Disclaimer: Harry Potter and co. belong first and for mostly to J. K. Rowling.
~ Nevermore ~
~ Chapter 1 ~
Raven couldn't recall how long it had been since his first leap of faith. A week or perhaps two. Maybe. Life was a sort of blur to him now, settling into the life of the lost boys had been easy enough. You party all day and night and steal once in a while. Mad Hatter had promised to show him more of their enchanting world, but hadn't as of yet. All in due time his older and wiser friend had told him when he had inquired. For now Raven was left to his own devices and manner of mischief he could stir up.
Raven hadn't yet ventured back into the hollow depths of Gringotts, he knew the secret now of scaling the rock face walls, but had no desire to be caught trespassing so soon. For the most part Raven stayed and watched the rave parties. The way magic was moved around fascinated him and he always yearned to see more and perhaps create his own. He'd never tried and didn't know the incantations, but he'd learn.
Raven lived in a lower layer of the lost boys' territory, underground in a warm and comfortable cave that had once been a project of Gringotts long abandoned. Old tracks belonging to the transportation carts of Gringotts wound their way through his layer. They were dusty with age and rusted clear through in places. It was a very old project that had been stopped by a cave in and as such the spells commonly used to keep things in good working order had long worn off. But it was home enough to Raven; he had become fond of the dusty iron vault doors and chiseled steps that ran everywhere, leading up to other vaults that varied in size.
Mad Hatter said that most of the lost boys didn't know about this place and those that did, were wary of settling so close to Gringotts. Raven hadn't cared though; Gringotts carried on for miles and miles under ground, tunneled very deeply through sheer rock. It was unlikely that he would ever be caught, if this cave were as old as he had deemed it to be. To be sure though, he had cast what few charms he knew and had asked Mad Hatter for help in casting full protection wards. Mad Hatter had agreed and had cast as many advance charms as he could, he had even asked a few other lost boys to cast some more wards, just in case. Raven only hoped that it was enough.
Raven smiled a little, the day the wards were cast had had learned too. The Advance magic seemed a little difficult but over all he had done okay at casting. Although the lost boys couldn't teach him everything they had been more then happy to lend him their books. They had warned him though not to borrow because it involved trust, which didn't exist in the world of the lost boys. Raven had learned more then magic that day, he had learned the law of the land and would not forget it any time soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ron Weasley was not what you would call patience by any means, except when it came to chess, but that was different it involved strategy. It had happened just before his best friends birthday, Harry Potter had disappeared, well actually ran away, but what was the difference he was still missing. This bit of news angered Ron, although he was pleased to learn that Harry had blown up his Aunt Marge in the process it didn't fill the void he now felt.
The third year Gryffindor boy's dorm room should have held five Gryffindor boys. Instead now it held only four with the fifth filed as a missing person.
"Great way to start the year" Ron had muttered to himself on the Hogwarts express while Hermione lectured him no to worry so much.
Don't worry so much? Didn't Hermione know that Sirius black was on the loose? Hermione's optimism had changed drastically though after the Dementors had shown up. Real fear was seen behind her wise brown eyes now. Fear for her lost friend.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Did you hear Ron?" Asked Hermione at breakfast one morning while she scanned through the Daily Prophet.
"Hear what?" Ron muttered darkly through a mouth full of food. Hermione looked disgusted as a piece of half chewed bacon flew out.
"Don't you have any manners?" She scolded. Ron shrugged and continued chewing then washed it down with a bit of pumpkin juice.
"Well get on with it. What's so important."
"Flourish and Blott's has been robbed!" Exclaimed Hermione.
"Oh stop my beating heart!"
"You don't get it do you?"
"What's there to get? So what it was robbed, no big deal, right?"
"Wrong, it is a big deal especially when they think the lost boys were behind it."
"The lost boys you say. What would a bunch of wizard school dropouts want with books? Don't they just party?"
"You're a Wizard and you don't even know the neighborhood threats?"
"There's You-know-who, who else is there to fear with him around, besides, Sirius Black."
"Oh, honestly why do I even bother."
"I don't know why? We shouldn't be worried about stolen books when we have bigger fish's to fry. For example...HARRY!"
"You know the ministry of Magic is on it don't you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Look!" Hermione pointed to a small section at the bottom of the magical paper. It read:
Updates on the search for the Boy-who lived.
Still missing, but new leads have been found. Sirius Black still prime suspect.
Ron snorted.
"What's so funny?" Asked Hermione angrily
"That's just a cover up. They may be looking for Harry, but trust me they aren't looking too hard. They looking for Sirius Black more then for Harry. After all, Black managed to escape Azkaban and they figure if they find him they'll find Harry."
Hermione blinked, Ron's words had a lot of truth in them maybe he was right.
"Can I see the paper?" Asked a timid voice beside Hermione. She looked over to see Ginny craning her neck, trying to read the paper. Before Hermione could get her answer out though, Ron beat her to the chase.
"Get lost Ginny! You're not wanted here and stay out of trouble this year!"
Ginny burst into tears and fled the hall.
Hermione stared shocked at Ron.
"I can't believe you!"
"She caused a lot of grief last year, you know. My dad almost lost his job over it. I was told to keep her in line and not to let her get into trouble."
"That wasn't keeping her in line though. That was down right mean." Ron shrugged.
"It doesn't matter, she'll get over it." Hermione shook her head and placed down the paper glancing at the report about Harry once more.
"Where are you?" She thought sadly to herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ginny sat curled up in moaning myrtle's bathroom under the sink that was the door to the chamber of secrets. Last year hadn't been and easy one for her. She had been alone for most of it, although she had made a few friends they had never become close. Mostly, she had kept to herself and wrote in her diary.
The diary, something so small that had cost her so much. Her parents didn't trust her any more; she had heard them yelling about what had happened all summer. The shame it had brought them and the near loss of job for her father. Ginny almost never left her room that summer unless she was told to go and do so house hold chore.
In her room, Ginny heard everything. She could hear Ron above her, Fred and George to the right of her, Percy to the left and her parents directly below. The wall's carried sound well in the old rickety house and so Ginny was subject to hearing all the plotting that went on among her family. She didn't remember all that she hear mostly she remembered stuff that pertained to her. How careless she had been and how Ron, Fred, George and Percy needed to keep a closer eye on her at school.
Did they think she was deaf?!
Sniffling a little Ginny wiped away her tears and continued to star off into space.
