A Light of Meaning
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Harry/Ginny
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
12
Views:
9,987
Reviews:
10
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Harry/Ginny
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
12
Views:
9,987
Reviews:
10
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Epilogue
Harry came out of the Floo in the House of Black. Coughing a bit, he glanced around, but it was five in the morning and everyone was asleep.
Or almost everyone. Neville was probably still being questioned by the Aurors. Harry had come up with a remarkable story that claimed Neville had taken down both the Lestranges himself; Hermione had been there visiting him, and they’d fallen asleep while talking. Neville had woken when the Lestranges had come in; he’d thrown the Stunning Spell that hit Rodolphus (and it was lucky Neville actually had cast a Stunning Spell, because the Aurors were sure to cast Priori Incantatem on Neville’s wand). Bellatrix had then cast the Curse that hit Hermione, who’d barely woken up before getting struck; Neville had then finished Bellatrix and gone to get the Healers.
Harry had Apparated out of St. Mungo’s; he’d been certain that if he was seen Voldemort would know there was no coincidence to his being there. He’d immediately sent off messages to Ron and Ginny, adding that Ginny should tell Justin, Sally-Ann and Padma not to go to St. Mungo’s at 2:00 am. He’d been unwilling to leave before hearing about Hermione, so he Apparated into London and reentered St. Mungo’s as if he’d just heard the bad news.
Ron and Ginny had shown up ten minutes later; Ron hadn’t even looked at Harry, just shoved past him and the medi-witches until he was at Hermione’s bedside, where he sat and didn’t move or respond to anyone.
Eventually, after hearing Neville’s description of Bellatrix’s Curse, the Healers determined what had happened…and it wasn’t good. Hermione had been hit with a decades-old Weakening Curse; while it wouldn’t affect her magic at all, she would be physically weak, to the point that walking across a room would be a great strain. The Curse had been very popular eighty years earlier when it had been invented – because no one to that day had ever found the counter-curse. As far as anyone knew, Hermione would be afflicted for the rest of her life.
When Harry had approached Ron, thinking to vainly offer some consolation, Ron had stood abruptly and shoved Harry so hard he’d flown halfway across the room. Ginny had suggested pointedly that Harry leave while she talk to Ron; Harry had muttered for her to tell Ron the cover story for when Hermione woke, and then fled.
Ginny had spent forty minutes with Ron, sitting together by Hermione’s bed. During that time he’d admitted he didn’t blame Harry; Hermione had chosen to be there that night, and no one was to blame, except Bellatrix Lestrange, and it was far too late to do her any more harm. Then he’d broken down in a way Ginny hadn’t ever seen in her life; it scared her more than she could say, having Ron sobbing and not caring that she was there to see. Finally she left him alone, and after a brief, tearful talk with Harry she’d Apparated to the Burrow to break the news to her family.
Neville was fine as far as Harry could tell, except he felt guilty for not waking Hermione so she could dodge the Curse. The Memory Charm Harry had cast seemed to have taken perfectly, for Neville showed no sign that he had any idea his memories were false. He’d babbled out the story to the Aurors, the Healers, anyone who would listen, when he’d gone to get help for Hermione. Harry was confident that even under Veritaserum and against Priori Incantatem, their story would hold up.
Whether Ron would hold up was even odds.
Harry stood in the middle of the kitchen, staring blankly at nothing. He glanced up the stairs; it was quiet with everyone in bed. Should he wake them and tell them what had happened? Should he let them sleep? Had Sally-Ann and Padma and Justin already told them? Or had Ginny not told them?
A pop made Harry spin around, wand drawn, but Dobby just stared at him trustingly. “Does Harry Potter wish for a late-night snack?” he enquired.
“Er…no, Dobby, thanks,” Harry muttered, lowering his wand.
The fireplace flared. Harry thought that maybe Ginny was returning, but was completely gobsmacked to see Pansy come out of the fire. Even more strange was that she was carrying a large suitcase, and another heavy-looking bag over her shoulder. She glanced around and saw Dobby; “Elf! Get these to a spare room for me,” she ordered, dropping both bags on the ground. She gave Harry a once-over. “You look like death,” she decided, “instead of just seeing it.” Then her eyes went wide. “Oh bugger, Gran- I mean, Hermione didn’t-?”
Harry shook his head slightly. “Not dead,” he said dully.
“Well, good,” Pansy said shortly. “Where there’s life there’s hope, I suppose, although it might just be stupidity if you’re a Gryffindor. So why the long face, Potter? Bellatrix Lestrange is dead, and you didn’t lose any of your little friends, I would think you’d be breaking out the firewhiskey!”
Harry stared blankly at her for a second. “Neville,” he said finally.
Pansy’s mouth widened into an O of shock. “Neville? H-he’s not-?”
“He’s gone,” Harry told her. “I Obliviated him.”
Pansy looked like she was certain she’d heard wrong, or that Harry was taking the mickey. “You did what?”
