Disclaimer: Not mine not mine not mine!
AN: Thank you to all of my lovely reviewers, and thanks for being patient with me.
Mirrorimage of Hermione; the-insufferable-know-it-all; SilverBelle; GhostMagic19; Twilight66; FuZzYsPaZ04
Chapter 14- Fighting to get back home
After their trip to Diagon Alley, the rest of the summer holiday rushed by. Before they knew it, Harry, Ron, and Neville had to conduct a five hour search of Grimmauld Place to recover all of their missing possessions. Ginny helped for a bit, and then to Harry's displeasure, Hermione returned from her afternoon with Krum, and Ginny left with her giggling. The boys finished gathering their things, and managed to dump it all on their respective beds before Mrs. Weasley's voice floated through the door announcing dinner. After dinner everyone returned to their rooms to finalize their packing.
The next morning was chaos. Harry woke to Hermione's yells.
"Harry, Ron, Neville! Get up this instant! We don't want to be late!" Harry and Neville grumbled and sat up. Ron however, merely snorted and muttered something that sounded like '5 more minutes'
"No you will most certainly not get five more minutes Ronald Weasley!" shrieked Hermione. She bent over hi m, grabbed his shoulders and shook him, while resuming shouting. "We're to be ready in time to get to King's Cross at quarter to eleven. GET UP!" Ron opened his eyes with a start, and his ears immediately reddened when he found himself so close to Hermione that their noses practically touched. Harry and Neville sniggered at the predicament that Ron had gotten himself into.
The rest of the morning went similarly with Mrs. Weasley shouting herself hoarse occasionally aided by Hermione, and with Harry, Ron, and Neville running late. Fred and George were helping Neville carry his trunk down the stairs (Mrs. Weasley banned them from sing magic to help this year) when Tonks decided to try and assist them. She tripped, and fell into the trunk, effectively sending it, along with Fred, George, Neville, and herself toppling down three flights of stairs.
When every one was finally ready, Moody shrunk the trunks, and fitted them nicely into his pocket, and the group walked out and into two ministry cars. Once Harry and his guard arrived at platform 9 3/4 Harry, Fred, George and Tonks were the last through the barrier. As soon as they were through Fred and George were instantly swarmed by admiring students who'd remembered their legendary departure the previous year. Harry laughed with Ron and Hermione, Neville and Ginny smiled, and Fred and George were beaming. Lupin grinned like mad when Fred announced that they owed everything to the marauders of Hogwarts, and Mrs. Weasley looked like she should smile or disapprove, so she settled for gaping at all the attention her sons received. Before they knew it the whistle had blown, and as everyone was scrambling to get on the train Mrs. Weasley gave out hugs.
Once on the train, Ron and Hermione left for the prefects compartment for what Ron assured Harry would be a brief period, nevertheless, leaving Harry with Neville and Ginny.
"Come on, lets find a compartment," said Ginny, grabbing Neville and Harry and dragging them down the corridor. They found an empty compartment halfway down the train, and Harry and Ginny had both entered. Neville was about to enter when a dreamy voice floated through the air.
"Hello again," came Luna Lovegood's voice as he appeared in the doorway. "How were you summers?"
"Good thanks, I've got to go to the bathroom. Excuse me," Neville stammered quickly, before running off to the bathroom.
"Oh, Okay," said Luna before Harry or Ginny could say anything. "Well I must be in search of a compartment." Luna drifted off leaving Harry and Ginny quite alone. They talked for a bit before Ginny tried and failed to stifle a yawn.
"Am I that boring?" Harry joked, surprised at how easy it was to talk to her.
Ginny smirked. "I guess so Mr. Potter," she answered. "You're putting me to sleep."
With that she laid her head down on Harry's shoulder. Harry felt a shock run through him. He awkwardly moved his arm out from under her, and seeing nowhere else to put it, he gently placed it around her shoulder. They were both surprised at how comfortable this was, and stayed unmoving for 10 minutes, until Neville burst in the room, stopped short at the sight that greeted him, smirked, and cooed 'awwwwwwwwwwwwww' rather loudly causing Harry and Ginny to spring apart. Neville smirked at them again, now on opposite sides of the compartment, before sitting next to Harry. Moments later Ron and Hermione arrived. Hermione sat next to Ginny, and began talking to her with a paper clutched in her hand, while a fuming Ron place himself on Harry's other side.
"She's just gotten a-" Ron began, getting cut off as someone swung open the compartment door.
