You are viewing a story from harrypotterfanfiction.com View Online It was a warm summers night, and Harry Potter was laying on his bed thinking. He had so many thoughts running through his head that he often wished he had a pensieve with him. His thoughts would trail off to the times when he encountered the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Other times, his thoughts would be with a beautiful red head for whom he had developed strong romantic feelings for over the past year. Ginny Weasley was the love of Harry's life. He had come to this realization during the time he had to himself in the isolation of his Aunt and Uncle's house. There was barely a moment when he didn't think about her. She was one of the very few good things that Harry had in his life. Every moment he wasn't with her, he felt a longing to see her. To him, it seemed as if he could not breathe properly unless he just caught a glimpse of her. Nothing would please him more than to hold her in his arms once more and catch her flowery scent in his nostrils. He had felt this anguish ever since he had said goodbye to her at the end of last year. It was, infact, that exact reason why Harry had to break up with her last year. Eventhough he was still madly in love with her, and he was sure that she was still in love with him, he knew that they could not be together anymore. If Voldemort ever discovered that the two were together, he would place her in danger; something that he knew he mustn't do. Harry knew that she understood. 'This is for some noble reason isn't it?' she had asked Harry several weeks ago. Harry was glad she understood; especially considering that the two would be living in the same house once again the next day. Her brother Ron Weasley, Harry's best friend, had invited him to spend the summer over at his house once again. This was something that Harry always couldn't wait for. The Weasley family was like Harry's own family. At least, that is how he felt about them. He knew, however, that this summer would be different. Ever since the end of the last school year, he knew he had to find the horcruxes which Dumbledore had told him about. This meant that, he didn't think he had a lot of time to spend with his favourite family. However, the biggest difference would be that he would have to pretend like he didn't have such strong feelings for Ginny. He would have to go on, day by day, acting as if he had forgotten all about her. He knew that as hard as it would be for him, it would be devastating for her. But he knew what he must do. If it meant protecting those he loved, he was ready to give up his own happiness for them. He knew it would be extremely hard and that it would take every ounce of self control he had in him to resist grabbing Ginny, kissing her and never letting her go; but it was something which he would have to prepare himself for if he wanted her safe. The following day, Harry arrived at the Burrow. He had completed his aparitions test and had made it there within seconds. 'Well here you are Harry.' said Mr. Weasley, once he had helped Harry into the room which he would use over his stay. 'Thanks a lot Mr.Weasley,' said a greatful Harry, 'where is everyone though?' He had noticed that Ron, Ginny and the Weasley twins were not home. It was the weekend, and Harry was pretty sure that the twins would come and visit. 'Oh, they must not be back yet from quidich. Would you like to take your broom and go play aswell?' he asked. 'Sure.' ... Harry got on his broom and flew a few feet in the air. How he loved flying. It felt like bliss to be up there with not a worry in his mind. It was quite soothing, the same way he also felt around Ginny. The moment he thought that, he wished he hadn't. He was, however, suprised to find out that he didn't regret it as much as he thought he would. In fact, he started getting that anxious feeling in his stomach at the prospect of seeing her once more. The closer he came to the orchard where they play quidditch, the more excited and nervous he became. How would he react once he saw Ginny? Or how would she react upon seeing him? He had snapped out of his thoughts by the sounds of yells and cheers coming nearby. He sped up to see what the excitement was about. He came within close range of the trees, and got off his broom. He pushed past the trees, and looked on at the others. He caught a glimpse of them flying for a second, but they had all landed the next second. All the Weasleys and Hermione were playing. The game was over as Ginny was holding the snitch in her hand. His stomach flipped as he caught sight of her. It might have been because of the fact that they didn't see one another in a while, but Harry thought she looked more beautiful now than ever. None of them noticed Harry lingering off by the trees a bit away from them all. Finally, as Ginny looked over George's shoulder, her eyes locked with Harry's. The others turned around to see what she was looking at, and saw Harry too. 'Harry!' they yelled excitedly and ran towards him. They all greeted him in turns. The last person to greet him was Ginny. Unlike the others, she didn't say a word; she fully hugged him. 'Hi.' he said slowly to her. 'Hey.' The others looked on a bit in silence. 'We'll give you guys some time alone if you want.' Charlie told them. Ginny was just about to say something, but Harry quickly replied, 'No it's okay,' he said and broke the eye contact he had with Ginny, 'in fact, do you guys want to have another game of quidich?' 'Yeah!' they all exclaimed. Without looking back at Ginny, he flew back in the air. ... That evening they all had dinner out in the backyard. When Harry was done eating, he looked around at the others. Fred and George were in a conversation with Bill and Charlie; Percy, who had reunited with the family once again, was in conversation with his mother and father; and then he noticed that Ron and Hermione were having a warm conversation. He was suprised to see that their heads were close together and that they gave each other loving glances. 'They got together a couple weeks ago,' a voice near him said. He looked to his side and saw that it was Ginny that had said it. He felt his heart beat faster as he looked at her, and felt his face going red. She just smiled warmly at him. 'It's about time they did.' he said, finally smiling back. 'I was thinking the same way.' she said, and the two continued to stare at one another for a long time. Finally Harry came to his senses and he looked down at his empty plate. 'I think I'll go and put this in the sink.' he quickly said and, without looking back at her, got up and left. He went to his room right after. ... He layed on his bed, the same way he did at the Dursley's, thinking about what just happened. He knew it would be uncomfortable being around her again, but he didn't think it would hurt him this bad. He felt a part inside of him screaming in agony at him everytime he ignored Ginny. After several minutes, someone knocked on the door. 'Come in.' he said, thinking it was Ron and Hermione. However it was Ginny. He sat up as his head started spinning at the sight of her. He was extremely glad to see her, but he knew he must hide it from her. 'I thought it might have been Ron or Hermione.' he said, trying to act casual. 'They're too busy making out.' she said amusingly. She came and sat down on his bed. As she did, he caught her very attractive flowery scent. The smell always drove him crazy. 'Listen Harry,' she said and pulled him out of his trance, 'I need to talk to you.' 'What about?' he asked concerndly. 'Us. Don't think I didn't notice the way you're trying to pull me away from you. It won't work.' Harry didn't know what to say. 'Ginny,' he said after a couple of minutes passed, 'you know what I said at the end of last term.' 'I do,' she replied, 'but I don't care. I love you too much to stay away.' Harry looked at her bewildered. 'You love me?' he asked. 'Of course I do Harry. And I don't see why you have been trying to ignore me the entire day.' That was all she could say as Harry had grabbed her by her waist, pulled her towards him and kissed her passionately. Harry continued to kiss her for a long time hungrily. 'I love you too,' he whispered to her as their foreheads touched gently once they were done kissing. 'I know.' she said. The two stared at one another. Harry felt light as air. He had waited to do that for so long. He felt so content at the moment sitting here with Ginny that he hoped the two would never have to leave one another. Then a couple minutes later, Harry seemed to come to his senses. 'No Ginny, we can't do this.' he said firmly, burying his feelings for her somewhere deep inside himself. 'I made the choice to protect you a while ago and I won't go against it.' Ginny looked at him sadly. 'Alright Harry,' she said in a defeated tone, 'if that is what you want.' She got up and left Harry there feeling quite empty inside. Little did Harry know, Ginny stood for a moment outside his door thinking. She knew what he was sacrificing to protect her. She knew how alone he really felt, and it killed her knowing how lonely and empty he felt without her around him. She hoped he would realize soon that she was not ready to give up on him, and that she never would. ... The following morning, everyone was having breakfast together outside. It was pretty much like the previous night: everyone was continuing their conversations. Harry, however, was trying desperately to avoid gazing over at Ginny. He didn't need to look up to know that she was trying to catch his eye the entire morning. He wanted to so badly talk to her, hug her, and kiss her but he knew he shouldn't. Perhaps this is the perfect time to practice occlumency, he thought. That way he could learn to hide his feelings for her. Afterall, Dumbledore himself had confessed that Harry was never a good Occlumence. Later in the day, Ron and Hermione accompanied Harry to the nearby village. He had told everyone that as he was never there he wanted to see it. The truth was, he had to get away from Ginny as it kept getting harder and harder to stay away from her. He kept on longing to be with her. Ron and Hermione, at least, had figured out the truth. They knew better than to bring up Ginny in the conversations. 'Sorry we didn't talk to you much since you came Harry.' Hermione earnestly told him. 'It's okay,' he replied amusingly, 'I heard that you guys are together now.' 'Don't these people have anything better to talk about?' Ron yelled outraged. 'Who told you anyways?' he demanded. '...Ginny.' he replied simply. 'Oh,' Ron said suddeny and went quiet. 'Listen Harry,' Hermione suddenly said as she stopped in her tracks, 'I have to tell you that, I think its really stupid what you are doing.' 'Doing what?' he asked as if he didn't know what she was talking about. 'Oh don't give me that,' she told him angrily, 'you know what you're doing. Just because you don't think you can be with Ginny doesn't mean you should stop talking to her. She is still your friend.' But Harry knew what she planned by telling him this. 'And you hope that once we talk, I'll realize how much I need her and us two would be back together.' he replied sternly. 'How...how did you know that?' she asked fearfully. 'What do you mean?' 'What I mean is that was exactly, word for word, what I was thinking in my head at the moment. Harry have you been practicing legilimency?' 'A bit.' he admitted. 'Harry thats amazing!' Ron and Hermione shouted at the same time. Harry couldn't help but feel smug about it. During their time in the village, Harry told them how ever since his birthday he had noticed his magic skills increase greatly. 'I figure that all these skills will be useful in the journey to find the horcruxes.' 'When do you plan on going?' Hermione asked. 'A bit after Bill and Fleur get married.' he told her. Ron and Hermione looked at one another. 'You know we're coming with you no matter what.' Ron told him. 'Yeah.' ... In the evening, as Harry was going up to his room, he heard banging and yells of frustration coming from a nearby room and decided to see what the commotion was about. He opened the door slightly, and realized it was Ginny in there. Her drawer was stuck and wouldn't close. He watched her in amusement for a while before reavealing himself to her. Upon hearing her door creak open, she turned around and saw Harry. 'Need some help?' he said smiling. 'Yeah,' she panted. Harry simply took out his wand and magicked the drawer to close. 'Thanks.' she replied monotonously. She was looking away from him. She was suprised to find Harry still in the room when she turned back around. He came closer to her and tucked back a piece of her hair behind her ear that fell on her face. He smiled once again at her and left. ... Over the next couple days, everyone was rehearsing the wedding ceremony. As Harry and Ginny didn't have any special roles, they just stayed back and laughed at Bill and Fleur together as they went between everyone trying to make sure they all knew what to do. 'I'm really happy for them.' Ginny was telling Harry. 'Yeah me too,' said Harry, 'I still remember when they first saw each other.' and he told Ginny about the evening of the third task in his fourth year when Bill and her mom came to see him before the tournament. 'I could see at once that they were in love.' he told her. They stared at one another for a while, and Harry had a sudden strong urge to kiss her. They both looked a bit apprehensive, and finally Harry started to lean into her and she looked up at him, closing her eyes, waiting for their lips to meet. Just as his lips went numb with anticipation, Harry heard some calling him and he quickly straightened up. 'Harry, come here. Someone needs to talk to you!' Mr. Weasley yelled. Both Harry and Ginny looked flushed. They both got really disappointed that they didn't kiss, but Harry was also kind of glad. He knew he shouldn't kiss her in the first place. 'You better go,' Ginny said quietly. However, as she turned to leave, Harry grabbed her hand. 'No, come with me.' he told her gently. She gave him a smile and nodded. Harry and Ginny made their way over to Mr. Weasley and he beckoned them over into the house. 'Harry, Professor Mcgonagal would like a word with you.' Mr. Weasley told Harry once they were near the door. 'I'll wait for you out here Harry.' Ginny told him hurriedly as he got inside. He expected Mcgonagal to be pretty visible as soon as he got in, but he couldn't see her anywhere. 'Over here Potter.' he heard her voice coming from the fireplace. He turned around and there was her head in the fire. 'Hello Professor.' he said. 'Hello. I need to talk to you about next year.' she told him firmly. 'Professor, I'm not sure that I want to come back.' 'I know. Which is why I need to talk to you. I know that you want to continue to finish something that Dumbledore started. But I tell you now; you will not succeed. If Dumbledore had a tough time doing what he did, you will certainly need at least all your years completed to even have a chance of finishing his work.' Harry pondered over this in his head for a minute. Mcgonagal had certainly put some things in perspective. He could sure use as much training in the magical arts as he could get afterall; and who knows, maybe he would find something useful in the castle to help him in his quest. 'Alright,' he finally said, 'I'll come back.' She smiled and disappeared. When Harry stepped out in the bright and beautiful backyard, he couldn't see Ginny anywhere. 'Have you seen Ginny?' he asked Ron. 'No, but she must be with Hermione. I can't find her either.' The two set out to find the girls, and on the way Harry informed Ron that he would indeed be coming back next year to Hogwarts. 'That's great Harry. I'm sure we could find something useful there.' 'I was thinking the same thing.' Harry told him. That wasn't the only reason why Harry wanted to come back though. To him, the more important reason was Ginny. If he had such a tough time without being with her for a couple weeks, he didn't think he would make it without her for a couple months, or as far as Harry knew, maybe even longer than that. Even if they couldn't be a couple, just looking over at her once in a while and taking in her beauty was enough for him. It turned out that Ginny and Hermione were talking in the orchard. As they came closer, he saw that Ginny was pretty upset about something and was telling Hermione about it. 'What is it Ginny?' Harry asked concernedly once they came next to the two girls. 'We'll leave you two alone.' Hermione said and steered Ron away. 'Are you alright?' he asked her again when the other two left. 'No I'm not Harry.' she said angrily. 'Why?' he asked dumbfounded. She seemed in a good mood to him when he left her a couple minutes ago. 'Because you lied to me Harry! You've been lying to me the entire time you were here!' she screamed. 'What do you mean? he asked trying to calm her down. 'I heard you talking to professor Mcgonagal! Why didn't you tell me that you weren't planning on returning to Hogwarts?' 'Well I hadn't made up my mind until now about what to do,' he lied, 'you must have heard, at least, that I am going to come back after all.' 'Yeah I heard,' she said coolly, 'but then why didn't you at least even mention the idea to me? What did you think I wouldn't be able to handle it or something?' 'Because I was scared!' he suddenly yelled. 'Are you happy now? I was scared of what you might say! Deep down, I knew that you would be the only one that could change my mind about leaving!' He then stormed away from her feeling all depressed and angry. At least my plan is working, Harry thought. Ginny had been avoiding him for the entire day because of the argument between them that occurred the day before. As pleased as he was that his plan was working, he felt terrible inside. Breaking up with Ginny out of protection was one thing, but to have her mad at him was a total opposite thing. As soon as they argued, he regretted yelling at her. She meant the world to him and he wanted to spend the time he had with her in happy times. He hated himself at that moment for yelling at her. In fact, he wasn't even sure what got into him. Every time the two passed one another, she gave him a dirty look. She had no idea how it made him feel. His insides urged him to grab her and explain himself to her and ask for her forgiveness. However, his thoughts disagreed. His thoughts were telling him that, as long as she is distant from him, she would be safer. He chose to listen to his thoughts rather than his feelings. Harry had still been feeling lonely even after he came to the Burrow. Now that Ron and Hermione were a couple, they tended to go off to more private places alone. If it weren’t for the fact that Bill and Charlie were visiting for the entire summer, he wouldn't have had anyone to talk to. Luckily for Harry, both of them were in the Order of he Phoenix. So constantly, they informed him of their next move. When he wasn't talking to them, he would be thinking of Ginny. Never has anyone had such a strong hold on him like Ginny did. Just the thought of not being with her hurt him. It was driving him crazy that he was so close to her, but he couldn't be with her. When he slept, his dreams of her continued. She, on the other hand, wouldn't even look at him. She was still mad at him, and Harry didn't know how much longer he could stand it. However, no way was he planning to go talk to her. At least this way it might be easier to move on. But did he really want to move on? It wasn't until the morning of Bill and Fleur's wedding that she had finally glanced at Harry. She was in the kitchen making herself a sandwich, and he came into the kitchen to get himself some water. 'Hi,' she said but a bit forcefully. 'Hey,' he said weakly. As he drank his water, and she ate her sandwich, they had their backs to each other. That was the reason why they didn't see that they both looked sad and lonely. When the wedding ceremony finally came, Ginny and Harry sat by each other. It wasn't that they wanted to; it was just that every other seat was taken. During the ceremony, Harry kept on having flashbacks of all the great times he had with Ginny. He even started to imagine Ginny and himself up there getting married. And then something happened. Maybe it was the fact that he was seeing two lovers united but something inside of Harry suddenly erupted. A strong emotion had developed inside of him and he could feel it coursing throughout his body. That was when he had decided. No longer did he want to keep putting his own happiness off. He wanted to be with her, and he knew that she wanted to be with him. For so many years he had constantly put himself in danger. Had he not come off fine? Why should this time be any different? He was much more powerful now than ever before, and he would continue becoming even more powerful throughout the years. He realized then that he had the power to protect both himself and Ginny. With the sudden self-confidence that he had never felt before, he slowly put his hand on top of Ginny's. It didn't take long for her to squeeze his hand in hers. The two looked at one another and grinned. They felt so connected at the moment that they both started feeling such strong romantic feelings for one another. These romantic feelings were those that would surely lead their relationship to the next level. After the ceremony, Harry and Ginny left the others to go somewhere more private. When nobody was looking, Harry dissaparated Ginny and himself to his bedroom. As soon as they got there, Ginny leapt at Harry, wrapped her arms around his neck and began to kiss him passionately. Harry kissed her back and never wanted to stop kissing her. As he was still holding her up, he placed her gently on the bed. They were both panting out of breath after the kissing and with their faces still close together, they stared at one another lustfully. 'I missed you.' he whispered to her. She smiled back at him lovingly. Then slowly Ginny looked down at her shirt and began to unbutton it. Before she could finish however, Harry took her hand. 'Listen Ginny. I think, I don't want us moving this quickly.' he said as fast as he could because he knew that soon he wouldn't be able to resist her. 'Harry I'm ready to take our relationship to the next level.' she said seriously, and bringing herself up on the bed, came to Harry's eye level and kissed him. And just when things were getting heated again, he stopped once more. 'Ginny, I don't think we should do this yet.' he said seriously. Ginny raised her eyebrows in confusion at him. 'Don't get me wrong,' he quickly said upon seeing the look on her face, 'I would love for this to happen, but it isn't right. Not like this. What if someone comes up?' Ginny finally gave in. She knew Harry was right. She got up and went over by the mirror. When she started buttoning her shirt again, Harry looked over at her. 'Are you alright?' he asked. Ginny nodded. 'It's just that, you've really matured Harry.' she told him thoughtfully. Since she had her back to him, he put his arms around her waist and kissed her neck on the side while standing behind her. Then suddenly the door opened, and Ron came in. 'Hey Harry me and-' he began but stopped. He just noticed Harry holding Ginny, and she had a couple buttons unfastened. Harry quickly let go of her, and she tried buttoning them up quickly, but he noticed. Ron didn't have to say anything for Harry already knew that he was livid. 'Ron, this isn't what it looks like.' he quickly said. Ron didn't seem to hear him. 'What the hell were you two doing up here?!' he yelled and glared at Ginny and Harry. 'Nothing.' Harry said trying to calm him down. Ginny on the other hand got even angrier. 'Well even if we did do something, it is none of your business!' she bellowed. Harry really wished that Ginny wouldn't retaliate, but he knew it was hopeless. It just wasn't like Ginny to let someone yell at her like that. 'None of my business?!' he asked angrily. 'You're my sister! And he's my best friend!' 'Ron really,' Harry said quietly, 'nothing happened.' 'Shut up Harry!' Ron and Ginny yelled at the same time. 'I know this was your idea!' Ron yelled at Ginny. 'You're always doing stuff like this! 'What kind of stuff are you talking about?" she retorted. Ron didn't really know how to put it in words. 'You're always instigating situations like this!' he said after a moment of silence. 'Ron, I really think you're over reacting.' Harry told him. 'Well does that come as a surprise to you Harry?' Ginny angrily yelled. 'Over reacting am I?' he asked, staring Harry right in the eye. 'Then what were you guys doing up here?' Harry looked away from Ron. He got them there, and even Ginny didn't know what to say. 'That's what I thought!' he said quietly looking at both of them. 'What were you thinking?' he asked them. 'What if someone else came up here? Like mom!' Harry felt so guilty inside, and he knew Ron was right. Then Ginny got angry, pushed Ron aside, and left the room. Harry sped after her, leaving Ron alone in the room. Harry raced after Ginny. 'Ginny, wait up!' he yelled after her, but she wouldn't listen to him. 'Just leave me alone Harry.' she said, and she sounded hurt. Since he was faster than her, he sped up in front of her and put his arms on her shoulders. 'Ginny what's wrong?' he asked concernedly. 'You know you can tell me anything.' 'I'm not so sure anymore.' she said as her eyes began to water. 'What do you mean?' he asked bewildered. She was quiet for a while before finally speaking up. 'Do you think the same way as he does Harry?' 'Who ron?' 'Yeah.' Not knowing where this was going, Harry was confused. 'About what?' 'About me,' she said, 'and how he thinks I keep trying to sleep with guys. You don't think that way do you?' Harry was at a loss for words. He couldn't see why she would think that of him. He figured actions speak louder than words, and he hugged her. She hugged him back tightly and both never wanted to let go of one another. 'Of course I don't think that Ginny, I could never think that.' he told her comfortingly. 'But we were going to sleep together just now,' she muttered worriedly in Harry's chest where her head rested, 'surely you must have thought that I have done this with other guys. But I want you to know Harry that I didn't. That would have been my first time.' 'That would have been my first time as well.' he whispered to her ear. They stood there outside for several minutes just embracing one another. ... Ron watched them the entire time from the window. He saw Harry running after Ginny. Then he caught up with her and they had a heated conversation for a while, and finally they were hugging. 'What are you looking at?' Hermione asked when she came inside. 'Harry and Ginny!' Ron said angrily. Then he told her the entire story. 'And then I come in, and Harry has his hands all over Ginny and was kissing her neck! Can you believe those two?' 'I can't believe you Ron!' she yelled. 'Why did you have to do that?' 'You're actually on their side?' he asked. 'Of course I am.' she answered him firmly. 'I just can't believe that you wouldn't trust Harry like that! Do you honestly believe he would have let things get that far with Ginny?' Ron seriously thought about this, and finally realized how wrong and stupid he was. Harry would never do something like this. 'I guess you're right.' he admitted quietly while looking down. ... When Harry and Ginny came back inside, they were hand in hand. The first person to approach them was Ron and Hermione. 'Look, I'm really sorry' he apologized while looking at Harry. 'I understand Ron, but it is not to me that you need to apologize to. It's Ginny.' 'I know,' he quickly said and looked at both of them, 'I owe both of you an apology. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions and say such things about you Ginny. I didn't really mean them you know.' Harry and Ginny looked at one another. They both knew Ron was genuinely sorry, Harry especially after using legilimancy, so they decided to forgive him. 'Alright Ron. I forgive you,' Ginny said, 'but next time don't you jump to conclusions. We weren't going to do anything when you walked in. Why did you think we were, even when we told you we wouldn't?' 'Oh, I don't know,' he said while blushing furiously. Harry looked from him to Hermione. 'Wait a minute. Have you guys...' he started but they both quickly yelled 'No! No nothing like that Harry.' However, it was really easy to see that they were both lying once he used legilimancy again. 'You know you guys, I think you forgot that I am an Legilimence.' laughed Harry. Ron and Hermione both looked shocked and embarrassed as Ginny and Harry walked away laughing. ... That evening, the night before they were to head back to hogwarts, it was only the four of them in the house. Everyone else was at an order of the phoenix meeting. They were mostly quiet for the evening because Hermione and Ron were really upset about something. 'Are you guys mad because we found out about you two being "together" earlier?' asked Ginny while looking at the two amusingly. 'Why don't you ask Harry?' Ron asked irritably. 'What do you mean?' Harry asked. 'You know Harry,' Hermione started, 'we're happy that you got these new magical skills, we really are.' 'It sure doesn't sound like it.' he told them concernedly. 'That's because we don't want you using them on us!' Ron said, staring Harry in the eyes. 