The Legend of the Phoenix Well

AmethystPhoenix

Story Summary:
Normal people have unexciting school lives. Harry's not a normal person. His seventh year may be the most chaotic of all. First, Voldemort is immortal. Second, he's got a necklace everyone wants, but he doesn't want at all. Third, he just might be becoming more Slytherin... over a girl! What's Harry to do?

Chapter 17

Chapter Summary:
Normal people have unexciting school lives. Harry's not a normal person. His seventh year may be the most chaotic of all. First, Voldemort is immortal. Second, he's got a necklace everyone wants, but he doesn't want at all. Third, he just might be becoming more Slytherin... over a girl! What's Harry to do? In this chapter: Romance and legends!
Posted:
02/25/2004
Hits:
1,703
Author's Note:
Hiya people!


Chapter Seventeen: The Legend of the Phoenix Well

"Hagrid's back?" Harry said, pulling his robes on over his uniform. Ginny began putting her robes over her uniform as well. Ron looked suspiciously at the two, but said nothing. Harry sneezed, and Ron took that as proof that the two hadn't been snogging before he had come in.

"I saw him go into his cabin," Hermione said, nodding. "Should we visit?" Harry's answer was to head for the portrait hole. "I suppose that meant yes," she said, smiling.

The four headed through the corridors, out into the Entrance Hall. Grandmother was there, talking to McGonagall. Joe Wood was waiting, supposedly to take Grandmother to Hogsmeade so she could Apparate. Grandmother spotted Harry, and stopped him. "Darling, your hair's a mess," she said, reaching up and raking her hands through his hair. She sniffed. "Have you been experimenting with rose scent?" she said.

Harry looked at her blankly. "You smell like roses, dear," Grandmother said, sighing. Harry continued to look at her in apparent amusement.

"She's asking if you were just up in the Astronomy Tower with someone special... watching the stars," Joe said, winking.

"Oh," Harry said. "No, of course not," he added, blushing.

McGonagall sniffed. "I should think not," she said, looking at Harry carefully. "He is the Head Boy, and must set an example."

"Where are you going, dear?" Grandmother said, looking at Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, who were waiting for Harry.

"We're visiting a friend," Harry said. Myrtle swooped down on them again. Grandmother looked less than pleased. McGonagall looked annoyed.

"Annie! You didn't come to see me," Myrtle said dejectedly. "Is it because you had no time to?" She peered at Grandmother through her bottle-cap glasses. "I was waiting for you to come, but you never came."

"Hello, Myrtle," Grandmother said. "I'm sorry, there was no time. Perhaps the next time I come. The end of the year."

"Really?" Myrtle said. "Good. I'll see you then." She turned away, and was about to leave, but she turned back to Harry and said, "Oh, Harry? Remember the little chat we had earlier this evening." She floated away.

"I'll see you soon, Grandmother," Harry said hurriedly.

"Harry, dear... what?" Grandmother said as Harry rushed away. She sighed. "I'll see you soon, darling!"

The others looked at Harry as he joined them. They walked out of the castle, and started across the grounds. "What did Myrtle mean, remember the little chat you two had this evening?" Hermione demanded.

"Nothing," Harry said. "Just her stirring up trouble. As usual. Come on. I want to know why Voldemort wants the necklace."

He walked up Hagrid's front steps, and knocked on the door. "Hagrid, it's us!" he said. A moment later, Hagrid came to the door.

"Hello, Harry!" he said cheerfully.

"Hagrid, where were you?" Harry said as Hagrid moved aside to let them in. "Your note said that you would be back after the first class. It's May already!"

"Now, Harry," Hagrid said. "It's something I can' tell yeh abou'. The Order's secret mission, if that's wha' yeh wan' ter call it."

"And why not?" Ron said. "There's no point in hiding it, Hagrid! Harry, Hermione, and I have almost finished at Hogwarts! For God's sake, Hagrid, Harry's going to Auror School starting in July!"

Hagrid beamed. "Yeh made it in? Ter the International School of Defence?" He clapped Harry on the back.

"Hagrid, we've been worried," Hermione said. "Where were you?"

Hagrid straightened. "Can't tell yeh, even if I wanted to. It's not fer me to tell yeh."

Harry sat down and said, "All right, Hagrid, we won't ask. So... what places have you been to lately? Anywhere interesting?" He felt bad about tricking Hagrid to get the answer. He and Hermione exchanged looks.

