Chapter Five

The Phone Rings

Pansy wrapped her arms around Neville's neck and buried her nose in the hollow of his throat.

"I missed you," she sighed softly.

He smiled and she could hear it in his voice when he replied. "I missed you too."

He fell back and she joined him on his hammock. She liked his room. It was a pleasant combination of almost nautical influences and herbology paraphernalia. Books lined the walls, intermixed with shells, potted plants and other shipping things.

"What's with the sea things?" she asked, drinking in the atmosphere.

He looked around. "I wanted to be a sailor when I was little. Grandma told me it was too dangerous but I still like to pretend."

She rested her head against his chest and debated for a moment before saying, "I could teach you how."

"Huh?"

"My parents own a fleet of almost six hundred ships, ranging from rowboats to two thousand person cruise liners. I know how to operate every single one."

She smiled and pushed her face up to look at him. "In fact, I know a pretty little two person sailboat...with a bedroom."

He grinned. "Well, I think my Gryffindor nature requires that I say yes."

"Hi," Hermione said happily into the phone.

"Hey, Mione," Ron greeted from the other end. "I take it you've heard from your guy."

"You guessed right," Hermione replied, sitting down. She was glad she'd given Ron a phone tutorial last summer. He still shouted when he was too excited, but all in all, he was doing better.

"How are they?" Ron asked and Hermione could hear his concern for his sister in his tone.

"He says they're doing good. Learning lots of things."

"Bet you wish you were there," Ron laughed.

"Sure do," she said but they both knew that learning wasn't her chief reason. Sure it would be informative, and Sirius the former-almost-Death-Eater, was bound to know loads of really wicked spells.

But she really just wanted to be where she could protect Cedric. She understood all too well how important Cedric, Ginny and Draco were. Almost as much as Harry himself. And Voldemort would give anything to have the three of them put on ice for the time being if not permanently.

All the more reason for me to stay away, she thought.

"So are you coming over this summer?" Ron asked, breaking her train of thought.

"I was planning to," she said. "How about Harry?"

"He's coming over in August and staying until school picks up."

"Give me a call when you know for sure and I'll meet the two of you there."

"Cool!"

"Ron, you're shouting again."

"Ginny?"

Ginny closed her eyes, absorbing the sound of her mother's voice.

"Hi, Mum," she said, opening her eyes and smiling into the fireplace.

"I'm surprised to hear from you this way," Molly said, looking utterly thrilled about it. "I thought it was too great a risk."

"I have to keep it short," Ginny explained. "But Sirius promised that we could make a quick call."

"Ginny, how is that poor boy doing?"

"Cedric? Oh, he's doing-"

"Not him, baby. I meant Draco."

Ginny stared at her mother in surprise.

"Now don't be so shocked," Molly scoffed. "One bad apple does not a bushel make."

"That's not even a real saying," Ginny admonished with a smile.

"Even so. Your father is not entirely taken with the idea, but I've explained to him how little it is within his control. Ginny, you will take care of him, won't you?"

"Of course," Ginny said.

"I don't mean to burden you, Ginny, but the way your brother puts it, that boy let go of everything he had just to be with you. I know I raised you better than to make that a mistake."

"Yes, Mum," Ginny replied. She felt strangely numb. Draco had given up everything for her. His father wanted him dead and probably half of the Death Eaters were in accord over that prospect. And right now, Ginny was all that stood in their way.

Well, her and Sirius. But still...