Chapter Fourteen: A Secret

The next morning brought about a very busy morning. Mrs. Weasley came to wake up all the children way before the sun had even begun its daily climb. Ginny and Hermione groggily climbed out of bed, managing to capture the bathroom long before the boys had even managed to open their eyes. After using the bathroom, Ginny was in her room, pulling on a jumper and slinging her bag over her shoulder.

Slowly she made her way down the stairs and managed to run straight into Harry as she walked down the hall. He let out a 'oomph' but Ginny didn't care as she buried her face in his chest. At her still sleepy state, she didn't really think beyond the fact that any of her brothers could walk down the hall at any moment. Instead she snuggled into him, letting out a contented sigh when Harry wrapped his arms around her.

"Still sleepy?" Harry asked with a bit of amusement in his voice.

"Yes and you're comfy," she remarked.

"Well as much as I'm enjoying this, we don't want the others to see."

"Mm?"

Harry smiled as he kissed the top of her head. "Go on, you should get some food in you."

"Alright," Ginny mumbled as she pulled away from him. He smiled at her as she walked down the hall. Ginny didn't notice her father as she walked by or the worried look on his face.

She was the first in the kitchen where Mrs. Weasley set a plate before her. Ginny smiled before digging into her breakfast. It wasn't long before Hermione arrived, then the boys one by one.

"Everyone ready?" Mr. Weasley called when everyone had eaten.

"Ready," Harry said for everyone.

Everyone began to file out of the house. Ginny and Hermione walked side-by-side content with each other's company. They walked along like that until Mr. Weasley came to stand by Ginny. Hermione took the hint and went to catch up with Ron and Harry.

"Ginny, I need to speak to you," he said softly.

"Is something wrong?" Ginny asked confused.

"Well, I would like you to explain something to me. I've noticed it before but I didn't really realize until this morning."

"What?"

"What's going on between you and Harry, Ginny?"

Ginny bit her lip, not sure what she was going to do about this situation. In all honesty she hadn't expected to be asked this question.

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"I saw you this morning with him. Ginny, I'm may be old but I still know a lot and I know when two people are in love."

"Love?" Ginny squeaked.

Mr. Weasley looked down at his daughter and smiled. "Well, aren't you?"

"I mean I know I am but him? I don't know about that…" she trailed off. She was very surprised to be having this conversation with her father at thirteen without blushing.

"He is if you see it or not, my dear. So, what happened? There can't have been that much interaction between you two at school or your brothers know nothing of this."

"Well…I think Harry and I should tell you," Ginny told him softly.

"So there is something going on?"

"Yes and no. Yes there has been but I'm not sure how to explain it."

"Ginny, why didn't you say something sooner?"

"Fear mainly, that and I didn't really understand," Ginny said to him honestly.

"Does it have something to do with your summer training?"

"Yes."

Mr. Weasley wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "I'm willing to listen when you two come tell me."

Ginny smiled up at him. "Does Mum know?"
"No, not yet anyway. I'd like to know what I'm dealing with first."

"Thank you."

"Go back to Hermione, she seems to be dying of curiosity."

"Thanks again," Ginny told him as she half hugged him before catching up to Hermione.

"What was that about?" Hermione questioned.

"He knows."

"You mean…"

"Well I haven't told him everything I need to talk to Harry first but he knows there is something going on," she said softly, her eyes straying to him.

"How did he know?"
"He saw us this morning."

"You two weren't kissing like when I found out were you?" Hermione asked her.

"No! I was just snuggled into his chest that's all. He said he had some suspicions and even said he knows when two people are in love. I mean I know I love him but Harry?"

"Oh Ginny, you can't really not see it can you?" Hermione said sympathetically.

"Not you too!" Ginny whined.

"Ginny, sometimes it's hard to see when you're in the equation. You should see it the way I do. I mean I saw you two when you got back and you two were glowing. He loves you, just like you love him. One of these days you're going to realize that."

"I'm so glad that everyone seems to know this beside me," Ginny grumbled then sighed. "Isn't this day shaping up just nicely?"

"It's barely begun."

