Chapter 13
"Well, Harry, as long as you haven't experienced any other headaches or...the sense of Voldemort in your head, then I think we can relax for a bit. Your Occlumency is doing its job amazingly well."
Harry agreed with Professor Lupin and sat down in the chair next to Mr Cosgrove's desk. They had been running through their exercises and talking about everything that had happened. Harry wasn't certain how much Professor Dumbledore had told Professor Lupin about Ginny and the Prophecy. Still, he was glad he didn't have any further embarrassing situations to talk about for a change.
"So, no other unusual things occurring then?" The older man asked him, conjuring up a pitcher of water for them to drink. Harry took the glass he offered him thankfully. He didn't understand why using his mind and focusing his energies always made him thirsty.
"Well...no. Except, well, I mean...there's the stuff with Professor Dumbledore and Ginny, but they've been keeping quiet about that...even though Ginny assures me there's nothing to tell. Just defense practice."
"Albus mentioned that something had happened that he needed to work with Ginny on; it's all right, you don't have to explain. I think Albus would prefer it to be kept quiet, whatever it is."
Harry nodded and drank more water. "You trust Professor Dumbledore a lot, don't you?"
Professor Lupin looked at him, surprised for a moment. "Well, yes, yes, I do. Albus has always proven to me that he has only the best intentions regarding things."
Harry noted the careful sound of Professor Lupin's voice and frowned. "So you trust him, but you don't necessarily agree with him, though, do you?"
Professor Lupin studied him for a moment and then smiled. "No one agrees with everyone or everything all of the time, Harry. Do you think because you don't agree with the way Albus handles things that it means you don't trust him?"
Harry thought about it. "No. I imagine that what he does, he does because he thinks it's right. But sometimes, I wish...I don't know. Our relationship has changed ever since...well, since the night that...Sirius died. I'm not certain I've...let go of all the anger I felt for him because of that. Sometimes I wonder if it makes me trust him less than I should. And then other times, I wonder if it's because I just don't like being kept in the dark about things anymore."
"Do you think he and Ginny are...hiding things from you?"
Harry shook his head. "No. I know Ginny wouldn't do that. However, I'm not so certain about him."
"Perhaps you should talk to Albus about the way you're feeling."
Harry glanced at his old professor and shrugged. "I have before...he doesn't listen."
"Harry, I'm certain Albus listens to -"
"Let's drop it. I don't want to think about it right now," Harry said; rather rudely, he knew, but maybe he had worked a bit too hard today; his head gave a slight twinge as he thought of his headmaster.
Professor Lupin didn't say anything and poured himself another glass of water. After a while, he cleared his throat, and Harry saw him glance his way.
"Have you experienced any other...flares of power?"
Harry choked on the glass he had just brought to his lips and lowered it, wiping at his mouth.
"Er, no. But then...well...we um...haven't exactly um...been able to um...do it."
"Oh." Professor Lupin said nonchalantly.
Harry felt his skin heat. "Ginny's been um...you know, um...under the weather." Inwardly, Harry rolled his eyes at himself, and could practically hear Ginny laughing at him in his head.
"Oh, I see," Professor Lupin said, nodding perceptively. "Well, I did speak to Albus about it, and he suggested that the two of you er...well, try things again, to see if the same...impulse causes the same reaction."
Harry looked down at his feet and knew he was blushing. Had his former professor really just told him to let Ginny bind his hands again as they shagged?
"I believe Albus said that you should make a conscious effort to er...well, replicate the original situation, and to pay more attention to what is occurring. To see if it is something that you can perhaps...deduce is about to happen."
"And the point of that being?" Harry asked quietly, not looking at the other man.
"Control, I would imagine. If this is a new ability you're developing, then it would be best to know what sets it off, and what you can do to be in charge of it."
Harry reckoned that did make sense, but he wasn't about to admit it. With all the things that seemed to be happening every time he and Ginny were intimate, it was a wonder he wanted to shag at all. Of course, Harry wasn't about to stop doing anything just because weird things were happening. He wasn't that daft.
