Disclaimer : I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter : 32
Facing Fear's
Enjoy!
Harry rolled his eye's at McHaley. Harry for some reason didn't like her. It was unexplainable. He knew she had really never did anything to him. But Harry couldn't stop the nagging suspicion. He often spoke with Ginny about it during her classes. When he was suppose to be reading or practicing a spell.
' Maybe she's a Death Eater ' said Harry.
' And she's showing it by giving you an average of about fifteen house points everyday. ' said Ginny. Harry felt her smiling.
' Good point. Besides I think Hermione's angry enough with her. If she would attempt the killer curse, I bet she'd actually pull it off ' said Harry jokingly.
' It does seem odd that McHaley keeps ignoring her ' said Ginny.
' It is raising some curiosity. ' admitted Harry. But Harry didn't have long to wait as he was shoving his transfiguration back into his bag. Hermione slammed her book on her desk.
"I've had it with that women. I'm staying behind to talk to her." said Hermione stubbornly. Ron shrugged. Harry was feeling apprehensive about it after joking with Ginny about McHaley being a Death Eater.
"Are you sure Hermione. I mean we don't know nothing about her." said Harry.
"Of course I'm sure. She's not evil. Just misguiding and I want to find out why" said Hermione. Harry nodded and he and Ron walked into the courtyard where Ginny met up with them.
"I'm sure everything is alright, can you hear anything Ron?" asked Ginny after what seemed minuets.
"Just that she's reeling on about teaching. Must be something McHaley said" replied Ron.
"Yes, but her tone is it strong, meek and mild. Overly dominating?" asked Ginny her annoyance clear in her voice.
"Don't know, but now she seems calm and kind of collected. I guess, wait she's looking for us" Ron screwed up his face and a few moments later Hermione found them all in the courtyard. The break already almost over.
"I talked to her" said Hermione.
"And she didn't do anything?" asked Harry.
"First, just to be safe. Last year I told you that Ron had a tattoo of what?" asked Ginny smiling evilly at Ron, who scowled back.
"A pigmy puff. Not that I'm likely to forget that anytime soon. Sorry" she added at Ron. "Anyway I talked with Professor McHaley about it and she said that the reasoning is that she wanted to give other people a chance to answer correctly too. Said that I can make people feel insecure in their own research. She was grading me appropriately, but in class she wanted the rest of the class to excel themselves. At first I thought this was total rubbish, but then she said she knew what job I was seeking and said that patients is in high demand in that line of work. Of course I knew that! So she was just preparing me for that also. She said that it worked out better for everyone, but promised she would call on me every so often." said Hermione very fast. Harry looked amused, only actually having caught half of it, but he understood the just of it all.
' I should have betted you on that ' said Ginny.
' What would you have wagered if you won? ' asked Harry. Ginny slid in front of him as if to give him a hug, but Harry smiled as he caught her mischievous grin. ' Now wildfire you don't even have to bet on that, cause that's a sure bet it will happen ' Harry teased and Ginny giggled as the bell surrounded around them. Harry gave Ginny a through kissing and bid her goodbye as she headed for Transfiguration and Harry took off after Ron and Hermione to the green houses. Magnus had taken to sleep in the dormitory all day.
The school day tarried on, but Harry started to wonder back to the Horcrux, that laid inside a golden quill. It was out there somewhere waiting for him to find it, to destroy it. Ginny listened to his thoughts without much comment until he had ran out of ideas.
' Harry you've got to slow down. We'll find it and when we do we'll have all the Horcrux besides that damned snake, and Voldemort himself. '
' That's another thing, how are we going to actually get a hold of Nagini? It's not like he'll bare a piece of his soul to me. So it's not going to be with him, if he comes to fight ' said Harry his tone was aggravated and he did little to calm it down.
' We'll have to search for her separately. Maybe we can secretly find out from members of the order as where the snake might be. Do you think it's in hiding also? ' asked Ginny. Harry closed his eye's and heaved a deep breath. Was the snake in hiding now too?
' Somehow I don't think so. I think Voldemort's a little to close to the snake for it to be in a hole or hidden room. But I just don't know ' admitted Harry. He picked his bag up from the floor next to his desk in a huff. Ron and Hermione looked at him.
"What is it?" asked Ron.
"We were trying to figure out if the snake is hidden too" said Harry refraining himself from saying Nagini's name.
"I admit I thought of the possibility, but I really don't think that though" said Hermione.
"Why not?" asked Ginny as she came around the corner and joined them. Harry let her slide her hand into his. She squeezed it comfortably.
"Because can you imagine being so close to something you allow for it to become one with you, in a matter of speaking, then tuck it away in a neat little room?" said Hermione. "I don't think so"
"Yeah I have to agree with Hermione" said Ron. "If he was attached enough to that to that, then he wouldn't send it away"
"You both are right. But I just can't shake this feeling like I know where this hidden one is. Or at least been in it's presence before and didn't see it for what it truly was." said Harry aggravated.
"Well, that could be anything though, especially since you've been to most popular spots for witches and wizards." said Ginny.
"I know, but now that we know what we're looking for, I would have thought I would remember if, and where I had seen it" said Harry. He sat at Gryffindor table in the great hall and grimaced at the horrid thought of it being sold in some shop, them not knowing what it truly was.
"I don't think that and neither do you, not truly" said Ginny as she loaded his plate with his favorite things. "Now eat" Harry looked down at his plate and smiled before leaning over and giving Ginny a kiss on her cheek.
"Thanks, where would I be without you" whispered Harry.
"Probably still trying to get out of a hospital wing, I imagine." smirked Ginny. ' Or trying still to figure out the creature was a sphinx ' Harry grinned.
"Oh ha, ha. Yes it was you who figured it out" said Harry. ' But it was true loves kiss that took us both out of that room, if I do recall '
"Oh see now we're getting technical, more precise, I see" said Ginny matching his smile. The two oblivious to the people who had stopped to watch and listen to this interesting half a conversation. Neither one noticed the amusement looks shared between their two best friends. ' What about me saving you from Gabriella? ' Harry flinched outwardly.
"What about me having to go through that warning of your brothers?" said Harry as his grin broadened. Ginny went to open her mouth, but Harry quickly added. ' What about Godric's Hollow ' Ginny clamped her mouth shut and flushed, her cheeks turned pink.
"As I recall Mr. Potter I was there right beside you when those pales of cold water hit." said Ginny almost laughing now. ' Not to mention the secret room last night ' Harry fell out of his seat and landed on the floor with a thump.
"Oww!" grumbled Harry before he started laughing along with everyone else around them, but Harry finally smirked and added. "Yes, let's talk about that shall we?" Ginny stopped laughing. ' As I recall, that door swung both way's '
"Harry Potter are you turning egotistical on me?" said Ginny now smirking too. ' Because I well remember what happened after Fleur's wedding too, you know ' It was Harry's turn to blush red as he picked himself up and sat beside Ginny, who was wearing a triumph smile. Harry slumped his shoulders in defeat.
"And the winner is-"began Seamus, but everyone stopped and gasped. Harry had drawn Ginny into a kiss that looked like it should have been saved for a more private matter. He didn't let his hands roam, but only to hold her to him. She tilted her head and Harry delved deeper. Thrilling in her lip's pressed against his. Harry pulled back when he felt Ginny responding more heatedly. He gave her a lopsided grin.
"You know I hate it when you do that" said Ginny in a low womanly growl. Harry smiled a little more.
"Oh and Harry on the rebound, wins this match" yelled Seamus. Harry grinned as he heard Seamus's voice yell somewhere behind him. Ginny rolled her eye's.
' Let's talk about what's not going to happen tonight, shall we? ' Ginny smiled as she picked up her fork. Harry who had just taken a drink of pumpkin juice sent it spraying out of his mouth and it hit Ron square in the face. Ginny and Hermione started to laugh. Some gasped , other howled in laughter.
"I'm so sorry Ron, Gin… she.. NO!" Harry ran out of the great hall with Ron hot on his heals wand drawn out, with jinxes flying at Harry every few seconds. Harry briefly wondered if Hermione was helping him.
