Chapter 8: Old Demons
Classes started back the day after they returned to Hogwarts, and Ginny was soon buried under mountains of schoolwork. She returned to the room she shared with Callie Malvern and Vanessa Shaw, two other Gryffindor girls one evening after dinner and just flopped down on her bed, she was so tired.
"What to do first?" she asked herself, "The essay on vampires for Lupin, that chapter on memory potions or Invisibility Charm practice?" She lay there thinking for a while, she had almost decided to do some reading and was reaching for her bag to get out Advanced Magical Drafts and Potions when there was a loud pop. Ginny groaned and turned over, "Hi Dobby. What's up?"
The house-elf blinked. "Nothing is wrong, miss. Dobby is just checking you are okay as Harry Potter asks him to. Can Dobby do anything for Miss Wheezey now he is here, miss?"
"No Dobby. Everything's fine, I'm just tired that's all."
"Very well. Dobby will go now and come back another time, miss." Dobby told her,
"Goodbye!" He disappeared with a pop.
Ginny sighed and rose from her bed, picking up her books again she went to the door. She opened it and then walked up the stairs to the top. "Harrier." The concealed door clicked and allowed Ginny to open it and walk up to Peter's sitting room.
Most of the gang were already there, Tom was playing chess with Roger who was reading a thick leather-bound copy of Ancient Potions of Antiquity at the same time. Sonja had joined them for a change and was sharing one of the sofas with Tom. Ginny grinned and took her favourite chair by the fire, cracked open Advanced Magical Drafts and Potions at the chapter on memory potions and began to read. After a minute or two she paused and looked up. "Where's Bird?"
"Extra credit assignment for Hermione." Tom told her, "Not that she needs it."
Ginny nodded and returned to her book.
She paused and nodded a greeting when Peter came into the room. Peter greeted her friends and sat down in the chair opposite Ginny's, took a book out of her bag and began to read. Ginny was interrupted again an hour later by a tapping noise on the window. She got up and opened it, a familiar owl swooped in and landed on the perch in the corner. "Hi Hedwig. Got something for me?" The snowy owl hooted and offered Ginny one of her legs. Ginny noticed an envelope tied to it and took it off. "Bird. Could you.?"
Peter nodded, "I don't have any Owl Treats of course, but I'll find something." She ducked into her room and came out a minute later with a tray of sesame seeds and a bowl of water, she offered them to Hedwig, who took both.
Ginny walked back to her chair and sat down, she slit open the envelope and took out the letter inside.
Dear Ginny,
A lot has been happened since you returned to Hogwarts. Ron's been promoted been made Bonny Gordon's personal assistant and the Cannons won the Bats match, 240-60, we're third in the League now, only the Wanders and the Wasps are above us.
How are things with you? I hope you're not running yourself too ragged, you do need to relax sometimes. Trust me, you can study and study as much as you like, but if you're exhausted on the exam day, then you won't do your best. Take this from someone who knows. So learn your lessons, do your homework, but have some fun and get plenty of sleep too.
I'm going to be pretty busy over the next month or two with games and practice, but I'll be up for the Gryffindor v Hufflepuff game in March, and I can try and come up for Easter. If you want a break, you could come down to London though, and we could meet up at the House, or you could come and stay at my flat with Ron and I? Think about it and ask Hermione what her plans are. I'll be in touch soon.
Love,
Harry.
Ginny smiled, folded up the letter and put it back in its envelope.
"What was it?" asked Peter.
"Just news from home." replied Ginny, "Harry had a few things to tell me and he wanted to ask me what I planned for Easter."
"Any thoughts?"
"Revision mostly. But I'd like to spend some time with the rest of my family, and Harry too, so I might go down to London. I'll see if Hermione has plans. What about you guys?"
"Staying here as usual." Peter told her.
Roger and Sonja confirmed they were staying too. "What's the news? Or is it private?"
"Not really Roger. Ron's been promoted to Assistant Head of the QAO and the Cannons beat the Bats 240-60."