"Well, let's see... nowhere, really. Wen' ter China, lately..." Hagrid said.

Hermione's eyes widened. "The Order sent you to China to enlist the help of the Chinese Giants?" she interrupted.

"Wha'?" Hagrid said. He looked over at Harry, who grinned. Smiling, Hagrid shook his head. "You'll make a good interrogator, Harry, I'll warran'," he said. "Got a sense of trickery, yeh do. If yer ask me, like a coupla' veela I met down in France."

"Really?" Ron said, grinning. "That's because he is one-eighth veela, Hagrid. His great-grandmother was one."

Hagrid shook his head. "Yer full of surprises, Harry. Now, what is it you four are here fer? It's obvious you came fer somethin'. That's not bad, mind yeh, I jus' want ter know."

"Actually, Hagrid, we were wondering if you could tell us about the Phoenix Necklace," Harry said. "School project," he added quickly when Hagrid looked at him suspiciously.

"Well," Hagrid said. "'Course I can. Any giant or half-giant worth his salt knows tha' legend. Told to everyone when they're little."

"Go on," Hermione said, with bated breath.

"It starts a long time ago, yeh know... time of the Druid folk..."

The necklace itself is in the shape of a phoenix, its wings wide, the majestic bird caught mid-flight. It is an ancient gold that glows green or blue. All that is left is the amulet of the Druids. The black thread that runs through the amulet was woven by Merlin, the last Druid.

The Phoenix first came to the giants in the years of the Druid king Elpheus, during his last years. The king wished to protect the necklace, and left it and its story with the giants. Elpheus was killed a few years later.

The necklace was never touched by the giants. When the last Druid, Merlin, came, the necklace was willingly given to him by the giants.

Merlin took it, and nothing is known of the necklace after that.

The powers of the necklace reside in the Phoenix Well, which lies in the middle of a forest of everlasting trees. Merlin searched for this forest, but never found it or the well.

The Phoenix Well is said to be the sole destroyer of all evil and its followers... the very reason why the ancients chose the phoenix as good's symbol. Like the phoenix, it has many mysterious powers none alive today know of.

The only way the necklace can be destroyed is throwing it back to its source, the Phoenix Well.

"The destructor of all evil," Ron said.

Hagrid nodded. "'Course, it's legend. No one can even say the necklace exists." Harry felt the cold metal of the necklace burn at these words. Hagrid went on. "Does tha' help yeh, Harry?"

"Lots," Harry gasped. "Thanks. Bye, Hagrid." He nearly sprinted out of the cabin, clutching at his chest in pain. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny hurried out after him.

"Are you all right, Harry?" Hermione said worriedly.

"Hurts," Harry said, sinking to the ground. "Ahh..."

"What's happening?" Ron said. "He's not having a heart attack, is he?" he said, turning pale. Hermione gave him an exasperated look.

A strange song was going through Harry's head. It sounded ancient and mysterious, filling his ears until he could hear nothing but the song. Ginny reached out and tried to pull out the necklace, but hurriedly let go when she felt it. Her mouth moved as if she was saying something, but Harry didn't hear.

The world seemed to black out.

***

Harry followed Ron into the orange room. He was fascinated. "I think it's brilliant," he said. Ron grinned, and his ears turned red.

Ginny came in, and promptly ran back out when she saw Harry was in the room. "Ginny, get back here!" Ron yelled. "I want my chess set back!"

The eleven-year-old Ginny came in tentatively, not meeting Harry's eyes. "Ron, no need to get it now. She can have it for now," Harry said. For some reason, this made Ginny turn even redder and make a small noise.

Fred and George came in. "Harry, mate! Meet Ginny! She's our baby sister. Ginny, you know who this is, right?" George said. Ginny nodded.

"Hello," Harry said. Ginny blushed.

Fred advanced on Harry. "She's our sister, Harry, so we're obligated to protect her from other males," he said.

"Er... okay," Harry said, confused.

"So no teasing," George said. Ginny turned, if possible, even redder. "We don't want to find her crying because of you, either. Or we'll just have to find something, like a red hot poker..."

Harry's eyes widened. Ron gasped. Ginny turned magenta. "That'll never happen!" Ron said vehemently. "Harry doesn't act like that. Right, mate?"

Harry nodded. Ginny swallowed, and turned away.

"Of course," Fred said wickedly, "our Ronniekins will be wanting to get into Miss Hermione's knickers later on in life."

