Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story except the plot.
Chapter 4
The Visit to Diagon Alley
A few days after Harry's birthday, Mrs. Weasley suggested that they spend the day at Diagon Alley getting all of their school supplies and whatever else they might need. Since Ron and Ginny were the only remaining Weasley's in school, it would only be the four of them for the day.
"Are you sure you don't need me to go with you?" Mrs. Weasley asked, almost longingly.
Ron looked frustrated. "Mum! Harry, Hermione and I are sixteen and Diagon Alley's not even that big. I'm sure we won't get lost or anything."
"Well, I suppose. It's just, well, it's like a ritual. Three more years and none of you will be in school."
It was Ginny's turn to roll her eyes, "It's still three more years!"
"Yes, and after that, the house might actually get some quiet."
It sounded more like she was trying to convince herself that this would be a good thing. Mrs. Weasley handed Ron and Ginny each a small sack filled with Galleons.
"Now, Ron, I gave you enough for new dress robes as will as school robes, but I don't know if you'll be able to get brand new ones. I'm sorry Ginny, but the ones you got last year will have to do. I'm very sorry dear; I know you wanted those blue ones. Anyway, I also gave you each enough for supper at the Leaky Cauldron. Just remember to be careful with what you have."
"Don't worry mum," Ginny grinned as she threw her floo powder into the fireplace.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione followed Ginny into the fireplace and found themselves in the Leaky Cauldron with all Diagon Alley at their fingertips. They decided to save their schoolbooks for last, since they didn't want to carry them around all day. Harry and Hermione still needed to get their money, and Harry just couldn't see what the twins had put in his birthday vault, so the first stop was going to be Gringotts. As, they headed down towards the wizard bank, Ginny dropped back behind them. Hermione looked back and saw Ginny looking a bit nervous.
"Ummm, if you three don't mind, I told my friend that I would meet her here to . . . do our shopping together. So, I'll, uh, meet you at supper."
With that, Ginny ducked ahead of them and was gone before any of them could argue. Ron and Harry just shrugged; Hermione looked puzzled for a moment, but realized that there was nothing that she could do now since Ginny was completely out of sight. The three best friends headed happily towards Gringotts. Once there, Hermione exchanged her muggle money for Galleons, Harry approached the goblins to take them down into the vaults. After the usual wild cart ride down to Harry's vault, the goblin sneered at the three Hogwarts students until they tumbled out of the cart. Harry dug his key out of his pocket and opened the gold filled vault. Ron gasped, he had never seen so much money in his life.
"Wow Harry. You must be as rich as Malfoy."
"Somehow I doubt that. From what I've heard, Godric Hollow was no Malfoy Manor."
"Still Harry, what did your parents do?"
Harry pondered this for a moment. He had never really thought about that. They were pretty young when they had died. How did they get this much money? Well, Hagrid would probably know, he seemed to know a lot about Lily and James Potter. Harry resolved to ask Hagrid a bit more about his parents this year. Once Harry had collected enough money for the year, they climbed back into the cart and headed off for the other vault.
"That's in the temporary vault area. It'll cost you two knuts to get there," the goblin sneered at Harry.
"It does not. I should know, my brother works for Gringotts. Just get us there," Ron retorted.
The goblin grumbled a bit, but set the cart in the direction of the vault. When they got there, Harry was almost afraid to open the vault.
"What if the twins did something to it?"
Ron smiled, "They probably did, but I really can't wait any longer. So if you don't open it, I will. Besides, you really wouldn't miss one of their tricks for anything."
With that, Harry put the key into the lock and opened up the vault. It was much smaller than the Potter's permanent vault. Harry walked in first, ducking his head into the tiny vault. Ron and Hermione squeezed in after him. There was a table in the middle of the vault with a wrapped box sitting in the middle.
Harry hesitated before he started unwrapping the box. "If this is another fifteen boxes all crammed into one, I'm going to have to do some serious damage to the twins . . . and maybe Bill to."
