The List

By: lbfan

disclaimer: Harry Potter and the characters of the story do not belong to me. This is only written for entertainment purposes only. No one will me money from this.

Chapter 12 – The Janus Thickey Miracle

As the Hogwarts express was steaming its way to Hogsmeade, some unwanted guests had entered Neville and Luna's compartment. While Gregory Goyle was occupying Neville with his bullying, Vincent Crabbe was lustfully approaching Luna in an inappropriate manner.

Neville punched Goyle hard in the stomach. It made him step back, but it just seemed to make him mad. Goyle returned his parry with a swing to the head.

Luna jumped out of her seat with anger and determination in her eyes. Vincent Crabbe lunged for her with his hand, but Luna just blocked his attempt with her arm. "No," Luna heatedly protested, "I don't want you touching me you slimy rat!"

While Goyle was attempting to land a blow on him, Neville gave up on physical violence and ejected his wand into his hand from his wand holster. Neville quickly cast a banishment charm that sent Goyle flying backwards across the compartment into the far wall. He must have hit his head on the luggage rack, because he was out cold.

Crabbe made another attempt at grabbing Luna, while telling her, "Don't worry dreamy loony, this will feel good for you too."

With a swift kick to the back of the knee, Neville sent Vincent Crabbe lunging forward and falling to the floor. This forward momentum caused Crabbe's hand to achieve its objective by touching Luna in an inappropriate manner.

Enraged, Luna kicked Crabbe so hard, he too flew backwards across the compartment falling on Goyle in a heap.

Neville embraced Luna in a hug to comfort her. "Are you OK?"

Luna returned, "Yes, I'm fine. A year of being Polyjuiced into a girl must have traumatized his sexual identity. Let's go fine a different compartment. This one smells, and I don't like the company."

The two of them gathered Trevor and the trunks and opened the compartment door. Outside the door was a throng of curious students.

"Excuse me, coming through," Luna said as she tried to squeeze past the on-lookers.

"What happened?" one of them asked.

Bothered by the bystanders, Neville sharply said, "The school bullies aren't feeling very well. If we leave them alone, they shouldn't bother anyone for the rest of the trip." Neville slid the compartment door shut behind him.

Half way up the train, they found another empty compartment. Settling in, they started to discuss what had just happened. Luna started, "Neville, I have come to depend on the security of your presence provides. I can't help but feel put out that you didn't remove those goons from the compartment earlier."

Feeling guilty for the same reason, he replied, "We can't go strong arming everyone about when we have to exist as fellow students. I had to wait for them to make the first move; otherwise we would be just as guilty of bullying as they were."

Luna eyes softened on him as she admitted, "I have to admit; I was frightened."

Neville gave her a faint smile as he admitted, "I know, the situation scared me too. I would have died inside, if Crabbe had his way with you."

Amused, Luna shook her head. "No you lion heart, I mean I was scared that you would get hurt by Goyle. Crabbe didn't have a chance."

Neville chuckled, "That kick was amazing. How did you do that?"

Luna replied, "Harry gave me the idea. He partially transformed into a griffin when Ron was about to fall into that bottomless well. In the stress of the moment, I reached into my inner animal for the strength in my leg which sent Crabbe flying across the compartment to Goyle."

With a sparkle in his eye, he stated, "I would hate to tick you off. You might literally breathe fire at me."

Luna let out a hearty laugh at the thought.

His eyes softened as he enjoyed the moment. He had only heard her laugh a few times before, but the sound of it brought a warm feeling flowing across him.

After the prefects meeting was over, Ron started to patrol the corridors of the train. As he entered one car, he noticed a commotion around one of the compartments. Drawing nearer, he noticed that a group of boys was struggling to get a peek into a particular compartment. Ron shooed them all away to their own compartments. Opening up the compartment, he saw a few other boys all trying to flirt with the same girl. The other girls in the compartment seemed very annoyed. When the girl who had all of the attention noticed Ron, she shot out of her seat and pushed her way though the boys to cling to him.

Concerned Ron asked her, "Is everything alright Gabrielle?"

Exasperated, Gabrielle told him, "This is so hard. Could I stay with you?"

Confused, Ron just shrugged, "Yeah, sure. I'll introduce you to some of my friends. What trunk is yours?"

Gabrielle pointed to a particularly stylish French designer trunk up in the luggage rack. Ron levitated it down to the floor and shrunk it in size.

Gabrielle waved good-bye to the other girls, "Bye Rachel, Cindy." The two girls tried to place a practiced grin on their face and waved back half-heartedly.

Noticing this Ron intervened, "Come on girls, it's not her fault she is part-Veela. This is not a reason to treat her this way. Isn't it bad enough that the boys act stupid around her? She needs friends who would be understanding and helpful."

Rachel asked, "Then why aren't you swooning all over her?"

Ron shrugged and said, "I guess that she is family now. You should have seen me around her sister when I was younger."

Gabrielle corrected him, "No, you found your true love, like Harry did."

Flabbergasted, Ron stammered, "No I haven't. I just started dating."

Seeing that the conversation was going to get too personal, Gabrielle dragged Ron out of the compartment. One of the boys gave her a note before she left.

In the corridor, they worked their way to the back of the train where Ron left Neville and Luna. On their way down there, Ron said, "I thought that you had to start puberty for your charms to effect boys?"

His question was answered with a strong backhand to his stomach and a piercing glare.

In realization of his mistake, Ron blushed and muttered, "Oh, sorry Gabby."

Even more heated, she stopped and faced Ron, "Don't ever call me 'Gabby'. That is the name of that horrible hag that wrote the filth about Ginny and our family." Calming down, she added, "Some of my friends call me 'Gabs' for short."

They continued towards the back of the train. Curiously, Ron asked, "What do you mean by saying I found my true love. I'm dating Hermione. How would it look?"

Calmly Gabrielle said, "Can you deny that you romantically love Hermione?"