'Yeah, there are things we don't want others to know about yet. And our thoughts are suppose to be our own private thing.' Hermione spoke up. Harry finally understood. It really wasn't his business to know what they were thinking. 'Alright, I'm sorry. I understand and I won't do it again.' he told them. 'Okay.' they both said, and soon after went off to sleep. When they were gone, Ginny and him looked at one another. 'Well I really like your powers Harry.' she said smilling and the two kissed. 'I do too, but I see what they mean. I don't know what I was thinking using it on them. It really was an invasion of their privacy.' worried Harry. 'You didn't really mean any harm Harry. I'm sure they know that.' she said comfortingly. The two kissed and went off to bed as well. Harry lay in bed thinking. When he used legilimancy, were his intentions ever really virtuous? Harry didn't quite think so. Every time he did use it, he always felt a certain feeling as if he, above everyone else, deserved to know what they were thinking. The thought that what he was doing was ever wrong had never even crossed his mind. So when Ginny told him he didn't mean any harm, should he have told her that he probably did? These thoughts sure did worry him. Soon enough he pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind, hoping that they wouldn't bother him again. He wasn't going to tell anyone about them, not even Ginny. He didn't see the need to trouble her with things like this. When they got back together, he swore that he would keep her safe, and that meant not revealing everything he thought to her. Thunder clashed outside of Harry's window. He didn't know how long the weather had been like that, but he was confused why he didn't hear it earlier. His door creaked open and Ginny poked her head inside. 'Good morning,' she said as she got inside and sat on his bed, 'I see you're finally up.' 'Yeah, what time is it?' he asked. 'Well that is why I came up here; it's time to get ready to leave. You don't have much time because we're leaving in about twenty minutes.' When they finally left and arrived at the train station, they only had a few minutes left to say goodbye to the Weasleys. Harry and Hermione thanked them for allowing them to stay over the summer and proceeded onto the train. As they got on board, Ron and Hermione went to sit with the other prefects. Harry helped Ginny find a compartment before leaving to follow Ron and Hermione. Over the summer, when they received they're school letters, Harry had been given the privilege of being the Head Boy. Once they all received their instructions, the three went to find Ginny. When they reached the compartment she was in, they saw that Neville and Luna were keeping her company. They all greeted one another as Harry sat by Ginny and put his arm around her shoulder. The train went on, and the rain showed no sign of stopping. In fact, the thunder seemed to be getting louder and louder. Harry felt very comfortable sitting on the train, staring out the misty window, and having Ginny resting her head on his chest fast asleep. The only person apart from Harry that wasn't sleeping was Neville. The too whispered as quietly as possible and discussed who the new teachers in the school might be. 'Well Slughorn will probably teach Potions,' Neville was saying, 'and we'll probably have a new Defense against the dark arts teacher.' 'Yeah, but who could it be?' Harry wondered. 'Maybe Lupin?' Neville suggested hopefully. Harry pondered over this. It sure would be nice to have Lupin back. 'As great as that would be Neville, I just don't think so.' Harry told him. 'Well why not?' Neville insisted. 'I've spoken to him one time over the summer and he didn't mention anything about coming back. But who knows, maybe things changed since then.' As they came very close to the school, night had befallen them. The others slowly stirred awake, but not Ginny. She continued to sleep. Realizing he better wake her up, Harry gently tucked her hair behind her ears and started calling her name. She awoke and had stared smiling at Harry. Suddenly the train stopped roughly, and all the lights went out. Harry looked out the window, and could see the castle. However, they hadn't reached the Hogsmeade station. He went out in the hallway and could see others peering out. And then something happened. As Harry walked to the front of the train, a tall hooded creature had come on board the train. Harry slowly continued walking towards it and took out his wand. The hallway became very cold and Harry started to hear voices in his head, but that didn't stop him. '[I]Expecto Patronum[/I]!' he cried and a giant stag erupted out of his wand and chased the dementor away. Harry ran off the train and stared at the dementor. He could see the dementor gliding rapidly towards the school. '[I]Accio Firebolt[/I]!' Harry yelled and his broom came zooming towards him. He quickly sped off into the night after it. Then, as he came close to the castle, he turned around to see the others following him on their own brooms. 'Get back!' he yelled but the rain, thunder, and wind muffled his words. The others seemed to get the message but Harry could see them mouthing, 'We're coming with you!' Though hesitant at first, Harry sped on with the others behind him. When they reached the school grounds, Harry gawped. Out in the field, Harry could see what looked like millions of dementors. The only thing that was stopping them from reaching the school was the patronuses that some of the teachers and Aurors were producing. Harry flew down towards the teachers, got off and quickly took out his wand and helped by producing another patronus. The others came next to him, but none of them could produce a proper patronus. Only wisps of smoke erupted out of their wands. Hermione was close, but failed once she looked up at the dementors. 'I don't get it,' Ron yelled, 'why can't we make them anymore?' 'Because you never made one while facing a dementor!' a familiar voice yelled. Harry looked to his side and realized it was Lupin. He was next to Tonks. 'Came here with the Order?' Harry asked. 'No; I'm teaching defence against the dark arts again. The headmistress asked me this morning if I wanted the job.' Harry grinned up at him. As Harry felt much more joyous upon hearing the news, his Patronus suddenly grew in, both, power and size. With all of the patronuses around, the dementors finally accepted defeat and retreated. Once the dementors were gone, everyone let out loud sighs of relief. ... That night the students had ate up in the common rooms. All of them were discussing what had happened earlier. Somehow, the news that Harry and the others had helped the teachers had spread throughout the school and many people were asking them what had happened when they reached the castle. The night went on, and others went to sleep. The only people that had stayed up were Harry and Ginny. She was sitting in his lap in front of the warm fire. Harry stared into the fire thinking. Why were the dementors attacking the castle? Did this mean that now since Dumbledore was gone that Voldemort wanted the castle? Harry just wasn't sure. He snapped out of his thoughts when Ginny spoke. 'Are you going to sleep?' she asked him. 'Not until you go.' he told her and kissed her. She looked up at him with shiny eyes and placed her hand on his cheek. 'I don't want to be alone tonight, how about I sleep with you?' she whispered. 'Ginny...' 'Not like that Harry,' she said chuckling softly, 'I just want to lay next to you; I would really feel better if I did.' 'Alright.' he said gently. The two stood up and went up to bed, hand in hand. The next morning, Ginny had to get up a lot earlier than the guys in the dormitory so that they didn't see her leaving. She got up, kissed Harry on the cheek and left. She made it to the common room alright but then she stopped in her tracks. Hermione was sitting there at the table in the corner. When she saw Ginny, she beckoned her over. 'Hermione,' Ginny began worriedly as she approached Hermione, 'it is not what it looks like.' She just smiled at her. 'I believe you don't worry. I wasn't going to tell Ron anyways.' 'I know that.' Ginny told her relieved. She sat down by Hermione and the two started talking as eventually more people started to get up. Soon Harry and Ron made their way over to them two. 'Let's go down for breakfast.' Ron said, still tired. Hermione got up and the two made their way to get something to eat, with Ginny and Harry walking behind them hand in hand. As they were eating and talking, a girl came up behind them. 'Hi Ron.' she said. He turned around and saw Lavender. 'Oh, Hello.' he said cautiously. 'Umm...Can I have a word with you?' she asked him. 'Sure,' he said and got up, 'I'll see you guys later.' When they walked away, Harry and Ginny looked over at Hermione to see her reaction. They were surprised that she didn't look that interested in what they were going to talk about. When she noticed them looking at her intensively, she realized that she hadn't told them about last night. 'Oh, forget about that. She just wants to tell him she got a new boyfriend and that she wants him to find out from her. She thinks he'll get hurt if he finds out from someone else.' she informed the two and all three of them laughed quietly. 'Well I have to get going too,' Ginny said standing up, 'My next class is on the other side of the school.' 'Do you want me to come with you?' Harry asked nicely. 'Actually Harry, I need to talk to you.' Hermione told him. 'Alright.' He kissed Ginny goodbye and watched her leave. When she was finally gone and he couldn't see her anymore he turned back to Hermione. 'So what did you want to talk to me about?' he asked. 'I just wanted to ask you about Legitimacy and Occlumency.' she said firmly. 'Hermione, I told you. I'm not using it on you!' he told her irritably. 'I know, it's not that. I was wondering if you could teach me how to do it.' Harry thought about that for a while. 'Why?' he asked curiously. 'Well Harry; if we're going to go look for the horcruxes me and Ron have to learn how to block people from reading our minds.' 'Alright. I mean it's only fair that I teach you too.' he said normally. Hermione however was confused. 'What do you mean teach me too? Who have you been teaching?' she asked. Harry continued to look skeptical about answering, when Ron came back. As he sat down, she looked from Ron to Harry. 'You mean you've been teaching him?' 'Teaching me what?' Ron asked looking down in a guilty manner. Hermione however was not falling for it. She crossed her arms and glanced over at Ron. 'Alright alright!' he said, finally giving in. 'I asked Harry to teach me legitimacy so that I can read your mind during tests! There I said it!' Harry began to silently laugh, but when Hermione gave him a stern look, he stopped at once. 'That is so wrong Ron! And you too Harry! Why would you teach him knowing what he wants?' she asked outraged. 'Relax Hermione,' Ron said as he began to eat again, 'I have no clue how to do it. I doubt you would either.' That last comment got her angry once again. 'But hey,' he quickly added, 'you are the smartest person I have ever met so who knows.' Hermione didn't seem to hear it as she was already gone, storming away from them. Harry and Ron headed for their first class when Harry noticed a person he hadn't spoken to in a while. It was Cho Chang. At first he wanted to ignore her and keep walking, but then Ron gave him a bump to his arm and pointed at Cho. She was waving him over. 'Forget it, just keep walking.' Harry told Ron. As he began to walk away, Ron grabbed him by the shoulder. 'Look, just go talk to her. It's probably like Lavender; she just wants to tell you she's seeing someone else.' Harry looked over at Cho again, and saw her waiting nervously for him. He looked back at Ron and shrugged. 'I guess I'll see you in class.' Ron clapped him on the shoulder again and left. He walked over to Cho. 'Hi.' he said uncomfortably. The two were the only ones in the hallway now. 'Hey.' she said staring at him with bright eyes. Harry waited for her to talk but when she didn't, he took the matter in his hands. 'So what is it?' he asked. And before he could think or say anyhing else she blurted out, 'I'm still in love with you.' It took Harry a while to register what she was saying. 'What do you mean you're still in love with me?' he asked, but before he could say anything else she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. At first he really liked it. It brought back memories of their first kiss. But then he remembered Ginny and quickly broke the kiss. 'Cho...I,' he wanted to say that he was in love with Ginny and that his feelings for her were long gone, but he noticed that Hermione was standing at the other end of the hallway with her mouth hanging open. Cho turned around to see what he was looking at and put her hand on her mouth in surprise. 'Harry I'm sorry I didn't see her.' Cho began to say, but Harry began to chase after Hermione who darted away. 'Hermione wait up! I can explain!' he yelled. ... For the next couple of days, Harry and Hermione had begun to avoid one another. During their last conversation Harry explained to Hermione what happened, but she didn't believe him. She did however agree not to say anything to Ginny until she could prove what he said was wrong. 'Don't worry about it,' Ron was telling him, 'she'll realize that you would never do something like that.' Harry however, was still feeling depressed at having Hermione mad at him. 'What I can't figure out is why she doesn't believe me.' Harry wondered. 'Don't worry about it.' Ron told him again. ... Three days ago... 'Hermione, wait up! I can explain!' Harry shouted through the hallway. 'Potter!' Someone yelled from a classroom behind him. He turned around and saw Mcgonagal. 'Sorry Professor,' he told her quickly and continued running. He ran all the way down to the great hall and found Hermione there all alone. He walked up to her and stood there panting out of breath. She waited impatiently for him to recuperate by crossing her arms and staring at him silently. 'Okay look,' he finally began, 'I didn't kiss her.' 'Do you really expect me to believe that?' yelled Hermione, outraged by his lie. 'No, no what I mean is I didn't know she would kiss me. Ron and I were heading for class but then Cho was calling me over. Ron assumed she just wanted me to know that she is seeing someone else, but instead she told me she was still in love with me!' 'And?' Hermione asked. Harry had no idea what she meant by that but took a shot at it anyways. 'And that was when she kissed me.' 'No,' she told him irritably, 'I meant and what did you think of that? Are you still in love with her?' Harry couldn't believe Hermione was asking him that. 'No of course not! Why would you think that?' 'Well maybe because I caught you making out with her just now!' 'But I just told you,' Harry began but Hermione stopped him. 'Okay I heard you. But the way it looked, it seemed as if you were kissing her back. Were you Harry?' 'Obviously I didn't.' he said a little more persistently. Hermione seemed to go from looking angry to apprehensive. 'You won't say anything to Ginny will you?' Harry asked anxiously. Hermione glared over at him. 'No, but you will Harry!' 'Why would I? Nothing really happened and it won't happen again. It would only hurt her if I tell her.' 'Because she needs to know, even if it may hurt her.' Days past however, and Harry never told Ginny. He just didn't see the point. Also, since that day, he hadn't even spoken to Cho. He past her once in the great hall but had pretended like he couldn't see her. The only person he told was Ron. He knew Ron would understand, even if Ginny was his sister. When he asked Ron if he should come clean with Ginny, Ron advised him against it. 'The way I see it, she would get upset over nothing.' Ron had told him. And for Harry, that was a good enough reason. 'I just don't know why Hermione doesn't believe me.' He told Ron. He just shrugged. 'Do you want me to ask her?' Ron added hopefully, thinking it would cheer him up. 'Sure. If you think she'll tell you.' ... That evening Harry and Ginny sat by one another and talked in the common room. The entire time however, Harry could feel Hermione staring at him. He was so deep in thought that he didn't even notice Ginny staring at him. When he finally did, he smiled lovingly at her. 'What's wrong?' she asked concernedly while staring up at him. 'Oh nothing.' he lied. 'Does this have anything to do with Cho?' she asked curiously. Harry felt as if a cold bucket fell on him. 'What do you mean?' he said quickly. 'Well she is the new flying teacher. Madame Hooch retired remember?' Harry stared at the fire thinking. Should he tell her about what happened? 'You know, maybe you should talk to her. Perhaps you'll feel better.' Ginny suggested. Harry didn't know what to say so he agreed. 'Alright. I'll talk to her tomorrow. I'm going to bed.' he kissed her goodnight and left. On his way to the dormitory, he caught Hermione's eye for a second. But as he blinked, she turned away. The next day, Harry awoke early so he went down to the common room. He wasn't surprised to find Hermione down there since she always gets up early. 'Hey.' he said cautiously. 'Hello.' she replied. He sat by her and looked at her. 'Look Hermione. Believe me when I say there is no reason why we should say anything to Ginny.' 'Say what to me?' Ginny asked, who was standing behind him looking curious. Harry was at a loss for words once again. Thankfully Hermione came to his rescue. 'He wasn't going to see Cho today like he told you. I keep telling him he should.' Ginny sat by Harry and took his hand. 'Harry trust me; you'll feel better.' With a glance at Hermione, he nodded. So when he finished his lessons, he made his way over to the quiditch pitch. The first years were leaving and as Harry past them, he saw Cho stacking up brooms. 'Umm hey Cho.' he said nervously. She spun around and looked surprised but pleased to see him. 'Harry, hi. I'm glad you came.' 'Yeah, we need to talk.' he told her. And the two walked around for a while talking. During that time, Harry told Cho that he was with Ginny and that he really cared for her. Cho seemed to take it well as she was quiet the entire time. 'I understand Harry, and I'm really sorry about what happened a couple days ago. I hope Ginny isn't mad at me.' 'Actually, I didn't tell her.' Cho stopped walking and looked over at Harry. 'You didn't tell her? Why?' 'Well I figure there is nothing to tell.' 'Harry,' Cho said slowly and put her hands on his shoulders, 'I'm sure she'll want you to tell her about this.' 'Yeah I guess you're right. I'll tell her when we get back.' As they headed back to the castle, Cho asked, 'By the way, would you mind coming tomorrow to my first lesson of the day? I want to show the first years how you do certain maneuvers when you fly. The ones I haven’t figured out.' Harry reddened a bit and agreed to come. ... He was on his way back and was close to the fat lady when he saw, up ahead, Hermione telling Ginny something. It seemed to upset her because she looked like she had tears in her eyes and she ran through the portrait. Getting a bad feeling, he rushed up to hermione. 'What happened?' he asked. Hermione first looked down, and then glared up at him in determination. Without thinking, Harry used legitimacy. He gasped at what he saw. 'I can't believe you.' was all he could say. 'Well you gave me no option. You weren't going to tell her so I had to.' 'I was on my way to tell her right now!' Harry shouted, with each word he said getting louder and louder. He moved Hermione aside and went to look for Ginny. When Harry came into the common room, he looked around for Ginny. However, she was already gone to her dormitory. 'Harry what happened?' Ron asked at once. Harry was about to tell him calmly, but then something inside of him just snapped. Up until now, things never went his way and he was fine with it. But when it came to Ginny, he was certain that things wouldn’t mess up. And now because of this fiasco, things have. Every second that passed, he became angrier and felt as if something inside of him was fighting to get out. 'Harry?' Ron asked again as he was not responding. He was only looking down angrily. 'I don't know Ron,' he snapped suddenly, and everyone stopped talking and turned to look over at him, 'why don't you ask your girlfriend?' And at that moment, Hermione came through the portrait and stopped in her tracks looking somber. 'Harry I'm,' she began but he didn't want to listen to her. He just stormed past her and went to his dormitory. As he went up, everyone continued to stare at him. That night, when Ron came inside, he pretended like he was asleep so that Ron wouldn't question him. He felt so angry with Hermione that he never wanted to see her again. Why was she doing this to him? Why did she have to tell Ginny what happened? Didn't she know him well enough that he would do the right thing and tell her? ... Next morning, rumours started to spread that Harry cheated on Ginny with Hermione and that Hermione had told Ginny and that was why Harry was mad. However, Harry was too used to people spreading rumours about him that he didn't really care what people thought. The ones that knew him would know that it wasn't true. He went down for breakfast next morning with Ron, but neither Ginny nor Hermione were there. 'They're eating in their dormitories,' Ron informed him, 'Ginny isn't ready to see you yet.' Harry turned around and looked Ron straight in the eyes, 'You know I would have told her what happened don't you?' he asked Ron. Though he did look depressed, he nodded that he knew. 'I'm sure things will work out.' They went to sit at the Gryfindor table, and as they passed the other houses Harry could see people staring at Ron and himself while whispering with the people next to them. Harry was sure they were wondering why Ron and him were still talking after what happened between "Harry and Hermione". Once they were done eating they headed towards their defence against the dark arts class. Only upon arrival did they notice Hermione sitting by herself in the back. Ron was already heading towards her when Harry suddenly took a turn in the second row. Hermione gestured Ron to go and sit with Harry. In that day’s lesson, Lupin began by talking about wandless spells. He told them how powerful wizards do not require their wands to perform certain magic. 'However take great care when facing an opponent who has those abilities,' Lupin was saying, 'because most of the wandless magic involves the dark arts.' And for the remainder of the class, they read about the ability to move objects with their mind. Just as they were about to leave, Lupin informed them that in their next lesson he wanted to see if any of them could perform that power. 'I thought you said that only powerful wizards can perform it?' Harry asked him as everyone started leaving while he stayed behind to talk to Lupin. 'Yes that is true, but I meant the very complex wandless magic. Levitation won't be too difficult for you guys. I suspect that a couple of you will be able to lift a book a couple inches of the ground at most at least.' Harry grinned as he imagined himself being one of those people. 'By that smile, I take it you're sure that you will be able to do it?' Lupin asked smiling. Harry just smiled back. Harry was in a good mood after having that small talk with Lupin. But as he left, he started feeling depressed that he won't be able to talk to Ginny. He remembered how it felt over the summer break not seeing her and how it made him feel. He decided that as soon as he gets back to the common room, he would talk to her and explain that nothing happened. He never got the chance though. She wasn't in the common room again. He did notice, however, that the rest of the quiditch team was coming towards him. 'Harry, when are we having our first practice?' Ron asked. 'This Saturday,' Harry told them, 'Dean is replacing Katie who is gone.' They all left looking happier upon hearing the news. That was when Harry remembered. Ginny would be coming too! He could talk to her then. Feeling a bit better, he went and sat down by Ron. Throughout the night, the two practiced wandles spells, but neither could get anything to move. Ron wanted to go look for Hermione in the library to ask her about it, but one look from Harry stopped him mentioning that further. When they finally gave up, Ron went to find Hermione, and Harry fell asleep on the couch. As he slept, he had a dream where he was running towards Ginny, but the closer he got to her, the farther she was. Then after a while, he could hear her calling his name. The louder and clearer it became, her body began to disappear. As she disappeared, Harry woke up with a start. He looked around and realized he was drenched in sweat and breathing heavily. It took him a while to figure out that the real Ginny was actually the one who had woken him up. 'Ginny,' he said breathlessly as if he really was running, and brushed her cheek with his hand. As he did, she put her own hand over his and closed her eyes. 'Harry it's okay,' she said comfortingly and gave him a hug, 'it was just a nightmare.' As he hugged her as well, he breathed in her scent as his head was resting on her neck. His head started spinning in delight like it always did when he enhaled it. And then as the scent calmed him down, he realized that he was really hugging Ginny. 'Ginny, I didn't want to kiss Cho. She kissed me.' he said quickly now that he got the chance to explain himself. Ginny let go off him but continued to sit next to him and looked him in the eyes. He looked back into hers and could see they were watery. 'I know Harry. Hermione told me that night when I first heard it from her.' she informed him and broke the eye contact by looking down. 'Then why didn't you want to talk to me?' he asked gently. 'Because I didn't want you to be mad at me.' Harry was confused by that. 'Why would I be mad at you?' he asked. Ginny was quiet for a little while before answering. 'Because I didn't even give you a chance to explain to me what happened. I at once assumed you kissed Cho.' 'Ginny, it's alright. I don't blame you for getting upset over it.' He held her shoulders gently as she looked up at him with tears in her eyes now. Then the two moved their heads closer towards one another. As Harry was taller than her, he leaned down a bit as their mouths met. The two started kissing very passionatly and soon enough things started getting really heated. Their kissing became more furious and wanting. Neither of them wanted to stop, not even for breath. Then slowly Harry layed Ginny down on the couch and got on top of her. Still kissing heavily, Harry had his hands on her waist and slowly started to lift her shirt up. Just as it reached her chest, the portrait hole opened up and both could hear Ron and Hermione whispering. Both Harry and Ginny quickly sat up and tried to look innocent, eventhough their clothes and hair were ruffled. 'Hey guys,' Ginny said as she began to fix up her shirt and hair. Harry readjusted his glasses. Ron and Hermione looked at the two in suspicion. 'What were you guys doing?' Ron asked. 'Nothing!' the two yelled at the same time, sounding very guilty. Ron just rolled his eyes. 'I don't think I want to know anyways.' he said exsasperated. 'Hang on,' Ginny said suddenly, 'where were you two this late?' Both Ron and Hermione pretended like they didn't hear her and went off towards their dormitories. Harry and Ginny laughed silently before kissing one another one last time before going to bed themselves. Harry had a much better time in class the next day knowing that everything was alright between Ginny and him. He always hated not being around her that, if she were angry with him about what happened, he wouldn't know what to do. All throughout the lessons, Harry had a dreamy look on his face, which looked very identical to the look Luna always wore. It seemed to bother Ron a bit because whenever he wanted to get Harry's attention, Harry wasn't listening. Ron also knew that he was thinking about his sister and it seemed to disgust him. 'Honestly Harry,' he finally told Harry as they headed towards Defense Against The Dark Arts class, 'sometimes it's as if she has this huge hold over you. It's really creeping me out.' Harry just laughed. Since last night, he knew exactly what to say to Ron whenever he teased him. 'So really Ron you can tell me.' Harry asked amusingly. 'Tell you what Harry?' he replied untruthfully. Since the morning, Harry had been asking him this question whenever he complained about how much time he was spending just thinking of Ginny. Every time he did, Ron would back off. So just like always, he did just that. Even though Ron did act as if it bothered him sometimes that Harry and Ginny were going out, deep down he knew there was nobody better for her than his best friend. When they finally got to the class, they made their way over to where Hermione sat and waited for them. When they reached the table, Harry sat down and looked over at her. 'Hermione look,' he began, 'I'm really sorry for being mad at you.' 