A/N: Sorry it took me so long to get out the next chapter. I have been
extremely busy at both my jobs. I hope to get them out faster. Please read
and review.
Also if anybody could let me know how to do BOLD or ITALICIZED in a story it would be greatly appreciated.
Chapter 6: Waking Up and The First Prank
As Harry slowly regained consciousness he became aware of a weight on his chest. He found it wasn't at all unpleasant, because it smelled of strawberries, which was nice. He became more awake and felt something soft squeezing his left hand. Harry slowly opened his eyes taking in the sun reflecting, from the window, off some bare walls in a room he didn't recognize. He noticed his glasses on a nightstand next to the bed. Harry transfigured the prescription to normal glass and put them on. After his eyes adjusted to the light he looked down at what was putting pressure on his chest.
He jumped a bit when he realized that the weight was Ginny's head sleeping on his chest. Harry wondered if she had been captured also, but quickly squashed that idea when he realized that the room didn't look like a dungeon. Looking down again at Ginny, he guessed that she had apparently fallen asleep while holding his hand and watching over him. He shifted a little, trying to get up without waking her, which proved to be a futile effort as she also began to stir awake.
Ginny's chocolate brown eyes slowly fluttered open, and then closed in a wince of pain from her back, stiff from sleeping in an awkward position so she could look over Harry. Then her eyes snapped open when she realized that there was a pair of dazzling emerald eyes watching her.
"Harry!" gasped Ginny, "You're awake!" With that said she flung herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Merlin, we were so worried about you!" while thinking, "I was so worried about you." Harry surprised by her reaction, wrapped his arms around her as well, whispering, "I'm okay Gin. I'm okay."
Ginny couldn't keep the small smile off her face at the nickname that Harry had given to her and quite liked the way that he said it. Harry on the other hand took stock that all his things were there in the room, but was still confused about a few things.
"Er, Gin?" asked Harry as she looked up. "What happened and where are we?" Ginny looked a little sad at first about the way that Harry came here, but then grinned and started to laugh at the confused expression on his face.
Harry scowled at her good-naturedly for making fun of him, but had a kind of pleading look in his eyes that made Ginny stop laughing quickly and explained, "When we arrived by the portkey we saw you be tortured by the Death Eater with the pain curse. Dad and Ron immediately cursed the guy and you went unconscious from the pain. Dad gave Ron the portkey and we all transported back here to the Burrow. Mom had the twins contact Professor Dumbledore while she tried to revive you, but you wouldn't wake up." Ginny paused here, because she saw that Harry had on a real scowl when she mentioned Dumbledore, but continued, "Dumbledore arrived with Madam Pomfrey and she said that you were in a coma. She couldn't get you back to the Hospital Wing, because when she tried a golden shield formed around you and wouldn't let her. Dumbledore said that you would stay here and you've been in the coma for the past week."
"Really! A golden shield formed around me," questioned Harry. Ginny just nodded her head. "Okay, that tells me what happened, but where am I? I don't recognize this room." Ginny replied, "You haven't ever been in this room. It was Percy's old room, but he moved out to a flat in Diagon Alley at the beginning of summer." Harry sputtered, "I-I can't take Percy's room. I would be intruding on your family."
Ginny looked very sternly down at Harry as she stood up and put her hands on her hips, before stating, "Harry do not think for one moment that you are intruding here in this house. Mum and Dad think the world of you and already consider you like another son." Harry dropped his head as an immense feeling of gratitude at being part of a family came over him, before Ginny candidly said, "Besides who else would donate a thousand galleons to my crazy twin brothers."
Harry's mouth dropped open at the last statement that Ginny had made and suddenly horrified asked, "Gin, do your parents know I gave them the money?" Ginny replied, "Only the twins, you and I know who their secret investor is." Harry sighed heavily not realizing that he had held his breath, before saying, "Thank Merlin for small favors. I thought that your mother would kill me the moment I went into the kitchen."
Harry then jumped out of bed and stretched his muscles that he hadn't used for the week. He turned to Ginny who was staring at him with glazed eyes and doing a fine impression of a tomato. "Is something wrong Gin?" asked a concerned Harry. Ginny couldn't get her mouth to work, because she was thinking, " Sweet Merlin, he's beautiful." She noticed that he had a growth spurt, but the thing she noticed the most was that Harry was no longer skinny, but had a well toned muscled chest that made her think very bad thoughts. Unable to say anything she just pointed at him. Harry looked down and realized he had nothing on except his boxers. He felt the heat flare up in his own face and knew that he was probably the same deep red as Ginny.