"That'll put them. fourth?" asked Tom.
Ginny shook her head. "Puddlemere United lost to the Appleby Arrows two weeks ago, the Cannons are third in the League."
"It might be fair to say there is a significant likelihood that the motto will be changing back to the original one next season." observed Roger.
"This is all very interesting but we all have work that needs to be finished for tomorrow, let's get on with it."
"Certainly dear lady," agreed Roger, he picked up one of his knights and moved it into a new position. "And on that note, my friend. Checkmate."
"What? Oh, I see." sighed Tom. "Another?"
"I do not think that would be wise. I have, as your fair cousin points out, work to complete which requires my full attention."
"Okay. Ginny?"
"Not to-night. I've got this chapter to finish, Remus' essay to finish and I could do with spending some time practicing the Invisibility Charm too, it's a bit harder than the Ghost Charm for some reason."
"You'll get the hang of it. Sonja, how about you?"
"I don't play chess Tom, you know that. I only distract you while you're playing."
"True." he admitted. "I guess a little study is in order then. Could you hand me the Volume de Vampyr in my bag Sonja? I think there's a few anecdotes in there that would enhance my essay. And my essay too."
"Sure. It's the black and red one, isn't it?" she asked, rummaging in his bag.
"Yep." Tom reached out an arm and took the parchment and thick, black leather book edged in red and opened its yellowing pages. Sonja took a parchment and a book out of her own bag and sat down to work beside him.
By about ten o'clock everyone was beginning to get a little tired and they all started to pack up. Ginny and Sonja headed down one staircase and the boys the other. A few minutes later, Ginny was in bed asleep.
----
The next six weeks passed quickly but eventfully for Ginny and her friends, they studied, practiced Quidditch and paid a visit to Hogsmeade. All too soon the Quidditch season was back on and when Ravenclaw thrashed Slytherin in their match, coming out 120 points ahead, Tom began to worry. "I know you think we have it home free." he told the team after one practice, "But Ravenclaw will be in the Final unless Hufflepuff does something spectacular on Saturday, so I think they're saving themselves. We'll still have to be careful."
Ginny, Peter and Roger nodded in agreement. "Now, I'm doubling practices this week, morning and evening. So everyone come down here at eight o'clock okay?" Everyone nodded. "Go get some breakfast and then get to lessons." The younger students, including Sonja, hurried out of the changing rooms and rushed for the castle.
"Do you really think what you said?" asked Ginny about ten minutes later.
Tom considered the question. "I do."
They sat eating in silence for a few more minutes and then as a group they rose and hurried out of the castle to their Care of Magical Creatures class with the Ravenclaws. That day Charlie had chosen to introduce them to winged horses. In the paddock behind Orion's hut, six gigantic palominos were grazing. "Does any one know what sort of horses these are?" asked Charlie, stopping at the gate, his hand resting on the latch. Roger raised a large paw-like hand. "Roger?"
"They are of course, as anyone may observe, winged horses. The exact species to which they belong is Abraxan. They are not the rarest of winged horses, that honour belongs to the black Thestral. They have however, very prized and valuable beasts. Might I enquire from where you obtained them?"
"Fleur persuaded Madame Maxime to let us borrow a few of hers." Charlie replied. "Who wants to go first?"
Ginny stepped forward. "I will." Charlie nodded and unlatched the gate to allow her to enter. Ginny walked over to one of them, a particularly large stallion. The beast fidgeted a little but allowed her to touch him and stroke him. After a few moments, he lowered his head and allowed her to caress his mane. "You're a lovely boy aren't you?" murmured Ginny.
The horse nickered in reply. You're not bad yourself. For a two-legger.
I'm not entirely two-legger. Ginny told him. I'm the Bestian Mare, a powerful Animagi.
You are Equa? I am honoured.
Thank you. Can you behave for the other students, and ask the herd to do the same? It is difficult. But for you. Anything.
