Chapter 8
Teddy Bear
Harry walked into the dorm, dropped his books to the floor, and took his seat on the couch. Dinner wasn't due to start for about an hour, and he needed a break to collect himself.
The first day back had been difficult. Not only was potions the trial that it normally was, but afterwards he had Transfiguration, and McGonagall had slipped the fact that Harry would be taking his N.E.W.T.s in Trans and Charms this year, and Hermione had puffed right up with jealousy.
Ginny fell down beside him on the couch. This was their group's corner. It was consisted of one couch that sat two comfortable and three in a pinch, two soft chairs, and a small desk that Hermione often took over for most of the year. It wasn't right in front of the fire, but it was close enough to be warm.
"Hey Rose, how was your first day?" he asked.
"Long," she answered, fluffing a pillow and laying her head against it.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, what makes you think that?"
Harry had to look away from her warm eyes. "You just seemed pretty ticked this morning, and I thought maybe I had done something."
"Oh, no Harry, you didn't do anything. I just didn't sleep well, and Ron got on my last nerve with his panicking this morning. I'm sorry if I snapped at you."
"Why didn't you sleep well?"
"Actually, that's why I wanted to talk to you. I'm having nightmares again."
Harry's eyes went wide. 'Oh please, not already.'
"Nothing like last year," Ginny rushed on to say. "Just real nightmares."
"About what?" he asked. They weren't here to discuss some deep plot, Ginny was just having a normal problem and was seeking Harry for help.
"Most of them are about you. Sometimes it's me. But one of us always dies. It was Charlie once. And Draco once too. Sometimes Voldemort kills somebody, sometimes it's Wormtail, or just for some random reason, like drowning. But for some reason, somebody, usually you, always dies."
"How long have you been having them?"
Ginny shrugged. "I had them all throughout the summer, once in a while. But they never woke me up. But last night and the night before, I've been waking up and unable to get back to sleep."
"Did you want to describe them to me?" he asked.
"Not particularly," Ginny admitted, and Harry noticed that she blushed softly. "I just wanted your opinion."
Harry smiled reassuringly. "Well, you know that I never sleep well during the school year. So if you wake up, let Sally know, and if she knows I'm up, have her come get me, and we can talk until we both get tired or something."
Relief passed over Ginny's face. "Oh, that would be great. Because, like I said, most of them are about you. And whenever I wake up I feel the need to check and make sure you're okay. I know that sounds silly, but it would be great if you were there, I wouldn't need to worry."
"Just don't let any of the girls in your dorm know I'm visiting in the middle of the night."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Oh no, they'd have to wear makeup to bed or something."
Harry laughed as Ron and Hermione walked in, and Harry set to the task of buttering up Hermione to make her feel better.
~*~*~
Mr. Malfoy stood against the wall, observing impassively as the crazed man in front of him set on destroying everything in the room. Once his anger was mostly spent, he turned crazed, angry eyes on Malfoy. "They're back at school now! What will we do?"
"There were circumstances beyond my control. Potter did not leave her side after the first attack."
"So what can we do now?"
Malfoy pretended to shrug. This had to be handled with care; how to make the man do what he wanted, but still make it look like he wasn't the one on control. "There is still the large family to use as bait. The Gryffindors are known to always stick their noses into matters that are larger then them."
"No, no, no, because he will come too, just like his father." He turned on Malfoy, eyes as wide as their tiny shape would allow. "He's just like his father. Just exactly like him. And she, she's just like her."
Malfoy waited for the rant to pass.
"No, we have to go there. We have to get inside."
"Dumbledore will catch you," he stated blandly. He knew that the man's mind was beyond changing now.
"No, no, he never caught us. He never did. We never got caught. We won't get caught. You can go, go, I need to think."
Barely suppressing a growl, Mr. Malfoy left in a huff. There were ways he could use this to his advantage. An attack on the school was suicidal, but not if he wasn't the one attacking. He could use the attack as a reason to get Dumbledore permanently removed from his position on the point that he obviously wasn't protecting the school well enough. And while he was at it, possibly do away with several of the Weasley's brats.
*~*~*
Walking into their first DADA class of the year, Harry was surprised to see Remus still in the room, chatting quietly with Professor Cameron near the door to her back office. He looked up at the several students who looked back at him.
Harry watched as his ears turned slightly pink, and his kissed Professor Cameron's cheek before disappearing through to door to her office, which led to her personal quarters.
Cameron walked up to her desk, and turned to write her name on the chalk board. She waited until everybody was seated and quiet, and Harry was surprised to see that they didn't have this class with any other house.
"My name is Professor Cameron. I'll be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year, along with Advanced Defense come January." She paused when Dean's hand flew up in the air. "Yes Mister Thomas?"
Dean was surprised that she knew his name. "Will you be teaching the parenting class and dueling too?"
"No, I do not believe that I will be."
Harry was surprised as the class progressed. She seemed so timid, but it didn't show in her teaching. She was soft spoken, yes, but at the same time so practical that it was obvious she wouldn't put up with any nonsense.
"You'll be spending most of this year on real life defenses, that you may need once you leave school, or even before. Those of you who are also in advanced defense will often find yourself singled out for demonstrations, so please be aware. That's enough of an introduction, so now let's get started. If you would please open up to page 24 of your texts."
They were swept into work, learning a spell that was much like the blasting spell that Harry had nearly killed his professors with last year. Shifting his fake wand in his hand, Harry conjured up the spell in nearly a heart beat, causing Professor Cameron to look at him oddly. He shrugged, then set out to help Ron get it right.
~*~*~
That evening came the anticipated speech from Hermione about their approaching O.W.L.s. Except there was an unexpected addition for Harry about his approaching N.E.W.T.S. and the huge responsibility that was, how grateful he should feel for being allowed to take them, and how it would have a huge affect on his life after school.
Ron rolled his eyes at every point that Hermione made, while Harry attempted to look like he was listening attentively. He nodded, then added the fact that he would most likely be doing most of his studying in the chamber, because it was quiet there and he could think better, so they were not to worry if he disappeared for several hours at a time.
He resisted the urge to go back to the chamber that night, partially because of the problems it had caused everybody the first day, but also because he wanted to be around if Ginny had another nightmare.
Ginny was spared from Hermione's lecture, and when Ron questioned it, he was bit by a sharp retort from Hermione. "She doesn't have O.W.L.s this year, and she already gets better grades then you. She doesn't need me to keep her on track.
"What are we ever going to do without you, Hermione?" Harry asked with a grin.
"That's irrelevant, Harry, you'll never be without me because I don't intend to go anywhere until both of you are long dead."
