Chapter Twenty Four: Changes

They walked through the crowds of students back to the dorm in silence. When they reached the Common Room, they held hands for a moment, and then silently parted, heading to their respective dorms to leave their book bags and return to the Common Room.

When Ginny came back down, it was to find Harry pacing in front of the fire.

"Harry?"

"Ginny..." he looked up. "I need to..."

"You need to what?"

"I need to... talk to you," he sighed. "Ginny, if it weren't....

"Harry, what on earth is it?"

"I need you to do something. I need you to try to imagine what our lives would be like without Voldemort. If we were just... just Ginny and Harry... from normal wizarding families, who had met here, just... without all the drama and..."

"Okay..." she sat down on the sofa, still watching him.

"Can you imagine that?"

"Yes," she said, closing her eyes and thinking of what that would be like. Days spent with a boy who didn't have the weight of the world, their world, on his shoulders. A Harry who smiled, all the time. Who allowed his natural good humor free reign. She smiled.

"Would you have still wanted to be with me?" he asked quietly.

Her eyes flew open, her shock apparent.

"How can you even ask that?"

"Because it's important, Ginny."

"Of course I would!" She stood and moved to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. "Harry, I told you... it's not Harry Potter, the Boy who Lived... it's just you, just Harry..."

"You're sure?"

"Absolutely, without doubt," she said softly. "I love you."

Harry sighed, closing his eyes and wrapping his arms around her. "I can't lose you," he said.

"And you're not going to," she said. "Now come on, let's go find out what Dumbledore wants."

"We'll be early."

"Not if we take the long way," she grinned.

"Evil witch..." he laughed as he followed her out the portrait hole.

"And don't you forget it, Mr Potter," she murmured.

Although the headmaster hadn't given them any indication of what he wanted them for, they both knew that it was more than likely that Ginny's parents had requested to see them, as indicated by Ginny's letter, and they weren't wrong. Entering Dumbledore's office, hand in hand, they found Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Molly and Arthur Weasley there.

"Mum, Dad..." Ginny went forward to hug them both as they stood to greet her.

"Ginny, dear..." Molly looked deeply into her eyes, then hugged her again.

Harry stood uncomfortably in the doorway, unsure of the reception he was likely to get from the parents of the girl who, innocently or not, had shared his bed.

"Harry, do come in..."

Harry's eyes didn't leave the Weasleys, but he did move further into the room at Dumbledore's bidding. At the mention of his name, Mr Weasley looked up, and smiled sadly.

"Harry..."

"Mr Weasley, Mrs Weasley..."

"Oh, Harry, dear!" Molly came forward, pulling him into her arms and hugging him tightly.

Harry stood, shocked. This wasn't the reception he'd expected – at all. Carefully, he hugged her back, and found himself enveloped in her arms.

"Mrs Weasley... I..."

"Harry, dear, please, don't worry. We'll sort this all out, love," Molly said, patting his cheek softly before moving back to her chair. Mr Weasley came forward and awkwardly stuck his hand out. A little unnerved, Harry shook it.

"Sir..."

"In a minute, Harry. In a minute..." Arthur said, turning back to his chair.

Ginny took Harry's hand and they moved to the other two unoccupied chairs in the room.

"Now, Molly, Arthur... we have something we need to discuss..."

"Ginny owled us last night, Albus," Molly said. "We understand."

Ginny and Harry looked at each other, struggling to keep their chins from dropping.

"Mum..."

"Hush, Ginny," Molly said. "Please."

"Molly, you understand that..."

"Yes, of course we do," Arthur interjected. "We've had our suspicions for years, but... well..."

"We didn't want to influence her, of course."

"Mum, Dad, what are you talking about?"

"Ginevra, you need to understand, the Department of Mysteries has a clear mandate on how to handle prophecies," Dumbledore said. "Within days of the night you were born, when this particular prophecy was made, several young witches were identified as possible matches... you were one. Then, the Department of Mysteries had the job of sorting through the list of candidates, to see who was the most likely fit. It turned out that the line 'seven of seven of seven of seven' was the deciding factor. You are the only witch, not just born that night, but in the last several generations, to whom that could possibly refer. I had my doubts, of course, but the Ministry never did."

"So?"

"So, Ginny," Arthur said softly, "We've known of the prophecy for years. As your parents, we were told of it, long before you came to Hogwarts. Albus reminded us of it after ... well, after Harry brought you out of the Chamber..."

"You knew?" Ginny asked.

