Chapter Eight: The Return to Hogwarts
The next day everyone did their best to seem cheerful as they celebrated both Harry's birthday and their OWL results. They had cake and a large dinner, and gave Harry some nice gifts. But the proceedings seemed constantly overshadowed by the news of Percy's betrayal. The remainder of the summer was spent quietly. Mrs. Weasley could often be found in the kitchen, baking a pie, a cake, or some cookies, which no one felt much like eating. Her eyes never seemed to lose their red puffy appearance. Mr. Weasley, when he dropped in after work, never spoke much, and never mentioned Percy at all. No one had seen or heard from Percy since the attack on Diagon Alley and all assumed, without discussion, that he had joined the Death Eaters. No one could fathom why else he would send dementors there to cover up a Death Eater raid in London. It was mentioned once that he could have been under the imperious curse at the time, but that didn't seem to explain the prolonged absence and lack of evidence of any foul play against Percy. The twins, though turning a favorable trade at their shop, seemed the slightest bit deflated whenever they dropped in. They had joined the Order after the incident in Diagon Alley, in direct opposition to Percy's supposed choice. It seemed September 1st could not arrive soon enough. The night of August the 31st, the four students were in Ron and Harry's room. Ginny and Hermione were stretched out across Ron's bed and the boys were sitting casually on Harry's. Hedwig was perched on top of a bureau that stood in the far corner of the room, and Pigwedgeon was snoozing in his cage. They had packed all their things hours ago.
"I wonder what will happen to us this year," Ron thought aloud.
"Whadaya mean, Ron?" Ginny asked lazily.
"Every school year it's something else," he explained casually. "First year, it was a three headed dog, an underground labyrinth and a Death Eater professor who was after the Philosopher's Stone. Then second year…"
"I got dragged into a secret underground chamber by the memory of Tom Riddle," Ginny finished for him.
"Course, then there was our third year with those bloody dementors flying around the school," Ron continued.
"And then Barty Crouch entered me in the Triwizard Tournament so Voldemort could get his hands on me to bring himself back to power," Harry said darkly.
"Yeah, and Umbridge and the D.A. last year," Hermione offered.
"Not to mention the Department of Mysteries and…" Harry almost whispered. It was the first time he had begun to voice those thoughts out loud and he wasn't sure if he could go through with it. He could see in his mind's eye, as he had a thousand times since that day in June, the events that haunted his nightmares. Sirius being tortured by Voldemort, Harry's friends trapped by a dozen Death Eaters, Hermione unconscious on the floor, Ron struggling with a brain that had wrapped itself around his head, and Sirius falling…falling through the veil…laughter dying on his face as he went.
"If only I had listened to you, Hermione, if only…"
"Harry, it isn't your fault." Hermione consoled him.
"No, it's that Lestrange woman. She's the one who killed him," Ron reminded.
"Lestrange…" Harry's eyes grew darker and his mouth thinned at the mention of that name. He stood up and paced the floor as he spoke. "I followed her, you know. After she killed Sirius, I ran after her. I caught up with her in the atrium. I tried to use the Cruciatus on her."
"Harry…that's…that's one of the…" Hermione began.
"I know, one of the Unforgivables. But it doesn't matter. It didn't work."
"But Harry," Hermione started again.
"Look, it doesn't matter, OK? It's what happened afterward that bothers me."
"What happened, Harry?" Ginny asked.
"Voldemort," Harry began. Ginny paled and Ron and Hermione cringed, but he ignored them and continued. "He showed up personally in the atrium. He would have killed me, but Dumbledore got in the way and dueled with him. It looked like a stalemate until Voldemort tried to possess me. He wanted Dumbledore to kill me in order to kill him, but Dumbledore wouldn't do it." Harry glanced at his friends as he paused in his story. They were white faced and Ginny was trembling slightly, but their eyes begged him to continue.
"I thought…the pain was so bad…I thought death would have been better than that pain. I remember thinking that at least then I could see Sirius again. That's when he left me."
"He left you?" Ron asked. "You mean you just thought about Sirius and You-Know-Who just got up and left your body?"
"Yeah, Dumbledore said…well…he said something about a power…the power of…well, I think he meant the power of…of love…." Harry let the last two words drop like stones into a mud puddle. He lowered his eyes momentarily, then looked at them again. Ron looked bewildered, Hermione looked skeptical, but Ginny's expression was unreadable. She was staring off into the closet absently, as though contemplating something, lost within her own thoughts.
"Harry," Ginny asked suddenly, "What…what was in the prophecy…did you get to hear it when it broke?"
