Disclaimer: Read the first one! Also Lillith is mine! If you wanna know who the hell she is, read on...
A/N: Sorry this has taken so long but I've had a very bad week and I can't get onto the internet on a weekend anyway!
Thanks to: Mrs Remus Lupin: I read your bio and I agree! But I'm very sorry to tell you that Legolas is in love with me and
no one else so there! Thanks for the review. My friend is sitting next tome telling me you don't like me, because you sound
so wound up. It's hard explaining to him that the more wound up someone is reviewing, the more their enjoying/getting into
the story. Keep R+R and I'll see what I can do about bringing them together!
klb14345: Again thank you! Of course I'm going to mention you. The more people review the more I love them, and then the more
I write to them. Your reviews make my day whenever I read them, because I'm very self conscious when it comes to writing
stories, so you make me feel better! I think this chapter will make you happier to, because if I'm not mistaken I do believe
I can hear the Hogwarts Express pulling on to Platform Nine and Three Quarters! Also sorry for making you wait so long!!!
Harrysgirl: You should really write some fanfic of your own, maybe then I can review yours and try to guess and therefore
tell everyone about vital factors in your stories!!! Only kidding, but I would like to know, (do not review with this answer,
e-mail me) what part do you think she has to play in it?
Mabel Weasley: Harry never had reason to fight without a wand before but now that he had to live in the muggle world for the
summer, with no wand, and having to deal with the constant prejudice that we Goths have to deal with, he obviously learned a
few new skills. I can't wait until Malfoy tries his patience! Hee Hee!!! Also, the initials on Harry and Hermiones envelopes
were HB and HG for Head Boy and Head Girl, Sorry should have made that more clear!
Hermione15: Thanks for the praise but what do you mean, when you say you can see where I get my ideas from?
Chapter 9.
To Hogwarts we will go!
A short pudgy man with a balding head stared at him out of a dark, cracked mirror. It took him a few seconds to realise it
was his own reflection.
"P-P-Peter?" he asked the reflection and it seemed to nod silently. He couldn't really be sure his name was Peter, he hadn't
been called it in so long. There were other names for him but he seemed to remember Peter, "Pettigrew?" He hadn't spoken in
so long, words sounded strange to him, but this the most of all. He seemed to remember that as a human he needed to have a
surname, but he had not heard that name in what seemed like an eternity. There was another name that was familiar though, one
that he vaguely remembered as a friendly nickname, but now was a name to dread and fear. Not for the fact that he was in any
way powerful, the one who called it however...
"WORMTAIL!!!" a high pitched raspy voice, screamed with power that caused even the walls of their domain to cringe back in
fear. He started towards the voice, sure that the walls were laughing at him, because he was the one being called and not
them. When he finally entered a room at the far end of a long dark hall he almost choked on the malice that hung in the air
like a thick smoke. He choked as he entered and tried to breathe in deeply, but his breathe was stolen from him by the sight
that lay before him. The Dark Lord Voldemort, most powerful and feared of all the Dark Wizards before him was sitting on a
huge leather and wood throne that seemed to grow out of the ground. His flat face with snake like nostrils and glowing red
eyes was contorted into the most horrifying smile that Wormtail had ever seen. None lived after they saw Voldemort smile like
this, apart from one, him. Voldemort liked to taunt him with the prospect of death, just to keep him in line. But Wormtail
knew Voldemort needed him, his most faithful servant, to keep tabs on the outside world while Voldemort plotted the demise of
a certain boy-who-lived. But even safe in this knowledge, he still feared for his life. As he reached his master he flung
himself to the floor and kissed the hem of his robe.
"I am here as ever your faithful servant," he said in a shaky voice, "What is thy bidding my master?" He waited silently
shaking for his master to speak. Voldemort took a moment to stop smiling, taking a long breath like a drawn out hiss before
parting his lips.
"Have you taken my precious to London Wormtail?" Wormtail looked up at his master and smiled weakly. Voldemort had told him a
day gone by to take his black cat to London and get her near Kings Cross. He didn't really see why. The Cat could not
possibly harm Potter as it had no magical powers apart from thinking like a human, and an uncanny ability to breed, a lot!
This kept Voldemort in fresh kittens blood, something he favoured greatly.
"Yes master, can I be let in on the plan now master? What is she to do master?" he asked a little more forcefully than any
sane person would have. Voldemort acted like he ignored it, but Wormtail knew that he would be punished dearly later.
"She will be very useful in the overall plan Wormtail, and you know the conclusion of that. Potter will fall Wormtail,
further than his parents before him!" that was all Wormtail would be privy to that night as with a wave of Voldemort's hand
he was flung from the room. The door slammed shut behind him as he hit the wall on the opposite end of the hall. He could
faintly hear his Master speaking as he fell into unconsciousness, "Lucius, my child... How's your son?"
~~~~~~~~~~
Diagon Alley, as it always had been was a sea of colour and noise that made Harry smile in spite of the heart rendering
decision he had just been forced to make. At first the group found it strange that there was so much noise and animal fur
flying about the place, but then they saw that Eyelops Owls and the Magical Menagerie were both having a sale. They took this
opportunity to go in and by their animals some accessories; Harry had been working Hedwig very hard recently. Hermione
disappeared with Ginny at first and when they came back they saw what could only be a scratching post in her hands.
