Birth of a Phoenix

Ch. 9- Something New, Something Better

A/N: So hey guys, I'm so, so, so, SO very sorry about this long update time. Honestly, with school exams and stuff this winter and spring combined with sports and a giant writer's block, I kind of fell off of this story, but never fear, I am back! And in this chapter, so are the students of Hogwarts. Also, Harry/Ginny in this chapter! Get hyped! Anyways, my apologies again, and here you go!

Ginny Weasley was practically bouncing with excitement on the morning of September 1st when her mother unlocked her door for the morning. She had been up with the sun as it beamed through her newly replaced window.

Thankfully her father had spoken with her mother about the difference between protecting and stifling, and a few things like windows and living room privileges had been restored.

Today was the day that she got to escape from her mother and go back to Hogwarts, which had her excited for several reasons.

Ginny was more than ready to have her freedom to move about as she liked back, and she couldn't wait to fly. It would also be nice to actually have conversations with her friends without her mother screening her words.

In reality though, the biggest reason that Ginny wanted to go back was the fact that Harry Potter was there.

Ginny's feelings for Harry had started out as a massive, paralyzing crush on the Boy-Who-Lived. After the Chamber incident, that had evolved into very deep feelings for the real Harry.

Ever since her injuries that summer though, and the subsequent night in his arms, a new element, one of burning desire, had been introduced.

Harry and Ginny had exchanged letters at least daily the whole summer, and they had been the highpoints of her day.

These thoughts kept Ginny occupied all the way to King's Cross Station, and it wasn't until she was flung through the portal into Platform 9¾ that she stirred out of her fantasies.

Ginny was at the head of the Weasley clan, pushing as hard as anyone to reach the train as quickly as possible, scanning the crowd for a glimpse of messy black hair.

Harry Potter had flamed onto the Express as soon as it had arrived at the station that morning and had been waiting in the last compartment ever since. In the time during his wait, he had made up his mind about several things.

First, he was going to tell Ron and Hermione, and maybe some others, about his summer as soon as possible.

Second, he wasn't going to take any shit from anyone this year, especially not Malfoy or Umbridge, and he was now equipped with the tools to deal with the problems.

Third, the decision which had consumed most of his wait, he would tell Ginny how he felt that night, after the Feast.

Now, however, Harry was gazing out the windows of the train, scanning for the mass of red that would be the Weasley family. Unfortunately, this set him up for a bushy-haired brunette blindside.

Hermione had seen Harry through the window and had run and wrapped him in a suffocating embrace. She then launched into a story about some book that she had read and Harry could only grin.

Hermione somehow managed to drag Harry off to meet her parents, who were very nice people, if a little disconcerted by the Wizarding World.

This gave Ginny time to reach their traditional last compartment without seeing Harry at all, and she put her trunk up and flopped down, a little disappointed.

Finally, however, the compartment door was pushed open and Harry appeared in the door frame. Ginny broke out into a beautiful grin and he couldn't help but smile back.

Their moment was promptly ruined as Ron shouldered his way through the door and tossed his trunk haphazardly onto the rack.

"Sup mate, how was summer with the muggles?" Ron asked, tugging Harry into a one-armed hug. Hermione slipped in behind them and went over to hug Ginny and start into a spiel about her summer.

Harry took a deep breath and braced himself. This was the moment of truth, "Well, er, I wasn't actually at the Dursleys' this summer," Harry said, putting his hands up in a 'don't-hurt-me-please' manner.

Hermione immediately snapped to attention, "What do you mean? Where were you?"

Harry looked sheepish, "Well, after the whole Tri-Wizard Tournament fiasco, me and Dumbledore- ,"

"Dumbledore and I," Hermione corrected instinctively. Ron snickered, which earned him a dirty look.

"Yeah, whatever, well we came to an understanding that I need to be prepared to fight Voldemort again, and we agreed that the Dursleys' was not the place to do that, so I stayed at Hogwarts," Harry said, looking at his feet.

Hermione's jaw dropped, "You spent the whole summer learning from Professor Dumbledore!" She seemed awed and insulted at the same time.

