There was another secret meeting in the Forbidden Forest, precisely at midnight.

My Lord, one of the black-cloaked figures muttered, I really don't think this is going to work. What if--

It will work. He stared at them imperiously. Two more had joined the original number, and he was pleased. It was a start. Soon, after their only enemies were dead, even more would join them. But for now, they were enough.

But I really don't think--

he commanded. It . . . will . . . work. How could we fail, now that we are so close to our goal?

There was no response.

he said, satisfied with their obedience. Now, is everyone clear on the plan?

They murmured assent.

Wait until I signal you, he told them, and then strode away.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Harry awoke on Christmas morning to the sound of Seamus ripping the paper from his presents. Harry glanced at the clock and groaned.

Couldn't you have waited until sometime other than six in the morning? Harry groaned, pulling his pillow over his head.

Oh, come off it, Harry, came the muffled reply. It's Christmas. Harry tried to fall back asleep, but gave up when Ron awoke as well. He emerged from under his pillow just in time to see Neville roll out of bed and onto the floor.

Neville cried, jolting awake. He sat up slowly, and blinked around the room at four amused faces. You know when you have that dream when you're climbing a mountain, and then you fall off? he said sheepishly, clambering back into his bed. Neville hadn't changed at all in his years at Hogwarts. Harry shook his head, and reached for his presents. On top of the pile was a folded scrap of parchment, which Harry unfolded and read quickly.


I'm afraid i'm feeling awfully ill, so I'm going to stay in bed today. Don't come try to see me--you know you're not allowed. I'll talk to you later. Ginny


Harry looked at the note more carefully. Something was not right. It was her distinctive handwriting, but it was messier than usual, as if she had been rushed. He had been talking to her late last night--how could she have gotten sick that quickly? Harry decided that he would go see her at a more reasonable hour and make sure that she was all right. Just then, Ron chucked a pillow at him.

Oy! What's wrong with you? Open your presents!

Harry hurled the pillow back, knocking Ron over backwards, and in the ensuing commotion, forgot about Ginny's note. They ended the pillow fight after Neville had fallen out of bed for the second time, and Harry finally got around to opening his presents. He had received his usual package of a sweater and an enormous amount of fudge from Mrs. Weasley, as well as rock cakes from Hagrid, a lot of Sugar Quills from Ron, a book on Quidditch from Hermione, and various other packages from assorted people.

Who's Natalie MacDonald? Harry asked, staring at a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans that had been sent by the girl in question.

Sixth year Gryffindor, Ron replied, opening a Chocolate Frog.

She sent me a present, and I've never spoken a word to her in my entire life, Harry said, astonished and slightly embarrassed.

Seamus began laughing.

Oh, shut up, Harry muttered, and began tearing the paper off another package.

He didn't remember Ginny until he and Ron encountered Hermione in the common room.

Merry Christmas! Hermione said happily, giving each of them a quick hug. Where's Ginny? she added.

Harry said, feeling as though he had somehow betrayed Ginny. She sent me a note saying that she was sick, but--

Well, come on then, Ron interrupted. I'm starving. You can go see her after breakfast.

She probably isn't awake yet, Hermione agreed, seeing Harry's hesitation. It's just after seven, and you know how you always sleep more when you're ill.

I suppose, Harry said, still feeling slightly guilty, and they headed off to breakfast.

There were a lot more people than usually stayed at the castle during Christmas holiday, namely because with Voldemort gone, people weren't worried about the castle being attacked again. Harry poked at his pancakes as his mind drifted back to Ginny. She had seemed perfectly fine last night in the common room. He smiled, remembering the look on her face as she had unwrapped his present . . .

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Can I have it now?





Ginny, it isn't Christmas yet.

It's Christmas Eve, Harry. That's close enough. Give me the present!

I said no.

I'll tickle you . . .

I'm not ticklish . . .



Okay, fine, Harry agreed quickly as she lunged for him, an evil smile on her face. He handed over the small package.

What is it? Ginny asked eagerly. It feels like a book.

Open it and find out.

