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Chapter 2: Phoenix Fires
After weaving through traffic for a half of an hour, the muggle cab stopped in front of Kings Cross Station to let Ginny and her mother out. After paying the driver in the last of her muggle money, Ginny and her mother made their way to a spot near the entrance to platform 9 3/4, where they had agreed to meet Arthur, who was bringing Ron and Harry to the station. While they were waiting Ginny saw many of her schoolmates make their way through the barrier and was wondering where her friends, Colin and Luna, were. Just then Arthur came walking into sight with Harry and Ron tagging along behind them with their trunks. Her parents kissed briefly and then turned to their three children, as Harry was as good as one of their sons, and ushered them through the barrier. Once everyone was through Molly began to kiss her children goodbye, giving them the customary beginning of the school year speech. Ron rolled his eyes, Harry nodded vaguely, and Ginny said, "of course Mum. We'll send a letter with Pigwidgeon as soon as the sorting and feat are over, okay?"
"Thank you dear," she said fondly to her daughter. Then she turned to face the two boys, focusing glare on them, "at least I know I can count on one of my children not to cause any trouble..."
"Hey!" Ron sputtered as Harry looked a little guilty under her gaze.
"Oh please Ron," Ginny said, laughing. "You know very well that you and Harry are almost as bad as the twins, at least Harry here had the decency not to deny it." Ron looked astonished at his little sister, shocked that she wouldn't stand up for him. Ginny turned back to her mother and said, "well Mum, I think I see Colin, so I'm going to go catch up with him and we'll see if we can get a compartment. I'll owl you, I promise," with this she leaned over, kissed her mother's cheek, and then hugged her father. "Love you both!"
"Love you too dear," Molly said, somewhat wistfully after her only daugher, wondering just when she had grown up so quickly. She sighed, turning back to Harry and Ron, "Now, you two...For once in your school lives, be good!" With this she hugged both of them and Arthur
patted them on the back and they left to get on the train.
Ginny had made her way over to Colin and stood behind him as he said goodbye to his parents. When he turned around he swore in shock, "Holy shite Ginny!" With a couple 'Colin!'s from his parents, he apologized, and said, "Ginny! Look at you. Oh my goodness, you're going to be beating the of with sticks this year, how did Ron react when he saw you?"
"Well, he hasn't really reacted yet, you know how he is, he doesn't notice me unless he has to. So, first guy who gets too close to me will get me noticed." Ginny laughed as they made their way to the train. Colin got a devilish grin on his face and said, "want him to notice you?" Ginny laughed as Colin put down his trunk and walked towards her. "I haven't gotten my hug from you anyway." Ginny looked around and saw Harry and Ron talking to Hermione not 20 feet away. She smiled at Colin and hugged him. She squealed when he picked her up and spun her around, within sight, Ron was watching, turning a little red at the fact that someone, a male someone no less, was touching his baby sister. Hermione put a hand on his arm and said something to him, most likely along the lines of 'it's just Colin, they're just friends' when Colin put her down and looked at her, putting his hand on her cheek brushing it lightly. She was just moving closer to him, as though she was going to kiss him, when Ron came bursting over, grabbed her arm and pulled himself between Ginny and Colin. He glared at Colin, "Just what did you think you were doing to my sister!" Colin laughed, and this only proved to inscence Ron even more, Ginny tapped Ron on the back and he turned around, "And what in the hell do you think you were doing missy, you're too young to be doing things like that!" With this Ginny lost all resolve and burst out laughing. Behind Ron, Hermione and Harry were doing their very best to keep straight faces, but Harry was occasionally coughing behind his hand in an attempt to stem his laughs.
When Ginny had regained most of her composure, she looked up at Ron, "Ron, it's Colin, we were kidding. For gods sake, you need to relax. Besides we're friends, you know how me, Colin, and Luna are, we're like the three of you. I could never like Colin like that, it would be too weird. It would be like...like...like you liking Hermione..." she paused here so that she could breathe to keep herself from laughing. Colin and Harry had burst into hysterics, and Hermione was giggling behind her hand. On the contrary Ron's face had gone completely white. Everyone but him, Hermione included, knew about his crush on Hermione. She had said often, that all Ron needed to do was ask her, but he never had. Ron sputtered for a moment, looked at Ginny, his eyes widening and yelled, "and what in the hell are you wearing?"
"Uhm...clothing..."
"This...this...is not clothing! This shirt is way too short, and low, and tight. And those pants, there's no room to move in those! What happened to your old clothes?"
