Daphne: Some of you will be happy to know that I have decided to update so
soon after the last chapter. This is only because I felt a rush of
inspiration, because of the reviews that I have received. Or it could be
the fact that I already have all the way up to chapter *fourteen*
written...hehehehe. I want to thank all my reviewers for their comments,
and I hope that you review again!
Enjoy the chapter!
~*~*~*~
The Phoenix's Prophesy
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 5.
~*~*~*~
"HARRY!!!"
As Harry got out of the ministry car that Tonks had brought him in, he was immediately caught up in a smothering hug that left him breathless.
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley." He said, as she let him go and began to fuss over him.
"Oh, Tonks! Thank you for bringing him! We were so worried when...well, never mind! You're here now, and that's all that matters." Molly Weasley stated, still fussing over Harry like a mother hen. Tonks shot him a sly smirk, but it immediately disappeared and a blush replaced it, as someone came up behind them.
"Hello, Harry! Good to see you again!"
Harry turned in surprise, to see Charlie Weasley, the second oldest of the Weasleys, standing behind them with a grin on his face. Harry noticed that the ex-seeker's eyes flickered quickly on Tonks, before turning back to him, and Harry smothered a grin. It seemed like he wasn't the *only* reason Nymphadora Tonks wanted to bring him to the Weasley's.
"Hi, Charlie. How is Romania?" Harry asked jovially, causing Molly to give him a sharp, searching look. Obviously she didn't think that he was being genuine in his attempt to be cheerful. Charlie, however, saw no difference, and grinned at Harry.
"Never better. But...I have taken a leave-of-absence for a while." He stated, shooting another look at Tonks, who immediately turned bright red. By the grin on Molly Weasley's face, it seemed Harry wasn't the only one who noticed Charlie's attentions towards the young woman.
"Tonks, would you like to stay for dinner? We are having plenty." Molly informed her. Charlie's ears immediately turned a bright red, similar to Ron's when he was embarrassed, as Tonks quickly agreed. Harry was forced to stifle his snort of laughter as Molly's eyes met his and flashed mischievously.
"Harry, Ron is out with Ginny at the 'Quidditch pitch', but you are more than welcome to settle into his room." Molly said quickly. Harry nodded and followed her inside, leaving Tonks and Charlie to their own devices. After leaving Molly in the kitchen, Harry made his way up to Ron's familiar room, and quickly activated the spell that Rose had placed on his trunk, to return it to its normal size.
As soon as he had done this, he put his trunk at the end of his bed and then went to gaze out Ron's window. In the distance, Harry could see two figures flying low over the ground, and Harry recognized them immediately as Ron and Ginny, though they were too far away to decipher which one was which. Both figures seemed to be coming back towards the house, however, and Harry was finally able to identify them by one of the figure's long hair; that must be Ginny.
"Harry?" Called a voice from outside the door. Harry felt his mood rise as the familiar voice of Hermione drifted through the room.
"I'm in here!" Harry called, turning from the window. Immediately, the door was flung open and a young woman raced into Harry's arms, giggling. Harry laughed, though he was a little confused by such a warm welcome. But that was only the first shock. When Hermione pulled back, Harry noticed that not unlike Neville, Hermione too, had changed over his absence.
Her hair had grown longer, and reached to about her mid-back. She had grown taller, though not as drastically as Neville. She also seemed to be wearing slightly...tighter muggle clothes, ones that hugged curves that had previously been hidden under Hogwarts robes. Harry eyed her and grinned.
"Has Ron seen you in this?" He asked teasingly, motioning to her baby-blue spaghetti-strap shirt, and white capris. She was also wearing a pair of white sandals that seemed to have a bit of a heal, and a silver head-band that Harry had never seen before. At Harry's question, Hermione blushed.
"No. I don't usually wear things like this...he'd tease me." She stammered, causing Harry to smirk.
"Oh, I don't think so. I think he'd enjoy it." Harry laughed, as Hermione slapped his arm slightly, blushing even redder.
"That letter wasn't funny, Harry! I would *never* snog Ron, let alone kiss him! He's my best friend, besides you." She stated in a clipped voice. Harry snorted and Hermione shot him a glare.
"*Anyway*, how was your summer? I heard you had an exchange student." Hermione said in a short voice, warning Harry that it was time to change the subject. He shrugged.