"Yeah, among others. It was hard work, up with the sun and to bed well after it," Harry said, trying to placate her.

Ron winced, "You had to spend all summer going to school? Rough mate,"

Hermione still seemed to be fuming a little, "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Uh, It was a secret Hermione," Ron interjected as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"No, Ginny knew," Hermione huffed. Harry blinked in surprise.

"How do you figure that?" Ron asked.

"She hasn't asked a question yet, or even yelled at him. She's just sitting there smiling like the twins when they're watching a prank," Hermione stated succinctly. Ron rolled his eyes.

Ginny shrugged at Harry and he turned to Hermione with a sigh. "Yeah, she knew. Madam Pomfrey talked about while we were in the Hospital Wing and she wouldn't stop questioning until I told her," Ginny grinned at him. None of it had been a lie, and it would hopefully sate Hermione.

The train ride, for the most part, passed uneventfully after that. Their peace was only disturbed once by Malfoy trying to get through the wards Harry had thrown up for privacy. He was not successful.

Eventually, they changed into their school robes and Harry realized that both Ron and Hermione had shiny purple 'P' badges on their robes.

After Harry expressed his congratulations, they set out for the Prefects' meeting, leaving Harry and Ginny alone in the compartment, which Harry re-sealed behind them.

Now it was just Ginny and him alone in the compartment. They sat there for several moments, staring into each other's eyes and trying to overcome the immense tension between them.

Finally, Ginny broke the long silence with an innocuous question about Quidditch, which opened up a semi-normal conversation for at least a few minutes. Unfortunately, Harry could only hold back what was best described as a raging monster in his chest that was trying to claw its way out through his ribs for so long and he eventually succumbed to his desires.

Harry gazed at Ginny and tried to find words that could appropriately describe how he felt, but he was lost in her warm chocolate eyes. Silence descended again and it was several minutes before Ginny spoke.

Ginny's voice trembled slightly as she fought to overcome her nerves, "Harry, this summer, ever since you told me about all of this, and then all of the letters, and sleeping together, er, in the same bed, and I've been thinking about my feelings and, well," Ginny cut off her own rambling by leaning forward and pressing her lips hard against Harry's.

Harry was stunned by the delicious feeling of Ginny's lips on his and by the time he had gathered the presence of mind to kiss back, she had already pulled away.

"Harry, I- I'm sorry about this, and I hope this doesn't mean we can't be friends anymore, but I understand if it does. I just can't help how I feel about you," Ginny stared at her feet, trying to stem the tears.

Harry was silent for a moment, his thoughts churning, before he answered, "Ginny, maybe you're right, I don't think we can be friends anymore," Ginny felt her heart begin to shatter, but Harry wasn't done speaking.

"I can't just be friends with you, not when I know we have the potential to be so much more," And with that, Harry gently tilted her face up to his and kissed her.

By instinct, Ginny's arms came up and circled around Harry's neck and Harry's hands encircled her, one on the small of her back and the other tangled in her glorious red mane.

They lost themselves in each other's lips; in the feel of the delicious dance of their tongues and the blazing trails left by their wandering hands.

Ginny had often imagined when she was alone, what it would be like to kiss Harry, but in all of her fantasies she could never have conceived that it would be like this. It was, in a word, glorious.

Eventually, the need to breathe overcame the desire to maintain contact, and they reluctantly broke apart, resting their foreheads together. Neither of them spoke, having no desire to ruin their perfect moment with words that couldn't even come close to properly describing what they were feeling.

After a few more moments of blissful silence, Ginny groaned, "Mum put Ron and the Twins on boyfriend duty this year; apparently I can't make judgments about boys by myself. Also, Ron's going to try to rope you into helping," She tried to keep the frustration out of her voice.

Harry chuckled, "I'll have to just take him up on that offer, shall I? Can't go letting people hit on my girl after all," Ginny felt a thrill at Harry's possessiveness, "Though I must tell you, I find your current taste in men impeccable," He grinned at her seductively.

Ginny smiled and a fit of giggles bubbled up inside her. She slipped her hands into Harry's hair and drew him down into a kiss again, reveling in the fact that she could.

