Harry didn't see much of Ginny for the next couple of weeks. She was always dashing to the Owlery in her free time, or with Michael, or doing homework. Harry had hoped to get her persepective on all he'd learned from Sirius and from looking in Dumbledore's Pensieve. Things weren't adding up regarding Percy's boss. Barty Crouch. Apparantly he was still owling in sick to work, yet Harry had seen him on the Hogwarts Grounds, via the Marauder's Map.

Harry had to endure more teasing too, when Rita Skeeter's article came out. The Slytherins, led by Draco, were of course the worst, but it also hurt Harry when he overheard Ron making fun of him to Seamus and Dean, about him crying over the memories of his parents. Neville stuck up for him, which made him feel a bit better, but it was Ginny's absence he felt the most.

Professor Snape even seemed nastier to him, as he was convinced that Harry had been breaking into his potions cabinet. He sneered at him in class, trying to break his concentration as he worked on a potion. Harry had overheard him talking with the Durmstrang principal, Igor Karkoroff, and it unsettled him that the two had a 'history'.

He had reason to find Ginny after he'd found out what the third task was going to be. The Quidditch pitch would be transformed into a maze, with the Tri-Wizard Cup in the centre of it. The first champion to touch it would win, although and each champion would have a certain set of tasks to get through to make it to the centre. Harry pulled Neville and Ginny aside and told them, begging for their help like they had done for the first task.

"Sure, I'll help you, Harry,"said Neville.

"Of course," agreed Ginny. She had missed being with Harry and Neville. Once the excitement of the Yule Ball was over, Michaels charms were waning. She also felt bad for ditching Neville for some time that night, to be with Michael. He didn't deserve to be treated like that. He'd shrugged off her apology, but she hoped to make it up to him somehow.

"Any idea what spells or charms you'll need? I think we can agree you're ace at the Summoning spell. What about the opposite, a Banishing spell?"

Harry nodded. "Good one. I thought I might go to the library and see which spells might be helpful."

"I remember Bill telling me about a spell that tells you which way is North. I'll write him and ask him," said Ginny.

"I can research with you, Harry," offered Neville.

Harry looked at his two friends. "Thanks guys, I really appreciate this."

To Harry's surprise, when he and Neville went to the library, Hermione came up and offered to help. Neville stayed silent, unsure of what had happened between the three once best friends. Harry wasn't about to let his pride get in the way, so he accepted Hermione's help in finding the best books, then told her he and Neville could take it from here. She reluctantly left them to it.

"Can I ask why you three aren't so friendly any more?" asked Neville.

Harry shrugged. "Ron didn't believe me when I told him I didn't enter this bloody riduiculous tournament. We've been best friends for three years, why would I lie to him? Plus, I don't like the way he's been treating Ginny."

Neville nodded. "What about Hermione?"

Harry shrugged, not about to get into the fact that she was spying on him for Dumbledore. "I need friends I can trust, that's all." Neville could tell this conversation was over, so he resumed his reading.

"Hey, what about this one? Its the Impediment Jinx, it slows down anything trying to attack you," read Neville.

Harry nodded. "Sounds good, we'll borrow that book."

Ginny came up to them with a letter in her hand. "Hey, I heard from Bill. There's a Four-Point spell that makes your wand point due north. Looks easy enough. He also suggested the Reductor curse, which will blast solid objects out of your way, and to practice your Shield charms. That gives us something to start with anyway."

"How about we meet in the same classroom we used last time. Tomorrow night, after tea?" suggested Harry.

Ginny and Neville nodded eagerly. Harry went to borrow the books detailing the spells they wanted to try, then they left the library. Ginny said goodnight to them, heading back to her common room.

Harry and Neville continued upstairs, going into their dorm. As Harry lay in his bed, he thought about what he'd learned about Neville's parents in the Pensieve. No matter how much he hated being an orphan, he decided it would be worse to have your parents still living, but not recognise you. He wondered if Neville had shared this with anyone.

Voldemort had taken Neville's family away from him, just like he had with Harry's. He had to be stopped. Somehow.

