Stronger for You

Chp. 2 Nothing is what it seems

“The world is seldom what it seems; to man, who dimly sees, realities appear as dreams, and dreams realities.” – Samuel Johnson.

Chapter Two

“If this is a joke, it’s not funny.” Professor McGonagall breaks the silence solemnly. I make my fingers loosen on her fingers. She’s cold still, so to get away from the adult’s stares, I turn my back and begin to draw the covers over Jacky.

“It’s not a joke, Professor. Let me start from the beginning.” Ginny looks around and pulls out a chair next to Jacky’s bed, perching on it, clenching her trembling hands in her lap. Her face is scratched from battle, her clothes dusty and bloodstained. Tonight had been a long night.

“We’re listening.” Mrs. Weasley prompts. Ginny draws up her shoulders and looks at them, where they’ve gathered opposite her. Harry, Hermione, and Ron join us. It’s like warring sides on a battlefield.

“The curse was meant for Draco. So that he would be believed to be dead and would be free of being a death eater.” Her words draw puzzled glances and more questions, but she waits until they are quiet.

“The reason we wanted to help him, or at least make him free, is so that he and Jacky could be free together.”

“Okay, hold on. We’re missing a big piece here.” Susan breaks in angrily. I glance at her in surprise. Hannah and Dean are with her by the adults. Her eyes are angry and her hands are on her hips.

“Right, well you see…Jacky and Draco have been dating for seven months.”

I wonder what complete incredulity looks like?

“Listen up!” I yell when they do not quiet down after a minute. Mrs. Weasley throws me a glare.

“Please” I add hastily. She nods and shushes the others.

“Okay, long story short, Jacky has always been in love with Draco, and this year Draco realized it. That’s why he went with her to the funeral and they got together after that. But we knew that they could never be together once this war truly began so we came up with a plan a month ago to help them. Hermione?” Ginny looks to her friend. Hermione steps forward, slightly nervous.

“It was Jacky who gave me the idea. It is complex magic, but it is possible to direct your magic out of another’s wand, if you have a connection with them. After I researched it, I discovered that you could even cast spells at someone, but if someone uses their magic through yours, it will act like the spell that they had casted. In short, Harry did cast Avada Kedavra. But Seamus used the Mortal Sleep spell. ‘Mortis ad Somno’. It gives the affected that appearance of death, but they are really asleep. A very deep sleep, similar to the Draught of Living Death affects and also the inspiration for the poison the wizard poet Shakespeare used for Juliet’s—”

“Off topic, Hermione.” Ron coughs. She blushes slightly and clears her throat.

“Anyway, we paired off and practiced to get it right. It took quite a while, but we all eventually formed bonds to perfect it.” She pauses and her face contorts into confusion.

“Wait, Seamus, you were paired with Ron. How did you accomplish this?” She gestures to Jacky. I lick my lips, suddenly thirsty. Harry’s face is also confused.

“I’m not sure. I just wanted to help her.” I say.

“But you don’t have a bond with Harry. How did it work so well?”

“I used Jacky’s technique, alright?” I admit loudly, aware of my blushing cheeks. Hermione looks scandalous.

“It’s not safe! Are you completely daft? Her way doesn’t always work!”