Ginny listened to him speak in a daze. None of this was making any sense. Draco was gone. Just gone? Vanished, it was impossible! "What did it say?" she forced her voice to work. Everyone was silent; she looked to Hermione who was refusing to meet her gaze. "What?" she demanded a bit more intently.
"It said, 'the followers have been freed, this is the beginning,'" Harry stopped talking and ran a hand through his hair. Why was it that every time something bad happened he was the one who had to tell Ginny? He held her hand tightly, waiting for her to say something. Suddenly without warning Ginny flew from the couch to the portrait hole. Ron gave a startled yelp as she went. Harry was a bit shocked but Hermione was quick to her feet and pulling them both. "Oh for heavens sake come on! We have to catch her!"
The three chased the red headed blur down the stairs and into the great hall. "Ginny wait, stop!" Ron tried desperately to catch her but Ginny had always been quicker than him. Harry sprinted right behind him pulling Hermione. Ginny rounded the stairs and continued her flight to the dungeons. She was dreaming, she was dreaming, she would go down to the dungeons and he would be there, waiting with a sarcastic comment as usual. Ginny stumbled slightly over the loose stone in the cold passage; as she narrowly dodged Ron's hand. They aren't there, this is a dream she pleaded with herself, shutting her eyes for a moment. Ginny whipped around another corner and stopped. Ron slid into her with a heavy grunt and fell face first, followed closely by Harry and Hermione. Ginny searched the hall frantically. Something, there had to be something! Anything to show he was alright!
Harry pulled himself from the floor as quickly as he could, which was no small feat considering Hermione had fallen on top of him. He reached Ginny just in time to catch her as she sank to the ground. "Nothing, there's nothing…" she whispered to herself. Harry held her up as best he could. Ron helped him as soon as he could get himself off the floor. Ginny was silent now. Harry didn't know what to do. He considered for a moment taking her to Dumbledore, but he thought better of it. Dumbledore wouldn't have time right now, not with everything that had been happening. Harry and Ron started to carry Ginny back up the stairs. Hermione bit her lip in worry, Ginny seemed completely out of it. They were halfway to the tower when her eyes snapped open. She grabbed Harry's shirt front, "Harry the mirror!"
It took him a moment to understand what she meant. His eyes widened in understanding, "Do you think he had it with him?"
"It's our only chance," Ginny raced ahead of them to the tower. Please, please, she pleaded in her head. Hermione followed her into the girl's dormitory. Ginny ripped her trunk open throwing clothes out, she had hidden the mirror for fear that someone would steal it. She found it and ran back down the stairs. "Here," she fell on her knees beside Harry, looking into the mirror's smooth surface. "Draco?" she whispered, swallowing a lump in her throat. "Draco Malfoy," she called a bit louder. Ginny's hands trembled, it was such a long shot, but she had to try. "Answer me!" she shouted at the small mirror. Harry jumped in surprise when the small glass glowed and emitted a loud crack. Ginny dropped it in alarm, but snatched it up again quickly. The glass was black, "What is it?" Ginny asked Harry who shrugged. "I never used it before," he mumbled, Ginny noticed with a bit of a sad expression. "Draco?" she said again, shaking the mirror helplessly. Ron and Hermione had their heads over Ginny's shoulder in an attempt to see. Harry noticed with grim humor that Ron was blushing at being so close to her. Ginny choked back a sob. Suddenly the glass glowed slightly again. Ginny grabbed Harry's hand. A faint light was coming from it. Ginny watched as something white flashed across the glass and a room came into view. It was impossible to make out anything in the dark room apart from a very small fire in a very small hearth. She searched the picture. There was something lining the walls, but she couldn't for the life of her see what it was. Ginny wrinkled her brow in confusion. "What…what is it?"
Harry stared at the familiar scene in front of him, "I know where that is," he turned his eyes to Ron and Hermione, who had similar looks of fear. "We have to get to Dumbledore," he jumped from the floor towards the door. Ginny ran after him, "Harry what? Do you know where he is?" Ginny gasped hopefully. Harry looked at Hermione again, who shook her head with a tear. "That's the Shrieking Shack," he sighed heavily as he left the common room.