"But seriously Harry, Mum and Ron can't know, they'll flip out," Ginny pleaded into his lips.

"Don't worry Gin, I'm more than happy to keep you all to myself," Harry whispered into her ear, making her shiver, before brushing his lips along her neck. "I missed you. I mean, I missed everyone, but I especially missed you," Harry said when Ginny pulled away to look him in his gorgeous emerald eyes.

"I missed you too Harry, you're the only thing that kept me sane this summer," Ginny said, allowing herself to be pulled tightly into Harry's arms. She had only been in them for a few minutes, but suddenly she couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

The new couple's quiet moment was interrupted by Ron and Hermione banging on the compartment door, back from patrols. Reluctantly, Harry untangled himself from Ginny and unlocked the door.

Stepping inside the compartment, it was clear to see that Hermione and Ron were bickering about something again. Ron's ears were red and Hermione's arms were crossed and both were wearing vicious scowls.

"What's the matter with you two?" Harry asked, "This time," He muttered under his breath so that only Ginny could hear. She giggled and Harry's stomach swooped a little.

"Ronald decided it was necessary to start an altercation with Malfoy in the middle of the carriage," Hermione huffed, emphasizing Ron's full name.

"Hey! He was insulting my mother! There are certain lines that cannot be crossed, and insulting my mum is one of them!" Ron raged in his own defense.

Ron and Hermione both fixed Harry with gazes that demanded his support. Harry raised his hands in a defensive gesture, "I'm not getting into this, no way," He said.

The arguing duo dropped onto the benches, staunchly refusing to speak to or even look at one another.

Finally, Ron rose and grabbed Harry's shoulder, "Me and Harry are gonna go get some snacks off of the trolley, right mate?" He gave Harry a look and, after a subtle nod from Ginny, Harry acquiesced.

Harry and Ron made their way down the train, looking for the trolley, when Ron finally breached the slightly awkward silence, "Listen mate, uh, my Mum wants us to keep an eye on Ginny this year. You know, make sure she doesn't end up hurt by some boy or something," In typical Ron fashion, he stumbled for words, "So, you in mate?"

Harry considered for a moment. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have dared, knowing that the youngest Weasley would have his bits if she found out, but if he went along, hiding their burgeoning relationship would be much easier.

"Yeah, alright, but when Ginny figures it out, you made me do it," Harry agreed and Ron slapped him on the back.

The rest of the train ride after Harry and Ron returned passed uneventfully. Ron and Hermione eventually reconciled and the rest of the time was spent recounting stories of the summer. Naturally, Harry's stories were by far the best.

Eventually the train arrived at Hogsmeade Station and the students piled out of the carriages. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny cut through the crowd with relative ease; one of the few distinct advantages of Harry being a pariah.

They filed into the Great Hall and settled down amidst the other Gryffindors, with Harry and Ginny sitting across from Hermione and Ron. Ginny subtly rested her small hand on Harry's thigh, which sent a warm buzzing through Harry's body.

After a moment, the Sorting began – the Hat opening with a different song than normal, one that seemed to be a warning of sorts - and Harry clapped and cheered at the expected parts with the rest of his House. Eventually, the Sorting was finished and it was time to eat.

When the whole Hall was settled, Dumbledore rose to give his usual start-of-term speech. Many students gasped in shock at seeing their Headmaster's new look. His shorter hair in a ponytail and his beard knotted around itself in a single knot just below his chin.

His glasses were also gone, and the legendary Dumbledore twinkle was gone from his eyes, replaced with a much more multifaceted sparkle. The air of whimsicality that they had come to expect was gone.

"Good evening students and welcome back to another year at Hogwarts. I know you're all hungry, so I'll be brief: to our newcomers; welcome, and to our old hands; welcome back! Tuck in!" Dumbledore gave a dramatic wave of his hand and the food appeared.

The four friends ate in relative silence except for the occasional "Manners Ron!" from Hermione. Ron, as usual, piled his plate with food, but – surprisingly – Harry piled up at least as much.