"Who's crying?" Came a wail from one of the bathroom stalls. The "out of order" one to be exact.
"Its Ginny." Ginny sobbed out.
"Oh, well then I guess it's okay. As long as you're not laughing at me, I don't mind." Ginny snorted at Myrtle's humor.
"Why you little leech!" Myrtle suddenly screeched. "I knew you were just here to laugh at me." Ginny sniffed again and spoke before Myrtle had time to dive into her toilet of woes.
"What's death like?"
Myrtle caught off guard stopped her nose dive in mid-air literally and looked at Ginny curiously.
"No ones ever asked me that before." Said Myrtle floating over towards Ginny. Ginny looked up at the transparent figure she considered one of her perhaps dearest friends, though Myrtle didn't know it. Myrtle suddenly smiled and stretched out a hand to help Ginny up. She couldn't really help Ginny up, but it was more of a gesture of friendship then physically. Standing up Ginny looked at the ghost beside her, right now she was the same age that myrtle had died at.
"So what's it like?"
"Oh yes...well for me I wasn't at peace so I couldn't leave. Still something for me left to do here I guess. The event though. I was like I was suddenly pushed down and yet when I got up my body didn't come with me." Ginny nodded in understanding.
"Did you miss your family?" Myrtle's smiled faded.
"No, not really. They knew I was a ghost here and yet they never came to see me. I was lonely but then I got my revenge. I thought that my business so to say had been finished after that. Yet I'm still here...that's why I cry is because I want to leave my prison here. Hogwarts is nice but I want to go on."
Ginny nodded again and turned away sniffing.
Myrtle looked at her with pity. "What's so wrong in your life?" Ginny let out a sob the terrible feeling of betrayal returning to her.
"Come on dear you can tell me. Why are you so interested in death anyway?"
Ginny turned and looked at her and screamed out.
"BECAUSE I WANT TO DIE!"
~~~~~~~~~~~
A ghost is an unpeaceful spirit that hasn't finished its business on the physical plain and so cannot pass onto the spiritual plain. Though it is said that some ghost choose to stay to guide the future and correct the mistakes of the past. Most of Hogwarts Ghosts had chosen to stay and lead the future to brighter days. The most obvious ghost who had chosen to stay was professor Binns, feeling it was his duty to teach wizarding history to a T. Peeves on the other hand had also chosen to stay, but only to preserve the laughter that has prevailed through the ages. Moaning Myrtle had not chosen to stay however, and long to reach the spirit plain but her destiny was not over yet and she still had people to help.
A ghost returning to the physical world is a phenomenon that has never happened. Though the theory for such a thing has been researched. In the research no at least a thousand years old it was stated that a ghost could possible return to the living world should a living being be willing to give up their life force. Of course it has never been attempted and so there for the research had just become nothing more then a myth and a fairytale bedtime story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ginny yawned as she sat at the back of the History of Magic classroom. Binns droned on and on about the goblins rebellion and how after they began construction of Gringotts. Ginny plopped her head down on her desk as Binns continued to pour over how the goblin used their carts and how far Gringotts stretched underground. How their vaults worked and how even a ghost could get stuck in one. On and on he droned, the underground lake that held the last remaining draught of the Ents, the halted projects and cave ins Gringotts suffered from earthquakes. Binns then went on to describe the type of traps and guards that were used to keep peoples treasures safe. Ginny was vaguely aware as Binns told out the piece of lore written near the front doors and how it was really a Goblin spell, Binns didn't tell the significance of the spell however. Just as Binns was about to cover the art of goblin magic the bell rang and double History of Magic as well as the school day ended for Ginny.
Dashing down the hall and turning into a secret passage Ginny stumbled down a flight of invisible stairs and was about to turn right but instead was pulled back to the left. Ginny gasped and was about to scream but a hand was placed over her mouth firmly.
"I mean no harm." The horse voice whispered into her ear as he slowly led her down another secret passage branching off the on she was already in.
"Tell me" He said slowly and steadily. "Where is he?"
~~~~~~~~~~~
Myrtle almost screeched with joy when he walked before her.
"Why Sirius Black you look positively charming!" She cooed slowly floating around him. Sirius smiled.
"It's all thanks to you and you." He said nodding to Ginny in the process. Myrtle blushed silver while Ginny turned bright red.
"Y-your welcome." She managed to stutter out before turning away and blushing some more.
Myrtle cocked her head sideways and smiled again. Christmas was coming and it seemed a lot of cheer with it. For month's now Ginny had been hanging out in Myrtle's bathroom and talking to the lost soul. In many ways Myrtle had become a mentor to Ginny and even Ginny's best and for the moment only friend.
Outside the bathroom of solitude, Ginny had shunned her brothers as much as she could. They hadn't let up on her about what had occurred the year before which made Ginny cross with anger. Couldn't they well actually Ron let lie what had happened? It was over and it was a mistake although not entirely her fault. She had been lonely and writing had been the simple solution, unfortunately not with a simple answer.
So Ginny had just blocked them out. She had even gone so far as to say she was going home for Christmas but had plans to sign up for staying over Christmas as soon as they weren't looking. She needed peace and quite from Ron's rude behavior and snide remarks but knew she wouldn't get it at home. No, at home she would just be doing chores and sitting in her room, alone.
Sirius walked over to Ginny and placed a hand on her head. "Is something wrong, missy?" He asked in a horse but gentle voice that held a hint of mischief in it. Ginny looked up at the framed man and smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Ginny had never been so frightened in her whole life. Her heartbeats pounded echo's in her head as she was guided down the dark passage with gentle firmness. The hand was take from her mouth as they passed though a large wooden door with creaky hinges. Ginny wanted to scream and yell and cry all at the same time, while kicking at her kidnapper, yet that's not what flew out of her mouth. Whispering softly more to herself then him she said.
"So I meet my death then."
Her kidnapper chuckled and turned Ginny around smiling at her in a gentle way even though he was a horrible mess.
"I couldn't kill if my life depended on it and certainly not someone as cute as you." Ginny couldn't help but smile at the man in the dim light. Ginny backed out of his grasp and pulled out her wand. The man covered his face in defense but said nothing. Ginny grinned.
"Lumos" She lighting the room with soft white light. The man breathed a sigh of relief letting his arms drop to his side. For the first time Ginny now saw her kidnapper in full light.
Sirius Black.
Almost dropping her wand in fright she backed up against the wall. Sirius made no advance towards her.