"No, I didn't hear it. But…" Harry looked into Ginny's eyes. It was as though she already knew. She seemed to see right through his eyes into his mind. The words of the prophecy, now permanently etched into his mind, came flowing, unbidden, into the forefront of his thoughts. 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…."
Ginny turned ashen and slid her head down into her hands. She stared into the carpeting as though searching it for a lost article. The others seemed confused and unnerved by the silence. Ron spoke first.
"What, what is it? The prophecy smashed, and no one knew what was in it. It's gone now. It can't hurt anything anymore…can it?"
"The prophecy smashed, yes, but…There is someone who knows what's in it. Two people in fact." Harry said flatly.
"Who, Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Dumbledore…"
"Dumbledore, well that's all right then," Ron sighed with relief. "Whatever was in there, it's safe with Dumbledore, isn't it?"
"Who else knows, Harry?" Hermione asked, her voice low and breathy.
"Uhm…well…"
"He does," said Ginny. "And so do I."
Harry whipped his head around so fast he thought he heard his neck pop. He glared at Ginny, "How?! How do you know?" he demanded.
"I don't know how I know. Just now, when you were looking at me…it just came into my mind. I don't know how it got there. It just did. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…I mean… I don't even know how I…" Ginny looked close to tears. She stood up shakily and took two steps toward the door. "I'll just go now…" she added as she placed a hand on the door knob and began to turn it. Harry numbly watched as she closed the door lightly behind her. Then something suddenly came alive inside of him, and he jumped up off the bed and ran after her.
"Ginny, wait!" Harry called as he wrenched the door open again and raced into the room across the hall. Ginny was lying face down on her bed, her shoulders shaking, her sobs muffled by the pillow under her face. Harry crossed the room quietly and knelt on the floor beside her bed. He took one of her hands in his and she turned her tear stained face toward him.
"Ginny," he whispered in a gentle voice, "I'm sorry. I should have known. It's my fault. Please don't cry."
"Harry," she choked back her sobs, "It's awful. That prophecy is dreadful."
"I know. I didn't want you guys to know because I didn't want to know about it myself. I don't want it to be true. I don't even know, really, if it is true."
"Harry," she scolded softly, "It's true. You know it is. At least, part of it has happened already. He marked you." She gently ran a finger across the scar on his forehead. "He marked me too."
"What do you mean, Gin? Did you get a scar from the Chamber of Secrets?"
"Not a visible one, no." She looked at him as if willing him to see inside her mind as she had seen inside his. He stared into her eyes, and a series of thoughts suddenly settled into his consciousness. I am bound to the Chamber forever. I am bound to the one who saved my life, and I am bound to the one who tried to take it. I am a prisoner of my memories.
"Ginny," he breathed out her name so quietly, even he was unsure whether he had spoken it aloud. She sat up on the bed and he sat beside her and pulled her into his arms. "Ginny, I…" Harry's heart was so full of emotions he couldn't decide which to voice first. He wanted her to be all right. He wanted to do anything to make her happy. He wanted to provide her with a lifetime of good memories to crowd out the memory of the Chamber. He wiped the tears from her eyes with his thumbs and kissed her softly on the forehead. He placed his arms protectively around her.
"I promise," he whispered, "I will never let him hurt you again."
He looked again into her chocolate brown eyes. The world around them melted away, all their cares forgotten for the moment. She smiled warmly and he grinned. Slowly he lowered his face toward hers. Their lips met briefly. It was warm and sweet and inviting.
"HARRY!!"
Ron and Hermione were standing in the doorway, gawking at them. Ron was red faced, but Hermione was smiling.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING TO MY SISTER?!"
"S…S...Sorry Ron." Harry's heart was suddenly caught in his throat. "I, uhm, I…"
"Oh Ron," Ginny said, exasperatedly, but Hermione interjected.
"Look, you just said last night you wished Ginny would go out with someone more like Harry," she reminded him.
"It's OK," said Harry, "Ron's just mad because I forgot to ask him first," Harry teased. Then he added slightly more seriously, a buoyancy still in his voice, "Ron, is it all right with you if I ask your sister out?"
Ron smiled then, looking pleased. "Since you asked," he laughed a little. "Of course Harry. I'm sorry. I was just surprised is all." Harry pulled Ginny closer then, but was surprised when Hermione also threw her arms around Ron. Ron turned and grinned at her.
"What's all this then?" Harry asked, hiding his laughter.
"I asked Hermione on the way back from Diagon Alley."
"What? And you didn't tell me in all this time?" Harry asked incredulously.
"It was all that stuff about Percy," Hermione answered for him. "It just didn't seem like the time to bring it up."
"Plus, we weren't sure how you would feel about it," Ron supplied.
"Why?" Harry asked simply.
