Crash And Burn
Author's Note: *dances around happily* Guess what?! I'm done with classes for the summer! And once my dorm room gets a good cleaning, I'll be updating almost daily. I've already got ideas for a sequel building. But for now, Quidditch and surprises at dinner!!! And the Halloween Dance! What dangers lurk in the shadows? *giggling* Gods I love this fic! Ok, so basically Quidditch and stuff. Dinner and dancing is best left for tomorrow!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry and Ginny walked with Ron and Hermione to breakfast, floating around on Cloud Nine. They were in their own little giddy happy world, seemingly unaware of anything around them but each other. Well, that and Ron and Hermione. They all sat down, ready to eat when Hedwig and Merlin flew in with the rest of the owls, mail in each of their beaks. Hedwig landed in front of Harry while Merlin landed in front of Ginny. Hermione and Ron looked up at them, eyebrows raised in questioning. "Parents," the two said in unison. Ron got a worried look, as did Hermione. They knew they would be happy together, and Ron knew that his parents loved Harry like a son, but would they accept this proposal of his?
Harry opened his letter first, Hedwig dipping her beak into his coffee and taking a piece of bacon with her over to Merlin. The two shared their bacon in silence on a plate Ginny had given them, the four of them burst out in laughter. Harry cautiously opened the letter in front of him, glad that it wasn't a Howler.
Dear Harry,
In all my years I would've never guessed that this would be the letter I would be receiving from you. Molly is writing to Ginny right now here next to me.
Where do I begin? I know that you have enough to support my daughter, and Merlin knows we all know of her affections towards you for so long, but when did all this come about? Not that we aren't thrilled. We were wondering how long it would take you two together. Molly won. I figured it would take you until Christmas. She figured right after school started, what with Ron and Hermione going out.
We're glad that you asked our permission, and Harry, if it was anyone else we would question their intentions. We've known you for the longest time, we consider you part of our family. We would be honored to have you as a permanent part of the family. I hereby give you permission to marry my daughter. Mind, we still need to have the customary talk and all. We will be arriving at Hogwarts tonight to have dinner with all of you. See you then!
Sincerely,
Arthur Weasley
P.S. Harry, this is Molly. I just wanted to say Congratulations!
Harry's smile grew wider and wider on his face as he read the letter, laughing at the bet Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had going on as to when they would get together. Ron looked at him, confused and curious as to why he would be laughing at a letter so serious.
"Harry, not that it's any of my business, but why in the hell are you laughing. Anything like this from my parents can't be that funny," said Ron.
"Well, apparently your parents had a bet going as to when Ginny and I would get together. Your dad figured Christmas, your mom figured right when school started. Guess she won," said Harry. The four of them burst out laughing, getting stares from around the table. Harry and Ginny noticed that Colin wasn't there. Then Ginny turned back to her letter.
Dear Ginny,
Congratulations my daughter! I'm so proud of both of you! I think Harry was being a very proper gentleman by asking us before asking you (although I suspect you two were writing that letter together right after he proposed). You know, your father and I knew this was going to happen. You two were talking more over the summer, spending more time together after Ron and Hermione got together last year. Our little Ronniekins. But it's your moment! Your father and I are coming for dinner tonight. We'll see you then!
Sincerely,
Your mother
P.S. This is your father. Your mother was right. She had you guys getting together around the beginning of the school year. I had you guys waiting until Christmas. No matter. Congratulations Ginny!
Ginny started laughing at her letter too. Her parents were so funny. ~I wonder why it wasn't this obvious to us before.~ She smiled, grabbing Harry's hand underneath the table and leaning in to kiss his cheek. She left her head resting on his shoulder, his other arm around her waist. They were like that when Sirius came up to the table.
"So you two, what's the latest news?"
Ginny smiled up at Harry before turning to Sirius and offering her hand. "Why Sirius, so good to see you," she exclaimed. Sirius took her hand and turned it over, gasping as he did. He knew that ring. He had been right there when it was slipped on Lily's finger at their wedding.
"Harry, do you know whose this was? Where did you find it," Sirius asked, wonderment still evident on his face.