"My summer was fine. And the Dursley's did have an exchange student, a girl from America. Her name was Rose McBride and she was really nice." He told her, a sharp prick coming to his heart as he mentioned Rose. Hermione smiled brightly.
"Good! At least your summer was decent!" She exclaimed. Then she turned to look at him, her face serious.
"Harry, how are you, really? Are you all right?" She asked hesitantly. Harry sighed, knowing that he was going to get this a lot, from now on.
"I am *fine*, 'Mione. I've talked about Sirius to...some people, and it has made everything a little easier for me. Don't worry."
"But I do worry, we all do. Harry, you have to let it out!" She exclaimed. Harry sighed in exasperation.
"Hermione, I'm F-I-N-E!!! I told you. I've talked it out with some people, and I'm better now, alright? Yes, I miss him. Yes, I still have those bad dreams. Yes, I am not completely happy. But I am better then I was, and I am *not* sinking into the bowls of depression, alright?" He asked sharply. Hermione sighed and nodded.
"All right. But don't think you are going to get out of this. All of the Weasley's have been worried..."
"ALRIGHT, HERMIONE!" He shouted, causing her to jump. She eyed him uncertainly, and Harry couldn't help but smile at the irony of the situation. His smile made her relax, and she pulled him into another hug, which he willingly returned. That is, until the door was thrown open and two worried people appeared in the doorway.
"Hermione? We heard someone yelling and...HARRY!" Ginny cried, her eyes widening as she caught sight of him. Hermione was still clutching him close, but Harry got the strange feeling that she wasn't doing it just for him, anymore. Ron's had gone scarlet as he caught sight of Hermione and Harry hugging, and was now even more red, since they hadn't stopped. Even Ginny seemed a bit...annoyed with the situation.
Hermione finally pulled back from Harry, though she allowed her hands to stay on his arms, causing him to hold her elbows and stare into her eyes. He saw that she was still a bit worried about their previous talk, and he shot her a lop-sided smile.
"It's alright, Hermione. Really." He murmured confidentially, before turning to a still-red Ron and greeting him.
"Nice to see you again, mate! Practicing Quidditch?" Harry asked tactfully. Ron's face almost immediately returned to it's right color.
"Yeah. Ginny was helping me with my Keeper skills, while I helped her with her Chaser... OH! Harry, you do know that your Quidditch ban is off, now, don't you? They took it off right after Umbridge..."
But Harry was no longer paying attention to Ron's rambling. His eyes had found their way to Ginny, and were now stuck there, as his mouth fell open slightly.
So...summer had changed Neville, Hermione, and even Ron a bit...but not as much as it had changed Virginia Weasley. Her red hair was still as long as ever, reaching just past her waist, and her doe-brown eyes seemed more lively then ever. But either she had gotten some money and gone shopping with Hermione, or Hermione had loaned her some of her own clothes, because Ginny was garbed in an outfit that would have made the Pope stare.
No, it wasn't the outfit itself, but who was wearing it, that made it look so good. Of course, Ginny was wearing Quidditch robes in the Gryffindor colors, but under them, Harry saw she was wearing a light green, one- shouldered halter-top, and a pair of short white shorts. The clothes accented the womanly curves that Ginny had acquired over the summer, and also flattered her skin-tone. Hermione, who seemed to have noticed where Harry's stare was, smirked wickedly.
"See something you like, Harry?" She teased. Harry, realizing that he had been staring, turned bright red, as did Ginny. Ron finally stopped talking and looked at them in confusion.
"Huh? What are you on about, 'Mione...BLOODY HELL, GINNY! GET SOME CLOTHES ON!" Ron shouted, his eyes becoming impossibly wide as he caught sight of what his sister was wearing. Ginny smiled sweetly at her brother.
"I have some. And Hermione helped me to pick them out, so you just shut your mouth." Ginny snapped lightly. Ignoring her brother's disbelieving stare at both her and Hermione, Ginny turned to Harry with a smile.
"How was your summer, Harry?" She asked, nodding towards Ron and Hermione. Harry quickly looked over and bit back a laugh. Ron was staring at Hermione like she was the ghost of Christmas past, and Hermione was blushing brightly. Harry's eyes met Ginny's laughing ones.
"It was fine. Rose was wonderful to have around. Do you think he only just noticed?" Harry asked, keeping his gaze on her. Understanding his hidden message, Ginny giggled.