XXXX

Harry was surprised to find that Mrs Weasley and Bill had come to watch him for the final task. He agreed to Bill's request to show show them around while they waited to join the others for lunch. Ginny was thrilled to see Bill, and joined the rest of her family at the Gryffindor table, albeit as far away from her mother as she could. Harry wondered why she had even come. She must know he wasn't best friends with Ron anymore.

Even now, Molly couldn't resist criticising Ginny. If it wasn't the length of her school uniform (she'd had a growth spurt), it was after she'd been introduced to Michael. Bill and the twins could see how upset Ginny was getting, so they tried to make her laugh to cheer her up. Ron ignored her, like usual. When Harry mentioned that Ginny had been helping her to prepare, Molly told him he should ask Hermione, as Ginny was a year younger and couldn't possibly know enough. Ginny stiffly got up from the table and left without saying a word. Bill got up and ran off after her, shooting his mother a puzzled look. The twins and Harry were uncomfortable, but Ron and Molly just continued on as if nothing had happened.

Finally Dumbledore stood up, advising everyone to finish their lunch as it was time to head down to the Quidditch pitch for the beginning of the third task. He then asked the champions say goodbye to their families and friends and follow Mr Bagman down to the stadium.

Neville patted Harry on the shoulder and he smiled as he wished him good luck. Cheers ran out from the Gryffindors as he walked past them to meet up with Cedric, Fleur and Viktor. They left the Great Hall and headed outside. Harry looked around, hoping to spot Ginny, but he couldn't see her or Bill.

They went down to the maze. As Harry and Cedric were currently tied for first place, based on points awarded for the other two tasks, they would go into the maze first, followed by Viktor, then Fleur. Harry was mentally going over the spells and charms he'd learnt with Neville and Ginny.

Something red caught his eye. He turned, spying Ginny. She was looking around, trying to spot someone or something. Suddenly their eyes made contact, and she waved madly, mouthing 'Good luck!' He grinned, giving her a thumbs up. She nudged the person next to her and pointed to him. Harry looked. It was Sirius, and he waved to Harry. Neville joined them and they held up a sign. 'HARRY IS OUR CHAMPION!' Harry grinned, now it really felt like his family was here supporting him.

"On my whistle, three...two...one. Off you go, Harry and Cedric," yelled Ludo Bagman, and he blew his whistle.

The crowd cheered as Cedric and Harry ran into the maze.

Ginny, Sirius and Neville sat back, knowing all they could do now was wait.

XXXX

The crowd was screaming. Sirius had taken off, and Ginny clutched Neville. They'd just seen Harry appear and fall onto the ground with Cedric. Someone was screaming that 'he' was dead. Ginny cursed being so small. Neville grabbed her hand, muttering, "Come on."

Amos Diggory let out a wail. "My boy." His anguised scream went right through Ginny, and she swore her heart stopped beating.

"Harry. What about Harry?" she whispered. She grabbed Neville. "What about Harry?" she asked desperately.

"He's alive, I can see him. He talked to Dumbledore, but Moody's taking him back to the castle," said Neville, grimly.

"Is Sirius with him?" asked Ginny, urgently.

Neville craned his head. "No, it's just Moody and Harry."

Ginny got a bad feeling. "What if he's injured? Shouldn't Madame Pomffrey check him out. Something's not right. Can you see Sirius?"

"He's arguing with Dumbledore. Your Mum's there too. Shit, Sirius looks mad," said Neville.

"Can you take me to Sirius, Nev, please," begged Ginny. He nodded, grabbing her hand and leading her through the throng of crying students.

They made their way to Sirius, who was still arguing with Dumbledore. "-his guardian, it's my right to be with him," argued Sirius.

Ginny went over. "What's going on, is Harry all right?"

Sirius looked at her in frustration. "I don't know, they won't let me see him."

"What? Why not? Harry will need you more than anyone right now," said Ginny.

"This does not concern you, Ginny. Why don't you run along," said Molly, shooting daggers at Sirius. "Albus knows best, Sirius."

Ginny scoffed. "How is Harry being with Moody better than him being with Sirius? Sirius is Harry's family, while Professor Moody is just a teacher."

"Ginny!" scolded Molly. "Show some respect."

"Harry went off with Professor Moody?" asked Dumbledore, paling.

