Patronuses Chapter 1 - Happy Forever

Harry's parents were the perfect couple. They were equally matched in brilliance and stubbornness in a way that practically guaranteed a "happily ever after" marriage, the kind that made others jealous. And they would have been happy forever, Harry could feel it. He knew them deeper than anyone thought, and it wasn't in a way that Harry could put into words. He only knew that his internal knowledge of his parents was not based on the pictures, or the stories, or his own fantasies. He knew them in a way that defied knowing.

After the battle at Hogwarts, Harry continued to date Ginny for two years, but he kept her at a safe distance. He never pushed the relationship forward, but rather held back in a lot of ways. At first Ginny seemed to understand, but soon it became clear that Ginny was hoping for something more, some sign of their future together even though neither of them had turned twenty yet. It was on Harry's birthday (being celebrated at the Burrow) that Ginny reached for Harry's hand and led him up to her room.

"I have your birthday present, Harry," she said nervously.

Harry's eyes blinked and he chanced a glance around the room. "Oh?"

"It's me. I'm your present," and with that, Ginny made to pull her shirt off.

Harry rushed forward and stopped her hands. "Don't."

Ginny looked up into Harry's eyes, nervous embarrassment turning to anger as she tried to read his expression. "I've taken the potion, there's nothing to worry about," she tried to explain.

Harry's lips thinned and his eyebrows furled down. "I'm flattered, really, but I don't think we should."

"Don't you want me?"

Silence.

"You don't want me!"

"Ginny I –"

"Get out, Harry." Ginny turned to face her window, clutching her arms to her chest and trying not to cry.

Harry left, quietly closing the door. He made his way through the living room and then outside, wandering toward the cornfield to think. In truth, Harry wanted what Ginny was offering – her body and a future – but what she was about to do for him made him realize that he could no longer see a future with her as his wife.

At first he had been enamored by the idea of him and Ginny together forever, like his parents couldn't be. He looked so much like his father, and Ginny had red hair and brains like his mother. But somewhere inside, he knew that he was dreaming. Even the admiration and love he had for the Weasley family couldn't really justify him staying and marrying Ginny just to make everyone else happy.

Harry sighed and wandered deeper into the cornfield. How long would it be before everyone at the Burrow heard that he and Ginny had broken up? Would Ron come charging out to hex him for breaking her heart? Harry pulled his wand out of his pocket. He was planning to do something, anything, just to have something to do, but instead he just stared at the thin stick in his hand. He had learned a lot about wand lore during his hunt for Voldemort's horcruxes.

His wand was Holly and Phoenix feather, and meant just for him. If only love worked that way. If only there was someone as right for him as his wand; someone who he could connect with in a deeper way. Ginny was great, but there was something missing…

With a sigh, Harry pocketed his wand and headed back towards the Burrow to see how much trouble he was in.

oOoOo

Harry was surprised when Hermione was the one to confront him about Ginny. "Harry, what you did was probably –"

"I know, I know," Harry mumbled.

"—the best thing a man has ever done," Hermione concluded.

"Wait, what?"

Hermione moved closer and lowered her voice, glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one else was in hearing range. "Ginny and I had a long talk, and we agreed that you were right."

Harry goggled at her.

Hermione rolled her eyes and gave him a crooked smile. "Not many guys would have the self-control to refuse a solicitation like that. I know that Ron –"

"Hermione!"

"—Sorry, but I mean it. You did the right thing by refusing. Ginny's waiting in her room to talk to you."

Harry looked skeptical and Hermione chuckled. "Just talk, I promise."

Harry nodded and made his way back to Ginny's room. He hesitated outside the door and then knocked.

"Come in."

Harry opened the door to find Ginny sitting on her bed, fully clothed, her expression brightening when she saw who it was. "Hi," she said lamely.

"Hey, Hermione said you were waiting for me," Harry returned, leaving the door open and making his way towards her.

"Yes, I wanted to apologize. I shouldn't have thrown myself at you; I should've known you're too noble for anything like that."

Harry shook his head. "You're gorgeous, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't tempted, but I know why you did it."

Ginny blinked, looking a little nervous. "You do?"

Harry nodded. "I can tell you're getting impatient with us, and I shouldn't have been leading you on this long. I should be apologizing."

Ginny's nervousness was instantly replaced as she repeated the phrase 'leading you on this long.' "What do you mean by that?"

"We haven't been working for a while, Gin… we both know that." He looked at her calmly, but noticed her face getting flushed with anger.

Harry forestalled her response. "I still care for you, but I'm not in love with you anymore. I'm sorry I didn't figure that out sooner."

"But, but –"

Harry could see the hurt on Ginny's face as she tried to find something to say that might make Harry take back what he'd said. When she found nothing but Harry's resolve the hurt turned to anger.

"You JERK!"

Ginny's shout was accompanied by a burst of uncontrolled magic that made the whole house shake.

"Ginny, dear, what is it, what's the matter?!" Mrs. Weasley's voice and footsteps were frantic. Harry stepped sideways as Mrs. Weasley rushed into the room.

Ginny ignored her mother, her eyes still fixed on Harry. "We are through, Harry Potter! Through!"

Harry nodded and left the room.

oOoOo

When Harry got downstairs it was clear that everyone had heard Ginny's pronouncement. Ron looked torn between anger and relief, but then he had never really liked the idea of Harry with his sister in the first place. Hermione was confused and the look on her face said that she'd be asking a million questions. George whistled low and then, to break the tension, said, "Little sis finally get tired of competing with your fangirls?" No one laughed.

