There For You
Author's Note: I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long after I'd said I'd be writing so much this summer. For the past six weeks I've had dance camp from 9-5 Monday thorugh Friday and after that I'm hanging out with my friends and my visiting relatives. I'm so sorry! I feel bad but I'm still working on chapters when I can. I know a lot of things happened in Half-Blood prince but I won't be including any of it in my story, as I already have plans made for the rest. Well, I hope the chapter is semi-interesting though I'm not terribly happy with it but it's time to update so here it is.
Chapter 31: Time with the TwinsHermione's first day back in lessons didn't make her quite as happy as she had thought it would. Though listening to lectures and receiving essays and other assignments made her excited, the walk between classes was more strenuous than she had anticipated. She was late to a few classes, and Snape wasn't as nice about it as Lupin was. Because Ron and Harry refused to let her be slow by herself, they were also late as a result. They couldn't have cared less about missing the first few minutes of a lesson, but it made Hermione feel guilty about them and ashamed with herself, as if she were less of a person and student because of it. These feelings caused her to snap frequently at Ron as he tried to reassure her, even make her go slower. He reminded her about the promise she had made to listen to him in regards to her health, but she dismissed it and continued to walk as quickly as possible.
On the way to Charms, Ron, fearing an outburst, tried to talk to her soothingly and respectfully as Harry walked quietly behind. He wasn't about to risk the wrath of Hermione. When Hermione realized she had to rest, she stopped, so Ron almost tripped in surprise, then he turned to look at her face, turning slightly red from trying not to cry as tears built up in her eyes.
"Hermione…" he sighed, trying not to smile at her silliness, and took her in his arms. If she had more energy, she would have pushed him away but instead she leaned her head against his chest, her arms hanging loosely by her sides.
"I'm too slow," she sniffled. Harry looked at them, curious what he should do. Ron nodded down the hall for Harry to continue on so he gave Ron a wave and left.
"It's all right, you're doing fine. We'll just stop a few minutes then go."
"But I've been late to almost every class and-"
"And the teachers understand. And Snape's just a greasy git. You still made the best potion in class. That makes up for being late. He didn't give you detention did he?" Hermione wiped a few stray tears off her cheeks and shook her head, finally wrapping her arms around Ron's waist. He squeezed her tighter in response. "And Harry and I don't mind detention. It'll probably take another week to get used to walking at normal speed, or your normal racing speed. Just give it time, all right? One step at a time. You're back in class at least." She nodded and looked up at him.
"How do I look? People appropriate?"
"Have I ever called you less than beautiful?" She smiled and kissed his cheek.
"I mean am I all puffy or are my eyes red?" He shook his head, wiped away a final tear and took her hand.
"Ready? Come on."
Ginny had made a full recovery from her bout of flu and looked forward to her talk with the twins the entire day, making paying attention difficult. She received several reprimands throughout the day for not knowing what was going on but she didn't care. Ron, Hermione, and Harry were all going to meet during dinner in the boys' dorm room to talk with the twins, where no one else would be around. Ginny was the first to arrive, but she waited outside the door to be safe. The other three came up soon after and locked themselves in the room, Harry waiting beside it in case anyone came up. Ginny was practically bouncing up and down on her feet waiting for Ron to call them. He pulled the box out from under his bed and pulled the lever out. Turning the lever once clockwise, twice counterclockwise, and three times clockwise, they all watched as the little dolls sat up, as if rising from the dead, after Ron pulled the lid up.
"Hello?" Ron said uncertainly.
"Hello!" Ginny called down to the dolls. Ron made a face and shushed her. She glared at him a second, then waited for an answer.
"Ron? Ginny?" the high-pitched voice of Fred said.
"Hi!" Ginny exclaimed excitedly.
"Hello, dear Ginny!" the twins said simultaneously. Ginny clapped her hands and smiled at Ron and Hermione, and Harry behind her. Harry grinned back. "How's it going Ginny? Are you feeling better?" George asked.
"Yes, I'm fine now! How are you two? How is the shop? And Mum and Dad? And everyone else?"
"Whoa, Gin, slow down. Who else is with you? Are Harry and Hermione there too?"
"Yes, they're all here! So-"
"Hey Harry," George interrupted her. "And Hermione, love, how are you feeling?" he asked in a squeakily suave voice.
"Love?" Ron said in a higher than normal voice as Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. Little George laughed devilishly.
"Just kidding, little bro. But really Hermione-"
"I'm all right, thanks," Hermione answered in a less than enthusiastic tone.
"Wonderful, wonderful. Well, we're fine and the shop is booming, of course. We're thinking of opening a second store."
"Really?" Ginny exclaimed. "That's great!"
