Chapter 2
Morning arrived far too rapidly for Ginny; she wrapped herself in a dressing gown and noticed she was humming airily as she gathered her things to head to her private bath. She ran a tub, deciding to relax in the water and bubbles rather than simply shower. She slipped into the hot water and aromatic bubbles and felt herself relax tension drifting away as she enjoyed the luxury of the private bath.
She stayed in the tub until the water began to cool, and dried herself on the soft, fluffy towels, wrapped her hair in one and herself in another and entered her room, and began selecting items to wear that day. It was Saturday, and a Hogsmead weekend to boot. She was going to treat herself to some chocolate from Honeydukes and a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. She finished dressing and brushing her hair, and was about to apply a light dusting of makeup when Harry's words from the night before struck home.
She frowned at her reflection in the mirror no that was definitely not a woman in mourning in the mirror. She set aside her normal make up and examined the contents of the kit Hermione had given her last year. There were darker colors for more formal evening she selected, and began to create a tired look, shadowing under her eyes, and making herself look more gaunt. She appraised herself, and undid the intricate braid, and replaced it with a loose ponytail. She appraised herself and changed out her cloak for one of Harry's taken from his trunk. Perfect he admired her handiwork.
"Ms. Wheezy?" The shrill voice of Dobby called out to her.
"Yes Dobby, what is it?" The staff at Hogwarts had been reticent to allow her to bring the elf, but they also agreed that not much would keep Dobby away, so a bargain had been struck, Dobby would watch over Ginny, and still perform his normal duties as a staff elf for the remainder of the year, Winkey had gone to The Burrow where she watched over the rest of the Weasleys in accordance with Harry's wishes.
Dobby approached her with a piece of parchment clutched in his hands. "I is delivering a message from your visitor." He handed her the note and vanished.
Ginny opened the letter.
Dearest Ginny,
There is too much to say and I had no time last night. I'm leaving this with Dobby, as I know he'll deliver it to you in secret.
You mean everything to me, and when this is all done, I promise you the happily ever after. Wait for me.
HP
She re-read the letter and smiling folded it into the inner pocket of the cloak, and steeling her features left her room. In the common room Colin was waiting for her. "Care to join us Ginny?" He gestured to a small group of seventh years.
Ginny thought this through and shook her head. "Sorry Colin, I need to do some work in the library first."
"Sure Ginny. Say, are you feeling well?" He looked at her with concern. Ginny's heart skipped a beat; did she overdo it on the makeup? "I mean you haven't changed much since we got here, and well, to be honest Ginny, I'm worried about you."
She smiled at Colin and said simply. "I'm fine Colin, I've just a lot to work out, you understand don't you?"
Colin nodded. "Well you don't need to do it all alone you know." He placed a hand on hers, and leaned in to hug her. Ginny shrunk back, if he got too close even Colin would realize it was only muggle makeup. "So – sorry, I'm just not doing well with this. Say, how about you ditch the library and I take you to Hogsmead, as my date?"
Her eyes narrowed. Colin was hitting on her! How dare he! Then a small voice echoed up from her mind. He knows you only have eyes for Harry. But then again, everyone thinks Harry is dead. Still! It's only been six months. Six months is a long time to some people, Cho got over Cedric in less time. Not true, Harry said Cho was always crying about Cedric even on Valentines Day. "I – I'm sorry Colin, I need to go…" she turned and practically fled from the common room.
She entered the library and found a quiet spot in the back, pulled out her mirror and said softly "Harry Potter". She looked at her face in the mirror, and suddenly Harry's face swam into view.
"Ginny? Are you alright? You look a fright."
"I am just fine you! I had to speak to you, I'm so sorry." She worried her lower lip.
"No, it's fine, I'm lying a bit low right now, but I may have to go quickly, so I'm sorry if I suddenly disappear. Now what's on your mind?"
"Oh this is so stupid, but I did what you asked, and now Colin is hitting on me, and I've really no idea why I'm burdening you with this." She looked exasperated.
"Colin would be a fool to wait; I know I should never have myself. However, have you talked to Dumbledore yet?"
"No. I'd actually forgotten." She felt herself blush.
"It's ok, go and see him, the password is 'Fizzing Wizbees'. Explain anything except the mirror and that I am not dead. Tell him I left you a letter, and show him the note, it'll all make sense then." Harry smiled warmly and then looked off to the side of the mirror. "Damn it! Sorry love, I have to go." His face faded from the mirror.
Ginny searched her cloak and found the note he had handed her last night, and made her way to Dumbledore's office. On the ride up the stairs she began to worry about what would cause Harry to need to leave so rapidly. Her hand barely fell on the door when she heard his voice. "Come in Ms. Weasley." She entered the room and saw Dumbledore looking into his pensive. "You have something for me I assume?" She nodded dumbly and handed him the note.
"Honestly, I expected you sooner." The old man steepled his hands, as he read the short note. "Yes, of course. He wanted you to see the prophecy. But let us do him one better." Dumbledore stuck his wand in the pensive and found the memory he was searching for. He grabbed Ginny's hand and they entered the world of Dumbledore's memory.