Ginny Weasley:

The Lion-Snake Prophecies

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter … I merely worship JKR!

Hey all!

Well I stopped writing for a while … the internet was down and then up, and school started to get nuts. Besides that, I've got a permanent fictional story that I'm continually working on, and it took priority for a while. But the writing bug has stuck me again, no telling how long it'll last this time! Enjoy the chapter, and I'll probably be writing a few more during exams!

Light love laughter!

rain

Chapter Five

Ginny's dad did indeed make the big announcement during breakfast. He surprised her, however, by approaching her before the meal, after her and Harry had returned from the paddock. As they approached the kitchen Ginny realized it must have been later than she thought, for her mum and dad were already up and about, mum making porridge on the stove and dad reading the Daily Prophet at the kitchen table. At the sight, Ginny had been nervous about walking into the kitchen. As she had many times before, Ginny wondered how much her parents knew about their children's lives. Sometimes they could seem completely clueless, but at other times Ginny wondered. Mum had been especially quiet to her this summer, but that could be for any number of reasons.

It was all Harry's fault, Ginny decided as she cautiously entered the kitchen, he was all too awful at hiding his true opinions. The great scowl he had worn last night and the thoughtful look on his face now; it was a wonder the entire wizarding world didn't already know there was trouble in the Weasley household.

But for all her concerns, neither of Ginny's parents gave any sign that anything unusual was underfoot. There were no secret glances or knowing looks; Ginny always watched carefully for those, as they had been the focal point of her childhood. Breathing easier, Ginny began to walk confidently towards her bedroom; but as Harry quickly ascended the stairs – doubtlessly to tell Ron and Hermione about the morning's events – there was a swish of papers as dad put down the Daily Prophet. Sweating now, Ginny tried to make a dash for the stairwell, but her father's voice stopped her.

"Ginny, could I have a word with you?"

His tone was soft, fatherly, and Ginny had a momentary flash of panic. Had they found out about Hiss? Were they going to question her on Harry's recent behaviour? Or worse – had Dumbledore contacted them too, to warn them that their daughter might possibly be working for the enemy? Turning to face her father, Ginny braced herself for the question.

"O – Okay. Uh, what is it?"

Mr. Weasley patted the chair beside him, and Ginny crossed the kitchen to sit in it nervously. Hiss must have picked up on her scent, for he contracted twice quickly about her ankle. Whether in warning or comfort, Ginny couldn't tell.

"Ginny, I know you must feel left out by the others, you're the youngest and I – you're mother and I – know that has been hard on you."

His voice was gentle, his eyes understanding, and Ginny guiltily averted her gaze. Forcing herself to respond, she nodded her head stiffly.

"Sometimes."

"Well, a decision has been made at the Ministry, one which will impact you indirectly but that I still want to bring up. The wizarding age level for practicing magic –"
Mr. Weasley broke off at Ginny's sudden, relieved laugh. It came out as more of an odd choking sound, and she quickly coughed into her fist as cover.

"S – sorry, dad. Dust. Um, what were you saying?"

Mr. Weasley stared at his daughter, "Well, well I was just going to say that the Ministry has decided to drop the wizarding age level for practicing magic by a year, from seventeen to sixteen, and Dumbledore wants the other's to start practicing here at the Burrow."

Dumbledore. Ginny looked back up with a start into her father's eyes when he mentioned the Headmaster, but they revealed nothing else except concern for their only daughter's welfare. Ginny forced herself to listen to the rest.

"I know that it might be hard for you, mum has mentioned how many times you've mentioned wanting to be of age, but the decision has been made and we're all going to have to live with it …" and Ginny saw now that her mum was scrubbing the dishes now a little too hard, with just a tad too much fear and worry in the scratching swirls …

"… well we just thought that you should know, before the other's do that is. So it wouldn't come as such of a shock."

Ginny smiled at her father with real fondness, "Thanks, dad. For telling me, that is. It's – its okay, I mean …" and here she shrugged, "Well Ron and the other's have done so much against Voldemort –"

The room flinched, and Ginny winced. It really wouldn't do for her to sound too familiar with that name. "Against you-know-you, I mean, that it seems … well it seems right that they should practice during the summer."

