This Changes Everything

21: This Changes Everything

You can’t always get what you want

No, you can’t always get what you want

But if you try sometimes,

You just might find

You get what you need.

- Rolling Stones

Life in the castle returned to its normal pace, although definitely more somber and subdued. Fortunately, none of the students had been killed or even seriously injured during the attack on Hogsmeade, but it was the first time most of them had been actually touched by the war. The Dementors had left a total of twenty-four new soulless victims among the villagers and those out shopping that day. A number of others had been injured in the ensuing panic.

The fire had started at Zonkos, when fleeing patrons knocked burning candles into some explosive tricks. It had burned out of control, taking down a row of shops along the street. All future Hogsmeade excursions for the students of Hogwarts had been cancelled indefinitely.

The Aurors and members of the Order had arrived after Harry had passed out, restoring order to the village and driving off the remaining Dementors. Before they had arrived, only members of the DA had been able to do anything to slow the Dementors’ progress, and they’d been fairly successful at doing so.

Dumbledore said the Ministry was talking about some kind of recognition ceremony to honor their bravery. Harry wagered Fudge would find some way around that, rather than honor anything to do with Dumbledore’s Army.

Although he had been released from the Hospital wing the same day, Madam Pomfrey had banned Harry from using magic for the remainder of that week. The summoning of two separate corporeal Patronuses left him suffering a case of magical exhaustion. Harry hated the useless feeling the lack of his powers gave him.

He’d cancelled the planned DA meeting, as he didn’t see the point if he couldn’t demonstrate anything to his students. He was feeling much better, although he still tired fairly quickly. He silently added the names of those lost to the Dementors to the growing number of Voldemort’s victims. The familiar guilt over his inability to do anything to stop this arose along with an intense anger. He has to be stopped.

As December progressed, the castle was decorated for Christmas. Holly and ivy were strung above the archways, wreathes adorned the doors, and Everlasting Icicles hung from the banisters. Hagrid had once again brought in the most enormous Christmas trees Harry had ever seen into the Great Hall. Professor Flitwick charmed the Fairy lights so that each tree would alternately flash a different color.

Professor Dumbledore had informed him that he would be joining the Weasleys at Grimmauld Place for Christmas again this year. He still wanted Harry to add his name to the list of students who would be remaining at the castle, in order to throw off anyone who might be paying attention. Instead of taking the Hogwarts Express back with the others, Harry would be able to Apparate long distance for the first time.

While he would enjoy being with the Weasleys, he was feeling rather sad and blue about Christmas this year. It would be the first one since Sirius died.

Every time he thought about Grimmauld Place, he remembered last year and how joyous Sirius had been at having everyone there. It was the only time he had ever seen him so completely happy. Whenever he heard the Christmas carol God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen , he would have to grit his teeth until it was over, remembering how Sirius had changed ‘Gentlemen’ to ‘Hippogriffs’. He really wasn’t in the mood to celebrate the holidays this year. He found himself wishing he could just fall into a deep sleep and wake up after it was all over.

Hermione was planning on going home and spending time with her parents. Harry could tell she had mixed feelings about it. Obviously, she missed her family and wanted to see them, but she also wanted to be with the others at Grimmauld Place. Ron promised her he’d make certain the Floo connection was open, as it had been over the summer, so they would have a way to see each other.

Plans for the Ball were well under way, and the rumors were flying over what the night would entail. Word was that the Weird Sisters were unavailable, and a new band had been hired. Professor Snape was listed as one of the chaperones, so Harry didn’t think any of the rumors that were too out of hand could possibly be true.

Neville was, of course, taking Luna; Seamus was going with Lavender, and Parvati was going with Anthony Goldstein. Harry still wasn’t certain whom Dean was going with, as Dean hadn’t spoken to him since the day he’d found out Harry was going with Ginny. He’d stormed off with a look of ‘I told you so’ in his eyes. Harry could almost hear the words ‘ I knew it’ echoing around him. It made for awkward living arrangements.