"Such things could not be kept from your parents, Miss Weasley," Professor Dumbledore spoke.

"But... but..."

"Ginny, we've known for quite a while how you felt, but we were... well, we weren't convinced that Harry was the person who the prophecy referred to. When Harry told us of the prophecy regarding him at the end of the summer, we were fairly certain."

And do keep an eye on Ginny, love... she's so young! Harry remembered Mrs Weasley saying this to him at Kings Cross. He immediately dropped his eyes to his hands, resting in his lap. He moved uncomfortably.

"Harry?" Dumbledore looked at the young man before him. "What is it?"

"I..." Harry shook his head. "I just don't want any of you to think I... manipulated this... or that..."

"Of course we don't, dear!" Molly said. "Of course..."

"I..." Harry turned to them. "Ginny makes it better... I can sleep... but I understand that that is quite... well, selfish of me. I will understand if you insist on..."

"Harry..." Arthur looked at him, trying to get him to listen. Harry, however, didn't know if he'd get this out if he stopped now.

"Sir, I don't quite know..." Harry took a deep breath. "I understand that I have something I need to do. Apparently, I'm the one who has to clear up this mess that Voldemort has created. Unfortunately, I can't do that without some help. The prophecy of the Six is part of that, but the fact remains that I have to be the one to destroy him. To do that, I need Ginny.

"I can't do it without her. She keeps me centered, her presence lets me sleep, and really rest. This past week, well... my studies have seemed easier... well, everything has been easier.

"And if I didn't have her... I don't know that I'd want to do what I have to do. I... if it's not her, then it's no one. She's the reason I can face this. She always has been, ever since... well, ever since the Chamber, really.

"I know what my priorities ought to be... but I'm afraid I just can't focus on them without her. This is my seventh year... I have a feeling that my confrontation with Tom isn't that far off... and to tell you the truth, it's more important to me to focus on that, and what I have to do to achieve that. School is important, but when I'm standing facing Tom and a hundred or so of his Death Eaters, I'm afraid I just can't see how an extra Herbology lesson is going to help. I need to focus now on what I have to do to achieve that... so that we can all get back to our lives. If that means getting on with what I have to do, and leaving Hogwarts, then that is what I'll have to do. I do know that I need Ginny beside me, that I'll always need her beside me, but particularly right now.

"I can't do it without her. I don't want to do it without her."

Molly and Arthur exchanged glances. Arthur sighed.

"No one said you had to, Harry. Albus?" Arthur turned to the headmaster. "What can we do?"

"I believe that Harry is correct. Things are coming to a head," the aging headmaster looked at Harry. "You have felt it? As I have?"

"I think so. I've felt... well, a sense of urgency, I guess."

"Indeed." Dumbledore nodded. "Well, we need not get into this right now, Harry. But we must speak about..."

"No, sir... I think," Harry glanced at Mr and Mrs Weasley. "I think I'd like Mr and Mrs Weasley here for that discussion, if you don't mind?"

"Harry?" Dumbledore looked closely at him.

"I need someone to... well, the Dursleys aren't going to be interested, and..."

"Oh, Harry!" Molly turned brimming eyes on him. "Of course we'll be here if you wish!"

"I think I need to concentrate on those studies that are going to help me with this, Professor," Harry said. "DADA, Transfiguration, Charms, Potions..."

"Yes, Harry?"

"I can't see how an extra semester of Herbology or Astronomy is going to help," Harry cast a rather apologetic look at McGonagall. "And what I'm learning in classes right now... Transfiguration and Potions, DADA... it's not enough."

"What do you suggest?

"Like I said, Professor, I don't see how Herbology is going to help..."

"Harry, you must not educate yourself with only the battle you are destined to fight in mind. Your entire life will be affected by which subjects you take at NEWT level..."

"Do you really think, sir, that if I defeat Voldemort, I'll be refused any career I choose based on my NEWT scores?"

Dumbledore looked at him assessingly for a moment. "That is a very good point, Harry."

"I think it's important that I continue with DADA, and the expanded curriculum and training is an excellent start," Harry said. "I also think I need to better my Transfiguration abilities... if Professor McGonagall would be willing to work with me?"

"Of course, Mr Potter," the elderly witch nodded, rather pleased.

"And..." Harry said. "I think that it is also important that I continue to learn as much as I can in Potions. If you think that Professor Snape would be willing...?"

"I'm sure he could be convinced, Harry," said Professor Dumbledore.

"I see no point in continuing with Astronomy, or Herbology... for the simple reason that they are not particularly necessary in defeating a dark lord, nor are they that important in becoming an Auror..."

