A/N: Sorry about the long wait. I'm not sure what I've said about disclaimers in previous chapters, but I definitely don't own this. Thanks to Erin for criticizing everything for me, and please review!

Chapter Three

Later that evening, Ginny found herself in the home of Angelina Johnson. She was sitting stiffly on a couch, watching the other girls talk and laugh. She noticed them giving her looks every once and a while, but she never acknowledged them.

"Gin, come on," Hermione finally said. "You've been sitting there all night. You could at least tell us what happened if you're going to be so unhappy all night." Ginny scowled fiercely, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Harry and I had a fight," she said. "Well, you all know that. You were present. Anyway, he's just being an idiot and trying to forget about what happened this summer, and he gets all closed off and turns into a prat when anyone mentions Voldemort, the war, or my talent in the area of Magical Healing. So, tonight at dinner, he just got worse than usual. Out of curiosity, what do you think will be the first thing anyone asks him when he gets to Hogwarts? Mainly any of his students?"

"How he defeated Voldemort," Hermione said, realization dawning on her face. Angelina frowned, looking at Ginny.

"So, you're trying to find out why he hasn't felt like sharing. Ginny, maybe he just isn't ready to talk yet."

"Maybe he should, though. I mean, Gin's right. He's going to be bombarded with questions as soon as he gets back to Hogwarts," Penny pointed out.

"And, I think I'm the only one who can really get him to start talking. No offense, Hermione. You and Ron are his best friends, but I think we've all kind of separated. You three will always be great together, but it's a lot harder to talk to the two of you now. I think Harry's really confused at exactly how things have been between the two of you, anyway. I mean, you guys had barely been acknowledging that you cared for one another, but now you two are snogging all over the place," Ginny pointed out. Hermione smirked.

"Yes, we are. It's very nice," she said with a grin. Ginny groaned.

"Okay, now that I'm done complaining . . . Angelina, I want details. How did Fred propose to you?"

"Well, it was last night, actually. We went out to eat dinner, and he just asked me. It wasn't terribly romantic, but I saw it coming. He would either ask me to marry him or break up with me, and with the way things were going, breaking up just wasn't an option," Angelina said. Ginny giggled.

"That's great. So . . ."

"Gin, it may be touchy, but what is with you and Harry? I mean, besides the fights? You two have this kind of . . . thing, with one another," Katie said.

"Basically nothing. I mean, I always wanted to date Harry. Now, he's just my best friend. And, yeah, we fight, but I'm a Weasley, I'm supposed to fight. I think Harry and I are just tuned in to one another due to all the time we spent together at Hogwarts. So, we get along and I guess understand one another better than most other people," Ginny said. "We just get angry at each other a lot."

"So, basically, you're dating without any of the benefits?" Katie asked with a giggle. Angelina laughed harder at that, but Ginny turned red.

"Hardly. Besides, could you imagine what would happen if Harry and I were to start dating? Ron would kill him, and I'm going to be his student next year. Plus, that's just sort of strange, isn't it?" Ginny asked. "Anyway, can we talk about something other than Harry?" she sounded rather hopeful.

"Well . . . come on! Let's discuss the Weasleys!" Angelina said.

"Oh, God! First Harry and now my brothers! I'm leaving, now," she said.

"Come on, Gin! You want to stay! We can plan Fred and my wedding!" Angelina said. "Katie, you'll be my maid of honor, right?" she asked. Katie nodded enthusiastically. "And, Ginny, you'll be a bridesmaid?"

"Yes! Of course! I suppose you'll try to get in touch with Alicia, as well?" Ginny questioned. Angelina smiled, nodding at Ginny.

"Of course. And, then, who all to invite! When, where? And, how to keep George from setting off all of the stupid tricks that they have," Angelina said.

