A/N: As in my other stories, I don't own any of J.K. Rowling's characters. They're just on another trip through my warped mind! Here it is! The not so long awaited sequel to Caves of Concealment! I hope you all enjoy it as much as CoC. Please remember to review after you read, I like to know what my readers think :)

Once again, summer dawned bright and beautiful. Warm, lazy breezes danced through the grass and flowers, stirring perfumed scents into the air. On a flower-topped hill over looking the Burrow, Ginny Weasley sat in the grass pulling up fuzzy-topped dandelions, blowing them and making wishes. Harry's head lay in her lap, and his emerald-green eyes were closed in sleep. Just as they had last summer, Harry and Hermione were spending their last days of the break at the Burrow.

Ginny smiled, reaching down to run her fingers through Harry's unruly mop of raven-colored hair. She sighed contentedly as the sun shone down, warming her skin and making her drowsy. She looked down at her hand, and the sea-green opal ring seemed to wink at her in the sunlight. Since Harry had slipped it onto her finger last year, Ginny never took it off. It truly did keep her bad dreams away, and after all that had happened on that fateful day in the caves, she was grateful for that. After the dark curse Bellatrix had used on her, Ginny had been in a deep sleep for over a month. Upon waking she had not remembered the incident. After giving her time to recover, Harry had explained everything to her that she had forgotten. Ginny fingered the only other piece of jewelry which she wore at all times; a silver amulet which bore a tree and a raven. It had been this amulet, along with Harry's golden lion amulet half, that had ultimately allowed them to escape from Bellatrix alive.

Ginny frowned a bit, thinking about Bellatrix Lestrange. After she had escaped from the security wing at St. Mungo's, Bellatrix had seemingly disappeared. Members of the Order and Ministry Aurors had been unable to recapture her, and it was assumed she'd made it back to Voldemort. Voldemort and all of his followers had been extremely quiet as of late, which everyone took to mean he was planning something big; something that could ultimately end in the final battle.

Ginny sighed as she remembered that this would be Harry, Ron, and Hermione's last year at Hogwarts. What would she do once they were gone? They were the people she was closest to. Ginny thought about the last part of last year's term, after Bellatrix's attack. It had truly been a golden year, full of happy memories. With Umbridge gone, Harry had been reinstated as Gryffindor's Seeker. Ron had again played as Keeper, and had also been appointed team captain. Since Harry was again the Seeker, Ginny had tried out for an open Chaser position and had gotten it. She, Ron, and Harry had helped lead the team to victory in a particularly nasty match against the Slytherins for the Quidditch Cup. Hermione's screams from the stands had been the most deafening as Harry captured the Snitch for the win. Due to his victory over Bellatrix and their clever research in finding Ginny's cure, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had received awards for special services to the school. Because of their deeds they had also netted quite a few points for Gryffindor, once again securing the House Cup.

Harry and Ginny, and Ron and Hermione's relationships had also grown quite a bit after the incident with Bellatrix. The four often spent long hours talking about what they wanted to do with their futures. It had been discussed many times that marriage was most definitely what lie ahead for both couples. Along with strengthening her relationship with Harry, Ginny had grown closer to Ron and Hermione. Their devotion to finding a cure for her deep sleep had been nothing short of mind-blowing.

Ginny was pulled out of her reverie by the appearance of Ron and Hermione, who were coming at her full speed.

"Our letters from Hogwarts are here, Ginny! Hermione and I made Head Girl and Head Boy!"

"That's great," Ginny said quietly, not wanting to wake Harry. He seemed to be sleeping peacefully for once. Lately he'd been having nightmares about the incident in the caves, and his role in the final showdown against Voldemort. During one of their long talks last year, Harry had told Ron, Hermione, and Ginny about the prophecy. He was the only one who could defeat Voldemort in the end; a prospect which gave Ginny the shivers everytime she thought about it. Harry's nightmares had gotten bad enough that, quite frequently, Ginny would be awakened by his cries of fear. Whenever it happened, Ginny would creep down the hall to where Harry was sleeping. She would slide into bed next to his thrashing body, and use an Engorgement charm on her Sweet Dreams ring to make the band larger. Keeping the ring on her own finger, she would slip the enlarged band over one of Harry's fingers. The two would then sleep peacefully, fingers bound by Ginny's ring.