The two set to work with equal fervor, the only difference being Harry's use of utensils. When they had polished off their first plates and were filling their seconds, Ron looked up and locked eyes with Harry.

In that moment, a challenge was issued; it was the kind of challenge that only teenaged guys are stupid enough to make, but it was made nevertheless.

Harry and Ron tore through seconds and thirds, but when they hit fourths Ron began to slow, and by dessert, Harry had triumphed, celebrating with a large platter of treacle tart.

Ron moaned and loosened his belt, "How in the name of Merlin did you eat that much Harry?" He asked, voicing the question that was on probably half of Gryffindor table's minds.

"Hey, in the grand scheme of things, I'm behind on a lot of calories in my life; I'm just catching up," He lowered his voice,

"And using magic burns calories just like everything else, so when you work like I have all summer, you constantly have an appetite," Harry informed them, and Hermione nodded sagely.

The food disappeared several minutes later and Dumbledore began his announcements, "Hello to you all, I'm glad to see everyone back here safe and sound. Tonight, I have some important announcements."

"Firstly, to all of you new students, the Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden. Secondly, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that dueling in the corridors is strictly not allowed. Also, the list of 476 banned items can be found outside of his office."

"Finally, I would like to introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Madam Dolores Umbridge, who is on loan to us from the Ministry," Dumbledore didn't try very hard to hide his ire with Fudge.

"Now, I trust that everyone will make Madam Umbridge feel welcome, and I ask that you please treat her like you would any of your other Professors," No one in the Great Hall missed the look that passed between Dumbledore and the Weasley Twins at those words.

"Now that that is out of the way, this old man is tired, so off to- ," Dumbledore raised a hand to dismiss the students, but was interrupted.

"Hem, hem," Dolores Umbridge had risen, apparently expecting to give a speech.

"Very well, it seems that your new Professor has a few words for you," Dumbledore sat down and looked to the short toad woman.

"Yes, thank you Headmaster, I would just like to say 'you're welcome' on behalf of the Ministry of Magic for providing you with an opportunity to receive a quality education based on a Ministry-approved curriculum."

"Additionally, please feel free to come see me if you feel the need to report anything, anything at all. From sub-standard class instruction to rumors, lies, and sedition, my door is always open," She gave a sickening smile and the Slytherins applauded uproariously. The rest of the Hall just glared.

Dumbledore dismissed the Hall for a second time, and students began to migrate up to bed, leaving the Hall mostly empty except for the Professors and some assorted students.

True to form, Draco Malfoy and his dumb thugs immediately began to make their way towards Harry and his friends.

Hermione noticed his approach and glared at Ron, "Ron, Malfoy is coming over here, I want you to keep your mouth shut," Ron instead began to go for his wand, "And don't even think about hexing him!" She half-shouted.

Harry adopted a different strategy, reaching across the table and grabbing Ron's wrist, "Ron, do you want to hit Malfoy where it really hurts?" Ron's face twisted into a malicious grin and Hermione looked at Harry, appalled.

"Good, then here's the plan. We're going to ignore him. Completely," Harry grinned and Ron opened his mouth to protest, but Harry cut him off.

"No, listen, Malfoy comes from a wealthy pure-blood family. His whole life he's been told that he is the most important person in the room, so if we react to him, he feels satisfied. If we don't react, however, that cuts him deeper than any insult, because it makes him feel small and unimportant," Harry whispered as Malfoy drew closer.

Ron's brow furrowed for a moment before the spark of understanding caught in his eyes and he relaxed just in time for Malfoy to reach them and stand behind them.

"Oh look, its Nutty Potty, the Mudblood, the Weasel, and – what's this? – the Weaslette! Oh joy, look at all this filth in one place!" Malfoy crowed, smirking with his chest puffed out.

As the four Gryffindors continued a casual conversation about classes, however, his arrogant smirk slid off of his face and was replaced with a scowl.

After several more rounds of ignored insults, Draco was finally mad enough to pull his wand. Seeing this, Harry waved his hand slightly under the table.

