Harry and Ginny: A Love Story
Chapter 30: New Beginnings
Albus Dumbledore was pacing furiously in his office, the latest news to reach him from the Ministry had him in a very agitated state. Sirius Black was free and in his place Peter Pettigrew had been captured and exposed as the one who had betrayed the Potters to Lord Voldemort.
That in itself wasn't very troubling, it was the consequences of his actions all those years ago that he knew were going to come back to haunt him. At the time he had done nothing to check on the facts and he had let Sirius be imprisoned without the slightest thing being done on his behalf.
At the time Albus had put it down to his concern for Harry's well being but in reality he knew he had just let things go, concentrating more on issues he deemed more important than the guilt or innocence of one man.
Try as he might, he couldn't figure out how to use the event to his best interest.
The only thing he could think of was the outside chance that he could persuade Sirius to help him regain control of Harry. It would probably be a hard sell, but he was hopeful that he could pull it off. He'd have to word his argument carefully, trying to make sure that it seemed he was only concerned about Harry's welfare and not that he was doing anything else.
Yes great care would be needed and he wondered what Sirius' years in Azkaban had done to the man. Most long tern residents of the prison came out much changed than the person that went in.
Albus grabbed a piece of parchment and wrote a short note, asking to meet with Sirius at his earliest convenience, sealed the roll with his wand and went over to Fawkes.
The Phoenix trilled at him uncertainly, causing the Headmaster to frown slightly. "Please take this to Sirius Black," he said softly.
Fawkes eyed him for a moment and Albus got the distinct impression that his familiar wasn't thrilled with the idea.
"I know, Fawkes, but it must be attempted. With Mr. Black's help we can get back on track."
Fawkes looked him in the eye for a few moments before launching into the air and disappeared in a flash.
Albus sighed softly, even Fawkes was expressing doubts, but he knew he couldn't let that dissuade him, too much was at stake.
He went over to the window and looked out over the grounds of the school, deep in thought about what was needed before Harry would be ready for what he would be required to do.
It was a long time before he went back to his desk to get back to work on the pile of parchments that never seemed to get any smaller.
XX HP + GW XX
Sirius was up and eating his breakfast at the table farthest from the door in the Hogs Head. He was sitting in the corner, back to the wall and reading the Daily Prophet.
To him it was a wonderful thing to be reading the news when it wasn't a week or more old. That was what he normally got at Azkaban if he wasn't able to lift one from the guards.
He was just beginning to enjoy his second cup of tea when Fawkes flashed into existence in front of him. The Phoenix landed gracefully on the table, trilled softly, before dropping a sealed parchment before Sirius.
When Fawkes didn't leave immediately, Sirius figured the bird was waiting for a reply.
He broke the seal, unrolled the scroll and began to read. Though the note didn't really say much, it was the sender that made Sirius frown.
Dear Mr. Black,
I am delighted to hear of your being cleared of all charges and of your being granted your freedom.
I would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss a matter of some urgency.
Please send your reply with Fawkes.
Your servant,
Albus Dumbledore.
Sirius snorted derisively, guessing full well what Albus wished to discuss. Shaking his head he looked across the room to the young man behind the bar.
"Jimmy, could I trouble you for a piece of parchment and a quill?" he said.
"Sure thing, Mr. Black," Jimmy replied. He took a small piece of parchment and a quill from under the Bar and with his wand sent it over to Sirius.
"Thanks, Jimmy, and what did I say about that Mr. Black business?" Sirius said with a smile.
"Ah, okay. . . Sirius," the young man said, somewhat sheepishly.
Sirius took the parchment and quill, penning a quick reply:
Professor,
I am in the process of re-establishing myself s it will be several days till I will have sufficient time to devote to a meeting of the magnitude you suggest.
I will contact you towards the end of the week with a date that will work for me.
Respectfully yours,
Sirius Black.
Sirius sealed the parchment with his wand and handed it back to the waiting Phoenix.
Fawkes trilled a soft melodic sound that spoke to Sirius, conveying a sense of regret and sorrow, giving him the notion that the Phoenix understood his feelings about being falsely imprisoned in Azkaban.
