Harry stopped cold in front of the bed. The figure in front of him was almost unrecognizable. Malfoy had bruises covering nearly every inch of his face; it pained Harry to look at him. Moments later an unfamiliar woman shuffled into the room.
"Saints alive Mr. Potter what are you doing out of bed?" she hurried towards him with surprising speed. Harry was taken aback, "I was…" she stopped him immediately, "Oh never mind it, back into bed, right now!" she took his arm firmly. Harry was a bit too surprised to do anything, "Excuse me, but where is madam Pomfrey?" he asked as he was shoved back into the stark bed. "Madam Pomfrey dear? Oh, I think you're a bit confused, this isn't Hogwarts, you're in St. Mungo's, I am nurse Yolsten," she pulled the sheets back over him with an accomplished look.
"St. Mungo's? Was it really all that bad?" Harry wondered out loud. "Was it that bad?" nurse Yolsten clicked her tongue, "You dove head first from a broom at two hundred feet! I would say that was pretty bad wouldn't you? Honestly Mr. Potter, over a school Quiddich game," she continued talking quickly as she bustled about the room pulling various things out of cupboards. "Well, I feel fine," Harry protested as he watched her. "Well I'm sure you feel better now, but you've been here for two weeks," Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Anyway, I have to make rounds, don't leave the bed again," she demanded picking up a box of chocolate. "Nurse Yolsten," Harry called after her, "Did we at least win the match?"
Ginny sat silently pondering the potion essay in front of her. If cocasne horn was used to deplete energy sources and tuwsent root cured headaches what was the purpose of adding hisano blood? She was contemplating asking Hermione when her blood ran cold. A sudden rush of pain had flooded her entire body. Ginny yelped in alarm and nearly fell from her chair. Ron rushed to her from his chess game in front of the fire.
"Ginny, what's going on? Are you alright?" he pulled her effortlessly from her chair and sat her on the sofa. If she had been in a bit less anguish she would have been irritated at being thrown around like a rag doll.
"I don't know, I…." she felt a rush of pain again, "Something…isn't right."
"Ron go get madam Pomfrey," Hermione exclaimed as she appeared from the girl's dormitory.
"No, wait," Ginny said a bit irritably, she just needed a few moments to collect herself. Lately everyone had been treating her like glass. Since Harry was taken to St. Mungo's and Draco was still missing Ron and Hermione were convinced that she was going to be a target. "I think I'm alright, I don't know what….." Ginny stopped short. She reached suddenly under her robes.
Ginny nodded her head quickly, "Ron, call McGonagall, I think Harry's awake!"
Harry was still unable to take his eyes from Malfoy's lifeless figure. He had never seen anyone so badly beaten, and he shuttered to think what had been done to him. Harry cautiously crept from his bed; he didn't want to call any more attention to himself than he had too. He crawled silently towards the door, somehow he had to get a message to Hogwarts, everyone must be worried sick about him, especially Ginny. Harry felt a sharp pain in his ribs; apparently he wasn't as healed as he thought. As he passed Malfoy's bed Harry averted his eyes, it wasn't a sight he wanted to see. Feeling a great sense of pride Harry reached for the door knob, it twisted under his hand. Harry looked up into the amused face of none other than Dumbledore.
"I think Harry, it would be best to return to your bed, before we have half the staff of St. Mungo's on our heels," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled a bit.
"Sir, I was just going to try and send a message to…"
"Never fear Harry," Dumbledore escorted him back to the bed, "Your friends have already been alerted to your state, I believe the young Miss Weasley was the first to suggest, strongly I might add, that we come and fetch you."
"How did Ginny know I was….?"
"Ah, that, I believe is for her to tell you," Dumbledore sat roughly on an old chair, "So Harry, I think it wise to tell you a few things before your return trip to school, things have changed in the past weeks."
Dumbledore rubbed his forehead tenderly; Harry seemed to notice for the first time the deep lines on his brow. "We have had to increase the security greatly in Hogwarts, as the attacks Voldermort has planned have increased dramatically, some of the professors have advised me not to bring you back at all…"
Harry felt himself panic and opened his mouth to protest, Dumbledore raised a weary hand, "However, I believe you can look after yourself quite well, so in a few minutes I have arranged transportation for you. You must understand Harry, these are dangerous days, and we must all forgo certain freedoms for the sake of safety," Dumbledore handed him a piece of chocolate from the bedside table, "On a separate matter, I see you have discovered the whereabouts of Mr. Malfoy," he cast a side glance towards the far bed.
