Redemption

Chapter Eighteen:

Ginny was up in her dorm doing her daily meditation exercise and visualizing herself as a slim reddish fox. There was a party going on downstairs, but she wasn't in the mood. Sure, she was really excited that they'd won the game and that Harry was okay and everything, but she just didn't feel comfortable around so many people. The common room was more packed than usual, and it made her feel out of place.

Her mother had come to visit in the afternoon and said that Harry had come around. Ginny would have visited him, but Wufei was there and they needed some time alone. So, she had snuck upstairs after about an hour, and figuring she'd be alone for a while, decided it was a good time to visualize.

Usually, she did her exercises in the prefect's bathroom where she was less likely to be disturbed and easily able to relax in the big bath. The other prefects knew to let her be if she was in there, and didn't talk to her unless it was something important.

Just as she was really getting tuned into the image in her mind, there came a soft knock on the door. "Ginny?"

The red head sighed and looked up as the door opened hesitantly and Hermione walked in.

"Hi, Ginny," Hermione greeted her, a little brightly. "Mind if I sit down?"

Ginny shook her head and slid back a little on her bed. "What's up?"

Hermione looked slightly hesitant, and wouldn't look Ginny in the eye when she spoke. "Everyone downstairs was wondering where you were. After all, you're a bit of a hero after the game today."

"I didn't feel like partying. There are too many people downstairs, and I figured it would be a good time to do some meditation," Ginny answered, wondering why Hermione had come after her.

"Meditation?" the sixth year asked.

"Yes. I usually do about an hour a day," Ginny answered, shifting uncomfortably. She trusted Hermione, but she wasn't sure what the older girl would say if she knew why Ginny was meditating.

"Oh? What for? I've heard that it's a great way to focus your magic, but I can't seem to do it myself." Hermione's face fell. "I guess its one of those things you can't learn out of books, huh? If I was a better witch, that wouldn't matter."

"Oh, Hermione, don't be silly. You're the best witch I know. It just takes a lot of concentration and conditioning before you can reach a state of true meditation," Ginny placed her hand on her friend's shoulder. "I could help you, if you want. I've gotten pretty good at it. I have to if... I'm sure with a little coaching, you can do it."

"What were you going to say? You have to if... what?" Hermione swung her legs up onto the bed and crossed them. Her eyes were narrowed slightly. "Ginny, you can tell me anything. What are you hiding?"

The Weasley girl looked down shyly. "You have to promise not to tell Dumbledore or any of the professors..." She took a deep breath and then looked Hermione in the eyes. "I'm training to become an animagus.

There was a brief silence whilst Hermione took in what she'd heard. "Of course I wouldn't tell anyone, Ginny. But, are you sure about this? I mean, it's a dangerous process, and illegal too."

"I know, but I need to do this. Ever since second year, I've been afraid that my skill as a witch isn't enough to protect me. I'm only a small person, but if I could become an animal, a fox in my case, I'd have a better chance against a stronger opponent. It's important now more than ever. With Voldemort on the rise, I want to be able to do something. We all know that Harry will be targeted again and again, and I won't let him face that evil bastard alone any more. Besides... Sirius was training me. He helped me get as far as heightening my senses when I attempted to transform. It's not as though I've been doing this alone..."

"Sirius helped you?" Hermione bit her lip and watched the change come over Ginny once more. "Oh, Ginny!" She leant forward and took the younger girl into her arms. "I understand, and if there's anything I can do to help, then I will. If you feel you need to do this, then I'll help you. I know I don't have the experience that Sirius did, but I've done a lot of reading, and if you want me to, I'll be there for you."

Ginny didn't answer. She had been taken by surprise to see Hermione react so strongly. It made her feel good, though, to know that Hermione wanted to help her, that she wouldn't argue, and that she cared so much. For the first time since Sirius' death, she felt like she could do this, felt like she could go on.

The two girls stayed like that for a while, neither saying anything, Ginny resting contentedly on Hermione's shoulder, taking comfort in the delicate arms around her back. Finally she pulled away and looked into Hermione's dark eyes. "Thank you," she said with a smile.

Somehow, she wasn't surprised by what happened next. It felt like a logical step as the older girl reached out and tilted her chin up, cupping her cheek, Hermione's other arm snaking around her waist. Ginny let herself be drawn close once again, her own arms circling around Hermione's shoulders as their lips touched lightly.

