Erised Revisited

7. Head Games

"Come in," answered Harry to the knock at his door.

The morning light showed every minute scuff and scratch on the brown shoes he was lacing up. He considered wearing the new shoes Ginny had given him, but the day's events promised to be grueling and the black shoes were just too dressy for Occlumency training.

The door opened and Professor Lupin entered. Harry could tell from the older Wizard's expression the visit would not be a happy one. Harry moved from sitting on the bed to the nearby desk chair and motioned for his guest to take the matching one from the matching desk.

"Good morning, Professor." Harry forced a smile even though Professor Lupin's mood made it seem out of place.

"Morning, Harry. I trust you had a good time last night?"

"I did actually. It was touchy there for a moment or two, but I got into the spirit of the thing and managed alright."

"Yes, you looked quite happy after dinner - which is why I put this off until today."

"Put what off?"

"We need to discuss Sirius and the handling of his estate."

Harry winced as if in physical pain. "Oh."

"I assume you know that the Black family was well propertied. Even as an outcast from his own family and a fugitive from the Ministry, Sirius had considerable assets at his disposal. Now that he's... well, he's gone, those assets have to be passed along. There are even more now. I have spent the last month attempting to exonerate him of the charges levied against him and have finally been successful. So now the holdings that were previously held frozen by the Ministry due to his legal status have been freed."

"He's been cleared? Now that he's dead? How is that possible?"

"It wasn't as difficult as you might think. Sirius was never actually convicted of anything. He was simply thrown in Azkaban as soon as he was apprehended, and it was hoped he and the events surrounding Peter's alleged death would be quickly forgotten. With the official acceptance that Voldemort has returned, your account of what happened at the graveyard is now legal record, including the details of Peter's involvement. As Peter is alive, then the charges against Sirius are at least partially false. The fact that Peter was openly aiding Voldemort makes it quite easy to believe that he was responsible for the other deaths that terrible day. Since Dumbledore and I are rather friendly with the new Minister, and Arthur has his new position, the rest was fairly simple."

"I see. So if he were alive, he would be free." Harry choked on the bitter words.

The older Wizard shook his head sadly. "Yes. I know. It's hard to accept. I'm...I'm not doing so well with it myself. I thought that perhaps if I could do this one last thing for him, it would get easier, but it hasn't. In fact, I think I'm worse. Unfortunately, we still have to address the business of his estate."

"Why do we have to? I don't want his money. It's ... ghoulish." Harry's words were quiet but angry. "I spent the first part of the summer with nothing to do but think about what happened and my part in it. I had little else to do but that. I don't want or deserve any of his property."

Professor Lupin gave Harry a hard look. "If the contents of a will are not followed then the holdings revert to the nearest living blood relatives, in this case, Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange."

"But it was Lestrange that killed him!"

Professor Lupin shrugged helplessly. "Wizarding law can be very convoluted on such matters. Over the centuries, it has evolved in such a way to aid in the concentration of wealth and power to a limited number of families, specifically pureblood families, sometimes to the exclusion of what one would consider common sense or fair play. In any case, if you and I, the only people named in the will, do not accept the document as written, then his property and money go to them. Though as a fugitive, Lestrange's portion will be frozen and held in trust for any descendants."

"Bugger that!"

The older man smiled thinly. "I find myself in agreement. So then, it seems that Sirius left everything to you and me to be split evenly. He also left a declaration that I am to take over as your guardian. You will have to continue to live with the Dursleys for your safety under Dumbledore's magic, but until next year on your seventeenth birthday, I will have legal rights as your guardian, at least in our world. That is, if you have no objections?"

"Of course not."

"I'm glad to hear that, especially since I've already taken it upon myself to move your half of Sirius' public monies to a vault in your name. It's actually right next to your old one. The new vault will be sealed until your next birthday, at which time you can do whatever you like with it. There's enough there to live very comfortably for several lifetimes. Or you can give it away, as I am told you have a habit of doing, though perhaps this time you might consider a real charity rather than a joke shop. I also have a scroll of parchment here charmed so that only you and I can read it. It has the location and passwords for the secret locations of various stashes. Some of these are what Sirius used while he was on the run. Taken collectively, it is a considerable amount of gold as well. You have immediate access to this money, but I would suggest that we leave it as an emergency fund, just in case... well, you know..."

