If You Can Help Her

by witowsmp

Harry decides to help Ginny recover from her experience in the Chamber of Secrets, causing a special bond to form between them. Rating is for violence in the later chapters. A French translation called Si tu peux l'aider is being written by Sined

44. Another Year at Hogwarts

Harry Potter and all characters, etc. belong to J.K. Rowling, not me.

If You Can Help Her – Chapter 44 – Another Year at Hogwarts

'Single quotes' means thoughts while "Double quotes" means spoken dialogue.

-IYCHH-

Platform Nine and Three Quarters was empty and quiet at 9:25 on September 1st. The Hogwarts Express had arrived moments before. Suddenly, the silence was interrupted by soft pops as two figures in auror robes appeared. Without saying a word, they separated as one walked into the train, wand out. The other had her wand out as well, as she looked around the platform, performing several detection spells. After four minutes, the other emerged from the train and nodded his head toward his partner. She pulled out what appeared to be a lighter. Once the green flame was lit, she called out, "This is unit one giving a code green at the platform. Do you read me? Over."

A male voice came from the flame. "This is headquarters, unit one. We have received your code green. Open the passage while we send more security, just in case. The first portkey will arrive in one minute, and doubtless several parties will begin apparating there as well. Verify everyone's identity before they board the train, and check for the Dark Mark. Remember your orders."

"Confirmed. This is unit one signing out." The female auror closed the lighter and placed it in her pocket. She then put on a pair of glasses that could see through invisibility cloaks and other magical ways to hide. Her partner did the same. She suddenly heard a loud crash behind her and spun around, pointing her wand at the disturbance, ready for anything. She let out a breath as she saw it was three teenagers lying on the sidewalk with their trunks and a Ministry-issued portkey.

-IYCHH-

Harry pulled himself off the ground after his portkey ride and looked around to see Ron and Ginny doing the same. They all seemed fine as they picked up their trunks. He noticed the auror approaching them as he took Ginny's hand.

'I wish we could have apparated,' thought Ginny.

'Me too, but we can't all be like Hermione,' complained Harry. At that moment, as if summoned, Hermione, Sirius, Arthur, and Molly appeared nearby with four pops.

"I still can't believe she got her license yesterday," whispered Ron. "Couldn't she have waited for the rest of us to take the test?"

"I heard that," said the brunette, who was walking up to them with the adults. She was already wearing her Hogwarts robes with her prefect badge attached. Harry had decided to wait until the train was about to take off (and the prefect meeting began) before putting his robes over his muggle outfit. "We were told by Professor Dumbledore to take our tests as soon as we were ready, not to wait for the others. This way, I can work on other things while the three of you perfect your apparition skills at headquarters every Sunday."

"Excuse me," said the auror. "Hello, my name is Auror Phillips, and I have to verify each of your identities. Could you state your names and present a picture id?"

Deciding to get it over with quickly, Harry went first. "Hello, I'm Harry Potter. Here's my Underage Magic License."

Immediately her eyes flicked up to his famous scar and then slowly down the rest of him as her cheeks got a bit pink. His exercise had made him grow some muscle. "Mr. Potter, I heard about your duel with you-know-who in Diagon Alley. I'm glad you're on our side. I didn't know you had a magic license." She pointed her wand at his id and it glowed green for a moment, verifying its authenticity.

"We all do," he remarked, indicating Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. "She also has an apparition license." He pointed at his bushy-haired friend.

The auror smiled. "I was going to question her about that, but I'm afraid I must first ask you to roll up your sleeve."

After she'd visibly inspected Harry's bicep a bit longer than necessary, she moved on to Hermione, who immediately produced both licenses. "Here you go. My name's Hermione Granger. I just got the apparition one yesterday." She then rolled up he sleeves.

After both had been verified, Auror Phillips returned them. "Everything appears to be in order."

The others were checked as more students and parents arrived. Harry's group took their luggage onto the train and claimed a compartment before coming back out to spend more time with Sirius, Arthur, and Molly.