Her dad looked relieved at her easy acceptance. It isn't easy at all, Ginny thought to herself, but what else can I do, really? Whine and cry? That won't get me anywhere.

"Good, well – if you want to go raise the others now then, we can start breakfast."

Ginny nodded and got up from the chair. Hiss was pulsating now on her leg. She was sure he wanted an update – though he was good at reading her reactions, and had learned a little of English, Hiss often wanted play-by-play details from her in parseltongue. Ginny couldn't risk reaching down to console him now, so she was forced to hope he understood that she would fill him in later.

Ginny found Harry, Ron and Hermione all in Ron's room. She knocked on the door, and Harry answered it. Ron was on the floor and Hermione was on his bed, both looked up as the door opened, and Ginny tried to avoid their glances.

"Breakfast is ready," she told them, fully intending to turn away, but found herself waiting for Harry's response.

He looked her in the eye and nodded, "Okay." For once there was no clue as to what he was thinking or feeling in his words. Ginny forced herself to nod back, and hoped she didn't give anything away either. Leaving the golden trio then, Ginny walked back down the stairs.

She was trying not to be envious, she was trying not to be scared, but the fact of the matter was that Ginny Weasley was both. Keeping the panic at bay – knowing how much it would upset Hiss – Ginny went back down to the kitchen and sat in her usual place.

The others came down only a moment or two later. Dad smiled brightly at all the children, and mum tried to look undaunted as she spooned out breakfast. Ginny could see the crinkle of worry in her eyes though, and the fear in her trembling hand; yet still no one else seemed to notice.

Fred and George were gone; they always started the morning in Diagon Alley and usually wound up at the Burrow sometime in the late afternoon. The business was still doing well, though everyone was taking a hard hit now that it was confirmed Voldemort was back. They had arranged a nice saving's account with Bill at Gringott's in their first year of business, and were living mostly off the interest. So it was that there were only four children that morning at breakfast, and Ginny tried her utmost to avoid eye-contact with each of them.

Consequently there wasn't much talk at the table, dad and mum exchanged a few words here and there, and now and then Ron would say something quietly to Hermione, but Ginny could never determine what. Not that she was really listening. Now that she had nothing to do except sit down and eat, her mind kept drifting to Harry's words earlier that morning.

"Explain this to me then," and "I must implore you not to trust Ginevra Weasley" had taken over the swimming pool in her head. Ginny kept her face pointed down at her bowl; trying to will the words back into her past and out of the present.

Finally her father finished his breakfast and cleared his throat. Harry's head shot up out of his own breakfast, and even Ron and Hermione stopped talking. Mum's scrubbing – really, what was she washing? – intensified a little in the background.

"The Ministry has just come to a very difficult decision." He announced without preamble. "And I must admit that it is one that I, and others who have believed from the beginning that Voldemort was back and as dangerous as ever, have been pushing for since this entire mess started. The debate has been raging for quite some time, though a final vote was held last night and the results are finally in. Though I loath to put the lot of you in danger, it cannot be denied that students under the age of seventeen should be allowed – without fear of recrimination – to practice magic outside of school."

Hermione's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as Mr. Weasley continued, "Harry's own episode with the Dementors last summer proved this beyond reasonable doubt. Defense, especially by those capable, should be at the forefront of everyone's mind these days and it is to this end that the Ministry has decided that the new Wizarding age limit for practicing magic outside of designated areas will now be sixteen, not seventeen. I believe," and here his eyes twinkled again, "that makes most of you eligible, except of course Ginny here." And here he turned to face her for a moment, before turning back to the others. Ginny felt both Ron and Hermione's gaze settle on her for a moment as well, but Ginny forced herself to look only at the table-top and not respond to the questions implicit in those stares.

