Chapter Six

New Beginnings

The magic of last night coursed through Hermione's heart. Her mind left all of her schoolwork as she daydreamed of the perfect kisses, the long embraces. The talking of memories of the past. Oh Ron, you've made me so confused, she though as she twirled an unruly strand of her hair around her finger. Hermione stared around for a bit before deciding on going back this night.

Ron walked up behind Hermione in the empty common room and wrapped his strong arms around her. She turned her head up to meet his lips.

"Have you talked to Luna yet?" questioned Hermione.

Ron looked at his feet, hiding his face from her.

"Ron!" exclaimed the Gryffindor sixth year whipping around to look him square in the eye.

"I'm sorry Hermione, but, I just don't want to hurt her," explained Ron.

"And it's not going to hurt her one day when she runs into us; snogging in the courtyard!"

Ron's face turned a brilliant shade of red.

"So, are you going to talk to her?" inquired Hermione, calming down.

Ron nodded glumly as he thought of seeing Luna cry.

Luna sat in the cozy Ravenclaw common room reading the latest edition of the Quibbler. A waving picture of Ron sat at her bedside table. A small owl flew through the open window, the silver curtains floating about. A letter with a Gryffindor seal fell upon her bed. She grabbed it quickly, forgetting all about the Quibbler.

Dear Luna,

I need to talk to you, Meet me in the courtyard ASAP.

Ron

Luna put the letter in her pocket as she headed out the door.

Vanessa watched as the owls flew past the nearby window in her dormitory, and then looked to her hands. Blood was seeping from her wrists, she tried to call out, but not a sound escaped her lips. Her own voice rang inside her head. "It's too late…" She heard herself cackle in her mind. The mangled way her voice was distorted was horrifying. She screamed, and as she did, the blood and wounds disappeared with one last malicious laugh.

Ron paced a walkway in the courtyard waiting for Luna. The Ravenclaw girl's robes flowed behind her as she gracefully came up to Ron. Ron grabbed her hands lightly and guided her to a secluded corner of the courtyard. Luna giggled. Being around Ron made her happy, complete, not her normal distant self.

"Luna…" began Ron.

She let her head drop; she knew that tone of voice. Ron couldn't bear to look in her eyes, but he tried. He took one hand and put it under her chin, lifting it to give her pale lips one last kiss, Luna lost all thought of everything but Ron. She knew it was the last so she fell completely into his lips. He pulled away as Luna longed for one more kiss, one more day. She loved him.

"I'm sorry," stated Ron coolly.

Luna nodded, she understood.

He wrapped his arms around her one last, concluding time.

Ron whispered in her ear. "I really am."

Harry walked into the Hospital Wing; there was no light, not even the moon shone through the tall windows. He looked to one of the stark white beds; the curtains around it were rustling. He carefully moved the curtains to the side, wary of what was behind them. It was Hermione…with Draco. Harry jumped back as Hermione pulled her lips away from Draco, laughing with delight.

"What?" questioned Harry rhetorically, and infuriated.

Hermione looked from Harry to Draco, then back to Harry. "It's too late," said Hermione emotionlessly.

"What?" Harry was perplexed. Why is Hermione with Malfoy? What? Suddenly a red liquid dropped onto his glasses, giving his vision a red tint. Harry gazed up to the ceiling, it was raining. Blood.

"What's wrong Potter?" sneered Malfoy, greedily clinging to Hermione.

Thick blood coated the beds of the Hospital Wing, and covered the students in the room. Then there was Luna, her hand outstretched from near the door. She was as bright as an angel. He grabbed her hand; the blood that covered him trickled off of Luna's white dress and pale hands.

As he grabbed Luna's hand he sat straight up in bed. Blood still coating his clothes and face. He couldn't get the bright vision of Luna out of his head.

Ginny sat in the big armchair in the Gryffindor common room around midnight. She was crying. Why Hermione? She began to weep louder, the pain in her heart coming out in exasperated noises as tears coated her hot face.

Harry walked into the common room, the blood fading away as if it had never been there. He had no idea Ginny was there until she began to speak.

"What if he doesn't know the difference?" Ginny sniffled. Harry stopped moving and listened to Ginny's counsel. "What if he thinks it's me… and what if? Oh, it could never be so, one of them must know!" More sounds of incredible heartache escaped her throat.

"Ginny?" questioned Harry in the darkness. He heard a sniffle.

"H…H…Harry?" replied Ginny.

"Yeah. What's wrong?"

