Masks

Part 5 Aftermath

***

Ginny couldn't breathe. High atop a rocky mountain cliff, a great snake with livid yellow eyes was coiling itself around her, squeezing the life and happiness out of her. She tried to call out, but had no breath to scream. Her parents and brothers were scrambling up the mountain calling her name, but with a mighty stroke of its tail, the great serpent swept them all aside sending Percy tumbling off the mountain into the mist. The snake brought its face up next to her as the life was beginning to leave her and whispered in Tom Riddle's voice, "You're mine now, girl!"

Just then she saw him. Harry stood on a rocky outcropping above them, his hair and cloak caught up in the wind, his face a grim mask of determined rage, his eyes two slits of emerald fire. The snake released her and reared its huge head toward Harry, spitting as it stared at him. Harry drew the sword of Godric Gryffindor and leapt down beside her, the deadly blade gleaming in the moonlight as he raised it to protect her. Like a living thunderbolt the great snake lunged at them, yellow eyes ablaze. Moving with amazing speed he swung the sword in an arch which caught the serpent in the eyes. Screaming, the snake raised its face to the heavens before striking at them again. Razor sharp fangs ripped open Harry's shirt as he stepped nimbly out of the way. Finally tasting blood, the serpent went mad, lashing back and forth as it drew itself up for one last deadly strike. As the snake whipped down, Harry lunged forward, his torn shirt flying open in the wind and buried the sword into the diamond shaped head. With one last scream, the horrible snake quivered and collapsed to the ground.

Kneeling next to her, Harry brushed her cheek and placed his hand behind her head. The hard fire leaving his eyes he leaned down and pulled her to him in a gentle kiss. Their lips met and life poured back into her. He swept her up into his arms and carried her to his waiting broomstick. Cradled safely in his arms, they soared through the night sky until they reached a high tower that shone brightly in the moonlight. Gliding in the open doors of the highest room he held her gently as his feet touched the ground. Warm wind blew the drapes of a large four poster bed and hundreds of candles lit the room with a soft flickering glow.

Staring lovingly into her eyes he gently lay her upon the feather soft linen and kissed her again. She felt a thrill of delight as she reached up to pull him down to her in an even deeper kiss. Both gentle and passionate this kiss was what she had been waiting for all of her life. For so long Ginny had wanted this. She had always longed to be in his arms, but he was so perfect so unattainable until now.

He pulled back to gaze at her, the green fire in his eyes blazing with a new light. She ran her fingers across his shoulders until she got to the tear in his shirt. He took her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it. Staring down at her with undisguised desire, he placed both his hands upon his ruined shirt and ripped it away. Slowly she ran her hands down the muscles of his chest to his abdomen. Drawing a sharp breath, he closed his eyes and smiled while her hands drifted across his body. Reaching out he brushed a lock of long red hair out of her face, and allowed his fingers to caress her cheek. His hand continued down across her throat and over the soft material of her gown.

Trembling slightly, her hands moved down to undo the lace of her gown. Slowly she let the white material fall away from her body. Discarding the rest of his clothes he leaned over her, she rolled her head back and closed her eyes enjoying the experience of giving herself to the one she loved. Looking up she saw the adoration in his beautiful emerald eyes. Soon their passion reached its peak. Ecstasy was flowing through her like a river as she closed her eyes and called his name.

"Harry..."

Ginny opened her eyes and found herself lying in a room she didn't recognize. The first light of dawn was coming through the window and it took her a moment to comprehend what was real. Of course, Muggle furniture, she was in Harry's room on Privet Dive. "Harry!" She snapped fully awake and realized she must of had "that" dream again. "Oh God!" she thought in a panic. "How much noise did you make, you stupid girl?" She leapt out of bed and crept to the door and opened it a crack. She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Harry talking to someone downstairs. Quietly as possible she crept halfway down the stairs to see what was happening.

"The Ministry has everything in hand; of course, they wish you had called them straight away." A voice she recognized as Professor Dumbledore's came from the fireplace.

"I wanted to, but there just wasn't time," Harry said, sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace. His head and shoulders were lowered slightly and he was holding a crumpled letter in his hands. He looked different than usual, diminished, and there was much more of the little boy about him.

"I understand, Harry. Your efforts are much appreciated by everyone here and at the Ministry. I don't think there are many Aurors who could have done a better job," Professor Dumbledore replied.

"Thank you, sir," Harry said in a small voice, looking at the letter in his hand. Ginny could tell that something was wrong with him.

"Is something bothering you, Harry?" Professor Dumbledore asked, a note of concern in his voice.

"Last night when I cast the counter curse, it... didn't work at first. I thought..." Harry's voice trailed off.

