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The Road Ahead | ||||||
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Category: Post-OotP Characters:Harry/Ginny Genres: Action/Adventure, Angst, Drama, Fluff, General, Tragedy Warnings: None Rating: PG Reviews: 7 Summary: *** The author has been reminded via the e-mail address on file that this story is listed as incomplete and has not been updated since 2005 *** Lord Voldemort may be gone, but his reign is most certainly not over. The self-proclaimed "Lords of Darkness" attack Muggles and wizards alike, and they'd still like to get revenge on Harry Potter for his murder of the Dark Lord. But they've realized that there are better ways to torture people than Crucio, and the people at the end of their wrath will be entangled in a problem worse than they've ever experienced...H/G, R/Hr after Hogwarts. Hitcount: Story Total: 13173; Chapter Total: 2302 |
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I can see it in your eyes–you’re hurting Pain is part of learning who you are All these truths can sometimes be deceiving When your whole world comes crashing to the ground Tell me everything you need now anything at all ‘Cause I will be the one who’s waiting anytime you fall When you come undone -“Undone” by Lifehouse Mummy. She needed her mummy. And her daddy. Where were they? Why had they left her? She needed to tell someone. She opened her mouth to speak… But her lips seemed to be glued together. Her eyes, too. And when she tried to squirm around, she couldn’t move, either. What was happening to her? She needed help. Help! Help me! But no one could hear her. She didn’t feel so good. She felt like the time Mummy made her stay in bed and drink soup. Who would take care of her now if her mummy wasn’t here? Who would protect her from the monsters under her bed if her daddy was gone? Where were they? Why couldn’t she talk? What was happening? Help! Everything was dark. She could hear voices around her, but they were talking too quietly for her to hear. Did those people know where her mummy and daddy were? Where were they? Why’d they leave her? She needed them! Her panicking went away as she felt a sleepy daze fall over her and she could remember no more… *** “She’s being kept in the room down here,” The healer turned around and said. “Just follow me.” The group of eight behind her didn’t need to be told twice. Ron and Hermione were at the front, almost running out of anxiety to see their daughter. A few feet behind them, Remus Lupin and Arthur Weasley were deep in conversation. Trailing them were McGonagall and Dumbledore, who both looked extremely worried. Harry and Ginny followed McGonagall and Dumbledore. Harry couldn’t seem to let go of Ginny, but his brain was too frantic to rationalize the full meaning behind it. But deep down he knew why–he was afraid that something would happen to her if he had her out of his grasp for one second. They reached the entrance to the ward Lavender was in and were about to rush inside when a stately looking healer came out of the room, eyed the group, and put her hand out. “No, no. Only a few at a time. You two are her parents?” She nodded at Ron and Hermione. Hermione responded first. “Yes, we are.” She glanced over at Ginny and Harry. “But only if they can come with us.” The healer contemplated this for a moment. “Well, you might as well all come in then, for goodness sake.” She stepped out the doorway reluctantly and let them through. Harry was afraid of what he’d see inside. He didn’t want to see Ron and Hermione, or anyone else, worried about Lavender’s state. It would remind him too much of his own child’s danger. At the same time he was touched that Ron and Hermione wanted he and Ginny in there with them. He now felt obligated to offer them emotional support, even though he knew they would understand if he couldn’t. Ron and Hermione rushed to their daughter’s bedside. Lavender looked relatively healthy, but she was deep in slumber. Hermione kissed her forehead and stroked her hair. She couldn’t keep her eyes off of the girl’s sleeping face. “But…what’s wrong with her? Will she wake up?” Hermione whispered. “She’s been hit with a spell we don’t know the full effects of yet,” the healer told them. Dumbledore nodded solemnly. “The Lords have done some inventing, it seems. We’ve never seen this before.” Ron sunk into the chair and buried his face in his hands. He looked up and said, agitated, “This is what they wanted! They wanted us to be helpless and not have a clue what’s going on. But to target…my daughter, a child…that’s low, even for them.” It seemed, for once, that even McGonagall didn’t know what to say. The entire room was silent. Harry put one arm around Ginny’s waist and pulled