Harry was holding Ginny's hand when Molly commented, "That brooch looks very nice with the new jumper you're wearing." Ginny was wearing her dragon-leather jacket unzipped, revealing a light auburn jumper with flower patterns on it. The gold rose-shaped brooch he'd given her a year before was pinned above her heart. He agreed that it looked nice.

'Mother's only saying she's glad I've got it on,' thought Ginny.

'What do you mean? Wait a minute. Weren't you wearing it when…'

Ginny's head hung down in shame. 'I was wondering when you'd realize it. I'm sorry. It was on my jacket the day we were attacked while shopping. I'd left it at Madam Malkin's when I wanted the sleeves taken off! If I'd been wearing it, Tom wouldn't have been able to make me crucio you!' Although she was silent, a few tears started falling from her eyes. 'So you see, it is my fault. I didn't even realize that for a few days. My mum asked me about the brooch. I'd told her how it protects from mind attacks after you gave it to me last year. She was wondering if it wasn't working properly.'

"What's wrong, Ginny-dear?" asked Molly, wondering why she'd suddenly started crying. She frowned as she looked at the joined hands.

"It's just that I hadn't told Harry my mistake yet, and now I'm caught."

Molly turned on Harry. "And what did you think that made my baby cry?"

His eyes opened wide in fear. Before he could answer, Ginny spoke up. "He hasn't thought anything yet. I started crying while I explained that it was my fault that Tom made me curse him from behind. He'd done everything he could to protect me."

"It's all right, Ginny. You're not the first person in the world to forget something." Harry continued speaking, only now it was silently, just to Ginny. 'Hermione and I managed to forget my cloak on the Astronomy Tower in the middle of the night during our first year. We got caught and ended up in detention, not to mention losing fifty points a piece.'

'What?' thought Ginny as she let out a snort of laughter.

"What's so funny?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Er, nothing," answered Harry nervously.

"He was just telling me about a time he forgot his Potions book and ended up in trouble with Snape in his first year."

"Oh, that was rather foolish."

'What were you doing on the Astronomy tower with Hermione? Was there something going on that I should know about? I was under the impression that you two were always just friends.'

Harry's face turned red. 'I suppose that must be what Professor McGonagall thought we were doing. No wonder she was upset!'

At that moment, Neville Longbottom walked up to them. "Hey, Harry, Ginny. How was your summer? I read about that attack at Diagon Alley. Did you really duel you-know-who?"

"The nameless one," replied Harry in mock awe. "He won't say his real name and no one else will say his made-up name. To answer your question, yes I did for a minute, but it wasn't like the paper said…"

"So he didn't leave in the middle of the fight because you were winning?"

Harry blushed. "I'm sure it was…"

"Harry," interrupted Ginny, "You are a bit too modest. I saw the whole thing! They each fired a spell at the same time and their wands locked. I can't be sure, but I think Tom wet his pants when he realized that Harry was forcing his death curse back at him." Neville gasped. "It wouldn't be the first time either. He needs to learn not to use that curse on Harry. He was so scared that he ordered a retreat."

"Ginny," chided Harry. "I wish you wouldn't…"

"I am not exaggerating, Harry!" she stated firmly. "What did I say that wasn't true?"

Harry's face was turning even redder. "Well…"

"Did you notice the puddle where he'd been?"

"No, but you're making it sound like…"

'The truth,' she thought firmly. 'Harry, I know you hate this attention, and your humility is a wonderful quality, but sometimes you sell yourself short. I've heard you talk about the Chamber. You make it sound like you killed a one-foot long non-poisonous toothless garden snake. I'm not saying you should get arrogant, but you should at least be honest.'

Neville apparently didn't notice the mental dialogue. "As far as I'm concerned, if you dueled him and lived you're a hero. You should hear my gran talk about you. She'd give anything to have you as a grandson."

