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Author: mysty Story: Harry Potter and the Mystery of Myrddin's Torch Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: WIP Reviews: 0 Words: 40,548
A/N: I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read and review my story. Of course, a special thanks goes to Hollow Godric for beta reading. I can't seem to sneak a misplaced comma past him, but I keep trying. She ran her hands through his hair, giggling softly. He reached up to her ponytail and pulled the holder loose, making her red and gold hair fall all around their faces which were suddenly very close. The smell of strawberries and honey surrounded them. Her lips were moving... Ron let out a loud snore, waking Harry from his dream with a start. Thankful that Ron was sleeping and couldn't read his thoughts, Harry rolled quickly out of bed, putting his feet on the cold floor. Harry realized that he had fallen in love with Ginny Weasley. He'd been dreaming about her every night. How could he stop himself? She was a wonderful mass of contradictions that fascinated him; smart, but silly; bold, but shy; kind, but wicked in her sense of humor. And she was beautiful. While he could admit it to himself, he had no clue what to do about it. Ginny had offered him her friendship this summer without reserve. He could set aside his deeper feelings. If she wanted his friendship, then that is what she should have. Her friendship was quite something. It had become very important to him. Harry smelled sausage as he so often did on awakening at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley was probably already setting up their breakfast although the sun seemed to be barely up. The sky was still slightly pink. Many days she left so early they wouldn't see her until dinner so Harry hurried through his morning routine hoping to catch her. He must have been too quiet to be heard as he came downstairs because he couldn't help but hear Mr. and Mrs. Weasley talking. "They shouldn't ask Harry to get involved. He is still at school. We need to stand up for him, protect him. Who else does he have?" Mrs. Weasley sounded upset. Arthur answered, "Try not to worry, dear. Dumbledore agrees with you that Harry needs to be protected. You should have heard what he said about the Dursleys. He's happy that Harry is here with us. He won't take him away until school starts..." His voice trailed off as Harry came downstairs. "Good morning," Harry said, trying to sound normal so they wouldn't think they'd been overheard. Molly and Arthur froze. Harry figured he might as well drop the pretense so he said, "Sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. Please don't worry about me. I'm all right. Whatever happens. It will be OK." Molly sighed and said, "Let me get you some breakfast, dear. If you are all going to Diagon Alley today, you'll need something good to eat." "Thanks. That's what brought me downstairs - the smell of your cooking," Harry answered with a grin. Mrs. Weasley glowed with his compliment. Feeding hungry teenage boys was her thing. She loved it when it made them happy. Arthur relaxed, too. "Tonks and Moody will be tagging along on your shopping trip today, Harry. You won't recognize Tonks of course. Moody will be invisible." Arthur thought that Harry took that well considering he didn't usually want to be tailed. Harry was glad that Aurors would be tagging along with them today. He was nervous about showing his face in public, not because of the attention from regular people, but from the very real possibility that Death Eaters might attack. "It's good that Moody and Tonks will be there. I haven't been to Diagon Alley for such a long time. It will be great to see Fred and George's store," answered Harry. They planned to take the Floo Network to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Anyone watching the network wouldn't be suspicious of Floo traffic between the Burrow and twin's store. Then to Gringott's Bank and the various other shops. "That's right. You haven't had a chance to see your financial investment at work," Mrs. Weasley interjected. "Thanks so much for helping the twins make their dream come true, dear. I'm glad you believed in them. You've all convinced me. Their Wheezing business is booming. I've never seen them happier." The twins had started their joke shop with the money Harry earned winning the Triwizard tournament over a year ago. "They made their own dreams come true, Mrs. Weasley. Besides, the wizarding world needs something to laugh about, now more than ever," Harry answered between mouthfuls of porridge. A sleepy Ginny appeared at the door still wearing her pajamas and dressing gown. Harry couldn't help but smile at the yawn she tried to cover up. "Let me get you some tea, Gin," he offered. He knew just how she liked her tea. Ginny took the cup without comment. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley didn't seem to notice the interchange. A loud crash in the living room announced the arrival of Fred and George. "Don't anyone get up, we can help ourselves," said Fred grabbing a plate off the counter and approaching the breakfast dishes on the stove. Almost at the same time, Ron and Hermione arrived together at the bottom of the stairs looking very fresh. Hermione was ready to go shopping. Ginny groaned looking up at her neat, crisp outfit. "I bet you wrote a shopping list, too. Didn't you?" She accused. "I'm just not ready for today." "Maybe we should put it off..." Harry began. Hermione and Ron both interrupted with, "NO!" Ron continued, "The Aurors have scheduled themselves to be there. We had the Floo Network reopened for the day. It's just too much trouble to reschedule." "We don't have too many days left before we have to be on the Hogwarts Express," finished Hermione. "It's OK," said Ginny. "I just need a little time to get ready." She left the table with a last glance at Harry as she began to climb the stairs. He had indeed followed her exit with his eyes. They smiled at each other as their eyes met before she was out of sight. When they arrived in Diagon Alley, Fred stepped forward and said, "WELCOME TO WEASLEY'S WIZARDING WHEEZES! Today is Harry Potter day. Step up to meet The-Boy-Who-Lived in person." Fred and George were grinning broadly. Harry was thankful that the store was all but deserted at this early hour, then he noticed a counter devoted to Harry Potter memorabilia, t-shirts, photos and cards. "What is all of this?" he asked, sounding annoyed. "The Harry Potter one hour lightening bolt scar chew? The Boy Who Lived Snitch Catcher?" He held up a fake floppy hand. "Patterned after that unfortunate moment when Gilderoy Lockhart removed your broken arm bones. Great for parties," said George raising his eyebrows and grinning. He pointed to a photograph of Harry in his Gryffindor Quidditch uniform getting his arm broken by a Bludger and then catching the Snitch. "Well, I guess not all of your Wheezes can be a Canary Cream. How are these selling?" Harry decided it was hard to be angry with the twins. They meant no harm. "Sales of the hands have been a disappointment, but the scar chew is quite popular." Fred and George were nudging each other and whispering. Harry noticed a sign on the counter that read, "Back in 20 minutes." Holding it up to the twins, he asked, "Do I want to know why this is here?" "It's a marketing technique," answered Fred, trying to look business-like. "You tell people that they just missed meeting me?" Harry's question was more of a statement. He shook his head. "And, today it will be true," said Ginny, laughing. If it made her happy, Harry was all right with it. He smiled back at her. Fred and George high-fived. Just then, one of the patrons, a teenage girl with straight black hair, knocked over a big display of sneezing puffballs. A powdery cloud filled the hair. "Thanks for the tour. We'd best be going now," said Harry, holding his nose and steering Ginny toward the door. Over his shoulder, he said to the girl who had caused the crash, "Good morning, Tonks." She laughed, "Wotcher, Harry. What gave me away?" A disembodied voice answered. "He's either got some kind of sixth sense OR you're a big klutz, Tonks. Which would you prefer?" Everyone laughed. "Hello, Professor Moody," Harry said politely. "Hello to you. Now that's the last time anyone talks to either of us. You will blow our cover. Tonks is going to quietly change her appearance periodically and I will remain unseen. You will all keep your wits about you and pay attention. Constant vigilance! Where are we headed first?" Moody lectured. "Gringott's, then the shops," answered Harry. "Are you coming with us, Fred? George?" "Have to mind the store, Harry. Our work is never done," answered Fred trying to look serious and not quite achieving the effect. Without thinking, Harry reached for Ginny's hand. "Shall we?" he said just as he had at the Burrow for weeks. The group stepped out into the bustling crowd of Diagon Alley. As they headed toward Gringotts, Harry couldn't help but notice the number of people stopping on sidewalks and staring at their group. Some younger children were pointing. It had been such a long time since he had been to Diagon Alley. He did his best to ignore the attention. Hermione patted his arm and said, "We should have expected this, Harry. Have you been reading the Daily Prophet this summer? Gone are the days when you were the attention-craving lunatic who claimed he'd seen Voldemort. You are back to being everyone's hero. Rita Skeeter got her job back, and she has put out a whole series of articles about your heroic's at Hogwarts - complete with photographs." "Sorry, Harry," said Ginny. "We should have thought of a disguise." He laughed. "Maybe we could cruise back to Fred and George and lay in a supply of Canary Creams for the day. None of you would mind walking around the shops with a large canary, would you?" He refused to let the stares bother him. Ginny and Ron laughed. Hermione began, "We could think of a better disgui..." before Ginny cut her off, "It was a joke, Hermione." Harry never shopped much as a child so he particularly enjoyed going around with his friends. After Gringotts, Ron and Harry dragged the girls into Quality Quidditch Supplies. Ginny wasn't too hard to