CHAPTER 16
MISSING YOU
The last of the autumn leaves had fallen from the trees, carpeting the ground in a thick damp layer of orange and red, leaving the trees they once covered, bare and barren, and the sky surrounding Hogwarts was white with freshly falling snowflake a Christmas drew nearer. Harry looked out of the bedroom in his new bedroom; his chin was resting on his hands as he stared sulkily out at the people playing in the falling now. He wished desperately that he could be one of them, wished that he had his friends and his girlfriend, but he had neither, sure he still had Hermione and he would love her forever for sticking by him, but Ron, Ron hadn't spoken to him since the day he beat him up, and that had been almost a month ago. Harry even found himself wishing that Ron would come and try to start another fight with him again, at least it was better than being completely ignored, it hurt Harry that his best friend of almost seven years could do that to him, but he understood Ron's reasons, that's why he did nothing to stop Ron, not that his efforts would have made a difference, Ron was very powerfully built, whereas Harry had always been rather on the small die, even though he was fairly tall, he was still very slight compared slight compared to Ron who had gone very muscly over the past few years.
The laughter of the people below, drifted up on the wind to where Harry sat watching them, his eyes shining with tears, wishing he was with them, and he turned away from the window to look around his room for something to distract him, he blinked trying to focus his eyes, adjusting them from the stark whiteness of the outside to the darkness of his room, as soon as he had thought that the room needed more light a brightly lit lamp appeared on the table, illuminating the stacks of books that surrounded Harry's bed. He had started spending a lot of his time alone, not wanting to force Hermione to chose either him or Ron to spend time with him, and not wanting to see how upset he had made Ginny. He had even started doing his homework in greater detail, and studying harder for tests, he smiled sadly at least one good thing had come of his isolation from his friends and loved ones, he was doing much better in school, throwing himself into his work every night instead of staying up talking with Ginny, or playing chess with Ron, sure Harry knew that the latter was more fun, but this was all he had left now, his dream of becoming an auror and he was prepared to put in the maximum effort to achieve that dream, that was one thing he wasn't going to let be taken away from him. His mind wandered back to the conversation he had had in the Hospital wing after Madam Pomfrey had fixed him up after Ron's angry beating.
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Harry reached his hand up and tentatively touched his face, it felt fine, he felt no bruises and no blood, he looked up at Madam Pomfrey and smiled gratefully, the pain was slowly subsiding, she handed him his glasses that she had magically repaired and he put them on, the room suddenly coming into sharper focus, he looked across and saw a tanned man with golden hair looking down at him with concerned eyes. Harry smiled.
"Sirius.'' Harry croaked his voice was hoarse.
"Yeah, what was all that about Harry?'' Sirius asked concernedly. "Ron was going at you like a madman. What's happened? Why are you two fighting?'' Sirius asked, reeling off the questions that had been buzzing through his mind as he waited impatiently for Harry to be healed.
"We weren't fighting. Ron was fighting.'' Harry corrected bitterly, his eyes looked glazed and Sirius felt as though Harry wasn't seeing him even though they were sitting only inches apart and were looking directly at each other. "Ron doesn't like me very much right now.'' Harry said under stating the intense hatred that Ron felt for Harry.
"Why doesn't he like you? Have you two had an argument?'' Sirius asked confused, he needed Destiny with him, she was much better at this sort of thing, she would know the right things to say, the right way to get through to Harry.
"I broke up with Ginny.'' Harry stated, his eyes were distant and unfocused, like he wasn't even there, like he wasn't seeing Sirius at all and his voice was flat and unemotional.
"Why?'' Sirius questioned quickly.
"I had to, I had to save her. Everyone I love gets hurt. You spent months in that veil thing because I was close to you, my mum and dad got killed because of me, Cedric died because I made him take the cup with me and now that Gwen girl got kidnapped because they thought she was my girlfriend. I can't let Gin get hurt because I love her, it's not fair.'' Harry explained sadly, his eyes locking with Sirius and Sirius saw that they were glazed with tears; he felt a surge of sadness for his godson.
"I understand why you would feel that way Harry, but she'll be alright, we're all here to protect her, besides nothing will happen to her at Hogwarts.'' Sirius said quietly, grasping Harry's shoulder with his hand.
"Maybe, but what about when we leave school, what'll happen to her then. Who'll be there to protect her then.'' Harry said bitterly. "No as long as he is around I can't risk it, I love her too much to watch her get snatched from me as well.''
"But why isn't Ron speaking to you, surely he'd be pleased that you love his sister enough to break up with her just to save her even though it makes you miserable.'' Sirius said uncomprehendingly.
"That's just it, he doesn't know that I love her. I told Ginny I didn't love her when I broke up with her, I couldn't let her know that I only wanted to save her, she'd ask me to stay together and I wouldn't be able to say no. At least this way she doesn't even want to look at me let alone get back together.''
"But you've lost Ron as well now. Couldn't you just explain to him what you are doing?'' Sirius asked, desperate for Harry to have at least his best friend back.
"No, there's too much of a chance that Ginny will find out if I tell Ron. He can't know. This stays between me and Hermione.'' Harry said firmly, knowing that obviously Sirius would explain the situation to Destiny, who would tell Tonks, as they had become very close friends, who would then tell Lupin, but he could trust all of those, he knew they would keep his secret.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Ron it was just that Ron sometimes had a tendency to let things slip when he was excited or would most likely tell Ginny if she came to him crying because Harry had told her that he didn't love her. Ron would probably tell her to make her stop crying he couldn't bear to see Ginny upset that Harry knew for sure. And Harry couldn't let anyone find out that he still loved Ginny deeply, so Ron couldn't know.
"At least you've got Hermione.'' Sirius sighed sadly as he got up from his seat beside Harry's bed, surveying his godson through sad eyes, he moved to Harry and hugged him tightly. "It'll be alright you'll see, you'll be ok.'' Sirius said comfortingly, Harry doubted this the only way that he would be all right again is if he got Ginny back, knowing that she would be safe. And the only way that would happen was if Voldemort was killed, and the possibility of that now, with him growing stronger everyday was very unlikely, but Harry smiled sadly anyway and thanked Sirius. "Well I'd better go now, I've still got that class to teach and I have to have words with that big idiot." Sirius said angrily.
"Don't be too hard on him.'' Harry called after Sirius as he left. "I would've done the same in his position. He was only looking out for her.'' Harry sighed as he sank back into his fluffy white pillow and closed his eyes, he hadn't slept properly since losing Ginny and now being in the hospital thing it was the only thing he could do, so closing his eyes and losing himself in visions of beautiful red hair and brilliant green eyes he drifted off to sleep.
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Ron scrubbed hard at the golden trophy in his hand, it was past midnight and he had been cleaning trophies for most of the evening, the cloth in his hand felt as though someone had permanently attached it there, he had been forced to serve three weeks detention, culminating in a complete polish of every single trophy in the trophy room. Ron knew Sirius had gone easy on him, from the look on his face and the tone of his voice Ron knew that he would've served a lot more than three weeks worth of detention, but Sirius had been fairly lenient Ron thought, even though three weeks was the longest detention he had ever had.
