Chapter 4: The Hogsmeade Surprise

Harry awoke to someone shaking his shoulder. He groped for his glasses on his side table. Once he had them on, Harry looked up into the tired face of Neville. The other boy just pointed to the window before turning back to his bed. Harry turned as he heard the insistent tapping of Hedwig on the window. Harry got up, letting Hedwig in. Hedwig flew over to his bed quickly. She hooted happily at him as she stuck her leg out. He took the letter seeing she wanted him to read it as soon as he could.

"Okay, girl," Harry leaned over to stroke her feathers. Hedwig took him by surprise as she pulled away. She flew up to the top of his wardrobe, hooting for him to hurry up. Harry looked at her confused. Hedwig had never done that before. As Harry looked down at the handwriting, he understood what was so urgent. Harry opened the letter as quickly as he could.

Harry,

Met Remus at the Three Broomsticks when you have your Hogsmeade weekend. And bring the friend you had with you when we talked last. We have a surprise or two for you.

Snuffles

Harry grinned as he hurriedly dressed before he went down to the Common Room. He went straight to the message board. Sure enough, there was a Hogsmeade weekend coming up. Harry grinned more as he went back over to the spot where he always waited for Ginny to come down. He could feel her awake and a little confused.

Ginny must have felt his excitement because she came down the stairs in a rush.

"What is it, Harry?" Ginny asked before she was even off the steps.

"Morning to you, too, Gin," Harry raised an eyebrow at her.

"Sorry," Ginny shook her head. She pulled him into a quick kiss. "Now what's got you all excited at half six in the morning?"

"Well, first, will go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?" Harry grinned.

"Yes," Ginny grinned, kissing him again.

"Secondly," Harry took the letter out to show her. She took the letter, reading it quickly. Ginny's eyes grew wide as she looked up.

"What is he talking about?" Ginny asked.

Harry shrugged. "No clue. But if he and Remus are in town, I want you to meet them."

"I already know Professor Lupin," Ginny rolled her eyes at him.

"Yes, you know the professor he used to be," Harry nodded. "Not the friend of my parents and godfather."

"Fine, you have me there," Ginny acquiesced with another eye roll. "Now, let's go get some breakfast."

They were laughing together at the Gryffindor table as Ron and Hermione sat down across from them.

"See the message board?" Ron asked as he started piling food on his plate.

"Yes, Ron," Harry answered. "But sorry, I'm taking another redhead this trip."

"Just this trip?" Ginny turned to him with a pout.

"And all the other trips," Harry told her, adding a tender kiss. "Ever."

"Do you have to do that at the table?" groaned Ron.

"Oh, grow up, Ronald," Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "I think they're sweet." She turned with a raised eyebrow to them. "I take it you two have decided on something?"

Harry looked at his watch. "Yeah, I have enough time to snog my girlfriend before classes because we got up early."

"Harry!" Ginny feigned offense. She looked him square in the eye, looking for any chance he was going to back out of that statement. Ginny didn't see one, and she didn't feel one. She glanced at Ron with a devilish grin. She grabbed his sleeve, pulling him up. "Prove it."

Harry smiled as he kissed her deeply in front of the slowly filling Great Hall. There was a great clatter of flatware hitting plates that made Harry pull back finally. He then led her out by the hand as most of the students were staring wide-eyed at them. Ron was staring at them as they left with his mouth hanging open. Hermione sat in shocked silence.

"You just had to ask, didn't you, Hermione?" Ron frowned crossly at her.

Hermione blinked. She looked at Ron for a few seconds. "I happen to be happy for them, Ronald!"

"She's…"

"Don't you even start that nonsense with me, Ronald!" Hermione glared at him. "Do you see Fred or George complaining?" Ron looked at his brothers as Hermione gestured to them. They gave Ron a frowning shake of their heads. "See? They aren't going nutters, because Harry is dating Ginny."

Hermione huffed suddenly, moving down the table away from Ron.

