CHAPTER 19

IS THIS IT?

''It's no good Gin, we've been through almost every book in here, it's not here.'' Harry sighed, one evening as he and Ginny sat in the back of the Library searching for the counter curse.

''We haven't tried the restricted section yet, if you could just sneak in and grab a few books, we could read them back at our room.'' Ginny said as she looked at Harry in what she hoped was a persuasive way.

''Virginia Weasley, are you suggesting that I sneak into the Library and steal books from the school.'' Harry said in a fake shocked voice. ''I am shocked at you! Wait until your mother hears about this.''

''Oh shut up, it's not like you've never done it before.'' Ginny said as she slapped Harry's arm lightly.

''Just because I've done it before, doesn't mean I'll do it again. I have seen the errors of my ways.'' Harry insisted, with a hurt look on his face, reminding Ginny forceibly of Fred and George when their mother accused them of pulling some prank.

''Aww I'm sorry baby.'' Ginny said as she moved closer to Harry and kissed him slowly on the lips, ''Will you do it for me?'' she asked as she smiled hopefully and kissed him again.

''Aw Gin, you know I can't resist you. I'll do anything you want me to.'' Harry said as he bowed graciously, making Ginny laugh.

''Good, you can get them tonight, look for really old books.'' Ginny said as she gathered up her books. ''I'm going back to our room now, for a lie down, you coming.'' Ginny asked as she paused and looked at Harry.

''Now there's an offer I can't refuse.'' Harry grinned and quickly threw all his quills and parchment into his bag and rushed to the Library door to catch up with Ginny, who was smiling mischeivously at him.

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

Magical Maintenance was usually a very easy class, with mimimal amounts of work and no theory work. The teacher Nick was laid back, he even let the class call him by his first name, he was nice to all of them and chatted to them as if they were old friends. But today in class Nick was even more laid back than usual, he didn't seem to care that it was the end of January and that they weren't even a quarter of the way through the course yet. It was in Magical Maintenance classes that Harry planned out his DA lesson plans, he would need to go and see Proffessor Golding soon to get some more spells. But in todays lesson he was content just to listen to Nick's animated speech on how he once escaped a rampaging Hippogriff on his broomstick while still managing to shoot out a curse at an escaped Manticore, that was attacking a damsel in distress. Harry suspected that most of it was made up but it was entertaining to listen to anyway.

Meanwhile Ginny was in her Defence Against the Dark Arts, she was now one of the top students in her class, thanks to the DA, but she still paid more attention than most, to tell Harry any useful spells they may have missed, there was also the fact that there was a Death Eater on the lose ready to attack at any moment. Proffessor Golding the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, had swept her long raven black hair out of her face, and tied back into a loose bun as she demonstrated the 'Liquidate' spell, a spell that would transform any surface into water, so that the person standing on it would fall, feet first into a deep pool of water. Very useful in Ginny's opinion and she decided it was one that could benefit the DA. Ginny and Colin were partners as usual in Defence Against the Dark Arts, as they were in most other lessons. They worked together and both mastered the curse first time, sending each other into large pools of water that covered Ginny up to her neck. By the end of the class everyone including Proffessor Golding was absolutely soaking, and thouroughly enjoying it. Proffessor Golding even joined in, with a water fight started by Micheal Corner and his friends.

''She seemed so happy today didn't she Gin?'' Colin asked, reffering to their teacher, as they walked out of the Defence Agaainst the Dark Arts class.

''Yeah, she usually has like a sad, lonely look in her eyes, like she'd lost something special to her, but today she just seemed so happy, so alive.'' Ginny replied, wondering what would've made their Proffessor so happy she would've participated in a water fight.

''Can you imaging Mcgonagall having a water fight with her class?'' Colin asked snickering at the thought.

''Yeah, I can imagine her having a water fight when Snape starts giving people sweets in his lessons.'' Ginny said as she muttered a drying charm that instantly dried hers and Colins robes. ''Well come on, we have to get to Herbology now.'' Ginny said as she linked arms with Colin and started to run to the greenhouses, Ginny hated to be late for Herbology, her favourite lesson.

