A/N: And we're now starting to get into the The Sorcerer's Stone. Just as a forewarning, Harry's first few years at Hogwarts will be similar to the books so I'll get through them pretty quickly. A lot of people have been expressing concern about the fact that the prologue shows that Ginny will eventually die. I can understand their concern. As an avid Harry/Ginny fan I wouldn't really want to read a fanfic that had one of them die. I'm not going to say much because I don't want to give away too much of my plans, but I can promise you Ginny will eventually come back. She won't be gone for good! It won't be for a long time though, if all goes according to plan it won't be until the third story I have planned. But I can promise that it'll be worth the wait!

I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed/pm'd me. Any and all feedback is welcome!

And without further ado, I give you Chapter 3 of Harry Potter and Love's Curse.

Chapter 3: The Sorcerer's Stone Part 1

3 years later…

Harry awoke suddenly and nearly fell out of his bed. He sighed wearily seeing that it was only four in the morning. He had been waking up like this off and on for the past few months, always to the same strange dream that ended with a flash of green light.

Knowing that he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep he quietly crept out of his room, trying not to wake up Ron in the process. Once he had silently closed the door he went down the stairs and slumped on the couch.

There was a muffled yell and he quickly jumped up to see what had made the noise. He turned to see a very annoyed Ginny, who had evidently been sleeping on the couch before he had sat on her.

"Merlin, I'm sorry Ginny! I didn't see you there." He apologized.

Ginny sighed, "It's alright Harry, what are you doing down here so early?"

"Nightmare"

"Same one?"

"Yep"

"Are you sure you don't want to tell mum or dad about it?" she asked while moving so that Harry could sit next to her.

"No I don't want to worry them, it's just a stupid dream." He responded after sitting down.

"If you say so, but I do think that you should tell someone…"

"I told you." Harry smirked

"I mean an adult you prat" Ginny said laughing.

"So why were you down here?" His question caused Ginny to stop laughing and look down at the floor. "I, uh, I just couldn't sleep." She said hastily.

"What's the matter Ginny? Are you having nightmares also?" Harry asked concerned.

"No nothing like that, I've just been thinking."

"About?"

"About how in less than a month you and everyone else will be going to Hogwarts and I'll be stuck at home. I-I just feel like I'm losing my brother and my best friend. I've always had you and Ron, but this year I have no one."

Harry sighed. He had been worried about this. "Don't worry Ginny, it's only for a year and then you'll get to join us. I promise I'll write you every week, I might even be able to make Ron send you one every once and awhile. And you're not the only one who feels like they're losing their best friend. I'm going to miss you a ton Gin."

Ginny smiled at the nickname Harry had given her that she allowed only him to use. "I'm just worried that you'll find someone to replace me at Hogwarts."

Harry hugged her. "No one could replace you Gin, you're my best friend, and nothing is going to change that."

Ginny hugged him back and stood up. "Thanks Harry, I know I'm worrying about nothing. Now I really need to try to get some sleep before mum wakes me up in a few hours. Goodnight!"

"Goodnight Ginny"

"Oh and Harry?"

"Ya?"

"Happy Birthday!"

Harry smiled realizing that he was finally eleven and should be getting his letter from Hogwarts that day.

Just as he had predicted, there was a pecking on the burrow's window a few minutes after they had started eating breakfast. Harry eagerly ran to the window and opened it. A brown barn owl hopped in and stretched out its leg, which held a letter addressed to Harry from Hogwarts. He gave the owl a piece of bacon after taking the letter and it flew out the window while giving a hoot of thanks.

Harry eagerly opened the letter at the table. When Molly walked into the kitchen she saw him reading the letter. "Oh good, your letter came in!"

"Ya finally! Can we go to Diagon Alley today to get my stuff?" Harry asked eagerly.

"Off course dear, it is your birthday after all"

A few hours later Molly, Harry, Ron, and Ginny where standing in front of the fireplace. "Now remember you two, this trip is for Harry. We've already gotten supplies for you Ron."

