The five of them spent the evening talking, laughing, and playing games. It wasn't until a couple hours later that Harry finally got around to writing his letter to the twins.
Dear Gred and Forge,
Congratulations on the shop. That's great news to hear. I'm glad that you're doing so well for yourselves and that my money helped you get where you are. I still say you're nuts for giving me 10 of your profits, but who am I to complain? But anyway, listen, I heard that you two have run into some difficulties worming your way into the Order. I have a business proposition for you, which I will fund completely, that will not only put your creative geniuses to the test, but should also give you a strong case to present to Dumbledore as to why he should let you in.
This is what I have in mind…
Harry didn't finish his letter until slightly after curfew. When Harry announced to his friends that he was off to the owlery to send it off, Hermione, ever the prefect, spoke up. "But Harry, it's after curfew. You're not allowed in the halls."
Harry grinned knowingly at her. "Ah, but you are not quite correct there, Hermione."
"What do you mean? It's definitely after curfew…" she asked uncomprehendingly.
Harry's smile grew wider. "Yes, it is after curfew. And students are definitely not allowed out in the halls after curfew." Hermione nodded as if her point was proven. "I, however, am not an ordinary student; therefore, that rule does not apply to me. As an Assistant Professor, I am allowed out well after the usual curfew."
Hermione considered that for a moment. "You really shouldn't abuse your new privileges though…."
"I would hardly call this abusing them," Harry interrupted lightly. "It's been over a month, and I have yet to use that particular benefit. And it's not like I'm just going for a nighttime stroll. I have a purpose for my trip."
"Alright I guess," she conceded. "Just don't wander around. I know you're technically allowed to be out, but I doubt that would stop Professor Snape or Filch from trying to give you detention or from taking points."
"Fair enough," he replied. "But I could always take my case to Dumbledore and get anything overturned, since they have no grounds to punish me."
"Do you mind if I tag along," Ginny piped up. "I need to owl Mum. I was just gonna wait and do it in the morning, but if you're going there anyway…."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Hermione immediately spoke up.
"Nonsense," Harry remarked. "Students are allowed out of the common room in the presence of a professor. Sure, you can come along, Gin."
"I really don't think you should push it," Hermione insisted.
"Relax, Hermione," Neville surprisingly spoke up. "Harry's a big shot professor now. The normal rules don't apply to him."
"Right, now that that's settled, I think we'll be off," Harry announced. "Ready, Gin?"
"Just a minute," she replied, rifling through her bag. After a moment she pulled out an envelope and looked up. "Alright, I'm ready."
"Well then," he said as he held out a hand to help her up. He then gestured her forward. "After you."
The two exited the portrait hole, only to be called after by the fat lady. "Where do you two think you're going? It's after curfew."
Harry turned around. "We are headed to the owlery, and the curfew does not apply to me. In case you didn't notice, you are speaking to an Assistant Professor."
"So sorry, Professor Potter," she replied unapologetically. "Don't be stopping in any broom cupboards on the way."
The two teens sniggered. It was Ginny who finally replied, "We'll try not to, but we make no guarantees." This renewed their laughter, and the two set off again.
After walking in comfortable silence for a couple minutes, Ginny spoke up. "Thanks for sticking up for me to Ron at dinner."
"You heard?" he asked, looking over his shoulder at her smaller frame.
She turned her head toward him to meet his gaze. "It was kinda hard not to. I was ready to hex him to pieces, but you handled the situation well enough. It's probably better that I didn't hex him anyway… would've caused a scene," she continued ponderingly.
"And landed you in detention," Harry added.
"Right," she said. "We don't want that."
"Of course not," he agreed. "I was tempted to play with him a little when he accused me of snogging you in broom cupboards, but I figured it was best not to do that in such a public place. Ron's voice was already starting to rise, and you never know what he might yell out when he gets worked up like that. I figured it was best to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand."
"Good point," she approved. They were both quiet for a moment before she blurted out, "Why did you ask me?"
He turned toward her again, "Huh?"
"Why did you ask me to the ball?" she repeated.
"Isn't it obvious?" he asked in return. She raised an eyebrow at him in return, but remained silent, her gaze piercing. "I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather spend an entire evening with, to be honest. I knew that we'd have fun and enjoy ourselves no matter what."
"Oh," she replied distractedly as she thought over his words. "So it wasn't just to prove your point to Ron?"
"Huh?" he asked, not understanding what she meant by that.
"Well Ron is the one who put you on the spot, forcing you to ask someone right away. I just wanted to make sure that you didn't just ask me because I was convenient or just happened to be within earshot," she replied carefully.
"Ginny," he said, stopping in his tracks. He grabbed her hand and swung her around to face him. "I would think you knew me better than that. I was planning on asking you already. I was just going to wait until later tonight when we were in a less public setting."
"Well good, as long as you didn't just ask me because it was convenient," she returned.
"Of course not. I'm actually kinda looking forward to the ball. I didn't get to enjoy the last one at all because I spent the whole time wishing I was with someone else. This year I'm going with who I want to be with," he told her earnestly. "And it doesn't hurt that she's one of the prettiest witches in the castle."
He wasn't disappointed to see her cheeks stain red at his last remark. She slapped him on the arm then tugged on his hand. "Come on. If we take too long, we'll incur Hermione's wrath."
"And don't forget the fat lady's inquisition about which broom cupboard we stopped in," Harry added good-naturedly.
"And Ron's," she agreed, less cheerfully.
They reached the owlery shortly thereafter. Ginny called Pigwidgeon down from his perch and began tying the letter to his leg. Harry looked around for Hedwig but didn't see her anywhere. And she wasn't an owl you could miss, being the only white one in the school. He reached out with his consciousness to attempt to call her through mindspeak. "Hedwig, are you there? I have a letter I need you to deliver."
She replied back immediately, "I'll be right there human Harry."
"Thanks girl," Harry sent out as he turned his attention back to Ginny while he waited. She had finished attaching her message and now held Pig in her hands as she looked over at him.
"Aren't you going to send out your letter?" she inquired.
"Of course, I'm just waiting for Hedwig," he answered as if it were obvious.
....
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