Chapter Twelve
Ginny's tale
'Harry, as a kid I was told about a wizard who'd defeated the greatest evil the world had ever known. I was told it as a bedtime story, as I'm sure most kids were. It wasn't until I was around five or six that Mum told me it was real. I admired you, even though I knew you'd have had no idea what you were doing as a baby, but at the same time I pitied you, for you had no parents. There was rarely a day that went by when you weren't mentioned in the wizarding world.
By the time I was ten, Ron was off to Hogwarts, I knew that you were his age and I was excited, so I came to the station with mum to try and meet you, I didn't tell her that of course.' Ginny put a hand on Harry's cheek and looked into his sparkling emerald green eyes lovingly.
'When we were at the station, and you came up to us, we all instantly knew who you were, well except Ron. He was a bit slow on the uptake bless him, anyway I had a huge crush on you ever since that day, whenever Ron wrote or either of the twins wrote, I always asked mum to ask after you in the letters she wrote back. Then when I saw you at the end of the year with your aunt and uncle being collected, I wanted to hex them for treating you like they did.
Then there was my first year at Hogwarts, we all know what happened that year, after that I started to realize that this crush I had, wasn't like any other crush any of the girls in my year had. It was more than a crush, I was so scared to be around you, to talk to you, you saw how I acted over the summer you stayed after your first year. I couldn't even be in the same room as you Harry. Look how that's changed, I can't bear to be in a room with you not in it.'
'I can't bear it the other way round either love.' Ginny smiled and squeezed Harry's hand.
'I should probably tell you I was the one who sent you the valentine that was heard in the corridor in your second year.' Harry laughed and kissed her.
'Would you care to remind me what it said?' he said in between laughing. Ginny punched him on the arm
'Careful Potter, I might be hitting you somewhere else next time!' Harry's eyes widened in horror at the thought. Ginny laughed at the sight of him before continuing.
'My second year was pretty uneventful to be honest, I befriended Hermione properly as you and Ron had fallen out with her over the Firebolt and Scabbers. So I had her to talk to. I could confess to her my feelings for you, and we would talk about it. She told me to be myself around you, and you would notice me eventually. My third year was horrible, you asked Cho to the ball, and I hated her for it. The year on the whole wasn't too bad though, watching you successfully prove how great a wizard you were, and I got closer to Hermione. With Ron and you falling out with her, I spent time with her. I started to date Michael Corner at the end of it, Hermione had told me to go out with other people to try and be normal in front of you. It worked, because we started to talk more in my fourth year, with the DA being formed and then the events in the department of mysteries occurring.
The summer after that we both talked more and more and I found myself more at ease in your presence, I wanted to be near you, to be in the same room. Then I was dating Dean, and I liked him but more as a friend. We all know what happened when we'd split up, the kiss in the common room, was what I wanted for so long. The next couple of months were amazing Harry, it made me love you more and more. Then Dumbledore's funeral came and you did what you had to do. I understood though, I knew that you had a job to do and I knew I couldn't try and stop you.' Ginny sighed and closed her eyes briefly. Harry squeezed her hand once more.
'Harry that summer was horrible, waiting for you to arrive was one of the worst moments of my life. The relief I felt when you arrived was unbelievable, I know that George had lost his ear and that Moody was killed, but you were safe, and to me that was so important. I don't know what I'd have done if you hadn't have made it. That summer wasn't the best, mum had us all running around madly didn't she?' Ginny laughed lightly before continuing. 'Harry, you know…on your birthday I thought about what I wanted to get you…a lot. I decided nothing I could get you was good enough, I needed you to remember me. That's why I decided on a kiss. I really thought about giving myself to you Harry, my complete self. I knew you'd be the only one I'd ever want to give myself to completely, and I think I may have tried to do so if my brother hadn't have interrupted us.' Harry raised his eyebrows and Ginny blushed.
'After that, I knew you'd be leaving and I had no idea where you were going, so I decided I would try and get as much information as possible, that's when I eavesdropped on you when you were discussing the horcruxes and where to go, I actually knew more than you gave me credit for when you explained where you'd been and what you'd been doing.' Harry raised his eyebrows again.
'I should have expected that love, knowing how inquisitive you are, knowing you had so many brothers and that you practiced quidditch without them knowing'
'Yeah, well I know it all now anyway, its all in the past. At the wedding I wanted to dance with you and kiss you so badly, and tell you not to go, but I knew that was no use, and then you were gone. I told dad to send you a patronus to check if you were ok. Which you were, that put my mind to rest. Now here we are, its all over and were together.' Ginny smiled, and leant into Harry, kissing him passionately before yawning.
'Let's get some sleep Harry' she said rather too shortly for Harry's liking, they still hadn't discussed her last year, Harry knew it was now or never. Why hadn't she spoke about it yet?
