War and Passion

Chapter Five
The Promise

Ginny tried to shake off the depressing memories of her forth year as she sat on her trunk to lock it. She leaned back against her bed as she felt the wave of sorrow and heartbreak overcome her.

In the weeks that followed that fateful night, Ginny had tried her hardest to avoid Harry at all costs. She had submersed herself in her studies and rarely talked to anyone but Hermione or Colin. Hermione, it turned out, was quite the kindred sprit when it came to heartache. Ron wasn’t only a great prat when it came to sisters, his mismanagement on matters of love could rival Harry, and that was saying something.

Colin was also a comfort, spending hours with her in the library, keeping her company as they studied. It was there, immersed in books and parchment, that Colin had purposed the idea that finally pulled Ginny out of her shell. The Hogwarts Examiner. A school newspaper. She jumped on the chance. Dumbledore had loved the idea. Ginny was appointed Chief Editor and Colin was the Photographer and Creative Director. Ginny solicited the many shops in Hogsmeade for advertisement and used the money to fund supplies and printing. They set up two representatives from each house so the paper would be unbiased. Two months after they had pitched the idea to Dumbledore, they printed their first paper. It was a resounding success.

Suddenly, Ginny was in the spotlight for something that had nothing to do with her family or Harry Potter. Since she oversaw everything, and had final say on what was printed, she became very popular. People she didn’t even know were always coming up to her in the hallway pitching story ideas. It became so overwhelming she had to set up a comments box outside the room they had obtained for meetings and layout of the paper. Ginny found that she had a real talent when it came to managing people. It was a constant trial to get the eight representatives to agree. They were always bickering over who should be assigned which articles or whose house was represented the most on any given month, but Ginny handled it well. She tried to be fair and balanced. Eventually, everyone on the staff began to accept Ginny’s decisions and respected her for them. Ginny wrote an editorial every issue, as well as several of the more important current event articles. She would often find herself staying up late into the night editing and laying out the paper, with Colin working diligently at her side.

She still hurt over Harry, but she was so busy that the once crushing pain dimmed to a dull ache. Eventually, she had to grudgingly admit that Harry wasn’t totally at fault. He had made his intentions to steer clear of her painfully obvious, and she had pushed him. She had teased him at a time when he was stressed and vulnerable. She didn’t forgive him for it, but she understood it.

That thought brought Ginny back to the topic at hand, Colin. Since they had worked together so much, it had seemed natural to start dating him. He was a nice guy, and had grown to be fairly good looking in an ordinary sort of way. They got along great and never fought or bickered. Ginny was bored. How could she continue to lead Colin on when all the while she pined for Harry? No, she had to break up with him. He may hate her for it, but it was better than letting him continue to believe something that wasn’t true.

Ginny got up and checked her room to insure that everything was packed. Her roommates began to filter in from breakfast, and she was suddenly glad she packed early. The giggly girls in her year tended to annoy her, another side affect of being brought up around boys. With a wave, Ginny headed out to say a few good-byes before the start of the summer. One goodbye in particular, Sirius.

Ginny spent a lot of time in Professor Lupin’s office. If Ginny found herself having a bad day, she discovered that tea with Sirius was the ultimate cure. He would tell her stories of his youth and kept her laughing for hours. Professor Lupin once told her that her friendship with him, helped Sirius more than her. Something about Ginny helped him let down the huge barriers he had up since his years in Azkaban. Professor Lupin would often times join in on their evening conversations, and Ginny had formed a strong friendship with him as well.

Ginny knocked on Professor Lupin office door and it took several minutes before she got a response.

“Who is it?” Professor Lupin called.

“It’s Ginny, I came to say goodbye to Snuffles,” Ginny called back. The door opened to reveal a smiling Professor Lupin.

“Oh, come to say goodbye to the ol’ mutt, have you. Not a word for your tired old Professor,” Professor Lupin said as his large black dog growled at him.

“I came to say goodbye to both of you,” Ginny said as she walked in, feeling much happier than she had all day. That is until she noticed the other person in the room.