"Oh, I almost forgot; here, this came for Ginny right before I left Grimmauld Place late last night. Since her parents knew I'd be seeing you early this morning, they wanted me to pass it on to her. I think it's her OWL results. It's a bit late, most likely because of the Weasleys moving from the Burrow to the house in London."
Harry took the envelope and was suddenly curious to know how she'd done. He remembered her at the end of the last term - frazzled and very tired and cursing Snape's name. He slipped the envelope into his pocket. He and Ginny had been quite preoccupied. Neither one of them had even given a thought to their marks for last term. In fact, Harry remembered suddenly that he'd left his own envelope unopened in the desk drawer of his room.
"And, I bring you news regarding something else as well. Albus wants me to start teaching you Apparation while you're here at the Abbey. Since you're not at home and able to take the appropriate class at the Ministry, you're stuck learning from me. Are you up for it?"
Harry had forgotten entirely about the fact that he was now legally able to Apparate. Ron had mentioned something about the three of them taking a short class about it before returning to school, but since everything else had happened, Harry hadn't thought about it much.
"Are Hermione and Ron learning how to do it?" he asked Professor Lupin, who nodded.
"In separate classes, thanks to Molly's intervention. She's not too pleased with them right now and keeps a rigorous eye on them. I think if it were up to her, they wouldn't learn how to do it at all. I think she likes the idea of Ron being stuck traveling the old-fashioned way under adult supervision."
Harry smiled at the thought of why Mrs Weasley was being disagreeable. "Is it hard? I mean, to learn?"
"Yes and no. I don't think you'll have that many problems with it, in all honesty. Your mastery of Occlumency indicates you can do anything if you set your mind to it. I seem to recall saying something similar to you back in your third year about your ability to cast a successful Patronus."
Harry smiled, remembering. He suddenly realized though that the other important person in his life wouldn't be learning it with him. "I feel bad that Ginny won't be able to do it with me."
"Well, I'm not certain, but I believe Albus said he would see if Ginny could perhaps receive permission to learn it ahead of time; I believe he just needs the consent of her parents."
"And they don't want to give it to him?" Harry asked, wondering how Mr and Mrs Weasley were coping with the fact that the prediction concerning their daughter had come part-way true.
"I think Albus said they were hesitant. They seem to believe Ginny might be growing up a bit too fast for their tastes. Molly, in particular, wants Ginny to wait until she is seventeen."
Professor Lupin gave him an odd look, and Harry felt embarrassed that he was probably the reason Molly was being stubborn.
"I suppose that's my fault then," he admitted, setting his water glass down on the desk. "I need to talk with them about everything...well, Ginny and I both do, actually. It's only fair they know my intentions toward their daughter."
Professor Lupin gave him another surprised look. "You sound very determined, Harry."
Harry shrugged. "That's because I am. I love her, and they should know that. I want them to understand that we're not too young; that we both know what we have is true and the real thing. I don't think I was ready before, but...being with Ginny these last few weeks...she makes me think anything is possible. Her parents and her brothers need to know that I am not using her, or that we're not just infatuated with each other. If I survive whatever happens with Voldemort, then I'm marrying her and spending the rest of my life doing whatever it is she wants me to do."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he knew they were true. His resolve was set; no one was going to keep him from having the life he'd dreamed about with Ginny - the life he was beginning to think he might just deserve. Harry realized that for the first time in his life that what he wanted was what he ought to have. Fame, attention, destiny...he'd never wanted any of it...but Ginny's love? That Harry did want, and the fact that he had it made him proud because he knew she wouldn't care about him unless he was worthy of it. She was the kind of person that could make you feel that way - he knew from years of watching her and knowing her that she never did anything unless she thought it was worth it. He was still amazed that she thought he was worth it, but he was going to stop questioning that and just enjoy it for the gift that it was.
He looked up and realized Professor Lupin was smiling at him. "I suppose that sounds silly to you -"
Professor Lupin held up his hand. "No, no. You sound...well, you reminded me of James there for a moment. I remember when he told Sirius and me about asking Lily to marry him. Of course, he was out of school by that time, but only just, so not much older than you are now. I think he had that same look of determination in his eyes. I'm very happy for you, Harry, it's nice to hear you be so certain of yourself. You've grown up into a fine man."
