Harry relocked the door after he shut it. Harry turned to find Ginny lying
on her bed curled up in to a ball. He sighed and sat beside her finding it
ironic that not just a couple hours ago she had been the one comforting
him.
"You want to know the worst part Harry?" She didn't even bother waiting for an answer knowing full well he didn't have one. "It knows that I can heal any physical ailment. Hell I can bring souls back into their bodies and let them live again. But I cannot even heal any mental wound. I can't heal the pain a memory can cause or the pain words wield. Its rather frustrating Harry." Harry murmured his agreement as her tears began to flow.
Harry pulled her up and wrapped his arms around her cradling her to him gently. He held her until her tears subsided and she drifted off into sleep. After tucking her underneath her sheets, he crept downstairs.
Ron reached Harry first; grabbing him Ron dragged him into the kitchen.
"Ginny did that to Hermione didn't she? She broke Hermione's ankle from across the damn room Harry." Ron's voice didn't sound angry just frightened. "And how did you get her to come down and mend it again not even mum could have done that."
"I told her I wouldn't make her apologize. I hate to say it but Ginny had every right to do what she did. Doesn't' mean she should have but she did have the right and I think Hermione knows that." Ron sighed knowing Harry was right but not sure if he wanted to accept that quite yet. "We should go out there and see what's going on." Harry led Ron out into the living room.
The room hushed as they entered and everyone looked at Harry expectantly. Harry sighed knowing they wanted him to do all the talking. "She's upstairs asleep. Hermione I suggest you sleep downstairs for the night, your ankle is probably going to be sore for the next couple of days."
Mrs. Weasley realizing that Harry did not intend to say any more rushed everyone to bed. She sent Percy to fetch some pillows and blankets for Hermione. After giving Hermione a kiss goodnight Ron followed Harry up the stairs silently.
The boys changed for bed and Ron looked at Harry expectantly. "Did you know Hermione didn't like Ginny? I always thought they were pretty good friends." Ron stated bluntly.
"Well so did Ginny. I don't think Hermione has ever forgiven Ginny for what happened with the chamber. Hermione wanted to be the one to solve it and Ginny inadvertently prevented her from doing that. After that she's been thinking Ginny has been seeking our attention, she thinks Ginny is trying to take us away from her. I don't think Hermione realizes that it's not possible for Ginny to do this. Hermione has been acting chum with Ginny to find out if we had told her anything we hadn't told Hermione. But the point is that Hermione feels threatened by Ginny." Harry said this all very calmly.
Ron lay back dropping the subject. As he thought about it he could remember times Hermione had purposely found reasons to stay away from Ginny and how she had tried to get Ron to not pay attention to the whole boyfriend thing in his fifth year. The most disturbing part was how Hermione had acted when she found Ginny would be leaving Hogwarts. She hadn't seemed troubled at all she had seemed rather cheerful about it actually. Hermione had kept coming up with reasons why they should be happy Ginny was leaving. Ron had always thought Hermione was looking for the silver lining but now he realized she hadn't needed a silver lining. Ron rolled over trying to sleep knowing full well this summer wasn't going to be as great as he had thought.
The rest of the summer seemed to go by in an uncomfortable silence. Ron and Harry found themselves torn between the two girls. Hermione was not sure whether to be angry or embarrassed so she found herself stuck between the two. As the days went by though she saw that Ginny had never intended to try to take the boys' attention that it was all in her head. Yet Hermione could not find the courage to go to Ginny and right her wrongs. Every time she went to do make amends Hermione would chicken out and find a book to lose herself in.
Ginny had taken to staying out of Hermione's way. If Harry and Ron were with Hermione Ginny would busy herself with household chores or would be out tending to the garden. Harry and Ron tried to spend equal time with the girls but as the summer began to come closer to the end the boys had taken to hanging out in Ron's room by themselves. Harry used the time to study for his apparition test. It seemed all this quiet time had been useful and Harry was able to pass his test on the first try.
August 25th brought the delivery of their Hogwarts letters. Hermione's letter was accompanied by the Head Girl Badge. Hermione was so excited she temporarily forgot about the discomfort between her and Ginny and so did Ginny. Ginny's hug of congratulation some how was able to smooth over a month of uneasiness. At that moment it seemed the entire house had sighed in relief.
The next day the group found themselves at Diagon Alley. Mrs. Weasley had collected the four book lists and sent the kids to go buy robes and clothing. Harry looked at Ron uncertainly; they hadn't even gone to Gringotts.
"Um Ron how are we suppose to pay?" Harry whispered in Ron's ear as they entered a new clothing store that sold both wizard and muggle clothing.
