Skating Away Chapter Nine

The students boarded the train for their trip home and Harry's cabin had to be expanded to accommodate all the friends that wished to travel with him, just to hear his exploits while he was captured, to include how he escaped. Since he knew none of them would repeat what he said, he told them the whole truth. They all knew about Dobby anyway, so why not.

Their respect for Dobby intensified after they found out he knew from the beginning about Harry and kept it to himself. He did it without lying to them, which they knew he couldn't do. He didn't know where Harry was, or how he was. He was not in contact with Harry until he was contacted about being ready to leave.

When the food cart arrived, only a few bought from it, which saddened the lady, since Harry's cabin was usually her biggest sale. She didn't know why it was so small this time, but she didn't say anything. Harry did see the disappointment on her face though and promised himself he would make up for it on their return trip back to Hogwarts.

Harry got caught up on what happened while he was detained and was proud of Hermione helping who ever needed it while he was gone. She also got help from Luna with this. Harry would talk to Luna later about this and also find out how he was doing with his return. Hopefully he has done better since the last report she made. Harry still didn't completely understand what she was talking about, but he felt deep down, that she was telling him the truth that he was in his second time around, trying to do better than his first time.

Harry still had thoughts about Lauren and how she was doing. If he knew she was from a family of magic, he would have acted differently around her, but he couldn't take that chance. Then he thought of something else that got him thinking. If he had used magic in front of her, then a response from the ministry would have happened and maybe even some Death Eaters captured. Too late to worry about it, but still something to remember in the future.

As for his cause for concern, Lauren and her mother had long talks about her ordeal and her savior. She has friends, but no one she could talk to on a more intimate matter. She told her mother how she felt about Harry and how she wished they would meet again. Her mother tried to explain to her about how she would be in danger even greater than she was now, if she got to know him better. He has a target on his back as large as the side of a barn and it attracts some very dangerous and shady characters. If they were to meet again, Harry would probably be friendly towards her, but not much else. She heard from Edward that he has a girlfriend and was close to others as well. She didn't want to discourage Lauren, but she did want her to know Harry's situation and his history.

In another location, Tom was making plans with his new/old member, Barty. Barty was made a member of his inner circle and when he showed no big concern for the loss of his promised lover, Tom made it a point to make sure he got what he had coming to him. Tom would even let Barty pick her out once he had four or five muggle girls. The one that got away was pretty and would have made Barty quite happy for as long as he kept her alive. Of course he would kill her once she didn't satisfy him any more.

Barty had other things on his mind, like his revenge against Dumbledore and his own father. It was they who were the biggest factors in his imprisonment.

Crouch listened to the plan devised by Lord Voldemort against the gathering of fans attending the Quidditch World Cup. The plans for the locations of who was going sat in front of Tom and found where the best landing sight would be for his attack. The spot that would do the most damage to the wizarding world because of who was in that area. He saw where Amelia Bones was in this area, as well as Arthur Weasley, Sirius Black and Edward Anderson. If they all died, the Ministry would be in turmoil and the magical world would be without it's greatest hope since Potter would be with Black.

Barty saw the reasoning was sound in the plan, but he thought any change in the plans from the Ministry would ruin the plans that Tom made. How could he make sure that the plans would not change? After the meeting was over and the Death Eaters began to file out, Barty stayed behind to talk to Voldemort. Tom saw this and knew Barty had a concern over the plans. "What is it Barty? I know you have a question."

"Sire, I was thinking that a change in the Ministry's plans would ruin all the plans you just made. I think we need to find a way to ensure there are no changes to these plans."

"And how do you propose to make sure they don't change, Barty?"

"That's what I need help with, Sire. Our contacts in the Ministry are no longer there and I would be too obvious walking in on them. I will if you wish it though, sire."

"We just got you back Barty and we don't wish to lose you this quickly. However, I agree with your concern and we do need to make sure that nothing changes on the Ministry end. But why do you think they would change the arrangements they made?"

"Just like the light, we also have members with loose lips. I don't know who it is, so we have to be careful of what we say around someone in question."

"But we have no one in question, or do you?"

"No Sire, I don't. However, Severus Snape is a Professor in Hogwarts and has the ear of Professor Dumbledore."

