Disclaimer--If you like it, assume I don't own it. The Potterverse belongs to JKR, Steve Klowes, Scholastic and WB. Fanon belongs to the multitude...I'm simply paying homage with the sincerest form of flattery. Most of this scene is from GoF by JK Rowling. No copyright infringement is intended, and no money is being made.

Author's Notes-- For those of you who know my posting habits, a warning progress may be a lot slower in this work. I hope you'll make the effort to stick with me anyway. As you all know, I may not own it, but I work hard, and I love it, so if you read it and enjoy it, please review it!

dolphingirl79--I do my best to serve. ;-) Glad to know you're still enjoying it.

Raiining--That line was definitely a bit wistful...but hopefully Ginny will have more fun in the next couple of chapters.

Bee11--You're right--it's embedded in Ginny to notice things about Harry. *grins* You described what I was thinking about Harry's presence very well--I'm impressed! :-) *hugs*

J.Rhaye--That was nice of you *grins* Ginny and I both appreciate it! I'm glad you liked the bit about Crookshanks...I love it when cats do stuff like that. ;-) I wish I could take credit for Ginny's sock-stealing habits (which I love too), but they're a bit of fan-lore that originated in a story called "The Chaser" at Gryffindor Tower. *sighs* Orange is an odd color choice for Percy, but who knows if he doesn't have a very repressed wild side? *snickers and shrugs* Yeah...I wrote that bit with Harry and Ginny's hands especially for you and me...*sighs dreamily* I tried to make the morning as eerie and uncomfortable as I could, but I have to admit I was only following JK's excellent form. *grins sheepishly* Darkness does seem to fall over Harry toward the end of Book 4 and throughout Book 5, which Ginny is probably subconsciously aware of, but I don't think darkness is what reminds her of a shadow so much as insubstantiality, if that makes sense. *winks* *hugs*

EEDOE--Very good point about Molly...she does have quite a nice warm and tender side. I hadn't thought about Ginny's flexibility *grins*, but maybe she is having trouble because her limbs are still all heavy with sleep. She also might (as Bill suggests) be short and still have long legs (I do *grins wryly*). You think Ginny is a rich character! *looks delighted* Oh, I hope so!! *grins* I liked the quirky orange socks, too, but I still think Percy might wear them when no one was looking! *giggles* It's amazing how sleep, like alcohol, lowers inhibitions, isn't it? Like you, I suspect Ginny will send many hours thinking about that brief moment...and Harry in a burlap sack doesn't sound half bad...*coughs and looks innocent* Yeah...romantic moment! *bounces too* Hmm...*grins* Ginny playing poker...What an interesting idea about Molly's personality as a kid...she does mention a few rebellious moments...I think you're onto something. "Too right she is. He'll always be a constant in the back of her mind. Not only because of her love for him, but because of the life bond they now share."--Hold that thought, it's one of two major interpretations of the title. And almost word for word the way I had it in my head! I'm so amazed and thrilled you nailed it! *BIG HUGS* Exactly--Men! *giggles* Until Next Time...

Bill--I got the impression Ginny's interest in "time" meant something as well...I wonder how it would play into Voldemort's defeat? I hadn't thought about the length of Ginny's legs, but she probably does... I simply wrote something that happens with me and my cat...but my sister teases me that I have "freaky-long legs" in spite of being extremely short. *grins and shrugs* I suppose Percy does usually wear the more restrained and typical socks, but I like the idea of him having something like that completely out of character. ;-) I'm glad everyone loved my little "moment" as much as I did! "Harry is a solid figure in Ginny's life, one of her anchors." Yes, absolutely. Another thing I would say, almost word for word...and, though he doesn't know it yet, I staunchly believe Ginny's presence is equally an anchor to Harry. I hadn't considered the idea that Harry's inability to share his feelings and/or past with others might also be part of that impression, but it makes perfect sense--now that you've brought it up, I can't imagine how I missed it, as it seems quite significant! *looks sheepish* Amos with a string of bad luck...oh, what a great idea...Ginny will window-shop, my friend, as any self-respecting girl would...however...*grins* *hugs*

I LOVE your reviews, guys! Our "club" is so much fun! :-)

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Cedric Diggory was the handsome Hufflepuff Seeker Ginny had described to her friend Luna as overly perfect last year...and he'd beaten Gryffindor at Quidditch. The boys were all looking somewhat less than thrilled to see him. "Hi," Cedric said cheerfully.



"Hi," Ginny said, somewhat surprised to hear her voice echoed by not only Hermione but Ron and Harry. The twins were sullenly silent, though they did nod politely.



"Long walk, Arthur?" Cedric's father asked.



"Not too bad," Dad said. "We live just on the other side of the village there. You?"



"We had to get up at two didn't we, Ced? I tell you, I'll be glad when he's got his Apparation test. Still...not complaining...Quidditch World Cup, wouldn't miss it for a sackful of galleons-and the tickets cost about that. Mind you, looks like I got off easy..." Amos Diggory assessed the group before him nearly as cheerfully as his son, Cedric. "All these yours, Arthur?"



