Disclaimer: I did not create the magnificant world of Harry Potter, that gifted person happens to be JK Rowling.
Spoilers: As this takes place after HBP there may be instances of spoilers. Don't read if you haven't read the book, unless you want to read the spoilers.
Pairings: Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione, and others...
A/N: I apologize for not updating earlier. I had to go out of town last weekend and also I am in the process of moving to my new apartment (OMG I'm actually going away to college... The idea of living away from home feels so wierd... But part of me is excited about this new adventure). Anyways, here you go, and I apologize in advance if the next chapter takes as long to put up...
The Journey Begins
Harry stood in the middle of the room, his trunk open as he was in the middle of packing. The time for him to continue his journey in pursuing the Holcruxes had come. As he had promised, he would leave after a week in the Burrow. That day had come. He planned to have everything packed and leave in the evening, so that he could have a chance to say his goodbyes. After he managed to cram everything he owned into his trunk, Harry pointed his wand and muttered an incantation which shrunk his trunk to a size that could fit in his pockets easily. After giving the room one final glance, he placed his now miniature trunk in a bag along with his invisibility cloak, a shrunken Firebolt, and his money pouch. He then put on his travelling cloak, slung his bag over his shoulders and made his way downstairs.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he found Molly and Arthur, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione waiting to say their good byes.
He first turned to Ron, handing him his Quidditch Captain badge. "This belongs to you now, be sure to lead Gryffindor to victory" he replied with a grin.
Ron stared at the badge in surprise. "Wow, mate, I don't know what to say... thanks... Don't worry, Gryffindor will be victorious".
Harry nodded. "And I wish you luck with that." He embraced his best friend and then turned to Hermione.
"I'll leave it to you to make sure he doesn't neglect his Head Boy duties" he said, referring to Ron and Hermione's newly appointed titles as Head Boy and Girl.
"Don't worry, I will" Harry's other best friend replied, her eyes wet with tears as she embraced him. "Take care of yourself".
"You two take care of each other too" he replied to Ron and Hermione.
He then turned to Ginny, who immediately flung herself to his arms, shedding silent tears. He tilted up Ginny's chin and wiped the tears away from her face.
"Ginny, don't cry. I promise to see you soon, be strong. And take good care of Hedwig" (He had given Hedwig to Ginny to care for while he went on this journey)
"I'll take great care of him, and also I will hold you to that promise" said Ginny softly, trying to keep her voice from cracking. "I love you Harry, and remember, I am to be by your side in the final battle"
"Yes Ginny, that is a promise I intend to keep, I love you too"
Harry and Ginny shared a passionate kiss, and pulled away as Harry turned to Arthur and Molly Weasley.
"Harry dear, be sure to come back safely" stated Molly, embracing the man she had come to love as though he were one of her own children.
"I will" he replied with a nod, turning to Arthur Weasley.
"Harry, I wish you the best on your journey. Please take care of yourself" said the man, extending his hand towards Harry, who shook it.
"Thank you for everything Arthur, please be sure to watch over yourselves"
"We will, good bye Harry, until we meet again"
"Until we meet again" said Harry, before walking out the door, and down the street, from where he disapparated.
With this, Arthur turned to his wife whose eyes were now glistening with tears. He embraced her, holding her closely.
"Don't cry Molly, he'll be fine."
"Oh Arthur, his life has just begun. He's too young to be having to hold such a burden"
"Yes, he is young, but he is also very strong. It is our duty to Harry to remain strong as well".
With this, he helped his wife inside, asking himself if Harry had been in fact ready to persue such a journey.
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The morning after Harry had come. This day was the day that Ron, Hermione, and Ginny would leave for Hogwarts. Ginny gazed out of the window and sighed, clutching her locket which was shining as red as ever. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks as she gathered her things together for her next year at Hogwarts. She then heard a knock at the door.
"Ginny, it's Hermione, can I come in"
"Sure, come in" Ginny hastily wiped her face before facing her friend.
Hermione placed a hand on Ginny's shoulder.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm alright. No wait, I'm not bloody alright! How can I be alright when my love is risking his life out there while I am here safe and sound? I should be with him. I----" she then collapsed on the floor, her body wracking with sobs.
Hermione knelt by her crying friend, brushing her red locks of hair from her face.
"Ginny" she mumured . "You don't have to keep this pain to yourself. You have me, and you have Ron. We're there for you every step of the way. We are all worried about Harry, but you know there was no changing his mind. We have to accept his actions, whether we agree with them or not. He'll come back to us, I promise".
Ginny lifted her head, revealing a tear streaked face.
"Hermione, I'm not strong enough for this."
"None of us are strong when alone. That's what friends and family are for" she replied extending a hand to help Ginny up. "Now, I think we should be about ready to head downstairs, or the others will start to get worried".