"That sounds wonderful. And yes, I do. How about we go downstairs and help Mum with dinner." Ginny suggested, grabbing his arm and pulling him out of the room. Just before the door shut, Harry caught a glimpse of Ron still staring at Hermione, who was, in turn, staring fixedly at the floor.
"How long have they been like that?" Harry asked, trying to get comfortable with the 'new' Ginny that was now walking beside him. She grinned.
"Ever since you sent those owls to them. Every time they see each other, they blush and go quiet. Do you think that your notes may have made them finally understand their feelings for each other?" She asked jokingly. Harry smirked.
"Yup. And with that outfit, how can Hermione loose? By the way, you look great." After he said this, Harry mentally kicked himself in the head and groaned silently. How could he have said that to Ginny?! The Ginny he wrote owls to and confided in. How could he be so stupid?!
Ginny, however, was blushing and didn't seem to notice Harry's slight frown.
"Thanks. Fred and George paid me for giving them an idea for another joke item, and Hermione and I went out shopping a few days ago. I got to see a real, muggle mall!" Ginny looked excited and Harry smiled.
"You gave them an idea?"
"Well...actually, I got the idea, and sold it to them. But don't tell mum. She would freak if she knew." Ginny giggled. Harry grinned as they entered the kitchen, where Molly was already bustling over a large dinner.
"Tonks is staying for dinner, but Bill is going out with Fleur. Fred and George couldn't make it, but they will try tomorrow..." Molly was murmuring, as she stirred some gravy. Ginny grinned deviously.
"Tonks is staying?" She asked aloud, causing her mother to jump.
"Merlin, Ginny! You gave me a fright! Yes, Tonks is staying, and so is Charlie. I managed to convince him to stay for dinner as well."
"More like, Tonks convinced him to stay!" Ginny managed through her giggles. Molly turned with a smile as Harry joined the laughter.
"You'd never believe...I heard him calling her 'Dora', a few days back!" Molly exclaimed, making the two younger people laugh even harder.
"What's so funny?" Came Ron's voice, as he and Hermione silently walked down the stairs, avoiding each other's eyes. Harry and Ginny caught each others gazes, and their laughter began all over again, Molly joining in, this time.
Ron simply scratched his head and grinned, while Hermione wisely chose not to ask.
~*~*~*~
Enjoy the chapter!
~*~*~*~
The Phoenix's Prophesy
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 5.
~*~*~*~
"HARRY!!!"
As Harry got out of the ministry car that Tonks had brought him in, he was immediately caught up in a smothering hug that left him breathless.
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley." He said, as she let him go and began to fuss over him.
"Oh, Tonks! Thank you for bringing him! We were so worried when...well, never mind! You're here now, and that's all that matters." Molly Weasley stated, still fussing over Harry like a mother hen. Tonks shot him a sly smirk, but it immediately disappeared and a blush replaced it, as someone came up behind them.
"Hello, Harry! Good to see you again!"
Harry turned in surprise, to see Charlie Weasley, the second oldest of the Weasleys, standing behind them with a grin on his face. Harry noticed that the ex-seeker's eyes flickered quickly on Tonks, before turning back to him, and Harry smothered a grin. It seemed like he wasn't the *only* reason Nymphadora Tonks wanted to bring him to the Weasley's.
"Hi, Charlie. How is Romania?" Harry asked jovially, causing Molly to give him a sharp, searching look. Obviously she didn't think that he was being genuine in his attempt to be cheerful. Charlie, however, saw no difference, and grinned at Harry.
"Never better. But...I have taken a leave-of-absence for a while." He stated, shooting another look at Tonks, who immediately turned bright red. By the grin on Molly Weasley's face, it seemed Harry wasn't the only one who noticed Charlie's attentions towards the young woman.
"Tonks, would you like to stay for dinner? We are having plenty." Molly informed her. Charlie's ears immediately turned a bright red, similar to Ron's when he was embarrassed, as Tonks quickly agreed. Harry was forced to stifle his snort of laughter as Molly's eyes met his and flashed mischievously.
"Harry, Ron is out with Ginny at the 'Quidditch pitch', but you are more than welcome to settle into his room." Molly said quickly. Harry nodded and followed her inside, leaving Tonks and Charlie to their own devices. After leaving Molly in the kitchen, Harry made his way up to Ron's familiar room, and quickly activated the spell that Rose had placed on his trunk, to return it to its normal size.
