My Eternal Curse

Chapter Fifteen

Minor Turbulence

Hermione walked into the Gryffindor common room, clutching two books on Divinus Animus to her chest. She spotted Ron sitting by the fire, looking sullen. Hermione knew that Ron was missing Harry and Ginny's company already. She couldn't understand what made Ron hate snakes so much. Maybe if she tried the logical approach again, she could get through to him... It seemed like a bit of a long shot, but it was worth a try.

"Are you alright, Ron?" Hermione asked. "You look a little down."

"I can't believe they put Gin on the cover of the Daily Prophet!" Ron fumed. "Now the Gryffindors who aren't scared to death of her, are calling her the 'Savior of Hogsmeade'... I swear Hermione; this whole Seer thing is going to her head! The next thing you know, she'll be just like Trelawney, twisted groupies and all, I bet on it."

"She's not trying to outshine you, Ron," said Hermione. "You know that. If anything, she's afraid of the spotlight... This isn't about the Daily Prophet article, is it?"

"What do you think it is?" Ron practically snarled.

"Ix Chel."

"My sister and my best friend are being taken in by that creature," Ron said, angrily. "How do you think that makes me feel?"

"Ron, what's going on with Ix Chel, Ginny, and Harry, isn't what you think it is," Hermione said, gently. "I know it's not. I don't think Ix Chel wants to hurt anyone. Ask Ginny, or Harry for that matter. They'll tell you it's true."

"So, your going to take their side then?" asked Ron.

"There are no sides to take," Hermione insisted. "You're my friend, Ron. So are Ginny and Harry, and I don't want you to wreck your relationship with them just because of some stupid prejudice... Try to take a step back, look at this objectively, and you'll see I'm right."

"What are those books you're holding?" Ron asked, noticing the books in Hermione's lap for the first time.

"Just some background research," Hermione said, defensively.

"Let me see," Ron said, sounding suspicious. Hermione unconsciously held the books a little tighter. Ron noticed Hermione tense, and sneered at her malevolently. Hermione flinched at the sickening sight. Where had her lighthearted friend gone? This wasn't like Ron at all. "You're studying the damn snake, aren't you?" he accused.

"And what if I am?" Hermione asked, feeling the tension in the room increase a hundred-fold.

"You're just as brainwashed as the rest of them!" Ron sneered. He got up to leave, but Hermione barred his way. "I'm not going to sit here and listen to this..."

"Why are you acting like this, Ron?" Hermione started. "The others-"

"Tell me, Herm," Ron asked. "If the others thought it would be a really good idea to jump off a bridge, would you do that too?"

Hermione was thunderstruck. Ron pushed his way past her, heading up the staircase to his dorm. Hermione continued to stare after him for a minute, and sighed heavily. She sat down in the chair again, hugging the books to her chest.

"Great work, Hermione..." she thought, mournfully. "Now he hates you too."

*~*~*

They walked into the entrance hall, and came to a stop. Tom could feel that the day's events were finally taking their toll on them. The magical strain, plus the near dizzying effects of the day, had drained them completely. Tom prayed fervently that this bloody weekend was finally over, and they could get some rest. Ginny's mind tensed, and, before Tom could speak, the werewolf and his 'so-called' mutt met them in the entrance hall. Tom studied the dog closely. Other than the animal's almost penetrating gaze, he could see nothing unusual about Lupin's bedraggled pet. The dog saw Snape, and growled. How... interesting. Tom got the feeling that there was far more to this than met the eye.

"Had a good trip?" Professor Lupin asked.

"That depends on your definition of the word 'good'," Professor Snape sneered.

"Did something happen?" Professor Lupin asked, concerned.

"That depends on your definition of the word 'something'," Ginny answered. "If there is nothing else, I think I'll go back to my dorm now..."

"Before you do that, I want you to report to Madam Pomfrey," Dumbledore said.

"I'm fine, professor," Ginny protested. "I just need a little rest."

"I don't want to take any chances after the shock you endured," Dumbledore explained.

"He is right, young one," said Ix Chel.

Ginny opened her mouth to speak, but a severe dizzy spell hit them hard before she could even get a syllable out. Harry saw it, and managed to catch her before she fell. Horrible vertigo assaulted Ginny's senses, making it almost impossible for her to tell up from down. Ginny felt like she was going to be sick. What was wrong with her?

"That settles it," Dumbledore declared, beginning to look worried. "Harry, I want you to take Miss Weasley down to the infirmary, and make sure she follows Madam Pomfrey's instructions to the letter."

