Crash And Burn
Author's Note: Well, we have more intrigue! Who's after Harry and Ginny? And after our lovely scene at the waterfall, what is Harry's new surprise? If you're wondering after reading this, trust me, it'll all fit in eventually. Everything.
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The next few weeks went by without too much incident. Harry and Ginny's relationship continued to grow stronger, them spending more and more time with each other. They would sit at the back table doing their homework together, Ron and Hermione joining them frequently. Ginny's knowledge was great and soon she had Harry and Ron doing their Divination homework properly. When you knew what you were doing it didn't take much to get the right predictions. Granted, gruesome death was more interesting to Trelawney, the "old dotty fraud" as the four of them liked to call her, but it could be useful when done properly. The common room was abuzz with who was going to the Halloween Dance with who, what they were wearing. The four of them decided to take a trip to Madame Malkins in Hogsmeade to get some ideas.
"So," said Harry, taking Ginny's hand as they wandered through the store, "what do you think? Who should we be for this Halloween Dance?"
"I've got an idea. In fact, I think it's perfect for us," she said, laughing at the thought. "I just need to find the proper idea for a robe to wear." Harry followed her around as she looked at all the dress robes around, the shimmering materials catching her eye time after time. She finally stopped, gasping as she saw the perfect one.
It was a flowing shimmering white robe, a white bodice with Celtic symbols outlined in diamonds around them with a flowing skirt, the robe with it having a soft white fur collar and edging, the shimmering material of it looking like a white waterfall cascading around it, the hood fur trimmed and patterns around it lined in diamonds like the bodice. "Harry," she gasped, "it's exactly what I've been looking for! It's so perfect! Oh my, please, let me try it on! I want to get an idea of everything before I go transfigure a few things! Oh my this is perfect," she went on, giggling like a kid in a candy store. She picked up the dress, putting it up to her and twirling around, looking in the mirror. She turned back to Harry. "I'll be right out," she said, heading to the dressing rooms. As soon as she went back there he went up to the counter where the saleswoman was.
"Mam, did you see that lovely woman who went back there with that white dressing gown," he asked.
"Why yes Mr. Potter. Oh I'm sure she will look quite lovely in it sir, if I do say so myself," said the woman.
"How much does it cost," he asked, anxiously awaiting her coming out to see it on her.
"Oh sir, it is most expensive. It was hand made by the Fairies of the nearby forest. Once every year they come and make one dress for us. They are very rare but they are most beautiful.:
"Yes, that's lovely, but how much does it cost," he asked.
"300 Galleons sir."
"Done. I want you to charge my account at Gringotts for it and send this dress tonight to Hogwarts to a Miss Virginia Weasley if you would be so kind," he said.
"Oh I shall sir, I most definitely shall," she said, busying herself with writing this down.
A few moments later Ginny came out in the dress robes. "Harry," she said, "what do you think?"
Harry turned around and saw her. His mouth opened immediately, a gasp escaping his lips as he took in the way the bodice fitted her perfectly, how the skirt flowed around her, the diamonds sparkling and shimmering in an invisible light, the robe for it looking like it was a waterfall, cascading around her shoulders. She had to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. "Ginny, you look amazing. That dress is perfect for you," he said, his breath still taken away by her beauty as it shined through the dress.
She twirled around in front of the mirror, feeling the materials move with her. This truly was the perfect dress robe. She went back into the changing room and came out with it in her hands, putting it back on the rack. "Well, at least I have an idea for what I'm going to do. Come on Harry," she said, heading out of the shop. "Let's go look at some other stores. I want to head to Honeydukes," she said.
Harry turned around, thanking the woman for her hospitality, giving her a knowing wink. Ginny was gone before she could see her emerge from behind the counter and pick up the robe off the rack.
They went around to many more stores, seeing different pieces of jewelry, Ginny buying herself a set of glass slippers to go with the outfit. "They're perfect for it," she said, handing the man her money. She let Harry buy her a necklace in the jewelry store, a beautiful white gold necklace of miniature horses, running in a circle around her neck. She gasped when she saw the price but Harry quickly brought out the money for it. "Harry," she said, her eyes widening as he paid for it, "you really don't have to do that."
"Yes, I do. You should have the best my dear, and this looks so perfect on you," he said. The jeweler put it in a velvet box, a small lock and clasp on it to keep it safe. After that they headed to the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer and met up with Ron and Hermione again. The girls immediately launched into a conversation about what they found, what they wanted to wear. Hermione had gotten her parents to send her money for a new gown and said she would show it to her tonight when they got back. Ginny excitedly told her about the white gown she found at the robe shop, how she was going to take some of her robes and transfigure them to look like it.
"Oh Ginny! I remember seeing those! You'll look gorgeous in something like that," she said. Ginny took out her other bags and showed her the glass slippers she got to go with the dress and the necklace Harry had bought her. Harry beamed with pride as Hermione's eye grew wider, staring at the necklace. "Oh Gin, it's beautiful!"
