Ginny could feel her heart crashing against her chest. I shouldn't let him do this, she thought to herself. But I want to so badly.
Just as their lips brushed Ron came bounding down the hall. "Hey Ginny! Here you are."
Danielle groaned audibly, but it was covered by Harry and Ginny. Ginny glared daggers at her younger brother. I'll kill him! Ginny thought as she moved off of him, instantly missing the warmth he provided.
Harry glared at the younger boy as well.
"Oh, I see you are here with him," Ron growled when he got close enough.
Ginny's head snapped in her brother's direction, surprised by the venom in his voice. "Yes, we were just on our way to the Headmaster's office," she said in a calm voice, her eyes never leaving her brother.
"Then you better get going," Ron said as he shot Harry a cold stare.
Harry got to his feet with ease and stared Ron down. "I'm Harry Potter and you are?"
"Ronald Weasley," he said as he stood up straighter.
Danielle and Ginny exchanged glances.
"Pleasure to meet you."
"I could say the same for you only I'd be lying."
"Ronald!" Ginny snapped.
"Go to the Headmaster's office Ginny. Mum is waiting for you."
Ginny paled as she reluctantly turned to leave. Danielle stood, watching as the two boys stared each other down.
"What have I done to you?" Harry asked coldly.
"I know your type. Stay away from my sister. She's gone through enough problems as is. Don't you dare get near my sister."
"My type? My TYPE! You don't know anything about me!"
"You're one of those jerks who use others for your own personal gain. You're arrogant and selfish. Don't come near her understand me? She's got six brothers just so you know and none of us want her getting her heart broken by some stuck up rich boy. You've been warned, stay away from her!" Ron said as he turned to walk away.
"Bastard," Harry said under his breath. "He doesn't know a thing about me."
"But he knows you want his sister."
"There is just something about her," he said quietly. "I want to be with her. That stupid git had to come and interrupt us."
"Come on, we have to get back to the Headmaster's office."
Harry nodded his head and followed his sister to the Headmaster's office. When they walked in they noticed how the room had been expanded. He was a bit surprised to see Madam Bones, Minister Fudge, and Dolores Umbridge waiting as well. Ginny stood by a red headed couple. Her mother was fussing over her and her father was glaring daggers at Professor Snape.
His parents stood at the back of the room, neither of them saying anything. He did notice that his father had his arms wrapped around his mother, meaning they were both trying to refrain the other from doing something drastic.
He was a bit surprised to see his two uncles and his aunt waiting as well, all three of them looking like they could kill. Professor Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his eyes had lost their twinkle.
Pansy and Daphne were sitting with their parents, who were glaring back and forth between the Headmaster and Professor Snape. Harry's eyes drifted back to where Ginny stood. She was now sitting between her parents, her eyes meeting his. He gave her a small smile, which she barely managed to return.
"Alright, now that everyone is here lets get this worked out," Fudge said from his seat.
"Yes, lets," Umbridge said.
"Why are we here?" Draco asked in an annoyed voice.
"I suggest you keep your mouth shut if you know what's good for you," Daphne snapped hatefully at the blonde youth.
"Miss Greengrass, please refrain from such outbursts," Dumbledore said calmly. "The reason you are all here today is because of the accusations held against you."
At this point Madam Bones stood up. "Professor Snape is hereby charged with three counts of attempted rape and abuse. Draco Malfoy is hereby charged of three counts of rape and eight counts of attempted rape."
Draco sneered hatefully at the woman. "You have no proof that I have done anything of the sort."
"Oh but we do Mr. Malfoy," James said in a cold voice. "We have testimonies from all eleven ladies."
The boy paled slightly. "You can't prove that."
"We already have."
"This is an outrage," Snape said loudly. "Who brought these charges up against us?"
"Miss Weasley," Dumbledore said.
"That liar? She is just as bad as her brothers. Always pulling some sort of trick to get more attention. You can't believe her," he snarled.
Danielle grabbed Harry's wrist, stopping him from punching the professor. He had never felt so angry before in his life as he did at this moment.
"Swear it under Veritaserum," Lily said calmly. "That is if you truly believe you are innocent."
Snape glared at Lily. "I'll do it."
"The potion must be brewed by someone else," Ginny snapped. "I will not have him making or taking a potion that he made himself."
"I am the best potion's master there is!" He said loudly to her.
"I demand that it be made by someone we can trust."
"How dare you insult me!"
"How dare you attack her!" Pansy and Daphne screamed at him. Their faces red with pent up fury.
"I did no such thing," he said defiantly.
"LIAR!" All three girls screamed together. They were all on their feet, wands in hand, aimed at him.
