Ginny had been working all summer to get her parents to invite Harry over. When she and Harry realized he wasn't receiving any of his letters she had upped her pleas that the muggles were being awful to him. In fact, she knew they were being awful to him.
By the time of Dobby's strange appearance she knew Ron and the twins had finally been convinced to take action. She hoped they would tell her when they did.
Ginny was asleep when Ron and the twins borrowed the car and flew off to rescue Harry. She woke sleepily to hear her mother yelling at them, she wondered what they had done now and made her way down the stairs for breakfast.
Harry was very happy. He was away from the Dursleys and staying in a place that seemed just as magical as Hogwarts. He smiled when he felt Ginny wake up. She was still almost asleep and had not realized he was downstairs. She had worked so hard to convince her brothers to rescue him. Harry was grateful. She had been the only thing that had kept him sane during the summer telling him that Ron had been sending letters.
Dobby's arrival at least cleared up that mystery, but only left him with more questions than answers. Harry waited for Ginny to step off the stairs and then greeted her both mentally and verbally, "Hi Ginny." The rest of the world seemed to fall away as he looked into her eyes, which had flown open in shock.
"Harry?" Ginny questioned and then ran over and hugged him. Harry bought his arms around her small form hugging her back. It was the first hug he had ever had.
The rest of the Weasley family watched in confusion. Neither Harry nor Ginny showed any signs of letting go of the other. They seemed lost in their own world. Mrs. Weasley looked on and realized that her daughter did not just have a crush. Whatever this was, it was not a crush and it appeared that Harry felt it too. She was going to have to watch these two carefully. As the two released each other not a word was said not even by the twins.
Harry reluctantly released Ginny. She felt so good, so right, when she was hugging him; he did not want to let go. What amazed Harry even more was that Ginny felt the same way. She thought Harry's arms around her was the best feeling in the world and did not want him to let go. Eventually they realized they had to when the rest of the Weasleys continued to watch them in shock. They took their seats with matching blushes.
Molly Weasley did indeed watch Harry like a hawk. He and Ron were obviously great friends, but she was surprised by Ginny's closeness to him. They were rarely apart despite Ron's attempts to exclude her. When Ron and the other boys had gone out to play quidditch it had been Harry who had practically insisted that Ginny also play. The two were close, but rarely spoke Molly noted. It was almost like how Fred and George seemed to have their own silent method of communication, but Ginny and Harry could sit for hours and not say a word – the twins were never quiet for long.
By the time it came to visit Diagon Alley Molly had decided that Harry and Ginny did not just like each other – they were destined for each other. She had already caught them either sleeping on the couch together seemingly having fallen asleep while playing chess or just talking several times. It had obviously been innocent; she did not think that either of them realized just what they felt for each other. Ron had been forced to accept Ginny's presence. Mrs. Weasley began planning the wedding that she knew would eventually happen.
………………………..
Mrs. Weasley and her daughter were frantic. Harry had not flooed to the right place. Ginny stopped panicking before her mother, she knew Hagrid had found Harry, but she still greeted Harry enthusiastically when he reappeared.
Ron had watched the closeness between Harry and his sister with growing suspicion all summer. He was confused. They rarely talked, but they were also rarely apart. When Hermione arrived with her parents he quickly moved over to talk to her. He needed advice.
Ginny practically jumped into Harry's arms when Hagrid released him. When they released each other she took his hand, determined that he would not get himself lost again.
Harry, how do you get yourself into these situations?
I'm not sure. They seemed to happen without me doing anything.
Mrs. Weasley led them to Flourish and Blots to get their books. There was a long line; someone called Lockhart was signing his autobiography. Harry was surprised to see all of his books were required this year. He was even more surprised when he was grabbed and pulled to the front to be photographed with Lockhart. As quickly as he could, he escaped the limelight, loaded down with books. He gave them to Ginny, saying he would buy his own.
"I bet you enjoyed that Potter," drawled a cold voice. "You can't even go into a bookstore without getting your face on the front page." Draco Malfoy strolled to stand in front of them.
Ginny stepped forward, "Shut up, he didn't want that."
Malfoy turned his cold gaze on Ginny, "What's this Potter got yourself a girlfriend? Surely even you can do better than a Weasley."
Harry felt a hate for Malfoy he had never felt before. He put his hands on Ginny's shoulders and gently, but firmly pulled our of Malfoy's reach before stepping forward himself, "Leave her alone."
Ron hated Malfoy, but he was also alarmed by what he had said. It had never even occurred to him that Harry might like Ginny like that. In fact, it had never even occurred to Ron that anyone would like Ginny like that.
His thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of Draco's father and Mr. Weasley greeting each other. Lucious Malfoy took out Ginny's battered transfiguration book. He insulted the Weasley's financial status and then moved on to the Grangers. At this point Mr. Weasley threw a punch and soon they were brawling on the floor. Hagrid broke it up separating the two men. Lucious dumped Ginny's transfiguration book back in her cauldron and stalked off.
The Weasleys and Grangers stopped to get ice cream and talk when Harry realized that they had not gone by Ollivander's. "Ginny, don't you need a wand?"
She shook her head and pulled out a battered looking wand, "It was my grandmother's," she explained.
Harry remembered what Ollivander had said about the wand choosing the wizard and how a wizard would not get the best result with another's wand. He wanted Ginny to have her own wand, "How about I buy you your own wand as a late birthday present?"
Her eyes widened and he knew she wanted to say yes, "No, Harry, it's too much besides I didn't get you anything for your birthday."
Harry brushed her off, he knew she wanted it, "You convinced your brothers to rescue me that was the best birthday present I could have…" Besides with all the help you gave me in classes you deserve this he finished mentally.
He knew from talking with Ron and Ginny that it would not be easy to convince their mother to let him buy Ginny a wand. Then he remembered that Ron was using an old wand too. On the excuse of needed to have his wand checked out he convinced Mr. and Mrs. Weasley to allow Ron, Ginny, and Hermione to accompany him to Ollivander's.
"Hello, sir, Ron and Ginny need wands," Harry announced to Mr. Ollivander when he entered. The old man smiled his strange smile and looked at them with his odd eyes. He started with an objecting Ron who didn't want to take charity, but Ollivander paid no attention already caught up in finding Ron a wand, which he did very quickly. It was something with Unicorn hair.
