Chances Are Keeperoliver Chapter Ten

Once the day was done, Harry went to the dorm and settled in to read the letter he got from Ginny:

Hello Harry:

I suppose you are ready to call off our bond by now. The twins and Percy are treating you like dirt, just like Ron does. I'm sorry for that, but they do love me and I love them, even Ron. I guess I have to because of the blood that runs in our veins. At least I think blood runs in Ron's veins, but it could be vinegar, he is so sour all the time.

It was fun while it lasted though. I should be saying this through our link, but I thought you may not want to hear my thoughts. If you do wish to hear them, then open your link to me and I will reply, providing I'm not talking to someone that doesn't need to know. Who that could be I couldn't tell you. Mum and dad already know, as does Luna. She says hello Harry Potter by the way. I think she likes the way your name rolls off her tongue. Harry Potter, hmmm, yes I like it as well.

Anyway, to get back to what I am saying is, if you chose not to open your link, I'll understand. I'll be disappointed just the same.

Bye Harry Potter

Ginny Weasley

Harry immediately opened the link while he was still laughing in his mind. This is what Ginny heard when the link opened. (Just read my letter did you Harry. I was hoping to get that reaction, and I am happy you decided to talk to me. Sort off.)

(Hello Ginny. Ya, I just read it and you have to know that Percy, Fred and George all are in favor of me and you being bonded, but threaten to kill me if I hurt you in any way because of it. Ron hasn't got a clue as to us sharing what we have and I hope it stays that way. Sorry Gin, but I don't like Ron one bit. Anyone who calls Luna names is not right in the head if you ask me. If you ask Neville, it's even worse.)

(Sounds like Neville has a crush on my little friend.)

(If he does, I think he is sharing it with Hermione. They are quite close if you ask me. Of course if you ask them they will tell you to shove off.)

(His first year at hogwarts and he is two timing already. Shame on him. However, I don't think Luna feels anything for him, other than as a friend. All she ever talks about is her imaginary creatures and Harry Potter. Lately it's been Harry Potter this and Harry Potter that. You created your second fan crush, Harry. I'd be the first.)

(That can't be said about you anymore Gin. When we touch for the first time, we will be bonded for life, if that is what you want. However, you have to tell me now as I know how to break it if that is what you want.)

(Let's see now, I have a chance to break off a bond with the person I have crushed on for years, or I can leave it alone and be with him for the rest of my life. Tough decision. Let me think on it for a while...Ok long enough. I think I will stay with it if you don't mind.)

(Excellent. I'll talk to Percy in the morning and let him know. I may have to use our link to convince him though.)

(How can you do that, Harry?)

(By answering a question only you will know the answer to.)

(How can you do that unless you know the question before hand?)

(If I can open the link tomorrow morning, I'll talk to Percy and get him to ask the question.)

(OK Harry. I guess I'll let you go now and will wait for your call in the morning and I hope it works. Then maybe you can leave the link open as you go through your classes so that I can see what I can look forward to.)

(Bye Gin. Until tomorrow.)

(Wait Harry. Before you close down, why do you keep calling me Gin?)

(You may not like my answer, but everytime we talk, I feel like I'm getting intoxicated listening to your thoughts. That's the affect you have on me. I hate to say this, but Sirius calls it Love Drunk.)

(Damn it. I thought it was our little love title you had for me. Now I find it's just a drunken kind of care you have for me.)

"It is, but not for the reason you thought. My reason gives it substance. Besides I kind of like the name Gin, as it makes you sound older.)

(OK, I can go for that. I'll talk to you later Harry, Gotta go, bye.) and the link closed.

Harry put the letter under his pillow and fell asleep to dream of his flame haired friend.

His dreams filled his mind all evening, of when they touch for the first time, Wondering what will happen when they do? If there will be any pain involved? How will her family feel about it? When will it happen? So many questions, it made his head spin. He woke up in a sweat and saw that it was time he was getting up anyway, or close enough to it.

After cleaning up and getting dressed, he made his way down stairs to find Hermione sitting there in front of the fire place reading. "Good morning Hermione. Couldn't sleep?"

"No, I slept just fine. I got up early to read the next chapter in our Transfiguration book. I've only read it two times and I needed to refresh my memory."

"Only two times? Why you lazy girl you. You realise everyone else hasn't read it once yet. Your falling behind."

"I know, that's why I'm trying to stay ahead of them and you and do know that we are the top three in our year with our scores. We need to maintain this level of knowledge if we wish to continue on like we are."

Harry became worried with that statement, "Hermione, I was being facetious. We don't need to read our books three or four times. You need to relax and take things as they come. You miss too many things if you keep your nose in your books. Have you noticed you have an admirer?"

She looked up from her book, "I DO?"

"So, you haven't noticed. Yes you do, in fact there may be more than one. If you looked up every now and then you would see these things. Hey, you may even like what you see. Who knows?"

"Who is it Harry?"

"No way am I going to tell you. You will have to look for yourself. If you don't, then you may lose him to someone else. But there are always the others looking at you."