In Care of Magical Creatures, Hermione, Harry and Ron had been assigned the extremely difficult job of trying to calm down a raging Pirenal a creature that was about the size of horse, with the body of a panther, the head and neck of a snake and the tail of a scorpion. It was only out of a dear love for Hagrid that the three of them had even set foot in the enclosure with the Pirenal, that was now moving it's head from side to side, hissing in an unnerving way, that even Harry couldn't understand. Hagrid had told them to hum softly to calm the beast, but so far Harry's hums were being drowned out by the loud hissing from the Pirenal, and the stamping of it huge feet. Harry, Hermione and Ron fled the enclosure and slammed the gate shut tightly behind them and the Pirenal, lunged forward and exposed it's two-inch long claws, not to be outdone by the sharp venomus fangs in the snakes mouth. All together, that was one Care of Magical Creatures class he'd rather not repeat ever again and as they left Hermione had subtley hinted to Hagrid that perhaps next lesson they could study a slightly less dangerous creature.

That night exausted from the day's lessons, Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Colin all settled down in front of the fire in Harry and Ginny's room, each with a book taken from the restricted section in his or her lap, and studied each book still hoping that they would find a counter curse even after months of searching, with no results.

''Harry?'' Colin piped up, ever since Harry had started going out with Ginny, Colin had become slightly less impressed by him, but still never missed an oppurtunity to ask him his opinion about anything and everything.

''Yeah Colin.'' Harry answered not looking up from the volume of 'Charms through the Ages' that was resting in his lap.

''When is the first Quidditch match? I mean they're usually in October or November but it's nearly February and we haven't played once yet.'' Colin asked, he did have a fair point, thought Harry, maybe he's gotten over the whole Boy-Who-Lived thing and started to act normally.

''It's in two weeks time, they were postponed because of the attacks and everything.'' Harry explained, turning the page in his battered book, that had a suspicious stain on the front cover.

''Who's it against?'' Ron asked.

''Slytherin.'' Harry said, disappointedly, ''But I know we'll beat them, we have a great team this year.'' Harry said injecting some enthusiasm into his voice. ''We'll do it for Neville.''

''Yeah, for Neville.'' Ginny said as she put down the book she had just finished reading, smiled shyly at Harry and picked up another book that was if possible thicker than the one she had just put down.

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

The day of the Quidditch match came around surprisingly fast, almost every day leading up to the match was spent, having vigorous training sessions early in the morning and sometimes in the evenings too. Along with all the training sessions that Harry had to conduct and the DA lessons, Harry had hardly any time to think about Sirius, unfortnately it also meant that he had very little time to look for a counter curse to save Neville either. Ginny was also feeling the strain, she had her OWL's to sit that year, and she hadn't even started studying yet as she was so busy with the DA, Quidditch training and trying to help Neville.

The Gryffindor Quidditch team gathered in the training room for Harry's pre-match talk, they all sat around eagerly, anticipating the match.

''Right, we all know that we are the better team, and I expect every single one of you to play your best. We are doing this for Neville. Don't let him down.'' Harry said, as he looked around at his team.

''Yeah for Neville.'' Dean and Seamus chorused.

The Gryffindor team walked out onto the pitch to a deafening applause, the whole of the Gryffindor stand was cheering, waving banners and clapping. The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff stands were applauding too, nobody wanted the Slytherin's to win. As the Slytherin team walked out on to the pitch, they received a large booing from all of the crowd apart from the Slytherin stand whose cheers were drowned out by the hisses and shouts from all of the other three houses.

Madam Hooch, blew the whistle and both teams flew high up into the air. Harry flying higher than the rest of his team, immedeately starting to search for the snitch. He knew that Malfoy would follow him closely, that's what he did in every match. 'Well' Harry thought, 'if thats the way he wants to play, then he'll have to suffer the consequences,' he then went into a danderously dive, that propelled him vertically to the ground. Harry waited until Malfoy was right by the side of him before pulling out of the dive a second before he would've hit the ground. Malfoy however was to late and plummeted hard into the ground.

