A Reflection of Himself

The days of spring continued to grow longer and warmer, and as the month of May passed, the students found themselves longing to go outside and sit beneath the shade of the trees near the lake, watching the Giant Squid as it moved lazily about the calm water. The days all were beautiful, with nary a cloud in the sky, and the air warm with a slight breeze. It was very unfortunate, however, that they were confined within the boundaries of Hogwarts. Without any trips to Hogsmeade, the students had become even more restless than was usual as the end of the year approached, much to the dismay of the professors.

Rather than lightening the load of assignments they placed upon the restive students, the teachers piled the workload ever higher. The expectations were even more stringent at the end of the year, for that was when final exams and O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s were scheduled.

Before they knew it, May had passed completely, and June greeted them, the same bright and sunny weather abounding nearly every day.

One day, while studying in the library, Harry glanced up from his paper on advanced techniques of Transfiguration and noticed that Ginny was gazing longingly out the window. Hermione had her nose buried in one of the many thick tomes she had piled two feet high around her, and even Ron was working diligently on his homework. Harry knew that Ginny was stressing about having to take O.W.L.s in just a couple of short weeks, and knowing how trying those tests could be, Harry sympathized with her.

"Ginny?" he ventured quietly, not wanting to disturb the others. Thankfully, they kept their attention focused on their work.

"What, Harry?" Ginny asked, her voice sounding tense.

"Are you all right?"

Ginny sighed. "No, hardly. Are O.W.L.s really as bad as everyone says they are?"

Hermione, having heard Ginny's question, looked up from the book she had been intently reading and said knowingly, "Of course not, Ginny. The O.W.L.s are vastly over-rated. Anyone who thinks they're difficult simply has not prepared enough for them."

Ron rolled his eyes and muttered something about "Miss Know-It-All," which Hermione chose to ignore. Ginny, however, was not convinced. She scoffed at Hermione's typical attitude toward schoolwork and tests and closed her Charms textbook loudly, shoved it into her bag, and stormed out of the library.

"Was it something I said?" Hermione asked innocently.

"No, Hermione," Ron retorted sarcastically. "Just the fact that you went on about how easy tests are. No one but you thought those bloody tests were easy. Right, Harry?"

Harry didn't want to become involved in a quarrel between his two best friends, so he quickly placed his things in his bag, stood up, and simply stated, "I'm going to see where Ginny went."

Before either Ron or Hermione could say another word, Harry had left the library and was headed for the Gryffindor common room. Upon stepping gingerly through the portal, Harry's green eyes immediately came to rest upon Ginny's form huddled in a chair near the fireplace. She wasn't reading or studying. Rather, her arms were crossed tightly across her chest, and her face twisted into an unpleasant frown.

"Ginny?" Harry questioned tentatively, walking slowly toward her.

"Harry, just leave me alone," Ginny muttered.

"What's the matter?" Harry insisted gently, kneeling on the floor in front of her, studying her pretty face carefully.

"It's just these stupid tests," Ginny spat. "They've got me on edge, okay? I don't know how you handled it, Harry... honestly. With all the usual stress from homework, not to mention everything else that's going on out there," she continued, gesturing toward the window, "the professors still expect us to take these damn things."

"Well, er..."

In all honesty, Harry wasn't sure what to say. There had been many times throughout the past couple of years since Voldemort had returned to power when Harry wondered how the professors could still go on assigning homework, teaching lessons, and giving tests when there were such horrible things happening in the world all around Hogwarts. Were they so oblivious to the problems outside the walls of Hogwarts that they simply thought they could go on living as if nothing outside had changed, like everyone was all right? Sometimes, when Harry had been upset with the reality of events, he had almost convinced himself that such a thing was true, but he knew that was as far from the truth as anything possibly could be. If anything, the professors at Hogwarts, especially those who were a part of the Order, were fully aware of the goings-on in the world outside of the castle.

Perhaps by keeping some semblance of normalcy within the school, they were proving that they would not allow fear to consume their hearts and minds into thinking that all hope for tomorrow's generation was lost, thus leaving them with the general negative attitude that asked, "Why bother? Why bother to keep trying? Why bother to to keep educating the next generation, preparing them for the adult world?"

Harry took Ginny's small hands in his own. As he held them, he noticed the small freckles that decorated each delicate finger, and he found himself smiling for having noticed such a small detail of her beauty. Then, Harry gazed into Ginny's deep brown eyes and said, "You know what you need?"

"What's that?" Ginny questioned curiously.

"A nice day outside. No worries. Just us... you and me... and the sunshine... perhaps a picnic. What d'you say, Ginny?"

"That sounds lovely," Ginny smiled a little, "but, Harry, I have so much work to do yet, and-"

"You still have at least two weeks before the first exam," Harry explained. "Yeah, they're challenging, but you're a smart girl. We're not all like Hermione, but your brother and I managed to pass. If we could do it, then you surely can."

"Well..." Ginny hesitated. "Maybe..."