Harry smiled, embarrassed, but pleased by the praise. He did feel different inside - it had been happening bit by bit over the last month, and he knew it had everything to do with being in love and letting himself be loved back.
"Well, I'm not about to ask her to marry me or anything just yet. I think she might actually want to finish school first. And of course, I haven't even told her any of this. She could think I've gone a bit soft in the head."
"As well as I know Ginny, I don't think you have to worry about her. She adores you, as she always has. Sirius liked her, you know. He seemed to wonder why you never noticed her."
Harry grimaced. "Because I was a git."
Professor Lupin laughed loudly and shook his head. "She's got you right on that bit, at least. Well, I'm going to head back now. We'll set up an arrangement for the Apparation practice, since the Abbey is like Hogwarts, and no one comes in or out except with special circumstances. Keep doing the Occlumency techniques, and let us know if there are any other...occurrences with anything, all right?"
"Of course...er...Professor Lupin?" Harry watched the other man get ready to leave and felt a bit nervous.
"Yes, Harry?" Professor Lupin paused and looked at him, a smile on his care-worn face.
"Thank you for everything that you do for me. I...I don't think I tell the people that help me, 'thank you' enough. You're...a good friend. I'm sorry if I never said that before. I kept my grief about Sirius to myself; I never once thought of what you felt, and that was...well, it was selfish of me. Especially when you tried to help me last year. I shut you out, and I'm sorry."
He watched as Professor Lupin blinked his eyes at him as though trying not to shed any tears. The other man shook his head, and when he looked back at Harry, he had a small smile on his face.
"Harry, it's been my pleasure to watch you grow up and to help with that in any way that I could. It was more than just my duty to James and Lily; I honestly care about you because of who you are. I'm glad and honored that you think of me as a friend."
Professor Lupin held out his arm, and Harry stood up, awkward. They hugged briefly, and then the other man was turning around towards the fireplace. He glanced back at Harry before stepping into the green flames.
"Tell Ginny that I hope she's...feeling better soon."
Harry grinned as he disappeared, and the fireplace fell dark once again. He felt lighter suddenly, lighter than he had in a long time. For maybe only the second time in his life, he'd managed to tell someone what they meant to him, and it felt good. It felt really good, actually.
Harry left Mr Cosgrove's office to find Ginny. He wanted to be with her more than anything - all too soon, they would have to go back to their old world, where they wouldn't be able to be together all that much. He wanted to make the most of every minute they had together.
He didn't notice Sioda watching him from the small alcove across from the office doors. He didn't see her hurry across the hallway and into Mr Cosgrove's office before the doors shut behind him...
o-o-o-o-o
10th of June, 1899
I've spent the night in the cave again; I think I am closer in discovering the secret behind Aine's 'madness' stone - it seems to be made of a similar type of mineral the Ministry recently uncovered. Since I've been banned from London (damn that Lachlan!), it's hard to say whether or not my assumption is correct. However, a local wizard, with family near Galway, claims that the stone I have been talking about is similar to a gate near an old abandoned Abbey. I must see if I can pop round and find out for myself. If the three stones are connected, then I think it brings up a fascinating idea about the time-portal that surrounds Lough Gur.
Ginny frowned at the Grange diary. It was the second time he'd mentioned the time-portal near Lough Gur, and for the life of her, she could find no other mention of it in the other books. She'd heard her father mention time-portals once or twice, but had thought they were codswallop; but then she reckoned that time-turners had to come from somewhere, didn't they? How exactly did those things work? Yet another thing she'd have to ask Hermione.
Thinking of her friend, she pulled out the pages she'd taken from Harry that morning and re-read Hermione's notes. Hermione hadn't really uncovered anything that Ginny hadn't eventually read herself, but she did bring up one interesting fact.
"It is said that Meadowsweet is Aine's flower and can be used in many different healing potions. With small white buds and a sweet, almond-like scent, the flower is thought by some Muggles to represent the love aspect of Aine's personality. In reality, she was simply an expert brewer of fertility potions, and many attributed her abundant success with her use of Meadowsweet, Water-mint, and Vervain."