"So, you think Severus is our traitor?"

"I don't know for a fact he is, Sire, but I would be careful about what we say around him."

"Severus had brought many ideas with him to our meetings that have turned out to be complete successes. I suppose they could be a cover, though. None of them were major victories. In that same note, we have never lost any major conflicts either. If he were a traitor, wouldn't one side have made a major victory by now?"

"What do you consider a major victory, Sire?"

"Hmmm, yes, I see your point once again, Barty. We have never had a major conflict. Since that is the case, I don't see where your concern comes from?"

"The fact that who you are targeting at the game should be considered a major conflict."

"Then since it is your concern, find a way to ensure the plans for the Ministry are carried out, Barty. That is your next assignment."

"Your word is my command, Sire." and Barty left feeling baffled on where to start.

Skating Away-}

The summer went well for Harry and his friends. They were together almost every weekend and a few even spent a week with him and he spent time with some of them, especially Ginny and the twins. Harry didn't know if Ginny felt it, but he was sure the bond they shared had strengthened in the past year and he loved the way it left him feeling. He did wonder if Ginny felt this though, because it felt so strong and so right, like it was meant to be. Then he thought about Luna and her true purpose and thought it might be something she made up to help the two get together. He would ask her when she returned home from her visit to the Weasleys.

Harry's birthday was the next big event for the summer and he was looking forward to the party Sirius and Remus planned. Plus, Sirius said he had something special for the entire group of friends.

The morning of the party, Harry tried to pry the secret from Sirius about the surprise, but he stayed focused and he never told Harry. He would have to wait until the party had started. Harry did get to plan the party for Ginny. He wanted it to be even more special than his own.

Today's party was being held in Harry's backyard and Dobby had it looking spectacular. There was just one table and it was round but it was three times larger than a normal table so it would accommodate everyone, including family member that were going to be there, like the Weasleys and the Blacks. The Blacks included the Tonks family and Nymphadora, his young cousin. Remus was excited by this as he had feelings for her and Sirius knew it. He may be different about his single situation, but Remus wanted to be with family and didn't think he stood a chance because of his being a Lycan.

Near Ten AM, Harry's friends began to show, starting with Hermione, naturally. However, she arrived with Luna and Ginny, which was a surprise to Harry because, she was seldom seen without her family if they were going to be at the same event. Molly must be in a special mood today. He may have been surprised, but he was also overjoyed. Maybe he could get to talk with Ginny alone before everyone else arrived. He got his chance when Hermione and Luna went to look at Dobby's decorations, and the cake.

"Ginny, can we talk for a bit?"

"Why do you feel you have to ask to speak to me Harry? For Merlin's sake, we share a bond, don't you think that means something?"

"Funny you should mention that, because that is what I wish to talk about? Have you felt something different about it? Like it had gotten stronger?"

"OH, that! Yeah, I felt it, but it is more than that. It's like we just need to do something and the bond will change to a different type. A much stronger bond. Honestly Harry, I don't think I'm ready to go there."

"So, you wish to keep things the way they are? You don't wish to explore how strong we can take it?"

"Harry, you're thirteen and I'm twelve. Excuse me, you're fourteen and I'm almost thirteen. Still too young if you ask me. My mum and dad have talked to me about it and they think I should hold back on it as well. They say I have my whole life ahead of me and should enjoy my youth while I have it, because the bond will take all that away from us."

"Does that mean you will be going out with different boys again?"

"I don't know Harry, but to be honest with you, I don't really want to go out with anyone right now. I am trying to follow a song Hermione introduced me to about Girls Just Wanting To Have Fun. I like the sound of it."

"So, you're going to have fun being with several boys?"

"Harry, why are you making me sound cheap? I can have fun without being around boys and don't go there with something about being with girls as a preference. You don't want to feel my torture spell. Ask Fred and George about it, it's not fun. Look, all I want is to live a normal childhood free of commitment and obligation. Do you really want to settle down to just one girl at the age of fourteen?"

Harry kicked his foot around, thinking about his answer, "Well, sort of. I like the idea of knowing what my future is going to be like. I know that there may not be another one for me, so why wouldn't I like the idea of having someone in my life?"

