Ginny
Chapter 62 Ginny
Summer was drawing near, and Lirum couldn’t help but spend time staring out of their window. The flowers were blooming by the lake. Their regular study sessions with Percy had been canceled and all they could bring themself to do was stay in their room studying, Alone. They felt like they were back in second year. They still had the twins and Cedric in class and Luna in the common room, but that didn’t change the feeling of loneliness they were plagued by. They felt like a bird in its cage watching the wind blow through the flowers they couldn’t reach.
They knew it was for their safety. They knew they would see their friends again. They knew this would all end, and they’d be back out exploring who they are, and the castle, and joking with their friends. But in their room it felt like losing everything they’d built. The common room was empty almost as soon as the students returned from class, they’d been told the other classes everyone stayed to talk in the common rooms but ravenclaw tower had been silent.
Percy was no longer there to walk them between classes. Instead they traveled with the rest of the Ravenclaws. In the morning everyone in the house met in the common room at five thirty and walked as one to the great hall where they filled in the table. Laughter was sparse, even Luna kept quiet. The tension between the twins and Percy was at an all time high. Fred hadn’t let go of him letting Lirum leave the stands alone, well with Neville. While Percy was still angry over whatever happened between them in February.
Lirum waited for Professor McGonagall to begin their transfiguration class. Fred And George were waiting in their seats beside them.
“Are you alright?” George asked, inching a bit closer.
“I’m just a bit under the weather I guess.” Lirum shrugged. “I just really want to be out, doing anything else.”
“And to think I thought you enjoyed reading.” Fred joked in a whisper.
“I do, I just miss it.”
“You miss us? Awww, why didn’t you say so bunny?” Fred said, wrapping an arm around them.
“Hands to yourself Mr. Weasley.” Professor McGonagall said walking towards the front of the classroom. “Now, as you should know, your exams will be held on the first of June-“
“We’re still having exams? After all these attacks?” Lee Jordan asked from a few seats down.
“The whole point of keeping the school open at this time is for you to receive your education.” She answered sternly. “The exams will therefore take place as usual, and I trust you are all studying hard.”
“I would be, if you let us have our study sessions.” Lirum muttered under their breath.
“Of course professors McGonagall and Snape would expect us to take exams when students are being turned to statues.” Fred grumbled.
“With this school the way it is? That’s a bloody joke.” George followed angrily, and again Lirum tried to focus on their studies.
Three days before exams started Professor McGonagall stood before the Great Hall and made another announcement.
“I have good news.” She started interrupted by a The joyful chatter of students.
“Dumbledore’s coming back!” Could be heard from students at almost every table. “You’ve caught the Heir of Slytherin!” Cho squealed down the table. “Quidditch matches are back on!” Wood roared excited.
“Professor Sprout has informed me that the Mandrakes are ready for cutting at last. Tonight, we will be a me to revive those people who have been Petrified. I need hardly remind you all that one of them may well be able to tell us who, or what, attacked them. I am hopeful that this dreadful year will end with our catching of the culprit.” She announced proudly. Cheering could be heard from everywhere in the hall.
Lirum watched as Percy entered the hall late from his patrols walking straight toward Ginny Ron and Harry who’d taken place together a little farther up the table than he’d normally sit. He looked rough, they hadn’t had more than a moment to talk since The quidditch match. The second he made it to their table Ginny left and he sat talking to Ron and Harry. Lirum knew he was avoiding them. Surly something Fred had said to him had gotten to him or maybe the fact that his ex girlfriend had been attacked. Maybe it had nothing to do with her being his girlfriend and instead was that she’d been a prefect Lirum wouldn’t know because he wouldn’t tell them.
They knew he would be on patrol during their potions class. They also knew he would be angry if they missed but they didn’t care. He’d run himself ragged at this rate. It was easy enough for them to disappear from their classmates and duck into an empty classroom. They’d never been the kind to attract much attention even with their green hair, but with recent events it had rarely left brown. Just as they’d suspected Percy paced through the hallway after.
“Perce, are you alright?” Lirum called softly. His head snapped in their direction.
“Lirum!” He snapped, confused and angry. “What are you doing out here, are you trying to get yourself killed?!”
“I’m fine perce, I needed to check on you. You’ve been avoiding me.” Lirum explained.
“I haven’t been avoiding you! I’ve been fulfilling my responsibility as a school prefect!” He snapped visibly upset.
“Then why don’t you sit with us at breakfast, or lunch, or dinner?” Lirum asked. “You’re not meant to be on patrol for every meal, and you’ve even been coming late, it's not safe Percy!”
“I have to make sure the halls are safe!” Percy snapped, starting to turn red.
“Just because you’re a prefect doesn’t mean you’re safe alone out here!” Lirum argued, stepping out into the hall.
“Don’t you think, I know that!” Percy argued, huffing. “But what else can I do!”
“Spend time with your friends and family while you can. You heard professor McGonagall. They’re going to revive everyone tonight and then everything will be ok.” Lirum argued, taking hold of his shoulders and forcing him to stop and face them.
“All the more reason I need to make sure no one dies before then! Now we need to get you to class!” He said attempting to pull them toward the dungeons.
“I’m not going anywhere! Do you think you can take on that monster by yourself? That thing was massive and it already took out another prefect!” Lirum asked, appalled.
“Don’t bring penny into this.” He said sternly.
“She was petrified, She was also a prefect. That proves it doesn’t matter and that you also need to be careful.” Lirum argued, Sternly. The pair stood there staring at each other waiting for the other to back down.
“Ugh, fine we’re getting you to class and we’ll talk later I swear.” Percy said, taking Lirum’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Percy led them back upstairs heading up to their next class early. When they reached the second floor they saw it. The message written in blood, but this time more had been added.