Ron shook his head and reached out to her. She resisted at first, but relented and allowed him to pull her against him. She gave him a questioning look, as Ron wasn't normally openly affectionate in public.
"The closer we get to these dumb tests, the more you're going to have your nose buried in books. So for at least the first week, since we're finally away from your parents, I just want to be with you."
Harry blinked, but remained silent. That didn't seem like the Ron he knew at all. But the way that Hermione smiled lightly and planted a light kiss on his lips, it must have been a Ron she knew very well. He felt like he was witnessing something he wasn't supposed to see, and turned his attention to the fireplace.
'They really do love each other," he realized, feeling like he'd really missed something. Somewhere they had gone from finally dating to being completely in love with each other, and he hadn't seen it happen. Now that he thought about it, he had absolutely no idea the extent of their relationship.
'God, we're fifteen now.' He knew that in some ways, he'd been much older and mature then his classmates for a long time, and that was still true. But in other ways, he felt like such a child, and everybody around him were young adults already.
"Knut for your thoughts?"
Harry jumped. He whipped around to look at Ginny, who had managed to sit down on the arm of his chair without him noticing. He shook his head lightly. "Woolgathering, as Dumbledore would say."
Ginny smiled, and Harry felt his heart melt to a neat little puddle somewhere in his stomach. He blinked, having an epiphany somewhere in the back of his brain.
This wasn't a crush. He was in love with her. He was actually in love with her. This was what that was supposed to feel like, he was sure of it.
Sure, he was supposed to find and love his soul mate. But there was nothing that said his soul mate wasn't Ginny. And there was nothing to say he couldn't love somebody else before he met that person if Ginny wasn't his soul mate. All of his doubt of if it was fair to her or not vanished. How could it be fair or not? He loved her, and there was nothing anybody could do about it. It made his insides feel warm.
"Harry?"
"Come for a walk with me," he said without thinking.
Ginny blinked. "Where?"
"Out to the lake, to the stones. Nobody will stop us if that's where I'm going."
"Okay, I'll come." She glanced over at Ron and Hermione, but they both seemed perfectly content to remain wrapped up in each other. She told them where they were going as Harry led the way out the portrait hole.
It really wasn't that late yet, so as they walked through the halls they didn't have to worry about avoiding people, nevertheless they met nobody.
The night held just a hint of the cool bite of approaching fall, though it still held the scents of a summer. A light breeze made the grass tickle their ankles, as they fell into a comfortable silence. Ginny noticed her necklace grow warm against her chest.
It was odd, sometimes, the necklace. It glowed whenever Harry was near. But it only felt warm sometimes. It felt warm when she didn't know he was near, as if to alert her. But then at random points, it would heat against her skin, even though Harry had been near her for some time. Not that she minded.
They walked in a comfortable silence, taking the long way around the lake without even thinking.
"Do you think I'm influencing Hermione and Ron's relationship?" Harry asked suddenly.
Somehow, Ginny knew exactly what he was talking about. "Harry, I think you need to stop worry about that. You're not going around forcing people to fall in love with each other."
"You didn't answer my question."
"They managed a whole very much in love summer away from you. Are you influencing it, yes. You're their best friend. As their best friend, you're influencing it. Not as the heir of Gryffindor."
Harry looked down at her. "Do you really believe that? Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?"
Ginny let out an exasperated sigh. "Harry, I don't understand. Why does it bother you? What's wrong giving people who love each other already a little push? How is that at all harmful? You're not causing anything that wouldn't happen eventually, or to some extent. I know you hate feeling like you have power of people, but you as a person have no power here at all. It's just fate's way of making sure you don't forget what you're fighting for."
Harry was silent. How could he explain it? He felt like he was a walking fate-bomb. He didn't want to be altering people's lives to make it easier for him to get through this.
"Harry, look at it this way. They need you to win this war for them, so that they're still allowed to love. All you're doing is helping them help you, so you can help them. Understand?"
Harry stopped, they were in front of the stones anyway, and looked at her. He smiled. "Yes, actually. That sadly made perfect sense to me, and I think you're right."
Ginny shook her head, and taking his hand, made him sit down in front of the stone with her.
~*~*~
It was dark when they finally got up and started back to the school. Even though it really wasn't that late, nobody was really used to the school schedule yet, so everybody headed to bed somewhat early.
Ron was reading over last years Quidditch tactics, trying to think of new strategies for the coming season. Harry glanced over at him, then cleared his throat awkwardly. Ron looked up, but Harry looked away. "Something wrong, Harry?"
"I was just kinda curious, ah, and I promise not to tease, but, um, you and Hermione.?" he left the question fade off, hoping Ron would fill in the blank.
He noted Ron's ears growing a faint pink. "What about us?" Well, apparently Ron was going to play stupid, which made this harder for Harry. But he had to ask. They couldn't go back to being how close they were unless he knew.
"Well, how, erm, close are you now?"
Ron turned even pinker. "What do you want to know?" he asked, looking away.
Harry cringed. "No details, please."
"Well, we're really close." Ron thought about that answer, then nodded decidedly, as if that explained it perfectly.
Harry sighed. He'd have to make himself cleared if he wanted to get through to Ron. "You two aren't, you know, are you?"
Ron whipped around to look at Harry, his eyes wide. "Oh, no! Oh, God, she'd kill me if I even suggested it! No, Harry, no, is that what you thought?"
Harry, now as red as Ron, shrugged. "I didn't know. And when I realized I didn't know, I felt I should know."
Ron shook his head, hiding it in a pillow for a minute. "Two teenage boys and we can't have a four minute conversation about sex without turning bright red. I'm sorry Harry. Trust me, if it happens, preferably when it happens, I'll make sure you're the first one to know about it, okay?"
"Yeah, I guess," Harry said, turning on his back, his face cooling. "Though I'm not really sure I particularly want to know. I could just like, check in with you every six months or so," he finished with a grin.
Ron snorted, "The biannual 'Ron are you still a virgin?' talk?"
Harry laughed full heartedly, though didn't comment on the conversation any further as Dean and Seamus had just came in. They changed to the topic of Quidditch, and Harry was glad they were talking like this again. He missed having Ron as his best friend.
"So you're training another team now, are you allowed to do that?"
Harry nodded slowly. "You see, we'll just be picking who we think has the best chance of getting on the team the next year. And then we'll train, just as if we were a regular team, so that we're ready the next year. It would be awful to be left with only the Keeper and Seeker. Those are the two players who need the least coordination with the others."
"But what if the one's you train don't make it onto the team?"
Harry shrugged. "We can't guarantee they will, but they'll have a better chance then everybody else."
