Disclaimer: Nothing is ours, even though that would be the best present ever!
Authors' Note: Thank you everyone who reviewed, and thanks for your patience! Sorry this took us longer than expected, but hopefully this part will make up for your suffering.
Chapter 7: The Final Lesson
Harry was only dimly aware of his own voice choking out Ginny's name as he crashed to his knees beside her and turned her over with shaking hands. Her face was ashen, but she blinked up at him and drew a ragged breath.
"Harry, my ribs--I think--" Ginny broke off with a gasp, clutching his arm tightly.
Harry fought back a sob of relief. "Don't worry," he managed to say. "You'll be fine."
Ginny shook her head, her terrified gaze fixed over his shoulder. "We have to help them!"
Harry turned swiftly, with a pang of guilt for having momentarily forgotten his two friends. Ron and Hermione were backing away down the path, still trying to find a curse that would hold the suit of armor longer than a few seconds. But now the knight reached behind its back with one arm as it advanced on them, and Harry remembered with dismay the enormous battle axe he and Ron had so often admired in the North corridor.
Ron must have realized the same thing, for he whirled around and aimed his wand at the hedge where the knight's sword had landed. "*Accio*!" he bellowed. Harry saw him shove his wand back inside his robes so he would have both hands free. An instant later there was a tremendous clash as Ron caught the sword and raised it to block the battle axe that was swinging toward them. Hermione, meanwhile, was using a similar spell to chuck rocks, decorative statues, and any other projectiles she could find at the knight's head.
Suddenly there was a rapid flash of flight, accompanied by a familiar clicking noise. Harry twisted around to see Colin Creevey running towards them, wild-eyed and waving his camera. The younger boy's astonished gaze was fixed on Ron as the redhead skillfully parried another charge. He didn't appear to see Harry crouched in the shadows with Ginny cradled in his arms, nor realize the danger of the situation.
"Colin!" Harry yelled frantically, "Go for help!" He pointed at Ginny. Colin looked at him sharply, blanched, and sped off in the direction he had come.
"Harry, help me up."
Harry looked down at Ginny. She was still very pale but her mouth was drawn into a determined line, and she started to push herself up off the ground. "Ginny, I don't think you should--"
"Ron, look out!" Ginny reached for her wand, but Harry was faster.
"*Propellio recedus*!" he shouted, and the suit of armor flew backwards several yards. Harry knew that wouldn't stop it from attacking again, but it gave Ron a moment's rest from wielding the heavy sword.
Ginny was trying to rise again, and Harry started to stop her.
"Harry," she fixed him with a firm look, "Ron can't hold out much longer, and none of our spells are working. The only way we're going to stop that thing is if we all work together. Now come on, I have to get up."
Harry knew she was right. He shifted his arm behind her and stood up, pulling her with him as gently as she could. Ginny's pallor was now tinged with green, but she didn't say anything as Harry supported her over to Hermione's side. The older girl immediately realized their intentions.
"The Total Body Bind, on three," said Hermione tensely, never looking away from the ongoing battle. "Aim carefully!" Her eyes followed Ron as he darted back and forth to avoid the knight's deadly blows.
Harry glanced at Ginny. Her lips were white and there were tiny beads of sweat on her forehead, but she held her wand out steadily in front of her. They both nodded at Hermione.
"One, two, three-*Petrificus Totalus*!"
The combined force of their three spells knocked Harry, Ginny, and Hermione backwards several steps. The sword completely missed its target when the knight froze abruptly in mid-swing, dropping the battle-axe as its arms snapped to its sides. Ron stumbled, off balance, and whipped around to see what had happened.
"*Ron*!" The sword clattered to the ground as Hermione threw herself into Ron's arms, shaking with relief. But Harry wasn't satisfied.
"*Diffindo*!" he growled fiercely, pointing his wand at the silver breastplate. Ron and Hermione jumped backwards as the suit of armor split down the middle with a deafening crack. Then the two halves shattered completely, raining tiny metal shards onto the path.
At that moment a breathless Colin came running up with Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Hagrid in tow. They blinked at the four disheveled-looking students huddled by the forgotten sword.
"As usual we seem to have just missed our chance to help," Dumbledore commented wryly.
