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Title: Complex Touch

Summary: For the sake of the Order, Ginny Weasley takes a mission to go back in time to find a Horcrux for Harry. She just never expected to fall in love with a familiar future convicted escaped murderer. And that's just the beginning of the difficult times ahead for her.

Disclaimer: I only own the plot.

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Chapter Ten

Shaving Cream

Ginny turned in the bed, trying to block out the loud voices that were forcing her to wake up.

"Are you stupid, Sirius? You could have died! You could have died all because you wanted a bloody Butterbeer-"

"We had to pay our debt to Ginny."

"Oh, and what a way to pay it! She almost suffocated to death fighting Deatheaters!"

"Remus, calm down-"

"Calm down? I was woken up in the middle of the night to the sight of you guys all… bloody… and, James, you looked as though you wouldn't make it. I- you guys- absolute idiots-"

Her eyes fluttered open as she began to understand the words being said and she saw Remus, James, and Sirius standing in the middle of the dormitory. Peter was sitting in a chair, watching the fight with wide eyes. She followed Peter's example and quietly watched from the sidelines.

"We said we're sorry, it was stupid of us, we know," James said, holding his hands up as though he were surrendering.

"You don't know, you'll never know how stupid it was. Poor Lily, have you two even seen her yet today? How do we know she even made it through the night?" Remus snapped, his eyes blazing.

"Remus, shut UP!" Sirius shouted. "We won't come to you if we have any more problems, okay?"

Remus glared at Sirius.

"No, you very much will come to me if you have any problems," Remus told him.

The fight seemed to have ended with Remus' spat out words. James reached out and patted Remus' shoulder, giving him a weak smile. Remus shook his head, closing his eyes in tiredness.

"You did great, though, Moony," James praised. "I mean, I can hardly see that I was even cut."

James lifted his shirt and Ginny saw that there was only a slight scar on his side. She smiled at the good work she did on his harsh cut.

"That wasn't me," Remus murmured, pointing to his bed. "It was Ginny."

Turning to Ginny, James looked startled to see that she was awake. He flashed her a bright smile, though, and walked over to the bed, taking a seat on the end of it. Ginny looked at James and saw that he looked much healthier. His skin had regained its pigment and his eyes were sparkling. James grabbed Ginny's toes and squeezed them, causing her to yelp. She yanked her feet away from his grasp and glared at him jokingly.

"So I see you're better," Ginny stated.

"And I see you can breathe properly," James said, mimicking her voice.

Ginny laughed, nodding her head. Glancing behind James, Ginny saw that Sirius had disappeared into the bathroom. Remus looked sad but, when Ginny caught his eyes, he gave her a tight smile. Peter seemed to be getting dressed for the day.

"Thanks for healing my cut." James lifted his shirt to show her the scar as he had just done for Remus and Sirius moments ago.

Reaching out, Ginny traced the scar with her fingertips. James smiled when Ginny whistled.

"That's quite a battle wound, isn't it?" she asked.

Ginny sat up in the bed just as Sirius exited the bathroom. He had shaving cream on his face and a razor in his hand. Raising her eyebrows in surprise, Ginny couldn't help the giggle that escaped her mouth. She felt as though she were back home with all her brothers. If only she were able to write home… An image of the Burrow flashed in Ginny's mind and she fought the homesickness she felt.

Focusing back on reality, Ginny realized that Sirius and James were having a conversation, as were Remus and Peter.

"I don't know if I trust you, prat," Sirius said to James, some of the shaving cream falling off of his face and onto the floor in front of him.

"-well you haven't eaten since last night, Peter, that's why you're so hungry," Remus informed his small friend.

"Just let me try it, I've done it to myself," James told Sirius, standing from the end of the bed and poking Sirius' shoulder.

"Don't poke me!" Sirius shouted, though he was grinning childishly. "And I've seen what you've done to your face after shaving… why would I want that to happen to mine?"

"When's dinner?" Peter whined from his spot near Remus.

"Another hour and half, I suppose," Remus answered. "I think I'd like to go check on Lily soon. I wonder if she's awake yet…"

"You asked me to shave for you, you giant git, and now you're saying I'm not good enough?" James threw his hands up in the air and walked away from Sirius, going to the other side of the room. "Moony!"

Ginny was amazed at how carefree the boys acted, as though last night hadn't occurred at all.

"Yes?"

"Want to play a game of Wizard Chess?" James asked, grabbing a board from a desk in the dormitory.

"Do you really want me to beat you once again?" Remus questioned, walking over to his friend and sitting on the floor across from him.

James chucked a chess player at Remus, who dodged it. Remus began laughing loudly, brushing stands of hair from his eyes.