"Can I sit with you guys," came Luna's dreamy voice. "Everywhere else is full."
"Sure," said Ginny, smiling. Luna sat down next to Hermione after a quick glance over at Neville. The girls, including Luna, surprisingly, fell into hushed whispers and giggles once more.
"Anyway," said Ron, bringing the boy's attention back to what he had begun to explain before the interruption. "She's just gotten a letter from Krum! She's only been gone a bloody hour, and already the bloke writes her."
Harry and Neville snickered. "You like her," whispered Neville grinning at him.
"No I don't, I like Lavender," whispered Ron defensively. His eyes then widened as he realized what he'd just said. "Shit," he muttered, not meeting Harry, or Neville's eyes.
"I knew it!" exclaimed Neville loudly, causing the girls to halt their discussion and look at him. "Sorry," he muttered, which sent the girls into another fit of giggles.
"You like Luna," whispered Ron, trying and succeeding to remove the focus from himself. Neville reddened, and Harry and Ron smirked at him. Neville looked at Harry for help, but when none came he took the matter into his own hands.
"Oh yeah," said Neville. "You should have seen Harry and Ginny today." If looks could kill, Harry would have been a murderer, and Neville would have been dead on the spot.
"OY!" shouted Ron, turning to Harry for an explanation.
"Shhhh," Harry hissed. "Nothing happened."
"Nope, nothing," whispered Neville. "Except that when I walked in, Ginny had her head on Harry's shoulder, and he had his arm around her."
"What?" hissed Ron angrily.
"That's ALL that happened," said Harry quietly.
BANG!
The train screeched to a sudden halt, before screams, and more bangs were heard. Harry leaned over to hear what the people were shouting, before a voice sounded through the train.
"This is the driver speaking. I am asking that everyone please return to your compartments and have your wands ready. First and second years, please join a compartment with older students. Outside is dangerous, so please remain armed."
Harry looked out the window, and saw about 30 Death Eaters outside the train.
"Harry Potter, come out and play!" cried a familiar mocking voice. Neville cast Harry a look that said clearly 'I'm coming with you.'
"Neville and I are going out there," said Harry to the rest of the compartment. He saw a look of hurt flash across Ron and Hermione's faces, followed by one of confusion. Why Neville?
"We're coming too!" cried the other four together. Harry realized that he had little time for arguments, and he was touched that they all wanted to help him fight, so the six of them ran down the corridor. Harry heard more footsteps behind him, but thought nothing of it until he had reached the door to the outside, turned around to address his friends, and found the entire remaining DA, including Cho and Marietta, looking back at him. Harry wondered briefly how they had all gotten there, but decided not to dwell on it at this particular moment. Harry glanced over at Neville once before addressing the DA.
"Okay, everyone," he began. "I'm happy you all came here. I'm proud of all of you for being so willing. I need all of you to stay here however and guard the train. There is about 30 Death Eaters outside, and undoubtedly some will try and get on the train. You also have to make sure the Slytherins don't try to help their parents out here. We need to eep the students safe. Neville and I are going out there to fight. Be ready."
"Longbottom?" cried Zacharias Smith. "You would choose Longbottom over any one of us?"
Harry thought he saw the look of hurt fall over Hermione and Ron, as well as Ginny and Luna. Ron and Hermione were looking at him with looks of confusion. Harry looked straight at them and gave them a look that said clearly 'we'll talk later.' They both nodded to show they understood. Now he just had to think up an excuse for the rest of the DA.
"Why can't we fight?" Smith continued.
"Because," replied Harry with gritted teeth. "Neville and I have a personal score to settle with Bellatrix Lestrange."
That shut Smith up. Everyone seemed to accept this, and some went as far as to glare at Smith for his rudeness. They all knew what Bellatrix had done to Neville's parents from the Prophet last year. They also all knew about what she had done to Harry's godfather, as there had been more than one article in the paper about it.
"Is Potty scared," cooed Bellatrix in her baby voice again. Harry looked at Neville who nodded.
"You wish Bellatrix!" cried Harry as he and Neville burst out of the now parked train.
"OOH!" cried Bellatrix as she caught sight of them. "Potty's brought Longbottom. This should be fun. Let's see if he goes as easily as his parents did."
"I don't think so Lestrange!" cried Neville angrily.
"Crucio!" cried one of the Death Eaters. Neville ducked it to gasps from the onlookers and the battle began.
