Chapter 16: First Strike.

Ginny Weasley sat by the window quietly thinking over. The past few days have been turmoil for her. Hearing Voldemort's voice in the Great Hall scared her out of her wits. But what was bothering her even more was the fact that since these events Harry has somehow separated himself from the rest of them. Hermione had expressed this feeling to her as well. It seemed to Hermione that Harry was scared of something happening in the immediate future and so he was again trying to protect his friends by alienating himself. This really broke Ginny's heart. She was sure that Harry's feelings for her was as true as her for him. But she wanted him to say it. Just once. That's all she asked for.

Suddenly a familiar voice spoke to her, "thinking about me Gin?"

She turned around to see Harry who took the seat by her and took her hands on his.

"Ginny we need to talk."

"About what Harry?" she asked rather innocently.

"Oh God!" Harry gulped. "She knows what I am going to say. As if this was already not difficult enough."

"About us. I think it is time to let others know."

"What?" she asked again.

"That you love me and.." he held his breath as long as he could "and I love you."

Ginny's jaws dropped. He said it. It took him long enough but Harry Potter just said he loved her. The man of his dreams just said he loved her. She flung her arms around Harry as they engaged in a deep kiss.

Harry Potter never had much luck in his life. He did not this time either, because this was just the moment when all the remaining Weasley Gryffindors and Hermione showed up in the common room and needless to say were left shell shocked to see the blatant display of passion between the two teens.

Hermione, "GINNY!"

Fred, "HARRY!"

George, "GINNY and HARRY!"

Ron, "POTTER! You are DEAD."

Harry, "I am Dead."
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"Are you ready?" asked the voice in the fire.

"But master. What if I get caught? Why can't I use the imperious on someone and make him do it."

"NO! This is a test for your loyalty. Do this and I will give you half of what you seek."

"You mean it master. You can?"

"Do you dare question me?"

"No master. But I do have a query that I may humbly ask?"

"What?"

"Is Draco Malfoy one of us?"

"Not that it should bother you, but yes he is. When the time comes the two of you will ally to attack those who are closest to Potter, when they least expect it. But for reasons I have no desire of explaining to you, Malfoy is not to be contacted by you. He does not know of you. Also you must do this task on your own. Else the price will be severe."

"I will not fail you master. But, one last query."

"Do not try my patience. I have none for filth like you."

"I am filth master. But I must know. What happened to Bellatrix?"

"Unfortunately I do not know yet. As you found out, Reet managed to escape her and reach Hogwarts. But I have heard a very strange rumor. This teacher Umor Quirrell about whom you just reported killed her. I want you to confirm this."

"I will try my best Master."

"You will do what I wish."

"Yes master."

As the fire disappeared the short young man sat down on the stool, thinking about the past one month of his life. The horrors he saw. Now he could almost see himself reaching his goal.

"I did not want it to come to this. I am not a killer. You turned me into one. It is your entire fault Potter. All your fault." his eyes glowed with malice and hatred, as tears ran down his face.
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At Indus.

"My Lord. He is ready." exclaimed Aradha.

"I must say I am impressed Aradha. I did not think it was possible to tame this man so easily." hissed Voldemort.

"My lord is the other plan ready?"

"Yes. That fool Dumbledore thinks that I will wait till Halloween and fight him face to face. While it is true, that my final siege of Hogwarts will take place on Halloween but tonight I will rock its foundation from within."

"Remember My Lord. Reet is there. We must be careful about our choice."

"I remember you stupid spirit. And it has been taken care of. But tell me what about the ancient city. What is your progress?"

"The progress is slow but we are getting there. Now with Enemar on our side we will soon be able to reach the city of the dead."
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"How dare you Potter?" barked Ron.

"Ron please let me explain." said Harry backing away.

"Explain to my fist." as he jumped at Harry.

White jet of light shot out of Ginny's wand as Ron was thrown to the back of the room.

"Ronald Weasley, how dare you attack my boyfriend?" yelled Ginny.

"Boyfriend? You mean you two? When? How? Who? When? How?"

"What our articulate brother wants to ask is" began Fred.

"How long have you two been carrying this out behind our back?" completed George.

"That is absolutely none of your business." said Ginny. "And besides we have not done anything behind your back. If wanted to we could find ourselves places with a bit more privacy." she added with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"But Ginny. You are a child. You are too young to have a boyfriend." aid Ron with a tone of superiority.

"Am I. And who may I ask are you to decide that. Would you had told Hermione that she was too young had you too got together last year."

Ron was bowled over by the question.

"Listen pal." began Harry in a very tense voice, "I know this comes as sort of surprise to all of you but please try to understand. We love each other."

"Its ok Harry. We understand. But I am surprised at you Ginny. How could you have kept this form me?" said Hermione.