"That was a powerful composition of dark magic. I'm not surprised that it took a good deal of effort on your part to break it," Professor Dumbledore said with a sigh.

"I was just so... scared. I thought she was gone, that I'd... that we'd lost her. I had no idea that I could feel that way," Harry said tossing the letter aside and putting his head in his hands.

"I may be straying out of my role as your teacher, but may I give you some advice from my experience?" Professor Dumbledore said kindly.

"Yes, sir," Harry replied looking up.

"We are living in very dangerous times, Harry," he said gravely. "If you feel you have something to say to Miss Weasley, say it now. The future is too uncertain to rely on." The figure in the fire looked toward the staircase and smiled. "In fact she might be up for a conversation now."

Harry stood up and saw her coming down the stairs. "Ginny?" he said, rubbing his hands on the side of his jeans to dry them. A small pop from the fireplace told them that Professor Dumbledore had excused himself.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to listen in like that," she started

"No, it's OK," he cut her off. "I'm glad you're up." Looking at her he was drawn to her beautiful eyes. Had they always shone like that?

Harry's mind was racing. Nothing in his many experiences had prepared him for this. "I'm sorry about what happened. I shouldn't have dragged you into that," he said, moving away from the fireplace.

"You couldn't have stopped me," she said, moving toward him. "You don't have to do everything alone, you know."

"It's better that way." Harry straightened up and averted his gaze, then snatched up his letter and put it in his pocket. He couldn't say this to those beautiful eyes even if he had to. "It's not safe to be around me."

Ginny's heart fell as she saw the familiar mask of dependable strength come over his face. "No!" she cried as he started to turn away. "Don't do that!"

"Do what?" he said, suprised at her reaction.

"Harden yourself." She moved closer to him. "I know you think it's necessary, but one day, maybe not soon, but one day you won't be able to soften again. You have to let yourself care about people or you'll wind up just like Riddle."

Losing the composure he had been trying muster he cried, "Ginny it's just too risky! I can't love you. I couldn't put you in that much danger." Hesitating for a moment he thought, "Love? How could you let that slip out?" He closed his eyes and sighed. "The most powerful dark wizard in a thousand years is trying to kill me, and the smart money is betting on him to succeed. I can't let you into this fight when I'm not sure we'll survive."

Ginny's face darkened slightly. "So I'm supposed to just let you die alone!? I can't do that." She closed her eyes to keep from crying. "I know it's hard to lose someone you love; believe me. I know." Tears began to leak out despite her best efforts. "But that's nothing compared to never having someone to begin with." A soft hand touched her cheek, wiping away her tears. She opened her eyes and saw his looking down at her. He stroked her face for a moment before pulling her into warm embrace.

"I do love you Ginny," he said into her soft hair. "God forgive me, but I do."

Ginny held him as if their lives depended on it, trying by sheer force of will to give her strength to him. After a moment she felt some of the tension leave his body and they sat together on the couch. She lay her head on his shoulder as they sat together in silence watching the fire.

***

The first thing Ron noticed as he began to wake up was a soft scratching noise. He didn't want to wake up, he'd just had the most wonderfully erotic dream of his life. Only when he felt a slight breeze blow across his bare body did he realize that it wasn't a dream. He opened his eyes and saw on one side of him the clothes he had flung off earlier folded neatly in a pile by his head. On the other side of him was Hermione. She was sitting crossed legged on her cloak, a book on her lap and paper on the ground next to her. Her face was a mask of total concentration as she flipped pages in the book with one hand and scratched notes on the paper with the other. She looked, in fact, exactly the way Hermione always looked, except that she was completely naked.

"What are you doing?" he said, lifting his head.

"Oh. you're awake," she said, placing the quill in her book and closing it. "Feel better?"

"Much." Ron sat up. "What were you doing?"

"Transfiguration essay," she said, smiling sheepishly.

Ron stared blankly at her. "You didn't bring clothes, but you brought homework?" he asked, dumbfounded. Her smile widened. "How do you do that?" he said, smiling back at her.

"Do what?" she replied, raising her eyebrows.

"Go from ravishing sex goddess to studious academic," he said slyly.

"Talent and hard work." She stretched and moved to lay next to him.

"How long was I asleep?" he asked, putting his arm around her.

"Not long, only an hour or so." she said, laying her head on his chest. "I think the sun coming up."

"That should be nice," Ron replied, and for the next hour or so they lay in silence as the eastern sky lightened and the fire burned low, simply enjoying each other's presence.

Finally Hermione stretched and said, "It's getting late. Good thing tomorrow... um, today is Saturday. I can sleep in."

"Hermione," Ron asked tentatively, "what are you going to do about Viktor?"

