1: The Waiting Game...
Ginevra Weasley sat beside her mother, Molly, on the couch in the cluttered living room of the Burrow, imaging the worst. Almost everyone Ginny loved was out there in danger while she sat safely at home waiting as usual. Tonight was the night, the plan to retrieve Harry from his muggle relatives for the last time was in motion.
Ginny wanted to go with the others but Molly Weasley ruled the roost and that meant Ginny spend the night safely cooling her heels while the others risked their lives. At first she had tried to sleep, the hours had crawling since everyone left. But as midnight approached Ginny had abandoned her bed to sit downstairs with her mother.
She hated staying at the Burrow and wring her hands like some useless damsel. Ginny wanted to be in the thick of things, to fight but she wasn't seventeen and she still had the trace on her like Harry. It would make her a target but at the same time she would loved to have drawn some of the fire from Harry. There was also the larger issue of her mother. Molly had way too many children in harm's way and there was no way she'd let the one child she still had power over be in danger too, so Ginny had stayed at the Burrow.
Getting to her feet she wandered over to the window and sighed. Finally the fingers of dawn were reaching out from the east; it was almost time for the first portkey bearing Ron and Tonks to arrive. Ginny could feel herself growing more tense with each passing minute, but for now all they could do was wait.
And that was all Ginny ever did was wait. She waited for her turn to enter Hogwarts, watching each of her brothers each take their place. When the time finally came and she was also made a Gryffindor, she marked her time once again hoping to be able to take her turn on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. To give her the chance to show everyone she could play as well as her brothers, maybe even better. That time had come first as a chaser and later as the seeker. Then she patiently waited for six years for Harry to see her as someone more than Ron's little sister or someone who needed his protection, but as equal. A woman who could stand as his side and help him face whatever came his way. To prove that her feelings weren't just a schoolgirl crush.
Then it had happened on that magical day and she was happy with Harry. But then Dumbledore died and Harry pulled away from her, shutting her out, trying to keep her safe. So once again she was waiting, this time for the war to end and Voldemort to be defeated. Although it would be a victory, she knew that even when Harry and the others walked through the door the war wouldn't be over, it was just the beginning of more waiting.
Molly reached out and touched Ginny's hand making her jump. "They'll be alright, Ginny, they always are. We kept our plan secret, the only people who knew what and when it was going to happen were those involved. None of those people would betray us or Harry. The others and Harry will make it home to us, we have to keep the faith." Molly squeezed Ginny's hand.
Ginny forced a smile. "I know mom, but I should be with them. I'm just as good of a witch as the others. Mom, how can you stand back and do nothing. I mean- " Ginny stopped and looked out the window unsure if she wanted to know her mother's answer. Her mother was a very strong woman. She might not like to fight but Ginny knew when the time came Molly Weasley would be at the front lines defending those she loved.
Looking her daughter in the eye, Molly wiped away her tears. "Because I have to. It's the only thing I can do right now. When the time comes and I need to fight, I'll stand toe to toe with any of those Death Eaters. For now I'll do the job assigned to me because we must all do our part. And right now that's to stay here and welcome those who'd been in the fight home, to fix any hurts and provide shelter for those who need it."
Outside there was a flash of blue and both women rushed out into the yard only to discover it was empty except for the dingy oilcan portkey. It had returned without Ron and Tonks.
Ginny could tell tell her mother was trying hard not to let her panic show. "I'm sure Ron and Tonks will be along soon, they must have had a spot of trouble. We'll just wait here; maybe it's time I made some tea."
Her mother turned away from the oilcan, heading into the house and began to bang around in the kitchen not really doing anything but needing to keep her hands busy. Ginny understood; she needed to do the same thing, but there was nothing for her to do.
