One of A Kind

Chapter 5: Halloween

            Halloween approached quickly, bringing with it a mixture of excitement and apprehension. All Halloweens at Hogwarts were eventful. Harry would never forget his first year, when he and Ron had fought a mountain troll. That was the night that had cemented their friendship with Hermione. Gryffindor was planning strategies for their first Quidditch match against Slytherin. Ron had been made the new Keeper, and Angelina, blushing madly, had accepted the role of Captain. However, it was clear that as time passed, the stress level increased steadily.

~*~

            Harry sat alone at a secluded table in the common room, struggling to think of new predictions for his Divination homework. He wished Ron were here to help him, but he was undoubtedly lurking about the library with Hermione. Over the past few weeks, the two of them had been spending a lot of time together. Harry pored over his homework for another few minutes, racking his brain for an idea that he had not used recently. Coming up with nothing, he slammed the book shut, dropping his head to the table. Closing his eyes, a familiar face filled his mind. A sweet smile, deep brown eyes, and delicate features framed by scarlet hair. Ginny was once again invading his thoughts. He tried to concentrate on something else, thinking of Quidditch. But the image immediately changed to one of Ginny cheering for him in the stands. The sound of footsteps carried him back to the present, and he glanced up, deeply hoping it was Ginny. Instead, he found himself face to face with Avril.

“Having trouble with your homework?” she asked, grinning.

“Yeah. I can’t think up any predictions for Divination,” he said. Avril laughed.

“What do you mean, ‘think up’?” she asked, clearly amused. “Didn’t you fill out your star chart?”

“Yes, but I just don’t understand it.” He groaned in frustration.

“Why not? It’s really very simple.”

“For you, maybe. You are Trelawney’s favorite student!”

Avril giggled. “Well, I actually see images in tea leaves and such. My mum taught me Divination ages ago. It runs in our family.”

"So, you have two rare talents. What else are you hiding from us?”

“Well, Mr. Potter, to find that out you’ll just have to wait and see.”

 

~*~

 

            After everyone else had trudged up the stairs to the dormitories, their eyes heavy and their minds foggy, Harry lingered in the common room. His eyes were blank, staring at a spot on the wall as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. His mind drifted once again to the third task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. He saw Cedric’s face, blank and cold. He felt the knife piercing his skin, blood flowing onto his robes. He was a tool in Voldemort’s resurrection. He felt the eyes of the Death Eaters on him as he and Voldemort prepared to duel. His mind drifted back even further to his third year, when his only chance at having a real family had been taken away. As he remembered his second year, fury coursed through his veins. He saw Tom Riddle, standing over him as he knelt beside Ginny’s unconscious form, explaining coolly that Ginny would not wake.

             He felt tears stinging his eyes, imagining what his world would be like without Ginny. It would be a cold, dismal place. No warm smiles, so bright that they seemed to light up the room. No brown eyes, full of life and passion, glancing up at him. No more late night talks. He would have no one to confide in. He would be empty without her, this he was sure of. That thought led to another, one which left him stunned. I . . . I have . . . for Gin-? But, how? When? Suddenly a slender hand passed in front of his face, and he looked up to see Ginny, clad in pale blue pajamas.

“Harry, what are you doing down here this late at night?” she asked.

“I could ask you the same question, but I already know the answer,” he replied.

“Well, you look like you haven’t been to sleep at all,” she said.

“That’s because I haven’t,” he stated, averting his eyes.

But Ginny gently placed her hands on either side of his face, and the feeling of her fingertips against her skin swept through him. He raised his face, and her eyes met his with fierce intensity. Her brown eyes held a flame, a flame that set every atom in his body buzzing. He felt the world fade away, leaving only the two of them, two candles burning against the darkness of the night. Harry knew everything in that instant. There was no longer any confusion, no fear, no worries, and no pain. Their faces inched closer until their foreheads touched. They continued to stare into each other’s eyes as their lips met gently, both afraid that the flame would die if the connection was broken. The kiss, however gentle, shot waves of electricity through Harry.

When they pulled away, Ginny gazed at him, and he saw the question in her eyes before she spoke it aloud.

“Why?” she asked, her voice thick with emotion, her eyes beginning to shine.

He couldn’t find the words to explain, so he responded in the only way that made sense. He pulled her to him and kissed her again, pouring the answer into her. When they finally parted, she looked back at him, smiling gently.

“Oh.”

He grinned at her, knowing she understood. He slid his arm around her waist, placing his hands over his, and held her close until her eyes drifted closed.

