The Devils Triangle
Chapter One: Saving Harry Potter
Harry Potter had returned to the home of his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon after his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. To say that his school year had ended badly would be an understatement. The entire school year in fact had been a miserable disaster; culminating in the events that left Harry in his current state. That state being, well, not good.
Harry spent his days and nights in precisely the same manner: lying on his bed staring at either the ceiling or the wall. He left his bed only to care for his owl, Hedwig, use the loo, or write a letter once every three days. The letter he sent was always the same; it was to the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, addressed to no one in particular. The letter always consisted of the same, two words: 'I'M FINE,' written in the same careless hand every three days. Mad-Eye Moody had made it clear that if they didn't hear from him at least every three days they would send someone after him. Harry wanted no one coming after him; wanted no one coming to Surrey for him at all.
Harry just wanted to be LEFT ALONE!
Harry would bellow his wish to be left alone to the terrified Dursleys' any time they came near. He would occasionally eat the food that his Aunt slipped through the door slot when she thought he was asleep. The Dursleys had been warned not to bother Harry by Mad-Eye before they brought him home for the summer; therefore they were too terrified to even complain about the stench beginning to emanate from Harry's room. Harry's hygiene habits had deteriorated along with his disposition.
Occasionally a post owl would arrive with a letter from one of his mates. Ron would write him about Quidditch and de-gnoming the garden. Hermione would give him tips about his homework assignments for next term. They both begged him to write back to them and tell them how he was. He'd even received letters from Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood asking after him. Harry never replied to anyone.
It was well past midnight, on the night of the full moon in July. The moonlight cast a silver gloom over Harry's bedroom. Harry lay in bed seeming to sleep, but he wouldn't allow himself to sleep, wouldn't allow his mind to rest. If he were awake he could control his thoughts; he could force his mind to remain blank and numb. Once sleep took him, all control over his thoughts and emotions was gone also. He couldn't allow that, his dreams were too vivid and too painful to relive. Visions of Sirius falling behind the veil, his friends being attacked, left injured and bleeding… It was better to remain awake.
Harry heard a pop. He was sure it was the sound of someone Apparating into the room. He knew the wards over his Uncle's home on Privet Drive would limit who could Apparate into it. He was fairly certain that it must be an Order member in his room. Harry reached for his wand, just to be safe and turned on the light.
"Show yourself! I know someone's here." Harry was ready to begin bellowing at the unknown person, when he heard a rustling noise and suddenly the figure of Molly Weasley appeared from under an invisibility cloak in the corner of his room.
"Hello, Harry dear," Molly said softly as she approached the bed and engulfed Harry in a warm, tight hug.
"Mrs. Weasley!" Harry was at a loss for words. Harry would not bellow at Mrs. Weasley. Not only was she the closest thing he had to a mother that he could remember, but also if he did yell at her there was a good chance that she would box his ears.
Harry melted into her embrace, he couldn't stop himself; Mrs. Weasley was one of the few people who'd ever hugged him. Hermione would hug him occasionally in greeting, but that wasn't the same. Harry was rarely touched by anyone, ever. Harry felt his chest constrict and a wave of emotion threatened to overpower him. He'd just spent weeks forcing himself not to feel, if he didn't resist now he would fall apart. Harry pushed back on the feelings menacing him and he stiffened in Mrs. Weasley's arms.
Mrs. Weasley pulled away from Harry and met his cold gaze. Harry thought he saw a look of fear, quickly replaced by anger cross Mrs. Weasley's face.
"Harry, what has he done to you? I have to go. Goodbye dear." Mrs. Weasley stood, then Disapparated away. Harry was stunned by her sudden departure; he hadn't meant to offend her. At least she went away, its better this way. Harry flopped back on his bed and resumed his task of counting the cracks in the ceiling plaster. His mind was blank again.
The next day dawned bright and warm, not that Harry noticed in his room with the shade drawn. Harry heard a tapping at the window. Actually it more of a 'thunk, thunk'. Hedwig flapped her wings and looked quite annoyed in her cage. Harry opened the window and Ron's owl Pigwigeon flew in and bounced around the room for several minutes before Harry grabbed him and was able to remove the letter attached to his leg.
"Thanks, Pig." Harry gave Pig some owl treats and water before Pig bounced back out the window and flew away. Harry opened the letter; the handwriting wasn't Ron's and the letter was much too long to be from Ron.
"It's from Ginny." Harry was surprised, he couldn't remember Ron's younger sister ever writing to him before.
Dear Harry,
I hope this letter finds you "FINE!"