Harry nodded in understanding. "I don't want any of it, but I want those other people to have it less, so whatever you say, Professor."

"Harry, if I am to be your guardian, perhaps, when we are not at school, you might call me Remus?"

"Alright - Remus."

"Then there are various actual properties scattered around Britain and elsewhere, two in Scotland, one in Ireland, two in Wales, one in the Bahamas, and three in England, which includes 12 Grimmauld. These I think we should hold mutually, as possible safe houses, again, just in case."

"The Bahamas?"

"Yes, I think that's actually where he hid after escaping from Hogwarts. While he was there, he used some rather unusual birds for post as I recall."

"Yes, they were very colorful."

"Not very subtle at all, but Sirius was never any good at subtle. I remember..." Remus's voice trailed off and he looked out the window. His mouth was twitching as if struggling not to smile. His eyes were moist.

Concerned, Harry asked, "Are you alright, Prof - Remus?"

Remus looked back to Harry and smiled feebly. "No Harry. Can't say as I am."

"I know. I miss him too."

"I know you do, Harry. You are luckier than I though. You have friends and that makes all the difference. Sirius was my last. I hated him with an anger that ate at me for twelve years. He had killed Peter and as good as killed James and Lilly. The only people who have ever known and accepted me for who and what I am. Friends like that are not easy to come by. And in an instant they were gone - all of them, three dead, one a traitor. For twelve damned years I was as much a prisoner as Sirius was. I had no friends, no hope, nothing. Then, on that remarkable night, one of those friends was restored to me. I don't know that I can describe what that was like, the utter joy of not being completely alone anymore."

"I think I know what you mean. I didn't have any friends until I started Hogwarts. I know what lonely is."

"I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to... I'm just an old man, full of self-pity."

"You're not that old."

"But I am. I feel it in my heart; old, tired, empty. What was taken from me was restored and then taken again. It's much worse this time, because he is truly gone. They all are. Though he was never a really good friend, Peter might as well be dead, and the others... I am alone again, probably forever."

"How can you say that? You were at the party last night. How many of those people shunned you? None that I could see.I had a revelation last night, and it helped me get through the party and even enjoy it. Everyone there was part of a family, my family, including you. So then, you can say that they were your family as well. Are any of them as close as you and Sirius and my Dad? No, not yet. But then there it is, the most important part, not yet."

Remus gave a weak smile. "You look so much like your dad, sometimes I forget that Lilly is in there too. She had quite a talent for knowing what to say during such times, seems you do too."

Harry shifted uncomfortably and decided to change the subject. "So I take it the new clothes are the result of the will?"

"Yes, it felt very odd spending the money, but it was necessary. You'd be surprised how much better the legal types treat you when you are well dressed. Sirius' cause took an immediate leap forward when I smartened up a bit."

"But if he wasn't cleared yet, how did you get the money?"

"One of the secret stashes. Once he was cleared, and I had access to the formerly frozen assets, I replaced what I had borrowed and then some. I really don't plan on using any more of it unless there is an emergency. I just want to keep it away from the Malfoys and that Lestrange woman."

"Perhaps we can think of a way to use the money in a way that would honor Sirius and hack off the Death Eater crowd. Say a Hogwarts scholarship fund for Muggle-borns or some such thing?"

Remus face broke into a genuine smile. "Ah, first you channel your mother's spirit and now you're showing your father's. That's a brilliant idea, Harry! Not all Muggle-borns have a Gringotts vault waiting for them. And it will, as you say, most assuredly hack off the other side. Sirius' ancestors will be none to pleased as well. He'd like that. He'd like that quite a lot."

They both stared off into space, smiling. Harry was imagining Sirius laughing at the irony. Harry figured Remus was doing much the same. After several moments Harry spoke, "It's a start anyway. Someday, they'll all get what they deserve."

