Ginny Weasley:

The Lion-Snake Prophecies

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

Another chappy ... sorry its so late - I had to first face that little detail called the MCAT. Went well though!!! I think ... "crosses fingers"

Ahhh ... the case of the missing commas ... how you deal with me bells I do not know!! As always, many humble thanks to my beta and (in two weeks!) roommate ... without her this story would sound a lot lot worse ...

I'll write more at the end of the chapter, for now, read on!

(only a few more chapters till the Move, I promise! writers honour! (do writers have honour? we torture people all day long ... hmm..."ponders"))

on with the show!

Chapter Thirteen:

Lying there in bed, Ginny felt as if 'tomorrow' couldn't come soon enough; but in the end it did. She and Hiss awoke to the pounding joyfulness of sunlight and breakfast at the Burrow, but neither felt like getting up.

"I could have sworn I only fell asleep half-an-hour ago," Ginny complained as the twins knocked a new rhythm on her door. Ginny cursed good-naturedly as Fred drummed a beat and George belted into the hallway: "Gin-Gin the wee one, slept thru food and had no fun, got up too late to win a date and oh! There goes Gin-Gin the wee one!"

Darting out of bed, Ginny threw open her door to catch them but the two eighteen-year olds dashed down the stairs as if they were still seven and she four. It was with great agony that Ginny remembered she couldn't curse them until they were all back at Hogwarts, and then groaned as she remembered that the twins had of course finished school the previous year.

I'll have to get them good before we move back to Headquarters, Ginny thought maliciously to herself as she walked back into her bedroom and pulled out an old pair of jeans. And then I'll get pictures of whatever I do so I can pass them out in front of the joke shop and laugh.

Hiss had an even harder time waking up than she did. She could tell that he hurt all over; which was no surprise since he'd obviously traveled much farther than he should have the day before. Yet despite her protests and not-so-subtle hints about taking the morning off, her friend managed to get himself up and onto her ankle.

"I have had ssseveral hoursss of sssleep." He told her, "A little food and I will feel better."

By the time Ginny managed to get them down the stairs and into the kitchen, it was obvious they were both in for a tasty treat. Ginny had barely taken her seat at the breakfast table when mum shuffled three golden brown blue-berry flap jacks onto her plate – Ginny's favourite – while complaining loudly about the mice that had been propagating recently beneath their floor boards. Hiss, who had already caught the tongue-twitching scent of newly born mice, pulsed rhythmically on her ankle.

Ginny was lucky it was only Fred and George who were seated at the table this morning. Hiss seemed to forget himself half-way through the meal and mumbled dark things about what he would do to her if she didn't hurry up and get him outside where he could hunt. If Harry had been present the situation would have been a lot less funny, but as it was Ginny could hardly keep a smile off her face. Fred and George noticed her good humour and once mum moved upstairs to see how the three were doing – the Trio had apparently come back only in the wee hours of the morning – the twins turned to her with matching serious expressions.

"I must say Ginny, you're being awfully good about this," Fred leaned over and whispered to her once mum was out of sight. Beside him George nodded, "We were upset ourselves really, 'bout you not in on the 'venture last night."

Ginny, who had been trying not to giggle as Hiss tickled her leg in irritation with his tail, was shocked into looking much more upset about it than she actually was.

Carefully smoothing out her expression, Ginny answered, "Well there's not much I can do about it, really." She shrugged and turned back to her breakfast. "I mean, okay I practiced last year a bit, but it's been the three of them who have been in the thick of things from the start."

But George shook his head, "A bit? Come on Ginny, we've been bragging about how good you are for years and you've only gotten better after joining the DA. Don't know why Moody didn't at least take you with them yesterday," he huffed, "we know you could have made a difference."

Ginny frowned, wishing they hadn't brought this up. "Look, guys, I'm not really upset about this, okay? Well I mean I am," she corrected herself, "but I'm also not. This is Harry's gig and where he goes, Ron and Hermione go too."

