Harry Potter and the Fifth Soul
A/N: Thanks to cmtaylor531 for your review. I hope to make it up this chapter. It doesn't have a lot of action, but I like it very much. Maybe a little fluffy to the end, but hey, I just needed that.
Have fun reading, and please, please review.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter 11 – Course of Action
Arriving there, Ginny still motionless in his arms, he couldn't help but remember the last time he had had to apparate someone else. Last time it had been Dumbledore, after trying to get Slytherin's locket from the cave. That time, Dumbledore had been on the edge of death. It couldn't be...
He carried Ginny over to a chair and gently lay her down, oblivious to the questions from Ron and Hermione. Fred and George came in from the sales room, startled by the noise. All of them shouted questions at Harry, who was kneeling next to Ginny, holding her hand in his and asking her to stay with him. His red haired girlfriend just lay in the chair without breathing, and thinking desperately for what to do Harry pulled out his wand again and tried to enervate her, to no avail.
Hermione was the one to bring her senses together and grabbed for a hand full of floo powder. Throwing it into the fireplace she shouted "Hogwarts, office the Headmistress!". And when the flames started to burn green, she added "Mrs. McGonagall! Are you there?"
Instantly the head of the Headmistress appeared in the fireplace. "What is it, Ms. Granger?"
"We have been attacked by Death Eaters, and Ginny has been attacked with a spell. She doesn't breath. Please, can you bring Mrs. Pomfrey to the Weasleys shop?"
"We'll be right there!"
While Hermione talked to their former teacher Harry's desperation had grown, and he had gripped Ginny by her shoulders and was shouting at her.
"Don't you dare to leave me, Ginny! You know I can't live without you, you know I don't want to without you! You are everything to me, I need you!"
He was hardly knowing what he was doing, and with tear filled eyes he was shaking her now, as if trying to awaken her. Just when he thought the whole world was coming down onto him he heard Ginny make a loud swishing noise, as she sucked in a breath of air, followed by a painful growl.
"Ginny? Can you hear me?"
"arry?" Her voice came out nearly incomprehensible, and talking seemed to pain her.
"It's OK, Gin. Don't try to talk. Everything will be OK."
A wave of relieve washed over him, but at this moment he was pushed aside by the firm hands of Madam Pomfrey, the Hogwarts healer. Without hesitating she pulled her wand from her cloak and began pointing it up and down Ginnys body, examining her with the different coloured spells Harry knew well from his own visits to her infirmary.
Finally satisfied, she turned towards the friends. "She's got a very bad bruise around her solar plexus, and maybe a fractured rib or two, I'll have to look that over again, but apart from that she has no injuries, and no signs of a spell."
"But she'd stopped breathing!" Ron exclaimed.
"As you should know, Mr. Weasley, even though most wizard injuries are magical ones, we aren't safe from normal muggle traumas. As to why there are no traces of magic, I can't tell you."
"I think I can explain that one." Hermione said, leaning over the now sleeping Ginny and gently pulling the string attached to the dragon hide bag over her head, showing it to the teachers. In the middle it had a large, dark spot, looking like burn marks.
Madam Pomfrey and Mrs. McGonagall both gasped as they saw this. "This indeed explains why there are no signs of magic on her." The healer declared, wide eyed. "And to the looks of it, this bag has saved her live. It must have been quite a powerful spell to leave such marks on a dragons hide."
The tiny bit of colour that had come back to their faces was lost again after those words, and only now that they had calmed down a bit the reality of how close a call it had been settled in. The twins were both visibly shaking, and Ron was clinging to Hermione's hand so hard she grimaced. Harry wiped his eyes.
"I think we call off the other plans for today. Ginny needs to go to Hogwarts, and I'll not leave her alone. We can fetch anything that we need at Hogsmeade anytime. Ron, Hermione, can you take our things from the Ministry? My trunk's already packed, and I think Ginnys too."
"Course, mate." Ron said.
"Oh, and Ron?"