'Gin, what about the last year, I don't have any idea what happened to you when you were at Hogwarts. I want to know what it was like.'
'I don't want to talk about it' she snapped.
'Love, please talk to me about it'
'Harry I said no, I don't want to relive it again. It was the worst year of my life and I'd rather forget it.'
'Gin, you'll feel better about it if you talk about it'
'I SAID NO HARRY' she shouted at him, her anger had been building but she was trying not to shout at him, eventually the combination of tiredness, and the fact she was definitely under the influence of the amount of firewhiskey they had drunk meant she exploded at him. Harry flicked his hand and cast a muffliato so the whole house wouldn't be woken up with the argument that was about to ensue. Ginny continued a tirade that was on a par with one of Molly's.
'WHY DO YOU CARE ANYWAY, YOU HAVEN'T ASKED ABOUT IT YET, SO WHY NOW? IF YOU CARED YOU'D HAVE ASKED ME ABOUT IT ALREADY. I'VE BEEN GOING OUT OF MY MIND, I LIVED A LIVING HELL, BUT I KEPT GOING BECAUSE I KNEW WHEN YOU BEAT HIM, EVERYTHING WOULD BE ALRIGHT.' Harry put his hand on Ginny's shoulder, she moved away. Harry sighed
'Gin please listen to me, I didn't know what to do about it, I wasn't sure whether you'd want to talk about it, I know what I can be like when I don't want to talk about anything.'
Ginny stood up in a flash. Harry, despite how annoyed he was that she hadn't confided in him about the last year, couldn't take his eyes from her body. He was mesmerized at how gorgeous she was when she was angry. The fact Harry was staring only made Ginny angrier.
Harry got onto his knees and made his way off the bed towards her, Ginny was perfectly still, Harry could tell by the look in her eyes that she was fuming at him. Her arms were folded across her perfectly shaped bare breasts. Harry approached her. Ginny in less than the blink of an eye had made her way up to him and slapped him hard across the face. Harry just stood, he had no emotion on his face. Ginny was slapping him repeatedly and when he didn't react she screamed at him.
'HARRY JAMES POTTER.' Harry knew he was in for it noting the use of his full name. 'MY LIFE WAS A LIVING HELL, I HAVEN'T TOLD ANYONE ABOUT IT, I CAN'T BRING MYSELF TO. YOU FINISHED WITH ME TO PROTECT ME AND WHAT GOOD DID THAT DO, IT DIDN'T PROTECT ME, EVERYONE KNEW HOW I FELT ABOUT YOU AND HOW YOU FELT ABOUT ME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE IF YOU'D HAVE ASKED BUT I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.' Harry enveloped her into a hug, so she couldn't slap him anymore, she kept struggling against him while continually shouting
'YOU THINK YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WITH NIGHTMARES DON'T YOU, YOU THINK I DON'T HAVE THEM, WELL I DO AND THESE ONES ARE AS BAD IF NOT WORSE THAN THOSE I HAD AFTER MY FIRST YEAR AT SCHOOL. Ginny started to kick him, Harry just whispered in her ear over and over again.
'I love you, I'm sorry.' Eventually the kicking and screaming subsided and Ginny went limp in Harry's arms, he scooped her up and placed her onto the bed.
'Gin, I'm so sorry, are you ok?'
'Harry…'
'Shh Gin, I'm so sorry, if you don't want to talk about it then I wont press you, just tell me when you're ready.' Ginny screamed and screamed into nothingness letting her frustration out.
Once she'd finished screaming she looked deep into Harry's eyes, her own brown ones were dripping with tears. Harry wiped them away as she spoke
'Harry, I'm sorry, I knew you'd ask about it eventually. I'm waiting for you to ask, and yet I have no idea what my response will be. I guess now you know.' There was silence as they looked into each other's eyes for a few minutes not thinking about anything but how much they loved each other.
'This was definitely just a misunderstanding Gin, I think that we should talk to each other and be completely honest with each other from now on. Neither of us should keep anything bottled up.'
'I agree Harry.' She smiled at him.
'I wont rush you Gin, if you don't want to talk about it now, then I wont rush you.' Ginny smiled a pained smile
'Harry, I think after what we've just agreed to do, we should talk about this. But, bear with me as it will take a while and it isn't pleasant. I really do feel I should tell you, we shouldn't have secrets from one another.' Harry nodded and took her hand
'I'm here Gin, I'm listening.'
'Right, well let me start on the day we went to get on the Hogwarts express. As usual everyone was on the platform, all the students and their parents, it seemed just like any normal school year, but at a closer look, there were wizards and witches on every door to the train, none of them looked friendly. They were ticking off names on lists they had and if there was a name that was given that they didn't have on the list, then the student was taken away, I don't know where to.' Ginny hesitated, before shivering. She pulled the covers over herself, and moved closer to Harry, she rested her head on his shoulder close to his face, looking into his eyes. Harry stroked her hair trying to calm her, and put his arm around her trying to keep her warm. She smiled at his touch, and kissed him on the cheek.
