Never Leave Me - Sequel to Helpless - Updated 06-11-03

Post by **bistyboo1974** » Fri Jan 24, 2003 9:04 pm

The tears are for The Balance, most likely ... I was just watching it, too, and now I'm a sobbing wreck. <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry">

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Jan 24, 2003 10:39 pm

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> - More Harry/Ginny snuggle scenes please <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)">

Post by **bistyboo1974** » Sat Jan 25, 2003 11:43 am

Chapter Sixteen – Cry A River Ginny woke up suddenly. Her skin was damp with a cold sweat. Her heart was pounding in her chest fitfully. She gasped for air. She wasn’t sure what was worse – the nightmare she’d just had or the cold reality that she’d awakened to – the living nightmare. Ginny felt a lumpy mattress beneath her and tried to remember just how she’d gotten there. Last thing she remembered, she had been in the boys’ room. They’d just read the Daily Prophet article. Ron had looked ready to disintegrate. Hermione had sat with him. She couldn’t recall leaving and getting herself to bed – maybe someone had carried her there. She must have slept straight through the day, because the room was dark now – night had fallen. She heard steady breathing and realized someone was lying in the bed beside her. She turned, fully expecting to see Hermione sleeping there, but discovered Harry instead, one leg hanging off the side of the narrow bed, sleeping on his back, as he’d done the night before. She nuzzled in close to him. She was terribly glad he was there. Everything about him made Ginny feel as secure as she possibly could feel, given the circumstances. Harry muttered something in his sleep, and then shot up, seeming suddenly aware of how near to him Ginny had made herself. “Oh,” he said. “Everything’s okay,” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. Ginny sat up, too, and looked at him. He strained to see her – in the dark, without his glasses. “For a minute, I didn’t realize where I was …” He relaxed and held out his arms to her. “C’mere.” Ginny nestled in again and shuddered a sigh, thanking her lucky stars that she could wrap up her tumultuous collection of emotions in his arms. She kept still under the weight of his arms for a long time. The night was quiet, but she didn’t go back to sleep. She was tired, but she couldn’t face another nightmare. While she was awake, she only saw flashes – but when she was asleep, those flashes came to life and the scene was played out over and over and over again. “Harry,” Ginny finally whispered. “Are you asleep?” “No,” he murmured, sounding drowsy. “Oh,” said Ginny. He said nothing, but moved his hand to her head and stroked her hair soothingly. “Harry,” Ginny said again. “Yes, Ginny?” answered Harry. “What if …” she began, but her voice began to crack. “What if we … you and me … Ron and Hermione … what if we hadn’t left the house? What if we had been there?” “Don’t,” said Harry. “Don’t play out the what-ifs in your head – it’ll drive you mad.” “Maybe we could have stopped them,” said Ginny. She felt her eyes moisten. She blinked back the tears painfully – she’d realized she hadn’t shed a tear since they left the Burrow. “And maybe we’d have all been killed, too,” said Harry firmly. “But …” began Ginny, her voice quivering. “Shh,” said Harry, gently placing a finger to her lips. “Don’t – it’ll drive you mad,” he whispered. Ginny trembled in his arms and breathed back sobs – it was agonizing, but she couldn’t give in … “Let go,” said Harry, speaking softly. “Just let go …” Ginny buried her face into his chest and let go. A wave of sorrow washed over her and she let her body give in to the grief her mind already knew … and he held her tight all the while. Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub129.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsr ... boo1974</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon/shield_05[1].jpg" BORDER=0> at: 1/25/03 9:49:45 am

Post by **majiklmoon** » Sat Jan 25, 2003 9:08 pm

<img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <center><script language="javascript" src="http://members.cox.net/laurensnape/coun ... <center><a href="http://pub129.ezboard.com/fmajiklmoonsr ... ID=1.topic" target="_new">The Departure Debacle - A Roswell Fanfic contest/challenge</a></center><center>Margo is a Super ORB!</center><center><center>It all started with a boy, a girl and a silver handprint.<center>Countess Majiklmoon Mistress and keeper of the tunes</center></color~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <a href=http://pub84.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsrealm><img src=http://members.aol.com/majiklmoon/image ... 2a.gif></a>