"Yes, Professor," Harry replied, leading Ginny off toward the hospital wing.

*~*~*

Severus followed Albus up to his office in silence, refusing to tell him anything until they were safely away from the prying eyes of the school. Severus entered the office, and watched as the Headmaster closed and locked the door behind them. Severus began to pace back and forth, as Albus took a seat.

"What's bothering you, Severus?" Albus asked. "I haven't seen like this, since the day you heard that Lucius was going to make his son a Death Eater."

"You were right, Albus," Severus said. "Miss Weasley is just like me when I was young, too much like me..."

"So, I take it your talk with Virginia didn't go as planned?" Albus asked.

Severus stopped pacing and sat down, refusing to meet the old wizard's gaze. He told Albus about taking Ginny under his wing, and the deal he'd made with her in the Apothecary. Albus frowned slightly, looking very disturbed.

"Why does she want this knowledge?" Albus asked.

"For the same reason I did, all those years ago," Severus said, almost bitterly. "Enlightenment..."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Albus asked. "Snake magic encompasses some of the worst Dark Arts."

"No, but I don't think we have any other choice," Severus said, shaking his head. "The girl was cautious in approaching me. They wouldn't have asked just anyone. Miss Weasley understands the risks, and will continue to be careful. They trust me; otherwise they wouldn't have dared to ask. I believe the snake already carries a great deal of knowledge in the Dark Arts, and would not hesitate to teach it to her, if asked. From the looks of it, Weasley asked. If I turn her down, she will just discover what she wants to know elsewhere. Without a guide, the girl could lose herself to the Dark Arts, and not even know it, until it's too late. I won't allow another child of such great potential to suffer my fate because of my own misgivings! She deserves better than that... With luck, I can show them just how horrible the Dark Arts are, and rid them of any ghastly romanticism they have about this. I have no doubt that I'm the only one who can steer them from this path safely. They know how much I want to take their offer... lost knowledge like this could prove to be of invaluable advantage against Voldemort."

"Are you sure that you can protect her, Severus?" Albus asked. "You know how much worse things will be if she becomes a Dark Witch."

"I do," Severus replied. "But I think this may be the only way to ensure that she doesn't. As her mentor, I can watch her and stop her from going too far. I wish I had a better answer for you, Albus, but I don't. All I can tell you, is that I will do everything in my power to make sure the girl doesn't share my fate."

An uneasy silence filled the room as Albus studied Severus and the situation with startling intensity. Severus looked into the old wizard's eyes and saw a weary concern that reflected his own, staring back at him. Severus sighed, wishing Miss Weasley had never approached him with this... exchange. Finally, Dumbledore came to a decision.

"I do not like the idea of this arrangement, but I do see merit in it," Albus said, gravely. "Personally, I'm glad that Virginia reached out to you, not someone who would take advantage of her curiosity. I trust you, Severus. I know you will not mislead her, or let any harm come to her. If you believe that this is the right thing to do, then I will allow it. You may use your own judgement with what and what not to teach her. Whatever happens, know this... I have faith in you, Severus, and I will abide by whatever decision you make."

"Thank you, Albus," Severus said. "I will not fail you..."

As Severus left, he thought to himself:

"Or fail her..."

*~*~*

Madam Pomfrey checked Ginny over thoroughly, while Harry watched over her like an overprotective brother. She felt like an idiot, practically fainting in front of everyone like that. Some great witch she was turning out to be...

"What's wrong with her?" Harry asked. "Is it serious?"

"She'll be fine," Madam Pomfrey said. "From what I can tell she's suffering from stress, physical fatigue, magical fatigue, and the strangest form of magical strain I have ever seen. Do either of you know what could have caused it?"

Ginny told her what happened.

"Well, that certainly explains a few things," Madam Pomfrey said. "Though I've never heard of Seers having such a condition before...strange, definitely have to look that up... Now, if anything like this happens again, I want you to come straight to me. Also, tell me if any other symptoms manifest. There's no telling what the long-term effects of this condition may be."

"Yes, Ma'am," said Ginny.

"Good," Madam Pomfrey replied, as she started her list of orders. "Now, what I want you to do is to get something nutritious into your system, and get some rest. Harry, I'm counting on you to make sure she follows my instructions to the letter. Food - then rest, and no getting side tracked on her way back to her dorm room, understood?"

"Yes, Madam Pomfrey," Harry said.

"Good," said Madam Pomfrey. "Now run along..."

