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Author: kaiserzacc Story: To the Gates of Hell Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: WIP Reviews: 12 Words: 21,192
‘Nec mortem effugere quisquam nec amorem potest.’ ~No one is able to flee from death or love. ~ Syrus, Maxims Remus and Harry found Ron in one of the bedrooms on the second floor. He was sitting on the bed reading a battered copy of Flying with the Cannons. “Ron how many times have you read that book?” Harry asked leaning on doorframe. “I don’t know, a few times, why?” he answered without looking up from his book. “Hey Remus, how’s it going?” “Better, thanks. Fred and George asked me to talk to you. They wanted to know if you wanted to work in the shop this summer, make a few galleons. They said that all you have to do is stock the shelves and maybe man the till.” Ron sat up. “Really? That would be ok. Is the Floo hooked up here?” “Yeah, it is, but how about you come with Harry and me tomorrow to Diagon Alley and you can talk to them then. As a matter of fact we need you to sign some papers at Gringotts so you could set up an account then as well. I will Floo your mum if that’s ok with you.” Remus smiled at the tall redhead. “Sure, but why do I need to sign papers at Gringotts?” Ron’s mind raced over possible reasons. “Well, tomorrow Harry and I have to sign some papers regarding Sirius’ will and he left you a little something as well.” Despite the occasion Remus was enjoying this. “He…what is it?” Ron asked thinking that he had probably received the house elf heads. “Harry? Do you want to tell him?” “I don’t know Remus; let’s make him wait till tomorrow.” Harry was starting to enjoy this little game as well. His best friend had been poor his entire life. Harry sighed and thought to himself that it was too bad Sirius had to die for the Weasley’s to have the money that they deserved. “Besides, don’t you think you should ask Molly if it alright to tell him?” Remus smiled broadly. “You think a lot like your father sometimes, Harry. You are absolutely right I had better Floo Molly right now. Excuse me.” Remus left the room and headed downstairs. Ron looked intently at Harry. “How are you doing, mate?” Ron’s face was lined with concern. “Honestly? I’ve been better.” Harry came and sat down on the bed. “Moony and I had a long talk about things. He is going to be my guardian now. We read Sirius’ will and a letter he left us. Then we toasted Sirius.” Ron’s eyes opened wide. “Firewhiskey?” Harry nodded. “Wow, I always wanted to try firewhiskey. How was it?” “It burned at first and made me cough, but then it kind of made me numb.” Harry shrugged. “Don’t tell Hermione though, I really don’t need the lecture right now.” Ron grinned. “No way mate, she won’t hear it from me. So…I think that we need to talk about you and Ginny.” “What? What about me and Ginny?” Harry was blushing furiously. “You know she still fancies you, right?” Ron was enjoying teasing his best mate. “I thought she had given up on me. How do you know? You’re as thick as I am about girls. Besides she is going out with Dean.” “Nah, I’m only thick when it comes to me. Besides you’d have to be stupid to miss that she still likes you. And Dean…well he isn’t good enough for her.” “Well I never claimed to be bright. Umm…so it would be ok with you…I mean if we…?” Harry turned crimson and he developed a sudden interest in his feet. “Seriously Harry, it wouldn’t be any of my business if you and Ginny decided to start dating. I wouldn’t ever want to see the two of you snogging…but yeah, I can’t think of anyone that I would rather see her date. You should talk to her, she really likes you.” At that moment Tonks came strolling through the open door. “Who likes you?” she asked. “Harry was just telling me how he really likes Ginny.” Ron was grinning like mad. “Wha…?” Harry was doing a very good imitation of a goldfish. “Really Harry? I’ll go tell her that you want to talk to her…” Ron was rolling on the ground laughing at Harry now. “NO…I mean…no, that’s alright Tonks.” He managed to smile weakly. “I don’t think that now is really a good time. I’ve got a lot going through my head right now.” “Suit yourself Harry. Really I just wanted to come up and tell you two that lunch is ready.” She smiled at Harry. “And I want to talk to you later about what happened earlier, ok Harry?” “Sure thing Tonks. Remus and I need to talk to you as well.” He managed to return her smile. They all went down stairs where Ginny and Hermione were serving