“It was his idea,” Harry said. “The Ministry is questioning him under Veritaserum – they’d have found out about us, and Voldemort’s spies would have found out, and… well, it probably saved you as well because Voldemort would’ve heard about you being there too…”
Pansy took a tentative step towards Harry, like she was afraid if she got too close he’d turn out not to be real. Then, quick as a snake, her hand shot out and slapped him across the cheek so hard his teeth rattled. “You stupid, useless, moronic-” She didn’t seem able to think of insults bad enough to call Harry, so she slapped him again.
“Pansy, stop it!” Harry shouted, blocking her arms, which were both swinging at him now.
“Why Neville?” Pansy yelled furiously. “He’s the only one of you bastards that gave a damn if I lived or died!”
“I had to, or Voldemort will know-”
“He’ll already know!” Pansy shouted. “You bloody idiot! Rodolphus Lestrange saw me, remember?”
“But I Obliviated him-!”
“Are you really so thick you think the Dark Lord can’t break a Memory Charm?” Pansy spat bitingly. “By noon the Dark Lord will know all about me! Why the hell do you think I came here? If I stayed I’d be dead by midnight, by my own mother’s wand! I threw in with you lot and you haven’t done shit to help Draco and look where I’ve landed now!”
Harry went cold all over. It hadn’t even occurred to him, but it made perfect sense; if Memory Charms could be undone, Voldemort would know how to do it. In fact, he’d already done it once that Harry knew of, to Bertha Jorkins when he found out about Barty Crouch Jr. and the Triwizard Tournament. And if Voldemort got hold of Rodolphus Lestrange, and then heard Neville’s version, he’d know Neville had been Charmed, too. “You- you didn’t say anything…” he croaked.
“You shouted at me to leave!” Pansy shot back. Much of her anger had deflated, and she rubbed at her eyes, which were surprisingly wet. “If I’d known you would do something so brainless I’d have forced you to listen; preferably with a Giant Ears hex. Your little Army’s got a slim enough chance of winning as it is without needlessly Obliviating your own people.” She spun and glared at Dobby, who had watched the altercation apprehensively. “Well, what are you waiting for?” she demanded. “Take my things and show me to a spare room right now!”
Dobby worriedly glanced at Harry, who nodded blankly; Dobby then took up Pansy’s bags with no trouble and led her to the stairs. “Pansy-” Harry said quickly.
Pansy paused on the second step. “What.”
“Without you, Hermione, Neville and I would be dead now,” Harry said earnestly. “Thank you.”
Pansy glared at him a moment, and then rolled her eyes. “You’re welcome,” she drawled sarcastically.
“Oh, one more thing,” Harry said, with a hint of steel in his voice. “Don’t sleep too late, because we’re through messing around. First thing tomorrow the game we’ve been playing is over.”
*****
“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence
is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being.”
- C.G. Jung, Memories, Dreams, Reflections
*****
Part Nine of the Harry's Seventh Year series: http://hp.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600005473
Or almost everyone. Neville was probably still being questioned by the Aurors. Harry had come up with a remarkable story that claimed Neville had taken down both the Lestranges himself; Hermione had been there visiting him, and they’d fallen asleep while talking. Neville had woken when the Lestranges had come in; he’d thrown the Stunning Spell that hit Rodolphus (and it was lucky Neville actually had cast a Stunning Spell, because the Aurors were sure to cast Priori Incantatem on Neville’s wand). Bellatrix had then cast the Curse that hit Hermione, who’d barely woken up before getting struck; Neville had then finished Bellatrix and gone to get the Healers.
Harry had Apparated out of St. Mungo’s; he’d been certain that if he was seen Voldemort would know there was no coincidence to his being there. He’d immediately sent off messages to Ron and Ginny, adding that Ginny should tell Justin, Sally-Ann and Padma not to go to St. Mungo’s at 2:00 am. He’d been unwilling to leave before hearing about Hermione, so he Apparated into London and reentered St. Mungo’s as if he’d just heard the bad news.
Ron and Ginny had shown up ten minutes later; Ron hadn’t even looked at Harry, just shoved past him and the medi-witches until he was at Hermione’s bedside, where he sat and didn’t move or respond to anyone.
Eventually, after hearing Neville’s description of Bellatrix’s Curse, the Healers determined what had happened…and it wasn’t good. Hermione had been hit with a decades-old Weakening Curse; while it wouldn’t affect her magic at all, she would be physically weak, to the point that walking across a room would be a great strain. The Curse had been very popular eighty years earlier when it had been invented – because no one to that day had ever found the counter-curse. As far as anyone knew, Hermione would be afflicted for the rest of her life.
When Harry had approached Ron, thinking to vainly offer some consolation, Ron had stood abruptly and shoved Harry so hard he’d flown halfway across the room. Ginny had suggested pointedly that Harry leave while she talk to Ron; Harry had muttered for her to tell Ron the cover story for when Hermione woke, and then fled.
Ginny had spent forty minutes with Ron, sitting together by Hermione’s bed. During that time he’d admitted he didn’t blame Harry; Hermione had chosen to be there that night, and no one was to blame, except Bellatrix Lestrange, and it was far too late to do her any more harm. Then he’d broken down in a way Ginny hadn’t ever seen in her life; it scared her more than she could say, having Ron sobbing and not caring that she was there to see. Finally she left him alone, and after a brief, tearful talk with Harry she’d Apparated to the Burrow to break the news to her family.
