Shadows

Chapter Five: Hades

Ginny sat under a tree in the front yard, feeding pieces of bread to Shikoba between bites of her own sandwich. He was quiet for now, thank goodness. She was enjoying her well-deserved break from him, legs stretched out ahead of her, her face tilted upward towards the unusually clear sky and the bright sunshine. Shikoba sang now and then, seeming to answer other birds that chirped as they flew by high above them. A cool breeze blew the red hair off her neck. She was tempted to go inside and change into the muggle clothing Hermione had given her...the 'tank top' and 'jeans'.

She threw another piece of bread in Shikoba's direction then leaned her head against the soft bark of the tree, closing her eyes and sighing contently.

Of course something would come to interrupt it.

"He really was the most difficult person!" exclaimed Hermione. Ginny opened her eyes, seeing Harry, Ron and Hermione in front of her, getting ready to head to the Burrow. They all had a frustrated look about them, as though they'd just spent the last hours slamming their heads into a concrete wall.

"Hey," she greeted, but didn't bother to stand up.

"Hey, Gin," grinned Harry, slipping his hands into his pockets. "How're you?"

"I'm good," she smiled. "Meeting go well?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "Yeah. Real well."

Hermione reached down and patted Shikoba's wings. "We're thinking about going to Diagon Alley, do you want to come with?"

"Yeah, come with us, Ginny," Harry said, grinning. "Maybe you can cheer us up."

Ginny laughed and opened her mouth to answer –

If you go with him, I will recite the Lady of Shalott, every word of it, nonstop for three days! Even while you sleep I will repeat each phrase passionately.

She stopped, paled. Closed her mouth. She desperately wanted to go with them...it had been so long since she'd hung out with them, the whole gang together. It would be fun, and she desperately needed fun.

Three days without a single break. She wouldn't be able to take it.

"I'm tired," she said weakly. "I think I'll just take a nap."

They frowned collectively.

"Are you sure?" asked Harry. The disappointment was clear in his voice. So was the suspicion.

Ginny nodded. "Yeah."

"Fine," sighed Ron, heading towards the Burrow.

Hermione laughed lightly. "Cheer up, Ron."

"Why should I? After dealing with Mr. Hades 'Git' Xylander, now I have to deal with Percy!"

Ginny was already on her feet, trotting after them. She ran around them, and then spun to face them. She continued to walk backward and tried to keep her tone casual.

"Who?"

"Hades Xylander," said Hermione. "He was a Death Eater the first time Voldemort was in power, but became a double agent soon before Voldemort fell. He worked with the Ministry afterwards. He's the one who wanted to talk to us, for Ministry records."

Ron 'humphed'. "Yeah, sure. Like the Ministry wasn't full of Death Eater spies before the second time around."

"You think he was still a Death Eater?" asked Ginny.

"We don't know anything for sure," Hermione said, glaring at Harry and Ron as though she knew what was coming. Sure enough, both boys had begun to nod their heads.