AN- So sorry I waited a couple of days to update but I need opinions! OK would you rather me update every other day or so but the chapters are short or just once maybe twice a week with extremely long chapters? I'm leaning towards the once a week, but I still want opinions on that, cause its you guys affected! Well I'm so glad I got so many reviews!
Wolf's scream- uhh- I just messed up in that. The "she" is supposed to be a "he" as in Harry. Yes pairs of two it a tad redundant… sorry for that.. Keep up the good reviews!
FSUgurlforlife: Thanks! Sorry it took me a while to update! I had relay for life this week! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing so consistently.
White Merlin: Thanks! I'm really glad you like it. Keep reading and reviewing!
Janangel05: Thanks for reading. I'm glad you're liking it! Thanks for reviewing!
Discombobulated person (sp?)- We'll get to know professor McCall a lot more soon. I'm glad you like the powers I'm giving them, but there are more coming. And if Ron had found Ginny with anyone else besides Harry, I'm pretty sure he would have been dead.
Sporksofdoom: I'm so glad my sorting hat song wasn't too.. Embarrassing.. I was really just making something up. Thanks so much for reviewing and reading!
Krissygurl: I'll try to make longer chapters but its hard for me. I don't have a very long attention span. I'm glad you like it!. I'm reading your story right now and I like it a lot! I'm only on chapter…. 3? I think. I'll be sure to tell you when I'm done!
Webster: First of all, thanks for taking the time to write such a long review. Are you a Harry/Luna kind of person? I'm getting that kind of gist from your review.. I know there's a lot of stories like this out there now, but I'll try my best to make mine more creative. I'm planning on killing some major characters off… but I haven't decided if Ginny will even survive the battle and continue living on happily ever after with Harry. I'll try to take a lot of the things you've said into consideration, but right now, I've got a good idea of where the story's going. I would be happy if you kept reading but if this isn't your kind of story, I understand. Thanks for reading and reviewing anyway.
Treck: I had the feeling I was kind of rushing things too. Thanks for pointing it out. There is more to come of Malfoy Sr. and Bella and there's a reason we haven't heard much from the "three stooges" Thanks for reading and reviewing.!
Harrysbestfriend: I'm SO glad you like it. Thanks for your comments. They have really inspired me because I was really not feeling like I wanted to write until I read that! Thanks SOO much for reviewing! It made my day!
Did I forget anyone? Tell me if I did!
OK well I am not really liking the way I got Harry and Ginny together so quick, so I will definitely continue this story, but I was thinking of writing another long one afterwards, which really elaborates more, since I know more about writing now. Enjoy the story!
Harry was excited when he woke up the first day of classes. He quickly got ready for the day and was out the door before Ron had properly woken up. As he bounded down the stairs, he saw Ginny, who was also ready to go.
"Good morning" He said kissing her briefly. "Shall we go to breakfast?" She nodded and together they walked down and entered the great hall, where a few students were eating breakfast.
He looked towards the Slytherin table and saw Malfoy and his goons eating silently. Malfoy looked over at Harry before glaring and gesturing to Crabbe and Goyle to leave. As they stomped out of the hall, Harry saw Ron and Hermione pass them, then giving Harry questioning looks.
"What's wrong with him?" Ron asked. Harry shrugged and began to butter a piece of toast. Professor McGonagall came around with the class schedules. Harry looked at his and groaned. "Double Newt Level Potions first thing this morning! Then Charms, Herbology and double defense against the dark arts. As long as I make it through potions, I'll be fine."
After a quick breakfast, they said goodbye to Ginny and headed down to the dungeons for an hour and a half of torturous potions work. Since not everyone passed the potions exam, and it was a newt level class, all four houses were in the class, though most were Slytherin students.
The door came bursting open and in strode Professor Snape looking just as grumpy as ever. "I expect good behavior in this class, as it is my advanced class. Any foolish acting up will result in your removal of this class, as some students wish to learn and want to pass their N.E.W.T.S."
Hermione sat straight up in her seat and folded her hands, looking straight ahead, as if eager to please. Ron and Harry rolled their eyes.
"The instructions are on the board. Today you will be making a Blood replenishing potion that will be given to Madam Pomfrey to use in the Hospital wing, but only if it is perfect. It will take some of this class, but then must stew for a day before continuing on with it."
Harry, who had studied over the summer, found this potions class much more bearable. When he left his potion to let it stew, others were finishing up around him, and Snape took to randomly drilling students on potions trivia question, usually just one question per person.