Harry lay awake in his bed. He glanced at his watch on the nightstand, 4:36 a.m. He sighed and rolled over in his bed. He hadn't slept at all tonight. After he had seen that horrible place in the glass he couldn't close his eyes without being there, without seeing….things….people. Harry shut his eyes as he felt familiar guilt well in his throat. When he had realized what he was seeing Harry had gone straight to Dumbledore, who, to his surprise, had sent him back to the tower instantly. Harry hadn't gone back though. He went to the room of requirement instead. He needed a place to sleep tonight that wasn't the tower. He didn't want to explain everything to everyone, he didn't want to have to tell Ron he was alright, or tell Hermione to stop worrying, he just wanted peace. Not that he could have it. Just when he was beginning to feel a bit of normalcy return to him this had happened. Malfoy was gone, gone. Possibly he was being held at the shack, possibly he was already…. Harry stopped thinking. Despite the past he didn't want Malfoy dead. He didn't want anyone dead, except one person, no not a person…one thing. He rubbed his head lightly, Harry felt like a truck had hit him. What was going to happen now? The followers were freed, that meant that Azkaban was empty. Every death eater alive was out, and he was enemy number one. Harry swallowed hard, the lump in his throat was killing him, but it was odd, he didn't want to cry. He hadn't cried in a long time, and he was beginning to wonder if he still knew how. Just as Harry felt like he was going to suffocate he heard the door open. Harry jumped up in the bed, a shriveled Ginny watched him from the doorway. "Are you alright?" Harry pushed the heavy quilt back, Ginny nodded quickly. "I was more worried about you," she took a step towards him. Ginny wasn't sure if he wanted her there. She had been looking for him for hours. She had searched almost everywhere in the castle before she thought about the Room of Requirement. She scoffed a bit at herself. She was thinking back to the beginning of the summer, that night when he had helped her with the dishes. She had been thrilled just to have him talk to her, and now…, that night seemed so far away. "I just wanted…" he searched for something to say that didn't sound horrible. "To be alone?" she finished his sentence for him. He hadn't wanted to say it to her. "It's alright, I understand," Ginny rubbed her arms; she felt a bit like an ice cube, The nights were beginning to get chilly, Christmas would be there soon.
"It's my fault," Ginny sat on the edge of the bed without looking at him. She laughed in an ironic sort of way, "I haven't been very good to you Harry." He felt his face twitch, "What are you talking about Gin, you're great." She shook her head, "No, ever since….well, ever since this all began with Draco…" she sighed heavily. "I've been so concerned with him that I…I forgot to see you. All you've ever done is save me, save all of us…and, I was so concerned with being a hero to him that I didn't see you needed one too." Harry wasn't sure what to say to her. It was true lately that it seemed everything had been ripping them apart, and he felt powerless to stop it. "I know that you just wanted to help him Ginny, there's nothing wrong with that," Harry put his arm around her shoulder. "But there is," she broke in, "I want to help you more."
Harry hugged her tightly. He knew that Ron would absolutely slaughter him if he knew that he was alone with Ginny at night in a secret bedroom. For some reason Harry felt a weight lift from his chest, as if he had been worrying about everything she had just said without even knowing it. "Ginny, don't worry, you always want to help, you're the only person I know who voluntarily joined S.P.E.W.," Ginny laughed lightly, "Well you are, and that's one of the reasons I love you," Harry realized what he had said the moment the words left his mouth. He felt Ginny tighten slightly and his throat closed. It was true that he loved her, he had loved her for a long time, but he had never told her, not directly to her alone. Ginny's mind raced. She remembered the day when they had told Ron that Harry had said he was in love with her, but she had decided that was only because he was tying not to make Ron angry and she had never mentioned it. Ginny felt her face go red as she forced herself to look at him, "I love you Harry, I would die for you, and I want you to know that."
"You won't have to, I want you to know that," he kissed her forehead lightly. Ginny curled against his chest silently. There seemed to be a sleepy comfort in the room. For once Ginny didn't feel like she had to say anything. The attacks, the disappearances, for now they didn't matter. Ginny lay quietly as she heard rain start outside the window, and she didn't care. Harry listened to her steady breathing as he watched the rain fall in gallons from the sky. He tightened his arms around her, they were safe inside, and that was all that mattered. Harry knew that this was the only thing he was living for, to make sure she was safe when the storms came.
Ginny slept fitfully that night. Partly in worry, partly because she wanted to stay awake and be with Harry, and because she knew they had to get back to the tower before everyone woke up. Ginny didn't know exactly what had happened last night, Harry hadn't offered to tell her about his meeting with Dumbledore and she wasn't about to ask. As she watched the sky glow through the rain Ginny's mind drifted back to the end of the summer. One of the nights when she and Draco had been making the potion the conversation had turned, naturally, to Harry. In those days Ginny had been very reluctant to talk about her feelings, especially to Draco.
"So, you're in love with him right?" he had asked smugly, as though he had figured out a great secret.
