Harry stood beside his parents on the Quidditch pitch. He wore a dark red shirt with a pair of black shorts. His sister Jessica had been adamant on making sure that he had an outfit that he could move in. On the other side of the pitch stood Professor Snape. He stood alone in his black robes, his arms crossed over his chest.
Ginny was sitting crossed legged on the ground beside his mother. She hadn't said anything but just sat down beside Lily. Lily just smiled wide at the girl and sat down beside her. Harry gazed down at her for a moment before focusing on the pitch in front of him.
Minister Fudge sat with Dolores Umbridge and Madam Bones. They had a man brought in to oversee the duel. He was from the United States and had overseen a few of these duels in his lifetime. He had been trained to cast the spells that would allow the two to have the standard duel that would drain the loser of his magic.
The man was about six two and had short brown hair. His dark brown eyes assessed the two duelists. Harry moved to sit beside Ginny. She smiled at him, slipping her hand in his. They didn't see the man's gaze on them.
"You'll be fine," she said in a soothing voice.
"I hope you are right," Harry said with a frown.
She squeezed his hand gently as she pulled it into her lap. Her other hand she grazed her fingertips against the back of his hand. "Don't worry, just remember to concentrate."
"I can't when you are doing that," he mumbled to her.
Ginny smiled at him. "I won't be out there doing that anyway."
Lily shook her head slightly. She had never seen her son acting like he was right now. It made her smile but it also made her worry as well.
"Mister Potter?" The man asked.
Ginny and Harry turned to look up at him. "Hello," Harry said.
"I'm Jackson. I'll be overseeing your duel today. May I have a word with you?"
Harry nodded his head as he got to his feet. The two walked a few feet away and the man put up silencing spells. "What's going on?" Harry questioned.
"I'd like to ask you a few questions."
"That's fine."
"Will you promise to answer them truthfully?"
"I promise." A green light flared around them. "I didn't just do that did I?"
"You should choose your words wisely. Now tell me who that young lady was you were sitting with."
"Ginny Weasley. She's the Head Girl."
"I see. If I understood Madam Bones correctly, you are challenging Snape on behalf of Miss Weasley."
"Yes sir I am."
"How long have you known her?"
"Only a week or so."
Jackson nodded his head. "Understandable then. She's a powerful witch, you would do well to keep her close."
With that Jackson walked away leaving Harry speechless. He shook his head and returned to his seat beside Ginny. She gazed at Professor Snape, anger in her eyes. He stared back at her.
Harry gently tugged on her hand, making her turn to look at him. "He'll get what is coming to him," he whispered to her.
"I know," she said quietly. "Make sure he doesn't have an emergency portkey or something like that. We don't want him getting away."
"It won't really matter. Jackson's magic is binding and won't allow someone to back out of the duel."
"That's good," Ginny said quietly.
"Good luck Harry!" A group of girls said from behind them. Ginny turned to glare at the girls. The one in front smiled back at her.
"We know you'll win," she told Harry. Harry looked between Ginny and the girl in front. Ginny looked like she could hex the girl in a second given the chance. It also seemed like the girl wasn't about to back down either.
"Thank you Alexis," Harry said as he flashed the girl a smile.
She smiled sweetly at him. "We are all hoping you beat him."
"Do you even know why he is dueling Professor Snape?" Ginny snapped, her eyes blazing with fury. The group forgot that Lily and James were standing next to them.
"Because of what he did to the students," she said with a glare in Ginny's direction.
"That's true but what did he do?"
"Attacked students and allowed his students to do the same thing."
"Do you realize that two of the girls in your group there were attacked? Or that a few more girls in your house were?"
Alexis opened her mouth then closed it when she turned to look back at the group. The two girls who had been attacked were now smiling down at Ginny.
"Nice to see you again Ginny," they said together.
"Nice to see you as well."
"We wish you the best of luck Harry," the blonde said as the two turned to walk away.
Ginny and the older girl glared at each other. "This is not over Weasley," she snapped.
"You won't win Alexis, I promise you that."
Alexis turned to walk away.
"What was all that about?" Harry whispered in her ear making her jump.
"We don't get along," Ginny said with a shrug as she focused on the field in front of her. "I think its time for you to get up."
Harry nodded his head and turned to grin at her. She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Do I get a good luck kiss?"
Ginny laughed. "Do you have any idea how many rumors will be spread across the school?"
"Not any worse then what is going on now."
"This would make them more believable," she whispered as she leaned closer.
"That's true, but I could really care less."
"And why is that Potter?"
"Because we know the truth."
"So you are willing to let me be branded a scarlet woman?"
"Never, but you can't always help what people say."
"Kissing in front of a stadium full of people including our parents without us dating would raise a few suspicions."
"Then we should fix that shouldn't we?" Harry whispered as his lips brushed hers.
"Are you offering?"
"No, demanding," he told her just before he kissed her. Ginny pulled back first, a smile on her face.
"Better?" She said a bit breathless.
"Not really, but I suppose that will have to do for now," Harry said with a grin as he got to his feet.
He walked towards the middle of the Quidditch pitch, where Jackson and Professor Snape were waiting.
