Chapter 36
That Flighty Temptress, Adventure

Author's Note: The PoV switches are going to get rather confusing in this one. So watch them. The first two is Harry, the next is Ginny.

Disclaimer: Recognizable sections of this chapter come directly from Chapter 9 of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling. I do not take claim for these, only my own additions.

Edit: FFN mistake, had to reupload.

"You're joking!" Ron exclaimed.

It was a quarter-to-three, and Harry and Ginny had only been let out of the Hospital wing fifteen minutes prior.

The discussion about Harry's new Seeker position had lasted nearly twenty minutes. McGonagall described to Oliver and Professor Dumbledore about what had happened during Flying Lessons. Dumbledore had given Harry fifty points for his bravery and quick-thinking for saving Ginny's life, and promised that he would get to the bottom of this broom-jinxing problem. Oliver had a ten-minute discussion with Harry about his broom flying skills, Quidditch knowledge, and his maneuvers he used to catch Ginny. Oliver looked ecstatic, saying "If he can catch a – what are you, Miss Weasley, seventy-pounds wet? – ten-year old little girl, he can easily catch a Snitch! Youngest Seeker in a century! Oh, thank you Professor!" and then raced out of the Hospital Wing, positively whooping and saying he needed to find Katie and the team.

After Professor Dumbledore left, Madam Pomfrey requested to Harry and Ginny that they stay in the Hospital Wing for a couple of hours for some bed-rest. However, this bed-rest only came after Madam Pomfrey ran more diagnostics explaining she wanted to look more into their Soul-Bond. Harry was rather annoyed how she had called him and Ginny 'interesting subjects'.

When, Harry and Ginny woke up from their naps, it was nearly two. They had a quick lunch, brought to them by house-elves, then were given permission to leave.

Now they were heading down toward Hagrid's Hut, and Harry and Ginny had just got done explaining the news about Harry's new position.

"But Fred and George said they failed to get Professor Dumbledore to let first years make the teams!" Ron said, "I could have tried out!"

"I think Harry was allowed because Professor McGonagall knew Wood couldn't find a Seeker," Ginny said, "Really… he was desperate you know, and McGonagall's obsessed with Gryffindor winning the cup this year."

"Wow, Harry," Ron said, "You must be the youngest Seeker in a –"

"Century," Harry finished, "According to Wood."

"That is all very nice," Hermione said, "But I think we should worry about the reason this all happened. It is more important."

"Nothing is more important, Hermione!" Ron said, "Harry's the new Seeker!"

"So that is more important than the fact that your little sister's broom was jinxed?" Hermione asked.

"I – err – well," Ron stammered, "Jinxed? Are you sure?"

"I couldn't control my broom," Ginny said, "It kept going higher."

"And what about the fact that Madam Hooch's broom disappeared?" Hermione asked, "I bet it was banished. You know… someone made it disappear."

"But – who would want to do that to Ginny?" Neville asked.

"Ginny fell off her broom," Ron said, his face going pale, "If – if Harry didn't catch her – someone tried to kill her!"

"Oh, Ron," Hermione said, "Madam Hooch said she was ready to put a Cushioning charm down on the ground. But still – you were very brave up there, Harry. And fifty points to Gryffindor for it, from Dumbledore himself!"

"Harry," Ron said, "Er… thanks for saving my sister."

"You're welcome, mate," Harry said.

"My hero," Ginny said, dramatically, linking her arm with Harry's.

Ron and Neville snickered when Harry blushed.

Wow… he's not complaining about this, Ginny said, looking down at their linked arms.

Do you think I could get away with kissing you?

Don't push your luck, prat. Pause. You can kiss me later.

Deal.

"Well, your father woulda been right proud o' you, Harry," Hagrid said, as he poured tea for everyone, "Even if ya didn't become Seeker. Savin' Ginny's life like tha'… if it is how ya say it… right proud. Down, Fang!"

The five friends were in Hagrid's hut, and they had just told him what had happened during Flying Lessons and Harry's meeting with Wood.

"Thanks, Hagrid," Harry said, "I wonder what Mr. and Mrs. Weasley will say. McGonagall said she'd write to them today… I think she was wanting to buy me a broom, but I told her I have one."

"They'll be proud too," Hagrid said, "Savin' their little girl."

"Yeah, they'll be proud," Ginny said, "Right after they ban me from getting on a broom ever again."

"Oh, now, Ginny," Hagrid said, "I'm sure ya are a fine broom flier. It was an accident. They'll understand 'at."