Arthur coughed. "I'm sure that you two will work things out."

Harry looked straight at Arthur. "I'm sorry sir, but Ginny and I are over. I care for your daughter very much, sir, but I am not in love with her anymore."

No one had a response to that announcement, and after a moment of silence, Harry excused himself and walked out the front door. He was about halfway to the apparition boundary when Ron caught up to him.

"Harry, mate, where are you going?"

"Home."

"But it's your birthday. Come back inside. You know, have some cake and butterbeer –"

"Thanks Ron, but I'd rather not be here right now. Not for a couple of days, until Ginny's calm enough to not hex me."

"Hermione and I will be over later then, okay?"

"Sure."

oOoOo

It took a few months for Harry to be truly welcomed back at the Burrow. Ron was the first to accept Harry's decision, then Arthur, George, and eventually Hermione. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were the last, but by Thanksgiving, everything was back to normal. Ginny commented on how nice it was to spend time with family, and then announced with a huge smile that she had started seeing someone. She even had the courtesy to ask Harry if he was dating.

"No, I'm not seeing anyone," Harry answered to the room at large.

"Why not?" Ron asked between bites. "I mean, you broke up with Ginny months ago." Hermione kicked him under the table. "Ow, what was that for?"

"For being tactless."

Ginny laughed. "It's alright. Harry knows what Ron means, don't you, Harry?" She gave him an impish grin.

Harry shrugged. "I haven't found anyone I want to go out with right now. Too many women only want me because of my fame."

"But you're single now. Enjoy it." Ron said with a grin. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Ron, you know better than that. Harry has never wanted to be famous," Hermione said.

"I know, I know. But still…."

oOoOo

It was the following May when Ron proposed to Hermione. Naturally, she said yes, and Mrs. Weasley threw them an engagement party that almost made Fleur jealous. Then again, Ron and Hermione were basically the most perfect couple ever, in their own way. Harry still didn't understand how they could be screaming at each other one minute and then laughing the next, but it was just the way they bounced off each other.

Around midnight, Harry and Ron managed to escape the crowd of Weasleys and find a quiet place to talk.

"I don't know if I said 'congratulations' yet."

"You have. At least four times. Hermione could tell you exactly though if you really want to know." Ron gave Harry a cheeky grin. Harry chuckled weakly.

"Ron, can I ask you a serious question?"

Ron blinked. "Of course, mate. Anything you want to know that's not going to get me in trouble."

Harry stared out into the sky for a moment and then asked, "What does it feel like?"

Ron held up his hands. "Whoa – that would fall under 'information that'll get me in trouble'," Ron joked.

Harry gave him a soft punch in the arm. "Not that, prat. I mean, being so sure of your future with someone. Do you think that you and Hermione will be happy forever?"

Ron stared into the sky. "I have loved Hermione for ten years. I might not have known that I loved her then, but I did. I saw her for who she was and wasn't scared to call her bluffs. She never took any of my crap. I wanted to protect her even though I know she can take care of herself. And no matter how much I ragged on her, she would never have let me down. Yeah, I think that I will be happy forever, as long as I have her. Even if all we're doing is fighting, it will still be great, because it will be with her."

Harry nodded. "You're really lucky."

"Don't I know it." Ron hesitated and then said, "I kind of always thought you and Ginny… but I guess it's for the best. You'll find that special someone – someone who isn't just a fangirl."

Harry nodded his thanks, though it would probably be a long time before his fame wore off enough for people not to break into applause every time they saw him. He sighed.

Ron chuckled. "You've never been good at being anything but yourself and you hate it," Ron mused cryptically.

"What?"

"Well, you take such pride in being yourself, yet you resent the adoration of people who only see your scar." At Harry's somewhat mystified stare Ron added, "Hermione and I were arguing about your aversion to fame."

"When are you two not arguing," Harry joked.

"When we're snogging each other senseless," Ron retorted back, and they both laughed.

After a minute or so of silence, Harry said, "I almost wish there was a way to get to know someone without them knowing I'm me."

"Fat chance of that."

oOoOo

Ron spent most of his spare time during the month of June looking for a date for Harry. Preferably someone pretty, smart, and completely sheltered….

After a few weeks of nearly every attractive witch being completely star-struck by the thought of meeting Harry (let alone dating him), Ron was ready to give up. "There's not a witch in England that wouldn't turn in her wand to be with Harry."

Hermione nodded. "Perhaps Harry should consider dating a muggle."

Ron wrinkled up his nose. Hermione glared at him.

"It's not the same Hermione. You're a muggle-born witch, and your parents know about magic. How could Harry ever date someone who couldn't understand him? Who he couldn't tell about his magic?"

Hermione shrugged. "Plenty of people at Hogwarts were half-bloods, or had you forgotten?"

Ron scratched his head. "Oh, yeah I guess they were."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're partly right though," she said.

"I was?"

Hermione chuckled at Ron's confused but pleased face. "Yes. I think you're right that Harry probably wouldn't want to date a muggle because he'd be forced to hide his magic. Magic was the best thing that ever happened to Harry."

Ron nodded. He couldn't imagine having to try to hide his magic to date a muggle. Though he knew that Harry had basically grown up as a muggle, and would therefore be able to handle himself just fine, Ron couldn't help but feel that to suggest such an idea would be insulting. He slumped onto the couch next to Hermione and took her hand. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Ron."