NOTE: Hey guys thanks for all of the comments. I'm trying to get this story out as quickly as possible so I hope you will be "patient".
Harry Potter and the Forgotten Heir
Chapter 2: Ginny Weasley
Ron had challenged George his older brother to a chess match. They sat staring across the table at one another. It was George's move and he knew how good Ron had gotten at this game so he was taking his time. Fred, George's identical twin, was sitting on the couch reading a book titled 101 Jokes to Pull on Your Friends and commenting on how the author was completely out of his head. "Who does this Joxster think he is, I bet he has never pulled off one of these successfully"? Fred read farther down the page, "If you add that much toad scum you will blow you own hand off".
Ron looked at George who was now staring at Fred smiling, "Are you going to move or what"?
"Oh sorry", George said as he moved his knight in the way of Ron's bishop and turned more interested in what Fred was reading than in the game he was playing.
Ron looked backed up at George not believing the move George had just made. "You know you have the attention span of a two year old", Ron took the knight with his bishop, "Checkmate…"
'Thud' a trunk fell out of the fireplace causing George to jump up dumping the chessboard over onto the floor. Ron jumped up also so he could avoid the overturned table, "George look out".
"Hi guys", Harry said as he walked out of the fireplace and sat his empty birdcage down on his trunk. "Do you think you parents would mind putting me up for a couple of days", Harry asked as he sat down on the couch.
Ron smiled briefly as the thought of his best friend staying with him again crossed his mind. Then quickly he remembered something and the smile left his face quickly, "Harry you not supposed to be here. Dumbledore left strict instructions that we were not to go after you this summer. You are to stay with your aunt and uncle until you go back to school." Ron thought for a minute as he looked at Harry's scared face, "What happened did they through you out? If they did Dumbledore will have their hides."
"No, they didn't throw me out. I left." Harry said as the comfort and safety of his environment finally got to him as he started to relax.
"Harry, are you crazy? Dumbledore will skin you alive." Ron said excitedly.
Harry looked at Ron, as Ron and the twins gathered around their friend. "I don't think Dumbledore will be mad." Harry breathed heavily and now he was calmed down enough to explain what had happened, "I ran into and old friend of yours Ron."
"What are you talking about Harry, other than you and Hermonie I don't have any friends in the Muggle World." Ron asked confused at the statement Harry had made.
"Scabbers, ring a bell", Harry, asked? Ron had once owned a pet rat named Scabbers that turned out to be no other than Peter Pettigew in his animagus form. Animagi are wizards and witches that can transform into an animal of their choice.
"Scabbers", Ron repeated now looking as terrified as Harry was when he came through the fireplace. "Where did you see him at", Ron asked.
"Right on Privet Drive. He was looking for something and I decided I would get out of there before he found it." Harry shook his head and breathed in heavily again. "Where are you mom and dad", Harry asked Ron.
"There still at the Ministry. Ever since Minister Fudge refused to listen to Dumbledore my mum and dad have been beating the bushes, trying to convince the other Ministers of the truth. It has turned into quite a battle. Dad saying it is true Fudge saying it isn't. They almost got into a fistfight right in the Hall of Ministers." Ron explained the situation thinking it was funny his dad fighting in front of all the other Ministers.
"But, what about Dumbledore", Harry asked. "Isn't he doing anything to help convince the Ministers? With both your parents and Dumbledore talking someone is bound to listen."
"That's just it", Ron looked at Harry. "Dumbledore isn't helping he is off somewhere and hasn't been to Ministry all summer. Some people are saying that he is preparing the school for the War that is bound to be coming. Others that, with You-Know-Who back, Dumbledore has ran off and hidden so he wont be killed."
"His name is Voldemort", Harry stated as Ron and his brothers gasped. "And, no I will use his name. I'm sorry if this bothers you guys but if you use his name it does take some of his power away." Changing the subject away from the proper use of someone's name, "Anyway, I don't want to have that discussion again. You know that Dumbledore didn't run off. He couldn't have he sent me a birthday present, and", Harry glanced down at his watch, "he is at Hogwarts right now".
Ron and the twins looked surprised, "How did…"
Harry raised his watch up so Ron and the twins could see it, "Like I said he did send me a birthday present."
