Recromancer

Chapter One

"Hermione!" Ginny screeched. "You'll never guess what's just happened to me today!"

Hermione jumped. She had been reading a book, sitting in one of the squashy, plush armchairs in front of the crackling fire in Gryffindor Common Room. Ginny looked positively mad-her hair windswept and her eyes burning with excitement.

"Goodness, it must be something great, judging by the way you look!" Hermione said, placing the book fondly onto the little wooden table set upon a thick scarlet rug.

"Oh! It really was!" Ginny sighed, dropping into an armchair not unlike Hermione's and breathing deeply. "It was Harry." A smile spread across her face, making every line on it look happy and relaxed. Ginny looked good smiling like that - that was probably why she had so many boys chasing after her.

"Go on then. Don't keep this huge secret from me any longer - I am positively dying to know what it is," Hermione said, her voice had the tinniest coating of sarcasm sliding through it.

"Ha ha. But believe me-its great! Harry-he asked me out!" Ginny cried, toppling from her seat in excitement, as if all her dreams had come true. Hermione reminded herself with a start that they probably had.

"He asked you out? Why?" Hermione asked, very curious to find out about the change of heart. Ginny looked hurt for a moment, then she looked angry. Her catlike eyes gleamed with force. Hermione was startled - she hadn't meant to upset Ginny, she was just shocked.

"I'm so glad that you're happy about it!" Ginny hissed. Hermione felt a stab of guilt. Maybe she should have seemed a little more enthusiastic about this feat - Ginny had been dying to go out with Harry for years. She tried to deny it, but after a while even Ron - Ron who wouldn't know love if it hit him in the face - had noticed. But of course, Harry hadn't. He'd been too busy longing for Cho Chang, even though she had made it perfectly clear she didn't want to date him, that she had her eye on someone else. Harry had been as determined as Ginny to win Cho over, which was why Harry always hurt Ginny. That was why Hermione was so shocked.

"Ginny - I never-' Hermione began to stutter an apology, but Ginny's dormitory door had already slammed shut. Hermione sighed meaningly, and yawned. She consulted her watch; it said 10:36 pm.

Maybe, she thought inwardly, it's time I got some sleep.

***

Ginny Weasley stormed into her dormitory, not bothering to stop the door slamming on its way to meet the doorframe. There was no one in her dormitory anyway; therefore nobody would be angry with her all night. With the possible exception of Ron and Hermione.

Ginny let out a small scream of frustration. Nobody had been happy for her when she had told them. Ron had turned a nasty - but interesting - shade of purple, and stormed down the corridor, muttering something about 'killing Harry'.

Hermione had reacted as if she couldn't believe that Harry would be so stupid. Ginny sniffed. She couldn't imagine many people who would be so stupid to go out with Hermione.

Ginny flung herself onto her bed, making the springs groan. Hermione and Ron acted like her parents. She just wished they would treat her with more respect, like she was actually able to make up her own mind sometimes. She was 16, only a year younger than them, yet she found herself feeling depressed a lot lately, like an adult would after a hard day at work and a divorce. Or so she thought.

"Why can't anyone be happy for me?" Ginny asked her pillow, a tear dropping onto her pillow.

***

Harry hoisted his Firebolt 5000 over his shoulder as he marched down the dormitory stairs, Ron following him with his Cleansweep over his shoulder, mirroring Harry. They were going to play Quidditch in the stadium, yet Ron still hadn't quite forgiven Harry, and he still spoke to him in a toneless voice.

Last night Harry had asked Ginny Weasley, Ron's 16 year old younger sister, if she'd go out with him. Ginny had been exstatic, and then they began making out. But Ron wasn't too happy. He'd stalked Harry out and put the Leg-Locking curse on him, leaving him abandoned in a deserted corridor. Harry was lucky that Ginny was upset and had come for a walk, otherwise he might have been stuck there all night. Ron's anger seemed to have ebbed, but only marginally.

"So, er-Harry. About Ginny..." Ron stopped, obviously deciding exactly what to say. "Well. Okay...I know that no matter what I say, you'll still go out with Ginny. But I want you to know, lay one finger on her - hurt her in any way - and I'll curse you into a thousand pieces. Mark my words, Potter, I've learned some pretty nasty curses from some of Hermione's 'light reading' books," Ron finished, shooting Harry a threatening look. It was a mark of how serious Ron was, as he called Harry 'Potter'.

"I understand. I'd never hurt Ginny, intentionally or not, I'd nev - " Harry was stopped by Ron. He looked now quite embarrassed but determined at the same time.

"Well, I've got something else to talk to you about. Its er...embarrassing. Only, Ginny. I know she's 16 and everything, but I don't want - I don't want to hear of any, er, mature doings," Ron's expression turned to mild horror.

"You don't want me to have sex with Ginny. I understand," Harry said, smirking.

"Only I know what goes through a 17 year old boy's mind when he sees a pretty girl, considering I am one, but you've got to remember, Ginny is my little sister. I don't want to be an 18 year old Uncle or anything like that," Ron said, his face flushing as red as his hair.