As soon as he had done this, he put his trunk at the end of his bed and then went to gaze out Ron's window. In the distance, Harry could see two figures flying low over the ground, and Harry recognized them immediately as Ron and Ginny, though they were too far away to decipher which one was which. Both figures seemed to be coming back towards the house, however, and Harry was finally able to identify them by one of the figure's long hair; that must be Ginny.
"Harry?" Called a voice from outside the door. Harry felt his mood rise as the familiar voice of Hermione drifted through the room.
"I'm in here!" Harry called, turning from the window. Immediately, the door was flung open and a young woman raced into Harry's arms, giggling. Harry laughed, though he was a little confused by such a warm welcome. But that was only the first shock. When Hermione pulled back, Harry noticed that not unlike Neville, Hermione too, had changed over his absence.
Her hair had grown longer, and reached to about her mid-back. She had grown taller, though not as drastically as Neville. She also seemed to be wearing slightly...tighter muggle clothes, ones that hugged curves that had previously been hidden under Hogwarts robes. Harry eyed her and grinned.
"Has Ron seen you in this?" He asked teasingly, motioning to her baby-blue spaghetti-strap shirt, and white capris. She was also wearing a pair of white sandals that seemed to have a bit of a heal, and a silver head-band that Harry had never seen before. At Harry's question, Hermione blushed.
"No. I don't usually wear things like this...he'd tease me." She stammered, causing Harry to smirk.
"Oh, I don't think so. I think he'd enjoy it." Harry laughed, as Hermione slapped his arm slightly, blushing even redder.
"That letter wasn't funny, Harry! I would *never* snog Ron, let alone kiss him! He's my best friend, besides you." She stated in a clipped voice. Harry snorted and Hermione shot him a glare.
"*Anyway*, how was your summer? I heard you had an exchange student." Hermione said in a short voice, warning Harry that it was time to change the subject. He shrugged.
"My summer was fine. And the Dursley's did have an exchange student, a girl from America. Her name was Rose McBride and she was really nice." He told her, a sharp prick coming to his heart as he mentioned Rose. Hermione smiled brightly.
"Good! At least your summer was decent!" She exclaimed. Then she turned to look at him, her face serious.
"Harry, how are you, really? Are you all right?" She asked hesitantly. Harry sighed, knowing that he was going to get this a lot, from now on.
"I am *fine*, 'Mione. I've talked about Sirius to...some people, and it has made everything a little easier for me. Don't worry."
"But I do worry, we all do. Harry, you have to let it out!" She exclaimed. Harry sighed in exasperation.
"Hermione, I'm F-I-N-E!!! I told you. I've talked it out with some people, and I'm better now, alright? Yes, I miss him. Yes, I still have those bad dreams. Yes, I am not completely happy. But I am better then I was, and I am *not* sinking into the bowls of depression, alright?" He asked sharply. Hermione sighed and nodded.
"All right. But don't think you are going to get out of this. All of the Weasley's have been worried..."
"ALRIGHT, HERMIONE!" He shouted, causing her to jump. She eyed him uncertainly, and Harry couldn't help but smile at the irony of the situation. His smile made her relax, and she pulled him into another hug, which he willingly returned. That is, until the door was thrown open and two worried people appeared in the doorway.
"Hermione? We heard someone yelling and...HARRY!" Ginny cried, her eyes widening as she caught sight of him. Hermione was still clutching him close, but Harry got the strange feeling that she wasn't doing it just for him, anymore. Ron's had gone scarlet as he caught sight of Hermione and Harry hugging, and was now even more red, since they hadn't stopped. Even Ginny seemed a bit...annoyed with the situation.
Hermione finally pulled back from Harry, though she allowed her hands to stay on his arms, causing him to hold her elbows and stare into her eyes. He saw that she was still a bit worried about their previous talk, and he shot her a lop-sided smile.
"It's alright, Hermione. Really." He murmured confidentially, before turning to a still-red Ron and greeting him.
"Nice to see you again, mate! Practicing Quidditch?" Harry asked tactfully. Ron's face almost immediately returned to it's right color.
"Yeah. Ginny was helping me with my Keeper skills, while I helped her with her Chaser... OH! Harry, you do know that your Quidditch ban is off, now, don't you? They took it off right after Umbridge..."