Mum's in a right state! She returned this morning from her over-night guard duty over Privet Drive. Harry, she's not been this upset since Percy abandoned us. She was raving about "that old fool Dumbledore" and how it was a good thing that he never had any children of his own. She was breathing fire! She was more terrifying than I've ever seen her.
She's gone to Hogwarts and she told me she won't come back until Professor Dumbledore agrees to let you come home to us. He doesn't stand a chance; you'll be at the Burrow for your birthday, I'm sure of it!
Harry, Mum didn't say much about how you were before she left; but she told me that she hadn't seen eyes that empty and lost since she looked into mine after you saved me from the Chamber.
I've never talked with anyone about this, but the summer after my first year was the worst time in my life. I spent most of my time lying in a hammock staring at the sky. There was a war raging in my head. I hated myself for being so stupid and gullible. I hated myself for almost killing my friends. I hated myself for having to be rescued like some doe-eyed damsel. I hated you for rescuing me; I thought you'd all have been better off without such a pathetic twit around to cause problems. Most of all I hated the pity! I hated the look in everyone's eye as they said: "Ginny it's not your fault." or "Ginny, Voldemort has duped much older and wiser wizards than you." Or a hundred other things that I was told. (Harry if I ever look at you with pity in my eyes...hex me into next week!) No one told me what I wanted to hear: I wanted someone to grab me and shake me and tell me that I was an idiot. I wanted the people I'd almost killed to hate me. I wanted you to hate me for forcing you face-to-face with HIM. But you were kind; you're always kind to me. (Bit annoying that.)
Now I find myself in a position where I want to say: "Harry it's not your fault." or "Harry, Voldemort has duped much older and wiser wizards than you." I won't say that. Likewise, I won't say "Harry you're an idiot and should have known better!" either. The truth is probably in the middle somewhere and it's not for me to say where.
I have no idea if you're feeling anything similar to what I felt that summer. I started writing this hoping to give you advice on how I survived, but now I realize the impossibility of putting those thoughts onto paper. When you get here, if you ask me, I'll tell you anything you want to know if you think it would help. But you have to ask.
There's one more thing:
During my first year, Tom made me talk about you, a lot. He was very curious. He's afraid of you. After last year in the Department of Mysteries I've become certain of one thing. He will never leave you alone. Harry, we have to find a way to kill him. It's the only way. I am more certain of that than I am about anything else in my life.
I sorry about this dreary letter. I hope you don't hate me for writing it. I hope something in it helps.
Your Loving Friend,
Ginny Weasley
P.S. Please burn this letter.
Harry read Ginny's letter three times in quick succession. He was aghast! Ginny knew. She understood the self-loathing and numbness that had overwhelmed him over the past few weeks; she'd felt it herself! But why? What had happened in the Chamber wasn't her fault! He'd had no idea it had affected her so severely.
Well you never bothered to ask her about it did you Potter? Harry felt a wave a shame rise through him. I should have talked to her about it! I was the only other person down there who knew first hand everything that happened. I might have helped her. It never even occurred to me to ask! I'm a huge prat! Now here she is offering herself to help me!
A black cloud descended over Harry. "I can't think about this now. I'll think about it later."
Ginny's instincts about Mrs. Weasley's persistence proved correct. First thing the following morning Harry heard another pop in his room. He rolled over in his bed to see a very disgruntled Mad-Eye Moody glaring at him.
"Been enjoying your letters this summer Potter! Ever think of taking up writing for a profession?" he growled.
"Good Morning Professor Moody. How can I help you?" Harry asked wearily.
"You can get your arse out of bed and pack your things. You have ten minutes. MOVE! Bloody Hell!" he roared, sniffing the air. "Is that stench coming from you?"
"What happened? Where am I going?" Harry asked as he got up and started throwing his belongings into his truck.
"That red-headed harpy brow beat Dumbledore within an inch of his life yesterday. You're heading for the Burrow for the rest of the summer. It's dangerous and it's the last place you should be, but that woman...Ehhh!" Harry thought that Mad-Eye's mad eye was going to spin out of his head as he spoke. He was infuriated and Harry was sure to keep out of his way as he continued to pack. He released Hedwig and told her to meet him at the Burrow.
"How will we get there?" Harry asked.
"Portkey." Professor Moody handed Harry what looked like a necklace with a crystal tube on the end. "You wear this for the rest of summer. It's an emergency portkey. If anything should go wrong at the Weasley's just crack the crystal and the Portkey will activate and send you to the kitchen of Grimmauld Place. Never take it off, wear it in the shower...everywhere! Although it seems you don't have use for a shower anymore. Do you understand?"
"I understand. I'm ready," Harry said, putting the string over his head and tucking the crystal into his shirt.
