Chapter 29: Flaming Valentine
„Oh Ronald! Thank you so much! They are beautiful" cried Hermione as Ron gave her a pair of crystal earrings.
"Here's your present! I hope you like it."
It was the second week of February and the common room was full of excited people making a hell of a noise. Usually the common room wasn't this crowded, but as it was February the 14th, the whole Gryffindor house seemed to be assembled.
Hermione had bought some cologne for Ron. Next to them, Ginny was unwrapping a small box she'd gotten from Harry. She took off the rest of the paper, opened it and gasped.
"Harry I – I don't know what to say!"
"Happy Valentine's Day", he grinned and put a small silver ring on her finger.
"I love you", she whispered. Harry wanted to kiss her, but she pushed her present for him into his hands.
"First, you open this" she insisted. Harry grabbed the package out of her hands. It contained a small round mirror. Harry looked puzzled from the mirror to his girlfriend. "Hey, I know I'm extremely good-looking. You don't need to give me a mirror to remind me that I'm irresistible", he chuckled.
Ginny clapped him on his arm. "No you idiot! It's a personfinder. With this mirror you can find whomever your heart desires to see. There's a special charm on it."
Harry still looked confused. Ginny's grin broadened. "Happy Valentine's Day", she added and finally allowed him to kiss her.
Down in the Great Hall were more students, busy to find their friends. Everybody seemed to be extremely happy, everybody except Snape who was scowling at the crowd of delighted students. Too soon they heard the bell that ended their breakfast and they went off to classes.
In the Transfiguration classroom, the Gryffindors had to wait for Professor McGonagall, which was strange, because she was never late. Ron and Hermione were sitting next to each other and looking dreamily into the other's eyes. They were glad that their relationship had been taken up well by everybody; indeed, nobody had seemed to be surprised to see them together after Christmas Holidays. "I knew all along that you were made for each other", Neville said. "Actually, we wanted to start bets on when Ron would ask you out, Hermione", admitted Seamus grinning.
Ten minutes later Professor McGonagall entered the classroom. "Good morning! I want to apologize for being so late, but I had to discuss something of great importance with our Headmaster. Today we'll talk about how to transfigurate eggs into hens…"
The pupils sighed. This day wouldn't be different form any other day. The teachers didn't care if it was Valentine's Day or not. This was clearer to see as they came into the Defence against the Dark Arts lesson. Snape was even grumpier than usual and had them practise an anti-emotion spell.
"This spell will protect you from any love-related feelings. The perfect charm for these days, don't you think?"
Most students only pretended to be using the charm. Even Hermione didn't want to have her days spoilt, not by Snape nor anybody else.
The trio joined Ginny at lunch and they immediately began to complain about Snape's behaviour. They were suddenly interrupted by a loud noise.
Bill Weasley, who was visiting Fleur today, had walked in front of the High Table. To get everybody's attention, he made loud popping noises with his wand. He had taken Fleur by the hand and looked at her. "Bill, what are you doing? Zis is not funny", she mumbled and felt uncomfortable being the centre of attention. But Bill didn't listen to her. He addressed himself to everyone in the Hall. "I am sorry to disturb you at lunchtime, but I have to announce a few things and I would like the whole school to know about it. This cannot wait longer." He turned to Fleur and said: "The very first time we met, I knew there was something special between us. We didn't meet for a very long time, but luckily I saw you again, nearly one year later. I knew immediately that it was love I felt. One could call it love at second sight. We spend so many wonderful hours together and I never want to be without you. I couldn't survive a single day. I love you" Bill finished.
"Oh, please!" moaned Snape and rolled his eyes.
Fleur had tears in her eyes. Bill lent close to her and whispered: "Please, don't make me look like a fool!" Then, he knelt down, held Fleur's hand and looked up at her. "Fleur Delacour will you marry me?"
Everyone in the Hall held his breath and waited anxiously for Fleur's answer. She was overwhelmed and looked down at Bill. "What?"
"Will you marry me?" he repeated and opened a box which contained a golden engagement ring. "Yes, I will", said Fleur happily. Bill put the ring on her finger and kissed her tenderly. The girls sighed and Bill got a huge applause. He and Fleur left the Great Hall just before the bell announced the beginning of the afternoon's lessons.