"Oh, you mean your old clothes? I bought new ones, speaking of which," she opened her trunk and pulled out a bag and tossed it to Ron, "these are for you, they should fit and look better than your old clothes. Enjoy!" With this Ginny looped her arms through Colin's, and turned to walk towards the train with him. Both of them laughed silently at Ron's reaction and began to catch up and what they had been up to over the summer. When they reached the train, Colin got in first and told Ginny he was going to go look for an empty compartment she promised she would find him in just one moment. She lifted one end of her trunk and attempted to get it up the steps and onto the train when suddenly someone had picked up her trunk on the other side and lifted it up and into the train. He set it down inside and reached his hand out the door to help her in. She took the hand without looking at the person, assuming it was Harry or Ron. When she was in the train and finally got a good look at the person, she was shocked. She had never noticed him before, but now...she did now. He was tall, about 6 foot, and when Ginny looked at him she said, "Thank you, I...I don't think I know you."
"We've never been introduced, but I think I may be safe in saying that you are Ginevra, am I right?" Ginny nodded slightly. "I'm Blaise, don't let the Slytherin robes deter you." He winked, kissed her hand, and walked away. She stood there for a moment, dazed, when someone whispered in her ear, "I wouldn't trust Blaise if I were you, his intentions are not what they seem." She whipped her head around quickly when the voice went quiet, but she didn't see anyone, she couldn't place the voice, though she knew she had heard it somewhere before, but she couldn't place where. She sighed and headed off in search of Colin. She found him, and Luna in one of the end compartments. She hugged Luna and sat down, and the three friends talked about their summers and what they had done. Ginny listened to both of her friends, they had both had exiting summers, Luna had gone to New Zealand with her father in search of some new non-existent creature, and Colin had gone to America to visit his older sister who lived there now. He had just finished showing off some of his best new photographs when both of her friends turned to Ginny and asked her how her summer had been. She related to them her stories of work and some of her new friends, but told them, that there really hadn't been much else. Luna said, "Come onÉyou must have done something knew."
Ginny thought, and the only thing that came to mind was her guitar, and she told them so. Colin's face lit up and he asked, "you can play the guitar? Did you bring it with you?"
"Yes I can, and yes I did."
"Oh, please, you have to play us something...please...;" Colin begged. Ginny sighed and got her guitar case and puller her guitar out. She crossed her legs, Indian-style, and she tuned her guitar, looking at Colin desperately, "do I have to? I hate playing in front of peopleÉ" Colin nodded, "do I have to sing too?" and he nodded again, Ginny sighed, closing her eyes as she started to play her first song, she had since written another one. Colin and Luna listened, amazed at her voice. It wa beautiful. They had never heard her sing before, and had always assumed, that because she refused to do so, that she couldn't sing very well. They had been wrong. They were both so caught up in listening to her that neither of them had noticed the compartment door open or see the two people standing there. When Ginny finished she kept her eyes closed, not wanting to hear how bad she had been. Suddenly, Luna gasped sharply and Ginny's eyes popped open. She looked at her friend and saw she was looking at something in the doorway, she followed her gaze and her eyes landed on two people and she groaned. "How long have you been standing there?" she asked.
Draco smirked, in rather attractive way Ginny noted, and said "we came for the show. I suppose that was okay...for a novice." He said, with a faint hint of a challenge in his tone. His friend, who Ginny recognized for the first time as Blaise, rolled his eyes at Ginny behind Draco's back and Ginny giggled. Draco's smirk dropped into a grimace as he registered who had made Ginny's eyes light up. Ginny's gaze moved back to Draco and she smiled, "Think you can do better Ferret?" she asked.
"You really need to stop calling me that..." he said, cringing inwardly at the name. He reached out for Ginny's guitar and she handed it to him, doubting that he could actually play. He played a few chords and then sat down opposite Ginny and began to play.
I wonder should I tell you
About all the crazy things that I have done
I've been hiding all my life
When I should have stayed
I tried to run...
I was searching for an answer
In a world so full of strangers
But what I found was never really enough
Now that I've found you
I'm looking in the eyes of love
Draco paused in his singing and looked right into Ginny's eyes. She was transfixed. His voice was soft, and melodious, and his eyes captured her, she couldn't seem to look away from him. He held her gaze and began to sing again.
Baby you've been good to me
Oh, so much more that you could know, yeah, yeah
I never thought that I would find
Someone who's so sweet and kind
Like you...
Please believe me when I say
This time I won't run away
I swear be all the heaven's stars above
Now that I've found you
I'm looking in the eyes of love
Looking in the eyes of love...
I can see forever, yeah...
I can see you and me
Walking in this world together
Oh, my heart's found a hope...
