A.N. Out before Tuesday, Saphire, now *you* have to post another chapter! Ha!

A.A.N. For those of you readers who are all for the plot, read on!

Harry bounded down the stairs in high spirits. He saw Ginny. Ginny, her hair glinting in the fire light and her dark eyes concentrated.

'Gin, can we take a walk?'

'Sure.'

Ginny got up and they left together. Harry took hold of her hand and felt her fingers squeeze his.

'Do you know what happened with Ron and Hermione?'

'No. What?' asked Ginny, looking at him as they walked along a corridor.

Harry explained it to her. As they reached the entrance hall, Ginny was saying, 'Stupid boy. I don't know how Hermione keeps her patience with him.'

'But they love each other,' said Harry.

'Yes, but if Ron loved her that much he wouldn't have let his fear of commitment hurt Hermione.'

'I know, I know...'

They went outside and were walking towards the Quidditch pitch.

'We need to help them somehow,' said Ginny, thoughtfully. 'How about we cast a spell to show Ron what life would be like without Hermione?'

'How would we do that?'

'It's quite simple. You've seen on those muggle films where an angel comes to show the person what there future would be if they didn't fix things...'

'Yeah. There's a spell?'

'Yep. Us two can cast it and decide what to show him, or show the truth.'

'The truth I think.'

'So Harry,' continued Ginny, 'Why did you want to take me for a walk?'

The fire of her hair and blaze in her eyes made Harry feel suddenly very weak. He loved her so much, he had to tell her. He tried to say, 'I love you' but the wrong words came out.

'Ginny, will you marry me?'

Ginny gasped.

'I - I mean...'

'Harry?'

'Oh Gin, I meant to say "I love you", not "Will you marry me?" I don't know where that came from!'

'Your subconcious maybe?' she teased, playfully placing her arms around his waist.

'I love you,' he said, putting his arms around her.

'I love you too,' Ginny replied. 'And if you were wondering... my answer is "yes".'

Harry was so shocked that his arms fell from around Ginny to his sides. Giggling madly, she withdrew her own arms and ran back up to the castle.

A very nasty thought suddenly struck him. They had just been outside, in the grounds. They had been holding hands, then had their arms around each other, then he said he loved her and asked her to marry him... and she said yes... A bubble started to grow in his stomach at the thought but he ignored it.

Anyone could have seen. Anyone.

Without another thought, Harry charged up the grass towards the castle.

*

Ginny stopped on the marble staircase, gasping for breath. She giggled as she thought over what had just happened.

'Ginny!'

Ginny turned to see Harry running towards her.

'Harry?'

'Gin, I can't believe I've been so stupid.'

'What? D'you mean you've been stupid to propose to me?'

'That was unintentional. But seeing as you're so keen...'

He had to stop being playful.

'No, seriously Gin. We were in the grounds and anyone could've seen or heard us...'

He let the reality of the situation sink in.

'D-Death Eaters?'

'Yes Ginny.'

'Oh God...'

'We need to see Dumbledore. Now.'

*

They were walking along the corridor, having just explained the dilemma to Dumbledore.

'Ow,' said Ginny suddenly.

'What is it?' asked Harry, anxiously.

'Something just hit me on the head.'

Harry peered into her hair. There was a cloud-like substance sitting in her hair. It was an ugly scull with a snake for a tongue.

'Ginny!' Harry screamed.

A Death Eater was there, somewhere above him. Harry could sense them there, despite them being invisible. Before he could grab for Ginny, she was being levitated into the air and going up towards the ceiling. The ceiling turned into mist as she hit it.

Harry peered upwards, trying not to lose sight of her.

'Ginny,' he groaned. He saw her keep flying upwards and plunge into a cloud before disappearing completely.