up sandwiches and glasses of pumpkin juice. They looked up and smiled as Harry walked in. Hermione walked over and hugged him. “Are you ok?” she whispered. Harry nodded and returned the hug. “Harry? Can we talk later?” She looked up at him. She sniffed at him. “Harry? What’s that smell?” “Of course we can Hermione. What’s with everyone making appointments with me today? Ginny do you need an appointment with me too?” Harry ignored Hermione’s piercing eyes. She looked thoughtful. “Umm…I’m free at eight. Does that sound ok to you?” Hermione giggled still holding him around his chest. She gave him one last searching look before letting him go. Harry sighed. “Eight it is. Now lets eat I’m starved.” The six of them demolished the sandwiches and crisps that the girls had set out for lunch and soon everyone was fed and watered. Harry caught Remus’ eye and nodded at Tonks. Remus stood up and stretched. “That was delicious ladies. Harry and I will cook dinner. Now, if you excuse us Harry, Tonks, and I need to discuss a few things.” Ron, Ginny, and Hermione headed back upstairs. As soon as they were gone Tonks turned and looked at Harry. “Harry that was an impressive display you put on this morning. You did very well against a trained Auror and someone who is no slouch at defending himself. I was joking when I said that you are getting to be as paranoid as Mad-Eye. In truth you have every reason to be paranoid. I apologize for startling you.” Harry was taken aback he had been expecting a good tongue lashing, not praise. Remus joined in. “You did exactly what needed to be done. From now on I think that we should call out whenever entering the house. I think that it would be safer for all of us.” With that said Remus moved on to business and showed Tonks the will. She read through it and sniffling, pulled Harry into an awkward hug. Harry returned the hug remarking that he had never had as much physical contact as he had had today. No one laughed. Harry decided that now was as good a time as any to tell the rest about the prophecy. He asked Tonks to go and collect Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. As soon as she left he turned to Lupin. “Remus, what should I call you?” Remus laughed. “Either Remus or Moony is fine. What’s on your mind, Harry?” “Do you trust Tonks? I mean…I am about to tell the three people I trust the most about the prophecy, can I tell her too? Is it safe?” “Harry that is something that only you can decide. If it makes any difference I trust her with my life.” “That is the answer I was looking for, Moony.” At that moment the three teenagers and Tonks rumbled down the stairs. “Oh, did you talk to Mrs. Weasley?” “I did, she said that we may tell them and she will meet us in Diagon Alley at 9am at the Leaky Cauldron.” Harry nodded then turned to his friends. “Sit down please, I have something that I think you all should hear, you too Tonks. First, we all need to go to Gringotts tomorrow and sign some papers regarding Sirius’ will. Mrs. Weasley will be meeting us at 9am at the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione can you Owl your parents and ask one of them to meet us there?” Hermione nodded. “Remus was named executor of the will and he has a list of what was given to whom.” Harry nodded to Remus. “Ok, basically it says that each of you three are to be given five percent of the total amount currently in the Black Family vault. If my addition is correct that makes each of your totals slightly more that 32,500 galleons.” Ginny fell off of her chair. Ron just stared. Hermione was doing conversions to pounds and covered her mouth. Tonks giggled and helped Ginny back into her chair. “I would suggest that each of you open an account tomorrow, I’m sure your parents will help. Hermione, I’m sure Harry can help you and your mother open an account.” Harry nodded then stood and took a deep breath. “There is something else that I need to talk to you about.” Harry was trembling. He took another deep breath before continuing. “Please let me say everything that I need to say before commenting, this is going to be hard enough as it is. If any of you decide that you no longer want to be associated with me after this I won’t hold it against any of you.” Harry looked down at his hands trying to compose himself. “Professor Dumbledore told me the contents of the prophecy the night of the…of Sirius’…death. What was in the department of mysteries was only a recording. He heard the prophecy himself from the original source.” Harry went