'I know Harry, I am too.' The two smiled at one another again before Lupin began teaching the class. As Professor Lupin reviewed wandless spells with them, Harry thought about the apology he just gave to Hermione. He realized that, deep down, he didn't really believe Hermione deserved that apology. What was more, he also felt as if he could never fully trust Hermione again. All throughout their years, they were the closest of friends. And yet, Hermione wouldn't even listen to his side of the story about what happened, and betrayed him by revealing something he wanted to stay just between the two of them. He didn't understand why, but the more he thought about it, the more he started to despise Hermione. Suddenly, as Lupin asked them a question, he snapped out of his thoughts. 'Now, I've informed all of you that I would give you all a chance to show the class if any of you can perform a levitating spell without a wand. Any volunteers to go first?' he asked looking around at them all patiently. While everyone looked nervous to go up, Hermione as usual put up her hand to volunteer. Lupin looked over at her, and was about to call out her name when he noticed Harry put up his hand right after her. 'Harry, let's see if you can do it.' Harry got up, and on his way up there, he stole a glance over at Hermione and could see her looking disappointed. Knowing that Hermione was feeling bad about this, he really wanted to make her feel even worse by showing her up in class. Eventhough he hadn't managed to really figure out how to perform wandless magic, he felt determined and all doubt left him. All that was left inside him was cool, calm and collected thoughts. He got to the front where Lupin gave him a warm smile. 'Alright Harry, let us all see if you could levitate this box without your wand.' He placed a normal shoebox down on the ground. A couple students from the back got up to see more clearly. Harry stared at the box for a while concentrating and held out his hands. For the first couple seconds nothing happened. Then, as he concentrated, he suddenly got certain flashes of images in his head. Voldemort's rebirth, Dumbledore dead, the dream with Ginny, a pleased Hermione upon Harry's failure at this task... With a new wave of determination, Harry concentrated harder. Then slowly, the box was lifted off with an invisible force. After a moment of levitation, the box made its way over to his outstretched hands. Once he grabbed it, everyone roared with applause. Even Lupin had a look of disbelief and was clapping along with everyone else. Harry was so pleased with himself that he didn't want to stop there. He knew how to, and wanted to, make it look even more impressive. The class went silent once again. He made the box leave his hands and it started to make it's way around the class slowly. Then, with a turn of his outstretched palms, the box started to rotate. When it made it's way to the back of the class, it started to pick up speed and rotated even faster. Finally, Harry made it stop in front of Lupin who took hold of it and beamed proudly at Harry. The class roared once again with cheers. 'Well done Harry! Very well done indeed!' Lupin cried out. Harry looked around the class and grinned satisfyingly. He came closer to Harry and clapped his hand on his shoulder. 'Harry I'm really proud of you, I know for a fact that not even James could have performed this at your age.' Harry grinned at him proudly before heading back to his seat. 'So,' Lupin said turning back to the class, 'now that Harry broke the ice, does anyone else want to try?' If he expected people to be encouraged, he was dead wrong. If anything, other people were too intimidated by Harry's performance that none of them wanted to go up after him. 'Nobody?' Lupin asked disappointed. That was when Harry had an idea. As he sat down in his seat, he said loudly so that Lupin can hear, 'Hermione, didn't you want to go?' And right on cue, Lupin looked over at them and beamed. 'Hermione, would you like to give it a try?' he asked encouragingly. Hermione looked horror-struck. Not even she could do what Harry just did, and she knew that Harry knew that. She didn't really want to go up, but at the same time she didn't want to turn down a request from a teacher. She got up nervously and made her way to the front. Behind her, Harry was full of glee. He couldn't wait to see Hermione fail. It will serve you right... he thought. Lupin placed the same box on the ground, wished Hermione luck. She mimicked Harry's exact movements. She extended her hands and had a look of determination on her face. She stood there for a while with nothing happening. However, she still looked determined. She was also holding her breath and soon enough started turning red in the face. A couple people sniggered, not including Harry. He just smiled harshly. Then just when it looked like Hermione was about to give up, Harry came to his senses. His smile faded. What was he thinking? Why was he humiliating one of his best friends. She didn't deserve this. He started concentrating once again at his seat, and made the box levitate for Hermione. He made the box float in the air for a bit before dropping it. He didn't want to make it look too impressive as it might get suspicious how she went from struggling to near perfect control. A look of relief washed over her face. People clapped, but not as loud or as enthusiastically as they did for Harry. They were impressed nonetheless. 'Great Hermione! I wouldn't have expected nothing less from you.' he told her encouragingly. Hermione went back to her seat grinning widely. When she sat down, she gave Ron a quick kiss. 'The fact that two people in a row made such incredible process shows me I underestimated all of you. I didn’t think any of you would be able to do it.' Harry knew Lupin well enough to know that he was just trying to upset them enough to want to get back at him and prove him wrong. It seemed to work since everyone was more enthusiastic about trying it. As more people tried, nobody else seemed to know how to do it. Ron and Neville made the boxes rattle a bit but nothing to spectacular. While everyone was talking and having fun, Harry was deep in thought. He wondered why he was having such unethical emotions. He noticed he had been feeling them for some time now, but not until recently did he act upon them. It certainly did frighten him. When the lesson was done, people started leaving and talking excitedly about their attempt at levitating the box. Some tried convicing their friends that they had managed to make it float when they weren't looking. Just when Harry, Ron, and Hermione were about to leave, Lupn called Harry back. 'Harry, I would like a word.' he said calmly. Ron and Hermione said they would meet him in the common room and left. Lupin studied Harry for a while before continuing. 'Harry, I know you levitated Hermione's box for her.' he said clearly and Harry looked down. 'Look,' Harry started while looking down, 'I didn't know what else to do.' 'What do you mean?' Lupin asked curiously and motioned for Harry to sit at a desk nearby. It was then that Harry confessed to Lupin about the feelings he had been having for a while now. He told him how he had a sudden thirst for power. Never before had he wanted it, but now he demanded it. What is more, he told Lupin about how he started to resent some people that were pretty close to him. 'I've even used some of my powers against others,' he said slowly, 'I kept on using Legitimacy on people when I know I shouldn't have.' As he talked Lupin just looked over at him quietly without saying a word. When Harry confessed everything, he waited for Lupin to talk. Lupin himself was actually trying to find the right words to tell him. 'Harry, never before had a person your age had to deal with so many difficult journeys. You have watched those closest to you constantly get taken away, you have been put unwillingly in a number of dangerous positions, and you have triumphed over it all. I am positive that what you are going through now is just a momentary thing Harry. You expect too much from yourself. You have gone through so much that mentally you are just frustrated at all the events that happened to you. Do you understand?' Harry nodded. He hoped Lupin was right because he did not want to become the kind of person he was turning into recently. He got up to leave, and realized that it was getting pretty dark outside and the others might be worrying about him. 'I better get back, the others might get worried.' Harry made his way to the door and Lupin followed him. Then as Harry said bye, Lupin put a comforting arm on Harry's shoulder. 'You know Harry, James was just like you at your age. He was reckless and carefree. It was also at this time when he started maturing into the great man he would become.' 'Harry where have you been?' Ginny asked concernedly and ran over to him. They wrapped their arms around one another and kissed. 'I'm sorry if I worried you.' he whispered in her ear. She pulled away from him a bit, but still had her arms around his neck. 'It's just that these aren't the times to go wandering off on your own, you know?' 'Yeah,' They stared at one another for a moment again before smiling lightly and kissing again. They went over to the couch and both laid down on it in each other’s arms. 'Where are Ron and Hermione?' he asked curiously. When he did, Ginny raised her eyebrows at him and grinned. 'Why? Do you want to do what I think you do?' she asked mischievously and traced her index finger along his chest. Harry just laughed amusingly. 'I wish, but unfortunately this isn't the time nor the place.' Upon hearing this, Ginny sat up with a half curious and half annoyed look. 'Harry, are you putting this off because of Ron?' she asked him seriously. 'What do you mean?' 'Well I sometimes get the feeling that the only reason why we haven't been together yet is because you're worried of what Ron would think. Is it true?' When she said that Harry quickly held her by the waist. 'I'm not going to lie to you Ginny; it does concern me what he would think. He's my best friend and you're his sister. However, it's not just that. It's also because I don't want you to do something you may regret later on.' Ginny just rolled her eyes. Harry just gave her a warning look to take him seriously. 'I mean it Ginny.' he firmly told her. 'I know Harry,' she smiled and kissed him, 'but it's just so frustrating because I want to be with you so much.' and with that she started kissing him even more passionately. Soon enough, she sat on top of him and continued to kiss him even more forcefully. The two were so into it, that he almost didn't realize what she was trying there. When he finally did, he stopped quickly. As soon as they did, the two breathed very heavily. 'Wow, I can't believe you almost seduced me.' he said jokingly. Ginny laughed proudly. She leaned in again and kissed him on the lips. This time, he knew he had to stop this earlier because if they continued this, he wouldn't be able to stop himself. He grabbed her gently by the arms and pulled her slowly away. They looked at each other again and grinned. 'Come on Harry,' she whispered and stared at him lustfully, 'how about we go up to your dorm?' Somewhere in the back of his mind, there was a voice screaming at him to agree, but he knew he couldn't. 'I wish Ginny,' he answered her regretfully, 'but I can't. Ron remember?' 'Oh forget Ron,' she told him annoyingly and kissed him quickly. But Harry had already made up his mind. He took Ginny's hands in his hands, brought them to his lips and kissed them softly. 'I promise Ginny, we'll be together when the time is right.' Harry had another dream about Ginny. This time however, she was in danger. She was in a misty forest and had her cloak hood over her head. She stood in one place and waited for Harry to approach her. When he did come near her, he noticed there was a single tear running down her cheek. As he moved his hand to brush it away, she suddenly started to speak. 'Help me Harry.' she whispered. 'Help me!' Harry woke up once again drenched in sweat. His dreams of Ginny were so vivid that they really worried him. He had no idea what they meant. All he knew was that in his dreams Ginny was in danger. Could these dreams be premonitions, he wondered. Still, he knew he shouldn't tell Ginny about them. There was no need to worry her. When he got down to the common room, he acted like everything was fine. 'So what classes do you have today?' he asked her. 'First I have transfigurations. Then I’ll have care of magical creatures, and then defence against the dark arts. What about you?' 'Well I have potions next, then I have charms, and in the afternoon I have charms.' Hermione, who was sitting next to Ginny quickly looked at her watch. 'Harry! We better start heading towards class now or we'll be late!' she suddenly yelled. 'What? Hermione are you sure?' he asked. She didn't even answer him. She just grabbed his arm and led him outside towards potions. They didn't talk at all on their way down to the class because Hermione kept muttering to herself the entire time. It didn't surprise Harry in the least to find out they got there way too early. 'So what was the deal Hermione? Why did we leave so early?' he asked her curiously. She on the other hand pretended as if she didn't know what he was talking about. 'What do you mean Harry? You know what day it is today!' she exclaimed. That was when Harry remembered. They were going to have a test in class today. 'Don't tell me you forgot Harry!' she told him and glared at him in a strict manner. 'No,' he lied, 'I was just, umm, trying not to worry about it. It can't be that hard could it? It is just review of everything we did.' 'That's true,' she admitted, 'but we will have just one hour to complete potions that we normally needed three classes to complete!' 'Damn!' Harry thought at once, but then seemed to relax. He just needed to keep a cool head, which was all. Soon enough, more people joined them. Half way through the test, Harry realized he was making amazing progress. He was far ahead of everyone. All the instructions came to him at once. He was surprised to find out that, once again, not even Hermione was at his level. It surprised him even more when he finished the test in only half an hour! When he brought his cauldron up to Slughorn, everyone stared in amazement. 'One hundred points for Gryfindor Harry! Excellent work!' Slughorn yelled. All the gryfindors cheered as he left the room. He was allowed to leave, as there was no other work to be done. As he walked along the hallways and turned a corner, he saw that Ginny was also out of class. 'Ginny!' he yelled happily, and ran over to her. When he came next to her, he could see she looked a bit nervous at seeing him. 'What are you doing here? I thought you were suppose to be in transfigurations?' he asked her. 'Well yeah, but there was an accident and I had to head over to the hospital wing.' She told him what happened as he walked her back to class. 'Well, what about you? Why aren't you in potions?' He explained how he finished his test earlier just as they came next to the transfigurations class. 'Great Harry!' Ginny told him happily, hugged him and kissed him. And just as they kissed, Professor Mcgonagal opened the door. 'Alright Mr. Potter and Mrs. Weasley break it up.' she said sternly. The entire class inside started laughing. Harry blushed furiously while Ginny just had a guilty look on her face. 'I'll talk to you later then,' he told her and left quickly. As he walked along more hallways, his thoughts brought him back to the dream he had. He just didn't know what to make of it. Then suddenly he had an idea. If there were one person in the castle that could explain to him what this meant it would be Firenze. He made his way over to his classroom just as the third years were leaving the class. 'Hello Harry Potter,' Firenze greeted Harry, 'what can I do for you?' Then Harry explained to him about the dreams that he was having about Ginny. He asked him whether or not they were premonitions. 'Well it is not clear if they are yet.' Firenze informed him thoughtfully. 'If you do get more of these dreams, I want you to come back here and tell me what you dreamt, alright?' 'Okay.' With a handshake goodbye, Harry left. As he did, Firenze suddenly had a very worried expression on his face. .... Even though the next day was Saturday, the gryfindor quidich team had to get up early. Harry wanted their first quidich practice to be the first thing they did in the morning so that their heads were clear while flying. He recalled back when Wood used the same tactic. He got up and woke Ron up. It took him a while as Ron must have been dreaming. Then suddenly he did something unexpected. He started patting Harry's hair and had a smile on his face. He still had his eyes closed. 'Hermione come on, not right now. I need some sleep.' he said groggily. Harry had to bite down on his knuckles to stop himself from laughing. 'Umm, Ron?' he said in a tone trying desperately not to burst out laughing. That was when Ron quickly opened his eyes. As soon as he saw Harry, he gave a small scream of horror. 'Oh my god! Harry! What the hell are you doing?' he screamed. That was when Harry finally burst into laughter. 'I was going to ask you the same thing.' Harry said amusingly. 'Look just forget it.' Ron said embarrassingly as the two made their way down to the common room to join the rest of the team. When they did reach the common room, they could hear a loud argument coming from close by. It was Ginny and Dean. 'What is going on?' Harry asked calmly. 'Nothing Harry.' they both said as they tried to calm down. 'Well it must have been something big if it got you guys yelling.' he told them so that they knew that he didn't believe them. 'Look Harry just forget it okay?' Ginny said and took his arm and led him down stairs on the path to the pitch. The others were close by behind them. Dean was amongst them. 'You know Ginny,' Harry made a brave stab at bringing up the argument, 'Dean is a part of them team. If you to are having problems that I should know about, please tell me.' 'I know Harry, but believe me; it has nothing to do with the team or anything. It won't affect the way we play either.' she assured him. With one last look behind at the others, Ginny and him entered the pitch. Weeks passed, and Harry got better and better in all the classes. He couldn't explain it but somehow all the schoolwork came so easily to him. More and more his thoughts dwelled on his parents. When he was younger, he really missed his parents but was able to block them out of his thoughts. The fact that the Dursley's never spoke of them helped. However, ever since he came to Hogwarts he has been hearing a lot about his parents. As the years went by, it became harder and harder for him to not have them around. 'What's the matter?' Ginny asked him one night. They were sitting by the fire in each other's arms when she noticed him staring into the fire determinedly. 'It's nothing.' he said quietly. She turned his head gently with her hand so that he was staring into her eyes. She leaned into him and kissed him gently. 'Come on Harry,' she said, 'you can tell me.' He let out an exasperated breath and looked down on the floor. 'I was just thinking of my parents.' he told her before staring back into the fire. 'As each day passes, I can feel myself getting more powerful. I just know that they were the same as me. Especially my dad. I wish they could have been here with me.' Ginny stared into his watery eyes and and hers began to water as well. 'I know they would be proud of you.' she whispered gently. He looked over at her and brushed away a tear that was going down her cheek. The two embraced one another in a tight hug. It felt great to be with Ginny this way for Harry. He loved her so much. When they slowly broke apart, Harry looked her in the eyes. 'I have to tell you something.' he told her seriously. She at once got a concerned look on her face. 'What is it?' she asked. At first he was a bit reluctant to tell her, but he knew he had to. 'I think I may be seeing the future.' He expected her to laugh, or say that he was being silly, but instead she took him completely seriously. 'What do you see?' she asked curiously. 'I see you,' he slowly answered, 'and you're in danger.' When he told her, she just stared at him for a while. 'Harry, what exactly do you see?' and so Harry told her everything. 'You believe me don't you?' he couldn't help but wonder if she does. 'I don't know Harry. Are you sure they're not just dreams?' 'I'm positive.' She put her hand on his cheek and smiled warmly up at him. 'Nothing will happen Harry, I promise.' she told him comfortingly. 'No,' he suddenly exclaimed in a tone that she never heard him use before, it sounded like a deadly determination, 'I promise you! I have lost everyone I cared about. I will not lose you too.' ... The winter holidays were approaching, and many students were leaving to go home. They were saying goodbye to the few students who were staying. Harry had decided to stay, even though Ron and Hermione were going back to the Burrow. Ginny wanted to stay and keep Harry company. Ron and Hermione would have as well, but Harry insisted that they go as Mrs. Weasley would be sad not to see any of them. As soon as they left, Harry and Ginny looked at one another excitingly. For the first time, they were alone and free to do as they wished. Both, at the moment, had the same thing in mind. 'So Harry,' Ginny said mischievously as she wrapped her arms around his waist, 'we're all alone in the Gryfindor common room.' 'That's right.' Harry replied smiling and kissed her. Just as things were getting heated, a voice called from the fireplace. 'Harry,' it was Mcgonagal, 'I would like a word in my office please.' As the voice trailed away, Ginny groaned out of disappointment. 'I'll see you tonight.' he whispered and left. ... Harry walked up to Mcgonagal's office and knocked on the door. 'Come in.' her stern voice rang. Harry walked in and looked around. The office hadn't changed much from when it was Dumbledore's. He looked over at Mcgonagal, who was sitting behind her desk writing something, and saw a couple objects on her desk. 'Sit down Harry.' she quietly told him and pointed to the chair across the desk. As he sat, he looked down upon the objects on the desk. It took him a while to realize what they were. The expression on his face gave him away as Mcgonagal confirmed his thoughts. 'These are the remaining horcruxes.' Harry was too amazed for words. 'How did you find them?' he asked bewildered. 'The Order did. Once we found out what you and Dumbledore were doing, it didn't take long for us to track them down.' Harry was curious how they found out. Without thinking, he used legilimency to find out how the order discovered about horcruxes and where they went to find them. What he saw amazed him. Mcgonagal discovered a letter left for her, instructing her about what to do once he is gone. It explained everything about the horcruxes and how Harry and him went to look for them. Then he saw the order members fighting through powerful and ancient spells to get to them. He even saw that a couple ended up getting killed. When Professor Mcgonagal told him all this, he pretended like he was hearing it for the first time. 'So anyways, we're just missing one now. The one that Dumbledore got when you went with him was a fake, as you have discovered. But we think we know where it is and that is why I have called you here. I think it's at the Order headquarters. You need to get it.' At those words, Harry felt a bit of anger in the pit of his stomach. 'I swore that I would never go back there.' he answered her coldly. 'Siruis hated that house, and he was trapped in there for an entire year before he died.' 'I know Harry, but you are the only one that can get it. We think Siruis knew what it was, but didn't tell anyone until he was sure. So after last summer, he placed it inside a box that can only be opened for you. He put a spell on that box.' Though he was angry and cold at the moment, he saw that he had no choice. 'When should I go?' he asked determinedly. Mcgonagal smiled. 'Whenever you can.' ... 'I'll be gone for a little while, alright?' he told Ginny once he was back in the dormitory. 'What is it?' she asked curiously. 'I have to do something for the order. It won't take long.' he kissed her goodbye and went through the fireplace. Lupin came along in case the box wasn't sealed by Siruis, but a trap for Harry. Just like Mcgonagal predicted, Harry was the only one who could open it. It had a locket inside and also a note written, what Harry recognized at once, by Siruis. Harry, this locket is a part of Voldemort's soul. My brother discovered it and tried to destroy it but was caught by Voldemort. I don't know how to open it but hopefully you'll be able to figure it out. When Harry looked at it, he was stunned. He had held this locket in his hand while he stayed at the headquarters the first time. He remembered trying to open it but couldn't. 'Alright Harry, let's go back.' Lupin told him and the two headed back to Hogwarts through the fireplace. 'Alright Harry, I shall keep this with me.' Mcgonagal told him once they were back. Harry headed out the door, when something started nagging him. 'Is it alright if I keep it?' Mcgonagal looked skeptical but for some reason Harry didn't want to leave it anywhere else but by his side. 'I promise to guard it with my life.' She handed him the small locket, which he placed around his neck. ... The sky turned into night when Harry came back to the dorm, and Ginny sat by the fireplace waiting for him. 'You're finally back!' she exclaimed happily. 'I was beginning to worry.' The two embraced one another in a tight hug and kissed rapidly. After several minutes passed, and the two had to break for air, Harry breathed out heavily, 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you.' 'It's okay,' she whispered, 'just hold me.' she closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest. The two sat on the couch in each other's arms. As they sat, she felt the locket around his neck. 'What is that?' and not wanting to lie to her, Harry told her everything. 'Oh Harry,' she moaned out of worry, 'you must be careful.' 'I will.' he answered her and kissed her again. Without breaking the kiss, he laid her down gently by the fire and got on top of her. She moved her hands all over his chest before taking off his shirt for him. The two stared into each other's eyes lovingly, as Harry moved a lock of her hair off of her head and tucked it behind her ear. 'I love you.' she whispered. 'I love you too.' Slowly, he started unbuttoning her shirt. At first he was a bit nervous and resistant, but she lifted herself up a bit and kissed him reassuringly. 'Don't stop.' she moaned delightedly into his ear. They grinned at one another as Harry took of her shirt and pulled off her skirt. The two were in their underwear when Harry lifted her up in his arms and headed towards his dormitory. Flames encircled Harry. Everything around him was burning and he was standing in a small circle; the only part that wasn't consumed by flames. As he looked around, a cloaked figure stepped through the fire unharmed. The two stared at one another as the cloaked figure slowly lowered their hood. 'You!' exclaimed Harry. It was Voldemort. 'Come to me,' he said patiently, 'come to me Harry.' That was when Harry woke up with his scar stinging. 'Harry, what's wrong?' mumbled Ginny sleepily. Harry looked over at his side and caught Ginny's silhouette that was lying next to him. It was still night but Harry could tell that she had a concerned look on her face. 'Nothing,' Harry lied, 'nothing is wrong. Go back to sleep' he put his hand over her cheek and kissed her softly on the lips. With just his thoughts, Harry was able to move a cloud away in the sky to reveal a full moon. In the light, he could see her face perfectly. He smiled lovingly over at her and she smiled back. 'This night was great, wasn't it.' she whispered. Harry grinned more broadly and nodded in agreement. 'Ginny,' Harry suddenly said seriously, 'I just remembered. When Hermione and Ron come back, I don't think we should tell them what happened.' 'Well don't worry Harry, I don't want to talk about my sex life with my brother!' she said sounding disgusted. Harry chuckled lightly. 'Go back to sleep.' he told her comfortingly. She laid her head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. As she slept, Harry could not shake away what he saw. What did this mean? Was this his future? The morning sun shined over the bed as Harry awoke. He looked over at Ginny, who had her head on his chest, and realized she was looking at him and smiling. 'You're finally awake.' she said gently. He smiled back at her and kissed her. 'I'll go get us something to eat.' he told her. 'Alright, I'll wait here.' she said and fell back on the bed. Harry put on his clothes and proceeded down to the common room. He was still putting on his shirt as he was climbing down the steps. Then suddenly someone spoke. 'Well you seem happy about something.' It was Ron and Hermione. Harry felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. 'You two...wha...what are you doing back so soon?' he asked, trying to act calm. 'Harry are you okay?' asked a concerned Hermione. 'Yeah,' he coughed a bit, 'I'm fine.' Right then, the worst possible scenario occurred. Ginny had come down the steps. 