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Jan 25, 2003 9:33 pm

How sad, except for the Harry/Ginny cuddle fest

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 11:04 am

Poor Ginny..playing should have could have would have never does any good at all. But at least she has Harry there to comfort her <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)">

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Jan 27, 2003 5:50 pm

<img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> I just caught up!!! <img src=http://www.data-techniques.net/cwm/cwm/3dlil/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> This is so sad... and so angsty... and so wonderful! Bravo Bisty! I dunno how to sum it up any better than that! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> Lubs ya, -Col. <div style="text-align:center">Is Daniel Dueling with Rupert or is he just Brushing Off Spiders?<img src="http://www.roswell-orbs.com/smilies/win ...  <img src="http://images.snapfish.com/336585352323 ...  <a href="http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?stor ... =1">"After the End"</a> - The Fic to Beat All Fics! <a href="http://www.roswell-orbs.com"><img src="http://www.roswell-orbs.com/images/BANN ... </a></div>

Post by **bistyboo1974** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 7:50 pm

Chapter Seventeen – Bumps in the Road “My map reading skills are rusty,” snorted Ron in frustration as he crumpled up the map that had been in the envelope Percy had given Harry – the map that was supposed to lead them to Sirius. “I can’t tell which direction we should be heading in – we should just do a Four-Point Spell the whole way …” “We can’t – minimum use of magic,” said Hermione. “Here … let me have a look.” She held out her hand for the map, which was now creased severely from Ron getting so irritated with it. She smoothed it out and looked it over thoughtfully. She traced her index finger across the marked trail and tapped it three times over an “X” that had been drawn in scarlet ink. “Well, ‘X’ marks the spot,” she said with half a grin, finding the old cliché mildly amusing. Ginny, however, didn’t find it very amusing. They had been back on the road again for nearly two days and she was tired. She was beginning to lose all hope that they’d ever find Sirius. She tuned out as Hermione explained to Ron that they had probably taken a wrong turn several miles back and that they weren’t too far off course. She didn’t want to listen. She didn’t want to hear how this insufferable journey was going to be even longer. She was cold, wet, tired. Her body ached and her mind was numb. “Looks like the rain is coming back,” she heard Harry mutter. He pulled an umbrella out of his knapsack and held it above his and Ginny’s heads. Hermione did the same, holding hers above Ron and herself. “This damp is going to be the death of us all,” said Ron. He gave Ginny a concerned stare and Harry huddled her in closer, moving her out of the way of the rainwater that was trickling off the top of the umbrella. “We can’t walk all this way in the rain,” Ron added, pointing to the now soggy map. “We just can’t.” Hermione tried to stifle a sneeze. They all knew Ron was right. “Wish we had Dad’s old car,” said Ginny quietly. Ron gave her a painful look – he seemed to be wincing at the memory of the old turquoise Ford Anglia his father had once bewitched. The same car he and Harry had “borrowed” and later demolished their second year at Hogwarts. “We could use a car right about now, that’s for sure,” said Hermione. “And I suppose a car’s just going to fall right into our laps?” said Ron scathingly. Being thrown off course and having to endure the rain was apparently about all he could take, on top of everything else at the moment. “We could hitch a ride,” suggested Harry. Hermione’s mouth gaped. “No, Harry,” she began to protest. “That’s too risky … any number of things could go wrong with that plan.” “I know,” he said. “But at this point, it’s looking like our only option. With any luck, we’ll find a ride with a Muggle – someone who’ll hopefully be unaware of anything other than the fact that we're four kids trying to get to my …” Harry thought for a moment. “… my dear Auntie Marge’s house. We can tell them that our car broke down and we were stranded. Then you can work a Memory Charm on them when we get to …” “I don’t know … we’d be leaving too much to chance,” said Hermione. “Then we’d better find ourselves a boat,” said Harry flatly. “At this rate, we might do better floating to Sirius's.” The rain was picking up considerably, sounding like miniature cannonballs striking the top of the umbrellas. “Okay,” said Ron. “We all keep our wands at the ready – every second we’re in the Muggle car. Does everyone understand?” He looked at Ginny when he said this. She nodded. “Any sign of anything out of the ordinary – anything – and we’re out of there.” *** Harry stood beside Ginny by the side of the road and Ron and Hermione waved at the next passing car, without any luck. The old