Harry might have laughed if he hadn't been so worried about Ginny. She looked even paler than before and was holding her ribs with one arm.
"Harry," she said stiffly, "I think I need to sit down."
Harry felt her sagging beside him and cried out in alarm, dropping his wand so he could hold her up with both arms. Ginny had fainted dead away. Harry didn't bother to wait for a stretcher. Instead he bent to scoop up her legs and started back to the castle at a flat run, Ron, Hermione, and the others trailing behind. They must have looked a strange sight barging back through the Great Hall and cutting across the dance floor, but Harry didn't care.
Madam Pomfrey made everybody wait outside the infirmary while she tended to Ginny, which finally gave them a chance to talk about what had happened. Fred and George had come as well, having seen Harry racing through the Great Hall with their sister, and were standing next to Ron.
"Harry, please stop pacing," Professor McGonagall entreated for the third time.
Hermione grabbed his arm as he passed and patted it comfortingly. "Ginny's going to be fine," she said firmly, shifting under Ron's arm.
"Yeah," Ron agreed, though his smile was a little feeble. "We Weasleys are pretty tough."
"That's right," said Fred bracingly, "and stubborn, too."
Harry sighed and went reluctantly to lean against the wall opposite the hospital door, trying to see through the window.
"There now," said Professor Dumbledore mildly, "why don't you start telling us what happened. What were you doing out in the gardens?"
Ron cleared his throat as Hermione blushed faintly. Harry noticed that Hagrid's eyes were twinkling, but if he was smiling it was hidden behind his hand. "Well, sir, we just went out for some fresh air and were on our way back inside when that thing attacked us. It came out of nowhere."
Dumbledore rubbed his chin. "I see. And you say your spells didn't work on it?"
"That's right," said Harry grimly. "They all wore off after a few seconds, except Ginny's disarming spell. That's how Ron got the sword." His eyes flicked back toward the hospital door. "And how she got hurt," he added darkly.
"But obviously you managed to stop it somehow," interjected Professor McGonagall.
Hermione nodded. "Harry, Ginny, and I all did the Total Body Bind at the same time while Ron was holding it off with the sword. That finally stopped it, and then Harry used the Diffindo spell just as you all arrived."
"Yes," said Dumbledore, "very effective, that one." He looked at Harry again. "And you think this knight was the suit of arms from the North corridor?"
"Well, we recognized the sword and the battle axe," Harry nodded. Suddenly he realized that he might have been a bit too hasty to destroy an expensive piece of decor. "Um, maybe I shouldn't have used that last spell," he said guiltily. "Can you replace it?"
Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind about that. The important thing is that none of you were hurt too badly." He looked around at them all. "Now, does anyone have any idea why you might have been attacked?"
It looked like Ron was about to say something, but Hermione elbowed him and he closed his mouth quickly. Harry turned swiftly to Colin. "Colin, did you see anyone else out in the gardens where we were attacked?"
Colin shook his head. "No, just the four of you. But it was pretty dark in that far corner."
Professor McGonagall looked at him suddenly. "And what were you doing out there, Mr. Creevey?" she asked.
"Oh, me?" Colin stuttered. "I was just doing a favor for Neville. He and Parvati wanted a picture by the rose bushes. I was about to go back inside when I heard a big racket and went to see what it was." He turned to Ron with a grin. "When I saw you swordfighting a big knight with a battle axe, I didn't think it was real. I thought you were trying to impress Hermione or something."
Hermione's eyes widened and Ron's ears went pink. "I would never!" he sputtered indignantly, looking frantically around at all their faces.
"Well, it was pretty impressive," said Hermione quietly. Ron looked surprised, but not displeased.
"Yes, well," Dumbledore broke in with a discreet cough, "we will of course be investigating this matter, and we expect you to come straight to us if you remember anything else that might help us find the person responsible." The Headmaster's pale blue eyes flickered over each one of them again. "You are certain there is nothing else you can tell us?"
Harry knew they were all thinking the same thing, but without any proof it would only look like a personal vendetta against Malfoy. He shook his head.
Dumbledore straightened and motioned to McGonagall and Hagrid. "Very well," he said. "We must get back to the Ball and explain what happened to the other students. You may stay until Ginny wakes up, and then I suggest you all go directly to bed. You've had more than enough excitement for one night." With a last smile he turned and strode off down the hall with McGonagall.
