Crash And Burn
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reviewing! I love this fic so much and evidently all of you do too!
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The crowd of people around Ginny's bed thinned until all that who were left were Ginny, Harry next to her, and Sirius sitting in the chair, watching the two of them. ~They look so much like James and Lily. I remember times when Lily would be in the hospital wing and James would sit up with her the whole time, just holding her. They were so happy together, much as Harry and Ginny are now. Maybe it was meant to be.~ He smiled at this then yawned. Getting a bit sleepy, he changed into his dog form and lay down on the floor, legs sprawled out as he rolled over onto his side, and slept.
Harry and Ginny were just sitting in each other's company, enjoying the silence in the hospital wing. They listened to each other breathing, their breaths coming in time with each other. Harry held Ginny in his arms as she leaned against him, her wounds almost healed. She sighed in happiness and looked up at Harry. "How did I get such a wonderful boyfriend," she asked, smiling lovingly up at him.
He looked down at her and smiled, squeezing her a bit in a hug. "Because you were just too wonderful to pass up. I'm just sorry that it took me so long to realize it." He took her hand in his, careful not to disturb the bandage that still was there. Poppy had taken the cast off this afternoon and wrapped it up instead. "Soon I won't have to worry about Voldemort coming after you either. A few more months and this will all be over." He smiled happily at this, Ginny giggling a bit.
Just then an owl, school owl it looked to be, swooped in the window and landed on Harry's knee. They looked at each other curiously before untying the note and sending it off. Ginny looked at Harry with a questioning look. He shrugged his shoulders, confused as to why someone would send him a note via school owl. Opening the letter, though, he found out why.
Harry and Ginny,
I cannot reveal who I am. It would destroy my position within Slytherin and at this stage in the game we cannot afford that to happen. I am writing you this to give you warning. As you know Cho Chang has been moved to Slytherin, giving me greater ability to follow her movements. She has openly admitted to me that she plans on using Polyjuice Potion to transform into Ginny. You need to be prepared if she should somehow capture her and transform. Give Ginny something that she would have with her all the time, something that cannot be replicated by the Polyjuice Potion. This is the only sure way to tell when this is happening. Please, though, be on your guard and try to prevent this from happening. You must go through with the prophecy at all costs!
Sincerely,
The Slytherin Ghost
Harry and Ginny looked at each other, wondering who in Slytherin would Cho talk to about whatever this is. Knowing her, she'd tell the whole bloody school, but if this was a mission endorsed by Voldemort she would keep it quiet and let it be known only to those closest to him. That would narrow it down to four people: Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Professor Snape. Harry knew from the past that Snape was working as a double agent, but who else would? They both looked at each other a little worried before he set it down on the end table. He picked up the letter from his mum as he set down the other one and looked at it.
"Harry," asked Ginny, also looking at the letter, "why don't you open it? I'm sure there's a few things in there that she would want you to know. She wouldn't have written it otherwise."
"I know Gin, but right now I can't. It's too much for one day," he said, staring at the letter, his hand shaking slightly.
"When you're ready, Harry, it will still be there, as will I," she said, squeezing his hand and setting the letter aside for him. She lay back down on the pillow and pulled the blanket over them, nuzzling his neck before falling asleep. "Goodnight Harry. I love you," she said. A few moments later she was sound asleep, her breathing rhythmic and slowed.
Harry scooted down so that his face was level with hers, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. "I love you too Gin," he said, kissing her forehead once more before drifting off to sleep.
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After much protest and promises of nightly treks back to the hospital ward for check-ups, Poppy released Ginny. She was glad to be out of there. It was ok for a while, but after five days it got a bit boring. She went with Harry back to Gryffindor Tower so he could put away the things he got from his mother then headed down to breakfast.
Once again, they were extremely early and only a few people were there. They spotted Dobby putting Ginny's coffee on the table and Ginny ran over to his, scooping him up in a hug. "Thanks for bringing me my coffee all week Dobby. It would've been horrible in the hospital without it." She set the house elf back down, watching as he tottered back and forth, dizzy from the hug.