"Later, in class. Our potion is ready. Transformation day. I'll explain later," he said.
Ginny turned to Ron and Hermione. "You guys too. After tonight you'll know most of everything. Most." With that Ginny and Harry got up and headed off to the new Animagi classroom.
It was an older Charms classroom that Sirius had updated himself. After transforming before he knew what kind of room and, knowing what type of animals they were going to be, he had transfigured a plot of grass on one half, an open ceiling on the other so Ginny could take flight. The three entered, their potion in Ginny's kettle sitting on the only piece of furniture in there.
"Well ladies and gentleman, welcome to the Animagi classroom. Now, Harry, you have a bit of explaining to do. Where did you get your mother's ring," asked Sirius.
"Well, I think this will better explain everything." Harry handed him the letter from his mother before going over to the potion. He took out his small bag of hairs of a white stag while Ginny took out her small bag of hairs of a winged horse she had gotten from Stardust. They both set everything out before turning around to see Sirius's face fall as he read the letter. Finally he looked up at Harry.
"Harry, where on earth did this come from?"
"Well," said Ginny, "I think I can answer that. You see, Lily's journal was in my room. I found it and she appeared to me." She grasped Harry's hand as she heard his intake of breath. "She told me to write my mum for a box that she had sent her shortly before they died. She knew there was no way to prevent it. The Fidelius Charm was her last hope. Well, I send for this box and give it to Harry."
"There were pictures, deeds, a letter, my parents' wedding rings." He took a deep breath before continuing. He wasn't sure how Sirius would react. "Last night I took her wedding ring and gave it to Ginny. I proposed to her Sirius. We're engaged." At that Sirius took a step back, tripping over a crack in the floor and falling over. He sat up, shaking his head.
"But when? And you're so young, not that your parents weren't. In fact, as I recall they got engaged in their seventh year as well. Congratulations you two," he exclaimed, jumping up and hugging the two.
"My parents are coming tonight to dinner. Pretty soon the whole bloody school's gonna know. Not that I care," she said, resting her head against Harry.
"Well then, why not start the transformations. Who wants to go first," he asked, filling two goblets with the potion.
"I'll go," said Harry, picking up his goblet and adding the hair of a white stag. "Well, here goes." He tipped his head back and felt the liquid pour down his throat, felt it burn the whole way down, dropping into his stomach like an atomic bomb going off. He immediately crumpled over in pain, dropping to his knees and barely supporting himself on his arms. He cried out as he felt his bones begin to stretch and break, readjusting to the new form. Slowly his neck elongated, his legs becoming long and sleek, horns growing out of his head. Soon where Harry once was lay a white stag, asleep or resting on the floor.
Ginny went up to him once it was done, taking the stag's head in hers. "Harry, are you alright," she asked. The stag slowly opened its eyes, a faint black marking around them where his glasses should have been. The eyelids fluttered and soon a pair of green eyes she knew so well were looking at her. After a few moments, Harry stood up and started walking and trotting around the room. Tossing his head, he came back to Ginny and nudged her over to her potion. Ginny added her hair from Stardust to the mix and drank quickly. Her reaction, however, was different.
She couldn't feel any pain, anything at all. She could feel that her eyes were becoming farther apart, her legs lengthening and stretching, her arms becoming legs and her body hunching over. Her neck became elongated and her head as well, bearing a striking resemblance to Stardust. And then the pain came. The wings, not a normal part of her anatomy, had to be grown. She whinnied in pain as they started to sprout from her sides, the feathers showing their red and white fan. She went down on her knees and lay there, waiting for it to be done, tears leaking out of her eyes as Harry desperately tried to comfort her. He lay down next to her and nuzzled her. Soon the wings were grown and the pain was gone. Ginny slowly opened her eyes and stared into a pair of worried green ones belonging to a stag. She touched her nose to his, nickering deep in her throat to let him know she was okay. Soon she got up and started walking and trotting around the room, getting a feel for her new body.
