Warning: This chapter contains some content not suitable for people under sixteen.
The Midnight Hour
CHAPTER NINETEEN: Gone Again
Ginny sat on a seat on the opposite side of the desk to Severus, they were glaring at each other furiously, a tense silence building up. It reached breaking point for Ginny and she jumped out of her seat.
"Oh Severus," Ginny cried exasperatedly "I thought you would be over it by now." Ginny threw her hands into the air and Severus continued to glare at her.
"Ginny, do you have any idea how much gossip went around about what happened?" He asked. "A few of the seventh year Hufflepuffs were saying something about it today in class!"
"So, who cares?" She asked rolling her eyes and folding her arms stubbornly "It happened three weeks ago, and they will stop gossiping when you stop reacting to it." He shrugged.
"It isn't good for a teacher to have rumours spread that a student almost kissed him." He said standing up. She walked over to him and put her hands on his arms firmly.
"She was under the influence of a love potion! Anyway, it is over now okay? Just ignore it. I wont do it again, I promise." She told him he looked very doubtful.
"Fine." He spat "And I just want you to know that if you do something like it again I will make sure you don't have detention for two months." He threatened she raised her eyebrows.
"You couldn't handle that." She told him matter-of-factly, he looked at her questioningly.
"Is that what you really think of me?" He asked her, she nodded.
"Yes, I think you are a sex crazed paedophile who likes to pick on seventh year redheads." She said sarcastically. His face remained unemotional. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer. "I love you." She whispered with a cheeky smile. He glared at her for a few seconds before kissing her roughly, his lips pressing against hers hard.
"I love you too." He replied pulling away from her and running his hand through her hair. "Please try not to pull a stunt that bad again, okay?" She grinned at his and he kissed her again. He sat back down and motioned for her to sit on his lap.
"Severus…" She begun, he tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear.
"Yes?" He asked, she took a deep breath in.
"Why didn't you tell me that my parents were aurors?" She asked, the idea still plagued her mind from the conversation with Hagrid the day before.
"I thought you already knew." He said with a questioning look.
"No. How was I meant to? I just thought they were part of the Order, it didn't occur to me that they are aurors." Severus kissed her on the cheek.
"There aren't many people in the Order that aren't aurors Ginny." Severus told her, she raised her eyebrows.
"Tell me Severus, who is and who isn't." He sighed.
"You parents, Lupin, Tonks…" He begun, but Ginny interrupted him.
"I know about Tonks and Lupin that is obvious." She said he rolled his eyes.
"You wanted me to tell you."
"Sorry… please continue."
"Apart from the obvious ones that like to flaunt it, like Moody… Bill and Charlie are as well…" Ginny looked dumfounded.
"I just thought…" she begun.
"That they worked with Dragons and at Gringotts? Ginny, the ministry doesn't always need aurors. It doesn't mean that they didn't train as them though." She nodded knowing that arguing would be pointless, Severus knew better than she did. A thought flashed through her mind.
"What about Fred and George? Or Harry, Ron and Hermione?" She asked, Severus shook his head.
"They haven't had the proper training, Ginny." He told her, she looked confused. "Fred and George mainly keep track of what goes on in Diagon Alley, surveillance work. It is hardly likely that they will ever be called to fight." He explained.
"What about Ron, Harry and Hermione?" He looked away from her.
"They aren't aurors Ginny, but they are putting up their own front. I don't want to tell you too much, but they are fighting, and doing the work of an auror." He said, Ginny's heart skipped a beat, knowing that three of her closest friends were going up against the Dark Lord with little training.
"And what about you?" She asked, Severus smiled at her.
"What do you think?" he asked, she shrugged. "I am too. There are more of us than you think. Before you were born it was important to be able to protect yourself, so it only makes sense that lots of people from my generation became aurors. Lily, James and Sirius were aurors too." He said, Ginny nodded, it did make sense. "Why do you think I was so fascinated with the defence against the dark arts job?"
"I always thought it was because you were an evil bastard." She said with a laugh.
"If I am such an evil bastard what are you doing on my lap?" He joked, she kissed him.
"I said, I thought you were not, not I still think you are. Plus, I think your kind of sexy so that naturally negates the evilness." She adjusted herself so she was straddling his lap and kissed him seductively.
Ginny sat in the Gryffindor late the next evening reviewing the Gryffindor team's quidditch tactics. At breakfast that day Seraphina dropped a thick letter onto her lap, from Harry. He had thought it would be useful for her to have some of the plans he had drawn out the previous year. In the letter he wished her luck and revealed absolutely nothing about what was going on in the Order, as usual. She flicked through the sheets he had given her and found one or two that could be useful, but unfortunately she had to be a bit more cautious than Harry had been because of the fact that her new seeker was not as good as he was. She threw the papers down in frustration and was finally able to understand why Harry had gotten so annoyed as captain. It wasn't an easy job. She had to plan tactics, look after morale, keep the players in place and take the blame for anything that went wrong. She had three more training sessions scheduled and wanted to teach the team a new move that Harry designed, but never got around to teaching them, only she didn't think three sessions was enough. She also knew that the move would help out a great deal.
"Don't stress out Ginny." Hazel said plonking down on the armchair next to hers. Ginny pushed the numerous sheets of paper and parchment onto the floor and tucked her legs onto the over-stuffed red lounge. She put her head against the back of the lounge.
"It is hard not too. I have no idea whether to use a new move or not. I don't think we have enough time." She hissed, Hazel tried to look as though she understood.
"I know that I don't understand Quidditch that well, but I do have an opinion about this." Hazel told her.