He hated going every evening but he didn't complain about it to Hermione, he was still in her bad books for beating up Harry, she had practically been in tears when he explained to her why exactly he did have detention, she had screamed at him, then ignored him and only now she was starting to come around and talk to him, they hadn't even kissed properly in three weeks. This only served to fuel Ron's hatred of Harry, if Harry hadn't broken his little sisters heart then Ron wouldn't have hit him, and Hermione would be more than happy to kiss him. He placed the trophy down onto the shelf, and moved on to the last trophy, a huge silver one, with many inscriptions; it was a remembrance trophy to all of the Hogwarts students and teachers who had been killed in the first war. He set to work polishing this one, carefully and thoroughly, knowing that there would inevitably there would soon be a second trophy in the room, just like this one, and he prayed that his name wasn't on it.
As he polished he came across someone by the name of Virginia Fairfax, and his thoughts drifted to his sister, she had been getting better slowly, but her smiles were always tainted with sadness and Ron knew he'd never be able to forgive Harry for doing that to her, he pictured her reaction when he told her what he had done, he winced with only the memory of the slap she had given him, his cheek had been red for a week after that, then she too had started screaming at him, that Harry was his best friend and he shouldn't do that to him, it was Harry's choice and no one could force him to be with her, then she had broken down into tears and fell into Ron's arms crying her eyes out. She had been doing that a lot lately, acting like the old Ginny then collapsing into fits of tears, Ron knew it was all a front and that inside she was dying, and it hurt in that he could only hold her and hope that she would be ok.
Infact as Ron thought back the only person who had agreed with him beating Harry up was Colin Creevy, he had run up to him in the corridor and congratulated him on 'showing Harry that no one messes with Ginny', this had only served to make Hermione more angry at Ron as she thought that he was proud of what he did, and enjoyed acting like a violent hooligan and loving the admiration it earned him from other idiots. That was far from the case though, Ron knew what he had done was wrong and as he polished the trophy he regretted hitting Harry, not because of the detentions it had earned him, he didn't mind doing those, he knew that he deserved them, it was because try as he might and as much as he told people he did, he didn't hate Harry, he missed him. But there was no way he was going to speak to him, not after what he had done to Ginny, no matter how much Ron secretly missed him, he wasn't going to give in.
And with that he finished polishing the trophy, tossed the rag in the bin and headed off to his room that he shared with Hermione, thankful that at least now she had started letting him sleep back in the bed and yesterday she had even given him a quick peck on the cheek before they went to sleep. He knew that he wouldn't get a kiss tonight, it was gone one in the morning and Hermione was probably already fast asleep, but when Ron had entered the room bringing with him a strong scent of polish he kissed her lightly on the forehead before crawling into bed with her, wrapping his arms around her, smiling as she unknowingly snuggled closer to him, he buried his face in her soft curls and breathed in her scent before falling to sleep, his arms aching dully from the nights polishing
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Hermione paced past the door to the room of requirement, thinking desperately of Harry's room, after her third time walking past a door appeared which she promptly knocked and entered, not waiting for a reply. She walked in and found Harry pouring over a large textbook, his eyes squinting to make out the tiny words in the dim light of his room, Hermione pulled out her wand and muttered a simple incantation, illuminating the room with intense bright light. Harry looked up, as though realising for the first time that Hermione was in his room.
"Hi Harry.'' Hermione said gently as she pulled up a chair and sat next to Harry at his desk, leaning over him to look at the book he was reading. "That's a good one that is.'' Hermione said turning back to the page Harry had been reading. "Lot's of very complicated spells in there though.'' Hermione said sadly, she had tried a few and they had all worked for her, but the spells Harry was looking over would require a lot of practice and patience.
"I know.'' Harry said he had started practising spells whenever he wasn't in class or sleeping, which was basically all he did. I've managed all the spells up until this page but I'm having a bit of trouble with this one. I'll have to ask Destiny to help me out.'' Harry said distractedly as his eyes started skimming the page again.
"I'm so proud of you Harry.'' Hermione said, surveying Harry through her chocolate brown eyes smiling sadly. "You've been forced to give up everything you love for some reason or another and you're still carrying on. You're an inspiration.''
"I've had to carry on, it's all I can do, and besides the sooner I become a top auror, the sooner I can defeat Voldemort, and the sooner I can try and get Ginny back.'' Harry said, trying to sound light-hearted, but deep down he knew the chances of getting Ginny back after the way he had humiliated and hurt her were very slim, but it was the only thought that was keeping him going.
"Your doing great Harry, even I couldn't get up to this page in the book.'' Hermione said sounding deeply impressed.
"I've had a lot of free time lately.'' Harry replied dryly. "How is Ginny?'' Harry asked, fixing his brilliant green eyes onto Hermiones brown ones, holding her gaze until she blinked and looked down to the floor, she couldn't tell Harry that Ginny was still crying herself to sleep every night because of him, or that she couldn't sleep unless she had one of Harry's old shirts with her, just so she could smell him before drifting off into a troubled sleep.
"She's slowly getting better.'' Hermione lied, knowing that even though Ginny tried to put up a front, she was tortured with hurt and sadness inside. Hermione could see past her brave face and false smiles, and could see the pain in her eyes and tears that were always waiting to fall whenever she was alone.
"Good.'' Harry replied, knowing that if Ginny was going to be alright then he was too, even though he hadn't slept for days and spent most of the night lying in bed, holding Ginny's hair band up to his face, deeply breathing in the scent of her hair, her hair that had always entranced him. "And how's Ron?'' Harry asked.
"He's alright I suppose, he just did his last detention last night, he still smells like polish.''
"Let me guess, polishing the trophy room.'' Harry said, rolling his eyes, a trace of a smile appearing on his face.
"Yep, we still aren't speaking properly.'' Hermione said sadly, she missed Ron as much as he missed her but she wasn't going to let him of lightly for the way he had acted.
"Please Hermione, just forgive him already. I'm the one who should be mad at him but I'm not. Don't split up because of me. Just make up already.'' Harry pleaded, his eyes showing an emotion other than the usual sad haunted look that had been evident in them since his break up with Ginny.
"I don't know Harry, I mean look what he did to you. He has to learn that he can't just go around beating up whoever he feels like…''
"Please Hermione, do it for me. I couldn't bear it if you to finished because of me, it'd be too much, I've already destroyed my relationship, I don't want to ruin yours too.'' Harry said passionately. Hermione just nodded and stood up, her eyes threatening to start crying, it wasn't fair, everything always seemed to happen to Harry, why couldn't he be happy for a while, why was it always him. She reached over and hugged Harry tightly. Harry melted into her arms, it had been so long since anybody had hugged him, he missed being held, missed feeling loved, and he knew that Hermione did love him, she was like a sister to him and he knew that whatever happened she would always be there for him. Forever.
