A/N: Biggest chapter yet. Both literally and figuratively? Anyway. Sorry for the lack of beta work on here...I've been handwriting story while at work, typing it up at home, and I just haven't been able to push myself into going back and editing something I've already seen twice, you know? One day, though, I'll clean the whole thing up and post a nicer, tidier version. Because I know it sucks when there are grammar mishaps, missing words, and other such ailments.

Um...aside from that - review? Pretty please? Thanks!

Chapter Ten – Soul Sucking/Soulmates

The mid-December air is crisp and cool as Ginny and Lily walk towards Hogsmeade together. They were doing their shopping for the upcoming holidays together. Both were at something of a loss as to what to get the boys, and figured that two heads would be superior to one. Plus, they'd both spent so much time with their respective boyfriends and studying for NEWTs that they really hadn't had much time to spend together lately.

"Tell me the truth," Ginny grins playfully at her friend, "How upset was James with you for deciding to shop with me rather than simper at him in Madame Puddifoots?"

Lily rolls her eyes, "He made a few choices complaints about how it would be our first trip as an official couple, but mostly he's okay with it because they can do their own shopping this way." Ginny doesn't tell her that they already sneaked out of the castle and apparated to London to do just that. She just wasn't tolerant enough of the boys' rule breaking for that yet. "Anyway, they'll have fun raising their hell today, and we're meeting them for lunch."

Ginny nods her agreement. "Sirius wasn't even chuffed about it in the slightest, which to tell the truth, sort of chuffs me a little bit. That stupid berk could at least pretend he'd miss me for the afternoon!"

"Oh, of course he will," Lily laughs, "That boy worships you. But I think he's just figured out that it isn't a good idea to push you on things like this."

"Youngest of seven and only girl thing," Ginny blushes with a grin, knowing exactly what her friend was referring to, "I spent most of my life rebelling against their oppressive protectiveness. I hate being told what to do, even now."

Lily nods, giving her friend a sympathetic smile. "Well, look at it this way, it helped make you strong and independent. Those are really wonderful things to be."

Ginny smiles at Lily's ability to see the bright spot in anything. "You're right," she agrees, "And anyway, no worrying about the boys today, except when it comes to wondering what to get them."

They walk slowly towards the village, chatting about everything under the sun before cycling back to the boys again, despite Ginny's proclamation. Although Ginny has always gotten along with other girls, there has always been a disconnect in her dealings with them. Even Hermione had been difficult at first, although that was more attributable to the older girl's study habits and her relationships with Harry and Ron and Ginny's subsequent jealousies. It was different with Lily, though. There was, after their rough beginning, a very comforting ease between them, and they were very capable of talking about anything.

"Have you decided what to get James yet?" Ginny asks.

"I don't know," Lily groans, "I'm starting to worry over it because I have absolutely no idea. Really, though, the idea of even contemplating, let alone obsessing over, what gift to buy James Potter is nearly incomprehensible to me."

Ginny laughs, shaking her head. "I could tell on the train that you and James are meant to be together. It was so very obvious, Lils."

Lily smiles, obviously delighted to hear that. "Thanks, I think. It's nice to hear, but at the same time, a little scary."

Ginny's brow furrows at that. "Scary how?"

"So many people have told me that lately that it almost makes it feel like I don't have a choice. I don't know, sometimes it seems like I have this immutable destiny, and that it is James Potter. Scary, really."

"I don't think that would be so bad," Ginny sighs, trying to focus on the happier side of this, and not the idea that Lily and James's (and really, everyone's) destinies were written in stone. "There must be a nice part, knowing that you've found your perfect someone, and that he loves you back."

"Ginny! Oh, look, you know that I am not Sirius's biggest fan, but that boy loves you. He is absolutely crazy for you. Now, I don't know if he's admitted it yet, to himself or anyone else, but Gin, he does. He definitely does. There is no doubt in my mind of that."

Giving her friend an indulgent smile, Ginny shrugs. "I don't know. He – I know he likes me and I know he cares, but it's still a huge leap from there to love. He's so great, Lils." She looks over at her friend. "I had another boyfriend before," she relates, "I'd loved him for most of my life, and when I finally got him it was like puppies and unicorns and rainbows."

"Are you still with him now?" Lily asks, sounding scandalized, "Really, Gin, did you not just hear me? Sirius is in love with you. You cannot jerk him around like that!"

Ginny glares at her before rolling her eyes. "Of course I'm not with anyone else. Just what do you take me for? No, of course not. I was just trying to – look, I wanted to – oh, bloody hell!"

Lily reaches out, looping their arms together. "I'm sorry, Ginny. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

She shrugs, but nods her forgiveness. "I know that. This other boy, he – he was my childhood, you know what I mean? And when he broke up with me, I was devastated. But he had things to do that I couldn't be around for, and I understood that. I was going to wait for him, even though he didn't ask and I hadn't said I would. I – he hopes I'm waiting, I know that. And Lils, I would've, I swear it, but Siri is – he's fire and warmth wrapped ice, and I – I can't get enough of him."

"You love him, too!" Lily gasps, her free hand flying to her mouth, "I wasn't positive, you know? I kind of thought you did, but I wasn't positive. Oh, Gin!"

"I – I – I –" Ginny stutters, blushing madly, "I guess I do." She groans, burying her face in her hands. "Oh, Godric, I wasn't supposed to fall in love with anyone else! With anyone!"

"You can't help who you love," Lily smiles wryly, "And if one could, well, I'd have probably been first in line requesting a change. But Gin, it's not a bad thing. Sirius is – honestly, I'll never admit this to him, even under torture – well, he's grown on me. He's very charming, in a roguish sort of way. And he adores you. I'm not sure what more you could want."

Ginny laughs at that. "Don't be too effusive with the compliments," she teases her friend before sighing, "Maybe I shouldn't feel guilty, but I do. And the worst part is, he's a part of my family. My – well, it's hard."

Lily looks at Ginny curiously, but doesn't voice her question. "He had his chance, and he missed it. You don't owe this boy anything." Ginny perversely wonders if Lily would feel the same way if she knew the boy was her son, whose life was really a long series of devastating loss and tragedy, and could honestly use some love in his life. "He was a fool, not staking his claim when he had the chance."

"I guess I'll just have to hope he feels the same way about it," Ginny half smiles, "It's not like I'll be able to avoid him. He is a part of my life."

"But why does he have to be?" Lily asks, "And why do you feel like he deserves it? I – oh, this is a hard thing to say, but your family is gone; is there really anything left tying him to you?"