"But Harry," Seamus cut in from across the room. "Doesn't that put you on three teams?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, it does. But the Seeker really has very little to do with the team, so Ginny will be Capitan of next year's team."
"Did you see the Catapults all summer?" Ron asked.
Harry shook his head. "We wrote a few times, but Tiffany would have beat me to a bloody pulp if I had attempted to fly. They are coming to get me this weekend though. I'll be going ever other weekend for about a whole day, and more if I can manage it. Especially after Christmas, because I won't be in Charms or Trans any more, so I'll have free time. I have to train, because I'm playing this year. My first real game is three days into summer, I think. If we win the League Cup, we go on to play for the European cup. But that playoff won't be until a month into next year, and then I start training all over again."
"Wait a minute, you mean after you take your N.E.W.T.s, you don't even need to go to Charms and Trans.?" Neville asked, plopping down on his bed, head at the foot like all the others so they could all see and talk to each other.
Harry nodded. "Professor McGonagall said that I could still go. I would still be welcome in both classes, but there are a lot of things that tend to require my time, and I can skip them both without losing anything. So I can go practice."
Seamus made an exasperated sound. "God Harry, if your life didn't suck, it would rock."
That particularly intelligent comment brought laughter from the whole room, including Harry and Seamus himself.
"Hey Harry!" Ron said suddenly. "Remember how last summer, we couldn't go to the World Cup?" Harry nodded. "Well, that means the next one will fall the year you're out of school. You're contract is still good then right? I told you that you'd never see a World Cup! You'll be playing in the next one."
This brought grins from around the room. "You'll get us all free tickets right, ol'buddy, ol'pal?"
Harry snickered at Seamus. "Sure thing, Seamus. Remind me in three years."
In laughter and extended discussion of more Quidditch that was a little closer to home (the Gryffindor team this year) they drifted off one by one, Dean without turning around in his bed. All but Harry.
It wasn't that he couldn't sleep, it was that he was secretly hoping Ginny might want him to come over. He thought on that for a moment, the fact that he wanted her to have a nightmare and how awful that was, then pushed the thought away.
"Sal?"
"She hassn't woken yet, but she iss having a nightmare," she responded, knowing without Harry telling her what he wanted to know.
"Should I go wake her?"
"Might ass well, she'll be awake in a minute anyway."
Harry crept out of his bed and the dorm room, crossing to the girl's side and going down a level to Ginny's year. He opened this door very slowly, hardly breathing. But Ginny was no longer asleep. She was sitting up and breathing hard, and her eyes landed on him the minute he had the door open.
"Rose?" he whispered
She closed her eyes and swallowed, but didn't answer. He moved over and sat down behind her, and without hesitating she leaned back against him, taking advantage of the support he offered. He wrapped an arm around her, holding firmly to her shoulder. "Who died?"
"You," she whispered. "How?"
"Him." That was all she needed to say. She turned into his hold and he brought his other arm up to keep her closer, trying to ignore how nice it felt. She was wearing a satin gown, and it felt like liquid beneath his fingers. She hid her face in his shoulder, and he breathed in her scent. Sunshine and cinnamon.
He held still for as long as he thought he could without doing or saying something stupid, then loosened his hold on her. She took the hint and pulled away, looking up at him. "Why don't you lay back down and try to get to sleep."
"You'll stay?" she asked
He nodded, trying not to think. "Until you fall asleep." 'Though I'd stay all night if I could, I'd love to sleep with you in my arms again.' He shook his head to banish the thought, as Ginny settled under her covers again and moved over, making room for him. He didn't get under the covers, because that was just pushing it, but he laid down and wrapped an arm around her again. All he could think about was that one night on the roof, where for a while everything had just been perfect.
She closed her eyes and sighed. "Thanks Harry."
"Don't worry about it. I'll be your overgrown teddy bear. You can hug me until you fall asleep, and then some point in the night, you drop me."
Ginny grinned, though kept her eyes closed. She chuckled slightly. "Teddy." One of her eyes peeked open. "Instead of Bear, just Teddy."
Harry groaned, quietly, being mindful of the other sleeping girls. "I thought you guys had forgotten about that!" he whispered.
Ginny shrugged. "After what happened to Liz, none of us wanted to use it because we were afraid it would upset you."
"Oh." That hadn't occurred to him; he'd been too thankful that they weren't using the name to actually wonder why.
"But I'm going to call you Teddy."
Harry sighed. "I've already lost this haven't I?"
Ginny smiled and nodded, closing her eyes again and moving closer to him. "Don't worry, I won't let Ron and Hermione call you that. Just me. Like when you called me Rose Petal."
He didn't respond to that, though his cheeks turned red in the dark. The conversation stopped, and slowly Ginny's breathing slowed, her body relaxing as she fell back into sleep.
Harry looked down at her. She had one of his arms held against her like a teddy bear. Her face was pressed into his wrist, and he felt her warm breath ticked the hairs on his arm. Needless to say, it was some time after that before Harry left his rose petal's side.
*~*~*
When Ron shook Harry awake he next morning, he was tired, yet happy. He hadn't gotten much sleep, but it was worth it.
The rest of the week passed without any more nightmares from Ginny, which she was happy about, and Harry was happy for her, while disappointed at the same time. It was probably for the best though, as he had spent several of the nights in the tower rather then in the dorm. Though he was sure to warn Ron before he left.
Because no house elves when in the chamber, he'd looked up some basic housekeeping spells and started to clean the place up more. The sheets on all the beds, including his cradle, we washed. The carpets were cleaned, and the entire place, including the paintings, finally dusted.
He was happy when the weekend came, however, and was up before anybody else in his dorm Saturday morning. He woke Ron quickly, practically dragging him out of bed.
"What's the rush, Harry?" the red head asked, confused.
Harry pulled his red and green Catapult robes out of his trunk and pulled them on. He grabbed his broom and grinned at Ron.
His question answered, Ron faithfully followed Harry down to the common room. That's as far as he made it, however, collapsing onto one of the chairs. "Go ahead Harry. I'll tell the girls where you are when they wake up. Are you staying here or leaving?"
"Staying," Harry answered. "For today at least. I may leave tonight though, and stay there tomorrow morning. But I want you guys around today. Will you come down to the pitch later?"
Ron gave him a sleepy nod and smile, and Harry practically ran out of the room.
The Great Hall was empty when he arrived, which he supposed, this early on a Saturday was completely acceptable. The only exception was Dumbledore, who sat eating his porridge alone at the staff table. When he looked up to see Harry, he chuckled.
"Going to practice this morning, Mr. Potter?"
Harry bypassed the Gryffindor table, walking over to Dumbledore. "Yes, Professor."
"Oh, do sit down."
