This is a H/G story with some R/H maybe if the author can write it in.
Disclaimer; If I owned Harry Potter would I be writing in here?
Chapter Eleven - Shopping
Harry was sitting next to Ron at the breakfast table, Hermione and Ginny were opposite talking in whispers.
"What are they talking about?" Ron asked
"I don't know, girl stuff maybe"
Hermione looked over and said,
"Hogsmede trip tomorrow, time for a bit of Christmas shopping I think"
"Yes" said Harry gloomily, shopping was not his strong point he never knew what to get people.
"Cheer up, it's nearly Christmas!" Ginny replied jovially, "Sleigh bells ring, are you listening..."
"Ginny be quiet"
"*Awww Ronniekins is all upset!*"
"*He and Hermione probably had another argument!*"
"*Emphasise on 'Another'*"
The four Marauders sat in a coach as it trundled on it's way to the small magical village of Hogsmede. No-one was talking, Harry was wondering what to get Ginny. He wanted to get her something special but it couldn't be overly special because Ron would get ideas. Maybe he's get Hermione something similar so it wouldn't look so bad. The coach stopped and they all jumped onto the snowy path that led into the town, it had been snowing all yesterday and there was quite a thick layer now. Walking into town they discussed what they would do,
"I'll go with Ginny and get your presents and you go with Ron and get our presents" said Hermione to Harry.
"And we'll meet in The Three Broomsticks for a butter beer at 12:00?"
"2:00"
"What do you need three hours for?" asked Ron
"Shopping" said Ginny as if it was the most obvious thing in the world/
"Ok so 2:00 in the Inn, don't be late!" Harry shouted at the girls.
"So where first" Harry shrugged.
They headed off and shivered as an icy wind ran straight through them, winter was definitely setting in .
"What are you getting Hermione and Ginny?" asked Harry trying to sound casual
"No idea! Maybe something quidditch related for my sister and something book related for 'Mione"
"I might get them something from in that shop" Harry pointed to a jewellery shop across the road.
"Jewellery?" Ron said in shock, "Really?"
"Girls like that kind of thing" said Harry shrugging, at that Ron had to agree.
Harry and Ron entered the shop, it smelt rather like Professor Trelawny's classroom. There were glass cases filled with rings, necklaces, bracelets and tiara's, Harry wondered how on earth he was going to choose, he was looking over a case when an old women wrapped in a a spangly shawl came out.
"Can I help you dear?" Harry nearly jumped out of his skin. "Let me see" she continued "You want a Christmas present for your girlfriend and your friend."
"No" said Harry quickly "just two girl friends, I mean two friends who are girls" He could feel the blush creeping over his face and he wished Ron would stop sniggering behind him. Harry spotted a bracelet that had unicorns cantering across it and a ring to match, the price tag on the ring said '7 Galleons' and the bracelet said '6 Galleons'. There was a pair of earring's with little pink stones in them and a bracelet to match that, costing '10 Galleons'.
"How about that bracelet and ring for Ginny and those earrings and the matching bracelet for Hermione?"
Ron just shrugged,
"I don't know?"
Harry paid 23 Galleons in all and then headed off to the book shop to find Ron's presents for the girls.
Chapter Twelve – A death
The week before Christmas the marauders went down to visit Hagrid,
"I thought you'd forgotten were me hut is?"
"Sorry we've just had a lot on" Harry said thinking of the marauders.
"That's Ok, I see you three times a week in class. OW I got a beauty for next week..." Hagrid then went on to discuss the Runespoor, an orange three headed snake, over tea and rock cakes.
After lunch they went to their pool, deciding it was too cold to swim they wanted to see if the water was frozen or if it was still warm. They walked in the snow covered grounds laughing and chatting. They climbed down the now familiar tunnel and entered the cavern. Ginny stuck her arm in the pool, it felt like a pleasant warm breeze.
"It's still warm" she said, she knelt down to take off her shoes and dangle her feet when Ron stopped her,
"Ginny we haven't got any towels and your feet will freeze outside"
"Yeah I suppose" Ginny sighed
"We can have a snow fight!" said Harry "Girls versus boys"
"That sounded like a challenge 'Mione?" Ginny said
"It did, they're asking for it really" Ginny and Hermione darted up the tunnel, being smaller than the boys they got through quicker. Harry and Ron emerged a minute or so later looking cautiously around, they spotted the girls a few metres away.