Ginny's eyes squeeze shut as she remembers the lie she is living. "Yeah, well, it's not that easy. And like I said, he really is family. I still care about him, very much. That doesn't just go away. But all the same, I don't want Sirius to be uncomfortable or get the wrong impression about anything."

Her friend laughs at that. "Sirius's ego is so big that it absolutely circumvents the normal relationship insecurities. Once he knows how you feel, that you love him, he's not going to doubt it, I promise. Same with James. I daresay we've picked the boys with the biggest egos in all of Scotland."

Laughing, Ginny nods her agreement. "Oi, so what are you giving your ego-driven boy for Christmas? You never answered earlier."

To Ginny's surprise, Lily blushes a bright red. "I – erm," she begins faltering. After a moment, she squares her shoulders and looks Ginny in the eye. "I was thinking of giving him, well, me."

"I don't – you? Oh, you mean….oh," Ginny gasps out, staring at Lily in complete surprise. Of all the things her friend might've said, this was the least expected. "You plan on giving him yourself? Lil, are you – you haven't been together that long? Are you sure?"

"Well, as everyone has pointed out, it has been a long time coming. I think that I am ready, Gin; I really do," she smiles before turning her eyes on Gin, "And anyway, as if you and Sirius aren't. If you two go more than five minutes without touching each other in some intimate way, the running joke in Gryffindor Tower is that you've obviously broken up."

Ginny laughs at that, wondering if Sirius has heard about it yet. Bloody hell, he probably started it. "Well, we haven't, and I never have. But with Sirius, it would be so easy to let myself go with him. If he didn't know that I'm not quite ready and stopped us on a couple of occasions, maybe we would've by now."

"Am I crazy for considering it?" Lily asks, blushing again, "I just – he loves me, and that's special."

"And you love him, too," Ginny smiles, "If you're ready, then okay. We'll go to Gladrags today and buy you the most marvelous lingerie ever."

Lily beams at her, squeezing Ginny's arm. "Thank you. I knew that you wouldn't judge me. The Muggle world is far less conservative about these things, so I was a touch worried, you know? Oh, it happens in the Wizarding world, of course – can't tell you how many broom closets I've busted up illicit activity in – but people like to pretend that it doesn't."

Ginny smiles, shrugging. "I'm happy for you, Lily. Anyway, it really is no one's business but you and James. Do what is right for the two of you."

"Yeah," Lily nods, her face set in resolution, "It is. For me, it is right. And I guess I'll find out about James when I ask him to unwrap me, yes?"

Ginny cracks up at that, delighting in another sign that her friend is coming out of her shell. "First of all, he's male, so he's ready. And secondly, he loves you and has been waiting a long time for you to return his feelings, so again, he's ready. You've got him in the bag, Lils!"

"What about you?" Lily asks, both girls waving at various classmates as they get closer to the village, "What are you going to get Sirius?"

"You just have to ask the hard questions, don't you?" Ginny shrugs, "Honestly, I'm not sure. I've been trying to think of something completely fabulous for him, but I've not come up with anything even close. I just – he's been so good to me, for me, that I want to wow him with a wonderful, perfect, amazing gift. And I'm coming up empty-handed so far."

Lily smiles at her kindly. "We'll find something," she tells her as the smile slides off her face.

Ginny follows Lily's gaze, her eyes narrowing when they land on the entirely black-clad Severus Snape. "Oh, the bat comes out during the day, I see. I rather figured he'd melt in water or direct sunlight. How lovely for him."

"I should go talk to him," Lily says softly, ignoring her comments. Ginny grunts noncommittally. "I know you don't like Severus, but he is my friend. I need to talk to him."

"Okay," Ginny nods, knowing that she has no right to demand otherwise, "I'll be at Gladrags. Come by and find me when you're done, okay?"

"Of course," Lily grins gratefully. She walks towards Snape, turning once to wave over her shoulder at Ginny, who waves back before tightly pulling her robes around herself to ward off the sudden biting chill in the air. Her good mood rapidly vanishing, she barely notices the eerie quiet spreading throughout the student-filled village.

All of a sudden one voice, then two, and then too many to identify separately, ring out in screams. Gin stops on the spot, her wand being drawn as she turns in the direction of the pandemonium. A sickening sense of dread fills her as she runs toward the screams, pushing in the opposite direction of everyone else. Her heart drops when she rounds a corner and sees what everyone is running from: Dementors, and lots of them.

She draws to a stop, her mind whipping over memories that she has used in the past to conjure her Patronus, immediately discarding all of them. The last few times she's had to conjure her Patronus, she'd used memories of her brief time with Harry. They'd worked well for her, and with them she had conjured her strongest yet. But her heart wasn't there anymore, and so she focused on memories of her first date with Sirius.

To her amazement, as she yells out the incantation, it is not her majestic and trusty lion that emerges from her wand, but a large dog that snarls and snaps as he drives through the Dementors, pushing them back. There is no time to think about the implications of that, though. There is more screaming behind her, and without letting herself think too much on it, she sends her Patronus sprinting up to the castle in case they hadn't been notified yet.

She casts the spell over and over again, apparently the only student aware or capable of doing is. Everyone else is in a panic (not that she blames them), has fainted, or is firing run of the mill defense spells that barely even slow the Dementors down. The latter is what Lily and Snape are doing when she comes back across them, their backs pressed against the wall of a building. There is nowhere left for them to go.

Unsurprising to Ginny, as someone who is plenty affected by them, Snape is suffering worse than Lily is under the chilling presence of the Dementors. Stunned from her thoughts, she springs into action when the Dementors begin to administer the kiss. "Expecto Patronum!" she screams, her voice hoarse and weak from all the yelling. Enough intent is there, though, and she didn't really need to speak at all. She keeps on casting until the last of the Dementors flee, but before she can even catch her breath, the popping noise attributed to apparition fills the air.

"Bloody, buggering hell!" she mutters to herself, firing the strength to go on firing off curses until her voice is gone completely. She never even notices when she crosses over to casting her magic entirely nonverbally. More students join in this battle as the fight is now against people, something they can understand. There aren't many Death Eaters, though, and when professors appear, they all disapparate to locations unknown.

"Lily," Ginny croaks out, so quietly that no one can hear. Tears are streaming down her face, remnants of her close proximity to the Dementors. Lily and Snape are where she last saw them, slouched against the wall. Before Ginny can get to them, James, Remus, and Peter appear. She can see Snape's face twist into an angry snarl as James kneels before Lily, pulling her into his arms. Despite Snape's protests (or perhaps because of them), Remus and Peter tend to him.

