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Harry Potter and the Rise of the Dark Lord
By: LogicalRaven

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Well, here comes the exciting part. For those of you who are wondering how much darker this story is going to get, I'm honestly not sure. I promise I'll have some light moments, but the end will all be worth it. I won't be updating till Sunday, I'm going out of town and all, but keep reviewing, I love the feedback.

Read and Review
Nothing is my own

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I'll Be Home For The Holidays



Harry gave a yawn as Fawkes song woke him from another peaceful night sleep. It was amazing how after his talk with Dumbledore his dreams had stopped. He wasn't even sure if he was dreaming anymore. It was a perfect day, practically.

Everything he was taking with him to Ron's was packed and waiting at the foot of his bed, and for the first time in his life, they were going to the Burrows the normal way, by the Hogwarts Express.

"Harry, you ready to go mate?" Ron asked as he stumbled into Harry's room, dressed rather sloppy.

"You look horrible," Harry snickered, stretching his arms above his head.

Ron glared at Fawkes, he had an idea what the arrival of the bird meant, but Harry had yet to confirm his suspicions.

"So Dumbledore went on vacation huh? Where did you say the Caribbean?" Ron asked carefully.

"That's what he said. Something about it being lovely this time of year," Harry said vaguely.

Ron frowned, "Well, I'm sitting with Megan Jones on the train ride back, I'm suppose to meet her parents when we get to Kings Cross."

"Already? That's quick," Harry laughed, pulling on a clean shirt.

Ron sneered, "Her parents want to meet me before she's allowed to come to the wedding. I'm not even sure why I invited her, she's a bit thick ya know."

"Thick?" Harry asked as he put the finishing touches on his outfit.

"You know, a bit round around the middle," Ron said like it should have been obvious.

The morning passed quickly as they finished a quick breakfast and made their way to the carriages that would take them to the station.

"So, big plans for Christmas?" Padma asked as Harry boarded the Head's carriage with her.

Harry shrugged, "I'm not really sure."

"Well, just remember that we're talking to McGonagall about lifting these stupid restrictions the day we get back. The sooner we accomplish that, the sooner we can go to…" she trailed off and laughed, "Hogmeade."
"How in the world did you make Head?" Harry asked sarcastically.

Padma grinned, "Incredible intelligence."

The two Head made their way onto the train finding their seats separately.
Padma found a compartment with a few of her Ravenclaw friends and her sister, while Harry continued on until he found Ginny, Hermione and Neville. Ron was sitting up towards the front of the train with Megan Jones and the Hufflepuff seventh years. Harry caught a glimpse of Ron as he walked forcefully behind a largely build Hufflepuff.

"So Hermione, when is Viktor coming to your place?" Ginny was asking.

Hermione blushed, "After Christmas, his letter said he'd be at my place by the 28th."

"Oh, you are coming to the Burrows before the wedding aren't you?" Ginny pleaded.

"Yes, I'll be there the day before with Viktor, if Ron is okay with it," Hermione muttered under her breath.

Ginny shrilled, "Thank goodness, no telling what those bridesmaids of Fleurs are going to be like, I won't know any of them."

"Still talking about the wedding?" Harry asked laughing.

Ginny smirked, "I don't know what you're laughing about, you've got to go through all the terrible formalities with me, including the rehearsal dinner, being my official date."

"I'm looking forward to it," Harry said with a cheeky grin.

"It is gotten a bit big, how many bridesmaids does Fleur have again?" Hermione asked.

Ginny rolled her eyes, "Five, plus her maid of honor, honestly. She wanted twelve, but I think Bill talked her out of it."

"So six?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, Bill said he only wanted his brothers and his best friend in the wedding. I don't even think Fleur wanted me in the wedding, she just did it to be nice," Ginny grunted, "I'm not sure she's going to be my favorite sister-in-law."

"She'll be your only sister-in-law," Hermione pointed out.

Ginny grinned, "Oh, when you and Ron get over your denial you'll be married."

"What?" Hermione said making a disgusted face.

Harry let his eye linger over towards Ginny, "Denial is the first sign."

Ginny let out a giggle as she nodded in satisfaction that Harry was agreeing with her. Harry quickly let his eyes drop, what was he doing? What was he thinking? He was still with Cho, and he couldn't let his feeling get confused by that. It wasn't her fault that she hadn't written him, she couldn't write him.