"No snowballs?" asked Harry
"Just the one" Hermione said innocently. A huge snowball, that had been hovering over the boys head's, dropped and Harry yelled as the cold snow dripped down his back. A furious snow ball fight followed. They stood on top of a gentle slope. Ron was chasing Hermione around and Ginny was advancing on Harry with a snowball, he knocked her down, very gently and she shrieked as the snow got in her robes. They were both on the floor and Ginny pushed Harry and he wobbled on the edge of the slope; he grabbed Ginny's arm and they both rolled down the hill. Harry landed on Ginny who was giggling, he pushed himself up on his hands and gazed into her deep hazel eyes. He noticed she had stopped laughing and her breathing was becoming more erratic.
"Harry leave my sister alone!" Harry rolled away the blush beginning to set in.
"Yeah thanks Ron" Ginny said getting up and brushing her robes off, Harry didn't put anything by what she said, she was probably just embarrassed he thought.
"I'm cold now" Hermione said, although Ginny had a sneaky suspicion that she wanted to talk to her about what just happened. "shall we go in?"
Ginny and Hermione were sitting in the corner of the common room having an intense conversation whilst Ron and Harry made up things for their divination homework. Harry noticed that they kept glancing over and it was making him nervous, Ginny always made him nervous.
"So Gin, what were you doing with Harry?"
"Nothing" said Ginny her voice filled with angelic innocence.
"Yeah I believe you" said Hermione her voice dripping with Snape like sarcasm.
"We fell down the hill"
"Yes you just forgot to mention the fact that Harry was on top of you!" Ginny giggled again,
"Yeah"
In bed that night Harry couldn't sleep, a certain fiery redhead kept invading his thoughts. Why did she have to be so god damn good-looking, funny, sweet, good at quidditch? Why did she have to be the little sister of his best friend? Harry closed his eyes and the image of Ginny was printed on the inside of his eyelids. He drifted off watching her in his dreams.
Harry opened his eyes to find himself riding on the back of the Phoenix again, the sweet song filling his ears. The high notes in the song changed into terrified screams as the dark mark shot into the air. The scene below was one he recognised, it was Diagon Alley; but something was amiss. Their was people running through the streets, their frightened screams and sobs pierced the cold air. The Leaky Cauldron was reduced to a pile of rubble and black figures told Harry that Death Eaters were responsible. Then a single body became magnified, a large bulky figure with long black hair and cold beetle black eyes; eyes that used to sparkle now remained cold. Harry fell off the bird, as he always did in his dreams, and as he fell to the floor Hagrid's cold dead eyes haunted him and a high pitched, evil laugh rang out.
Harry jumped into a sitting position and dived through his curtains, running for the door. He ran as fast as he could into the common room where he met Ginny in the same state. He looked at her scared eyes and wild hair and knew she'd seen what he had seen.
"The dream Harry" she whispered barely keeping the tears away.
"Dumbledore" He croaked back. Grabbing her hand they ran through the portrait, ignoring the curse words the fat Lady shouted after them. As they rounded the corner they ran full speed into the only person who could make the situation worse; Snape.
"POTTER! WEASLEY!"
Before Harry knew what he was doing he pulled out his wand, which he grabbed as he ran out of the dorm, and shouted,
"Pertrificus Totalus!" The full body-bind. Leaving Snape wide eyed and rigid they ran to the Gargoyle, to their surprise it sprang open and Dumbledore stood their in stripy pyjamas and slippers.
"Harry, what the matter" Ginny, who was overcome with grief, collapsed crying hysterically but Harry was un-nervingly calm.
"I... We had a dream. Tell me Hagrid is in his hut." Harry pleaded,
"Hagrid is in Diagon Alley, I believe he's staying in The Leaky Cauldron. What on earth is the matter?"
"He's dead" Harry choked, his voice sounding alien in the silence that followed. "Diagon Alley has been attacked" Dumbledore swept round and went straight back up the stairs that led to his office. Harry dragged Ginny up and they followed. They walked into the office just in time to see Dumbledore step into an emerald fire yelling,
"Olivanders!" and then he was gone. Harry glanced at Ginny and she nodded, grabbing some green powder off the shelf Harry and Ginny followed; Snape was completely forgotten.
