Harry turned the letter over nervously in his hands. It didn't look like the same writing, and the seal was different, but he was still worried. Ginny peered at it from over his shoulder.
"It's different," she met his eyes momentarily, he knew she was scared as well. Harry nodded and ripped it open. Something thin rolled out from the paper. Ginny squealed with delight.
"Harry, it's my wand!" Ginny was cradling it as if it were a child. Harry cocked his head in confusion, he turned back to the parchment.
Harry sighed with relief. He should have known Hermione would send them a way out before class started. Even on her darkest days she wouldn't jeopardize her prefect duties.
"Are you sure that is really your wand?" He asked nervously, he didn't trust many these days.
"Yes you worry wart, I'd know it anywhere," Ginny skipped over to the door happily. "Alohamora!" she pointed her wand and the door clicked open. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Hermione had at least given them time to shower, if not to sleep. Harry looked down the dim hallways. It was early, much too early for anyone to be out but one never knew. He motioned to Ginny who followed him quietly. It was two staircases journey to the Gryffindor common room, and neither of them fancied a meeting.
"Do you think she'll be satisfied with this?" Harry whispered to Ginny as they passed the charms classroom. She shrugged.
"I don't know, but something tells me we haven't heard the end of…"Harry stopped her suddenly. His eyes were wide and his body suddenly stiff.
"Harry, what?"
"Hush!" he pushed her roughly behind the suit of armor in the stone alcove. "Be quiet," he hissed at her as she started to protest. Ginny winced at the sight in front of her. Snape was sweeping down the hallway a look of triumph on his face.
"Potter, out for a morning stroll?" he sneered at Harry.
"Yes actually, just enjoying the day, early to raise you know," Harry retorted in a cold voice. He knew there was no getting out of this one.
"Well, isn't that nice, unfortunately as you know, students aren't allowed out of their common rooms until five thirty," he smiled, "and alas, it is only five twenty-four, I'm afraid that will be…oh, twenty points from Gryffindor, and detention, not to mention the dress rules you are breaking, which will be another…oh let's say ten," Snape looked positively giddy.
"Yes sir Professor," Harry spoke with startling clarity, Ginny winced. It wasn't fair for him to take this; it was her fault in the first place. She started to move but Harry stepped on her foot lightly.
"Drop the act Potter," Snape bent over to stare at his eyes, "What are you doing, tell me and I might show pity."
"I just love to get the day started," Harry resisted the urge to step back from Snape, he refused to be intimidated, or at least to show it. Snape scowled and turned around.
"Get back to your dorm Potter, oh…and another ten points for your insolence," he continued down the steps. Harry sighed and stepped off of Ginny's foot, she rubbed it slightly.
"Sorry about that," he smiled weakly.
"Harry, that wasn't right and you know it! If anything you should have let me take the blame. Snape would have been more lenient on me than you," Ginny felt disgusted with herself. The whole plan had blown up in her face and she was embarrassed.
"Ginny, you know I'd never do that," they were walking again a bit slower now since they were nearly there. "It doesn't bother me, Merlin knows detention is like a second home, and I think Gryffindor is used to me loosing points now."
"But," she tried to protest.
"Just, let it alone," he rubbed his head wearily. Ginny felt a rush of annoyance, he wasn't even pretending to listen to her.
"It's not fair! Why do you always have to save everything?" Ginny said the words before realizing the impact they would have. She saw the change in his demeanor immediately. "Oh Harry, that's not what I meant," she pressed her hand to her forehead, she didn't think this night could get any worse, the pain in his eyes was strikingly clear. He looked as though someone had hit him in the stomach. Ginny couldn't stand that face, she had to do something. They had reached the portrait hole but before he could say the password she grabbed his hand and pulled him out of sight. Harry down on the stone bench in the alcove, Ginny sat by his feet.
"I just mean," he still wasn't looking at her and she was afraid she would start crying, "it always seems that you get the worst end of things. You deserve more than that, better than that…" she was grasping at words now, she couldn't seem to put into words how she felt, "I just…I want to make it better for you," she took his hands, and didn't know what else to say.
Harry swallowed hard; he was doing his best to keep a stone face. All his life he had been good at this. When Uncle Vernon had made fun of him, yelled at him, when Aunt Petunia had wished him dead, when Dudley had hit him, even when he saw Cedric….he had always kept his face. Why then was it so hard to do it now? Harry didn't understand, he had gone through all the things in his life, and very rarely gotten emotional in front of people, so why was it that every time he saw Ginny he felt like sobbing?
"I know," he said in barely a whisper, he didn't trust himself to say much else. He still had her hands, and he knew his were shaking with effort. She trusted him, he knew that. That night at the Burrow, she had trusted him enough to tell what she was feeling, to let him in, and he wanted to do that too, but he couldn't, he just couldn't. Every time he found someone, someone who really cared, all he did was put them in danger. Every time he was happy, something had to happen. He wanted more than anything a normal life, but he wasn't normal, and he never would be.