However, the box turned out to be a perfectly normal gift. Inside were several items from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and a book called Ancient Egyptian Curses, which was most likely from Bill. Harry smiled as he removed the box from the vault and locked it back up. As soon as he turned the key to lock the vault, the key vanished. Ron and Hermione were already back in the cart, so Harry joined them and prepared for the ride back to the Gringotts entrance.
After the bank, Harry listened as Hermione and Ron debated over where to go next.
"You heard your mom! You need to get new robes. Really, Ron, yours don't even reach your ankles anymore."
"But I want to go check on Quidditch supplies, I'm going to need those too!"
"And how do you plan on affording new Quidditch supplies. Poor Ginny doesn't even get new robes this year and your talking about Quidditch supplies!"
"Well, I just won't buy all the books. It's not my fault that course book list is so bloody long."
"Don't be a stupid git Ron, you have to buy your books."
"No I don't, I'll borrow yours."
Harry had lost interest in their argument long ago when he noticed a familiar figure near the window in Madam Malkin's.
"Hey, guys, I'll see you in bit."
With that, Harry left a bewildered Ron and Hermione to finish their argument. He walked into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and scanned the room for the girl he had seen in the window. Madam Malkin was in the corner fitting a first year student for his new school robes. Apparently, the eleven year old boy had problems standing still as he kept turning and looking at things. Madam Malkin was getting more and more frustrated by the minute. Harry finally saw whom he had come in to find. Ginny was looking through a rack of girl's dress robes. She pulled out a pale blue robe that shimmered kind of like silver and sighed. Harry really didn't want to interrupt her, but couldn't help himself.
"That would look really pretty on you Ginny. You should get it for the Yule Ball," Harry said awkwardly.
Ginny gasped and looked up. "Oh Harry! Where are . . . I mean . . .I couldn't . . . I mean, thanks. I really like it, but I could never afford it."
"Why don't you just try it on? That couldn't hurt."
"That's true . . . well, why not?"
Ginny went off happily to the dressing rooms. Harry reflected on the fact that she hadn't even blushed during that whole conversation. Ginny had certainly done a lot of growing up, she was so confident now. Well, at least as confident as a fifteen-year-old girl can get. While she tried on the robe, Harry found his thoughts drifting back to the ring she had given him for his birthday. He still hadn't had the opportunity to ask her what it was for. He started looking around the shop. He was definitely going to need new robes this year; like Ron, his old robes barely reached his ankles, it was quite embarrassing. Just as he began to sift through the black Hogwarts robes, Ginny came out of the dressing room. Harry's breath caught in his throat and he could have sworn that his heart completely stopped beating. After a moment, once he realized that he hadn't had a heart attack, he managed to find his voice.
"Ginny, I don't know what to say. That looks . . . amazing."
He wasn't kidding either. She looked like an angel and was positively glowing. Her eyes twinkled as she watched Harry Potter desperately searching for words and turning a definite shade of crimson. Ginny sighed as she looked in the enchanted mirror, which confirmed what she already knew. "Dear, that is a perfect fit, absolutely stunning. I think that young man back there just might agree with me."
Harry had regained his composure by this time and had made his way over to where Ginny was standing.
"You really should get it Ginny. I have to say, you would blow everyone away at the Yule Ball this year."
"As much as I would love to, you heard my mom this morning. Stupid Ron had to grow out of his robes and there's no way that I can buy new ones. Not even with the money I had saved this year."
"Well, your mum didn't say anything about gifts now did she?"
"No, but really . . ."
"Then I'll buy it for you."
"Harry, don't be ridiculous. I can't accept that."
"Well, I'm going to buy it, and I think it would look rather silly on me, so I think you better take it."
"Harry!"
"Hey, consider it a thank you for the singing valentine you sent me your first year."
This time it was Ginny's turn to turn crimson. With that, she shut up and helped Harry pick out his own new robes. Ginny picked out a green robe, like his old one, but made out of a kind of taffeta that turned black when you looked at it from certain angles. Just as Harry made his purchase and handed Ginny's bag over to her, he heard a voice behind him.