"Harry," called a bold girl who was a year younger than Ginny as she walked up to them. She had large dark eyes, a prominent chin, and long black hair. "I read about how bravely you fought he-who-must-not-be-named a few weeks ago and I nearly fainted. I just knew I had to meet you. I'm sure we could become very close. I'm Romilda, Romilda Vane."

"I'm Ginny, Ginny Weasley. Harry's girlfriend." The fiery redhead was imitating Romilda's mannerisms exactly. 'She wants you,' she thought to her bondmate.

'What?' Harry thought back. 'Well, she'll be disappointed.' He then replied, "It's good to meet you, but, well, I'm really too busy with, everything, er, like prefect duty and O.W.L.s to get to know any new friends." 'Besides, Ginny would kill us both,' he finished silently.

'Too right you are, Potter.'

-IYCHH-

It went like that for the next hour, with kid after kid walking up to him. All the girls flirted, earning glares from Ginny. She even thought a few of the boys were flirting with Harry, which made him even more uncomfortable. Finally, he went into the train and put on his robes. He was relieved that Voldemort hadn't attacked. He figured that Tom knew that several aurors were present. Riddle never started a fight he wasn't absolutely certain he could win. He was far too much of a coward. Once he was properly dressed, Harry joined Hermione and they made their way to their first prefect meeting, leaving Ron and Ginny in their compartment.

-IYCHH-

"I wonder who Professor Slughorn chose to be the Slytherin prefects," commented Hermione as she and Harry made their way toward the prefects' compartment.

"I don't know. If Prisoner Snape were still here it would probably be Malfoy."

"Don't be ridiculous," scolded Hermione. "Professor Dumbledore would never allow Draco to be a prefect. That's a privilege he hasn't earned and a responsibility he couldn't handle. The purpose of prefects is to keep people like Draco in line."

"I wonder if he got a new wand," remarked Harry, chuckling.

Hermione giggled, "I'm sure his mum got him a new one before they went home from the station last June."

"Right after she sorted him out from that hex you hit him with." Harry and Hermione both started laughing loudly until they reached their destination.

Harry found the meeting itself to be quite dull. They received instructions he'd already read (at Hermione's insistence) and a rounds schedule. They found out that Blaise Zabini and Millicent Bulstrode were the new Slytherin prefects. Blaise glared at them with disdain but didn't say anything.*

-IYCHH-

The two new Gryffindor prefects volunteered to do rounds first on the train so that they could relax for the rest of the trip. They took note of where Malfoy and his goons were sitting but didn't bother them. About half way through the trip, they finally joined Ron and Ginny, who were now sitting with Neville and Luna.

"Hi, guys," said Hermione as she sat next to Ron.

"Hello, Hermione, Harry," greeted Luna in her dreamy voice.

"Hi, Harry," said Ginny as he sat next to her. He put his arm around her and took her hand in his so their skin was touching.

'Hi, Ginny. I missed you.'

'I missed you, too.'

'Has Malfoy come to visit, yet?'

'No. Ron was afraid Draco became a prefect and was at your meeting.'

Harry smiled. 'No. Zabini and Millie did.'

"Ginny," commented Hermione, looking at her and Harry intently, "you've been awful quiet."

'She's trying to say we're being too obvious,' thought Harry.

"I was just thinking. How was the prefect meeting?"

The conversation went from there for about ten minutes until Draco and his goons did finally show up. Malfoy opened the door and strutted inside like he was important. Crabbe and Goyle, however, were looking at the six wands pointed at them and stayed outside.

"Malfoy," greeted Harry cheerfully, "I see you've got a new wand. I, er, accidentally broke your last one. You can only guess how, er, sorry I am about that." Draco glared at Harry.

Ron joined in the fun. "I assume you're here because you'd like Hermione to give you another lesson in transfiguration."

"I don't need that filthy mud…"

"It's no trouble at all," she remarked, pointing the business end of her wand straight at Draco's face. "What animal would you like to learn about this time? Perhaps a bunny?"