An icy fear grips her when she does not see Sirius right away. With the fear trapping her breath in her throat, she stumbles over to her friends. Remus catches her before she can fall, lowering her slowly to the ground beside Lily. "Gin, are you okay? We saw you fighting." She stares up at him, her eyes pleading with him for information. "He's looking for you right now, Gin. He's fine, I promise." He glances over at Pettigrew. "Wormtail, could you go find Pads, please? Thanks."

She slumps against the wall in relief, taking a shaky breath. Glancing at the packages strewn around them, she reaches for one of James's bags, pulling out a large package of Chocolate Frogs. She passes pieces to each of them, including Snape, who all eat it without protest. It's a relief to see the glassiness retreat from each of their eye's as the chocolate serves to revive them. James reaches out for Ginny, pulling her into a tight a hug. "Glad you're okay, Ginevra."

"You, too," she smiles into his shoulder, using his robes to dry her tears, "I need to find him. Need to see he's okay for myself."

"Gin, he's fine," James promises her, his eyes concerned as he glances between her and Lily. Both look worse for the wear now that the battle is over. He'd watched helplessly as the Dementor attacked Lily and Snivellus, and he'd had no idea how to help them. But then Ginny came flying through the crowd, brandishing her wand like an old pro, producing some kind of silvery dog from her wand that drove the Dementor off. Patronus, he thought it might be called. "Stay sitting, Peter's finding him."

"More chocolate," she whispers, "Everyone eat more chocolate. It counters the effects of the Dementors."

"They're awful," Snape whispers, his eyes blindly staring straight ahead. Lily pats his hand before taking it in hers and squeezing it. To Ginny's surprise, James doesn't make a peep of protest. "I – I heard – it was awful."

Lily nods, drawing her hand back to wipe away her tears. "I didn't know what to do. I have never been so scared in all my life, and there was nothing I could do to protect myself. How did you know what to do, Gin? And how can we ever thank you for – "

Ginny shakes her head, wrapping her arms around her middle. "No, don't. Do not thank me for that. You are my friend, and there was no way I wouldn't help you, Lils."

Just then Sirius comes sprinting over, Peter lagging behind him. He trips to his knees next to Ginny, his arms wrapping around her waist as she throws herself at him. "Oh, love, thank Merlin you're okay. I saw you fighting off those things earlier, but then I lost sight of you when the Death Eaters showed up. What a bloody nightmare." He pulls back, peppering every inch of her face with kisses. "I have been so worried about you, Ginevra Watson."

"Merlin, spare me from this ridiculous sap-fest," Snape mutters under his breath, glaring hard at Sirius and Ginny.

"Shut it!" James yells, his wand out and pointed at Snape before the other boy can so much as twitch, "Gin saved your life, you miserable coward. She owed you nothing, not a damn thing, and she still did it anyway! So if I – or any of us – catch you saying anything about her again, you'll find out what sorry is, Snivellus!"

Snape scoffs at that, glaring right back at James. "Do not delude yourself in thinking that your insane little friend there helped me out of some ridiculous goodness of heart. She only did it because I am sitting near Lily."

"You still benefited from it," Sirius growls, "So if you aren't going to grovel at Ginny's feet, then I would suggest you get the hell out of here!"

"That's it," Snape coos condescendingly, reminding Ginny so much of the teacher who tormented her after the Chamber, "Bury your head in the sand, Black. Don't see what is right in front of you. Lily and even your scruffy mutt friend there realize that something is off about your precious girlfriend, but I guess you don't care since she's spreading her legs for you."

That is all he gets out before all four of the other boys, Peter included to Ginny's surprise, make moves towards Snape. Before Ginny can even open her mouth to calm them down, Lily jumps in, shocking them all. "Get out of here, Snape!" she bites out, shaking her head tiredly, "Get out of here and do not seek me out again. Pet was right about you; you are a bad sort. I'm just sorry it has taken me this long to realize what every, including my Muggle sister, have always known."

Severus's mouth hangs open in shock and the rest of them watch with wide eyes. As Snape struggles to his feet in an attempt to leave with some dignity, it becomes clear he is too weak to walk. Sirius, with a quick kiss to Ginny's forehead, jumps to his feet and unceremoniously levitates a protesting Snape over to the Three Broomsticks, where the teachers seem to be gathering the injured.

"Everyone alright?" Ginny asks, leaning heavily against Sirius when he sits back down beside her. He gathers her against him, pulling her onto his lap.

"Yes, I – I think we're all okay," James answers, his worried eyes keeping a close watch on Lily. "Thanks to you, Gin. Where did you learn those things? You fought better than all the Death Eaters, even!"

Remus nods in agreement. "You know the Patronus Charm. That is very, very advanced magic, Ginny. Is it a part of the curriculum at Beauxbatons?"

Ginny, still half out of her mind with exhaustion, gives him a sleepy smile. "You know, you taught me the Patronus Charm, in a roundabout way. You, Professor, you taught Harry who then taught everyone else. So it's really your teaching that saved us today. You're a wonderful teacher, thank Merlin."

They all glance between Ginny's prone form and each other, no one sure what to say. Finally, James clears his throat. "Well, she's obviously delirious from the effects of the Dementors. I've heard that can happen. Doesn't even know what she's saying, the poor girl."

"Of course," Sirius immediately chimes in his agreement, "She is just a little confused, that's all. We should probably get her checked out for spell damage. You too, Evans. Those Dementors are nasty business."

"Oh, there you all are!" an exasperated and thoroughly harried Minerva McGonagall exclaims, "Ginevra! What happened, is Miss Watson all right?"

Remus is the one to answer the professor, who is now kneeling and examining both girls. "Professor, it was Ginny," he tells her very seriously, "She drove off all the Dementors on her own. Sh – she did most of the damage against the Death Eaters that were here, too."

McGonagall sits back on her haunches, a dazed expression on her face. "She did not tell me about these abilities," McGonagall mutters to herself, drawing shared looks between the conscious friends in front of her. "She's fine, just tired. Same with you, Miss Evans. And for heaven's sake, all of you keep eating that chocolate." She looks over at the boys. "How many Dementors were there? When did the Death Eaters get here? What exactly happened?"

"Don't really know a whole lot," Sirius offers with a shrug, "We were at that jewelry store on the edge of the village. About five seconds after the temperature plunged enormously, the screaming started. We ran out and saw the Dementors."

"Three students, at least, and one shopkeeper were kissed," McGonagall sighs wearily, "I cannot fathom how the Death Eaters go them to join this cause. I guess we are lucky, though, that more were not kissed."

