The Phoenix's Prophesy
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 10.
~*~*~*~
"Today's the day. Nervous, Harry?" Ron asked, sounding more nervous than Harry felt.
"It'll be fine, Ron. Ginny and I will be there to help you choose the new Quidditch players. You're just lucky Dumbledore let us keep Ginny without her having to try out. Can you imagine having to choose between someone and your sister?" Harry chuckled. Ron winced.
"I'd still choose her. Ginny is an excellent flyer, as much as I hate to admit it."
"That'd still be playing favorites, mate." Harry chuckled, causing Ron to shrug.
The two boys were heading towards the Quidditch field, where they would be meeting with other Gryffindors for try-outs. Ginny had promised to meet them in a few minutes, after she finished up some homework with Hermione, who was also coming to watch.
Harry winced as he remembered the last Gryffindor Quidditch try-out, which he had missed, and looked down at his hand. There were still faint scars where the words had marred his skin, and he frowned, remembering the pain he had felt when they were being continuously cut into his hand.
"Come on, Harry!" Ron shouted, hopping on his broom and flying into the night. Harry grinned, the memory evaporating as he too, climbed onto his broom and rocketed through the air. It had been a while since he had flown, and the feeling of being up this high made his heart soar. He was back where he belonged.
"Harry!"
Harry looked down to see Ginny flying up on her broom, a Nimbus Two- thousand-and-one. She had gotten it last year, for being on the team (from McGonagle, surprisingly), and it was now one of her favorite possessions. Ginny silently rode up beside him, riding along with him as he circled the pitch. Ron was further below, getting the balls ready for the practice. Harry noticed Madame Hooch down there with him, and realized that she must be there to supervise.
"Fifteen more days." Ginny murmured. Harry looked at her, confused.
"What?"
"Fifteen more days until Rose comes. I can't wait to meet her." Ginny said, as they began to fly lower. Several students had just arrived, looking nervous but eager. Harry, however, was more interested in what Ginny had just said.
Fifteen more days until he saw Rose again. Fifteen more days until his sister returned to him. Fifteen torturous days of school work, teachers, worrying about the DA class...
"Harry? Are you all right?" Ginny asked softly, putting a hand on Harry's arm. He smiled weakly at her.
"I just hope these fifteen days go by quickly." He groaned. Ginny giggled and then seated herself next to Hermione, who had just come in with Neville. Harry settled down next to Neville, and pulled out a roll of parchment, his ink, and his quill.
"What's that for?" Neville asked, leaning over. Harry smiled.
"It's to keep tabs on how good a player does in his or her try-out. Ron's going to be doing the Beaters first, then the Chasers." Harry explained. Neville nodded in understanding, and then opened a book.
"What's that for?" Ginny teased, copying Neville's words. The boy grinned.
"This is to keep me busy until the try-outs start." He informed her, holding up the book, which was about magical herbs. Somehow, Harry was not surprised.
By the end of the try outs, Ron looked positively exhausted, while the team- hopefuls looked anxious. Harry, Ginny, and Ron went over to the other side of the field, conversed over the possibilities, and finally agreed on their four new players. Then they returned to give their verdict.
"For the Beaters, we have Dennis Creevey and Dean Thomas." Ron called out. Both boys gave each other high-five's, while the other, less fortunate hopefuls, tried not to look upset.
"For the Chasers, Matthew Lions and Kathryn Dace." As Ron called these names out, Harry felt a pang of pride for the new male Chaser, who had dared to try, even though he was just a first-year, and a muggle-born at that. Matthew looked as if he couldn't be happier, and Kathryn was immediately congratulated by Ginny, who was thankful to have another girl on the team.
As they walked back to the common room with their new team-mates, Harry felt contentment fill him. Ron, Neville, and Hermione were up ahead, talking about the practice, while Ginny was behind them, offering to help Kathryn with her Chaser skills. Dean and Dennis were eagerly wagering on who could hit more bludgers into the Slytherin players, while Matthew walked along silently, though staying close to Harry.