"It's not just any scratching post, it's magical! It can talk, go on, give it a scratch!" Harry did has he was told as Ron
made cat noises behind him and suddenly it gave him and electric shock.
"Your not a cat! Go away!" it squealed in a high pitched voice, and Harry found himself inexplicably waiting for it to say
"NI!" He smiled dumfounded as Hermione spent an exorbitant amount of money on a scratching post which he thought had it in
for him as much as her cat Crookshanks did. Ginny stuck up for her though, and Harry joked with Ron that Crookshanks magical
power must be to make girls like him. Ron then pointed out that he wasn't sure that Crookshanks was actually a boy. Harry and
Ron went on about this for a long time, neither one conceding, yet neither one asking Hermione because they were afraid she
would go off in a huff because they didn't pay enough attention to her, or her precious cat.
Harry and Ron eventually dragged the girls out of the Magical Menagerie and towards the Owl Emporium. As they were crossing,
Harry noticed Ron gaze lovingly up the street and followed his gaze. He expected to see a girl that Ron might fancy; then he
would give him a dig in the ribs and everything would be okay. But when he followed Ron's gaze he found that it rested
squarely on the sign jutting out from the wall. The sign read "Quality Quidditch Supplies!" and Harry didn't notice as his
own face adopted the same glazed over loving expression. Strangely though he felt as if he was being hit in the stomach, and
a split second later he winced as he felt the true punch. Ron was also bent double coughing and cradling his stomach;
Hermione just stood over him with a strange look on her face, somewhere between concern and triumph.
"I'm sorry," said Harry after he very quickly caught his breath, "I was miles away. Did you want something?" Ginny had a
'Stop ignoring me Potter!' look on her face which to him made her all that more beautiful, it took him a couple of seconds to
remember they'd agreed to not do this. He placed his hands lazily by his sides and smiled at her, hoping that she wouldn't
notice the longing in his eyes.
"If the boys want to go and play with their toys then who are we to stop them Ginny?" said Hermione, and by the tone in her
voice Harry could tell she was going to make Ron pay for this. But Ron just smiled and kissed her goodbye before making a
move off down the Alley. Harry just stood there though, transfixed by the look on Ginny's face. They had both seen that kiss
and only now had it hit Harry how much he had given up all but ten minutes ago. He looked at her fiery hair and wished he
could smell it. Her eyes stared at him and he wished that he could just look into them forever. Her lips had formed a pout
that he could not fathom and he hoped to all the gods and powers that he would get to kiss them again. He felt tears welling
up in his eyes as he saw her smile weakly and he asked himself, 'Can I really live like this?'
"See you later Gin!" Ron said quite loudly and Harry snapped out of his stupor and watched her smile at him.
"Yeah, see you guys later..." she said with the air of having just woken up from a day dream as well. He had to wipe his face
so Ron wouldn't see the tears that threatened to run down his face before turning to him. Surprisingly he saw his friend
standing there looking back at him with a deep sadness in his eyes, "I'm Sorry Harry... Thank you..." and with that he hugged
Harry to him and pulled him off down the street. Harry realised that Ron must be feeling guilty, blaming himself for Harry
and Ginny being unhappy. Harry forced his smile to go wider, which seemed to reassure Ron. Inside however Harry was a wreck.
He struggled with the idea that he could never hold her again, that he could never touch her delicate hair, not even as a
friend. It would be too strange now that they knew each others feelings.
Harry was so caught up in his own head that he didn't notice Ron dragging him towards a large crowd. With a muffled thud and
what he was sure was a breaking of bones on someone's part he looked up into a very pudgy face. He realised that he was laying
on his back and only now noticed his bruised posterior. He felt the heavy weight lift off of him, and saw Neville Longbottom,
staring at him, looking very scared. Harry immediately thought he was scared because of his clothing, and tried to force a
smile when Neville cringed back.
"Please don't hex me!" he screamed before hiding his face. It took Harry a little while; after laughing a lot, to get Neville
to uncover his face.
"I'm your friend Neville, I have been for seven years! I'd never hex you! We'd never hex you!" he said motioning towards Ron;
however there was that one time in first year...
"Sorry, I know you wouldn't," said Neville, quite flustered and also apparently forgetting his first year at Hogwarts, "It's
just I was in the Leaky Cauldron earlier and I heard our old Professor Lupin talking to Mr. Ollivander. Apparently Prof.
Dumbledore wants him to come to the school this year to make sure you use your wand properly!" Ron laughed this off saying
something about Harry needing some help in Transfiguration, but Harry felt sick to the stomach. He almost threw up at the
thought of people he trusted, people he thought trusted him, planning safety measures for him behind his back. Why were they
all so secretive? What was he supposed to do? What was wrong with him?
