Harry Potter and the Wrath of the Fallen

Chapter 13: Lessons to be Learnt

The sky was overcast as Harry looked up at the ceiling in the Great Hall. He was thinking about all he had to do today, and was wondering if he had taken on more than he could handle with both his own studies and being a teacher.

Ginny nudged him from his thoughts. He looked at her and saw the question in her eyes.

"I'm fine, Gin. Just thinking is all."

Ginny decided to let it go at that. Harry was notorious for brooding, as he took the weight of the world on his shoulders. She would talk to him about whatever was bothering him next time they were alone.

 Harry gazed at Ginny with a quizzical look on his face. "Hey, Ginny, did you pick my clothes up off the floor this morning?"

"No, why?"

"I know I left them on the floor last night, but I couldn't find them when I got up." Harry shrugged his shoulders.

Ginny realised that her clothes had also been mysteriously absent from the floor when she had risen as well. She chuckled to herself. Harry Potter was often beset by strange mysteries, but this one seemed a little tame compared to previous years.

"What class have you got first today?" asked Harry.

"Defence Against the Dark Arts," answered Ginny, and Harry thought he saw a flicker of fear in her eyes.

"Are you okay, Gin?"

Ginny nodded slowly as she tried to suppress her fear. "It's just that I will be going to the classroom where so much of the torture was done last year. It was the Carrow's classroom," explained Ginny.

Harry turned and put his arms around Ginny, feeling the anger rise up in him momentarily. Those people, including some who still attended the school, thought Harry bitterly, had hurt his Ginny, and there was nothing he could do to ease her anxiety.

Ginny leaned her head on Harry's shoulder as she felt her throat burn and tears well in her eyes. She blinked furiously to clear her eyes, scanning the Great Hall and hoping nobody had seen her moment of weakness.

"Do you want me to come with you?" asked Harry, whispering into Ginny's ear.

Ginny brought her head up and looked at Harry. "Don't you have a class with the muggle borns now?"

Harry nodded, "Yes, I do, but it's a Herbology lesson. I was only going to introduce the kids to Neville; but that happened last night so I don't need to go."

Ginny smiled to herself. Harry would come with her if she wanted him to, and just knowing he would put her first was all she needed.

"I'll be alright, but thanks for the offer," said Ginny, leaning in to give Harry a kiss.

Again their kiss was accompanied by a few 'oohs' from the other students. Ginny looked around and noticed a couple of girls looking wistfully at her and Harry. She tried to suppress a grin as she thought of all that she had now, and how many others envied her.

Gawain Robards and Alicia O'Riley came walking towards Harry and Ginny as they stood up and prepared to head off in different directions.

"Are you ready, Ginny?" asked Gawain.

Ginny was confused by this. "Ready for what?"

"For Defence Against the Dark Arts, of course. Alicia and I will be observing today's lesson," said the Auror.

Ginny felt a wave of relief spread through her.  She kissed Harry goodbye, and happily followed the two Aurors out of the Great Hall.

Meanwhile, Harry strode down between the tables until he came to Neville.