"What?" Ron spluttered. "I-I-I don't want to get into anyone's knickers! That's disgusting, Fred!"

"Suit yourself, Ronnie," George said, winking, as he and Fred left. Ron and Ginny watched them leave, and then held Harry down on Ron's bed.

"HOLD HIM STILL!" Ron yelled.

"I'm trying!" Ginny said.

"Got it!" Harry's eyes snapped open. Hermione was on top of him, holding the necklace triumphantly in her hands. She got off of him, breathing heavily. Ron and Ginny let go of Harry's arms.

"You scared us, there, mate," Ron said. Harry looked around him. He seemed to be in a bedroom like his, except more feminine. The Head Girl's room. "Your eyes went all bright green, and you started shaking. We supposed it was the necklace, but then you went all limp. We got you here, and then you started struggling again."

Hermione handed the necklace back to Harry. "You're all right now?" she said.

Harry nodded. "Thanks to you lot. You don't mind if I go back to my room?" Hermione shook her head, and Harry and Ginny left. The door shut behind them. "Why's Ron still in there?"

Ginny looked at him. "Oh," Harry said. "Right." He opened the door to his room.

"Can I come in? Just to talk?" Ginny said, leaning on the doorframe. She walked into the room and shut the door behind her. She grinned. "It's not fair. You and Hermione get your own rooms."

"Then become Head Girl next year," Harry said.

"I think I just might," Ginny said, smiling. "No, I've been around Fred and George way too long. They've rubbed off on me." She lay down on Harry's bed, taking up the entire surface.

"That's mine!" Harry said, scowling and seating himself on the desk.

"Where's the courtesy to ladies?" Ginny said teasingly. "I thought you'd be courteous towards the ladies."

Harry rolled his eyes, but said nothing. "Your brother won't be too happy if he finds you here," he said quietly.

"Who says he'll be out of that room before tomorrow?" Ginny retorted. "Besides, it's not like we're doing anything."

Harry sighed. "I suppose."

Ginny looked at him. "Well," she said. "Think of this. You can now defeat Voldemort. Using that phoenix necklace. And that's why he wants the necklace. So he can destroy it."

Harry looked at her. "Ginny, it's a legend. You can't believe everything in it." He began rummaging through his trunk.

"What are you looking for?" Ginny demanded. She gasped when she saw what he was pulling out. "Harry, not those... you don't need Dark Magic..."

Harry shook his head. "The reason why I was able to do an Unforgivable this Christmas is because of my experience with Dark Magic the summer before last. And I think it's best if I prepare for the worst."

"But Harry, this is Dark Magic we're talking about," Ginny whispered. "Some of this could land you in Azkaban."

"Azkaban no longer exists," Harry pointed out. "Besides, if no one finds us doing it..."

"The Ministry monitors the wands of all students," Ginny argued. "They have done since the sixties."

"Well, what if I don't use a wand?" Harry said, putting his wand down. "It's impossible to track down wandless magic."

"I... oh, all right," Ginny said.

"Good. Help me look through these books for an almost normal spell," Harry said.

"Like?"

"Anything besides necromancy, rebirth, killing, torturing, that kind of stuff." Harry turned to his book, and winced when he saw one of the illustrations.

"Here's one that makes things grow into knives," Ginny said.

"All right," Harry said. "Pass the book over." He grabbed a quill, and read the incantation off the page. The quill grew thicker and sharper. Its colour became silver, and it began to shine.

"Finite Incantatem," Harry said. The knife turned back into a quill.

"I think we should stop for today," Ginny said quietly. "One dark spell is enough." She slid the books back into Harry's trunk. "What's this?" she said, grabbing the photo album.

"Hagrid gave it to me in first year," Harry said softly. "It's a photo album."

Ginny nodded, and flipped through the pages, stopping on one of them. Harry got up, and looked out the window. "You three look so little in this picture," Ginny murmured. "Especially you."

"Really?" Harry said.

"Mmmhmm. For starters, you're shorter than Hermione in this picture."

Harry snorted. "I was shorter than Hermione until our fifth year, when I became her height. Surely you remember that?"

Ginny giggled. "Yes, but now you and Ron are both at least a head taller than her. Hermione's annoyed. She says she liked it better when Ron was her height, and you were shorter than her. You were easier to boss around then."

"Oh, that's nice," Harry said sourly. However, he grinned. "I miss those days, you know," he said. "Before Voldemort was reborn. Before anyone died. Before the war started."

