AN: Another shorter chapter. I didn't even manage seven pages. But at least this way you get this quicker. I know I don't like to wait. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter and you review. I don't know how many more chapters are ahead, but there are still a lot of things that have to happen. I'll have to finish this story and hopefully another one I have in mind before July the 21st. Summer vacation is almost here, so I'll be able to update more often then.

Christmas Gift

Over the next few weeks, Harry maintained a busy schedule. He went to work everyday, and then rushed home to help Ginny learn to fight off the Imperius Curse. His Aurors were busy fighting and recapturing escaped Death Eaters, as he himself was, and spies for the Order of the Phoenix had informed him of some of Voldemort's recent whereabouts (If Cornelius Fudge was still Minister of Magic, he would have been furious to know that the Aurors were working with the Order). Then there was always the trouble of Ginny not being able to bend her schedule. She had Quidditch practice everyday, and often she wouldn't get home until late evening. Harry had been trying to convince her to go back to being an Auror, but she refused.

"Harry!" she cried one night when they were in the middle of an Imperius session. "I've told you. I won't be an Auror. I want to play Quidditch!"

"Why is it that you picked Auror before Quidditch, then?" Harry argued. "I mean, if you really wanted to play – "

"Can we please not have this conversation again?" Ginny said, going over to Harry's Muggle refrigerator and pulling out a Blood Brew.

Harry shrugged, a mischievous look appearing in his eyes. "Well, " he sighed, "at least I won't have to worry about you getting hurt."

"What?"

"Well, you know," he said casually. "You'll be off playing Quidditch so you can't fight Voldemort with me. You've always been so stubborn about it before, but now you have no choice."

Ginny chocked on the blood-red drink. "No. No, no, no, no, no! I'm already in this war! After what Voldemort's done to me, I think I deserve a chance to fight him. Besides, being… you know, my new self, I think I can fight better than any of your Aurors."

Harry shook his head. "Now that you aren't a colleague, I can treat you as just Ginny. So, Just Ginny, I don't want you fighting in this war. It's far too dangerous… Imperio."

Now come over here and kiss me.

Absolutely not, you prat! And I will fight whatever war I want!

Harry stared at Ginny in shock. No one had ever reacted like that under the Imperius, as far as he knew.

"What?" she asked.

"Er… you've certainly improved…"

"Well, good – but don't change the subject. Don't think you're going to get out of this one. How many times have I told you that I don't need anymore overprotective brothers? If you try to keep me from fighting… I'll – I'll bite you!"

Ginny gave a sharp, pleased nod.

"Well," Harry said, "that may not be a bad idea."

Ginny spun on him. "What did you say?" Her voice was accusing, threatening.

Harry sighed. "Ginny, you've got to understand. Knowing what happened to you… it's come as shock."

"I'm sure it has," Ginny said, her voice hard, "But it still doesn't explain what you just said."

Harry tried to think of the best way to answer without getting Bat-Bogeyed. "Think about it, Gin. If we're both vampires – "

"No!" Ginny cried sharply. 'I will not think about it."

"Ginny…"

"Harry! Do you think I want to be a vampire? I can't go where I please, for fear I'll hurt someone. I have to constantly watch what I'll say, fearing I'll hurt my friends with my words… I have to always keep my guard up, afraid Voldemort will pop into my head anytime he wants… I'm living a life of fear, and I hate it! I hate it, Harry! I wouldn't to that to someone else. I can't."

Harry couldn't keep the startled look from his face. He hadn't known she'd been coping so hard with this. He carefully wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. He could feel her shaking as she sobbed, could feel her tears leaking through his shirt. "It's all right, Ginny," he soothed. "You don't have to be afraid. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

As her tears cooled down and her arms tightened on his chest, he couldn't bring himself to bring up the subject again.

Christmas was fast approaching, and Harry still hadn't talked to Ginny about his wish. How could he? She'd been enjoying life, having fun out on the Quidditch field… He couldn't bring all that crashing down just because of his own selfishness.

But he had to do something. After all, he wasn't really being selfish, now was he? As a vampire he'd be a better sorcerer, quicker with the wand than normally. The entire wizarding world would be in a better place if their 'Chosen One' had more power.

But he wasn't convincing himself. No. The reason he wanted so badly to be made a vampire was Ginny. He wanted to be with her. He couldn't keep himself away from her. There would be no sense in keeping her hidden now; Voldemort already knew he cared for her – why else would he give her a weapon if not to harm him? But he knew Ginny would try to distance herself from him. She was afraid of hurting him. The only way he could ease her fears was if he was a vampire. He just had to find a way to be one soon, and he couldn't resist when she'd asked him what he wanted for Christmas.

"For you to make me a vampire, " he answered automatically without thinking.

The bright smile disappeared from her face and she turned away. "Stop it, Harry. Please."

"Ginny, I'm sorry," he said. "But I have to insist. Just listen to me."

"Harry," Ginny said, "Look at me. Do you see what I am? A monster… I've told you – I can't make you the same."

Harry took Ginny's chin in his hand and lifted it to stare into her eyes. "Ginny – what I see is a very beautiful girl. Charming, funny, talented, and stubborn to say the least."

Ginny smiled but then pulled away. "I can't – "

"No, Ginny. Please, think about it. For me. For us."

Christmas day, Harry went to the Burrow. He hadn't been there in a few weeks because he'd been too busy with work and Ginny. As he stepped into the warm, cozy house, he couldn't help but feel anxious. Had Ginny thought over what he'd asked? Was she going to do it? He felt sick to his stomach, pressuring her to do something she so obviously didn't want to do. But… he'd made up his made. If she didn't do it, he'd find someone who would.

