Yes, yes, yes. I know, I know. Such a hell of a long time between updates. But 51 pages and sixteen thousands words I do very much hope you lot enjoyed it.
Some of you might also moan about the repetiveness of Ginny. Rest assured this isn’t me being a crap writer. I wrote it this way. I want at the moment for Ginny’s character to appear confused worried and slightly disorientated. She is in the middle of a break down, a big one. And I thought this would bring out how bad Ginny actually is.
Some of you might also be worried about the transformation after the Quidditch in the RoR. Rest assured that is NOT Ginny cured. Not by a long shot. Ginny had for the first time forgotten about everything that was going on in her life and just enjoyed the time she spent with Harry playing Quidditch. I’m sure that you all will agree what once Ginny gets back to the main school around other students who is constantly talking about the attacks that Ginny will again get nervous and worried.
Some of you may also notice the interaction changing between Harry and Ginny. This is a good sign. But I stand by what I have always said and that is they won’t “officially” get together as a couple until the start of Year Three. I hope you all enjoyed this massive chapter and again I apologise for the length of the wait between chapters.
Although I have said that they won’t get together until year three, please note that it doesn’t just take 2 weeks to fall in love. This year Harry and Ginny’s relationship will grow deeper between them. I want for when the two of them to get together to be believable and for you guys to say. “Yes I can really see that happening. I can clearly see that there in love”
I would also like to say that unfortunately even though I hated how long it was between the updates this time. I have to say that it will roughly be that long await until next chapter. I am currently in the middle of starting to plan my very own series of books which I aim for it to be published.
Therefore I have a lot of work to do. And between starting that project and my job. I will unfortunately find little time for this story. But rest assured I AM NOT abandoning this story. I never will.
I hope you guys hear from me soon. I will be active in the yahoo group though. If you guys want to talk to me and other readers of the story. The link Is in my profile page. Have fun and I hope you enjoyed.
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Erasing The Future | ||||||
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Category: Alternate Universe, Post-HBP Characters:All, Harry/Ginny Genres: Action/Adventure, Angst, Fluff, General, Humor, Romance, Tragedy Warnings: Extreme Language, Mild Sexual Situations, Violence Rating: PG-13 Reviews: 545 Summary: Harry goes back in time to redo his Hogwarts years after losing the war, his family, and his wife, Ginny Potter, to Voldemort. Changes need to be made, but can all changes be good? Years 1-4 Hitcount: Story Total: 396974; Chapter Total: 9433 Awards: View Trophy Room Author's Notes: |
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Later that evening Harry, Ginny and the others were sitting in the common room. Hermione was currently checking Ginny’s essays for mistakes. Obviously, there weren’t going to be any since they used the automated essay writer. “This is brilliant Ginny,” Hermione said. “This is excellent. You should get full marks for that. Harry, why can’t you follow Ginny’s example?” “I do!” Harry retorted. “I get top marks in all my essays.” “Yes but you don’t seem to put the theory into practice in the practical lessons,” Hermione said. “Don’t get me wrong, you do get a hold of the spell. But it takes a while for you to do so.” “And since when are you in my lessons to see if I put the theory into practice?” Ginny asked her. “Well I’m not…” Hermione began. “Then why did you imply that I did. You don’t know whether I do or not. You just said that to have a go at Harry,” Ginny said, looking at Hermione in the eye. “Well, he could do some improving,” Hermione muttered. “Maybe yes, maybe no,” Ginny said shrugging. “But he’s not going to improve with you breathing down his neck all the time. So please back off.” Hermione threw a nasty look at Ginny before handing her essay back and turning her attention to Neville. “That was brilliant Gin,” Harry whispered to her. “Well you’re helping me with… well… you know. I just thought I’d help you too,” Ginny explained. “I’m not doing this to get anything out of it Ginny,” Harry told her. “I’m doing this because I care for you.” “What are you two whispering about?” Ron asked, interrupting “Nothing,” Ginny quickly said turning back to her books. “When do you need to go to the hospital wing Harry?” Neville asked, looking up from a particularly difficult essay Snape had set them. “I’ve got to be at the hospital wing at eight,” Harry told him. “But Harry,” Hermione began, “it’s quarter to eight now. You’re not going to get there in time.” “So I’m a little late,” Harry said shrugging. “It’s not the end of the world.” “But you could get in trouble,” Hermione pressed. Harry tried arguing with her but conceded and packed up his stuff and went up to his dorm and put it in his trunk. When he came back down, he saw Hermione going over Ginny’s essay once again. “Hermione, you’ve already gone over that one once,” Ginny moaned at her. “Yes but I didn’t find any mistakes,” Hermione said. “There are always mistakes.” “So you’re going to go over the essay until you find at least one?” Ginny asked her. “I don’t have to do this you know,” Hermione scolded her. “But you already did it once. And you found no mistakes. Why are we going over it again?” Ginny said, getting annoyed. “Because there has to be at least one,” Hermione muttered. “Even I make at least one mistake.” Harry, suddenly understanding, grew angry with Hermione. “Is it because you just can’t comprehend that maybe someone is better than you at something?” he asked her. “Of course not. You’re a lot better at me at flying,” Hermione said. “Yes but you hate flying,” Harry said. “Essays and school work is your thing. You just don’t want to admit that maybe Ginny is better than you at writing essays. Now stop harassing Ginny. She wrote the essay, you checked it over and found no mistakes. You should be happy for her that she understands it all.” “That’s…well…” Hermione spluttered out. “You need to get to the hospital wing.” “And you need to leave Ginny alone. She’s written the essay so let her be,” Harry said crossing the common room and heading towards the portrait hole. “Fine,” Hermione said handing Ginny back the parchment. Harry looked over his shoulder one more time to see Ginny looking at him. She mouthed “thank you” and Harry nodded his head to tell her he understood before going through the portrait hole and off towards the hospital wing. As he walked Harry thought about the situation he was in. He needed to find a way to get the diary away from Ginny without her realising that it was him. How he was going to do that he didn’t know. Harry was so involved in his thoughts of taking the diary away from Ginny that it shocked him to find that he was outside the hospital wing fifteen minutes later. As he walked in, Madam Pomfrey made her way towards him. “You’re late,” she said, eyeing him up and down to check that he was alright. “By five minutes!” Harry argued when he looked at the clock that was hanging above Madam Pomfrey’s doorway into her office. “Yes well. How are you feeling?” Madam Pomfrey asked indicating to Harry to follow her. “Fine,” Harry said telling the truth and following her over to the bed he would be staying in that night. “Completely fine actually. I had a headache this morning but it’s gone now. “Well you are still staying here tonight, Potter,” she said as she felt the top of his head for his temperature. “That was our agreement.” “Yeah I know,” Harry said, sighing as he sat down on the bed. “We’ll you seem okay so I’m going leave you to get changed,” Madam Pomfrey said finishing up and heading towards her office. Harry changed and got into the bed. He looked at the clock and noticed that it was only eight thirty and he wasn’t even tired. This was actually surprising as he was up half of the last night with Ginny. As Harry’s thoughts wandered over her, hoping that she was doing okay, he settled down to spend the night in the lonely hospital wing. -oOoOoOoOo- It was around one o‘clock in the morning when Harry woke up with a start. He swore that he felt someone moving about in the hospital wing. Looking around though, he didn’t see anyone. Harry was just about to go back to sleep when he heard the quiet scraping of a chair moving. He looked at the chair in question which was residing at the end of the bed to see it turn slightly. Confused as hell, Harry wondered if Dumbledore had come into the hospital wing to check up on him. There was a moment silence before Harry felt a little pressure on the end of his bed, indicating that something else had laid itself on the bed. Harry, wanting to find the underlying cause of it, reached out with his magic to feel the presence around him. He felt the barely there presence of Colin a few beds away and he felt the weak presence that was Madam Pomfrey in her dormitory of the wing. However, at the end of the bed he felt a strong presence of someone he recognised immediately. “Ginny?” Harry whispered out and he heard a small gasp from the end of his bed. As he watched he saw her pull what obviously was his invisibility cloak from her to reveal her sitting on the chair with her feet rested on the end of the bed. Her face showed the reaction of being shocked. “How did you know?” she whispered out. “Magic,” Harry replied simply, sitting up looking at her carefully. “What are you doing here Ginny?” Ginny was quiet for a moment before muttering her answer. “I was scared. I was scared to go to sleep. What happens if I wake up tomorrow and find out that I’ve attacked someone else? You said you’d watch out for me. I thought that if I slept here that maybe I would be all right because you’re watching out for me.” Harry watched her closely. He loved her and it was his fault this was happening to her. Well not anymore, he thought. He was taking that diary away from her as soon as it was possible. It didn’t look like she had it on her now so that was good. What was needed was to help Ginny through this anyway possible. If it meant sleeping near him, he wouldn’t argue. Heck, she was his wife; he shouldn’t have any reasons for Ginny not to sleep near him. “Ginny, get up and move the chair back were you found it,” Harry told her and she looked at Harry disappointed. “Okay Harry,” Ginny said quietly. “I’ll go back to the tower.” She put the chair back where she found it and made to put the invisibility cloak back around all of herself. “No Ginny,” Harry said. “I didn’t say go back to the tower. I just said put the chair back where you found it. You shouldn’t sleep on it.” Ginny put it back where she found it before eyeing him and then his bed. “I know I slept in your arms last night Harry. And nothing I’ll do will ever repay you for staying with me last night,” she said looking thankfully at him then she dropped her head again. “It was nice.” She whispered out looking down at her feet. “The best I’ve slept in ages. But I’m not sure sleeping in the same bed as you is a good idea.” Harry couldn’t help but laugh