What Ginny found interesting about this information was that the Muggles believed Aine to be a goddess of fertility and love and that she had, in fact, had a great deal of success brewing potions of each. And yet her own blood relatives, the O'Corras, if she believed Brogan, were the opposite of fertile. It was odd, really. Shouldn't Aine have made sure her blood-line knew the secret of her potion-making skills to keep the family line secure?
She wondered if Professor Dumbledore knew anything she wasn't getting from the books; he'd seemed pleased that they had been given the Grange diary and had encouraged her to read it. Ginny had to admit her time spent with Dumbledore was exhilarating - she was getting stronger; she could feel it. Her ability to block the spells he cast at her was growing, and she had even felt surprise coming from the man, once or twice, when she had successfully thrown off a difficult spell or charm. Dumbledore had been careful not to curse her or hex her, but she knew the time would come when he would have to. They would need to know how strong she truly was.
"Hey, wool-gathering girl, wake up. That's no way to help me revise." Harry snapped his fingers in front of her face, and she blinked up at him, a slight grimace on her face.
"Cute, Harry. You know, I should just tell you to do it all yourself." She folded her arms as though she were angry and stared at him. He smirked and sat down across from her. After a moment, she smiled and then grabbed his hand.
"How did it go with Professor Lupin?"
"Good," Harry said as he squeezed her hand. He lowered his head down to the table, and she did the same. "He said he er...hopes you're um...feeling better soon."
Ginny frowned and then pursed her lips at him. "Merlin, why don't we just send letters to everyone, so they know about my monthly cycles? I'm certain Ron and Hermione would love to know."
Harry shrugged, his eyes laughing at her. "Okay, but I think I like telling everyone face to face, seems a bit more personal that way."
"Oh, shut up, Harry," Ginny said, giggling. "Actually, I have good news."
Harry raised his eyebrow at her, and she was about to tell him they could finally be together again, in every way, when someone cleared their throat off to the side. They both turned and saw Brogan emerging from one of the book aisles.
"Hi, you two, sorry to bother you. Mind if I sit down? I've just had a major Transfiguration exam, and I'm fit to drop."
Ginny caught Harry rolling his eyes and kicked him under the table. He smiled politely at Brogan and nodded to the chair next to him. Brogan dropped into it abruptly and lowered his head to the table.
"The exam was that tricky, was it?" she asked him sympathetically.
"It was brutal, but it's my last one, and now I get to focus on brushing up on some defense techniques until it's time for you two to go back. I think Mr Cosgrove said I'm to stay with you until term starts."
"Oh, great," Harry said a tad unenthusiastically, and Ginny stepped on his foot underneath the table. He grimaced and moved back in his chair so that she couldn't reach him.
"Oh, good. You'll be able to meet my brothers and our friends. My Mum will try to fatten you up, though; she thinks everyone is too skinny," Ginny said, turning her attention to Brogan.
Brogan smiled at this and shook his head. He reached out for the book she'd been reading. "Oh, you're reading Sioda's Grange diary. She let me look through it once. He was a nutter, but surprisingly reliable about some things. I haven't looked through this in a long time, actually."
"I haven't been able to look through it at all," Harry said as he looked at the book over Brogan's shoulder. "She's been keeping that one, and all the books, to herself. She's turned into quite the stingy sort."
"Harry! That's not true, and you know it. You can read the diary, or any other book we have, any time you want."
Harry grinned and winked at her. Ginny sighed. Prat, she thought to herself.
"Well, have at it then. I need to borrow Ginny for something anyway," Brogan said, handing the book over to Harry.
Harry stopped smiling. "What for?"
"Mr Cosgrove said Professor Dumbledore wants me to practice a few things with her. He was supposed to have told you about it?" Brogan turned to Ginny.
"Oh, did he? I was a bit tired the er...last time we met. What are we going to run through? More spells?"
Brogan nodded. "Yes. He seems to think that because you need practice blocking spells, and I need to brush up on a few defense techniques that we're sort of a perfect match."
Ginny didn't need to look at Harry to know he was probably glowering at the other man. Bloody hell, Brogan, what a poor choice of words.
She was surprised, however when glancing at him, she saw Harry simply nod at them.
