Harry Potter and the next step

Chapter One

I woke up with a big yawn and put on my glasses. I looked over at Ron, who had a wide grin on his face. He leaned down and picked up a small box. It was wrapped in a bright paper, and was tied up with ribbon. I was wondering what was going on. Ron handed me the box and I looked at the label. 'To Harry' it said. Then I remembered - it was my birthday.

I looked at the end of my bed and saw more presents.

'They are from the other guys, but forget about them, open mine!' Ron cried. I grinned and unravelled the thin ribbon on the box. I opened it and saw a small glass ball. Before I could ask Ron what it was, he was already explaining.

'I didn't make it, Dad did, and it took him ages! When you ask it a question, it will turn green for yes, and red for no!'

My smile turned into an even bigger one.

'What? Oh, thanks Ron'

Ron gave me a thumbs up and walked over to get changed. I decided to test it out on something that I was wondering.

'Is Hermione waiting for me downstairs?' I asked the clear circle. After a few seconds the circle turned a bright green colour. I laughed, and headed downstairs after I put the other guys presents beside my bag.

Believe it or not Hermione was waiting downstairs, and I was almost thrown off the floor with a big hug.

'Harry! Happy birthday' she cried. 'I've been waiting for you!'

'I know' I said, grinning and releasing her. Hermione's hair was up in a pony-tail today, and she seemed to be wearing some make-up.

'Well anyway, here's you're present' she said, handed me a box. As I opened it I noticed what it was straight away. It was a book. It had the title: Amazing Spells!

'Erm, thanks Hermione' I said, giving her another hug.

'Oh, it was no trouble,' She replied. But Hermione was suddenly shoved out the way, and I looked into the eyes of my one true love, my light at the end of the tunnel, Ginny Weasly.

'Harry' she cried, flinging herself towards me and kissing me gently. 'Happy Birthday' and she handed me a photo frame of me and her, taken about a week ago. I said thanks and gave her a hug. After I released her she had a strange look in her eye, she looked kind of guilty. Ginny walked over to my side and but her arm around me, and Hermione came back over.

She gave me a weak smile and then Ron came down the stairs. He walked over to me, Ginny and Hermione. He asked Hermione what she got me and rolled his eyes at the word: Book.

'Anyway, I need to tell you something, can we talk in the Hallway' She whispered.

Hermione looked at Ginny and Ginny gave her an evil look. Ginny walked over to Ron, and Hermione and I walked outside.

'Listen Harry, it's about Ginny, there's something up with her, please can you talk to her or check something. She kinda seems like she has done something horrible to you. I just thought id tell you.' Hermione said. Her eyes were full of worry and I knew she wasn't fooling around.

I reached out the small clear circle from my pocket and said: Has Ginny done something to hurt me?

I stared at the round circle with shock, as it slowly turned bright green, but it was full of darkness.

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