Ginny sighed again then looked over her shoulder where Harry and Ron had managed to end up walking behind them. Harry looked up at her Ron was looking down, and smiled softly at her. She returned the smile before turning to look forward.

"I feel like I've hardly spent time with him," Ginny remarked.

"I'm sure you haven't but then again when have you?" Hermione questioned.

Ginny smiled at her friend. "As opposed to you, miss I'm in love with Ron."

Hermione blushed deep red. "I am not!" She hissed.

"So if you weren't would you be blushing as red as my hair?"

"Ginny!"

"Oh lighten up Hermione, I'm only teasing you," Ginny said with a laugh.

"Well I don't think it's very funny," Hermione replied with a huff.

"You don't? Besides it's not that bad. I mean he is a total git and is very selfish but I'm sure he'd make you happy. After all he is a Weasley and we are known for our-"

"Ginny!" Hermione cried scandalized.

"What I was just going to say our passionate nature," Ginny said sweetly.

"I highly doubt that was what you are going to say but if that's so Harry will quite enjoy your 'passionate nature'."

Ginny blushed. "Oh knock it off!"

"No, I'll tell Harry all about it."

"You wouldn't," Ginny growled.

"Oh but I would! Ah!" Hermione cried before she ran off, Ginny after her. The two dropped their bags as they took off.

The boys all watched as the girls ran off, fighting each other. Harry swooped down picking up Ginny's bag as he passed it and Ron grabbed Hermione's. Ginny was getting closer to Hermione and Hermione seemed like she couldn't run any more.

"Alright!" Hermione cried over her shoulder. "You win!"

"Yes!" Ginny called triumphantly as she tackled her friend. Hermione let out a squeak as the two rolled over each other, landing side-by-side.

"I called that for a truce!" Hermione said irritably.

"But you should have said it was a truce," Ginny replied.

"And what made you two fight?" Harry asked as he stopped right by them.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Hermione teased, causing Harry to grin.

"Really? I would," Ron said as he held out his hand to Hermione. She flushed slightly as she took his hand. He easily pulled her up and gave her bag back to her.

"Well I might tell you," Hermione replied as the two began walking again.

Ginny smiled up at Harry from where she lay. Harry knelt beside her.

"So what were you two fighting about?" Harry asked her.

"We weren't fighting just having a discussion," Ginny told him, her eyes dancing.

"What kind of discussion?"

"A very important one. Are you going to help me?"
"No," Harry replied with a smirk.

Ginny pouted. "Well I hate to be a downer but everyone isn't waiting for us."

Harry looked up and in fact no one had bothered to wait on the two. He grinned down at her before leaning over her.

"And that bothers you why?" He asked softly.

"It doesn't at all," Ginny whispered as she brought his head down to hers. Harry kissed her back, letting his lips tease hers. Ginny whimpered wanting more contact.

"We should catch up," Harry told her as he kissed her nose.

"That wasn't even a kiss," Ginny said with a pout.

"I know."

Harry got to his feet, reaching down and easily pulling Ginny to her feet. She complained about him man handling her.

"I am not man handling you," Harry told her with a roll of his eyes.

"You just dragged my poor frail body off the ground!" Ginny said indignantly as they began walking.

"Frail body? You could take down Bill and Charlie without breaking a sweat, you aren't frail."

"Hmm, I wonder if I could take on Bill and Charlie, wouldn't that be something!"

"Ginny, you are not challenging your older brothers," Harry told her, his eyes dancing.

"Why not? I mean a little hand-to-hand combat and a few spells and they'd be so surprised."

Harry chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder Ginny snuggled into his chest, content.

"Maybe next summer, after a bit more training," Harry told her.

"You think it'd take me all year to beat them?" Ginny questioned a little hurt.

"No, I think your brothers could use it."

Ginny laughed as she kissed his cheek. "By the way, there is something I need to speak with you about."

"Oh?"

"My dad came to talk to me, he…he knows there is something going on between us," she told him quickly. She looked up and saw his face pale dramatically. "He just wants to know what's happening, he hasn't told anyone else," she assured him quickly.

"Well…I guess we should probably talk to him about it. Did you…did you tell him anything?" He questioned her, looking down at her. She could see the questions in his eyes.