' She is ' laughed Ginny in his mind.
They rounded Hagrid's hut, but Hagrid was no where to be seen, so Harry ran around Buckbeak who was stamping the ground at the sudden appearance of the boy's around him. Harry backed away immediately. Ron stopped short before coming any closer, both boy's bowed politely and a few moments later Buckbeak bowed back, but by the time he raised up off the ground, both blokes were running again around Hagrid's hut. Harry was starting to go out of breath as he ran into the pumpkin patch. Harry's leg's suddenly gave way. He hit the ground with his full body weight. Thinking that Ron had hit him with a spell.
"Okay give. I give. I'm sorry! Merlin Ron, what did you hit me with?" panted Harry. He felt sick again, and passed it off from the sudden adrenaline rush.
"I didn't hit you Harry, but if you give, then I won anyway!" said Ron happily. "You okay mate?" Ron fell beside him, clutching his side.
"We need to get back up to the castle I think. Starting to get a stomachache."? said Harry. Ron nodded.
"Okay, but I feel fine though" Harry rolled his eye's as Ron helped him to his feet. He got a matter of three steps before turning away from Ron and throwing up. Harry fell to his knee's again. The crowed that had followed them out there began ewwing, and sounding disgusted. Ron tried shooing everyone away and even managed to get them back a good few paces. Harry saw Ginny running down the slope towards him. She slid in the grass behind him, and pushed his robes out of the way. She started to rub his back comforting as another wave sent him spewing more of his lunch into the grass.
"It's okay... Here rinse your mouth out with this." said Ginny afterward. Harry nodded his head and took the wooden glass she had transfigured from a twig laying on the ground nearby, and filled it with water. Harry took a drink and swished his mouth out. He spite it out on top of the pile he'd made earlier. Ginny waved her wand and it was gone. Harry relaxed as Ginny pulled him into a hug from behind. She kissed the top of his head, and Harry's body suddenly felt drained.
"I'm sorry Gin-" began Harry hoarsely.
"For what? We need to get back to the school, now I'm not starting to feel well" said Ginny. Harry nodded as he started to stand. Ron came to his side immediately. Ginny stumbled backward, but Harry caught her barley before she fell. Hermione quickly walked over to help her. Ron and Hermione drug them all the way up to the castle. The entered the entrance hall doors and a few students had lingered there to see what had happened. But Harry felt alright and was standing on his own again, as was Ginny.
"I need to clean up" mumbled Harry as some students pressed in on them. Ron nodded as the four teenagers ran through the small crowd, and all the way to the common room.
Afterward Harry felt better and his breath considerably fresher. He headed back to the common room to find Ron and Hermione. They both held intense looks on their faces.
"What is it?" asked Harry sitting down in his favorite armchair.
"Well, I was just wondering why you got sick" said Hermione.
"Ginny too!" said Ron.
"I didn't get sick" entered Ginny as she sat down gently on Harry's lap. Harry welcomed the comfort her mind, body and smile brought him. He hugged her close.
"No, but you did pass out" said Hermione.
"Almost" countered Ginny. "I just got weak" She began running her hand up Harry's arm in a soothing manner.
"I think you should see Madam Pomfrey to see what she say's" said Hermione.
"We can't" said Harry.
"Why not?" asked Hermione.
"Hermione, she chased us out of their last time with birds" said Ron. "She's mental"
"She is not Ronald" snapped Hermione. "But that's the whole point in the hospital wing is to be checked out, when you think something wrong. And I think something's wrong"
"I do have to agree. Something is wrong" said Harry. Hermione nodded, looking glad that someone was agreeing with her. "I just don't know if it's medical, or not"
"There's only one way to find out" said Ron grudgingly.
The four teenagers made their way through the portrait hole and down to the infirmary where they found Madam Pomfrey nursing a third year after a potions accident earlier. She had brown hair and hazel eye's, but she looked like she had spent the evening crying. Her hands were bandaged up to her shoulders. Harry felt a slight pity for her.
"What are you four doing here now?" said Pomfrey. "You're not being carted in, so I assume nothing is wrong?"
"We wanted to know if you could check Ginny and I over again" said Harry.
"What for?" said Pomfrey.
"Madam Pomfrey. Every time Harry and Ginny go outside they either pass out-" began Hermione
"Almost!" entered Ginny.
"-Or come close to" said Hermione sending a glare at Ginny. "Harry here just got sick and threw up"
"Got sick, did you?" said Pomfrey now with a small interest upon hearing that somebody actually got sick.
"Yeah" said Harry.
"Alright grab some beds and we'll check you out again" said Pomfrey.
Harry and Ginny picked two beds in the back and waited as Pomfrey made them drink several potions and Ginny an extra one, as a precaution, but after those turned up fruitless. She waved her wand over them several times, but to no avail did anything turn up. Hermione seemed flabbergasted.
"Well, Mr. Potter, Miss. Weasley you're as fit as can be" said Pomfrey, like she knew this to be the answer the whole time.
"It just doesn't make any since" said Hermione.
"What to be perfectly alright?" said Pomfrey. "I would have to agree in Mr. Potter's case, but Miss. Weasley is hardly ever in here" Pomfrey shot Ginny a small smile, and turned pierced eye's on Harry. "Mr. Potter I don't think there has been a school year where I had to go more than three months without seeing you in here" Harry smirked.
"Now that wouldn't be a school year for me, now would it. But everyone knows me. I like a nice serene life, no one pays attention to little ol' me. And I eat breakfast in peace every morning. Oh and I'm not number one on anyone's to kill list" said Harry smirking.
"Mr. Potter. I think you have taken one to many fall's off your broom" said Pomfrey catching his slight sarcasm.
"But you just said there was nothing wrong with me Madam Pomfrey" countered Harry smiling.
"Humph" She stowed her wand and marched away. Harry heard Ginny let out a giggle. "Oh you two may leave anytime now" came Pomfrey's voice from down near her office.
"Yes, Ma'am" said Harry and Ginny together.
"Just doesn't make sense" said Hermione as they exited the hospital wing.
"Why?" asked Ron. "Mind you this is Harry we are talking about, everything happens to him"
"My point exactly Ronald" said Hermione "We need to be extra careful when it comes to Harry. He's the only one..."
"I know, I know" said Ron.
' Gee, you would think I was somebody they just pull out of a hat every now and then, and call a friend. ' said Harry.
' Think they will ever just agree on one thing ' said Ginny as Harry reached for her hand. She smiled as they both met each other eye's and both shook their head. ' Nope '
' Not a chance ' said Harry. As they both let a laugh escape their lip's. Ron and Hermione lead the way back to the common room. Though they were now physically silent, Harry knew they were still arguing. He also knew Hermione would be starting to do extra homework, and it had nothing to do with their finals.
Harry awoke with a loud rumbling. He waited with baited breath as for some clue as to what had woken him up. The clock read twenty-three till three and Harry heard the normal sounds of Ron's giant snores, Neville's soft gasps of air. Seamus muttering in his sleep, for someone to take something off. Harry laughed silently. Dean had literally thrown his covers off him and since he had worn bright yellow pajama's to bed. Making him visible in the soft moonlight. It was another full moon. Harry sighed as he thought of Moony. He hoped his friend was alright and nothing bad came his way. Or more so that no one crossed his path. Harry sat up as another rumble sound was heard. Harry laughed as he realized it was his stomach. He was feeling the effects of having emptied all his stomachs contends earlier. Harry pulled his trainers on and a T-shirt from the pile beside his trunk. At least this was clean. Getting out his fathers cloak and the marauders map. Of which Harry opened immediately. He saw Ginny still in bed and so was Hermione. Harry sighed.