Before Ron could say anything he dashed through the crowded Alley losing him. He gracefully side-stepped Ginny and Hermione,
so quickly they didn't even notice he had passed them, and reached the back of the Leaky Cauldron. After pushing his way
passed some dumb-struck first years he got in. He immediately started looking for Remus, but when he was bowled over by a
large black hairy mess, it appeared that they had found him first.
He looked up into the face of Padfoot and smiled weakly, until he remembered why he had stormed up here. He was helped up by
Remus and Mr. Ollivander but rather aggressively shrugged off their help. Remus looked at him surprised, but Mr. Ollivander
just smiled the same knowing smile he had the first day they had met.
"It seems young Remus, that our Mr. Longbottom was listening after all. And as a boy with his disposition tends to do got the
wrong end of the stick. Would you like to explain or should I?" he asked Lupin, but not once taking his eyes off Harry. This
threw Harry completely. He had before because of his feelings for Ginny and now... A mulled meed was starting to sound really
good! As if reading his mind Mr. Ollivander smiled at Lupin, "Get the boy a drink Lupin, I'll find us a table," with that he
steered Harry into a dark corner. He sat him down and his smile became softer. Harry had always been scared of Mr. Ollivander
before but now he found himself warming to him, like an uncle that he had never met, "It seems Harry that we have our wires
crossed. I am coming to Hogwarts this term, and I am coming to make sure you use your wand properly, but for a completely
different reason than to keep tabs on you," he paused as Remus arrived at the table and placed a tankard of mulled mead in
front of him. Harry was delightfully surprised but confused when Lupin didn't take a seat, "Your going to need a lot of
guidance from me this year Mr. Potter, but I assure you, we are on your side." As if his last word was final, Mr. Ollivander
got up to leave.
With a lick from Sirius and a smile from Lupin, he was left alone in the corner drinking his mulled mead. But he didn't feel
alone. For the first time in his life he felt as if he could never be alone, that his friends would always be by his side,
even Ginny... Thinking about her he noticed three bright red heads walk through the door, followed by long one with straight
brown hair that he was still getting used to not frizzy. He saw Ginny start towards him with deep concern on her face but he
smiled at her and she stopped. He was okay, and now so was she. They continued staring at each other for a while until Harry
heard Ron cough over the din.
"Come on Harry!" Mrs. Weasley called to him, frowning slightly at the tankard of Mead he was finishing, "We've got to get you
all packed!"
~~~~~~~~~
Ginny looked at the packed platform Nine and Three Quarters. With the Hogwarts Express steaming and ready to go, hundreds of
children and young men and women being waved off by parents, friends and relatives, she still felt completely alone. Harry
was nowhere to be seen. Sirius was probably still at her house telling him the way to Hogwarts on the bike, so he wouldn't
have to duck beneath the clouds. That had of course got her brother and Harry in trouble in their second year. True, a Ford
Anglia was probably more noticeable than a bike, and the bike had a disillusionment charm on it but as her mother had always
said; 'Better safe than sorry!' She smiled at the thought of Harry storming around the room, furious with teenage impertinence
that he had to have flying explained to him, when he was possibly the best flyer in the country if not the world. She stifled
a chuckle; Men, they could be so proud!
She missed him as she boarded the train; normally he would be helping her with her trunk. Now it was up to her brother, but
he was too wrapped up in showing off his impressive muscles to Hermione by holding her trunk above his head. Ginny had to
admit that it was quite impressive as she seriously believed that Hermione had one of each of the books that Flourish and
Blotts in there as well as a years supply of casual clothes, cat treats and her robes. That would have been Harry with her if
not for this past summer. Part of her had tried to refuse his excuse that there was something very wrong with him, but she
knew it made sense. His revelations of what he had done over this summer had made her certain something was wrong. That had
not been the Harry she loved; she did not love that Harry, did she?
Her dreams, they had been so real, as if she had been those girls over the summer, but he had stayed there, he had held her
in his arms as she licked his wounds, he had held her... forever!
She was snapped out of it by Ron dropping her trunk in front of her. He looked exhausted now that Hermione was nowhere in
sight. Ginny laughed at him. He looked up at her angry and snapped, wheezing.
"It's not my fault if you pack your trunk with too much crap!" his glare; however malicious, made her smile even more.
"It's not my fault if you endlessly try to impress a girl who needs no impressing, therefore killing yourself in the pursuit
of a goal you achieved when you saved her from a mountain troll in your first year!" white dots started to flash in front of
her eyes, her head swam from lack of oxygen; she had said that all in one breath. Ron just stood there, his jaw grazing the
floor. She had never stood up to him before, and she liked his reaction. He was dumb-struck as she picked up the fallen trunk
and threw it onto the train. She left him like that on the platform before the whistle blew, and then she heard him scurry on
behind her.
She felt the train start to move as she finally arrived at their carriage, empty apart from Hermione and Crookshanks. She
smiled as she sat down opposite and they both laughed as Ron pulled his trunk; with Harry's on top, into the compartment. He
collapsed next to Hermione and showed how tired he really was by actually letting Crookshanks lick his face. Crookshanks
purred at him and curled up on his exhausted form. Hermione sat shocked, but soon consented to a game of exploding snap with
Ginny; a game that still did not wake Ron, or Crookshanks.
