FicWad

Chapter 7:- Failure

So far for Ginny everything was going perfectly this morning, except this. She was standing in the middle of her room with clothes flung all over the place. She was going to meet him today and she didn't have a clue of what to wear. She had gone through plain, sensible, sexy, outrageous and all the way to exotic. Nothing she had chosen was right. Harry had seen most of her clothes before at school and she wanted today to be different, to be special.

Gabrielle opened the door and quietly entered. She smiled slightly at Ginny as she rushed round once more. If it was her back in her own room she could imagine herself doing the same, but as she only had her rucksack she was limited, very limited in what she could chose from.

"Ginny you said that we had to go soon."

"I know, but I've got to find something to wear, it's got to be perfect."

"Do you mind if I make a suggestion."

Ginny spun round to her new friend. Gabriele was wearing jeans and a T-shirt but on her it looked perfect, but could she really help her?

"What, what. Do you think that short skirt, or those trousers?"

"No, no no Ginny. I think you should wear what you would normally wear. I suspect that today Harry will have a very hard day. A little normality will help, if you try and dress to impress I think he won't notice, in fact he might react badly."

"Why because of you?" Asked Ginny stopping her rummaging again.

"Yes, partly."

Ginny looked at her friend more suspiciously. Was she trying for Harry again, but before that train of thought could continue Gabrielle spoke up.

"It's because of me and what I, we, have to tell him. It's unlikely that he will accept me right off he might react badly but you being you might calm him enough to see his new power. That's only thing that I think is going to convince him if not ..." she left that statement unfinished.

"He would never harm you." Responded Ginny sitting on the edge of her bed.

"I suspect that's right, but I must convince him, otherwise I just don't know I think that Dumbledore will step in and get my Sister."

"Hay come here." Called Ginny seeing the smaller girl's eyes well up.

Gabrielle crossed the room quickly and felt her new friend envelop her in a hug. She instantly felt better, this hug was different from her Sisters, she didn't know why, but it was different, warmer, she felt not only safe but well protected as well.

After a few moments they broke apart and looked at each other. Ginny's face had confusion written across it but she shook her head and it cleared.

"Alright then." She said changing only her top for a clean one.

"So how are we getting there?" asked Gabrielle

"Well I can get us close. I have overheard the "adults" talk about Mrs Figgs. It seems to be a place that they use as a rendezvous for Harry's. From there it's all up to you."

"That OK as long as its close." Replied Gabrielle following Ginny out of her room.

Ginny and Gabrielle entered the main room to see that chaos was still raining. The twins were still receiving Molly temper over the mess that she thought they had caused, whilst they tried to clean it up.

"That was a real mean trick Ginny." Commented Gabrielle still looking at the mess in the kitchen that Ginny had managed to produce.

"I know but they do deserve it just because they're boys!"

The pair of them quickly walked over the fireplace and Ginny called out.

"We're off to Luna's mum!" as she cast the floo powder and stepped into the fire.

**

As Ginny stepped out of the fire she looked at Luna, who was waiting for them, Ginny had to smile to herself. Her friend really did not care about what the popular belief of what a teenager should be wearing. The bright orange t-shirt and white short were not bad, but the purple socks and huge necklace was just plain wrong.

"Hi Ginny, glad you got here as I've just heard that the running knarles are out today."

"Hi Luna thanks for this, if I can do the same just ask." Greeted Ginny ignoring the knarles comment.

A delicate whooshing announced the arrival of Gabrielle behind her.

"Hello who's this?" said Luna looking at the new girl. Luna felt something strange, like this new person might be important.

"Luna this is the friend that I have staying with me, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle studied this new girl. Her sense or was it her magic was telling her that there was something very different about this person. The outward appearance was different to the inner person but as much as this new girl intrigued her she just wanted to get to Harry.

Ginny looked between her two friend. It was as thought the pair of them were having a conversation, the looks on both there faces were changing rapidly as they looked at each other.

Eventually Luna broke the silence. "So where are you off too?"

"Well...um...ah..." stammered Ginny not really wanting to give away their destination.

"Oh... Harry then." Replied Luna.

Ginny's mouth just hung open in shock.

"It's alright Ginny. I'm not that jealous, please just tell him I found my school things. Ok?"