"Alright Ginny," said Sirius. "Try using your wings. It may be painful at first, and you may not want to fly yet, but eventually your body will adjust to the change and soon the pain associated with the wings growing will stop. Go on now. Try them out." She flapped her wings, feeling searing hot pain as she did. Her body was still protesting this yet she went on. After a few minutes she could feel the pain lessening and soon it wasn't there at all. She decided to give it a try and cantered across the room, giving herself a starting path, and lifted off into the sky.
There was no feeling that could describe how flying felt. She soared around, above trees and bushes, passing Hagrid's house and circling in front of Dumbledore's office. He turned to see her, her reflection showing in a mirror he had in there and waved. "Good job Ginny," he called as she flew off, back to the Animagi classroom. She landed gracefully on the floor, prancing around excitedly, making noises in her throat trying to tell Harry how fun it had been. Harry had, by now anyway, transformed back into his human self and was laughing at her excitement.
"Ginny, in order to transform back to your human self just picture in your head what your human form looks like." She tried this and soon she was back to her human form, albeit a little tired, but none the worse for wear.
"You'd never believe how fun that was! I flew around by the trees and over Hagrid's hut and swooped down by the Gryffindor Tower and hovered by Dumbledore's office and I saw people on the grounds and Hagrid was playing with Stardust and--" Harry grabbed her and held her to him, trying to make her calm down.
"Gin," he said laughing, "you need to save some of that extra energy for the Quidditch Match today. You're a great keeper but knowing Slytherin they'll try anything to win. I want you on your toes," he said, giving a mock general's voice.
"Yes sir," Ginny said, saluting him.
"Speaking of Quidditch, shouldn't you two be getting some food then off to the pitch? You guys need to replenish the energy you used up, especially you Ginny," said Sirius, reinforcing the wards over the room.
"Yep. Wanna come eat with us? You can give me a good interview. I'm sure my mum and dad are gonna give Harry the third degree anyway. And Harry," she said to him, "I apologize in advance for anything they might say or do to offend you. They mean well, they're just very protective."
"Oh I know. I'm full well expecting your dad to challenge me to a duel or something. But come on Gin. Let's at least eat with Sirius. Maybe he can have dinner with us too. Sort of a safe ground in case of emergencies," he questioned, looking to Sirius for help.
Sirius shook his head, laughing at the worried look on Harry's face. "Don't worry Harry. They've known you for years. You're practically a son to them. You'll be fine, but yeah, just in case, you've got my back up. I'm gonna go grab Lupin before lunch though. I'm sure he's gonna love hearing this one," said Sirius, heading out and towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
Harry turned to Ginny, the two heading out of the room and towards the Great Hall for lunch. "Well Ms. Potter, where to?"
"Say it again Harry. I love how it sounds," said Ginny, a dreamy look on her face.
"Say what again? Where to," he asked, toying around.
Ginny gave him a mocking glare before laughing. "You great git. I mean Ms. Potter. Wow," she said, looking down at her hand and admiring her ring, "who would've ever thought in a million years that I would be the one that you would pick as your wife."
"Merlin and Lady Epona," offered up Harry, getting a laugh out of her.
"Well, let's go get some food. I'm starved," she said, practically dragging him down to eat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lunchtime was about as eventful as was to be expected. Ron, Hermione, Sirius, and Lupin were sitting at their customary end of the table, murmurs and stares in their directions. Everyone knew that Sirius and Lupin were friends with the famous four but teachers customarily did not eat with students. It was a bit disturbing to some people, including Cho Chang. Professor Dumbledore had done some research and, with the help of Sirius, used a charm that would prevent Cho from getting within 10 feet of Ginny or Harry. Cho was wondering why the two professors would bother to eat with those two. Was she in for a shock.
Ginny walked in with Harry, the two of them hand in hand, smiles from ear to ear as the four started clapping, Sirius and Lupin whistling while Ron and Hermione were cheering. Harry and Ginny both blushed as Lupin got up and walked over to them, bringing them both into a hug. "Congratulations you two! I'm sure your parents would be very proud Harry." They returned to the table and sat down, anxious whispers coming from the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. It was no secret that Harry and Ginny had begun dating, but what was the congratulations for?
"Come on Harry," offered up Seamus. He was one of the new Chasers after Katie, Angelina, and Alicia left. "What's all this about congratulations?"
