Disclaimer : I do not own Harry Potter, I only wish I did!

Chapter 34

First or Last

Enjoy!

It was after midnight, everyone was asleep, but one messy haired green eyed teenager that sat over a table in the Gryffindor common room. Harry was writing a letter. It had to be written late in the night, when Ginny was still asleep. He sealed the letter and wrote.

Mrs. Weasley
The Burrow
Kitchen

He sat back up and stretched his back. He wondered how to get Hedwig to deliver the letter without suspicion. A thought suddenly occurred to him.

"Fawkes" he waited, maybe Fawkes wouldn't answer him now that he was Ginny's. "FAWKS" said Harry almost yelling. With a sudden flame Fawkes was right beside him. Harry grinned glad that Dumbledore's old and Ginny's new bird still liked him enough to answer him. "Fawkes I know you don't normally do this, but I was wondering if you could take this to Mrs. Weasley at the Burrow. It's for Ginny and I don't want her to know" said Harry as Fawkes meet his eyes. He grinned as Fawkes gave a soft note of song and Harry petted the scarlet colored bird twice, before taking the letter in it's beak and with a sudden flame it was gone. Harry sighed as he was left alone again. He made his way up to the common room and finally laid down.

"I can't believe there going to hold a ball" a girl cried out. Harry rolled his eye's as he continued with Ron and Hermione toward Transfiguration.

"You would think that Voldemort had just been killed" said Hermione rolling her eyes. As they passed a group of giggling girls. They shot hopeful looks at Harry who just kept his eyes on the hallway ahead.

' Any girls ask you and I'm going to hex them ' said Ginny. Harry gave a mental laugh.

' No need to worry Gin. Besides I already have a date ' smirked Harry.

' Really? You've asked someone? ' teased Ginny. Harry grinned.

' Ginny Weasley would you like to dance the night away with me at the Valentine's Ball ' asked Harry sounding as cordial as he could muster. Ginny let a mental giggle escape before responding.

' I would be honored Harry Potter ' she replied as benignant as she could pull off. Harry smiled to himself as they entered the classroom. They filed into their normal seats and Harry sat down next to Dean. Letting Hermione and Ron sit next to each other, in front of him. Professor McHaley filed in and Harry saw she had changed her hair color to a short chin length black and her face was more oval shaped, while her eyes were bright green.

"Hey Harry she's got your eye's" said Dean. Harry took another look her eyes did match his own and Harry stared stunned. Wondering what she was up to now!

' Good question ' said Ginny.

"Quiet down everyone" McHaley said as she lifted herself to sit on the corner of her desk. "We're going to have a little bit of fun today. We're going to see how much transfiguration you have learned. I'm setting the task of making yourself look like someone else." she said. The class noise went up in their excitement. "Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Can it be anyone, or someone in particular?" asked Hermione.

"Very good question, make yourself look like who ever you want, as long as they go to Hogwarts." said McHaley. "Now" she flicked her wand and smaller sized standing mirrors appeared on there desks. Harry looked into his own reflection. "It's simple. I have taught you the spells you needed to learn this and I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to do this. Can I have a volunteer to show us...Miss Granger if you would be so kind as to show us how it's done"

Hermione nodded and stood up bringing her mirror to her face. She squinted and waved her wand. Her hair suddenly fell red and smooth down her back ending right before her bum. Her face changed and her mouth grew pouty and freckles appeared on her cheeks. Her face began to glow almost naturally and when she opened her eyes Harry was the first to laugh.

"Mr. Potter can you guess who she is?" asked McHaley.

"Miss. Ginny Weasley" said Harry happily. McHaley awarded him five points and Hermione twenty as she sat back down.

"Good Mr. Potter you next" said McHaley. Harry suddenly lost his grin. Who do I want to be? Who do I want to be?

' How about Noviskie? ' suggested Ginny. Harry grinned again. Squinting his eyes and waving his wand he concentrated on Noviskie's face. Willing his hair to feather back and turn gray. A mustache to grow on his face and his eyes to grow blue. His chin to become more defined. A realness' to glow over his face. Harry opened his eyes and looked in the mirror. He was surprised to find he had Noviskie's face as the crowed gave a laugh.

"Can anyone guess as to who this person may be?" asked McHaley though hesitant some were to answer, Dean raised his hand.

"Mr. Thomas?" said McHaley.

"Professor Noviskie." said Dean already fearing what was coming next.

"Excellent work. Joseph will be pleased to hear that you picked him Mr. Potter twenty points to Mr. Potter, and five points to Mr. Thomas.