'Harry, are you still here? I forgot to tell you what to get.' she came down and stood all-stiff. Everyone went dead silent. Harry quickly looked at everyone for their reaction. Ginny was stunned, Hermione was shocked, and Ron looked as if he didn't believe what he just saw. Taking the moment of stunned silence, Harry started to speak. 'Ron...I can explain...' he began, but quickly went quiet as Ron started coming around. Harry could tell he had a crazy look in his eyes. Knowing he only had a few seconds to get away, he ran for it. 'Get back here you-' was all Harry heard as he ran out of the common room and turned the corner. Soon after, Ginny came running too and laughing. 'That was great, wasn't it?' she said mischievously. Harry looked at her bewildered. 'You're nuts, you know that?' he told her angrily. 'Yeah well, you still love me.' she said playfully. He couldn't help but grin. 'Ron is going to kill me.' he admitted worriedly. At that Ginny laughed. 'Don't worry Harry, he'll get over it.' Harry spent the rest of the day hiding from Ron under his invisibility cloak. When he would be following the three of the others, he heard Ron yelling about how he'll strangle him with his bare hands. Ginny and Hermione just had amused looks on their faces. He waited almost the entire day until Ron calmed down. It was nearly dark outside when he finally admitted that both Harry and Ginny were grown people that made the decision together. 'Ginny, I just don't know what you were thinking.' he told her angrily. 'I'm a grown woman Ron.' she told him defiantly. 'That's not what I meant Ginny. You know what I'm talking about.' As Ginny stopped in her tracks Harry almost collided into her under the cloak. 'What does that have to do with this?' she asked angrily. 'Does Harry know?' he asked right after her. 'No...' Harry wondered what they were talking about. 'Do you plan on telling him?' 'I don't know. I don't want to add more burden on him.' What burden? Harry thought. 'He'll figure it out eventually, you do know that?' 'Look Ron, I'm going to go find Harry.' and as she said that, she stormed off angrily. And as Ron left, Harry stood there under the cloak wondering what was going on. ... Later on in the evening, Harry went back to the common room where the other three were sitting together by the fire. When he entered the room, Ron stood up straight. Harry couldn't really figure out how he felt at the moment. He had an unreadable look on his face. Then finally Hermione spoke up. 'Ron, don't you have something to say to Harry?' she added hopefully, but before Ron could say anything, Harry spoke up. 'No Ron. It should be me apologizing.' Harry said nervously. 'What for?' exclaimed Ginny questioningly. Harry looked over at her. 'Ron is my best friend Ginny. I should have known what we did would upset him.' 'Look Harry,' Ron finally started, 'that may be true, but it really isn't up to me to decide what you two do. You're both adults and only you two can really decide.' The two smiled at one another, much like the way after Harry finished the first task in the triwizard tournament. Ginny got up and rushed over at Harry. The two embraced one another in a tight hug. 'Where have you been this entire time?' she asked him curiously. 'Outside, just thinking about stuff.' he answered her. 'Well anyways,' Hermione stood up and yawned, 'I'm off to bed.' 'Yeah, I better go too. Bye Guys.' and Ginny followed Hermione to their dorm. After making sure the two were gone, Harry turned to Ron. 'I need to tell you something.' he looked Ron seriously in the eyes so that Ron understands how serious it is. 'What is it?' he asked concerned. That was when Harry told him about his dreams. 'And when I asked Firenze, he thought it might be premonitions. But why would Voldemort want me to come to him?' Ron, who always flinched at the name Voldemort, still couldn't stand at hearing the name but he shrugged it off quick. 'Well he does want to kill you right?' 'But this is different, he sounded different. Almost as if he didn't mean any threat.' 'That doesn't make sense Harry.' 'I know, none of this does.' For the remainder of the holidays, the four of them were the only ones at the Gryfindor tower. But the holidays soon ended and people started coming back. The quiditch team huddled together one evening talking about the holidays and asking about the next practice. Although everyone talked together, Harry realized that Ginny and Dean were avoiding one another. He wasn't sure if he should ask about why the two aren't talking to one another again but decided that this wasn't the time. The next day the team held a practice, and Harry couldn't help but grin broadly. The team was doing a superb job. It felt as if the entire team could read each other's minds. After the practice was done, Harry told the team that he believed if they continued playing like that, they would win the cup for sure. By the end of the day, everyone was in high spirits. Harry was the last to leave since he stayed behind to gather all the team equipment. As a treat for the team, they didn't have to help because practice went so well. When he finally headed towards the castle, he saw two figures near the forest. Wanting to find out who it was and what they were doing, he summoned his invisibility cloak from the school and put it on. When he reached the two people, he could hear them talking hurriedly. It was Ginny and Dean. 'Does Harry know?' Dean was asking. 'No, and I want it to stay that way.' Ginny answered. 'We can't keep up this game forever Ginny. We can't pretend to be mad at one another anymore. It's too hard lying.' 'I know, but I don't want Harry to be hurt.' 'I understand that, but he has the right to know.' 'Just promise me you won't say anything.' Ginny said in a frustrated tone. 'Alright, I promise.' he said, admitting defeat. 'We better go before others begin to worry.' she told him and the two left, heading for the castle. Once they were out of sight, Harry tugged the cloak's hood off his head. He looked livid. It appeared that he had finally found out what Ginny wanted to hide from Harry. She was still with Dean. 'You will not take her from me!' he proclaimed out loud into the night, staring at the two as they reached the front doors. Ginny meant everything to Harry, and he was not going to lose her to someone else. Little did Harry know, for a brief moment, his pupils had burst into two identical fiery orbs. Harry paced around the common room. It was late at night and everyone was asleep. All night, his mind was on what he had overheard. It couldn't mean what he thought it meant, it just couldn't. Ginny would never do that to him. But what else could it be? another part of his mind thought. He wasn't sure if he should ask Ginny about it, or just keep it to himself. But as the night wore on, he just got angrier. He felt such hatred towards Dean that he had half a mind right then to go up to the dormitory and curse him with every spell he knew. "Relax Harry..." he thought. "In the morning act casual, with patience you will discover the truth." ... He dreamt about Ginny again that night. This time however, it was not a vision or a premonition. He dreamt about what happened over the past summer between the two of them. The two were so happy in each others' arms. The dream quickly changed after that. Ginny and Dean were meeting in secret behind Harry's back. The two were making out and sleeping together in a bed. And as he woke up, he felt such rage inside him that he thought he would explode with anger. He put on his glasses and looked around. He was shocked at what he discovered. In his anger, he had smashed up everything in the room. All the beds, except his, were ripped apart in pieces and the other stuff in the room was burnt and in pieces. Even the walls were cracked. He got up, took his wand and repaired everything. As angry as he was, he had to compose himself. He shouldn't start blaming people about things he can't prove just yet. Even though he was trying hard to stay calm, another part of him was screaming at him for not letting out his anger. He proceeded down to the common room. He looked around the crowded room for Ron and Hermione. It didn't take him long to find them. When he approached them, he saw that Ginny was with them. 'Harry why were you out so late?' Ron asked as Harry sat. 'I waited for you to come back but when you weren't coming I just went to sleep.' Harry looked over at Ginny to see her reaction. He was surprised that she didn't show any sign of panic or nervousness. Just like a true deceiver. 'I was on my way back after cleaning up last night,' he replied, 'but then I noticed something near the woods.' And for the first time, Ginny looked up concerned. 'Harry, what did you do then?' she asked worriedly. 'Please tell me you didn't go see what it was. You could have got hurt!' [i]The nerve that girl has! Pretending like she is worried about me![/i] Harry thought outraged. 'As a matter of fact I did.' he announced firmly and stared at Ginny hard in the eyes. He could tell she was getting scared. 'And as I approached,' he went on; he could tell Ginny was terrified at what he would say, 'I noticed it was two people talking.' Ginny turned pale. 'Who was it?' asked Hermione curiously. Harry waited for a moment, just to make Ginny even more nervous. '...I don't know.' And at those words, Ginny regained some colour in her face. 'Do you have any idea who it was?' Ron asked. 'I think I might have an idea. I think it was the Slytherins trying to spy on our practice.' he lied. 'So what are we going to do?' as Ginny asked that, Harry could hear the relief in her voice. He looked over at her menacingly with a piercing stare and said, 'We'll have another practice tomorrow evening. I have a feeling those rats will be back. And I will show them what happens to those that cross me...' Ginny started to feel unusually cold suddenly. The following evening Gryfindor was back on the field. Just as the night before, they were playing superb. Most noticeably were Ginny and Dean. They flew in almost perfect union and passed the ball around very efficiently. Harry started at them carefully. He wasn't even looking for the snitch. The rest of the team weren't paying attention to him as they were busy practicing their own position. Harry still wasn't looking away from Ginny and Dean. After almost half an hour they were completely covered in the dark. The only source of light was coming from the full moon that bathed them with its own bright light. He finally blew a whistle and everyone mounted off their broom. Everyone except Harry. He was staring at Dean angrily. As he expected, Ginny and Dean were not walking near one another. Ron, Dean and the other team members were walking along back to the change rooms. As tired as they were, they were all still laughing at the joke Ron just told. For the first time that night, Harry gazed away from Dean. Instead, he focused on a nearby bludger. With a simple swish of his wand, he levitated it. 'Hey Dean!' he suddenly yelled out to the night. Dean, along with the rest of the team, turned around when suddenly- SMASH! The bludger Harry was levitating smacked directly across Dean's jaw. It had broken it in several places. 'Harry!' Ginny suddenly yelled as she went chalk white, 'no!' Harry got off his broom, put away his wand and with his hand made a gesture as if he was directing Dean's body to levitate toward him. As the body floated towards Harry, the others yelled and tried quickly to run over by Harry to try and stop him. However, with another wandless spell, he knocked them all away from him and they fell to the ground. They stared at Harry and what they saw in his eyes made them gasp. His eyes were covered in flames just like the previous night for about a split second. He also had an amused look on his face. The smirk on his face went away quickly as he looked over at Dean's body menacingly once again. He made the body smash into the ground a couple times before leaving it in the air again. 'How dare you try to take my girlfriend away from me?' he asked Dean in a dead calm and serious voice, 'Think it over a bit before you answer.' he taunted Dean knowing fully well that Dean couldn't talk because of his jaw. Dean was trying to make noises with his mouth to try and get Harry's attention about something but Harry did not care. He looked back at Ginny. She saw that a tear that had formed from his right eye was making its way down his ferocious face. 'Did you really think I wouldn't find out?' he asked painfully. 'Harry,' sobbed Ginny, 'it isn't what you think.' 'DON'T LIE TO ME!' He roared in a deep evil voice that was so unlike his own. It was full of hatred and anger. The tear fell off his face. He turned back to Dean and his eyes had become the fiery orbs once again. A look of deep anger appeared across his face. He made a chocking gesture with his hand, and as if Harry really was chocking him, Dean started holding his neck. Harry was magically chocking him in mid air. He read Dean's mind. "Harry no! It is not what you think it is! Please! Stop!" Dean was thinking. His eyes turned back to normal once again and Dean slammed down into the ground as Harry let go of him. The others rushed over to Dean and started giving him words of comfort. Ginny just stared unbelievably at Harry. She could not move. He looked away from her quickly though, and slowly put on his hood that covered just about his entire face and wrapped his body with his cloak. He moved swiftly across the yard and headed towards the forest. 'Harry no!' yelled Ginny and ran after him. An invisible barrier that Harry had set up with magic to make sure nobody would follow him stopped her quickly. He disappeared into the dark. Author notes: I figured I should start this. I want to thank everyone who is taking their time to read my story. I hope everyone can follow what is going on. If you have any questions or comments, review the chapter and I will answer your questions. A special thank you to everyone who reviewed the previous chapters. I'll try to update asap. Usually I am done a lot earlier, however it takes a couple days for the chapter to get approved to be put up. "Dean is going to be fine," Madam Pomfrey informed the small crowd that was gathered outside of the hospital wing. It was the Quidditch team and Professor McGonagall. Ginny and Ron kept a little distance from everyone else. Ginny was sobbing the enire time and Ron was holding her tightly trying to comfort her. "its all my fault," Ginny kept repeating, "it's all my fault." "No it's not Ginny!" Ron told her angrily, "don't you ever think that!" A little while later Professor McGonagall approached them. Both knew, as she made her way towards them, that she was going to ask them to tell her everything that happened with Harry that evening. ... Somewhere deep in the forest, Harry lay on the ground unconscious. As he lay there, the wind rustled in the air and a soft breeze was passing his face. Eventually, the wind swept his hair off his forehead in the place where his scar was positioned. If anyone was around, they would have noticed that for a brief second it had turned into a fierce red color, then it turned into shiny bright and silver light before going back to looking a like normal lightning shaped scar. As soon as the light from the scar extinguished, his eyes quickly opened up wide. Without getting up, his eyes quickly took in his surroundings. He had no idea where he was but he knew he had to stay calm and alert. Slowly, he raised himself in a sitting position by sitting up using his hands as support. He didn't have to wonder for long where he was or what to do because a voice yelled out his name over and over again in the night. "Harry! Harry! Can you hear me?" yelled a voice, which Harry soon realized belonged to Hagrid. "Hagrid..." Harry tried yelling, but found out that he was having difficulty speaking loudly. "Harry!" Hagrid's voice seemed to be going in the wrong direction and so Harry knew he had to get his attention or Hagrid would leave him. He quickly sent up red sparks into the sky. Hagrid was walking along inside the forest looking for Harry on McGonagall's orders, when he quickly noticed red sparks in the sky. He dashed over to the place where they came from and saw Harry sitting on the ground. "Harry, are you okay?" he asked with a face full of concern. "Yeah," Harry answered quietly while placing a hand on his forehead, "my head just hurts a bit. I don't really remember how I got here." Hagrid helped him up. "What is the last thing you remember?" Harry thought carefully, and some things started coming back. "It was night. I was heading towards the forest. I was angry about something." When he told Hagrid that, he noticed Hagrid did not look surprised at all." "Hagrid? Do you know what happened to me last night?" Hagrid stayed quiet for a while, not knowing how to answer. That was when Harry looked inside of Hagrid’s head. What he saw startled him. McGonagall had told Hagrid that Harry had assaulted Dean and that Dean was in a critical state. She told Hagrid to find Harry and bring him to her at once. Harry stared at Hagrid transfixed. "Harry," Hagrid asked gently in his gruff tone, "are you alright? You're looking at me weirdly." That was when Harry remembered everything. He had smashed Dean with a bludger. Then he had levitated him and magically choked him. "Hagrid, I swear to you I didn't do it on purpose!" At first Hagrid gave him a confused look, but realization dawned on his face. "Ahh, Hermione warned me of your new ability." he chuckled. Harry, however, was in no mood to joke around. "Hagrid, I'm serious." he said frightfully. "I know you are Harry. And I know you would never do something like this on purpose. I have known you since before you started school, remember?" With what Hagrid had just said, Harry finally seemed to start to calm down as the two headed towards Dumbledore's old office. Ginny sat by the fire and was staring intensely into it. Ron and Hermione were surrounding her for comfort. As they sat there, Ginny started having memories of the nights between Harry and her at that exact same spot. She remembered all the laughter they had, all the times they spent in each other's arms; she even thought back to when they made love right there. Harry had always told her how much he loved her and how he would always take care of her. A tear made its way down her cheek. "Ginny, don't cry." Hermione told her gently. "I should never have lied to him," she sobbed hysterically, "I should have told him the truth!" Ron came over to her and hugged her. "You were scared Ginny," he told her, "you didn't want him to worry." "How did Dean find out anyways?" Hermione asked curiously. "I thought only your family and myself knew." "I was at the hospital wing," Ginny sobbed, "and he overheard everything Madam Pomfrey was telling me. Once I saw him, I knew he found out. The look he gave me...it was full of fear and confusion...and pity. I never wanted Harry to look at me like that. I told Dean that we should pretend that we hated each other so that I didn't have to worry about Harry noticing Dean giving me concerned looks. He would have known something was going on. That is why I didn't want to speak to Harry in the beginning of the summer." Harry and Hagrid entered the castle. As soon as they entered they saw that Lupin, in his werewolf form, and Firenze were there to join them. Lupin stared at Harry with concern all over his face. Harry knew that Lupin was harmless, as he had taken his special potion. "I'll take him to Lupin's office Hagrid." Firenze told him. "My orders are to take him to Minerva." he said firmly. Lupin gave a soft and quiet howl. "You can't Hagrid. If you take him to her," Firenze said urgently, "she will expel him." McGonagall paced the office waiting for Harry and Hagrid. All she could think of was what would Dumbledore do in this situation. Ginny continued to sob by the fire. Ron and Hermione looked on in concern. She paused for a little while, wanting to get her voice under control. "I didn't want Harry to know that I am dying." Harry and the others entered Lupin's office. They entered quickly and they all stayed standing. "Harry," Hagrid asked urgently, "we need you to tell us what happened." Harry stayed quiet, not knowing how to answer. He looked up at Hagrid and stared at his concerned face. He knew there was no point lying to them; they were probably the most willing to help him. He told them exactly what happened. The three of them looked at one another. Harry stared at each one of them. The fact that they were all quiet made him start to worry. "So what should I do now?" he asked them. "Harry," Hagrid said turning to him, "the fact that you almost killed a student with your anger, which now you admitted was intentional means there is very little anyone can do now." Harry could not believe what he was hearing. He looked once again at each of them. When he looked down at Lupin, he just turned away. Never had Harry felt so ashamed of himself as he did at that moment. "I'm being expelled aren't I?" he admitted to himself. Hagrid nodded. "I'm sorry Harry." "Harry Potter," Firenze suddenly spoke and everyone turned to him. "The destiny that awaits you is far too important for you to turn away from. You do realize that, don't you?" "Of course I do!" Harry exclaimed at once. He knew he had to destroy Voldemort. "Why would you even ask me that?" he wondered. "Recently, a lot of deeds that you did can be seen as dark and evil." Harry wasn't sure what to make of that. "What does that have to do with anything?" Whatever it was, Firenze was not going to answer. He gave Harry a look that he did not expect. He looked angry with Harry. "Hagrid, I think it's time you get Minerva." When Hagrid left with Lupin at his side, Firenze turned once again to Harry. The two stared at one another for a small while without saying anything. "I know what you have seen in all your dreams." he finally said. "I know you do, I already told you before, remember?" Harry said, all frustrated. "You do not understand Harry Potter. What I mean is, I already saw those premonitions long before you did." At that moment Harry felt so confused. "What do you mean?" "Before I answer that, there is something that must be revealed." "What is that?" "The prophecy which you have heard is not the only one that was ever made about the destruction of the dark lord." Harry was a bit skeptical. "If that was true, Dumbledore would have known about it." "You are both powerful and intelligent Harry Potter. Now more then ever. However, you already know that. What you don't know is that long before your birth, there were many signs indicating that you would come and destroy the Dark Lord. The one that I am referring to, however, is quite different from the other ones." Harry gave Firenze a curious look. "Did Dumbledore know about it?" "Yes. But he did not wish for you to hear it. He didn't believe it to be true. There are many prophesies that tend to be misinterpreted, and he believed that this was one of them." "What did it say?" he asked anxiously. "I do not know if you wish to hear this, but now more than ever, I am convinced that it is true." "Just tell me Firenze." he asked patiently. "The prophecy says that, you are a second Dark Lord. One much younger, and far more powerful." Firenze stated firmly. Harry was dumbstruck. He had no idea what to say. Never in his life did he expect this. Taking Harry's state of shock in, Firenze went on. "Everything that has happened to you proves this to be true. It was always said that as a young person, you would lose many people that you deeply cared about. This would only bring anger to your heart, and a thirst for vengeance. You would inherit powers from your parents, as they were powerful as well. Even more importantly, a transference would occur where the first Dark Lord would unwillingly give you some of his powers." "As the years were to progress, your own skills were to increase. With it, your thirst for power would grow as well. Combined with the anger and hatred, this thirst is to eventually lead you to confront the Dark Lord." "You will not destroy him. Instead, you will join him. Together you two will rule. Over everything, over everyone." Harry did not want to hear anymore. "Stop!" he whispered angrily. "Just stop. I don't believe you." "I did not expect you to." Firenze answered slowly. And with that, he left the room. Harry did not know what to think. One thing he did know, however, was that Firenze was wrong. In no way could he possibly be right. He will resolve what happened here earlier. He will go back to his old life, and continue to train in order to defeat Voldemort and restore peace. "Firenze is wrong!" he whispered to himself once again. It must have been hours before Hagrid and Lupin came back to take Harry up to McGonagall. Lupn had even turned back to human. This did not change the fact that he was not speaking to Harry. He wouldn't even look at him. The entire time, as they proceeded to the Headmistresses office, Harry tried to bring up a conversation with him, but he didn't have the courage to actually talk. He was still numb with disbelief over what Firenze had just told him. They finally reached the office and Lupin knocked on the door. "Come in," a stern voice answered. The three of them entered and McGonagall stood waiting for them. "Leave us,” she requested to Lupin and Hagrid. The two of the left. "Sit." she demanded. Suspecting this was an order and not a request, he sat. When he did, McGonagall towered over him and just stared at him with furry all over her face. However, when she spoke, although she was mad, her voice was more controlled. "If it was just up to me Potter, you would have already been expelled and never be allowed on these premises again!" she yelled. "Lucky for you, Dumbledore disagrees with me." It took Harry less than a second to comprehend what she just said. "Dumbledore?!" McGonagall pointed at the portrait of Dumbledore. He was looking at Harry one again over his half-moon spectacles. "Professor!" Harry exclaimed joyously. For the first time in a long while, Harry felt warmth in his heart. He felt as if any second now, his eyes would water. "Hello Harry." he said. "I hope you know Harry that this isn't Dumbledore himself. Merely a memory of him." McGonagall announced, bringing Harry back to reality. "I know professor," Harry said calmly, and finally relaxing, "but just like the time I witnessed my parents come out of Voldemort's wand, it is all that I have left." McGonagall stayed quiet for a little while before Harry made his way back to his seat. Then once again, she stared sternly at him. Any warmth she gained while watching Harry and Dumbledore seemed to have disappeared. "Dumbledore does not wish for you to leave just yet. He always was a man who believed in second chances. The kind of man he was while he was alive means that his wishes are to be respected. Therefore you will stay until the end of the year." "Thank you professor." Harry told her relieved. "I always respected you, Harry. Since you first got here, you risked your life for the sake of the safety of others. You saved this school and its students many times. But after what you did yesterday, I have lost all the respect I ever had for you. If you wish to regain my trust and respect, you will fix everything you did. That is a task that I give you, and I hope you take care of it. Not just for me, but for yourself. You are heading down a path that I never expected you to take. Not even Dumbledore. He always spoke highly of you. Do not ever let him down again." With that, he turned to leave McGonagall's office. She accompanied him to the door and when they reached it he turned and spoke to her, "I will not fail you or Dumbledore ever again professor." "I hope so." she answered. Harry was full of thought on his way back to the common room. Half the things he did and heard in the past twenty-four hours still hadn't fully sunk in. Last night he almost killed Dean. In the morning Hagrid found him in the forest on the ground. He was so deep in the woods that it took the entire day for the two to just get back. Then he was told he was to become a Dark Lord, and after that he actually talked to Dumbledore. He desperately wanted to just go to sleep and think about this some other time. Sleep, however, would have to wait because the moment he got back into the common room he saw Ginny sitting up and waiting for him. "Ginny," he whispered urgently and went to her. It was then that he saw she was furious. Before he could reach her she put up her hand to stop him from coming closer. "Ginny I'm so sorry." he said tring to explain, but she interjected. "I spent the entire day crying over you! Did you know that!" When he tried to speak, she yelled over him at once. "Shut Up Harry! Just shut up! Because then I started to realize that I had no reason to cry. Last night, you attacked Dean because you thought we were seeing each other behind your back, even when I told you it wasn't what it looked like. But you wouldn't even listen. You almost killed him Harry!" With that, tears left her eyes. "You showed what you really think of me. Just some slut who sneaks around her boyfriend." "Ginny, I would never think of you like that." Harry quickly said. Ginny just shook her head and cried even more. "After last night, I realized I don't even know you Harry." Harry looked at her desperately. "Ginny, don't do this. Please." he whispered sadly. As