"Mum didn't tell you? I'll explain tonight ok." Harry nodded as a wizard dressed in muggle fashion pulled him away. It seemed each one of them were to have someone waiting on them. Harry stood in awe as the wizard threw article after article of clothing at him telling him to try them on. After he had a whole wardrobe of muggle fashion they moved onto robe fashions. Harry chose a baggy style with a phoenix clasp that was an inch or two below the base of his throat. His robes had a hood which was a rarity for Hogwarts robes. After he had chosen some dress robes he noticed that Ron was waiting with a bag. "It's amazing how many clothes will fit in these things." Harry nodded in agreement when the man handed him a bag identical to Ron's.
After a couple of minutes the girls met them carrying their own bags. Mrs. Weasley met them shortly after. She ushered them to a near by café and sat them down for lunch. "Now where else to you all need to go?" After a jumble of answers it was settled they would go to the Quidditch store and then the pet store.
"Harry are there any Chaser positions open on the team this year?" Ginny asked this question almost fearful of the answer.
"Yeah we have an opening." Harry answered with a soft smile.
"Gin you'll probably make the team. You're pretty good." Ron replied shoving the rest of his sandwich in his mouth. Ginny laughed as Hermione pinched Ron's leg rather hard.
The group spent a good hour in the Quidditch shop and managed to walk out even with their arms full of purchases. Mrs. Weasley shrunk the purchases and put them in the proper owner's clothing bags.
At the pet store Harry and Ron bought owl treats as Hermione bought little toys for Crookshanks. Ginny walked around looking at the various magical pets, stopping at small cage resting on the floor. Inside was a small fluff ball of a puppy.
"Excuse me what kind of puppy is this?" Ginny asked one of the witches working there.
"Oh she is an English Foxhound; no one seems to want an ordinary dog these days." The witch said sadly.
Ginny walked out of the store happily with a small puppy attempting to lick her face. It had taken some heavy persuasion to get her mum to allow Ginny to purchase the puppy. With the puppy came a magical cage that had a bathroom pad in the corner and would expand when the puppy began to grow. Mrs. Weasley groaned when it was time to leave Diagon Alley. Ginny handed the puppy over to Mrs. Weasley who went back with Ron and Hermione by Floo.
Harry and Ginny arrived only seconds before the others. Ginny immediately took the puppy and sat with her on the floor trying to get her to go to the bathroom on the little pad in its cage. Ron and Hermione took everyone's things to the proper rooms.
"I didn't know dogs where allowed at Hogwarts." Harry said as he scratched the puppy behind its ears. It responded by playfully nipping Harry's finger tips.
"I don't know if they are but I'm sure Dumbledore will let me keep her. She's too cute to reject." To Ginny's happiness the little puppy went to the bathroom on the pad earning it a treat and praise.
"What are you going to name her?" Harry asked as he picked the little puppy up and placing her in his lap on her back so he could pet her stomach.
"Bernice. I can call her Bernie." Harry looked at her strangely. Bernice seemed like a rather odd name for a dog.
"Well whatever you want Ginevra." Harry said lightly ruffling her hair as he stood up and plopped himself on the couch. Harry laughed when he saw Ginny stick her tongue out at him. "So what do you think Ron and Hermione are doing?"
"I bet Hermione's modeling her new knickers for him." Harry looked horrified at the very thought as Ginny began laughing wildly cause Bernice to bounce around her.
"I did not need to know anything about Hermione's knickers. Maybe yours but definitely not hers." Ginny abruptly stopped laughing and her mouth hung open as she stared at him. Harry began laughing and launched a tickle attack on her sending Bernice into hysterics.
Ginny as a last defense clamped onto Harry's wrist with her teeth causing Harry to stop his attack.
"Ow Ginny that hurt." Harry said as he stared at Ginny in mock horror. Ginny let out a light laugh and reached over placing her right hand on the bite mark. Harry felt the familiar sharp pain. He looked down to see it completely healed. "Now Ginny you gotta quit that. Hurting someone then healing them it just ain't right."
Ginny laughed as Ron and Hermione entered the room. Hermione sat by Ginny looking a little nervous as she petted Bernice.
"Harry come on." Ron pulled Harry up and out of the room. "Hermione's going to apologize to Ginny." Ron said as they walked up the stairs. Ron pushed Harry into their room and sat down on his bed.
"Now about today with the money thing. I had thought mum told you. But you know how Sirius was declared innocent at the end of last year. Well a month or so ago the Ministry unfroze his accounts. At this time Remus found a safe box in Sirius's old room. In the box was his will he had written." Ron took a deep breath.
"Well Ron spit it out. What did the will say." Harry asked impatiently.
"Sirius asked my mum and dad to watch over you and he left all his family assets to us. All the Blacks properties were sold and the profits went to us. We are extremely rich. Mum won't let you pay for anything ever again. Remus got a nice sum of money as well." Ron watched Harry carefully trying to judge his reaction.