"Well, you two should practice then. I'll just revise for a bit more and then meet you back in the rooms before dinner, okay, Ginny?"
Ginny felt her eyes widen as she looked at him. Was he feeling all right?
"Er, okay, where do you want to practice at?" she asked Brogan, keeping a wary eye on Harry.
"There's an empty classroom nearby; we'll use that. Just let me go and talk to Kieran about something, and I'll come back to get you."
Ginny nodded and watched him walk away. She looked at Harry as he flipped through the diary. She drummed her fingers on the table, and he looked up at her.
"What?" he asked, his face innocent.
"Where is the real Harry Potter, and what have you done with him?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Pardon me?"
"You're letting me go and practice with Brogan? No complaints? No jealous rants?"
Harry smiled at her. "Oh, well...just because I don't exactly trust him doesn't mean I don't trust you, and that's all that really matters, right?"
Ginny felt her mouth fall open slightly. "Harry! That's...that's so...grown-up."
Harry's smiled widened, and he looked around the library before reaching out and taking her hand into his. "It's your wonderfully calm and soothing influence, Miss Weasley."
Ginny shook her head. He never ceases to amaze me, she thought to herself. She stood up and started putting her things into her bag. Harry smirked as he started reading the diary, and she couldn't resist kissing him. She leaned over him and turned his face away from the book, bringing his mouth to hers. She pulled away, feeling slightly breathless and smiled when she saw the same dazed expression reflected in his eyes. Merlin, I can't wait to be with him again.
"Perhaps you should do some other reading once you get back to the room, Harry. I think it's time we ah...employ that one Hermione lent us."
"You mean...we actually can...again?" Harry asked, his eyes going wide. Ginny nodded and was pleased by the heated expression on his face, his mind seemingly already turning at the thought.
Ginny heard someone coming and pulled away quickly, standing up again. Harry grabbed her wrist, his fingers stroking the inside of her hand.
"Don't let him keep you too long, Gin."
Ginny smiled wildly at him. "I'll be back before you know it. And I expect a full report regarding that book. I want page numbers and positions listed in order of preference."
"You ready, Ginny?" Brogan said as he emerged from the aisle again. Ginny nodded and pulled her hand away from Harry's, but not before meeting his eyes one last time.
Ginny shivered at what that look promised her, and she was almost tempted to tell Brogan he could bugger off. Get your mind off of Harry for one more hour, for Merlin's sake,she chastised herself.
Smiling instead, she pushed away the wicked thoughts racing through her head and followed Brogan out of the library.
o-o-o-o-o-o
"Right then...one...two...three...Relashio!"
Ginny was ready for the fine jet of fiery sparks that flew from Brogan's wand towards her. She focused her mind on projecting a shield in front of her like Professor Dumbledore had taught her; it was sort of a Protego defense within her own mind. Just as Ginny could feel the heat of sparks heading towards her, they veered off and then disappeared, seemingly to extinguish in mid-air. She glanced at Brogan and smiled. He shook his head at her.
"Brilliant, Ginny. That was the fastest time yet."
"Well, I sort of knew you were going to use that spell. You seem to have a fire fascination."
Brogan laughed. "Aye, that I do. I have a thing for redheads as well, but that will just be our little secret. Engorgio!"
Brogan cast the spell at her before she had time to react. Ginny felt as though something rushed by her face a moment before she felt the focus of energy in her mind expand and contract around her. She thought she saw a white light shimmer around her for a second, and then she heard a popping noise, not unlike the ones made by her brothers when they Disapparated. Brogan nodded at her, clearly impressed.
"I didn't know if Professor Dumbledore had been casting any surprise spells at you; you reacted nicely to that one. I'm impressed."
Ginny felt herself heat at the praise but simply smiled at him. "Maybe some part of me didn't fancy being enlarged."
"That is a good point," Brogan admitted and then nodded at the desks they had pushed out of the way. "Let's take a bit of rest. I need to plan more difficult spells, obviously."
They'd been at it for an hour or so, and Ginny knew she had Harry waiting for her back in their room. But she was having such a good time that she was reluctant to stop. Perhaps it was because Brogan was younger and more...forceful than Professor Dumbledore had been, but with him, it didn't feel like she was being taught something or tested, it felt fun.