Walking down the stairs quietly he made sure the common room was empty before slipping on the invisibility cloak and went out the portrait hole. He noticed that fat lady was gone on a night time visit. Harry was half relieved, but as the portrait closed he wondered when he'd be able to get back in. Giving a shrug thinking he would just think of that later. He headed down the stairs and crept through the silent castle. Hardly no one was wondering the corridors, but Harry saw someone quite interesting Tonks was a floor below him. Harry smiled and just as quietly started to make his way down through the castle again. He wanted to say hello to her and ask her about Moony, but knew that if he reveled himself. She would go ballistic about him being out after hours. Without anyone. So Harry went through a short cut and soon found himself in the entrance hall. He veered left and went down what seemed like a dead end, but Harry smiled as he reached up and tickled the pear softly. It gave a giggle and Harry opened the handle it had become.
When he appeared inside, there was hardly anyone about. Harry was invisible so no one could see him, or so he thought. He spotted Dobby sitting by the fire, he held a cuppa in his hand and was looking greatly up at another elf with a toothy grin. The elf had on a skirt and a blouse, and was wearing something on her head, her ears poking out the sides. Harry recognized her to be Winky. She was still a mess. Harry sighed a deep breath and Dobby looked right at him. Harry's eye's widened as Dobby squinted at his invisible form, then gave a squeal of joy.
"Harry Potter's has come to see Dobby" shouted the elf as Harry removed his cloak, all purpose of it's use gone.
"Hello Dobby" said Harry as the elf hugged his knee's. Harry awkwardly patted his shoulder.
"Harry Potter's sir. An honor it is you have bestowed upon us humble house elf's" said Dobby squeaky slightly. His nose touched the floor, as he bowed greatly. "What can we do for you's Harry Potter's sir?"
"Well, I got a bit sick earlier-" began Harry.
"Oh is our food bad?" squeaked a elf at Harry's elbow. There was a slight mummer around him.
"NO! No the food was excellent as always" said Harry. The group that had convened around him bowed almost in one. Dobby wiped a tear out of his eye. "I just wasn't feeling well anyway."
"You must be hungry if you here now Harry Potter's sir?" said Dobby.
"Yeah actually I am" admitted Harry. "Do you think I could trouble you for-" began Harry but he was suddenly jaunted with tiny hands pressed in the small of his back. They pushed him into a table and within moments had several plates of food in front of him. Harry smiled. "Thanks" said Harry greatly. The elves bowed and most left him to eat. Dobby stayed behind. "So Dobby is Winky adjusting any better?" Harry noticed the elves ears drop slightly.
"No Harry Potter's sir she is not. I say's to her... I say's Winky you are a Hogwarts elf now" said Dobby.
"What did she say to that?" asked Harry already knowing Winky didn't take to kindly to not being with her master. Barty Crouch Sr.
"Winky say's to me ...she say's Dobby...I am's a good house elf. Always looked after me family, I did. And now that master Barty is gone. I have no master. But I say's Winky's ..You have a mistress now. But Winky insist she is an orphan elf" said Dobby as his ears were fully dropped in desperation.
"How does that work?" asked Harry as he piled another helping of meat pies on his plate.
"What's that Harry Potter's sir?" asked Dobby looking politely confused.
"I mean, can she get another family? To serve?" asked Harry.
"Only if one is willing to take her. She must give consent to it. Then the current Mistress will have to agree, but Harry Potter's. I is not sure that Winky is in the right to serve a family. She is still drinking terribly" said Dobby.
"Dobby are you happy here?" asked Harry as he rounded off his last meat pie.
"I is happy where there is shelter for me to hide in. Harry Potter's is here and his Headmistress need's our care. We take great pride in serving Harry Potter's and his friends" said Dobby. Harry took a drink of the pumpkin juice.
"You know Dobby this is my last year here at Hogwarts. I won't be back next year" Harry said as he took in Dobby's sudden look of sadness. "Ginny's got another year here though" Dobby seemed to perk up at this thought. "And she'll need your help on whatever" said Harry.
"Thank you sir. Always brave and honest. Always looking out for Dobby" said Dobby as he wiped a tear from his eye's. Harry blushed slightly.
"It's nothing really-" said Harry.
"Nothing? You have given Dobby a job to do's and Dobby will do it as Harry Potter's asks him to do" said Dobby. Harry smiled as his cheeks grew warm. A bowl of pudding was put in front of him and Harry thanked the elf who bowed and stumbled away. Harry was soon stuffed to his full spans and got up from his chair. A few elf's hurried over to wipe the area clean and to take away the plates. Harry thanked them again.
"Listen Dobby I have to get back to the common room before I get caught. It was really good seeing you again." said Harry. Dobby hugged his knee's again.
"Thank you for coming to see Dobby sir's. You's is welcome here anytime." squeaked Dobby.
"Thanks Dobby, and say hello to Winky for me" said Harry as he began to climb back through the portrait.
"I will's Harry Potter's air I will's" said Dobby. Harry smiled and waved one last time before disappearing completely and shutting the door behind him. The pear a pear again. Harry smiled and shook his head slightly. He pulled out the map and glanced at his way, making sure it was clear. He smiled as it was a good for go, but when he went to clear away the tiny black dot, one caught his attention. Blaise Zabini was out and seemed to be heading for the great hall. Harry quickly and silently walked up the flight of stairs in time to see Zabini enter the great hall. Harry followed him in.
Zabini looked around and seemed to deem it clear that no one was around. Grinning maliciously he pulled out his wand at the Gryffindor table. Harry felt stunned. What was Zabini up to? Harry started to take a great interest as to where he was pointing his wand. It was the seats that Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione had all usually occupied. Harry's eyebrows furred together. He didn't like this at all. Zabini muttered a few words, then Harry watched as he turned to leave. He watched him disappear and head back to where Harry knew was the Slythrin house, hidden in the depths of the dungeons.
Harry wondered what he should do. He didn't know any spell that would lift what he did. He wasn't even sure if Hermione would know. Harry sighed he walked out leaving Zabini's trick for someone else. Trick? Harry grinned as an idea entered his mind. He waved his wand over the entire Slythrin table and even made a few adjustments to certain seats where he knew Zabini, his brother, Pansy, Crabb and Goyle all of who made the Slythrin four, sat. His work done, Harry left. A few moments later after having stowed his cloak and map away. He climbed back in bed. He could still get a few hours of sleep before the great show started. This was going to be a breakfast he would remember for a very long time.
"Harry come on" yelled Ron. Harry groaned and rolled over on his back. "Harry do I have to get Ginny up here?" grumbled Ron. Harry groaned again. Before he knew it someone had landed on his lap and Harry coughed at the sudden intrusion. He opened his eye's and starred at the beautiful women now sitting on top of him.
"Hey Harry" Ginny said smiling.
"Hey yourself beautiful" said Harry stretching out underneath her. She raised an eyebrow at him and Harry grinned.
"Come on Hermione and Ron are hungry" said Ginny as she arched her hips against him. Harry laughed.
"Okay, oh right we need to hurry. Can't sit in our normal seats though" he said as he sat up and hugged her tightly, before rolling her to lay underneath him. Harry winked as kissed her lips then trailed kisses on her neck. Ginny gave a giggle.
"Go for it Harry" yelled Seamus. Harry groaned and jumped out of bed. Ginny sat up on her elbow amusedly.
"Why don't you go downstairs so us blokes can finish getting ready and I will be down in a bit" said Harry. Ginny smiled and jumped her feet. She kissed him quickly and Harry smiled as he watched her disappear, the door closing behind her.
"I don't remember her being that happy before" Harry turned and was surprised to see Dean beside him. Looking at the door Ginny had disappeared behind. "Ginny you know" said Dean as he cast a startled look at Harry before focusing again on the door. "She's happy, I hope you know that"
"I do" said Harry suddenly feeling awkward.
"Take care of her Harry man. I liked her a lot. But what you two share I can't compete. So I won't even try. But promise you'll look out for her. Toss it, I must really be going mental. You are Harry Potter after all. You don't do something unless you're totally sure you could keep up with the demand" said Dean heaving a deep sigh.
"Did you love her?" asked Harry. Ron sitting on his bed looking nervously from Dean to him, but Harry kept his eye's focused on Dean.