Hermione sighed. "I'm not sure. I don't think he really wanted me to move to Bulgaria." She stared at the rising sun. "I think he was just scared and needed someone he could trust to talk to."

Ron nodded his head and thought for a moment. "You should go see him then."

Hermione beamed at him and said, "Oh Ron, you wouldn't mind, you wouldn't be jealous?"

"I didn't say that," he replied with a smile. "But it's the right thing to do."

She gently pulled him to her and gave him a soft kiss. Ron was stroking her soft brown hair and was about to kiss her back, when a sound caused them both to jump. Low booming barks were sounding in the crisp morning air. They stared into the mist, hoping against hope this wasn't what they thought it was.

"Here now, Fang. What's that you after?" came a deep voice from out of the forest.

"Hagrid!" they whispered together, and leapt into action. Ron dove for the pile of clothes while Hermione whisked up the cloak and put it back around herself. She pulled out her wand and transfigured the burned out logs back into a stump. Ron had just gotten his shoes on, without socks, when the sound of heavy foot falls could be heard coming toward them.

Hagrid burst into the clearing and stopped dead at the sight of them. "Ron? Hermione? What you two doing up this time of the morning?"

"Getting an early start," Ron said, crossing his arms in front of his chest so Hagrid wouldn't see that his shirt wasn't buttoned.

"Getting an early start? At what?" Hagrid said suspiciously.

"Astronomy." "Herbology." Ron and Hermione said together.

Hagrid's eyes narrowed slightly.

"How Herbology relates to Astronomy," Hermione said quickly. "You know, the connections between the constellations and certain plants. We all know that the moon and wolfsbane have a connection, but it may be possible that certain forms of angiosperms," Ron risked a sidelong glance at Hermione, "could be affected by specific stellar patterns. Above and beyond the seasonal changes that occur with those star movements, of course."

"Oh......right," Hagrid said finally. "Well, you lot better be getting back to the castle. There was something strange in the forest last night, and it might not be safe." He looked around into the morning mist. "Heard it crying out a fair few times last night."

Hermione reddened slightly and Ron had to work hard to keep from smiling.

"I'll see you later then," Hagrid said, seeming to relax slightly. "They'll be serving breakfast soon."

"Breakfast!" Ron said

"Good idea," Hermione added.

They headed out of the clearing as fast as they could without appearing suspicious, hoping that Hagrid wouldn't look at the clearing too closely. By the time they reached the edge of the forest they were laughing about what a close call that had been. Looking up at the castle Ron sighed mournfully, "Back to reality, I guess."

"Not all the way back, I hope?" Hermione asked slyly.

Ron slipped his arm around her and pulled her toward him. "That would be impossible," he whispered, and kissed her, gently at first then more and more deeply. She felt the passion rise within her again as her hands moved behind his head and her fingers wrapped around his hair.

"Ron!" Hermione gasped as he nipped her neck. "We have to get back."

"Yeah, you're right..." he groaned, barely able to contain his need for her. Suddenly she launched a fresh assault of kisses against him. "They're probably... waking up right now," he managed to gasp.

With great effort, Hermione finally pulled herself away and stood arms length away from him. "Damn it," she hissed looking into his eyes and biting her lower lip. "OK, give me a few minutes head start and then come up."

"All right then," Ron gasped, trying to catch his breath.

"After a little while, I'll meet you in the Great Hall for breakfast," she added.

"Hermione, how am I supposed to sit next to you at breakfast and pretend none of this ever happened?" he asked, looking at her hungrily.

"Talent and hard work," she smiled and headed off across the commons.

***

Ginny was sitting on the living room couch watching what Harry called television. After a small amount of convincing, Ginny had gotten him to get some sleep. Leaving him the bedroom, she stayed downstairs and became engrossed in a story the television was showing. A Muggle Auror with a lot of tricky devices was fighting against an evil mastermind who wanted to dominate the world. It reminded her a lot of Harry, and she wondered how one of those black and white suits with the bow tie would look on him. The Auror was telling what looked to Ginny like a succubus that he wanted his drink shaken not stirred, when the phone rang.

Staring at it, Ginny wondered what to do. She had just decided not to wake up Harry unless it was necessary, when it rang again leaving her no choice but to pick it up. "Um... yes?" she said, holding the receiver the way Harry did.

"Miss Weasley?" Aunt Petunia's voice sounded after a moment's pause. "Where is Harry?"

"Getting some sleep," Ginny replied, remembering what Ron said about speaking normally.

"Hummph, well tell him that we'll need him back here before lunch," Aunt Petunia said sourly.

"We'll be there," Ginny said in as cheerful a voice as she could muster. A sudden click was her only response.

