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

Author: jedi34

Story: Love and Sacrifice

Part: 4: The Calm Before the Storm

Rating: Teens

Setting: AU

Status: WIP

Reviews: 20

Words: 3,662

Updated: August 12, 2008, 12:59pm

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4: The Calm Before the Storm

A/N: I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their comments and feedback. I love to hear from you all (even if you hate the story, it’s true!) so keep ’em coming. I’ve already had some feedback around some concerns that Ginny is going to have super powers or something, so I just want to quash that now. There are some strange things going on, but nothing like that. Big hugs to Majolie and Arnel. I really, really couldn’t do this without you guys.

Harry stood in shock, staring through the window of the compartment door.

Of all the places for them to go and bloody snog. This is not happening, this is not happening!

He met Ginny’s eyes and saw panic and regret; she seemed to be very upset.

Good! Serves her right!

He turned around and clenched his fists to stop himself from pulling his wand. He took several calming breaths. Suddenly it hit him.

They really are together. I waited too long.

He sank down onto the bench as a wave of intense sorrow washed through him. He slumped against the wall of the compartment and held his face in his hands. He wasn’t sure how long he stayed that way, giving in to his own regret and letting his sadness wash over him. He wiped his eyes and looked up, catching Ginny’s reflection in the window of the train. He turned and saw Ginny standing at the compartment door, leaning her head against the glass, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her eyes seemed to reflect the sorrow that Harry was currently experiencing. Dean was nowhere to be seen.

She had her palms pressed against the glass, but unlike Ron and Hermione, she made no demand for entrance.

Harry stared at her, trying to calm his emotions.

She looks so sad and upset. Damn it, Potter, she’s still your friend. Don’t be so selfish.

Harry walked to the door of the compartment and pressed his forehead against the glass opposite her. He also put his palms against hers through the glass. Harry looked at her intently, trying to read from her eyes what she wanted from him. She still didn’t ask to come in, but knowing Ginny like he did, he knew it had to be killing her to stand outside the compartment.

Harry finally turned from the door, and, with his back to Ginny, he slashed his wand through the air, cancelling the charms he had placed around the entrance. After a few seconds, Ginny slid the door open and made her way inside, closing it behind her. Harry heard a few muttered incantations and he knew that the compartment was sealed again.

“Harry,” she began, her voice surprisingly strong considering how upset she seemed.

“Wait, Ginny,” Harry interrupted. “I know I’ve been a selfish prat. I’m sorry.”

He still didn’t turn around to face her. “I know it’s probably too late, and I know you’re with Dean now, but I realized yesterday how much you mean to me.”

He paused again to wipe his nose with the back of his hand.

“Harry,” Ginny tried again, impatience creeping into her voice.

“Ginny, please,” Harry interrupted a second time. “I just wanted you to know that you’re a great friend and that I really fancy you. I’m not expecting you to return it, and I’ll leave you and Dean alone, but I needed to tell you.”

“Harry!” Ginny shouted. “Will you shut up and listen to me for a change!”

Harry spun, shocked at the anger in her voice.

Ginny brought herself within an inch of his face.

“I’ve been trying to talk with you for two days now, but you kept avoiding me.” She pushed him hard in the chest as she spoke.

“Running off, sealing your room, sealing your damn bloody compartment door,” she growled as she pushed him again, harder. “Being all noble, telling me you won’t get in the way of me and Dean, you bloody prat!”

This time she reared back and punched him in the gut, followed by another to his arm.

“This entire time, all I’ve been trying to do is find you and tell you that I have no intention of seeing Dean, and I’ve been in love with you ever since you saved me in the Chamber. Why did I have to fall for such a thick git?” she again shouted as she prepared to punch him again.

Harry caught her arm, stopping her impending swing.

“You like me?” Harry sat heavily down on the bench in the compartment.

Suddenly his head snapped up and his eyes bored into Ginny’s. “Wait, did you say that you loved me?” he asked.

Ginny’s ire vanished as her face rapidly matched her hair in colour. She clamped her hands over her mouth and quickly made her way to the door.

She fumbled for a minute trying to get it open, forgetting in her embarrassment that she had magically sealed it.

“Ginny, wait,” Harry called softly as he came up behind her.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him. He slowly turned her around until she was facing him. She looked into his face for a brief second and then buried her head in his shoulder.

“Bloody hell, Harry, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to just blurt out something like that.”

