A Different Beginning
A/N: I know it's been forever, but I was away. Hope you still have the story still in your head, and that it hasn't been too long. I'll try to update faster, but school is starting soon, and I haven't typed up that much of the next chapter, sooo, I'll do my best.
The Holidays
Harry raced downstairs and barged into the kitchen.
"This better be good," Lily muttered.
"Can I go over to the Weasley's in five minutes?" Harry asked.
"Eat," Lily said, pointing to his plate. Sighing, Harry sat down and stared at his waffles and strawberries.
"Sooner you finish, the sooner you can go," James pointed out, taking a sip of his coffee. Harry sighed, and started eating.
"What's the big rush?" Lily asked.
"You're acting like you're in love with Ginny," Selena said.
"Am no," Harry retorted.
"Are too," sang Selena.
"Prove it," Harry demanded.
"What's with the rush to get over to the Weasleys?" Selena asked.
"I…. I just…. I need…. I just have to get there," Harry snapped.
"Wanna spend time with your best friend?" Selena smirked, "Or is it more than friends?"
"Leave Harry alone," Lily scolded, "He probably hasn't been able to have alone time with Ginny lately, stop it James!" Harry glared at his dad, who had burst out laughing, and then he looked at his mother for support.
"SIRIUS," Lily yelled, "WANNA KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO YOUR DOG IN YOUR THIRD YEAR?"
"No," James whispered, "It was an accident, you all know that!"
"What happened, what accident?" Sirius mumbled, stepping into the kitchen, "Geez Lily, you had to wake me up now."
"Nothing, it's nothing," James said hastily, and grabbed Selena's arm, "She just wanted to let you know me and Selena were going… quidditch supply shopping."
"Cool, can I come?" Sirius asked, suddenly wide awake.
"Eat first," Lily said, "You can go now Harry."
"Thanks," Hary said, 'Oh, and Sirius, dad accidently let Spots out of the house, that's why he never came back." James glared at his son, and made a grab for him, but Harry slipped away and ran upstairs to the fireplace.
"That was payback," Selena stated, "You do not laugh at your son about girl problems, you help him out."
"So you need me to talk to you about boys?" Lily asked, "Great, let's go." Sirius and James started cracking up, while Selena was dragged up to her room.
"Evil woman," James muttered, and glanced at Sirius.
"Do you know how much I loved Spots?" Sirius asked him. James gulped, and slowly backed away.
"Harry," Mrs. Weasley greeted, "Ginny's already outside, she's building a snow fort."
"Great," Harry said, "I get cold and wet the minute I step into this house." Smiling, he walked outside and saw Ginny piling snow onto a huge snow mountain, while a tall redhead worked on making snowballs.
"Hey Harry," he called.
"Hey Bill," Harry called back, 'How's work?"
"Alright, I got time off to come back to for the holidays," Bill replied, "Ginny, is this enough?"
"Yup, that's perfect," Ginny answered, glancing at his pile of snowballs, "Now you can work on your own fort."
"You mean I have to fight you in a snowball fight," Bill gulped.
"Yes, and Harry's on my side," Ginny declared. Harry laughed, and grabbed a snowball. Turning it casually in his hand, he winked at Bill. When Ginny wasn't looking, he tossed it, and it landed right on her face.
"I'll be inside," Bill said, and made a hasty retreat. Ginny wiped the snow off her face and simply looked at Harry. He grinned back, and kept a wary eye on her as she neared him. Smirking, she slipped her arms around his neck, and kissed his cheek. Before Harry could comprehend what happened, he felt a cold wet substance all over his face. Harry wiped his glasses off, and stared at Ginny. She was smirking innocently, but both her hands had snowballs in them.
"I deserve that one," Harry gulped, "However this is absurd."
"It's absurd that you would hit me with a snowball in the face and expect to get away with it," Ginny replied.
"You like me," Harry stated, "You won't hurt me."
"Sure I like you," Ginny said slowly, "However, I liked you as best friends, so what's the difference?" With that, she fired both snowballs, and quickly ducked behind her snow mountain. Harry scooped up snow, and formed it into a ball as quickly as possible, but was hit with two more snowballs before he could do anything. Sighing, Harry dropped all snow, and ran towards where Ginny was hiding. When he rounded the snow mountain, Ginny was nowhere to be seen.
