The War of Shades

Chapter 43 A Friend in Need

Harry Potter was not hard to find. He had his scheduled times - morning run followed by a half-hour's defense training with Ginny (which had continued even when she ceased to get detentions as frequently as she had been), meals, classes, exercise, DA and Patronus sessions, study with Reverend MacBoon, Hagrid's wizard training, and quidditch practice and games. The rest of Harry's time was spent in one of two places - the Restricted section of the library or his bed. He was determined to find out how to stop the discord among the students.

It was not just the students, either, as the effects had spread to the faculty as well. Even Professors McGonagall and Snape - normally fond rivals of each other - had been found squabbling with each other. Once Harry had even come upon them with wands drawn against each other. He had to admit to a certain disappointment at having interrupted, as he was quite certain that Professor McGonagall would have given far better than she got. Professor Flitwick had hexed Professor Sinistra. Professor Sprout had lost her temper against Hagrid and tipped him into a load of fresh manure he had brought from the magical creatures for the greenhouses. Hagrid had not responded but by muttering, recognizing that it must have been the effects of the curse. It seemed Hagrid, Dumbledore, Firenze, and Professor Binns were the only faculty not affected.

The self-satisfied chuckling Harry heard in his head was drumming louder and louder with each passing day. Voldemort would laugh at the school as they all fell apart, and remind Harry smugly: "My legions are coming."

On the last Friday afternoon in February, Harry and his best friends were the first to arrive for Melony's lecture on goblin healing techniques. The door to the lecture hall was shut but he could hear shouting, and then he saw flashes of light from under the door. Before he could even get to the room, the door was blown off the hinges with Dobby plastered against it. Dobby and the door landed across the hall and he jumped up as they heard Melony shouting something in gobbledegook, the goblin tongue. Although they could not understand the words, there was no mistaking the tone.

Dobby picked himself up and screamed, "You is nothing but a smelly, foul-tempered, grating, bloated bullfrog, you is!"

A spell the color of lava came out the door and Dobby disapparated just before it reached him. The door however was immediately incinerated. Luna, Hermione and Ginny ran into the room - cautiously - while Ron and Neville pulled their wands to extinguish the remaining embers of the door.

Harry stood looking in horror.

"I think I'm going to be sick," said Harry.

He ran off in the direction of the bathrooms. He stood in the bathroom stall for quite a while before realizing that he wasn't actually going to throw up. The pain in his stomach could not be relieved that easily. "Had it come to this?" he thought. He knew that Dobby worshipped Melony with every fiber in his body, and she in turn adored Dobby. And yet whatever it was that was tearing the school apart had even reached them.

Then Harry went wandering the most isolated parts of the castle. He wanted to be alone. He knew someone would come to check on him in the bathroom before long and he did not want to be found. He was not sure where he wandered: he just made sure it was away from everyone. There were places far below even the Slytherin dorms. Harry came across magical objects that normally would have fascinated him no end, but he merely glanced at them, avoided them, and kept walking. It was hours later when he made his way to the owlery. Hedwig flew down to him and Harry began absent-mindedly stroking her, mumbling his concerns to her. He did not know how long he had been there when he heard a gentle voice.

"I hoped I'd find you here. It's not like you to miss Patronus practice. Your students were disappointed."

It was Ginny. If it had been anyone else, Harry would certainly have left. Even so, he was not keen on being interrupted.

"Whatever. How'd you find me?"

She smiled, "I knew you weren't at Hagrid's because he showed up for Patronus practice. You weren't at the quidditch pitch, in the dorm or the library, the Great Hall, with Dobby or Melony or at the chapel. You hadn't summoned the Room of Requirement and you weren't in the secret passages. I got Nearly-Headless Nick to search the dungeons, since he can go through the walls and floors so easily. That left here or the Chamber of Secrets. Myrtle said you hadn't been through her bathroom - she seemed a bit put out."

Harry nodded. "So are people disappointed enough at my absence to stop fighting with each other?"

