Some Fantastic
Chapter Two
Maybe Your Right...
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The next night Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron found themselves following Harry down the deserted streets of Diagon Alley. Harry hadn't bothered to tell them where they were going or what they were doing. Ginny, who was so connected to him, was the only one who knew what he was up to. Ron and Hermione looked apprehensive at all the dark shop fronts and hooded figures lurking about.
"I don't know If I can get used to this vampire schedule." Ron said with a yawn, "Everything is so different at night."
"It wont be forever Ron, just until we help Harry and Ginny." Hermione replied as a beggar walked by and she tightened her grip on Ron's hand. "But I do agree, being out at night isn't that much fun."
Harry smiled and stopped suddenly, causing Hermione to run into him. When she stepped back he said, "Yes, everything looks odd at night. But I think this night will be a good one for you Hermione."
"How so?"
Harry simply pointed up behind him. Hermione looked up and smiled. In large fancy letters was Flourish and Blotts, the lights were on inside the store and a large wizard with a thin mustache stood in the doorway, welcoming them inside. Harry and Ginny greeted the owner then stepped inside the store. Hermione however seemed to be in slight shock.
"I thought Flourish and Blotts was closed." She asked.
Harry stuck his head out the door and waved her inside, "It is, but its open for us tonight."
As Hermione and Ron greeted the man holding the door open they walked in, still in disbelief. Hermione stopped at the first stack of books and picked up the top one. "How did you do this Harry?"
Ginny smiled, "You forget that he is the famous Harry Potter! He went to Erin, told him what he needed and Mr. Nash here kindly agreed to open the store for us tonight."
Harry wrapped an arm around Ginny's shoulder. "I love that you can read my mind Ginny. But yes, she's right. All I did was ask if we could get in and here we are. Get anything you want Hermione, any book that you think will be helpful. Money isn't important."
Ron looked down at Hermione and said, "This really is your night."
Hermione almost screamed with joy as she took off upstairs, touching and reading the titles of several books as she went. Ron followed her, knowing that he would indeed become a human basket in a moments time. Harry and Ginny however approached Mr. Nash, the junior manager who agreed to open up the store. Harry walked up to him and shook his hand, noticing as he did so that he seemed to tense up.
"I can't thank you enough for letting us in, it's so hard to go shopping during the day." Harry said then released his hand.
"It's no problem Mr. Potter but don't try anything funny. I have a stake in my back pocket with your name on it if you do." Mr. Nash replied then moved his hand to his jeans.
Ginny frowned, "Don't worry, we're just here for the books. Besides we already had our fill today." She pulled on Harry's hand, heading for the stairs. The look of horror on Mr. Nash's face wasn't lost on her but she didn't care very much. She hated how people treated vampires, like they were blood hungry animals.
Ginny, you can't talk to people like that. I know how you hate being treated differently but it's just because they are uneducated on the subject. Harry mentally relayed to her.
I know but this is exactly the sort of thing that I want to change. I know you don't like the idea of me helping the VLG with the Ministry but if we can make them see the truth then perhaps we can change the minds of everyone else. Ginny said as she dragged Harry upstairs.
My little riot starter. Harry said jokingly.
By the time Harry and Ginny made it upstairs, Ron's arms were already full of books. Hermione was sitting on the floor, cross legged scanning through a large book with black pages and white writing. Ginny went to sit next to Hermione while Harry helped Ron with his load. Each of the books bore titles such as "Vampire Nation: A History of Vampirism in England" or "Vampires and Magic." Harry couldn't help but be amazed at how may book there were on vampires.
"Don't worry Harry, I'm not getting all of those. Most of them have nothing in them that can help us. I'm looking more for magical connections between Vampires or even witches and wizards. I'm just picking up anything that as the word vampire it in right now." Hermione said without looking up from her book.
Harry dropped his books on the floor and motioned for Ron to do the same. "Well, let's just make a pile and then you can go back and pick which ones you want then."
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"No Harry, you're not doing it right. Back up and try again." Hermione spat, sitting cross legged in the backyard of Lupin and Tonk's house.
Harry looked ready to eat her alive, "This isn't easy Hermione; I want to see you try it."
"You know I can't, I'm not a vampire." She replied without bothering to look up from her book on her lap.
The moment the four of them returned from book shopping, Hermione insisted that they get to practicing right away. The sooner the better, she stated. Harry and Ginny grudgingly agreed. They choose to use Lupin's yard rather than the Burrow because they didn't want to wake anyone up and they ran the risk of muggles spotting them in Ottery St. Catchpole. Here, just outside of Hogsmead they didn't have that risk.
"I can fix that problem you know." Harry said then jokingly bared his fangs to her.
Ron who was lying beside Hermione, half asleep, suddenly shot up. "That's not funny Harry."
"Oh clam down Ron, Harry's not going to hurt me." Hermione said then sweetly put her hand on his. "Alright you two, let's try this again. Now remember to concentrate, use each other's energy."
Harry and Ginny turned away from each other and mentally counted to five. Suddenly Ginny's skin turned a soft blue shade and a blue hazy bubble formed around her. The same glowing power enveloped her as it did the night she killed Malincov. She looked beautiful and powerful at the same time, like an all powerful goddess. Harry on the other hand looked like a clown. His skin took on a faint pinkish tint while his hair stood on end. No magical bubble surrounded him, he didn't look powerful he just looked silly.
"No Harry, you're only thinking of Ginny. You need to equally spread your energy; if you concern yourself with her only then she will do nothing more than drain your powers. Try it again." Hermione called.