"Hey Harry," a voice called. Harry looked around, but saw no one.
"Up here," someone whispered. Harry looked up, and saw Ginny sitting on top of her snow mountain.
"Get down here," Harry yelled.
"Ok," Ginny giggled, and jumped. Harry didn't move in time, and he fell to the ground with her on top of him. Once again, Harry found himself lost in the warm brownness of Ginny's eyes.
"Hey you," Ginny whispered, "I win."
"What prize do you want?" Harry breathed.
"Bragging rights," Ginny smirked, and rolled over. Harry sat up and glanced at her. Her red hair was damp to a dark red color, and she was covered in snow. Her eyes, however, sparkled with glee.
"Harry, Ginny," Mrs. Weasley called, "Lunch time!" They got up, and ran down back to the house.
"So what do you wanna do now?" Ginny asked as they plopped down on the couch.
"Homework," Harry suggested.
"Might as well get it done with," Ginny groaned, and headed upstairs. For the next two hours, Harry and Ginny sat by the fire writing essays for Potions, Transfiguration and Charms. By the time they were done, Lily had flooed asking if Ginny would like to go back with Harry and stay the night. Mrs. Weasley agreed after checking Ginny's essays over.
"Potter Manor," Ginny said, throwing down the floo powder. She disappeared in green flames. Harry stepped in next, and glanced warily at the powder.
"Try not to fall," Mrs. Weasley said. Harry grinned, and shouted, "Potter Manor." He disappeared, and after the spinning stopped, he toppled out of the fireplace. He heard laughing and looked up. Ginny and Selena were sitting on the couch, laughing at his fail at the floo.
"It's not that funny," Harry whined.
"Yes it is," Selena laughed, 'The Boy Who Lived, Can't Floo Properly."
"Haha," Harry said, "Come on Ginny, there's a spare bed in my room."
'Wait," Selena called, "Ginny, do you trust Harry to keep you in his room all night, alone?"
"Your ten," Ginny started, 'Way too smart for your age. Yes, I do trust him."
"Selena," Lily called, "Stop bugging your brother and come down here, I need help making all the dessert for tomorrow." Selena sighed, and left the room.
"You'd trust me all alone in a room for the night," Harry smirked.
'Shut it, or I'll go right back home," Ginny growled.
"No you won't," Harry said.
"Yeah I will," Ginny countered.
"You wouldn't leave me even if you wanted to," Harry said.
"Potter," Ginny warned.
'I'm that irresistible," Harry smirked. Ginny huffed in annoyance, and walked back to the fireplace. Grabbing some floo powder from the jar, she glanced at Harry.
"The Bur-" Harry had moved quick as lightning, grabbed her around the waist and pulled her out of the fireplace.
"You can't go," Harry whined.
"Why not?" Ginny asked.
"I need you here," Harry replied.
"So now I'm irresistible?" Ginny smirked.
"Well… er," stammered Harry, "I need to keep an eye on you, incase you have trouble sleeping."
"Thanks," Ginny said softly. A few days after Ginny confessed to Harry about her problems, Harry had woken up early and found Ginny in the common room. She looked like she hadn't slept all night. Harry had asked her what was wrong, and she had told him she hadn't been sleeping properly, she was always afraid something would happen when she went to sleep. Eventually, Harry had gotten her some Dreamless Sleep Potion to drink, but Harry knew she still was having a tough time.
"Come on," Ginny said, getting up, "We better get downstairs." Harry nodded, and got up. They left the room, and headed downstairs to the kitchen.
"Harry," said Lily, "How's school so far?"
"Fine," Harry replied, glancing at Ginny.
"I heard about the attacks," James told him, "They might close the school if these attacks continue."
"So do you know who's been attacking the students, it's been quiet recently," Harry pointed out.
"That doesn't mean the person is over." Selena said.
"What kind of person attacks muggle borns just because their muggle born?" Lily raged, "What does it matter anymore?"
"Everyone knows you could beat over half the pure-bloods at Hogwarts when you were there, and I'm sure Hermione is just like you," James reassured her. Harry glanced at Ginny, who was doing her best to keep her face straight.