"We all do, Harry," Ginny said softly. "But think of Mark Evans and everyone like him, who came into the wizarding world recently. He didn't know what it was like before Voldemort came back in human form. He barely experienced even a time when Voldemort was mortal."

"You know what Myrtle said to me earlier today?" Harry found himself saying.

"No. What?" Ginny said, her voice concerned.

"She told me that in the event of my defeat, I would hurt my grandmother more than both my grandfather's death and my dad's."

"Don't listen to her, Harry," Ginny said. "You know her story." She stood up, and came up next to Harry. "The stars are very pretty tonight," she said.

"Like you," Harry blurted out. "Oh, bloody hell, do you think this would really work?" He turned away. Ginny laid a hand on his shoulder.

"You know, we could..." she said.

"No," Harry said. "If we started, I wouldn't be able to stop. You'd be in danger from Voldemort, not to mention Ron will come between us. And we won't see each other again for three years."

"Harry, you know I don't care if I'm in danger or not. And some people say long-distance is the best," Ginny said.

"You know what I was reliving while you were trying to get rid of the necklace?" Harry said, grinning. "When Fred and George decided to tease us and Ron... that first time at the Burrow. And you know how he wants to get into her knickers now."

Ginny giggled with Harry. "That was five years ago," Ginny said.

"More than that," Harry said. "Nearly six." He looked out the window again.

"I called you 'my Harry' in my mind, you know," Ginny said, laughing. "Back then, when I hero-worshipped you."

"I'm not yours," Harry said, laughing.

"I know. But it was funny."

Harry continued to laugh.

"Stop laughing at me, Harry James Potter!"

Harry smirked at Ginny. "You're so bloody infuriating," Ginny sighed as she moved closer.

"I am?" Harry said. "I thought that was Malfoy's job, being the stupid, sexy git. By the way, who was the other pillow?"

Ginny blushed. "No one," she said shrilly.

"Tell me," Harry demanded, smirking, his face barely an inch from hers.

"All right," Ginny whispered. "Harry, meet the pillow. He plays you in my dreams."

"Hmm..." Harry said, pretending to consider something. "He does look like me, in some ways. Except he lacks the height."

"And the eyes," Ginny said. Harry could feel her breath on his face.

"What about them?" he said before Ginny pressed her mouth to his. "Bloody hell," he said as her arms circled his neck. He put his arms around her.

"Are you my Harry now?" Ginny whispered as they broke apart.

"I'll think about it," Harry said.

***

Harry went down to breakfast two weeks later with a smile. He had woken up that morning, wondering why he was so happy. "What's up with you?" Ron said. Harry met Ginny's eyes, and the two quickly looked away from each other, busying themselves with their toast. They had been meeting secretly in increasingly unlikely places, avoiding Ron and everyone else. "Well?" Ron demanded.

"Er... we have our first N.E.W.T. today?" Harry said. "I just love... er... potions."

Ron looked at him as if he had just grown another head. "You're excited about an exam and you like potions," he repeated disbelievingly.

"That sounds about right," Harry said cheerfully. "Marmalade, Ron?" Ron took it, still looking at him suspiciously.

"You found a new girlfriend, didn't you?" Ron said finally.

Harry was relieved. "Yeah," he said.

Ron looked excited all of a sudden. "Who?" he said. "What house is she in?"

"Can't tell you who," Harry said. "She won't let me."

"Oh," Ron said, disappointed. "All right." He started spreading marmalade on his toast. Crumbs littered the table as he began to eat it. Harry and Ginny exchanged looks, then turned away from each other again.

"Ron, can I have the butter?" Ginny said tentatively. Hermione snorted. Ron seemed to be hogging everything.

"As' Harry," Ron said, spraying the table with crumbs. "'e's closer."

Ginny blushed. "Harry, could you..."

Harry picked the butter dish up and passed it to her. Ginny immediately looked back down nervously.

"What's wrong with you two?" Ron said. "You're both acting... odd," he added. Harry toyed nervously with the tablecloth.

"Are we?" he asked anxiously.

"A bit," Ron replied. He snickered, and looked down at Hermione's Daily Prophet. "You two aren't snogging behind my back, are you?" he teased.

Harry and Ginny's eyes widened. "No," Ginny said quickly.

"I was teasing, Gin-gin," Ron said. Hermione, however, looked at the two shrewdly. She turned away with a knowing smile.

"I've got nothing this morning," Ron said triumphantly. "It's not until this afternoon that I have to do the Herbology exam."