Sirius nodded slowly, softly stroking Fawkes' neck feathers. "Thank you," he said lowly.
Fawkes trilled a happier tune, bobbed his head, then launched himself into the air, where he circled once before disappearing in a flash of fire.
Sirius was in deep thought when he was startled by a voice nearby. "Got a note from Albus, did ya," he heard as more of a statement than question.
Sirius looked up to see Aberforth Dumbledore looking at him.
Sirius smiled, "Who else would I have gotten a message from with such a delivery carrier," he said.
Before Aberforth could say another word, Sirius held up the note from Albus, offering it for Aberforth's perusal.
Ab cocked and eyebrow, but took the proffered parchment and quickly read it.
"Hmmmm, I'd say Albus is looking for an ally," Aberforth said slowly.
Sirius nodded, "So it would seem," he replied thoughtfully.
"Do ya mind me asken what your answer might be?" Ab said lowly.
Sirius looked at the second Dumbledore and smiled after a moment. "I don't mind you asking at all. If Albus thinks I'm just going to forget all that has happened and his part, or lack thereof, he has a rude awakening coming."
Aberforth nodded knowingly, "Always underestimating his potential allies. One of his greatest faults," the older man said sadly. "Only looking at what they can do for him and not at the person themselves."
Sirius stared off into space, a grimness settling on his features. "Not one attempt to contact me in twelve years to hear my side of the story," he said bitterly.
"As sad as I am to say it, he didn't see any benefit in doing so," the Inn Keeper said softly.
Sirius glanced at him, "Always calculating and plotting," he muttered.
Aberforth could only nod in agreement, knowing that statement was the truth about his older brother.
XX HP + GW XX
Arthur Weasley sat at his desk, staring at a report but in reality he hadn't read farther that the first line. His mind was firmly locked on going over the events of the previous evening.
Sirius' appearance, along with the exposure of Ron's rat as none other than the supposedly dead Peter Pettigrew weighing on his mind. Well actually, the fact of Sirius' imprisonment without a trial was the main focus of his ruminations.
For quite some time the Weasley patriarch had been coming to the conclusion that there was something rotten in the Ministry and this added fact did nothing to dissuade him, in fact it further cemented that thought in his brain.
That two of the most senior members of the Ministry, Millicent Bagnold, the then Minister of Magic, along with the then head of the MLE, Bartimus Crouch, could send someone off to Azkaban without a trial, troubled him greatly.
Giving up the pretence of reading the report, Arthur dropped it on his desk and he stared at the ceiling.
His thoughts were disrupted by Kingsley Shacklebolt's arrival.
"Hi Arthur," the large Auror said.
"What brings you here?" Arthur replied, smiling at the Auror.
"I wanted to show you something," Kingsley replied.
He proceeded to open a folder and drew out a piece of parchment. "Take a note of the signatures," he said softly.
Arthur quickly looked at the bottom of the parchment. The first signature was that of Bartimus Crouch Sr., the then head of the MLE. It was the second one that surprised him.
There on the order sending Sirius Black to Azkaban was the signature of Cornelius Fudge, Undersecretary acting on behalf of Minister of Magic Millicent Bagnold.
Arthur's eyes shot up to the man seated across from him. "It was Fudge?" he said in surprise.
"Yeah," replied Kingsley. "From what I was able to find out from some of the old timers here, it was Crouch that wrangled to get Fudge into that Under Secretary's position. The rumour is that old Bagnold wasn't as cooperative as Crouch would have liked, so whenever he needed something done that she wouldn't have gone along with, he'd have Fudge do it on her behalf."
Arthur let out a long low whistle. "That certainly puts a different light on things," he said softly.
Kingsley nodded. "It explains a lot that went on back then."
"Is Fudge aware that Sirius has been freed?" Arthur asked pointedly.
"Yeah, he found out just a little while ago," said Kingsley. "From what I hear he almost fainted when he was told." The Auror then laughed, "I would of liked to have been there when he had to sign Sirius' release papers."
