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HB Prince: Year of Love | ||||||
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Category: Post-OotP Characters:All, All Genres: Angst, Drama, Fluff, Humor Warnings: None Rating: PG Reviews: 309 Summary: *** The author has been reminded via the e-mail address on file that this story is listed as incomplete and has not been updated in over 2 years *** This story starts at the end of Order Of The Phoenix. Although this story starts as the usual Harry/Ginny romance, I believe after several chapters, you will find that Ancient Dark Magic takes on a whole new meaning to our Harry and Ginny. Will Harry discover the key to the Half-Blood Prince?* * * *American Edition *** * * * Hitcount: Story Total: 196473; Chapter Total: 3514 Author's Notes: SUMMARY: ADULT THEME - Adult topic discussed
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Harry’s reaction -- Ron’s reaction -- Ginny’s challenge
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ADULT THEME - Adult topic discussed --------------- Chapter Thirty-one Ginny’s Challenge Harry left the room and entered the hotel hallway. Remus, Arthur and Molly had just arrived. Molly entered the hotel room, leaving the men standing in the hallway. They all stood silently. Harry was most uncomfortable with Arthur standing near. Twenty minutes later, the door opened. A glowing Ginny walked over to Harry and put her arms around him with her head on his chest. He put his arms around her and rested his head on her head. “Remus, you can come in now,” whispered Molly. Lupin entered the room and closed the door. A second later, Arthur opened the door. “I must see for myself.” “Arthur you need not...” said Lupin. That was all that was heard because the door closed. Another minute passed, then Lupin returned to the hallway. The three of them waited a few minutes before the door opened again. A pale Arthur and Molly Weasley stepped out into the hallway. Molly was holding the black velvet bag. Lupin produced the little box. They all touched it and re-appeared in Professor Dumbledore’s Office. Once they all steadied themselves, Molly handed the black velvet bag to the Headmaster. “So ! It is complete. Thank you, Molly,” said Dumbledore. He gestured for Harry and Ginny to stand before his desk. “You MUST not speak of the evening’s events. Not to anyone. Not to each other. Have I made myself clear?” he asked. They both nodded. “Show me your rings,” he said, gently. They both extended their left hands. He waved his hand and their rings disappeared. Ginny gasped. “Never fear, your rings are still there. I have put an Illusion Charm on them. If you touch them, you will feel that they are still there. I must ask you not to be handling them in public. You must not call attention to them in any way.” “I am assuming that you will be taking on the role of a dating couple.” They both nodded. “Remember my warnings. You must be EXTREMELY careful. No more than ten minutes out of public sight. One or the other must be within sight of others at all times.” “We don’t know how long this will go on. It is possible that this could go on for a very long time. We don’t know what is going on at the other end. We will have to be patient. We must be prepared for anything.” “Molly, you may now take Mrs. Potter back to her dorm.” Harry gently kissed her goodnight. “Harry I want you to stay for just a few minutes.” Harry watched his new wife and mother-in-law cover themselves with an invisibility cloak and disappear. Arthur and Remus sat in the far left chairs. Dumbledore put a Silencing Charm around himself and Harry. “So! The sacrifice is complete,” said Dumbledore patting the black velvet bag. “Sacrifice?” asked Harry, astonished. “Not all sacrifices are evil, Harry,” said Dumbledore with a smile. “Harry, this is going to be the most difficult thing you will ever have to do. You MUST remember that your wife’s life is in danger. You can only control this by your actions. You must conduct your life as though Tom Riddle is watching your every movement. BE CAREFUL ! “ Harry paled. “I’m sorry, Harry, but I can not stress this enough. It will be hard... very hard... but I must make you understand exactly how dangerous this is and for you to understand why it is worth all the sacrifices that you will be making. “ “I did not tell Molly or Ginny what I am about to tell you. I think what they have already been told, is more than enough burden to bear. I have, however, told Arthur and Remus.” “The ritual that you performed tonight, the sacrifice, would have been made by Tom Riddle, himself... Her virginity was the sacrifice, not her life. “ “He is capable of doing that?” asked Harry. “Apparently he is or he would not bother with the spell,” said Dumbledore. “I’m sure that she would not have survived the ritual performed by him.” Harry stared at him, his face went white. Then he began to retch... he could not control himself. He vomited all over the carpet. “My sentiments exactly,” said Dumbledore. Remus and Arthur were watching the conversation between Harry and Dumbledore. When Harry threw up. Remus asked Arthur. “Any odds on what he just told him?” “No.” * * * * When