' I bet you look a site now ' teased Ginny. ' Wonder how long that spell will last? '

' Good question ' said Harry as he began wondering the same thing. He watched as Dean turned himself into a third year named Stewart something or another. And laughed when the rest of the class did. ' You should see the way Hermione looks '

' Who did she turn into Professor McGonagall? '

' Nope! ' said Harry. ' You '

' Me? ' Ginny gave a laugh he hoped was all mentally and found himself grinning as Lavender turned herself into Parvati, Neville almost into Ron. Ron into Harry. At which everyone was laughing at. Because my this time, it looked as if Harry and Ginny were sitting in the room together. At least from the chin up. Harry ran his hand over his mustache.

"Way to go Mr. Potter, couldn't have picked a better women myself" said Harry in his best impression of Noviskie, at which sent the whole class into hysterics. Harry one of them Ginny laughing in his mind.

"I realized that with Hermione turned into Ginny, I should turn into Harry" said Ron as they ate lunch later on. Harry sat next to Ron as the two Ginny's sat across from them. Harry had found it weird to sit next to Ginny and have 'Ginny' staring back at him from across the table.

"Ladies, how are you doing, this wonderful afternoon" said Seamus as he causally draped an arm around Ginny and 'Hermione'. Harry smile faded from his lip's and his griffin roared jinxes in his head. "Tell me have any of these two brainless blokes ask either of you to the ball, yet"

"Sorry Seamus, taken. Harry got to me right after the announcement" said Ginny in a false regrettable voice then she smiled as he looked crestfallen and grabbed for his chest taking his arm from around Ginny shoulders. At this time Magnus must have found it best to wake up and slither out of Harry's pocket, because he saw Seamus's arm draped around 'Hermione's shoulder and hissed.

"What did he say Harry?" asked Seamus looking interestedly at Magnus as he wore an amused expression.

"He said that you better remove you arm or he will bite you" said Harry. Looking amused back at Magnus. Seamus wore a shocked expression before he finally dropped his arm and looked at Magnus.

"Didn't mean nothing by it Magnus, tell him Harry I didn't mean anything by it" said Seamus with his hand's up and in front of him in a defensive motion. Harry laughed.

"Just joking Seamus. Magnus was just momentarily confused as to why there were two Ginny's today. Not that he was complaining." said Harry laughing.

"I have a feeling that you are getting me in trouble with yancy boy" hissed Magnus. Harry laughed.

"Maybe, I just didn't like him touching Ginny, and I know Ron certainly didn't like him hanging onto Hermione like that" hissed Harry. He looked at Ron who was still glaring at Seamus as he sat talking with Parvati, or maybe it was Lavender now. Harry wasn't sure.

"So I become the new defense golem" hissed Magnus.

"Sorry Magnus. I just wanted to have a little fun with Seamus" hissed Harry.

"Apology's not necessary If anyone tried to touch my crimson flower that she doesn't want I will surly come to her aid. I shall ride to my damsel in distress" hissed Magnus.

"Ride?" hissed Harry. "And she'll my damsel in distress if she ever truly is. Which I sincerely doubt. Ginny a powerful women. But she certainly is mine" hissed Harry as Magnus flicked his tongue at him.

"Ride is a matter of speaking, Master Harry. Damsel she may or may never be, but she is still my crimson flower" hissed Magnus as he coiled into a ball right beside Harry.

"Back off, she's mine" hissed Harry as he started laughing again. Ginny was engrossed in a conversation with Hermione about the dance when Hedwig came zooming in. Hermione gasped as it was unusual for post to come during lunch, but it was addressed to Harry. A package that had been tied with a red bow. Harry knew that it was Mrs. Weasley fashion.

"Who is that from Harry?" asked Ron looking curious.

"Forget who it's from, but it's actually Ginny's." said Harry.

"Mine?" said Ginny stunned. "From who...you... Harry what did you do and when did you do it?" Harry smiled and shook his head. Several of the students near by were looking on with interest. Ginny smiled again and unwrapped the red bow, and slowly opened the white box and pushed back the pink paper inside. Ginny gave a gasp. She jumped to her feet and climbed over the table and landed on Harry's lap.

"Thank you so much Harry"... ' my griffin ' Harry smiled as she kissed him eagerly then climbed back over the table and stood next to a curious looking Hermione. Ginny laughed as she pulled out the blue-green colored silk robes. Harry smiled as Ginny went down the length of the table showing as many girls as she could. Harry knew the robes were finely made, and quite expensive. This had come straight from the Potter vault. It had seemed that all Potter women had, had great taste though some weirdly so.