"Tell Mum that you're worried about it. She'll make sure that he doesn't do anything," Ginny assured her. "Besides, if George ever settles down and gets married, I don't want to even think about what sort of pranks would be played. Penny, you and Percy got lucky that nothing happened at your wedding. I know for a fact that they had some plans, but I think Mum found out about them," Ginny said. Penny rolled her eyes.

"Don't tell Percy. I love him, I really do, it's just he'll have a fit, even if the wedding was a year and a half ago," she said. "You know he'll start lecturing them about this and that, maybe throw in some things about cauldron bottoms for good measure." Everyone giggled at Penny, before settling down on the couches.

"So, what do you say we make this an official sleepover?" Angelina asked. Ginny raised her eyebrow slowly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Angelina, are you suggesting makeovers?" she asked. Angelina grinned, looking pointedly at Penny and Hermione. They both turned pale.

"I say we do Gin's homework," Hermione said. Katie, Angelina, and Ginny all shared identical grins, before closing in on the two girls.

The next day, Ginny and Hermione returned to the Burrow. Hermione's hair was still streaked with blue and blond, which Angelina had streaked the night before. She was still faintly scowling; Ginny guessed because she had been forced into something that Lavender Brown would wear.

"Hello girls!" Molly Weasley said cheerfully as Hermione and Ginny walked from the living room to the kitchen. Hermione was still glaring at Ginny as she sat down to start eating her breakfast.

"Hermione! What happened to you?" Ron shouted as he walked into the living room. Hermione just glared more fiercely at Ginny, until Harry came in. Harry started laughing, then shifted his glance to Ginny. His laughter died abruptly.

"Morning," he acknowledged.

"Good morning," Ginny murmured, yawning as she took a sip of orange juice.

"Did you have fun last night?" Ron teased, grinning at Hermione. Hermione rolled her eyes, and started eating her breakfast.

"Shall I change it back now?" Ginny asked, looking at Hermione.

"But they said that I had to wait until it faded naturally," Hermione said. Ginny giggled.

"And you should have seen your face when we told you that. I personally think that Penny's are better, simply because she had to sport Gryffindor colors. Angelina used the temporary spell. She just didn't want you to take it out before Ron and Harry saw, figured that it would amuse them," Ginny said, before pulling out her wand. She pointed it at Hermione's head a whispered a few well-chosen words, and Hermione's hair was back to its curly, light brown state.

"Thank the gods," Hermione whispered. Ginny grinned impishly at her, before turning to survey the boys.

"Have either of you heard from Alicia Spinnet?" she asked. They both shook their heads, sitting down to eat their breakfast.

"Angelina's going to have a time trying to get in touch with her," Hermione pointed out.

"Of course she is. Angelina will have time, though. She figures she'll get Fred to help," Ginny said. Both girls started giggling at that, before Harry looked up at Ginny.

"Gin, how much of your homework do you have left?"

"One more essay, Defense Against the Dark Arts actually," she said. Harry grinned at that.

"You'll have a time writing that one, I'm sure," he said. Ginny shrugged uncomfortably.

"It's mainly about detecting dark arts artifacts, and some of the things that can happen due to them," Ginny murmured.

"Well, I think that we need to talk," Harry said. "So, can we go talk now?" he asked. Ginny nodded, leaving her unfinished breakfast at the table. She looked at Harry, who led them out of the house and to the backyard. He slowly walked to a large tree, and they sat underneath it.

"Yes?" she asked, looking at him.

"Look, I'm sorry I'm being so rude to you, and I know that you're just trying to help. I'm going to try to be honest, it's just that day is so hard to relive."

"I know, Harry. I have to relive it every now and then too," Ginny said. Harry turned his anguished green eyes to her.

"But you didn't kill anyone, Gin. And, you didn't use an unforgivable curse," he said, his voice cracking. Ginny reached down to take his hand and softly began to smooth it with her own.

"Well, Harry, maybe you should start at the beginning. I'll listen, and I won't judge you," she whispered.

