I don't own Harry potter or any of the known characters
Joining the Club
The rest of November passed remarkable quickly and with Moony's help Harry regained control of his magic and perfected silent casting of spells to such a degree that there were just as effective as when he spoke them. In some quieter moments he concentrated on his Occlumency and Legilimency skills convinced that without them he would be unable to succeed when he had to face Tom for the final confrontation. The research project though was stalling despite endless information about Rowena Ravenclaw they seemed no closer in discovering what would make a suitable vessel for a portion of Voldemort's soul.
It wasn't that they didn't have any candidates, they had plenty, and each day they seemed to discover another one. The problem with all these choices was knowing where the artefact was, some were in private hands and others hadn't been seen in centuries. For days now Harry had come to a decision, and it was one he wasn't looking forward to. There was only one person that he knew off, and was still alive to talk about him, that had spent time in the company of the young Tom Riddle, Slughorn. It was at breakfast on the first of December that he took the plunge and told Hermione and Ron his worries.
"We're getting bogged down in too much detail and I think we need a change of direction. I believe that the more we discover about Rowena Ravenclaw the further we are getting from our goal of finding the missing Horcrux."
"I am sure if we keep looking Harry something will appear that would stand out from anything else we've already found," Hermione was enjoying researching Ravenclaw and wasn't prepared to stop.
"Hermione how many items do we have on the list at the moment?"
"Seventeen although we could eliminate five or six of them."
"That's my point how are we going to find a dozen artefacts some that haven't been seen or heard of for hundreds of years. It could take years and none of them could be what we're looking for. We have to approach this from a different angle."
"What are you suggesting Harry?" Ron asked.
"We need to talk to Slughorn I think there's a reason why he's scared of Riddle, other than the obvious."
"Harry you're not suggesting that Riddle would have told Slughorn what he was doing," Hermione said.
"No of course not but he may have an idea what he might be using as a Horcrux."
"It's risky though by telling Slughorn what we're trying to do there's a chance of Riddle finding out, especially if he gets his hands on him."
"I realise that Ron but the sooner we find these Horcruxes the sooner I can destroy him and then the killings and disappearances can end."
"I know you're anxious to end this Harry but we shouldn't rush it."
"Hermione I am not anxious I'm way beyond anxious, everybody and I mean everybody is expecting me to finish this, and the longer it goes on the more deaths there are. I can't live with the guilt that people are dying right now because we're taking our time."
"You're not responsible for any of these deaths Harry the world does not rest on your shoulders," Hermione insisted.
"I know that logically Hermione, but I still feel the guilt, so let's drop the subject please," he implored knowing what she was like when she got the bit between her teeth. Hermione's expression though showed she wasn't quite ready to drop the subject. It was Ron's hand squeezing her shoulder gentle that stopped her, much to Harry's relief.
"Ron do you think you could write to Ginny and ask if he's having one of his parties soon and if she could get us invited?"
"Yea sure but he won't invite me so you two are going to have to this without me," he said grumpily.
"You can come with me if you want," Hermione said wondering if the memories of last year would set him off.
"I'd love to on one condition though."
"What?"
"No canaries or any other song birds."
"I can agree to that," she replied smiling broadly. Harry chuckled to himself it had really been a great piece of magic he wondered if she could do that with eagles or some other bird of prey it would certainly distract any Death Eaters. He made a mental note to ask her later as she and Ron were making goofy eyes at each other. Hhe decided to slip out of the kitchen and practise silent spell casting before Moony turned up later.
Ginny not only got them all invites to Slughorn's Christmas party she also informed Harry that he would be taking Luna as his guest and she would be going with Neville. At the bottom of the letter was a caustic comment that Ron and Hermione could come as a couple but just in case things weren't going too well she had managed to get them all separate invites. Hermione took this in good spirits Ron though muttered something about putting insolent little sisters in their place.
Realising that the six of them would be meeting up again Harry and Hermione concentrated on finishing the medallions that Harry had had made. Watching Hermione at work was an education in itself she seemed to instantly grasp what the instruction said, while he had to read them at least twice if not four or five times before he realised what needed to be done. She also seemed to understand where the spell was going and often anticipated what to do next. Harry realised her brain was configured differently to the rest of the population and after a while he followed her lead in what had started out as his project.