"Ginny there's something else in here" said Hermione as she reached inside and pulled out a smaller box. Ginny squealed and came running back up through the aisle. Most everyone's eyes followed her amusedly. She took the small box and lifted the lid. She gave another squeal and again climbed over the table at Harry and kissed him greatly. This time a few whistles were heard and she laughed as she pulled away and climbed back over the table. She lifted out a multi colored hair comb. The design made entirely of blue and green diamonds and jewels. Several girls squealed as they came running up to meet Ginny and Hermione looked up amusedly. Then at Harry who was too busy grinning to pay much attention to anything else. He loved seeing Ginny smile like that.

' I'll have to learn the spell to make it my length ' thought Ginny.

' I already had Mrs. Weasley take care of that for you ' said Harry. Ginny smiled.

' Why did you do this? I could have worn some of my other dresses you know '

' I know, and you would have looked beautiful then too, but I knew you liked this dress and I was just waiting on the time so you could use it. And to answer you earlier question as to how? I wrote Mrs. Weasley thee other night and had Fawkes deliver it so it would be waiting on her stove when she awoke in the morning. ' said Harry.

' I didn't even realize that you had taken these from the vault, Harry ' said Ginny softly as she laid the dress back in it's box with great care of the gentle fabric.

' I'm just glad to see that you still like it ' said Harry sighing in relief. Ginny laughed out loud, but to everyone else this just appeared to be a very happy women in love. Ginny and Hermione started talking about the ball again.

"Good grief Harry, you're giving all us blokes a run for our money" said Seamus as he raised his arm and let it fall back to his side with a thump. Harry smiled. Ron smirked.

"Good one mate. You know she'll still be talking about that when she's old don't you" said Ron looking back over at the two girls. Harry's grin broadened.

"Don't you mean when we're all old Ron" said Harry not letting his eyes leave Ginny's face as it flushed in her excitement. The rest of the day passed in a blur as Ginny was thinking randomly about the dress now safely under the concealment charm under her bed in her dormitory. Harry's mind once again set back to the final Horcrux and the two in his vault. All three waiting to be destroyed.

Later when he sat in the common room with Ginny, Ron and Hermione having gone for another walk. Harry sat in the couch facing the fire as Ginny sat on the floor in front of the low table finishing her charms essay. He sat in deep thought. This was it. Together they had found all three of the hidden Horcruxes. Now all that was left was Nagini. After he destroyed them, Voldemort would in turn be mortal once more. Harry sighed as he suddenly realized he would be meeting with fate soon. Fate would be the one to decide if he lived of died. Fate and fate alone. He knew fate could be changed. Just by the simple choices one could make in everyday life. Harry blinked as he continued to star in the fire burning and crackling in the grate. He just hoped that he'd been good enough to fate. To allow some odds to his side. Voldemort is strong...

' So are you ' entered Ginny.

' He'll still have his wand ' thought Harry.

' So will you ' countered Ginny.

' There will be Death Eaters, trolls, Dementors, and werewolf's ' said Harry.

' We'll have the order of phoenix, Auror's, werewolf's, and if Grawp succeeds a mountain troll or two ' said Ginny.

' Not counting the enemy's we don't know of ' said Harry.

' Yes well, we'll have them too ' said Ginny with complete confidence. Harry sighed again and ran a hand through his already messed up hair. Thanking Merlin his looks were back to normal. The portrait opened and Ron and Hermione sat down.

"That was some walk" snickered Ginny as she measured her charms essay. "Hey I went three inches over"

"Well done" said Hermione who was back to looking like herself again. Harry's eyes had done turned to Ron, who looked like himself again too. But he sat staring into the fire.

"What's up with you mate?" asked Harry.

"He's...well, we were walking and we came upon Professor McGonagall. She said that there was someone in her office that wished to speak with us. Of course we knew who she was implying. So when we got there Dum..." she cast a nervous look around at some near by fourth years.

"We know who you mean, go on" said Harry, becoming agitated at the lack of privacy.

"He said it was time for a little research. To be able to destroy... um yeah, so he told me several books to find and we went right there" said Hermione. Harry nodded to say he understood what she was implying Dumbledore's library.

"So we know how to now" said Ginny.

"No! Not yet" said Hermione. "There are a few obstacles that have come up"

"Obstacles Hermione? Obstacles? You and I both know that it's going to be damned near impossible to figure out" said Ron.

"Figure what out?" said Harry. Now looking between his two friends.

"It seems, or it appears that we have to do it in order" said Hermione now in a whisper. Harry thought she was making herself look rather suspicious.

"So how do we find that out?" asked Ginny.

"No idea" said Ron.

"What?" said Harry who had stood up at the same time.