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Lupin sat on the edge of his bed, Tonks stood up in front of his, she was pacing back and forth anxiously, he had just told her about what Harry had done. He hung his head low, thinking about what he would've done if he had been in Harry's shoes and it had been Tonks that was in danger, he knew he would have done exactly the same thing.
"I can't believe he did that.'' Tonks said her voice sounded is if she were about to cry, her hair was hung in loose brown ringlets around her face and her vivid blue eyes were glistening with tears. "That's so…so…noble.'' She said, struggling to find words that would best describe what Harry had done, sacrificing his own happiness just so that his girlfriend would be saved. "When I was at school none of the boys my age, or even older than me would have done something like that.'' Tonks breathed sounding amazed, she stopped pacing and moved closer to where Lupin sat, she stood in between his legs, looking down onto him, she smiled as he wrapped his arms around her petite waist.
"Most of the boys your age didn't have their names on the top of Voldemort most wanted list.'' Lupin answered sadly, knowing that Harry was indeed Voldemort prime target, followed in close second by Dumbledore and anybody close to him.
"True, I'm just glad we're passed all that.'' Tonks said, knowing that they would both be in danger whatever happened, there was no way they could try to save each other, they were both in it up to their necks anyways, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Speak for your self, I'm still young hip and cool.'' Lupin replied grinning, pulling her closer to him. She laughed out loud, stopping when she saw the hurt look on his face. "You've hurt my feelings now Nymphadora.''
"Well I'm sorry, what can I do to make it up to young hip and cool Remus.'' Tonks said laughing as he pulled her down, so that she was lying on top of him, their faces inches apart. "Don't call me Nymphadora.'' She breathed heavily, feeling the familiar sensation that she felt whenever she got close to him.
"I think you know what to do to make it up to me Nymphadora.'' Lupin said gruffly, he was finding it hard to speak, the scent of her was intoxicating and he felt a stirring in his boxers. Tonk's leaned down, and closer the few inches that separated them, her lips catching his in a passionate embrace, her tongue sweeping over his, she felt with a thrill of excitement his hands travelling up from her waist and over her breasts, he caressed them softly, savouring the feel of her. They both stood up from the bed, never breaking the kiss.
He slowly started to unbutton the blouse that she was wearing and smiled as it floated to the ground, her kisses came faster and more urgently as she fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, her hands travelled over his bare chest as the shirt fell to the ground, to join hers. Lupin pulled her close, reaching behind her as he rained kisses over her collarbone, as he swiftly unclasped her bra, he had seen her naked many times before now, but the sight never ceased to amaze him, she was beautiful, with an almost feral growl he ravished her with kisses once again, savouring the taste of her lips as he crushed them against his in a passionate kiss. She slid quickly out of her trousers, leaving her standing there in only her lacy red knickers, her breasts pressed against Lupins chest as she showered kisses over his jaw line, giggling as he stumbled in his hurry to free himself from the confines of his jeans. He looked up at her and saw her standing there almost naked, laughing, with her beautiful hair falling over her shoulders and he was overcome with an intense need for her, he picked her up and lay her down onto the bed, she wasn't laughing anymore, her cheeks were flushed and her chest was heaving, he climbed onto the bed, leaning over her supporting all his weight on his elbows and started to slowly grind his hips against her crotch, as he kissed her softly, he heard her moan, and he couldn't take it any longer, he took hold of the elastic of her knickers and slid them down over her smooth legs and tossed them aside, before she too, freed him from his boxers.
He lowered himself back down onto her, the tip of his erection touching her lightly, before he gently thrust into her, he heard her moan with pleasure as she started to arch her hips underneath him, her hands travelling up and down his back, leaving a trail of fiery ice behind them, his mouth felt hot on her neck as he kissed her, groaning as she grinded against him harder and faster, he felt her start to tense up beneath him, and knew that she was close, he started to thrust harder and deeper, finding pleasure in hearing her moan his name, her breaths becoming more deeply he kissed her forehead, as she started calling his name louder and louder, and as he heard her scream and felt her muscles contract around him he to called out her name and spilled into her.
They lay together for a while, both covered in a thin sheen of sweat, her brown curls were sticking to her face and her cheeks and chest were red and flushed, her eyes were shut and her breathing had returned to normal, she looked so peaceful, Lupin thought as he looked down on the woman that he held in his arms, he kissed her softly on the forehead, she smiled and looked up at him.
"Did that make it up to you.'' She asked cheekily.
"Just about.'' Lupin answered grinning and kissing her again, this woman was something special.
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Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table, it was Monday morning and she had an Arithmancy test that day, with one hand she was placing spoonfuls of cereal into her mouth and in the other was held a small book called 'Advanced Arithmancy', her eyes were travelling rapidly across each page, scanning for anything she may have forgotten, but as usual she had learned everything.
She heard someone clear their throat loudly, and huffed loudly she wished people would be more quiet just because they didn't care about how they did in school doesn't mean that they had the right to interrupt her education. She heard the person again, and put her book down frustrated, ready to tell whoever it was exactly what she thought of them. She looked up and her eyes met with a pair of sapphire eyes.
"Ron, what are you doing?'' Hermione asked confused, his hands were held behind his back and he looked nervous. Hermione barely noticed Harry slip into the great hall and sit at the opposite end of Gryffindor table, avoiding Ginny's gaze as she walked in with her friends.
"Hermione I wanted to ask you something?'' Ron said, fidgeting nervously, looking down to the floor not meeting her eyes.
"What?'' Hermione asked uncertainly, startled as he got down on one knee before her and pulled out a single red rose from behind his back, and held it out to her.
"Will you go to the dance with me Mione?'' Ron asked, hoping that she'd say yes, he knew she was angry at him, that was why he had made a big romantic gesture out of asking her to the dance, he hoped that she would forgive him, it was hell when she wouldn't kiss him, it made him wonder how he ever managed without kissing her before.
Hermione smiled and rolled her eyes, she took the rose out of his hand and grinned, standing up from her seat, the expression on her face was unreadable, Ron stood up in front of her, looking down uncertainly, praying that she would say yes. She sniffed the rose delicately, before breaking out into a grin.
"Of course I'll go with you.'' Hermione replied as she threw herself into his arms, he buried his face in her hair, and smiled, he waited for her to pull away from him before leaning down and kissing her passionately, making up for over three weeks without the feel of her lips against his or the taste of her tongue in his mouth. She soon put a stop to the kiss, when she remembered that they were still in the Great Hall, but she winked t Ron and told him that they would definitely carry on later.
Harry looked up from his cereal bowl and saw his two best friends kissing and laughing, and he smiled, he was glad that they were back together there was no one else who would put up with either of those two, they were destined for each other, Harry knew it just as he knew that he was meant for Ginny, they were soul mates, he chanced a glance up at Ginny and for the briefest of moments their eyes met over the heads of all the Gryffindors, he felt his heart leap into his throat, only to sink again as she turned away, and joined in an animated conversation with her friends, even though it was only half heartedly, she couldn't easily forget the troubled look in his gorgeous green eyes, or the way she had felt looking at him again, he was going to be very hard to get over.