I've been dreaming of...
Now that I've found you
I'm looking in the eyes of love
Looking in the eyes of love...
I can see, I can see forever
I can see you and me
Walking in this world together
Oh, my heart's found a hope
I've been dreaming of...
Now that I've found you, I've found you
I'm looking in the eyes of love..., yeah
Oh...
He stopped playing, watching Ginny, looking for a reaction as he handed her guitar back to her. To everyone's surprise she started to play again, she closed her eyes again, this time as though concentrating hard. She looked down, and her long amber hair fell around her face as she began to play.
All alone, staring on, watching my life go by,
When my days are grey and my nights are black,
Different shades of mundane and the one eyed furry toy
That lies upon the bed has often heard me cry
And heard me whisper out a name long forgiven, but not forgotten,
You're forgiven not forgotten
You're forgiven not forgotten
You're forgiven not forgotten
You're not forgotten
A bleeding heart torn apart, left on an icy grave,
In the room where she once lay, without seeing his face,
Nothing could get in my way, but now the memories of the man
Are haunting my days and the craving never fades,
Now I'm dreaming of you, a man long forgiven, but not forgotten,
You're forgiven not forgotten
You're forgiven not forgotten
You're forgiven not forgotten
You're not forgotten
Still alone, staring on, wishing my life goodbye
As I look upon the man long forgiven, but not forgotten,
You're forgiven not forgotten
You're forgiven not forgotten
You're forgiven not forgotten
You're not forgotten
You're not forgotten
No, you're not forgotten
Luna gaped in shock as she watched Ginny and Draco meet gazes once again as Colin tried to make sense of the look on Blaise's face. There had been a hint of jealousy at first, but now, now there was a different emotion on Blaise's face. It looked as though he was plotting, though what it could be, Colin had no idea. Blaise sat down next to Ginny, put an arm around her shoulders, pulled her to him and kissed her cheek. He whispered lightly, "That was wonderful Red." Ginny smiled forcibly, still holding her eyes to Draco's, and said, "Thank you." Draco nodded at her, held out his hand, which she took, noticing there was a note in it. He shook her hand briefly, and finally broke her gaze, leaving the note in her had. Blaise and Draco left, without a word to either of the other two people in the compartment. Ginny sat there for a moment, looking at the note in her hand, which she then quickly stashed in her guitar case with her guitar. Colin and Luna looked at her questioningly, and she looked up, "What?"
"You know what!" Luna said.
Ginny nodded, starting to explain the whole situation. They had never heard the whole story of what had happened in her first year, as they had not really gotten to know her until their 3rd year. She explained everything about it, the diary, how Harry had come to save her, and Lucius Malfoy. She explained that she had never really hated the Malfoy's before that, despite their family rivalry, but after her first year, she had vowed that she would never forgive any of them. She went on to tell then how, after her first year, Draco had tried, several times to talk to her, he gave her notes sometimes, telling her how sorry he was for his father's behavior, that she had not deserved that. She had ignored them all, not wanting to hear any of it. Then she told them how she had bumped into Malfoy over the summer, how he hadn't recognized her, and the short conversation they had. She told them how she had written the second song two days after bumping into Draco, how she couldn't get him off of her mind. She pulled out her sketchbook and showed them the drawings that she had done in the past couple days, most of them depicting Draco somewhere in them. She told them how she just couldn't deal with the fact that she couldn't justify hating him anymore. About how she had owled Dumbledore, asking what side Draco was fighting for. Dumbledore's answer was cryptic, to say the least. She pulled it out, showing it to them:
Miss Weasley,
I must admit your letter surprised me, and I am rather curious as to how this all came about. I can't tell you which side young Mr. Malfoy is working for, as it is not my news to tell.
I would like to meet with you after the opening feast regarding a prophecy that was made in my presence just a couple of weeks ago. I am not sure what exactly the prophecy pertains to as of yet, but I believe it may be important for you to hear it. My gargoyle will let you in.
Enjoy the last week of your summer, I look forward to seeing you at the beginning of this term.
Headmaster Dumbledore
Ginny stayed quiet for a moment, letting her friends absorb the information, not knowing what they would think of all of it. She opened her mouth again and explained what had happened when she got onto the train. How Blaise had helped her, and the whispered warning she had received shortly thereafter. She explained how she couldn't break Draco's gaze, how something in them was asking something of her, though she didn't know what. She pulled out the note he gave her and looked at it, looking up at Colin, almost as though for permission. He nodded slightly, and she opened the note, reading the short message he had left for her.