"You...You're a murder!" She gasped.
Sirius almost laughed, almost. Instead he looked at he with a grim face. "I swear I cannot kill."
"But you...you did, didn't you?"
Sirius shook his head, raising his hands so Ginny to see he was unarmed.
"But, they heard you. They know you're after Harry!"
This time Sirius did laugh out loud. His laugh was harsh and hoarse much like his voice.
"Harry? Why would I kill my Godson, who I know is not here."
Ginny relaxed a little but still held her want up in defense.
"Then who? And why?"
"I...will you listen to my full tale?"
Ginny nodded and listened.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Ghosts the wonder of ghost's. Did you know they can't lie? Why would they? What would be their motive? They're dead and can't weald to the will of anyone. True you can do strange thing to ghost. For example they can be petrified as well as vaporized. Neither is lethal to them though both are more then a bit annoying like sunburns.
Not only do ghost not lie but they can act something like a lie detector. They can see the life force of living beings and read their auras. Seers in a way, yet not. Some Ghosts never bother to learn about their mystic ways too wound in self pity, but the ghost's who do learn can be great allies...or even worst enemies. Yet still they have no sense of right and wrong and never really choose a side unless for a good reason.
~~~~~~~~~~
"MYRTLE! MYRTLE!" Yelled Ginny rushing through the secret entrance to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.
"Honestly, no need to wake the dead!" Huffed Myrtle floating out of her stall. Ginny blushed and smiled as Myrtle.
"I'm sorry...It's just that-"
"Sirius Black! Oh you devil! I wondered how long it would take you to show up." Sirius smiled tiredly at Myrtle.
"Nice to see you too." Myrtle turned to Ginny and scolded her.
"Is this what all the fuss is about? Sirius Black?" Ginny nodded mutely. Myrtle smiled with delight.
"I always did like the marauders. They were so dear to me and nice to." Sirius smiled brightly at her.
"Oh Myrtle" he choked out "Your too kind. After all you helped us out of some sticky situations if I remember corrected. Even showed us the passages for the map."
"Map?" Asked Ginny
Myrtle blushed and turned away. Sirius turned and winked at Ginny causing her to blush.
"What would you like though?" Asked Myrtle suddenly.
"Well I was hoping you might be able to convince a house elf to give me a hair cut and perhaps a change of clothing and all."
"Don't worry, I'll get on it."
~~~~~~~~~~~
It took a little over and hour for Sirius to have his dread locks cut and cleaned. House elf magic cleaned the rest of the dirt of him. Although it wasn't as satisfying as a real shower but would have to do for now. The house elves had done wonder for his clothing and appetite though. Now dressed in plain black robes with a pony pulled back at the nape of his neck. Sirius sat on one of the sinks ready to feast on the basket of food that had been brought. The rats he had eaten were now but a distant memory in light of his new found refuge.
"Moony's here you know." Said Myrtle out of the blue. Sirius looked at her sharply.
"Not that it matters, mind you. He'll never find you once we're done with you." Sirius now looked fearfully at her.
"What exactly are you planning to do?"
Myrtle smiled evilly.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Flying from perch to perch Raven followed Mad Hatter as he led Raven deeper and deeper into Gringotts. They pulled back into the shadows in time for a cart to go rushing passed. Mad Hatter leaned over to Raven and whispered.
"That's one of their problems here, they go to fast and are so sure of their security they don't look."
Raven nodded smirking a little. Perhaps it was just a myth of how tightly secured Gringotts really was. Mad Hatter jumped off again dropping own into a nearby ravine. Raven taking a deep breath followed shortly after.
Today they were not here to steal; Mad Hatter was just showing Raven the secret passages of Gringotts. Some the lost boys had build and others were naturally occurring portals while still others were forgotten passages built but the goblin themselves. Gringotts to be sure rivaled Hogwarts in it's secrets and unpredictably. Raven vaguely wondered if perhaps the magic community was just fond of building in strange ways or if it was all planned out that way to confuse thieves.
Raven snorted, keep out thieves in deed, they built secret passages to help themselves and yet here they were using Gringotts system against it. Raven did note though that Gringotts would be a safer stronghold then Hogwarts. It was less traveled and held far more protection then the old castle, perhaps more flaws too. Raven would find out for himself later if that were true.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Remus Lupin wore a grim expression on his face as he prepared for his next class. The third year Gryffindor/Slythern class was next. The very class that Harry Potter was supposes to be in. Yet he wasn't. The whole point in Remus coming to Hogwarts had been to see and look after Harry. Provide something of a father figure, not to mention provide him more protection. If death eaters hadn't been bad enough, Sirius Black topped all, except the dark lord himself. Remus shuddered, where was Harry now? He had run away during the middle of summer vacation. That had been month's ago now, yet no sign of where he went had ever been found. Nor would it, if Sirius Black was involved. Remus let out a growl of frustration as he shuffled his notes and laid out the objects to be studied that day. He shivered again.
"Curse those Dementors." He muttered to himself before walking back into his office to retrieve a cup of tea.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"But I'm not even good a potions!" Protested Ginny.
"Then who else will make it?" Asked Myrtle. Ginny wore a pouting expression on her face and turned away.
"I just don't want to poison him, that's all." Myrtle chuckled.
"You're better at potions then you think you are."
"Snape doesn't think I can do anything right, and besides where would I get the ingredients yet alone the formula to make the potion?"
"Check with your brothers dear, they're always into mischief as for the ingredients...leave that to me."
"Okay" Ginny sighed dejectedly.
"Hey, this is in the name of good!"
"You mean Sirius Black."
"Uh, yeah."
~~~~~~~~~~
"Boy-who-lived, still not found. Sirius black still evades authorities." Read Hermione aloud at the breakfast table. Ron snorted.
"I could have bloody well told you that!"
"Ron, language!" Ron shrugged and continued to eat breakfast. The Christmas season was quickly approaching and Ron was anticipating being home for the holidays. Since Harry wasn't at Hogwarts there was no point to staying for the Holidays. Hermione was also going to visit her parents and the rest of the Weasley clan was also packing off home for the holidays.
Harry had slowly been forgotten in Ron and Hermione's lives. Of course they could never forget him completely, but for the moment the "out of sight, out of mind" law was in place. Hermione and Ron were actually too wound up in school work and other affair to care much about Harry, and as of late Ron was even discovering what a bother Harry really had been. After all he couldn't go home for Christmas and level Harry all alone and when Harry came to visit in the summer he always seemed to get better treatment.