Harry heard the commentator Ernie Macmillan call out ''and that's 40-0 to Gryffindor with another tremendous goal by Ginny Weasley.'' Harry smiled at Ginny as she did a loop the loop to celebrate, but he was distracted from this thoughts of how shiny her hair looked in the sunlight, by a flash of gold, glinting by Malfoy's foot. Malfoy hadn't noticed as he was too busy trying to stop his nose bleeding after his horrific crash to the ground. Harry shot forward, barely noticing the shocked look on Malfoy's face as Harry sped forward at him, but Harry was knocked of course by a Bludger hitting him hard in the side, winding him and almost knocking him off his broom. When he looked up the snitch had disappeared.

The match drew on and it was starting to get dark on the Quidditch pitch, and the snitch still hadn't been caught, this was the longest Quidditch match Harry ever remembered playing in. The score was 240-140 to Gryffindor, with most of the goals being scored by Ginny, who as Josh had predicted worked seamlessly with Colin Creevy and the two set up scoring oppurtunities for Gryffindor constantly. Harry's eyes started to ache as he squinted through the ever increasing darkness in hopes of spotting a flash of gold, just as he was about to give up and go and do a few loops to give his eyes a break and vent his frustration, he saw the tiny golden snitch out of the corner of his eye. It was floating high above the match, as though spectating from above, Malfoy hadn't noticed yet, but if he saw Harry fly up he surely would follow. Harry pointed his broom upwards and shot up directly at the snitch like a rocket, he sped fater and faster, and before Malfoy even had a chance to register what had happened, Harry felt his fingers close around the tiny snitch, that beat it's wings hopelessly against Harrys fingers. He heard the crowd explode into cheers as he landed, and was smothered with the hands of all of Gryffindor Quidditch team patting him on his back. Ginny ran over to him and hugged him tightly and kised him on the lips.

''Took your time didn't you.'' She said jokingly as he pulled her in for another hug.

''You were great Gin.'' he said quietly to her, as the stands emptied and the occupants ran out on to the pitch to congratulate the team, who had won by 390 points to 140.

''Thanks babe, so were you.'' she replied as Hermione ran over to her and enveloped her in a tight hug, laughing at the look on Malfoy's face as the Slytherin team dejectedly made their way back to the changing rooms.

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

The celebrations in Gryffindor tower, after the match lasted until well after midnight, and even Hermione didn't tell anyone to keep the noise down or to go to bed, as she was too busy drinking the punch that had been laced with vodka by the seventh years. Dean and Seamus had performed a charm that filled the common room with loud music, that couldn't be heard from outside the common room, so there was no chance of Mcgonagall interrupting their celebrations.

Harry and Ginny were dancing closely together in the middle of the common room, slowly turning round and round, even though the song was a fast one. Harry was staring deep into Ginny' eyes, oblivious to the people who were staring at the two of them, and Ginny could feel her self beginning to blush under Harry's intense gaze. But instead of turning away, she held Harry' gaze and leant in close to him and kissed him, her tongue entering his mouth, and exploring, while in return his hands found their way from her waist, up into her red hair, that cascaded down around her shoulders, both totally oblivious to everyone in the common room cheering and cat-calling. Harry pulled away softly from the kiss initiated by his girlfriend, he smiled at her and leant in to whisper in her ear.

''Gin you were amazing today. I am so proud of you.'' he whispered as his hand traced patterns up and down her back, sending shivers down her spine.

''Thanks Harry, you were too, you always are.'' she replied as she wrapped her arms around his neck, playing with the soft hairs at the nape of his neck, their foreheads now touching together, Harry carried on.

''Gin, I just want you to know that you are very special to me.'' he said, looking into her vivid green eyes, that sparkled happily. ''I want you to know that no matter what I will always love you.''

''Really?'' she asked, her eyes filling with tears.

''Really, I love you Ginny and I'll love you forever, you are my one and only.'' Harry said as he kissed her softly on the lips.

''I love you too, I love you with all my heart.'' Ginny said, as she started laughing happily, tears of happiness falling freely down her smiling face. ''I love you Harry Potter.'' Harry smiled back at her and pulled her in for another passionate kiss, not caring that they were standing in the middle of the common room, and Ginny's older brother also happened to be part of the crowd.