Remus spoke quietly, his voice wistful, "Yes, they will. I should like very much to meet Bellatrix some day, or rather, some night, preferably during a full moon."

Harry felt a chill travel his spine. He shared the thirst for vengeance, but he still remembered viewing the transformation and seeing the ferocious beast that this man became. To think that it might be set upon a human was not something he wished to visualize. But is Bellatrix Lestrange human? Are the Malfoys? It was somewhat shocking to Harry that the mild mannered Wizard sitting across from him could harbor such desires. But then he thought back to earlier in the same night he had seen Remus transform when he and Sirius had been ready enough to kill Peter at the Shrieking Shack. Harry fixed Remus with a curious stare. The werewolf seemed to finally realize he had spoken his last aloud and colored slightly.

"Ah, sorry, Harry. I shouldn't have said that. Not really something a proper guardian or Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor should say."

"It's alright, Remus. I can't say as I haven't had thoughts along a similar vein. They'll get what they deserve, I'm sure of it, and we can both hope to play a part in making that happen."

A knock sounded at the door.

Harry answered it, "Yes?"

Ginny's head poked in and was obviously surprised that Harry had a guest. "Oh, sorry, Harry, Professor, I don't mean to interrupt."

Remus stood and smiled. "Not at all.We were just finishing up. I need Harry's signature on a few documents and I'll leave you to your...business."

Harry signed the documents agreeing to the terms of Sirius' will and the other associated legal matters. He and Remus shook hands warmly. As he watched his new guardian leave, Harry judged that as unpleasant as the subject of the visit was, it had done them both some good.

"Everything okay, Harry? Seems a bit solemn in here."

"We were just going over Sirius' estate."

Ginny's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh Merlin, Harry! I am sooo sorry. Here I am, bursting in here with such trivial nonsense. You probably want some time alone."

"No, it's alright. Really. What did you need?"

"You're sure?"

Harry nodded with a smile. "Yes, I'm sure."

"Well, Hermione is talking about trying some gender mixing in Occlumency training today. I was wondering if you'd be my partner."

"Me? Are you sure? Seems it would make more sense to pair you and Ron together and me and Hermione or Luna. Ron's been getting all the Legilimency practice. I've only tried it once. Have you done much with the Legilimency end?"

"No, not really, but I would just be more ... comfortable with you I think. I'm afraid of what Ron will do if he sees certain things."

Harry thought for a moment before the light came on. "Certain Michael or Dean things?"

"Exactly. You won't care about seeing that. Ron on the other hand is touched in the head on the matter."

Harry wasn't so sure he wouldn't care. "What about Neville? He's still here."

"I like Neville. I really do, but he doesn't have a stellar history with spell casting. I'm not sure I want him to point his wand at my head the first time he tries something new. Actually, that's not true, I am sure. Anyway, Luna has volunteered for that ...honor. She says he can't mess anything up in her head more than it already is."

"So you girls have all discussed this then? And Hermione is alright with having Ron as a partner?"

Ginny smirked. "Mm, I'll say."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. So what do you say? Want to have a go with me?"

Harry had a sudden light cough to contend with before answering, "Sounds fine."

"Great! See you in the garden." And she turned and left. Harry stared after her with suspicious eyes. The girls had obviously had quite a conversation about who would be partnering with whom today. He wondered what exactly he had missed by not using the Extendable Ears when he had returned to his room the previous evening.

*

As Harry stepped into the bright sunlight of the garden he saw Ron and Neville talking cheerfully. From the body language and hand motions Ron was still going on about Quidditch, but Neville seemed to be enjoying the conversation genuinely and not just humoring Ron. Yesterday, Harry had been so intent on using Neville to distract from Harry's birthday that he'd failed to notice the changes in the other teen. Seeing the both Neville and Ron together, it finally struck Harry how much Neville had changed as well. Not as much as Ron perhaps, but it was still very noticeable. Neville was no longer the frightened lad Harry had met in first year. He actually had some confidence in himself. He looked physically different as well as it seemed his nose had not quite healed straight from when it had been broken. This ruined the formerly cherubic impression his round face used to have and added some much needed character to his appearance.