"Who would want to jinx Ginny?" Ron asked.

"Harry was right next to Ginny," Neville said, "I-I mean, it could have been him instead."

Everyone looked at him. He blushed and took a gulp of tea.

"Sorry… just been thinking about that," he said.

"Maybe you're right, Neville," Harry said.

"Say… Draco might have done it!" Ron said, "Ginny and Harry's stood up to him a couple times this week."

"Draco was looking at his broom," Hermione said, "I've read about jinxes, and you have to keep eye contact. He couldn't have done it."

"Oh… yeah… right," Ron said.

"What do you think, Hagrid?" Ginny said.

"Dumbledore will find out, Harry," Hagrid said, "Don't you worry 'bout tha'. Good man, Dumbledore, he'll figure it out."

"Say, Hagrid?" Ron said, "You hear about the Gringott's break-in?"

Hagrid frowned and nodded. "Aye, I heard about that."

He drank from his large mug.

"It must have been a really powerful wizard to break into Gringott's," Hermione said, "I mean – the security is supposed to be powerful. I wonder if the vault was near that dragon."

"Nah, it wasn't," Hagrid said.

When everyone looked at him, he realized what he had said.

"I shouldn't have said that!" he said, "No questions. I know nothing about it!"

The others gave looks of amusement.

"So the vault was near the dragon?" Ron asked.

"No questions!" Hagrid said, "And no, it wasn't. I on'y heard a bit. And 'at was only… only because I went to ask abou' the dragon. I love dragons."

"You like dragons?" Hermione asked.

"Yeh," Hagrid said, "I'd love to have one."

"Hagrid," Ron said, "You live in a wooden house!"

Hagrid waved a dismissive hand, and accidentally knocked Harry's mug of tea over.

"Mental, Hagrid is," Ron said, half-an-hour later, as the five friends entered the castle again, "I can't believe he wants a dragon."

"Isn't it illegal to own a dragon outside a reserve?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah," Ginny said, "Our brother, Charlie, he works with dragons in Romania, at a dragon reserve. He writes home all the time about a new burn he has. At first it worried Mum, now it just annoys her, because she's learned he can get them healed pretty well."

"And they can grow a lot bigger than Hagrid's hut!" Ron said, "Mental! Well – anyone want to play chess when we get back to the Common room?"

"We have that homework to do, Ron," Hermione said, "It is better to do it right away."

"We have tomorrow, Hermione," Ron said. "Harry?"

"Mm, I should get that homework done," Harry said, "It is Potions… better to get it out of the way first. Like vegetables you don't like, you know."

Ginny saw Harry look at her and she smiled inwardly. She could tell Harry wanted some private time alone with her.

Got something on your mind, Harry? Ginny asked.

You. I just want to relax after this day…

Hmm… we could go to our oak tree?

We're all headed up to the Common Room. He'd think something is strange if we both turn around.

I have an idea. I need to do something anyway…

What?

"I need to use the little witch's room," Ginny said, as they reached the third floor, "I'll meet up at the Common Room soon."

"Want someone to go with you?" Harry asked.

"Maybe it is better," Hermione said, "Someone did try to jinx – err – one of you."

"I'll be fine," Ginny said.

"Fine," Ron said, "But if you're not back in half-an-hour, we'll come look for you."

Damn it! My protective brother…

"Ugh!" Ginny said, "Fine! Harry, you can come with me. If you promise to wait outside the bathroom."

"Er… sure," Harry said.

"We'll still come down if you're not back," Ron said.

"My hero," Harry said, chuckling.

Ron scowled, and Hermione and Neville chuckled. Harry and Ginny walked down the third floor corridor.

"Were you making an excuse?" Harry asked, "Or do you really have to go?"

"Never ask a woman that," Ginny said, grinning.

"Lead on then," Harry said.

A few minutes later, they found the bathrooms. Harry looked as if he was going to follow Ginny in, and she shook her head.

"Stay here," she said, "You can't come in with me!"

"Yes, ma'am," Harry said.

"And you better not try to use sight-sharing, Potter," Ginny said, "It would be just like you to get that skill while I'm doing something private."

"Wow, Ginny," Harry said, "Are you using Legilimency on me?"

"No, I just know you," Ginny said.

"Of course you do," Harry said.

Ginny rolled her eyes and walked into the bathroom. One of the stalls was occupied, so she walked into one three stalls farther down. When she finished, she stepped out and went over to a sink.