"Psst! Gred, Forge!" Ginny called as the twins were walking by a classroom on the third floor after dinner that night. They turned to see her waving her hand at them. The twins exchanged a confused glance before looking back at their sister. Ginny frowned as she motioned them into the room. She closed the door behind them before joining Harry as he leaned on the teacher's desk at the front. When Ginny took Harry's hand the twins broke into huge grins.

"Well, well…" Fred started with a huge grin.

"It is true…" George continued with a broad smile.

"Our favorite Seeker…"

"And our dear sister…"

"Have become the…"

"Premier couple…"

"Of all Hogwarts!" they finished together, spreading their arms out.

"And if you tease or prank us," Ginny gave them a stern look that had the twins paling, "I bat-bogey! Clear?"

"As crystal," Fred nodded.

"Completely," nodded George.

"We need a favor," Harry looked at them. Fred and George nodded. "Keep Ron busy in Hogsmeade this weekend. We have a meeting with someone."

"And just who…" George raised an eyebrow.

"Might that be?" Fred raised the opposite eyebrow.

"None of your concern," Ginny gave them a look that left no room for argument. "And if you want payment, I won't tell mum where her last clothing rack disappeared to."

"That's…" Fred looked at her with wide eyes.

"Blackmail…" George shook his head.

"We're so proud of you!" they grinned at her extending their arms to hug her. At Ginny's raised eyebrow they stopped, nodding. "We'll do it."

"I was gonna offer two Galleons for each," Harry shrugged. "But free is better."

"Not free, love," Ginny shook her head. "Conveniently not telling mum about what they did to her rack. Or the fact I know where they keep certain magazines and what they did to Percy's bed before we left."

"Now, Ginny…" George raised his hands.

"We already agreed to help you…" Fred pleaded.

"And young Harry…"

"With our git…"

"Of a brother," their tone was almost begging.

"Just making a point," Ginny grinned. She got an evil glint in her eyes as she turned to Harry. She pulled him over to her into a deep kiss.

"Oh, come on," George groaned.

"We don't want to watch this," moaned Fred.

"Just testing you," Ginny looked up with a smug look on her face. She waved toward the door. "Now, no more questions."

"Right-o," they nodded taking the hint. They quickly left before Ginny could pull Harry into another heated kiss.

Harry grinned broadly as Ginny came down the stairs the morning of the Hogsmeade trip. She was wearing his favorite outfit that he had ever seen on her. Tight red jeans, a red shirt under a white jumper with wildflowers on the front, and white trainers. Her red hair hung in a loose ponytail down her back. Ginny knew he loved to see her in that outfit, and today was going to be something special. It was their first real date, even if they were meeting Remus and probably Sirius, it was still going to be special.

Ginny chuckled as she looked at him. "Yes, I knew you wanted me to wear this."

"It makes you look even more gorgeous," Harry told her as he pulled her into a hug and kiss.

"Get a room," Seamus joked on his way by. Dean and Neville laughed.

"Don't encourage them," Ron grumbled as he walked by without a word to either Harry or Ginny.

"Morning, lovebirds," Demzela giggled as she passed them.

"Hey, Dem," Ginny waved.

"Ready?" Harry asked as he took Ginny's hand.

"Always for food," Ginny grinned cheekily at him. "Or your kisses."

"I can arrange that last one," Harry smiled as he stopped, kissing her again.

"Food will be cold by the time you two are finished," Hermione giggled.

"We're coming," Harry sighed as he reluctantly pulled away from Ginny.

After sitting down in the Great Hall, Harry looked up at the Head table. Dumbledore had been frowning and glaring a lot at him lately. Harry shrugged as he turned back to Ginny, ignoring the old man. Harry had been rather upset with him since the Goblet spat his name out, and for allowing that inept reporter Rita Skeeter anywhere near the castle during the Weighing of the Wands. Harry and Ginny were both still upset about the bogus article the old man allowed her to publish in the paper just a few days before.

"Let him be surly," Ginny soothed him as she took his hand under the table.

"Who? Ron?" Hermione asked as she sat down.

"Him, too," Ginny frowned. "No, Dumbledore has been shooting us glares for some reason."

"Wonder why?" Hermione glanced up at the Head table. She noticed Dumbledore was staring at Harry and Ginny with a glare and deep frown. Harry shrugged when she turned back to them.