Thank you. said Ginny, gave him one last pat, and went back to the gate. "Can I come out now, Charlie?"
"Sure." Charlie replied, he bent down and whispered a question in her ear. "Will they behave now?"
Ginny smiled, "I asked them to, as the Bestian Mare. So they should."
"Good." He turned back to the class. "The rest of you can have a go now. But be careful, don't rush at them. They won't like it."
The students obeyed the instruction and the class went uneventfully. Before they returned to the castle, Charlie assigned them a two-foot essay on the different breeds, how to identify them and their notable mythological or social connotations.
"That'll take hours!" moaned Tom as they walked back to the castle. But Ginny ignored him. Because on the steps of the castle was standing a familiar, dark-haired wizard dressed in long, dark-red robes. She ran towards him and embraced him fiercely.
"You missed me then love?" asked Harry, grinning down at her.
"What are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you."
"I wasn't sure I would be able to get away. Our practice schedule has been a nightmare, we've been practicing ten hours a day, six days a week since you left. But I managed to persuade Conroy to let us have one weekend off. So I came up to spend it with you. It's the Hufflepuff match tomorrow isn't it?"
"Yeah. Sonja's really worried about it."
"Would you like me to talk to her?"
"Please. Tom can motivate her, but he's not very good at actually making her feel better."
"I'll take care of it. She needn't be worried though, that move of Cauldwell's is a once-in-your-career fluke. She won't let that through again."
"I know. But she won't believe that."
"I'll try to persuade her. What do you have next?"
"Transfiguration."
"I'll walk you up there and say hello to Hermione."
"Better not Harry." Ginny told him, "She gets, tense, before lessons, the last thing she needs is a distraction."
"Okay, good point. I'll see you at lunch." He said, kissing her goodbye.
"See you then." confirmed Ginny and hurried up the stairs.
----
"Hello everyone. And welcome to what promises to be an exciting third round game as defending champions Gryffindor take on Hufflepuff!"
"I'm glad you could make it Harry." Hermione told him as he sat down between her and Sirius in the stands, Ron was sitting on Hermione's other side. "Ron tells me you've been very busy."
"You can say that again. I've been doing sixty-hour weeks since New Year." he sighed, "I am going to make the most of this weekend. I need a break."
"When do you go back?"
"Tuesday." He told them. "I'm probably going to sleep most of Monday. But, let's watch the match for now."
"For Gryffindor today we have. Weasley, Parrington, Masters, Falco, Lamina, Monk, and AQUANIS!"
"Why the main line-up?" wondered Ron.
"I asked Ginny that. Remember what happened last year?"
"Good point."
"And in yellow, for Hufflepuff. Henderson, Whitby, Cauldwell, Branstone, Madley, Furlong, and. LEVANT!"
"The Quaffle is in the air. Taken by Branstone, she makes a break the goal, intercepted by Monk, Weasley takes the Quaffle. she shoots. Saved by Levant. Hufflepuff in possession."
"They've been practising. A lot." observed Harry. Ron and Hermione both nodded in agreement.
"Weasley snatches the Quaffle, Ginny Weasley of Gryffindor, flying for the Hufflepuff goal. Passes one Chaser, the second, and the third. She shoots. and scores for Gryffindor, opening the scoring at 10 to 0. Gryffindor still in possession, Babs Parrington of Gryffindor with the Quaffle, manoeuvring for a shoot, ducks a Bludger from Beater Henderson of Hufflepuff, she shoots. scores again. Weasley takes the Quaffle for Gryffindor, ducks a swing from Beater Whitby, reverse pass to Masters. She shoots, Laverne deflects it just in time. Parrington intercepts, and scores again for Gryffindor! They now lead 30-0."
"That's much better." commented Harry. "But I think I'll be seeing a few of the newer players in the League in a few years though."
Ron nodded his agreement as Furlong slipped one past Peter to make it 30- 10.