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The Care of Magical creatures class stood outside Hagrids hut, huddled together against the cold harsh December wind, they were wrapped in scarves, hats and gloves and still the icy wind whipped around them, blowing through the many layers of clothes they were wearing. Harry pulled his hat down lower over his forehead and pulled his scarf up over his nose, until only his emerald eyes were visible.
He watched as Hagrid came out of his hut, fighting against the violent wind to shut the door tightly behind him.
"Right then, I have saved this lesson for a day like today.'' Hagrid shouted over the howling wind, Harry strained his ears hard to hear him. "Remember in Defence Against the Dark Arts, you learned how to conjure that fire shield.'' Hagrid said as the class nodded. "Well that spell can also be used on objects or just to produce a wall of fire in front of you.'' Hagrid explained to the class.
Harry listened carefully, wondering what this had to do with magical creatures, but not wanting to interrupt Hagrid in wherever he was going with this, only hoping that no one would end up in hospital wing because of it.
"Well if you conjure a magical fire, then a magical creature can be summoned from it.'' Hagrid said a though this were obvious and they were being deliberately stupid. "They are fire spirits and are summoned when you cast the "Dantancago'' spell on a magical fire. Can anyone tell me anything about fire spirits?'' Hagrid asked, his gaze immediately drifting fondly to Hermione whose hand had shot up into the air so fast she had almost knocked Ron's hat off.
"Fire spirits take on the form of beautiful men and women, with long golden fiery hair and golden eyes, they cannot be controlled by wizards or witches as they are fiercely independent, they are very clever and honest. Once they have been freed from their fires they decide what they will do with their limited time on Earth.'' Hermione recited. "They are great believers in all things that are right and good in the world and will fade away into smoke when their fire are magically extinguished, to be born again in the next fire.''
"Excellent Hermione, twenty points to Gryffindor.'' Hagrid said beaming, the howling wind blowing his already wild hair and beard around his face. "Now I'd like you all to split up into pairs and summon a fire spirit each. Remember the spell is dantancago.'' Hagrid instructed as he watched them all conjure the magical fires and attempt to summon a creature of flames.
By the end of the class everyone had managed to conjure a fire spirit, Harry watched as one beautiful woman spirit, floated past him, her fiery hair played out behind her glowing and warming the air around her. Harry looked at her longingly, thinking of Ginny and the way her hair used to glow in the firelight. He sighed sadly as the lesson ended and the magical fires were put out, and the woman faded into a wisp of golden smoke. Harry and his partner Neville, extinguished their fires and watched as the two men that had been summoned vanished into thin air, and felt the heat that the intense fires had produced disappear, leaving the bitter wind free to attack them again. The class was hurriedly dismissed and Harry rushed back up to the castle, desperate for some warmth.
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Ginny lay awake in her bed, her bed that felt so huge and empty now that she had no one to share it with, if she closed her eyes tight enough she could sometimes feel Harry lying next to her and if she strained her ears hard enough she could even hear him breathing and feel the warmth of his breath on her face. She hugged the old shirt of Harry's closer to her inhaling the scent that she found comfort in, imagining that Harry was lying next to her, praying that she could just feel his lips on hers one last time.
She reached her arm out across the bed to the place where Harry would lie, the place where his head would rest against the pillow, and she started to smooth the pillow, imagining that Harry was lying there and that she was touching him and not just a pillow.
"Harry.'' Ginny whispered as a single tear rolled down her cheek. "I can't cry for you anymore, please come back to me. I still love you.'' Ginny whispered, closing her eyes and burying her face into Harry's shirt. "I need you.'' Ginny murmured into the shirt as she drifted into a sleep filled with his messy raven hair and his bottle green eyes.
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The corner of Gryffindor common room was full of sixth year girls and Colin and a few other boy all chatting and laughing happily, comparing notes about the dresses they had bought for the Christmas party, and about the boys that were taking them.
"Well Antony Goldstein asked me to go with him.'' One girl said smugly, as she applied a fresh coat of lip-gloss to her already glossy lips.
"The head boy, but I thought he was with Padma Patil.'' A second girl asked dubiously.
"Not anymore.'' The girl answered. "How about you Dana who are you going with?''
"Oh, Jack asked me.'' Dana answered distractedly, she was busy watching Ginny who was sitting with them, she was angry with the others for talking about the party when they knew Harry had just dumped Ginny and she was dateless. "From Ravenclaw.'' Dana explained at the puzzled look on their faces.
"Oh Jack McCarty.'' A boy spoke up. "He's a nice enough bloke.''
Ginny sighed inaudibly and looked away from the group of her chatting friends and down at the book that lay forgotten in her lap, she tried to get herself to read it but it was no use, their voices were ringing in her head, she couldn't stop hearing their voices, she couldn't tune them out, she dropped her head in her hands and groaned, no one seemed to notice.
"Hey Gin.'' Colin said as he sat down next to her, well almost no one noticed.
"Hiya Col.'' Ginny replied.
"Do you want to go to the dance with me?'' Colin asked, smiling as Ginny looked up at him, his eyes eager and anticipating.
"Oh I don't know, I'm not exactly going to be much fun am I?''
"Nonsense, you've bought that stunning dress, you have got to show it off.'' Colin insisted, ignoring Ginny's reluctance to go.
"But what if he's there.'' Ginny said, imagining the heartache and humiliation she would feel if Harry was there with another girl.
"Then it'll give you a chance to show him exactly what he's missing.'' Colin encouraged.
"Do you know what that sounds like a brilliant idea. Colin I would love to go to the party with you.'' Ginny said smiling, her first genuine smile in a long time, secretly hoping that Harry wasn't there, even though she'd love to show him what he had given up, because she couldn't face seeing him with someone else, it would just prove how little she meant to him.
"Great coz I had no one else to go with.'' Colin sighed, clearly relieved that Ginny had agreed to go with him.
"Oh, so I'm just a last resort.'' Ginny said in mock anger. "Thanks.''
"You know I love you Gin, you're just not my type that's all.'' Colin said patting her consolingly on the arm.
"And we all know who is your type.'' Ginny said smiling, looking over at the group of Gryffindor sixth year boys and girls who were still talking about the party oblivious to everything else around them.
"You promised you wouldn't say anything Gin.'' Colin warned, anxiously.
"Don't worry I'm not going to say anything, as long as you promise me one thing.'' Ginny said seriously.
"What?''
"Make sure we have loads of fun at the party.''