Hagrid held back to have a word with Harry. "Are yeh all right?" the giant put his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"*I'm* fine," Harry answered, looking again towards the door.
Hagrid smiled. "Yer friend Ginny is very brave," he said, "jus' like her brother." His black eyes darted towards Ron, who had both arms around Hermione and her head on his shoulder. "You four are lucky ter have each other." He smiled again and followed the other professors.
Just then the hospital door opened and Harry leaped forward. Hermione, Colin, and the Weasleys crowded behind him, but Madam Pomfrey blocked them firmly.
"This will be a short visit," she informed them in a stern voice, looking even more harried than usual. "After which you will all go straight to bed. Miss Weasley's had five ribs healed and she needs to rest. And so do you," she added shrilly as Harry and the others pushed past her.
Ginny was propped up in bed, looking slightly rumpled but much less pale than before. She seemed a little embarrassed by the attention as everyone huddled around her anxiously.
"How do you feel, Ginny?" Harry asked first.
"Much better," Ginny smiled. "Madam Pomfrey says I don't have to stay overnight, as long as I promise to--"
"--go straight to bed," they all finished at once, rolling their eyes. Ginny nodded.
"Darn," George sighed tragically. "It would have been the perfect time to use that Get Well toilet seat we've been saving."
Madam Pomfrey, bustling over just then, was hardly amused. "All right, that's enough out of you. Let me see the patient one more time before you all go back to your dorms." Harry gathered from her tone that she meant them to do so very soon.
Fred turned to Ron. "We're going to send an owl to Mum and Dad, now that we know Ginny's okay."
"And we better go find Katie and Angelina," added George, "so they don't think we ditched them."
"Oh, no!" Colin seemed to remember his date as well. "I have to go, too. 'Bye, Ginny! I'm glad you're okay!" He followed the twins out the door, leaving Ron, Hermione, and Harry to wait while Madam Pomfrey fussed over Ginny.
Never one to beat around the bush, Ron faced them questioningly. "So, how are we going to prove it was Malfoy?"
Harry scowled. "I don't know. I sort of destroyed our only evidence."
Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment, then her eyes lit up and she turned to him excitedly. "Maybe not. I have an idea." She grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him towards the door. "Stay with Ginny, Harry. We'll meet you back in the common room." Ron looked clueless, but he shrugged and disappeared into the hall after her.
Harry turned back to the bed with a sigh. Madam Pomfrey was fluttering about in her usual agitated fashion, apparently disappointed to find no reason her patient should stay any longer. "All right, Miss Weasley, you may go now," she said at last. "But under no circumstances are you to return to the Ball." She turned a suspicious gaze on Harry. "Potter, I expect I may trust you to see Miss Weasley directly back to her dorm?"
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey," Harry replied quickly, "thank you." He helped Ginny down from the bed and steered her toward the door before the over-zealous nurse could change her mind.
"Whew!" Ginny pulled a face once they were safely outside in the hall. "I thought I'd never get out of there."
Harry chuckled, remembering how many times he had felt the exact same way, and reached out to pluck a stray sprig of holly from Ginny's hair. She blushed and self-consciously put a hand to her head.
"I must look an awful sight," she said, trying to smooth her wrinkled and dirt-smudged dress robes. Her upswept hair had come loose in places to dangle in copper ringlets around her face, with bits of holly poking haphazardly from the remaining coils.
Harry felt as though he'd just swallowed the golden snitch. He took Ginny's hand gently and pulled it away from her hair. "You're very lucky, you know," he told her seriously. "You could have been killed."
"We all could have," she pointed out.
"I know," Harry agreed, "if not for you." He reached for her other hand and waited nervously for her to meet his gaze. It was almost funny, he thought, the famous Harry Potter reduced to a blushing idiot by the mere thought of what he was about to say. But Ginny's questioning eyes were searching his face, and Harry knew he had to take this chance. He opened his mouth at last, and the words came tumbling out in a rush.
"Ginny, I've been taking you for granted, and I'm sorry," he said ashamedly. "It shouldn't have taken something like this to make me realize how lucky I am to have you for a friend."
