The Master of Romance

Chapter 20

"I need to go talk to Dumbledore," said Harry after he had finished retelling his story to Ron and Hermione.

"But Harry, he probably won't be there. Why don't you wait until Monday?" asked Hermione.

"This is too big to wait until Monday," said Harry as he threw the invisibility cloak over his shoulders and exited through the portrait hole. He sprinted down the corridors and stairwells to reach McGonagall's office as fast as possible. He sprinted up the moving staircase and knocked on the office door.

"Come in," called Professor McGongall. Harry entered. "Oh, good evening Harry."

"Good evening Professor," said Harry. "Is--," Harry began to ask about Dumbledore but he looked up and say that Dumbledore's portrait was empty. "Oh…"

"Were you expecting someone else?" asked McGonagall.

"Actually I sort of was. I wanted to talk to Dumbledore about something," Harry explained.

"Well he's just left on horcrux business I believe."

"Really? Where did he go?"

"He usually doesn't tell me…"

"Oh well then I guess I'll get out of your way," said Harry as he stepped toward the door.

"Did Aberforth show you the Unbreakable Vow memory?" asked McGonagall.

"Yes he did. Have you seen it too?"

"I just saw it last week. I felt terrible afterward."

"I still feel terrible…I wanted to apologize."

"I know…well Good Night, Harry."

"'Night."

Harry left McGonagall's office and returned to the Common room. The trio still had to write a Potions essay and that took them the rest of the night. On Sunday, the trio finished the rest of the homework in the early afternoon. Ron and Hermione went to study for their favorite Monday afternoon class, Kissing 101. Harry, who was still Ginny-less, spent his time in the common room with Neville making plans for the upcoming Quidditch match.

Monday morning brought another Transfiguration lesson. The trio walked into Wood's classroom ten minutes early expecting it to be already full, but it was empty except for Wood.

"What happened to your fan club?" asked Ron.

"It seems that they magically lost interest in me," smirked Wood.

"Fred and George finally came through them?" asked Harry.

"They did and just in time. I was getting a little worried about what Lavender might turn in this week," Wood laughed. "Oh and I have something for you…"

As Wood began rummaging in his bag, Draco Malfoy and the few remaining Slytherins entered the classroom.

"Ah here we are!" said Wood as he pulled out a bottle of Fred and George's Anti-Love Potion. Wood handed the bottle to Harry.

"Professor, what is that?" asked Draco Malfoy.

"Its just—um—it's just a potion," said Wood, who was unsure if this was against protocol.

"Is that some sort of steroid that's going to help Potter win his next Quidditch match? Merlin knows he'll need it," said Malfoy.

"No…uh…Harry's actually fallen ill…it's a rare disease and only I could get him the antidote," said Wood trying to cover himself.

"Rare disease, huh?" sneered Draco.

"Yeah…cough…cough," said Harry.

While Draco didn't fall for Wood and Harry's charade, he decided to drop his inquisition. Wood taught the now less enthralled class about how they could change the color of their skin.

Then after lunch Harry set off for his lesson with Dumbledore. Harry ran up the stairs and knocked loudly on the door.

"Enter," called McGonagall.

"Hello Harry," said McGonagall. "Make yourself comfortable. Dumbledore will be here shortly," she added as she walked out of the room.

Harry had just sat down, when Dumbledore popped into his portrait.

"Harry how was your weekend?"

Harry shook his head. "Interesting. May I ask where you were?"

"I was on horcrux business," said Dumbledore briefly.

"Oh…okay."

"Were you pleased to find out about the locket?" asked Dumbledore.

"Yeah!! I'm glad to cross that one of the list."

"As am I, Harry."

"But I was even more interested in the memory your brother showed me…"

"Ah yes…quite interesting indeed. I wish I had the opportunity to show it to you myself."

"Professor that was an extremely important memory. I wish I had known about it earlier."

"As I said I wish I had shown it to you, but I refrained because I had hoped that Snape wouldn't have had to make good on his promise. I had hoped that my word would have been enough for you, enough for everyone," said Dumbledore with disappointment in his voice.

Harry felt even guiltier than he had on Saturday night. "I'm sorry sir."

"Don't be sorry. Do you trust Snape now?" asked Dumbledore.

"I do, sir."

"Well that's very good because I believe the two of you will be running into each other shortly and you will need to trust him."

"Wait! Why will I be seeing Snape soon?" asked Harry.

"I think he will be able to help you on your horcrux quest."

