A Different Beginning
A/N: Sorry it took so long. School starts tomorrow, and I just started the next chapter. I don't really like these chapters being short, so it might be a while till chapter17 comes out, but I am not abandoning this story. The past weeks have been really busy, I barley could type, i finished this two nights ago, but I will do my best. Review please :)
Back to School
Ginny woke up, feeling the train lurch to a stop. She sat up, and looked over at Harry. He was sleeping against the window, and Ginny realized she had been sleeping with her head on his shoulder. Ginny stood up, wincing as she felt the blood return to her feet, and gently shook Harry awake.
"Wuzz up?" Harry grumbled.
"We're at Hogwarts," Ginny told him. He stood up, and looked out the window. The ground was a cold blanket of snow, and there were snowflakes slowly falling from the sky. Harry glanced at Ginny, and saw she was covering up a worried look.
"It's going to be alright," Harry said, "You won't hurt anyone."
"How are you so sure of that?" Ginny sighed, "You could've said the same thing at the beginning of the year, and now look what happened."
"Ginny," Harry cupped her chin and started into her eyes, "Trust me."
"Ok," Ginny gave in, "I guess I have to stay positive."
"That's the spirit," Harry grinned, and pulled his trunk down. Ginny grabbed hers, and they exited the train. They slowly walked up towards Hogwarts, each in their own thoughts. Harry and I have definitely gotten closer over the holidays. Ginny thought, I actually slept with him every night, even if it was just innocent. He's helping me realize I can be strong again, and that it's not my fault the attacks are happening. Ginny glanced at Harry, and saw he had a light smile on his face. His arm was around her shoulder, and Ginny leaned into him. They walked in silence up to the steps, where they saw Ron and Hermione arguing.
"Ronald," Hermione snapped, "If Malfoy doesn't know anything, he most likely doesn't know anything."
"All I'm saying is that Malfoy has to be part of this, he's Malfoy," Ron protested, 'Oi, Potter!"
"What?" Harry asked.
"What'chu doing with my baby sister?" Ron demanded.
"Nothing," Harry answered, and Ginny glared at Ron.
'So what's this?" Hermione pointed at Harry's arm around Ginny.
"Nothing," Ginny replied, 'We're just the close type of best friends."
"Apparently," Hermione muttered.
"Drop it," Harry sighed, and walked up the stairs, "Can we just get back to the common room?"
"Hey Potter," Harry turned around and saw Malfoy strutting over, "Did you finally attack one of the Weasels over the holidays? Bet this one is ok with it, as long as you have your arm around her."
"Malfoy," Harry growled, "Get out of here."
"Don't think I will, in fact," Malfoy stepped up the stiars so he was eye level with Harry, 'I want a rematch, to prove I'm the best seeker in this school."
"Malfoy, I beat you with a rogue bludger, you were on a Nimubus 2001," Harry pointed out.
"So now you're chicken," Malfoy smirked.
Harry sighed in exasperation, "Fine, you want a rematch, tomorrow, noon, quidditch pitch, one snitch."
"See you there, Potter, don't be a coward," and with that, Malfoy strode away. Ginny glared at him, and turned to Harry.
"Malfoy's such a git," Ron said, "You can totally beat him tomorrow."
"I'm not worried," Harry defended, "I am tired, though. Let's go." The four of them headed up to the Gryffindor common room, and on their way they met up with Neville. Halfway up the stairs, Hermione grabbed all of them and dragged them into an empty corridor.
"Bloody hell Hermione," Ron cried, "If you wanted to talk to us, all you had to do was ask."
"We need to talk alone," Hermione said, "About the Chamber of Secrets."
"What about it?" asked Harry warily, "Didn't the attacks stop?"
"For now," Hermione answered, "Who knows for how long, besides, when we used the polyjice potion, we were able to successfully sneak into the dungeons."
"Great," Harry glanced at Ginny, "So what'd you learn?"
"Nothing," Hermione sighed, "Only that the last time the chamber has been opened was 50 years ago, and Malfoy has nothing to do with it."
"That's it?" Harry asked, "That lands us at no where."
"Someone got expelled," Hermione explained, "Just check the expelltion record from 50 years ago. That person is the one who opened the chamber, so anyone related to that person would be the one opening it now."
"Brilliant," Ron gasped, "One problem: how are we going to get the records?"
"Library," Neville suggested.
"Leave it up to me," Hermione told them, "It's about time we head back, don't you think?"
"Yeah, let's go," Ron nodded, and made his way out of the corridor. Harry made sure the others were halfway up the remainder stairs before turning back to Ginny.
"Their not going to find anything that leads to you," he said.
"How do you know?" Ginny asked, "How are you sure of all of this?"
"I'm not," Harry confessed, "But you're being possessed, there is no connection between you and the Heir of Slytherin."
"You're too confident about this," Ginny sighed, "But I guess I believe you." Harry smiled weakly, and stepped out onto the stairs.