Apparating to Hogsmeade the three of them began the long walk up to the castle each finding it an emotional experience. They reached the school gates where they all paused summoning the nerve to enter and deal with all the conflicting memories that were running through their minds. Letting out a breath he hadn't realised he been holding Harry stepped through and turned and faced the other two who were holding hands without being aware of the fact.
"Come on you two lovebirds lets go and meet the others, and if you two keep doing that you'll get the rumour mill going in full gear," he said glancing down at their hands. To his surprise neither of them let go of the other and they continued the walk up to the castle.
"For your information we don't care what the rumour mill does Harry," Hermione replied while giving him an exaggerated pout and flick of her hair, causing Ron and Harry to burst out laughing shortly followed by Hermione herself.
"Very good Hermione I almost thought you were Lavender for a moment." This earned Harry a scowl from Ron who was obviously upset at Harry bringing up her name, Hermione though took it in good heart.
"Oh Won Won don't frown so you'll give yourself wrinkles and I don't have enough anti-wrinkly cream for two," she retorted leaping at Ron as though to give him a big sloppy kiss but he side stepped her and grabbed her as she passed.
"Ok Miss Brown what have you done with the real Hermione Granger, and where did you get the ingredients for polyjuice?" Ron said in as deep and commanding voice he could manage without cracking up
"Come on you two or I might just have to inform the afore said Miss Brown and a certain Mr McLaggen of how you both can't forget how much they mean to you."
"Alright Harry I expect your dates are waiting in the Great Hall for you," a grinning Ron said as he again held Hermione's hand. The rest of the walk passed in silence with Harry leading the way into the chilly easterly wind. The wind was probably the reason that they saw so few students out and about in the grounds, and looking up at the clouds that were moving overhead Harry thought that it would begin snowing in the next few hours. Snow always reminded him of his first Christmas at Hogwarts and for a few moments he wallowed in the happy memories that brought him. Life was so much simpler then.
"Alright there Harry," a loud booming voice said and Harry torn from his thoughts looked up and saw his first real friend .
"It's great seeing you again Hagrid how have you been?" Harry asked genuinely wanting to know as Hagrid had been in a terrible state when he had left Hogwarts for the final time in the summer.
"Oh much better thanks Harry it's taken me a long time to get over Dumbledore's death but you know time heals all eventually and Grawp has been a great help families important Harry. Oh sorry Harry," he quickly said when he realised what he had said.
"You're quite right Hagrid, but you don't have to be related to have family, what about Buckbeak?" he replied looking at Ron and Hermione who smiled back at him.
"Ah he's grand Harry, he's loving being back at Hogwarts."
"So how many students came back this year?" Hermione asked.
"Oh about eighty percent, most of those missing are members of Slytherin. Some of them have probable joined you-know-who, and the others are probable too ashamed that their head of house was nothing more than a treacherous low life murderer." None of them really knew how to reply to such an outburst from someone who always had a kind word about everybody and everything.
"Is there anybody from our year that hasn't returned?" Ron asked determined to break the uncomfortable silence.
"Just one or two, in fact Seamus Finnegan came back two days ago, said his mother had refused to send him this year, but he left home borrowed some money from a relative and demanded to be allowed in. Of course Professor McGonagall said he was most welcome, and I hear one or two others may come back after Christmas. What about you three the place isn't the same without you it's been far too quiet?"
"Sorry Hagrid we won't be coming back any time soon, at least not without a miracle or two," Harry replied to the crestfallen half giant. "Look we've got to get to Slughorn's party perhaps we can see you there."
"Ah I won't be there Harry I don't like going to those sorts of things I kind stick out you know," Hagrid replied a large grin showing through his thick matted beard.
