A GLIMMER WITHIN A TRIAL

A/n Thanks to all who reviewed this story thus far. Okay, I'm kinda mean in the beginning, and leave the whole thing unresolved. But, I promise that if you keep reading, you'll find out Harry's problem by the end of this chapter.

A GLIMMER WITHIN A TRIAL

PART X

"Harry, what is it?"

Harry glanced around nervously. "I er…I…I'm going to go to bed now." He ran up the stairs and out of sight, leaving Ginny standing by the stairs in wonderment. She couldn't believe she was so close to getting it out of Harry, when he suddenly stiffened on her. She didn't care how much Harry avoided her in the next few days; she wasn't going to give up on him yet.

The next morning, Ginny walked into the kitchen, where Liberty was cooking breakfast. She didn't see anyone else yet, which was puzzling since the clock on the wall said it was almost ten-thirty. Usually, Harry was up by eight.

"Where is everyone," she asked Liberty.

"We're in the library dear," Shelby said, appearing in the kitchen. "Go ahead and join the others. I was just coming in to help Liberty with breakfast."

"Won't we be coming back in here anyway to eat," she asked.

"I'm going to bring in into the library. We have decided to start Bridgett's training today, so there is a lot of work to be done."

Ginny couldn't believe they started without her. Maybe sleeping in does have disadvantages. She made her way into the library where Harry, Ron, Hermione, Bridgett, Kimberly and Remus were sitting around a table with books scattered everywhere. Snape was sitting in another corner of the library with a scowl on his face. Ginny had to suppress a giggle remembering last night.

"Hi Ginny. You're right on time to witness the first experiment," Kimberly told her.

"That's great, but where's Sirius," Ginny asked. Her question was answered when a large black dog appeared from behind a shelf from the library.

"It is going to take a lot of practice for Bridgett to be able to possess Wormtail. If she doesn't hit the target just right, Wormtail will be able to feel Bridgett's presence before she can control him," Hermione lectured. "It is easier for Bridgett to start simple and work her way up."

"So, I take that it is easier to possess an animal than it is to possess a human," Ginny asked looking at the dog.

"Exactly," Hermione replied.

"But, what do you mean by the target?"

"Well, the books say you have to go straight into the soul. Unfortunately, no one has documented exactly where the soul is located in the body."

"I thought that souls were abstract. You know…something that can not be seen or placed, but is simply there," Ginny said.

"Exactly. That's the problem. How can you locate something that exists, but is not actually there?"

"Are you ready Bridgett," Remus asked, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I guess…" A few seconds later, Bridgett seemed to be out like a light. Everyone stood and watched her still form for a couple minutes. Suddenly, the dog began to bark.

"Did she do it," Ron asked. "Is she making Sirius bark?"

"I hope so," Ginny said, crossing her fingers. A few seconds later, Bridgett started to stir.

"Good job Bridgett," Kimberly exclaimed.

"Wait guys. I didn't do it," Bridgett said sadly.

"They why did Sirius bark," Harry asked.

"I barked," Sirius said, back in human form, "because I got a huge tickling sensation. Next time watch my feet, Bridgett. They are very sensitive."

"I'm sorry," she said sloughing back in her chair. "Maybe I can't do this."

"Don't give up Bridgett," Ginny said determinatively. "You'll do better next time. Look on the bright side, now we know where Sirius is ticklish at."

"Oh no! Stay away from the feet." Sirius shifted his chair back a notch when Kimberly gave a determined look.

"Shall we get him Ginny," she said with a mischievous smile. Ginny knew not to argue with that smile; that smile meant trouble. "Let's get him," she answered.

"Before you girls tickle Sirius to death, breakfast is ready," Liberty said, carrying in a tray full of pancakes. Sirius sighed, happy to be saved from a major tickling attack. "My hero," he said to Liberty mockingly.

"What happened to Shelby," Ginny asked halfway though the meal. She had gone into the kitchen for more toast, and never returned.

"Another question, that may answer your question Ginny dear, is what happened to Snape," Liberty smirked.

