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Nurgles, Niceties, and Beauxbatons

The Hogwarts delegation got to know each other a little better over the next day and a half as they shared their meals, had their lessons via the two-way magical mirror, and chatted in the common area. Harry's announcement that he was now Head Boy was taken in stride by all. Everyone agreed that he was the best choice for the job. After all, he had proven himself over and over again to be a leader, and they all felt safer when he was nearby. He didn't harp on them, reprimand them unduly, or use his position to get special treatment. Harry encouraged an atmosphere of cooperation and teamwork that was refreshing after her experiences with past Head Boys – namely her brother, Percy. Even Ron had a tendency to use the position to bully people into doing what he wanted. Harry didn't do that. He asked politely and people did it, not only because he was the Head Boy, but also because he was Harry Potter and people respected that.

Ginny was surprised at how long the trip was taking but McGonagall explained that they were travelling by rail almost the whole way – just like they did when they went to and from school – until they arrived at a secret destination close to the school. Then the train would enter a magical portal to transport them directly to the school, hopefully making a grand entrance in the process, just like the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang delegations had done five years earlier. Her statement made Ginny feel like the competition between the schools was already beginning.

October 30th seemed to take it's time rolling around as the train sped on towards its final destination. By the evening of the 29th everyone on board was cranky, including Ginny.

"How am I supposed to concentrate with the constant clatter of the rails clicking in my ears," she wailed, throwing down her quill in a temper.

Harry looked up from his own parchment with an expression of sympathy. "I know," he said, setting down his own quill and stretching languorously. "I can't wait to get off this train and onto stable ground. The motion is driving me mad."

"I still have that potion, Harry," Luna said from across the table, "if you need it."

He reddened, making Ginny curious. "What potion?"

"Nothing," Harry said quickly – too quickly.

"It's for Harry's Nurgle problem," Luna said, blinking her round eyes seriously.

"I don't have a Nurgle problem," he said, clearly annoyed.

"What's a Nurgle?" Ginny asked Luna, noticing Harry squirm.

"Nurgles are a relative of the Nargle," Luna began, but Harry cut her off.

"Luna thinks I'm suffering from motion sickness, isn't that right Luna?" he said quickly.

"That's one of the symptoms, yes," she said. "But-"

"But I've already told her I'm not ill," he interrupted. "So thanks anyway, Luna. I don't need any medication right now, but I'll let you know if I do." His tone was definitive and firm.

Ginny narrowed her eyes suspiciously, but didn't press. Her instinct told her there was more to this story than Harry wanted her to know. She was determined to find out what the big secret was, but it was obvious that she wasn't going to get any more from Harry so she let it pass – for now.

Luna arose serenely from the table soon after and drifted away.

Unfortunately for Harry, Colin and Cory had overheard the entire Nurgle conversation. They sat down at the table and, in a very serious manner, Colin asked, "So, Harry… you haven't taken care of your Nurgle problem yet, then?"

"What are you talking about?" Ginny exclaimed in frustration, looking at each of the boys in turn. She was insanely curious now, especially after seeing the smug looks on her classmates' faces and the angry one on Harry's.

Harry looked like he wanted to strangle Colin. "How many times do I have to say it!" he said in a very loud voice. "I don't have a Nurgle problem. There's no such thing as a Nurgle, for Merlin's sake! Ask anyone."

Cory leaned back in his chair casually, looking at Colin pointedly with a teasing gleam in his eye. A kind of silent communication passed between them. Although the two Gryffindor friends looked nothing alike, they very much reminded Ginny of her brothers, Fred and George, at the moment. She was having a difficult time not laughing. Ginny had to hand it to them… they had nerve to taunt the Boy-Who-Vanquished-the-Dark-Lord. No wonder they'd been sorted into Gryffindor.

"Are you certain, Harry?" Cory pressed innocently. "Because I could have sworn that I saw Nurgles swarming all around you yesterday afternoon as you came out of Ginny's room."

It suddenly occurred to Ginny then what they were talking about.

"Oh… so that's what this is all about," she laughed.

Harry ducked his head, clearly embarrassed. She could see red splotches creeping up his neck.

"It's okay. We all have a Nurgle problem from time to time," Colin said understandingly, slapping Harry on the back. Ginny thought she saw Colin look over towards Amie, but she wasn't sure.

Considering how Colin used to idolize Harry, she found it all the more funny that he was taking the mickey out of him now.

He lowered his voice and said in a conspiratorial way, "Cory and I want you both to know that if you ever need some time to, ah… take care of those Nurgles, you won't have to worry about us turning you in for breaking the rules. We'll watch your back and cover for you." He glanced at Ginny. "It's the least we can do."

Harry's shoulders relaxed and Ginny found herself touched by their thoughtfulness.