'Well, the train ride wasn't so bad, even though there were a lot less students on it. It seemed the wizards and witches on the platform had been taking muggle borns, we later found out that some parents put up a fight, but many didn't live to tell the tale. It was horrible Harry, how can a person steal magic? I couldn't believe it when I heard about how the muggle borns were being portrayed!' Ginny sniffed as she recollected the memories from the last year she was at school.
'Nothing much was said on the train, Neville, Luna and I sat in a compartment discussing what we could do during the year to disrupt the school, we decided that re forming the DA was the first step. There was nothing we could do on the train other than talk to various people who'd been in the DA about reforming it, and most people agreed it was worth doing. Everyone asked after you, Ron and Hermione. But even if I could have told them where you were, I wouldn't have.
The year began well, lots of those who were in the DA decided to rejoin, Neville, Luna and myself were elected as leaders. This time it was more about causing trouble and pissing off death eaters rather than being taught spells. Practicing was hardly difficult, if we wanted to hex another student then the death eaters welcomed it, unless it was one of their favourites. So anyway the first term began, and the first years all looked so frightened when they were sorted. Neville and I took the Gryffindors to one side and helped them all we could, Luna did the same with the Ravenclaws, Hannah Abbott, Ernie Mcmilan and Susan Bones helped the Hufflepuffs. Unfortunately we had nobody in Slytherin at the start of the year, though that did change as the year went on.
Muggle studies with Alecto Carrow was awful, the only subject that was worse was Defence against the dark arts. Amycus made sure it was a living hell for us. The two of them willingly let students curse and hex each other, they were happy as long as the spells were vicious. Madam Pomfrey was busy all year, she had a constant flow of students into the hospital wing.
During Alecto's classes, we were told how muggle borns stole magic, how all muggles were evil. If any of us said otherwise she would use whatever curse she wished on us, we were all powerless to do anything about it. Amycus' lessons were the Dark arts, not defence at all. The classes were interesting to say the least, curses and hexes were used all class long on each other, with no healing allowed until the class was finished.
The punishments for skipping class were not particularly severe, I think in hindsight that was all Snape's doing, they would send us to Snape for punishment, most of the time we had to serve it with Hagrid, which was always fun, so nobody really minded missing classes, but after 3 classes missed a week the Carrows decided they wouldn't send you to Snape, the cruciatus curse became their favourite punishment. Staying out after hours was time in the dungeons, hanging by your hands on the wall completely on your own. We put up with whatever they threw at us, at first we didn't meet very regularly, it was whenever we could get enough of us together without anybody knowing. That soon changed and we met every week, we decided we needed to do something big to get ourselves noticed, we needed the Carrows to know we weren't playing games.
The amount of times I was called into Snape's office, and didn't realize what I needed to do was ridiculous, I would think I'd been in there ten times before I realized that he had the sword, the sword of Godric Gryffindor that should have been in your possession. I knew then what I had to do, I had to try and steal it. We had no idea how to get the password to his office at first, until something Luna said stuck in my head.
'We should ask all the portraits and ghosts, wizards and witches underestimate their use.' I knew that they'd be a good help, but I could think of a race that would be far more helpful; house elves, they were underestimated too. In particular, I'm sure you know who.' Harry smiled as a tear rolled down his cheek at the thought of Dobby the house elf.
'I made my way to the kitchens, and knocked on the portrait, a house elf appeared in front of me, I requested to see Dobby, he appeared in front of me in seconds and was pleased to see me. He was very nice to me when I mentioned what I wanted to do, then when I told him it was for you, he went into overdrive, I've never seen anything so excited, I couldn't stop him from shouting for at least ten minutes. Anyway, the next few weeks were fairly pleasant compared to the first few, less punishments were handed out, many students were running scared, we decided we wouldn't do anything before we tried to steal the sword, unless the Carrows aggravated us.
One day in October, Dobby appeared and gave us what we'd been looking for, we could finally get into Snape's office. Neville, Luna and I gathered the DA and came up with a plan. We decided to use the house ghosts and Peeves to cause a diversion, so Snape would be out of his office, and we made sure that Malfoy (who was head boy) saw the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws out of bed so he could alert the Carrows, this meant that they were occupied too. We were sure that 12 students could hold they're own for as long as we needed.
So Luna, Neville and I crept up to Snape's office once we'd heard from Nearly Headless Nick that Snape had left, we then moved as fast as we could, we were in his office within 5 minutes.
Dumbledore's portrait addressed us as a group as soon as we'd entered the office.