"What? No! We're friends….." Ginny had protested quickly, with a jump in her stomach.
"Uh huh, and my father's going to join Dumbledore's army," he had scoffed at her. Ginny had always let her curiosity get the best of her, and she had leapt at the chance to ask questions.
"Is he…is he…really that dangerous?" Ginny had asked carefully, she didn't want to upset him. To her surprise he had laughed openly, it was one of the few times she had ever heard him laugh without a sarcastic edge.
"I would say so," Draco pulled the neck of his cloak down slightly, revealing a hideous jagged scar that cut across his collar bone. Ginny had gasped involuntarily.
"He did that?"
"With a piece of glass, when I was nine I used to want to play in his dungeons. One day I broke a flask of Martenmyer potion that he had been working on for weeks….guess I had it coming…."
Ginny was appalled, "What? You had it what? Draco are you insane? No one, NO ONE, ever "has it coming," especially if it was an accident!"
Draco had merely shrugged. It was then when Ginny had begun to realize the actual extent of his life. She doubted he had ever had a simple carefree day of childhood. Now as she lay beside Harry and listened to his steady breath her heart bled for him. All the wonderful memories she had with her family, he would never know anything like that. Ginny glanced at Harry's watch, it was almost seven, and time for them to leave. She stopped for a moment to admire his sleeping face. Sleep was the only time he looked peaceful, the only time he didn't look tormented by some inner demon…or outer one.
"Wake up sleeping beauty," she kissed his forehead lightly. Harry's lips curled into a smile, "I wasn't asleep," he looked up and laughed at her roll of the eyes.
"Time already?" he yawned and stretched his arms above his head. Ginny took the opportunity to lean against his chest. "Yes, unless we want to endure the wrath of Ronald."
"Merlin no," Harry yawned again and rubbed her back. "Ginny…" his tone turned a degree darker.
"Yeah?"
"When we go back, well….we may find something out…and…"
Ginny cut him off, "I know…and it's scaring me," she swallowed. Ginny met his concerned eyes and for the briefest of moments she was a first year, trapped in the chamber, with her hero standing over her, "We'll get through it."
Harry squeezed her hand and pulled her, protesting, out of bed.
When they returned to the common room Harry was alarmed to see everyone already up and going. He spotted Ron in the corner and walked to him cautiously. "Morning mate," his voice squeaked. Ron gave him a bit of an odd look but nodded friendly, "Morning."
Hermione bounced down the stairs moments later to the three of them, she looked in very good humor but the tired look in her eyes gave her away, "Morning," she called to them, as they grumbled hello. Hermione snickered, "have a GOOD night then," Ginny gave her a death look and Harry buried his face in the pillow. Hermione giggled in triumph and lumbered towards the portrait. Harry watched her go with a head shake, she was never going to let him forget about that train ride….
As the four walked down to the great hall Harry spotted Professor McGonagall coming swiftly towards them. Ginny felt her throat close and Harry grabbed her hand quickly. The normally tidy professor looked as though she had had a long night. "Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley, may I speak to you?" Ginny was frozen to the spot, but Harry, with Ron's help, moved her into a nearby classroom. Professor McGonagall closed the door swiftly and turned to them.
"They have been found," Ginny fell on top of the nearest desk. "I might as well tell you, since it will be in all of the papers. There was quite a large scene last night. Professor Silverstalk as well as Mr. Malfoy and several others were being held in the "shrieking shack" as you all call it," Professor McGonagall smoothed her graying hair. "They were both very badly injured, perhaps beyond complete rehabilitation….and….I'm afraid other members of the order have been lost."
Harry stood quickly, not Lupin! "Who?" he breathed.
"Well, I'm sorry to bring bad tidings but….one of our most dedicated members, Ms. Nymphadora Tonks," Harry watched sadly as Ron cradled a tearful Hermione. "She died in honor; her last action was to send Professor Silverstalk back with a portkey. Without her, the mission would have failed," Professor McGonagall cleared her throat noisily.
Ginny jumped in, "When you said 'beyond rehabilitation,' what did you mean?"
"Well, there was evidence that the crucio curse was used more than once on the hostages, and sometimes…"she sighed heavily, "it can be quite hard to cope with the effects."
Ginny shook her head softly, poor Tonks. She thought fondly of the slightly clumsy witch who had transfigured her nose to get a laugh. Harry rubbed her shoulders in comfort, Ginny felt guilty. She should be comforting him, this was yet another death to add to the very long list that he was forced to keep.