"Well, you remember when we were talking about it before we went to sleep that one night?" Ron reminded him.
"Yeah"
"Well, I was afraid the person you thought was better was…was…."
"You thought I liked Hermione and I was trying not to tell you because you said you liked her," Harry finished for him.
"Yeah," Ron bowed his head a little, his cheeks a little red. "I'm just glad I was wrong."
"Yeah, me too," said Ginny, and everyone laughed.
"What's going on up here?" Mrs. Weasley called as she came up the steps. Harry and Ron quickly disentangled themselves from the girls. Mrs. Weasley smiled warmly at them all, seeming not to have noticed anything odd or different about the four teens. "'Bout time you all got into bed, isn't it? We've got to catch that train in the morning."
"Yes, Mum," Ron and Ginny recited together.
"Well, we'll see you all in the morning then. Is everything all right, Harry? You look a little pale, dear. Have you been crying, Ginny?"
"It's all right, Mum," Ginny covered quickly for the speechless boy beside her. "I was just remembering something unpleasant, and Harry helped me feel better."
"Oh, dear, are you still having those dreams about that dreadful chamber?" Mrs. Weasley said consolingly as she strode across the room. She sat on the other side of Ginny on the bed and placed Ginny's head in her lap and stroked her hair. Ginny smiled and looked at Harry as though to say, 'Here's your chance to escape.'
Harry took his cue and stood up. He dragged Ron across the hall with him as Hermione went into the girls' room. As soon as the door was closed behind them, Ron cornered Harry again.
"You didn't tell Hermione and me about the prophecy yet," he said, almost pleadingly.
"I don't think I should, Ron." Harry replied.
"How did Ginny know? Did you tell her?"
"I didn't tell her at all. She…she just saw it…in my thoughts. I don't know why or how, it just happened. I didn't mean for any of you to know."
"Why not, Harry? We're your best mates. If you can't tell us, who can you tell?"
"That's just it, mate, you are the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I don't want you to know because I don't want Voldemort to try to get it from you. You saw what he did last year to get that prophecy! He would do anything, kill all of you, torture you to get that information. I just can't put you in that kind of danger. If I could I would erase it from Ginny's mind too, but I don't know how to Obliviate."
"Oh," Ron looked glum, like Christmas had come and no presents were at the end of his bed.
"Ron, trust me. You don't want to know."
"All right, Harry," he said resignedly. "Let's just go to bed. We have a long day ahead of us."
"Too true," Harry agreed.
They settled into their beds, but Harry was still worried. He was glad they were going to Hogwarts in the morning. He didn't think Voldemort was crazy enough to try to get into Hogwarts. They would be safe there. But he was still worried. He wondered how his relationship with Ron and Hermione would change now that they were dating and he was with Ginny. With Ginny…the words echoed through his mind and he could not suppress his grin. He placed his hands behind his head as though to gently cradle the heart warming thought. He was with Ginny now. He fell asleep smiling.
…The stones were warm beneath his feet. She was smiling at him from beside the fountain. He glanced at the unicorn statue that signified purity and peace. Her hair shone in the light of the full moon, gold glistening off deep red tones. Her eyes danced with joy and expectation. They fell into a warm embrace, grateful to be together at last, their hearts filled with both longing and gratitude. He looked into her chocolate eyes, taking in the emotions he read behind them…joy, peace, gratitude, and love, but there was also fear.
"What's wrong?" He asked her.
"He'll know. He'll find us."
"I promised. I won't let him hurt you ever again."
"He's coming."
"But he won't find us there. We'll be safe. He can't go there."
"No, but we can't stay there forever."
A tear trickled down her face. He wiped it away with his thumb and brushed her lips with his. "Don't worry. It will be all right. We'll win in the end." She smiled sadly, then gently pushed away from their embrace."
"It's up to you, Harry. You are the one to choose how this will end. You have to decide. What will you do when that day comes? How will you face him? How will you vanquish him?"
The four friends arose late the next morning, groggy and slack faced from staying up too late the night before. They all tumbled over each other as they tried to get their four trunks, two owls, one cat, four teenagers, and three adults into the standard size muggle sedan Lupin had rented for the day. Lupin had magically expanded the trunk to fit all of their belongings into it, and had been about to expand the back seat as well when Mrs. Weasley caught him and gave him a good telling off.
"I have half a mind to tell Arthur what you've done here," she had scolded him. "After all the trouble his Ford Anglia got him into, you ought to be more careful what you go doing with muggle things."
"Don't worry so much, Molly. I'll remove the charm before returning it to the rental place."
"Well, you had better."