"Snape? Help me? I don't know about that…"

"I think you'll find that you are wrong about that Harry."

"Maybe…" said Harry skeptically.

"Is there anything else you wished to discuss with me, Harry?" asked Dumbledore.

"Well there was one thing," said Harry not sure how he should approach the Ginny subject.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if I was allowed to tell Ginny about what we are doing during these lessons and about my field trip?" asked Harry.

"I don't think it would be wise for you to tell Miss Weasley. It would be best if as few people as possible knew about our work. It is nothing against Miss Weasley, it's just a precaution."

"I understand," said Harry, rising out of his chair to leave. "Goodnight, sir."

"Goodnight Harry," said Dumbledore.

Harry walked slowly back up to the Gryffindor common room. He had hoped that being able to explain his outing to Ginny would win her back, but he no longer had the option. He sat down at a table with Hermione and Ron to ask for their advice.

"Just do something romantic. Girls go crazy for that stuff," suggested Ron.

"Ron, what do you know about being romantic?" laughed Hermione.

"I am the master of romance! Where was our first kiss again? Oh that's right it was in the middle woods in serene lake."

"You only kissed me then to save your own butt! I don't think that's very romantic!"

"Well don't you think my butt is worth saving?" asked Ron, turning around to give Hermione and Harry a good view.

"Oh yes Ron, it's wonderful," said Harry, "Could we please get back to my problem?"

"Just plan a romantic date with fields of flowers and loads of food," suggested Ron.

"Ron, I'm trying to win back your sister, not you," said Harry, rising from their table and heading toward the dormitory.

"I don't care what you do, but resolve it before Saturday's match," cautioned Ron, "I'm not losing to the Slytherins."

Before Harry had a chance to plan his romantic date with Ginny, it was Saturday and he would have to face her on the Quidditch pitch. The trio walked down to the pitch together after breakfast. Hermione was about to go to the stands and leave the boys to go to the locker room, but Harry called after her.

"Hermione! Come on it! Ron played so well after kissing you at try-outs, he needs to do it again today right before the match starts!"

"Oh…okay," said Hermione turning the color of Ron's hair.

One by one all the rest of the players came into the locker room.

"As you all know, I'm not very good at the whole inspirational speech thing, but today none of you should even need it. Slytherin is the archenemy and we have to beat them. We have an exceptionally strong team this year, so the Slytherins shouldn't even be a match for us. I want to see lots of passing from out Chasers and some powerful hits from our Beaters—you guys are the luckiest people in the school, who wouldn't want to knock out some Slytherins? So let's get out there and win this!" said Harry.

Everyone cheered.

"Hermione, if you please…" said Harry gesturing to Ron.

"Eww…I'm getting out of here for this," said Chris Vulcz, the new chaser. Most of the team left the locker room, leaving Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny. Ron and Hermione began to kiss rather passionately.

"Well this is certainly awkward," said Ginny, turning to leave.

"Ginny…" began Harry.

"Save it…" said Ginny, coming off rather harshly. Then she added more gently, "For after the match. We need to concentrate, like you said Captain."

Harry nodded, feeling the best he had since their fight.

The team obviously wanted to destroy Slytherin. Within the first few minutes they had scored ten goals and knocked out one Slytherin chaser and one beater. Minutes later Harry captured the snitch, before the Slytherin team had a chance to score even one goal. The team landed in the center of the pitch for a big hug fest.

"Party in the common room!" shout Ron. All the Gryffindors returned to the castle in one huge mass, except for Harry and Ginny.

"You played really well today," said Harry.

"Thanks, Harry. That was one of your fastest catches ever!"

"I don't like losing matches…or girlfriends."

"I know. I'm sorry, I over-reacted."

"It's okay…I should have found a way to make time for you."

"Harry whatever you're doing with Dumbledore is way more important than going on a silly date with me. You're trying to save the world and I throw a hissy fit because I don't get to go to Hogsmeade with you."

Harry stopped walking and looked her straight in the eye. "Nothing could be more important than you. Its because of you and the people I love, that I am finishing Dumbledore's plan."

Harry leaned in and kissed her.

He pulled back, "You didn't want to go to that party anyway, did you?"

"No…" Ginny giggled and she kissed him again.

A/N--Hey I hope you liked this chapter. Sorry it has been so long...but 4 AP classes and practice every day don't leave much time for writing. So Ginny and Harry are back together, yay! But what's this about Snape being useful? Hmmm...you'll just have to wait to find out!