"You've decided...?" Arthur asked.

"It's what the training I have to take will best serve me as later," Harry said firmly.

"But what do you want to do, Harry?" Molly looked distressed.

"What do I want?" Harry looked at her. "I want to take Ginny away from here and forget all about Tom Riddle. I want a normal life... but I can't have that."

"Harry, after this is over..."

"After this is over, I could be dead," Harry said flatly. "I have to use my time to best prepare to not die... to give myself a fighting chance at even having a life afterwards. Beyond that, I really don't care."

"Very well, Harry," Dumbledore said quietly. "I think the pursuit of an accelerated program would be a very good idea right now. However, I'm afraid it may require any extracurricular involvement being given up, as well."

"Extra...?" Ginny looked at him, confused.

"Quidditch," Harry said, his eyes never leaving Dumbledore's face.

"Indeed. I do not think you'll have the time."

Harry glanced at Ginny, who had gone white. She turned to Harry, her eyes wide.

"Oh, Harry..."

"Agreed, on one condition," Harry turned back to the headmaster.

"Yes?"

"Ron is offered the captaincy," Harry said.

Dumbledore turned to Professor McGonagall. "Minerva? As Head of Gryffindor house, this would require your agreement?"

"I'm sure that Mr Weasley would do an excellent job, Albus," the Professor, who had been largely silent so far, agreed, although the look on her face spoke of her disappointment.

"Harry, you can't give up Quidditch!" Ginny said, horrified.

"Ginny, giving up Quidditch is the least of my worries. I need to concentrate on DADA... would Remus and Tonks be able to spend some time with me... independently?"

"I'm sure that that could be arranged," Dumbledore said quietly. "I will also speak to Kingsley Shacklebolt and see about some private instruction for you with the assistance of some Ministry aurors."

"And Professor Snape?" Harry asked.

"Yes, of course," Dumbledore looked blankly at the wall for a moment. "Harry, you do understand that you don't need to do this alone?"

"It's me who the prophecy talks of, sir," Harry said quietly.

"But the six..."

"I'm sure that they have a role to play," Harry agreed. "Just not the same role I have."

"Indeed," Dumbledore agreed. "Perhaps they, too, should be prepared for all... eventualities."

"How so?" Harry looked at the old wizard suspiciously.

"Each of your friends have... skills that should be developed," Dumbledore stared off into space again, then suddenly stood. "No matter. I will discuss this with each of them."

"Mum, Dad..." Ginny turned to her parents. "You understand what my role is?"

Mr and Mrs Weasley glanced at each other, then back to her.

"I believe so, yes, Ginevra," Arthur Weasley nodded. "I wish it weren't you, but..."

"I don't," Ginny said firmly. "I'm glad it's me. I couldn't bear it if it were someone else."

"Here," Harry held out something to Ron as they were sitting in the Head's lounge with the others after dinner that night.

"What's this?" Ron reached out, taking the Quidditch Captain badge from Harry.

"It's yours."

"Harry?" Ron looked up at him from where he sat next to Hermione on the sofa. His eyes were confused.

"You're the captain now, Ron," Harry said.

"What are you on about?"

"I'm having to give it up... to concentrate on my training."

"But..."

"It's the only way we can do this, Ron. I... I hope you can forgive me."

"Forgive you?" Ron stared at him. "Bloody hell, Harry... I know I told you what I saw in that bloody mirror all those years ago, but I was okay with your being Quidditch captain..."

Harry grinned after a moment, remembering what Ron had seen in the Mirror of Erised, the picture of himself as both Head Boy and Quidditch captain... in his words... looking good. Funny that that thought should bring a smile to his face after all these years.

"Training?" Ron enquired after a moment.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt and Moody are going to be visiting... I'm going to be taking advanced training with them and Tonks and Remus four nights a week... I have to prepare."

"For..." Neville swallowed.

"It's coming," Harry stared at his hands, then looked up quickly at the other two boys. "I can feel it... it's not that far off now."

Ron stared at him, then glanced at Neville and back to Harry. "You know..."

"I know," Harry smiled.

"Harry," Neville took a deep breath. "What's involved in your training?"

"Well, I'm dropping Herbology and Astronomy to concentrate on DADA, Transfiguration, Charms and Potions."

Both Ron and Neville groaned at that. Ginny smiled up at Harry as he sat down beside her and pulled her close. Hermione and Luna glanced at each other, then sat up straighter. Hermione was always up for a discussion on the merits of education, and Luna wasn't put in Ravenclaw for no reason.

