Chapter XIII: Coak and Stagger
***I thank all those who made suggestions for the name of this book. Unfortunately, most of what was mentioned, I had already considered. I'm sorry that nobody won. I came up with this yesterday. I think it works. Again I that those who made suggestions.***
Ginny helped Mrs. Weasley set the breakfast table. It was a fine day for New Years Eve. While it was chilly outside, everything was nice and warm in the house. The sun beamed off the snow blindingly. It also shinned through the windows and brought a cheery and warm feeling to every room. Ginny felt quite happy, until....
"Ruddy thing!"
Ginny almost dropped a plate. The loud and desperate yells came from upstairs. It didn't sound like Ron, either. There was a bit of stomping around and then someone cascaded down the stairs. Harry burst into the kitchen.
"Have you seen-" He began, kneeling down and stuffing his head under the table cloth. Ginny gave Mrs. Weasley a puzzled look. She just shrugged back.
"I can't believe I lost it," Harry ridiculed as he emerged from under the table.
"What is it you're looking for?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
Harry looked through every cabinet in the kitchen. As he was leaving, he said, "I lost my-"
Ginny stared after him. He was now over-turning all the cussions on the couch.
"Good morning all," Ron yawned as he entered the room.
"What's wrong with Harry?" Ginny questioned, feeling a bit worried.
"He seems to have lost something," Ron informed, sitting down at the table.
"We gathered that," Mrs. Weasley told him. "What is it he's lost?"
"I haven't then foggiest," Ron admitted. "Why don't you ask him?"
"We would," Ginny began, "if he would stay in one place for a few seconds."
The day went on. Harry searched everywhere on the Burrow, even the chicken coop. he had no luck at all. He just kept searching places over until the sun went down.
Ginny was mending an old skirt when Harry came up to her.
"I need your help," Harry admitted.
Ginny looked truely puzzled.
"I've lost something," Harry explained.
"What about Ron?" Ginny asked.
"He's getting George and Fred's old fillibuster Fireworks out," Harry told her. "Will you help me find it?"
Ginny nodded as she looked at his deperate face.
"What are we looking for?" Ginny queried as they headed up the stairs and into Ron's room.
"My cloak," Harry muttered, scanning the room.
Ginny slapped her hand over her mouth to keep from gasping.
"It's long and it shimmers all kinds of colors," Harry described. "All dark colors. Green, purple, maybe some blue."
"Bearf duh baf I'm oo fa i," Ginny said behind her hand.
"What?" Harry exclaimed.
Ginny dropped her hand and repeated, "Where's the last time you saw it?"
"Er..." Harry thought a moment. "I think it was at Hogwarts when I got it...No, I think I saw it in here after we left Hogwarts. When I changed the first or second day after we arrived, I'm pretty sure it was in my chest."
"Maybe the ghoal-" Ginny began, grasping for some way to help, but not actually help.
"Ron says the ghoal never leaves the attic," Harry told her. "Besides that, I've already looked up there."
"Yes, of course," Ginny agreed. "Perhaps a gnome snuck in and..er..No, that doesn't make much sense, does it? Why would a gnome want a cloak?"
Harry began pulling Ron's covers off his bed.
Ginny tried to think as she rummaged through Ron's drawers. What could save her now? Harry was in a panic and she couldn't help. She felt completely useless. She couldn't possibly give back the cloak. She needed it to find the Rune Tree. Without knowing the information the Rune Tree had to contain, Cho would surely kill Harry. Ginny could not allow that. Even though it hurt her to see him so distraught, she had to remember that it was for his good.
"It's no use," Harry sighed, sitting on the desk. "I'll never find it."
Ginny sat next to him and nerviously put her hand on his shoulder.
"To think," Harry went on, "some rat or house elf or whatever is stalking around this house without being seen."
Ginny decided not to play her part and act confused about what the cloak had to do with not being seen. Harry just slipped up and this wasn't the time to point it out.
"My father left me that cloak," Harry said, his voice cracking just a little.