Ron woke up to see the dorm door slam shut not being completely awake he stared at it for a few seconds before turning to face the curtain which Harry's bed was behind.
"Harry? Harry are you awake?" Ron heaved himself out of bed and pulled across the scarlet curtain,
"Harry someone..." Ron stared at Harry's empty bed and then at the open door. Ron's brain was slow at the best of times and the early hours of the morning was not a best time. Thinking Harry had gone on one of his night time wanders under his invisibility cloak he climbed back into his bed and silently cursed Harry for not waking him and seeing if he wanted to go.
The last time Harry had seen the wand shop was in his first year, as he stepped out of the fire the memory of him and Hagrid buying Harry's wand came flooding back. Afraid he would lose his nerve he shook the memory away and saw Dumbledore disappear through the door, the bell clanging as it shut.
"*Do you want to stay here Gin*?" Ginny shook her head violently, he could feel the fear radiating off her mind,
"*I want to stay with you*" she replied he squeezed her hand tighter as they walked to the door and peered out. The scene was considerably calmer than the one he had seen in his dream. The attack looked like it had happened a couple of hours ago. Harry opened the door and stepped out into the cold street, the bell rang and Dumbledore and several other wizards turned.
"Sorry Professor" Harry mumbled as they got closer to him.
"I didn't say anything Harry" Ginny pulled at his hand,
"*The Leaky Cauldron*" she didn't seem able to communicate properly, her mouth wouldn't let her form the words.
"Can we go and see the Leaky Cauldron?" Harry asked. Dumbledore looked at Ginny then replied,
"Follow me" The wizard he was standing with said,
"I don't know if that's a good idea Albus"
"They have to see, they have to understand" said Dumbledore before beckoning them to follow. They walked down the street, striped tents had been set up on the sides for the injured. Harry glanced in one as he walked past; a small girl was sitting on the floor playing with a toy car. There was a cut across her cheek and her clothes were ripped, a women was standing behind her weeping.
"Her husband was killed in the attack" Dumbledore said gently placing his hand on Harry's shoulder, "The child doesn't understand." He gently steered the two past the tents and around a corner. The once teeming pub was now a pile of rubble. The sign that had once said 'The Leaky Cauldron' was lying burnt and broken on top of the pile. Harry could see beer kegs, beds and even a broken mirror in the rubble. The bodies of the dead were currently being removed. Harry felt detached; as if he was watching everything through a glass window. His eyes fell on a familiar body and he broke away from the others. Harry walked faster and faster until he broke into a run. He knelt beside Hagrid's bruised body, somebody had closed his eyes and straightened his body out. Harry held out a shaking hand and stroked Hagrid's hair and cheek before collapsing on his chest.
"I'm sorry" He cried into Hagrid's unmoving chest, "I'm so sorry" He felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned to see Ginny kneeling beside him. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes as she leant down and kissed Hagrid on the cheek.
Harry and Ginny sat in silence in the Great Hall. Dumbledore had called an assembly to announce the death of Hagrid. Harry and Ginny both had swollen eyes and both were very pale. Hermione and Ron had found out earlier in the morning and Ron was holding a shaking Hermione as silent tears poured out of their eyes.
"The funeral will be held on Christmas eve, and a special remembrance service by the lake at midnight." Dumbledore's voice was shaky and unsure and as he sat down Harry was sure a tear leaked out of his eye The school slowly dispersed up to their common rooms, even the Slytherins seemed reserved. Harry was slightly disappointed that Malfoy hadn't wound him up, he would have given anything to punch that smug face right now. Up in the Gryffindor common room the four marauders sat in silence staring at the fire.
"I'm going to bed" said Hermione, her voice no more than a forced squeak.
"I'm coming" croaked Ron, looking at Harry and Ginny. Harry looked up and met his friends eye, Ron nodded and he and Hermione set off up the stairs to their separate dorms leaving Harry and Ginny alone. An uncomfortable silence filled the air and neither knew why. Too grief stricken to say much Ginny sat next to Harry and laid her head on his shoulder, like she'd done on the first night she'd stayed at Harry's. Tears once again filled Ginny's eyes and she rolled over burying her head into his shoulder. Harry stroked her auburn hair but couldn't speak because a huge lump had welled in his throat.
