A Troubled Mind - Part 9 of A Woman Scorned (H/D, PG-13)

[sesheta66]

Title:   A Troubled Mind, Part 9 of A Woman Scorned
Author:   sesheta_66 
Rating:   PG-13
Word Count:   1142
Pairing/Characters:   Ginny, Harry/Draco
Challenge:   AWDT "Night after night" 
Warnings:   No beta. Please point out any errors you find.
Summary:   Ginny is desperately trying to help Harry, but it's not easy being the only one who sees the truth.
Disclaimer:   The characters contained herein are not mine. They belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.


Part 1 - A Valentine Surprise
Part 2 - The Plan
Part 3 - Without a Trace
Part 4 - A Beautiful Lie
Part 5 - Whatever It Takes
Part 6 - The Best Laid Plans 
Part 7 - At His Wit's End
Part 8 - Last Hope

Night after night, she watched him. She waited for him to fall asleep. He resisted, knowing that there would likely be nightmares to greet him. She felt so protective of him now, wanting him to feel safe.

As she watched Harry's breathing become deep and rhythmic, Ginny closed the door and went to her own room for the night, sighing. She was disappointed that they hadn't grown closer yet, but that was okay. She was patient. After all, they had the rest of their lives together. What were a few more months of waiting, of anticipation, in the grand scheme of things?

She had initially been surprised at his reaction. Convinced that he was under some kind of spell, or under the influence of some mind-altering potion, she was shocked that Harry hadn't had some sort of life-altering revelation soon after she had brought him here. Most spells that she knew off wore off in short order, or once the person was removed from the vicinity. She of course had cast a Finite Incantatum on him - the last bit of magic she did before they travelled anywhere near here - but it had no effect.

Things had not progressed as she had hoped. By this time, she had fully expected Harry to have snapped out of his delusional state of mind. By now, he should have been thanking her profusely for rescuing him. They should have been plotting revenge on the Slytherin, for messing with Harry's mind. He was not in love with Draco fucking Malfoy, scum of the wizarding world. He couldn't be. She knew Harry wasn't acting of his own free will. Unfortunately, she seemed to be the only one who knew. But she was determined to rescue him, as he had once rescued her from the clutches of Voldemort.

Of course she knew Malfoy wasn't Voldemort, but he was a parasite. She knew that he would be nothing, if not for his association with Harry, and he knew it too. He couldn't risk losing that power, and he had insinuated himself into Harry's life, and - Merlin, she still felt sickened by the thought of it - into Harry's bed.

She hadn't really given the idea of gay relationships much thought before, and she still wasn't really sure how she felt about the idea in general. But she did know that Harry wasn't gay. She had kissed him. Nobody kissed a girl that way and then claimed to be gay. No, Harry was definitely straight. And he was hers.

And Malfoy, gay or not gay, was a freak. He was a pariah and a leech, and somehow he had convinced Harry that he - her Harry - was gay too.

She thought about the progress they had made. It wasn't much, but Harry seemed to at least accept the fact that they were here together. He no longer mentioned Draco, or getting back to him. She caught him sometimes staring off with a faraway look, lost in some memory perhaps. But she never asked what he was thinking about in those moments, too afraid of what his answer might be.

Convinced that being away from Malfoy was helping Harry, but knowing that he hadn't experienced a revelation of any kind, Ginny was becoming more and more uneasy.

Harry seemed so fragile now. Not that Ginny minded at all. She loved him, no matter how he came. She would protect him at all costs, even if no one else could see he was in danger. She would give up her life to protect the man she loved. He would see in time that she had done it all for him. But for now, she just needed to keep him safe. And away from Malfoy.

The longer she thought about it, though, the more concerned she became. Being away from Malfoy for this long still hadn't broken the spell entirely, so she decided to accept the inevitable - time and distance would not solve this problem.

She shuddered as a thought entered her mind. Malfoy knows dark magic. Maybe the spell he had cast on Harry was dark magic! That would explain why it wasn't easily removed. And perhaps dark spells lasted longer, and didn't break when taken a distance away from the source.

Ginny really needed to investigate dark magic, to figure out what spell Harry was under. She had to find a way to reverse what Malfoy had done to her Harry. Her strong, vibrant Harry, who was now so fragile and broken. Malfoy would pay dearly for what he had done.

But she couldn't read up on dark magic here, with Harry watching her. She also had no books on the subject herself, so that meant going back into the magical world. She knew she couldn't go to London, which would have the best resources, because she knew they were looking for her there. Besides, she had to travel the Muggle way, and London was too far. Perhaps the small village nearby would have a library. She had found the potion for Harry there, but had wanted to get back to him so quickly that she didn't bother to look around much.

She knew she couldn't cast any spells to disguise herself, so she would have to do things the Muggle way, just like she had been doing everything else. She was grateful for the wards on this cottage. They held the signature of the developer, and needed so little magic to raise or lower them that she had been able to remain hidden. She didn't question the dark magic that was probably involved in keeping her identity concealed. The less she knew in this case, the better. She had given one drop of her blood to the owner, and he had used it to 'tune' the wards to respond to her. That was all she needed to know.

Of course, it would be wonderful to use magic for other things, but it just wasn't worth it. So she would dress up, as she had that day when she got Harry's potion. She wore a Muggle wig, padded herself to look larger than her small frame was, and wore a hooded cloak and glasses. It was the best she could do under the circumstances. Today was Saturday. Tomorrow the library - if there was one - would be closed. Monday she would start her investigation. Determined, she went to bed feeling a bit lighter in the heart.

As she drifted off to sleep, she thought about Harry. She knew he would be disappointed that she would be leaving him alone, but she also knew that he would accept that it was necessary in the long run. Once whatever spell Malfoy had over him was broken. Once he could think for himself again.