"And your opinion is…?"
"I don't think Harry would have left it so late to send you the new moves if he didn't think you could teach them to the team in time for Saturday's game." Hazel said evenly, Ginny nodded.
"I guess so." She said.
"Anyway, how are things going? Besides quidditch?" Hazel asked. One thing Ginny loved about her best friend was how she changed the subject when she knew Ginny was stressed over it.
"Okay. I've done most of the essays, except the potions one." Ginny said, Hazel raised her eyebrows.
"Are you going to?" She asked. Ginny nodded.
"Yup." Hazel opened her mouth, and then shut it again. She looked around the room suspiciously.
"What, Snape wouldn't let you get away with it?" She asked, Ginny laughed.
"No, he wouldn't. He would just give me more detentions and insist I do it during one." She told her friend.
"And what exactly do you mean by detention? One of the scrubbing the potion phial detentions? Or the detention where you have a snogging session?" Hazel whispered. Ginny's face reddened significantly.
"Hazel!" She cried, Hazel laughed.
"It's true isn't it? When was the last time you actually had to do normal detention stuff?"
"Have you finished that essay for McGonagall?" Ginny asked. It was a blatant change of subject, but she didn't want Hazel to think she got off detentions that easily.
"Don't change the subject you git! Tell me the truth!" She poked Ginny in the ribs, making her giggle.
"Fine. It was the last term of last year… I think. Because Ron was there." Hazel gawked at her.
"Wow. Maybe I should date Flitwick… Detentions would be a breeze, Ginny screwed up her face.
"Flitwick?" She asked, disgusted.
"You can't talk!" Hazel laughed "You're with Snape!" Ginny stopped dead in her tracks.
"What's wrong with Severus?" She barked angrily, Hazel drew back and Ginny laughed.
"Shit Gin, I thought you were serious!" She coughed nervously, Ginny laughed even harder.
"No, I wasn't. Anyway, for what it's worth I think he is good looking." Ginny said, Hazel rolled her eyes.
"You're probably only saying that because you are going out with him." Hazel laughed, Ginny shook her head.
"I have to admit, I did think that he wasn't too bad on the eye, before all this started to happen." She waved her hand in the air dismissively and Hazel laughed.
Ginny cleared her throat and looked around the change room. Her new keeper, Aneas Giddlemore smiled at her. She called him over. He was a tall and rather handsome fifth year, who also happened to be an extremely talented keeper, perhaps better than Ron.
"Aneas," She begun, he shot her another dashing smile "I have heard that this year, the Hufflepuff chasers have been practising trick shots, aiming for the left hoop and shooting the right. I was wondering if you were familiar with the Double Eight Loop?" She asked.
"Yeah, I know it. It is in the final chapter of Quidditch Through the Ages." He said, eyes twinkling.
"Do you think you can manage it?" She asked.
"Anything to save a goal." He said gallantly, she forced a smile and walked over to the new Seeker Mena Narayan. Ginny should have known that Aneas' ego would get in the way.
"Ginny." Mena nodded her head as she tightened her shoelaces.
"Mena, how are you?"
"Good thanks, yourself?"
"Not too bad at all thanks." She sat down besides her cleared her throat. "I am guessing that the new Hufflepuff seeker will try and test you out, so I want you to make sure he doesn't lure you into any fake dives. I want you to chase the snitch only when you see it, but make sure you look busy." Mena nodded "Tonight, I am going to cast a charm that will mirror the snitch around the pitch, you will be able to tell which the real one by it's colour, so you will have to make sure you get a good look at it before you start chasing it, okay?" She asked.
"Sweet." Replied Mena gripping onto her broom tightly. Ginny stood up and walked over to the beaters Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie Coote. "You two, I want you to continue what you are doing, but try to play more offensively okay?" She asked they chorused a yes and she walked over to Marianna Ovell and Demelza Robins.
"Don't say anything until I tell you too," she told them quickly, they gave her worried looks "I have been going over some tactics that Harry sent me, and some that I have found and made up, and I think that we should learn a couple of new moves."
"It is-" Demelza begun, but Ginny raised a hand to silence her.
"Look, I understand it is late, but I have faith that we will learn some. There are six in total, but I want to try and get two of them nailed before Saturday. They are pretty difficult, about as complex as the one we used in the final last year." The other two chaser's jaw dropped. Harry had hell trying to teach them that one move in a month, Ginny expected them to learn two in a matter of days. "Everyone ready?" She called, a number of murmurs wafted into her ears and she headed towards the pitch.
An hour and a half later, Ginny was feeling rather pleased with herself, they had managed to learn one of the moves Harry designed, and just had to get their timing right. The other players were looking very impressive, and the over all mood of the team was good. When she was back in the change room, pulling on her t-shirt Peakes and Coote walked over to her.
"Hey Ginny." Coote said, she pulled her hair through the neck of her shirt and smiled.
"We just want to tell you that we like you better than Potter." Ginny laughed as a blush spread across her face.
"What do you mean?" she asked, they grinned.
"Harry had a way of yelling at us and making us feel as though we were screw ups. You just make us feel as though we are losers-" Peakes begun
"Which is much better than being screw ups." Ginny laughed.
"Oh, don't you worry, there will be many of opportunities for me to make you feel like screw ups later!"
Ginny walked into Severus' office and sat on the edge of his desk, he looked up at her and frowned, before pushing a pile of parchment away from her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, giving it to her. Ginny unravelled it and looked at it. There was a small map of Brazil, a skull covering the city of Sao Paulo. Ginny looked up at him and her stomach fell.