She ripped the paper off, dropping it on the floor, and stared at the copy of Romeo and Juliet that she held in her hands.

I don't believe it, she breathed, flipping through the pages. I had forgotten all about that. It was you who left me that note.

Actually, no.



Hermione left you the note, Harry explained, seeing as she looked rather shocked. I wrote it, though. The idea was it would look less suspicious for her to be seen sneaking into your dormitory than me.

Ginny smiled, running a slender finger down the spine of the book. Thank you, Harry. I love it. She scooted closer to him on the couch and gave him a kiss.

So where's my present? Harry asked as she pulled away. Ginny handed over two packages with a mysterious and slightly nervous smile.

Which one should I open first? Harry wondered.

The larger one, Ginny said, pointing.

What is it? Harry asked, imitating her. It feels like a book. Ginny giggled as he began to unwrap it. It turned out to be a photo album, filled with moving pictures of himself and Ginny.

Where'd you get these from? Harry asked in amazement, watching them dance at the ball.

Ginny explained. He's known since second year that I've liked you, and I asked him to do a small favor for me. She turned slightly pink. He got a new camera that can take pictures anywhere without a flash, and I asked him that if he saw us together anywhere, if he could take a picture.

Harry said, looking at a photograph of them sitting side by side in the Great Hall, laughing about something. This is amazing, Ginny. He reluctantly put it down, and began opening the second package.

You can't keep this one, Ginny said nervously as the paper came off. It's something that I've been doing for a long time, and I wanted to show you.

He was holding her sketch book. He flipped through it silently as Ginny wrung her hands in her lap. When he had come to the last drawing, he started from the beginning again.

he said quietly as he stared at a sketch of himself. I don't know what to say. She stared down at her lap, her cheeks flaming red. These are fantastic. You're an amazing artist. How come you never told anyone?

Because they're mostly of you, she whispered, smiling faintly.

He raised his head and stared into her eyes. Thank you for showing me, he said quietly, handing the book back. You could really do something with a talent like that. He leaned over and they shared a long kiss that was only broken when the clock struck twelve.

I really should go to bed, Ginny murmured against his lips. Bethany always wakes up at six on Christmas.

Ron'll have me up an hour before that, Harry whispered back. He handed her Romeo and Juliet, and with one last kiss, they went to bed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Harry sighed, and Hermione threw him an impatient glance. If you're that eager to talk to her, she said in exasperation, then stop poking at your food and go.

You don't mind? Harry asked.

Oh, go on ahead, replied Ron. I'm almost done anyway. He forked another bite into his mouth.

We'll be up in a few minutes, Hermione said, frowning at Ron's manners, or lack of. Harry left the Great Hall, hurrying a little bit, and wondering why he was so anxious. He wished that Gryffindor tower wasn't so high up as he jogged up yet another flight of stairs.

the Fat Lady asked as he halted in front of her, breathing heavily.

O Come all Ye Faithful, Harry panted.

Joyful and triumphant, the Fat Lady continued in an operatic tone, looking extremely pleased, and he quickly shut the portrait behind him to muffle her off-key singing. Casting a quick glance around, Harry darted up the stairs to the girls' dormitories until he found the door labeled Sixth Years. He swung the door open and peered inside nervously. He had never been in a girls' dormitory before, and was slightly surprised to find that it looked almost exactly like his own. Almost, he thought again, stepping gingerly over a pair of panties that someone had tossed onto the floor. He glanced around at the beds, looking for Ginny, and a feeling of dread slowly crept into his stomach. Where was she? There was a night table with a framed photograph of him on it, but the bed next to it was empty. All the beds were empty.

Harry moved over to the bed that he assumed was Ginny's, and was startled to see a note lying on the pillow. He unfolded it and read:


Harry, as you've probably figured out by now, that note I sent you was a lie. I am writing this under wandpoint. I have been taken hostage, and if you ever want to see me again, you have to come to the lake at midnight. You can't tell anyone or he'll kill me--he'll know if you go to Dumbledore or any of the teachers. If you're not there at midnight, he'll come find you.
Ginny