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Author: jedi34 Story: Love and Sacrifice Rating: Teens Setting: AU Status: WIP Reviews: 16 Words: 25,584
A/N: Hi everyone. I apologize for the delay in this chapter coming out. I hope you are still reading. For the more angst challenged readers, I know the end is a lot to handle. You’re just going to have to trust me. As always thanks to Arnel and Majolie for helping out. Enjoy!
“Harry, where have you been?” she said in a dangerous voice, her hands on her hips in a perfect Molly Weasley imitation. “Er, asleep?” Harry tried to give her his best clueless smile. “I thought you understood how upset I was last night. I thought we were going to go see Dumbledore this morning,” she growled. Harry looked at her, realizing how big of a git he actually was. “I’m sorry, Ginny. I was so tired and after the… distractions… before I went to sleep it all just completely left my mind,” Harry took a step toward her hesitantly. Ginny’s face relaxed as she felt his very real contriteness and worry through the bond. Ginny began to tell him to not worry about it when Harry spoke up. “Besides, it’s not like you couldn’t have come up to wake me up anytime you wanted to.” Ginny’s anger returned full force at this. “Harry James Potter, we have only been dating one day. You can wake yourself up and have some courtesy for other people. I am not your mother!” Ginny turned and walked over to the couch and sat in a huff. Ron, who had just come in the room with Hermione in tow, laughed out loud. “You got the full middle name treatment in one day? You do move fast,” Ron snorted. “It’s at this point you need to start watching for Bat Bogies.” Ron glanced over at the fuming Ginny. “Good luck with that one, mate, I told you she was mental.” Harry watched as Ron and Hermione made their way over to the couch and sat next to Ginny. The girls immediately started talking, and based on Ginny’s hand motions and facial expressions the topic had to be him. Harry slowly walked over and moved in front of Ginny. Her conversation with Hermione cut off abruptly as he approached. “Look, Ginny, I’m rubbish at having a girlfriend, or even really thinking along those lines.” Harry looked at her apologetically. “I really didn’t mean to make you angry. Go to lunch with me and then I promise we’ll go and sort everything out with the Headmaster.” Ginny struggled to hold on to her anger for just a few more moments. It’s really not fair that I can’t stay put-out with him, especially when I know what he is feeling. Ginny sighed to herself. “I’m sorry I blew up, Harry. I’ve just been feeling out of sorts since last night. I thought you understood how important talking to Dumbledore was for me.” Harry looked at her questioningly. “How could I possibly know that if you don’t tell me? It’s not like I can see inside your head, or feel what you’re feeling.” Ginny’s face turned red at his comments. I’ve been acting like I expect him to know me as well as I know him. That’s really not fair. “You’re right, Harry. Let’s go down to the Great Hall and we can deal with the rest later.” Harry gulped at the steel that crept into her voice as she finished. He was extremely glad that he wasn’t in the Headmaster’s shoes today. ~*~ Dumbledore sat at his desk musing about the conversation he had with young Harry the previous night. He was certain that he was correct concerning Miss Weasley and the implications for her were horrible. Harry is also progressing farther along then I had thought. I might need to begin sharing with him my discoveries regarding Tom. The bond that the two youngsters had developed was also troubling. I am certain the fact that Harry is not experiencing the same connection is due to the piece of Tom’s soul now residing in Miss Weasley. Dumbledore rose from his desk and began pacing, moving slowly around his office. The implications of Tom using the girl to sense Harry’s emotions, even his thoughts, are too real a possibility for me to ignore. Harry must be convinced to be discrete around her. The Headmaster turned his attention outward as he detected the very youngsters that occupied his thoughts outside his office. He non-verbally commanded the stairway to open and seated himself while waiting for the two to appear. “Come in,” Dumbledore responded to the light knocking on his door. “Please sit,” Dumbledore gestured to the seats in front of his desk as the pair made their way into his office. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” he asked, smiling. Dumbledore noticed that their hands were interwoven together between the seats. He looked up sharply when Ginny began speaking, her tone sharp and accusatory. “Professor, explain to me why every time I try to tell Harry about… about…” She stopped and shook her head in exasperation. “About you know what, my throat closes up,” she finished, her back iron straight, her eyes challenging him to deny any knowledge. “Hmm, that is strange Miss Weasley. What exactly are you referring to?” Dumbledore said. “Come off it Professor,” Ginny spat. “You know exactly what I’m referring to, and why I can’t talk about it. Why did you do this to me?” Harry, who had been looking confused through the majority of the conversation, began to get red faced. “You mean to tell me that you charmed Ginny to not be able to talk to me?” he asked, his voice rising angrily. Dumbledore sighed heavily. It appeared that this term was not starting well for his relationship with Harry. “Miss Weasley’s parents and I thought it would be better if what happened remained unknown. I can see now that it must come out.” Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and gazed thoughtfully at the pair as Harry began to scowl at him. “It started when you rescued Miss Weasley from the Chamber, Harry. Your sacrifice and your desire to see her safe caused a bond to form between you. Normally this bond works both ways and would allow each of you to sense each other’s emotions and general well being.” “That can’t be right, Professor. I’ve never sensed anything like that from Ginny,” Harry said puzzled. “Something went wrong when your bond formed, and it apparently only affected Miss Weasley. This abnormality is what prompted our desire for secrecy until we could determine the cause,” Dumbledore said gently, at the same time lifting the charms he had placed on Ginny. She suddenly breathed deeply, like a weight had been lifted. “That’s bullocks, Professor. It’s been this way for years and you never lifted the charms, and my parents knew!” Ginny was beyond angry. She turned to Harry with an apologetic, pleading look in her eyes. “Harry, I wanted to tell you so many times, I’m so sorry,” Ginny said, begging him to understand. Harry nodded jerkily. “Years?” he asked in shock, his question barely audible. “Our whole friendship, our relationship is based on what? You using the bond to get into my head?” “No, Harry! It wasn’t like that,” Ginny bit her lip nervously. “Alright, it was maybe a little like that, but you know I’ve never lied to you, and I know how you feel about me.” Harry moved his hand away from her. “Give me a few minutes, Ginny, I need to think this over.” Harry caught Dumbledore’s smile out of the corner of his eye. Harry turned on him in full force. “Ginny I can understand, but you? You charmed her, for Merlin’s sake. What’s your excuse?” he demanded. Harry strode to the Headmaster’s desk and slammed his palms down in anger. “You always think you can just order my life to please whatever grand scheme you have. Enough!” Harry shouted. Harry stepped back from the desk, closed his eyes, and took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself. When he opened his eyes again they were hard and unyielding as his stare froze Dumbledore’s rebuttal in his throat. “It ends here, no more. You and me are through until you can prove to me I can trust you,” Harry said quietly. “Come on, Ginny, let’s go.” “Harry, wait!” Dumbledore said urgently, standing up as Harry and Ginny made to leave. “It was for your own good, there are things in motion that you don’t understand,” Dumbledore willed Harry to understand. “That excuse was worn out several years ago, now it’s just pathetic. When you have something worth saying, I’ll try to listen,” Harry said forcefully, in a controlled voice, obviously angry. With those parting words, Harry and Ginny turned and walked down the stairs, leaving a very flustered Headmaster standing behind his desk. ~*~ Harry reached the bottom of the stairs before Ginny and took off down the hall. “Harry, wait, please!” Ginny cried desperately at his retreating back. Harry stopped and looked around briefly. He jerked his head to indicate an empty classroom and then walked inside. Ginny followed quickly despite her growing trepidation. Harry was seated at a desk, cradling his head in his palms. Ginny took a desk and turned it to face him. “Harry, please talk to me, you’re scaring me,” she begged. “I’m sorry, Ginny, it’s just a lot to take in right now. I’m trying to sort everything out.” Ginny cautiously reached out and took his hand. “So I’ve been in your head for a few years. It doesn’t mean how I feel about you isn’t real, and I know how you feel towards me as well,” Ginny said softly. “I didn’t ask for this you know, it just happened.” Harry gazed at her thoughtfully. “You’re right. It really doesn’t change anything. I just feel hurt by the fact that this has been going on for so long,” Harry held up his hand to stop the protest already on her lips. “I know, in here, that Dumbledore charmed you,” he said as he tapped his head. “It’s just going to take a minute for it to catch up down here,” he said pointing to his heart. He smiled suddenly. “You know how I feel, eh?” his grin turned wicked. “This opens up all kinds of opportunities.” Ginny felt her face flush at the feelings coming through the bond. “Stop it, you prat, you’re doing that on purpose,” she said, her face still flaming red. Harry reached forward and gently moved his fingertips down the side of her face. Ginny sighed and leaned into his touch. “Sorry I freaked out a bit there. I don’t care what caused things to happen the way they did. Ginny Weasley, I love you.” Ginny moved and sat in his lap, wrapping her arms around him. “I love you too, Harry James Potter.” Harry leaned forward and kissed her deeply. No matter what Dumbledore tries, he is not going to break us apart. ~*~ Neither Harry nor Ginny had spoken to their friends much as most of the day had been spent sleeping or in Dumbledore’s office. As Harry and Ginny approached their house table in the Great Hall for dinner, they noticed Ron wildly waving his arms back and forth. “I