"Don't tell me…." She begun, he nodded sadly.
"South America. Almost fourty died. Mostly muggles." He said, she gasped and brought her hand to her mouth.
"Severus…" She whispered, looking at him desperately. Her mind spun, this war was not going to go away, she felt his arms wrap around her and he pressed his hand into her own. "When?" She asked.
"A few hours ago. I wanted to tell you tonight though. Ginny, as much as I hate to tell you this, I have to. This isn't going to stop. Voldemort is angry, and vicious, he want to claim the entire wizarding world. There will be more attacks, these are dangerous times." Ginny bit her lap and squeezed his hand. He leant forward and kissed her neck softly. "Don't worry my love, I will keep you safe." He whispered and then kissed her again, she smiled, taking refuge in his touch, relief in his words. All she knew is that when she was with Severus she fetl safe.
Two days later Ginny was woken by Seraphina nipping her ear. She pushed the owl away and rubbed her eyes, a copy of the Daily Prophet on her bedside table. She unrolled it groggily and felt sick as she read the headline. 'Swedish city Stockholm Hit.'. It was the third attack in a week. She laid back down and wished the feeling of queasiness' in her stomach away. She now realised that it was as if there were two realities, the one she faced in Hogwarts and the war-riddled one she knew lay just outside the castle's boundaries. She rubbed her eyes again and she wished that she could be with Severus that moment. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Knowing that she would see Severus that evening, she just had to be patient.
Later that day Ginny sat on a log at the edge of the forest with Hazel and Hagrid, waiting for the rest of her care of magical creatures class. They waited five minutes before the rest of the students joined them, Hagrid stood up and rubbed his hands together.
"I 'ave a great lesson planned for yeh's today." He said gleefully, Ginny bit her tongue, a good lesson in Hagrid's words meant that she was very likely to face one of the most dangerous creatures on the face of the earth. Hagrid urged them to follow him to the pen besides the forest. Ginny gasped loudly.
"Ah, I see miss Weasley 'as recognised this wonderful creature, care to tell us wha' it is?" Hagrid asked, Ginny looked up at him.
"It's a Graphorn. Professor Hagrid, you can't be serious." Ginny said nervously as the large greyish purple beast whinnied and threw it's horned head back intimidatingly. A few of the other students looked at each other in horror.
"Yep, I am serious. A beautiful beast tha' Graphorm, it's just misunderstood is all." He said, Ginny coughed.
"Professor, it is considered dangerous by the ministry of magic, only skilled handlers are meant to approach it!" Lianna added, a rather intelligent Ravenclaw girl, second to Ginny in this subject.
"If yeh are considerin' a career in animal handling you'll probably come across one of these." He told them. "There's no harm in starting to learn early. Now, any volunteers?" The class looked at each other apprehensively. "Miss Weasley, could yeh come with me please?" Ginny's eyes widened.
"But I didn't…" She begun
"Thanks for volunteering." Hagrid said dragging her towards the pen Ginny clutched her wand and wished for luck, she knew she would need it. graphorns are extremely vicious creatures with horns that would make the most experienced wizard pollute their pants. Ginny knew that the creatures could be tamed, but seriously doubted that the training would override their natural instincts.
Hagrid explained to Ginny that he wanted her to herd the creature into the cage at the far end of the pen. She knew from her studies that graphorns were shy away from bright light, but when she asked Hagrid for advice, he told her what she already knew. As she approached the beast it turned it's horned head to her and growled, Hagrid backed away slowly. She didn't know whether it was because he himself was scared, or to give her more room. The graphorn begun to stamp it's four thumbed feet viciously and Ginny pulled out her wand. It charged towards her, and she had a second to consider her plan of action.
" Lumos Maximo!" She bellowed, the tip of her wand erupted into the most magnificently bright light she had seen in years and the graphorn let out a loud cry of anguish, it turned and begun to head away from her wand. She threw a look back at Hagrid who had a grin the size of a quill on his face. Ginny turned her attention back to the graphorn and started to run towards it, wand outstretched.
Five minutes later the graphorn was safely back in it's cage and Ginny was taking a well deserved rest outside the confines of the pen. Hagrid explained to the class that wild graphorns were just as likely to run from such bright lights, but it was essential to maintain that light otherwise they would charge with more fevor. Ginny brushed her hair off her face and took a deep breath, thankful that this was her last lesson for the day.
Severus watched as Ginny came over to him and sat on the edge of his desk, that morning's copy of the Daily Prophet clutched in her hand. He brought his hand up to her face and caressed her cheek softly. He stood up and took the paper out of her hand, throwing it into the bin. He pressed his lips hard against hers and kissed her passionately, claiming her. Desire flooded through his body and he clutched her robes. She pulled away from him and looked into his eye, not wanting to know what they concealed. He clasped her hand in his and kissed her.
"I love you." He hissed into her ear before taking his lips as his own once again. After a few moments Ginny pulled away from hiss kissed and brought her lips to his ear.
"I love you too." She whispered, biting his earlobe playfully. She kissed him on the cheek before continuing "Severus, can we go to your room?" She breathed, he looked away from her.
"I don't know if…" He whispered back to her, pushing loose strands of hair behind her ear.
"I don't give a damn about the rules. Tonight it is just you and me." She hissed, his whole body ached with the need for her, to hold her, to have her. He squeezed her hand.
"Follow me." He hissed, he shook his hand out of his grasp and walked opened his office door, he turned to make sure she was following him.
