Nightmares

When she woke in her four poster bed, the first thing Ginny noticed was how her quiet dorm felt completely void of other life. Even the sky, cloudy and gray, reflected this fact. Sliding out from under the covers, Ginny walked over to look out the window. A massive snowstorm had blown through over night and, it appeared, the entire grounds of Hogwarts were covered in a heavy blanket of white. Giant snow drifts spread out for as far as Ginny could see.

"Good thing everyone left before this hit," Ginny muttered, she glanced down, feeling Clark rub up against her legs. "Good morning my precious," she said. Her pendant swayed as she bent down to pick him up. Crossing the room, Ginny sat down on her rumpled bed. She laid back on the mattress and put Clark on her stomach; she remained in that position, stroking his soft fur, urging her mind to ignore the deafening quiet of the room for a long while.

Eventually, a loud rumbled surged forth from Ginny's stomach, Clark raised his head and plainly looked at her.

"I think that's my cue to go and find some food," said Ginny, grinning. Clark jumped off of her stomach and padded to the door, looking at her expectantly. Ginny opened her wardrobe and threw on comfortable clothes while her cat mewed impatiently. After finishing the knot on her shoes, Ginny opened the door to the dorm and Clark sped past, darting down the stairs.

Entering the common room, Ginny noticed a small table set up with dishes and covered food. A pitcher of juice sat in the center of the table with a piece of folded parchment propped against it. Picking up the parchment, Ginny sat down on a chair at the table to read.

In light of a recent case of Spotted Bavarian Mist, which was found covering the far corner of the Great Hall over the course of the night, those remaining students are required to have all meals in their respective common rooms until further notice. Students are permitted to walk about the castle and use the library at this time, but are strongly cautioned at great length to stay clear of the Great Hall, unless you desire the rather painful side effects of Spotted Bavarian Mist. Please rest assure that we, the Professors, are working diligently to have said problem contained and removed in a timely manner.

Noted at the bottom are the list of known afflictions that have arisen with contact with Spotted Bavarian Mist and the counter-remedies that will be provided by Madam Pomfrey, if necessary.

Wishing you Holiday tidings,

Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts.

Ginny's stomach dropped as she set the note aside; to occupy her hands, Ginny poured herself a cup of tea from the pot set beside a covered dish. Blowing on the steaming liquid, she took a small sip, her mind yet again racing to try and map out exactly how she was going to survive the next couple of weeks. Bloody Spotted Mist, there is no way my luck could turn any worse.

Harry came down the stairs, glancing around at the empty common room, his brows furrowing. Ginny noted his curious surprise as he looked over the covered dishes on the table. Not saying a word, Ginny held up the note for Harry to take. While he read, Ginny flipped back a cloth napkin covering a basket and took a blueberry muffin; breaking off a piece she put it in her mouth. Harry's eyes darted over contents of Dumbledore's note; he took a deep breath and sat down, setting the parchment back onto the table.

Now they didn't even have the distraction of meals with the staff and remaining students of other houses.

They ate in awkward silence; finally, Harry was the first to speak.

"So what do you plan to do today?"

"I'm not sure," Ginny answered, dusting off crumbs from her fingers.

They sat at the table for a few more silent minutes.

"There is something … I haven't done it before," Harry eventually said with a slight shrug, not meeting Ginny's eyes as he picked up his tea cup to look at the snowflake pattern covering the outer edge.

Ginny sat back in her chair and crossed her legs.

"What's that?"

Harry put down his cup.

"Build a snowman," he answered. "What -- what do you say we go to the court yard and give it a go?"

Ginny stared at him; she was taken aback by his candid admission. It's not that she was surprised he hadn't done such a simple childhood activity while living with the Dursley's. She was surprised, however, not only that he hadn't done it while here at Hogwarts, but he was asking her to join him.

"Why not," Ginny said finally, trying her best to act casual.

Harry nodded, wiping his hands over his worn jeans before he stood from the table and headed to get his cloak.

After bundling up with scarves and mittens, they made their way to the portrait exit.

I can do this. Ginny told herself, following Harry out of the common room. I can do this.