"No, I didn't tell him anything that I shouldn't. I told him we would have to talk to him."

"Us? Really?"

"Yes, did I do the wrong thing?" She asked worry clear in her voice.

Harry pulled her to a stop smiling down at her. "No, you did the right thing. I'm glad that you felt that it should be us telling him about it. It makes me feel better knowing that you care enough about me and respect me. That and it means we are in this together."

Ginny smiled up at him. "Then it is a good thing, come on we are going to be late."

The two quickly caught up to the others, who were currently heading towards the hill. The walk had passed by quickly and for that they were grateful. As they reached the hill Mr. Weasley had them spread out, looking for the portkey. That was when they spotted Amos Diggory and his son Cedric. Quick introductions went around before the group went back to searching for the portkey.

"Found it!" Amos shouted, gaining everyone's attention quickly.

Everyone hurried over, surrounding an old looking boot. Ginny took hold, as did everyone else, Harry doing so once he realized he should.

"All right, this is going to take us where we need to go," Mr. Weasley said.

Suddenly there was a pull on their navel as the portkey whipped them off through space into another destination. Once they arrived Ginny found herself lying flat on her back with Hermione sprawled out over her legs.

"That was fun," Hermione breathed as she sat up rubbing her chest.

"Yes loads of fun," Ginny remarked as she sat up brushing dirt off her pants.

"I'll bet it was," Harry commented as he stood over her, smiling down at the two of them. "Ron landed on my head so I think you're both in better shape then me."

"Not my fault," Ron called as he approached.

"Come along children," Mr. Weasley called as he ushered the six children off. Fred and George were quiet, both having slammed their heads very hard into the others. It wasn't long before they arrived at a cabin with some Muggles. After much confusion and Hermione helpfully explaining things they headed off towards the camp.

As they grew closer they could see the thousands of tents and hundreds of thousands of people that walked among them. Some tents displayed their favored teams while others were plain or out of the ordinary.

The seven of them moved through the crowd, Mr. Weasley apparently sure of where he was going. They all got jostled around a bit, Ginny finally grabbed Harry's hand and stayed with him. He held her hand tightly, lacing their fingers together.

"Here we are!" Mr. Weasley called as he ushered the children inside. The Weasley boys all walked in without hesitation but Hermione and Harry looked a bit skeptical. Ginny laughed as she shoved Harry inside and they entered.

"Whoa," Harry said as he looked around the tent. It was huge. There were three distinct areas. A main living area and two side areas that he was sure were rooms.

"Alright boys on the right, girls on the left," Mr. Weasley called as he clapped Harry on the shoulder, steering him to the boy's side.

Ginny let her hand slide out of his, watching him go with a slight pang of regret. Hermione playfully shoved the younger girl and the two made their way to where they'd sleep.

"Worried?" Hermione asked as she sat down on the makeshift bed.

"About?" Ginny questioned as she sat down on her bed.

"Harry."

"Why would I be?"

"Because you're about to reveal to your father what is going on. Do you think he'll take it well or do you think Harry won't?"
"I honestly have no idea what is going to happen. I wish I knew but it seems so unlikely that we'll even get to talk today."

Hermione gave her friend a small smile. "Well, let's just forget about it for now and think about it later?"
Ginny groaned as she lay back on her bed. "That is going to be impossible."

"Nothing is impossible if you believe it."

Ginny sat up part way glaring at the girl. "Come on lets go wander."

"Oh fun, we are going to get lost," Hermione remarked but rose to her feet anyway.

As they came out Ron and Harry opted to go with them to look around. The four of them set out into the hustle and bustle of the Quidditch World Cup tournament. As they walked among the tents they saw a few fellow students from school.

"Harry!" A voice called gaining their attention. The four turned to see Katie Bell approaching. "Ron, Hermione, Ginny, so glad to see you guys."

"Hey," the four said together.

"Have you been here long?" Ginny asked.

"Nah, just got here not to long ago. I was just walking around," Katie told the younger girl.

"Why not join us?" Hermione suggested.

"Alright, that sounds like fun."
So the five walked along, the three girls talking to each other in hushed voices.

"Oi! There you are!" Oliver yelled startling the group. "Hey," he said when he reached them.