Harry arrived in his dorm, he barely had the strength to undress before he flopped down on his bed. Two hours later, Ron was shaking him, telling him he was going to be late if he didn’t get up. Harry washed his face with cold water to help wake himself up. He brushed his teeth and dressed. He dragged himself down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Ginny was already sitting with her friends, eating breakfast. Harry was amazed how beautiful she could look this morning, after being up all night. The noisy room was too loud and bright this morning, his eyes were burning. The smell of the food, however, made his stomach rumble. He was starving! He piled his plate and started wolfing down his breakfast. After refilling his plate for the second time, Hermione stopped him. “Harry! Stop! You are going to make yourself sick. What’s wrong with you? I’ve never seen you eat so fast and so much !” “Don’t know. Just hungry this morning,” said Harry. “I think you should stop. There’s always LUNCH, you know.” Harry stopped eating and headed off to his first class. He struggled to keep awake. During his second period in Professor Flitwick’s class, he fell asleep. As the lunch bell rang, Professor Snape was walking along the corridor with Dumbledore, talking. “I heard that Harry Potter fell asleep in class this morning. Professor Flitwick just let him sleep. I think he should have gotten detention. He can’t be getting away with this kind of thing. It’s a bad example to the others.” Harry was just passing by them, when Dumbledore said: “Ah, Harry. I see you up and about. I think, perhaps you should go see Madam Pomfrey. You still don’t look well.” “Harry was in my office last night and became ill,” he told Professor Snape. “I’m ok, thank you. I think I ate too much breakfast and it made me groggy. I’ll be ok. I just won’t eat lunch,” said Harry. “I think you should go to the hospital wing. You really don’t look well,” said Dumbledore. Harry thought a moment. What if Ginny needed to go? It wouldn’t look good for both of them to be in the hospital wing from lack of sleep, at the same time. Ginny may need it more than he did. “No, that’s ok. I’ll be fine. Thank you, Professor.” Harry sat at the lunch table watching everyone eat. He looked down the table at Ginny, she was starting to wilt. After eating, she came over to where Harry was sitting. “Ginny, you don’t look so good. Maybe you should go see Madam Pomfrey,” suggested Harry. “No, I can’t. I’m ok. I just didn’t sleep well last night. I can’t miss Snape’s class. He is still angry at me for missing some homework a few weeks ago. I’m too tired to add a detention today. I’ll be fine. Going to bed early tonight,” said Ginny, yawning. “Did you have a nightmare last night?” asked Hermione, concerned. “No, most of my dreams were... sweet. I just... kept waking up. It must of been a bad case of nerves... with O.W.L.s and all,” said Ginny. As they all walked to class, Harry asked Ron if he would teach his Beginners class tonight. Ron agreed. After the last class of the day, Harry went straight to his dorm and slept the entire night. The next morning at breakfast, Harry ate a light breakfast. He was looking over at Ginny. “Ron, I think I’m going to ask Ginny to be my girlfriend today.” He waited for Ron’s reaction. “What for? I mean, you’ve been dating her all year. Don’t she already KNOW she’s your girlfriend?” asked Ron. “Huh? No. Ron, I’ve taken her to the balls, but we haven’t been a ‘couple’,“ said Harry. “I don’t know what else you could call it,” said Ron. “Whatever,” said Harry, sensing that there would be no problem with Ron. Harry walked over behind Ginny. “Good morning, Ginny,” he whispered in her ear. “Would you meet me for lunch today?” Ginny blushed, then smiled. “Sure. Meet you here then.” Harry smiled, and left the Great Hall. Ginny and her girlfriends started giggling. Harry met Ginny at the doors at lunch time. As they walked over to the table he asked: “After we’ve eaten, would you take a walk with me?” “Sure.” They quickly ate their lunch at the table in Harry’s usual spot, beside Ron. Ron was talking in his usual manner, gobbling his food. They walked out of the room with Harry’s arm on Ginny’s shoulder. It was still too cold to be walking outside without a heavy cloak, so they walked along the corridors until they found a private spot. “I told Ron that I would be asking you to be my girlfriend today. He seemed to think that I didn’t need to. He thinks we were already a couple,” said Harry. Ginny rolled her eyes. “Well, I guess we don’t have to worry about him.” “Ginny, are you all right? I mean, are you FEELING all right?” “I’m fine, Harry,” she smiled sweetly. “I love you, Ginny,” said Harry as he gently kissed her forehead. “I love you, Harry.” Harry took her hand and walked her to her next class. After they were finished eating dinner, Luna came over to talk to Harry. “Why is Ginny sitting over there? I heard you two were going together now,” said Luna “Yes, we are. I didn’t get a chance to tell you before the word spread. I’m sorry, Luna,” said Harry. “She’s sitting over there because we don’t have a dinner date tonight.” “So you have to have a