Disclaimer: See Chapter I
Also, I'd like to thank those of you who have taken some time to read and review my work (you know who you are). Your kind words have been felt and hope the wait hasn't been too long for this next installment as I'm trying to update my work every three chapters or roughly once every ten days. One final bit of thanks to the Harry Potter Lexicon that is quite the resource for anything Harry Potter related. Please note that this work should now be considered AU since Bk V has hit the streets.
Also, special thanks to those who have explained to me how to submit a review. I'm sorry for the time it took for this latest installment to be written and posted, but I hope the quality will more then make up for it. To you people who have been waiting for a H/G moment, this is the chapter you probably have been waiting for, and let me just say that it was these past three chapters that were the hardest to write, and required an ungodly amount of polishing to make close to adequate. I hope you enjoy it.
Warning: Sexual situation (not H/G), very crude humor present, some alcohol and tobacco usage (this last is rather belated I suppose). Viewer discretion advised. In other words, if you're not 17, leave immediately.
Chapter XVIII: The Halloween Ball
The next several days went by incredibly fast as everyone had their attention on the Ball, the students from the class actually following Snape's directions and keeping their mouths shut. Ron and Hermione were spending as much of their time together, and Harry gave them a wide berth, as he didn't want to be the third wheel in their couple, despite the fact the two of them told them nothing was changing. Harry felt that having set them up was one of the brighter things he had done. Instead, Harry spent more of his time with Bladvak, Ironhammer, and the faculty making sure the possibility of a Death Eater attack on Halloween could be dealt with should it come to pass.
Halloween day was on a Monday, so the ball was held on the Saturday before it, and Harry spent the morning helping Ron and several other wizards in Gryffindor house who were wearing uniforms (Ron was going dressed as a major in the Gloucester Regiment) put it on right. Ron had asked Harry, "Why are you wearing your suit, Harry? I thought you'd be wanting to get fancied up as a soldier, too after your bit in Wales." Harry had shrugged, " Didn't feel like bothering my uncle to have his Linda, his housekeeper, send me the No.2 Dress uniform I left back at his house in Little Whinging." That wasn't the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but, but Harry was fortunate in that Ron didn't press it.
The afternoon Harry spent cleaning and preparing his weapons. First, he had taken a whetstone and oil and sharpened and polished his Fairbairn dagger, and polished and pulled maintenance on his wand. Then he field stripped his Browning Hi-Power (this was where only the critical parts of a weapon are disassembled for cleaning and can be done quickly, and didn't use tools for the disassembly like screwdrivers) and proceeded to clean and oil it, finishing by spraying WD-40 down the barrel and into the slide action to ensure it worked as smoothly as possible. He then disassembled his all four of the magazines (one twenty round, the other the standard thirteen round magazines) and cleaned them as well, making sure the spring still worked, as it should. As he finished, Harry pulled out two boxes of ammunition and debated what his ammo load should be. Since, if he had to use it, be shooting in a room full of people (some of whom he wasn't to shoot) Harry decided to load the three standard magazines with Hydra-shock hollow-points while loading the twenty round magazine with standard ball ammunition. The difference was principally one of penetration, as the ball rounds had metal tips that were designed for range and penetration, while the hollow-points (since the actual bullet was a Teflon coated bit of lead designed to expand and mushroom to roughly the size of a small coin) were used to penetrate the body (indeed cause greater injury to the person than a normal round), but not enough to exit it, making it well liked by hostage rescue units the world over. One hollow point round for Harry's Browning, in other words, had the stopping power of an American Colt .45, one of the more powerful handguns in the world.
Harry picked up one of the magazines and slowly started to thumb rounds into it. Quickly, Harry loaded three of them with hollow-points, and the twenty with ball. With this task completed, Harry was began cleaning up, throwing his cleaning material back into it's kit, and neatly placing it and the boxes of ammo back into the case. The weapons and ammo Harry placed in one of the trays he had in his trunk, as he planned on putting them on once he completed his wash. Yet, just as he was about to leave, Harry noticed one round had fallen of the table he had been using.
Not wanting to waste it, Harry picked it up and was about to put it back in with the rest of his kit when he took a moment to examine it. Holding it between his thumb and middle finger, Harry looked at the round, squat shape of it. As he spun it around slowly, Harry noticed his pistol in its clip-on belt holster, unloaded. Harry fantasized on what it would be like to shoot himself. It was all so easy…Pull the slide back, and insert the round into the chamber, and ride the slide forward, pull the hammer back, flick the safety off, and then it was a matter of …
Snap the fuck out of it, fuckhead! Harry raged. Angrily, he threw the round he held in his hand on to the tray in his trunk, and slammed the cover down.
I am not going to kill myself over a stupid fucking crush! Not until I have the pleasure of burying that cocksucker Malfoy.
With that thought on his mind, Harry grabbed his shower kit, and towel and stormed off to the shower.
* * *
An hour later, Harry found himself in the Gryffindor common room waiting for his friends to hurry up and come down the stairs. He was doing this because he had a sneaking suspicion that Ron was going to need some more support. Sitting at one of the tables, Harry fiddled with his pocket watch, and then placed it back into his vest pocket. Glancing into a mirror, Harry had to admit his uncle had good taste in wardrobe selection. Harry had on a black suit, vest, necktie, white button-down shirt, and had black socks to go with his oxford lace-ups. His hair was still relatively short and not standing up, thank god. At his elbow was his black fedora. Running a hand through his damp black hair, Harry unconscientiously felt the weight of his arsenal. On his left hip, attached to his belt, was a small holster plainclothes cops wore with the Browning in it. In a smaller holster next to it were two of the magazines. Harry kept the twenty in his right trousers pocket, with his telescoping baton and wallet. The left-side pocket held Harry's wand, and he had his Fairbairn strapped in its usual spot on his left forearm, ready so that with a flick of his wrist the hilt would slide into his palm.
Harry felt he was ready for anything, and using his Auror's comm. set listened to the goblin and dwarf units send in their situation reports. Everything seemed to be going like clockwork, but Harry had a feeling something was going to happen. That, or he was going to be pretty miserable as the student body took their usual licks against him. It was for that he had packed away a small case of cigars and book of matches in the inside coat pocket of his. No liquor, though, as Harry wanted to be in complete control of his faculties if it became necessary. Nicotine on the other hand…
Doc, in his American uniform, came down the stairs first, looking for the entire world like a young infantryman about to hit the town. Harry grinned and asked, "Going to hit the ville tonight?"
Doc laughed, "Nah, the villes here are too damn expensive, and even my home country has been attacked by morals lately. Why my dad was telling me how back in his day anything, and I do mean that, could be had for fifty bucks or less."
"Then I'll drink to loose morals, cheap booze, and loose and cheap pros without the clap or anything else."
"Amen to that."
Ron and Neville came down next, Ron resplendent in the dark brown and khakis of the British World War II Army officer (Major, one gold and red emblem in the shape of a crown), with the peaked cap perched rakishly on his redhead. Neville must have gotten help from Uncle Dick as he wore the insignia of a captain (three diamonds, or pips) on his shoulder boards, and the older silver crest of the Parachute Regiment. Greeting them, Harry complimented them on their uniforms when Seamus Finnegan came down the stairs. Harry sucked in a breath as he saw the uniform of green-gray material, with its Sam Browne belt and peaked cap. It was the uniform that Michael Collins had worn when the Irish Republic gained dominion status in the 1920s, the same uniform the Irish Republican Army wore.
Harry couldn't say he was comfortable around the uniform of the same people (or their descendants anyhow) who had damn near killed his uncle, and almost gutted and feed him his nuts for breakfast literally.
Restraining himself, Harry grinned and joked with Seamus, "Nice outfit, man. Wrong war don't you think?"