"What we mean" said Hermione sending a glare at Ron. "Is that's the part that's complicated"

"I'd say damn near impossible Hermione. No one but him would know the correct order" said Ron. Harry started pacing around running his hand through his hair. Dumbledore wouldn't know anything better on this as he as the one who breeched the topic. Who was left to ask for help.

' What about RAB? ' asked Ginny.

' That would involve telling him about the Horcruxes '

Well, he already knows about the locket so it won't be an entirely unbelievable theory ' said Ginny.

' But that's bringing somebody else in- ' said Harry, but stopped almost immediately. "Hey I think it's time we tell Moony what were up too" Ron and Hermione looked up at him in surprise. Ginny raised her eyebrows.

"I would have to agree" said Ginny. "He would be willing to help"

"Hermione? Ron? What do you both think?" asked Harry. Neither one was in disagreement with him and they made a plan to talk with McGonagall about informing Moony. It was time he knew just what his friend's son was truly up too!

Harry headed down to dinner with Ron, Ginny and Hermione were walking ahead of them. Harry was having trouble keeping his mind off the Horcruxes. How were they to find out the exact order of which they were made?

"Looks like the hardest part will be learning the order of which they were made" he commented.

"Seriously Harry" said Ron. "How do you think Moony will be able to help?" They had all agreed that they would start calling Lupin, Moony when they thought it necessary. And walking in a corridor with students passing by every few minuets was such an occasion.

"Well, first he was one of the pack for a while. So he knows some supposed friends that might help him. Second he knows where some hide out points are and he might be able to get himself in. I'm adding the person I can trust with this information. I'm just hoping he'll know a way through the problem." said Harry. Ron nodded as the entered the great hall. Students were streaming in and out. Some having already eaten. Others trying to push through to there friends. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny sat in back as they all just wanted to eat and get to Dumbledore's library to have some time. They ate quickly and mostly without conversation. Every once in a while an anxious look would be shared. They all waited for Ron to finish and with a great sigh they all worked their way up to the tapestry that hid Dumbledore's private library from most staff and the whole student body. They began there research.

"Hey here's one that may be interesting" said Ginny from on top a ladder. She had climbed almost clear to the top. As they had all picked a level at which to look.

"What's it called?" asked Hermione from a shelf she was currently looking through.

"The darkest of the arts, a theory on the matter." said Ginny. " by Mirilda Vilson"

"Put it in the pile" said Ron tiredly. They had found already about fourteen books all in all.

A while later Ron was laying in a couch with an arm draped over his eyes. The light over him seemed to grow dim for him. Harry was sitting next to Ginny as she and Hermione sat at the table pouring over the books they had found.

"Harry would you put this back for me" said Hermione grabbing and snapping the book in front of her closed and handing it to Harry without lifting her eyes, as she was already grabbing the next with her other hand. Harry took the book and made his way back over to the section he had gotten it from earlier. Laying it back he couldn't help but notice a green leather bound book with gold writing on the cover. He picked it up cautiously and read the title. Herbology for the most advanced. by Lorri Duranager. Harry took the book back to the table wit him and started to leaf through it.

"What is that?" asked Ginny as she looked over his shoulder.

"Just a book on Herbology. Thought maybe Neville might like to read it" commented Harry as he watched a demonstration of a plant coming to life and dancing around the page, before it ended and repeated the process. Harry smiled. At least Neville would find it amusing.

"That's really sweet of you" said Ginny smiling as Harry met her eyes. She kissed him tenderly and went back to her book. It wasn't long before Harry was joining Ron though on an opposite couch and was asleep within moments.

When he awoke he found Ginny curled up and tucked in beside him. He pushed the red locks out of her eyes and she sighed and cuddled closer in her sleep. Harry smiled. She was so beautiful to him. He only hoped that he could make this world safer for her. She was his strength. His rock. He glanced at where Ron had collapsed earlier. Hermione had lain down beside him and they both lay in position much like he and Ginny. Harry smiled as his arm around Ginny's middle brought her that much closer to him. Before falling asleep again. Everything almost as it should be. Almost.

"So you have been finding these pieces of Voldemort's soul all year" said Moony as he raised his eyebrows. Harry nodded. They sat in the Headmistress office on Saturday afternoon. Harry had just informed Moony about the Horcruxes and Moony had looked shocked, but remained quiet until he was finished.

"The time when Ron was in the hospital last week. Was when we found this golden broach." said Harry. McGonagall reached into her desk and with a few flicks of her wand it opened and she raised a black box. Waved her wand a few more times and pulled out another box and repeated the process. Finally she laid a box on the desk and Harry took it and opened it to show Moony. He stared apprehensively at it.