gray clunker zoomed by and sprayed them with a wave from the massive puddle on the road. “What happened to being a good citizen?” complained Hermione as she wrung the water out of her jacket. She shivered and let out a sneeze. “I could do with a dose of Pepperup.” They walked a while until they heard another car sloshing down the damp highway. Hermione and Ron waved again and this time, the vehicle slowed down. A woman with two children rolled her car window down halfway and peered out at them. “My husband would skin me alive if he knew I was stopping for hitchhikers, but you lot look half-drowned … what happened?” Over the wail of the younger child, Hermione explained how dear old Aunt Marge had been expecting them hours ago and their rattletrap of a car they’d borrowed from a cousin had finally given up the ghost miles and miles back. Ginny was almost positive Hermione’s red nose and water-soaked clothes had swayed the woman to allow them to ride with her. “Mummy,” said the older child, as he squished over to allow Ginny and Harry to sit with him. “Who are these people?” “Just some kids who need a bit of help,” said the boy’s mother. She started driving again once Ron and Hermione had squeezed in beside her and the younger child in the front. She turned quickly and looked in the back seat, however, and said, “But don’t mention this to your father … he’d have a heart attack if he knew I was picking up ramblers.” Ginny eyed the boy and he eyed her back. Don’t worry, she thought. None of you will be able to remember a thing to tell anyone. The small child – a tow-headed girl with curly pigtails – was singing every Muggle nursery rhyme ever written as the car sloshed along the highway. Ron was trying to inch his way away from her, because as she was singing, she was also dribbling bits of baby biscuits and sending them flying like tiny missiles in the air. The mother seemed not to be bothered by this at all, but Ron was obviously disgusted. The boy – who had been relatively quiet up until this point – turned to Ginny and spoke. “How old are you?” he asked, blinking his round, hazel-colored eyes at her. “Fifteen,” said Ginny. “How old are you?” “Four,” answered the boy. Then he added, “and a half.” “Those halves are important,” said Ginny. “It means your that much closer to another whole.” The boy stared through his hazel eyes blankly at her. “Why do you have red hair?” he asked after a fashion. “Because,” said Ginny stubbornly. “Why do you have yellow hair?” “I dunno,” said the boy. “But just because isn’t a reason.” “Because my Mum and Dad have red hair,” said Ginny, turning away from the boy. She felt Harry’s hand squeeze hers. The boy wasn’t finished. He was clearly ready for twenty questions and he was only two down. “Is that boy your Dad? He has red hair.” Ron snorted and shifted uncomfortably in the front seat. Ginny felt her stomach lurch. “No,” she said flatly. “Where is your Dad?” asked the curious boy. “Can you ask me something else?” said Ginny through gritted teeth. “Is he in heaven?” asked the boy. “Ian McWharter’s dad is heaven … he crashed his lorry into the river last April …” “Enough!” said the woman, swatting a hand back at her son. She glanced at Ginny through the rear-view mirror. “I’m sorry … he likes to prattle on, that one.” “Sorry,” muttered the boy and he slouched down low in his seat. After a minute, he whispered to Ginny again. “Is that boy sitting next to you your boyfriend?” Ginny felt her hand being squeezed again. Ginny nodded. “Too bad,” said the ever-probing lad. “I could have been your boyfriend if you wanted.” In spite of everything, Ginny had to smile. Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub129.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsr ... boo1974</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon/shield_05[1].jpg" BORDER=0> at: 2/10/03 5:59:56 pm

Post by **majiklmoon** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 8:44 pm

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <center><a href="http://pub129.ezboard.com/fmajiklmoonsr ... ID=9.topic" target="_new">Majik's World of Fanfic Crossover Contest</a>. Mix your fics, come on, you know you want to!</center><center><a href=http://pub84.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsrealm><img src=http://members.aol.com/majiklmoon/image ... a></center>

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 10:51 pm

How sweet! I :heart that little boy!!!! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/cry.gif ALT=":cry"> <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://home.mindspring.com/~galanmar/PE ... [/</div>

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 3:11 pm

Bisty! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/Grin_anim.gif ALT=":grin"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> Wonderful Update! Very Cool! Tell me, was the boy inspired by anyone you know? A nephew, perhaps? <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> Col passes a case of Suave through the puter Keep going! -Col.

