A/N: Hey guys thanks for the feedback! I'm not feeling well at the moment and so if this isn't as alright as normal then I apologise.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter *sigh*
I apologise for any spelling and/or grammar mistakes.
Please Review
When Harry awoke he felt as though his head had been stampeded by a bunch of hippogriffs. Squinting in the sudden light he grabbed a cushion and pressed his face into it in an attempt to stave of the headache he felt lurking at his temples. Moving slightly he realised that he was still on the couch and that his neck felt like it had been pressed against some unbelievably hard surface all night when in reality it was the armrest. Feeling something move beside him he peeked out from beneath his shield and saw Ginny curled up like a cat. Her hair was dishevelled beyond belief and splayed out around her like a sea of flames, her knees were tucked up to her chest in an effort to fend off the biting chill that had once been repelled by the previously roaring fire. Her face was pale as if she hadn't had much sleep and she had faint purple rings underneath her eyes as if to emphasis her sleep deprived state. Tearing his eyes away from her sleeping form he ventured out from behind his pillow, wincing as the light beaming in cheerily from the window hit his retinas.
Standing himself up he wobbled a bit before staggering to the bathroom. The sudden change in his position had caused him to become dizzy and so it took him longer than it normally would have. His stomach churned in warning as he gripped onto the door frame of the bathroom. It felt like letting go of it was like letting go of a lifeline and so it was with great trepidation he let go of it. Tumbling to the floor he grabbed the toilet basin with hooked hands and retched, slightly appeasing his unsettled it became apparent that his stomach contents were defiantly going to stay where they were, he released his grip and stood up slowly - having learned the hard way the first time.
Turning to the mirror he barely glanced at his appearance before opening the cupboard beneath it. After much rummaging he found the Hangover Potions and swallowed one immediately. The blue liquid was cool on his tongue, eradicating all the lingering tastes from the night before. It tasted almost minty and as it purged his system of all its alcohol induced ailments he looked at his appearance. He too was pale - well paler than usual - and purple, bruise-like half moons adorned his face underneath his eyes. His eyes were bloodshot and he his hair was sticking up in all directions creating the impression that he had just undergone an hour of shock therapy.
Running the tap he watched as the water circled the drain, seeing its fate before descending into the darkness. Putting the plug in place he let the basin fill until it was half full. Scrapping his hair back with difficulty he submerged his face in the ice water. His nerves screamed in protest as the freezing liquid engulfed them. Ignoring this Harry kept his face submerged for thirty seconds before surfacing and seeking solace in one of the fluffy white towels hanging on the other side of the door.
Blinking he looked at his reflection again. No longer was his face pale but instead a healthy glow spread on his cheeks, his eyes were still blood-shot and he still looked exhausted but his eyes looked more alert and more focused than before. Shaking his head he scooped up the other Hangover Potion and carried it back through to the living room.
Ginny was now sprawled on the couch snoring gently in the quiet room. Lighting the fire with a flick of his wand Harry stood watching the fire dance and devour the freshly placed logs with its tendrils of flame. As the flame breached the layer of bark that coated the unfortunate wood, hisses and pops emanated from the hearth as though the fire was singing a victory song at having conquered the logs.
Looking over at the room's other occupant Harry watched as the flames reflection flickered in Ginny's hair. Walking over to her he whispered her name and prodded her shoulder gently.
"Mmmph" she moaned as she rolled closer to his touch.
"Ginny, come on you have to get up now" whispered Harry gently.
At his voice Ginny opened her eyes a little and winced as the light shone into them.
"Here drink this" coaxed Harry, handing her the phial.
Grabbing the phial blindly, Ginny brought it to her lips and swallowed the contents in one, grimacing slightly at the taste. Slowly her expression cleared and she opened her eyes, squinting a little in the light. Then for some inexplicable reason she started laughing.
"What is it?" asked Harry, worried he'd given her the wrong potion.
"You look like shit" she managed to get out between bursts of laughter.
"Well your not looking so great yourself" retorted Harry smiling.
"What! Me! I'm always perfect" said Ginny grinning.
"Hmm, see for yourself" said Harry, conjuring a mirror.
Gazing into its glassy depths Ginny's brow furrowed as she took in her appearance.
"Well that's nothing some make-up can't fix" she concluded.
"I never knew you wore make-up."
Ginny then muttered something that sounded like "boys" before pulling herself up and walking through to her room.
Shaking his head Harry went through to his own room and looked in the wardrobe disdainfully before picking out black jeans, a green cotton shirt and his thick, black winter cloak. Running a brush savagely through his hair he decided he was ready and walked back through to the living room. Glancing at his watch he saw that they had five minutes to breakfast, seeing Ginny wasn't ready yet he went and knocked on her door.
"Five minutes Ginny" he called in.
His only reply was the sound of someone hurrying about with the grace of a three legged elephant. Chuckling to himself he walked back to the living rooms and sat on the couch. Crossing his legs he waited.
Around five minutes later Ginny emerged looking pristine. Neatly checking her ponytail was in place she skipped over to him.