Ron leaned over to see and gasped at the sight. "Harry, mate, that must've cost a bundle," he said.
"Bundle or not, it looks perfect on her," he said, reaching across the table and grasping her hand as she put away her necklace. She squeezed his hand.
"Ginny my dear, I do believe that Harry is going to spoil you rotten," he joked.
Ginny laughed. "He could give me nothing and I'd still be happy," she said, looking into his eyes. Just then Madame Rosemerta showed up with the butterbeers for them. The four of them sat around the table, telling stories of when they were younger. Then Hermione, being the all practical one, came up with the one question that would take them each a while to answer.
"So guys, not to scare anyone or anything, but what do you want to do after we graduate," she asked.
Ginny, actually, was the first one to speak up. "Well, I want to get a job working for the Ministry of Magic in the Department for Control of Magical Creatures. I want to research them, watch them grow, especially winged horses and unicorns. They're fascinating, so different from the muggle horses. It's so interesting to me."
Ron was next. "Well, I want to work in the Ministry, maybe in my dad's office. I just hope I don't end up like Percy." They all laughed and shook their heads at the thought. Percy was obsessive about his job. It was a good thing in a way, seeing as how he wanted to become the Minister of Magic one day, but still, he was a bit obsessive.
Hermione was next. "I want to work in the Ministry, in the Muggle Relations Office. I want to see the muggle and wizard interactions, help out with the wizards who transfigure muggle objects." Ron smiled widely at this. Those two were perfect for each other. Then it came Harry's turn.
"So what do you think Harry," she asked.
"I want to work at Hogwarts. I don't know where I'll be working, maybe assisting Sirius with the Animagi classes, but I really want to work at Hogwarts. It's been the only place I could truly call home besides the Burrow," he said. "And with the land my parents left me, I'm sure I'll be able to have a home, and a family. I just want to be happy after I graduate," he said.
They all agreed that he would be happy. The four of them went on and on, talking about how they would see the world after graduation. Ron and Hermione planned on getting a flat together in London for a while near the Ministry. Harry wanted to build a home on the land, with a place for Ginny to keep her magical creatures. He hoped she felt the same way.
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They arrived back at Hogwarts after dinner was over and had to stop by the kitchen for some food before going back upstairs. Ginny saw Dobby and hurried over to him. "Dobby," she said, pulling something out of her robes, "I want you to have these. I bought them for you for being so kind and bringing me my coffee." She handed him a set of socks she had bought, a mismatched set of stripes and polka dots she had found in one of the shops.
Dobby looked up at her and bowed low. "Miss Ginny mam, Dobby does this for kind Miss Ginny mam. He does not deserve such things. You is most kind to Dobby sir," he said, bowing low. He skittered out of the way and came back with a trayload of food for them. He packed it up and handed it to her. "Here Miss Ginny mam," he said, bowing low again.
They all enjoyed a wonderful dinner at one of the tables in the back. Afterwards Hermione and Ginny went upstairs so Hermione could show her the new robes she got. Harry and Ron sat at the table downstairs, waiting for the two to come back down when Harry saw a rather large owl come in carrying a rather large package. He smiled to himself, knowing who it was heading for. The owl, not seeing it's intended person, flew back out the window. Sure enough, a few minutes later a scream came from in Ginny and Hermione's room.
"Harry, did you--" said Ron. Harry just nodded his head. Ron's eyes grew wide then he shook his head. A few seconds later Ginny came bolting down the stairs, a smile spread from ear to ear as she tackled him from his chair to the ground. She proceeded to kiss him senseless then leaned back and slapped him. "Harry James Potter! How dare you tease me like that! It's not funny!"
Harry put his hands in front of his face, pinned to the ground by Ginny. "I swear it's not a joke! I bought them for you while you were in the dressing room. They're yours!" He felt her get off him and stand up.
"Well then Mr. Potter, I shall have to keep them a secret until the Halloween Dance. You be sure to wear your robes. Damned if I'm not gonna look good and surprise people doing it."
Harry looked up at her, a red handprint growing on his face. "Is it safe for me to get up or do I have to worry about being assaulted again," he asked, teasing her as he slowly got up.
She conjured up her pain reliever cloth and set him down on the chair. She took it and put it on his face. "Oh Harry! I'm so sorry! I thought you were going to send this to me then have me send it back after I had transfigured things to the look of it. I'm so sorry," she said, hugging him and kissing his forehead.
He nodded, laughing. "Actually, my dear, there's one more thing I wanted to give you. Go sit on the couch and wait for me. I need to go get something." He went upstairs, one hand on his cheek holding the pain reliever cloth to it while he bounded up the steps.