"Hi Oliver," Katie said with a smile.

"Hey Katie, I wasn't sure if you were going to make it," he responded as he picked her up in a hug.

Ginny and Hermione exchanged smiles.

"Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, nice to see you all could make it. Come on, I'll introduce you all to my parents," Oliver told them as he steered them back to his tent. "Mum, Dad, these are some fellow Gryffindors."

"Katie!" The woman said with a warm smile. "So good to see you again."

"Hi Mrs. Wood," Katie replied with a smile of her own.

"Who are the others?" His father asked.

"Oh right, the two red heads are Ginny and Ron Weasley. This is Hermione Granger and Harry Potter."
"Ah Harry, my son's told me much about your Quidditch skills. It is really a pleasure to meet all of you," Mr. Wood told them.

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you sir," Harry replied with a smile as he shook the man's hand.

"Come on Oliver, we are going hunting for more Hogwarts students," Katie told him as she began to tug on his arm.

"Go on, have some fun," Mrs. Wood said with a smile of her own.

So the six began to head off, walking in pairs. Harry and Ginny walked in the back while Oliver and Katie headed the front, and Ron and Hermione lingered in the middle. Harry laced his fingers with Ginny's as they proceeded on. They spotted only a few of their fellow students as they walked on. Cho Chang quickly joined in the ranks, as did Cedric Diggory when they came across them. The Weasley twins arrived with Lee Jordan in tow.

The group of Hogwarts students only managed to grow as they find Michael Corner, a boy a grade above Harry and Susan Bones. That small group found a space just on the outskirts of the huge camping area where they all situated themselves into a large circle.

Talk flowed back and forth among them as they all learned a little more about each other. It wasn't until later, that they all split up. Heading towards their respective families to make their way to the game, which would be starting soon.

The game seemed to fly by. Ginny spent more time watching the looks on Harry's face rather then the game before her. Since it had been his first match he'd ever seen he was completely animated about it. Hermione stood on his other side, her own face alive, as she watched the game too.

When the game had finished they made their way through the camp, alive with celebration. Ginny smiled as she watched from the shadows as her brothers goofed off. Hermione stood beside her, smiling as well.

"This has been an interesting day," Hermione whispered to Ginny.

"No kidding although I must say Fred and George's call on the outcome was truly something else."

Hermione chuckled. "You'd think that someone would realize they were smarter then they looked."

"If they weren't they wouldn't be able to cook up half of the things they do."

Hermione nodded her head as she pulled Ginny into their little area where they slept.

"What's gotten into you?" Ginny demanded as she looked at Hermione.

"I need to talk to you," Hermione told her hands on her hips as she glared at her friend."
Ginny rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "And you didn't think to just ask me to come talk to you? Instead you drag me-"

"All right miss over dramatic, are you going to listen or not?"

With a smile Ginny sat down. "Shoot."

Hermione gave her a small smile. "You remember the end of the year?"
Ginny nodded. "Of course I do, how could I possibly forget?"
"Well…Ginny, I think there is more to what happened."
"What do you mean?"

Hermione looked down and away from Ginny. Ginny waited, knowing that Hermione took her own time figuring things out. Her patience was rewarded for after a moment she spoke.

"I…I think…I think I bonded."

"Bonded? What do you mean by bonded?" Ginny questioned her voice light though her heart was racing a mile a minute.

"I'm not really sure what happened, or if it's just my imagination but something changed that day when I took that power from you," Hermione told her softly, her voice wavering slightly.

Ginny rose to her feet, cautiously approaching her friend.

"Bonded to who?" She questioned gently.

Hermione turned away from her, her back to the younger girl. "I don't know," her voice almost a whisper as she spoke. "But I've been feeling things all summer, things I can't explain or even begin to understand. This feeling deep in my stomach, drawing me towards it without an answer."

"But…but there wasn't anyone around! It was Harry, you, me, and…Professor Lupin, if he was even around! Hermione, what…how?"

"I don't know…" Her voice broke as she began to sob outright.

Ginny stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her friend's waist from behind. "It'll be all right Hermione," she whispered to her. "We'll figure this out, together."