"You know we have no control over that. We don't even feel it coming. Of course, since it doesn't happen near you, at least not as much, maybe your pulling away isn't a great idea. Even if we can't fight as a group, we need to learn to defend ourselves."

Harry glanced toward her. "What's this 'we' stuff? You fight fine already. There aren't a dozen sorcerers who could stand against you. And over half of those who could are students or faculty here."

Ginny smiled. "Thanks. Maybe that's why I need it - so Ron or Neville can't blast me."

"IT'S NOT FUNNY!" Harry roared, scaring Hedwig so that she flew back up to a perch. Harry flailed his arms irately. "Voldemort won't even have to send his goons at this rate! This school will destroy itself! He'll just step in, kill me, and declare victory!!"

"Dobby and Melony's fight really got to you, huh?" said Ginny quietly.

"Like nothing else has. The only two people I've ever seen who appeared to love each other as much are your parents. I thought that if anyone escaped the effects of this curse it would be them. But they weren't just arguing: she nearly toasted him! And he said things about her I never would have thought he would say. This is Dobby, for goodness' sake! He punishes himself for saying the Malfoys aren't nice people - and he was shouting insults at her!"

Harry covered his eyes as his shoulders heaved.

Ginny put her hand gently on his shoulder. "I understand, Harry. Can I help you?"

Harry turned. "You mean, with the curse?"

"Sure, that, and I think it's time you had someone to share your burdens with. I'd like to be that person, Harry."

Harry turned to look her in the eyes, but no matter how he turned or tilted his head, all he saw was the reflections off the mirrored glasses. Then he got a sad look in his eyes.

"You're already as good a friend as I have."

"Sometimes you can be very dense, Potter. You know I mean more than that. I've been giving you every chance I could. I've spoken with Hermione, so I know you've said you'd like more, too. What's the problem?"

Harry turned away. "I hated the way we were this summer, when the 'relationship' thing became an issue that drove us apart. Once we got back to school, though, things started to turn around, and for months now, everything has been great. We work together at DA and quidditch really well. The Hogsmeade day was the happiest I've had in years. We do the solo training sessions in the morning together and I really look forward to those. You haven't even needed them to make up for missed DA meetings, but I haven't wanted to call them off."

She smiled. "And don't you think I would have stopped them if there were some better use of my time?"

"So you see it too - we get along brilliantly. We play pranks together. We tell each other jokes, even jokes that are just for us. You've pulled me through when I've felt like I would fall apart. You call me on it when I'm being stupid, but you do it without being cruel. That's why I haven't ... done anything."

"If ever I heard a better set of reasons for a relationship, I don't know when. So what's the problem?"

"That's all so precious to me, Ginny, I wouldn't want to mess it up."

She put her fists on her hips angrily. Harry glanced back toward her and felt bad about appreciating the way the gesture set off her figure. He turned away again.

"Do I understand that you don't want a relationship because it might mess up our relationship!?"

Harry looked over his shoulder, then turned his whole body most of the way toward her, and gave a weak smile.

"Well, it sounds stupid when you say it like that."

"That's because it IS stupid, Potter! Harry, I care about you, and I know you care about me. I may even love you, and not just in the way Hermione does. She says she would do anything for you, but she just means to say how loyal she is. There are things she wouldn't do for you that I think about doing all the time. I hope you know what I mean. I think you do, because I see the way you look at me. Sometimes I think that you forget: just because you can't see our eyes doesn't mean we can't see yours."

"Have I been that obvious?"

"Yes, Harry, you have."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I love it. Everyone wants to be wanted, and I know you value me as a friend. I feel the same way. I know you want more - I feel the same way about that, too. Isn't it time you came down out of the monastery?"

Harry gave her a questioning look.

"In your mind, Harry, in your mind. You've been such an ascetic and so self-sacrificing. I know you have the weight of the world on your shoulders: I could help you hold it. And goodness knows I admire the way you've been giving up everything for others around here, but there's something left there in you, isn't there, that wants - no, needs, - to share some things that only some one special can share with you?"