"You know how it started, Gin. It was a gorgeous day, we had gotten our NEWTs results, and everything was going well. Then, my scar began to burn. I knew at that instant that he was coming, Gin. That's why I had to get away from you. When it happened, I had to get as far away from you and Hermione and Ron as possible.

"So, I ran away from the battle, away from the confusion, and doubled back towards the end of the lines. I knew that was where Voldemort would be. He didn't want to be the first, as much as he thought he was amazing, he liked to let his followers take care of the majority of it. And, finally, I found some of the inner Death Eaters surrounding what could only be their master.

"I recognized just the one, Lucius Malfoy. As soon as I got close to them, Voldemort allowed them to attack me. I guess he decided after I had managed to get away from him when it was one on one, he'd allow four of his most trusted Death Eaters to torture me, first. They were doing it pretty well.

"I had all sorts of curses, hexes, and jinxes thrown at me, and I just endured it. I was firing curses right back, but when they started getting worse, I grew desperate. I didn't want to use the Unforgivable Curses, but I did. I used the Cruciatus Curse on one of them, Stupefy on two of the others. I was left fighting Lucius Malfoy, and then I realized it. Either he would die, or I would And, I couldn't, Gin. I just couldn't . Who else would have gone against Voldemort?

"So I killed him. And, I still dream about it. That flash of green light, and I still hear the laughter. Voldemort actually laughed when I killed Lucius Malfoy. And, then, before he could even lift his wand, I used the spell that you and Hermione thought up. And, all that was left was his robe. And, it slowly disintegrated.

"I made my way back to the castle. I felt that you all would be so ashamed if you knew what I did, so I couldn't tell you. I couldn't deal with myself, either. I knew that I wasn't ready to be praised for killing a Death Eater, and then destroying Voldemort. Sure, it made everyone's life better, but I killed him, Gin," he said, sounding ready to cry.

"Harry, it's okay. It was you or Malfoy, and I think anyone would understand that. Look at me, Harry. Your actions were understandable, but his weren't."

"What did you do, Ginny?"

"I took on the Death Eaters, but I didn't spend that much time actually fighting. I spent more time trying to save people. I had at least five people die in my presence. They weren't using the Killing Curse most of the time. They were using small tortures, and horrible Cruciatus. Jill, one of my friends, died while I was trying to save her. I had to put a sleeping spell on someone who was suffering so horribly that he would die, and if I didn't put him to sleep, he would have suffered terrible agony the entire time." Harry wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer to him.

"Think I'm done dealing yet?" he whispered. She shook her head, sniffling.

"I think you've taken a huge step. But, you can't tell everyone that that was how you defeated Voldemort. What do you plan on telling them?" Ginny asked.

"I'm thinking that I'll tell them that two of my best friends came up with the key, and I used it," Harry said. "I don't have to go into details."

"No. You don't. Are you sure that you'll be okay?" Ginny asked. Harry nodded, slowly standing up. He gave Ginny a hand up, then looked at her critically.

"Are you going to be all right writing about Dark Artifacts? Because all I can think of is that diary your first year," Harry said. Ginny nodded, biting her lip nervously.

"I think I'll be all right. Thanks, though," she said with a smile, before walking with him back to the kitchen. "I'll be in my room if anyone needs me," she told them, heading up the stairs slowly.

Dear Diary,

I'm finally back at Hogwarts, two weeks early. Melia was slightly upset that I wouldn't be on the train with her. However, she doesn't mind riding with Colin. She seems to think that it will give her time to get used to the rest of the Gryffindors.

Harry is becoming more open about every thing that happened the last day of school last year, but he still closes off some of the time. It's really weird for him to be sitting and talking about student matters (and I'm still there, although I'm not supposed to be), and then he'll close off when someone mentions the fact that there will be a Ministry Official at the school. It may be Charlie, but Harry still gets strange. He tries not to mention anything to do with Voldemort, and that makes him seem all the more different. Almost everyone has something to say about last year.

