A/N: Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews! It really encouraged me!!! :) Sorry for taking so long to update! I had to change an entire chapter meaning I had to make a lot of changes. Umm... the following chapter is a lot of fluff between Harry and Ginny, the ending may be a little disappointing but don't worry a lot of twists to come! :) Thank you so much and please tell me what you think! Any kind of constructive criticism is greatly appreciated! Of course if you just want to plain criticize that's fine too. Anyway I hope you enjoy the next chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it!
~Jewels~
Chapter 4
The return to Hogwarts
She was in her bedroom surrounded by her family and a couple of healers.
Her eyes were closed and she feigned sleeping.
It was silent in the room only to be broken by her mother's quiet sobs.
She should open her eyes and comfort her but she couldn't. She had never been more scared in her entire life and she had felt everything drain out of her at the sight of the death eaters.
Before she hadn't been as petrified. She knew that what she heard in her head was Voldemort but she hadn't really taken it seriously. It had been so surreal and she'd never actually had to face danger.
But today when she'd watched those death eaters approach almost in slow motion then seen one of their faces contort into a twisted deranged smile as he'd performed that excruciating curse on her she knew.
This was real.
Voldemort could easily kill her or any person that she loved. And she was angry.
Angry first at Voldemort for torturing her so cruelly, then angry at Lucius for putting the diary that had sealed her fate in her cauldron then angry at the injustices of the world and everything it seemed to deal her with.
Harry's hushed whisper beside her seemed to be the only thing that calmed her and anchored her to the world.
It reminded her that he was worse off then her and despite all the pain and suffering he'd been dealt he seemed to pull through.
He always pulled through.
And if he could then so could she.
" You little Bitch! You think you could escape my grasp so easily do you? Thought you'd protect the mud blood?"
His thoughts coursed through her mind unexpectedly and before she could contain herself a cry of anguish tore from her throat and she grasped her head in her hands.
"No! Leave me alone!" she cried without thinking and she heard the worried murmurs around her as a healer grabbed her hands and tried to cease her thrashing.
Only her mothers wail of worry and everyone's yelling made her stop.
Dammit! She was strong! She wasn't going to be a weak little porcelain doll that would break if squeezed too tightly; she couldn't scare her family like this.
She forced herself to breathe normally, then steeled herself from Voldemorts thoughts and opened her eyes.
There were two healers Ron, Harry Hermione and her parents staring into her face extremely worried.
Her mothers face was tearstained, her fathers features were stressed and worried, Ron look scared and guilty as did Harry and Hermione still seemed to be in shock.
She forced a bright smile on her face and shook her head.
"What happened?" she asked, years of practicing false happiness finally paying off.
Misses Weasley burst into tears and fell down beside her only daughter clutching her hand.
"My poor baby. You were almost killed!" She exclaimed and Ginny put on a shocked expression.
"I was? What are you talking about? Why is everyone so sad?" she said and watched as the two healers gave each other concerned looks then herded the family out of the room.
Only Ron stayed behind his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"I'm sorry Gin." he breathed and sat down beside her.
Ginny sighed impatiently. She wished that her family didn't think she was a porcelain doll that needed to be handled with the gentlest care.
She was a big girl. She could handle things too.
"What ever for?" She murmured but her breath caught in her throat at the tears in her brothers eyes.
Ron never cried.
"I didn't mean it when I said I wished something would happen to you." he whispered and Ginny smiled softly.
"Oh Ron, I know you didn't mean that. I hadn't even thought about it," she said and she saw that cheered him up a little.
"Ginny, tell me...tell us what's wrong with you? Why are the death-eaters after you? Please Gin; we need to know what's wrong with you!" there was concern in his voice and Ginny almost told him...almost.
"I...I can't tell you!" she said and burst into tears.
Damn you Voldemort!! Can you hear me you bastard! Damn you! She thought and buried her head into the pillow.
Ron had told them that Ginny was really upset and refused to tell them anything.
Harry looked into the worried faces of mister and misses Weasley and he knew he felt exactly like they looked.
Why were the death-eaters after her? What did Voldemort want with Ginny? He wondered and looked at her closed bedroom door.
This was wrong. These unexplainable feelings were driving him insane.
He was only worried about her. That's all it was.
That night at supper time every one was quiet. Fred and George had come over after hearing the disturbing news about Ginny.
They were all sitting at the table and the uncomfortable silence was really starting to get to Harry. Ginny's seat was empty. She hadn't come out of her room since Ron had spoken to her.
After dinner Harry for some unexplainable reason was emotionally drained and he was worried sick about Ginny.