When the second portkey returned alone Molly came back into the living room and began to pace muttering to herself under her breath. "Everyone will be fine, Mom. They're so young; they'll all come back alive, because they have to. "
Ginny dropped down on to the couch, drawing her knees up to her chin hoping to ward off the chill that had wrapped itself around her body and seemly to cling to the whole house. Harry and Hagrid were scheduled to arrive next. Would his key return alone as well. What had gone wrong? The plan had sounded so perfect, almost ingenious. They couldn't all be dead, Ginny was sure she'd feel it, she'd know if Harry was… gone.
As the seconds ticked down Ginny gripped her knees tightly until there was a flash. Ginny sprang to her feet but stopped, almost scared to look out the window. She knew she had to look, to know if he was there. Walking slowly she followed her mother. The squeal of delight from her mother told Ginny everything; Harry was here standing in the garden.
Ginny watched her mother race outside sprinting across the lawn toward the two figures. Molly wrapped her arms around Harry, holding him tight.
Seeing him there in the garden a little worse for the wear, Ginny was happy Harry had returned but she forced herself to walk slower. Her arms ached to hold Harry as her mother was doing, but she knew she couldn't without making things awkward between Harry and herself.
After Dumbledore's funeral he'd made it clear that they could not be together. Harry felt it was too dangerous, but she hated that he felt the need to protect her. She was capable of taking care of herself. She didn't need a man to keep her safe. If he only gave her the chance she could show him, but that wasn't Harry's way. He would die before allowing Ginny to put herself in danger for him.
From across the garden, Ginny heard her mother demand, "Harry, you're the real Harry. What happened to the others? Where are the others?"
Harry looked alarmed as he answered. "What do you mean? Isn't anyone else back?" He looked over at Ginny and she could see the helplessness on his face. She knew exactly what he was thinking. He hated that everyone was willing to put their own lives before his. She wanted to comfort him, but that would be as unwelcome as what the others had done for him.
Harry continued to hold on to Molly, who was shaking. "The Death Eaters were waiting for us. We were surrounded the moment we took off. They knew it was tonight. I don't know what happen to anyone else. Four of them chased us. It was all we could do to get away and then Voldemort caught up with us."
It was then Ginny realized that Hagrid was there too, standing in the shadows and she felt silly for not see the Hogwarts gamekeeper earlier.
Molly let out a breath. "Thank goodness you're all right." She stepped away patting his cheek.
Ginny could tell Harry had expected a very different reaction to his lack of information but before he could say anything else, Hagrid requested some brandy giving Molly a moment to collect herself as she headed back into the Burrow, leaving Ginny to explain what had happened.
"Ron and Tonks should have been back first but their portkey came back without them." She pointed to the forlorn looking oilcan next to an old sneaker. "And that one should have been dad and Fred's. They were supposed to be second and you and Hagrid were third. If they make it George and Lupin ought to be back in a minute." She told Harry as she looked at her watch not able to keep the fear out of her voice wondering if she would lose part of her family tonight.
Harry reached out and squeezed her hand and Ginny could tell that he wanted to say something. She stepped closer but just then a blue light began to glow in the garden and Lupin and George appeared putting an end to any moment that might have developed between them.
Lupin was supporting George whose face was covered in blood. As they passed her all Ginny could do was stare at him wondering if he was dead; her brother was deathly pale.
It was all so very clear in that moment how real this war would be. People were going to die, people she knew and loved. In the first conflict with Voledemort, Harry had lost his parents and many others had died fighting for the Order or as collateral damage, and she shouldn't expect it to be any different this time. This was war and in war there were casualties. Dumbledore was the first and there was no way she could expect him to be the last.
Ginny followed everyone else into the living room and watched Lupin lay George down on the couch. She tried hard to stifle the gasp that escaped her lips, but she couldn't help it. George's ear was completely gone leave an ugly hole on the side of his head. As Molly began to tend him, Lupin backed away only to grab a hold of Harry and pull him from the room. Ginny wanted to step between the two men and stop what was going on; she could have told Lupin that this was Harry, she just knew.
She watched helplessly wanting to stay with her brother but also to help Harry in case something was wrong with Lupin. She could hear Hagrid shouting from the kitchen and she knew that as long as Hagrid was there with Harry things would be fine.