Harry smiled and lifted her face gently until she was looking at him again. “You know, that’s the second time you’ve told me that you love me.”

He brushed her hair back from her face, and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“I’ve had people say things like ‘you know people love you’, but you’re the first person to ever actually tell me that they loved me,” he sighed and gripped her tighter. “And now you’ve told me twice.”

Ginny smiled up at him. “I didn’t think you understood what I really meant the first time.”

He sighed and sat down on the bench, patting the space next to him. Ginny obediently placed herself beside him.

“I didn’t understand at first; things clicked into place just now,” he said.

He looked shyly at her. “I don’t know exactly how I feel, Ginny. I’m not sure what love is, really. I do know that I like you, I more than like you.” Harry looked at her and then looked away, his nerves getting the better of him. “I think I love you, too. I know that whenever you’re not around I’m miserable.” He turned and looked at her again. “You are also one of the most beautiful witches I have ever seen in my life. You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now.”

Ginny smirked to herself. “You might be surprised Mr. Potter,” she said.

“Ginny,” Harry breathed as he leaned toward her, “may I kiss yo…”

That was all he could get out before she leaned forward and captured his lips with hers. Their first kiss did not go down in the record books as the best kiss of all time; however, it contained a passion that surprised them both.

Ginny pulled back for a moment and gazed at Harry in disbelief.

Is this really happening?

She squealed slightly with excitement, causing Harry to break out in laughter.

I need to tell him about the bond. I need to tell him now, the longer I keep waiting the harder it will be.

“Harry,” she started, “I need to tell you something. I really want you to understand and I hope you’re not too angry with me.”

“I need to tell you that…” Ginny stopped, feeling her throat close up. She coughed slightly and cleared her throat.

“I need to tell you…” again Ginny felt her throat close.

What is going on? I need to tell Harry…wait, what do I need to tell him?

Ginny shook her head, feeling slightly confused.

“Ginny?” Harry asked puzzled. “What do you need to tell me?”

If she had thought about it, she would have said that she felt a little like some had aimed a light Confundus curse her way. But her mind was now on other things.

“I’ll tell you later, Harry. Now where were we?” she asked as she leaned forward to kiss him again.

“Come on, Ginny, you have to tell me,” Harry mock-whined as their lips touched for a second time.

As they moved together again, Harry felt a spark, as something raced through him. For a moment he thought he could almost feel Ginny in his head. As quickly as it came, it was gone. He didn’t dwell long on it, or anything else, because he was soon lost in her; her touch, her smell, her lips. Harry could not remember a time before her, nor could he comprehend how he had lived without her. He knew he would never going to let her go. For the first time in months Harry was truly happy.

~*~

Ginny jerked awake, unsure of where she was. She tried to reach up and wipe the sleep from her eyes but she found that her hand was pinned under something heavy.

What in Merlin’s shaggy beard?

As she came fully awake she opened her eyes and saw Harry asleep next to her, leaning into her side and pinning her arm down. She smiled, as she looked around the train compartment. It suddenly came to her attention that the train was no longer moving.

Damn, I wonder how long ago we arrived? I better wake Harry.

“Harry,” she sang softly to her newly minted boyfriend.

Harry stirred and rolled away from her. She smiled and sighed, moving her arm, trying to get the blood back into her fingers. She stood up and stretched, turning toward the door of the compartment. Ginny gasped in shock. Standing outside the door, looking none too pleased were Dumbledore, Flitwick, and her own Head of House. Ginny gulped as she remembered sealing the door. Quickly, she cancelled her spells and opened the door.

“Professors, um, so…” she stopped unsure of what to say.

“Miss Weasley,” Professor Dumbledore said, his eyes not twinkling in the slightest. “We have been trying to open this compartment for almost fifteen minutes. You do realize that sealing yourself in a compartment is very much against school rules.”

“I’m sorry, Professor,” Ginny began.

“Professor...” She was interrupted by Harry, who had been brought awake by all the commotion. “I’m the one that sealed the compartment. If you must punish someone then you need to start with me.”

Dumbledore looked at the two youths intently. “Very well, Mr. Potter, detention for two weeks. Please arrange the details with your Head of House. Mr. Potter, I would appreciate it if you would come to my office after the Welcome Feast.” His eyes shifted quickly to Ginny and then back to Harry, taking in the fact that they were now holding hands. “I have some things I wish to discuss with you.”