"I think that was your King, James! He won't be very pleased!" Peter cried, picking up the chess piece that was cursing James.

"No, that's Remus' King!" James responded, which caused Remus to throw him a nasty glare.

Ginny giggled from the spot on her bed before looking up in surprise. Sirius was now standing beside her bed and was holding the razor out to her. She took it, confused.

"What?"

"I trust you enough with the razor," Sirius commented as he began to walk towards the bathroom. "Just don't slit my throat, eh?"

Slowly, Ginny pushed the covers off of her legs. She stood and felt a wave of dizziness sweep her. Hunger nipped at her stomach and she gave a start as she remembered the conversation between Peter and Remus. Had most of the day already been spent? Walking towards the bathroom, Ginny looked out the window. Indeed, the sun was beginning to set.

"My friends are going to think you've kidnapped me," Ginny told James as she walked into the bathroom.

"Jolly good!" James yelled to her before shouting to Peter, "Come watch this game so your hunger doesn't make you go mad!"

"Why can't we just go to the kitchens?" Peter asked, standing from his seat.

Ginny raised her eyebrows as she turned her attention to Sirius, who was wiping off the shaving cream that had begun to melt.

"I suppose you would like me to help you shave?" Ginny asked, lifting herself on the counter.

Sirius began reapplying the shaving cream and nodded.

"And why can't you do it yourself? I've forgotten."

Ginny grinned cheekily at Sirius, who smiled back. Once he was done applying shaving cream, he began to wash his hands.

"I'm a bit shaky, a bit hungry," he responded. "and a bit lazy."

Laughing, Ginny beckoned Sirius closer to her. By sitting on the counter, they were the same height. For a moment Sirius stood so close to her that her knees dug into his stomach. Then Sirius gently spread apart her knees and settled himself comfortably in between them. Ginny's breath got caught in her throat at the personal act but Sirius didn't seem bothered by it. He winked at her when they caught gazes.

"I'm trusting you with my face, love," Sirius said. "You can at least make the experience comfortable for me."

Ginny nodded, speechless. Using her fingers, she tilted Sirius' chin up before bringing the razor close to his skin. He grabbed her hand, though, before the blade could touch him.

"You do know what you're doing, right?" Sirius stared her in the eye. "I naturally assumed you did but-"

Rolling her eyes, Ginny shook her hand from his grasp.

"I use to watch my brothers shave all the time when I was younger," Ginny responded and she retilted his chin. "Trust me."

Sirius closed his eyes as the razor ran over his skin. Ginny concentrated on making sure she didn't cut Sirius, trying to ignore the lightheadedness feeling that had washed over her. After finishing his left cheek, Ginny began on the right.

"Why are you so shaky you can't shave?" Ginny murmured and he jumped slightly.

The razor cut him a bit from his sudden movement and he cursed. Ginny quickly applied pressure on the small cut with her index finger. Sirius opened his eyes and stared at her, his eyebrows raised.

"I thought you knew what you were doing," he said.

"You jumped!" Ginny laughed, taking her finger off his cheek.

Blood was smeared on his skin and she grabbed some toilet paper to wipe it off. She went back to shaving and he closed his eyes again.

"I was hit with some spell last night," Sirius spoke suddenly, answering her question from before. "I was all jittery until Remus took the spell off of me. I still get shaky now and then, though… Don't want to scar my face if I get a sudden attack."

Ginny grinned as she completed shaving his face. She bit her lip as she stared at him so close. His eyes opened slowly and he grinned roguishly at her. Gray eyes… never before had Ginny known Sirius' eyes were gray.

"All done," she said.

Sirius stepped away from her. Jumping off of the counter, Ginny exited the bathroom. Remus and James were playing an intense game of Wizard Chess with Peter as the words of advice for both sides. She watched as Sirius ran to sit next to Remus, pointing out a spot where he should move his bishop. After a few minutes of watching the game she sighed, causing Remus' eyes to flicker up to her own.

"I'm going to go back to my dormitory… my friends…"

Remus smiled at her and nodded before turning his attention back to the game. Wasn't it only a few minutes ago that Remus had been fighting with Sirius and James about what had occurred the night before? Had it only been last night that Ginny, Sirius, James, and Lily fought Deatheaters? Ginny thoughts were getting sidetracked and she watched, with a ping of sorrow, as the boys hardly noticed her departing.

Opening the door, Ginny stepped out into the staircase when a sudden cry stopped her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw that Sirius was half-standing, ready to sprint to her. James was watching Sirius in interest.

"We'll see you at dinner," Sirius said, causing Ginny to blink owlishly.

Right away James nodded in agreement.