Neville stepped up. "Yeah, while you were talking with Cedric's dad. Is it true, Sir, is Cedric really-dead?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so. It was the Killing Curse. Please excuse me, I must get to the castle," said Dumbledore, hurrying off.

"I'm coming too," said Sirius, determinedly. He followed Dumbledore.

Ginny started to follow them when Molly grabbed her arm. She grimaced in pain. "Where do you think you're going, young lady? Following after Sirius and Harry? How do you think that looks, Ginny?"

"I don't care. Harry is my friend, and he and Sirius might need me," said Ginny, rubbing her arm.

"Why would Harry Potter need you. He has Professor Dumbledore looking out for him," said Molly.

For Ginny, Molly's words reminded her of Tom Riddle's words in the Chamber of Secrets. 'Why would Harry Potter need you, Ginevra? Why would he ever even look at you? You're nothing.'

Ginny tried to hold back her tears. "Harry is my friend, and so is Sirius. I want to know Harry is all right."

"I'm sure he's fine. Dumbledore doesn't need you hanging around, and getting in the way. Perhaps you should go back to your common room," said Molly.

"Come on, Ginny, let's go," said Neville, pulling her away. He smiled weakly at Mrs Weasley, who nodded encouraginly at him.

"We'll pretend we're going back to our common rooms, but we'll go find Harry and Sirius," whispered Neville. Ginny smiled gratefully at him.

"Gin, hey Ginny!"

Ginny stopped. Bill was running toward her. He pulled her into a hug. "You okay?" Ginny nodded, but as she was being held against his chest, he couldn't see. "Yeah," she said.

He pulled her away. "I don't know what's going on with you and Mum, but she shouldn't speak to you like that. I don't like it, and I don't agree with what she's saying. If you have any problems, write to me, okay?"

Ginny hesitated, wondering if she should tell him what she had already put into motion. Bill kissed her forehead, then let her go. "Bye," she said, chickening out.

"Love ya, Gin," he said. "Love you too," she replied, then quickly ran off with Neville.

They arrived in the castle in time to see Professors Mcgonagall and Snape guarding a room. They could hear a house elf crying, and Ginny saw the familiar robes of Aurors bustling in and out.

"Excuse me, Professors, can you tell me where Harry and Sirius are?" asked Ginny.

"They've both gone with Professor Dumbledore to his office," said Professor Mcgonagall.

"Oh. Is Harry all right?" she asked worriedly.

"Physically, I believe so, just some scrapes and bruises," replied his head of house tiredly. "However, he'll be spending the night in the Hospital wing, I daresay."

"Let's go up there and wait," whispered Neville. Ginny nodded, and they left.

XXXX

When Harry came out of Dumbledore's office, he found Molly, Bill and Ron waiting for him. "Oh Harry," cried Mrs Weasley. Harry was disappointed that Ginny and Neville weren't there.

Dumbledore held up his hand. "Molly please, Harry has just been through an ordeal, and needs to get to the Hospital wing. He needs to rest and not be bothered with any questions. Perhaps you can come back tomorrow?"

Molly nodded, smiling at Harry. "Whatever you say, Albus. Harry, we're here for you if you need anything. Just let Ron know, and he can send us an owl."

Harry looked at Ron. He smiled sympathetically at Harry. Harry ignored him and continued on his way with Sirius and Dumbledore.

They went to the Hospital wing, and Harry saw Ginny and Neville jump up off the ground from where they had been sitting, obviously waiting. Harry nearly lost it when he saw the look of concern on their faces.

"Miss Weasley, Mr Longbottom, Harry needs sleep, peace and quiet. If he would like you to stay with him, you may do so, but please, do not question him. He will tell you if and when he is ready," said Professor Dumbledore, gravely.

He turned back to Harry. "Harry, I need to go and talk to Cornelius Fudge, then I will be back to see you. Please remain here tomorrow, until after I have spoken to the school."

Harry nodded. Madame Pomfrey came over, pulling some privacy screens around him and handing him some pyjamas. He got dressed and into bed. She pulled the screen back and handed him a potion. "You'll need to drink all this. It's a Dreamless Sleep potion."

Harry drank it and felt sleepy almost at once. He saw Sirius settle in a chair nearby, and felt comforted that he wouldn't be alone.