But Fred still looked upset and George continued for the two of them, "Ginny, usually we'd agree with you, honestly, I mean," he looked at Fred and they both shrugged, "Harry's been fighting you-know-who for years. But, well, what we really mean is ..."

He paused unhappily and Fred promptly took over, "What we mean is, being the big brothers that we are, we think Harry's been a bit of a git this summer."

"This whole year, really, but it wasn't our place to say." George enlarged.

"But now that he's turned upon you ..."

"...well we're just not happy about it that's all."

"And we were wondering if there's anything we can do."

Ginny smiled brightly at the both of them. "Have I ever told you that you're the best big brothers ever?"

But Fred shook his head, "Nah, just filling in for Charlie really. He's the one we wrote to, not sure about what to do about this. He said we should check with you before we threaten Harry with life or limb."

"Something about 'not the proper way to go about it'." George agreed, winking at Fred. "Don't know what he was talking about really, probably would have been better to take him out in the back and have a few choice words."

"More satisfying really."

"Maybe a bump or two on the back of the head."

"Oh stop you two! Honestly!" Ginny laughed. "You are not to bash Harry's head against a rock, that's my job!"

"Can we at least push him down a few times?" George asked eagerly, "Force-feed him a few a few tons of Beat-Red-Beasties?"

"Just to remind him whose baby sister he's glaring at." Fred agreed.

"Absolutely not." Ginny declared as firmly as she could between giggles. "Really, you two are the greatest, but this is my problem to deal with. I don't want you guys getting involved."

Fred and George exchanged a look.

"Alright," George said finally, "but if this doesn't go away then like it or not we're going to exercise our rights as older siblings."

Ginny smiled at both of them, "Deal. Give it a few weeks though. Once we move back to Headquarters ..." Ginny shrugged, some of the laugher dying on her lips, "I'm sure things will get worse before they get better."

Hiss pulsed in agreement on her ankle.

Breakfast finished quickly after that. Mum came bustling back into the kitchen and Fred and George promptly said their morning good-byes. Ginny rushed through the rest of her breakfast while Hiss went on mumbling threatening promises about crushed ankles under his breath. When she finally got them outside a few minutes later her friend wasted no time in slithering off to the closest bushes and securing himself some breakfast of his own.

Hiss spent the next hour or so hunting while Ginny went about her morning chores. She had to de-gnome the yard, feed the chickens, and pry what weeds she could from the vegetable patch. A few were so badly twisted into the raspberries that there wasn't much she could do. She was just finishing up in the backyard when she heard movement in the kitchen. Raising her head to peer into the kitchen window, Ginny saw Harry, Ron and Hermione stumbling their way down the stairs and into the kitchen for breakfast.

The Golden Trio was obviously exhausted. Ginny felt the poke of curiosity jabbing her in the stomach but kept all impulses firmly under control. She wasn't about to simply storm in there and ask about their night's adventure. Surely it couldn't have been too exciting; there was none of the usual hushed-whispering that usually occurred whenever the Trio had a new secret to discuss.

In fact, there was no whispering at all. No talking either. Peering through the window, Ginny thought she caught a brief look of questionable uncertainty flash between Ron and Hermione as they sat down to eat their breakfast, one on each side of Harry. Harry, on his part, was staring at his plate and shoveling flapjacks into his mouth as if they were the only thing existing on the planet at that moment. Ginny watched as Ron glanced once over at Harry, careful-like, before looking back up at Hermione and shaking his head. Bending down to his plate, Ron busied himself with his own breakfast.

Stepping down from the window pane, Ginny paused with the garden hoe still clutched in her right hand. What, she wondered to herself, was that all about?

-------

Ginny found out several hours later. Or rather, received a rather large clue in the apparating form of one (ex-) Professor R. J. Lupin.

After finishing the rest of her gardening, Ginny collected Hiss and the two of them decided to go looking for Tonks, Moody or someone who might able to tell them how to contact Professor Dumbledore. They looked in the backyard, the front yard, the paddock and finally found Tonks on the upstairs landing where she was in a rather heated discussion with Mad-Eye Moody. Ginny tried to get a sense about what they were fighting about but that bloody magical eye of Moody's caught her sneaking up the kitchen stairs. Under his suspicious gaze Ginny mumbled something about needing to use the 'loo and Moody took Tonks upstairs to another landing and charmed it securely before continuing their discussion.