"Do you mind turning around while I get dressed?" Asked Harry. Ginny nodded her head and turned around, but couldn't get the image of what she had seen out of her mind. When she heard him shuffle over and open his trunk, she was tempted to turn around, but wouldn't betray Harry's trust. Harry finished getting dressed and stated, " Gin, you can turn around now." Ginny turned around to see that Harry had put on a black sleeveless shirt and denim shorts. She wasn't blushing now, but was aware that she still couldn't look him in the eye.
Harry could see that Ginny was still embarrassed about having seen him in nothing but his boxers, so he said, "Gin please look me in the eyes." She shuffled her feet a little then looked up to see concern and worry in Harry's eyes. Listen, I know that was embarrassing for both of us, but lets put it behind us. I know we only became friends through our letters, but I would never want you to be sorry or embarrassed with that friendship."
"I'm sorry Harry. I was just a little embarrassed by the situation. I would never feel sorry or embarrassed about the trust and friendship you gave me," answered a sincere Ginny. Harry gave her lopsided grin that made her weak at the knees and then he said, "Okay, now with that out of the way. Why don't we let everybody know that I've joined the land of wakefulness?" Ginny returned his smile and they walked downstairs together.
They could hear voices in the kitchen talking and having breakfast. Harry had a sudden thought and stopped Ginny from opening the door. She gave him a quizzical look, which he gave her a sly smile back and asked, "Want to play prank to let everybody know that I am back?" Ginny couldn't help but give him an evil grin back, before asking, "What do you have in mind?"
"Oh, you are going to love this prank," replied Harry. "I learned a few spells over the holidays and made a few sweets to help Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Inc. watch and learn." Harry cautiously opened the door a little and stuck his wand into the crack while muttering an incantation under his breath, which Ginny didn't catch.
"What does that spell do?" asked a very interested Ginny. "It will reveal who a person loves in pink above their head, but only they can see it and anybody else not in the room that the spell was cast," answered Harry with a very evil smile on his face. Ginny had amazement and awe written all over her face. Harry was thinking that she looked very cute when she looked like that. Suddenly there were shouts of surprise coming from the kitchen, so they silently crept inside to see their handiwork.
Ron was almost glowing red from embarrassment watching the sign above his head say, "I love Hermione Granger!" Hermione had her face in her hands while a sign above her head said, "I love Ronald Weasley!" The Weasley parents had signs above their heads opposite each other, but this was everybody they had caught with the prank. Harry and Ginny looked at each other, before they fell on the floor with laughter at the others. Fred, George, bill and Charlie just walked in from outside with shock that Harry was awake, before they saw the signs and started laughing too.
Everybody sobered up to see that Harry was there. He looked around and smirked, "Well, I wanted to make sure that everyone was smiling this morning." Ginny continued giggling at this remark, but Ron shouted, " This was you!!" Harry nodded his head with a smile on his face. Ron and Hermione looked at him in rage at being pranked on, but then Harry said, Don't worry guys only you can see what is above your own heads, not anybody else that was in the room, so your secrets are safe and I mean that," with a very direct glare at the twins.
They sighed in defeat at not being able to rib their little brother. "You can have these, though I wouldn't give them to Ron and Hermione, or you will be hexed into oblivion," said Harry innocently, while handing them the handful of candy and the recipe. "I thought that Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes needed a new sweet, since I heard that you have a investor now," smirked Harry.
Fred and George had the biggest smiles on their faces as they raced from the kitchen, before their mother confiscated the new joke. Mrs. Weasley on the other hand was torn between being happy that Harry was up or terrified that he had just encouraged the twin's behavior. She finally grabbed Harry into a big hug, because she was very grateful that Harry was out of his coma and seemed to be in good health after everything that happened at the end of last term and being attacked this summer.
When she finally let go of him, Hermione jumped up and gave him a rib- shattering hug with tear falling down her face. "Mione..can't..breathe!" gasped Harry while his face started to turn blue. Ron pried her hands off Harry as she was blushing and patted him on the back while he caught his breath. He then gave her a comforting hug and a small kiss on her forehead. "I'm fine Mione. See still alive and kicking," smiled Harry.
