Title: Ginny Weasley and the Boy Who Lived.
Author: Shamrock
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J K Rowling and Warner Bros. I'm only
borrowing them, so please don't sue. The Bestia, Bird, Nymph, Roger Monk
and any students you don't recognise belong to me, as do the Quidditch
teams (apart from the HP characters) and the story.
Chapter 1: The Chamber Author's Note 1: Please read my other stories The Sorting and Harry Potter and the Blood of Darkness (and review, please), also on FanFiction.Net before proceeding, otherwise some of this will be rather confusing. Author's Note 2: Good, you're back. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, please review this as well. It may not seem so but I do value your thoughts. For the purposes of establishing a timeline, this story begins a few days after the gang get off the Hogwarts Express at the end of the year, it will tell the story of Ginny's final year and what Harry and his friends get up to in their first year of independence. Lights, camera, ACTION!!!
The Houses of Parliament. They are the centres of Muggle Government in England, everyone knows about them. But if you were to walk in that august chamber and walk to the seat where the Prime Minister sits, then travel down through the earth for a hundred feet you would emerge into another centre of power, an ancient granite council room. Only a few know of this room's existence and even less know of its location. To those that do, it is known as the Chamber.
Nine cloaked figures emerged from various doors into the vaulted room. The oldest of the circle, whose long snow white peaked from under his hood, sat down on the golden throne at the head of the round council table. Taking the hint, the others took their places around the table. He reached up and pulled back his hood, exposing a long nose, half-moon glasses, and waist length beard known throughout the world - Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, and the current Minister of Magic for England.
At this signal, the others also pulled back their hoods, starting from Dumbledore's left they were: Arthur Weasley, Magistrate of the Council of Magical Law and Head of Magical Law Enforcement; Julius Cygnus; Head of Magical Creatures; Ludovic Bagman, Head of Magical Games and Sports; Roger Stevens, Head of Magical Catastrophes; Percy Weasley, Head of International Magical Cooperation; Argus Vectura, Head of Magical Transportation; Alastor Moody; Head of Mysteries and finally Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dumbledore glanced around the table meeting each person's eyes in turn. Then he cleared his throat. "The Cabinet is now in session. I would like to know how things are going. Minerva?"
She turned to face him, "The students have left the school, their departure went without incident and the new awards were quite a success."
Dumbledore nodded. "Arthur?"
"Nothing to report sir, things have been pretty quiet lately. If there are any of You-Know-Who's supporters still out there, they aren't doing anything in our area."
"The beasts are pretty quiet lately too." added Cygnus, when Dumbledore asked, "Thirteen house-elves have had to be relocated over the last week, mostly from pure-blood families with connections to the Dark Lord, and there have been three minor attacks, witnesses said that two were by werewolves, but they were probably Lupi though, it wasn't full moon. The other was Nessie getting frisky again." he paused, and growled under his breath. "We really should deal with that beast soon. It gives my department more headaches than any beast ever." He raised his voice again, "We've also made good progress in recapturing most of the dragons. Hadrian MacFusty and Charlie Weasley are in charge of that. That's all I have."
"All arrangements with the US Association of Quidditch about the World Cup have been finalised." reported Bagman, "The team will be meeting up at the Condors stadium for a pre-match practise on the 3rd. Pietro Clarodov, my Bulgarian contact, hinted that there was a minor incident with the Bulgarians last week, but he didn't have the details."
Neither Percy nor Stevens had anything to report other than that things were going fine so it was Vectura's turn to report next, "All Port-Keys for travel to California have been placed and their Timing Spells checked with the US Games Department. All the bookings on Muggle planes or boats have also been confirmed. I'd also like to report that we are now up to full strength thanks to the arrival of a contingent of replacements from the Manx Ministry."
Moody shifted uncomfortably in his seat as all eyes turned to him, "I do have a few things to report. Unfortunately, I'm still rather understaffed since my predecessor turned traitor on us and took the department with him. But our overseas sources are as good as ever. I got an owl from Madame Romanovna, an associate of mine in the Russian Department of Mysteries. Apparently, Gregorovitch was caught selling wands to unauthorised people last week, they got away but he's had his licence revoked and got two years in the Gulag for it."
