Crossing Lines

Ginny took a seat towards the front of the Dark Arts classroom, ignoring Mel's confused look at the change in her seating habits. Normally Ginny sat as close to the door as possible, not wanting to be trapped in the same room as that odious Carrow. Not today, though.

Ginny didn't even bother to glare at the Slytherin who took the seat beside her. She was focusing on her plan, and trying to pretend she didn't feel like throwing up. She had to last through a whole double period of this, too.

The class settled and worked silently - discipline was never a problem in this class - until midway through the period.

"Got a guest for you, Amycus," Alecto Carrow said, sniggering, as she burst into the classroom, dragging a student by the hair.

Ginny bit back a gasp when she saw who the unfortunate student was. Neville. It would have to be Neville, the day when she really needed her full concentration.

Amycus Carrow's face lit up like Christmas had come early. "Givin' you lip, was 'e?"

"I just asked her a question!" Neville was bleeding from a gash on his cheek, and he had that look in his eyes, the look Ginny knew meant trouble. "How much Muggle blood do you have, Professor? Your sister wouldn't tell me."

Ginny wasn't wrong, either.

"Shuddup, shit-fer-brains," Amycus snarled, lifting his hand.

Alecto shoved Neville onto the floor and kicked him contemptuously in the gut. "Use 'im fer lesson practice or somethin'," she said, walking out.

Neville hauled himself off the floor and opened his mouth to speak, but Amycus kicked him down again. "Alright, then," Carrow said gleefully, "who wants a turn at Cruciatin' this bastard? We'll see 'ow long it takes to make 'im scream."

Immediately, half of the class raised their hands. The Slytherin half of the class, of course.

Carrow looked over all the eagerly waving hands, then pounced. "You there," he said, pointing a grubby finger at Romilda Vane. "Wha'ever yer name is. Yer lucky day, eh?"

Romilda looked horrified. "N-no!"

"Do it."

"No!" Her voice grew stronger when all the other Gryffindors added their support. "I won't!"

"You bloody will!" he roared. "Now!"

She looked down at the desk, plainly terrified, but she forced the word out. "No."

Ginny was secretly rather impressed. She'd never seen Romilda display that kind of backbone before. But then, she must have got into Gryffindor somehow.

Carrow's face twisted in rage. "'Ave it yer way, then. 'O wants to Cruciate 'er instead? Mebbe then we'll see some action."

This time, he didn't bother coercing a Gryffindor into it. He waved a hand at the first Slytherin he saw: a boy sitting in the seat next to Ginny. Ginny dug her nails into her palms to stop herself screaming and/or Cruciating the bastard. Romilda broke easily, which was the only thing Ginny could be thankful for. Not more than ten seconds under the curse and she was begging for mercy.

Carrow gestured for the boy to stop, and Romilda's agonised screams lowered into sobbing. "Still not goin' to play?" he sneered. "Cruciate 'im. Now."

"I w-won't," Romilda sobbed brokenly. "I won't."

"Yes, you bloody well will!" Carrow raised his own wand to curse her.

"No!" Ginny jumped to her feet. "I'll do it. I'll curse Neville."

The class sucked in a collective breath of air. "Ginny, no!" hissed Romilda. "I - I can handle it!"

"Whatever, Romilda," Ginny replied. She walked over to Carrow and glared at him. "You going to let me?"

She could tell from his expression that he would. Like losing a Knut and finding a Sickle, really. Everyone knew, or at least suspected, Ginny was one of the ringleaders of the DA. His face took on a crafty expression. "Do 'em both," he ordered.

Ginny blinked, uncomprehending. "What?"

"Curse 'em both. Or yer pathetic friend there-" he gestured roughly at Romilda, "-can curse just 'im. Yer choice."

"I-" Ginny opened her mouth to say something, not even sure what it was, then shut it again.

"Don't do it, Ginny," Neville said. Other Gryffindors echoed it.

"Don't do it, Ginny. Don't be one of them."

