Chapter 18

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters used in this story that honour belongs to J K Rowling and the Warner Brothers.

Harry awoke abruptly, shaking and cold. Shit, he thought, he wondered how long he had been there, he listened for a while and still heard the eerie silence of 12 Grimmauld place, he hoped it wasn't too late. He cleaned everything up with a quick banishing charm, washed his arm under the cool tap water and added is glamour's. Quietly he opened the door and went up the corridor and into his room. Thankfully Ron was asleep, or so he thought.

"Where have you been for the last two hours? I was just about to go and look for you myself"

"I've been with Beaky" said Harry "I haven't seen him in days and since we won't have time tomorrow I wanted to see I'm"

"Alright Harry, whatever you say, we'll talk about this properly tomorrow"

"Okay" muttered Harry, starting to worry about what Ron was going to say, what if he told Sirius or worse Mrs Weasley, it was odd that he would act like that he was always very laid back. Ron quickly fell back to sleep, Harry hoped that he would forget about it in the morning with all the rush and everything. They had to be on the Hogwarts express by 11.

Harry didn't sleep a wink, he kept one eye on the clock and the other on the window when the sun started to rise he thought his heart was going to jump out of his chest, he suddenly couldn't breathe and the rom was closing in on him. He was flooded and couldn't stop panicking. He was losing control, he grasped his blade that was still in his pyjama pocket, rolled up his sleeve and cut into his arm, the sudden pain of shock and he was back in control again.

Turning around he made sure Ron was still asleep before sorting himself out with a glamour and put his blade safely in a pair of socks from his Uncle. He was exhausted, but he couldn't sleep now, it was nearly time to get up to leave. He sat by the window and watched the sun rise.

There was a knock at the door and Mrs Weasley burst in. "Morning Harry dear" as she went over to Ron and started shaking him awake. Ron moaned "Ronald! Come on! Wake up! Breakfast downstairs in 5 minutes" as she left Ron turned over and went to go back to sleep but fell off the bed he was sleeping on

"Bloody hell" exclaimed Ron

"You alright Ron?" asked Harry tiredly

"Yeah" he replied yawning.

"Come on let's go down to breakfast before your mother comes back in and gives us a rollicking" Ron muttered and started getting ready, he had seemed to have forgotten about last night. Harry sighed in some relief, the panic in his chest reducing a little.

The two boys went downstairs and entered a full kitchen, everyone was bustling about. There were stacks of toast and sausages laid on the table. Harry sat down in between Ginny and Sirius and placed 2 sausages and a slice of toast on his plate and added butter. He then quickly ate it before anyone could say anything. Luckily everyone was rush about as predicted gathering all the last-minute things into their trunks. Sirius caught him a he was going upstairs and pulled him into a quiet room.

"Harry"

"Sirius"

"Its been a while pup, how are you doing?" he asked concerned he knew Harry was still off, he really wanted to get to the bottom of his problem before he got to Hogwarts.

"I'm doing ok Sirius" said Harry trying to make it sound convincingly. Sirius didn't buy it.

"No, you're not, I can tell, you look just like your father when he is trying to hide something, now spill"

"Its just these and my leg and everything, the new year in school, they are all going to think I'm so weak" said Harry honestly, it was a very small part of the problem, but it was something to get Sirius off his back.

"Oh Harry, I know things don't seem good right now, but your leg will heal and if that idiot Malfoy gives you any grief ill come and hex him silly as Padfoot" Harry laughed, Sirius always knew how to make him laugh "Now go on, you have things to pack" Sirius hugged Harry before he went back to his room. He was nearly done he only had a few t-shirts and a jumper and he was packed. Hedwig flew into her cage knowing they were nearly ready to go.

"BOYS!" a yell came from the floor below indicating it was time to go. Sirius levitated everyone's trunks downstairs and into the Ministry cars that Arthur had managed to get from the ministry again. Apparently, they had had a difficult time getting them but insisted because of Harrys injury. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Sirius went in one car and Molly, Arthur and the twins in the other.

Harry spent most of the time staring out the window, he wished he could've convinced the adults to wear his invisibility cloak in Kings Cross but they all said it was too dangerous, what if he fell over. Harrys thoughts were getting the better of him again. Look they have to get Ministry cars for mad Potter, always centre of attention because you want to. You have no friends they only are friendly because they must be. You are worthless to them, useless, you need sticks to move around.