"Good move by Furlong, but Gryffindor have regained possession, Parrington on a break-away. She shoots. Gryffindor scores again to regain their thirty point lead at forty to ten! Hufflepuff now in possession, Madley has the Quaffle, she dodges Parrington and Weasley, she's lined up for the goal. Oh! She gets a Bludger from behind from Monk and she drops the Quaffle. Gryffindor now in possession, Weasley streaking up the left side. She turns hard, good throw for the goal. Score! Gryffindor are now 50-10. And Hufflepuff have possession."
"This could go on all day if Sonja doesn't catch the Snitch." Hermione observed.
"I know." confirmed Harry. "That's what bothers me, Sonja's still got old demons from her last Hufflepuff game when I was captain. She actually suggested to Nymph that Diggory Clarke, the number two, play this match, Nymph vetoed it on the grounds that she needs to face her problems."
"Tom had a point. But still."
"How are your classes going now Hermione?"
"Better. The Slytherins are still as difficult as ever, but the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws are starting to shape up now, even the first years. The Hufflepuffs are still a problem, but it's their skill level more than anything, and they do try."
"A tricky manoeuvre by Ginny Weasley of Gryffindor brings the score level at sixty points each. Hufflepuff are now in possession. Furlong jockeying for position, Parrington and Masters on the intercept, tries to climb above them, drops the Quaffle to Branstone, she shoots and Hufflepuff take the lead at 70-60."
"I think Levant must have been studying a professional team over the Christmas holidays. They were nowhere near this good when Boot was in charge."
"Parrington puts another one away to bring the score to 70-70. Is that the Snitch?"
It was. Sonja and Cauldwell both saw it at the same time, and dived for it. One of the Hufflepuff Beater hit a Bludger in Sonja's direction but it was easily deflected back by Tom. Roger looped behind the second Bludger and hit it in Cauldwell's direction. He dodged it easily, but the manoeuvre cost him precious seconds. "With a nice use of the Plumpton Pass, Seeker Lamina captures the Snitch and Gryffindor win 220-70!" The Gryffindors roared with delight and several of the teachers, including Hermione and Sirius, plus Harry and Ron, joined them.
----
"Exorcised your old demons?" Harry asked Sonja when she entered the Gryffindor Suite a few hours later.
Sonja nodded, "I'm more confident now, and I'm actually looking forward to the final, which I wasn't before."
"Who are you playing anyway?" Harry asked the group.
"Ravenclaw. But they'll have to pull off a miracle to win, even we don't score at all and Sharma catches the Snitch, they'll still be 100 points down. I reckon we've got the Cup in the bag again this year." Tom told Harry confidently.
"You're probably right. But it'll be a good game though."
"That's for sure."
Harry yawned, "I'm for bed. Are you coming Ginny?"
Ginny nodded, "'Night everyone." The other bid them good night and they went into Harry's room, they undressed and got into bed. "I've missed this." Ginny confided as she snuggled into the crook of Harry's right arm.
Harry smiled down at her, and ran his hand through her hair. "I've missed this too. I love you Ginny."
"I love you too Harry. Good night."
"Good night love."
Tired from their long day, the two lovers were asleep almost immediately.
----
Harry and Ron returned to London on the Monday late evening shuttle. Ginny comforted herself with the thought that she would see him in a few weeks anyway when the students had their Easter Holidays. "Besides, I've got plenty of work to do, to take my mind off missing him." she reminded herself and headed back to the castle to get started.
A/N: That's another chapter done and dusted. There aren't too many more to go, probably only three. I've already written a couple of chapters of a new story, Lily Potter and the New Generation, which begins about twelve years after the events of Ginny Weasley and The Boy Who Lived, and tells of the adventures of the Potter and Weasley kids at Hogwarts, they will probably be posted at the same time as this chapter of Ginny. Depending on the reviews I get and whether I can put the time in, it may well be the first in a seven-part anthology.
As always read and review, I do appreciate your comments (though I will rarely change anything because of them) and Bucky, in answer to your question, Ginny is not (as yet) pregnant. However, this will of course change in the not so distant future.