"I'm done, may I be excused?" Harry asked.
Lily nodded, "You can go to, Ginny."
"Thanks Mrs. Potter," Ginny mumbled, and followed Harry back to his room. Harry closed the door, and placed a silencing charm on it. He turned around and saw Ginny sitting on the bed. Harry could tell she was close to tears, so he sat down next to her and took her hand.
"Your parents hate me," Ginny sniffed.
"They don't know its you, and that you're being possessed by an unknown force," Harry reminded her.
"When they do find out it was me," Ginny started.
"They will never know because you will never be harmed by this force," Harry promised.
"How can you promise that?" Ginny demanded, "How do you know I'm completely safe?"
"We're home," Harry said, "Not at Hogwarts, you can't harm anyone away from Hogwarts."
"Maybe I should just leave," Ginny sighed, tears slipping out.
"NO," Harry said with more force than necessary, "Ginny, don't even focus on what happened. It's in the past, right now, all I want you to do is have a good holiday."
"Alright, I'll do my best," she said, "But I can't promise you it will be 100% alright."
"98%?" Harry suggested.
"90%?" Ginny countered.
"95%," Harry decided.
"95%," Ginny thought, "Deal." Harry hugged her, and went to get his stuff for bed. Harry undid the silencing charm, and opened the door.
"Stay strong," Harry said, and headed over to the bathroom. Ginny shook her head, and quickly changed. By the time Harry got back, she was in the spare bed, under the covers.
"Good night, mum, dad, Selena," Harry called, and closed the door, "So what do you wanna do?"
"I dunno, what are you up for?" Ginny shrugged.
"Anything," Harry grinned, "As long as it's with you." Ginny smiled weakly. Harry internally sighed, it would take awhile for Ginny to become herself. Then, an idea popped up in his head.
"Hey, I have just the thing," said Harry, and he opened up his trunk, "Why not work on some music?" Harry took out his guitar, and some spare parchment.
"Great, this will be fun," Ginny walked over and grabbed a quill.
"What shall we work on?" Harry asked, "We could do the next great Hogwarts song, or something new."
"How about something new?" Ginny suggested.
"Ok, hm…" Harry started strumming the strings, "Tall and fun and skinny, you're really really pretty."
"Nice start," Ginny said, writing down the words.
"Put anyone's name," Harry said, "Let me work out this, hang on." Ginny sighed, and listened to Harry play various chords. As she listened, Ginny couldn't help but think about the chamber, what Harry's parents said about her, even if they didn't know it was her, how Hermione reacted, and also about Tom. Feeling emotion bubble up inside her, she couldn't help but let a tear slip out. Harry instantly stopped playing, and pulled her into his arms. He gently whispered comfort words while she cried. I must make sure that diary stays away from her Harry thought. It hurt Harry to see her like this, and he half felt like it was his fault. He had spent too much time with Ron and Hermione at the beginning of the year, than being Ginny's best friend. If he had shown more friendship towards her, she wouldn't have resorted to writing in the diary, and this would never have happened. If only Ron and Hermione hadn't become as close during his first year, and he paid more attention to Ginny when she started school. Even Neville noticed how he was spending more time with Ron and Hermione than his best friend. This is all my fault.
"No it isn't," Ginny protested. Harry then realized he had spoken out loud.
"I hadn't been paying enough attention to you," Harry told her," If I had been more of a best friend than a prat, you wouldn't have been all alone, and fallen victim to whoever's possessing you."
"I don't blame you," Ginny said, "But you could've been a better friend."
"Right now, and forever, I will make it up to you," Harry promised, "How about we go to bed?"
"Alright," Ginny nodded, and got under the covers of the spare bed. Harry climbed onto his own bed, and flicked the lights off. After a few minutes, Harry felt Ginny getting restless.
"What's the matter?" he whispered.
"I'm scared," Ginny whispered back.
"Of what?"
"Hurting someone." Harry sighed, and flipped the lights back on.
"You're not going to hurt anyone," said Harry.
"I'm still scared," Ginny replied.