Snape walked in, throwing a particularly vindictive look at Harry. "Well," Harry said. "At least I won't have to be in the same country as that greasy old git much longer," he said, nodding towards Snape. Hermione gave him a disapproving look, but said nothing.

"What country is that school in?" Ron asked.

"No idea. I just know we have to go across the channel to get there," Harry said. "After that, it's no contact between you and the world outside the school. I suppose its so you come to depend on your fellow Aurors, and be wary of them at the same time."

Ron shrugged. "Only three years, mate. Not like you're spending the rest of your life there. Besides, when you come out, you'll be an Auror."

"Yeah," Harry said, sighing. A group of wizards and witches came through the doors of the Great Hall. McGonagall stood to greet them.

"That would be the examiners," Hermione said. Her face became worried. "Oh, we started studying later than we started for the O.W.L.s, and I might do worse!"

Ron rolled his eyes. "If you got full marks on the last big exams, then you'll get full marks on this one."

"I know, but this time, you only get an N.E.W.T. if you pass all the exams on that subject! That's only six N.E.W.T.s!" Hermione said.

"Come on, Hermione, we'll be late for the Potions written if we don't hurry," Harry said impatiently.

"You know, why couldn't they've postponed the N.E.W.T.s so that we could have taken them when the rest of the school is taking their finals?" Ron said, looking worriedly at Hermione. "There would be more time to study."

"I think that's the point, Ron," Harry said. "To do it before the others take their finals, so the fifth years and us won't be in the way. They have to send the scores places, too. Like the ISD."

"ISD?" Ron said.

"International School of Defence."

"Oh."

Harry was pulled away by a very impatient Hermione. "I'm so nervous," she moaned as they made their way down the corridor. "I need a N.E.W.T. in nearly everything to work for the Department of Spell Creation and Study."

"You've found a job you want to do?" Harry said, stopping in his tracks.

Hermione nodded. "I just said what I wanted to be. Ron decided to work in the Department of Magical Games and Sports, maybe play Quidditch. He's a very good Chaser, too, you know."

"I know," Harry said. "I'm his captain." Hermione grinned, and blushed.

"Come on, then," Hermione said, going into the dungeons. Most of the class was already in the room, twirling their quills nervously. Harry felt the uneasiness descend upon him, and soon, he was as anxious as the rest.

"Er... Hermione?" Harry said nervously. "What if I don't pass this N.E.W.T? Would the ISD kick me out? Oh, bloody hell, I don't think I can do this..."

"Get a hold on yourself," Hermione hissed. "You can do this. You got an Outstanding on your O.W.L.s."

"Yeah, but I must have been really lucky, or something. Or maybe the ministry upped my scores that year, because they wanted to apologise," Harry muttered.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You'll do well," she said. "Trust me."

A short, thin witch and tall, solidly built wizard walked in with an armful of parchment each. The witch gave the students a reassuring look, and began to put the exams out on the individual tables, along with the wizard. Harry took the quill the witch gave him nervously.

"Please seat yourselves in alphabetical order," the witch said. "Hannah Abbott," she pointed to a desk in the front left corner. "Susan Bones," the desk next to it. "Terry Boot..."

Harry scowled when he was put between Malfoy and Zacharias Smith. Malfoy didn't look too pleased either; he was in between Neville and Harry. Hermione turned to look at Harry from her spot next to Anthony Goldstein sympathetically. Harry was annoyed. If Padma hadn't been killed, she would be between him and Malfoy.

"You may begin," the witch said. "You have one hour." The hourglass next to her started.

There was a rustle of parchment as everyone turned their tests over. Harry dipped the quill in the ink jar on his table, and looked at the first question. What is the main ingredient in a boil-curing potion? he read. That's easy, he thought. Porcupine quills...

An hour later, there was a loud crack as the last grain of sand fell into the bottom chamber of the hourglass. "Quills down," the wizard instructed. He and the witch collected the papers. "You have fifteen minutes to rest before the Potions practical," the wizard informed them. "Please stay in your seats. The ingredients for the practical will appear shortly on your tables."

"That wasn't too hard, was it?" Hermione said from in front and to the left of him. "Most of the questions were O.W.L."

"I suppose," Harry said. He leaned on his table.

Hermione nodded, and looked at Su Li, on Smith's other side, who seemed to be a new study friend of hers. "What did you think of this exam? I was expecting it to be a lot harder. I read a sample N.E.W.T. exam from the 1950's, and it was much harder."