"Kissed?" Lily asks in confusion.

Remus nods when McGonagall doesn't answer right away. "The Dementors, when they administer the so-called kiss, suck out a person's soul. The body lives on essentially with nothing, that is to say no one, inside. It sounds like such a horrible thing, just a living body with no one inside of it."

Rising, McGonagall gives them all a watery smile. "I'm very glad that all of you are fine. Mr. Black, I'm sure you will see Miss Watson back to the castle. I should think warming up and getting a cup or five of hot chocolate will do her a world of good."

"Of course," Sirius agrees, his eyes never leaving Ginny, "Should she see Madame Pomfrey first? What if she's hurt? Professor, she saved a lot of people today! She should get first crack at the healer. I – I want a healer here now!"

"Sirius," McGonagall says softly, recognizing his near hysteria for the concern, fear, and love that it is, "I promise you that Ginevra is fine; I ran the diagnostic spell myself. She is just tired. In fact, if you slip her some more chocolate now, she will perk right up." Sirius looks skeptical, but relaxes when they try it and it proves to be true. "See, she'll be just fine. Ginevra, tomorrow morning before breakfast, do report to my office. I daresay you and I have much to discuss. And we'll need to expect that the Headmaster will want to see you, as well."

Ginny nods. "Okay. See you 'morrow, then?"

McGonagall glances at each of them, offering as comforting of a smile as she is currently capable of giving. "I must go check on others now. Please get back to the castle immediately. We are fairly sure the threat has passed, but better to be safe than sorry. Mr. Potter, your Head Boy services will be required. We have set up the Three Broomsticks as a base of sorts, as they are on the Floo to Hogwarts." She glances at Lily. "Now, Miss Evans…"

"I can help," Lily smiles shakily, moving to stand, "I'm fine. I should bet there, too, and since I can, I will help."

"Okay, hurry over there, please. Mr. Black, if Miss Watson cannot make the walk, the Floo is open to you both as well. Now, all of you, get going where you need to be," McGonagall orders briskly, pausing only to say again that's she glad they're all fine.

They all smile at each other, and Remus and Lily share a look. Lily reaches out, grabbing Ginny's hand. "You said Remus taught you the Patronus Charm earlier. Gin, that – that doesn't make much sense."

Ginny blushes furiously, tensing in Sirius's arms. Before he can interject on her behalf, she responds, "I – Remus has always reminded me of a professor I had before. Hence his nickname."

"But that is not what you said," Remus points out, "You said that I taught the charm to someone named 'Harry', and then he taught you."

"Bugger off, Moony," Sirius cuts in, "Leave off the inquisition. She can barely keep her eyes open, and in case you don't remember, she pretty much saved all of us today. Give her a break!" He helps Ginny to her feet, keeping his hands on her waist when she sways unsteadily.

James steps in as he reaches down to help Lily to her feet. "Look, you lot need to get back to the castle, especially Ginny, and Lils and I need to get going as well. We'll have lots of time to talk later, when everyone is recovered."

Remus looks torn, but nods eventually. "I'll stay and help. I know she didn't say, but I'm a prefect. I could help."

With that, everyone scatters. Pettigrew joins up with his Hufflepuff girlfriend and some of her friends, James, Lily, and Remus head in the direction of the Three Broomsticks, and Sirius and Ginny are left alone. They don't speak much on the way back to the castle, and Ginny steadfastly ignores the curious stares she is receiving from other students.

Once in the castle, he makes to turn towards Gryffindor Tower, but she pulls him in a different direction. Shocking himself with the amount of trust he has in her, Sirius willingly follows along with her.The stop in a seventh floor hallway, and he watches in confusion as she paces back and forth until a door appears. "That was not there a second ago," Sirius exclaims, earning a faint smile from Ginny.

"No, it was not," she agrees, again taking his hand as she moves to open the door, "Come in with me."

As they cross the threshold she stops short, and he bumps into her back. Blushing hotly, she looks around with a wry grin. "This is not what I was expecting, but I suppose it will do rather nicely."

"What is this room?" Sirius asks, looking around in awe. There is a huge bed that dominates about half of the room, which is lavishly appointed in rich shades of gold and green. There is a sitting area across from the bed with leather furniture in a dark, chocolate brown. Steaming mugs of hot chocolate sit on various tables throughout the room alongside tall piles of chocolate pieces.

"This is the Room of Requirement. The elves call it the Come and Go room," Ginny explains with a small smile on her face, "It appears when someone needs it. At least, that is my understanding. It is what you need or want when you need or want it. It is as big or small as needed, and it contains whatever is needed or wanted."

He continues looking around, his gaze lingering on the large bed longer than anywhere else. "How did you find it?"

Ginny blushes a little as she follows his gaze. "When I disappeared that weekend, I found this room. Of course, it just gave me a tiny little bed and not much else. Took awhile to figure out that I could ask it for food."

"What did you ask from it just now?" he asks, moving closer to her. He reaches out, grabbing a piece of chocolate to feed her, which she takes with a grateful smile.

"All I asked for this time was chocolate and a place to rest with my boyfriend. I guess my subconscious was a little more specific."

"I like how your subconscious works," Sirius grins, attempting to surreptitiously steer her towards the bed before she can sit and get comfortable on one of the couches. "This room is bloody brilliant. I cannot believe that we haven't heard of it by now! Although, it is fairly close to Dumbledore's office. We try to steer clear of him."

Ginny doesn't need encouragement from Sirius, throwing the covers of the bed back before turning to look at him. "Turn around," she says softly, feeling a little awkward. Smiling to himself, he does as she asked and even resists the urge to peek when he hears her removing and transfiguring clothing. After she slides into the bed, she tells him he can turn around.

To his surprise (really, he almost swallows his tongue), she has transfigured her sweater into a lacy little negligee that hides nothing and covers little. He actually (miraculously) can see her panties which match the negligee.

She slides her legs over the edge of the bed, sitting in front of him. "You should – um, what do you normally sleep in?" she asks nervously, her hands reaching up to tug his shirt out of the waistband of his pants. "I want you to hold me, Sirius. I – I need it."

"Of course, love, anything you want," he agrees, reaching for her, but she shakes her head as she flushes a faint pink. "What's wrong?"

"I need to feel you, too," she whispers. He can tell she's feeling a little shy about all this, but her gaze remains locked on him. "I need you against me so I can be warm again."