Arthur made a disparaging noise, letting his thoughts on Fudge's credibility be known, but he did join in with a chuckle on picturing the Minister signing Sirius' release.
"Just be careful, Arthur. While not a brave man, he is a vindictive one who is know to use his position to get back at anyone who he thinks isn't on his side," Kingsley said softly.
Arthur nodded in understanding, "I'll be careful when it comes to our Minister," he said lowly.
"Good, because the Ministry can ill afford to lose someone like you. You actually do your job and do it very well from everything I hear," said Kingsley with a smile.
The large man then rose, "Well I need to get going, I've got to deliver Sirius' official release papers to him."
"Give him my regards," Arthur said with a smile.
"That I will," Kingsley replied as he exited Arthur's small office.
XX HP + GW XX
Cornelius Fudge, the current Minister of Magic was incensed, having journeyed deep into the bowels of the Ministry to see for himself the prisoner reported to be Peter Pettigrew. Once arriving he was outraged to find the man being held in a heavily warded and substandard sized cell.
"I'm telling you that I will not have someone in custody under my regime being held in such a place. You will move him at once to a standard cell!" he said forcefully.
"But sir," the head guard tried to say, "The orders state clearly that he is to be held in a maximum security holding cell."
"I'm telling you otherwise," Fudge said indignantly.
The guard sighed, "I understand sir. Let me just check with the MLE head and I'm sure we can get this all straightened out."
"And I'm telling you to move this prisoner immediately," Fudge said emphatically. "If you don't, I'll have you brought up on charges of insubordination!"
"Please, sir," the guard pleaded. "It's against regulations to move him without proper authorization."
Fudge looked at the man malevolently, "Listen hear, I am the Minister of Magic, I am authorizing it."
"But sir . . ."
"Now or you'll be out of a job before you can say Kneazle!" Fudge shouted.
Sighing, the guard shook his head. He didn't know what the repercussions would be, but he had a bad feeling about the whole affair.
"Right away, sir," he said with a strained voice.
Smiling smugly Minister Fudge turned and strode away. If there was one thing he wasn't going to stand for it was insubordination in any form.
Dashing off a note that he sent off to the MLE's floor, he grabbed his wand and cancelled the wards on the cell. He got an uneasy feeling when the prisoner smiled gleefully at him, causing a shiver to run down the guards spine. He was sure nothing good was going to come of this as sure as he was standing there.
XX HP + GW XX
Harry and Ginny were laying in bed, just relishing the feeling of being with each other when they heard. "I want to compliment you on the way you handled yourself last night."
"Arwain?" Ginny asked.
"Who else?" they heard humorously.
"You saw what happened?" Harry asked.
"Of course," Arwain replied.
"How?" Ginny asked, quite perplexed.
"I was there," Arwain said with a chuckle.
"But. . . how?" Harry said with a slight frown.
"I'm with you always. I'm now joined with you two."
Harry and Ginny looked confused, unsure just what that implied.
Arwain felt their confusion and laughed, "Don't worry, it's just part of the Magic of the Heart that you two now possess. I am in no way part of, or can affect your Bond, if that's what you're worried about."
Harry and Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. Being Bonded with each other was enough of a thing to deal with. They didn't need anything more for the moment.
"It's nice that your Godfather could finally be freed. It was such a miscarriage of justice for him to be condemned without a trial. I, for one, am happy that has finally been rectified."
"You knew he had been wrongly imprisoned?" Harry asked with a frown.
"Yes I did, Harry, but unfortunately there was nothing I could do to alter that fact. I have knowledge of many things but can not interact with the present except through you two, now that you have called me forth," Arwain said, a bit sadly.
"What else do you know?" Harry asked.
"Now is not the time for that," Arwain said good humouredly.
When Harry frowned, Arwain said softly, "All in good time, Harry. Neither of you is ready for what is to come yet and learning most things now would actually be counter productive. You will just need to trust me on this."
Harry nodded, knowing that Arwain was right. He just wished he felt like he had a better grasp on what was to come.
"All right you two, it's time to start your education," Arwain said with a smile.