"Well," he said, his hands getting a bit sweaty, "I proposed to Ginny last night and she accepted."
The whole of Gryffindor dropped what they were holding and turned to stare at them. Harry and Ginny began squirming around in their seats, very aware that now the whole hall was beginning to turn their way, wondering what on earth had startled the Gryffindors so much. Finally Parvati and Lavender rushed up to Ginny, hugging her. "Oh my god Ginny! Congratulations! Let me see the ring," asked Lavender after she finished hugging her. Ginny offered her hand, which Lavender took. Soon all the girls were crowding around Ginny as she had to stand up and all the guys were giving Harry pats on the back.
Cho's eyes narrowed as she saw the whole of Gryffindor congratulating the two of them. ~What do those twits have to be happy about? No matter. Soon it'll be through the grapevine and I'll find out.~
The excitement was becoming heightened until finally Harry had to stand on the bench of the table. "Now, I'm sure you all would like to offer your congratulations, and believe me, Ginny and I could not be more happy to get all of your support, but we have to have a bit of food before the Quidditch match today!" This excited cheers from the crowd as everyone dispersed to their seats, Harry and Ginny finally making it to the table.
"So you two, now that the whole of Gryffindor knows you're engaged, how does it feel," asked Lupin, a huge smile on his face.
"Wonderful," answered Ginny. "Absolutely amazing. I don't think anybody could bring me down off this cloud I'm floating on."
Harry laughed and leaned over to kiss her cheek. The six of them ate, discussing what the two had missed on their week off and preparing them for what they were going to face on Monday. Harry and Ginny figured that tomorrow they would go down and visit Hagrid to catch up on Care Of Magical Creatures and visit Stardust. Soon it was time to get ready for the Quidditch game and the team stood up. Hermione wished the three of them luck as they headed to the locker rooms, Hermione and the rest of the school to the stands.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry was pacing nervously back and forth. It was the first game of the year. They hadn't lost the Quidditch Cup since they'd won it in Oliver's last year and he didn't plan on losing this year.
"Alright team, listen up. We're in top shape, we've practiced long and hard for this game, and we're ready for Slytherin. You know already to be prepared for their tricks and schemes. Ginny, watch it. They'll probably be hitting the bludgers your way. Colin, Dean, I want one of you to keep an eye out for the bludgers sent towards her. Seamus, Ron, Maverick, you three are some of the best Chasers that Hogwarts has ever seen. You know what to do. Like I said, everyone be prepared. Alright team, let's go," he added. The team cheered, their noise rising up as they headed out to the box, waiting to be announced.
Hagrid, Sirius, Lupin, and Hermione were sitting in the front of the Gryffindor section, scanning the crowd for on-lookers. Hermione saw Cho and made a mental note to keep an eye on her. She'd do anything to get at Ginny. Sirius and Lupin were chatting away, telling stories of catches James had made during school. Hagrid was chuckling too. Suddenly sound blared from the announcer's box as Sam Jordan, Lee Jordan's younger brother, began the pre-game announcements.
"Welcome back Hogwarts to another exciting season of Quidditch! In today's match two rivals go head to head in a repeat of last year's Quidditch final. Let's welcome the teams from Slytherin and Gryffindor! First we have the Slytherin team. And out onto the field they go! Crabbe, Goyle, Parkinson, Jones, Farnsworth, Kelsington, and the team captain Malfoy." Most of the crowd, in fact all of it except for the Slytherins, booed as the Slytherin team flew out onto the field. "And now for your Quidditch Cup champions the last 3 seasons running, GRYFFINDOR!" A sea of red and yellow rose from their seats and cheered, flags waving, whistles and calls coming as they began their flight onto the field. "At Chaser, it's Ron Weasley! At Chaser, it's Seamus Finnigan! At Chaser, it's Maverick O'Connell! At Beater, it's Colin Creevey! At Beater, it's Dean Thomas! At Keeper, our newly engaged and soon to be Mrs. Potter, Ginny Weasley!" A sea of gasps and cheers went up as she flew out. She noticed the shocked look that Professor McGonagall had and the beaming smile coming from Professor Dumbledore. "And now, the pride of Gryffindor, Quidditch Team Captain and Seeker Harry Potter!" The whole crowd lost it on this one, even a choice few Slytherins, much to the dismay of their fellow housemates. The teams did their laps around the field before the captains came to a rest on the ground.