"Ugh, do I have to answer that?" She began to wipe away her tears as Harry drew nearer.

"Ginny, you can tell me anything."

A single tear dripped down Ginny's face when Harry approached. He dried it with his hand. She thought a second before she began to speak. "Well, let's see, there's this awesome guy who I like, but I think he likes some other girl more than me… and…and I don't know what to do, I mean, I think… thought I loved him."

Harry lost all thought of the angelic Luna in his dream and became caught up in the moment. "Well…er… do I know this guy?"

Ginny looked to her feet. "Yes."

"Could you tell me his name?"

"No," responded Ginny nervously.

Harry commenced to jump to conclusions as he leaned into Ginny's face to meet his lips with hers. Ginny was taken aback by Harry's outburst of emotion; she pulled away being quite alarmed.

Harry quickly looked away red with embarrassment. "I'm sorry…"

Ginny realized her situation and leaned in for another kiss. She was launched into a world of beauty and splendor, she felt like she was in heaven, she felt right. She pulled back again for a brief instant. "Don't be."

Hermione leaned against the wall as Draco kissed her. His passion was growing, his love. He loved her more and more each night. He didn't care who she was, but he did care that he loved her. He drew back for a chance to admire the beauty of her brown eyes, the seductive eyes that led him to life-consuming devotion. Hermione loved his eyes, their gray tint in the moonlight. She supposed that's what Ron's eyes looked like in the night. Still, no matter how much she loved gazing at his eyes, she wanted another kiss. She elegantly placed her hand under his chin and brought him close again. She never wanted to lose him.

It was about one in the morning when Ginny looked to the clock, she supposed Hermione would be coming back soon. "Harry, I think I need to sleep."

Harry nodded in agreement, but wouldn't let his hold of her loosen. He was falling in love with her, and she him. Who needs Draco? she thought. She kissed him before she got up from the chair, never letting go of his hand.

"I don't suppose we're going to tell Ron and Hermione about this… I mean, Ron might be furious, at me," stated Harry.

"It's probably best that we don't."

Harry went in for one elongated kiss before they returned to their dormitories.

Ron lay sprawled across the large Gryffindor armchair, longing for Hermione to wake up. He wanted to talk to her before classes started. He wanted their relationship to no longer be a secret; he wanted to exclaim his love for her throughout the winding corridor of Hogwart's. He wanted to keep her in his arms, safe from the haunting of her nightmares. He wanted to be comforted by the warm glow of her smile. The smile that made the whole day seem brighter. It wasn't until recently that he discovered the beauty that lay right beneath his nose.

Vanessa walked about the first year girls dormitory solemnly, something was wrong, she could feel it. She walked up to her mirror, beginning to question the thoughts in her head. What's going on? Something's not right. Is something terrible about to happen?

Harry felt an intolerable sharp pain in his forehead as he put his glasses on. What the hell? A splotch of blood suddenly appeared on his glasses and as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished.

Hermione walked in the Gryffindor common room quite groggily, she hadn't gotten back in bed until after two in the morning. Ron ran up to meet her, putting his arms around her slim waist. She backed off a minute, shocked.

"Ron!" Hermione whispered. "What are you doing? Someone's going to find out and tell Luna!"

Ron smiled as he wrapped his arms around her again. "It's alright, it's over between me and her."

Hermione's face lit up as he lifted her and spun her around. She thought it was rather romantic, and kissed him lightly.

Draco sat in a large cushiony couch in the Slytherin common room thinking of the night's adventure. It was the end of the school day and all he could do was wait. That was until Pansy waltzed up to him and sat on his lap. He'd been avoiding her as much as possible, but this time he had no escape.

"I haven't seen you much lately Drakkiekins…" started Pansy.

Draco lied, "I'm sorry Pansy, but you know how busy I am."

"No, actually, I don't," she said sternly.

"Come on Pansy. I've been behind in Transfiguration, that's why I've been in the library so much." Draco had never realized how excellent of a liar he was until he saw the sincere look in her eyes.

"Well, I suppose so, but can you make tonight be just for us?" She put on the sweetest face she could manage (which didn't even turn out that sweet in the end).

"I don't…"

"Please!" persisted Pansy, giving a puppy-dog pout. "We haven't done anything special in forever!"

Draco looked into her eyes nearly heartlessly. "That's just it, I don't think 'we' can work anymore, it's not what it used to be."

She glared at him as tears began to fill her eyes.

"Pansy…wait." She walked away from him, her nose in the air.