 

~*~

            The morning of October thirty-first, Harry sat beside Ginny at breakfast, as usual. But no one knew that their hands were locked together under the table. It had been a week since their first kiss, and they had yet to tell anyone. Hermione kept shooting suspicious glances in their direction, but said nothing. Avril was beside Hermione, her arms crossed over her chest, not speaking. Ron was oblivious to the tension, happily eating his toast. The moments crawled by silently until finally Ginny dropped Harry’s hand and stood up.

“I’m going to go get ready for class,” she announced. She walked away from the table, briefly glancing over her shoulder at Harry.

“Um, I am just going to go get my, um . . . my quill. It’s in the dormitory,” Harry said quickly, getting to his feet. Hermione raised one eyebrow at him, and Avril’s scowl deepened.

“Okay then, see you in Divination,” Ron said happily. Hermione snorted indignantly, and as Harry walked away, he could hear her grumbling.

“I cannot believe you are still enrolled in that class! That professor is a fraud!”

When Harry reached the Gryffindor tower, he stopped in front of the Fat Lady’s portrait.

“Tiddlywinks,” he said.

The portrait swung open, and he stepped into the common room. It was completely deserted. For a second, he was afraid that Ginny hadn’t meant for him to follow her. But then he felt a pair of arms sliding around his waist, and a pair of lips brush against his cheek. Grinning, he turned to face Ginny, pulling her close. They hugged tightly, Ginny’s head resting on his shoulder. After a few minutes, she pulled back, and he could tell something was bothering her.

“What’s wrong, Gin?” he asked, kissing her forehead gently.

“When are we going to tell them?” she whispered.

“Soon, Gin. I promise,” he assured her.

“I believe you,” she whispered into his shoulder, relaxing in his arms.

 

                                                                        *

            Harry raced up the steps to the steps to the North Tower, already late. When he reached the top, the trapdoor opened and he entered the classroom. He sank into the chair next to Ron, struggling to catch his breath. Avril glared at him from across the table. Ron simply smiled.

“Be glad you got here before the old bat did," he said. Harry forced laughter as he saw Avril roll her eyes. What is wrong with her? Just then, Professor Trelawney strode into the room, her strong perfume making Harry slightly dizzy.

“Today, we shall continue the unit on tarot reading,” she drew out her words dramatically. Harry and Ron exchanged glances. She continued to drawl on, explaining the significance of the cards and insisting that the exercise not be taken lightly. When she finished speaking, decks of cards appeared in front of them. Harry, Ron, and Avril shuffled their cards.

“So, I’ll read your cards, and you can read mine,” Ron said. Harry nodded. Avril shot him a nasty look, but set about dealing cards for herself. She was obviously experienced. Harry, on the other hand, was gazing down at the cards in front of him and not having the slightest clue what they meant. So he went the usual route. He held up the nine of clubs.

“I see a beating in your future,” he said with a snigger.

“Yeah, probably a bludger. We have that match against Slytherin next week,” Ron replied.

As usual, Professor Trelawney was walking around the room, monitoring each group. She stopped to glance over Parvati Patil’s shoulder. She pointed to a card, glancing at Lavender Brown, Parvati’s partner.

“This is a symbol of love. The one you want shall come to you,” she said loudly. Lavender glanced meaningfully at Seamus Finnigan, who smiled sheepishly.

The professor made her way toward Harry’s table. When she reached them, she glanced at Ron, who was now reading for Harry. She did a quick sweep of the cards, then looked back at Harry. She said nothing, moving on to Avril, who was looking very pale as she examined her cards. Trelawney didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary, though.

“You are a very talented reader, dear,” she cooed. Avril nodded a thank you, not saying a word. Harry noticed Parvati and Lavender glaring in Avril’s direction. They had always been Professor Trelawney’s favorite students before her arrival. But Avril took no notice of their eyes on her, and when class ended, she gathered her things quickly and silently. She was the first one out the door.

Harry slung his satchel over his shoulder, falling into step beside Ron as they walked to Defense Against the Dark Arts.

“So, what do you think that was about?”Ron asked.

“I have no idea. But it was more than a bit weird, wasn’t it?”

Ron nodded. They entered the classroom, sliding into their normal seats. Hermione was already at the table next to theirs, but Avril was nowhere to be found.

“Hi guys,” Hermione said.

“Hi, ‘Mione,” they both muttered. She narrowed her eyes.

“Okay, what’s wrong?” she demanded.

“Yes, Harry. What is wrong?”came a familiar voice. Harry looked up at Professor Lupin.

“Avril has been acting off lately,” Ron explained.

“That girl is a strange one,” Lupin replied. He glanced around the room. “And I see she’s decided to disappear for a bit.” The rest of the class was filtering in, Neville taking the seat beside Hermione.

