PhoenixSong.net :: A Harry/Ginny Fanfic and Fanart Archive

Author: MyGinevra

Story: The Hog's Head

Part: 29: The Ruby Ring

Rating: Teens

Setting: Post-DH

Status: WIP

Warning: Violence, extreme language, sexual situations

Reviews: 6

Words: 7,463

Updated: July 25, 2008, 11:21am

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29: The Ruby Ring

Harry let out his breath. He took her left hand and, with his own hands trembling, slipped the ring onto her finger. Neither one of them moved for a long moment, then Ginny slid off the chair onto her knees, face to face with Harry.

"You are my treasure," he said. "You waited for me, you saved me. I never want to be without you."

"Oh, Harry," Ginny's eyes glistened. "This is beautiful!" She held her hand up; the rubies glowed and the diamonds flashed in the candlelight. Ginny laughed and flung her arms around him.

"Where did you get it?" she finally said, and held her hand up again. "And when?"

"In Diagon Alley last Tuesday. When we were there in August I noticed a jewelry store near that bookshop we stopped in. So, do you like it?" He grinned and ran his hands up and down her back.

"Oh, Harry! This is... it's so beautiful!" She threw herself at him and the snog went on for several minutes. "Um, Harry?" Ginny finally said.

"Yes?"

"My knees are killing me."

Harry looked down; Ginny was kneeling on the wood floor and her dress stopped a good six inches above her bare knees. He sprang up and pulled her to her feet. The snog resumed and continued until the kitchen door opened and Fleur came flying out with Bill right behind.

"'Ooray! 'E 'as asked and she said yes!" Harry and Ginny turned, grinning, and Ginny held up her left hand. "Oh, Ginny, it is magnificent! 'Arry, you 'ave found ze perfect ring!"

Bill took Ginny in his arms. He grinned at Harry over her head, then grabbed him and hugged them together. "I really can't say 'welcome to the family'," he said. "You've been in it for a while."

Harry beamed, blushed, and put his arm around Ginny; she smiled at him. "I want to tell Mum and Dad," she said. "Can we stop there on our way back tomorrow?"

"Of course," said Harry. "Whatever you want. Why don't we ask all your brothers to be there, then everyone can find out at the same time?"

"Yes! That'll be brilliant!" Ginny bounced up and down. She spun around, then threw herself into a chair; she looked at Harry with a huge smile. "Let's have dessert."

Fleur brought out a large tray which she suspended in the air next to the table; on it was a pan of cherries over which she poured a cup of delicious–smelling brandy. She lit it with a flourish of her wand. When the flames died down she served it over bowls of ice cream, and Ginny wouldn't let Harry eat the cherries jubilee by himself; she fed him and kissed away whatever didn't make it into his mouth. When dessert was finished, Fleur cleared the table and Bill took it back inside the kitchen. He threw a few more logs on the fire, then he and Fleur disappeared upstairs. Harry and Ginny were left alone in the parlor, curled up together in an easy chair with Ginny in his lap.

She kept fingering her ring and holding it up so she could admire it; the smile never left her face. Finally she put her arms around him. "You totally surprised me. But what made you ask now? A couple of months ago you said it wasn't the right time."

"Maybe the same thing that made you say yes. It doesn't matter to me when we get married, I just want you to know that it's what I want. The last time I asked it was because I was unhappy. When I realized how happy I am now, that's when I decided to ask you again."

"And when did you decide you were so happy?" Ginny said as she unbuttoned three buttons on his shirt and began running her hand over his chest.

"The day you came back to the inn. After you ate you were falling asleep, and you whispered that you loved me."

Ginny leaned her head on his chest and sighed. "That was so nice, to be in your bed again." She paused. "I do know when I want the wedding."

Harry kissed her brow. "When?"

"Next summer, before our birthdays. It would give us enough time to plan it all." She giggled. "Do you remember when Charlie was at the inn last weekend? He told me that he'd be back for my wedding."

"So that's why you blushed. I remember that. I thought you looked very pretty with your face all red."

Ginny slapped his chest. "I can't help it. I'm a Weasley, we all turn scarlet at the drop of a hat."

"Yes, you all look pretty when that happens."

Ginny smacked him again, but then Harry kissed her and soon they made their way upstairs. Rain was beating on their window, and the room was even chillier than the night before. They quickly undressed and got under the covers. They pulled the comforter over their heads, and the rubies on Ginny's ring glowed in the pitch black of their snug little tent.

