Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Hermione's heart skipped a beat as Dameus dissaparated with a small pop. At her feet was a small note sloppily inscribed with the words:

Birtwick's Candle

She studied the note for what seemed like a lifetime, but couldn't make head nor tail of it. Birtwick's Candle, she thought, I've never heard of such a thing. Maybe it's a place, or an object that could lead me to Harry's parents! She stuck the note in her left jacket pocket and crept up into the silent castle.

Harry woke with a start the next morning with Ginny's head on his arm. They had slept in the Room of Requirement that night, which had supplied them with a double bed with blood-velvet, satin sheets and blankets. No sooner had Harry moved his arm that she stirred.

"Good morning," she said sweetly and kissed him, "you're up early."

"I didn't get much sleep last night," said Harry playfully, "we should get down to the Great Hall and see who is sitting in the Headmaster's chair…" his voice trialed off until it was nothing but an echo. Ginny looked crestfallen at those words and could not hide the sorrow in her voice. "Harry, have you seen my robes? Oh, wait, never mind. I need my robes!" she said defiantly, and suddenly they appeared at her beside. Harry could not help but look lustily at her as she dressed. He found her skin so silky smooth, her hair like fire. She had grown up, he could see that. She was no longer the little sister of his best friend who had tagged along after them all those years. She was the woman who was his girlfriend. During this thought, she looked up and met his gaze. Harry looked away, bashfully, though he saw no need. She was his. He knew it.

As they entered, the Great Hall was quiet. All they could hear was the clinking and clanking of forks and knives hitting the plates. McGonagall was sitting in the Headmistress' seat, her face expressionless. Harry and Ginny sat down together at the Gryffindor table and Harry could see Malfoy from his view. The Slytherin was not twittering on about himself or his money as he would normally have done, but sulking and pouting in despair. Harry knew what went on that fateful night, and he remembered the look on Malfoy's face when he gave in to Dumbledore's pleading. When Malfoy looked up, however Harry avoided eye contact. He wanted nothing more than to draw his want at the smallest of remarks. But breakfast came and went and he soon found himself walking through the main corridor next to Hermione.

"Harry," she said, "we need to talk. Meet me in the Shrieking Shack at midnight tonight, that way no one will overhear."

"Okay," he replied, "but what for?"

"There's something that I've got to tell you, something that may change your life forever."

The words were no sooner out of her mouth than there was a flash of green light and a body fell to the ground.