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(A.N Thanks for reviewing the last chapter guys, I'm sorry if some of you feel I have ruined the story by breaking Harry and Ginny up, but I think you're wrong it would be unrealistic if they never had any problems and were all fluffy all of the time. Please review this chapter, I hope you like it, a bit of fluff a bit of sex, to split up the angst. WOW multi-genre!!!!! I'll try and get the next chappie up soon, but I'm not promising anything. Thank you all!!! x x x x x x x x x)
MISSING YOU
The last of the autumn leaves had fallen from the trees, carpeting the ground in a thick damp layer of orange and red, leaving the trees they once covered, bare and barren, and the sky surrounding Hogwarts was white with freshly falling snowflake a Christmas drew nearer. Harry looked out of the bedroom in his new bedroom; his chin was resting on his hands as he stared sulkily out at the people playing in the falling now. He wished desperately that he could be one of them, wished that he had his friends and his girlfriend, but he had neither, sure he still had Hermione and he would love her forever for sticking by him, but Ron, Ron hadn't spoken to him since the day he beat him up, and that had been almost a month ago. Harry even found himself wishing that Ron would come and try to start another fight with him again, at least it was better than being completely ignored, it hurt Harry that his best friend of almost seven years could do that to him, but he understood Ron's reasons, that's why he did nothing to stop Ron, not that his efforts would have made a difference, Ron was very powerfully built, whereas Harry had always been rather on the small die, even though he was fairly tall, he was still very slight compared slight compared to Ron who had gone very muscly over the past few years.
The laughter of the people below, drifted up on the wind to where Harry sat watching them, his eyes shining with tears, wishing he was with them, and he turned away from the window to look around his room for something to distract him, he blinked trying to focus his eyes, adjusting them from the stark whiteness of the outside to the darkness of his room, as soon as he had thought that the room needed more light a brightly lit lamp appeared on the table, illuminating the stacks of books that surrounded Harry's bed. He had started spending a lot of his time alone, not wanting to force Hermione to chose either him or Ron to spend time with him, and not wanting to see how upset he had made Ginny. He had even started doing his homework in greater detail, and studying harder for tests, he smiled sadly at least one good thing had come of his isolation from his friends and loved ones, he was doing much better in school, throwing himself into his work every night instead of staying up talking with Ginny, or playing chess with Ron, sure Harry knew that the latter was more fun, but this was all he had left now, his dream of becoming an auror and he was prepared to put in the maximum effort to achieve that dream, that was one thing he wasn't going to let be taken away from him. His mind wandered back to the conversation he had had in the Hospital wing after Madam Pomfrey had fixed him up after Ron's angry beating.
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Harry reached his hand up and tentatively touched his face, it felt fine, he felt no bruises and no blood, he looked up at Madam Pomfrey and smiled gratefully, the pain was slowly subsiding, she handed him his glasses that she had magically repaired and he put them on, the room suddenly coming into sharper focus, he looked across and saw a tanned man with golden hair looking down at him with concerned eyes. Harry smiled.
"Sirius.'' Harry croaked his voice was hoarse.
"Yeah, what was all that about Harry?'' Sirius asked concernedly. "Ron was going at you like a madman. What's happened? Why are you two fighting?'' Sirius asked, reeling off the questions that had been buzzing through his mind as he waited impatiently for Harry to be healed.
"We weren't fighting. Ron was fighting.'' Harry corrected bitterly, his eyes looked glazed and Sirius felt as though Harry wasn't seeing him even though they were sitting only inches apart and were looking directly at each other. "Ron doesn't like me very much right now.'' Harry said under stating the intense hatred that Ron felt for Harry.
"Why doesn't he like you? Have you two had an argument?'' Sirius asked confused, he needed Destiny with him, she was much better at this sort of thing, she would know the right things to say, the right way to get through to Harry.
"I broke up with Ginny.'' Harry stated, his eyes were distant and unfocused, like he wasn't even there, like he wasn't seeing Sirius at all and his voice was flat and unemotional.
"Why?'' Sirius questioned quickly.
"I had to, I had to save her. Everyone I love gets hurt. You spent months in that veil thing because I was close to you, my mum and dad got killed because of me, Cedric died because I made him take the cup with me and now that Gwen girl got kidnapped because they thought she was my girlfriend. I can't let Gin get hurt because I love her, it's not fair.'' Harry explained sadly, his eyes locking with Sirius and Sirius saw that they were glazed with tears; he felt a surge of sadness for his godson.
"I understand why you would feel that way Harry, but she'll be alright, we're all here to protect her, besides nothing will happen to her at Hogwarts.'' Sirius said quietly, grasping Harry's shoulder with his hand.
"Maybe, but what about when we leave school, what'll happen to her then. Who'll be there to protect her then.'' Harry said bitterly. "No as long as he is around I can't risk it, I love her too much to watch her get snatched from me as well.''
"But why isn't Ron speaking to you, surely he'd be pleased that you love his sister enough to break up with her just to save her even though it makes you miserable.'' Sirius said uncomprehendingly.
"That's just it, he doesn't know that I love her. I told Ginny I didn't love her when I broke up with her, I couldn't let her know that I only wanted to save her, she'd ask me to stay together and I wouldn't be able to say no. At least this way she doesn't even want to look at me let alone get back together.''
"But you've lost Ron as well now. Couldn't you just explain to him what you are doing?'' Sirius asked, desperate for Harry to have at least his best friend back.
"No, there's too much of a chance that Ginny will find out if I tell Ron. He can't know. This stays between me and Hermione.'' Harry said firmly, knowing that obviously Sirius would explain the situation to Destiny, who would tell Tonks, as they had become very close friends, who would then tell Lupin, but he could trust all of those, he knew they would keep his secret.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Ron it was just that Ron sometimes had a tendency to let things slip when he was excited or would most likely tell Ginny if she came to him crying because Harry had told her that he didn't love her. Ron would probably tell her to make her stop crying he couldn't bear to see Ginny upset that Harry knew for sure. And Harry couldn't let anyone find out that he still loved Ginny deeply, so Ron couldn't know.
"At least you've got Hermione.'' Sirius sighed sadly as he got up from his seat beside Harry's bed, surveying his godson through sad eyes, he moved to Harry and hugged him tightly. "It'll be alright you'll see, you'll be ok.'' Sirius said comfortingly, Harry doubted this the only way that he would be all right again is if he got Ginny back, knowing that she would be safe. And the only way that would happen was if Voldemort was killed, and the possibility of that now, with him growing stronger everyday was very unlikely, but Harry smiled sadly anyway and thanked Sirius. "Well I'd better go now, I've still got that class to teach and I have to have words with that big idiot." Sirius said angrily.
"Don't be too hard on him.'' Harry called after Sirius as he left. "I would've done the same in his position. He was only looking out for her.'' Harry sighed as he sank back into his fluffy white pillow and closed his eyes, he hadn't slept properly since losing Ginny and now being in the hospital thing it was the only thing he could do, so closing his eyes and losing himself in visions of beautiful red hair and brilliant green eyes he drifted off to sleep.
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Ron scrubbed hard at the golden trophy in his hand, it was past midnight and he had been cleaning trophies for most of the evening, the cloth in his hand felt as though someone had permanently attached it there, he had been forced to serve three weeks detention, culminating in a complete polish of every single trophy in the trophy room. Ron knew Sirius had gone easy on him, from the look on his face and the tone of his voice Ron knew that he would've served a lot more than three weeks worth of detention, but Sirius had been fairly lenient Ron thought, even though three weeks was the longest detention he had ever had.