her closer. She squeezed his hand to reassure him, but if the shocked expression as she stared, mesmerized, at Lavender indicated anything, she was just as worried as he was. Lupin noticed the interaction between Harry and Ginny. He felt a pain in his heart at the sight of the worried couple. Ginny and their unborn child were a considerably more sought after target than the Weasleys. If the Lords could do that to Lavender, he couldn’t imagine what they would do Harry’s family. Harry was their prime target, he had always been. But it seemed they were figuring out where Harry’s heart lay these days–with his family. If they could strike his family, he would feel the blow of it a hundred times more. His glance wandered and he saw that Dumbledore, too, was watching Harry and Ginny. Dumbledore’s face was usually hard to read, but Lupin could sense that the man felt a great surge of sympathy and was already thinking of what he would do to protect the Potters. Dumbledore was deep in thought and he saw Remus look at him out of the corner of his eye. He knew Remus had noticed the same thing he had. War was always unjust, in fact, much of Harry’s life and what he had been forced to do was immensely unjust, but this struck him as more so then the rest of it. Ginny was the one person Harry was truly happy and at ease with. Since the sixth year, Dumbledore had noticed their relationship growing and had known that if Harry were to survive his encounter with Voldemort, and eventually his entire life, it would have to be with Ginny. Now, what he knew Harry had worked so hard to build up–an imitation of a normal, happy, healthy life with the woman he loved–was at tremendous risk of being ruined. He wistfully remembered noticing a young Harry fretting over whom to ask to the Yule Ball, and here he was, years later, a husband and soon-to-be father protecting those that were most important to him in this world. Dumbledore couldn’t help but sigh quietly at how much Harry had faced over the years and what was about to fall before him now. If only he could do something to stop it. Harry didn’t realize that Lupin and Dumbledore noticed him; he was too busy staring down at Ginny’s face and the large stomach below it. He knew he had to be tough for everyone around him–he couldn’t let them see how broken he felt inside. Dumbledore stepped forward a little bit and cleared his throat. “I really think we should all go home and try to get some rest. As soon as I’m informed about the curse more, I’ll alert all of you.” It seemed as if no one knew what to say, and that they didn’t want to be the first one to move. Finally, Ron said something softly, yet clear enough that everyone heard it and the feeling behind it. “No.” Mr. Weasley was halfway between sympathizing with his son or gently telling him that he should go home. “Ron, I--“ “No, Dad. I’m not going anywhere. This is my daughter, I can’t just leave her!” Ron announced persistently. “You come and tell us when you find out more, but you’ll be coming here.” He gave Dumbledore a firm glance. Hermione linked her arm through her husband’s and nodded. “We’re not going anywhere, no matter what you say to persuade us.” No one in the room wanted to or had the heart to reprimand them, and each of them knew they would do the same if it was their child or loved one. Dumbledore let out a barely audible, yet understanding, sigh and nodded. “Alright. You can stay here; I’d be extremely surprised if you didn’t. However, the Potters need a place to stay now that the location of their home has been revealed. The Order headquarters will be safe, though it’s unoccupied at the moment. Arthur, would you and Molly be willing to stay with Harry and Ginny there?” “Of course,” replied Arthur. Remus cleared his throat. “I would be willing to also, if you don’t mind.” He wasn’t about to fail in his duty as Harry’s godfather now; not when he needed all the support he could get. He glanced at Harry to reassure that he would want his presence. Harry managed a small, grim smile to show Remus that he appreciated his gesture. “Yes, I think that would be fine,” Dumbledore agreed. “I don’t know how long the living arrangements will be like this…” An uncomfortable sense of anticipation and worry lingered among all in the room. It was interrupted by a dry sob from Hermione. She strode over to Ginny and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Oh, Ginny…” When she let go of her she shifted her weight so she was facing Harry and grasped his hand. They looked at each other; each noticing the lines of worry etched into the opposite’s faces, and they knew that the emotions inside them were too much for words. Harry hugged Hermione briefly, but it seemed the combination of the pain from both of