“What are you doing here?” Harry asked in a baffled voice. As Professor Lupin shut the door and set a locking charm to protect Sirius.

“I think you just heard what I was doing here. I came to say goodbye,” Ginny said as she turned to face Harry. He was sitting in a chair in front of Lupin’s desk. He stood to talk to her, his arms crossing over his muscular chest. Ginny tried to restrain herself from gaping openly at him.

“Yes, I heard that. But, why?” He questioned again, looking past her to Sirius who had transformed from his dog state.

“Ginny, comes to visit quite often,” Sirius said in way of an explanation. Professor Lupin sat behind his desk and Sirius flopped down in the seat Harry had just vacated, with an amused look on his face as he looked at the two teens facing each other across the room.

“Tea, Ginny?” Professor Lupin asked.

“How often do you come visit?” Harry asked, ignoring Professor Lupin.

“Often,” Ginny snapped.

“Why?”

“For your information, I happen to be great company,” Sirius interjected with a playful smile. Harry snorted in disbelief.

“It’s true, far better company than his godson,” Ginny flipped her hair as she said this, trying to ignore his piercing green gaze.

“There was a time, Ginny, when you didn’t mind my company,” Harry whispered as he stepped closer to her.

“We all make mistakes,” Ginny countered as she unconsciously closed the gap between herself and Harry. Her temper rising, her heart beating.

“Yes, we all make mistakes,” He agreed in a pained voice. They stood very close, breathing deeply, suddenly unaware of Professor Lupin and Sirius still in the room, as they faced each other.

“Right, well, how about that tea?” Professor Lupin asked again, snapping Harry and Ginny out of their trance.

“I won’t be staying. Sirius, Professor, I hope you have a good summer,” Ginny said, using her most diplomatic voice as she went to head out the door.

Harry had a hold of her arm in an instant. Ginny gasped softly at the effect his touch had on her. It had been so long. She took a steadying breath when he let go quickly.

“You don’t have to go, I just didn’t realize you visited here. I’ve never seen you down here before,” Harry said as he ran a hand through his hair. Ginny knew he had a habit of doing that when he was frustrated.

“I come down here, when I know you’re busy,” Ginny answered in a moment of honesty. “I’m sorry I lost my temper,” she added.

“It’s OK, I kinda like your temper,” Harry said with a smile. Sirius laughed out right.

“What is it with Potter’s and hot tempered Redheads?”

“Hey!” Ginny said, turning to Sirius in mock anger.

“I wish I knew, Sirius,” Harry said, only half joking, still looking intently at her. Ginny felt very vulnerable under his gaze, she had to leave. She would end up doing something humiliating if she didn’t.

“I really do have to go, I just wanted to say a quick goodbye,” She walked up and hugged Sirius who stood on her approach.

“Send me an owl or two this summer,” Sirius said as he pulled away.

“I will,” Ginny promised, then walked over and gave another hug to Professor Lupin.

“Stay out of trouble,” Professor Lupin said as she turned towards the door.

“What’s the fun in that, Moony,” Sirius chirped and Harry turned to look at him with the most baffled look on his face.

“Is he always like this when you’re around?” Harry questioned Ginny as she walked past him.

“Pretty much,” Ginny said with another smile at Sirius. She turned to Harry who was still standing there regarding her with an unreadable expression on his face. “Have a pleasant summer, Harry.” She walked out the door before he could reply.

Once she was down the hallway from the office, she leaned against the wall. That was the most she and Harry had said to each other since Cho. It was unnerving. If only he didn’t look so good. He was so much bigger than the Harry she used to know. He seemed to fill the room. He always had a certain presence about him, but now he seemed to radiate strength and power. As she headed back to the common room, she once again steeled herself for the conversation with Colin. Her little interlude with Harry proved what she had long suspected: there was just no getting over Harry Potter.