No wait, Ron had caught himself one day in that certain train of thought not caring about where Harry was. Sure if was nice that he could go home for Christmas without leaving Harry behind, but for all he knew Harry could be hog tied and gagged right now half starved. Butterflies flew in Ron's stomach and he felt down right rotten.
But what could he do? Go on an escapade to rescue Harry from whatever trouble he's gotten himself into, highly unlikely. If they can't find Sirius Black what luck would Ron have finding Harry? The situation was hopeless.
"It'll be nice going home for the holiday, don't you think?" Asked Hermione absently. Ron mutely nodded.
"Yeah the whole family will be home. Will you come and visit sometime?"
"Of course! It'll be nice to meet your whole family!" Ron smiled.
Ginny walked into the great hell and plopped down beside Ron.
"Where were you, trouble?" Asked Ron gruffly.
"I was using the toilet!" Was Ginny's shrilly replied, she grabbed a piece of toast and a bit of bacon and stomped out of the hall.
"You know you should lighten up on her a little."
"She brought it on herself. It's her problem."
"Well you're not making it much better now are you?" Ron shrugged.
"What do you care?
~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas holidays came quickly to Hogwarts; students packed up and got ready to return home for the vacation. To describe it simply it was utter chaos, and amongst this chaos Ginny Weasley signed up to stay over the vacation.
"Come on Ginny we go to go!" Yelled Ron Dragging Ginny with him into a horseless carriage. Ginny silently followed and looked out the window into the swirling snow that fell outside. It was only a short trip to the station but seemed and eternity to Ginny, she could barely contain her excitement. If all went off without a hitched, then Ginny would be left on the train platform merrily waving goodbye to her 'loving' siblings.
Baggage of course had been brought down separately by the house elves, of course though Ginny's was still in her dorm room. Her brothers were so dense.
"So what are you going to do over the vacation?" Asked Hermione pleasantly. Ginny tried to answer but Ron butted in.
"I expect that Mom will have a long list of chores for Ginny to do, isn't that right?" Asked Ron giving Ginny a dirty look. Ginny shrugged.
"I was hoping to enjoy a peaceful Christmas, actually." Replied Ginny, giving Ron and equally dirty look.
"There won't be no Christmas for you, not from what mom said." Ginny looked straight-ahead and ignored Ron.
~~~~~~~~~
"Come on Ginny!" Yelled Ron as he climbed on the train.
"I'm coming!" She protested back as she pretended to wave to some friends.
"You take to long! The train leaves soon so just make sure you're on it." Ginny nodded and walked down the platform.
At 11:00 sharp the train whistle blew and students scrambled to get on the train. Ginny just stood and began waving as the train slowly moved forward. Ron lend out the window as did Percy, Fred and George.
"Ginny, hurry up!" Called George. Fred waved madly as if signaling for her to run. Percy yelled something but I was lost in the wind as was Ron's comments. Ginny waved merrily at them and blew a kiss. That's when the Weasley clan knew they had been had, by one of their own. Ginny waved again a blew another kiss before turning and walking back to the horseless carriages, a huge grin spread across her face.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Miss Weasley," smiled Dumbledore as she approached the only carriage left. "It looks as though we are travelling together." Dumbledore's eye's twinkled and Ginny couldn't help but smile.
"Professor Dumbledore, I didn't know you were down here."
"Well actually I came to speak to you."
"Oh, shall we get out of the cold first?" Butterflies were rising in Ginny's stomach.
"Of course, after you." Ginny and Dumbledore climbed into the old carriage. Slowly the carriage began to move towards Hogwarts.
"What is it that you wanted, Sir?"
"Well, first I must commend you on outwitting the outwitters." Ginny smiled a little.
"I have a feeling that's not what you wanted to talk about, is it?"
"No, some news has been brought to my attention actually. Myrtle told me."
Ginny's Heart froze.
~~~~~~~~~~
"I can't believe she did that!" Muttered Ron to himself. Percy nodded in agreement but Fred and George just grinned.
"I think it was brilliant!" Exclaimed Fred. George pretended to wipe away fake tears while sobbing out.
"Our baby sister, turning into a little devil before out very eyes!" Fred and George broke into a string of laughter.
"Oh hush up!" Muttered Percy "What are mom and dad going to say?"
"It's not our fault, blame Ron after all he's the one who was being mean."
"What?" Exclaimed Percy. "What did you do to her Ron?" Ron squirmed under Percy's glare.
"Well...uh, I kept her in line that's all!" He protested back.
"Kept her in line or put her down? Ron you were terrible to her!" Exclaimed Hermione. Fred and George nodded in agreement. Percy shook his head.
"Ron, mom is going to have your head for this one. Well I must return to the Perfects carriage. Ta ta." Said Percy puffing out his chest and striding out of the carriage.
"BIGHEAD BOY!" Fred and George yelled after him.
"See Ron, you shouldn't have been so mean."
"Oh bugger off."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"He's in here. Ron thinks Hermione's cat got him but really I just smuggled him out."
"Clever girl."
"Shh, he has burning ears and can hear very well. Stay there a second." Dumbledore stood back in the shadows and waited as Ginny crept towards the cages. Scabbers squeaked and scurried around in his cage.
"Hello, Scabbers." Ginny whispered softly, picking up the cage. She slowly turned around and then screamed out "NOW!"
Dumbledore hurled several unbreakable charms at the tiny cage and Ginny dropped it on the floor. Dumbledore with his wand still trained on the cage slowly stepped forward.
"Hello, Pettigrew" Whispered Dumbledore softly. The rat quivered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ End Chapter 1 ~
~ Maab ~
A/N: I hope that chapter was long enough. I'm trying to write a long story, tell me am I doing okay? I know there wasn't much Harry in this chapter but I think you've noticed that a few wheels have been set in motions.
This story is not a Harry/Ginny ship if you're wondering. I really have no intention to make it a romance. My focus in this story is the growth of both Harry and Ginny through their different situations. Both are striving for independents. They have a few years to go but have climbed the first steps.
Next chapter I have no idea what's going to happen. Perhaps a bit more on the situation Sirius is in, the hole Ron dug himself into and the new way of life Harry is experiencing.
Review if you have something to add to the plot. Ideas are welcome as well as any other input you have. I'm still on the look for a beta-reader!