"What I want to know is what kind of surprises Snuffles meant," Harry wondered to change the subject.

"Maybe he has a lead on finding the rat," Ginny suggested with a smile.

"Or he found another way to clear up the mess," Hermione shrugged.

"I'd be good either way," Harry nodded. "As long as I don't have to go back to the Dursleys, I'll be happy."

"Knowing you're safe and sound would make me happy," Ginny smiled as she placed a kiss on his cheek. "Although, mum would want you well fed, as well."

"Oh, I'm sure you wouldn't mind that either," Hermione grinned impishly at Ginny.

"Didn't say I wouldn't," Ginny grinned.

"You know what makes me happiest?" Harry asked. Ginny grinned and shook her head, even though she already did know. "You." Harry leaned over giving her a quick kiss.

"Tone down the sugar," Ron complained from his seat a few people down from Hermione.

Ginny stuck her tongue out at Ron. He sneered back at her.

"Don't let him ruin your day," Hermione told them.

"We already have that covered," Harry nodded to someone passing behind Hermione. She turned to see the twins sit down on either side of Ron.

"You didn't?" Hermione asked with a gaping mouth.

"Maybe," Harry shrugged. He turned to Ginny. "You ready, love?"

"Absolutely," Ginny grinned as she let Harry help her up. "See you later, Hermione."

"Have fun, Hermy," Harry grinned cheekily at her before he had to duck a piece of toast.

"I'll remember that next time you need my notes, Potter!" Hermione called after them as they walked out laughing.

Harry and Ginny slowly walked hand in hand toward the village of Hogsmeade. They wanted to spend as much time alone together as they could before meeting Remus at the Three Broomsticks. They had grown even closer since that first kiss in the Common Room almost a fortnight ago. They had a suspicion something had happened to them since they had discovered their feelings for each other. They just weren't sure what it was yet, but neither of them was complaining about the closeness they felt. It did, however, have a downside.

"You do know I can feel you brooding every time you stop talking?" Ginny gave Harry a look.

"I know, sorry," Harry apologized with a sigh. "It's all just got my mind working overtime with the first task coming up, school, whatever Sirius has for me, us. Wondering why he told me to bring you, specifically. What exactly is going on with us."

"I know, love," Ginny smiled. She stopped pulling him into a hug. "But I'm here for you, even if you just need to vent. And I mean that. Now, stop thinking about all that, and think about more pleasant things."

"Like you?" Harry grinned before kissing her softly.

"Yes," Ginny smiled smugly at him. "You're a fast thinker, we will sit down later and figure the rest out."

"Yes, love," Harry smiled as he pulled her close, smelling her hair. The scent always calmed his nerves for some reason since he had discovered his feelings for her.

"That's right," Ginny grinned slyly. "Fill up your nose with my hair." She pulled back taking a lock of it and putting it under his nose as she smiled impishly at him. "Maybe I'll cut you a piece and use a Sticking Charm under your nose."

"Why you…" Harry breathed. Ginny giggled. Harry tickled her sides making her laugh.

They laughed and talked the rest of the way to Hogsmeade. They waved at several friends and classmates as they passed the slowly walking couple. When they reached the pub, Harry opened the door for Ginny with his free hand. Harry looked around quickly after they stepped inside. He spotted Remus the same time Remus spotted him.

"Hello, Harry," Remus smiled as he hugged him.

"Hi, Remus," Harry grinned. He looked over Remus, seeing he was wearing newer clothes. "You been doing alright?"

"I have been doing spectacular," Remus nodded. He turned, smiling. "Hello, Miss Weasley."

"Hello, Professor Lupin," Ginny greeted him.

"You don't have to call that anymore," Remus shook his head. "It's Remus."

"Only if you call me Ginny," she smiled. Remus nodded.

"Shall we?" he motioned to the door. "We have a bit of a hike."

After they had walked a few minutes outside of town, Harry looked at Remus. "How's Sirius?"

"He is doing splendid," Remus grinned.

"Do you know what these surprises he mentioned are?" Harry asked.