"Sorry Miss Weasley but May I be excused to go up to bed?" He asked gently.
Molly Weasley regarded him with a sympathetic look. He felt grateful. She was the closest thing he'd ever have to a mother.
"Sure dear, sleep well." She said sincerely and pulled Harry into a hug.
He was surprised but pleased.
He went up the stairs and found himself pausing in front of Ginny's bedroom door.
Maybe he'd just check on her. Just to see if she was okay. He creaked her door open and tiptoed into her room. He took in a sharp intake of breath.
She was laying on top of the blankets her silk nightgown riding up her leg exposing her delicate, flawless milky white skin.
Her fiery red hair fanned out on her pillow, her black eyelashes clearly visible on the olive color of her beautiful cheeks.
Her chest was slowly rising in perfect rhythm with her quiet even breathing.
"Ginny..." he murmured huskily and as if he had been possessed he went to her side.
He pulled a tendril of her hair behind her ear. He knelt down his face only inches from hers.
He suddenly reeled back in horror. What the hell did he think he was doing? He thought angrily. Ginny had just been through a great ordeal and he was about to take advantage of her while she was sleeping?
He groaned and ran from the room. How could he have done that? How? He fell onto the mattress on the floor and slammed his eyes shut.
This was going to be a long night.
He awoke from another vivid nightmare. A white-hot pain coursed through his scar.
It had been horrible. In the dream he'd allowed himself to get close to Ginny and Voldemort had killed her. Two words and she was dead. He was panting and restless. How could he have allowed himself to even entertain the thought that they could be together? She'd end up murdered.
After twenty minutes of trying to drift off to sleep but to no avail he snuck out of the bedroom and down the steps.
Maybe he'd sit in front of the Weasley's fire and try to sort out the jumbled thoughts in his mind.
He trudged silently to the living room but stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of, whom else, but Ginny Weasley.
She was sitting on the ground in front of the sofa staring forlornly into the flickering flames in the fireplace.
He was going to turn around and race right back up to Ron's room before she noticed him, when he suddenly caught the distinctive sound of strangled sobs.
At closer inspection he realized she was pale shuddering, scared and bawling her eyes out.
She needed help.
Although everything in his being was pleading with him to turn away, reminding him of the consequences of what would inevitably happen if he became too close to Ginny, but his heart was saying something entirely different and his legs, as if by command, strode to the redheads side.
"Ginny?" he murmured softly and knelt down in front of her.
Her head snapped up and stared into the warm emerald pools of his eyes.
"Oh Harry. Its horrible...I-I-I..." She stuttered and burst into a fresh set of tears.
He instinctively pulled her into his arms and felt a surge of anger boil up in the pit of his stomach.
Who was hurting Ginny? Why had the deatheaters been so determined to get to Ginny in Diagon alley?
But most of all why were these indescribable coursing through him?
"Ginny, please tell me what's wrong. Please let me help you," he whispered softly in her ear while stroking her hair, rubbing her back, and rocking her gently.
Her head was buried in his chest and she was still shaking with sobs.
She looked up at him, her eyes were glazed and her cheeks were tearstained.
"Harry I can't, please make me feel better. Harry please kiss me." she'd said a notch lower than a whisper and he wasn't sure if he'd heard right.
At that moment however it didn't matter that he knew he shouldn't get close to her, it didn't matter that he might not have heard right all that mattered was that pleading look in her mournful brown eyes.
He lowered his face to her and brushed his lips across hers, and it was as if that had been the last barrier. The last wall that had suddenly gone crashing down.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down so she could lock him into a passionate embrace.
He placed one hand at the small of her back and the other at the nape of her neck to intertwine with her flaming red hair.
He nibbled her bottom lip seeking entrance to her mouth and when she willingly granted it he swept his tongue into her mouth to duel with hers.
She groaned into his mouth and it was more than he could bear. He'd never experienced something so sweet exhilarating. That pathetic experience with Cho was nothing compared to this.
He was falling in love with her.
It hit him like a ton of bricks. He was falling in love with her. No! This was wrong he'd get her killed and it was more than he could handle. He couldn't let her die. Not her.
He pulled away and Ginny stared up at him confused and hurt.
"Oh God... Ginny. This was... I'm sorry." he finished lamely. "I don't want to take advantage of you," he added and Ginny smiled.
"Oh Harry, you could never do that. Not you." She whispered. Ginny was now sitting on Harry's lap and he was leaning against the sofa. Her arms her wrapped around his neck and his was wrapped around her waist.