"Oh...um...Ok then." Replied Ginny still not knowing how Luna had worked it out.

"You should be going Ginny otherwise you might run out of time."

Ginny just smiled again at her friend. Somehow she had gotten it right again.

"Yeh thanks again." Replied Ginny as she turned to Gabrielle.

Throwing the Floo powder into the fire again, she called out "Mrs Figgs." And in a green flash they were gone.

Luna stood there looking into the empty fireplace, she shook her head at the feelings she had. The mention of Harry had stirred up the feelings from the end of term and had to smile at herself at the memory of him asking to help her find her school things.

Turning round she thought that if she was lucky she might be able to get out into the garden to look for those running knarles.


**

Ginny stepped out into a dimly lit front room. The smell a cats and damp furniture permutated her nose as soon as she stopped. The room did not look lived in yet something disturbed her and she dropped her hand towards her wand. She had brought it along not because she thought she was going to use it but because she thought it was right.

She felt a small hand rest on her back as Gabrielle surveyed the room with her. Glancing back over her shoulder she saw the Gabrielle looked scared, giving the girl a small smile she turned back and took a step towards the doorway. Instantly she stopped as she saw movement in the darkest corner. Her wand, almost on its own, leapt to point towards the movement.

"Now Miss Weasley as that anyway to treat your old teacher?" came the voice from darkness.

"Professor Lupin." Cried Ginny now seeing his face as he walked from the darkness. She dropped her wand arm and ran towards him throwing her arms around him in a hug.

"Hay what's that for?"

"It's good seeing you again after that awful woman."

Remus stepped back a little uncomfortable with this teenager's physical contact. With a little space now between them he used his height to study the other arrival. So this was Gabrielle he assumed, she did not look her age but she did look young. His eyes did not travel up and down her body as most men would have done he just looked into her face. He hoped that somewhere inside of that face he could see the answer to his moral question.

For the past day he had been waiting here. As soon as he had heard from McGonagall about Gabrielle finding Privet Drive he knew that he had to see this Gabrielle for himself. At such a young age she had managed to do what no normal adult could do, break through Dumbledore's wards.

Looking into her face he tried to read the expression, he could see a little of the worry there but nothing else showing. His appearance from the shadows should have shocked her more. She should be standing there frightened at the new surroundings and especially of him but it was not showing. Either this girl had no fear or she could control her emotions.

He had also spent the time waiting reading and was surprised to find that that Fleur girl had been right. There was indeed very little written down about this form of magic, one book had said it was the most powerful and dangerous, another had claimed it to be nothing more that trickery used by the Veela race. Whatever it was could this girl really be an expert?

Gabrielle felt the man's eyes bore into her. For once this person was not looking at her but into her. Most men's eyes at least flicked over her body when they first meet but he did not. She felt his cold eyes trying to read her, his appearance had shocked her more than she had ever been. The man just kept looking at her but she could see the questions on his face, she wanted to close her eyes to feel the room but knew that if she did it might look bad so she waited it out.

Oblivious to the private battle that the other two were having Ginny butted in started to introduce her new friend.

"Professor Lupin I would like to introduce ..."

"Gabrielle I assume. I've heard of you from your sister? I'm Remus Lupin" Quickly interrupted Remus holding out his hand.

Gabrielle reached out her hand indent on lightly shaking the offered hand but as it got closer she started to feel something different, something in the room was different. Before she grasped the hand she stopped dead and looked closely at the man something was not right with him.

Remus looked at his hand still left out in the air. Gabrielle had come closer but had stopped just before she touched him. He sensed the magic in the room change and shift, the girl in front of him was now wearier. Time seemed to slow down as he stood there and waited.

Ginny closed the gap between herself and Gabrielle almost instinctively, something made her ask the question.

"You ok?"

"Something is wrong."

"Wrong?"

"Yes wrong, wrong with him." Replied Gabrielle dropping her hand.

Remus was slightly shocked, did she know something? Could she know about him?

Without thought Ginny found herself sliding between Gabrielle and Remus. Her mind told her that this person was Remus, but something in Gabrielle words made her stop and think.

"Why are you here?" she asked in a quiet voice.

Remus looked at Ginny who was now moving in front of Gabrielle. The look on her face had changed from happiness to a kind of suspicion. He did not feel worried as yet but he was certain that Ginny was fingering her wand ready to bring it to bear again.