Ginny then decided to wait in the kitchen for one of them to come down and passed the time by helping mum chop vegetables for lunch. Several minutes later Moody was the first one down the stairs but he swept out of the kitchen and into the front yard before Ginny had a chance to ask him anything. Moving to the window, she watched as he walked down to the edge of the yard and with a crack promptly apparated away.

Tonks came down a few moments later. She looked slightly angry and was still a bit flushed in the cheeks, but otherwise seemed alright. This time Ginny was quick enough to actually initiate her question, but Tonks forestalled her with an upraised palm.

"Sorry Ginny, but can it wait? Mad-Eye asked me to walk over to the muggle town with Ron and Hermione for a while. Could you keep Harry company maybe while their gone? I think he needs someone to talk to."

Ginny managed to close her open mouth and hoped she didn't look too shocked. Her? Comfort the Boy Who Lived? Oh yeah, and while she was at it she'd just nip over to Malfoy Manor and give Draco a peck on the cheek.

But Tonks had already thanked her and was walking out the backdoor, obviously on her way to collect Ron and Hermione. Ginny shook her head at Tonk's retreating form. What was with people thinking her and Harry were friends? Dean had been insufferable about it and they'd split up after only dating for three weeks.

But Tonks had asked and probably expected her to at least try. It obviously had something to do with what had happened last night, but Ginny didn't see how she could be much of a help. She didn't even know what the problem was!

But she was probably the one person Harry couldn't get angrier with at the present moment. Better her talk to him than someone else, someone he might push away who didn't know how to push back.

As she walked around to the backyard, Ginny saw that Ron and Hermione were just leaving with Tonks around the side of the house. Glancing at the duo, Ginny couldn't help but notice that both Ron and Hermione looked extremely tense. She felt a thrill of anger burn up her spine, but forced herself to stay neutral. Cool it, Ginny; she told herself sternly, you don't know what happened, and so you should go making hasty judgments. But bloody hell did that Potter act without thinking of the consequences half the time!

Scanning the Burrow for Harry, Ginny reasoned that he probably wanted to be alone right now, which meant that he was either in the room he shared with Ron or in the back by the paddock. As she certainly wouldn't have chosen to be surrounded by a barrage Chuddley Cannon orange when upset, Ginny decided to check the paddock first.

Hiss around her ankle hadn't quite gotten the gist of the situation but Ginny knew he could smell her emotions. There was a certain tenseness, he once said, that she got whenever she talked about Harry. It must have been radiating from her now because she felt Hiss coil protectively around her leg as they walked towards the paddock.

Sure enough, there was Harry. He was lying beneath the oak tree, his hands resting behind his head and appearing to the world as any normal sixteen-year old on a morning in July. But Ginny knew better. She could see the tenseness in his shoulders as she slowly walked over and sat beside him, her body fitting naturally into her normal place among the oak roots.

It was Harry who, several moments later, spoke first. "I knew they'd send somebody, but I didn't think it'd be you."

His tone was carefully neutral, but Ginny heard the anger behind it. Anger at herself or someone else she couldn't tell.

So she shrugged and decided to go with the truth. "I'm under orders from Tonks. She seemed to think you needed someone to talk to."

Harry only grunted. "I'm fine."

Ginny couldn't help it; she cocked an eyebrow and said half-amused, "Really ..."

Hiss uncurled himself from her ankle. Harry saw the motion and sat up with a start, then stopped when he recognized who it was.

"Is that where he normally rests?" He asked, a new tone in his voice.

Ginny watched her best friend slither onto the grass. "Usually."

"Could we pleassse ssspeak in a language everyone presssent underssstandssss?" Hiss asked them irately, drawing himself to his full height and looking them both in the eye.

Ginny blushed, Harry looked down.

"Of course, Hiss. Sorry." Ginny apologized in parseltongue. It felt strange to say the words with Harry near. This was something she had conditioned herself against a long time ago.