Hermione, who was also frequently awakened by Harry's nightmares, had made an arrangement with Ginny. On the nights that Ginny went to sleep with Harry, she would tell Hermione before leaving. Hermione would rise early enough that she could wake Ginny and get her back to her own bed before anyone else woke up. Ginny's mum would have kittens if she ever caught Ginny sleeping with Harry!

"Hello, Ginny.....Earth to Ginny!" Ron snapped his fingers in front of Ginny's face.

Ginny shook her head, coming back to the present. "Sorry, Ron, I was just thinking about Harry's nightmares. Congratulations you two."

Ron handed Ginny her letter and she quickly tore it open. Ginny had been made Prefect last year, much to the horror of Fred and George. Most of the books on Ginny's list seemed quite normal, except for the highly advanced books listed for Defense Against the Dark Arts. No doubt the classes would be particularly hard this year, trying to prepare students against attacks by Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

"Wow, I wonder who our teacher will be for Defense Against the Dark Arts this year. These books are quite advanced."

Ron, looking over his list of books, agreed. "I hope they get someone brilliant. Last year's classes were a fiasco."

Dumbledore had been unable to secure anyone for that particular teaching position last year. Classes had consisted of a string of substitutes. Any professor who had a free period doubled as a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Hogwarts students had received Dark Arts lessons from Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, and even a few lessons from Professor Dumbledore. In addition to professors, there was the occasional lesson taught by Order members; Lupin, Tonks, and Mad-Eye Moody mostly.

In Ginny's lap, Harry began to stir. Blinking his eyes against the sunlight he asked, "What's going on?"

"Ron and Hermione have just brought up our Hogwarts letters. They made Head Boy and Head Girl."

Harry pushed himself up to a sitting position and stretched. "Congratulations you two. Ron, I'd hate to be in your shoes when Fred and George find out," Harry said smiling knowingly, as he ripped open his letter and began to read.

"Don't remind me. Hey, Harry, what do you make of those booklists?"

"Looks like we may have a decent Defense professor, judging by these books."

"Do you all want to take a stroll through the woods by the pond?" asked Hermione. "We could put our heads together and make guesses as to who the new professor could be."

"Sounds good to me," answered Ron. "Besides, if I know mum she'll want us out of the house for a while. When Hermione and I left, I heard her bustling around the kitchen saying something about a celebration feast."

"Well, let's humor her," Harry said, getting to his feet and then helping Ginny up. "Let's go for that walk in the woods."

The foursome made their way past the house, where much banging and clanging could be heard. "Sounds like she's really into it," Hermione said, as they crossed the yard and headed for the pond. Once they were in the solitude of the quiet forest she asked, "So does anyone have any guesses?"

Ron shrugged. "Maybe they'll have the real Mad-Eye Moody come teach. He certainly knows enough about the Dark Arts."

"Or maybe Tonks," Ginny suggested. "She'd make a brilliant professor."

Harry walked quietly for a moment before answering. "It's really hard to say exactly who it could be. I think with all that's going on in our world, it'll probably be a member of the Order. Any of them would know plenty to teach us properly."

"Think you'll continue the DA this year, Harry?" asked Ron.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, probably. Dumbledore gave me the okay at the end of last term. We could even put out a sign-up sheet for new members."

"It will certainly be nice to not have to hide our meetings," Hermione observed. The stillness of the woods was suddenly disturbed by an earsplitting cry for help.

"Somebody help poor Zeppie! Zeppie is about to be dog food!" Hermione pulled out her wand, and the foursome ran in the direction of the cries for help.

"Please, please save Zeppie!"

They ran through a dense thicket and into a clearing. In a large elm tree hanging from a low branch, was a house-elf. A large grey dog jumped against the trunk of the large tree, snapping ferociously at the house-elf's dangling feet. It looked as though the dog was about to get his meal, as the house-elf's fingers began to slip.

"Incendio!" yelled Hermione, springing into action. A ball of flame burst from her wand, shooting forward to make contact with the dog's hindquarters. The dog abandoned his quest for dinner, and ran off into the woods yelping in pain. The house-elf's fingers finally gave, and he landed in a heap at the base of the tree. Hermione and the others ran over to him.

"Oh! Are you okay?" Hermione asked, helping the house-elf to his feet and dusting him off.