As the students piled onto the Hogwarts Express, Harry, Ron and Hermione headed towards one of the back compartments. Harry and Hermione both had the right to ride in the Prefect’s compartment, but opted to stay with Ron.

“Why aren’t you riding with your boyfriend?” Ron quipped as he opened the door to a compartment in the very rear of the train.

“Do we have to do this every train ride? I said goodbye earlier. I want to enjoy the ride home with my friends, he understands that,” Hermione said as she walked into the compartment followed by Ron and Harry.

“Give him a proper goodbye, did you?” Ron grumbled as he fell into a window seat.

“I don’t see to where that’s any of your business, ” Hermione answered airily as she sat in the seat next to Ron.

“What if I do think it’s my business?”

“Then you would be sorely mistaken.”

Harry was only half hearing the old argument between Ron and Hermione. He was lost in thought, about Ginny. He had been totally caught of guard by her visit to Sirius and Professor Lupin. It was true that he watched her often, but he hadn’t had a real conversation with her since that night. He was shocked at how much more mature she was. She gave off an air of independence and self assurance. He wondered why he hadn’t noticed it before. She ran that paper almost single handily. Harry was also surprised at Sirius’ attitude around Ginny. He was a totally different person. Ginny had always had an effect on Harry’s own moods, he never stopped to consider that she may have that effect on others as well. It was like she brought happiness and joy with her into the room, and everyone around was forced to respond.

It was a long while later that Harry was jolted out of his reprieve. He had shifted uncomfortably and accidentally knocked Crookshanks off the seat next to him, in a ball of hissing, spitting fur. They had worn their battle uniforms hidden under their robes. They hadn’t bothered to transfigure any of it. Transfiguring all their weapons could take precious minutes. Minutes they couldn’t afford to loose in an emergency. Harry’s scar had been burning for weeks. The Dark Mark was being spotted all over England. Dumbledore had insisted that they be totally prepared for an attack. Harry felt his gun dig into his hip and shifted again. He felt very apprehensive about their arrival at King’s Cross. There were hundreds of students on this train, an attack could be disastrous. The Ministry had people on alert, but no guards posted at the station. It was a common practice to keep general threats out of the public eye. In Harry’s opinion, a very dangerous practice.

“Why do you wear your hair like that every time we wear our uniforms?” Ron questioned Hermione.

“It’s the only way to keep it completely out of my face,” Hermione stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Harry smiled as he looked at her. Her hair normally hung in loose curls around her face, giving her a sultry look. Today, it was braided in two tight braids, the ends curling right below each ear. It was almost comical to see Hermione dressed in full battle uniform, with a hairstyle that made her look angelic and innocent.

“I like it,” Ron said as he reached behind her ear and tugged on one of her braids.

Hermione was about to reply when the compartment door flew open.

“You!”

Fortunately, Harry was quicker at throwing a barrier with his hand, then Ron and Hermione were at drawing their wands. Harry saw someone fly against the wall, a split second before Ron and Hermione’s curses hit the barrier.

In the next moment all three of them stood at the doorway to the compartment, looking through the Barrier at the crumpled figure on the ground.

“Figures,” Ron said shaking his head.

Harry felt his heart sink as he looked through the barrier. Ginny was going to be livid when she discovered Colin unconscious.

“What did you do to him?!” Ginny yelled as she came tearing down the hallway. Her voice was muffed by the barrier. With a wave of his hand, Harry dispelled it.

“This moron, jumped up on us?” Ron said to his sister who was leaning over Colin, trying to wake him up.

“He was upset, he wasn’t thinking,” she said sharply.

“That’s obvious,” Ron said as he looked down at Colin again.

“What’s wrong with him? What did you do?” Ginny narrowed her eyes at Harry as she said this.

“He’s just knocked out. He startled me, I threw the barrier a little more forcefully than usual,” Harry said with a concerned look at Colin as Ginny stood up in front of him.

“Just knocked out!” Ginny yelled

“Hey, he’s lucky Harry threw that barrier. If Hermione’s or my curses had hit him, he’d be in far worse shape,” Ron said in way of calming his sister.