"I've also found out about the incident Bagman mentioned too. According to Polikoff, the Unspeakable assigned to keep an eye on the Bulgarian players, someone tried to infiltrate the Bulgarian support team by using Polyjuice. What they didn't know was that they've been testing players with Kneazles and the Contrarius Concoction for a few weeks now. They didn't get far. But I reckon they're planning an attack. We should suggest to the Americans that they beef up security. I also think that all high profile targets like ourselves and the England team, especially Potter, should be in a secure area in one of the campsites, rather than spread out."
All around the table nodded in agreement. "Percy, could you owl the US Ministry with Alastor's suggestions?" Dumbledore asked.
He nodded, "I'll do right away sir."
"Is there anything further?" asked Dumbledore. Everyone shook his or her head. "Then this meeting is adjourned. The next meeting will be in two weeks. Goodbye and thank you for coming." They rose, drawing their hoods back up and turning towards the exits they began to file out. Dumbledore however, remained sitting after they had all left.
----
When Harry opened his eyes that morning, he was greeted with Ginny's looking directly into own. "Morning." she said, grinning as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"What time is it?" he groaned. "Eight o'clock. I've been awake for about half-an-hour. Did you know you look really cute when you're asleep?"
"I think you might have mentioned it once or twice." Harry told her, "I'm hungry. Let's go down and get some breakfast."
"Good idea." agreed Ginny slipping out of their bed. "First dibs on the shower!" She told him and ran towards the attached bathroom. Harry rose as if to try and race her, but then lay back down again. It wasn't worth the effort, there was no hurry and he'd get his shower soon enough.
Half an hour later, now dressed in jeans and t-shirts they left their room. "Do you know if 'Mione or Ron are up yet?" Harry asked her, stopping outside the room next door.
At that moment, Hermione opened her door and walked out. "Hi Harry, Ginny. Are you coming for some breakfast? Ron and Sirius are already downstairs."
As they walked down the main stair, Harry decided to ask Hermione something he'd been wondering about since she had arrived two days ago. "Mione, you and Ron are together right. Boyfriend and girlfriend?" Hermione nodded. "Well, all the other couples I know, Bill and Fleur, Percy and Penelope, Fred and Angelina, George and Alicia, me and Ginny, they well." he paused uncomfortable. Ginny came to his rescue. "Harry's curious why you and Ron have separate rooms."
Hermione looked away for a second, uncomfortable herself. "I'm not sure, we're ready for that yet. I mean, we've had sex, even slept together a couple of times but sometimes I just need a private space. Do you understand?"
Ginny nodded. "I can't tell you how glad I used to be I was the only girl when the boys were in one of their silly moods. My room was the only safe place in the house, 'cept maybe Mum and Dad's room."
"I'll get over it. It'll just take time."
Or circumstance. thought Harry to himself.
----
When they got down to the dining room, most of the House's residents were waiting for them. Neither Mr Weasley nor Percy were there, but Mrs Weasley, Ron, Bill, Fleur and Penelope were. "What time does the morning shuttle from Scotland come into Platform 9¾?" asked Harry.
Mrs Weasley looked up at him, curiously, "10 o'clock why?"
"Sirius said yesterday he, Remus and Charlie are about finished up at Hogwarts and that they'd be coming down on the train this morning."
"Oh my. Why didn't you mention this earlier?!!" Mrs Weasley asked, clearly rather flustered, and without waiting for an answer she rushed over to the wall and yanked the bell cord hard. Boric rushed in. "Yes Mistress what can Boric do for you today?" he asked bowing. Hermione winced; the fact that even free elves treated their masters as if they were royalty irked her. "Tell Rison there will be three more for dinner and tell Slinky to prepare the rooms I set aside for Sirius, Remus, and Charlie." Boric nodded. "Master Charlie's room is ready Mistress. Boric will make sure that Slinky prepares Professor Black and Professor Lupin's rooms immediately, Mistress. Is there anything else?" "Tell Worthington I would like the car around to the front in half an hour." "Very good Mistress." The diminutive tuxedo- clad elf bowed and walked out of the room.