"What?"
"I hate to ask this from you, but your Mom will most probably want to know why you're fetching our things ahead of our schedule. I don't want her to worry too much..."
He couldn't finish that, as Ron cut in with a wave of his hand. "I'll handle that. Let me see – we were leaving Gringott's, when a number of Death Eaters appeared out of nothing. When you pushed Ginny down to stay out of sight, she hit her chest, and we all were able to apparate away safely. You know, I've been learning to work my way around her protectiveness for seventeen years now."
McGonagall was impressed how fast Harry and his friends had gotten a grip on the situation. They had grown a lot over the last year. Too fast, she told herself, a lot too fast. They shouldn't have to worry about the things they had to. But at the same time she had to think about the trust Dumbledore had always put in Harry's abilities, and in his friend's loyalty. Maybe he had been right, after all.
While Harry and Ron had been talking about that, Madam Pomfrey had given Ginny a vial of Restorative Potion as well as one against the pain. The twins had been out in the front and closed their shop to stop any unwanted visitors from entering.
They waved their goodbyes and Harry helped a still awkward Ginny up from her chair and gently led her to the fireplace. Shouting "Hogwarts, Hospital Wing!" he took her around the waist, careful not grip too hard, and together they vanished in the green flames, followed shorty by the two teachers.
He quickly brought her to a bed and Madam Pomfrey started with her routine, shooing both Harry and the Headmistress from the room. They both sat down on one of the benches outside the entrance, knowing the futility of any attempt to stay. Harry buried his face in his hands and only sat there, his elbowed resting on his knees. He felt the pounding of his heart, as if he had just run ten miles, and tears were wetting his face.
He only noticed he had started sobbing when a soft hand began stroking his back, and his Professor's voice, much less sharp as it usually was, reminded him that everything would be alright.
"You and Ginny have grown very close."
He wasn't sure if Professor McGonagall asked him, or was just merely stating the obvious.
"Yes," somehow being reminded of his feelings for Ginny drove away parts of the emptiness and fear he just felt, "we have."
"You know, Harry, sometimes talking about feelings helps soothing one's pain."
He took a few calming breaths before he could be sure his voice would hold. "It was horrible. One minute we were all having a good time together, and the next there were those Death Eaters, and before I could have reacted one had shot a spell at Ginny. When I saw her fall, I thought my heart was ripped apart. And when we got to the shop and she wasn't breathing, it was," he had to pause, trying not to get overwhelmed again. "It was as if every feeling, good or bad, was ripped away from me. I thought I must die that instant, because I didn't think I could bear it. I wouldn't wish that feeling to my worst enemy."
He was again sobbing now, but somehow it didn't matter to him that his teacher was present, and she didn't mind either. "You must know, Harry, that I understand how you feel. I lost my husband in the first war, and I had feelings very similar to those you described."
At that Harry looked up with big eyes, as he had never before heard anything about McGonagall's private live from her before.
The Professor seemed to read his mind, as she chuckled a little before going on. "Yes, I do have a live outside of Hogwarts. Or at least," she gave a small sigh, "I did have until recently. But that is a different story. What I want to make clear is, don't dwell on the ifs and whens now. Everything worked out right, so value what you have. I believe Ms. Weasley could do with a little cheer up from you when Madam Pomfrey is finished."
Harry smiled at her. She was right, it was no use to let himself be brought down by recent events, it would exactly be what Voldemort had intended.
"Thank you, Professor."
They had to wait a little longer and spent their time talking about the Quidditch House cup, and about possible strategies for the next years. And though Harry wasn't sure if he would be part of next year's team, it did keep him from brooding. Finally Madam Pomfrey opened the door and allowed them to enter again, but McGonagall gestured him to go on and stayed behind to discuss something with the header.
He practically ran over to her bed, shouting "Gin! Don't ever, ever do that to me again!" And reaching her side, he grabbed for her hand. "Are you OK?"
