My Eternal Curse

Chapter Nineteen

Rumors and Lies

Ginny and Ix Chel ran down the steps from the girl's dormitories, afraid of missing breakfast. She'd set her alarm to wake up early, but it didn't go off this morning. Checking the time as she passed through the common room, she saw that she would still have just enough time to have breakfast with Alexis, before her first class. Tom noticed the new sets of glares and fearful looks Ginny received as she left the common room. He had the feeling that something was wrong. Ginny noticed that it was still dark outside. After stopping for a moment to take a look out a window, she saw why. A large storm filled the sky, for as far as the eye could see, hitting the school with heavy rain, with nearly constant flashes of thunder and lighting. Ginny ran into the entrance hall and had almost reached the doors to the Great Hall, when Harry, Mark, and Alexis came out and stopped her. She saw the grave looks on their faces, and knew that something was wrong.

"What is it?" Ginny asked.

"Come with us, Gin," Harry said. "We need to talk, alone."

Ginny followed them to the kitchens, wondering what they weren't telling her. They entered the kitchens and Ginny sat down.

"Why didn't you want me to go into the Great Hall?" Ginny asked. "What is happening?"

"Everyone knows about your Apprenticeship to Snape," Alexis informed her.

"What?" Ginny asked, shocked. "How?"

"There's more," Mark added. "There's a new set of rumors going around the school about you."

"From the looks of it, Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown... and Ron have been spreading rumors all morning," Harry said.

"Ron?" Ginny asked, bewildered. "It makes sense Parvati and Lavender would do this. I've been avoiding them all week, because they blame me for what happened to Trelawney... but Ron? Why?"

"I knew he was up to something," Tom said. "Now we know what that was..."

"I saw Ron talking to some Hufflepuff students in the entrance hall," Alexis said. "I think he may have started it."

"It looks like Ron is taking the game to the next level, princess," Tom said. "This war is far from over."

"I don't believe this!" Ginny exclaimed. "How could he do this to me? Merlin, what are they saying about me?"

"The Slytherins aren't taking part in this lunacy that seems to be overtaking half of the school," Alexis said. "And from what Mark can tell, neither will most of the Ravenclaws. Both houses understand the proper pursuits of knowledge and power. However, the Gryffindors, along with many of the Hufflepuffs, seem to be siding with your poor excuse for a brother on this... The rumors I heard this morning say that Ix Chel is controlling you, forcing you to openly betray Gryffindor, by associating with the Slytherins, associating with me. They're also saying that you're secretly Slytherin, and you're training to be a Dark Witch. Finally, that you're corrupting The-Boy-Who-Lived, and have hoodwinked Hermione Granger... I'm sorry if my invitation to the Slytherin table has somehow spawn all of this. I never intended to escalate the growing hostilities between you and your housemates."

"You didn't cause this, Alexis," Ginny assured, the truth sinking in. "Don't ever think that... These rumors definitely sound like Ron's work. They've got to be. That makes the questions, how, and more importantly, why?"

"Maybe he was listening to our conversation last night," Harry suggested.

"Maybe..." Ginny sighed. "Or maybe he was there when I told Alexis. I knew this would come out, sooner or later. I'd hoped I would be able to have a handle on the response... I guess there's no chance of that now."

"Don't worry, Ginny," Mark said. "We're here for you."

"But who can protect me from my own house?" Ginny asked, in a low voice. "I don't get it... A week ago, things were fine, a little strange, but fine. Now, my own house alienates me, and I don't even really know why. Could someone please tell me what's going on? Because I sure as hell don't get it!"

"Mob psychology," Alexis explained. "People instinctively hate and fear things they don't understand, and when people are scared... they're capable of almost anything. The Gryffindors are closest to the problem, so they're the most affected. Ron is manipulating those around him, because of his own apprehension and misgivings, by telling them what they want to hear, and playing into those fears. Take Voldemort for example, he plays into our worst fears through acts of random terror, as well as selective targeting. It's a very effective form of manipulation."

Tom noticed that no one flinched she mentioned the Dark Lord.

"Leave it to a Slytherin to come up with a proper understanding of malice," Tom whispered. "I like the way this girl thinks..."

"What am I going to do?" Ginny whispered mournfully. "It's not like I can avoid my own house."

"All you can do, is continue to remain strong," Ix Chel said, with Harry translating for the others. "The storm will eventually pass. You just have to wade through it until it has."

"Or just go crazy one night, and attack all of the Gryffindors," Ginny replied.

"That's the sprit, my little princess," Tom encouraged.