Ginny looked at the space that should have been filled by Harry beside her but she could not bring herself to look for too
long. The emptiness of the chair mirrored the emptiness of her heart and if she stared at it any longer she would cry. What
took her mind off of it however was a loud knock on the compartment door. Even with the shutters down she could tell who it
was; she had hoped that Malfoy would leave them alone when he learned that Harry was not on board. Wishful thinking, she
decided as she saw Ron wake at the noise. Hermione sat down next to him and glared at the door waiting for it to open.
"I'll say one thing for Malfoy," Ron said groggily to them both, "He seems to have learnt some manners over the summer!" they
all chuckled at this but the door was quickly thrown open. Apparently; they could tell from the look of impatience that
flickered for a second on his face, his learned manners didn't stretch very far, "What do you want Malfoy?" Ron glared at
him, not caring much whether he answered or not. Malfoy seemed to ignore him.
"Ah... Weasley, my favourite pureblood punchbag!" his eyes darted quickly to see that Ron was holding Hermione's hand, "A
fine example of a wizard inbred and their want to get down and dirty with Mudblood filth!" he spat the last words at Ron but
Ginny saw Hermione holding him back, she was surprisingly strong.
"Shut it Malfoy!" Ginny spat at him, surprising everyone, including herself.
"The President of the Potter fan club! Where is he? Finally got wise that you were coming on to him? Or did the prospect of a
family threesome sicken him too much? That's your family moto though isn't it, 'Incest is best, Keep it in the family!'"
"Use your wand Malfoy, your better at hurting peole with it!" Ginny stood up and spoke again; shocking Malfoy, but only for a
second.
"What does the retarded little bitch mean?"
"I meant, if your tongue was a weapon you couldn't kill a fly!"
"My toungue is as sharp as any sword..."
"Your tongue is about as sharp as your cock, which is probably why you look like a prick and your breath smells like you've
shoved your HEAD up Goyle's arse one too many times!" Malfoy had backed away during this, no one could have possibly believed
that she could talk like this, not even her. Maybe Harry sticking up for her yesterday had caused something to rub off on her
but she was on a role now, she hoped he would fight back. He however, didn't seem to be able to.
"Crabbe?" he asked, unsure of what to do, "Goyle?" They looked back at him dumb-struck, with looks on their faces that said,
'Does he really want us to hit a girl?' He looked at them in disgust at the delay in the time it was taking to carry out his
order; regardless of the fact that he hadn't actually voiced an order.
"JUST FUCK OFF MALFOY!" she screamed at him, while pushing him out of the door. She relished the words she had just said,
trying to commit this moment to memory forever. Just when she was about to smile however, Malfoy regained his footing. He
grabbed her arm, and rose his other one. She closed her eyes and looked away. He was getting ready to hit her, but before
even Ron could start to move towards them, Ginny felt his hand leave her arm. She heard a crack of glass and a dull thud. She
opened her eyes to see Crabbe and Goyle laying on the floor unconcious while two girls held Malfoy against the wall of the
corridor, his feet dangling below him.
He had become tall and muscular, qualities which would have made him quite heavy. What made it even more unbelievable was
that the two girls were barely 5ft 6"; about the same height as Ginny, to Malfoys 6ft 2". Nevertheless, they were holding him
easily. One of them went on tip toes, to move in close to Malfoy and although she could not see her lips move she could hear
an almost silent threat, as if it was being whispered to her.
"If you ever raise your hand to a girl again, you will lose it!" she spat at him and the other girl seemed to raise her
heckles like a cat and she growled at him. He fell to the floor even though they slowly let him down and he half dragged half
walked his fallen companions away, as fast as his legs could carry him. Ginny, Ron and Hermione all burst out laughing as
they watched Malfoy duck into the furthest compartment and slam the door shut loudly.
They turned to see the girls looking at them and smiling. She didn't know about Ron and Hermione but Ginny had to do a double
take when she saw them. If she hadn't looked very closely she would have thought they were twins. Both were petite, with long
black hair that reached their breasts. The quiet one who had merely growled had a dark complexion with large almond eyes that
gave her an asian appearance, but her eyes were extraordinary. Her pupils seemed to stretch vertically and they were surrounded
by a sparkling yellow iris which took up most of her eye. The other however was even more beautiful. Unlike her friend she
had a distinctly european appearance, gentle curved features, but strong eyes. When Ginny looked at them she gasped and
stepped back, they were exactly like Harry's contact lenses, but something told her these were their real eyes. The European
one held out her hand and smiled at Ginny.
"Hello," she said in a low melodic voice, "I'm Lillith and this is Precious, she's Chinese and doesn't speak a word of English
though!" she said her smile warm, friendly, flawless. Ginny wanted to hate her but she couldn't, it seemed impossible, "I hope
that guy doesn't give you trouble all the time?" her voice had the tone of a question rather than a concern. Ginny could tell
she was gonna like these two.
"Don't worry about him, he's nobody. Come and spend the rest of the journey with us, tell us something about yourselves..."