Miss Weasley, Mr. Longbottom and Miss Lovegood, I have been expecting you, was what he said. It confused us a bit, but he explained that with you not receiving the sword he would have expected me to try and help you, he told us to leave. For it was all under control, but I couldn't listen to him, I was stubborn and tried to take the sword, I'd just blasted the case open when Snape entered the room, apparently we hadn't paid any attention to the DA coins that were going off in our pockets with warnings. Snape was his usual sneering self, I hated the look on his face when he discovered us. He gloated for a while before Dumbledore called out to him in a stern tone, Snape seemed for a split second to listen to him, and I guess after what you've said about him being on our side, means that it makes sense that he only gave us detention with Hagrid, the Carrows weren't so easy going on some of the Hufflepuffs, Hannah Abbott and Ernie Mcmilan were chained up in the dungeon. We found out that night, and knew we had to perform a rescue mission at some point in the very near future. We didn't know how long they'd be left down there otherwise.
Crabbe and Goyle were the Carrows favourite disciplinarians and I thought they would have been the two that would be torturing them. We knew we had to get them out, but it would be too risky that night. I hated doing it Harry, I really did, but we had to leave them or the rest of us could have ended up down there as well, the Carrows and Malfoy were patrolling corridors for the rest of the night. Neville and Luna had to drag me from Snape's office, I thought you needed that sword. I guess I was right in the end.
They had to drag me through the portrait hole before the Carrows saw us out of bed and chucked us in the dungeons too. I lay awake all night, I couldn't sleep knowing I'd left my friends to be tortured in the dungeon. There was nothing I could do. It was horrible, I lay there on top of my bed crying until the sun came up.
When the morning came, I hadn't slept, that was fairly obvious to anyone who saw me, I looked terrible. Neville and I didn't go to classes that day, we went to the hospital wing early in the morning and asked madam Pomfrey to cover for us while we devised a plan to get the guys out of the dungeon. The only way to do it was to get thrown into the dungeon ourselves. We went out that night into the corridor making as much noise as we could, until Alecto came around the corner, Luna hid while Neville and I taunted Alecto until he drew his wand on us, he threatened us with the cruciatus curse, so we thought we'd fight and see where it got us. It wasn't a very good plan, but it worked, he tried to get me with the cruciatus, but Neville dived in the way. Didn't help much, he just used it on me when Neville was on the ground. When he took it off I begged for more, it was excruciating, but I had to get in that dungeon. Alecto used it on Neville again while we were on the floor, before he bound us and took us to the dungeon, little did he know Luna was following. When he'd opened the dungeon door and taken us in, Luna followed. Alecto tied us up and left laughing.
Luna was in, and despite the fact Neville and I were in so much pain, we'd accomplished what we wanted, we were inside, we could get Hannah and Ernie out, they were both asleep or out cold, we weren't sure which. I was right about Crabbe and Goyle though, they were there, Crabbe was asleep but Goyle was watching, Luna stunned him, and used incarcerous on him and Crabbe. She used aguamenti on Ernie and Hannah to wake them up, and unbound all of us. We tied Crabbe and Goyle up and made sure they didn't know who'd done it, before creeping back to our common rooms.
The morning after was vicious, Alecto went down to the dungeons but we had Dobby keeping watch. He told me what he'd seen as soon as Alecto had left. He was furious, but had no idea who'd got us out, he wasn't the cleverest of people and didn't think we could've got ourselves out, Snape interrogated all of us, but it appeared Snape didn't really care we'd escaped, the more I was sent to Snape the more I thought he was protecting us, but Neville said I was mad for thinking so.
Nothing much happened after that, things carried on as they had done for most of the year, torture and self confinement were the punishments for everything, and to those who paid attention it became apparent that Snape was not giving out punishments, whenever he did, we had to see Hagrid. The Carrows were maniacal, they didn't relent in torturing us. But we practically begged for more, we didn't give in and neither did they, Christmas came at the best time, when the only thing that could have changed the way things were happening was a death. Or so we thought, we got on the train for Christmas happy for a break from it all. Only, Luna didn't get on, she was taken. You know that though, we got wind of your visit to her house. The fact we were without Luna made us more determined to disrupt the school.
Christmas was fairly quiet, Dad told me that you'd infiltrated the ministry, Fred and George told me about Potterwatch. We just spent the holidays inside, I didn't have any contact with the outside world, the house was under watch. Fred and George kept me amused though, we made each other laugh and kept our hopes up. It seemed to last for a very long time, but eventually we got back on the train to go back to school. All of us were searched by Filch on the way in, I have no idea what for, but I bet he loved the authority that he'd been given. So anyway, we started the DA up again, nearly instantly. More and more students wanted to join our revolution, but it wasn't a game, contrary to what a lot of people thought, this was real, and I knew the risks.