"Why are you so cruel, Harry? You tease me to know end and then drop the subject."

Harry sat down next to her and took her book from her and took her hands, "I'm not being cruel Hermione, I'm being honest with you. There are other things besides books to live for. There is a whole other world out there that you need to partake in. The books are good to fill in time, but not to live life from. You wish to start your study class, right? Well then you have to prepare a list of requirements for everyone. What they need to study the most, which will probably by DADA. If that's the case then you are studying the wrong book."

"Just reading the books won't help us with that class. He hasn't taught us anything yet. I swear he is trying to get us to fail."

Harry jumped up when she said that, "Of course, why didn't I think of that. Hermione you're a genius."

"Good to see you agree with me on that one Harry. Now what did I say that was so brilliant?"

"He's trying to keep us from learning how to defend ourselves. Now more than ever we need this study class you want to start."

"Are you crazy Harry. Why would any Professor want us to fail?"

"I don't know exactly, but he has to have a reason and we can't let it happen. I hope we get answers to your letter you posted. They may not belive it either."

"If you think he is, then why don't you report it to Professor McGonagall?"

"Because he is still a professor here and she is duty bound to support him as the Head Mistress."

"That may be, but if we show concern, she will have to follow up on our objections."

"In the mean time we still suffer from his bad teaching. Maybe we should report him, but we still have to learn the material."

"I suppose you're right. He is terrible and it will take time, if it should end up that way, of getting rid of him."

Neville, Dean, Seamus, Parvatti and Lavender soon joined them to go to breakfast. While they walked Harry tried to open his connection with Ginny and was surprised to find her awake. They talked all the way to the Great Hall and during the meal. Percy sat not far from them and Harry finally asked him to listen to what he had to say, "Percy, we need to talk and it will only take a minute."

"So go ahead and talk Harry. I'll listen."

Harry looked to see where Ron was sitting to make sure he couldn't hear what he said. He was sitting far enough away. "Ginny and I share a mind link, Percy. She said to ask any question you want and she will answer it."

Percy put his hands to his head and looked like he wanted to run and hide. "We hoped this wouldn't happen. Just ask her who I'm named after."

"Huh, I don't get it?"

"What did she say?"

"Something stupid. OUCH, Hey I didn't mean it that way. OK, OK, I'll tell him. She said Albus Dumbledore."

Percy's head dropped to the table, "it's true then, you do share a link. Does mum and dad know?"

"Your mum is sitting with Ginny right now. She is of the same mind as you are. She was afraid it would happen, but it is still not too late to break the bond. Percy, I don't want to break it, and neither does Ginny."

Percy looked back up and stared at Harry. Then he called Fred and George to him. They got together and shared their thoughts. Fred and George looked up at Harry then went back into conference. Finally they all looked back up and the twins walked to Harry and they pulled him up by his arms and stood him in front of them. Harry didn't know what was coming, but he wasn't going to do anything to stop it. He turned bright red when they took turns hugging him and calling him brother low enough so that only he could hear them. Ron was watching what was happening and couldn't believe they treated Harry that way. He turned back to his meal and continued to eat.

Harry looked to Percy and saw the smile he was wearing. It seems he was accepted into the family by those that mattered most to him. Ginny had already told him her mum and dad accepted it.

Then, "Fred and George Weasley and Harry Potter, see me in my office after breakfast."

Harry didn't like the sound of that, but Fred and George told him, "Not to worry mate, she's just a pussy cat with a large growl. However, we have to tell her what happened because your bond may change and become serious."

"Ya, you may have to get rabies shots or take a cootie bath after being in contact with Ginny."

Harry looked at them in a serious manner, "You two do realise that Ginny and I are in contact right now, and she heard everything you just said. Oooooh that doesn't sound pleasant. Whoa, I hate to be in your shoes when she meets you next. Huh? Can you really do that? Boogers, really?"

Fred and George started to beg her forgivness as they had each been on the receiving end of her Bat Bogie spell. Percy was laughing his arse off at them. Minerva spoke up again, "Never mind waiting you three, to my office now." and she charged up the stairs to her office. The three were right behind her. Neville and Hermione joined Percy in his laughter. She thought, 'Harry was right, I miss too much when I read.'

The three of them made it to her office and stood in front of her desk to await her questions.

"Do you mind telling me what that display was all about down there?"

Before Harry could speak, Fred jumped in first, "Certainly Professor, George and I were just welcoming Harry into the family."

"What does that mean?"

George took over from there, "Of course, you don't know whats going on just yet? How silly of us. Perhaps we should let young Harry here tell you all about it."

Harry looked from Fred to George to the Professor, "UHHH, OK, it's like this Professor. You see, before I got on the train to come here, Neville and I had to say hello to a friend. Luna Lovegood. Anyway, she came with the Weasleys to see these two off. I happened to look at their sister, and got lost in her eyes. Come to find out, we shared a bond."

"So you were holding her hand as well when you looked into her eyes."

"No, we weren't touching when it happened. I don't know what to expect when we finally do touch."