"Speaking of 'Watches'", Fred looked up at the antique grandfather clock. The clocks hands that had the name Arthur and Molly were pointing to the section labeled 'home'. "Mom and Dad will be here in a moment." As soon as Fred said that, "Ron, Fred, George where are you", a voice from the kitchen signified that Molly was home.
"In here mom", George yelled.
"Has Ginny gotten back from the Flanagan's yet", Molly Weasley asked as she stepped into the living room rubbing her hands on a towel. Molly was a jovial sort, the perfect image of a mother. Harry couldn't help but smile when he saw her. Since Harry didn't have a mother of his own Molly had taken it upon herself to feel that void somewhat. She would never dream of trying to take Harry's dead mother's place but she still couldn't help but mother the little guy. "Harry what are you doing here", she was shocked at seeing Harry. Being addressed Harry stood up to be courteous to Mrs. Weasley. "My you have grown since the last time I saw you." Harry just smiled and his face had turned a little red. Since the end of last school year Harry had probably grown 3 or 4 inches and had gained about 20 pounds. No longer was he the small geeky kid with the broken glasses, now he stood before Mrs. Weasley looking like a half grown man.
The twins almost talking at once started babbling about what had happened to Harry on Privet Drive and as they told the story it grew bigger as each one took another breath. By the time the twins were finished Harry had single handedly beat up Peter Pettigew, saving the Dursley's from him and barely escaping with his life intact.
Molly listened to the tale as the twins finished she turned to Harry, "Ok, Harry what really happened"?
Harry trying to sort out the details so he could retell the story exactly as it happened without being influenced by the twins graphic tale, suggested. "Maybe we should wait on Mr. Weasley to get back so I don't have to tell it twice", Harry asked.
"That's ok, Harry", a voice came from behind the group. Mr. Weasley and to everyone's surprise Professor Dumbledore strode into the room. Mr. Weasley spoke up, "Please, Harry go ahead and tell us what happened". Mr. Weasley sat down in his chair and motioned for Dumbledore to do the same.
As everyone except Harry followed the lead of Mr. Weasley and Professor Dumbledore Harry began the tale and didn't leave out anything.
Harry finished explaining everything. Dumbledore spoke up, "I guess that non-detection charm that was on Privet Drive is of no use anymore." Dumbledore sat back in the chair thinking about the situation.
Mr. Weasley looked at Dumbledore, "So what are we going to do now? The preparations at the school are not complete yet and Harry can't go back to his aunt and uncle's house."
"I don't know. What do you think we should do Arthur", Dumbledore asked.
Before Mr. Weasley could speak up Molly interjected, "He will just have to stay here with us. Arthur or I one can stay next to the house and if anything happens we will be close by." Molly Weasley said this with such conviction not even Dumbledore was about to argue with her.
"Thank you, Molly. I didn't want to ask you take on the responsibility. Now that I think about it, though this would be the perfect place for him. Surrounded by other Wizards, Harry's presence will be masked on its own without the use of charms. We will just have to make sure nobody finds out that Harry is here. From the way Harry told the story, dear old Wormtail will be searching Privet Drive for at least another week maybe longer. That should give us enough time to finish up at Hogwarts so if you have to, you can come strait there. Anyway I don't think Voldemort", everyone gasped except Harry who was shaking his head, "will try anything with a bunch of Wizards around. He still isn't strong enough yet." Dumbledore said.
"Albus, there is just one thing you aren't considering." Mr. Weasley pointed out.
Dumbledore looked shocked as he tried for the life of him to figure out what he was missing. Mr. Weasley smiled and continued, "You know if either me or Molly have to be here at all times then that means you will have to come back to the Ministry." Mr. Weasley pointed out.
Professor Dumbledore smiled as the thought finally came to him, "That will be fine. I think it is time for me to rattle Fudge's cage some more anyway." Dumbledore stood up getting ready to leave the look on his face told everyone in the room that he was in agreement with Molly. "Well, if you guys have any problems just let me know", he raised his wand.
"Professor", Harry spoke up right before Dumbledore could disapparate.
"Yes, Harry what is it", the professor asked.
Harry stuttered for a minute then he balled up his courage to ask the one question that was going through everyone's mind. "Sir, how did you know I was here?"
"I have my ways", he smiled at Harry and winked. "I will see you tomorrow afternoon Arthur", Dumbledore stated, waved his wand, and disappeared.