Now as they drove down the streets of downtown London toward Kings Cross Station, a caged owl on each of the boys' laps and Crookshanks in his basket on Hermione's, all four teenagers squeezed in together, Harry silently wished Lupin had been able to perform the expansion charm after all. The drive seemed incredibly slow to Harry. He was grateful to be going home to Hogwarts again, but this year was going to be very different from previous years. He was going to be a teacher of Defense. He would have to be more responsible as a part-time member of the staff. It was as though a heavy iron weight had been attached to his sense of adventure, a weight labeled "Responsibility". He wondered briefly how Malfoy would take the news, and he smiled at the thought. It'll turn him green as his house flag to see it, he laughed silently.
When they finally arrived at the station and passed through the barrier to platform 9 ¾, there were just five minutes left before the train departed. They said hurried goodbyes to Lupin, Tonks, and Mrs. Weasley as they boarded the train, and quickly sought out an empty compartment in which to stow their trunks and pets. They looked through and finally found one in which Neville and Luna were sitting. Luna was reading an article from the Quibbler aloud while Neville listened half heartedly and stared out the window absently.
"Hey Neville, Luna, do you mind if we join you?" Harry asked politely.
"Oh, not at all, Harry," Luna responding pausing in her recitation of the article describing the Crumple Horned Snorkacks.
"Thanks," he said, and they began stowing their trunks in the racks.
"We've gotta go," Hermione said, gesturing toward Ron.
"Yeah, prefect duties," Ron added unnecessarily.
Neville did not seem to hear them at all, but continued staring out the window. Harry wondered what was on Neville's mind. He seemed deeply involved in some internal struggle.
"Neville," Harry attempted.
"Hmm?" Neville looked up slowly and finally noticed Harry and Ginny standing there. "Oh, hi Harry, hi Ginny," he said dully, and then returned to staring out the window, watching as the landscape passed quickly by.
"Neville, are you OK?" Harry asked.
"Oh, gosh, Harry, I dunno," Neville replied. "It's just…just that…"
"What's the matter, Neville?" Ginny asked encouragingly.
"Here," Neville responded quietly, handing Ginny a sheet of parchment he'd been holding. Harry looked over Ginny's shoulder to see what it was. There were finger print smudges around the edges and small water marks suggesting someone had cried over this page at some point. Harry looked at the words and realized that this parchment held Neville's OWL results.
"Neville, this is outstanding!" Harry cried, wondering why his friend would feel depressed about such good grades. "What's the problem?"
"Two more years of Snape," Neville replied.
Harry scanned the page and found Neville's Potions grade. Sure enough, Neville had scored O's on both the practical and the written exams. "Wow," Harry breathed, awed by Neville's accomplishment. "That's some kind of studying you must have done."
"Well, yeah, I mean, I have always wanted to be a healer," Neville explained. "And McGonagall said I'd have to have excellent Potions scores on both my OWLs and my NEWTs, but honestly, Harry! How am I supposed to survive two more years of Snape's class?"
"Don't worry, Neville," Harry reassured him, "I'll help you. And I'm sure Hermione will too. Just picture Snape as an old bat with too much wind under his wings. He's really just a big spoiled child, like a grown up Malfoy."
As if summoned by the mention of his name, Malfoy, flanked as always by his two huge friends, opened their compartment door and stepped in, leaving Crabbe and Goyle just outside in the corridor.
"Did I hear the sweet sound of someone profaning my name?" A familiar drawl came from the compartment door. Harry turned around slowly to look at his nemesis, and then studied him carefully before making a reply. He took in the new robes, polished shoes, and equally polished smirk and frowned in intense distaste.
"Malfoy, your very presence at Hogwarts profanes the sanctity of its halls. Go crawl back under the rock from which you sprang and leave us in peace." Harry was not about to bother with the evil brat after all the trouble he'd caused them all over the summer. But Malfoy was not so easily dissuaded.
"Have a nice summer, did you? I hear you've come into favor with the Ministry lately, what with doing underage magic and not a word about punishment from anyone. I'd say you are the 'spoiled child' around here if anyone is."
"Malfoy, if I have to look at your face for two more seconds, I'll have to rearrange it for you. Merlin knows you could do with an improvement to it." Harry pointed his wand at Malfoy, daring him to remain another moment.
Malfoy stepped back, and began to turn around, but suddenly swung around again, wand in hand. Harry was about to strike him with a stunning spell, but Ginny got there first with her bat bogey hex. Malfoy shrieked and slapped his hands to his face, trying desperately to stop the flapping bat wings from stinging his eyes.
"Good one, Gin," Harry laughed, and Ginny smiled proudly. "But you better put him right before Ron and Hermione get back."
"All right," Ginny said, and performed the counter curse.
"Don't think you're going to get away with that," Malfoy spat. "I still want my revenge for what you did to my father."