He took a seat cattycorner to Dumbledore, laying his broom down on the floor. "Are you excited?"
Harry nodded. "I haven't been flying since running off to Ginny's this summer, and that wasn't exactly a thrilling ride."
"Is your back up to it?"
Harry nodded again. "It's pretty much completely healed. Kind of pink, but healed. It doesn't hurt anymore, except when it itches."
Dumbledore smiled at him. "McGonagall tells me that you'll be taking two N.E.W.T.s this year."
"During Christmas. It'll be nice to clear some things out of my schedule before I start adding more. I might be able to take the dueling class, or parenting."
Dumbledore looked thoughtful for a moment. "I wonder who will be teaching that this year."
Harry grinned. "I don't suppose we could bring Heather back, could we?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "No, I doubt that would work. She's rather busy at the moment. I am sure that Professor Cameron will not want the job. Minnie will have enough on her hands already. Perhaps Mr. Lupin wouldn't mind doing the school another favor."
Harry's eyes went wide. "You don't think people would object?"
"It is an optional class, nobody is forced to take it. If they object, they can simply not take the class. I will speak to him about that his afternoon."
"Advanced curses, will that be taught by just the three of you?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, that should be plenty. And perhaps several of the student in the class can help to teach the new members."
Some early rising students, and also some professors were beginning to enter the hall, and those that saw him sitting at the staff table gave him an odd look. Just as he was about to excuse himself, however, there was a racket at the door that could have only belonged to the triplets. Harry grinned. "I'll talk to you later, Professor."
"Have fun, Mr. Potter."
Harry stood and grabbed his broom, as his team made it into the hall. He grabbed a piece of toast off of the Gryffindor table, before joining them.
"Harry! How are you?" Tony asked, grabbing him in a one arm hug.
"I'm fine, besides the fact that I haven't flown all summer. How about you guys?"
"Well, besides not winning the League Cup, we're fine. And ready to get our seeker in the game so we do win the League Cup this year."
"It was a close game. You guys did wonderful, even if you didn't win."
"Did bloody brilliant, they did," Chuck said gruffly. "Never seen 'em score so many all at'a once. T'was the other seeker that blasted the game fer us." Harry was surprised. Chuck never really said much. He always seemed to be a bit above the team, his age setting him apart. To Harry, he always seemed to be like the father of the team, there to watch out for them.
"Well, I won't let it happen again." Harry said confidently. "Let's get out there. I want to fly."
"You want to stay here?" Tiffany asked as they started walking.
"Nobody's got the pitch booked for today. So I'd like to stay here for a bit. But I wanted to ask, where do you go? I mean, not the pitch, where do you stay?" He'd been to the professional pitch once last year, and it hadn't been that different then the school's, with the exception of more stands and nicer locker rooms.
"Well, most of the time we go home, Harry," Chad said, snickering. "We have a sister that lives with us, and when we're not there, she has nobody to cook for."
"And Chuck's got his kids. But when we aren't going home, we do have a place next to the pitch. Want to stay the night?" Tony asked.
Harry nodded, with a grin. He wanted to do something to make him feel like more of the team. "I've gotta go home," Chuck said, "Anna'll be needin me. My wife," he explained, when Harry looked confused. "But I'll be back bright'n early."
"We can do some male bonding," Lad said.
"Staying up all night," Brad added.
"Telling stories."
"Talking about girls."
"Putting stuff in Tiff's hair."
This earned Lad a smack on the arm, and a chuckle from Tony.
They reached the pitch, and Harry threw himself onto his broom and took off. It was great to be in the air again. "What are we playing?"
Chad had the ball under his arm. "Brad, Lad and I need to work on something."
"And we'll need Chuck," Lad added.
"Let the bludgers out while you're at it, Chad. And the snitch. Let's just go at it."
When all the balls were loose, Harry flew around the pitch a few times to shake the rusty feeling that lingered. After he caught the snitch once, it was approaching a more reasonable hour, and he saw his friends walking down to the pitch. Giving Tony a wave, he flew over the stands and down beside them.
"Morning, Harry," Ginny said with a smile.
"Morning. You guys coming to watch?"
"We are," Ron said, pointing to himself and Ginny. "Booky is going to head down to Hagrid's. We haven't seen him yet, and we thought he might fancy seeing you play."
"Alright. Rose, wanna ride?" He didn't know what had inspired him to say it, but Ginny grinned and jumped on his broom in front of him.
"Oh sure, leave me here," Ron said sarcastically, laughing at them all the same.
Harry took off, flying back over the stands. "Look, Harry, the snitch!" Ginny exclaimed, pointing.
"Harry, that's dangerous!" Tiffany warned, as he picked up speed and chanced after the snitch.
"I'll fly, you catch," he instructed, as Ginny laughed.
The little golden ball eluded them, but Harry kept behind it, even though Ginny kept losing it. It took much longer then would have been reasonable in a game, but he eventually safely caught up with it. Ginny reached out and grabbed it with both hands, trusting Harry to hold her on the broom.
Laughing, she leaned up against Harry, and he held her close, taking his time flying down to the stands where Ron was watching.
(A/N: Lily: YAY! It didn't take me six months! And, you'll never believe, I have SURPRISE coming up for all my faithful fans!! Draco: You really shouldn't start new things when you can't keep up with what you have. Lily: Shush, you. Nobody asked you. Anyways, keep your eyes out for something new in the series. Draco: You should tell them what it is so they don't think you're talking about the spinoff. Lily: OOOO, good point. Okay, okay, I'll spoil the surprise. Be on the look out for the Prequel, Lily's Sacrifice. Kay! Yayness!!!! Cute little Sirius and Heather dolls to play with!! Who wants one??? How about Harry and Ginny dolls? You can make 'em kiss! Free little imaginary kissy dollies for everybody who reviews! Request your couple, it doesn't even need to be a couple I'm writing about. OO! and Tony and Tiffany dolls! KISSIE! OOOOO! I wanted to write you guys some fluff. Because I know it's frustrating waiting for Harry and Ginny to get their act together. Dumb plot, getting in the way. Draco: Plot? You're rather slow with it so far this year. Lily: Hey! You're daddy was in there, wasn't he? That's plot. Draco: But I wasn't. Lily: Ah, you get screen time next year, my little spy. Well, anyway, I promise that there will be more fluff coming. Anybody notice that they've both got pet names now? Anybody have any idea how long I'd been planning those pet names? FOUR YEARS. *sigh* FINALLY. My poor little Petal and Teddy. You two need to kiss and get it all over with.. Draco: Lil, you're babbling. Shut up and end the chapter. Lily: Right'o! Who wants a DRAKIE DOLL!!! Draco: -_-'
Teddy Bear
Harry walked into the dorm, dropped his books to the floor, and took his seat on the couch. Dinner wasn't due to start for about an hour, and he needed a break to collect himself.