"Do you?" Ginny replied quickly. He was silent again. She couldn't tell if he was really listening. He was going into his own mind, and that was dangerous. She knew that look, that silence, it meant he was going through it again. The death and violence, he lived it all in his head, and always alone. "I don't think you do Harry," she swallowed the tears down again, this wasn't the time. He still wouldn't answer and Ginny felt a little annoyed despite herself. "Why do you push away? What good does it do to be alone?" she demanded a bit louder, it had to be said. Everyone had been worried about him lately, putting on a happy face after last year when he obviously was hurting. It wasn't healthy, and she was worried.
Harry snapped his head up, "What good? What good?" he shook his head and looked back down. She didn't know how could she? Ginny lived in another world, of family, and friends, and happy memories. She didn't even know what alone meant, and he hoped she never had to. "You're still alive aren't you?" he withdrew his hands from hers; he knew it was going to hurt. She wouldn't want to hear it, but it was for her own safety.
Ginny imagined her face at the moment was of absolute shock, "Haven't we been through this?" she couldn't believe what he was saying, "Don't you remember what I told you at the Burrow.."
"Yes, I do, but you don't understand Ginny. You can't. Everyone I love dies. Plain and simple, end of story."
"That's not true!"
"Oh really? Then why does my family tree look like a bloody stump?" he was almost yelling now. He was trying to protect them, to save them, and they had to make it so difficult.
"That's not your fault!"
"YES it is! You're not telling me anything new Ginny. 'It's not your fault Harry,'" he mimicked, "Yeah, right. I don't see Joe Nobody's loved ones blown to bits!" Harry stood up, a frazzled Ginny still sat on the floor watching him helplessly. "And you know the sad part! I don't care anymore!" he felt the first tear escape his eye, "I don't care! I don't want to save the world! I don't want to fight again! I don't want to live to see anyone else's blood! I just want it to be over, let Voldermort have this bloody hell if he wants it! It's not worth it. I just want to be alone!"
"I am so sick of you playing the martyr Harry!" Ginny stood now, she barely came to his chin but for some reason she felt much bigger. "This isn't about your destiny, this is about you! Yes, you have lost many that you love, and no one says you can't be hurt and angry!" Harry seemed to be done with the conversation he rolled his eyes and turned towards the portrait hole. "No sir!" Ginny grabbed his arm, he looked at her with a bit of shock "You can treat Ron and Hermione like this, you can push them off, and they'll let you, but I won't! I don't really care if you don't want me around. Damn it I have paid my dues as well! I've been there Harry. I was in the chamber, I was at the Ministry, I know, and I have tried to help. I want to help, and you can sulk off and roll your eyes all you wish, but I'm not going anywhere!"
Harry tried to pull his arm from her grasp, "let me go Ginny," his voice held an intensity she had never heard, not anger, but something worse, and awfully frightening. "No," she was determined not to let him revert to the way he was at the beginning of the summer.
Ginny knew that this argument was really shaking him, she could see the beginnings of tears in his eyes and she felt her heart breaking. She didn't want to be the cause of this, but she had to, it was better that he hated her then for him to keep all of this to himself. Harry took her arm suddenly, not roughly but very firmly he moved her to the bench and turned.
"Harry," he didn't turn, "please don't walk away from me," he stopped as though he was glued to the spot. Harry was feeling the worst pain he thought he ever could. The crucio curse had nothing on this. He was furious, at Ginny, at himself, at everyone. Harry took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. "Please…" her voice ripped through his ears. Harry struggled to find the will to stand, he just wanted to lie down and never get up, and he knew he couldn't hold back much longer. Finally Harry slid down the wall in defeat.
Ginny sighed and watched him sob. Surprisingly she felt no move to cry with him. She stood slowly, stepping gingerly to him. There was nothing she could say to make it better, there was nothing anyone could say. Ginny put her arms around him and pulled him close. She just wanted to be there, he needed someone to be there, no matter what he said. Ginny put her chin on the top of his head and didn't move. It was her time now, when she had needed a good cry he was there, and she would do the same, no matter how much it pained her not to say anything. This boy, the boy who lived, he'd been a 'hero' his entire life, and he was just worn out.
Harry sat with his head on Ginny's chest berating himself. How stupid to cry! What good would it do? What would it help? After a good five minutes of yelling in his head he forced himself to stop, but try as he might he couldn't force himself to move. This is what he wanted, this was all he wanted for the rest of his life. He couldn't forget her, even if he wanted to, and he knew it.
"Ginny, I'm sorry," he spoke suddenly making her jump a bit, Harry wondered if she had fallen asleep holding him.
"For what?" she stroked his hair lightly.
"For pushing you away. I just…don't think I could live if anything happened to you," he stopped breathing, there he had said it. He waited for a moment, but she didn't speak, oh Merlin! Was she thinking of a response not to hurt him?
Ginny felt an explosion of happiness in her head, she remembered suddenly she had to talk, "Well, now you know how I feel all the time," she bit her lip. Oh of all the bloody stupid things to say!
Harry sat up, his glasses were gone and everything was fuzzy, but he could see her face clearly. He knew he must look horrible, but for some reason he never worried about that with Ginny. She was smiling softly and brushed a stray tear from his cheek.
"What are you thinking Potter?" she asked after a moment of silence, propping her chin on her hand.