Draco thought for an instant, what if she's the one…no, it couldn't be. It was at that moment that he realized how much he wanted his secret relationship to be a regular one. One where he could see his mystery girl anytime he felt. He was determined to find out who she was.

Luna sat sulking in the solitude of her curtained four-poster bed. The completeness of her life had been shattered before, but this time it hurt more. Her heart had been broken. She had never felt so much pain in her life. In her mind she had always thought her and Ron were the perfect couple, but it wasn't until this day that she understood that there had always been something missing. Luna began to search inside herself for that missing part of her life.

Harry sat in the library trying to complete his potions essay, but failed miserably when he got distracted by every little thing. Especially the small glance Ginny passed him with her glimmering emerald eyes. Every time she would brush the hair out of her face, he caught the ginger gleam in his own green eyes. The largest distraction came when Vanessa strolled into the library; there was something so familiar in the way she held herself. It reminded him of someone close to him, but he couldn't reckon whom.

Vanessa sat at a hefty wooden table with elaborate vine-like carvings. She caught Harry's eyes on her. She blushed, feeling very self-conscious of her unruly hair.

Harry suddenly grasped the fact that he had been staring and looked back to his essay. Who am I thinking of?

Vanessa traced the carvings mindlessly as she researched the creation of the first self-stirring cauldron. She felt some sort of liquid wet her slender fingers. Glancing down she nearly screamed when she saw deep red blood dripping from the grooves of the wooden leaves. What the?

Harry turned back to Vanessa seeing her horrified pale face, he made a move to get up.

Ginny saw the flash of jet-black hair run over to Vanessa, she watched curiously.

Vanessa watched the blood ooze from the table, her hands were shaking. Harry approached her, which broke her frightened look.

"Vanessa?" he inquired.

Vanessa didn't reply, she just sat there, her hands shaking vigorously. Harry grabbed her hands; he didn't see the blood. She stopped shaking, the blood disappeared as Harry's touch warmed her.

"Vanessa," insisted Harry, "Are you alright?"

She aimed her gaze to him, her eyes wide with fright.

"Vanessa, what's wrong?"

The first year didn't move but stared into the distance. Am I going insane?

"VANESSA!"

She snapped back to reality. "Sorry Harry, I thought… thought" Should I tell him?

His green eyes looked at her. Kind, gentle, concerned.

"I thought there was blood on… coming out of the table… if you can believe that."

Harry remembered his dreams, waking with blood covering him. "I can."

Vanessa was relieved, she felt normal once again. She leaped into his arms as the sister he never had, and he the caring older brother.

Ginny smiled at Harry's compassion. The small flame in her heart quickly began to grow.

The week rolled on with the secret relationships remaining secrets. Harry had begun to privately train Ginny in Quidditch and it was their third game on Saturday. Against Slytherin for the first time that year.

"Harry? Do you think I'm ready? To play against Slytherin I mean," asked Ginny late one night in the empty Gryffindor common room.

Harry nodded. "I don't think," said Harry with a cunning grin, "I know."

Saturday came with a peaceful waking, no nightmares had haunted the dreams of the Hogwarts' students. However, a knot grew in the pit of Ginny's stomach as the game edged ever closer.

"You ready to play Ginny?" teased Ron, knowing how nervous his sister was.

Ginny gave a face of disgust as she thought of the conceited Slytherin team and Draco's betrayal. She hadn't seen him since that unpleasant night. But she had decided that she wouldn't let the incident with Draco ruin anything between herself and Harry.

Draco made his way onto the pitch. There was Ginny. He had nearly forgotten about her since the appearance of his mystery girl. He grew wary of playing against the young woman whom he had cherished.

Harry pulled Ginny away from the edge of the Quidditch pitch and hugged her. "Good luck!" With that the Gryffindor Quidditch team soared through the stands.

Madame Hooch blew the whistle and the teams went at it, Ginny being covertly elbowed in the side by a new Slytherin sixth year chaser.

Draco felt guilty as his team flew past Ginny's head, sometime ramming into her side. He was so distracted that he missed the snitch fly right past his eyes. Harry on the other hand was lucky enough to see it. He dove straight from his high vantage point down to where the snitch was flitting about.

Just then he heard Professor McGonagall (who had taken over for Lee Jordan) say, "Oh my, Ginny Weasley has fallen off her broomstick." And a worried gasp filled all but the Slytherin students mouths.

Harry was inches from the snitch when he saw Ginny falling. He abandoned the snitch immediately and caught Ginny just feet before she would've hit the ground. The Gryffindors roared with applause as he laid Ginny by Madame Hooch. He whizzed back into the air.