"He….he looks pretty bad sir," Harry wasn't sure what to say.
"Indeed, I don't believe he has been awake since he came here. The crucio curse is a horrible thing to endure, perhaps the hardest to recover from as well. I think it wise if you keep certain aspects of your encounter from your friends, especially some…"
Harry nodded, he knew Dumbledore was referring to Ginny.
"Well then, rest here Harry, I will return shortly," Dumbledore nodded slightly and retreated. Harry sat back on his pillows. It was to strangest feeling in the world, to suddenly be thrust into the future, and he was troubled by Dumbledore's comment about forgoing certain freedoms. Harry finished the chocolate and sighed roughly. He was willing to bet money Snape had been one of the professors who advised Dumbledore not to bring him back. Harry smiled suddenly, somehow Ginny had known he was awake, and if that meant what he thought it did he had more than enough to look forward too.
Ginny paced around the Gryffindor common room impatiently. Hermione glanced at her from behind her charms book.
"Ginny, wearing a trench in the carpet won't make him come any faster," Hermione flipped the page.
"Oh be quiet Hermione," Seamus appeared in the common room looking rather full of himself, "she hasn't seen the bloke for a while, I'd bet she's missed him," Seamus wagged his eyebrows suggestively and Ginny glared at him.
"I just hope he doesn't look all….you know, bloodied up," Ron pulled a pumpkin tart out of his bag and stuffed it into his mouth, "If waf qwif a fwall."
"Ron, please chew before you engage in polite conversation," Hermione shot daggers at him from across the room.
"What is your problem today?" Ron swallowed hard and raised his voice quite a bit louder than it had been.
"Excuse me for not wanting to see your half digested snack products Ronald!"
"Yeah well how about you ask instead of acting like you're the world's biggest stick in the mud!"
"Oh how intelligent of you, quite a witty response!"
Ginny sighed and sat down in defeat. If Ron and Hermione argued before Harry left now it was an all out war. They had been bickering non stop for two weeks. She buried her head in the pillows to drown out the noise.
"Honestly Hermione I am sick of you talking to me like I'm your bloody step child!"
"If you were my child Ronald you would have better manners…."
Harry limped into the portrait hole cautiously, he had heard Ron and Hermione's argument from the great hall, it made him smile, some things would never change.
"…..Oh you would bring that up Granger! I only set it on fire that one time and you act like I'm a pyromaniac or something!"
"Pyromaniac? Big word for you isn't it?"
Harry sat his bag down in the corner, "Sorry, but could someone help me get this up the stairs?"
Ron and Hermione jumped in surprise and Ginny's head shot up from the sofa. Harry was alarmed for a minute, they acted like he had three heads or something.
"Harry!" Ginny leapt over the sofa and bounded towards him. She thought better of it in the last moment and kissed his cheek tenderly.
"Hey there mate, wondered when you'd be up," Ron glared at Hermione quickly before walking over to get Harry's bag.
"Good to see you Harry," Hermione hugged him softly, "you look a fright!"
"Thanks so much," Harry rolled his eyes, Hermione never had been one for subtlety. A crowd was forming around him now, the rest of the Gryffindors had been alerted to his return and he was been greeted with a hero's welcome. Apparently the Hogwart's students cared more for Quiddich than the St. Mungo's nurses.
"Alright, shove off, let him breathe," Ginny pushed a path through the growing people, "come on Harry, you'd better lie down."
Harry followed her up the stairs gratefully. When he arrived in the boy's dormitory he felt a rush of relief. Finally he was home. Ginny sat him on the bed and took his bag from Ron, who had once again began arguing with Hermione.
"Well it's not like you wouldn't be upset if he said something like that to you!"
"I didn't mean it like that, and he knows. He's a good deal more observant than you are!"
"Alright that's enough," Ginny the down the blanket she had been folding. "The two of you have been at it for two weeks and I'm sick of it, if you're going to bicker, and I know you are, do it somewhere else, Harry needs to rest. Go on! Shoo!" Ginny snapped the blanket at Ron who gave a surprised look and headed for the door, followed closely by Hermione.
"I think she gets more like mum every day!"
Ginny closed the door with a snap. She sighed with relief, she needed a break as well. Harry watched amused from the bed, Ginny did in fact act a lot like Mrs. Weasley when she was tired or angry.
"Well, let's get all you things put away," Ginny pulled out clothes and potion bottles sent from St. Mungo's.
"Ginny?"
"How did all your things get so dirty in the hospital? I'll never understand that," Ginny opened his bedside drawer, he reached for her hand but she moved quickly.