"You should know," he said, "I'm 99% of the time right."
"I'll remember that when we get our report cards," Ginny smirked, and walked past him. Harry chuckled, and ran after her.
"That, Weasley, was mean," grinned Harry, "I get the best grades ever."
"Do you want me to ask Hermione to give you private study lessons?" Ginny asked, turning around.
"What? What would make you thi-" Harry stopped and glared at Ginny, who put on an innocent face.
"What?" she asked.
"You little, how, I do not need," Harry sputtered.
"I'm just teasing," Ginny laughed.
"HA!" Harry shouted, "I got you to laugh! Mission accomplished!"
"Thanks Harry," Ginny smiled, "I really don't know what I would do without you in my life." Harry pulled Ginny close, and they walked up to the Fat Lady.
"Password?"
"… we never got it," Harry realized.
"Aw well," Ginny sighed, "Feel like taking a walk on the grounds?"
"Sure," Harry replied, and they walked back down the stairs and outside. Harry breathed in the fresh air, Hogwarts smelt like home, and snow, and trees. Walking around the grounds, Harry and Ginny found each other's footprints in the fresh blanket of snow amusing to destroy, and soon they were both tumbling around, failing at making snow angels. One thing led to another, and soon they were having a tickling match, acting as though nothing but each other mattered in the entire world, and their joyful screams were heard all over Hogwarts.
"I miss this," Ginny sighed. She was sitting on top of Harry, who was struggling to be set free, but it was no use.
"Miss what?" Harry asked, trying to slip an arm out, but Ginny shoved it back under him.
"The fun we're having, acting like 5 year olds, even though we didn't know each other at 5, but somehow we're able to let loose around each other," Ginny responded, shifting her weight so Harry's arm didn't break.
"I know what you mean," Harry tried to sit up, and was amazed when Ginny slid off of him and into the snow, "You ok?"
"I don't know," Ginny whispered, and looked around, they were alone, "The whole Chamber thing, it's taking too much of a toll on me. I can't sleep right, I have to use glamour potions, I might be failing in most of my classes, Harry, everything's a mess, and I don't even know why."
"I am not going to abandon you," Harry whispered, "We're going to get through this together, and soon it will all be a memory, that will never be called upon, and could be possibly be destroyed. It's getting dark out, let's hope for some luck back at the Fat Lady." Ginny nodded, and stood up, brushing off all the snow. She glanced at Harry, and held back a chuckle.
"What?" he asked. Ginny reached up and brushed off snow from his head.
"Oh," Harry grinned, "Wow, this was fun, too bad we have classes tomorrow."
"Yeah," Ginny sighed, "It really is a bummer." They slowly walked back to the common room, seeing as it was already past curfew and no one was around the hallways. They walked in a comfortable silence, hands brushing every now and then. Ginny stared at the various paintings lining the wall, while Harry studied the royal carpet. They reached the Fat Lady, and just as they walked up, the portrait opened, and Ron stepped out.
"Where were you guys?" he exclaimed, "It's after curfew, come on." Harry grinned at the stroke of luck, and stepped into the common room. Hermione was pacing by the fire, and raced over when she saw them.
"We didn't know the password earlier, so we took a stroll around the grounds," Harry said before she could demand where they were.
"Didn't you hear, the password's Flibbertigibbet," Hermione sighed, "Anyways, tomorrow, during lunch I'll find out who was expelled. Now, we should go to bed, classes start tomorrow, and I don't want to skip any notes, or worse, fall asleep." With that, Hermione turned and went up the stairs to the Girls Dormitory.
"She needs to sort out her priorities," Ron commented. Neville nodded, and waved goodnight before heading upstairs as well. Ron glanced at Harry and Ginny before following Neville up.
"I'm scared," Ginny whispered, "Can we sleep down here?"
"Sorry Gin, but we can't," Harry sighed, "This is Hogwarts, you can't get hurt here."
"Apparently others can," Ginny grumbled.
"Sorry, didn't mean it that way," Harry grimaced, "Just try, please."
"Goodnight," Ginny muttered, and walked up the stairs.
"Goodnight," Harry called weakly, and went to get changed for bed.
Harry walked down the stairs early the next morning. He had woken up at 6 AM, and tried to go back to sleep, but found he couldn't, so he decided to go sit by the fire. However, when he got down he was shocked to see Ginny curled up on a chair, staring lifelessly at the burning embers.
"Ginny?" he called. She jumped, and looked around. She relaxed when she saw Harry, and waved.
"What are you doing?" he hissed.
"I couldn't sleep," she explained, "I was too scared."