"You mean this holds a piece of Voldemort's soul" he said barley above a whisper.

"Yes, and I have another two in my possession" said Harry. Closing the box and handing it back to McGonagall who started replacing the wards she set in place around it's many casings.

"Where do you keep something like that?" asked Moony. His look of shock was wearing off and replacing it was determination.

"I have them under guard in my vault, though which one, only I and one other knows" said Harry. He noticed Moony cast a look at Ginny who was watching with interest and resolve.

"As long as it's safe is all that matters, Harry" he said. Harry nodded his head.

"Right now is when we need your help" said Ron coming to stand beside Harry.

"Whatever it is you wish me to do, I will give it my full attention." vowed Moony.

"I was hoping you would say that" said Harry.

"The problem we have run into Remus is that this must be done in a certain order" said Dumbledore from his frame.

"What kind of order?" asked Moony.

"Well, we're not exactly sure, It could be in the correct order they were made or the counter order they were made. From the last to the first" said Hermione. "But we think they need to be from the first to the last"

"The diary was when Tom was seventeen" Harry commented.

"And it allowed Harry to destroy it then" said Ginny from her seat beside Hermione.

"Dumbledore was able to destroy the ring" said Harry.

"So it must have been made second" said Hermione.

"What we don't know is what was made next. Tom came into the Slythrin locket and the Hufflepuff cup at the same time" said Harry.

"Not to mention we haven't a clue as to when he found and got this broach" said Ginny.

"What we are asking you to do" said McGonagall who had remained quiet the whole time they were explaining. "Is to find out a timeline in which might be useful when destroying these... pieces."

"I will certainly give it my all" said Moony. "Should I work alone or may I inform Tonks" Harry shared a look with Ron then Dumbledore. He didn't know if it was exactly safe to tell Tonks. Dumbledore gave him a slight nod before responding.

"Please keep it mind Remus, that there is till one Horcrux to be transported into our possession. We do not want this information leaked in anyway. One word to Tom and he would have Nagini in hiding and she would most likely never be found" said Dumbledore. "So please use caution if, and when you decide to tell her"

"I will. Should I decide to" said Moony. Harry nodded. Heaving a deep breath and hoping with all his might that Moony was able to find something they might have missed.

That night in the dormitory Harry looked through his dark detectors. He'd received the foe glass and Ariel as birthday present's earlier. He sat on the bed and began petting the Poppyworth. His thoughts were more often to not on the Horcruxes anymore. Even with the ball approaching. Mrs. Weasley had sent him some new dress robes of a velvet green, speaking it was still cold outside. They were a shade darker than Ginny's robes. Harry knew Mrs. Weasley had planned this. Though he didn't mind in the least. The money, Bill had been able to get from his very first vault. Ron had even received new robes of black. Harry laughed as he noticed Ron kept shooting looks at his wardrobe to make sure they were really there.

"At least it won't be so embarrassing now." said Ron.

"Yeah, should be great" said Harry distractedly.

"Hey Ron, why is it that Mrs. Norris ran from you like that earlier?" asked Dean as he was preparing to go to bed. Harry smiled as he recalled them all walking back from dinner and meeting Mrs. Norris along the way. The cat had given a most awful sound of a meow and ran away as fast as Harry had ever seen her move. Harry shot Ron a furtive look.

"Err... don't really know. Must have been where I stepped on her tail earlier in the year" said Ron his ears growing pink. Harry smiled. He knew why Mrs. Norris had ran off and it had nothing to do with someone stepping on it's tail. But rather a spider chasing it into a suite of armor.

Harry picked up the watch Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had given him. He opened it and found himself looking into the fog. It was kind of creepy to be staring into a void of swirling mist. He remembered the feeling of the dream and it's fog. Voldemort had interrupted him and Ginny. Though he still knew Tom had not truly seen anything, Ginny and him both were making a bit of nose and Harry found himself embarrassed at the thought again. Ginny snickered in his mind. Fog...

"Tom Riddle please" he whispered to the watch so no one could hear him. With sudden inspiration. But it was with futile results the watch just continued to swirl.

' Nice try though, I do believe dad said it would allow you to see your friends, but not your foes ' said Ginny. Harry shrugged and laid it aside. Magnus was asleep on the end of his bed again. Harry smiled at the snake. Before clearing off his bed. He found the green leather bound book.

"Oh Neville, thought you might like this" said Harry standing up and meeting Neville half way between there beds.

"What is it Harry?" he asked. Neville took the book and his eyes lit up. "Wow thanks Harry, I wouldn't mind reading it. Could I borrow it from you?"