After hanging up the phone Ginny checked the time. Yes, if they were going to get ready and make it to the hospital before noon she would have to get Harry up now.

She climbed the stairs to the bedroom and knocked softly on the door. "Harry?" she said, gently pushing the door open.

He was laying on the bed with his shirt and pants off wearing only his boxer shorts. His arm rested by his head, as a lock of dark hair fell across his closed eyes. The muscles of his chest rose and fell slowly while his legs draped over the edge of the bed slightly.

"Damn him," she thought biting her lower lip, "why can't he be drooling into a pillow like everybody else?"

"Um... Harry!" she said loudly.

His eyes snapped open, and just for a moment the muscles in his arm tensed.

"Sorry, but your aunt called. They need us back at the hospital," she said, suddenly looking at the desk across the room from him.

"Right then, thanks," he said standing up. He suddenly realized how little he was wearing and reached for his clothes. "Are you feeling OK?" he said, trying to sound casual in an embarrassing situation.

"Um, yes fine," she said, pretending she couldn't see him in the mirror by his dresser as he bent over to pick up his pants. As she tried to avert her eyes, she saw the official looking letter he had been holding earlier and a thick plain brown envelope by his keys on the dresser. The letter bore the seal of the Ministry of Magic, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, on the return address. She had seen a lot of that seal ever since her father had become Minister of Magic. A vague fear came over Ginny as she asked, "What's this?"

"Oh ...that, just a letter from your dad warning me to keep safe," he said in a voice so casual that it would have probably fooled even Ron. Ginny was getting pretty good at seeing through his calm surface and knew there was more to it. She hoped it didn't mean what she thought it meant.

***

Ron was very pleased with himself indeed. He had made it to the castle, up to Gryffindor tower and into his dorm room without being seen. When he found the dorm room empty, he knew no one would be the wiser. He tossed his old clothes onto his neatly made bed, got washed up, and casually went down to the great hall for breakfast. He was mildly surprised that the school's usual morning routine seemed completely unaffected by the earth shattering events of the previous night. He casually walked up to the Gryffindor table and saw Hermione sitting across from Seamus, Dean, and Neville. She looked the very picture of innocence with her nose, as always, in a book.

"Good morning," she said, in the most nonchalant way, as he sat next to her. He had just started helping himself to some eggs and sausages when Seamus spoke.

"Dean, do you know what Lavender was saying this morning?" he asked, looking down the table away from Ron.

"No, what was that?" Dean replied, in an odd way. He was not looking at Ron either.

"She said that when she woke up this morning that Hermione's bed was made and she wasn't there," Seamus replied in a casual tone.

Hermione's eyes shot up from her book.

"Well, maybe she got up early to study and made her bed before she left," Neville chimed in. "You know how neat Hermione can be."

"Yes, girls can be like that," Dean said, nodding his head. "But guys aren't."

Three sets of amused eyes turned suddenly toward Ron, who was examining his bacon intently. "Well, Ron," Seamus said leaning across the table. "Details, please."

Ron looked at Hermione for just a moment before leaning over the table. "Seamus," he whispered conspiratorially, and Dean and Neville leaned in to hear. "Pass the ketchup."

Seamus, Neville, and Dean sat back down disappointed, but all three were still grinning with sly looks in their eyes. Ron looked back at Hermione, who was shaking with silent giggles behind her book. He smiled too. So what if the whole school knew about them. He had Hermione, and nothing else seemed to matter.

Just then the flutter of wings announced the arrival of mail. One by one, owls swooped down and found their owners. Suddenly a brown and black barn owl landed in front of Ron. In its beak was an official looking letter he recognized at once. "Already? But I haven't even taken my NEWT's yet," he thought, staring at the letter in the owl's beak.

"What's that?" Hermione asked, waking Ron out of his amazement.

"Nothing," he exclaimed, snatching the letter away from the owl so suddenly that it hooted indignantly, and flew off.

"Well if it's nothing, you can show me," she said, a touch of suspicion in her voice.

"Look Hermione, it's nothing to do with you, OK," Ron snapped.

Hermione slammed her book shut with a very hurt look in her eyes. "I thought last night meant something to you, but if you are going to keep secrets from me, maybe we both made a mistake," she hissed in a low whisper and stormed away from the table.

Ron sat there, scowling at his breakfast as if it were to blame for the way he felt. He looked up to see his dorm mates looking at him from across the table. Neville looked shocked and a little upset. Dean had his head in his hands shaking it in disbelief. Seamus looked at him seriously for a moment before nodding in the direction Hermione went. "Go on, then," he said in a sympathetic tone.

Ron quickly got up and followed Hermione out the door.

***