"Moody, Tonks and Mundungus Fletcher have all agreed to help train you three up for the remainder of the time we will stay at the Burrow. After that, they will have to return to their own duties, but for now their primary concern is both our protection and your well-being. And that means counter-curse practicing. I have been asked to inform you three to be on your guard at all times around the Burrow, for an attack can come from anywhere, at any time. Ginny, of course," and again he turned to her, "will not be allowed to practice defense, but I have talked to Moody and he has agreed to let her help in attack."

At this Ginny raised her eyes from the table, a hopeful, confused feeling raising despite the protests inside of her. Did that mean she would get to use her wand? But dad answered her unspoken question with a shake of his head, "You will not be allowed to actually practice magic," he went on, "but you will be allowed to physically attack anyone on the grounds. It will be a chance for you to work on your reflexes as well, for those counter-curse defenses can be pretty nasty." Dad smiled, "Of course, all the Aurors will be on hand to un-curse you, should you not quite be fast enough."

Ginny found herself smiling back, a giddy feeling in her chest. It could actually prove pretty interesting, sneak-attacking these three. Grinning, Ginny let her imagine run free for a moment, thinking up different ways of surprising them.

Dad turned back to the group at large, "Now, the age limit was officially dropped at midnight last night, so you may start anytime you like –" He stopped whatever he was going to say with a grin, for Hermione had already taken off towards the stairway, running to her room and her waiting wand.

Ron shot her a dark look, which Hermione completely missed because she was already half-way up the stairs. Turning to Ginny he shook his head, "See what she does to herself? Pushing her limits she is, and its no wonder the curse came back!" And he eyes sought hers as he said that, and Ginny gave him a rewarding smile. It was nice to know that Ron, though he had practically disowned her for the past four-and-a-half years, still defended his little sister.

Still grinning, Ginny said, "You'd better go after her, she'll rupture herself if she tries to take the stairs two at a time." Ron shook he head and got up from his seat, making eye contact with Harry above her head. She didn't want to look at Harry, but Ginny watched her brother for any sign of what passed between them. It seemed the two boys had made a peace of some sort, for Ron nodded in answer to some unspoken question before taking off after Hermione.

Ginny sighed into what remained of her breakfast, the joy her dad's announcement fading as she wished longingly for a friendship – with a human, that was – that didn't require words either. Ginny shook her head, it was silly to sit here and mope when Hiss was probably dying to find out what exactly had passed between her and Harry that morning.

Ginny's mum smiled as she took the bowl from Ginny's hand, the last of the dishes left on the table. Ginny tried to smile back, but instead turned before her mum could ask her what was wrong, and called out from over her shoulder that she was heading towards the paddock.

"Just be back for lunch, dear," was her mum's only reply.

It didn't take long to reach her refuge, the bright air completely obliterating any solemn, dangerous feeling the early morning had brought. When they were safety out of sight, Ginny carefully lifted her pant leg and Hiss slithered forth, his bright pink tongue reflexively tasting the morning air, his tail twitching after being so long in concealment.

"Did I perhapsss misssunderssstand, or did you, little sssnake, agree to let this Harry Potter accessss to your intermossst thoughtsss thisss evening night?"

With a sigh of resignation, Ginny gave Hiss the full extent of the tale and could see from his express that he liked the story even less once she had finished.

"I wasss under the impression that thisss Dumbledore held great esssteem in your eyesss."

Ginny let herself fall back against the oak trunk, "He does, and that's why this is so confusing. If he really thought I was under possession, well I just would think that he would contact me about it – try to, I don't know – un-possess me, somehow. But just leaving me here, a possible enemy right in my family's lap? I don't know … it's just not something I could see him doing."

Hiss seemed to think on this for a moment, and then turned his cunning snake-eyes back to her own, "I do not know of thisss Dumbledore, except through you, but you do not ssssmell possessed to me. I would have informed you inssstantly if thisss were ssso."

Ginny blinked at him, "You could smell if I were possessed? How is that possible?"

Hiss seemed confused by her question, "It would be reflected in your ssscent, the – fear – would prevail over any inhibiting possession. It isss almossst imposssible to misss."

Ginny stared at him for a moment, then shook her head. She was sure she was missing something. "Hiss, I've always known that you can pick up on my emotions from my scents, but are you telling me that …" she searched for the translation in parseltongue, " …that my, my physical smell, could tell you without a doubt that I was not in control?"