Shocked, Ron stammered a bit, "Erm…um…No."

Still collected, Gabrielle continued, "You have probably fancied her for some time. I would even go as far to guess that it has been since you…started puberty." An evil smile crept across her face as she accented those last words.

Blushed, Ron quietly said, "OK Gabs, I give."

Gabrielle continued, "I would also have to assume that you proclaimed your love to her, and she returned that love to you."

Still blushing, Ron quietly said, "Yes, yes, Gabs you're right. I see what you are saying now."

They arrived at the compartment and all of the blinds were shut tight. Knowing that Neville and Luna were getting closer, there was a possibility that they may have desired some privacy. Ron quietly knocked at the door. Beyond the door, he heard moaning, but it was not either Neville or Luna's voice.

Ron opened up the door to find Crabbe lying on top of Goyle in a heap. Conflicted, part of Ron wanted to whoop for joy and rub in the misery, another part of him realized that it was his responsibility now to take care of them. Staring at them for a while, Ron struggled with the idea before helping Crabbe get more comfortable on the bench.

Gabrielle looked confused. "Are these your friends you wanted me to meet? Where are Harry and Hermione?"

Ron straightened up Goyle and cast an Ennervate spell. Goyle started to stir, and his eyes went wide when he saw Ron.

Ron asked, "What happened?" Quickly changing his mind, he corrected, "No, don't answer, I don't want to know. Save it for your head of house or the matron. Where does it hurt?"

Goyle, still in shock did not say anything.

Focusing his attention back on Crabbe, Ron asked him, "Where does it hurt?" Crabbe pointed to a particularly vulnerable portion of his body.

Gabrielle tried to stifle her giggles.

Remorseful, Ron explained, "I'm sorry guys I never was very good at transfiguration, otherwise I would be able to conjure you an ice pack." Ron conjured the next best thing, two blocks of ice. He gave each of them a block and suggested, "Just apply the ice to the area which hurts to control the swelling. I'll come back and check on you. I want to make sure you make it back to the castle."

Goyle was starting to take notice of Gabrielle, and it was making her feel uncomfortable.

Grabbing Gabriele's hand, Ron left the compartment repeating, "I'll come back and check on you." They continued to check compartment by compartment until they found Luna and Neville sitting beside each other reading.

Ron opened the door and introduced Gabrielle to them. Luna dreamily looked up at her and said, "Oh, hello. Looking for somewhere safe to hide?"

Uncomfortable by her observant yet blunt style, Gabrielle said, "Yes, my sister's brother-in-law here," motioning to Ron, "rescued me from a horde of flirting boys."

In an air of understanding, Luna said, "Yeah, some girls would think that you were lucky to have that much attention. But like your sister, this is a curse."

Startled, Neville, Ron and Gabrielle looked at Luna. Gabrielle asked, "Fleur complained about all the attention she got from guys at school?" Luna smiled and nodded, "She was use to it by the time I met her three years ago, but I do recall her explaining how horrible it was to only have girls for friends."

Neville was becoming glassy eyed at her presence, but he was consciously fighting the charms.

Ron asked, "So why are Crabbe and Goyle in such bad shape in the compartment you were last in."

Neville was too busy staring at Gabrielle to react to the question. In irritation, Luna said, "Crabbe wanted to demonstrate on me how he treats his sluts to Neville. Neville just put a stop to it."

Ron cringed, "Is that how he got that injury?"

Neville had enough sanity to correct the understatement, "Luna took care of that. She kicked him."

Gabrielle started to giggle again at the thought.

Luna defended her original comment, "Neville did bring him to his knees with a kick and he threw Goyle across the compartment, knocking him out."

Neville asked, "Are they alright?"

Ron said, "Goyle seems fine, but Crabbe is very swollen. He will probably need help getting up to the castle."

Gabrielle giggles seemed to become even more uncontrollable. She shook her head trying to get out the thought.

Looking to Luna, Ron asked, "Are you alright?"

Giving Gabrielle a brief questioning look, Luna's gaze returned to Ron as she answered, "Yes Ronald, I'm fine. He just briefly touched me as he was falling." Looking back to Gabrielle, she asked, "Are you alright?"

Gabrielle, with eyes filled of mirth explained, "I always wanted to do that guys who became too pushy. The look of the damage to him was more than I would have ever expected to cause. He looked completely miserable." She started to giggle again.

Ron restored Gabrielle's trunk and went back to check on the bullies. As Ron helped Crabbe get off the train, they were all met with crowd of laughter. Looking at the where everyone was pointing, Ron turned towards Crabbe and apologized, "Sorry mate, I forgot to dry your clothes off." With a drying spell, Ron dried the wetness that the melted ice left on his clothes, before Ron continued to help him off the train.

Walking carefully, Ron got him settled in one of the Thestrals pulled carriages. The sight of the Thestrals took him off guard at first. It was eerie to see the creature at last. Ron continued with his duties as Head Boy before returning to Crabbe's carriage.

On the way back to the castle, in a confused manner, Goyle asked Ron, "What are you doing?"

Off guard, Ron asked back, "What do you mean what am I doing?"

Goyle clarified, "You have always hated us. We are enemies. You are a Gryffindor and we are Slytherins."

Ron shot back, "You two are injured. Are you not? This year, I belong to the whole school as the Head Boy. This is too embarrassing to you for me to pass the buck to your seventh year prefect for your care."

"Fine Head Boy," Goyle stated, "Then why aren't you dishing out detentions or deducting house points?"

"I told you, I don't want to know what happened. Besides, you two don't look like you need any more punishment for what you did. I doubt that Neville and Luna will say anything either." Ron pointed out.

Still confused, Goyle just shook his head and shrugged.

Ron added, "Let us just try to get you two to the hospital wing without drawing too much attention or too many questions. I'm sorry, but I will have to tell Slughorn where you two are."