Ginny ignored a faint sense of foreboding as she closed them in.
A/N: Sorry this has taken so long but I've had a very bad week and I can't get onto the internet on a weekend anyway!
Thanks to: Mrs Remus Lupin: I read your bio and I agree! But I'm very sorry to tell you that Legolas is in love with me and
no one else so there! Thanks for the review. My friend is sitting next tome telling me you don't like me, because you sound
so wound up. It's hard explaining to him that the more wound up someone is reviewing, the more their enjoying/getting into
the story. Keep R+R and I'll see what I can do about bringing them together!
klb14345: Again thank you! Of course I'm going to mention you. The more people review the more I love them, and then the more
I write to them. Your reviews make my day whenever I read them, because I'm very self conscious when it comes to writing
stories, so you make me feel better! I think this chapter will make you happier to, because if I'm not mistaken I do believe
I can hear the Hogwarts Express pulling on to Platform Nine and Three Quarters! Also sorry for making you wait so long!!!
Harrysgirl: You should really write some fanfic of your own, maybe then I can review yours and try to guess and therefore
tell everyone about vital factors in your stories!!! Only kidding, but I would like to know, (do not review with this answer,
e-mail me) what part do you think she has to play in it?
Mabel Weasley: Harry never had reason to fight without a wand before but now that he had to live in the muggle world for the
summer, with no wand, and having to deal with the constant prejudice that we Goths have to deal with, he obviously learned a
few new skills. I can't wait until Malfoy tries his patience! Hee Hee!!! Also, the initials on Harry and Hermiones envelopes
were HB and HG for Head Boy and Head Girl, Sorry should have made that more clear!
Hermione15: Thanks for the praise but what do you mean, when you say you can see where I get my ideas from?
Chapter 9.
To Hogwarts we will go!
A short pudgy man with a balding head stared at him out of a dark, cracked mirror. It took him a few seconds to realise it
was his own reflection.
"P-P-Peter?" he asked the reflection and it seemed to nod silently. He couldn't really be sure his name was Peter, he hadn't
been called it in so long. There were other names for him but he seemed to remember Peter, "Pettigrew?" He hadn't spoken in
so long, words sounded strange to him, but this the most of all. He seemed to remember that as a human he needed to have a
surname, but he had not heard that name in what seemed like an eternity. There was another name that was familiar though, one
that he vaguely remembered as a friendly nickname, but now was a name to dread and fear. Not for the fact that he was in any
way powerful, the one who called it however...
"WORMTAIL!!!" a high pitched raspy voice, screamed with power that caused even the walls of their domain to cringe back in
fear. He started towards the voice, sure that the walls were laughing at him, because he was the one being called and not
them. When he finally entered a room at the far end of a long dark hall he almost choked on the malice that hung in the air
like a thick smoke. He choked as he entered and tried to breathe in deeply, but his breathe was stolen from him by the sight
that lay before him. The Dark Lord Voldemort, most powerful and feared of all the Dark Wizards before him was sitting on a
huge leather and wood throne that seemed to grow out of the ground. His flat face with snake like nostrils and glowing red
eyes was contorted into the most horrifying smile that Wormtail had ever seen. None lived after they saw Voldemort smile like
this, apart from one, him. Voldemort liked to taunt him with the prospect of death, just to keep him in line. But Wormtail
knew Voldemort needed him, his most faithful servant, to keep tabs on the outside world while Voldemort plotted the demise of
a certain boy-who-lived. But even safe in this knowledge, he still feared for his life. As he reached his master he flung
himself to the floor and kissed the hem of his robe.
"I am here as ever your faithful servant," he said in a shaky voice, "What is thy bidding my master?" He waited silently
shaking for his master to speak. Voldemort took a moment to stop smiling, taking a long breath like a drawn out hiss before
parting his lips.
"Have you taken my precious to London Wormtail?" Wormtail looked up at his master and smiled weakly. Voldemort had told him a
day gone by to take his black cat to London and get her near Kings Cross. He didn't really see why. The Cat could not
possibly harm Potter as it had no magical powers apart from thinking like a human, and an uncanny ability to breed, a lot!
This kept Voldemort in fresh kittens blood, something he favoured greatly.
"Yes master, can I be let in on the plan now master? What is she to do master?" he asked a little more forcefully than any
sane person would have. Voldemort acted like he ignored it, but Wormtail knew that he would be punished dearly later.
"She will be very useful in the overall plan Wormtail, and you know the conclusion of that. Potter will fall Wormtail,
further than his parents before him!" that was all Wormtail would be privy to that night as with a wave of Voldemort's hand
he was flung from the room. The door slammed shut behind him as he hit the wall on the opposite end of the hall. He could
faintly hear his Master speaking as he fell into unconsciousness, "Lucius, my child... How's your son?"
~~~~~~~~~~
Diagon Alley, as it always had been was a sea of colour and noise that made Harry smile in spite of the heart rendering
decision he had just been forced to make. At first the group found it strange that there was so much noise and animal fur
flying about the place, but then they saw that Eyelops Owls and the Magical Menagerie were both having a sale. They took this
opportunity to go in and by their animals some accessories; Harry had been working Hedwig very hard recently. Hermione
disappeared with Ginny at first and when they came back they saw what could only be a scratching post in her hands.