Post by **bistyboo1974** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 4:22 pm

My inspiration for that little boy was every four year old boy I have ever worked with here at school! And maybe a little bit of my nephew, too. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> Who is now the big 5 now ... his b-day was February 4th! BTW, how long have we had this smilie ... <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/hp_seal.gif ALT=":hp"> ?? I just noticed it!!

Post by **majiklmoon** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 10:08 pm

months now <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> <center><a href="http://pub129.ezboard.com/fmajiklmoonsr ... ID=9.topic" target="_new">Majik's World of Fanfic Crossover Contest</a>. Mix your fics, come on, you know you want to!</center><center><a href=http://pub84.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsrealm><img src=http://members.aol.com/majiklmoon/image ... a></center>

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 11:29 am

<img src=http://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/otn/love/yllove.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/otn/love/yllove.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/otn/love/yllove.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/otn/love/yllove.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/otn/love/yllove.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/otn/love/yllove.gif ALT=":love">

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 11:53 am

<img src=http://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/otn/love/yllove.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/otn/love/yllove.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/otn/love/yllove.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie">

Post by **bistyboo1974** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 9:39 pm

<img src=http://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/otn/love/yllove.gif ALT=":love"> Oooh, I'm feelin' the love in here. {{{{HUGS}}}} for all my readers and a belated Happy Valentine's Day. Hope none of you were knocked over by a singing dwarf yesterday. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> Tracie - Sheesh, what can I say? If I were any slower, I'd be going backward. <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/lol.gif ALT=":lol"> I didn't notice it. Let me just use it a few times to make up for it ... <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/hp_seal.gif ALT=":hp"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/hp_seal.gif ALT=":hp"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/hp_seal.gif ALT=":hp"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/hp_seal.gif ALT=":hp"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/hp_seal.gif ALT=":hp"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/hp_seal.gif ALT=":hp"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/hp_seal.gif ALT=":hp"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/Grin_anim.gif ALT=":grin"> There, all better. Now on with the fic ... ***** Chapter Eighteen – Meeting Snuffles “Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you to your aunt’s house?” said the woman’s voice. “It’s no bother …” “No,” said Hermione. “But thanks anyway … and thank you for the ride.” “Is there anything else I can do for you?” asked the woman. “There is one thing,” said Hermione slowly. Ginny saw her reach a hand into her jacket pocket. “What’s that?” said the woman. “Obliviate!” exclaimed Hermione, waving her wand at the woman. She duplicated the process for the two children, and then left them. They looked slightly dazed and mildly confused. Ginny could have sworn that the woman was looking at her children as if they were not her own. “You didn’t wipe out their entire memories, did you, Hermione?” asked Ginny anxiously. “Of course not,” said Hermione, securing her wand back in the pocket of her jacket. “Just slightly modified them is all.” They didn’t have time to debate the success of Hermione’s Memory Charm – Ron and Harry had already started off down the road toward the place where they were to meet Sirius. According to the map, it wasn’t far. Mercifully, the rain had stopped, but the sky was nevertheless a dreary gray. The ground was still