The final week of classes went by painstakingly slow. Everyone’s mind was either on the upcoming Ball, or already at home for the holidays. Professor Flitwick allowed some leniency, but Snape and McGonagall kept them strictly at it until the end. Snape even assigned them a painfully long and tedious essay due immediately upon their return. Professor Trent also kept them working until the end, but didn’t assign any homework. She didn’t seem as jovial about this holiday as she did for Halloween. Harry wondered if Christmas brought up some painful memories for her, as well.

Tonks made up for anyone’s lack of holiday spirit in abundance. She dressed in robes of either red or green for the entire month, with hair to match. She even had earrings that she’d charmed to stay lit up. The last day of classes, she appeared in candy-cane-striped robes with half of her hair red and the other half white. Harry couldn’t help but laugh and wish he could tell the others about her get-ups. She promised she’d be at Grimmauld Place for Christmas, and that she’d wear the candy cane outfit again, just for him.

She was most intrigued about his use of wandless magic to pull Ginny away from the Dementors. Though the Accio Charm was relatively simple, using it to move an entire person across the road in a dangerous situation was more than accidental magic should be able to accomplish. They set up their tasks to focus on this, and she had Harry trying to envision the fear and emotion he had been feeling at that moment in Hogsmeade. Remembering the panic he'd felt, and invoking that feeling as he tried his spell, he was beginning to have some luck with the wandless magic. Although he hadn’t completely accomplished a full spell, he was suddenly able to make things twitch and move, and Tonks felt it was definite progress.

She was also astounded to learn Harry had produced two corporeal Patronuses. As far as she could find in her research, it had never been done before. When he told her he didn’t know that and had tried for a third but only got vapor, she muttered, “No wonder you passed out.”

Remus had still not returned to the castle. Tonks said he was on Order business but wouldn’t give any further details. She promised he’d be at Grimmauld Place at Christmas and said he was looking forward to seeing Harry. She passed a message along that he had a special something for Harry to see while he was home.

Home . That word struck an unfamiliar chord within Harry, and he wasn’t really certain how he felt about it. He didn’t want Grimmauld Place to be home, but he did want to be with the people there, so he supposed it didn’t really matter where the place was.

He thought about the loneliness and despair he’d felt last summer, and how he dreaded the idea of going back to Grimmauld Place. It wasn’t until he was there by necessity that things had become better. Being with his friends and the Weasleys had helped; it’d been just what he needed. Maybe it would be the same for Christmas.

The evening before their last class, Ron, Harry, and Hermione were sitting at a table in the common room, preparing their final assignments before the term ended. Hermione had finished, but was looking over some of her work. Ron was obviously struggling with a Transfiguration essay. Harry was just finishing up the last of his Potions homework.

“Ron, do you need some help with that?” Hermione asked.

“I’ve just about got it,” Ron replied.

“It’s really no trouble; I’m finished.”

“No need to bother yourself with this.”

“Ron, how many times do I have to tell you; it’s no bother?”

“Really, Hermione, do you think I can’t do this for myself?”

Harry could see this rapidly descending into yet another argument. The good thing about them dating was that the arguments were fewer and fewer, and they didn’t seem to need to set each other off to pay attention to each other any more. He turned back to his Potions and heard Hermione say, “Why won’t he just ask me for help when he obviously needs some?”

At the same time, he heard Ron say, “Why won’t she just offer to help me without making a fuss about it?”

Assuming they were both talking to him, Harry turned to Hermione in exasperation and said, “Because his pride won’t let him.”

Then, he turned to Ron and said, in the same tone, “She is trying to help you; it would be so much easier if you’d just say, ‘Yes, Hermione, I could use your help.’ ”

Both Ron and Hermione stared at him with their mouths open, clearly confused. “What?” they both asked.

Harry sighed with frustration. “You each just asked me what’s going on with the other; well, those are your answers.”

“Harry, neither of us said anything to you. You did answer the question I was thinking about, though, but it was a question I never asked.” Hermione said.