She smiled back at him, her face still a little shaken, but with some colour back on her cheeks she definitely looked healthier than ten minutes ago. "I don't think saying »I'm fine« will do, I think that one has been misused too much by someone we both know very well."
Harry had to chuckle. His friends had teased him a lot about this phrase, Ron had even predicted that if Harry would ever be swallowed by dragon, they would most certainly be able to hear a muffled »I'm fine« coming from its inside weeks later.
"Let me show you how I am." Ginny pulled on his hand until his face was inches from hers. Seeing the loving look in her eyes, he couldn't think anymore, and soon both were totally lost in a passionate kiss. No Harry's heart was beating with an intense joy that washed all through his body. After a minute they broke apart breathlessly.
"Believe me now that I'm fine?" Ginny asked, her eyes smiling.
"Ah," he answered mockingly, "I notice you are a bit short of breath. I believe I'll have to do regular check-ups on your health, just to be sure."
"If you insist, Doctor Potter." Ginny nicked back.
From the corner of his eyes Harry noticed a movement. Turning his head he saw the two Professors standing in the middle of the room, both wearing what could only be described as a dreamy smile across their faces. Not knowing how much they had seen or heard he blushed profusely, and Ginny, noticing the two figures too, did the same.
After some discussion and Ginny promising to avoid any physical effort for the next twelve hours she was allowed to leave the Hospital Wing. Before they left Harry asked McGonagall and Pomfrey to keep silent about the real events of today, especially regarding Mrs. Weasley, and both agreed to do their best without actually lying to anyone.
Harry and Ginny both noticed that they were rather hungry after everything. Professor McGonagall told them that normally over the holidays lunch was served directly to the teachers quarters, but they would be welcome to dine in her office, so they would be present when Ron and Hermione arrived.
Soon they marched past the Gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the Headmistress' office and ascended the moving stairs. Sitting down on two chairs quickly conjured by Professor McGonagall they sat down. It was a good thing they were sitting, as the moment the Professor had expressed her wish to have a meal they were faced with an excited House Elve who bounced up and down and jumped all around them.
"Master Harry Potter Sir has come to visit Hogwarts over the holidays, and he has brought his Miss Weezy! I is so honored to serve Lunch to great Harry Potter and his friend!"
It took a good five minutes until the small Elve had calmed down enough so they could place their orders, and Professor McGonagall, who hadn't seen Dobby around Harry very often, couldn't stop chuckling at the amount of hero worship the little creature showed towards her student, and the embarassement obvious on Harry's face.
Only seconds after Dobby had disappeared to get their food he was back with a large tray loaded with everything the kitchen had to offer. Thanking the Elve they filled their plates and tucked in.
They decided to leave discussing the matters at hand until the others arrived and had some relaxed smalltalk over lunch.
Just when they were finished and Dobby had carried away the dishes and leftovers a charring noise could be heard coming from the fireplace, followed by a female voice shouting "GINNEVRA WEASLEY!"
Mrs. Weasley came rushing out of the fireplace, a determined look on her face, but was instantly intercepted by the Headmistress. "Molly, how nice you are coming for a visit, I didn't expect you. Come take a seat and have a cup of pumpkin juice with us."
That took most of the force from Mrs. Weasley's rush, and she somewhat reluctantly took a seat in a freshly conjured chair. "Ginny, dear, are you allright?"
"Of course, Mom. Nothing to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about?" She seemed to build up steam again. "With Ron and Hermione coming home without you two and telling some wild story about a Death Eater attack and you hurt, you tell me not to worry?"
Ginny squirmed under her mother's gaze, but Harry quickly answered for her. "Please don't worry anymore, Mrs. Weasley," and reminding himself of their last conversation he added, "Molly. Everything happened so fast, and when I saw Ginny fall over I thought she had been hit with a spell. But she wasn't, and apart from hurting her chest a little everything is fine."
"Is that true, Minerva?"
"That is what everyone told me, and Madam Pomfrey couldn't find any trace of a spell on Ginny."