"See Mum? Nothing to worry about." Ron told her, "Boric and Slinky'll make sure everything's ready, and if they need a hand I'm sure Dobby and Winky won't mind helping." Harry and Hermione nodded in agreement. Dobby had been waiting for them at Chancery House when they arrived and Winky had joined them two days later with Hermione, Crookshanks and Odin, the great horned owl that the cousins had bought her for her 16th birthday. Although both elves were only supposed to do the work Harry and Hermione asked of them, they were house-elves and as they reminded people frequently, house-elves 'like work', and so had a habit of helping out with the domestic chores at the House too. As it kept them happy, everyone left them to it.
Half an hour later, they were standing on the front steps of the House and Worthington pulled up in the Rolls. He got out and opened the door for Mrs Weasley and waited until the eight of them had got in. Fortunately, the Magistrate's Rolls was even roomier than the Weasleys' old Ford Anglia. "Where to ma'am?" asked the chauffeur once he was again behind the wheel.
"King's Cross, Worthington. We're meeting the ten o'clock train."
"Very good, ma'am." he replied, and pulled out from the curb, "I shall endeavour to get you there in plenty of time."
True to his word, the Caledonia Shuttle was just within view of the platform when they came through the barrier. Harry ran up to Sirius as soon as he got of the train and enveloped him in a hug, he greeted Lupin warmly too and shook Charlie's hand. "It's good to see you."
Sirius laughed, "It's only been four days Harry. Not years." The rest of the group came up to them, Ginny in the lead, she greeted him warmly and then stood with her arm around Harry's as the others greeted him.
Penelope hung back, although she remembered Lupin from her last year at Hogwarts, she didn't know Sirius and hadn't had much contact with Charlie either. Hermione was quick to spot this and she dragged the older girl over to meet them. "Sirius, Remus, Charlie. Meet Penelope Clearwater, she was a Ravenclaw perfect at Hogwarts and she's Percy's girlfriend. Penny, meet Harry's godfather, Sirius Black." Penelope gave a start but said nothing, "You probably remember Remus Lupin. He's Sirius' best friend and not a werewolf anymore." The older girl looked pleased at that. ".And you know Charlie don't you? He's the Weasley before Percy." With this introduction, Penelope was drawn more into the conversation and by the time they got back to Chancery House, she was giving as good as she got.
Two days later, breakfast was interrupted by Heimdall the merlin swooping in through the window and landing on Harry's shoulder. He allowed Harry to take his message off his foot and then took off, probably heading for the Owlery for a rest. Harry quickly opened the package and withdrew the short note within.
Dear Harry and the gang,
I hope you've had a good summer so far. The weather's been brilliant over here, even for Southern California, I think the temperature was about 50 yesterday! Anyway, you said you'd visit us at the Clan village after a week and that's tomorrow. I've enclosed a Portkey to get you here. The boys and I can't wait to show you all around. If there's any problem send Heimdall back with another note, if everything's okay we'll expect you some time tomorrow morning.
Goodbye 'till then
Yours truly, Petunia Falco
The Portkey was one of Hermione's old S.P.E.W. badges. Ron snorted when he recognised it. Hermione glared at him, and he put on a 'sad face' until she was forced to giggle. Remus asked if he could go along too. Sirius and the gang agreed that it shouldn't be a problem. With Dobby and Winky's help, they were ready in fairly short order. Just before they were about to leave, Harry scribbled a quick note to Smythe telling him he'd meet them at the camp near the stadium in two weeks. He dashed up to the Owlery and tied it to Hedwig's leg. After, saying goodbye to Hedwig, who then flew off to deliver his message, he returned back down to the Entrance Hall where the others were waiting. It took a while for the six of them to figure out how to touch a small badge at the same time but once they had all managed it, Harry cast the activating charm, "Impigritas!" They all felt a tugging sensation in their bellies and then they disappeared in a flash of light.