Seamus smirked, "Nah, my countrymen wore this outfit when we were neutral in War II. Sides, it wasn't as though they were murderous scum like that lot." He pointed to Neville, who gave a bemused frown, shrugged, and seemed to be thinking Fucking nutter. Seamus seemed to want to bring the issue out every chance he got as he turned to Harry, "What do you think, Harry?"
"You're making a bad choice asking a guy who was damn near gutted by one of those fucking terrorists."
"Patriot freedom fighters you mean?"
"One man's freedom fighter is another's terrorist. And vice versa."
This was Doc, who stepped forward menacingly. "Look, Finnegan, I know what you and you Irish have against the Brit paratroopers. Know what you're going to do?" Finnegan started to stare at Doc icily, who went on unabashed, "You're going to shut up about shit that is beyond us, and have a good time with your date. Laugh with her, talk with her, dance with her, stick a finger in her if you get the chance, but you will keep your goddamn opinions to yourself. Okay?" Doc and Seamus stared at each other for the next several seconds, both sides not backing down until Seamus blinked and said, "All right, your right, this is a magical world and not one dealing with…"
Harry decided that this was enough politics for one night and asked Seamus, "Who's your date? Same with Dean."
"Lavender Brown. Dean's taking your old woman, Parvati."
Dean came down the steps, dressed in the uniform of a Sergeant in the King's African Rifles, followed shortly by Colin Creevey. They were chatting away when Ron, obviously impatient, decided to go up to Hermione's room and started going up the stairs to the girl's dorms. It was when what sounded like a klaxon began wailing in the air and the stairs gave way to a slide, sending him sliding back downstairs to land unceremoniously on his ass. Harry suddenly remembered Mrs. Figg telling him the sliding stairs had been one of the earliest security measures put in place by the Founders. Everyone was laughing and then stopped as the ladies, laughing also at what happened to Ron, came down the stairs. All of them had on skirts and blouses or dresses fashionable in the 1940s. Ginny and Hermione had matching cut dresses, though where Hermione had chosen a soft powdery blue, Ginny had chosen a blue-green shade called organdy. Harry couldn't help but notice it brought out the fire of her hair. Colin went up to greet his Ginny, as Hermione came up to Ron and scolded him jokingly, "Now dear, you really should close your mouth. This isn't the first time you've seen me fancied up." Ron choked out, "You're beautiful." Neville seemed quite entranced with the black dress Katrina had on as the shock of the interrogation by Snape had worn away over the days.
Harry could only smile as Hermione laughed and told them how her grandmother, as well as those of Dean and Seamus, had been helping out via owl post. Looking over he complimented Hermione and turned to Colin, who had an arm around the waist of Ginny. "Colin, you have my compliments in getting a very beautiful woman. And Ginny, that dress really suits you." Colin grinned sheepishly as Ginny started turning red as her hair, though she smiled back at him.
Hermione then asked Colin to take a picture of her and Ron, followed by a group picture of everyone. Colin, after he took them, had Harry take a picture of him and Ginny, then Harry and Hermione, as well as a single of Doc, who said he wanted to send a pic to Grandpa Detibedeux back in the Louisiana bayous. As they finished this last one, Harry acted on an impulse and called out to Ginny, "Hey Ginny, how about one of you and me?" Ginny, still smiling, and looked at Colin, "How about it, Colin?" "I'm game if you are, Gins."
She laughed, and Harry slid his arm around her waist as she put one of hers around his. Harry was felt the softness of her waist, and marveled at the way it curved. Breathing, Harry could smell the scent of the soap and shampoo Ginny used, the scent of rose and peaches. It was quite a pleasant smell and Harry had to force himself to smile and break away, reminding himself he never stole women away from people he knew.
Together, the men of Gryffindor house and their dates began going to the Great Hall when Parvati asked Doc, "So where is this date of yours?" Doc gave a mysterious smile, which only Harry knew the meaning of and told them, "She told me to meet her by that bathroom on the second floor. You know, the one that's haunted."
After a minute, they reached the bathroom and Lavender asked curiously, "Where is she, Doc?"
Doc grinned, "Must be powdering her nose, or whatever you ladies do in the little girl's room." Cautiously, he opened the door, and asked into the room, "Are you ready, Honey?"
"In a minute."
Ginny and Hermione looked at Harry, and Hermione asked, "Harry isn't that…" Moaning Myrtle made her entrance by coming through one of the doors, and said to her date, "Hello, Doc." Doc smiled and said, "Hello, dear. Are you ready?"
Everyone besides Doc and Harry seemed astonished, though it was Ginny and Hermione who got their nerves straight first, greeting Myrtle like any other girl. Myrtle, dressed in a 1940s era dress (she had died in 1942) with what looked like a silver trimmed black hat, gave her tinkling laugh, and replied, "Indeed I am, and thank you Doc for being the first boy to take me to one these things."
"Then may you have another thousand after this, and thank you for the privilege for accompanying me to this ball."
Myrtle laughed again, and gave Doc a kiss of sorts on the cheek, apparently taking efforts not to go through him. She then turned to Harry, and kissed him on the cheek as well. It felt to Harry as though someone took a damp cloth and gently brushed it against his cheek.
"Thank you for everything, Harry."
"Don't mention it, Myrtle. I owed you one."
Together, the group went down the stairs to the Great Hall. Harry and his friend cut quite a sight, with Ron, Neville, Doc, Dean, and Seamus in military uniforms, with their dates in dresses outfits not seen in a few decades; Harry was the only one in civilian clothes, a young secret agent with his jacket, tie, vest, glasses frames, belt, socks, shoes, and hat in black. The only thing not black was the silver of his watch, and the steel and iron of the bracelet and ring that was the Auror's communication set. Harry also privately thought he looked a hell of a lot like a younger version this American CIA agent he had read about in one of the books uncle Alex had had him read, the man being the CIA's paranoid spy-catcher of the 1960s James J. (Jesus, as in Jesus Christ) Angleton. Harry wasn't sure if that was a good thing, looking like Mad-Eye's Muggle equivalent, or what.
As they reached the doors, attention was drawn to the fact by everyone that Doc had on his arm one very pretty ghost (Myrtle had gotten rid of the tears and pimples, and once she had a smile on her, looked quite nice). Harry excused himself and went into the Great Hall as the procedure had been for the Head Boy and Girl with their dates, followed by the House Prefects, and then the students to enter the Great Hall, with everyone lining up before hand. With his badge, Harry got in and looked around, searching for his uncle, or anyone else to report to. Taking his time, Harry saw that besides the usual floating Jack-o-lantern's; the place was decked out in with tasteful shades of black and orange. Instead of the usual four tables and the head table, the head table was still there, but the four tables had been moved for tables that held up to twelve people, as well as space for a dance floor in front of the head table. The entry way through the great doors was under an archway of some type of green and black intertwining vines that Harry moved through looking for someone, anyone he knew was in a position of authority.
Harry spotted Figg, Moody, Fish, and Alex at one of the smaller tables near the staff table, and headed over to them. Moody was dressed in a gray suit and vest, with a black bowler pulled low over his magical eye. Fish had on a green Gurkha uniform of the Seventh Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles, quite like the one his namesake had worn as he was being hacked apart in the movie The Man Would Be King, with three chevrons (points down) of Sergeant; the only medals on his chest were campaign medals for the Falklands, the Persian Gulf, and the Generals Service Medal. Madame Figg had on a blouse and skirt that ended at her ankles of navy blue, and seemed all business. Uncle Alex, like Billy Fish, was in uniform, though his was a standard No.2 Dress Uniform, though his facings were green, and his leatherwork was black instead of brown, with the three pips of captain in black metal. Alex's regiment was the Royal Green Jackets, the regiment of Harry Smith, Rifleman Plunkett, and Sharpe and Harper, and they had to set themselves apart from the other regiments.
