Ginny looked around Dumbledore's office fearfully from her seat. She was sure she would be punished now that Harry and his friends had left.
"Miss Weasley, you do realize that, as you were unable to achieve your goal, and Mr. Potter knows of the plan, you are utterly useless to me now?"
"Yes, sir." She had been afraid of this. Truthfully, she didn't feel that she was completely out of the game. If she were to change her ways, she might have hope of turning his attention to her. And if not now, then very possibly in the future. After all, didn't Lily hate James when they first met in school? However, she didn't dare voice these thoughts to Dumbledore. She saw the malice in his eyes. She suddenly wished her family were not on his side.
"Surely you simply asked too much of one so young, Albus," said one of the portraits. Ginny cast him a grateful smile, although she knew the portraits words would have no effect on the headmaster.
"I was told she has been prepared since infancy for her goal, and was still unable to accomplish it. It seems obvious to me that she is now unable to do so, despite her training." Ginny blushed scarlet, embarrassed and rather upset by the Headmaster's dismissal of her.
"I couldn't have known he was already in love."
"You should have done your research, Miss Weasley." Fully rebuked, she leaned back against her chair.
"I'm sorry, Headmaster."
"You aren't really sorry yet, Miss Weasley, but you will be." Ginny didn't like the sound of that. She was right to fear his words. Without a moment's hesitation, Dumbledore raised his wand and cast the Cruciatus Curse on her. Ginny writhed and twitched so hard that she fell from her seat to the floor, and she began screaming in pain. Horrified, the portraits looked on, unable to do anything. Her parents were bothered by the punishment, but would not interfere for fear of having the anger turned on them.
"Albus, she's only eleven!" At the portrait's admonition, Dumbledore lifted the curse. Gasping, Ginny painfully stood and sat in the chair she had fallen from earlier. Her limbs trembled with pain and the after effects of the curse.
"Now, Miss Weasley, I believe you are truly sorry." Ginny merely nodded miserably, unwilling to say anything that may bring about more pain. Dumbledore glanced to her parents to see if they would object or react in any way. As they did not, he continued. "As I mentioned, you have utterly failed in your quest, which you were so positive you would accomplish. Your brother also failed in his task. Your older brother, Percival, also ensured that he would be useless to me, by earning the enmity of Mr. Potter. With so many of you firmly set against Mr. Potter, the rest of the family is completely useless to me. He will never trust any of you. As such, I wash my hands of the Weasley family. I suggest you keep yourself out of my sight."
"Albus," started Arthur fearfully. "You cannot mean this. We have stood by you faithfully since the beginning."
"I know this, which is why I don't simply kill you all." The three Weasleys gasped. "In the past you have earned your rewards, and now you have earned your dishonor. Now, as I said, I suggest you keep yourself out of my sight!" He reached for his wand and pointed it at them. They ran out of his office before he had decided which curse to use. He sighed, upset that he had missed his chance. "How sad that they are too stupid to think for themselves. If they had any intelligence, they would cease to serve me. But then, of course, I would kill them, so perhaps that is why they continue in my service." He set down his wand and paced his office.
What happens now, Great One? Fawkes had to be careful not to allow sarcasm to creep into his tone.
"I don't know, Fawkes. I must find another girl to throw at Harry. Eventually one will catch his eye. Unfortunately, Miss Lovegood is entirely too attached to Harry to join my side. And Miss Granger has already paired up with Mr. Malfoy. And I doubt I'd be able to get the Black Brat to do anything. I will have to wait and see if there is any girl who catches his eye."
I wish you luck, Great One.
"Thank you, Fawkes. You are a great comfort to me." Dumbledore sat back at his desk and considered what exactly his next step would be.