"No, but I hoped I might someday. She always had a soft spot for you though, too soft for my liking, and now I know why. She loved you then" said Dean. Harry thought about Ginny. She had been eleven when he really fist noticed her, but before he could take her looks in, she had squealed and ran back up the stairs. Following by elbowing the butter dish, spilling the contents of her soup and blushing immensely every time he tried to talk to her. Harry gave a laugh. "What?"
"Nothing, just trying to remember a time when Ginny hadn't loved me. Not always though did she love me like she does now. It was more of a crush than anything, but now I can't imagine being without her. Dean look mate. I'm sorry if things had gotten a little..."
"Hostile" offered Dean. Harry nodded.
"For lack of a better word, yes. I was just... that you would want Ginny back again" said Harry.
"I did at first, but after witnessing you two together for so long, I don't think I ever really stood a fighting chance at her heart anyway. It's always had the Potter stamp on it" said Dean smacking his shoulder before grinning. Harry grinned back. Ron looked thoroughly disgusted.
"Ron how about some breakfast?" said Harry changing the topic. Ron nodded and finished pulling on his robes. Harry threw on his clothes and shoes before racing Ron down the small flight of stairs. They landed in the common room. Ron and his long legs beat Harry by a mere meter.
"What are you two doing?" asked Hermione.
"Nothing" said Harry and Ron together. Both turned and laughed for a few minuets before their respective girlfriends lead them out into the school corridors. Harry dropped Ginny's hand and instead pulled her waist closer to his. Ginny smiled up at him as her eye's were dancing. Harry winked before giving her hip a small squeeze. Ginny laughed as they rounded into the great hall. People were wondering about, as some had already taken there seats. Harry grinned as he noticed the Slythrin four at their usual seats.
"What's got you happy this morning Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Or do we even want to know?" countered Ron. Sending a glare at Ginny who smirked back. Hermione sending her own glare at Ron.
"I think it's going to be a breakfast to remember, but let's not sit in our usual seats. I think we'll find seat's near the back more acceptable today" said Harry as he walked with Ginny still beside him to the back of the table. Harry tried not to notice the stunned faces of Zabini, but couldn't hold the laughter down as he busted full of it.
"What is it with you today Harry?" asked Hermione as they all began piling their plates. Harry quietly began to tell them about waking up hungry, Dobby and seeing Zabini.
"So what did you do? I know you didn't leave it there did you?" asked Ron hanging on his every word. Harry grinned and shook his head.
"No, but I couldn't lift the spell either, so that's why we're not sitting in our normal seats instead" said Harry as he continued to grin. He told them that the Slythrin table was jinxed also. But her refused to fully tell them what he had fully done. "Just wait and watch the little show that we are about to receive"
"Harry, I can't believe you didn't wake one of us up?" said Hermione. "With all that is going on, you should be more careful where you wonder off to alone"
"Stop lecturing him Hermione" said Ginny.
"Ginny surely you don't agree" said Hermione.
"No, I would have loved to have eaten last night as well" said Ginny sending an amused look at Harry.
"Ginny, Harry is-" began Hermione, but Ron cut in.
"The top in our Defense class, has been since first year. Third year proved it when we all got to actually take the test" said Ron. Hermione opened and closed her mouth.
"Yes, but that's not the point. He could have gotten in deep trouble" said Hermione.
"Oh right. Harry better be careful. They might just expel you" teased Ginny trying to hold onto the serious look on her face.
"That's not funny, really" snapped Hermione. "I'm just-" but she was suddenly interrupted as a bang and a small puff of smoke rose from there normal seats. Harry wondered who had gotten Zabini's trick. When the smoke cleared he found himself looking at a rabbit, cat, a spitz and a toad. The Slythrin table went up in laughter, but Gryffindor's were on there feet shaking there fist and yelling threats, having already assumed to know who was at the start of it all. Harry smiled as McGonagall's voice shrilled and echoed around them. Silence immediately followed.
"I will not have this type of behavior in my school. Hogwarts is a professional establishment. It is a school that has worked hard for century's to be able to call itself the top magical school in the world. And I will not have some rivalry between students destroying that of which was hard to obtain." said McGonagall as she waved her wand to reveal Lavender the rabbit. Parvati the cat. Neville the toad, and Seamus the spitz. "You all will adjourned here one hour before dinner is to begin. We will use this time in silence and study. This is your punishment for acting like a bunch of hooligans-" McGonagall stopped talking as the Slythrine table burst to fire and died quickly. The great hall was in silence, then erupted into laughter.
The Slythrin's were all laughing and hugging. Harry busted out laughing as Crabb picked Pansy up and started dancing away with her up and down the aisle. Gary and Blaise Zabini were playing some kind of hand slapping game like a bunch of nine year old girls. Harry couldn't hear what they were singing, as Goyle was standing to his feet proclaiming his love for Professor McHaley. Who was seated at the teachers table starring at Goyle with slit eye's. Professor Slughorn looked shocked to amused as a fifth year stood on his seat and proclaimed his love for a fourth year Gryffindor, who looked repulsed at the proclamation.
Ginny laughed so hard that Harry had to hold onto her to keep her from sliding out of her chair. Seamus was already on the floor. Harry looked up at McGonagall and at first she looked mad, but she clamped her hand over her mouth as a laugh escaped her, when the Zabini brothers both turned into Griffins. Though Harry was the first to say they didn't make very pretty ones.
Several small puffs of smoke erupted on the table as there food was turned from the bowls of eggs and bacon, sausage's and breakfast rolls, to soft white and yellow feathers. The Zabini brothers popped back into themselves and sat down. The charm started wearing off as more Slythrin's resumed there seats and looking around embarrassed. Pansy was the last to find her seat as Crabb had spun her around and grabbed his seat having suddenly realizing what he was doing. Another small fire appeared on the Slythrin table and the great hall silenced once again. When Pansy sat down she screamed. Right in front of the Slythrin four was a huge bowl full of Dragon Dung. The smell engulfing them. Harry collapsed into Ginny as most if not all Slythrin's went running from the room.
The remaining three houses were picking themselves up off the floor just to fall down again. The teachers doing nothing to try and proclaim order as Noviskie was wiping his eye's and McHaley had even started to laugh. McGonagall looked like she had never laughed so hard in all her many years. Finally after a good bit and the charms had done worn off at the Slythrin table, order was once again restored.
"Attention please. As funny as I have found this you all will still need to report here at an hour till dinner for the school wide detention. Any student caught doing otherwise will be punished severely." McGonagall pursed her lip's and went to walk out a side door, Harry caught her eye briefly and he could have sworn she was smiling again.
"Nice one Harry" said Ron as he climbed into his seat from the ground.
"That was really a good bit of magic" said Hermione. As she wiped her eye's.
"Excellent!" said Ginny as she leaned forward and kissed him. Harry didn't argue as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. He pulled back slightly before smiling at her. Ginny flushed at his look of suggestion, before the bell rang out and Hermione went into hysteric's about being late.
' Be careful today alright? ' said Harry seriously as the three remaining houses started to file out of the great hall.
' Just like any other ' replied Ginny as she gave him a smile that melted his heart even further.
' With Zabini being on a new level of anger, he's bound to want revenge. '
' Not like he would know who done it though ' said Ginny.
' I turned him into a Griffin and after our little talk about them the other day. It won't be to hard to figure out. ' said Harry, wishing now he would have thought it through a bit better.
' Nonsense even if you had been subtle and, or not even done it at all, he would still blame you ' teased Ginny. Harry silently agreed. Ginny gave him one last kiss before heading out to the greenhouses and Harry headed to charms.
"Harry you really need to watch your bed." said Hermione. Harry sighed as he concentrated on his bed again. They had to make their bedroom suite appear that they all had finally gotten the hang of, and make it hover in the air. Flitwick was going to be awarding house points to anyone who could make their bed's do tricks in the air by end of class. Hermione had her bed rolling, her nightstand twirling and her dresser flipping. Harry had gotten his bed to flip constantly, his nightstand to jump up and down, but he was having trouble with his dresser. Ron was having trouble doing anything but keep it all up there. Neville had raised his bed off the floor, but his nightstand remained firmly on the ground, the dresser kept blinking in and out of site.