"Thanks, you two," she told them warmly, placing a hand over Harry's. "We appreciate that, but we'd already decided to do our best to stay away from being a source of gossip, even before McGonagall gave Harry the rules to post." She flashed them a wicked grin. "But I, for one, may need to chuck the rules sometimes to spend some time alone with my boyfriend. Can I count on the two of you to help make that happen?"

Cory grinned back. "Absolutely. Elizabeth and Amie said they'd help as well. In fact, our whole side of the train is 'on board' with this, so to speak. The Ravenclaws want to help, too."

"Is everyone of the opinion that I'm, er… we're a bit randy?" Harry asked Colin in a tightly controlled voice.

Colin glanced at Cory nervously then shifted his attention back to Harry. "Aren't you?"

"Er… uh, well…" Harry stuttered. "I mean, no! Erm… Bullocks, Ginny, help me out here," he pleaded irritably. "You can jump in any time, love."

"Actually," she said with a devilish smile, "I'm fine with this plan of yours. Are you certain everyone is okay with it?"

Harry groaned. "Ginny!"

Colin grinned. "We didn't discuss it with the Slytherins or that Hufflepuff, Manfred Baker. But pretty much everyone else has agreed to help cover for you in the event that you might need it. We're all sympathetic really – and it's not like you two haven't been dating for a few years. You're both of age and practically married anyway. We just thought that you might appreciate some time alone, and we didn't want you thinking we'd turn you in."

"Ginny and I do appreciate the idea that you want to help us," Harry told them honestly, "but we really don't want to read about our personal affairs in the Daily Prophet. And just so you know… we've already agreed not to take that step until we're older. As much as we love each other and want to be together, we aren't ready to make that kind of a commitment yet – at least not until we're both out of school."

"However you choose to spend your time together is up to you," Cory said in a respectful tone of voice. "We don't think any less of you either way."

Harry regarded them with suspicion. "So, what is it you want in return?"

Ginny knew he was probably thinking that as Head Boy they might want him to turn a blind eye to certain things they chose to get up to over the course of the year, but they both shook their heads emphatically.

"After everything you both went through with You-Know-Who," Colin told him, "we just thought you could use some time to relax without worrying about being caught out by McGonagall. We know we're not Ron and Hermione, but you can trust us. Gryffindors stick together."

With that, they got up from the table and moved off towards the other two Gryffindor girls whom Ginny vowed to get to know a bit better after this. When they were gone she stared at Harry, and he gazed back at her seriously. Instinctively, she knew what he was thinking. He was grateful to have such loyal friends, and he was curious about what she really thought of their proposal.

"I don't want you to feel pressured," he told her.

"Pressure?" she repeated, surprised. "When have you ever had to pressure me, Harry? Let's be honest with ourselves. You're the level-headed one when it comes to those situations. I totally lose my head when I'm alone with you for too long."

"Are you mad?" he said, blinking. "I have no self control when it comes to you. The only thing that stops me is the thought of ruining your reputation forever."

She laughed. "My reputation? Since when have blokes ever worried about their girlfriend's reputation?"

He looked affronted. "Well, I do."

She leaned in and kissed him softly. "I know you do, Harry. That's one of the reasons I adore you."

"I want you to know, Ginny, that you make me happier than I could ever imagine being," he said sincerely. "I never wanted to think about my future before because I wasn't certain I'd even have one. But now that I do, I can't imagine spending it with anyone but you."

Her eyes moistened at this unusual show of sensitivity. Harry didn't express his feelings well, but on occasion he could be absolutely eloquent.

"I love you, you great prat," she said fondly, ruffling his already messy hair. Glancing around at the people occupied in the common area, she nodded towards their rooms. "What do you say we take them up on their offer for a little privacy? I'm feeling the need to relax… just a bit."

He looked around too, then back to her and grinned like a Cheshire cat. "I think that sounds brilliant. Lead the way, Miss Weasley, but remember… no funny business."

"Wizard's honour," she said deviously. She hoped he didn't recall that she was, in fact, a witch and not a wizard.

She took his hand and together they quietly slipped off. Had they been looking back, they may have seen the twinkle in the eyes of some very thoughtful Gryffindors, as well as a few Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs.

(break)

The Hogwarts Express arrived at Beauxbatons at four-thirty in the afternoon on October 30th. The Hogwarts delegation waited excitedly to disembark the train, dressed in their tidiest school robes.

"Oh, my goodness," Professor McGonagall exclaimed, peeking out the window. "It seems as if the Durmstrang delegation has already arrived. There's a substantial crowd out there and they look rather lively, so please remember students," she said gravely, "you are Hogwarts' best and brightest. It is your duty to represent yourselves as such. All eyes will be on you today, so make us proud."