"Put your wands away!" Fudge demanded. "Parents, control your children."
The adults exchanged looks, but made no move to stop their children.
"I want them thrown out of this school!" Ginny cried. "They deserve to be in Azkaban for what they've done."
"You can never prove that," Snape said. "I have never once harmed her."
"You bastard," Daphne said just before she hit the man. Draco was already on his feet and had hit Daphne hard. Pansy had hit Crabbe, who fell back into Goyle. Snape was regaining his balance and aimed for Ginny.
Before his arm ever got close enough he was slammed hard against one of the walls. Everyone was frozen in place. Harry's wand was aimed at the older man, his green eyes flashing with anger.
"I challenge you to a duel," Harry said in a cold voice. "To prove that Ginny's statements are true. Should you refuse then it shows what a lying coward you really are."
A gasp rose from the occupants in the room. Snape's eyes were large and scared.
"Do you accept?"
Snape just stared at him.
"Accept or admit that you attacked your students."
"I accept," Snape snapped. The room flashed brightly as the magical duel was set. "What happened?" He asked worriedly.
Harry was grinning but it was a cold grin. "You've just accepted the most costly duel in the history of duels. You swore on your magic Professor Snape. Whoever wins this duel gains their opponents powers. You won't live afterwards."
"I-I-I didn't!" Snape shouted. "You little-"
"The duel is set Severus," Madam Bones said. "It will be held three weeks from Monday. In the case of Mr. Potter versus Mr. Snape. The duel will take place at noon. Until that time Mr. Malfoy, Professor Snape, Mr. Crabbe, and Mr. Goyle will be in holding cells at the Ministry under constant surveillance. Aurors please take these prisoners to their cells."
Five Aurors that Harry hadn't noticed before took the four men through the floo system.
James and Lily moved to stand beside their son. "Harry?" Lily asked.
"I know what I am doing Mum," he said quietly to her.
"I sure hope you do, you just chanced your magic," James said.
"James!" Lily snapped. James dropped his head and mumbled an apology.
"Mr. Potter might I have a word with you?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"Yes sir," Harry said as he followed the man out of the office. The two walked a short distance from the office before Mr. Weasley spoke again.
"I want to thank you for doing what you did back there but I feel that I do not know what your true motives behind this are."
"My motives were simple, sir. The man deserved to be punished for abusing his position as an authority figure. He assaulted several young ladies and denied it profusely. He also attempted to attack again even in front of Ministry officials. I will not let that stand, sir."
"Thank you. You have no idea what this means to our family."
"It's no problem at all."
Mr. Weasley nodded and headed back towards the office. "Are you coming?"
"No," Harry said as he turned to leave. Mr. Weasley returned to the office. Ginny, Daphne, and Pansy were sitting together, neither of them talking. Mrs. Weasley approached her husband.
"Did you speak to him?"
"I did."
"And?"
"I think he might feel something for our daughter," Mr. Weasley said with a small smile.
Mrs. Weasley's eyes sparkled. "He's quite handsome too."
Lily and James moved to approach Ginny. Her head snapped up when Lily touched her arm. "Hello," Ginny said weakly.
"I'm sorry all of this had to happen but we weren't going to allow it to continue," Lily told her.
"I understand."
"We hope so," James said with a small smile.
"If you'll excuse me," Ginny said as she got to her feet. She waved her parents and friends off as she left the Headmaster's office. Her eyes scanned the halls for any sign of Harry. With a sigh she headed off towards her Suite. Her footsteps were heavy and slow.
Her mind was still trying to grasp what Harry had just done. Why did he chance his magic on this? What if he loses? He'll die. I can't lose him. This last thought startled her.
Since when did he become so important?
Maybe when you realized that he could mean something to you.
That's ridiculous.
As ridiculous as the two of you almost kissing earlier?
That's not the same thing.
Only to you. One day you will admit it to yourself.
I can't believe I am arguing with myself. She shook her head and entered the common room. Harry sat on the couch, gazing into the fireplace. She was slightly surprised to see how late it was in the day. It had to be around five in the evening.
Ginny watched him for a moment. His long black hair stood up at all angles just like his father's did. He didn't wear glasses like his father, but he had his father's build. His face was shaped more like his mother and he had her stunning green eyes.
"I owe you now," she said quietly.
He didn't turn to look at her. "You don't owe me anything."
"But I do. You didn't have to duel him."
"He had no right to do what he did," he said calmly.
Ginny moved over to the couch, sitting down beside him, her leg brushing against his. "No he didn't but you still didn't have to challenge him to that duel."