Disclaimer; If I owned Harry Potter would I be writing in here?
Chapter Eleven - Shopping
Harry was sitting next to Ron at the breakfast table, Hermione and Ginny were opposite talking in whispers.
"What are they talking about?" Ron asked
"I don't know, girl stuff maybe"
Hermione looked over and said,
"Hogsmede trip tomorrow, time for a bit of Christmas shopping I think"
"Yes" said Harry gloomily, shopping was not his strong point he never knew what to get people.
"Cheer up, it's nearly Christmas!" Ginny replied jovially, "Sleigh bells ring, are you listening..."
"Ginny be quiet"
"*Awww Ronniekins is all upset!*"
"*He and Hermione probably had another argument!*"
"*Emphasise on 'Another'*"
The four Marauders sat in a coach as it trundled on it's way to the small magical village of Hogsmede. No-one was talking, Harry was wondering what to get Ginny. He wanted to get her something special but it couldn't be overly special because Ron would get ideas. Maybe he's get Hermione something similar so it wouldn't look so bad. The coach stopped and they all jumped onto the snowy path that led into the town, it had been snowing all yesterday and there was quite a thick layer now. Walking into town they discussed what they would do,
"I'll go with Ginny and get your presents and you go with Ron and get our presents" said Hermione to Harry.
"And we'll meet in The Three Broomsticks for a butter beer at 12:00?"
"2:00"
"What do you need three hours for?" asked Ron
"Shopping" said Ginny as if it was the most obvious thing in the world/
"Ok so 2:00 in the Inn, don't be late!" Harry shouted at the girls.
"So where first" Harry shrugged.
They headed off and shivered as an icy wind ran straight through them, winter was definitely setting in .
"What are you getting Hermione and Ginny?" asked Harry trying to sound casual
"No idea! Maybe something quidditch related for my sister and something book related for 'Mione"
"I might get them something from in that shop" Harry pointed to a jewellery shop across the road.
"Jewellery?" Ron said in shock, "Really?"
"Girls like that kind of thing" said Harry shrugging, at that Ron had to agree.
Harry and Ron entered the shop, it smelt rather like Professor Trelawny's classroom. There were glass cases filled with rings, necklaces, bracelets and tiara's, Harry wondered how on earth he was going to choose, he was looking over a case when an old women wrapped in a a spangly shawl came out.
"Can I help you dear?" Harry nearly jumped out of his skin. "Let me see" she continued "You want a Christmas present for your girlfriend and your friend."
"No" said Harry quickly "just two girl friends, I mean two friends who are girls" He could feel the blush creeping over his face and he wished Ron would stop sniggering behind him. Harry spotted a bracelet that had unicorns cantering across it and a ring to match, the price tag on the ring said '7 Galleons' and the bracelet said '6 Galleons'. There was a pair of earring's with little pink stones in them and a bracelet to match that, costing '10 Galleons'.
"How about that bracelet and ring for Ginny and those earrings and the matching bracelet for Hermione?"
Ron just shrugged,
"I don't know?"
Harry paid 23 Galleons in all and then headed off to the book shop to find Ron's presents for the girls.
Chapter Twelve – A death
The week before Christmas the marauders went down to visit Hagrid,
"I thought you'd forgotten were me hut is?"
"Sorry we've just had a lot on" Harry said thinking of the marauders.
"That's Ok, I see you three times a week in class. OW I got a beauty for next week..." Hagrid then went on to discuss the Runespoor, an orange three headed snake, over tea and rock cakes.
After lunch they went to their pool, deciding it was too cold to swim they wanted to see if the water was frozen or if it was still warm. They walked in the snow covered grounds laughing and chatting. They climbed down the now familiar tunnel and entered the cavern. Ginny stuck her arm in the pool, it felt like a pleasant warm breeze.
"It's still warm" she said, she knelt down to take off her shoes and dangle her feet when Ron stopped her,
"Ginny we haven't got any towels and your feet will freeze outside"
"Yeah I suppose" Ginny sighed
"We can have a snow fight!" said Harry "Girls versus boys"
"That sounded like a challenge 'Mione?" Ginny said
"It did, they're asking for it really" Ginny and Hermione darted up the tunnel, being smaller than the boys they got through quicker. Harry and Ron emerged a minute or so later looking cautiously around, they spotted the girls a few metres away.