"Good. Later someone will come for your things and inform your relations that you're gone."
Moody removed a small flask from his coat pocket and held it out to Harry. Harry touched it and immediately felt a tug around his middle. In the next moment Harry was safely in the kitchen of The Burrow encased in Mrs. Weasley arms. "Harry dear, I'm so glad you're here."
"Mum, let him breath!" chuckled Ron, who seemed to be the only other person around.
"Hi-ya, Harry!" Ron said shaking his mates hand as soon as he had escaped his mothers grasp. "Come with me, I'll show you to your room. You'll be in Percy's old room. You won't have to listen to me snore, not till September anyway."
"At least at school I can put a silencing charm on your bed," Harry chuckled. "I've never seen Percy's room. I don't even know which one it is."
"Right here. Third level, across the hall from Ginny."
Harry looked about the room; it looked like a room that would belong to Percy. It was rather Spartan with white walls and dark blue bed covering and curtains. The only decoration was Percy's various trophies and badges adorning the walls. Harry's attention was quickly drawn to the room across the hall; Harry would have pictured Ginny's room as something very pink and frilly and girly; but it wasn't at all. She had the same dark blue bed covering and curtains as Percy, but the walls were painted a very warm shade of yellow. Covering the wall were dozens and dozens of pictures all waving enthusiastically; they drew Harry into the room. All of the faces were familiar to Harry as fellow Hogwarts students, but he didn't know the names of most of them. There were kids from every house, except Slytherin it seemed. Harry saw pictures of Ron and Hermione, but he couldn't find one picture of himself among the dozens. Probably because I run every time Colin Creevy comes near me.
"Ginny has a lot of friends," Harry observed.
"Our Ginny's a friendly girl. But Harry...Ginny hurts people who snoop about her room without her knowledge." Harry's eyes widened in surprise and he quickly exited the room.
"I wouldn't want to be bat-bogeyed!" Harry chuckled. "Where is she?" he asked trying to sound casual.
"Er! I don't believe it! She had a date with Dean Thomas yesterday; his cousin's wedding or something. Mum and Dad actually let her spend the night over there! Can you believe it? An overnight date! That can't be a good idea," Ron fumed.
"I think Ginny can handle Dean." Harry laughed at his friend's outrage. "When does she get back?"
"Dunno. Afternoon sometime. D'ya wanna go for a fly?"
"Naw, thanks. I'm kind of tired; I'd rather just stay in my room for a while. If it's alright?" Harry felt a pressure in his head, he needed to be alone.
"Sure. No problem." Ron seemed disappointed but he left Harry alone in his room.
Harry begged off of lunch that afternoon; he knew Mrs. Weasley wouldn't put up with much meal skipping, but going down to eat seemed like more than he could bear just yet.
Harry heard Ginny's voice shortly after lunch. He felt as though a tiny light had ignited in the gloom that filled his brain. She was down in the kitchen greeting her family, happily filling them in on the events of her weekend. Harry heard her pad up the stairs and breeze by his door, throwing him a quick "Hey, Harry!" as she brought her bags into her own room across the hall. Harry remained lying curled on top of the bed, facing the wall of his darkened room with his back to the door. He hadn't moved when he heard Ginny return, but for some reason he was suddenly wide awake and listening for every sound she made.
"Hey Mum? Is there any lunch left? I'm starving. Can you take a look at my dress? I spilled something on it at the wedding; I don't want it to stain," Ginny yelled from inside her room.
"Yes of course dear, bring it here."
Harry listened as Ginny ran back down the stairs, presumably with the dress. Ginny had a brief conversation with her mother in a hushed tone. Harry couldn't hear what they were saying. He hoped it wasn't about him. Harry didn't hear Ginny return upstairs and he presumed she'd remained with her Mum.
Suddenly Harry felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle and he knew he wasn't alone.
"Now Harry, I've just made more noise that a herd of Hippogriff's. I know you're not asleep." Ginny's voice was very soft and calm, but Harry thought he heard a bit of the steely edge that she used when dealing with Malfoy.
"Hi, Ginny, did you have a nice time?" Harry couldn't be bothered to sound enthusiastic about his inquiry and he didn't bother turning to look at her.
"Lovely, thank you for asking." Ginny walked into the room and opened the curtains to let in the sun light. Harry winced at the sudden light filling the room and threw his arm over his eyes. "Harry it smells like a pile of dragon dung in here!" Ginny opened the window to let in some fresh air. "When was the last time you bathed? Honestly! Come with me."
Ginny tugged at Harry's arm, he resisted, and Ginny's grip moved immediately to Harry's right ear and she began leading Harry to the loo.
"Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Bugger Ginny! That hurts!" Harry got up, no longer resisting, and walked peacefully toward the shower as Ginny kept firm hold on his ear.
Ginny's tone remained sweet as cream. "I don't believe what they let you get away with around here. If you were anyone else Mum would have dragged you to the loo and washed your bits herself."
Harry's terror stricken eyes snapped up suddenly and met Ginny's; her expression was unreadable, but he got the impression that she was hoping for more resistance from him.
"I'll wash my own bits. Thank You!" Harry pushed Ginny out of the bathroom and quickly locked the door.
"Suit yourself!" Ginny flounced back to her own room to unpack her bags.
Harry undressed and got into the shower, he ran it as hot as he could stand; the water felt wonderful beating against his skin. Oh...good idea. This is what I need. Oh, this is nice... Hang On!... What did Ginny say? Was she going to bath me herself if I resisted? NO!... She'd never! Hmm...maybe I should have resisted a bit more! Ginny's toying with me! I'll have to remember to call little Ginny's bluff next time! OK! (Weasley 1; Potter 0) But now it's time for round two! I can make little Ginny crumble! She can barely stand to look me in the eye most days. Of course I've never intentionally tried to make her meltdown. But how difficult can it be?
Harry quickly hopped out of the shower and toweled himself off. He looked at his reflection in the enchanted mirror and was shocked to see himself with a huge ear-to-ear grin on his face.
"Hey, handsome! I haven't seen you in a while. Where did grouchy git boy go?" I hate enchanted mirrors!
Harry wrapped a towel around his middle and made his way back to his room to dress. He paused at Ginny's open door and watched her store her overnight bags back onto the upper shelf of the cupboard. Harry leaned in the doorway, in what he hoped was a sexy, yet casual pose.
"Hey, Gin."
Ginny turned and smiled at him. Her eyes swiftly scanned his towel clad body, but quickly returned to his face without the slightest blush. "Well, the shower certainly agreed with you! That's quite a grin. What are you so happy about suddenly?"
She's not even blushing, that's not a good sign! Easy Potter, just be smooth... look her in the eye. She's a sucker for my eyes. They're as 'green as a fresh pickled toad'! She'll crumble.
"Well... I was thinking, maybe I acquiesced a little too soon earlier. Maybe I should have accepted your offer of help in the shower."
Ginny started walking slowly towards him, still smiling sweetly, her eyes locked onto his. "Is that what you want Harry? " She was standing very close to him now. An electric volt shot through him as her fingers gently fondling the string from the emergency portkey that hung around Harry's neck. She's not crumbling. Something is very wrong here! And it's a really bad idea to be here wearing only a towel!
"Is that what you want Harry?" Ginny repeated slowly. "Do you want someone in the shower with you, soaping and scrubbing you all over?"
Harry gulped and squeaked out "Maybe."
"Because if you had resisted that's exactly what would have happened... It's not too late."
"It's not?" OK. I'm terrified! How do I get out of this?
"Not at all. I have Fred and George standing by downstairs in case you gave me any trouble; they'd be glad to assist you...Oh! Where'd that pretty grin go?"
Harry paled, but took in a deep calming breathing. He didn't know if he was relieved, disappointed or just damn impressed. "You're a wicked woman!"
Ginny stepped back and a smile of pure joy spread across her face. It was as though Harry could not have paid her a higher compliment! "Thank you Harry! Now go and dress. We're going out. I have a birthday present for you." Harry's grin returned and he went off to dress.
Once alone in his room Harry began to laugh outright for the first time in weeks. The relief spread over him like a balm. He quickly dressed and returned to Ginny.
"I'm ready. Where're we going? It's not my birthday till tomorrow."
Ginny just waggled her eyebrows at him and pushed him down towards the kitchen and out into the yard. As Harry passed through the kitchen he noticed the twins sitting around the kitchen table with various sort of scrubbing pads and brushes; some of the brushes seemed to have wire bristles.
"Look Fred, there's Harry. He doesn't seem to need our services today! Maybe next time!" Harry grimaced at the twins without saying a word and continued walking through the kitchen without breaking stride. Note to self: We will never try to call Ginny's bluff on anything. We will just do what we're told. Much safer!
Once out the kitchen door, Harry spied Ron helping to weed the vegetable garden.
Ron smirked knowingly at Harry as he and Ginny passed.
"I'm afraid of your sister," Harry mumbled quietly as he passed Ron.
Ron just chuckled and said, "Welcome to the club mate! We all live in fear of that one! Move along with you...I don't suggest you keep her waiting." Ron was glad that Ginny was finally able to be herself around Harry. They both had so many secrets that they kept bottled up inside them. They'd be good for each other.