Defense was getting harder as Harry and Ginny were facing off against six opponents and they had only lost once. But it was Potions that Harry had found interesting. They were going to start brewing Felix Felicis. Luck Potion. Harry watched in amazement how Ginny and Hermione worked together and even gave Ron and he jobs to do. Harry watched in awe over the smoke boiling from the cauldron. Hermione's hair was growing bushy, but Ginny's was becoming slightly curled at the ends, her color rich and a shade deeper. This lead him to think of the many times now her hair had turned darker shades in her passion. Ginny shot him a grin, and Harry blushed at his own thoughts. He gave himself a mental shake and continued crushing his unicorn horn. They needed to add it by the end of the class, or the potion would prove worthless. Harry and Ron smiled to each other as the girls worked together and allowing the guys to help every now and then. Harry had enough time to reflect.
Horcruxes. Voldemort's Horcruxes. Ginny looked at him. Horcruxes with tricks-
"Oh my-!" Hermione gasped as she covered her hand over her mouth.
"What?" said Ginny as she continued to stir the cauldron while Harry added the powdered unicorn horn, Ron adding moonstone at the same time. Ginny continued to stir counterclockwise then eight turns clockwise then thirteen counter. Never loosing her timing.
"Sickness! Ginny I... -" said Hermione gasping again. "Oh I am so stupid sometimes"
"Hermione we all know you are no way near stupid, so just tell them already will you" said Ron.
"I can't not here. I need the library, though" said Hermione as she ran a hand through her busy hair, to have it get caught in the middle.
' I assume she's talking about Dumbledore's private library? ' asked Harry.
' Does she still even go to the school library? ' Ginny asked. Both met with small hidden smiles playing on their lip's.
"Alright Hermione, tell us in a few minuets we'll all go to the library with you" said Harry. She nodded vigorously and was mumbling to herself incoherently through the rest of the class. Which ended thank Merlin, twelve minuets later. All running to a secret library that lay waiting for them three floors above.
"Here it is" said Hermione excitingly. Harry noticed the books title. Everything no one wants you to know about the Dark Arts. By Newitt Balfter. Harry briefly wondered if that was his true name. "This book touched lightly on the Horcruxes, but nothing we didn't already know, but it did have an interesting incantation, potion mix and can end in an awful way."
"Sorry just to clarify. What's an awful way" said Harry.
"Death" said Hermione, not lifting her eye's from the pages she carefully turned. Harry's eye's went wide and he sent a look at Ron who shrugged and Ginny who smirked. "Here it is... None works as well as the slippery concoction the was made to be rumored by Salazar Slythrin himself. It is an incantation and potion mix. Once you have made the potion you must pour it into a living bred, then with a certain complicated wand movement, and a certain incantation. The deed is sealed. Any witch or wizard who is magical enough to sense the magic you have placed on anything. They will immediately fall ill. If they are alone this could end in death, for every minuet they spend in it's unknown presence the potion taken by the bred, will activate. Even if it's dead. The incantation alone is enough to make even the sharpest of minds hum in it's skill. The bravest of the brave to cower before its power. The most compassionate to thieve and want the taste of blood. None who have challenged the potion and incantation together has ever believed to have lived..."
"You are going to explain what that means right?" asked Harry.
"It's simple the ones who have the most capability, like you and Ginny for instance. Would be able to sense it's power. The magic. The spell they would have had to put on it is ancient and very old, but not unbreakable. Everything has it's weakness Harry. All you have to do is find it" said Hermione.
"Are you going to tell us what this has to do with Ginny and I" said Harry.
"Of course. Ginny and you are powerful alone as well as together. Every time one of you got sick, you were always near the same place. But it is pretty vast so I wouldn't know exactly were to begin, but it is a start" said Hermione.
"Wait! You're saying that every time we get near Hagrid's hut we feel magic" said Ginny cottoning.
"Pretty much" said Hermione.
"Something like that" muttered Ron as he fell into a couch. Harry followed suite.
"Hermione I know this might sound a bit strange to you but here goes. I'm a witch and so are you. See these two blokes there wizards. Real wizard. True wizards-" said Ginny smirking.
"I know that. Don't mock me." said Hermione crossing her arms across her chest.
"Hermione" began Harry. "Really what does this have to do with us?"
"Fine I'll tell you" said Hermione. "You felt like you were in the presence of that last Horcrux before right? Well, I do believe that now that you and Ginny share true and powerful love, with your magical increase. You both are feeling it's effects, like never before."
"Keep in mind, the spell was to be rumored by Slythrin himself" entered Ron. Harry opened his eye's wide. Ginny huffed and smacked her palm to her forehead.
"Of course the final one. Dumbledore said it might be hidden here on the school grounds." said Ginny.
"Yeah, but Hagrid's cabin?" asked Harry doubtfully.
"Harry think. What's surrounding Hagrid's cabin?" said Hermione seating down in one of the two chairs that faced the couch Ron and he still sat on.
"The dark forest" muttered Harry.
"Wait, it would have to be somewhere pretty special to be a Horcrux" said Ginny.
"It can't be Hagrid's hut" said Harry.
"Why not?" asked Ron
"It wasn't here then. Hagrid was in third year when Tom was in his seventh" said Harry.
"So we will have to imagine what Hogwarts looked like back then" said Ginny as she sat in the remaining chair.
"We won't have to imagine. There are maps of the school and grounds, from back then. Nothing like Harry's map mind you, but there still useful" said Hermione.
"Any in here?" asked Harry with great interest.
"Should be just let me find it" said Hermione as she went in search of another book. Ron went to help her.
' I feel silly. How could we have not known our feeling ill would be something to do with Voldemort ' said Ginny as she crossed the short space between them and took Ron's now vacant spot next to him on the couch.
' No reason to feel silly Gin. Dumbledore searched for an entire year last year, and he only found one. Course he did have the ministry on his back and a school to run. '
' Yeah, but to think. It has been here the whole time. That's the one thing that still irks me. A piece of Voldemort's soul had been clutched by my very hands and I didn't even realize it. Now it seems that another one has been here on school grounds the whole time. To say the least it's really creepy, and a bit spooky. ' Harry agreed.
"Found it" cried Hermione joyfully. Harry got to his feet and followed Ginny to a nearby table that held four chairs around it. Ignoring the chairs for the time being the four stood hunched over the old book and began making notes and talking about where in the vicinity of Hagrid's hut could there be a Horcrux. The had been nothing there fifty years prior.
"So... what he just buried it in the ground and then left it" said Ginny.
"He couldn't have possibly done that" said Hermione.
"Not unless it's invisible." said Ron.
"Like that rope holding the boat in the memory" said Hermione. "Could be"
"Okay so we pretty much have an idea as to what's protecting it, but not where" said Harry. "Right?" He received three nods. "So we ask somebody around back then"
"Professor McGonagall would know" said Hermione.
"Or maybe Dumbledore" said Harry pulling the gold trinket that held Dumbledore's frame in his pocket, out. Ginny smiled and nodded.
"Good thinking Harry" said Hermione. Harry opened it and looked into the empty frame.
"Professor Dumbledore?" said Harry. A few minuets later Dumbledore walked in and sat in the seat looking ready for a long talk.
"Good evening Harry. Miss Weasley, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley. What can I assist you with today?" Dumbledore looked relaxed and peaceful.
"Sir, we may know the where about of the last Horcrux" said Harry.
"Excellent Harry. Well done to you all" said Dumbledore. "So where is it?"
"We think it's somewhere around Hagrid's hut" said Hermione.
"Mmm" muttered Dumbledore clasping his hands together in front of him.
"The only thing is..." said Ginny walking over to stand beside Harry. "We know Hagrid's hut wasn't there fifty years ago."
"Correct Hagrid was only in third year" said Dumbledore.
"But what was there?" asked Ron.
"As I recall, nothing but a paddock that held species that the current Care of Magical Creatures would use in his class." said Dumbledore thoughtfully.
"Would that have been Professor Kettleburn then?" asked Hermione. Harry looked quizzically up at her.