at that. “I wasn’t intending for us to sleep in the same bed Ginny,” he said, smiling at her and she looked up, blushing deep red for her misunderstanding. “Just stand back from the chair.” Harry reached over to the nightstand and grabbed his wand which he flicked towards the chair and it transfigured itself into a camp bed. “Wow,” Ginny said amazed. “You didn’t even mutter an incantation.” “I told you I was good,” Harry whispered and he waved his wand again and a duvet and pillows appeared on the bed. “Tell me if it’s uncomfortable and I’ll change it,” Harry told her as she got into the conjured camp bed. Harry lay back down on his bed and Ginny settled comfortably next to him in the camp bed. “I’ll wake you up in the morning before Madam Pomfrey comes so you can sneak back to the common room.” Harry told her as he closed his eyes to go back to sleep. “Harry?” Ginny whispered out from her made up bed. “Yes?” he answered. “Thank you,” Ginny said. “I know I keep saying it but thank you.” “It’s no problem what so ever, Ginny,” Harry told her. “I’ll see you in the morning.” “Night,” Ginny said. “Night Gin,” Harry said and then closed his eyes and drifted off to the realms of dreams. -oOoOoOo- Harry woke up early morning just as the sun had risen over the horizon to see Ginny sleeping peacefully in the made up bed on the floor next to him. He didn’t really want to wake her but she couldn’t stay there and have Madam Pomfrey notice. He gently got out of bed and knelt down beside her, shaking her awake. “Harry?” Ginny whispered out rubbing her eyes trying to get the sleepiness out of her. “Hey,” Harry said gently. “You need to go before Madam Pomfrey starts making her rounds.” Harry said helping her up. “I’ll see you at breakfast?” Ginny asked him whilst he waved his wand towards the camp bed and it changed back into a chair. With another wave of his wand, the pillow and duvet disappeared. “Of course,” Harry said. “Now go.” “But...” Ginny said. “The glamour charm.” “Oh right,” Harry said smiling. “Hang on.” Harry pointed his wand at Ginny. “Velieris verus vultus” and in an instant the glamour charm took effect. “If I weren’t having trouble with the classes I would ask you to teach me that,” Ginny said now looking completely fine and normal. “I don’t get that,” Harry said pondering Ginny’s problem in practical classes. “You know, you struggling in your classes. You picked up the bat bogey hex fine.” “I don’t really know,” Ginny whispered. “Well you need to go before Madam Pomfrey comes and spots you,” Harry warned her and Ginny threw him a grateful smile “I’ll be alright getting back right?” Ginny whispered. “What happens if someone is waiting for me to make me attack someone else?” Harry brought his hand up to her arm to comfort her. “I’ve got Estelle and Simon watching you. You might not be able to see them… but they are watching you twenty four seven,” Ginny’s eyes widened at that remark. “Plus, I’ll get Peeves to follow you around invisible and there’s no doubt in my mind that he will be able to get the portraits to help him keep an eye on you. Therefore, you might not notice anyone, but you will be watched and if anything happens to you I will know in less than a minute.” “That’s how you knew to come to the common room. You had Estelle and Simon watching me,” Ginny said and then her forehead furrowed. “Hang on, why did you have Estelle and Simon watching me?” “I didn’t have them watching you,” Harry said lying. “Estelle likes you as a friend so she watches out for you. I didn’t ask her to. Nevertheless, you two seem to get along quite well. So she just wanted to make sure you’re alright. She thinks of you as a friend you know.” “Oh,” Ginny said. “Thank her for me. I’m not sure what I would have done if she didn’t come and get you.” “Thank her next time you see her,” Harry whispered. “But you need to go before Madam Pomfrey comes out and spots you.” Nodding, Ginny wrapped the invisibility cloak around herself and headed out of the wing. It was good timing because not a minute later Madam Pomfrey came bustling over to her. She checked him over before sighing, as if she actually wanted to find something wrong with him to make him stay. However, it seemed like this wasn’t the case because ten minutes later Harry found himself heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast. He noticed Ginny and the others eating hungrily. “What’s the rush guys?” Harry asked, sitting down next to Ginny. “I mean we have Potions first don’t we? Why would we want to rush off to that?” “Well you might want to be late to Snape’s class. But I don’t particularly want to lose points or get into detention,” Hermione berated him. “Its not actually that bad, you should try it sometime.” Harry said smiling at her. “Yes. Says the person who had a detention in the Forbidden Forest where you met Voldemort in there, and then had detention with Lockhart where you helped him answer his fan mail,” Neville said. “What can I say, trouble loves me,” Harry said, grinning over his porridge. “Yes it does,” Ginny said agreeing with him. “That’s the problem.” -oOoOoOo- Harry walked into Snape’s usual grotty dungeon and sat himself down in the usual place that was at the back of the classroom. The class waited with the normal chit chatter until Snape came gliding into the room. “Today you will be preparing the deflating draught.” Snape said, flicking his wand to the board, making the instructions appear. “It is important that you make this properly as in a couple of weeks time after these potions have had time to mature we will be testing them… on yourselves.” “You will be making the swelling solution in class and you will use it on yourselves and then you will use your deflating potion you have made today to put yourselves right. The people who make either or both potions wrong won’t need to have points deducted as the consequence of taking a wrongly made swelling potion is that the antidote won’t work,” Snape finished. glaring at them. “Well what are you waiting for? Get to work.” There was the usual hustle and bustle of people getting the ingredients out and the ingredients they needed from the student cupboard, as they got ready to make the potion. “Twenty points from Gryffindor for being too noisy and the next person to speak will have another twenty points deducted.” “That’s so unfair,” Ron whispered. Harry was working with Ron whilst Neville was working with Hermione. “Slytherins were talking too you know.” “That’s twenty points Mr Weasley and twenty points Mr Potter,” Snape said from across the dungeon. “But I wasn’t talking!” Harry argued. “That’s another ten points for back chatting,” Snape sneered. “You want any more points deducted Potter? No? Then concentrate on making your potion. Fat lot that would do you anyhow. You’re too much like your idiotic father. Apart that he knew how to catch the snitch rather than fall of his broom.” That caused a round of laughter from the Slytherins which the Gryffindors noticed went un-punished. Harry, trying to ignore Snape’s jibes, concentrated on making the deflating draught. It was easier said then done when Snape was hovering around your cauldron taking points off for every little thing. “Five points from Gryffindor Mr Weasley,” Snape sneered causing Ron to jump. “The instructions say quite perfectly that you add in the ginger root after you take the cauldron off the boil.” Ron was just about to add them with the flames still on low. To say that Harry was glad when the class ended was an understatement. Double Potions was always bad however having to listen to the Slytherins jibe at him for losing the match all lesson wasn’t pleasant. During break they met Ginny in the grounds and hung out with a blue flame in a jar to keep them warm. “Snape is just an idiotic git,” Ginny muttered shivering from the cold. Harry would have loved to warm her up with the warming charm but the others were there so they had to settle for frozen body parts instead. “Taking points off for breathing too loudly. I would complain Harry. You know Dumbledore, go to him and complain about him. Surely, what he’s doing isn’t right. Maybe we can get him kicked out. Just imagine life without Snape,” she said sighing and a smile crossing her face. “Merlin, that would be nice.” Ron muttered. “What have you got next Ginny?” Hermione asked. “Herbology,” Ginny answered sagging. “It’s going to be torture in this weather. I swear it’s going to start to snow soon.” “Harry!” came a shout from behind him. He turned to see Wood striding across towards them. “We’ve got Quidditch practice tonight straight after lessons so don’t dawdle once the bell rings. Go get changed and head straight down to the Quidditch pitch.” “Practice in this weather?!” Harry moaned. “Wood, its freezing.” “You need to practice in all weathers. It’s the sign of a good Quidditch team,” Wood explained. “I’m not sure Madam Pomfrey would let me,” Harry said, the idea just coming to him, “I mean I’m still staying the hospital wing at night so she can make sure I’m one hundred percent. She might not let me train out in this weather.” “I thought of that too,” Wood said. “I went to see her before I came to you. She said it would be fine. That you staying in the hospital wing was only procedure and she was thinking of letting you go back to the common room anyway. There’s no lasting damage and you’re completely fine now.” “Oh okay Wood,” Harry said dismally. “I’ll be there.” “Sure Harry,” Ginny said once Wood walked away. “Don’t get too over excited now.” Groaning, Harry got up off the ground with the others and started to head towards charms, as break was jut about to finish. As they got close to the entrance hall, Ginny separated from them and headed down to the greenhouses whilst Harry, Neville, Hermione and Ron entered the castle and went up the stairs towards Flitwick’s classroom. Flitwick usually stood on top of a pile of old books so that he could be high enough to see over his desk to teach. Harry found the look on Hermione’s face every time she went into the classroom to see him standing on the books rather amusing. “Books shouldn’t mistreated like that,” Hermione had whispered to himself, Ron and Neville once. “He’s a teacher, he should really know better.” As they settled down Professor Flitwick stood up on the books causing a slight scowl from Hermione that Harry had never noticed before. However, it was gone in a flash and he supposed that he never really paid enough attention to her in this particular class before. Professor Flitwick tapped his wand onto his desk to get the attention of the class. On his desk lay loads of small bowls, full with water “Today…,” Professor Flitwick began, addressing the class. “…we will start on the Drought Charm. This is a rather difficult charm. The most difficult part of it is putting enough power behind the spell to dry up all the water you are wishing to. This should last you at least two, maybe three lessons to dry up your whole bowl. This means at the moment we are wasting time. So let’s all come to the front of the class and grab your bowl. Be careful not to spill any of the water.” Once everyone had carefully selected their bowl full of water and took it back to their desk Flitwick continued to address the class. “The incantation for this specific spell is ‘Sitisus’,” Flitwick explained. “It needs complete concentration. The wand movements are drawn up on the bored. You may