"What will we be learning?" Ginny asked evenly.
"First off, we will work on strengthening your Bond and then on increasing your magical power," Arwain replied.
"Strengthening our Bond?" asked Harry.
"Yes, think of it like a muscle for a moment. Remember when you first started playing Quidditch?"
"Yes," said Harry, wondering where Arwain was going with that.
"Remember how much you hurt after practising at first?"
Harry nodded. Those first practices had been real killers and he remembered thinking how much it had hurt after each and ever one of them.
"Well, like your physical body, the Bond will become stronger the more you use it," Arwain explained. "Do you know what would happen if your Bond was broken? she asked.
"What?" asked Ginny.
Even without knowing, to Harry the consequences were too horrible to contemplate. He just knew that he didn't ever want to be separated from Ginny.
"You'd both die," Arwain said softly.
"Oh!" Ginny said fearfully.
Harry felt a shudder run up and down his spine and he had to control his emotions.
"This will be unpleasant, but I think you both need to experience this," Arwain said lowly. "I will be as gentle as I can, but you need to know."
Suddenly they felt a pressure that neither one could explain but the pain and panic it caused were terrible. Both cried out involuntarily. As fast as it started it was gone, but it left them pale, shaken and sweating.
" I was as gentle as I could be, barely touching the Bond. If I had pushed any more, I could have broken the Bond," Arwain said gently. "Right now your Bond is rather fragile. If you were assaulted right now, you wouldn't last long."
"How do we strengthen it?" Harry asked.
"There are some exercises that you can do," Arwain said with a touch of humour. "First you need to sit facing one another."
She waited till they had gotten in position before continuing.
"Now slide forward till your knees are touching."
Harry and Ginny both scooted forward a little till their knees came into contact.
"Take each others hands," Arwain said, her voice dropping to a whisper.
Harry and Ginny reached forward taking the others hands in theirs.
"Look deep into the others eyes and concentrate on the other. Feel out with your mind, let yourself become open to your Bond-Mate."
Harry and Ginny locked eyes. At first it seemed strange, but as they relaxed with their bodies, they felt something growing between them, something more than they already had.
"Let your love for one another flow between you, let it draw you into the other, let it fill you," she whispered softly.
The longer they stared, the longer they touched, the stronger they felt their love grow. Slowly at first then with a growing intensity, both felt the love they had for each other grow higher and higher.
To an outsider, all they would have seen is two people sitting facing one another, barely moving, the slow rising and falling of their chests as they breathed the only movement.
To Harry and Ginny it was as if the rest of the world faded away and all that existed was the one across from them. Both felt the other more deeply than ever before and the feeling was almost overwhelming.
They felt their souls swirl around the others, soaring higher and higher, intertwining, strengthening the bond between them. Forging the two halves into one stronger, deeper whole.
Where before they thought they had been bound together, now they realized it had been more like a bridge between them. Now the bridge was growing shorter, the space between them compressing and widening from what had been a narrow band ito something much wider, much stronger.
"That's enough for now," they heard dimly.
To Harry and Ginny it seemed that only a few moments had gone by, but as they separated they heard the clock striking Ten and they realized it had been more than an hour.
Both had huge smiles on their faces and a feeling of contentment deeper than they had ever felt before. It was as if they were experiencing it all for the first time again.
"You should try to do that exercise at least once a day, either in the morning, or just before you go to bed at night," their guide explained.
Eyes still locked, Harry and Ginny leaned forward and shared a tender kiss.
"We will," Ginny replied languorously.
"I'll leave you now, as you need to get downstairs before you're missed."
"Thank you, Arwain," Harry said softly, still feeling the wonder of being entwined with Ginny.
XX HP + GW XX
Sirius sat on the edge of his bed, watching Madam Pomfrey closely, trying to read her expression as she poked and prodded him seemingly everywhere.
He suffered it all stoically knowing it was really all for his own good, but he couldn't help but recall similar situations back during his Hogwarts days.
He was startled out of his reminiscing by the matron nudging him and saying, "Here, drink this," as she handed him a goblet.