Thanx!
~ Maab ~
~ Nevermore ~
~ Chapter 1 ~
Raven couldn't recall how long it had been since his first leap of faith. A week or perhaps two. Maybe. Life was a sort of blur to him now, settling into the life of the lost boys had been easy enough. You party all day and night and steal once in a while. Mad Hatter had promised to show him more of their enchanting world, but hadn't as of yet. All in due time his older and wiser friend had told him when he had inquired. For now Raven was left to his own devices and manner of mischief he could stir up.
Raven hadn't yet ventured back into the hollow depths of Gringotts, he knew the secret now of scaling the rock face walls, but had no desire to be caught trespassing so soon. For the most part Raven stayed and watched the rave parties. The way magic was moved around fascinated him and he always yearned to see more and perhaps create his own. He'd never tried and didn't know the incantations, but he'd learn.
Raven lived in a lower layer of the lost boys' territory, underground in a warm and comfortable cave that had once been a project of Gringotts long abandoned. Old tracks belonging to the transportation carts of Gringotts wound their way through his layer. They were dusty with age and rusted clear through in places. It was a very old project that had been stopped by a cave in and as such the spells commonly used to keep things in good working order had long worn off. But it was home enough to Raven; he had become fond of the dusty iron vault doors and chiseled steps that ran everywhere, leading up to other vaults that varied in size.
Mad Hatter said that most of the lost boys didn't know about this place and those that did, were wary of settling so close to Gringotts. Raven hadn't cared though; Gringotts carried on for miles and miles under ground, tunneled very deeply through sheer rock. It was unlikely that he would ever be caught, if this cave were as old as he had deemed it to be. To be sure though, he had cast what few charms he knew and had asked Mad Hatter for help in casting full protection wards. Mad Hatter had agreed and had cast as many advance charms as he could, he had even asked a few other lost boys to cast some more wards, just in case. Raven only hoped that it was enough.
Raven smiled a little, the day the wards were cast had had learned too. The Advance magic seemed a little difficult but over all he had done okay at casting. Although the lost boys couldn't teach him everything they had been more then happy to lend him their books. They had warned him though not to borrow because it involved trust, which didn't exist in the world of the lost boys. Raven had learned more then magic that day, he had learned the law of the land and would not forget it any time soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ron Weasley was not what you would call patience by any means, except when it came to chess, but that was different it involved strategy. It had happened just before his best friends birthday, Harry Potter had disappeared, well actually ran away, but what was the difference he was still missing. This bit of news angered Ron, although he was pleased to learn that Harry had blown up his Aunt Marge in the process it didn't fill the void he now felt.
The third year Gryffindor boy's dorm room should have held five Gryffindor boys. Instead now it held only four with the fifth filed as a missing person.
"Great way to start the year" Ron had muttered to himself on the Hogwarts express while Hermione lectured him no to worry so much.
Don't worry so much? Didn't Hermione know that Sirius black was on the loose? Hermione's optimism had changed drastically though after the Dementors had shown up. Real fear was seen behind her wise brown eyes now. Fear for her lost friend.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Did you hear Ron?" Asked Hermione at breakfast one morning while she scanned through the Daily Prophet.
"Hear what?" Ron muttered darkly through a mouth full of food. Hermione looked disgusted as a piece of half chewed bacon flew out.
"Don't you have any manners?" She scolded. Ron shrugged and continued chewing then washed it down with a bit of pumpkin juice.
"Well get on with it. What's so important."
"Flourish and Blott's has been robbed!" Exclaimed Hermione.
"Oh stop my beating heart!"
"You don't get it do you?"
"What's there to get? So what it was robbed, no big deal, right?"
"Wrong, it is a big deal especially when they think the lost boys were behind it."
"The lost boys you say. What would a bunch of wizard school dropouts want with books? Don't they just party?"
"You're a Wizard and you don't even know the neighborhood threats?"
"There's You-know-who, who else is there to fear with him around, besides, Sirius Black."
"Oh, honestly why do I even bother."
"I don't know why? We shouldn't be worried about stolen books when we have bigger fish's to fry. For example...HARRY!"
"You know the ministry of Magic is on it don't you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Look!" Hermione pointed to a small section at the bottom of the magical paper. It read:
Updates on the search for the Boy-who lived.
Still missing, but new leads have been found. Sirius Black still prime suspect.
Ron snorted.
"What's so funny?" Asked Hermione angrily
"That's just a cover up. They may be looking for Harry, but trust me they aren't looking too hard. They looking for Sirius Black more then for Harry. After all, Black managed to escape Azkaban and they figure if they find him they'll find Harry."
Hermione blinked, Ron's words had a lot of truth in them maybe he was right.
"Can I see the paper?" Asked a timid voice beside Hermione. She looked over to see Ginny craning her neck, trying to read the paper. Before Hermione could get her answer out though, Ron beat her to the chase.
"Get lost Ginny! You're not wanted here and stay out of trouble this year!"
Ginny burst into tears and fled the hall.
Hermione stared shocked at Ron.
"I can't believe you!"
"She caused a lot of grief last year, you know. My dad almost lost his job over it. I was told to keep her in line and not to let her get into trouble."
"That wasn't keeping her in line though. That was down right mean." Ron shrugged.
"It doesn't matter, she'll get over it." Hermione shook her head and placed down the paper glancing at the report about Harry once more.
"Where are you?" She thought sadly to herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ginny sat curled up in moaning myrtle's bathroom under the sink that was the door to the chamber of secrets. Last year hadn't been and easy one for her. She had been alone for most of it, although she had made a few friends they had never become close. Mostly, she had kept to herself and wrote in her diary.
The diary, something so small that had cost her so much. Her parents didn't trust her any more; she had heard them yelling about what had happened all summer. The shame it had brought them and the near loss of job for her father. Ginny almost never left her room that summer unless she was told to go and do so house hold chore.
In her room, Ginny heard everything. She could hear Ron above her, Fred and George to the right of her, Percy to the left and her parents directly below. The wall's carried sound well in the old rickety house and so Ginny was subject to hearing all the plotting that went on among her family. She didn't remember all that she hear mostly she remembered stuff that pertained to her. How careless she had been and how Ron, Fred, George and Percy needed to keep a closer eye on her at school.
Did they think she was deaf?!
Sniffling a little Ginny wiped away her tears and continued to star off into space.