"Was I really very good?" The boy suddenly asked softly, causing Harry to look at him. His blonde hair shone in the dim light of the moon, and anxious brown eyes stared up at Harry.
"You were. I was impressed. Though, I shouldn't have been surprised. You have a natural talent for the game." Harry commented, causing the boy to blush.
"You were a first year when you started, weren't you? I heard it from another kid in my year. He said that you were the youngest in a century!" The boy's voice was awed. Harry smiled, trying not to blush.
"I was. My dad was a Quidditch player, you see, and it runs in the jeans. But you...you have even more talent than me, because you didn't come from a magic family." Harry stated, realizing as he said this, that Matthew was a rare boy indeed.
"No, you're much more talented. You're Harry Potter, and everyone knows about you." Matthew voice was filled with pride, and it caused Harry to flush.
"Well, thanks. I guess I'll be seeing you." Harry murmured, as they entered the common room. Matthew nodded eagerly, and then tripped off up the stairs, to tell his friends of his luck. Harry, however, did not get away so easily.
"So...you have another worshiper." Ginny teased, causing Harry to growl at her. Neville was next to her, looking amused. Ron and Hermione were nowhere in sight.
"They're at a short Prefect meeting. Something about the other schools arriving, and whatnot." Neville informed him, when Harry mentioned their disappearance.
"So now all we need to do is plan a time for the DADA class." Ginny said eagerly. Harry rolled his eyes.
"All ready done, Ginny. And you'll find out when I want you to, not before." He sighed, collapsing into a chair. Ginny pouted.
"Pl-ease, Harry?!" She begged, leaning down and giving him the best puppy eyes Harry had ever faced. So good, in fact, that Harry felt himself blushing and nearly told her. But he quickly shook his head, and stared at the fire determinedly. It was because of this, that he missed Ginny sending Neville a sly, evil look.
Before Harry could even resist, Ginny was seated on his lap, her arms around his neck.
"Please? Harry, I really want to know. It's not fair that you leave us out of it." She whimpered, convincing (fake) tears coming to her eyes. Harry stared at her, startled by her actions, but melted as he saw the tears.
"Ginny, I can't! I promised Dumbledore..." He trailed off as his eyes met hers.
For a moment, all time stopped. Chocolate melted into emerald pools, arms tightened around a neck, hands found a waist. All images faded away until only two people existed. All noise was silenced, all motion stopped, all time frozen in that one instant. Two faces slowly neared each other, as if under a spell...
"GINNY?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! LEAVE HARRY ALONE!"
All at once, everything returned. With a yelp, Ginny lost her balance and nearly fell to the floor, but was caught by a startled Harry. Their heads snapped around to see a seething Ron in the portrait hole, standing with his hands on his hips, Hermione just behind him, looking confused.
"What?" Ginny asked in a weak, breathy voice. Harry gently helped her to her feet, and the straightened himself, staring at his friend in worry.
What had just happened back there? Why did he feel strangely empty, now that Ginny was standing at least two feet from him? Why did he have the strange urge to pull her back into his arms, just to see what would happen?
"Don't you get it? Harry doesn't like you! Quit throwing yourself at him! It's starting to get annoying!" Ron yelled, his ears turning red in anger. Harry didn't know exactly what happened next. All he knew was that at that moment, he wanted to shoot the boy whom he considered his best friend.
It was like slow motion. Ginny stared at her brother in shock, and then, all at once, her face crumpled and she raced from the room. Hermione's face turned red with rage and her hand came flying at Ron's face, slapping him hard. She then ran from the room, following Ginny. Neville shook his head sadly and turned to Harry, who was staring at his friend in the utmost shock.
"Come on. He needs some time to think." Neville murmured, gently pushing Harry from the room, leaving a stunned Ron behind them.
"Don't we all?" Harry asked, his mind whirling. For a moment before she had left, Harry had seen something in Ginny's eye. Almost like something had been torn, or broken inside of her at Ron's words.
It was then that Harry knew. He needed to talk to Ginny, at all costs.