"Stupify!" cried Harry, aiming at a Death Eater that had missed Neville. The Death Eater turned out to be Lucius Malfoy, who dodged Harry's spell, and in turn muttered something foreign, aiming his wand at Harry. Harry ducked just in time, as a jet of white hot purple light whooshed past his left ear. Harry got up just in time to see a jet of red light headed straight towards Neville. Just as Harry was about to open his mouth to warn Neville, he blocked it.
"Protego!"
"Harry!" came Hermione's voice. "Look out behind you!" Harry spun around, and literally had to drop on his stomach to avoid a spell sent his way by Avery.
"Silence that bitch!" cried Bellatrix, who was currently fighting Neville.
Harry saw Crabbe run over, and actually scream 'Silencio!' Harry fought the urge to roll his eyes. It was apparent where Crabbe jr. got his intelligence from. Hermione blocked it, and hit him with a Jelly Legs Jinx, before placing the silencing charm on him. Crabbe stumbled, having no control over his wobbling legs. A few Death Eaters saw this, and about six of them ran over to assist the stupid man.
"Reducto!" cried Parvati as a death eater charmed a few rocks to come shooting at her head. She reduced the first two to crumbs, and Harry felt a surge of pride as he remembered how well he had taught her. "Reducto!" she cried again. This time she was knocked over by Crabbe as he wobbled into her, effectively ruining her aim, causing her spell to burn a hole in the side of the train, and the rocks to shoot over her head, and through the window of a nearby compartment. Harry heard a yell, and realized he had not been paying attention to his own battle. He spun around just in time to see four Death Eaters trying to sneak up behind him.
"Stupify! Petrificus totalus! Stupify! Stupify!" cried Harry trying desperately to ward them off. He had gotten two of them. Harry concentrated on firing stunners at the other two. After he made sure they were down, he ran over to assist Neville, who was battling with Goyle and Nott. Harry hit Nott with a stunner, leaving Neville to place the Leg Locker curse on Goyle, along with a silencing charm after Goyle tripped over Nott's body.
Harry saw many Death Eaters on the ground at the mercy of various spells, mainly the stunner, and the Full Body Bind. Harry felt a surge of pride run through him before he saw Rookwood running around reviving as many Death Eaters as possible. Harry made to stun him, but was cut off as he heard Malfoy's voice behind him, and felt himself falling, with many of the DA's yells in the background.
Next thing he knew, his eyes opened, and he felt a sharp pain in his right arm. He looked down, and saw that he was sitting on the ground, and his arm was bleeding. Neville was above him telling him he had been stunned, and to get up quickly. Harry's brain went into overdrive, as he figured he had been out only an instant before Neville had revived him, and immediately sat up again. As he did, several stunners rained down upon him. Harry rolled over, dodging them, and leaped up again firing spells at the Death Eaters. He smiled slightly as he hit Malfoy with the furunculous curse at the same moment as Neville hit him with Jelly Legs. Malfoy fell over with boils covering his face.
Quite suddenly there were several pops in quick succession, and suddenly Fred, George, Bill, and Mr. Weasley appeared, followed closely by Emmeline, Remus, Moody, and Rami Grazide. After the prompt appearance of the Order, the thirty odd Death Eaters that were left battled it out with the Order members, and Harry, and Neville. Neville found himself stunned twice, and Harry revived him the second time, only to be hit by George as he fell, under the Full Body Bind.
George had hid Bellatrix Lestrange with the Impediment Curse, and as she stood there, wand raised, Fred and George broke out into identical evil grins. Fred pulled something that resembled a blackberry out of his pocket, and tossed it up into the air. George muttered something, and the object shot right into Bellatrix's mouth. Moments later the jinx wore off, and a furious Bellatrix opened her mouth to shout a curse, but all that came out were bubbles.
Suddenly there was a loud pop, and Dumbledore was standing in the middle of the battle. Everyone froze, with the exception of Crabbe who had once again been hit with the Jelly Legs jinx. Dumbledore shouted something, and the Death Eaters were all being pulled into a small circle, as if by magnets. Finally they all stood, much like in the department of Mysteries, together as if bound by invisible rope. They were all glaring at Dumbledore, and muttering, with the exception of Bellatrix, who could still only produce bubbles.