Ginny had joined Hermione and Luna at the opposite side of the garden. The three Witches were whispering, giggling, and making discreet gestures towards the boy's side. Harry was amused by how much it seemed like an awkward adolescent dance.

"Morning Ron, Neville."

Neville waved. "Hey, Harry."

Ron nodded his greeting. "Morning, Harry."

"So, what's going on?"

"Just waiting for you, Hermione wanted to wait until everyone had a partner. See? Here they come now." Ron nodded towards the girls.

Harry looked to his right as the girls approached with linked arms, Hermione in the center, Ginny on the right, and Luna to the left. They seemed entirely too pleased with themselves. His suspicion of some female conspiracy deepened.

"Morning all," greeted Hermione sweetly. Ginny and Luna silently smiled their greetings.

"Morning, can we get on with it? I've got loads to do after we finish with this stuff today." Ron crossed his arms impatiently.

"Like what? You haven't bothered to do a blessed thing all week and now you're covered up?" asked Ginny. She looked at Ron as if she was about to slap the rude tone from his voice.

"Quidditchobviously! I wasn't Captain earlier. Now I am. I'm already a weeks behind with designing a proper training program for the team."

Hermione snorted. "I think this is rather more important than a game."

Ron opened his mouth to reply but then shut it and just gave Hermione a look. Whether he had decided the less he argued the quicker they would get done or there was no real way to win an argument with Hermione, Harry could not tell. Regardless, his newly Captained friend seemed to be learning. There may be hope for you yet, Ron.

Hermione glared back at Ron but seemed satisfied that he had decided not to press the issue. "You're right, Ron. We should get started. I'd like to try to mix it up a little today. Harry, you will partner with Ginny. Neville, you're with Luna. And Ron, you'll work with me."

Ron looked alarmed. "Wait! You said it was dangerous to mix genders with this stuff."

"It is for novices. I think we are all doing very well with 'this stuff'. The real danger is only to the person trying to block. If the Legilimens caster feels something is wrong they can stop."

Ron continued his protest, "But Neville hasn't been practicing with us. Won't that be dangerous for him? For Luna?"

Hermione answered calmly, "Luna is by far the most advanced of us. She should be able to easily block Neville since he hasn't the experience with this we do. No offense, Neville."

Neville smiled. "None taken, but I may surprise you. My new wand has allowed me to do lots of spells I used to have trouble with."

"Well, take it slowly for Luna's sake then. That goes for all of us too. Begin the same way we did it when we were all just starting, first with a shared memory that you discuss beforehand. Then move on from there. Don't try to block today. We still have a few weeks before school. No need to rush things."

The girls separated and headed to different areas of the garden. As Harry started to move after Ginny he felt a hand grab his elbow.

Ron's voice was in his ear whispering, "Let me know what you see of her and those two gits."

Harry did not bother to turn to him or ask which two gits Ron was referring to. Ginny had obviously been correct; Ron wanted to know about her and her former boyfriends. Shaking his head, Harry pulled away from Ron's grasp. He hoped Ron would take that as a refusal and not press the matter.

"Thank you," said Ginny with a smile as Harry approached her.

"For...?"

"For not agreeing to snoop for Ron."

Harry shook his head in wonder. "You and Hermione are entirely too perceptive of late."

Ginny giggled. "Feminine intuition.It comes on in the teen years."

Harry smiled back. "Well stop it. It's bloody scary."

"Speaking of scary do you have any memories in mind that we share that aren't? I'd rather do without reliving my first year of Hogwarts."

Harry snorted. "Last year didn't have too many laughs either."

Ginny's brow furrowed in deep thought. "I didn't see too much of you second or third year."

"There's the World Cup I suppose."

Ginny nodded her head slowly. "Yes, that'd be alright.

"Is that the only pleasant memory we share? How sad is that?"