~*~*~*~
That night, long after everyone had gone to bed, Harry dared to creep from his bed and pull out the Marauders Map, and his invisibility cloak. Slipping on the cloak, he quickly went down to the common room.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." He murmured, pointing at the map with his wand. He wasn't at all surprised when he immediately spotted the 'Room of Requirement', with Ginny's dot-self inside. Quickly slipping out into the hallway, Harry made his way to the room, thinking over what he should say. He finally decided that he should just let it go, and say whatever came to his mind, when he confronted her.
Easily finding the door, Harry put the map back in his pocket, took a deep breath, and then opened the door softly. Immediately, the sound of quiet sobs met his ears, and Harry felt his heart fall. Entering the room fully, he realized that it had once again changed, this time, to a cozy little room with a couch facing a warm fire. A blaze of red hair told Harry where Ginny was, and he immediately went over to the couch.
"Ginny?" His voice was hesitant, and no more than a whisper. He watched as Ginny froze, and then relaxed once more, the sound of her sobs disappearing.
"What?" The question was asked shakily, and was muffled. Harry sighed and sat down beside her on the couch, a hand resting on her shoulder.
"Don't you dare believe a word Ron said, tonight. It wasn't true." Harry murmured. Ginny's shoulders shook slightly, as if she were suppressing her tears.
"I *do* like you, and you weren't throwing yourself at me. We were playing. Ron just didn't understand." Harry murmured. Ginny froze, her face still buried in her arms.
"All right." Ginny finally breathed, pulling her head out of its pillow. Harry smiled and helped her sit up. Again, he got that strange urge to pull her into his arms...just to see what it felt like. Just then, it seemed like heaven was having mercy on poor Harry, because Ginny's hand slipped and she fell towards him. He quickly grabbed her, pulling her into his arms.
Again, everything seemed to fade as Ginny settled into Harry's chest, looking nothing short of shocked. For a moment, Harry held her, wondering what to do next, but he finally decided on the easy-out, method.
"We have to stop meeting like this." He chuckled, helping her straighten. Ginny blushed slightly and nodded.
"Harry? I know Ron...and he's probably really upset right now...could I go with you so I can visit him for a moment?" Ginny asked shortly.
"Sure. You know...I wonder if Hermione will ever forgive him." Harry mussed with a smirk. Ginny giggled.
"Do you think she could resist?" Ginny asked, raising an eyebrow that showed she didn't need him to answer. Harry grinned in response, and the two of them left the room.
When they reached the boy's dorms, Harry climbed into his own bed and shut the curtains, so Ginny and Ron could have privacy. But sleep was far away.
He couldn't help but think about the way Ginny had felt in his arms, when he caught her. Nor the way she looked at him...almost as if she wanted him to do something. But what? And then there was earlier that night, when she had been on his lap. Ginny Weasley, sitting on *his* lap! It was then that he realized, Ginny was not only Ron's little sister to him, anymore. She was his friend! She had written him, not as a sister-figure, but as a friend.
And to Harry, this realization was the one of the best in the world.
~*~*~*~
"They're coming! They're coming!" Neville chanted, his amber eyes more excited than ever. Harry, who was walking just behind him, grinned and rolled his eyes at Ron and Hermione. It was just after breakfast, and the group was headed for their first class of the day.
"Who's coming?" Lavender Brown asked, as the fell into step with Neville. This was quite an uncommon occurrence before, but ever since Neville had returned this term, he had been getting just a little bit more attention from the girls in the school...
"Um...never mind." Poor Neville looked horribly confused, and it was no wonder. Just then, Parvati Patil had come up on his other side and grasped his arm tightly, in a flirtatious way. Hermione quickly pushed her fist to her mouth, as Neville shot Lavender and Parvati funny looks. Ron chuckled lowly, and Harry worked to keep a snicker down.
"Oh, come on! You can tell us, Nev." Parvati said flirtatiously, fluttering her eyelashes. Neville's face turned slightly red, and his eyes pleaded Harry for assistance.
"The other schools. They are coming today." Hermione quickly said, her eyes flickering towards Ron, who nodded eagerly.