"No snowballs?" asked Harry
"Just the one" Hermione said innocently. A huge snowball, that had been hovering over the boys head's, dropped and Harry yelled as the cold snow dripped down his back. A furious snow ball fight followed. They stood on top of a gentle slope. Ron was chasing Hermione around and Ginny was advancing on Harry with a snowball, he knocked her down, very gently and she shrieked as the snow got in her robes. They were both on the floor and Ginny pushed Harry and he wobbled on the edge of the slope; he grabbed Ginny's arm and they both rolled down the hill. Harry landed on Ginny who was giggling, he pushed himself up on his hands and gazed into her deep hazel eyes. He noticed she had stopped laughing and her breathing was becoming more erratic.
"Harry leave my sister alone!" Harry rolled away the blush beginning to set in.
"Yeah thanks Ron" Ginny said getting up and brushing her robes off, Harry didn't put anything by what she said, she was probably just embarrassed he thought.
"I'm cold now" Hermione said, although Ginny had a sneaky suspicion that she wanted to talk to her about what just happened. "shall we go in?"
Ginny and Hermione were sitting in the corner of the common room having an intense conversation whilst Ron and Harry made up things for their divination homework. Harry noticed that they kept glancing over and it was making him nervous, Ginny always made him nervous.
"So Gin, what were you doing with Harry?"
"Nothing" said Ginny her voice filled with angelic innocence.
"Yeah I believe you" said Hermione her voice dripping with Snape like sarcasm.
"We fell down the hill"
"Yes you just forgot to mention the fact that Harry was on top of you!" Ginny giggled again,
"Yeah"
In bed that night Harry couldn't sleep, a certain fiery redhead kept invading his thoughts. Why did she have to be so god damn good-looking, funny, sweet, good at quidditch? Why did she have to be the little sister of his best friend? Harry closed his eyes and the image of Ginny was printed on the inside of his eyelids. He drifted off watching her in his dreams.
Harry opened his eyes to find himself riding on the back of the Phoenix again, the sweet song filling his ears. The high notes in the song changed into terrified screams as the dark mark shot into the air. The scene below was one he recognised, it was Diagon Alley; but something was amiss. Their was people running through the streets, their frightened screams and sobs pierced the cold air. The Leaky Cauldron was reduced to a pile of rubble and black figures told Harry that Death Eaters were responsible. Then a single body became magnified, a large bulky figure with long black hair and cold beetle black eyes; eyes that used to sparkle now remained cold. Harry fell off the bird, as he always did in his dreams, and as he fell to the floor Hagrid's cold dead eyes haunted him and a high pitched, evil laugh rang out.
Harry jumped into a sitting position and dived through his curtains, running for the door. He ran as fast as he could into the common room where he met Ginny in the same state. He looked at her scared eyes and wild hair and knew she'd seen what he had seen.
"The dream Harry" she whispered barely keeping the tears away.
"Dumbledore" He croaked back. Grabbing her hand they ran through the portrait, ignoring the curse words the fat Lady shouted after them. As they rounded the corner they ran full speed into the only person who could make the situation worse; Snape.
"POTTER! WEASLEY!"
Before Harry knew what he was doing he pulled out his wand, which he grabbed as he ran out of the dorm, and shouted,
"Pertrificus Totalus!" The full body-bind. Leaving Snape wide eyed and rigid they ran to the Gargoyle, to their surprise it sprang open and Dumbledore stood their in stripy pyjamas and slippers.
"Harry, what the matter" Ginny, who was overcome with grief, collapsed crying hysterically but Harry was un-nervingly calm.
"I... We had a dream. Tell me Hagrid is in his hut." Harry pleaded,
"Hagrid is in Diagon Alley, I believe he's staying in The Leaky Cauldron. What on earth is the matter?"
"He's dead" Harry choked, his voice sounding alien in the silence that followed. "Diagon Alley has been attacked" Dumbledore swept round and went straight back up the stairs that led to his office. Harry dragged Ginny up and they followed. They walked into the office just in time to see Dumbledore step into an emerald fire yelling,
"Olivanders!" and then he was gone. Harry glanced at Ginny and she nodded, grabbing some green powder off the shelf Harry and Ginny followed; Snape was completely forgotten.