Harry and Ginny left the hospital wing, only to be greeted by Professor McGonagall, and a very frantic looking Mark.

"Are you okay?" Mark asked, the worry he felt painfully obvious in his voice. "When I heard that you collapsed..."

"Yeah," Ginny said. "Madam Pomfrey just checked me out. She said I just need some food and rest."

"Thank Merlin," Mark said, sounding relieved.

"It has been a trying weekend for all of us," Professor McGonagall said. "I came to inform you, Miss Weasley, that I've just made arrangements with the house elves for your familiar. You will take her to the kitchens for her meals, or have them brought up to you, whichever you prefer."

"But why can't she eat with me in the Great Hall?" Ginny asked.

"I don't think that would be a good idea," Professor McGonagall explained. "At least, not until the other students have had a chance to acclimate to her. Follow me, I will show you how to enter the kitchens."

Professor McGonagall showed them how to get into the kitchens, then left. Harry, Ginny, Mark, and Ix Chel ate a large lunch, while talking about the last few days and everything that'd been going on lately. It was kind of funny watching Harry translate for Ix Chel, especially when she was being cryptic. The only thing funnier than watching Harry try to translate Ix Chel's double-talk, was listening to Tom's snide remarks. More than once, Ginny and Ix Chel had to stifle a snicker. She had to admit that this was the weirdest lunch she'd ever had. Ginny noticed just how accepting Mark was of Harry's and her talent to understand Ix Chel. Harry on the other hand, appeared a little uncomfortable with her new skill, but seemed determined not to show it. Ginny was grateful that she still had friends she could count on to add a little light in her life.

Tom listened to the ongoing discussion with interest. This was a rare opportunity to study Potter and Dippet's reactions to each other. Potter seemed to be completely at ease with Mark, and quite comfortable with Ginny and his friendship. On the other hand, Mark was definitely uncomfortable around Potter, but that could easily be because Potter was a celebrity. A gut feeling told him that wasn't it. Why did he have a dark impression of the boy? What was it he sensed when he saw him? What was it that so unnerved him about Mark? Maybe, he should tell his little princess of his suspicions about him... No, she wouldn't believe him without hard evidence. He had to consider his options carefully, before he made his next move.

When lunch was over, they said goodbye to Mark, and Harry immediately escorted Ginny to her dorm room, as Madam Pomfrey had instructed. When Harry was gone, Ginny got ready for bed, thankful that she had the foresight to do her homework on Friday. Ginny and Tom fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

*~*~*

Ginny slowly got ready for what promised to be one of the most trying days of her life. Thankfully, she had woken up well before her dorm mates, and probably wouldn't have to worry about them until breakfast. Ginny looked at her reflection, and sighed heavily. She didn't want to go out there and face the other students. She just wanted to hide away in her dorm, and never come out. How did she end up like this?

"You look as lovely as ever," Tom said softly, pulling Ginny out of her own thoughts.

"Good morning, Tom," Ginny thought.

"We should be leaving soon if we want to catch McGonagall, and get this nonsense with Ix Chel straightened out," Tom said.

"You think we should confront Professor McGonagall about the arrangements?" Ginny asked.

"Definitely," said Tom. "She thinks she's somehow sparing both of you discomfort by doing this, but all she is doing, in the long run, is hurting you. They will never get used to this if we're hiding all the time, you know that. In the end, all it will do is isolate you further."

"I thought that's what you wanted all along," Ginny thought. "To make me isolated, so that I will be easy to control."

"At one time, I would have agreed with you, but not anymore," said Tom. "What we both need, right now, is to be out there, among the others, not hiding in Gryffindor Tower afraid of our own shadow. You know I'm right."

"I do," Ginny whispered. She woke Ix Chel, who was still sleeping.

"Morning, young one," Ix Chel hissed, sleepily.

"Slept well?"

"Yes..." said Ix Chel. "You need to bring me with you to classes."

"Why?" Ginny asked.

"Because your sense of control is still fragile," Ix Chel explained. "I don't want you going through what happened yesterday, without me there to assist you."

"But I can't carry you to classes," Ginny said. "There is no way I can hide a three foot long snake in my robes."

"Perhaps there is," Tom said, mentally smiling.

"How?" Ginny asked.

"Give me control, and I'll show you," Tom replied.

"Alright..." Ginny said, still uncomfortable with the idea of giving Tom any more control then she had to. Ginny relinquished control of their body, and watched as Tom began to remove her robes.

