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Author: Bistyboo1974 Story: Helpless Rating: Young Teens Setting: Pre-OotP Status: Completed Reviews: 4 Words: 17,380
Thud. A deep, dull sound came from behind one of the frost-covered hedges. Quickly, Ginny jumped back from Harry's embrace as the noise startled her. She opened her mouth to ask him what he thought it was, but Harry motioned for her to stay quiet. Ginny nodded as Harry went to peer through the hedge, in the direction of the sound. Ginny followed him. Through the hedge, she and Harry saw three figures standing several meters away. Without fairy lights around them, however, the figures were indistinguishable, yet they could both hear low voices. "Shhhh," hissed one of the voices. "Anyone could hear – now go back into the castle. You don't want to be seen here, son." "Son?" said Ginny in a whisper before she could stop herself. Harry mouthed the word "quiet" to her and leaned his ear closer to the hedge. "Fine," said another voice in an undertone. "Just give me time to get to the dungeons before you release that – thing." Ginny heard footsteps crunching in the snow, heading back to the footpath that led to the castle, and she peered around to try and make out the person walking, but outside of the canopy where she and Harry stood it was just too dark. Harry must have realized that standing in the middle of a fairy-lit canopy made them easy targets for whoever was left prowling and plotting outside the gardens. He grabbed Ginny's hand and quickly led her towards the footpath. "Go into the castle," he said hastily. "Go to Dumbledore and tell him what we heard – I'll stay here and try to hold off whatever's coming. I have a good idea who's behind it." "No," said Ginny resolutely. "I'm not leaving you to stave off a – thing – all by yourself!" Ginny didn't leave Harry any time to argue. Before he could protest, they began to hear the crunching of snow again, the sound growing louder as something approached – one of the dark figures was growing closer as it seemed to glide through the drifts of snow. Ginny knew, without seeing it clearly, exactly what it was. The chill of a cold, winter night was nothing in comparison to the chill she felt when a Dementor was near. *** No, thought Ginny. Not this time. She quickly raised her wand. And it didn't take much time to find her happy thought, either – the sensation of her first kiss was still burning on her lips – she was there. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Harry had bellowed the words at the same moment Ginny had – the result was a flash of silver streaming from both their wands. Harry's Patronus took shape first – a great stag trotted boldly from his wand tip. It paused as if it were waiting for Ginny's to take shape. In an instant, another Patronus joined it – from Ginny's wand tip sprang a graceful silver unicorn. Together, the stag and the unicorn stormed towards the Dementor – a high-pitched wail shrieked for a moment and Ginny could hear a scrambling noise crunching the snow and then – dead silence. The stag and the unicorn turned back to Harry and Ginny and a second later, they faded away. Ginny still held her wand out towards the darkness, but the feeling of having the Dementor near was gone. Harry gently nudged Ginny's arm back down. "That was incredible," he said. "I can't believe I actually did that," Ginny said, in awe. "I could just feel what it was – I couldn't see it, but I knew – I knew it was a Dementor. And then, I don't know – it was like this impulse I got and … well, there you go!" She felt almost giddy. Harry grabbed her hands. "I know," he said quietly. "I know exactly what you mean." Ginny couldn't help but beam up at him, but Harry was giving her an apologetic look. Ginny knew what he was about to tell her. They weren't going to be able to stay in the gardens, reminiscing about the awesome double Patronus they'd just conjured up. She wanted him to scoop her up and twirl her around – she felt lighter than air at that moment, but she knew what he was about to say … "We've got to get in and tell Dumbledore," he said in an undertone, almost regretfully. "Whoever set that Dementor loose could still be close by." Ginny nodded. Hand in hand, they hurriedly strode back up to the castle and slipped into the Great Hall, winding their way through the students to the high table. Ginny mentally noted the absence of quite a number of students from Slytherin House. Trying not to make a commotion, Harry and Ginny stopped behind Professor Dumbledore's chair, but several of the other staff