"Ok Hagrid I'm glad we saw you, look after yourself," Harry replied slapping him as hard he could on the back to no visible effect. They continued to walk up to the castle he was getting a bit anxious about what sort of reception he was going to get when he meet Ginny in the Entrance Hall, after all he had publicly dumped her. He knew what they meant to each other, but public appearances still needed to be maintained and she was related to the twins, he wasn't sure that the chance to humiliate him might be too much for her to pass up.
"Harry you need to relax you're tensing up again," Hermione said behind him.
"Hmm," was all the response he could give to her comment.
"Come on Harry it's only Ginny, loosen up I am sure we can find some quiet time for you both. To talk only mind," Ron said.
"It's just that I can't forget that she related to Fred and George Ron, and who knows what new products they want her to test."
"Ah you have a point Harry, you definitely need to be worried."
"Still if she goes overboard it's great for this whole we're not dating anymore cover, isn't," Hermione said a feral grin appearing.
"I assume this is you way of saying I'm bring this on myself then Hermione?" but she didn't answer him her expression was all he needed to see that he was right.
"I wonder if Ginny can conjure up yellow canaries yet," Ron added. Harry speeded up even more, mostly to get away from their teasing, but really he was eager to see Ginny even if it meant a little humiliation it seemed a small price to pay, and as he entered the Hall he could make out three people at the bottom of the stairs one with bright red hair.
"Luna, Neville how have you been?" Harry asked trying not to look at Ginny who was purposefully looking the other way.
"Very well thank you Harry. You're looking well you must have been keeping the Gulping Plimpies away," Luna said as he shook Neville's hand.
"Not going to say hello to me then Mr Potter, to high and mighty to talk to an old girlfriend," Ginny said loudly as she suddenly turned to face all of them.
"Err no of course not, how are you Ginny?" Harry stammered taken off guard by her sudden outburst. Out of the corner of his eye he could see students stopping to watch the entertainment.
"I'm bloody fine of course, what do you expect after dumping me at a funeral for Merlin's sake."
"Ah right, yes, well it was an emotional time and I wasn't thinking clearly," Harry replied not sure where this was going.
"I'll say it was a bloody emotional time you really know how to let a girl down easily don't you. Still at least I can read all about all those other women you're mucking about with, you can't pick up a paper or magazine without the Chosen one's love life being splattered all over it."
"Well I wouldn't know because I am not dumb enough to believe everything that those stupid rags print and you should no better." After a hesitant start Harry was getting into the swing of things and was beginning to enjoy himself. Luna, who was standing between them, started to do an impression of someone at a tennis match her wide eyes swinging from side to side. Neville was standing still his mouth open in disbelief and it was at this moment that Ron stuck his head into the lion's mouth.
"Look pack it in you two you're making a scene."
"Oh when it comes to making a scene you're the expert Ron. Want to show us how it's done?" The look on Ginny's face was priceless and Harry very nearly lost it.
"Quit shouting at your brother you're suppose to be mad at me, not him."
"Oh it's always about you isn't it Potter. I'll shout at whoever I please, go off and play with your super models." Harry was unable to prevent his eyebrows from rising at this comment, as he had never even seen one never mind met one.
"Just because you only come up to my chin it's not my fault you're too short to become a supermodel."
"What's all this shouting about, I can hear you two half way to the Astronomy tower? I will not have my school disturbed like this," Professor McGonagall demanded.
"Err sorry Professor Ginny was just letting me know how she felt about me,"
"I gathered that much Potter, but why here and why now, perhaps you could explain Miss Weasley?" she asked turning her scowl onto her. Ginny though was seldom intimidated by anything these days and she held the Headmistresses gaze when she replied.
"It was better here than at my brothers wedding Professor." Harry noticed that the Great Hall had suddenly emptied leaving just the seven of them.
"I was at the wedding myself Miss Weasley and there's something going on here that your not telling me. I suggest you calm down and go to Professor Slughorn's party without any more disruption to my school. Oh and Mr Potter good work with Umbridge." She turned on her heel and was gone. Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron all let out their breaths.
"I think she suspected you two were play acting," Hermione said a broad grin across her face. "She must have seen both of you dancing at the wedding.
"Well I found it very entertaining you should both go on the stage," Luna said.