Harry looked up at her and weakly nodded his admission.

In a low voice, Ginny went on, "And aren't I that person you need to share with?"

Harry's mouth felt very dry and he tried to lick his lips as he gave a small smile acknowledging that she was right.

"I want to give you any kind of help you need, Harry, and I trust you completely to do the right thing."

And with that Ginny reached up toward her sunglasses, grasping the stems on either side. She began to remove then, but stopped. Harry's heart was racing at the prospect of Ginny removing her glasses every bit as hard as it would have been if she were about to remove everything else she had on. He was even breathing deeply.

"Only promise me one thing - that you won't give up on us, no matter how bleak things look."

Harry blinked and nodded. "I promise."

She smiled at him. "I trust you, Harry - you have the strength to do whatever is needed."

Then Ginny removed her sunglasses. Her deep brown eyes gazed gently into his green ones. Harry peered into hers, losing himself in the depths of them and the wonderment in his own mind.

"Ginny!" he gasped breathlessly.

Harry knew he should turn away or close his eyes but he couldn't. This was a vision he had craved for too long and he could not yet bear to stop it. He felt Voldemort in his mind pressing as forcefully as he could to make Harry read her thoughts, but Harry was armed with the strength of Ginny's trust in him, so he easily resisted. Nothing could make Harry betray that trust. Harry took her in his arms, holding her close. She had to wriggle her arms a bit to bring hers up around him. They stood in the owlery like that for many minutes.

Finally Harry said softly, "I've waited so long to look into those eyes, and now, all I can think of is to close mine."

"Why is that, Harry?"

"It's better for kissing."

"I've always thought so. May I join you?"

"I think you should."

"Right then."

And they both closed their eyes and began tenderly to kiss. They lost track of time until the eleven o'clock bells rang.

Harry paused, gazing into her eyes. "Are you sure you want to get mixed up with me?"

"I don't think I've ever really had a choice, but if I could choose, I would - wholeheartedly. And you?"

"My only reluctance is that I don't want to drag you into any greater danger. You're a fool, Weasley, but since you don't seem to have enough sense to run away, we'll just have to deal with it. Everything already seems easier, though, not feeling like I'm carrying it all alone."

"You can always count on your friends to be with you, Harry."

"Lately I can't even count on them not to put each other in hospital."

"Well, let's see if we can't figure something out about that - together."

Ginny started to put the sunglasses back on, but Harry caught her arm.

"Not yet."

She smiled up at him. "Okay, Harry, but we can't stay away too long - we have to be in the dorm by midnight, you know, and I've had my share of detentions."

"Will I be able to see you without your glasses again?"

"No one must ever know. Everyone is sick of them, and I'm a prefect after all, and you're ... well, you're the reason everyone's supposed to have them in the first place. But if we can get somewhere that we're sure we won't be caught, then I'll want them off as much as you do, Harry - I don't want anything between us." Then she gave a coy smile and added mischievously, "And I'm not just talking about sunglasses."

"We don't have to sneak around about being a couple, do we? Erm, we ARE a couple now, aren't we?"

Ginny giggled. "I thought so. And no, you won't hear of me keeping us a secret. Shouting for joy is more like it - I can hardly believe I was letting such juvenile 'issues' keep us apart earlier. I'm just glad that I woke up to how much it hurts me to see you hurting."

Harry slipped his arm around her, and she put her arm around his waist, as they drew close to each other and headed down the stairs of the tower.

As the portrait of the Fat Lady let them into the Gryffindor common room, which they found already empty, Harry said, "You know, it occurs to me that we had better let Ron and Hermione know. They both get so worked up over whatever happens with either of us."

"That's true. Tell you what, I'll get Ron and you get Hermione and we'll meet back here to tell them together."

"What!?" startled Harry, uncomfortable at the thought of Ginny going through the boys' dorms to get Ron at this hour. Then the flickering candlelight revealed her mischievous smile. "Erm, yeah, you know, I can't go up the stairs for the girls' dorms. Maybe you should get Hermione and I'll get Ron."