"There you are! We've been looking practically all over Diagon Alley for you. I thought for sure you would have gone to Quality Quidditch Supplies. Really Harry, you should see the new display they've got. There's this new secret play-making book, it's incredible. Oh hi, Ginny. What are you doing in here anyway. Don't tell me that you just couldn't wait to get your robes!"
Sure enough, the voice belonged to Ron. Harry was going to have to wait to ask Ginny about the ring.
"Well, I don't know. We weren't getting anywhere the way you two were going on."
Hermione scoffed, "Well, I didn't hear you giving us any help. Although," she glanced meaningfully at Ginny, "you certainly had your own ideas of where to go next."
Ron looked confused for a moment, "Well, never mind all that. Come on Harry, you really have to come see the new Quidditch display."
Harry glanced back at Ginny and then followed Ron out of the store. Hermione sighed and then turned to Ginny.
"So, what was all that about?" Hermione asked, her eyes shining with questions.
"What do you mean?" Ginny replied hesitantly.
"You know exactly what I mean. What were you and Harry doing? What's in the bag?"
"We weren't doing anything. I was just in here looking around and Harry came in a little while later."
"What's in the bag?"
"Ummmm . . ." Ginny didn't really know what to say to this. She didn't want to tell Hermione that Harry had bought her a new dress robe, but Hermione also had been there when her mom had told her that she couldn't get a new one. Apparently, Hermione caught the hint that Ginny didn't want to talk about it, or just got tired of waiting for an answer. In any case, she stopped asking and asked Ginny's advice on a new robe for the Yule Ball. Finally they picked out a deep burgundy one and went out to find the boys.
After dragging Harry and Ron away from the Quidditch supplies and forcing Ron to pick out some new robes, the four headed off to buy their schoolbooks. Before they could go into the shop, they all heard an unmistakable voice.
"Honestly dad, I'm the best potions student in the school. Snape even said that I should get a better cauldron. Don't you want me to have the best chances at becoming head boy? Not that I'm entirely looking forward to sharing a dormitory with that mudbood Hermione Granger."
"Well, you won't have any chance of making Head Boy if you don't get your marks up. Really! Eight O.W.L.s! I expected more out of you. If you didn't spend all your time chasing after that Potter and actually concentrated on your schoolwork . . ."
"I don't chase after Potter. He's just always around. Anyway, I bet he didn't get that many O.W.L.s. He's practically a dunce at potions."
It was Draco Malfoy and his father Lucius. The four students standing outside the shop prepared themselves for a confrontation. Holding their heads high they walked into the store just in time to hear Draco's last comment.
"Actually, I did quite will on my O.W.L.s, Malfoy. Or maybe they just gave me extra points for defeating the Dark Lord five years in a row."
Lucius Malfoy glared at this boy with such audacity. "You'd better watch where you open your mouth Potter," growled Lucius Malfoy.
"Oh, that's right," Harry continued, "I almost forgot that you're a Death Eater."
Lucius growled in anger, his hand reaching for his wand. However, he looked around and realized that there was nothing he could do to the boy here without causing quite a disturbance, there were already more than one faces staring at the scene. Instead, Lucius looked directly into Harry's eyes.
"You'd best learn to respect the Malfoy name boy."
With that, he stormed out of the store, practically dragging Draco behind him. Harry looked back at his friends; Hermione looked as if she had a bad taste in her mouth, Ron looked really shaken up and Ginny looked amused.
"You shouldn't have said those things Harry," Ron said.
"I'm not afraid of Malfoy. He can't really do anything."
"Maybe not, but you don't have to provoke him."
After buying their schoolbooks, they headed off to the Leaky Cauldron for supper. Hermione had a bit of trouble because not only had she bought duplicate 6th year books, she had bought copies of all their old books. Ron protested greatly as she did this.
"You already have all of those."
"Yes, but these are for my library."
"Don't you have them memorized by now?"
"Practically."
"Then what in the world do you need them for Hermione."
"I don't NEED them, I just WANT them. They'll be a good reference someday."