Ginny went over to the couch, looking to Hermione and Ron and shrugging her shoulder, not knowing what on earth he was getting at. She went over to the couch, laying down on it and covering herself up with the blanket. Harry came down the stairs shortly afterwards. He first went over to Ron and Hermione, whispering something in Ron's ear. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. He grabbed Hermione's hand, whispering something in her ear as they headed out the portrait hole. You could hear Hermione's squeal outside the portrait hole as it closed.
Harry went over to where Ginny was and lay on the couch next to her, covering them both with the blanket. He lay there holding her, the two watching the fire together. "So Harry, what exactly did you have to run upstairs for?"
Harry squirmed a bit, not knowing how she would take it. He was more nervous now that he had ever been in his life. He sat up and stood up, walking over to the fireplace. "Ginny, there's something I need to ask you."
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The figure stalked through the halls, checking all over for Harry and Ginny. Around now they would sneak off to some place on the grounds. They still couldn't find it. They were getting back to around Gryffindor when the figure heard a squeal come from over at the portrait hole. They ran quickly over to the portrait hole and stopped in the shadows. Ron and Hermione were in the hallway, Hermione squealing, Ron looking numb to the world as he hugged her.
"I can't believe it! I just can't! I mean, I can, but I can't!" Hermione squealed again and kept hugging Ron, kissing him in between squeals.
"Well I……I……I……yeah. Just I. I'm speechless. It's great, but…wow. I can't believe it. She'll be happy though. She'll be really happy," said Ron.
The figure waited until they were gone before going to the portrait and saying the password, slowly slipping in so the two inside wouldn't notice them. They hid in the shadows, watching the two on the couch. Harry got up after a minute, Ginny asking him what he needed to go upstairs for.
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Harry paced back and forth in front of the fireplace, nervous as to what he was going to say, his hand going into and out of his pockets, fumbling around in his head for the words to say. Ginny got up and went over to him, taking his hands and making him stop pacing.
"Harry, what is it? What do you want to tell me," she asked, trying to read his eyes. They were scared and excited, all at the same time.
He looked at her, look into her eyes, losing himself in their gaze, the chocolate brown holding him where he was.
"Ginny, I want you to sit down on the couch," he said. She went over to the couch, confused as she had ever been. "Ginny," he said, kneeling down in front of her, "these past few weeks have been the happiest of my life. Every day I keep thanking the gods that I finally woke up and realized what a beautiful, talented, smart, funny, wonderful woman you are and ask how I got to be with you when Merlin knows I don't deserve you. But," he said, reaching in his pocket and pulling something out, "if you give me the chance," he said, taking her hand, "I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you. Virginia Marie Weasley, will you be my wife?"
Ginny began releasing the breath she was holding. Her eyes started growing as she realized what he was saying, and when she looked down at her hand she saw a ring on her finger. "Harry, this is your mother's ring! Are you serious? Really," she asked, her breathing becoming more rapid as the excitement coursed through her.
"Ginny, you've made me the happiest I've been in my life these past few weeks. I've been in love with you since second year when I saved you from the Chamber of Secrets. It's just taken me this long to realize it and I'm sorry for that. Like I said, I don't deserve you in the least bit, but if you give me the chance I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
Ginny started crying, the tears running freely down her face as she nodded her head. "Yes," was all she could say. Harry jumped up with her and they started hugging, screaming and laughing. They were kissing repeatedly, over and over, not caring who or what would see them. They never saw the figure step out of the shadows. They did hear the scream though. "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
Harry was the first to see him step out of the shadows. "NO," the figure screamed. "You bastard! You son of a bitch! You knew I loved her and you took her from me. And you, you little bitch! You fell into his trap. He doesn't love you! I love you! He's just using you," the figure said, collapsing onto the floor in sobs. "I love you," he kept repeating.
Ginny turned to Harry, confusion clouding her eyes. She stepped over to the figure. "Colin," she said, "you know you were only my friend. You know that I never felt anything more for you than friendship."
"Why then? Why did you always go with me to the balls and the dances and everything? Why did you always go with me to Hogsmeade?"
Ginny shook her head. "Because we were friends Colin. Nothing more." Colin remained collapsed on the floor. Then he stood up, a cruel look on his face. "Then if I can't have you nobody can have you," he said, pulling his wand out of his pocket and pointing it at her.
Just then Ron and Hermione came through the portrait hole. Hermione ran right over to Ginny, the two girls screaming and jumping around, Colin having retreated back to his room. Ginny showed Hermione her ring. "Dear god Harry! It's beautiful! Where could you find this? It must've cost a fortune," she said.
"Actually," he said, taking a deep breath, "it was my mother's." Hermione's head whipped around to him, Ron's jaw dropped, and Ginny headed over to Ron, showing him the ring. Ron closed his jaw and looked up at her. He hugged her, giving his congratulations, before heading over to Harry. "Congratulations mate!" The everyone started congratulating everyone else around them, the day coming to an unbelievable height. Soon Ron and Hermione were cuddling on one end of the couch, Ginny and Harry on the other. Life was good for everyone involved.