"Shaddup!" Carrow had apparently reached the end of his tether. He whirled round to Neville. Ginny cringed, waiting for the inevitable screaming to start, but Carrow just silenced him, instead. "You gunna do it, then?" he asked Ginny. "Or are you just gunna stand round talking 'bout it."

Ginny bit her lip. I'm sorry, Romilda, she apologised silently.

"Crucio."

The curse took immediately, and Ginny knew it wouldn't be like the half-arsed efforts of the wannabe evil Slytherin. Trained by Snape, there was no way she was putting out substandard curses.

She broke it within seconds and turned away, not wanting to see Romilda sobbing. She turned to Neville instead, wand raised. He looked horrified. Though Carrow's silencing spell still held, his mouth opened and shut, like he was yelling at her.

She wasn't as worried about Neville. He was made of tougher stuff than Romilda, that was for sure. But even taking that into account, she didn't plan to keep the curse on him for more than ten seconds.

"No," Carrow ordered as she went to break the curse. "Wait for him to beg."

"He's silenced, you moron!" Mel yelled from the back of the class, obviously unable to bear it a second longer. "Ginny, stop!"

Carrow just Cruciated her, not even blinking. Ginny bit her lip so hard the coppery tang of blood filled her mouth. She was that close, that close, to losing all control and attacking the sadistic bastard who was hurting her feelings. That close.

Her curse faltered and died. She couldn't stand it any more. In a way, Neville's silent suffering was worse than Romilda's screaming.

He fell to the floor, his limbs limp with the sudden removal of pain. She couldn't meet his gaze.

"Eh, that'll do," Carrow said casually. "Now ev'ryone, git back to work. And you-" he took the silencing spell off Neville without missing a beat, "-go back to yer class. I don' want to see you again."

Ginny returned to her seat and picked up her quill automatically. Her mind was in turmoil. What would the Gryffindors say? What would Mel say, or Luna? They'd be furious, surely.

She had to do it, though. She had to. He was going to keep torturing Romilda until she gave in and cursed Neville. Ginny made it easier on both of them.

Oh, shut the fuck up, the Gryffindor part of her mind snapped. You did it to get on Carrow's good side. That, really, was the truth. But she could use the other arguments to convince the Gryffindors, if she had to.

The period took forever to end, each minute an agony for Ginny. She spent the entire time staring at one page in her textbook, not registering what was on it, even after the fifth - seventh - ninth rereading.

"A'right, class dismissed!" Carrow bellowed at last. There was an immediate exodus of Gryffindors, with the Slytherins following them out the door.

Ginny prevaricated, bending down to redo her shoelaces. Finally, the classroom had cleared. She straightened and walked over Carrow's desk.

"Professor," she began nervously. She'd practised this so many times, putting just the right amount of hesitation in her voice. "I, um...I support what you were doing, today."

"Eh?"

"I - I believe that you're in the right," she said, very fast. "That certain people - a certain person in particular - have been driving the school backwards and supporting the desecration of our bloodlines."

He stared at her impatiently. "What the fuck are you on about?"

"I - and a close friend of mine," she added. 'We would like to, um, share your allegiance. You - you have friends in high places, don't you? We support your highest friend, and-"

"Listen, girly, I got better stuff to do wif my time than listenin' to yer shit. Shaddup and bugger off."

He stomped off up to the staff room before Ginny had time to respond. She gaped after him in astonishment.

"That idiot!" she said in complete amazement. "That fucking moron!"

The one thing she hadn't planned for was this. How could he not understand her? What did she need to do, come out and say, "I want to join the Death Eaters"? She shook her head, still unable to believe his stupidity.

"That idiot."

Then she shrugged and went to tell Zach.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Well? How'd it go?" Impatience was all but bursting out of Zach. He'd been waiting in agony all afternoon.

Ginny flopped onto the couch next to him in the Room of Requirement and threw her hands in the air. "Well, I tried."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that he is so bloody stupid he stormed off before I could finish!" Both exasperation and amusement coloured her tone. "Can you believe it? I all but spelled it out for the idiot-"

"And he said no?" Zach sounded horrified.

"He didn't know what I was talking about."

"What?"