"Would you have done it?"
"Yes."
"You were willing to go against him? A Death Eater? Voldemort's number one spy?"
"I'd give him hell for doing what he did to people that I know," she ground out through clenched teeth.
"He won't live to do it again. I won't let him," Harry said quietly. He turned to look up at her.
Ginny met his gaze, searching his eyes for what made him do it. "Why? Why are you doing this?" She whispered.
"Because of what he's done to people, what he's allowed others to do with innocent women. Because he hurt you," Harry said the last part so quiet that Ginny thought she was hearing things.
She reached up to rest her hand against his cheek. "You didn't have to do this. He still would have got what was coming to him." Her voice was soft.
"He'll never harm anyone again. He won't harm you either."
Ginny smiled slightly at him. She moved her hand to rest on his cheek. Her hand was warm and soft. After a moment he held her hand in his, keeping it against his cheek. Her eyes searched his for a long moment. Slowly she gently drew his face towards hers.
In the back of their minds they wondered what was making them so drawn to each other. What made this person so different from all the rest? Why now?
At some point Ginny pushed that voice away. If she were being drawn to him then she would see why. Why she wanted to be around him. Why it made her sick to her stomach to watch the stares he got from the rest of the girls in the school. And why it meant so much to her that he would defend her.
Harry was curious to figure out why he had reacted like he did. He could picture Snape hurting Ginny and it had made him furious. He was so protective of her and he wanted to kill the man for ever hurting her. When he saw the looks some of the boys were shooting in her direction it had made him want to incapacitate all of them. His eyes searched hers and he found confusion, want, joy, and hesitation in her eyes.
He moved his other hand to her hip and leaned towards her. Harry didn't want someone else to interrupt this chance that was presented to him. Just as his lips brushed hers a knock sounded on the door.
Both of them sat there for a moment. Neither of them wanted to answer the door but they would have to. Reluctantly Ginny moved away from him and headed towards the door. She opened it to find Jessica, Samantha, and Danielle standing by the door. Ginny didn't say anything as she moved aside and headed towards her dorm. She glanced over her shoulder one last time before disappearing up the stairs.
Harry watched her leave and when he was sure she was out of hearing range he groaned and collapsed against the couch.
"I see we've come at a bad time," Jessica said with a laugh.
"You think?" He said in a tired voice. "I'll never get a moment with her will I?"
"I'm sure you'll find a way," Samantha said as she dropped into a seat.
"If all of you people would just leave us alone that would be wonderful!"
Danielle laughed. "Tried to kiss her again?"
"Yes, and it didn't work."
"Well just keep trying it seems like she wants to just as much as you do."
Harry laughed. "I'll wait and see," he said with a sigh. "What do you three want anyway?"
"Why are you doing this?" Samantha asked.
"Because he hurt her," Harry said simply.
"Since when did you care about the well being of a certain girl?" Jessica demanded of him.
"The moment I looked into her beautiful chocolate brown eyes."
The three sisters exchanged looks. Even though Danielle had seen this coming it still came as a shock to all of them to hear their brother speak about any girl in the way that he was talking about Ginny.
"Looks like you've got it bad brother," Samantha commented, a slight smile on her face.
"I barely know the girl," he mumbled, a smile still on his face.
"Then get to know her smart one," Jessica scowled.
"We all heartily approve of her too," Danielle said with a grin. "Any girl that can get you this happy is just what you are needing."
Harry just smiled at his sisters. "She's amazing isn't she?"
The girls chuckled. "Well, I hate to say this but I think my precious Godson has fallen in love," a voice said from the door.
The four occupants turned to look at Michelle, who was grinning.
"Love? What makes you think its love?"
"Because you remind me of me when I met Remus. She's a very lovely girl too."
Harry shook his head. "Please don't tell me my love life is going to be the topic of future discussion."
"We won't," his sisters said together, grinning at him.
"Good, I haven't even begun to start to know her, so no bugging her for my sake."
"We would never!" Danielle said with a mock shocked expression on her face.
Harry smirked and shook his head. "It was good seeing you again Aunt Michelle. Tell Moony hi for me, I'm off to bed, so you all need to head out of the Heads room."
"Night Harry," they all said together.
A/N:Yes I know I am evil! Poor Harry and Ginny, never getting a moment of peace with each other. Hehehe, of course I did have a bit more fun (aka the bathroom scene) of course you all won't read that till Sunday!
Also for anyone who is currently reading my Deadly Curse story, I can tell you that its going to get REALLY good, especially when I tell you all who put their names in the goblet!
Much love to all those who have read and reviewed.
Seritha