Harry seemed to be struggling to make sure the language was right. "Yes, sorry. It's just ... odd to talk ...."

Hiss nodded his head, a human gesture he had learnt from Ginny. His tongue flickered too, in a snake's natural motion for acceptance of an apology. She wondered if Harry understood the motion.

"You have not practissed your gift much, have you?" Hiss asked formally.

Harry looked a little shocked, "Well no, I guess I haven't." He shrugged, "Never really had a need too."

Hiss blinked sadly, "I underssstand. My little sssnake here did not either, until ssshe found me. There are not ssso many of our kind who would talk to mammalsss."

Harry looked somewhat uncomfortable, "You, you don't like mammals then?"

Hiss flipped his tail 'no'. "We are mortal enemies and have been for centuries. Daily, however, we get along well enough."

Harry didn't appear to have anything to say to this, and Ginny couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh honestly, Hiss, giving him the old Reptilian History? I remember this speech." She teased, "Just tell him that his accent is terrible and he has no concept of structure. It's the same thing you told me four years ago!"

Hiss actually managed to look ashamed while Harry glanced over confused.

"You've got to put the pro-noun after the noun, Harry, and pay attention to your syntax. You're "I"s sound more like "you"s; and when talking to a snake – always use your eyes. They speak more with their movements then with their tongues."

Harry looked guardedly impressed. "I hadn't realized you knew so much about them."

"Well unlike some people I've actually been practicing my gift for the past four years."

He looked at her sadly, then turned away to stare into the bushes. After a moment he said, "You actually consider it a gift?"

"It's given me my best friend, how could I think of it any other way?" Ginny replied gently.

Harry didn't answer her for a long while. Hiss caught her eye and indicated that he was going to give them a minute and go hunting, but that he wouldn't be far out of sight. Ginny used her right hand to signal that was fine, and Hiss disappeared into the foliage.

When he was gone Harry turned to her, "There, right then, what did he say?"

Ginny blushed, got angry at herself for it and stopped. Honestly, she thought, he's the one whose been suspecting me, give him a taste of his own medicine!

"Hiss doesn't trust you," she stated unapologetically. "He's going to go hunting for a bit but will stay close by in case I call."

Harry blinked, his skin tightening a little around the eyes but he said nothing, giving away no further indication of his emotions.

"He's got a rather excellent sense of smell, you see," Ginny continued, forcing herself not to feel bad, "it lets him read people like a book."

Harry turned away from her and looked back into the bushes. After another moment he spoke, "And what does he smell?" He asked.

Ginny shook her head, "He didn't say. It's not his place too. Snakes have an incredible sense of propriety. It keeps them organized, as they don't often spend too much time with their Den. In the snake hierarchy, you are neither a friend nor enemy, and shall thus be treated with the minimal of respect. As such, your personal feelings are not to be discussed. At least," Ginny amended honestly, "not with you sitting right here. He'll probably tell me later, but only because he's worried."

Harry actually let out a heartless laugh. "Oh yes, everyone's worried. Everyone's concerned. Can't do a bloody thing without ..." he trailed off.

Ginny bit her lip and looked away to keep herself from demanding that he explain. This was obviously about last night. She wanted details but forced herself not to ask.

After a few moments, Harry turned to her surprised.

"What? No opinion?" He asked, his voice carrying a hard edge beneath his evident shock.

Ginny let go of her lip and turned back to him. "I'm trying to keep from asking questions. Tonks said you needed to talk; I'm sure that didn't mean you really needed to listen."

Harry smiled – smiled! – and looked away again. "She's quick, that Tonks."

Ginny didn't say anything but busied herself will pulling bits of grass out from between the oak roots.

A while later – Ginny honestly couldn't say if it had been merely five minutes or perhaps half an hour – there was a sharp crack from the direction of the Burrow. Ginny leaned out to look between the bushes and could see Professor Lupin walking around from the front yard.