Ron looked alarmed. “I never said anything out loud.”

Harry laughed nervously. “Er…I suppose I just know you two so well by now, eh?”

Ron seemed to accept this and laughed along, but Hermione looked at Harry with her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“I was supposed to see Dumbledore about arranging some Occlumency lessons while we’re at Grimmauld Place. I’ll be right back,” Harry said quickly, bolting out the portrait hole before Hermione could begin questioning him.

What was that all about? I was certain I heard their voices. Was this what Dumbledore asked me to be aware of? Thinking back on it, he had felt the surge as he’d heard them, although it hadn’t been as strong as it had seemed before. Maybe it was because he’d just got used to it. Harry swallowed as his mind drifted over the past several weeks. During that test in McGonagall’s class, he’d been trying to see what Hermione was thinking…he’d known what Dean was feeling without him having to say it…he’d thought he could hear Dumbledore’s words when the Headmaster was angry with Snape after that awful Occlumency session.

Arriving at the stone gargoyle, he muttered, “Peppermint twist,” and headed up the moving stairs. Professor Dumbledore was sitting at his desk.

“Good evening, Harry. What brings you by this night?”

“Not much, just reading Ron and Hermione’s minds.”

“Excuse me?”

“We were in the common room, and I could have sworn they both asked me questions, so I just answered them. They were both shocked and said they’d never spoken out loud, but I did answer what they were thinking. Is this what you were talking about when you told me to tell you if I became aware of anything unusual?”

“Very interesting. Now that you are aware of it, can you think of any instances where it has happened before?”

Harry nodded, biting one side of his lip. “I think that maybe it has, but I’m not sure. I keep feeling like I know what people are thinking, and I can almost hear the words. Does that make any sense to you?”

“Indeed, it does. I think, when you return from the Christmas break, we are going to enhance our work with Occlumency to include some Legilimency, as well.”

“Legilimency? You really think I’m reading people’s minds?”

“Do you think so, Harry?”

Harry shrugged his shoulders, his mind racing. “I wouldn’t be surprised by much anymore, sir.”

Dumbledore nodded sadly. “We will look into it after Christmas; for now, keep me informed and try and test it. I am not encouraging you to invade anyone’s privacy, just brief tests, Harry. You could even let your friends know what you are doing. Be careful not to overload yourself, however. When a person first begins to utilize Legilimency, the input can be overwhelming. It will take some time and practice for you to learn how to adjust to it.”

“I’ll be careful, sir.”

“I know you will, Harry. Come to me if anything changes. Are you ready for the Ball tomorrow night?”

Harry couldn’t help the slow grin that appeared on his face. “Yes, sir.”

“Well, then, I shall see you there,” Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.

Classes ended at noon on Friday to give all students time to relax and prepare before the Ball commenced. Younger students would be having smaller Yule celebration dinners inside their own common rooms.

Harry and his friends spent the afternoon skating on the lake with Hagrid, who was quite a sight to behold on ice skates. The girls went in early to begin getting ready, while Harry, Ron, and Neville dawdled a bit longer with Hagrid.

Finally, they went in to take their own showers and put on their dress robes. Ron entered the bathroom, as Harry was desperately trying to make his hair lie at least partially flat.

“Just give it up, dear,” the mirror muttered, and Ron burst into laughter. Harry turned to glare but stopped short; Ron looked different. His new robes were navy blue with a lighter blue trim, and they made him seem taller, if that were possible.

“You clean up well,” Harry said.

Ron was looking Harry up and down in the same way. “You too, mate.”

The new gray dress robes really were very stylish, and they suited Harry well, showing off his athletic build. The black trim complemented his black hair, and made the green of his eyes appear to shine with a bright, inner light.

Neville, who was wearing robes that were a deep mahogany color, used his wand to cast a spell that created some kind of cologne. The scent was overbearing, however, and both Ron and Harry had to back away as he walked passed them on his way to get Luna. Ron waved a hand in front of his face. “She’ll smell him coming from two floors away.”