"Alright," said Madame Hooch, "Captains, shake hands!" Malfoy and Harry walked up to each other, extending their hands. Malfoy grabbed Harry's and squeezed it a bit.
"Harry," he whispered, "watch out for Colin. I saw him talking to Cho and she had another idea about Polyjuice Potion." He took his hand away and mounted his broom, kicking off and flying away before giving the startled Harry and chance to react. ~So he's the Slytherin Ghost.~ Harry mounted his broom, kicking off and flying up higher than the rest to get a better view of where the Snitch would be. He pulled up facing Malfoy, giving him a nod of thanks before looking down as Madame Hooch's voice was heard.
"Alright everyone. Clean game. Any cheating and you'll be thrown out. Ready," she said. Shortly after she released the bludgers and the Snitch. The Snitch floated in front of Harry and Draco before zipping off. Madame Hooch threw the Quaffle in the air shortly after and the mad scramble began. Slytherin wasted no time in beginning to make this one of the hardest fought games yet.
Slytherin beaters did exactly what Harry thought they would do. Ginny ducked just in time as a bludger flew past her. Colin chased it down, hitting it back toward Slytherin and having it fly past Ginny once again in the process. Ron got the Quaffle and the three Chasers took off towards the Slytherin goalposts. "And it's Weasley with the Quaffle! He passes it to Finnigan! Now O'Connell! The three are forming the Flying Wedge! Look at them go! It's Weasley to O'Connell, back to Weasley, Finnigan! Oh! Nice duck there Ron! And now to O'Connell and…SCORE! Gryffindor gets 10 points!" The crowd was on its feet as Maverick scored, him doing a loop in the air before the Quaffle was released again.
Meanwhile Draco and Harry were staying out of the frenzy, flying high above the Quidditch green in search of the Snitch.
"I'm serious Potter. Watch out for Creevey. Cho came in babbling about getting a mole in Gryffindor, someone who felt they were also jilted by your relationship with Ginny. Colin's the one that gave her the password. He also agreed to switch bodies with her for the match. She's gonna try to knock Ginny off her broom and when you rush down to her she'll come in, touch you two, and use a Port Key and you'll be transported to the Riddle Home where Voldemort will finish you two off. You have to go through with the prophecy. We'll save you two at any cost."
Harry didn't dare to glance at Draco, same as Draco didn't dare to glance at Harry in order to throw suspicion. "Are you the Slytherin Ghost?"
"Yes."
"I owe you one. If you hadn't given me that warning when Cho got Ginny I don't think I would've known before it was too late. What do you suggest I do then, to make sure this doesn't happen?"
"Catch the Snitch and avoid Creevey. I'll take care of the rest. The fool won't succeed."
"Right then." Harry spotted the Snitch then. It was hovering just above Ginny's head. He set into a straight shot, set on getting it before everything went bad. Draco followed close behind, but once again his Nimbus 2001 wasn't a match for Harry's Firebolt. He shouted at Ginny to duck as he was coming. She moved just in time as his hand closed around the Snitch. He lifted it triumphantly in the air as all the team touched down, the crowd rushing down from the stands to join them on the field. Harry and Ginny were hugging and laughing, the rest of the team rushing up to join them.
It was too crowded around Harry and Ginny to even bother for Colin to try the Port Key trick. ~I'll have to wait til the two of them are alone.~ Suddenly he felt someone come up behind him and grab his arm, spinning him around. The Port Key was in his hand.
"What do you think you're doing," hissed Draco. "Not now! After you get back to the common room! They'll be sure to be alone! If you can't do this properly you shouldn't even bother. Failure is not tolerated!"
"Watch me Draco," hissed out Colin. He strode up through the crowd, bumping and pushing his way through. He ended up where Ginny and Harry were.