on to tell them the full prophecy and what Dumbledore had said about it. When he finished, Harry sat quietly not looking at anyone while they digested this. Ginny started crying softly. Ron put an arm around her. Tonks just sat there in stunned disbelief. Remus just sat watching the reactions. Unsurprisingly it was Hermione who broke the silence. “Well, that’s good news then.” Everyone turned to her with their mouths agape, everyone except Lupin. He had a smile on his face. He nodded at her. She continued, “First, are we absolutely sure that the prophecy refers to you?” Remus started to nod but Harry spoke. “Well actually, before October 31, 1981 it could have referred to either me or Neville Longbottom.” Ginny gasped and Ron looked shocked. Hermione furrowed her brow, her brain churning furiously, and then spoke. “But he marked you that night, didn’t he. He actually gave a piece of himself to you that night and in doing so marked you as an equal.” Harry nodded. “The good news is that Harry has power that he knows not. So while he may think that you are and equal, really you’re not. You are superior. The only question is what this unknown power is.” This time Ron spoke. “Well that’s easy enough. It’s love. It is the one thing that Voldemort can’t understand and therefore can’t fight.” Hermione looked astounded. “You aren’t the only one with brains you know; some of us just save them for…special occasions.” Hermione just continued to stare at Ron. Then quickly grabbed him and kissed him firmly on his lips. He looked startled then turned bright red. Everyone laughed and the tension of the moment was broken. Harry sighed, visibly relaxing now that he was fairly certain that none of his friends were going to bolt out the door. He held up one hand to get their attention again.
Tonks let go and went back to her seat leaving Ginny standing there. She looked up down at him and asked, “Why did you hold this in for so long? Why didn’t you trust us?” She was still holding around his neck. Harry looked down at the table again. Very quietly he said, “I was afraid…afraid that if anyone knew they would be in danger. I didn’t want anyone else to die because of me.” A tear slipped down his cheek. “I’m terrified that someone is going to find out that you know and will torture you for it. I don’t know how I will live if one of you die because of me.” Ginny carefully brushed the tears off of his face and hugged him again. Hermione came up behind him and slipped her arms around his chest. Ron spoke up, “Wow mate, no wonder you’re so bloody depressed lately.” Harry just nodded. The weight that had been dragging him down over the past two weeks was still there, but it did seem a little lighter. ************************************************************************ That afternoon Harry decided he wanted a nap. It had been an emotionally draining day and he was exhausted. He went up to the bedroom next to Ron’s and surveyed it. His trunk had been placed at the foot of the bed. He sighed and looked up at the portrait of Phineas Nigellus which was currently empty. He sat down on the bed, took off his glasses and put them on the nightstand, and started to lie down. As soon as his head hit the pillow there was a soft knock at the door. He closed his eyes and called out, “Come in.” Harry heard the door open and tentative footsteps come close to the bed. Harry pried open one eye and saw the blurry outline of Hermione. “Harry?” She whispered. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” She sounded nervous. Harry reached over and grabbed his glasses. As he put them back on he scooted over and patted the edge of the bed. He noticed that she was chewing her lip like she did when she was about to confront him on something that would make him mad. “What’s on your mind, Hermione?” He propped his head up on his elbow and watched her agonize over whatever it was that was bothering her. “Harry…what…exactly…Ineedtoknowwhatyourfeelingsaretowardme.” She looked at him anxiously. Harry’s brilliant mind leapt into action. “Huh?” “Harry, please this is important. What exactly are your feelings toward me?” She was now staring at her knees. “Hermione…I…,” he trailed off. How exactly did he feel about Hermione? He knew that he loved her and would do anything for her including die for her, but how did he really feel. Could he ever love her in a romantic sort of way? Maybe, but was that because she was a girl who was pretty, funny, smart, and who he really enjoyed being around or because the