Classes started back the day after they returned to Hogwarts, and Ginny was soon buried under mountains of schoolwork. She returned to the room she shared with Callie Malvern and Vanessa Shaw, two other Gryffindor girls one evening after dinner and just flopped down on her bed, she was so tired.
"What to do first?" she asked herself, "The essay on vampires for Lupin, that chapter on memory potions or Invisibility Charm practice?" She lay there thinking for a while, she had almost decided to do some reading and was reaching for her bag to get out Advanced Magical Drafts and Potions when there was a loud pop. Ginny groaned and turned over, "Hi Dobby. What's up?"
The house-elf blinked. "Nothing is wrong, miss. Dobby is just checking you are okay as Harry Potter asks him to. Can Dobby do anything for Miss Wheezey now he is here, miss?"
"No Dobby. Everything's fine, I'm just tired that's all."
"Very well. Dobby will go now and come back another time, miss." Dobby told her,
"Goodbye!" He disappeared with a pop.
Ginny sighed and rose from her bed, picking up her books again she went to the door. She opened it and then walked up the stairs to the top. "Harrier." The concealed door clicked and allowed Ginny to open it and walk up to Peter's sitting room.
Most of the gang were already there, Tom was playing chess with Roger who was reading a thick leather-bound copy of Ancient Potions of Antiquity at the same time. Sonja had joined them for a change and was sharing one of the sofas with Tom. Ginny grinned and took her favourite chair by the fire, cracked open Advanced Magical Drafts and Potions at the chapter on memory potions and began to read. After a minute or two she paused and looked up. "Where's Bird?"
"Extra credit assignment for Hermione." Tom told her, "Not that she needs it."
Ginny nodded and returned to her book.
She paused and nodded a greeting when Peter came into the room. Peter greeted her friends and sat down in the chair opposite Ginny's, took a book out of her bag and began to read. Ginny was interrupted again an hour later by a tapping noise on the window. She got up and opened it, a familiar owl swooped in and landed on the perch in the corner. "Hi Hedwig. Got something for me?" The snowy owl hooted and offered Ginny one of her legs. Ginny noticed an envelope tied to it and took it off. "Bird. Could you.?"
Peter nodded, "I don't have any Owl Treats of course, but I'll find something." She ducked into her room and came out a minute later with a tray of sesame seeds and a bowl of water, she offered them to Hedwig, who took both.
Ginny walked back to her chair and sat down, she slit open the envelope and took out the letter inside.
Dear Ginny,
A lot has been happened since you returned to Hogwarts. Ron's been promoted been made Bonny Gordon's personal assistant and the Cannons won the Bats match, 240-60, we're third in the League now, only the Wanders and the Wasps are above us.
How are things with you? I hope you're not running yourself too ragged, you do need to relax sometimes. Trust me, you can study and study as much as you like, but if you're exhausted on the exam day, then you won't do your best. Take this from someone who knows. So learn your lessons, do your homework, but have some fun and get plenty of sleep too.
I'm going to be pretty busy over the next month or two with games and practice, but I'll be up for the Gryffindor v Hufflepuff game in March, and I can try and come up for Easter. If you want a break, you could come down to London though, and we could meet up at the House, or you could come and stay at my flat with Ron and I? Think about it and ask Hermione what her plans are. I'll be in touch soon.
Love,
Harry.
Ginny smiled, folded up the letter and put it back in its envelope.
"What was it?" asked Peter.
"Just news from home." replied Ginny, "Harry had a few things to tell me and he wanted to ask me what I planned for Easter."
"Any thoughts?"
"Revision mostly. But I'd like to spend some time with the rest of my family, and Harry too, so I might go down to London. I'll see if Hermione has plans. What about you guys?"
"Staying here as usual." Peter told her.
Roger and Sonja confirmed they were staying too. "What's the news? Or is it private?"
"Not really Roger. Ron's been promoted to Assistant Head of the QAO and the Cannons beat the Bats 240-60."