Neville was fine as far as Harry could tell, except he felt guilty for not waking Hermione so she could dodge the Curse. The Memory Charm Harry had cast seemed to have taken perfectly, for Neville showed no sign that he had any idea his memories were false. He’d babbled out the story to the Aurors, the Healers, anyone who would listen, when he’d gone to get help for Hermione. Harry was confident that even under Veritaserum and against Priori Incantatem, their story would hold up.
Whether Ron would hold up was even odds.
Harry stood in the middle of the kitchen, staring blankly at nothing. He glanced up the stairs; it was quiet with everyone in bed. Should he wake them and tell them what had happened? Should he let them sleep? Had Sally-Ann and Padma and Justin already told them? Or had Ginny not told them?
A pop made Harry spin around, wand drawn, but Dobby just stared at him trustingly. “Does Harry Potter wish for a late-night snack?” he enquired.
“Er…no, Dobby, thanks,” Harry muttered, lowering his wand.
The fireplace flared. Harry thought that maybe Ginny was returning, but was completely gobsmacked to see Pansy come out of the fire. Even more strange was that she was carrying a large suitcase, and another heavy-looking bag over her shoulder. She glanced around and saw Dobby; “Elf! Get these to a spare room for me,” she ordered, dropping both bags on the ground. She gave Harry a once-over. “You look like death,” she decided, “instead of just seeing it.” Then her eyes went wide. “Oh bugger, Gran- I mean, Hermione didn’t-?”
Harry shook his head slightly. “Not dead,” he said dully.
“Well, good,” Pansy said shortly. “Where there’s life there’s hope, I suppose, although it might just be stupidity if you’re a Gryffindor. So why the long face, Potter? Bellatrix Lestrange is dead, and you didn’t lose any of your little friends, I would think you’d be breaking out the firewhiskey!”
Harry stared blankly at her for a second. “Neville,” he said finally.
Pansy’s mouth widened into an O of shock. “Neville? H-he’s not-?”
“He’s gone,” Harry told her. “I Obliviated him.”
Pansy looked like she was certain she’d heard wrong, or that Harry was taking the mickey. “You did what?”
“It was his idea,” Harry said. “The Ministry is questioning him under Veritaserum – they’d have found out about us, and Voldemort’s spies would have found out, and… well, it probably saved you as well because Voldemort would’ve heard about you being there too…”
Pansy took a tentative step towards Harry, like she was afraid if she got too close he’d turn out not to be real. Then, quick as a snake, her hand shot out and slapped him across the cheek so hard his teeth rattled. “You stupid, useless, moronic-” She didn’t seem able to think of insults bad enough to call Harry, so she slapped him again.
“Pansy, stop it!” Harry shouted, blocking her arms, which were both swinging at him now.
“Why Neville?” Pansy yelled furiously. “He’s the only one of you bastards that gave a damn if I lived or died!”
“I had to, or Voldemort will know-”
“He’ll already know!” Pansy shouted. “You bloody idiot! Rodolphus Lestrange saw me, remember?”
“But I Obliviated him-!”
“Are you really so thick you think the Dark Lord can’t break a Memory Charm?” Pansy spat bitingly. “By noon the Dark Lord will know all about me! Why the hell do you think I came here? If I stayed I’d be dead by midnight, by my own mother’s wand! I threw in with you lot and you haven’t done shit to help Draco and look where I’ve landed now!”
Harry went cold all over. It hadn’t even occurred to him, but it made perfect sense; if Memory Charms could be undone, Voldemort would know how to do it. In fact, he’d already done it once that Harry knew of, to Bertha Jorkins when he found out about Barty Crouch Jr. and the Triwizard Tournament. And if Voldemort got hold of Rodolphus Lestrange, and then heard Neville’s version, he’d know Neville had been Charmed, too. “You- you didn’t say anything…” he croaked.
“You shouted at me to leave!” Pansy shot back. Much of her anger had deflated, and she rubbed at her eyes, which were surprisingly wet. “If I’d known you would do something so brainless I’d have forced you to listen; preferably with a Giant Ears hex. Your little Army’s got a slim enough chance of winning as it is without needlessly Obliviating your own people.” She spun and glared at Dobby, who had watched the altercation apprehensively. “Well, what are you waiting for?” she demanded. “Take my things and show me to a spare room right now!”
Dobby worriedly glanced at Harry, who nodded blankly; Dobby then took up Pansy’s bags with no trouble and led her to the stairs. “Pansy-” Harry said quickly.
Pansy paused on the second step. “What.”
“Without you, Hermione, Neville and I would be dead now,” Harry said earnestly. “Thank you.”
Pansy glared at him a moment, and then rolled her eyes. “You’re welcome,” she drawled sarcastically.
“Oh, one more thing,” Harry said, with a hint of steel in his voice. “Don’t sleep too late, because we’re through messing around. First thing tomorrow the game we’ve been playing is over.”
“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence
is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being.”
- C.G. Jung, Memories, Dreams, Reflections
*****
Part Nine of the Harry's Seventh Year series: http://hp.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600005473