"OH! I heard that Dormouff Academy is somewhere in Russia. Isn't that brilliant?" Lavender squealed, causing poor Neville to flinch.
"Yeah. Brilliant. Well, we'd better go..." Ron never got to finish his sentence, because just then, a voice sounded from behind them.
"Mr. Longbottom? Mr. Potter? May I have a word?"
Everyone, including Lavender and Parvati, turned to see a stern looking Professor McGonagle standing behind them.
"Is there something wrong, Professor?" Hermione asked quickly.
"That is none of your concern, Miss Granger. Continue to your class at once." The old professor commanded, turning on her heal and motioning for Harry and Neville to follow. With wide eyes, they did so, glancing at each other nervously.
"Did you do anything?" Neville hissed, leaning over. Harry shook his head.
"I don't think so." He must have said this a little loud, because McGonagle turned and stared at them, causing the boys to freeze.
"Now, I do not know why Professor Dumbledore wants you, and frankly, I do not want to ask. But I'm warning you. Behave." She ordered. The boys nodded and then continued to follow her to Dumbledore's office.
"Go."
Neville and Harry glanced at each other again, and both jumped as the griffin began to spin upwards. The boys quickly walked up the stairs, trying not to get dizzy as they went around, and finally staggered to Dumbledore's office door. Opening it cautiously, Harry could see no one inside, causing him to take a breath of relief.
"I wonder what he wants." Harry mumbled to Neville, as the door shut behind them. Neville shrugged and looked around the office curiously. Obviously, he had not been up here before, or if he had, he had not had time to look around.
"Harry, look! A phoenix!" Neville explained. Harry turned to see Fawkes on his perch, looking at Harry with recognition. Harry grinned.
"'Lo, Fawkes."
At his words, the phoenix flew to him, landing on his shoulder lightly. Neville watched this in awe, his mouth slightly open.
"Neville, this is Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's phoenix." Harry introduced. Neville jumped as the bird's eyes centered on him and stared attentively. Harry recognized this as Fawkes's way of saying that he accepted Neville as a friend.
"Wh...what does he want?"
"He likes you." Harry said simply, causing a grin to erupt on Neville's face. The other boy lifted his hand tentatively, and stroked the bird's head gently.
"Ahh, Mr. Longbottom. I see you've met Fawkes."
The two boys turned in alarm, Fawkes flying from Harry at the quick movement. But the scene that met Harry's eyes, was even more shocking than Dumbledore's voice.
For there, behind Dumbledore on the spiral staircase, stood a girl with bright auburn hair and sparkling green eyes. She was gazing down at them with a slight smirk on her face, and an eyebrow raised.
"ROSE!!!" Neville was the first to react, though he remained motionless. Harry, however, managed to move his legs, and was below her in an instant, lifting her off the stairs and swinging her around. Rose let out a soft shriek and then began to laugh.
"Harry, put me down!" She insisted, hugging him as he obeyed. Then she hurried over to Neville, pulling him into a monster hug.
"Surprise! We wanted to surprise you, so May let us come early."
"Us?" Harry questioned, looking around. Rose nodded.
"The others are in Diagon Alley, waiting for us. We get a day off, before the big night." Rose informed the boys. Harry turned to Dumbledore with a questioning look, but the older man just smiled.
"You've put a lot of effort into the DA class, your school work, and Quidditch, Harry. I think you deserve a break, though, so do most of the students in this school. You're just lucky enough to get yours." The professor joked. Neville let out a triumphant yell.
"Finally someone realizes that we are overworked!" He laughed, causing the other three to join him.
"But how are we going to get there?" Harry asked. Rose grinned and held something up. It looked like an old shoelace, but it was spiral, and it had strange sparkles all over it.
"This is our portkey. Not the best mode of travel, but it'll do." She sighed. Dumbledore nodded.
"And it will activate in less than a minute. Hurry! Hold onto it." Dumbledore instructed. Harry and Neville grasped the portkey, and within seconds, Harry felt the familiar tugging behind his navel. Then everything spun out of focus and Dumbledore's office vanished.