"So you want to see what it will take to bring our bond to the next level. What if it takes me getting pregnant?"

"How will we know what it's going to take unless we start eliminating some of the options. Like kissing, or snogging."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"Not according to Fred, George, Draco, Lee or Dean."

"DEAN EVEN TOLD YOU WHAT IT WAS?"

"It was more like him agreeing with the others."

"Get over it Harry. I'm not ready to commit to a life where I know what my future is. Why do you have to be so needy?"

Harry didn't bother to answer as he was getting no where with Ginny. He just walked off, leaving her standing there all by herself. She followed the path that Hermione and Luna went on and found them in their room, talking about, of all things, Fred and George. She plopped down on the bed and tried to ignore their talk.

Hermione and Luna were not like Ginny, as they both liked the attention that the twins gave them. They liked being around them, except when they were in prank mode, which they were cutting down on them. The girls were a better option instead of pranks and the rewards were much better.

Ginny finally got to ask them a question, "OK, is it just me or does anyone know why girls are so intent on becoming socially active with boys at such a young age?"

Hermione gave her a questioning look and Luna answered her, "Ginny, are you having problems with Harry? Doesn't he want to be with you?"

"That's just it, he is persistent about us being together. He can't understand why I'm against it. He can't see why I don't want in a relationship right now. Why are you two so intent on being with someone?"

Hermione took that question, "Not intent, Ginny. Fred has changed since we got together and George has also since him and Luna got together. We get along and we like the attention they show us. It's not like we look for every secret hiding place to go and snog or pet or even just kiss. It's good to know there is someone there protect and care for us. We don't feel the need to go look for others since we like where we are at. If things change, and maybe they will, we haven't lost anything except the secure feeling we shared. What is wrong with that?"

"Don't you feel tied down with one male around you all the time? No, wait, I don't like the way I said that. I don't mean you need to have a bunch of men around you. I mean why must you be committed to one man when you are so young?"

"Thanks for the clarification, Ginny. It's like I said, if things change between Fred and I, it's not like we are tied own with them. I don't want to see it happen, though, don't get me wrong." Hermione wanted to know where Ginny was coming from. "Did you and Harry talk, Ginny?"

"Yes, and it was about this very same thing. He doesn't understand why I refuse to see what it will take to complete our bond."

"So, he wants to complete the bond with you, Ginny, and you don't want to, right?" Luna asked her.

"No, because unlike you, there is no way out if it becomes complete. I don't think I'm ready for a relationship right now. Besides, Harry has enough on his plate to not have to worry about me."

"Look Ginny, maybe Harry needs to have someone to look after in his life. You heard what he did for that girl Lauren, and he didn't even know her. What happens if they shared a bond and she finds a way to complete it. The bond you share with Harry then becomes a mute subject." Luna hit a sore spot with Ginny on that one.

"If that happens, then fine, she can have him. If he thinks so much of her that he lets that happen, then good for him. I shouldn't have to worry about two bonds being in the making for Harry Potter. Who knows, maybe he'll make some more before he is done with this hero thing he's on." Ginny soured after her rant and left the two on the bed and went to her own bed, only to find it difficult to fall asleep. She kept seeing Harry and some dark haired girl snogging in front of Ginny and Harry looking at her and smiling at her like, it could have been her there in his arms. It was all Ginny had on her mind all night long.

Skating Away-}

Edward was beside himself with worry over Lauren. She wasn't in her right state of mind since Harry saved her from the Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort. She knew, as did he, that she was sure to die there, after they had their fun with her. She didn't know who the new person was, but she was sure her father did and he wouldn't tell her. Her father kept his family out of the ministry dealings and it's discoveries. He didn't buy the Prophet, just the Quibbler, because of it's fun stories and helpful knowledge of potions and illnesses. It also didn't bother itself with the Ministry too much except for the news the Prophet didn't report.

Now, Edward had to figure out how to cure his daughter of her love sickness for Harry Potter. He knew of the bond between Harry and Ginny Weasley but Lauren didn't. He tried telling her this, but she refused to listen. He may have to take her to Hogwarts next school year to see for herself. He didn't know of the problem that Harry was having with the bond and Ginny.