"Who's crying?" Came a wail from one of the bathroom stalls. The "out of order" one to be exact.
"Its Ginny." Ginny sobbed out.
"Oh, well then I guess it's okay. As long as you're not laughing at me, I don't mind." Ginny snorted at Myrtle's humor.
"Why you little leech!" Myrtle suddenly screeched. "I knew you were just here to laugh at me." Ginny sniffed again and spoke before Myrtle had time to dive into her toilet of woes.
"What's death like?"
Myrtle caught off guard stopped her nose dive in mid-air literally and looked at Ginny curiously.
"No ones ever asked me that before." Said Myrtle floating over towards Ginny. Ginny looked up at the transparent figure she considered one of her perhaps dearest friends, though Myrtle didn't know it. Myrtle suddenly smiled and stretched out a hand to help Ginny up. She couldn't really help Ginny up, but it was more of a gesture of friendship then physically. Standing up Ginny looked at the ghost beside her, right now she was the same age that myrtle had died at.
"So what's it like?"
"Oh yes...well for me I wasn't at peace so I couldn't leave. Still something for me left to do here I guess. The event though. I was like I was suddenly pushed down and yet when I got up my body didn't come with me." Ginny nodded in understanding.
"Did you miss your family?" Myrtle's smiled faded.
"No, not really. They knew I was a ghost here and yet they never came to see me. I was lonely but then I got my revenge. I thought that my business so to say had been finished after that. Yet I'm still here...that's why I cry is because I want to leave my prison here. Hogwarts is nice but I want to go on."
Ginny nodded again and turned away sniffing.
Myrtle looked at her with pity. "What's so wrong in your life?" Ginny let out a sob the terrible feeling of betrayal returning to her.
"Come on dear you can tell me. Why are you so interested in death anyway?"
Ginny turned and looked at her and screamed out.
"BECAUSE I WANT TO DIE!"
~~~~~~~~~~~
A ghost is an unpeaceful spirit that hasn't finished its business on the physical plain and so cannot pass onto the spiritual plain. Though it is said that some ghost choose to stay to guide the future and correct the mistakes of the past. Most of Hogwarts Ghosts had chosen to stay and lead the future to brighter days. The most obvious ghost who had chosen to stay was professor Binns, feeling it was his duty to teach wizarding history to a T. Peeves on the other hand had also chosen to stay, but only to preserve the laughter that has prevailed through the ages. Moaning Myrtle had not chosen to stay however, and long to reach the spirit plain but her destiny was not over yet and she still had people to help.
A ghost returning to the physical world is a phenomenon that has never happened. Though the theory for such a thing has been researched. In the research no at least a thousand years old it was stated that a ghost could possible return to the living world should a living being be willing to give up their life force. Of course it has never been attempted and so there for the research had just become nothing more then a myth and a fairytale bedtime story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ginny yawned as she sat at the back of the History of Magic classroom. Binns droned on and on about the goblins rebellion and how after they began construction of Gringotts. Ginny plopped her head down on her desk as Binns continued to pour over how the goblin used their carts and how far Gringotts stretched underground. How their vaults worked and how even a ghost could get stuck in one. On and on he droned, the underground lake that held the last remaining draught of the Ents, the halted projects and cave ins Gringotts suffered from earthquakes. Binns then went on to describe the type of traps and guards that were used to keep peoples treasures safe. Ginny was vaguely aware as Binns told out the piece of lore written near the front doors and how it was really a Goblin spell, Binns didn't tell the significance of the spell however. Just as Binns was about to cover the art of goblin magic the bell rang and double History of Magic as well as the school day ended for Ginny.
Dashing down the hall and turning into a secret passage Ginny stumbled down a flight of invisible stairs and was about to turn right but instead was pulled back to the left. Ginny gasped and was about to scream but a hand was placed over her mouth firmly.
"I mean no harm." The horse voice whispered into her ear as he slowly led her down another secret passage branching off the on she was already in.
"Tell me" He said slowly and steadily. "Where is he?"
~~~~~~~~~~~
Myrtle almost screeched with joy when he walked before her.
"Why Sirius Black you look positively charming!" She cooed slowly floating around him. Sirius smiled.
"It's all thanks to you and you." He said nodding to Ginny in the process. Myrtle blushed silver while Ginny turned bright red.
"Y-your welcome." She managed to stutter out before turning away and blushing some more.
Myrtle cocked her head sideways and smiled again. Christmas was coming and it seemed a lot of cheer with it. For month's now Ginny had been hanging out in Myrtle's bathroom and talking to the lost soul. In many ways Myrtle had become a mentor to Ginny and even Ginny's best and for the moment only friend.
Outside the bathroom of solitude, Ginny had shunned her brothers as much as she could. They hadn't let up on her about what had occurred the year before which made Ginny cross with anger. Couldn't they well actually Ron let lie what had happened? It was over and it was a mistake although not entirely her fault. She had been lonely and writing had been the simple solution, unfortunately not with a simple answer.
So Ginny had just blocked them out. She had even gone so far as to say she was going home for Christmas but had plans to sign up for staying over Christmas as soon as they weren't looking. She needed peace and quite from Ron's rude behavior and snide remarks but knew she wouldn't get it at home. No, at home she would just be doing chores and sitting in her room, alone.
Sirius walked over to Ginny and placed a hand on her head. "Is something wrong, missy?" He asked in a horse but gentle voice that held a hint of mischief in it. Ginny looked up at the framed man and smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Ginny had never been so frightened in her whole life. Her heartbeats pounded echo's in her head as she was guided down the dark passage with gentle firmness. The hand was take from her mouth as they passed though a large wooden door with creaky hinges. Ginny wanted to scream and yell and cry all at the same time, while kicking at her kidnapper, yet that's not what flew out of her mouth. Whispering softly more to herself then him she said.
"So I meet my death then."
Her kidnapper chuckled and turned Ginny around smiling at her in a gentle way even though he was a horrible mess.
"I couldn't kill if my life depended on it and certainly not someone as cute as you." Ginny couldn't help but smile at the man in the dim light. Ginny backed out of his grasp and pulled out her wand. The man covered his face in defense but said nothing. Ginny grinned.
"Lumos" She lighting the room with soft white light. The man breathed a sigh of relief letting his arms drop to his side. For the first time Ginny now saw her kidnapper in full light.
Sirius Black.
Almost dropping her wand in fright she backed up against the wall. Sirius made no advance towards her.