"Hogwarts: A history" said Hermione. She answered without moving her eye's from Dumbledore's frame. Harry wondered if Ron had asked the question mentally.
"No I'm afraid not. The Professor then would have surly been Professor Mickeli Hendershaw. A wizard who had held the position for more than twenty five years. He was here when I got the job of Transfiguration Teacher" said Dumbledore.
"Sir, did Professor Herndershaw teach you?" asked Hermione looking very interested.
"No good gracious no! Thank you for the compliment though. He came here to teach some decades after I left Hogwarts" said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eye.
"Sir? Just how old are you?" asked Harry. "Not trying to be rude or anything, just wondering" Dumbledore chuckled appreciatively.
"Harry that conversation would be best for another time" said Dumbledore smiling still and his eye's a strange glowing, sparkly blue.
"Of course sir. I'm sorry" muttered Harry. Dumbledore waved off him off with his hand.
"Nonsense. Curiosity is not a crime Harry. Just use caution when expressing such" said Dumbledore. Harry gave a small smile, and nodded his head.
"So what might have happened there to make Tom Riddle want to hide a Horcrux there?" asked Hermione. Her face set and determined.
"I'm afraid I do not know. I can only hazard a guess that could have been where he meet Nagini, but I'm afraid that I can not check that assumption. I always assumed that he got Nagini later in life." said Dumbledore.
"Well, whatever it is, we've still got to learn where exactly it is." said Ginny.
"Maybe that's where he learned he could speak Parseltongue" said Harry thoughtfully
"That may have been the case" said Dumbledore. "Professor Hendershaw use to keep many creatures in that paddock. A snake would have been in that cage as well." said Dumbledore. "Very likely cause" Dumbledore inclined his head.
"Okay so if that's the case maybe it is where he met Nagini and found out he could understand her" said Hermione.
"Wait" said Ron his face screwed up in concentration. "He couldn't have learned to speak snake there, it just doesn't make sense"
"Tom Riddle learned he was the heir of Slythrin in fifth grade. Looked for chamber and finally found it in sixth and was afraid to open it in his final year" said Harry meeting Ron's stunned expression. "So he would have learned he was a Parseltongue before fifth year, otherwise why would he have researched the properties of being able to talk to snakes." said Harry.
"That could be how he started to research the last known wizard or witch to have spoken it" said Ginny now looking stunned.
"So that could have been how he learned who his mother was" said Hermione.
"Well done" said Dumbledore from his frame. Harry looked shocked to find Dumbledore still there. "You four have just possibly discovered why Tom sought to seek out who his parents really were"
"But why did he take offense to his mother being a witch instead of his father being a wizard?" asked Hermione.
"Because he thought his mother weak. All the years he could have had with her were gone in a moments eye, because of death. Tom being to small, just a new born could do nothing about it. Minerva wondered at the time if she didn't die form the pure evil that Tom consumed then" said Dumbledore.
"And did it?" asked Hermione.
"Again Miss. Granger I do not know. I would just rather assume that Tom was not evil until his later years as a child. Though reports have come back otherwise" said Dumbledore.
"Reports?" said Ginny. She still looked slightly shocked.
"Yes, when I began doing research on Tom Riddle all those years ago, another boy in the orphanage told me that he never felt right around him. Like every time someone even played with him, it was like they were acting like puppets on a string" said Dumbledore.
"A spell?" said Hermione.
"If I were to hazard a guess yes, but please understand Miss Granger we are all on unknown territory here. To say for certainly would be to say you know, and I do not. I apologize." said Dumbledore bowing his head in Hermione's direction. She looked momentarily speechless.
"I wasn't saying ..err... so about the ground around Hagrid's hut?" said Hermione stumbling then changing the topic.
"Just the paddock would have been there, for what reason Tom had, just theory's." said Dumbledore.
"Thank you sir" said Harry as the other's echoed him Dumbledore left and Harry closed the frame and stowed it back in his pocket. "So we know what was around there, though we don't know why"
"Why doesn't really matter though does it?" said Ron. "I mean we're out to destroy the Horcruxes so we can kill him!"
"True, but It's still curious to know why he put it there." said Hermione. Harry was sure that Hermione wouldn't let it go until she found out why.
An hour later the whole school was voided of it's students as they were all in the great hall. This was the third time in Hogwarts history that the school wide detention was put into effect. Teachers were walking around the great hall and up and down the aisles. Students were allowed to study or read, but not talk or pass notes. So Harry sat next to Ginny and was holding her around the waist while they both silently talked about where the last unknown Horcrux was. Hagrid's hut was only the beginning.
' Could be in the forbidden forest. ' offered Ginny.
' That place is so huge we wouldn't know where to begin. '
' But we could easily follow our sensation. You know the sick feeling. '
' Yeah, but if we're exposed to the spell for too long it could mean our death and I'm not loosing you now, wildfire ' said Harry in a strong, firm and resolute voice that made Ginny smiled and touch his cheek with her hand.
' There is no way in bloody hell you're going to loose me now Harry. Do you think I would risk our love even for Voldemort? ' Ginny said as she stared deep into his eye's. Harry met her gaze as she started to shake her head.
' I wouldn't let you risk our love on anything Miss. Weasley. I'm far to much in love with you. I'm never going to let you go again. ' said Harry.
' Good then. I see we've learned our lesson from last summer? ' said Ginny teasingly.
'In Overabundance ' said Harry smirking slightly as he started to massage her back. Ginny closed her eye's and Harry could tell she was enjoying the feeling of his hand and the pressure of his palm on her muscles. Harry worked on her back as he continued the conversation. ' Maybe it's buried somewhere in the ground '
' Possibly. Or maybe it under Hagrid's hut ' offered Ginny. Harry's stomach gave a wrenching feeling.
' Merlin I hope not. Hagrid just got his house repaired. I don' think he would take to lightly to us blowing the floor back out of it. ' said Harry.
' Well, at least we would have reason. ' said Ginny then gave a mental moan as Harry's thumb started to press harder into a particular stubborn muscle. Harry smiled as Ginny's face showed her contentment.
' Yeah, but try explaining that he might have a piece of Voldemort's soul under his hut. Oh and that's it's been there for fifty years. Every since the- '
' The what? ' asked Ginny opening her eye's to look at him. Harry wondered back to the scene the diary had shown him. Ginny looked confused as she was seeing what he was mentally showing her.
"What are you doing down here Tom?"
"It's all over. The dead girls parents will be here tomorrow and the least Hogwarts can do is make sure the thing that killed there daughter is slaughtered"
"But he didn't do anything... he wouldn't"
' Harry? ' Ginny looked oddly up at him.
' That's the scene I was shown in my second year. Tom Riddle showed me that when I inquired about the chamber of secrets. ' said Harry.
' So what was that thing that was Hagrid's pet? ' asked Ginny, but suddenly she and Harry wore the same startled expression.
' ARGOG! ' they both yelled at the same time in their minds. Waiting for the rest of the detention to be over was hard. Ginny and Harry both obsessed over the dead spider. They couldn't wait to tell Ron and Hermione their idea. When plates of food appeared and Professor McGonagall announced they were free to talk. Harry drugged Ron and Hermione out into the corridor.
"We need a private place to discuss this Harry" said Ginny.
"Just the place" said Harry. They passed the secret room on level two. That was Ginny's and Harry's little secret. He lead them right up to the Room of Requirement. After passing by the blank wall three times with Hermione looking at him like he'd done lost his marbles, the door appeared and Ginny shoved Ron and Hermione into the room.
It was a small cozy room. A fireplace that was spilling warmth thorough out and a couch with two winged back chairs all in a type of leather. A large area rug. A bookcase filled with books that Harry was sure that it covered spiders and Horcruxes even.
"So what is with you two" asked Ron.
"We might know where the broach is" said Harry.
"Yeah and I have a feeling Ron you're going to love it" said Ginny rolling her eye's.
"Really where then" said Hermione ignoring Ginny's comment.
"Remember a burial I attended last year" said Harry.