"Well, well, well," a drawling voice said, "If it isn't Ginny Potter."

Ginny's eyes went wide and she turned around. Pansy Parkinson was standing there.

Ginny? Harry asked, What's wrong? You became scared all of a sudden.

It is Pansy. Only come in here if I tell you. I mean it!

Be careful, Ginny.

"I mean," Pansy said, "That is what it was in 2001."

"So you are from the future," Ginny said.

"Oh yes," Pansy said. "You know… first I wasn't sure if you were from the future. Of course, at first I wasn't sure if your dear husband was either. And then… less than a week after I arrived back in time, the most peculiar thing happened. Peter Pettigrew was revealed to be alive. Now… I was quite shocked. I mean… that certainly didn't happen in our timeline. And - who was at the scene of his reveal – but you and Potter. Of course… Pettigrew was posing as your brother's rat, so maybe I wasn't sure about you then. But Potter… well… what was he doing in Diagon Alley in May? I know he knew nothing about magical self until his eleventh birthday. At least in the last timeline. Then I had no doubts. The same thing that happened to me, it happened to him."

"Exactly what happened to you?" Ginny asked.

"Now, now, I'm not done, ginger," Pansy said. "It is a good story. I want you to hear it before I take care of you. You should have died today up on that broom. But no… Potter the Auror had to save you even now."

"You did jinx my broom then!" Ginny said.

"Well, duh," Pansy said, rolling her eyes, "Did you think it was – I dunno – Professor Quirrel?"

She is getting on my nerves, Ginny.

Not yet, Harry. She doesn't know you're there.

"Let me continue with my story," Pansy said; now, Ginny noticed she had her wand out, though she wasn't pointing it at her… yet, "I wasn't sure about you, really. I thought it was a coincidence. I mean… your parents are goody-two-shoes, of course they would want to be Potter's guardians. Potter would want to be near you even if you were not from the future because he loves you."

Pansy scoffed.

"Of course he loves me," Ginny said, "I mean… isn't that why you're hanging around Theodore? You'll end up with him instead of Malfoy this go-around?"

"At least Theodore knows what is right," Pansy said. "I'm sure I can train him… he and I will become what we were meant to be. A few years earlier this time."

"Lovers or Death Eaters?" Ginny asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Pansy retorted, "Let me finish my story. I've been thinking about this all week. It is a good one."

Ginny rolled her eyes. Yes, she would let Pansy finish. It would distract her long enough so she could think of what to do.

"So," Pansy went on, "I wasn't sure about you until last Sunday… you have Dumbledore eating out of your hand, but not mine. I know all about you, Mrs. Potter. You only appeared so suddenly in the middle of the Great Hall, because you lifted the Disillusionment Charm you had on you since you left your pretty little house. You just had to be with your man, didn't you? Couldn't resist. I bet it was easy. Confundus Charm on the Sorting Hat, and Dumbledore himself, and you and Potter can waltz through this castle through the next seven years controlling everything that happened and making sure it goes your own little way. Very smart… you just left out one little thing. Me."

She chuckled and narrowed her eyes.

"I thought I killed you and Potter in the Department of Mysteries!" Pansy said, "I thought the two of you fell in that pool and drowned. But no… you had to vanish right in front of me. I thought… hey, the pool had to be some kind of Portkey. It would send me straight to you… you wouldn't see it coming. So I put a bubble-head charm on and jumped right in… damn bubble-head charm didn't work. I got sucked in and I blacked out. Damn near drowned. When I woke up, I was eleven years old and in my bed at my parents' house."

Ginny was surprised to see that Pansy's eyes were watering.

"I saw my parents and brother again," she said. "I thought I'd never see them again. They were killed in an accident on holiday when I was fourteen. At least I'm told it was an accident. I was sent to live with Theo's family. My parents are close with them. They'll be happy to know how close I am with Theo. I should have been with him even during my first round at Hogwarts, but back then, I thought Malfoy was the right way to go, so I dated him. But… now they're back. And here I am… eleven years old, and with the magical knowledge of a twenty-one year old…"

She blinked away her tears and narrowed her eyes again.

"… and the foreknowledge to change history the way it should have happened!" she said, with a smirk.

Ginny knew it was time to act. She concentrated on a spot next to her, and hoped Harry could sense her desire for him to be near her.

"Goodbye, Mrs. Potter," Pansy said, raising her wand, "You'll be reunited with your husband and brothers very, very - Potter!"