Soon, Harry, you'll be free.

Part 10 - A Mind at Rest

 

Comments

[faynia.livejournal.com]

You know, even though she's quite scary. I feel so bad for Ginny because she truly and honestly believes that what she is doing is right. And thats sad, so terribly sad.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Oh, good. That's what I was hoping to accomplish with this trip into Ginny's mind. While I don't like what she's done, and I want Harry back with Draco, I also wanted the readers to know where she's coming from.

She feels like he's been brainwashed/hexed/whatever into believing he loves Draco, and she's desperate to save him. *sighs*

[mnmbelle.livejournal.com]

Ginny is freaky scary here. She honestly believes shes doing the right thing, thats probably the most dangerous adversary. Poor Harry and Poor Draco - I hope they figure things out soon - but not too soon because then the suspense and the story will be over. Thanks for sharing!

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Yes, she is pretty scary, isn't she? Definitely a troubled girl.

thats probably the most dangerous adversary Indeed.

Thanks for reading & commenting. ♥

[ruinithil.livejournal.com]

I want to feel bad for her, I really do but...she scares me to the point that I just want to hide under a bed.

Loved it! <3 :)

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

History is full of people doing things because they are convinced they are right, and that they are doing the right thing. Some of those people were quite scary too!

Glad you're enjoying it. More to come!

[sassy-cissa.livejournal.com]

Nicely done. I can't wait until she slips up and Draco finds Harry.


*loves*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Thanks ♥ Glad you enjoyed it.

[if-in-solitude.livejournal.com]

I'm with faynia. The people who are fanatically sure of what they're doing are the scariest. And Ginny is bloody scary in this.

To Ginny: Of course he's broken, you did it, you stupid bitch!

I feel better now.

Good writing as always :-)

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Bloody scary. Completely detached from the fact that SHE is the one inflicting harm upon Harry.

To Ginny: Of course he's broken, you did it, you stupid bitch! I was waiting for someone to say that! It's what I was thinking as I was writing it.

Thanks ♥

[piratesmile331.livejournal.com]

OOOHHH!!! Ginny is just creepy here. Really scary. I hope Draco comes soon. Or Harry figures out how to do wandless...

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Creepy!Ginny is pretty scary, huh?

[lackofmendacity.livejournal.com]

*sighs*

Poor Ginny, she's so convinced she's helping Harry, that what she's doing is right. I'm going to echo the other reviewers and be terribly scared, because people who fight for what they believe in will stop at nothing. *wibbles*

It was nice of you to include her POV in this series, to explain her reasons and delusions. I expect that when we return to normal broadcasting I shall once more be angry at what she's doing to Draco and Harry, but for the moment I'm feeling rather sympathetic towards her. :)

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

*nods* Scary in that, "I know what is best for you, and I will do whatever it takes - to you and everyone around you - just to show you I'm right" sort of way.

I wanted to include her pov so that her motivation is clear - however deluded she may be - and to show that she's not trying to be evil, she's just sick. And scary.

BTW, have I mentioned before that I LOVE your icon? Gorgeous!

[lackofmendacity.livejournal.com]

Awwww... that's sweet of you. Wait a bit... *runs off*

Aha! I've dug up where I got the pretty eye icon from. :) There's an assortment here (http://community.livejournal.com/_lisichka_icons/33709.html) if you're interested. *hugs*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[jean-c-pepper.livejournal.com]

Another great chapter- and quick . I hadn't even had time to comment on the previous one.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Thanks as always. ♥ Glad you're enjoying the story.

I actually wrote this pretty much right after I posted the last one. The idea was there as I wrote the last sentence of Chapter 8, so I just kept going.

Rest assured, you'll have time to absorb these last two before I post the next one. I have some ideas in mind, but they won't be "put to paper" for a bit ... I have my Beltane fic to write now.

[jean-c-pepper.livejournal.com]

That's what I am working on now- do you mind if I still send it to you? I am so behind on the writing- work has gotten really crazy. I am trying to finish it tonight or tomorrow morning- just the sex and the ending and I am done.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

I don't mind ... just so you know I won't be very fast getting it back to you (I really have to get mine written & off to a beta as well) ... but I will respond in time for you to make the deadline.

[nomeci.livejournal.com]

She is such a delusional little bitch isnt she?

looking forward to more great work from you...

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Delusional and dangerous. Scary combination.

[thrnbrooke.livejournal.com]

How sad! She lost in her own love for him! She truly loves him. Really wants to help him. I hope she doesn't decide that Draco needs to die. Are they still looking for him?

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Yes, she does. But she doesn't realize that she's delusional, which makes her extra scary & dangerous.

And of course Draco et al are looking for Harry. Next installment is back to Draco.

[arealdeal.livejournal.com]

please tell me you are working on this, tick, tick. I so need the next chapter. Lovely plot, scary Ginny, heart bleeds for Draco hope he finds her soon before she finds something truly horrible to do to Harry to "cure" him.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Oops! Sorry ... thought I added the link when I posted chapter 10. *headdesk*

Will insert right away, because the next TWO chapters are posted. And there will be at least another update this week.

Meanwhile, click Chapter 10 (http://sesheta-66.livejournal.com/53743.html) for the next installment. There IS a link for chapter 11 at the end of that one.

Oh, and thanks for the comments! Glad you're enjoying it!

[andrea--88.livejournal.com]

love how Ginny thinks Harry is under a spell, that Draco used dark magic on him
Will be interesting to see what happens to her and her plan

excellent

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm glad you're enjoying it ... I figured you might since you were not fond of Ginny when reading the last one.