Ginny held her friend as she cried, her mind whirling a mile a minute. Madam Pomfrey had said that nothing was out of the ordinary for Hermione. That she had only an increase in power nothing more. So what was this? What was happening to her friend? It just didn't seem to make any sense at all.

In the middle of this a huge explosion went off. Everyone froze, not sure what was going on but figuring it wasn't going to turn out very well. The two girls hurried to the middle of the tent as Mr. Weasley came in.

"We've a problem, everyone get out of here," he said, his eyes dark with concentration. "Fred, George, I'm holding you responsible for yours sisters safety."

The two boys nodded their heads in understanding. The explosions seemed to get closer.

"Go, now!" Mr. Weasley said as he ran from the tent.

Fred and George flanked Ginny and headed out, wands raised, eyes focused ahead.

"Stay together," Fred called to the three behind them, who nodded.

George took her hand. "I know you don't need protection but stay with us, got it?"

Ginny nodded, surprised by the change within her two older brothers.

The whole camp was in utter mayhem as they all ran with the flow of the crowd, running from the crowd of dark robbed figures. Ginny ducked and dodged in and out of the people, keeping a firm grip on George's hand. Fred made sure to grab Hermione's hand, keeping her up with the others. Harry and Ron kept steady pace behind them.

A large blast rocked past George's shoulder, pitching him and Ginny forward. His hand caught the ground and he used his and her momentum to throw them forward but kept them on their feet. Ginny was highly impressed with George's quick thinking.

She could feel a deep pulse in her body when she'd stumbled, knowing that it was Harry's worry over her safety. But she felt calm with her brother, safe, knowing that he was taking care of her, that and Harry was right behind her.

They ran, ran for their lives with the rest of the people.

"This way!" Fred called over his shoulder.

He'd gotten in front, keeping his hand holding Hermione's tightly. They turned off, dashing between the tents and into the trees. Many were dodging the trees and spells still seemed to rain down from everyone.

Her heart thudded in her chest, a quick, uneven pace. She thanked everything she could think of for her constant training that she could keep up her endurance well through this. She could see the strain in her two elder brothers but each had their faces set and determined as they ran. They weren't going to stop until they knew they were all safe. She didn't chance a look behind her but she could feel a new bout of fear running through Harry.

"Wait!" Harry yelled.

Fred and George stilled, pulling Hermione and Ginny together as they kept them between the two. Ron had tripped, slamming hard into the ground, cutting his arm. Harry was helping him up, his own wand raised as he watched over their shoulder.

That was when it happened.

It seemed to happen in the blink of an eye.

A red light broke through the trees, hitting Ron square in the back. He gasped, beginning to fall forward, Harry holding him tightly as the two toppled to the ground.

Another red light followed the first, slamming into Fred's shoulder, throwing him backwards. Yet another light hit George in the shoulder, throwing him back too. Ginny's body seemed to react on its own accord as she threw herself into Hermione, the two toppling and rolling into the bushes. Hermione looked surprised for a moment before her face clouded with pain then changing to anger.

Ginny felt the anger rising in her body as well. She rose only slightly, spotting Harry pulling Ron into the sanctity of the surrounding brush. His eyes were blazing as he saw the small group of hooded figures approach.

They raised their wands, aiming at the two prone figures.

She didn't hesitate or think of the future consequences, the only thing she knew is that no one would touch her brothers. They were surprised to see her coming out and she dipped and ducked under the on coming spells that were aimed at her. She flowed with an ease that she'd never felt before.

Her fist connected sharply with one of the four figures, her punch connecting solidly with their jaw. The figure was thrown backwards by the sheer force of the punch she'd thrown, her full weight and momentum making it easy for her to hit. She rolled out of the way as one of them took a swipe at them. Instead she gripped their wrist as it passed harmlessly over her shoulder as she pulled, throwing them over her.

As she turned to face the other two she saw only Harry, he stood their green eyes blazing with such fire that it took her breath away. His eyes locked on hers and she felt that newly familiar feeling explode within her like a bomb. She rose to her feet, not really conscious of what she was doing as she approaching him.

His eyes, his eyes were holding a thousand and one things there. Those eyes were a dark forest green that seemed to burn through her body like a wildfire. She licked her lips hardly realizing what this transformation within them meant or cared. He was telling her with everything in him that no one would ever harm her. That she was his and his alone and that sent a thrill through her body.