Neville suddenly sneezed, "Excuse me."

"I think you're allergic to that plant," Hermione pointed at the red flowery plant secured in his lap.

Neville rubbed his red eyes, "You know, you may be right (SNEEZE)."

"Bless you," Ginny offered.

"My grams wanted me to bring it home, she says it livens up the living quarters," Neville explained rubbing his dripping nose.

Hermione frowned, "Maybe we should store it in the storage compartment."

Neville thought about it for a second then nodded after another sneeze, "Good idea Hermione."

The two stood up as Hermione took the plant out of Neville's hands, "Here I'll carry it for you."

"Thanks," Neville said with a watery smile.

The two walked out of the compartment leaving Harry and Ginny alone.

"So…" Harry started feeling a slight tension building in the room.

Ginny bit her bottom lip, "Just go ahead and kiss me and get it over with."

"WHAT?" Harry asked shocked by her response.

Ginny fell over in ball of laughter, "You should have seen your face."

"I didn't think it was at all amusing, you scared me death," Harry said forcing the grin off his face.

"I couldn't help myself, you were acting like you were scared to talk to me," Ginny continued laughing.

Harry shoved her playfully, "I said that it wasn't funny!"

"Harry Potter, you are pitiful!" Ginny doubled over.

Harry jumped behind her letting his fingers find her sides as she erupted into an even larger fit of giggles.

"If you insist on laughing, I'll give you something to laugh about," Harry jeered.

"Quit it, I said STOP!" Ginny pleaded, trying desperately to defend her sides.

Harry pinned Ginny to the ground as best he could tickling her aggressively, suddenly she popped her head up and planted a quick kiss smack on his lips. It took a moment of being stunned before Harry released her.

"Now see what you've gone and made me do," Ginny said still snickering, "I had to go off and kiss you to make you stop."

Harry grinned uncomfortably.

"Ron hates it when I do that," Ginny said as if offering some sort of explanation.

Harry attempted to wipe his mouth in disgust a moment to late, and Ginny glared at him with a look of confusion.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," Ginny said softly.

Harry took a deep breath, wishing the knots in his stomach would untie, "It's okay, you're like a sister to me. I honestly didn't think anything off it."

Ginny gave a forced sigh of relief, "Thank goodness, I didn't mean anything by it, I was just trying to get you to stop."

"Just don't do it again," Harry continued trying but failing to look cool.

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The train rolled into the station as the students quickly unloaded, most excited about their holiday of freedom. After a few quick goodbyes Ginny and Harry went to find Mrs. Weasley. Ron would have to catch up later, after he got his date's parents approval.

Mr. And Mrs. Weasley were standing in an opening with December O'Riley by their side.

"Hello dears, where is your brother Ginny?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Ginny smiled, "Meeting Megan Jones's parents."

"Who?" Mr. Weasley asked.

Harry answered, "His date for Bill's wedding."

"Of course," Mrs. Weasley nodded, apparently the subject of Bill's wedding was a delicate one.

December grinned at Harry and whispered over in his ear, "I hope you don't mind, but I'm using my time off to be your guard."

"Always on house arrest aren't I?" Harry asked shaking his head.

December smiled, "I've got some really good news for you, but you'll have to wait till we get back to the Burrows."

Harry looked puzzled, but knew she wasn't going to answer her right now.

Ron finally approached with a look of loathing imprinted on his face.

"It go very well Ron?" Mr. Weasley asked.

Ron forced a smile, "Yes."

"Then why do you look like you're about to be sick?" Harry asked in a whisper as Mr. Weasley looked away.

"Did you see her mother and sister? Their as big as my house!" Ron exclaimed in a loud whisper.

Ginny smiled, "You could have taken Hermione you know, her mother has quite a lovely figure."

"Shut-up Ginny, I wasn't talking to you," Ron snapped.

Ginny narrowed her eyes, "No, but you are talking to my date." She grabbed Harry's hand in hers and lead him a few steps ahead.

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The Burrows were exactly as Harry remembered it. He felt his heart lighten as they pulled into the drive. The house looked like it had a slight makeover, probably courtesy of Fleur.

"Well, don't dawdle," Mrs. Weasley said sighing.