Seamus left the boys' room laughing about something, and it was only when they saw Dean that they realized what it was. Dean was looking very dapper in his green dress robes, but Seamus had charmed the back of them with an image of a hag making very rude gestures. Dean went to collect his date unawares. Both Ron and Harry let out a laugh before nervously checking the backs of their own robes in the mirror.

“You watch my back; I’ll watch yours?” Ron offered.

“As always,” Harry replied.

“Should we go see if the girls are ready?” Ron asked. Despite the fact he’d been dating Hermione for several months, he seemed nervous.

Harry took a deep breath, as if he were going into battle. “Let’s do it.”

Neville and Dean had already left to pick up their dates, so they waited with Seamus on the couch in the common room. Hermione was the first to emerge. She looked stunning in her robes of sea green with silver strands adorning her neck and wrists. Her hair was done up sleek and straight and startlingly different from its usual bushiness. She seemed far older and more elegant than Harry ever remembered seeing her. Ron appeared incapable of speech, so it was Harry who leaned over and quickly kissed her on the cheek. “You look really nice,” he told her.

Hermione looked startled at this uncharacteristic display from Harry, but she smiled in pleasure. “As do you. Just wait until you see Ginny.”

She turned to Ron, who had finally recovered his voice. “You look beautiful, Hermione.”

Hermione blushed and turned around in a circle while smoothing her robes. “Do you think so? Parvati helped me with the make-up, but I think it’s too much.”

“No.” Ron shook his head. “You look perfect.”

Hermione beamed in pleasure. Harry was so fascinated, watching this display between his friends, that he hadn’t noticed Ginny making her way down the stairs. When he caught sight of her, however, it was his turn to lose the power of speech. His heart started hammering in his chest like it wanted to break free to get a better look at her.

She was wearing robes of cobalt blue with gold trim that seemed to catch every flicker of light. Her red tresses were done in a long plait and wrapped around her head, while soft ringlets cascaded down around her face. Her eyes were softly shadowed with what looked like Muggle make-up, and she wore pink lipstick. She was breathtaking.

“Wow! What have you done with my little sister?” Ron asked.

She smiled shyly at him, seeming unsure of herself when dressed like this. Harry just stood there, continuing to stare.

“She looks good, doesn’t she, Harry?” Ron said, elbowing him in the ribs. Harry snapped out of his daze and began rubbing his side.

“You look beautiful, Ginny,” he said sincerely, and she beamed at him.

“I knew those dress robes were right for you,” she said, pulling the gray material out to the side and inspecting it. “You’re looking very handsome, yourself.”

He felt his cheeks turn pink and offered her his arm. “Shall we?”

The four made their way downstairs to the Great Hall, where most of the students were milling about outside, the doors having not yet opened. Harry felt very proud to be walking down the stairs with Ginny on his arm. He noticed more than one head turn in their direction. He could make out Dean standing across the Hall with Susan Bones from Hufflepuff. Dean was staring hard at Ginny, and Harry pulled her arm tighter into his own. Dean had his chance with Ginny; it was Harry’s turn now.

Neville entered the Hall with Luna. She was dressed in robes splashed with tropical flowers, and even had what looked like a live parrot on top of her head. Harry had to grin, reminded of the birds Sirius had sent when he was on the run during Harry’s fourth year.

The biggest shock came when Padma Patil entered the Hall with Blaise Zabini from Slytherin. Harry had to admit they made a striking pair, but he’d never noticed the Slytherins associating with anyone outside of their own House before. Parvati, who was there with Anthony Goldstein from Padma’s House, glared at her sister upon her arrival.

He was so busy watching the facial expressions of the two sisters that he hadn’t noticed Draco Malfoy slip up behind him with his usual date, Pansy Parkinson. Pansy was wearing robes of deep red that showed a shocking amount of cleavage. Malfoy was dressed in black velvet. “Couldn’t get a date of your own, so you had to borrow your mate’s little sister, Potter?” came the drawling sneer.