~*~*~*~
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 10.
~*~*~*~
"Today's the day. Nervous, Harry?" Ron asked, sounding more nervous than Harry felt.
"It'll be fine, Ron. Ginny and I will be there to help you choose the new Quidditch players. You're just lucky Dumbledore let us keep Ginny without her having to try out. Can you imagine having to choose between someone and your sister?" Harry chuckled. Ron winced.
"I'd still choose her. Ginny is an excellent flyer, as much as I hate to admit it."
"That'd still be playing favorites, mate." Harry chuckled, causing Ron to shrug.
The two boys were heading towards the Quidditch field, where they would be meeting with other Gryffindors for try-outs. Ginny had promised to meet them in a few minutes, after she finished up some homework with Hermione, who was also coming to watch.
Harry winced as he remembered the last Gryffindor Quidditch try-out, which he had missed, and looked down at his hand. There were still faint scars where the words had marred his skin, and he frowned, remembering the pain he had felt when they were being continuously cut into his hand.
"Come on, Harry!" Ron shouted, hopping on his broom and flying into the night. Harry grinned, the memory evaporating as he too, climbed onto his broom and rocketed through the air. It had been a while since he had flown, and the feeling of being up this high made his heart soar. He was back where he belonged.
"Harry!"
Harry looked down to see Ginny flying up on her broom, a Nimbus Two- thousand-and-one. She had gotten it last year, for being on the team (from McGonagle, surprisingly), and it was now one of her favorite possessions. Ginny silently rode up beside him, riding along with him as he circled the pitch. Ron was further below, getting the balls ready for the practice. Harry noticed Madame Hooch down there with him, and realized that she must be there to supervise.
"Fifteen more days." Ginny murmured. Harry looked at her, confused.
"What?"
"Fifteen more days until Rose comes. I can't wait to meet her." Ginny said, as they began to fly lower. Several students had just arrived, looking nervous but eager. Harry, however, was more interested in what Ginny had just said.
Fifteen more days until he saw Rose again. Fifteen more days until his sister returned to him. Fifteen torturous days of school work, teachers, worrying about the DA class...
"Harry? Are you all right?" Ginny asked softly, putting a hand on Harry's arm. He smiled weakly at her.
"I just hope these fifteen days go by quickly." He groaned. Ginny giggled and then seated herself next to Hermione, who had just come in with Neville. Harry settled down next to Neville, and pulled out a roll of parchment, his ink, and his quill.
"What's that for?" Neville asked, leaning over. Harry smiled.
"It's to keep tabs on how good a player does in his or her try-out. Ron's going to be doing the Beaters first, then the Chasers." Harry explained. Neville nodded in understanding, and then opened a book.
"What's that for?" Ginny teased, copying Neville's words. The boy grinned.
"This is to keep me busy until the try-outs start." He informed her, holding up the book, which was about magical herbs. Somehow, Harry was not surprised.
By the end of the try outs, Ron looked positively exhausted, while the team- hopefuls looked anxious. Harry, Ginny, and Ron went over to the other side of the field, conversed over the possibilities, and finally agreed on their four new players. Then they returned to give their verdict.
"For the Beaters, we have Dennis Creevey and Dean Thomas." Ron called out. Both boys gave each other high-five's, while the other, less fortunate hopefuls, tried not to look upset.
"For the Chasers, Matthew Lions and Kathryn Dace." As Ron called these names out, Harry felt a pang of pride for the new male Chaser, who had dared to try, even though he was just a first-year, and a muggle-born at that. Matthew looked as if he couldn't be happier, and Kathryn was immediately congratulated by Ginny, who was thankful to have another girl on the team.
As they walked back to the common room with their new team-mates, Harry felt contentment fill him. Ron, Neville, and Hermione were up ahead, talking about the practice, while Ginny was behind them, offering to help Kathryn with her Chaser skills. Dean and Dennis were eagerly wagering on who could hit more bludgers into the Slytherin players, while Matthew walked along silently, though staying close to Harry.