Dobby stopped moving about and smiled at her. "Oh Miss Ginny mam, you is most kind to Dobby. You is very good lady. Dobby get anything for Miss Ginny mam." Dobby bowed low to her and hurried off to the kitchens.
Harry and Ginny sat down at the table, Ginny going straight for the coffee while Harry just stared at her. He started to chuckle but bit his lip to hold it back. She heard him and turned, watching his face go redder and redder as he tried harder and harder to hold back the laughter. Finally he couldn't do it any more and burst out laughing, falling over out of his chair and onto the floor.
Ginny just watched him in amusement before laughing herself. She helped him back onto the bench just as Sirius walked in and sat with them.
"So, up for a day of herb picking for the potion? We'll need to go into the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid's agreed to go with us right after breakfast is over, seeing as how he doesn't have a class meeting today. Is that coffee," he exclaimed, practically diving at the pot. He grabbed a goblet and some milk, pouring himself a cup and sipping it happily.
Ginny and Harry stared at him before laughing again. Sirius just looked back at them, his eyes twinkling. "I haven't been able to find this stuff for the longest time! They don't have any in Hogsmeade, not that I could walk into a shop and ask for a cup." He sighed, setting the cup back down. "You know, the three of us, your mother and father and I, used to go to a small coffee shop in London with Moony. God I missed this stuff," he added, sipping at it again.
"As I remember you always liked your coffee with milk and a mint leaf in it," came a voice. Sirius's eyes widened and he turned around to face Moony. He jumped up, giving the man a great hug and ushering him over to the table. He slapped him on the back, handing him a goblet and the pot. "What brings you here Moony," he asked, thrilled to see his friend again.
Moony laughed. "You always did act like an overgrown puppy. I'm great. In fact, I'm here as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Dumbledore wrote me last night, asking me to come fill in. Seems as though he couldn't be headmaster and teacher at the same time." He smiled. In reality Moony had been on a secret mission, trying to gauge where the Death Eaters were and possibly when and where they'd strike next. Dumbledore was filling in until he came back. Obviously after Ginny's feat it wasn't hard to find them.
Ginny and Harry watched the two old friends in silent amusement. Moony was right in one aspect. Sirius was like a big overgrown puppy. Then again, so was Moony. Soon more and more students were filing in, staring over at the Gryffindor Table as Moony and Sirius sat talking with Ginny and Harry, the four of them laughing like old friends. Ron and Hermione arrived soon after most everyone was there, noticing the commotion coming from Sirius being out in the open. People had yet to fully accept his innocence. Ron and Hermione sat down, Ron shaking hands with both of them while Hermione hugged them both. Dumbledore entered and clinked his glass, signaling for everyone to be quiet.
"Good morning students! As you can see, we have two new teachers joining us today. Professor Lupin is returning as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher while Professor Black has been called in as our new Animagi professor. Now this year we are to have a Halloween Dance and a Yule Ball. As per Halloween I expect you all will want to dress in costumes, Yule Ball being formal. The Halloween Dance will be held on Halloween of course, the Yule Ball being held the night before we all leave for Christmas break. Also, Quidditch practices will start soon and the first Quidditch game of the year will be on November 2. Captains, the game schedules will be passed out to you. That is all!"
Everyone immediately started murmuring, a buzz going up about the Halloween Dance or the Yule Ball, some still amazed by Sirius. Ginny and Harry looked at each other and smiled. "My lady," Harry said, "will you do me the great honor of being my dance partner at the Halloween Dance?"
"Why yes good sir," said Ginny. The other four started laughing as Harry and Ginny proceeded to put on a show of mock chivalry, although not far from what Harry would usually do. The breakfast continued without much incident and soon it was time to go to classes. Ron and Hermione headed off to class, Harry and Ginny off with Sirius and Lupin to collect herbs. Hagrid was waiting outside the doors for them, Fang at his heels. The minute Fang saw Ginny, though, he bounded up to her and tackled her to the ground, standing on her and licking her face.