Ginny was looking up at him with a strange expression he couldn't read. "I will always be your friend, Harry," she said softly, almost in a whisper. Her voice sounded odd, strained somehow.
"Ginny, I--" Harry wanted to tell her about the awful tightening in his chest he had felt when the knight struck her, or the way his knees were trembling as he stood before her now, but his brain refused to form the words. He stared down at her dumbly, acutely aware of the warmth of her small hands swallowed in his. Ginny had dropped her gaze, but Harry could see a faint flush creeping up her cheeks. He took a deep breath and tried again. "Ginny, I don't want your friendship."
She looked up at him sharply, her forehead wrinkled in confusion. "But..." Her lower lip trembled and a solitary tear glistened on the end of her lashes. Harry watched it fall and slide down her cheek.
"I want more than that." He wiped the tear away gently with a swipe of his thumb. "I think I'm in love with you, Ginny." There, he had said it. He felt the hot rush of blood to his face as Ginny blanched and gaped up at him in shock, but Harry continued breathlessly before he could lose his nerve. "I think I have been for a long time. I just didn't know it until tonight. Ginny," he clasped her hands more tightly, "when I saw you get hurt I felt how horrible it would be to lose you, and I realized how stupid I've been. Can you forgive me?" Harry held his breath anxiously.
For answer Ginny threw herself into his arms, sobbing into the front of his dress robes. "*Oh, Harry*!" She clung to him tightly, shaking all over. "Of course I forgive you!"
Harry felt as if his heart were trying to escape from his chest. He pulled Ginny closer and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on the top of her head. Her sobs were subsiding, and she drew back to give him a watery smile, her cheeks wet with the traces of her tears. Without another thought Harry cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.
As neither of them had ever kissed anyone before Harry would have expected an awkward and clumsy first attempt, but the effect was just the opposite. When they parted breathlessly a moment later Ginny's eyes were moist with fresh tears, and she looked up at him in amazement. "I love you, Harry Potter," she whispered, and Harry was certain his chest was going to explode. As their lips met for the second time his arms tightened around her with the conviction that she would never leave them again.
Authors' Note: Okay, we hope that was romantic enough for all of you! Stay tuned for the next part, when the plot will actually make an appearance!
Authors' Note: Thank you everyone who reviewed, and thanks for your patience! Sorry this took us longer than expected, but hopefully this part will make up for your suffering.
Chapter 7: The Final Lesson
Harry was only dimly aware of his own voice choking out Ginny's name as he crashed to his knees beside her and turned her over with shaking hands. Her face was ashen, but she blinked up at him and drew a ragged breath.
"Harry, my ribs--I think--" Ginny broke off with a gasp, clutching his arm tightly.
Harry fought back a sob of relief. "Don't worry," he managed to say. "You'll be fine."
Ginny shook her head, her terrified gaze fixed over his shoulder. "We have to help them!"
Harry turned swiftly, with a pang of guilt for having momentarily forgotten his two friends. Ron and Hermione were backing away down the path, still trying to find a curse that would hold the suit of armor longer than a few seconds. But now the knight reached behind its back with one arm as it advanced on them, and Harry remembered with dismay the enormous battle axe he and Ron had so often admired in the North corridor.
Ron must have realized the same thing, for he whirled around and aimed his wand at the hedge where the knight's sword had landed. "*Accio*!" he bellowed. Harry saw him shove his wand back inside his robes so he would have both hands free. An instant later there was a tremendous clash as Ron caught the sword and raised it to block the battle axe that was swinging toward them. Hermione, meanwhile, was using a similar spell to chuck rocks, decorative statues, and any other projectiles she could find at the knight's head.
Suddenly there was a rapid flash of flight, accompanied by a familiar clicking noise. Harry twisted around to see Colin Creevey running towards them, wild-eyed and waving his camera. The younger boy's astonished gaze was fixed on Ron as the redhead skillfully parried another charge. He didn't appear to see Harry crouched in the shadows with Ginny cradled in his arms, nor realize the danger of the situation.
"Colin!" Harry yelled frantically, "Go for help!" He pointed at Ginny. Colin looked at him sharply, blanched, and sped off in the direction he had come.
"Harry, help me up."
