Chapter 26:

Ready for Ravenclaw

Harry and Ginny entered the Headmaster's office with Draco's body floating along behind them. Dumbledore looked up and sighed, "I was afraid something like this would happen."

Harry shrugged, "He tried to kill Ginny. I reflected the curse back at him."

Ginny nodded to confirm what Harry had said. Dumbedore reached over to grab a pinch of Floo Powder and throw it into the fire. He said clearly, "Dawlish, Auror Headquarters."

A moment later Dawlish's head appeared in the fire. He asked, "What happened this time?"

Dumbledore replied, "I am afraid that our resident Death Eater has openly shown himself to be a follower of Voldemort."

Dawlish smiled, "Good. Now you can kick the slimy little runt out of Hogwarts."

Dumbledore shook his head, "I am afraid that is not to be. He attempted to kill young Miss Weasley."

Dawlish nodded as comprehension dawned on his face, "I see. I take it this means that Harry killed him."

Harry entered the conversation, "Yes, Dawlish, I did, but it was his own Killing Curse that hit him."

Dawlish caught on quickly, "You reflected a Killing Curse. Simply amazing. Although it shouldn't be considering the other things that I have seen you do."

Harry snorted, "I don't need praise for killing people, Dawlish. Its not like I enjoy it."

Dawlish nodded, "I know. I'll send some Aurors over to collect the body. Since it was his own curse that killed him, and we can prove it by using his wand, there won't be any charges placed. Not even Cornelius would be stupid enough to try anything."

Harry said, "That's good to hear. I don't have the patience to deal with him right now." Harry turned to Dumbledore, "If you don't mind, sir. I'm going to take Ginny down to the kitchens so that the two of us can grab a bite to eat in private."

Dumbledore nodded, "I understand, Harry."

Harry and Ginny went down to the kitchens and got Dobby to give them some food. They ate in silence, and then returned to the common room to find Hermione and Ron already back from dinner. Ron asked, "So, how did the romantic evening go?"

Ginny sighed, "It didn't." Then, she hurried up the stairs to her room.

Ron and Hermione stared in shock for a moment before Ron's eyes darkened and he asked, "What did you do to my sister, Harry?"

Harry shook his head, "I didn't do anything. Malfoy was waiting for us in the Room of Requirement. He tried to kill Ginny."

Ron jumped up in fury, "When I get my hands on that bastard, he will wish he was dead."

Harry stopped him with two words, "Too late."

Hermione asked, "What do you mean he's too late."

Harry let out a long breath, "Draco Malfoy is already dead."

Hermione asked, "How?"

Harry shrugged, "He cast a Killing Curse at Ginny. I reflected it back at him."

Ron said, "So, he killed himself?"

Harry nodded, "More or less."

Hermione shook her head in dismay, "So, he got himself killed and ruined Ginny's birthday."

Harry nodded again, "Yes. Now, I have another problem."

Ron asked, "What's that?"

Harry said, "I was going to propose to Ginny this evening. The diamond was supposed to serve as her birthday present along with the romantic dinner. I can't propose to her now, and to do it in a couple of days just wouldn't be romantic. So, now I have to come up with something else to get her for her birthday."

Ron clapped Harry on the back, "I'm sure you will think of something."

Harry nodded, "I'm sure I will."

The next day, Harry went back to the Headmaster's office and said, "Albus, I need to go into Diagon Alley. You don't mind, do you?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "Of course not. May I inquire as to your activities?"

Harry chuckled, "Of course. I need to pick up Ginny a birthday present since I have decided to postpone proposing to her. Not to mention, I have an idea for when I propose to her, and I need to put the twins to work on it as soon as possible."

Dumbledore eyed Harry for a moment, "Let me guess. This has something to do with Weasley's Whiz Bangs."

Harry laughed, "You know me too well, Albus. I won't be gone long."

Dumbledore nodded, "I'm sure you won't."

Harry Disapparated to Diagon Alley and went into the twin's shop at number 93. Fred looked up, "Hey, Harry, what's up?"

Harry grinned, "I've got a little project for the two of you."

George hurried over in interest, "I'm intrigued. Does this have something to do with the Order?"

Harry shook his head, "No, this is purely personal." Harry proceeded to explain what he wanted them to do.

Once he was finished, George exclaimed, "That is bloody brilliant, Harry."

Fred nodded in agreement, "We will have everything ready for you when you need it."

Harry said, "Thanks, guys. Now, I have to go find a replacement birthday present for Ginny."

Fred's eyes darkened, "We know. Remus came by Headquarters last night and told us what had happened."

George stomped his foot, "At least that slimy little git finally got what was coming to him."
Harry sighed, "I have to be on my way. I'll talk to the two of you later."

"Bye, Harry. " The twins chorused.

Harry wandered through several shops before stopping at Gladrags, and buying Ginny several sets of day robes that she could wear on the weekends when she wasn't in uniform. Harry returned to Hogwarts after making arrangements for the robes to be delivered to the school. That evening Harry walked into the common room after the Dueling Club meeting and deposited several wrapped boxes into Ginny's lap. She looked up at him, "What is this?"

Harry grinned, "I didn't get to give you a birthday present."

Ginny smiled in delight, and tore into the presents like a three year old at Christmas. The other girls came around to oooh and ahhhh over the robes as Ginny opened them and held them up for inspection. After she had opened all of the robes, she jumped up and wrapped her arms around Harry before pressing her lips to his. Then, she said, "Thank you, Harry."

He smiled down at her, "You're welcome, my dear."

Ginny eyed Harry for a moment, and then leaned in closer to him and whispered, "Do you want to go up to your room and make out?"