Then he moved on to Ginny. Finding her a wand took much longer and Harry was reminded of his first visit here. Ginny was looking worried, "Don't worry, Ginny, I practically tried the whole store before I found mine."
Mr. Ollivander nodded enthusiastically, "Very true. Mr. Potter, like yourself, was a hard fit, but rest assured I have the wand for you." Finally she tried one that was of ebony wood and a phoenix feather. Red sparks shot out of the wand and Mr. Ollivander smiled and took Harry's galleons gladly.
Mrs. Weasley was not pleased when she found her two youngest had new wands and that Harry had paid for them. "Harry, dear, you really shouldn't have. Their old wands are fine," she turned to her children, "How dare you two accept this! You know better."
"Please Mrs. Weasley, they tried to say no, but they deserve the wands. Ollivander said that a wizard never gets as good results with another person's wand. After last year I think Ron should have his own wand then he would do better in classes and…and… Ginny's wand was a…a birthday present," Harry concluded and Mrs. Weasley finally relented, but admonished Harry not to buy them anything else so expensive.
That night Ginny told Harry that she had found another book stuck into her transfiguration text. The book was blank and looked to be an old diary with the initials "TMR" stamped on the front. Neither of them knew what to do with the diary. Eventually Ginny said she would use.
Later that night she started the entry, 31 August and stopped. The ink disappeared. Then letters started to appear.
-Hi. My name is Tom Riddle.
Ginny looked at the diary in astonishment. Harry, you've got to see this.
Harry arrived shortly and she explained to him what happened. Ginny decided to write back, "My name is Ginny Weasley." The ink disappeared again.
-Hello, Ginny. How old are you?
"11"
-A very good age. Are you going to Hogwarts?
"Yes, how do you know about Hogwarts?"
-I was a student there fifty years ago.
The conversation with Tom ended there because Mrs. Weasley was calling for them to go to bed. Ginny threw the diary into her trunk without a second thought.
Inside the trunk Tom was perplexed. The magic in the diary, his consciousness, should have made a foothold even with just that little bit of conversation, but he hadn't. It was like the girl had natural defenses. Tom was annoyed, but intrigued. He had little choice, but to bide his time.
The trip from the Burrow to Kings Cross was uneventful as long as you didn't count having to go back for Ron's robes and supposedly Fred's quills. When they arrived at Kings Cross everyone piled out of the automobile and unloaded their trunks.
Harry and Ginny hung back from the rest talking about Harry's experience at Hogwarts and what Ginny wanted to do when she got there. Eventually Mrs. Weasley came up from behind them and began pushing them toward the barrier; the others had already gone through. "Come on now, we've only got a couple minutes," encouraged Mrs. Weasley as they approached the barrier.
They hit it with a loud crash. Harry flew over the handle of the cart and Ginny fell down beside her cart. Mrs. Weasley was tapping the barrier trying to figure out why it was solid. She turned to them, "Okay, I want you two to remain here. I'm going to apparate and then floo Dumbledore. She moved to an empty corner and disappeared with a pop.
Ginny was nervous. It was the first time she had ever been in muggle London without one of her parents nearby. Harry felt her nervousness and took her hand, "You know," he said gently nudging her, "last time it was me who was the nervous one." Ginny smiled at the memory.
"Why do you think the barrier sealed itself?" she asked. Harry just shrugged. A moment later the clock struck eleven. "Oh no! I'm going to miss my first train ride to Hogwarts!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Don't worry, it'll work out."
"How do you know?"
"I just know," Harry said and laughed, "Relax Ginny, one way or another we'll make it to Hogwarts. What house do you think you will be sorted into?"
Ginny cocked an eyebrow at him and smiled, Harry felt his heart skip for some reason, "Gryffindor of course and if the hat tries anything else I'll just tell it so…just like you."
Just as Harry was getting nervous Mrs. Weasley returned, "Try the barrier now dears." They went through easily and to their surprise the Hogwarts Express was still there. Mrs. Weasley hugged them both and told them to be good before hurrying them onto the train.
Ginny and Harry quickly found the compartment that Ron and Hermione were in. "What happened?" asked Hermione.
"Don't know, the barrier sealed itself. Mom had to floo Dumbledore," Ginny answered. Harry and Ginny sat down across from Ron and Hermione. No one had any idea how or why the barrier would be sealed. Hermione said she would check the library. The trip to Hogwarts was a long one and Ginny had been up since dawn with the excitement of going to Hogwarts, consequently she was getting drowsy. Almost without any thought she laid her head down on Harry's shoulder and closed her eyes.
Harry felt the weight of Ginny's head on his should her looked over at the red object on his shoulder accidentally inhaling the scent of her hair. He smiled; there was something about Ginny that always made him feel good. He was also starting to feel tired; it was like Ginny's exhaustion was catching.
Ron watched incredulously as his little sister leaned her head onto his best mate's shoulder and fell asleep. Normally he would have been amused, but what Malfoy had said was still on his mind. Then Harry leaned his head against his sister's head smiling and closed his own eyes. Ron's worry increased ten fold, but he continued to watch in silent horror.
Hermione was also aware of what was happening. Ron had talked with her about Harry and Ginny, she got the impression Ron did not like sharing Harry with Ginny. Hermione thought it was strange for Harry to become so close to Ginny so quickly when he was usually so reserved. He had never so much as hugged her and yet she had seen him hold on to Ginny like his life depended on it in Diagon Alley. She shrugged and went back to her book.
Shortly before they arrived, Draco Malfoy appeared flanked by Crabbe and Goyle, "Ahh look at the love birds. Potter you're so pathetic, had to have the train wait just for you and the little weasel. Ron was being held back by Hermione who had him pressed against the back of the compartment.
If Harry had been awake enough to hear Malfoy he might have retorted or drawn his wand. Instead he just looked sleepily at Malfoy and said, "What do you want?"
Malfoy looked temporarily stumped, "I just came by to have a look."
"You've had your look now leave!" retorted Ginny. Malfoy looked like he was going to say something else, but had to move along when the food cart came by.
They had split up from Ginny when she followed Hagrid with the rest of the first years. Hermione, Ron, and Harry found their way to the Great Hall and sat down. Harry could feel Ginny's presence just outside the hall.
Hey Ginny, I'm saving you a seat.