Ginny followed Severus down the empty stone corridor for a less than a minute before he stopped in front of a large medieval tapestry. He looked around carefully, the only other person in sight was Ginny. He muttered the password and the artwork rolled itself up to reveal a door behind it, he tapped the door with his wand and held it the door open so Ginny could walk in. He stepped into his sitting room and shut the door behind him.
"This way." He said with a flourish of his left hand, he placed his right hand on the small of Ginny's back and led her into his bedroom. It was much nicer than his room at home, it was decorated with rich green tapestries and silver ornaments on the dresser. His bed was a large queen size four-poster with deep emerald curtains hanging down. Severus turned to Ginny and begun to kiss her again. After five minutes of heated kissing he swept her into his arms and carried her over to his bed, laying her on it carefully. She pulled the elastic out of her hair and let it fan out and contrast the green bed covers. Severus parted her legs with his knee and settled himself on top of her, kissing her and caressing her. Slowly, he begun to undress her, and she undressed him. "I love you." He whispered, not completely naked and on top of her.
"I love you too." She hissed, the pain she felt from needing him rushed away as he slowly lowered into her.
Ginny stirred and Severus' eyes snapped open. The smallest amount of light peered through his curtains as a sullen reminder of the situation he had found himself.
"Ginny." He whispered, shaking her shoulder softly, she groaned and turned away from him. "Ginny." He hissed this time and she peeled her eyes open, and as soon as they met his own she jumped up.
"Shit." She cursed, looking around for her top. "What time is it?" She asked, looking around for her clothes. Severus turned around to look at his clock, glad to see that it was just on four o'clock. Ginny sat up and looked at the clock to. She jumped out of the bed and ran around the room, picking up her clothes and putting them on as she went. When she was dressed Severus stood up, his blanket wrapped around his waist loosely. He walked over to her and grabbed her arms, he pulled her close and kissed her softly.
"I have to tell you something, my love." He said firmly, she looked into his eyes and tears formed in her own chocolate ones.
"Please don't." She whispered, throwing her head back in disdain. "Not again." She turned and ran for the door.
"There is a secret passage just near here," She stopped "It is behind the statue of Olypma the Great. The password is Gippleweed. It will take you to the fifth floor beside transfiguration classroom four." He told her. She opened the door. "Good luck with the game." She shut the door behind her and sat on the edge of his bed, head in his hands.
Ginny threw the quaffle hard at Marianna, channelling her anger into the ball. Marianna caught it and swore at her, Ginny ignored it. Her team was playing at the top of their game, that is, except for Ginny. At first she was upset about Severus, but as time passed she became angry. She didn't understand why the war had to claim everyone she loved, why they all had to risk their lives.
Severus watched Ginny throw the quaffle around, he could tell she was angry. She had a mean scowl on her face and her team mates were feeling her anger when they caught the ball, he only hope her anger would fade. He had to leave again. He didn't know how long for, but he did know one thing, that he was to immerse himself among the death eaters again. Something which he was not looking forward too. He watched as Ginny's team mate Demelza Robins scored a goal and the quaffle was taken back to the centre of the pitch. The ball was tossed and Ginny slammed her body to the broom, accelerating so fast that the other chasers didn't have a chance to comprehend that the quaffle was available. Even though she was upset he noticed that she was still an amazing player, anger replaced determination, and it was her driving force. She sped towards the goal posts almost knocking the Hufflepuff chasers off their brooms. The Hufflepuff keeper Jameson tailed her every move but was knocked through the goal post with the quaffle as she threw the ball with all of her might. Severus flinched. He had hoped that she would have taken it better.
Ten minutes later the score was one hundred and thirty to seventy, Gryffindor's way. Gryffindor caught the snitch and consequently won the match. The game was a long one and Ginny walked into the change-room tired and angry. She pulled a bottle of water out of her locked and gulped some down.
"Hey Ginny…" Came Aneas voice from behind her, she turned around to face him.
"Yes?" She hissed.
"What's up?" He asked, placing his hand softly on her harm. She threw her broom on the floor.
"Get your hand off me." She growled before storming out of the room.
Ginny threw a pebble into the lake angrily. She had been sitting in the same place for over two hours, and Hazel had come by to ask her back to the common room for the party. She told Hazel that she wanted some time alone and she left. Ginny stood up slowly and turned, the dirt still on her face from the match. She ran towards the castle doors, her legs felt like lead. She threw the heavy oak doors open and headed towards the dungeon, the corridors empty. When she reached the tapestry outside Severus' room she snarled the password he had heard her say and pushed on the handle, relieved to find that he hadn't locked it. She walked into the small sitting room and slammed the door behind her.
"Who's there?" Came Severus' voice from behind his bedroom door. She walked over and pushed the door open, he looked at her, startled. "Ginny." He said, walking over to her. He pulled her body against his own and her anger melted away – replaced by a feeling of desolation. "I am so sorry." He whispered stroking her hair. She shook her head.
"I can't go through this again Severus. I can't!" He patted her on the back. Her tears seeped through his robes.
"You can Ginny, and you will. You are stronger than you think." He whispered, kissing her head softly.
"I can't stand it. I hate not knowing. I hate the waiting." She buried her head further into his chest. After a long while she pulled away from him, tears still flowing freely. "How long?" She asked.
"I don't know." He replied, she beat her fist against his chest.
"DON'T GIVE ME THAT!" She yelled "HOW LONG?" He grabbed her fist and kissed it.
"I do not know my love, I wish I could tell you." He whispered into her ear, he had to grab her quickly as she begun to collapse, he walked her over to his bed and sat down beside her.