Please R/R. Chapter 2 coming soon.
Chapter 1: The Chamber Author's Note 1: Please read my other stories The Sorting and Harry Potter and the Blood of Darkness (and review, please), also on FanFiction.Net before proceeding, otherwise some of this will be rather confusing. Author's Note 2: Good, you're back. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, please review this as well. It may not seem so but I do value your thoughts. For the purposes of establishing a timeline, this story begins a few days after the gang get off the Hogwarts Express at the end of the year, it will tell the story of Ginny's final year and what Harry and his friends get up to in their first year of independence. Lights, camera, ACTION!!!
The Houses of Parliament. They are the centres of Muggle Government in England, everyone knows about them. But if you were to walk in that august chamber and walk to the seat where the Prime Minister sits, then travel down through the earth for a hundred feet you would emerge into another centre of power, an ancient granite council room. Only a few know of this room's existence and even less know of its location. To those that do, it is known as the Chamber.
Nine cloaked figures emerged from various doors into the vaulted room. The oldest of the circle, whose long snow white peaked from under his hood, sat down on the golden throne at the head of the round council table. Taking the hint, the others took their places around the table. He reached up and pulled back his hood, exposing a long nose, half-moon glasses, and waist length beard known throughout the world - Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, and the current Minister of Magic for England.
At this signal, the others also pulled back their hoods, starting from Dumbledore's left they were: Arthur Weasley, Magistrate of the Council of Magical Law and Head of Magical Law Enforcement; Julius Cygnus; Head of Magical Creatures; Ludovic Bagman, Head of Magical Games and Sports; Roger Stevens, Head of Magical Catastrophes; Percy Weasley, Head of International Magical Cooperation; Argus Vectura, Head of Magical Transportation; Alastor Moody; Head of Mysteries and finally Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dumbledore glanced around the table meeting each person's eyes in turn. Then he cleared his throat. "The Cabinet is now in session. I would like to know how things are going. Minerva?"
She turned to face him, "The students have left the school, their departure went without incident and the new awards were quite a success."
Dumbledore nodded. "Arthur?"
"Nothing to report sir, things have been pretty quiet lately. If there are any of You-Know-Who's supporters still out there, they aren't doing anything in our area."
"The beasts are pretty quiet lately too." added Cygnus, when Dumbledore asked, "Thirteen house-elves have had to be relocated over the last week, mostly from pure-blood families with connections to the Dark Lord, and there have been three minor attacks, witnesses said that two were by werewolves, but they were probably Lupi though, it wasn't full moon. The other was Nessie getting frisky again." he paused, and growled under his breath. "We really should deal with that beast soon. It gives my department more headaches than any beast ever." He raised his voice again, "We've also made good progress in recapturing most of the dragons. Hadrian MacFusty and Charlie Weasley are in charge of that. That's all I have."
"All arrangements with the US Association of Quidditch about the World Cup have been finalised." reported Bagman, "The team will be meeting up at the Condors stadium for a pre-match practise on the 3rd. Pietro Clarodov, my Bulgarian contact, hinted that there was a minor incident with the Bulgarians last week, but he didn't have the details."
Neither Percy nor Stevens had anything to report other than that things were going fine so it was Vectura's turn to report next, "All Port-Keys for travel to California have been placed and their Timing Spells checked with the US Games Department. All the bookings on Muggle planes or boats have also been confirmed. I'd also like to report that we are now up to full strength thanks to the arrival of a contingent of replacements from the Manx Ministry."
Moody shifted uncomfortably in his seat as all eyes turned to him, "I do have a few things to report. Unfortunately, I'm still rather understaffed since my predecessor turned traitor on us and took the department with him. But our overseas sources are as good as ever. I got an owl from Madame Romanovna, an associate of mine in the Russian Department of Mysteries. Apparently, Gregorovitch was caught selling wands to unauthorised people last week, they got away but he's had his licence revoked and got two years in the Gulag for it."