Turning back to her brother she asked, "Mom, what do you need?"
"Hand me those rags and bandages." She nodded to a pile in the corner.
Ginny hurried over and passed them to her mom, who summoned a bowl of warm soapy water from the kitchen. Molly gently began to clean around George's ear muttering to herself the whole time. If they'd been muggles Ginny would have thought her mother was praying.
Drifting from her mother's side Ginny turned toward the doorway and into the kitchen. She just watched Harry grateful that he was alive, knowing as long as Harry was alive there was hope for them all and a chance for she and Harry to be happy once more.
"Ginny take those soiled cloths away please and get me some more. I should have some in the scullery cupboard." Her mother called bringing Ginny from her revelry.
With one last look at the kitchen she stepped away from the entrance to gather the soiled cloths. Heading down the hall she dropped them on the counter beside the washtub and collected the new ones.
Now that she was alone Ginny's emotions fought to get free. She wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. Clutching the counter, she wrestled for control but the tears won. George was injured and who knew where the others were and there was nothing she could do until they returned, and when they did she would do all she could to help them.
She drew a deep breath. George and her mother needed her to be strong, if she couldn't face this how could she face the oncoming war.
Drawing another breath she reigned in her emotions and capped them. Now wasn't the time to fall apart; there were too many more horrors to come. She had to continue to believe that everyone would come home safely, Harry, George, Lupin and Hagrid had made it, so would the others. Her mother was right, they had to keep the faith and trust that good would prevail after all, that Voldemort wouldn't win while Harry lived.
Wiping away the evidence of her tears, Ginny returned to her mother's side, just as another flash appeared in the garden. She could hear a scuffle in the kitchen but Hagrid wasn't shouting so she handed her mother the cloths and stayed at her side.
A few moments later Harry came back into the living room. Ginny crossed to his side standing so near she was almost touching him. "Did I hear someone else in the yard?"
Harry nodded. "Hermione and Kingsley."
Relief surged through her, two more people were safe and sound. "Thank goodness."
Harry looked so weary and Ginny lifted her hand to touch his arm. She hated to see him like this. She could see the shutters going up as he fought to lock himself away from not only her but the others as well. As though keeping them at an arms length meant they wouldn't be hurt, but she couldn't let him do that.
His love for others kept him safe, because he cared for others Harry would defeat Voldemort. Harry stepped closer, his expression changing as he opened his mouth to say something, but a crash sounded from the kitchen.
They heard her father's voice shouting at Kingsley. Then two gingers emerged from the kitchen hurrying over to George's side. Ginny was grateful to see her father and Fred unharmed, she wanted to hug him but she knew her father needed to see that George was alright before she could approach him.
The commotion seemed to rouse George as Mr. Weasley and Fred pushed their way to his side.
"How do you feel, Georgie?" Fred asked touching his twin's shoulder.
George reached up and traced the hole that his ear had become. "Saint like." Everyone leaned forward to try and hear his raspy voice.
Fred looked around at all those gathered. "What's the matter with him? Is his mind affected?"
Instead of being insulted George grinned and motioned to his ear again, this time with a bit of flourish. "Saint like; you see. I'm holy- Holey, Fred geddit?"
"Pathetic." Fred snorted. "Pathetic. With the whole wide world of ear related humor before you, you chose holy."
Beside Harry, Ginny laughed grateful for a break in tension. She'd been so tightly wound that she was beginning to think she'd never relax again. When no one else joined her Ginny sobered.
George looked up at Ginny with a smile across his pale face and she knew he understood. In fact laughter had been his goal. George knew if they didn't laugh they'd cry.
Looking over at their mum, George said, "Ah well, you'll be able to tell us apart now, anyway mum."
Their mother began to cry silently again; reaching out George patted her arm. Dad wrapped his arm around his wife giving her the comfort she needed.
Struggling to sit up, George focused on Harry. "Hi Harry. You are Harry right?"
Trying hard not to look at Mrs Weasley, Harry nodded. "Yeah, I am."