He reached for her, gripping her arm as he drew her to him, his eyes a hard blazing flame.

"Ginny," he whispered, his voice deep and thick with emotion. His touch burned her and seemed to encase her very soul.

The world faded around them and nothing seemed to exist in this moment. Nothing could harm them when they were together, nothing would ever take them from each other. Harry reached up, his fingers gently caressing her cheek, and she reacted.

Ginny didn't know what it was or why it was the way it was but suddenly she knew, knew that nothing would take him from her. Her body seemed to react to her emotions and she found herself pressed against him, her body burning with a need to touch him, feel him. His eyes seemed to grow an even darker shade of green as he realized she was responding to him, branding him.

Then just as suddenly the feel disappeared into the deepest part of their souls. Sounds, smells, the world, seemed to return with a vengeance. They didn't bother to look, they knew where the threat was.

They turned together, backs to each other, as they used their magic in burst to take out the seven hooded figures that approached them. It was over within seconds and they lowered raised hands.

"Ginny? Harry?" Hermione questioned as she approached. Her eye shifting between a dark brown to a pure black.

Ginny rushed forward, catching her friend as she collapsed. Harry moving to the other side of her.

"What's wrong Hermione?" Harry questioned, his voice deeper then it had ever been before.

"I…don't…know. It's…so blurry," she breathed.

"Ginny?" Harry questioned.

"Her magic, it's reacting to something…or someone," Ginny put in frowning.

"What? What are you talking about Ginny?"

"She bonded, or we may think she did. The magic must have needed to stabilize itself and picked someone with equal power," Ginny told him. "But I don't know anyone who'd be strong enough or who'd she'd have even been around for it to happen."

Suddenly Hermione was on her feet, her eyes burning.

"No!" Ginny screamed but it was too late, Hermione was gone. "She went to him. Whoever he is he's around and he's in trouble."
Harry nodded a slight frown on his face. "That wasn't supposed to happen."
"No, but right now there really isn't anything to be done."

Fred and George began to wake, groaning as they got to their feet. They looked at all of the other prone figures and grinned.

"Well, I guess you really didn't need us," George said good-naturedly.

"Where's Hermione?" Fred questioned.

"Elsewhere, Ron's out though."

The two brothers nodded as George picked up his brother. The sounds of the battle had begun to die away as the four began to head off.

They walked on in silence, all of them alert to any impending danger. As they walked cautiously back into the remains of the camp they saw what everyone else did. The dark mark appeared in the sky. The Weasley looked on in anger rather then fear, and Harry looked on in confusion.

"The Dark Mark," George spat.

"Bloody Death Eaters," Fred growled.

"Voldemort?" Harry questioned.

"Yes," Ginny told him softly, her eyes alight with anger. She'd never forget that day for as long as she lived.

"Kids?" A voice called out to them.

Turning they spotted Mr. Weasley approaching, Bill in tow.

"Dad!" George said gratefully.

"What happened? Where's Hermione?" He questioned.

"Ron got hit by a stunner," Fred explained. "And we aren't really sure what happened to Hermione."

"They got hit with stunners too," Ginny told him. "We knocked a few of the mask figures a bit of a ways that way."

Mr. Weasley looked a bit surprised but nodded to Bill to check it out.

"Dad!" Charlie's voice called out to them.

They turned to see him approaching, carrying an unconscious Hermione in his arms. Ginny breathed a sigh of relief as she hurried forward.

"What happened?" Ginny asked him knowing they were too far away from the others to hear.

"I don't know," Charlie told her. "She just appeared out of no where and she saved my life," he explained, tears in his eyes. "She's just knocked out, I don't-"

"I'll explain Charlie," Ginny whispered. "Trust me, please, trust me. Don't mention how she came just say you found her like that, please."

Charlie searched his sister's eyes but in the end nodded his head in a silent 'yes.'

"Is she all right?" Harry asked.

"Just unconscious."

"Good," Mr. Weasley said with a sigh of relief.