he moved forward to comfort her, she moved away from him fearfully. "Ginny, you know I would never hurt you." he told her surprisingly. "We're through Harry." And with that, she rushed up to her dormitory. Harry paced around the common room deep in thought. His emotions were all over the place. He had so much on his mind at the moment that he didn’t even know what to concentrate on. He was so confused and overwhelmed with thoughts. He finally sat down, closed his eyes and placed his hands on his head. When he opened his eyes, he took out his wand and summoned the pensieve that the Weasley's gave him for Christmas. He placed all his thoughts into it before drifting off into an uneasy sleep. For a long while, Ginny and Harry kept avoiding one another. In fact, just about everyone ignored Harry. Dean was still in the hospital and Harry was not allowed to see him. He wanted to go and apologize but was not allowed in. The only people that would talk to Harry were Ron and Hermione. "Don't worry Harry," Hermione told him one night when she notced him looking over at Ginny, "she'll forgive you soon." Harry gave her a weak smile. He missed Ginny terribly. That night they were sitting at the work table in the busy common room and Ginny was siting with some of her friends from her year. "At least she looks happy." he told Hermione and Ron while watching her laugh with her friends around the fire. The two exchanged a look behind Harry. They felt really bad for him. "I'm going for a walk." he said, closed the book he was reading and made his way to the portrayt hole. "Want me to come?" Ron asked, but Harry just shook his head. "Don't forget your cloak Harry. It's after hours." Hermione reminded him and summoned it for him. He thanked her and left. Hermione sighed. "He looks lonely." she told Ron. "I know. He constantly calls out her name in his sleep." Hermione looked worried so Ron put his arms around her. "Don't worry, things will get better for them." "I hope so. Ginny misses Harry as well. She asks about him at times but I just can't bring myself to tell her how lonely he is without her." "I hope he tells us what happened that night after he attacked Dean." Ron said. "He still didn't tell you?" Hermione asked. Ron just shook his head. "I hope he does soon. I get the feeling something terrible happened that he doesn't want to tell us." Harry walked around the corridors of the castle deep in thought. Them suddenly someone called out his name. "Harry?" He spun around in concern. He was not allowed to be out of the Gryfindor tower this late. The last thing he needed was more trouble. "Harry is that you?" He realized it was Cho. He didn't know what to do. Cho was a friend, but at the same time she was a teacher now. "I know it's you Harry," she said amusingly, "who else has an invisibility cloak?" Harry took off the hood of the cloak and smiled. He saw she wasn't mad, as she smiled as well. "You look like a person who has millions of things on his mind." "You could say that." he answered. "Why don't you come in, I'm still looking over the quiditch stats." "I hope Gryfindor is still in the running for the cup." he asked when he entered Cho's office." "Well even though you had to forfeit your last match after everything that happened, you still have a chance." she assured him. The two sat down and stared at one another. Cho smiled at him before pouring over her work again. "So how are things Harry. Are people still not talking to you?" she asked concerned. Harry shrugged it off. "Don't worry Cho. I have a lot of experience with being hated." The two laughed heartedly. "I just hope you don't crack like you did in your fourth year." She then mockingly imitated him at the time he yelled at her when he thought it was one of the kids who were laughing at him after the Rita Skeeter article about how he cries over his parents. Harry laughed along. "I was hoping you would forget about that." he said embarrassed. Cho laughed. "Oh Harry. I'm sorry for bringing that up. I hope it still doesn't upset you. "Actually that was never the thing that bothered me, he said off handedly. He hoped Cho wouldn't question it. "Then what was it?" Harry started to blush. "Well you know I had a crush on you back then. I was more worried that you would never talk to me after I yelled at you." Cho seemed taken aback a bit too, but she already knew what Harry told her. "I remember that time." she said looking over at Harry. "Honestly, I had a crush on you too at the time." They smiled at one another again and blushed a bit. "That year and the one after that were terribly tough for me." "I remember." she told him comfortingly. "If it wasn't for the ones close to me, I would never had learned to be patient and determined. Even you helped. I never even told you that. The thought of you always made me feel better after a hard day." Smiling, she looked him in the eyes. It started getting warm in the room and the two looked down a bit. What am I thinking, Harry thought. "So how are things with Ginny?" she asked. Harry stood up and paced around the office. "We haven't spoken in weeks." he answered slowly. "She doesn't want to see me. It doesn't bother me, as long as it's what she wants. If she's happier not being with me, then I have to accept it." "You've grown up Harry." she smiled warmly. "So did you." he said as he stared back into her eyes. He poured out a lot of his feelings about Ginny and others that he nrmally kept bottled up inside to Cho. He really thought he could trust her. When he let everything out, he looked back at her. She had a look of pity and sorrow on her face. "You always cared about other people's feelings more than your own." She got up and hugged Harry. "I have never met a better person then you Harry." she said as she had her head buried in his chest. "Thanks for listening Cho." he whispered. "Any time." With that, she lifted her head off his shoulder, but he still held her around her waist. She looked up in his eyes and suddenly felt a strong urge to kiss him. But she knew she shouldn't. The same thought went through Harry's mind. "You're so beautiful." he whispered softly, not taking his eyes off of her. He moved a lock of her hair off her face when their heads slowly inched closer to one another. "We shouldn't be doing this." Cho whispered back, but it was clear she didn't really care. Their lips brushed together. "I know," Harry replied, his lips right next to hers. He could feel her mouth shudder in longing to kiss Harry. "I wanted you for so long Cho." "I wanted you too." They're mouths connected into a firm kiss. Losing all the senses of their surroundings, the two embraced on another tightly. With kiss after kiss, they wanted one another more and more. "I had feelings for you since I first laid eyes on you." he told her between kisses. Both knew what they were doing was wrong. She was a teacher, and he was a student. But at the same time, they wanted to be with one another so badly. They ran their hands all over each other and started to get really hot. There was a door that led into Cho's bedroom and Harry moved Cho and himself through it. Standing next to the bed making out furiously, Harry started to unbutton her shirt. As he unbuttoned the last couple buttons, the two stopped kissing and breathed heavily. Their heads were so close to one another that they could feel the others breath on their face. At the same time, Harry took off her shirt completely and she pulled his own shirt over his shoulder. The two laughed lightly out of anticipation. While she marveled at his muscular body, he took off her bra straps off her shoulders and then she took it off completely. Harry picked her up and laid her on her bed. They continued to kiss heavily as Harry laid on top of her. "Make love to me." she whispered in his ear. They gazed into each others eyes before Harry took off her skirt and panties. Then they kissed once more. ... Ginny woke up early the next day to go for her check up at the hospital wing. She left her dormitory and headed downstairs to the common room. As usual, Hermione had fallen asleep at the worktable and hadn't gotten to bed yet. Ginny approached her and woke her up. "What time is it?" croaked Hermione. She was obviously still tired. "Well, it's early in the morning and you haven’t been to bed all night." Ginny replied, half amused, and half concerned. "You study too hard, you know Hermione." "Well I have to prepare for tests," she said defending herself, "I can't screw up now." Ginny laughed. "You don't have to get the top marks all the time." Hermione got up and held her back with her hand. Sleeping in the chair is obviously uncomfortable. "Well I'm not getting the top marks lately," she said sounding a bit annoyed, "Harry has been beating me in every subject we have together!" Ginny stood quiet. She hadn't spoken about Harry for a while and when she does, she gets really uncomfortable. Hermione caught on and hadn't mentioned him again. She quickly changed the subject. "Going for your check up?" Ginny nodded. "Want to come with me?" "Sure." Hermione smiled and the two left the common room. Harry and Cho laid in bed holding one another. Harry was the first to wake up. As he opened his eyes, he saw Cho was asleep right next to him. He stared at her face for a while, admiring all of its attractive features. He thought back to when he first saw Cho and how he had developed feelings for her at once. No girl compared to Cho in Harry's mind back then. And now, those feelings had started to come back. Then he thought of Ginny, and wondered how he would tell her about this. But then he realized, would he even really need to? Ginny was the one who called off their relationship and moved on. Why shouldn't he? Soon Cho started to stirr and not wanting to startle her, he moved a lock of her hair off her face to know he was awake as well. She opened her eyes and smiled. "Good morning." she whispered groggily. Harry smiled and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Cho moaned in delight and raised the bed sheet up to their necks. "I whish we could keep laying here." she said airily. Harry laughed and kissed her again. "Me too, but you know I have to go. If anyone realizes that I'm gone, they'll ask questions." Cho groaned and slowly lifted herself up in bed. "I know, I know." Harry got out of bed quickly and the two slowly started putting on their clothes. The entire time the two kept staring at one another giving each other warm and seductive looks. When they got dressed, Harry hugged her and kissed her again. "So," he finally said in a serious tone, "will I be getting a NEWT for this Professor Chang?" Cho started pushing Harry towards the door playfully. "Professor Chang is it now? All right then Potter. I can play this game too." She pinned him to the door and the two started making out. Then just as things started getting heated, Harry came back to his senses. "Alright," he managed to say between kisses, "alright. I. have. to. go." They laughed amusingly before Harry left the office. Hermione waited in the hospital wing outside of Madam Pomfrey's office. Ginny was inside getting examined. When she came out she was smiling. "So?" Hermione asked. "Well so far it's going well," Ginny answered happily as the two started making their way back to the common room. "The potion that she is making for me is doing its job. It's slowing down the disease and Madam Pomfrey is confident that they'll find the cure for it soon." "That's great Ginny!" Hermione told her. "I wish Professor Dumbledore was here," Ginny told her sadly, "he probably would have figured out what to do." "I just can't believe you got this. At least you aren't sick yet." "Madam Pomfrey says I won't start getting symptoms for another month. Then it will go back to how it was when I first got the disease." "You were showing symptoms before?" Hermione asked curiously. "Before you guys came by this summer, I started getting amnesia. The kind where you forget what you just did last ten minutes ago, and sometimes the one where you forget everything for a while." "Thanks for warning me ahead of time." Hermione told her caringly. "Is there anything else?" "Sometimes I get blurry vision and headaches, that’s about it. I still remember when I first went to the hospital for all these things. The doctors were confused. Then finally Madam Pomfrey contacted us and told me that this was an ancient disease that is passed down every several generations. Up until now there was no cure, but Madam Pomfrey has been working on it for several years now and she almost has a cure." "That's amazing!" Hermione thought. "But how did she know about it?' "Her mother fell ill with this disease. She died when Madam Pomfrey was very young. It's what inspired her to go into healing." "Well I'm sure she'll find the cure in time." When Harry finally left the office, he was in such a great mood. He couldn't be any happier and it showed. He couldn't stop grinning. As he turned around after leaving, he stopped dead in his tracks. Neville and Luna had just seen him leaving and both stopped in their tracks as well, with identical shocked looks. "Neville!" "Harry!" "Luna!" "Harry!" That was when Harry noticed something. Both Luna and Neville were blushing furiously. He looked down and saw that they were holding hands. When the two saw what he was looking at they quickly let go of each other. "Look," Harry finally said after realizing he needed to take control. "I didn't see nothing if you didn't see nothing." he told them firmly. "Deal." Then just as they were to go their separate ways, someone said, "What deal?" All three spun around to see Hermione and Ginny coming from a third corridor. Ginny and Harry looked at one another before quickly glancing at the others. "Oh...I was just telling Neville here...that...he can have the open position for the gryfindor team." Neville looked as if his eyes would pop out. Harry quickly gave him a nudge to warn him to look as if Harry told him earlier. Hermione looked over at Neville suspiciously. "Yeah," Neville quickly replied, then slowly looked at Harry, "thanks a lot, Harry." "Okay whatever." and Hermione and Ginny left. Even as they left, Harry looked at the back of Ginny for a bit before Neville whispered loudly to him. "I'M ON THE QUIDITCH TEAM?! You couldn't think of something better?!" he yelled outraged. "Well come on Neville," Harry said desperately, "it won’t be that bad. You're not a bad quiditch player at all." Neville's mouth opened wide. "You mean you were serious?" Harry gave him an apologetic look. "No way!" "Come on Neville!" They argued about it all the way to the great hall. "Well Neville," Luna finally said, "the next match is Gryfindor verses Ravenclaw. You and I could play together." "Yeah," Neville finally whispered slowly and gave Luna an admiring look. Then, as if just realizing Harry is there, they pretended like nothing happened. "Well alright then, count me in." Neville answered quickly before leaving Harry. And as they left, Harry let out a huge sigh of relief. He stood there leaning on one of the doors of the Great Hall even as people started getting in to have breakfast. He looked over at the Professors just as Cho came from another door and was starting to sit down. When she did, she looked over to where Harry was standing and smiled before turning to her side to talk to Hagrid. "There you are!" yelled Ron from the stairs. "I was looking for you." "Oh sorry for not waking you," Harry apologized, "anyways let's go get a seat." ... When the weekend came, Harry and Ron found Neville sitting up in his bed looking really stressed. "Have you slept at all?" asked Ron. Neville just shook his head. Harry gripped Neville by the shoulder. "You'll be fine. I know you will." Harry told him confidently. That seemed to cheer him up a but. "And don't forget how I was when I first started," Ron told him, "I know I sure can't forget." Harry and Neville chuckled. "Come on," Harry finally said, "let's head downstairs. The rest of the team should be waiting for us. Neville, we'll all wait for you while you get ready." As they were leaving the dormitory and heading towards the common room, Harry turned to Ron. "Is Ginny still going to play?" Ron gave him a pity look and nodded. "I hope you guys won't have problems." he mumbled. Harry looked determined and put on a hard face. "We won't. We both know what's at stake. Earlier, we promised to win the cup for Dumbledore." The rest of the team was waiting for them like Harry predicted. "Listen up everyone." Harry yelled over the others. "Neville is the new chaser. We're just waiting for him to get ready?" "Neville?!" the rest of them shouted. "You're joking right?" "Neville is a great chaser," Harry defended, "it's just that he gets nervous around others." "Well what if he gets nervous during the game?" said Seamus. Harry looked at them all patiently. "I know after what I did during the last game, all of you think that I shouldn't even be playing. But I promise you now, if we work together, I guarantee you all that we will win the cup. I believe everyone on this team has something to contribute. Including Neville. He has a powerful throwing ability. The Creevey brothers can easily be compared to the Weasley brothers, and thats saying something." Everyone cheered in agreement and the two brothers flushed. "Ron is a superb keeper." Everyone patted him on the back while he grinned broadly. "Seamus and Parvati are excellent flyers." Everyone cheered again. " "And Ginny-" Everyone went quiet. Ginny stared at Harry with a nervous look. "Has never let us down." Everyone cheered again and patted her. She continued to watch Harry, even long after he looked away. As Harry started to speak again they quiet down a bit. "Never forget though, that we all worked hard to get as good as we are now. All I ask is that you give Neville the same chance because I know he will make us all proud." "Well I hope so." said a feeble voice coming down the stairs. It was Neville. They all cheered his name when he came down and they left the common room. Harry was lagging behind and he noticed that Ginny was slowing down up ahead. She turned around and gave him a small smile before going down with the rest of the team. Practice couldn't have gone better, Harry thought. Although everyone was sad about Dean, they all worked hard to prepare for the final game. Once in a while, he had to correct some people and tell others to stop fooling around. Ron for instance, kept trying to get Hermione's attention. She was talking to someone in the stands and Ron kept yelling out her name. "Come on Ron! Stay focused." yelled Harry, as Ginny flew by him. "Don't worry, I know what to do." she grinned at Harry. "Seamus! pass the quaffle!" And when he threw it to her, she whacked Ron right in the head with it. "Okay, okay." he yelled outraged. Harry and Ginny laughed. "Thanks." he told her graciously. "No problem." she said and flew back to her position. They practiced for another couple hours before Harry thought it was enough. "That was great everyone." Harry told them once they were done. And as usual when there is a good practice, Harry was the only one to lock up all the equipment. Feeling extremely confident, the team left the pitch singing. Harry flew down just as Ron and Hermione were leaving together. Everyone else had already left. "That was a great practice." someone said as they approached. Harry turned around and saw that it was Cho. "Oh it's you," he said happily. "Looks like you have a great chance of winning. Even if you have to be up a hundred points before you catch the snitch." "Oh don't remind me." he said grumpily. Cho chuckled a bit. "I'm sorry Harry. Let me make it up to you." and so she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly on the lips. Ron, Hermione and Ginny walked behind everyone else and talked. "You were great Ron." Hermione said as she gave him an admiring look. Ron blushed but felt very pleased with himself. Ginny just rolled her eyes. "Listen guys," she said when she realized they were in their own little world, "I'm going to go back and help Harry clean up. I feel like we have to talk after all this time." "Okay then," they both replied, although it was obvious to her that neither had actually listened to her. And when she got back on to the pitch, she was stunned to find Harry and Cho holding one another and making out in the middle of the field. ... Ginny walked around the school grounds for a while out of shock. Snow had covered the entire grounds, and at the moment it slowly fell from the sky everywhere that it became quite hard to see where you were going. Ginny didn't care. She needed time by herself to process what she just witnessed. Never did she expect Harry to actually get over her this quickly. As angry as she was at Harry these past few weeks, deep down she cared deeply for him and thought that eventually things would turn out fine. That both of them would be faithful to one another. But when she saw him with Cho, she felt like her heart was breaking. She loved Harry but deep down she knew that it was her that pushed him away. She was the one who broke up with him, which made him think in the first place that she didn't love him anymore. And as she walked, she thought back to all those times Harry felt secluded from everyone else and only had her to confide in. He expected her to be there for him and she turned her back on him. "It's all my fault," she realized and a tear fell down her face. Suddenly Ginny heard footsteps making their way towards her. She turned around to see that it was Hagrid with fang. "Ginny?" he growled. Ginny quickly wipe her eyes and put on a smile. "Yeah Hagrid it's me." He gave her a warm smile in return and hugged her. "Ginny what’s wrong? You shouldn't be outside in whether like this. And why were you crying?" She tried to lie. She tried to make up something on the spot. But in the end, she just couldn't. Before she could stop herself, she wept quietly while she buried her head inside of Hagrids giant coat. "It's okay Ginny," he told her comfortingly, "come inside me cabin, and we'll talk over tea." She looked up at him with watery eyes and nodded. Harry and Cho were making out for a very long time on the pitch. So much time passed that snow had started falling and already covered the entire field. The gray sky was full of thick snowflakes that slowly made their way on to the ground. Once they got cold, Cho shivered out loud. Harry and her laughed as he wrapped his cloak around both of them. Cho rested her head on Harry's shoulder in peace and stared dreamily into the distance. Ginny talked to Hagrid for almost an hour. She told him that she saw Harry with another girl, but didn't say whom. She didn't want Harry and Cho to get in trouble. As confused and sad as she was, she was not the type of person to ruin someone else’s life to get revenge. "I have known Harry since before he started Hogwarts," he told her, "and he is a good man. He would never want to hurt you intentionally. I'm sure if you tell him how you feel-" "Hagrid no!" she interrupted. "I don't want to tell him anything. I don't even want him to know that I know about his relationship." She sat there in the chair petting Fang. She thought back to all the good times she had with Harry. What she would do to have Harry back now. To tell him that she loves him and wishes she never got angry with him. "I should never have yelled at him. I told him how crazy he got and that I don't want to be with someone like that without even thinking of how he would feel. He was probably more scared then I was at what happened. How could I just turn my back on him?" Hagrid drank the rest of his tea before answering her. "You were scared Ginny. And in shock. I'm sure even Harry understands. Something has happened to him over the months. He has become powerful. A little too powerful for his age if you ask me. Arrogant and confused he is now. I'll bet all he needs is direction, and he could become as powerful and as wise as Dumbledore was in due time." Ginny nodded in agreement and looked over at the blazing fire. "I just want him to be happy. He lost everyone he loved." "That is true," replied Hagrid, "and though it has made him lonely, it had also made him stronger and wiser. He has gone through ordeals no kid should ever go through. For that I am very proud of him." When Ginny finished her tea, she gave the cup back to Hagrid and petted Fang some more. "I'm going to talk to him when the time is right. If he says he is happy, then I shouldn't interfere in his life anymore." Hagrids eyes twinkled in the firelight. "No matter what he says Ginny, he will always care for you. And he will always need you; even if it is just as a friend." Ginny got back to the common room and tried not making conversation with anyone. She just wanted to go to her dormitory and be left alone. The problem was that the quiditch team was getting so much fan support that they could never be left alone. She looked around the common room to make sure nobody had noticed her come in when she suddenly stopped. Harry was standing by the fireplace talking to Ron and Hermione about something. All the warm and wonderful feelings rushed through her body that she only got from being around Harry. She also would have thought that he would still be with Cho right about now. As she continued to watch him, a couple girls came up to him and asked for his autograph. She knew he never felt comfortable with his popularity but it came with the territory of being Harry Potter. World famous, head boy, quiditch captain, triwizard champion, all of that stuff. While he was signing one of the papers, he looked up and stared directly at Ginny. She got a jolt of alarm in her body when he looked over at her. She was so stunned at seeing Harry that she was staring at him for almost five minutes. He gave the paper back to the girl with a warm smile before making his way over to Ginny. Too stunned for words, she watched in nervousness as he came over to her smiling. "Hey, I didn't get the chance to talk to you after practice." Just mentioning practice sent another wave of alarm and sadness through her. "Yeah," she answered quickly, "I had to talk to Professor Lupin about one of my assignments for his class." She found it hard to stare into his shining eyes because every second she did, she kept getting the urge to kiss him. Noticing the tension between them, he tried wrapping things up. "Anyways, I just wanted to thank you for putting all of our personal stuff behind us out on the pitch." "No problem," she told him with a fake smile. But then he did something that caught her totally off guard. He kissed her softly on the cheek. "I'm so glad that we could at least be friends." he told her happily. She nodded in agreement with the fake smile still intact. ...... All throughout the week, the quiditch team was anxiously waiting for the weekend. They knew that the had a long shot of winning the cup, but they were all determined to win. By Friday, the day before the match, almost half the school was actually betting on the Gryfindors to win. Each of the team members had to deal with their own ways of beating their own anxiety about the match. The Creevey brothers constantly kept repeating how they have Harry which means they are guaranteed a victory. Seamus and Lavender kept on throwing the quaffle to one another in all their classes. That was until Mcgonagal told them off for doing it. Ron, like always, kept getting sick but at least this time he had a look of confidence that things would turn out fine. "After all," he was telling Harry and Hermione, "I'm always fine once we're airborne." "Well you're doing better than Ginny." Hermione said off handedly and made Harry stop walking. "What do you mean?" he asked her. "What's wrong with Ginny?" "She spends all her time in her room." Ron answered. "Only comes out for classes and eating." "I think I'll go talk to her." "Right now?" Hermione said bewildered. "But we have to go to Lupin's class." "Just tell him that I'll come soon and that I would explain what happened tonight." And he ran off in search of Ginny. Ginny was almost inside her class when Harry caught up with her. "Ginny," he shouted slightly from down the hallway of her class. She was right at the door when she heard him call her. "Go on," she told her friends, "I'll come in soon." She looked back at him confused. "What is it Harry? Don't you have class?" "I need to talk to you about the way you've been acting all week. I think I know why you're spending all of your time in your room." Ginny was shocked to hear him say that. "Does he really know?" she thought to herself. "Was I making it that obvious that I know?" "Look Harry, it's none of my-" "Just don't listen to what the other people are telling you." he said before she could finish her sentence. "What people?" she asked confused. "The people who have you all nervous for the upcoming match. Just don't pay attention to them. You need to keep a clear head for tomorrow. I know we have to win by more than two hundred points but I just know that we can do it if we all bring our best game with us." Ginny didn't know to say. She calmed down a bit after what Harry told her. She thought that since he came so suddenly that he figured out she knew about him and Cho. "So you mean, you came all the way over here just to make me feel better?" she asked while hoping inside herself that it really was the reason why