"Right Dumbledore's, we all did. That was really great of you Harry to pay your respects and all, but what's this got to do with the last hidden Horcrux?" said Hermione.
"Not Dumbledore's burial" said Ginny.
"Aragog's" said Harry. Ron's mouth dropped and Hermione went to disagree then snapped her mouth shut too. both were completely stunned for a moment so Harry started to explain. "Remember what I told you both in second year what Tom's diary showed me. His capture of Hagrid. He had tried to kill the spider. Meaning Tom knew of it's existence. Now It wasn't his Horcrux yet, but I'm thinking he might have tracked it into the dark forest and placed it there. He knew Aragog was in there, when no one but Hagrid and maybe Dumbledore, but there would be no way Dumbledore would be suspicious, because Hagrid wouldn't mention to anyone that Tom knew he had the spider."
"So it would have been easy for Tom to hide the Horcrux in Aragog. Since he was sure Hagrid wasn't going to tell on himself without having tell anyone else about the spider." said Ginny.
"That would make perfect sense" said Hermione. "He would more than likely try to make another living thing a Horcrux before attempting to try it on his one breathing thing he did care about"
"So it's the spider" said Ron disgustedly.
"Look's that way, mate" said Harry.
"Great. Bloody great. Why couldn't it have been a butterfly" grumbled Ron.
"Oh Ron you're not still scared of them are you?" snapped Hermione.
"Being one and seeing one are two different things" grumbled Ron.
"Butterfly" said Harry as Ginny snickered beside him. "Now why does that sound familiar?" Ron sent a glare his way, before Harry started laughing.
In the cover of darkness after hours. The four teenagers made there way through the castle. Stopping at intervals to consult with the marauders map. There were member's of the Order of Phoenix at every floor. Moony was set up on level one. Tonks was covering the second floor. Kingsley Shacklebolt was on the fourth. Hestia Jones was on the fifth, Elphias Doge on the sixth. The seventh floor where the Gryffindor tower was located, was Charlie Weasley. As they passed each one, avoiding some all together. Harry started to notice that none of them had there wands drawn, but rather their hands shoved in their cloak pockets. Harry knew they had a hold of their wands.
He gave the map a final look before walking out into the corridor. They rushed behind a statue and slid down to the third floor. Totally avoiding Kingsley. Harry again consulted the map. Tonks was standing right outside the door. Harry placed his finger to his mouth and tapped it slightly. Making the motion for them to remain quiet. Everyone nodded in their understanding.
Tonks lingered for awhile, before walking slowly off to the left. The black dot labeled 'Nymphadora Tonks' stopped a few feet later though and Harry heard the witch hiss in anger.
"Ouch! Damn thing. Where did that come from?" Tonks had stubbed her foot, or tripped over what had the sound of a suite of armor.
' Just like Tonks ' smirked Harry. ' Always tripping over the obvious ' Ginny laughed mentally.
Harry watched on the map as Tonks made her way to the top of the stairs. They all but ran from behind their tapestry and behind another. Before Tonks had even turned around. Harry once again looked at the map. Moony wasn't to far away. They would need more space between them to get by Moony. As his furry little problem would sniff them out.
' This is the part that's going to take a while ' said Ginny with a sigh as she leaned up against Harry's arm. That automatically went around her middle. Harry kept his eye's on the black dot labeled 'Remus Lupin' There last obstacle to pass.
The worst and best part about Moony was he actually held patients. And while this came in handy when he taught Defense, it was a bloody curse to them now! Harry sighed. His eye's hadn't moved from that black dot, but his arm was now stroking Ginny's back and the ends of her hair. After a few minuets of Ron and Hermione looking apprehensive, they settled down and were now holding onto each other. After what seemed like two hours. Moony finally moved over to the stairs. Harry watched as Moony climbed up to the second floor and met up with Tonks.
"Okay let's go" whispered Harry. Ron and Hermione dislodged themselves from each other and soon they were all heading for the giant doors. Harry and Ron opened the giant door, just barley enough for them all to squeeze through. The door closed behind them with a snap. As they started down the slop towards Hagrid's hut. Harry felt himself start to get queasy. Ginny wasn't feeling well either. They kept the mental repeating that it was just a charm and a potion. Nothing more. Nothing less. Harry sighed.
They could hear Hagrid snoring as they rounded the two room hut. Harry was starting to sweat. Ginny's pale skin was growing paler and had started to glow in the half moon. They were both starting to feel the effect's rather strongly.
"Hermione we ... need ..to...hurry" Harry barley got out. Hermione looked up and nodded. She walked over to the patch of ground just beyond the pumpkin patch. She raised her wand and Harry heard her mutter.
"Specialis Revelio"
The ground gave an almighty rumble and started to shake slightly. A trembling was felt beneath there feet. Harry reached for Ginny. She was looking faint and swaying in spot. Harry's vision was blurring in and out. The ground split in two as a giant leg poked up erected out of the ground. Followed by three more. With a giant leap Aragog had all eight legs in the air and then landed on the ground at least sixteen paces away from where they all stood. Harry looked at the reincarnated version of Aragog.
The spider looked half decayed. It's body though skeleton was still massive. The hair that had once protruded from it's body still clung to it's half dead skin. The legs hardly nothing but bone. Harry heard the sickening sounds of pinchers snapping in the night's air. Aragog jumped and turned to face them. Hermione let out a scream, but Ginny seemed to have the common sense to raise her wand. Harry looked at the giant spider. The black pinchers were still huge, but it was the eye's that made Hermione scream. All eight eye's that were once solid beady black, where now red and glowing. Giving the skeleton version of Aragog a sinister, malice look, laced with an evil. A look Harry knew all to well. He faced the same thing every time with Voldemort. Harry glanced at his friends. Hermione had finally drawn her wand and Ron was staring up at it with horror written on his face. Ginny was standing swaying in spot.
"Ron you have to transform" yelled Harry. Ron turned his horrid eye's on him and Harry nodded his head. Ginny screamed as Aragog advanced toward her and Harry. Harry pushed her behind him. He felt Ginny slump against him. Backing them both up quickly, Aragog snapped his pinchers menacingly. Harry felt a wave of pure sickness hit him. Ginny's weight fell against his back. Harry realized Ginny was either too weak to stand, or she had passed out. Harry turned quickly and found the she had passed out. Harry lowered her to the ground and raised to his knee's his strength giving out in just the mere presence of the giant spider. His wand at the ready.
"Sectumsempra" the spell hit the spider on it's side, but only a black dense smoke swirled out of it's skin.
"Ron help them" screamed Hermione. Aragog turned all eight red eye's upon her. Ron seemed to have come a bit to his senses and Harry watched with slight relief to see Ron's form change into his giant spider. Though no where near the size of Aragog. The king of the arachnids still must have saw him a threat. The main threat. As Aragog leaped and Ron leaped to meet him. The two spider's collided in air, smashing into each other. Harry raised his wand.
"No Harry! You might hit Ron" shouted Hermione from across the way. A splash of blood hit the ground between them and Hermione broke in sobs. The night sky became darker as Ron pierced Aragog and the black smoke came from it's wound. The two landed and the ground jerked. Harry too weak fell on his face. He lifted his head up off the ground trying to get to his feet again. He needed to help. Slowly as he observed the two spiders clashing and thrashing about. Harry got to his feet unsteadily and walked a few paces to Ron. Harry raised his wand.
"Diffindo" The spell hit Aragog and one of it's front legs parted from it's body. Aragog gave a screech of pain. Ron used the time to dig his two front legs into Aragog's thick hide. As the bigger spider began to thrash around again. Casting the spell again another leg hit the ground. Aragog screeched into the night and threw Ron from it's back. Aragog leaped crushed him to the ground. Ron's leg's standing up like spikes as Aragog came down hard upon them. Impaling himself. Harry stood in horror, as Hermione screamed into the night.
"NOOOO!"
"Hermione! Lift Aragog off him quick!" Harry raised his wand and shouted "Wingardium Leviosa"
"Wingardium Leviosa" shouted Hermione.