"I don't suppose Dumbledore has actually cast any of the bigger spells at you, has he?" Brogan asked, interrupting her thoughts.
"No. And I don't think he really wants to, although I know he has to eventually. I mean, it's all well and good that I can deflect Confundus Charms and Enlargement Spells, but what's the point if I can't deflect the important things?"
"Well, he probably doesn't want to inflict harm on a student, first of all...and...I don't know, Dumbledore strikes me as a type that doesn't use his power unless he absolutely needs to. Perhaps that's why he suggested you and I have a go at it."
Ginny nodded and glanced at him as he absentmindedly cleaned his wand with his shirt. He seemed younger than twenty-one sometimes, and she wondered about how he'd grown up - he seemed lonely when he was alone with her, as though at other times, his cheerfulness was all an act for other people. She remembered the way he had looked at his family tree, tracing his mother's name with his finger.
"When did your mother die?" she asked him suddenly, feeling bold.
Brogan met her eyes and then looked away.
"I'm sorry, that was rude of me just to blurt out, Brogan. I was just wondering where you grew up."
He turned back to her and smiled slightly. "No, it's okay. I reckon you have a right to know. She died when I was ten...I lived with friends of hers until I came to study at the Abbey when I was fifteen. I never knew my father; not really."
"So you're like Harry in a way...an orphan."
"A bit, yeah. At least I have memories of my Mum...I can't imagine never having known her. She taught me all about magic - she was brilliant at Transfiguration. She was an animagus, even. I think I chose that as an area of study because of her, even though sometimes I think I'm rubbish at it."
"Really? You don't seem to be rubbish at anything, really," Ginny said kindly. He glanced up at her, and she felt her skin heat. "I mean, I don't know you really, but you have never once struck me as a person who doesn't know what he's doing."
"It's all a facade, trust me," Brogan said, and he smiled cheekily at her, but it didn't quite meet his eyes. Ginny felt sad suddenly.
"So...were you raised among wizards then? Or was it Muggles?"
"Both. My father was Muggle, so I am half and half. But the family that took care of me, they were Muggle-born."
"Explains the Muggle tee-shirts then," Ginny said, nodding at him. He glanced down and then smiled.
"Yeah, the friends of my mother, they were musicians...and they even toured America, when I was twelve. I was quite well chuffed to be with them then, actually. They are the ones that gave me my love of good old-fashioned rock and roll, Muggle style."
Ginny smiled. "But it must have been hard to have friends if you were always traveling about with them."
Brogan nodded. "A bit. I was a quiet child, though - I read a lot...kept to myself. I think I missed my Mum too much at first. That's why I liked listening music so much; it took me away from everything."
He sounded cheerless as he spoke, and Ginny wanted to comfort him, but she also didn't want to give him the wrong idea. She felt silly even thinking it, but she couldn't shake the idea that Brogan liked her a little bit too much for having just met her. Ginny had assumed he just liked to flirt, as his good looks and good-nature were obvious. But she realized that he was probably unaware of his exact effect on people. She knew the girls of Hogwarts would more than likely eat him alive. Or at least, wish that they could.
"So...no...girlfriends then I take it?" she asked, looking away from him.
"Er...no, not really. Why? Thinking of someone who'd like the job?" He said it teasingly enough, but Ginny heard something else in his voice and looked at him. He was gazing at her too intensely. She sighed.
"Brogan, look, you have to sort of understand something... Harry and me...well, we're just...we are, you know? I've loved him all my life, and I don't see it changing. Ever."
"What if Voldemort kills him?" he said quietly, and Ginny felt herself recoil.
"Harry is not dying."
"Ginny, I don't mean to sound like a prat, but it is a real possibility that Harry will die because of -"
"Harry is not going to die," she said, louder and more forceful than before, causing him to meet her eyes and then look away embarrassed.
"I'm sorry," he said after a moment, and he honestly looked it. Ginny felt herself soften. She couldn't get angry with him for thinking and saying what most people probably believed; even her own family probably thought Harry's life expectancy was short.