"It's understandable, come here," Harry gave in, "Try to get as much sleep as you can." He sat down on the couch, and Ginny curled up next to him. Stupid me! Harry thought, I shouldn't have let her sleep on her own. She isn't ready, she has to be fully over the Chamber to actually be able to sleep peacefully. Harry could tell that Ginny hadn't really fallen asleep until 7, and only one hour of sleep wasn't going to allow her to focus on her classes. Five 'till 8, Harry gently shook Ginny awake, and made her go change before people came down. She made it into her dormitory right as Hermione came down, dressed with a bag full of her books. Harry waved, and went back to looking at the fire. Hermione sat next to him for another 10 minutes, until Ron walked down, followed by Ginny, who looked better, but Harry knew it was the potions. They walked down the Great Hall, and took their usual seats.
"You need to try to sleep without feeling scared," Harry said softly.
"I know, sometimes I just can't help it," Ginny replied. Harry glanced around, and suddenly an idea came to him.
"Drink a dreamless sleep potion," he whispered, "Every other night though."
"I'll try," Ginny sighed.
"Do your best," Harry smiled, "I know you can."
"Thanks," Ginny said softly.
"Let's get to class," Harry glanced up at Hermione.
"You can't be serious?" Neville asked.
"We just started eating," Ron protested.
"It's potions first," Harry complained.
"Fine, but I'm off," Hermione huffed. Harry rolled his eyes and went back to eating.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville were laying on the grass by the lake one sunny May afternoon. Ginny had controlled her troubled sleep somewhat, and the school year was almost over. No more attacks had happened, but Harry still didn't know how to get rid or the diary.
"It seems like the heir has given up," Hermione commented.
"Good," Ron said, "We can't have someone after Hermione."
"What does that mean?" Harry joked.
"Well, er, she does our homework," Ron spluttered. Harry burst out laughing, and soon Neville joined in. Even Hermione cracked a smile. Harry glanced towards the Forbidden Forest. He shivered, still feeling the spiders crawling around them. Apparently there was some sort of monster in the chamber. Luckily Hermione was able to get them out of the forest safely. Ron was right, Harry thought, We should only follow butterflies. Harry then glanced at Hagrid's hut. He felt anger towards Fudge for taking Hagrid away, and at Dumbledore for not being able to help. Dumbledore! Harry jumped up and started running towards the castle. He sprinted up the stairway, and into the Gryffindor common room. If anyone had been there, they would've noticed Harry entered the common room without giving a password. He rushed up to his dorm, grabbed the diary, and raced back out. The only reason Harry was moving so fast was because he was determined to end Ginny's misery. As he thought of Ginny, he rounded a corner and ran straight into her. She was carrying books, and all of Harry's books spilled out of his bag.
"Sorry," Harry gasped, catching his breath.
"It's alright," Ginny smiled, "Just go a little slower." She picked up her books and put them back into her bag.
"You were in the library?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, last minute studying, exams are coming up," Ginny explained.
"Oh, did Hermione talk to you?"
"Yeah," Ginny smiled.
"Don't let her intimidate you," Harry grinned, "I gotta go."
"Um, bye," Ginny called after him. Harry had already raced away. Harry ran up the stairs and skitted to a halt. Snape was leaving Dumbledore's office. Harry tried to hide himself, but Snape had already seen.
"Potter," Snape barked, "What are you doing here?"
"I need to speak to Professor Dumbledore," Harry replied.
"Dumbledore has no time to mess around with whatever you need, go back to your dorm," Snape sneered.
"But it's important," Harry protested.
"Oh look everyone, Potter has something to say," Snape smirked, "You never say anything of vital use, go, now." Harry sighed, and walked away. However, Harry retraced his steps once he was sure Snape was out of sight. He crept up to the gargoyle. It jumped away, giving Harry access sot Dumbledore's office. Shrugging, Harry stepped onto the stairs and made his way to the door. Just as he was about to go knock, the door opened. Harry looked around, and saw a big red bird on a post. Walking forward, Harry saw it was a phoenix. His mum had told him about them. Their tears had healing powers, they could carry any load, and they burst into flames and reincarnate within the ashes. Harry never knew Dumbledore had one, though.
"His name is Fawks," Dumbledore said, "What brings you here?"
"The chamber, the attacks, I know what's causing it," Harry said.
"Do explain," Dumbledore sat up straighter. Harry told him about Ginny having the diary, blank spots in her memory, him helping her and eventually stealing the diary. He told Dumbledore about his suspicion of the diary, and nothing happening after Ginny stopped writing in it.
"Do you have the diary?" Dumbledore asked once Harry was done talking.
"Yes, in my bag," Harry replied, and looked in his bag. One of the trinkets on Dumbledore's desk started to whirl around.
"Oh dear," Dumbledore said softly.
"I can't find it," Harry looked up, "I swear, I had it before."
"Someone's been petrified," Dumbledore said, "Harry, did you have any run ins with Miss Weasley before you came here?"
"Yeah, I accidently knocked her over…" Harry trailed off. Ginny must've seen the diary, and stolen it back, to afraid to say anything at the moment.
"I must go to the hospital wing, " Dumbledore said, and strode out of his office. Harry sat in shock, before jumping up and following Dumbledore.
Upon entering the hospital wing, Harry froze when he saw who lay petrified. It was…