Ginny would have been alright with Harry crying just then. She didn't feel that it would make him less of a man or label him as a wimp. It was alright for Harry to cry having lost his precious claok, the only thing left to remind him of his dead father. Harry didn't cry, though. He just cleared his throat and stood up.
"It's New Years Eve already," Harry said, smiling weakly. "It seems like the holiday just started. Tomorrow, we have to get back to Hogwarts."
"Time flies when you're having fun," Ginny quoted, standing up herself.
"It has been a lovely holiday," Harry whispered, looking down.
Harry glanced out the window.
"Have you ever made a perfect triangle in the stars?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" Ginny questioned.
He pointed out the window. Ginny turned and looked up at the stars.
"Find three stars that are equal distance apart," Harry explained, "and see if they'd make a perfect triangle if the stars were connected by lines."
There were so many stars. It took a minute for Ginny to choose only three. Her stars made an isosceles triangle. She picked another three. They looked more scalene. Ginny thought this inability to find a perfect triangle would frustrate her. In reality, the result was quite opposite. She felt more relaxed.
"It's almost midnight," Harry whispered in Ginny's ear.
She blushed, wondering if he meant what she thought he did. Ginny turned to him. She stared into his detemined eyes. He barely parted his lips as he took a step toward her. Ginny wondered if this was really happening. Ever so slowly and causiously, Harry leaned toward her. She closed her eyes, knowing that it was going to be the most perfect moment of her life.
"Harry, the count down has begun!" Ron yelled, running up the stairs.
Ginny opened he eyes and Harry immediately stepped away from her.
"I've got noisemakers," Ron said, entering the room. He glanced from Harry's gilty face to Ginny's disappointed one. "What are you two doing up here?"
"We were just," Harry began, "looking for my cloak."
"I'm sure it's somewhere," Ron told him. "We can find it tomorrow, before we leave. Tonight it's New Years."
"Yes, Ron," Harry agreed. "I am sorry to miss the excitement."
"C'mon," Ron urged.
Harry glanced at Ginny for a second. She wasn't sure what he saw. She could have been showing her diappointment, her longing, or her fear. Whatever he saw, he replied with an appologenic look and then followed Ron.
The thing that Ginny thought about after he left was not how close she had gotten to finally kissing Harry Potter. Instead, she wondered about the reason Harry wanted to kiss her. It was New Years and that time of year inspires many outlandish things. Was he just acting in the spirit of the holiday or did he really want to kiss her?
**************
Ginny glanced around her room one last time. Three more months, she thought.
"Virginia Weasley!" Mr. Weasley called form the front yard. "We're going to miss the train if you don't hurry it up!"
Ginny picked up the end of her trunk and dragged it out of her room and down the stairs.
"What's been taking you?" Ron asked as he came out the front door.
"Well," Ginny began, "this thing is quite heavy."
Harry hurried over to her and picked up the other end of the trunk, saying, "Let me help."
Ginny smiled as they walked the chest over to the car. Mr. Weasley took the chest from the and packed it into the trunk of the car. Harry, Ron, and Ginny climbed into the back seat. Mr. Weasley started up the engine.
"Man, that Thunder Hawk was wicked," Ron whispered.
"I'd say the same," Harry agreed. "Of course I'd use a different definition of wicked."
"That broom worked perfectly for me," Ron explained. "Why is it you can't control it."
"How'm I supposed to know?" Harry retorted.
"D'you think Mum would trade you the family broom for it?" Ron asked.
"Not likey," Harry said. "You mum still thinks it's dangerous."
"Wonder who's fault that it," Ron grumbled.
He was clearly refering to Ginny. Unfortunately, she couldn't talk back about it. She wasn't supposed to be listening.
"Give her a break," Harry began. "She was just being truthful."
"It could have killed you?" Ron blurted. "You fell from higher distances and never got a fracture."
"I did break my arm," Harry reminded. "And that was with a normal broom."
