Fan Fic and More

Posted: **Mon Mar 31, 2003 8:42 pm**

Sorry about the dry-spell. It's been hectic in my real-life. I won't even go there ... you don't come here for reality, you come here for fic! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> Hope my writing isn't too rusty ... *** Chapter 24 - Restless Ginny spent the night restless, tossing and turning on top of the mound of blankets she had been using as a bed. She fluffed her sunken pillow a couple of times and sighed. The little sleep she had gotten in the past few hours were riddled with nightmares of a courtroom, where Lucius Malfoy sat on the stand, being bombarded with a barrage of allegations, which he repelled with the ease of someone swatting away a gnat. In the end, he paraded out of the courtroom, a free man, while her mother wept in Bill’s arms and Charlie was hauled off in restraints for trying to hex Mr. Malfoy as he departed. She herself stood at the back of the room, screaming that Malfoy was a dirty, rotten fraud, but no one heard her cries. For all her mouth moved, she remained mute. Aside from her own uneasiness, the rest of the room was relatively still. Hermione’s rhythmic breathing and Ron’s subtle wheezing broke the silence. She looked over to Harry’s makeshift bed. He was motionless and slept noiselessly. Ginny wondered for a brief moment if he was even breathing. She suddenly got the urge to scoot over to him and shake him, just to make sure, but as if in response to her concern, he shifted and Ginny let out a breath of relief. The moonlight bathed the room in a soft glow. Ginny leaned to her side and took in the surroundings. The four of them, sprawled out across the floor, looked like some odd lot of indoor campers or a flock of wingless birds, nesting in moth-eaten blankets. She glanced to the window. I wish I were a bird, she thought whimsically. I’d fly out of here for a little while. “What did you say?” a hoarse voice whispered. Ginny clamped her hand over her mouth. Did I say that out loud? she wondered. “Nothing … go back to sleep,” murmured Ginny, blushing furiously in the dark. But Harry was already awake. “Can’t sleep?” he asked, moving around so his “nest” was beside Ginny’s. “Uh-uh,” admitted Ginny. “I keep dreaming about that maggot, Malfoy, and how he’ll worm his way out of trouble for killing Dad.” She hugged her knees up to her chest and held them in tightly. She felt an arm wrap around her shoulder and she relaxed. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said, wrapping both her arms around Harry’s middle and curling towards him. *** The next morning, they all enjoyed a breakfast of real toast. Hermione was delighted to discover that Sirius had not only sent more food, he’d also sent a toaster. “You forget how little things make such a big difference,” sighed Hermione, biting into a browned slice of bread. “No you don’t,” mumbled Ron, stretching his arms. “I’m constantly remembering. I’d give anything to have a go on a broomstick. I can see a clearing, off past those buildings.” He pointed out the window. “Looks brilliant for Quidditch … what do you say, Harry? You on?” “Don’t I wish,” said Harry, buttering a slice of freshly toasted bread for himself. “Guess we’re all getting a bit fidgety,” he said, looking over at Ginny, who was reclined on the couch. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take,” Ron groaned as he paced the floor. “Either something’s done about Malfoy or I’m going to take matters into my own hands. If the Ministry can’t handle this situation, then bugger them. I’ll …” “You’ll what?” said Hermione, tossing down her toast. “Get yourself killed?” She’d gone white as a sheet. “Lot of good that’ll do. We need to let them manage things.” “And a spanking good job … they’ve done … at managing things thus far,” said Ginny through a series of yawns. She didn’t condone her brother going off on a vigilante pursuit of Lucius Malfoy, but she also didn’t hold with the Ministry’s method of managing things. “I think we all feel shut out from the rest of the world. Like we aren’t doing anything to help,” said Hermione sagely. Harry nodded. He looked over at Ginny again. “We are feeling helpless,” Ginny said, almost to herself. “But we aren’t helpless,” said Harry, walking towards her. "Are we?" Ginny suddenly wished Ron and Hermione would disappear. Harry was treading on very personal ground – ground she didn’t wish to share with the two of them. She loved them both, but these were ties she shared with Harry alone. After all, he was the one who had helped her realize that she wasn’t helpless – he had helped her believe in her own strength. Ron wasn’t going to vanish, nor was Hermione, but neither of them paid much attention when Harry took a seat beside Ginny on the sofa. “I wish we had access to the WWN,” said Hermione. “Getting the Prophet from Sirius is nice, but having up-to-the-minute reports might ease some of our tension.” “Why not ask, then?” said Ron. “Ask?” said Hermione, as if Ron had spoken in gobbledygook. “What do you mean, ask?” “You know,” Ron said in a sarcastic voice. “Ask … inquire … request. Access to the WWN.” “Ask whom?” said Hermione brusquely, clearly annoyed by his tone. “Sirius,” replied Ron flatly. “Race you to the fire.” With that, Ron took off downstairs, with Hermione huffing after him. Ginny reclined into Harry’s lap. She looked up into his eyes, which were sparkling with amusement. “Did I mention that I’m glad you’re here?”