It was still raining the next day when they got up, and they spent the morning being regaled by Fleur's tales of her Veela ancestors and the many hearts they broke. Ginny had brought some textbooks with her and she lay propped on her elbows in front of the fire, reading and scratching notes on a long piece of parchment. Every few minutes she held her ring up to the flames and watched the stones sparkle. She looked up at Harry at those moments, and they smiled at each other.

Bill decided to go into Diagon Alley and send owls to the family from there, asking everyone to meet for dinner at the Burrow. He sent a long–distance owl to Charlie, telling him everything, and asking him not to send an owl back until tomorrow. He returned to Shell Cottage just before lunch, feeling pleased with his little plot.

"I ran into George outside Eeylops," he said as he rubbed his hands together in satisfaction, "and he bought the story. He asked if Lee could come along, and I said yes. The more the merrier."

"Zis will be so exciting," Fleur said; she was nibbling on her Replenishing Chocolates and pulled them away when Bill tried to take one. "Oi, watch it, mon ami! Zey are not for you. 'Arry 'as given zem to me."

Bill appealed to Harry with a look of supplication, but Harry shrugged. "They're hers now, mate. You'll have to figure out a way yourself. I'm helpless in this case."

Ginny rolled over on her back and looked at her brother. "How is George?" she asked, and Bill frowned.

"He seems okay, you know, cracking jokes and being flip about everything, but whenever I see Lee in the bank he says that sometimes George locks himself in his bedroom for hours and won't come out. It'll take time. It'll take all of us time." He stared into the fire and was silent.

"'E makes jokes because zat is 'ow 'e is keeping Fred alive," said Fleur. "It is 'is mask. You can see it in 'is eyes, sometimes zey are still looking for Fred."

Ginny rolled back onto her stomach and rested her head on her folded arms. "I wish I could be with him. He needs someone to hold him."

"Zat is true, Ginny. For now 'e must be comforted by us. And when 'e is ready and when ze right woman comes along, 'e will open 'imself to 'er and zey will fall in love."

"I hope so," Ginny sighed. "Fred won't be at our wedding."

They ate lunch and then Harry suggested to Ginny that they take a walk; he felt the melancholy of Fred's absence seeping into her heart, and he thought that a walk might take her mind from it. She considered for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, that's a good idea. I don't want to be sad now."

They bundled up and Bill cast a waterproof charm over their cloaks. They set off in the rain along the cliffs, but they didn't want to chance the slippery path down to the beach, so they walked for an hour on a path above the water until they saw the fishing village ahead, then they turned back. Ginny was quiet, but Harry sensed her mood lightening. When they got back to the cottage, Ginny wanted to go upstairs.

"Let's get in bed," she said as Harry closed the door to their little room, "but let's just snuggle, okay?" They got under the covers and Harry held her and stroked her hair until they fell asleep. They were awakened in the late afternoon by Fleur's gentle knock. They dressed and packed their bags, then went downstairs where Bill and Fleur were waiting by the fireplace.

Fleur held a tin of Floo powder and they each took a handful. "Okay," Bill said, "everyone knows what to do when we get there?" They all grinned, and Bill led the way to the Burrow. Fleur went next, then Harry, then Ginny. When she emerged from the kitchen fireplace the room was crowded with her family. Harry, Bill, and Fleur were standing so that no one could get a clear view of her. Harry took her right hand behind his back; he grinned at her, and she put her left hand to her lips and made a shushing noise, but quickly dropped her hand to hide the ring.

Bill had told everyone to be there at five o'clock, and it was now five–fifteen. People were sitting and standing around the table, and Molly was at the stove; she turned and smiled at the new arrivals. George was standing next to her, looking toward the fireplace.

"Okay, Bill," he called. "What's this news you have to tell us? You fed us all the same load of cock and bull, so here we are to fall for whatever prank it is you've cooked up."

Ginny peeked from behind Bill. She saw Hermione sitting at the table next to Ron, and she couldn't help grinning at her. Hermione's eyebrows arched, and she looked slowly from Ginny to Harry and back. A smile appeared on her face, and she put her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands. Ron looked at her with a puzzled expression, then shrugged and went back to his bowl of chowder.

"I didn't cook up anything," Bill said, "so hold your paranoia, George. Ginny has something to tell everyone."

Silence fell. Molly turned from the ladle that was stirring a pot of stew. Ron paused with a spoonful of soup halfway to his mouth. Percy put down the Prophet. Lee Jordan glanced around at everyone, unsure of what was happening. Arthur Weasley reached back and took his wife's hand; there was an uncertain look on his face.

Fleur and Bill moved aside, and Ginny stepped forward next to Harry. "Harry gave me something yesterday," she said. "This." She held up her left hand and the gold ring with the red and white stones shone in the light.