Hiss stared at her again, "Partially, little sssnake, but mossstly it would be your other sssmell, your sa'Hashiri'TH," and Ginny could not translate the word. She got the impression that it meant soul, or inner-being, but that it included more than that, "It would be profoundly affected, and could not be hidden."

Ginny looked at her friend with new wonder, "So, all this time then, you haven't been simply smelling me, you've been reading my … my sa'Hashiri'TH, to gage my moods and impressions. Can you … can do this to every human?"

Hiss flicked his tongue once in and out and moved his tail in an expression that meant 'no'. He seemed to pause. "How can I explain thisss?" He finally said, slithering a little on the grass. "It hasss not sssseemed important to bring up, for I had alwaysss assssumed you were aware of it." He seemed to think for a moment before continuing, "There are many thingsss that sssnakes, all reptiles I believe, can sssenssse – sssmell. The aurora of all life can we sssomewhat sssense, for all life doesss project itssself into ssspace. But humansss, sssso varied and ssstrange, can we usssually not underssstand. Your practicesss are too ssstrange for many of usss to ssstudy. But thosssse individualsss, of all ssspeciessss, with magical abilitiesss, thossse are much easssier to sssenssse. Ssssome witchessss and wizardsss are intriguing to different creaturesss, which issss why sssome have familiarsss who decide to remain with their humansss. Even thosssse creaturesss not essspecially sssentient can, to ssssome degree, read thessse sssmellsss, and decided to ssstay with their ssselected massstersss.

Sssome witchesss and wizardsss are ssso attunded to a ssspecific creature that they are able to temporarily take their sssshape. Thesssse you call 'animagi', and their ssscent, to any ssspeciess, is very dissstinct. You, however," and now Hiss looked at her squarely in the eye, "Your ssscent isss extremely … powerful. I have sssensssed it every sssince you were born into thisss houssse. All around thisss place have sssensssed it, essspecially the reptilesss and our ancient enemiesss, the mammalsss. I, passssing through thissss area, wasss intrigued by it, and decided to ssstay. I wasss curiousss as to why a human, even a witch, ssshould posssesss ssso ssstrong a sssmell. But you were young and ssstill burrow-fed, and asss far assss I knew, you could not underssstand our great tongue. It wasss only after you returned from ssschool and caught me ssspeaking to another sssnake, did I realize that you could indeed underssstand me. You're sssmell, though, wasss heavily tinged with that fear that I have ssspoken of. I knew that you had been taken over by some evil, in recent time. Many of the othersss were afraid of you then, but I knew you to be the sssame witch you once were, only older and more aware of the reality of the world. I began to ssspeak to you, and, over time, you have become my dearessst friend," and here did Hiss bend his head and touch his head to Ginny's hand, a symbol of the greatest respect. Ginny felt tears cloud her eyes and wanted to respond, but Hiss continued.

"I wasss unsssure if your ssstrong sssmell wasss the direct resssult of your ssspeaking the sssnake tongue, but now I am sssure of it, for the young Harry Potter alssso hasss a sssimilar ssscent, though sssomehow different. Perhapsss becaussse he isss male and you a female, I do not know. But I do know that you are different from othersss of your own kind, as he isss too.

But you are both powerful beingsss, little sssnake. That isss why thisss – excursssion – troublessss me. To have two such beingsss in one tiny head," he twirled his tail unconvinced, "I do not approve of the prossspect."

It took Ginny a moment to gather a breath; the things Hiss had revealed to her – was it true then that Tom had not given her this language, this understanding? Had it truly been part of her the entire time? – boggled her mind. But his concerns deserved addressing, especially since he had shared them in their entirety.

"Hiss," she said, looking down at her dearest companion, "you too are my most trusted friend, and if I had some other way of proving to Harry that I am not dangerous, especially after you have assured me I am not, I would gladly do it. I do not think he would accept your sense of smell, even if we did tell him about you, and I see no other way to make him understand. I … I thank you though, for your concerns."