Both Harry and Ginny turned around, and he was pleased to notice Malfoy visibly pale as he caught a good look at Ginny. Harry smirked and placed his arm around her shoulders. “I’m here with exactly who I want to be here with, Malfoy. Looks like I’m here with who you’d like to be here with, too. Pity, that.” He took Ginny by the arm and led her deftly away.

Ginny was giggling in delight. “Thank you for that, Harry. I really can’t stand that arrogant git.”

“I meant it,” Harry said, again admiring how pretty she looked. “I do want to be here with you tonight, Ginny.”

Ginny beamed and was about to respond when Harry saw her mouth fall open. “Oh, no,” she said. “What are they doing here?”

Harry turned in time to see both Fred and George bounding towards them. He wondered if they were going to pounce on him for being there with their little sister.

“Hi, Harry; hi, Gin,” they chorused.

“Look at our little Gin-Gin and Harrykins, all grown up. It seems like just yesterday they were crawling around in nappies,” Fred teased, while George pretended to wipe tears from his eyes.

“Shut it, you two,” Ginny said. “Whatever are you two doing here?”

“Chaperoning,” George said, grinning.

“Actually,” Fred said, tilting his head. “Dumbledore hired us for some of tonight’s special entertainment. Can’t tell you anything about that, though.”

Ron and Hermione made their way over to them, and Ron repeated Ginny’s question. “What are you two doing here?”

Fred sighed dramatically and looked over at George. “They certainly do make you feel loved, don’t they? I’m almost thinking they aren’t happy to see us.”

“But you know that couldn’t be true,” said George, shaking his head.

Before they could continue any further, the doors to the Great Hall opened wide, and the students began filing inside. Ron made a beeline for an empty table set back from the dance floor. Harry and Ginny joined Ron and Hermione, along with Neville and Luna, leaving spots for four more diners. Harry was stunned when Cho Chang and Michael Corner joined their table, along with Anthony Goldstein and Parvati Patil. Cho was dressed in pink, and she smiled prettily at Harry.

“Hello, Harry.”

Harry nodded at her but groaned inwardly; this could make for an uncomfortable evening. He glanced at Ginny, and saw she was as unhappy with the situation as he was. Still, Luna was a Ravenclaw, and these were her housemates; they’d have to make the best of it.

Dinner was sumptuous, and though conversation was stilted at first, it picked up. They all enjoyed their meals while talking over the events in Hogsmeade.

When dinner was complete, the band appeared and began to play. They were introduced as a relatively new group, who were making their sensational debut. As the music began, Harry was stunned to realize the lead singer was none other than Angelina Johnson. Fred beamed at her, as the dance floor began to fill.

The members of their table began to join those on the floor, and Harry reached over to take Ginny’s hand. “Do you want to dance?” he asked, wondering if he was supposed to stand up before asking her to dance. He hoped that Tonks had showed him the right steps and wasn’t playing a joke on him. Ginny smiled in surprise, and Harry ignored the shocked look on Ron’s face, as he led her to the dance floor. As they began to dance, he had to mentally remind himself not to count out loud.

Michael and Cho walked by, and Cho placed her hand on Harry’s arm. “Save me a dance later, won’t you, Harry? I’m certain Ginny won’t mind, will you?”

“Of course not, Cho. Harry can dance with whomever he chooses,” Ginny said with a smile, but Harry had the distinct impression that wasn’t what she had really wanted to say. Why does Cho want to dance with me, anyway? She has her own date.

Later, as he was getting some Butterbeer for him and Ginny, Ron came up behind him. “Having a good time, Harry?”

Harry nodded; despite his original dismay, he was enjoying himself.

“I told you to just ask her. I knew she’d say yes.” Ron was smug, and Harry had to laugh at his I-told-you-so attitude. “I mean, no matter what she said, it was obvious she still likes you.”

“Oh, if that isn’t the blind leading the blind.” Hermione’s caustic voice sounded from behind them. Both boys spun around to face her.

“You don’t think so, then?” Harry couldn’t help himself from asking.