He paled but pretended he wasn't scared. "I don't have to listen to a filthy mu…"

"Then get out of here before we give you detention," interrupted Harry coolly.

Ron snorted. "They can give you lines. You'll write, 'I must not be a dragon's behind,' a million times." Everyone laughed at that, but none harder than Luna Lovegood.

Ginny thought, 'I wonder what Ron would say if he knew you are a dragon's behind.'

'Shut up!' thought Harry, although he did start laughing louder.

Draco's face was already pink when Luna exclaimed between snorts of laughter, "Dragon's behind! Draco means dragon! I wonder if Malfoy means behind!"

"It doesn't, you…" shouted a red-faced Draco.

"Maybe not," agreed Hermione, "but your family's all-important status has fallen behind since it came out that your dad's a FILTHY murderer!"

"Don't you dare say…Agghhh!" At that moment, Ginny hit him with a bat bogey hex from hell. He ran out of the compartment, past his two bodyguards, who followed after him.

"I guess maybe Crabbe and Goyle are smarter than Malfoy," remarked Harry contemplatively.

"Ginny," scolded Hermione, "you shouldn't have done that! Especially in front of two prefects!"

Harry looked at his girlfriend with a very serious expression. "I hereby sentence you to detention in a broom closet for an hour. I'll personally supervise it." Everyone but Ron burst out laughing. He looked like he wanted to, but wouldn't let himself because of his brotherly instinct. Instead, he silently buried his face in his hands.

"There are a lot of girls who would like that detention," remarked Luna.

"Are you sure that only one detention is enough, Prefect Potter," asked Ginny in mock penitence. "I think my crime was so horrible it earned at least two weeks of that punishment."

Harry scratched his chin, as though thinking it over. "You may have a point, but I think your infraction of the rules has earned you thirty days of that detention."

Hermione finally calmed herself down from laughing. "As funny as that joke may be, you shouldn't go around cursing…"

"You're the one who hexed him last time!" snapped Ginny. "All the sudden, just because you're a prefect now…"

"I'm not saying that it's wrong to hex that slime ball," clarified Hermione with an evil grin, "but could you please do it when my back is turned?"

"Noted for future reference," Ginny agreed as she started giggling uncontrollably.

-IYCHH-

The others soon changed into their robes, and before long they reached the Hogsmeade station and shortly Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione were on a carriage being pulled by an invisible creature. A few minutes after they mounted the carriages, Harry noticed a few people standing just outside Hogwarts' gates. He squinted to see more clearly. "Isn't that Dumbledore and Madam Bones with that toad-shaped woman…what's her name? The liaison or something."

"Madam Dolores Umbridge," answered Hermione, "The Ministry liaison."

As they got closer, they noticed Dumbledore's wand trained on Umbridge. "Minister Bones, there is only one reason why the castle won't let Madam Umbridge inside the gate. It's a new ward that I added this summer at Mr. Potter's suggestion."

"And what ward is that?" demanded Umbridge, looking venomous.

"I'd like to know myself," agreed Bones.

At that moment, the carriage containing Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Parkinson, which was just ahead of Harry's, began moving through the gates. It got past the front until the seats were even with the gates.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped as though it had hit into a brick wall. Some kind of cry was heard from the invisible thestral. Malfoy shouted, "Ahh! What's happening?" as his feet kept hitting into an invisible barrier that none of the other passengers could see.

Dumbledore lowered his head for a moment, in sorrow. He glanced at the next carriage, which had stopped for the moment. "Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, would you mind dismounting your carriage and joining us?"

"Of course, sir," replied Harry, as they both got up.

When they reached him, Dumbledore asked, "Miss Granger, would you mind keeping your wand trained on Mr. Malfoy, while Mr. Potter keeps his wand trained on Madam Umbridge. If either tries to leave, stun them or use whatever force is necessary to prevent their escaping."

"Professor Dumbledore," demanded Bones, "What is the meaning of this?"

"It will become plain in a moment, Minister."