"Can we see them?" Ginny was surprised to hear Harry ask. Professor McGonagall shook her head, "They are currently at St. Mungo's, and we hope to have them with us again by the holidays. Well, I've kept you from your classes long enough," she turned to leave, "Oh, and…" the harsh witch's expression softened slightly, "congratulations children, you have saved many lives these past hours…..ninety points to Gryffindor," Professor McGonagall straightened her hair awkwardly and left.
Ron snorted softly, "Well, I think that "gushy" display of affection almost killed her," Hermione snorted through a few stray tears. Ginny sighed and took Harry's hand. The first barrier had been crossed, but they were by no means out of the woods.
Three weeks later and Ginny was in a frenzy. With the events of the past weeks she had been neglecting her studies, and she was finding her O.W.L.'s quickly approaching, not to mention the still looming Quiddich season. The Gryffindor team had been doing fantastically with Ron's dictatorial coaching style. They were undefeated going into the second to last game and Ginny had to admit that Ron had been doing a wonderful, if not obsessive, job. Between charms and practice Ginny felt like applying for a time turner. As the weekend dawned Ginny let herself breathe again, today was Friday and she was determined not to work after that night. One day off was alright, she would allow herself that.
"Hey," Harry sat down on the couch across from her. Ginny gave a weary smile, "Hello stranger," she felt as though she had been in isolation for days. In the back of her mind the worry over Draco nagged, but she kept pushing it further down. When she had question McGonagall about them she had been brushed off, and Professor Dumbledore hadn't been seen since the night of the attacks.
"Yes, we have been a bit busy haven't we?" Harry kissed her quickly before pulling out a long roll of parchment.
"Just a bit," Ginny snorted at him, busy was an understatement if she had ever heard one. Harry laughed at her tone, "Well, I hope you're not too busy for a surprise," he smirked at her coyly. Ginny's eyebrows shot up. In the past six years she had had to grow up quickly, but she still loved surprises. "Of course not! What is it?" Ginny jumped the gap to the couch.
Harry laughed again, "Well I can't tell you or it's not a surprise is it?" Ginny was preparing herself for a war when Ron came in. Harry gave the be quiet motion and Ginny hushed reluctantly.
"Have either of you seen my potions book?" Ron ran franticly around the room. Ginny was surprised, she had never seen him so worked up over school before. She shook her head as did Harry and Ron screamed in frustration before jetting out of the room again.
"Well, I'm glad to see him take an interest in his work," Ginny nodded in satisfaction. Harry laughed at her, "Don't be so sure, I happen to know for a fact that all his "thoughts" on a certain witch are doodled all over that book," Harry laughed coldly. "Mean," Ginny hissed at him as she hit him with a pillow. Her mind jumped quickly, "Oh yes, my surprise…..tell me," she raised the pillow again. Harry jumped to his feet and perched on the boy's steps. "Oh no, you can't know now," he dodged her attack easily, "Meet me tonight in here, around twelve," he kissed her cheek lightly as she scowled at him. "Harry Potter, you tell me right now or…"
"Hey? Aren't you late for divination?"
Ginny was running for the door before he finished his sentence.
"Don't look at me, I don't know what he's doing," Ron swallowed his pie quickly. Ginny watched him coolly from across the table, "It's alright Ron I know that you're not supposed to tell me," Ginny patted his hand softly and picked up her fork. Ron breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank Merlin, I thought you were going to try and force it out of me," he reached for another pie. Ginny chuckled, "Oh goodness no. Why I'm sure that Harry has told Hermione to keep you in a strict line…" Hermione was listening over her book and nodding slightly. "Right…hey!" Ron turned to her sharply. "Strict line? What? You two don't trust me with this kind of thing?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Come on Ron, we all know you tend to let things….slip," Hermione shut her book sharply. "Slip? I keep plenty of secrets!" Ron sounded hurt. "Oh really? Name one," Hermione crossed her arms in satisfaction. "Well….I mean, I could have kept this, if you lot had even bothered to tell me what was going on! I mean, I've helped as much as you, why should you get all of the information!" Ginny could see the slight tones of anger rise in his voice. "As much as me? I think not, I've…" Hermione was out of her chair now, leaning towards him and pointing her finger. "I have so! Who bought all the things and had them sent? Who made all the arrangements? Who made sure the transfiguration room was cleared? Who found…." Ron and Hermione were yelling openly now, both overlapping each other's sentences. Ginny slipped quietly away with a smile. She had gotten what she needed. Ginny ran swiftly down the third floor corridor to the transfiguration room.