"Thank god. I was so scared."
Luckily, at this time Ron and Hermione appeared in the fireplace, carrying a number of shrunken trunks in their hands.
"Oi, Ginny, you allright?" Ron inquired.
"Everything OK, Ron."
Mrs. Weasley offered her chair to Hermione, saying she had to visit Fleur's parents on some wedding stuff, and after telling them all to behave and do anything silly, and giving each of the students a bonecrushing hug, she flooed away.
Just as Professor McGonagall was about to rise her wand to conjure another chair for Ron, Hermione had hers out and with a small swishing movement a heavy, plushy chair was standing there. The Headmistress was impressed.
"Fine work, Ms. Granger. But I don't think you covered wordless conjuring in Transfiguration class yet, I should know that."
Hermione was beaming. "I've decided to read ahead a little. The wordless conjuring seemed rather easy to do, as long as inanimate objects were to be created. I noticed that sometimes I'm too focused on getting the incantation right, whereas with the wordless ones I can focus completely on the image and the wand movement."
Hermione and the Professor talked for a little about wordless magic and its pros and cons. Harry had taken Ginny's hand in his and was stroking it gently with his thumb, halfheartedly listening to the conversation. Ron was watching Hermione with a mix of admiration and awe in his eyes.
Harry chuckled silently. Ron and Hermione had been around each other for six years now, but still they were surprised by each other with every new day.
But soon they were all brought back to more important topics.
"You four are certainly aware that over the summer holidays most of the teachers are away. So we don't have meals at the Great Hall. I've thought about giving you two of the spare flats in the teacher's area, but I'm not sure if everyone of them would agree with that."
"Professor," Harry had thought about that himself, "if we could just stay in Gryffindor Tower that would be fine. Ginny and Hermione can share a dorm there, and we are all familiar with the place."
"Ah well, then that's settled."
"I would like to ask a few more favours from you, if it would be possible?"
"Just ask, Harry."
"First, we need all the information we can get to find and destroy the Horcruxes. So being able to get books from the restricted section of the library and from yours would be of great help. Second, if you could re-attach the fireplace in Gryffindor Common Room to the Floo Network, only for calls, that would be great. And the last thing is, maybe you could ask some members of the Order if they would agree to teach us in dueling and defense."
"I have to admit," the Headmistress looked Harry directly into the eyes, "I'm impressed that you seem to have your course of action already layed out. And seeing that you are not waisting your time, I won't waist yours. So the answers are yes, yes and yes. I'll see that Ms. Granger and Ms. Weasley have free access to all the books at Hogwarts starting this evening. I'll have Professor Flitwick re-attach the fireplace this afternoon, and either Professor Moody or Professor Lupin will contact you on your training in the next few days."
"Thank you, Mrs. McGonagall."
"You're welcome. Now stow your things away and try to enjoy the rest of the day."
Carrying their still shrunken trunks, they marched over to Gryffindor Tower through the deserted floors, talking about what to do with the rest of the day. Hermione proposed starting right out with more researching, but after being reminded that they didn't have access to the libraries yet she agreed to have a leasury afternoon. Ron proposed a game of chess, but neither Harry nor Ginny were willing to get beaten.
When Hermione stated that the weather was too nice to stay inside, Harry had to nudge Ron into the ribs until he got the message and asked her to go for a walk around the lake. Finally reaching the entrance to the Common Room, they had to shout until the Fat Lady in the portrait woke up.
"My, what are you doing here? School hasn't started yet!" She exclaimed, obviously a little annoyed about having her holidays interrupted.
"We're sorry to have to disturb you," Hermione answered for them, "but we will be staying here over the holidays. Now if you could please let us in, the password is Mimbulus Mimbletonia."
Ron and Harry took their six yearth dorm room again, and Ginny stuffed her things in Hermione's dorm. After everything was where it belonged Ron and Hermione strolled off through the Portrait, leaving Harry and Ginny completely alone for the first time in what seemed an eternity to them.