"That'll put them. fourth?" asked Tom.
Ginny shook her head. "Puddlemere United lost to the Appleby Arrows two weeks ago, the Cannons are third in the League."
"It might be fair to say there is a significant likelihood that the motto will be changing back to the original one next season." observed Roger.
"This is all very interesting but we all have work that needs to be finished for tomorrow, let's get on with it."
"Certainly dear lady," agreed Roger, he picked up one of his knights and moved it into a new position. "And on that note, my friend. Checkmate."
"What? Oh, I see." sighed Tom. "Another?"
"I do not think that would be wise. I have, as your fair cousin points out, work to complete which requires my full attention."
"Okay. Ginny?"
"Not to-night. I've got this chapter to finish, Remus' essay to finish and I could do with spending some time practicing the Invisibility Charm too, it's a bit harder than the Ghost Charm for some reason."
"You'll get the hang of it. Sonja, how about you?"
"I don't play chess Tom, you know that. I only distract you while you're playing."
"True." he admitted. "I guess a little study is in order then. Could you hand me the Volume de Vampyr in my bag Sonja? I think there's a few anecdotes in there that would enhance my essay. And my essay too."
"Sure. It's the black and red one, isn't it?" she asked, rummaging in his bag.
"Yep." Tom reached out an arm and took the parchment and thick, black leather book edged in red and opened its yellowing pages. Sonja took a parchment and a book out of her own bag and sat down to work beside him.
By about ten o'clock everyone was beginning to get a little tired and they all started to pack up. Ginny and Sonja headed down one staircase and the boys the other. A few minutes later, Ginny was in bed asleep.
----
The next six weeks passed quickly but eventfully for Ginny and her friends, they studied, practiced Quidditch and paid a visit to Hogsmeade. All too soon the Quidditch season was back on and when Ravenclaw thrashed Slytherin in their match, coming out 120 points ahead, Tom began to worry. "I know you think we have it home free." he told the team after one practice, "But Ravenclaw will be in the Final unless Hufflepuff does something spectacular on Saturday, so I think they're saving themselves. We'll still have to be careful."
Ginny, Peter and Roger nodded in agreement. "Now, I'm doubling practices this week, morning and evening. So everyone come down here at eight o'clock okay?" Everyone nodded. "Go get some breakfast and then get to lessons." The younger students, including Sonja, hurried out of the changing rooms and rushed for the castle.
"Do you really think what you said?" asked Ginny about ten minutes later.
Tom considered the question. "I do."
They sat eating in silence for a few more minutes and then as a group they rose and hurried out of the castle to their Care of Magical Creatures class with the Ravenclaws. That day Charlie had chosen to introduce them to winged horses. In the paddock behind Orion's hut, six gigantic palominos were grazing. "Does any one know what sort of horses these are?" asked Charlie, stopping at the gate, his hand resting on the latch. Roger raised a large paw-like hand. "Roger?"
"They are of course, as anyone may observe, winged horses. The exact species to which they belong is Abraxan. They are not the rarest of winged horses, that honour belongs to the black Thestral. They have however, very prized and valuable beasts. Might I enquire from where you obtained them?"
"Fleur persuaded Madame Maxime to let us borrow a few of hers." Charlie replied. "Who wants to go first?"
Ginny stepped forward. "I will." Charlie nodded and unlatched the gate to allow her to enter. Ginny walked over to one of them, a particularly large stallion. The beast fidgeted a little but allowed her to touch him and stroke him. After a few moments, he lowered his head and allowed her to caress his mane. "You're a lovely boy aren't you?" murmured Ginny.
The horse nickered in reply. You're not bad yourself. For a two-legger.
I'm not entirely two-legger. Ginny told him. I'm the Bestian Mare, a powerful Animagi.
You are Equa? I am honoured.
Thank you. Can you behave for the other students, and ask the herd to do the same? It is difficult. But for you. Anything.
Thank you. said Ginny, gave him one last pat, and went back to the gate. "Can I come out now, Charlie?"