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

''Albus, I have told you before, that he never lets us see the other DeathEaters faces.'' Snape insisted as he sat in Dumbledore's office and watched the headmaster pace the floor, stopping briefly to stroke his pheonix Fawkes, before resuming his pacing again.

''But surely, he would tell you Snape, he trusts you.'' Dumbledore pleaded.

''No Albus, he won't even tell me. I think he suspects me.'' Snape said bitterly, he had agreed to turn spy for Dumbledore years ago and even through all the horrific punishments Voldemort had put him through for not being able to deliver him Harry Potter, Snape still felt as though he didn't deserve to be forgiven for ever joining Voldemort in the first palce. ''But I know that he definately has someone, other than me, here at Hogwarts.'' Snape informed Dumbledore who had now taken a seat behind his large wooden desk, surveying Snape through his half moon spectacles. ''But I can't be sure whether it is a student or a proffessor.''

''Do you know what his plans are Severus?'' Dumbledore asked, his age showing in the lines in his creased brow and around his sparkling eyes.

''He is attacking the children in hopes of getting their parents to hand over the keys to the box of Rewop. It's emotional blackmail, if they give him what he wants, he takes the curse off their children, if they don't he will kill the child and eventually the parents.'' Snape recited, he had heard Voldemort tell all of his most trusted Death Eaters of the plan, and he, Severus Snape was amongst them. Snape had often pondered the irony of the situation, one of the Dark Lords most trusted servants was actually a spy for Dumbledore. He knew what the punishment would be if ever he was caught, but Severus Snape, didn't care, he would have to try and make it up to Duumbledore, after the trust that he showed in him by hiring him, he owed it to Dumbledore and to himself.

''So that's his plan.'' Dumbledore sighed, he had guessed as much. ''But what is he going to with the box.'' he asked wearily, he knew of the ancient box and of the dark magic contained within it. He even had one of the fifteen keys that had kept the box securely closed for hundreds of years.

''The spells inside are some of the most dangerous and dark spells ever known, there are also potion recipes, that haven't been brewed for thousands of years, as they are extremely complex and dangerous. But there are spells in there, torture spells - much worse than the Crucatius curse - that Voldemort wants, there are also potions to become immortal, a feat which Voldemort has been trying to successfully acheive for many years.''

''So he's chasing an immortal life again.'' Dumbledore mused, ''Well he won't be able to open the box, because I have notified several families that I know hold a key to the box and they are all in hiding and I am their secret keeper, no way will Voldemort ever be able to find them.'' Dumbledore said triumphantly. ''He'll have to come up with another plan.'' Dumbledore added solemnly, before noticing Snape grasp his left forearm and wince in pain as the Dark Mark burned into him.

''He's calling us Albus, I must go.'' Snape said as he rushed out of the headmasters office back to his office, where he could Floo to Hogsmeade, to be able to apparate to Voldemort.

''Be careful Severus.'' Dumbledore called, to Snapes retreating back, watching as he rushed through the door and down the revolving stone staircase.

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

*Dear diary,



I have decided to take Hermione's advice and start my own diary. These past few weeks have been mad, Harry's taken lots of books from the restricted section in the Library, but we still haven't found anything, I guess we'll have to continue with our search.

Defence Against the Darks Arts lessons are getting better and better, Proffessor Golding has changed into a totally different person, she's so much more happy, and upbeat. Even Ron has noticed a difference and that's saying something, Ron wouldn't even notice a change if it came up and bit him on the nose. It took him over two years to figure out that Hermione had feelings for him, when it was blatantly obvious to everyone else.

Harry has told me that he loves me, it felt so good when he finally said it, it was the best day in my whole life, I mean I love him so, so much and now I know that he feels the same about me too. I can't believe Harry Potter has fallen in love with me of all people, I'm nothing special, but Harry says I'm very special to him so thats all that matters to me.

I have to go now, we are looking through more books again.

Ginny*

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

''Hey Gin, could you give me a hand here.'' Harry called as he walked into their bedroom, pulling the invisability cloak off himself, revealing him and a very large pile of books.

''Sure.'' Ginny replied as she took half the pile of Harry and set them down on the floor next to Ron, Hermione and Colin.