When he got to Harry, however, he seemed to drill him harder than the others, throwing questions at him continuously. "What, Potter, is the main ingredient in a Pain Reducing potion?" He demanded. Harry thought back to the summer and back to the books he had read. One particular passage came to mind. The pain reducing potion, which is particularly hard to brew, also has very rare ingredients. The most rare and perhaps the most important is-
"Powdered Hungarian Horntail Tail spike." Harry answered promptly. Snape's mouth dropped a little, but continued on. "How long does it take to brew." He asked. Harry also remembered this answer from the passage. "3 to 4 days" he answered.
Snape kept firing off questions, and when Harry got all of them right, he simply turned and stalked off. Everyone in the class was staring at him. A Hufflepuff girl asked, "Wasn't he in remedial potions last year?" Harry smiled to himself and merely sat still and waited for the end of class.
"Harry that was amazing" Hermione said as they exited the class room. Charms and Herbology went quick enough and soon Harry was on his way to Defense Against the Dark Arts. He was really looking forward to this class. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were the first to arrive and took seats in the front, eagerly awaiting the lesson and hoping that this teacher was somewhat competent.
Soon the classroom was full and Professor McCall walked in looking as stunning as ever, today in robes of mint green. Her dark hair shone in the sunlight.
"Hello class. I'm Audrey McCall and I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year. I've heard about your previous professor and I would like to assure you that I am nothing like that old toad." She said with a hint of disgust in her voice.
"This year, we will mainly be focusing on dueling, seeing as forces of Evil have resurfaced. Today will be a practical lesson, so books away please. Could I please have two volunteers?" Many boys and Hermione raised their hands and Professor McCall chose Harry and Hermione.
"I've heard you two are quite something. Now, you can subdue your opponent in any way, but NO dark curses.Once the opponent's wand is obtained, the duel is over.Let's see how you do against each other." she said with a slight smirk on her face. "Wands at the ready- and GO"
Harry started with a stunner, but it was deflected rather lamely off of Hermione's defenses. He followed up with two disarming jinxes, but had a hard time keeping up with Hermione's curses. He tried to keep his shield as strong as he could, but a strong stunner got part way through his defenses, and he tripped slightly, barely staying on his feet.
The duel didn't last much longer. Though they were both strong duelers, Harry finally caught her with a full body bind, then took her wand. As soon as the duel was over, everyone clapped, and Harry released Hermione from the bind, helping her to her feet.
"Nice job!" Professor McCall said. "Both of you! That was wonderful! That is exactly how dueling should be." Harry blushed at the compliment and returned to his seat. He was liking this new professor a lot so far. They spent the rest of the class in pairs dueling, and when it was over, everyone was disappointed. "I'll see you tomorrow everyone!" Professor McCall said. "Harry, could I have a word for a moment?" Harry nodded and walked over to her.
"I was just wondering," she said kind of nervously, "if you wanted any help with the DA this year. Maybe I could contribute something to the meetings, or supervise, or anything really." She said, looking at him hopefully. Harry was relieved.
"I'm glad you asked. I could really use some help this year. You are probably better at lesson plans than I am anyways, so we could work together on those, and I'd also like it if you could help everyone out with the spells." She smiled.
"Sure thing Harry," she said, and as she got up, she tripped over the chair. "Sorry! I'm extremely clumsy. I'll see you tomorrow Harry!"
Harry walked back to the common room, feeling happy. He met Ginny in the common room, and saw the load of books on the desk spread out in front of her. "They've already given us OWL homework. And Snape today asked me about 20 questions until I got one wrong. I thought reading the 6th year book would be enough, but he asked me some questions from 7th year! No one else in that room knew half as much as I did, but he still took away 10 points when I got ONE wrong!" She was obviously angry.
"He did the exact same thing to me today Ginny. Don't worry." She let out a long breath and nodded. "On a happier note, I really like the defense teacher. She seems cool." Ginny said. "I hope we learn a lot this year."
Soon, Ginny was done with her homework, and since it was before almost dinner time, Ginny asked if he wanted to go get some dinner. Harry was excited by this idea, but suggested that they go down to the kitchens instead.
"It's been a while since I visited Dobby." Ginny agreed enthusiastically. Within minutes, they were greeted by many little smiling faces, ushering them into chairs. "Harry Potter Sir!" Dobby yelled. "Dobby is so happy you came to see him!" Harry laughed and soon they had a rather extraordinary feast in front of them.
The elves even lit candles and stood around like little waiters and waitresses. Dobby was eager to talk to them. "Is this Harry Potter's Wheezy Girl?" Asked Dobby, recognizing the Weasley hair.
"This is Ginny, Dobby" Harry said. Dobby raised his eyebrows. "Is this Harry Potter's Girl?" Dobby asked. Harry blushed a little and nodded. Dobby squealed with excitement. Harry laughed.