"Ginny?"
"So many potions, Merlin, I don't even know what this one is."
"Ginny!"
"What? I mean yes?" she stopped cold in the middle of the floor.
"Can you just come sit down with me, please?" Harry wanted to laugh, but he was concerned at her odd behavior. Ginny cleared her throat and sat on the edge of the bed. "Are you alright?" he asked her when he finally caught her eye.
"Me? I'm fine; shouldn't I be asking you that?"
"You just seem….I don't know, jumpy."
"I'm sorry; I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable."
"I am," he tried to smile at her. "Why are you chewing your lip? That means you're thinking about something," Harry put his hand on her cheek.
Ginny felt her heart jump at his touch, "Oh, Harry, no, I mean, I am worried, just about you."
"Well don't be love, I'm here, and I'm alright."
"Well you are now! After fourteen days of being unconscious!" Ginny jumped from the bed, she felt all the panic and worry stick in her throat, "I mean, what possessed you Harry! You could have died, you nearly did! We were all so worried, Hermione cried for days!"
Harry was a bit taken aback, "I'm sorry, I didn't think it would be that bad! A broken arm maybe, but not…"
"No you didn't think! I mean, what if you had broken your neck?"
Despite his better mind Harry felt himself growing angry. "You know Ginny; if you haven't noticed I'm not really in a state to fight with you right now!" He grabbed his pillow, too quickly, as he felt a sharp stab of pain in his arm.
"Oh let me," Ginny tried to take it from him.
"I can do it," Harry snatched it from her. Ginny felt tears well in her eyes. She wiped them furiously but couldn't seem to stop them. Harry felt his face soften immediately; she had started it, but he had been harsh. He reached out for her bringing her to him. Ginny curled against his chest, burying her face in an effort to stop the tears. She felt like a complete prat, why was it that she became so emotional around him? After a few minutes she was able to breathe normally again, though she didn't move, it was too comfortable just laying there.
Harry ran his fingers though her hair absentmindedly. He knew why Ginny had picked the fight, and in a way he understood. If she had injured herself over a Quiddich match he would have been furious with her.
"Not asleep are you?" he asked finally, a smile playing on his lips. He knew she was bound to be embarrassed; she always was after she cried, though he couldn't figure out why if it was only him. Ginny shook her head.
"You scared me."
"I know."
"It was a stupid thing to do."
"I know."
Harry tucked Ginny's hair behind her ear, "I missed you."
Ginny smiled, "I know."
In the days after Harry's return life improved considerably. He was beginning to feel much better, he was back with his friends, and best of all, it was nearly Christmas. Ron and Hermione had received word while he was gone that hey were all staying at Hogwarts during the holidays, the Order thinking it was the safest place for them. Harry was a bit disappointed until he remembered Grimmauld place, and the red haired twins who lived there. When he had shared his conversation he had with the twins with Ginny she had merely laughed.
"Fred and George are about as harmful as hummingbirds, you have nothing to fear Harry," he wasn't sure if he should believe her, thinking woefully about the acidic candy the twins were developing.
After the spat on his homecoming Hermione and Ron had calmed down considerably. They weren't fighting, though they weren't talking much at all. Things with Ginny on the other hand, had never been better. They had settled into a comfortable routine, one that Harry could see being in happily the rest of his life. Occasionally she had a nervous fit, but this was common during the fifth year, however after the third Harry had threatened Hermione with her life if she showed Ginny any more flashcards.
Two days before the holiday break Harry was sitting with Ginny by the fire. He felt a bit guilty looking at his Quiddich weekly as she slaved over yet another assignment.
"Ginny, are you actually going to take a holiday?" he asked with amusement as she meticulously marked her place in a book.
"I don't know, are you going to keep distracting me from my essay?" she turned back to her parchment.
"Not fair, you always distract me," Harry smiled and kissed her head.
"Oh I don't want to see that," Ron shut his eyes in disgust from the boy's stairs.
"Then don't look now," Ginny smiled at him as she sat in Harry's lap. Ron grunted in disgust and sat behind the chess board, "Fancy a game Harry?"
"Hmmm…" Harry was trying not to ignore his friend but Ginny was rubbing his shoulders.
"Honestly! Can't you two be around each other for five minutes without acting like bloody rabbits?" Ron stormed out of the common room, Harry looked at Ginny in surprise.
"I think we really upset him!"
"Oh ignore him, he's just mad because Hermione still isn't speaking to him," Ginny sat back down in front of her books.