Hermione smiled at him with the air of one who was dealing with a small child. “Of course, she likes you, Harry. Does she blush when you talk? Does she stutter around you? Does she seem happy when you’re together? She feels the same way you do, but she’s been hurt too many times by your lack of noticing. This time, it’s your turn to risk a heartbreak; you have to make the next move.”

Harry considered Hermione’s words carefully . Do I want to make the next move with Ginny? Yes. Can I?

Harry swallowed hard when he saw Ginny approaching. He took a deep breath and moved away from Ron and Hermione, walking over to meet her. “It’s really warm in here. D’you want to take a walk and get some fresh air?”

Ginny nodded her agreement, and they headed outside into the Rose Garden. It was lit up for the festivities, and a warming charm had been placed along the parameter. It seemed odd to feel the spring-like air, but see the snow piled in mounds all around. Intricate ice sculptures were located in every row, and the pair studied them as they walked. They stopped at the edge of the Rose Garden against the wall of the castle.

“End of the road,” Ginny said.

“Uh, huh. I’m having a good time tonight.”

“Me, too.” Ginny said, turning to face him, and, yet again, he was startled by how close they were to each other. Remembering his cursed luck, he glanced around for any sign of Dementors.

Ginny seemed to know where his thoughts were and, smiling, she whispered, “Relax, Harry; there’s no one here.”

“I don’t have the best track record,” he muttered, and Ginny just smiled. She kept moving closer and closer, as Harry wrapped his arms around her waist . What I wouldn’t give for a sprig of mistletoe now. His nerves began to get the best of him as he blurted out, “I really botched this before, and I want to do things right this time.”

Ginny was less than a centimeter from his lips, as she breathed, “I’m not Cho.” She pressed her lips against his, and he felt an electric charge course through his body when contact was made. The kiss was rather clumsy and awkward at first, and their teeth clanked together, but as Harry allowed himself to relax and just go with it, he began to feel like he was soaring on his Firebolt.

Both pulled back, startled, and each stood there blinking, as if trying to determine what was real for a moment that seemed to last an eternity. Harry would never be sure which one of them moved first, but, in an instant, they had grabbed onto each other and resumed the kiss with passion. Harry turned so he had her body pinned against the castle wall, and she raised her arms to run her fingers through his hair. Through his closed eyelids, Harry could swear he saw fireworks.

It wasn’t until they broke apart, as the need for air became overwhelming, that he realized there were fireworks in the air. It suddenly dawned on him what Fred and George’s entertainment for the evening was.

Harry still held Ginny in his arms, her arms wrapped around his shoulders, as they grinned at one another. “No sense letting such great fireworks go to waste,” he said, as a bright Catherine wheel lit up the sky. He gazed down at Ginny, the bright glow of pinks and greens illuminating her face.

Ginny smiled back at him; the pink lipstick that she had reapplied before they came outside was smeared all over his mouth. She gently used her fingertips to remove the smudges. A reckless part of her wanted to leave them there, as if she was marking her territory for all of the world to see.

“No sense at all,” she agreed, leaning into him and melting against him, as his lips claimed hers once again. As Ginny stood, there kissing the boy she’d been in love with since she was ten years old, her mind was screaming in jubilation. I’m kissing Harry. I’m KISSING Harry. Harry is KISSING me! Merlin, it’s about time!

Ginny and Harry returned from their walk in the Rose Garden sometime later, hand in hand. They could see Ron and Hermione out on the dance floor, and Harry was happy to see Hermione had finally coaxed him out there. As they walked on the dance floor and began to dance, Cho approached them. Michael was nowhere in sight.

“Harry, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Care for that dance now?”

Ginny smiled at him, and he felt as if they were sharing a secret. “Go ahead; I’ve been promising Colin a dance; I’ll meet you back here for the next one.”

Harry found he didn’t want to let her go, but did so reluctantly. Cho wound her arms around his neck and pressed her body very close. Harry was instantly uncomfortable and tried unsuccessfully to put a little distance between them.