"Get in my bed," Harry decided, "I'll make sure you don't do anything to hurt anyone."
"Thanks," Ginny blushed. She got up, and hugged Harry. Harry put his head on top of hers, and patted her back soothingly.
"I don't like being this weak," Ginny murmured, "But around you, I know I can, and I feel safe."
"That's good," Harry replied, "Let's go to bed. It's like, 12 AM." Ginny lay down, and Harry slipped in next to her. He flicked the lights off for the second time that night, and closed his eyes, letting exaustion take over.
Harry woke up Christmas day with something heavy on his chest. He blinked open his eyes, and looked down. He saw a sea of red, and realized that he and Ginny had gotten a lot closer in the night. Her head was resting on his chest, he had his arms wrapped around her waist, and their legs were intertwined.
"Hey, Gin," Harry whispered, "Wake up."
"No, I'm tired," she murmured.
"Do you want mum to catch us like this?" Harry asked. Ginny bolted up, and looked around.
Blushing, she seemed to remember last night, "Sorry," she muttered.
"Did you sleep well?" Harry asked, she nodded, "Good, because it's Christmas!" Ginny's eyes lit up, and she grinned.
"Happy Christmas," she said.
"Happy Christmas," Harry replied. They got out of bed, and raced downstairs. Lily, James and Selena were on the couch, and there were presents surrounding the tree.
"Ginny," Lily called, "Your parents took a vacation, so you're going to be staying here until you go back to school. They said you would understand."
"It's fine, thanks for letting me," Ginny replied. Harry grinned internally, and grabbed the presents. Harry opened the one from Ron to find some chocolate frogs, which was funny because he had given Ron chocolate frogs. Hermione had gotten him a set of stationary supplies, and Neville gave him a new Gryffindor scarf. Harry got a box of photos from his time at Hogwarts and around the house from Selena, and his parents gave him a new chessboard along with a pack of Exploding Snap cards. Harry opened his last present, from Ginny, and saw it was a framed photo of the two of them, just about to go to Hogwarts.
"Thanks you guys," Harry said, "These presents are great."
"Thanks for the candy, Harry," Selena grinned, "I needed some."
"Isn't this nice?" James chuckled, holding up a plate made be Harry and Selena, "Best Dad in the World. See Lily, I did do something right!"
"Of course," Lily smiled.
"Thanks Harry," Ginny glanced at him, "This book will come in handy." Harry had gotten her 1000+1 Pranks, Volume 1.
"What can we do now?" Harry asked.
"You could play outside with Coco," Lily suggested. Harry grinned, and hopped up, Selena and Ginny followed him to the door.
"Coco," Harry called. The dog ran over, and Harry opened the door. Selena returned in her winter gear carrying dog treats and toys. Ginny was right behind her, also holding toys. Harry put on his jacket, and then raced after the two girls. He found them on top of a small hill in the backyard, taking turns throwing the ball for Coco to catch.
"Hey," Harry called, "It's my dog!"
"Loosen up Harry," Selena called back.
'It's Christmas," Ginny added. Harry rolled his eyes, and grabbed the ball. Coco ran up to him, and started jumping, trying to get the ball.
"We put treats inside it," Ginny explained, "It magically shrinks into nothing after Coco catches it enough times." Harry nodded, and threw it as far as he could.
"Let's have a contest, whoever throws the ball the farthest wins," Selena declared. Harry and Ginny quickly agreed, and Selena grabbed the ball Coco had brought back.
"I threw it to that tree, which is about 10 yards," Harry said. Selena nodded, and threw the ball about 5 yards farther than Harry. Coco instantly got up and chased it. She grabbed the ball, and when she was back, it was as big as a baseball. Ginny glanced at Harry and Selena, than threw the ball. Harry watched as it bounced farther than Selena's spot, almost going onto the frozen pond. Coco instantly sprinted away, and came back with no ball, but was holding a small bone.
"It's getting cold," Selena shivered, "I'm going back inside." Harry nodded, and watched as she ran back to the house.
"So," Harry glanced around, "What'cha wanna do?"
"I don't care," Ginny shrugged.
"Well, we have all break to hang out," Harry sat down and started petting Coco. Ginny lay down in the snow, and stared up at the sky.