truly loved her. He decided that honesty was the best course of action. “Hermione, I really don’t know. I mean, you’re my best friend but I don’t know…if…leave it to you to come up with a question like that,” he sighed and she smiled at him. “You are smart, funny, pretty, and I like being with you.” She looked up when he said that she was pretty. “You think I’m pretty?” She whispered blushing. “Of course I think that you are pretty. You are. But over the years you have been much more than a girlfriend, more even than a best friend to me. You have fought with me, fought for me, and pushed me to excel, to be more than I am. You are kind of like a mother to me, or a sister. So I guess that is my answer. I love you Hermione, but I’m not in love with you. You are more than a romantic interest; you are the sister that I never had. Does that make sense?” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thanks Harry, I needed to hear that. Ron just asked if I would be his girlfriend. I said yes, but I really just didn’t want to hurt your feelings. Are you ok with us seeing each other?” “Yeah, I really want you both to be happy. It’ll be weird for a while and I suppose I will feel left out sometimes but yeah, it’s really about time you know.” “What do you mean, it’s about time? Did you know that we were going to get together?” She looked astounded. “Hermione, you and Ron were the only ones that didn’t know that you were supposed to get together. The way you two bicker all the time, especially after the Yule Ball, yeah I knew,” Harry laughed. “Ok then what about you and Ginny? Are you going to ask her out or what?” Harry stopped laughing and frowned. “Hermione, I don’t think that it’s fair to ask someone to get closer to me. Not only could it put her more in the line of fire but I could get myself killed at any given time. I just don’t think it’s fair to ask that of someone.” Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head. “Harry, when will you realize that is her choice to be in the line of fire? It’s our choice to be with you in the line of fire,” she said looking down at him, “You know that if you were to die tomorrow, she would be even more heartbroken?” Harry shook his head. “You don’t know that. No one knows that until it happens. Look at Cho; if she hadn’t dated Cedric his death wouldn’t have left her such a mess. I can’t do that to Ginny. If I’m killed I want her to be able to look back at me and miss a friend, not look back and compare every man to me and never be able to love again. That isn’t fair to her. It’s not fair to anyone.” “So if no one ever took a chance on love they would never be hurt right?” Harry frowned but didn’t answer. “What do you see yourself doing in five years, Harry?” Harry looked up at the sudden change in topic. “Well, I don’t really know. I told McGonagall that I wanted to be an Auror, but I really don’t know.” Harry was quiet for a moment. “I don’t really know that I’ll be alive in five years,” Harry whispered. Hermione closed her eyes and breathed deeply to keep herself from crying again. “All the more reason to live for today,” she said quietly. Harry frowned. “I think that if you let Voldemort control your life like that then he has already won. You like her right?” He nodded. “Well then tell her what you just told me and let her decide. Think about it little brother.” She stood up to leave. “Little brother?” Harry asked with a smile. “Younger anyway.” She smiled, opened the door and left. Harry lay like that for a while thinking about all of the things that had happened that day, all of the conversations, revelations, and emotional turmoil. While he was thinking he came to the conclusion that while it was certainly better for him to be more open about the way he was feeling and what he was thinking, it was definitely more exhausting. ****** Harry awoke sometime later to the sound of someone knocking on the door to his room. He quickly got up, found his glasses and opened the door. Tonks was standing there with bright purple hair that matched the very tight t-shirt she was wearing. In direct contrast to the nearly skintight t-shirt her pants were exceptionally baggy and hung very low on her hips. Harry tried not to stare as he noticed that the top edge of her knickers matched the color of her hair also. “Oi, Harry come on down, dinner’s ready,” she said apparently not noticing his level of discomfort. They started down the stairs. “Dumbledore said that I should help train you. How about if you start by coming