"Still," Ron went on, "she didn't hav'ta put it that way. She could have just said it went a little crazy. No, she had to rat me out."
"She wasn't really ratting you out," Harry told him. "She was concerned."
"Like Hermione third year," Ron said.
"She was right too," Harry explained. "The Firebolt was from Black. It might not have been dangerous, but it was from him. That's what she was worried about."
"We got mad at her for it," Ron added, some remorce in his voice. "That whole year I was such a jerk."
"Yes, Ron," Harry agreed, "you were."
"I'm glad she's forgiven all that," Ron voiced. "I use to be so mean to her."
"Like first year," Harry reminded.
"I'd hate to loose her now," Ron told him.
"Let's hope you never have to," Harry replied.
"You've got to be pretty happy too," Ron teased. "Cho Chang has sure got a thing for you."
"I suppose she does," Harry said, sounding as if it didn't even matter.
"We have the women of our dreams," Ron spouted. "Aren't we lucky?"
"Sure," Harry began, seeming a bit down, "the women of our dreams."
Ginny got curious about his tone and looked over at him. He was leaning his head back and gazing at the car ceiling. As if he had felt something, Harry straightened up. He blinked a few moments and then looked at ginny. It was like he sensed that she was looking at him. Harry smiled. Ginny, feeling uneasy, looked away.
They arrived at King's Cross Station at ten fifty. They had barely enough time to unload thier trunks before they ran to and through the barrier between platforms nine and ten.
Ginny spotted Amilia hugging her parents goodbye. Seeing them, reminded Ginny of the wonderful love story. Ginny sighed.
"Something wrong, Gin?" Harry asked.
"Not a thing," Ginny replied.
"Alright then," Harry said, heading toward the train.
"Bye, Harry," Mrs. Weasley waved. "Have fun, Ginny. Keep up in class, Ron. I'll see you in Summer."
Harry and Ron got on the train.
"Careful with that broom," Mrs. Weasley called after them.
Mr. Weasley put his arm around her. Amilia ran over to Ginny.
"Well?" Amilia whispered.
"I got it," Ginny told her.
Amilia let out a small screach and then pulled Ginny into the compartment they had left Hogwarts in. Amilia sat Ginny down and stared at her trunk.
"Is it in there?" She asked.
"Where else could I put it?" Ginny retorted.
"Well,tell me what happened," Amilia urged.
Ginny opened her mouth to explain, but then she remembered what had happened. Harry had said her name in his sleep. Was that something that she wanted Amilia to know. Amilia would probably take it as confirmation and declare Ginny's undying love to Harry. But really, saying her name didn't mean a thing. Ginny, herself, had a dream about Malfoy, but did she like him? Not in the least. She just happened to be in one of Harry's dreams that night.
"I went into the room and got his cloak," Ginny said simply.
"So what was he wearing?" Amilia queried.
"He was in a sleeping bag," Ginny explained. "And even if he wasn't, I wouldn't have paid attention. I don't care what he sleeps in."
"Was he a cute sleeper?"
"A what?"
Amilia rolled her eyes, saying, "What does it sound like? Was he cute when he slept?"
"He looked the same as usual," Ginny told her, "except that he had his eyes closed and he wasn't wearing glasses."
"You say your serious about this guy," Amilia began.
"I never said that," Ginny corrected.
"You must have felt something as you watched him sleep," Amilia went on.
Ginny gaped at Amilia.
"He.." Ginny began, "looked perfect. It was like being able to look at him the day they brought him to the Dursley's when he was one-year-old. So peaceful and innocent. His hair could use a bit of combing."
Amilia chuckled.
"Oh, Amilia," Ginny sighed, "I love him so much."
Amilia set her hand on top of Ginny's.
"We have to stop Cho from using him," Ginny whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek.
"We'll figure this whole thing out," Amilia assured. "I promise you that."
Ginny looked at Amilia.
"We are a team that can't be beaten," Amilia laughed. "We can figure out anything. I doubt most people could have gotten this far. You'll save Harry. I know it."