begin.” Harry wasn’t paying attention to what Flitwick was saying. He was too busy thinking of Ginny, wondering if she was all right on her own in Herbology. Now that he knew how she really was handling things, he couldn’t think about anything else. He certainly couldn’t concentrate on the spell Flitwick was trying to teach them. “Mr Potter,” Harry heard Professor Flitwick behind him say. Harry jumped a little causing him to bump the table and a little bit of water to splash out of his bowl onto it. “That’s five points deducted for not paying attention. However can I still please see you try the spell now that you’ve had ten minutes of practice?” Harry still worried about Ginny as he draw his wand and half heartedly waved his wand towards the bowl muttering the incantation. He wasn’t paying attention really to the class. He was thinking up ways to get the diary away from Ginny. He needed to do it soon. Surely, it couldn’t be very hard. The difficult bit would be after he had taken the diary away and trying not to have the blame put on him. After all, he was the only one who knew of the dairy. That Ginny knew of anyway. Destroying it shouldn’t be too hard. He could wait one night for everyone to go to bed and then throw it in the fire in the common room. By the morning it would have been burned to ashes and Ginny wouldn’t know it was he who took it. Harry was brought out of his thoughts when he noticed that no one was speaking in the classroom. Turning his attention to the class he noticed that the bowl in front of him was completely empty. He had managed to dry up his whole bowl in one spell. He was too busy thinking about his situation with Ginny that he completely forgot to reel back his magic to make it look like he was struggling. Ron and Neville were starring at him in shock whilst Hermione was frowning, confusion written over her face. “My, my, Mr Potter,” Flitwick said after he found his voice. “That is… well what I mean to say is… Twenty points to Gryffindor for superbly casting that spell. I would add another five on top, as it was you. Not being rude, Harry, but you do rather find spells difficult to cast so I would’ve added five points as a just award. However, as you weren’t paying attention and only tried it half-heartedly, I’m afraid I have to take five points off you instead. Please pay closer attention next time and try. Now everyone back to work.” As Flitwick moved off after refilling Harry’s bowl Hermione rounded on him. “How the hell did you do that?” Hermione hissed. “I really don’t know,” Harry said whispering, acting surprised. Hermione gave him a look that clearly said that she didn’t believe him. “Look, I’ll try again,” Harry said and repeated the process. This time he was concentrating and put hardly any magic behind the spell. The result of the spell was what he intending it to be as hardly any water disappeared. “See, I really don’t know how to do it,” Harry said. “It was just a one off.” “I don’t believe you. But if you are telling the truth at least we now know you have potential to do it,” Hermione said before turning back to her own bowl. “That was pretty cool Harry,” Ron said, “I mean you got Gryffindor fifteen points.” “Yeah,” Harry said before turning back to his bowl. He couldn’t believe he slipped up like that. He had to be more careful. -oOoOoOoOo- When the bell rang the four of them headed towards the great hall to meet Ginny. Whilst on the way Hermione grilled Harry about the spell. “Are you sure you don’t know how you did it?” she asked for like the hundredth time. “YES!” Harry shouted causing some Fifth year Hufflepuff passing by to stare at them. “I wasn’t thinking about charms at all when I did the spell. I wasn’t paying attention.” “Then what were you thinking about?” Hermione asked Harry remained quiet. Hermione looked at him annoyed. “What were you thinking about?” she asked again when Harry didn’t answer. “Private stuff,” Harry said. “So leave it.” “Well I wouldn’t have thought that you would keep secrets from your best friends,” Hermione replied huffing. “Some secrets are meant to stay secret Hermione,” Harry said annoyed. “Well it’s good to know you don’t trust us!” Hermione contoured. “I do trust you,” Harry said. “Just some secrets aren’t mine to tell okay.” When they reached the great hall, they found Ginny waiting for them. They had a quick lunch (to the protest of Ron) before heading off to the library. They had a quick discussion about when they would get the ingredients for the Polyjuice potion before starting on some homework. It was decided that Harry and Ginny would get the ingredients they needed to start the potion before afternoon lesson. In the mean time they sat in the library doing their homework, or trying to in Harry’s case. As he sat in front of the Herbology essay he was trying he couldn’t help but think about the diary lying in Ginny’s bag not five feet away. Hermione, Ron and Neville were off looking for books but Ginny was still at the table. He couldn’t risk being caught by Ginny. If luck would have it, an opportunity presented itself not five minutes later. Ginny muttered about needing another book and stood up, waiting for Harry to go with her. “Aren’t you coming?” Ginny asked him nervously. “It’s only over there isn’t it?” Harry asked her pointing to the row of books that held the book Ginny wanted. “I can see you all the time. And you can look behind you to see me all the time,” Harry explained. “But what if someone…?” Ginny muttered. “I’ll be there faster than you can say Quidditch,” Harry told her. “No one is going to make you do anything I promise. Nodding Ginny started walking over to the stacks of books. A couple of paces away she turned to look at Harry who gave her a reassuring smile. She turned around to continue heading towards the bookshelf and the book she needed. Taking a cautious look to make sure Ginny wasn’t looking he grabbed her bag and started to rifle through it. There was her Defence Against the Dark Arts book in there as well as Herbology and Charms. There were also hair clips and hair bands as well as a t-shirt. Why Ginny was carrying around a t-shirt he will never know. However as he moved the t-shirt his hand knocked something and in the middle of that t-shirt was the diary. His hand closed around it as he finally managed to hold it. It was over now. He had finally had the diary. “What unearth are you doing?” Madam Pince’s voice called out to him and Harry dropped the bag and the diary in shock. “That is not your bag and is someone’s personally belongings. Next time I catch you going through someone else’s stuff it will be a detention. Do I make my self clear Mr Potter?” “Yes Ma’am...,” Harry said downhearted. He had had his hand on the diary yet failed to get it. He watched Madam Pince walk away, waiting for her to be gone long enough for him to get the diary. Unfortunately, as Madam Prince turned the corner Ginny came hurriedly back. “Ginny?” Harry asked her concerned. “I’m alright,” Ginny said sitting down next to him. “Just I felt like someone was watching me. That’s all. I mean apart from you. I’m probably imagining it. Merlin Harry, I can’t even walk a couple of feet away on my own without worrying,” she suddenly burst out. “It’s natural Ginny,” Harry whispered to her while taking her left hand in his right and squeezing it reassuringly. “I’m so glad you’re here for me Harry. You’re the only person I feel safe around. I know nothing can hurt me as long as you’re here,” Ginny said. “And I will always be there for you,” Harry said to her. Harry then wondered about what she just said about being on her own. “How do you get to classes? I mean you walk there on your own.” “Doesn’t mean I’m not scarred.” Ginny whispered, her hand still clutched in Harry’s “Every time I’m on my own I can’t think of anything else but what if I suddenly find myself attacking someone. I run to the classroom and sit as close to the teacher’s desk and just hope the teacher turns up early. The time alone in the classroom is the most scariest time of all. I normally talk to Tom in that time. Tom and you are the only two people that are helping me through this. I don’t know what I would do without the two of you. You two are the most important two people in my life at the moment.” “I’m sure nothing will happen to you anymore. I promised you that didn’t I?” Harry said to her. “Yeah you did,” Ginny answered as Hermione came back, her arms full of books. -oOoOoOo- When it was close to the end of lunch, Harry and Ginny went off to get the potion ingredients out of the student cupboard whilst Hermione and the others went to set up Moaning Myrtles bathroom. As soon as Harry and Ginny turned the corner Ginny’s body language changed drastically. “It’s so hard Harry,” she said, stopping and whispered to Harry whilst looking into his eyes. “Lying to them and pretending like nothing’s wrong. Every time I speak I’m afraid I’m going to give something away and they are going to figure it out.” Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny, pulling her to him. He held her close whilst trying to soothe her. “You’re doing great Ginny,” he told her gently rubbing his hand gently around her back. “You’re doing great.” “But what happens when you’re not there? What if I slip up?” Ginny whispered into his chest. “What will they think if they ever find out what I’ve…” “Ginny,” Harry interrupted her. “They’re not going to. I won’t let that happen okay.” Harry unwrapped his arms from around Ginny’s waist and whilst his left hand went up to her arm the other one went up to her caress her cheek. Ginny smiled as Harry rubbed his thumb to clear away a stray tear. “You are going to be completely fine, I promise you that,” Harry whispered gently kissing her on the forehead. “I promised you I would look after you and that is exactly what I’m going to do.” He heard Ginny sigh as his lips left her skin. “How do you do that?” Ginny asked. “Do what?” Harry asked gently back. Ginny looked up to him and Harry was pleased to see a smile on her face. “You always know exactly what to say to make me feel better. All my life since I’ve known you, whenever I get upset, you know just what to do to calm me down.” “The perks of being the best friend,” Harry whispered. “I’m sure you would be able to do the same for me. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Ginny said, looking down. “I am,” Harry said smiling at her. “All you have to do is be there and I’m sure that will help.” “Really?” Ginny asked. “Really,” Harry said, nodding. “Now let’s go get those ingredients. “But what if Malfoy knows that it’s me?” Ginny whispered. “And he tells the others when they’re questioning him?” “How would Malfoy know it’s you?” Harry asked her. “Maybe it’s him making me do this I don’t know,” Ginny answered. “You think if Malfoy knew it was you he would keep quiet?” Harry asked her. “He hates your family; he would do anything to hurt you. If he knew it was you he would have said something by now.” “But it could be someone in Slytherin. You know what Ron said. They’re probably having a good laugh at this in their common room,” Ginny said. “Contrary to popular believe and what Ron say’s, not all Slytherins are bad. I grant you most of them are. However, there are some, who are not. Being ambitious doesn’t make you evil. I mean are you and me evil?” Harry asked her quietly. “The sporting hat tried to put both of us in Slytherin. And don’t ask how I know and don’t even ask him if it’s true because he will most definitely deny it. It tried to put Percy in Slytherin.” Ginny looked shocked at that bit of news. “ “How do you know that?” Ginny whispered. “Like I said, don’t ask me that,” Harry replied. “I can’t tell you. Not just yet anyway. There’s no way that they are going to find out Ginny. I promise you that.” “I’m just worried. I’ve been looking forward to coming to Hogwarts for so long. You know that. I hated staying at home all last year when you got to come here. I don’t want to be chucked out and be forced to stay at home whilst you and my brothers get to come to school and learn.” “That will never happen Ginny,” Harry said. “That will never happen. I won’t let it. Trust me.” “I do,” Ginny whispered. “I do.” -oOoOoOo- With ingredients weighing his bag down Harry left Ginny at her classroom, telling her not to be worried about him being late because he walked her to her classroom and ran down the stairs to transfiguration. Once he got there, Professor McGonagall was already addressing the class. “Five points from Gryffindor for being late Mr Potter. Why are you late?” Professor McGonagall said addressing him. “I got lost?” Harry tried. “You’re not one to be normally be late to class Mr Potter so I was going to let it slide. However as you obviously don’t care about being late and don’t have any respect to this lesson you will have ten points deducted from Gryffindor and a detention with me,” McGonagall said. “Now can you please take your seat? I suppose you can’t get lost from the front of the class to the back?” Harry walked over to his seat and realised that he was going to be working with Hermione. Not that he didn’t like working with Hermione, it was actually good sometimes. He could let her do the hard work and make it look to his friends that he didn’t know much about magic but still get the marks needed to pass the class. However this particular time it wouldn’t be. After his slip up in charms and the fact that he was late would mean that Hermione would be on his back all lesson. He was so glad that he had Quidditch practice straight after otherwise he would probably hear it all evening from her as well. Hermione didn’t disappoint. “Harry, you’re not trying,” she said for the thousandth time when Harry failed to do the spell. They were changing a mouse into a water goblet. “Maybe you’re not saying the incantation correctly. The pronunciation is ‘vera-verto’ make the ver nice and long.” “If I wasn’t saying it right you would have told me earlier. Just count what happened in charms as a fluke,” Harry moaned. “It wasn’t a fluke Harry,” Hermione said. “You can do magic. You’re just not trying!” “How would you know?” Harry said a hint of annoyance in his voice. “Because you did the wand motion for the drought charm perfectly, yet when you tried it the second time you didn’t,” Hermione said. “I believe you just didn’t try the second time or you purposely didn’t do it right.” “That’s nonsense,” Harry said, sweating a little. “Nonsense or not, you have the capability to do it correctly. So I’m going to make sure you get it right,” Hermione explained. “Oh joy.” Harry muttered under his breath. “What was that?” Hermione asked. “Nothing.” Harry responded before turning his attention back to his mouse, having a glance over to Neville and Ron. Ron cast the spell on his mouse and Harry watched as the mouse started to change shape into water goblet. However the texture of the water goblet stayed the same as the mouse so the water goblet was made out of brown fur and it also had a tail were the handle should have been. “That was a good try Mr Weasley. However, you need a bit more conviction in your incantation and wand movement. Try again,” McGonagall said. She was making her rounds and watched Ron try his attempt. She then came to Hermione and himself. “Mr Potter I heard from Professor Flitwick that you did quite well in charms today,” McGonagall said. “Care to show me what you can do here?” Harry nodded pointed his wand at the water goblet and did the wand movement perfectly so that she couldn’t spot any fault. However doing what he should have done in charms, he kept his magic locked up tight and only let a trickle of magic go into the spell. The result in this caused the mouse to have only transfigured halfway. The bottom half of the mouse turned into the water goblet, (Harry made sure it still had the fur), whilst the top half stayed as a rat. This caused the mouse to panic badly and Professor McGonagall had to step in. “That was okay Harry. However, you do need more practice,” McGonagall said. “You’ll get it in the end, don’t worry about it. And don’t let anyone push you too hard either. If you constantly do the spell, repeatedly getting it wrong without any breaks you won’t make any progress. Take ten minutes break before you try again okay?” Harry nodded before McGonagall moved off to the next table. “Satisfied?” Harry asked Hermione who was deep in thought. “Maybe, I mean you did the wand movements perfectly and the incantation was flawless,” Hermione said. “The only way you could have sabotaged it was to not put enough magic behind the spell. There’s no way you could have done that because we don’t learn how to control our magic like that until NEWT’s. I guess it really was just luck.” “Yeah I guess.” Harry said, successfully hiding a smug grin. -oOoOoOo- Harry by the end of the lesson managed to get to the same place as Ron, Turning it into a water goblet but still have the Mouse’s fur. Harry hurried off to Ginny’s Charms class to see her just coming out of the classroom. She smiled when she noticed him. “I might get used to this Harry,” Ginny said. “I might not want you to stop.” She laughed as her classmates filed out of the room after her. “I even might think that you have a crush on me.” “I think it’s the other way round Gin. I mean you always smile more when you see me,” Harry said starting to walk with her down the hallway. As they rounded the corner they dropped the act. “You okay Gin?” Harry asked her. “Yes. I mean no I mean…” Ginny muttered. “I’m just so confused. Why am I attacking people? Who is making me do it? How are they making me?” “We don’t know Ginny,” Harry said putting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close to him. “But it doesn’t matter how. What matters is that they won’t get the chance to do it again. I promise you that.” “I know.” Ginny whispered. “It’s the only thing I can count on at the moment. You’re the only person I can count on.” “Come on. We need to get down to the great hall,” Harry explained. “I’ve got Quidditch practice right after dinner. So I need to go have a bite to eat before I go down to the changing rooms.” They walked together down the corridors, Harry’s arm wrapped around Ginny’s shoulders holding her close. They weren’t really conscious of what they were doing. It just felt so natural to both them to be walking together like that. When they got to the great hall however Hermione paid it a lot of attention. “What’s happening between you two?” Hermione asked them as they sat down. Harry and Ginny both looked up shocked. “We’re best friends Hermione,” Harry said, confused to what she was implying. “Best friends don’t come walking into the great hall the way you two just did,” Hermione said. “What do you mean?” Ginny asked confused. “Harry had his arm around you,” Hermione told them as if she was explaining it to three year olds. “We’re friends.” Harry said. “Do you think her brothers will hate you if they find out you’re dating, is that it?” Hermione asked once again. “We are not dating,” Ginny hissed out at her. “We are and have been best friends since I was five years old. So of course we’re going to be close. I’m not denying that I like Harry. I do. I like him a lot. More than he probably knows. But. We. Are. Just. Friends. That all we’re going to be,” she added the last line and Harry couldn’t help but notice disappointment in her voice. Hermione turned to look at Harry but he didn’t say anything. He didn’t agree with the last sentence but couldn’t say that. “Harry!” Woods voice interrupted them. “Quidditch practice.” “Wait, I don’t get dinner first?” Harry moaned out dropping his fork that had mash potato on it. “You can have dinner afterwards,” Wood said. “Go get changed and meet me down at the Quidditch pitch.” Harry groaned as he put down his fork and stood up. “Alright, alright. Let me go get my Quidditch gear and broom,” Harry said getting up and walking out of the hall. Harry saw Wood leave through the oak front doors and Harry strolled towards the staircase that lead to the seventh floor corridor where the portrait of the Fat Lady hanged to cover the entrance to the common room. When he was changed and back down into the Entrance hall Ginny came out to meet him. “Do you mind if I watch?” Ginny asked. Harry looked at her and then turned his attention to the windows that showed that it had started to snow. “In this weather?” Harry asked her strangely. “It’s freezing. I wouldn’t want to go out there if Wood wasn’t making me. Why do you want to?” “I don’t particularly want to stay alone right now,” Ginny whispered. “With what is going on.” “But you won’t be,” Harry said taking Ginny’s hand. “You’ve got Ron, Hermione and Neville.” “But no one who knows what’s going on,” Ginny said. “Please.” “Okay you can come and watch,” Harry said causing her to look grateful at him. “Go get your cloak.” Harry waited fifteen minutes for Ginny to come back and he knew that he would be in trouble with Wood. Harry also noticed she had the diary with her. He had to restrain himself from taking it right out of her hands there and then. He also refrained from telling her that he thought that it was responsible for what was happening. He couldn’t tell her that he knew it was because that would bring up questions which shouldn’t be answered at this time. If he showed distrust towards the diary and then it suddenly disappeared Ginny would know he took it. When Harry and Ginny got down to the Quidditch pitch Harry stopped just outside the doors to the changing room. He took out his wand and pointed it towards Ginny. “Tepidus sursum” he saw her body relax as the Ginny felt the effects of the warming charm. “I’m going to go watch from the stands,” Ginny muttered. “Have fun,” she playfully added. “Sure,” Harry said dryly and walked into the dressing room. “I said come straight down Harry!” Wood berated him as soon as he walked through the door. “I’m here now Wood,” Harry replied. “Right so we can get this practice started,” Wood addressed them. “What happened last game is not our fault. You know that and I know that. However, because of the massive loss and the better brooms Slytherin have, we need to play our absolute best in both games to come. We have Hufflepuff next which we should be able to win and then Ravenclaw which last year we won with a shut-out.” “But Ravenclaw has improved a lot with two new chasers and there is a new seeker called Cho Chang,” Wood explained. “The chances of Hufflepuff winning against Slytherin are laughable. Not meaning to be cruel but that’s the truth. Slytherin will pummel them. We lost to Slytherin by two hundred and ninety points. We need to make this back up and then some more in the last two matches. It’s possible; we won by four hundred points in the final at the end of June last year. We need to play that well again. We play like that against Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw then there is no chance Slytherin have to win that cup.” “But it is obvious from the Slytherin game that we have lost some edge over the summer,” Wood concluded. “This is why we need to train our very best and get back to that form we had before. Do you guys think you can do that?” “Yes,” The six of them said. “Good. We can play better than this. This is why I created the new training regime, so we don’t full behind. Therefore, we keep up the high standard we set ourselves last year. It’s going to be tough. Especially as Slytherin have better brooms. But only Slytherin do. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff don’t. So let’s get out on that pitch and try to get back to the form we had last year.” After that speech every one of the Gryffindor team had the urgency about them to push themselves to the limit. Once they were up in the air the Angelina, Katie and Alicia grabbed the quaffle and started passing it to each other, getting faster as the practice went on. They dropped it a couple of times but soon they could pass the quaffle at such speed that it was only a blur. After fifteen minutes of scoring sixteen goals continuously against Wood, the captain called a halt to the practice. “Fred, George where are the Bludgers?” he demanded. “Girls that’s great, superbly great. We’ve been out here two hours and you’re getting your form back. However, what we need is more practices to get back to where you were. But we will get there.” “Harry you’ve caught the snitch twice in that time and that’s great but you need to pick up the speed. I want you to be able to spot the snitch, and keep it in your sights without the opposition’s seeker seeing it as well. I want you be-able to go catch the snitch on our terms. When we can and when it best suits us. We can win this championship but its going to be hard. However, I have faith in you all. Now let’s get inside. It’s getting too dark to do anything.” Half an hour latter Harry walked out of the changing rooms to see that the snow had settled on the ground now and was starting to get thick. Ginny was leaning against the changing room’s wall waiting for Harry to come out. “You know you didn’t have to wait for me,” Harry said to her. Ginny’s head looked up to see Harry’s. “But what if something happened?” Ginny whispered. “It won’t I promised you that,” Harry said, putting his arm around Ginny and they started to walk back up to the castle together. “It’s nice in the snow isn’t it?” Ginny muttered looking up at the castle that was Hogwarts. “It’s beautiful really,” she added before shivering lightly. “The warming charm stopped working?” Harry asked her pulling her closer to him. “A little I think,” Ginny whispered. “But I’m fine at the moment. You’re keeping me nice and warm.” “So that’s what I am to you? Just something to keep you warm?” Harry laughed out. “No,” Ginny whispered. “You’re the most important person in my life.” “You’re important to me too,” Harry whispered back. “And Madam Pomfrey would kill me if I catch a cold out in this” he added as the snow started to get heavier. So Harry and Ginny started to make the way back to the castle a little quicker than they were. When they got to the castle Harry and Ginny made their way straight to the hospital wing where Madam Pomfrey started to make a fuss over him. “Making you do Quidditch practise in this weather is ridiculous,” Madam Pomfrey muttered when she took Harry’s temperature. “After just getting a head injury too.” She fussed over him for just over ten minutes with Ginny enjoying the disgusted look on Harry’s face. “What’s wrong with wanting you to be healthy?” Ginny asked when the matron had gone into her office and given Harry a break from her fussing. Harry glared at her. “Wanting me to be healthy is one thing. Obsessing over my health is another,” Harry remarked. “She’s not obsessing and neither am I,” Ginny said. “I’m looking out for you just as much as you’re looking out for me. It’s not nearly the same but I need to do something to pay you back.” Harry glanced at Madam Pomfrey’s to see if there was any chance of her over hearing before he turned his attention back to Ginny. “Listen to me Ginny and listen closely because I’m only ever going to say this once. Under no circumstances do you have to pay me back for anything. I don’t want to hear another word about that. Please.” Ginny looked helplessly at Harry. “But I’ve got to…” she started but Harry interrupted her. “But nothing, you just concentrate on getting healthier and past what’s happened. Nothing else,” Harry told her. “Just concentrate on getting better.” “I don’t know how I got you as my best friend,” Ginny said, tears in her eyes now. “But I wouldn’t trade you for anything.” Harry got of the bed and went over to where Ginny was sat and enveloped her into another hug, “Don’t cry Gin,” He whispered. “I hate it when I see you cry. Plus Madam Pomfrey will be back any second.” Ginny nodded and Harry broke the hug and sat back down on his bed. He brought out his wand and cast the glamour charm just before Madam Pomfrey Came back over to his bed. “Well,” Madam Pomfrey started. “I see absolute nothing wrong. For someone who just two days ago got crashed over the head with a bludger like you did I wouldn’t even expect them to be up.” “However you are and if I didn’t know what happened two days ago I wouldn’t even be able to guess,” Madam Pomfrey said. “Ms Weasley, do you promise to keep a close eye on him? To not let him out of your sight?” she asked Ginny. Ginny gave Harry a confused look before answering her. “Of course.” “If Mr Weasley and Mr Longbottom keep an eye out for you during the night, I am inclined to let you stay in the dormitories from now on,” Madam Pomfrey explained causing a huge smile to form on Harry’s face. “However if you get even a hint of a headache you are to come straight here, is that understood?!” Harry nodded, not daring to believe that Madam Pomfrey was going to let him stay in the Gryffindor tower that night. “Good. Now get out of here so I can get some peace and quiet. Goodness knows I could do with some. Whenever the fifth years do switching spells there’s always someone coming in here with wrong body parts in the wrong place, or a plant for a body part needing mending. I had four people in here today. What are you two still doing here; I thought you would have left as soon as I said you could go. Now go.” Harry jumped of the bed smiling ear to ear. “You don’t need to tell me twice,” Harry said, waiting for Ginny to get up of the chair. “Well actually you did but see yah.” With that, both Harry and Ginny walked out of the hospital wing. -oOoOoOo- Latter that night Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Neville sat in their usual seats by the fire. Hermione had books and parchments around her, trying desperately to finish her transfiguration essay before they went of to bed. The time was now close to ten and Harry was getting tired. “There!” Hermione said. “I’m done. You finished your essay Ron?” Ron, who was hunched over his essay for Lockhart, groaned before answering. “I’ve got a little more to do. It’s not due till tomorrow afternoon. I’ll do it during lunch.” “If you haven’t got much to do, do it now,” Hermione said rolling up her scroll of parchment. “But I’m tired and it’s late,” Ron moaned out. “Surely I can do it tomorrow lunch time.” “Fine but if you get detention for not handing in your work, don’t blame me,” Hermione huffed. “Coming to bed Ginny?” Hermione asked her. Ginny was sitting near the fire, the diary in her lap. She had her eyes closed and was relaxing. The perks of not having to worry about doing her homework. Once again, they had used the automated essay writer. “Sure hang on,” Ginny said before closing the diary and putting it on the arm of the couch. “What’s that?” Hermione asked looking at the black book. Ginny had never actually had the diary out in front of anyone before. “Oh just something I write notes in from class,” Ginny lied. “Let me pack up.” Ginny then hurriedly grabbed her bag and put her books and parchment in. Harry eyed the diary and wondered if making it invisible to Ginny would be a good idea. However before he turned down that proposal Ginny was sleepily saying goodnight and going up the stairs to her dorm. ‘She must be extremely tired to forget the diary,’ Harry thought as he watched Ron and Neville go up to the boy’s dormitory. Harry quickly walked over to the diary and picked it up. Was it this simple? He didn’t even have to try… “Oh thanks Harry,” came the voice of Ginny behind him. Harry turned around to see Ginny coming down the stairs. “I was worried someone would find that,” Ginny said, her hand out stretched for Harry to give her the diary back. How Harry would have loved to refuse to give it back to her. To say she couldn’t have it, to say that it was the diary which was making her attack people. Yet Ginny wouldn’t believe him. Ginny was the person to stick by her friends and defend them. To her the diary was her friend. Harry doubted that she would listen even to him. It would cause them to argue and he knew how Ginny could get in a temper. One time when Ginny was eight and Harry was nine, he had accidentally stepped on one of her flowers she had potted in the garden. She had refused to talk to for the rest of the week. It was an accident but she had still been mad at him about it. How mad would she be if Harry started excusing Tom of controlling her and making her attack people? It was true but Ginny didn’t know that and she would stick by Tom and defend him. Knowing that Ginny needed him more now then ever meant that he couldn’t afford them to be at rifts at the moment. So very reluctantly he smiled as he handed her the diary. “Thanks,” Ginny said as she turned and went back up to her dorm. Harry mentally kicked himself. He needed to get the diary away and the sooner the better. Harry stayed down in the common for half an hour thinking of a way to get the diary away from her when it struck him. Ginny was probably now peacefully asleep without any idea what was happening in the real world. He was the heir of Gryffindor and he had Estelle. He could sneak into the girl’s dormitory and take it away from her. She would never guess it was him because she, like everyone else, knew that no boys could walk up the girls’ stairway. However, he didn’t need to do that. Not when he had Estelle. Silently in his mind he called out to her and with a burst of flames Estelle was sitting on the arm rest of the couch. “Was there a reason you called for me this late of night Harry,” Estelle asked. “I was dropping off to sleep.” Harry was just about to answer when he heard a noise from the girl’s staircase and Estelle hurriedly flamed away. Angry that someone had once again stopped him getting the diary away from Ginny he was surprised when Ginny herself came into view. She was now wearing her nightdress and she had her dressing gown on. “Ginny?” he asked shocked to see her. He would have thought that she would have been asleep by now. “What you doing down here?” Ginny asked. “I thought you went to bed.” “I thought you did too,” Harry said gently. “I…” Ginny started then stopped. Then after a pause, she started again. “I was going to your dormitory. I can’t sleep. Not when I’m not near you. It always happens when I fall asleep,” Ginny