Aurora and the Boy Who Lived

Chapter 11 Ginny's Night

I decided to change out of my costume and into pajamas before joining the boys in the common room. I showed Ginny and Hermione how to end the glamour spells and soon the three of us were back to normal.

Entering the common room we were greeted by the sight of Ron on Seamus's shoulders chicken fighting Neville on Dean's. Harry was alone by the window, rubbing his scar absently.

"What's up?"

"I'm not sure. I have a feeling Voldemort's up to something."

"Whatever it is it can't be good."

"It never is."

"Anything I can do?"

"No, but thanks."

"Want to join the party? It might take your mind off it."

"Yeah, maybe."

Ginny had joined the fight. She and Neville were teamed against Ron and Seamus. Ginny forced her brother into a headlock and pulled him down.

"Our winners for this match are Ginny and Neville! Anyone dare to issue a challenge?" Colin asked the crowd.

Harry looked at me, a Cheshire cat grin firmly in place. He wiggled his eyebrows and stooped so I could climb up.

"Folks, this promises to be a great match. Friend against friend. Cousin against cousin."

"I've got a galleon on Ginny," Ron called.

"I'll take that bet," Hermione said, shocking the Gryffindors.

Neville and Harry circled each other. Neville lunged first. I grabbed hold of the younger girl and ran fingers over my cousin's ribs.

"That's not fair!" she shouted in a fit of giggles.

"Anything's fair in love and war, Gin."

Ginny countered by grabbing my bare foot and tickling it.

"Hold still," Harry complained.

"I...can't...help...it!" Finally I managed to kick free and switched tactics; I went after Neville.

"You owe me a galleon, Ron. But I'll let you off if you take me on a picnic tomorrow."

"I can't believe Neville dropped me and ran. I bruised my bum I landed so hard."

"Sorry, cousin of mine, but I play to win."

The party wound down at midnight and everyone retired to bed.

The girls' dorm woke to terrified screaming. 'That sounds like Ginny!' I ran to the 6^th year room and found her sitting up in bed, rocking back and forth. I pushed the other girls aside and sat down. "Ginny, what happened? Are you okay?"

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked rushing over. She caught sight of Ginny and told the spectators to return to bed. She climbed in Ginny's bed and closed the curtains. She then cast a silencing charm and repeated her question.

"He...he...said he'd..."

"Who said?"

"T...T...Tom."

"Tom Riddle?" Hermione supplied.

"Yes," Ginny answered with a shudder.

"Was it a nightmare?"

"At first. I was back in the Chamber of Secrets. But then..."

"We're here, Gin." We pulled the traumatized girl into a tight embrace. 'She never told me she still had dreams about that.'

Ginny took a deep breath. "He took me into the Chamber and he said I wasn't dreaming this time."

"It's okay. We're right here. We won't let him hurt you." I rubbed Ginny's back.

"I'll go get the Headmaster," Hermione stated. "He'll want to know what's happened."

"Herms, bring Madam Pomfrey. I think we'll need a calming potion."

She nodded and gave the frightened girl another hug. "I'll be right back."

"Where's Ron?"

"In his room. Do you want to go sit by the fire in the common room and I can go get the boys?"

"Yeah. I have to see that Ron's fine."

Once she was comfortably bundled on the couch I went up to the guys' room. I knocked on the door several times, no response. I went ahead in and followed the snores to Ron. No matter how hard I tried he wouldn't wake.

"Aurora? What are you doing?"

"Trying to wake Ron. Ginny's had some kind of nightmare about Voldemort. Where's Neville?"

Harry pointed and I went to awaken Ginny's boyfriend. Neville was easy to get up. After explaining what had happened he ran to comfort his girl.

Harry in the meantime had had no luck waking Ron. He resorted to drastic measures and doused his best friend with a glass of water.

"Bloody hell!! What'd ya do that for?"

"Ronald Weasley! Get your ass up! Your sister is downstairs and needs you," I said, my eyes flashing.

"What? What happened? Is she okay?"

"She'll be fine. She had some kind of nightmare or something and needs her big brother. Hermione's gone for Professor Dumbledore."

We entered the room to see Ginny wrapped in Neville's arms weeping softly. Ron glared at the boy and sat next to his sister. He self-consciously patted her back and told her everything would be fine. Ginny launched herself into a hug and started crying hysterically. Harry gave me a concerned glance and sat in the chair closest. I sat on the floor by Ginny's feet.

Dumbledore, Pomfrey, and Hermione burst through the portrait hole after what seemed to be hours but was only 10 minutes at most. The older man brushed Neville and Ron aside and guided Ginny's eyes to his with a hand beneath her chin.

"Would you like to tell me this dream or would you rather I see for myself, Ginny?"

"Don't make me say it. Please!" Ron captured her hand and squeezed.

"Try to clear your mind. Concentrate on my voice. You and I are the only two in the room. Listen to the sound of my voice." Dumbledore stared deep into the sixteen year old's eyes. When the gathered group was close to exploding with tension he said, "I am very proud of you. Once again you have proven that you are indeed a Gryffindor and a Weasley. Now I believe Madam Pomfrey has a Sleeping potion for you. If you like, Neville will be allowed access to your room tonight."

"Yes, sir."