Thanks Harry. There's this kid here who won't stop talking about you. He says he heard about "The Harry Potter" on the train and can't wait to meet you – he just knows you'll be the best of friends. Ginny giggled, she knew how much he hated that type of attention.
Well at least I've been warned.
McGonagall led the first years into the Great Hall to stand in front of the sorting hat. Ginny had pointed out Colin Creevy as the kid who wanted to meet Harry when he went up to be sorted. Harry groaned when he became a Gryffindor. Soon it was Ginny's turn and Harry found he was as nervous as Ginny was.
The hat came down over her eyes.
"What do we have here? This is something else; I wondered when I would meet Mr. Potter's other half. I can see that between your Weasley blood and your attachment to Mr. Potter you won't accept anything but GRYFFINDOR."
Ginny smiled broadly and made her way to the table, sitting down beside Harry.
That night in the dormitory Ron pulled Harry to the side, "What's with you and my sister?"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked. "Ginny's one of my best friends."
"Is that all?"
"I don't understand," Harry answered truthfully.
"Do you have…um…um…feelings for her?" Ron seemed to be having trouble.
Harry was confused, "Of course I have feelings for Ginny. She's my friend." Then it dawned on him what Ron was getting at and he blushed. Did he have feelings for Ginny? He was too young to think about this type of stuff, but he had to think quickly, Ron wanted an answer. He was just happy Ginny was already asleep by now, but he had to sort this out otherwise he'd be thinking about it all the time and there was no way he could keep anything from her for long.
Harry began thinking. Did he have feelings for Ginny? Yes. What type of feelings? He couldn't imagine being without her, he didn't want to be. She made him feel happy, she made him feel…complete. Ginny was a part of him now.
Ron made an impatient sound.
"Ginny is, is my closest friend," he had to choose his words carefully, "Maybe someday we will be more than friends."
Ron actually looked impressed and was satisfied by his answer.
…………………….
Time flew by quickly. Ginny found her first-year classes very boring as she had spent most of last year following what Harry was doing in class. She was now doing the same this year, unfortunately this gave her a dazed look in class. To the professors' consternation she always seemed to be able to do the spell. The only thing she had been shown in her classes she had found interesting was on her very first day in Transfiguration. McGonagall had demonstrated her cat form. She had immediately started talking to Harry.
Harry, I want to become an animagus.
I actually asked Hermione about it last year. She said it would be too difficult and said we should wait until we were older. If you want we can try and do it together.
That would be great.
She had only written in the diary twice since school had started and spent most of her time with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. During the nights she and Harry often snuck out to conduct pranks and learn the secret passages of Hogwarts. For the most part the Slytherins bore the brunt of their pranking. They had already turned the Slytherins pink and caused their silverware to dance around refusing to be used.
She was looking forward to the first quidditch game of the year; it was Slytherin versus Gryffindor. The match was going well except that one of bludgers wouldn't leave Harry alone. He had already broken his arm. How Harry could stand the pain she didn't know, she could practically feel the pain in her own arm. Finally he caught the snitch and the game ended.
Ron, Hermione, and Ginny ran down to the pitch to help Harry to the Hospital Wing, but Lockhart got there first. They watched in horror as the bones in Harry's arm disappeared.
…………………….
Albus Dumbledore was walking the hallways after curfew when he noticed the swish of a cloak. He peered into the darkness and saw a shimmer – an invisibility cloak. Strange, he thought, only Harry had an invisibility cloak at the school then he narrowed his eyes and saw through the cloak. Chuckling to himself he followed Ginny to the Hospital Wing and watched unobserved as she made her way to Harry's bed.
Harry was in pain. His entire arm felt like it was filled with needles. He felt a comforting presence and looked up, no one was there, but he could still feel it, "Ginny?" she was the only one who felt like that.
Albus' eyes widened. How had Harry known she was there?
Ginny removed the cloak and rushed the remainder of the way to the bed, "Hi Harry." She didn't know what to do. She could feel his pain.
"Why are you here Ginny? You should be sleeping," Harry was happy she was there though.
"I can't sleep. Not with you in pain. It hurts. I don't imagine Dobby made it any better."
"I'm sorry. I don't want to cause you pain and no Dobby didn't, but I found out he belongs to the Malfoys," Harry answered.
Ginny sat on the bed and the lied down, leaning her head on his shoulder, and hugged him across the chest. She didn't know what else to do and it was what her mother did when she was hurting and in bed.
Harry responded by putting his good arm around her and pulling her into his own half hug bringing her even closer. Her comforting warmth drove the pain away from both their consciousnesses. Harry and Ginny fell asleep.
Albus Dumbledore blinked. It couldn't be, he thought. But it would explain almost everything, the next thought followed. Dumbledore sighed in frustration. He would have to wait until the morning when the Ministry opened to test his theory. He looked at the two young students and wondered what Madam Pomfrey was going to do when she checked on Harry in the morning. He quietly left.
The echoes from his footfalls were all he had for company as he moved down the dusty corridor. Dumbledore had entered a rarely visited portion of the Hall of Records. What he was looking for was a book. It was all the way in the back. He found it behind several boxes of records that had been moved there years ago. He sighed; it was a sad testament to how rare the event the book recorded that it was only checked in ten year intervals. It was also sad that it was treated like it was. What it recorded was something wonderful and amazing.
Dumbledore moved around the podium that the book lay open on. He looked at the page and sucked in air. There in clear and precise lettering was confirmation of what he had suspected:
The soul bonding of Harry James Potter to Ginevra Molly Weasley took place on 1 September 1991.
Yes, he was going to have to keep a close eye on those two. A soul bonding was a rare thing, but one so young was unrecorded. There was no predicting what the two would be able to do together. Soul bonding resulted in not only a bonding of souls, but also of power and Harry and Ginny already seemed to have progressed from the first stage into the second if they were sharing thoughts and feelings. Some soul bonds never were even able to do that like the two did, the bond between them had to be incredibly strong.
……………………
Harry and Ginny sat reading at the rearmost table in the library. They had gotten permission to use the restricted section from the only professor foolish enough to provide it: Lockhart. They had spent the first couple of months at Hogwarts researching the animagus transformation, but had quickly learned that what they needed was in the restricted section.
Harry was extremely surprised to see that the last person to check out the book was his father, James Potter. They had discovered several things about the transformation. The first step was brewing the Animagus Revealer Potion, which then showed the drinker his or her form. The potion took two month to brew. From there it was a laborious process of training the body to change. According to the book it could take years to successfully complete.