"I can't believe it took me five years to see you," Ginny's eyes widened a bit in surprise, "when you were right here all along."
Ginny laughed a bit nervously, he had to stop talking like that, or she was going to loose it. She pulled the stubborn lock of hair out of her face, she told herself she wasn't going to get emotional, but he kept looking at her. No, she thought stubbornly, no!
"Ginny."
"Hmm," she muttered fiddling with her loose ponytail.
"Look at me," there was a trace of amusement in his voice.
"No," she replied setting her chin squarely.
"Why?" there was defiantly a soft laugh in this one.
"Because," she sighed roughly, turning her face to the wall, "I'm not going to cry."
"Well," she felt his hands on her shoulders, "then I'm sorry," he turned her softly forcing her eyes to meet his, she knew they were full of tears, though she had tried to stop them. He was smiling again and shaking his head softly. Ginny swallowed a gasp as he brought her to him. She felt completely numb as he kissed her forehead softly, trailing down to her cheek. Ginny wanted so badly to move, to do something, but it was as if he had sucked the power out of her. Harry took her hand softly into his, she thought she was going to faint soon if she didn't breathe, but that was also beyond her control. Harry paused for a moment, he was terrified. He had no clue what he was doing, but it was coming to him as if by magic. He took a breath to calm his heart, and bent down to her lips. It felt as though he had found a new way to live as he held his lips against hers. He had never felt so….calm. The worries that he had possessed a moment before flew from him. Nothing was forced or awkward; it seemed as natural to him as walking. Harry was reluctant to pull away, though his aching lungs made it impossible to sustain the kiss any longer. He broke away, his eyes never leaving her face. Ginny was still numb, the whole thing had seemed like a movie to her. So many times she had seen this play through her head, she wasn't sure if she was actually awake. She felt his arms tighten around her, and she could breathe again. Ginny wanted to laugh, to scream, to do something to make sure she was awake. She looked at him, the boy she dreamed of, and it was real.
Harry smiled kindly at her, trying his best not to laugh.
"What?" Ginny swallowed, it wasn't a good sign to see him laughing after their kiss.
He wiped a small tear from her eye and laughed again, "Why are girls always crying when I do that?"
It took Ginny a moment to realize he was joking. She giggled quietly, laying her head against his chest. Harry wrapped his arms around her with a contented sigh. He had never felt so happy. Suddenly Ginny sat up and stared at him.
"What girls?"
Harry stumbled back into his dormitory around six. The room was quiet and Harry tip toed to his bead. He sat down gratefully and sighed, what a night. Suddenly Ron popped up from his bed with such force Harry yelped.
"Harry! I'm sorry!" Ron launched straight into an apology jumping the space between the beds. Harry was tired and Ron was speaking so fast that he was loosing most of his words. "…and she can be quite scary when she wants, you know that, not to mention that I'd made a complete fool of myself that day, so I did what she said, but it was awful, I'm a total git, I mean, telling you Hedwig was hurt was so bloody vile! No excuse, I mean, I didn't think that you two…"
"Ron!" Harry literally held up his hand, "It's alright mate, don't worry. Shouldn't I be apologizing to you anyway?"
"Really? I mean, I thought maybe you deserved a smack or two, but I felt so bad about telling you Hedwig was hurt, I'm sorry," Ron scrunched his nose with intensity.
"I know, trust me, it's in the past, I'm just glad you don't want to slug me," Harry smiled, he had been rather afraid that Ron would still be angry at him.
Ron had a bit of a smirk on his face now, "Well I know that it was her idea wasn't it?"
Harry wasn't sure what road to take, "Well…we both.."
"It was her idea," Ron shook his head, "Come on Harry, I know a Ginny plot when I see one."
"Well, maybe," Harry laughed, "She forced me along with it too."
"When did we become such pushovers for girls?" Ron said in a disgusted tone, Harry shrugged but smiled. He was busy pulling clothes from his trunk. He had little over an hour to get dressed before breakfast, he hadn't had time to unpack last night.
"Um, Harry…" Ron was looking at him shiftily now, oh no, he thought. "About girls…" Harry felt his throat close, had he seen them?
"Uh, yeah?" he pressed, seeing Ron's intense discomfort. Suddenly it dawned on him, "Oh…Ron…is this about….the train?" Harry swallowed a laugh as Ron's nose twitched.
"Well, kind of, I…well you know when we were locked in there, waiting for the two of you…well, I didn't know about the potion…"
"And?" Harry felt a little bit like torturing Ron this morning.
"I…well, I kind of asked her….something," Ron's voice was trailing off now and he was scratching his head uncomfortably. Harry wasn't ready to let him off the hook yet.
"Oh really," he pretended to be straightening his robes, "What about?"
"Well, I….don't want to upset you. I mean I don't want a girl to come between us, we're best mates."
Harry stopped suddenly, wait a minute. "Do you think I…like Hermione?" Harry asked incredulously, he didn't mean to sound so annoyed.
"Harry, I mean, I know, she's so great, but I really think that we could have something…"
"Ron! I don't like Hermione!" Harry sat down on the bed laughing. "For goodness sakes! Is this why it's taken you so long to do anything about this?"