“Can you wake him up?” She said with a concerned glance at him again.

“Yes, let’s get him in the compartment,” Hermione said as she looked down the hallway at the students who had gathered to see the excitement. “Ron, get rid of them.”

Ron’s huge form filled the hallway.

“SOD OFF!” his voice boomed past the students. It was highly effective, almost everyone was gone by the time Harry had Colin in the compartment.

“You didn’t have to be so crude,” Hermione scolded Ron as she checked Colin.

“You told me to get rid of them. I did,” he said as he closed the compartment door.

“Is he, OK?” Ginny asked as she leaned over Colin next to Hermione.

“He’s fine. Lucky, he doesn’t have a concussion,” Hermione said straightening back up. Hermione waved her wand, performing a simple rejuvenating spell.

Colin blinked several times. Then he looked around the room, his gaze finally resting on Harry.

“You bastard!” he yelled as he sat up and winced.

“Colin, this has nothing to do with him,” Ginny said calmly.

“You so much as admitted he was the reason you’re breaking up with me,” Colin turned to Ginny with a hurt look on his face.

“I did no such thing,” Ginny said trying to keep the harshness out of her voice.

“What other reason is there? Give me one, Ginny,” he said as he stood up.

“I will not discuss this right now.”

“Do you even care that she still loves you?” Colin hissed at Harry “Or are you too busy with that seeker slut, to give a damn.”

Harry moved to stand in front of Colin. "I would recommend, that you refrain from discussing things you don’t understand,” he said in a deadly calm voice. “I think you need to go cool off and discuss this with Ginny later.”

“I am not scared of you,” Colin said in a shaky voice as he looked into Harry’s cold green stare.

“Then, you’re an idiot,” Harry said without malice.

“I can’t believe you still love him, after what he did!” Colin yelled at Ginny. “He’s doesn’t care about you. Look at him, he’s a cold, unfeeling bastard.”

“Colin, you need to cool off!” Harry repeated in a slightly raised voice.

“So you admit it. You admit that you don’t love her.” Colin turned back to Harry accusingly.

“Colin, let’s go somewhere else and discuss this,” Ginny said as she stepped between Harry and Colin.

“Are you afraid to hear him admit that he doesn’t love you? ARE YOU?!” Colin yelled in Ginny’s face.

“How he feels, doesn’t matter to me one way or the other,” Ginny said coldly.

“You’re a lying BITCH!” Colin yelled again.

Colin was so upset at Ginny and Harry, he didn’t see Ron coming. Colin was slammed against the wall, seconds after the sentence was spoken. Ron’s large hands dug into Colin's arms as he brought him eye level with himself. Colin’s feet dangled off the ground. All color left his face, as he looked into the burning blue stare of Ginny’s furious brother.

“Did you just call my sister a bitch?” Ron’s angry voice questioned.

“Ron, let him down,” Ginny said forcefully.

Ron looked down at his sister, “Did you hear what this asshole just called you?”

“He’s upset, I sure he doesn’t mean it. You have to let him down,” Ginny reasoned with her brother.

Ron turned back to Colin, “I want you to apologize.”

“I...I’m sorry, Ginny,” Colin sputtered.

Ron let go suddenly and Colin fell to the ground with a thump.

“Get out!” Ron yelled at Colin, who was staring at him large eyed from the ground. When Ron made a move towards him again, Colin hurried out the door.

“Don’t you dare go after him, Ginny,” Ron warned.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He’s usually so sweet and mild tempered,” Ginny said as she looked at the door Colin had just ran out of.

“It’s like you said, he’s upset.” Hermione said coming forward. She put an arm around Ginny and both girls sat down.

“Don’t you defend him,” Ron snapped at Hermione as he sat across from the girls.

“I wasn’t defending him, I was just pointing out a fact,” Hermione said crossly to Ron.

“Ginny, he has to be the stupidest git, I ever met. Thank God, you dumped him,” Ron said as he turned to his sister.