"I'm going to be taking additional training with Kingsley and Moody, and Remus and Tonks, of course..." Harry looked down at Ginny's hair, losing himself for a moment, then shook his head and sighed, looking back up at the assembled group. "Dumbledore wants me to continue with the DA..."

"Of course he does!" Hermione looked horrified at the thought of the DA club being disbanded. "You've taught the students more..."

"Mione," Ron squeezed her and shook his head slightly as she looked up at him. She bit her lip.

"So Tuesday and Thursday nights are still DA," Harry continued. "But every other night and weekends I'll be taking extra training. Dumbledore is going to talk to Snape about scheduling some time on the weekends..."

Neville gasped and went white. "Weekends with Snape?"

Harry smiled, "Nev, if nothing else, the man is a first rate Potions Master. You have to admit that."

"Of course, Harry, but... weekends?"

"I suspect that Voldemort doesn't particularly care what day of the week it is, Nev," Harry continued. "And Snape has knowledge I need if I'm going to do this."

"You?" Ron said. "I thought we were in this together?"

"We are, mate," Harry said softly. "But I'm the one who has to kill the blighter."

They all nodded gravely, silent and considering this for a moment.

"But what..." Hermione began, only to be interrupted by a knocking on the door. "Who...?"

"Stay here," Ron said to her as he stood, pulling out his wand.

"Ron?" Ginny said as Harry stood, awkwardly moving her to the side.

"No one but the Heads are supposed to know where this room is," Ron explained quietly.

Harry and Ron moved towards the short hall that led to the door, just as the knocking sounded again. They glanced back to where Neville stood, oddly in front of the girls with his wand out. Luna, Ginny and Hermione also stood ready.

"On three?" Ron said. Harry nodded.

"One, two…THREE!"

Seems that what I thought was rather clever has just turned out to be confusing. More than one reviewer mentioned that the last line of the last chapter was confusing. All it meant, dear readers, was the students had been expelled from Hogwarts in past for doing far less than Harry and Ginny have (sharing Harry's bed), and that they all know that the meeting with Dumbledore which Ginny and Harry have been summoned to could very well mean they are about to be "dismissed" from the school.

But we know better, now don't we?

CQ

NotYourAverage: But that's the point. Harry isn't "your average teenage boy", is he?

LarnaMandrea: Death and dismemberment, is that all you think about? Well, maybe... we'll have to see. Maybe I'll do a one-shot just for you...

WebMistressGina: Don't get me wrong, I agree with you, but I don't know that JKR will even HAVE the romantic stuff in the books... although she did do the whole "Cho" thing in fifth year, so you never know.

Gorman99: Did they surprise you?

Shotgunn: I was wondering where you got off to...Sigh, I suppose I ought to get over being abandoned for Xbox Live... And in answer to your question, NO, Ginny does NOT have to have seven kids... she IS the seven of seven of seven of seven... it's how they knew it was her. I keep giggling, wondering how this might have panned out if Ron had been the seventh child...snicker

Malena: Once again, a reviewer corrects me... correctly. That is EXACTLY the quote I was talking about, and once again, I have interpreted it in a way which may well be wrong. Thank you for setting me straight – I have hope again!

MrsSakuraPotter: Glad my review was of assistance. I'm glad to hear you're going to pursue it. Half the battle is coming up with a decent idea.

Gee-Unit: Thank you! That's so nice!

Fireheart: Hmmm... glad it'w working now... I wonder why it does that? Maybe too much traffic at the site or something.

GiGiFanfic: Hope you've got your internet sorted... and that you're staying warm! I hear the east coast is a mite chilly these days! We've been enjoying a bit of a chinook here, maybe some of it will come your way!

Whimsical Firefly: Ummm... actually, it's Jonas. My muse is pretty much the antithesis of what he can stand, apparently. As for Harry, he's a different kind of 17YO male, isn't he?

XiaoXiao: You could be right. I live in hope!

Mehgan: Ginevra is Ginny's given name – although many argue that it's Virginia. However, JKR has stated, on her site, that her name is Ginevra. Oddly enough, knowing JKR's fondness for anagrams, it's odd that "Ginevra" is an anagram for "vinegar"... interesting.

And to all my other lovely reviewers: IndiaInk, Kordolin, Sumer's Girl, Nebulia, MysticRuby, Pdlegirl, Gwenyth Rose, KittiesRule878, HPandGWfan,