A flash of gold and red flew in front of Harry; it was Olivia Lynch going for a goal. WHAM! A bludger hit her broomstick and she went flying through the goal hoops following just behind the quaffle. "10 points for Gryffindor!" came Professor McGonagall's voice. Colin grabbed her as she was falling in his direction, a second roar rose throughout the Gryffindor stands.

Harry ducked as a bludger nearly missed his head, and instead of hitting him it went and hit a Slytherin beater straight in the head. Harry laughed guiltily. A line of gold dashed in front of his eyes, the snitch was back. He flew after it, Draco on his tail.

"Better watch out Malfoy!" called Harry; "There's no Umbridge to take me out of Quidditch this time! How're you ever going to win now?"

Draco was furious and he kicked Harry in the side. Harry was done taunting the Slytherin boy and with a wave he flew off at full speed. Draco never gave up, but it was useless to try and catch up. A Nimbus 2001 is no match for a Firebolt. Harry sped up to the snitch and successfully grabbed it. Gryffindor had won, one hundred seventy to twenty.

After the match Ginny leapt into Harry's arms. "Thank you so much."

By nightfall Harry knew of Ron and Hermione, and surprisingly was not jealous of Ron. He was tempted to tell his friends of his own secret romance, but decided against it, he didn't want to infuriate Ron.

Vanessa wandered into the Great Hall, looking for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. And there she found them in the gloom of the candlelit room. They were screaming in pain, feverish looks covered their faces as they were tortured. A voice laughed in her head. "It's too late," cackled the voice.

"Vanessa!" yelled Harry with every inch of energy he could spare.

Vanessa sat upright on the Gryffindor common room couch. Harry's face in front of hers, she had been dreaming.

"Vanessa, are you alright?" interrogated Harry. "You looked so scared in you're sleep that I had to wake you."

"Thanks Harry." She was extremely happy to see him standing before her, and not in pain.

Draco sat in the corner of the Slytherin common room, grumbling about their defeat. He needed to see his anonymous girl. He was sick of living a secret, a lie. He wanted to let everything out. Crabbe? No he's too thick, same as Goyle. Why am I in this mess? He regretted his thoughts; it was never a bad thing meeting his secret admirer. After all, he was in love.

Harry sat next to Ginny as he got an unexpected burst of daring. He leaned to whisper in her ear. "Meet me here, tonight, er… around eleven-thirty."

Ginny nodded happily, hoping that they could get out of the common room before Hermione through.

Ron fell asleep peacefully; worn out by the match. He had no idea that Hermione was going to see Draco once again. He knew nothing of the secret meeting of his sister and Harry. He was content.

Draco was anxious for midnight to come, but the hours crawled by slowly, it was only eleven.

Ginny stole into the common room and found Harry in the armchair, a silvery bunch in his arms. "What's that?" Ginny asked, questioning the cloth.

Harry spread it out in front of him. "Invisibility cloak," Harry said in a matter-of-factly tone.

Ginny's eyes lit up, she wondered what Harry had in store for the night.

"Come on," beckoned Harry, wrapping the cloak around her.

Hermione walked from the shadows of the dim corridor. It was five to midnight. She saw "Ron" emerge from the door way and she ran into his arms, kissing him recklessly in celebration of the Gryffindor victory.

Draco was thinking of someway to ask who his secret admirer was, but he never thought of a decent plan. After all he couldn't just straight out ask her.

Ginny and Harry made their way to the Hogwarts' grand door, Mrs. Norris was watching them closely. The cat turned around and ran off. Harry cursed under his breath. "We have to hurry. Grab your wand, alohamora on three."

Ginny pulled out her cherry wood wand.

"One, two, three, alohamora!" Harry watched, amazed when the door actually opened with their spell. He watched the Marauder's Map, Filch was approaching quickly and Dumbledore was pacing in his study. At the sight of the headmaster's name, he pondered the fact of the door opening. I wonder… what if…?

They ran out the door and hurriedly shut it behind them.

Vanessa walked into the Great Hall, candle's throwing odd shadows on the stone walls. Something wasn't right, the ceiling was dark, gray, gloomy. Warning Vanessa of some evil deed. Lightening struck and she shrieked. Laughter filled the room, a hidden malice in the fearsome sky.

"What… What's going on?" whispered Vanessa to herself.