"Sure." Charlie replied, he bent down and whispered a question in her ear. "Will they behave now?"
Ginny smiled, "I asked them to, as the Bestian Mare. So they should."
"Good." He turned back to the class. "The rest of you can have a go now. But be careful, don't rush at them. They won't like it."
The students obeyed the instruction and the class went uneventfully. Before they returned to the castle, Charlie assigned them a two-foot essay on the different breeds, how to identify them and their notable mythological or social connotations.
"That'll take hours!" moaned Tom as they walked back to the castle. But Ginny ignored him. Because on the steps of the castle was standing a familiar, dark-haired wizard dressed in long, dark-red robes. She ran towards him and embraced him fiercely.
"You missed me then love?" asked Harry, grinning down at her.
"What are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you."
"I wasn't sure I would be able to get away. Our practice schedule has been a nightmare, we've been practicing ten hours a day, six days a week since you left. But I managed to persuade Conroy to let us have one weekend off. So I came up to spend it with you. It's the Hufflepuff match tomorrow isn't it?"
"Yeah. Sonja's really worried about it."
"Would you like me to talk to her?"
"Please. Tom can motivate her, but he's not very good at actually making her feel better."
"I'll take care of it. She needn't be worried though, that move of Cauldwell's is a once-in-your-career fluke. She won't let that through again."
"I know. But she won't believe that."
"I'll try to persuade her. What do you have next?"
"Transfiguration."
"I'll walk you up there and say hello to Hermione."
"Better not Harry." Ginny told him, "She gets, tense, before lessons, the last thing she needs is a distraction."
"Okay, good point. I'll see you at lunch." He said, kissing her goodbye.
"See you then." confirmed Ginny and hurried up the stairs.
----
"Hello everyone. And welcome to what promises to be an exciting third round game as defending champions Gryffindor take on Hufflepuff!"
"I'm glad you could make it Harry." Hermione told him as he sat down between her and Sirius in the stands, Ron was sitting on Hermione's other side. "Ron tells me you've been very busy."
"You can say that again. I've been doing sixty-hour weeks since New Year." he sighed, "I am going to make the most of this weekend. I need a break."
"When do you go back?"
"Tuesday." He told them. "I'm probably going to sleep most of Monday. But, let's watch the match for now."
"For Gryffindor today we have. Weasley, Parrington, Masters, Falco, Lamina, Monk, and AQUANIS!"
"Why the main line-up?" wondered Ron.
"I asked Ginny that. Remember what happened last year?"
"Good point."
"And in yellow, for Hufflepuff. Henderson, Whitby, Cauldwell, Branstone, Madley, Furlong, and. LEVANT!"
"The Quaffle is in the air. Taken by Branstone, she makes a break the goal, intercepted by Monk, Weasley takes the Quaffle. she shoots. Saved by Levant. Hufflepuff in possession."
"They've been practising. A lot." observed Harry. Ron and Hermione both nodded in agreement.
"Weasley snatches the Quaffle, Ginny Weasley of Gryffindor, flying for the Hufflepuff goal. Passes one Chaser, the second, and the third. She shoots. and scores for Gryffindor, opening the scoring at 10 to 0. Gryffindor still in possession, Babs Parrington of Gryffindor with the Quaffle, manoeuvring for a shoot, ducks a Bludger from Beater Henderson of Hufflepuff, she shoots. scores again. Weasley takes the Quaffle for Gryffindor, ducks a swing from Beater Whitby, reverse pass to Masters. She shoots, Laverne deflects it just in time. Parrington intercepts, and scores again for Gryffindor! They now lead 30-0."
"That's much better." commented Harry. "But I think I'll be seeing a few of the newer players in the League in a few years though."
Ron nodded his agreement as Furlong slipped one past Peter to make it 30- 10.