The room was totally still for a heartbeat. Then Molly shrieked and rushed around the table, knocking George into the counter next to the sink. Pots and pans clattered onto the floor and soapy water sloshed all over George's pants and shoes as Molly threw herself at Ginny, laughing and crying at the same time. She picked Ginny up in a hug, then dropped her and grabbed Harry. She went back to Ginny and engulfed them both in her bosom; tears poured down her face.

The room was in an uproar. Everyone was shouting and laughing except Ron. George had slipped on the soapy floor and crashed into him, shoving Ron's nose into the bowl and spilling clam chowder across the table.

No one noticed. They were all pushing and shoving to get near Ginny and to see her ring. Only Arthur stood back, smiling over everyone's heads. When Harry looked up and saw him, Arthur nodded, and Harry saw a tear in his eye. Harry looked quickly away, and then Hermione was kissing him, Percy was pumping his hand, and George was pounding his back.

But Ginny was the center of attention. Everyone took her hand in turn, oohing and aahing over the ring, then hugging her. Finally Molly embraced her once more; she was sobbing loudly, mopping tears from her face with a dish towel. "Oh, my," she was still laughing and crying, "look at me. Oh, my. Ron, clean up your mess. How on earth will I ever make dinner now?" She dropped into a chair next to Arthur.

"Don't worry, Mum," said George, "you sit and we'll cook. As long as Ron keeps his nose out of the soup, we'll be okay."

Ron had finished wiping off his face with another towel. He went around the table to Harry, and they grinned at each other. Finally Ron took Harry's shoulders. "This is brilliant, mate," Ron said, and then he lowered his voice; only Harry, Ginny, and Hermione heard him say, "You're my brother now."

Harry tried to say something, but he couldn't get words out. He wiped his eyes, then he put his own hand on Ron's shoulder; he turned his head and covered his face. Ginny gave Ron a quick kiss, then put her hands on Harry's chest.

Harry kept his face turned; he took Ginny around her shoulders and they left the room; Ron and Hermione followed them into the parlor. When Ron closed the door, Harry broke from Ginny's embrace and went to the fireplace; he leaned his arms on the mantel and his shoulders shook as the others gathered around him. He spoke in a choked voice.

"Ginny, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin it. I don't know what's wrong with me." He turned to her; his eyes were overflowing and when he began to wipe his face with his sleeve, Ginny pushed his arm aside.

"Love, you didn't ruin anything," she brushed away his tears with her hand. "You were the one who made everyone so happy."

Harry's laugh caught a sob in his throat. "Yeah, by dripping all over your mum's floor."

Ginny took him in her arms and rocked him slowly. "Did you see her? She's beside herself. She's even letting someone else cook. That's like an earthquake, Harry."

They all laughed. Ron took Harry's shoulders again. "Come on, mate, everyone wants to talk to you. Just be careful," he grinned. "I guarantee you that George and Lee are already planning how to disrupt the wedding."

"If they do, they'll regret it for the rest of their lives, which won't be for very long," Ginny scowled. "If I get so much as a sniff of anything —"

"I was joking, I was joking," Ron said quickly. "What do you think Mum would do to them?"

"I can't imagine anything that gruesome." She took Harry's hand. "Come on, sweetie, now it really is your family and they want to take care of you."

Harry looked at her, and his eyes welled up again. "The night you came back to me I told myself that I would always take care of you. I'm not used to having someone say that to me." He laughed and wiped his face again. "Okay, let's go have dinner with the family." He put one arm around Ron and the other around Hermione. "I'm ready. Lead on," he said to Ginny.

They went back into the kitchen where Fleur and George were putting serving dishes on the table; everyone was seated, but Molly sprang up. "Is everything alright, dears? Harry, darling, you mustn't mind us. Actually, you are us now. Sit, sit!" She pulled a chair out, and as he sat she took his head in her hands and planted a huge, sloppy kiss on top. Harry turned beet red.

"Mum, you're right!" George cried. "Harry's blushing like a Weasley!"

"I know exactly what you're thinking, George," Ginny said darkly and pointed her fork at him. "And you'd better be careful, 'cause I'll assume that you are the perpetrator if anything happens."

"Moi?" George looked insulted.

Bill interrupted Ginny's retort by loudly clearing his throat. He looked questioningly at his father, who smiled and shook his head. "Go ahead," Arthur said.