"Well," Ron seemed completely relieved yet confused, "I thought, with all that Rita Seeker business," he stopped talking quickly, it was obvious he was embarrassed.
"So? Did you ask her out?" Harry practically screamed, by this time everyone in the dormitory was awake and grumbling about their loud talking. Only Seamus had escaped, rolling under his pillow and chucking a waste paper basket at them.
"What? No!" Ron looked as though Harry asked him if he was in love with Snape. "I…I asked her to go to Hogsmeade with me," Ron glowed with pride.
"Oh," Harry didn't think that was too forward, after he had just spent the most wonderful night of his life with the most wonderful girl in the world, but he was happy for Ron. It was a step forward after all. "Good job mate," he slapped his back before pulling on his shoes wearily, this was going to be a long day.
"So…you don't have a problem with it?" Ron was gathering his things to head for the shower.
"No! I've been waiting for this since fourth year!" he laughed and threw Ron's comb at him.
"Good! 'cause I need a favor."
"What?" Harry asked cautiously.
"I need you to keep Ginny away from Hermione that day," Harry coughed awkwardly at her name. He hadn't really had a chance to think much of the days ahead. Ron was so protective of his little sister, and the twins! He knew this was going to be a touchy subject with the Weasley brothers.
"Alright fine. I mean, for you, I will, for you!" Harry knocked his potions book off the table. Merlin he felt like Ron was going to see through him any minute.
"Thanks mate!" Ron smiled and started for the door.
"Hey Ron," Harry smirked, "Is that all that happened in that compartment?"
Ron smiled stupidly, "Ah, Harry, I don't not kiss and tell."
"Oh, Ron one more thing," Ron stopped and looked at him, "You know that thing you said, about girls not coming between us, well I agree," he swallowed hard.
"Good," Ron looked a little confused as he slipped out the door.
Ginny stumbled clumsily up the dormitory steps. She only winced slightly at her now bruised toe, the night was just too good to ruin. Ginny floated into her room and lay down on the bed. She knew she didn't have time to sleep but she still wanted a quiet moment to think. She had kissed him; or rather he had kissed her. Ginny played the scene over in her head, it had been….perfect. She twirled her hair absentmindedly around her finger, feeling her eyes close.
"You haven't time to sleep!" Hermione's voice rang clear from the door.
"Hermione!" Ginny bounded up and wrapped the girl in a hug. Hermione looked at her as if she had grown a second head.
"What is wrong with you?" she obviously expected Ginny to be distraught after her night on the tower. Ginny danced back to her bed, the other girls were already up doing their hair and make-up. "Ginny? Ginny? Did you or did you not just spend a night on the highest bloody tower?" Hermione snapped a bit annoyed, this wasn't suppose to be a happy day, she thought.
"Oh Hermione, I have had the best night of my life, and I have you to thank!" she hopped up and down on the bed unable to keep the happiness from bubbling over.
"Ginny…what in Merlin's name…" Hermione stopped suddenly, a slight smile washed over her face. "Did…"
Ginny giggled excitedly and Hermione gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. She jumped on Ginny bed forgetting she was supposed to be mad. "Tell me everything!"
Ginny ran through the fight on the tower quickly, and the owl they had gotten from her. She had to stop and laugh a few times as she described the scene in the hall, though she left out a few of the more intimate details, she didn't want to embarrass Harry. "And then he said, 'Why do girls always cry when I do that,'" Ginny frowned just a bit thinking about Cho. At least he had told her the truth when she asked. Hermione was listening with her head on her hands. "That is so romantic," she made a small moan in her throat.
"Hermione, you can't tell Ron!" Ginny fixed her most intense stare on Hermione. She looked a bit uncomfortable.
"Why, I mean, why can't you tell him?"
Ginny gaped at her, "Hermione have you met my brother?" she looked like she was going to protest for a moment, but nodded reluctantly.
"I still don't fancy lying to him Ginny," Hermione wasn't entirely convinced.
"You're not lying to him, just…don't tell him."
"Ginny!" she looked outraged, "You know very well…."
"Please, look, whatever this…thing, is with Harry, it's just started. We need some time to sort things out before we have to worry about Big Brother charging in to save the day," Ginny pleaded with her.
"Well, what do I tell him if he asks if you two are together?" she eyed Ginny shrewdly.
"You tell him you don't know," Ginny nodded her head matter-of-factly and reached for her bath towel.
"I already said I didn't want to lie."
"You won't be. I told you we kissed. I never told you if we were together," Ginny smiled at her and skipped out of the room before she could react.
Harry walked down the stairs with Ron slowly. He was chattering on about something and Harry was trying to stay awake. They sat down at the Gryffindor table and Ron immediately dived into his plate. Harry ate slowly watching for a red head to enter the room. He felt his stomach flip pleasantly, shouldn't that have happened before he kissed her? Hermione sat down suddenly beside Harry facing Ron. He hadn't thought about her until now, he wondered if she was still angry, but Hermione was giving him an odd look.
"Uh, morning Hermione…" he ran his tongue over teeth self-consciously.