His chest was also a good example of just how stingy the British were in regards to medals and awards. Uncle Alex had seen service in Northern Ireland, the Falklands, and the Persian Gulf over ten-year career, with at least three wounds. Harry wasn't sure if he had done anything brave, for his uncle had never told him, but he figured there had to be a reason why he was called the Flash. Alex had on his chest precisely four medals: the first two being campaign medals, much like Fish's, for service in the Falklands and the Persian Gulf War. The third medal was known as the General Service Medal, and a clasp was awarded to people who had fought in any of the UK's little wars and major expeditions overseas that didn't warrant a campaign medal. Alex's had the simple medal clasp with the notation on it of NORTHERN IRELAND. His fourth was one of the few issued by the Commonwealth nations for acts of valor, and that was the Military Medal. Which meant he had won it in the Falklands when he was an enlisted man for the MM was awarded to enlisted men while the Military Cross (MC) was awarded to officers.
Walking up, he reported to his uncle, "Sir, I'm ready for duty. My orders, sir?"
Alex waved him off, "Relax, Harry. Just work the crowd and keep a low profile, as all you'll be handling will be security within the building. Bladvak and Ironhammer have the whole area within a half-mile beyond the school shield sealed off like an Orangeman's drum." The school shield Alex was referring to was an intricate system of charms and magical barriers that made the school Unplottable, and prohibited travel via Apparition.
Harry nodded, and his uncle continued, "Another thing, have you kept in contact with Alice?" Harry wondered whom he was talking about before he remembered and shook his head. "No sir not since I left for the Weasley's. May I ask why you ask?"
Alex appeared thoughtful, and answered him, "I'm asking because I got a letter in from Meg, after I asked if she could send Alice up her to be your escort for the evening, and she told me Alice disappeared after she went to a client a few weeks back. I'm curious since you and her seemed to be friends."
Harry was worried, as he had had a few dreams of her lately, and pleasant as they were this was disquieting that she had vanished. While he had paid for her services, and she had taught him much during his three weeks staying with his uncle, Harry had become friends with Alice, who had been a loner amongst the girls of Meg's. Yet any questions he might have had he pushed back into his brain as the ceremonies started.
She probably took off, made a run for it after I talked with her so much of bettering herself in a way besides whoring. Harry thought to himself as he went over to a table and stood next to one of the chairs. Any further thoughts were driven from his mind as the opening ceremonies began.
The faculty came took their seats first, with Harry's uncle taking his place in the History of Magic spot. Headmaster Dumbledore, and Professor Flitwick came in wearing suits without neckties, and both had their Orders of Merlin pinned to their jackets. With their gray and white beards and glasses, they looked like a pair of grizzled veterans Harry had watched as a young boy on Remembrance Day, and in way, Harry had to admit, they were. Professor McGonagall wore a soft beige colored dress and a tan lady's hat trimmed in fox fur, while Snape was all business, all dressed in black suit that made him look like a clean-shaven version of the villain one saw in old movies (the one where the villain takes a woman and ties her to a set of train tracks).
The band, a group of young looking wizards, took their places on stage as the students started entering. The Head Girl had on her arm some seventh-year Slytherin, while Lee had the beautiful Katie Bell on his arm.
Following them were the school prefects: Dean with Parvati, Hermione with Ron. Then came the Prefects of Hufflepuff House: Ernie Macmillan (one of the few who, if he wasn't treating him friendly, then at least was treating him with politeness, which was an eyesore better then the rest of his classmates) with his date Hannah Abbot, and then came Justin Finch-Fletchey, who was the date of the Hufflepuff Female Prefect. Harry wondered why the females and Finch-Fletchley were smirking at him cruelly; though he had a pretty good idea what it was since next came the Prefects of Ravenclaw house. In walked in Michael Corner and his date (another Slytherin, this time a female one), and in came Cho Chang with…
WHAT THE FUCK!!! Harry though as he felt his mind go numb. His hands started to tremor slightly before he forced himself to grab the tablecloth. Cho was looking marvelous in a dress of silvery, grayish blue, with her date looking resplendent in a gray suit. Her date was what shocked him, for it was Draco Malfoy, who turned his blonde head towards him and smirked cruelly.
Harry wasn't sure if he was angry, disappointed, or what. Before the ball, Harry knew he was going to have the wound from Cho un-scabbed since he knew she was going with someone, and since she had turned him down that leveled the playing field. With her going with Malfoy, it was as though someone had ripped the scab off the wound, enlarged it tenfold, and tossed on some salt and vinegar for good measure. Nonetheless, Harry forced himself to keep his face emotionless, and to relax his hands as he saw Pansy Parkinson enter with her arm around that of some Slytherin called Avery. Harry forced himself to think things through: here was another enemy, and the fuckers were playing mind-games with him.
Don't let the motherfucker and his broad think they are getting to you. Maybe Cho had only gone with him because the rest of her house pressured her. Or something…GODDAMNIT!!!
Harry thought these as he watched his friends enter through the vines, along with the rest of the student body. Even though he watched, the images falling into his head were empty and it wasn't until he heard Hermione calling to him that he was brought back to the real world. "Harry, are you all right?" Hermione had concern in her voice. Shaking his head, Harry looked over at her, for she and Ron had joined him at the table Harry was standing at. "Yeah, just that bit with Malfoy caught me by a bit of a surprise. Now, I wonder if eating here is the same as last year."
Harry had a smile on his face, and was desperately trying to sound cheerful. It must have worked for his friends didn't bring up the fact the girl he had been mooning over the past couple of years was on the arm of his enemy.
* * *
After dinner, which had been like eating sawdust to Harry, the band started playing music to dance to. Harry, since he was sans date, had spent his time close to the drink stand with a glass of pumpkin juice in hand and deeply regretting the fact he hadn't brought some booze with him. Briefly, he wondered what it taste like if he mixed pumpkin juice with some KGB vodka.
Minding his duty, however, he scanned the room, and looked at the scene. The dance floor was packed with students and their dates, dancing to the tune of some jazz tune. The twins were having a raucous time with their respective dates (Fred had Angelina, and George had Alicia Spinnet), while Neville and Katrina were quietly holding on to each other in one corner of the room. Harry was surprised to see Snape actually looking on without malevolence. Ron and Hermione were at one of the smaller tables quietly talking, with Ron having his hand entwined with Hermione's
His lips curled, though, as he saw Malfoy, slowly moving his hands along Cho's body. Nothing improper, but Harry wasn't a fool to know what game Malfoy was playing at.
"So where is your lady, young Sahib?"
Harry turned, to see Billy Fish speaking to him. Shaking his head, he answered, "The Sahib is a gutless coward, and no woman would have him."
Fish grinned, "That is a foolish tale. Young Sahib has but one problem and it is not courage. He loses once, and doesn't wish to take the fight again, and on a different field."
Harry thought of what he believed Fish was trying to tell him, shrugged, and asked, "Er…Thanks, but tell me, how come you work for my uncle?"
Fish answered, "Your uncle saved my life in the desert. I was lost in minefield, and your uncle walked a path a through the field. He didn't crawl; he walked, and carried me back through the same footsteps he had walked through. Not once did he break step, or sweat, and was even singing."
"What did he sing?"
Old lady Jill, is full a thrills,
She'll…Harry laughed, and nudged him to stop, "All right, Billy, I heard that song before. I remember quite well." The song was a very obscene one Harry remembered during the morning runs back in Wales.
Fish excused himself then, "Excuse me, young Sahib, your uncle asked me to help him with something shortly."