Ginny stood on the other side of the large oak door and pressed her ear against the wood. It was completely silent. She slid the handle open as quietly as she could and looked inside. It was completely empty. Ginny looked behind the door and under the row of tables. She was just about to leave when she felt someone grab her. Ginny's yell was muffled as she fought to get away from the strong grip. She heard loud laughter as she turned to face Harry, who looked as though he had just won a medal. "Harry James Potter! You scared me to death! I should never speak to you…"
"Oh hush, you deserved it," Harry was still smiling at her. "I knew you would weasel something out of Ron, so I made sure he didn't know anything that was true." Harry looked extremely proud of himself. "Come on, it's time to go," he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the stairs.
After a few minutes Ginny knew where they were heading. It had been quite a scandal when Dumbledore had gotten a centaur to teach them divination, but everyone at Hogwarts knew he was wonderful, and he had the best room in the castle. Harry opened the divination room door quietly and pushed her inside. Ginny was the slightest bit put out at all the pushing and pulling he had done to her but she forgot about her hard feeling once she was inside. The room, which seemed as though you were in the middle of the forest, still had its enchanted midnight sky. A cloudy moon hovered in the corner and the effect was breathtaking. The room had everything a forest would, complete with a small stream which ran across the north side and a multitude of dainty spiders who had strung beautiful webs through the trees. Ginny stood looking at the room until she was shaken back by Harry.
"Come on, you act like you've never been in here before," he winked at her sarcastically and pulled her behind him towards the back of the room. Ginny laughed openly at the scene in front of her. In a low tree was a very nice, albeit small, tree house. She turned a wondrous eye to Harry who again looked very proud. "I suppose this is your doing?"
"You suppose right. Ron told me that the thing you loved most when you were little was a tiny tree house behind the burrow. He told me the twins…uh, "used" it, and I thought maybe you needed another one, if only for the night." Ginny gave him a kiss before skipping quickly to the house. Harry followed, helping her, needlessly, up the small tree. Ginny scoffed at him, she could probably climb anything faster than he could, but she allowed him the fantasy. Inside Ginny stopped short. The house was obviously enchanted. She ran her fingers over the familiar things, it looked exactly like her kitchen in the burrow. "How did you do this?" she asked him in amazement.
"Well, it's amazing the spells you can find, when Hermione looks hard enough," Harry laughed. "I knew that you were missing home Gin, so I decided to bring it to you. It took a whole lot of work, especially for your family and Hermione, but I thought that you deserved it. Happy Birthday," he hugged her quickly before sitting her on the table. Ginny shook her head. Her birthday wasn't for another week, but she was extremely happy that Harry had brought it early. He emerged from the closet with a small silver parcel. "It's not much, but I hope you like it," he handed her the small wrapped box. "Harry this was enough, more than enough….you never know when to stop! I didn't do anything nearly as nice for you on your birthday!" Ginny wasn't sure how to react to all of this.
"Will you be quiet and open it?" Harry thumped the present as Ginny reluctantly agreed. She pulled off the paper to find an ornately carved wooden box. It was decorated with birds and what looked like different kinds of flowers. Ginny was intrigued, she was never one to wear jewelry, and this particular gift didn't seem to make much sense to her. She lifted the heavy lid and gasped in surprise. A familiar tune trickled out from the small box and Ginny watched as an enchanted porcelain cat and mouse did a dance around the inside of the lid. "Ms. Mary cat…." Ginny laughed quietly as she listened to her favorite childhood song, "I can't believe you remembered!"
"I remember everything you tell me," Harry watched with her as the little mouse jumped over the cat's nose and into a hole. The song ended and Ginny closed the box. "Thank you," she hugged him tightly as she brushed a tear away from her eye quickly. "Happy Birthday," he told her again as he kissed her nose. Ginny frowned in mock anger, "Just the nose?" she winked suggestively. Harry laughed, "Yes, because your brother and his almost girlfriend will be here any moment!"
Ginny gulped thinking about the fight she had started between them, "Is it too early for me to leave?"