"And Mum and Dad are all right and everything is fine. Having a good end of year? Nervous about finals coming up? Ron, Harry, Hermione, no O.W.L.s this year," Fred said.
"Yeah, but Hermione will be exhausting herself studying as usual," Ron said, teasingly. She pursed her lips at him.
"Well, don't worry too much, just everyone keep calm. We want everyone nice and healthy and relaxed when we see you."
"Are you coming over when we get to Grimmauld Place?" Ginny asked, making Harry's stomach fall as it always did when he heard that name.
"Well, we aren't staying there but we'll visit. We'll come over the first day you get there. Mum'll throw a little dinner, we're sure. You kids will have some catching up to do," George said.
"About what?" Hermione asked, suddenly very interested in what they said.
"Not much, don't get your knickers in a twist," Fred answered.
"There are a few things happening but nothing you need to know of right now," George continued. "Listen, we've got to go, I think I just heard the sound of a kid trying to steal something." Ginny's face fell dramatically.
"No, don't go yet," she said.
"Ah, Ginny, we've got to. We'll see you soon though. We'll be there with bells on when you come." She sighed and nodded.
"All right. Bring me a present?" she asked in a baby voice, smiling mischievously.
"What else would we do? Now go on, go eat something before dinner's over," Fred said.
"Hey," Ron said. "How do you know when something is stolen?"
"Ah, we've got Dumbledore to thank for this one," George said.
"They get shot back into the store, with red moustaches, beards, and hair, like what happened to us," Fred explained. They all laughed. "Well, we'll be going now. We love you all and can't wait to see you."
"Bye," Ginny said, sad again. "I love you both."
"Soon, dear Gin, soon," George, the smallest hint of sadness in his little voice.
"Bye guys," Ron said, with Hermione and Harry echoing a good-bye in the background.
"Bye!" they both shouted, then the dolls fell back in the box, where Ron put down the lid and folded in the lever. Harry unlocked the door and came to put an arm around Ginny, who had her arms crossed, a grimace on her face.
"That's a brilliant idea," Ron commented. "About the beards and stuff. Well, Dumbldore's brilliant idea."
"I want summer to come sooner," Ginny said softly. Harry squeezed her shoulder, thinking about the irony of her desire for summer and his dread of it.
It was with a great feeling of dread that Harry walked to Dumbledore's office for his first Occlumency lesson. He had done everything Dumbeldore had asked him to: clearing his mind randomly, finding History of Magic to be the best place to do this; clearing his mind before he slept, though he found this to be much more difficult than during class as his mind always produced thoughts as he drifted into sleep; and trying to stay in general health. His nightmares had been less frequent the past few days as Ginny and Hermione were out of the hospital wing and life felt slightly normal. Still, an hour or more with Dumbeldore, who was not his favorite person with the Malfoy situation, trying to block his probing would be hard and tiring. As before, Dumbledore was waiting for Harry outside his gargoyle.
"Good afternoon, Harry. How are you today?" Harry was pleased and also annoyed at the pleasant tone Dumbledore used because it made Harry unsure whether he wanted to see the Headmaster. His warm feelings were conflicting with his negative feelings, as if a tornado were developing internally.
"Hi. I'm fine."
"Please, come in. And also, I wanted to tell you my password so you can enter my office. It is 'Puking Pastilles.'" After he said this, Harry nodded, a slight smile on his face. The gargoyle opened and they stepped in. The headmaster had two chairs facing each other set in the room. They took the seats and Dumbledore asked, "Have you done as I asked you to this week?"
"Yeah. Er, sir."
"Good. We will be doing the same as you did with Professor Snape but slower. We will sit together and work up to standing. Of course, blocking your mind cannot be planned out to what position you are in but I feel you will learn faster in less strenuous circumstances. Though Professor Snape's method had merit, we will approach it differently." Harry simply nodded. He knew Dumbledore was being very kind to him and trying to make him feel comfortable but he certainly felt Snape's Occlumency methods had no merit whatsoever.
"Now, when I begin, you will see flashes of your memories. I want you to block me with your mind but if you cannot, you may use your wand." Harry pulled it out and held it ready. "I will begin on three…one, two, three, Legilimens." Harry saw the mound of gifts from Dudley's eleventh birthday…his letter of acceptance to Hogwarts lying on the Dursley's doormat…eating Chocolate Frogs with Ron on his first train ride to Hogwarts…Hermione in the Hospital Wing in second year…the Dementor Boggart with Lupin…Ginny lying on the floor in the Riddle House…Harry suddenly jumped up from the chair, a jinx flying from his wand, barely missing Dumbledore's ear. Harry looked down at Dumbledore in shock.