They all murmured their agreement.

She peeked out again. "Harry, I'll need you up front. As Head Boy and former champion, you will need to stay by my side."

He nodded and stepped forward. Someone pushed Ginny up towards the front so that she could be closer to him.

With a swish the doors opened and Professor McGonagall stepped outside into the still bright but waning sunlight. Harry followed her shielding his eyes, and Ginny trailed behind him with the rest of the delegation not far behind. The entire Beauxbatons Academy of Magic appeared to be awaiting them, clapping loudly as they exited the train. Suddenly Ginny's ears were accosted by cheers in the unfamiliar French language. The sound was nearly deafening. The only thing that came close to it was the cheers of the crowd from the Quidditch World Cup she had attended with Harry, Hermione, and her family. It was difficult to catch what they were screaming, but one thing did seize her attention.

"'Arry Pot-ter! 'Arry Pot-ter! 'Arry Pot-ter!" they chanted over and over again. Some even had signs that were charmed to blink 'We Love Harry Potter' or 'Harry is Our Hero!' over and over. Ginny blinked stupidly. One French girl even had a sign that read, 'Marry Me, Harry!'

In front of her Ginny saw Harry freeze, totally taken aback by this reception.

"Just smile and wave, Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall told him through a stiff smile of her own as she pushed him on. "Don't make a fool of yourself, lad."

Harry straightened and stumbled forward, still struck dumb by the crowd's acclaim. He didn't smile or wave, but he did keep walking. They continued on towards the huge form of the Beauxbatons Headmistress, Madame Maxime. She was standing with the new headmaster of Durmstrang, a burly man with a wide, toothy grin. Ginny didn't entirely like the looks of him. Behind him a group of students stood, still in fur hats and capes despite the warm weather. The heavy clothing partially hid their faces – not that she was paying attention to them anyway. Her main focus was on her boyfriend and his currently dilemma.

They had reached the Heads of the other two schools now and McGonagall accepted a welcome kiss on both cheeks from the hulking half-giantess as the crowds finally hushed.

"Minerva," she said in her heavy French accent. "Welcome to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic! We are most 'appy to 'ave you and your students 'ere wiz us zis year."

"Thank you Madame Maxime," McGonagall answered graciously. "We are honoured to be here."

"May I introduce to you to ze new 'eadmaster of Durmstrang, Professor Boris Csintalan," she said, indicating the portly man at her side.

By no means small, the Durmstrang Headmaster eagerly extended his large hand to Professor McGonagall who shook it gracefully.

"I am honoured to make your acquaintance, Madame," the man said in surprisingly perfect English tinged with an Eastern European accent, bowing cordially to her and kissing her hand. Ginny couldn't believe her eyes when McGonagall actually blushed.

"Thank you, Professor Csintalan," she said in a funny voice. Ginny had never seen their serious Headmistress look so flustered before.

Csintalan turned next to Harry, who was still at her side. His mouth twisted in a feral grin and before anyone knew what was happening (much less Harry) he picked up her boyfriend in a big bear hug and spun him around. Ginny's hand reached for her wand automatically, but before she could draw it Csintalan had put Harry down and was pounding him on the back as if they were old friends.

"Harry Potter!" he exclaimed loudly. "What an honour to finally meet you, my boy! What an honour!" Some of the girls nearby twittered and giggled, making the crowd begin to roar loudly again. It took several minutes for Madame Maxime to quiet them down.

It was obvious that Harry didn't know what to say, but he managed a cordial, "Nice to meet you, too, sir," in response to Csintalan's ostentatious greeting as he cast a sideways nervous glance at the crowd of Beauxbatons students watching it all and whispering amongst themselves.

Csintalan grinned again, showing all his teeth. "I have a surprise for you, Harry Potter," he said mischievously, his burly accent even more pronounced.

"Oh?"

"I have in my delegation an old friend of yours… a student who has come to me in great need from the care of his uncle to finish his education." He snapped his fingers and the throng of Durmstrang students parted.

A lone figure stood there looking at Harry and the Hogwarts delegation with an arrogant sneer. His blond hair could be seen poking out from underneath the fur hat, and his cape was swung regally behind his shoulder. He sauntered up to Harry who, Ginny noticed, had his wand in his hand and was gripping it so tightly his knuckles were white. Ginny had never seen such loathing before on Harry's face – even when he had faced Voldemort.

"Well, well, well, Potter," he said, looking around at the confused crowd in satisfaction. "We meet again."

As if in a nightmare, Ginny watched Harry grab the former Hogwarts student by the shirt, level his wand at Draco's throat, and utter with unbridled hatred the words she and everyone else from Hogwarts wanted to know.

"Malfoy, what are you doing here?"