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Cho was sitting in the Slytherin common room, steaming over what Dumbledore had done. He had given her the choice of turning back to the good side, reforming her ways and becoming the person she had been before, or being expelled from Hogwarts. She had chosen expulsion. Perhaps it would be easier to ignore the fact that Harry wasn't hers. Then again, how would Dumbledore know she was still in Hogwarts? She could easily use the Polyjuice Potion and pretend to be someone else. She would stay with Draco in his private room, the two sharing ideas back and forth on how to keep Harry and Ginny apart. The Polyjuice Potion hadn't worked. Cho's emotions once again overtook her, that and her developing evil side. Each day it was growing worse and worse. Then she had an idea…
"Draco," she said, pacing back and forth in front of his fireplace. He made sure that his worked. He hated being cold. "Draco, I think I may have an idea. What if, during the Quidditch match tomorrow, we had a few Dementors come and knock Potter off the broom, then have someone with Polyjuice Potion pose as a Gryffindor. When they ran up to him in concern they could take out a Port Key that would transport them to the Riddle home, straight to Voldemort. It would only be a matter of time before they died."
"My dear, you are a genius. No wonder Voldemort has chosen you to be my partner," he said. ~Dear god this is pathetic. She still can't get over the fact that Potter and Weasley are going out. Why can't she just let it go? Looks like another warning is on the way.~ "Cho, let me ask you something, and be honest."
"What is it that you want to ask?"
"Is the fact that Harry has chosen Ginny over you the only reason you joined forces with Voldemort? Cause if it is you've joined for the wrong reasons. You were one of them that was supposed to survive this. You, me, the whole of Slytherin, all gone on Yule's Night. Why Cho? Why not before Potter started going out with Weasley?"
"So what if that's the reason I joined? It's reason enough for me. And Harry lied to me the little bastard. Voldemort told me that Harry was the one that actually killed Cedric. Harry killed him because he was dating me. Harry loved me dammit and now he left me for that red haired bitch. They're both gonna pay. Any reason is a good reason," she said, going to her bed next to his and laying down, curling up under the covers. "Tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll play one of those disgusting Gryffindors and get those two to the Riddle home."
Draco waited until he heard her rhythmic breathing before he took his Invisibility Cloak and headed out of the Slytherin portrait hole. He knew now that he couldn't write to them so he'd have to go through another outlet, one that was guaranteed and that nobody would suspect to be in league with him: Sirius Black.
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Ginny and Harry sat at a table in the common room that night, parchment at the ready in front of them, quills and inkwells waiting to be used.
"Hey Gin, I think I should write your parents first and get their approval. We should ask Ron and Hermione to keep it quiet too. I will need your help writing the letter though. How am I supposed to ask my fiancée's parents if it would be alright to ask her hand in marriage," Harry said, worry creeping into his voice. He could just imagine what they were going to do to him.
Ginny reached over and squeezed his hand. "Harry, you worry too much. You're practically family already. You'll just become it officially. My parents love you Harry. They won't say anything against you."
A few hours later the two of them gave Harry's letter the final once over. Everything seemed to be in order.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Weasley,
I really don't know how to start this letter. Well, I suppose at the beginning would be best. You see, your lovely, wonderful, sweet, amazing, beautiful daughter Virginia and I have been dating since the first day of September and these last two months have been the happiest of my life. She understands me better than anyone ever has. I feel that in no way do I deserve someone this wonderful, but she is the reason I get up in the morning. I am writing this to ask you if you would consent to me asking Virginia to marry me. I already have plans for after graduation, and will be building a home on the land my parents left me in Hogsmeade. Please, I am begging you, allow me to marry your daughter. I have always considered you family. Please let me become a part of it.
Sincerely,
Harry
Harry and Ginny looked at his letter again and finally decided it was the best possible way to say it. "Well, let's send off Merlin and Hedwig tonight. I'm betting by tomorrow we'll have a response. Hell, probably instantly should Hedwig and Merlin feel like a good fly back. Those two. You know Gin, we're gonna have a small hatching of Snow Owls before we know it."
"Yep. Knowing mum and dad they'll probably come here and wake the both of us up. And about the hatchlings, I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised. Come on Harry. Let's get them off to my house. I just hope mum and dad take this well."
They went to the owlery, and, sure enough, there were Hedwig and Merlin curled up together on the roost. Both fluffed their wings importantly as Hedwig got the letter tied to her leg. Soon the two were fading into the distance as Harry and Ginny watched. They headed back to the common room, ready for some sleep as tomorrow held the first Quidditch match of the season. Being a Slytherin-Gryffindor match up, it was sure to be volatile.