Harry raised his glass as a farewell, and turned his attention back to the dance floor. Doc had taken Myrtle for a dance, and together both were talking and laughing back at the table. Cho was still dancing with Malfoy and Harry caught her eye as she turned and moved to the beat of the jazz. She seemed to have a sad, almost pitying look to Harry. Harry suddenly felt rage at this. You want to fucking pity me? You think I need your pity? FUCK YOU ALL! Not wanting to give the whoresons and assholes that no doubt wanted to see him weep, to break down in tears and be heartbroken… His heart? Harry had first slept with a girl to the tune of Harden My Heart, and had decided that maybe doing what the title said was what he needed, as Cho so obviously wasn't worth it. Not at this rate, Harry thought, as he smiled to Cho, and raised his glass of pumpkin juice in a mocking salute. She turned, and Harry watched as Malfoy slid his hand lower towards her buttocks.
It was then the tune ended, and everyone seemed to be heading towards the tables, when Alex spoke up. Alex had taken off the heavy khaki tunic, and wore under it the loose, cotton khaki short-sleeve shirt, and tie. He had gotten on stage with Billy Fish (who had what looked like a fife), and in his hands was a violin. "This next is for the lovers, so ladies, drag your men out there, and lads, beg and find a lady to take you." With that, he put the violin to his neck and began playing a tune Harry recognized as that off the movie Last of the Mohicans. Neville and Katrina, Ron and Hermione, Seamus and Lavender…Harry watched as the couples danced to the slow, haunting violin melody. Despite himself, he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy at how happy the couples were. Part of him wondered if his failure at finding a girlfriend was a good thing, for even though the year had been quiet so far, Harry knew he was riding a tiger, and that any girl of his could get mauled. Maybe it was for the best his relationships were limited to women whose services he bought for the hour, or one night stands met in bar…
"I got your watch, lad. Go find a girl and dance with her."
Startled, Harry turned to see Mad-Eye Moody, with his bowler pulled over his magical eye looking at him with an amused expression on his face. Harry was so surprised at this, that Mad-Eye would have a human feeling of this sort. Moody must have understood this for he grinned, and explained, "I, too, was once young, and remember about wanting to impress a girl. So take this old man's advice, and enjoy what you can, while you can." With that Moody walked off back to Mrs. Figg, and leaving behind Harry contemplating his words.
Harry had barely started thinking, when he heard a soft, feminine voice calling to him, and someone tapping him on his shoulder. "Harry…" He turned, and saw himself facing Ginny Weasley. Flushed, she asked, "Harry, have you seen Colin? I would really like to dance with this one." Harry looked around and shrugged, "No, sorry Gin. You think of asking Fred or George." She shrugged, "No, I suppose I'll go see if one of his friends know where he is." She paused, and looked at Harry, and said, "Harry, I'm sorry, but could you…" Harry smiled, "Go find Colin, Gin. If I see him, I'll let him know, and try to have my uncle do an encore." She smiled and waved goodbye. Harry turned his attention back to the crowd and continued his thoughts on Moody's advice. The musical tempo continued, and Harry decided that he wouldn't be getting any worthwhile done just by moping and looking on in jealousy.
Swigging down the last of the pumpkin juice, Harry walked out of the doors of the Great Hall and went towards the main doors. Ducking outside, Harry reached inside his coat pocket, and pulled out his cigar case, shrugging uncomfortably the Kevlar vest he wore beneath the shirt and vest Harry had on. While he wasn't expecting the Death Eaters to have firearms (not that the vest would have stopped anything larger then .45 caliber pistol rounds anyways), Harry was expecting a knife or two in the back, and the vest could stop those.
Opening his cigar case, Harry pulled out a long, thin cigar, pinched it, and savored the sweet smell of the tobacco, knowing the sweet smell would help kill the headache he was starting to have. Biting and spitting off the end, Harry had put it in his mouth and was about to light it with a match from the cigar case when his comm. set started sound in his ear. It was Bladvak, "Potter, there is an unusual disturbance in one of the broom closets near your position. To your right, under the stairs." Harry, swore silently, and held the bracelet next to his mouth and answered, "Bladvak, are you sure your sensors aren't picking up a couple fucking?"
"Possibility, but nonetheless do check it out before you leave your post." Harry decided to get the job done so he wouldn't have to put up with listening Bladvak busting his balls all night about checking the place out. After all, the Death Eaters could very well have infiltrated a pair of their agents into Hogwarts disguised as a couple…
Harry slid the cigar back into the case and put it back into his coat pocket. With a bit of luck, he could come back out and savor the tobacco. As he climbed up the steps into the castle, Harry felt the whole exercise would be waste of time at best, a perverted joke on the part of Bladvak at worst.
Harry's thoughts were interrupted as he was bowled into and nearly knocked on his ass by a running student. Both of them slammed into a wall as Harry was turning a corner, and Harry pulled away and was about to launch into a tirade, thinking this was one of the idiots he was to check on when he stopped himself.
The visage he was about to chew out had fiery red hair, and an organdy dress. Harry recognized her after a second that it was Ginny, and he needed that second for her hair was mussed, and her face glittered with tears, and eyes that were as scarlet as her hair. Both of them looked at each other, still entangled, before Harry asked stupidly, "Ginny?" Ginny seemed to have hard time breathing, gave a gasping sob, and broke away from him. As Harry was about to stop her, to ask her what was wrong, Ginny was wrong, running as fast as her she could. Harry wanted to run after her, but was stopped by the voice of Bladvak reporting, "Harry we detected a third person in there briefly. Search that location immediately and keep your channel open in case we need to send in backup." Harry, torn between duty and what his instincts told him to do, drew his Browning from his belt holster, and slide the action back, chambering a round. Using his left hand, Harry drew his wand, and held his right wrist over the left one, giving it support and almost as good stabilization as if he held it with both hands.
With a thumb on the safety, Harry ran until he saw the little door underneath the staircase. Listening, he heard conversation and some movement, but couldn't tell what it was. Slowly, he curled his the last three fingers on his left hand to hold his wand, while using his thumb and forefinger to gently twist the knob. It was locked, so Harry stood back, and cast two spells. "Petroleumus" The keyhole slowly dripped as the inner works became coated with a slick layer of oil. "Alohamora" The lock was unlocked without a noise, and Harry gently turned the knob once again. Slowly, he pushed it open far enough that he saw a bit of a man's brown jacket, and trousers around at the ankles on a pair of skinny, sallow legs in the gloomy candle light that was coming from the room. Closing his eyes, he pointed his wand towards into the room, and cast, "Lumos Projectilus" Called the flare charm, this sent a bright ball of light into a room, and due to the intensity of the light, was known to temporarily blind people.
Even with his eyes closed, Harry had to blink away a few neon green and purple spots on his eyes. Judging by the sudden shouts (One male, one female, Harry thought to himself), Harry could tell that his spell had caught them by surprise. Flicking the safety off, he held his Browning over his wand, and kicked the door in. Check your corners, Harry reminded himself. Before he went in he checked three of them, and as he entered, his mind saw one man, his age give or take, British Army uniform, with his trousers around his ankles. Obviously not a threat. In the man's arms, was a woman, same age or older or younger, Indian style dress with the sash or sari had seen on Indian women. Likewise not a threat.
Harry, still turning, checked the corner behind the door, and once his mind judged the fact the area was secure with no one about to immediately try to kill him did Harry relax, and it was then he recognized the couple, and just what he was seeing. The migraine behind his right eye just got that much worse.
Ah, fuck… Harry thought to himself.
Colin Creevy, Parvati Patil. It didn't take a master wizard to figure out what the hell they were up to with Colin's trousers around his ankles, Parvatis's panties around her knees, and both of them entangled in each other's limbs.