Well, Hermione got her way, despite Ron's protestations. She had bought duplicate copies of every book except Lockhart's and The Monster Book of Monsters, which had been taken out of stock. Hermione hadn't really wanted another copy of the man-eating book anyway. At supper, they relaxed and wondered about what the next year was going to bring. Harry mentioned that he hadn't heard from Sirius. Hedwig had come back the day before with no response and Harry had become very worried.
"Gosh Harry," Hermione said thoughtfully, "What do you think could have happened to him?"
"I don't know. He never forgets my birthday."
"You know, he's probably just in a position where he can't write to you without giving away where he is. You know, he's still hiding."
"I never knew you had a godfather Harry," Ginny stated.
"Um, yeah." Harry had completely forgotten that Ginny was sitting there and that she didn't know what had happened in his third year. The last she had heard of Sirius Black was that he was an escaped prisoner on the run.
Soon, they decided it was time to return to the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley greeted them happily, seeing that they were all safe and loaded down with school supplies. Harry had put Ginny's bag with his own so that her mother wouldn't notice. Later that evening, he decided to take it back to her, it might give him the chance to ask her about his ring.
He found her alone in her room since Ron and Hermione were down in the living room playing Wizard Chess.
"Ummmm, Ginny?" Harry said timidly tapping on her open door.
"Oh, hi Harry."
"I brought you, your robe." Harry smiled at her charmingly.
"Thank you." Then Ginny looked at him and asked, "Why did you buy it for me Harry?"
"Why did you give me that ancient ring?"
"I asked first."
"Alright, fair enough. I really don't know, it just seemed so perfect for you and I could see that you really wanted it. I guess, I just wanted you to be happy."
"But why?"
"I really don't know. Your turn."
"I don't know either."
"Where did you get it?"
"I got it at the World Cup two years ago. There was a little shop selling ancient Irish artifacts. It kind of caught my eye."
"How could you afford it? I know your dad didn't give you that much spending money."
"I spent my savings on it."
Harry's eyes grew wide. "Why did you give it to me then?"
"I just got this really strong feeling that it belonged to you. I don't know what it does Harry. I tried translating the runes, but they're too old, or I didn't have the right books or something. Maybe Hermione can figure it out."
Harry looked at her for a moment and then smiled. "Thank you Ginny, it's an amazing gift."
"Like I said, it already belonged to you."
"Well, I better go. If Ron found me in here, he would probably kill me or something."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "That's my brother. But," she hesitated, "you're welcome in here any time. I'd really like to . . . be your friend."
"Goodnight Ginny."
"Goodnight Harry."
Harry practically ran straight into Hermione as he turned around.
"Alright Potter, we need to talk."
Harry paled slightly at Hermione's serious glare and tone. They went into Ron's room since Ron was still downstairs fighting with Mrs. Weasley about Quidditch supplies. Still pale, Harry asked, "What is it."
Hermione burst out laughing, "You look like you just got caught by McGonagall."
Harry relaxed a little, "What is it Hermione?"
"What's going on with Ginny?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you like her?"
"No. Not like what you mean."
"Are you sure?"
"No, Hermione, I was lying to you," Harry answered sarcastically.
"Well, if you say so."
"I do. Now if you don't mind, I'm quite tired after today and I think I'm going off to bed."
"Fine." And with that Hermione turned and left the room. A second later, she peeked back in and said, "Goodnight Harry."
"Goodnight Hermione."
That night Harry thought about what Hermione had said. Was it possible that he liked Ginny Weasley? He decided that, no, he didn't. This was nothing like when he liked Cho. Yet . . . Ginny had looked absolutely stunning in that blue dress robe. Finally, he came to the hesitant conclusion that it didn't really matter anyway, Ron would kill anyone that came anywhere near Ginny, even if it was his best friend. Still, Harry thought . . . and then he drifted off to sleep.
A/N: Well, there you go! We still don't know anything about Sirius, but we know a little bit more about the ring. And finally some Harry/Ginny talking, even though the real fluff won't be for at least a few more chapters. **Evil grin** Ok everyone, please please review! They make me feel so much better about myself. Thanks to RogueAngel and may, you guys made my day!