"How about we all sit down? We have a number of question to ask each other and I think that time is short, for you at least."

Without waiting for a reply he turned and walked back into the darkness and the chair he had been sitting on. With a small flick he illuminated the candles and bathed the room in a soft light. Ginny looked behind to her friend and nodded over to the sofa where she joined her.

"OK Ginny. I'm here to meet you."

"But how did you know we were coming?"

"I did not know when you were coming I was just waiting. After Gabrielle meet with McGonagall she informed both me and Dumbledore about what Gabrielle had done, something that no normal wizard could do might, I add I had to see for myself. We knew that at sometime she would be meeting with Harry. Suspecting that she had no other means of travelling long distance I assumed that she would be using the Floo network, to do that she was going to need help. To be honest I suspected Ron and not you Ginny but never mind."

"But why are you here?" Ginny continued to question.

"To see Gabrielle that's why." Answered Remus looking directly at the younger one.

"Why?" asked Gabrielle not turning away from the look.

"Simple I had to see if you were what your Sister had told us about. I was asked to be at that meeting between her and Dumbledore. He asked me to be there to represent Harry."

"And?" asked Ginny not liking where this was going

"Even though I was there I said that I could not represent Harry. He has to make the decisions for himself, but that does not mean that I don't care for him. When I was told of what you are supposed to be able to do for him I could not believe it, I want too but I can't."

"Why don't you believe in me and what I can do?" asked Gabrielle.

Remus opened his mouth to respond but found that he could not. She had asked such a simple question. The quick reply was of her age, but was it that or was there something else?

Gabrielle let the silence hang there for a few moments before talking again. "You just said that I have done something that no normal wizard could do. So don't look at me and see my age, see my ability."

Such a response to his unspoken question made Remus think even more, but as much as his mind was saying "Give her a chance". The rest was rebelling at what polite wizarding society would say at someone so young being involved with the Famous Harry Potter.

"What can you do for him?" he found himself asking.

"Teach him."

"What?"

"How to use Love."

The use of the Love word made him cringe inside. How could these young people know about Love, it was intangible, unimaginable, at their age it was but a dream. He closed his eye and thought, thought hard. How could he let them go to Harry?

"Professor Lupin."

"Yes Ginny." Replied Remus opening his eyes.

"You said that you could not make decisions for Harry. Let us at least see him, let him decide."

Remus knew he was defeated he had to let them go to him. With a small smile he nodded his head.

"Ok."

**

Harry looked up at the length of the floor he was cleaning. The past couple of days were beginning to take their toll on his body. This morning after breakfast he found his list again. The top item was to scrub the kitchen floor clean. He started the job with his normal pace but quickly found that his arms and legs were stiff and non responsive to his demands.

He had been cleaning for what felt like all day but a glance at the clock showed him that only one hour had passed. He had wished that the mundane working of cleaning would keep his mind of the events of yesterday but unfortunately it did not. As he scrubbed the floor his mind kept returning to Grimmauld Place and then to Sirius.

The rigging of the door bell registered in Harry's brain but he continued with his work. He stopped instantly when he heard his Aunt call out.

"Harry you have some visitors."

Slowly getting to his feet he tried to think of who it could be. Had Dumbledore come early for him? Were Ron and Hermione visiting? Was this visitor his new Teacher? His mind whirled around the possible combinations of people that it could be. Drying his hand we walked out of the kitchen and into the hall. The long wavy red heir, the bright eyes and smiling face told Harry instantly who was visiting him, Ginny.

"Harry!" Called Ginny as soon as she spotted him. She took and involuntary step towards him, her body wanted to throw itself at him to hug him. She wanted to tell him that all would be alright but she managed to check herself.

"Ginny? What are you doing here?" asked Harry suspiciously. He was pleased to see her, in fact he felt his stomach turn slightly at the look she was giving him, but why was she here?

"I've come to visit, to chat and introduce you to someone."

"Who?" asked Harry growing more suspicious by the minuets his hand slowly dropping to his side near his hidden wand.

"Guess?" chimed Ginny in a playful voice as a second girl walked round Ginny.