Posted: **Wed Apr 02, 2003 2:13 am**

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> Yay! You're back.... I missed you. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> <blockquote>Quote:<hr>Ginny reclined into Harry’s lap. She looked up into his eyes, which were sparkling with amusement. “Did I mention that I’m glad you’re here?”<hr></blockquote> Did I mention that I LUBS this fic? <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> -Col. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://images.snapfish.com/336%3B4%3B99 ...  Coming June 21st! <a href="http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?stor ... =1">"After the End"</a> - The HP Fic to Beat All Fics!</div>

Posted: **Wed Apr 02, 2003 3:53 pm**

Did I mention that I LUBS you, Col?? <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/Grin_anim.gif ALT=":grin"> I do! And please, keep encouraging me. I know that sounds selfish, but RLS has me so discouraged of late. It's terrible. I need to start daily affirmations or something ... just not the kind posted at Draco's Quill yesterday! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/lol.gif ALT=":lol">

Posted: **Thu Apr 03, 2003 1:47 am**

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love">

Posted: **Thu Apr 03, 2003 8:31 pm**

Chapter 25 – Media Frenzy Author’s Note: It’s no surprise that this chapter was inspired by current events and the bombardment of media coverage we Americans are getting these days. *** “Once or twice,” said Harry, in reply to Ginny’s question, as he smoothed several errant strands of red hair from her forehead. “Well, I am,” Ginny sighed. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Harry scooped his arms around her, tugging her so she was eye-level with him. “There’s no where else I’d rather be,” he said softly, then kissed her gently on her freckled nose. Ginny smiled and mimicked his gesture. She giggled louder than she’d meant to when his glasses slipped down the bridge of his nose. “Shh,” he whispered. “They,” he said gesturing to the doorway that led downstairs, where Ron and Hermione were, “might decide to come back up here.” He yanked his glasses from his face and tossed them light-heartedly on the side table. He said in an even lower voice, “Who needs those anyhow? They’re just getting in the way.” Ginny laughed out loud once again and found that Harry’s method of quieting her giggles involved some very clever mouth-to-mouth tactics. She did not object to his technique in the least, however. Just when she had managed to forget where they were or whom they were with, the booming voice of her brother shook her back to reality. “HE SAID YES!” roared Ron proudly. He stood in the doorway with his arms crossed, looking pleased as punch. He didn’t even seem to notice that the two people on the couch had scrambled back into normal seated positions at his boisterous arrival and were busy ironing out the rumples in their clothing with their hands. Hermione, who stood behind him, shaking her head furiously, had cast an eye at the scene on the sofa, but courteously ignored it. Ginny, who had been taken aback by Ron’s energetic entrance into the room, muttered stupidly, “Who said yes?” “Sirius,” said Harry in her ear. “Oh, that’s right,” said Ginny. She gazed at the wide grin on her brother’s face. What did he ask Sirius for again? A toaster? No, we’ve got one of those … oh, bother … I’m turning into a howling nutter … the WWN … Ron wanted access to … “The WWN,” said Ron in a voice swollen with pride. “Yes, you can both thank yours truly. Soon, we’ll get ‘round-the-clock coverage of all the wizarding news, including reports from the court proceedings involving the ferret senior himself, Lucius Malfoy.” A glint of madness flashed in his eyes and Ginny felt a chill dance down her backbone. “I don’t know if I want ‘round-the-clock coverage of all that,” said Ginny quietly. “Sounds like a bit much to me.” “Well, I want to know what’s going on,” said Ron. “If we’ve got to be shut up in this hellhole for what seems like all eternity, I’d like to know what’s going on with the slimy git who … who killed Dad.” His voice had begun to falter there for a moment, but he drew in a sharp breath and continued. “It’s the least we deserve, to be kept well-informed.” “Sirius was keeping us well-informed,” protested Ginny. “With stale news from the Daily Prophet?” said Ron. “The news is ever-changing … with the WWN, we won’t miss a thing.” “Jolly good,” sniffed Ginny. “Excuse me if I don’t jump for joy at the prospect of listening to constant news coverage of my father’s murder.” She fought hard to keep her tear ducts from exploding. Ron’s expression changed. A frown tugged at his mouth and he reached out a hand to his sister. “Our father," he said softly. "And I’m not excited about hearing that over and over … I just feel locked out of life right now. It’s like a bleeding parallel universe we’re trapped in here … now at least, we’re getting a link. It’s like we’ll be one step closer to … to our normal existence.” “Trouble is,” Ginny said quietly, “we’ll never have a normal existence again … Dad’s gone, Ron. He’s gone and no matter what they do to Malfoy and the rest of the Death Eaters … no matter what they do to them, we’ll never have our old