Harry waited patiently for the two to quit struggling and get their vision back as he put his weapon on safe, holstered it, and placed his wand back in his pocket. Part of it was because he wanted to have their full attention when he spoke; and part of it was because he couldn't help but notice Colin had been very 'short'-changed in the manhood department, Parvati kept her legs and thighs closely shaved, and that his kicking down the door had caused a stain on Parvati's blue dress.
Parvati and Colin were cursing (Harry couldn't help but smile inwardly at the fact Parvati could swear like any Para he knew), and then stared at Harry with their mouths open at having been caught. Taking his time, Harry shut the door, and briefly used his wand cast "Lumos" before he looked at them. Staring at them with what he hoped was a poker face, Harry ordered, "Colin, kindly pull your trousers up and do some justice to the uniform you wear."
"Uh, Har…"
"Quiet Colin, and do as I say!" Harry exploded, taking care to keep his voice down. Colin proceeded to do so, and Harry looked over at Parvati, "Parvati, I believe you really should put your knickers back on, but before you do…" Harry grabbed a roll of toilet paper from a stack next to the door, and handed it to Parvati who wordlessly wiped away at the stains, and did as Harry ordered.
Harry took a deep breath, and spoke, "Look, I'm not going to preach to you, but since what you two were doing has an effect on people I know, you will obey me." To Colin, "Colin, you will go to the bathroom, clean up, and retire to your room. With a bit of luck, Ginny won't see you, and with even more luck her brothers will be too busy to notice anything until the morning. By morning, they will have found out what happened, but hopefully I'll have found a way to keep them from tearing you limb from limb by then." Colin was starting to pale, as Fred and George were pranksters for fun; heavens knew what they would do for vengeance. Harry turned to Parvati, "Parvati, you will likewise clean yourself up here, and do try to hide those stains, and go back to your room. If you can, send a note to Dean telling him you had a…stomachache of sorts. Once up in your room, I suggest you change and head over to Madame Pomfrey's and take a draught of Bloodmoon potion. I trust you have know what that potion is for?" She nodded as Harry mentioned the Morning After Potion.
Harry opened the door, and told them, "Good, now both of you go." Parvati took off for the Gryffindor Tower, but Colin hung back and turned to Harry. "Ha…"
"Colin shut up and do as I told you to do if you want to live for the next couple hours. Understood?"
Colin seemed on the verge of breaking apart, but Harry couldn't say he had much sympathy for him. He hurt himself and someone else, so he can go fuck off, Harry thought harshly. After what had happened to him the last couple of days, Harry would have given his left nut for a woman like Ginny, and if Colin was stupid enough to throw it away for a five-minute bit of pleasure, then that was his lookout.
Without another word, Colin took off in the same direction as Parvati and Harry took off at a fast walk for the Great Hall. As he made his way in, he transmitted a final message to Bladvak telling him it was merely a couple, and that he was retiring for the evening. Bladvak acknowledged it, and told him he wouldn't be contacted again unless it was an emergency. Harry made it to the Great Hall and went in. Inside, he saw that most couples were taking an interlude, and that Ron had headed off for the drink stand with his brothers while Hermione was talking with Alicia and Angelina. Harry realized his luck and walked over to Hermione.
"I need to talk to you quickly, Hermione." Harry whispered into her ear.
Hermione got up and followed him around the room as Harry took the long way to the drink stand. Quickly, Harry told her, "Hermione, something has happened between Ginny and Colin. Ginny took off for parts unknown and I'm going to look for her. Don't ask, just listen," Harry ordered her as Hermione looked as though she were going to ask something. Continuing, Harry explained, "Hermione, just keep Ron from doing anything stupid, all right? As soon I find Ginny and see if she's okay, you can ask her what happened all right?" Hermione reluctantly nodded, and asked Harry, "Since you want to keep Ron busy, you want me to have a word with Angelina and Alicia? Keep the whole clan busy." Harry smiled, and nodded, "Good thinking, Hermione. I owe you one."
With that, Harry turned and made a beeline for the giant double doors that lead into the Great Hall, picking up his fedora from his table and jamming it on his head. From the hallway, he ran until he passed the main doors, and took the steps two at a time until he was outside of the Castle. It was then Harry noticed it was raining: cold, hard, and heavy, with the occasional flash of thunder. Harry thought of the slick black trench coat he had stashed in his room, and then thought, Fuck it, not enough time. Wiping away the rain away from his lenses, Harry slowly scanned the immediate area, hoping to find a sign, any sign of Ginny having passed this way. Slowly, he stepped forward, and saw pay dirt.
There was a series of small footprints pressed into the thick, carpet-like grass, along with another print on a bald spot where there was dirt. Since the print was so small, Harry knew the person was female, and took off in the general direction of the lake. At that moment, Harry probably would have followed the prints to the gates of Hell and beyond, as Harry had only a vague idea of the pain Ginny was probably going through, but he could understand it. Betrayal, heartache, Harry thought to himself, been there, done that, and tailored the fucking shirt. No one deserves any of it though.
Following the outline of the lake, Harry continued looking, hoping to see a flash of red, or color or something in the gloom that was only illuminated by an occasional flash of lightning. Stopping, Harry could feel the cold, and every bit of damp from the constant splatter of rain on him as he hurriedly wiped his glasses on a dry part of his tie. Taking a slow, long look, Harry saw a small patch of red right on the edge of the lake.
Quickly, he ran towards it, and saw that it was Ginny, kneeling at the very edge of the lake with her head in hands. The water lapped around her, and Harry could see she was crying in choking, gasping sobs. Part of Harry was hurt with her, as there had been all too many times over the years he had wanted to let loose those dark things he had kept locked up. Yet he never had, for the first lesson someone like him had learned was that crying got you nowhere, and your only recourse was to take those unpleasantries and keep them locked up as soon as they appeared.
Slowly, Harry walked to the side of her, and waded through the icy water. Kneeling, he turned to her, gently laid a hand on her shoulder, and spoke softly, "Ginny?" Ginny turned quickly towards him once he spoke, with her eyes looking scarlet as her hair, and a solid stream of tears running down her face. Harry shook her slightly, and Ginny threw her arms around his neck and drew close to him. Without pause, she started sobbing into his shoulder. Harry hadn't expected this, but something in him told him to keep his mouth shut, and to just hold on to her.
Wrapping his arms around the silken material of her organdy dress, Harry could feel her heaving, convulsing sobs, with the warmth of her tears flowing on to his shoulders and down his arms. Gently, he rocked her in his arms, and kept his silence, as he understood that at this moment in her life, Ginny probably was at that inner place where no one could reach her.
After what seemed like an eternity kneeling in the water, with the cold rain pouring down on them, Harry could feel Ginny start to breathe normally. While she still seemed to be sobbing, the worst appeared to have passed. Harry gave her another minute, and the sobbing stopped, with only the short breaths a person makes after having had a heavy dose of crying. Harry asked her quietly, "Ginny?" She looked up into his eyes, her soft brown eyes wet and rimmed red, as though they were pools of sand that he would fall into and never come out of again. Knowing he had her attention, Harry continued, "Let's go back, you'll die of cold out here." She turned her eyes back down to the water, and nodded. As softly as he could, Harry rose, and Ginny rose with him, and only let go once they were fully standing. Not wanting her to get anymore wet then she already was from the rain, Harry took off the fedora he wore, and put it on her head. "Here Ginny, put this on. It'll help with the rain. " Ginny let her head hang as Harry placed it on her head and tried to move some of her hair into it.
Knowing that the dress she had on wasn't much protection against the elements, Harry took off the coat he wore unbuttoned and draped it around her shoulders. Gently taking one of her hands into his own, and pressing her against him, he said to her, "Come on, you need to dry up and have a cup of tea or chocolate or something. Hagrid's place is closer so we'll go there."
Ginny only nodded as he led her across the grounds to Hagrid's hut, and Harry went up to the door and started banging on the door.