He hated going every evening but he didn't complain about it to Hermione, he was still in her bad books for beating up Harry, she had practically been in tears when he explained to her why exactly he did have detention, she had screamed at him, then ignored him and only now she was starting to come around and talk to him, they hadn't even kissed properly in three weeks. This only served to fuel Ron's hatred of Harry, if Harry hadn't broken his little sisters heart then Ron wouldn't have hit him, and Hermione would be more than happy to kiss him. He placed the trophy down onto the shelf, and moved on to the last trophy, a huge silver one, with many inscriptions; it was a remembrance trophy to all of the Hogwarts students and teachers who had been killed in the first war. He set to work polishing this one, carefully and thoroughly, knowing that there would inevitably there would soon be a second trophy in the room, just like this one, and he prayed that his name wasn't on it.
As he polished he came across someone by the name of Virginia Fairfax, and his thoughts drifted to his sister, she had been getting better slowly, but her smiles were always tainted with sadness and Ron knew he'd never be able to forgive Harry for doing that to her, he pictured her reaction when he told her what he had done, he winced with only the memory of the slap she had given him, his cheek had been red for a week after that, then she too had started screaming at him, that Harry was his best friend and he shouldn't do that to him, it was Harry's choice and no one could force him to be with her, then she had broken down into tears and fell into Ron's arms crying her eyes out. She had been doing that a lot lately, acting like the old Ginny then collapsing into fits of tears, Ron knew it was all a front and that inside she was dying, and it hurt in that he could only hold her and hope that she would be ok.
Infact as Ron thought back the only person who had agreed with him beating Harry up was Colin Creevy, he had run up to him in the corridor and congratulated him on 'showing Harry that no one messes with Ginny', this had only served to make Hermione more angry at Ron as she thought that he was proud of what he did, and enjoyed acting like a violent hooligan and loving the admiration it earned him from other idiots. That was far from the case though, Ron knew what he had done was wrong and as he polished the trophy he regretted hitting Harry, not because of the detentions it had earned him, he didn't mind doing those, he knew that he deserved them, it was because try as he might and as much as he told people he did, he didn't hate Harry, he missed him. But there was no way he was going to speak to him, not after what he had done to Ginny, no matter how much Ron secretly missed him, he wasn't going to give in.
And with that he finished polishing the trophy, tossed the rag in the bin and headed off to his room that he shared with Hermione, thankful that at least now she had started letting him sleep back in the bed and yesterday she had even given him a quick peck on the cheek before they went to sleep. He knew that he wouldn't get a kiss tonight, it was gone one in the morning and Hermione was probably already fast asleep, but when Ron had entered the room bringing with him a strong scent of polish he kissed her lightly on the forehead before crawling into bed with her, wrapping his arms around her, smiling as she unknowingly snuggled closer to him, he buried his face in her soft curls and breathed in her scent before falling to sleep, his arms aching dully from the nights polishing
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Hermione paced past the door to the room of requirement, thinking desperately of Harry's room, after her third time walking past a door appeared which she promptly knocked and entered, not waiting for a reply. She walked in and found Harry pouring over a large textbook, his eyes squinting to make out the tiny words in the dim light of his room, Hermione pulled out her wand and muttered a simple incantation, illuminating the room with intense bright light. Harry looked up, as though realising for the first time that Hermione was in his room.
"Hi Harry.'' Hermione said gently as she pulled up a chair and sat next to Harry at his desk, leaning over him to look at the book he was reading. "That's a good one that is.'' Hermione said turning back to the page Harry had been reading. "Lot's of very complicated spells in there though.'' Hermione said sadly, she had tried a few and they had all worked for her, but the spells Harry was looking over would require a lot of practice and patience.
"I know.'' Harry said he had started practising spells whenever he wasn't in class or sleeping, which was basically all he did. I've managed all the spells up until this page but I'm having a bit of trouble with this one. I'll have to ask Destiny to help me out.'' Harry said distractedly as his eyes started skimming the page again.
"I'm so proud of you Harry.'' Hermione said, surveying Harry through her chocolate brown eyes smiling sadly. "You've been forced to give up everything you love for some reason or another and you're still carrying on. You're an inspiration.''
"I've had to carry on, it's all I can do, and besides the sooner I become a top auror, the sooner I can defeat Voldemort, and the sooner I can try and get Ginny back.'' Harry said, trying to sound light-hearted, but deep down he knew the chances of getting Ginny back after the way he had humiliated and hurt her were very slim, but it was the only thought that was keeping him going.
"Your doing great Harry, even I couldn't get up to this page in the book.'' Hermione said sounding deeply impressed.
"I've had a lot of free time lately.'' Harry replied dryly. "How is Ginny?'' Harry asked, fixing his brilliant green eyes onto Hermiones brown ones, holding her gaze until she blinked and looked down to the floor, she couldn't tell Harry that Ginny was still crying herself to sleep every night because of him, or that she couldn't sleep unless she had one of Harry's old shirts with her, just so she could smell him before drifting off into a troubled sleep.
"She's slowly getting better.'' Hermione lied, knowing that even though Ginny tried to put up a front, she was tortured with hurt and sadness inside. Hermione could see past her brave face and false smiles, and could see the pain in her eyes and tears that were always waiting to fall whenever she was alone.
"Good.'' Harry replied, knowing that if Ginny was going to be alright then he was too, even though he hadn't slept for days and spent most of the night lying in bed, holding Ginny's hair band up to his face, deeply breathing in the scent of her hair, her hair that had always entranced him. "And how's Ron?'' Harry asked.
"He's alright I suppose, he just did his last detention last night, he still smells like polish.''
"Let me guess, polishing the trophy room.'' Harry said, rolling his eyes, a trace of a smile appearing on his face.
"Yep, we still aren't speaking properly.'' Hermione said sadly, she missed Ron as much as he missed her but she wasn't going to let him of lightly for the way he had acted.
"Please Hermione, just forgive him already. I'm the one who should be mad at him but I'm not. Don't split up because of me. Just make up already.'' Harry pleaded, his eyes showing an emotion other than the usual sad haunted look that had been evident in them since his break up with Ginny.
"I don't know Harry, I mean look what he did to you. He has to learn that he can't just go around beating up whoever he feels like…''
"Please Hermione, do it for me. I couldn't bear it if you to finished because of me, it'd be too much, I've already destroyed my relationship, I don't want to ruin yours too.'' Harry said passionately. Hermione just nodded and stood up, her eyes threatening to start crying, it wasn't fair, everything always seemed to happen to Harry, why couldn't he be happy for a while, why was it always him. She reached over and hugged Harry tightly. Harry melted into her arms, it had been so long since anybody had hugged him, he missed being held, missed feeling loved, and he knew that Hermione did love him, she was like a sister to him and he knew that whatever happened she would always be there for him. Forever.