"Good move by Furlong, but Gryffindor have regained possession, Parrington on a break-away. She shoots. Gryffindor scores again to regain their thirty point lead at forty to ten! Hufflepuff now in possession, Madley has the Quaffle, she dodges Parrington and Weasley, she's lined up for the goal. Oh! She gets a Bludger from behind from Monk and she drops the Quaffle. Gryffindor now in possession, Weasley streaking up the left side. She turns hard, good throw for the goal. Score! Gryffindor are now 50-10. And Hufflepuff have possession."
"This could go on all day if Sonja doesn't catch the Snitch." Hermione observed.
"I know." confirmed Harry. "That's what bothers me, Sonja's still got old demons from her last Hufflepuff game when I was captain. She actually suggested to Nymph that Diggory Clarke, the number two, play this match, Nymph vetoed it on the grounds that she needs to face her problems."
"Tom had a point. But still."
"How are your classes going now Hermione?"
"Better. The Slytherins are still as difficult as ever, but the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws are starting to shape up now, even the first years. The Hufflepuffs are still a problem, but it's their skill level more than anything, and they do try."
"A tricky manoeuvre by Ginny Weasley of Gryffindor brings the score level at sixty points each. Hufflepuff are now in possession. Furlong jockeying for position, Parrington and Masters on the intercept, tries to climb above them, drops the Quaffle to Branstone, she shoots and Hufflepuff take the lead at 70-60."
"I think Levant must have been studying a professional team over the Christmas holidays. They were nowhere near this good when Boot was in charge."
"Parrington puts another one away to bring the score to 70-70. Is that the Snitch?"
It was. Sonja and Cauldwell both saw it at the same time, and dived for it. One of the Hufflepuff Beater hit a Bludger in Sonja's direction but it was easily deflected back by Tom. Roger looped behind the second Bludger and hit it in Cauldwell's direction. He dodged it easily, but the manoeuvre cost him precious seconds. "With a nice use of the Plumpton Pass, Seeker Lamina captures the Snitch and Gryffindor win 220-70!" The Gryffindors roared with delight and several of the teachers, including Hermione and Sirius, plus Harry and Ron, joined them.
----
"Exorcised your old demons?" Harry asked Sonja when she entered the Gryffindor Suite a few hours later.
Sonja nodded, "I'm more confident now, and I'm actually looking forward to the final, which I wasn't before."
"Who are you playing anyway?" Harry asked the group.
"Ravenclaw. But they'll have to pull off a miracle to win, even we don't score at all and Sharma catches the Snitch, they'll still be 100 points down. I reckon we've got the Cup in the bag again this year." Tom told Harry confidently.
"You're probably right. But it'll be a good game though."
"That's for sure."
Harry yawned, "I'm for bed. Are you coming Ginny?"
Ginny nodded, "'Night everyone." The other bid them good night and they went into Harry's room, they undressed and got into bed. "I've missed this." Ginny confided as she snuggled into the crook of Harry's right arm.
Harry smiled down at her, and ran his hand through her hair. "I've missed this too. I love you Ginny."
"I love you too Harry. Good night."
"Good night love."
Tired from their long day, the two lovers were asleep almost immediately.
----
Harry and Ron returned to London on the Monday late evening shuttle. Ginny comforted herself with the thought that she would see him in a few weeks anyway when the students had their Easter Holidays. "Besides, I've got plenty of work to do, to take my mind off missing him." she reminded herself and headed back to the castle to get started.
A/N: That's another chapter done and dusted. There aren't too many more to go, probably only three. I've already written a couple of chapters of a new story, Lily Potter and the New Generation, which begins about twelve years after the events of Ginny Weasley and The Boy Who Lived, and tells of the adventures of the Potter and Weasley kids at Hogwarts, they will probably be posted at the same time as this chapter of Ginny. Depending on the reviews I get and whether I can put the time in, it may well be the first in a seven-part anthology.
As always read and review, I do appreciate your comments (though I will rarely change anything because of them) and Bucky, in answer to your question, Ginny is not (as yet) pregnant. However, this will of course change in the not so distant future.