The courtyard sparkled in spots where the sun peeked through from above. Walking through snow that was knee deep, Ginny knew that it was only because the courtyard was in the center of Hogwarts that it was spared the brunt of the storm that piled high outside the castle's walls. Ginny breathed deep, letting the icy air fill her lungs and heighten her senses. Beside her, Harry looked around, his breath coming out in small puffs of steam.

"What's first?" Harry asked, stopping a few feet away from Ginny; she cast a skeptical look at him.

"You know how to make a snowball?" asked Ginny, kneeling down and scooping up a handful of wet snow and packing it together.

"Yeah," Harry answered, following suit.

Then you've begun!" said Ginny brightly, dropping the snowball back to the ground and pushing it through the snow.

Hours went by as the two worked together, telling each other stories about things that had happened over the years. Ginny felt a seeping warmth spread over her despite the cold when Harry laughed at a story she told about a Herbology class gone wrong her fourth year. The vision of Professor Sprout with her hair standing on ends as tiny beans with little feet raced across her shoulders would always give Ginny a grin.

As the day stretched on, a finished snowman stood in the center of the courtyard; large snowflakes began to fall at a steady rate, partially filling in the foot prints. Standing back the pair looked at their finished product.

"He's missing something," Ginny mused, digging into her cloak pocket.

Harry glanced over the completed snowman before turning his attention to Ginny.

Reaching into her pocket of her cloak, Ginny pulled out a tube. She felt Harry's eyes on her as she ran the balm over her lips and stuffed the tube back into her pocket. She pulled out her wand out of another pocket and walked towards the newly named snowman, Kent. Casting a spell under her breath, Ginny stretched up and kissed Kent on the cheek.

"Everlasting kiss." Ginny grinned, facing Harry again.

Harry's eye darted to the 'kiss' Ginny had left on Kent's cheek.

"It's amazing, the things girls learn during pajamas parties," said Ginny.

"Ah," said Harry, cracking a broad grin.

Ginny's heart gave a small jump. 'I can do this, be strong,' she told herself.

"What are you looking at?" Ginny asked, putting a hand on her hip.

This succeeded in broadening Harry's grin further into a smile. His cheeks were rosy from the cold and his messy hair had grown speckled with snowflakes. It was as if, for the briefest moment in time, he appeared to have forgotten the pressures and burdens that he must carry; Ginny never wanted to see that moment end.

Putting her feet together, Ginny slowly raised her arms straight out at her sides. Giving Harry a slight wink, she let herself fall backwards, landing with a muffled thud into the wet snow. Ginny laughed, moving her arms and legs to form a snow angel.

"You're going to be soaked to the bone," said Harry, shaking his head.

"That's all a part of the fun!" Ginny answered, giggling as she sat up.

"All a part of it," repeated Harry.

"Aren't you going to help me up?" said Ginny, holding her hand up expectantly.

Harry stepped forward and extended his hand. In a flash, Ginny kicked Harry's foot out from beneath him and tugged on his offered hand. Harry gave out a half yelp before falling unceremoniously down in the snow beside her. Ginny laid back on the ground, shaking with hearty laughter. Harry spluttered, wiping snow from his surprised face.

-o-

Up in the headmaster's office, Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall stood looking out of the window at the scene in the courtyard below. It warmed them to see the two Gryffindors enjoying each other's company and having fun.

Taking a sip of his tea, Professor Dumbledore nodded his head approvingly and headed back to his desk.

"What an odd time for something as rare as Spotted Bavarian Mist to have come to Hogwarts," mused Professor Dumbledore, setting his tea cup aside and opening a weathered, leather-bound book on remedies; a ghost of a smile hinted at the corner of his mouth.

Professor McGonagall set her tea cup onto its saucer and cast a shrewd look over her shoulder; she glanced once more out of the window before returning to their research.

-o-

Harry rolled onto his side propping himself on his elbow and looked down at Ginny.

Ginny stopped laughing and gave her most impish smile.

"You're something else, you know that?" said Harry, brushing a clump of snow from his chin.

"So I've been told," Ginny answered.