Skating Away-}

The game was just three days away and but Harry wasn't looking forward to it. His birthday had come and gone and he didn't have a very good time at the party, so Sirius and Remus respected his wishes and didn't talk about it with him. Harry had visitors, but he didn't greet them and stayed in his room all day after his birthday. He didn't respond to Ginny's birthday request and sent her gift with Hedwig. Ginny saw what her stubborn stand was doing to Harry, but didn't think she was wrong in her feelings. Harry had made all the plans and he did help decorate, but he didn't attend it.

Their friends tried talking to the both of them, but Harry refused to talk about his birthday and Ginny wasn't about to change her mind.

Harry wasn't going to go to the game, but Sirius wasn't about to allow Harry stay by himself, while he and Remus went and had a good time. Harry was going and that was that.

When they got to the area where the game would be played, they looked down on a city of tents in a valley that was hidden by mountains on one side and a thick forest on the other. Sirius had his tent set up next to the three for the Weasleys. They were also with the Head of the MLE Amelia Bones, Head of the department of Mysteries and it's deputy.

When Edward heard about this, he thanked who ever was listening to his thoughts as he could approach Harry there without having to take Lauren to Hogwarts. It still didn't help him figuring out how to approach the problem. He even took the family early so they would be set up and waiting for the Black family. Lauren was excited because her father told her that Harry would be there.

Lauren had never been to a Quidditch match before and just wasn't interested in them. She knew the game and it's scoring system and team set up, but nothing personal like scoring leaders, best keepers, best seekers and best defenses. She just knew if Harry was going to be there, then so would she and do everything she could to find him there.

Sirius was there four hours after Edward got there and he was soon approached by Edward about his problem. Sirius became serious for one of a very few times when he answered Edward, "Mr. Anderson, Harry has been in a very bad mood for a few months now and he isn't talking much to anyone. I'll ask him if he wishes to speak to you, but don't go getting any high hopes." When Harry was told this by Sirius, he decided to speak to Edward and Lauren. He wasn't expecting the Weasleys for another day or two.

Harry met them outside their tent and took a seat next to Sirius and across from Lauren. "Hello Lauren, you're looking good after what you had been through. How are you feeling?"

Lauren was wearing a huge smile when she answered Harry, "I feel fine Harry, really I do. How are you feeling?"

"I've been better. I'm having a problem with something at the moment and it is a bit disturbing. So, Sirius said you wanted to talk to me Mr. Anderson?" Harry had his back to the tents behind him and didn't see the Weasley family arrive and find their tent. Ginny, Hermione and Luna shared the tent with Molly and put their things away and went out to see who they could find, that they knew. They had just stepped out when Ginny saw Harry sitting with the Andersons and saw Lauren for the first time and thought that Harry was there to ask her for a date after their talk. So, she decided to look for Dean and see if he was interested in dating her. She thought Harry didn't really feel the bond was worth trying to strengthen.

Harry's talk with Lauren had her crying, as he told her of the bond between him and Ginny. He didn't tell her about the difficulty they were having, as he still wished to complete it before the start of the new school year. He asked her to forget the dream she had of being with him, but to never forget what they shared in the dungeon cell. It was a friendship that should last a lifetime, but that was all it was, a friendship.

Harry got up to head back to their tent when he saw Ginny sitting with Dean and Seamus. She was laughing at something Seamus had said and was leaning on Dean for support. He had his arm around her waist, rubbing her side. Ginny did nothing to stop it and Harry was sure he was going to get a little more daring with this touching. He also knew if he tried to stop what he was doing, Ginny would never talk to him about getting back together. He turned back to his tent when he heard the twins calling out to Dean. He turned just as Dean dropped his hand from her side and the twins taking a seat between the two, ruining Dean's chances for any future play. This brought a smile to Harry's face and a growl from Ginny, but she said nothing to the twins.

The day of the game, the twins told Harry of a bet they wanted to make about the outcome of the match and Harry asked them if they needed more money to bet. He added a thousand galleons and made another thousand galleon bet on his own, but in Arthur's name. Harry made sure that his name was not associated with the wager. If he lost then Arthur would never know. But, if he won, Arthur would receive the winnings as a prize from a wager he made with a friend at work. Arthur didn't know who it would be, since he never really made this wager. Harry also knew that Arthur only remembered the work he performed but never about the people he has small talk with. A wager with one of his friends would fall into that category, especially if it was a silly one.