Chapter 4
The Visit to Diagon Alley
A few days after Harry's birthday, Mrs. Weasley suggested that they spend the day at Diagon Alley getting all of their school supplies and whatever else they might need. Since Ron and Ginny were the only remaining Weasley's in school, it would only be the four of them for the day.
"Are you sure you don't need me to go with you?" Mrs. Weasley asked, almost longingly.
Ron looked frustrated. "Mum! Harry, Hermione and I are sixteen and Diagon Alley's not even that big. I'm sure we won't get lost or anything."
"Well, I suppose. It's just, well, it's like a ritual. Three more years and none of you will be in school."
It was Ginny's turn to roll her eyes, "It's still three more years!"
"Yes, and after that, the house might actually get some quiet."
It sounded more like she was trying to convince herself that this would be a good thing. Mrs. Weasley handed Ron and Ginny each a small sack filled with Galleons.
"Now, Ron, I gave you enough for new dress robes as will as school robes, but I don't know if you'll be able to get brand new ones. I'm sorry Ginny, but the ones you got last year will have to do. I'm very sorry dear; I know you wanted those blue ones. Anyway, I also gave you each enough for supper at the Leaky Cauldron. Just remember to be careful with what you have."
"Don't worry mum," Ginny grinned as she threw her floo powder into the fireplace.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione followed Ginny into the fireplace and found themselves in the Leaky Cauldron with all Diagon Alley at their fingertips. They decided to save their schoolbooks for last, since they didn't want to carry them around all day. Harry and Hermione still needed to get their money, and Harry just couldn't see what the twins had put in his birthday vault, so the first stop was going to be Gringotts. As, they headed down towards the wizard bank, Ginny dropped back behind them. Hermione looked back and saw Ginny looking a bit nervous.
"Ummm, if you three don't mind, I told my friend that I would meet her here to . . . do our shopping together. So, I'll, uh, meet you at supper."
With that, Ginny ducked ahead of them and was gone before any of them could argue. Ron and Harry just shrugged; Hermione looked puzzled for a moment, but realized that there was nothing that she could do now since Ginny was completely out of sight. The three best friends headed happily towards Gringotts. Once there, Hermione exchanged her muggle money for Galleons, Harry approached the goblins to take them down into the vaults. After the usual wild cart ride down to Harry's vault, the goblin sneered at the three Hogwarts students until they tumbled out of the cart. Harry dug his key out of his pocket and opened the gold filled vault. Ron gasped, he had never seen so much money in his life.
"Wow Harry. You must be as rich as Malfoy."
"Somehow I doubt that. From what I've heard, Godric Hollow was no Malfoy Manor."
"Still Harry, what did your parents do?"
Harry pondered this for a moment. He had never really thought about that. They were pretty young when they had died. How did they get this much money? Well, Hagrid would probably know, he seemed to know a lot about Lily and James Potter. Harry resolved to ask Hagrid a bit more about his parents this year. Once Harry had collected enough money for the year, they climbed back into the cart and headed off for the other vault.
"That's in the temporary vault area. It'll cost you two knuts to get there," the goblin sneered at Harry.
"It does not. I should know, my brother works for Gringotts. Just get us there," Ron retorted.
The goblin grumbled a bit, but set the cart in the direction of the vault. When they got there, Harry was almost afraid to open the vault.
"What if the twins did something to it?"
Ron smiled, "They probably did, but I really can't wait any longer. So if you don't open it, I will. Besides, you really wouldn't miss one of their tricks for anything."
With that, Harry put the key into the lock and opened up the vault. It was much smaller than the Potter's permanent vault. Harry walked in first, ducking his head into the tiny vault. Ron and Hermione squeezed in after him. There was a table in the middle of the vault with a wrapped box sitting in the middle.
Harry hesitated before he started unwrapping the box. "If this is another fifteen boxes all crammed into one, I'm going to have to do some serious damage to the twins . . . and maybe Bill to."