Harry reached over and gently brushed a snowflake from Ginny's cheek. A quick lump grew in Ginny's throat as Harry bent forward; his lips coming so close she could feel his warmth. As if jolted out of a trance, Harry jerked back and sat up. He cleared his throat a few times glancing at anything but her. Ginny sat up, brushing snow off of her to fill in the uncomfortable silence.

Jumping up, Harry turned around and gave Ginny his hand, "Why don't we get in from the cold and find something warm to drink?" Harry's voice sounded hoarse.

Taking his hand, Ginny let him pull her up right, nodding in agreement. She didn't trust her voice at the moment, fearing it would be thick with bitter disappointment. Resolve, Ginny, keep your promise. She ordered herself and followed Harry back towards the castle. Resolve . . . and a nice shot of Ogden's.

The remainder of the day was spent between them in a strained silence. To pass the time they played wizards' chess and exploding snaps, but Ginny was forced to admit to herself that it wasn't as relaxed or near as much fun as earlier. After a half-hearted attempt to eat dinner, Ginny decided to go to bed early and excused herself; leaving Harry to sit in the common room with the book he was reading. If Ginny would have paid closer attention she would have noticed that the entire time they sat in the common room, he not once turned a page of his book she also failed to notice Harry silently watching her climb the stairs.

Once Ginny was gone from his sight, Harry laid his head on the back of the chair and squeezed his eyes shut.


She was in the colorless corridor. Shivering, she wrapped her arms around herself; her bare feet feeling the smooth stone once again with each step. Small clouds of breath misted from her parted lips, her eyes - wide with fear as she glanced around. Walking forward, her nightdress snagged on a vague statue, she paused to tug it free and cautiously continued. The cold, dank air weighed down upon her, making it feel like every breath she took clung thick in her lungs.

"Ginny. . ."

She heard the voice again, this time louder and stronger as it called her name. She stumbled around, looking for its source before breaking into a run, unimaginable fear coursing through her. The light was now there, at the end of the corridor; this time she was getting closer to it. Glancing behind her, she didn't see anyone. . . . Everything went into slow motion as she turned her head back around and ran into the arms of the faceless man.

-o-

Harry jerked awake on the common room armchair; his book lay open on the floor where it had slipped from his grasp while asleep. A terrified scream rent through the quiet room from above. Bolting from the seat, Harry raced across the common room to the stairwell.

"Ginny!" Harry shouted after trying the handle of Ginny's dorm, finding it locked. "Ginny, open the door!" He yelled, taking a step back and slamming his shoulder against the wooden door as her screams grew louder and more frantic. Harry stepped back once more, but this time, he pulled his wand from his pocket. "ALOHOMORA!" he roared, shattering the latch and knocking the door wide open.

Ginny lay in her four-poster bed; her back was arched and her head tilted as she screamed. Her arms were thrown out wide with her eyes closed, her face contorted in fear. She was covered in sweat and her body twitched violently. Clark stood at the foot of her bed with his back raised high, his fur stood on ends as he hissed.

Harry was at her bedside in a few long strides. He grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Ginny! Ginny wake up!" he cried urgently.

Ginny stopped screaming, her body collapsing back against the mattress. Her eyes instantly opened, looking around frantically. Ginny took in a ragged breath and looked up at Harry; tears began to spill down her cheeks. She convulsed with sobs as she struggled not to break down. Harry sat down on the edge of the bed pulling her into a tight hug. Ginny was tense for only a moment before she gave in and allowed herself to be held.

"You're freezing," he said, pulling the blankets up around her higher.

It took many minutes for Ginny to stop shivering and even for her to quiet sobbing to subside. Hours seemed to have past as Harry held her tight against him, rubbing her arm or stroking her hair; not once asking questions. Finally, Ginny pulled away from him and laid down on her side facing him. Harry pulled the covers up over her shoulders, reaching over he continued to stroke her hair, watching her. Slowly, Ginny's breathing became regular and her muscles relaxed.

Harry remained sitting on her bed, stroking her hair and staring at her for some time as she slept. Eventually, Harry stood and walked across the dorm, he picked up an armchair from the corner and brought it over to Ginny's bedside where he sat and kept vigil.

Sometime before dawn he drifted off to sleep.