Ch 28 Ginny's Secret

A/N: Long time no see eh? Lot's of excuses… here be the chapter…

Harry was finally back on the pitch, pushing his team during practices. He pushed himself hardest of all, working through his worries and stress with physical exercise. He couldn't stand waiting and that was all anyone could do.

Harry had spoken to Dumbledore the day after Neville's report and the headmaster had many words of wisdom. Only one of the headmaster's observations actually gave Harry some confidence: "Sitting and waiting is infinitely better than dying." It was sad, Harry thought skeptically, that the only thing that gave him confidence was comparing his situation to death. There were some times, like during Potions class for example, when Harry almost wondered if death would be a more pleasant option.

The one thing that kept Harry going through his day was the knowledge that he would see Ginny at the end of it. He needed her he realized, he needed her more than anyone, but he also knew that she needed him.

The practice was going well, the Chasers knew each other so well that they didn't have to look to know where the others were. They did extravagant plays, the only thing that kept them from scoring all the time was Ron's keeping skills. Ron's game had improved at least as much as the chasers, he was now almost at the level of former Quidditch captain Oliver Wood.

"Ok, everybody here" Harry shouted.

The team didn't hear him so they kept right on playing. Harry called again, but with no luck. He finally produced his wand and summoned each member of the team in turn to him.

"Jesus Harry! You could've called us!" Ron said, picking himself of the ground, he was the only one who hadn't landed on their feet.

Harry laughed, not bothering to tell them that he had called them. Harry told them that the practice was over, complimenting their teamwork.

As the team sauntered away Harry called for Ginny.

"Wanna go for a walk to cool down?"

"Love to" Ginny replied,

They walked to the lake in silence, just holding hands. They sat on the little sand that formed a ring around the lake, and watched as two of the giant squid's tentacles splashed above the water, creating ripples that moved slowly outward until they lapped upon the shore.

"What's on your mind" Ginny asked, knowing that he had a lot that could be on his mind.

"You know, the usual" Harry lied.

"Come on Harry, really, what's up?" she persisted.

"I'm worried about what Neville said, the next DA meeting is on Saturday, I don't know if I'll be able to handle it" Harry confided, surprising himself at how easily he had given in.

"We don't even know if Neville's right" Ginny offered, unsure of who she was trying to convince.

There was a long pause; both were trying to think of what to say.

"Harry, do you remember the battle with Lestrange above the Three Broomsticks?" Ginny asked.

"Vaguely, I remember the battle with Voldimort a lot better." Harry replied shuddering slightly.

"I used a spell I'd only read about, The Intercepting Charm. The charm itself is quite simple, but it comes at a cost" she told him.

"What cost?" Harry asked, now visibly worried.

"I don't know." Ginny responded.

"What do you mean" Harry asked, confusion showing on his face.

"I mean that I don't know. I'll have to pay a price for the success of the charm. It could happen at anytime, it could be tomorrow, or when I'm 85. It could be as small as tripping or as large as dying a horrible death. Though judging by the size of the curse I blocked, it'll be a large cost."

"Why tell me now?" Harry asked.

"You need to know." She replied.

"I'm not sure how much more of this I can take" Harry said, leaning his head on his hands.

"You need to talk to Dumbledore, you need to get the facts and start piecing together what you know. If you don't, you'll be face to face with Voldimort and you won't have a clue."

They sat in silence for a long time. Both letting the truth of what Ginny had said sink in.

"Ginny, I'm going to see the Headmaster in the morning, you wanna come?" Harry asked.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, well, maybe for the world…"

"Funny." Harry said.

"Come on, I'll race you back to the castle" Ginny challenged.

"On 3" Harry replied "One" and he took off. Ginny laughed and stood up, mounted her broom and raced after him, overtaking him in seconds.

"Oh no you don't!" Harry called after her and mounted his own broom. Harry's was faster but Ginny had a head start. Ginny beet Harry to the castle by a quarter of a second and the pair stumbled into the entrance hall laughing.

Their laughter ceased after they saw the tall form of Professor McGonagall on the stairs in front of them.

"Mr. Potter, Mrs. Weasley you are out after curfew." She called to them.

"I'm sorry Professor…" Harry started but was cut off.

"Quite all right, I've done my duty." And McGonagall turned on her heal and marched off.

The pair looked at each other, shrugged and then carried on to the common room laughing, though a little more quietly.

A/N: Ok, by popular demand I am requesting a beta. Any takers? I need a beta for 3 purposes:

1) To keep me from not bothering to write (anyone good at pestering?)

2) To correct the many errors in my writing and

3) To give me hints and advice when I get stuck

All this will lead to more frequent updates, get it? It does feel good to get writing again. Looking forward to HBP, eh?