Ginny came over and removed his glasses. Without thinking about it, she kissed his cheek. "We're here for you, Harry. Whenever, however you need us."

Neville squeezed his hand. "Sleep, mate. We'll see you tomorrow."

Harry smiled, as the darkness took over.

Ginny went over to Sirius, who looked haggered. "Are you okay?" She hugged him.

Sirius shook his head. "I listened to Harry explain what happened. Gin, I don't know how to tell you this. He's back. Voldemort, he's back. He used an ancient ritiual with some of Harry's blood, and he is re-born."

"No," said Ginny, horrified. She looked over at Harry, who now looked at peace as he slept. "Poor Harry."

"Pettigrew was there, too. Still working for Voldemort, the rat," spat Sirius.

"What about Cedric? Why kill Cedric?" asked Ginny. Neville put an arm around her as she was shaking so much.

Sirius looked shaken too. "He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Cup was a Portkey. The fake Moody put it in there, and he was the one who put Harry's name in the goblet."

"Fake Moody?" asked Neville.

"It was Barty Crouch Jnr all this time. He's been using Polyjuice potion to impersonate Moody to get close to Harry. He's a Death Eater," said Sirius, keeping an eye on Harry.

"Bloody hell, first it was Quirrel, then Barty Crouch. How does Dumbledore not know what's going on right under his bloody nose," snapped Ginny.

"That's what I want to know," said Sirius, grimly. "I'm thinking of removing Harry from Hogwarts altogether. You too, if...you know."

Ginny looked at him and nodded. Neville looked curiously between the two, but neither said anymore about it.

Madame Pomfrey came over to them, checking on Harry. She wasn't happy about having them in her room overnight.

"We'll go back to our common rooms, but we'll be back first thing," said Ginny, knowing what Madame Pomfrey was like. "I'm sure, if Harry wakes and wants to talk, he's rather it just be you here."

Sirius hugged her, and shook Neville's hand. "You two have been great friends to Harry. I'm sure he'd love to see you tomorrow. Thanks for being there for him. Night."

"Good night Sirius," they said, leaving him and Harry alone.

Ginny and Neville walked in silence, each thinking hard. Suddenly Neville spoke up. "I hope Sirius doesn't take Harry away. I'd miss him. You and Harry, you're my best friends."

"Oh Neville," said Ginny, hugging him hard. "Same for me, and I'm sure it's the same for Harry."

"You'd tell me, wouldn't you Ginny? If you and Harry were going to leave the school," asked Neville, urgently.

"I'm sure Harry would, if he could. Don't worry about it, Nev," said Ginny, patting his arm.

"Night, Gin," said a gloomy Neville.

"Night Nev," said Ginny.

XXXX

Dumbledore had addressed the students, asking them not to bother Harry with questions. Harry preferred to spend time with Ginny and Neville, out on the grounds and away from curious eyes.

Hermione had approached him, but he couldn't talk to her. Ron, on his mother's orders hovered over him in their dorm, until Neville told him to leave Harry alone.

Harry was still shaken by the fact that the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge refused to believe that Voldemort was back. Dumbledore was busy trying to rebuild the old Order of the Phoenix, whatever that was. Harry felt as if he were in perpetual numbness.

Sirius had asked if he wanted to leave the castle straight away, but with only a couple of weeks of school left, Harry decided to stick it out. Still, there were days when he wondered if he shouldn't have taken Sirius' advice.

To his surprise, one day he happened to see Sirius waiting in the entrance near the Great Hall. He was wearing clean clothes, and he was clean cut.

Harry approached him. "Hey, what are you doing here, looking all fancy?"

Sirius smirked. "Shut it, you. I'm waiting for a lady, if you must know."

"Sirius."

Harry and Sirius turned. Harry looked between Sirius and Ginny, confused. "What's going on?"

Ginny flushed. "I have to be somewhere, and Sirius is taking me. I should be back by tea time, maybe even lunch. I'll tell you then."

"Okay," said Harry, puzzled. He couldn't imagine where Sirius and Ginny would be going. He saw Professor Snape watching Ginny leave, then he turned and his eyes met Harry's. He quirked an eyebrow then walked away.