However, the box turned out to be a perfectly normal gift. Inside were several items from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and a book called Ancient Egyptian Curses, which was most likely from Bill. Harry smiled as he removed the box from the vault and locked it back up. As soon as he turned the key to lock the vault, the key vanished. Ron and Hermione were already back in the cart, so Harry joined them and prepared for the ride back to the Gringotts entrance.
After the bank, Harry listened as Hermione and Ron debated over where to go next.
"You heard your mom! You need to get new robes. Really, Ron, yours don't even reach your ankles anymore."
"But I want to go check on Quidditch supplies, I'm going to need those too!"
"And how do you plan on affording new Quidditch supplies. Poor Ginny doesn't even get new robes this year and your talking about Quidditch supplies!"
"Well, I just won't buy all the books. It's not my fault that course book list is so bloody long."
"Don't be a stupid git Ron, you have to buy your books."
"No I don't, I'll borrow yours."
Harry had lost interest in their argument long ago when he noticed a familiar figure near the window in Madam Malkin's.
"Hey, guys, I'll see you in bit."
With that, Harry left a bewildered Ron and Hermione to finish their argument. He walked into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and scanned the room for the girl he had seen in the window. Madam Malkin was in the corner fitting a first year student for his new school robes. Apparently, the eleven year old boy had problems standing still as he kept turning and looking at things. Madam Malkin was getting more and more frustrated by the minute. Harry finally saw whom he had come in to find. Ginny was looking through a rack of girl's dress robes. She pulled out a pale blue robe that shimmered kind of like silver and sighed. Harry really didn't want to interrupt her, but couldn't help himself.
"That would look really pretty on you Ginny. You should get it for the Yule Ball," Harry said awkwardly.
Ginny gasped and looked up. "Oh Harry! Where are . . . I mean . . .I couldn't . . . I mean, thanks. I really like it, but I could never afford it."
"Why don't you just try it on? That couldn't hurt."
"That's true . . . well, why not?"
Ginny went off happily to the dressing rooms. Harry reflected on the fact that she hadn't even blushed during that whole conversation. Ginny had certainly done a lot of growing up, she was so confident now. Well, at least as confident as a fifteen-year-old girl can get. While she tried on the robe, Harry found his thoughts drifting back to the ring she had given him for his birthday. He still hadn't had the opportunity to ask her what it was for. He started looking around the shop. He was definitely going to need new robes this year; like Ron, his old robes barely reached his ankles, it was quite embarrassing. Just as he began to sift through the black Hogwarts robes, Ginny came out of the dressing room. Harry's breath caught in his throat and he could have sworn that his heart completely stopped beating. After a moment, once he realized that he hadn't had a heart attack, he managed to find his voice.
"Ginny, I don't know what to say. That looks . . . amazing."
He wasn't kidding either. She looked like an angel and was positively glowing. Her eyes twinkled as she watched Harry Potter desperately searching for words and turning a definite shade of crimson. Ginny sighed as she looked in the enchanted mirror, which confirmed what she already knew. "Dear, that is a perfect fit, absolutely stunning. I think that young man back there just might agree with me."
Harry had regained his composure by this time and had made his way over to where Ginny was standing.
"You really should get it Ginny. I have to say, you would blow everyone away at the Yule Ball this year."
"As much as I would love to, you heard my mom this morning. Stupid Ron had to grow out of his robes and there's no way that I can buy new ones. Not even with the money I had saved this year."
"Well, your mum didn't say anything about gifts now did she?"
"No, but really . . ."
"Then I'll buy it for you."
"Harry, don't be ridiculous. I can't accept that."
"Well, I'm going to buy it, and I think it would look rather silly on me, so I think you better take it."
"Harry!"
"Hey, consider it a thank you for the singing valentine you sent me your first year."
This time it was Ginny's turn to turn crimson. With that, she shut up and helped Harry pick out his own new robes. Ginny picked out a green robe, like his old one, but made out of a kind of taffeta that turned black when you looked at it from certain angles. Just as Harry made his purchase and handed Ginny's bag over to her, he heard a voice behind him.