"I've also found out about the incident Bagman mentioned too. According to Polikoff, the Unspeakable assigned to keep an eye on the Bulgarian players, someone tried to infiltrate the Bulgarian support team by using Polyjuice. What they didn't know was that they've been testing players with Kneazles and the Contrarius Concoction for a few weeks now. They didn't get far. But I reckon they're planning an attack. We should suggest to the Americans that they beef up security. I also think that all high profile targets like ourselves and the England team, especially Potter, should be in a secure area in one of the campsites, rather than spread out."
All around the table nodded in agreement. "Percy, could you owl the US Ministry with Alastor's suggestions?" Dumbledore asked.
He nodded, "I'll do right away sir."
"Is there anything further?" asked Dumbledore. Everyone shook his or her head. "Then this meeting is adjourned. The next meeting will be in two weeks. Goodbye and thank you for coming." They rose, drawing their hoods back up and turning towards the exits they began to file out. Dumbledore however, remained sitting after they had all left.
----
When Harry opened his eyes that morning, he was greeted with Ginny's looking directly into own. "Morning." she said, grinning as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"What time is it?" he groaned. "Eight o'clock. I've been awake for about half-an-hour. Did you know you look really cute when you're asleep?"
"I think you might have mentioned it once or twice." Harry told her, "I'm hungry. Let's go down and get some breakfast."
"Good idea." agreed Ginny slipping out of their bed. "First dibs on the shower!" She told him and ran towards the attached bathroom. Harry rose as if to try and race her, but then lay back down again. It wasn't worth the effort, there was no hurry and he'd get his shower soon enough.
Half an hour later, now dressed in jeans and t-shirts they left their room. "Do you know if 'Mione or Ron are up yet?" Harry asked her, stopping outside the room next door.
At that moment, Hermione opened her door and walked out. "Hi Harry, Ginny. Are you coming for some breakfast? Ron and Sirius are already downstairs."
As they walked down the main stair, Harry decided to ask Hermione something he'd been wondering about since she had arrived two days ago. "Mione, you and Ron are together right. Boyfriend and girlfriend?" Hermione nodded. "Well, all the other couples I know, Bill and Fleur, Percy and Penelope, Fred and Angelina, George and Alicia, me and Ginny, they well." he paused uncomfortable. Ginny came to his rescue. "Harry's curious why you and Ron have separate rooms."
Hermione looked away for a second, uncomfortable herself. "I'm not sure, we're ready for that yet. I mean, we've had sex, even slept together a couple of times but sometimes I just need a private space. Do you understand?"
Ginny nodded. "I can't tell you how glad I used to be I was the only girl when the boys were in one of their silly moods. My room was the only safe place in the house, 'cept maybe Mum and Dad's room."
"I'll get over it. It'll just take time."
Or circumstance. thought Harry to himself.
----
When they got down to the dining room, most of the House's residents were waiting for them. Neither Mr Weasley nor Percy were there, but Mrs Weasley, Ron, Bill, Fleur and Penelope were. "What time does the morning shuttle from Scotland come into Platform 9¾?" asked Harry.
Mrs Weasley looked up at him, curiously, "10 o'clock why?"
"Sirius said yesterday he, Remus and Charlie are about finished up at Hogwarts and that they'd be coming down on the train this morning."
"Oh my. Why didn't you mention this earlier?!!" Mrs Weasley asked, clearly rather flustered, and without waiting for an answer she rushed over to the wall and yanked the bell cord hard. Boric rushed in. "Yes Mistress what can Boric do for you today?" he asked bowing. Hermione winced; the fact that even free elves treated their masters as if they were royalty irked her. "Tell Rison there will be three more for dinner and tell Slinky to prepare the rooms I set aside for Sirius, Remus, and Charlie." Boric nodded. "Master Charlie's room is ready Mistress. Boric will make sure that Slinky prepares Professor Black and Professor Lupin's rooms immediately, Mistress. Is there anything else?" "Tell Worthington I would like the car around to the front in half an hour." "Very good Mistress." The diminutive tuxedo- clad elf bowed and walked out of the room.