"Kissing blood traitors now?" Snape snarled.
"Very beautiful blood traitors at that," Harry said his grin slightly smug. "But you wouldn't know how that feels since you couldn't get a beautiful girl even if you tried. Which is why you hate my dad so much."
"How dare you! You have no idea why I hate your father."
"Because he was popular, good looking, could get any girl in the school, but the one woman he wanted was Mum and you hated it because he got Mum. You couldn't even get her to think of you as anything more then a friend."
"Alright gentlemen save it for the duel," Jackson said. "Now you both have magically agreed to take part in this duel. Under no circumstances will you be allowed to leave or forfeit this battle. This duel ends when one of you is unable to continue. You will be stripped of your magical abilities. Do you both understand?"
"Understood," they both said together.
"Now raise your wands please."
The two of them raised their wands in front of them. Jackson lifted his arm and began chanting under his breath. A green light wrapped around the two wands, connecting them with a small sliver of magic. A bright flash of red shot from the two wands, sealing the duel.
"The battle will now commence," Minster Fudge said to the stands.
"You'll die Potter, just like your little blood traitor girlfriend," Snape snarled as he shot a cutting curse at Harry.
He dodged to the side. "I'll make you pay for ever touching Ginny, you bastard. No one, and I mean no one, will harm her as long as I am breathing."
"Tell me Potter why do you care for her so much? What makes you want to defend her?" Snape questioned as he dodged the hex that was shot at him.
"Because she is important! I won't let anyone ever harm her again."
Snape cackled. "Too bad you will be dead! I'll be sure to give her something special for you when you're dead and buried."
Harry's eyes flared dangerously as they began firing hexes faster at each other.
"She's very appealing by the way. I can see why you are dating her."
"Tell me Snivellus, how much work does Riddle give you? This the best you can do? Working as a teacher? Not good enough to be out doing the real work? What does he give you for a prize? Does he give you what you want? Apparently not, since you have to go after students."
"You don't have any idea you brat! My Lord will have your head for this."
"I doubt it. I'll make sure to give him a proper greeting when I see him soon."
Harry began sending multiple hexes at him, some of which Snape dodged or blocked completely.
Snape was beginning to be forced back by the force of Harry's spells. He watched as the young boys eyes began to grow a darker shade of green. For once in Severus' life he was actually scared.
What the hell have I gotten myself into? He thought frantically. I'll never make it out of this alive.
Lily, who had been sitting beside Ginny, was startled when the girl fell over sideways apparently unconscious.
"Ginny?" Lily questioned as she moved to lean over the young girl. "Wake up Ginny," she said as she shook her.
Ginny only managed to stir a moment before she completely collapsed.
"James!" Lily called. "Go get Madam Pomfrey, something is wrong with Ginny."
James took off running, knowing better then to question his wife on anything.
Snape, who was facing towards them, noticed what happened to Ginny. This might be my only chance to get out of this alive. "Hey Potter, looks like something is wrong with your girlfriend."
"Shut up!" Harry called but he was now worried. His back was turned towards her so he had no idea if he was lying or not. So he took a step to the side, Snape mimicking him. He took another step, but Snape took one towards him, realizing what he was doing.
"Poor thing, she's not waking up. Your Mum is over there trying to help, but that stupid Mudblood can't do anything for her."
"SHUT UP!" Harry screamed, his anger reaching its boiling point. "Don't you dare insult my Mum you stupid half blood!"
"How dare you insult me!" Snape snarled as he began firing hexes back at Harry. The battle turned more to offensive then defensive on both of their parts.
Harry's breathing was coming in shallower, shorter breaths.
Lily, James, Molly, Arthur, and Madam Pomfrey watched, horrified, as Ginny began to become wounded. James snapped his head up and looked between Ginny and Harry.
"It must be their connection that Danielle was telling us about," James said hurriedly. "It must be stronger then it was before, because whenever Harry gets wounded so does she."
"What in the world is going on?" Molly demanded as she watched another cut appear on her daughter.
"This isn't good," Danielle whispered, having appeared behind her mother. All the adults turned to look at her. Her green eyes were clouded. "Things have changed, lots of things."
"What's happened Danielle?" Lily said as she turned fully to face her daughter.
"Voldemort is watching this. He knows of their connection. He wants Ginny to get to Harry. Pain. Lots of pain."
"Ginny's dreams!" Lily cried out helplessly. "Those dreams she told me about. Can't we prevent them?"
"I don't know. They need to finish the bond, they have to finish the bond before he comes for her. Somehow, someway they must complete it. Two paths. I see two paths."
"I thought there were three?" James questioned.
"Now there are two. He's blind to the heirs now, he will regret that soon enough. Their getting closer, on their own time, but a lot quicker then I anticipated. If this keeps up we may be in luck." Danielle's eyes never looked at them, but looked at Ginny, whose breathing was shallow. "The time draws near. It's getting closer. I can feel it."
Harry lunged at Snape, his fist slamming into the man's stomach. Snape had no time to react and hit the ground hard. Harry ripped the wand from his hand and aimed both at him. Bruises and cuts covered both of them.