Both Ginny and Harry were depressed to read this, but the book had also said that the training was heavily dependent on natural abilities. They both hoped they would be able to adapt to it easily.
Looking up from his notes Harry nodded to Ginny. They were ready.
We can start the potion after the holidays.
Agreed. Your going to the dueling club this evening right Harry?
You know I am.
"It will be awesome to learn to duel properly," Ron said. "Who do you think is teaching?"
"I heard Flitwick was a dueling champion," offered Hermione.
"I don't care just so long as it's not…" Harry's voice trailed off.
"Oh no…let it be a mistake," Ginny pleaded.
Standing in the middle of the gathered students was their least like professors, Professor Snape and Professor Lockhart.
All of them, except Hermione, laughed as Snape successfully landed a curse on Lockhart. Harry saw Snape sneer in his direction and knew that Snape was going to suggest something bad. Sure enough he found himself facing Malfoy in a practice duel with only Lockhart telling him what to do.
Malfoy smiled malevolently, "Serpentsorsia," a large snake came out of his wand and advanced on Harry.
What am I supposed to do to a snake?
I don't know…talk to it. He could hear the sarcasm in her voice.
Thanks, Ginny, he replied dryly.
Looking at the snake, Harry figured, why not.
Hi, er, do you mind not attacking me?
To his utter astonishment the snake answered, "Of course, would you like me to do anything?"
Attack Malfoy?
"The blond haired one that smells like a ferret?" the snake asked.
That would be the one.
The snake immediately turned and advanced on Malfoy, but Snape stepped in banishing it. That was when Harry noticed that everyone was looking at him strangely and backing away. Even Snape's look was different, it was not just a sneer it was a calculating sneer.
Why is everyone looking at me like that?
You spoke psarltongue, sorry, snake language.
I did?
Yes, sounded like hissing to everyone, well except me. I understood what you said of course. I can't believe the snake thought he smelled like a ferret, you know, looking at Malfoy, he does resemble a ferret in the face.
GINNY! Focus, why is everyone so amazed I can speak psar…um…snake?
It's very, very rare and usually associated with the Dark Arts; it's said that Salazar himself was a psarltongue. Come on, let's get you out of here.
The next few weeks were awful for Harry. Everyone was avoiding him, even Ron and Hermione had grown distant. Harry found himself only spending time with Ginny; she was the only one who didn't flinch at the sight of him. Well her and Hedwig.
Harry had ordered what they needed by owl for the animagus potion and it was supposed to arrive shortly after the holidays started. Both he and Ginny were staying at Hogwarts over the break. Ginny had already received several letters from her mom demanding that she return, but she pointedly refused and even Ron and the twins had given up trying to convince her to leave. Eventually Ron had said that he was staying. Harry suspected that he was staying to watch over him and Ginny.
The ingredients that Harry had ordered arrived the day after the holidays started. Ginny said she knew the perfect place to brew the potion and led him to a girls' bathroom.
"Um Ginny, this is a girls' bathroom."
Giggling, Ginny nodded and grabbed his hand, pulling him in. "Relax, Harry. No one uses this bathroom because Moaning Myrtle haunts the next toilet. She's always flooding it."
Harry submitted to Ginny's wisdom. They began brewing the potion. It was horribly complicated. It took them the entire week to finish it. Then they had to keep the potion simmering for the next two months, stirring it counterclockwise once a day.
…………………….
Albus Dumbledore walked to the gates of Hogwarts and disapparated. He appeared in front of the Burrow. He happily noted the boys were all out in the paddock playing quidditch that was good since he didn't want interruptions. He knocked on the door.
"Oh, Albus, how good to see you. What are you doing here?" Molly asked pleasantly.
"I'd like to talk to you and Arthur about your daughter, Ginevra."
Molly paled, "Is she alright, nothings wrong is there?" she asked in a panic.
Albus shook his head no, "No, actually I have something quiet amazing to tell you. It involves your daughter and young Harry Potter."
"Oh okay, why don't you come in then. Tea?"
"That would be lovely, thank you."
"Molly, what do you know about soul bondings?"
……………………….
Meanwhile back in Ginny's trunk, Tom was infuriated. The girl had only written to him a few times. He was going to try something drastic if he was to escape from the diary. He couldn't figure it out. Every time he tried to enter the young girl's mind he was rebuffed.
He knew from his probing that she did not have any true mental defenses, it was laughable in one so young, but he had checked. Still, there seemed to be a natural defense that he couldn't get past. It was strange, almost like another presence was guarding her mind. The only thing he had yet to try was a full assault on her mind.
………………………….
The potion was finally ready the second week in February. They both took their doses and waited for the trance like state it would induce. What neither of them knew was that the potion, even if brewed right, should never have worked on ones so young. Yet each fell into a trance.
Mist swirled around Ginny and out of the mist flew a bird. It was red, flaming red like her hair. It was a phoenix. Then she noticed the small brown dots on it and she realized in shock that they were her freckles.
Just as the mists swallowed up the phoenix she saw another shadow in the mists. It was a panther. This was more gold than red she noted with relief, but it still had spots resembling her freckles.
Harry watched the mists swirl and was shocked to see a phoenix fly out. It was solid gold and he noted that a few feathers on top of its head shot out at odd angles. As if something had ruffled them. Its eyes were green.
The mists swallowed the phoenix and another form stalked out. This one was a panther. It too had green eyes and a gold coat. The coat on its back was running at odds with the rest of its hair. Harry sighed; he was doomed to always have unruly hair in every form.
They came out of their trances and looked at each other: two forms?
Two forms? The book said only one is possible.
Yeah and we've got a magical form too and no one's had one of those either.
Harry you do know the powers of a phoenix right?
No. Why?
Well if we can transform into a phoenix it means more than flying without a broom. Phoenix's have healing tears, can carry heavy loads, their song gives courage and hope to the good and scares the bad, and they can travel by fire.
Travel by fire?
No one knows how they do it. They burst into flame and then flames appear somewhere else and there they are.
That would be fantastic…no more Dursleys.
………………….
Valentine's Day was a nightmare. Lockhart had made it a spectacle and had hired dwarves of all creatures to deliver singing Valentines. Harry was leaving Charms when one of the dwarves started barreling toward him. He tried to run and failed miserable. The dwarf tackled him and then pinned him and then proceeded to deliver a horribly embarrassing Valentine.
