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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: 196495; Chapter Total: 3496 Author's Notes: SUMMARY: Who’s watching? -- Who’s seeing who?
Hermione reads a book -- Harry meets up with an old friend.
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Chapter Thirty-two Love Around The Castle Next “free class” with Dumbledore, he noticed that the portraits were turned, when he sat down. “Why do you turn the portraits, Professor?” asked Harry. “It’s a reminder, Harry. You can’t trust the castle. Not about what we have been hiding as of late,” he said. “Remember when you are alone with Ginny there may be a portrait near. Although they wouldn’t purposely want to do harm. They do tend to gossip. As far as you and Ginny are concerned, there is no innocent gossip.” “Now tell me, what was that all about with Draco Malfoy?” “I don’t know where he got his information, but it was close... not THAT close. I was kissing Ginny goodnight in the Common Room. I kissed her a little too... long. More than Ron was ready for. He hit me.” “I see.” “We made up. Everything was fine between us. Then you heard what Malfory said. “Who was there, at the time?” asked Dumbledore. “I’m not sure. I wasn’t paying attention. But there wasn’t anyone that wouldn’t normally be there. I probably would have noticed that. I’ve been wondering though... I wonder if it was someone who only HEARD what was said. If they saw... well, there wasn’t anything to see. But Ron’s wording... yes... it could have been misunderstood.” “What did he say? Exactly.” “He said. ‘Get off her.’ ‘that was not just kissing’ something like that. Definitely ‘Get off her’. ” “I see,” said Dumbledore. “Seeing you kissing, must have been hard for young Mr. Weasley to handle.” “We talked to him, first Ginny alone, then I talked with him. I got him settled down. He trusts me now.” “How did you do that?” asked Dumbledore, curiously. “I vowed not to try anything with Ginny that Mr. Weasley would not allow,” said Harry, sheepishly. “Ha! Harry, that was brilliant!” Dumbledore chuckled. “Well... I DID have to go through a list of others before I got to the right person he would trust,” said Harry, sheepishly. “Who?” asked Dumbledore. “You and Lupin,” said Harry, grinning. “Oh!” he said, laughing. “That one’s a treasure. Do you mind if I share that with Remus and the Weasleys? They could use a good laugh about now.” Harry grinned. “Go ahead.” “I must say, that your young wife never ceases to amaze me. The way she played that out. She turned a disaster into a plus. There is now, no doubt of her virginity. Brilliant! Of course, it could have gone wrong. If Mr. Malfoy would have called her bluff.” “I’m sure she would have thought of something,” said Harry. “Of course, and I was ready to step in, if needed. But she pulled it off neatly. The more I learn about her, the more respect I have for her. I was also surprised to learn that she knew the prophecy,” said Dumbledore. “We discussed it. She already knew what it was. I mean, she figured it out. She knew all along that I would have to fight him. She thinks the prophecy doesn’t tell us anything NEW, only that there is hope.” “Brilliant! You have chosen well, Harry.” * * * * “What have you learned, Wormtail?” “Nothing. Nothing of importance, My Lord.” “I’ll be the judge of what is important.” “Only that Potter is now seeing the girl openly.” “Does he ‘LOVE’ her, Wormtail?” “Oh yes. There is no doubt of that.” “Are they being watched? At all times?” “Yes, My Lord.” “And their conversations?” “Yes, My Lord.” “They must not be alone together for more than a few minutes. If they are, then there needs to be a diversion. Do you understand me?” “Yes, My Lord.” “Have you gotten any more information out of her old ‘boyfriend’ ?” “No, My Lord. The subject has been brought up around him from many different angles. He says he hasn’t been with her.” “Ahhhh... I wonder if he is being noble?” “No, My Lord. I don’t think so. Not after what I heard yesterday.” “What did you hear yesterday, Wormtail ?” “Malfoy’s son, Draco, accused the girl of being with Potter. She confronted him. Offered to go to Madam Pomfrey to be examined,” said Wormtail. “WHAT? Why didn’t you tell me this before?” “I thought there was no need, My Lord.” “No need? Why do you think I have been having her watched? You are an idiot.” “Yes, My Lord.” “I REPEAT. DO NOT LET POTTER BE ALONE WITH HER FOR MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES! Of course, we will not have a problem with Potter. He is too noble... too saintly. BUT I DON’T TRUST HER! KEEP AN EYE ON HER AT ALL TIMES!” “Yes, My Lord.” * * * * After the first two days of disaster, Harry became very conscious of how he and Ginny presented themselves to others. Harry and Ginny were an item. They knew that they were being watched. Not by just the enemy, but by mostly everyone. They were popular. Since there wasn’t very much to distract students, they focused on romances that were blooming around the castle, that included Harry and Ginny. Since there was nowhere to take a girl on a date, Harry made up his own dates. Each morning, Ginny