It was two weeks after the break when the next big event happened, we were on our way back to the common room after hours, when Neville was caught escorting three younger students back to their common room. It appeared they were prepared to get tougher after the holidays, Alecto started attacking Neville, but this time she wasn't trying to apprehend him, she used at least one killing curse. The next thing Neville knew Alecto had been stunned by somebody, then he said all he remembers is going black. He awoke in the hospital wing late in the night and was told via a letter from Snape that he was expelled from school, and would be collected in the morning. However, Neville was having none of that. He hid out in the room of requirement for the remainder of the year.
The thing that puzzled me was who had saved him then stunned him, and taken him to the hospital wing. After all you've said about Snape, I think it may well have been him, but we honestly had absolutely no clue as to who it was at the time.
We decided to hit back, when I say we, many people quit after they heard that Neville had escaped death, the killing curse was too much of a threat for many people. Amycus and Alecto seemed to be working out who was involved though, as over the next few weeks I think almost every member of the DA attacked another member and didn't remember doing it, I think the imperius curse had been used. I was right, because one evening, we'd just finished a dark arts class, when I was asked to stay behind, Alecto left the room, and I was on my own in the room, the next thing I knew I felt like killing Hannah and Ernie. I had no idea why. I was wrestling with my own mind. It took a while but I came to my senses, I was rolling around on the floor in agony. Alecto must have known I was fighting it. Agony was the only way to describe it, I couldn't do anything but lay there. I blacked out after I don't know how long, it felt like years I was on the floor for. I awoke in the dungeons gagged and bound. I was hanging upside down by my ankles. Alecto was sitting opposite me smiling, he laughed maniacally when he saw me wake. He taunted me about you, he tried and tried to force it out of me with crucio after crucio. He wanted to know where you were, but I couldn't tell him, even if I'd known I wouldn't have said anything. I passed out again and again, he'd just use ennervate on me, and then crucio again. I couldn't feel anything by the end of it, my nerve ends were burning, I couldn't feel my legs or arms, it was horrible. My head was numb from the blood rushing to it, Harry it was terrible.
After I blacked out for about the 7th time, I wasn't awoken by Alecto, but Crabbe and Goyle. They didn't say anything but untied me and I collapsed into a heap on the floor. They laughed and laughed, there was nothing I could do Harry, nothing. The pair of them just leapt on me, I couldn't even protect myself, I was beaten to a pulp until I blacked out again.' Harry was shaking with rage, had he known about this, there would have been no way he would have saved (Crabbe or Goyle) from dying in the room of requirement from the fiendfyre. Ginny was shaking from fear, sobbing into Harry's shoulder.
'The next time I awoke, I was in the room of requirement, Neville was there. He looked so relieved when I woke up, I was so pleased to see him Harry, I couldn't talk, he said when I came in my face was like a balloon, my lips were puffed up, I couldn't see out of my eyes still, my whole body was swollen. Madam Pomfrey came in shortly after I woke up, Neville had been working on a talking patronus, and had finally mastered it, he sent it and she came within minutes. She told me that I had broken nearly all of my ribs, my arms were both broken as were my shins. I had a cracked skull and a punctured lung. She said had I been in the dungeon for any longer I probably wouldn't have made it. I had been lying in a pool of my own blood, I'd lost nearly 2 pints. Harry it was the worst experience of my life. I didn't know who'd saved me, I don't remember being carried or taken from the dungeons to the room of requirement. I have no idea what happened, madam Pomfrey said that somebody had woken her in the middle of the night with a patronus…a doe in fact. Which proves that it was Snape who saved my life, she said I was on a stretcher floating outside her quarters, and the doe alerted her to me being there.' Ginny was still sobbing, Harry pulled her closer to him, and kissed her on the forehead, before taking her face in his hands.
'Gin, its over, its in the past and nobody is ever going to do anything like that to you again.' Ginny looked at Harry and buried her face in his shoulder, Harry could feel her warm tears on his neck, his own tears began falling into her hair.
'I was in the hospital wing for a week until everything was fully healed, we had to stop publicly rebelling, the punishments were getting worse, and killing curses were being used, we couldn't take the risk. We didn't attend Muggle studies anymore, or dark arts, we had decided that was all we could do to rebel. Any form of punishment they used, we would overcome, Neville being an outcast helped us greatly, he would free us if we were being taken to the dungeon for punishment or having the torture curse used on us, I believe he became quite good at disillusionment charms, so he could make himself at least partially invisible, which in the dark is basically invisible anyway. We used the passage to the Hogs Head for a couple of months after Christmas, Aberforth was helpful, and we could get out of school when we wanted, so that they Carrows couldn't find us if we missed class. It was very handy.
My school year came to an end in April. Neville helped me get through the room of requirement to the Hogs Head, where dad met me. I was so glad to be out of there, but at the same time I wanted to be back inside fighting. I was only at home for a few weeks, when George and Fred appeared and told us that you'd returned. There was no stopping me, I was going to be at Hogwarts to help whether my mum liked it or not. And, well you know the rest.' Ginny hadn't stopped crying while she spoke
'Hold me Harry' Harry did as he was told, he stroked her hair and rubbed her back, he needn't have done anything, Ginny was comforted just by him being there. The pair of them fell asleep in each others arms on the bed.