Harry and Ginny walked out of the Burrow gardens and down the path toward the swimming pond in companionable silence.
They reached the edge of the orchard and Ginny stopped under a huge old oak tree. Harry raised his eyebrows questioningly.
"You have to hold my hand to see it the first time," she said as she took Harry's hand entwining her fingers amongst his. Harry felt Ginny's warmth flood his hand and travel up his arm spreading quickly throughout his entire body. A wave of calm enveloped him and he looked down at their entwined hands to see if this magic was visible. He looked up to ask Ginny what spell she'd just used to make him feel so good, but as he did his eyes fell on a wooden make-shift ladder which was now descending down out of the tree.
"Wicked!"
"Go on up, but don't let go of my hand until you have both feet on the ladder," Ginny instructed.
Harry quickly ascended the ladder, the leaves and branches were thick around him as he climbed steadily upward. The ladder passed through an opening in a wooden platform, the opening was small and Harry had to squeeze though it to step out onto the top of the platform. The sight that greeted him on the other side amazed him. The branches of the tree twined together to form an intimate bower at the top of the tree. The branches provided enough shade to make the room comfortable, but did not impede the sweeping views of the countryside around them. From this vantage point, Harry could clearly see the orchard, swimming pond, Quidditch pitch and The Burrow as well as the surrounding fields, hills and meadows. It was the most beautiful view Harry had ever seen. His attention shifted to the inside of the bower, the room held only a bookshelf in the corner overflowing with books in all shapes and sizes and a huge hammock that was hung between the branches. Harry remembered her saying something about a hammock.
"Happy Birthday, Harry." Ginny had followed him up the ladder and was watching him as he took in his surroundings.
"Ginny, this is brilliant! What is this place? You're giving it to me?"
"It's kind of my sanctuary. Dad built it for me when I was very little. To get away... you know... six brothers. None of my brothers know about it. Well Ron does... or did, he used to come here with me when we were younger, before he left for Hogwarts. It's charmed though, so he wouldn't remember where it is now. There are also charms to keep out the rain and cold. I come here to read, write letters, escape from Mum and the twins. I'm giving it to you...for the summer. It's very private here and you'll able to think."
"Ginny, the hammock, is this the place you wrote me about?" Ginny nodded, Harry continued quietly. "I wanted to thank you for that letter Ginny, it meant a lot to me. I thought I was the only one who felt that way... " Harry couldn't bring himself to continue talking about his own feelings so he changed direction "...Ginny, you always seem so cheerful and outgoing, I had no idea you felt like this sometimes. Even after the Chamber you seemed to bounce right back to your happy self. I remember noticing that."
"You've discovered my deep, dark secret Harry." She said with a sly grin. "I suppose I act happy, so people assume I'm fine, and leave me alone; whereas you act like a prat and scare people into leaving you alone." She giggled at the dark glare he shot at her.
"We're both after the same thing in the end. I've found that when I spend time here, the blackness doesn't linger."
"The blackness! That's how I see it too. It's like a black cloud descends, and sits on me. Wow." Harry chuckled nervously then became serious again holding Ginny's gaze in his own. "I think I would like to hear about your summer after the Chamber. If you can talk about it. Can you? Talk about it?"
"I can try. I never have. Not with anyone. Not honestly anyway. I'll try...but not now. First there are some ground rules for your present."
Ginny pulled out of the intensity of Harry's gaze and went to sit sideways in the hammock. She patted to the place next to her and Harry obeyed and they sat comfortably side by side, gently swinging.
"First," Ginny began "you can't tell any one about this place, you can't tell them where it is, and you can't bring them here. Agreed?"
"Agreed. But what do I say if someone asks where I've been?"
"They won't. I'll make sure everyone leaves you alone...Second rule: You have to come out everyday for meals and Quidditch. Meals to make Mum happy; and Quidditch, for me. I need all the practice I can get if I'm to make chaser next year. Agreed?"
Harry laughed. "Ok that's easy! Anything else?"
Not for you. No. I'm the only one who'd be able to find you here. My rule is that I won't bother you except for meals and Quidditch or unless I'm specifically invited by you. Deal?"
"Deal...Say what's in that basket you brought? I'm starving!" Harry got up and rummaged through a picnic basket that Molly had pressed into Ginny's hands as they left the Burrow.
"Six sandwiches! Who does she think she's feeding?" Harry chuckled.
He brought out two butterbeers and two sandwiches and brought them back to the hammock for them to eat.