"Anything you need," he promises her, raising his arms above his head as she tugs his shirt off. She stares at him with wide eyes, and he's ridiculously pleased that he and James followed a quidditch training manual over the summer. He reaches out for her, dragging his fingers up and down her bare arms, leaving a trail of goose bumps in their wake. She stands, her arms stealing up to wrap around his neck. He slides his hands down her back, intrigued by how much of it is bare.

She smiles when he reaches up and removes the pins holding back her hair, letting it tumble down her back. They stand there holding each other until he notices her swaying on her feet. Giving her his cockiest smirk, he stoops low to lift her up and, with a mischievous grin, drops her in the middle of the bed.

Not at all thrown off by that, she reaches out, grabbing him by the belt to pull him with her. "I want you with me here, Siri. Please."

"Of course," he nods, all teasing gone as he crawls onto the bed with her. She sits up, watching as he arranges himself in the middle of the bed. Once he's situated, she fits herself against him, one arm thrown over his chest and her legs tangling with his. "You okay, Gin?"

"I don't know," she admits, taking in a shuddering gulp of air. Concerned and unable to see her face, he rolls them so that he is half over her. She glances up at him, giving him a wan smile. "For a moment, after I found Lily and Snape fighting the Dementors with their backs against the wall, I froze. I don't know what snapped me out of it, but I almost let her die, or as good as."

"Great Godric, Gin! You saved her," Sirius exclaims, moving further on top of her in a bid to get as close as possible and grab her attention, "Don't you dare doubt yourself on this. What you did was nothing short of amazing, and everyone can vouch for that."

She stares at him, grateful for the distraction as his knee nudges her legs apart. A little surprised, she gasps when he eases between them, her hips cradling him. He rests his head against her breast, pressing soft kisses the skin bared above the top of her nightie. She sighs, running her fingers over his bare sides. "Mmm, Siri? I think I should've grabbed another piece of chocolate."

He grins at her knowingly, reaching over to the table nearest the bed, grabbing a large piece of chocolate from it. Rolling slightly off of her, he props himself up on his elbow as he unwraps the chocolate, tossing the foil over his shoulder. She grabs for the sweet, but he moves it out of her reach, winking at her.

"You're a tease, Black," she sighs, smirking up at him. He lifts the chocolate to his mouth, taking a bite. In retaliation, she rolls her hips upwards, rubbing against him in a rather suggestion and intimate fashion. "I guess two can play at that game."

"Not the same game!" he mutters, grinning as he offers her the chocolate. His eyes widen when she grabs his hand, licking and sucking off every speck of chocolate on his fingers. "Love, no more teasing. You need to eat some chocolate. Maybe I should go sit in one of the chairs."

"No," she protests quickly, "Please stay with me. I – just hold me."

He presses a kiss to her forehead. "Gin? It is very hard for me to just hold you right now. I'm not about to do anything that you aren't okay with, but you should know that I want you badly." For emphasis, he thrusts his hips against her. To his consternation, she moans and her thighs tighten around his hips. He buries his face in her neck, nipping lightly at the soft skin behind her ear.

Ginny strengthens her hold on him as she turns her head, seeking his lips. "Siri, please. I want you, too." He raises his head at that, looking her in the eye. "You make me feel warm and safe and cared for, and I need that right now."

If she'd worded it just slightly differently, he probably wouldn't have had any problem with giving in to what they both want. But instead, the words spoken just served to remind him that she wasn't entirely in her right mind now. "Let's just back up a bit," he sighs, easing off her. He stays next to her on his side, leaning over her. "I want you, Gin, but not when you're half traumatized, okay?"

"Yeah," she agrees quietly, looking away from him, "What an idiot I am, thinking my boyfriend might actually want me."

"Oh, Gin, you know how much I want you!" he argues, sighing tiredly, "I've wanted you since the second I laid eyes on you in the Leaky Cauldron months ago! I'm just finding it hard to believe that you want us to be together like that after a day like this one!"

The fight goes out of her, and she rolls onto her side, facing him. "You're right, and I'm sorry. It's just, you are…you're my rock, and I wanted to – to take all of you inside of me because I knew you'd warm me up and make me happy again."

He smiles at her, reaching up to brush an errant lock of hair off her face. "I would, in a second, if I thought that's what you really wanted. If you were ready – no, when you're ready and not just because of some need to feel, then it'll be different. I've never wanted the way I want over you, and that's not going away. In fact, it keeps getting stronger."

"You know how much I want you, right?" she asks, surprised by how easy it is to be forthright with him like this. No blushing, no stammering, just complete honesty. "I want you so bad, more than I ever knew possible, Sirius. It actually scares me a little, how much I feel for you, and how little time it took to happen."

"You're scared!" he laughs, "What about me, love? I'm bloody terrified I'll bollocks things up but good!" He pauses, the grin sliding off his face. "I'm not good at this kind of thing, I know, but I'm trying."

"You're wonderful," she beams at him, leaning forward to press a kiss to the corner of his mouth. "Everything about you is wonderful."

He scoffs at that. "I'm not, Gin. When the Dementors were there, you know what I kept thinking of? My father." Gin's throat tightens, horrified at the idea that the thing a child could fear most, that his worst memory would be something his own father inflicted on him. "He had these magical chains that would tighten around someone when they struggled."

She squeezes her eyes shut against the unbidden images of him in chains, the life getting squeezed out of him. "Like Devil's Snare."

"Right," he agrees grimly, "But about a million times worse. These had a nice Dark flair to them. They secreted a potion that burned into the skin. Caused some dandy scars on people. It bloody hurt when he used them on me, I know that. Still never felt anything half as painful."

"Let me see them," she demands, clambering to her knees. "I want to see them, Sirius."

"What makes you think he used them on me?" he asks, sighing when she just stares at him knowingly, "Gin, they're under my pants, and I'm not – "

She cuts him off. "Take them off then. I want to see what he did to you. I don't know why, but I need to know."

He blushes, shaking his head. "I can't, not – not now. It's not appropriate right now, Gin."

She rolls her eyes. "Six older brothers," she sighs in exasperation, "Sirius, take the pants off, or I'll take them off for you."

Knowing how stubborn she is, he shrugs and just barely beats her hands to the buttons of his jeans. "Hey, Grabby!" he laughs, sighing at the serious look on her face, "Gin, I don't really want to do this right now."

Shrugging, she just waits. "I figure I'll see it all sometime, right?"

"Right," he has to smile at that as he lifts his hips to slide the pants off. To his surprise, her hands brush his aside, tugging the jeans off for him. She doesn't look until they're off. He watches her face, waiting for the first signs of revulsion, horror, disgust, or, worst of all, pity. To his surprise, she doesn't betray any emotion at all. He almost arches off the bed when her fingers begin tracing over the ugly marks.