them intensified when they were close together. Hermione looked up at Harry and whispered, “It’ll be okay, won’t it?” Her statement rung in the air and Harry looked grimly back at her without an answer. She nodded solemnly and walked back to Ron’s side, where she leaned into his shoulder and stared at his face, searching for support. Dumbledore walked over towards Arthur and placed a used candy wrapper in his hand. “Here’s a portkey to the headquarters. Activate it with your wand after you’ve packed and gotten Molly. You left her at the house after she freed you from the garage, I assume?” Arthur nodded. “I’ll go now.” He went to hug Ron and Hermione before disapparating. “Remus, here’s another portkey. Will your wife be coming with you?” He nodded. “I’m sure she’ll want to.” Lupin took the portkey, and he, too, disappeared. Dumbledore turned to McGonagall. “Minerva, I trust you can ensure things are well at Hogwarts? I’m sure the news of the attacks will soon reach the students and they’ll be anxious to get home with their families as soon as the train leaves in a few days.” “Yes, Albus, will you be staying at the headquarters or coming back to Hogwarts?” McGonagall questioned. “I think it would be best for me to go back to Hogwarts.” McGonagall nodded and disapparated in a flash. Dumbledore now turned to Harry and Ginny. “I’m afraid it’s too dangerous to go back to your home, so you’ll have to do with what’s at headquarters. Are you ready?” Harry and Ginny both gathered Hermione and Ron into a large hug meant to last as long as it was needed. When they separated, Harry and Ginny took each other’s hands and placed their finger on the knut portkey in Dumbledore’s hand. The room around them vanished and they were swept through the swirling scenery. They landed at the doorstep of a house nestled in a large expanse of green, rolling hills. This was the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. For as far as they could see, it was only ridges and hills dotted with trees, and a few small cottages scattered in the distance. Dumbledore placed his wand on various spots on the door and muttered spells underneath his breath. There was a sound of locks clicking open, and he drew his wand away. He swept his arm so it pointed towards the door and turned to face Harry and Ginny. “There, you can go in now, but please, quickly.” Harry turned the doorknob and entered the house, gently pulling Ginny behind him. Dumbledore followed and led them to the living room. He sat on a large, velvet plush armchair and Harry and Ginny sat down on the opposite couch. Dumbledore stared at the couple with blue eyes void of the usual twinkle. “I do not need to remind you of the threat the Lords impose on you two and your child. You are safe here, at least for now, and my hope is that we can get to them before they find you. It’s unnecessary to tell you to keep your guard up at all times, because you always have.” He gave Harry an almost sardonic smile. Harry couldn’t help but agree–he never had been able to keep his guard down, perhaps even his whole life. The level he had to just went up from running away from muggle school bullies to protecting himself and his loved ones from a much greater and more powerful evil. They were interrupted by the sound of the locks turning in the door and the entrance of Remus and Tonks. Remus held a large suitcase and set it down next to the staircase leading upstairs. Dumbledore went over to welcome them, but Harry and Ginny stayed seated on the couch, still holding hands. As Dumbledore talked with Remus and Tonks, a grave expression on his face, Harry looked down at Ginny. She stared back at him. It seemed that she could read his mind, because he was thinking, unsurely We’ll be all right here, won’t we? and she nodded back at him. Just as everyone else came to join Harry and Ginny in the living room, the locks could be heard clicking again and Molly and Arthur walked in with two carpetbags. Molly was trying to appear cheerful, but there was a fearful and unsure look in her eyes. She ran over to Harry and Ginny, squeezed them into a hug, and started sobbing. “Oh, Harry, Ginny, I’m so, so sorry. What have I d-done? I just di-didn’t know what to do…How will you ever forgive me?” Harry and Ginny gently pushed Molly off of them and looked at her kindly. Harry spoke, “Mum, we don’t blame you at all. It’s not your fault. Isn’t that what you always told me? We don’t need to forgive you, because you never did anything that we wouldn’t have done ourselves.” He hugged her, and she sobbed again. He didn’t quite know what to do, so he patted her on the back reassuringly. Remus, Tonks, Arthur, and Dumbledore were all looking at him with approving and, dare he think it, proud faces that told