Ron woke up to see the dorm door slam shut not being completely awake he stared at it for a few seconds before turning to face the curtain which Harry's bed was behind.
"Harry? Harry are you awake?" Ron heaved himself out of bed and pulled across the scarlet curtain,
"Harry someone..." Ron stared at Harry's empty bed and then at the open door. Ron's brain was slow at the best of times and the early hours of the morning was not a best time. Thinking Harry had gone on one of his night time wanders under his invisibility cloak he climbed back into his bed and silently cursed Harry for not waking him and seeing if he wanted to go.
The last time Harry had seen the wand shop was in his first year, as he stepped out of the fire the memory of him and Hagrid buying Harry's wand came flooding back. Afraid he would lose his nerve he shook the memory away and saw Dumbledore disappear through the door, the bell clanging as it shut.
"*Do you want to stay here Gin*?" Ginny shook her head violently, he could feel the fear radiating off her mind,
"*I want to stay with you*" she replied he squeezed her hand tighter as they walked to the door and peered out. The scene was considerably calmer than the one he had seen in his dream. The attack looked like it had happened a couple of hours ago. Harry opened the door and stepped out into the cold street, the bell rang and Dumbledore and several other wizards turned.
"Sorry Professor" Harry mumbled as they got closer to him.
"I didn't say anything Harry" Ginny pulled at his hand,
"*The Leaky Cauldron*" she didn't seem able to communicate properly, her mouth wouldn't let her form the words.
"Can we go and see the Leaky Cauldron?" Harry asked. Dumbledore looked at Ginny then replied,
"Follow me" The wizard he was standing with said,
"I don't know if that's a good idea Albus"
"They have to see, they have to understand" said Dumbledore before beckoning them to follow. They walked down the street, striped tents had been set up on the sides for the injured. Harry glanced in one as he walked past; a small girl was sitting on the floor playing with a toy car. There was a cut across her cheek and her clothes were ripped, a women was standing behind her weeping.
"Her husband was killed in the attack" Dumbledore said gently placing his hand on Harry's shoulder, "The child doesn't understand." He gently steered the two past the tents and around a corner. The once teeming pub was now a pile of rubble. The sign that had once said 'The Leaky Cauldron' was lying burnt and broken on top of the pile. Harry could see beer kegs, beds and even a broken mirror in the rubble. The bodies of the dead were currently being removed. Harry felt detached; as if he was watching everything through a glass window. His eyes fell on a familiar body and he broke away from the others. Harry walked faster and faster until he broke into a run. He knelt beside Hagrid's bruised body, somebody had closed his eyes and straightened his body out. Harry held out a shaking hand and stroked Hagrid's hair and cheek before collapsing on his chest.
"I'm sorry" He cried into Hagrid's unmoving chest, "I'm so sorry" He felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned to see Ginny kneeling beside him. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes as she leant down and kissed Hagrid on the cheek.
Harry and Ginny sat in silence in the Great Hall. Dumbledore had called an assembly to announce the death of Hagrid. Harry and Ginny both had swollen eyes and both were very pale. Hermione and Ron had found out earlier in the morning and Ron was holding a shaking Hermione as silent tears poured out of their eyes.
"The funeral will be held on Christmas eve, and a special remembrance service by the lake at midnight." Dumbledore's voice was shaky and unsure and as he sat down Harry was sure a tear leaked out of his eye The school slowly dispersed up to their common rooms, even the Slytherins seemed reserved. Harry was slightly disappointed that Malfoy hadn't wound him up, he would have given anything to punch that smug face right now. Up in the Gryffindor common room the four marauders sat in silence staring at the fire.
"I'm going to bed" said Hermione, her voice no more than a forced squeak.
"I'm coming" croaked Ron, looking at Harry and Ginny. Harry looked up and met his friends eye, Ron nodded and he and Hermione set off up the stairs to their separate dorms leaving Harry and Ginny alone. An uncomfortable silence filled the air and neither knew why. Too grief stricken to say much Ginny sat next to Harry and laid her head on his shoulder, like she'd done on the first night she'd stayed at Harry's. Tears once again filled Ginny's eyes and she rolled over burying her head into his shoulder. Harry stroked her auburn hair but couldn't speak because a huge lump had welled in his throat.