Blood began to drip off the walls, flowing to a pile of dark robes. She walked up to the black heap, her heals clicked but the sound was stifled by the dreadful looming silence. A separate pile of black was in front of the larger she had seen at first. Only, it wasn't just a robe. It was Harry. Cold, lifeless, his wand loosely held in his hand. Vanessa stared, gasping for breath at the sight of his limp body. She continued to wander down the dark hall to the headmaster's chair to another pile of black.

She tried to form words, but nothing came, her face was wet with tears, and once she realized who formed the pile she broke down to her knees. There was Hermione, wrapped tightly in Ron's protecting arms, they were both dead. Tears streamed Vanessa's face as she walked among her friends' bodies to a side door.

Draco's motionless hand gripped the handle tightly.

Vanessa tried to scream, but no sound escaped her dry throat. Her face was red with hot tears. A cruel screech tore through the silence.

"Why are you doing this to me?" she pleaded, hardly being able to form the words.

"It's too late," cried the voice, "you'll never get out. It's too late."

Vanessa woke with a start, the evil laughter still ringing in her head.

Harry laid his invisibility cloak on the ground beside the lake.

"What are we doing here Harry?" questioned Ginny.

Harry paused. "You'll see in a few hours."

"Hours?" Still puzzled she curled into his warm embrace as they talked.

Draco moved his hand delicately across Hermione's features, wanting to discover who she was. She fell into another wonderful kiss.

Harry waded into the lake, pulling Ginny behind him. He spun her into his arms, holding her close in the soft moonlight. Harry pressed his lips against hers. When he pulled back the moon began to turn sinister in his eyes.

Ginny looked into Harry's eyes and saw something move in the reflection. "Harry! Get down!" she screamed as a jettison of green light flew over their heads, right after Ginny had thrown herself and Harry to the ground.

"What the bloody hell?" yelled Harry as the green light narrowly missed his head; a splash of water splattered his glasses.

Hermione was there, pointing her wand shakily towards Harry and Ginny, she was crying. Draco snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She immediately stopped crying and Draco helped her aim her wand. Hermione now held it steady.

Everything grew silent within Harry's mind as Draco and Hermione shouted soundlessly. Green shot from Hermione's wand, but the light didn't hit Harry. It had hit Ginny instead. The redhead girl fell with a resounding splash as Harry's hearing came back. She was dead. Another attempt to kill Harry came from Hermione but he leapt out of the line of fire.

"Why are you doing this Hermione?" he cried, tears coating his already wet face.

"Avada Kedavra!" shrieked Hermione, tears forming in her eyes once again for only a few moments. They were soon kissed away by Draco.

Harry rolled away, scratching his cheek on a sharp rock under the water, he was facing the ground. Blood slowly filled the entire lake. Horrified he heaved himself from the water.

Hermione had fallen to her knees weeping as Draco threw himself at Harry. Harry swung at his adversary, hitting him square in the nose. Draco recoiled and Harry saw his chance, he pointed his wand instantly at the Slytherin's throat.

"Why are you doing this?" screamed Harry. "WHY!"

Malfoy laughed evilly as Vanessa appeared on the side of the lake. "It's too late," whispered the young girl.

"What? What do you mean?" That moment of distraction caused him to lose his hold of Draco and the Slytherin sixth year lunged back onto Harry and drew out his wand.

Draco began, "Avada…" He suddenly flew back with a yelp. Harry turned to see where his new ally was.

It was Luna, perfect and poised; the blood in the water did not stain her white dress, and Harry noticed a soft glow around her. He once again got the vision of her beauty stuck in his head. With a slight wave of her wand, Draco and Hermione's wands flew to the water in front of Harry. He scrambled to grab them before Draco had a chance.

Luna walked gracefully through the water and held out her hand to Harry. He hesitated before reaching for her. He was in a cold sweat as he looked over Ginny's fallen body. He tightly grabbed Luna's hand and she pulled him from the bloody water.

He woke, sweating, Ginny in his arms. He was soaked from head to toe. It was just minutes before sunrise and Ginny was still asleep after drifting off in Harry arms. The lake no longer had any blood lingering within its dark reaches. Ginny stirred at Harry's waking so he stroked her hair to comfort her, blood dripping from his scratched cheek.

Hermione drew away from Draco. "It's late…er…early," she giggled. Draco laughed.

"But it's not too late," added the silver eyed boy, kissing her one last time.

Hermione froze recalling her nightmares of the demanding Harry and quiet Vanessa calling 'it's too late.' She fainted. Draco stared alarmed at the scene.