"Having a psychic preminition?" Ginny asked.
"Call it women's intuition," Amilia said, smiling.
Trees and fields of all kinds passed by the window. Slowly the fields turned into wooded areas and winding rivers. Things started to darken a bit, too. Ginny could tell that they were almost to Hogwarts. Amilia suggested they put on their robes and so they did.
"What else happened during Christmas?" Amilia asked.
"Happened?" Ginny repeated.
"You had Harry for a whole week," Amilia reminded. "Something had to happen."
Ginny rubbed her neck and replied, "I...We...played with my neices quite a bit. Er...he...did miss his cloak. He looked everywhere for it. It upset him a lot."
"That must have been hard," Amilia commented.
"And...I got a ring," Ginny explained, showing her hand to Amilia. "I don't know who gave it to me."
"Perhaps Harry did," Amilia proposed.
"Perhaps," Ginny agreed.
"Is that all?" Amilia asked, seeming disappointed.
"Er..I don't..think there was anything else," Ginny lied.
"You have some restraint," Amilia voiced. "If I had the man of my fancy for a week, I wouldn't leave him alone."
"It doesn't have to do with restaint," Ginny told her. "It's really fear."
"Not everyone can be as blunt as I," Amilia giggled.
"By the way, do you have a certain boy you are interested in?" Ginny asked.
"Not at the moment, no," Amilia answered. "I like all boys."
Ginny laughed.
The train pulled into Hogsmede station a few moments later. Ginny and Amilia walked onto the platform and watched for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. It wasn't long before they spotted the group climbing on to a carriage.
"C'mon!" Ginny exclaimed.
Amilia and her ran over to the carriage.
"May we join you?" Amilia breathed as they reached the carriage.
"By all means," Harry replied.
Amilia and Ginny climbed into the carriage. Ginny was uncomfortably forced to sit next to Harry. Amilia sat beside her and they faced Hermione and Ron, who were contently holding hands.
"How was everyone's holiday?" Hermione asked.
"I had a wonder time with my Uncle Lyman," Amilia shared. "He's a muggle from my mum's side. It was strange trying to get use to all that electric stuff."
Hermione and Harry chuckled, being the only ones raised in a muggle atmosphere.
"My holiday was quite dull," Ron voiced. "It was full of people and kids. I prefer a quiet holiday. Relaxation, a little Quidditch, and a whole lot of food."
Hermione giggled, squeezing Ron's hand.
"How about you two?" Hermione asked, refering to Harry and Ginny.
Ginny glanced at Harry, who was, subsequently, looking back.
"My holiday was awsome," Harry told everyone. "It was a million times better then the Dursleys and quite better then Christmas at Hogwarts. I have a great time."
"Me too," was all Ginny could think of to say.
Harry glanced at her again.
The carriages stopped at the front door to the school, as usual and they all got off. The students made their way to the Great Hall.
"Students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Professor Dumbledore said once all the students were sitting. "I'd like to welcome you back. I hope your Christmas holiday was a pleasant one. I, myself, had quite lovely holiday. I got to visit my old friend Fabien Flavien the fourth. He said the funniest thing while I was there." Dumbledore chuckled, "He said...I ..I was the..and then he was...with the dwarf..you know...and I had this.." Dumbledore busted up. "Ah, that was a good one. Back to the annoucements. Mr. Filch would like you to know that the snow is to remain outside school and any violators of this rule will have to serve detention," Dumbledore whispered, "because that's all he has the power to do." Dumbledore chuckled again. "The new terms starts tomorrow. Happy eating."
A feast appeared on the table as Dumbledore sat down. Ginny looked at the food but wasn't hungry. She still had things to take care of. Just because she got the cloak and got a nice break from things didn't mean it was over. Ginny glanced at the Ravenclaw table. Cho Chang smiling and waving at someone. Ginny looked in the direction Cho was looking. It was Harry. Not Surprising. He waved back, looking quite happy to see her again. Ginny clenched her teeth.