looked at them in wonderment nonetheless. "Harry … Miss Weasley," said Dumbledore. "Is something wrong?" "We were just in the gardens," whispered Harry. "Yes," replied Dumbledore, his blue eyes twinkled over to Ginny and back to Harry again. Ginny felt herself start to go red. "There was a Dementor out there, sir … someone set it loose. We heard two voices before it started to come at us." Dumbledore suddenly looked very grave. "It's gone now, sir … we took care of it." Dumbledore looked a little more relaxed at hearing Harry's news that the Dementor was gone. "We?" asked Dumbledore with interest. "Miss Weasley … you conjured a Patronus?" Ginny nodded. "Yes, sir," she said in a soft voice. "Commendable," Dumbledore said. "Very admirable, indeed." Ginny smiled at the headmaster's praise. "Harry," Dumbledore continued in hushed tones. "I don't want to cause a panic – it's nearly midnight. The ball will end and I will round up the staff to conduct a search of the school grounds. I'll need to see both of you in my office, however, to tell me exactly what you overheard while you were outside." Harry nodded his head in agreement. *** While Dumbledore was rounding up the staff to investigate the school grounds for clues, Harry and Ginny sat in his circular office, waiting for him to return. "Who do you think it was?" asked Ginny after they had sat down. "Who do you think set that Dementor loose on the school? I know who I believe …" "The Malfoys?" said Harry, a glint of anger in his green eyes. "M-hmm," said Ginny. "They're definitely first on my list of suspects," said Harry. "But you can't really rule out the majority of the Slytherins." "Nasty lot, they are," said Ginny, scowling. "They'll never be able to trace who did it … will they, Harry?" "Probably not this time," Harry said quietly. "But whoever did it will get what's coming to them … rest assured, they will." He had a determined look on his face that made the hairs on the back of Ginny's neck stand up. Harry's absolute determination made Ginny feel secure. She reached out a hand to him and he took it. She clasped her other hand over his and the door to the office opened. Dumbledore entered and his eyes trailed to Harry and Ginny, still clutching hands. Ginny hastily let go and placed her hands, very primly, in her lap. "Now," said Dumbledore, positioning himself in his chair behind his immense desk. "Please, tell me what you heard." *** After telling Dumbledore what they overheard in the gardens, Harry and Ginny were excused and they walked together back to Gryffindor Tower. "Aurors on the school grounds," said Ginny as she climbed the last staircase that led to the tower. "I never thought we'd see the day – this could get really bad, couldn't it?" "I think it was a hard decision for Professor Dumbledore to come to – he wants the atmosphere here to stay as normal as possible," said Harry. "But a Dementor being set loose at Hogwarts puts things in a new light, doesn't it? I think he'd rather see sentries of Aurors here rather than close the school – it will take a good bit more for him to come to that." He paused as they reached the Fat Lady's portrait. "This could get really bad – you're not wrong about that – but you've got to remember, there are quite a few people out there fighting to make sure it gets better." Harry was giving Ginny an _expression of deep resolve again. "You being one of them?" said Ginny. Harry nodded. "And I'll fight, too," she added. They slipped through the portrait hole and wandered into the empty common room. It was late and all of the Gryffindors had apparently retired after a busy Christmas. "I suppose we ought to call it a night," said Harry, noticing the time on the clock on the mantel above the fireplace. "Oh, wait!" said Ginny, suddenly remembering something. "I meant to give you … I didn't get a chance earlier, and then with all that went on tonight … I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere!" Harry gave her a bewildered look and Ginny scurried upstairs. She returned a few minutes later, holding a small package wrapped in red and green paper. "It's not officially Christmas anymore, but …" She offered him the little package. "Happy Christmas, Harry." "Ginny …" Harry said in a surprised voice. "You shouldn't have gotten me anything … I didn't expect anything." "Oh, don't worry … I didn't expect you to get me anything," said Ginny quickly, noticing his embarrassment. "Actually," said Harry. "I do have something … it's not a gift. You might think it's actually rather silly of me …" Ginny was very interested. "What is it?" "If