"It's not just any scratching post, it's magical! It can talk, go on, give it a scratch!" Harry did has he was told as Ron
made cat noises behind him and suddenly it gave him and electric shock.
"Your not a cat! Go away!" it squealed in a high pitched voice, and Harry found himself inexplicably waiting for it to say
"NI!" He smiled dumfounded as Hermione spent an exorbitant amount of money on a scratching post which he thought had it in
for him as much as her cat Crookshanks did. Ginny stuck up for her though, and Harry joked with Ron that Crookshanks magical
power must be to make girls like him. Ron then pointed out that he wasn't sure that Crookshanks was actually a boy. Harry and
Ron went on about this for a long time, neither one conceding, yet neither one asking Hermione because they were afraid she
would go off in a huff because they didn't pay enough attention to her, or her precious cat.
Harry and Ron eventually dragged the girls out of the Magical Menagerie and towards the Owl Emporium. As they were crossing,
Harry noticed Ron gaze lovingly up the street and followed his gaze. He expected to see a girl that Ron might fancy; then he
would give him a dig in the ribs and everything would be okay. But when he followed Ron's gaze he found that it rested
squarely on the sign jutting out from the wall. The sign read "Quality Quidditch Supplies!" and Harry didn't notice as his
own face adopted the same glazed over loving expression. Strangely though he felt as if he was being hit in the stomach, and
a split second later he winced as he felt the true punch. Ron was also bent double coughing and cradling his stomach;
Hermione just stood over him with a strange look on her face, somewhere between concern and triumph.
"I'm sorry," said Harry after he very quickly caught his breath, "I was miles away. Did you want something?" Ginny had a
'Stop ignoring me Potter!' look on her face which to him made her all that more beautiful, it took him a couple of seconds to
remember they'd agreed to not do this. He placed his hands lazily by his sides and smiled at her, hoping that she wouldn't
notice the longing in his eyes.
"If the boys want to go and play with their toys then who are we to stop them Ginny?" said Hermione, and by the tone in her
voice Harry could tell she was going to make Ron pay for this. But Ron just smiled and kissed her goodbye before making a
move off down the Alley. Harry just stood there though, transfixed by the look on Ginny's face. They had both seen that kiss
and only now had it hit Harry how much he had given up all but ten minutes ago. He looked at her fiery hair and wished he
could smell it. Her eyes stared at him and he wished that he could just look into them forever. Her lips had formed a pout
that he could not fathom and he hoped to all the gods and powers that he would get to kiss them again. He felt tears welling
up in his eyes as he saw her smile weakly and he asked himself, 'Can I really live like this?'
"See you later Gin!" Ron said quite loudly and Harry snapped out of his stupor and watched her smile at him.
"Yeah, see you guys later..." she said with the air of having just woken up from a day dream as well. He had to wipe his face
so Ron wouldn't see the tears that threatened to run down his face before turning to him. Surprisingly he saw his friend
standing there looking back at him with a deep sadness in his eyes, "I'm Sorry Harry... Thank you..." and with that he hugged
Harry to him and pulled him off down the street. Harry realised that Ron must be feeling guilty, blaming himself for Harry
and Ginny being unhappy. Harry forced his smile to go wider, which seemed to reassure Ron. Inside however Harry was a wreck.
He struggled with the idea that he could never hold her again, that he could never touch her delicate hair, not even as a
friend. It would be too strange now that they knew each others feelings.
Harry was so caught up in his own head that he didn't notice Ron dragging him towards a large crowd. With a muffled thud and
what he was sure was a breaking of bones on someone's part he looked up into a very pudgy face. He realised that he was laying
on his back and only now noticed his bruised posterior. He felt the heavy weight lift off of him, and saw Neville Longbottom,
staring at him, looking very scared. Harry immediately thought he was scared because of his clothing, and tried to force a
smile when Neville cringed back.
"Please don't hex me!" he screamed before hiding his face. It took Harry a little while; after laughing a lot, to get Neville
to uncover his face.
"I'm your friend Neville, I have been for seven years! I'd never hex you! We'd never hex you!" he said motioning towards Ron;
however there was that one time in first year...
"Sorry, I know you wouldn't," said Neville, quite flustered and also apparently forgetting his first year at Hogwarts, "It's
just I was in the Leaky Cauldron earlier and I heard our old Professor Lupin talking to Mr. Ollivander. Apparently Prof.
Dumbledore wants him to come to the school this year to make sure you use your wand properly!" Ron laughed this off saying
something about Harry needing some help in Transfiguration, but Harry felt sick to the stomach. He almost threw up at the
thought of people he trusted, people he thought trusted him, planning safety measures for him behind his back. Why were they
all so secretive? What was he supposed to do? What was wrong with him?