Ginny accepted her hand and was soon standing next to Hermione. She then hugged her.
"Thanks for being here for me Hermione, yes, lets go downstairs"
Both Ginny and Hermione went down to the kitchen. There they found Ron about finished with his breakfast, and Mr and Mrs Weasley talking to one another. Mrs Weasley soon looked up, smiling warmly at the two.
"Here, have some breakfast, we need to be heading out in a bit"
"Yes Mum/Mrs Weasley" both replied as they sat down next to Ron.
"Hi Hermione, Ginny" said Ron, giving Hermione a kiss on the cheek.
Hermione blushed, returning the kiss as Ginny rolled her eyes, smacking her brother on the back of the head.
"Oy, trying to eat here."
"Hey, I don't say anything when you and Ha---" he then stopped after getting kicked from under the table, Hermione glaring at him and Ginny's sorrow filled eyes glancing down to her breakfast. "Sorry Ginny, I didn't mean it like that"
"It's ok, I know I should be strong for both of us right now."
Hermione then changed the subject to something she knew that Ginny and Ron would enjoy. "So Ron, what are your plans for this quidditch season?"
Soon all three got into talking about qudditch. Mrs Weasley then glanced at the clock and gasped.
"Oh my! we really need to be going now. Come on Ron, Ginny, Hermione"
Soon the Weasleys and Hermione were on their way to King's Cross. They arrived there with about 15 minutes to get onto the train. As they reached Platform 9 3/4, all 5 went through the barrier and onto the platform which was in front of the scarlet red engine everyone knew as the Hogwarts Express. The train began to let out some steam, showing that it was time for Ron, Hermione, and Ginny to get on the train.
Mrs Weasley looked at the three with tears in her eyes. "My, you have all really grown up these past few years. Please promise me you will all take care of yourselves". Choking back a sob she embraced each of the three.
"Ron, Hermione, I believe they will be expecting you two to show up early to the Prefect compartment to meet with the Prefects. Now Ronald, as Head Boy, I expect you to be on your best behavior as all the students will be looking up to you. Hermione, keep an eye on him for me."
"Mum, you don't have to remind me to behave every time" groaned Ron.
"Don't worry, I'll keep him in check" said Hermione, looking first at her boyfriend and then to his mother.
Mrs Weasley nodded in approval and turned to her daughter.
"Ginny dear, I know that you have a lot on your mind. Harry will be fine. He would want you to go on with your normal life, and not worrying about him. Promise me you'll take care of yourself".
Ginny nodded "I promise Mum". Mother and daughter then embraced one another.
Soon more steam was released from the scarlet red engine. "You three better get going now, I'll be sure to owl you to see how your first week back went. I'll see you at Christmas"
"Bye Mum/Mrs Weasley!"
Soon the three went onto the train and separated their separate ways (Ron and Hermione to the Prefect compartment and Ginny to find a compartment to sit in).
"Hey Ginny, over here" waved Luna, looking up from her current copy of the Quibbler. Next to her sat Neville (She and Neville had begun to date shortly after the summer holiday began).
"So Ginny, seen Harry anywhere?" asked Neville.
Ginny looked down at her hands, tears starting to form in her eyes. "He won't be returning to Hogwarts this year. He's going to finish what he and Dumbledore started".
"Oh Ginny, I am so sorry, I didn't mean to bring anything painful up"
Ginny waved it off "Don't worry about it, you didn't know. I am going to stay strong for both of us"
Luna then looked up straight at Ginny. "If there is anything we can do, just ask. We're there for you"
"Thank you, you both are true friends".
Ginny, Luna, and Neville continued to talk until Ron showed up.
"Hey Ron, Where's Hermione?" asked Ginny.
"She's in the loo. I'm guessing she got some sort of stomach bug" replied Ron grimacing.
"Oh dear, maybe I should check on her" replied Ginny, getting up.
"Yeah, that might be a good idea" responded Ron.
"Ok, you can wait here, Luna, Neville, I'll be back in a bit". Ron nodded in agreement as he took a seat turning to talk with Neville and Luna. Ginny hurried off towards the restroom, when she arrived there, she knocked on the closed door.
"Hermione, are you okay?"
"I think I just thew up my intrails" moaned Hermione cracking the door open only far enough for Ginny to get inside the restroom with her. The now pale Hermione then collapsed against the wall, thoroughly exhausted. Ginny hurried to her friend's side, handing her a small vile of potion.
"Here, I usually carry some sickness potion just incase something like this happens. This may help"
Hermione gave the redhead a grateful look "Thanks, you're a lifesaver"
"No problem" Ginny then took her wand out, waved it, and soon the bathroom was sparkling clean.
"There, now no one will notice that you got sick"
She then held out her hand, helping Hermione up. "We should be getting back to the compartment, a certain brother of mine may be getting a bit worried by now".