***I thank all those who made suggestions for the name of this book. Unfortunately, most of what was mentioned, I had already considered. I'm sorry that nobody won. I came up with this yesterday. I think it works. Again I that those who made suggestions.***
Ginny helped Mrs. Weasley set the breakfast table. It was a fine day for New Years Eve. While it was chilly outside, everything was nice and warm in the house. The sun beamed off the snow blindingly. It also shinned through the windows and brought a cheery and warm feeling to every room. Ginny felt quite happy, until....
"Ruddy thing!"
Ginny almost dropped a plate. The loud and desperate yells came from upstairs. It didn't sound like Ron, either. There was a bit of stomping around and then someone cascaded down the stairs. Harry burst into the kitchen.
"Have you seen-" He began, kneeling down and stuffing his head under the table cloth. Ginny gave Mrs. Weasley a puzzled look. She just shrugged back.
"I can't believe I lost it," Harry ridiculed as he emerged from under the table.
"What is it you're looking for?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
Harry looked through every cabinet in the kitchen. As he was leaving, he said, "I lost my-"
Ginny stared after him. He was now over-turning all the cussions on the couch.
"Good morning all," Ron yawned as he entered the room.
"What's wrong with Harry?" Ginny questioned, feeling a bit worried.
"He seems to have lost something," Ron informed, sitting down at the table.
"We gathered that," Mrs. Weasley told him. "What is it he's lost?"
"I haven't then foggiest," Ron admitted. "Why don't you ask him?"
"We would," Ginny began, "if he would stay in one place for a few seconds."
The day went on. Harry searched everywhere on the Burrow, even the chicken coop. he had no luck at all. He just kept searching places over until the sun went down.
Ginny was mending an old skirt when Harry came up to her.
"I need your help," Harry admitted.
Ginny looked truely puzzled.
"I've lost something," Harry explained.
"What about Ron?" Ginny asked.
"He's getting George and Fred's old fillibuster Fireworks out," Harry told her. "Will you help me find it?"
Ginny nodded as she looked at his deperate face.
"What are we looking for?" Ginny queried as they headed up the stairs and into Ron's room.
"My cloak," Harry muttered, scanning the room.
Ginny slapped her hand over her mouth to keep from gasping.
"It's long and it shimmers all kinds of colors," Harry described. "All dark colors. Green, purple, maybe some blue."
"Bearf duh baf I'm oo fa i," Ginny said behind her hand.
"What?" Harry exclaimed.
Ginny dropped her hand and repeated, "Where's the last time you saw it?"
"Er..." Harry thought a moment. "I think it was at Hogwarts when I got it...No, I think I saw it in here after we left Hogwarts. When I changed the first or second day after we arrived, I'm pretty sure it was in my chest."
"Maybe the ghoal-" Ginny began, grasping for some way to help, but not actually help.
"Ron says the ghoal never leaves the attic," Harry told her. "Besides that, I've already looked up there."
"Yes, of course," Ginny agreed. "Perhaps a gnome snuck in and..er..No, that doesn't make much sense, does it? Why would a gnome want a cloak?"
Harry began pulling Ron's covers off his bed.
Ginny tried to think as she rummaged through Ron's drawers. What could save her now? Harry was in a panic and she couldn't help. She felt completely useless. She couldn't possibly give back the cloak. She needed it to find the Rune Tree. Without knowing the information the Rune Tree had to contain, Cho would surely kill Harry. Ginny could not allow that. Even though it hurt her to see him so distraught, she had to remember that it was for his good.
"It's no use," Harry sighed, sitting on the desk. "I'll never find it."
Ginny sat next to him and nerviously put her hand on his shoulder.
"To think," Harry went on, "some rat or house elf or whatever is stalking around this house without being seen."
Ginny decided not to play her part and act confused about what the cloak had to do with not being seen. Harry just slipped up and this wasn't the time to point it out.
"My father left me that cloak," Harry said, his voice cracking just a little.