''Well, lets get to work then.'' Hermione said as she grabbed a book from the top of the pile and opened it to the first page. An hour passed in complete silence, broken only by the turning of pages, and the dropping of books, once they had been read through.

''Hey guys, I think I have something.'' Ginny called as she looked down more closely into the small book she was reading.

''What?'' Hermione said excitedly, ''What have you found?''

''It looks like the spell that has been put on Neville and all the children. It has the same effects and everything.'' Ginny said as she scanned the page checking of the described effects against the ones that Neville had.

''What's the book called?'' Harry asked, as he moved over to read the book over Ginny's shoulder.

''Eastern Egyptian curses.'' Ginny replied smiling, ''You think we'd have looked in here first.''

''Well it was in the restricted section, and it is a very small book, it's easy to look over.'' Ron reasoned, as he to moved for a closer look at the small book in his sisters hands.

''Does it have a counter curse?'' Ron said voicing the question that everybody had been waiting for.

''No.'' Ginny answered as she continued to look down the small page, hearing everyone groan in disappointment. ''Oh no wait, yes it does, it's right here.''

''Really?'' Harry asked excitedly, as Ginny pointed it out to him. ''Oh this is great, lets go and tell Dumbledore.'' Harry said as he stood up and started towards the door.

''Harry, it's really late, we can't just go and wake Dumbledore up in the middle of the night, we are not even supposed to be out of bed then.'' Ginny insisted, noticing the look on Harry's face she quickly added. ''We'll all go and see him first thing in the morning.''

''Your right as usual my love.'' Harry said as he walked back over to Ginny and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

The next morning Harry and Ginny met Ron, Hermione and Colin in the common room, before setting of to Dumbledore's office to tell him that they had found a counter curse. They stopped outside the stone gargoyle and Harry gave the password that Dumbledore had used last time, and to his amazement it still worked.

Harry went forward first, and knocked on the large wooden door to Dumbledores office.

''Come in.'' the headmaster called from the other side. Harry, Ginny, Colin, Ron and Hermione all poured in to a surprised Dumbledores office. ''Well, well what on earth are the five of you doing in my office first thing in the morning.'' Dumbledore said cheerfully, his eyes twinkling mischievously behind his half moon spectacles, but Harry noticed the tired look on his face.

''Well, Proffessor Dumbledore sir,'' Hermione started nervously. ''We um we think we've found the counter curse to the spell Neville is under.''

''Really?'' Dumbledore asked, shocked, ''I've been trying to find it for weeks. How did you manage to find it?''

''Well to be honest with you sir, we've been looking for weeks too, and just last night we came across the spell and the counter curse.'' Harry explained, conveniently skipping the part about taking books from the restricted section of the library.

''I think we had better go and see if this spell of yours works then, hadn't we?'' Dumbledore said as he stood up and walked to the door gesturing for them all to follow him. They all walked in silence to the Hospital wing, hoping that it was the correct spell and that all of the children would soon wake up and be alright.



The five students and the Headmaster entered the hospital wing, much to the annoyance of Madam Pomfrey, who disapproved of having more than one or two visitors in the hospital wing at the same time. The headmaster headed straight over to Neville's bed and looked around at Harry, Ron, Colin, Hermione and Ginny who were all looking on anxiously, and lifted his wand ready to say the counter curse that could wake up all of the students who had been 'sleeping' for so long.

''Fravapolise'' Dumbledore said hopefully, as he flicked his wand toward Neville's bubble. They all stared expectantly at Neville, praying that it would work, nothing seemed to have changed, although Ginny was sure the light from the bubble started to glow brighter. ''I don't think it's worked.'' Dumbledore sighed as he turned away from Neville's bed. All of a sudden a blinding white light filled the hospital wing, and the sound of sharp pieces hitting the floor could be heard. Dumbledore spun around and looked at Neville's bed, as the light started to dim, he could see Neville's outline, not surrounded by that of a giant bubble. ''It's worked!'' Dumbledore shouted over to Madam Pomfrey. ''Poppy it's worked, come quickly.''