Bill stood and everyone fell silent. "It seems like we're always celebrating these two," he raised his glass to Harry and Ginny, "and I hope we do so many, many more times. But for now..." he bowed his head for moment, and when he resumed, his voice was husky. "For now, I can't begin to express what joy you two have brought us. Our beloved sister is getting married to the one man who is worthy of her. This is one of the happiest days of my life —"Fleur looked up at him and smiled "— and even happier times are yet to come. I raise a toast to Ginny and Harry, the most beautiful couple I have ever known."

They all raised their glasses and mugs — butterbeer, pumpkin juice, hot cocoa, even water — and toasted Harry and Ginny with "hear, hear!" They were about to start eating when Harry stood.

"I have to say something," he looked around the table. "A few minutes ago Ron told me something, and it was the best thing that anyone ever said to me, except when Ginny said yes. He called me..." He cleared his throat and paused, then looked down. Ginny took his hand, and Harry took a breath. "He called me his brother."

He stopped again, wiped his cheek, then abruptly sat down. Ginny took him into her arms and kissed him. Molly wiped tears from her eyes with her napkin, and began sobbing. Everyone else applauded and Bill reached over and clapped Ron on his back. Fleur, who was sitting next to Ron, kissed him and he turned red.

The rest of dinner was animated and boisterous. It passed quickly, and when they all got up Molly sent everyone into the parlor. George and Fleur stayed to help her, but the rest followed Arthur. Ron threw more logs on the fire and soon it was blazing away.

Harry noticed that Arthur Weasley had been quiet during dinner, and now he just sat in a chair away from the fire and listened to the banter and chatter that went around the room. Soon Percy said his goodbyes, then George and Lee. A short while later Bill and Fleur left. Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione went up to Ginny's room and sat on the bed and the floor and talked. Ron had more information for Harry about the Auror program, and Hermione and Ginny put their heads together to talk about the wedding. After an hour they went back downstairs to the kitchen.

"We'll stop by the inn next Saturday," said Hermione. "Let's think about going out someplace to celebrate." She kissed both Ginny and Harry, then Ron grabbed Harry and hugged him, slamming his hand on Harry's back several times. The two looked at each other, then Harry returned the hug. Ron and Hermione left, and Harry and Ginny went back into the parlor.

Arthur had moved closer to the fire, and Molly was sitting on the sofa with her knitting needles clacking away next to her; she had only two more sweaters to finish for Christmas. Arthur gazed into the fire, then shifted in his chair.

"Harry," he said, "you know that Bill told us about what happened in Hogsmeade." He looked at Harry and glanced at Ginny.

"Yes, sir," Harry nodded. "I mean, I assumed that someone would do that."

"It was Bill. Harry, I want you to know that Molly and I completely understand what happened. As far as we're concerned, that was not you. We never want you to think otherwise."

Harry felt Ginny squeeze his hand. "I... I appreciate that, Mr. Weasley. Ginny means more to me than... than anything I can describe. I promise I'll always take care of her."

Arthur smiled. "We know that, Harry. That's why we knew it wasn't you. We knew as soon as we heard about it that something was wrong."

Ginny smiled at Harry, then at her father. "I have to get back to school, Dad," she said. "I'm supposed to be back by nine. I already got de— I mean, I have a Potions parchment to write." They got a final wet embrace from Molly, and Arthur took Harry's hand in both of his. "We'll see you soon, son," he said. Harry and Ginny went into the front yard and Disapparated to the lane just outside the tall gates of Hogwarts.

"Mum wants us to come for dinner next weekend," Ginny said as they walked up the drive through a foggy drizzle. "She wants to talk about the wedding, but I suspect that she'll have it all completely planned by then." She laughed. "And Dad asked me about the Bouquedelle. He wondered what happened to it during that week."

"I wore it the whole time, but I never used it. I was afraid I would want to kill myself."

"Oh, hush! Don't talk like that!" Ginny looked at him. "I never stopped loving you."

"I never stopped loving you." They were at the foot of the steps to the great oak doors, and they turned to each other and laughed. That same phrase had come into both of their heads at the same time, and they both knew it.

"I like that," Ginny straightened out the collar of his traveling cloak. "I like it when you know what I'm thinking."

Harry dropped their bags and put his arms around her. "Do you know what I'm thinking now?"

"I don't need to read your mind to know that," Ginny purred. It was very dark and she moved her hands down his sides and along his legs. They kissed, and suddenly light flooded out of the castle as Argus Filch flung the doors open. He stood with his arms folded, glowering at them.

"Five minutes, Miss Weasley," he growled, "unless you want to clean bathrooms next weekend."

"Thanks for the offer, Mr. Filch," Ginny called. "I'll give it careful consideration."