Ginny would have been alright with Harry crying just then. She didn't feel that it would make him less of a man or label him as a wimp. It was alright for Harry to cry having lost his precious claok, the only thing left to remind him of his dead father. Harry didn't cry, though. He just cleared his throat and stood up.
"It's New Years Eve already," Harry said, smiling weakly. "It seems like the holiday just started. Tomorrow, we have to get back to Hogwarts."
"Time flies when you're having fun," Ginny quoted, standing up herself.
"It has been a lovely holiday," Harry whispered, looking down.
Harry glanced out the window.
"Have you ever made a perfect triangle in the stars?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" Ginny questioned.
He pointed out the window. Ginny turned and looked up at the stars.
"Find three stars that are equal distance apart," Harry explained, "and see if they'd make a perfect triangle if the stars were connected by lines."
There were so many stars. It took a minute for Ginny to choose only three. Her stars made an isosceles triangle. She picked another three. They looked more scalene. Ginny thought this inability to find a perfect triangle would frustrate her. In reality, the result was quite opposite. She felt more relaxed.
"It's almost midnight," Harry whispered in Ginny's ear.
She blushed, wondering if he meant what she thought he did. Ginny turned to him. She stared into his detemined eyes. He barely parted his lips as he took a step toward her. Ginny wondered if this was really happening. Ever so slowly and causiously, Harry leaned toward her. She closed her eyes, knowing that it was going to be the most perfect moment of her life.
"Harry, the count down has begun!" Ron yelled, running up the stairs.
Ginny opened he eyes and Harry immediately stepped away from her.
"I've got noisemakers," Ron said, entering the room. He glanced from Harry's gilty face to Ginny's disappointed one. "What are you two doing up here?"
"We were just," Harry began, "looking for my cloak."
"I'm sure it's somewhere," Ron told him. "We can find it tomorrow, before we leave. Tonight it's New Years."
"Yes, Ron," Harry agreed. "I am sorry to miss the excitement."
"C'mon," Ron urged.
Harry glanced at Ginny for a second. She wasn't sure what he saw. She could have been showing her diappointment, her longing, or her fear. Whatever he saw, he replied with an appologenic look and then followed Ron.
The thing that Ginny thought about after he left was not how close she had gotten to finally kissing Harry Potter. Instead, she wondered about the reason Harry wanted to kiss her. It was New Years and that time of year inspires many outlandish things. Was he just acting in the spirit of the holiday or did he really want to kiss her?
**************
Ginny glanced around her room one last time. Three more months, she thought.
"Virginia Weasley!" Mr. Weasley called form the front yard. "We're going to miss the train if you don't hurry it up!"
Ginny picked up the end of her trunk and dragged it out of her room and down the stairs.
"What's been taking you?" Ron asked as he came out the front door.
"Well," Ginny began, "this thing is quite heavy."
Harry hurried over to her and picked up the other end of the trunk, saying, "Let me help."
Ginny smiled as they walked the chest over to the car. Mr. Weasley took the chest from the and packed it into the trunk of the car. Harry, Ron, and Ginny climbed into the back seat. Mr. Weasley started up the engine.
"Man, that Thunder Hawk was wicked," Ron whispered.
"I'd say the same," Harry agreed. "Of course I'd use a different definition of wicked."
"That broom worked perfectly for me," Ron explained. "Why is it you can't control it."
"How'm I supposed to know?" Harry retorted.
"D'you think Mum would trade you the family broom for it?" Ron asked.
"Not likey," Harry said. "You mum still thinks it's dangerous."
"Wonder who's fault that it," Ron grumbled.
He was clearly refering to Ginny. Unfortunately, she couldn't talk back about it. She wasn't supposed to be listening.
"Give her a break," Harry began. "She was just being truthful."
"It could have killed you?" Ron blurted. "You fell from higher distances and never got a fracture."
"I did break my arm," Harry reminded. "And that was with a normal broom."