date to eat together?” “She needs to spend time with her friends,” said Harry. “You’re weird, Harry.” * * * * Later that evening, after D.A. Harry sat with Ron and Hermione doing homework. When he finished, he caught Ginny’s eye. They found a private area in the Common Room to talk quietly for a couple of minutes. Harry walked her to the entrance of the girls dorm and gave her a goodnight kiss. It was a very passionate kiss, so passionate that Ron came off the sofa and grabbed Harry by the collar. “Get off her! What do you think you’re doing?” Then he swung his fist and hit Harry in the face. Harry went down. He was shocked and bleeding. He decided to stay down. If he got back up, he knew there would be an ugly fight. He didn’t want to fight with Ron. What was wrong with Ron? “Ron! I was only kissing her,” said Harry as he wiped some blood off his face. “That there was not KISSING. That was... that was... You KNOW what that was! Don’t you EVER do that to Ginny again!” yelled Ron. Neville stepped up and led Ron away from Harry. Ginny ran out the portrait hole and down the corridor. Harry got up and followed her. When he caught up with her, she was crying. She was standing against the wall and he stood in front of her, blocking anyone from seeing her. ‘I’m so sorry, Ginny. I didn’t mean to... a ... you know,” he stammered. “I just a... “ “You scared Ron, Harry. I know you didn’t mean to, but you did,” said Ginny. “I know. I didn’t mean to. I mean, well I just was involved with the kiss. I never thought. I mean I wasn’t thinking about anything but you.” “It was pretty... a... or too... a... it probably looked pretty passionate. It felt pretty passionate,” said Ginny, then she started to giggle. “It’s not funny, Ginny. What are we going to do?” asked Harry. “I’ll go talk to him. You need to clean up. Your face is a mess,” said Ginny. “Ginny, I’ll try next time not to be so aggressive. I think the problem is, that we haven’t had enough practice,” said Harry. “Yes, I agree. We definitely need to practice more. Just not when Ron is around,” said Ginny, grinning. They walked back toward the Gryffindor Tower. At the Fat Lady’s portrait, they split up. Ginny went inside and Harry left to find the nearest boy’s bathroom. Hermione told Ginny that Ron was up in his dorm. Ginny went up the stairs to the dorm where she spent several nights a few months ago. Ron was sitting on his bed. His body language told her that he was still very angry. “Ron, I came to apologize,” said Ginny. “You? I wasn’t YOU, it was HIM ! He should apologize to YOU! “ yelled Ron. “He already has. Ron, he didn’t mean to... a... kiss me so... It was a mistake,” said Ginny “You damn right it was a mistake! I can’t believe it. Harry should know better than to do that to you. He’s supposed to keep the other guys away from you. Not attack you! I just can’t believe it,” roared Ron. “Ron! He didn’t attack me. He just kissed me a little longer than he should have. It was not that big a deal,” said Ginny. “And that’s JUST the reason that I have to look out for you. You don’t know right from wrong. THAT WAS WRONG, GINNY! “ shouted Ron. “Ron! Now you listen to me. You KNOW that I’ve loved Harry for all these years. TODAY he finally asked me to be his girlfriend. I can’t let you come between us. Ron, don’t make me choose,” said Ginny, with tears falling down her face. “Choose? Who said anything about making you choose?” said Ron. “You’ve been best friends with Harry for all these years. I don’t want to come between you two. But I also don’t want YOU to come between Harry and me.” “Ron, we’ve only been together for ONE DAY. Give us a chance to... to sort things out,” said Ginny. “I love him.” “I can’t let him get away with that, Ginny,” said Ron, sadly. “You didn’t! You punched him out. He went down. If you waited about a second longer, you wouldn’t have had to hit him. I would have,” said Ginny. “You would?” said Ron. “Of course I would, but I don’t think I would have had to. It was... well it was over right about the time you pulled him away. I was GOING to tell him that... well, I was going to tell him. Never mind what I as going to say. That would be private,” said Ginny, softly. “Ron, it wasn’t as wrong as you think. It probably looked worse. I mean, well... I wouldn’t let him or anyone else take advantage of me. I CAN take care of myself. But I promise you, if I felt I couldn’t handle a situation, I would ASK you to take care of it for me.” “You would?” asked Ron. “Yes I would.” “Ron, I want to let you in on a little secret. A girl needs to handle men in her OWN way. If she lets a man think that she can’t take care of herself, he is more likely to take advantage of her when they are alone. If he knows she can take care of herself, he is usually more cautious. That’s why I never liked you or my other brothers defending me. It makes them think I am weak.” “I know a lot more about life than you think I do. I know that you men will push a girl just as far as she will allow. I have my limits set. If anyone tries to go past those limits, he will pay. If I have to fight a man off, and I can’t handle it, then yes, I will call you in.” “That goes for Harry too. But Ron, I