Harry felt his heart melt and stomach drop as the girl walked round Ginny. She was smaller than Ginny but by any persons eyes she was perfect looking. Her face was lit up with a smile and was famed by silvery blond hair. The blue eyes were open and wide looking straight at Harry. Not at his scar, as most did, but right into his face.

He felt his magic swirl and pull. A small tug played at his arms and he had the feeling that all he wanted to do was hug this girl. Hug this girl? What was he thinking? Instantly he fought against his magic and these new feelings. He could feel the two girls looking at him and decided the hallway was too restrictive to hold them all.

"Um ... why don't you come in and sit down." Asked Harry indicating the front room.

The two girls quietly followed Harry and sat themselves on the sofa. Ginny was still smiling at Harry response to Gabrielle. She was jealous but suspected that every boy would react the same way.

Harry continued to look at the new girl, he could feel and slight response in his lower body and there was something about her that seemed familiar but he cold not place it.

"Do I um know you?" he asked

"Yes, I'm Gabrielle." Came the sweet reply. Harry was monetarily caught by the sweetness of the reply, the gentle voice seemed to caress his insides, and then his mind caught up. Gabrielle, Fleur's sister the one her rescued from the lake.

"Your Fleur's sister."

"That's right."

Harry shook his head at the thoughts running through it. It was nice to see two different people but why were they here and why did he feel so strange?

"It's nice to see you Ginny and you Gabrielle but... um... why are you here?"

Ginny looked at Gabrielle and saw that her friend was in an almost daydream so decided to answer the question herself.

"We wanted to see how you are. We thought that you might like some company for a change and so came round to see you and ... um ...things."

This was clearly not making sense to Harry and it showed. He had always looked at Ginny as Ron's sister. He did enjoy the time that they together during DA and at school. And yes she had had a crush on him in the first year but why was she visiting? Ron he could understand, even Hermione coming to visit but Ginny? And what was it with Gabrielle.

He continued to mull over these thoughts not knowing what to say. He had really only be alone with a girl a few times, not counting Hermione, and he just didn't know what he should be doing.

Aunt Petunia stood in the doorway looking at the group in front of her. She had followed them in intent at reminding Harry about his work but something made her stop. She continued to study the new arrivals and felt the hairs on her arm raise. The look that the ginger haired girl kept giving her was frightening it was as though she wanted to attack her for just standing their. The silvery blond haired girl hardly gave her a look but the one that did was very penetrating.

"Harry why don't you go out back and chat amongst yourselves?" Asked Petunia feeling more and more uncomfortable in her own house.

"Um..OK then." Answered Harry getting to his feet and leading them out into the back garden.

He walked to his favourite spot in the shade created by the trees and sank to the grass. He stretched out his legs and leaned back slightly, he continued to study the two girls. They were different yet the same. Ginny seemed to flop down very much like he had done and stretched out her legs, but Gabrielle gracefully lowered herself and tucked her legs under.

"So...um...what have you been doing?" Harry asked trying to start a conversation.

Ginny looked quickly to Gabrielle and then jumped right in. "Not much really, been at home helping out, trying to think up ways of getting Dumbledore to let you go early."

"You shouldn't really." Mumbled Harry.

"Why not? You should not be here. You should be with people that care for you?"

"They care for me here." Replied Harry automatically.

"Yeh right?" scoffed Ginny.

Silence descended for a moment.

"So after all that you decided to visit me?" asked Harry again trying to change the subject.

"Yes, I thought you needed it." Whispered Ginny lowering her head.

Harry was stunned by this, was Ginny acting shy. Why?

Gabrielle closed her eyes to try and quell her racing emotions and magic. When Harry had first looked at her, she had to use every ounce of willpower she had not to throw caution to the wind and run into his arms and beg him not to let go. Her magic, her very being, was screaming at her to grab him and not let go forever.

Slowly she found her centre as the two others tried to have their conversation. She felt her Veela magic sing in happiness and felt her own response. Everything seemed much easier, much clearer, she felt almost powerful, invincible, protected, many differing emotions and for once she could not trace them.

Opening her eyes she could now clearly see the ribbon that was connecting them, in fact she could see a new ribbon connecting her and Ginny. This surprised her and she felt her focus going, quickly suppressing her surprise she refocused on her connection to Harry. It had changed, she was sure of it, it seemed more vibrant more alive. Breathing out slowly she let the image just fade away.