Harry woke Ron up when he got back to the dorm. He didn't want anything to go awry and he knew how protective Ron was about his little sister.

"Mmf. Gerof me, Harry, there's quidditch in the morning,"

"Yeah, but not us; that'll be Slytherin and Hufflepuff."

"Well, we still have to get up in a few hours to run."

"This won't take long. Come down to the Common Room with me to talk so we don't disturb the others."

"Too late," mumbled Dean, throwing his souvenir West Ham football pillow at them.

"All right, Harry, all right," groaned Ron, standing up and pulling on a bathrobe, which he failed to tie.

Ron stumbled down the stairs with Harry and they emerged into the common room only to find Ginny dragging Hermione out.

Ginny giggled at Ron's dishevelment. "Right then, aren't they a cheery lot?"

"You reckon they'll even remember this in the morning, Ginny?"

"As long as we've told them, the rest is their problem."

Hermione yawned and leaned sleepily against the arm of a chair near the fireplace. Ron stretched as he walked over to the same chair and gave her a brief kiss - at least he tried, but they missed each other. He flopped into the chair and laid his arm across Hermione's lap and around her waist.

"Okay, ya got us up," he mumbled. "What's up? Didja discover a new use for dragon dung?"

"No, not that," said Harry. He glanced nervously at Ginny, who nodded to him to go on. "We're a couple."

Hermione yawned again. "A couple of what?"

"A couple!" he reiterated, "together! Like you and - No, we're not like you two, at least not yet."

"We'd better not be like that anytime soon, Potter," warned Ginny mockingly.

"Can it be just six months ago I thought they were such a romantic couple?"

"We're romantic," mumbled Hermione, "when we're not asleep."

"Yeah," agreed Ron, leaning his head back against the back of the chair and starting to breathe deeply.

"If you haven't noticed," slurred Hermione, "we have been a bit busy lately. And we were asleep."

"Ick, I hope we don't become a couple like that," laughed Ginny.

"We're romantic," said Hermione again, as if she hadn't already said so, "and we're very happy for you. Really."

Hermione slumped backward over the arm of the chair, sliding onto Ron's lap. Instinctively she snuggled against his body, with the fingers of her right hand sliding against his chest and becoming meshed into his wavy red chest hair, as he wrapped his other arm around her. They both fell comfortably asleep in the chair.

"Mind you," said Harry, "it wouldn't be all bad."

"They do look very content like that. It seems a shame to wake them."

"Yeah, they're fine where they are. We'll get them up for the morning run."

Harry looked at Hermione's left hand hanging out over the top of the armchair. Suddenly he started stroking his chin and got a mischievous look in his eye.

Ginny grinned. "You look like you're ready for a prank."

"Well, in my muggle life, kids always said that if you put someone's hand in a bowl of warm water while they're asleep, it'll make 'em pee in their sleep."

"Did it work?"

"I never tried it."

"There's one way to find out."

"It'd be sort of a research project."

"Oh, absolutely. Besides, I couldn't face Fred and George again if we passed on this opportunity."

"I'll bring the table over. Ginny, you get some warm water in a bowl."

Ginny found a bowl and poured some water from a pitcher. She used her wand to warm it as Harry slid a tall table under Hermione's hand.

"Why her?" asked Ginny.

"Two for one - she's sitting on top of him."

They gently raised Hermione's hand and slid the bowl underneath, then lowered the hand down into it. They had trouble stifling their giggles.

"How long do we wait?" asked Ginny.

"I don't really know. It can't be too long or the water won't stay warm. I think I'd rather be safe in bed before anything happens, though."

"Good idea. They may not even figure things out that way."

They stepped quietly over to the entrance to the stairs for the girls' dorms. They wrapped their arms around each other again, and shared a lingering kiss.

"I can't take the sunglasses off here, Harry, but consider yourself winked at," she whispered

"Wink received," he said, and winked back. Then each went up to their respective dorms.