Don't take her advice lightly, she knows what she's talking about. Also, the song was written just a few days ago, I think you can guess the intentions of it. Think about it, just because one wears the snake skin, does not automatically make them a snake.
Ginny's eyes widened in realization of what he was saying to her. First, he was agreeing with the girl that had whispered in her ear, whoever that might have been. Secondly, Draco had admitted to having feelings for her. And third, he was claiming to be a Slytherin in disguise, whatever that meant. Ginny shook her head, told her friends that she was going to sleep. She laid down on one of the seats, rolled away from her friends and fell asleep.
She was shaken awake by Luna some time later. She sat up realizing that she still needed to change into her school uniform. She opened her trunk and grabbed her clothes, looked around to make sure that the door was locked and that Luna was the only other person there before changing. She pulled on her black uniform skirt which fell to right above her knees, her button up shirt, her Gryffindor tie, knee socks, and her school shoes. She tied her curly hair back into a ponytail and grabbed her cloak for later. Just then the conductors voice could be heard throughout the train, informing everyone that they had reached Hogsmeade station. Everyone stepped off of the train, heading towards the carriages, except the first years who followed Hagrid's booming voice down to the lake. Ginny quickly made sure that Oleander was still tucked inside a pocket of her robes before heading to a carriage with Colin and Luna. The sorting and opening feast were even more boring than usual. Ginny could feel several pairs of eyes on her the moment she had walked into the hall. She looked towards the Slytherin table and saw Blaise, Draco, and Pansy all watching her periodically throughout the feast. She shook her head, it all made no sense, really. She could feel other pairs of eyes on her as well, but she ignored them for now. After the feast she said goodbye to Colin and Luna, and made her way up to Dumbledore's office. When she reached the stone gargoyle he asked her for the password, and when she said that Dumbledore hadn't given her one, he refused to move. She pulled out her letter to Dumbledore, showing it to him, and he jumped aside immediately. She laughed slightly and stepped onto the moving staircase. She stepped into Dumbledore's office and noticed that he wasn't there yet. She sat down in one of her chairs and made herself comfortable. Fawkes, the phoenix, looked at her curiously and hooted a soft melodious note that Ginny could not help but smile at. She reached her arm out for the beautiful bird and he flew to her immediately. She petted his beautiful golden-red feathers, which reminded herself of her own hair in a way and let the bird sit on her arm. After a few minutes Dumbledore came into the office, stopping when he saw Ginny sitting with Fawkes.
"Oh! I'm sorry Headmaster! He just flew over to me, and I didn't think, I should have just put him back on his perch..." she started explaining.
"It's not a problem Miss Weasley, I'm just surprised, Fawkes doesn't like to acquaint himself with many people. So, onto why you're here. I happened to hear a prophecy this summer that didn't make much sense to me at the time, but I do believe it refers to you, and I think you should hear it, if you want to."
"Of course sir, I would love to." With this Dumbledore nodded, and walked over to his cabinet to pull out his pensieve. He took out his wand, touched it to his head and placed the silvery strand that clung to it in the basin. He prodded the contents and a figure rose out of the bowl, speaking softly, but clearly.
The first lioness to be born in many generations of the blood has been brought forth. Her powers shall augment as she comes into knowledge of her own. Many have knowledge of her powers, and she will be the guiding light of the victor in this divergence. She has already suffered the bite of the snake, and the tears of fire have brought her back to the living. Her time has come. The snakes want their chance again, as she eluded them before, and this time, she may not be so lucky. If it is so chosen, on the wings of a dragon she shall find her savior.
The figure faded away into the pensieve, and just as Ginny was about to ask a question, she saw Dumbledore pulled another strand of memory out of his head and put it into the pensieve. "This was made 5 minutes later, by the same man, I think it may answer some of your questions." Ginny nodded, and turned back to the pensieve just as the man started to speak again.
A dragon born of snakes shall come into his own. The phoenix fires shall save him from his death and melt his core of ice. They have failed once already in their task, and could not save each other before. Now they must come together or they both may fail in their charges. From the unlikeliest of places, the two will come together, neither will come out of this without giving something dear to them away.
Again the figure faded, Ginny looked to Dumbledore, asking for answers. He shook his head, "I cannot tell you, for you must figure this out on your own. Now, go get some sleep Miss Weasley, you have classes tomorrow." Ginny stood up and made her way to the door. Just as she was about to leave, Dumbledore said,
"By the way, the password for Gryffindor tower is Phoenix Fires," Ginny looked at him in wonder. "Goodnight, Miss Weasley."
SofaKing: I'm glad you enjoyed it.
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