would be sitting with her friends, he would walk up behind her and whisper his “good morning”, then he would invite her for either lunch or dinner. He did not meet her for both in one day. He felt if they stretched out their “dates”, they would feel more like dates. Their date consisted of eating whatever meal. Then, because of the weather, they usually walked along the many corridors within the castle. They sometimes would find a private spot to talk, and sometimes steal a kiss. He had learned his lesson about kissing. He was very careful to kiss her with love, but held back on the passion. No easy task. He had to keep himself under control at all times. If they had a dinner date, they limited their time together to an hour. Harry taught his Beginners classes. Ginny taught her Advanced classes, then homework. O.W.L.s were fastly approaching, so she had loads of homework. Harry was very careful about the words he spoke. This was not natural for him. He had to work very hard to think about what he was going to say before he said it. Whether it was a private talk with Ginny or speaking of her to someone else. He did make sure to tell her that he loved her everyday. That was important to him and Ginny. Ginny had to think about her words too. She was normally a quiet person, but if she got upset, words would fly. She knew she had to be extra careful too. Ginny understood, but in bed at night she would think about how frustrating it was not to act more “natural” with Harry, but having Harry made it all worth it. Although there were many worries in Harry’s life, he was happy now, happier than he ever had been. After all the suffering he did this year, at least he knew he had Ginny now. Ginny was his world. * * * * The weather was finally starting to ease. The snow began to get sloshy and the icicles were dripping. Quidditch had been put off, due to the freezing weather. It was so cold that if the brooms touched the ground, they stuck to it. It wouldn’t be long before Quidditch practice would start again. In the meantime, Ron had the team working out in the Room of Requirements. They had several Quaffles that they tossed to each other. They also used a few small balls that they magically bounced around the room for Harry to catch as a Snitch. He usually kept them at it till everyone was wringing wet with sweat. Ron hadn’t been ‘dating’ much since Christmas break. Harry worried that he might have ruined Ron for life, but then he started to occasionally go out. One day, Harry asked him about Lisa. “Naw. She’s not very affectionate. I like girls to be affectionate. No, they don’t have to be THAT affectionate. But you know, at least make you feel like you been with a girl,” said Ron. “I’m sorry, Ron,” said Harry. “Don’t be. There are plenty more out there,” said Ron, grinning. “What about Sylvia?” asked Harry. “She was real nice.” “Yeah. Well, she won’t talk to me. You wouldn’t BELIEVE what she called me. I didn’t know males could be one. Anyway, I’ve been seeing a couple of girls. They’re ok,” said Ron. Harry felt better, knowing that his book didn’t completely ruin Ron’s life. Harry caught Neville alone one Sunday evening in their dorm. He asked Neville about how his parents were doing. “They’re ok. They are becoming more alert each time I see them, but they are not completely well. Gran thinks that ‘they will never be the same’, but I can see the progress.” “That’s great, Neville,” said Harry. ‘Harry, I still don’t know how to thank you for saving my parents. They may ‘never be the same’, but at least they are sane and we are getting to know each other. Something that would not be possible without you,” said Neville. “It was all of us that did it. We all shared ideas that solved it,” said Harry, patting Neville on the shoulder. “I don’t see you with Hermione very much lately.” “We broke up, I guess. Actually we haven’t been really going together since before Christmas. We sort of drifted apart,” said Neville. “I’m sorry it’s not working out,” said Harry. “Don’t be sorry, Harry. I think Hermione liked me better when I had ‘hard days’. Maybe I was more likable on those days,” said Neville. Hermione didn’t go out much, if at all. She did her Prefect rounds, taught a few nights of Advanced D.A. and of course did her homework. One night, Harry and Hermione were doing homework. Ron was off somewhere. Neville was over talking to Seamus and Dean. Hermione sighed and closed her books. “I’m so bored. What are you doing tonight?” she asked. “I’m finished with homework. I might get to take a walk with Ginny if she gets hers done soon enough,” said Harry. “If not, I have a couple of books to read.” “You’ve been reading a lot this year. There’s that one book that you read a lot. It must be interesting,” said Hermione. He was still reading his book. He had finished the last four chapters for the third time and still didn’t have a clue. Maybe... “Hermione, have you ever read a book that was written in Middle English? I think it is Middle English.” “I’ve picked up a few,” said Hermione. She was getting that look she gets when there is a particularly interesting book she’s dying to read. Harry put