But Harry was no longer paying attention to Ron's rambling. His eyes had found their way to Ginny, and were now stuck there, as his mouth fell open slightly.
So...summer had changed Neville, Hermione, and even Ron a bit...but not as much as it had changed Virginia Weasley. Her red hair was still as long as ever, reaching just past her waist, and her doe-brown eyes seemed more lively then ever. But either she had gotten some money and gone shopping with Hermione, or Hermione had loaned her some of her own clothes, because Ginny was garbed in an outfit that would have made the Pope stare.
No, it wasn't the outfit itself, but who was wearing it, that made it look so good. Of course, Ginny was wearing Quidditch robes in the Gryffindor colors, but under them, Harry saw she was wearing a light green, one- shouldered halter-top, and a pair of short white shorts. The clothes accented the womanly curves that Ginny had acquired over the summer, and also flattered her skin-tone. Hermione, who seemed to have noticed where Harry's stare was, smirked wickedly.
"See something you like, Harry?" She teased. Harry, realizing that he had been staring, turned bright red, as did Ginny. Ron finally stopped talking and looked at them in confusion.
"Huh? What are you on about, 'Mione...BLOODY HELL, GINNY! GET SOME CLOTHES ON!" Ron shouted, his eyes becoming impossibly wide as he caught sight of what his sister was wearing. Ginny smiled sweetly at her brother.
"I have some. And Hermione helped me to pick them out, so you just shut your mouth." Ginny snapped lightly. Ignoring her brother's disbelieving stare at both her and Hermione, Ginny turned to Harry with a smile.
"How was your summer, Harry?" She asked, nodding towards Ron and Hermione. Harry quickly looked over and bit back a laugh. Ron was staring at Hermione like she was the ghost of Christmas past, and Hermione was blushing brightly. Harry's eyes met Ginny's laughing ones.
"It was fine. Rose was wonderful to have around. Do you think he only just noticed?" Harry asked, keeping his gaze on her. Understanding his hidden message, Ginny giggled.
"That sounds wonderful. And yes, I do. How about we go downstairs and help Mum with dinner." Ginny suggested, grabbing his arm and pulling him out of the room. Just before the door shut, Harry caught a glimpse of Ron still staring at Hermione, who was, in turn, staring fixedly at the floor.
"How long have they been like that?" Harry asked, trying to get comfortable with the 'new' Ginny that was now walking beside him. She grinned.
"Ever since you sent those owls to them. Every time they see each other, they blush and go quiet. Do you think that your notes may have made them finally understand their feelings for each other?" She asked jokingly. Harry smirked.
"Yup. And with that outfit, how can Hermione loose? By the way, you look great." After he said this, Harry mentally kicked himself in the head and groaned silently. How could he have said that to Ginny?! The Ginny he wrote owls to and confided in. How could he be so stupid?!
Ginny, however, was blushing and didn't seem to notice Harry's slight frown.
"Thanks. Fred and George paid me for giving them an idea for another joke item, and Hermione and I went out shopping a few days ago. I got to see a real, muggle mall!" Ginny looked excited and Harry smiled.
"You gave them an idea?"
"Well...actually, I got the idea, and sold it to them. But don't tell mum. She would freak if she knew." Ginny giggled. Harry grinned as they entered the kitchen, where Molly was already bustling over a large dinner.
"Tonks is staying for dinner, but Bill is going out with Fleur. Fred and George couldn't make it, but they will try tomorrow..." Molly was murmuring, as she stirred some gravy. Ginny grinned deviously.
"Tonks is staying?" She asked aloud, causing her mother to jump.
"Merlin, Ginny! You gave me a fright! Yes, Tonks is staying, and so is Charlie. I managed to convince him to stay for dinner as well."
"More like, Tonks convinced him to stay!" Ginny managed through her giggles. Molly turned with a smile as Harry joined the laughter.
"You'd never believe...I heard him calling her 'Dora', a few days back!" Molly exclaimed, making the two younger people laugh even harder.
"What's so funny?" Came Ron's voice, as he and Hermione silently walked down the stairs, avoiding each other's eyes. Harry and Ginny caught each others gazes, and their laughter began all over again, Molly joining in, this time.
Ron simply scratched his head and grinned, while Hermione wisely chose not to ask.
~*~*~*~