with me on my morning runs? We will need to go a little earlier that I normally go to be safe, so how about 5 AM tomorrow?” “Alright, Oliver had us running two miles three times a week for quidditch, that’s once around the lake, and sometimes that was at 5 in the morning. I think I can handle it. How far do you run every morning?” They were nearly at the kitchen. “Most mornings I do between three and five miles. Tomorrow we will go to the park and do three circuits, that’s nearly three miles,” Harry said as he sat down at the table. Ginny perked up. “Are you going running? Can I come? It’ll help with being cooped up in the house, I think.” Tonks nodded. “What time are you going?” Harry smiled. “Five o’clock.” Her smile faltered. Ginny was a notorious late sleeper. “Five in the morning?” Harry’s smile broadened. “Yeah, five in the morning. If you can’t make it I’ll understand.” Her brow arched. “I’ll be there don’t you worry about me Potter.” The rest of the table was watching the two of them and smiling. Even though Harry had slept through helping Remus prepare it, dinner was nice. The six of them bantered back and forth with the ease of people who know and trust one another. There was a good dynamic between them rarely seen outside of close families. At some point Harry looked around and realized that these people truly were his family and that pleased him enormously. He remembered the danger they were in simply by being near him and he resolved to do whatever was necessary to be prepared to fight Voldemort and keep them alive in the process. After dinner he went to the third floor and started looking through the library for any books on defense, protection spells, and any sort of spells to keep someone down once they were unconscious. Harry did not want a repeat of the department of mysteries where people stunned were simply revived by their comrades. He found a few useful books but his search was ultimately hindered by the disorganization in the library. He made a mental note to ask Dumbledore if Dobby could come help clean and organize the library. On his way out of the library he glanced down and saw a book called Counter Spells: Unhexing the Hexed. Thinking that it could come in handy he grabbed it too and went into the study next door to the library. He had never been in this room and as the room lit up he gasped. There were more bookshelves lining the walls and a pair of leather wingback chairs facing an enormous desk and a huge, ornately carved fireplace. The most stunning feature was the wall of windows overlooking the Regents Park. It was just getting dark out and he could see the lights of London. He set the books on the desk and walked to the windows. Just standing and looking at the beautiful lights of the city he felt more at peace than he had in a good long while. Presently he turned, went to the desk and sat in the huge leather chair behind it. He ran his hand over the highly polished mahogany of the desktop and vaguely wondered what decisions had been made sitting at this desk. Knowing what he did of the Black Family he decided that it was probably better that he didn’t know. Harry reached up and grabbed the first book on the pile and opened it. It was a book on personal protective spells and contained shields, wards and various other forms of protective magic. He knew from experience the Protego charm was highly useful for stopping spells. But he also knew that it would only stop one spell at a casting and he was looking for something a little stronger that maybe lasted longer. As luck would have it he found several useful spells including some that formed solid walls of earth, water, and stone. He found one called Second Skin which formed a magical barrier over the caster’s skin, moved with the caster, and lasted 15-20 seconds. As he was practicing the wand movements he heard a knock on the doorframe and a timid, “Harry?” He glanced at his watch, 8:05, and said, “Hello Ginny, you’re late.” He smiled as she poked her head in the room. Her hair caught the light and he sucked in a breath. “I wouldn’t have been late if you hadn’t been hiding up here.” She answered cheekily. As she entered the room she looked around at the bookshelves and furniture, and seemed a little awed at the surroundings. She looked at Harry and took a step backward. “Wow Harry, you look…I don’t know…authoritative sitting there. Actually, you kind of remind me of Dumbledore, when he is in his office. Wow, now I feel like I’ve done something wrong, like you are