life back. We can’t ever go back to normal.” Harry sat beside her, silent. Ginny had wished for years that she and Harry would have things in common with one another … she remembered dreaming the summer before her first year at Hogwarts that he’d stroll up to her while she was de-gnoming the garden and casually ask her something like, Have you heard the Weird Sisters' new album? And she’d offhandedly reply, Sure … Kirley McCormack is wicked on guitar. Then she would say something like, Isn’t it better to have a bat as a Quidditch mascot than say a cannon? And Harry’d reply, Yeah, especially one who’s batty about butterbeer. She could distinctly remember having about a million of those fanciful conversations with him in her mind, but she had never in a million lifetimes ever wanted to be able to relate to Harry about the loss of a parent. And now that’s where she had found herself … finding a connection through a loss. They’d never really spoken about it. Harry had never said to Ginny, My dad’s dead … your dad’s dead … let’s commiserate. Ginny had never replied, My mum’s still alive, but we can still have a pity party. Such things needn’t be communicated in words. Ginny needed comfort. Her wound was fresh. Harry’s loss was a way of life for him. Ginny’s was new. Every day was a challenge in dealing with it … in making it fit into life … in figuring out how to go on living when her father would not. Her life – her family’s life – could never be normal again. Everyone had kept silent all the while Ginny had been thinking. Finally, Ron spoke. “How about a compromise?” Hermione’s ears perked up at this gesture of negotiation. She gave Ron a satisfied look. Ron continued. “We keep all news coverage downstairs … if you want to hear it, you can come down, but if you don’t, you have the freedom to roam about the flat without worry that you’ll be shelled with breaking news every five minutes. Does that sound fair?” “M-hmm,” Ginny said, nodding. “Sounds reasonable to me.” *** In the days that followed, Ginny saw little of Ron. He spent nearly all his waking hours with his ear to the wireless. Both Hermione and Harry spent time down there with him, but Ginny chose to avoid it altogether. “I’m just not ready,” she had told Harry when he returned and Hermione took a turn with Ron. “I don’t want to hear it right now. If they’re dragging Lucius Malfoy in shackles to Azkaban, let me know, otherwise … I’m just not ready to hear the media frenzy.” “It’s a bit ridiculous,” Harry said to her. “They do these interviews with random people they think can shed light on things … there was this insane one with the Malfoy’s nanny …” “Oh, because the general public needs to know how often little Draco’s nappy was changed,” said Ginny dryly. Harry snorted. “And it’s the journalist’s duty to notify wizards and witches everywhere that wee Malfoy was a colicky tot and screamed like a banshee for the first eighteen months of his life.” Ginny smirked. “No, did she really say that?” “I swear she did … on my Firebolt.” “Ooh, she’s as good as dead, isn’t she? I hope they have her in some kind of witness protection program.” Before Harry could answer, the door swung ajar. “You didn’t want an update until there was something worth hearing, Gin? Well, have I got something for you,” said Ron. Ginny found it difficult to read the emotion in Ron’s expression – whether he was pleased or distressed. He looked flushed and his eyes were wide. She slid forward, to the edge of her seat, and waited expectantly for the breaking news. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.cliphoto.com/potter/ronslugs ... </div> <div style="text-align:center">And you thought you were having a bad day??</div>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub129.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsr ... boo1974</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon/shield_05[1].jpg" BORDER=0> at: 4/3/03 6:37:37 pm

Posted: **Fri Apr 04, 2003 3:15 am**

<blockquote>Quote:<hr>Ginny laughed out loud once again and found that Harry’s method of quieting her giggles involved some very clever mouth-to-mouth tactics. She did not object to his technique in the least, however.<hr></blockquote> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/lol.gif ALT=":lol"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/lol.gif ALT=":lol"> <blockquote>Quote:<hr>she remembered dreaming the summer before her first year at Hogwarts that he’d stroll up to her while she was de-gnoming the garden and casually ask her something... She could distinctly remember having about a million of those fanciful conversations with him in her mind...<hr></blockquote> Wow... how funny... I can remember doing that all the time when I was younger too... I'd imagine countless conversations with whomever I'd had a crush on at the time! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/lol.gif ALT=":lol"> Very cool. Great part... please post more. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> -Col. Oh, and PS - love the new sig. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://images.snapfish.com/336%3B4%3B99 ...  Coming June 21st! <a href="http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?stor ... =1">"After the End"</a> - The HP Fic to Beat All Fics!</div>