"Was I really very good?" The boy suddenly asked softly, causing Harry to look at him. His blonde hair shone in the dim light of the moon, and anxious brown eyes stared up at Harry.
"You were. I was impressed. Though, I shouldn't have been surprised. You have a natural talent for the game." Harry commented, causing the boy to blush.
"You were a first year when you started, weren't you? I heard it from another kid in my year. He said that you were the youngest in a century!" The boy's voice was awed. Harry smiled, trying not to blush.
"I was. My dad was a Quidditch player, you see, and it runs in the jeans. But you...you have even more talent than me, because you didn't come from a magic family." Harry stated, realizing as he said this, that Matthew was a rare boy indeed.
"No, you're much more talented. You're Harry Potter, and everyone knows about you." Matthew voice was filled with pride, and it caused Harry to flush.
"Well, thanks. I guess I'll be seeing you." Harry murmured, as they entered the common room. Matthew nodded eagerly, and then tripped off up the stairs, to tell his friends of his luck. Harry, however, did not get away so easily.
"So...you have another worshiper." Ginny teased, causing Harry to growl at her. Neville was next to her, looking amused. Ron and Hermione were nowhere in sight.
"They're at a short Prefect meeting. Something about the other schools arriving, and whatnot." Neville informed him, when Harry mentioned their disappearance.
"So now all we need to do is plan a time for the DADA class." Ginny said eagerly. Harry rolled his eyes.
"All ready done, Ginny. And you'll find out when I want you to, not before." He sighed, collapsing into a chair. Ginny pouted.
"Pl-ease, Harry?!" She begged, leaning down and giving him the best puppy eyes Harry had ever faced. So good, in fact, that Harry felt himself blushing and nearly told her. But he quickly shook his head, and stared at the fire determinedly. It was because of this, that he missed Ginny sending Neville a sly, evil look.
Before Harry could even resist, Ginny was seated on his lap, her arms around his neck.
"Please? Harry, I really want to know. It's not fair that you leave us out of it." She whimpered, convincing (fake) tears coming to her eyes. Harry stared at her, startled by her actions, but melted as he saw the tears.
"Ginny, I can't! I promised Dumbledore..." He trailed off as his eyes met hers.
For a moment, all time stopped. Chocolate melted into emerald pools, arms tightened around a neck, hands found a waist. All images faded away until only two people existed. All noise was silenced, all motion stopped, all time frozen in that one instant. Two faces slowly neared each other, as if under a spell...
"GINNY?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! LEAVE HARRY ALONE!"
All at once, everything returned. With a yelp, Ginny lost her balance and nearly fell to the floor, but was caught by a startled Harry. Their heads snapped around to see a seething Ron in the portrait hole, standing with his hands on his hips, Hermione just behind him, looking confused.
"What?" Ginny asked in a weak, breathy voice. Harry gently helped her to her feet, and the straightened himself, staring at his friend in worry.
What had just happened back there? Why did he feel strangely empty, now that Ginny was standing at least two feet from him? Why did he have the strange urge to pull her back into his arms, just to see what would happen?
"Don't you get it? Harry doesn't like you! Quit throwing yourself at him! It's starting to get annoying!" Ron yelled, his ears turning red in anger. Harry didn't know exactly what happened next. All he knew was that at that moment, he wanted to shoot the boy whom he considered his best friend.
It was like slow motion. Ginny stared at her brother in shock, and then, all at once, her face crumpled and she raced from the room. Hermione's face turned red with rage and her hand came flying at Ron's face, slapping him hard. She then ran from the room, following Ginny. Neville shook his head sadly and turned to Harry, who was staring at his friend in the utmost shock.
"Come on. He needs some time to think." Neville murmured, gently pushing Harry from the room, leaving a stunned Ron behind them.
"Don't we all?" Harry asked, his mind whirling. For a moment before she had left, Harry had seen something in Ginny's eye. Almost like something had been torn, or broken inside of her at Ron's words.
It was then that Harry knew. He needed to talk to Ginny, at all costs.