"You just don't understand. Harry's...well, Harry deserves to live, damn it. More than anyone. And I, and Professor Dumbledore, and loads of other people are going to make sure that he gets that chance."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...well, I'm just sorry. Forgive my...doubt," Brogan said as he looked down at the floor. "I don't get close to a lot of people, and I know I barely know you or Harry, but...I...well, I feel closer to you than I have to anyone. Maybe it's the whole Aine thing. I apologize for sticking my foot in it."
"Oh, Brogan, I like you too...and I think you're really quite nice. And given different circumstances, I could see fancying you, but honestly, there's only been one boy for me in all sixteen years of my life. Which is another thing, I think I am far too young for you," Ginny said, trying to break the tension that had popped up between them.
Brogan raised his eyes and ran his hand through his hair. "Yes, well, you're a very mature sixteen-year-old. And I'm a very immature twenty-one year old, so perhaps it's evened out somehow. Maybe it's because I see how happy Harry makes you. You just seem to...come alive when he's around, and that's attractive, I think."
Ginny held out her hand. "Friends then?"
Brogan paused and then shook her hand gently. "Aye. Friends."
"Good, now I think I should probably get back to the room. Make certain Harry hasn't fallen asleep reading again."
Brogan laughed and stood up with her. He used his wand to arrange the desks back the way they had been before. He glanced at her as they left the classroom and smiled suddenly.
"I reckon it would be a bit improper of me to go out with one of my students, anyway. Are there any young, redheaded professors at Hogwarts, by chance?"
Ginny laughed as they walked down the hallway. "No, not one. Although Professor Sinistra is quite striking. Although she is a fair bit older than you."
"Just my luck - too old for some and too young for others."
"What about Sioda? She's a redhead and your age," Ginny asked as they reached the doors to the Nuala wing. Brogan made a face and shook his head.
"Sioda's...well, she's quite lovely to look at...but...I don't know. Sometimes, I think that's all she is. I mean, you know, what she is on the outside doesn't match what she is inside. Don't get me wrong; she's bright and she has a strong mind, but I've never really connected with her. She doesn't have any...heart. And she can be cold. Not like some people," he said as he looked at her, and Ginny again felt her skin heat.
"Besides," he continued, "I did ask her out, back when I first met her. I don't think I'm her type. She finds music and books to be boring as hobbies, I'm afraid. And that's me all over."
Ginny shook her head and smiled. They said goodnight, and she watched him walk away, feeling sorry for him again. She hoped there was someone out there he could connect with. He deserved to have what she and Harry had. Reminding herself of what was waiting for her, Ginny sped up her steps, eager to start their night off.
o-o-o-o-o-o
Brogan made his way back to his room, his mind very much on the talk he'd just had with Ginny. He knew she wasn't available and would probably never be - even if Harry didn't make it through the fight with Voldemort, she would probably always love him, even in death. Who was he to question such devotion? Besides, Brogan couldn't imagine anyone like Ginny ever fancying someone like him. Professor Dumbledore and Mr Cosgrove had been right; he shouldn't let rumors about the Aine Prophecy cloud his judgment. He'd been egotistical and brash.
He didn't notice Sioda waiting for him until it was too late. He grimaced and shook his head at her.
"Sioda."
"Hi, Brogan. Have a rough afternoon?" she asked him, moving closer to him so that she practically standing right on top of him.
He sighed. "No, I'm just a bit tired. Can I help you with anything?"
"Aren't you going to invite me in for a spot of tea?"
Brogan glanced at her and saw her staring at him intently. He wondered what she was after exactly; Sioda never really bothered with him unless she wanted something. He'd learned that the hard way.
"Do you want some tea? Because I hear they have this newfangled kettle in the kitchens, you just tap it with your wand and -"
"Brogan, I'd like to talk with you...privately. It's about that...Weasley girl." Sioda glanced around the hallway and then met his eyes again, a small smile on her face.
Despite every bone in his body telling him not to take the bait, Brogan's curiosity was piqued at her odd manner. He shrugged and used his wand to open his room. He held the door open for her and then closed it behind her. She glanced around his room and then looked furtively at him again, as though sizing him up.
"Did you practice with her this afternoon?" she asked him, choosing to sit on the end of his bed.