“Ah, well.” Lupin sighed. He returned to the front of the classroom, and all was silent. Everyone had been happy to find out that Lupin was to be their teacher again. Needless to say, a few parents had been unhappy, but had relented when they had received owls from their children, raving about Lupin’s techniques. Harry, Ron, and Hermione glanced at one another before turning their attention back to class.

“I believe that you covered the Unforgivable Curses last year. But, given the circumstances, Dumbledore and I feel that the lesson bears repeating. Therefore, today, we will practice throwing off the Imperius curse,” Lupin said, ignoring the gasps of surprise and fear that registered from many members of the class.

“All years will be studying this technique, even the first years. Take it seriously, for there will come a time when you will need it,” Lupin added solemnly.

“I will put the spell on you one at a time, and you will try your best to deflect the curse. Do not worry, as today is only a practice.” He then pulled out his wand and called Lavender Brown to the front of the class. Her eyes were wide with terror. Parvati Patil watched, her eyes full of concern, as Lupin muttered the curse.

“Imperio!”

Harry watched intently. He saw the struggle in Lavender’s eyes, her legs twitch, as she tried to fight. Harry remembered the feeling. The voice of reason was there, but so soft that it was nearly impossible to hear. He silently urged Lavender to fight. He felt immensely happy when the twitching stopped and she still hadn’t moved. The spell was off. Lavender collapsed into her chair, immediately drawn into a hug by Parvati. No one said a word. Lavender clung to her best friend as Lupin called the next student to his desk.

~*~

            By the end of the class, everyone had gotten a chance to fight the curse. Harry had succeeded. Ron had as well, and was very proud of himself. Hermione, on the other hand, had been among the majority who had not been able to deflect the curse. Harry could tell it was a definite blow to her pride. As they walked out of the classroom, he saw that she had tears in her eyes.

“Come on, ‘Mione. It’s not that bad. You heard Lupin. No one is expected to get it right away,” Ron offered gently.

Hermione sighed, swiping at her eyes. “Yes, but this wasn’t my first try. We did it last year and Harry was the only one who was able to fight it.”

Harry winced slightly at the bitter tone in her voice.

“But Harry has experience fighting dark magic, ‘Mione,” Ron said.

“Ron, you were able to fight it! What if . . .” She trailed off, biting her lip.

“What if what, Hermione?” Harry asked.

“What if Voldemort controls me the way Tom Riddle controlled Ginny. I wouldn’t be able to fight it. I could kill you, Harry.” A sob escaped her lips, and Harry felt his stomach contract with guilt.

“You heard what Lupin said. There will come a time when we will need this,” she added. Without waiting for them to respond, she pushed by them, turning toward the Gryffindor Tower. Ron followed her, and Harry entered the Great Hall alone.

~*~

            Neither Ron or Hermione showed up to Double Potions that afternoon. Many jokes were made as to the reasoning for their absence, but Harry ignored them. He was silent through class, and walked to dinner alone. He was disappointed to see that Ron and Hermione were still missing. However, as he glimpsed Ginny, his heart soared. In an instant, he was sliding into the seat beside her, his hand finding hers. She smiled at him, and he felt his loneliness melt away. She continued her conversation with Colin Creevey, who was in the seat across from her. Harry chatted briefly with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, but his mind was elsewhere. Ginny must have noticed, because halfway through dinner, after they had both finished eating, she glanced wearily at him and sighed.

“Colin, I have to go,” she said. Colin looked confused, but she didn’t explain further. She rose from her seat, and Harry followed her out of the hall. They walked in silence until they were almost to the tower. Abruptly, she pulled him into a shadowed corner of the corridor, wrapped her arms around his neck, and hugged him tightly. He relaxed instantly, returning the embrace.

“What’s wrong, Harry?” she whispered.

“We practiced throwing off the Imperius Curse today,” he said. Ginny drew in a sharp breath.

“That curse is awful, Harry,” she said, pulling back to meet his eyes. He nodded.

“Could you fight it?” she asked. He nodded again.

“So could Ron. But barely anyone else could.”

“Oh, so, what about Hermione.”

Harry sighed. “She feels awful about it. She is worried that she won’t be able to fight if . . .” The unspoken words hung in the air, and Ginny shuddered. Harry felt tears sting his eyes as another thought struck him.

“Gin, what if he comes after you?” he whispered.

She said nothing, but he heard her take in several ragged breaths, and knew she was crying. He gently raised her face and brushed his lips against hers. Suddenly, a very familiar voice broke through the silence.

“What are you doing with my sister?!”

The two of them jumped back from one another. Harry saw a flash of red hair and freckles and felt his face burn.

“Hullo, Ron.”