Harry had been a bit vague over the details of the party. Ron and Hermione did indeed come a few minutes later, with about ten others. Colin, Neville, Luna, and quite a few others piled into the "kitchen" while Hermione brought an enormous cauldron cake. Ginny was actually very impressed that they had all managed to do this without her knowing about it. She was also relieved to see that Ron and Hermione weren't angry with her, or at least they didn't show it. After a while Hermione forced Ginny to the head of the table to give her the gifts. Colin gave her a poster book of herself during Quiddich practice and games. Ginny thought it was a bit odd, but sweet nonetheless. Luna gave her a large brown bag, to 'store things' as she put it. Ginny thanked her without pursuing the conversation any further. Seamus had decided the best thing to give her was her own set of exploding snap cards, he explained that he was sick of losing with his own deck. Hermione had given her, in true fashion, a large book of charms. Ron actually had gotten her something nice this year, which was a change for him. In the past he had been…less than adequate with gift giving. Ginny thought about her thirteenth birthday when he had given her a mud newt. He had thought she would think it was "cute." Unfortunately the thing had gotten "lost" shortly after. This year however Ron had given her a very handsome pair of Quiddich goggles, and she absolutely adored them. The only downside was the sight of them reminded her of the looming final game. As Ginny neared the end of the pile she was afraid she would never be able to eat all the candy that she had been supplied with. She came to a small box wrapped in deep blue. Ginny picked it up gingerly and was surprised at the weight the object possessed. She tightened her grip on it curiously. Upon closer inspection she saw it was covered in blue fabric, not paper. Ginny pulled the fabric from it and opened the wooden box inside. She gasped slightly at what lay inside of it.
"Who? Who is this from?" she turned in wonder to Harry who looked at it in confusion. "Not me," he shrugged slightly. Ron and Hermione shrugged as well. Ginny looked in vain for a card or a signature. Inside the small box lay a glittering silver necklace. The chain was very thin, almost invisible when taken away from the deep blue fabric, and hanging on it was a circular grey stone, inlaid with a blue gem. Ginny looked at it in wonder, what in the world was it. The thing was beautiful, that was for sure, but something about it was….different. It seemed to glow with a very subtle light, like a star seen through a thin layer of clouds.
"OH, that's an ouls, I've seen them before," Luna spoke first, breaking the silence in the room. "A what?" Ginny tore her eyes away from the shimmering jewelry. Luna huffed a bit as though Ginny was immensely thick. It reminded her sharply of Hermione when Ron asked to copy her homework. "An ouls! That gem, it's taken from the heart of a veela. It's supposed to give you a physical bond with the person you're meant to be with. Mum says she knew what dad was feeling for five years before she met him," Luna nodded in a matter of fact way. Ginny stared at the beautiful trinket again.
"Have you ever heard of this?" Harry asked Hermione. Luna had never been the most reliable source of information. Hermione squinted her eyes at the charm, "Well yes, I have, but I always thought they were an old wives tale. You know, they were never talked about very seriously."
"It's not a tale!" Luna broke in, "I'm telling you the truth!"
"Who do you think sent it?" Harry was leaning over her shoulder. "I don't know," Ginny shrugged. She was undoing the clasp on it when Ron stopped her. "Do you think it's safe? I mean, what if….someone…..you know, put a curse on it or something?"
Ginny stopped suddenly, maybe Ron was right. She looked again at the small wooden box, there was no name. Why would someone send her such a wonderful gift and not be recognized. "We'll take it to McGonagall in the morning, see what she thinks," Ginny decided, putting the necklace back in the box. As she shut the lid she felt the slightest pain in her heart, like she was turning away a dearly loved friend.
The next morning Ginny set out early to find Professor McGonagall. For some reason she was very eager to find out if the charm really worked. She found the old witch burrowed in a stack of books on the third floor library.
"Professor?" Ginny approached her cautiously, sometimes McGonagall could be quite grumpy when interrupted.
"Yes Miss Weasley?" the woman barely took notice of her presence. "I wanted to ask you something. About a birthday gift I received last night," Ginny sat down at the table and pulled the wooden box from her bag. She passed it reluctantly to McGonagall who opened it with a noticeable lack of interest. When she saw what was laying inside her jaw literally dropped. "Miss Weasley! Where on Earth did you get this?"
Ginny shrugged sheepishly, "Someone sent it to me for my birthday, they didn't send a card or anything," for some reason Ginny was slightly embarrassed that she was the cause of so much fuss. McGonagall picked the necklace up with two fingers and studied it through her spectacles. "Do you know what this is?" she asked Ginny over the table.
"Luna told me it was called an ouls. She said it allowed you to feel someone else's emotions," McGonagall was nodding slightly. "She is right Miss Weasley, but there is much more to this gem," McGonagall shut the book in front of her. "An Ouls is extremely rare. It comes from the heart of a Veela, and must be extracted while the veela is still living. Because of their speed, wit, and entrancing appearance it is very, very rare that one is ever captured. There have only been six recorded cases of a person having possession of an Ouls," McGonagall stared at the gem again.
"Well, what exactly does it do?" Ginny was staring at it too, as though it might come alive at any moment.
"According to records the Ouls allows two people to share a mental bond so strong it can manifest into physical emotions."