The two prefects did as they were told as Dumbledore walked over to the area in front of the carriage. After the headmaster handled some sort of creature Harry couldn't see, the carriage moved backward. "Mr. Malfoy, please come here."

Looking rather nervous, Draco complied, although Hermione noticed that his hand was on his new wand. The carriages began walking again.

"Stand next to Ms. Umbridge. Madam Bones, I suggest you pull out your wand."

She did as she was asked. "Now, Professor Dumbledore, please tell me what's going on."

"The ward Mr. Potter suggested I add to the castle's defenses right after Voldemort returned is very simple. It does not allow a person with the Dark Mark to pass."

Amelia, Hermione, and Harry gasped. Draco and Dolores looked livid. Albus shot a disarming curse at each of them, followed up with another spell. This caused the arms of their robes to fall off, revealing the most feared symbol in Europe on Umbridge, but not Malfoy, who smirked.

"You see, Professor. No Dark Mark. Now let me in the school before my father…"

Dumbledore looked Malfoy straight in the eyes with a rarely seen anger. "Your illusion may have fooled the aurors at the station, but it didn't fool the wards here." He pointed his wand at Draco's arm, and nothing happened. Albus smiled. "Ingenious. Although I wonder how your father, not to mention your new master, would feel about you using muggle methods to hide your mark." He conjured a wet sponge and rubbed it over Draco's arm. Makeup soon came off it, revealing that Voldemort had indeed branded another one of his animals.

"My father will hear about this! When the Dark Lord takes over, you'll pay for it!"

"As I understand it, Mr. Malfoy, Voldemort doesn't take well to failures," countered Minister Bones coldly, causing Draco to wince. "Even if you were to escape, at the very minimum he'd torture you worse than he does muggles. Although it's much more likely he'll simply kill you." Draco paled.

While Minister Bones called aurors with her portable floo lighter (that only allowed verbal communication – not travel), Draco and Umbridge were bound magically in ropes and stunned.

As Harry and Hermione walked toward the castle, he remarked, "I almost wish Draco had given us trouble. It would have given me an excuse to hex him."

"I'm just surprised that he marked such a young Death Eater."

"He's the same age Tom was when he opened the Chamber. Evil doesn't have a particular age requirement, and Draco was evil from the first time I met him."

She nodded her head. "He probably had a mission he was supposed to accomplish at Hogwarts. V-Voldemort won't be pleased."

He grinned. "How terrible for him." He then put on a more serious expression. "I wonder why Crabbe and Goyle aren't marked."

"Probably because of how thick they both are." They both chuckled at that as they made their way into the castle.

-IYCHH-

When the two entered the Great Hall, they saw that their significant others had saved them seats. The sorting had not yet occurred. They sat down and Ron asked, "What happened out there?"

Harry grinned. "Both Madam…"

At that moment, Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting hat on a stool and everyone quieted down.

-IYCHH-

After the sorting and Dumbledore's (who'd quietly entered during the sorting) admonishment to "Tuck in," Harry and Hermione explained to Ron and Ginny what had occurred outside. When the plates had cleared, the Headmaster went to his podium to give his real speech.

"Welcome to another year of Hogwarts. There have been a few slight changes in the Ministry's plans for this year. Madam Umbridge was unexpectedly detained, and will be unable to join us as the Ministry's liaison. Minister Bones sends her regrets, and has assured me that she'll find a suitable replacement within the week."

'Maybe Tom can suggest someone else,' thought Ginny sarcastically as she held Harry's hand.

'Ginny, Bones was just as surprised as we were. It was a mistake. I'm sure she'll be more careful.'

'It's just a good thing you suggested that ward. Imagine what a Death Eater could do with Ministry authority in this school!'

'Actually, I'd suggested putting wards like that around Hermione's house before her parents went into hiding. Dumbledore took the idea from there.'

Albus continued his speech. "Young Mr. Malfoy has elected not to attend school this year, to be closer to his father."

The quartet's faces went completely red as they fought the desire to burst out laughing at that.