"Why me?" Ginny thought.

*~*~*

The rest of Ginny's day continued to go downhill from there. Most of the Gryffindors actively shunned her throughout the entire day, while the Hufflepuffs were incredibly skittish around her and gave her a wide berth, unfortunately making classes with Gryffindor and Hufflepuff a living hell. On the other hand, the Ravenclaws, and especially the Slytherins, seemed to have formed a completely different opinion on the situation; somehow showing a completely new sense of respect, and in a couple of cases, quiet admiration in the process. Which made the classes with Ravenclaw and Slytherin that day, feel almost bearable.

Throughout the entire school day, all she could wonder about was why Ron would betray her like this. She just couldn't understand why he would want to turn the school against her. By the end of classes, Ginny felt certain that she would have to confront him alone, or as alone as you can get with a boy living in your head. So when Harry invited her to go with them to visit Professor Hagrid, Ginny turned him down, but made sure Ix Chel went with them. Ix Chel objected at first, but she managed to convince her that she needed to be alone. After that, Ginny began her search for her brother. A half-hour later, she found Ron watching the storm in the relative safety of the darkened Astronomy Tower.

"Why did you do it, Ron?" Ginny asked, getting his attention. "Why turn half of the school against me like this?"

Ron turned around, and she could barely make out the sneer on his face. His expression shifted to slightly surprised, when he saw that Ix Chel wasn't present.

"I see you've ditched your Keeper, for the moment," Ron said. "Or did it send you here to change my mind?"

"What's happening to you, Ron - to us?" Ginny asked, pleadingly. "We're family... The last thing we should do is hurt each other like this. I love you, Ron! You don't really want to hurt me. I know you don't... This doesn't make any sense! All of this can't be because of Ix Chel. Tell me what's really wrong! Please Ron, tell me what you're really feeling!"

Ginny and Tom were startled when they heard Ron laugh in response. It was a cold, high, bitter sounding laugh that didn't sound like Ron at all.

"What I'm really feeling?" Ron laughed. "That's a good one..."

Ron slowly advanced on her, the lighting outside illuminating the, surprisingly, pained and venomous expression on his face. Ginny took an involuntary step back, trying, in vain, to stay the nervous desire to back away.

"I think even a childish fool like you would be able to figure it out," Ron continued in a low voice. "That creature you think of as a pet is using you, controlling you. You're not the Ginny I knew. I don't know what you are, but you can't be her. The Ginny I knew would never ally herself with the Slytherins, or a greasy bastard like Snape."

"The Ron I knew would have trusted my judgement," Ginny countered, with tears in her eyes, backing into the wall. "The Ron I knew would try to understand, before condemning me."

Ron stopped inches away from Ginny, and slammed his hands into the wall on either side of her, barring her only route of escape. They stood in silence for a long minute. Ginny trembled slightly, desperately trying to stop the nearly irrational feelings of panic and fear that began to creep into her. Ginny looked into his eyes, and what she saw frightened her. Ron's eyes were the eyes of a stranger, not the loving brother she knew. Ginny kept telling herself that he'd never hurt her, but no matter how many times she thought it, Ginny couldn't quite bring herself to believe it anymore. Finally, the silence became too much to bear.

"Are you the Ron that I knew?" Ginny asked in a barely discernible whisper.

"It's you that's changed," Ron said in a dangerous tone of voice that made Ginny recoil in terror. His eyes took on a sort of mad glint, alarming her even more, and a lone tear fell down her cheek. "You are not my little sister! You're a monster, a Dark Witch in training now!"

"You're mad!" Ginny exclaimed, shaking her head.

"Move, Ginny!" Tom said urgently, afraid that if this continued for much longer, Ron might hurt her. "There is nothing more that can be done here."

"I won't listen to another word of this insanity," Ginny cried. She slipped beneath his arms, in an attempt to get away from him.

"Well, you're going to hear it!" Ron shouted, grabbing her arm.

"Don't touch me!" Ginny yelled, as she spun around and slapped him. Ron stared at her, shocked. Ginny didn't give him a chance to recover. She ran out of the Astronomy Tower as fast as her legs could carry her, tears pouring down her face, headed straight for Gryffindor Tower, and didn't look back.

*~*~*

Meanwhile, Ix Chel stopped in mid-sentence, trying to understand the flood of emotions that were suddenly coming from young one. Harry, Hermione, and Hagrid saw the sudden change in Ix Chel's posture with mounting concern. Ix Chel concentrated with all her might. With luck, she could see what was happening to her charges. The fear she felt from Ginny and Tom reached a fevered pitch, as she was finally able to see through their eyes. What she saw disturbed her immensely. Ix Chel saw Ginny fight to get away from her brother and slap him hard in face, before running off. Ix Chel knew that they needed her now.