"Please don't go." She begged, he looked away, her pain was too much for him to bear. He could stand to look at her tear and dirt stained face, her eyes red from all of the crying. He clasped her face with two hands and looked deep into her eyes.
"I will come back. I promise you. I don't know how long I will be gone but I can tell you that I will return." She tried to avoid his eyes. "Ginny, believe me, please. There is nothing more that I want than to come back to you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I can't think of anything more painful than having to leave your side. Please Ginny, I will be back, I love you." He kissed her passionately and when he pulled away the side of her lips curled into a tiny smile.
"I love you too." He stared deep into her eye and then looked at her face.
"Look at you." He said, rubbing his thumb against some dirt on her cheek, she laughed. "You played an amazing game." He told her and she smiled her thanks. "You need to get cleaned up." He told her. She nodded and stood up.
"When are you going?" she asked.
"Monday." He replied. She nodded soberly and walked away from him for the second time that day.
Monday came and went, Ginny was unable to see Severus off. Each second that passed seemed an eternity, each morning she woke up wishing that he would return that day. Ginny sought refuge in the fact that she had not heard word of an attack, but, she could not hide away from the knowledge that she could not ask about Severus. She couldn't ask Dumbledore if he was still safe, alive even, and she couldn't send him an owl. Her evenings seemed dim without the constant detentions and remedial lessons and the excellent quidditch training sessions failed to make her smile. On many occasions people had expressed their relief that Severus was gone, and Ginny had often heard Hazel turning to them and telling the person to shut up. Ginny was thankful for that, but she knew that Hazel had begun to realise that there was more to Severus' absence than an international potions summit. Ginny wished so deeply that she could open up to her friend, tell her about Severus' trip, her family, why the war bothered her so much. Instead she found herself spending countless hours in the corner of the common room, by the lake and in the owlery. Ginny knew that the best way to cope with Severus' absence would be to stay with her friends, and have fun. She also knew that spending so much time alone, mulling over his absence, would allow her to think that perhaps he would be back soon, keep her hoping that she would wake up one morning and find him in the Great Hall.
It wasn't until two long and painful weeks later that she heard from him. On her seventeenth birthday. In the late evening a brown barn owl flew into her dormitory and dropped a present on top of the pile on her trunk that she hadn't had the energy to open or even look at. It was wrapped in deep green with a silver bow; it had to be from Severus. She scrambled over her bed and clutched the present in her hand, there was a small piece of parchment rolled up and tied to it. She unravelled it and recognized Severus' writing; her heart gave a nervous flutter.
All is well. Happy birthday.
She couldn't help but feel delighted that he had written that all was well and she seriously hoped that it was true. She did however wish that there was more to the letter, but she guessed that it was best that he wrote as little as he possibly could in case the letter was intercepted. She puled on the delicate silver silk ribbon that was around the green velvet that the present was wrapped in. When she took the ribbon away the velvet fell onto her lap and revealed a weight silver metal box. It was engraved with pictures of magical creatures of all sorts and there was a small plaque at the top that had her name on it in the most wonderful writing. She opened it and inside there was a note and a pair of earrings. She picked up the earring and observed them carefully, they were plain gold with what looked like diamond drops, she smiled and clutched them tightly before picking up the note. When she did she realised that the inside of the box was curved and took on the appearance of a small bowl.
'Sometimes in such a tragic era there are some things that you need to get out of your mind. This is a pensieve. When you feel that your mind is too full place your wand tip to your head and remember what it is you wish to forget. Place the memory in this bowl and you will be able to access it at any time, in any place. Simply put the tip of your finger in the bowl to view a memory or put your wand tip in to retrieve it and place it back in you mind.'
Ginny looked at the small box and was thankful for the note she found inside. It was a marvellous idea and she was grateful that Severus thought of it. There were some things that she wished she didn't remember, and she planned to put them in the pensieve later that evening. First, she wanted to open the rest of her presents.
Ginny stood up, walked around to the end of the bed, and sat on her trunk. She looked at the pile and realised that there were a few more presents than usual, including the one from Severus. She looked down at the floor and one present caught her eye. She bent over and picked it up. She knew immediately what it was, there was almost no need to unwrap it. She had to wonder though who would send her a broom. She looked around and saw a card attached to the end of the package and tore it open.
Dearest Ginny,
I would like to wish you a happy birthday and I would also like to say that I hope you are coping well with everything. Things aren't going too badly where I am but I can sense an end to all of this nonsense is not too far in the future. I hope that after all is said and done we can meet in better circumstances, and I look forward to that time. For now, I wish you all the best.
Love,
Harry
Ginny frowned and took the paper of the broom slowly, when the broomstick rolled onto the floor she bit her lip. It was Harry's firebolt. He loved that broom and it clearly meant so much to him. Ginny knew that Sirius gave it too him after his nimbus was ruined and she did not want to take it away from him. She was going to send him a letter and tell him that it was not necessary.
Before heading to the owlery Ginny opened the rest of her presents and scrawled thankyou notes to the people who sent them to her. With her present from Ron and Hermione there was also an invitation to their wedding and a letter telling her about the plans and asking for some opinions.
Ginny sat in the common room with Hazel and Colin who where busy talking to each other about the next week's visit at Hogsmeade. Ginny sat back and looked over the essay she just finished for charms. She yawned and Hazel looked over at her.
"Colin." She said interrupting him mid sentence, Ginny noticed that she did this a lot.
"Yes?" he asked trying hard not roll his eyes.
"I am tired. I am going to bed." She told him and grabbed Ginny's hand. She stood up and leant over to kiss Colin good night. Hazel then dragged Ginny up to her their and sat on her bed. "Happy birthday." She said, Ginny nodded and yawned again.