Harry thought, 'I guess he's getting a cell near his dad, then.'

'It's good for families to be close. I wonder if Mrs. Malfoy will be joining them soon.'

Dumbledore continued. "As Professor Moody has elected to move back into retirement, there is also a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Everyone welcome Professor Shacklebolt. He is an experienced auror on loan from the ministry for this year."

Everyone clapped as the African Professor waved at them. The quartet obviously recognized him as a member of the Order. After the Headmaster mentioned a few other announcements, such as Filch's ever-growing list of banned items (Ginny commented that Filch probably wishes he could ban wands), they were dismissed.

Harry sighed and looked at Hermione. "I suppose we've got to lead the first-years to the common room."

"Of course, Harry." She then turned to the others. "The password is Mimbulus mimbletonia."

Harry looked around the table and announced in a loud voice, "Gryffindor first-years! Come here."

Ron commented, "I'm glad you have to lead the midgets around and not me, mate," as he and Ginny walked off.

As the first-years were gathering to the prefects, Kingsley Shacklebolt walked up to them. "Hey, guys."

"Hi, Professor," greeted Hermione. "Why didn't you tell us?"

He grinned broadly. "It's easier to surprise someone if they're not warned." He turned to Harry. "I'll bet you and Ron thought you'd escaped my boxing lessons."

Harry visibly gulped. "Er, no, of course not."

He chuckled. "Well, I'll be helping all four of you training. It'll help me keep in shape, as well. We'll train for an hour – that's thirty minutes of exercise and thirty minutes of dueling (muggle or magical, depending on what day it is) – every morning Monday through Saturday, and then on Sunday, you four will go to headquarters for other training. Oh, and Dumbledore showed me the most incredible room that will be perfect for our training. It's called the Room of Requirement. All four of you meet me tomorrow morning at six in my office and I'll show it to you."

Harry's face paled. "Six?" he repeated.

"Of course. Breakfast starts at seven, and then we'll all be busy for the rest of the day with classes and homework," explained Hermione. "We'll be there."

"Good." Kingsley walked off and the prefects led the first-years to Gryffindor Tower.

-IYCHH-

"He's out of his bloody mind!" shouted Ron, once Harry had told him and Ginny about Shacklebolt's schedule.

"There's no way I'm getting up that early!" agreed Ginny.

"Then when do you think we should train?" asked Hermione.

Both Ron and Ginny looked down at the floor silently.

Harry added, "I'll have Quidditch practice a few nights a week. Ron, I know you wanted to try out for the team, too."

"I'll bet you'll make it with that Firebolt," assured Hermione.

"Too bad there aren't any openings for a Chaser," commented Ginny.

Ron yawned loudly. "If we're getting up that early, I'm going to bed now. Good night, Hermione." Ron then kissed his girlfriend. "G'Night, Ginny, Harry." He then went up the stairs to the boys' dormitory.

"I think I'll turn in as well," agreed Hermione. "Goodnight."

Harry looked into Ginny's eyes as he held her hands in his. "Alone at last."

'Do you think we should sneak out and try our transformation?' she asked silently.

'Not tonight,' he thought.

'What about my detention?' she thought seductively.

Harry chuckled out loud for a moment. 'As tempting as that is, I want to see how tired I am tomorrow morning before I start letting you seduce me into sneaking out at night.'

'I seduce you?'

'Good. You admit it.' He kissed her passionately and then let her go. "Goodnight. I love you."

"I love you, too, Harry."

They both walked up to their respective dormitories, knowing that they had a busy day tomorrow.

-IYCHH-

Author's note: * In HBP, on the train ride, Blaise Zabini shows just as much prejudice as Draco, saying "I wouldn't touch a filthy blood traitor (referring to Ginny) like her whatever she looked like." He also showed contempt for Harry (even when Draco wasn't around at the Slug Club meeting on the train) before then. I'm certain he'd hate a 'mudblood' like Hermione as well.