Good to his word, Ron helped Crabbe and Goyle to the hospital wing. On his way back down, he ran into his sister coming in from un-harnessing the Thestrals and releasing them back into the forest.

Ginny asked him, "Where have you been?"

Ron said, "Two students got injured on the train ride to school. I just dropped them off at the hospital wing."

They heard the approaching first years, and decided that they had better hurry into the Great Hall before the sorting ceremony began.

After Ron caught Slughorn's gaze, Ron silently cast a Schizotox spell to tell him where Crabbe and Goyle were. With a surprised look, Slughorn just nodded to him.

As Ginny walked into the Great Hall, the busy talking from the students fell into hushed conversations. Most eyes were turned on her as she glided down the isle following her brother to some empty seats saved for them by Neville.

Vicky Winters, a striking but snotty Ravenclaw girl, glared at Ginny in reproach. Catching her glare, Ginny just smiled at her out of sympathy. Vicky was one of Luna's tormenting dorm mates.

No sooner did Ginny take a seat, Professor Sprout entered escorting the first years to the front for the sorting ceremony. Ginny waved to Gabrielle as she entered.

Ron was pleased that Rachel and Cindy were walking next to Gabrielle. Maybe the talk he gave to the girls had an effect on their attitude. Ron knew from experience, that the students the first years met on the train to Hogwarts could turn out to be their life long friends. For poor Gabrielle, the boys still looked distracted by her.

Ron looked up to the head table and caught Hermione's eyes. He returned the soft smile she gave him with one of his own. He was going to miss eating with her.

After Professor Sprout introduced the sorting hat to the first years, it broke out in song:

I am the sorting hat,

I'll tell you where you'll stay,

At Hogwarts, there are four houses,

Each different in many ways,

For the shrewd and the crafty,

Slytherin may be your home.

For those with strong intelligence,

To Ravenclaw you may roam.

For the loyal and the brave at heart,

Gryffindor may fit your taste,

The hard workers and the rest,

Hufflepuff may be your place,

These tidings may be difficult,

We've been acting all like fools,

This year will face the make or break,

The fate of our great school,

The battle looms, the time has come,

For a hero to arise,

Join together in unity is a must,

Or we'll be facing our demise.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the hall as the sorting hat ended its song. The silence was broken by Professor Sprout saying, "First years, come up and sit on the stool as I call your name. I'll place the hat on your head and it will sort you into your house."

Looking down at her list, she called, "Cathy Long." A small blonde girl with an active personality bounded up to the stool and sat. When Professor Sprout placed to hat on her head, it called out, "Hufflepuff!" The Hufflepuff table broke out in cheers as the small blonde girl was directed to sit with them.

The next student called was Cindy Barnhart. Ron noticed her as one of the girls who Gabrielle made friends with on the train. When the hat was put on her head, the hat called out, "Slytherin!" The Slytherin table broke out in cheers. Downcast and on the brink of tears, Cindy gave Professor Sprout a pleading look. The professor just shooed her off to the Slytherin table with a compassionate look.

Rachel Corner was called to be sorted. Again, this was the other first year girl who Gabrielle met on the train. Unlike Cindy, she was placed in Hufflepuff. Others were sorted: Tyler Gable to Ravenclaw; Gordon McCluskey to Gryffindor; Tammy MacGregor to Gryffindor; and Ricky Taylor to Slytherin. Ricky also reluctantly joined his new housemates at the Slytherin table.

It was at this point that Gabrielle Delacour was called to be sorted. Ron whispered to Ginny, "I hope she is placed in Gryffindor."

Ginny returned the comment with a nudge and a shushing sound.

The sorting hat had made its choice, "Slytherin!" In acceptance, Gabrielle stood up from the stool and walked over to sit next to Cindy at the Slytherin table. A roaring applause greeted her from most of the Slytherin table. Some of them were disgusted that a half-bread, part-Veela, was placed into their house.

In utter shock and horror, Ron whispered to Ginny, "Bill is not going to like this."

Ginny chided him, "Yes I know, but really. No talking. We have to set an example with you being head boy and all. Look at Professor McGonagall."

Sure enough, when Ron looked up at the head table, Professor McGonagall was giving him a reproachful look.

The sorting ceremony continued on placing first years into their appropriate houses. The sorting ended with Salvador Guerra being placed in Ravenclaw and Kelsey Macmillan into Gryffindor.

Professor McGonagall stood up in front of the hall. "Welcome to Hogwarts. My name is Professor McGonagall, I am the headmistress. New to our staff this year are: Professor Dr. Dan Granger and his wife Professor Dr. Emma Granger. They will be jointly teaching Muggle Studies. They join us from Oxfordshire where they were practicing as dentists. Their daughter, Professor Hermione Granger, will be teaching Transfiguration. Professor Harry Potter was going to be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, but since he is out sick for an indeterminate amount of time, Professor Lupin has returned to us to fill that position. Fifth years and up should remember him, from four years ago. Professor Fusthorne has returned to the school after been missing for 50 years. He will be teaching History of Magic, replacing Professor Binns."

She continued, "Professors Hermione Granger and Harry Potter are Assistant Professors, and as such will still complete their coursework in other subjects as well. Their association with Gryffindor House is no longer as a student. Their behavior and merits will not lose or earn house points."

Professor McGonagall continued to give all of the typical announcements that Dumbledore said before. When she was done, the feast began.

During the feast, Ginny noticed many of the other Gryffindor girls, who had ignored or picked on her over the years, wanted to talk to her. She had trouble remembering everyone's names. For her, on the other hand, everyone knew who she was. The one thing that had not escaped her attention at the feast was the approving glances Dean was giving her.

At the head table, Hermione felt out of place. She wanted to be down at the Gryffindor table with her friends, but she had to make conversation with the faculty instead. Professor Vector showed interest in her Knight Patronus spell she created.