Still feeling very uncomfortable Harry turned his face to look at Gabrielle. There was little of the girl he remembered in the person in front of him. He felt happy, almost content at looking at her, it was almost like the Imperius Curse his mind was telling him. The Imperius Curse, Imperius Curse kept running round in his head it was as though he was trying to join the dots but kept missing one, he was missing something here.

Ginny explained that Gabrielle would be starting at Hogwarts this year and this to Harry's relief allowed them to launch into a long talk about his most favourite of places, Hogwarts.

**

Voldemort looked up from the fire. He was sitting in his normal high back chair. He had its back to the door but this did not worry him, nothing worried him. The sound that his retainers made only confirmed what he already knew, they were waiting for him.

Lazily he swung the chair round to face the assembled people, he did not raise his voice but knew they would all hear.

"Report."

A balding pale man stepped forward. "They have stopped my lord."

"Stopped."

"Yes my lord, they have stopped. The Dementors have returned to their home, they say to rest."

"To rest?"

"We think that they are mating, growing stronger."

"Very well keep a close eye on them."

"Yes my lord." Instantly bowed the man before retreating from the room.

"Next."

A heavy set man walked forward.

"We have managed to convince a contingent of the Giants to relocate. It should not take us too long."

"Good send them to the southwest."

"At once." Replied the man turning.

"Oh Norden make sure that they don't attack the nearby villages when they arrive."

"Of course." Replied the man bowing before leaving.

The next person walked forward, she was tall and slim built, but before she could speak Voldermort held up his hand.

"Frobisher I want your report now."

A well dressed wizard walked to the front past the three remaining retainers.

"My lord good news, we have managed to find the location you asked for."

"Oh very good." Voldermort purred.

"It was not easy ..." continued the man.

"I don't care about your ease." Replied Voldermort with venom.

"Yes my lord." Stammered the man.

"Wormtail go with Frobisher, find out all that you can." Commanded Voldermort.

When the two men had left the room Voldermort studied the two that were left.

"Just you two ladies left, report."

The tall slim girl started.

"I have managed to acquire the premises that you requested."

"Any trouble?" Asked Voldermort. This was the first time he had shown any emotion at this meeting. He alone knew how import this part was.

"None my Master."

"Good I want the first one outfitted to these instruction." Said Voldermort conjuring a rolled parchment from thin air.

The lady bowed deeply and then left the room.

"So Bellatrix as normal these days you're last."

"Yes my lord."

"So report."

"They have been secured as you predicted. The task will not be impossible but it will be very difficult."

"Are you questioning me?" asked Voldermort stroking his wand.

"No my lord, with a small amount of panic in her voice." She knew how much pleasure he got from inflicting pain and with her alone in the room there could only be one target.

"I sense something different in you." He whispered.

Something inside of her gave a startled cry at these words. She had tried to keep her feeling buried these past few days but had he noticed.

"I'm just anchious to see this start."

"Are you indeed? Never fret it will soon."

"Yes my lord."

"Go then and prepare the others for the coming assaults then."

Bellatrix bowed and had to check her pace as she left the room wanting to run away as fast as she could. The door behind her closed and she felt immediate relief, glancing to the side she saw Severus Snape lounging against the central staircase.

"You look scared Bellatrix."

She tried to ignore the gaze that he threw at her but she could not stop herself from wondering why he was not present at that meeting.

"You fail to answer?" said Snape

"I don't answer to you."

"Ah but you should." Replied Snape mysteriously.

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind that, tell me what happened in there."

"No."

Severus smiled at this answer and fixed his gaze on Bellatrix. Instantly she turned her head.

"Don't you try that again Snape or you will regret it!"

Snape laughed at this tiny threat and just studied the retreating form of Bellatrix as she left the Manor.

**

Draco threw down the book he had been learning and glared at his mother. His insides wanted him to jump up and hit something or someone. He was now Lord of the Manor he should not be doing all of this homework, it was worse than at Hogwarts. There he could at least get someone to help him or more probably do it for him but here he was on his own.

"Now Draco what's the problem?" asked Narcissa from across the room.

Draco continued to glare at her until his fury exploded.

