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Title: Complex Touch

Summary: For the sake of the Order, Ginny Weasley takes a mission to go back in time to find a Horcrux for Harry. She just never expected to fall in love with a familiar future convicted escaped murderer. And that's just the beginning of the difficult times ahead for her.

Disclaimer: I only own the plot.

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Chapter One

Going Away

Even in the middle of July, Ginny found herself wearing the jumper that her mum had made her for Christmas the year before. There was a cold draft coming in from the window, even though Ginny had made sure it was shut securely. This house really did have to be cleaned up a bit.

It was too cold to go to sleep, Ginny realized after laying in her bed for two hours. There was nothing to do though. Instead of being at the Burrow for the summer, where she could walk around her home freely and even go outside to sit in the garden, she was at number 12 Grimmauld Place.

So many things had happened in one year's time. Cedric Diggory had been killed, Lord Voldemort had risen once again and Ginny had gotten over Harry. Because of the first two reasons the Weasley family and several other witches and wizards found themselves at Grimmauld Place.

And it was terrible here. You always had to watch where you went, for the place use to be inhabited by dark wizards who had set up many things that could easily cause you harm. Portraits frightened the life out of you by suddenly screaming and there were house-elf heads hanging on the walls, as though they were trophies.

Overall Ginny didn't like it at all. But what could she do? With Lord Voldemort hanging around the wizarding world, whom happened to be in denial about the whole business, the Burrow was unsafe. The fact that the Weasley family was known for fighting beside Albus Dumbledore did not help matters. And that's why the Weasleys were here.

The fact that the meetings for the Order of the Phoenix happened to be here could also have something to do with it. Ginny's lips quirked into a smile as she sat up in her bed, placing her feet on the cold floor.

Ever since Ginny had arrived here she had met so many new people. There was one witch, Tonks, who could change her appearance to whatever she desired whenever she wanted. Mundungus Fletcher was one of the strangest, trickiest people Ginny had ever met. He was also a very filthy thief. Then there was Sirius Black, who had been on the run for over a year, all for Harry.

Sirius… he was different then the rest of the odd wizards and witches Ginny met, she had to admit. After spending twelve years in Azkaban and living through the Dementors' evil ways, he still managed to hold so much life. He managed to smile and-

Ginny blinked, looking around and realizing she had walked out of her bedroom, down the stairs and into the kitchen. Her mum always did say her thoughts carried her places. Shaking her head, Ginny walked towards the pantry.

In only a month, Ginny would be going to Hogwarts for her fourth year. Only her fourth year… It felt like a million years that she'd been there so far; she felt like she should be graduating any day now. Ginny grinned at the thought, grabbing a bag of sweets that her mum had tried to hide.

She wondered what it would be like now that she had a boyfriend, Michael. Actually, now that she thought about it, she should probably get around to Owling him before he dumped her because of lack of communication.

Opening the bag of sweets, Ginny took a seat at the kitchen table. Just as she was about to pop one into her mouth, though, a man stumbled into the kitchen.

"I'm going to smell like bloody mice for the rest of my life-"

He stopped mumbling, though, when he caught sight of Ginny. Ginny grinned; her eyes twinkling a bit as Sirius unconsciously straightened himself out.

"Why are you awake?" Sirius questioned, eyeing her and the bag of sweets narrowly.

"Oh, you know, I had to finish off my list of things to do;" Ginny paused, placing a sweet into her mouth. "take over the world, steal candy from babies…"

"Ah, I remember those days," Sirius said.

"I'm sure you do," Ginny responded, snorting lightly.

Sirius rolled his eyes, grinning slightly, as he walked over to the counter. Reaching up, he pulled out a mug from one of the cabinets, about to make tea.

"Sirius?" Ginny called to him, her voice suddenly soft.

He filled his cup with water from the sink before turning to look at her, one of his eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"Want some tea?" He asked, his hand reaching back up to the cabinet.

Ginny shook her head.

"Oh… what is it then?"

He seemed slightly nervous and, not for the first time, Ginny wondered why.

Sirius and Ginny didn't talk too much. He always seemed to watch what he said around her and it was a trait that did not charm Ginny. She was constantly trying to get him off of his guard when they were around each other but it did not seem to do any good.

It was possible that he was just terrified over the state of his godson and, knowing that, Ginny never pressed the subject. Biting her lip and squirming in her seat, Ginny forced her mind off of her thoughts and back to what she was going to ask.

"Harry's going to be coming here soon, right?" She asked.

Sirius sighed, shrugging slightly. He tapped his wand against the mug of water and she saw steam suddenly float from the water.

"I would hope so," He muttered after a second. "But you know Dumbledore and… he must be feeling so angry, what with the lack of owls we're sending him."