really don’t think that it will ever come to that. I would not go with Harry if I didn’t trust him. If he doesn’t respect me, I will drop him so fast he won’t have time to bounce. That’s a promise! “ “Ok?” “Ok,” said Ron. * * * * Harry had asked Dean, Seamus and Neville to wait before going up. He hoped that it wouldn’t take too long to calm Ron down. He waited for Ginny to come back to the Common Room. “You ok?” he asked Ginny. “Yes, I’m fine. Wait a couple more minutes before going up. Give him a little time to think about what I’ve just said to him,” said Ginny. “Good night, Harry. This sure has been an eventful first day together.” “Good night, Ginny.” He sighed. Harry waited for a few minutes then went up. “Ron?” “Yeah.” “I’m really sorry about what happened tonight,” said Harry. “You shouldn’t be apologizing to me. You should apologize to Ginny,” said Ron. “I already did. Look, I think it looked worse that it was. I mean, well... it did go a little longer than... well, than I meant it to go. I mean... well, I didn’t know how to react to... It was our first day together. We haven’t had time to... well... sort out our emotions. I’ve loved her for a long time and I’ve been keeping my emotions bottled up. Some of it just sort of slipped out all at once,” said Harry. “That’s no excuse, Harry,” said Ron. “I KNOW it’s no excuse, but that’s what happened. I respect Ginny more than you will ever know. It won’t happen again,” said Harry. “Damn right, it won’t!” said Ron. “Ron, I don’t know what I can say to make you trust me again. What if I promised not to do anything to Ginny that Dumbledore would not allow?” “Dumbledore? With all the things he lets you get away with? He’s as mad as a hatter !” “What about Lupin?” “Moony? A marauder? Are you kidding?” asked Ron. “Ginny?” asked Harry. “I don’t know. That doesn’t set my mind at ease,” said Ron, thoughtfully. “What about your parents?” asked Harry. Ron raised an eyebrow. “Your Dad?” added Harry. “Dad? Now you’re talking! Do you KNOW how strict my dad is ? Especially about Ginny?” asked Ron. “I stand on my word. Shake on it?” asked Harry, extending his hand. “You’ve got a deal,” said Ron, shaking Harry’s hand. “Can you forgive me this once?” asked Harry. “Yeah, but I don’t want to see you kissing her again. If you are going to kiss her, do it when I’m not around. I can’t be responsible for my actions.” “That’s fair enough.” “I don’t know how I’m going to react whenever I see Fred kiss Luna,” said Harry. “Yeah. Just be ready. It hurts,” said Ron. “Thanks. I’ll remember that.” After letting the other boys know it was all clear, Harry undressed and crawled into bed. This was going to be a lot harder than he could ever have imagined. Tomorrow he would have to start thinking about every single movement and every single word he said to Ginny. He sighed. * * * * After breakfast the next morning, Harry and Ron were talking as they left the Great Hall. They were walking towards the marble staircase in the Entrance Hall when they heard a familiar voice. It was Malfoy. He was standing about a dozen steps up the staircase. From where he stood he could look down on everyone below. “Yeah. It’s all over school. Weasley caught Potter doing it with his sister last night. Oh! Look, there they are. All friends again. Potter must have PAID Weasley off. Guess you know what that makes the Weaselette. Guess we know how she can afford all those expensive robes,” said Malfoy in a loud voice. Ron and Harry froze. Ron was beginning to move as Harry caught his arm. Before either could take a step, Ginny appeared, standing on the bottom stair. “WHAT’S ALL THIS?” came a booming voice from behind. It was Dumbledore. “Draco Malfoy has just questioned my virtue,” said Ginny. “That’s a serious accusation, Mr. Malfoy,” said Dumbledore. “I think he needs to prove his statement,” said Ginny. “I don’t need to prove anything. It’s all over school,” said Malfoy. “I think you do,” said Ginny. “Since YOU are the one who is telling it all over the school. I can prove my virtue. Shall I go see Madam Pomfrey?” “Ginny!” said Harry. “What are you doing?” “I don’t think that will be necessary, Miss Weasley,” said Dumbledore. “I think it IS,” said Ginny, pointedly. “Suppose we make it interesting. Suppose I go to Madam Pomfrey and suppose that Mr. Malfoy is wrong. Would cleaning up the Gryffindor table after dinner every evening... for a MONTH, be fair?” “What do I get out of it, if I’m right?” asked Malfoy. “You get the honor of being right !” said Ginny. “I do not think that will be necessary, Miss Weasley,” said Dumbledore. “I believe it is,” she said, looking into Dumbledore’s eyes. “Well, Malfoy?” said Ginny, turning, then staring into Malfoy’s eyes. “As the Headmaster said, it is not necessary,” said Malfoy. “Then I think you should apologize,” said Ginny, still staring at Malfoy without blinking. “I’m sorry that I was misinformed,” said Malfoy with as much dignity as he could. “I think we will be discussing this further... in my office, Mr. Malfoy,” said Dumbledore. “Remind me never to play poker with you,” whispered Dumbledore to Ginny. * * * * Beta by Jenny |
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