"Yeah, but it's not exactly mine, but you could use it till your done with it. Just got to return it before the end of the year, you know" said Harry. He walked over and sat back down on his bed. He and Ron shared a amused expression as Neville climbed in bed and opened the book. They were both asleep well before Neville finally closed the cover and tucked in himself.

Sunday had passed without much happening. Hermione had insisted that they return to the private library for some more research. Harry and Ginny thought she was actually studying up for her finals. But neither could blame her. Hermione had been taking school and well as finding and destroying Tom Riddle just as serious.

"Excuse me. I don't mean to interrupt" Harry looked up and found Professor McGonagall walking in through the tapestry. "I was wondering if I could borrow Mr. Potter, and Miss. Weasley for a moment"

"Of course Professor" said Ginny as she stood up from her seat in the couch beside Ron. Harry came around the table he had been sitting at.

"I was wondering if you would mind donating two of your feathers from your Animagus forms each?" she said.

"What for?" asked Harry.

"I'm afraid I can't tell you the full details of the matter, but I can tell you that it will take two feathers from each of you" said McGonagall.

"Oh! Okay sure" said Harry. Not understanding what his feathers could be good for. Harry readied his mind and transformed into his griffin. He gave a screeching growl to tell them he was ready.

"Miss Weasley if you will" said McGonagall.

"What me?" said Ginny.

"I'm afraid that a griffin might hurt anyone, but the one he protects, which is you Miss. Weasley." said McGonagall. Harry noticed Hermione and Ron looking thoroughly confused behind them. Ginny stepped up hesitantly beside him. Harry bent on his front legs.

' It's okay Gin. I won't hurt you ' said Harry. Ginny nodded and took another step, though with more confidence. She ran her fingers over his soft feathers around his face. Then she gently tugged and a feather uprooted from his skin. It left a tingling pain, but Ginny placed her hand over the spot and rubbed and the pain ebbed away. Harry leaned into her touch. Ginny smiled, then slowly tore another feather from him. But again she rubbed the spot and Harry felt the pain go away. He transformed back into himself and pulled Ginny into a hug.

"Thank you Mr. Potter. Now you Miss. Weasley." said McGonagall when Ginny had handed her two black feathers. Ginny nodded and transformed into her phoenix.

She hovered in front of Harry who was grinning back at her. Ginny landed on the back of the chair he had been sitting at earlier. Harry walked up to her. He looked over her form, Ginny wagged her tail at him. He nodded as he ran his hand over her neck and down her back then to her tail. He tugged one of the long red feathers out of her skin. Ginny gave a soft cry of song, and Harry immediately felt her pain. He hugged the phoenix and she leaned into him. Harry stroked her feathers again as she started to calm down. The pain almost gone. Harry tugged another feather from her tail. Ginny cried out again, and Harry rubbed her back in a soothing movement. Ginny calmed down and Harry backed away. Ginny flew into the air and circled the room once before landing on her feet in front of Harry, after she had transformed back into her normal self.

"Thank you Miss. Weasley. Mr. Potter" said McGonagall. "There is someone who has been needing something like these"

"Why? What are they for?" asked Ginny.

"Like I said Miss. Weasley I'm afraid I am unable to say, I'm sure in time you will be made aware of it. Until then I will see you four later." with that she turned and walked out leaving four teenagers looking at each other in question.

"Do you have any idea what that was about?" asked Harry turning to Hermione.

"No, but I'm sure she would have told us if she thought we should know. Eventually we'll find out" said Hermione. Ron looked apprehensive between the three of them, and Harry nodded not knowing if he actually should have agreed so easily to giving away two of his feathers. Ginny feeling much the way he did.

Classes had been hard as they were moving to more complex spells. But the whole student body seemed to be all talk about the Valentines ball. Harry and Ron had laughed about who was pairing up with who. He found Dean was inviting a fifth year who's name was Kirsten Gristoph. She was a black elegant looking women. Her height fell to right under Deans chin. Ginny thought they made a good couple. Seamus turned up to say that he was taking Lavender Brown.

Neville turned up to say that Luna had asked him, and he had been so excited that he had literally leaped and jumped on his bed. Which turned out to be a bad idea as the bed bounced him back off and he landed in a crumbled heap on the floor. Ron and Harry helped him to his feet as both were trying to hold in there laughter. Which failed miserably and ended in a heap on the floor. The prophet had released a statement of Harry's press release and the whole school seemed to be clutching a copy when they came down for breakfast the next day.

"Hey Potter! Would you autograph mine. Speaking that you'll be dead soon" yelled Zabini. Harry grinned as Ron rolled his eyes.

"Are you so sure about that Zabini. Maybe you haven't spent enough time as a griffin to know that we Gryffindor's always triumph" yelled Ginny. Harry smiled even wider.