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Lupin sat on the edge of his bed, Tonks stood up in front of his, she was pacing back and forth anxiously, he had just told her about what Harry had done. He hung his head low, thinking about what he would've done if he had been in Harry's shoes and it had been Tonks that was in danger, he knew he would have done exactly the same thing.
"I can't believe he did that.'' Tonks said her voice sounded is if she were about to cry, her hair was hung in loose brown ringlets around her face and her vivid blue eyes were glistening with tears. "That's so…so…noble.'' She said, struggling to find words that would best describe what Harry had done, sacrificing his own happiness just so that his girlfriend would be saved. "When I was at school none of the boys my age, or even older than me would have done something like that.'' Tonks breathed sounding amazed, she stopped pacing and moved closer to where Lupin sat, she stood in between his legs, looking down onto him, she smiled as he wrapped his arms around her petite waist.
"Most of the boys your age didn't have their names on the top of Voldemort most wanted list.'' Lupin answered sadly, knowing that Harry was indeed Voldemort prime target, followed in close second by Dumbledore and anybody close to him.
"True, I'm just glad we're passed all that.'' Tonks said, knowing that they would both be in danger whatever happened, there was no way they could try to save each other, they were both in it up to their necks anyways, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Speak for your self, I'm still young hip and cool.'' Lupin replied grinning, pulling her closer to him. She laughed out loud, stopping when she saw the hurt look on his face. "You've hurt my feelings now Nymphadora.''
"Well I'm sorry, what can I do to make it up to young hip and cool Remus.'' Tonks said laughing as he pulled her down, so that she was lying on top of him, their faces inches apart. "Don't call me Nymphadora.'' She breathed heavily, feeling the familiar sensation that she felt whenever she got close to him.
"I think you know what to do to make it up to me Nymphadora.'' Lupin said gruffly, he was finding it hard to speak, the scent of her was intoxicating and he felt a stirring in his boxers. Tonk's leaned down, and closer the few inches that separated them, her lips catching his in a passionate embrace, her tongue sweeping over his, she felt with a thrill of excitement his hands travelling up from her waist and over her breasts, he caressed them softly, savouring the feel of her. They both stood up from the bed, never breaking the kiss.
He slowly started to unbutton the blouse that she was wearing and smiled as it floated to the ground, her kisses came faster and more urgently as she fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, her hands travelled over his bare chest as the shirt fell to the ground, to join hers. Lupin pulled her close, reaching behind her as he rained kisses over her collarbone, as he swiftly unclasped her bra, he had seen her naked many times before now, but the sight never ceased to amaze him, she was beautiful, with an almost feral growl he ravished her with kisses once again, savouring the taste of her lips as he crushed them against his in a passionate kiss. She slid quickly out of her trousers, leaving her standing there in only her lacy red knickers, her breasts pressed against Lupins chest as she showered kisses over his jaw line, giggling as he stumbled in his hurry to free himself from the confines of his jeans. He looked up at her and saw her standing there almost naked, laughing, with her beautiful hair falling over her shoulders and he was overcome with an intense need for her, he picked her up and lay her down onto the bed, she wasn't laughing anymore, her cheeks were flushed and her chest was heaving, he climbed onto the bed, leaning over her supporting all his weight on his elbows and started to slowly grind his hips against her crotch, as he kissed her softly, he heard her moan, and he couldn't take it any longer, he took hold of the elastic of her knickers and slid them down over her smooth legs and tossed them aside, before she too, freed him from his boxers.
He lowered himself back down onto her, the tip of his erection touching her lightly, before he gently thrust into her, he heard her moan with pleasure as she started to arch her hips underneath him, her hands travelling up and down his back, leaving a trail of fiery ice behind them, his mouth felt hot on her neck as he kissed her, groaning as she grinded against him harder and faster, he felt her start to tense up beneath him, and knew that she was close, he started to thrust harder and deeper, finding pleasure in hearing her moan his name, her breaths becoming more deeply he kissed her forehead, as she started calling his name louder and louder, and as he heard her scream and felt her muscles contract around him he to called out her name and spilled into her.
They lay together for a while, both covered in a thin sheen of sweat, her brown curls were sticking to her face and her cheeks and chest were red and flushed, her eyes were shut and her breathing had returned to normal, she looked so peaceful, Lupin thought as he looked down on the woman that he held in his arms, he kissed her softly on the forehead, she smiled and looked up at him.
"Did that make it up to you.'' She asked cheekily.
"Just about.'' Lupin answered grinning and kissing her again, this woman was something special.
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Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table, it was Monday morning and she had an Arithmancy test that day, with one hand she was placing spoonfuls of cereal into her mouth and in the other was held a small book called 'Advanced Arithmancy', her eyes were travelling rapidly across each page, scanning for anything she may have forgotten, but as usual she had learned everything.
She heard someone clear their throat loudly, and huffed loudly she wished people would be more quiet just because they didn't care about how they did in school doesn't mean that they had the right to interrupt her education. She heard the person again, and put her book down frustrated, ready to tell whoever it was exactly what she thought of them. She looked up and her eyes met with a pair of sapphire eyes.
"Ron, what are you doing?'' Hermione asked confused, his hands were held behind his back and he looked nervous. Hermione barely noticed Harry slip into the great hall and sit at the opposite end of Gryffindor table, avoiding Ginny's gaze as she walked in with her friends.
"Hermione I wanted to ask you something?'' Ron said, fidgeting nervously, looking down to the floor not meeting her eyes.
"What?'' Hermione asked uncertainly, startled as he got down on one knee before her and pulled out a single red rose from behind his back, and held it out to her.
"Will you go to the dance with me Mione?'' Ron asked, hoping that she'd say yes, he knew she was angry at him, that was why he had made a big romantic gesture out of asking her to the dance, he hoped that she would forgive him, it was hell when she wouldn't kiss him, it made him wonder how he ever managed without kissing her before.
Hermione smiled and rolled her eyes, she took the rose out of his hand and grinned, standing up from her seat, the expression on her face was unreadable, Ron stood up in front of her, looking down uncertainly, praying that she would say yes. She sniffed the rose delicately, before breaking out into a grin.
"Of course I'll go with you.'' Hermione replied as she threw herself into his arms, he buried his face in her hair, and smiled, he waited for her to pull away from him before leaning down and kissing her passionately, making up for over three weeks without the feel of her lips against his or the taste of her tongue in his mouth. She soon put a stop to the kiss, when she remembered that they were still in the Great Hall, but she winked t Ron and told him that they would definitely carry on later.
Harry looked up from his cereal bowl and saw his two best friends kissing and laughing, and he smiled, he was glad that they were back together there was no one else who would put up with either of those two, they were destined for each other, Harry knew it just as he knew that he was meant for Ginny, they were soul mates, he chanced a glance up at Ginny and for the briefest of moments their eyes met over the heads of all the Gryffindors, he felt his heart leap into his throat, only to sink again as she turned away, and joined in an animated conversation with her friends, even though it was only half heartedly, she couldn't easily forget the troubled look in his gorgeous green eyes, or the way she had felt looking at him again, he was going to be very hard to get over.