“Ginny Weasley shall die, Her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever”
They froze together in the hallway, Percy had blanched, and turned so stiff he might as well have been petrified. Lirum did the only thing they could think of and pulled him tight and turned his back toward the message. Trying to sooth him in a slurry of everything would be ok’s, we’ll all be alright and it can’t be true. They weren’t sure they even believed what they were saying, but they needed him to. Suddenly they wished they’d stayed in class so Percy wouldn’t be here so he wouldn’t have seen it.
Suddenly heard footsteps as Professor McGonagall came down the hall guiding her class. She looked at them and when to speak before seeing the writing on the wall. Then she pulled out her wand, her voice magically boomed down the hall.
“All students must return to their house dormitories at once. All teachers return to the staffroom. Immediately, please.” She said before turning to Percy and Lirum. “Oh dear, I- you might accompany him to Gryffindor Tower, I usually would never-but I think this might-be a special acceptation.”
“Right, I- thank you.” Lirum said, turning cautiously to Percy. “Percy I’m so sorry, we should…write your parents.” He looked as if he’d burst into tears any second, or pass out.
Gryffindor tower was silent. Lirum and Percy had sat together by the fire writing out a letter for his parents. Explaining that Ginny had been taken into the chamber of secrets. They sat in silence before he couldn’t take it anymore and locked himself in his room leaving Lirum with the twins, still just sitting quietly by the fire until they too couldn’t take it and left for their own beds.
Hours had passed and Lirum sat waiting alone; they don’t know if they should stay or return to their own dormitory given the circumstances. Then the portrait hole opened to reveal McGonagall; Mr. And Mrs. Weasley had arrived and their children were needed in the headmasters office. The boys all trailed soberly down the stairs in their pyjamas, following her to Dumbledore’s office, but Ron was missing. Lirum stood up awkwardly attempting to calm them knowing they wouldn’t be allowed to follow but much to their surprise, Professor McGonagall nodded along to follow. When they entered Dumbledore's office they felt a light squeeze on their hand.
They stood hiding behind Fred, a hand placed gently in his back and knew it had been Percy attempting to get reassurance once more everything would be ok. They gave a gentle squeeze back with a worried but reassuring smile. Percy had always been the anxious type but now he’d found the message written on the wall about his youngest sister's death and needed them more than ever. Professor Dumbledore explained the situation to Mr and Mrs. Weasley and they were both in tears. That’s when George took a step back to join them and Percy. He gently squeezed Lirum’s shoulder; they felt guilty there was nothing else they could do to help but just be their.
Suddenly the door busted open to reveal a bloody and Harry Ron and Ginny following behind them.
“Ginny!” The Weasleys shouted. Lirum could feel Fred tense beneath their hand while Percy and Georges grips tightened.
“You saved her! You saved her! How did you do it?” Mrs. Weasley cheered, pulling Ron and Harry into a tight embrace.
“I think we’d all like to know that,” McGonagall said weakly holding her hart
And so they sat and listened to Harry as he told his story of a disembodied voice, how after hearing Lirum and Percy’s argument hermione realised he was hearing a basilisk, chasing spiders into the forbidden forest to find an acromantula, and how moaning myrtle dyed to the a basilisk and that must be where the entrance was.
“Very well,” Professor McGonagall started. “So you found out where the entrance was, breaking a hundred school rules into pieces along the way, might I add, but how on earth did you all get out of there alive, Potter?” He paused looking at Dumbledore.
“What interest me most,” Dumbledore said gently. “is how Lord Voldemort managed to enchant Ginny, and he is currently hiding in the forest of Albania.” Percy gasped and gripped harder on Lirum’s hand.
“W-what was that?” Mr Weasley asked, stunned. “You Know Who? En-enchant Ginny? But Ginny’s not…Ginny hasn’t been…has she?”
“I knew it, I tried to-“ Percy started blaming himself under his breath.
“I know Percy, I'm sure she does too.” Lirum insisted.
“But I should have-“ Percy started again tearing up.
“You tried everything Percy. Pepperup potions, writing to your parents, talking to her. She was enchanted she didn’t want help, there was nothing you could do.” They corrected trying to calm him down.
“Moss weasley should go up to the hospital wing right away,” Dumbledore interrupted in a firm voice, “this had been a terrible ordeal for her. There will be. I punishment. Older and wiser wizards than she have been hoodwinked by Lord Voldemort.” He strolled over and opened the door “bedrest, and perhaps a large steaming mug of hot chocolate. I alwas find that it cheers me up.” He added twinkling kingly down at her. “You will find that Madame Pomfrey still awake. She just gave up mandrake juice. I dare say, the basilisk victims will be waking up any moment.”
Mrs. Weasley led everyone to the hospital wing where they recovered from the shock of the nights events. The last days of school flew by, since exams had been canceled as a school treat instead Percy and Lirum had found time for a small trip to the lake. Where he was forced to stop worrying about his responsibilities as a prefect or the possibility of becoming head boy and just listen to the wind blowing through the flowers.
On the train ride back from Hogwarts Lirum found themself in a car with Cedric, Neville, and Luna. That was until they heard an anxious tapping on the door. When they opened it they found Percy.
“I thought prefects only sat in their special carriages and cars.” Cedric joked, arms crossed.
“We are the only people allowed to sit there but it is not required.” Percy said confidently. “Although if you’d rather I sit there I’d be more than happy-“
“Don’t be silly Perce, come on in.” Lirum said, pulling him in the seat next to him. “Now don’t be too shy, we don’t bite. Well I can’t promise with Cedric…or Luna. You know you’ll be safe sitting next to me.”