Sirius has been there a lot, I think trying to make up for the 12 years he was in prison. He's been almost unbearable, watching over us all the time. Of course, right now I'm staying in the staff wing in a room next to Harry. I think that I'm quite lucky that Charlie isn't here yet, he would have kittens.

I don't know what Sirius thinks Harry and I will do, it's quite obvious that we are just friends! I mean, he's going to be my professor! Of course, it has been a while since Sirius has seen Harry and I together. The last time he saw us for a sustained amount of time in the presence of one another was probably the beginning of my fifth year, and I was still quite shy. Now I don't have very many reservations around Harry at all.

Beth Warren has also been hanging around a little more than necessary. I don't really know her that well, but she seems quite nice. I'm prepared to say that Sirius likes her, but I'm not positive on that front. I mean, Professor Warren is beautiful, but she's rather strict. Perhaps they were trying to find a professor who could fill Professor McGonagall's shoes?

Well, I better go. Dinner is ready, and the last thing I need is someone barging into my room to say that I'm late.

Love,

Ginny

Ginny put her diary away, and then walked out of her rooms. Harry was leaning casually against the doorframe, waiting for her to join him. He grinned as she walked over to him, but stayed where he was.

"I'm waiting for Sirius as well," he said. She nodded, leaning against the wall next to him. "So, Ginny, do you want the Marauder's Map? I've been thinking about it, and I haven't any use for it any longer. I'm sure you can decide a way to use it," Harry said.

"Harry, you're a professor. Imagine all the detentions you could give by checking to see if any students were out of bed," Ginny said, grinning impishly. "Besides, if one overheard our conversation, one may think that you were giving me permission to sneak out at night, or sneak to Hogsmeade." Harry rolled his eyes at her.

"I thought I would leave the majority of the detentions for Severus," he said, choking on the Potions master's given name. "Or Beth," he added thoughtfully. "Reminds me a bit of McGonagall actually. Seems like they were trying to fill her shoes." Ginny giggled at the thought of her words in Harry's mouth.

"Good evening! Harry, Ginny, how are you tonight?" Sirius asked, grinning widely at the couple. Harry raised his eyebrows, looking at his godfather.

"Sirius, you seem awfully . . . jovial tonight. What's up?" Harry asked. Sirius grinned wickedly, telling them they would find out at dinner that night. Ginny and Harry shared a worried look before hurrying after the tall man and walking to the Great Hall.

"Good evening!" Dumbledore greeted them as they entered the room. Ginny sat next to Harry as she looked around suspiciously for whatever Sirius had planned. She was quite worried; she had stories of his times at Hogwarts. After all, he, Harry's Dad, Professor Lupin, and Wormtail (and she shuddered to think of him, even if he was dead) were the pranksters that her twin brothers looked up to.

"So, what do you think Sirius has done this time?" she asked in an undertone. Harry shrugged.

"My guess it's either Beth or Severus. You know that he and Severus never got along, and he loves to infuriate Beth for some reason," Harry whispered back. "So, we'll find a very irate professor soon." Ginny smirked as Snape and Beth walked into the room at the same time, Snape walking briskly with his robes billowing around his legs, and Beth strolling casually in, freeing her hair of the restrictive bun it was in.

Beth was rather pretty, Ginny noted. She had long, shiny, dark brown hair and a pale face, with a slight sprinkling of freckles over her straight nose. She had a delicate heart shaped face and twinkling blue eyes.

"Hello, all," she said, sitting next to Professor Sinistra, and glancing over at Sirius. She glared at him momentarily, before giggling at his look of surprise.

"Watch out, Black. You thought you're little prank would get me, didn't you? I'm on to you, and if you ever enchant any of my personal items . . . I would like to remind you that I'm the Charms Professor, keep that in mind," she said, wickedly smiling.

"What exactly did you do, Sirius?" Harry asked. Sirius grinned at him, then nodded at Snape.

