So this Story takes place immediately following the end of Dream0Writer7's Fanfic "What They Always Feared" so check that out first. This is the suddenly inspired piece I was waiting for, so enjoy!
Disclaimer: Well you know the routine: I don't have the rights to any of the characters and such; it's just for fun, and to keep the Harry Potter world alive!
Chapter 1 – "The Talk"Harry held Ginny tight for a moment longer before taking her by the hand to lead her down to the Great Hall for breakfast. She followed his touch at once, walking even with him, but holding fast to his hand as though still afraid that he might somehow leave her again. He merely enjoyed the warmth of her hand in his as they walked, and hoped very much that she would not let him leave if ever he was fool enough to try again.
As they made there way down the many flights of stairs that separated Gryffindor tower from the main hall, Harry noticed that many of the portraits' occupants were craning their necks, or else, wandering into neighboring frames in an effort to get a good look at the boy who still lives. He was pleased to notice, however, that they were not the curious and sometimes frightened expression that he had grown accustomed to over the years, after his numerous encounters with Voldemort. The faces wore expressions of admiration and wonder, every single one of them, joyous and triumphant. Harry thought he even heard Sir Cadagun cheering raucously in a distant portrait along with a dozen other people with whom, it seemed, he was enjoying a celebration over the Dark Lord's downfall.
He turned to smile at Ginny as they passed Violet, the Fat Lady's friend, who bowed deeply at the pair of them, and Ginny beamed up at him, before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. His smile broadened still as they reached the Great Hall at last and Harry's stomach fluttered with excitement at the thought of the delicious food that would, no doubt, be waiting for them at the Gryffindor table.
But no sooner had they walked through the large double doors into the hall than a horrible shriek met their ears, forcing all comfortable thoughts of food out of their minds and stomachs.
"Ginerva Molly Weasley!" came Mrs. Weasley's voice across the room causing Ginny to roll her eyes at her doting mother, but she blushed slightly nonetheless, "Where have you been? We've been worried sick!"
"Ginny made no effort to quickly close the gap between her mother and herself as she replied, "I'd gone to check on Harry and I fell asleep on the bed next to him- opposite him," she added quickly at the flash of outrage in her mother's eyes, "on Ron's bed. We only just woke up." By this time, Mrs. Weasley had done what Ginny would not, and had her only daughter in a tight embrace full of stern love.
Ginny was blushing scarlet now, as Harry slid his hand from hers with a look to tell her she needed to spend a moment with her mother and he would see her in a bit. She shot him a rather amazing look in response that said, quite clearly, "I can't believe you're just going to leave me here like this, just to get some stinking food-oh well, I suppose I should give her a minute after all.
But as Harry turned to find a seat at the table, he saw Ron and made up his mind in an instant, "Hey," he said to his best friend, who was stuffing his face, as was his custom at every meal. "Can I have a word outside?" he said quietly so that only Ron and Hermione, who sat on Ron's right (so he could have his arm around her and continue eating, no doubt), could hear him. "Bring some toast then!" Harry added in exasperation at the look on Ron's face and the open mouth clearly about to protest, and clearly full of sausages.
When Ron hesitated once more, Hermione pushed him sighing, "Oh, for heaven's sake, Ronald. You know the house-elves will make you something later if you're still hungry; they love their work," she said with a smile at the look of surprise both her friends now donned. "You know, I think I finally understand how they feel about their role as servants. As long as the wizards they are serving are moderately nice to them, they feel a sense of loyalty to the family, and they love to serve someone they believe will care for them, like Harry did for…Dobby."
Harry's heart nearly fell as with a pang he remembered the image of the House-elf dead in his arms, but this was immediately replaced by the tearfully ecstatic expression Dobby had worn when he received his large gift of socks from "Harry Potter, sir". Apparently, this business with the house-elves was all that Ron required to abandon his food without regret, though he did join Harry in taking a few pieces of toast for there "word".
They walked out of the Great hall together without the notice of the Weasley women, Mrs. Weasley still hugging the life out of her daughter, and Ginny too busy looking embarrassed and annoyed.
Without a word between them, Harry and Ron walked steadily through the Main Hall and out onto the grounds. Harry had known this talk must take place and he had decided sooner rather than later was a necessary move.
"Ron I want things to be perfectly clear between the two of us about me and Ginny," Harry said before he lost his nerve altogether, "just let me talk for a minute, please," he added as Ron opened his mouth about to forestall the conversation he didn't want to have.
"First of all I want you to know that I care for her like I've never cared for anyone else; not even Cho." Ron looked down at the steps leading up to the castle doors uncomfortable, "I love her. I love her and this time I'm not going anywhere. I need you to understand that I want to take care of her and protect her and, just be with her." Here Ron shifted uneasily, still not able to meet Harry's gaze.
" I also want you to know that I would be so happy to have your blessing in this, but we don't need it," and now Ron looked up with a hint of anger in his eyes, but Harry kept on, "Please don't take it the wrong way, it's just, well…We're going to keep seeing each other whether you like it or not. Plus, Ginny's nearly of age." Ron seemed none more relieved, so Harry continued, "I just need you to come to grips with the fact that we love each other, and remember- I'm still your best mate," Ron slackened his furrowed brow slightly, "and Ginny's still your sister, but she got a choice in the matter and I think she's made it. I mean, honestly," Harry chanced a weak smile, "who could you trust better than your best mate to take care of your sister?"
Harry had broken the barrier at last; he could see it in Ron's smile. "Well, Mum's always treated you like a son anyway, so what's the difference, really?" and Harry smiled too. Throwing his arm around his friend's shoulder, Harry turned with him to walk back up to the Great Hall and a proper breakfast.
"Oh, and Ron?" Harry advised, "If you don't want to see your sister snogging all the time, try looking the other way."
Ron smirked at Harry's comment then added, "Well, I reckon Ginny was right; a bit of practical application was all I really needed," he smiled broadly as he caught sight of Hermione still waiting at the table for him, Ginny next to her, looking around, it seemed, for Harry. As she spotted them, rising swiftly to confront Ron, Ron beat her to the punch, "Worried sick, I know. Well, here he is then. Later you two," he said with a smile at the stunned look on his sister's face.
As Ron slipped back into his seat, his arm once more around Hermione's waist, Ginny recovered enough to say, "What-?"
To which Harry simply replied, "We've come to an understanding," and he kissed her again, for the first time in what seemed like years and felt her pull into the comfort of his embrace, as he checked to see if Ron had taken his advice. Indeed, Ron was already "practically applying" his lips to Hermione's.
Harry smiled to himself as he dipped Ginny briefly and stood her up again, loving the fierce look burning in her eyes again.