"I know. Unbelievable." She shifted round on the couch, getting comfy. "By the way, did you bring any food?"

He tossed her a packet of chips without commenting on the fact that dinner had only been an hour ago. "Where did you get up to in your speech thing?"

Ginny wrinkled her nose. "Isn't think typical? You get two flavour chips, but neither flavour is any good. Who in their right mind would want to eat marmalade chips?"

"Ginny!"

She looked up and saw Zach glaring at her in irritation. "Oh, right. Sorry. Though these chips really are disgusting," she said, taking another handful. "No, no, don't hex me! I'm getting to it! I was up to the bit about friends in high places and how I'd like to pledge allegiance to his highest friend, but before I could get onto what I could do for them, he walked."

"Merlin's saggy left tit." Zach put his head in his hands.

"That's what I was thinking," Ginny replied.

"So I guess it's back to plan B, then?"

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "We had a plan B?"

"We do now," he said, sighing. "Wait for Snape to say we're ready and get him to do it. Explain that the Carrows are too fucking stupid."

Ginny thought about it. "Nah. I pick plan C."

"Which is?"

"Try Alecto. She's smarter than him; maybe she'll figure out what we're saying."

Zach shrugged. "I guess it's worth a try. Maybe I should talk to her, so you don't get too much suspicion on you? The other Gryffindors are worried enough."

Ginny rolled her eyes and grabbed another handful of chips. "You mean so I don't balls it up like last time?" she asked through her mouthful. "Relax. I knew they were dumb as rocks before, but now I really know. I'll talk in nice little words."

Zach still didn't look convinced, but before he had time to protest, several people tumbled through the door into the Room of Requirement, giggling and shoving.

Ginny and Zach reached for their wands at the exact same time, but Ginny lowered her in the second that followed as she recognised the intruders.

"Oh, sorry, Ginny!" Mel giggled cheerfully as she untangled herself from where she'd been wrapped around Ritchie Coot. Luna stood behind her, smiling to herself, and Neville had Seamus in a headlock. "Hope we weren't interrupting things."

Ginny shook her head good-naturedly. "Not anymore, you're not. Is it time for the DA meeting already?"

Luna nodded. "Doesn't time fly when you're having fun?"

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Professor Carrow?" Ginny hovered nervously outside Alecto Carrow's study. "Can I've a word?"

Carrow looked up from what she was doing at her desk. "Wha' do you want?"

"Um," Ginny began as she entered the room properly and hovered in front of Carrow's desk, instead. "I, um, I'm not sure how to ask this..."

Carrow glared at her. "Stop wastin' my bloody time and spit it out."

"IwanttobeaDeathEater."

"What?"

Carrow jumped to her feet like she'd been stung. Not the reaction Ginny'd been hoping for, perhaps, but at least they were both on the same page.

Ginny cringed where she stood, just like she'd been practicing. "I support the Dark Lord," she whispered. "I want - I want to help him."

"Yeah? You really expect me to believe yer bullshit?"

"I - I can prove myself," Ginny promised, hoping with all her might that Carrow wouldn't call her bluff. "I - you know the student rebel group?"

"Dumbledore's Army, or wha'ever they call 'emselves? Wha' do you know about it?"

Ginny bit her lip and looked down. "Could you - if they find out I'm talking to you -"

Carrow waved her wand and the door closed. "Siddown and spit it out."

"I can't talk too clearly," Ginny said, taking a seat. "There's a problem..."

"Hexed?"

"I couldn't say..." Ginny hedged. "But I think there's some stuff I could tell you. I happen to know...people...who aren't very good at moving with times."

She paused and looked at Carrow to make sure she understood. Carrow nodded slightly. Good. Not as stupid as her brother, then.

"Some - most - of these people trust me. Some even look up to me. I think I could tell you-"

"'Oo these people are?" Carrow interrupted eagerly.

Ginny grimaced and looked down again.

"I'm sorry, but...I..."

Carrow drew back and Ginny watched all friendliness go out of her demeanour. "Then wha' can you do?" she demanded.

"I - um -" Ginny took a deep breath, as if gathering courage.