The first day back had been difficult. Not only was potions the trial that it normally was, but afterwards he had Transfiguration, and McGonagall had slipped the fact that Harry would be taking his N.E.W.T.s in Trans and Charms this year, and Hermione had puffed right up with jealousy.
Ginny fell down beside him on the couch. This was their group's corner. It was consisted of one couch that sat two comfortable and three in a pinch, two soft chairs, and a small desk that Hermione often took over for most of the year. It wasn't right in front of the fire, but it was close enough to be warm.
"Hey Rose, how was your first day?" he asked.
"Long," she answered, fluffing a pillow and laying her head against it.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, what makes you think that?"
Harry had to look away from her warm eyes. "You just seemed pretty ticked this morning, and I thought maybe I had done something."
"Oh, no Harry, you didn't do anything. I just didn't sleep well, and Ron got on my last nerve with his panicking this morning. I'm sorry if I snapped at you."
"Why didn't you sleep well?"
"Actually, that's why I wanted to talk to you. I'm having nightmares again."
Harry's eyes went wide. 'Oh please, not already.'
"Nothing like last year," Ginny rushed on to say. "Just real nightmares."
"About what?" he asked. They weren't here to discuss some deep plot, Ginny was just having a normal problem and was seeking Harry for help.
"Most of them are about you. Sometimes it's me. But one of us always dies. It was Charlie once. And Draco once too. Sometimes Voldemort kills somebody, sometimes it's Wormtail, or just for some random reason, like drowning. But for some reason, somebody, usually you, always dies."
"How long have you been having them?"
Ginny shrugged. "I had them all throughout the summer, once in a while. But they never woke me up. But last night and the night before, I've been waking up and unable to get back to sleep."
"Did you want to describe them to me?" he asked.
"Not particularly," Ginny admitted, and Harry noticed that she blushed softly. "I just wanted your opinion."
Harry smiled reassuringly. "Well, you know that I never sleep well during the school year. So if you wake up, let Sally know, and if she knows I'm up, have her come get me, and we can talk until we both get tired or something."
Relief passed over Ginny's face. "Oh, that would be great. Because, like I said, most of them are about you. And whenever I wake up I feel the need to check and make sure you're okay. I know that sounds silly, but it would be great if you were there, I wouldn't need to worry."
"Just don't let any of the girls in your dorm know I'm visiting in the middle of the night."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Oh no, they'd have to wear makeup to bed or something."
Harry laughed as Ron and Hermione walked in, and Harry set to the task of buttering up Hermione to make her feel better.
~*~*~
Mr. Malfoy stood against the wall, observing impassively as the crazed man in front of him set on destroying everything in the room. Once his anger was mostly spent, he turned crazed, angry eyes on Malfoy. "They're back at school now! What will we do?"
"There were circumstances beyond my control. Potter did not leave her side after the first attack."
"So what can we do now?"
Malfoy pretended to shrug. This had to be handled with care; how to make the man do what he wanted, but still make it look like he wasn't the one on control. "There is still the large family to use as bait. The Gryffindors are known to always stick their noses into matters that are larger then them."
"No, no, no, because he will come too, just like his father." He turned on Malfoy, eyes as wide as their tiny shape would allow. "He's just like his father. Just exactly like him. And she, she's just like her."
Malfoy waited for the rant to pass.
"No, we have to go there. We have to get inside."
"Dumbledore will catch you," he stated blandly. He knew that the man's mind was beyond changing now.
"No, no, he never caught us. He never did. We never got caught. We won't get caught. You can go, go, I need to think."
Barely suppressing a growl, Mr. Malfoy left in a huff. There were ways he could use this to his advantage. An attack on the school was suicidal, but not if he wasn't the one attacking. He could use the attack as a reason to get Dumbledore permanently removed from his position on the point that he obviously wasn't protecting the school well enough. And while he was at it, possibly do away with several of the Weasley's brats.
*~*~*
Walking into their first DADA class of the year, Harry was surprised to see Remus still in the room, chatting quietly with Professor Cameron near the door to her back office. He looked up at the several students who looked back at him.
Harry watched as his ears turned slightly pink, and his kissed Professor Cameron's cheek before disappearing through to door to her office, which led to her personal quarters.
Cameron walked up to her desk, and turned to write her name on the chalk board. She waited until everybody was seated and quiet, and Harry was surprised to see that they didn't have this class with any other house.
"My name is Professor Cameron. I'll be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year, along with Advanced Defense come January." She paused when Dean's hand flew up in the air. "Yes Mister Thomas?"
Dean was surprised that she knew his name. "Will you be teaching the parenting class and dueling too?"
"No, I do not believe that I will be."
Harry was surprised as the class progressed. She seemed so timid, but it didn't show in her teaching. She was soft spoken, yes, but at the same time so practical that it was obvious she wouldn't put up with any nonsense.
"You'll be spending most of this year on real life defenses, that you may need once you leave school, or even before. Those of you who are also in advanced defense will often find yourself singled out for demonstrations, so please be aware. That's enough of an introduction, so now let's get started. If you would please open up to page 24 of your texts."
They were swept into work, learning a spell that was much like the blasting spell that Harry had nearly killed his professors with last year. Shifting his fake wand in his hand, Harry conjured up the spell in nearly a heart beat, causing Professor Cameron to look at him oddly. He shrugged, then set out to help Ron get it right.
~*~*~
That evening came the anticipated speech from Hermione about their approaching O.W.L.s. Except there was an unexpected addition for Harry about his approaching N.E.W.T.S. and the huge responsibility that was, how grateful he should feel for being allowed to take them, and how it would have a huge affect on his life after school.
Ron rolled his eyes at every point that Hermione made, while Harry attempted to look like he was listening attentively. He nodded, then added the fact that he would most likely be doing most of his studying in the chamber, because it was quiet there and he could think better, so they were not to worry if he disappeared for several hours at a time.
He resisted the urge to go back to the chamber that night, partially because of the problems it had caused everybody the first day, but also because he wanted to be around if Ginny had another nightmare.
Ginny was spared from Hermione's lecture, and when Ron questioned it, he was bit by a sharp retort from Hermione. "She doesn't have O.W.L.s this year, and she already gets better grades then you. She doesn't need me to keep her on track.
"What are we ever going to do without you, Hermione?" Harry asked with a grin.
"That's irrelevant, Harry, you'll never be without me because I don't intend to go anywhere until both of you are long dead."