The sound of Molly Weasley's voice could be heard all over Ottery St Catchpole the morning after Harry's birthday. She'd just entered Ron's room to find Hermione and Ron both in there, however Ron was in the middle of the room, on the floor. Hermione was in Ron's bed alone. Molly made sure to wake Ron with her traditional Weasley tirade before going to wake George and Percy. Percy was in his room, with Dudley and Neville. They were in the clear, however that could not be said for George, who at the sound of his mothers voice had woken up and pushed Angelina onto the floor from the bed. He had escaped his mother's wrath, but it was at the cost of Angelina's. Molly did say her piece, they should not have been sleeping in the same room, she then woke the girls in Ginny's room and then Dean, Seamus and Lavender in the study. All of them were in separate beds, so Molly left them be. It was only after she had found all of them, that she noticed her daughter and Harry were not where they should have been. Only when she saw the light coming from the marquee did she realize where they were, she crept out to the entrance and peered around the corner to find Ginny laying under the covers and Harry fully clothed on the floor. Molly smiled to herself, she chuckled at Harry and went back into the house.
Harry awoke with a start. He froze where he was, was somebody hitting him over the head? It sure felt like it, he felt like he was going to throw up and his eyes were not in focus. He tried to get up from the bed, but he found it very difficult to focus his energy on standing up. He dragged himself upright on the bed and composed himself for a moment, looking out into the bright sunshine. He hauled himself upright and held onto anything he could to make his way to the entrance of the transfigured marquee. He made his way out of the door, and was standing still trying to focus again, when he heard Molly's tirade inside the house. He realized he was only wearing his boxers and tried to run back into the marquee, in his panic he tripped over and fell to the floor next to the transfigured bed. He was in fits of laughter within seconds of hitting the ground. This laughter fit woke Ginny. There was a groan of pain from her mouth.
'Harry, stop hitting me over the head, it hurts.' Ginny said in a very slow and quiet voice, she was clearly suffering from the effects of last night just like Harry was.
'Gin, its not me, I'm on the floor. My head hurts too, I think we may have drank too much firewhiskey. Your mum is up though, so we should get dressed quickly before she comes and finds us like this' Ginny groaned again and tried to move upright. She moved too quickly and soon found herself on the floor like Harry. Harry pushed her off of him and tried to find his clothes to redress himself, Ginny was doing the same. Soon enough Harry had found his clothes, and was now attempting to put his shirt over his head, unfortunately it wasn't his shirt, it was his trousers, the fact he was trying to dress with his eyes closed was not helping. Ginny wasn't having any luck either, she couldn't figure out how to put her dress back on in her hung over state. The pair of them began laughing at their misfortune, Harry eventually got his trousers on when they heard the house door open, Harry quickly fumbled around in his shirt until it was over his head, he then collapsed in a heap on the floor, pretending to be asleep. Ginny couldn't put her dress on, so hid it under the pillow and covered herself in the covers. When Molly entered it looked like Harry had simply had too much to drink and Ginny was sleeping peacefully in the bed. Molly left after a few seconds, and Harry climbed from the floor slowly, onto the bed. The pair of them laughed for a few minutes at how much effort they had put into trying to get their clothes back on. They lay there for half an hour before getting up, and putting clothes on.
The pair of them journeyed into the house, to find everyone up at the table. George, Angelina, Neville, Hannah, Seamus, Dudley, Parvati and Lavender all cheered. Percy frowned at them, Dean didn't look up from the table, Hermione smiled. Ron was still asleep on the floor of his bedroom. Arthur had gone to work already, and Molly was cooking.
'Morning dears, sleep well?'
'Yes thanks mum' Ginny replied truthfully. Harry just smiled sheepishly.
'What would you like for breakfast Harry? And how did you sleep?'
'I don't mind mum, whatever's going. But I could do with a form of potion to get rid of this horrible headache. Oh… and I slept well.' He smiled after he spoke. Molly turned back to the kitchen with a smile.
The two days after the party were quiet. Harry, Hermione and Ron spent a few hours each day talking and writing up the events of the last year, so they could present them to the quibbler and have a press conference, Harry really hated that idea, but had promised Kingsley he would do it for him. Dudley and Harry had told each other they would write, Harry said he'd send him a copy of the last year's events so he could read them first hand. The first piece of excitement arrived on August 2nd, one month before the four friends would return to Hogwarts. An owl appeared on the horizon late in the afternoon. It carried four letters in its beak. Hermione instantly knew what they were.