The kiss was awkward and a little hesitant. Both girls were too busy thinking of what the other would say afterwards to enjoy it. When they broke apart, Ginny blushed and looked down at the bed cover.

"So..." she muttered.

"So..." Hermione replied.

Then they both began to speak at the same time.

"Sorry about that-"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"

Then an awkward silence followed as they each thought desperately for something less embarrassing to say, both of them searching the walls or floor for answers.

It was Hermione who broke the silence, finally deciding that something, anything, needed to be said. "I'm sorry, Ginny. That was out of line. I-I'll go, if you want..."

"No!" Ginny looked at her and chewed on her lower lip for a moment. "It's ok. I... I didn't mind..." she mumbled, blushing again.

"Oh, uh, good. I-"

"If you wanted to do it again... I wouldn't complain," the read head said, barely above a whisper.

Hermione watched her for a moment and then smiled. "I was hoping you might say that."

The girls looked into each other's eyes for a moment more, and then both leant forward and touched lips again. Ginny crawled forward a little and pulled Hermione closer. This time, she opened her lips and felt the other girl do the same. Once again, their arms went around each other, as the kiss progressed. Soon, their tongues were intertwined in a soft caress, Ginny's head cupped in Hermione's hand, their bodies pressed together as they both breathed heavily through their noses.

This time, Ginny broke the kiss and rested her forehead on Hermione's shoulder. She stayed like that for a moment, breathing in the scent of the older girl's hair and listening as they both slowly regained their breath.

"So," Ginny began, once she was ready to speak again. "You want some help with meditation?"

"I'd appreciate that very much," Hermione answered, smiling happily. "And then you can show me how far you've gotten with the transformation."

"I'd like that." Ginny was smiling too and soon they both went back down to the party now that the chaser was in a better mood.

.................................................................................................................................

Hagrid had been sitting in the Leaky Cauldron for a couple of hours. His orders from Dumbledore had been very vague. He was to wait until several young boys approached him and one of them spoke the phrase, "James' Glasses are On His Seat." To that he would reply, "How Did The Quidditch War end?"

Once his contacts had been revealed, he was to floo them straight to Dumbledore's office where the elderly wizard could greet them and discuss their purpose and plans.

Several hours later after drinking quite a lot, Hagrid was about ready to shout out his end of the puzzle and hope that someone would reply so he could get back to the castle. He was beginning to get a little bored waiting around. It was a slow day at the inn and nothing exciting had happened since Dedalus Diggle tripped down the stairs at about 6:00 in the evening.

Tom poured him another drink and just as he took a deep swallow, a voice behind him drawled in a deep voice. "James' Glasses are On His Seat." This caused Hagrid to choke on his mouthful, and he started coughing heavily. Unfortunately, this drew a lot of attention from the few patrons that were still hanging around in the tavern.

Gasping and still coughing a little, Hagrid stood and spun, his drink sloshing over the floor. It took him a moment to look down to where he saw four teenage boys standing in front of him. One of them was sniggering behind his hand, another looked worried, the third, slightly amused, and the fourth was glaring around at the people who were staring at them.

"Uh, How- How Did The Quidditch War end?" Hagrid asked weakly, finishing with a cough.

"This must be our guy," said the boy who had been laughing. "So, what happens now?"

"If you'll jus' follow me..." Hagrid began, leading them towards the fire place where he pulled a special bag of floo powder from his pocket. He threw a pinch into the fire which turned bright purple. "Jus' step into the flames an' say 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Headmaster's Office'."

One by one, the four boys followed his instructions and disappeared into the flames. Once they were through, Hagrid followed after, replacing the restricted floo powder back in the pocket of his coat.

.................................................................................................................................

One the all five people were gone, Tom, the bartender, disappeared into his private rooms behind the bar and began to scribble a note on a handy piece of parchment. It read only:

The elephant has taken the cubs to the lion.

Owl.

Then he tied it to the leg of a Tawny Frog Mouth, which waited by the window for just such a message. Once it was secure, the bird flew away and Tom returned to the public eye, already having forgotten ever writing a letter as the Ignoraniant Charm took effect.