"How dare you talk to me you blood tra-" Zabini stopped all of a sudden as all four had there wands drawn out.

"Sure you want to finish that line Zabini?" said Harry. "Cause I've got a spell on my mind that I have been desperate to test. I hear it's quite fatal." Zabini's slanted eyes went wide out of the four wands and he hadn't even gotten to draw his own out. He sneered and Harry let out a laugh.

"You can try Zabini but Harry and Ginny are way out of your league" said Ron.

"Yeah, you would know about that wouldn't you Weasley" yelled Pansy. But shrieked as Hermione turned her wand on her instead.

"I'd be careful Parkinson. I wouldn't want Hermione mad at you" said Ginny.

"Cease this right now! Gryffindor's will put holster there wands this instant" said Noviskie. "Slythrin's will continue with there meal as I want a nice breakfast for a change" Harry stowed his wand and turned his back and walked over to the Gryffindor table choosing a seat he knew he'd never sat in before. Ginny sat beside him and Ron and Hermione appeared on the other side.

"Just forget him." said Hermione.

"He might have just dropped us a hint Hermione" said Harry. Thinking of his words.

"What when he claimed you'd be dead soon- OW Ginny!" Ron said holding his head. Ginny had plucked a biscuit from the table and quicker than lightening had chucked it at Ron. Ginny glared at him. Harry took her hand under the table and squeezed it gently.

"Your thinking it was a warning" said Hermione thoughtfully as she ignored the sibling rivalry. Harry met her eye. He didn't really have to say anything.

"Hey Harry" said Neville sitting down beside him.

"Hey Neville" said Harry as he began piling his plate with eggs and bacon. Then turned and poured a glass of orange juice for Magnus who hissed his thanks.

"Thank you Harry. I just got a letter from my Gran. Said you mentioned me and Luna in the press release. Said you gave us full credit for the capture of Bellatrix. But why Harry? You were the one who did it. If you hadn't stepped in she probably would have gotten away." said Neville looking flushed.

"Well it's true though Neville. You deserve all the credit. You and Luna almost had her" said Harry. He ignored the furtive look Ron had shot him.

"Not really, but I thank you and so does Luna" said Neville.

"No problem Neville" said Harry and he tucked into his plate. While Magnus slurped his orange juice.

"I was able to find out a few things by tailing a known Death Eater" said Moony as he sat down in a chair provided by McGonagall. "Thank you, one being Lucius Malfoy has escaped from Azkaban"

"WHAT!" the headmistresses office rang with sudden rage that it was hard to tell who was more defiant.

"What do you mean he's escaped" hissed Harry.

"It gets worse. He's been out since the summer" said Moony gravely. Harry growled in frustration. Ginny seemed to hiss like a cat. Ron looked horrified at the thought.

"Why hasn't it been in the prophet?" asked Hermione retaking her seat, from where she had jumped up.

"Apparently Scrimgeour doesn't want to cause a mass of angry witches and wizards, and apparently Voldemort doesn't even now where he is" said Moony.

"Wait! What? Why would he not return to him?" asked Ginny looking suspiciously between Moony to Dumbledore, hoping one would give an answer.

"Maybe he's afraid of him now" said Ron. Harry just cast his eyes to window. Not really seeing the setting sun, but rather a void. A void filled with questions that needed answers. Something certainly didn't settle right. Nor did it fit.

"Harry?" Dumbledore's voice broke him out of his reverie.

"Mmm?" said Harry. But Dumbledore just raised his eyebrows and looked back at him intently. "First I was wondering why it hasn't been released when Sirius's was, but it makes since because where they no longer doubt Voldemort's return now" said Harry, heaving a deep breath, he continued. "Second why hasn't he returned? That's where I'm getting confused. It could mean he is afraid of what Tom would do to him cause his failure at the ministry, or it could be because his son was unable to perform the task on his own" Harry looked back at Dumbledore. They both shared a sad look before turning there attention to Hermione.

"So you think fear is what's driving him into hiding?" asked Hermione.

"Fear? You think Lucius fears?" said Moony.

"Every man fears Remus" said Dumbledore. "Even I do, and am capable of the emotion even now" The room quieted down as each drew into there own thoughts.

"Maybe Scrimgeour just doesn't want the news out, because of how it'll make him look" ventured Ginny.

"Yeah, that'll make since" Ron agreed. Harry eyed Ginny thoughtfully.

"Also why hasn't he returned to Tom, maybe he's already found refuge with the one who's helped him escape?" finished Ginny. Harry stared her.