"No, no. We were planning on children when we're about, 23. We've discussed unprotected-" Harry said coolly, watching Ron's face turn to beet purple.

"You've-you've discussed? But wait, 'unprotected'? Does that mean - " Ron stopped dead in his tracks, his face turning rapidly white.

"Joke, Ron, joke. Sometimes people do that. I've only been going out with Ginny for a few hours. The most I've done with her is make out," Harry said, throwing his arms up in protest.

"You've made out? No-I don't want to know anything else," Ron said. Harry noticed that he and Ron were descending the stone steps at the main entrance doors. A cool breeze was playing around Harry's face, whipping his already messy hair all over the place. His eyes stung with the December wind, yet he was surprised to see no snow, sleet, hail or rain.

"Come on," Harry said, keen to change the subject, "Let's play some Quidditch." Ron looked happy to be off the subject of Ginny too. He broke into a sprint, heading head long for the Quidditch pitch. Harry hurried to follow him, but he never did catch up to him until he had reached the Quidditch pitch. Ron had longer legs than him-an unfair advantage.

But unfortunately it began to rain. Harry and Ron hurried forward to the changing rooms, where there would be sufficient shelter from the rain and wind, but not from the cold. They would just have to live with that. Harry rummaged around in his pockets for his Captain's (Harry wad the Gryffindor captain) keys. But as Ron leant on the door it fell open. Harry was startled. He knew that there was a set of Public Keys to the changing rooms, but you'd have to get them from your head of house. Alohamora wouldn't' do the trick in this case. Harry followed Ron inside.

"Ron - Move. I can't get in and I'm cold," Harry muttered. For some reason Ron had taken to blocking the door. Harry skirted around him, and felt his jaw drop. Lying on the changing room benches were Draco Malfoy and Hermione. But they weren't just lying there; they were involved in some sort of make out wrestling session. Draco was holding Hermione roughly in his arms, kissing every part of her he could reach. Hermione was moaning in pleasure. Harry froze, until the door slammed behind him and startled Hermione so much that she fell off of the bench, and spotted Ron and Harry. She let a shriek escape from her mouth, and then slowly she turned a pinkish colour. Harry always thought that she looked cute when she was embarrassed, yet now he felt betrayed for some reason. Obviously Draco was that someone that Hermione had had her eyes on. Draco was still lying on the bench, looking smug. He didn't seem bothered at all.

"Stop gawping boys. I know that this is the most - advanced make out session you've ever whitnessed, but you're starting to make me slightly uncomfortable," Draco drawled, taking Hermione by the waist and pulling her back on top of him. "If you'll excuse us..." He began making out with Hermione again, yet Hermione looked slightly upset. Ron made a retching sound, and hurried out of the door. Harry reluctantly followed; he wanted to beat Malfoy to pulp for some reason. Ron seemed to notice how upset he was when he joined him.

"What's wrong?" he asked, sounding concerned, but still sick.

"What? Oh, nothing..." Harry said, but he didn't sound committed to his words.

"You can't fool me, I'm your best mate, I know that something's wrong," Ron said, trying to catch Harry's eye.

"It's just...Hermione..." Harry couldn't summon the words to explain how he felt. Not even in his head. All he could feel was a coldness sweeping over his body.

"Hermione? Hermione! What about Hermione? You've got Ginny!" Ron cried, looking suspicious and unhappy.

"Ginny?" Harry asked absently.

"Yes! Ginny! My sister, remember, your girlfriend," Ron said, a look of dawning spreading across his face.

"Oh yeah! Ginny!" Harry cried, and shot off towards the school. Ron shook his head and tutted.

***

Ginny sat patiently in the Gryffindor Common Room, waiting for Harry to arrive, as they had planned. He was already 15 minutes late, and Ginny had butterflies growing in her stomach. Did Harry really want to go out with her? Or was it just some act that he put on to make her happy? She got the feeling that Harry wasn't telling her something. But she didn't want to ruin the honeymoon period of their new relationship; she would hate to be dumped on the second day.

"Hiya Ginny!" Dean Thomas said brightly. He sat down next to her. "Er...are you doing anything now? Or, do you want to come on a walk with me?" he asked anxiously.

"I can't, I'm waiting for Harry," Ginny said, attempting to smile. She wrung her hands together, waiting. Dean seemed to notice and pick up the hint, and he stood up and left.

Ginny was normally much more confident with boys; she'd had loads of boyfriends. But Harry was the one; she felt so close to Harry. She had been saving herself, waiting for Harry, and now she had him, she didn't feel like letting him go. But this caused her to be jumpy and nervous most of the time, just in case she did something wrong and upset Harry. But she felt like a wreck.

A sopping wet, rather tired looking Harry jumped through the Portrait Hole, and scanned the Common Room for Ginny. He spotted her and hurried over, nervously wringing his T-shirt out. It stretched and hung out of shape, so Harry ceased any attempts to make himself look anymore presentable. He hurried forward, until Ginny noticed him.