"Wow, so it's like being one person?" Ginny asked in amazement.
"Well not entirely. The two can't control each other in any way, nor can they send thoughts to one another, but they can sense the others emotions and feelings," McGonagall put the necklace back into the wooden box, "who did you say sent this to you?"
"I don't know there was no name, that's why I came to you. Do you think someone has cursed it or something like that?"
McGonagall shook her head, "Impossible, objects of such pure magic energy can't be trifled with, or they would be destroyed. No Miss Weasley, I think the answer is simply someone cares for you very much."
Weeks passed and Ginny was growing more and more excited. The Christmas holidays were coming and she was going to see her family again! It felt like ages since she had hugged her father or talked to her mother. The only obstacle left was the final Quiddich game of the season. It had come down to Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw, since Draco left the team Slytherin didn't seem to be doing too well, only winning three games the whole season. The night before the final match Ginny's stomach was turning flips, so she tried to focus on the upcoming vacation. Harry was coming with them of course, and Ginny was a bit apprehensive. She hadn't really told any of her family that they were dating, fearing a backlash from the twins. Ginny was debating if she should tell them or not when Hermione bounced into the girl's dorm.
"Ginny have you heard!?!" she was literally bouncing off the walls.
"What what's going on?" Ginny watched her in amusement.
"Professor Silverstalk is back!" Hermione jumped again and Ginny flew from her chair. If Professor Silverstalk was back than Draco should be too! It had been almost two months since she had seen him, and she hadn't even been able to owl him at St. Mungo's. Ginny was halfway through the common room when a hand stopped her.
"Sorry pet, it's just the professor," Harry smiled kindly at her but Ginny could feel her face fall. She hadn't realized exactly how much she missed the great oaf until that moment. She smiled weakly at Harry and allowed him to take her back to the sofa.
"So are you ready for the last game?" Harry was trying to lighten the mood and Ginny could tell. She tried to play along, if for nothing else but to make him feel better, "A bit nervous, but I think it'll go alright."
Harry kissed the top of her head and smiled, "You'll be fantastic, don't worry."
That night as she was getting ready for bed Ginny did what she did almost every night. She opened her bedside drawer softly and pulled out the little wooden box. Ginny removed the Ouls and held it in the palm of her hand. It felt very cool like it always did, and Ginny had a brief rush of feeling. She put it back in its box quickly and shut the lid. Ginny didn't dare to hold it for too long. Even the few seconds she had it made her feel different, and the truth was she didn't like it. It wasn't so much the actual feelings as it was the story behind it. Ginny lay down in the bed and pulled the covers over her head. In her heart Ginny was afraid, she was afraid that the feelings she received weren't from Harry.
The morning of the final Quiddich game dawned early for Harry. It was a hazy grey November day, when the month was dieing out and December was creeping in. Harry walked alone to the Quiddich pitch, he needed some quiet time to think. For weeks he had been feeling slightly uneasy. He didn't know who had sent the Ouls to Ginny, and even worse, he didn't know why Lord Voldermort was being so quiet. Nothing had happened since Malfoy and Professor Silverstalk had been rescued, well, nothing that they knew of. Harry changed into his scarlet robes slowly, lost in thought. He was pulling on his gloves when he felt hands around his neck.
Harry gasped and whirled around to find a scarlet clad Ginny smiling at him. Harry turned a bit pink, "How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough," Ginny winked at him before ducking out of the boy's changing room. Harry shook his head and laughed. She seemed to be in better spirits lately, but Harry feared it was an act. He had seen her face the night before when she found out that Malfoy wasn't there, he hadn't seen her so disappointed in a long time. Harry tried to push the thoughts out of his mind and prepare for the game. It was extremely important that he catch the snitch before the Ravenclaw's were too far ahead. Ron had been prepping them for this game all season and Harry knew it was going to be a hard one.
Ron was pacing in front of the spellboard when Harry came in. This seemed to be a bit of a tradition with him now, and Harry found himself hoping that they didn't let him down. Out of the corner of his eye Harry caught Dean watching him.
"Alright team, this is it. I know I've said that before…"
"Bloody right you have," Seamus interrupted him loudly, chewing on a mint cauldron cake to settle his stomach.
"But…this is REALLY it. If we win this, we win the Quiddich cup. The under dog team, with only three returning members…"
"Four!" Ginny interrupted him with a scowl.
"Whatever," Ron rolled his eyes at her, "we can win! We will win! We have to win!" Ron beat his fist into his hand and Harry found himself laughing softly. The way Ron talked about Quiddich made Harry think the fight with Voldermort was going to be a cream cake.