Posted: **Fri Apr 04, 2003 11:15 am**

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love">

Posted: **Fri Apr 04, 2003 8:11 pm**

Keep the <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> coming ... I'm feeling it! *** Chapter Twenty-Six - Clarity Author’s Note: This chapter was very heavily influenced by an episode of Angel from season one, entitled Blind Date. So great was the influence that I saw fit to nab and twist some of the dialogue from that episode to suit my purpose. Just so you know. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> I’ll give partial writing credit to the writer of that episode, Jeannine Renshaw. *** The look on Ron’s face became more decipherable the longer Ginny looked at it. And the expression of worry that was drawn in Hermione’s furrowed brow and down-turned mouth clarified matters – this was not going to be good news. “That bastard was acquitted,” growled Ron. His face was scarlet. “It was a hung jury,” added Hermione. Ginny gaped. “When was a trial date even set?” asked Harry, astounded. “And why didn’t Sirius tell us … I don’t understand.” Hermione shrugged her shoulders. “You know Mr. Malfoy … I’m sure he had some sleazy lawyer representing him … someone well-versed in devious legal maneuvering … and the judge was probably in his back pocket, not to mention the jurors. He probably had the trial moved up so he could get on with his dirty work for You-Know-Who … it probably doesn’t do to be tied up in legal proceedings when you’re a agent of evil.” “Then maybe Sirius didn’t know about the trial,” said Harry. “I didn’t,” said a voice from the stairs, behind where Hermione and Ron were standing. “Sirius!” exclaimed Hermione and Ginny together. “Hello, girls … Harry … Ron,” said Sirius. He ushered Hermione and Ron all the way into the room and tossed off a charcoal-colored traveling cloak. “I figured you’d hear about the ‘Whirlwind Trial,’ as they’ve affectionately dubbed it on the WWN, before I got here. It’s utterly laughable – blatantly and unashamedly mishandled. The corruption at the Ministry is at a record high. They don’t even attempt to cover things up anymore. And the newspaper article headlining the Evening Prophet that just came out … I didn’t even bring it with me. It’s an insult to your entire family.” He looked at Ron and Ginny, then continued. “Death Eater activity is at an all-time high, as well. With the exception of what happened to your father, it was just little things cropping up here and there before … like ripples before a tidal wave. But now the Order is receiving reports of crimes against Muggles that just cannot be linked to other Muggles. It’s the work of Dark wizards, no doubt about that, and the Ministry is conveniently looking the other way. A young Muggle woman, about no more than twenty years old was found dead last night. The Muggle police are baffled … they say they can’t find a cause of death. She was bruised and battered, but none of her injuries were severe enough to have killed her. Our sources, however, have stated Avada Kedavra was the cause of death – after some sick Death Eater had his way with her, that is.” Ginny blanched. “That’s just sick,” she whispered. “I could go on and on with incidents over the past few days, but I’ll spare you,” said Sirius in a somber voice. “How can we fight evil if the Ministry is going to turn a blind eye to it?” asked Harry in frustration. Ginny watched him push his hair from his face in annoyance and a part of his scar was revealed. We both have such a personal stake in this battle now, she thought. “He’s guilty,” Ron spat. “That son of a … he’s guilty, damn it! He murdered my dad and he’s going to pay. If the Ministry won’t make him …” Hermione grabbed his arm to calm him down. Sirius raised his hand to stop him. “You’ll what, Ron? You’ll make him pay?” Ron gritted his teeth. “Maybe he should,” said Harry quietly. “And who are you to tell him not to?” “I guess that’s a fair argument. Who am I to tell you not to, Ron? But who are you, Harry, to back him up in his vendetta?” “I’m his best friend, that’s who I am … and vendetta? You call this just a vendetta? Ginny and Ron – they’ll never see their father again, thanks to Lucius Malfoy. It’s a bit more than a vendetta, Sirius! They deserve justice, and if the Ministry won’t give it to them, maybe they should go out and get it for themselves.” Harry’s voice was angry. Ginny didn’t recall ever hearing such a acid tone come out of his mouth – not even at school when he was speaking to or about Draco Malfoy. “Harry … stop,” said Ginny. “It’s not Sirius’ fault. And Ron … you calm down, too … Dumbledore … he’ll find a way … to make it right.” She blinked her eyes several times, struggling to keep the moisture back. “I couldn’t stand it if I lost you, too.” Ron enveloped Ginny into a rib-crushing hug. “You won’t lose me, too, Gin.” He patted her hair gently and let her go. “It’s just this world right now … it’s structured for power – Dark power – not goodness. Not truth. It gets me so mad. Harry’s right. We deserve justice, but we’re not going to get it. Not now. Not when there’s no guilt … no torment … no consequences.” “I’m not holding anything against you,” said Sirius calmly. “Harry was also right when he asked who was I to tell Ron not to go out for revenge … I feel just as livid about all this as you do. And my first inclination is always to strike first and ask questions later, but that’s not a smart thing to do. You’ll survive a lot longer in this world if you learn not to act on impulses. And pardon me for not wanting my godson’s best friend snuffed out for acting on an impulse.” “I know you’re right,” said Ron grudgingly. “But it’s like we’re going backwards instead of forwards … this whole sodding world is turned upside down and who’s doing a thing about it? Sometimes I feel like if I don’t do something, no one will.” Hermione gripped Ron’s hand tightly. Ginny noticed how torn she looked. Hermione didn’t like to hear Ron talk that way anymore than she did, but years of experience had taught her to allow him some time to cool down after sudden outbursts of extreme emotion. “You and I are a great deal alike, do you know that?” said Sirius warmly, clapping Ron’s shoulder. He drew in a heavy breath. “I do come bearing some positive news, though,” he said after a moment. “You’ll all be leaving here soon.” “Oh, what a relief,” said Ginny. “Will we get to see Mum … and my brothers?” “Yes,” said Sirius, smiling at the brightness in Ginny’s brown eyes. “You’ll get to see your family.” “Where are we going?” asked Harry. “Hogwarts,” replied Sirius. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://www.cliphoto.com/potter/ronslugs ... </div> <div style="text-align:center">And you thought you were having a bad day??</div>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub129.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsr ... boo1974</A> <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon/shield_05[1].jpg" BORDER=0> at: 4/4/03 6:28:58 pm