"Still," Ron went on, "she didn't hav'ta put it that way. She could have just said it went a little crazy. No, she had to rat me out."
"She wasn't really ratting you out," Harry told him. "She was concerned."
"Like Hermione third year," Ron said.
"She was right too," Harry explained. "The Firebolt was from Black. It might not have been dangerous, but it was from him. That's what she was worried about."
"We got mad at her for it," Ron added, some remorce in his voice. "That whole year I was such a jerk."
"Yes, Ron," Harry agreed, "you were."
"I'm glad she's forgiven all that," Ron voiced. "I use to be so mean to her."
"Like first year," Harry reminded.
"I'd hate to loose her now," Ron told him.
"Let's hope you never have to," Harry replied.
"You've got to be pretty happy too," Ron teased. "Cho Chang has sure got a thing for you."
"I suppose she does," Harry said, sounding as if it didn't even matter.
"We have the women of our dreams," Ron spouted. "Aren't we lucky?"
"Sure," Harry began, seeming a bit down, "the women of our dreams."
Ginny got curious about his tone and looked over at him. He was leaning his head back and gazing at the car ceiling. As if he had felt something, Harry straightened up. He blinked a few moments and then looked at ginny. It was like he sensed that she was looking at him. Harry smiled. Ginny, feeling uneasy, looked away.
They arrived at King's Cross Station at ten fifty. They had barely enough time to unload thier trunks before they ran to and through the barrier between platforms nine and ten.
Ginny spotted Amilia hugging her parents goodbye. Seeing them, reminded Ginny of the wonderful love story. Ginny sighed.
"Something wrong, Gin?" Harry asked.
"Not a thing," Ginny replied.
"Alright then," Harry said, heading toward the train.
"Bye, Harry," Mrs. Weasley waved. "Have fun, Ginny. Keep up in class, Ron. I'll see you in Summer."
Harry and Ron got on the train.
"Careful with that broom," Mrs. Weasley called after them.
Mr. Weasley put his arm around her. Amilia ran over to Ginny.
"Well?" Amilia whispered.
"I got it," Ginny told her.
Amilia let out a small screach and then pulled Ginny into the compartment they had left Hogwarts in. Amilia sat Ginny down and stared at her trunk.
"Is it in there?" She asked.
"Where else could I put it?" Ginny retorted.
"Well,tell me what happened," Amilia urged.
Ginny opened her mouth to explain, but then she remembered what had happened. Harry had said her name in his sleep. Was that something that she wanted Amilia to know. Amilia would probably take it as confirmation and declare Ginny's undying love to Harry. But really, saying her name didn't mean a thing. Ginny, herself, had a dream about Malfoy, but did she like him? Not in the least. She just happened to be in one of Harry's dreams that night.
"I went into the room and got his cloak," Ginny said simply.
"So what was he wearing?" Amilia queried.
"He was in a sleeping bag," Ginny explained. "And even if he wasn't, I wouldn't have paid attention. I don't care what he sleeps in."
"Was he a cute sleeper?"
"A what?"
Amilia rolled her eyes, saying, "What does it sound like? Was he cute when he slept?"
"He looked the same as usual," Ginny told her, "except that he had his eyes closed and he wasn't wearing glasses."
"You say your serious about this guy," Amilia began.
"I never said that," Ginny corrected.
"You must have felt something as you watched him sleep," Amilia went on.
Ginny gaped at Amilia.
"He.." Ginny began, "looked perfect. It was like being able to look at him the day they brought him to the Dursley's when he was one-year-old. So peaceful and innocent. His hair could use a bit of combing."
Amilia chuckled.
"Oh, Amilia," Ginny sighed, "I love him so much."
Amilia set her hand on top of Ginny's.
"We have to stop Cho from using him," Ginny whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek.
"We'll figure this whole thing out," Amilia assured. "I promise you that."
Ginny looked at Amilia.
"We are a team that can't be beaten," Amilia laughed. "We can figure out anything. I doubt most people could have gotten this far. You'll save Harry. I know it."