At that moment Blaze flew through the window and squawked at the fact that her friend was standing there. Harry's eyes were shinning with mirth at surprising the phoenix. Blaze flew right to Harry's outstretched arm and nuzzled up against his head. She then trilled, * "I am so glad you're awake. I was really worried about you, but you would pick the time I finally went hunting to wake up. " *
"I'm sorry I worried you Blaze. I thought that it was safe to send you on to Burrow. Apparently I was mistaken. I will try not to worry you again," said Harry. He turned and saw all the curios looks and apologized, "Where are my manners? Everybody this is my phoenix Moonblaze. Blaze these are my friends." Blaze sang a beautiful phoenix song that made everybody happy.
"How did you understand the what the phoenix said Harry? I've never heard of a white and silver phoenix, so where did you get it?" asked Hermione in her quick way when she wanted to know something. Harry smiled, "Blaze's mother Fate delivered her to me. She is one of the last of the Night Phoenixes. Fate asked me to take care of her, since she was dying and gave me a mental bond with Blaze, so we can communicate with each other or when she sings I hear the words." Harry was stroking Blaze's chest as he was explaining and she was making contented cooing noises. All of them could see there was a strong bond between them that went beyond just the mental connection and into true friendship.
"Now that you are awake and you seem to be fine. I will contact Albus, since he wanted to talk with you once he knew that you were alright." Said Molly as she was walking to the fireplace. "No!" Harry suddenly said. "You can tell him that I am fine, but I won't talk with him now." Author saw the angry look on Harry's face and asked, "Why don't you want to talk to Albus?"
"I found some things out about my past that Dumbledore has been keeping from me, so I don't really want to see him," replied Harry and then he strode out the back door leaving everybody to wonder what about his past could have made him angry with the Headmaster.
Nobody noticed that a few minutes later Ginny had also slipped out to find Harry. It had taken awhile before she found him sitting with Blaze on the bank of the river a mile from the house. She slowly walked up and sat down next to him in silence, so as to not disturb him. Harry had felt Ginny approach and sit next to him, but didn't acknowledge her presence for a few minutes, until he said, "I guess I kind of ruined the happy mood back there."
She grinned at him, "You could say that. Do you want to talk about it?" asked Ginny. "Not right now, but I will once I get it all sorted out in my mind," said Harry with a slight smile. He reached down and squeezed her hand, before saying, "Gin, thanks for asking and being a good friend." Ginny just smiled back at him as they sat there holding hands and enjoying each other's company.
Also if anybody could let me know how to do BOLD or ITALICIZED in a story it would be greatly appreciated.
Chapter 6: Waking Up and The First Prank
As Harry slowly regained consciousness he became aware of a weight on his chest. He found it wasn't at all unpleasant, because it smelled of strawberries, which was nice. He became more awake and felt something soft squeezing his left hand. Harry slowly opened his eyes taking in the sun reflecting, from the window, off some bare walls in a room he didn't recognize. He noticed his glasses on a nightstand next to the bed. Harry transfigured the prescription to normal glass and put them on. After his eyes adjusted to the light he looked down at what was putting pressure on his chest.
He jumped a bit when he realized that the weight was Ginny's head sleeping on his chest. Harry wondered if she had been captured also, but quickly squashed that idea when he realized that the room didn't look like a dungeon. Looking down again at Ginny, he guessed that she had apparently fallen asleep while holding his hand and watching over him. He shifted a little, trying to get up without waking her, which proved to be a futile effort as she also began to stir awake.
Ginny's chocolate brown eyes slowly fluttered open, and then closed in a wince of pain from her back, stiff from sleeping in an awkward position so she could look over Harry. Then her eyes snapped open when she realized that there was a pair of dazzling emerald eyes watching her.
"Harry!" gasped Ginny, "You're awake!" With that said she flung herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Merlin, we were so worried about you!" while thinking, "I was so worried about you." Harry surprised by her reaction, wrapped his arms around her as well, whispering, "I'm okay Gin. I'm okay."
Ginny couldn't keep the small smile off her face at the nickname that Harry had given to her and quite liked the way that he said it. Harry on the other hand took stock that all his things were there in the room, but was still confused about a few things.
"Er, Gin?" asked Harry as she looked up. "What happened and where are we?" Ginny looked a little sad at first about the way that Harry came here, but then grinned and started to laugh at the confused expression on his face.