The two then made their way towards where Ron, Luna, and Neville were now playing a game of exploding snap. Ron then looked up.
"Feeling better" he asked Hermione.
"Yeah, it's probably just nerves" replied Hermione closing her eyes and leaning her cheek against the cold glass window, still looking a slight bit peaky.
Pretty soon the sky grew dark, signalling that it was now a good time to change into robes. Soon after, the train came to a stop at the train station in Hogsmeade. Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Luna, and Neville then climbed out, hurrying to get a carriage. As they found one, the five squeezed into it. Soon they were all headed towards the school. As they appeared, they made their way into the castle, facing Filch and his security sensors. Upon passing this "security checkpoint" they made their way to the Great Hall. Neville and Luna shared a quick kiss as she separated from the others, making her way to the Ravenclaw table. The other four then settled down at the Gryffindor table. Ginny glanced sadly down at her empty plate, knowing that Harry was somewhere risking his life while she sat at this warm and safe castle, waiting to eat a feast. Ron, noticing this sad look placed a comforting hand on his sister's shoulder.
"Gin, he'll be fine. He wouldn't want you to be so sad"
Ginny nodded, her mind snapping back to reality. She then looked towards the head table, eyes widening as she saw a few Order Members (one being her brother, Charlie) sitting at the table, and a vacant chair. That vacant chair was the one that Albus Dumbledore sat in. She noticed that the rest of the students were noticing the vacant chair, whispering amongst themselves. Pretty soon, Professor McGonnagal rose from her seat (which was from the right of Dumbledore's empty chair) clearing her throat to speak.
"I would foremost like to welcome you all to another new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As you may all know, we were affected by certain tragic circumstances towards the end of our previous year. We suffered the loss of our beloved headmaster Albus Dumbledore. As Deputy Headmistress, I will be replacing him as the Headmistress of the school. In memory of Headmaster Dumbledore, this chair will remain vacant for the year."
Nods of understanding signaled the older witch to continue her speech
"As you all may know, several changes have been made due to recent events. First off, you may all notice that there may be less amounts of students than normal present today. To ensure the security of all of you, several precautions have been made. You have noticed that there are a few new faces present at this table. Along with the basic curriculum, you are all going to have additional training in Dueling. I have made up a group of specialized people to assist with this training. They consist of Charlie Weasley, Kingsly Shackebot, and Allastor Moody. We also have two new professors. Remus Lupin will be teaching Potions and Nymphadora Tonks will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts"
With this, Charlie, Kingsly, Moody, Lupin, and Tonks stood up. After they took their seats, McGonnagal continued speaking.
"I would also like to enforce the regulation that all students are to be back in their common rooms. This will especially be enforced by your Head Boy and Girl, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. "
Both Hermione and Ron stood, then they took their seats. Professor McGonnagal then continued speaking. Pretty soon she finished, and the sorting ceremony began. McGonnagal then said "Tuck in" and food appeared before the students. Soon all were digging into their food. Ginny suddenly felt queasey, as she stabbed the food that she normally enjoyed with her fork. Suddenly she dropped her fork on her place and rushed out of the Great Hall and straight to the restrooms. After throwing up what seemed to be a weeks worth of food, Ginny groaned and slid against the floor, resting her head against the cold toilet. She lifted her head as she heard the similar noise of someone throwing up next to her. recognizing the shoes, Ginny spoke.
"Hermione, I'm thinking I got whatever you have"
"Yeah, it could probably be a bug or something. Got any more of that sickness potion?"
"Yeah" Ginny then pulled out two identical vials of potion and passed one to Hermione and took her own. "We'll see Madam Pomfrey if this keeps up".
The two then cleaned themselved off and made their way back to the Great Hall. It appeared as dessert was just finishing (which was good because neither of them was particularly interested in eating dessert at that moment). Ron and Neville looked up at the two.
"You alright" asked Ron.
"Yeah, Hermione and I probably caught some sort of bug or something" replied Ginny.
As all the plates were being cleared, Hermione and Ron gave the prefects the sign to take their students to their dormatories. Pretty soon Ron, Hermione, and Ginny collapsed into a couch in the Gryffindor common room. After talking for a bit, everyone went to bed, and Ron and Hermione made their rounds, making sure students were obeying the curfew. After all seemed clear, they said their goodnights and headed to their beds.
While everyone lay sleeping in their beds, Ginny lay wide awake, clutching her locket in her hands, shedding silent tears for her beloved.
A/N: I am sooo sorry that it took me this long to update. like I said a lot of stuff has been happening all at once. I decided to have both Ginny and Hermione become pregnant in this story, as I am fond of both Ginny/Harry and Ron/Hermione pairings, and I want to satisfy both. I'm getting there slowly but surely. But I'll be sure to update at least once a week. But school starts in 2 weeks, so we'll see. Well please tell me if this chapter was good or not.