"Open up, Hagrid, it's me Harry!"
The door opened to reveal Hagrid in his moleskin coat with a crossbow slung over a shoulder, obviously getting ready for a trip into the forest.
"What's wrong there, 'Arry?"
"Got caught in the rain. It all right if I get Ginny dried off and have cup of tea?"
"'Course! Come in. Come in." Hagrid waved at them to come in.
Inside, Hagrid gave Ginny an enormous blanket and an equally large towel and told her, "Right, go into the privy there," Hagrid pointed to the shower and toilet combination he had in house in the small bedroom of his, " and put those on for now while your clothes dry off. Then sit by the fire and let the warmth in your bones." Ginny took the blanket and towel, numbly thanked him, and headed off to the bathroom. Hagrid turned to Harry, "What's wrong with her?"
"Too long to explain, and I don't want to intrude on her
business."
"Fair enough…Listen, I have an appointment to keep, so you think you can mind
your manners and brew up a cup a tea for her?"
"Yeah, no problem, Hagrid. Where you off to?"
"Er…Business, Harry, business."
Hagrid then told him he would be back sometime in the early morning, so he told Harry to just leave the door unlocked when they left. With that, he bid Harry and Ginny good night, and together with his dog Fang stalked off into the blustery night. Harry started shivering, as the cold and rain were starting to get to him. Looking around, Harry found Hagrid's teakettle, and a bag of lemon tea. Filling it up with water, Harry hung it over the fire and then scrounged up another blanket, towel, and a pair of tea mugs. Setting those aside, Harry kicked off his shoes, and peeled off his vest, shirt, Kevlar vest, undershirt, and socks, taking the time to place his arsenal including his wand on top of a drawer near by. Wrapping himself up in his blanket, Harry was about to take off the rest of his clothes and hang them on the rack Hagrid had close to the fire when Ginny, her sodden clothes in hand and likewise bundled in a blanket, came in. Without a word, she draped them over part of the rack and sat down on the bench in front of the fire. Her eyes seemed slightly less red, but were instead almost empty as they stared into the flames.
Feeling the cold, Harry briefly went into the bathroom where he stripped off the rest of his sodden clothes before wrapping himself back in the woolen blanket and towel he had. Stepping back out to the living room with the fireplace, Harry saw Ginny hadn't moved at all, and was statuesque in the way she laconically stared at the flames, barely breathing, barely moving.
Harry quietly, not wanting to disturb her, hung his clothes up to dry, and went over to where he had left the tea stuff. Dropping a couple of spoonfuls of the yellow powder into the mugs, Harry carried them and a pair of spoons to the bench, where he sat down next to Ginny and watched the kettle for signs of the water boiling. Harry tried to keep his distance from Ginny, not wanting to intrude on her after what happened to her, but still found his right knee close to her. Not touching, but close enough to feel her presence. Harry also found that despite the rain, he could still smell the rose-scented soap Ginny had used to wash with, and the peach scent of her shampoo.
In the firelight, Harry could see the way her hair hung down from her head, and the whiteness of the nape of her neck. With a practiced eye, Harry examined all he could see, and noticed that the freckles on her face likewise were on her neck and what he could see of her shoulders. Harry's observations were cut short, though, as he heard the low whistle of the kettle, and Harry reached forward and moved the kettle away from the fire. Moving with practiced motions, he poured in the hot water into the mugs, and once he had set the kettle away from the fire, he stirred them with the spoons he had brought. Once he felt the tea mix had been thoroughly dissolved, he passed one of the mugs to Ginny, "Here, you'll need this to fight off the cold from the rain." Ginny answered in a flat, emotionless voice. "I'm fine…"
"I don't mean a sick cold. I mean cold as in the fact you've spent how long in a wet dress? When you stay in wet clothes for a long time, your body temperature will drop substantially and you will die. Now, I don't think you want to die quite yet, do you?" Ginny continued looking down, but sipped slowly at the tangy liquid. Harry leaned back, cradling the cup in his hands, and enjoying the warmth of a fire and a cup of tea. The lessons he had learned in Wales had been taken to heart.
After a minute, Harry, as gently as he could, asked Ginny, "Want to talk about it?" Ginny sipped her mug of tea, and replied angrily, "Why should you care? You're almost as bad as…" She stopped herself and looked miserable. Harry had a pretty good idea of what she was going to say. She's right, maybe I am as bad, Harry thought to himself. Setting his mug down, he looked over at her, and asked quietly, "As bad as Colin?" Ginny threw her face in her hands and started crying. Harry softly put his arm on her shoulder, and drew her close.
Gently, he whispered to her, "It's all right…It's all right…I deserved that…"
She looked up, threw her arms around him and sobbed into his shoulder, "Oh, Harry, forgive me."
"You've done nothing wrong, it's only human to be angry at me. I know how you feel."
"You do?"
Harry told her of what had happened when he had asked Cho out. Ginny gasped when Harry told her about the slap, and the words Cho had said. Harry concluded with watching her at the ball, "So I realized about then, watching Cho playing politics with Malfoy that I had been damned foolish all along, that I should have known better."
Ginny was quiet, and said, "Harry, in case you don't know, I've had this crush on you since the day I first saw you, real bad like. I thought I had gotten over it after…Colin asked me out during the summer, but…" She stopped, apparently struggling to go on. "I went out with him since I was really hurt after I realized how much you liked Cho and ignored me…and I kept going back to Colin even though I caught him with other girls before…"
Harry was surprised enough by this to ask, "Tonight wasn't the first time you caught him, like that?"
"With another girl and his pants down? No, it was the first time tonight, but was it the first time that I found out he was seeing someone else besides me?" She drifted off, still holding on to Harry and then looked up into his face. Harry could see every one of her freckles as she said morosely, "I'm a real prat aren't I?"
"Ginny, you are not a prat; if anyone is it's me. I was so stupid in chasing someone distant, when there was someone who was there all along for me." Harry smiled, "I still remember that Valentine you sent me, your first year, and I was a second. You remember that?" Ginny, for the first time since Harry had slammed into her in the hallway, laughed, a deep throaty laugh that came from her throat.
Harry found it very attractive to say the least, and started to feel nervous in her presence, something that hadn't happened since his 'explorations' during the holidays.
"That was horrible, Harry! I don't know what I was thinking…"
"I don't know what I was thinking by labeling you merely as a Ron's sister, Ginny. Tell me one thing though." Ginny looked at him with alert eyes, the red almost gone. Harry asked, grinning, "Did you recognize me in Wales, when me and Nev came up to your family wearing our officer cadet uniforms?"
"I know I did, Harry. You looked so handsome, and changed, wearing it."
Harry laughed, "Not handsome, but changed…that I was." For a while, Ginny just rested against Harry, with the both of them lost in their thoughts. Harry didn't know what Ginny was thinking, but his were along one line: I have been such a fool…
I should have taken more notice of her before, and not hurt her through my stupidity. Yet…if she is forgiving, I can change that…Second chances come few and far between but…
Gently, Harry said, "Ginny?" She looked up into his eyes once more, and once more Harry was almost lost in the depths of the sand that were her eyes. Harry spoke, his voice almost hoarse and raspy with emotion. "Ginny, I'm sorry for any and all hurts I have ever given you. I didn't mean to hurt you, indeed, I was so dense that I never understood just how deep you felt about me…" Harry paused, "I hope I don't insult you when I ask if you can forgive me for that, and understand that I didn't wish to hurt you, as I was still trying to understand how to act around women then. I hope you can forgive me, and…" This was getting to Harry, as here was a girl to whom he hadn't paid a sum of money for 'services'. It was the real deal, and Harry had to almost croak it out, his voice almost shattered with the raw emotion of it.