~*~*~*~
That night, long after everyone had gone to bed, Harry dared to creep from his bed and pull out the Marauders Map, and his invisibility cloak. Slipping on the cloak, he quickly went down to the common room.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." He murmured, pointing at the map with his wand. He wasn't at all surprised when he immediately spotted the 'Room of Requirement', with Ginny's dot-self inside. Quickly slipping out into the hallway, Harry made his way to the room, thinking over what he should say. He finally decided that he should just let it go, and say whatever came to his mind, when he confronted her.
Easily finding the door, Harry put the map back in his pocket, took a deep breath, and then opened the door softly. Immediately, the sound of quiet sobs met his ears, and Harry felt his heart fall. Entering the room fully, he realized that it had once again changed, this time, to a cozy little room with a couch facing a warm fire. A blaze of red hair told Harry where Ginny was, and he immediately went over to the couch.
"Ginny?" His voice was hesitant, and no more than a whisper. He watched as Ginny froze, and then relaxed once more, the sound of her sobs disappearing.
"What?" The question was asked shakily, and was muffled. Harry sighed and sat down beside her on the couch, a hand resting on her shoulder.
"Don't you dare believe a word Ron said, tonight. It wasn't true." Harry murmured. Ginny's shoulders shook slightly, as if she were suppressing her tears.
"I *do* like you, and you weren't throwing yourself at me. We were playing. Ron just didn't understand." Harry murmured. Ginny froze, her face still buried in her arms.
"All right." Ginny finally breathed, pulling her head out of its pillow. Harry smiled and helped her sit up. Again, he got that strange urge to pull her into his arms...just to see what it felt like. Just then, it seemed like heaven was having mercy on poor Harry, because Ginny's hand slipped and she fell towards him. He quickly grabbed her, pulling her into his arms.
Again, everything seemed to fade as Ginny settled into Harry's chest, looking nothing short of shocked. For a moment, Harry held her, wondering what to do next, but he finally decided on the easy-out, method.
"We have to stop meeting like this." He chuckled, helping her straighten. Ginny blushed slightly and nodded.
"Harry? I know Ron...and he's probably really upset right now...could I go with you so I can visit him for a moment?" Ginny asked shortly.
"Sure. You know...I wonder if Hermione will ever forgive him." Harry mussed with a smirk. Ginny giggled.
"Do you think she could resist?" Ginny asked, raising an eyebrow that showed she didn't need him to answer. Harry grinned in response, and the two of them left the room.
When they reached the boy's dorms, Harry climbed into his own bed and shut the curtains, so Ginny and Ron could have privacy. But sleep was far away.
He couldn't help but think about the way Ginny had felt in his arms, when he caught her. Nor the way she looked at him...almost as if she wanted him to do something. But what? And then there was earlier that night, when she had been on his lap. Ginny Weasley, sitting on *his* lap! It was then that he realized, Ginny was not only Ron's little sister to him, anymore. She was his friend! She had written him, not as a sister-figure, but as a friend.
And to Harry, this realization was the one of the best in the world.
~*~*~*~
"They're coming! They're coming!" Neville chanted, his amber eyes more excited than ever. Harry, who was walking just behind him, grinned and rolled his eyes at Ron and Hermione. It was just after breakfast, and the group was headed for their first class of the day.
"Who's coming?" Lavender Brown asked, as the fell into step with Neville. This was quite an uncommon occurrence before, but ever since Neville had returned this term, he had been getting just a little bit more attention from the girls in the school...
"Um...never mind." Poor Neville looked horribly confused, and it was no wonder. Just then, Parvati Patil had come up on his other side and grasped his arm tightly, in a flirtatious way. Hermione quickly pushed her fist to her mouth, as Neville shot Lavender and Parvati funny looks. Ron chuckled lowly, and Harry worked to keep a snicker down.
"Oh, come on! You can tell us, Nev." Parvati said flirtatiously, fluttering her eyelashes. Neville's face turned slightly red, and his eyes pleaded Harry for assistance.
"The other schools. They are coming today." Hermione quickly said, her eyes flickering towards Ron, who nodded eagerly.