Harry scowled at her good-naturedly for making fun of him, but had a kind of pleading look in his eyes that made Ginny stop laughing quickly and explained, "When we arrived by the portkey we saw you be tortured by the Death Eater with the pain curse. Dad and Ron immediately cursed the guy and you went unconscious from the pain. Dad gave Ron the portkey and we all transported back here to the Burrow. Mom had the twins contact Professor Dumbledore while she tried to revive you, but you wouldn't wake up." Ginny paused here, because she saw that Harry had on a real scowl when she mentioned Dumbledore, but continued, "Dumbledore arrived with Madam Pomfrey and she said that you were in a coma. She couldn't get you back to the Hospital Wing, because when she tried a golden shield formed around you and wouldn't let her. Dumbledore said that you would stay here and you've been in the coma for the past week."
"Really! A golden shield formed around me," questioned Harry. Ginny just nodded her head. "Okay, that tells me what happened, but where am I? I don't recognize this room." Ginny replied, "You haven't ever been in this room. It was Percy's old room, but he moved out to a flat in Diagon Alley at the beginning of summer." Harry sputtered, "I-I can't take Percy's room. I would be intruding on your family."
Ginny looked very sternly down at Harry as she stood up and put her hands on her hips, before stating, "Harry do not think for one moment that you are intruding here in this house. Mum and Dad think the world of you and already consider you like another son." Harry dropped his head as an immense feeling of gratitude at being part of a family came over him, before Ginny candidly said, "Besides who else would donate a thousand galleons to my crazy twin brothers."
Harry's mouth dropped open at the last statement that Ginny had made and suddenly horrified asked, "Gin, do your parents know I gave them the money?" Ginny replied, "Only the twins, you and I know who their secret investor is." Harry sighed heavily not realizing that he had held his breath, before saying, "Thank Merlin for small favors. I thought that your mother would kill me the moment I went into the kitchen."
Harry then jumped out of bed and stretched his muscles that he hadn't used for the week. He turned to Ginny who was staring at him with glazed eyes and doing a fine impression of a tomato. "Is something wrong Gin?" asked a concerned Harry. Ginny couldn't get her mouth to work, because she was thinking, " Sweet Merlin, he's beautiful." She noticed that he had a growth spurt, but the thing she noticed the most was that Harry was no longer skinny, but had a well toned muscled chest that made her think very bad thoughts. Unable to say anything she just pointed at him. Harry looked down and realized he had nothing on except his boxers. He felt the heat flare up in his own face and knew that he was probably the same deep red as Ginny.
"Do you mind turning around while I get dressed?" Asked Harry. Ginny nodded her head and turned around, but couldn't get the image of what she had seen out of her mind. When she heard him shuffle over and open his trunk, she was tempted to turn around, but wouldn't betray Harry's trust. Harry finished getting dressed and stated, " Gin, you can turn around now." Ginny turned around to see that Harry had put on a black sleeveless shirt and denim shorts. She wasn't blushing now, but was aware that she still couldn't look him in the eye.
Harry could see that Ginny was still embarrassed about having seen him in nothing but his boxers, so he said, "Gin please look me in the eyes." She shuffled her feet a little then looked up to see concern and worry in Harry's eyes. Listen, I know that was embarrassing for both of us, but lets put it behind us. I know we only became friends through our letters, but I would never want you to be sorry or embarrassed with that friendship."
"I'm sorry Harry. I was just a little embarrassed by the situation. I would never feel sorry or embarrassed about the trust and friendship you gave me," answered a sincere Ginny. Harry gave her lopsided grin that made her weak at the knees and then he said, "Okay, now with that out of the way. Why don't we let everybody know that I've joined the land of wakefulness?" Ginny returned his smile and they walked downstairs together.
They could hear voices in the kitchen talking and having breakfast. Harry had a sudden thought and stopped Ginny from opening the door. She gave him a quizzical look, which he gave her a sly smile back and asked, "Want to play prank to let everybody know that I am back?" Ginny couldn't help but give him an evil grin back, before asking, "What do you have in mind?"
"Oh, you are going to love this prank," replied Harry. "I learned a few spells over the holidays and made a few sweets to help Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Inc. watch and learn." Harry cautiously opened the door a little and stuck his wand into the crack while muttering an incantation under his breath, which Ginny didn't catch.
"What does that spell do?" asked a very interested Ginny. "It will reveal who a person loves in pink above their head, but only they can see it and anybody else not in the room that the spell was cast," answered Harry with a very evil smile on his face. Ginny had amazement and awe written all over her face. Harry was thinking that she looked very cute when she looked like that. Suddenly there were shouts of surprise coming from the kitchen, so they silently crept inside to see their handiwork.