"Thanks Hazel. Do you mind if I go to sleep, I am tired?" She asked, Hazel tutted.
"Ginny, you are not going to bed until you tell me what is wrong." Hazel said softly. Ginny rolled her eyes and forced a smile.
"Hazel, there is nothing wrong." She said with an air of dismissal in her tone.
"Don't give me that Ginny. You have been moping around the castle for two weeks… you birthday even failed to cheer you up!" Hazel said simply, Ginny looked away from her, tempted to tell her everything.
"Hazel everything if fine." She hissed, Hazel knew it was a lie.
"Ginny, I am not your best friend for no reason. You can tell me what is wrong. Look, if it is because Snape is gone you don't need to be worried, he will be back soon enough and you can snog his lights out." Ginny stood up angrily.
"Are you that daft?" She asked, Hazel glared at her. "I wouldn't care if he had to go to a fucking wedding would I? Don't you think that I'd understand? Hazel he could get killed. Every time he leaves this god forsaken castle he risks being killed!" Hazel shook her head.
"Ginny, I know there have been a lot of attacks lately but they wouldn't dare attack England, our wizards are too powerful!" Ginny growled in frustration.
"Hazel, why do you think they are doing this? Why do you think they haven't attacked us yet? Do you really believe that it is because we are too strong? You have to be kidding me." Ginny stopped and took a few deep breaths, trying to regain her composure so she could not tell Hazel anymore.
"I don't know what to think Ginny because no one fucking tells me anything!" Hazel yelled, she stood up. "There is nothing in the newspaper about anything except the attacks. I don't even know that there is someone who is going to be there to defend us. No one will tell me anything. Not even you. I have nothing but hope. For Merlin's sake Ginny! What more can I do but hope?" Ginny screamed in frustration.
"I don't know anything either damn it! Don't you understand? I don't know a fucking thing! And even if I did I wouldn't know what to make of it! All that I do know is that everyone I love is outside the castle walls defending people who wouldn't even know who they were. Risking their lives for complete strangers. And all I can do about it is sit back here and write stupid fucking charms essays! How do you think I feel? Everyone I loved torn away from me because of the hell that this world is becoming!" Ginny opened her trunk angrily and rummaged through it to get some pyjamas.
"Don't lie to me Ginny! You do know something. You know more than I could ever hope to know, and yet, you wont tell me anything! Do you think that I like seeing you this pissed off? You think I enjoy seeing you mope around the castle? I can't do anything to help you. You don't tell me what is wrong so what else can I do?" Hazel yelled. Ginny turned to her.
"Perhaps I do know things that you don't know Hazel. Do you think I can tell you? Do you think I can tell anyone? There are things that I know that you wouldn't be able to imagine. I can't tell you though. I can't say anything!" Ginny pulled her pyjamas out of her trunk and slammed the lid back down angrily. "Merlin knows I want to." She hissed as she fell back onto her bed. Hazel sat down beside her and stroked her hair.
"Ginny, if you need to talk to me you can. You can tell me anything, you know that." Ginny looked at her and then looked away.
"I need to get some sleep." She said, Hazel stood up and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Ginny wished that she could hold Severus and have him comfort her, tell her that everything is all right.
The next day there was a tension between Ginny and Hazel so thick that it could be cut with a knife. Ginny had still not received word from Severus. The only letter that she had gotten still sat in her pocket unopened. Her homework on her lap unfinished. She threw her head back in anguish – she needed to get her mind off things. Suddenly she remembered the pensieve that Severus had given her. She jumped up, parchment flying everywhere, and ran to her dormitory. She threw her trunk open and pulled the silver box out it before shutting the lid again. She opened the latch on the front of the box and then placed it on the top of her trunk. She took the earrings and the note out of it and pulled out her wand. Remembering her time in the chamber if secrets she put her wand to her head. Slowly she felt the memory's weight lifting from her heart and mind and she pulled the wand away from her, a delicate silver strand coming from it's tip. She steadied her hand and touched the bowl with the tip of her wand, the liquid pulled away from her wand and she smiled. She repeated the process time and time again. Each memory she pulled from her mind lifted some sort of sorrow and stress from her heart and allowed her to think more clearly.
When she was finished she closed the box with a small smile and picked up the earrings. They were stunning. She took the simple sleepers she had in her ears and fastened the ones that Severus gave her in their place.
Two days later Ginny started quidditch training up again, there had not been a single sessions since their last match. The pain of not knowing about Severus had not left her or died down, instead it throbbed in her heart more painfully, but she had tried to distract herself from it. She had decided to continue to teach the team more moves and by the end of the training sessions they were well worn out. She got changed amid the avid discussion of her team mates and grabbed Harry's firebolt before heading out of the room. She had send him four letters insisting that he kept his broom before he told her that if she didn't take it he would curse her so badly that she would be unconscious for three months. The broom was excellent, everything she imagined a firebolt would be. She stopped suddenly, the broom fell to the floor.
"Good evening Miss Weasley." Dumbledore said cheerfully, he looked at the broom and bent over to pick it up. "Ah, this is Harry's broom no doubt?" He asked, she nodded numbly "Very nice broom indeed." He looked it once over before handing it to her. "So, how have you been?" He asked. She shrugged.
"I…." She begun, but she didn't know what more to say. Her heart was slowly deflating, all the good thoughts seeping out. She didn't know why he was speaking to her now; he usually didn't approach her at school. But then again, he had never needed to before.
"You are not too well then? Why is that Miss Weasley?" he asked softly, blue eyes twinkling with concern.