Her heart breaks a tiny bit more for him, and she wonders what other awful things happened in that house of horrors he grew up in. The horrid marks, which begin mid-thigh and continue where she can't see them under his boxers (an area she is trying hard to ignore, no pun intended), are a dark, livid purple. Some spots are depressed where the flesh appears to have been burned away, and some are raised where the area healed overzealously. There is no doubt that a link chain made them, and that it was an extremely awful injury to receive.

Without thinking about what she is doing, Ginny leans forward and kisses the puckered flesh of the scar. He gasps at the sensations – her hair resting on his thighs and pooling on the fabric covering his erection, her soft lips and wet tongue as she traces over the path of the scar.

When she's done giving the motherly (in a decidedly unmotherly way) comfort of kissing his wounds, she lays with her head on his hip, giving him a soft smile.

"Why're you smiling?" he asks, desperately searching for something to concentrate on other than how bloody good her lips would feel on his cock.

"Because you never cease to amaze me," she answers, her smile never wavering, "That you could survive this, something so horrible and painful, and the rest of your childhood in that house with those foul people, it just shows how much strength and character you have. That is really something."

He shakes his head, sighing. "Come here, would you?" She lifts herself, moving up his body with a feline grace that actually has him hardening further, quite feat considering she'd been kissing and licking mere inches from his cock seconds ago. She lies against him, her long hair trailing over his shoulder and the only thing separating their upper bodies is the transfigured lace top she's wearing. She tangles her legs with his, planting kisses over his jaw as he pulls the covers over them.

"Why did he do that to you?" she asks quietly, "What on earth could you have done that he decided that was a fitting punishment?"

"He came home from work one day and caught me playing with the neighbor boy, a Muggle," Sirius shakes his head, "The boy drowned a week later, and I've always wondered if my father did something to him. After that, I avoided all Muggles, terrified the same things would happen. When he died, I played the game with my mother because she didn't have that ruthless cruel streak that he did."

Ginny nods as her fingers trace over his chest in a lazy, spiraling patter. "And to thumb your nose at your father." She nuzzles her nose against his chest and drops a quick, openmouthed kiss there before lifting her head. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that, Sirius. If I could give you anything, it would be a happy childhood."

He pushes her hair over one shoulder so he can touch all the bare skin of her back without it in the way. "You were amazing out there today, Gin. I can't say that enough. A part of me wanted to sit back and watch you go. It was amazing."

She purrs in contentment as his hands slide down the curve of her back coming to rest on her rounded backside. All of a sudden, she gasps, tensing against him. "My Patronus changed! I can't believe I forgot about that!"

"They don't do that often I take it," Sirius frowns, tugging her back down towards him, "Is it bad that it changed? Seemed to get the job done, at least."

She nods distractedly. "I guess it doesn't matter much, but it doesn't make sense," she muses quietly, thinking of the circumstances when Tonks's changed, "When – I knew a woman's whose changed, and – oh! It's you! This is your fault!"

He blinks, caught off guard by the puzzling accusation. "Erm, love, I barely knew what a Patronus was before today. I doubt there is much I could've done to it. Actually, I think I'm a little hurt that you'd blame me. Yes, I know I am!"

"Oh, stop," she laughs, her head dropping to rest against his shoulder, "I didn't mean that you did something to id. I just mean – oi. What do you know of the Patronus charm?"

"Not much," he admits easily.

"Well, part of casting the charm is finding your happiest memory, and thinking of it when you cast it. And I changed memories this time," she explains, snuggling against his chest. "I – oh, bloody hell. I know about Remus being a werewolf."

He is stunned, and raises himself up on his elbows, forcing her to roll to his side. "How?" he demands, "How do you know that? Did Snivellus say something? I'll kill him!"

She sits up, moving to straddle him, which is a pretty effective way of shutting him up. "No one told me anything. I – I followed you to the Shrieking Shack last full moon. I'm sorry, Sirius. I was just curious, and I thought I'd bust you guys in the middle of a prank or something along those lines," she lies, cringing a little with each one.

He curses, squeezing his eyes shut. She stays where she is, perched atop him. "That was three weeks ago, Gin! It never occurred to you to say something before now?" He shakes his head, glaring at her. "I can't believe you didn't mention knowing! And you followed me! Thanks a lot!"

"Oh, come on!" she sighs, reaching out and pinching him hard just under his left nipple. He yelps, trying to buck her off of him, but she holds fast. "Stop acting like a child! Honestly, Sirius, I was just curious, and the reason I did not make a big deal about it was because it is obviously something Remus does not want people to know about. And I can respect that. Furthermore, you lot seemed to have it under control, and that's good enough for me."

"I'm sorry," he sighs, his hands reaching out to slide up and down her arms. "It's – Moony really is sensitive about it, and we are all a little protective of him."

She smiles at him, leaning forward to kiss him. They both moan when her lace covered breasts make contact with his bare chest. "I saw that. It's amazing what you and James and Peter do for him. He's lucky to have friends like you. I am so sorry that I didn't just ignore my curiosity and trust you better."

He hugs her tight before letting his hands wander down her hips and sides to her beautifully bare legs. "I still don't know what that has to do with your Patronus changing, though." He grins as she squirms under his ministrations. "It was brilliant, though. Snarling and snapping at the Dementors. Didn't know they actually made noises like that."

"Me either," she sighs, tucking that bit away as something else to talk to McGonagall about. "My Patronus used to be a gorgeous lioness. I was so proud of her. Of course, it's hard to cast a corporeal Patronus, and it took me awhile to get it. But what I cast today….Sirius, it was you. Your animagus form, I mean."

"Oh," he breathes, unsure how to respond to this revelation. "Gin, I – I don't know what I'm supposed to say to that."

She turns her face so that she can brush her lips against his jaw. "You don't have to say anything at all. you don't even have to think about it, if it bothers you. But that's my truth of the day. My Patronus changed because I care about you so much."

He cups her face in his hands, gently raising her face to his. "I care, too," he says softly, the words rough and foreign sounding, "I care so bloody much for you, Gin."

Ginny kisses him fiercely. "You – you could not know how much you mean to me," she sniffs, pounding her balled up fist into his shoulder, "Damn you!"

"Hey!" he protests, biting back a laugh, "What was that for?"

"For – for making me fall in – for making me care!" She tilts her head down so she can kiss the area she just hit. "Sorry, it's just, I was supposed to care this much, you know?"