muttered and Harry walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. “I told you it won’t happen again,” Harry said rubbing her back smoothly. “It won’t happen. I promise.” Harry hated this; she was so different to her normal and lively self. It scared him knowing it was his fault she was like this. Nevertheless, he was going to rectify it. Soon. “You can’t come up to the dorm just in case someone sees you,” Harry told her leading her to the couch. “But why don’t you sleep down her. There are two couches here. You can have the one by the fire and I’ll sleep in the one over there.” Harry said pointing to the couch near the window. “You’d do that for me?” Ginny asked. “I’d do anything,” Harry replied. He watched Ginny settle down on the couch. With a wave of his wand, he conjured a pillow and a duvet and Ginny settled down on the couch to go to sleep. “Aren’t you going to sleep too Harry?” she asked sleepily. “I am,” Harry said going over to the other couch. “I was just making sure you got off to sleep. “Thank you,” Ginny whispered so quietly that Harry could hardly hear her. He was about to reply when he realised that Ginny had in fact fallen asleep. Smiling he tucked the edges of the duvet around her to keep her warm and once again called Estelle who this time flamed in quietly. “Is she alright?”” Estelle asked him in his mind. “No,” Harry replied truthfully in his mind in order not to wake Ginny. “But she will be. I need you to take me to Ginny’s dorm. We need that diary.” “Grab hold then,” Estelle said handing out her tail feathers and Harry grabbed hold of them. In a flash of fire, the common room vanished and he found himself in Ginny’s dormitory. It was the same as the second year boy’s dormitory down to the same hangings on the bed. Harry crept about the room searching for the bed Ginny slept in. It wasn’t that hard to find, as it was the only one empty. Crouching down and making sure he didn’t make a sound, he opened her trunk to see clothes and books all over the place. Smiling slightly at her untidiness he searched through until at the very bottom he saw where the diary was hidden. His hand has just grabbed hold of it when he heard a cough behind him. Harry let go of the diary hastily and turned in horror. He saw nothing. Two beds away someone rolled over and coughed in their sleep again. Sighing he grabbed hold of the diary and placed it on Ginny’s bed. He then put everything back how he found it and the closed the trunk. Once Estelle had taking him back to the common room Harry walked over to the fire and Estelle flew over to Ginny. He took one long look at the diary that had caused Ginny so much trouble this term and then without a backward glance he threw it into the flames of the fire. Just as the diary touched the flames, there was a massive bang and a flash of light and the diary flew away from the fire unharmed. The bang woke Ginny up and she groaned out calling Harry’s name. “I’m here, don’t worry,” Harry hastily said hurrying towards her and hoping she wouldn’t sit up and see the diary on the other side of the room. “What was that?” Ginny said in a scarred voice. “I just banged into the table,” Harry lied through his teeth. “Nothing to worry about, nothings happening go back to sleep.” “I thought you were going to sleep,” Ginny muttered. Trying to sit up but Harry pushed her gently back down onto the couch. “I am,” Harry said. “Don’t worry. I am now. Go back to sleep.” “But what was that bang?” Ginny asked, worry etched into her voice. “Nothing to worry over Ginny,” Harry said. “Don’t you trust me?” “With all my heart,” Ginny whispered. “Then go back to sleep,” Harry said and Ginny slowly lay back down. Within five minutes, Harry could yet again hear the steady breathing of Ginny being asleep. He went to the other side of the common room to where the diary was lying on the floor and picked it up. He should have known that Voldemort would have put some extra defences on the diary. Thinking back now to when Harry first found the diary in the sodden bathroom of Moaning Myrtle the pages should have ripped apart easily from being soaked through but it stayed intact. He should have realised that it wouldn’t be this simple. However, if Voldemort protected it how was he going to destroy it? He destroyed it last time with a basilisk fang and even though there was one a couple of hundred feet below the school, he wasn’t going to open the Chamber Of Secrets just to destroy it. Who knew, there might be some spell stopping a basilisk fang. Harry had destroyed the diary when Tom was out of it. However, Tom was still in the diary this time. Maybe even a basilisk fang wouldn’t do it this time. He needed to speak to Dumbledore but now wasn’t the time. It was too late and Harry needed sleep. Harry took one quick look at Ginny to make sure she wouldn’t miss him and hurried up to his dormitory. Once there he found his trunk and opened it up. He placed the diary right at the bottom of his trunk and closed it again. Making sure no one would look in his trunk and find it Harry tapped is wand on top of it silently casting his most powerful locking charm. The diary was safe and away from Ginny at last. Now he could solely concentrate on getting Ginny better. Glad that he finally managed to get the diary away from Ginny he headed back down stairs and to the couch next to window. He conjured a pillow and a blanket for himself and settled down on the couch. Taking one quick look at Ginny to make sure she was sleeping peacefully, he closed his eyes and drifted off to the realms of dreams. He was glad that tomorrow he could solely concentrate on getting Ginny better and not have to worry about the blasted diary. -oOoOoOo- Harry’s magic woke him up early the next morning as he intended so no one would come down to find both him and Ginny sleeping in the common room. He didn’t need questions being asked about that. Harry felt happy for first time in days. He had the diary away from Ginny, there was a blizzard going on outside to make the whole grounds covered in snow and he had slept the best he had ever since he left the cursed diary in Ginny’s cauldron over the summer. He wasn’t sure how long he sat there watching Ginny sleep peacefully. However, when she started to stir Harry went over to her. “Hey sleepy,” Harry said gently. “You need to get up and back to your dorm before anyone notices that you’re missing.” “What time is it?” Ginny mumbled out. “Six.” Harry answered. “But you can’t risk anyone figuring out you were down here all night. They’ll ask questions.” “Okay.” Ginny said and Harry helped her up of the sofa. “Stay up there for an hour or two before you come back down.” Harry told her. “That way people won’t think about it. They’ll just think that you woke up a couple of minutes before them.” “Sure. Okay,” Ginny said walking slowly towards her dorm. “Harry,” she said just before she disappeared up the steps. “Yeah Gin?” Harry replied. “Thank you for staying with me last night,” Ginny said. “Nothing happened did it? I don’t remember anything.” “No, nothing happened,” Harry said glad that Ginny was too sleepy to remember the loud bang that came from the diary. With that, Ginny walked the rest of the way up to her dorm. Deciding now that he was up he might as well do something he went for a walk around the castle. He met no one this early and he soon found himself next to the tapestry depicting Barnabas the Barmy’s foolish attempt to train trolls for ballet. That meant, Harry realised, that the door to the room of requirement was on the opposite wall. An idea for a way to calm Ginny down a bit crossed his mind. He never asked the room for this before and he wasn’t sure if it was possible. But he started to walk past where he knew the door should be backwards and forwards thinking over and over his need of the room and what it should become. After his third time the door to the Room Of Requirement appeared and Harry opened up the door to see if it had worked. Harry stepped through the door and was stunned at what he saw. ‘Yes,’ he thought ‘this had definitely worked.’ Half an hour later Harry was climbing through the portrait hole of the Gryffindor tower smiling to himself. His plan fully formed in his mind. He wouldn’t be able to carry it out until after classes but he was sure Ginny would love it. “Where did you go?” Ginny’s voice reached him and Harry turned to see Ginny sitting on the couch, tears falling down her face. “Ginny,” Harry said rushing towards her. “What’s wrong?” “Where did you go?” Ginny repeated. “I just went out for a walk around the castle. I’m here now,” Harry said putting an arm around her. “He’s gone,” Ginny whispered. “Who’s gone Ginny?” Harry asked “He’s gone,” Ginny repeated. “Tom. I went to speak to him this morning but I couldn’t find the diary anywhere. He’s gone.” “It will turn up,” Harry said trying to comfort Ginny. “Someone will find it.” “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Ginny whispered. “I told Tom about me attacking people. What if he tells someone that it’s me?” “You told Tom?” Harry asked. “When?” Ginny stayed deathly quiet and Harry started to worry. “When did you tell Tom Ginny?” Harry asked her again “When it started, when Hagrid’s first Rooster was killed. I woke up with blood and feathers in my bed. I was so confused,” Ginny said looking away from Harry. “You told Tom all along but you never thought to come and tell me?” Harry asked her. Ginny’s head snapped up when she heard the hurt in his voice. “Of course I thought of telling you. I wanted to tell you straight away. I just didn’t want to lose you as my friend. I didn’t know how you would react. I know now but I didn’t then.” “Sorry,” Harry said, running his hand through Ginny’s hair. “I should have realised. You’ve got nothing to worry about. I’m staying right by your side through this. You’ll never lose me. And you can tell me anything. Anything you would have told Tom you can tell me. I mean I’m your best friend. What could there possibly be that I won’t like huh?” “Well...” Ginny started but she was cut off with the sound of feet coming from the girls’ dormitory. “Tell me latter?” Harry said to her and Ginny nodded. -oOoOoOo- Harry sat once again in the potions dungeon, staring at the clock waiting for time to slip by and for Harry to be able to put his plan into action. He had expanded on the thought that he had that morning near the room of requirement and now all he had to do was to get Ginny and head towards the room of requirement before anyone noticed where they were going. The snow that had started yesterday and had then later turned into a blizzard in the night still blew forcefully out side in the grounds. So much so, that it was threatening to cancel Herbology classes. Wood, after being cornered by the whole team had reluctantly agreed to suspend all Quidditch practices until at least after the Christmas holidays and the snow had started to melt. Harry was flung out of his thoughts as the bell rung and he left the class without even listening to what Snape was saying. He wanted to get to Ginny and then head off to the room of requirement. Ginny, like every Tuesday afternoon, had transfiguration, so when Harry made it all the way up the dungeon steps, rather than turning with Ron, Hermione and Neville into the great hall, he walked up the steps toward the Gryffindors head classroom leaving the others to go off to tea without