Begin Again: Harry's Life Post-War
Chapter Two:
October swiftly gave way to November, and then onto December. The heavy grey clouds, which had been threatening snow for some time now, finally broke apart and dumped a healthy amount of snow on the country. Harry had to dig himself out of his driveway to go to work. By the 10th, the snow had reached blizzard conditions.
On the 21st, Ginny returned home, and Harry had arrived on the Burrow's doorstep to welcome her home. She told them that Luna had been asked out by a nice young man called Rolf, the grandson of famed naturalist, Newt Scamander. Luna was very pleased and slightly bewildered to have been asked out. They shared a love of exotic creatures that may or may not be real.
Harry and Ginny drifted into the kitchen after lunch to discuss their plans to move in together.
"I think we should wait to tell mum," Ginny said. "She's not been right since Fred died, I don't want to cause her more angst."
"How long do you expect us to wait?" Harry argued back. "I've already started looking for a house."
Ginny bit her lip, and looked down. "We'll have to tell her soon, then," she said slowly.
"I know how she's feeling, I've lost people too," said Harry, trying to let Ginny know he knew where her mother was coming from. "But she's going to find out eventually." Ginny looked uncomfortable again.
"I just don't want to break her heart," Ginny said in a small voice. It was time for Harry to feel uncomfortable.
Mrs Weasley had been very withdrawn, taking to her bedroom and not coming out again for a very long time. George avoided mirrors, so as not to see his dead twin reflected back at him. Mr Weasley was hiding his pain behind a newspaper every time someone looked at him. It looked like it was going to be a painful Christmas, the empty wooden chair Fred generally occupied stood vacant and sad-looking.
They left the kitchen, having decided to tell the Weasleys shortly after Christmas. Harry felt awful. He knew a big change like this was going to be a shock for Mrs Weasley. Ginny was grimly resolute, and felt even more awful.
Ron and Hermione were setting the table. Ron had embraced Hermione and showered her with kisses when she'd returned, and was just as unwilling to let her go back as Harry was about Ginny. Hermione was much happier being here, the memories of the war and all the people that died were so much stronger and more painful at Hogwarts. Every day, the students of Hogwarts lay a daisy or other flower they found on the castle grounds at the doorstep of the castle as a tribute to the dead. Hermione, Ginny and Luna sat together on the step, remembering and comforting each other if they were overwhelmed. They always looked at each other with love and pity when it was time to return to class.
"Hermione, where are the potatoes," Ron asked, looking around for the potatoes, and finding Crookshanks licking his paw in the corner of the room.