She rested her head against his chest and they both stared into the twinkling flames. He was stroking her beautiful hair and he held her until he was sure she was asleep.
He would never do this again. It would only end up hurting both of them in the end, probably get her killed.
The prophecy returned to him full blown and he groaned.
No this could never work. He carried too much of a large weight. It wasn't fair to her. She deserved someone who could treat her right and give her all their attentions.
Not someone like him that had a large load of guilt and a burden to save the world to carry.
Besides if she knew that he had to be a murderer to survive then she'd hate him for sure.
He sighed sadly and carried her weightlessly into her bedroom. After placing her gently on the bed and covering her up he kissed her gently on the lips.
"Goodnight and goodbye sweet Ginny." and with that he strode out of her room and spent the rest of his night in a restless sleep. His dreams plagued with thoughts about Ginny.
Ginny awoke the next morning from her first peaceful sleep in days. She stretched splendidly when she noticed that she was in bed.
She sat up quickly and recalled the night's events.
Was it possible that she'd dreamed it? Was it possible that Harry hadn't kissed her?
But the taste of cinnamon in her mouth and the husky scent of male on her pajamas assured her she wasn't delirious.
She sighed. Cinnamon. That's what Harry had tasted like. Harry! Where was he? Had he brought her to her bed? The thought of Harry brought up a bubbly feeling in her stomach and made her want to scream for joy.
He'd finally opened up to her. They were going to be so much closer now.
And when she was with Harry Voldemort was completely unable to access her mind.
She was excited for the upcoming day ahead of them. She'd talk to Harry and tell him how she felt then he'd tell her how he felt and they'd get through this together.
However she couldn't have been any more wrong.
After showering and getting dressed she'd skipped down the stairs two at a time and couldn't contain the smile that lit up her face. Much to the surprise of her family.
She'd greeted Harry happily but he'd only briefly smiled without responding.
She thought it odd but assumed he was a little confused at the moment. She was sure she could talk to him later.
But she was wrong because he avoided her and when they did talk he acted cool and indifferent as if what meant the entire world to her hadn't meant a thing to him.
She was heart-broken. He continued with his indifferent mood right up till September 1st.
They'd boarded the train and he hadn't even spared her a glance. He didn't even ask her to join them in their compartment.
She ran to an empty compartment and let the weeks past tears flow freely down her face.
Maybe she'd done something wrong? Maybe she was just too undesirable or too much of a bad kisser.
And for the first time in a week she heard Voldemort in her head. He laughed at her and taunted her and she didn't even try to block him out.
They were returning to Hogwarts now. Things just had to get better.
~Jewels~
Chapter 4
The return to Hogwarts
She was in her bedroom surrounded by her family and a couple of healers.
Her eyes were closed and she feigned sleeping.
It was silent in the room only to be broken by her mother's quiet sobs.
She should open her eyes and comfort her but she couldn't. She had never been more scared in her entire life and she had felt everything drain out of her at the sight of the death eaters.
Before she hadn't been as petrified. She knew that what she heard in her head was Voldemort but she hadn't really taken it seriously. It had been so surreal and she'd never actually had to face danger.
But today when she'd watched those death eaters approach almost in slow motion then seen one of their faces contort into a twisted deranged smile as he'd performed that excruciating curse on her she knew.
This was real.
Voldemort could easily kill her or any person that she loved. And she was angry.
Angry first at Voldemort for torturing her so cruelly, then angry at Lucius for putting the diary that had sealed her fate in her cauldron then angry at the injustices of the world and everything it seemed to deal her with.
Harry's hushed whisper beside her seemed to be the only thing that calmed her and anchored her to the world.
It reminded her that he was worse off then her and despite all the pain and suffering he'd been dealt he seemed to pull through.
He always pulled through.
And if he could then so could she.
" You little Bitch! You think you could escape my grasp so easily do you? Thought you'd protect the mud blood?"
His thoughts coursed through her mind unexpectedly and before she could contain herself a cry of anguish tore from her throat and she grasped her head in her hands.
"No! Leave me alone!" she cried without thinking and she heard the worried murmurs around her as a healer grabbed her hands and tried to cease her thrashing.
Only her mothers wail of worry and everyone's yelling made her stop.
Dammit! She was strong! She wasn't going to be a weak little porcelain doll that would break if squeezed too tightly; she couldn't scare her family like this.
She forced herself to breathe normally, then steeled herself from Voldemorts thoughts and opened her eyes.
There were two healers Ron, Harry Hermione and her parents staring into her face extremely worried.
Her mothers face was tearstained, her fathers features were stressed and worried, Ron look scared and guilty as did Harry and Hermione still seemed to be in shock.