"Fine, fine, go ahead and try. But as your last attempt was an abysmal failure, I'd think perhaps you'd be better off giving it a rest, Malfoy." Harry replied, uncaringly.
Malfoy's expression darkened and his face flushed slightly, but he made no reply. He turned and exited the compartment quickly, spitting out a vicious, "Get out of my way, Mudblood," as he passed Ron and Hermione who were just coming in." Ron raised a fist to slug him for the insult, but Hermione placed a calming hand on his arm and shook her head.
Ron slowly lowered his arm as he watched Malfoy retreat down the corridor, then turned to Harry. "What did he want this time?" he asked.
"The usual," Harry replied, "threats, slurs and attitude problems."
"He's depressed," Luna supplied knowingly. "He thinks you framed his dad, Harry."
"What, you mean he didn't know?" Harry asked, shocked by the revelation.
"No," Luna replied, "He knew his dad was a sympathizer of the Dark Lord's philosophy, but he never thought he had actually taken the mark or killed anyone."
"Talk about a master of denial," Ron said.
"No kidding," Ginny added. "But then most of the wizarding community thought the same thing about the Malfoys until last June."
"I suppose Malfoy has had a rough summer then," said Harry, feeling a slight measure of sympathy for the slimy Slytherin. "Perhaps I shouldn't have been so hard on him."
"No way, Harry," Ron said, "He's been insulting you for five years now. It's about time the tables got turned on him."
Harry shrugged and the six friends sat down together and relaxed. A good game of wizard's chess with Ron helped Harry put Malfoy's woes out of his mind. And Ginny, Neville and Luna enjoyed a few rounds of exploding snap on the compartment floor, while Hermione looked over one of her textbooks for the coming term. Time seemed to speed itself up, and soon the train was slowing and coming to a stop. They all exited the train and moved quickly toward the waiting carriages led by the ominous looking thestrals.
"Can you see them, Gin?" Harry asked, studying her face.
"No, but just knowing they are there, you know, it's weird," she responded.
"I hope you never have to see them," he told her. "They're not all that ugly, really. It's just I hope you never have to see anyone…you know."
"Yeah, I know. Me too."
They left off that depressing topic when they heard Hagrid's familiar call, "Firs' years, this way!" Harry turned to wave to Hagrid while Ginny mounted the steps into the waiting carriage. Harry climbed in after her, followed by Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Luna. They all sat quietly, contemplating the awaiting feast, their empty stomachs (Ron's was growling) and the classes they'd be starting on tomorrow. Harry felt a few butterflies flutter in his abdomen when he realized he'd be teaching some of those classes. He decided it was a good moment to bring up the D.A.
"Um, guys," he said, attracting their attention, "I thought you should know," he directed this first part to Neville and Luna, "that we'll be doing the D.A. again this year, upon Dumbledore's request."
"That's great, Harry," Luna said dreamily.
"Yeah, so, Dumbledore wants me to open it up as a club available to all students," he explained.
"You mean, even the Slytherins?" asked Neville.
"Yeah," Harry replied, "so Hermione was looking for a way to charm the notices so that only people who wanted to defend themselves and their families from a Death Eater attack would be able to read it."
"I found one, too, Harry," she interrupted, "It was in a book in the room Ginny and I were sharing."
"That's great, Hermione," Harry said. "I think I'll be holding the first meeting during the first Hogsmeade weekend. That way it won't conflict with any other clubs, teams, classes or even homework."
"Well," said Hermione, smiling slyly, "No one's homework but yours and Ron's, I would say, unless you two have turned a new leaf this year."
Ron looked affronted, but Hermione just laughed, as did Harry. They arrived at the front entrance to the castle more quickly than Harry had anticipated. As he looked up at the building where he would now both receive and administer education, he noticed frogs had joined the butterflies in his stomach and were now leaping around, threatening to force him to give up on the awaiting feast.
All the students moved swiftly into the Entrance Hall and were beginning to filter into the Great Hall. Harry noticed Malfoy ahead of him, and he lagged behind so as not to draw any attention to himself from his pale nemesis. The last thing he needed was a detention on the first day of school. The students quickly found their seats at their respective tables, and sat down. Harry could feel Malfoy's glare from the other side of the room boring two round grey holes in the back of his head, but he chose to ignore it.