"Oh, no," Dad said, "only the redheads. This is Hermione-friend of Ron's-and Harry, another friend--"



"Merlin's beard! Harry Potter?"



"Er," Harry shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. "Yeah..."



"Ced's talked about you of course," Mr. Diggory said. "Told us all about playing against you last year...I said to him, I said-Ced, that'll be something to tell your grandchildren, that will...You beat Harry Potter!"



Ginny shot a somewhat disgusted glance in Cedric's direction, knowing without looking that Fred and George were scowling. Cedric had the decency to look embarrassed. He hadn't won because he'd beaten Harry...he'd won because - "Harry fell off his broom, Dad," Cedric muttered uncomfortably. "I told you it was an accident..." //If you can apply the word accident to the presence of dementors//, Ginny thought darkly, but she found herself liking Cedric a little better.



"Yes, but you didn't fall off, did you?" Mr. Diggory slapped Cedric on the back. "Always modest, our Ced, always the gentleman...but the best man won, I'm sure Harry'd say the same, wouldn't you, eh? One falls off his broom, one stays on, you don't need to be a genius to tell which one's the better flier!"



Ginny might like Cedric, who looked mildly mortified, but she didn't care for his father...though she supposed it was nice he was so proud of his son...even if it was insulting. But she still didn't like him.



"Must be nearly time," Dad said hastily. "Do you know whether we're waiting for any more, Amos?"



"No, the Lovegoods have been there for a week, and the Fawcetts couldn't get tickets," Mr. Diggory replied. "There aren't any more of us in this area, are there?"



"Not that I know of," Dad agreed. "Yes, it's a minute off...we'd better get ready..." He looked round at Harry and Hermione, neither of whom had ever traveled by Portkey. "You just need to touch the Portkey, that's all, a finger will do--"



It was bit difficult to press so close with the packs everyone was carrying, but the managed, as Dad counted.

"Three...two...one..." And then the key hooked them, yanking them through time and space, and Ginny slammed into Cedric Diggory and tumbled to the ground. He winced sympathetically and reached out a hand to help her up.



"Thanks," she whispered a bit breathlessly. He had nice hands, and a strong, warm grip.



"Seven past five from Stoatshead Hill," said a voice.



"Morning, Basil," Dad said, handing the boot to a wizard wearing a kilt and a strange triangular piece of fabric that hung around his neck.



"Hello, there, Arthur," Basil said. "Not on duty, eh? It's all right for some...We've been here all night...You'd better get out of the way, we've got a big party coming in from the Black Forest at five-fifteen. Hang on, I'll find your campsite...Weasley...Weasley..." He ran his finger along a length of parchment. "About a quarter of a mile's walk over there, first field you come to. Site manager's called Mr. Roberts. Diggory...second field...ask for Mr. Payne."



"Thanks, Basil," Dad said, waving everyone after him.



They found the campsite without trouble...the tents stretched for miles... "Morning," Dad greeted the muggle at the gate.



"Morning," said the muggle, a little warily.



"Would you be Mr. Roberts?



"Aye, I would. And who are you?"



"Weasley-two tents, booked a couple of days ago?"



"Aye," Mr. Roberts agreed, consulting a list tacked to the door. "You've got a space up by the wood there. Just the one night?"



"That's it," Dad confirmed. Ginny wondered what would happen if the game ran for five days again, but didn't ask.



After a bit of shuffle, Harry managed to help Dad pay with the strange muggle money. Then the muggle got a bit suspicious and had to have a memory charm. The wizard who did it looked exhausted. "Needs a Memory Charm ten times a day to keep him happy," he said, which certainly explained it. "And Ludo Bagman's not helping. Trotting around talking about Bludgers and Quaffles at the top of his coice, not a worry about anti-muggle security. Blimey, I'll be glad when this is over. See you later, Arthur."



"I thought Mr. Bagman was the Head of Magical Games and Sports," Ginny exclaimed in confusion. "He should know better than to talk about Bludgers near muggles, shouldn't he?"



"He should," Dad admitted with an indulgent grin. "But Ludo's always been a bit...well...lax about security." Ginny started to ask how he'd managed to end up in charge, but Dad had already begun to explain, "You couldn't wish for a more enthusiastic head of the sports department though. He played Quidditch for England himself, you know. And he was the best Beater the Wimbourne Wasps ever had."



With a lot of help from Harry and Hermione, they set up their borrowed tents. Harry, Ron, and Hermione went for water. Ginny, Fred, and George went to gather firewood. They wandered around, staring at the all the strange sights, picking up sticks, and eventually layering them neatly in the fire pit for Dad. Dad produced a box of matches from his pocket, and proceeded to try to light them, a task apparently harder than it looked.



Eventually Harry and the others got back, and Hermione showed him how it was done. They waited for it to heat enough to cook on, listening to Dad's running commentary of all the passing ministry officials.