"How the hell did you do that?" asked Harry indicating her appearance. Ginny's once dishevelled hair was now sleek and shiny placed in a neat ponytail. She was clad in navy blue jeans, a tight fitting emerald green t-shirt and a thin black cloak.
"On the next Hogsmeade weekend I'm going to invest in a winter cloak" she announced, ignoring Harry's question completely.
"Hmm I think one is coming up in a couple of weeks but I can asked Dumbledore if we can go to Diagon Alley this weekend."
"Yeah that sounds great, thanks" said Ginny.
"No problem, right we better get going."
Walking out into the corridor the cold air blasted at them. Shivering Ginny wrapped her cloak around her tighter and sped up her pace. Matching her step they quickly arrived at the hall, only a few minutes late.
Entering the hall they were blasted with the hot air carrying with it the smell of bacon, sausages, eggs, toast and other scrumptious foods the house-elves had worked hard to prepare. Walking up to the staff table a few heads turned their way but then swiftly went back to their food.
"Ah there you are" said Flitwick as they took their seats.
"Yeah sorry we had a bit too much to drink last night" confessed Harry.
"Oh right" said Flitwick sharing a glance with McGonagall.
"What is it?" asked Ginny not missing the look.
"Um... nothing" stammered Flitwick.
"There's a rumour that your going out" said McGonagall laughing.
"Who, who started that!" asked Harry horrified.
"I believe it was Sirius Black" said McGonagall.
"Kill me" groaned Harry.
"Hey!" exclaimed Ginny, slapping him on the arm.
"Oh, sorry" apologised Harry whilst Flitwick and McGonagall laughed.
James POV
"Oh looks like a lovers spat" whispered Sirius to the amusement of several Gryffindors.
"I really don't think it was a good idea to start that rumour" said Remus rolling his eyes.
"Whatever! Have you spoken to Lily yet?" asked Sirius.
"No but we have a patrol later tonight" replied James sadly.
"You'll be fine" said Remus supportivly.
"You think so?"
"Yeah she's never stayed mad at you for long."
"It feels like ages."
"Just wait for tonight and everything will be sorted out. Now what are Professor Potter and Miss Weasley doing?" asked Sirius impatiently, craning his neck to see the staff table.
"Honestly your going to get a restraining order Padfoot!" exclaimed Remus.
The day was a blur to James, all he could think about was his patrol with Lily. Standing outside the Gryffindor Common Room he clasped the banister and felt the coldness of the stone permeate into his hands. Shivering slightly he heard the portrait hole open and light footsteps approach his location.
"James?" came Lily's voice.
"Oh hi, McGonagall told me we are to patrol the greenhouses tonight" said James quickly.
"Oh! Okay then" replied Lily, looking a little startled at how abrupt he was.
Walking in silence the only sound was their footsteps on the cold paving stones. Opening the great oak front doors they went out onto the grounds. The sky was overcast with clouds obscuring the view for the celestial audience above. The soft breeze rustled through the grass creating a soft bass line that the trees in the Forbidden Forrest swayed to. The sounds of nature were all around them. Owls hooted from the forest adding yet another layer to Nature's orchestra and that, along with the howl of unseen animals created an upbeat tempo.
The two Hogwarts students were oblivious to this however. James walked along with his hands shoved deeply in his pockets, never looking at his companion. Lily meanwhile sneaked worried glances at James, concerned by the introverted behaviour he had been exhibiting to her all day. Approaching the greenhouses she decided to just ask outright since there was no way she was going to get two words out of her quiet partner.
"James what's wrong?" she asked, her voice cutting the silence like a knife.
"Oh, what!" asked James, shocked out of his reverie by the sound of another human voice.
"I said are you okay" repeated Lily.
"Me? I'm fine, why?"
"Well you've not spoken to me all day, have I done something wrong?"
"I thought you weren't speaking to me because you were mad at me" he replied looking confused.
"Why would I be mad at you? I was just giving you space, you seemed like you needed it the other day."
"Well I shouted at you when you tried to help me!"
"And? You were upset and I don't blame you, we all snap at those close to us sometimes."
"Look this has all been a misunderstanding. Lets just forget about it" suggested James.
"Agreed" concurred Lily.
"Why are we patrolling the greenhouses anyway?" asked James.
"Do you ever listen to the teachers," exclaimed Lily back to her usual self, "There has apparently been someone coming out here at night and the teachers think they're stealing things from the greenhouses as its the only complex between here and the forest."
"Oh, I guess these plants are valuable but they are dangerous enough during the day, going at night would be suicidal."
"That's what I thought."
"Well how about we just walk around a bit and then head back?"
"Normally I wouldn't agree but its absolutely freezing" replied Lily smiling.
Looking around they saw no signs of any human life except themselves and decided to head back earlier than usual.
"Well that was a waste of time!" exclaimed James as they climbed up the stone steps.
"Oh well at least we got everything straightened out"
"I can't believe how stupid I was" laughed James.
"I can!" said Lily, running away upon seeing James's face morph into one of mock annoyance.
"Hey! That was uncalled for!" said James running after her and laughing all the way.
In the shadows of greenhouse three, a figure stood up and headed to the castle.