"I…." She did it again, he smiled at her sympathetically. A few minutes passed before Ginny mustered up the courage to speak. "I-is everyone okay?" She asked, Dumbledore nodded. "Mum… Dad?" He nodded again.
"Everyone is fine." He told her, she looked away from him. Judging by the way he said everyone, he knew what she was thinking. "I understand that things are hard for you at the moment." He said, she stood still "But there is always a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for those who dare to chase it for long enough. Just be patient miss Weasley. He will return." Before Ginny could ask what he meant he was out of her sight. He couldn't possibly know. Perhaps she meant Harry, maybe he thought that she was worried for Harry, perhaps he was on a mission of his own. She tried to shrug the comment off and walked back towards the castle as her heart pumped manically.
Snowflakes fell over the grassy greens of Hogwarts and the weather grew cold and the sky turned grey. Ginny's mood was a perfect reflection of the weather, it had been three full weeks since she had seen from Severus and all she knew was that the had send her a note stating that all was well, but she had begun to wonder if that letter was written before he left. That morning she received the Daily Prophet only to find that San Francisco in America had been attached. She did everything she could to stop herself from believing that Severus was a part of it. Ginny sat in the library reading about the great giant battle of 1605 when she heard feet pounding. She looked up to see Hazel running towards the table, she was meant to be at dinner. Since Severus left Ginny had only taken a few meals, the rest of the time she spent alone. So Hazel knew that she was likely to be in the library. Hazel finally reached the desk Ginny was seated at and hunched over clutching her chest and panting.
"Ginny." She puffed.
"Hazel, what is wrong?" Ginny asked standing up. Hazel shook her head and took a few seconds to recapture her breath.
"He is back." She whispered, Ginny's jaw dropped and she turned to leave. Hazel grabbed her arm and spun her around before she had an opportunity to take one step. "Ginny. I know that there is so much about your relationship that I don't understand, for that I am sorry, but I am glad he is back." She whispered "He just left the great hall."
"Was he with anyone?" She asked, Hazel shook her head and Ginny bolted out of the room.
Five minutes later Ginny was standing outside of Severus' dungeon tapetry, she whispered the password and tried to open the door, only to find it was locked. She banged it hard with her fist and just when she was just about to give up the door opened and Severus stood there wrapped in a towel, still dripping wet. Tears streamed from Ginny's eyes and she leapt at him. He caught her and spun her around in the air, kissing her passionately. Ginny's heart slowly begun to lighten and to soar. He was back, safe again. He was hers once more. He set her on the ground carefully and shut the door.
"I sent you an owl…" he said, she looked puzzled.
"Hazel told me." She panted "I had to see for myself." He smiled at her, she looked him up and down, scratches and bruises covered his body. The scar on his neck from last year still glistened painfully. "Are you okay?" She asked running her hand over his chest, basking in his warmth.
"I am fine." He smiled and pulled her into a hug "I have never been happier to see anyone in my life." He whispered before kissing her again.
After hugging in silence for quiet some time Severus led Ginny to the bedroom and sat her down on his bed, taking the space to the right of her as his own. He told her where he had gone, and that he had spent the time in the company of the Death Eaters. He had not had part in the attack on America, he had stayed at Malfoy manor and assisted Voldemort.
As Severus talked he could not take his eyes of the young girl that he had come to love. He was fascinated by her, her brown eyes, porcelain skin, flaming hair. He could smell her, that beautiful scent of flower and grass that was uniquely hers. When he finished speaking she looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes. She kissed him softly at first, and then her kissed became more heated - more seductive. He stood up quickly and she looked heart broken.
"I am sorry my love, but I have to go. Professor Dumbledore wanted to see me." He said softly, he leapt into his arms and gripped him so tightly he feared that he would loose his breath. He pulled himself from her grip and she fell back onto his bed. He walked over to his dresser and gathered his clothes, then put them on. He walked over to her and took her hand and led her to the door in the sitting room. He gave her a soft peck on the lips before stepping back to look at her again, he raised his hand to her cheek and ran his thumb over it softly. "Are you going to Hogsmeade this weekend?" He asked, she shrugged "Meet me in the shrieking shack at twelve sharp." He kissed her again.
"But…" He put a finger to his lip.
"Don't worry, it is not haunted. Just meet me there okay?" She nodded numbly and he walked out of his room.
That weekend Ginny sat in the Three Broomsticks, enjoying a butterbeer with Colin and Hazel. She looked at the clock on the wall and nearly choked on her drink.
"Uh – I have to go." She muttered standing up, she threw a few knuts on the table.
"Do you want us to come?" Hazel asked.
"No thanks Hazel." Ginny said with a smile and walked out of the room.
Ginny walked up the icy hill that led to the shrieking shack, the cold wind making her shiver despite the many layers of clothes she had pulled close to her body. She looked up at the tacky wooden shack and bit her lip. For her entire life she had heard that it was the most haunted building in all of Brittain, and her common sense told her not to go within a hundred meters of it. Surely Severus would not have told her to go there if it was so badly haunted. She swallowed her anxiety and pushed the gate open, it screeched menacingly but she told herself it was only because it was so old. She followed the iced over cobblestone path to the door and looked around to make sure no one was watching her. She took a deep breath and pushed it open. A wall of warmth hit her and she stepped inside, shutting the door behind her. The room was furnished with old, tacky lounges and crumbling wooden hat stands and mantles.
"Severus?" She whispered, she saw Severus' head poke out from behind a door and she looked at him nervously. "Are you sure it is safe?" She asked, he nodded and beckoned her over.