"Do not abuse this privilege, Neville."

"Never, sir."

The nurse led Ginny and Neville upstairs to administer the potion.

"Well, Professor?" Harry asked once they were out of view.

"I am afraid it is quite serious. Tom seems to have entered her dreams and threatened the Weasley families if she refused to turn spy for him. You and your families may be in danger, Ron and Aurora. I shall inform them and the Order immediately."

"Why Ginny?" Ron demanded.

"It is only a feeling but I believe he choose her because he knows her intimately. Her experience with his diary opened her mind to him. He may have connected with her in some way."

"So what do we do now?"

"Harry will begin teaching Ginny Occlumency Monday evening. I must go now and speak to Arthur, Molly, and Riddick."

The quartet sat in silence. Harry's face became harder and harsher with every passing second. "This can't keep happening!" he suddenly screamed. "Every time we let down our guard even a little, he finds another way to make our lives miserable."

"The end is in sight, Harry," Hermione said softly.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not sure. Ever since this summer I have this sense that this is all going to be over soon. It's almost as if fate is working to insure everything is in place for the final confrontation."

Ron glanced at her, smirking. "You sound like Trelawnley."

"Honestly, Ronald!"

"I think he's right, Herms. You may not be a full-fledged Seer, but I think you may have the Touch."

"Hmmm. Actually it's not the first time I've felt like this. I'll be back later. There's something I have to go see." She left muttering to herself.

"Library," the three remaining friends determined.

Since there was no more that could be done to help, Ron and I made the decision to return to bed. Harry stayed behind.

I lay in my four-poster bed for hours unable to get Ginny off my mind. 'Did she really see Voldemort? Would she be alright?' There was no way I'd be getting to sleep with this much going through my head. I stole a fast glance to make sure the other occupants of the room were snoozing. Hermione had not returned to bed. I slowly eased open the window nearest and took to the wind.

The phoenix soared high above the school, leaving all worries of her human side behind. Ginny, Shawna, the worry of my father's safety, all of it was shed in the transformation. It was only in this form I felt totally in control and completely free. I was the phoenix and the phoenix was I. We were two separate but combined entities.

I discovered that if I concentrated I could use my Storm Taming powers. The silver phoenix skimmed and dipped over and under the summoned wind currents. The wild voice of the air cried to her, 'Come with me. Play with me.' So she followed it over the treetops of the Forbidden Forest and the greenhouses, teasing the lake's calm surface with the tips of her tail feathers.

The mythical bird rested for a moment on the roof of Hagrid's hut before feeling eyes upon her. A falcon settled beside her. She peered at it intently, disconcerted by its sudden appearance. She knew the bird was not what it seemed. 'Could it be a spy?' At the thought terror seized my heart. She flew away on a called gust of wind and forced it behind her, driving the intruder back.

I slipped into my room quickly and ran downstairs. 'I must tell Professor Dumbledore!' I barely managed to repress a scream when I entered the common room. The falcon flew through the open window. As I watched it transformed.

"Neville?"

"Aurora!"

"It was you."

"You're the phoenix?"

"I don't believe this. First I find out Neville's an Animagus when he transforms in front of me but now you too?"

"Harry!" I said jumping in surprise. 'Oh, shit.'

"I think I'll go check on Ginny," Neville said walking off.

"You're a phoenix?"

"Uh huh. A silver one."

"How long?"

"Since I was thirteen."

"Was it a spell or were you born as one?"

"Born this way."

"Oh." He sounded disappointed.

"What?"

"Hermione's been trying to find a way for us to become Animagi but she can't find the right spell. Remus and Sirius refuse to help."

"I'm sorry, Harry."

"Well, I'd better get to bed."

"Me too. Goodnight."

"Night."

Before I could talk myself out of it, I kissed Harry on the cheek and hurried up to the dorm room.

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The sextet was sluggish and moody the next morning. We dragged our sleep-deprived bodies to breakfast and fixed hot cups of caffeine-laced coffee with loads of sugar.

"Harry, have you heard? Half the 6^th and 7^th year Slytherins are in the hospital wing," Colin gossiped.

"Why?" he asked. The gleam in his eyes suggested he'd just remembered the prank. Everyone looked towards the Slytherin table. Only 5^th years and below were present.

"I heard from Dennis who heard from Ernie who heard from Susan that they had a 'costume malfunction'. Madam Pomfrey figures they charmed their costumes last night to be more realistic and it hasn't completely worn off."

As he finished his explanation Draco followed by several of the braver upperclassmen walked into the hall. Giggles and guffaws reigned throughout the room. Crabbe had dressed as a mummy the night before and seemed to still be wearing most of his bandages. Goyle's hands were covered by Yeti fur and Pansy was trying unsuccessfully to pull out her cat whiskers with long black claws.

Draco ambled up to the Gryffindor. The only discernable difference to his appearance was one long beaded piece of hair. Then he smiled to reveal several gold-capped teeth. This sent the boys into a fit of laughter. I invited him to sit, which he declined, saying he was already unpopular in his House and if he sat at our table the Slytherins would likely hex him.

The Marauders spent the day trying to get Ginny's mind off of the previous night's events. We kept her occupied by playing Quidditch, chess, and helping her with her homework. We all retired early and slept the night through.