"Congratulations," he said, holding out his hand. Harry backed away, taking Ginny with him, going with the flow of the crowd as they headed to the Gryffindor common room. Colin chased after Harry and Ginny. Ginny whipped around, using her wandless magic and tying up Colin. Everyone turned to see the commotion. Ginny headed to where she had tied up Colin, the effects of the Polyjuice beginning to wear off. Slowly the features began to change and Cho Chang was tied up where Colin Creevey once was. Ginny then turned to Dumbledore, her face red from anger and, very slowly, said "If you do not expel this woman and Mr. Colin Creevey for teaming up and trying to use a Port Key to capture both Harry and me I promise you on the graves of my ancestors I shall kill them myself."
Dumbledore looked slightly taken aback by Ginny's statement. He had never heard a Gryffindor speak so forcefully, though judging by the look on her face and those around her, many had not seen her get angry that often. "I assure you Miss Weasley, the two you speak of shall be expelled immediately. Workings of Voldemort shall not come to be under my roof." He looked through the crowd, searching for Colin as the effects of the Polyjuice Potion would be wearing off soon. He was heading off on his broom, cackling madly.
"I'll get you still Potter! You and Weasley! You'll both pay," he shouted out.
"Oh no we won't," exclaimed Ginny, grabbing her broom and shooting off towards Hagrid's hut.
"Hagrid, what on earth is she doing," asked Harry incredulously. Soon, though, he got his answer as he saw Stardust whip past everyone, Ginny on his back, in pursuit of the errant Colin. Harry hopped on his Firebolt, shooting after her as the rest of the school looked on in awe of what was happening.
Ginny sped on after Colin, Stardust flying with more speed than she had ever felt him show. They were slowly gaining on him, inch by inch, as Colin tried to outrun them. He kept glancing back over his shoulder, amazed that Ginny was on a winged horse. He flattened himself against his broom, trying to gain speed, yet neglecting to remember that each time he looked behind him he slowed a little. Ginny flattened herself more against Stardust's neck, urging him to go faster. The sweat and lather was appearing on his neck yet he didn't stop or slow up any. In fact, if anything he was getting faster. Inch by inch, foot by foot they were getting closer until finally Colin made his mistake. He chose to turn around, making it very obvious he was doing so. Ginny turned Stardust and ran parallel to him. He did not realize this and she caught him, knocking him from his broom. He began falling, faster toward the earth as it looked as though it would swallow him up.
Ginny shot down after him, Stardust and her both perpendicular to the earth. The crowd at Hogwarts could be heard as they watched, gasps, screams and yelps of surprise reaching her ears as she caught up to him. Stardust pulled himself straight, allowing Colin to land unceremoniously across his back. Ginny grabbed onto him and flew back over to where Dumbledore was, landing a bit away and walking up to him. She tied him up as well and dumped him next to Cho. Then she turned to Dumbledore. "Get them out of here before I do something I regret." With that she turned Stardust and the two of them headed back to Hagrid's hut.
Dumbledore ushered the rest of the curious crowd back into the school, encouraging the celebrations as he had Sirius be watch over Colin and Lupin over Cho. The crowd thinned out and soon all who were left was Ginny and Harry, sitting with Stardust back at Hagrid's cabin.
"Ginny, that was amazing," exclaimed Harry. "I've never seen anything like that!"
"I've never done anything like that. This is the kind of stuff that happens when I lose my temper. I don't even think about what I'm doing and just go and do it. I'm glad that Stardust didn't mind." She sighed, leaning back and laying in the grass. "That last part, the parallel to the ground, was terrible. It was the most frightening thing I've ever done. I honestly thought I was gonna fall off."
"I was right behind you. I would never let you fall off. I would've caught you," said Harry, laying down beside her. Ginny lay her head on his chest, her arms draped lazily on him as the two watched the clouds go by in the sky. Stardust walked over to them, nuzzling Ginny as he lay down next to her. They both shifted so they were leaning against Stardust, the trio now lazing around on the lawn watching the clouds.
Neither one knew how long they had been out there for soon Ginny heard something. "Well, it appears that the two of you don't waste any time." Ginny and Harry looked up, barely opening their eyes and stared into the faces of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.