Stronger for You

Chp. 23 Taking up the Post

Author's Note: Brilliant ol' me decided that going to see World War Z at night would be a good idea. 

No, no, a thousand times bloody hell not in your lifetime never shall I sleep again, no. 

Now that I am officially an insomniac, enjoy the new chapter! If you see a zombie, get to a high place, find some type of weapon, and hope to Merlin that your dormmates will wake you up from this horrible nightmare so you won't be late to Potions or something. 

*curls into a ball and rocks back and forth slowly.* 

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Chapter Twenty-Three

“There are always consequences to the truth.” – Patti Henry

Ginny’s P.o.V 

Neville and Luna rush at my side through the passageway. Three days and still no word from her. The room, after denying us access, has finally let us in and we were wasting no time in getting to the D.A. headquarters.

“Could she be hurt?”

“Godric would have sent for us.” Neville assures me. But even Luna looks worried. I run faster.

“It might not be physical pain.” Luna points out. I nod grimly, aware of the day she stopped contacting us. What had happened with Draco?

I flung open the door as we all push through. “Oh my” Luna says delicately while I pinch my nose tightly. It stinks in here! Like…unclean hospital stink.

“What is that?” Neville gags, covering his mouth. I blink my watering eyes to see the training room in a mess. The bookshelves were cluttered, many of the books on the floor in heaps, pages littering it. The amphitheater was mostly untouched, except for a gouge mark on one of the benches. I move further down the hall but stop again as I notice the jagged claw marks up and down the walls, tables broken with limbs all over the floor. Windows were busted out, and a few training dummies lay slaughtered across the training mats.

“Oh my” Luna breathes again. I take a chance and breathe in slowly.

“Vomit, blood, and sickness.” I diagnose. Neville nods and we begin moving forward once again.

“She’s not seeing anyone at the moment.” I startle and grab Neville’s hand as Godric appears in the mirrors before us.

“What happened here?” Neville demands. Godric actually looks nervous and places his hand on the pommel of his sword.

“I heard that Finnegan boy and Jacky fighting a few nights ago, but I didn’t listen in so I do not know what it was about. She’s not been herself since.” I rush forward, pulling away the curtains.

“Jacky?” I gasp. She was spread out on her bed, only a robe as clothing over her body. Her sheets were twisted around her, her skin feverishly red and her face covered in sweat. It looked as if she were possessed; she was squirming as if restrained. The room stunk badly of unwashed bodies and sickness. I spot the piles of sick by her bed and by the bathroom.

“Jacky, can you hear me?” I ask, approaching the bedside carefully. She moans and claws her hands into the air. I place my hand against her head before pulling it back with a hiss. She was burning up. “Neville, get Hannah.” I order. He rushes off without hesitation. “Cold cloth?” I ask Luna; her eyes reflect my own fear as she zips into the bathroom. It doesn’t make much of a difference; her fever heats the cloth up in seconds.

“Jacky, what happened?” I whisper, knowing she won’t answer. She tosses her head about the pillow, her body writhing.

“Get her into a cold bath.” Hannah instructs as she arrives, slightly out of breath and in her pajamas. Neville comes over and picks Jacky up as we fill the tub with icy water. Luna and I take over her while Hannah pushes him out, telling him to get Seamus over here to explain.