he did come. "Well yeah." he answered slowly which made her smile. It was then that she realized he still cares a lot about her. After realizing how he sounded, he quickly tried covering it up. "I mean, you are the lead chaser on the team. I need you in your best shape." "Well okay than Harry," she answered happily, "I actually feel better already." When she sat in her chair, she felt like she was floating. She just knew that Harry still cared for her. The way he sounded was enough for Ginny to know. But as quickly as the feeling came, it disappeared twice as fast. The truth had started to sink in. He was with Cho. She knew this very well. All week, she caught a glimpse of Harry coming in or out of her office. She even remembered when he was telling Ron that she was the one who told him how much they have to win by to get the cup. And the worst part that she just remembered was that she would have to face Harry and Cho out in public together when Cho referees the match. .... Harry made it back to class quickly and apologized to Lupin. Luckily, he made it just in time for the beginning of the lesson. He was going to teach them how to create a laser sword out of their wands. "It's called a wandsaber." A couple people, including Harry, laughed out loud at the name. "For those of you who do not see the humour in this; the reason the class is laughing is because there are popular muggle movies which use these type of swords. Only they are called lightsabers. The muggle who created the 'lightsaber' obviously had some ties with wizards. He must have been told about it and he decided to make a muggle version for a movie of his." The class laughed again. "Now I know a lot of you do not like history of magic and you find it rather dull, but a quick lesson in history is needed here." The class groaned in union. "I know, I know," chuckled Lupin amusingly, "I'll try to make this short. Basically, the wandsaber was first discovered by Godric Gryfindor. He found the spell required to conjure it when he safely stored his precious sword into the sorting hat." Lupin gave Harry a quick smile before continuing. A couple of others started whispering about it. They all knew the story. "It is a beam of light that can cut through any solid object. The lazer extends about an arm length out of the wand. You use the wand as the handle. And just like a wand, each saber contains a colour completely unique to the wand holder. Though the most common lights are blue, red, and green." "It is really difficult to conjure one up. Only an exceptional powerful wizard can create one." "Can you do it sir?" Seamus asked, obvious very interested to see one. "As a matter of fact I can. I am fortunate enough to be able to conjure up a blue wandsaber." He took out his wand, and yelled, "Ecrof!" when suddenly a blazing sound erupted out of the wand and there above the tip of the wand was a lengthy blue light. Lupin swished it around a bit in the air to let them hear the blade make swishing and swirling noises. "You'll notice that the spell also made the wand more extended. Just enough to give you space to grip the wand firmly with two hands. It was mainly used for dueling purposes,” he told the class, which stared in amazement at it. He held it for another little while before extinguishing it. "To get rid of it, just focus with your mind on the blade and imagine it disappearing. Now I want all of you to stand up and try making your own. Just picture clearly in your heads a beam of light erupting out of the wand, focus, and say the incantation." They all got up and tried. Almost the entire class passed and still nobody was able to create one. "I didn't expect any of you to actually do it." Lupin told Neville comfortingly who seemed to be really upset with himself for not having any breakthrough. It wasn't until near the end of the class, that something happened. As frustrated as he was for not being able to do it, Harry kept trying and would give up. Then finally, near the end of the class, sparks jolted out of his wand. Everyone, including Lupin stared in amazement. All the effort and concentration finally exhausted Harry and he got on one knee, drenched in sweat. Everyone clapped and cheered. "Alright Harry!" Seamus and Neville yelled. "That's my boy!" Shouted Ron and patted Harry on the head. "Very impressive indeed." said Lupin as he put his arm on Harry's shoulder. The Gryfindors were ecstatic after the class. Not only was everyone even more impressed by Harry, but everyone was confident that with Harry's determination they were going to win the quiditch cup tomorrow. As usual, Harry stuck around after class to talk to Lupin. "I have to say, I didn't even expect that from you." Harry smiled proudly. "Was my dad able to make one?" Harry asked. "Of course. Not as a student though, but it didn't take him long to figure it out." Harry stared out the window, full of excitement and joy. And then it dawned on him. "You said it cuts through anything, what about the horcruxes?" "It probably can. But the problem is that we don't know what would happen once they're damaged. Voldemort must have put some extra safety measures on them." Harry nodded. "Anyways, I have to get going Professor. I have a cup to win tomorrow." "I'll be watching Harry. Good luck." .... By the time Harry made it back to the common room, everyone heard about the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. The Gryfindors were so proud of him, they felt like they were ready to rip apart Ravenclaw at tomorrow's match. Everyone patted him on the shoulder as he walked in. They all seemed to be having a pre game party. He really wanted to leave, but didn't know how. As everyone talked around him, he looked between them to see Ginny sitting with her friends. Luckily, she looked up and noticed him there. He motioned with his head for her to come, and so it was Ginny that came to his aid. "Okay everyone, Harry needs some breathing room." and she steered him away from everyone else. "Thanks a lot." he told her. "I really appreciate that." "No problem," she told him, "want to come and sit with us? Ron and Hermione are upstairs. She's calming his nerves, if you know what I mean." The two laughed nervously. They haven't joked around in a while. "Actually, I can't. I'm supposed to be somewhere right about now." Her smile faded. She knew exactly where he wanted to go. "Well, just be back before the curfew." and without saying another word, she left. .... Harry knocked on Cho's door and entered. She was sitting at her desk working. "I need to talk to you about something." he told her seriously. "What is it?" Cho asked concerned. "I, well we, can't keep doing this." Cho stood up and looked him in the face. "Yeah, I know. You're still in love with Ginny." Harry nodded. "You're a great person, I hope you understand. But I love Ginny." She took him by the hands and smiled. "You're a great person too Harry. And you're one of the most caring people I know. I understand completely." She cupped his face with her hands, hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek. "Good luck tomorrow. Don't expect favouritism." she said playfully. "Alright then," the two chuckled, "I'm going to go." "Bye." With that over with, he couldn't wait to talk to Ginny. He wanted to tell her everything so that they could have a fresh start. He was so sure that she still loved him as well. He left the room and closed the door. "So how long were you two seeing one another?" a hurt voice said behind him. He turned around to see Ginny waiting for him. "Ginny, I can explain." he tried telling her but she just shook her head. "There's no need." she said angrily and calmly at the same time. "Ginny please," but that was when she stormed away. He knew better than to follow her. He figured she obviously needed space. Frustrated with what just happened, he leaned back against the door and ran his hand over his face angrily. .... Harry hardly slept that night, and it had nothing to do with the quiditch match tomorrow. He never wanted Ginny to find out about his relationship with Cho the way she did. When morning arrived, he woke up early to talk to Ginny. He was lucky to see that she was already up. She seemed a bit startled by the fact that he was up this early. "Since when do you wake up this early?" she asked with a somber tone. "I couldn't sleep." he answered simply. "I was thinking of you." He waited to see her reaction but she wouldn't turn around to see him. What she did do however was stop rushing over putting on her shoes and cloak. There was a calm silence between the two. She seemed to be getting ready to go somewhere. "You look a bit distracted," he analyzed, "are you going somewhere?" "Look Harry," she regarded him briskly, "what do you want. I need to go." He gave her a curious look. "Where are you going?" "Hospital wing." Harry quickly looked around at her worriedly. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" "I'm fine." But he wouldn't take that as an answer. Just as she was about to leave through the portrait hole, he sped up to her, put his hands on her shoulders and spun her around. Reluctantly, she looked up into his concerned eyes. She knew she couldn't tell him why she was really going to the hospital wing, but at the moment, she found it so hard to lie to him. "Should I just tell him?' she thought to herself. Harry continued to stare at her worriedly. "I'm fine Harry, it's just a regular checkup." she answered as briskly as she could. She shrugged his arms off and left. Harry was not convinced that she was okay. He could sense inside himself that she wasn't completely honest with him. Even with all that doubt, he didn't dare try to use legilimancy. Ever since the incident with Dean, Harry swore to himself to never use any of the new powers he got around that time. Since that evening, Harry had never lost his temper or even gotten really angry. He was too afraid of what he would do if he did. He wasn't left standing alone for long since the rest of the team came down. To get them to feel better, Harry wanted them all to wake up early and have a couple quick laps in the air before breakfast. "This way, you will be more relaxed." he had told them. It wasn't long until Ginny came down to the pitch. Harry flew down to see greet her. "Look, I'm fine Harry," she started saying and put on a grumpy look on her face. "No, it's not that." Harry answered, looking around at the others. "I need to talk to you in private." Seeing how serious Harry was, she followed him back inside the change room. "What is it?" she asked curiously. "It's Cho." Harry told her firmly. At first Ginny didn't get what he was talking about, until it finally dawned on her. "Don't worry Harry, her officiating the match won't distract me." "Good." Harry replied very business like. But Ginny could tell there was something else he wanted to ask her. "Is there anything else?" she asked. That was when Harry started to look more uncomfortable. "Ginny, you know I trust you with things that I don't trust other people with." "Yeah, I do." she assured him, but didn't see what that had to do with anything right now. "The thing is, you know Cho is a professor; and I am a student. If anyone found out about us; well we could both get in huge problems." "If you're worried I would say anything to someone, you don't have to. At those words, Harry appeared more relaxed. "That's great,' he said smiling, "thanks Ginny. But I want you to know that it's over between us. We ended it last night when you saw me leaving her office." The two stared at one another looking a bit flustered and awkward. Ginny felt so happy to actually hear Harry say that. She felt so torn and angry inside ever since she learned Harry was seeing someone else. And now, that tension has lifted a bit. But the fact remained that she wasn't ready to have a relationship with Harry again. Not after the way he acted with Dean. She still had feelings for him, however, and she was sure that she always would. She just wanted to make sure Harry straightened out his problems before she told him how she felt. Thinking about it, she wasn't even sure how Harry felt anymore. She was confident that when they broke up, Harry wouldn't enter another relationship with someone else for a while. He wasn't the type of guy to jump from relationship to relationship. The situation with Cho only made her believe Harry had moved on. Coming out of her thoughts, she just realized what Harry had told her. "Yeah, well frankly it's none of my business one way or the other." she answered offhandedly. She turned to leave towards the pitch when Harry grabbed a hold of her hand softly and spun her around. She looked into his eyes with a strong feeling of fear. She knew that just by looking into her eyes, he would see she still had feelings for him. She was just too afraid of him rejecting her out loud. That was why she broke up with him in the first place. They were so close to one another, that she started having strong urges to grab hold of his neck and start kissing him. "I just wanted you to know though,” he told her quietly while staring into her eyes. She could sense a feeling of longing in them. Without saying a word, she turned around again and stride back to the pitch, leaving him behind. The pitch stands quickly started filling up as game time approached. The teams were in their change rooms waiting for their captains to give the final speech. "Okay everyone," Harry yelled confidently, "this is the moment we've been training for. I have no doubt we will win." Everyone was silent; they were too nervous to say anything. As usual, Ron was more nervous than anyone. He looked at them all in the face, wanting nobody to be in doubt when they leave towards the pitch. "None at all. We trained harder than any team. When we go out there, I want you all to be tough and alert' but most of all, I want you to be proud." As one, they all got up and burst into cheers. Harry had fully pumped them up for the game. "Nice speech captain," Ginny said before leaving the room. Harry grinned as he himself exited the room and walked on to the pitch. The crowd roared with applause as the teams flew into the sky. The balls were soon after released and the game had begun. Harry quickly scanned his surroundings. He looked around at all the players, then at the crowd, even at the gray sky but could nowhere see the snitch. He noticed that the other seeker was watching Harry carefully which meant he had no idea where the snitch was either. Most of the crowd erupted into cheers, while the other half booed. "And Gryfindor leads ten to nothing!" the announcer yelled. Harry was surprised how quickly they were up, but was glad nonetheless. The faster they were up by more than two hundred, the faster he could go to catch the snitch. Just as he thought that, he caught a glimpse of the golden ball near Ron at the goal post. Knowing fully well he can't get it yet, he pretended to scan the bottom of the pitch for it. He looked back at the other seeker to see him, as expected, doing the exact same thing as him. Once again, the snitch was no longer in sight. With relief, Harry smiled as he realized that should he have caught that snitch, it would have been even faster than the time he caught the snitch in his first year when Snape was the referee. For the next fifteen minutes, the Gryfindor team played so fierce that the Ravenclaw team was stunned. Gryfindor was already up by a hundred points. Just as they had scored their hundred points, the wind picked up. But Harry wasn't worried due to the fact that they already trained in these kinds of conditions. From the beginning of the climate change, it was obvious the Ravenclaws didn't. So as it started to snow as well, Harry knew they had the win. He just wasn't sure if they would be up by enough points. He had already seen the snitch ten times but made no sudden movement to spook the other seeker. He knew they were ready to pounce on Harry should he take a dive or a burst of speed. The weather continued to become worse and worse as the wind and snow picked up. Harry was surprised that the Ravenclaws agreed to a match in the winter. There wasn't usually a match at this time because nobody wanted to play. However, the story about Harry and Ginny breaking up seemed to spread and the Ravenclaws wanted to take advantage. And then there was the fact that the teachers were worried about the students being in the air should there be another attack at the school like last year. More time passed before finally they were up by two hundred and ten. "This is it!" yelled the announcer. "Should Gryfindor catch the snitch now they would win!" No sooner had the announcer said that, Harry found the snitch flying near Ron's goalpost once again. But instead of going after it, Harry turned in the opposite direction towards Cho. He figured as soon as the other seeker follows, he would turn around and head towards the actual snitch. At first it seemed to work, but then the Ravenclaw realized what Harry was planning! He turned around and burst towards the snitch, and Harry had no way to catch up. Staring helplessly, he was watched as the Ravenclaw stretched out to grab the snitch. The seeker was so excited, that they didn't even see Ron jump off his broom and tackle both of them out of the way of the snitch and crash onto the ground. As they were falling, the teachers took out their wands and slowed the two down before they hit the floor. Harry now had a clear path towards the snitch and flew towards it. But out of nowhere, a Ravenclaw chaser threw the quaffle towards the empty hoops. Needing to catch the snitch before the quaffle goes through one of the posts, he urged the broom to speed up. He flew faster and faster, but the quaffle was just a bit faster. It reached one of the hoops before Harry could catch the snitch. Harry watched breathlessly as it was about to go through the hole, when right on time, Ron had jumped back on his broom and caught the quaffle one handed before it went in. The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers as Harry finally grasped the snitch and held it up into the sky. "And Gryfindor wins! Gryfindor wins!" yelled the announcer. Harry could not believe it. Near the end of the game, he was sure they would lose. Even the Gryfindor team was shocked, but happy nonetheless. They each hugged and patted him as they were overjoyed. Only one person wasn't around, and that was Ginny. Harry moved away from the rest of the celebrating team and smiled over at her who was still making her way over to the rest of the team. Before she could, however, Harry could tell something was wrong. She looked too pale and looked as if she was about to fall. The smile left his face as he looked around for the teachers, but they were all busy around the Ravenclaw seeker who was out cold. He looked back at Ginny, just as she fell off her broom. The entire crowd suddenly shrieked in horror. With no other thought, Harry burst into a speed he never thought possible on his broom and caught her just as she was falling in the middle of the air. The crowd cheered as Harry held Ginny in his arms with her going in and out of consciousness. He landed and fell to his knees while holding Ginny closely to him. "Ginny, are you all right?" he whispered as he tried holding back tears. "Harry," she gasped with great effort, "I love you." "I love you too," he whispered. She put on a small smile and reached for his face with her hand. She never got the chance however because it wasn't long before she stopped smiling, droped her hand and fell unconscious. Professor McGonagall ran quickly towards them to see what's wrong. "Stand aside Potter. I need to take her to the hospital wing." "It's okay, I can do that." "Okay then, but I'll come with you." They ran rapidly towards the hospital wing, with Ginny in Harry's hands. Mcgonagall held the door open as he carried Ginny through and put her onto a close by bed. Madam Pomfrey came out of her office in hurry and put all her attention on Ginny. "Come on Harry," Mcgonagall said sadly, "let's leave Madam Pomfrey to help Ginny." Harry couldn't say anything so he just nodded. She put a comforting arm on is shoulder as they slowly made their way out. Just as they were close to the door, Harry heard Madam Pomfrey muttering to herself. "Silly girl," she sobbed, "I told you not to play today. I told you what might happen." Harry looked up at Mcgonagall to see her suddenly looking expressionless and stared straight ahead. At once Harry could tell she knew what Madam Pomfrey meant but wanted to hide it from Harry. He turned back around before McGonagall could say otherwise and spoke to Madam Pomfrey. "What do you mean by that Madam?" he asked curiously. Fussing over Ginny, she didn't have time to look at him but spoke to him with her back turned. "Her symptoms have started showing again. The potion she kept taking stopped working recently and I warned her not to play?" "Potion? What potion?" "Come on Potter we need to leave n-" "The potion which slows down the disease that is killing her." Madam Pomfrey said before Mcgonagall could say anything. ..................... "She wanted to tell you herself," Professor Mcgonagal was telling Harry, "when she was ready. She didn't want you to worry." Harry was sitting in a small chair near her bed where she slept. He had his hand locked with hers. Ever since he found out she was dying, he couldn't get over it. He kept on a serious face; one that you just couldn't read. Since the day he found out the truth, he hardly slept. Most of his day he spent at her side and he talked very little, if at all, with anyone. Nobody spent as much time by her side more than Harry. All the Weasley's came by the day after the fall. Mrs. Weasley sobbed most of the time while Mr.Weasley comforted her. The other boys tried to convince Harry to get some rest himself and that he couldn't do anything right now for her. But Harry wouldn't hear any of it. For a week he hardly slept. And when he didn't he would be by her side stroking her hair or holding her hand. Ron and Hermione also spent some time with him in the hospital wing and tried to convince him to do something else to get his mind off of what happened. Usually he woud just ignore them; but then after a week, he finally responded to them. "You guys knew about this the entire time, didn't you?" Ron and Hermione quickly glanced at one another out of the corner of their eyes. Neither knew how to answer him. "We wanted to tell you," Hermione began, but Harry cut her off quickly. "No you didn't. You had no intention of telling me. You don't need to lie." When he said that he used such a harsh and quiet tone. It was such an intense retort that when Hermione thought back to it, she realized that it made her extremely worried and alarmed. It wasn't the type of tone Harry would usually use. It showed no sign of worry or saddnes; it was much more than that. It was more of a determined and upset tone at the one time. Both Ron and Hermione went quiet after that. At once Harry felt bad. "Look, I'm sorry about that. I know she probably told you she wanted to tell me herself." Hermione put her hand on his arm. "You don't need to apologize Harry. You must be really upset right now." Upset was an understatement, Ron thought, for he knew Harry better than anyone else. At this point, he knew Harry's emotions were all running high. "I'll go bring us some food." Hermione announced as she got up from a chair next to where Harry sat. Ron told her he would accompany her while Harry made no reaction at all that he just heard her. Eating was something he rarely did all week. "I'm really woried about him." Hermione told Ron in the hallway. "I know, but what did you expect. He loves her doesn't he? I would act the same way if something happened to you." He placed his hand in hers and the two made their way down to the kitchen. When they got there, Dobby and the house elves gave them food to bring up to Harry. "There is something about Harry that I can't figure out though." Hermione said thoughtfully, more to herself then to Ron. "What is that?" "When he snapped at us, it was as if he knew we were not being honest." "Well, we weren't." "I know, but the way he reacted, it was as if he looked inside us and checked that we lied." Ron shrugged it off. "He probably did, you never know. He does have that power." "It's just that, last time he used his powers recklessly, someone got hurt. And that time as well he was feeling upset over Ginny." "Love makes you do crazy things, you can't hold it against him." "All I'm saying is, he should be more careful." "You're talking about Harry. He's our best friend Hermione!" Ron answered angrily. "You should trust him more. How many times had he saved all of us?" "I know, I know." she answered quickly. "Don't get me wrong, I love Harry as if he was my brother. But you can't tell me he hasn't changed over the months. He did things I never thought he could do. Both good and bad things." "I would trust Harry with my life Hermione. No matter what he did. Nobody is perfect! He just hasn't gotten use to his new powers; its quite understandable the way he acted." and as Ron said that, there was a finality in his voice that told Hermione he didn't want to discuss it further. They walked on in an uncomfortable slence. Hermione still wasn't convinced, but she didn't want to argue with Ron. Ron and Harry were like brothers and she knew he didn't want to hear anything against Harry. Back in the hospital wing, Harry layed his head down by Ginny's waist. He was extremely tired, but at the same time, he didn't want to look away in case there was a change in Ginny. Ron and Hermione were gone for a little while, when Harry suddenly felt two people with emotions running high. It didn't take long for him to realize it was Ron and Hermione that he was sensing. They seemed to be arguing over something. And as if he was suddenly transported right next to them, he overheard everyting they were talking about. Nothing he heard really surprised him. Hermione was suspicious about him for a while now, and Ron was his best friend. He knew Ron would always have his back. Before it would have bothered him the way Hermione was acting, but now it just didn't matter to him. When the two came back in, they found Harry asleep. Not knowing whether or not to wake him, they decided to wake him up to eat and then convince him to go up to bed. Luckily, he didn't object and walked with the two of them up to his dormitory. Many people stared on the way there, but that didn't bother him. Harry slowly got in his bed; and as he did, it finally happened. Before he could stop himself, tears welled up in his eyes. "I should have been there for her this past month. Instead I kept my distance thinking it's what she wanted." he sobbed. Hermione swooped down on him and gave him a hug. "Don't blame yourself Harry. You didn't know what was happening." "Well I should have known. We've been together for all these months and I had no idea!" "Just get some sleep." Ron told him. And once he did go to sleep, the two left him quietly. It was the middle of the night when Harry started to stirr in bed. He was having another nightmare. Eventhough he couldn't remember having this nightmare before, there was some sort of familiarity about it. Everything around him was in flames, yet he was not hurt or burned. And somewhere in the middle of the fire, up ahead of him, there was a shadow of a tall man. "Come to me..." the voice rang in his voice. "The time has come Harry Potter for you to come to me." He opened his eyes quickly and sat up in his bed staring around nervously, drenched in sweat. ..... When morning came, he chose to ignore the dream he had last night. He wanted to forget it. Before the classes were to start, he just wanted to see Ginny quickly. Ever since the accident on the field, something inside Harry changed. Madame Pomfrey told him everything about Ginny's condition. When he found out there is no cure, he vowed that he would find it in time. He didn't care that he had no idea where to even start looking. He used that same determination in his classes. Although he was already ahead of everyone in class, he blew them away even farther since the match. It wasn't long before the teachers compared him to Dumbledore, Tom Riddlle and James. Weeks went by, and he still hardly showed any emotion. The only time he talked was when he was with Ron, Hermione, Hagrid or Lupin. It wasn't until one Defense Against The Dark Arts class that he finally showed signs of improvement. Their lessons on using wandsabers continued and Harry was so ahead of the class that he could already summon one up without saying the incantation. The rest of the class was still struggling just making their beam protrude out of their wands. Some people, like Ron and Hermione managed to produce their sabers properly, but only for a short time. Others had less luck. Some could only create sparks, like Harry did in the first lesson, and others couldn't even get their wand to grow the proper size. Harry tried offering them help, but everyone quickly learned this was something you could only figure out yourself. "You should all feel very proud of yourselves. Not everyone can produce one. On average, a wizard or a witch can make theirs last for about a minute. It is extremely rare for someone to be able to keep theirs on for as long as they want." "But you and Harry could do it sir!" moaned Neville in