Ginny started to grin. "How about a few days ago? At Madam Malkin's?That was fun."

"Yeah it was. Good thinking."

"And your party last night, you seemed to have fun then. I did too."

"Right, no one said they had to be distant memories. You're brilliant, Ginny!"

"You're just saying that so I'll take it easy on you. Which one first? And who goes first?"

Harry suddenly cringed at the thought of Ginny poking about in his mind for recent memories. Many of his most recent memories concerning her were about that he had been eavesdropping on her private conversations with Hermione and Luna. He really didn't want her to know about that. At the very least, he wanted to put off her finding out as long as possible.

He quickly said, "I'll cast Legilimens first. Let's try Madam Malkins, I think the party memories may be a bit too chaotic."

"Okay, let's focus on the part where I came out of the dressing room as you were saying something about not knowing what girls like."

"Right." Harry closed his eyes and remembered as best he could what had happened leading up to the moment when Ginny emerged from her dressing room. He opened his eyes to see her standing with her eyes closed and a small smile on her lips.

He raised his wand slowly and asked, "Ready?"

"Ready," she confirmed.

"Legilimens."He felt his mind rushing outward to meet hers as it had the one time he had tried it with Ron. However, when he felt contact it was immediately apparent that this was going to be a very different experience. When he had tried it with Ron, the contact was marked by a slowing sensation as if he were walking into a slowly deepening body of water. When his mind met Ginny's, it was more like an abrupt stop followed by the very strange sensation that his mind was splitting into several pieces, like clay being pushed through a sieve. This lasted for some time and Harry thought perhaps he was failing but then he seemed to hear faint voices in the distance. He willed his mind towards them.

"Ron, I'm going to say this one last time, I have absolutely no bloody idea what girls like or don't like." It was his voice, but it seemed to be echoing from many directions.

He opened the dressing room door at stepped out to see himself standing there fidgeting in the charcoal gray robe. 'He's just so bloody cute.'

What the -?! Who's cute? I don't think 'he's are cute!

'Get a hold of yourself girl. Given up on him, remember? Pfft, right. But he's still cute. Cute, my ruddy bum, he's beautiful!'

What the Hell is going on? Are these Ginny's thoughts?

Harry opened his mouth to speak, but it wasn't his voice. "That's not exactly true, is it, Harry?"

He looked back at himself. "What isn't exactly true?"

Harry tried to protest but, again, it was not his voice. "Did you pick those robes out yourself?"

"I did."

'Calm down girl. You can do this. Oh, those eyes. Stop it! Compliment him. Be objective like you do with your roommates at school. Hah! Easy enough to say,don't want to snog my roommates silly.'

Harry spoke to himself again, "Well then, you do know something about what girls like; you look absolutely incredible. The trim matches your hair nicely and the charcoal color really seems to bring out those eyes of yours."

'Yes! You did it! Good job! You deserve some chocolate raspberry crunch ice cream for that Ginny Weasley.'

Harry began to pull away and back out of Ginny's mind. He had not heard Ron's thoughts when he had been in his head and he was very curious to know what Ginny thought about it before he 'heard' too much many more of hers.

"Just relax Harry. Don't push it. I'm sure you'll do better next time." Harry heard Ginny say as he gathered himself with his eyes still closed.

Harry's eyes snapped opened in confusion. "What?"

"I said I'm sure you'll make it work next time. You just need a little more practice."

"But it did work. I saw you there. I mean I saw me there. I was you. Blimey that was confusing! I even heard your thoughts," protested Harry.

"But I didn't feel anything. I just saw the memory as I always do. You heard my thoughts? What were they then?" Ginny crossed her arms self-consciously.

Harry scratched at the back of his head. "Er, well, you were encouraging yourself to compliment me and then you said that you deserved ice cream for the good job you did with it."

Ginny's eyes grew wide and she started to blush. "Oh. Right. Well, you looked nice, you deserved a compliment." She paused uncomfortably. "No one said anything about hearing the other person's thoughts. That's a little too ...personal."

