PT. 6

The howling winter wind blew through the empty corridors of Hogwarts, but found no one to chill, it tried the classrooms only to find them empty and deserted, but as it approached the common rooms the heat of the fires and the chatter of happy teenagers stopped it.

It was the last day of school before Christmas and classes had already finished. All the student population of Hogwarts were in the common rooms or dorms packing to go home, all that is except Harry Potter who was sat on his bed with a look of bliss on his face. He had packing earlier that day and was now contemplating the best Christmas ever and more than that, he was thinking about the tiny box hidden in his trunk. It had been quite a problem keeping people from seeing it, twice he had to stop Ginny from trying to help him chose something to wear, he smiled as he remembered the disappointed look on her face and made his way down to the common room where Ron and Ginny were waiting for him.

"Where's Mione?" Harry asked.

"Right here!" Harry turned and his jaw dropped, at his side he heard Ron gasp and he was sure he could see a look of satisfaction on Hermione's face as she stood there, her hair in gentle glistening waves down her back wearing a flowing blue dress, which had Ron simply drooling at the sight.

Harry realised he was staring and readjusted his gaze accordingly which is when he spotted Ginny with an equally shocked expression gracing her features. Harry walked over to her and put his arms around her from behind and smiled as he felt a slight shiver pass through her at his touch bringing her back top this reality.

"I take it you had no idea about this?" He whispered in her ear.

"Not a clue, but look at Ron!" Ron stood in the same spot as he had before with the same look of astonishment on his face but now had Hermione attempted to rouse him gently but failing miserably.

"I think we'd better get going" Harry stated while smiling at Ron's state. They were about to leave when they noticed Ron hadn't moved at all except his eyes which were locked onto Hermione.

"Ron?" Harry tried, "Hey Ron!" still nothing "OI Weasley!!"

"Hm? What?... Oh yeah the train, well lets go" And with that Ron took Hermione's hand and led her out through the portrait hole. Harry sighed to himself with a smile as Ginny and he followed their friends, their hands also linked together.

As they arrived at Hogsmead Station they found a sight like one off an old muggle Christmas card. There stood the Hogwarts Express a light layer of snow along it's roof, the sun shining off the bright crimson paint of the engine. Around them all the other students pushed, pulled and struggled their way to the empty carriages for the journey back to Kings Cross.

The four friends finally found an empty compartment and settled down for the trip when the door opened and in it stood the last person any of them wanted to see,

"Malfoy, what do you want?" Ron hissed

"That's not much of a welcome Weasley, and I thought I'd be nice and pay you all a visit."

"Your not 'nice' Malfoy you little creep, now get back to your own cabin!!" Said a voice further down the corridor that everyone could swear that they recognised.

Malfoy turned to give his response to the voice when he froze, his usually plain complexion became almost transparent as he spun on the spot and took off back in the direction of his own cabin, the door closing at his retreat.

"Wonder what that was about?" Ron asked after Malfoy's departure

"Don't know, maybe he . . ." but Hermione was cut off when the door slid open again but this time it revealed the cragged face of an aged auror

"Moody!" they all gasped

"The one and only but nothing to worry about, just a little extra security due to the time of year that's all." He glanced around and was about to leave when a thought struck him, "If Malfoy causes any trouble just send me a message and we'll have words!" then he took his leave closing the door behind him.

The rest of the trip was rather uneventful a couple of other students popped in to see them but otherwise it was quiet in the carriage. Harry and Ginny were sat cuddled together in a corner when Ginny noticed the nervous glances Ron and Hermione were sending each other when they thought the others weren't looking, otherwise Hermione was reading a book while Ron was looking through a Quiditch magazine. Ginny whispered something into Harry's ear and he nodded slightly before they separated from each other and went over to their friends.

"Hey Ron fancy a game of chess?" Harry asked

"Sure" Ron said putting his magazine aside and setting up the board.

"So Ron?" Harry said in low voice so only Ron could hear "when exactly are you going to tell Mione?"

"I can't Harry, you know that!" Ron said, his eyes never once leaving the board.

"Why not?"

"Well what if she doesn't feel the same?"

"Are you blind Ron or were Ginny and I seeing things earlier?"

"What are you on about?" Ron asked quizzically

"Simple, when Mione came down the dorm stairs today how many people in the room just stood there in shock?"

"Well most, so?"

"So who did she go to check on before anyone else, in fact who was the only one she checked was o.k?" Realisation seemed to dawn in Ron's eyes as he looked up at Harry.

"Me?" was all he could say

"Right! Now get over there and invite her round to the burrow for Christmas before I ask Ginny to!!"

"But . . . But . . ."

"No buts Ron, do it" Harry said sternly and Ron reluctantly got up to go over to Hermione.

Meanwhile in the opposite corner Ginny was speaking to Hermione.

"Good book?" she asked

"Not bad" Hermione answered not looking at Ginny.

"Erm Mione? Wouldn't it be easier to read, the correct way up?"

"What?" Hermione finally took notice of the book in her hands and sighed.

"Why don't you talk to him?" Ginny asked

"What? Ginny, just why would I do that? That would ruin his holidays and anyways how do I tell him what I want?" She sighed again "Face it Ginny, Ron doesn't know I exist!"