Ron shook his head and reached out to her. She resisted at first, but relented and allowed him to pull her against him. She gave him a questioning look, as Ron wasn't normally openly affectionate in public.
"The closer we get to these dumb tests, the more you're going to have your nose buried in books. So for at least the first week, since we're finally away from your parents, I just want to be with you."
Harry blinked, but remained silent. That didn't seem like the Ron he knew at all. But the way that Hermione smiled lightly and planted a light kiss on his lips, it must have been a Ron she knew very well. He felt like he was witnessing something he wasn't supposed to see, and turned his attention to the fireplace.
'They really do love each other," he realized, feeling like he'd really missed something. Somewhere they had gone from finally dating to being completely in love with each other, and he hadn't seen it happen. Now that he thought about it, he had absolutely no idea the extent of their relationship.
'God, we're fifteen now.' He knew that in some ways, he'd been much older and mature then his classmates for a long time, and that was still true. But in other ways, he felt like such a child, and everybody around him were young adults already.
"Knut for your thoughts?"
Harry jumped. He whipped around to look at Ginny, who had managed to sit down on the arm of his chair without him noticing. He shook his head lightly. "Woolgathering, as Dumbledore would say."
Ginny smiled, and Harry felt his heart melt to a neat little puddle somewhere in his stomach. He blinked, having an epiphany somewhere in the back of his brain.
This wasn't a crush. He was in love with her. He was actually in love with her. This was what that was supposed to feel like, he was sure of it.
Sure, he was supposed to find and love his soul mate. But there was nothing that said his soul mate wasn't Ginny. And there was nothing to say he couldn't love somebody else before he met that person if Ginny wasn't his soul mate. All of his doubt of if it was fair to her or not vanished. How could it be fair or not? He loved her, and there was nothing anybody could do about it. It made his insides feel warm.
"Harry?"
"Come for a walk with me," he said without thinking.
Ginny blinked. "Where?"
"Out to the lake, to the stones. Nobody will stop us if that's where I'm going."
"Okay, I'll come." She glanced over at Ron and Hermione, but they both seemed perfectly content to remain wrapped up in each other. She told them where they were going as Harry led the way out the portrait hole.
It really wasn't that late yet, so as they walked through the halls they didn't have to worry about avoiding people, nevertheless they met nobody.
The night held just a hint of the cool bite of approaching fall, though it still held the scents of a summer. A light breeze made the grass tickle their ankles, as they fell into a comfortable silence. Ginny noticed her necklace grow warm against her chest.
It was odd, sometimes, the necklace. It glowed whenever Harry was near. But it only felt warm sometimes. It felt warm when she didn't know he was near, as if to alert her. But then at random points, it would heat against her skin, even though Harry had been near her for some time. Not that she minded.
They walked in a comfortable silence, taking the long way around the lake without even thinking.
"Do you think I'm influencing Hermione and Ron's relationship?" Harry asked suddenly.
Somehow, Ginny knew exactly what he was talking about. "Harry, I think you need to stop worry about that. You're not going around forcing people to fall in love with each other."
"You didn't answer my question."
"They managed a whole very much in love summer away from you. Are you influencing it, yes. You're their best friend. As their best friend, you're influencing it. Not as the heir of Gryffindor."
Harry looked down at her. "Do you really believe that? Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?"
Ginny let out an exasperated sigh. "Harry, I don't understand. Why does it bother you? What's wrong giving people who love each other already a little push? How is that at all harmful? You're not causing anything that wouldn't happen eventually, or to some extent. I know you hate feeling like you have power of people, but you as a person have no power here at all. It's just fate's way of making sure you don't forget what you're fighting for."
Harry was silent. How could he explain it? He felt like he was a walking fate-bomb. He didn't want to be altering people's lives to make it easier for him to get through this.
"Harry, look at it this way. They need you to win this war for them, so that they're still allowed to love. All you're doing is helping them help you, so you can help them. Understand?"
Harry stopped, they were in front of the stones anyway, and looked at her. He smiled. "Yes, actually. That sadly made perfect sense to me, and I think you're right."
Ginny shook her head, and taking his hand, made him sit down in front of the stone with her.
~*~*~
It was dark when they finally got up and started back to the school. Even though it really wasn't that late, nobody was really used to the school schedule yet, so everybody headed to bed somewhat early.
Ron was reading over last years Quidditch tactics, trying to think of new strategies for the coming season. Harry glanced over at him, then cleared his throat awkwardly. Ron looked up, but Harry looked away. "Something wrong, Harry?"
"I was just kinda curious, ah, and I promise not to tease, but, um, you and Hermione.?" he left the question fade off, hoping Ron would fill in the blank.
He noted Ron's ears growing a faint pink. "What about us?" Well, apparently Ron was going to play stupid, which made this harder for Harry. But he had to ask. They couldn't go back to being how close they were unless he knew.
"Well, how, erm, close are you now?"
Ron turned even pinker. "What do you want to know?" he asked, looking away.
Harry cringed. "No details, please."
"Well, we're really close." Ron thought about that answer, then nodded decidedly, as if that explained it perfectly.
Harry sighed. He'd have to make himself cleared if he wanted to get through to Ron. "You two aren't, you know, are you?"
Ron whipped around to look at Harry, his eyes wide. "Oh, no! Oh, God, she'd kill me if I even suggested it! No, Harry, no, is that what you thought?"
Harry, now as red as Ron, shrugged. "I didn't know. And when I realized I didn't know, I felt I should know."
Ron shook his head, hiding it in a pillow for a minute. "Two teenage boys and we can't have a four minute conversation about sex without turning bright red. I'm sorry Harry. Trust me, if it happens, preferably when it happens, I'll make sure you're the first one to know about it, okay?"
"Yeah, I guess," Harry said, turning on his back, his face cooling. "Though I'm not really sure I particularly want to know. I could just like, check in with you every six months or so," he finished with a grin.
Ron snorted, "The biannual 'Ron are you still a virgin?' talk?"
Harry laughed full heartedly, though didn't comment on the conversation any further as Dean and Seamus had just came in. They changed to the topic of Quidditch, and Harry was glad they were talking like this again. He missed having Ron as his best friend.
"So you're training another team now, are you allowed to do that?"
Harry nodded slowly. "You see, we'll just be picking who we think has the best chance of getting on the team the next year. And then we'll train, just as if we were a regular team, so that we're ready the next year. It would be awful to be left with only the Keeper and Seeker. Those are the two players who need the least coordination with the others."
"But what if the one's you train don't make it onto the team?"
Harry shrugged. "We can't guarantee they will, but they'll have a better chance then everybody else."