At the end of the feast, when the first years were beckoned to follow the prefects to their houses, Dean approached, "Ginny, could I have a word with you?" The hall was starting to empty giving Dean a bit more confidence. "I'm sorry to hear about Harry. I know it is sudden, but nothing would please me more if you would be my girlfriend again."

Shocked, Ginny was speechless. Being careful in what she was saying, Ginny responded, "Harry isn't dead. I am still his betrothen mate, not only on paper, but also in my heart. You are gentle and kind man, and I know you will find a suitable girlfriend."

Confused, Dean responded, "Are you prepared to live the rest of your life chained to this vegetable? We can start a new life on our own. Believe me, Ginny. I have changed." Dean saw the familiar temper flare in Ginny's eyes.

Ginny snapped, "He will recover, and yes, I am prepared to commit my entire life to his care, even in this state. Dean, the emotions we shared are nothing compared to the intensity of love I share with Harry. It was only because of my obsession with Harry that our relationship fell apart."

In desperation, Dean tried to talk sense into her. "Ginny you deserve happiness. Yes, Harry was a distraction, but he no longer is. I can give you a normal life with home and children. Isn't that what you want?"

In disbelief, Ginny continued, "Even if Harry doesn't come out of his catatonic state, he will always be alive in here." She placed her hand on her chest. "There is only room enough for one man in here. I'm sorry to say this to you, but Harry has always been there." She stared at him with wide eyes encouraging him to understand.

In his temper, Dean responded, "I see. So when we were kissing you were thinking of him? When we were alone, holding each other close, it was his arms you were imagining holding you?"

Ginny's eyes softened with sympathy for his hurt, as she nodded her reply.

In anger, Dean spat, "That is why would wouldn't go any further with me. It wasn't because of purity or family honor. You were saving yourself for him. I was just a toy for you to play with till the time was right for you to leave me."

She really felt bad, "Dean, it wasn't like that... I was stupid."

"You were stupid? I'm stupid to believing there could have been something between us." Dean stormed out of the hall. The pain was evident on his face.

To Ginny, it felt like breaking up all over again. The pain and bitterness she created boiled back to the surface. Feeling a gentle hand on her shoulder, she turned around to Hermione looking at her with a warm comforting look. Ginny asked her, "What have I done?"

Continuing to comfort her with a hug, Hermione answered, "I know it was difficult, but if I'm not mistaken, you just spoke from your heart. Dean will survive."

Ginny asked, "What if I was wrong to not let go of Harry?"

Hermione said, "Close your eyes and search your instincts. Search your heart. What does it tell you?"

Still in her friend's arms at the brink of tears, she said, "I did the right thing. There is no way I could live with Dean, or leave Harry behind, even like this."

When they pulled apart, Hermione looked upon Ginny with a warm look of praise.

"What?" Ginny asked.

With a smile on her face Hermione explained, "Dumbledore once told Harry, 'We are defined by the choices we make.' The choice you just made was hard, but you made it being true to yourself. As a result, you have honored Harry and my whole family."

They made their way out of the hall up to Gryffindor Tower. The common room was buzzing with excitement as everyone was sharing about their summer break.

Hermione inspected Ron's Head Boy quarters, which were right off the common room. The bedroom was roomy and warm with its own study table and bookcase. When Ginny left to her own dormitory, Hermione spent some quite time with Ron before leaving Gryffindor tower for her own quarters.

Ginny's room mates were at awe at her trunk that converted into the walk-in wardrobe. After receiving a tour of each of the walk-in wardrobe rooms, the girls sat around Ginny's bed questioning her about Harry. It bothered Ginny that these same girls would never include her in on their conversations before. Unsure whether it was because she was too poor, tomboyish or quick to temper, Ginny never really cared for her dorm mates before.

Aubrey, a girl she always thought was too good for her asked, "How did you go from wearing my old donated robes to Madam Malkin's finest over the last 2 months?"

Embarrassment and resentment brewed in Ginny at Aubrey's indiscreet behavior. She would not have answered her question if others sitting around did not encourage her. Ginny replied, "Harry and I broke it off at Dumbledore's funeral just to find ourselves hopelessly miserable without each other. Harry's intention was remove me from Lord Voldemort's…" Shudders and squeals came from the girls at the name. Rolling her eyes, Ginny continued, "His most wanted list, and thus protect me from the danger of his association. The more we were apart; the clearer it was we were meant to be together. Just before my brother's wedding, Harry and I reunited. Pretty much from that time on, I have been in hiding with Harry while we prepare to face…" Attempting to be considerate, she did not say his name but instead, "the dork lord. I have been playing my part by using Harry's money to play the role of Lady Black to bolster community morale and confidence. "

With a tinge of jealousy Aubrey sarcastically said, "Well you certainly have a nose for money when you pick your boyfriends."

Ginny's temper started to flare again, as she retorted, "Compared to love, the money is nothing. Happiness can be found without gold. If you fall in love with someone for their money, then that is all you will find. Believe me, I used to be poor but now I'm one of the most influential women in the British wizarding world. It doesn't matter how much money you'll have when you find your true love."

The next morning, Ginny arrived to breakfast a little late. She and her dorm mates had stayed up past midnight talking. She barely had time to smear some jam on toast when Remus handed her schedule to her. First class that morning was Care for Magical Creatures with Hagrid. That afternoon, she had double transfiguration with Hermione. Hermione was down at the end of the table working with Neville to squeeze him into her class despite his bad OWL score and missing 6th year classes. Getting close to class time, Ginny ran out the door to class. On her way out, Luna called for her, "Wait up. I'll go with you. I assume we're going to Care for Magical Creatures?"

A smile spread across her face as she realized she was taking the class with Luna. Together they went down to Hagrid's cabin. They were puzzled when they arrived. There was no one else there. Ginny took the initiative and knocked at his new door. The whole cabin was rebuilt and looked bigger than before.