The next five minutes were spent with Madam Pomfrey fussing around Neville, giving him all sorts of potions and lotions, and Dumbledore silently observing Neville through narrowed eyes, somethings not right, he thought to himself as Madam Pomfrey ushered them all out of the hospital wing, so that she could awaken the other students in peace. Harry left, but not before promising Neville that he would return again in the night.

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

That night Neville spent the first part of the night lying awake in his bed listening for the soft footsteps that would let him know that Harry was coming, thoughts and visions flashing through his mind as though they were memories, and even though Neville knew they were only dreams, they still terrified him. He heard the large door of the hospital wing click shut and he knew that Harry was there, forcing all those images out of his mind he sat up ready to talk to Harry. The footstep grew closer and closer to Nevilles bed and finally, when they stopped there was a rush of cool air, as Harry pulled the invisability cloak off himself. Neville gasped as two heads appeared instead of one. Harry and Ginny appeared before him smiling, his heart stopped racing and he smiled weakly at them both.

''Sorry Nev, she just *had* to come along.'' Harry said nodding his head towards Ginny, earning himself a jab in the ribs from Ginny's elbow.

''No, it's ok, the more the merrier, I haven't spoken to anyone for months.'' he admitted sadly. ''Thanks Harry.''

''What for?''

''For looking for so long for the counter curse, Madam Pomfrey told me all about it when she was making me drink all those potions.'' Neville said as he looked Harry in the eyes and thanked him from his heart.

''Well it was nothing, you didn't leave my side in the Department of Mysteries, it was the least we could do, besides it was Gin who found the counter curse.'' Harry said modestly.

''Thank you, thank you so much Ginny.'' Neville said, thanking Ginny as she blushed furiously.

''What was it like Neville?'' Ginny asked softly, placing a comforting hand on Neville's arm. ''Being in the bubble?''

''It wasn't too bad, missed potions for a few months, you know.'' Neville joked feebly, but Harry saw through his jokes, and noticed the fearful look in his eyes.

''Come on Nev, you can tell us, we promise we won't tell anyone if you don't want us to.'' Harry coaxed.

''It was horrible Harry, it really was. You'd think that being asleep for months would be relaxing and no problem at all. But imagine being asleep and having the worst nightmares of your life and not being able to wake up from them.'' Neville stopped as Ginny lifted her hands to her mouth and gasped, her eyes widening in shock.

''But.........but you looked so peaceful.'' She stuttered, as Neville's eyes started to fill with tears, just from the memories of his nightmares.

''I couldn't move a muscle, it was like I was paralyzed. I wanted to move, I wanted to kick and scream, but I couldn't, all I could do was lay there and keep on having the same nightmares over and over, they kept getting worse everytime.'' Neville stopped and wiped the tears from his eyes, forcing himself to remain calm and to be strong. ''I saw things that no-one would ever want to see, things that you couldn't even begin to imagine. But worst of all I saw her, I saw her laughing and smiling as she.........as she.'' Neville broke off unable to continue, thinking about Bellatrix Lestrange as she laughed and tortured his parents to insanity. Ginny guesed as much and she stood up and hugged Neville close to her whispering comforting words to him, until he stopped crying and pulled away from her. Not wanting to talk about his nightmares he changed the subject. ''So, what have I missed in the DA?''

The remainder of Harry and Ginny's stay in the hospital wing was spent informing Neville of all the gossip from school and promising to help him catch up in his lessons and on what he had missed from the DA lessons. As they walked in silence under the invisability cloak back to their room, Harry couldn't help but wonder what it'd be like to be forced to watch your worst nightmares, repeatedly over and over without being able to wake up. What would he see? His mother and father getting killed by Voldemort, Sirius falling through the veil, himelf screaming Sirius' name, knowing he wouldn't come back, Cedric dying. Harry shuddered at the thought, immedeately feeling even worse for Neville who had been forced to watch an evil bitch torture his parents for months, with no way of stopping it and knowing that she was wandering around carefree.

(Hey guys, here is the next chapter, sorry about the missing 's' and 'v' in the story but my keyboard isn't behaving and I sometimes skip them when I'm checking over the chapters. Sorry, I hope you like this chapter. Awwww Harry and Ginny are the cutest. and Nevilles back yay!!!!Please reveiw)