"You do that," he snarled. "Mr. Potter can join you if he likes."

Ginny put her hand over Harry's mouth as they walked past the caretaker; Filch kept the door open, and cold, damp air followed them in and swirled around them as they said goodnight.

"See you on Wednesday," Harry said. "I'll send you an owl when I get back to the inn."

"I'll be waiting," Ginny kissed him one last time, then ran up the stairs; she paused at the top and blew him another kiss, then continued on up. She heard the doors slam, and then the castle was still. As she climbed to the Gryffindor tower she thought about how surprised Luna and Keesha would be, and she smiled to herself. She arrived at the portrait and gave the password. The Fat Lady eyed Ginny's hand, but didn't open the door. "What's that on your finger," she said with her eyes narrowed. "Did Potter give you that?"

"Open the door, will you?" Ginny said. "It's late. I'm tired."

The Fat Lady said nothing, and the portrait swung open. Ginny hurried to her room and found her roommates sitting on their beds, talking about the latest issue of their favorite magazine, Wizard Watch, which apparently had just hit the newsstands with a scoop about a new wizard rock band called The Turntongues. Ginny scowled when she heard that, but said nothing; the last thing she wanted now was a conversation with Christina and Sarah. She plopped her satchel down on her bed.

"Is that a ring?" Sarah asked. Christina stopped talking about the Turntongues' hot lead singer and stared at Ginny, trying to get a look at her hand.

"Uh, yeah," Ginny said.

"Ooo, did Harry give it to you?" Both girls jumped up and came over. "Can we see it?"

Ginny sighed and held up her hand. The girls examined the ring closely, chattering away about the size of the rubies and the cut of the diamonds.

"So, are you engaged?" Sarah asked, and both girls looked at her eagerly.

"Yes, we're engaged, but please don't tell anyone. I'd like to do it myself."

"We won't breathe a word, I promise," Christina said gleefully. "Oh, this is so exciting! Ginny, you're the first in our year, unless Neville asked Keesha this weekend, but I don't think he did because they were camping on some island looking for water lilacs."

"Lilies," Ginny rolled her eyes. "Water lilies, on the Isle of Wight. It's near Portsmouth." She shook her head and went back to unpacking.

"I was in Portsmouth once," said Sarah, as she and Christina walked away. "I didn't see any islands, though." She and Christina sat on her bed, giggling and glancing at Ginny every few seconds. She ignored them, but was certain that by the time she got down to breakfast tomorrow, everyone in Hogwarts would know that she and Harry were engaged. There was no helping it, but she still wanted to tell Keesha and Luna — and the twins — herself.

She finished putting her things away, then went down to the second landing of the girls' dorm. She knocked on the door. "Come in!" she heard Emma call. Ginny opened the door on a scene that reminded her of her room in her own first year. The floor was not visible; it was strewn with clothes, shoes, books, quills, ink pots (one of which was open), hairbrushes, parchments, magazines, chocolate frog cards, candy wrappers, dirty dishes from the Great Hall, a bust of a witch that Ginny was certain used to be in the common room, an empty rubbish bin lying on its side, and many other unrecognizable objects. The house–elves must have given up here long ago, Ginny thought. She decided not to risk a crossing and beckoned to Emma, who was standing in front of a mirror brushing her hair.

"Where's Claire?" Ginny asked as Emma picked her way across the landfill.

"In the common room. She has to finish a parchment for Hagrid on Pygmy Puffs. I got mine done yesterday. Why, is something wrong?"

Ginny smiled. "No, I have good news, and I want to tell you myself."

"Yourself? What do you mean?"

"You'll see." They were at the bottom of the stairs, and Ginny held the door for her. "Go get her, I'll wait over here."

Emma fetched Claire, and Ginny showed them the ring; the girls squealed with delight, and Emma jumped up and hugged Ginny. "Can we come to the wedding? Where will it be?"

"At my house, and of course you can come. You're my friends, and I want all of my friends to be there."

The twins grabbed each other and bounced with delight. "We can wear our blue dresses!" Emma exclaimed.

"No, let's get new ones!" said Claire. "Do you remember those pretty green ones we saw in Grace Brothers?"

"Wait!" Ginny laughed. "I was wondering if you'd like to be flower girls. If you do, then I'll be picking out your dresses."

Their eyes bulged, then they both shrieked, and everyone in the common room turned. "Oh, Ginny! That would be brilliant!" Emma cried.

"Thank you!" they both said at the same time. They stood beaming at Ginny and she took their hands.