"Cum'n," called the voice within the cabin. Hagrid opened the door to find Luna and Ginny together. "Yes?" Hagrid asked.

Luna said, "We're wondering where class is," gesturing around her.

Ginny continued, "We are here for your 6th year NEWT level course in Care for Magical Creatures."

"Blimey," exclaimed Hagrid, "I never had NEWT students ever want to take a class from me."

Alarmed, Luna and Ginny looked at each other wondering whether they were just wasting their time with this class.

Looking about for other students with no avail, Hagrid invited the two girls in where he would start holding class. He explained, "NEWT course work will be very difficult, and would require a lot of independent study. Every week there will be one or two chapters of reading required, and class time would be mostly practical. I would like to start with unicorns but seeing that you're now a Mrs…" gesturing towards Ginny, "It would be better to start on the fairies."

Ginny smiled and blushed, as she corrected him, "No, I'm not officially married and we are remaining abstinent until them. I would love it if we could work with the unicorns."

Hagrid took the two ladies out into the Forbidden Forest to a glade where seven unicorns were grazing. Luna and Ginny approached the unicorns as he continued to explain about the creatures from the edge of the glade. Hagrid went into details about medical treatment, feed and social habits.

One of the unicorns dashed over to Ginny. It looked intimidating with the horn streaking at her, but Ginny remained calm without fear. The charging unicorn came to a stop right as it approached Ginny. He nuzzled her with his nose. Ginny responded by petting the unicorn. Unexpectedly she started to receive emotions from unicorn. "He's happy," Ginny told Luna and Hagrid. "I believe that this is the unicorn we saved from the hunting cabin." She continued to stroke his neck.

Surprised, Hagrid said, "It is very rare for empathy to be shared from a unicorn."

The afternoon brought transfiguration class with Hermione. Luna and Ginny found a seat together near the front of the class. Ginny was hoping that she could lead a good example for the rest of the class and hopefully prevent others from disrespecting Professor Granger.

When Hermione entered the room, everyone went quiet. A Slytherin student asked her why she was teaching. When her short answer did not satisfy him, he clarified his question, "Granger, aren't there enough Mudbloods to teach this course that they could have chosen someone older?"

The class became even more silent and still at the obvious attempt to measure the young professor's class discipline tolerance.

Hermione asked the Slytherin boy to stand. Walking up to within a yard of him, she sneered, "Don't you ever use that 'Mudblood' word again in this school, let alone in this class. I am teaching this class because the Headmistress knows that I am good. That is all that matters. You will call me Professor Granger. Twenty points from Slytherin. One more outburst like that, we will have a very unpleasant detention. You may be seated now." The young professor marched back to the front of the class where she conjured a brick on everyone's desk for them to work on. She then proceeded with the lesson as nothing had been mentioned.

Hermione did not come across as stern as McGonagall, but when she became angry, the tone of her voice and the magical field emitting from her was enough to send the biggest of bullies back to their seats.

At dinner, the head table showed respect for Harry by leaving him an empty chair. This reminded Ginny of Harry's absence. Tears did not fall, but the depression she felt was not far from that point.

Ron gave her a comforting hug as he sat next to her. The Gryffindor second and third years gawked in disbelief at his new nurturing behavior.

That evening, Luna met Ginny at her favorite place, the top of the astronomy tower. The sun was setting and Ginny was in one of her melancholy moods as she was thinking about Harry. Ginny asked Luna, "Do you believe in wishes?"

Luna replied, "No, they're for the gullible. If we want something, we have to do it ourselves."

The evening was beautiful as the patchy clouds reflected the warm glowing colors of the setting sun.

Luna patiently waited with her friend for minutes before saying, "Let's go. Just like the sun, we must go as well." Luna got up and started for the stairs.

Ginny saw a shooting star streak across the sky. Closing her eyes and opening her heart she wished so passionately, a tear streaked down her cheek.

From the head of the stairs, Luna looked back at Ginny, "Are you coming or not?"

Ginny turned to face Luna with a half-smile and followed her to the stairs.

Luna rolled her eyes and shook her head sadly, before leading the way down the stairs.

From the windowsill of his empty dorm room in Gryffindor Tower, Neville also gloomily watched the sunset. When he saw the shooting star, his heart poured out a prayer to his parents, "Mum, Dad, I'm all alone. If any time in my life, I need you now. With Harry gone, I'm the one left with the responsibility to defeat Voldemort for good. I need your help. I need your guidance. I wish you would wake up."

There was a knock at the door. The exhausted and fatigued Headmistress called out from behind her desk "Come in."

Emma Granger opened the door and quietly entered. "Do you have a minute for a thought?" she asked.

"Aye, come in Emma." McGonagall invited her, "What brings me the pleasure of your visit?"

The office was dim lit and filled with the moving portraits of wizards and witches of the past. The cool shadows reflected the dismal mood the Headmistress was in. Not wanting to stay long, Emma went right to the point, "Minerva, I would like your permission to start a curriculum related club for the students."

Curiosity peaked in her, as Minerva asked, "What sort of club?"

Happy to have sparked her interest, Emma continued, "Like Ginny, many of the other students seem foreign to Muggle movies and culture. Dan and I would like open up the classroom to the whole school for one night a week to share a movie and introduce other facets of Muggle culture to interested students. We thought about calling it the 'Muggle Culture Club.'"

Feeling genuinely interested in the idea, Minerva found one flaw. She asked, "How would you show the movie?"

Emma brightened as she told her, "Dan and Arthur Weasley had a number of discussions about this. Arthur seems confident he could enchant battery backup electrical outlets to never run out of electricity. That would contain all of the electricity together in one spot and prevent the interference that magic induces on the wires."

Pleased with how much thought had been put into plan, Minerva mentioned, "The students already have a lot of homework. A two-hour movie may be counter productive. When were you planning on holding this meeting?"