Ginny laughed as he did this, knowing full well that he would. "Ugh Fang. Geroff me you big lug!" She tickled his belly and instantly the dog rolled over, twitching back and forth on the ground, begging for more attention. Ginny got up and rubbed his belly for a while before turning back to Hagrid. "You think he missed me a bit?"
"Jus' a bit Ginny," Hagrid said, chuckling at this obvious bond of affection between the two. "Fang here always knows when yer comin'. He gets all excited, jumping back and forth." He leaned in to whisper in her ear, "and so does the other little tyke. He's been jumping aroun' jus' wonderin' when you were comin' back. He misses you somethin' terrible."
Ginny jumped up and squealed, startling the other three watching the exchange between Hagrid and Ginny. She grabbed Harry's hand, tugging at him to follow her. "Come on! I almost forgot to introduce you two," she exclaimed, running off towards Hagrid's cabin.
Harry turned to Hagrid, wondering what on earth got her so excited. "Hagrid, what on earth did you tell her to get her so worked up," he asked.
Hagrid looked at him and chuckled. "You know, for as many times as you and the other two visited me all these years it's a wonder you never found out. Come on lads. I'll show ye." Hagrid started off towards his house, Fang racing ahead to keep up with Ginny, Harry shortly in her wake. Sirius, Lupin, and Hagrid hung back, walking briskly but not in the mood to run.
Ginny whipped around the corner and raced to the back paddock where Hagrid sometimes held his lessons on grassland creatures. She quickly opened the gate and bounded in, looking around frantically for her.
Harry ran up and saw Ginny tearing around the pasture, calling for something she seemed to call Stardust. He caught her around the shoulders and held her to make her stop running. She appeared to be confused by this and was struggling until she realized it was Harry. "What," she asked. "Why did you stop me?"
"What in the bloody hell are you tearing around screaming out Stardust for," asked Harry, bewildered at her odd change of pace.
"Oh," she exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across her face. "You don't know! Well, second year after nobody would talk to me, I started coming out here by Hagrid. Well, one day he told me to come out back, that he had something to show me. When I did there I saw a black winged horse baby, lying in the grass. It was still alive, but just barely. He grabbed a cloak and wrapped it around him, bringing him inside. He told me that he'd just found it that morning, figured that the herd had left him behind when he got a little down. I ran to the library, asked Madame Pince for anything on winged horses, grabbed a few books, and ran back down by Hagrid. After a while we found enough information and started healing the poor guy. Well, after a year passes he's getting bigger so we take him outside and put a shielding charm on the paddock out there. He can fly around but can't get out. I've been helping Hagrid raise him ever since." She started laughing. "Funny that I should have a winged horse as my Animagi form."
Harry just stared at her. "But how come we never noticed him before?"
"Ever think about why Hagrid never took you guys out to the back pasture unless it was during class? During class he usually hides inside the cabin." Just then she heard a flapping of wings and then the soft touching of hooves on the ground behind her. She turned around, Harry having jetted back, and faced Stardust.
He was a beautiful black winged horse, wings folded neatly on his sides, his mane and tail black and white, a sprinkling of white on his forehead. He whinnied to her and nudged her shoulder, letting her head rest against her as she pet him. "Hey boy. Shh, I know. I've missed you too."
Harry let the two share their moment before walking up slowly to Ginny, trying not to startle the horse. He tapped Ginny on the shoulder, whispering quietly in her ear, "Gin, is this Stardust?" She nodded, her eyes never leaving the horse as she scanned him over looking for any new nicks or scrapes. She did notice a few white feathers in his mane. "Have you been bothering the owls again? Looks to be Hedwig or Merlin's feathers." Sure enough a few moments later down came Hedwig and Merlin, landing softly on his back. He turned his head and nudged the two of them. Merlin rubbed his head on Stardust's nose while Hedwig hooted affectionately.
"Seems that Hedwig and Stardust have been pretty good friends ever since he came," came Hagrid's voice from behind them. Ginny turned around to see that the other three had arrived. Sirius and Lupin looked amazed.
"I've not actually heard of winged horses being tamed Hagrid. How'd she do it," Sirius asked, Lupin still staring at the horse and the owls.