Posted: **Sat Apr 05, 2003 2:04 am**

&$#@% Malfoy... argh!!! I've always loved Ron's temper... you captured it wonderfully here. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> and I love that Sirius can identify with Ron... Glad they're going back to Hogwarts... keep writing! -Col. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://images.snapfish.com/336%3B4%3B99 ...  Coming June 21st! <a href="http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?stor ... =1">"After the End"</a> - The HP Fic to Beat All Fics!</div>

Posted: **Sat Apr 05, 2003 11:08 am**

yippee, all caught up, finally. Bisty these updates were incroyable. I loved them! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... rassed.gif ALT=":o"> ve <center><a href="http://pub129.ezboard.com/fmajiklmoonsr ... ID=9.topic" target="_new">Majik's World of Fanfic Crossover Contest</a>. Mix your fics, come on, you know you want to!</center><center><a href=http://pub84.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsrealm><img src=http://members.aol.com/majiklmoon/image ... a></center>

Posted: **Sat Apr 05, 2003 11:29 am**

He got off? <img src=http://www.uniquehardware.co.uk/server- ... m/eek2.gif ALT=":jawdrop"> . I hate Lucius Malfoy, he's just <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /devil.gif ALT=":evil">

Posted: **Sat Apr 05, 2003 8:32 pm**

Amazing!!! <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/clap.gif ALT=":clap"> <div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://home.mindspring.com/~galanmar/PE ... [/</div>