"Gross! Not while we're eating," Ron said from across the table. Ginny had to agree with her brother; she did not want to think of Snape and Shelby kissing at all, let alone when she was eating.

"And to imagine, the same girl that refused to marry me because there was 'no spark' has decided Snape is a walking firecracker," Sirius said, stifling a laugh.

"Yeah, Snape must be quite a catch," Liberty giggled, not even trying to hold it in.

"What is it about him that gives him such animal magnetism," Sirius asked in a mocking voice.

"It's got to be those pleasant sneers," Liberty answered. They were both practically on the floor laughing when Shelby and Snape returned.

"Hi. I had a little trouble with the toast, so Severus came to help me," Shelby spat when she saw a room full of eyes staring at her. Sirius and Liberty started to snigger, until Remus shot a warning glance out to him.

The rest of the day was filled with failed attempts of Bridgett trying to possess Sirius. None of the books could give accurate information on the location of the soul. Ginny knew Hermione looked in each one of them about three times before she finally gave up. They headed up to bed, feeling defeated.

"Don't worry Bridgett. It's not your fault," Ginny said encourageably.

"I know, I just wish I could help."

"You will. It just takes practice."

"I don't know how many more of these practices I can take," Bridgett said, heading up to her bedroom.

Ginny said goodnight and started up the stairs, but she did not stop in her own bedroom. She kept going, and waited outside Harry's bedroom door. She wasn't going to let Harry go in until he had an outright talk with her. About five minutes later, she heard his footsteps ascend up the stairs. She stood in the shadow of the doorway, so Harry wouldn't see her until he got right up next to her.

"What the…Ginny," he screamed. "You scared the daylights out of me." He had his wand out, and in attacking position.

"Er, sorry Harry. You can put your wand down now."

"You shouldn't do that to me you know, with Volde…"

"Don't say his name Harry!"

"VOLDEMORT," he yelled.

"Harry…"

"I'm not afraid of him, and I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of referring to him as You-Know-Who."

"Okay, okay Harry. I'm not here to fight over you saying Voldemort's name…Oops!" Ginny clamped her hand over her mouth as soon as she realized what she just did. She looked as though at first she thought the world was going to end. Then, she unclamped her mouth realizing that nothing was going to happen.

Harry smiled at her. "You want to know what I was about to say this morning," he stated, turning serious again.

"Yes, that pretty much sums it up."

"Ginny, I feel like such a prat telling you this."

"Telling me what Harry?"

"I know that going to Beauxbatons would be a great experience for you…"

"You mean, this is what your whole outburst was about," she asked.

"Let me finish. I tried to give you encouragement; I thought it was what you really wanted. But, what about what I want? I know I shouldn't tell you this, but I don't want you to go."

"You don't?"

"I don't know what I would do without you Ginny. What if Voldemort comes back, and I don't ever get to see you again?"

"If Voldemort comes back, we'll be prepared for him Harry."

"But you'll be in France."

"I have a confession to make. I really didn't want to go to Beauxbatons."

"What," Harry asked confusedly.

"Well, Professor McGonagall did suggest it, and I did tell her I'd think it over, but I never really wanted to go. I was listening to Liberty's story about how Shelby and Sirius didn't feel a 'spark', and I was worried."

"Don't you feel a spark Ginny," Harry asked frowning.

"Of course I feel a spark, but I was afraid you didn't. So, I told you about Beauxbatons because I wanted you to stop me…and, you did," she said smiling.

"So you're staying at Hogwarts," Harry asked hopefully.

"I never planned on leaving," she answered.

He leaned down and kissed her. Before she went to bed, he whispered in her ear, "I do feel a spark Ginny."

A/n In the next chapter, Ginny gives some input to help Bridgett in her training.

I am having so much fun writing Sirius, Liberty and Shelby. I was laughing so hard at the Snape kissing parts, I was getting strange looks from my friends. I am getting an urge to do sort of a 'prequel' to this story with Lily, James, Sirius, Remus, Liberty, and the whole gang when they were at Hogwarts. Does that sound like a good idea? If I do that along with writing this story, will it get too confusing? Let me know in your reviews.

Disclaimer: I don't own them.