Ginny! Help.
Ginny had arrived in the hallway and was looking on in amused horror.
Can't Harry…too…busy…laughing.
Then Malfoy appeared and chuckled evilly, "Aw poor little Weasley, Potter doesn't appear to like your Valentine." Ginny went bright red at the insinuation, Harry would have too if he hadn't already been red in embarrassment.
You didn't send it though.
Of course not! I can rhyme better than that besides your eyes are more like emeralds than toads. Really!
Who then?
Fred and George, maybe even Ron was in on it. I don't think they like us spending time together.
Oh they don't do they? You know what this calls for?
He saw Ginny grin, Payback.
Not just to them though. Lockhart too. He made this horrible mess possible.
……………………
Dumbledore chuckled as he assessed the students and professors in the Great Hall. It seemed several seemed to be the recipients of pranks. Professor Lockhart was sporting blue hair much to his chagrin and his hair wasn't curled…something about having the curlers attack him. Fred and George Weasley had walked into the Great Hall and suddenly found themselves covered in stinksap. Finally, Ron Weasley had fled the hall entirely when his plate had turned into a spider and chased him. Dumbledore had a strong suspicion who the pranksters were.
………………………
There were only a couple of days left of term and the exams were already done. Harry had gone down to Hagrid's hut with Ron and Hermione, while Ginny had gone up to her dorm to do some packing.
Ginny opened her trunk and saw the diary sitting there. She had forgotten about it. Taking it out she put it on her desk and opened it. Perhaps Tom would like to know how the year had gone. The moment she put the quill to the paper she knew she'd made a mistake.
When Tom Riddle felt the quill finally touch the parchment he launched his desperate attack. He forced himself into her mind pushing aside Ginny's will and replacing it with his own. He tried to subjugate Ginny's consciousness so she couldn't interfere, but was appalled to find that he couldn't get to her. She was behind a wall of some kind. It hurt. It hurt a lot when he tried to go through it. He tried it twice and stopped. He mustn't waste his power.
Focusing on what he had to do, he forced Ginny's body to move. He needed to get to the Chamber of Secrets where he wouldn't be disturbed. He stopped outside the girls' bathroom, he couldn't resist mocking Dumbledore.
Down at Hagrid's cabin Harry fell to his knees. Ginny was hurt and in pain. He stood and started to run back to the castle. Ron and Hermione only looked on in confusion. By the time they made it to the castle Harry had disappeared.
Harry stopped as he cleared the doors. His scar gave a sharp twinge and then another. He shook his head. His scar had only hurt like that when Voldemort was nearby.
Ginny! He thought and tried to reach out to her. He could hardly feel her. Normally he didn't have any problem locating her, but now it was difficult. Harry concentrated and received the image of a flooded girls' bathroom. Harry sprinted the rest of the way to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.
The message on the wall caused Harry to skid to a halt.
No. I'm not losing Ginny. I will save her.
Opening the door to the bathroom he walked in and saw Myrtle actually out of her toilet.
"Myrtle, where's Ginny? Where did she go?" he pleaded.
He must have sounded distraught because Myrtle smiled and pointed at a sink, "She hissed something at the sink and it opened."
His hands ran over the sink, turning knobs, examining pipes, and every possible fixture on the sink. He found the snake and hissed for it to open. Without any hesitation he jumped into the gaping black hole.
Harry ignored the sickening crunch of bones under his feet and followed the path until it intersected a door with snakes covering it. Again he hissed for it to open and it obeyed. He hurried past, he knew he was getting closer – he could smell the scent of wild flowers among the decay. Wild flowers were what Ginny's hair smelled like.
He found himself in a large chamber with a huge stone statue of what Harry thought was one ugly man. There lying at the base was Ginny. He ran to her heedless of anything, even dropping his wand as he pulled her into his arms and sobbed. Her body was cool and deathly pale, but she was breathing.
"Well isn't this touching? So you are what Dumbledore has sent to claim his lost student? Pathetic old man. Even now he is scared of me and I'm only a memory of Voldemort," Tom gloated.
Harry started at the voice, looking up he saw the image of a young man. The young man had his wand. "Who are you? What have you done to Ginny?"
Harry's insides went cold as Tom Riddle explained who he was or what he would become. When he described his assault on Ginny's mind Harry only felt anger. This Tom Riddle had attacked Ginny, his Ginny, Harry's anger turned into rage. He would not allow Ginny to die. Again Tom had stopped to insult Dumbledore.
The power and life he had been drawing from Ginny suddenly slowed to a trickle. Tom once again found himself fighting to control Ginny's mind. Looking at Harry and then Ginny he realized that somehow there was a connection. The only way he was going to be able to take Ginny's life and become fully corporeal was to kill this boy.
Wanting to shut Tom up Harry yelled back, "Please, even at the height of your power you feared Dumbledore. You're nothing. I've seen your current form, you're pathetic."
A flash of flame broke the darkness and a beautiful phoenix flew in dropping the sorting hat at Harry's feet. Not knowing what to do Harry put it on and felt a dull thud and then pain. Taking it off of his head he pulled a sword out of the hat with a ruby encrusted hilt.
Tom took it all in and laughed, "So this is what the great Dumbledore sends you. His song bird, Fawkes isn't it, and a hat that gives you a sword. Fine let's see how you do against a basilisk." His face did not show it, but Tom was worried. Power had started to radiate off the boy; Tom had never seen such power before even from his school days under Dumbledore's tutelage.
Harry wasn't sure how it had all transpired, but somehow Fawkes had managed to blind the basilisk, which was good. Harry knew what those snakes could do, he had come across an entry about basilisks when he was research his animal forms by mistake. Then the creature had lunged at him blindly. Harry did the only thing he could think of; he held the sword up and planted his feet. The basilisk's own weight thrust the sword into its brain.
Unfortunately one of its fangs had pierced Harry through the arm and broken off. Harry had pulled it out, but he knew it was too late. Across the room Tom sighed in relief. Harry crawled over to Ginny deciding if he was to die he would die with her. Instead, Fawkes had flown down and cried on his wound.
Tom had been angry and shot a spell at the bird. He fired a few more spells at the phoenix before turning his attention to Harry. "Well, you have killed the basilisk. I must say, impressive, but too little. I will kill you myself and then Ginny will die and I will live."