"Ya hand-me-downs" Ron grumbled.

After a quick trip through the fireplace they were all standing in the leaky cauldron. Tom gave them a greeting as they headed over to the brick wall to enter Diagon Alley. Before they reached the wall though, they ran into a very large man.

"Hello Hagrid!" Ginny said brightly

Hagrid smiled seeing The Weasleys and Harry. "Hey ye guys, and happy birthday Harry! I imagine yer here for your school shopping."

Molly nodded. "Yes, we have to stop at Gringotts first so that Harry can get money from his vault."

"As a matter of fact I've got to go to Gringotts as well on official Hogwarts business. Dumbledore sent me personally." Hagrid said while puffing up his chest. "I'll just tag along if you don't mind."

"Not at all!" Harry said.

Harry excitedly looked from shop to shop as they walked towards Gringotts. He couldn't wait to get his gold so that he could start buying all of the supplies he would need.

When they reached Gringotts Mrs. Weasley turned to Harry. "How about you and Hagrid go to your vaults and we'll wait for you."

"But mum, I want to go with Harry!" Ginny said in outrage.

"Oh alright you can go with them, what about you Ron?"

"I'll just wait with you here, I'm not a very big fan of the cart ride." Ron said turning slightly green.

Mrs. Weasley led Ron over to a bench to wait for them, and Harry, Ginny, and Hagrid headed over to the nearest goblin.

"Could you take me to my vault?" Harry asked, handing over his vault key.

"Yes of course, let me just call Griphook. Griphook! Please come over and take Mr. Potter to his vault."

Griphook walked over, took Harry's key, and led them to a cart. Before they got in Hagrid importantly handed a note to Griphook. Griphook read it and nodded his head saying, "Very well, we'll stop there after Mr. Potter's vault."

The cart took off and after a few minutes of wild dips and turns, they arrived at Harry's vault. Harry and Ginny hopped off and waited for Griphook to open it.

"Wow" Ginny exclaimed. "It always amazes me how much gold you have here Harry." She grinned and giggled a bit when she saw him turn red and try to block her view of his vault with his body. She knew how uncomfortable he got opening his vault in front of her and the other Weasleys and loved teasing him about it.

Harry filled his money bag full of galleons and they hopped back on the cart. The cart took off again and went even deeper into Gringotts, until it stopped in front of a vault that didn't have any keyhole on it. Hagrid got out as Griphook walked over to the vault door and stroked it with his hand, causing it to open. Harry and Ginny watched as it opened and Hagrid quickly snatched a small package that was inside it. When he got back to the cart Ginny looked at him questionably.

"Hagrid, what was in the vault?"

"Sorry Ginny, can't tell ye two. Official Hogwarts business." He replied patting his pocket.

Mrs. Weasley and Ron got up and walked over to Harry, Ginny, and Hagrid when they saw them come back from the vaults.

"Alright, all set Harry?" She asked.

"Yep! let's get to it." He replied excitedly.

"Oh Harry, I'll tag along with ya guys a bit further. I still need to get you a birthday present and I think I'll let you pick out an owl. Yer gonna need one at Hogwarts" Hagrid said.

So they headed into Diagon Alley and started Harry's shopping. After a few shops, Hagrid took Harry into the Pet Menagerie to pick out an owl. Harry picked out a beautiful snowy owl that he immediately decided to name Hedwig. Before they rejoined the others Harry stopped Hagrid.

"Hagrid, do you think you could do me a favor? Ginny's birthday is coming up and I need to get her a present. Do you think you could buy it for me while we do the rest of our shopping?"

Hagrid nodded. "Sure thing Harry, what do you want me to buy for ya?"

Harry handed Hagrid a handful of galleons "She's always wanted a cat, do you think you could pick one out for me?"

"Will do Harry, I'll just drop it by for you on Ginny's birthday."

"Thanks Hagrid, and thanks for the owl!