***
Harry and Ron were getting Harry settled in at the Burrow. The Weasley's had named their house this due to the fact that it was always so crowded with children. Besides Ron and the twins the Weasley's had raised 4 other children, Charlie, Bill, Percy and Ginny. Charlie is now studying dragons in Romania, Bill ran off to Egypt and is working for the Gringotts Bank, Percy is currently working for the Ministry of Magic were he is quickly rising through the ranks, and last but not least little Ginny, she is starting her fourth year at Hogwarts this fall. Ginny would normally have been home but she has spent the last two weeks with the Flanagan's. Ginny had made friends with Ruby Flanagan last year at Hogwarts and Ruby invited her to go with them on their family vacation to the Bahamas.
Harry had stayed with the Weasley's a couple of times but this time he felt as if he should not be here. He was scared that by him being here it would endanger these good people and he hated that feeling. "Harry, this is so cool that you get to stay here for the rest of the summer." Ron stated excitedly as Harry smiled.
"Yea, I'm glad I'm here too. I just hope your parents know what they are doing." Harry said with a small hint of regret in his voice.
"Harry don't worry about it. Dumbledore thought this was a good plan and mom and dad agreed. Don't worry about it. The summer will be over before you know it." Harry still not looking convinced, Ron decided to try and get his mind off of everything. "If you want to worry about something maybe you should think of how are you going to get you school supplies. If you can't leave the Burrow, it is going to be kind of hard to get to Diagon Alley."
"Oh I almost forgot. I sent a letter to Hermonie. She is supposed to pick up my supplies when she goes tomorrow." Harry explained the confrontation that he and his Uncle Vernon had concerning this.
"Well, dad is supposed to take us down there tomorrow morning before he goes to the Ministry, so if I see her I will get your stuff from her." Ron said smiling trying to cover up the fact that Harry couldn't go with them.
"Ron, Harry", a voice bellowed from downstairs, "come on down. Ginny is back and dinner is ready."
Ron smiled. Even though he would never admit it he had missed his sister over the last two weeks. "C'mon Harry let's go see what Ginny brought back from her vacation."
Harry not to anxious to see Ron's little sister, "Go ahead I'll be right down." Ron jumped up and headed out of the door. Harry took his time. This was the only part about visiting the Weasley's that he did not like. Ron's little sister Ginny. She was nice enough but she has had a crush on Harry since the first day she met him. The problem wasn't she had a crush but she in no uncertain terms had told him about it. During Harry's second year at Hogwarts, Ginny had sent him a 'love poem' that was sung be an annoying dwarf that one of the teachers had hired during Valentines Day. The school had laughed about that incident for weeks. Needless to say this made Harry a little uncomfortable.
Harry slumped down the stairs his hands in the pockets of his new jeans that his Aunt had bought him. His head was resting quite comfortable on his chest. The family was in an uproar. Harry could hear them from the top of the stairs. Each one of them was asking Ginny about a dozen questions at once. "So did you have fun", Harry made out Mrs. Weasley's voice above the noise of the others.
As Harry stepped off the stairway and onto the living room floor, he didn't look up to see what was going on. To his surprise everyone got quiet as he looked up and could see that as soon as Ginny had seen Harry she had sighed and that is what had quieted the living room.
Harry looked around the room and then when his eyes found Ginny's he could tell he wasn't the only person who had grown some over the summer. Harry smiled at Ginny with that crooked little smile and she lowered her head and blushed. Mrs. Weasley noticing the tention in the room quickly spoke up, "Harry come say hello to Ginny she just got back from the Bahamas."
Harry walked over to Ginny as Fred, George, and Ron were each smiling and poking each other. They had never seen Harry look so tongue-tied since they have known him. "Hi-hi Ginny," Harry's voice cracked as he stuck his hand out. Harry's voice had been changing all summer and he thought he had control of it but to his surprise he did not. As Ginny took Harry's hand she smiled. 'Crack', a spark of static electricity came out of Harry's hand as he touched Ginny's. She jumped, "eek", surprised then lowered her head again blushing twice as much as she had before. Harry learned the hard way of what happens when you drag your feet across a carpeted floor. This little incident caused a great commotion from the boys, Fred and George were making rude comments and Ron had to sit down on the couch he was laughing so hard.
Ginny was mortified, tears came out of her eyes and she ran up the stairs to her bedroom. Mrs. Weasley looked at her sons and shot them a nasty look. When they saw the look their mother had given them they immediately shut up and Mr. Weasley quickly wiped the smile he had on his face off. Mrs. Weasley didn't have to say a thing she just picked up the hem of her dress and followed Ginny up the stairs.
