meant more to Ginny Weasley than anything in the world. He's alive! He looks horrible! Isn't that wonderful? And it seemed as though...I'm soooo tired', she thought, but, he cares...he cares!

"Harry." Ginny didn't realize she'd spoken his name out loud, with probably more love than he'd ever heard poured into that one word. Harry put a finger to her lips.

"Quiet!" He wanted to listen to her forever, to hear every word, only he could also see how badly she needed to rest. "Ginny," he was exasperated. "There's so much I want to say, but right now all I want is for you to get better...so be quiet." He knelt next to her bed. "You took care of me," he said softly. "Let me take care of you for awhile." He touched her hair against the stark white pillow. She's so beautiful. "Close your eyes. I'll be right here when you wake up."

Harry looked into the bright eyes of love. He never wanted to be without them again.

"But I need to see you, to make sure..." Her strength was waning, and Harry knew there was only one way to shut her up. Leaning closer, Harry covered her mouth with his, and after a time...they both rested.

Professor Dumbledore had been busy. Sealing the hospital wing was easy. Swearing Poppy to secrecy, no problem. Trying to figure out this last Potter dilemma - much more of a challenge. It had been quite some time since Snape had spoken to the headmaster, and even with this fiasco, Dumbledore searched his heart and found he still trusted the man.

When Harry awoke, Ginny's hand still laid in his. Her beautiful face held a smile, even in sleep, and her color had come back. Suddenly he realized he was in bed - Madam Pomfrey must have levitated him onto a cot sometime during the night/day? It didn't matter. Ginny lay before him, flaming hair brightening the stark whiteness of the pillow, and each freckle...each freckle...

With a start, Harry realized he wasn't wearing his glasses - they were on the table on the other side of the bed. Sitting up and feeling around his eyes, another revelation...he didn't feel his scar any longer, either.

A mirror - he must see himself. And - he could! Clearly! Eyesight moving slightly to the right, Harry saw Ginny propped up on her hand, smiling at him. "How is this possible?" She just kept smiling. Running over to her, Harry pushed his cot out of the way, sat down on her bed and repeated this sentence one more time. "Ginny, this is impossible!"

"Not really" she said smugly, stretching and laying back in the bed.

"Ginny, this is serious!" To add to his meaning he put his arms on either side of her, making sure she couldn't evade his question, or him.

"Uh huh, very serious - serious spells, serious situations, so I wanted to lighten it up a bit, if you don't mind." Mona Lisa had nothing on this girl's smile.

"Ginny, please, you nearly got yourself killed! For what!"

Now the redhead looked serious, and her voice became velvety soft. "For you, Harry, for you." And before Harry could react to this...very serious moment...she continued: "After all, if I was giving my life, the least I could do was get rid of those ugly glasses, and clean up that scar - so you'd know the next girl in your life loved you for yourself, and not just because you're the 'famous Harry Potter'!"

"Next girl?" Suddenly it rushed through him.

When the curtains parted, much later, Madam Pomfrey got a bit more than she bargained for. "Um...Mr. Potter, I think you should remove yourself from, ah, Miss Weasley's, ah, embrace, and - ah, go to the waiting room, so I can, ah, finish my business here...ummm."

Harry rose off the bed, straightened himself, flushed and took a quick look at his beloved Ginny. As he followed orders, and got past the curtained area, a laugh escaped his throat, the first in such a long, long time. If he thought he was blushing, it was nothing compared to the mixture of colors that can be seen in a freckled, flaming redhead!

Energy at an all time high, Harry walked quickly out of the infirmary. He needed to talk to Professor Dumbledore. Oh, and one other thing - his hand passed over his forehead and eyes. Glasses magically appeared, and on his forehead, the ever present scar. No one should ever know they were no longer a part of him.

Finis

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