The Ties That Bind

Prologue

Fawkes was leading the way, glowing gold along along the corridor. They strode after him, and moments later, found themselves outside Professor McGonagall's office. Harry knocked and pushed the door open.

XX

For a moment there was silence as Harry, Ron, Ginny and Lockhart stood in the doorway, covered in muck and slime and (in Harry's case) blood. Then there was a scream.

"Ginny!"

XX

"You saved her! You saved her! How did you do it?"

"I think we'd all like to know that," said Professor McGonagall weakly.

Mrs. Weasley let go of Harry, who hesitated for a moment , then walked over to the desk and laid upon it the Sorting Hat, the ruby encrusted sword, and what remained of Riddle's diary.

Then he started telling them everything. For nearly a quarter of an hour he spoke into the rapt silence:

XX

So Harry, his voice growing hoarse from all this talking told them about Fawkes' timely arrival and about the Sorting Hat giving him the sword. But then he faulted . He had so far avoided mentioning Riddle's diary - or Ginny. She was standing with her head against Mrs. Weasley's shoulder, and tears were still running down her cheeks. What if they expelled her? Harry thought in panic. Riddle's diary didn't work anymore. . . . How could they prove it had been he that made her do it all?

Instinctively, Harry looked at Dumbledore, who smiled faintly, the firelight glancing off his half-moon spectacles.

"What interests me most," said Dumbledore gently, "is how Lord Voldemort managed to enchant Ginny, when my sources tell me he is currently in hiding in the forests of Albania."

Relief - warm, sweeping, glorious relief - swept over Harry.

XX

And so it began, Harry had saved Ginny's life in the Chamber of Secrets and though they weren't aware of it a Bond had been forged between them. It grew slowly at first because they didn't spend much time together.

But year by year as they spent more time in each others proximity during the summers and at school, it grew and grew.

It was when they became friends and then boyfriend, girlfriend that the Bond really began to strengthen. Harry became aware first of the initial manifestation. Somehow he seemed to know where Ginny was. It wasn't immediately apparent to him but steadily and surely he could tell when Ginny entered the room without looking or where she was in the castle or at home.

After he had given her the Promise Ring the phenomenon was stronger and Ginny started to feel it too. If she concentrated she felt Harry's presence and he seemed to be in the back of her mind somehow.

Little did they know what the Bond would lead to and just how strong it would become.

Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter and everything in the Potter Universe. I get no compensation other that the satisfaction and enjoyment in writing these stories and the reviews from the readers.