"Now don't say a word to anyone, not even if they ask you or if they tell you they know already. I'm only telling you, Keesha, and Luna, and right now no one else knows what's really happening, okay?" The girls nodded. "Good," Ginny said. "All right, go on up to bed. I have to figure out how to tell Keesha and Luna before the rumor mill starts churning out rubbish."

Emma and Claire scurried through the door, holding hands and giggling to each other. Ginny sat near a window and tried to think how she could get to the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw common rooms tonight. It was too late to start wandering around the castle; if Filch caught her, she would be in hot water. Then she had an idea. It was totally crazy, but it was worth a shot, and besides, it would be fun.

She hurried up to her room and, sure enough, McPherson was waiting outside the window, perched on the gargoyle. She let him in and quickly scanned the letter from Harry, becoming a little warm when she came to his suggestion for what they could do next Friday night at the flat. She put that out of her mind and wrote back:

Harry dearest,

I need your help. I want to go to the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw common rooms tonight to tell
Keesha and Luna about our engagement. Both the Fat Lady and my two roommates know,
and by now probably every portrait plus everyone in Gryffindor knows. But I want to tell
K and L myself. So, do you think that McPherson and Bailey together could bring me your cloak?

I know this is a big favor, and if you don't want to do it, that's okay. I'll understand,
and I promise I'll still help with your idea for Friday night, even though I think it made me blush.

I love you.

Ginny

Ginny handed the note to McPherson. "Take this to Harry, but first go to the owlery and get Bailey. Harry may have a big package for you to bring back." McPherson ducked his head and flew off.

Ginny sat by the window, nervously chewing her fingernails, ignoring the glances from her roommates. She wondered why she was doing this; it wouldn't be such a big deal if Keesha and Luna found out tomorrow from someone else, even if by that time half the school also knew and the story was completely wrong. But they were her best friends at Hogwarts. She wanted to tell them. And she had never done something like this.

Half an hour later there were loud hoots, and Ginny flung the window open. The two owls came through with wings flapping wildly, trying to maneuver with a parcel tied to both of their legs. They crashed to the floor, squawking loudly. Ginny quickly untied the package and the owls flew up to Bailey's perch, where they began preening their ruffled feathers. Ginny, without looking at Sarah and Christina, took the package to her bed and closed the hangings around+ her.

She put on her nightgown and a robe, then opened the package and took the cloak out. It was very light and smooth; she had to suppress a giggle when she put her hand inside a fold and saw her comforter through it. She folded it as flat as she could, put it inside her robe, and tied the sash snugly. She waited a few minutes, then opened the hangings, got up, and went to the door. Her roommates stopped whispering and watched her go.

She walked down two flights, then, when she was certain she could hear no one in the stairwell, pulled the cloak out and flung it over herself. She continued down the stairs; at the bottom she pushed the door open a crack; the common room was almost empty, so she quickly slipped out and looked around. No one was looking in her direction. She walked past the dying embers in the fireplace — Dennis Creevey was snoring in the overstuffed chair that had been Harry's favorite — and, with a final glance back, opened the portrait-hole and stepped out.

When it closed behind her the Fat Lady was staring directly at her, but then looked wildly around. "Harry Potter!" she shrieked. "I know it's you! Show yourself!"

Ginny ran; she didn't want to be nearby if someone came to see why the Fat Lady was screaming like that. She ran until she was down on the fifth floor at the base of the spiral staircase that led to the Ravenclaw tower. Her heart pounding, she looked around and saw no one. She climbed the stairs and at the top she took off the cloak.

In front of her was a blank wooden door with only a bronze knocker shaped like an eagle. Ginny knew, from Harry's description of his search for Ravenclaw's diadem, what to expect, and as she caught her breath from climbing the stairs, she knocked once. The eagle spoke: "How is love discovered?"

Ginny answered without thinking. "It isn't discovered. It's a gift."

"That is undoubtedly correct," the voice intoned, and the door swung open. Ginny walked in and gazed around at the domed ceiling, the high windows, and the bronze hangings. The room was empty except for a girl standing in front of a bookcase with a heavy tome open in her hand. She didn't look around, but Ginny recognized her and walked over.

"Orla," she said, and the girl turned. Orla Quirke was a fifth–year from London who was on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team and had been a teammate of Elizabeth Derby's last year. Orla looked at her in surprise. "Ginny! How on earth did you get in here?"

"I answered the question," Ginny smiled and shrugged. "Listen, do you know if Luna is still up? I'd like to speak with her."