"What are you doing?" Ginny thought, slightly alarmed.

"Just making a few minor modifications," said Tom, taking off her robes and putting them on the bed. Ginny felt odd listening to her voice with all of Tom's inflections. He picked up their wand and conjured a small pocket at the seam of the inside of her robes.

"She'll never fit into that," Ginny thought.

"Watch..." Tom whispered. He put a special charm on the pocket to change the size on the inside, and a small weight-reducing charm. Once that was done, he put a concealment charm on the pocket to hide it. Ix Chel slithered into the pocket and vanished. "How is it?"

"It's perfect," Ix Chel hissed. At once, Tom relinquished control.

"Remind me to get you to do that to my other robes, later," Ginny said, putting her robes back on. Tom had done an excellent job; Ginny could barely feel that Ix Chel was there. Ginny picked up her bag and left in search of Professor McGonagall. She managed to find her head of house a few minutes later, heading to breakfast.

"Good morning, Miss Weasley," Professor McGonagall said. "Is there anything you need to tell me about?"

"I want to bring my familiar with me to meals," Ginny said. "I know that you think you're doing the right thing by keeping Ix Chel separate from the rest of the students, but I think you're wrong. They'll never get used to her if she's hidden away in my dormitory all of the time. She needs to be out in the open, where everyone can see her, so that they'll get used to the idea that she not a threat."

"You have a point, Miss Weasley," Professor McGonagall said, after taking a few moments to consider it. "Very well, you may take her down to meals with you, but I'll leave the other option open, in case you wish to reconsider."

"Thank you, Professor," Ginny said. Professor McGonagall left. Ix Chel came out of hiding, and coiled around her arm. "You heard that?"

"Yes," Ix Chel said.

Ginny and Ix Chel went down to breakfast, feeling a less pessimistic about their day.

*~*~*

Ginny and Mark headed for Divination class. Breakfast and Potions class had been less than pleasant for Ginny but thankfully, not a complete disaster.

"I hate this class..." Ginny grumbled.

"Don't worry," Mark said. "Maybe Professor Trelawney will be in a good mood today, and ignore you."

"Yeah," Ginny said. "Or maybe she'll finally bite off more than she can chew, and keel over."

Mark chuckled.

They entered the Divination class, and sat down. She noticed that there were two large decks of cards on the table. Trelawney made her usual dramatic entrance. Then to Mark's surprise, and to Ginny's utter cringing, Professor Trelawney sat down at their table. Ginny didn't need The Sight to know that this was gonna be a long class.

"Why do I have a very bad feeling about this?" Ginny thought.

"Intelligence," Tom supplied.

"Got anymore brilliant insights?" Ginny thought sarcastically.

"We're going to need a miracle just to get out of this class in one piece..." Tom said. "Much less unscathed."

"Thanks," Ginny thought. "That's a great help."

"Anytime," Tom whispered.

"Good day to you all," Professor Trelawney said, dreamily. "Today we will be starting on Tarot cards. Tarot is a particularly disciplined art. The channels are open to great interpretation, and it takes an opened and disciplined mind to fully understand their subtle nature. Hopefully, a few of you will have insightful readings before the end of class... I hope you have all read up on the cards, as I had instructed you to last time. For those of you who weren't disciplined enough to take this seriously, -" she stared pointedly at Ginny. "-I will go over a few points, before we begin."

Trelawney went over a few points about the cards, and they began. Mark tried to do a reading of Ginny, which came out terrible after Trelawney was through with it. Supposedly, Mark's reading said that Ginny's lack of discipline, and impetuous nature would only get her into trouble. Ginny gritted her teeth, as she bit back more than half a dozen retorts that threatened to escape. Ginny tried to control herself, determined not to let Trelawney get to her so much.

"I'll do yours next, Mark," Ginny said, as she picked up her own deck.

"No," Professor Trelawney said. "My Inner Eye tells me... that you should do mine."

"Alright," Ginny said. She tried to put everything out of her mind, as she chose the Celtic Cross spread, and shuffled the deck. The other students started to crowd around her table, eager to see Ginny's reading. Ginny cut the deck, and let Professor Trelawney place the starting card for her present position. Trelawney put down the Queen of Cups, upside-down, indicating to Ginny that Trelawney was a fraud. Ginny smiled slightly as she took the deck from Trelawney and continued. A torrent of whispers sprung up around their table, as almost all of the students crowded around them to get a better look.

"... see that?" someone whispered.