His thoughts were interrupted as Mrs. Weasley kissed his cheek. She led him outside where all the Weasleys (save for Percy), Hermione, Tonks, and Lupin were sitting. Ginny flashed him a dazzling smile, and he walked over and sat down next to her.

"Hullo, Ginny."

"Wotcher, Harry," Tonks called across the table.

After exchanging greetings, a good half hour passed before the food was served, and still Harry couldn't help muttering out of the side of his mouth to Ginny, " So, what about my gift?"

Her eyes clouded over for a second, and Harry was beginning to feel remorse, but she said, "You'll just have to wait and see. It's not time to open presents yet."

Harry smiled at her, feeling a bit better. Maybe she'd changed her mind…

After dinner, everyone started to mingle again. Mrs. Weasley turned on the wizarding wireless, and Fred and George started a game of Exploding Snap. When it was time to open gifts, Ginny pulled Harry upstairs and into her room. She shut the door and said, "Are you sure you want to do this, Harry?"

"Absolutely," he answered, his heart beating.

Ginny's face fell, as if she'd been hoping for a different answer. "Absolutely, positively sure?"

"Yes, Ginny," Harry said. "No matter how much you try to delay this, I'm not going to change my mind. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Ginny brightened at the words, but still seemed uncertain. Sensing her uneasiness, Harry grabbed hold of her shoulders and pulled her in towards in a kiss. Ginny groaned and grabbed Harry around the neck, pulling him closer. She didn't need to worry about her senses taking over. That was exactly what he wanted. And if being with him would bring her this much pleasure and happiness, it couldn't hurt, could it?

Reluctantly separating their lips, Ginny kissed his throat, felt her thirst, and before she could stop them, her fangs shot out. Her hands still around his neck, she spread her lips a little wider, allowing her fangs to drop a little lower and a small hiss to escape her lips. She could feel Harry tense, as if anticipating pain, and she couldn't tell him there wouldn't be any. She hesitated for a moment, but Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. She couldn't wait any longer. She sank her fangs into his throat, and he let out a painful gasp.

Ginny could smell the closeness of his blood. It was just too much to resist. She sucked the red fluid in pleasure, and Harry began to sink to the ground. Ginny suddenly tasted something different in his blood. Something sweet… too good. His blood was so pure. It was the best thing she'd ever tasted. But… how could she do this to a creature so pure of heart? It seemed too evil…

Gently letting him fall to the ground, Ginny stared at the horror unfolding before her eyes. Harry was lying on the ground, his head lolling to one side and his glasses askew. The blood she hadn't sucked out was spilling out around him, creating a small pool of red liquid.

Before she could stop herself, Ginny let out a piercing scream.

Downstairs, the Burrow was bustling. Mrs. Weasley and Fleur were singing along to the wireless, Ron and Charlie were now engaged in a fierce battle of Wizard's Chess, and the twins were busy testing their products. Everyone was laughing heartily when an ear-splitting scream reached their ears. They all stopped what they were doing and stared upstairs in shock.

"What was – "

Before Ron could finish, there was another scream, this one more frantic. Everyone took the stairs at once, wands out in their hands. Tonks went first (being the Auror), followed closely by Lupin and the others. Wand out, Tonks opened Ginny's bedroom door and pushed it open. It was a sight of horror. Ginny was sitting beside Harry, sobbing. Harry was sprawled on the ground unconscious, his blood spilling from somewhere they couldn't see.

"What happened, Ginny?" Tonks cried. "Someone get St. Mungo's!"

Hermione ran to Harry's side. "Harry! Ginny, what happe – oh my God."

She had turned Harry's face towards hers and had seen the two holes on his neck. She stared at them in horror.

"What is it, Hermione?" Ron asked, his voice wavering.

Hermione couldn't speak. Mrs. Weasley was crying, and Mr. Weasley was trying to calm Ginny down.

"Ginny, " he said, " you need to tell us what happened. A St. Mungo's healer will be here any second. Whoever's done this to Harry could be anywhere by now. We need your help, Ginny."

Ginny shook her head. "No… no… I can't…"

"Damn it, Ginny!" Ron shouted. "Look at Harry. Look at him!"

"Stop it!" Ginny yelled. "You're making it worse! I won't be able to stop!"

"This isn't… about… YOU!"

"This has everything to do with me!"

"Ginny! – "

Ginny lunged at Ron in a quick movement and her fangs dropped down. A loud hiss escaped her lips. Her eyes were spread out wide – wide enough for everyone to notice her bloodshot eyes. Mr. Weasley restrained her with difficulty. Ron backed up against the wall and stared at his sister in shock. Everyone had shifted their attention from Harry to Ginny. She quickly made the fangs disappear, but they had all seen them.

Charlie and Bill had returned with the St. Mungo's healers, who quickly conjured a stretcher out of thin air and levitated Harry on to it. They and Harry were portkey-ed away, leaving everyone to continue to stare at Ginny and Bill and Charlie to wonder what was going on.

Ron, still backed against the wall, managed to utter in a weak voice, "What are you?"

AN: So, another chapter gone. I won't be able to write anything this weekends due to the enormously large pile of homework my teachers gave, and it will probably carry on to next weekend, but I'll try to not keep you guys waiting for too long. Of course, if I get a lot of reviews I might just hurry up with my work...