He focused all his attention upon the head table, observing as Snape stole furtive and angry glances at Tonks, who sat smiling brightly under her radiant blue hair, her eyes matching. Harry wondered if Tonks had been in Ravenclaw as a student. She saw him looking her way, widened her smile and waved at him. He returned the gesture and then followed the line of teachers with his eyes until his gaze fell upon Professor McGonagall who was speaking very animatedly to Professor Dumbledore and casting looks his way from time to time. They seemed to be arguing about something. Harry didn't have long to wonder what it was they were arguing about before Professor McGonagall abruptly stood up straight, turned from Dumbledore, and strode purposefully out into the hallway to collect the first years, the sorting hat, and the three legged stool. After watching her leave, Harry looked up at Dumbledore quizzically, and the headmaster smiled warmly back at him, the familiar twinkle playing happily in his eyes.
Soon the doors flew open again and the little first years came traipsing in, a bit windblown, and trembling in fear and awe, but at least they weren't drenched this year. Professor McGonagall placed the stool on the floor in the front of the room, rested the sorting hat upon it, and stepped back to allow the hat to begin its annual song.
Many a student has placed me
Upon the top of his head
Each has waited to hear from me
The name of the house that will hold his bed
My friends, I have tried to tell you all
As you listen to the words I've said
That though I divide you
I hate to provide you
With enemies as well as friends
Again it is my duty still
To give your names for good or ill
To houses which in your studies will
Influence you to your days ends
But mind my warning all who favor light
For times are turning with each night
Bringing closer the dreaded fight
Between those evil and those right
Divide you I must, t'is true
But the rest of the road is up to you
Will you choose friendships tried and true?
Or will your enemies get their due?
Look to your hearts
In these dark times
Take note of the marks
Left upon your minds
For all who enter within these walls
Bear a stewardship to guard its halls
To be united is to heed the call
To be divided is to let this school fall
Come, I will tell you if you are brave and true
Strong and fearless as the Gryffindor queue
If you are wise and talented too
Then Ravenclaw is the place for you.
There will be many loyal and faithful
Hardworking Hufflepuffs make up a houseful
And those who are resourceful, confident, and cunning
You will find yourselves in Slytherin's runnings
But remember that each new student will bear
Traits that match each house, and share
The virtues of one compliment the others
Conquer you shall, if you stand as brothers
The sorting hat fell silent, as had the rest of the hall. Slowly, and quietly, whispers broke out around the Great Hall, as stunned students discussed the sorting hat's message. Hermione cast a look at Harry and Ron that seemed to say, 'Did you hear that?' But all left off whispering as McGonagall called out the first name on her list.
"Madeline Abbott"
A small blonde girl came forward and waved quickly at Hannah Abbott at the Hufflepuff Table. Harry surmised they must be related.
"Ravenclaw," the hat called out.
"Oh, that'll be interesting," Ron whispered, "A Hufflepuff has a little sister in Ravenclaw! Can you imagine the fights when Madeline is doing the same homework as her sister?"
"Being in Hufflepuff does not automatically make you stupid, Ron," Hermione interjected. "Hannah was quite good in the D.A. last year, wasn't she Harry?"
"Oh, yes, quite good," Harry agreed, then turned back to the sorting, shrugging his shoulders at Ron's why-didn't-you-side-with-me look.
"Amanda Bethwell"
"Hufflepuff" There was a mild spattering of applause from the Hufflepuff table.
"Carson Cantel"
"Slytherin" Carson wandered over to the Slytherin table, smiling.
"That's enough of those," Ron whispered, "No more Slytherins, please."
"Latonia Gladstone"
"Gryffindor"
The Gryffindor table burst into applause and Latonia sat down next to Dean Thomas. "This is my cousin," Harry heard Dean whisper to Seamus. Seamus patted the girl on the back and whispered back, "Good to meet ya. We'll take good care of ya."
Harry turned back as he heard the next name.
"Patricia Goodesman," McGonagall called, and a pale brunette took her place on the seat.
"Gryffindor," the hat called again, and the table erupted in cheers.
Amy Livingston was sorted into Ravenclaw, Tony Marston into Slytherin, and Shawna Portington to Hufflepuff. Harry's attention wandered for awhile then as he looked over at Ginny who was watching him intently. Their eyes met, and he felt a familiar sensation as thoughts once again entered his mind. We need to talk. Harry's eyes widened, and he wondered what this connection meant that he seemed to have with Ginny. He stared into her eyes and thought 'We should talk tonight when the others are asleep.' Ginny nodded and another phrase entered his mind. Meet me in front of the fire as soon as the common room is empty, and don't tell Ron. Harry nodded as well and Ginny turned her eyes away from his just as Jessica Zimmerman was sorted into Ravenclaw and Professor McGonagall picked up the hat and its stool.
Professor Dumbledore arose then for the usual start of term greetings.
"Welcome, all, to another year at Hogwarts. We are happy to have our newcomers here. We are also grateful for those of you who are returning. I hope you have all enjoyed your summers immensely. It is time for our most excellent feast prepared by our extremely helpful and considerably appreciated house elves. Tuck in!"