Harry looked down at Ginny. She was still very pale but her mouth was drawn into a determined line, and she started to push herself up off the ground. "Ginny, I don't think you should--"
"Ron, look out!" Ginny reached for her wand, but Harry was faster.
"*Propellio recedus*!" he shouted, and the suit of armor flew backwards several yards. Harry knew that wouldn't stop it from attacking again, but it gave Ron a moment's rest from wielding the heavy sword.
Ginny was trying to rise again, and Harry started to stop her.
"Harry," she fixed him with a firm look, "Ron can't hold out much longer, and none of our spells are working. The only way we're going to stop that thing is if we all work together. Now come on, I have to get up."
Harry knew she was right. He shifted his arm behind her and stood up, pulling her with him as gently as she could. Ginny's pallor was now tinged with green, but she didn't say anything as Harry supported her over to Hermione's side. The older girl immediately realized their intentions.
"The Total Body Bind, on three," said Hermione tensely, never looking away from the ongoing battle. "Aim carefully!" Her eyes followed Ron as he darted back and forth to avoid the knight's deadly blows.
Harry glanced at Ginny. Her lips were white and there were tiny beads of sweat on her forehead, but she held her wand out steadily in front of her. They both nodded at Hermione.
"One, two, three-*Petrificus Totalus*!"
The combined force of their three spells knocked Harry, Ginny, and Hermione backwards several steps. The sword completely missed its target when the knight froze abruptly in mid-swing, dropping the battle-axe as its arms snapped to its sides. Ron stumbled, off balance, and whipped around to see what had happened.
"*Ron*!" The sword clattered to the ground as Hermione threw herself into Ron's arms, shaking with relief. But Harry wasn't satisfied.
"*Diffindo*!" he growled fiercely, pointing his wand at the silver breastplate. Ron and Hermione jumped backwards as the suit of armor split down the middle with a deafening crack. Then the two halves shattered completely, raining tiny metal shards onto the path.
At that moment a breathless Colin came running up with Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Hagrid in tow. They blinked at the four disheveled-looking students huddled by the forgotten sword.
"As usual we seem to have just missed our chance to help," Dumbledore commented wryly.
Harry might have laughed if he hadn't been so worried about Ginny. She looked even paler than before and was holding her ribs with one arm.
"Harry," she said stiffly, "I think I need to sit down."
Harry felt her sagging beside him and cried out in alarm, dropping his wand so he could hold her up with both arms. Ginny had fainted dead away. Harry didn't bother to wait for a stretcher. Instead he bent to scoop up her legs and started back to the castle at a flat run, Ron, Hermione, and the others trailing behind. They must have looked a strange sight barging back through the Great Hall and cutting across the dance floor, but Harry didn't care.
Madam Pomfrey made everybody wait outside the infirmary while she tended to Ginny, which finally gave them a chance to talk about what had happened. Fred and George had come as well, having seen Harry racing through the Great Hall with their sister, and were standing next to Ron.
"Harry, please stop pacing," Professor McGonagall entreated for the third time.
Hermione grabbed his arm as he passed and patted it comfortingly. "Ginny's going to be fine," she said firmly, shifting under Ron's arm.
"Yeah," Ron agreed, though his smile was a little feeble. "We Weasleys are pretty tough."
"That's right," said Fred bracingly, "and stubborn, too."
Harry sighed and went reluctantly to lean against the wall opposite the hospital door, trying to see through the window.
"There now," said Professor Dumbledore mildly, "why don't you start telling us what happened. What were you doing out in the gardens?"
Ron cleared his throat as Hermione blushed faintly. Harry noticed that Hagrid's eyes were twinkling, but if he was smiling it was hidden behind his hand. "Well, sir, we just went out for some fresh air and were on our way back inside when that thing attacked us. It came out of nowhere."
Dumbledore rubbed his chin. "I see. And you say your spells didn't work on it?"
"That's right," said Harry grimly. "They all wore off after a few seconds, except Ginny's disarming spell. That's how Ron got the sword." His eyes flicked back toward the hospital door. "And how she got hurt," he added darkly.
"But obviously you managed to stop it somehow," interjected Professor McGonagall.
Hermione nodded. "Harry, Ginny, and I all did the Total Body Bind at the same time while Ron was holding it off with the sword. That finally stopped it, and then Harry used the Diffindo spell just as you all arrived."