"Hey Neville you ok there?" Ron asked.
"I'm a little confused. What just happened?"
"Come with us and I'll explain we have a lot to tell you." Harry lead them all into an empty classroom, placed a silencing charm on the room and locked the door and before long Neville understood the state of Harry's and Ginny's relationship, and for a second Harry thought he saw a flash of regret on his face when he realised that Ginny wasn't really available.
"The five of you are the people I trust the most and all of you have backed me up and done the right thing when it would have been easy to walk away."
"And I'll do it again if I have to," Neville interrupted.
"I know you will and that's why I've had some magical medallions made, with Hermione's help, and certain spells added to them, perhaps you had better explain Hermione, just the bare details though we don't have much time before someone wonders where we are." Hermione looked disappointed at not being able to explain how clever she had been and going into the technical details, but she pulled the last three medallions out from her robes and handed one each to Ginny, Luna and Neville.
"Right these medallions, kindly donated by Harry will do two things once they're activated which we will do shortly. The first thing they will do his misdirect any spell, curse or hex aimed at you, they will be pushed off target and away from you. The further away you are from the caster the more inaccurate they will become. At less than ten yards it will have only marginal effect, so don't rely on it. A side effect is that the closer the medallions are to each other the greater the effect."
"Wear them at all times," Harry added and indicated that Hermione should continue.
"The second spell is something we found in America."
"You've been to America?" Ginny interrupted.
"Yes and very successful it was too, I'll tell you later," Harry answered gesturing for Hermione to go on.
"Again when we activate them you will be able to apparate next to whoever you name provided they have their medallion on. It works like a portkey so you can take people with you if you need to, but and remember this it has the same restrictions as apparating so you won't be able to use it here at…."
"Hogwarts because you can't apparate here," Ron finished for her giving her a quick wink.
"So how do we activate them?" Neville asked.
"It's quite simple," Hermione said now in full Professor mode, "all you have to do is place your thumb over the diamond and clearly state your name, just your first name though. This means that if one of us wants to find you all we have to do is say your name, again with our thumb over the diamond, and we should appear next to you."
"I'm sure you can see that this should only be used in emergencies or with the knowledge of the other person, and not for pranking," Harry said giving Ginny a hard stare.
"Do you honesty think I would stoup so low Harry," she replied to his look.
"Yes," said Harry and Ron together.
"We must respect each others privacy," Hermione said.
"You three should test them out on the next Hogsmeade weekend, get used to how they feel and work," Harry said. It only took a short while for them to activate all the medallions and success was indicated by each of them glowing warm for a few seconds.
They could hear the noise from the party long before reaching the floor Slughorn's office was on. Harry could feel his stomach muscles clench tighter and tighter the nearer they got. He really hated these types of events and even though he realised most people were desperate to be invited he could never summon the same enthusiasm due to the real reason he was asked to attend. Taking in a deep breath, and giving Ginny a sideward glance who winked quickly back at him, he followed the others into the office.
The party was in full swing and there must have been close to two hundred people in the room, fortunately no-one noticed their entrance. Harry had had a nasty thought for a moment that Slughorn may have had someone announcing his guest's arrivals. Glancing around the room he estimated that half the guests were students and school professors, of the rest Harry only recognised a few by name and probably the same by look. The first person who noticed them was Seamus Finnegan who quickly stepped over to Harry's little group, who were busy get drinks from one of Hogwarts elf's.
"It's great to see you Harry, hi Ron the dormitory hasn't been the same without the snores and occasional nightmares you two used to provide although I've only been back a couple of days. My blasted mother wouldn't let me come because you weren't returning she kept going on that if you didn't think Hogwarts was safe it wasn't safe for me either. Can you believe that after all the nonsense she went on about a couple of years ago saying you were a nutter and now apparently Hogwarts isn't safe without you? Anyway I spoke with my Uncle Sean and he's agreed to pay for all my costs. I think he agreed so it would annoy me Ma, families hey more trouble than there worth sometimes."
