Chapter 9: So It Happened...
Months passed without any major activity from Voldemort. There were a few attacks here and there, but nothing big...at least nothing like what Harry was expecting.
As time passed, Harry grew more suspicious. He was expecting an attack any day now, after all, Voldemort did not make any big appearance now that he was exposed...something very unlike him.
Mid-March brought forth the final Quidditch match of the season between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. That took Harry's mind off the suspicions for sometime. Gryffindor had almost lost the match because Harry was too busy noticing Ginny to concentrate on the snitch; but he regained his composure within the nick of time leading Gryffindor to victory. But even Gryffindors easy victory against Ravenclaw, their win of the Quidditch Cup third time in a row and the late night celebration in the Gryffindor Tower were not enough to keep Harry's mind off his problems for long.
On the other hand, Ginny Weasley would also have been just as much suspicious if not for the fact that she was preparing for her OWLs. Ron and Hermione, however, had no inkling about this, but they had an idea that something fishy was going on...
On a happier note, or perhaps sadder one, Harry and Ginny had not confessed their love, as both were under the impression that it was one-sided. Therefore, they talked, joked, laughed, and shared as if they were friends, but their love for the other grew stronger by the moment...and although their hearts were aching for the other, to hold the other, comfort the other and tell them that everything was going to be OK, their thoughts stopped them from confessing...
It was the last OWL for Ginny, History of Magic, and as she exited the room, quite cheerful and happy with her performance, when Simon Parker cornered her.
"Hi Ginny." Simon said, causing Ginny to turn.
"Oh...hi Simon." Ginny said sweetly.
"Do you mind if we talk...in private?" Simon said hesitantly.
Ginny motioned for her friends to leave without her, as she remained to talk to Simon.
"What is it Simon?" Ginny asked smiling at him.
"I was wondering...you know there is a Hogsmeade weekend coming up, right before the end of school..." Simon asked nervously.
"I was wondering..." He continued as Ginny nodded. "If you would...like to go out with me...on...on a date..."
Ginny stood silent, trying to understand what he said.
'Simon Parker just asked me out on a date.' Ginny thought. 'Should I go out with him...I mean I love Harry...'
'But Harry doesn't love you back...think about it Ginny...are you going to waste your life on someone who doesn't return your feelings....' A rational part of her fought. 'Just go out with him...see if you are comfortable, try to get over Harry, its not as if you are marrying him anyway, its just a date...you have to move on.'
'But how can I get over someone I love?' Ginny thought.
'Time heals all wounds...' Her rational part said.
"Ginny...Ginny..." Simon said waving a hand in front of her face.
"Huh?" Ginny said returning.
"So...will go out with me?" Simon asked, looking hopeful.
"Sure Simon." Ginny replied smiling.
"Brilliant," Simon said with a wide smile. "I'll meet you at the doors. Bye" He finished, placing a quick kiss on Ginny's cheek and running off with a mild blush on his cheeks.
'What have I done?' Ginny thought frustrated, moving off to join her friends.
It was a hot day in June, and the six friends were enjoying in Hogwarts grounds; Ron, Harry and Neville sat under a familiar beech tree, while Ginny, Luna and Hermione sat by the lake, enjoying the feel of the lake water on their feet.
"It will be so much fun tomorrow at Hogsmeade." Luna said dreamily.
"Yeah," Hermione said. "And then leaving for home. You both are so lucky you don't have to give your NEWTs next year."
"You're luckier Hermione," Ginny said. "You don't have to return after next year."
The three girls laughed merrily.
"So what are your plans for tomorrow?" Ginny asked the other two.
"I have a date with Neville." Luna said brightly, looking over to Neville and waving at him.
"And I have a date with Ron." Hermione said also looking over to her date and giggling.
"What about you?" Hermione asked looking at Ginny.
Ginny looked at the Giant Squid, smiled and replied,
"I have a date too."
"Really? With whom?" The other two squealed.
"That's for me to know and for you to find out." She said smiling slyly at the two.
"Oh fine, we know anyway." Hermione and Luna shred a knowing smile and looked at the boys.
Ginny, smiling, turned to look at the boys too, who were laughing at something.
'Oh no, my friends. You don't know anything at all...' She thought, with a mixture of emotions, before looking back at the Squid.
True to his words, Simon did show up near the doors the next day.
"Hello Ginny," He said smiling brightly at her. "How are you?"
Ginny had told her friends to go along without her, saying she would meet them at Hogsmeade. So, she was here alone.
"Hi Simon, I'm fine. What about you?" Ginny replied sweetly.
"Good," Simon replied nervously.
They continued the small talk, heading for Hogsmeade in one of the horseless carriages. In Hogsmeade, after spending sometime in various shops, they headed for the Three Broomsticks at around 1:00 pm.