"Yes, Zeppie is fine now thanks to you miss-"

"My name's Hermione Granger. This is Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, and Harry Potter."

Zeppie bowed to each of them in turn, stopping to face Harry. "Of course Zeppie is knowing you. Every house-elf knows of Harry Potter, sir." Zeppie turned back to Hermione, eyes full of adoration. "Missy Hermy, you be saving Zeppie's life."

"Well of course, I wouldn't have wanted to see you get eaten. How did you come to be here, Zeppie?"

"Zeppie was banished from his Wizarding family, Missy Hermy. They is telling Zeppie they don't want him anymore. Tried to hit Zeppie to make him leave, they did. Zeppie apparated to anywhere to get away. Zeppie has been beaten many times, but isn't wanting hit no more. So, Zeppie is ending up here."

"Poor Zeppie!" said Ginny softly. "I bet they would offer you a job at Hogwarts, and they won't beat you there."

"Oh no, Miss Hermy saved Zeppie's life! Zeppie will not be leaving her and will stay and be Missy Hermy's house-elf." Harry, Ron, and Ginny all knew Hermione's position on keeping house-elves as servants, and watched intently to see how she would handle it.

"Oh no, Zeppie, you should be free. And if you go to Hogwarts you'll be given clothes and pay."

Zeppie's face filled with horror. "Oh no, Miss Hermy, don't make Zeppie leave! Zeppie has no where else to go if Missy Hermy won't take him. Zeppie promises to be a good house-elf!" Zeppie's rag-clad form fell to the ground at Hermione's feet. "Oh please, Missy Hermy! Zeppie begs of you!"

Hermione waged a silent battle over what to do. On one hand, she strongly disapproved of anyone keeping house-elves as servants. But on the other hand, Hermione wanted to do whatever she could to avoid distressing Zeppie even more.

"All right Zeppie, I'll let you come with me, but there are conditions."

"Zeppie will do anything Missy Hermy wants! Missy Hermy is Zeppie's hero!"

"First off, you'll let me make you some new clothes. What you're wearing is horrid. Secondly, you'll take pay for anything you do for me or my friends. I won't call myself your master, but you can be my helper."

"Does Zeppie really have to take clothes and pay?" he asked sadly.

"Yes, Zeppie, it's the only way I'll agree."

"If it means going with Missy Hermy, then Zeppie will say yes."

"All right then, let's get you back to the Burrow so we can get you cleaned up and I can start on your clothes."

As they headed back towards the pond, Ron took Hermione's hand. "Wow 'Mione, I'm impressed. I never thought I'd see you taking on a house-elf. What about S.P.E.W.?"

"Honestly Ronald, I'm not going against any of my principles in doing this. I won't be his master and he DID agree to clothes and pay. Now if I could only convince all of the other house-elves-"

"That's my 'Mione, freeing the world one house-elf at a time!"

Finally they made it back to the Burrow and, upon entering, were immediately confronted by Mrs. Weasley.

"What are you doing in here? I'm not done with the celebration for Ron and Hermione making Head Boy and Head Girl yet," she said. Her eyes then fell on Zeppie. "All right, what have you all been up to and where did this house-elf come from?"

"Mum, a wild dog was trying to eat him and Hermione saved him. His name is Zeppie, and his Wizarding family banished him, so Hermione's going to look after him."

"Missy Hermy is Zeppie's new master. Zeppie will be happy to help out, if Missy Hermy says so." Zeppie looked up at Hermione questioningly.

"Go ahead, Zeppie, this is Mrs. Weasley. You can help her with dinner while I work on your clothes and decide on your pay. And I'm not your master, but you can call me your friend."

"All right you four, upstairs until dinner is done," Mrs. Weasley said. "You come with me, you poor dear. You can have a cup of tea and then help with dinner if you like." Zeppie nodded and followed Mrs. Weasley into the kitchen.

"Let's go up to Ron's room and you three can study while I make Zeppie's clothes."

Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny went up the stairs to Fred and George's old room. Since they were no longer living at home, Ron had moved in to it. The room simply screamed 'Chudley Cannons fan lives here'. The walls were covered with their posters, and the bed on which Ron slept boasted a Chudley Cannons bed set. Harry and Ginny each grabbed a book and settled on the extra bed, leaning against each other back to back. Ron flopped on to his bed, grabbing a book of Quidditch plays he had devised for the upcoming season. Hermione sat next to him, her knitting needles clacking together as she made an outfit for Zeppie out of soft, dark-green wool. By the time Zeppie arrived to announce dinner, she was done.

"Missy Hermy and friends, dinner is done. Where can Zeppie sleep? It is being a long day."

"I'll fix you a bed in Ginny's room, but first, take these," Hermione said, handing Zeppie the small outfit.

Zeppie looked at the tiny green jumper and knit pants. "Oh, Missy Hermy, Zeppie is not deserving clothes this nice!"

"Don't be silly, Zeppie, of course you do. Now come on and we'll get you settled in." After making Zeppie a pallet in Ginny's floor, Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny made their way downstairs.

The kitchen table was laden down with food of all types. There was beef stew, sausages, roast potatoes, fresh bread, and all types of puddings, just to name a few. Standing in the kitchen were Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley, Fred and George, and Charlie and Bill. Mrs. Weasley had summoned them all for the celebration. A large banner with flashing letters which read, 'Congratulations Ron and Hermione' hung from the ceiling. There was a small pile of presents on the sideboard. Mrs. Weasley, seeing Ron's questioning look said, "They're just a few surprises for making Head Boy and Head Girl, dear. Now let's all tuck in!"

Everyone ate until they were ready to burst. Once the plates had been cleared away, Mr. Weasley brought the presents over. There were two for Hermione and two for Ron.

Hermione's first present was from her parents. It was a beautiful gold heart-shaped locket which, when opened, played the song her mum had sung to her when she was a baby. Her second gift was from the Weasleys. They had given her a small, leather-bound journal, and a bright blue fwooper feather quill.

"Oh, they're beautiful! Thank you so much," Hermione said, hugging them each in turn.

While Hermione was hugging his parents, Ron opened his first present. His mum and dad had given him a new Chudley Cannons shirt.

"This is wicked!" he said, pulling the shirt over his head. Bill laid his last present on the table. It was suspiciously long.

"This is from Fred, George, Charlie, and myself...we all chipped in." Ron eagerly tore off the wrappings to reveal.......a Firebolt!

Ron's eyes grew wide. "But, how did you afford it?"

Fred and George explained it to him. "Well, business has been really good at the joke shop."

"And even though we are deeply disappointed that you're Head Boy-"

"DEEPLY disappointed-"

"We didn't want to see you embarrass yourself on the Quidditch pitch this year, seeing as how you're captain."

Harry noticed Ginny's eyes taking in every inch of Ron's new Firebolt. "Ron......do you think I could have a go on it tomorrow?" she asked eagerly.

"Sure, Ginny, no problem."

Mrs. Weasley shook her head, obviously upset that her boys had spent so much on a gift. "I suppose it will do no good to get after you four for spending so much on a broom. And sorry, Ginny, but we're planning on going to Diagon Alley tomorrow to shop for the new term. Your broom ride will have to wait until another day. Now off to bed with you."

The foursome trudged up the stairs. After quick but thorough kisses, the boys headed to Ron's room and the girls headed to Ginny's. Due to their full stomachs and exciting day, they were all asleep in no time.

Later that night, Ginny was awakened by the sounds of a conversation going on downstairs. Crawling out of bed she went to wake up Hermione.

"Hermione.......Hermione wake up," she whispered loudly.

"Wha....what is it, Ginny? Is it Harry again?"

"No, someone's downstairs talking, but it's the middle of the night. Come on."

Ginny and Hermione tiptoed quietly to the head of the stairs and peered down. They could see Mr. and Mrs. Weasley talking to someone, but couldn't see the other person or persons. The adults talked in hushed tones, so Hermione and Ginny only caught a few bits of the conversation here and there.

"-finally just snapped-"

"-found her in a pool of blood-"

"-tried to get him too-"

"-needs a safe place-"

They could see Mrs. Weasley nod her head, and motion for whoever was there to come farther into the house. Professor Snape and Mad-Eye Moody stepped into view. In between them they supported the motionless body.......of Draco Malfoy!

A/N: So that's the first chapter of the sequel. I hope I didn't disappoint! Please review and tell me what you thought!