"Yes," said Dumbledore, "very effective, that one." He looked at Harry again. "And you think this knight was the suit of arms from the North corridor?"
"Well, we recognized the sword and the battle axe," Harry nodded. Suddenly he realized that he might have been a bit too hasty to destroy an expensive piece of decor. "Um, maybe I shouldn't have used that last spell," he said guiltily. "Can you replace it?"
Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind about that. The important thing is that none of you were hurt too badly." He looked around at them all. "Now, does anyone have any idea why you might have been attacked?"
It looked like Ron was about to say something, but Hermione elbowed him and he closed his mouth quickly. Harry turned swiftly to Colin. "Colin, did you see anyone else out in the gardens where we were attacked?"
Colin shook his head. "No, just the four of you. But it was pretty dark in that far corner."
Professor McGonagall looked at him suddenly. "And what were you doing out there, Mr. Creevey?" she asked.
"Oh, me?" Colin stuttered. "I was just doing a favor for Neville. He and Parvati wanted a picture by the rose bushes. I was about to go back inside when I heard a big racket and went to see what it was." He turned to Ron with a grin. "When I saw you swordfighting a big knight with a battle axe, I didn't think it was real. I thought you were trying to impress Hermione or something."
Hermione's eyes widened and Ron's ears went pink. "I would never!" he sputtered indignantly, looking frantically around at all their faces.
"Well, it was pretty impressive," said Hermione quietly. Ron looked surprised, but not displeased.
"Yes, well," Dumbledore broke in with a discreet cough, "we will of course be investigating this matter, and we expect you to come straight to us if you remember anything else that might help us find the person responsible." The Headmaster's pale blue eyes flickered over each one of them again. "You are certain there is nothing else you can tell us?"
Harry knew they were all thinking the same thing, but without any proof it would only look like a personal vendetta against Malfoy. He shook his head.
Dumbledore straightened and motioned to McGonagall and Hagrid. "Very well," he said. "We must get back to the Ball and explain what happened to the other students. You may stay until Ginny wakes up, and then I suggest you all go directly to bed. You've had more than enough excitement for one night." With a last smile he turned and strode off down the hall with McGonagall.
Hagrid held back to have a word with Harry. "Are yeh all right?" the giant put his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"*I'm* fine," Harry answered, looking again towards the door.
Hagrid smiled. "Yer friend Ginny is very brave," he said, "jus' like her brother." His black eyes darted towards Ron, who had both arms around Hermione and her head on his shoulder. "You four are lucky ter have each other." He smiled again and followed the other professors.
Just then the hospital door opened and Harry leaped forward. Hermione, Colin, and the Weasleys crowded behind him, but Madam Pomfrey blocked them firmly.
"This will be a short visit," she informed them in a stern voice, looking even more harried than usual. "After which you will all go straight to bed. Miss Weasley's had five ribs healed and she needs to rest. And so do you," she added shrilly as Harry and the others pushed past her.
Ginny was propped up in bed, looking slightly rumpled but much less pale than before. She seemed a little embarrassed by the attention as everyone huddled around her anxiously.
"How do you feel, Ginny?" Harry asked first.
"Much better," Ginny smiled. "Madam Pomfrey says I don't have to stay overnight, as long as I promise to--"
"--go straight to bed," they all finished at once, rolling their eyes. Ginny nodded.
"Darn," George sighed tragically. "It would have been the perfect time to use that Get Well toilet seat we've been saving."
Madam Pomfrey, bustling over just then, was hardly amused. "All right, that's enough out of you. Let me see the patient one more time before you all go back to your dorms." Harry gathered from her tone that she meant them to do so very soon.
Fred turned to Ron. "We're going to send an owl to Mum and Dad, now that we know Ginny's okay."
"And we better go find Katie and Angelina," added George, "so they don't think we ditched them."
"Oh, no!" Colin seemed to remember his date as well. "I have to go, too. 'Bye, Ginny! I'm glad you're okay!" He followed the twins out the door, leaving Ron, Hermione, and Harry to wait while Madam Pomfrey fussed over Ginny.
Never one to beat around the bush, Ron faced them questioningly. "So, how are we going to prove it was Malfoy?"
Harry scowled. "I don't know. I sort of destroyed our only evidence."
Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment, then her eyes lit up and she turned to him excitedly. "Maybe not. I have an idea." She grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him towards the door. "Stay with Ginny, Harry. We'll meet you back in the common room." Ron looked clueless, but he shrugged and disappeared into the hall after her.
Harry turned back to the bed with a sigh. Madam Pomfrey was fluttering about in her usual agitated fashion, apparently disappointed to find no reason her patient should stay any longer. "All right, Miss Weasley, you may go now," she said at last. "But under no circumstances are you to return to the Ball." She turned a suspicious gaze on Harry. "Potter, I expect I may trust you to see Miss Weasley directly back to her dorm?"
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey," Harry replied quickly, "thank you." He helped Ginny down from the bed and steered her toward the door before the over-zealous nurse could change her mind.
"Whew!" Ginny pulled a face once they were safely outside in the hall. "I thought I'd never get out of there."
Harry chuckled, remembering how many times he had felt the exact same way, and reached out to pluck a stray sprig of holly from Ginny's hair. She blushed and self-consciously put a hand to her head.
"I must look an awful sight," she said, trying to smooth her wrinkled and dirt-smudged dress robes. Her upswept hair had come loose in places to dangle in copper ringlets around her face, with bits of holly poking haphazardly from the remaining coils.
Harry felt as though he'd just swallowed the golden snitch. He took Ginny's hand gently and pulled it away from her hair. "You're very lucky, you know," he told her seriously. "You could have been killed."
"We all could have," she pointed out.
"I know," Harry agreed, "if not for you." He reached for her other hand and waited nervously for her to meet his gaze. It was almost funny, he thought, the famous Harry Potter reduced to a blushing idiot by the mere thought of what he was about to say. But Ginny's questioning eyes were searching his face, and Harry knew he had to take this chance. He opened his mouth at last, and the words came tumbling out in a rush.
"Ginny, I've been taking you for granted, and I'm sorry," he said ashamedly. "It shouldn't have taken something like this to make me realize how lucky I am to have you for a friend."
Ginny was looking up at him with a strange expression he couldn't read. "I will always be your friend, Harry," she said softly, almost in a whisper. Her voice sounded odd, strained somehow.
"Ginny, I--" Harry wanted to tell her about the awful tightening in his chest he had felt when the knight struck her, or the way his knees were trembling as he stood before her now, but his brain refused to form the words. He stared down at her dumbly, acutely aware of the warmth of her small hands swallowed in his. Ginny had dropped her gaze, but Harry could see a faint flush creeping up her cheeks. He took a deep breath and tried again. "Ginny, I don't want your friendship."
She looked up at him sharply, her forehead wrinkled in confusion. "But..." Her lower lip trembled and a solitary tear glistened on the end of her lashes. Harry watched it fall and slide down her cheek.
"I want more than that." He wiped the tear away gently with a swipe of his thumb. "I think I'm in love with you, Ginny." There, he had said it. He felt the hot rush of blood to his face as Ginny blanched and gaped up at him in shock, but Harry continued breathlessly before he could lose his nerve. "I think I have been for a long time. I just didn't know it until tonight. Ginny," he clasped her hands more tightly, "when I saw you get hurt I felt how horrible it would be to lose you, and I realized how stupid I've been. Can you forgive me?" Harry held his breath anxiously.
For answer Ginny threw herself into his arms, sobbing into the front of his dress robes. "*Oh, Harry*!" She clung to him tightly, shaking all over. "Of course I forgive you!"
Harry felt as if his heart were trying to escape from his chest. He pulled Ginny closer and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on the top of her head. Her sobs were subsiding, and she drew back to give him a watery smile, her cheeks wet with the traces of her tears. Without another thought Harry cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.
As neither of them had ever kissed anyone before Harry would have expected an awkward and clumsy first attempt, but the effect was just the opposite. When they parted breathlessly a moment later Ginny's eyes were moist with fresh tears, and she looked up at him in amazement. "I love you, Harry Potter," she whispered, and Harry was certain his chest was going to explode. As their lips met for the second time his arms tightened around her with the conviction that she would never leave them again.
Authors' Note: Okay, we hope that was romantic enough for all of you! Stay tuned for the next part, when the plot will actually make an appearance!