Emma was expecting this question. She said, "We were hoping that we could have it on Friday nights from 7:00 to 10:00. That way it wouldn't interfere with the next day's classes or activities."

Minerva thought, 'This could actually bring more appreciation for Muggles, and allow the students to see that they are real people.' She smiled as she said, "Yes, you and Dan may host this club on Friday nights. Arthur is welcome to come to the school to assist you in setting up the equipment. The students who attend this club would have till 10:15 to be back into their dorms for curfew."

"Thank you Minerva, I believe the students will really like this." Emma said.

"No," McGonagall corrected, "I should be thanking you. This is a very good thing you're doing for the school."

Emma left the office in exhilaration. She quickly walked to the apartment to share the good news with Hermione and Dan.

On the Janus Thickey ward at St. Mungo's Hospital, the nurses made their last rounds for the night. On this ward, they did not even make rounds during the nights. All of the patients generally slept without a problem. This evening was different.

Harry Potter awoke from his slumber. Looking around, he recognized where he was. He found himself in the Longbottom's ward at St. Mungo's.

Being restless, he began to practice his healing spells by diagnosing the other patients. As time passed by curiosity got the better of him. Using Legilimency, he looked into the minds of Longbottoms. Their consciousness was trapped behind walls of pain. It was as if in the back of their minds, they found a place of refuge from the Cruciatus Curse pain but the spell left them trapped. Harry figured that if they break through this pain, they would be able to return.

Since there was nothing to lose, and no place to go, he decided to use the Menscontrolus charm to help them. Starting with Alice Longbottom, Harry wandlessly cast the charm and tried to guide them to break down the walls. At first, Mrs. Longbottom fought him. She was apparently afraid of the pain that would have to be endured. In his persistence, she gave him control.

Alice Longbottom woke in a scream of excruciating pain, yet once conscious the pain was quickly determined to be imagined. She looked around in the darkness of the ward. Noticing Harry at the foot of her bed, she asked, "James? What happened? I thought you were dead."

Unsure if she would know him, he replied, "Mrs. Longbottom, I'm Harry. I awoke in here just a few minutes ago. I was the one who pushed your consciousness through the wall of pain."

"Harry?" she started. "That can't be. You're all grown up. How long?"

Harry told her, "I'm not sure when it is now, but when I was injured it was August 23rd, 1997. Neville and I are now seventeen."

Tears swelled in her eyes as she recounted the years. She had but only vague memories of seeing Neville over the years with his infrequent visits. Alice hastily told him, "We must notify Albus Dumbledore immediately."

How he wished he could. Dumbledore's name threw Harry's emotions into gloom. With his eyes downcast he softly said, "We can't. He died."

While her mind was racing with all of the things they needed to do, Harry's words were slow to register. "Who died? Surely not Albus?"

Looking at her, he repeated, "Severus Snape killed Albus Dumbledore."

Alice looked at him in disbelief. "But, he believed in Snape. He trusted him."

"All the way until the very end," Harry said. To change the subject Harry asked, "May I have your permission to heal Mr. Longbottom in the same way?"

After Alice nodded, Harry concentrated on healing Neville's father. Minutes later, Frank Longbottom was also consciously with them. They talked a few minutes getting caught up on the status of everything.

Afterwards, Harry made a tour of the ward. He was able to heal about half the residents. Reluctantly he even healed Gilderoy Lockhart.

With the memory charms, like that Lockhart had, he found magical barriers created around critical thought paths and memories. With a focused Finite Incantatem spell, he found that he could easily break through them. Many patients like Gilderoy Lockhart did not even wake up, but slept peacefully. All of the healing could be done without them being aware.

The morning was a mass of confusion as the nurses tried to update all of the patients' conditions. With half of the ward mysteriously healed overnight, healers and nurses from all over the hospital were buzzing around the ward trying to find answers. Harry was not going to tell them what he had done, because he did not want his powers known publicly. It was also illegal to practice medicine on patients without permission.

As they were discharging patients, a nurse gave Harry his belongings. Among his possessions, what he found crushed his heart. Not only was there his Monomens charm, but also Ginny's. From what the nurse said, he was only out for 11 days, but Ginny abandoned her necklace. 'Did she already move on?' he thought.

Noticing his reaction to the necklaces, Frank placed a consoling arm around Harry. "She must have been pretty special to you."

Harry tried to hide his feelings but said, "She means everything to me."

Frank asked, "What's her name?"

"Ginny," Harry replied.

"Do you mean Molly and Arthur Weasley's baby Ginevra?" Frank asked.

Still dejected, Harry replied, "Yes, but only now, she is a beautiful 16 year-old lady."

Listening to the conversation, Alice added, "It has only been 11 days. What does your heart tell you? Is there any hope?"

Harry smiled at her and nodded, "My heart says that she would die before she gave up on me."

Getting his attention, Frank told him, "Hold onto that hope and believe in your heart. Look at me; I have been incapacitated for 15 years, and Alice stayed by my side."

A smile flickered around Harry's lips as he shared in the humor.

By late morning, Harry and the Longbottoms were discharged. After a short visit to Diagon Alley to pick up a new wand for Frank, Harry took the Longbottoms to Hogwarts. Outside the gates, Harry was surprised to witness the gates open up as he touched the lock. The Gargoyles standing guard did not even challenge him.

Lunch was nearly over when the doors of the Great Hall admitted Frank and Alice. They were astonished that over the last seventeen years since they last saw the room, it had not changed. Looking down the Gryffindor table, they found their son eating lunch with two red heads.

When Neville noticed them approach, he jumped off his bench and embraced them. He kept saying to himself, 'It is really them.'

After the warm reunion with his son, Frank and Alice were approached by Minerva McGonagall and Remus Lupin. Frank looked around, saw the red haired girl and asked her, "Ginevra Weasley?"

A smile spread across her face as she was addressed. "Yes?" she replied.

Frank said, "There is a young man interested in talking to you out in the entrance hall."