Li agreed. "They should have put questions on it that were in our books, but not talked about in class. That's what real learning's about. We need to separate those who learn by themselves from those who only listen in lessons."

Hermione nodded. Harry and Malfoy looked at each other, horrified. It was perhaps the first time the two had agreed willingly on something. They both belonged to a third group in Defence Against the Dark Arts: doesn't even listen in class, and copies notes off someone else.

Harry was glad when the ingredients for the practical appeared on his table, and Hermione and Su Li stopped talking.

"You are to create five millilitres of Veritaserum," the witch said. "You have half an hour to compile the ingredients, and then come up to the front to boil it in the special cauldron."

Harry looked at his ingredients. Snape had taught them Veritaserum in early April. He found the lacewings, and began to grind them up with a mortar. Next to him, Smith was shredding his Puffskein skin. Malfoy was busying himself with the dragon's blood.

Slowly, Harry began piling the ingredients for the truth potion into his own cauldron.

***

For the rest of the N.E.W.T.s, Nott was between Harry and Malfoy. He was a Slytherin and friend of Malfoy, but it didn't make Harry as tense as when he was actually next to Malfoy.

Until the Defence Against the Dark Arts exam, that is. It was their last exam, and since Malfoy and Icicle were the only Slytherins in the class after Blaise Zabini's death, Harry found himself between Malfoy and Zacharias Smith again. He wondered why Sally-Anne Perks had to be killed in the Diagon Alley attack, and then quickly withdrew that thought guiltily.

Parvati, unfortunately, hadn't taken Defence Against the Dark Arts. Harry began wishing she did once he had seated himself next to Malfoy, who looked less than happy. Harry looked away, at the ceiling, where the sun shone brightly among the clear blue sky. He felt jealous of the younger students, who were most likely all outside.

"You may all begin," a witch said, her voice echoing through the Great Hall. Harry turned his exam over.

What is the incantation to bring forth a Patronus? Harry read. He smiled, remembering learning the Patronus from Lupin, teaching it to the D.A. in his fifth year, and Cho frantically trying to teach the N.E.W.T. class the correct way that year. Expecto Patronum, he wrote.

What is the best way to deal with Cornish pixies? Was the next question. Harry smirked. It had been the only thing they had learned in their second year from Lockhart. Freeze or immobilise them, and keep them locked up, he wrote.

Next to him, Malfoy seemed to be deliberately trying to make Harry lose his focus by humming. Harry ignored him, and read the third question. What does the Cruciatus Curse do, and how does it work? Harry winced. It seemed like Malfoy had just read the question as well. He was sitting, frozen, in his seat.

Harry let out a breath and wrote, It makes the victim feel unimaginable pain. It makes the victim believe that they are being stabbed with millions of knives, but in reality, they aren't. After a while, the victim may go mad.

There was a faint whimpering as Neville read the question. Harry tried to telepathically reassure him, but he knew he couldn't.

He sighed. Then he wrote on a slip of scrap parchment: Don't worry too much about it, Neville. He threw the parchment quickly over the gap between their desks. Neville narrowed his eyes at it, and glared at Malfoy, who was hunched over his own exam. Then he exchanged a look with Harry, unfolded the note, read it, and grinned at Harry, as if to thank him.

***

The N.E.W.T.s were finally over, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione went to sit underneath the large oak tree like always. Ginny was somewhere with Luna. It was just like old times, except Ron was playing with Hermione's hair.

Ginny's strange hair came into view again. Harry was amused by it. Strands of it were her natural fiery red, while others had darkened through the years, until they were almost a maroon colour. And others were left from the summer, when she had streaked her hair with a strawberry shade.

Luna was walking hand-in-hand with Neville. Hermione grinned. "You two are going out now?" she said.

Neville blushed. Luna said airily, "He asked me yesterday."

Ginny sat down next to Harry. She gave no indication that she was interested in Harry in the way Ron didn't like, which was their plan. "Hey, Harry," she said. "How were the exams?"

"Horrible," Harry said. "Malfoy was humming to himself while the examiners weren't watching. On purpose."

"It was 'I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts'," Neville informed Harry. "I could hear the tune better on that side." Ginny snickered.

"Imagine that," she said. "Malfoy could have hummed any song he wished, but he chose to hum 'I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts'." She shook her head.

"What about coconuts?" Ron said.