"Yer Welcome Harry. Now I best be off. I've got a cat to buy and a package to deliver to Dumbledore."

Harry waved goodbye to Hagrid and then walked over to the group and showed them his new owl. "Do you like her? I've decided to name her Hedwig."

Hedwig hooted affectionately at the sound of her name.

"Oh she's beautiful Harry" Ginny said as she gently stroked Hedwig's feathers.

After another hour of shopping, Harry only had one last thing to buy: a wand. While Mrs. Weasley and Ron went off to get everyone ice cream, Harry and Ginny went into Mr. Ollivander's wand shop. They looked around at the shelves full of boxed wands as they entered the shop.

"Well if it isn't Harry Potter, I was wondering when I would get to see you!" a voice said causing them both to jump.

They turned to see Mr. Ollivander. "And you must be Ginny Weasley. You two remind me a lot of James and Lily when they were your age. They made such a good couple."

Ginny blushed and Harry looked at him with a confused expression on his face.

"Right… well I'm here to pick out a wand."

Mr. Ollivander smiled, "Of course, of course. Now let's get started shall we?"

A few minutes later they walked out of the shop, both deep in thought. "So you and You-Know-Who having matching wands?"

"It would appear so. Please don't tell mum, it would cause her to worry about nothing. Voldemort has been gone for years now."

Ginny nodded and they both went over to find Mrs. Weasley and Ron.

That night they had a small birthday party for Harry. Molly made all of Harry's favorite foods as well as a huge cake. Once they had finished stuffing themselves, they all gathered in the living room so that Harry could open up his presents. Even though he hadn't lived with the Dursleys for years, he was still amazed whenever he got presents.

Harry opened his first present which was from Ron. He pulled out a bright orange Chudley Cannons poster and a box of chocolate frogs. "I figured you could hang it up next to your new bed at Hogwarts." Ron said.

"Thanks Ron." Harry replied chuckling. Over the past few years he just hadn't had the heart to tell Ron that he was definitely not a Cannons fan.

The next present he opened was from the twins. He pulled out a package of assorted pranks from Zonko's Joke Shop.

"You'll be needing those at Hogwarts Harry!" Fred explained

"Yes, I've found the smoke bombs particularly useful for distractions against nosy caretakers." George added winking.

Harry laughed, but quickly stopped when he noticed Mrs. Weasley's frown.

After the twins came Percy's package. "Thank-you Percy." He said politely as he put aside the stationary and new quill that he had received.

"You're very welcome Harry." he replied, causing Ron and the twins to snigger.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had gotten him a box of owl treats and other owl-maintenance supplies. From Bill he received a charmed amulet from Egypt and Charlie had gotten him a pair of dragon hide boots.

Finally he got to his last present, which was from Ginny. "Wow thanks Gin", he said as he put on the hand-knitted scarf that Ginny had made using Gryffindor colors.

"You know I haven't been sorted into Gryffindor yet right?" he added smiling.

"I know, but I'm sure you will be. I know both of your parents were. Plus you've been living with a family of Gryffindors for years now." she replied.

Harry thanked everyone for the presents and they all stayed up for a few more hours playing exploding snap and chess. Eventually, one-by-one they started going to bed until only Harry and Ginny were left.

"Thanks again for the scarf Gin, I'll be sure to wear it to Quidditch games!"

"No problem Harry, I had fun making it!" Ginny replied.

They sat in silence for a few minutes each deep in thought. Finally Ginny reached over and hugged Harry.

"I'm going to miss this" she said. "All of us being together as a family."

"I'm going to miss it also Gin, but like I said, it's only for a year."

Ginny sighed. "I know, I just hope it goes by quickly."

"It will, and then you'll be joining all of us at Gryffindor, assuming that's where me and Ron are sorted."

"Don't worry Harry, I'm sure you both will be." Ginny said stretching. "Now I should probably be getting to sleep."

"Ya me too." Harry replied getting up.