He downed the goblet's contents and grimaced at it's bitter taste. Shuddering involuntarily as the potion made it's way into his stomach.
"And this," he heard as another goblet was handed to him.
He eyed Pomfrey darkly as he took the proffered goblet. To his surprise the second one was much more pleasant to drink.
He heard her chuckle at his surprise over the taste of the second potion.
"It's a nutrient supplement," she said, her voice full of humour.
"So what's the verdict?" he asked.
Madam Pomfrey motioned for him to put his shirt back on.
"You are rather malnourished and a bit run down. Other than that you are in remarkable shape for someone who has been incarcerated for so long." the matron said.
"Well I did travel three quarters the length of Britain on foot," Sirius replied.
"As a dog," she said with a laugh.
She then placed a flagon on the nightstand. "Take 6 ounces of this every evening for the next week."
Sirius eyed it with some trepidation.
"It's the good tasting one," Poppy said with a laugh.
Sirius couldn't help but smile at her, "Thanks Madam Pomfrey," he said sincerely.
"Since you are no longer a student and from what I heard last night, you can call me Poppy. All my friends do," the matron replied with a smile.
"Okay, Poppy," Sirius replied with a smile of his own. "What do you mean about what you heard last night?" he asked.
Poppy looked at him appraisingly for a moment, "You're on Harry's side," she said plainly.
"Of course I'm on Harry's side," he replied a bit tensely.
"Don't get your dander up," she said tersely. "What I mean is that you've joined the rest of us in protecting Harry."
Sirius cocked his head and looked at her. "Though I wasn't aware of joining, I am aware of the group who have taken upon themselves the task of taking care of Harry and by extension Ginny."
Poppy cocked an eyebrow at Sirius, her surprise written on her face.
"I'm aware of the special relationship that they share," he continued softly.
"Are you?" she asked dubiously.
"Yes, I am," Sirius stated categorically.
Poppy considered him for a moment, "Then you understand why we have chosen to do what we are doing," she said softly.
Sirius nodded, "Rest assured that Harry is my main priority. I owe Lily and James that."
Poppy felt the sadness that emanated from the man seated before her. "We all do," she said.
Sirius smiled wanly at her. "I feel I have a lot to make up for."
"As you said last night, we can't change the past," Poppy replied softly.
Sirius could only nod in response, his thoughts clouded with what he deemed his short comings concerning that fateful night so many years ago.
He was broken out of his reverie by Poppy saying, "I need to get going."
Smiling warmly at her, Sirius said, "Thank you for coming to see me."
Poppy smiled back, "Take care Sirius and I'm sure we'll be seeing each other."
When Sirius looked at her questioningly, she laughed and said, "Concerning our young Mister Potter."
Sirius couldn't help but laugh too. "Here I thought you were implying that I'd need your services again."
Poppy laughed even louder, "Well, I'm sure that will probably be a real possibility too," she added humourously.
"You know, I don't think I've ever heard you laugh before," Sirius said with a grin.
"Well, you've never seen me outside of Hogwarts before," Poppy replied with a wide smile.
"I think I like this Pomfrey," Sirius said.
"Well, thank you, but I really must get going. See you around Sirius," Poppy said as she grabbed her bag and headed out the door.
She paused on the threshold giving one last glance at Sirius. After all his time in Azkaban, he was still a handsome man. Though Poppy was about 10 years his senior, she was still a woman.
Sighing, she shook her head and closed the door behind her. She really didn't need to get involved with someone at the moment. Though if she did, she knew she wouldn't mind getting involved with someone younger than herself and if she did, she sure wouldn't mind if it was Sirius.
XX HP + GW XX
At the Ministry of Magic several things were happening at once. Kingsley Shacklebolt had just received the memo from the guard in charge of taking care of Peter Pettigrew.
As his eyes scanned the parchment, Kingsley couldn't believe what he was reading and he had a sense of foreboding. "Why in Merlin's name didn't that dolt send this as urgent!" he said out loud to no one in particular.
He bolted up from his desk and hurried for the lifts, perhaps there was still time to avert a catastrophe.