“He’s not stupid,” Ginny said, defending him.

“Did you just miss the last ten minutes? He’s lucky Harry’s got more self control than I do,” Ron cast a glance at Harry who was sitting in the window seat towards the back of the compartment. His jaw locked, body ridged in contained anger.

Ginny spared a glance at Harry. She had been humiliated that Colin had dragged Harry into everything. She had spent the last two years trying to give off an air of indifference towards Harry. Colin had destroyed all her hard work, in a matter of minutes.

Harry had handled himself well, under the circumstances. Despite Colin’s accusations, Harry was not cold or unfeeling. Ginny had seen the emotions play across his face at the painful memories Colin had dragged to the surface.

Ginny, feeling the need to apologize, approached Harry, “Are you okay?” she asked as she sat next to him.

He turned to look at her, his green eyes unblinking, “Not really.”

“I’m sorry, I never meant for you to be dragged into this. I didn’t think he would react quite so...violently.”

“I almost hit him, you know that don’t you?” Harry’s voice rang with anger.

“I’m glad you didn’t.”

“Why did you break up with him?”

“It just wasn’t working. I never loved him. I didn’t think it was fair to keep a relationship going under those circumstances.” Harry turned away after Ginny spoke. He stared out the window for a while, before he turned back to her.

“Why didn’t you love him?”

“Do you really want me to answer that, Harry?” Ginny saw Harry’s eyes close as he took a deep breath. Ginny almost cried at the look of longing on his face when he looked at her again.

“No, I guess I don’t,” he whispered, as he looked away.

Ginny spent the rest of the train ride in the compartment with them. She didn’t really want to run into Colin again. She sat next to Hermione and Ron as they alternated between bickering and flirting. Ginny could sense an air of tension that she suspected had nothing to do with Colin. A feeling a dread seemed to fill the room as the conductor announced their arrival at the Station.

“Where’s your trunk, Ginny?” Ron stretched his arms in front of him as he spoke.

“In the other compartment, will you help me get it?” Ginny questioned. She knew her trunk was far to heavy to carry herself.

“Yeah, let’s hurry,” Ron said as he went to the door and waited for Ginny to lead the way.

Ginny and Ron were some of the first students to depart the train. They found Harry and Hermione already waiting for them next to their own trunks and pets.

“There’s Charlie,” Hermione said as she spotted his large redheaded form. Ginny was surprised to see that he’d gotten even more muscular over the past year. The crowd seemed to part for him as he strode purposely towards them.

“Where’s everyone?” Ginny asked Charlie as she gave him a hug.

“I told them to stay home,” Charlie answered with a look at Ron as he pulled away.

Ginny was about to ask why, when screams from the opposite side of the platform echoed past them. Ginny turned around and to see people running towards them. She strained her eyes to see what could be causing such a commotion. Panicked people ran everywhere. A few were Apparating away, but most seemed to be looking for their children as they left the train. A gap appeared in the crowd and Ginny saw what they were running from. With a feeling of dread she stared at the cloaked figures as they approached. Ginny turned in panic and gasped as she came face to face with four War Mages.

She stared opened mouth at Charlie, Ron, Harry and Hermione. Their robes lay discarded on the ground, revealing their Weapon cad bodies. The light glinted off the various knives they wore. She took in the muggle guns on their hips, the potion vials in their belts, the dragon hide that covered their bodies, and covered her mouth in horror. They were ready to face the worst nightmares imaginable, and they were going to do it willingly.

The four of them looked at her with concern, then Harry took a step forward. His scar glared at her from his forehead, a brilliant reminder of his roll in the world. He reached out and grabbed her arm with a look of desperation on his face.

“Stay down, Ginny... Stay hidden, no matter what you see!” He said fiercely.

She nodded, too overwhelmed with fear for them, to speak.

“PROMISE ME!” Harry pleaded as he squeezed her arm.

“I....I promise,” she stuttered as she felt the tears roll down her face.