"I wouldn't be so sure about that Mione" Ginny said pointing behind her where Ron was making his way over to them. Just as he was about to reach them he seamed to tense up, sensing his discomfort Ginny decided to take her leave. She gave Hermione's shoulder a gentle squeeze of reassurance and as she passed Ron she quickly whispered something to him then went over to Harry where she started a game of exploding snap using the noise so as not to listen in on her friends.

Ron took a deep breath and sat down by Hermione

"What's up Ron?" she asked

"Oh nothing!" But she knew him better than that

"What's wrong?"

"It's really nothing, I was just wondering, as you parents have to go abroad this year" he stopped to steady his nerves "Would you like to spent Christmas with us this year?"

"Ron I don't know if . . ." but she was interrupted

"Mione I'd like it if you joined us, you know we've always got room for you?"

"Ron, I'd love to!" She said smiling widely

"YES!" Ron turned an interesting shade of red when he realised he'd said that out loud but Hermione shrugged it off, although inside she was quite pleased with his reaction.

"How about we join those two in a game?"

"Yeah sure" Ron responded and they made their way over to Harry and Ginny who where holding a whispered conversation.

"It looks like she's coming," whispered Harry "But what did you say to Ron?"

"I just made a little promise!" Ginny said smiling sweetly

"Which was?"

"That if she said yes that they'd be going out by next term"

"Ginny what are you . . ."

"Trust me" With that she gave him a quick peck on the cheek as their friends joined them and they started a new game with all the previous tension forgotten.

As the train pulled into Kings Cross they collected all their belongings and got off the train making their way towards the barrier back to the main station, as they passed through Hermione spotted her parents and shot off to tell them about Ron's invitation while Ron spoke to his parents who had now made their way over to them. As expected they had no problem with the fact that Hermione would be joining them for Christmas and it seemed that her parents didn't mind either so they all made there way through the station, and once they were all in the cars (Percy also drives now) they were off towards the Burrow.

When they finally arrived Harry noticed that there seemed to be a new addition to the house when Mr Weasley spotted what Harry was looking at he called them all over.

"As we can now afford it we decided to extend the house a bit, Harry, Hermione you both have your own rooms now which will be yours on a permanent basis."

"But" both Harry and Hermione were about to ask why when Mrs Weasley interrupted.

"You two are family whether you realise it or not, so it's only right that you have a place in our home and we won't hear any complaints about it o.k?" Neither of them knew what to say but their faces said all she needed "This is your home when ever you need it!" It was then that Hermione thought of something

"Ron did you know anything about this?"

"Yeah but Ginny and I decided not to say anything and let you two have a nice shock when you got here now lets get in I'm freezing."

Harry couldn't believe the difference that one extension made, although the house was as cosy as ever, it didn't feel as crowded and as for his room, it was perfect a large king-size bed graced one wall along with pictures of all his friends and of course his parents. A large burro was at one end of the wall and there was a large window specially made for Hedwig (easier access).

"Well what do you think?" Ginny asked as he looked around

"It's perfect, but where did you get all the pictures?"

"Sirius and Lupin of course plus a few of our own"

"Thank you"

"I'm glad you like it now I'm going to unpack I'll see you down stairs" she went to give him a quick kiss but he wrapped his arms around her and turned it into a deeply passionate one. When they broke he smiled down at her,

"I mean it Gin, thank you."

"Don't mention it, besides now you can visit whenever you like because there's always room" she smiled and left the room, Harry stood there a second before going down stairs to thank Mr & Mrs Weasley.

The days flew by and before he knew it Harry was sat in the Weasley's front room on Christmas morning with Ginny curled up next to him, her head on his lap while he ran his fingers through her hair.

"What is it we're waiting for?" Ron asked impatiently

"Ron calm down" Mrs Weasley said "We're just waiting for Fred then . . . Ah here he is. Now you can start."

Ron started handing out presents watching while they were opened and examining the looks on all their faces, and it seemed that this year all of them had a lot more presents than usual. This was soon explained when the fire in the hearth popped and Sirius' head appeared,

"Alright everyone?" Sirius asked gaining al their attention

"Sirius what are you doing?" Why aren't you here?" asked Mrs Weasley who had now fully accepted that Sirius was innocent

"Sorry Molly, I can't get there but I thought I'd put in an appearance and say merry Christmas."

"That's alright Sirius at least you're here for the last of the presents" Ginny reassured him.

"Ah I see they made it alright then?" Sirius inquired

"Sorry?" Harry said confused, as there was no one else there

"The presents, it seems that now I'm free a lot of old friends have got in touch but all the gifts for you lot arrived at my place by mistake. Anyway I see Molly's still making jumpers!"

"Yeah but at no more maroon this year" Ron answered smiling

"Well come on then get to the rest of them" Sirius seemed impatient for something when Harry noticed that Sirius had spotted the tiny box by his foot. Harry smiled at Sirius and nodded to show he understood but the next thing he knew Ron had dumped two parcels on his knee (Ginny was now sat up).