"All this...this...crap! It's the summer and I should be having fun. Not stuck in here with you reading about some ancient art of mind reading. You have had me learning and practicing this for what. You can't even tell if I'm doing it right so all of this could be wrong."

"Yes ... but you must learn."

"Must learn, must learn. If this was so important why didn't Father teach me last year? You want me to learn this for your own selfish reasons. What have I got to hide, I've done nothing wrong. He won't punish me."

"Are you will to bet everything on that." Asked Narcissa quietly.

Draco opened his mouth to respond with all of his anger then suddenly he stopped, the books that he read on the first night came to him. It was indeed "everything" that he was now playing with. He wouldn't receive detention, or lines or anything else of the sorts it would be death. A cold reality washed over him as he looked down at the book on the floor.

"How long have I got?" he asked bending low.

"Two full days." Narcissa answered.

He straightened up holding the book, his previous anger gone as suddenly as it had arrived. Without a further sound he sat back down and continued to read.

**

Harry looked up at the sky. He had been sitting there talking about all things to do with the school for far longer than he thought. For sum reason the longer he was there the more comfortable he felt, his insides were almost purring as he continued to listen to the sounds around him. His mind kept churning that he was missing something, after all the time that he was sitting he had still not found the answer. Looking at Gabrielle he just knew it was to do with her.

Realising that for most of the day Gabrielle had just sat there listening to both him and Ginny tell stories about Hogwarts he knew very little about her.

"So Gabrielle what have you been doing?" he asked.

"Reading, researching."

"Sounds like Hermione, what you studding for?" Replied Harry automatically.

"A summer project."

"Oh what project?"

Gabrielle sensed that she could not back out of this question. The day so far had been the best she could remember for far too long a time. Sitting in the shade with both Ginny and Harry talking away made her fell safe and happy. She could easily feel her magic singing with happiness and was just dieing to try some of it out but knew that she could not. Swallowing slightly she replied to Harry.

"Teaching."

Harry heard the answer and opened his mouth to ask the next question but stopped suddenly. His mind made the connection, it was simple, it was there in front of him. Teaching, Imperius, Gabrielle. It all fitted.

Gabrielle noticed Harry stop before she felt the sudden coolness around her.

"You're part Veela aren't you?" as Harry in a very serious voice.

"Yes."

Harry's mind added this to the rest and he started to feel slightly sick.

"You can affect people like Fleur can can't you?"

"No." replied Gabrielle fearing now that this moment was now beginning to spin out of control.

"Don't lie to me, you're here to teach, teach me and you're using your Veela powers on me."

"No Harry I'm not honestly."

"You're the person that Dumbledore warned me about. You're going to teach me about love." Asked Harry his voice slightly rising.

"I am Harry but please listen." Started Gabrielle but she could get not further.

"Listen to you ... a young girl."

"Please..." she begged, but Harry was not listening at all..

"A little girl is going to teach me to protect myself. This is a joke, and not a very nice one."

"Harry listen." Butted in Ginny. But he whirled on her.

"Listen! Ginny I thought I knew you, I though you was my friend."

"I am!" she pleaded.

"But why are you a party of this. A little girl, and eleven year old for god sake is going to teach me. It's not a game I'm playing. It my life we are talking about. What she going to show me. How to play with a dolls houses, how much rabbits are cute and fluffy. Yeh that's going to help me."

Ginny opened her mouth to respond but Harry was having none of it his anger was almost all consuming.

"I thought it was too nice. I was having to wonderful time sitting here, but now I learn that it was just a game. Let's play with ickl Harry, he so nice and everybody wants be him. Well they can have it. I've got a mad man wanting to kill me. That's right, kill me and the two of you create some story so you can come here and play with me."

"But Harry..." whispered Gabrielle.

"Don't you but me, this is absolutely crazy, why don't the pair of you just leave me alone. Just go away, run back home, I don't care just get out of my sight."

Harry jumped up and stormed back into the house leaving the two girls still sitting in the shade.

The two sat there in silence until Ginny leaned over and pulled Gabrielle into a hug. The younger girl looked absolutely destroyed. Helping her to her feet Ginny whispered.

"We had better go home mum will be worried."

Gabrielle sniffed once and looked and Ginny, but what could she say to her to anybody. She had failed, utterly.