The match went as expected, except for the finish. With the Irish up 220 to 60, Viktor Krum caught the snitch and Bulgaria lost the game 220 to 210. Fred and Arthur received 100,000 galleons for their 100 to 1 odds on the final score and the final scorer. Arthur tried to remember a wager he made at work, but he didn't come up with one. He saw the twins get a larger return on their wager, but didn't ask. He knew the twins were trying to get up enough money to start their own business. He did wonder where they got the money for their wager though. When asked, they laughed like they always did when asked something they didn't want to discuss. "Dad, what you don't know won't kill you, but we promise it was all perfectly legal." George laughed. Fred just wrapped his arm around his brother's shoulder as confirmation to the statement.

After the game, the celebration became quite noisy and since it was a work day the next day, all the people in the center tent area was moved to a further spot so the party could continue. An hour later, the attack struck, but what happened to it they never figured out. What was suppose to be there was not and what was there caused a major disaster to the Death Eaters as they lost fifteen of them and seven others injured. The loss to the party goers was two dead and twelve other injured in various degrees of injury. The two dead were older men who were on the line where the attack took place and they were too drunk to respond, but they did let the others take the stand and retaliate, doing the damage that they did.

Once the attack team arrived back with Tom and reported their failure, the damage done to the survivors was almost as bad. Tom's fury at what he lost and what little damage they did could not be contained, His loudest question was why were they unaware of the change to the locations of the of the Ministry officials. When no one could answer him, that was when he went off on his men, killing four more and injuring seventeen, most of whom weren't even at the attack.

Tom saw a huge drop in his numbers in the last year, and his trust in what he had left was minimal. His newest addition was his biggest hope of carrying off his next plan. Barty Crouch Jr. had to take the place of someone that would be prominent in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Alastor Moody was his primary target, but his position with Amelia Bones made him impossible to get to. He thought about others, but his decision was made clear by Barty himself as to who he wanted to replace. It would mean a quick trip in order to make it.

Skating Away-}

Harry made several attempts to talk to Ginny before they left for Hogwarts, but she was never there to talk to. The twins told him that she was getting close with Dean and didn't want any of them trying to break them up. She did tell them that she wasn't in love with Dean, but she did have fun while they were together. When the twins took it the wrong way and asked her how close, they wore her Bogies for the next hour, hiding in their room so no one could see them. They were lucky that Hermione and Luna were not there to see them.

When the day to came to return to school, Harry went early to set the cabin up to sit the full Eternal team. He wanted them all to know what to expect after the beating the DE's took at the World Cup. He was expecting something to happen that would try to correct what they missed there.

He had the room set up and naturally his first member to show was Hermione and Harry helped her on board with her trunk. He let her use her magic to lift the trunk up onto the rack and was impressed when she just flicked her wrist and it lifted and settled on the rack gently. "Excellent work Hermione. You are making it look like magic was your calling in life. How was you summer, besides the Quidditch match?"

"Nothing spectacular really, Harry. We took a trip back to Italy, but it was boring this time and I stayed in mostly. We did visit the Vatican, but it was a short one as they had a ceremony going on inside that was by Invitation only and we had to watch from outside the gates. We didn't stay long and I went back to the hotel, while my parents went shopping. How was your summer, besides Ginny's refusal?"

"It sucked, of course. You don't happen to know why she is doing this, do you?"

"Believe me, if I did, you wouldn't be asking me this now, as I would have told you the first chance I got."

"Thanks Hermione, I know you would have. " they saw more of the Eternals enter the platform and Harry went and helped Daphne, Tracey, Susan and Hannah with their trunks. Of course he had help from Blaise, Draco and Neville. They chatted while waiting for the rest of their team, which were the Weasleys, Luna, Colin and Anthony.

When the rest finally made it, they all entered the cabin, except for Ginny, who passed them up and went to find Dean, Seamus and Ronald. The mood in the cabin after this was a sour one that lasted the whole trip. Harry did talk to them about what to expect, and he made good on his promise to buy from the cart lady.