convince, especially once Harry asked her to help him find a disguise. "Hold still, Harry. You said I could dress you up. I don't want to poke you in the eye." She'd found a pair of wizard sunglasses that changed color with the weather. In the August heat, they were purple. Giggling, she added a Chudley Cannons, orange hat and scarf that would be truly become uncomfortable as the day was already warm. Harry didn't mind. She was giggling and it had something to do with him. He could take them off later. This was his chance to be generous with his money. He paid attention as his friends looked in the various shops and quietly bought gifts for everyone. For Ron, he purchased a Chudley Cannon's jersey that had been signed by this year's team. For Ginny, he bought a whole bunch of art supplies and a potion to make pictures move. Hermione's eyes lit up at Flourish and Blotts when they saw the latest edition of Hogwarts, A History: Revised Edition so he purchased it before picking out his schoolbooks. Ron was busy listening to Hermione explain why they would need a copy of Trends in Transfiguration: An Advanced Guide to Altering the Universe even though it wasn't on the booklist. Harry was looking through old books with Ginny. "Buying your books second hand, Potter? Of course, that is what I'd expect of the Weasleys," drawled Draco Malfoy, arrogant as ever. He stood sneering up at Harry, flanked by his usual goons, Crabbe and Goyle. Harry responded evenly, "You need some new material, Draco, and maybe some new friends. Do you hang around here every summer in hopes of finding someone to harass?" To Ginny he said quietly, "How did he see through my disguise?" "You're the one who ought to be looking for new friends, Potter. Still clinging to the Weasleys like they're the only people on the planet. And I see that you've finally given the Weaslet what she's always wanted - now that she's grown up," Draco continued, not noticing the tall figure of Ron looming behind him. Ginny snapped her book shut and said, "Are you learning impaired? Do you need another Bat-Bogey lesson?" To Harry she whispered, "You should put the hat and scarf back on." Putting a hand on her arm and shaking his head, Harry stepped forward. He waved his hand as if to say, 'Don't bother, Ron.' Under his breath, he muttered something no one could hear. The group fell silent, then Crabbe and Goyle began shaking their leader saying, "What is it? What's wrong?" Draco was speechless. He was turning red in the face and mouthing something, but unable to make a sound. Harry said to them, "You'd better get him out of here before something else happens." Ron stepped aside to clear their way to the exit, clearly enjoying the sight of their retreating figures. Then he grinned at Harry. "Nice work. You'll have to show me how you managed that, mate." "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. Was that the spell you used?" asked Hermione. "Something like that, Hermione. Anyway, those are words to live by with those miserable Slytherins. When have they ever had anything nice to say? I just wish I'd thought of it before." They didn't see any more of the Slytherins for the rest of the day. At Madam Malkin's robe shop, Harry and Ron made their school robe purchases quickly. While the girls were still exclaiming over the dress robes, Harry asked Ron if he would buy Ginny the new robes she wanted and say it was a gift from her brother. Ron didn't quite hear him. "You want to buy me some dress robes?" he asked, looking confused. "Yes, Ron, because fuchsia looks so good on you." Harry smacked his forehead like he was knocking on a door. "Not you, Ginny. You could tell her you used some of the money you've made doing all those home improvement projects for your Dad. Of course, I'll give you the Galleons to cover what she needs," suggested Harry while he watched Ginny look regretfully at a set of dark green robes that would look great on her. "OK," Ron agreed. "I'll do it if you let me pay for half of that Hogwarts book you bought Hermione and let me give it to her." "You can just give it to her. That would be all right with me," answered Harry, relieved that Ron wasn't shocked at his suggestion that they buy Ginny some pretty clothes. Harry handed over the Galleons to Ron, then headed over to the gift counter to pretend to browse. He heard Ginny give Ron a little squeal and a giggle as she hugged him for being the "best brother." Ron's ears turned red as Hermione gave him a calculating look. She shot the same look at Harry who was trying to look unconcerned. With a small smile she began to help Ginny try on clothes. When they were all done shopping, they stood in the street debating whether or not they should get ice cream at Florean's. "We could watch the crowd walk by," suggested Ron. "You mean, you could have chocolate syrup on something," said Hermione. "We have a lot of packages. Maybe we've had enough," said Harry, looking at Ginny's tired face. He took her packages from her. "Let me get those, Gin," he said. A gruff voice from the air said quietly, "Twenty minutes before the Floo Network to the Burrow closes down again." The four