wet, so rather than walk through the muck and mud along the side of the road, they trudged along on the pavement. “This is it,” said Hermione, glancing down at the map as they reached an intersection and a signpost. “Downing Drive – we go …” she glanced back down again “… to the right. We’re looking for number twelve.” Number twelve Downing Drive was a plain looking building on a street of many other very ordinary looking buildings. Some were shops and others looked like private residences, but all were very commonplace – very Muggle-looking. Ginny secretly wondered how Sirius Black kept a low profile in this obviously Muggle town. The only pictures she’d ever seen of him had been wanted photos in the Daily Prophet. She doubted whether or not he’d be able to keep a low profile anywhere, let alone here. “Alohomora!" exclaimed Hermione to the door of the building. Nothing happened. "That’s funny,” she commented , as Harry and Ron peered through the cloudy windows of number twelve – the words Pearl Darnworthy, Seamstress were painted across the larger window. “This must be some old shop,” said Ron, trying to wipe some of the grime away to see in more clearly. He squinted and turned to Hermione. “What’s funny?” “I never noticed there was a key in here before,” she pulled a silver key from within the envelope. “Did you know there was a key in here?” she asked as she turned to Harry. Harry shook his head. “Try the door with it,” he said. “Seems logical it would fit the lock - especially since you couldn't magic it open.” A deep woof sounded from within the building as Hermione fit the key into the lock and Harry peered through the glass again. “It’s Snuffles,” he said flatly. “Good,” said Ron. “I didn't fancy getting bitten by some Labrador for breaking and entering.” Ginny peered through the window beside Harry, keen to have a look at his godfather in Animagus form. She saw a big, black brute of a dog sitting anxiously on the other side of the door, his tail wagging as Hermione fumbled with the lock. “Gimme the key, Hermione,” said Ron. “She learned Alohomora in a second flat our first year, but can’t handle a simple key.” Ron wiggled the key to the left and creaked the door open. "You'd think I was the one who was Muggle-born," he said with a smirk. Hermione smiled at him, obviously pleased to hear Ron back in true form. As they entered the building, the dog dubbed "Snuffles" greeted them warmly, with a great bark of welcome that seemed to resonate through the walls of the old shop – and before Ginny knew it, the dog was there no more. A man in ragged robes, with dark features stood before them – a smile across his face, but a look of compassion behind his weary eyes. To her surprise, he looked a Ron and herself first. “Words can’t express how sorry I am,” he began. His jaw trembled and he reached out to them both. His arms crunched them in a tight hold and Ginny smothered a sob in her throat. Maybe she’d half expected the boogeyman in Sirius Black after all, but he wasn’t – not at all. She heard a muffled sort of snivel coming from Ron but he apparently choked it back as well, because he leaned back and said to Sirius, “Have you heard from Percy? How’s our Mum?” Ginny leaned back as well, curious to know the answers to Ron’s questions. “I have heard from Percy – your mother is with him, in London. Bill and Charlie are there, too. He says she’s …” he paused for a moment, then said “… holding up.” Ginny felt her insides churn. She knew her mother - her steadfast, unfaltering mother. She could “hold up” in almost any situation. But she also saw her steadfast, unfaltering mother that night – if anything, her mother was barely holding on. “Where do we go from here?” asked Hermione. “Nowhere,” said Sirius. “You’re going to lay low here, until the school term starts.” “What?” asked Ron incredulously. “You’re joking, right?” “No, Ron,” said Sirius. “I’m quite sincere. You’re all to stay put – Dumbledore’s orders.” Ron’s mouth gaped in disbelief. Clearly he had other opinions on how to spend his time while his father’s murderer was running around on the loose. Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub129.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsr ... boo1974</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon/shield_05[1].jpg" BORDER=0> at: 2/15/03 7:44:40 pm