"There you are! We've been looking practically all over Diagon Alley for you. I thought for sure you would have gone to Quality Quidditch Supplies. Really Harry, you should see the new display they've got. There's this new secret play-making book, it's incredible. Oh hi, Ginny. What are you doing in here anyway. Don't tell me that you just couldn't wait to get your robes!"
Sure enough, the voice belonged to Ron. Harry was going to have to wait to ask Ginny about the ring.
"Well, I don't know. We weren't getting anywhere the way you two were going on."
Hermione scoffed, "Well, I didn't hear you giving us any help. Although," she glanced meaningfully at Ginny, "you certainly had your own ideas of where to go next."
Ron looked confused for a moment, "Well, never mind all that. Come on Harry, you really have to come see the new Quidditch display."
Harry glanced back at Ginny and then followed Ron out of the store. Hermione sighed and then turned to Ginny.
"So, what was all that about?" Hermione asked, her eyes shining with questions.
"What do you mean?" Ginny replied hesitantly.
"You know exactly what I mean. What were you and Harry doing? What's in the bag?"
"We weren't doing anything. I was just in here looking around and Harry came in a little while later."
"What's in the bag?"
"Ummmm . . ." Ginny didn't really know what to say to this. She didn't want to tell Hermione that Harry had bought her a new dress robe, but Hermione also had been there when her mom had told her that she couldn't get a new one. Apparently, Hermione caught the hint that Ginny didn't want to talk about it, or just got tired of waiting for an answer. In any case, she stopped asking and asked Ginny's advice on a new robe for the Yule Ball. Finally they picked out a deep burgundy one and went out to find the boys.
After dragging Harry and Ron away from the Quidditch supplies and forcing Ron to pick out some new robes, the four headed off to buy their schoolbooks. Before they could go into the shop, they all heard an unmistakable voice.
"Honestly dad, I'm the best potions student in the school. Snape even said that I should get a better cauldron. Don't you want me to have the best chances at becoming head boy? Not that I'm entirely looking forward to sharing a dormitory with that mudbood Hermione Granger."
"Well, you won't have any chance of making Head Boy if you don't get your marks up. Really! Eight O.W.L.s! I expected more out of you. If you didn't spend all your time chasing after that Potter and actually concentrated on your schoolwork . . ."
"I don't chase after Potter. He's just always around. Anyway, I bet he didn't get that many O.W.L.s. He's practically a dunce at potions."
It was Draco Malfoy and his father Lucius. The four students standing outside the shop prepared themselves for a confrontation. Holding their heads high they walked into the store just in time to hear Draco's last comment.
"Actually, I did quite will on my O.W.L.s, Malfoy. Or maybe they just gave me extra points for defeating the Dark Lord five years in a row."
Lucius Malfoy glared at this boy with such audacity. "You'd better watch where you open your mouth Potter," growled Lucius Malfoy.
"Oh, that's right," Harry continued, "I almost forgot that you're a Death Eater."
Lucius growled in anger, his hand reaching for his wand. However, he looked around and realized that there was nothing he could do to the boy here without causing quite a disturbance, there were already more than one faces staring at the scene. Instead, Lucius looked directly into Harry's eyes.
"You'd best learn to respect the Malfoy name boy."
With that, he stormed out of the store, practically dragging Draco behind him. Harry looked back at his friends; Hermione looked as if she had a bad taste in her mouth, Ron looked really shaken up and Ginny looked amused.
"You shouldn't have said those things Harry," Ron said.
"I'm not afraid of Malfoy. He can't really do anything."
"Maybe not, but you don't have to provoke him."
After buying their schoolbooks, they headed off to the Leaky Cauldron for supper. Hermione had a bit of trouble because not only had she bought duplicate 6th year books, she had bought copies of all their old books. Ron protested greatly as she did this.
"You already have all of those."
"Yes, but these are for my library."
"Don't you have them memorized by now?"
"Practically."
"Then what in the world do you need them for Hermione."
"I don't NEED them, I just WANT them. They'll be a good reference someday."