"Good to see you too Seamus Hagrid said you'd just come back so what's the place been like?" he asked and Harry began to enjoy talking with many of his old school friends who came over and joined in the conversation. It only became difficult when he was asked what he was up to and the more evasive he was the sharper the questions became. In the end he was forced to say that he had no intention of saying what he was up to and asked them to drop the subject, and eventually they did. The conversation then turned to the good times they had had in previous years and the sacking of Umbridge.
"Harry m'boy it's good to see you here," Slughorn said from behind Harry, "I was beginning to think you weren't coming. I would have come over sooner but I've been talking to the Minister. I expect he'd like a word with you later." Harry wasn't sure he wanted to return the favour but it would be very rude of him and he did have a little information to give him. Looking around him he suddenly discovered that the others had vanished in different directions and much like last time Slughorn was introducing him to various witches and wizards that he neither knew nor cared about. It was between one of these groups that Harry asked his question, not really knowing how it was going to be received.
"Professor me and some of my friends would like to have a quiet word with you at some point and ask you a few questions?"
"Of course Harry I'm always ready to impart knowledge to my students, even if technical you're no longer one of them. Once the party begins to wind down you and your friends come and find me and we can have a little question and answer session. I think the Minister is heading our way Harry," he said looking over Harry's shoulder. Turning round Harry saw Scrimgeour limping towards him with his silver topped cane, he wasn't sure but he felt that the Minister had more grey hair than last year so straightening his back Harry took a couple of steps towards him holding out his hand.
"Good evening Minister," Harry said not wanting to sound too keen at the meeting.
"Good evening Mr Potter I won't insult your intelligence by being surprised by your presence. In fact you're the only reason I am here, no offence Horace," he added looking at Professor Slughorn.
"None taken Minister, I only invited you when I was sure Harry was going to come. I know how much you hate these sorts of events. I'll leave you two to have a chat," and he moved off to talk to an elderly witch who had found herself on her own.
"So you hate these things as well then Minister, well at least we can agree on one thing?" Harry said to break the ice.
"Can't stand them, all these people you've never met, who seem to think they know you, and of course you should know them and care about what they want and think, after a while it drives you crazy."
"Welcome to my world Minister."
"Point taken Mr Potter, point taken, did your visit to Azkaban help you?"
"Yes it was very successful one day I hope to tell you about it," he replied hoping that would be enough to end that line of inquiry. He was very aware that the Minister had been an Auror and knew how to conduct an interrogation.
"I'll look forward to hearing it, now is there anything more that we can do for you, no strings attached?" he said holding up both his hands in a gesture of peace. A small part of Harry wanted to tell him to go to hell, but he had needed him once and there was a good chance he would need him again.
"Not at the moment, but if something comes up I'll be sure to ask. In fact I may have some information that you may like. I have a source that told me that Voldemort is having trouble with the dementors. The old ones are dying off and the young ones won't obey him and are unable to perform the kiss, yet." Harry's words had a profound effect. Scrimgeour's eyes lit up and it wasn't until that had happened that Harry realised just how tired they had looked before. His back straightened and some of the old power he must have had as an Auror flooded back."
"How sure are you about this Harry?" he asked eagerly.
"I'm not sure Minister. I have no reason to believe that my source would lie about this, perhaps you can make your own checks," Harry noticed that he was no longer Mr Potter.
"I will indeed if this is true it is wondrous news, apart from him himself the dementors are the greatest threat, and if they have been effectively eliminated it will be a huge burden lifted off the wizarding world."
"Let me know if you can confirm this Minister and then I can better judge the value of what my source says in the future."
"Of course I will, now about your source," he held up a hand again to prevent Harry from interrupting him, "I'm not going to ask who he or she is Harry I just want to know if you need help in handling them. It's a tricky thing to get right especially the art of exchanging information?"
"I've taken advice on the matter it's all been taken care of," Harry replied.
"Fine I suspect I know who's been giving you the advice and if I am right you're in good hands with her. There is one favour you could do for me, it's more a personnel one really. Percy Weasley has been most helpful in getting me to understand you and his family owes you a lot can you help him in making amends with them." Harry was shocked that Scrimgeour would even think about Percy's wellbeing but didn't hesitate in his answer.