"Wingardium Leviosa" muttered Ginny. Harry looked down to the pale, but beautiful Ginny on her knee's. She still looked weak, but Harry grinned as she gave a feeble smile in return, then redirected her wand. The three of them lifted Aragog's body off Ron's. Laying Aragog away from him by a few paces. Hermione ran to him. Ron was back in his normal self, but he was unconscious.
"Enervate" said Harry pointing his wand at Ron's chest. Ron's body lurched forward slightly, then his eye's fluttered open. Hermione gave a cry of joy and hugged his body to her tighter.
"Oh Ron, I was so worried. You killed him Ron. You did it" she cried incoherently. Ron nodded his head unfazed. His look of horror made Harry grin and nod his head at him. Ginny gave a small laugh.
"Way to go Ron" she said. Ron must have finally realized what they were trying to tell him as his face fell and his mouth gaped open.
"It's dea-... I did... I killed" muttered Ron Harry nodded his head again.
"Yep, you did it Ron. It was all you" said Harry. Hermione helped Ron to his feet, but Ron winced in the sudden pain.
"What's the matter? Are you hurt?" asked Hermione her voice full of worry. Ron answered by pulling back his robes. His side held a flesh wound. His blood seeping from his skin. Hermione cried out again. Harry thought she was slightly going mental. Ginny raised her wand
"That should clean it and keep it till we get you to the hospital wing" said Ginny as she waved her wand and a bandage appeared on his side. Ron muttered his thanks and Ginny nodded with a grin.
"How are you feeling?" Harry asked as he came to help her to feet. Ginny let him, as she was still weak. Harry didn't know if this was a god sign or bad.
"Fine, but now I'm tired and want to get the damned broach to get the bloody hell out of here" said Ginny.
"Such language" teased Harry as he wrapped his arms around Ginny's waist. He needed to hold her to make sure she was truly fine.
"Yes well, you should hear the things you were muttering yesterday" teased Ginny right back. As she hugged Harry to her before pulling back and giving him a kiss. She turned out of his arms and walked over to Aragog's dead body. A smell was starting to rise from it's carcass and Harry scrunched his nose in disgust.
"Okay let's get this AHHHH" Harry turned around as Hermione let out another scream. Harry jumped back slightly and banged into Ginny. She clung to him to remain on her feet, but her other hand already had her wand out. Harry had to admit she was very quick on the draw.
The forbidden forest was outlined with spiders. Aragog's children. Ron transformed again and walked forward with his two front leg's in the air, threatening. A bigger spider almost as big as Ron scuttled forward and started chirping. Ron didn't back away, but chirped back! Harry looked at the weird scene in front of him. Ron's Animagus form was allowing him to communicate with the spiders.
"What are they saying Hermione?" asked Harry as Hermione had walked over to stand next to Ginny.
"I don't know. I can't understand anything but what Ron's thinking, not what he's saying. His thoughts are fluctuating. I can't be sure" said Hermione. Harry nodded his head. He prepared his mind to transform if the spider's showed any signs of hostility. As Harry thought this the one that had scuttled forward seem to bow, and Ron let his two front leg's fall to the ground, he then proceeded to raise his right leg. The spider rose from it's bow and in a quick jab stabbed Ron's right leg. Harry raised his wand a spell on his mind.
"No! Harry look" said Ginny as they observed Ron lowering his foot and the spider's that had lined up there dropped to their front leg's in a bow. Harry looked bewildered out at the mass of spider's. They seemed to be bowing to Ron. Harry looked at Ron who chirped once again, and the clan of spiders hurried into the forest. Ron transformed again as they left and walked back over to where they stood with mouths wide open.
"That's settled. Let's get this Horcrux and get out of here shall we?" said Ron. Hermione nodded though she was still shocked. She raised her wand.
"Accio Horcrux" The stomach of Aragog burst open and what looked like a golden snitch came zooming out. Except as it got closer the golden quill became more renown and visible. Harry looked shocked back at Ron as he was wearing a goofy grin on his face.
"You're going to have to explain what just happened here" said Harry. As Ron still grinning nodded his head.
"Later, let's just get out of here" said Ron.
"Wait we should rebury him don't you think" said Ginny pointing back to Aragog. Harry had the image of Hagrid coming out of his hut and finding Aragog's body back above dirt and half torn apart. He nodded. The four raised there wands and put Aragog back into his grave. Hermione flicked her wand as the dirt flew to cover the body and cleanse the air around them. Harry was surprised by the time Hermione was finished it looked as if nothing had even happened.
"Do you still feel sick?" asked Harry as he laid his arm around Ginny's middle so his hand could rest on her hip.
"Nope. I'm all good to go. You?" she asked turning concerned eye's upon him.
"I'm fine, my stomachs good to eat" he said then started laughing.
"We should still get Ron to the hospital wing" said Hermione as she allowed Ron to pull her to him.
"Fine, but I claim we sneak to the kitchens afterward." said Ron smiling still.
"Why the kitchens? Breakfast will probably be on the tables before Pomfrey let's you leave there. Speaking there is actually something wrong now" said Ginny.
The four viewed the map again and made there way into the hospital wing. Pomfrey had a fit, as she tried to get out of Ron exactly what had happened, but no one budged. Harry snuck out to the back of the room, and pulled out Dumbledore's frame. He quietly told him the news that the golden quill was safe and in his pocket. They were soon joined by Professor's McGonagall, and Noviskie. Moony and Tonks not far behind. Hagrid a few moments later.
"Did you all hear that thunderstorm a while ago. Knocked me out of my bed twice it did" Hagrid's face screwed up. "Though now that I think about it, I didn't see any rain outside" Everyone laughed at Hagrid's face, as he looked confusedly between some of them.
"I don't know how you did it" whispered Moony a while later. "But you did it. You actually got past my furry little problem" Harry grinned and found Ginny with his eye's she was talking with McGonagall. Harry's mind lurched forward as he realized that all that was between him and the final battle with Voldemort was Nagini. Harry sighed.
"I think that this calls for a night of dancing!" said Noviskie. Harry guessed he too must have realized that they were down to one final Horcrux to find. Harry smiled as McGonagall grudgingly agreed to a Valentine's Ball and Ginny smiled broadly at him. Harry met her grin. He would dance, if it meant he could hold onto Ginny again. He would dance a thousand dances. She came over and sat in his lap and hugged him tight.
' You'll always be able to hold onto me, my sweet prince. Griffin of my heart ' Harry smiled again, as Moony raised his eyebrows up at him before allowing them sometime alone. Ron was fine, Hermione was fine, Ginny and him, alright. As he hugged Ginny close to him. Glad to have another piece of Voldemort's broken soul in his pocket.
AN :
Hello! Okay first I must apologize for the delay on this chapter. I had a terrible time the first of the week. As I learned that someone from this site, ( yes I know there name, not too mention their name on the other site as well, and am not very happy about it! ) had been copying my story as there's! I will not apologize for the harsher word's I have said in my review page, but rather wish to explain them.
I hold a six day a week job. It's trailing and pretty stressful, so when I get home my spare time is quite limited. I use this time to pursue my passion for witting and my love for Harry Potter's world. All compliment's to J. K. Rowling of course!
After learning that my story was on another site, I became angry, I had just woken up and you could quite imagine the effect, I think. So I was too 'wild' to write. But I wish to give my thanks, needed or not to a few people...
aeturner89, beardie04, hp91, System Overload, and Professor McGonagall! ( Sorry if I missed any names, but you know who you are and I thank you for the response )
On another hand, this other site is a good site, and I hold no record of wrong against them as they are not responsible for a fourteen year old boy's actions. I actually logged on to it and found it quite interesting.
I hope you all enjoyed reading this as I will continue to write. But no sorry Ginny's not pregnant. Please tell me what did you think about Aragog, and then Ron. Hmm wonder what that spider did to him? Oh I know, I know! I know I'm a tease. I can't help it when it comes it witting them. Please Review and let me know what you all thought.
Anxiously awaiting your review,
So until next chapter take care.
HogwartsAngel101