up a Silencing Charm. “Hermione, would you be willing to try to read this book? It’s kinda important, only I seem to be missing something. There is some kinda point I’m missing,” he whispered. “Why’d you put up a Silencing Charm?” asked Hermione, suspiciously. “I don’t want anyone to know about the book. I keep a cover on it so no one sees the title,” said Harry. “Where did you get it?” asked Hermione. “That’s a story for another day. Do you want to try to read it? It is very tedious. It’s taken me months to finish it. Since then, I’ve been re-reading.” “I don’t want ANYONE to know I’m reading it. It is a secret. Not even Dumbledore or Lupin know about it,” added Harry. Hermione’s eyes lit up. “Of course, Harry. If it means THAT much to you,” she said. Harry was not fooled by her innocent act for one minute. It was a challenge. HER kind of challenge. “Ok, I’ll get it for you. Promise you won’t let anyone know? Not even Ron?” he asked. That was the final straw. She was hooked. He knew she would complete it no matter how tedious it was. A secret from Ron. Just the ticket. He removed the Silencing Charm and conjured the book. He left her sitting in total happiness. A new SECRET book. He checked on Ginny and Luna. Luna was getting up. A good sign. “How’s my two most precious ladies tonight?” asked Harry. “Done!” said Ginny. “Would you like to take a walk? We could walk Luna back to Ravenclaw,” asked Harry. “Sure!” said Ginny. “That would be nice,” said Luna. After dropping Luna off near the Ravenclaw entrance. They strolled around aimlessly. Just talking and enjoying each other’s company. They found a little alcove that they slipped into. Harry was feeling very romantic tonight. Ginny’s eyes were sparkling. He dove in for a kiss and was welcomed most graciously. He hadn’t kissed her that passionately since the night that Ron punched him. He wanted it to go on and on. He wanted to stay in that world that Ginny’s kisses took him, but he heard footsteps in the corridor. “Ginny, is your ankle all right, now?” said Harry. “It’s much better now, thank you,” said Ginny, knowing that Harry was using an excuse for them being off of the corridor. Harry put his arm around her and walked her out. Ginny pretended to limp slightly for a few minutes. The boy who was passing, barely acknowledged their presence. Both Harry and Ginny sighed. * * * * A couple of weeks later, Harry ran into Lisa in the main corridor outside the Great Hall. “Hello, Harry,” purred Lisa. “I knew you would think of a way to meet up with me.” “Hello, Lisa,” said Harry. “I’ve got to go.” “Don’t be in such a hurry.” “I have Ginny waiting for me. We have a date tonight,” said Harry, thinking fast. “I think we should talk,” said Lisa. “Ok, but we need to hurry. Ginny’s waiting,” said Harry. “Ginny who?” asked Lisa, batting her eyes. “You know perfectly well, Ginny Weasley,” said Harry, getting irritated. “Do I know her?” asked Lisa. “You sat with us all night at our table at the Valentines Ball,” said Harry, completely irritated now “Ron’s baby sister?” asked Lisa. “Yes!” said Harry. “Oh, well she can wait. I wanted to talk about US,” said Lisa. “Us?” asked Harry. “You know, you and I. It’s been a long time.” “Yeah?” “So I was wondering when we were going to get together again. I was hoping tonight. You REALLY don’t have to leave so soon, do you?” “Yes, I do. I already told you, I have a DATE tonight with Ginny,” said Harry. “She doesn’t really count though, does she? I mean she’s just Ron’s baby sister. Not like it’s a REAL date, with a woman. Ron told me all about it,” said Lisa, as she rubbed her body up to his. “Told you about what? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Harry, trying to step back. There were other students walking past along the corridor. He didn’t want them to see what was going on. “About you dating his baby sister. That you are only there to keep the other boys away. As if they’d even bother.” She was easing her body back up against him as she spoke. “She’s just a child. I can show you what it’s like to be with a real woman. You NEED a real woman.” “You need to get a grip! I don’t know what you’re playing at, but there is nothing between us. We don’t exist. There is no US. I’ve got to go,” said Harry, as he gently , yet firmly, pushed her back away from his body and started walking away. “Harry, you are making things difficult. What will I tell Ron?” said Lisa. “What do you mean by that?” said Harry, as he turned back in her direction. “I mean, I could tell Ron all kinds of things about us,” said Lisa, snuggling back up to him and caressing his chin. “You and Ron aren’t even seeing each other,” said Harry. “Are you kidding? I could have Ron with just a gesture of my little finger... What? Did he tell you that he wasn’t interested?” she laughed. “Think about it,” she said, as she kissed him. Harry pulled away quickly. “Oh, and Harry, did you ever wonder WHY Ron wants to keep his baby sister away from other boys? Think about THAT too,” she said, as she walked away. Harry rushed back to his dorm. This was not good. * * * * Beta by Jenny |
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