Chapter 9
When Ginny came out of the portrait he looked around quickly, to make sure nobody else was there, then he leaned in and gave Ginny a quick kiss. Ginny stood back an said with a grin on her face, "Why Professor Potter, what are you doing?" Harry rolled his eyes and laughed, "Just saying goodnight to my favorite student. I think I might have gotten somewhere with Elizabeth. I told her you would be asking her something. Will you tell her I said goodnight?" Ginny smiled, "Yes, and I will ask her about Wednesday too." She leaned in and gave him another quick kiss and said, "Goodnight Professor." and headed back inside the common room.
Harry's practical sessions were going pretty well. All the students seemed to respect him, expect of course, most of the Slytherins, but that hadn't bothered him. Before he knew it, it was Wednesday evening. He was too meet Ginny and Elizabeth by the lake after dinner. When he was getting ready to leave the great hall, Professor McGonagall had stopped him, "I understand that you and Miss Weasley will have a guest with you this evening." Harry smiled, "Yes, is that okay?" He was slightly concerned that McGonagall might tell him it was not. McGonagall smiled and said, "Yes, it is okay. I am glad that someone has reached out to that little girl. She has had a difficult life. She seems to have been in a better mood these last two days. Have a good time Harry." and with that they departed.
Harry walked down to the lake and saw Ginny and Elizabeth sitting there laughing. He then noticed that Ginny looked like she had feathers all over her. She must have had one of her brothers Canary something or other. He walked up behind them and said in a stern voice, "Ladies, I believe everything for Weasley Wizard Wheezes is strictly forbidden at Hogwarts." Ginny and Elizabeth both turn to look at him. Elizabeth appeared to be scared, "Oh, Professor Potter, sir we were just..." Ginny burst out laughing, "It's okay Lizzy, Professor Potter here has done many forbidden things while he was a student here. He is just joking around. Right Professor?" Harry felt bad. He hadn't meant to scare Elizabeth, "Yeah I am sorry to have worried you Elizabeth. Did Ginny just call you Lizzy?"
Elizabeth turned red and said, "Yeah she asked if it would be okay." Ginny laughed, "That and I also told her that if I caught anybody harassing her again I would turn them into a lizard." With that the three of them burst into fits of laughter. Harry had sat down next to them. They continued to laugh and talk until the sun decided to set. Harry was having a wonderful time with both of them. Lizzy had started to look happy and this just filled his heart. Every once in a while he would sneak in a kiss or two with Ginny, but for the most part they just talked and laughed Finally Harry said, "Well it is getting late. I am sorry, but I need to go back into Professor mode again. And you two have some studying to do I believe." Ginny laughed, "You know I don't like this serious bit of you. It is no fun." Harry laughed, "Yeah, I know, but I gotta keep it up, it was the only way I could actually spend time with you before the winter holidays."
Lizzy looked a little sad at this. Ginny looked at her and said, "What's the matter Lizzy?" Lizzy started to rubbing her thumb and middle fingers again and said, "Well, it's just that you two are so happy and so in love. I have never known anybody to share that before. I have never known love. And well I hate winter holidays. Everybody has family to go to and spend time with. I just wish that I has somewhere to go and people that love me, to spend that time with." When she finished she had tears in her eyes. Ginny took her in her arms, "Oh Lizzy, it's okay." she looked at Harry who seemed to be deep in thought, "Listen Lizzy, I wouldn't dream of leaving you here for the holidays. How would you like to come home with me? You could meet my family and our friend Hermione. Her and my brother Ron are getting married. I am sure everyone would love to have you. There is always room for more at the Burrow." Harry smiled, that was a perfect idea. Lizzy looked up at him and Ginny, "Y–y–you would let me come with you? But why? The winter holidays are for family. I am not your family, I don't have a family." Harry looked at the girl and took one of her hands and said, "Lizzy didn't I tell you that you could consider me your family. Ginny and I care about you. You are a part of our family, even if only for that reason. You will always be welcome wherever we are. Okay." Lizzy was truly crying now. She had jumped into Harry's arms and embraced him tightly. This surprised Harry. He didn't know what to do, but Ginny nodded and it suddenly felt right. The three of them. Lizzy pulled away, "I am sorry. I know you said it before, but now I believe you." Ginny patted the girl on the back, "Well now that's settled we had better get ourselves up to the tower." Lizzy nodded and stood up and smiled, "Thank you Professor Potter." Harry smiled and gave her a hug, "You are welcome Lizzy. Goodnight." Ginny leaned in and gave Harry one last kiss and asked, "What is going on in that mind of yours?" "I don't know yet, but take care of Lizzy." Ginny smiled and said, "I will. Come on Lizzy we had better get going." Lizzy nodded. They both turned and walked away. Harry suddenly felt empty.