Long story short, last month was HECTIC and I'm surprised I could even write a handful of fics for @hinnyfest November 2k22. Over the past few months, I discovered that I really loved writing and I'd like to continue using those Hinny prompts to write more one-shots, if it's ok with everyone. Here's prompt #2: "I did something bad...."
Harry ran as fast as his legs could take him, eager to get far away from the dark, gloomy dungeons. He didn’t fancy staying there one more second. And he would bet his Firebolt that Snape didn’t want him to either.
Pain seared through his skull, and he clutched his scar. Headaches have been more frequent recently. With Umbridge banning him from Quidditch, finding out about the DA, even more closely patrolling all owls and floos, and Occlumency lessons from Snape, nothing seemed appealing anymore. He was waiting for the year to end to finally be rid of the old toad and be with Sirius.
Considering the fate of all their Defence against the Dark Arts professors, he doubted Umbridge would be back next year, and he could get back to Quidditch.
He turned sharply into one of the tapestries, keeping a lookout for Peeves. The moment he stepped out, something, or rather, someone, bumped into him.
Harry stumbled backwards but regained footing and caught the person by the arm.
“Hey, watch where you’re - ”
“Sorry - ”
He could recognise that voice even in the dark, and he pulled them back into the tapestry.
“Harry? Is that you?” Ginny lit her wand. Now that he could see her face, she wasn’t scared. Instead, her face was flushed, and it looked like she was holding back laughter.
“Yes,” he whispered, “How come I found you running away?”
Ginny acted affronted and said, “Excuse me, Harry, but Ginny Weasley doesn’t run away.”
Harry smiled teasingly. They became very close after she brought him out of his brooding, and he felt like a prat for making her feel like what she went through was nothing. He apologised, and it was then he found out how much fun she actually was and how much he enjoyed her company.
“Well, what do you call what you’re doing now? Keeping distance from the evidence?”
This was another thing he found out. Ginny had impeccable taste in mischief.
“Something like that,” she smirked and peeked out of the tapestry. She immediately stepped back on Harry’s toes, but he didn’t make a sound.
Filch’s voice could be heard. “Who did that? Who did that to poor Madam Dolores? I’ll chain you by the wrists when I see you. Pity the old punishments aren’t around anymore. Sniff ‘em out, Mrs Norris. We’ll find them.”
Harry and Ginny were chuckling silently, and he asked, “What did you do?”
Ginny bit her lip, and now Harry was even more intrigued. She looked so bloody adorable like that. What was he thinking? He pushed that thought away.
“I did something bad, Harry.”
“Anything done to that old toad isn’t bad.”
“Oh, I know,” she said darkly, “but this is something I haven’t done before.”
“So?”
Ginny’s chocolate brown eyes twinkled as she said, “There’s a portable swamp outside her office.”
Harry smirked, “A portable swamp? That’s weak, Weasley.”
“Not if the office is flooded,” she said.
Harry looked at her admiringly, and she blushed, but she went on, “And she’s a canary now.”
The first word that came out of Harry’s mouth was, “How?”
Ginny looked confused, “What do you mean how?”
Harry nervously tried to explain what he meant. He didn’t want her to understand it the wrong way.
“I know you’re really good, but how did you pull off all these without Umbridge catching you?”
“That will remain a mystery, Mr Potter,” she smiled and brushed some seaweed off her shirt.
“You threw a dungbomb outside her office, she came out, you slipped a canary cream in her tea, she squeaked for Snape, you flooded her office, came out, dropped a portable swamp and now are running away from Filch,” he guessed.
Ginny’s jaw dropped. “How did you know?”
“I know you.”
She poked him in the side, “Tell me.”
“That will remain a mystery, Miss Weasley,” he grinned.
She pouted, and he couldn’t resist that, “I have the map, and you asked me for the cloak after lunch.”
“Still, you couldn’t have found out the rest with them. You’re going to be an amazing Auror, Harry.”
His eyes were downcast, and he looked defeated when he said, “Not if Umbridge has anything to say about it.”
“The old pink monstrosity will be gone after this year ends. You will become an Auror if that’s what you want to be. And McGonagall will help you from what I heard from Ron,” she said supportively, her hand on his arm.
He swelled with happiness that someone believed in him, and Ginny felt that she was getting to him and was happy that he didn’t shy away from her touch.
“Thanks,” he said shyly, picking at his robes.
They looked at each other for a moment, which was rudely interrupted by Filch’s voice echoing in another corridor.
“Well, we must get going,” she said. She ignored both of their red faces, pulled out the invisibility cloak and handed it to Harry. He draped it over both of them, and they silently and stealthily made their way out of the tapestry and towards Gryffindor Tower.
They reached the portrait of the Fat Lady and were let in after Ginny whispered the password, and Harry poked his head out of the cloak.
Once they were in, Harry said, that irresistible smirk on his face, “That is bad, Gin.”
“Oh, I did something bad, Harry,” she said smiling, “but why’s it feel so good?”
“Because it’s Umbridge?” he suggested.
“Maybe it is. Goodnight, Harry.” She walked up the stairs slowly, not wanting the moment to end.
“Goodnight, Gin,” Harry smiled. “Maybe call me the next time, yeah?”
“Sure. Next time will be bigger, and I’ll need your help,” she beamed, brushing her hair out of her face.
“Oh, I thought Ginny Weasley didn’t need any help,” he teased, hands in his pockets.
“I’ll make an exception for you, Harry.” She made her way up the stairs, now a spring in her step and Harry couldn’t help but think that at least something good would come of this year.
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Also, I have compiled all my one-shots written so far for Hinnyfest November 2k22 on ff.net