"Ginny helped raise the poor lil' fella when he 'us dropped off here by a wild herd. Stuck by here ever since," he said, beaming at the trio.
"Well Hagrid, shall we find us those herbs? I should like to start on the potion soon," Ginny said, still standing by Stardust, Harry still a bit weary around him. He'd never seen a non-winged horse up close. A winged one wasn't making much difference in his reluctance. Stardust, however, didn't seem to care as he nuzzled Harry's shoulder, looking for a good pat. Harry cautiously patted it back as Ginny hopped on, Hedwig flying to his shoulder as Merlin perched on his.
"And I see that Stardust's brought along Hedwig and Merlin," said Hagrid, holding open the gate for the three of them. Stardust knew no flying while she was on him and calmly walked along. The menagerie headed out around the grounds, searching for the herbs on the list.
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Draco sat next to Cho on the couch in the Slytherin common room. He was beginning to see how Harry had lost his affection for her. She was repulsive, always focusing on her, the hatred in her boiling over constantly. Pretending to be her partner, her boyfriend, was worse than anything he'd endured while with his father. There he had learned quickly to outwardly show hatred and haughtiness, while in secret he wasn't as bad. He thought back to the day he'd decided to become a double agent. It was one he wasn't soon to forget.
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"Draco! Come here boy," Lucius bellowed, waiting impatiently in the foyer for Draco to come down the stairs. Draco was always running late for the meetings with Voldemort. He'd long ago gotten the Dark Mark. Draco was to be the Dark Lord's heir. When he was ready, Draco would assume the role of second in command, right next to Voldemort forever more.
Draco hid away his pet kashya, making sure that it was safe. He loved his kashya, having had it since he was little. His father would never permit him to have it. Showing affection towards something was a sign of weakness. He hurried down the stairs, putting on his scowl. His father would never know of his weakness. "I am here Father. Sorry for the wait. I needed to make myself properly presentable for Lord Voldemort."
Lucius smiled cruelly at him. "Of course son. You wouldn't happen to be trying to hide something from me would you?"
Draco grimaced at him. "I would never dream of it. I wish to impress the Lord in order to secure my position as his second in command. I would never do anything to jeopardize this opportunity to further the family name." He bowed low to him in order to make this point.
"Do not lie to me boy! I know you have some creature up there that you nurture! Affection is a sign of weakness!" Lucius brought his fist across Draco's face, knocking him to the ground.
Draco lay there for a moment, stunned by the sheer force of the hit. He stared up at his father, willing the tears of pain to stay back. Lucius noticed this and kicked him hard in the chest, making him skid across the floor to the other side of the room. He lay there, choking, gasping for breath, knowing full well that a few of his ribs were broken. He struggled for breath, finally getting enough in him to make an attempt to stand. He leaned against the wall, sliding up it and turning to face his father, blood oozing from the cuts and scrapes he obtained in the hit and kick. "I swear to you father I do not have anything hiding. Affection is a sign of weakness and I show none to anyone."
Lucius growled. "I know you are lying to me, but seeing as how the Dark Lord has picked you to succeed him I shall let this slide. I will search your room tomorrow, leaving no bed, board, or drawer unturned or unsearched. I will find out what you are hiding boy. Come now. We go." And they left. The meeting was as it usually was, Draco on the right side of Voldemort, his father next to him on his right. The other side held Pansy Parkinson, her father on her other side. She was to be his mate. The next day, true to his word, his father searched his room yet did not find his kashya. He had sent it to Dumbledore, hoping beyond hope that he would keep it safe. That night he received the beating of his life for not producing anything in his room. He spent the next week at St. Mungo's, recovering from "a tragic fall down the stairs." He decided then and there that he would work against Voldemort, if only to keep his sanity.
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He sighed, playing mindlessly with Cho's hair, Cho having fallen asleep already. He grunted, moving off the couch and going to his private room. His father insisted on this. He lay down and slept, nightmares tormenting him, dreams of a better life playing with him. ~I'll never have a better life.~