Deep in the MLE's lockup, Peter Pettigrew finished his meal, the first he had eaten as a human in almost 12 years. He sighed satisfactorily and glanced at the bars containing him.
Though no longer in the maximum containment cell, wards were still in place that would prevent him from exiting in that direction, even as his animagus self. Smiling he looked at the floor and in the corner he looked at the drain that was situated there.
With a broad smile he concentrated on his rat form and in moments he had shrunk down to his diminutive alter ego. Without a look back, he ran to the drain and scurried down the pipe.
It was moments later that the guard came to collect Pettigrew's tray. The man was so used to his routine he didn't even notice at first that the cell was empty.
"Tray to the door," he called out lazily.
When nothing happened, he looked closer, his eyes scanning the cell for the prisoner that was supposed to be there.
With eyes widening in disbelief he mutter "Oh Shite!" and hurried back to the guard station to raise the alarm.
Kingsley was just exiting the lift when he heard the klaxon sounding and he knew immediately what it signified. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he tried hard to contain his anger.
"Damn Fudge to hell," he muttered under his breath. "Nothing to do now but report everything to his boss, Amelia Bones, the current head of the MLE.
Deep below the Ministry, Wormtail found a wider pipe and communicating with a nearby rat he got his bearings and headed away from the Ministry. Coming to the conclusion that if the Wizarding World of Britain was looking for him, perhaps it was time to take a little holiday to the continent and see if there was any truth to the rumours concerning the Dark Lord.
Maybe if he played his cards right, he could win back the good graces of Lord Voldemort. Anything was better than spending the rest of his life locked up in Azkaban.
Sighing, he turn in the direction the other rat had indicated and he began scurrying forward. It would be an arduous journey, but it was all he had at the moment.
In the distance behind him he heard the faint echo of the klaxon sounding. His absence had been noted but that didn't concern him. His only thoughts now on getting as far from the Ministry as quickly as possible. Then finding passage on a ship heading for France, Italy or even Germany. If the rumours were correct, he needed to head to Romania. That was where he needed to go to find his destiny.
XX HP + GW XX
It was late at night at the Burrow and Harry suddenly sat up in bed, awoken by some unknown force. Ginny stirred beside him, "What's wrong, Harry?"
Shaking his head, Harry said, "I'm not sure. All I know is something is happening and it won't bode well."
He slowly laid back down next to Ginny, his mind troubled by the uneasy feeling that he couldn't shake.
Ginny could feel Harry's uneasiness. ""What is it?" she asked softly.
"I'm not sure, but something has happened," he replied, frowning.
"Do you know what?" Ginny asked, concerned by Harry's troubled countenance.
Harry tried concentrating hard but he couldn't make out anything concrete.
"Arwain?" he called out.
"What is it, Harry?" she replied.
"Do you know what is happening?" he asked, his mind still troubled.
They heard their guide sigh, "All I can tell you that things are about to change. Events are unfolding that were foretold and the road to the final confrontation is now being set."
When she felt Harry's and Ginny's unease she added, "There is still plenty of time before things come to a head, but you must not think about that yet. Much is still to happen before you will be called upon to play your part."
Arwain then said softly, "Sleep now and we will talk more in the morning. Rest assured that what is taking place is beyond your control or ability to affect."
Though the young couple still felt uneasy, they soon found themselves drifting back to sleep. Arwain sending a calming influence to them. "So it has begun," she said to herself.
She "looked" at the sleeping couple and her heart went out to them. It was still too early for them to know what ultimately would befall to them to accomplish. Many trials still awaited them before they would have to battle for the fate of the world.
Though in the future, no one knew exactly how long this young, loving, compassionate pair would have. Arwain hoped and prayed they would have enough time and the skill when the confrontation finally took place. She would try her hardest to make sure they were prepared, but there were no guarantees and she worried about how it would effect them.
XX HP + GW XX
A/N: So it begins, the road to Riddle's resurrection and ultimately the battle between good and evil. There is still a lot to happen before then, but it is starting.
As always, please review.