going to hand me a detention or something.” Harry pursed his lips adopted a stern expression, and crossed his arms. “Sit down please. Have you done something to deserve a detention, Miss Weasley?” She arched her eyebrow and smiled then put her best innocent face on. “Well, Mr. Potter, I don’t think I deserve a detention. Do you?” Harry looked into her big, chocolate brown eyes and had to force his eyes away. Get a grip Potter. He told himself. He looked back up at Ginny who was looking concerned. “Are you ok, Harry?” “Yeah, I’m fine,” he lied. “It’s just been a long day.” Harry grinned at Ginny. “So aside from being forced to live in a dark old house for the summer how are you doing?” She snorted, “Forced? Ron, Hermione and I practically begged Dumbledore to let us be here.” Harry frowned. Ginny sighed. “Aside from that the first week was ok. I got a good start on my homework.” Harry looked out the windows and said casually, “How’s Dean?” He could see her reflection in the windows and was watching is closely. “Ah Dean,” Her face was burning. “Well, somehow he found out about that comment that I made on the train.” Harry turned back toward her. “I just said that to get a rise out of Ron and well…” “So you’re not seeing Dean?” Harry asked trying to sound nonchalant about the whole deal. She looked at him intently. “No, why?” “No reason. So what happened?” Harry could feel the blush rising on his neck and he tried his hardest to control it. “Well he owled me and said that he thought that I was pretty and all but that he already had a girlfriend near where he lives. I was so embarrassed.” Her face matched the color of her hair. Harry laughed. “You know Ron still thinks that you are seeing him.” She looked at him again. “Why were the two of you discussing my love life?” Her eyes narrowed. Harry squirmed uncomfortably under her scrutiny. “We…err…I…” “Harry, I don’t need another brother.” She kept her gaze on him. “I know…” Tell her that you like her! What? This is the perfect opportunity. But…she…I… You should have been sorted into Hufflepuff, coward. Now the inner voice had taken to insulting him. He sighed and glanced over at her. She was biting her lip and started picking at a tear on the knee of her jeans. When she spoke up her voice was barely a whisper. “Do you really wish that you were dead sometimes?” She looked up and studied his face. Harry just looked at the pile of books trying to organize his thoughts. He contemplated lying to her but decided that she deserved to know the truth. He sighed. “Yeah, I do. I think about the people that I would see and…” Harry’s voice cracked and he had to clear his throat. He took a deep breath before continuing, “I think about seeing my mum and dad and Sirius.” Harry’s voice dropped off to a whisper, “Then I think how much safer you, Ron, and Hermione would be if I weren’t around to lead you into stupid traps. I know that you would still be in danger but at least if I weren’t around they wouldn’t be targeting you personally.” Harry took off his glasses and pressed his hands to his face. Ginny stared at him for a moment finally seeing the darkness and reality of Harry’s life. She closed her eyes and sent a silent curse to whatever gods were inflicting this kind of pain on such a good person. She opened her eyes again and saw Harry’s shoulders shaking as he tried to contain his tears. She walked around the desk and pulled Harry’s head to her shoulder. He resisted and tried to pull away but she held him tight. Eventually he relaxed into her embrace and sobbed into her shoulder. Some time later Harry calmed down and pulled away from Ginny. “I’m sorry Ginny…I didn’t mean…” Ginny shushed him by putting her finger to his lips. “You have nothing to be sorry for.” She wiped the tears off his cheeks with the pad of her thumb. “Can you do me a favor?” He nodded. “When you start feeling that way come and tell me. I don’t care if it’s four in the morning the night before my potions O.W.L., will you please tell me?”