"I do," Remus smirked at them.

"Well?" Ginny asked.

"That would ruin it, Ginny," Remus smiled at her. "And this is something neither Sirius nor I want to ruin."

"Do you know why he asked that I bring Ginny?" Harry tried.

"Well, part of it should be quite evident," Remus looked down at their intertwined hands with a smile.

"And the other?" Ginny asked.

"My, you two are inquisitive today, aren't you?" Remus smiled cheekily at them.

"You are no help, Moony," Harry frowned at him. Remus just laughed.

"Trust me, you'll enjoy the surprises," Remus grinned cryptically. "See the cave in the hill?"

"That's where we're going?" Harry asked a little confused.

"That's where Sirius is meeting us," Remus nodded.

A few minutes later, they entered the cave to see a big black dog sitting there, wagging its tail madly, waiting for them.

"Sirius!" Harry shouted when he saw him.

The dog shifted into a man suddenly, making Ginny gasp in surprise. Harry was about to run to his godfather but stopped to make sure Ginny was alright first. The next thing they heard was a barking laugh.

"Oh, you Potters and redheads," he laughed. "Every male Potter, Moony! Every Potter male!"

"I know," Remus chuckled.

"What are you on about?" Harry frowned.

"Every male Potter since antiquity has fallen for a redheaded woman," Sirius chuckled.

"Oh," Harry smiled sheepishly. Ginny smugly grinned at him.

"Well, don't just stand there, Prongslet," Sirius prompted by opening his arms. Harry grinned as he hugged Sirius. "Now then."

"Oh, right," Harry grinned. "Sirius, this is my girlfriend, Ginny Weasley. Gin, my godfather Sirius Black."

"Hello, Mr. Black," Ginny smiled as she extended her hand.

"Actually, it would be Lord Black," Sirius gave her a funny face. "But I prefer Sirius. Especially to special young ladies like yourself."

"Sirius, then," Ginny smiled. Sirius ignored the hand, pulling Ginny into a hug.

"So, what are these surprises you were you talking about?" Harry asked after Ginny stepped back, taking her hand.

"Well, first of all," Sirius began, "Remus and I took a trip and just got back a week ago."

"Where did you go?" Ginny asked. "And how?"

"And why?" Harry added. "Does it have anything to do with clearing your name?"

"Yes, it does," Sirius grinned broadly.

"We went to the Americas," Remus told them. He still had that cryptic smile on his face.

"As to the reason we went, that's a bit of a long story," Sirius drew their attention back to him. "When I left here in June, I wanted to find a safe place to stay and come up with a plan. That got me to Potter Manor." He held up his hand to stop any questions. "Your ancestral home, Harry. It was where I spent most of my summers with your dad and grandparents. After talking with the house-elves, and inviting my cousin and her family over to help us with a little problem we discovered, we set out to the Americas."

"That still doesn't…" Harry shook his head confused.

"All in good time," Remus remarked. Harry and Ginny frowned at him.

"You see," Sirius took a deep breath, "the house-elves had some very important information for us. And you. Both of you, actually. But we'll get that part in a bit. They put us on the trail to find something." He broke into a wide grin. Harry noticed his eyes flick over their shoulders to the entrance of the cave. "And we found it. Merlin, did we find it!"

"What's this have to do with these surprises?" Harry asked. "Is what you found the surprises?"

"Yes, they are," Sirius grinned like a madman.

"Well, what is it?" Ginny asked impatiently.

"Them," Sirius motioned to the opening of the cave.

Harry and Ginny turned to see a large stag and doe standing there. Harry looked at the stag closely.

"That looks like my Patronus," Harry gaped.

The stag and doe exchanged a look that almost looked human. Ginny tilted her head as she stepped closer to Harry as they stared at the deer in front of them. The stag gave a snort, then nodded to the doe. Suddenly the stag and doe started to change the same way Sirius had. Harry and Ginny watched with wide eyes as the stag and doe became two people. Two people Harry and the world thought were long dead. Two people he had always wanted to know better, to love, to have them love him.

"Oh, Merlin," Ginny breathed.