"I'm sorry, Ginny. I really didn't mean to. It just happened. I thought we would just see memories, like in a movie theatre. I didn't hear Ron's thoughts."

"It's alright, Harry. I know you would never violate a trust like that."

Harry gulped down a wave of guilt, and he vowed never to use the Extendable Ears again. "Do you want to stop?"

Ginny grinned mischievously. "And miss my chance at hearing your thoughts? Nice try, Potter."

Harry smiled at her tone but the corner of his mouth twitched nervously. "Same memory?"

"No. I think I want to try a little later. When Hermione was trying on the black robes."

"Oh. Bugger."

Ginny laughed. "Relax, Harry. It won't be that bad. Or will it? Did Hermione's dress cause that much of a reaction?"

No, yours did. Harry sighed with resignation. He was trapped so it was best to just get it over with. "Okay, whenever you're ready."

Harry closed his eyes and focused on remembering the scene in the dress shop where Ginny pressed Hermione to try on the black dress robes.

He only vaguely heard Ginny's voice, "Legilimens."

As Ginny had described, nothing seemed to happen. There was no dizziness. There was no sensation of someone pushing a finger into his brain as there was with Ron. There did seem to be a comforting warmth spreading through his being, but he put that off to the mid-morning sun. After a time, the warmth seemed to leave him, and he opened his eyes to see Ginny lowering her wand.

There were several moments of silence before Harry could bring himself to ask, "Well?"

Ginny opened her eyes and on seeing Harry, blushed furiously. "I didn't exactly hear your thoughts."

Harry gave a guarded reply, "I think I hear a very large 'but' coming."

"But I felt some things."

Harry shook his head slowly. "I don't understand."

"I felt your amusement with Ron at his reaction to Hermione."

"Felt it?"

"As if it had been me laughing at him, not you."

"That's kind of wild. Anything else?"

Ginny fidgeted before answering. "I felt your reaction to ... well, to me."

"Oh." Do I say I'm sorry? Do I try to play it down? Harry's mind raced through many more questions and answers and the awkward silence stretched into an agonizing eternity.

Ginny finally broke the silence with, "Maybe we'd better move on to memories we don't share."

Harry quickly nodded his agreement.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU LET THAT BASTARD KISS YOU!" Ron's voice roared across the garden.

Hermione shouted back. "YOU CAN'T - HONESTLY RON, YOU'VE HAD YOUR TONGUE COMPLETELY DOWN SUSAN"S THROAT. DEAN ONLY KISSED MY NECK!"

"ONLY KISSED YOUR NECK?! HE'D JUST BROKEN UP WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND! AND YOU LET HIM KISS YOUR NECK?!"

"YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE MY BEST FRIEND! I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO DO IT. HE JUST DID IT!" Hermione's voice was cracking with emotion.

"YOU SEEMED TO ENJOY IT! YOU SHOULD HAVE - BUGGER THIS ALL! I'M GOING FLYING!" Ron turned and stomped off to get his broom.

Hermione stared after him for a moment, her eyes growing moist. She sniffed once and then turned to go join Neville and Luna at the other end of the garden.

Harry turned slowly back to Ginny who was also turning back to him, both were wide eyed. Ginny was the first to react after the shock wore off. She put her hand to her mouth to smother her laughter. Harry was just over the shock of the loud argument and now he had to deal with the shock of Ginny's reaction.

"It's funny?" he asked incredulously.

"Ron is. Such a prat sometimes, that is, most times. I have to laugh at him or I'm libel to go kill him - slowly - for talking to Hermione that way."

"And you're not upset about Dean kissing Hermione?"

"Of course not. She told me about it last night after it happened in fact. Dean and I broke up recently, that's true, but really, we hadn't been seeing each other that long. And Dean's kisses are nothing to get jealous over."

"Do tell."

"I shouldn't. It's not nice." Oh, but you can tell Hermione and Luna? "But then, maybe I can show you," she added suddenly.

"Excuse me?!" sputtered Harry.

"Well, the next exercise, we are supposed to pick a memory that I have and you don't."