"The village people only believed it to be haunted because this is where Lupin would come to transform when he was as Hogwarts." Ginny looked shocked and Severus laughed. He took her hand and led her up the stairs and into the room at the far end of the hall. She looked around and this room seemed very out of place in the house. There was a large antique bed in the centre of the room with deep purple bed covers and silk sheets. There were pure white candles scattered through the room burning brightly. There was a marvellous fire roaring in the ornate fireplace and at the opposite end of the room there were two old-fashioned armchairs with a table between them. Severus led her over to the chair and urged her to sit down. He lifted a plate of the table filled with chocolate-coated strawberries and other delightful sweets. She took a strawberry with a smile and he sat down in the other chair. "I am so sorry that I haven't been able to talk to you since Friday." He said "But Dumbledore wanted me to spend as much time at the headquarters as I could yesterday." Ginny nodded and took another look around.
"Did you fix it up?" She asked gesturing to the room, he nodded. "You did a wonderful job." He reached across the small table and clasped her hand.
"How have you been?" He asked, she shrugged. "I thought as much. I am sorry that I was unable to be in contact with you since your birthday." He said.
"Thankyou very much for the present." Ginny said graciously "You have no idea how much it meant to me." Severus shrugged.
"I thought that you might need to clear your mind." He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it gently. "I missed you severely when I was gone." He whispered. They inched closer together and after a few charged moments their lips came together in a passionate kiss. Severus stood up and walked around to where Ginny was seated. He took her hand and helped her to her feet before walking her over to the bed. He kissed her as he lowered her down carefully, his body wanting to consume hers. He wanted to take her as his own, make up for the time he spent away. Ginny moaned softly as his lips travelled down her neck, her chest, her stomach. This was the first time that Severus had made the first move and seduced Ginny. She had always had to make the suggestion, kiss him first. Now he took control and she liked it, she enjoyed knowing that he needed her, mind and body. He slipped his knee between her legs and parted them before placing himself against her he kissed her neck passionately, careful not to leave a mark. Ginny brought her hands up to the collar of his robes and began to unbutton them, he abandoned his fervent kissing to return the favour.
As their clothes dropped to the floor and their bodies united the snow outside the shrieking shack begun to fall heavier, telling all who noticed that it would soon be Christmas time. Ginny and Severus were content to lay with each other for three hours after they made love, very few words passing between them. The candles scattered across the room burnt low and the light that was peering through the curtains from outside begun to fade.
Severus kissed Ginny on the forehead softly and stroked her hair, she looked up at him and smiled her sweetest smile.
"Before I left, when I said I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you…" Severus begun softly, Ginny's eyes twinkled "I meant it." She buried her head in his chest and closed her eyes. There was nothing for her to say. He brought his hand down and placed it on her chin so he could lift her face up and see her eyes. "I am sorry." He whispered, worried that his comments scared her. She shook her head and a tear slid down her cheek.
"There is no need to be sorry." She told him with a smile "I just didn't know what to say." He looked away from her "Severus, look at me. I love you, and I feel whole when I am with you." She pecked him on the lips "I cant imagine anything more wonderful than spending my life with you." He smiled back at her and hugged her tightly. Ginny knew too well that while she was still at school they couldn't take their relationship any further, but she intended to move further with him when she was finished, and now she knew that he felt the same way. "For now though," she begun looking at her watch on the bedside table "I am afraid that it is getting late, we should get back to Hogwarts." Severus nodded before kissing her again, stroking her hair lovingly.
A/N: There you have it, chapter number 19. Well, that chapter was a little longer than I originally wanted it to be but I didn't want to break up the action of this chapter. The next chapter is planned out and will be posted soon, so thankyou for reading.
Special Thanks to,
Rosco36908: Thanks for the review, I appreciate it very much. Here is the next chapter, I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long! Take care!
Mistress of Eternity: Thanks for reviewing. Was the last chapter really that short? It was one of the longest chapters. Aw well, this one is hopefully long enough for you, I must say it was a killer to write. About Arthur and Molly though, I just figured that since Arthur was such good friends with Moody, and Dumbledore that there might be more to it. Sorry about the attack on Russia too, but they had to attack somewhere, and don't worry, my own country was the first to be hit. Igloo you say? Wow, your friend is funny. My uncle is obsessed with Canada, he went over there twice and his everything he says now is "In Canada they…." He even had the nerve to insult the Australian style of Christmas, and my cousin actually told him to go and live in Canada if he liked it so much! It seems like a beautiful place, and if I am right it snows there… so lucky to see snow! And don't you dare say you bombarded my review paged, it was definitely nice to get such a long review, I like the long ones! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Maddudewalking: Yes, Hazel is still at school, sorry to confuse you! Severus just doesn't get it does he? Ginny wants detentions. Ha ha. Typical male. It would be cool to find out that Molly and Arthur were aurors, wouldn't it? It would make a lot of sense. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Anglic Bladez: Thankyou veru much for your review, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!
HarryGinnyfan23: Thankyou for wishing me luck, I think I did need it actually. There were times during this chapter when I just thought… eh. But here it is now, and it is good to finally have gotten it finished. I hope you enjoyed it!
I Love Nerds 919: Thankyou, I have updated and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Something – l1k3 – LAuGhTeR: Yeah, Fred and George are great, I think I will be using them again soon, they are hilarious. Have you seen the fourth movie yet? They are great in that. I think that my new favourite ship is gw/ss now. I think it would be so cool if they could get together, they are great! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Love,
Atalanta Zora
(Sinister Spiders)