"You...You're a murder!" She gasped.
Sirius almost laughed, almost. Instead he looked at he with a grim face. "I swear I cannot kill."
"But you...you did, didn't you?"
Sirius shook his head, raising his hands so Ginny to see he was unarmed.
"But, they heard you. They know you're after Harry!"
This time Sirius did laugh out loud. His laugh was harsh and hoarse much like his voice.
"Harry? Why would I kill my Godson, who I know is not here."
Ginny relaxed a little but still held her want up in defense.
"Then who? And why?"
"I...will you listen to my full tale?"
Ginny nodded and listened.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Ghosts the wonder of ghost's. Did you know they can't lie? Why would they? What would be their motive? They're dead and can't weald to the will of anyone. True you can do strange thing to ghost. For example they can be petrified as well as vaporized. Neither is lethal to them though both are more then a bit annoying like sunburns.
Not only do ghost not lie but they can act something like a lie detector. They can see the life force of living beings and read their auras. Seers in a way, yet not. Some Ghosts never bother to learn about their mystic ways too wound in self pity, but the ghost's who do learn can be great allies...or even worst enemies. Yet still they have no sense of right and wrong and never really choose a side unless for a good reason.
~~~~~~~~~~
"MYRTLE! MYRTLE!" Yelled Ginny rushing through the secret entrance to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.
"Honestly, no need to wake the dead!" Huffed Myrtle floating out of her stall. Ginny blushed and smiled as Myrtle.
"I'm sorry...It's just that-"
"Sirius Black! Oh you devil! I wondered how long it would take you to show up." Sirius smiled tiredly at Myrtle.
"Nice to see you too." Myrtle turned to Ginny and scolded her.
"Is this what all the fuss is about? Sirius Black?" Ginny nodded mutely. Myrtle smiled with delight.
"I always did like the marauders. They were so dear to me and nice to." Sirius smiled brightly at her.
"Oh Myrtle" he choked out "Your too kind. After all you helped us out of some sticky situations if I remember corrected. Even showed us the passages for the map."
"Map?" Asked Ginny
Myrtle blushed and turned away. Sirius turned and winked at Ginny causing her to blush.
"What would you like though?" Asked Myrtle suddenly.
"Well I was hoping you might be able to convince a house elf to give me a hair cut and perhaps a change of clothing and all."
"Don't worry, I'll get on it."
~~~~~~~~~~~
It took a little over and hour for Sirius to have his dread locks cut and cleaned. House elf magic cleaned the rest of the dirt of him. Although it wasn't as satisfying as a real shower but would have to do for now. The house elves had done wonder for his clothing and appetite though. Now dressed in plain black robes with a pony pulled back at the nape of his neck. Sirius sat on one of the sinks ready to feast on the basket of food that had been brought. The rats he had eaten were now but a distant memory in light of his new found refuge.
"Moony's here you know." Said Myrtle out of the blue. Sirius looked at her sharply.
"Not that it matters, mind you. He'll never find you once we're done with you." Sirius now looked fearfully at her.
"What exactly are you planning to do?"
Myrtle smiled evilly.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Flying from perch to perch Raven followed Mad Hatter as he led Raven deeper and deeper into Gringotts. They pulled back into the shadows in time for a cart to go rushing passed. Mad Hatter leaned over to Raven and whispered.
"That's one of their problems here, they go to fast and are so sure of their security they don't look."
Raven nodded smirking a little. Perhaps it was just a myth of how tightly secured Gringotts really was. Mad Hatter jumped off again dropping own into a nearby ravine. Raven taking a deep breath followed shortly after.
Today they were not here to steal; Mad Hatter was just showing Raven the secret passages of Gringotts. Some the lost boys had build and others were naturally occurring portals while still others were forgotten passages built but the goblin themselves. Gringotts to be sure rivaled Hogwarts in it's secrets and unpredictably. Raven vaguely wondered if perhaps the magic community was just fond of building in strange ways or if it was all planned out that way to confuse thieves.
Raven snorted, keep out thieves in deed, they built secret passages to help themselves and yet here they were using Gringotts system against it. Raven did note though that Gringotts would be a safer stronghold then Hogwarts. It was less traveled and held far more protection then the old castle, perhaps more flaws too. Raven would find out for himself later if that were true.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Remus Lupin wore a grim expression on his face as he prepared for his next class. The third year Gryffindor/Slythern class was next. The very class that Harry Potter was supposes to be in. Yet he wasn't. The whole point in Remus coming to Hogwarts had been to see and look after Harry. Provide something of a father figure, not to mention provide him more protection. If death eaters hadn't been bad enough, Sirius Black topped all, except the dark lord himself. Remus shuddered, where was Harry now? He had run away during the middle of summer vacation. That had been month's ago now, yet no sign of where he went had ever been found. Nor would it, if Sirius Black was involved. Remus let out a growl of frustration as he shuffled his notes and laid out the objects to be studied that day. He shivered again.
"Curse those Dementors." He muttered to himself before walking back into his office to retrieve a cup of tea.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"But I'm not even good a potions!" Protested Ginny.
"Then who else will make it?" Asked Myrtle. Ginny wore a pouting expression on her face and turned away.
"I just don't want to poison him, that's all." Myrtle chuckled.
"You're better at potions then you think you are."
"Snape doesn't think I can do anything right, and besides where would I get the ingredients yet alone the formula to make the potion?"
"Check with your brothers dear, they're always into mischief as for the ingredients...leave that to me."
"Okay" Ginny sighed dejectedly.
"Hey, this is in the name of good!"
"You mean Sirius Black."
"Uh, yeah."
~~~~~~~~~~
"Boy-who-lived, still not found. Sirius black still evades authorities." Read Hermione aloud at the breakfast table. Ron snorted.
"I could have bloody well told you that!"
"Ron, language!" Ron shrugged and continued to eat breakfast. The Christmas season was quickly approaching and Ron was anticipating being home for the holidays. Since Harry wasn't at Hogwarts there was no point to staying for the Holidays. Hermione was also going to visit her parents and the rest of the Weasley clan was also packing off home for the holidays.
Harry had slowly been forgotten in Ron and Hermione's lives. Of course they could never forget him completely, but for the moment the "out of sight, out of mind" law was in place. Hermione and Ron were actually too wound up in school work and other affair to care much about Harry, and as of late Ron was even discovering what a bother Harry really had been. After all he couldn't go home for Christmas and level Harry all alone and when Harry came to visit in the summer he always seemed to get better treatment.