He holds her tight wondering when she'll tell him her whole story. Instead of asking, he whispers in her ear, "I guess that I got lucky, then." He rolls to his side, putting a little needed distance between them. "What memory do you use for your Patronus?"

She sighs, but doesn't protest when he backs up from her until they are no longer touching, just lying on their sides facing one another. "The first time I cast it, I used this really great memory of my oldest brother, Bill. It was the first time I flew on a broomstick, and he snuck us out of the house when Mum was yelling at the twins.

"Bill flew us to the nearby village, and he brought me this pretty green dress with tiny flowers on it. I was four, and it was the perfect day to a four year old." She smiles wistfully. "The next one I used, up until today, was of Harry, the boy I'd always liked growing up."

"What did you use this time?" Sirius asks, resisting the urge to ask what her memory of Harry consisted of. Probably not games of Exploding Snap, that's for sure.

"You," she answers with a wide smile, "Our date in London. Those were my most powerful Patronuses yet. Thank you for the memories."

Utterly charmed by her, he can only smile. "I should be thanking you. You make things – most of my life, things have been bearable at best. My friends make it more than that, but you…Gin, you take it to a level I've never seen before. I hope you know – know how much I care." Taking a deep breath, he looks her in the eye. "I love you. And you probably think that I'm crazy because no one's ever loved me, so how would I know, right? I just do. I know I love you."

How he can break her heart and make it whole all in one breathless tirade, she doesn't think she'll ever understand. "I can't believe you don't realize how loved you are," is what she says, even though she is thinking so much more. "I know it isn't manly, or whatever, but your friends love you. They're loyal to you and protective of you and they love you." She scoots forward until she can lean her forehead against his. "And I love you. Lily saw that, and so did McGonagall. I hope you see it, too. I love you, Sirius Black."

He sucks in a great breath, releasing it in a shuddering rush as she brushes her fingers through his hair. For the first time in his life, he has hope.

Now he just has to get lucky and not let anything take it away from him again.

"Ah, Ginevra. Yes, right on time. How are you feeling this morning?" an extra solicitous McGonagall asks Ginny as she comes through her doorway, "You look much better, but have some hot chocolate just in case."

Ginny, who normally prefers tea in the morning accepts a cup, smiling gratefully at the teacher's slightly unnerving mothering. "I feel much better, thank you. We had lots of chocolate last night, and slept most of the afternoon and evening away." Ginny does not feel it pertinent to mention that sleep was interrupted several times by either her or Sirius instigating the most delicious snogging sessions ever. She could not stop thinking about how delicious it was to be pressed skin to skin against him. Blushing, she pushes those thoughts away.

McGonagall notices the blush, of course, but doesn't feel the need to know what is behind it. "Well," she smiles as Ginny sips her cocoa, "By all accounts, you were quite the hero yesterday. I must say, I'm very proud of you. It takes a special person to keep her cool in the presence of Dementors. It sounds like you managed brilliantly." She leans forward, smiling conspiratorially. "I don't want to spoil his fun, but the Headmaster is planning on awarding you a large number of points at this evening's dinner."

"It wasn't just me," Ginny smiles earnestly, "A lot of students tried to fight the Dementors; unfortunately, they just didn't know the only charm that works."

"Yes, the defense curriculum isn't exactly as well developed as some of our others," McGonagall laments, "We cannot keep a person in the position longer than a year. It is a source of great frustration. I suppose that is neither here nor there, though."

Ginny shrugs, helping herself to more of the hot chocolate. "Is there anything that can be done? Can we teach the charm? I'm going to teach it to my friends, obviously, and other Gryffindors interested in learning. I just don't want people to be caught unawares again. If the Death Eaters send the Dementors first, like they did yesterday, it makes us that much easier to beat."

McGonagall nods. "Yes, it does. They suck so much life and energy out of us…even with people knowing the charm, it would be hard to fight successfully after that."

"It's just bizarre," Ginny sighs, "I hadn't thought that they'd joined Voldemort the first time around. Is this a sign that I've already changed things for the worst?"

"Actually, this was an isolated incident. Professor Dumbledore spoke with the Minister yesterday, and these Dementors were able to leave Azkaban due to an error made by one of the aurors stationed there. He didn't perform the proper containment spells," McGonagall sighs in disgust.

"And they came straight here?" Ginny asks incredulously.

McGonagall shakes her head, pouring Ginny another cup of chocolate, anger evident on her face. "That would be almost preferable. Rather, it turns out that the Dementors escaped over two months ago, and the Ministry has been covering it up ever since then. Albus is quite livid."

Ginny groans, shaking her head. "So, the Death Eaters were either going to attack anyway, or someone in the village alerted them when the trouble started. What an awful mess. Well, at least they haven't joined him. Are they rounded up yet?"

"No, not yet. But the Ministry has announced that it should be taken care of soon. No one is holding their breath, though."

"They'd better catch them soon," Ginny mutters darkly, "Something worse could happen next time. I – one of the Dementors nearly kissed Lily and Snape. It was so awful."

"I know," McGonagall says quietly, "But they were spared the kiss, and Miss Evans is quite fine. I am far more concerned for you right now, to tell the truth."

Ginny smiles at her, shaking her head. "I'm fine, I promise. Sirius fed me about a pound and a half of chocolate. He was really great."

McGonagall gives her a knowing and faintly disapproving look, but does not say anything. "I'm glad to hear that he is taking care of you. I must say, Mr. Black has far exceeded general expectations of him the last couple of months. Now, he has always been a bright young wizard, but he was never one for applying himself. I personally have frequently gotten the impression that he does not so much listen to me in class as he sits and thinks over his next bout of mischief."

Ginny grins at that spot-on assessment. "Well, he's still as mischievous as ever. He begged off two dates last week in order to serve detentions. I suppose I am not really all that influential."

"On the contrary," McGonagall smiles, "The boys can get up to as much mischief as they choose so long as they keep up with their studies. That is why Mr. Potter and Mr. Lupin were given the roles of responsibility afforded to older students. Of course, Mr. Black is quidditch captain, but he likes winning as much as I do, and well, yes."

"Professor, my Patronus changed," Ginny blurts out abruptly, "And not only that, but Sirius said it was snapping and barking. I – I've never heard one do that before."

McGonagall blinks in surprise. "First things first…they can make noise derivative of the animal when cast with exceptional power. And second, what do you mean, it changed? They don't just change… A Patronus is an extension of ourselves, derived from a fundamental part in us. They do not just change."

"Well, mine has! It used to be a beautiful lioness. I – I have my suspicions on why it has changed." McGonagall nods for her to go on. "Well, what if that fundamental part of me changed?"

