Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Crossover ❯ Ginny Weasley ( Chapter 16 )

Chapter 16

After escaping from the train and watching Cho Chang die in an attempt to warn them about the Deatheaters that were on their trail, Ginny had grabbed the hand of Neville Longbottom (the nearest person at the time) and had run for it.

It was dark, the forest was muddy, and the rain was still falling hard, but she knew that if they stopped for even a second they would die. Their names were not going to be in the list of Voldemort's latest victims, not if she had any say in it.

She had dragged Neville for quiet a while, all the time expecting to hear the sound of footsteps hot on their wake or of curses flying towards their backs, but none came. She was glad that they weren't being followed, but couldn't help but worry about the others. Ron, Harry, Hermione and the rest of her schoolmates. . . how many would she see again?

The thought of her classmates made her realize how awfully quiet Neville was being. The pudgy older boy was a natural klutz, everyone knew that, and thus was never silent. . . not even when he was sleeping, if Ron was to be trusted.

-"Neville?"

No answer.

-"Neville, are you OK?"

She spun around to look at him. Her sudden stop caused him to crash into her, and sent them both sprawling onto the mud.

-"Oh, jeez!! Ginny, I'm sorry!!"

-"Don't worry about it. What's wrong?"

-"Its just. . . doesn't it seem too easy? I mean, we are not that fast and we were closer to where the Deatheaters were coming from, and yet non of them came after us. . . I. . . its just. . ."

-"Strange?"

-"Yeah. . ."

Ginny thought about, as they resumed their march. It was strange that no one had followed them. The Longbottom family was well known in the wizarding world, especially for their distaste towards the Dark arts, and the Weasleys had quiet a few enemies between the Deatheaters (especially the Malfoys). . . so it was rather surprising that Voldemort's supporters hadn't tried to hunt the both of them down.

But why?? That was the main question. Why attack the express, especially when the Deatheaters own children were on it? She had clearly seen that awful Parkinson girl back at the train, and with her most of the mini-Deatheater brigade. Malfoy, though, had been nowhere to be seen.

A horrible idea began taking shape on her mind: could it be possible that Voldemort had asked that kind of sacrifice from his followers? Could he be that cruel. . . that different from the boy she had met through his diary? Even if Tom Riddle had lied most of the times they had "chatted", there had always been a kindness lurking underneath his words. . . almost as if he didn't really want to hurt her, but found himself forced to due to the circumstances. It was a strange thing to think, she knew, and her family would probably go ballistic if she even tried to explain it to them, but still. . .

Neville's suddenly pulling her behind a tree told her that her musings had been going on for too long, and that it was time to focus back on the present. The older boy motioned for her to keep quiet and to stay low, as he peeked around their cover.

The bushes up ahead were shaking ever so slightly, but the way they were doing so belayed that it was not the wind that moved them. That fact was even more apparent when their leaves parted and gave way to a large group of creatures.

<Centaurs!> Neville mouthed to her, with an expression that was a cross between fear and excitement.

Indeed, the majestic creatures had just come pouring out into their line of view, but they were by no means alone.

-"Hagrid!!"

Without even thinking, both of them jumped out of their hiding place and ran towards the gamekeeper. . .

The defensive and weapon laden reception they got was not exactly expected, even if it should have been so.

Ginny felt like hitting herself. Of course they would be armed, of course the would be weary. She should have thought of that "before" jumping out on them.

For a few seconds, no one moved. And then Hagrid lowered his crossbow and gave them a tight smile.

Again, thought left her as she threw herself into Hagrid's arms and began to cry.

Somehow, the next few minutes seemed to pass in a blur to Ginny. Feeling safe and protected had managed to sap what little energy adrenaline had given her, and left her in a quivering pile of nerves. Neville, though, had strong enough arms to hold her up and help her onto one of the centaurs, which took off at a fast pace towards Hogwarts.

By the time her muddled brain managed to catch up with her, they were already at the castle's gates. She turned slightly and managed to catch Neville's worried expression.

-"You went into shock."

He obviously thought that answer enough to whatever questions she might have and, seeing his tired and drained expression, she decided to leave it at that. . . at least for a little while.

-"I must leave you here, children, for I am needed elsewhere."

The both thanked the centaur, as it retreated into the woods, and began their slow trek towards the great hall., both vaguely noting the presence of the schools horseless carriages at the bottom of the entrance stairs.

Tired arms opened too-big doors and they both walked into what could only be described in one word. . .

Pandemonium.