Ginny realized that Frank and Alice shared the same ward with Harry. If anyone was waiting for her, it had to be him. Looking at Professor Lupin for approval to leave, Remus nodded to her. She pushed her bags over to her brother and started to the doors in a brisk walk. Halfway to the doors she could not contain herself any longer, and set off in a run. She heard Professor McGonagall's voice chastise her, yet she did not care. She thought, 'This is worth hours of detention. I hope I'll have to serve them with Professor Potter.'

When she opened the double doors, what she saw made a lump jump in her throat and catch her breath. Harry was casually looking at her from the stairs. His lopsided grin was playing on his face, but his green eyes held a look of hurt and uncertainty. She dashed over to him and fiercely embraced him in a hug.

Harry wrapped his arms cautiously around her. "Ginny…" he started.

"Not now Harry, just hold me. Don't let go." She requested.

Tears drenched his shirt, as he gently held her. He needed this embrace just as much as she did. Even if she asked, he could not let go at that moment. The floral scent of her hair filled his senses with the tranquility that washed some of the discord away.

With unshed tears in his eyes, he asked her, "Why did you leave me your Monomens necklace? Did you find someone else when I was gone?"

In shock, Ginny looked up at him and said, "No, Ron made me take it off. He said that you were possibly possessed and he didn't want anything to happen to me." Showing him her ring on her finger she continued, "I have never given up hope for you. I am prepared to die waiting for you. You are the only man for me. Even in your death, no other man can fill the emptiness you leave behind."

His glistening green eyes passionately looked at her as he asked, "It is safe now. Will you wear it for me?" Harry was holding her Monomens necklace in his palm.

Ginny beamed up at him as she replied, "Yes, please."

A chill ran up her back as he gently brushed her red hair from her neck to fasten the clasp of the necklace. Instantaneously a flood of feelings, emotions and thoughts were shared between them.

Lifting her chin with his hand, he gave her a kiss he had been longing for since he first woke up.

Clearing her throat, Hermione chastised them in jest, "Professor Potter! A student? I'm ashamed." Without waiting for a reply, she too barreled into him with an emotion felt hug.

Mumbling Harry remarked, "You should talk."

Soon the reunion started to grow with Ron slapping him on the back and Luna squeezing in for a hug.

Remus waved at them all and said, "How about our taking this reunion back to your apartment?"

Professor McGonagall stopped Ron before he left, "Could you please take the Longbottoms to the guest room on the second floor." Ron walked Frank, Alice and Neville to the guest room and set a password for them to lock the door. Frank told Ron, "I'm sorry to hear what happened with the Burrow. It was such a nice home."

Ron realized, "It was hard on all of us. At least nobody got hurt. Neville has been taking good care of us this summer. Did he tell you that he saved Ginny from Bellatrix Lestrange just last week?"

Irritated, Neville was thinking, 'Ron, you idiot, don't you know when to shut your mouth? He should have known that Bellatrix was the one who put them into the hospital.'

Frank went quiet in thought before asking, "What happened Neville? Did she get away?"

Neville said, "Bellatrix grabbed Ginny and held her at wand point as we were working in Diagon Alley. I sounded the community alarm and set up an anti-Disapparation field over the community. When she lowered her wand to Apparate, Ginny elbowed her in the gut, and I tried to stun her. I didn't control my emotions properly, and the stunning spell was too strong. Bellatrix died."

Seeing the stress in his son, Frank said, "Don't worry Barty won't send you to Azkaban for killing a Death Eater."

"No Dad," Neville corrected, "The ministry is different today. Incursions with Death Eaters are considered battles today. We still want to stun first, but death is accepted. Mr. Crouch is no longer alive, and Gawain Robards is the Head of the MLE department. It is just that I killed someone out of anger and vengeance. I'm afraid that I'm losing control"

At that moment, Athena flamed into the room and rested on Neville's shoulder. Her song soothed Neville.

Ron interrupted, "Neville, we should get going to charms or we'll be late. I could write you a note, but I will still be in trouble myself."

Complying, Neville and Ron said their good-byes and left the Longbottoms. Ginny ran up to Ron and gathered her bags from him. She still had quite a ways to go to get to the dungeons for potions. Ron quickly pulled out a parchment to write her a note, but Ginny told him, "Don't worry, Professor Lupin already gave me a note. I was just running to catch you."

Ron asked her, "Did you grab the Half-Blood Prince Potions text book?"

Ginny smirked.

Ron praised her, "Good, then you will have no problems in that class."

After they left, Alice turned to Frank and said, "Did you see that? A phoenix, Neville has a phoenix."

In agreement, Frank added, "His stunner was so strong he has to consciously make an effort not to kill with it?"

A third revelation hit Alice as she said, "His heart is so pure, guilt burdens him at his enemy's death. He must be the one the prophecy spoke of Frank."

Frank nodded in agreement, "He is going to need all the help he can get."

When Neville and Ron finally arrived at Flitwick's class, they were 10 minutes late.

Professor Flitwick waved them in, "Come in and sit down in some empty seats. You're excused this time. Don't let it happen again."

Hermione and Harry were attending the class as students, but they were seated separately from the others at a table by themselves. This was because as faculty members, they did not have house points to earn or take off, but were held at a higher standard of decorum.

When they returned to the Great Hall for dinner, Harry habitually followed Ginny and Ron down the isle to sit at the Gryffindor table. Casually, Harry started to talk with the others at the table getting caught up with his former housemates' lives. When Harry started to fill a plate with food, Ginny stopped him and pulled him out of his seat. "Harry dear," Ginny said, "You're not suppose to eat here."

Amused, Ron, Neville and others started to smile and snicker.

As Ginny lead him to the head table, he realized that the empty seat between Remus and Hermione was meant for him. When he arrived at his seat, Ginny gave his hand one last squeeze, passing him feelings of love and affection. She returned to her seat at the Gryffindor Table. Once she sat back down, she caught Dean's eye and looked at him with a smug I-told-you-so expression.