Harry went to the Gryffindor table and ate his breakfast, unaware that Hermione had been watching him, Ginny and Sirius carefully.

XXXX

Ginny wasn't back by lunch-time, but she was back by tea -time. Harry saw her talking with the twins. It didn't look like a happy conversation, as he saw Ginny wipe away tears. The twins appeared shocked, and didn't say much. It ended with hugs, but Harry got the impression all was not well.

Ginny joined the Slytherin table at tea-time, and Harry could see Astoria and Tracey seemingly trying to cheer her up. Draco must have made a snarky comment, because her eyes flashed and she retorted something back that made him flush with anger, and the girls around her laugh.

As they finished their pudding, Ginny looked over to the Gryffindor table and motioned to Harry to go outside. Again, neither noticed Hermione watching them. Harry nodded, getting up and meeting her in the Entrance Hall.

"How are you?" they both asked at the same time. They laughed, walking down to 'their' spot on the grounds.

"So where did you and Sirius go today?" asked Harry.

"We went to the Ministry of Magic. A special court hearing. Harry, I-"

"What the bloody hell have you done, Ginny Weasley," screamed Ron, holding up a letter as he stormed down to where they were sitting, Hermione close behind.

"I see you got a letter. Let me guess, Mum?" asked Ginny. Ron nodded.

"What's going on, Ginny?" asked Harry.

Ginny looked between a curious Hermione, a furioius Ron and a puzzled Harry. "Today I asked the courts if I could be emancipated."

Hermione gasped. Harry looked at her, then Ginny. "Er, sorry, what does that mean?" he asked.

"It means that she is no longer a Weasley," growled Ron. "She got up and said all this mean stuff about Mum, and that she didn't want to be a part of our family any more."

"That's not entirely true. I'm just sick of the way I've been treated, like because I'm a Slytherin, I'm a lesser person than the rest of you. Mum won't buy me new uniforms, then complains because I've out grown the old ones. She has physically abused me, and verbally abused me. I won't take it anymore," said Ginny, defiantly.

"Yeah, good one, keeping those Howlers," sneered Ron.

"Oh, the ones where she mentions I'm a disgrace to the family. How, being in Slytherin, is like the worse thing in the world. Funny, the judge, who just happens to be an ex-Slytherin, found them particularly interesting. I think they proved my point more than anything," said Ginny.

"I hope you're happy, Ginny whatever -you're-going- to -call -yourself -now. You've broken our family," snapped Ron, storming off. Hermione shot Ginny a look, then followed Ron.

Ginny let out a deep breath. "I was actually expecting a lot worse than that." She looked at Harry. "Say something, please."

Harry was confused. He had no family; would kill to have his family back. Ginny had a big family, yet here she was, throwing it away.

"You hate me, don't you?" she whispered, tears in her eyes. He shook his head. He could never hate her.

"Family should stand by you, no matter what," she said, with tears streaming down her face. "I won't be a victim in my home, just because I'm different."

Harry held her close. He remembered life with the Dursleys, and he got where she was coming from. "I understand," he whispered. She broke down completely, and he held her tight.

"So what will you do in the holidays?" he asked, once she had stopped crying.

"Well, I, ah, hope you don't mind, but Sirius said I could stay at his home with you and Remus. He agreed to become my guardian," said Ginny. She looked worriedly at Harry.

He grinned. "That's great. We'll be there together."

She sighed in relief. "You really don't mind?"

Harry shook his head. "If we don't have a family, we'll make our own."

Ginny saw Neville approach them. "Do you reckon we can invite Nev over in the holidays?"

"Definitely," said Harry. He looked up to see his dorm mate hover over them. "Sit down, Nev."

"You okay?" Nev asked Ginny, as he sat down.

"Never better," said Ginny. She smiled at Harry.

"So, end of another year," sighed Neville, looking around.

"I think...I think it's going to rough next year. With Voldemort back, who knows what will happen," said Ginny grimly.

Neville winced at the name. "Whatever happens, Harry, we're with you. You're not alone, all right?"

Harry looked at his two best friends. "Yeah, I know."

They sat there, enjoying the last sunlit day together before they left Hogwarts.