Next, Dumbledore made an announcement. "Students, because of obvious reasons, the train will not complete the journey to Hogwarts as it is. I will be turning the train into a portkey, so everyone returning to school should be inside it. You will land in Hogsmeade station as always, and will be brought up to the school. Thank you"
Harry looked around, and discovered the entire student body was watching. Dumbledore raised his wand, and performed a powerful spell turning the train into a portkey, and Harry felt the familiar pull behind his navel, and air whooshing past him, went suddenly there was an almighty thud, and the train came crashing down in Hogsmeade station. Suddenly everything seemed like it should have been, aside from the disfigured train that is. Harry stepped off the train with the rest of the students. The first thing he heard was a familiar voice.
"Firs years over here!" cried Hagrid. "Al righ' Harry?"
Harry and Neville were sent up to the hospital wing the moment they arrived in the great hall. Each of the boys got their various bumps and bruises healed, yet madam Pomfrey insisted on keeping them and making them drink horrid tasting potions, that compared only to the taste of skele-grow. After what seemed like ages of fussing with them, Madam Pomfrey let them go.
"Hurry along now boys," she said. "The rest of the school is already down in the Great Hall, and I think the sorting is over."
Harry and Neville walked quickly down to the great hall, wanting nothing more than to get the disgusting taste out of their mouth.
"I was worried that we'd have to sneak out of there at midnight for some food, the way Pomfrey was keeping us," joked Neville.
"Yeah, I know."
"I'm hungry,"
"Me too,"
They reached the door, and Neville went to open it, but quickly froze. "Holy crap," whispered Neville.
"What?" asked Harry, wondering what Neville had seen.
"The entire Order is in there. They've set up another table for them behind the head table and everything."
"Well I suppose that's because Dumbledore talked to them after they helped out earlier," replied Harry. He tried to remember who had been there this afternoon. He would see Remus anyway.
"No mate," said Neville. "I mean the entire Order is here. Meaning all of them."
Harry couldn't think of a reply and went to peak in the door. "You're right," he said. Suddenly his stomach gave a huge rumble. "We have to go in though, because I'm hungry. I suppose we could ask Ron and Hermione why they're there."
Neville pushed open the door again, and they began to make their way across the hall to the Gryffindor table. Dumbledore was in the middle of addressing the students, and stopped when he saw Harry and Neville walk into the room. Dumbledore smiled.
"Ah, Mr. Potter and Mr. Longbottom, how nice of you to join us today." Dumbledore smiled at them. Suddenly the entire population of Hogwarts, students, and staff alike, along with the Order members turned to look at them. Harry looked at Neville, who suddenly looked more terrified than he had when they were fighting.
"Just ignore them and keep walking," Harry whispered out of the corner of his mouth. Neville nodded, and the two boys made their way to Gryffindor table, where Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had saved them seats, feeling the eyes of everyone in the hall on them as they went. Harry and Ron sat down on either side of Ron, and Hermione and Ginny were sitting directly across from them.
"Now I know what it's like to be you," mumbled Neville as soon as he was in his seat. "God, that's not fun."
"Now that everyone is present and accounted for, I have one thing to say," Dumbledore looked around at them, his eyes twinkling. "Tuck in."
Suddenly the tables were groaning under the heavy load of food bestowed upon them. Ron eyes it hungrily, and began piling mounds of food on his plate, ignoring Hermione's look of disgust. Harry grinned, and began to fill his plate before Ron ate everything that was left. Harry looked over at Ginny and smiled, causing Neville to nudge Ron who gave Harry a look causing him to choke on his pumpkin juice. Ginny looked alarmed.
"Harry are you alright?" she asked. Hermione leaned over apparently checking to make sure he was alright as well.
"I'm fine," said Harry coughing a bit, and shaking from the force of Ron hitting him on the back. "Ouch Ron," said Harry in pain.
"Sorry mate," grinned Ron sheepishly.
When everyone was feeling sleepy after eating their fill Dumbledore stood up again. The entire hall looked at him, knowing that there was a speech to be made. Dumbledore cleared his throat, and began to speak.
"First of all, I would like to welcome all of our new students to Hogwarts, and welcome back the returning students," he said, eyes twinkling. He spread out his arms and looked around at them all. "Welcome, to a new year of Hogwarts. To the first years, you should note that the forest on the edge of the grounds is strictly forbidden, and is highly punishable if you are found to have wandered in. I feel the need to remind a few older students of this as well," he said glancing over at Ron, Harry, and Hermione. They grinned back at him, and Harry saw Fred give them a thumbs up from behind the head table and Harry grinned.