wonder why Ron is all worked up,” Harry whispered to her. Ginny shrugged, seating herself next to Hermione. Ron turned to Harry with a glare. “Where have you been all day?” he asked. “You missed the big announcement this afternoon,” Ron said grumpily as he eyed Harry. “You know I slept in and then we went to Dumbledore’s office,” Harry said, puzzled by Ron’s reaction. “After that we went out walking around the lake to, uh, clear our heads.” Harry turned bright red and Ginny smirked. “What did you do to my sister, Potter?” Ron growled. “Seriously, Ron, stop it,” Hermione said in a prim voice. “We have much larger concerns now than who Ginny snogs. Congratulations though,” she said turning to Ginny. She turned back to Harry. “Apparently, if the Headmaster can’t fill a position the Minister has authority to appoint someone. You know the trouble that the DADA teachers have had lately,” she said. Harry nodded, unsure where she was going. “Apparently that is exactly what was going to happen, but Professor Dumbledore took emergency steps to make sure it didn’t.” Just as she finished speaking, Snape smoothly approached the table and addressed Harry with his customary sneer. “So, Potter, it appears that I’ll get to see what you are really made of this year. I can’t wait to test your mettle personally. I’m sure I’ll find you…wanting,” Snape turned and strode away, his black cloak flowing behind him. Harry turned panicked eyes to Hermione. “Please tell me he’s not teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts…” Harry begged. “It’s true,” Ron broke in. “Some old professor came out of retirement to teach potions. Professor Slughat, or something.” “Honestly, Ron, don’t you ever listen?” Hermione asked with exasperation. “His name is Professor Slughorn, and he has already been here looking for you, Harry.” Harry turned to Ginny. Why can’t my life ever be easy? he thought. Ginny didn’t need the bond to interrupt his facial expressions; she leaned forward and kissed him gently on the forehead. “It’s going to be fine, luv. You’ll see, it will all work out in the end,” she said with confidence. ~*~ By the end of the week Harry was questioning Ginny’s optimism. He had just left his second DADA lesson with Professor Snape, and he was angry. “Stupid, bloody, greasy, GIT,” he mumbled to himself over and over as he walked through the halls. As he passed a little used corridor on the third floor, the only thing he could think about was how he needed to destroy something. Without warning a door appeared immediately to his left causing Harry to stumble. He approached the door cautiously. He didn’t think it was a trap but pulled his wand out just in case. As he pushed the door open and moved inside he was amazed at what he saw. An entire section of the room had been clearly set aside for dueling and was filled with practice dummies similar to those the Aurors used. Harry didn’t hesitate long enough to even finish his survey of the room. He rushed over into the ring and pulled his wand. Immediately, the practice dummies began hurling spells at him. Harry wasn’t inexperienced at dueling, but he soon found himself on the defensive as several targets moved on him at once. He silently cast a detonating charm into the chest of the closest dummy and was rewarded when it exploded into shards. He turned to the next, but was not fast enough to move out the way of a Stunning Spell it had sent at him. As the world began disappear from his vision, he managed a final cutting charm at the practice dummy’s legs. Then all was black. Harry awoke to a wet rag on his face. He pulled it off and sat up, finding himself in the practice ring. All evidence of the destruction was gone, and Dobby was sitting next to him with a worried expression. “Harry Potter should not use the targets at such a level,” the elf chastised him. “Dobby, what is this place?” Harry asked in wonder. Harry sat in amazement as Dobby explained the mysteries of the Room of Requirement. Several minutes later Harry burst into the common room and excitedly made his way to Ron, Hermione and Ginny who were sitting on the floor chatting. “Harry, my goodness, what has you so worked up?” Ginny asked with a smile. “Remember how we were saying that we would never learn anything from Snape about Defense?” Harry asked. He continued when he saw them nod. “I think I’ve found the answer,” Harry grinned maniacally. He couldn’t wait to get started. ~*~ The next weeks became a blur for Harry. He spent all his free time either snogging Ginny or working in the Room of Requirement. He never felt as free as he did when he held Ginny in his arms. She had become his constant companion. The bond really didn’t bother him any longer. In fact it forced their relationship to be very open and honest, and even though the bond only went one way, Harry never doubted Ginny in the slightest. Dumbledore had left them both alone for the most part, although Harry would catch him watching from time to time. It had been four weeks since Harry had found the training room and they all had worked almost every day. Harry however had put in more time than any of them and was seeing quite impressive results. “Wow, Harry, that was unbelievable,” Ron whooped after Harry finished taking out six dummies near simultaneously. “You’re a natural at this stuff,” Ron said with admiration as he