"But Harry," Seamus cut in from across the room. "Doesn't that put you on three teams?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, it does. But the Seeker really has very little to do with the team, so Ginny will be Capitan of next year's team."
"Did you see the Catapults all summer?" Ron asked.
Harry shook his head. "We wrote a few times, but Tiffany would have beat me to a bloody pulp if I had attempted to fly. They are coming to get me this weekend though. I'll be going ever other weekend for about a whole day, and more if I can manage it. Especially after Christmas, because I won't be in Charms or Trans any more, so I'll have free time. I have to train, because I'm playing this year. My first real game is three days into summer, I think. If we win the League Cup, we go on to play for the European cup. But that playoff won't be until a month into next year, and then I start training all over again."
"Wait a minute, you mean after you take your N.E.W.T.s, you don't even need to go to Charms and Trans.?" Neville asked, plopping down on his bed, head at the foot like all the others so they could all see and talk to each other.
Harry nodded. "Professor McGonagall said that I could still go. I would still be welcome in both classes, but there are a lot of things that tend to require my time, and I can skip them both without losing anything. So I can go practice."
Seamus made an exasperated sound. "God Harry, if your life didn't suck, it would rock."
That particularly intelligent comment brought laughter from the whole room, including Harry and Seamus himself.
"Hey Harry!" Ron said suddenly. "Remember how last summer, we couldn't go to the World Cup?" Harry nodded. "Well, that means the next one will fall the year you're out of school. You're contract is still good then right? I told you that you'd never see a World Cup! You'll be playing in the next one."
This brought grins from around the room. "You'll get us all free tickets right, ol'buddy, ol'pal?"
Harry snickered at Seamus. "Sure thing, Seamus. Remind me in three years."
In laughter and extended discussion of more Quidditch that was a little closer to home (the Gryffindor team this year) they drifted off one by one, Dean without turning around in his bed. All but Harry.
It wasn't that he couldn't sleep, it was that he was secretly hoping Ginny might want him to come over. He thought on that for a moment, the fact that he wanted her to have a nightmare and how awful that was, then pushed the thought away.
"Sal?"
"She hassn't woken yet, but she iss having a nightmare," she responded, knowing without Harry telling her what he wanted to know.
"Should I go wake her?"
"Might ass well, she'll be awake in a minute anyway."
Harry crept out of his bed and the dorm room, crossing to the girl's side and going down a level to Ginny's year. He opened this door very slowly, hardly breathing. But Ginny was no longer asleep. She was sitting up and breathing hard, and her eyes landed on him the minute he had the door open.
"Rose?" he whispered
She closed her eyes and swallowed, but didn't answer. He moved over and sat down behind her, and without hesitating she leaned back against him, taking advantage of the support he offered. He wrapped an arm around her, holding firmly to her shoulder. "Who died?"
"You," she whispered. "How?"
"Him." That was all she needed to say. She turned into his hold and he brought his other arm up to keep her closer, trying to ignore how nice it felt. She was wearing a satin gown, and it felt like liquid beneath his fingers. She hid her face in his shoulder, and he breathed in her scent. Sunshine and cinnamon.
He held still for as long as he thought he could without doing or saying something stupid, then loosened his hold on her. She took the hint and pulled away, looking up at him. "Why don't you lay back down and try to get to sleep."
"You'll stay?" she asked
He nodded, trying not to think. "Until you fall asleep." 'Though I'd stay all night if I could, I'd love to sleep with you in my arms again.' He shook his head to banish the thought, as Ginny settled under her covers again and moved over, making room for him. He didn't get under the covers, because that was just pushing it, but he laid down and wrapped an arm around her again. All he could think about was that one night on the roof, where for a while everything had just been perfect.
She closed her eyes and sighed. "Thanks Harry."
"Don't worry about it. I'll be your overgrown teddy bear. You can hug me until you fall asleep, and then some point in the night, you drop me."
Ginny grinned, though kept her eyes closed. She chuckled slightly. "Teddy." One of her eyes peeked open. "Instead of Bear, just Teddy."
Harry groaned, quietly, being mindful of the other sleeping girls. "I thought you guys had forgotten about that!" he whispered.
Ginny shrugged. "After what happened to Liz, none of us wanted to use it because we were afraid it would upset you."
"Oh." That hadn't occurred to him; he'd been too thankful that they weren't using the name to actually wonder why.
"But I'm going to call you Teddy."
Harry sighed. "I've already lost this haven't I?"
Ginny smiled and nodded, closing her eyes again and moving closer to him. "Don't worry, I won't let Ron and Hermione call you that. Just me. Like when you called me Rose Petal."
He didn't respond to that, though his cheeks turned red in the dark. The conversation stopped, and slowly Ginny's breathing slowed, her body relaxing as she fell back into sleep.
Harry looked down at her. She had one of his arms held against her like a teddy bear. Her face was pressed into his wrist, and he felt her warm breath ticked the hairs on his arm. Needless to say, it was some time after that before Harry left his rose petal's side.
*~*~*
When Ron shook Harry awake he next morning, he was tired, yet happy. He hadn't gotten much sleep, but it was worth it.
The rest of the week passed without any more nightmares from Ginny, which she was happy about, and Harry was happy for her, while disappointed at the same time. It was probably for the best though, as he had spent several of the nights in the tower rather then in the dorm. Though he was sure to warn Ron before he left.
Because no house elves when in the chamber, he'd looked up some basic housekeeping spells and started to clean the place up more. The sheets on all the beds, including his cradle, we washed. The carpets were cleaned, and the entire place, including the paintings, finally dusted.
He was happy when the weekend came, however, and was up before anybody else in his dorm Saturday morning. He woke Ron quickly, practically dragging him out of bed.
"What's the rush, Harry?" the red head asked, confused.
Harry pulled his red and green Catapult robes out of his trunk and pulled them on. He grabbed his broom and grinned at Ron.
His question answered, Ron faithfully followed Harry down to the common room. That's as far as he made it, however, collapsing onto one of the chairs. "Go ahead Harry. I'll tell the girls where you are when they wake up. Are you staying here or leaving?"
"Staying," Harry answered. "For today at least. I may leave tonight though, and stay there tomorrow morning. But I want you guys around today. Will you come down to the pitch later?"
Ron gave him a sleepy nod and smile, and Harry practically ran out of the room.
The Great Hall was empty when he arrived, which he supposed, this early on a Saturday was completely acceptable. The only exception was Dumbledore, who sat eating his porridge alone at the staff table. When he looked up to see Harry, he chuckled.
"Going to practice this morning, Mr. Potter?"
Harry bypassed the Gryffindor table, walking over to Dumbledore. "Yes, Professor."
"Oh, do sit down."