"That's great Ron." Harry's face lit up in a smile. "Now I think we should go check on Hermione and Ginny just incase you know." Ron nodded and the boys left to go find the girls.
"You want to know the worst part Harry?" She didn't even bother waiting for an answer knowing full well he didn't have one. "It knows that I can heal any physical ailment. Hell I can bring souls back into their bodies and let them live again. But I cannot even heal any mental wound. I can't heal the pain a memory can cause or the pain words wield. Its rather frustrating Harry." Harry murmured his agreement as her tears began to flow.
Harry pulled her up and wrapped his arms around her cradling her to him gently. He held her until her tears subsided and she drifted off into sleep. After tucking her underneath her sheets, he crept downstairs.
Ron reached Harry first; grabbing him Ron dragged him into the kitchen.
"Ginny did that to Hermione didn't she? She broke Hermione's ankle from across the damn room Harry." Ron's voice didn't sound angry just frightened. "And how did you get her to come down and mend it again not even mum could have done that."
"I told her I wouldn't make her apologize. I hate to say it but Ginny had every right to do what she did. Doesn't' mean she should have but she did have the right and I think Hermione knows that." Ron sighed knowing Harry was right but not sure if he wanted to accept that quite yet. "We should go out there and see what's going on." Harry led Ron out into the living room.
The room hushed as they entered and everyone looked at Harry expectantly. Harry sighed knowing they wanted him to do all the talking. "She's upstairs asleep. Hermione I suggest you sleep downstairs for the night, your ankle is probably going to be sore for the next couple of days."
Mrs. Weasley realizing that Harry did not intend to say any more rushed everyone to bed. She sent Percy to fetch some pillows and blankets for Hermione. After giving Hermione a kiss goodnight Ron followed Harry up the stairs silently.
The boys changed for bed and Ron looked at Harry expectantly. "Did you know Hermione didn't like Ginny? I always thought they were pretty good friends." Ron stated bluntly.
"Well so did Ginny. I don't think Hermione has ever forgiven Ginny for what happened with the chamber. Hermione wanted to be the one to solve it and Ginny inadvertently prevented her from doing that. After that she's been thinking Ginny has been seeking our attention, she thinks Ginny is trying to take us away from her. I don't think Hermione realizes that it's not possible for Ginny to do this. Hermione has been acting chum with Ginny to find out if we had told her anything we hadn't told Hermione. But the point is that Hermione feels threatened by Ginny." Harry said this all very calmly.
Ron lay back dropping the subject. As he thought about it he could remember times Hermione had purposely found reasons to stay away from Ginny and how she had tried to get Ron to not pay attention to the whole boyfriend thing in his fifth year. The most disturbing part was how Hermione had acted when she found Ginny would be leaving Hogwarts. She hadn't seemed troubled at all she had seemed rather cheerful about it actually. Hermione had kept coming up with reasons why they should be happy Ginny was leaving. Ron had always thought Hermione was looking for the silver lining but now he realized she hadn't needed a silver lining. Ron rolled over trying to sleep knowing full well this summer wasn't going to be as great as he had thought.
The rest of the summer seemed to go by in an uncomfortable silence. Ron and Harry found themselves torn between the two girls. Hermione was not sure whether to be angry or embarrassed so she found herself stuck between the two. As the days went by though she saw that Ginny had never intended to try to take the boys' attention that it was all in her head. Yet Hermione could not find the courage to go to Ginny and right her wrongs. Every time she went to do make amends Hermione would chicken out and find a book to lose herself in.
Ginny had taken to staying out of Hermione's way. If Harry and Ron were with Hermione Ginny would busy herself with household chores or would be out tending to the garden. Harry and Ron tried to spend equal time with the girls but as the summer began to come closer to the end the boys had taken to hanging out in Ron's room by themselves. Harry used the time to study for his apparition test. It seemed all this quiet time had been useful and Harry was able to pass his test on the first try.
August 25th brought the delivery of their Hogwarts letters. Hermione's letter was accompanied by the Head Girl Badge. Hermione was so excited she temporarily forgot about the discomfort between her and Ginny and so did Ginny. Ginny's hug of congratulation some how was able to smooth over a month of uneasiness. At that moment it seemed the entire house had sighed in relief.
The next day the group found themselves at Diagon Alley. Mrs. Weasley had collected the four book lists and sent the kids to go buy robes and clothing. Harry looked at Ron uncertainly; they hadn't even gone to Gringotts.
"Um Ron how are we suppose to pay?" Harry whispered in Ron's ear as they entered a new clothing store that sold both wizard and muggle clothing.