As they turned to leave, Professor Flitwick stopped and whispered in a low voice. “I must say, Miss Weasley, those were quite the spells that sealed the doorway. Do you mind telling me what you used? It’s not every day that Dumbledore himself cannot break through defensive charms”

Ginny blushed and ducked her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Professor. You just heard Harry say that he sealed the door.”

Flitwick looked at her for a moment. “Very well, Miss Weasley. Ten points to Gryffindor for... well, I’ll think of something later.”

He smiled at them both before leaving. As soon as he was out of hearing, Ginny turned on Harry. “Harry Potter, I do NOT need you to take blame for my actions. I can take care of myself, thank you very much!” she fumed.

Harry moved toward her and cut her off with a kiss. She immediately went weak in the knees and smiled up at him. “What was I yelling about again?” she asked dreamily.

Harry laughed and hugged her. “Ginny, I’ve lost things in my life. I saw someone killed last term for no other reason than they ended up at the wrong place.” He pulled her tighter. “You made me realize how much I’ve been missing and I’m going to take every moment I can to make it up. I’m not going to let you get hurt if I can help it,” he said forcefully.

Ginny smiled at the feelings coming through the bond. “You great prat, we’ll discuss this later.”

She sighed happily to herself as she and Harry made their way from the train to the Great Hall. They didn’t notice the Headmaster materialize behind them after they passed through the castle door.

Dumbledore watched the two carefully.

That was not Harry’s magic I sensed on the door. How could young Miss Weasley stop me from entering the compartment? She must be getting power from somewhere.

He continued into the Great Hall, lost in his own thoughts.

She doesn’t have the same blood magic protection that Harry has. Perhaps without it, Tom can use the link forged through the diary to influence her more than I would have thought. Where else could this power be coming from?

Dumbledore frowned again as he watched the two seat themselves.

It also appears that they have grown quite close; they may even be dating. Perhaps I made the wrong choice by using a spell to prevent Ginevra from disclosing the bond. Something must be done; I need to make Harry understand that he needs to be very wary of her and not trust her. It’s for his own good.

~*~

Ron sat next to Hermione, waiting for the feast to start. He hadn’t seen Harry or his sister, and as far as he was concerned they could both go hang. He had tried all summer to be the friend that Harry needed, only to have it thrown back in his face time and time again.

No more! he thought to himself angrily. That sister of mine is no better. It’s half her fault that Harry is acting the way he is. Dean bloody Thomas.

“Oi, Thomas!” Ron suddenly shouted across the table. “You leave my sister alone, you pervert, or I’ll hex your bits from here to London!”

Dean turned his head and turned pale at the site of an enraged Ron.

“You don’t have to worry about that, Weasley. She made it clear that she wants nothing to do with me. You have no idea what she made fly out of my nose.”

Dean shuddered and quickly turned back to his friends.

Hermione smiled and patted Ron on the shoulder.

“See, Ron, I told you that Ginny would never choose him over Harry.”

Ron sat back, for the moment mollified. Then, he said, “Wait, if she really does fancy Harry, and we know after his little display that he fancies her, then where the bloody hell are they?!”

Ron stood up, his imagination supplying his mind with more outrageous scenarios with each passing moment.

“There they are, Ron,” Hermione said as she caught site of the two walking into the hall.

“Ron, Hermione,” Ginny said as her and Harry sat opposite the two.

“Harry, why are you holding my sister’s hand?” Ron growled.

“Because, Ron, that’s what I want my boyfriend to do,” Ginny spat back.

She leaned forward and grabbed Ron by the collar, pulling him close so only he could hear as she whispered in his ear. “I’ve waited years, Ron, YEARS, for this. If you mess this up because of your stupid big brother protectiveness complex I swear on Merlin’s left nut that you will regret it for the rest of your life. The REST OF YOUR LIFE, RON,” she punctuated word in a strangely frightening staccato. Ron jerked with each word and actually looked scared when Ginny released him.

Harry sat down opposite Ron, who, despite Ginny’s warnings was still glaring at his best friend.

Harry learned forward, his eyes failing to reach Ron’s face. “Ron... I think, I think...” he stammered. “Ron, I think I love your sister,” Harry blurted out, turning a bright red.

Hermione clapped her hands over her mouth and immediately started tearing up. Ron took one look at his girlfriend and then at his sister.

“Fine, Harry, fine. Just don’t hurt her, all right? I would hate to have to kill you before your time,” Ron smiled as he spoke. Harry caught the underlying seriousness in his voice.