Brogan frowned and leaned against his desk. "Yes. And how did you know that? I wasn't aware it was something Mr Cosgrove was sharing with other people."
Sioda gave him an innocent look. "Oh, isn't it? Funny, he mentioned it in his office."
Feeling a bit doubtful, Brogan studied her, trying to see if she were being duplicitous. But not being able to come up with a reason why she would be, he made a mental note to ask Mr Cosgrove about it later.
"We practiced a few spells. You might as well be the first to know - I'm taking a job at Hogwarts this term."
"Oh? Well, that's excellent news! You must be thrilled!" Sioda said, clapping her hands together.
"Well, it's bound to be hard, of course, but...I think I can manage. I'd like to try teaching, at any rate. See if I have a knack for it or not."
"Well, we'll miss you around here to be certain," Sioda said, her voice suddenly sounding husky. Brogan folded his arms and looked around his room, avoiding her gaze.
"So anyway, about why I wanted to talk," she said suddenly, causing him to meet her eyes. "That girl, Ginny...you like her a great deal, don't you?"
"I like her and Harry both, yes."
Sioda smiled. "Oh, come off it, Brogan. She's just your type, isn't she? Redheaded and feisty...don't think I haven't seen you watching her."
Brogan felt himself becoming angry. "Is there a point to this, Sioda?"
Sioda stood up and walked towards him, and for the briefest moment in time, Brogan wanted to run the other way; there was something predatory and wholly dislikable about her movement towards him, as though she would enjoy eating him alive. She was the same height as he was and looked him straight in the eye before fluttering her lashes. If he hadn't just seen the previous display of aggressiveness, he might have actually been fooled by her now coy behavior. He narrowed his eyes as he looked at her. What exactly was she playing at?
"Have you thought about the Prophecy, and what it means that she's now truly Aine's heir?"
Brogan blinked at her in surprise. "Who told you she's the heir?"
"A little bird," Sioda said softly, moving closer to him. Brogan unconsciously moved backward, causing the chair of his desk to make a scratching sound against the floor.
Sioda's eyes went wide as she looked at him. "What's the matter, Brogan? Scared, I might touch you? Scared of how you'll react?"
Brogan swallowed the lump that appeared to have become stuck in his throat and shook his head. "No, you made it perfectly clear a long time ago you don't fancy me, Sioda."
"What if I changed my mind? Can't a woman do that?" Sioda said, and she reached out and placed her hand on his arm, squeezing it. "You know, if we really wanted to, I think we could break those two up. They're just...kids, after all. They're bound to be insecure about...something." Sioda moved her head closer to his, as though she were about to kiss him. Brogan jerked away from her, moving out of her grasp. He ran his hand through his hair and turned to face her.
"Let me get this straight, you've come here to...what? Get me to help you break up Harry and Ginny? Why? Why do you care about a couple of 'kids' and whether or not they're together?"
"I just thought you might like to be there to help her out after her broken heart...that's all," Sioda said, shrugging. She looked down at her nails as though put off by his rejection.
"Sioda, is there something going on you'd like to tell me about?"
"No, Brogan. I was merely offering to help you come between them. I thought you might like to play."
"Playing with people isn't my thing, Sioda, remember?"
She sighed and then looked up at him. "I know; it's one of your most disagreeable qualities. You know, if you had an ounce of meanness in you, you'd be a fair bloke, Brogan. I'd shag you in two seconds if you just showed some backbone and ambition."
"Well, fortunately for me, I know better than to stick my wand into places where it doesn't belong," Brogan said evenly. "Now get out of here. And don't let me catch you trying anything with Harry and Ginny. They deserve happiness, not you mucking about just because you're having a slow week."
Sioda's eyes blazed at his for a moment, and then she looked away, her shoulders slumped. She turned back around and shook her head.
"You're a git, Brogan. You always have been. Which is a shame, as you're so delicious looking, I think I'd quite like to have you...and believe me, you could use a nice slow and dirty turn between the sheets. But no, you had to have high morals and no bloody sense of fun!"
Sioda headed for the door, her hair flying around her. She slammed his door as she left, leaving him to wonder what in Merlin's name had just happened.
o-o-o-o-o