She forced a bright smile on her face and shook her head.
"What happened?" she asked, years of practicing false happiness finally paying off.
Misses Weasley burst into tears and fell down beside her only daughter clutching her hand.
"My poor baby. You were almost killed!" She exclaimed and Ginny put on a shocked expression.
"I was? What are you talking about? Why is everyone so sad?" she said and watched as the two healers gave each other concerned looks then herded the family out of the room.
Only Ron stayed behind his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"I'm sorry Gin." he breathed and sat down beside her.
Ginny sighed impatiently. She wished that her family didn't think she was a porcelain doll that needed to be handled with the gentlest care.
She was a big girl. She could handle things too.
"What ever for?" She murmured but her breath caught in her throat at the tears in her brothers eyes.
Ron never cried.
"I didn't mean it when I said I wished something would happen to you." he whispered and Ginny smiled softly.
"Oh Ron, I know you didn't mean that. I hadn't even thought about it," she said and she saw that cheered him up a little.
"Ginny, tell me...tell us what's wrong with you? Why are the death-eaters after you? Please Gin; we need to know what's wrong with you!" there was concern in his voice and Ginny almost told him...almost.
"I...I can't tell you!" she said and burst into tears.
Damn you Voldemort!! Can you hear me you bastard! Damn you! She thought and buried her head into the pillow.
Ron had told them that Ginny was really upset and refused to tell them anything.
Harry looked into the worried faces of mister and misses Weasley and he knew he felt exactly like they looked.
Why were the death-eaters after her? What did Voldemort want with Ginny? He wondered and looked at her closed bedroom door.
This was wrong. These unexplainable feelings were driving him insane.
He was only worried about her. That's all it was.
That night at supper time every one was quiet. Fred and George had come over after hearing the disturbing news about Ginny.
They were all sitting at the table and the uncomfortable silence was really starting to get to Harry. Ginny's seat was empty. She hadn't come out of her room since Ron had spoken to her.
After dinner Harry for some unexplainable reason was emotionally drained and he was worried sick about Ginny.
"Sorry Miss Weasley but May I be excused to go up to bed?" He asked gently.
Molly Weasley regarded him with a sympathetic look. He felt grateful. She was the closest thing he'd ever have to a mother.
"Sure dear, sleep well." She said sincerely and pulled Harry into a hug.
He was surprised but pleased.
He went up the stairs and found himself pausing in front of Ginny's bedroom door.
Maybe he'd just check on her. Just to see if she was okay. He creaked her door open and tiptoed into her room. He took in a sharp intake of breath.
She was laying on top of the blankets her silk nightgown riding up her leg exposing her delicate, flawless milky white skin.
Her fiery red hair fanned out on her pillow, her black eyelashes clearly visible on the olive color of her beautiful cheeks.
Her chest was slowly rising in perfect rhythm with her quiet even breathing.
"Ginny..." he murmured huskily and as if he had been possessed he went to her side.
He pulled a tendril of her hair behind her ear. He knelt down his face only inches from hers.
He suddenly reeled back in horror. What the hell did he think he was doing? He thought angrily. Ginny had just been through a great ordeal and he was about to take advantage of her while she was sleeping?
He groaned and ran from the room. How could he have done that? How? He fell onto the mattress on the floor and slammed his eyes shut.
This was going to be a long night.
He awoke from another vivid nightmare. A white-hot pain coursed through his scar.
It had been horrible. In the dream he'd allowed himself to get close to Ginny and Voldemort had killed her. Two words and she was dead. He was panting and restless. How could he have allowed himself to even entertain the thought that they could be together? She'd end up murdered.
After twenty minutes of trying to drift off to sleep but to no avail he snuck out of the bedroom and down the steps.
Maybe he'd sit in front of the Weasley's fire and try to sort out the jumbled thoughts in his mind.
He trudged silently to the living room but stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of, whom else, but Ginny Weasley.
She was sitting on the ground in front of the sofa staring forlornly into the flickering flames in the fireplace.
He was going to turn around and race right back up to Ron's room before she noticed him, when he suddenly caught the distinctive sound of strangled sobs.
At closer inspection he realized she was pale shuddering, scared and bawling her eyes out.
She needed help.
Although everything in his being was pleading with him to turn away, reminding him of the consequences of what would inevitably happen if he became too close to Ginny, but his heart was saying something entirely different and his legs, as if by command, strode to the redheads side.
"Ginny?" he murmured softly and knelt down in front of her.
Her head snapped up and stared into the warm emerald pools of his eyes.