"You weren't touching when you bonded? Are you sure it's a bond you made?"

"According to their mum it was. She was concerned about how serious I was being about the bond."

"Fred, George, accompany Harry to the Ward. Poppy needs to see him to confirm what was said here and to see if Miss Weasley needs to come here as well."

"Why would Ginny need to be here Professor?" George asked.

"Because if when they touch they both need to keep in contact with each other or something terrible may happen to them. I also need to tell Frank and Alice about this."

"They know about the bond Professor." Harry told her.

"But not about the consequences of you first contact."

The twins took Harry to the wing and Poppy was ready for them. She received Minerva's floo call. She had Harry lay on a cot and asked the twins to stay where they were. Harry may need help after her scan.

She used her wand and drew it down his body, starting from his head to his feet. The reading she got wasn't one she recognized so she ran it again. She asked Harry, "Mr. Potter, have you been using your restrictor?"

"Yes Madam, I will be putting it back on tomorrow."

"I'm afraid you can't do that Mr. Potter as you will weaken Miss Weasley as well. You and her are sharing all your strengths and weaknesses. This is a bond you two share and it is the strongest I have ever seen. I'm afraid when you two touch for the first time, it will be quite disturbing for you both. You will have to keep in contact with each other for at least three weeks. I'm afraid Miss Weasley will have to be admitted into the school so that you can keep in touch with each other."

When Harry heard this he started to cry. "Can we wait before we touch?"

"Not long as you will both be getting ill shortley, if you don't."

"But there is someone Ginny is looking after and if she leaves, the other person may get very sick."

"Who are you talking about Mr. Potter?"

"Luna Lovegood. She lost her mum a couple of years back and held her sorrow inside her for all that time. I had to help her release this sorrow in order to get her to feeling better. If Ginny were to leave then Luna will have no help."

"This bond if far more reaching than I understood. I will talk to Professor McGonagall and see what can be done. Miss weasley will be coming no matter what else is said. Now, you best be going to your class and all of you take this." and she had a pass that she gave each of them to explain their tardiness.

After they left the ward, both Fred and George put their arm on Harry and said to him, "We don't pity you at all there Harry. You are responsible for two people now. We didn't know about Luna. How do you get yourself into these things?"

"I wish I knew? I try to be nice, and I find myself in all kinds of trouble. Will Ginny be taking classes with us this year now, or will we be sharing our bond and Ginny will have to start next year as scheduled."

Fred laughed at this, "You are asking the wrong people that sort of a question there, Harry. We just attend classes here, we don't regulate them."

George continued the thought, "Although, It would be nice if we did. Different, but nice."

They finally made it to Harry's class, which was Charms and the twins left him to go to DADA, which they dreaded.

Harry got all kinds of stares when he made it in. There were questions in everyones eyes, but in Hermione's eyes he saw a hundred questions. He didn't look forward to lunch.

Professor Flitwick brought Harry up to date on what he taught the rest, but it wasn't necessary as Harry knew the material being taught. Harry still felt Ginny in his mind and he had a hard time concentrating on what he was doing. She had all kinds of questions for him and didn't care as no one could hear them.

Ginny finally quit asking her questions as she saw where Harry was getting upset. She apologised, but Harry told her it wasn't her fault. Harry used the charm to remove scratches from his desk and Professor Flitwich was satisfied.

History was the next class, and this is where Hermione, Neville and Dean hit him with their questions. Lavender and Parvatti had some as well, but couldn't get through the other three. Seamus was busy trying to ignore Ron. He helped Lavender out by doing this.

By the time the class was over, Harry had explained everything he knew and that he had to wait to see what happened next. What happened next he found out at lunch time as he was told to report to the ward to see Madam Pomfrey. He wasn't alone again as everyone in his class he talked with were with him. Hermione, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Lavender and Parvatti. They all got to meet Molly and Ginny Weasley. Fred, George and Percy soon joined them. When Neville walked in and saw that Luna was there as well, he went right to her and pulled her in for a hug. He didn't see the look on Hermione's face when he did it.

Luna didn't stay in the hug long and went to Harry's bedside which was between him and Ginny in her bed.

Poppy was talking to Molly and Molly was nodding her head in agreement. Poppy then went to the two, "OK Ginny, I don't know how much you know about this, but the bond you and Harry share is unlike any I have ever seen before, but it is quite powerful. You need to complete the bond by making contact, but one thing you need to know first is, once you have done this, then you will have to maintain contact with Harry for at least three weeks."

"How long each day do we have to maintain contact?"

"Miss Weasley, You can't break contact for three weeks."

"You mean once we touch, we have to stay in contact with each other for three weeks. What about using the Loo, or taking showers, or changing clothes, or going to bed?"

"Everything is done together."

"Can't we wait until the summer then?"

"By this time next week, you will be very sick and may be too late for even touching to save you. You see, what you and Harry share is a Soul Bond, but unlike any I have ever seen before. It usually comes about by contact. You both just looked into each others eyes and it was formed."

Ginny turned to Harry and said, "I'm never looking into your eyes again Harry Potter."