desperation. He could also make one, but could not keep it on for as long as Ron and Hermione. Lupin put a comforting arm on his shoulder. "Just keep at it Neville, you'll do fine." The class watched in envy as Lupin sent spells at Harry, and he just put the saber in the way of the spell and it absorbed all of them. "So how about it Harry," Lupin announced in front of everyone, "do you want to take me on in a duel?" That was when Harry finally smiled in public. "You're on Professor." And so the two positioned themselves in the correct stances and prepared to duel. Everyone backed up and continued to watch in interest. At first Lupin demonstrated some basic saber moves and made Harry do them as well. Then when they actually duelled, Lupin hardly had to try. The entire time he used one hand. Harry swiped and stabbed at Lupin but he easily blocked all the moves. Every time the sabers collided, sparks would emit and the exact same sound of two lightsabers clashing in the muggle movies could be heard. As hard as Harry tried to outsmart Lupin, he just wasn't fast enough. He made a dash at Lupin's arm, but was blocked. Made a quck two handed prod at Lupin's chest but Lupin just stepped away quickly, made his saber, which was directly beneath Harry's and the reason why Lupin didn't have a hole in his chest, move Harry's up above his head and as hard as Harry tried to stop him, he made Harry's wand fly out of his hand and on to the ground. Moments later, he placed the blade right next to Harry's chest and grinned. "You seemed to have lost your saber Harry." he said jokingly. Harry couldn't help but laugh along. "Ha ha professor, very amusing." Harry said sarcastically. Lupin chuckled in response. Harry looked down at his wand that was on the floor and summoned it up magically into his hand. "You laugh now, but some day I'll catch up to you." and the two laughed together lightly as Lupin placed a hand in his shoulder. "You're quite right." Everyone clapped afterwards. "I didn't know you knew how to duel like this. How come you never told me?" Harry asked him as the rest of the class talked amongst themselves until the lesson ended. There was only about a minute to go. "Never thought of it really. It's a lost tradition. I wasn't even taught by my Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Dumbledore himself taught me. When I expressed my wish to study Defense as a profession." "You were taught by Dumbledore himself?" Harry yelled as he was taken aback by the news. "That's right," Lupin said happily. "He was one of the best duellers ever. But he preferred to have regular duels with spells and enchantments. Those duels were considered more courteous and formal. Preffered by those who did not fight out of raw emotions, or by those who just wanted to hurt someone. Instead, one would duel for the simple reason to prove they were better than their opponent. They would not care if their opponent would get hurt or not, just as long as they understood the victor was the more powerful." "And you wanted to learn how to saber duel?" "Because I realized that saber duels are an art themselves. It takes skill, determination and concentration to be a good saber dueller. One also has to have great physique to duel like that. Only dark wizards would really consider saber duelling out of agression. The rest of us would battle with them because of it's rich history; and the fact that it is quite more difficult and demanding then the regular way. One would also fight with sabers when there is great conflict between two people, when the point of the battle was not who is more powerful magically. Rather, who has the greater will would win the duel. It is believed that if you truly believe in the cause you are fighting for more than your opponent, you would win." "But that makes no sense," Harry analyzed, "what if your opponent is a better duellist? Like the way it was right now between us two?" "I'm glad you asked. You see, it is considered to be a terribly cowardly move to fight someone who does not have the same skills as you. Very cowardly! The purpose of the duels is to see who has more will to fight for their cause between two opponents that are around the same skill level. Considering the duel often ends with one person dead, one would have to sink pretty low to fight someone, to the end, should their opponent be less skilled then them." Harry was paying such close attention that he got startled when the bell rang. "And there you have it Harry. I was going to tell all of you this next lesson, but since I told you now, feel free to come a bit late for the next class. I take it you'll use the time to be with Ginny. How is she, is she any better?" Harry shook his head. "Madame Pomfrey keeps telling me to have hope. She reckons she'll find a cure soon. But I just don't know." "You just have to have patience Harry. I just know that everything will work out fine. Just be patient." And as Harry walked out of the class, Lupin sincerely hoped Harry would take his advice. ......... Nothing changed in the upcoming month. Harry still constantly spent time with Ginny, and continued to excel in all his classes. He was creating potions that would rival the half blood prince. He was transfiguring objects into such complex things that Mcgonagall couldn't praise him enough. Charms, Defense Against The Dark Arts, every single one of his classes he was the top of the class. Lupin had started giving him private lessons on duelling over the month. Even at that Harry was a fast learner. He had started to learn advance moves which Dumbledore taught Lupin. He had also taught Harry how to perform simple spells on himself to enhance his abilities. Harry could now levitate himself and take the duel to the skies. As well, he could send off spells at his opponent and then quickly change his wand back to a saber and continue to duel. All the while, he would talk to Ginny about his day. Madame Pomfrey told him she couldn't hear him but he didn't care. He was always by her side telling her he loved her. "How much longer will she be out of it Madame?' he asked worriedly. "She's tough this girl is," Madame Pomfrey replied, 'I would say she will wake up any day now Harry." Harry was overjoyed at the news. "That's wonderful." he replied, trying hard to keep himself composed out of happiness. "I don't know what to say." "But I must warn you now. She will most likely have amnesia. She may not even remember you." Harry was prepared for this ever since he learned about the symptoms. "Madame Pomfrey says Ginny will be out of it any day now." Harry told Lupin during one private lesson. "That's wonderful." Lupin replied happily. "I'll be sure to write to Molly first thing tomorrow." They had just finished dueling and both were quite exhausted. Harry was quickly catching up to Lupin; something neither of them had expected to happen so fast. Lupin costantly joked with Harry about how an old man like himself can beat Harry, and Harry had always given him a sour and saracastic look. Really, Harry didn't mind at all that Lupin could beat him. So the two constantly joked around about how Harry always ends up losing. "Don't worry about me, Professor," Harry joked, "one day I'm going to be worrying about you." Lupin chuckled along. Harry had started getting even more popularity now than before (if that was possible). Other girls had started to show interest in him ever since his quiditch and duelling physique finally developed. He, however, didn't seem to care since the only girl he cared about was Ginny. "Harry, you are one lucky guy." Ron said enviously as a couple girls passsed by him, Hermione and Harry and they checked out Harry. Hermione hit him hard on the ribs. "Ouch! What was that for?" he yelled outraged. Harry laughed silently at his side. His smile faded quickly when he noticed something on the ground near them. It was a rat. A familliar looking rat. He could not believe he was just staring at it, and it was staring back at him. At once he darted for it and as he did the rat started running away as quickly as it could. "Harry!" the other two yelled, "What's going on?" He didn't stop to explain, he couldn't allow it to get away from him. He chased it down an almost empty hall when it quickly turned around the corner. But when he turned himself, he saw a hole in the wall that it surely took as its route. Harry got down on his knees to see if he could recognize where the hole leads. But it was all darkness. "Harry?" someone spoke at the end of the hallway. He looked up to see it was Cho. "What are you doing?' she asked. "Wormt- I mean a rat just went in here. I need to find it." "Is it your pet?" "No. But I don't think it's a rat. I think it's a death eater." Suddenly, Cho held up a rat that was in her palms. "You mean this one? I just found it coming down this corridor." He snatched it quickly from her and examined it. At once he could tell he was mistaken. The rat was not missing any fingers and it didn't look as shabby as wormtail. "Are you feeling alright Harry?" Cho asked in concern. "I know you must not be geting a lot of sleep lately." She felt a bit uncomfortable talking to Harry about this. He felt the same way. He chose not to reply. "How is she?" "Better. Madame Pomfrey reckons she'll be up any day now." "That's wonderful!" she said happily. They smiled silently staring at one another for a while before Hermione and Ron came running down the hallway. "There you are!" they yelled. "What happened?" "I'll let you explain Harry," Cho said as she was in a hurry and handed the rat to Ron, "I'll see you all around." "Bye," Harry said as she left. She turned around and waved goodbye. Harry did not notice Hermione staring at the two of them from the corner of her eye. Harry told them what happened back in the common room. Ron couldn't stop laughing but Hermione on the other hand kept quiet for most of the day. It was nearly night time, and considering Harry was starting to get over what happened to Ginny, the Gryfindors decided that they were going to throw a party in celebration of the quiditch victory tonight. Most of the people were preparing decorations or sneaking out to Hogsmeade to get snacks and drinks. Harry was talking to Neville about the game when Ron joined them after a while. "What's so funny?" Neville asked him because Ron seemed to find something amusing ever since he joined them. "Oh it's nothing. Only, Hermione has some crazy ideas in her head." Harry and Neville laughed. "What kind of ideas?" Harry asked. "She seems to think when Ginny and you broke up that you were with Cho!" and Neville and Ron burst into laughter. "Don't you mean Professor Cho?" Neville joked. "Put in a good word for me, eh harry?" Neville yelled between laughter. Neither could see that Harry was no longer laughing. "Harry wha-" Ron started to say but quickly stopped laughing when he saw Harry looking serious. "You mean, it's true?" "Look, Ginny already knew. It's not like -" "WAIT! You cheated on my sister with your ex?" Ron shouted. "Ron calm down." Neville suggested. "I can't believe you man!" Ron yelled outraged. Harry looked around and was glad to see nobody was paying attention. "I defended you! Always! Even when people turned against you!" And not wanting to hear Harry explain himself, he stormed away. Harry didn't know what to say. Neville patted him on the shoulder comfortingly. "I'll go talk to him." and as he left he turned around and added, "And make sure he doesn't start telling anyone." "Thanks," Harry said as Neville left. He leaned back against the wall and let out a sigh of frustration. That night, Hermione and Ron kept their distance from Harry. He understood why Ron was mad, but he didn't understand why Hermione told Ron. Why didn't she come to Harry first? He was so frustarted and angry with her now then he ever was before. Harry waited for the night to go on so that everyone was busy partying and drinking before coming down from the dormitory. Then he noticed Hermione was sitting with Neville. Ron wasn't there. Just like he hoped, not too many people paid attention to him because they were too busy partying. He decided to go and get himself something to drink. Just as he reached for a bottle, Hermione reached for the same one. He was not looking where he was reaching because he was too busy looking around for Ron and then looked startled by seeing Hermione. "Harry!" she exclaimed. He just gave her a cold look before moving away, he was too angry with her to talk to her. Hermione quickly followed. "Harry wait! I'm sorry I didn't think it was that big of a deal." "Leave me alone Hermione!" he yelled as he was walking away through through the crowd. "Look, I'm sure that if you just talked with Ron he would understand." Harry had enough. Without anyone seeing, he slowly took out his wand and pointed it at Hermione. "Imperio!" he whispered. And just like that he was conrolling her. All he planned on doing was making her go back to sit on the couch, but then he saw Ron come in the room. Suddenly, Hermione threw herself at Harry and tried to make out with him. "Hermione what are you doing?" Harry said acting outraged. That got Ron's attention, as well as a lot of people's. "Come on Harry, Ron isn't here." she then put her arms around his neck and smiled dreamily. "I hoped by me telling him about Cho, he would forbid you to go out with Ginny." Ron looked stunned and couldn't stop watching. "And now I have you all to myself." and then she tried to kiss him, but Harry backed away. "You're drunk Hermione." She giggled and then suddenly collapsed on the couch. "Is she going to be okay?" Neville asked. Harry nodded. He turned around and came face to face with Ron. "Look Ron, about what happened. She just had too much to drink." Ron looked down and scooped up Hermione. "I'll go put her in my bed to sleep it off." he said. The two stared at one another not knowing what to say. "Look Harry-" "It's okay Ron." "No it's not. It was not my place to butt in your relationships. Besides, Ginny knew about it right?" Harry nodded. "You're a good friend Harry, and I'm sorry." then he smiled. "It's okay." and Harry smiled back. When Ron left with Hermione he felt no remorse for what he just did. In his mind, it was justifyable. For the past month Harry could do nothing but worry about Ginny. Never did he expect Hermione to do what she did. Little did Harry know, the rat he chased was outside on the window ledge in the rainstorm. He made his way down to the grounds where he met another rat. A rat that goes by the name of wormtail. The rat communicated, "Inform your master...the boy has begun down the dark parth..." ......... In the past couple days Ginny had finally started coming around. Every once in a while she would start moaning as if something was hurting her. When it first started, Madame Pomfrey would not let Harry in to see her. But upon discovering him under his invisibility cloak too many times, she stopped protesting. They went through the same thing earlier. She would catch Harry staying with her during the nights. At first she kept telling him off but eventually she realized it was useless to keep telling him to stay away so she didn't mind as much when he came during the nights. "She sounds like she's in great pain." he said desperately. "Is there anything anyone can do for her?" Madame Pomfrey shook her head. "She is dying Harry. No one said it would be easy." Harry couldn't take it anymore and stormed out of the room. He banged open the hospital doors and stood by a nearby wall leaning against it while sitting down with his hands over his knees. His eyes began to water as he started to feel so weak and helpless. "I will save you..." he whispered to himself out loud as if he was talking to Ginny. "I promise you..." Harry would sneak out of the dormitory the past couple nights and go be with Ginny. He sat by her and held her hand as she continued to toss and turn in her sleep. She even started developing a fever and was sweating terribly. During the day, he pored over books in the library trying to find something that may help. "Don't you think we didn't try any of this?" Ron told him one day when he found him looking inside the books. "I'll find something that you missed, don't worry." he would reply stubbornly. "Harry really, you need to stop. We're worried about you." "WELL DON'T BE!" he yelled fiercely. "WORRY ABOUT YOUR SISTER INSTEAD!" Not knowing what to do, Ron turned around and left. Harry stared at him as he exited the library intenseley. When he saw him leave, he glanced slowly at the forbidden section. The part of the library which contained the dark arts spells and enchantments. For what felt like hours upon hours, he looked over books but found nothing. Not that he really expected to find anything in there anyways. As the afternoon went by, the orange sky outside slowly turned into pitch black. Harry was still in the library with his head buried inside a book. He knew the library was closing soon so he hid underneath his invisibility cloak. It felt very eerie sitting there all by himself but he put it past him. He continued looking up dark spells but for the longest time he found nothing. It wasn't until he put away the book he was reading and picked up a book about Voldemort and himself that he remebered something. Voldemort should have died before but he didn't. He survived the deadliest spell. Harry started thinking quickly. Sure, Voldemort used horcruxes to become all powerful, but could there be a way he can create some for Ginny? The excitement and the rush of hopefulness quickly went away as he realized what he was saying. Horcruxes were terribly evil, and he didn't even have one bit of reluctance to make them for her. "What am I thinking?" he thought angrily to himself. Suddenly without warning, whispers errupted around him. He spun around quickly and looked down the dark shelves of the library. There was nothing there. He turned around once again and continued walking, when he could have swore he heard cracks, movement and whispers behind him. "Who's there?" he yelled when, in a flash, threw off his cloak and whiped out his wand. "Show yourselves!" he demanded. There was a loud knock right after on the entrance door of the library. "Harry? Is that you?" It was Lupin. Harry sped up and opened the door for him. "Come in quickly." "Harry what's going on?" "There is someone here." he whispered as Lupin took out his wand. "Are you sure?" "Positive." The two searched the entire library but found no one. "I think you were just tired Harry." Lupin told him rationaly. Harry still looked around suspiciously. "I'm not sure though." "We searched everywhere didn't we? It could be that you just need some sleep. After all, you weren't suppose to be here anyways." Harry looked over at him with a guilty looked on his face. "I suppose you're right." Five minutes later Harry left the library and headed back up to the Gryfindor tower. Until he came half the way there, and slowly started getting the feeling hat he should go down and see Ginny. Wondering what these feelings could mean, he rushed over there. When he got to the hospital wing, he slowly crept towards Ginny's bed. When he stood next to it, he could see at once that the fever passed. She was sleeping soundly. Warm relief swept through Harry. He believed this was the reason why Harry felt a calling from this place. He kissed her softly on the forehead and headed towards the door. Just as he reached for the door, he heard her shuffling in her bed. He spun around quickly and saw her sitting up and looking at him. She had a smile on and a curious look in her eyes. "Ginny?" Harry asked hardly while staring at her. He was so overcome with emotion at the moment that he found it hard to even call her name. "Is that my name?" she asked Harry. Harry smile faltered a bit. In all the excitement, he forgot about the memory loss. "Yes, that's your name." and as he said this she nodded. "I woke up earlier and realized I forgot everything about me and everyone that I know." "I'm sure you'll get your memory back soon." he said, still trying hard to talk normally to her. He didn't want to shout out of joy or anything because it was so late at night. He tried to be as calm as he could be. "Do you remember anything? Do you know where you are?" "No. I'm guessing this is a hospital. Although, now that I see you, I'm starting to think I'm somewhere else." And so Harry told her about Hogwarts and a bit more about who she is and about her family. Finally she asked, "Are you related to me?" He didn't know how to answer her. "Well, sort of. Not really." She found his uncomfortableness somewhat amusing. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Well the thing is, I've known you for some time now. Your brother, Ron, and I are best friends. I spend every summer with your family." "What about your family? Do I know them?" Harry told her how he lives with his aunt and uncle because his parents died when he was young. He didn't tell her about Voldemort because he didn't want to scare her. Perhaps that was the reason why he didn't tell her about their relationship either. "So you see, your family is the closest thing to a family of my own I ever had." "So what you're saying is that, you're sort of like my brother." Harry didn't know what to say to that. It was sort of the truth but at the same time he didn't want her thinking of him like that. He was afraid that she would see their feelings for one another as a sibling thing. As for Ginny; she seemed to think that perhaps this attraction she has to this boy next to her is something he doesn't know about. If that was the case, she figured that the old Ginny didn't want to tell him how she felt. "Yeah, I guess you could say we're something like that.' Harry replied. There was a ruffling noise next door and Harry figured Madam Pomfrey heard them talking and was heading to tell him off. Harry turned towards the door and then back to Ginny. "Look, it's late and I can't stay here much longer. Madam Pomfrey told me not to spend so much time here at nights." He laughed quietly as he said that and didn't realize Ginny would now know that he was sneaking at nights to see her. "You use to come and sit by me?" she asked with a hint of hoping in her voice. "Yeah," Harry answered slowly, "every night." The two stared at one another straight in the eyes and at that moment Ginny knew at once that Harry was more than a friend to her. Harry was the first to break the trance that the two of them went into. "I better go. I'll see you later." He got up out of his seat and stood up. He didn't want to leave yet though. It had been far too long since he spoke to Ginny that talking to her again brought such joy and warmness to his heart. All the evil and dark thoughts that ran through his mind seemed to dissapear. Ginny was the only person that could affect him that much. Which is why he did not leave at once. He wanted to give her something first. With little hesitation, he kissed her on the cheek before leaving. Ginny stared at him affectionately the entire time on his way out. The next morning the Weasleys came back once again; this time it was for a more happier reason. Ginny was doing well and Madame Pomfrey even allowed her to go back to her dormitory that day. Ginny felt so happy being there with her family. Although she didn't even remember them, it felt soothing to be around them. They all introduced themselves to her and stared at her caringly. She found Fred and George amusing, Bill really cool, and Charlie great. Her parents seemed really nice as well. She didn't really know what to think of her brother Percy; he hardly spoke and the others seemed to be avoiding him. After a quick check up, they went for a walk around the grounds. She tried hard to remember some of the places that they passed but couldn't. Ever since the previous night, she kept straining her head trying to focus on things hoping memories would come to her. One peron in particular she tried to remember was Harry. Since she met him last night, she knew there was something special about him. Whenever they had stared at one another, she could tell that they liked each other; what she didn't know is just how much. But she would find out, she had told herself. She had also hoped that he might come with her family that morning but he didn't. As great as it was for her family to be here, she had deep longing feelings for Harry. She couldn't remember him, but she knew that he was the one person who cared deeply for her. Last night, when he told her he stayed by her all the time, he just as good as told her he loved her. They walked along the fields. The snow had cleared and the day wasn't that bad. Spring was approaching. Students were outside enjoying the weather. And as Ginny looked around, she saw a huge stadium in the distance. "What's that over there?" she asked everyone. "It's the quiditch pitch," Charlie told her, "do you remember what it is?" She nodded. "Can we go there?" "Sure." And so they all walked towards the field. The closer they got, they could hear shouts and laughter. Some students were playing a friendly match. They got closer and could make out some people on their brooms. Soon enough, they could clearly see everyone. One person in the stands, Ginny knew, was Hermione. Another person in the sky playing was her other brother Ron. The two had come to see her in the morning before her family arrived. And there, flying close by Ron, was Harry. She stared at him flying up in the clear blue sky, impressed by his superb skills. Once Harry saw the Weasleys on the ground, a grin spread across his face and he flew down to greet them. All of them greeted him warmly and asked him how he was. Clearly he was a part of the family, Ginny thought. Harry glanced over at her warmly and she felt like she just melted. She really adored him. "Hi," he told her nervously. He didn't know why he was, but he felt like he was meeting a girl he had a crush on for the time. As it was, that wasn't far too off. "Hi," she replied in the same way. They stood quiet looking at each other, completely disregarding everything around them. It didn't matter at all to them. Charlie coughed and told them that they all had to leave. "Harry can show you around for us, right Harry?" "Of coure." and with that the Weasleys departed. Harry and Ginny set off away from the pitch to walk around. Despite the complaints from the quiditch players, Harry didn't want to play anymore. He was far more interseted in spending time with Ginny. He was glad she liked him. He was worried that she would just think o fhim as another person but now he could clearly see he was wrong. She appeared to still have feelings for him. It made him feel a bit more cheerful. He still preffered her to be herself. He showed her around their old favourite spots around the castle. They sat by the lake as it was a quite nice day. A breeze would rush over their heads and their hair would mess up all over but they didn;t really care. It felt nice sitting outside together. They didn't talk much, but found out that they didn't need to. It was nice and peaceful just sitting by one another. Ginny was the first to break the comfortable silence. "I think I already figured this out, but I have to ask you." "What is it?" "Were we, you know, a couple?" Harry flashed her a grin and nodded. She smiled as well and felt just as good. A wave of relief coursed through her because it was great to know that she wasn't misinterpreting Harry's signals. She kind of figured in the way he looked at her and the way he talked to her that he had feelings for her. Although, at first she was afraid she was mistaking his actions for just a brotherly affection. Now that she knew about them, Harry got more confident. He realized he didn't need to be nervous around her anymore. Slowly Harry moved closer towards Ginny. "We've been together for almost a year now." "Really?" "Yeah," he whispered, as he got even closer. He was right in front of her and their faces were so close now. He stared longly at her soft lips. He wanted very much to grab hold o fher and kiss her but he didn't know if she wanted him to. So he moved slowly to give her a chance to object. "So how did we first get together?" she asked, but she was also distacted by her longing to kiss Harry. She could see him moving in to kiss her, and she really wanted him to kiss her as well. "We won the quiditch cup," Ginny closed her eyes in anticipation, "and during the celebration," Harry also closed his eyes now, "I just kissed you." And as he said that, their soft lips connected together. Harry held Ginny in his arms and she held him back as they kissed intensely. He was overjoyed at doing this with her again. They had been apart from one another for a far longer time than Harry could stand. His arms caressed her back the entire time and slowly, he put more force into his grip. He wanted to be with her so bad. Suddenly Ginny abruptly stopped. "What's wrong?" Harry asked softly. Ginny gave him a worried expression. "Harry," she began as she felt awkward, "I don't really know you." He smiled and put his hand gently on her cheek. "Sure you do. You just can't remember yet. We love one another." "I know," she quickly responded, "I know. I can feel that." Harry kissed her softly on the lips once again quickly before backing away a bit. "But it's okay. I understand. You need some time." She gave him the same smile that she did on so many different occasions. It was