teenagers laughed. That settled it. As they turned to go, they ran smack into two of their fellow Gryffindors coming out of the bookstore. Dean Thomas and Parvati Patil were so engrossed in conversation that they didn't see them at first. They seemed to be sharing a private joke. When Dean saw Ginny he gave her a broad smile. Ginny looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car as Dean enveloped her in a big hug. "Ginny!" he said. "What a great surprise!" Clearly, he was delighted to see her. He started firing questions at her. Turning away quickly so no one would notice the stricken look on his face, Harry focused on resituating the many packages he was carrying. When he heard Parvati say hello to everyone, he looked up briefly and smiled what he hoped was a real smile. He'd spent the last month wrapped up in a dream world where no one was closer to Ginny than he was. Running into Ginny's boyfriend, his Gryffindor roommate, was a rude awakening. Stealing a glance at Ginny's wide-eyed expression and Harry's white face, Ron saved the situation by interrupting. "We have to get going. See you all soon." He then dragged the whole group toward Fred and George's shop. The return to the Burrow was very quiet since Harry and Ginny were mostly staring at their shoes. A very relieved looking Arthur and Molly Weasley were waiting in the living room at the Burrow as the four teenagers landed quietly. Ron and Hermione were giving each other knowing glances while Harry and Ginny silently sorted out their packages. "We are so glad you returned safely, children. Hurry and wash up. We are having an early supper tonight so your father can join us," Molly said while brushing soot off of Ginny's shoulders. "This can't wait until after we eat, Molly. Why don't you sit down, Harry? Ron, could you take his packages up to your room. There is something I need to speak with Harry about," Mr. Weasley said, his voice quiet, but firm. His mind still reeling from running into Ginny's boyfriend, Harry sat numbly down on the couch. A dark, edgy expression came over his face as Harry put up his guard. Ginny sat down beside him with her chin held high. Harry felt the comfort of her presence. Whatever they told him, he'd tell her anyway. Her parents must have known that because they let her stay. Ron and Hermione lingered near the stairs so they could hear, too. "First, Harry, we weren't going to bring you into this until absolutely necessary. After last spring, you deserve some time to rest and recuperate, but you should know. You have a right to know. Remus Lupin is missing. We don't believe he is dead. We have reason to believe he is caught up in something and unable to contact us. Anyway, we hope you can help us," Arthur said, looking sadly at Harry and his daughter. He noticed Ginny's hand crept into Harry's as they both stared up at him. He reached for the large carved wooden box on the mantle and handed it to Harry. With his free hand Harry ran his fingers across the scene carved into the top of the wood. "What is it?" he asked. "Remus Lupin left this box and a letter with Professor Dumbledore, instructing him to hold onto them for him. He planned to give them to you himself when he returned. We aren't sure what this box is. No one can open it. We've all tried - even Dumbledore," Mr. Weasley explained. "We think you may be able to and we hope it has a clue about what happened to Remus." Harry looked up sharply, "I haven't heard from Professor Lupin all summer. He hasn't answered any of my letters or sent me anything. Why would he leave something like this with Dumbledore? Was he expecting me to be at Hogwarts?" This wasn't making much sense, but he had been longing to speak with Professor Lupin all summer. He knew the professor blamed him for what happened to Sirius. He wanted to apologize to him personally. Now he was missing, maybe dead? "Try to open it, Harry." Ginny spoke softly at his elbow, leaning in for a good look at the carving, the awkwardness of running into Dean forgotten because of this new surprise. The two teens were back to their former closeness. Harry flipped what looked like a latch and the box opened with a gentle click. Everyone held their breath as Harry slowly opened the box. Nothing happened. As they exhaled collectively, Mr. Weasley warned, "Don't touch anything inside there. It could be a portkey. I think we should call Dumbledore." "No need, Arthur. I am already here." Dumbledore stepped into the room. "Ah, I see Harry was able to open the box. Excellent. We want to find Remus Lupin as soon as possible. Unfortunately, that is not the business that brought me here this evening. Something has happened and I have come to ask Harry to accompany me to Hogwarts straight away. The matter is urgent, but you can first take the time to examine the contents of your box if you like, Harry." They all peered into the box. Four things appeared to be inside. One was a paperweight made out of a black stone carved in the shape of a phoenix. The next was a square velvet bag that looked like it held something circular. There was a slim book with some a drawing of a tree and some