Malfoy brought his wand up to bear on the back of Ron's head and shouted the incantation for the Brain-Freezing Jinx. An ice blue light flashed out of the end of Malfoy's wand. Unfortunately for him, he had somehow drawn his wand backwards and the jinx caught him in the gut.

He tumbled to the floor, clutching his head and several Professors rushed over. While not the first one on the scene, due to her impossibly stubby legs, Umbridge was the first to speak.

"Mr. Potter! Assaulting an upstanding pureblood, I'll have you expelled for this!" She almost cackled with glee at the thought.

"Now Madam Umbridge, Harry didn't even draw his wand. Matter of fact, I would call him the victim of the whole situation, even if he did handle it remarkably well," Dumbledore gave her a kindly smile, but she just glared back evilly. She opened her mouth to protest, but Snape interrupted.

"I think that I am capable of handling discipline within my own house Dolores. Malfoy, if you are going to curse someone, at least be smart enough to not do it in the middle of the Great Hall. Detention in my office tomorrow night," Snape barked at the blond boy, who looked outraged.

In the chaos and the shouting, the four Gryffindors ducked out of the Hall, Ron and Hermione gesturing for the First Years to accompany them. As they made for the Tower, Hermione pondered, "I wonder what caused Malfoy to grab his wand backwards like that? That's a pretty first year mistake,"

Harry tried his hardest to not look guilty, but Hermione caught it and raised her eyebrow, "I, uh, may have cast a wandless Confundus on his wand to, you know, make him grab it backwards," Harry mumbled out under his breath.

Hermione looked scandalized, but Ron gave Harry a solid high-five and Ginny grinned at him, which made the whole shenanigan worth it all on its own.

They arrived at the Gryffindor Common Room in short order, and Ron and Hermione took the new First-Years off to see their dorms. Harry collapsed into an out-of-the-way couch in what was, unofficially, the "Golden Trio's" corner. Ginny dropped down beside him and, despite the space on the couch, leaned heavily into his side so that their arms and thighs were pressed together.

They enjoyed a few moments of the closeness before Harry spoke, "Ah, it's good to be back,"

Ginny rolled her eyes, "Harry, you were here all summer, this can hardly be called 'back',"

Harry chuckled at the sparkle in her deep brown eyes, "Ok, so it's good to have everyone else back; you know what I mean, I missed you guys," He said, casually tossing his arm over her shoulders.

Ginny snuggled deeper into Harry's side and sighed contentedly, relishing the pulsing contentment in her chest that made her feel like she was going to burst.

They stayed like that for a few long moments until Ron and Hermione reappeared and they had to break apart quickly. Ron did not seem to notice anything, other than that Ginny was in 'his' seat, but Hermione gave the pair a curious glance. Harry groaned inwardly, the last thing he needed was a suspicious Hermione prying into his and Ginny's relationship.

Thankfully, that was all that seemed to come of it, and the rest of the evening was spent with idle chit-chat about meaningless things, save for an occasional leading question from Hermione about Harry's summer.

That night, when it was time for bed, Harry buried himself in the warm sheets of his Gryffindor dorm bed. Despite the fact that Harry had been sleeping in a bed that had been an exact replica of the one he was currently in all summer, there was something comforting about the familiarity of the room that was his first home.

He lay staring at the drapes around his bed, reflecting on the first day back at Hogwarts, for everyone else anyways. All in all, it had most likely been the best beginning of term in Harry's school career. He had not come from the Dursleys', with all of the emotional baggage that that entailed and he was getting along wonderfully with his friends again. And that was before he brought Ginny into the equation. The student populace at large was, as usual, shooting him odd looks, whispering, and just generally avoiding him, but that was the norm for Harry. At least this time it had as much to do with his startling physical transformation as it did with his supposed mental health, or lack thereof.

Harry shifted himself into a comfortable position, yawned, and slipped into sleep, happy for the way that his year had started off. Unfortunately, as with many good things in the life of Harry Potter, it was not to last.

A/N: Okay, phew, that's done, and updates should become regular again, so don't fear. Matter of fact, it'll be up by next week, probably. I'm going to try to stick to a chapter-a-week schedule, but no promises. Hit me up w/ some reviews though, they totally motivate me!