"Harry's strong," Ginny said, tilting her head as she spoke. "He'll pull through."

Sirius didn't say anything to that. Ginny blinked, continuing to suck on the candy as Sirius continued to make his tea. After a moment, Ginny sighed, sick of the awkward silence. She grabbed the bag of sweets and got up from the table.

"I'll be heading up to bed, I think," Ginny told Sirius after throwing the bag of sweets into the pantry. "G'night Sirius."

Sirius nodded his consent, taking the seat that would have been across from her had she still been sitting down. Wrapping her arms around her body, for she was still rather cold, Ginny headed out of the kitchen only to be stopped by Sirius' voice.

"I heard you fancied Harry," He whispered and it echoed in the kitchen.

Ginny's eyes grew wide and a light blush highlighted her cheeks. What? Turning around, Ginny stared at Sirius.

"I fancied myself in love with him," Ginny agreed. "Why?"

A look of relief seemed to flash across Sirius' face, causing Ginny to blink. The relief, though, was replaced with self-loathing and Ginny didn't understand why. After what seemed like an eternity, Sirius lifted a hand and brushed some hair from his face.

"Ginny, I…"

"Sirius?" Ginny frowned when he didn't continue speaking, confusion taking over her face.

She started to walk back into the kitchen when Sirius stood suddenly, causing her to stop in her tracks. He walked to her, getting so close to her that Ginny felt her heart skip a beat in nervousness. His hands reached out to take a hold of her arms and she sucked in a breath, her eyes growing wide.

"Sirius-"

Sirius stared at Ginny with dark eyes before he leaned down and brushed his lips against her cheek. She could feel the small hairs on his chin scrape against her cheek and it gave her the chills. He stepped back from her and walked away, not giving her an answer to the question that so clearly burned on her face.

What was that?

His cup of tea was still steaming, untouched, on the table.

---

Ginny opened her eyes quickly, startled by the memory that she had just remembered. It was a memory from over two years ago. It had been the summer before her fourth year and now, here she was, in her sixth year. Blinking, Ginny rubbed her eyes, sitting up in the seat. What class was she in?

Looking around the classroom, she saw that the Gryffindors were with the Ravenclaws, meaning that it was History of Magic, Transfiguration or Astronomy. As it was obviously day time and she knew she would never be able to fall asleep during Professor McGonagall's class, she knew where she was.

History of Magic- which explained why she had fallen asleep. A tired grin came to her lips at the thought. Turning her head to the side, she caught sight of Luna.

"I thought something had attacked you, perhaps a Pingeroly; they're known for their powers to cause humans to fall asleep," Luna said, matter-of-factly. "The thought of a Slytherin giving you a sleeping potion crossed my mind but then I realized they wouldn't waste their time with such things."

"That 'such things' is me, Luna," Ginny mumbled dryly, rolling her eyes slightly. "Thanks for boosting my ego."

"You're ego, Queen Weasley," Luna began, taking up the nickname that she had dubbed Ginny with during her fourth year (when that terrible 'Weasley is Our King' song was made up for Ron). "is big enough already."

Ginny giggled slightly, shaking her head at the words of Luna. Shifting in her seat, Ginny looked down at the parchment that she had set out on the table before she fell asleep. But on top of the parchment was a sealed envelope addressed to her.

"Luna?" Ginny asked, turning amused eyes to the Ravenclaw. "Did you write me a note?"

Luna didn't even bother to turn and look at the note.

"No, I didn't," Luna said. "It appeared on your parchment while you were sleeping."

"That's impossible," Ginny told her, tilting her head.

"Obviously it's not," Luna mumbled, still not looking at her.

Ginny raised her eyebrows, taking the letter in her hands. It simply had her name written on it… Slowly, and hesitantly, she ripped open the envelope. A piece of folded parchment fell out of it. A feeling of excitement bloomed in Ginny's stomach and she bit her bottom lip.

Unfolding the piece of parchment, Ginny was ready to read something important. Instead it told her that the Gryffindor Prefects were meeting at McGonagall's office around seven. She got so worked up over nothing. But that did mean that she would have to end Quidditch practice earlier then she had planned to.

An annoyed sigh escaped Ginny's lips and she crumbled the letter into a ball, shoving it in her bag. McGonagall, now Headmistress in place of Dumbledore, could not be biased as to the winnings of the Quidditch Cup between the houses but, as the former Head of House for Gryffindor, Ginny would have thought she'd schedule the meeting around the Gryffindors' practice.

Why did McGonagall and Professor Lupin (who was now back to Hogwarts, teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts and ruling as Head of House for Gryffindor) ever decide to have her as a Prefect? Lupin also gave her the spot as captain for the Quidditch team but she was much more honored over that then being Prefect.