As he finished his sentence the diary fell into Harry's lap, dropped by Fawkes. Both Harry and Tom looked at the diary in shock. Not knowing what else to do Harry jammed the basilisk's fang into the diary.
Tom began screaming, Harry's wand dropped from his grasp, and as the venom sizzled a hole in the diary Tom's form disappeared. Once he was gone Harry took Ginny into his arms and held her tight to his chest.
Please don't die, Ginny. Don't die. I don't know what I'd do without you. My Ginny, please don't leave me.
Harry broke down crying over her body and kept repeating, "My Ginny."
Ginny slowly regained consciousness. She heard Harry calling her. He kept repeating the words "My Ginny" over and over again. Something about that made her feel very warm inside. It was only then she realized he was holding her and she was in his lap. Ginny wrapped her arms around Harry and buried her head into his chest. Harry responded by holding her tighter and repeating, "My Ginny" one last time.
She wasn't sure why, but she responded with a muffled, "Your Ginny."
When Ginny wrapped her arms around him and pushed her head into his chest Harry felt as if he had been giving the best gift in his life. Warmth began to creep back into his body and he held Ginny tighter. He didn't want to let go, he didn't want to ever lose her again. He wasn't even aware of calling her "My Ginny" until she responded with "Your Ginny."
That simple phrase had made his heart skip and he smiled broadly. Minutes later Ginny lifted her head slightly and in a barely audible whisper asked, "So does this mean you're my Harry?"
Harry continued smiling and placed his head on hers, "Your Harry."
Neither knew how long they stayed in that position. Ginny on Harry's lap hugged in a tight embrace with Harry's head resting on hers. It could have been minutes, hours, or even days. Eventually they fell asleep Harry's body slowly falling backward dragging Ginny with him, both were exhausted emotionally and physically.
For someone who had slept on a cold, hard, and damp floor Harry felt remarkably good. Ginny was sleeping on top of him using him as a pillow and mattress. He didn't mind, indeed, he realized that she was the reason he was warm. Harry smiled, his arms were still around her and he felt her start to stir. He looked down at her and saw only vibrant red hair.
Harry smiled and thought, My Ginny. He wasn't sure why calling her that brought him such pleasure.
He was a little shocked when Ginny replied groggily, Your Ginny, my Harry.
Your Harry, he replied without hesitation. If he received pleasure from calling her his, it was nothing compared to having Ginny calling him hers. It was right and that was all that mattered at the moment.
High above them in Professor McGonagall's office waited a very anxious Mrs. Weasley. Dumbledore had contacted her when Ginny went missing immediately. She paced the office waiting for any news. The professors were out searching the school and the grounds, but they had little hope. The school had been search before for the Chamber of Secrets. Dumbledore had tried to reassure her that his phoenix had also gone missing shortly after Harry had disappeared apparently going after Ginny.
The floo in the office suddenly burst to life and her husband's head appeared, "Molly, just got back from the office. Ginny's hand…"
"Tell me it's not dead or still on mortal peril," she cried out interrupting him.
"No, Molly, it's on 'School'."
Dumbledore and McGonagall came into the office at that moment. The tension eased noticeably in the room. They could only wait now. A few hours later a scratch came at the door, opening it they found Fawkes waiting. He hopped in and then flew to the desk.
A moment later Harry and Ginny walked into view hand-in-hand. Mrs. Weasley moved so quick to hug Ginny that she didn't notice the odd things Harry had tucked in his belt. As Mrs. Weasley hugged her daughter, Ginny put her free arm around her, unwilling to let go of Harry. Off to the side Dumbledore gingerly took the sword, the sorting hat, and the diary.
Dumbledore waited until Mrs. Weasley had let go, "Could you tell us what happened?"
Everyone took their seats except Harry and Ginny. There was only one chair left. Harry moved to let Ginny take it, but she pushed him down into it and sat on his lap. Harry put his arms around her as she buried her head into his shoulder; she thought she was going to be expelled. She would have to leave Hogwarts and Harry. The professors and Mrs. Weasley watched, only Professor McGonagall didn't know about the bonding and when she made to conjure another chair Professor Dumbledore had placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
Mrs. Weasley watched with a little disappointment in her heart. Normally her daughter came to her for comfort. Now she was obviously drawing comfort from someone barely older than she was. She knew that with the bonding that this was only natural that Harry could comfort her in a way she couldn't, but it still hurt.
Harry started talking about the diary and Tom Riddle. Ginny took up the story about how Tom had invaded her mind, how she was just pushed to the side. She described, haltingly, Tom's anger about not being able to completely control her that he didn't understand how she had resisted him at all. When they finished the story Mrs. Weasley was in tears.
There was a sudden knock at the door and without waiting for an invitation the door opened and in walked Lucious Malfoy. "Ah, Professor Dumbledore, now that you've shown your incompetence and the young student is dead and the Chamber of Secrets reopened, the Board of Governors has decided to remove you." He had obviously not noticed Ginny or Harry in his flush of triumph.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "Well I'm happy to announce Ginny Weasley is perfectly fine and the beast that was in the Chamber is now dead thanks to Mr. Potter." Lucious' eyes widened and he sneered.
"Fine. We shall see. Come Dobby." Harry looked around to see Dobby trailing at Malfoy's heels trying to shine his shoes.
Then Harry had a thought. Removing his filthy sock, he asked Dumbledore for the diary back. Dumbledore smiled and handed him the diary and he felt Ginny shrink away from it. "Ginny, go to your mom. I'll be right back, I promise." Ginny slid off his lap and into Mrs. Weasley's embrace.
Harry stuffed the dairy into the sock and ran after Malfoy. "Mr. Malfoy, wait!" Harry yelled. "I have something of yours." Harry shoved the diary into Malfoy's hand when he turned around. Malfoy took one look at the diary shoved in the sock and tore the sock of the diary and tossed it. Behind him Dobby caught it.
Malfoy smiled evilly, "I don't know what you're talking about. You should watch yourself Potter; you might end up like your parents. Now come Dobby."
Dobby did not move and only stared at the filthy sock. Then Dobby looked up, determination in his eyes. "No, Dobby is free," Dobby announced in his squeaky voice.
"What!"
"Master gave Dobby a sock, Dobby is free."