"How about this weekend?" Harry asked. "And I know the perfect place."

"What place would that be?" inquired Ginny suspiciously, for whenever Harry spoke in that teasing tone of voice, she knew full well that he was up to mischief.

"Can't it be a surprise?" Harry asked, feigning innocence.

"Harry James Potter," Ginny said sternly in a tone that very much resembled her mother's, "you either tell me where you're planning on taking me, or you can forget the whole thing."

"All right, fine," Harry sighed. "It's in the hilly area just outside Hogsmeade..."

"Harry!" Ginny exclaimed, shocked. "But... but we're not allowed outside Hogwarts' grounds. You know that!"

"Yeah, I know... but I have my Invisibility Cloak and my map that shows all the secret passageways, after all," he grinned.

"I don't know, Harry," Ginny hesitated. "It's awfully risky..."

"Who's gonna find out? C'mon, Ginny... We've been kept locked in this castle all year like prisoners. We deserve a day of freedom."

"You're sure it'll be safe?"

"No one will know, Ginny. We won't even tell Ron or Hermione."

"I don't like this, Harry... but it would be nice to get out of the castle for a little while..." Ginny trailed off.

"So, you'll do it?" Harry asked.

"Okay, yes, I'll do it," Ginny agreed quickly, "but you had better keep this a secret from everyone and make sure that we're not caught."

Harry nodded firmly. "Don't worry. I will."

Harry had not intended to ask Ginny on a date outside the grounds, but in the moment, his mind had raced for an idea, and Sirius's story about the hilly area just outside the wizarding village had flashed into Harry's anxious mind. He knew it was a risk, but now that he had committed to taking Ginny there the coming weekend, Harry wasn't going to back down. Ever since Valentine's Day, he had been wanting to do something extra special for her, and he thought this was the perfect occasion.

The rest of the week passed uneventfully, and when Sunday morning came, Harry asked Ginny during breakfast to meet him near the humped-back witch at eleven o'clock, where Harry knew one of the secret tunnels resided that led to Hogsmeade. The candy store, Honeydukes, was not open on Sundays in the summer, and it was rather convenient for two students who wished to sneak off Hogwarts' grounds unnoticed to come up through the cellar of the candy shop. Harry had a small lunch already prepared and waiting in his room. All he would have to do would be to shrink it down in size to make it easy to store in his pocket as they sneaked out under the Invisibility Cloak.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan, and as Harry left the Gryffindor common room just fifteen minutes before eleven that morning, he didn't notice that Ron was watching him. During breakfast, Ron had overhead Harry telling Ginny to meet him near the statue of the witch, and much to Ron's confusion and suspicion, he wondered what his best friend had in mind for his little sister. Being the older brother and the only Weasley boy left at Hogwarts, Ron was naturally protective of Ginny, even if the boy she was dating was Harry.

Ron nearly jumped out of his freckled skin was Hermione's voice sounded behind him. "What are you up to, Ron?"

Quickly regaining his composure, Ron hissed, "Geez, Hermione. D'you have to scare the living daylight outta me?"

Hermione shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Well?" she implored. "What are you doing?"

"I'm watching Harry."

Ron continued to creep down the hallway, making sure to keep himself several paces behind Harry.

"And why are you suddenly so interested in where Harry's going?" Hermione insisted. "Don't you think you're being rather nosy?"

"Hardly," Ron muttered. "Especially considering that he didn't mention a bloody thing to me about what he's plannin' on doing with Ginny."

"What on earth are you talking about?"

Hermione had to lengthen her strides to keep up with Ron.

"He's meeting her in a very odd place, and if I'm not mistaken, it's one of those secret passageways that's listed on that map of his."

"But Harry wouldn't-" Hermione said disbelievingly.

"Are you sure, Hermione?" Ron asked. "I dunno. I wouldn't put it past Harry. When he's got his mind made up on something, you know he'll do anything to see it through, whatever it is."

"You're right," replied Hermione reluctantly. "Come on," she added hurriedly, grabbing Ron's arm. "We won't want to be noticed, so I'm going to cast a Silencing Charm and a Disillusionment Charm on us."

"A Disillusionment Charm?" Ron asked incredulously. "Those are very powerful and complex spells! Even half the seventh years can't do them properly!"

"I know," muttered Hermione. "Now, keep quiet. I'm going to cast them now, and we'll follow Harry and see what he's up to. We don't want him getting himself or Ginny into trouble."

Ron wanted to ask What about us?, but he kept his month shut as Hermione cast the two charms that would ensure they would be kept hidden from Harry, and they followed Harry until he stopped at the statue of the witch, where Ginny was already waiting.

"Ready?" Harry asked Ginny, casting his gaze quickly around the corridor, hoping no one was coming.

"Ready," Ginny said firmly, keeping the determination in her voice. She didn't want to back down now.

Harry nodded and then tapped his wand on the back of the witch and murmured, "Dissendium."