"It is all right, Harry. Sit down. You can calm a moment and we will go again." Harry, breathing rapidly, sat back down. His initial memories had been harmless then changed to difficult ones, and finally to a most painful thought: Ginny unconscious. Dumbledore continued to watch him.
"I know it is difficult to relive such moments but I must ask you to try harder to block me. I saw several more memories than I know you want me to. And I am not the danger to you. Voldemort could probe much farther into your brain…far enough to find the Prophecy I fear." This thought frightened Harry immensely and he took a final calming breath.
"I'll try harder, I swear."
"You are still farther advanced than most would be. The problem is, you know more than you can allow others to see." Harry nodded vigorously. Dumbledore was there to help him and Harry knew the importance of blocking his mind. "Are you ready? One, two, three, Legilimens." He was opening his broomstick from Sirius…he was watching the Quidditch World Cup with Ron and Hermione…he was dodging spells in the graveyard…Hermione collapsed in the Riddle House…
"NO!" Dumbledore came back into focus, a twinkle in his eye.
"Very good, Harry. We will only try once more then you may leave." Harry licked his lips uncomfortably. His nighmares, consisting of many of the images he was seeing, were bad enough without another seeing them. But images of his friends and loved ones…Ginny and Hermione…were terribly difficult to see in these circumstances. Harry wiped sweat from his face then relaxed back. He had almost fired off a spell before but he laid his wand on his lap, hoping to avoid using it at all.
"One, two, three, Legilimens." Ron was riding on the shoulders of ecstatic Quidditch fans after his win in fifth year…Ginny was kissing him, winding her fingers through his hair…Fred was puking spectacularly into a bucket in the common room then stuffing the antidote in his mouth…Ginny stared tiredly at him in the Hospital Wing…Harry shoved Dumbeldore out of his thoughts.
"Excellent, Harry. I see how some of the Weasley's items were developed." Harry was still sweating uncomfortably but he grinned. He also realized with with embarrassment that Dumbledore had just seen him snog Ginny and he shuddered. Dumbeldore was nice enough to pretend he hadn't. "Well, I think that is enough for now. Please come back next week, same time. Over the summer, I do not know when exactly we will meet but I will let you know soon. Have a good rest of your day."
"Thank you, sir."
"You did very well today, Harry. I was not really that concerned about your speed after your first try. I felt a little push might help though." Harry almost laughed. That was quite sneaky of Dumbledore.
"That's all right, Professor. The quicker I learn the better, eh?"
"Exactly. I will see you next week."
"Bye, sir." Harry left, weak but in a good mood. He had done well. He had only done it twice before his mind could block it. It was a very good start, much better than with stupid Snape.
The twins' birthday arrived and the four of them sent the twins a card. Ginny and Hermione had charmed the card to sing and light up with each person's message.
"And you have quite good experience with singing cards, don't you?" Harry teased Ginny. "Do you really think my 'eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad'?" Ginny blushed but smiled in amusement.
"More like fresh toad dung," she said.
"And how do you know what toad dung looks like?"
"I don't know; shall we ask Neville?"
"No, no, too strange of a question. It would likely frighten him."
To the group's surprise, a medium-sized gray owl with a bowtie around its neck arrived the evening of April first at the common room window. Hermione pulled the owl in curiously and took a small package off its leg. It hooted loudly and shot back out the window. Hermione sat at a table with the others and handed it to Ron and Ginny, who the package was addressed to. In a small note, the twins said that the owl belonged to them ("Hence the tie," Ron chuckled) and they wanted to wish them a very Happy Fred and George Day. Ron ripped open the wrapping paper on the package and took off the lid, causing it to shoot into the air where fireworks went off. Many fireworks went off for several minutes on the ceiling to the delight of the common room inhabitants and the four of them. When it was done, Ginny was smiling happily around. Everyone clapped as Professor McGonagall stalked into the room.
"What on earth is going on?" she exclaimed. All evidence of the fireworks had disappeared into thin air.
"Um…Fred and George Weasley sent Ron and Ginny a package, Professor," Hermione said tentatively. McGonagall crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.
"And I thought we'd been rid of them last year." She shook her head, where Harry noticed the tiniest of a twinkle in her eye, and she left the room.
"Those were brilliant," Seamus said, walking over to the group. "I miss your brothers around. Last year was great."
"We miss them too," Ginny said.
Author's Note: I know it wasn't the most thrilling chapter but it was about time I updated, huh? Sorry again for the lack of updates but I'll have another chapter out soon. Also, I'm thinking I'll have three more chapters in this fic then I'll be moving on to the next part of the series. Ok, bye!