"Harry, something's very wrong with young one," Ix Chel said urgently. "We need to return to the castle. I fear she may need us."

"What is it?" Harry hissed the question.

"Something's happened with her brother," Ix Chel said. "I do not know more. Please, we must leave at once!"

"Something's wrong with Ginny," Harry informed them. "Sorry to cut this visit short, but we need to get back."

"The storm's really picked up since you arrived," Hagrid said. "I'd rather you'd stay here until it eases some again, but I'll escort you back, now if you'd like."

"Thank you, Hagrid," Harry said. They all put on their cloaks and headed out into the storm.

*~*~*

Ginny ran into the Gryffindor common room crying, and bumped into Colin Creevy, knocking both of them to the floor.

"Watch where you're going, you bloody oaf!" Colin cried. He saw who bumped into him and glared at her. They got to their feet. Ginny tried to get past him, but he blocked her way. "Well, what do we have here... Snape's stooge. Aren't you a little far from the Dungeons?"

"Get out of my way, Creevy!" Ginny retorted loudly, her fear and sadness turning to anger. The other people in the common room began to look up.

"Listen to yourself," Colin said. "You already sound like a Slytherin! How much longer before you transfer to Slytherin, huh?"

"Anything would be better than staying with you fanatical hypocrites!" Ginny shot back. "Now let me pass!"

Tom felt her magical control begin to slip and tried to hold the untamed power in check.

"You know, I didn't understand why a vampire bat like Snape would want to defend a Gryffindor pest like you..." Colin Creevy ranted. "I mean, it couldn't be because you're worthwhile or anything-"

"Shut up..." Ginny said in a low voice.

"It certainly couldn't be because of your work in Potions," Colin continued mercilessly. "I've seen some of the crap you've made. Neville could do better in his sleep, with his hands tied behind his back."

"Shut up," Ginny said more forcefully.

Tom began to lose the battle to hold back the sheer rage and power building up inside of Ginny.

"We have to get out of here, Ginny," Tom said in a strained voice. "Remember what Ix Chel said about control. Hurting him won't help you..."

"I think I've finally figured out the relationship between you two," Colin went on, completely oblivious to the danger he was in. Colin came closer to her, and whispered in her ear. "You're shagging the prat, aren't you?"

That was the last straw for Ginny.

"Shut up!" Ginny yelled, pushing him back. On instinct, Ginny held up her right hand and slowly began to close it.

"Wha-" Colin stopped abruptly, grabbing his throat with a terrified expression on his face. Ginny felt the sheer, untamed power coursing through her veins like electricity, and realized what she was doing. She stopped closing her hand, but didn't release him.

"Stop, young one!" Ix Chel cried in her mind. "Listen to me, carefully. Let go of the boy, and get out of there!" Ginny let go of Colin. He staggered slightly, watching her with his face frozen in terror. She ran past Colin and up the stairs to her dorm. "Think about what I taught you yesterday... Just calm down, and release. You'll be fine. I'll be with you soon."

Ginny began to calm down and regain her focus, as she entered her darkened dorm room. She stopped in the center of the room, and attempted to help Tom get a handle on things. Without warning, two figures came out of nowhere and threw a black cloak over her head, blinding her. Ginny struggled to get it off, but the two figures restrained her, laughing.

"What's happening?" Ix Chel asked. "Are you alright?"

"Look at what the cat dragged in!" a voice said in her ear.

"What do you think we should do with her?" another voice asked.
"Let's repay her on Trelawney's behalf," the first person said in a malicious tone of voice.

"Yeah, let's make sure she never bothers anyone again," the second voice agreed in that same horrible tone. They began to drag her in the direction of the window. Ginny and Tom felt a strong gust of wind through the thin fabric of the cloak, and panicked, losing any control they had regained over their powers. Adrenaline rushed through her veins, as Ginny mentally pulled inward for a moment, then pushed. Ginny heard two strangled cries, as the attackers suddenly let go, followed by two dull thuds. The cloak flew off of Ginny, revealing her surroundings again, but the power inside of her refused to stop there.