"I'll meet you after Care of Magical Creatures" Harry promised Ginny, before he headed down to Hagrid's hut to catch up with Ron and Hermione. At least Hagrid noticed that it was Valentine's Day, because he didn't give them any hard work to do. The pupils were just told to have a good time on this special day. Most students went to the Lake or strolled around in the grounds. Hagrid joined Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Olympe's coming ter visit me next week. I am so glad ter finally see her back again! I asked meself what ter buy her, what d'yer reckon I shall get fer her?" While the three of them thought about what to offer a half giantess for present, they came in sight of the castle. Something suddenly caught Harry's attention. He saw a flaming boomerang flying over the smooth surface of the Lake.
"Did you see that too?" he asked confused.
"Saw what?" asked Ron back.
"Nothing I guess I just imagined seeing something" he answered quickly. In his second year in Hogwarts, he had learned that hearing or seeing things other people didn't, wasn't a very good sign, not even in the Wizarding world. Ron still gaped at him, but Harry decided to ignore hi and tried to push the sight of the boomerang away. Hagrid wanted to go to his cabin and make some tea, as they heard screaming from the castle. Hundreds of students came running down the stone steps into the grounds. They were accompanied by some teachers, Professor McGonagall among them.
"What happened? Do yer know anythin'?" asked Hagrid worried.
"Something really bad happened! The charms classroom is on fire!"
"Is there anythin' fer me to do?"
"No Hagrid. Dumbledore has evacuated most students already."
They watched as more and more students came into the grounds. Harry nervously looked around for Ginny, but he couldn't find her anywhere. He looked up at the castle and what he saw there made his insides freeze. A huge greenish dead skull from whose mouth emerged a serpent was hovering over the castle. That was the Dark Mark, Voldemort's sign.
Without thinking, Harry ran up to the castle. If Voldemort really was there, he would be the only one able to stop him. But Voldemort wasn't there. A sharp pain ran through Harry's forehead. In his mind, he saw a vision he already had had earlier this year, only that he had thought it to be a dream. It was the dream in which Ginny was caught in a room, surrounded by fire. Then Harry suddenly realised that this vision could have shown him some part of the future. Though in his dream, he hadn't arrived in time to safe his girlfriend. Maybe this was just one of Voldemort's tricks, but he had to know, otherwise he might loose Ginny. He entered the castle and looked around wildly. It seemed to be deserted, but Harry didn't care. He headed to the Charms classroom and saw the dancing red tongues of the flames. Harry tried to extinguish the fire with water from his wand. The flames gave an ugly sizzle, but the fire didn't die down, at the contrary, the flames became even bigger. Then it suddenly occurred to Harry, that this fire was no usual fire, otherwise anyone could have dealt with it. He peered into the room and saw someone lying motionlessly on the floor. Now Harry was sure that it was Ginny and she was in great peril. He WOULD come in time to rescue her; he knew he could do it. So he took all the courage that was in him and ran through the flames. He smelled the fire eating his robes, though he didn't feel the warmth of the flames. He didn't stop, ran on and knelt down next to Ginny. She was unconscious, but still breathing. He heaved her up into his arms and hurried back out of the room. As he was running away from the classroom, he noticed that his cloak was on fire. Why hadn't he felt the fire?
He lay Ginny down on the floor and quickly took off his burning cloak. The he took his girlfriend up in his arms again and carried her out of the castle.
A minute later, he was surrounded by the teachers and the crowd of students. They watched him with mixed expressions. Madam Pomfrey, the nurse came forward to look after Ginny. "We have to take her to St.Mungo's immediately. She might have a smoke contamination and that was no ordinary fire, there could be more dangers!" Dumbledore nodded at her and with a tab of his wand, he made a portkey out of a stone lying nearby. Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione, accompanied by Bill and Fleur were pushing through the crowds of nosing students. "I want to go with her", said Harry hoarsely.
"I know Harry, but I am afraid, we have to talk to each other and it cannot wait until later. Miss Granger and Mrs Weasley would you be so kind to accompany Ginny to St.Mungo's?"