"Ah well, they'll get over it," Harry yawned and stretched his arms tenderly, they still hurt a bit.
"Oh yes they will," Ginny smiled and Harry felt his blood run cold. "Oh no Ginny, no not again, we tried this remember? Remember the whole train episode?"
"But this will be different, I'm not forcing them together, you'll see, I have a plan! Besides you shouldn't complain. Remember what happened because of my horrid plan?" Ginny kissed his nose and Harry sighed in defeat. It was no use trying to get her to change her mind. Harry hoped against hope that maybe the plan would be a success, or at least not get them killed.
The last day had arrived and Ginny could have turned cartwheels down the astronomy stairs. She sat impatiently in her last class of the day, divination. Colin was trying to read her palm, and Ginny was trying to stay awake.
"Ok, you…..have a long life line……uh, which means…….death?" Ginny rolled her eyes, Colin wasn't very good at this. She was about to suggest she read his when Firenze walked by.
"Interesting Miss Weasley," he looked at her hand with the same cool demeanor he always had.
"What?"
"You thumb pattern," Firenze pointed to the small criss-crossed lines below her thumb, "it is very unusual for a woman to have this pattern."
Ginny looked at her hand in confusion, it seemed fairly common looking to her, "What does it mean?"
"A person with this thumb patter usually has a particular magical gift….." Firenze's voice trailed off.
"Which one?" Colin asked eagerly, he had been studying the different types of magical gifts and this was obviously very exciting for him.
"That I think would be best for the young Miss Weasley to find for herself," Firenze smiled softly at her, an unfamiliar expression for him, Colin looked at her hand like it would sprout eyes.
Ginny walked towards the library in a cloud of confusion. She was interested now, perhaps she should ask Professor Trelawney? Ginny shook the thought from her head quickly. She opened the heavy wooden door and walked instinctively towards the back rooms. She always studied in the furthest hall from the entrance. Ginny put her books down on the familiar tables. This was perhaps her favorite place outside of Gryffindor tower. It was dreadfully dusty, and the spiders had taken refuge in the shelves, but it was peaceful and quiet, which was something Ginny desperately needed. She opened her books and tried to concentrate but for some reason tonight she just couldn't. Ginny tapped her pencil against the table. A magical gift? She had never shown any signs of a magical gift, not that she had noticed at least. Ginny jumped suddenly, she thought she had seen something move. She grabbed her wand instinctively, no, the room was empty. Ginny sat down again, thinking quietly, though for some reason she felt uneasy. She gathered her books quickly, this was a time when she didn't want to be in the quiet rooms.
Harry was playing a game of exploding snap when Hermione came in. He saw Ron lock his law immediately. Harry resisted the urge to laugh.
"Say Ron, isn't Hermione's birthday coming soon?" Harry asked innocently as he lost again.
"I don't know," Ron slumped in his chair, "I think so, maybe."
"So, have you gotten her something?" Harry asked again, watching Ron's reaction from the corner of his eye.
"No! Might not either," Ron folded his arms, "Unless you know what she would want?" the look of desperation on Ron's face made Harry feel dory for him.
"You know what mate, I might have just the thing….."
The Christmas feast at Hogwarts was always a spectacle, and this year was no exception. Firenze had made a real tree grow in the great hall and Professor Flitwick had charmed dragonflies to glow and fly around it, Ginny was watching it hypnotically when she felt someone sit beside her. She reached over, "Oh Harry, isn't it…….DEAN!"
Ginny jumped a mile when she realized it wasn't Harry's hand she was holding.
"Ginny, nice to see you, afraid I've been rather busy in the past few weeks," Dean smiled a silk over steel grin. Ginny nodded, he made her uncomfortable.
"So, are you going home for Christmas?" he asked with the same cool smile.
"I….I don't know, not sure, waiting for an owl," Ginny slid over on the bench, for some reason she didn't like being this close to him.
"Oh well, good then, just going to wish you a happy Christmas."
"Hello."
Ginny winced at the sound of Harry's cold greeting, this wasn't going to be pleasant. Dean stood sharply. The boys stared at each other in an effort to make one back down. Dean was a good bit taller than Harry, but he stood his ground firmly.
"Potter…"
"Hello Dean," Ginny could hear the warning signs in his voice.
"Dean was just saying Happy Christmas Harry," Ginny tugged his cloak sleeve until he was sitting beside her. She hooked her arm in his reassuringly.
"Yes, Happy Christmas……Potter……" Dean turned quickly and retreated back to his group of friends. Ginny felt Harry start to breathe again.