It was then that Bill came back. "There are a few knocked out. I've already bound them and removed any escape portkeys that they may have on them."
"Good work. Please, take them home." Mr. Weasley asked of his two eldest sons.

"We will," they said together.

Mr. Weasley turned and walked off. Ginny watched him go a slight frown on her face. He looked a little lost. Almost as if he hadn't wanted to part from his children at all but was left with no choice.

So they began their quiet trek back to the portkey to head for home. Ginny and Harry walked at the back, neither of them really saying anything. The walk was long, especially the return home.

It was late or early in the morning, so a chill had begun to descend among them. Ginny instinctively moved closer to him, trying to gain some body heat. He casually wrapped an arm around her, drawing her closer.

Still they trudged on, occasionally stopping for a small break as Charlie was still carrying Hermione's unconscious body in his arms. Charlie had said nothing about having to carry her and more then once Ginny caught him staring at Hermione a soft expression on his face.

Mrs. Weasley was not awake when the children arrived so they all made their way cautiously to their rooms. Charlie laid Hermione down, looking at her one last time before exiting the room. Ginny, however, didn't even bother with trying to go to sleep. She sat on her bed, her shoes discarded elsewhere, her legs drawn up to her chest, and stared off into space.

Her room was quiet and she could hear the faint sounds of her brothers climbing into bed and giving into exhaustion. But Ginny knew that even now, being as tired as she was, that sleep would be the last thing on her mind.

After another moment of silent contemplation, her eyes drifted to where Hermione lay sleeping.

It didn't make sense, Ginny fumed silently. How could Hermione bond to her brother without any solid justification? Was it just that the magic had been involved? But why Charlie of all people? Madam Pomfrey had only said that Hermione had an increase in magic, but not enough to disrupt her magical core as had happened to Harry and myself.

She agonized over the situation in her mind, confused and bewildered by what was going on. Guilt seemed to intensify with every second. Her heart ached with a sense of dread and foreboding.

Finally she rose to her feet, remaining barefoot as she descended the stairs and made her way to the living room. She quickly got the fire going and made a floo call to her teacher. It was a highly restricted connection that took ones magical signature to activate.

"Cassie?" She called out, hoping her teacher was somewhere close by.

She waited a couple minutes before, to her surprise, Kenneth appeared.

"Hello Ginny," he said softly. "What's wrong?"

"We've got a problem with a friend of mine," was her response.

"Come through and I'll go wake Cassie."

Ginny nodded and was about to go through when she stopped. It wasn't until that moment that she realized Harry was still awake. So she turned and hurried up the stairs, making no noise from years of practice. He was waiting for her at the top, his eyes dark and unreadable.

She stepped forward, pausing before him. Harry met her gaze levelly, his expression unreadable.

Her head tilted to the side on its own and she knew what was about to happen. His body language was tight, as if by sheer will power he was holding himself in place. A small smirk rose on her face as she took a step back, making him move forward.

"When we get back," she whispered, her voice carrying to him.

He raised an eyebrow in question.

"To see our teachers."

Realization struck him and he took her offered hand, the two taking the stairs and entering the floo.

They stumbled out of the floo landing in a heap on the floor. Ginny grinned up at her teacher from where she lay, her eyes dancing madly.

"To what do I owe this wonderful midnight visit?" Cassie drawled though her eyes danced as much as Ginny's.

"Its about our friend Hermione," Harry explained as he sat up.

Cassie tilted her head in thought as she tried to remember the familiarity of the name.

"She was the one who helped Ginny right?" Kenneth questioned as he entered.

"One in the same," Ginny replied as she got to her feet. "Something happened to her that we aren't sure what to do about."

"Like?" Cassie prompted.

"We think she may have bonded."

A/N: muwhahaha look a chapter!!! I know can you believe it an actual chapter. And yes i know DUN DUN DUN!!! What's going on with Hermione you ask!? Well you'll have to wait and see...as i am not so sure myself at the moment ;D But the wonderful news, no i am still painstakingly going through the chapters but at least there is one here for you. And since I am watching harry potter order of phoenix right now maybe I shall be inspired...maybe hehe Well enjoy and I am sure you all have been waiting eagerly for this chapter and will be even more that i've left you hanging!

Seritha