"Ginny, if you wish, I would like to take you out to dinner, during the Hogsmeade visit tomorrow." Ginny seemed startled, and looked at Harry, her eyes unreadable. "Do you mean to tell me, Harry, that after what, three, four years, you have taken a fancy to me, and have just asked me out on a date?" Harry looked right back into the oceans of sand, and nodded, his voice gaining a bit more confidence. "Yes, I want to take you out on a date. You're wrong about the fancy bit though." His face was as serious as he could make it, "I think I'm in love with you. Love at first sight, only I was blindfolded and now have had my blindfold ripped off."
Ginny face was unreadable for half a second as he finished, but then seemed to glow, the way Harry had watched a parachute flare brighten on a gloomy, spring night in the Welsh mountains and vales. She threw her arms around Harry's neck and brought his head down so that her forehead and his were touching. Harry saw her bright red lips purse and answer, every syllable filled with delight and emotion. "Of course, I go! Yes, Harry, yes! You don't know how long I've hoped for this!" She tilted her head, and kissed Harry. Harry hadn't been expecting this, but nonetheless found she tasted of lemon, and honey, and kissed as passionately back.
In Harry's mind, he had a sudden humorous thought, If we have kids, I can imagine what they'll say if I tell them I kissed their mom before I even went out with her. To Harry, it didn't matter that he barely knew her, all that mattered was what his instincts told him, and one sacrosanct lesson he had learned was to never doubt his instincts. Those instincts were ringing in him one message: This is the one.
Despite wanting to savor the moment forever, Harry gently broke off the kiss. Ginny still held on to him, and looked with watering eyes towards him. She whispered, "Thank you."
"No, I thank you, Ginny."
Still holding on to her, Harry asked her, "Ginny, you know we'll probably have to see each other in secret?" She nodded, "Yeah, Hermione told me you think you place Ron, her, and anyone you get close to in danger. I think we are in danger no matter what happens, but I understand why you believe that."
Harry took her hands and cupped them in his own, marveling at their softness as he pressed them against his forehead. "Can you live with that if we went ahead?"
"Yes, could you?"
"I'd gladly suffer the Cruciatus for you, Gin," Harry found his voice come
close to breaking once again as he spoke those words.
Ginny embraced him, and for the next several minutes (mere seconds it seemed to Harry) they held on to each other before Harry remembered something.
"Ginny, I just remembered, how are you going to handle Colin?" She frowned, "I don't know…I haven't really thought of that." Harry told her, "How about quietly? I mean, those two idiots have screwed with your happiness, and that of Dean, who really is a nice guy."
She seemed to mull over this, and nodded, "You're right, Harry. I think I'll tell him in the morning." The two of them held their embrace a minute longer before Ginny sighed and said, "I think our clothes are dry by now, which means…"
"I'd better take you home before your brothers come searching for us."
"Unless they're snogging with their dates!" She laughed and Harry laughed with her. Ginny got up, pulled her clothes from the rack, and with a smile to Harry went into the bathroom to change. Harry sighed, and pulled his clothes off from the rack. They were wrinkled and stiff the way air-dried clothes were, but Harry put back on his underwear, trousers, and socks, feeling only a mild dampness that wasn't too uncomfortable. Harry was putting on his Kevlar vest when Ginny came out and said, "Oh, sorry Harry, I thought you were done changing." Harry waved her off, "Nothing to worry about. Just have to put this on, and then my shirt and vest." Ginny took a chair from Hagrid's table, and watched Harry put on his shirt, tuck it in over his Kevlar, and then his black vest. She asked him, "What is that thing you put on under your shirt, Harry?"
"A muggle protective vest, it's made of glue, cobwebs and some other stuff to make something called Kevlar. It's much lighter then metal armor and the kind I have on will stop a knife good, which is why I wear the damn thing." Harry replied as he buttoned the vest and started to put on his tie on. Concentrating hard, Harry's hand slipped and his knot was messed up.
Ginny laughed as Harry cursed at the tie. She got up and went over to him and took his tie in hand. With practiced motions, she fixed it for Harry smartly, and moved it up to his throat. Harry grinned and asked her, "It's seemed you've done this before." Ginny slipped her arms around him, and replied, "I watched my mum do this for my dad so many times I can fix one with my eyes closed. Ron had to have me help with his tie before he went here." Harry laughed and kissed her on the forehead.
Harry spoke, "Ginny, I hate to break away now, but we really should be going." Ginny lingered though, and looked in his face, and said almost mournfully, "I'm almost afraid this will end up being a dream or a nightmare. Maybe even a bit of both." Harry drew her closer, then said, "This is no dream Ginny; you're as real as I am. Would this happen in a dream?" With that, Harry brought her lips to his, and kissed her. Both of them lingered on that kiss, and to Harry, it was the sweetest, and greatest one he had had in the fifteen years of his life.
While he was enjoying it, Harry knew he had to tell her something unpleasant, and do it as soon as possible.
"Ginny, when I told you before that we were going to have to
see each other in secret…"
"Yes, dear?"
"It means secret. No one, no one must know. Hermione, any friends of yours, your brothers, Sirius, no one must know of us. Okay? I don't want you hurt because of me." Harry looked into Ginny's eyes as he spoke this, hoping she would understand. Ginny nodded, "All right, Harry, all right." With that Harry kissed her one last and time and finished dressing, which meant he strapped on his Fairbairn and his pistol. As he was about to slip on his coat and hat, he noticed the rain was still pouring. Harry held out his coat and slipped it over Ginny's shoulders once more, telling her, "It's still raining heavy out there, and I'm sure everyone will wonder why you aren't soaked."
"So what will the story be?"
"It took me a long time to find you, and you were hiding…where?"
"Near the forest, and by the lake, which is partly true anyhow."
"Good…"
Harry took his fedora, and put it on Ginny's piled red hair, and looked at her. She looks so grand wearing that hat, Harry thought to himself. Entwining an arm of his with one of hers, the two ran laughing in the hard rain, the water splashing against them as they ran through a deep puddle here and there.
Just as they reached the steps to the Castle, Harry stopped her, and embraced and kissed her one last time, with the rain beating down on them, their breath steaming in the chilly October air. "Tomorrow?" Ginny murmured, "Tomorrow." She then looked surprised and asked Harry, "I'm not unhappy and all, but…" She seemed to be thinking. Harry asked, "Yes, Gin?"
"Where will we be going if you want to keep things a secret? I mean, I know Ron, Hermione, Fred and George and their dates alone will at least be there."
Harry smiled, "Leave it to me, Ginny dear." With that, they pulled apart, and Harry escorted her into the Castle. Since there was the chance someone might see them and get the wrong ideas, Harry walked slightly distant from her, and walked her as fast as possible to the Gryffindor tower. Harry wasn't surprised to find the hallways deserted as the standing orders Moody and Figg had set up called for the hallways to be cleared and patrolled by random patrols of goblins and dwarves starting at 2300. The time was almost midnight.
As Harry saw the portrait that was the entrance to the tower, he said to Ginny, keeping his voice calm, cool, and professional, "I have to report to my uncle. You can return my jacket and hat in the morning. Are you sure you are all right?" Ginny knew what he was acting at, and replied in a low, tired voice, "Yes, and thank you, Harry. Good night."
"Night."