"Mr. Filch would also like me to notify all of you of the list of forbidden objects and continue to remind you that ever bashing boomerangs are forbidden. He would also like me to tell you that a separate list containing all of the products manufactured by Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes that are banned. There seem to be a large number of them. If any of you would like to check the regular list or the Weasley list they may be found in Mr. Filch's office."
"WE GOT OUR OWN LIST!" cried Fred and George leaping up and jumping up and down. Mrs. Weasley looked scandalized for a moment, but her mouth dropped open in shock when she saw the widespread support that came from the school.
The great hall suddenly erupts into cheering for the Weasley twins, who promptly stood on the table bench and bowed, grinning like maniacs.
When the din finally settled down, Dumbledore stood up smiling, and carried on with his speech. "Yes, Messer's Fred and George Weasley have made a Hogwarts record for having their own list. Congratulations boys. Now, I would like to encourage you all to remember my speech before our lovely feast, and to think about the words carefully. This year is a year where we will be trying for stronger house unity in this troubled time. I realize that you would all like to get to bed and sleep off the large amount of food you have consumed, and therefore, I bid you goodnight. I would like Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom, Hermione Granger, and Ronald and Ginevra Weasley to remain behind please. Goodnight everyone."
Harry and the others made their way up to the Head table, where Dumbledore told them all to meet him in his office. The group nodded, and walked silently up to the office, having a pretty good idea about what he wanted to see them for, but Harry in particular was feeling nervous, as he didn't want to do what he knew he had to.
Harry and Neville were the last ones to walk into the office that night, as Harry had taken Neville aside, and asked him if he minded Harry telling the Order about Neville's prophecy. Neville said he didn't mind at all, and was grateful that Harry thought enough to ask him. When they walked into the office they were met with the Order all looking at them. Harry felt the uncomfortable silence as no one in the room knew what to say. Suddenly Mrs. Weasley ran up to him, and engulfed him in a huge hug.
"Oh I was so worried when I heard what happened!" wailed Mrs. Weasley. "You all could have died!"
She then moved o to giving hugs to Hermione, Neville, Ron, and Ginny. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled for a moment as he surveyed the scene, before clearing his throat.
"The first thing I would like to do, as I feel it is appropriate, is to congratulate Mr. Potter, and Mr. Longbottom here. They were both very brave in the face of danger, saw that the school was in need of protection, and acted accordingly. For that you will both be receiving an Award for Special Services to the School, and one hundred points to Gryffindor each." He took a moment to survey them before continuing, ignoring the fact that Harry and Neville were gaping at him soundlessly. "There will also be 20 points for everyone of the group of students faithful to Harry that followed him, and assisted in the process. I believe one of you can supply me with the list of their names? I believe it to be Miss Granger, am I correct?"
Trembling, Hermione nodded, and whispered something, and suddenly out of thin air, the sheet that everyone had signed from last year appeared out of thin air. SAhe handed it to Dumbledore.
"Dumbledore's Army?" inquired Mrs. Weasley puzzled, as she read over Dumbledore's shoulder.
"Yes mum," said George walking over, looking fondly at the sheet. "I remember this sheet. Ginny and Cho Chang came up with the name. Ginny wanted to call it Dumbledore's Army because that was the ministry's worst fear at the time. Chang came up with the idea of shortening it to the DA so no one would know what we were talking about."
"It was the secret defense group that we were forbidden to do last year. As you can see though, it has proven quite useful for all of these students to have Harry for a teacher," added Fred. "It would have been even more useful if Edgecomb hadn't gone to Umbridge about it though. Harry almost got thrown out of school."
It was silent as the Hogwarts students, plus the twins scowled at the memory.
"I heard you two boys did a bit of damn good fighting today," said Tonks proudly. "You made us proud."
"Yeah mate, that was a seriously wicked bit of fighting," said Ron in awe. "Weren't you going to explain something about the real reason you and Neville had to fight?"
Harry's head shot up at Dumbledore, who's eyes twinkled, and he smiled. "Now is as good a time as any, I suppose, to let you all know that Mr. Longbottom, and Mr. Potter have been receiving training in dueling everyday this summer, to prepare them for incidents such as this one. Tonks, Alastor, and Remus have been their personal trainers this summer. They are being trained for the ultimate task of facing, and conquering Lord Voldemort."
A shudder ran around the room at this, and then everyone looked a bit shocked. Mrs. Weasley looked like she was about to say what she thought of this idea, but Emmeline Vance beat her to it. "Dumbledore, you can't put a two underage wizards against You-Know-Who. They'll never make it."