"Good morning Harry!" Hermione was smiling very widely and Ron was looking at Harry in confusion. He looked at her again in horror. Ginny had told her! Oh no, Ron was going to murder him!
"What is up with you this morning?" Ron stared at her.
"Nothing! I'm just so….HAPPY!" Hermione grabbed Harry and hugged him through giggles. "To…uh, see him, well…after last night," she covered quickly. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, he should have known Hermione was smart enough to keep it quiet.
"Okay…" Ron went back to his pumpkin juice and potato cake. Harry tried to go back to eating, but he kept finding Hermione staring at him and smiling.
"Hey, where's Ginny?" Ron asked suddenly, Harry and Hermione both choked on their pumpkin juice.
"Ginny?" Harry's voice squeaked a bit, "I…don't know, do you Hermione?"
"Oh, yes," Hermione had started to read her book for Defense Against the Dark Arts casually, she glanced at Harry for a moment, "She was having breakfast with Dean, remember?"
"Git," Ron said automatically and Harry's eyes snapped over to search the tables. He spotted her almost immediately. She was sitting across from him stirring something into her tea. Harry felt a surge of jealousy; she was having breakfast with him? After last night? He suddenly lost his appetite. Hermione was watching him knowingly.
"She promised," Hermione whispered to him after Ron had started arguing with Seamus over something or other.
"Mail's here!" Ron laughed as hundreds of owls flew into the great hall. Packages of all shapes and sizes were dropped into the laps of forgetful students. It had taken three owls to bring Neville's parcels. Harry looked up for a white blur, but seeing nothing he turned once again to stare at Ginny, she was laughing, and Harry tore his eyes away. He ate in silence for a few minutes, refusing to let his eyes wander.
"Harry, we have to get to transfiguration, you know old McGonagall," Ron scooped up his books and Harry followed him from the hall. He tried to get a look at Ginny but the mass of people blocked her from view.
"I can't believe we're sixth years!" Hermione gushed as the walked, "It's so exciting!"
"Oh yeah, I'm all a-flutter!" Ron scoffed at her. Harry laughed, at least their bickering hadn't changed, for better or worse. Hermione ignored him and continued to tell them all about the new lessons. Harry was trying his best to listen until a hand pulled him behind a statue.
"Malfoy?" he was surprised, he hadn't seen him since the train ride. Malfoy looked much better than he had at the beginning of the summer.
"I think so," he laughed softly, "Look, have you gotten…anything?"
"No," the whole matter of the letters had completely flown from his head in the last few hours. "Have you?"
He shook his head, "Nope, I think it's over," Harry nodded. Physically Malfoy seemed back to his old self. He wasn't pale, well AS pale, and the dark circles were gone from under his eyes, but he still wasn't acting the same. "Alright, I'm off," he nodded to Harry and walked down the hallway slowly. Harry shook his head in disbelief. Not even a year ago Malfoy had threatened his life, and now they were having chats in the transfiguration hallway. He shrugged and ran to catch up with Hermione.
Ginny sat silently at the table with Dean. She hadn't said a word in half an hour, not that he noticed. Dean had told her about his summer, his classes, his new hair cut, his new robes, and his new owl. Ginny hadn't retained a word of it. Why in Merlin's name did I agree to this, she wondered. Just as she was feeling her eyes glaze over she felt Dean touch her hand.
"This was really fun Ginny, I miss talking to you."
Miss talking AT me she thought. "Yeah, thanks for inviting me," Ginny withdrew her hand as quickly as she could. "Well, got to be off, nice seeing you," Ginny jumped from the table and ran down to potions as quickly as she could. Ginny laughed at herself, she was actually running to potions.
"Hey Ginny," Colin Creevy waved at her from across the dungeon. She smiled and slipped into the chair next to him.
"Hey Colin, how was your summer?" she smiled at the slender blonde boy beside her. Ginny had been friends with Colin since her second year when she had pulled him out of the lake. He was a bit intense for his age, lately his passion had been divination, Colin was convinced he could predict the future.
"Wonderful and yours was good as well, I know!" Colin looked immensely proud of himself. Ginny laughed and set up her cauldron. Fifth year was supposed to be a horror. Ginny had always been in the top of her class and she intended to stay that way. Ginny looked with a sigh, she hated the dungeons. They were always terribly cold and the only entertainment was watching the spiders scuttle to and fro. They all chattered loudly until a bang announced the arrival of Professor Snape.
"Put your cauldrons away and take out your twelve inch quills," he muttered as the class gave a collective groan. Ginny dug into her bag and searched for her ink bottle.
"Is there a problem Miss Weasley?" Snape appeared in front of her. Ginny jumped slightly, no matter how many years she spent in Hogwarts he never failed to startle her.
"No sir," she pulled the bottle out and sat up straight. Snape's lip curled sarcastically but he turned and went back to the front.
"Styingster plant buds are used to activate a multitude of different healing potions…" Snape was off in one of his lectures and Ginny found it hard to concentrate. Besides the fact that she was exhausted her mind kept wandering, not to mention Collin was trying to guess the number she was thinking and wouldn't leave her alone. After the first part of her double potions pasted Ginny wondered if she could sleep with her eyes open, if it hadn't been for Collin she might have found out.