Smiling lascively, Ginny put her arms around Harry's neck and softly rubbed her body against his. "So what are we going to do now, Doctor Potter?"
"Ah," he smiled, "we definitely will have to do another check-up. And I happen to know the exactly fitting spot for that."
Taking Ginny by the hand he led her out of the Common Room and through the corridors. When they reached a dark, old staircase, she recognized where they were going.
"Are you sure you want to go there? It's still daytime."
"And who should come up there and see us with most of the teachers away? Do you expect anyone on a broom?"
She smiled at him in a very wicked way, and he felt his knees get weak, but a second later she had started up the stairs, shouting "OK, then race me!" over her shoulders. They sprinted up the long stairway, and he had nearly reached her when she had pushed open the door to the platform on the Astronomy Tower.
Jumping out into the open sun he had to cover his eyes. Giving the door a little kick so it swung close, and adding a Colloportus charm to keep anyone from disturbing them, he turned towards Ginny. Instantly he pushed to the ground when she flung herself at him, and he thanked Merlin that he had gotten quite adept in quick cusioning charms with all the DA training.
They were both breathless from running up the stairs, and pulling Ginny's face close to him he stuttered. "I think," taking in air, "this will need," he felt Ginny's hand touch him on very sensible spot just over his left hip and gasped, "a very close examination!"
For the next twenty or so minutes they, and Harry couldn't find a better description for it, snogged each other senseless. He couldn't get enough of the feeling of soft, demanding lips on his. He felt so incredibly close to Ginny, and he felt unable to express how perfect she seemed to him. It was amazing, every little touch of their tounges, every small brushing of skin against skin sending shivers all through his body.
He was just exploring the different ways of nipping on Ginny's earlobes when he felt her fingers nestling with the top buttons of his robes. "Ginny?"
"Shhh! It's too hot for robes, don't you think?"
He couldn't answer, as Ginny had sealed his mouth with hers. Soon she had opened all of the buttons and the robes fell loosely to the side, and with a short motion she had slipped hers over her head, leaving them both just in jeans and t-shirts.
But Ginny didn't stop. When her fingers pulled the hem of his t-shirt up and her bare hands began caressing his stomach and his sides, Harry was unable to think of stopping her. Soon he was stripped out of it and felt the fresh sommer air on his skin, together with soft hands that trailed all over him.
"Ginny?" He asked, a little hoarsely.
"Don't panik," she answered softly, yet smiling a little mischeavously . "I don't think we should go too far too soon. But there's one thing I always wanted to know."
"And that is?"
But instead of answering she lowered her had a little, and a moment later Harry felt an incredibly erotic tingling as a soft, warm tongue trailed around his right nipple, followed by a hot feeling of want that shot through him when she began sucking and nipping delicately. Unvoluntarily he arched his back and ran his fingers through her hair.
"Gin, you're driving me inside with that."
"How is that?" she requested, letting her mouth slip away from his body just for this question.
"This feels like hahhh," he gasped as she bit down teasingly on the tip of his nipple, "like heaven when you do that, but at the same thhiihhh," again he couldn't suppress it, "like hell, because it makes me want to do so much more with you."
She lifted her head to look him in the eyes, stroking his chest softly with her hand.
"And would that be so bad, to do more?"
"Gin," his voice became honest, yet soft, "I think we are both not ready yet. I want to take it slow, make sure we do everything right."
Ginny nodded, but averted her eyes, and Harry could feel a bit of disappointment coming from her. He gently lifted her chin so that their eyes met again.
"Gin, I love you, more than anything else in the world. I would like to do more, and it's almost physically hurting sometimes, but I want to make sure I don't hurt you. Let's just not rush it. I love you too much."
This seemed to soften her mood. "I love you too, Harry, more than I could say. You're right about it."
She snuggled up in his armpit, her head resting on his shoulder. And lying there, simply enjoying the closeness of each other, they soon fell asleep in the warm July sun on top of Astronomy Tower.