A short chapter, but a lot happens. The next chapter will be much longer.

Chapter nine: Boys! Time and Time Enough

Lily and Ginny were walking. It was a cold Saturday in December, but they had decided to go walking around the grounds anyway. It was a week after their excursion to the Three Broomsticks and the girls had grown closer in that time. The talk drifted, naturally enough, to boys.

"But I thought you loved James?" Ginny asked surprised.

"I like him, of course, it's just that, I don't know." Lily paused to consider. "There's something missing, something … heroic." She said wryly. "You're Harvey, he's heroic from all you've said."

"Heroes aren't always easy people." Ginny said sadly. "Besides, he dumped me."

"Yes but you're going to change that. When you see him again I mean. I don't see you as the pining quietly type!"

Ginny laughed. "Not any more I guess."

"Some things are meant to be. Some people belong together."

"Like you and James?"

"No." She replied sadly. "I don't know whether we are."

"I don't know if I'll ever see him again." Ginny said with a catch in her voice.

"You will, of course you will. Come on, I'm cold. Let's head back."

The two girls wandered back to the castle, arm in arm.

"Hello Firecracker." Lily looked up in astonishment at the tall, redheaded man with the scarred face who had appeared at the end of the corridor.

Ginny pulled herself away from Lily and rushed into his arms "Bill, oh Bill!" The two of them hugged, Ginny crying and Bill making soothing noises.

The stranger looked up at Lily "Miss …"

"Evans, Lily Evans." She supplied. She was a little afraid of this disfigured young man but since Ginny obviously knew and loved him she figured he was probably safe.

"My sister and I will be leaving shortly, could I ask you to take care of her for me for a little while first because I need to go and see the Headmaster."

"Bill?" Said Ginny tentatively. "We're going back … going home?" He nodded. She stood away from him and said "OK. I'm going to say goodbye."

He smiled. "I'll be back in a few minutes Firecracker."

The two girls entered the Gryffindor common room while Bill strode off towards the headmaster's office. The common room was nearly empty, only Remus and James were in there. "Jenny's leaving!" said Lily as soon as the girls entered.

Remus blanched while James exchanged a glance with Lily and then rushed upstairs to the seventh year boys' dorm. "Leaving?" Said Remus looking at Ginny in concern. She nodded her response. "But why?"

"Because I have to."

The two Professors were somewhat surprised to see the tall young man enter Dumbledore's office in the middle of their chess match. "My name is Bill, Bill Weasley, I'm Ginny's brother."

"Ah." Responded Dumbledore.

"I'm really sorry about this Professors but I have no choice."

"What are you …" McGonagall started but Dumbledore laid his hand on her arm to stop her.

"I understand. It is necessary I suppose."

Bill nodded. "I'm afraid I've received very specific instructions. You would trust the source." He smiled slightly. "I promise you that." Taking out his wand, he pointed it at the Headmaster. "Etiamtum Obliviate!"

The older Gryffindors were standing in a semi-circle around Ginny. Shocked and saddened by the fact she was leaving.

"It's time Firecracker." The others looked up startled at Bill's appearance in the common room.

"OK." She said quietly. She looked at the others and then made a decision. She did the rounds of the sixth years first, hugging them, wishing them well. Benjy and Alice were the hardest. What could she say to them, what could make it right? Then she moved on to the seventh years. Here she was in surer territory, she knew what she wanted to say – she could only hope it would make a difference. She went up to Peter she took his hand "Goodbye Peter." She leaned close to him and whispered in his ear "You are braver than you know, please remember that. Please."

Next she went over to where James was standing with his arm around Lily. She hugged Lily quickly and then whispered to her "Love comes in all shapes and sizes Lily. Good men, brave men, heroes and true loves. Trust me. Don't reject the love that comes your way." She turned to James, "Goodbye James. Be the man you know you are in here." And she touched his chest, just over his heart.

As she walked towards Remus, he grabbed her and held her in a fierce embrace. "Trust in your friends Remus, Sirius and James and you. You're a team – true friends. You're a good man Remus you will do great things. Remember, things aren't always as they seem, don't lose hope." He was slightly puzzled by this last piece of cryptic advice, but he hugged her closely.

"I'll miss you, you know." He said quietly.

"I'll always be your friend." She replied.

Finally it was Sirius' turn. He held on to her tightly as the tears started flowing down her cheeks.

"This Harvey boy, he's dead lucky to have you – and he's an idiot if he doesn't see it." He said gruffly.

She smiled at him. "Don't lose hope." She whispered. "Believe." And she held on to him tightly.

"It's time." Bill pulled her out of her reverie. Reluctantly she let Sirius go and walked over to Bill.

"I can't believe … am I never going to see you again?" Remus said with a catch in his voice.

"Maybe one day." Said Bill with a small smile. He held out a small piece of pipe. "It works similarly to a Portkey." Ginny hugged him with one arm while she touched the pipe with her other hand.

"Goodbye." She whispered to the room and they were gone.

The room was silent for a few moments. "I still think Harvey's a stupid name though." Said Sirius grumpily. The resulting laughter relieved the tension in the room.