punched Harry in the shoulder. Harry had a goofy grin on his face and looked quite pleased with himself. “You know, Ron, I think I might enjoy this more than Quidditch.” Harry frowned when he saw the shock on his friend’s face. “What?” he asked self-consciously. “It’s just that this comes so naturally to me as well. I don’t have to think, I just respond and for a little while I have nothing to worry about.” Ron shook his head sadly. “If you say so, Harry. I still think a good game of Quidditch can’t be beat.” Harry laughed and looked slyly at his friend. “Even a good snog with a certain bushy-haired fifth-year?” Harry roared in laughter at the red cheeks and sappy grin that immediately appeared on Ron’s face. “What are you two up to?” Ginny said with suspicion from the front of the room. “Ginny!” Harry cried, racing over to twirl her around. “I didn’t see you come in,” he murmured kissing her lightly on the lips. “Hermione sent me to get you,” Ginny said, leaving her arms around Harry’s waist. “Something about needing to study other things than Defense.” Ginny rolled her eyes. “She’s already starting to worry about OWLs, for goodness sake.” Harry and Ron laughed, and began to clean up the sparring area. “Harry?” Ginny said quietly. “Dumbledore found me in the hallway and asked me to send you to his office. He said he is ready to talk.” Harry’s eyebrows rose in suspicion. “Did he say anything else?” he asked, feeling that she was holding something back. Ginny shrugged. “He said that there would be no excuses this time, but that he wanted you to come alone.” Ginny looked full into his face and Harry saw worry behind her beautiful eyes. “Hey, Ginger Snap,” Harry whispered in her ear, using a pet name he had made up for her a few weeks back. “What are you worried about?” “Harry, I think there is something wrong with me. I keep getting these headaches and the way that Dumbledore looks at me…I feel like he knows something,” she trailed off and leaned her head against his chest. “Harry, I’m scared and I don’t even know why,” she started trembling. Harry closed his eyes and willed all the love he felt along with calmness and security to flow to her. He opened his eyes to see her smiling radiantly up at him. “You’re getting much better at that, you know,” she said gasping for breath. The feelings that Harry had for her were enough to make her forget to breathe sometimes. “Ginny, I’ll never let anything happen to you. You’re the only thing in this place that makes any sense to me,” Harry said as he leaned down to kiss her lightly. As they broke apart, he leaned against her forehead. “You are absolutely gorgeous when you smile, you know that? I’m not sure how I got so lucky.” She pulled his head down for a searing kiss. “Thank you, Harry,” she said softly. “I love you so much.” “I know,” he said cheekily, earning him a playful slap on the shoulder. “You and Ron go on, I might as well see what Dumbledore wants.” ~*~ In short order Harry found himself seated at the Headmaster’s desk. Dumbledore was looking far more serious than at any other time Harry had seen him. “Harry, I’ve been thinking about our last conversation and I believe that you are quite right.” Dumbledore paused at the shocked look on the young man’s face. “Surprised? Even old men like myself can reconsider their positions every now and then. You’re actions so far this semester have shown wisdom and you have advanced much more quickly in your training than I would have thought possible.” “What do you expect me to do after hearing the prophecy, especially after you foisted that useless git for a teacher on us for Defense?” Harry said scathingly. “Professor Snape, Harry, but we digress,” Dumbledore rose and walked to the window. “You know about the prophecy and so many of my actions in the past have most likely become more clear to you. However, I am sure that my actions this semester have seemed to make little sense, am I right?” Dumbledore turned and saw Harry nodding vigorously. “Harry, have you ever heard of a Horcrux?” Dumbledore asked. Sometime later Harry sat shocked, unsure of what to say. “So these Horcruxes must be destroyed before he can truly be killed, is that right, Professor?” Harry asked. “That’s correct, Harry,” Dumbledore answered. “Some have already been eliminated. I believe there are only a few left.” Harry thought for a moment. “The diary that possessed Ginny, that was a Horcrux wasn’t it,” Harry said not really asking. “Yes, Harry, it was, and that brings us to another problem,” Dumbledore said heavily. He walked over and sat next to the boy in front of the desk. “Harry, when Tom killed your parents I believe that he accidentally created a Horcrux in you, your scar to be exact.” Harry sat shocked for a moment. “I have a piece of his soul inside me?” he asked hesitantly, disgust written in his features. “I don’t think so anymore, Harry. Somehow, down in the Chamber, you transferred the Horcrux to Miss Weasley,” Dumbledore said sadly. Harry’s head snapped up and his eyes bored into the headmasters, unblinking. “The bond,” he whispered. Dumbledore nodded in sympathy. “You said that they all had to be destroyed,” Harry said through gritted teeth. “Again you are correct. I’m afraid that for the good of all, Miss Weasley must be destroyed as well.”
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