Ron who was holding his sister's hand nodded. So did Hermione. They all touched the stone and within some moments, they had vanished into thin air.
"Miss Delacour, could you inform the parents please?" She nodded and ran in the direction of Hogsmeade. Harry hoped Dumbledore better had a good reason for keeping him behind. The other students were told to stay out of the castle, under Hagrid's supervision. Mr. Dumbledore, Harry, Professors McGonagall and Snape went back inside.
Some minutes later, they stood in front of the Charms classroom and looked upon the flames crawling over the floor. "Severus, will you be able to put the fire out?" asked Dumbledore. Snape nodded and took his wand out. Harry never found out, how Snape extinguished the fire, because the Headmaster dragged him away and let him into McGonagall's office. "Please Harry, sit down. The sooner we know what happened, the sooner you'll be able to go to Ginny. We need to know it immediately, so we can act. Afterwards it might already be too late." Harry nodded and sat down. "It was about at the of Care of Magical Creatures' lesson when we wanted to go to have tea with Hagrid. Ron, Hermione and me wanted to wait for Ginny. Then suddenly all students came running out of the castle and screamed, mentioning a fire. Out of nowhere appeared Lord Voldemort's Dark Mark over the castle. A mark only sent when somebody had been murdered by him or his supporters. I could only think about the prophecy and ran up to the castle without looking back."
"What prophecy? Albus I –"
"Ssh, Minerva. Go on Harry" interrupted Dumbledore eagerly.
"Well, I suddenly remembered one of my visions in which I saw Ginny caught in a room, surrounded by fire. I didn't know if the vision was real, but I had to be sure. And so I found her in the classroom and carried her out of the flames and out of the castle."
"And the fire didn't hurt you at all? I mean, you didn't get yourself burnt?" asked Dumbledore astounded.
"No, I didn't feel anything. I smelled it burn my cloak, but it didn't burn me. The only thing I wanted to do was to get Ginny out of there!"
Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster looked alarmed at each other. "What?" asked Harry suspiciously, fearing for the worst.
"Harry, you must know that an ordinary fire couldn't have broken out like this. That fire was the fire of the Underworld and can only be brought to a place by Death Eaters. Ordinary wizards can't even touch it without being blinded by an enormous pain or without going mad. Professor Snape is the only one in the castle to stop the fire and he surely hasn't brought it here. He had a meeting with me when the news of the fire came to us. So there must have been or still be a Deatheater in the castle. And I still have to figure out how you managed to cross the fire, for I doubt that you've become a supporter of Lord Voldemort. Did you create a spell or something?"
Harry looked at Dumbledore and shook his head. "None that I wouldn't know of. I still don't know how to make spells. I just knew I could get her out of there, I knew I would manage."
"Harry Potter is a spell maker? How?" asked McGonagall in bewilderment.
"Later, Minerva. Harry you may go now. Use this Floopowder to St.Mungo's. I'll contact you some time or another."
Harry didn't need telling twice. He cast a handful of the powder into the flames which turned emerald green. He stepped inside, spoke the words 'St.Mungo's' and vanished with a 'pop'. Everything about Harry whirled and he closed his eyes. Instants later, he climbed out of a fireplace in a large white corridor. He ran to the reception and impatiently waited for the nurse to help him find Ginny. When she finally took notice of him standing in front of her desk, she asked in a singsong voice: "May I help you?"
"Yes. In which room do I find Ginny Weasley?" The nurse looked for some time in a large black book. "Room 47", she sang. "On the first floor, Magical Burnings Ward."
Harry ran as fast as he could down the corridor. He slowed down as he saw Ron and Hermione, sitting in front of the room. They too saw him and got up. "Harry what kept you?"
"I'll explain later. Do your parents already know?" he asked Ron.
He nodded. "Fleur went to the Burrow and told Mum and Dad everything. Mum was already here with Fleur but went home to get some things for Ginny and she will be back with my father later."
Harry turned towards the door of Room 47. "Harry, don't go in there. Ginny's still asleep and we were told not to disturb her" said Hermione with bloodshot eyes.