"Thank you Ginny. This is the best present anyone has ever given me. It's better than the Firebolt! "
"NO!" Ginny laughed, "It's not better than a Firebolt! But you're welcome. I hope it helps. It helped me."
"I should have been there for you after the Chamber. I should have asked how you were; I didn't even think to ask. I'm sorry."
"It wouldn't have done any good Harry, I would have told you I was fine. Besides... I wasn't very good at talking to you at that time...If you'll recall." Ginny grimaced with embarrassment at her former debilitating crush she'd once had on Harry Potter.
"I remember. You seem to have gotten better at it," Harry chuckled, blushing lightly.
Ginny desperately needed to change the subject.
"I've been trying to think of a way to explain to you what I went through the summer after the Chamber. It's not easy to explain, but what I did was ask myself three questions everyday. Everyday I would answer the questions. Everyday the answers would change. The three questions were: How did this happen to me? What do I need to change about myself? How do I envision my future?"
"That's it?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Well...they're not easy questions to answer. Especially if you're trying to be honest with yourself. As I said, the answers changed everyday, but by the end of summer I had a plan, a roadmap, sort of, to where I wanted my life to be. It's worked out really well for me. I'm happy now. I have more control over my own happiness." Harry stared blankly at Ginny, clearly not understanding her and making Ginny grimace. "I don't know Harry. Your problems are so much bigger than mine, maybe this is silly."
"No. No Ginny it's not silly. I want to understand. Please make me understand. Why where you so unhappy?"
Ginny gulped and her eyes widened. Panic began to take over her mind. How was she going to do this? It was beyond humiliating. How would she tell Harry how ashamed she was to be poor with second-hand everything? That she had no friends. And worst of all, that she was madly in love with a boy who didn't know she was alive. And that boy was sitting in front of her. She knew that Harry knew about her crush, but she'd never admitted it to him, they'd never talked about it!
"It's all so humiliating," was all Ginny could manage to say.
Harry pensively watched Ginny as she had this battle in her head. Harry had a pretty good idea about what she was going through. Tom Riddle had told him a bit about what Ginny had written in the diary. He knew it was hard for her to talk about it, but she was trying to talk to help him. He wanted to make it easier for her.
"Er..I have an idea," he said. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable and it's not fair that you have to suffer all the humiliation. Would it help if I told you something completely embarrassing and humiliating about myself? Then we'd be mutually humiliated, and we'd be even. Would that help?"
Ginny was startled; this was the last thing she expected. Harry was very private and rarely shared his feelings, let alone his insecurities with anyone. She was curious.
"Harry I don't want you to humiliate yourself!" she said aghast. Then a sly grin crept across her face and the twinkle returned to her eyes. "Oh who am I kidding? Yeah! That would help! Spill Potter!"
Harry glared at her again. "Alright! But I'm going to remember how gleeful you are when it's your turn!"
Harry leaned back in the hammock and looked at the clear summer sky above him. There was no way he could tell this story while looking someone in the eye, especially Ginny.
He took his time and gathered his thoughts.
"Well as you know I was raised by the Dursleys and that they were less than model guardians. They didn't communicate many things to me. When I came to Hogwarts I was shockingly ignorant about some things."
"What do you mean?" Ginny had a feeling she knew where this conversation was going, but she wasn't sure.
Harry continued facing up toward the sky, but placed both hands over his face, his glasses falling to his lap. "I mean... growing up...changes...boys, girls...Stuff!"
"Ohhh!...Stuff," Ginny said desperately swallowing a snicker. Harry in this much agony was the most adorable thing she'd ever seen. She was riveted.
"I can't stress strongly enough how completely ignorant I was! I knew there was some vague difference between boys and girls; I knew that eventually boys and girls married each other and that's how families were made. I was never curious about the details. Then at the beginning of second year...well... Over the summer Seamus had discovered ... Er...a new way to entertain himself? And it's all he could do, or talk about!" Harry peeked out through his fingers at Ginny to see if she understood.
"Masturbation? Wet Dreams?" Ginny asked succinctly.
"Yeah that would be it. Thanks... Again, I was ignorant! And I was too humiliated to ask the guys what they were talking about!"
"What did you do?" queried Ginny gently.
"I did what I always do when I don't understand something." Harry's arms dropped to his sides grimly, and he turned his head to Ginny.
"I asked Hermione."
Ginny couldn't take it anymore; she threw her head back and laughed outright. "Hermione Granger told you about the birds and the bees?" Ginny continued laughing out of control.