Four floors up Harry was having a similar battle with the sandman. Transfiguration had passed well enough; McGonagall had set them all to the task of controlling the rate of change in vegetables. It was a difficult lesson, though most of them had gotten it in the end, and Neville had only blown up two pumpkins, a personal record. Finally they had been dismissed and Harry was following Ron and Hermione with decreasing energy.
"Buck up mate, it's time for Care of Magical Creatures," Ron slapped him hard on the back.
"Oh Good, I haven't seen Hagrid in so long!" Hermione was practically skipping down the side walk. She was back in her element, Harry wondered suddenly what she was going to do after graduation.
"Who do we have it with this year?" Ron asked as they turned the corner, he groaned, "Slytherins."
Harry frowned slightly. He hoped this class wouldn't end with Hagrid having to run into the Dark forest. Hagrid appeared suddenly, tromping out from behind his hut, Harry groaned with everyone else as he saw the large dead…something….hanging over his shoulder.
"Welcome back everyone!" he boomed, "Nice ter' see ya all again, well follow me. Very excitin' lesson today," he beckoned them all over and they followed him wearily.
"Anything that is going to eat that…thing over his shoulder is not something I need to know how to care for," Ron whispered and Harry had to agree. Hagrid walked until they reached the edge of the lake, Harry's heart leapt. Maybe they were just going to see the squid, and he was harmless.
"Alrigh' stand back while I fetch 'em," Hagrid tore a strip from the thing over his shoulder and walked into the shallow end of the lake. He put his fingers to his lips and emitted a high squeal. Harry joined everyone in holding his ears. Suddenly out of the water came a small green bubble. It grew and grew until it was roughly the size of a Quaffle before splitting down the side. Harry wasn't sure if he wanted to see what was inside the thing, but when he looked only a little grey animal appeared. It was about the size of a squirrel with long, silky looking hair, and it appeared to be floating on the water.
"This is a yestnert," Hagrid gestured excitedly, "Does anyone know what they do?" To no one's surprise Hermione's hand popped up, "Yes Hermione?"
"Yestnerts are really rare. The ministry put them on the endangered list a few years ago. They're a parasite; they infect the blood of wizards and witches, and then feed on the magic until it's gone, before finding something else."
"Good job Hermione, five points ter' Gryffindor," Hagrid threw another piece of blood drenched meat to the thing. It looked harmless enough, but Harry didn't want to get near anything that wanted to feed on people.
"Say, what're they doing here? I mean, aren't they dangerous?" Seamus had backed away considerably when Hermione finished talking, "I mean, we swim in that lake!"
"Yeah ya' do, but these here yestnerts are water dwelling, they won't feed off a human unless starvin', and even then only pure blooded wizards," Hagrid threw another strip to the thing, which Harry suddenly noticed had rather long fangs.
"Well, most of these muds are safe," Goyle snickered and Harry saw Ron clench his fists, he opened his mouth. "Shut it," Harry gaped with surprise, this had come not from Ron, but from Malfoy. He was standing by the water's edge looking curiously at the thing. Goyle was surprised as well, in fact everyone in the class, including Hagrid seemed to be struck dumb.
"What's wrong with you?" Goyle said, though somewhat cautiously.
"Nothing, but what did I tell you," Malfoy turned his cold eyes on Goyle who laughed nervously.
"Alright, well….yeah, like I was sayin', yestnerts…"Hagrid tried to draw the class back to the lesson but it was a lost cause.
"What in bloody hell is going on with you this term?" Crabbe had joined in now, he was a bit smarter than Goyle, and apparently much braver.
Malfoy didn't answer but Harry felt a chill go through him all the same, he had never heard one of Malfoy's own speak to him with anything but a submissive tone. "Shhh..." he stared at Crabbe roughly and held his finger to his lips.
"I know what's wrong with him," Goyle snorted through his fat nose, "He's lost his spine, turned into a mud blood lover have we?" he laughed spitefully. "You would do well to remember your place Goyle," Malfoy stated calmly. Harry wasn't sure if he should do something, the tension in the air made it hard to breathe.
"Alright boys, that's enough!" Hagrid raised his voice a bit, something he rarely did.
"Guess it's not your fault, you had to spend all summer with the Weasels, bet you had fun huh? Especially with the little red one," Crabbe laughed and several other Slytherins joined in. It was almost a state of chaos now; Hermione was holding Ron and Harry felt a rage he had never known. He was talking about Ginny!
"Swengardium!" with one fluid movement Malfoy threw them both into the lake. Several girls screamed and Harry almost fell as the crowd of students surged backwards. More cries of alarm rose as Harry realized in horror, Malfoy was holding them underwater.