"Well at least we go you back OK." He looked around the room and frowned. "Why aren't Ron and Bill huddled around my sick bed?"
"They're not back yet, George." Mum told him dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.
Harry backed up a few paces before looking over at Ginny. He motioning for her to follow him as he fled the sitting room disappearing through the kitchen.
Walking beside him, Ginny told Harry, "Ron and Tonks should be back by now. They didn't have a long journey; Auntie Muriel's not that far from here."
She saw the torment on his face and she knew exactly what he was thinking. That these people shouldn't be injured, maybe killed, protecting him.
Ginny understood Harry very well, maybe better than he understood himself. Reaching out she took his hand as they descended the stairs out into the back garden; hoping he would except her comfort.
The two of them stood side by side in the cool night their fingers entwined as they stood with Hermione, Lupin and Hagrid.
Ginny looked up at the sky, it was filled with brilliant stars and she couldn't help wondering where they would all be this time next year. Would she be once more at Harry's side or would he be still running and hiding from Voldemort? By then she would be of age and there would be no reason for them not to be together.
Out on the horizon there was a bit of movement and slowly two brooms came into view. Everyone tensed wondering if this was their lost companions or an attack. A few moments later Tonks and Ron touched down on the grass.
As Ron came rushing over, Harry dropped Ginny's hand as everyone gathered around to hear to Ron tell what had happened to him.
Lupin enfolded Tonks in his arms just as soon as she and Ron hit the ground. She could hear tender words being exchanged.
Turning away, Ginny gave them their privacy feeling a little jealous as she pretending to listen to her brother's tale.
She didn't begrudge Tonks and Lupin their happiness but she didn't want to watch it either. It felt like she was intruding on a private moment.
When she looked up she saw Harry watching her and she knew he was thinking the same thoughts. Why should the two of them seek comfort in each other? They were alive and safe for the moment. She reached out to take his hand once more but Tonks joined the group and Harry moved too far away.
"Are we the last back?" Ron asked looking at those gathered around listening.
"No, we are still waiting for Bill and Fleur and Mad-eye and Mundungus. I'm going to tell Mum and Dad you're okay, Ron-" Ginny said, as she turned and hurried back inside running through the kitchen looking for the rest of her family.
"Mum, Dad Ron's back with Tonks." Everyone in the sitting room turned around and Ginny rushed on. "They're both fine and in the garden."
Mr. Weasley helped George to his feet and they all headed out into the garden. Mrs. Weasley wrapped her arms around Ron squeezing him tightly.
As her mum interrogated Ron, Ginny looked up at the sky once more hoping to see the stragglers. It was a few minutes later when she spotted two figures floating among the stars.
There was a hoarse cry and then Bill and Fleur landed the unseen thestral.
Ginny stayed back as she heard Bill talked about Mad-eyes death. He was the second person she knew to die and very thought of losing someone else she loved was killing her.
She felt sick as she followed the others into the house. Each step felt like a lead weight as she took her place beside her mother. Mum wrapped her arm around Ginny holding her close.
Ginny knew just what her mother was thinking. At least Ginny would be safe but the that was the last place she wanted to be. Ginny wanted to join the fight, not to sit back and wait to see what happened.
Bill waved his wand and thirteen glasses of Fire whiskey sped around the room. "Mad-Eye" Bill raised his glass and toasted their fallen friend and comrade.
Ginny raised her glass with everyone else. "Mad-Eye."
Hagrid joined them a little late due to a hiccough and he drained his glass and disappeared into his handkerchief.
Drinking from her glass, Ginny choked on the liquid as the fire whiskey burned it's way down. With her free hand Ginny wiped away the unshed tears in her eyes but they weren't for Mad-Eye alone. She realized at this moment that her childhood had ended and there was nothing to bring back that feeling of safety and ignorance.
She knew what was coming and there was no way to escape it. A single tear trailed down her cheek. Not wanting to hear anything else she turned and left the room, hoping that no one had seen her cry.