"Harry!" she cried, and she sounded strangely relieved. "Why're you so wet?" she asked nervously.

"Oh, me and Ron played Quidditch, but it started raining," Harry explained, dropping into an armchair next to Ginny's. He looked deeply into the fire until Ginny decided to break the silence again.

"Uh, Harry, I..." Ginny trailed off, not really knowing what she wanted to say.

Harry jumped and looked at her.

"Guess what I just saw?" Harry said, looking gloomy.

"What?" Ginny asked, happy that Harry was actually going to speak.

"I saw Hermione and Malfoy snogging in the changing rooms."

"What? Draco Malfoy? Hermione? What?" Ginny asked, sounding thoroughly confused.

Harry looked as if he agreed with Ginny. But Ginny didn't like the look on his face.

"Did - do you think Hermione was forced into it?" Ginny asked.

"No. She looked pleased enough," Harry said darkly. "I'm going to curse Malfoy into oblivion for even touching Hermione. I don't know what he was thinking..." Ginny was confused. If Hermione willingly kissed Malfoy, what was the problem? Harry was over-reacting a bit...

"Harry, I think you're over-reacting. Just a bit. I mean, you said Hermione looked willing..." Ginny told him, trying to comfort him by lying a delicate little hand on his arm. He jumped as if he had been burned and stood up abruptly.

"What do you think you're doing?" Harry demanded coldly. Ginny sprung back, noticing the coldness in his eyes and voice. What was going on with Harry?

"Harry! I was only trying to help!" Ginny cried defensively. She might have been in love with Harry, but he was not going to walk all over her, no way.

"Well don't!" he shouted. Ginny cowered in his rage. "I'm sick of people who think they can help me! You're just a stupid 16 year old!" he cried, and tried to push past Ginny. Tried.

"No Harry! Don't even think about it!" she yelled, pushing him roughly back into his chair, "Stop it now! You think you can abuse me just like that because I'm your girlfriend and you're in a mood? Think again, pal, because I'm not that kind of girl! I've done nothing, just tried to be supportive and help, but stupid you can't believe that I'm not trying to say you're wrong, just to tell you what I'm thinking as well," Ginny took a breath, and looked at Harry's strange expression, "Not that that matters to you anyway!" she cried, storming off to her dormitory again. She slammed the door behind her for extra emphasis.

Harry looked bewildered as the door shut. He didn't think Ginny was capable of that much noise and rage. He was startled. He felt guilty about being so nasty to her. It wasn't her fault that Hermione decided to snog Malfoy, not him.

Wait! a guilty voice shouted in his head. You shouldn't be thinking about things like that! Ginny's your girlfriend. You snog her!

Harry felt very bad about being so hard on Ginny, when he had no real reason to. He dismissed the image of Hermione and himself snogging as fast as he could, thinking of Ginny's sad little face. It was true, she was beautiful, and she was a really nice person. He shook himself as Ron entered the Common Room, looking even more wetter than Harry.

"Where's Ginny? I thought you were meeting her? Has she stood you up?" Ron asked. Harry shook his head.

"We argued. She stormed off," Harry said simply, looking deeply into the fire. He pictured Ginny's face. He did love her, he knew he did. He just needed someone to take his anger out on, and that unfortunate person ended up being...Ginny.

"Argued? Already? What about?" Ron asked, looking accusative.

"Hermione and Malfoy."

"Hermione and Malfoy? Why them?" Ron asked, looking bewildered.

"Never mind, Ron. Its between me and Ginny only," Harry sighed.

Parvati and Lavender entered the Common Room, giggling as usual. Harry stood up and jogged over to them. He stood in front of them and they stopped laughing immediately. Parvati looked confused. Lavender jumped.

"Will one of you go and get Ginny Weasley from her dormitory for me? Please? Just tell her it's Hermione," Harry asked as polite as he could. he didn't know where he got the patience from, because he really didn't like these girls.

"I suppose. What for?" Parvati asked nosily.

"Is it really any of your business?" Harry asked as polite as he could, but it still came out a bit strangled.

"No. Sorry. I'll get her," Lavender offered, smiling as she walked over to the stairs leading to the girls dormitory. She disappeared through the door for a moment, and then Ginny reluctantly came out, heading down the steps and scanning the room for someone, obviously Hermione, who was not there. She saw Harry, and made to go back into the dormitory, but Lavender gently pushed her towards Harry. Ginny was frowning with slightly red eyes, but she made her way straight to Harry. Ron watched over the chair, looking very obvious.

"Can we go outside? We really need to talk."

"I guess," Ginny shrugged absently.

Harry walked to the Portrait Hole, Ginny following. He pushed it open and jumped into the hall, helping Ginny down. He saw the look on her face, so he let go of her and turned around to come face to face with Hermione.

Harry froze. "Hiya Harry. Ginny," Hermione mumbled quietly and guiltily. Harry stared at her with cold eyes, and Ginny noticed...was it jealousy? She couldn't take it anymore, turning quietly and stumbled back into the Common Room, tears splashing down her cheeks. Harry nor Hermione noticed her go...