They entered the café, the bell clinging as they did, and chose a seat in one corner, giving their orders to Madam Rosemerta.
Harry was quite disheartened when Ginny said she was not going with them. So after spending quite sometime in the joke and sweet shop, he was sitting with his friends in the Three Broomsticks, enjoying his butterbeer through a lively conversation.
So far, there had been no sign of Ginny. She had said she would meet them, but she was not there yet. Harry's gaze had been fixed on the door, as if waiting for Ginny to enter.
He was currently listening to a very interesting anecdote by Ron, when the clinging of the bell diverted his attention to the door. What he saw, made him green with envy.
Ginny had just entered the café with none other than Simon Parker. Harry saw Ginny laugh at something Simon had said, and Harry wished nothing more than to kill Simon at that moment. He saw them take a seat in a corner and place their orders. Harry's inattentiveness and staring caused his friends to look over to the two seated in the corner.
"What the hell is she doing with that guy?" Ron asked angrily slamming down his butterbeer.
"I don't know." Harry replied equally angry.
"She has a date." Luna said looking at Ginny.
"WHAT?" Harry and Ron asked angrily facing Luna.
"She has a date." Hermione said cautiously looking at the two. "She told us yesterday...we just didn't think it would be him."
Neville stayed quiet and ready to stop his friends if they got up to mince poor Parker, which they probably would.
"Well, she didn't tell any of us..." Ron said rising to put up a fight, but was stopped by Hermione's hand on his arm.
"Ron...no...she has a date, please don't spoil it..." Hermione pleaded.
"But 'Mione...' Ron said looking back and forth between Ginny and Hermione.
"Please." Hermione pleaded again.
Even though Ron stopped, it was too late for Harry, who had got up and was headed in the direction of Ginny and Simon, ignoring the calls from his friends.
Before Harry was halfway to them, there was a sudden bang, shattering the glass of the café's windows.
Harry stopped in mid-stride looking outside through the screams that had erupted. Through the shattered glass, Harry could make out robed figures approaching the Three Broomsticks, and within a jiffy, the door was shot off from its hinges.
This was what Harry had been afraid of...a full-fledged attack from Voldemort. Harry ran and took cover behind a toppled table whipping out his wand ready to fight. If the Death Eaters were brave enough to attack Hogsmeade, a place so close to Hogwarts, than Voldemort must be with them.
He looked over to his friends who also ducked behind tables, or whatever they could find, whipping out their wands, getting ready for battle. He looked over to Ginny and saw that she and Simon were not so lucky. They were very near to the door and the windows, and the glass had injured Simon pretty badly while Ginny had a few deep cuts here and there. They were currently facing two Death Eaters. Within a split second, Ginny fired a disarming spell towards them, buying her sometime to move her and Simon out of the way, even though the Death Eaters dodged it.
As soon as one Death Eater regained his balance, he fired the killing curse towards her, but due to poor aim, it hit Simon, who fell down dead, toppling Ginny over. Ginny didn't have enough time to react, and in a moment was under the Cruciatus curse.
At that moment, Harry appeared from behind the table aiming a stunning spell at the Death Eater that hit him squarely at the back. Harry looked over to see Ron, Hermione, Luna and Neville fighting off Death Eaters while some of the former DA members, students and adults were also trying to reduce the number of Death Eaters that had attacked.
Harry knew he had to find Voldemort; the damage his death Eaters caused was nothing compared to the damage he could cause. Harry tried to make his way out of the Three Broomsticks, but the Death Eaters encircled him. He put his defence tactics into action, shielding himself from various spells. On hearing three wands cast simultaneous spells on him, he ducked, rolling on the floor only to end up facing more Death Eaters. He wished that Dumbledore and the Professors would arrive soon.
As an answer to his prayer, popping sounds were soon heard outside the Three Broomsticks. Harry, relieved that help had arrived, fought with increased vigour. He was so busy defending himself against the various Death Eaters that were surrounding him that he failed to notice when Voldemort himself arrived behind him, raised his wand, and aimed the killing curse at him...
But Harry did not die...Peter Pettigrew appeared between him and Voldemort, taking full impact of the curse, and accepting death.
"EXPELLIARMUS!" A voice boomed behind the two mortal enemies.
Harry turned an inch to see Dumbledore cast the disarming spell on Voldemort, which the latter easily dodged. He returned to his fight against the Death Eaters who were shooting concurrent multiple spells at him. As Harry duelled the Death Eaters and helped his friends, Dumbledore duelled against Voldemort keeping him off Harry's back for as long as possible. Soon enough, when he saw figured that there was no way he could win, Voldemort found his chance and fled, leaving those remaining to deal with the after effects.
Harry's suspicion had indeed been confirmed...
A/N: I didn't get 10 reviews for the last one...I am very sad.
Anyways, here's chapter 9. Enjoy & pls. review.
Take Care.
Bye.