The next morning, a soon as they had eaten breakfast, Harry and Ron got back on their horses and rode until they came upon a large hill. On the other side was a small town. It had a large house in the center with about six smaller houses surrounding it, all inside a high wooden fence.

"This is Long Bottomton. The owner of this town is one of the three lords of Gryffin," Ron said, "Maybe we could stop on top of this hill for lunch then go into town? I'm famished."

Harry consented; his stomach had started grumbling a few minutes earlier. He began unloading a side of lamb and some bread with cheese that Molly had packed him.

Ron yawned then stated, "I'm going to see if there's a river to refill my water pouch. I'll be back soon."

Harry nodded, sat, and began to eat. He tossed Hedwig and Widgey some of the staler bread, which they still enjoyed. All of a sudden, he heard a rustling behind him. There was another horse there chewing on the bread. Now, it wouldn't have been strange to see a lone horse except for the fact that this horse was completely saddled and had saddlebags still attached to it. Either the horse had run away or the owner was near.

Feeling like he was being watched, Harry stood and spun full circle. A short man in full armor, which was a good bit large for him, stood behind a tree. Harry drew his sword knowing right then that this was the noise he'd heard the previous night.

Harry's sword tip was at the man's throat, unwavering with the fear he felt.

"Who are you? Why were you following us?"

The mystery man had raised his hands in the air but now slowly took off his helmet revealing his face. Harry's sword dropped to his side in shock.

"G-Ginny? What are you doing here? Whose armor is that?" Harry yelped. In confusion, he sat down against a tree.

Ginny smiled a bit as she shook her fiery red hair out of the braid that had been hidden in the helmet. She slowly began taking off her armor, watching Harry for any signs of aggression. As she worked, Harry saw she wore men's clothing under her armor.

"Harry, you need to understand some things," Ginny began, "I can't stand staying at home all day. I want to be out in the action, doing archery and sword fighting. Or jousting. I want to be in the court of Strawgo, learning under the best tutors in the world."

"But why did you follow us? Where did you get all these things?"

Ginny seemed to blush a bit. "Mum never let me train at home so I knew I had to run away. I knew where she kept both of my dead uncles' armor, so I stole this armor from there. It was my uncle Fabian's. And this is my horse. Dad gave him to me when I was only twelve and I've learned to ride like a man. His name is Arnold."

Harry smoothed his jet-black hair back. He studied Ginny in a fascinated way. Finally, he spoke, "When did you plan on revealing yourself? Does Ron know? Won't your mum and dad notice?"

Ginny's warm, brown eyes shifted uncomfortably. "Well, I was hoping you wouldn't find out, but I had to stay close so you could lead me to Strawgo. Arnold ran off and I had to chase him. That's why I'm this close. Ron doesn't know, of course. He would have told Mum. As for them finding out, I don't know what will happen. Fredrick and George will cover for me. I told them. They gave me this special powder so I could escape in the first place."

She fished a small package from a pocket attached to her belt. Upon opening it, Harry saw a dark, grainy powder.

"It makes a temporary blackness. I threw it on the ground and ran to the stable where I had everything ready. All I had to do from there was ride a little bit into the woods until I could find you and follow you."

As if she had gotten a large weight off her chest, Ginny sat down too and seemed to relax. All her armor was piled next to her, along with a sword, shield, bow, and a quiver of arrows. She also had a short dagger still on her belt.

The shield wasn't one that Harry had seen thus far. It had the symbols of a Gryffin lord too. The background was red, there was a golden bird that looked like a raven, and a dark blue river underneath the bird.

"Is this the crest of your mother's family? Were they also lords of Gryffin?" Harry inquired.

"Yes, they were the lords of Prewett. Their male line died with my uncles in the battle of Strawgo, so the lordship was given to one of the king's captains, now lord of North McLaggen."

Suddenly, Harry heard a faint yelling. It was Ron.

"Harry? I'm almost back! Do you want to get water too?"

Ginny jerked to her feet. "Please don't tell him; he'll make me go back. From now on, I'll stay farther behind. Try and leave markers for me around where you will be sleeping."

She gathered all of her armor and placed it gently but quickly in the saddlebags on Arnold. Placing her foot in the stirrup, she swung into the saddle, and rode off just as Ron got to the top of the hill.

Sorry its so short! Next chapter coming soon!