A ghostly light radiated off Ginny, illuminating the darkened room. The room became freezing cold. The floor beneath Ginny began to shake violently, as a whirlwind of pure power sprung up around her. Objects started flying about the room, hitting the two attackers. Ginny saw who they were and gasped. It was Parvati and Lavender! Ginny tried in vain to stop herself, as the two girls attempted to escape the room. Lavender staggered as a large book hit her in the head, and started attacking her. A bed slid across the room and pinned Parvati to the wall. Ginny ran blindly from the room, like someone with hell itself chasing her. As Ginny left, she caught a glimpse Lavender crouching in a nearby corner, being crushed by one of the trunks into the wall.

Ginny felt uncontrolled power building to overload, and knew she had to escape Gryffindor Tower, and get as far away from the other students as possible. The common room plunged into freezing darkness, while the storm of power she unleashed consumed all of the magical energy in the area, and left a wave of destruction in its wake. Screams filled Ginny's ears as she ran through the room. In the confusion, Ginny spotted Neville, and several others left completely untouched in the chaos. A penknife heading for Neville abruptly changed course, aiming for the person standing next to him. The other Gryffindor boy cried out in pain, as the penknife impaled his hand, pinning him to the wall. A girl near Macdonald was hit in the head with a small statue and knocked unconscious, leaving Macdonald untouched. The portrait of The Fat Lady flew off its hinges, and hit a nearby wall. Ginny climbed through the portrait hole, and ran for her life to Professor McGonagall's office, with the storm of uncontrolled power destroying everything in her wake.

*~*~*

Meanwhile, Severus headed towards Professor McGonagall's office, determined to speak to Minerva about Miss Weasley's housemates' current treatment of her. How could Minerva let things degrade so much? Normally, Minerva knew of a problem before it became an issue, and dealt with it. He was surprised that Minerva had let things go so far... Severus barged into Minerva's office without knocking, catching her completely by surprise.

"What is the meaning of this?" Minerva asked, startled by the interruption.

"It has been brought to my attention that Miss Weasley has been having extensive problems with her housemates," declared Severus. "If the way they treat her in Potions and during meals is any indication, then you have a serious problem on your hands."

"Is it true you've made Virginia your Apprentice?" Minerva asked.

"Yes," Severus replied. "Miss Weasley has shown true talent in Potions. I don't want to see her waste it."

"I think that's the first time you've referred to a Gryffindor like that," Minerva remarked.

"Like what?" Severus sneered.

"Like a student worthy of your respect," Minerva answered.

"As much 'fun' as it is to discuss my treatment of your students, I came here to ensure Miss Weasley's safety," Severus said. "Now, about her housemates..."

"I am planning to have a word with the more... vocal people she's been having trouble with tomorrow after classes," Minerva explained. "Don't worry about your Apprentice. I won't let anything happen to her."

"I certainly-" Severus started.

A low rumbling sound reverberated through the room, like an approaching hurricane. The sound grew louder as the floor began to shake, causing objects to fall to the floor with a clatter. The lights flickered for a moment, before going out completely, and even the flames in the fireplace vanished. Minerva tried to use her wand to create some light, but the light from her wand fizzled and died. Abruptly, the temperature dropped to below freezing. Severus heard a hoarse and pained scream, like the sounds of a wounded animal whose time was near.

Miss Weasley stumbled into the room, and collapsed in the middle of the floor. A whirlwind of pure power surrounded her, sending objects flying. Severus was at her side in an instant, with Minerva close behind. He noticed that a faint illumination the girl's skin gave off was the only light in the room. He also recognized the strange magic he felt radiating from Miss Weasley, Gray magic. Severus touched her forehead; she was burning up. Severus knew that if she didn't stop soon, the tidal-forces of power she was drawing upon were going to rip her apart.

"I can't stop it!" Miss Weasley cried, tears pouring down her face. "Merlin, it hurts! I tried, but it won't... Help me... Please, help me make it stop!"

"Miss Weasley!" Severus shouted over the maelstrom, as he helped her sit up. "Try to focus. Remember what Ix Chel showed you."

"I tried... Oh! It hurts!" she screamed in agony. "Please, make the pain go away! Please... It's tearing me apart!"

There has to be some way to help her, Severus thought desperately. An idea hit him. That might be just what she needs.

"What's going on here, Severus?" Minerva shouted. "What is wrong with her?"

"Listen to me," he instructed, ignoring Minerva's question. "Focus it through your hands, and release the energy in one destructive burst, at a spot outside, where it won't hurt anyone. Whatever you do, don't give into the instinct to draw in more."