"I HAVE to see her now. If they throw me out, I don't care. But I MUST see her."
Ron and Hermione knew better than to argue about this with Harry. He slowly opened the door and entered Room 47.
There was a single bed in it and in this bed lay Ginny. She seemed to be paler than usual and her flaming red hair was spread over the pillow. Harry took a chair and sat down next to Ginny's left. On her arm, he saw a large white bandage. Her breath was deep and calm. Harry took her hand and caressed it softly. Ginny's eyelids fluttered and she slowly opened her eyes. "Harry" she whispered. Harry felt an enormous relief as she spoke to him. "Hey" he replied smiling down at her. "You saved my life" she whispered huskily and gave a little cough. "Ginny, you need to sleep now. You have to regain forces."
"Will you stay?"
"Yes, I will. But have some rest now."
She closed her eyes again and dozed off to sleep. Harry held her hand and thanked all the forces of the earth that his girlfriend was still alive.
In the afternoon, while Harry had been in McGonagall's office, Molly Weasley had come back from shopping in Diagon Alley, to find a nervous-looking Fleur standing in front of the door. They had met before and Molly couldn't get warm with her. "What do you want here? Bill is not at home."
"I know, but zere is sometheeng I need to tell you. Please, can ve go in?" They entered the kitchen and looked uncomfortably at each other. "Well, what do you need to tell me?"
"Mrs. Weasley, it might be better if you vould sit down. Your daughter, Ginny, she 'ad an accident at school…"
"What? How is she? WHERE is she?"
"She's at St.Mungo's, but she is fine. She vas caught in a room and vas endangered by zee fire of zee Undervorld."
Without waiting for further information, Molly Weasley disapparated to St.Mungo's. Fleur followed her immediately. They arrived in time to see Ginny on a bed, carried away by
Medi-Wizards. Ginny was crying out something which sounded like: "It burns!" and "Harry, where's Harry?" The Medi-Wizards didn't manage to calm her down. Fleur went over to Ginny and put her hand over Ginny's eyes. "Ginny, close your eyes! 'Tseb eht si gnirevocer, tser dna peelsa llaf, yawa si krad eht fo erif ehT!'" Fleur sang these words in a deep soothing voice and Ginny closed her eyes.
"What did you do?" asked a nurse astounded.
"Just an old Veela incantation to help people" mumbled Fleur.
"You're a Veela?" asked Molly suspiciously.
"No, but my grandmother was and she taught me some things about healing powers…"
Molly followed the Medi-Wizards into the room and closed the door. Fleur sat down on a chair and waited. Some moments later, Bill came running down the corridor. He had to sign some forms for Ginny and was only just back. Fleur told him what had happened in meantime. It was only an hour later when Molly Weasley came out of the room, telling them that everything would be fine. "I am terribly sorry, that I was so harsh to you, my dear! I was just told that without your help, Ginny could've gone mad. Thank you so much for everything", she said and hugged Fleur.
"Ron and Hermione are waiting in the cafeteria, they want to know how she is", said Bill smiling.
"I think we could all do with some tea", agreed Molly and they were off to join Ron and Hermione.
In the evening, Mrs Weasley and Bill went home to fetch some of Ginny's things, while Fleur returned to Hogwarts to deliver the news of Ginny's recovery. As they came back later that night, Molly and Bill saw that Hermione and Ron had fallen asleep on their chairs, Hermione resting her head on Ron's shoulder. "Oh, they look so nice together, don't you think Bill?"
Bill tried not to let it show that he knew something about Ron and Hermione his mother didn't, but she knew him too well. She looked into his eyes and frowned. "Are they - ?"
Bill nodded, grinning apologetically. "You should've told me!" his mother snapped. "They wanted to tell you themselves" he whispered.
They entered Ginny's room, where Harry had just explained Arthur Weasley the whole incident. Ginny was still sleeping. Molly and Bill took a seat next to Harry and Arthur.
"Harry, thank you so much. You saved Ginny's life." Molly hugged him tightly. "Harry" asked Mr. Weasley. "I was just wondering how you knew where to find Ginny and how you managed to get through this fire?"