Looking down at his plate, Harry noticed that the food has already been passed around, and his plate was full. Being the true sister she was Hermione accurately anticipated everything he would want to eat and filled his plate with the proper portions. Laying a hand on her back to get her attention, Harry whispered, "Thank you Hermione, you're really kind."

Hermione whispered back, "Just a little Muggle magic." She shot him a smile.

Thinking the words, 'I love you too,' Harry smiled back at her.

Curious Harry asked Professor McGonagall, "Now you have a great Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, what are your plans for me?"

McGonagall said, "We still have a contract, and you're going to teach. Remus has agreed to split the classes with you. He will teach the bookwork, and you will teach the practical. He has also agreed to cover for you when you are out on…'business.'"

Wanting everything to be just right, McGonagall asked Harry, "Must you always wear mismatching socks?"

Unapologetically Harry answered, "Yes." This was one argument he was not going to budge on. Unlike Ginny's tights, he wanted his socks to be blatantly obvious that they were mismatched.

Seeing that Harry was not going to explain himself, Hermione did it for him, "Harry had entered into a very unusual mutual servitude bond with Dobby. To honor Dobby and his commitment to him, Harry promised to always mismatch his socks."

Minerva just rolled her eyes. "It sounds like something Albus would have done."

"Thank you," Harry said, "that was a very nice complement."

After dinner, Ginny, Ron, Tonks and Remus joined the Grangers in their apartment. The cozy family room was perfect for the gathering.

Once inside the privacy of the apartment, Emma embraced Harry in a firm hug. She told him, "Don't do that ever again! I thought I lost you. Was it necessary for you to sneak off that day, and play with monsters in a dungeon? This isn't a game. You could have died. Do you know how empty and scared I felt when you and Hermione were in the hospital? You two are our only children. We about died when we saw you comatose in that bed, and again when they moved you to that God forsaken ward."

Dan added, "Your Mum and I love you very much. By adopting you, we have gradually accepted you into our hearts. If you were to die now, we would truly be loosing our only son." Dan hugged him tight.

An unshed tear brimmed in the corner of Harry's eye. He had what he had wished for most of his life. He had a mum and dad who loved him. He knew that his natural parents had loved him, but after their passing, there had been no one else. Harry realized that this must be the parental love that everyone else took for granted.

Tonks exclaimed, "You also gave us a scare too. Finding you in St. Mungo's after we returned from our holiday, just about scared us to death." After Dan and Emma let him go, she gave him a firm hug.

Smirking, Harry asked, "So has Remus made you apart of the family now?"

"Actually," Tonks started.

Remus finished, "She accepted my proposal. We're going to be married."

Tonks showed him her engagement ring. It was a brilliant one-carat solitaire diamond in a platinum setting. Ginny and Hermione were taken by the beauty of the ring.

Harry returned her hug. "Congratulations Tonks, Remus." Others followed suit afterwards with hugs and words of encouragement.

They all continued to socialize, but a half an hour later Ginny announced, "I have to see Harry to bed. His thoughts are started to get muddled in his fatigue. He had been up since 10:00 last night."

Ginny showed him to his room. In his room, Ginny pointed out where his wand and other things were stored. "The sword," Ginny said, "was placed back in the glass case in McGonagall's office for safe keeping." She thought that she should warn him, "Another thing, I have taken two of your tee shirts in case you notice." She blushed slightly, hoping he would not mind.

After he returned from the loo dressed and ready for bed, Ginny held his hand and shared some more thoughts with him until he fell asleep.

When Harry entered the family room the next morning, Dan asked him, "Did you sleep well?" A knowing smile played on his lips.

Beaming, Harry said, "Never better. If I hadn't known better, I would say Ginny was sleeping near me the whole night."

Emma smiled as well when she told him, "Ginny slept in your bed all last week. Dan refused to allow the elves change the sheets. He thought that you would have that reaction."

In response, Harry smiled with some pink on his cheeks, "Thanks Dad, you're right. I enjoyed having the pleasant scent of her hair on my pillow."

Irritated, Emma complained to Dan, "See what you did? Now, he will never change his sheets."

To meet her half way, Harry said, "Don't worry Mum, I'll get another pillow to actually sleep on. This pillow will never be changed. I will just keep it on my bed."

Snidely, Dan said, "Yeah that should be easy to explain to the Headmistress, his and hers pillows."

That day, Harry sat in Remus' Classes as he started to work out the schedule and the curriculum he was going to use. They decided to split the lower years (one to four) classes in half, with a half-hour of lecture and a half-hour of practical. For the older students, Harry had the students for a full hour twice a week.

That evening at dinner everyone was startled when the doors opened and Professor McGonagall, Gawain Robards, Senior Auror Dawlish, Gilderoy Lockhart and an unknown man walked down the isle to the head table.

Professor McGonagall said, "Professor Potter, please come to the side room to address some accusations Gilderoy Lockhart is claiming."

Ginny, Ron and Neville got to their feet and stated to head that direction.

Getting out of his seat and heading them off, Harry replied, "What ever he wants to accuse me of, he can do it in front of everyone here." He still was not sure what the problem was, but he had nothing to hide.

Ginny, Ron and Neville worked their way around the front of the room to stand behind Harry.

The unknown man introduced himself, "Harry Potter, it is good to meet you. My name is Jacob Franklin. I'm the Editor-in-Chief of Spell Book Publishing in Bristol. My author here…" motioning to Gilderoy Lockhart, "is asking for a commission to write a book called, 'Slithering with the Serpent.' He claims he was the one who slain the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, afterwards you erased his mind and stole his glory. Mr. Robards and Auror Dawlish are here to arrest you for assault and fraud at my insistence." A twinkle was in Mr. Franklin's eyes as he said the last sentence.