"Watch Snape," he whispered. "The effects of the Charm should hit him right now, but I had a slightly different spin on Beth's." Harry nodded, nudging Ginny slightly and nodding at Snape. Her brown eyes focused on the man as he slowly changed in front of them. His hair was becoming a greasy red, gold sprinkles scattered throughout. His skin was slowly changing from the pallid white to where half was the vivid scarlet and the other was glittering gold. Ginny giggled, biting her lip and looking at Sirius.

"That's very wrong, Sirius," she murmured to her future teacher. He grinned at her, and she scrunched up her nose. "I mean, imagine if he did that to you, only in Slytherin colors. It would be quite funny for the first day of school," she said.

"Don't even think about suggesting that," Sirius growled. "I might have to get you back in a rather interesting way, and I'm sure your brothers wouldn't mind helping," he said. Ginny giggled.

"Yeah, and Charlie will be arriving any time now. Harry, did you catch when he would be coming? I keep forgetting, I thought he was supposed to get here yesterday, when we did," Ginny said.

"I thought he was getting her two days before the students. I'm not sure," he said, frowning. Ginny frowned back, then started smiling again.

"What are you planning on doing for your first lesson for my class?" Ginny asked. Harry rolled his eyes at her.

"I plan on evaluating all of the people who signed up for Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts. If you get in, you better be pretty damn talented," Harry said. "I know you are, Gin. Like I told you this summer, I've fought with you. It's just that I don't know about all of the others. Tomorrow I'm getting a list of everyone in the classes, and you can tell me what to expect," he said.

"Well, I can tell you now there won't be more than fifteen seventh years from all of the houses in the class. There weren't that many last year, and some of them got killed last year," she said. The now familiar clouding of green eyes happened, and Ginny frowned at him.

"Harry," she said in a warning tone. "Don't you dare close off on me," she hissed. Harry didn't look at her, just ran a hand through unruly jet-black hair. She did notice that he didn't appear quite as far away as he had been moments previous.

"You know I'm trying, Gin," he whispered, before glancing down at her. "I'm working on it. So, anyway, what can you do, Miss Weasley?"

"You know full well what I can do, Potter. Oh, Harry! I'm going to have to call you Professor Potter!" she said, frowning slightly. "And, you'll be Professor Black!" she said, pointing at Sirius.

"She's quite quick, isn't she?" Harry asked Sirius, patting Ginny's head slightly. "And I wondered why you weren't Head Girl." At that he shook his head in mock shame. "Gin, if you call me anything but Harry, I may become angry. I can't imagine wanting all that many people calling me Professor Potter. Besides, you'll be my assistant, in both your class, and the one during your free periods. Of course, I'll let you work on some homework during that time," Harry said with a grin.

"You won't assign to much, will you? Surely you remember last year, how stressed you were?"

"Yes, but I also recall meetings with Albus every day, you and Hermione doing tons of research, trying to organize Quidditch, and fighting Death Eaters. Adding all of that to the mountains of homework we got, and yes, it was a bit daunting. But, Ginny, what do you have? Social events, balls, prefect duties? You'll get more homework than any of your other professors even thought about giving," he said wickedly.

"It's a bit strange, thinking about how much has changed. I guess I will feel as though I have plenty of free time, and maybe I won't be up until three in the morning trying to finish it all up. And I expect that you won't be waking half of the common room up in the middle of the night because of your scar?" she asked, teasing. Harry pretended to be angry, then grinned at her.

"That's okay, I'll just randomly send you owls in the middle of the night," he said with a grin. Ginny stuck her tongue out at him, before starting to eat the dinner that had appeared in front of her.

"Wow, this is the last year that I'm here!" she said, frowning slightly. Harry laughed at her.

"Good job, Ginny! So observant, this one is! What am I thinking asking you to help me out in class?" he asked.

"You know that I'm just the most amazing witch you've ever met. What would you do without me, Harry?" she teased.

"Good question. What would I do without you?" he repeated, smiling down at her.