"Your heart has changed, and therefore so has your Patronus," McGonagall surmises, nodding sagely, "Well, that cannot be off the mark. You absolutely must be correct, Ginevra. Fascinating, and let me guess, this new Patronus is intrinsically linked to Mr. Black in some way."

"It is his animagus form," she confides earnestly, "I – my life has changed so much since I've been here that at times, it almost doesn't seem real. But then I know it is, and I'm so glad for it. I cannot imagine a life when Sirius was not in it. It seems so far away from me." She shakes her head. "Listen to me, I must sound crazy."

"Not crazy, but perhaps infatuated. It is not such a bad thing to be, my dear," McGonagall smiles, "Especially at your age."

Ginny sighs. "I guess part of me is feeling rather guilty, especially after last night. H – he told me that he loves me, Professor. And I – I love him, too, so it's not that, but…I don't think he's ever said it before, not to anyone. Certainly no one has ever said it to him. My – my guilt is in knowing that I'm living a lie here. I can't tell him the truth, and – "

"Why not?" McGonagall interrupts, "Why can't you tell him? Ginevra, if you tell him, then he'd be making an informed choice, and your mind would be set at ease."

Ginny shakes her head. "Is it really fair to tell him and risk everything just so my mind will be set at ease?"

McGonagall shrugs, looking pensive. "Ginevra, Mr. Lupin and Miss Evans have both, on separate occasions, approached me to ask about the rigors of our transfer student screening process." Ginny groans, hanging her head. "They know that something isn't right. They're questioning things, and I believe that finding out your true origins would not necessarily be a huge shock to them."

"I'm afraid," Ginny admits, staring at the floor, "I'm so scared that they'll hate me if they find out. They'll think I'm a liar and selfish and wouldn't want anything to do with me. I – they mean so much to me, and I don't want to lose them."

"You do not give them very much credit," McGonagall scolds her, "Ginevra, sometimes in life, we…will be faced with things that seem impossible, perhaps even destined to fail. Do you not believe that these are the times we must try harder and have more faith in our abilities? My dear, I know that this is a difficult situation for you to be in, and that you feel enormous pressure to do the impossible. You'll do your part, and perhaps part of that is having faith in the people around you, the people who love you." She fixes Ginny with a deliberate stare. "After all, I have not failed you, have I?"

Ginny gives her a watery smile at that. "Not at all," she agrees, "Quite the opposite in fact. And I haven't thanked you for it yet. How ungrateful of me!"

McGonagall smiles, patting Ginny's hand. "Oh, my darling girl, you do not have to thank me, ever. I am so pleased to help you, to be in this with you."

"Still," Ginny insists stubbornly, "I'm – I am so grateful to you, Professor. It's such a relief to have someone to talk to about everything, and I am really glad that person is you. Being able to spend time with you during class and during our animagus sessions has been a huge comfort to me."

"And to me as well," McGonagall confides with a sad smile before turning back to business, "Now, Ginevra, Albus is a very skilled Legilemens." Ginny gulps, paling at the reminder. "I see you recognize the potential difficulties in this."

Sighing, Ginny nods. "I do not know Occlumency," she groans, "I don't even know if I'd be capable of it, either."

McGonagall gives her a reassuring smile. "Let us not sell ourselves short before we have even tried something. If you would be willing to learn, I know someone who could teach you. I – I do not condone deceiving the Headmaster obviously, but given the circumstances, it is a necessity."

"Does he often poke around in our minds?"

"No, not at all," McGonagall is quick to assure her, "Only when he has supreme cause to do so. Legilemency is not a gift that he takes lightly, nor does he abuse it."

Ginny nods, relieved. "Another reason not to tell my friends anything. If he go suspicious of me, he could access their thoughts!"

McGonagall inclines her head in acknowledgement. "That is improbable, but still possible. For now, though, let's worry about you and concealing your knowledge from him and everyone else."

"Erm, Professor?" Ginny interrupts quietly, "What about you?"

"Well, I have been extensively tutored in Occlumency in the past and am of satisfactory skill, but Albus has never used his skills on me, and I trust he would not attempt to do that in any instance." Ginny nods her understanding. "Now, as for your friends, well, how would I stop a student that chose to share her knowledge?"

Ginny, unable to help herself, giggles out loud. McGonagall fixes her with a stern look. "I am sorry, Professor. It's just, I was imaging what my brothers would do if you'd said that to any of them." She shakes her head, giggling again. "Fred and George, the twins, would be beside themselves with glee. They'd compose a song in your honor on the spot!"

McGonagall eyes her wearily. "And these boys will be attending Hogwarts?"

Laughing still, the younger girl nods, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "Oh, and they'll drive you crazy, I'm sure. But they're so smart and brave and they'll be a great pair of beaters for you. The others all do great things too, and will likely not annoy you quite as much as the twins do."

"Something to look forward to then," McGonagall utters dryly, "Lovely." Ginny laughs again, and this time McGonagall joins in with her. "You may tell them, when you go back, that I probably enjoyed them, particularly the twins, more than they ever knew."

"Or maybe you will tell them," Gin counters lightly, "I think that I would enjoy the looks on their faces at that."

"Perhaps I will," she agrees before sobering, "However, we are rather off-topic, are we not? Well, for now, I will head Albus off. I will go to him and tell him what I can of yesterday's events and your knowledge of the Patronus charm. Furthermore, I will him that you are not ready to relive it with anyone else, and implore him to give you a little space to recover. This will buy us enough time, I hope, to get someone here to teach you basic Occlumency shields. You will have to do your part as well, and avoid the Headmaster. Do not linger after meals, stay with your friends in the halls, and avoid eye contact."

"I will," Ginny promises, knowing that it must cost McGonagall an awful lot to advise her against the Headmaster in this way, "You can trust me; I won't let you down."

McGonagall gives her a wide smile. "I am counting on that, Ginevra." She stands, moving around the desk to pull Ginny into her arms. "I am so proud of you for yesterday. You are remarkable, and I have faith that we will be able to change things for the better. Let yourself have that same hope."

Ginny lets the words wash over her, bolstering and strengthening her confidence. Maybe, just maybe….

"Erm, Professor? Can I ask you one more thing? You probably, ah, won't want to hear this from me, but…"

"Miss Weasley, you may ask me anything," McGonagall smiles kindly, pulling away from her.

"How does one perform the Contraceptive Charm?"

Ginny smiles, biting the inside of her cheek to refrain from laughing as McGonagall blushes a fine shade of Weasley red. Life was fun, sometimes.