Before Ron could say anything he dashed through the crowded Alley losing him. He gracefully side-stepped Ginny and Hermione,
so quickly they didn't even notice he had passed them, and reached the back of the Leaky Cauldron. After pushing his way
passed some dumb-struck first years he got in. He immediately started looking for Remus, but when he was bowled over by a
large black hairy mess, it appeared that they had found him first.
He looked up into the face of Padfoot and smiled weakly, until he remembered why he had stormed up here. He was helped up by
Remus and Mr. Ollivander but rather aggressively shrugged off their help. Remus looked at him surprised, but Mr. Ollivander
just smiled the same knowing smile he had the first day they had met.
"It seems young Remus, that our Mr. Longbottom was listening after all. And as a boy with his disposition tends to do got the
wrong end of the stick. Would you like to explain or should I?" he asked Lupin, but not once taking his eyes off Harry. This
threw Harry completely. He had before because of his feelings for Ginny and now... A mulled meed was starting to sound really
good! As if reading his mind Mr. Ollivander smiled at Lupin, "Get the boy a drink Lupin, I'll find us a table," with that he
steered Harry into a dark corner. He sat him down and his smile became softer. Harry had always been scared of Mr. Ollivander
before but now he found himself warming to him, like an uncle that he had never met, "It seems Harry that we have our wires
crossed. I am coming to Hogwarts this term, and I am coming to make sure you use your wand properly, but for a completely
different reason than to keep tabs on you," he paused as Remus arrived at the table and placed a tankard of mulled mead in
front of him. Harry was delightfully surprised but confused when Lupin didn't take a seat, "Your going to need a lot of
guidance from me this year Mr. Potter, but I assure you, we are on your side." As if his last word was final, Mr. Ollivander
got up to leave.
With a lick from Sirius and a smile from Lupin, he was left alone in the corner drinking his mulled mead. But he didn't feel
alone. For the first time in his life he felt as if he could never be alone, that his friends would always be by his side,
even Ginny... Thinking about her he noticed three bright red heads walk through the door, followed by long one with straight
brown hair that he was still getting used to not frizzy. He saw Ginny start towards him with deep concern on her face but he
smiled at her and she stopped. He was okay, and now so was she. They continued staring at each other for a while until Harry
heard Ron cough over the din.
"Come on Harry!" Mrs. Weasley called to him, frowning slightly at the tankard of Mead he was finishing, "We've got to get you
all packed!"
~~~~~~~~~
Ginny looked at the packed platform Nine and Three Quarters. With the Hogwarts Express steaming and ready to go, hundreds of
children and young men and women being waved off by parents, friends and relatives, she still felt completely alone. Harry
was nowhere to be seen. Sirius was probably still at her house telling him the way to Hogwarts on the bike, so he wouldn't
have to duck beneath the clouds. That had of course got her brother and Harry in trouble in their second year. True, a Ford
Anglia was probably more noticeable than a bike, and the bike had a disillusionment charm on it but as her mother had always
said; 'Better safe than sorry!' She smiled at the thought of Harry storming around the room, furious with teenage impertinence
that he had to have flying explained to him, when he was possibly the best flyer in the country if not the world. She stifled
a chuckle; Men, they could be so proud!
She missed him as she boarded the train; normally he would be helping her with her trunk. Now it was up to her brother, but
he was too wrapped up in showing off his impressive muscles to Hermione by holding her trunk above his head. Ginny had to
admit that it was quite impressive as she seriously believed that Hermione had one of each of the books that Flourish and
Blotts in there as well as a years supply of casual clothes, cat treats and her robes. That would have been Harry with her if
not for this past summer. Part of her had tried to refuse his excuse that there was something very wrong with him, but she
knew it made sense. His revelations of what he had done over this summer had made her certain something was wrong. That had
not been the Harry she loved; she did not love that Harry, did she?
Her dreams, they had been so real, as if she had been those girls over the summer, but he had stayed there, he had held her
in his arms as she licked his wounds, he had held her... forever!
She was snapped out of it by Ron dropping her trunk in front of her. He looked exhausted now that Hermione was nowhere in
sight. Ginny laughed at him. He looked up at her angry and snapped, wheezing.
"It's not my fault if you pack your trunk with too much crap!" his glare; however malicious, made her smile even more.
"It's not my fault if you endlessly try to impress a girl who needs no impressing, therefore killing yourself in the pursuit
of a goal you achieved when you saved her from a mountain troll in your first year!" white dots started to flash in front of
her eyes, her head swam from lack of oxygen; she had said that all in one breath. Ron just stood there, his jaw grazing the
floor. She had never stood up to him before, and she liked his reaction. He was dumb-struck as she picked up the fallen trunk
and threw it onto the train. She left him like that on the platform before the whistle blew, and then she heard him scurry on
behind her.
She felt the train start to move as she finally arrived at their carriage, empty apart from Hermione and Crookshanks. She
smiled as she sat down opposite and they both laughed as Ron pulled his trunk; with Harry's on top, into the compartment. He
collapsed next to Hermione and showed how tired he really was by actually letting Crookshanks lick his face. Crookshanks
purred at him and curled up on his exhausted form. Hermione sat shocked, but soon consented to a game of exploding snap with
Ginny; a game that still did not wake Ron, or Crookshanks.