"You'll be sitting with us-" James stopped when he saw Remus' glare and corrected himself. "Er, rather, you're welcome to sit with us."

Ginny laughed, her face flushing with relief. And here she thought they had so quickly forgotten about her.

---

Crookshanks leapt on Ginny the moment she entered the Hufflepuff common room. Before Ginny could even coo at her kitten two girls ran to her, their expressions filled with relief and curiosity. Marlene tugged Ginny over to a couch, sitting her down before taking a seat beside her. Dorcas sat on the other side of Ginny.

"Where were you?" Marlene asked immediately.

"Did you hear about the attack in Hogsmeade yet? Merlin's teacup, all those deaths-"

"-gone all night, did you sleep with Potter and Black? Ginny! You answer me-"

"-Dumbledore got there just in time. He looked so angry this morning at the table-"

"Oh! Yeah! Dumbledore asked about you, Ginny."

Ginny's eyes grew wide in surprise. Dumbledore had been asking for her? Did that mean- oh no… A sinking feeling filled Ginny as she stared at Marlene. Had Dumbledore seen her last night at Hogsmeade? She had been in the middle of the fighting and hadn't left till it was absolutely necessary. Her stomach growled and Ginny put her hands on it, causing Crookshanks to send her a glare at having to be moved.

"Dumbledore asked for me?" Ginny weakly asked.

Marlene nodded, twirling a piece of hair around her finger.

"Yes, he did. He'd like you to meet him up in his office at the most convenient time for you," Marlene informed her.

Dorcas was staring at Ginny with her lips pursed. Ginny felt as though that breathing curse had been put back on her. Dumbledore knew, he knew, oh she was dead. Closing her eyes, Ginny tried to calm herself.

"He doesn't know you didn't spend the night with us," Marlene told Ginny.

Ginny opened her eyes, surprised.

"You lied to the Headmaster for me?"

Marlene smirked and pointed to Dorcas, who shifted in her seat.

"You lied to the Headmaster for me?" Ginny wasn't too surprised, for Dorcas was known for telling fibs.

Dorcas nodded, grinning.

"Why would you do that?" Ginny asked before she could stop herself.

At her question, Marlene and Dorcas rolled their eyes. Crookshanks purred loudly from his spot on Ginny's lap and she pet him absently.

"We're friends, Ginny," Dorcas said. "Mates, buddies, you know."

Ginny smiled, shocked by how far these Hufflepuffs would go to help her. Marlene reached over and tried to take Crookshanks from Ginny but the kitten dug his claws in Ginny's legs. She squealed and slapped Marlene's hands away from Crookshanks. Apparently the kitten had missed Ginny very much and was letting her know that she couldn't leave him alone for hours on end ever again.

"Where did you go with James Potter and Sirius Black?" Dorcas questioned, her eyes lighting up in interest.

Ginny took a second to come up with a lie.

"We just explored the castle-"

"All night?" Marlene didn't look convinced.

"Well, no," Ginny admitted.

"Where did you sleep?" Dorcas leaned forward as she asked her question.

"Where did I…sleep?"

"Yes, sleep." Dorcas was grinning widely. "You slept in their dormitory, didn't you? Why, I knew it! I knew it, Marlene, didn't I tell you?"

"And I agreed with you, Dor," Marlene said, her tone exasperated (as it often was with Dorcas).

Marlene tilted her head a bit. Ginny couldn't come up with a lie, for where else would she have slept, and she nodded to let them know they assumed right. Dorcas beamed and Marlene looked pleased.

"That's surprising; I thought you said you weren't looking for a boyfriend?" Marlene asked.

Ginny shook her head quickly, laughing nervously and flushing red. If she were to ever think back on her actions she wouldn't be sure why she reacted the way she did.

"I'm not looking for a boyfriend!"

"You just spent the night with two of the biggest bachelors in the school and you're not interested in either of them?" Dorcas was giggling in the background of Marlene and Ginny's conversation.

"No, I'm not interested in them!" Ginny cried out.

"Interested in who?" Edgar had come and joined the trio, settling himself on the arm of the couch they were sitting on.

Knowing how out of hand this was getting, Ginny cursed and shoved her head in her hands.

"Liar," Dorcas gasped out, laughing harder now. "Ginny's having her wicked ways with James Potter and Sirius Black!"

Edgar looked appalled and immediately began to complain.

"They're the enemy, Ginny! Two of the best players on the Gryffindor team and you're shagging them? Now, unless you get strategies out of them while doing so-"

Dorcas howled with laughter and Marlene was smirking smugly, stretching out on the couch. Ginny moaned in her hands. She stood up abruptly, causing Crookshanks to fall to the ground hissing.