"Oh Harry. Its horrible...I-I-I..." She stuttered and burst into a fresh set of tears.
He instinctively pulled her into his arms and felt a surge of anger boil up in the pit of his stomach.
Who was hurting Ginny? Why had the deatheaters been so determined to get to Ginny in Diagon alley?
But most of all why were these indescribable coursing through him?
"Ginny, please tell me what's wrong. Please let me help you," he whispered softly in her ear while stroking her hair, rubbing her back, and rocking her gently.
Her head was buried in his chest and she was still shaking with sobs.
She looked up at him, her eyes were glazed and her cheeks were tearstained.
"Harry I can't, please make me feel better. Harry please kiss me." she'd said a notch lower than a whisper and he wasn't sure if he'd heard right.
At that moment however it didn't matter that he knew he shouldn't get close to her, it didn't matter that he might not have heard right all that mattered was that pleading look in her mournful brown eyes.
He lowered his face to her and brushed his lips across hers, and it was as if that had been the last barrier. The last wall that had suddenly gone crashing down.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down so she could lock him into a passionate embrace.
He placed one hand at the small of her back and the other at the nape of her neck to intertwine with her flaming red hair.
He nibbled her bottom lip seeking entrance to her mouth and when she willingly granted it he swept his tongue into her mouth to duel with hers.
She groaned into his mouth and it was more than he could bear. He'd never experienced something so sweet exhilarating. That pathetic experience with Cho was nothing compared to this.
He was falling in love with her.
It hit him like a ton of bricks. He was falling in love with her. No! This was wrong he'd get her killed and it was more than he could handle. He couldn't let her die. Not her.
He pulled away and Ginny stared up at him confused and hurt.
"Oh God... Ginny. This was... I'm sorry." he finished lamely. "I don't want to take advantage of you," he added and Ginny smiled.
"Oh Harry, you could never do that. Not you." She whispered. Ginny was now sitting on Harry's lap and he was leaning against the sofa. Her arms her wrapped around his neck and his was wrapped around her waist.
She rested her head against his chest and they both stared into the twinkling flames. He was stroking her beautiful hair and he held her until he was sure she was asleep.
He would never do this again. It would only end up hurting both of them in the end, probably get her killed.
The prophecy returned to him full blown and he groaned.
No this could never work. He carried too much of a large weight. It wasn't fair to her. She deserved someone who could treat her right and give her all their attentions.
Not someone like him that had a large load of guilt and a burden to save the world to carry.
Besides if she knew that he had to be a murderer to survive then she'd hate him for sure.
He sighed sadly and carried her weightlessly into her bedroom. After placing her gently on the bed and covering her up he kissed her gently on the lips.
"Goodnight and goodbye sweet Ginny." and with that he strode out of her room and spent the rest of his night in a restless sleep. His dreams plagued with thoughts about Ginny.
Ginny awoke the next morning from her first peaceful sleep in days. She stretched splendidly when she noticed that she was in bed.
She sat up quickly and recalled the night's events.
Was it possible that she'd dreamed it? Was it possible that Harry hadn't kissed her?
But the taste of cinnamon in her mouth and the husky scent of male on her pajamas assured her she wasn't delirious.
She sighed. Cinnamon. That's what Harry had tasted like. Harry! Where was he? Had he brought her to her bed? The thought of Harry brought up a bubbly feeling in her stomach and made her want to scream for joy.
He'd finally opened up to her. They were going to be so much closer now.
And when she was with Harry Voldemort was completely unable to access her mind.
She was excited for the upcoming day ahead of them. She'd talk to Harry and tell him how she felt then he'd tell her how he felt and they'd get through this together.
However she couldn't have been any more wrong.
After showering and getting dressed she'd skipped down the stairs two at a time and couldn't contain the smile that lit up her face. Much to the surprise of her family.
She'd greeted Harry happily but he'd only briefly smiled without responding.
She thought it odd but assumed he was a little confused at the moment. She was sure she could talk to him later.
But she was wrong because he avoided her and when they did talk he acted cool and indifferent as if what meant the entire world to her hadn't meant a thing to him.
She was heart-broken. He continued with his indifferent mood right up till September 1st.
They'd boarded the train and he hadn't even spared her a glance. He didn't even ask her to join them in their compartment.
She ran to an empty compartment and let the weeks past tears flow freely down her face.
Maybe she'd done something wrong? Maybe she was just too undesirable or too much of a bad kisser.
And for the first time in a week she heard Voldemort in her head. He laughed at her and taunted her and she didn't even try to block him out.
They were returning to Hogwarts now. Things just had to get better.