him that his speech to Mrs. Weasley hadn’t sounded as awkward as it had in his head. He let go of her and looked at Ginny, who gave him a small smile and hugged her mother as well. Dumbledore tentatively interrupted the interaction. “I’m sorry, but I really must be going. I trust you will all be alright here?” Each person nodded in reply. “Well, then,” he continued, “I’ll try to come tomorrow to make sure everything’s alright, and if we find out anything about Lavender, I will send someone or come myself to tell you immediately.” And with a nod and a grim smile, he was out the door. The remaining six people looked around at each other, not sure what to do next. “Why don’t we claim our rooms upstairs?” Tonks suggested. Everyone began to gather their bags, but Remus came over to Harry. “Could I talk to you for a moment?” Harry looked over at Ginny, and she started towards the stairs. “You go ahead, I’ll find a room.” He looked back at Remus, who led him to a study down the hall. Remus sat down on the sofa and Harry sat down, too, facing him. “Harry,” Remus began, “I know I can’t exactly give you fatherly advice about protecting you child, but I want you to know that I’m here for you. I always have been, you know that, and I can already see that you’re bottling up your fear and standing tall to protect your family. I don’t know how long we’re going to be here, but just understand that you have five people in this house that love and care about you–don’t think too long and hard about what might happen. If it does happen, we’ll face it, but we don’t have to anticipate it with our breath held. We won’t get anywhere if we do that.” Harry listened to what Remus said, agreed and thanked him, and led them out of the office and up the stairs. As he was walking, though, he knew, deep down, that he wasn’t capable of that. He would try to be, for the benefit of those around him, but he didn’t think it was able to. It was like his Occlumency shield; once he had it up, he didn’t want to take it down. Even now, with Voldemort gone, he found himself checking to make sure he wasn’t allowing anyone into his mind. At times, when he was around Dumbledore, he found himself building that wall thicker when he didn’t want the man sensing his fears or his worries. He sighed. He supposed he would never be able to totally relax–that was just the way things had always been for him. Ginny had picked out a room across the hallway from her parents’ and Remus and Tonks’ rooms. Molly came out of her room, and everyone else joined her in the hall. “I’m going to make some dinner, I think we all need a good meal,” she announced. “Mum, is there anything I can--“ “No, Ginny, you just relax, I’ll take care of it. It’s the least I can do.” “Molly, I wouldn’t mind--” spoke Tonks. “No, it’s alright, you rest too.” They gave in and let Molly bustle past them to the kitchen. Arthur followed her silently. “We might as well follow,” Tonks said. No one else knew quite what to do, so they all went down the stairs. “Ginny, do you want to go outside?” Harry whispered. She nodded back at him, and he turned to Remus and Tonks. “We’ll be outside for a little bit.” “Alright, just stay close to the house,” Remus replied. Harry felt like a young child being told to be careful when he went outside to play, but he opened the door and was followed out by Ginny. They walked over to the top of the hill the house was on the side of and sat underneath a large tree. Ginny leaned into Harry and he put his arm around her shoulders. They sat like this for a while, watching the sun slowly slipping behind the hills and forests. Orange and maroon hues painted the sky, overlapping with shades of navy and violet. Ginny sighed. “Such a beautiful setting while other parts of the world are so horribly in dark and despair.” Harry just nodded, still not sure what to say. “Harry, do you think Lavender will be alright?” “I don’t know.” He truly didn’t. They sat in an uncomfortable silence. Finally, Harry took a deep breath and looked down at Ginny. “I want you to know, that whatever happens, I promise I’ll-“ Ginny put a finger over his lips and shook her head. “Shh, Harry, I already know. I’ve known since my first year. Even if you didn’t love me then, you went forward and faced Riddle for me. Things may be different now, but, in a way, you’re still the brave little boy I had a crush on.” She smiled. “Yes, Ginny, but things are different now, it’s my whole family tha-“ She put her finger to his lips again. “I know, Harry.” This silenced him, and he sighed and tightened his grasp around her shoulder. Both looked back at the setting sun and knew that what would come would come, and they would face it when it did. |
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