“You don’t have to worry about that, Ron,” Harry turned and looked at Ginny as she and Hermione talked in low voices, squealing every few seconds. “I would sacrifice everything else in the world before I let her get hurt. I swear on my magic.”

Ron grunted, apparently satisfied. “When does this bloody feast get started anyway?” he asked plaintively.

Harry laughed at his friend, and leaned away from the table. Life was good.

~*~

Harry approached the Headmaster’s office reluctantly, wanting nothing more than to go to his bed and sleep. After leaving Headquarters early, sealing himself in the train, finding out that Ginny actually loved him, making up with Ron and Hermione, and getting the details of his detention straightened out, he felt that he had a right to be tired.

As he approached the staircase, he realized that he didn’t know the password. It apparently didn’t matter, for as soon as he approached, the door opened and the staircase began moving. Harry knocked at the door and entered when he heard Dumbledore call him in.

“Harry, come in,” Dumbledore said as Harry made his way through the door.

“Can I interest you in a cherry twize stick?” the Headmaster asked.

“I thought you liked Lemon Drops?” Harry said confused.

“I decided it was time for a change, my dear boy,” Dumbledore gazed intently at Harry, his eyes twinkling for all they were worth. “Speaking of changes, I can see that you and Miss Weasley have grown quite close,” he continued.

Harry blushed and broke into a toothy grin. “I finally pulled my head out of my… um, sorry, Professor.” Harry blushed again. “I finally realized how amazing she is,” Harry said happily.

“Very good, very good,” Dumbledore said. “I have to ask you though. Do you really know her as well as you think you do?”

Harry was taken aback by the question. It angered him.

What does he know? Was he around when only Ginny was there? Did he help me not go crazy during the summer after Cedric? NO! He sent me back to the Dursleys!

“I know her just fine, Professor,” he said through gritted teeth. “You may remember we’ve been friends for three years now.”

Dumbledore looked into his eyes again. He seemed to realize that he was going to lose the current battle.

“How are you managing, Harry? I can’t imagine things have been easy since the end of last term.”

Harry felt some of his anger slip away. “I’m doing fine, sir. You can actually thank Ginny for that. I’m not sure I would have made it through without her.”

Dumbledore rose and walked to the window, where he remained silent for a long moment. “Harry, there are things I can’t tell you yet, but I need you to understand that I have your best interests at heart.” He turned and looked at the young man seated in front of his desk. “I must ask you not to see Miss Weasley, and I would recommend that you be careful how far you trust her. Harry! You must listen!” he said urgently as Harry had jumped to his feet.

“My best interests?” Harry spat out in anger. “Like sending me to the Dursleys’ again, or not even checking on me after I saw Voldemort murder a fellow classmate?”

Harry walked up to Dumbledore and looked him in the face. “If that’s your idea of ‘best interests’ then you can keep it. I told you I wouldn’t have made it through without her, and I swear to you she’ll have to kill me before I stop trusting her.”

He backed up and scrubbed his eyes, bringing his emotions under control.

“May I go, sir?”

Dumbledore nodded silently. As he watched Harry leave he thought bitterly to himself, It just might come to that Harry, it just might come to that.

~*~

Harry made his way back to the common room, slowly getting his raging emotions under control. As he stepped through the portrait hole, he saw Ginny waiting for him anxiously by the couch.

“Harry!” she said as she barrelled into him. “Are you alright? I was worried about you, you seemed so angry.”

Harry hugged her to himself and kissed the top of her head, amazed at how quickly holding her had become second nature.

“How did you know I was angry?” he asked.

“Well, remember what I needed to tell you? Well…” again she felt her throat close, and this time she thought she detected some faint magic that was not her own.

What in Merlin’s name? I recognize that magic. Dumbledore!

“I need to talk with the Headmaster, Harry, and then I’ll tell you everything.”

She started for the door, when Harry touched her arm.

“Ginny, it’s late already. I promise you I’ll go with you tomorrow and we can all talk about things.”

His face hardened for a second and then relaxed as he looked down at her. “I think I can spare a few more minutes before I completely collapse from exhaustion...” he said, looking at her with a gleam in his eye.

Ginny blushed and slapped his arm playfully. “You big git. I’m sure I can think of something for us to do.”

Ginny took his hand and began pulling him toward the portrait hole. Harry smiled again, completely at peace as he followed Ginny into the shadows.

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