Fire of the Phoenix

Disclaimer: I don't own a thing.

Chapter31 A Change in the Air.

After the famous Hogwarts food fight, Ginny and Harry served their detentions. Ginny was beginning to study for her OWLS. Harry helped her in the defense area, and charms. While Hermione helped her with the rest. They didn't get much quality time together, but they still saw each other when they could. Late one night, Harry and Ginny were the only ones' left in the Gryffindor tower. Everyone else was in their dorms asleep. They were both struggling with their transfiguration home work. Harry was working on research for his animagus capabilities of the phoenix. McGonagall was testing him on the end of the year exams.

"Hey Ginny, I wonder if I have the magical properties of a phoenix when I transform. This book is useless, because I guess you aren't supposed to transform into animals with magical properties."

Ginny looked up from her book. "I would imagine so, otherwise what would be the point on being able to transform into the phoenix, unless you could really be the phoenix. Just in case why don't you ask Dumbledore?"

"Because I don't want to run to the Dumbledore for every question. Besides that's what we got Hermione for." Harry let out a chuckle while running his hands through his messy black hair, making it stand up worse.

Ginny just let out a laugh. "Don't you let Hermione know you said that."

"Don't worry I won't. I really don't have a death wish, like everybody seems to think."

"I know you don't. You just seemed to like all the near death experiences instead."

Harry felt his temper flare up as she said that, until he saw her teasing brown eyes. "I know all the times I could have died, and I didn't. I should probably be in the Guinness's book of world records."

"The what?"

"Damn Gin, I thought you took muggle studies."

Ginny tried to put the best offended look on her face, but failing miserably. "Whoever said I was the best student? Besides at least I know what a telephone is, unlike Ron."

Harry snorted with laughter. "He is hopeless with the fellytone. He got me in trouble once for calling me. He seemed to think he had to shout at it. Just to say my uncle wasn't too happy about it."

"Those horrible muggles, I imagine not. At least you don't have much longer than you can be free from those horrible people."

"I know I can hardly wait." Harry let out a big yawn. "I guess we should probably turn in for the night. I got Snape in the morning."

"Yeah you don't need detention. Merlin knows you had more than your share of detention."

"He seems to look for any bloody reason to get me in trouble. When he looks at me, all he sees is my father. He is so blinded by his childhood grudges, that he can't see me for who I am."

"Well it's his loss if he can't see the wonderful guy that I see, sitting before me. Besides when did you ever care what Snape thinks about you? All he ever did was torture and embarrass you in class."

"I know Gin, but last year I kind of looked in his pensive."

"You did? And you're still alive?" Ginny grabbed his wrist to search for a pulse.

"That's not funny Gin. I thought he would kill me, but instead he just stopped from giving me occulmancy lessons. No body was too happy with that." Harry remembered the enraged expressions on Remus's and Sirius's face when he told them that. That seemed so long ago, when it was only a year. It seems like a lifetime passed since then.

Ginny noticed a change to Harry's mood. She reached over and wrapped her arms around the top of his shoulders. Harry just let the comforting warmth of her arms soak into his soul. He was lucky to have someone like her. He wondered what he ever done to deserve her love. She seemed to always no how to make him feel better.

"Thanks Gin." Harry pulled her arms tighter around him. They held each other a while like that. Not talking, but enjoying the comfort that they brought each other. Harry looked up at the clock and noticed it was now 2:00 am. "Umm I think we should go to bed, so I can face my morning with Snape." Harry turned around and kissed her lightly. "Goodnight Gin. I love you."

"Goodnight, I love you too." With that Ginny got up and left to the girls' dormitory.

Harry got up, and walked to his dorm. He pulled back the curtains around his bed. He laid down and sighed. He was definitely wasn't looking forward to tomorrow.

Harry awoke the next the morning to Ron standing over him. Harry sleepily reached for his glasses. H e put them on and the room came into view. "Ron why the hell are you up already?"

Ron just looked at him with a smirk on his face. "Are you planning to get up or stay in bed all day?"

Harry just glared at him. "Tell me a good reason to get up."

"Oh just your favorite professor would love to make you scrub the bed pans in the hospital wing with no magic. Also he would love to take more points off of Gryffindor."

"Oh shit, I forgot I had Snape." Harry hastily sat up and started to change into his robes. "It is just for once I got a good night's sleep. No Voldemort, no nightmares, just uninterrupted sleep." He fumbled with the comb through his hair.

"How the bloody hell can you forget about that slimy git? Even if you did have a good night sleep. "What time did you come to bed anyways? I woke up at midnight, and you weren't around."

"I was up studying with Ginny." Ron just tossed him a look that he didn't really believe him.

"I'm sure you were also catching some snogs along with that studying."

Harry's face began to flush red. "I'm sure we didn't do anymore than you and Hermione."

"Ouch, point taken. Now let's get some breakfast, because I can't face Snape with an empty stomach."

"You can't face anything with an empty stomach." Harry retorted back at him.

Ron just threw him a dirty look. "Hey I'd rather Snape not taking off points for my stomach rumbling." With that Ron turned around and began to leave. "Are you coming?"

"Yeah go ahead I'll be right behind you." Harry pulled his shoes on, and then followed Ron to the great hall.

Harry pulled out a seat next to Ginny, at the Gryffindor table. The Slytherns did their usual sneer at him. All except Draco, he just stared at his breakfast without really seeing it. Harry felt a pang of guilt; he knew how it felt to lose someone you love. But Harry still sometimes had a hard time believing that he was Draco now, and not a Malfoy. He shot Draco a sympathetic look, and Draco just gave him a half hearted smile without really meaning it. Harry was getting ready to ask him if he wanted to join Harry at the Gryffindor table when Dumbledore entered the Great Hall. He entered with a formidable presence. Magic radiated off of him. His expression was grim, the twinkle in his blue eyes were replaced with a cold fury. Harry was instantly alerted, he knew something was wrong for Dumbledore to look like that. Dumbledore swept to the front of the hall. He magically raised his voice.

"Sorry to interrupt your breakfast, but all classes are cancelled today." Ron's face lit up with the prospect of no classes. Dumbledore continued, "There has been attack at the ministry of magic!" Harry watched Ron's face go from joy to horror. Ginny dropped the glass she was holding. Glass shattered, her pumpkin juice splashed all over Harry. She gripped his arm.

"Oh Merlin please let dad be ok!" Harry just felt a hot anger spread through him. Damn Voldemort, damn his minions.

Authors' note: Thanks for all your reviews and continued support. I tried hard to make this chapter longer for all of you that were commenting about the last couple chapters being short. I'm sorry I don't update as much as I use to. For that I'm sorry. The new baby takes up most of my time. So please be patient with me. I have no intention of abandoning this fiction, especially because it's my first one. It's almost done with. Yes there will be a sequel. Thanks again and please review!

P.S. I know there are probably some grammatical errors please since I know longer have a beta, it is hard for me to catch them all. But I'll do my best!