"Luna is always up. I'm surprised she isn't out here. Wait a sec, I'll go get her." She went through a door across the room. Ginny glanced at the books in the bookcase, then walked over and looked up at the statue of Rowena Ravenclaw. The Founder looked down at her serenely, and Ginny thought about the rather severe portrait in Professor Flitwick's office.

She heard footsteps and Orla came out with Luna right behind. "Here she is," the girl waved as Luna blinked several times and looked quizzically at Ginny. She was wearing a bright gold night gown and a blue night cap. Ginny had to suppress a laugh.

"Why are you here?" Luna asked, hugging something to herself. Ginny looked closely and saw that it was a small, brown teddy bear.

Ginny nodded to Orla, then pulled Luna into a corner of the room. "I'm having an adventure," she giggled. "Look," she held up her ring.

Luna's eyebrows shot up; she tucked the bear under her arm and took Ginny's hand. She turned it, examining the ring closely. "Rubies and diamonds, maybe five carats altogether, and I'd say... 18 carat gold." She looked at Ginny and frowned. "Are you pregnant?"

Ginny covered her mouth and bent over laughing. "Oh, Luna, Luna. No, I'm not pregnant. Harry asked me to marry him. I wanted to tell you before all the stupid rumors started. And I want to tell Keesha, too. Why don't you come with me?"

Luna's eyes lit up and she hugged the bear again. "Can I? Won't we get caught?"

Ginny grinned. "Nope. I have Harry's cloak. Come on!"

They looked around the common room; Orla had curled up in an easy chair with her book and was ignoring them. Ginny led Luna to the door, then down the stairs. At the bottom she took out the cloak and put it over them and the teddy bear.

"This reminds me of last year," Luna said in a stage whisper, "except it's you and not Harry. And we went up, not down."

"Shh," Ginny put her finger to her lips. The corridors were empty, and they stole down to the dungeons, encountering no one. As the castle clock struck eleven, they came to the still life painting near the kitchens that was the entrance to the Hufflepuff common room.

What do we do now?" Luna whispered.

Ginny took the cloak off. "You keep a lookout, I'll see if I can figure it out." Luna looked up and down the corridor, then back at Ginny, who was pressing the various objects in the painting — fruit, flowers, a bowl of nuts. Nothing happened, so Ginny ran her hand around the edge of the frame. Still nothing happened.

Suddenly Luna hissed and Ginny looked at her. "I thought I heard something," Luna whispered. They both stood still, holding their breaths. Finally, Luna let hers out. "I guess not. Go ahead, keep trying."

The painting swung back, just like the portrait of the Fat Lady, revealing a round opening and a softly lit room beyond. They looked at each other, then Ginny stepped into the opening. When Luna followed, the painting closed behind her.

In front of them was a room more like the Gryffindor common room than the Ravenclaw. There were several cheerful fires; in the center was a large, black, potbelly stove with a crooked metal chimney going up through an opening in the low ceiling; the stove gave off a warm glow that filled the room with comfort. The walls were covered with yellow hangings and a few portraits. Several students were lounging in large overstuffed armchairs and sofas. One of them looked up and saw Ginny and Luna.

"Ginny! Brilliant!" the boy said and stood up. "You opened the painting. Good for you!" The other students in the room all looked up.

"Hi, Kevin," Ginny smiled at the fifth–year, Kevin Whitby. "I don't know how we did it, but it opened for us."

Kevin looked at Luna, who was standing behind Ginny. "Hi, Luna. You're very, um, golden. And I love your hat."

Luna blinked, but said nothing and hugged her bear. "So," Kevin continued after a moment, "what brings you to our humble hole?"

"We were looking for Keesha. Is she around?"

"I'll get her," a girl called. She got out of her chair and hopped through a round doorway and disappeared inside. In a moment she was back with Keesha, who was wearing a robe over her nightgown.

"Holy Merlin, Ginny!" she exclaimed. "How did you get in here? Did someone let you in?" She looked around, but people either shrugged or shook their heads.

"I was running my hands around the painting, and then Luna said something. What did you say?" she looked quizzically at Luna.

"Keep trying."

"Ah!" Keesha smiled. "That's it, you have to convince it that you won't give up." She came over to them. "So, why are you here? How was your weekend at Shell Cottage? Warmer and drier than my camping trip, I hope."

Ginny pulled her toward the entrance with her right hand. "Let's go outside, I want to show you something." Luna followed them through the hole and Keesha pushed the painting closed. Ginny held up her left hand, and Keesha gasped.

"He popped the question! Oh, Ginny, that's incredible! Let me see it." She took Ginny's hand and examined the ring, then grinned. "No such luck on the Isle of Wight. But we did have fun. I even —"

A loud wail echoed down the corridor. They looked up, startled, and they all drew their wands.