"Oh Yeah! A bit too thoroughly. And being Hermione, she lead with her strength, which was the girls' side of the story. The first bit wasn't bad, when she talked about...you know...developing...you know..." Harry's hands were gesturing wildly in front of his chest. "curves...developing curves. But then she started in on a woman's monthly cycle! She went on and on in excruciatingly gory detail. I was horrified! I think I blacked-out most of it. I didn't need to know any of that! I still don't need to know any of that! When she finally got around to talking about the boys side I was numb!
"And I just want to mention, in passing, that your snickering is duly noted and will be remembered when the tables are turned!
"Where was I? Boys side! Right then! Again she went through the physical changes quite thoroughly; but then when she finally got to the part that I really needed to know...you know...what you said before."
"Masturbation and wet dreams?"
"Yeah that."
"You can say Voldemort, but you can't say masturbation or wet dreams?" Ginny asked drying.
"Entirely different!" Harry dismissed. "Well anyway...when we finally got to those topics, she froze! She ran out of the room and returned a few minutes later with a book. I don't know why she didn't just give me the book right off. It would have saved a lot of pain! Nice little book that."
"Hmmf! Too bad you didn't ask me, thanks to six brothers, I know more about wet dreams than any girl has a right!"
Harry laughed. "Ginny! Back then, your head would explode if I asked you to pass the pumpkin juice! What would've happened if I'd asked you about sex?"
"Point taken," Ginny scowled.
"Besides, I think that was the moment that permanently changed Hermione's and my relationship! After that trauma, she'll always be a sister to me: Nothing more."
"Oh. I'm glad you didn't ask me then," Ginny almost whispered.
"Me too." A sly smile crossed Harry's face as he looked at Ginny with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "So you could say that about the same time in learned I was a Parselmouth; I also learned how to take care of my own pet snake!" Harry then collapsed in shorts of laughter.
Ginny's mouth hung open in astonishment as she watched Harry crack himself up. "That was a dirty joke! Harry Potter just told... a really bad... dirty joke! The twins would be so proud. How long have you been carrying that joke around in your pocket?"
Between snorts he managed to respond, while wiping away tears. "Oh, a long time, I've never had the opportunity to use it before. You're the first... and only."
"I'm honored," Ginny said sincerely. She had never seen Harry so relaxed and unguarded. She felt like she was looking at a completely different person and she liked this person very much. This was a friend; someone who would understand her secrets.
They were contentedly quite together for a long time. Ginny kicked off her shoes and managed to rotate her body so that she was lying in the hammock; Harry did the same thing but in the opposite direction so that they were both lying facing each other. It was cozy without being too intimate. Harry thought it was nice to be close to someone, touching; even if it was only the bottom portion of their legs that were in contact.
"OK, I'm ready."
"Ginny, you don't have to."
"No. A deal's a deal. When we were in the chamber, did Tom talk about what I wrote in the diary?" Harry nodded. "I was ashamed, ashamed of being poor, and not having anything nice to wear. Annoyed that I was considered just another Weasley, everyone assumed they knew me based on their prior knowledge of my brothers. No one bothered to find out who I really was. I was invisible. Mostly, I was terribly hurt that Ron didn't want anything to do with me. Before he went to Hogwarts we were best friends, he was my only friend really. We did everything together, we talked about everything. I missed him, and I thought that once I got to school we'd have that back, but he'd found you and Hermione, and there was no room for me. I still miss him. Then, there was you; I had a bit of a crush on you."
"Just a little one," Harry teased.
"Don't start teasing now Potter. I was always very grateful that you never teased me about it; lots of boys would have been cruel, you were always kind. Actually I don't know if you were being kind, or if you didn't know I existed."
"I always knew you existed, but I was completely unprepared for a girl to have feelings for me. Any girl. All I knew was that I made you horribly uncomfortable, and you'd run from the room if I tried to talk to you or even look at you. I didn't want you to be uncomfortable because of me. I discovered that if I didn't talk to you, you'd at least stay in the room. I got quite good at it. I'd always sit with my back to you in the common room or the library. I'd always sit on the same side of the table as you in the Great Hall, so you I wouldn't catch your eye at dinner. I guess it became habit. Don't ever think I didn't know you were there."
"So I was right; you were kind. Thank you," Ginny said while subtly wiping away a tear.
"And Ron is mad about you. He always talks about you. He didn't understand why you were so shy around me. He was always telling me funny stories about how evil you really are. He said that you were worse than the twins when you wanted to be, just more subtle. I never had first hand proof until today. You will pay for that shower incident, just give me time," Harry chuckled.
"Oh please, you hadn't bathed in weeks; you deserved it. I'm not scared of you Potter; give it your best shot!"
"Actually I think I'd rather be your ally than your adversary," Harry said thoughtfully.