'Our Hogwarts letters,' she beamed. Harry looked at Ginny across the breakfast table smiling, the two of them knew what would be in store for her and Ron, as well as their own positions of importance for the next year. Molly retrieved them from the large tawny owl, and gave them out. Harry opened the envelope and pulled out the letter, a badge fell out from the envelope with HB on it. Harry quickly pocketed it before anybody saw, he didn't want to take Hermione's moment.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I am very pleased to inform you that you have a place to complete your seventh and final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all those necessary textbooks and equipment for the new school year.
I am elated to announce that you have been chosen to be this years Head Boy. You will find enclosed a piece of parchment detailing your duties for the coming year. The board of governors and I feel that there is no more natural choice for this position than you yourself, you have proven that you are a leader and you have my congratulations on your appointment. You would have made your parents so proud.
You are reminded that this is your seventh and final year, should you need to pick up any extra study materials, you will be most welcome to. Hogsmeade weekends are every weekend for seventh years, but you are asked not to leave the school alone.
The new school year begins on September 1st. The Hogwarts express will leave from King's Cross Station, platform nine and three quarters at 11.00 sharp. Please find enclosed, along with your duties for the year, a piece of parchment with further instructions detailing your duties on the Hogwarts express.
Those students in their fourth year or above are advised to bring dress robes this coming year.
Yours sincerely
Professor M. Mcgonagol
Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry found he did indeed have four additional pieces of paper enclosed in the envelope, he found his duties for the year, duties for the Hogwarts express and his list of equipment and books for the year all enclosed. However, the fourth piece of paper was not mentioned. His chain of thought about what that particular piece of paper could be was broken as Hermione shrieked with delight.
'I made Head Girl' she screamed with excitement as she looked at the badge in her hand. Ron hugged her as Molly and Ginny congratulated her. Ginny turned to Harry with a glint of mischief in her eye.
'So Mr. Potter, what does your letter say?'
'Oh not a lot. Just the usual. Congratulations Hermione. Ron what about you?'
'I'm a prefect again.' He said through his smile while examining his own badge,
'I made Quidditch captain.' Ginny piped up 'I wonder who Head Boy is then' she said while immediately turning her head to look at Harry.
'Yeah ok Gin, I was letting Hermione enjoy her moment. But as you've already made it pretty obvious mine didn't just say the usual…yes I made Head Boy.'
'But Harry, you weren't a prefect, that isn't allowed.' Hermione said, thinking out loud.
'I know Hermione, I've only just thought of that' Hermione eyed Harry's pieces of parchment and noticed he had an extra one.
'Harry, what does the fourth piece of parchment say?' Harry looked down and remembered he had an extra piece, he picked it up and opened it.
Harry,
I know you are probably wondering how it is that you have been given the honour of being Head Boy even though you were not a prefect.
Well, firstly your father was not a prefect but made Head Boy, that was because as soon as things started to go well for him with respect to Lily, he became a different person, people started to look up to him instead of loathe him for the prankster he was. You are a born leader Harry, people look up to you, not because you are the chosen one or anything like that, because of who you are. That is why you have been chosen as head boy, you would have been a prefect but for everything you had on your plate already, and the fact trouble always found you wherever you went. I hope you agree that you are right for the job
Yours sincerely
Minerva
Harry didn't say anything, he had a tear trickling down his cheek, Ginny wiped it away. Ron patted him on the back, Harry suddenly felt a pang of guilt. Ron had always wanted to be head boy, and he'd been a prefect, but he didn't seem bothered.
'Harry mate, congratulations, I sort of had an inkling that you would get it, even though you weren't a prefect, who else was there? Everyone looks up to you, and with good reason. You're a leader mate, and a good'un too.' Molly had watched the exchange, and came over offering congratulations to everyone.
'Well, I think we need to make a trip to Diagon Alley after lunch, if no one has anything planned?' The quartet nodded, before examining their textbook lists. Harry was particularly looking forward to going, so he could purchase Ginny's birthday present. (trip to Diagon alley)
Harry had owled Kingsley, he wanted to meet Xenophilius Lovegood and Kingsley to discuss the events of the last year and to publish them before Ginny's birthday. Today was August 3rd and he'd be going to Luna and Xenophilius' to talk about publishing his story. Hermione, Ron and Ginny were accompanying him. Kingsley was meeting them there.
The quartet flooed over to Xenophilius' and opened the door.
'Hello' Ginny called out
'Ginny' came Luna's reply in her dreamy tone as she descended the stairs from her bedroom. 'Daddy's outside, shall we go upstairs to my room and wait for him or would you like to wait down here?'
After looking around the kitchen, Harry was slightly unnerved after what happened last time they were there.
'Your room is fine Luna' Harry said as he smiled.
'Oh, of course you're uncomfortable in here after daddy tried to hand you over to the death eaters, he did tell me about that. He is terribly sorry. Upstairs then?' Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other and chuckled. They knew all too well that Luna was very good at stating the obvious. Ginny was confused though, she didn't know that Luna's father had tried to hand Harry over. Luna had skipped off up the stairs before Ginny spoke in a low voice.