The boys and Mr. Weasley watched Mrs. Weasley go up the stairs then turned to Harry. Harry was still looking up the empty staircase. His facial expression was one of a deer caught in headlights. Harry did not notice that he wasn't alone until Ron had walked up and snapped his fingers in front of his face, "Earth to Harry".
Harry still hadn't gotten his orientation, "She's beautiful", he stammered.
This comment sent the other boys into hysterics again as Mr. Weasley said, "That's my little girl you're talking about there."
Harry realized what he said had begun to blush himself as he looked at Mr. Weasley's smiling face.
***
The next morning, Harry woke up to the smell of breakfast and rolled over to wake up Ron. Ron's eyes popped open as he also got a strong whiff of the food that was being cooked. "Breakfast time", Ron said as he jumped up and he and Harry hurried down to the kitchen. One thing could be said about Ron; he never missed a meal if he didn't have to.
When they got down to the kitchen, Mr. Weasley, Fred, and George were already eating the food. Harry and Ron took their seats at the table and began to help themselves when Mrs. Weasley walked into the room.
"So," Mr. Weasley asked.
"She said she is not coming down from her room until Harry leaves", she said a look of worry crossing her face.
"That's going to be a long time to sit in your room. Considering Harry isn't leaving until we go back to Hogwarts", Fred chuckled.
George and Mr. Weasley smiled really big as Ron spit his food across the room. Mrs. Weasley's enchanted kitchen utensils quickly began to clean up the mess Ron made.
Harry lowered his head and began to eat hoping no one would make a comment in his direction. "That will be enough", Mrs. Weasley stated looking Fred directly in the face.
"What did I say?" Fred looked shocked that his mother's threatening look.
"She meant", George spoke up. "No more saying", George changed his voice to high pitch, "Ginny's got a boyfriend, Ginny's got a boyfriend". Harry sunk down even lower into his chair that he already was. Mr. Weasley coughed trying not to laugh at his son's comments and Ron spit another mouthful of food across the room.
By this time Mrs. Weasley was so angered she started shouting. "YOU TWO, GET OUT. Arthur take your sons and get them out of here." Ron, the twins and Mr. Weasley quickly stood up finishing off their breakfast as quickly as they could started for the door.
Mrs. Weasley called to her husband, "here is Ginny's list of school supplies. Since your monsters have ran her off to her room you can pick up her stuff as well while you in Diagon Alley." Mr. Weasley took the list and knew better than to say anything herded the boys out of the room. "Don't let them go down Knockturn Alley either." She yelled after them as they took off.
Turning to speak to Harry about her family's bad behavior she noticed that he had disappeared just as fast as everyone else. "Hmpf", she stated and began clearing the breakfast dishes.
"Knock, knock", Harry rapped on Ginny's bedroom door.
"Go away", he heard Ginny say through a very tear strained voice.
Harry mustered up his courage and opened the door just enough to stick his head in. "Ginny are you ok", Harry asked in a very light voice. Ginny had her head buried into her pillow still sobbing about what had happened last night. Evidently she did not hear Harry talking to her.
Harry spoke again this time in a louder voice, "Ginny, it's Harry, are you ok".
Ginny heard Harry this time and she leapt up started rubbing the tears out of her eyes. Harry thinking that he was cause of her trouble walked into the room and sat on the edge of Ginny's bed. "I'm sorry if I upset you." Harry said apologetically
"It's not your fault", Ginny continued to rub the tears out of her eyes. "It's those lousy brothers of mine. Sometimes I wish I was an only child."
"No you don't", Harry said very seriously as he looked her in the eyes.
Ginny realized what she had said and whom she had said it to. She quickly said, "I'm sorry Harry I should not have…"
Harry smiled that same crooked smile at her to let her know that he was not offended, "Don't worry about it. But Ginny, a word from the wise, cherish you family. I would kill to have as many brothers as you do." As Harry touched her cheek with his hand Ginny pressed her head down on her shoulder, trapping Harry's hand between her shoulder and cheek. She looked up into Harry's eyes and they stared at one another for what seemed like hours.
Harry feeling that the bout of female emotions was over he said very tenderly, "Come on lets go get some breakfast.