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The Care of Magical creatures class stood outside Hagrids hut, huddled together against the cold harsh December wind, they were wrapped in scarves, hats and gloves and still the icy wind whipped around them, blowing through the many layers of clothes they were wearing. Harry pulled his hat down lower over his forehead and pulled his scarf up over his nose, until only his emerald eyes were visible.
He watched as Hagrid came out of his hut, fighting against the violent wind to shut the door tightly behind him.
"Right then, I have saved this lesson for a day like today.'' Hagrid shouted over the howling wind, Harry strained his ears hard to hear him. "Remember in Defence Against the Dark Arts, you learned how to conjure that fire shield.'' Hagrid said as the class nodded. "Well that spell can also be used on objects or just to produce a wall of fire in front of you.'' Hagrid explained to the class.
Harry listened carefully, wondering what this had to do with magical creatures, but not wanting to interrupt Hagrid in wherever he was going with this, only hoping that no one would end up in hospital wing because of it.
"Well if you conjure a magical fire, then a magical creature can be summoned from it.'' Hagrid said a though this were obvious and they were being deliberately stupid. "They are fire spirits and are summoned when you cast the "Dantancago'' spell on a magical fire. Can anyone tell me anything about fire spirits?'' Hagrid asked, his gaze immediately drifting fondly to Hermione whose hand had shot up into the air so fast she had almost knocked Ron's hat off.
"Fire spirits take on the form of beautiful men and women, with long golden fiery hair and golden eyes, they cannot be controlled by wizards or witches as they are fiercely independent, they are very clever and honest. Once they have been freed from their fires they decide what they will do with their limited time on Earth.'' Hermione recited. "They are great believers in all things that are right and good in the world and will fade away into smoke when their fire are magically extinguished, to be born again in the next fire.''
"Excellent Hermione, twenty points to Gryffindor.'' Hagrid said beaming, the howling wind blowing his already wild hair and beard around his face. "Now I'd like you all to split up into pairs and summon a fire spirit each. Remember the spell is dantancago.'' Hagrid instructed as he watched them all conjure the magical fires and attempt to summon a creature of flames.
By the end of the class everyone had managed to conjure a fire spirit, Harry watched as one beautiful woman spirit, floated past him, her fiery hair played out behind her glowing and warming the air around her. Harry looked at her longingly, thinking of Ginny and the way her hair used to glow in the firelight. He sighed sadly as the lesson ended and the magical fires were put out, and the woman faded into a wisp of golden smoke. Harry and his partner Neville, extinguished their fires and watched as the two men that had been summoned vanished into thin air, and felt the heat that the intense fires had produced disappear, leaving the bitter wind free to attack them again. The class was hurriedly dismissed and Harry rushed back up to the castle, desperate for some warmth.
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Ginny lay awake in her bed, her bed that felt so huge and empty now that she had no one to share it with, if she closed her eyes tight enough she could sometimes feel Harry lying next to her and if she strained her ears hard enough she could even hear him breathing and feel the warmth of his breath on her face. She hugged the old shirt of Harry's closer to her inhaling the scent that she found comfort in, imagining that Harry was lying next to her, praying that she could just feel his lips on hers one last time.
She reached her arm out across the bed to the place where Harry would lie, the place where his head would rest against the pillow, and she started to smooth the pillow, imagining that Harry was lying there and that she was touching him and not just a pillow.
"Harry.'' Ginny whispered as a single tear rolled down her cheek. "I can't cry for you anymore, please come back to me. I still love you.'' Ginny whispered, closing her eyes and burying her face into Harry's shirt. "I need you.'' Ginny murmured into the shirt as she drifted into a sleep filled with his messy raven hair and his bottle green eyes.
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The corner of Gryffindor common room was full of sixth year girls and Colin and a few other boy all chatting and laughing happily, comparing notes about the dresses they had bought for the Christmas party, and about the boys that were taking them.
"Well Antony Goldstein asked me to go with him.'' One girl said smugly, as she applied a fresh coat of lip-gloss to her already glossy lips.
"The head boy, but I thought he was with Padma Patil.'' A second girl asked dubiously.
"Not anymore.'' The girl answered. "How about you Dana who are you going with?''
"Oh, Jack asked me.'' Dana answered distractedly, she was busy watching Ginny who was sitting with them, she was angry with the others for talking about the party when they knew Harry had just dumped Ginny and she was dateless. "From Ravenclaw.'' Dana explained at the puzzled look on their faces.
"Oh Jack McCarty.'' A boy spoke up. "He's a nice enough bloke.''
Ginny sighed inaudibly and looked away from the group of her chatting friends and down at the book that lay forgotten in her lap, she tried to get herself to read it but it was no use, their voices were ringing in her head, she couldn't stop hearing their voices, she couldn't tune them out, she dropped her head in her hands and groaned, no one seemed to notice.
"Hey Gin.'' Colin said as he sat down next to her, well almost no one noticed.
"Hiya Col.'' Ginny replied.
"Do you want to go to the dance with me?'' Colin asked, smiling as Ginny looked up at him, his eyes eager and anticipating.
"Oh I don't know, I'm not exactly going to be much fun am I?''
"Nonsense, you've bought that stunning dress, you have got to show it off.'' Colin insisted, ignoring Ginny's reluctance to go.
"But what if he's there.'' Ginny said, imagining the heartache and humiliation she would feel if Harry was there with another girl.
"Then it'll give you a chance to show him exactly what he's missing.'' Colin encouraged.
"Do you know what that sounds like a brilliant idea. Colin I would love to go to the party with you.'' Ginny said smiling, her first genuine smile in a long time, secretly hoping that Harry wasn't there, even though she'd love to show him what he had given up, because she couldn't face seeing him with someone else, it would just prove how little she meant to him.
"Great coz I had no one else to go with.'' Colin sighed, clearly relieved that Ginny had agreed to go with him.
"Oh, so I'm just a last resort.'' Ginny said in mock anger. "Thanks.''
"You know I love you Gin, you're just not my type that's all.'' Colin said patting her consolingly on the arm.
"And we all know who is your type.'' Ginny said smiling, looking over at the group of Gryffindor sixth year boys and girls who were still talking about the party oblivious to everything else around them.
"You promised you wouldn't say anything Gin.'' Colin warned, anxiously.
"Don't worry I'm not going to say anything, as long as you promise me one thing.'' Ginny said seriously.
"What?''
"Make sure we have loads of fun at the party.''
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(A.N Thanks for reviewing the last chapter guys, I'm sorry if some of you feel I have ruined the story by breaking Harry and Ginny up, but I think you're wrong it would be unrealistic if they never had any problems and were all fluffy all of the time. Please review this chapter, I hope you like it, a bit of fluff a bit of sex, to split up the angst. WOW multi-genre!!!!! I'll try and get the next chappie up soon, but I'm not promising anything. Thank you all!!! x x x x x x x x x)