you'll hold this for me," Harry said, handing the gift back to Ginny. "I'll go get it." Ginny stood alone in the empty common room, twirling the curly ribbon that was tied around Harry's gift. She wondered what in the world he could be bringing down to her. Harry returned momentarily, clutching an emerald green envelope. He traded envelope for gift and asked Ginny, "Who goes first?" "Oh, you can," Ginny replied, though she secretly wanted to rip right into her envelope. Curiosity was getting the better of her. Harry untied the ribbon and tore away the red and green paper, then took the lid off a small box. His mouth curled up in a grin. "A watch," he said, pulling out an antique-looking Muggle pocket watch. "I know yours broke last year, when you were in the lake for the second task of the tournament … it looks kind of old-fashioned compared to what Muggles have now, I suppose … I'm sorry I couldn't get you anything new." Her face was going pink. "But Dad brought this one home from work. I asked him if I could keep it before he took it apart. He likes to look at the spears and grings." Harry laughed. "I think he means gears and springs." "If you don't like it …" "No, Ginny," Harry interrupted. "I like it … I really like it. I can't believe you remembered about my watch." Ginny's face had gone to a bright shade of magenta. She didn't want to admit it to him – there wasn't much she didn't remember about him. "Go, on," Harry said, winding the brass watch. "Open the envelope." Ginny unsealed the envelope and pulled out a Christmas card. On the front was a picturesque holiday scene – the falling snow looked so real it practically made Ginny shiver. Over the scene were the words, "For Someone Very Special." "Aren't you going to open the card?" asked Harry, with a devious grin forming on his face and a mischievous glimmer in his green eyes. Slowly, Ginny unfolded the Christmas card. Shrill voices chorused a rousing rendition of a medley of Christmas carols. Ginny and Harry erupted into a fit of laughter. "We're … going … to … wake … everyone," Harry said, between snorts of laughter. Ginny nodded and closed the card. She paused to wipe the tears from her eyes. "I guess you remembered that I'm partial to musical cards." "How could I forget?" said Harry, taking her by the hands. "Thank you for the watch." "Thank you for the card." Harry leaned towards her and brushed his mouth against hers. I could get used to this, thought Ginny. *** The rest of the holiday was a strange mixture of delight and dread for Ginny. She was delighted at the time she spent with Harry. Walks in the snow, playful snowball fights and stolen kisses under icicle-laden trees by the frozen lake were blissful memories that would last her a lifetime, but the dread was also there. She feared what was to come – random Dementor attacks were only the tip of the proverbial iceberg – Ginny wasn't so naive as to believe all would soon be well. And no matter how hard she tried to forget – to push the dreadful thoughts to the back of her mind as she walked to the lake holding Harry's hand – the Aurors stationed on the school grounds were a grim reminder of what was lurking out there, somewhere, waiting. But there was one thing Ginny knew now – one thing she was positive about. She wasn't helpless. *** It was the last day before the new term of school was to begin. Ginny positioned herself so she could look at Harry and the ice-covered lake, but not the castle – or the ominous-looking Auror standing guard at the entrance. For a short time anyhow, she was only going to live in the moment. She was going to pretend, if only for that instant, that there were only two people in the whole world. As she stole a last kiss before she and Harry would have to withdraw to the confines of the bustling Gryffindor common room, she wrapped her arms tightly around the person she loved and desperately wished she knew how to freeze time. For many years to come, both Ginny and Harry would look back on that Christmas as one of the best Christmases they'd ever had – it certainly wouldn't be the last one where they'd experience fear mingled in with festivity – but it was the first Christmas they'd spent together and that meant an awful lot to both of them. THE END Author's Note: Big, big, BIG thanks to Sherylyn, who taught me many things during the course of this story. It's been my pleasure to work with such a wonderful, friendly beta-reader! And special thanks for reminding me that "hand in hand" is always better than "side by side!" :-)
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