She had hardly any time to herself with being Prefect, captain and the official worrier over the lives of Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter (who were still traveling all over Europe in search of the Horcruxes).The Quidditch team was like a second family to her though and she supposed she should be grateful for the opportunities given to her. It showed her that, obviously, Lupin held her in high respect.

Feeling eyes on her, Ginny glanced at Luna.

"Yes?" Ginny asked, the corner of her lips turning upwards.

"I'm going to miss you," Luna stated, smiling sadly.

"Am I going somewhere?" Luna was so confusing sometimes. A good friend but a confusing one.

"Sure you are," Luna responded.

Ginny opened her mouth to speak again but a bell interrupted her. It was time for lunch. Sending Luna a questioning look, Ginny shoved her items into her bag before standing.

"I've got to go to the Gryffindor tower, so I'll see you at lunch," Ginny promised.

Luna didn't seem to hear her for she walked away, a glazed look on her face. Ginny sighed and walked out of the classroom also.

---

The rest of the day passed rather quickly. Ginny had eaten lunch with her friends, gone to the rest of her classes and then eaten dinner. Quidditch practice began and, thankfully, was not interrupted by the troublesome Slytherins.

"Seamus- No! Everyone stop!" Ginny screeched, waving her arms wildly to catch the team's attention.

Everyone looked miserable as they flew towards her but Ginny felt no remorse.

"How are we suppose to beat even bloody Hufflepuff with the way we're flying?" Ginny snapped. "Have you not touched your brooms at all during the summer? Last practice was just the same-"

"Just… Ginny, it's stress," Colin said, seeming nervous at having spoken up.

Ginny turned sad eyes to him, her anger burning out. He was right of course. Wizards and witches were being killed randomly all throughout Europe, what with Lord Voldemort being back and unafraid to attack. The students at Hogwarts attempted to live a normal life, even though the student population had shrunken considerably, but it was hard. The thought of Hermione, Ron, Harry and the rest of the Weasleys crossed Ginny's mind and she hung her head.

"Right," Ginny muttered before speaking up. "Right, well, Quidditch is suppose to brighten us up, not drag us down."

Dean and Seamus gave a loud "Here, here!" that caused scattered laughter to be heard. Ginny smiled slightly.

"Practice is over-"

"Ginny, we'll try harder!" Susan, a fourth year, protested.

"No, it's not that," Ginny assured. "I have a Prefect's meeting I have to go to. So pack up, I'll see you Tuesday."

The team landed and set off to the Gryffindor tower for some much needed relaxation. Ginny hoped that McGonagall and Lupin wouldn't mind if she showed up to the meeting in her Quidditch outfit, all sweaty and sticky, carrying her broom over her shoulder.

It took her less than ten minutes to make it to the gargoyles and she muttered the password quietly, wondering in the back of her mind if her fellow Prefect had received the note to come to the meeting. Running a hand through her hair as she began up the steps, she made it even more tangled and gave a small growl.

"Come in," Lupin's voice called when she knocked on the door and Ginny entered the office.

Ginny, who had only seen the terrific office on two terrible occasions (after the Chamber of Secrets incident and when she was told that a snake had bit her father) and during three Prefect meetings, allowed the familiar sense of awe to settle over her. On the walls were portraits of former Headmasters and Headmistresses. Most of them seemed to be sleeping but several waved kindly to her.

Turning her eyes to the instruments that lay scattered through the room, Ginny distantly wondered if McGonagall did anything to make this office hers instead of leaving it as Dumbledore's.

"Ah, just finished practice?"

Looking at Professor Lupin, who was sitting next to McGonagall's empty desk, Ginny smiled and began towards him. After spending much time together over the past couple of years Ginny felt that Lupin was more of a friend then a teacher. It was hard to be serious with him when he returned to Hogwarts to teach.

"Yes," She answered, sitting down. "I hope you don't mind the broom…"

Lupin shook his head in amusement as Ginny placed her broom next to her seat. It was then that she noticed only three seats, the two herself and Lupin were sitting in and McGonagall's, were in the office and that her fellow Prefect had yet to arrive. McGonagall also seemed to be missing in action.

"Professor?"

As if knowing what Ginny was going to ask, Lupin leaned forward. He intertwined his fingers and put his elbows on his knees.

"Ginny-"

A door opening cut off Lupin and McGonagall rushed in, a frown settled on her lips.

"Remus, I've got it! Miss Weasley, you've arrived- very good."

Ginny's eyes widened when she saw, clutched in McGonagall's hands, a Time-Turner.

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Author's Note: The story is not beta-read. Sorry for any mistakes. Review please!