"Malfoy stop!" Hagrid grabbed his wand and flung him back. Crabbe and Goyle sprang up from the water gasping. He pulled them both up by the collar and threw them back on land, "You two off to the hospital ward, better let Madame Pomfrey check you for lake squts, make you sick they will, GO!" he bellowed as they tripped up the muddy bank. "And you! Get to Dumbledore's office! Bloody hell, you could have killed them Malfoy!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood in a tight group, Hermione clinging to Ron's shirt. Malfoy walked calmly away from the water edge. For some reason Harry found him more frightening now than ever before, and he hadn't said a word, he didn't even look angry. He walked past them giving Ron a long look, but saying nothing. Harry felt himself gasp after he passed, he didn't realize he had been holding his breath
Ginny sighed with relief as she climbed the dungeon steps. Thank goodness that's over! It was lunch and Ginny was starving, seeing as she hadn't eaten much at breakfast. She waved goodbye to Collin and started for the Great Hall. Before she could reach it she noticed a great number of people whispering in small groups, some looking at her. What now? Ginny was to the front entrance before she spotted Harry. She felt a smile wash over her like warm water.
"Hello..." she winked at him as she approached, but knew in an instant something was wrong. "What's going on?" she asked, the three of them were standing just outside the door, all wearing the same grim expression.
"Ginny, before you start hearing rumors, you need to know what really happened," Hermione guided her into the hall sitting down in their usual places. Ginny listened with growing apprehension.
"Oh no, Draco…" she whispered quietly when the story was done. She shook her head. She knew he had a temper but this was disturbing. Ginny hated the Slytherins as much as anyone but they didn't deserve that type of trauma.
"I can't believe it," Ron scoffed, "Malfoy, almost drowns his two best mates over…" he stopped, he didn't want to say it was over Ginny, though they all knew that it was.
"Where is he now?" she asked Hermione, Ginny felt awful. Harry took her hand under the table and she was glad to have his comfort.
"Sent to Dumbledore's office, do you think he'll be expelled?" Hermione choked on the word like it was the worst thing imaginable. Ginny had to laugh despite the situation.
"I don't know, if he is, it's his own fault. Loosing his temper like that, imagine," Ginny shook her head again, but her stomach was getting hard to ignore. She grabbed a kidney pie and ate it in three bites.
"Didn't eat much at breakfast?" Ron glared disapprovingly. Ginny sighed and decided not to take the bait. "Please Ron, let's have a nice lunch and not talk about…DEAN!" Ginny yelped in surprise as he appeared beside her.
"Hey Ginny," he smirked in his cool voice; Harry wished he could bash his face in. "Wondering if you would like to join me for lunch?"
"Ah well, thank you Dean, but I need to talk with…Hermione….about….homework," Ginny had blanked suddenly, she wasn't a good liar.
"Alright, well tomorrow then," he winked at her and waltzed off. Ginny banged her head on the table. Hermione couldn't suppress the giggles.
"Ginny, I think you have a fan club!"
"Try a stalker!" Ginny sighed in exasperation, "I swear he's like a male version of Luna Lovegood," Ginny made the talking motion with her hand. Harry laughed, partially in relief, of course she didn't like him, he had to stop being such a jealous git.
"Come on Gin, Luna has much better features," Harry sipped his pumpkin juice and Ginny kicked him under the table.
"OW!"
When Harry, Ron, and Hermione arrived at Defense against the Dark Arts there was a sign on the door saying the class was cancelled. Hermione was crushed but Harry would have danced for joy if he hadn't been so tired. The two boys dragged Hermione up to the common room as she grumbled.
"I really wanted to meet Professor Silverstalk!" Hermione sat down in an armchair and sulked like a small girl who didn't get any sweets.
"Hermione please! We'll be meeting him all term!" Ron was sprawled out on the floor beside her trying to find a cool place in the stuffy room. Harry sat down on the sofa and immediately felt like sleeping.
"Oh Harry, do you want to start on that transfiguration essay with me and Ron tonight?" Hermione asked hopefully.
"Can't I have detention," he remembered suddenly.
"On the second night back?" Ron asked incredulously, "Wow mate, that's got to be a record!"
"It gets worse," he responded drearily, "It's with Snape," Harry made a gagging noise and lay down again. "Wake me up before divination Ron," he yawned and was asleep in an instant.
Harry was woken suddenly with a start, the common room was quiet. Ron was asleep on the floor and Hermione in the chair. Ginny stood over him with an amused look. "How come you get a nap and I don't?"
"Join me," Harry patted the couch suggestively and Ginny scoffed at him.
"Oh yeah, Ron would love to wake up to that."
"Why aren't you in class?" Harry asked with a yawn.
"Collin accidentally spilt green nedwit acid all over the greenhouse, so we got out twenty minutes early," Ginny pulled at his hand, "Come on," she said impatiently.
"I'm tired," Harry smiled and closed his eyes, ignoring her protests.
"Fine, I'll go to MY dormitory…alone."
Harry's eyes snapped open, "Wait…I'm up, I'm up."
He followed her quietly, making sure Ron and Hermione were still asleep, and crept up the stairs. Harry peeked around the door to the boy's dormitory stealthily.
"Oh move," Ginny pushed him out of the way, making a beeline for his bed and falling down on it. Harry laughed and jumped on after her closing the curtains.
"Get off my bed Potter," Ginny yawned and fluffed the pillow.