him. He knew that they would worry when Ginny and he didn’t turn up but he put them out of his mind. This was for Ginny. He was the reason she was in this state. He was going to help get her out of it. Once he reached the classroom, Harry saw McGonagall coming out of the room and lock the door. “Professor. Where’s Ginny?” Harry asked her worried. “You just missed her not two minutes ago,” McGonagall said. “She said she was going to the common room.” Thanking Professor McGonagall, he walked quickly down the hallway and turned the corner where he called for Estelle to take him to hers and Simon’s hidden room. From there it was only a quick walk to the common room. Harry had just entered the common room when Ginny came down from the girls dormitories. Ginny smiled her most beautiful smile in Harry’s opinion when she saw him. “Hey Harry,” Ginny greeted him normally for the sake of the straggling students who were still in the common room rather than having gone down to dinner. “You’re not hungry Gin?” Harry asked her as she reached him. “Starved,” Ginny laughed. “I just didn’t want to carry all my books down to the hall when I was close to the tower. Save me lugging it all the way down seven flights of stairs. “Well I got a surprise for you so follow me,” Harry said mysteriously and led her out of the common room. Once they where out of sight from the Fat Lady, Ginny turned to Harry worried. “I still can’t find Tom, Harry,” Ginny said sadness in her voice. “He was my friend.” “He’ll turn up I’m sure,” Harry said putting his arm around her. “Hopefully,” Ginny replied. “But what if someone took it?” “Then we just have to keep an eye out for someone carrying it around,” Harry answered. “It could be anyone.” “No it’s someone in Gryffindor,” Ginny said. “A girl too. As it was in my trunk and no one but a girl can come in.” “Well then we will keep an eye out for it in the common room. But remember even if Tom is gone, you still have me,” Harry said. “Jealous?” Ginny said with a smirk. “I’ll say yes just because I managed to get you to smile without putting on a front,” Harry jokingly replied. “You could always make me smile Harry,” Ginny told him and Harry took her hand in his leading her along two corridors and a flight of steps until they came to the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy and stopped facing a blank wall. “Gee I really wanted to see this,” Ginny drawled out. “I’m hungry! Why can’t we go down to tea?” “Well you’re cracking jokes,” Harry said letting go of her hand that he now realised he held all the way here. “You must be feeling a little better.” “You bring it out of me,” Ginny replied. “I just can help but feel safe around you.” “Well we would have a problem if you didn’t,” Harry said starting to walk backwards and forwards, thinking of what he needed. “Err… is there any point of your passing?” Ginny asked. However, the answer appeared to her in a form of a door now situated where there was once a solid wall. “What the…?” Ginny said shocked. Harry opened the door and bowed. “After you. And maybe next time you won’t question my actions.” Ginny walked through the door to find herself standing on the edge of a Quidditch pitch. “You always said over the summer that you’re always the calmest and having the most fun when you’re flying,” Harry said to her. Harry closed his eyes and to Ginny’s shock two broomsticks appeared out of thin air next to him. Harry handed her one and she noticed that it had Firebolt written across it. “What’s a Firebolt?” Ginny asked. She had never heard of a broomstick called that before. “It’s a prototype,” Harry replied. “They’re currently in production and should be released in the summer.” Apparently they’re the fastest brooms in the world.” Ginny starred opened mouthed at him. “How on earth did you get them?” this time Harry smiled, glad that he could now explain the room to her. “This Ginny is called the Room of Requirement,” Harry started. “Basically it’s a room that becomes anything you need it to become. And it only exists when you need it. To conjure up the room you pace backwards and forwards pass the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, clearly thinking what you want the room to become and what you need. Then after the third time of passing the tapestry the door appears in the wall. “What can the room become?” Ginny asked curiously. “Anything you need. It can become anything you need and conjure anything you need,” Harry explained. “Anything?” Ginny said awed. “Do you think it will conjure the diary?” Harry stomach dropped making him feel sick. It couldn’t could it? Harry had locked it in his trunk with the strongest charms he knew. The room couldn’t conjure the diary could it? “Give it a try.” Harry said praying to God that it didn’t work. Ginny closed her eyes concentrating hard. However the diary didn’t appear. Glad, Harry got ready to console Ginny. “I guess not,” Ginny whispered. “You’ll find it,” Harry said. “But we can’t do anything about it now. Now let’s just concentrate on having fun. And be careful, the broom is very fast.” “It can’t be much faster than the Nimbus can it,” Ginny said, hopping onto her broom. “Ginny don’t,” Harry said hurriedly. “Maybe you should come onto the back of mine first.” “You don’t think I can handle it?” Ginny asked. “Honestly and don’t take it the wrong way cause I know you can fly brilliantly, but no I don’t think you would be-able to. This broom is outstandingly fast. I don’t want you to be shocked and fall off. Just come onto the back of mine first. Just so you know how fast it is,” Harry explained. “Please,” he added. “I trust you Harry,” Ginny said nodding putting the broom back. Harry slid backwards nodding in front of him, telling Ginny to get on. “You want me in front of you?” Ginny asked strangely eyeing the space of the broomstick. “To make sure you don’t full off the back,” Harry explained. “Trust me. I won’t bite.” Ginny, breathing slowly eyed the space Harry was indicating before walking towards Harry and the broom and getting on. The problem was Ginny sat too high up on the broom. Harry need to be able to put his arms around Ginny. Sighing he kicked gently off the ground and went up in the air so they were a couple of feet above the ground. Once they were ten feet up in the air Harry, keeping it steady with his knees, let go of the broom with his hands. He put them on Ginny’s waist and pulled her back into him. She gasped, surprised at suddenly being pulled back snugly in between Harry’s legs. “I can’t fly this thing if you’re sitting way up there,” Harry explained. “I can’t reach around you. Now lean forward.” Ginny leaned forward a little and Harry shook his head. “More Ginny,” Harry said to her, pushing her down gently so that she was lying flat across the broom. “That’s better,” Harry said crouching down close to her head. “Now hold on…Tight!” and with that Harry pointed the broom upwards and accelerated the broom at full speed. He felt Ginny slid backwards a little even closer to him so now that there was no space between them what so ever. Higher and higher they went and Harry wandered if they was going to reach the ceiling soon. He didn’t know how the room of requirement worked. Would you be able to keep going up and up and not reach the ceiling because you required the room to be that high? Deciding that he had flown high enough, he flattened out and slowed the broom down to talk to Ginny. “Having fun?” he asked her. “Next time you do that bloody well warn me,” Ginny gasped out. “Having fun?” Harry repeated and he felt Ginny’s body shake with laughter as well of hearing it come out of her mouth. He missed hearing that laugh. He hadn’t heard it for a couple of days. Not a forced one anyway. Then again the ones a couple of days ago were probably forced ones too.” “I guess you were right about the broom going fast.” Ginny said, “How high up do you think we are. Surely we would have met the ceiling by now.” “Remember this is the Room of Requirement. It will be as high as we need it. And guessing I would say we’re about a mile high,” Harry said casually. However Ginny did not take that information as calmly as Harry thought she would. “How high?” Ginny said frozen. “You’re not scared are you Ginny?” Harry whispered in her ear. Then without warning her, he pointed the broom downwards and accelerated fast. With Ginny’s screams echoing in his ears they flew closer and closer to the ground. Just before they hit the ground Harry levelled out and shot of full speed to the end of the made up Quidditch pitch. Once he got to the goals he went into a tight turn through one hundred and eighty degrees. Once he straightened out he put another burst of speed on and shot off to the opposite goal posts. When he got there, he slowed the broom down and eventually stopped, hovering a couple of feet above the ground. “You think you could handle having a go controlling the broom now Ginny?” Harry said. Ginny didn’t answer but Harry decided that he was going to get off anyhow and he reluctantly slid away from Ginny and hopped off the broom. Once Harry had touched on the floor, Ginny slid backwards a bit so she could sit comfortable. “Were you seriously trying to kill me?” she whispered out and Harry chuckled. “No faith?” Harry replied. “I have faith,” Ginny said. “How could I not. I just don’t want to be killed on a broomstick.” “I had complete control,” Harry countered. “So?!” Ginny said as that all that mattered. “Next time warn me!” “So you want there to be a next time?” Harry said smirking. “That means you enjoyed it.” “I didn’t say I didn’t enjoy it,” Ginny huffed. “I said just warn me next time. Now do we have a quaffle or a snitch we can play with?” “What did you get for your birthday Ginny? What did you get ME for my birthday?” Harry said to her. “But they’re at home,” Ginny reminded him. “Then what is this?” Harry said taking a golden snitch out of his pocket, causing Ginny to smile even more. “So want to play?” For the next three hours, Harry and Ginny ignored the world outside the Room of Requirement. They constantly flew around playing with Harry’s snitch, trying to catch it. Harry got it most of the time but Ginny got it a couple of times as well. For the last hour they swapped to Ginny’s quaffle which Estelle fetched for them and Harry took up the post of goalkeeper whilst Ginny practiced her shooting against him. After an hour they were both hot and sweaty and in need of a shower. Thinking they needed this, the Quidditch pitch and the brooms disappeared and two doors appeared in front of them leading into a bathroom with showers. Once they had cleaned themselves up, Harry and Ginny left the room of requirement. Once they closed the door, it disappeared and turned back into a solid brick wall. “Did you enjoy that?” Harry said once the door had disappeared. Ginny had leant against the wall waiting for Harry. “The most fun I had since I came to Hogwarts,” Ginny said. “I almost forgot about everything that was going on when we were flying.” “That Gin, was the point,” Harry told her gently. “I don’t deserve you,” Ginny said. “No Gin. It’s I, who don’t deserve you. But can we argue this later, I’m getting hungry,” Harry said starting to walk along the corridor. “What is it with boys and them always thinking with their stomach?” Ginny said, falling in step. “What is it with girls and them always complaining about something?” Harry sarcastically