The next thing Harry knew Ginny was taking his hand, he calmed down a lot, there was something about the gentle Weasley that he though was beautiful. She didn't make a fuss just made sure he was ok. Harry tried to get in on the conversation but luckily the cars pulled up in front of Kings Cross soon after. Sirius placed Harry's trunk and Hedwig on a trolley and started to push. They casually leant against the wall between platforms 9 and 10 and casually went through the portal.

The Hogwarts Express stood there, scarlet and grand as ever. For once everyone was there early and there weren't many people on the platform. They placed their trunks in a compartment and came back out to say their goodbyes Harry wanted them to do it quickly so that he could go and hide in the compartment before too many people saw him.

"If you ever need me, or want to talk, send me an owl and I can floo to Remus' office" said Sirius

"Thanks for everything, I'll see you soon"

"Your welcome Harry" said Sirius as he hugged him and helped him back into the compartment. The rest of the Weasleys and Hermione soon joined him. At 11 o'clock the train started to move, they all waved to Sirius, Arthur and Molly before they turned the corner and all you could see were trees, fields and bushes. Hermione and Ron had to excuse themselves as new prefects they had to have a meeting in the closest carriage to the engine. Fred and George went to see what their friend Lee Jorden was up to.

Ginny and Harry were the only ones left in the carriage, they sat in silence for a while. Ginny was the first one to speak "So are you going to tell me what's been up with you? You look awfully tired" she asked gently

"It's complicated, I can't explain it" replied Harry quietly. There was something about Ginny that he felt he was able to have a conversation with her about anything. He didn't know if he could even explain his thoughts, they were all just complex and overwhelming.

"Whenever you are ready, ill be here always know that"

"Thanks" Harry smiled, she smiled back, she had a gorgeous smile, it made the heavy blanket of weight seem lighter for a bit. She held his hand and they both looked into each other's eyes. The dark chocolate swirl enchanting him. Moving closer as their noses touched and finally their lips connected. It was only short, but her lips were so soft and perfect. They smiled again.

Harry then started to panic, what had he just done, kissed his best friends sister, what was he thinking, no one likes him he is just a waste of space, she deserves better… but before he could have a full on panic Ginny's hand squeezed tighter, instinctively knowing what to do he calmed.

"Harry, it's okay, I like you too" Harry smiled again. From that point he knew Ginny was the one. It was lucky the trolley came down the corridor as Hermione and Ron came in talking about how Malfoy (the git) had become a prefect, otherwise someone could have caught them. The four had some pumpkin pasties and chocolate frogs in silence. Hermione buried herself in the standard book of spells grade 5 whilst the other three talked about quidditch. A drowning voice then entered the compartment

"So, it's true, the mad man is back in the mad house, murderous Godfather got off by luck, did he?" Harry tried to keep his anger contained he knew reacting now wouldn't be any good "What have you been doing this summer? Making up dreams? Faking fainting and fitting?"

"Shut your face Malfoy!" Yelled Ron

"As for you Weasel, I'm surprised you made it though the summer due to lack of food and you Mudblood you…" Malfoy didn't finish his sentence, Harrys anger had boiled over, he ran over to Malfoy and thumped him straight on the Jaw. Malfoy ran as fast as he could t the other side of the train, he had never been hit so hard ever.

"Harry your leg!" yelled Hermione. Harry then felt the pain as his leg collapsed. Ron and Ginny helped him back onto his feet and back onto the chair. Ginny took his hand and helped him calm, he soon had his emotions under control and was able to take his mind off things whilst playing exploding snap. They all got changed into their robes.

Ten minutes later the train pulled into Hogsmeade station. The four were the last off the train and had the last carriage to the school. They ere walking into the entrance hall when Harry heard his name being called by Professor McGonagall "Mr Potter! Mr Potter, can I have a word" Harry went over to his head of house and started to follow, hoping that this was not about the incident on the train.

Note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, just a special mention to MetallicGirl for her reviews, they have made me so happy and I'm glad you are enjoying it. I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations. They are at Hogwarts now; would you guys like to see more Harry and Ginny? Please Review. Thanks again TR