Harry turned away and started walking to the History of Magic classroom. Entering it, he saw his uncle, Billy Fish, Snape, and Moody were sitting around a table having a drink or two, bottles of fire-whiskey and shot glasses on a table surrounded by several of the chairs students used. Moody spotted him and waved him over, "Hello Harry, what brings you here?" Snape sipped from his glass, and looked at him, "Yes, what brings you here, Potter?" Harry ignored Snape, and reported to his uncle and Moody about security arrangements, taking care not to mention the whole business with Colin and Parvati. He finished and was about to leave when Alex spoke, "Oh, Harry Bladvak mentioned he sent you to monitor a disturbance in one of the broom closets near the Great Hall. What was that about?" Taking care to make it seem as though it were nothing, Harry answered, "Just a couple of students, sir." Alex laughed, "Making the beast with two backs, no doubt?" Harry kept a polite silence as Moody, Fish, and Alex laughed. Snape asked coldly, "Who?" Harry glanced at him, and answered, "I know what you are going at, sir, and you have my word it wasn't Neville…or Katrina." Snape looked as though he were going to answer, but kept his mouth shut, and Harry said good night to the teachers, and beat a hasty retreat to the Gryffindor tower, where the Fat Lady was chatting with one of the other female portraits. "Password, Mr. Potter."
"Balderdash"
The door swung open, and Harry walked through it into the Common Room. It was largely empty, except for Fred and George, Katrina, Neville, Doc Detibedeux, and Ron and Hermione. All were still in costume (Fred's was a blue RAF uniform, while George must have talked with Fish for he wore the uniform of the Seventh Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles). Harry's jacket and hat was laying down on one of the sofas, but Ginny was nowhere in sight. The first thing Harry asked was to Hermione. "Did Ginny make it back, yet?"
Hermione nodded, but it was George who spoke first, "Harry, tell us what that Creevey did to Ginny?" Fred was quiet, and staring at Harry intently. Ron looked as though he was going to say something, but it was Hermione who spoke first. "Harry, Ginny came up here and she looked real sad, and she said it was over between her and Colin. She didn't want to tell us what happened?"
Harry held up a hand, "Someone get me a towel and a bathrobe, I'm soaked to the bone. I'll tell you everything in good time." Instantly, a towel, and a red and gold bathrobe were in his hands as Fred and George moved him bodily up the stairs, and into the boy's bathroom. Harry quickly showered (with the hot water turned up close to scalding) dried off, and went down back to the Common Room still in his bathrobe.
"Now," Fred commanded, "explain to us just what the fuck is going on." Everyone was staring at him intently. Harry took a chair next to the fire, and was quiet for a moment as he allowed the warmth of the fire to warm him, and allowed himself remembered the way Ginny had felt in his arms, the cold rain around them, and softness of that last kiss in the shadow of Hogwarts.
"Tell me, first, how's Dean doing?"
"Dean's a bit peeved since Parvati had a stomach ache and left him high and dry out there on the dance floor."
Harry snorted slightly. George asked Harry, "Now, tell us, what did Creevey did to Ginny."
"Before I do, I want the solemn word from all of you that you will delay any vengeance on him and anyone else I say, or else I'm not saying a damn word. 'Kay?" Fred, George, and Ron reluctantly nodded.
Harry started, "All right, I was out having a bit of air when Bladvak, the head goblin, calls me on my communications set telling me there is this disturbance in one of the broom closets. I go to check it out and on my way over there, I run right into Ginny, who has tears coming down her face, and when I ask what's wrong, she takes off. Now, I'm worried, so I go to check out the broom closet, open it slightly, and fire off a Shooting Illumination Charm into it. After that, I kick in the door, and guess who I find in there?" The last came out scathingly caustic.
Neville, reclining on one of the couches with Katrina on his lap, asked, "Let me guess, the redoubtable Mister Creevey with some tart from…Slytherin? Parkinson I hope."
"Sadly no…Parvati Patil."
Harry could swear he heard a mouse fart in the distance; the silence was that deep. Doc was the first to respond, his accent pure Deep South. "You have got to be shitting me, Harry? Patil? Creevey?"
Fred said, "Well, I suppose that would rile her up. I mean, Angelina would murder me if she caught me snogging with someone else."
"Not snogging, Fred."
"Eh?"
"Fucking."
Things went chaotic, as Ron and the twins got up and looked as though they were about to make a beeline for the stairs to the boys' dorm. Harry, who jumped behind Ron and locked him in a full nelson while Doc and Neville similarly immobilized the twins, had no doubt that the lads were going to drag Colin out of his bed and Heaven help him for the twins sure as hell wouldn't. After a minute or so of struggling, they were calmed down enough that Harry and the rest let them go. Fred rubbed his shoulder where Doc had twisted his arm and asked Harry, "Are you sure about the shagging bit, Harry? I mean…"
"Tell me, Fred, what do you call it when you get caught with your dick in a girl, hmm?"
That shut them up, and Hermione spoke thoughtfully, "No wonder she was so angry…First there was that crush she had on Harry, and then this…" She looked at Harry, "You know it took her a while to get over you?" Harry sighed, "Yeah, I suppose that was blind of me, now that I see it after that mess with Cho." Knowing he was in murky waters, Harry knew he had to tread carefully to keep the secret. Ron exploded at Harry, "So don't be so goddamn dense, Harry! Ask her out, damn it! I mean, you'll be an improvement over Creevey, and weren't you the one who told me…"
Harry gave a harsh laugh, "Ron, if you believe that I'll be better then Creevey, you're a few screws loose in the head. With me, she'd be riding the death seat with me. You want to bury your sister?" Not giving them a chance to answer, Harry was thinking about just how he was going to execute his first date with Ginny, as he had been bullshitting to the nth degree when he had told her he would handle it, and said, "Anyhow, that is immaterial at the moment. After I told those idiots to make themselves scarce, I told Hermione here to get keep you three busy and took off after her. It took me a bit to find her, but I managed it in this fucking cyclone out there, and brought her back. Now, tomorrow is the first Hogsmeade visit this year. Let's make use of it by cheering her up if she wants, or leaving a bit of time alone to her if she chooses to. All we can do is be here for her if she needs a shoulder to cry on." Harry decided not to mention the fact Ginny had emptied a gallon or so of salt and tears when they were out there. This Harry knew for when they had first kissed Harry had been reminded of drinking a lemon margarita, with the salt and lemon.
All of them agreed on this, and the conversation drifted over to what the other couples evening had been like. Doc said he had had a great time, and finished wistfully, "It's a pity Myrtle isn't still alive, she'd make a guy lucky." Katrina and Neville, as well as the Ron and Hermione, were both quiet about what they had done during the ball, and Harry didn't wish to pry, but he asked Katrina how her father had acted towards Neville.
She grimaced, "He kept his word, but even though I love him, he's my father after all, I can understand why people hate him so much. It's just…" She got up, and ran up to her room. In less then a minute, she was back carrying a small picture in her hand, explaining, "It's hard looking at a picture like this, and thinking Dad and Professor Snape is the same person." Harry looked at the photograph, showing a very young dark-haired Katrina fiercely hugging her father, with Snape having the same kind of look on his face that he had on during the Sorting ceremony. It was a magical picture with the two of them waving at the cameraman, and Harry couldn't help but wonder just what was it that made Snape such a goddamn…enigma, Harry supposed.
Handing it back, Harry saw that the twins had gone over to a table and were poring over a piece of parchment with avid interest. Trying to glance at it, Harry saw it was full of diagrams, and figures before Fred rolled it up and said to Harry, "Hey, thanks for going to find Ginny. We probably would have made asses out of ourselves."
Harry waved it off, and was about to head up to his bed, hoping for sleep and thinking of how he was going to date Ginny, when Hermione asked, "What of Dean? Shouldn't we tell him of…"
Harry shrugged, "Tell him soon, but not now, and not tomorrow. 'Sides, I have a sneaky idea he already knows. If it comes to it, I'll do the deed."
Hermione nodded, and Harry said goodnight as he went up to the bathroom to get ready for bed. This he did quickly, and later as he drifted off to sleep, he had to smile, as the promise of a date, and the memory of kisses swirled and smoked in his tired mind.