Beside her Harry leaned over and saw the same. He sighed, ran a hand through his perpetually messy black hair, and stood up. Wiping some clinging grass bits from his pants he mumbled, "Time to go face the music," still in parseltongue.

Ginny tried to keep her gaze averted as he got up to leave, but it turned to him almost inadvertently when she heard him pause at the entrance to the paddock.

Harry Potter stood there in the half-shadows and looked at her. "Thanks," he said finally, before turning and walking back along the grass towards the Burrow. Ginny watched him go until she saw the kitchen door open. Professor Lupin sat at the table. The door closed and Ginny turned back to the paddock.

Hiss came slithering back from behind the oak tree. Mindlessly she put out a hand and stroked the underside of his throat.

"Well," Hiss said finally, slipping onto her lab and lying there contently, "that went sssmoothly."

And Ginny, feeling a bubbling of emotions she couldn't begin to name, wondered if she agreed with him.

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Hey All!

Hmm…really really didn't change much here. I can see how the writing has shifted a little .. very busy time in my life when I wrote this .. but it still seems good to me. Only a bit different. Not much happened in this chapter, on the surface that is.

Here's what I wrote last time:

now on to talk to my readers! (in the order they reviewed ....lol)

J. Rhaye: Hiss's loyalty is crucial to the story, and he's such a wonderful character that it really shines through - I like your description of being on the "out" ... it is very frustrating, and I think Ginny's done a good job of dealing with constantly being on the out .. lol, love the "intricate weaving", hope you liked this chapter!

Anrion1: hey, new reader!! review with more next words next time so i can reply back to you somehow! lol

Witch of Darkness: your reviews brighten my day too! lol - I worked out your anticipated "talk with Dumbledore" last night ... all in my head still, but I hope you'll enjoy it ...

Calm Soul: (btw, love the name) ahh, waiting for the adventure ... well the Trio went on one "last night" in my story, though of course I didn't offer you details. real "trouble" doesn't start until Hogwarts though, hope you keep reading till then!

Ginny and Harry Forever: (love the name!!!) wow, lots to reply to here ... you reviewed twice, did you realize? funny that the program let you, usually it's pretty strict. Okay, first I want to say: no flaming please. I know you didn't direct it at me, but everyone of my reviewers is entitled to their own opinion. I do think you have a point though; Harry yelling at Ginny would almost be a degression of his character, he did his screaming in book five, and I think he's trying to grow up. It's hard though. He is a little of judge, jury and excutioner, isn't he? lol. but he's got stress, Ginny knows that, but unlike Ron or Hermione she isn't going to take it lying down.

Comet Moon: What can I say, I like angst. Lol. I love the characters so much I torture them daily! That's a good point actually, what would Molly and Arthur do if they knew what Harry and Dumbledore were doing? Lol - I know what the twins would do, stick up for their baby sister! But the Weasley's opinion of Harry runs deep, even deeper after he saved Mr. Weasley's life I think. And you're absolutely right, the Trio really never have given their trust to Ginny ... well, Hermione a bit maybe, but certainly not Harry or Ron. When I realized that I knew my story could fly. The turning point was in the OftP when Harry looks to Ron and both of them (I'm paraphrasing here) "know that Ginny and Neville were the last two they'd bring to the Department of Mysteries with them."

so of course they don't trust her. lol -- and I'm not looking for a bloodbath! at least not among my reviewers .... wow I never realized you guys were so polarized! It's my story and I'll write it as I like (it's already mostly figured out anyways), but I do like to know what people think.

so did everyone hear that? I LIKE TO KNOW WHAT PEOPLE THINK!! lol. so review but keep it clean, k? no flames.

that's all for now ... Bells, I should have the next chapter up and done some time by the end of the week. I'm going to go work on it now after posting this (I brought it on floppy to work ... lol) so maybe you'll even get an email tonight.

Remember: REVIEW Review Review

oh .... and for anyone who's curious : I totally ROCKED the MCAT. Still no idea if I got into med school or anything (had to write a huge bunch of essay's, "why do you want to be a doctor, in under 750 characters, etc", but it's looking good so far .... crosses fingers)