"OH! I heard that Dormouff Academy is somewhere in Russia. Isn't that brilliant?" Lavender squealed, causing poor Neville to flinch.
"Yeah. Brilliant. Well, we'd better go..." Ron never got to finish his sentence, because just then, a voice sounded from behind them.
"Mr. Longbottom? Mr. Potter? May I have a word?"
Everyone, including Lavender and Parvati, turned to see a stern looking Professor McGonagle standing behind them.
"Is there something wrong, Professor?" Hermione asked quickly.
"That is none of your concern, Miss Granger. Continue to your class at once." The old professor commanded, turning on her heal and motioning for Harry and Neville to follow. With wide eyes, they did so, glancing at each other nervously.
"Did you do anything?" Neville hissed, leaning over. Harry shook his head.
"I don't think so." He must have said this a little loud, because McGonagle turned and stared at them, causing the boys to freeze.
"Now, I do not know why Professor Dumbledore wants you, and frankly, I do not want to ask. But I'm warning you. Behave." She ordered. The boys nodded and then continued to follow her to Dumbledore's office.
"Go."
Neville and Harry glanced at each other again, and both jumped as the griffin began to spin upwards. The boys quickly walked up the stairs, trying not to get dizzy as they went around, and finally staggered to Dumbledore's office door. Opening it cautiously, Harry could see no one inside, causing him to take a breath of relief.
"I wonder what he wants." Harry mumbled to Neville, as the door shut behind them. Neville shrugged and looked around the office curiously. Obviously, he had not been up here before, or if he had, he had not had time to look around.
"Harry, look! A phoenix!" Neville explained. Harry turned to see Fawkes on his perch, looking at Harry with recognition. Harry grinned.
"'Lo, Fawkes."
At his words, the phoenix flew to him, landing on his shoulder lightly. Neville watched this in awe, his mouth slightly open.
"Neville, this is Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's phoenix." Harry introduced. Neville jumped as the bird's eyes centered on him and stared attentively. Harry recognized this as Fawkes's way of saying that he accepted Neville as a friend.
"Wh...what does he want?"
"He likes you." Harry said simply, causing a grin to erupt on Neville's face. The other boy lifted his hand tentatively, and stroked the bird's head gently.
"Ahh, Mr. Longbottom. I see you've met Fawkes."
The two boys turned in alarm, Fawkes flying from Harry at the quick movement. But the scene that met Harry's eyes, was even more shocking than Dumbledore's voice.
For there, behind Dumbledore on the spiral staircase, stood a girl with bright auburn hair and sparkling green eyes. She was gazing down at them with a slight smirk on her face, and an eyebrow raised.
"ROSE!!!" Neville was the first to react, though he remained motionless. Harry, however, managed to move his legs, and was below her in an instant, lifting her off the stairs and swinging her around. Rose let out a soft shriek and then began to laugh.
"Harry, put me down!" She insisted, hugging him as he obeyed. Then she hurried over to Neville, pulling him into a monster hug.
"Surprise! We wanted to surprise you, so May let us come early."
"Us?" Harry questioned, looking around. Rose nodded.
"The others are in Diagon Alley, waiting for us. We get a day off, before the big night." Rose informed the boys. Harry turned to Dumbledore with a questioning look, but the older man just smiled.
"You've put a lot of effort into the DA class, your school work, and Quidditch, Harry. I think you deserve a break, though, so do most of the students in this school. You're just lucky enough to get yours." The professor joked. Neville let out a triumphant yell.
"Finally someone realizes that we are overworked!" He laughed, causing the other three to join him.
"But how are we going to get there?" Harry asked. Rose grinned and held something up. It looked like an old shoelace, but it was spiral, and it had strange sparkles all over it.
"This is our portkey. Not the best mode of travel, but it'll do." She sighed. Dumbledore nodded.
"And it will activate in less than a minute. Hurry! Hold onto it." Dumbledore instructed. Harry and Neville grasped the portkey, and within seconds, Harry felt the familiar tugging behind his navel. Then everything spun out of focus and Dumbledore's office vanished.
~*~*~*~