"Why you…YOU," Malfoy screamed at Harry and drew his wand, "you lost me my servant." Just as Malfoy started to mutter a spell, Dobby stepped in front of Harry and extended his hand. Malfoy flew down the hallway.
Dobby stood stock still, "You will not harm Harry Potter." Malfoy turned and left. Harry quickly turned the other way and ran back to where Ginny was waiting.
When Harry entered the room Ginny managed to disentangle herself from Mrs. Weasley and walked back to Harry who opened his arms to her. Dumbledore ordered them to the Hospital Wing. When Madam Pomfrey tried to separate them Ginny started to complain. She wanted to stay with Harry. Harry wanted her to stay.
Eventually Dumbledore intervened, saying that they had both suffered an emotional shock and they were drawing comfort from each other. He motioned for Mrs. Weasley to follow him. Shortly they were in his office and Mr. Weasley had flooed to join them. They took the seats in front of Dumbledore's desk.
"Molly, Arthur we need to finish the discussion we had over Christmas. I had not anticipated that this would occur so soon, but the shock they have both experienced seems to have sped things up."
Arthur looked confused, "What do you mean sped up? I thought they were already bonded."
Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, but there are three distinct stages. Harry and Ginny I think skipped the first stage entirely when they first met on the platform. The final and the stage I believe they are just entering involves the physical need to be close. They will want to be in contact almost for the entirety of this stage. As Harry demonstrated earlier, they can separate, but the need will quickly overwhelm them."
Arthur and Molly just motioned for Dumbledore to continue, they had no words. "Yes, you see this final stage is associated with the bonded pair claiming each other as their own. Normally, this stage is started through physical intimacy."
The Weasleys paled. Arthur soon turned greed and Molly gaped, Dumbledore chuckled, "No, they didn't claim each other like that, but they did somehow lay claim to each other when they were in the Chamber."
Arthur seemed to recover first, "How long do they have to be near each other?"
Shrugging, Dumbledore continued, "From what I've read and the one bonded pair I've met this stage normally lasts one week, but like I said before it usually involves being physically intimate. Without that type of intimacy I think the stage will last longer, but I'm not sure. They may stay in this stage of the bonding until they are ready to take that next step. There is precious little information about how these bonds develop and what causes them to grow stronger and with Harry and Ginny being so young we are in unknown territory."
"What will happen to them?" asked Molly, "I mean what else will happen to them, we know they can talk to each other without speaking already. Will anything else happen?"
Dumbledore shook his head, "I don't know. The bonded pair I knew said they gained the ability to talk to each other like Harry and Ginny only after this stage of the bonding. The bond Harry and Ginny share is already incredibly strong. It's so strong that I thought they had completed the bonding when I first confirmed my suspicions, but as I watched them I realized that it hadn't completed the full bonding. I can only assume that they will become closer than they already are. Beyond that I don't know. Soul bonding allows them to share power and often gives them powers that would otherwise be impossible or highly improbable for a wizard or witch to do."
"How can they become closer? They practically share each others' minds now," said Arthur exasperated.
"Yes, that brings me to the next thing I wanted to discuss with you. I've been keeping watch over young Ginevra and she's terribly bored in her classes. I suspect she mostly, um, attends Harry's classes. It would be wise to advance her to the same year as Harry."
Molly's eyes widened, "Wait! I thought Ginny was doing fine in her classes."
"She is, in fact, excelling in all of them without paying any attention. Over the summer she'll be asked to choose her other classes along with Harry who also hasn't turned in his requests. I think we can wait until later to disturb them about that though."
"Oh, okay. When can we take Ginny home? She's already been through so much," Mrs. Weasley's mothering instincts had finally reasserted themselves over the shock. She wanted to get her daughter home.
"Molly, Harry and Ginny need to stay within a close proximity of each other or they will become physically sick," Dumbledore explained.
Molly got the distinct impression Dumbledore didn't want to say something, "Fine. Then we will take them both with us to the Burrow. I'm sure Harry won't mind, he doesn't seem to care much for the muggles he lives with."
Dumbledore looked positively shifty and for the first time since Molly or Arthur had met him he looked scared, "Yes, um, about that. You see Harry was placed with his Aunt for a reason. I used some very old magic to cast spells that have and are protecting Harry while he is there. I still fear that he may be attacked. Harry must return to the Dursleys every year to renew these spells. He has to remain with his relatives until at least his birthday." Dumbledore looked like he was waiting for an explosion.
Molly's eyes narrowed, but it was Arthur who asked the next question, "What does this mean for Ginny?"
Shifting in his comfortable chair Dumbledore bowed his head and whispered, "She has to go with him."
The explosion he had been waiting for finally came, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE HAS TO GO WITH HIM? GINNY IS NOT GOING TO STAY WITH THOSE AWFUL MUGGLES! IT SIMPLY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED."
Arthur watched Dumbledore cringe and noticed the man still seemed to be holding something back, "There's more isn't there?"
Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, neither of you can go with her. No adult wizard or witch is allowed to go near Privet Drive. It's actually a law that was passed shortly after he was placed with the Dursleys. I will try to get it changed quickly."
Molly paled and looked faint. Arthur put his head in his hands and mumbled.
Molly started to ramble, "Oh my baby. But what will it look like? She'll be called a scarlet woman. My poor, poor baby."
"Molly," Dumbledore began, "We've talked about this before. Technically they are already married. They've been married since they first bonded. This is only the next stage." Molly began to cry.
"How much do we tell them?" asked Arthur his voice emotionless.
"I advise that we do not tell them that they are married yet, but we have to tell them about the bond now and that they have to stay close for a yet undetermined period of time. I expect that they will not fight this. Indeed, I doubt we will tell them anything they don't already know. I have a feeling that they could surprise us with what they share and what the bond allows them to do, but researches have noted over the years it is notoriously difficult to get bonded pairs to discuss the inner workings of their relationship either because they refuse to or because it is indescribable. We'll tell them in the morning. Let them rest and comfort each other."
Mrs. Weasley nodded and left leaving Arthur and Dumbledore to continue talking. As she approached the Hospital Wing she ran into Madam Pomfrey who told her that she had just sent Harry and Ginny to bed. Molly quietly entered the wing. She saw her daughter and Harry curled up on one of the beds spooning each other.
She sighed and then she heard Ginny speak, "Harry roll over on your back…thank you."
Then Harry's voice was heard, "This is nice."