Posted: **Sat Apr 05, 2003 11:00 pm**

<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love">

Posted: **Mon Jun 09, 2003 6:22 pm**

After quite an unhealthy hiatus, I'm back with an update! This part is short, but there will be more soon ... my GT beta has put a June 18 deadline on this story, so I'll have it completed by then, God willing! I didn't bother to give this part a chapter title ... Never Leave Me is currently being beta-ed over at GT, and I've rearranged a few things. This means having to get rid of my chapter titles and actually combining chapters ... no big deal on my part, but I just wanted everyone to realize WHY there is no chapter number/title on this part. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"> *** Harry held out his wand hand and within minutes, the violently purple Knight Bus appeared with a BANG and roared to a stop in front of Pearl Darnworthy’s old shop. He, Ginny, Ron and Hermione grabbed their knapsacks and began to board the bus – all of them more than ready for their journey back to Hogwarts. “Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard …” began the conductor. “Where’s Stan?” interjected Harry, before he realized how bad mannered he was being by interrupting the young conductor’s spiel. “Shunpike?” answered the conductor, sounding slightly abashed. “Oh, he’s not worked as conductor for ages, has he Ern?” The conductor turned his head to the bus driver and Harry grinned. He remembered the old man very well – Ernie Prang. Ern squinted through his thick eyeglasses, looked at Harry and smiled. “Why it’s Neville – didn’t think I’d ever lay eyes on you again, lad!” Harry chuckled and couldn’t help thinking how much like Errol – the Weasley family owl – Ernie Prang looked. “Why did he call you Neville?” whispered Ginny, eyeing the elderly bus driver suspiciously. “Long story,” said Harry. “Remind me and I’ll tell you about it sometime, all right?” “All right,” said Ginny, but she gave him a wary look. The conductor felt fit to continue his speech. “As I was saying before, this is emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand … oh, you’ve already done that bit … step on board …” “They’ve done that as well, Ben,” chuckled Ern from behind the wheel. Ben the conductor pretended not to hear Ern. “… and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Benjamin Morton, and I will be your conductor this evening.” He stood very stiffly and Harry got the feeling that this might have been his first day on the job. “I was under the impression you knew where we were going,” said Ron, glaring at the conductor. “Oh,” said Ben. “Well … we do know where you’re going … it’s just that I’ve been trained to tell you all that … I’d be doing a piss poor job if I didn’t …” “Ben,” interrupted Ernie. “Yeah, Ern?” said Ben. “Chivvy them kids along … we need to be heading on to Hogwarts.” “Yessir,” replied Ben, showing Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione to the second floor of the bus. “Your fare has been taken care of, and you’ve been upgraded as well.” “Upgraded?” asked Hermione. “Hot chocolate, hot water bottle and a toothbrush,” said Harry, remembering. “Sad to say you don’t get a choice … we only have blue toothbrushes left,” added Ben. “Quite all right,” said Ginny, sitting on the edge of one of the brass beds and yawning. Harry sat next to her and yawned as well. I might skip the hot chocolate and just lie down … I’m feeling a bit knackered.” “Though I don’t know how we’ll be able to sleep on this thing,” replied Ron as the bus jolted forward with another BANG. “Off we go,” said Ben, heading back to the main floor with Ern. Ron gripped the bedspread on his brass bed and attempted not to be thrown to the floor. Hermione looked out of one of the windows and squealed as she saw a cow leap out of the way of the careening bus. “Sirius couldn’t have come up with some Floo Powder?” chided Ginny, but Harry didn’t respond. He lay fast asleep on his brass bed, drifting off into a dream. *** Author's Note: I took the conductor's spiel from Stan Shunpike, PoA. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> If anyone would like to give me a good profession for Stan to have moved on to, I'll consider adding it. I couldn't come up with a good one, so I just didn't mention anything. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> <center><a href="http://pub199.ezboard.com/bfanficformuggles"><img src="http://www.bluerealimage.com/chat/harry ...