"Where did that come from?" Ginny whispered as they looked around.

"Down there, I think," Luna pointed toward the kitchens and clutched the teddy bear. The corridor that way was lit by guttering torches mounted on the walls, and the flickering light caused shadows to jump and wave. Ginny started walking in the direction of the sound, then stopped. She reached into her robe. "Here, we'll use this." She threw the Invisibility Cloak over all of them, and they started down the corridor.

Keesha fingered the magical cloth as they walked. "Ginny, what the hell is this? Is this an —"

"Invisibility Cloak," Ginny finished her sentence in a whisper. "It's Harry's. I borrowed it so I could show you my ring tonight, before all the gossip started."

"I heard that he had something like this. That's how he got into the Forbidden Forest last year and..."

"Right." Ginny said no more, and Keesha also fell silent.

They passed the picture of the bowl of fruit that opened the door to the kitchen when you tickled the pears. The corridor curved to the left, and they entered a long stretch that had only one torch lighting it. They plunged into shadow, and then heard the wail again. It was followed by the sound of a muffled voice, and a scream that made them all jump. Then it was abruptly cut off. The girls stopped, and looked at each other, although they could barely make each other out in the dim light. Ginny took a firm grip on her wand and started walking again.

The corridor ended at a cross passage, and they peered down the new corridor. Keesha, who was on the right, sucked in her breath and grabbed Ginny's arm. Ginny and Luna looked. The corridor was completely unlit, but about fifty yards away they could see four figures with lit wands, all pointing at shapes lying on the ground against the wall. As they watched, they heard a low voice, almost a hiss, say "Crucio!" and one of the bodies on the ground jerked and writhed.

Ginny threw off the Cloak and fired as she ran. "Stupefy!" she screamed; her spell hit the nearest standing figure in the head and he flew into the air, cracked against the ceiling and fell to the ground. Flashes of red shot past Ginny's shoulders as Luna and Keesha also fired spells, and the corridor echoed with deafening bangs. Another figure went down, and the other two shot spells back. Ginny stopped and knelt only a few yards from them, and now she could see that the attackers were the same four Slytherins who had ambushed her and Luna two months ago. One of them aimed his wand at their captives.

"Protego!" Ginny shouted, and her shield covered the bodies lying against the wall. A Stunning spell from Keesha hit the Slytherin and he slammed against the opposite wall. The last one took one look around, then ran. Luna's spell hit him before he had taken three steps; he flew forward ten feet and skidded on his face another five. He lay unmoving, and when the echoes of the explosions died down, the corridor was still.

Keesha was the first to reach the bodies that the shield charm had covered. Ginny knelt next to her. "Please," she whispered, "let them be alive."

"They are," said Luna calmly, also kneeling, and still holding the bear. Ginny lit her wand and cried out; she almost dropped her wand. In front of her were the horribly bruised faces and glazed eyes of Sean Allen, Zoroaster Black, and Abigail Abernathy.

"Oh, my God," Keesha's voice trembled. "What did they do to them? We have to get help." She got up, but Ginny stopped her.

"Wait! There's a faster way." She stood and flourished her wand. "Expecto Patronum!" she said loudly. A silver mist, then a roan mare flew out the end of her wand; the horse pranced nervously a few feet in front of her, tossing its head and neighing. "Madam Pomfrey!" Ginny said in a commanding voice. The mare pawed the ground three times, then vanished.

"Merlin, Ginny, where did you learn that?" Keesha stared wide–eyed at the spot where the Patronus had been.

"Dumbledore taught it to the Order of the Phoenix, and I saw my Dad use it when we were hiding at my Aunt's house. But someone needs to get McGonagall."

"I'll go," said Keesha. "I know shortcuts."

She started down the corridor, but stopped short when another silver Patronus appeared out of the ceiling and landed gracefully on the floor in front of her. Harry's stag turned to Ginny and bowed its head. She felt a surge of delight; Harry had been watching them on the Map, and he would be here soon. "I don't think we have to do that," she said to Keesha. "Harry will make sure she knows."

The girls gaped at the stag. "Ginny," Keesha marveled, "you are astounding, you and Harry both."

"Yes." Ginny moved toward the stag and it stamped its front legs. She was only a foot from it, and she could feel warmth and smell a musky scent radiating from its body. She held up her left hand, and the stag stretched its neck and touched her ring with its nose. An instant of dizziness passed over her and she drew her hand back. When she looked at the ring, the three rubies were blazing as though they were on fire.

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