"How is Winky doing?" Ginny asked. Dobby blushed and looked down. "Winky is better now. She has been spending a lot more time with Dobby." He answered.
Harry gave Ginny a questioning look. Ginny giggled, and as Dobby went away to refill their pumpkin juice, Ginny said to Harry, "I think Dobby's got himself a girlfriend." Harry finally understood and laughed at the idea.
After finishing their wonderful dinner and saying goodbye to Dobby, They began to head back up to the common room. On their way, they saw Malfoy, walking alone. He looked scared for a second, but then regained the smug look on his face. Harry glared at him.
"What are you doing here Malfoy?" he spat. Ginny took his hand in hers to make sure he didn't loose his temper. "I'm walking, Potter." he said, almost civilly, then glanced at Ginny briefly. Harry wondered what was going on in his mind as he once again turned to look and Ginny. After giving them one final look, that Harry couldn't quite read, he left quickly.
Ginny spoke first. "Is Malfoy- Jealous of us?" Ginny asked in amazement. It finally hit Harry what that look had been all about. Malfoy was attracted to Ginny. "Why that little-" He tried to run in the direction that Malfoy had left in, but Ginny held him back.
"Harry, It's fine. Please, lets just go back" Ginny said pleadingly. Harry gave up and began going back to the common room with Ginny. He was still fuming slightly. He knew Ginny was a beautiful girl.. In fact the most beautiful he had ever known, and her personality was unlike anyone else's… anyone could see that, but she was HIS girlfriend. No one had a right to like her like that except him.
"Are you ok, Harry?" He had calmed himself down and nodded. "Just tell me if he ever does or says anything to you." He said. She agreed.
Hermione and Ron were missing, so Ginny and Harry had their common room to themselves. Ginny was leaning her head on his chest staring at the fire, while Harry was staring at her. She really was gorgeous. She didn't look fake like Parvarti and Lavender. She had a natural kind of beauty that couldn't be bought.
She noticed him looking at her. "What is it?" she asked looking into his eyes. "Just admiring you" Harry replied. Ginny blushed slightly like she did so often now whenever Harry complimented her. She leaned up and kissed him. It seemed to Harry that Ginny liked kissing very much, not that he minded at all. They were so zoned out of the real world and into the kiss that they didn't notice when Ron and Hermione came in.
"Are you really going to make me watch this Harry?" Ron asked. Harry really wasn't that embarrassed anymore and replied briefly, " Go look the other way if it bothers you so much." before returning his attention to Ginny and deepening the kiss. Harry felt her tongue slide into his mouth and was surprised. This had never happened before.
Ron and Hermione were still standing there expectantly, as if they actually thought they would stop, but Harry was enjoying this far too much and didn't ever want to stop. He met her tongue with his own and Ginny moaned slightly which was far too much for Ron.
"Get a bloody room!" he said. Harry stopped briefly and looked at him. "All right" he said. Ron smacked himself in the head. "NO! That's not what I meant. Stay here, please. I'll leave"
This was just the answer that Harry was looking for, so he focused his attention back on Ginny. "I love you, Gin." she smiled.
"I love you too. Lets go to sleep. I'm exhausted." Harry was reluctant to leave her, and managed one more good night kiss before climbing up the stairs to see Ron heavily snogging Hermione.
"Oi- I'm trying to go to sleep here." He said. Hermione and Ron jumped back, obviously embarrassed. "I'll see you later Ron." said Hermione before hugging Harry and going to her room. The boys bid each other goodnight. Harry lay in his bed thinking about Ginny.
All of a sudden, Harry found himself in a beat up old house. Voldemort was in one corner of the room, while Wormtail was in the center.
"Wormtail," said a cold voice. "our attacks have failed. We are not recruiting nearly as many new death eaters as I had hoped. The Giants have denied our requests, and no other dark creatures have come to our aid. Even the dementors have fled after the attack on the muggle loving Weasleys. What are we to do?" Voldemort asked.
"My-My Lord. I do not kn-know." Voldemort laughed.
"Perhaps you need some- inspiration. CRUCIO!" He yelled and pointed him wand at Wormtail.
Harry awoke with a cold sweat on his face. He thought he had blocked out Voldemort. He had not felt any pain this time. Maybe he was simply seeing into Voldemort's plans. He soon fell back asleep and did not wake again until morning.
AN: Ok this is probably the last of the shorter chapters, unless a lot of people strongly oppose me updating less frequently and having much longer chapters… tell me how you feel and what you think of the chapter! I appreciate every review I get!