“Please, Harry? It’ll make me feel better.” He looked at her for a long moment then nodded. She smiled, leaned over, and lightly brushed her lips across his. Harry’s eyes opened wide and it took him a moment to realize that she really had kissed him. He looked up at her and saw the trademark Weasley blush in full effect. “Ginny…” He looked at his hands and started picking at his callous. “I…I…I’m not very good at this sort of thing, but I think that…” he sighed again. She was still gazing intently at him. “Look, I…I… like you…a lot.” She frowned. “Why do I hear a but coming? Let me guess, you think I’m a great girl but you are in a hard place in your life and need to get yourself straightened out but maybe in a few months we could maybe try being something closer.” She was starting to fume. Harry looked puzzled. “No, I was just going to say I’m terrified that you could get hurt because of me, and if you did I didn’t think that I could live with myself but if you wanted to risk it I would really like it if you would be my girlfriend. Has someone actually used that line on you?” Harry’s eyes widened at what he had just said. Umm…ok…that’s one way of doing it. What happened to the “it’s not fair to you” rubbish you spouted to Hermione? I don’t know it just came out. Ginny blushed bright red and looked like she wanted to melt into the floor. “Umm…yeah Dean... Did you just... Did you just ask me out?” Harry looked like a cornered animal about ready to bolt. “Umm…well…yeah,” he whispered and looked back down at his hands. “But I really…umm…understand if you don’t…err…want to…um…you know.” She leaned against the desk and reached out touching his forehead. He cringed slightly as she traced his scar. “No one’s really touched you before, have they?” she asked quietly. Harry looked away and shook his head. “Not gently, at least not that I can remember,” he whispered. A tear rolled down Ginny’s cheek. “Harry, look at me.” She took his chin in her small hand and gently turned his face toward her own. “I would love to be your girlfriend, but we need to talk about things. It really hurts when you bottle things up and push us away. When something is bothering you I will be there to listen, but you have to be willing to talk about it. And I promise that I’ll do my best to keep my temper under control. Will you promise to talk to me if something is bothering you?” She smiled, he nodded. She leaned down and lightly kissed him again. As she started to pull away he reached up and cupped her cheek in his hand. He looked into her eyes and pulled her back in for another, longer kiss. She moaned in the back of her throat, wrapped her arms around his neck, and moved onto his lap. Wow…so…this is different. Yeah…much better than Cho. Cho who? Ginny shifted slightly and ran her tongue along Harry’s lower lip. Harry’s eyebrows shot up and his mouth opened slightly in surprise. Ginny deepened the kiss. Eventually they came up for air and Ginny nuzzled the side of Harry’s neck. She was nearly purring with satisfaction. She giggled suddenly and looked up at him. “You know I have been fantasizing about that for about the last eight years?” Harry looked at her and frowned. “But…the first time I saw you was five years ago.” Harry looked confused. Ginny giggled again and blushed. “I grew up hearing stories about how bad it was when V…Voldemort was around the first time and about how he was defeated because of you.” Harry looked away and mumbled, “It wasn’t because of me.” Ginny frowned. “What do you mean?” Harry sighed. “When my mum…when she sacrificed herself for me she initiated some sort of old magic, some sort of blood protection. Voldemort couldn’t kill me because my mum died for me.” Ginny reached up and cupped his cheek. He smiled and leaned in to kiss her again. Later, when the broke apart he whispered, “Thank you for understanding.” She smiled and took his hand. “Come on, five A.M. comes awfully early.” She started to lead him out of the study. He stopped and grabbed the book he was reading along with a couple of others. He reached out and took her hand again as they started downstairs. She looked at the books in his hand. “What are you reading?” He held them out to her. “This one’s defensive and protection spells, this one is on getting rid of curses, counter charms and that sort of thing, and this one is more offensive spells. I suppose if I have a job to do I’d better know how to do it right.” She smiled sadly and squeezed his hand. “Goodnight, Harry. Do try and get some sleep.” She smiled and kissed his cheek before walking into her room and closing the door. Harry stood there for a while before going to his own room across the hall. As he pulled on his pajamas and got into bed he thought about Ginny and wondered not for the first time, and certainly not the last, how it was possible for her to like him. Harry set his alarm for 4:30. And for the first time in a very long time Harry Potter fell asleep quickly and didn’t have nightmares.
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