Harry shrugged. "I have no idea… I just knew that I had to get Ginny out of the room and I didn't even consider that I wouldn't manage." Arthur nodded, but Harry saw that he still tried to figure out how Harry actually had passed that fire. They sat in silence for a long time. Around midnight, a nurse came in and told them that Ginny was out of danger and that she would be able to leave the hospital in a few days.
"Well Molly. Maybe it's best to go home and have some sleep. I have to go to work tomorrow" said Arthur. "Harry, don't you think it's time for you to return to Hogwarts? You must be tired, aren't you?" asked Molly considerately.
"No, I am not tired at all. I'd rather stay, if you don't mind", replied Harry. He didn't want to leave his girlfriend right now.
"Ok, we'll send a not to Dumbledore", said Arthur and shoved his wife and son out of the room. Harry sat alone in the dark of the room and held Ginny's hand. The same questions appeared over and over in his mind. The same questions Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley had been asking him. HOW had he been able to save Ginny? Why had he had these visions about her accident? And the question that struck him most was: Had this got something to do with Lord Voldemort?
Next Morning, Ginny woke up and wandered where she was. Everything came back to her mind. The room, the fire and Harry. Her head ached a bit as she look around the room. Then her gaze fell on Harry. His head was resting on her bed and he was sleeping. She watched him as he stirred and yawned. "Ginny, how are you? I was so worried."
She took his hand and pulled him into a tight hug. "I am so glad you're here" she whispered. From the sound of her voice, Harry could tell that she was crying. "Hey, it's over, everything will be fine again!"
"It was so horrible! I-I wanted to leave the classroom and suddenly there was fire everywhere. I couldn't get out and I panicked. And then… then everything turned and went black. But before I hit the floor, I heard someone's horrible, ice-cold laughter. It's still ringing in my ears…" she sobbed.
Harry wiped her tears away. This news strengthened the thought that Voldemort had something to do with this. "Harry, I love you so much", she whispered softly.
"I love you too", he returned. Ginny closed her eyes and kissed him while Harry still held her in his arms.
"You seem to be recovering very fast", came a voice from behind them. Ginny's father was standing in the doorway and looked very amused. Ginny and Harry had the colour of ripe tomatoes. "We were just… ah well!" Ginny broke off; she didn't want to find an excuse for having a boyfriend.
Arthur entered the room and with him came the rest of the Weasley family. Molly, Bill, Ron, George and Fred Weasley accompanied by Fleur and Hermione were soon standing around Ginny's bed. "Charlie and Percy sent their best wishes. They couldn't get off work" informed Ginny's mother apologetically. "Arthur, what are you grinning for?"
"It's nothing. I have just made a very interesting discovery."
"What is it?" asked his wife eagerly.
"Dad's just found out that Harry's my boyfriend" interrupted Ginny quickly, before her father could say something.
"First Ron and Hermione" began Molly. "When did you find out?" asked Ron flabbergasted. "Yesterday. While you were sleeping on the chairs. And now you and Harry!" she said to Ginny. "Any more good news you children are hiding from me?" she asked, sounding a bit offended.
"Well, if you're asking so nicely. Fleur is my fiancé. We got engaged yesterday", announced Bill proudly.
"Welcome to the family, my dear", Molly greeted her future daughter-in-law. Bill was surprised, but pleased to find out that his mother had finally accepted Fleur.
Ginny had to tell them again what had happened the day before, but she left out some minor points, such as the laugher. After some hours of small talk, Harry, Ron and Hermione were told to return to Hogwarts. Harry tried to convince Ginny's mum to let him stay, but she insisted on him going back.
"After all, you have to catch up with your schoolwork. I think it's more than sufficient if Ginny misses school lessons."
Harry didn't even have time to kiss Ginny before he left. He was almost pushed out of the room by Molly. He cast one last comforting look at Ginny. She scowled at her mother for sending Harry away.
"Have some sleep now, darling", she said and stuck the blankets tight around Ginny.
"Mum, I'm fine. But if you don't loosen these covers, I won't be able to move. I can hardly breathe!"
Molly smiled at her daughter. She was so glad that Ginny was alive and safe.