When Harry looked at the parcels he saw that one was from Ron while the other from Hermione. Harry decided to open Hermione's first noticing that both of them were soft, so she hadn't got him a book and curiosity got the better of him. As he opened it (with help from an impatient Ginny) he found himself gazing down at a set of new dress robes of such a deep blue it almost looked black until caught by the light when it seemed to shimmer between the two "Mione, they're great, thank you!!" he said as he hugged her

"Right mine next" said Ron pointing to the other package.

Ron was obviously excited to see his reaction so he tore back the wrapping and for a moment thought that Ron had also got him dress robes but when he held it up he saw that it was in fact a cloak of deep red, but it was the image on the back that caught his attention, adorned across the cloak in gold was a dragon and riding on it's back was the Griffindor lion. He was speechless

"I thought you'd like it." Ron said smiling "Now." He suddenly seemed nervous as he picked up a thin square box and handed it to Hermione. She looked at him questioningly when saw it was from him, but when she opened it she was suddenly in shock at the sight of an exquisite silver bracelet with a clear jewel set in one side, as she looked up at Ron he took the bracelet and slipped it on her wrist. As he did so he whispered in her ear and her response was exactly what he had hoped as she pulled him into a hug that threatened to break a rib but before she released him she said something to him so low that only he heard and Harry decided right then to find out what they'd said later.

He was snapped out of his thoughts by Sirius' voice from the fire "Seems there's only a couple of gifts left"

"Harry?" Ginny seemed as nervous as Ron as she gave Harry a long narrow bow, he pulled her close so that her head was resting on his shoulder as he opened the box, inside was a golden chain with a lion at the end. In it's paws it held a green gem.

"Ginny, it's gorgeous" he said kissing her forehead

"I knew you'd like it," she said but she still seemed anxious about something and she didn't relax until Harry picked up the pendant and hung it around his neck. As he did so he noticed that the gem started to sparkle but put that down to a charm she must have cast.

"Right" he said giving her a gentle kiss "your turn"

This caught Hermione and Ron's attention as they had been having a quiet conversation, but now they were both looking at Harry with a look of anticipation on their faces, the same was true for Sirius, Mrs Weasley noticing this bent over to Ron and asked "You know what he got her don't you?" Ron didn't answer but she figured there was a reason they all seemed anxious, so she was quite interested as Harry held out his hand and muttered something but all they caught was

"Accio . . ."

Ron, Hermione and Sirius all looked totally confused as they had not expected this, and when a square box just large enough to fit in his hand came flying to him they just watched in wonder.

Harry noticed the look on their faces and smiled to himself as he gave the box to Ginny who looked at him with a raised eyebrow "Had to hide it from Rom." He said answering her silent question. Without another word she tore off the paper and opened the box within to find a deep purple orb in a padded box. "Pick it up," he said to her with a grin.

As Ginny took the orb out of the box a purple mist began to surround them all when Mrs Weasley suddenly gasped.

"Mam? What's wrong?" Ginny asked concerned but her mother was pointing behind Ginny to where a man with bright red hair had appeared out of the mist

"Tha . . . that's my Grandpa" Mrs Weasley gasped out. It was then that they started to see others appearing out of the mist, in fact the room was becoming very crowded until Harry took the orb out of Ginny's hand and placed it quickly back in the box, the mist dissipated and with it all the figures vanished.

"Harry, what is that?" Hermione asked as everyone recovered

"Well I know how much Ginny's family means to her, in fact she sometimes takes so many pictures to school I'm surprised she can fit all her books in her trunk, so I got her that orb"

"But what is it?" Ginny, recovered from the shock was now very interested in the orb all though she never touched it

"Ginny! It's called an 'Ansestrall' when you hold it and think of a member of your family an image of that person appears in the mist."

"But I wasn't thinking about anyone then, so what happened?"

"If you just hold the orb and let your mind wonder it starts to show your entire family back through time, it's maximum range is about two thousand years but you'd need to wait a while for them to appear."

"So you mean I don't need to take all my pictures with me I just need this?"

"That's right"

"Thank you" she said as she snuggled into his arms again when a thought struck her "Harry" she said quickly as the others went back to talking to each other

"What is it love?" he said hugging her closer

"I was just wondering. Would you let me see your family?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Well I've seen pictures of your parents but not the rest of your family"

"You want me to use the orb don't you?"

"Would you?"

"On one condition" he smiled "you let me give you one more present."

"But" she was going to object as she'd only got one for him but she relented "O.K."

He smiled and got off the sofa and bent knee to pick something off the floor, when he took her hand she glanced down and her eye's widened in shock and happiness.

Sirius was having a conversation with Ron and Hermione about Animagi when noticed Harry say something to Ginny that caused her to gasp and a wide grin appeared on his face,

"Quiet" he called, everyone turned to Sirius to see what was wrong but noticing that he was staring intently towards Harry and Ginny they also looked and what they saw stopped all conversation dead. There was Harry on one knee holding Ginny's hand, in his other hand a small open box could be seen and in it a sparkling ring.

"Well?" he said nervously.





Finally finished chapter six. I'm sorry about the extreme delay in updates however have already written ch's 7-9 and will be adding them within the next few days until then please review

PP]DRAGOS