It all happened in a flash. Harry had appeared through teleportation right next to Ginny. His arm was already raised, his wand between his fingers. Pansy's eyes widened, as a red beam hit her and sent her flying across the bathroom.

"Harry?" Ginny asked, as she stared at Pansy's body lying on the floor, "Is she -?"

"Stunned," Harry said.

"Did you hear her?" Ginny asked.

"I heard everything," Harry said, nodding.

"What do we do?" Ginny asked.

"The only thing we can do," is HHarry said, "Wipe her memory."

"What?" Ginny asked, "Harry, she –"

"If we take her to Professor Dumbledore," Harry said, "He might look through her mind with Legilimency – even if it is illegal, he'd do it to get answers. He could find out she's from the future, and –"

"He looks deep enough he could find out we're from the future too," Ginny said, nodding. "Okay… wipe her memory. One problem though. She still has her magical knowledge of a twenty-one year old."

"She won't know how to unlock it," Harry said, "I know what I'm doing."

Ginny nodded and watched as Harry walked over to Pansy. He pointed his wand toward her, and kept it there for over a minute.

"Well," he said, "I'm no Obliviator, but I think it worked. Let's go. She'll wake up in a little while with a nasty headache, and no memory of anything that would tell her she's from the future."

Ginny nodded and followed Harry out of the bathroom. They walked down the corridor, and were about to turn a corner, when Ron and Hermione walked around it.

"There you are," Ron said, "What were you doing?".

"We told you we'd be coming," Ginny said, "I was in the bathroom, what do you think we were doing?"

"Sorry," Ron said, "I was just worried. I thought about it all the way up to the portrait of the Fat Lady, and decided I should come back and find you. I let Neville into the Common Room, but Hermione seemed to know what I was up to. She said –"

He frowned and looked at Hermione.

"I told him that Neville might have been right," Hermione said, "Whoever jinxed you Ginny, might have been going after Harry, so they wouldn't care if you two were walking together."

Ginny nodded. "I suppose you're right."

Suddenly, a meowing sound was heard. Ginny and the other three turned and saw Mrs. Norris standing there, looking at them.

"Shoo!" Ron said, "Go away! Go find your -"

MIAOW!

"What is it, my sweet?" Mr. Filch's voice said from down the corridor, "Did you find those brats who threw Dungbombs down the stairs? I'll have 'em!"

"Come on!" Harry hissed, "He won't care if we say we didn't do it!"

"Did you do it?" Hermione asked.

"No!" Ginny said, "He's right, come on!"

Ginny grabbed Harry's hand and the four of them ran off down the other way, down a gallery full of suits of armor. They ran into another corridor… and suddenly, it got very dark.

"Who turned out the lights?" Ron asked. "I can't see - agh!"

Ron's yell was followed by a loud clang and bang.

"Damn suit of armor," Ron muttered.

"This is mental!" Hermione said, "Lumos!"

Ginny, Harry and Ron copied her. In the glow of their wands, Ginny could see their surroundings The corridor was full of dusty windows and spider-webs.

Oh shit! Harry cursed.

What's wrong?

"Where are we?" Ron asked.

"This is the forbidden corridor!" Hermione said, "We need to go back and –"

"We won't let them get away, my sweet," Mr. Filch said, a corridor behind them, "They're in the forbidden corridor… detention for sure. Maybe suspension."

"Run!" Ginny hissed.

Ginny grabbed Harry's hand, and ran off down through the corridor. She heard Ron and Hermione's footsteps behind her.

Ginny, believe me, we do not want to head this way!

It is this way or Filch! Besides, you said you wanted to get Ron and Hermione in on this adventure!

Not this way!

Then when? After detention with Filch?

Ugh… come on!

Ginny ran forward… right into the end of the corridor where they slammed into a door — and it was locked.

"This is it!" Ron moaned, as they pushed helplessly at the door, "We're done for! This is the end!"

They could hear footsteps; Filch was running as fast as he could toward them.

"Oh, move over," Hermione snarled. She tapped the lock, and whispered, "Alohomora!"

The lock clicked and the door swung open — they piled through it and shut it quickly.

"Alohomora?" Ron asked.

"Basic Unlocking Charm!" Hermione whispered, "Flitwick mentioned it first class!"

Ron said something, but Ginny wasn't listening. Instead she was looking around at their new destination… knowing that they weren't alone.

Be very, very quiet. I bet he's asleep. We don't want to wake him up just yet. Not with Filch there.

"Where are they, my sweet?" Filch's voice rang out on the other side, "Who came down here?"