"Of course tell him to come round for Christmas and I'll have tried to smooth a path for him. By the way Minister I owe the Weasley's far more than they owe me. Now I should go and rescue Professor Sprout from my date." The room had suddenly parted to reveal Luna making extravagant arm movements while obviously explaining some way out theory of hers.
"Your date is the girl who thinks I'm a vampire, you are full of surprises Mr Potter." The Minister chuckled and headed towards the door, his objective for the evening over he wasn't prepared to stay any longer than he had to.
Having rescued Professor Sprout, who silently mouthed a thank you. Harry spent the evening thoroughly enjoying himself. Luna it seemed had a gift for confusing the more tiresome guests, at least they were to Harry, and on many occasions barely stopped laughing out loud at some of her more outlandish comments. When the room had half emptied Harry decided now was the time to corner Professor Slughorn and get some answers. He managed to catch Ron and Hermione's eye and together they headed over to where the Professor was talking to a Hogwarts house elf by a bay window.
"Professor we need to have that quiet chat," Harry asked once the elf had left.
"Yes of course Harry, having trouble with a potion are we?" This was going to be a little awkward Harry thought.
"Hermione could you put up a privacy charm I don't want us to be overheard," alarm spread across Slughorn's face. "Professor I know why you've been in hiding since the resurrection of Tom Riddle and I understand your reluctance to talk about it, but we need to know the best way to destroy his Horcruxes." Slughorn stood there in total shock and the colour drained from his face. Sitting down by the window his face showed the internal struggle of whether to deny everything or admit the ghastly mistake he had made all those years ago. With the privacy charm in place the silence was deafening, and Harry was beginning to wonder if Slughorn was going to reply.
"I assume from your question that you've found a Horcrux Harry?"
"Yes we have."
"I've had no personnel experience with them of course and what I'm about to tell you is only what I've picked up in a long life of searching for knowledge. To destroy a Horcrux all you need to do is destroy whatever it is contained in. You should be warned though that Tom was a gifted student and he will have taken precautions to stop you doing so."
"You mean he would have put curses on it," Ron added.
"Maybe or he might have found a way to make them indestructible to any form of magic, as I said he was a gifted student and I wouldn't put anything past him to achieve his goal. I just wish he had paid more attention to the price he has to pay for ripping his soul apart, then he might have not been so keen to follow this route."
"What is the price he has to pay Professor?" Hermione asked.
"Eternal damnation is one way to look at it. When you die your soul will move on but only if it's in one piece."
"You mean he can't be killed, that he could be resurrected again and again!" Harry said appalled at the thought.
"No, no dear boy to be resurrected there has to be a surviving Horcrux. If there isn't one then the last segment is doomed to wander the earth for ever."
"But as what?"
"He'll be nothing more than a consciousness, unable to do anything."
"Would he be able to communicate with anybody like a ghost can?" Hermione asked.
"No he would be less than a ghost, he would spend eternity completely and utterly alone. The best that could be hoped for is that whatever remained of his mind would quickly go insane from the lack of contact with another living being." Harry found it difficult to image such a fate to be alone for ever. Tom Riddle had never been one for friends and he could probably handle that fate better than anyone but even he would go mad eventually.
"Is there anything else that we should know about to help us in our search for the remaining Horcruxes considering what you know about Tom Riddle?"
"He was surprisingly superstitious, for someone so intelligent, and was fascinated by any wizard or witches that had excelled."
"What like Ravenclaw or Gryffindor?" Ron asked.
"Well I don't think he had much time for Godric Gryffindor, but he thought a great deal of Ravenclaw, but then she was the greatest potion maker of all time, although your sister might give her a challenge. A really remarkable change from last year, not that she wasn't good then."
"What Ginny!" Ron exclaimed.
"Well how many other sisters do you have," Hermione said raising her eyebrows causing Harry to chuckle. "So do you know of any artefact that may have survived to the present day?"