"Hang on, it seems to me that this is my bed," he gaped in mock disbelief. "In fact, I don't think you should be up here at all. Boys you know, we're not trustworthy…HERMIONE!" Harry called loudly making Ginny clamp her hand over his mouth.
"Oh hush! We'd never hear the end of it," she hissed at him. Harry took her hand away from his mouth and traced her fingers absent mindedly.
"Missed you at breakfast this morning."
"Oh, please never mention that meal to me again," Ginny rolled her eyes.
Harry smiled, "So, no reunion for the former lovebirds in the future?"
"I didn't say that."
"Weasley!" Harry threw her hand down. Ginny laughed and rolled over on her side. She laid her head on Harry's chest and he put his arm around her. He knew he had to be careful not to fall asleep. Not only would he miss class, but he would be murdered by a tall, angry red head. Harry ran his fingers through her hair. He smiled fondly, remembering the first night he came to the Burrow, and how her hair had smelled like strawberry.
"What are you doing?" Ginny asked without moving.
"You remind me of a strawberry," Harry answered happily.
"I'm not sure how to take that comment," Ginny sat up on her elbows and looked at him confusedly. He laughed softly at her.
"Your hair, it smells of strawberry, and well, if you haven't noticed, it's red."
"Ah yes, I seem to remember noticing that one day," she smiled and Harry noticed that her lip curled more on the left than the right. He traced her lips fondly. How strange it seemed not to be embarrassed by this. Usually Harry blushed when Hermione even hugged him, but not with Ginny.
Ginny was amazed at herself. Her stomach seemed to be in a perpetual knot when she saw him, or thought about him, or heard his voice.
"We have ten minutes until we need to wake them," Ginny noticed the time on the watch she had given him for his birthday.
"Oh, well, what can we do for ten minutes?" he sat up, reaching around her waist.
"Wizard chess?" Ginny smiled innocently.
"Maybe later," Harry laughed and pulled her to him. The same thrill met him as before. He had it every time he saw her, but when he kissed her it seemed it was magnified a few hundred times. He couldn't believe that they had only been 'together' since that morning, but then again that wasn't true. Harry had been in love with her for a long time. He though back now to the almost-almost-kiss, and the night at the Burrow. Merlin why did he waste so much time? Ginny was the first to pull away after a good ten minutes of snogging.
"Time to go," she patted his head and stretched.
"No…five more minutes," he grabbed for her again, but she was too quick for him.
"Nope, I have Charms next, and O.W.L.'s are coming for me," she kissed the top of his head quickly and pulled him up.
"You spend too much time with Hermione!" Ginny threw a pillow at him in retaliation.
The rest of the day passed quietly for Harry. His death was predicted, as usual, in divination, but he didn't care anymore. He really didn't even have to take the class after Christmas so Harry didn't worry. Dinner was more interesting than usual. Dean came to their table three times and even Harry was laughing hysterically by the end.
"It's not funny!" Ginny hissed at them.
After dinner Harry felt like he wasn't going to be able to go another step. He still had detention with Snape and he was seriously worried he would pass out.
"Have a good detention Harry," Ron called as he prepared to leave the common room, "Do get some sleep, I forgot to tell you, but we have Quiddich tryouts in the morning, night!" Ron called cheerily and Harry wished he knew the pimple curse. Ginny grabbed him outside the portrait hole.
"Be good! No mouthing off to him, or you'll be in detention until next year," she kissed him softly, "now…have fun," Harry groaned slightly but he decided he would forgive her.
Harry trudged down to the dungeons. It was going to be a late night, no doubt he would have to scrape mold off the walls, or wash sap from the cauldrons. When he reached the dungeon doors he entered with a heavy sigh. Snape sat at his desk, quill scratching across parchment. Malfoy sat slightly behind him, reading something from a book. Snape looked up suddenly, and started hastily shoving things into drawers.
"Potter, you're almost late, but what else is new," he snorted and stood quickly still slamming things shut. "Draco will be joining you tonight, I want every potion sample flask to be clean and stripped," he pointed to long shelves lining the walls, filled with glass bottles. "I want it done correctly or you won't leave," Snape smiled coldly and swept past him. "Silence…is not optional," Snape closed the door hard and Harry sighed. This was going to take all night. Malfoy stood slowly, replacing the book on the dusty shelf.
"Uh, hey," Harry didn't know how to act around him. He had almost drowned two people, but he had been defending Ginny, it was all very confusing.
Malfoy nodded at him and summoned a barrel of wash rags. Harry started towards the long walls of glass. As he walked by Snape's desk he stopped cold.
"What is it?" Malfoy walked towards him.
In the lowest drawer, crushed crudely in with a jumble of paper was a large piece of parchment, dark red wax clinging to it.
A/N- Yay! You all got you kiss, and then some! I know to some of you it might seem a little sudden, but hey, they've been working for this for eleven chapters! Interesting bit with Malfoy huh? Well anyway, I just want you all to know that I am in the process of moving, so if updates stop for a few days, don't worry! I will not rest until this story is completed. Next chapter- the detention, a big lie, and Harry's least favorite Holiday! Review please! I love it when you guys tell me what you liked, or didn't, as long as you care enough to type! Thank you! Love to everyone.