"Were clouds the first storytellers?" she wondered.
"How?" Harry questioned.
"They make so many shapes we can associate with, so they could be the very heart and soul of what makes stories," Ginny explained, "I mean, say someone saw a certain shaped cloud, gave that shape a names, say a dog, and decided to give it a life, fill it with whatever makes it entertaining to others. Clouds could be the very beginning of our world, people seeing shapes on the ground, and the same in the sky, so it could mean importance, so they give it a stpry, and kaboom, our lives are full of many different legends and such."
"You're eleven," Harry stared at her.
"Yeah," Ginny shrugged, "It's just one of my theories."
"Wow," Harry whistled, "You're scarily wise, you know that? You and Hermione should talk about these things, so Ron and I can get a break."
"What do you see in the clouds?" Ginny asked.
"See that one?" Harry asked, pointing at one, "I see a lion."
"I see a bird taking off," Ginny laughed, pointing at another one.
"There, I see two people gazing at each other, I can see the love in their eyes, longing to burst out in a kiss of passion," Harry said.
"Wow," Ginny grinned, "If I'm wise, you're observant."
"The Clouds," Harry declared.
"What?" Ginny asked.
"We name our prank group The Clouds," Harry smiled, "It's perfect."
"The Clouds…" Ginny murmured, "I like it, you can't guess who it was, if you were to do like, the Next Generation of Maraduers."
"What I was thinking," Harry grinned, "So we're The Clouds."
"Just you and me," Ginny confirmed, "Let's see how everyone reacts, and then maybe invite others."
"Deal," Harry reached out and put his arms around her shoulders. He felt her melt into his half embrace, and he pulled her closer.
"We need pranks to figure out," Ginny said, "How about we look at the book?"
"Is it inside?" Harry asked. Ginny nodded, and Harry groaned.
"Don't be lazy," Ginny scolded, and got up. Harry smiled, and ran after her into the house. He entered the living room to find Ginny curled up on the couch reading the book with Coco curled next to her. Harry sat down next to Coco and leaned forward.
"How about this prank?" Ginny asked, "It allows the victim to sing really high."
"We could also test out our song, see if anyone likes it," Harry grinned, "It wouldn't really be a prank, though."
"What if it's someone like Crabbe, or Goyle, even Malfoy," Ginny giggled.
"Too obvious," Harry shook his head.
"Fine," Ginny sighed, 'How about two people from each house, and include each other as the Gryffindor represenitives."
"Sounds good," Harry smirked, "No one would see it coming."
"One random boy, and one random girl, they sing some sort of sappy love song to each other," Ginny grinned, "How about that?"
"Excellent," Harry replied, "What kind of song?"
"How fast can you write a two part harmony?" Ginny asked.
'With you as a helper, I'd say by the end of the break," Harry said, "We can work on the potion at the same time."
"Perfect," Ginny jumped up, "Let's get to work." They went back to Harry's room, and he got out his guitar. Ginny grabbed some parchment and a quill, and wrote down words.
"I would be lost without you," Ginny murmured, "You helped me find the light. Now let me in your heart, and keep me there forever."
"Your cuter than a guinea pig, gonna take you up to Winnipeg," Harry sang.
"Winnipeg?" Ginny questioned.
"It rhymes," Harry pointed out.
"Whatever, now we have something," Ginny said, "I'm just wondering, you're only a second year, and I'm a first year, how are we going to pull this off."
"If I knew where the Maraduers Map was, I wold know how to get into the kitchens at Hogwarts," Harry said, "I guess we do our best, and see what happens once we have everything ready."
"Can we brew this potion?" Ginny wondered, looking at the recipie.
"With a good enough excuse," Harry replied, "Mum would let us use the potion room with all the ingredients."
"Snape gave us an assignement, and we want to make the potion just in case?" Ginny suggested.
"Something along those lines," Harry agreed, "It's around time for dinner, it's going to be big today, with it being Christmas and all."
"Shold we help your mum prepare?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, let's go see what we need to do," Harry nodded, and got off of the couch.
A/N: I have a question: Should Malfoy become good, or stay Harry's enemy? REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW PLEASE! :)