"No I am afraid not, it's not something that has ever interested me, it's the wizard or witch," he said nodding towards Hermione, "that makes a potion not what you use while making it."
"Thank you Professor is there anything else that you think we should know to help us in our hunt?"
"Harry my boy our relationship was strictly teacher to student. Yes I liked the young Tom Riddle he could be charming and entertaining when it suited him, but I never got to know the real person. We just never mixed like that, and once he left Hogwarts I never saw him again. After all Harry how many Professors know you as well as your friends here do?"
"I understand what you're saying the trouble is I don't believe he ever had any real friends."
"I wish you luck and although it means little I'm sorry for having started all this if I hadn't opened my big mouth things would have been so different. I was just too eager to show off my knowledge."
"Professor we all have to live with our mistakes. I know personally how hard that can be, but Tom made his own choices and if he hadn't found out from you about Horcruxes, he would have found out from someone else. Keep yourself safe Professor and I hope we meet in happier times." Harry said holding out his hand to Slughorn who took it reluctantly, shame still etched across his face.
"Professor if you hadn't told him about Horcruxes he might have found something worse that wouldn't even give us a chance to finish him," Hermione added.
"Thank you for your kind words, now go and enjoy yourselves," he smiled in return although it never reached his eyes. Harry wanted to say something more but he wasn't sure there was anything that would help Professor Slughorn get over what was obviously a deep sense of guilt and shame. Instead the three of them joined the others and left the party. Harry walked down the corridor besides Ginny and he wondered whether it had been worthwhile coming to talk to Professor Slughorn. Still he thought, as he looked at the beautiful redhead beside him, today had its compensation. Realising she was being stared at Ginny turned her head and smiled back at him, causing his stomach to lurch.
"I've really enjoyed seeing you again Ginny I've missed being with you."
"Even our little tiff?"
"Especially our little tiff. I have to say you caught me off guard to start with, but it was fun."
"Well I've discovered a sort of perverse pleasure at being your secret girlfriend, reading all about your latest conquest and having to pretend to all and sundry to be annoyed and cross about them, and bad mouthing you, gives me quite a thrill."
"Am I to assume Miss Weasley that you have been blackening my character?"
"Got it in one Mr Potter, you're not as dumb as I'm making you out to be."
"So long as you're happy, you carry on," Harry said as he moved a strand of hair that had fallen over her eyes.
"It's not what I want, but I do understand Harry please don't think I don't." Harry gazed into her eyes and, without the use of Legilimency, saw into the depth of her soul the truth. He trusted Ron and Hermione with his life but with Ginny it went even deeper than that, his life certainly, his happiness without question.
"It's not what I want either Gin, but it's the only way that I can see to achieve both my goals the death of Tom Riddle and keeping you alive and well."
"I want to be angry at you Harry for wanting to protect me, and if you'd been one of my brother's well enough said, but fortunately for you you're not so I can't. You're doing the right thing, as you always do, and that's the important thing. It's what I like about you the best, just make sure if you need my help you ask for it."
"I will Gin, I promise. It appears that you're quite the potions expert so we'll call you if we need one."
"You're the one who's responsible, giving me the right equipment has helped enormously."
"That's not what Professor Slughorn thinks and I agree with him, don't sell yourself short, you're a smart cookie." Ginny was unable to stop the smile spreading across her face. Harry noticed that the others had left them behind and they were now walking down a deserted corridor towards the Gryffindor common room.
"I think I should say goodbye here Ginny," and checking the corridor for any person living or dead he kissed her gently on the cheek. "I'll see you for Christmas." Ginny though was having none of that and leaped into his arms giving him a bear hug so tight Harry thought his ribs would crack. A shudder went through his body he had needed this physical contact far more than he realised and for a timeless moment they stood there holding each other in silence.
"You'd better go Harry," Ginny finally said.
"I love you," the words had slipped out before he realised he'd even thought them, but he felt no regret in saying them.
"I love you too," she replied gazing at him and if they hadn't heard voices in the distance they might have stayed there staring at each other for the rest of the night. Instead they turned away from each other and Harry feeling almost light headed went to find Ron and Hermione.