"No one harms her," he hissed in a dangerous voice. "I'll kill anyone who dares to lay a hand on her."
Snape gazed up at the teenager, his eyes filled with fear. Least it's better then death by Voldemort, he thought to himself as he closed his eyes.
"Then beware, Voldemort is always watching. He will try and take her. He will do it."
"Then that means I will kill him all the more faster. He won't live another day if he harms her."
With that Harry sent the last curse. Snape fell to the ground, dead. Harry dropped to his knees as the magic from Snape drove into his body, combining with his magical core. His eyes slid shut as he watched the magic slide through a connection that he had never seen before. It was gone just as quick as it had come.
He spun, his eyes searching for Ginny. She lay on the ground, surrounded by his parents, her parents, Madam Pomfrey, and Danielle. He shoved himself to his feet and sprinted towards her. The pain was pushed from his mind as he dropped beside her. He didn't even register that the others had been pushed aside due to his magic.
"Ginny," he whispered urgently. "Ginny, open your eyes."
Slowly her eyes fluttered half way open. Her brown eyes met his. "Harry…" she whispered.
"I'm here, it's over," he said as he bent down closer to her.
"Good," she said with a small smile. "You kept your promise."
"Of course I did," a smile on his own face as he reached out to touch her cheek. She flinched from the pain. "What happened?" His green eyes filled with confusion and concern.
"We'll explain that later," Lily said. "Right now you two need to go to the Hospital Wing."
Harry nodded as he began to help Ginny to her feet. She smiled up at him when she managed to get to her feet. Suddenly Ron appeared, followed by a much taller red haired boy.
"Bill," Ginny said with a grin. "I thought you were working."
"I came to see who was dueling Snape in honor of my baby sister," Bill said as he lifted Ginny into his arms.
"I can walk," Ginny hissed but still had a smile on her face. "And I am not a baby."
Molly and Arthur smiled as they followed their children. Danielle, Lily, and James began walking away as well, Madam Pomfrey in the lead. Harry began walking when Ron grabbed his arm. The two boys gazed daggers at each other.
"I told you to stay away from my sister," Ron ground out.
"It's her choice not yours," Harry snapped.
"Stay the hell away from her. I mean it! You don't have any right to be interfering in her life."
"Interfering? Please. I've done nothing."
"This is my last warning. I don't want you to come near her. Mark my words, I'll make you pay if you harm my sister."
Harry grabbed Ron's throat, shoving him hard into a wall. "Don't you ever threaten me again. I didn't just kill a man for no reason. Whatever you might think of me is completely off. I would never threaten or harm Ginny and so help me I'll kill any person who even dares to hurt her. I would do anything to protect her."
He let the younger boy go and headed off towards the Hospital wing.
"You know no one is ever going to date you unless you grow up," Pansy snapped from behind him. Ron whirled around to face his sister's two best friends. Daphne looked as if she could kill him.
"Don't you even realize how happy your sister is now?" Daphne demanded. "Her eyes have never had that sparkle to them until she met Harry."
"Don't you dare go trying to ruin something that not only Ginny but Harry as well, have been waiting for. She's never been this happy and she won't ever be this happy without him."
"It was downright stupid of you to try and interfere with your sister and Harry," Hermione snapped from behind him.
Ron turned to gaze at the girl who he had the largest crush on. Her eyes were ice cold.
"You don't do anyone a favor by being a stubborn prat. Stay out of the way or we will make you regret the day you were born. Come along girls, I believe that Ginny could use some company."
The three girls glared at him once more before stalking off, leaving the red headed boy gaping.
Ginny's eyes slowly opened. The room was dark except for a few lit candles throughout the room. The hospital wing was fairly empty, considering school hadn't even gotten into full swing yet. Her eyes traveled along the white walls of the room before finally coming to land on where Harry lay fast asleep.
His bed was to the right of her, and his head was turned towards her. Ginny was struck by how peaceful he looked. A smile crossed her face as she remembered how nice it felt to wake up in his arms. He had been so comfortable and she finally slept in peace. There were no nightmares or worries. It was just them, together.
As if he could sense her watching him he opened his eyes.
"Hey," he said with a smile.
"Hey," she said back, grinning as well.
Harry pushed himself up and got out of bed and he stood beside her bed. His green eyes danced as he gazed down at her. "How are you feeling?"
"Better. Where did my family go?"
"Home. Well that is after Madam Pomfrey and Alice convinced them that you were perfectly fine and only needed some rest."
"Good."
"That's good?"
"Yes, that means I can do this," she told him as she pulled him down to her. Harry grinned when he realized what she wanted and kissed her back. Ginny's arms slipped around his neck, holding him close to her.
A/N: Update! I know you've all been DYING to read this right? lol well here is what you wanted and this is what you get! Isn't it great? ne how Snape is dead and Ron is getting on everyones nerves. Oh and next chapter Ron gets slapped and knocked unconcious and yea its a bit slow until I get into a few more chaps.
Well thanks for reading! Reveiw when you get the chance and I know there are a lot of you out there, it says that like 50 somethin of you have it on alert. Surprise surprise, it may even catch up to the 60 some for deadly curse. My stories aren't that good are they?
Seritha