"What was that all about?" she asked helping herself to the sweet potatoes.
"I don't like him," Harry glanced backwards towards Dean.
"I know that, but come on Harry, what are you going to do? Get in a pub fight in the middle of the Christmas feast?" Ginny handed him the bread basket.
"I might!" Harry turned to her defensively, she chuckled softly.
"Why is that funny? Don't think I could do it?"
"No, I mean yes, you could…."
"Ginny need I remind you I have fought worse things than a little squib like Dean Thomas!" Harry stabbed his turkey vengefully.
"I know dear, I believe in you," Ginny kissed him quickly before laughing into her pumpkin juice. For some reason the thought of Harry and Dean fighting made her want to double over in laughter.
Moments later Hermione appeared out of breath, "Sorry I'm late, I was in ancient runes and I just lost track of time," she sat he books in the seat beside her.
"Oh yeah, how time flies," Harry remarked sarcastically. Suddenly a great noise came from the entrance hall. Harry looked in confusion towards the doors but could see nothing over the rapidly gathering crowd. Ginny stood on the bench but to no avail. Ron ran in moments later panting from the effort of pushing through so many people.
"Ron, what's going on?" Hermione seemed to forget they weren't speaking at the moment. Ron sat down and clutched his chest, signaling them to give him a moment.
More people were rushing in now, talking excitedly to one another. "Ron, what? What's happened?" Ginny could hear the panic raise in Hermione's voice.
"There was an attack near Diagon ally, right by the Quiddich quality supply, do you remember that store Harry?"
"Oh yeah, awesome display of brooms there, remember the….."
"Boys! Not the point!" Hermione screeched at them, "Ron, what is all the ruckus?"
"Sorry, anyway, so the Order was on site of course, and they found him! They found him Harry!"
"Found who?" Ginny and Hermione yelled at the same time.
"Pettigrew! Damn coward was hiding in Olivander's. The ministry has come to fetch Dumbledore for questioning," Ron bit into a chicken leg.
Harry felt his stomach quake a bit, they had found Pettigrew. Maybe now the letters would be explained, he hadn't received one in a long time….."
Hermione was talking excitedly but Ginny wasn't listening. She knew she should be thrilled, but somehow she wasn't. Lately the troubling letters had stopped and she had worked herself into a comfortable nook, now the sick feelings were rushing back to her.
"Ginny!" Colin was running full speed down the aisle towards her. "Colin what is it?" she asked as the boy skid to a stop in front of her.
"It's Malfoy, they just carried him through to the hospital wing from St. Mungo's!" Colin ran off again in the direction of the teachers table. Ginny's eyes went wide.
"Harry? Draco….he was at St. Mungo's all this time?"
Harry swallowed hard, "Well….."
"You didn't tell me?" she stood quickly from the table. The look in her eyes cut him to the core; it wasn't anger, something much worse, disappointment. Ginny shook her head slightly and ran from the hall. Hermione reached for Harry's hand.
"It's alright Harry, she'll get over it."
"Why didn't you tell her mate?" Ron was regarding him skeptically.
"He looked…..bad, and he was unconscious. Dumbledore said…." Harry sighed. He knew that he probably should have told her anyway. Harry stood from the table.
"Harry, you should probably let her find you," Ron offered cautiously. Harry sat back down, he wasn't looking forward to that meeting.
Ginny ran the five floors to the hospital wing. When she arrived Professor Snape was already blocking the entrance.
"Miss Weasley, I don't think this is the time….."
"Professor, get out of my way," Ginny shoved her way past him without a backward look.
"Madame Pomfrey? Where…." the woman pointed at a bed at the end of the crowded floor. Ginny approached cautiously. Draco looked horrible. She felt her throat close looking at him. As she stood his eyes flew open, Ginny stumbled back in surprise.
"Draco?" She reached for his hand, he pulled away as if she were on fire. Ginny felt like sobbing, his eyes looked completely empty, hollow.
"Draco? Can you hear me?" she tried again, there must be something left of him, something in his mind that knew who he was. Malfoy turned his head towards her and mumbled something.
"What? What did you say?" Ginny knelt by his side. He looked at her casually as if she were a stranger on the street.
"They are going to kill you," he breathed into her ear.
A/N- Hey everyone! So there's fifteen. I know it was a bit smashed, as far as a lot of things happening. So there are two very important clues in this one! Can you find them? I know this took forever, so sorry! Alright next chapter, the holidays, and a dark message.