' I think you are a genius sometimes you know that? '

' Sometimes, Potter? ' she snickered mentally.

"I think Ginny may be onto some there. We need to find out who, if anyone he's traveling with." said Harry.

"I'll put the look out for Mr. Malfoy and a traveling companion. Maybe one of the distant members of the order has seen something that we could use" said McGonagall. "I'll meet with Arthur later on" Dumbledore bowed his head respectively.

"Until then I would suggest that we use even more precaution" said Dumbledore.

"Forgive me Professor, but you said a few things" said Hermione. Turning back to Moony.

"You really are the brightest witch of your age" praised Moony. Hermione smiled. "The second piece is I think I know when about the time he found the golden broach." The room suddenly stilled at this news. It had only been a week since they talked with Moony about him starting this mission. To say the least Harry was rather quite surprised.

"When?" asked Dumbledore who seemed to recover before anyone else.

"About four years after Hogwarts" answered Moony.

"That would make it around a year after he stolen the cup and locket" said Hermione.

"Miss. Granger?" said Dumbledore.

"Well, memory's show us that Voldemort aged slightly between the memory's. First we saw a sixteen year old Tom in the pages of a diary." said Hermione.

"Then we saw a seventeen year old Tom in the Gaunt house with the ring" said Ginny picking up on Hermione's way of thinking.

"Next we see the cup then the locket" said Hermione. Harry watched as the two girls began to look intently at each other. Both were counting on there fingers.

"Next we saw Tom wanting a job as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher" said Ginny as Hermione smiled and nodded.

"If I am not mistaken I believe you two have just worked out the timeline" said Dumbledore. Harry and Ron turned amazed eyes on each other before grinning. Damn their girlfriends were smart.

' Thank you I'll be here all week ' said Ginny snickering mentally.

' You better be here for a lot longer than that wildfire ' commented Harry. Ginny laughed and Harry hugged her.

"One thing left to work out it seems then" said McGonagall.

"Yes, which went first the cup or the locket?" said Moony.

As the week progressed and the Valentine's ball grew closer Harry's mind went rarely off the subject of the Horcrux. Which came first the locket or the cup? In one way he felt that Voldemort would have sealed his own soul with his own history before sealing it with Hufflepuff's. Then in another he felt that he would have wanted to make sure he had gotten it right before attempting it on a priceless artifact that meant so much to his mother's family. They practically had treated the locket and ring like they belonged to the queen instead.

Further more they only had half an inkling on how to properly destroy a Horcrux. Dumbledore felt they should understand the properties of it before he informed them of how he had destroyed the ring. Harry knew that he had too literally pierce the diary, so that was all they knew. He was growing frantic with the final battle looming at him closer everyday. Harry knew that Voldemort would come after him soon. Ginny was growing concerned with every passing day.

"I just don't feel we're learning everything we ought too!" insisted Hermione one evening in the common room. It was late and Harry and Ron were still working on there Transfiguration homework. Hermione had been fast at hers and even finished another scroll on the matter. Harry was having trouble trying to fill in the last two inches.

' I should really learn to write larger ' thought Harry. ' Or use my element of wisdom '

' Yes, but that's cheating ' said Ginny as she started rubbing his shoulders as he sat propped against her legs on the floor.

' Mmm that feels nice though. ' said Harry as he closed his eyes for a moment and enjoyed Ginny's touch.

' Love you ' sighed Ginny, and Harry heard the content in her voice. Harry smiled.

' I love you '

"Hermione if we try to do anymore my brain is going to burst" said Ron turning his back on her and measuring his parchment. "And I'm still five inches off." Hermione smacked him with her notebook she pulled out of her bag. "Ow" Hermione glared at him. "What my brain already hurts"

"I think that would be a much improvement speaking it couldn't get any worse could it?" said Ginny with a serious look on her face. Harry tried to hide his smile. Hermione lifted a pillow to her face. Causing Ron to scowl.

AN:

Hey, bet you weren't expecting this one! LOL! Okay so here's where I say please review and tell me what you think and now is when you hit that tiny button that say's submit review and type... whatever your thoughts are. I know I can't wait to hear from all of you!

So tell me which one you think came first the Hufflepuff cup, or the Slythrin Locket? And why would also help. You just might find your idea in the next chapter or two...

Much thanks to Cathy for her vote of confidence...thank you, thank you, thank you.

A holler out to System Overload. What did you think of my nice surprise? Did you catch the little addition? Knowing you, you did...lol Can't wait to hear from you!

To everyone who wondered what excreta means is body waste of some form. I had a few reviews for this one, so thought I'd post it to let everyone know at once.

Please review.

Until next chapter take care,

HogwartsAngel101