writing on the cover. Harry didn't recognize the language. The fourth item was a large red ruby. It was oval shaped and slightly larger than a golf ball. "What do you make of these things, Professor?" Harry asked. "I do not know the significance of the contents of your box, Harry. If you bring it to Hogwarts with you, we can examine them more carefully," answered the Headmaster. "Will you explain why you want me to go with you to Hogwarts? School doesn't start for a few more days," said Harry, keeping his voice even. Looking around the room at Harry's friends and adopted family, Dumbledore said, "There has been an attack on a friend of yours and her family. No one was killed, but your friend was brought to Hogwarts so Madam Pomfrey could look her over. She's asking for you." "Who is?" Harry was stumped. He couldn't think of anyone who would ask for him. Dumbledore had an encouraging smile as he answered, "Cho Chang." Harry looked confused. He hadn't given Cho a thought since she sent that letter on his birthday. Remus Lupin was in trouble and Dumbledore wanted him to go hold Cho's hand? Ginny broke the silence with, "Can we all come to Hogwarts, Professor?" She looked up at him hopefully. His eyes twinkled as he answered gently, "Harry should probably come by himself." Noticing that Harry and Ginny's hands were entwined, he added, "It will only be a few days before you are all at the welcoming feast. What is your answer, Harry?" "I'll come. Of course, I'll come. Give me a few minutes to pack and say goodbye," said Harry. The room came back to life as everyone now had something to do. Mrs. Weasley went to bring in the laundry so Harry could have his clothes. Hermione went to help her. Ron headed upstairs with all the packages. "Ginny, will you help me with something," Harry said as he turned to follow Ron. Pulling her toward the stairs, he said, "I have something to give you." Recovering herself, Ginny smiled and said, "I hope it's that giant ruby. What about it, Harry?" He smiled at her, the joke breaking the tension. "No, I bought you some art supplies and stuff to give you later, but since I am leaving in a few minutes I won't have the chance." He pulled her toward him in the dark hallway by her room. Handing her the bag of supplies he gathered his courage and said, "The last month has meant something; been important to me. I'm so glad we've been able to talk. I don't know what to say, but I bought you some things I thought you'd like to use, just to say thank you." Harry knew he was rambling but he couldn't stop staring into her deep brown shining eyes. She was drawing him toward her. He raised his free hand to her stroke her hair. So soft. So beautiful. Ginny didn't know what to say so she broke his gaze and put her arms around him pulling him into a brief hug. "Thanks for the present. Good luck at Hogwarts, Harry," she whispered as she slipped away into her room and closed the door. She didn't come out again that evening. Hermione told her parents that she was all worn out from shopping and had fallen asleep. The truth was Ginny cried so hard after Harry left that she didn't want anyone to see her blotchy face. After dinner, Hermione quietly entered the room they shared. "Do you want to talk?" she asked the small form curled up in her bed. "What good will it do? Everyone has always known exactly how I feel about Harry. I'm not very good at hiding it," Ginny sighed. "I'm not so sure, Ginny. I think Harry thinks you just want to be friends, especially after running into Dean today. If you want to be more than friends, you might have to make the first move," said Hermione. Ginny sat up to look at her only close female friend. She'd made it sound so simple. "You don't know how hard it is to be someone's friend when you want to be something more. Oh, wait a minute. Who'd know better than you?" That made both girls laugh. "Ron figured it out. Harry will, too," said Hermione reassuringly. "Harry has so many other things to worry about, Hermione. Remind me. Where is he tonight?" Ginny said. "Is that sarcasm coming from sweet little Ginny?" Hermione laughed. Ginny hated being referred to in those terms. She continued more seriously, "Whatever Harry has to face, you know he wants you with him and Ron and me. Being Harry's friend isn't always easy. Being more to Harry is going to have some unique problems, too. Does that bother you?" "What bothers me is Cho Chang demanding his presence. Since when does Harry have anything more to do with her? They haven't been together in months," Ginny answered. "OK, I'm also curious about the carved box and I'd love to know what happened to Professor Lupin, but mostly I'm bothered by Cho Chang and how pretty she is." "I bet Harry is there right now wishing she had freckles and red hair. You have nothing to worry about with Cho. Harry hasn't mentioned her in months. I've seen the way he looks at you. Give yourself some credit. Now, what do you want to do about Dean Thomas?" On that note the girls giggled and talked through the night. In a house full of guys, Ginny felt lucky to have a girl to talk to.
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