"Well mate," said Fred "I guess no one can be good enough for our perilous Ginny."

"He means precious. But you are probably as good as it gets. But."

"Yes but." said Ron.

Fred-"Be careful."

George-"About the way you treat her."

Ron-"Or else."

Fred-"You will have to deal with."

George-"Her Brothers."

Ron-"All six of us."

Fred-"Also."

Ron-"Yes Also."

George-"We feel"

Ron-"Horribly."

Fred-"Terribly" G

eorge-"Whole Heartedly."

Ron-"Sorry for you."

"Why?" asked Harry.

"Well you are going to have the distinct pleasure of facing maximum or Ginny's temper which rivals even that of our mother."

"Oh Boy." Harry groaned.

"Well that's quite a start to the day." said Hermione. "What do you plan to do for an encore."

"Well I do have another thing to tell you guys." said Harry.

"What now. Don't tell me you are getting married." said Ron.

"No. Though I wish I live long enough to make that announcement this is something that was told to me late last night by Dumbledore."

He held his breath and thought, "Here goes, just what I need. More fame."

"Dumbledore and Reet believe that I am the chosen heir of Godric Gryffindor."

Earlier that night. After the meeting at Dumbledore's office broke off, the aged wizard explained to Harry about his heirs. Harry who had heard this earlier was still quite in shock. But Dumbledore explained that parental lineage means nothing. He explained citing himself as example. How he opposed everything his great grandfather Solomon Slytherine. He was neither ashamed of nor was he boastful of his heritage. He was happy about the man he has become because of who he is and suggested to Harry that he try to do the same. But still this was a very strange revelation. And apparently his friends agreed.

"But Harry, you can't be. I read that the entire Gryffindor family was wiped out quite mysteriously." said Hermione.

"There death was no mystery. They were murdered by Salazar Slytherine and his Solomon. It is true, that I am not related to Gryffindor by blood. My great grandmother was adopted, by Gryffindor. But the adoption was not made public as she was the child of Helga Hufflepuff."

"But that means you are the heir of Hufflepuff as well." said Hermione.

"Unfortunately yes." said Harry.

"Unfortunately? This is incredible Harry." said Ron.

"What may I ask is incredible about this?" said Harry bitterly. "The fact that I don't have any living relatives or the fact that once that snake kills me he becomes the sole heir to Hogwarts and the gates of Hogwarts will open automatically to him."

"Oh Harry! Don't think that way." said Ginny. "We are with you. Are we not? I know its hard to accept this but never think you are alone."

"Ginny is right mate. Now get ready. You have your first potions class of the year."

[A/N: small warning a sad death of quite a popular character is coming up. Sorry in advance.]

"Stupid Gryffindors." muttered Snape in tone that was quite audible to the whole class. "Even the Hufflepuffs work better than them."

Harry felt his temper rise. The class had been a disaster. Neville who shocked everyone by choosing advanced potions was in his best wrecking form. In the combined class with Slytherines, Snape was at his biased best. They were preparing a very complicated potion which if slightly improperly brewed will generate poisonous fumes. The Gryffindor team, even with Hermione present, were having a hard time.

"Hurry up." Snape barked. "This is one of the simplest potions. I don't know how you got into this class Potter."

But no matter what happened Neville's clumsiness was at its peak. And soon the inevitable happened.

"You clumsy fools." yelled Snape. "Everyone out of the class now. Not Potter. You made this mess. You will help me clean it. Granger, Weasley, take Longbottom to the infirmary."

As soon as Ron and Hermione came out Neville began gasping for breath, and collapsed on the floor. From the next class room the fifth years came out to see the cause of the commotion.

"Ginny, you and Colin take Neville to the infirmary. He looks bad. Ron and I will go tell Professor McGonagall."

She conjured up a stretcher and then they heaved Neville up on it. As Ron and Hermione headed for the professor's room the remaining crowd dispersed back towards their respective classrooms. Then the entire Hogwarts was shaken by an earth shattering scream.

Students again hurtled out into the corridor. The scream had come from near the infirmary. Ron, Harry and Hermione rushed towards the infirmary as fast as he could. A large and much panicked crowd was already present. The scene that was before them took their senses away.

Ginny and Neville were lying unconscious on the floor. But lying next to them was the body of Colin Creevey, burnt to the flesh. Hovering above his body was the infamous Dark Mark. Behind him on the wall was message written on what seemed to be blood.

Students Of Hogwarts, choose your sides.

As the Rule of the dark lord arrives.

Friends of Potter a much worse fate awaits thee.

All who oppose will die.

All who do not bow will die.

Come Hallows Eve.

signed a member of 'Harry Potter fan club.'

End Of Chapter 16.