Harry lay hidden in the tall, sweeping grass just past the back garden at the Burrow. Anytime he found the chaos inside the Weasley Home overwhelming, he'd escape to this secret sanctuary and simply watch the clouds roll by. Often, Ginny would join him once she realized he'd disappeared, and it was in this spot where they'd first made love. Today was not a day that she would be joining him, however, as it was her argument with Molly that sent Harry to his secret hideout. The three of them were alone at the Burrow, and the two women had been going at it for nearly an hour. He'd snuck out twenty minutes after hearing the first shouts. Harry knew better than to get between the two fire-headed females, and he also knew that if given the chance, Ginny would pull him in to take her side, so he had slipped on the invisibility cloak, and made his way to his secret spot.
It was the week before school was set to start and Ginny, Hermoine and Luna had made plans to spend the weekend in London, buying school supplies in Diagon Alley, and "muggling" (doing muggle things), as Mr. Weasley liked to call it, in the non-magic part of London. But Mrs. Weasley was having none of it.
"For the last time, Ginevra, you are not spending three days gallivanting around London, unsupervised." Molly shrilled. "I simply won't stand for it."
"And for the last time, mother," Ginny threw her signature sass into that last word, "I won't be gallivanting or unsupervised. Hermoine has reservations at a very nice muggle hotel, and I will be with her every second. I'll even take her with me to the loo if that makes you feel better." Ginny threw her hands up as she stomped a few feet away in exasperation. "For Merlin's sake," she said turning back to face Molly, "I've fought death eaters! More than once! You'd think that would qualify me as capable enough to spend the weekend in London without you tagging along." Ginny argued.
Molly's tone softened a bit as she responded, "Ginny, its not that I don't think you're capable. Its just that..." she bowed her head before continuing in a barely audible whisper. "This is my last chance to... What I mean is, you're my last..." Molly couldn't bring herself to finish. Instead, she looked at her only daughter with tear-filled eyes, pleading for her to understand.
Ginny knew how much her mother had been hurting since she lost Fred, and now, here she was selfishly asserting her independence when all Molly wanted was to be the mother she had always been.
"Oh, mum, I'm sorry!" Ginny, relented. She had grown nearly as tall as Ron, so when she wrapped her arms around her crying mother, Molly's face was buried in her shoulder. "Of course I'll shop with you like we always do." Tears now stung Ginny's eyes as well, and she nuzzled her cheek into her mother's curly red hair as they started to fall.
The two Weasley women remained in their embrace long enough for each of them to regain their composure. When she pulled away, Molly placed her hands on Ginny's arms and said, "How about a compromise? You stay with Hermoine and Luna Friday night so you can do that theater thing, and I will come Saturday afternoon to take you to Diagon Alley. We can stay over at The Leaky Cauldron, and I can properly see you all off on Sunday."
"That sounds great to me, mum." Ginny replied, giving a small grin.
It was probably safe to leave his sanctuary now, but Harry couldn't bring himself to stir just yet. The Burrow would always feel like home to him, and he'd always be welcome there, but he'd be heading back to Hogwarts in 5 days, and he wanted to soak in every detail in his last few days here.
For many years, Harry thought of Hogwarts as his home, but the final battle forever changed his feelings. He could no longer walk through the halls without seeing the bodies of those he loved and lost there. The faces of Fred, Lupin, Tonks, Dumbledore and even Snape, the unmasked Snape who had always secretly loved his mother, Lily, all haunted him in every corridor. Ghosts, Harry could deal with, but these personal demons were trying to eat him alive. If it wasn't for Hermoine's insistence and Ginny's pleading, he would not be returning to Hogwarts at all.
Harry had drifted off, but was quickly brought around by the sound of the five remaining Weasley children, plus Arthur apparating into the front garden. On Tuesdays, their core family ate dinner together. Harry was welcome, but he never stayed. He didn't feel right sitting in the only available seat at their table, the one Fred used to occupy. Harry didn't want to play out the awkward, invitation-polite declination with Mrs. Weasley, so he discretely disapparated when he heard Molly shepherding Ginny and the boys to their seats.
He re-materialized under the street lamp on the corner of Privet Drive. Whenever he apparated in hopes of avoiding something, his subconscious brought him here; his childhood home. Harry hadn't spoken with the Dursleys since fear of Voldemort forced them to flee just over a year ago. They had returned to #4 Privet Drive shortly after receiving notice from the Ministry of Magic saying he'd been defeated. Harry stood on the corner wondering how he would be received if he showed up on their stoop. "Don't go there, Harry." He told himself. Despite a miserable childhood full of neglect and abuse from his aunt, uncle and cousin, they were still the only remaining part of his mother's family, and Harry's heart longed for even a small piece of her. He resigned himself to pondering rather than seeking the answer as he turned on his heel and walked aimlessly around his old neighborhood.
He returned to the Burrow several hours later to find most of the Weasleys had returned to their respective homes. Only Arthur, Molly, Ginny, Ron and George remained around the table. George was lingering, as usual, because saying goodbye to him was hardest on Molly. Many Tuesdays he would stay until she'd fallen asleep so she wouldn't have to. Ginny was detailing her plans for the weekend when Harry entered through the back door.
"Hello, Mate," George exclaimed, obviously relieved Ginny's itinerary recitation had been interrupted.
"George" Harry nodded.
Molly had held back a plate for Harry, like always, and she busied herself with warming it and settling him in at the table. Harry enjoyed Molly's magical cooking, but Hermoine had been giving her muggle cooking lessons recently (much to Arthur's delight, as it gave him ample excuses to bring muggles items into their home, such as an oven and stand mixer). Molly, however, was still struggling to master this new art. Tonight she'd attempted chicken pot pie. She had forgotten the preheat step, and figured it would be fine to just put the pie in the oven as it heated. The result was a severely underdone crust. Harry made eyes with Ginny as he took his first bite, and she discretely mouthed the word: "Sorry".
"Well, how is it, dear?" Molly asked, smiling at him, nervous anticipation hanging on every word.
"Its the best chicken pot pie I have ever eaten," Harry responded behind a barely there grimace. Technically, that wasn't a lie, as it was the only chicken pot pie he had ever eaten.
Ron, sensing his discomfort, bailed Harry out by asking: "So, Harry, since the girls will be living it up in London this weekend, what do you say we catch the Cannons game Friday? I've heard rumors their seeker is looking to retire in the next few years, and I'd love to get some inside knowledge that might, you know... help me prepare to take his place."
Ginny reached over and wrapped both hands around Ron's bushy head.
"What in the blazes are you doing?" He demanded, swatting her away.
Ginny held her hands out in front of her as if they still encircled Ron's head. "Just checking how many sizes your head grew this summer. You know, since the Cannons coach invited you to run through that one practice. Yep, just as I suspected," she continued, carefully examining her hands, "two whole sizes".
The whole lot of them got a good laugh at Ron's expense, even Molly, which hadn't happened a lot in the months since the battle at Hogwarts. Harry glanced around at each smiling face, and realized being a part of this family is what made him truly happy. His gaze landed on Ginny, her brassy hair bouncing in time with her lingering giggles. A sense of being exact where he belonged rushed over Harry, and he wished he could freeze this moment with his family forever. Their eyes met as Ginny caught him staring at her, and the glow of an involuntary blush flooded her cheeks.
"Damn," Harry thought to himself, "I get to marry that girl," a sly grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. No one else knew yet, but the night before last on Ginny's 17th birthday, Harry had proposed and Ginny had said YES!