"So, go out there, and win!" Ron finished his speech with a final jab to his hand. Ginny was the first to hop to her feet, "Come on everyone, let's go get our Quiddich cup!" Harry stared at her in wonder; she didn't seem to be as nervous as she normally would be. Harry grabbed his broom and followed Ginny into the pitch entrance. From behind the doors he could hear the crowd screaming. Harry gulped slightly, trying to push the nerves away. After six years of this he thought it would get easier, but every game brought him back to his first year, when he stood uncertainly behind Oliver Wood. As they lined up Dean brushed past Harry knocking him slightly into the wall, "Oh, sorry mate," Dean smiled a silk over steel apology at him before taking his place behind Seamus. Harry glared at his back, Dean never had gotten over the whole to do with Ginny, and his snide remarks were getting old. Harry didn't have too much time to dwell on it before the doors were flung open and he heard his name being called over the pitch. With a quick smile at Ginny he zoomed out to play the most important game of the season.
Thirty minutes later Harry was beginning to sweat. Ravenclaw was up by thirty and he hadn't even caught a glance of the snitch. Cho was trying a different approach to this game, instead of staying behind him she was circling him, like a shark in the ocean. Harry swore under his breath and tried to ignore her. He groaned as the roar of the crowd told him Ravenclaw had scored again. Harry flew franticly around the pitch searching for any sign of gold. He was flying past Ginny when he noticed something odd. Among the bright scarlet robes a bright purple glint had appeared. Harry flew closer watching. He saw it again. As he watched he had a moment of clarity. She was wearing the Ouls, he had never seen her wear it before. Was that the reason she was acting so differently? Harry snapped back to Earth as he saw Cho dive suddenly towards the ground, and just ahead of her he saw the glint. He was off in a flash towards the ground. Cho had seen it well before him but her broom was no match for him. They were neck and neck as the crowd stood on their feet in the stands. After a few minutes Harry could see that simple maneuvers weren't shaking Cho. He had to do something drastic. In the blink of an eye Harry fishtailed his broom knocking roughly into hers. He grabbed for the snitch but missed by inches. Cho had lost a good amount of control in her broom and this was the opening her needed, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, he wasn't relishing what was going to come. Harry jumped cleanly off his broom, hoping to Merlin that his hand would somehow find the snitch. He felt his fingers close around its struggling wings and let out a sigh of relief. Then he clenched the golden ball tightly in his hand bringing it to his chest. He pulled his legs tight to him and tightened his body. This was going to hurt.
Ginny and the rest of the Gryffindor Quiddich team watched in confusion and amazement as Harry Potter, the best seeker in Hogwart's history jumped neatly off his broom two hundred feet in the air. He hit the ground with a sickening thud.
The next thing Harry remembered was the dark. He couldn't tell if his eyes were closed of not. He tried opening them but found he was so achy that he couldn't feel his muscles at all. With all the effort he could manage he turned his head. A dim light greeted him and through it he could see the familiar stark white sheets of the hospital wing. He would have smiled if he could; he hadn't escaped a season yet without coming here at least once. Harry found with effort he could move his arms. He found a hunk of chocolate sitting on the table beside him and bit into it greatfully. As his eyes focused Harry noticed something odd. The normally crowded room was empty. There were no nurses scurrying around, no cards or flowers or candy from people to patients. It was as if everything had been scrubbed down extra hard. A while later Harry found his legs. The chocolate had done a world of good, and he felt almost coherent. Harry shook his head and decided that next season Ron would have to find a way to win without him dive bombing off his broom stick. Ron had said in a joke one day, that if Harry couldn't get the snitch he should take a 'leap of faith.' Harry snickered at the idea of what Ron would say when he got back, not to mention the lecture he would get from Hermione about school athletics being to dangerous and putting too much pressure on students. This was the perfect ammo for her. Harry rubbed his head and stood shakily. It was late, very late, though he had no idea exactly what time it was. As he made his way toward the loo Harry stopped cold. He had thought the room was empty but he was wrong. In the bed at the end of the row, looking extremely pale and thin, was Malfoy.
A/N- Hey guys! Wow, I've missed you! I know you might want to string me up for making this update so late, but the band season started and I've been swamped! Anyway, this is one of my favorite chapters because it's setting up the end of the story! Read into it for hidden clues, ha ha ha (evil laughter). So please review! Don't be too mean about my slow ways, I said I'm sorry! Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed last chapter, and everyone in general. I couldn't do this without you all! Next chapter- Christmas, a story, and the beginning of the end!