Post by **majiklmoon** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 9:51 pm

Great part, except for way too short! I can't wait for more...go wash your hair or something <center><a href="http://pub129.ezboard.com/fmajiklmoonsr ... ID=9.topic" target="_new">Majik's World of Fanfic Crossover Contest</a>. Mix your fics, come on, you know you want to!</center><center><a href=http://pub84.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsrealm><img src=http://members.aol.com/majiklmoon/image ... a></center>

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 11:14 pm

More more more more more more more<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/slinkie.gif ALT=":slinkie"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/hp_seal.gif ALT=":hp">

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 1:04 am

More please. You have no idea how much I love this story, but I do have one request. Gen, the baby...statue Remus????? what about them

Post by **bistyboo1974** » Mon Feb 17, 2003 4:14 pm

bookwork - I haven't forgotten about Gen & Lupin. They're just stuck in "Writer's Block Limbo." <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /frown.gif ALT=":("> I won't let them be lost forever, though. I promise. ***** Chapter Nineteen – Staying Alive “I hope Ron’s not going to try to do something stupid,” whispered Ginny. She was traipsing up the narrow staircase to the second floor of the alterations shop behind Harry. Sirius was leading them upstairs, with Ron and Hermione just behind and Harry and Ginny bringing up the rear. “Me, too,” said Harry quietly. At the top of the stairs were a small landing and a door. Sirius swung the door open and beckoned them in. “It’s not much to look at, but it’ll do for now – just until you leave for Hogwarts,” said Sirius. Ginny surveyed the flat. Ugly green wallpaper that was peeling in several places covered the walls and a shaggy carpet in the same olive shade covered the floors. A few pieces of worn-out furniture were scattered throughout the living and dining areas. A tiny little kitchen flanked the wobbly dining table that sat two. A dark corridor lined with the same ugly carpet led to two more doors – Ginny presumed a bed and a bathroom. Sirius was right. It wasn’t much to look at. Ron stood beside the sofa, which had foam poking through the upholstery on the middle cushion, and looked around edgily. “No offense, Sirius, but I can’t stay here for three weeks then leave for school as if everything’s all well and good …” “Ron, you’re not going to like hearing this – if an adult had told me what I’m about to tell you when I was your age, I’d have been livid …” Ron’s face was turning stark white. “You’re sixteen years old …” “Don’t,” began Ron, his hands starting to shake with anger. “Don’t you tell me I’m too immature …” “Ron, be sensible,” said Hermione. “And don’t you tell me to be sensible! My father was murdered! Or had you forgotten that fact? And let’s not pretend that Sirius here would have been level-headed if it were his father that had been murdered – regardless of whether he was sixteen or sixty at the time!” Ginny felt herself backing into the corner of the living room. A piece of loose wallpaper brushed her hair as she slowly backed into the wall. She didn’t want them to argue. She wished the wall would suck her up and transport her somewhere else … Ron threw his rucksack down to the floor and left the flat, slamming the door behind him. Ginny could hear his feet stomping down the staircase to the shop below. Harry tried to follow him, but Sirius stopped him. “Let him go, Harry,” said Sirius calmly. “He needs to cool off.” Hermione slumped down on the sofa and buried her face in her hands. Ginny stayed in her corner. Harry ran a hand through his hair in frustration and said, almost to himself, “Fine mess this is.” He sighed exasperatedly. “So we stay here until the first of September, then what? We hitchhike to school? And in the meantime, we’re completely in the dark.” He lowered his voice. “What’s being done, Sirius?” “You won’t have a problem getting to school – you’ve ridden the Knight Bus before, Harry – just stick out your wand and it’ll take you all to Hogsmeade.” “The Knight Bus!” exclaimed Harry. “We should have stuck a wand out on our way here …” “No, you shouldn’t have,” interrupted Sirius. “It wasn’t safe then.” “But it’ll be safe September first?” asked Harry, confused. “Just take my word,” said Sirius. “As for what’s being done …” He paused and looked at Ginny. Ginny uprooted herself from her spot in the corner and sat down beside Hermione in the sofa. “You can say,” she muttered. “The article I sent you … the one from the Prophet … it mentioned the Muggle Protection Act that Arthur helped write and get passed. We all know who his biggest opponent was against that act.” “Lucius Malfoy,” said Harry, glowering. “And those Dementor attacks last year at Hogwarts … both Harry and Ginny said they thought Malfoy was behind those.” “Trouble is, there was no proof regarding those attacks,” sighed Hermione. “And I’ll bet the slimy git made sure there was no proof when he …” Harry began to say, but he stopped himself. “I’ll just bet he made sure his hands were clean.” “We’ll find proof,” said Sirius firmly. “We need to stop these random Dark acts – strange things have been cropping up left and right since....” “Since Voldemort came back,” finished Harry. “It’s only going to get worse, isn’t it? It’s only a matter of time … Ron was right. We can’t just sit around here for three weeks doing nothing!” “You can and you will,” said Sirius, sounding very paternal. “Listen to me, Harry – you’re not doing 'nothing' by waiting it out here. You’re looking out for yourselves – you’re staying safe and that’s something. It might not seem like much, but we need you all alive.” He clapped a hand on Harry’s shoulder. “Promise me, Harry – promise me that you’ll stay put.” Harry heaved another sigh. He looked at Ginny and Hermione sitting on the sofa and glanced to the door as sounds of Ron bashing things in the shop below drifted upstairs. “I promise.” ***** Author’s Note: The chapter title really has nothing to do with John Travolta. It’s just what first sprang to mind when I was trying to come up with a name. And I’m really tempted now to name the chapter where they take the bus to school “Knight Fever.” We’ll just call it my unintentional homage to the “king of the floor!” <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub129.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsr ... boo1974</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon/shield_05[1].jpg" BORDER=0> at: 2/17/03 2:26:30 pm

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