Ron was almost glowing red from embarrassment watching the sign above his head say, "I love Hermione Granger!" Hermione had her face in her hands while a sign above her head said, "I love Ronald Weasley!" The Weasley parents had signs above their heads opposite each other, but this was everybody they had caught with the prank. Harry and Ginny looked at each other, before they fell on the floor with laughter at the others. Fred, George, bill and Charlie just walked in from outside with shock that Harry was awake, before they saw the signs and started laughing too.
Everybody sobered up to see that Harry was there. He looked around and smirked, "Well, I wanted to make sure that everyone was smiling this morning." Ginny continued giggling at this remark, but Ron shouted, " This was you!!" Harry nodded his head with a smile on his face. Ron and Hermione looked at him in rage at being pranked on, but then Harry said, Don't worry guys only you can see what is above your own heads, not anybody else that was in the room, so your secrets are safe and I mean that," with a very direct glare at the twins.
They sighed in defeat at not being able to rib their little brother. "You can have these, though I wouldn't give them to Ron and Hermione, or you will be hexed into oblivion," said Harry innocently, while handing them the handful of candy and the recipe. "I thought that Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes needed a new sweet, since I heard that you have a investor now," smirked Harry.
Fred and George had the biggest smiles on their faces as they raced from the kitchen, before their mother confiscated the new joke. Mrs. Weasley on the other hand was torn between being happy that Harry was up or terrified that he had just encouraged the twin's behavior. She finally grabbed Harry into a big hug, because she was very grateful that Harry was out of his coma and seemed to be in good health after everything that happened at the end of last term and being attacked this summer.
When she finally let go of him, Hermione jumped up and gave him a rib- shattering hug with tear falling down her face. "Mione..can't..breathe!" gasped Harry while his face started to turn blue. Ron pried her hands off Harry as she was blushing and patted him on the back while he caught his breath. He then gave her a comforting hug and a small kiss on her forehead. "I'm fine Mione. See still alive and kicking," smiled Harry.
At that moment Blaze flew through the window and squawked at the fact that her friend was standing there. Harry's eyes were shinning with mirth at surprising the phoenix. Blaze flew right to Harry's outstretched arm and nuzzled up against his head. She then trilled, * "I am so glad you're awake. I was really worried about you, but you would pick the time I finally went hunting to wake up. " *
"I'm sorry I worried you Blaze. I thought that it was safe to send you on to Burrow. Apparently I was mistaken. I will try not to worry you again," said Harry. He turned and saw all the curios looks and apologized, "Where are my manners? Everybody this is my phoenix Moonblaze. Blaze these are my friends." Blaze sang a beautiful phoenix song that made everybody happy.
"How did you understand the what the phoenix said Harry? I've never heard of a white and silver phoenix, so where did you get it?" asked Hermione in her quick way when she wanted to know something. Harry smiled, "Blaze's mother Fate delivered her to me. She is one of the last of the Night Phoenixes. Fate asked me to take care of her, since she was dying and gave me a mental bond with Blaze, so we can communicate with each other or when she sings I hear the words." Harry was stroking Blaze's chest as he was explaining and she was making contented cooing noises. All of them could see there was a strong bond between them that went beyond just the mental connection and into true friendship.
"Now that you are awake and you seem to be fine. I will contact Albus, since he wanted to talk with you once he knew that you were alright." Said Molly as she was walking to the fireplace. "No!" Harry suddenly said. "You can tell him that I am fine, but I won't talk with him now." Author saw the angry look on Harry's face and asked, "Why don't you want to talk to Albus?"
"I found some things out about my past that Dumbledore has been keeping from me, so I don't really want to see him," replied Harry and then he strode out the back door leaving everybody to wonder what about his past could have made him angry with the Headmaster.
Nobody noticed that a few minutes later Ginny had also slipped out to find Harry. It had taken awhile before she found him sitting with Blaze on the bank of the river a mile from the house. She slowly walked up and sat down next to him in silence, so as to not disturb him. Harry had felt Ginny approach and sit next to him, but didn't acknowledge her presence for a few minutes, until he said, "I guess I kind of ruined the happy mood back there."
She grinned at him, "You could say that. Do you want to talk about it?" asked Ginny. "Not right now, but I will once I get it all sorted out in my mind," said Harry with a slight smile. He reached down and squeezed her hand, before saying, "Gin, thanks for asking and being a good friend." Ginny just smiled back at him as they sat there holding hands and enjoying each other's company.