"Nothing, Ron," Harry said, amused.

Ginny winked at him. "No, Ron, we were just about to talk about how Harry and I are having an affair behind your back, and we've been sneaking out to see each other for the last three weeks."

"Don't expect me to believe that," Ron said loftily. "I know you four were talking about Malfoy and coconuts."

Harry frowned at Ginny. She could have given them away. Ginny, however, just smirked at him.

"You two aren't really... er..." Neville said uncertainly.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other. "No," Ginny lied.

Neville relaxed. "I didn't think so," he said. "You two are friends, right?"

Harry grinned evilly, feeling very silly. "Oh, yes, Neville, of course," he said. He turned to Ginny, winked, and said, "Right, darling?" He couldn't resist a snort of laughter.

"Oh, let's not be friends anymore," Ginny said throatily. "Let's be more. I want you badly, you little sexy git." Both Harry and Ginny collapsed into fits of laughter.

Neville shook his head. "I'll leave you two at it, then," he said.

"Lovely," Harry said. He grinned. "Want to join us, Luna?"

Neville's eyes widened, and he practically dragged Luna away from the happily insane Harry and Ginny.

***

"You know, you cut it pretty close today," Harry whispered as he met with Ginny that night in the Astronomy Tower. "Your brother's not that stupid."

"Oh, look, if I gave it away, Ron would have descended upon you like lightning. But he didn't. And you heard his response," Ginny said.

"Yes, but today, he asked me where I was going. I told him I was going on patrol, with Hermione," Harry said. "He watched me leave with Hermione. And you know something? Hermione knows. She told me to go, and that she could handle it by herself."

"Hermione understands," Ginny said. "She knows Ron."

"I still feel bad about going about behind Ron's back. It's worse than snogging in front of him," Harry argued. "I don't care if Hermione agrees with us. Ron was my mate before we even considered being friends with her too."

"Harry, Ron's my brother. And as his sister, I think I know what he wants and what he doesn't want," Ginny said. "He's confused right now, between wanting us together, and keeping us apart, as just his best mate and his little sister."

"No," Harry said. "He wants us apart. He told me so. And I feel bad about it. Ginny, he has reasons for not wanting you with me. He's worried for you. I'm worried for you. We should just end it now, before Voldemort gets word." His heart sank with every word.

"Are you trying to chase me away like you did with Sirius? Because it's not working. I'll stay with you no matter what happens, Harry. We're Gryffindors, remember? It's what we do best; be brave, be honourable."

"Listen, Ginny, we've got to stop. You know there's a spy running around Hogwarts. We can't continue this. We have to stop. If I have to, I'll break your heart."

"You'll never break it," Ginny said furiously.

Harry turned. "Who said I can't?" he challenged. "Watch me. It's over, Ginny. We can't do this, and don't try to speak to me at any time." He walked away.

"You still haven't broken it, Harry," he thought he heard Ginny murmur.

***

"All right," Harry said to his team. "The match is in two weeks. We're more than ready, but we still need to practice. Come on."

The team flew into the air, whooping. Ginny flew roughly past Harry, knocking into him forcefully. She didn't even look at Harry. Harry ignored her, but he felt a cold, sad feeling pass through him.

"What's up with you and her?" Ron said.

"Nothing. We had an argument over something stupid," Harry lied. "She's mad that I used her book to flatten something."

"Oh. Well, she's like that," Ron reassured Harry. "Gets mad over the tiniest things. She got mad about how I threw away some of her rubbish once..."

"Really?" Harry said without much interest. He caught the Quaffle Mark had just thrown him.

Neville, Hermione, and Luna were watching them practice. Hermione gave Harry and Ginny a worried look, and turned back to watching Ron. "Ron, get the Quaffle!" she shouted. Ron caught it, and threw it to Ginny.

Harry suddenly felt a coldness against his chest. The necklace was glowing blue.


Author notes: Please review! And by the way, you're all going to hate me by next chapter! :D But review anyway! Hehe.

Thank you to Favrielle and ephemera for beta-ing.

Thanks to DarkWitch13, Nonya, Richia06, L.S. Song, blackeaerials, Seven, Hand of God, AgiVega, Siriuslyfun19212, atlantis, Elder Rogue, SuperFireChild, jbfritz, ephemera, neha_dkulkarni, Peachy, Vashjinn, Samrod, invisible23, airbaggy1, miss happy, Dean Ahlberg, and GrammarQueen for reviewing!