As the mounds of delicious looking food appeared on the serving plates, Harry stole a glance at Hermione. She was beaming up at Dumbledore, elation written all over her face. "Did you hear that? He praised them! What an example. Now if I can only get him to free them!"
"Heh-mawn-ee," Ron said thickly, his mouth full of his first bite of chicken. He swallowed, then continued, "Would you give this spew stuff a rest? House elves don't want to be free! They told you so themselves last year!"
"It's S.P.E.W., Ron, not spew, and I will not give it a rest!" Hermione puffed herself up indignantly and they were off on another row. Harry chuckled softly and looked up at Ginny across from him. Her eyes were dancing with her own amusement. He shuffled a foot forward and caught the end of her shoe with his own. She pushed back and he laughed aloud.
"You think it's funny, do you?" Hermione demanded crossly, "House elf enslavement is just a hoot, eh?"
"No, no!" Harry suddenly realized he was in trouble. He looked to Ginny for help, but she shrugged and grinned. Harry grinned back, but that seemed to be the last straw for Hermione.
"I see how it is. You all think I'm nuts! I'm just trying to help another living creature to have a better existence and you all think it's a laughing matter!"
"I'm not laughing," Ron offered.
"No, no you're just outright telling me I'm nuts and should drop it," she shot back at him.
"Wait…no…That's not what I mean…no…Hermione," Ron looked desperate. He had a pleading look in his eyes as he reached out to take her hand. But Hermione pulled her hand out of his reach and turned stonily away from him. Harry grimaced and Ginny looked sorry.
"I'm sorry Hermione," Harry tried. "It wasn't you. I was laughing with Ginny about something else."
"Oh, get over yourself, Harry. Ginny hasn't said a word."
"Well, no, it wasn't something she said…" Harry trailed off and then blushed, and Ginny blushed as well. Ron began to stand up, his eyes got wide and his ears matched his hair before Harry realized he was digging his hole deeper. "No, no, Ron, nothing like that!" But Ron, though returning to his seated position, continued to eye Harry and Ginny suspiciously. Harry rolled his eyes and looked back at Ginny. This was going to be a long year.
The words, It sure is, suddenly entered his mind.
As the feast came to its close, Dumbledore stood again and raised his arms to attract everyone's attention. The Hall slowly grew quiet as all eyes turned toward him.
"We are pleased, at the end of our lovely feast, to introduce all of you to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Tonks." Most everyone clapped politely, except for a few Slytherins, Malfoy included. "I also would like to make you all aware that there will be a new Defense Against the Dark Arts Club available to all students led by our own Harry Potter, who will also be assisting Professor Tonks with some of her classes." Again there was some polite applause, mingled with the cheers of a few of last year's D.A. members, and the mumblings of some of the Slytherins. "Mr. Potter is to be considered a part time member of the Hogwarts staff, and I expect each of you to afford him the same respect you have shown to all of your teachers and to me. Mr. Potter will have the authority to award and remove points and to administer detentions as necessary within his teaching position. All those who wish to join the Defense Club, known as the D.A., should consult their house boards for notices concerning the dates and times."
The murmurs echoed through the room, some hopeful, some reproachful, others telling of how great they expected this club to be. Harry's frogs and butterflies suddenly returned, accompanied by a few fluttery birds. The feast he had consumed seemed lodged in his wind pipe, and he was sure if the subject didn't change soon, his first act as a teacher would be to retch on the floor of the Great Hall. His eyes caught Ginny's again and her expression soothed him. She beamed proudly at him, but she also seemed to understand the weight he felt. She placed her hand on his knee under the table, and tilted her head to the side, smiling warmly. 'How does she do that?' he thought. 'How does she always know?' He remembered her words from last night …I am bound to you…and he was suddenly more anxious for the chance to talk with her that he hoped he'd get tonight.
Dumbledore finished his speech with the usual warnings about the Forbidden Forest and Filch's list, and then he called for the prefects to lead their first years to the common rooms. Ron and Hermione got up to leave. Ron was still pleading with Hermione, and she was still turned determinedly away from him. Harry took Ginny's hand in his and they walked in silence to the common room. They caught up with the first years at the portrait door and waited for Hermione to give the password to the fat lady, and then all the Gryffindors clambered in through the portrait hole.
It seemed to Harry that it took Ron forever to go to sleep. He had been forced to listen to a litany of angry words about how stubborn Hermione was, and then watched as Ron tossed and turned back and forth before his snoring finally could be heard. Harry tip-toed out of the dormitory and closed the door carefully behind him. He saw Ginny already waiting for him on the couch by the fire. He smiled at her, and she smiled and gestured for him to sit with her. The question seemed to form itself on his lips before he was fully ready for it to be answered.