Suddenly, they heard a very loud banging noise, followed by a growl.

Uh-oh, Harry said, this is not good. Er… music!

Password to our safe at Potter Manor, Harry!

Ginny softly hummed Hoggy Warty Hogwarts under her breath.

"Ginny, stop!" Ron hissed.

Ginny continued to hum, and Harry joined in.

"Mental!" Ron hissed, "Both of you."

"Shh!" Hermione whispered, "I heard something."

"HELLO, FILCH!" Peeves the Poltergeist's voice rang out, "Nice to see you up here!"

"PEEVES!" Filch growled, "DID YOU LET OFF THOSE DUNGBOMBS!"

"So what if I did?" Peeves asked, "Going to set Miss Kitty on me! I got moooore!"

"PEEVES!" Filch roared.

Filch's footsteps headed in the other direction.

"Thank… you… Peeves," Ron said, with a sigh, "And why are you two humming? Stop!"

Suddenly, they heard another growling sound. Ginny raised her wand, making the room light up.

"Er… guys?" Ron said, "What was that sound? Is there something in here with us?"

And that was when Ginny saw it: the monstrous three-headed dog, Fluffy. Towering over them with drool dripping from its three mouths. Its six beady eyes staring straight at them.

Door, Harry muttered, Door… cue scream in… three… two…

Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Harry all screamed. Harry opened the door quickly, and Ginny pushed them all out. Using wandless magic, she then slammed the door shut behind them as Fluffy growled and barked loudly.

They ran down the corridor and didn't stop running until they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Pig snout!" Ron yelled.

"How rude!" the Fat Lady said as she opened the portrait.

The Common Room was thankfully empty. Everyone was probably outside or in the library.

"What do they think they're doing, keeping a thing like that locked up in a school?" said Ron, turning around and looking at the three of them. "If any dog needs exercise, that one does."

"You don't use your eyes, do you?" she snapped. "Didn't you see what it was standing on?"

"The floor?" Ron suggested. "I wasn't looking at its feet, I was too busy with its heads. Maybe you didn't notice. There were three!"

"No, not the floor," Hermione said, "It was standing on a trapdoor. It's obviously guarding something."

She stood up, glaring at them.

"Do you realize?" she asked, exasperated, "How close we could have… we could all have been killed — or worse, expelled! If you excuse me, I need to do my homework."

Hermione growled and walked off up toward her dormitory.

"She needs to sort out her priorities," Ron muttered, "I'm going to go find Neville and see if he wants to play chess. I should have done that in the first place. Three-headed dogs… mad caretakers with even madder cats… poltergeists… three-headed dogs!"

He scowled and disappeared up the boy's dormitory staircase. Ginny grinned and looked at Harry.

Don't grin at me, Harry said,as he walked over to the couch in front of the fireplace. I'm mad at you.

Why?

Harry glared at her as she sat down next to him.

Because! I was not planning on having them meet Fluffy that way! That way almost got us killed last time!

So how were you going to plan on let them meeting him?

Oh, I don't know… guided tour? "On this side of the cart, the forbidden corridor… oh and look! A trap door guarded by a three-headed dog… what could be down there?"

Sarcasm doesn't suit you. I thought you wanted them in on this adventure.

I told you, I didn't plan on it happening this way!

A wise man once said: Everyone knows a good adventure cannot take place unless there is a sense of unpredictability.

Harry glared at Ginny. I hate you… I really do.

Ginny giggled. Harry rolled his eyes, as she wrapped her arms around him.

And yet, he said, I also love you… don't ask me why.

I never planned on questioning your love.

She looked around to see if anyone was there, then kissed him softly. She smiled against his lips when he returned the kiss, then she backed away and put her head on his shoulder.

"Harry?" she asked, "Can we get a dog?"

"I thought we already had one," Harry said, with a smirk.

Ginny raised her eyebrows, then she realized what he meant and chuckled for a good couple of minutes.

Well, this is the second chapter in a row that didn't exactly go as I planned it. Sure, I planned for the Pansy confrontation AND for it to lead up to Fluffy… but it went crazy around the part of them getting into the third floor corridor. (sigh) My fault for writing late at night.

So… the Pansy problem is solved… but as you may know… things sometimes have a way to come back. Will it? Maybe… we'll see!

Next couple of chapters are rather fun, the way I've planned them... instead of the time-skip I was planning, I got a better way to do it. Got a couple more things to do in the month of September, then I really want to get to Halloween.