"You want me to see you kissing Dean?" Harry now doubted Ginny's sanity.

"You're the nosy niffler that said you wanted me to tell you why Dean kissing Hermione was nothing to be jealous over. Wouldn't this be more informative?"

"I guess," answered Harry dubiously. Part of Harry was glad of this opportunity. If Ginny was willing to show him this then at least some of his guilt over his use of the Extendable Ears could be assuaged. But then there was another part of him that wanted nothing to do with a memory such as that.

"Right then. Let's go."

Ginny's obvious enthusiasm baffled Harry. "Now?"

"Yep, right the Hell now. Come on in. The gray matter is fine."

Harry raised his wand slowly and took a deep breath. "Legilimens."

The initial entrance into Ginny's mind seemed to go smoother and quicker this time. The darkness of Harry's closed eyes suddenly brightened to reveal a secluded grove of trees. He was walking barefoot through the plush carpet of grass. Someone was walking beside him and he realized he was holding that person's hand. He looked over to see Dean Thomas smiling at him. In Ginny's rush to get him in here, he had forgotten that he seemed to experience her memories from her point of view. Perhaps that's why she had rushed him. Oh, no, no, no, Hell no! I am not going to snog Dean. No bloody damn way!

Harry tried to pull his way completely out of the memory, but as he started to drift out, he discovered he could halt his exit so that he had third person view point. He then discovered he could change his position and pan around Ginny and Dean as they walked as if he were a Hogwarts' ghost.

Ginny and Dean stopped walking and settled under a large oak tree. Dean was attempting to be sly about his attempt to sit very close to Ginny, but it was pretty obvious to Harry what he was up to. As Dean put his arm around Ginny, Harry's stomach tightened with something that felt like nausea. They snuggled closer to each other and the nausea grew. This was strange to Harry in that he had seen other couples kiss before and it had not bothered him. But something about this was simply wrong.

Dean and Ginny's lips met and Harry grimaced, but then something wonderful happened, Ginny grimaced too. It was absolutely amazing to Harry that Dean seemed to be oblivious. He just kept on moving his lips over Ginny's unresponsive ones as if he were the world's greatest lover and Ginny was the luckiest girl in the world. Ginny's expression implied otherwise. The wetness around their mouths grew until Harry simply could not watch anymore and decided to leave.

"So, was it good for you?" Ginny asked as Harry lowered his wand.

"Sorry?"

Ginny smirked. "Kissing Dean. Did you enjoy it?"

"So it was on purpose. You are bloody evil. Sorry to disappoint you, but I managed to back out far enough that I could watch from the sidelines."

"Pity. You might have learned how not to do things."

Something inside Harry snapped, most likely his already fragile ego, and he asked in a frustrated voice, "Do you really think that I need help with that sort of thing?"

Ginny was taken aback by the force of his reaction. "Well, no. I mean - I don't know. It's just that - You know most people could use..." She stopped and gave a defeated sigh. "I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to upset you. Just a small prank that I didn't think through entirely."

Harry replied quietly, "If you want to help me be a better kisser then maybe you should show me how it should be done, rather than how it shouldn't."

Ginny sighed again. "I'm afraid that's all I have, bad examples."

Harry stepped closer to Ginny and put his hand on her cheek. "Maybe we can come up with some good ones?" Where did that come from?

Ginny was completely frozen with shock. Harry's advance had taken her completely by surprise. It had taken him by surprise too. It felt to Harry as if he had not fully returned to his body after the Legilimens Spell. Ginny's small pink tongue appeared from between her lips and moistened them. She was attempting to be discreet about it, but Harry could not help noticing the action; his entire being was focused on that part of the world.

He began to move even closer to her, but motion in the sky interrupted his attention. Ron was coming in fast on his broom. As he came to a stop in front of them, the sickly green-white color of Ron's skin was unmistakable.

Ron swallowed hard and then spoke, "Mum's group was attacked a few moments ago in Diagon Alley. The guards are bringing her back now. It was Bellatrix Lestrange."