Posted: **Tue Jun 10, 2003 6:07 pm**

Harry felt like a specter. He was lighter than air, floating near the ceiling of the second story of the Knight Bus. He observed the scene below – himself asleep on one of the brass beds; Ginny curled up beside him, clutching his right arm, but not asleep; Ron and Hermione in the bed beside them – Ron looking seasick and Hermione yelping shrilly each time the bus joggled. “I must be dreaming,” said Harry as he looked down at his feet, which were dangling mid-air. “How can I sleep through all of that?” he asked as he noticed the tray of hot chocolates Ben had brought up crash to the floor with a loud clatter. “You get that from your father,” a voice said. “He could sleep through just about anything …” Harry jumped and looked to his left. Beside him floated a woman with long, auburn hair and bright eyes that were very familiar to him – familiar because they were nearly identical to the eyes he saw each time he gazed at his own reflection in a mirror. “Mum …” Harry breathed. “I am dreaming … aren’t I?” “Yes,” said Lily. “You are, dear.” Harry’s face fell. A part of him hoped … desperately hoped … that he hadn’t been. BANG. Dream-Harry and his mother continued to float, but the people down below were jostled severely with the last BANG of the Knight Bus. “They’ve stopped,” said Harry as he saw Ben Morton enter through the narrow wooden staircase from the bottom of the bus. “I wonder what’s going on …” “Lay over,” said Ben stoutly. “We’ll be stopped for a couple hours … might as well catch a few winks.” Ron was looking crossly at the young conductor. He was mouthing words, but Harry found that he could no longer hear. He pressed a finger to his ear and shook his head. “Your hearing is fine, son,” said another voice. Harry swung his body around to the right to see a tousle-haired, bespectacled man who was nearly an exact replica of him. “Dad …” said Harry thickly. James was fixing his eyes down on Harry’s sleeping form on the bed below. “Pretty girl,” he said, noticing Ginny. “Reminds me a bit of your Mum.” He gave a warm smile to Lily. “Why are you here?” asked Harry. “Good question,” said James, floating behind Harry to be closer to Lily. He linked arms with her and turned to his son. “But I think perhaps we should ask you that question.” “Where are we headed, on this bus?” asked Lily, trying to peer down to the windows, but finding that she was stuck near the ceiling. “To Hogwarts,” answered Harry. “Sirius sent us on the Knight Bus, though I’m not sure why. It would have been easier to use Floo Powder.” “Easier, perhaps,” said James, looking pensive. “But not necessarily safer … I take it you lot are in some sore of trouble.” Harry nodded. “Ginny – the girl you mentioned before – and Ron – my friend down there … their dad was killed. It was Death Eaters … we’re dead sure who was behind it, only the bastard … er, sorry, Mum … the prat who was responsible got off. We spent some time laying low. Sirius kept us safe until it was time for the beginning of term, and now we’re on our way back to school.” “There’s no place safer than Hogwarts,” said James. “I’ll bet there’s a charm on the bus, protecting you … there’s definitely one I can think of off-hand strong enough to encompass this monstrosity,” said Lily, looking around the bus. “My guess is the Floo Network was infiltrated somehow by someone from the Dark Side,” said James. “I’m sure that’s why Sirius didn’t send you to school that way … they used to do it all the time back when …” He paused. “Back when you were alive?” finished Harry. “Yeah,” said James. “Back then. At any rate, Dark wizards used to be known for cursing the Network. An unsuspecting wizard would step into the grate and by the time he reached his destination, he’d be a pile of ashes.” Lily shuddered. “Thank heavens Sirius has enough sense to remember such things.” “Sirius isn’t thick,” said James, grinning. “I trust him to keep our boy safe.” “So do I,” said Lily. “So, what’s the story, Harry?” asked James, grinning even wider. “What story?” asked Harry, taken aback. Hadn’t he just told his father the story? “You and Ginny? How serious are things?” Harry felt his face heat up. Was his father – despite the fact that he was a phantom in his dream – was he going to give him “the talk?” “Erm …” mumbled Harry, unable to find the words. He looked down at Ginny, who was still lying beside him, smoothing her hand across his untidy hair. “She’s fighting a losing battle,” said Lily as she watched Ginny. “The number of times I recall trying to get your father’s hair to do anything besides what it felt like doing …” She chuckled softly, then looked up at Harry. “You love her, don’t you?” Harry nodded. “I can see it in your eyes,” she said tenderly. “And I see it in her, too … she feels the same way.” Harry sighed. “She’s very special to me … I wish you could know her … I wish you’d have the chance to …” “Don’t dwell,” were the words Lily said softly as she brought a hand to her son’s cheek. “It won’t do at all to do that.” She let her hand drift to the scar on his forehead. Harry stayed mesmerized by his mother’s ghostly touch for a moment, then gasped. Something had struck him. Something that he hadn’t considered before. Something that could change the whole course of events to come. *** Author's Note: This part was inspired by the BtVS episode titled Conversations w/Dead People. <center><a href="http://jenna.bekkis.com/"><img src="http://www.bluerealimage.com/chat/harry ... nter><a href="http://www.gryffindortower.net/Library/ ... styboo.htm" target="_new">I agree with Malfoy.</a></center> <center><a href="http://pub199.ezboard.com/bfanficformuggles" target="_new">Have you visited my site lately?</a></center>

Posted: **Wed Jun 11, 2003 11:15 am**

“What is it?” asked James, recognizing the change in Harry’s expression. “If you’re here … then perhaps, …” muttered Harry, scratching his head. “Perhaps what?” inquired James. “Harry …” began Lily, looking concerned. “But I don’t know how … I don’t know if I could … could even be the one to get him here!” Harry’s brain reeled. The very notion he had stirring in his head was ridiculous – downright absurd. “Get who here? Harry, tell us!” pleaded James as he watched Harry turning ideas over in his mind. “Arthur Weasley,” said Harry anxiously. “Ginny and Ron’s dad … you’re here … maybe he …” “Harry,” said his mother softly. “This is only a dream. Your father and I are gone. You know that.” She looked at him sorrowfully. “I know Mum,” Harry said, in barely more than a whisper. He took a moment, then continued. “I also know my dreams are never pointless … there’s got to be a way, only I don’t think he’ll come to me in my own dreams. If I dreamt of you, then Ginny … or Ron even … maybe Mr. Weasley could come into one of their dreams!” He rubbed his temples as he looked down at Ron and Ginny in the bus. “I need to wake up … to tell them.” He looked at his parents. “I love you both,” he said. “But I have to go.” Harry reached to hug them, but never had the chance. BANG. He sat up quickly in the brass bedstead. He was awake. *** TBC A/N: I know this was short, but I'm constantly at work on this ... I just wanted to post the bit I finished this A.M. <center><a href="http://jenna.bekkis.com/"><img src="http://www.bluerealimage.com/chat/harry ... nter><a href="http://www.gryffindortower.net/Library/ ... styboo.htm" target="_new">I agree with Malfoy.</a></center> <center><a href="http://pub199.ezboard.com/bfanficformuggles" target="_new">Have you visited my site lately?</a></center>

Posted: **Wed Jun 11, 2003 1:44 pm**

I am so glad your muse is back and RLS is giving you a chance to write again!!! <div style="text-align:center">Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.</div> <div style="text-align:center">Rudyard Kipling, English author</div>