"Smart man," Ginny said stretching lazily in the hammock. As Harry watched her stretch, he had to force himself to look away when he caught his gaze lingering on Ginny's breasts; she'd filled out a lot recently. Harry got up to fetch two more butterbeers from the picnic hamper. He handed Ginny her drink, but didn't return to the hammock. Instead he stood by the overflowing bookshelf examining the books as he spoke.
"So once you figured all this out, how did you fix it?" Harry said trying to get the conversation back on course and hoping he wasn't blushing too obviously.
"Oh that was the easy part. First, I needed to apologize to the people that I hurt. They all said that it wasn't necessary, but it was necessary to me and it felt so good afterwards, like a weight had been lifted. The only person I never apologized to was you." She put up her hand to keep him from interrupting. "You risked your life and saved mine, and I never thanked you properly. Thank you and I'm sorry I put you in danger like that."
"You're welcome Gin," Harry said sincerely and he felt his chest constrict. He was amazed by how open she was being with him and truly touched that she trusted him with information and feelings that he was sure she had never shared with anyone before. He wanted to say something more to her, but the appropriate words wouldn't come. Ginny had moved on with the conversation.
"After the apologies, the second thing I needed was friends. Real friends. I needed to build a life for myself away from my family. I started by writing letters. Instead of pouring my heart out into Tom's diary I started writing to people; anyone who had shown interest in being my friend. That's when I became close to Colin and especially Neville. Neville was wonderful to me, I love Neville; he's a great friend. He's had a very lonely life, he reminds me of you in some ways."
"Yeah, Neville and I have a lot in common," Harry said thinking of the prophecy and how it could have applied to either of them. "Hey! It's Neville's birthday today!"
"I know. I'm trying to get Neville and Luna together. What do you think?"
"That would be an interesting match," Harry said warily. "I wonder what Neville's Gran would make of Luna?" he grimaced.
"That's what Neville said!" Ginny laughed.
"Good luck with that Gin, and warn me if you ever decide to do any matchmaking on me!" he laughed.
"We'll see!" she giggled waggling her eyebrows at him.
"You have lots of muggle books here," he said surprised.
"Have you met my father?" she snorted dryly.
"This one's my favorite, Oliver Twist; I always imagined running away from the Dursleys and fending for myself on the streets."
"Oh...poor Harry!" she said sincerely, getting out of the hammock. "These two are my favorites," she said handing him the books.
"I've never heard of them."
"Well they're not really the kind of books boys read. There about relationships, and true love and tragic love...you know girl stuff." She giggled at Harry's grimace. "But they do have two of the sexiest heroes ever committed to the page," she sighed.
"Really?" Harry said speculatively. He had no interest in reading a sappy girls book, but he was rather curious to know what kind of man little Ginny Weasley found sexy.
"What do you say we go find Ron and get in an hour of Quidditch before dinner?" he asked.
"Sounds brilliant." she said, as she grabbed the picnic basket and started down the ladder.
As they walked back, Ginny became very quiet and tense. Harry couldn't imagine what was wrong.
"Wait, Harry." Ginny paused in front of Harry and stopped him with one palm on his chest. "There's something I need to tell you before we go inside."
"Ok." Harry shrugged. He noticed Ginny's discomfort, he took her hand in his and entwined his fingers with hers. He was surprised by how natural it felt to hold Ginny's hand and look into her chocolate eyes. "Gin, just tell me."
"I'm angry with you. I don't want to make you feel worse than you already do, but somebody has to tell you," Ginny blurted.
"Alright. Did I do something that hurt your feelings?" he wondered.
"No. It's not about me. It's about Ron. He's hurting, Harry, badly. He won't talk about it, but he's still having pain from when the brain attacked him in the Department of Mysteries. I think he's haunted by someone else's memories. I know they terrify him. He's really needed you this summer Harry, and you were too wrapped up in yourself to even write him a letter. You're not the only one who's hurting you know. You seem so busy in dealing with Sirius that you forget that there were other people down there with you. You can't do anything to help Sirius, but you can help Ron." Ginny took a breath to continue, but Harry place a finger gently over her mouth.
"I get it," he said quietly. He was quiet for a long while, looking at his shoes, but still holding Ginny's hand. "You're trying to tell me that I'm a self-involved, arrogant prat." Harry sighed loudly. "Why do you all put up with me?"
"You're a lovable self-involved, arrogant prat." Ginny's mouth twitched at the corners.
"Well, that's something." Harry and Ginny started walking towards the house again hand in hand. Their hands released one another as came within sight of the house.
Authors Note:
Special thanks to Mara, Aurora and Funnykido for editing this chapter for me. I need all the help I can get!