Harry pecked Ginny on the corner of her lips and said, "Sounds like a wonderful plan to me." The two of them turned to scamper up the stairs to the Head Boy's room, while Harry waved a hand at Ginny's packages. They floated up the stairs to Ginny's room.

The two of them entered Harry's room, and Ginny sat down on the bed, and pushed on it with her hand, "Harry, I believe you have a very comfortable bed."

Harry grinned, "Yes, I do." Then, Harry dove onto the bed and snaked an arm around Ginny and pulled her close. They began snogging until both of them had to stop for lack of breath, and then began again.

The next several weeks passed by with everyone settling into a routine as the N.E.W.T.'s and O.W.L.'s approached for the fifth and seventh years, and end of the year tests rolled around for everyone else. Finally, came the week of the Quidditch Final between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. On Tuesday at the final practice before the match, Ron said, "Alright, team, this is it. The big one."

Harry groaned, "Natalie, you're closest to him, slap him. He's channeling Oliver Wood." The Quidditch team all snickered.

Ron gave Harry an odd look, "Very funny. Now, lets get out there and practice. Dean, Seamus, release the balls. Let's hit the air."

The team walked out onto the pitch and took to the air. They practiced for a couple of hours before calling it quits. The team went up to the castle in good spirits. The rest of the week passed by quickly and Saturday morning dawned bright and clear. Ron was on the pitch shortly after the sun crested the horizon. He stamped the ground to test the kickoff. Then, he walked into the stands to check the visibility. When he finally finished his inspection and made his way back up to the castle, the rest of the Gryffindor team had assembled around the breakfast table. Ron looked them over and said, "All of you relax and enjoy the rest of the morning. I expect all of you in the locker room at ten thirty."

Harry, Dean, and Seamus stood up at attention and saluted. "Yes, sir." they chorused. The girls laughed as Ron scowled and walked away.

Hermione scolded them, "You shouldn't be so hard on him."

Harry chuckled with the girls, "Come on, Hermione, we were just teasing him. He acts like none of us has ever done this before. This will be my thirteenth Quidditch match."

Hermione sighed, "I know that. He just wants to win."

Harry nodded, "I know, and he is way too uptight about it. It's our job to make him lighten up."

Hermione just shook her head in amusement and followed after Ron. The rest of the team went outside after they finished eating to lounge around the lake. They watched some of the younger students play with the giant squid until it was time for them to head down to the Quidditch pitch to get ready for the match.

Once the team was assembled in the locker room and all of them had changed into their Quidditch gear and robes, Ron began the speech, "Okay, team, this is the last match for several of us." The four seventh year boys all exchanged glances and nodded grinning at each other. Ron continued, "So, we will not be the ones that let the Quidditch Cup slip away. It's time for us to go out there and show them what we can do. Let's take that Cup again." The team cheered and ran to the doors to await Owen to announce them.

"This is Owen Cauldwell. I am your announcer for the Quidditch Final today. This match will be between Gryffindor and the Ravenclaw. Gryffindor is the reigning Quidditch Cup Champions, and Ravenclaw seeks to dethrone them here today. Let us see what happens. Now, onto the teams." He announced the Ravenclaw team, and then turned to the Gryffindor team. "Gryffindors, I give you your Chasers! Ginny Weasley! Natalie McDonald! Colin Creevey! You Beaters! Dean Thomas! Seamus Finnigan! You Seeker and former Captain! Harry Potter! And finally, you Keeper and Captain, Ron Weasley!" The Gryffindors cheered loudly as the entire team took a flight around the stands.

They landed and Madam Hooch walked out into the center ring with the crate of balls, and said, "Captains, shake hands."

Ron and Michael Corner shook hands. Then, the two teams took to the air as Madam Hooch released the Bludgers and the Golden Snitch. The Snitch twittered teasingly in front of each Seeker's face before flying off into the clear blue sky. Madam Hooch threw the Quaffle up into the air and the match began. Natalie snatched the Quaffle first and went soaring towards the Ravenclaw goal posts. The Ravenclaw Chasers swarmed her, and she reverse passed to Ginny. The Keeper veered out to head Ginny off and she lobbed the Quaffle over her shoulder to Colin, who took the shot at the unprotected center ring for Gryffindor's first goal. Owen Cauldwell cried out, "Ten-zero to Gryffindor. Nice teamwork by the Gryffindor Chasers."

The match continued at a fast and furious pace for over an hour, until Harry caught sight of the Ravenclaw Seeker diving for the Snitch. Harry poured on a burst of speed and went flying towards the Snitch. The two Seekers went neck and neck till the Snitch shifted direction, and the Ravenclaw Seeker overshot the Snitch with his hand stretched out. Instead of trying to veer with the Snitch, Harry just dove sideways off his broom and caught the Snitch as he was falling towards the ground. Harry cast a Cushioning Charm on the ground and landed safely as the stands erupted into cheering as Owen Cauldwell proclaimed, "Gryffindor wins the Quidditch Cup. 190-20. Gryffindor wins."

The celebration in Gryffindor Tower that night lasted so long that McGonagall was forced to come in three times to get the excited Gryffindors to go to bed. The Weasley twins would have been proud of such a display.

A/N: We're getting near the end of the road. Four chapters to go. I want to continue to thank all of my readers and reviewers. Happy reading.

Athena kitty: Lucius and Bellatrix are already dead.

Blind Faeri: Ginny's Animagus form is a falcon.

No one: Sorry, but the review counter on my story is three off on the reader page. You were 997.

Lil Ole Me 97: Congratulations. You were my 1000th review. Thanks.