"He has his reasons," snapped McGonagall.
"Well, would you care to explain them, Minerva?" asked Kingsley, still looking shocked. McGonagall was about to bite out another reply, but Dumbledore cut her off. Harry considered this a good thing, because he didn't think even McGonagall knew what the prophecy said.
"The reason lies i the prophecy which was destroyed in the Department of Mysteries in June, thankfully before it met the wrong ears."
"What did it say exactly, that requires you to send Harry and Neville to You-Know-Who?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"Ah," said Dumbledore looking at Harry. "That is not my place to tell you."
"Then who-" began Bill, stopping short when he saw Dumbledore look at Harry. Soon everyone's eyes were flicking from Harry to Dumbledore.
"Harry?" asked Hermione confusedly. "You knew what it said?"
Harry gave a quick glance at Dumbledore, who nodded that it was alright for him to tell them. Harry took a deep breath.
"Yeah, Professor Dumbledore told me what it said after- June," said Harry. The topic of Sirius' death was still too fresh in his mind to talk about.
"What did it say?" asked Fred curiously. Everyone else in the room was looking curiously at him also, minus Neville, Remus, and Dumbldore himself. Harry heaved a great sih, and recited exactly what he had heard in this office two months ago.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...Born to those who have thrice defied him, Born as the seventh month dies...And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not...And either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives...The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."
"What does it mean Harry?" asked Hermione trembling again.
"It means that the person with the power to kill Voldemort will be born at the end of July to parents that have escaped him three times. It was made by Professor Trelawny sixteen years ago. The Dark Lord would mark him as his equal, an-"
"It's you!" said Ginny cutting him off before he had to explain his least favorite part. "You're his equal?"
Harry nodded glumly, and suddenly McGonagall let out a gasp.
"One must die at the hands of the other. Neither can live while the other survives. Oh Merlin," she gasped again, and her hand flew over her mouth. After a few moments she removed it and said very quietly, "that doesn't mean..." She trailed off.
"Yeah," said Harry glumly placing his head in his hands and faltering. Remus came up and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, and urged him to continue. "One of us has to kill the other person."
There was a shocked silence following this, before Dedalus Diggle spoke up.
"What does Longbottom have to do with this then?" he asked. Once more Harry looked at them, and then at Remus, giving him and Neville a look that told them to field the rest of the questions.
"Because," said Remus. "The prophecy could have been two people. The other one is Neville Longbottom here. He and Harry share the same birthday, and both were born to parents who escaped Voldemort three times. However, Voldemort marked Harry as his equal, by attacking him that night, rather than Neville. He had a spy that heard only part of the prophecy, which is why he knew he should attack either Harry or Neville. When he attacked Harry that sealed the prophecy."
"Than why is Longbottom being trained as well?" asked Rami.
I am being trained because," started Neville. "Because it is believed that since I was the other person that the prophecy might have been referring to, that Harry will be stronger against Voldemort with me backing him up."
Mrs. Weasley broke the silence in the room by running up to Harry and engulfing him in another one of her Weasley hugs. The next few minutes were followed by everyone reactions, from crying to paling, to assuring him he would have their support, and various curses. It all went by in a blur for Harry. It felt good to get that off his chest, but now the full impact of the day began to hit him, and all he wanted to do was go to bed. Finally he couldn't stand it anymore.
"May I be excused, Professor?" he asked Dumbledore. "I would really like to get to bed."
"Of course, Harry," said Dumbledore smiling. "I think that would be a good idea for all students, as it it is getting quite late, and you all have classes tomorrow morning. All of you should be off now."
With that Harry led the way out of the room, and back to Gryffindor tower in silence with Neville right behind him, also tired from the fight.. Ron, Hermione and Ginny looked like they wanted to ask questions, but knew better than to do it now. When Harry reached his four poster, he changes, and collapsed onto it, laying awake for a while before finally falling asleep.
AN: I hope you all liked this long chappie. Sorry it took me to long to write, but I had school and everything. I hope I gave you enough Harry/Ginny to hold you over for a little while. Sorry, but they won't kiss until probably chapter 16. I'm evil I know. I was thinking of making this two parts, but then I decided against it at the last minute. I already have Chapter 15 and 16 all planned out though. I just have to find time to type them.
As always review to let me know about any grammer problems or other typos so I can fix it.
REVIEWS WELCOME. They make me update faster. Hehe.