Hiss flickered his tongue in a snake's appreciative gesture, "I alwaysss worry for you, little sssnake. If there isss no other way, then, it mussst be done. But I would like to be with you, clossse by if I cannot accompany you insssside."

Ginny smiled warmly at him, "I would like nothing better, Hiss. It would indeed give me great comfort to have you near."

They sat for a moment in companionable silence, until something tickled at Ginny's mind.

"Hiss, if you can sense the people around you, do you think I can too?"

Hiss rose from his previous position on her stomach, where he had been lying comfortably in the sun. "I do not know," he said to her, slowly, obviously thinking as he spoke. "I do not sssee why not, for there isss much of sssnake in you, and I do recall once my den-mother telling me that other creaturesss, sssuch asss mamalsss, have sssimilar abilitiesss. I do not sssee why you could not." He fixed her with a questioning look, "Have you ever tried?"

Ginny shook her head, "What would I have to do?"

"I do not know how it worksss for other ssspeciess, but when one isss learning, one mussst clear the mind, and focusss on the ssself. When all other sssensssationssss have passsed into the inner darkness, then one can turn the mind to thossse around one, and sssmell them for who they really are."

Ginny smiled at him, "It sounds pretty basic, but I get the feeling it's a little bit harder than that."

Hiss flickered his tail in a snake's agreement, "It isss difficult to learn, at firssst. But once one learnsss, it isss an eassy ssskill that can be quite ussseful."

"Hmm." Ginny propped her chin in her hand, still leaning against the oak. Clearing her mind should be no problem, she'd had to learn that early on in order to begin practicing magic, but still…

"Oi! Ginny! Where are you?"

"Gin-Gin!! Ginny-wee-one!!"

Ginny laughed despite herself at the twin's echoing shouts, they were early back from their shop unless time was playing tricks on her, but since Harry was here they were probably trying to get a Quidditch game started. Motioning for Hiss to slither off and hide, she stood and called out, "Give me a minute! I've got to go find a broom!"

Hiss hit the tall grass not an instant too soon, for Fred and George crashed through the paddock's thin cover a moment later, each holding a broom in one hand, a Quaffle held lightly in Fred's left and an extra broom in George's right. Ron, Hermione and Harry followed closely after them, Hermione and Harry carrying the rest of the equipment in two abused black bags and Ron trailing from behind, rubbing his nose tenderly.

George tossed Ginny a broom as Fred got started on turning the familiar paddock into a genuine Quidditch pitch. Ginny caught it easily and felt a smile settling onto her face. Behind her she could hear Hermione say to Ron, "Stop rubbing at it!" and turned to see her youngest brother still dabbing at his nose. A closer look told her it had probably been bleeding, before Hermione had put a charm on it.

George grinned and explained, pulling out his Beaters club, "Mad-Eye had them counter-cursing for the better part of an hour and Ron did a nice front-face-flip after Fred conjured a spider for him."

Ginny snickered and Ron glared at her, "Hey! I've had my fill of spiders, thank you very much!" When George did an impromptu dramatization of the fall, Ron threw a Bludger at him but awkwardly as it flew harmlessly over his head, picking up enough momentum to smack Fred perfectly on his arse.

"Hey!" Fred turned with an indignant expression, but Harry had already let go of the Snitch and swung himself onto his Firebolt and Ron launched himself onto his own broom, ducking out of the way of Fred's answering Bludger. Hermione made herself comfortable in the tall grass and Ginny settled onto her own broom, laughingly taking off after the Quaffle as the annual Weasley game of Quidditch got underway.

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Hey All.

So once again with the not much changing. The quick-sighted among you might have noticed that "Virgina" has been changed to "Ginevra" (which I personally like much better), and I might even bring Ginny's now-announced August 11th birthday into the story for a chapter or two. It really would fit in, right after they settled into Number 12. I will not, (I'm pretty sure), be bringing in the Felix ..whatever, chapter titles we've heard about recently. There's just no place I can put them, and even then – whatever I imagine it does, I'm sure it's different that what the Almighty JKR might imagine.

But we've got a release date!!! squeal!!!

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