'Harry, you didn't tell me about that. I can't believe him, I should give him a piece of my mind.' Hermione piped up before the conversation became heated.
'Ginny, please. He just wanted Luna back, the death eaters told him if he gave us to them, he would get his daughter back, naturally he tried to hand us over. But, we can tell you about that later, come on Luna's waiting.' Ginny folded her arms across her chest and frowned. Harry kissed her on the forehead
'Don't worry love, I will explain it when we have left here'
'Ok, just make sure you tell me as soon as we get back home?' Harry nodded.
The four of them walked up the stairs to join Luna. After several minutes, Xenophilius entered the house through the back door. Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron and Luna all came down the stars to greet him.
'Hi daddy. Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron are here.' Xenophilius turned around from the sink, where he was cutting up roots of some kind, the look on his face painted a picture. He was looking at Harry with an odd smile on his face.
'Ah, Yes well, er' he began, just as there was a loud pop from outside and in came Kingsley.
'Good afternoon all of you' he said, not quite realizing what he had just broken up. Ginny's face was contorted, she was staring at Xenophilius with a murderous look on her face. He did not appear to have noticed, the floor appeared interesting to him from the moment that Kingsley had stepped through the door.
'Hello Kingsley, would you like a drink?' Kingsley smiled and waved his hand.
'No thank you miss Lovegood, I have much to attend to today so shall we get down to business?'
Luna smiled and walked towards the small and cozy seating area just off of the kitchen. She gestured to all of the guests to join her. They all followed, Xenophilius was last. After sitting down, Ginny turned towards Xeno
'So I think you own Harry, Hermione and Ron an apology.' Xenophilius looked at the floor
'Gin, leave it. He was only doing what he thought was right for Luna.'
'No Harry I won't leave it.'
'Ginny, leave it. We can talk about it later.' Ron said
'No Ron. He tried to hand you over to Voldemort and if he had have done, do you really think they would have returned Luna to him?' Luna was smiling as Ginny was on the verge of yelling at her brother.
'Ginny, Harry is right, daddy was trying to get me back, though I do think you're right when you say I would not have been returned home even if daddy had given you three over to Voldemort' Luna said gesturing to Harry, Ron and Hermione. 'Daddy, you need to apologize though, we'd probably be dead if you'd handed Harry over.' Xenophilius looked up at this point and turned from Luna to Harry, Hermione and Ron.
'I am truly sorry for what I tried to do, but you have to understand that Luna is the most precious thing to me, and I couldn't lose her after losing my wife.'
'I understand Mr. Lovegood, please can we just get on with what we are here for. Kingsley has already said he has a lot to be getting on with, and I don't want to linger over things that are in the past.' Xenophilius smiled for the first time since they had been there.
'Thank you, I appreciate your forgiveness and I thank you for saving my daughter. Now, shall we start from the wedding?' Harry nodded,
'Hermione, why don't you start?'
Hermione began at the wedding, Harry and Ron added their parts to the story, until they reached the final battle, where Harry took over. The pair of them left out barely anything, the incident at the Lovegood's house was the only thing left out. Harry finished his story, and Luna was staring at him with a huge smile on his face.
'You really are a hero Harry' she stated. Harry blushed, but dismissed her comment.
The four of them left happy with what they had told Xeno, and Kingsley. Xeno had promised them the article would be published in the week, and it would not be distorted in any way, but quoted exactly as they had said it. Kingsley told them that on August 6th there would be a formal event to celebrate the release of the article, and the fact that a biography of Harry was being published along with the article. Harry wasn't too pleased by this revelation, but Kingsley said it had to be done, the wizarding public had demanded it. Harry begrudgingly had to agree before making his way back to the burrow, with Hermione, Ron and Ginny, whom he was currently arguing with.
'Gin, he did what he had to do, I told you that'
'Yes and I get it, but why didn't you tell me?'
'Because I knew you'd react like this, it wasn't an important point.'
'Not important! You could've been killed, and then where would I be!'
'But it's in the past, it doesn't matter.'
'How does it not matter, sometimes things in the past catch up with you Harry, and it is best if we are honest with each other, didn't we agree that three days ago on your birthday?'
'Yeah we did Gin, I'm sorry but I'd rather forget this ever happened, it didn't come to anything and doesn't affect me anymore. Please Gin, drop it.' Ginny glared at him, but didn't say anything else. Ron and Hermione could be heard sniggering behind them.
'And what are you two laughing at, its not like you don't argue 24/7!' shouted Ginny, Ron tried to reply but just spluttered, no words came out of his mouth until she turned around.
'Well, I guess the upside to arguing so much is the amount of make up sex.' Ron said finally with a broad grin on his face. Hermione flushed bright red, Ginny snorted before grabbing Harry's hand and storming off towards the burrow.