Well, Hermione got her way, despite Ron's protestations. She had bought duplicate copies of every book except Lockhart's and The Monster Book of Monsters, which had been taken out of stock. Hermione hadn't really wanted another copy of the man-eating book anyway. At supper, they relaxed and wondered about what the next year was going to bring. Harry mentioned that he hadn't heard from Sirius. Hedwig had come back the day before with no response and Harry had become very worried.
"Gosh Harry," Hermione said thoughtfully, "What do you think could have happened to him?"
"I don't know. He never forgets my birthday."
"You know, he's probably just in a position where he can't write to you without giving away where he is. You know, he's still hiding."
"I never knew you had a godfather Harry," Ginny stated.
"Um, yeah." Harry had completely forgotten that Ginny was sitting there and that she didn't know what had happened in his third year. The last she had heard of Sirius Black was that he was an escaped prisoner on the run.
Soon, they decided it was time to return to the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley greeted them happily, seeing that they were all safe and loaded down with school supplies. Harry had put Ginny's bag with his own so that her mother wouldn't notice. Later that evening, he decided to take it back to her, it might give him the chance to ask her about his ring.
He found her alone in her room since Ron and Hermione were down in the living room playing Wizard Chess.
"Ummmm, Ginny?" Harry said timidly tapping on her open door.
"Oh, hi Harry."
"I brought you, your robe." Harry smiled at her charmingly.
"Thank you." Then Ginny looked at him and asked, "Why did you buy it for me Harry?"
"Why did you give me that ancient ring?"
"I asked first."
"Alright, fair enough. I really don't know, it just seemed so perfect for you and I could see that you really wanted it. I guess, I just wanted you to be happy."
"But why?"
"I really don't know. Your turn."
"I don't know either."
"Where did you get it?"
"I got it at the World Cup two years ago. There was a little shop selling ancient Irish artifacts. It kind of caught my eye."
"How could you afford it? I know your dad didn't give you that much spending money."
"I spent my savings on it."
Harry's eyes grew wide. "Why did you give it to me then?"
"I just got this really strong feeling that it belonged to you. I don't know what it does Harry. I tried translating the runes, but they're too old, or I didn't have the right books or something. Maybe Hermione can figure it out."
Harry looked at her for a moment and then smiled. "Thank you Ginny, it's an amazing gift."
"Like I said, it already belonged to you."
"Well, I better go. If Ron found me in here, he would probably kill me or something."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "That's my brother. But," she hesitated, "you're welcome in here any time. I'd really like to . . . be your friend."
"Goodnight Ginny."
"Goodnight Harry."
Harry practically ran straight into Hermione as he turned around.
"Alright Potter, we need to talk."
Harry paled slightly at Hermione's serious glare and tone. They went into Ron's room since Ron was still downstairs fighting with Mrs. Weasley about Quidditch supplies. Still pale, Harry asked, "What is it."
Hermione burst out laughing, "You look like you just got caught by McGonagall."
Harry relaxed a little, "What is it Hermione?"
"What's going on with Ginny?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you like her?"
"No. Not like what you mean."
"Are you sure?"
"No, Hermione, I was lying to you," Harry answered sarcastically.
"Well, if you say so."
"I do. Now if you don't mind, I'm quite tired after today and I think I'm going off to bed."
"Fine." And with that Hermione turned and left the room. A second later, she peeked back in and said, "Goodnight Harry."
"Goodnight Hermione."
That night Harry thought about what Hermione had said. Was it possible that he liked Ginny Weasley? He decided that, no, he didn't. This was nothing like when he liked Cho. Yet . . . Ginny had looked absolutely stunning in that blue dress robe. Finally, he came to the hesitant conclusion that it didn't really matter anyway, Ron would kill anyone that came anywhere near Ginny, even if it was his best friend. Still, Harry thought . . . and then he drifted off to sleep.
A/N: Well, there you go! We still don't know anything about Sirius, but we know a little bit more about the ring. And finally some Harry/Ginny talking, even though the real fluff won't be for at least a few more chapters. **Evil grin** Ok everyone, please please review! They make me feel so much better about myself. Thanks to RogueAngel and may, you guys made my day!