He took a seat cattycorner to Dumbledore, laying his broom down on the floor. "Are you excited?"
Harry nodded. "I haven't been flying since running off to Ginny's this summer, and that wasn't exactly a thrilling ride."
"Is your back up to it?"
Harry nodded again. "It's pretty much completely healed. Kind of pink, but healed. It doesn't hurt anymore, except when it itches."
Dumbledore smiled at him. "McGonagall tells me that you'll be taking two N.E.W.T.s this year."
"During Christmas. It'll be nice to clear some things out of my schedule before I start adding more. I might be able to take the dueling class, or parenting."
Dumbledore looked thoughtful for a moment. "I wonder who will be teaching that this year."
Harry grinned. "I don't suppose we could bring Heather back, could we?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "No, I doubt that would work. She's rather busy at the moment. I am sure that Professor Cameron will not want the job. Minnie will have enough on her hands already. Perhaps Mr. Lupin wouldn't mind doing the school another favor."
Harry's eyes went wide. "You don't think people would object?"
"It is an optional class, nobody is forced to take it. If they object, they can simply not take the class. I will speak to him about that his afternoon."
"Advanced curses, will that be taught by just the three of you?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, that should be plenty. And perhaps several of the student in the class can help to teach the new members."
Some early rising students, and also some professors were beginning to enter the hall, and those that saw him sitting at the staff table gave him an odd look. Just as he was about to excuse himself, however, there was a racket at the door that could have only belonged to the triplets. Harry grinned. "I'll talk to you later, Professor."
"Have fun, Mr. Potter."
Harry stood and grabbed his broom, as his team made it into the hall. He grabbed a piece of toast off of the Gryffindor table, before joining them.
"Harry! How are you?" Tony asked, grabbing him in a one arm hug.
"I'm fine, besides the fact that I haven't flown all summer. How about you guys?"
"Well, besides not winning the League Cup, we're fine. And ready to get our seeker in the game so we do win the League Cup this year."
"It was a close game. You guys did wonderful, even if you didn't win."
"Did bloody brilliant, they did," Chuck said gruffly. "Never seen 'em score so many all at'a once. T'was the other seeker that blasted the game fer us." Harry was surprised. Chuck never really said much. He always seemed to be a bit above the team, his age setting him apart. To Harry, he always seemed to be like the father of the team, there to watch out for them.
"Well, I won't let it happen again." Harry said confidently. "Let's get out there. I want to fly."
"You want to stay here?" Tiffany asked as they started walking.
"Nobody's got the pitch booked for today. So I'd like to stay here for a bit. But I wanted to ask, where do you go? I mean, not the pitch, where do you stay?" He'd been to the professional pitch once last year, and it hadn't been that different then the school's, with the exception of more stands and nicer locker rooms.
"Well, most of the time we go home, Harry," Chad said, snickering. "We have a sister that lives with us, and when we're not there, she has nobody to cook for."
"And Chuck's got his kids. But when we aren't going home, we do have a place next to the pitch. Want to stay the night?" Tony asked.
Harry nodded, with a grin. He wanted to do something to make him feel like more of the team. "I've gotta go home," Chuck said, "Anna'll be needin me. My wife," he explained, when Harry looked confused. "But I'll be back bright'n early."
"We can do some male bonding," Lad said.
"Staying up all night," Brad added.
"Telling stories."
"Talking about girls."
"Putting stuff in Tiff's hair."
This earned Lad a smack on the arm, and a chuckle from Tony.
They reached the pitch, and Harry threw himself onto his broom and took off. It was great to be in the air again. "What are we playing?"
Chad had the ball under his arm. "Brad, Lad and I need to work on something."
"And we'll need Chuck," Lad added.
"Let the bludgers out while you're at it, Chad. And the snitch. Let's just go at it."
When all the balls were loose, Harry flew around the pitch a few times to shake the rusty feeling that lingered. After he caught the snitch once, it was approaching a more reasonable hour, and he saw his friends walking down to the pitch. Giving Tony a wave, he flew over the stands and down beside them.
"Morning, Harry," Ginny said with a smile.
"Morning. You guys coming to watch?"
"We are," Ron said, pointing to himself and Ginny. "Booky is going to head down to Hagrid's. We haven't seen him yet, and we thought he might fancy seeing you play."
"Alright. Rose, wanna ride?" He didn't know what had inspired him to say it, but Ginny grinned and jumped on his broom in front of him.
"Oh sure, leave me here," Ron said sarcastically, laughing at them all the same.
Harry took off, flying back over the stands. "Look, Harry, the snitch!" Ginny exclaimed, pointing.
"Harry, that's dangerous!" Tiffany warned, as he picked up speed and chanced after the snitch.
"I'll fly, you catch," he instructed, as Ginny laughed.
The little golden ball eluded them, but Harry kept behind it, even though Ginny kept losing it. It took much longer then would have been reasonable in a game, but he eventually safely caught up with it. Ginny reached out and grabbed it with both hands, trusting Harry to hold her on the broom.
Laughing, she leaned up against Harry, and he held her close, taking his time flying down to the stands where Ron was watching.
(A/N: Lily: YAY! It didn't take me six months! And, you'll never believe, I have SURPRISE coming up for all my faithful fans!! Draco: You really shouldn't start new things when you can't keep up with what you have. Lily: Shush, you. Nobody asked you. Anyways, keep your eyes out for something new in the series. Draco: You should tell them what it is so they don't think you're talking about the spinoff. Lily: OOOO, good point. Okay, okay, I'll spoil the surprise. Be on the look out for the Prequel, Lily's Sacrifice. Kay! Yayness!!!! Cute little Sirius and Heather dolls to play with!! Who wants one??? How about Harry and Ginny dolls? You can make 'em kiss! Free little imaginary kissy dollies for everybody who reviews! Request your couple, it doesn't even need to be a couple I'm writing about. OO! and Tony and Tiffany dolls! KISSIE! OOOOO! I wanted to write you guys some fluff. Because I know it's frustrating waiting for Harry and Ginny to get their act together. Dumb plot, getting in the way. Draco: Plot? You're rather slow with it so far this year. Lily: Hey! You're daddy was in there, wasn't he? That's plot. Draco: But I wasn't. Lily: Ah, you get screen time next year, my little spy. Well, anyway, I promise that there will be more fluff coming. Anybody notice that they've both got pet names now? Anybody have any idea how long I'd been planning those pet names? FOUR YEARS. *sigh* FINALLY. My poor little Petal and Teddy. You two need to kiss and get it all over with.. Draco: Lil, you're babbling. Shut up and end the chapter. Lily: Right'o! Who wants a DRAKIE DOLL!!! Draco: -_-'