A/N: Something tells me I would pay BIG bucks to have seen the looks on all of your faces (LOL). Okay. Enough teasing. Here comes the explanation

Chapter 4: …If Not Always In the Way We Expect It"

When Harry came around he was looking at the concerned face of Ginny Weasley

"Ginny?" he asked in a whisper

"You okay Harry?" she asked

"But…you…Lestrange…Flame…what the hell?..." Harry stuttered.

"Yeah…apparently Phoenix animagi aren't affected by the killing curse" she said innocently.

"Huh?" Harry asked

Ginny sighed knowing this was going to be a LONG story.

"I decided to try to become an animagus in case you decided to teach the D.A. That way I would have a head start and you could be proud of me and I could get your attention. Needless to say I was shocked when it came out a phoenix since magical animagi are rare. With magical animagi, the killing curse has no effect. It just de-aged me as my form and I couldn't transform back until I was recognized by the person who loved me more than his own life and he couldn't be a family member. In other words, you had to recognize me AND declare your love for me, in either order, before I could revert back." She told him

Harry wrapped his arms around her and she returned the favor

"I saw your parents." She whispered. "They send their love and a few other messages to Sirius and Remus"

Harry pulled out of the hug and then kissed her. She returned it

"I love you" she whispered as they pulled out for some air

"I love you too" he responded before realizing something "I promised Hermione I'd write when your egg hatched."

0000

The next day,

Hermione was over at the Weasleys helping Ron learn to compose himself for the funeral so he wouldn't break down in front of Harry. Suddenly, Hedwig appeared

"About time" Hermione said.

Ron read over her shoulder and both eyes went wide

Dear Hermione,

The egg hatched two weeks ago. I've been too busy with homework and the speech to write to tell you. It hatched into a phoenix. And not just ANY phoenix. One of those rare phoenix animagi. Apparently she had been hit by the killing curse after she became an animagus and she couldn't transform back until two things happened: she was recognized and the person outside of family who loves her more than his own life declares his love. I was reading my speech to her when she suddenly got all excited. I then realized that something had happened and asked if it was her. She nodded and naturally, I fainted. When I woke up, she was human again and she explained everything to me.

Then in a familiar handwriting,

Cancel the funeral arrangements guys. I'm back

I've never been this happy. Don't worry. We're behaving

We're using protection

By me sleeping on the floor and she's using my bed

You know Ron's going to read this right?

Which is why I'm making sure they understand we're not having sex

Though Harry would like to

But I know right from wrong

Don't worry guys. I have one more trick up my sleeves to end his virginity.

AS YOU SAID, "RON'S going to read this!"

C'mon Harry. Hasn't my near death experience taught you nothing? When opportunity knocks, answer.

Ron. I won't do it without your permission. Hermione. Make sure Ron gets this

Harry and Ginny

"Ron…" Hermione whispered.

"It's her handwriting" Ron said "Hermione…I think Ginny's alive"

"Knight bus?"

"Knight bus" Ron agreed as they ran out of the Burrow

0000

A few minutes later, Ron and Hermione were on the steps of 4 Privet Dr. Hermione knocked. A few seconds later, Vernon answered

"What do you want" Vernon asked

"We're just here to make sure Harry's not dead and you don't get the blame from Sirius Black" Hermione said.

"BOY!" Vernon called

A few seconds later, Harry came down

"Yes Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked before noticing his friends. "Ron! Hermione!"

"We got your letter" Hermione said.

"Is it…true?" Ron asked

"Come up to my room" Harry said

"No funny stuff" Vernon warned

"Of course not Uncle Vernon" Harry told his uncle

The trio went upstairs and Harry opened the door after a quick knock

"Ginny!" Ron exclaimed when he saw his sister and he ran and hugged her.

Ginny returned the hug.

"Thank Merlin" Ron sighed

"I missed you too Ron" Ginny said

When they finally released Hermione took her turn hugging Ginny.

"What's this about you being a phoenix animagus?"

"I was getting a head start in case Harry decided to teach the D.A." Ginny said.

"You know what this means guys?" Harry asked his friends

"What?" Ron asked

"WE have to become animagi. Can't let Ginny have ALL the fun"

"I'll do the research" Hermione sighed as if she felt that this was a bad idea, but knew better than to argue

"I can help having done it" Ginny offered

"Sounds good to me" Ron said "Now, what are we going to do about the funeral?"

"I remember reading a book" Hermione started

"What else is new?" the two boys asked sarcastically.

"it's call the Adventures of Tom Sawyer by the American author Mark Twain" she continued with a bit of a glare "In the book, Tom and his friend are believed to be dead when they were alive. When they made it home, they were in time for their funerals. So, they make an appearance."

"Not a bad idea" Ginny mused "how many people can say they've been to their own funeral?"

"Then it's settled" Harry said. "Ginny. You can borrow the cloak. Then, come the funeral, you can make an appearance"

"How is the speech?" Ron asked

"Good" Ginny said "but had to be rewritten"