A portal opened in the back of the horrid-looking statue, and Ginny found herself gazing open-mouthed into the blackness below.

"After you," Harry told her.

Ginny cautiously stepped into the hole and disappeared into the darkness, followed closely by Harry.

"Hurry," Hermione hissed to Ron, "before it closes."

Hermione and Ron quickly followed Harry and Ginny into the secret tunnel, narrowly missing the closing portal. If they would have had to open it again, Harry would have surely noticed.

Little did any of the four unsuspecting Gryffindors know that Draco Malfoy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle, had been watching from behind a crafty Disillusionment Charm of their own, that basically made them blend in perfectly with the stone walls, the whole time.

While Harry and Ginny made their way silently through the tunnel, followed by Ron and Hermione, Ginny found herself gazing about the darkness in amazement. She had no idea that Hogwarts had hidden tunnels such as these. The air was musky and still, and she could see tree roots sprouting forth from the dank earth that served as the ceiling and walls. After a few minutes, however, some worn stone steps appeared, and Harry and she ascended them to the trapdoor that opened into the cellar of Honeydukes. Ginny kept reticent as they carefully exited the tunnel and made their way up the stairs to the main floor of the shop, where no one could be found. When no one was looking from the street, they slipped out the doors and continued to weave their way through the not-too-thick crowd until finally coming to the edge of town.

There lay the rolling hills that were covered with all sorts of trees that Sirius had told Harry about. It really was a beautiful and welcoming place, especially after being kept within the borders of Hogwarts for months and months. Once Harry and Ginny were deep within the forest, Harry removed the Invisibility Cloak and laid it down on the damp ground. They both took a seat on it, and Ginny smiled at Harry and spoke for the first time since leaving the castle.

"I have to say, Harry, that I'm impressed. This place truly is worth it, and wow, sneaking out of the castle like that!" She laughed.

Harry chuckled as he began to remove some sandwiches from the now normal-sized bag that he had packed them in. Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione was standing behind some shrubs about twenty feet away, watching the scene in front of them unfold.

"Unbelievable," Ron muttered to Hermione. "Harry actually pulled it off... sneaking out of Hogwarts and everything."

"Yeah," Hermione whispered, worry evident in her voice. "That's not something to be proud of, though."

"Maybe or maybe not," Ron replied. "He could have at least told me he was planning on risking my sister's life along with his own."

"Well," Hermione sighed, "maybe we ought to just stay here and keep an eye on them and make sure everything's all right."

"You mean just sit here?" Ron implored. "A part of me wants to deck Harry for doing this..."

"Be quiet," Hermione hissed. "Even with the charms, if you make too much noise, you might break them."

"Sorry," Ron muttered and turned his attention back to Harry and his sister.

A few minutes passed in peace, and as the picnic progressed, Ron and Hermione began to feel at ease. Harry and Ginny were eating and talking softly, clearly enjoying the summer day, but then a twig snapped, causing both Ron and Hermione to put their guard back up. However, the couple on the Invisibility Cloak-made-blanket were too engaged in their attentions on each other to notice.

Then, out of no where, it seemed, three black robed figures appeared, surrounding the couple on all sides. Ginny gasped, and Harry immediately went for his wand, but one of the robed figures was quicker. With his wand held firmly in his outstretched hand, Harry heard, "Expelliarus!" Then, before Harry could react, his wand had flown out of his hand. The figure who caught it laughed haughtily and pulled his hood down.

"Malfoy!" Harry yelled angrily.

Ron was already going for his wand and made to dash out from behind the bushes when Hermione tried to stop him.

"Ron, you can't!" she pleaded. "We have to go get help!"

But Ron wasn't listening. As he left Hermione's side, the charms were broken, and Ron revealed himself to the robed figures. Hermione was close behind him. Harry and Ginny looked at their friends in surprise, but before any of them could say a thing, Malfoy ordered, "Crabbe! Goyle! You know what to do!"

Harry was expected the two over-large Slytherins to tackle his friends or hit them with some sort of spell, but instead, they both pressed their right index fingers to the spot of the Dark Mark on their left forearms, giving a signal to the other Death Eaters. In a split second, several more robed figures appeared, completely surrounding the group of Gryffindors, and Harry realized that they were vastly outnumbered.

"What the hell are you playing at, Malfoy?!" Harry bellowed at Draco. "Fine, take me, if that's what your game is, but leave my friends alone!"

Draco smirked at Harry and shook his head mockingly. "Oh, Potter... you disappoint me. You made this only too easy. Surely bringing you to the Dark Lord will satisfy his desires very much, but if I bring your Mudblood and Mudblood-loving friends along for the ride, I daresay that will give him a very tasty treat. A very tasty treat, indeed."

Without another word, the Death Eaters drew in around the Gryffindors and took them captive, hitting them with Stupefy to elimitate any resistance. Then, they all disapparated.

The forest on the hilly area outside the village sat seemingly untouched, covered in vibrant sunlight on a seemingly perfect summer day.