Molly stared, Harry had rolled over on his back and Ginny had laid her head on his chest and snuggled up to his side. Harry's arm was curled around Ginny and their legs where intertwined. They looked so young to her, so small, but at the same time still right.
The next morning Ginny woke to the steady rhythm of Harry's heart. She smiled and tried to get closer and her smile widened when Harry unconsciously tightened his grip on her. My Harry, she thought. Yes, he is mine and I am his. She closed her eyes hoping to be left alone.
Harry woke a little while later. He could feel each breath Ginny took as her chest expanded. Her red hair was cascaded across his chest behind her head. Both of her arms were around him. One was around the back of his neck; the other was draped over him, hugging him. Her warmth was comforting and her weight on his chest calming. Harry closed his eyes and muttered, "My Ginny."
Molly Weasley had fallen asleep in a chair near Harry and Ginny's bed. She had slept fitfully and was awake when she had barely heard Harry's voice mutter, "My Ginny," before he dropped off to sleep again. She had also seen her daughter wake up, smile, and then snuggle closer to Harry. Molly couldn't help but feel sad, she felt like she had just lost her daughter when Harry had claimed her as his own.
When Harry and Ginny next opened their eyes they saw Mrs. Weasley and Professor Dumbledore standing and looking at them. They both blushed in embarrassment, but made no sign of moving apart, indeed, if anything they tried to shrink toward each other.
"It's good that you are both awake. We have something that we need to discuss with both of you," Dumbledore said.
"Yes, sir," Ginny answered for the both of them. As the moved to sit up, placing their backs to the headboard, Ginny fought the urge to crawl into Harry's lap. What is wrong with me?
Me too. I want to hold you.
Hold me, Ginny responded automatically, Sorry. Take my hand at least. When Harry took her hand in both of his they felt some of the need pass.
Dumbledore chuckled, "You shouldn't fight it. Your need to be close, to maintain contact is what we want to talk about."
They looked at each other and began to shift positions. Ginny was now able to lean her back against Harry's chest and Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny's middle.
"As you both have discovered you have an intensely strong desire to remain in contact with each other. Indeed, you must remain close to each other for a little while or you would be come physically ill."
"Why?" asked Harry.
"Your bonding. It's part of the natural process with this sort of thing. It is actually the last stage in the entire process," explained Dumbledore. Both children shifted guiltily at the mention of their bond as if they had been caught doing something wrong. "Do not be ashamed, it truly is something fantastic and has not happened for over two hundred years now and I don't believe ever to ones so young."
Harry nodded and the asked tentatively, "How long?" Please say until we have to leave. Right now Harry wanted nothing more than to hold Ginny for as long as possible.
"Understand that this is only a guess, but I think it will be at least until your birthday Harry. Ginny will be staying with you at the Dursleys."
Harry felt panic rise and coldness wrapped him, "NO! She can't stay there." Harry felt Ginny's confusion and hurt at his words, she didn't understand. His arms tightened their grip on Ginny, "Can't I stay with her at the Burrow or here or…anywhere, but not there." He could feel Ginny probing his mind and then she understood.
Harry, I'm not going to think less of you.
It's not that…I don't want…I don't want them to treat you like they treat me.
It's okay. As long as were together, it will be fine.
Dumbledore sighed, "I'm sorry, Harry, but you have to stay at the Dursleys until at least your birthday. I've already made arrangements and contacted the Dursleys. They have been convinced after some initial objections to allow Ginny to stay. I'm sure they will treat you both fine." Harry doubted that, but said nothing. There was nothing more he could say.
Mrs. Weasley finally spoke, "Now, we have told the others that you two are going away for a while so you can fully recover from what happened in the Chamber. They will be in shortly to visit, so you might want to get into separate beds." Harry and Ginny frowned. Mrs. Weasley sighed, "Perhaps we can push the other bed so that you can touch."
Soon another bed was pushed up against the first and Harry reluctantly moved over to it. They continued holding hands.
The Hospital Wing door opened and Ron, Hermione, the twins, and Percy filed in.
For the next few days left in the term Harry and Ginny ate in the Great Hall, but slept in the Hospital Wing on the supposed orders of Madam Pomfrey. Most of the students watched them intently and the Hogwarts rumor mill had been at full speed. It seemed that everyone knew what had happened in the Chamber.
Harry and Ginny followed Ron and Hermione to the Hogwarts Express and said goodbye. After Ron and Hermione had boarded the train they walked toward caboose where the baggage was normally stored. However, for this trip a small compartment had been cleared in the back for Harry and Ginny. They would be returning to Kings Cross in secret and the Dursleys had been informed to arrive an hour later than usual.
Most of the train ride Harry spent trying to prepare Ginny for the Dursleys. Ginny spent the time reassuring Harry that it would be fine. Eventually the moved on to what they would be doing over the summer. Ginny refused the idea that they would only be doing chores. Harry told her all his limited knowledge of the area around Privet drive. He described the nearby park in detail as it was really his only refuge and where he often hid from Dudley when he could get away from Number 4.
Ginny laughed at his description of Mrs. Figg, the only neighbor Harry knew, and nearly fell out of the bench when he told about how she made him look at pictures of her cats. He promised to take Ginny to meet her.
They had also decided to try and continue their training to become animagi. Harry was concerned that the Ministry might detect their attempts at self-transformation, but Ginny assured him that the Ministry wouldn't be able to. According to Ginny, the Ministry could only detect Magic that actually left the body. It was something Fred and George had discovered after several warnings from the Ministry.
When the felt the train glide to a stop they looked out the window to see everyone filling out and collecting their baggage. The door to their compartment was charmed not to open until the platform was clear. They spotted the twins with Lee Jordan and then Ron and Hermione bickering about something as they went through the barrier.
"Ginny are you alright?" Harry noticed that she was tearing up.
"It's just watching them and I want to…" She hung her head and stopped talking.
"I'm sorry, Ginny, this is my fault. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have to come with me to the Dursleys and…"
"Shut up, Harry, I'm not sad that I'm going to be with you. It's just that I'm going to miss them." She moved over toward Harry and away from the window and hugged him.
When the door opened there was no one on the platform and they found their trunks on carts. Harry took Hedwig's cage and placed it on top of his trunk. Harry and Ginny pushed their trunks through the barrier. Standing not too far away looking sour was the Dursleys.