"Mum didn't tell you? I'll explain tonight ok." Harry nodded as a wizard dressed in muggle fashion pulled him away. It seemed each one of them were to have someone waiting on them. Harry stood in awe as the wizard threw article after article of clothing at him telling him to try them on. After he had a whole wardrobe of muggle fashion they moved onto robe fashions. Harry chose a baggy style with a phoenix clasp that was an inch or two below the base of his throat. His robes had a hood which was a rarity for Hogwarts robes. After he had chosen some dress robes he noticed that Ron was waiting with a bag. "It's amazing how many clothes will fit in these things." Harry nodded in agreement when the man handed him a bag identical to Ron's.
After a couple of minutes the girls met them carrying their own bags. Mrs. Weasley met them shortly after. She ushered them to a near by café and sat them down for lunch. "Now where else to you all need to go?" After a jumble of answers it was settled they would go to the Quidditch store and then the pet store.
"Harry are there any Chaser positions open on the team this year?" Ginny asked this question almost fearful of the answer.
"Yeah we have an opening." Harry answered with a soft smile.
"Gin you'll probably make the team. You're pretty good." Ron replied shoving the rest of his sandwich in his mouth. Ginny laughed as Hermione pinched Ron's leg rather hard.
The group spent a good hour in the Quidditch shop and managed to walk out even with their arms full of purchases. Mrs. Weasley shrunk the purchases and put them in the proper owner's clothing bags.
At the pet store Harry and Ron bought owl treats as Hermione bought little toys for Crookshanks. Ginny walked around looking at the various magical pets, stopping at small cage resting on the floor. Inside was a small fluff ball of a puppy.
"Excuse me what kind of puppy is this?" Ginny asked one of the witches working there.
"Oh she is an English Foxhound; no one seems to want an ordinary dog these days." The witch said sadly.
Ginny walked out of the store happily with a small puppy attempting to lick her face. It had taken some heavy persuasion to get her mum to allow Ginny to purchase the puppy. With the puppy came a magical cage that had a bathroom pad in the corner and would expand when the puppy began to grow. Mrs. Weasley groaned when it was time to leave Diagon Alley. Ginny handed the puppy over to Mrs. Weasley who went back with Ron and Hermione by Floo.
Harry and Ginny arrived only seconds before the others. Ginny immediately took the puppy and sat with her on the floor trying to get her to go to the bathroom on the little pad in its cage. Ron and Hermione took everyone's things to the proper rooms.
"I didn't know dogs where allowed at Hogwarts." Harry said as he scratched the puppy behind its ears. It responded by playfully nipping Harry's finger tips.
"I don't know if they are but I'm sure Dumbledore will let me keep her. She's too cute to reject." To Ginny's happiness the little puppy went to the bathroom on the pad earning it a treat and praise.
"What are you going to name her?" Harry asked as he picked the little puppy up and placing her in his lap on her back so he could pet her stomach.
"Bernice. I can call her Bernie." Harry looked at her strangely. Bernice seemed like a rather odd name for a dog.
"Well whatever you want Ginevra." Harry said lightly ruffling her hair as he stood up and plopped himself on the couch. Harry laughed when he saw Ginny stick her tongue out at him. "So what do you think Ron and Hermione are doing?"
"I bet Hermione's modeling her new knickers for him." Harry looked horrified at the very thought as Ginny began laughing wildly cause Bernice to bounce around her.
"I did not need to know anything about Hermione's knickers. Maybe yours but definitely not hers." Ginny abruptly stopped laughing and her mouth hung open as she stared at him. Harry began laughing and launched a tickle attack on her sending Bernice into hysterics.
Ginny as a last defense clamped onto Harry's wrist with her teeth causing Harry to stop his attack.
"Ow Ginny that hurt." Harry said as he stared at Ginny in mock horror. Ginny let out a light laugh and reached over placing her right hand on the bite mark. Harry felt the familiar sharp pain. He looked down to see it completely healed. "Now Ginny you gotta quit that. Hurting someone then healing them it just ain't right."
Ginny laughed as Ron and Hermione entered the room. Hermione sat by Ginny looking a little nervous as she petted Bernice.
"Harry come on." Ron pulled Harry up and out of the room. "Hermione's going to apologize to Ginny." Ron said as they walked up the stairs. Ron pushed Harry into their room and sat down on his bed.
"Now about today with the money thing. I had thought mum told you. But you know how Sirius was declared innocent at the end of last year. Well a month or so ago the Ministry unfroze his accounts. At this time Remus found a safe box in Sirius's old room. In the box was his will he had written." Ron took a deep breath.
"Well Ron spit it out. What did the will say." Harry asked impatiently.
"Sirius asked my mum and dad to watch over you and he left all his family assets to us. All the Blacks properties were sold and the profits went to us. We are extremely rich. Mum won't let you pay for anything ever again. Remus got a nice sum of money as well." Ron watched Harry carefully trying to judge his reaction.
"That's great Ron." Harry's face lit up in a smile. "Now I think we should go check on Hermione and Ginny just incase you know." Ron nodded and the boys left to go find the girls.