"Dumbledore needed to see me, right?" Ginny asked and, without waiting for an answer, she exited the Hufflepuff common room.

She'd rather be with Dumbledore, who was probably going to send her back to her normal time for being a disobedient student, than with her friends who thought she was shagging Sirius and James.

---

What were the chances that Dumbledore didn't want to see Ginny about the attack at Hogsmeade last night? Ginny bit her lip and tried to think up other reasons why Dumbledore would want to see her. She shifted nervously in front of the gargoyles that guarded Dumbledore's office.

He could have found the book. Ginny knew this wasn't a likely choice but she did like to consider it. Maybe he… Sighing, Ginny stared at the gargoyles. The only other reason Dumbledore would want to see her was because he found the book. This meeting would be either very good or very bad. But, she supposed, a meeting wouldn't occur if she couldn't figure out the password to his office.

Her problem was solved a moment later for the tall wizard she was trying to meet with was walking down the corridor towards her. Ginny smiled uneasily at Dumbledore as he greeted her. Dumbledore sounded delighted to see her and she thought this was a good sign but there was something lurking in his blue eyes that caused Ginny to frown.

"Up in my office, I believe, will be the place where we can talk," Dumbledore said before reciting the password to the gargoyles ("Phoenix.").

Taking a seat in the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk, Ginny declined the offer of candy and nervously waited to hear what Dumbledore had to say. After several minutes of silence Ginny realized Dumbledore wasn't going to say anything. She frowned as he stared out the window, lounging in his chair.

"Professor?" Ginny called softly. "Sir?"

He made it seem as though he couldn't hear her.

"You're nervous, Miss Stiles. Why is that?" Dumbledore asked unexpectedly.

Ginny's frown deepened.

"I'm curious," she slowly said. "I don't know why you wanted to see me."

Dumbledore faced her and smiled gently. She relaxed without realizing she had done so.

"I just wanted to check up on you," Dumbledore admitted.

Surprised, Ginny leaned back in her seat. He wanted to check up on her? She wasn't getting in trouble?

"How are you, Miss Stiles? Sixth year is a difficult year at Hogwarts, plenty of homework to finish. I've heard wonderful things about you from some of the professors, however. And you made the Quidditch team!"

Ginny smiled easily, ready to answer the Headmaster's questions. Just as she opened her mouth, though, her eyes caught sight of the Daily Prophet on Dumbledore's desk. She frowned.

"Have you seen the paper yet today?" Dumbledore asked her.

Dumbledore looked down at the newspaper and Ginny saw that his eyes were twinkling a bit. He grabbed it and handed it to Ginny, who reluctantly took it. She had yet to read the Daily Prophet and she was a bit hesitant to do so. The Daily Prophet often lied in her time and she wasn't sure of its ways during this time.

On the front page the Hogsmeade attack was shown. Seven witches and wizards had died in the attack. Ginny's eyes scanned the paper before she looked up at the Headmaster.

"Why wasn't the Order of the Phoenix there?" Ginny questioned before she could help herself. "They could have saved those people's lives!"

Dumbledore simply watched her, his face emotionless. Ginny felt desperation come to her and fought the urge to cry. Everything was catching up to her, how she had nearly lost her life last night and how she had waited and hoped for the Order to appear and save the night. They never came… and they always came… What made it different this time?

"That's the point of the Order! To save lives, Professor! I-I…" Ginny stopped, her face falling. "Unless, of course, there is no Order of the Phoenix yet?"

She slumped in her chair and covered her eyes with a hand. Ginny couldn't think, she couldn't do anything… There was no Order. The simple thought was devastating.

"No, there is no Order of the Phoenix," Dumbledore quietly said to her. "But that is a very catching name, isn't it?"

For a moment Ginny froze before dropping her hand from her eyes. She saw that Dumbledore was smiling cheerfully and chewing on another piece of candy. Ginny's jaw dropped a bit.

"I've been thinking of organizing a group of witches and wizards to help fight against Lord Voldemort," Dumbledore said. "I just couldn't come up with a proper name!"

Ginny felt tears come in her eyes at the ridiculousness of this situation.

"Do not fear, my dear." Dumbledore's voice penetrated Ginny's thoughts. "I am one step ahead of you."

But he wasn't one step ahead of her, Ginny realized. She knew mostly everything that was going to happen and he had no clue of what was going to occur, no clue at all. Ginny could help, though; she could give him the advantage that could save lives- an advantage that he would never take.

But she had to try.