"I-I'll try," Miss Weasley stammered. Severus helped her aim for the window. The light that covered Miss Weasley compacted slowly, until only her hands glowed. With a powerful jolt, Weasley released the energy trapped within her. The glass exploded outwards, as a blinding beam of electric blue energy flew out of her hands. It hit an empty stretch of land in the distance, exploding on impact in a brilliant flash of light and sound.

The lights came back on. Miss Weasley continued to sob fiercely, as she curled up into a fetal position on the floor, and refused to move. Severus awkwardly held her, at a loss for what to do. By Merlin, what could make her lose control like that? In the little time he'd spent with the girl, he'd learned that she wasn't one to easily lose herself to the moment. Something must have pushed her, something big...

"I'll get Poppy," Minerva said. "She needs immediate care."

Minerva left.

*~*~*

From the shadows of the window it watched Snape cradling Ginny in his arms. The bloody girl had singed its tail when she released all that power. It was a good thing she was so drained, or it would have a serious problem on its hands. However, the price was more than worth it, if what it had witnessed was truly genuine. It thought about the conversation it had overheard. The little brat was Snape's Apprentice... For once, its master would be pleased with the information it had for him.

*~*~*

Ginny continued to sob uncontrollably in Professor Snape's arms. The madding, torturous agony from the flood of uncontrolled power had abated, but her body was still immersed in pain. After a few moments, Ginny realized that she couldn't feel Tom. Panic filled her as she searched for a few frantic seconds for any signs of his presence. Then she felt him in the deeper recesses of her mind, unconscious, but unharmed! He must have blacked out for a moment... An odd relief swept over her. At least he was safe...

"What happened, Miss Weasley?" Professor Snape asked in a low voice.

Guilt flooded Ginny's mind as she thought about the people she left wounded in the Gryffindor common room, along with Parvati and Lavender, silently praying that she hadn't killed anyone. What would they do with her now? She thought about what the Gryffindors were bound to say about her, when questioned. They would blame it all on her, when she had been the victim. What good was her word against the word of fifty Gryffindors? No matter who threw the first punch, the blame would be laid at her feet. Why did those bloody fools provoke, then attack her like that? Ginny remembered what Alexis had told her about mob psychology, and laughed bitterly. Talking about gauging the scenario perfectly...

"Why are you laughing?" Professor Snape asked, looking disturbed.

"Just picturing what sort of muggle job I'll be forced to take when I'm expelled..." Ginny whispered, tiredly.

"No one will expel you because of a loss of control," Professor Snape replied.

"They will when they see Gryffindor Tower," Ginny said softly, crying even harder. "They'll expel me, or worse, take me to the Ministry for 'study'..." Her voice dropped to a barely audible whisper. "They won't care if I'm the victim. Dumbledore won't want a Dark creature hurting his 'perfect little Gryffindors'..."

The disquieted expression on Professor Snape's face doubled in intensity. Ginny wondered, vaguely, if she'd hit a nerve when she said that.

"I won't let that happen... not again," Professor Snape vowed, his voice filled with determination. "I promise you, Miss Weasley. You will not be punished for something beyond your control. Now, tell me what happened, so I can help you."

Ginny remained silent. What was the point of telling him if they wouldn't be able to help her anyway?

"I need to know what happened if I am to protect you," Professor Snape said. "Please, Miss Weasley... talk to me."

Ginny told him everything that had happened. As Professor Snape listened to the end of her explanation, Ginny saw an odd mix of emotions flicker through his eyes, before being replaced by a cold fire she had never seen before. Before either of them could speak, Harry, Hermione, Ix Chel, and Professor Dumbledore entered the room. Professor Snape gently picked her up and, to her surprise, held her protectively to his chest.

"I just came from Gryffindor Tower..." Professor Dumbledore said with an unreadable expression on his face. "How is she?"

"I think she'll recover," Professor Snape replied. "But Poppy still needs to check her over to make certain. I think it would be... unwise if we take Miss Weasley to the hospital wing with the others."

"I agree," Dumbledore said. "I know where we can put her in the meantime. Follow me."

Everyone followed Professor Dumbledore down into the Dungeons, and into a part of the Dungeons Ginny didn't recognize. Ginny tensed slightly as she wondered if they were going to imprison her. They arrived in front of an old oak door and entered a large, circular, stone room. Professor Snape carefully laid her on a large bed, across from the door, and put the covers over her.

"Don't worry, Miss Weasley," Professor Snape reassured, in a low, oddly soothing voice. "I won't let any harm come to you..."

Snape whispered a spell Ginny didn't recognize, and she fell into a peaceful sleep.

__________

TBC