replied. That earned a smack around the head from Ginny. “Prat!” she simply said. “Yeah but you still like me!” Harry said. Ginny was stalled for only a second before answering. “Yeah I do. Unfortunately,” she added before running off with Harry chasing her. Once they got to the entrance hall Harry dragged Ginny off towards a door that the Hufflepuffs always went through to go to their common room. “Where are we going?” Ginny asked “You want some food don’t you?” Harry replied simply. “But the Great Hall…” Ginny said confused pointing behind them. “Ginny, we were in the Room of Requirement for three hours,” Harry told her. “Tea finished ages okay.” “So what are we going to do? I’m starving,” Ginny said. “Wouldn’t the room of requirement have given us food?” she added thoughtfully. “I suppose it would have,” Harry replied, ponderously. “I didn’t think of that.” “Just another reason why boys are dumb,” Ginny joked. “You really are in a good mood aren’t you?” Harry said. “Because of you,” she said gently. “Well I’m glad I can make you happy,” Harry said finally stopping outside a portrait of a bowl of fruit. Tickling the pear it turned into a handle, which Harry grabbed and pulled the portrait open to reveal the kitchens. “Tea is served Madam,” Harry said bowing and letting Ginny through the door first, causing her to laugh. Once they were both through the door, they were swamped with house elves. “Is there anything we can get you Sir and Miss?” one house elf squeaked out. “Yes. We missed dinner and we’re slightly hungry,” Harry explained. “No problem sir and miss,” another house elf said. “We is getting you some food.” The house elves started to move franticly around the kitchen and not a couple of second’s later they brought three trays full to the brim of food, causing Ginny to look shocked. “Anything wrong with the food miss?” The house elf who addressed them first said, misreading Ginny’s expression. “We is terribly sorry. We will punish ourselves for this miss.” This sentence brought Ginny back to reality. “No, no. It’s fine. It’s just I didn’t realise you would give us so much. Not that it’s a bad thing,” she quickly added when she noticed that the house elves looked worried. Once Harry and Ginny sat down and started to eat the elves left them to it. “And here I admired Fred and George for sneaking into the kitchens to get food. It’s not exactly difficult is it? Anyone could do it if they knew where the kitchens are. I mean the house elves just give the food away,” Ginny said “Yeah that’s true,” Harry said. “Listen I don’t think you should tell anyone we were down here. Especially not Hermione.” “Why not?” Ginny asked. “Just trust me,” Harry said. “She wouldn’t like the idea of house elves like this.” “Okay,” Ginny promised. -oOoOoOo- Once they had eaten dinner they headed up to the common room where they were cornered by Hermione. “Where have you two been?” Hermione asked as soon as they sat down. “We weren’t hungry,” Harry said and Ginny smiled, going along with the story. “So we walked around the castle a bit exploring.” “It was really good,” Ginny said acting like this story wasn’t new to her. “Well you could have told us,” Ron said. “We might have wanted to come with you.” “What? You miss dinner?” Neville said. “I would love to see that.” Ron was just about to answer back when a fifth year came by with some talismans around his neck. “Does anyone want to buy some talismans of me? They’re one hundred percent guaranteed to protect you. Only five galleons each,” the fifth year boy said. “Do they actually work?” Hermione asked scrutinizing them. “I heard a couple of third years complain about getting ripped off.” “Of course they...” The boy started but what they did they didn’t find out as both Fred and George came hurryingly over. “Not these people Matt,” George said. “There are some Third years over there though.” “Yeah try sell some to them,” Fred said and the fifth year boy walked away. “I should have known you were behind it,” Harry said. “Couldn’t you have at least cut your fellow pranksters into the deal?” “We were going to,” Fred said. “Yeah but we weren’t sure how well it would pick up,” George continued. “But we always planned on given you and Ginny fifty percent of the profits,” Fred finished. “That’s despicable,” Hermione raged at them. “Do they work?” “There are protection charms on them. However we haven’t tested them against whom, or whatever is attacking the students,” George said. “Yeah we didn’t particularly want to get petrified,” Fred said. “But rest assured they aren’t fake,” Fred continued. “We wouldn’t do anything to put people in danger.” “Well,” Hermione said looking at the twins disapprovingly. “I suppose that’s something.” -oOoOoOo- Later that night, once everyone had drifted up to there dorms, Harry snuck back down stairs again to meet Ginny. She was lying on the couch, terribly sleepy after being warn out playing quidditch. “Hey sleepy,” Harry said greeting her. “How you feeling?” he asked walking over to here and kneeling down beside the couch. “Better, now you’re here,” Ginny replied. “Good, now go to sleep,” Harry said gently pushing a stray strand of hair that had fallen across Ginny’s face. “Can we play quidditch again tomorrow?” Ginny asked closing her eyes. “Not sure,” Harry said. “Depends if we can get away from the others without them questioning it. We’ll see.” “Night Harry,” Ginny said pulling the duvet closer around her. Within the minute, she had drifted off to sleep. Once he had made sure she wasn’t going to wake up he called Estelle so that she would watch over Ginny and get him if she woke up. Once Estelle had settle down next to Ginny and Harry thought that she would be okay, he walked out of the common room and headed off towards the headmasters office. Harry had had to wait for five minutes for Filch to move away from the last set of staircase nearest Dumbledore’s office but apart from that slight inconvenience, he met no one on the way there. Harry, once again, like last time, asked for the statue to move aside and let him have access to the Headmaster’s Office. Climbing up the steps, he wondered what Dumbledore would say. Harry knew that Dumbledore would never swoop so low to say that he told him so, but Dumbledore was against this from the start. As he came to the door with the griffin knocker on, he practiced breathing slowly. Deciding that he should get this over with now rather than later he knocked on the door. There was no answer. Maybe Dumbledore had already gone to sleep. Harry knocked on the door once again yet there was no answer. He needed to speak to the headmaster tonight because during the days he wouldn’t have anytime because he was looking after Ginny. Harry waited for another twenty minutes before deciding to give up. Sighing, Harry turned around and walked back down the steps. Half way down though Harry swayed to a stop as the stairs started to rotate upwards. Hoping that this was Dumbledore Harry stayed on the staircase and once again let it take him upwards towards the headmaster’s office. As he reached the top, he stepped off and waited patiently for the stairs to stop moving. Not seconds later, the figure of Professor Dumbledore stepped off the staircase. “Harry my dear boy,” Dumbledore said at once. “What brings you here this late?” “Ginny,” Harry simply said. However, Dumbledore caught the worry in his voice. “Of course come in,” Dumbledore said, opening the door and leading Harry into his office. Harry sat down in the chair opposite Dumbledore’s desk as Dumbledore himself walked around his desk and sat down in his usual chair. “Anything the matter?” Dumbledore asked, “Is she okay?” Harry thought for a moment of how to answer that simple question. She obviously wasn’t okay. But just saying no didn’t quite cover it. She was a wreck. She couldn’t stay in the same room alone for longer than a minute. Ginny also had never depended on Harry as much as she was doing now. “I’ll take your silence as a no,” Dumbledore said quietly. “I’ve only ever seen her this bad once before,” Harry said quietly. “And that was when her whole family apart from Ron was murdered in one go. She was nineteen at the time. She’s only eleven now.” Harry couldn’t take the strain anymore. Breaking down, Harry held his head in his hands and cried. Ginny was in pain, his Ginny, and he was the cause of it. Knowing that Ginny was hurting and he could have prevented it only caused the pain to hurt more. Dumbledore gently stood up, came around his desk and knelt down beside Harry. “I was afraid that this would happen. Watching the person you love the most get hurt is probably the worse thing that you could watch. It’s the reason why Tom thinks that love makes you weak. It hurts you so much the pain is unbearable. Tom believes that pain is a weakness. And it can be. But it can also give you strength, something that Tom over looks.” “I wished that you didn’t have to learn this under these circumstances,” Dumbledore said to Harry. “But you wouldn’t have listened to me or see reason at the start of term. But now isn’t the time to look back at your past mistakes. You need to look into the future and see how to mend them. I am correct that after this you do not wish to continue with the original plan. You wish to take the diary away from Ginny?” “I already have,” Harry said, calming down a bit. “This is what I came to tell you. There will be no more attacks. I couldn’t have just sat back and let Ginny go through this when I know how much she is truly suffering from it. The diary is locked in my trunk with the strongest spells I know. No-one will be able to get into my trunk and find it. And I mean no-one.” “That Harry,” Dumbledore said now smiling. “Is the best news you’ve given me in a long time.” “There is a problem though,” Harry said as Dumbledore sat back down in his chair behind the desk. “I cannot destroy the diary. I tried to throw it in the fire but it had some spell on it protecting it. I tried to figure it out but I can’t find a reason why it can not be destroyed.” “How did you destroy it last time?” Dumbledore asked. “I stuck a basilisk fang through it,” Harry explained. “But I tried putting a knife through the diary. To simulate the same thing happening but the book had a force field of some kind around it. I couldn’t puncture the dairy with the knife.” “Was there anything different from how you destroyed it last time then to when you tried to destroy it this time?” Dumbledore asked. “Well apart from being down in the chamber no not really,” Harry said. “I mean I know the knife wasn’t poisonous…” Harry stopped mid sentence hating the conclusion forming in his head. “Tom,” Harry simply said. “Tom was out of the diary last time I destroyed it. This time he’s still in the diary.” “You’re thinking that whilst Tom is still in the diary it cannot be destroyed?” Dumbledore asked hypothesising. “That is sadly a possibility. Tom might have protected it like that. Although, I doubt that he would have made it too hard. I mean he did have, of course, or was planning to have more Horcruxes. This was his first.” “We have to find a way,” Harry said. “Letting Tom come out of the dairy means letting Ginny have the diary back and I WILL NOT let that happen.” “Of course not,” Dumbledore said gently to Harry. “We just need to research a way to destroy the diary with Tom still inside.” |
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