Ginny looked at the space that should have been filled by Harry beside her but she could not bring herself to look for too
long. The emptiness of the chair mirrored the emptiness of her heart and if she stared at it any longer she would cry. What
took her mind off of it however was a loud knock on the compartment door. Even with the shutters down she could tell who it
was; she had hoped that Malfoy would leave them alone when he learned that Harry was not on board. Wishful thinking, she
decided as she saw Ron wake at the noise. Hermione sat down next to him and glared at the door waiting for it to open.
"I'll say one thing for Malfoy," Ron said groggily to them both, "He seems to have learnt some manners over the summer!" they
all chuckled at this but the door was quickly thrown open. Apparently; they could tell from the look of impatience that
flickered for a second on his face, his learned manners didn't stretch very far, "What do you want Malfoy?" Ron glared at
him, not caring much whether he answered or not. Malfoy seemed to ignore him.
"Ah... Weasley, my favourite pureblood punchbag!" his eyes darted quickly to see that Ron was holding Hermione's hand, "A
fine example of a wizard inbred and their want to get down and dirty with Mudblood filth!" he spat the last words at Ron but
Ginny saw Hermione holding him back, she was surprisingly strong.
"Shut it Malfoy!" Ginny spat at him, surprising everyone, including herself.
"The President of the Potter fan club! Where is he? Finally got wise that you were coming on to him? Or did the prospect of a
family threesome sicken him too much? That's your family moto though isn't it, 'Incest is best, Keep it in the family!'"
"Use your wand Malfoy, your better at hurting peole with it!" Ginny stood up and spoke again; shocking Malfoy, but only for a
second.
"What does the retarded little bitch mean?"
"I meant, if your tongue was a weapon you couldn't kill a fly!"
"My toungue is as sharp as any sword..."
"Your tongue is about as sharp as your cock, which is probably why you look like a prick and your breath smells like you've
shoved your HEAD up Goyle's arse one too many times!" Malfoy had backed away during this, no one could have possibly believed
that she could talk like this, not even her. Maybe Harry sticking up for her yesterday had caused something to rub off on her
but she was on a role now, she hoped he would fight back. He however, didn't seem to be able to.
"Crabbe?" he asked, unsure of what to do, "Goyle?" They looked back at him dumb-struck, with looks on their faces that said,
'Does he really want us to hit a girl?' He looked at them in disgust at the delay in the time it was taking to carry out his
order; regardless of the fact that he hadn't actually voiced an order.
"JUST FUCK OFF MALFOY!" she screamed at him, while pushing him out of the door. She relished the words she had just said,
trying to commit this moment to memory forever. Just when she was about to smile however, Malfoy regained his footing. He
grabbed her arm, and rose his other one. She closed her eyes and looked away. He was getting ready to hit her, but before
even Ron could start to move towards them, Ginny felt his hand leave her arm. She heard a crack of glass and a dull thud. She
opened her eyes to see Crabbe and Goyle laying on the floor unconcious while two girls held Malfoy against the wall of the
corridor, his feet dangling below him.
He had become tall and muscular, qualities which would have made him quite heavy. What made it even more unbelievable was
that the two girls were barely 5ft 6"; about the same height as Ginny, to Malfoys 6ft 2". Nevertheless, they were holding him
easily. One of them went on tip toes, to move in close to Malfoy and although she could not see her lips move she could hear
an almost silent threat, as if it was being whispered to her.
"If you ever raise your hand to a girl again, you will lose it!" she spat at him and the other girl seemed to raise her
heckles like a cat and she growled at him. He fell to the floor even though they slowly let him down and he half dragged half
walked his fallen companions away, as fast as his legs could carry him. Ginny, Ron and Hermione all burst out laughing as
they watched Malfoy duck into the furthest compartment and slam the door shut loudly.
They turned to see the girls looking at them and smiling. She didn't know about Ron and Hermione but Ginny had to do a double
take when she saw them. If she hadn't looked very closely she would have thought they were twins. Both were petite, with long
black hair that reached their breasts. The quiet one who had merely growled had a dark complexion with large almond eyes that
gave her an asian appearance, but her eyes were extraordinary. Her pupils seemed to stretch vertically and they were surrounded
by a sparkling yellow iris which took up most of her eye. The other however was even more beautiful. Unlike her friend she
had a distinctly european appearance, gentle curved features, but strong eyes. When Ginny looked at them she gasped and
stepped back, they were exactly like Harry's contact lenses, but something told her these were their real eyes. The European
one held out her hand and smiled at Ginny.
"Hello," she said in a low melodic voice, "I'm Lillith and this is Precious, she's Chinese and doesn't speak a word of English
though!" she said her smile warm, friendly, flawless. Ginny wanted to hate her but she couldn't, it seemed impossible, "I hope
that guy doesn't give you trouble all the time?" her voice had the tone of a question rather than a concern. Ginny could tell
she was gonna like these two.
"Don't worry about him, he's nobody. Come and spend the rest of the journey with us, tell us something about yourselves..."
Ginny ignored a faint sense of foreboding as she closed them in.