"Let's take a break Hermione." Ginny said as her blue glow drifted away. "Harry can we talk for a moment."
Ginny took Harry's arm and walked him out of earshot of Hermione and Ron. She kissed him sweetly before she went on, "Harry, Hermione's right. You're focusing too much on me. If that book is correct this power that we share can save our life someday. It's a shield from those who wish to harm us; a way to increase our energy to do whatever it is we need to do. It saved our lives once and we didn't even know what we were doing then. If we learn to control this, who knows what we could do."
Harry smiled, he loved to see her passionate about things. "I know, I'm trying. The only thing I can think about is making sure that you have all my strength and energy. I have this consuming urge to protect you at all cost, it must be our lifemate thing making me do it."
"Well, knock it off!" Ginny said with a smirk. "Let's try it again and this time don't be so noble Mr. Potter."
Harry laughed as they walked a little closer to Hermione then once again turned their backs to each other. Harry silently said to Ginny,I'll get it right this time...one...two...three...four...five. Harry almost jumped for joy when he realized he finally got it but he had to force himself to hang on. His skin was on fire with an intense red glow, his eyes felt like they would burst from his head. The whole world appeared red as he looked out from the glow that was surrounding him. He turned around to look at Ginny and noticed that she was glowing as blue as ever. We did it! Now what? Harry asked Ginny.
Ginny laughed, now we have to figure out how to use this shield. Try to do some wandless magic or something, or try running into something.
How's this? Harry asked as he took off running towards a tree. For a split second he thought he was going to run into it face first but when he made contact he didn't feel a thing. In fact he bounced off it rather quickly leaving a burnt spot on the tree were little whips of smoke were rising. He turned around and looked at Ginny, So nothing can touch us, let's try this. Harry raised his palm towards Ginny and said, "Petrificus Totalus." The palm of his hand burned for a moment then a light shot off towards Ginny, the spell in turn bounced off her shield and flew off into space.
"That's amazing!" Hermione proclaimed as she stood up and walked over to Ginny.
Suddenly a loud popping sound came from behind them when they turned to look they were surprised to see Erin Lovegood standing with a large grin on his face. "That really is amazing, I have never seen anyone use an Orb shield before, it's really incredible."
Harry released his shield and walked towards Erin, "Hey Erin, what brings you by here? Is there a meeting tonight?"
"No, not a VLG meeting. Dirk Cresswell from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures has agreed to have tea with us tonight to talk about what the VLG plans to do at the Ministry. I knew that Ginny has expressed an interest in getting involved so I wanted to invite her to join me. But I must say I'm delighted to see that Hermione is already training you, I don't want to disturb you."
Ginny, who's skin was slowly fading from blue looked delighted. "No, I want to come, let's go."
Harry used their mental connection to talk to her, but Ginny we're practicing.
Oh calm down Harry, you just don't want me to leave you. I'll be fine, I'm really interested in this. I want to help make a difference for our race. I know it's hard for us to be apart but it's just for a few hours. Or, you could stop being so stubborn and join us.
Harry frowned, No, you know I want nothing to do with the Ministry.
Erin who was looking back and forth at Harry and Ginny, knowing that they were talking to each other, smiled. "So, is Harry going to let you leave?"
"Harry doesn't let me do anything. But yes, I'm coming with you. We can practice more tomorrow night." Ginny said, looking daggers at Harry.
Erin and Ginny waved goodbye and vanished into the night. Instantly Harry felt alone, lost, abandon. His stomach churned and he felt as if he was going to be ill. When he fell to his knees, Hermione rushed to his side to put a consoling hand on his back. He hated himself for needing her so badly, the longer they were apart from each other the harder it hurt to be separated. It felt like the moment she left that she died, taking his heart with her.
Ginny bust through his mind, feeling his pain. Oh God Harry! I forgot how bad this hurts. I'm sorry, but I need to do this for myself...we need to learn to control this feeling when we are a part.
Harry was on the verge of tears, I don't think I can! It hurts to much, why is this happening to us? Why can't we spend one second away from each other?
I don't know Harry, tell Hermione to look into it. Ginny said then broke their connection.
I need you Ginny, I can't believe you just left me like that.
When she didn't answer Harry violently swung his head to look Hermione in the eye. "When Ginny and I are apart it's the worst pain in the world. It's like having my heart ripped out but I'm still living. Why?"
"I don't know Harry, but I'll try to find out. I promise." Hermione said with sorrow written on her face. "I'll do everything I can to help you both. I can't image what you're feeling, I'm not a vampire. But if it's as bad as you say it is, there has to be a reason for it."
Harry turned and looked at Hermione with wide eyes and determination, "You better Hermione because every time she leaves me I want to hurt someone. Your books said that it's normal for a vampire to be evil, if she keeps leaving me I don't know what will happen to me."
"Harry I know you wouldn't hurt..."
"NO!" Harry said as he stood up and looked frantic. "You don't understand, I'm afraid of myself, I'm afraid for you, for Ron. For everyone. When she leaves something happens to me, like something is calling to me to roam the world and kill."
"Harry I promise you that I'll figure this out. Give me some time. Mean while you better head home and keep yourself safe while you wait for her." Hermione said, putting a hand on Harry's back.
Harry gave her one last frantic look then vanished on the spot. Hermione turned to Ron and said with worry on her face, "I think they need more help than even they realize."
"I hope so, or that's the craziest vampire I have ever seen." Ron replied.