No wait, Ron had caught himself one day in that certain train of thought not caring about where Harry was. Sure if was nice that he could go home for Christmas without leaving Harry behind, but for all he knew Harry could be hog tied and gagged right now half starved. Butterflies flew in Ron's stomach and he felt down right rotten.
But what could he do? Go on an escapade to rescue Harry from whatever trouble he's gotten himself into, highly unlikely. If they can't find Sirius Black what luck would Ron have finding Harry? The situation was hopeless.
"It'll be nice going home for the holiday, don't you think?" Asked Hermione absently. Ron mutely nodded.
"Yeah the whole family will be home. Will you come and visit sometime?"
"Of course! It'll be nice to meet your whole family!" Ron smiled.
Ginny walked into the great hell and plopped down beside Ron.
"Where were you, trouble?" Asked Ron gruffly.
"I was using the toilet!" Was Ginny's shrilly replied, she grabbed a piece of toast and a bit of bacon and stomped out of the hall.
"You know you should lighten up on her a little."
"She brought it on herself. It's her problem."
"Well you're not making it much better now are you?" Ron shrugged.
"What do you care?
~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas holidays came quickly to Hogwarts; students packed up and got ready to return home for the vacation. To describe it simply it was utter chaos, and amongst this chaos Ginny Weasley signed up to stay over the vacation.
"Come on Ginny we go to go!" Yelled Ron Dragging Ginny with him into a horseless carriage. Ginny silently followed and looked out the window into the swirling snow that fell outside. It was only a short trip to the station but seemed and eternity to Ginny, she could barely contain her excitement. If all went off without a hitched, then Ginny would be left on the train platform merrily waving goodbye to her 'loving' siblings.
Baggage of course had been brought down separately by the house elves, of course though Ginny's was still in her dorm room. Her brothers were so dense.
"So what are you going to do over the vacation?" Asked Hermione pleasantly. Ginny tried to answer but Ron butted in.
"I expect that Mom will have a long list of chores for Ginny to do, isn't that right?" Asked Ron giving Ginny a dirty look. Ginny shrugged.
"I was hoping to enjoy a peaceful Christmas, actually." Replied Ginny, giving Ron and equally dirty look.
"There won't be no Christmas for you, not from what mom said." Ginny looked straight-ahead and ignored Ron.
~~~~~~~~~
"Come on Ginny!" Yelled Ron as he climbed on the train.
"I'm coming!" She protested back as she pretended to wave to some friends.
"You take to long! The train leaves soon so just make sure you're on it." Ginny nodded and walked down the platform.
At 11:00 sharp the train whistle blew and students scrambled to get on the train. Ginny just stood and began waving as the train slowly moved forward. Ron lend out the window as did Percy, Fred and George.
"Ginny, hurry up!" Called George. Fred waved madly as if signaling for her to run. Percy yelled something but I was lost in the wind as was Ron's comments. Ginny waved merrily at them and blew a kiss. That's when the Weasley clan knew they had been had, by one of their own. Ginny waved again a blew another kiss before turning and walking back to the horseless carriages, a huge grin spread across her face.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Miss Weasley," smiled Dumbledore as she approached the only carriage left. "It looks as though we are travelling together." Dumbledore's eye's twinkled and Ginny couldn't help but smile.
"Professor Dumbledore, I didn't know you were down here."
"Well actually I came to speak to you."
"Oh, shall we get out of the cold first?" Butterflies were rising in Ginny's stomach.
"Of course, after you." Ginny and Dumbledore climbed into the old carriage. Slowly the carriage began to move towards Hogwarts.
"What is it that you wanted, Sir?"
"Well, first I must commend you on outwitting the outwitters." Ginny smiled a little.
"I have a feeling that's not what you wanted to talk about, is it?"
"No, some news has been brought to my attention actually. Myrtle told me."
Ginny's Heart froze.
~~~~~~~~~~
"I can't believe she did that!" Muttered Ron to himself. Percy nodded in agreement but Fred and George just grinned.
"I think it was brilliant!" Exclaimed Fred. George pretended to wipe away fake tears while sobbing out.
"Our baby sister, turning into a little devil before out very eyes!" Fred and George broke into a string of laughter.
"Oh hush up!" Muttered Percy "What are mom and dad going to say?"
"It's not our fault, blame Ron after all he's the one who was being mean."
"What?" Exclaimed Percy. "What did you do to her Ron?" Ron squirmed under Percy's glare.
"Well...uh, I kept her in line that's all!" He protested back.
"Kept her in line or put her down? Ron you were terrible to her!" Exclaimed Hermione. Fred and George nodded in agreement. Percy shook his head.
"Ron, mom is going to have your head for this one. Well I must return to the Perfects carriage. Ta ta." Said Percy puffing out his chest and striding out of the carriage.
"BIGHEAD BOY!" Fred and George yelled after him.
"See Ron, you shouldn't have been so mean."
"Oh bugger off."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"He's in here. Ron thinks Hermione's cat got him but really I just smuggled him out."
"Clever girl."
"Shh, he has burning ears and can hear very well. Stay there a second." Dumbledore stood back in the shadows and waited as Ginny crept towards the cages. Scabbers squeaked and scurried around in his cage.
"Hello, Scabbers." Ginny whispered softly, picking up the cage. She slowly turned around and then screamed out "NOW!"
Dumbledore hurled several unbreakable charms at the tiny cage and Ginny dropped it on the floor. Dumbledore with his wand still trained on the cage slowly stepped forward.
"Hello, Pettigrew" Whispered Dumbledore softly. The rat quivered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ End Chapter 1 ~
~ Maab ~
A/N: I hope that chapter was long enough. I'm trying to write a long story, tell me am I doing okay? I know there wasn't much Harry in this chapter but I think you've noticed that a few wheels have been set in motions.
This story is not a Harry/Ginny ship if you're wondering. I really have no intention to make it a romance. My focus in this story is the growth of both Harry and Ginny through their different situations. Both are striving for independents. They have a few years to go but have climbed the first steps.
Next chapter I have no idea what's going to happen. Perhaps a bit more on the situation Sirius is in, the hole Ron dug himself into and the new way of life Harry is experiencing.
Review if you have something to add to the plot. Ideas are welcome as well as any other input you have. I'm still on the look for a beta-reader!
Thanx!
~ Maab ~