PROTECTION ♞ h.p.

18. Unleashed

The ritual room was chaotic as Aurors and Order members worked and talked, but Bill didn't notice as he sat on the edge of the bed. Next to him, Ginny was silent and still, her body stunned by Remus several minutes before.

Pointing his wand at her chest, Bill cast a silent counter charm. Almost immediately she began to stir. Her breath escaped with a slight moan as her eyelids began to flutter.

Leaning over her, Bill gently pushed her hair away from her face.

"Ginny," he called.

Her eyes flicked open, the confusion evident as her eyes struggled to focus on his face.

"Hey, princess," he said tenderly as she murmured his name. "I need you to help me. I need to know where Malfoy is."

"Malfoy?" she repeated, her voice soft and dazed.

"Where did he go?"

Blinking, her eyes roamed the ceiling for a moment before her hand moved to her face.

"Gone," she murmured. her brow furrowing, "Harry...he killed him. It was a...a cloud...it was awful..."

"Okay," Bill replied softly. "Everything's going to be alright now, just try to relax," he told her before glancing over his shoulder at Remus.

When their eyes connected, Remus nodded, letting him know he'd heard the news before turning away to tell the others.

"Harry," Ginny called suddenly, bringing Bill's attention back to her as she struggled to sit up. "Harry!"

"Ginny, no," he said, catching her arms and forcing her back down.

"Let me go!" she cried, twisting against his hold as she looked around. "Where is he? What have you done with him?"

"Remus," Bill called for his help as the rest of the room paused and looked over, startled by her outburst.

"No!" she said desperately. "You can't do this...not again..."

"I'm sorry, Gi..."

"No you're not," she spat vehemently as tears of anger filled her eyes. "I hate you...I HATE you!"

Her screams were immediately silenced by the stunner, but they echoed in Bill's head as he caught her. Laying her back on the bed, he rubbed his temple for a moment before pulling his wand. Removing the stunner he quickly replaced it with an enchanted sleep charm.

"You should get her to Hogwarts," Remus said. "We'll let you know when we're ready."

Nodding, Bill stood and lifted Ginny into his arms. Carrying her to the floo, he tried to focus on all of the reasons they were doing this, but her words wouldn't go away. They seemed to be stuck on repeat, sounding over and over in his head as he fought against his guilt for hurting her.

Remus threw a handful of floo powder into the grate, stroking Ginny's hair briefly while the flames flared a brilliant green.

Stepping into the flames, Bill tightened his hold on Ginny.

"Hogwarts," he said firmly.

Instantly he was propelled through the network, but he barely noticed the passing gates. When he arrived at Dumbledore's office he stepped out of the flames and hoisted Ginny higher against his chest.

The previous headmasters were alert in their frames, launching into questions the moment he appeared. Their voices were quickly muffled, though, when they recognized Ginny hanging limply in his arms.

"Not again," they seemed to whisper to each other as Bill headed for the door.

His footsteps echoed ahead of him as he made his way to the hospital wing. The corridors were empty and dim, the students having retired to their common rooms several hours before.