"What is happening between us, Gin? Why can I hear your thoughts?"
She studied him carefully for a moment. She seemed to be deciding how best to answer him. He wondered what she was hiding.
"Back in my first year, when you saved me from the Chamber of Secrets, a bond was formed between us, a life bond. Do you know what that is?"
"Yeah, I've heard of it," he said, remembering Snape's life bond with his father.
"Well, I think it started with that, but when two people who share that kind of bond also, uhm…"
"Fall in love?" Harry supplied, knowingly.
"Yes," she beamed at him and took his hand, and Harry's heart skipped a few beats.
"There has to be more to it than that," she said, "But, I don't know all the reasons. But my parents, they have the same kind of bond. None of us could ever get away with anything because all Mum had to do was look at Dad, and he knew what we did." Harry laughed. Ginny smiled and went on, "I asked Mum about it once a couple of years ago. She said it was common for a Wizard and Witch who were married to have that kind of bond, but she said it only worked as long as they continued to love each other."
"Well," Harry shrugged and grinned, "At least you'll never have to guess at how I feel about you."
Ginny grinned and slid closer to him. All of Harry's butterflies, frogs, and birds suddenly returned as she leaned in toward him, but as soon as her lips met his they flew from his stomach up into the air around him. A charge of electricity shot through his body, and he began to tremble. He pulled away from her kiss, and saw that she too was shaking, her eyes as wide as his, her lips parted slightly. The only sound in the room was that of their racing hearts and labored breathing.
"Wow!" Harry finally said.
"Yeah," Ginny agreed.
"We'd better be getting to bed," Harry suggested.
"I suppose so," Ginny quibbled. Then she grinned wickedly and climbed onto Harry's lap. "But not just yet, please," she whispered. Harry held her close as she leaned into his chest, her head leaning on his shoulder. She looked up into his eyes. I like the unicorn dream. And maybe you're right. We are safe here.
Harry smiled wistfully, then thought, 'No, you were right, too. We can't stay here forever. We'll have to do something to protect us both soon."
"Do you think we should talk to Dumbledore about this?" Ginny asked aloud.
"Perhaps. But I know what he'll tell me. He'll want us both to learn Occlumency." Harry could not keep the venom out of his voice as he spoke.
"Is it that bad?" Ginny asked.
"With Snape, it certainly is."
"Maybe there is some other way?"
"Maybe," Harry said doubtfully. He pulled her close again and they sat in silence.
"Hey, do I have to look in your eyes to make this connection thing work?"
"That's usually how it goes."
"Ok, but then, how did you know about my dream?"
"I've been having the same dream."
"Try it," Harry said abruptly.
"What?"
"Think of something without looking at me and I'll try to know what it is."
This is crazy! He suddenly heard her in his mind.
'No, it's not crazy' he thought in return, casting his mind in her direction. She suddenly pulled away, her eyes wide again with fear.
"That's not supposed to happen, Harry. Most people don't have that strong of a connection."
"Well, I think it's brilliant! Just think! Maybe we don't even have to be close to one another. Maybe we could be half way across the school from each other and you could still know what I'm thinking." Harry was excited, but Ginny seemed worried.
"What does this mean?" she asked, though she knew he didn't have the answer.
"Maybe it means we're soul mates or something," Harry offered.
"We need to find out."
"I am interested to know," he agreed.
"I don't think we should tell anyone," she seemed nervous now.
"Why?"
"Remember how they treated you when they thought you were the Heir of Slytherin?"
"Yeah," he could hardly forget.
"This would probably be ten times worse."
"Why?" he asked again.
"Because…" She paused for a long time. "Please," she finally continued, "just don't tell anyone. At least until we know what we're dealing with. We'll look it up in the Library. Please, promise me."
"Ok, Gin," he softened, wanting to keep her happy, "I won't talk about it, not even with Ron or Hermione. It's kinda personal anyway, isn't it?"
Ginny visibly relaxed, took a deep breath and smiled. "Yeah, it's just between you and me."
"Ginny?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"I know."
"Harry?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you, too."
"Yeah, I know. But thanks for saying it."
They grinned at each other and walked to the stairs. He gave her one last kiss before they separated for the night and watched as she climbed the last steps to her dorm room. When she had closed the door softly behind her, he turned and headed back to his bed. He was glad to hear Ron snoring in harmony with the other 6th year boys. He climbed into his bed not noticing Neville peering at him from behind his curtains. Harry fell asleep quickly, dreaming about Ginny and hoping she was sharing the dream again.