"You need to get the Order together right now, Professor Dumbledore," Ginny urgently said. "The Deatheater ranks are growing and, by the time the Order is put together, the Deatheaters will outnumber-"

"Miss Stiles…"

"Please, listen, let me tell you-"

"No!" Dumbledore shouted and Ginny stopped ranting, strangely out of breath.

His tone was fierce and Ginny felt a bit of fear. She was doing exactly what everyone told her not to do… She was trying to change the future.

"You cannot go around giving away the secrets of the future for your own pleasure," he told her gently. "And if you do it again there will be serious consequences."

Ginny felt as though she were a deflating balloon.

"Luckily, I already had the idea and only needed a name. The Order of the Phoenix…" Dumbledore looked back at his phoenix, grinning fondly. "My, my, that is a very great title. I had wanted to put 'phoenix' in the name somewhere… I came up with The Phoenix League or The Phoenixeaters but they both sounded very cliché."

She laughed and nodded in agreement, unsure of how Dumbledore always said the right things to change people's moods.

---

Professor Dumbledore escorted Ginny to the Great Hall, for by the time they were done talking about Ginny's stay at Hogwarts it was time for dinner. They chatted about simple things till they found their way to the Great Hall and, when they entered, they departed ways with a smile. Ginny began towards the Hufflepuff table only to be stopped by a shout of her name. Turning around, she saw Remus coming towards her.

"Care to join me, and my fellow Marauders, for dinner?"

Ginny blinked and glanced at the Hufflepuff table, where she knew her friends were eating. She looked back at Remus. Honestly, she had forgotten Sirius and James had invited her.

"Don't feel obligated," Remus said right away. "James saw you walk in and sent me to go 'fetch her', as he put it."

Ginny giggled and Remus' small smile grew larger.

"Can I take that as a yes?" Remus asked, beginning to walk backwards to the Gryffindor table.

She nodded and began towards the table with Remus. The other boys were laughing about something and eating already; Sirius waved to Ginny when she got closer. But Ginny wasn't able to make it to the table for someone tapped Ginny's shoulder from behind. Turning around, Ginny was surprised to see Lily standing before her.

"Hi," Ginny greeted.

Lily smiled at her.

"Is everyone all right?" Lily asked, looking at the boys who were still further down.

"Everyone made the night," Remus answered, smiling slightly.

Lily nodded her head before taking a deep breath.

"Ginny, I know you haven't eaten yet today but I'd really like to talk to you," Lily pleaded.

Ginny stared at her before sharing a look with Remus.

"It can't wait?" Ginny questioned slowly, already knowing she was going to miss some of her dinnertime.

"I really need to speak to you," Lily responded.

Licking her lips, Ginny offered Remus an apologetic gaze before stepping towards Lily, whose face brightened right away. She seemed nervous about something and Ginny tried to figure out why Lily would want to talk her…

The air grew awkward between the two girls as they made their way into an empty classroom one floor up. Ginny watched Lily pace around the room and she decided to take a seat on top of one of the desk. Hardly any light was in the room and it made the meeting much grimmer. Suddenly Lily walked up to Ginny and took both of her hands in her own.

"Ginny, I know you don't even know me," Lily said. "But last night you… I saw something in you…you could help save a life! The life of a friend of mine."

Ginny frowned at Lily's ranting. What did she mean?

"What? Lily, what do you mean? Is someone in danger?" Ginny sharply asked.

Lily shook her head and released Ginny's hands, beginning to pace once again.

"You're so smart and you'll know what to do," Lily began. "You could help, I know you could. Let me explain, please, let me explain!"

Dawning came to Ginny and she felt herself pale.

"Okay," Ginny cautiously said. "What do you want to explain?"

"I want you to become friends with Severus Snape."

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Author's Note: How will Ginny react? That is for the next chapter! Sadly I won't be able to write until Tuesday for I'll be on a small trip all weekend. But I really would appreciate any reviews you guys could give me, even if it says "That was okay, I guess". Well, thank you so much! You guys are so inspiring and, honestly, if it weren't for your views I would probably have stopped writing by now.

P.S. Time is going to start to fly by. Halloween is only two or three chapters away. (Can you believe it? This is going to be a long story.)

Demelza67: There will most likely be more flashbacks as we go through the story. And thank you for the review, it really made me feel awesome!

Genna: Honestly, the only reason Ginny didn't sleep in Lily's dorm is because the boys invited Ginny to sleep in their dorm. If Lily had asked beforehand Ginny would have definitely gone with her.

LittleNKWell, James and Lily do have private rooms. But they would have to share the rooms and, since they don't like each other, this isn't an option. They visit the rooms randomly and alone but never together. If they do happen to go at the same time, Lily leaves or James does (for he likes to be a gentleman to her). This arrangement will change soon, though…