PROTECTION ♞ h.p.

6. Shawdows of the Heart

Harry sat silently on the sofa, watching the golden flames dance in the grate. Ginny sat in her usual position next to him with her back against the armrest and her feet propped against his thigh.

They hadn't spoken much since they had sat down, which was fine with Harry. His jaw set, he'd replayed the events of the banquet over and over in his mind, each time growing more frustrated with his mistakes.

I should have known it wasn't Dean, he thought, his fingers absently caressing Ginny's ankle as he pictured his old friend leading her away. I should have seen it.

He knew Ginny was unintentionally the reason he hadn't paid enough attention. His infatuation with her had made him sloppy...had put her in danger.

Looking over at her, he watched as she took a sip of her tea. Her eyes were trained on the fire and she looked tired, still unsettled from the evening's events.

His thoughts went to when she'd broken down in her room. His guilt over allowing her to be so afraid surged to the surface and his grip tightened on her ankle.

Feeling the pressure of his touch, Ginny's eyes slid to where his hand was wrapped around her leg.

With a jolt, Harry realized where his hand was and pulled it away with a silent curse. Ripping his eyes from her face, he stared into the fire, avoiding her gaze when she looked up at him.

Shite.

Suddenly, someone began pounding on the door, throwing Harry's heart into his throat. He shot up from the sofa, his body tense and his wand flying into his hand.

Gesturing for Ginny to stay where she was, he crossed the room to see who it was. Peering through the eyehole he found Ron and Hermione standing in the hall.

While he watched Ron reached up and knocked again.

"Harry, open up!"

"Go to your room, Ginny," Harry ordered looking over as he felt her approach.

"But it's..."

"Go to your room," he barked in a tone that made her stop.

She saw the fire in his eyes, the way his body was alert with tension. The impulse to protest faded quickly, overridden by trust in him.

"Ok," she nodded before she headed down the hall, glancing back at him when she reached her door.

Harry watched her disappear inside before he turned back to the door. After the banquet he wasn't assuming anyone was who they appeared and he certainly wasn't going to let Ginny stay in the room when he was potentially outnumbered.

"Harry?!" Ron pounded again. "Come on!"

"What's your Patronus Ron?" Harry called, watching the pair's reaction through the eye hole.

"Oh, come on, Harry," Hermione said in exasperation.

Harry watched her step forward and glare at the eyehole with her hands on her hips.

"Malfoy would know the answer to that! Ask something else!"

Harry's lip curled up as she continued.

"Honestly, Harry! Ask us something only you would know not something all of Hogwarts would..."

"Hermione," Ron interrupted, pulling her back. "He knows how it works, let him think! And who would remember my Patronus anyway? It's not a terrible question. Malfoy wouldn't remember surely...it's really not that..."

"Don't you dare say that it isn't impressive, Ronald," Hermione interrupted, rounding on him. "Most wizards can't even produce one! A Jack Russell Terrier is nothing to..."