"Having a psychic preminition?" Ginny asked.
"Call it women's intuition," Amilia said, smiling.
Trees and fields of all kinds passed by the window. Slowly the fields turned into wooded areas and winding rivers. Things started to darken a bit, too. Ginny could tell that they were almost to Hogwarts. Amilia suggested they put on their robes and so they did.
"What else happened during Christmas?" Amilia asked.
"Happened?" Ginny repeated.
"You had Harry for a whole week," Amilia reminded. "Something had to happen."
Ginny rubbed her neck and replied, "I...We...played with my neices quite a bit. Er...he...did miss his cloak. He looked everywhere for it. It upset him a lot."
"That must have been hard," Amilia commented.
"And...I got a ring," Ginny explained, showing her hand to Amilia. "I don't know who gave it to me."
"Perhaps Harry did," Amilia proposed.
"Perhaps," Ginny agreed.
"Is that all?" Amilia asked, seeming disappointed.
"Er..I don't..think there was anything else," Ginny lied.
"You have some restraint," Amilia voiced. "If I had the man of my fancy for a week, I wouldn't leave him alone."
"It doesn't have to do with restaint," Ginny told her. "It's really fear."
"Not everyone can be as blunt as I," Amilia giggled.
"By the way, do you have a certain boy you are interested in?" Ginny asked.
"Not at the moment, no," Amilia answered. "I like all boys."
Ginny laughed.
The train pulled into Hogsmede station a few moments later. Ginny and Amilia walked onto the platform and watched for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. It wasn't long before they spotted the group climbing on to a carriage.
"C'mon!" Ginny exclaimed.
Amilia and her ran over to the carriage.
"May we join you?" Amilia breathed as they reached the carriage.
"By all means," Harry replied.
Amilia and Ginny climbed into the carriage. Ginny was uncomfortably forced to sit next to Harry. Amilia sat beside her and they faced Hermione and Ron, who were contently holding hands.
"How was everyone's holiday?" Hermione asked.
"I had a wonder time with my Uncle Lyman," Amilia shared. "He's a muggle from my mum's side. It was strange trying to get use to all that electric stuff."
Hermione and Harry chuckled, being the only ones raised in a muggle atmosphere.
"My holiday was quite dull," Ron voiced. "It was full of people and kids. I prefer a quiet holiday. Relaxation, a little Quidditch, and a whole lot of food."
Hermione giggled, squeezing Ron's hand.
"How about you two?" Hermione asked, refering to Harry and Ginny.
Ginny glanced at Harry, who was, subsequently, looking back.
"My holiday was awsome," Harry told everyone. "It was a million times better then the Dursleys and quite better then Christmas at Hogwarts. I have a great time."
"Me too," was all Ginny could think of to say.
Harry glanced at her again.
The carriages stopped at the front door to the school, as usual and they all got off. The students made their way to the Great Hall.
"Students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Professor Dumbledore said once all the students were sitting. "I'd like to welcome you back. I hope your Christmas holiday was a pleasant one. I, myself, had quite lovely holiday. I got to visit my old friend Fabien Flavien the fourth. He said the funniest thing while I was there." Dumbledore chuckled, "He said...I ..I was the..and then he was...with the dwarf..you know...and I had this.." Dumbledore busted up. "Ah, that was a good one. Back to the annoucements. Mr. Filch would like you to know that the snow is to remain outside school and any violators of this rule will have to serve detention," Dumbledore whispered, "because that's all he has the power to do." Dumbledore chuckled again. "The new terms starts tomorrow. Happy eating."
A feast appeared on the table as Dumbledore sat down. Ginny looked at the food but wasn't hungry. She still had things to take care of. Just because she got the cloak and got a nice break from things didn't mean it was over. Ginny glanced at the Ravenclaw table. Cho Chang smiling and waving at someone. Ginny looked in the direction Cho was looking. It was Harry. Not Surprising. He waved back, looking quite happy to see her again. Ginny clenched her teeth.