“Are you having a good time?” Cho asked.

“I’m having a great time,” Harry answered with authority.

Cho’s smile faltered a bit. “Things are working out with Ginny, then?”

Harry’s smile broadened into a genuine grin. “You could say that.”

Cho’s lower lip pouted out slightly. “I wish I could say the same thing for Michael and me.”

Harry felt the first twinge of pity. “Aren’t you happy?”

“Not really.” Harry was dismayed to see the familiar signs of her eyes filling with liquid. “He was awful in Hogsmeade. Kept yelling at me, because I couldn’t get my Patronus to form. Those Dementors are awful; I don’t know how you stand it.”

Harry’s ire rose at hearing this. “I warned you all that it would be different under the effects of the Dementors. You did the best you could, and that’s all anyone could ask.”

“You’re so much more understanding, Harry. I really messed things up with you last year, didn’t I?”

The music ended, and Ginny reappeared, slipping her arm around Harry’s waist. “Okay, Cho; my turn now.”

Harry watched the intense glares going on between the two girls and found the idea of Ginny claiming him as her own thrilling. “Thank you for the dance, Cho,” he said politely before turning to wrap his arms around Ginny.

Cho must have expected something else, for she huffed in indignation. “Fine, have him, then. He’s not even a good kisser.”

She yelled this last sentence loud enough to garner the attention of those standing around them. Harry felt his cheeks flame, and he desperately wanted to move away from the girl causing a scene.

Ginny calmly turned to Cho and said, “Oh, I disagree.” With that, she snaked her arms around Harry’s neck and pulled him into a passionate embrace. Harry, who tended to avoid any kind of public display, stiffened for a moment, but Ginny wouldn’t allow him to pull away. She deepened the kiss, and he found himself lacking any further desire to pull away and returned the kiss with fervor. It was several minutes later that the two finally broke apart and realized they were standing in the middle of a circle of shocked onlookers, most of whom broke into applause and a series of catcalls, led by none other than Fred and George.

Both Harry and Ginny’s cheeks flamed, but they smiled at each other, feeling giddy, and resumed dancing.

Ron and Hermione remained frozen still on the dance floor, staring in shock and wonder at their two friends, who seemed oblivious to anyone else.

“Looks like Harry decided to make that move,” Hermione commented dryly.

Ron found a number of people staring at him with trepidation, waiting for his response to Harry kissing his sister. He calmly turned back to Hermione and began to dance again.

“I don’t get it,” he whispered to her. “Why does everyone seem to think I would be angry? Harry and Ginny are two of my favorite people in the world; why wouldn’t I want them to be happy?”

“I don’t know, Ron. People have a funny way of looking at things sometimes.”

*******

Much later that night, in an old abandoned house lit only by a few candles, a woman in black robes knelt before her master. A white Death Eater mask covered her face but she showed no fear in front of the Dark Lord.

“What have you to report?” he hissed.

“My information is that Potter will be leaving Hogwarts for the holidays despite reports to the contrary, but I have no information on where he will be going.”

“That doesn’t help me.”

“There is one more thing. He’s become attached to a girl.”

“A girl? Who is she?”

“Her name is Ginny Weasley.”

A slow, hideous smile distorted the features of the snake-like man. “Ginny Weasley? How perfect. So, Miss Weasley, we shall meet again…”

Bellatrix Lestrange removed the mask covering her features. “I thought you’d be pleased.”

A/N: Well, there you have it. I found it very odd writing Harry in scenes like the end of this chapter since I have nothing to really base his actions on. I felt voyeuristic writing it, but I hope you enjoyed.

As for the Legilimency Harry is displaying, I think this actually happened in OotP. If you look on page 726 of the American edition, there is a scene where Harry is taking his History of Magic OWL and trying not to fall asleep. He can’t think of the answer to a question. Parvati is sitting in front of him, and he imagines opening a window to see in her head. A moment later he thinks of the answer to the question he was looking for. My suspicion is that we are going to see more of this in Book 6.

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