"Tomorrow," she began, "tomorrow evening, it would be - you should visit the headmaster. You should both go into his office, perhaps. Take dinner there."

She dared to glance upwards to see how Carrow was taking it. The woman was frowning as she tried to work out what Ginny had just said. "You mean - they're goin' to attack Snape?"

Ginny examined her fingernails, not meeting Carrow's eyes. "Lots of students don't think Snape deserves to have the sword of Gryffindor in his office," she said vaguely. "Especially a group of Gryffindors. They're quite angry about it, actually."

She tried not to grin. When had she started channelling Luna?

"What's tha - oh!" Carrow's eyes went greedy in anticipation. "The Dark Lord'd be very pleased - if yer tellin' the truth."

"I'm Gryffindor," Ginny protested, feeling mildly offended. "We don't tell lies!"

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Ginny glanced at her watch as she hurried out of Carrow's office. Dammit. She was going to be late meeting with Zach. Actually, she was going to be pushed for time just to get to the Room of Requirement in time for the DA meeting. It was a special meeting, one she'd called just in case she had to show Carrow her loyalty.

Which she did.

She didn't let herself think about it as she strode down the busy corridors. Sending unwitting students to get caught and tortured was another thing Gryffindors didn't do, but Ginny was doing it anyway. Only the best, she told herself. Only the ones who can cope.

She kept telling herself that all through the meeting, as the other members of the DA jumped on her idea eagerly. Only the best, she thought as Michael Corner blustered and boasted. Only the best, as Luna quietly and calmly proved why she was one of the leaders of the DA. Only the best.

She waited til everyone had finished arguing. "Me, Neville and Luna," she said firmly. "We're the best; we'll do it."

"And Michael," Neville added. Ginny turned around and glared at him, but he just shrugged. "We'll need a fourth person," he said. "And Michael's the best, too."

Much as she hated to admit it, there was truth in his words. Zach couldn't volunteer without surprising everyone - he'd chosen to keep his new-found skills to himself. "And Michael," she repeated. No one else cried out in protest, so she assumed that was fine. "With Mel and Zach as lookouts on the third floor and Seamus as lookout in the Great Hall."

Then they were hurrying off for dinner, and all Ginny had time to do was catch Zach's eye and mouth, "It's on," before joining Mel at the Cryffindors at their table. Zach would've figured out Carrow had bought Ginny's story anyway, but just the affirmation made her feel better.

Then from dinner she and the Quidditch team went outside to practice til dark. They limped in at ten o'clock - well after dark - but having made some decent progress in play. The rest of the team was well satisfied, but Ginny was doing her best not to grind her teeth in frustration. Snape still didn't know what was happening and he was going to flip when she told him.

She didn't even bother to wash up when she got to the tower, just turned around and slipped out unnoticed. What she really wanted was to talk to Zach before going to Snape's dungeon. They needed to talk strategy, work out how to best persuade him that they'd acted wisely.

She planned furiously as she snuck through the castle, lost in her thoughts.

"Ms Weasley!"

McGonagall's whispered shriek cut through Ginny's concentration. She whirled around to find her Head of House standing almost directly behind her. "What are you doing out of bed at this hour?" McGonagall demanded, outraged.

Ginny opened her mouth then closed it again. How could she be so stupid? She wasn't Disillusioned! "Professor - I -"

"No!" McGonagall cut her off, her nostrils flaring in wrath. "I don't want to know what you were doing. Of all the foolishness! Get back to Gryffindor tower now, young lady."

"But - I -"

"I don't want to hear it," McGonagall snapped. "You of all people should know that it's not always safe to be out after curfew, Ginny, no matter what your reasons are!"

"All right, Professor," Ginny said apologetically. "I'll go back now."

"That you will," McGonagall agreed, grabbing Ginny by the arm and towing her back the way she had come. "And ten points from Gryffindor for sheer stupidity."

Ginny didn't bother protesting; it plainly wasn't going to do any good. She meekly let Professor McGonagall lead her up to Gryffindor tower and shove her inside. Plainly she wasn't going to be going anywhere that evening.

And Snape still didn't know.