"If you ask me, it suits Trelawney perfectly," another person said.

Ginny put down the second card sideways on top of the first, which represented an obstacle for Trelawney. It was The Tower, which was a very nasty looking card that depicted two people falling to their deaths, from a burning tower.

"That's not a good sign..."

"What's the definition of that card again?"

"... I've got a bad feeling about this..."

Ginny put down the third card just above the first two. That was supposed to be her Professor's immediate future. The IX of Swords, which had a woman sitting in her bed, crying, with nine swords hanging ominously above her head. Ginny felt the tension in the room increase slightly.

"... it's all in her head."

"I doubt it."

"I'd be watching my step for the next few days..."

Ginny placed the fourth card, which meant what was leaving her life, beneath the first two. IX of Pentacles. It was a pretty card with a Falcon sitting on a young woman's hand, and a large manor behind her.

"That's a good card."

"... not a good place to see that..."

"At least it's not upside-down."

Ginny placed the fifth card to the right of the first two. The card which was for what had recently past, was the VII of Cups, which had a man standing before seven cups, each filled with different riches.

"I can't believe this!"

"... only going to go downhill from here."

Ginny positioned the sixth card to the left of the first two, which was supposed to depict Trelawney's future. Everyone gasped as they caught sight of it. The whispers became fearful, almost panicked. The tension in the room became palatable. The card was Death. It showed a skeleton in black armor riding on a white horse, holding a flag, and a dead person lying on the ground, with several people grieving over him.

"By Merlin!"

"She's going to die!"

"I can't watch..."

Ginny ignored the frightened whispers around her, and moved on. She placed the seventh card further away from the others cards, on the right-hand side. The card describing where Trelawney would find herself, was the VII of Swords. It showed a man stealing a bundle of swords from a camp in the background.

"Talk about biting off more than she could chew..."

Ginny put down the eighth card, just above the seventh. That told of Trelawney's surroundings. The X of Cups was a lovely image of a young couple stretching their arms forward, in gratitude, to a rainbow and ten cups above them. Two children played across from them, with a comfortable home standing behind them.

"...least Hogwarts is safe..."

"I'm glad I'm not in her shoes."

"Can this get any worse?"

"Don't say that!"

Ginny grimaced when she laid the ninth card above the eighth. In the position representing Trelawney's fears. It was the X of Swords, which was a gruesome picture of a man pierced by ten swords.

"This is horrible!"

"... told you not to say that!"

"I don't know how much more I can take."

"Shh... she's about to deal the last one."

With that statement, the room became unusually quiet. Ginny took a deep breath, and put the tenth card above the ninth, where was supposed to show the ultimate outcome of the reading. It was The Hanged Man, which showed a man hung by the ankle to a tree. Ginny heard Trelawney gasp in horror. She looked up, and saw the utterly petrified expression on her Professor's face. Before Ginny could speak, Trelawney collapsed in a heap on the floor. The students began to panic. People who were standing close to Ginny backed away, as if they had just discovered that she had a contagious disease.

"Pro-Professor?" Ginny stammered in shock. She stood and stared down at Trelawney, who was still lying on the floor. "What have I done?"

"Merlin..." Tom exclaimed, just as shocked as everyone else. "Is it me, or are we some sort of magnet for trouble?"

"You killed her!" a Gryffindor boy cried.

"Why did you do that to her?" a Ravenclaw asked Ginny.

Mark checked her pulse, and let out a sigh of relief.

"She's still breathing," Mark said.

Ginny's shock slowly began to give way to guilt. She didn't know what she was going to do if Trelawney died because of her reading. Merlin, she had been joking about it, less then an hour ago! How could this happen? Why did Trelawney have to insist on having the stupid reading in the first place? Why couldn't Trelawney have just left her alone today?

"We've got to get her to the hospital wing!" a Ravenclaw girl cried.

"Yeah, she could have had a heart attack or something," another Gryffindor said. "Someone should go get Professor McGonagall."

Ginny felt like she was going to be sick as she watched Mark put a levitation charm on Professor Trelawney, and take her to the hospital wing with two Ravenclaws. Ginny picked up her bag and tried to follow Mark, but a Gryffindor girl named Macdonald blocked her way.

"There's nothing you can do to help them, Ginny," the Gryffindor girl said gently. "Please, come with me to get Professor McGonagall."

"Alright," Ginny said, heavy-heartedly. Ginny and the Gryffindor fifth year went to find Professor McGonagall.

___________

TBC