"Are you alright?" asked Draco kneeling.

"Go away Harry…" whispered the faint Gryffindor.

"What?" yelled Draco outraged.

Hermione continued, "I don't like you like that, go away."

Draco apprehensively drew out his wand and was about to whisper 'lumos' when there was a clatter from down the corridor. Hermione groggily sat up looking for the source of the noise. Draco helped her up. "Hurry!"

They raced down the corridor to the sound, when they arrived all they found was a broken window and Mrs. Norris, yet Hermione felt there was something more. She bent to the ground and felt around, she cut her palm on the blade of another sword, this one was different however. It was completely black in color, except for the wand which was willow. Hermione shoved it under her robe carefully avoiding the jagged edges. "I'll get this to Dumbledore in the morning."

Draco was flabbergasted, "Wait, what?"

Hermione was furious at 'Ron's' lack of memory. "Another sword, I need to bring it to Dumbledore.

He stood still, confused as ever, but still gave her a goodbye kiss as they heard footsteps approaching.

Ginny leaned into Harry's arms as light gradually flowed over the horizon. The red and gold light covered every blade of grass. The light ripples on the lake from the wind and mysterious creatures in the depths took on a more friendly appeal as the water turned pink with the reflection. Trees became orange, nearly taking on the look of fire. And there was Harry, shining in Ginny's eyes. Her hero when all light's went out, when there was no one to look to. "This is why we're here Ginny," said Harry, leaning his head on her soft ginger hair. "The sunrise." As he said those few words, Ginny's eye became wide as the sun burst over the lake, reflecting bright light in her eyes. She stared into his eyes and he moved closer to her. She was in a dream, a dream where everything was perfect and right. She kissed him, warmth filling her cold body. He pulled her into his embrace and held her tight, living her dream with her.

Little by little the colors of the sunrise faded into the dull grays of the day. Ginny stared into the sky, wanting the beauteous light to linger for one moment longer. But the sunrise came to an end, much like the ending of a dream.

Harry and Ginny walked briskly to their dormitories under the protection of the invisibility cloak. Although, their journey came to a halt when they found Lucius Malfoy hanging about the entrance to Dumbledore's office.

"Damn door! Why won't you open?" whispered the former student.

Harry folded out the Marauder's Map. Dumbledore was sleeping, and Snape was fast approaching. Harry pulled Ginny against a wall and put a finger to her lips. The memory of her first secret meeting with Draco flooded her mind; a cold shudder fell down her back with the aching of her heart.

Snape flicked his wand out and held it under Mr. Malfoy's chin. "I told you to stay away from here Lucius!"

Lucius grumbled then put on a false smile. "Whatever do you mean Professor Snape?"

"You know perfectly well what I mean, 'professor'!" mocked Snape.

"Why Severus, how would I know what some 'mighty' and 'intelligent' Dumbledore supporter means?" insulted Lucius sarcastically.

"Never insult Dumbledore, Lucius!" shouted Snape.

"Tisk, tisk, tisk. Severus, you'll wake the students, and we all know you and that rat-brained headmaster don't want that."

Snape shoved his wand into the professor's throat. "Quiet!" shouted the potions professor through gritted teeth. Lucius flinched. Snape continued, "Dumbledore doesn't need some 'great' and 'powerful' 'pure-blood' sneaking around when he's asleep. Go back to bed Lucius!"

Dumbledore walked from his doorway just as Lucius had left. "Now, now, Professor Snape. What was all the fuss about?" Dumbledore looked straight at Harry and Ginny with a gleam in his eyes. Lucius returned to a spot, awfully close to Ginny and Harry. Harry covered her mouth to diminish the sound of her breath. The entrance to Dumbledore's office had already disappeared.

"That fool Lucius again, prowling about outside your office." He looked to where Dumbledore had been staring and turned back, seeing nothing.

Ginny's chest rose and fell against Harry's. He was lulled into a trance with her breath upon his hand which he dropped just about to kiss her when Dumbledore spoke. "Well, I'm sure you didn't need to cause a ruckus, there's no need to be waking the students when they should be in bed. After all, I was having a particularly good dream about a witch who made excellent chocolate fudge, I could almost taste it." The headmaster chuckled. "Ah well, no reason to cry over spilled milk. Pleasant dreams Severus." Dumbledore turned to his quarters. "Chocolate truffle."

Lucius spun and ran the opposite direction. Harry let go a sigh of relief as Snape disappeared down another corridor. Harry and Ginny fled out of the corridor and back to the common room.