tormenting him how he now had her back but she couldn't remember him. And on top of all that, she would soon get sick again. "How about we go back to the quiditch field." she asked. "Alright then." That evening in the common room, everyone was having a party for Ginny. Now that she was out of the hospital, everyone was excited to have her back. She knew, however, that nobody was more excited to see her back than Harry. But ever since the afternoon, he didn't know how to approach her. They kept glancing at one another from different sides of the room. She was talking to Hermione and some other girls while Harry was talking to Neville and Ron. "Look why don't you just go over and talk to her?" Ron asked annoyed. "Just leave him alone Ron," Neville defended Harry, "he'll go when he's ready." The more Harry thought about it though the more depressed he became. She felt awkward around him now and he didn't want to make anything worse. "Listen guys, I'm going for a walk. I'll be back later." He grabbed his invisibility cloak and left the room. He walked to random places around the castle, when he finally strayed over to the library. He figured he had nothing to lose so he went to the restricted section and strated lookng for some books that heal deadly diseases. Everyone kept telling him he wouldn't find the answers he's looking for but somewhere in the back of his mind he disagreed. Almost an hour passed and he still sat there under his cloak. He didn't really need it since it was pitch black around him. He could still read because he used a complex charm on his eyes that gave him night vision. He was starting to give up for the night when he suddenly heard it again. Some distant voice was saying something. He looked around and realized that this time it was more distinct then last time. Not just a whisper. He got out of the seat and creeped back to the restricted section. The closer he got the more he could hear whispers and creaks. Then, very abruptly, a book slammed to the floor right behind him. He spun around quickly and what he saw made him gasp in surprise. Harry inched closer to the fallen book. Just as he stood over it, he realized there was a rat sitting on top of it. He checked, it wasn't Wormtail. The two stared at one another straight in the eyes. Moments later, a snake protruded out of a small hole and circled the book. When it completed tracing an entire circle, it raised itself up and stared at Harry. "My master sends this to you..." it hissed. And when it said that, the rat and the snake dissapeared leaving Harry all confused. Carefully, he gripped the book and lifted it. It was very old and dusty. He had no idea where it came from, but he had no doubt as to who the master of the snake was. He opened the book cover and slowly flipped through it. It was made out of very old material and looked ready to fall apart. There was some sort of bookmark near the middle and at once Harry realized what it was. It had a passage that read, "...any deadly disease can be cured. No matter how close to death someone is. This magical spell acts very similar to a horcrux. The difference is, a horcrux is used whenever one wishes to make themselves more powerful. This spell, which has never been named, is used by those who are willing to sacrifice another life for a life of a loved one..." Harry tried reading on but the book was too damaged. This was exactly what he was looking for this entire time. A way to save Ginny. He tried to forget about the part that he had to take another life. He was confident he would find a way around it. He scanned the rest of the page and found a small hand-written note at the bottom. "I have the answers you seek." The first thing Harry did was rush over to Lupin. He knew it was late, but he needed to talk to him. He needed advice from an adult about this. Lupin was of course surprised to see Harry, but as soon as Harry told him what happened, he didn't even look tired anymore. Harry had woken him up. "So you see," Harry was telling him excitedly, "this is it. We could save Ginny." Lupin wasn't looking at Harry. He was reading the passage over and over again. "And you say you found this book in the library. On the shelves.' "Yeah." Harry had lied about how he got it. He also ripped the little message on the bottom that was left for him. Lupin now stared him in the eyes. "And you're willing to do this spell?" he asked. "Even though, from what I can tell, sounds like one of the most darkest spells ever to exist?" Harry tried rationalizing with him. "Of course not. That is not why I came here. I came to see if we could use this spell to find an alternative way to save Ginny. Maybe the way you use this spell could be done in another way. Where nobody needs to be killed." Lupin sighed. It was almost like a defeated sigh. He stood in front of Harry and put a comforting arm on his shoulder. "Harry. I knew you were looking for ways to save her for the longest time now. It must be harder on you to see her like this than almost anyone else." "It is." Harry told him. "Which is why I didn't want to tell this to you. I hoped you would find out on your own." "What are you talking about?" "You have to learn to let her go Harry. She is dying from a disease no one has found a cure for. You know she doesn't have a lot of time left. If I were you, I would spend the remaining time by her side and say good bye." Harry didn't know how to respond. He stood there awestruck. "You're telling me to let her die." Lupin stood silent. Harry just shook his head in disbelief as he started backing away. "I have lost everyone I loved. You of all people should know this." "I do Harry, but try to understand. It is too late." But before Lupin could finish, Harry stormed out of the office. Harry went to bed thinking over what just happened. It seemed as if nobody was willing to do anything that could save her. Here was a spell that could save her, and yet Lupin was too afraid to use it. He considered it evil. "What's more evil," Harry thought to himself, "using this spell to save a young girl from death, or to not use it and let her suffer and die?" If it was up to him, he would use it. He just needed to figure out how. ... A couple days went by and Harry didn't tell anyone but Lupin about the spell he found. He knew they would all give him the same exact answer. He hoped that Ron would see it from his point of view, but when he asked him how he would feel if a dark spell could save Ginny, he said he wouldn't want to use it. He was with Ginny for all those days. The two really enjoyed each other's company. She started to get around and liked being with him unlike before. And for those days everything seemed to be getting better and better. But then the fevers started again, and she was forced to go back in the hospital. And for another couple days Harry sat by her side talking to her. She would smile and tell him she really appreaciated it. "I'm dying aren't I?" she asked him. Harry was taken aback by the question. Nobody wanted to tell her because of the state she was in. "I promise you," Harry told her as she laid in bed, "I will save you." A tear went down her cheek as she smiled and closed her eyes slowly. When she fell asleep, Harry walked out of the hospital wing. He didn't go that far from it before Madame Pomfrey started calling after him. "What is it Madame?" "Harry," she began somberly, "I'm afraid I have some bad news." It turned out that Ginny only had a couple months to live. Until the end of June to be exact. Madame Pomfrey had notified the Weasleys, Mcgonagall, and Harry. With permission from the Headmistress, Harry was given a few days to leave school so that he can get away from the somber atmosphere. She knew it was cauing him terrible pain. He could have gone to be with the Weasleys. He could have even gone to the Order of the Phoenix's headquarters. But instead, he decided to go back to the house where his parents hid from Voldemort. The night they died, Dumbledore had fixed up the house so that one day it would be Harry's. Harry apparated there in an instant and settled himself in. It was nearing night and the sky was grey. It looked as if it was going to be a stormy night. Harry made himself something to eat and sat there quietly just thinking for a while. He was alone. The love of his life was dying and nobody was willing to help her. He knew a way to save her now, but none of his other friends wanted to help him. He considered this the ultimate betrayal. He just couldn't believe they would all turn their backs on him. Lupin could show him how to use the spell; he could even do it for him but he wouldn't. The other professors were the same. All of them would surely side with Lupin. Hermione and Ron also kept their distance from him. They did not share his views on different things. One of them being the spell. Just before he left the castle, he told Ron about it and asked him to come with him so that they can try to figure out how to use it together. But in the end, he didn't feel comfortable saving Ginny like this. So now Harry was all alone. He finished eating and put away the dish. As he looked around the house trying to see if he could remember anything from his childhood, he glanced out the window and saw his parent's graves. He grabbed his cloak and wrapped it around himself. He headed outside to see them up close. It was windy and flashes of lightning kept lighting up the grey sky. But Harry didn't care. He needed to see his parents. ... The stormy sky did not stop Harry from sitting by the graves. It was quickly turning into night, it was drizzling from time to time, and Harry was crouching next to the tombstones. "I miss you so much," he whispered as he traced the engravings with his finger. Thunder erupted somewhere off in the distance. "I can't let Ginny die. You both know that. You know what I am going to do and you alone know why. The others will not understand. Hopefully they will in time." "I am sure they will." a voice said behind Harry just as thunder erupted even closer. He turned around and stared up at Voldemort. Voldemort closely resembled a dementor. Cloaked, hooded, and tall. It was a striking appearance alone and an even more striking appearance having the stormy sky behind him. Harry was not frightened. He was far from it. He stood up with a look of determination and faced Voldemort. The expression on his face was one with anger, frustration and desperation. "What are you talking about?" Harry asked coldly. "Come now, Harry," Voldemort answered snootily as if Harry should already know why he's there. "We both know about your desire to use the dark arts...I have sensed it through our connection." "You're lying. My skills have vastly improved and you are not strong enough to break through my head." Voldemort chuckled. "That is true. You have become, remarkably, powerful. You should be proud." "You still haven't answered my question. How do you know about what I want to do?" "Is it so difficult to believe that I sensed it? Afterall, you have become quite dependent on the dark arts lately that it pretty much felt like... you were calling out to me..." Harry stood silent. He knew deep down it wasn't far from the truth. "The truth is Harry, you need me. Nobody has mastered the dark arts like I have. And if you want to save your loved one, I can help you." Speaking softly, Voldemort sounded very sympathetic towards Harry. "Join me Harry." He told him while looking at him straight in the eyes. "You murdered everyone I loved." Harry said coldly once again. "You can try to deny it, but you know eventually you will accept my offer...it was you who called out to me in the first place, remember?" Harry broke the eye contact and looked down in shame. "There is no need to feel any kind of shame Harry," Voldemort said softly, "it is not like you're Wormtail the coward." The mention of Wormtail brought a fresh wave of fury in Harry. "That's it Harry. You know it is really him that murdered your parents. I will give you the chance to kill him. That is why I have kept him alive this far. I knew one day you and I would become allies." Harry stood quiet thinking. Everyone has betrayed him or left him. He really had no one. Only Ginny. It made sense to join Voldemort...he could save her with his help... "I extended a hand of friendship to your parents as well Harry. Unfortunately they bought all of that fool Dumbledore's lies." "Dumbledore was a great man." Harry said defiantly. "The man was a liar Harry. He was caring and compassionate Harry, but a liar nonetheless. He would only look at things from his dogmatic narrow view. He could have saved your parents as well that night. He is another person who killed your parents. He knew someone close to them was a traitor and he still wasn't their secret keeper." "My parents wanted Siruis." "And Dumbledore didn't object. He knew your parents would have listened, but he didn't. On top of that he didn't even care about your godfather. All he had to do was see he had no dark mark on his hand. But he didn't want to save him." All of this made sense to Harry. Why didn't he see it before. "Do you see how evil is just a point of view Harry?" Voldemort asked seductively. He knew Harry was beginnning to see things from Voldemort's side. "How many others did the man trick into following his ideals? Did he ever do anything for them? And he preaches about how I have no mercy..." Harry turned away from Voldemort looking frustrated and angry. All of this made sense, how was it possible? "I kill those who betray me. I spare those who help me. Let Wormtail be an example. As treacherous as he is, he helped me. So I spare him a few years of life. Now, you will kill him just as you deserve to. Nobody else. I deal justice Harry. Dumbledore left Siruis to die in prison for a crime he did not commit. So who showed mercy? Who is the better leader?" Realization dawned on Harry. "How could they? They all...lied..betrayed..." "That is right Harry...all of them. Even now, as you ask for a humane and decent request to save a young woman who you love they all turn their backs on you. After how many times have you saved them?" "I see that you have come to realize what I am saying is true. You cannot trust them. They are liars, fools, and traitors. They fear the dark arts Harry because they fear the power that comes with it. They can't control it like you and me." "I have never lied to you Harry." And Harry realized that what he was saying was true. "I offer you power, truth, justice, revenge, and on top of all, the power to save the one you love...Ginny Weasley." Harry's legs gave out, he dropped to his knees. Everything Voldemort was saying was true. All of it. After all these years...he was beginning to realize things he never wanted to admit. "I, the merciful, showed you a way to save her. Even though you were my enemy. And just because of a label, none of your allies want to help you master the spell. It is evil they say. But like I said, evil is a point of view Harry. Why are they ignoring your intentions? Let Voldemort tell you why. You wish to use a spell to save Ginny but they are afraid Harry. Afraid of the spell's power. It takes a very powerful wizard or a witch to perform that spell and they are afraid of what it could mean if you see that you can use it. They knew at once you would see past the lies they taught you. The spell is not evil, they are evil. They are afraid of power, and too weak to seek it." "Do not be their puppet. They know that you would either be their saviour, or their conquerer. The prophecy said that you would either join me or kill me. They know if you kill me that they, the cowards that they are, can go on living and only caring about themselves. Those who joined us would be enlightened. And if you join me, rally more people to our cause we will. We shall become powerful and will rule them all Harry!" "I can show you the way to ultimate power. I can even show you how to defeat death." He knelt down with his long and loose robes and put a hand on Harry's shoulder. At once Harry realized that the scar was not hurting him. He reached up at his scar and traced it slowly with his finger. Voldemort was kneeling at Harry's level. A way to show equality between the two. He also looked at the scar with his crimson eyes. "The scar Harry only hurt you because your consciousness was telling you to join me. That you would become powerful. Dumbledore and his lies are what blinded you from this simple truth. The conflict within you is what really caused the pain." "Now stand up Harry, tall and proud," he himself now stood up straight, "and join me." There was nothing left for it. Harry stood up obediently. "As you wish...my new master." Harry walked by Voldemort's side along the pathway in the heavily thick forest. It was the meeting place between Voldemort and his Death Eaters. As Harry and Voldemort came closer towards a clearing, they could hear curious whispers. Harry and Voldemort looked at one another and smiled in the same evil, twisted way. Any moment now, the Death Eaters would get the shock of their lives when they witness first hand the new alliance between the two. Just before they stepped into vision, Voldemort looked over Harry before shaking his head. "You need a new appearance Harry Potter." And with a swish of his wand, Harry's school robes changed into longer and more evil looking ones. The school logo was gone, the hood of the cloak was longer which now covered his entire face from view, and they hid his hands inside the sleeves. If it wasn't for his size, he could almost be mistaken for a dementor. Voldemort laughed sluggishly. "That's better." he said approvingly. The Death Eaters stood around whispering amongst themselves. All of them were curious as to why their master had summoned them to this unplanned meeting. "What do you think it might be Lucius?" one masked person asked Malfoy. Many turned to him for advice. Before being captured he was one of the lead Death Eaters. "I don't know. Hopefully it's some good news. What do you think Snape?" Snape was unmasked but he kept his hood over his face. It was a sign that he was above a regular Death Eater. He was second in command. "Had the Dark Lord said anything to you about this?" Malfoy asked. Snape just shook his head without saying a word. Ever since Snape rejoined them, the others found him to be very quiet. Many didn't trust him when he came back. But when news spread that he killed Dumbledore, he was not only respected but feared. It was little wonder that he was Voldemort's favourite. "The Dark Lord has his reasons." he replied. "That you are right." A voice said behind the Death Eaters. They all spun around and quickly got down on their knees. Voldemort had just announced his presence. "I'm sure you are all wondering why I have called you all to me on this night." Nobody spoke, but just nodded in agreement. "I have some good news my friends. The war is almost over." Many Death Eaters erupted in cheers. "That is excellent news My Lord." Lucius Malfoy spoke. Voldemort glanced over at him. "It is indeed Lucius. This is why I waited until now to break out all of you that got caught last summer by the ministry." "I understand my master." "You're lying Lucius. You're angry and spiteful. You think I betrayed you. Do not lie." Malfoy looked stunned and fearful through his mask. When he regained his composure he cleared his throat and spoke once again. "I admit, I find it hard to understand why you did not come for us earlier. A wizard with unmatchable powers like you should have been able to do it a lot sooner." "Ah, yes. You are right Lucius. And I must say that I am impressed that you are this truthful. And Lord Voldemort respects that." Barely able to contain his happiness from this stroke of luck, Lucius replied, "Thank you My Lord." The others looked on jealously. Although they knew the position Lucius holds, many hate him because it was he who led a lot of them last year to the ministry. "Therefore," Voldemort continued, "I am going to reward you tonight. But the reward will have to wait." He looked around at them all in silence for a moment. He wanted to keep them in suspense for as long as he could. "We have a new member amongst us. I have brought him here with me." The others looked up and around at one another. Whenever Voldemort introduces a new member, they are either someone powerful or really famous, or both. "As you may have guessed, this person was a very important person for our enemies. But he had seen the right path now. He has joined us." "Please masters,” Bellatrix spoke up, “don’t keep us waiting. Who is it?" Voldemort chuckled. "I forget Bellatrix; you hate surprises. But I assure you that you will like this one. I have spent a great deal of time tracking this person down, and believe me, when you all see who it is. You will understand why. Our very own Wormtail has been helping me keep in contact with him. So Wormtail has yet again proven himself loyal and useful, haven't you Wormtail?" Wormtail nodded smugly while stroking his silver hand. In the back, Snape was kneeling and thinking. Who could it be? Why hadn't Voldemort told him anything about this? "But I imagine our new member is growing impatient." Voldemort looked sideways and from inside the forest stepped out a hooded and cloaked person. The others, including Snape, looked on curiously. This person sure made Voldemort happy. And by the looks of them, they looked powerful. Just their clothing made them look intimidating. As he approached, Snape looked back into Voldemort’s eyes. There was a look of glee in them. He looked happier now then Snape had ever seen him. Even happier than the night he informed him that he killed Dumbledore. He now looked on to the newcomer and tried to distinguish his face, but it was too hard. He could, however, tell that the person was young. There was a familiarity in his posture. Snape wondered if he had met him before. As the stranger stood next to Voldemort, he looked up at the Dark Lord and received an approved nod from him. The stranger looked away from Voldemort and looked upon the excited and anticipating crowd. "I assume that all of you will be shocked at who it is." and this time, Voldemort could barely keep his excitement to himself. The stranger's hands finally came into view as he raised them up to his hood. He slowly grabbed the ends of it and lowered it off his head. Everyone gasped in shock. Everyone was too stunned for words. Voldemort laughed out loud. Snape looked on unbelievably. How could this be? He was in utter shock and disbelief. "Yes. My new pupil is none other than the famous Harry Potter. The heart of our enemy has joined us!" Harry grinned evilly as he looked around at them all. "My Lord!" yelled Bellatrix. "How could this be? It's impossible." Voldemort and Harry looked at one another and then back at her. "Why do you say that Bellatrix?" "The prophecy," she stuttered, "all the times he defied us...his parents. My Lord, I beg you! He can't be trusted! Kill him!" Harry laughed out loud and spoke for the first time that night. "Why Lestrange? Because I want to kill you? Is it perhaps because you fear my thirst for revenge? You do not have to worry; I will not take action unless my new master commands me to." The others laughed at Bellatrix. They were all still bowing while she had raised herself up and looked furious. "How dare you speak to me like that, you filth!" "I must advise you to stop Bellatrix." Voldemort suggested. "My Lord, what do you mean?" "If everything goes according to plan; tonight Harry Potter shall be your superior." "What?! him?!" "Yes Bellatrix. Harry Potter has grown powerful over the year. Very powerful. All of the tests I have put him through since he was a year old are almost complete. At this point, it is my belief that he could kill all of you right now if he wanted to!" Harry looked at them all menacingly. A couple of them were still too shocked. Others looked afraid. Others found this entire thing to be amusing. Surely Voldemort was controlling the boy. The smile left Voldemort's face. "I assure you that I am completely serious. Many of you have disgraced my name! You disgraced yourselves!" At those words, they all looked on seriously. "Tonight marks a new beginning. Harry Potter shall be my pupil. I shall teach him the true ways of the dark arts. I shall erase all the lies and foolish beliefs that Albus Dumbledore had planted in his head." "He is more than a Death Eater. Many of you have made that title unworthy for such a person as him. Tonight, he will put everything in order. He will lead you all to victory! He shall purge all of you who are unworthy...tonight!" He turned to Harry. "The time has come Harry Potter, for you to get your revenge. I shall allow you to do what I know you wanted to do for a very long time. Kill your enemies." The two looked on at the now fearful death eaters. Many were shaking with fear. "But before you do, I still have to award Lucius." Lucius, who's mask was just taken off magically by Voldemort, looked pale. "Stand up Lucius." Voldemort ordered. Fearfully, but trying to act pleased, Lucius stood up and slowly walked towards his master and Harry Potter. "You do not like Harry Potter do you? You hate him?" Nervously, he looked at Harry and then back at Voldemort and put on a fake smile. "Circumstances change My Lord." "You're lying again Lucius. As you always have. Just like the night I returned to power! But I shall reward you nonetheless. I will let you, try, to kill Harry Potter. It shall be amusing. And it shall give him a chance to prove his worthiness. Will it not?" He looked from Harry to Voldemort again in disbelief. He now understood why Voldemort had taken him out of prison. This was his punishment for failing him. He was to be Harry Potter’s first victim. But he was Lucius Malfoy. He would not tolerate humiliation. He quickly whipped out his wand and yelled, "AVADA KEDAVRA!!" In an instant, both Harry and Voldemort apparated and dissapparated behind Malfoy. The spell hit a tree and smashed it into pieces. Behind him, he could hear a pair of voices sounding amused. The last thing he remembered was a young voice yelling out, "Avada Kedavra!" There was a green blur before he could remember no more. Harry Potter had killed Lucius Malfoy. Everyone stared in utter disbelief. When did the boy get enough hatred in him to be able to use the spell? "Excellent Harry," Voldemort announced. "Lucius Malfoy has been a plague in my presence. I thank you now." "The plague is not over My Lord." Harry told him evilly. He twisted his head towards the Death Eaters and stared upon his school rival. Draco Malfoy. He was looking sick and afraid. Harry gave him an evil smile as he approached him. "A long time ago," he whispered in Malfoys ear, "you told me to be careful who I associate with. I could now tell you the same thing." Draco couldn't take it anymore; he turned around and foolishly tried to run away. It only made Harry laugh. "AVADA KEDAVRA!" A rush of green smoke swooped upon Draco Malfoy. The last that was heard of him was his screams as he the killing curse got him. At this point, nobody was questioning Voldemort or Harry Potter. From what they just witnessed, Harry Potter was just as powerful as Voldemort told them. "Now do you see, my Death Eaters?" They all nodded loyally. Everyone except Snape. He stood up angrily. "What are you doing Potter?" he asked Harry in his head. He was allowing Harry to enter his head. "What needs to be done." he answered coldly, and shut his mind from Snape. "Ah yes, Snape. I knew my decision to recruit Harry would not be popular with you. After all, you two have no liking towards one another do you?" "My Lord, if you expect me to equal Harry Potter or even work with him, I am afraid you are mistaken." "Oh do not worry about that Snape. I don't expect you to work with him." Caught off guard, Snape looked at Voldemort curiously. "I expect you to die." Voldmeort glared at Snape. Snape looked back at Harry and realized what was about to happen. "As you may have realized, you will duel Harry Potter and prove yourself." "I do not understand." "I think you do. Tell me Snape, do you think of me as a fool?" "No My Lord." "Then why would you ever let yourself believe that I trusted you? I know your loyalty has always been with Dumbledore, even now. He let you kill him, just as I knew he would." Snape turned even paler. Everything was blowing up in his face. "I sent Draco to kill Dumbledore because I knew his mother would run to you. And Dumbledore told you to kill him instead of Draco." The other Death Eaters looked on in anger. But Snape was determined. "I have always been loyal. The most loyal." "Then prove it. If you are on my side, kill Harry Potter. I know you can't, but even if you could I know you wouldn't because Dumbledore believes him to be your savior." Voldemort turned to the rest of his death eaters. "And this shall be Harry Potter's final test. He will defeat Snape. And he will kill him. The Harry you know is gone, and he will prove it to you by showing no mercy. The old Harry Potter would. If Snape was to win; he will have proven to us all where his loyalties truly are." "Now," Voldemort turned around and created a gigantic, throne-like, chair and sat on it. The death eaters got up and created space for the two. "The duel between Snape and Harry Potter shall begin. And we shall see who will lead my army!" http://www.harrypotterfanfiction.com |