Ch 20 Relief and Peril

A/N: 20 chapters! Wow!

Waking up next to Ginny was the nicest thing Harry had experienced in a long time. All thoughts and depressing memories were forgotten, and he was content to lie there next to her.

Harry watched, fascinated, as Ginny began to stir. She stretched and rolled lazily over to look Harry in the face.

"Good morning, love." She greeted him.

"Morning" he replied, thinking how the term 'love' couldn't have summed up his feelings better "How are you feeling?"

"Sore" She replied honestly "my headache is not as bad though"

They lay there for a long time, simply talking, or saying nothing at all and being content in the other's company.

Dumbledore came into the room late in the morning to remind Harry that he still had classes. He also told Ginny that she was free to attend classes as well. When Ginny asked Dumbledore what class Harry had next his smile broadened as he replied 'Advanced Battle Magic'.

As the weeks began to fly by, and Christmas approached, Harry was happier than he ever had been. Almost losing Ginny had made Harry realize how much she meant to him. He was happy and it was apparent, and his change of mood was the subject of many of Ron's jokes.

The week before Christmas Harry realized that it was just that. He could be heard one night muttering curses as he devised a list of presents that he could get for people.

Ron was released from the hospital wing the on December 19th and became Harry's helper in getting his presents in time.

"How could you forget Christmas presents?" he asked Harry "You have to get them EVERY YEAR!"

"Sod off" was the response he got from Harry who's head was buried in a catalog entitled 'Christmas Presents for the Special Witch in your life'

"There is nothing in here!" Harry declared throwing the catalog to the ground and picking up Only Idiots give bad Christmas Presents, Don't be an idiot!

Giving up looking for his last present, the one for Ron himself, Harry began to talk.

"Why would you stay here for Christmas, when you can go home?"

"I would much rather be here… that and my mother doesn't think it's safe outside the castle."

The happy bubble that Harry had been living in for weeks popped, he had pushed Voldimort to the back of his mind and liked it that way. There was an awkward silence as Ron and Harry both thought about the implications of the statement.

Harry pondered what he knew about Voldimort's current situation. Not much he concluded. Harry cursed himself for his lack of attention to the Daily Prophet, although based on his history with that paper he had no reason to read it.

"I give up" he declared flopping onto his bed and closing his four-poster "Good night."

"It's 7:30!" Ron protested.

"Thanks for pointing that out." Harry responded dryly.

"Ginny was looking forward to tonight. But I'll tell her your too tired" he replied.

Harry ripped his curtains open at lightning speed, too see Ron's already wide grin widen.

"Was wondering whether you forgot." He said.

"Harry checked his watch, knowing full-well that it was seven thirty. He ran down the stairs to the common room, Voldimort and sleep forgotten. He tore through the portrait hole, and raced down the corridor, ignoring the protests of the fat lady. He rounded a bend and ran face first into professor Snape. Harry was knocked to the ground, clutching a bleeding nose. Within seconds he realized that other areas of his face were bleeding. As he lost consciousness he understood why he was bleeding, and why it hurt so much.

A/N: Next chapter will be up soon (subject to health of author, homework load and computer problems). I should get to Christmas within the next chapter or two. I am sorry about the delay for the chapters but I have other things that sometimes get in the way. As always REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! Have a jolly good day!