"See Mum? Nothing to worry about." Ron told her, "Boric and Slinky'll make sure everything's ready, and if they need a hand I'm sure Dobby and Winky won't mind helping." Harry and Hermione nodded in agreement. Dobby had been waiting for them at Chancery House when they arrived and Winky had joined them two days later with Hermione, Crookshanks and Odin, the great horned owl that the cousins had bought her for her 16th birthday. Although both elves were only supposed to do the work Harry and Hermione asked of them, they were house-elves and as they reminded people frequently, house-elves 'like work', and so had a habit of helping out with the domestic chores at the House too. As it kept them happy, everyone left them to it.
Half an hour later, they were standing on the front steps of the House and Worthington pulled up in the Rolls. He got out and opened the door for Mrs Weasley and waited until the eight of them had got in. Fortunately, the Magistrate's Rolls was even roomier than the Weasleys' old Ford Anglia. "Where to ma'am?" asked the chauffeur once he was again behind the wheel.
"King's Cross, Worthington. We're meeting the ten o'clock train."
"Very good, ma'am." he replied, and pulled out from the curb, "I shall endeavour to get you there in plenty of time."
True to his word, the Caledonia Shuttle was just within view of the platform when they came through the barrier. Harry ran up to Sirius as soon as he got of the train and enveloped him in a hug, he greeted Lupin warmly too and shook Charlie's hand. "It's good to see you."
Sirius laughed, "It's only been four days Harry. Not years." The rest of the group came up to them, Ginny in the lead, she greeted him warmly and then stood with her arm around Harry's as the others greeted him.
Penelope hung back, although she remembered Lupin from her last year at Hogwarts, she didn't know Sirius and hadn't had much contact with Charlie either. Hermione was quick to spot this and she dragged the older girl over to meet them. "Sirius, Remus, Charlie. Meet Penelope Clearwater, she was a Ravenclaw perfect at Hogwarts and she's Percy's girlfriend. Penny, meet Harry's godfather, Sirius Black." Penelope gave a start but said nothing, "You probably remember Remus Lupin. He's Sirius' best friend and not a werewolf anymore." The older girl looked pleased at that. ".And you know Charlie don't you? He's the Weasley before Percy." With this introduction, Penelope was drawn more into the conversation and by the time they got back to Chancery House, she was giving as good as she got.
Two days later, breakfast was interrupted by Heimdall the merlin swooping in through the window and landing on Harry's shoulder. He allowed Harry to take his message off his foot and then took off, probably heading for the Owlery for a rest. Harry quickly opened the package and withdrew the short note within.
Dear Harry and the gang,
I hope you've had a good summer so far. The weather's been brilliant over here, even for Southern California, I think the temperature was about 50 yesterday! Anyway, you said you'd visit us at the Clan village after a week and that's tomorrow. I've enclosed a Portkey to get you here. The boys and I can't wait to show you all around. If there's any problem send Heimdall back with another note, if everything's okay we'll expect you some time tomorrow morning.
Goodbye 'till then
Yours truly, Petunia Falco
The Portkey was one of Hermione's old S.P.E.W. badges. Ron snorted when he recognised it. Hermione glared at him, and he put on a 'sad face' until she was forced to giggle. Remus asked if he could go along too. Sirius and the gang agreed that it shouldn't be a problem. With Dobby and Winky's help, they were ready in fairly short order. Just before they were about to leave, Harry scribbled a quick note to Smythe telling him he'd meet them at the camp near the stadium in two weeks. He dashed up to the Owlery and tied it to Hedwig's leg. After, saying goodbye to Hedwig, who then flew off to deliver his message, he returned back down to the Entrance Hall where the others were waiting. It took a while for the six of them to figure out how to touch a small badge at the same time but once they had all managed it, Harry cast the activating charm, "Impigritas!" They all felt a tugging sensation in their bellies and then they disappeared in a flash of light.
Please R/R. Chapter 2 coming soon.