Posted: **Wed Jun 11, 2003 2:23 pm**

Melisa - Me, too! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> Here's another short update ... *** The Knight Bus thundered along again. Ginny squeezed Harry’s arm. “Wide-awake, sleepyhead?” she said softly into his ear. He felt the back of his neck tingle at the warmth of her breath and for a moment he forgot that he had something urgent he needed to tell her. He sat up, nodding to her that he certainly was wide-awake. He pulled her in closer as the bus roared raucously along. “We’re … going to … have our … teeth … shaken loose … on this … bus,” said Hermione, gripping Ron’s shoulders so tightly that he yelped in pain. Before Harry had a chance to try to speak to Ginny, the bus came to an abrupt halt as Ernie Prang applied the brakes with as much force as a Beater smacking his club against a Bludger. Ron and Hermione tumbled to the floor, while Harry and Ginny nearly did the same. Ron emerged from the side of his bed, knuckles white and looking absolutely queasy. “Sirius …” he croaked. “Between this and the spiders … I swear, Harry.” But he said no more. Harry was positive that if Ron had tried to utter another syllable, Ben Morton would have had quite a mess to mop up after. “Hogwarts!” shouted Ben from the first floor. The four made their way down the narrow wooden staircase, clutching their knapsacks and heading towards the doorway of the bus. “Thank you,” said Hermione cordially to Ern and Ben, though she looked like she too was going to be sick. “That absolutely takes the sodding biscuit,” said Ron as he disembarked the Knight Bus, holding his stomach. “I bloody can’t wait until we’re allowed to Apparate.” Harry felt a bit off color himself, after the last lurch the bus had taken, but he was still anxious to tell Ginny, Ron and Hermione about his dream … and about what he thought it meant. Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione stood by the gates to Hogwarts castle. They gazed up at the wrought iron and the stone columns – at the winged boars that stood atop them, acting as sentries on guard at a fortress. Harry remembered the Dementors that flanked the same gates his third year and the sheer memory of it was enough to cause a familiar chill to dance through his veins. The gates creaked open slowly and Harry saw Albus Dumbledore, followed by a small crowd of others, walking down the lengthy drive that led up to the castle. He suddenly felt safer at that moment than he had since before the night of Arthur Weasley’s murder. He was ready to greet the Headmaster when he felt his hand being squeezed to the point that his circulation was being compromised and heard a squeal of joy come from beside him. “Oh, God!” cried Ginny. “Mum!” She dropped Harry’s hand and dashed past Professor Dumbledore, flinging herself into her mother’s waiting arms. Molly Weasley looked thinner than Harry had ever seen her in the time he’d known her – and he assumed thinner than she had been since she was a girl. Usually plump and cheerful, she now looked gaunt and frail … and very miserable. It was a poignant scene, and Harry felt like he was invading to look in on it. Ron had sped to his mother’s side as well and the two children – absent from their family for far too long – lapped up their mother’s affection like a person thirsting in the desert would lap up water. “My … babies!” Harry heard Molly say between muffled sobs. “Everyday I prayed that you’d come back safe … oh, every single day!” “They’re back,” said another voice and it was just then Harry remembered that others had come down the drive, too. It was Bill Weasley. He looked just as Harry remembered him, right down to the ponytail and fang-laden earring. “Let’s get everyone back up to the castle, shall we, Mum?” said Percy Weasely, who was standing next to his older brother. The group proceeded to the castle and Harry placed all thoughts of his dream on the Knight Bus in the back of his mind. <center><a href="http://jenna.bekkis.com/"><img src="http://www.bluerealimage.com/chat/harry ... nter><a href="http://www.gryffindortower.net/Library/ ... styboo.htm" target="_new">I agree with Malfoy.</a></center> <center><a href="http://pub199.ezboard.com/bfanficformuggles" target="_new">Have you visited my site lately?</a></center>

Posted: **Thu Jun 12, 2003 10:55 pm**

Awe Bisty...<img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> <img src=http://www.majiklmoon.com/ezboardsmilies/love.gif ALT=":love"> sorry for the feedback delay...i'm trying to stay HP free until YOU KNOW WHAT! <center>It all started with a boy, a girl, and a silver handprint.</center><center><a href=http://pub84.ezboard.com/bmajiklmoonsrealm><img src=http://members.aol.com/majiklmoon/image ... a></center>

Posted: **Fri Jun 13, 2003 11:32 am**

It's okay, Tracie! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"> <center><a href="http://jenna.bekkis.com/"><img src="http://www.bluerealimage.com/chat/harry ... nter><a href="http://www.gryffindortower.net/Library/ ... styboo.htm" target="_new">I agree with Malfoy.</a></center> <center><a href="http://pub199.ezboard.com/bfanficformuggles" target="_new">Have you visited my site lately?</a></center>

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