"Goodnight Harry"

"Goodnight Ginny"

The last few weeks of summer seemed to go by in a blur. They spent hours outside playing Quidditch, swimming in the pond, and just talking. Finally though September 1 rolled around and it was time for everyone to go to Hogwarts. Ginny sat quietly in the back of the Ford Anglia stroking Midnight, the beautiful black cat Harry had gotten her for her birthday.

"She'll keep you company while we're all at Hogwarts." he had said.

They reached the station only a few minutes before the train would leave, as was Weasley fashion. One-by-one they all ran through the barrier. On the other side, Percy said goodbye to Mrs. Weasley and immediately walked off to find the other prefects.

"Good-bye dear mother and Gin-Gin", Fred and George said in unison.

"Oh and don't worry Ginny, we'll send you something from Hogwarts soon, perhaps a toilet seat." Fred said.

"Great idea brother, we will get that for you as soon as possible." George added.

"You most certainly will not. I want you two to behave this year. I'm tired of constantly getting letters about your pranks." Molly scolded.

"Of course mum, we'll be on our best behavior, scouts honor." George said as they both held up their hands in a fake salute before heading out.

Mrs. Weasley shook her head before turning to Harry and Ron. "Now you two have a good first year, keep up your grades, and don't forget to write."

"Yes mum", they both said.

"I'll go find us an empty compartment, bye Ginny!" Ron said wandering off.

Harry gave Ginny a quick hug. "Bye Gin, don't worry I'll write to you every week letting you know how Hogwarts is."

"Thank you Harry." Ginny said.

"Alright I'd better follow Ron, see you guys later." Harry gave Ginny one last hug before following Ron.

They found an empty compartment in the back of the train and sat down in it. They had boarded the train just in time because as they sat down the train started to move. Harry quickly rolled down the window and waved to Ginny and Mrs. Weasley until they were out of sight.

Harry sat back down in his seat and sighed. He was going to miss Ginny a lot, but he tried not to think about it. He was finally on his way to Hogwarts! He and Ron spent the train ride talking about what they thought Hogwarts would be like. When the trolley came by Harry bought them both enough candy last them the rest of the trip.

While they were eating they heard their door slide open. They looked up to see a boy with blonde hair flanked by to big, burly boys who looked like body guards. They both recognized him as Draco Malfoy. Mr. Weasley had warned them about Lucius Malfoy and his son so they knew to be wary.

"I had heard that Harry Potter was on this train." He said looking at them. "Still living with the Weasleys then. It's a shame to see a member of a pureblood family living with those blood traitors. You should learn to make better friends Harry, I can help you with that." He said holding out his hand.

Harry could see Ron slowly turning red. "I think I know who I want to be friends with Malfoy, so you can just shove off."

Draco withdrew his hand. "I wonder what the Weasleys want from you, money probably. Although I've heard that you're seen a lot with their daughter, maybe they want to marry you into the family."

Both Harry and Ron stood up. "Get out Malfoy." Ron sneered.

"Why don't you make me Weasley", Draco fired back as the two boys behind him cracked their knuckles.

Before it came to blows though, Percy intervened. "What's going on here?"

Malfoy drawled, "None of your business. I'll be seeing you two later I suppose", and then walked away.

"You two are fighting and we haven't even arrived at Hogwarts yet." Percy said shaking his head.

"He started it, he as saying we only let Harry live with us for his money!" Ron replied.

"It would probably be best if you two just stayed away from him, the Malfoys are trouble."

"Believe me, we will" Harry said.

A few minutes later Harry and Ron met a bushy haired girl named Hermione and a round-faced boy named Neville. They had been looking for Neville's toad, named Trevor. Ron immediately found the girl annoying. "Mental that one." he had said as she left their compartment.

They changed into their robes and got off the train when they arrived at Hogwarts. They were happy to see Hagrid and got in a boat with Hermione and Neville. Harry looked on at his new home in wonder. The castle was huge, even bigger than he had imagined. The only thing that would have made that day any better would be if Ginny had been there. He thought.