Harry followed Ron up the front stairs and into the front door.

"I wonder if anyone is in yet?" Ron asked in his normal tone. " I mean it's only four days till Christmas."

Harry nodded as they made their entrance. Ginny was still holding tightly to Harry's hand, not that he was objecting.

"HELLO, WE'RE HOME!" Ron bellowed.

Harry breath caught in his throat. On the couch sat a smug looking Charlie Weasley talking to a dark haired girl who was turned away from them. Ginny immediately released Harry hand as Cho Chang turned her head towards them.

Harry tried to say her name, but his voice caught in his throat.

She suddenly broke into tears. Her dark raven hair was tied loosely back, letting a few strands linger forward to hit her face. Her eyes were accented by dark circles and a few bruises were hidden by her newly found smile.

She jumped to her feet and ran towards a stunned looking Harry.

"I thought I'd never see you again," she almost cried.

"Cho, what? Why are you here?" Harry finally asked, feeling a strange sensation surging through his body.

Cho took a rattled breath, "It was a horrid attack. Eros is at St. Mungo."

December gave Harry an 'I'll explain later look'.

"Cho, I'm so glad you're okay, I'm glad you're here. I've been worried sick," Harry said returning her hug, feeling a sense of happiness engulfing him.

"I've missed you so much!" Cho cried, burying her head into his shoulder.

"Why don't you two go have a nice walk in the garden, Fred and George have just degnomed it," Mrs. Weasley suggested giving them a gentle shove, flashing Ron a warning look as he began to snicker.

Harry released Cho from her hug and looked nervously at Mrs. Weasley. Cho walked Harry towards the back door staring deeply into his eyes. Harry had never realized how very deep her eyes were. He glanced backwards to see the expression of everyone's faces before they disappeared outside, and his heart froze when he saw the disappointment on Ginny's face.

Cho didn't seem to notice as Harry's eyes lingered behind them. It felt odd to see her again. She wasn't the same innocent girl he had remembered from just a few short months ago. Her posture was more straight and her eyes were sharper. The most dramatic change was her expression. She looked like someone who had just seen the worst tragedies of the world.

"It's quite lovely here," she sighed, as the beaming sunlight engulfed them.

"Yea," was the only word Harry could manage to find.

Cho looked at him with a forced smile, "I'm not suppose to tell you what happened to me."

Harry grinned, "I figured as much."

"But I don't care what the Ministry says," Cho continued, "I was in Bulgaria trying to recruit one of the Vampire cults with Raymer, that's why I couldn't tell you where I was. The Minister didn't even know what we were doing."

Cho took a deep breath, "Vampires are quite particular, and only socialize with what they call 'beautiful' people, that's why Raymer got slated for the job. Everything was going perfectly until Darthaynia, who is a Vampire high priest, became fond of me."

"They sent you into a Vampire den?" Harry asked, making sure he understood what she was saying.

Cho smile nervously, "Yes, but it was for a good cause. We've already lost the giants and the Dementors to Voldemort. If we don't gain an alliance with the Vampires we'll be fighting this war alone."

"So what happened?" Harry pushed, feeling the sun fading behind a cloud.

Cho suddenly burst into tears, "It was horrid. Darthaynia tried to make me one of his brides, promising me immortality, in return. They had no idea we were from the Ministry nor did they care. If it wasn't for Eros….I don't know what would have happened. We tried to fight them, but there were so many, they easily over took us, taking us prisoner. I spent two weeks in a prison box no bigger than a coffin, it is part of the ritual of transformation. I thought I'd never see you again."

Harry wrapped his arm her shoulder, feeling her tremble slightly under his touch, "It's okay."

She sniffled, "I'm sorry, I've just never been through anything like that before. I honestly didn't think we'd get out alive. We escaped during the daylight hours the morning before my transformation ceremony and made it to the boarders when we ran into the Kylanna, supporters of the Dark Sorcerer Platanious. We made it out, but Eros took a bad hit, he'll be St. Mungo for awhile."

Cho shivered staring into Harry's jade, "I'm so glad I'm here with you right now."

Harry felt his own self shake faintly as she moved her head towards his. Her eyes pierced his very soul as her lips lingered lightly over his. He held his breath as the contact grew, spreading heat throughout their bodies. Everything that had once plagued them both disappeared in their passion.