Title: I Know Places
Chapter: Wonderland / Oceans
Author: dizzy - in - the - izzy
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I do not, nor have I ever, made money off the things I post on this site.
Summary: A war fought by children makes for broken adults, and broken adults can only handle so much. What happens when the most broken of all disappears? Post-DH, Epilogue Compliant. All canon pairings.
READ: 1) I merged chapters 3 & 4 into one, as I want to move the story along just a tad. I've written up to chapter 11 at this point, and I'm anxious for you all to get to the good part. 2) I tried and read and asked and so many people came up with different lengths for how long Harry & Ginny actually dated at Hogwarts, so I finally came up with the timeline of 6-7 weeks. That's what I'm going with here. Also, all italics indicate either a "memory" or a letter.
Didn't it all seem new and exciting, I felt your arms twisting around me.
It's all fun and games 'til somebody loses their mind.
"Harry, where are we going?"
Ginny ran behind her boyfriend, laughing as he pulled her across the green grounds of Hogwarts towards the lake. He had shown up in the library, grabbed her by the hand, and swept her down the hallways before she had a chance to protest. His goofy grin had broken her resolve to be angry.
"Just come on," he said, and she shook her head as they raced along the shore. He started to slow down and she kept pace, falling in stride next to him as he slowed to a walk. His eyes searched the trees that scattered around the edge of the lake, until he found what he was looking for.
"Ah-ha," he said, pulling her again. They walked up the bank to a tree with low branches. She ducked with him as they walked towards the trunk, somewhat hidden from the other students who were enjoying the sunny day. She came up short as Harry stopped in front of her, turning to smile at her.
"Okay, what are you doing?" she asked, suddenly suspicious. Harry sighed, conjuring a blanket on which to sit. He pulled her down into his lap, against his chest, placing a kiss on the side of her head. Despite most of her mind and body telling her to just go with it, she remained apprehensive.
"Can't a lad just want to sit with his girlfriend on a sunny afternoon?" he asked, moving her hair aside to kiss her neck. She pursed her lips, holding back a sigh.
"Yes, but I'd like to know why I was forcefully taken from the library, where all of my school work is still sitting!" she retorted, and he chuckled. His breath fanned across her neck and she shivered.
"Oh, don't worry about that, Hermione's got it for you," he said against her skin, and she sighed heavily.
"Harry, I want to know!" she protested, and he laughed.
"Okay, fine! If you must know… well… it's been a month," he mumbled the last part into her hair, and her brow came together. She counted back the days in her mind, and a smile broke out upon her face.
"It's been a month," she repeated, and he hummed. She wiggled in his arms, and he let her turn in his lap. He looked slightly embarrassed, and it amused her. She positioned herself so she was straddling his lap, her arms moving around his shoulders.
"I'm sorry I dragged you away from your studies like that," he mumbled, and she chuckled. Gently, she twisted her fingers into his hair and pulled his lips to hers. She felt like melting as his arms twisted around her, pulling her against his chest. They remained like that for several moments before she pulled back, resting her forehead against his.
"Don't be, this is exactly the kind of study break I needed," she said, bending up to place a soft kiss on his forehead. When she met his eyes again, the emotion in his eyes made her heart skip a couple beats.
Suddenly feeling very giddy, she pulled Harry close and rolled them down to the ground. She kept her arms around his shoulders, positioning him against her side. His head came to rest on her shoulder, and she could feel him relax against her body. He turned his face up to look at her, and she took the opportunity to kiss him again.
"It's been a month," Ginny mumbled as they broke apart, and Harry smiled widely.
"I can't believe I remembered and you forgot," he joked, and she pinched his back. He mocked hurt before moving his nose into her neck, placing a kiss on her collarbone. She giggled as his hands gripped her sides.
"That's not fair, I have a lot on my plate," she said, and he propped himself up on his elbow to look down at her. She momentarily felt self conscious under his gaze, as his eyes searched her face, before they met hers. He reached up with his free hand and cupped her face, running his thumb across her cheek. He bowed his head and kissed her softer than before.
"Actually, Hermione kind of reminded me," he whispered against her lips, and she looked up at him carefully.
Suddenly, she laughed.
She brought her hand up to his face, laughter bubbling up from her stomach. It caused Harry to laugh, and he rolled onto his back next to her, clutching his stomach as they laughed together.
As their laughter began to subside, Harry reached over and took Ginny's hand. He squeezed it, and they looked at each other. Eyes full of tears from their aching sides, they shared a smile.
"I'll thank her later," she mumbled, and he nodded.
"Me too," he said as he pulled her to his chest, kissing her hair.
(...)
"New York?"
Ginny nodded at Bill, who rubbed the back of his neck. He looked at Charlie, and they shared a confused look.
"Why New York?" Charlie asked, and Ginny fought the urge to roll her eyes.
"There was one of those Muggle newspapers that Hermione has having delivered in there, open to a page about some stuff happening in the States. Mentioned New York, now back to my original question," she urged, and Bill sighed.
"Well, I mean… as far as the States go, the two biggest magical communities in the entire country are in New York City and Los Angeles, which is on the opposite coast. New York is also where the international ports are from England, while Los Angeles is the port for most of Asia… but other than that, I'm not sure what the community itself is like. Did the paper mention anything unexplained?" Bill asked, and Ginny shook herself from thought.
"Nothing unexplained, just some typical news," she stumbled over her words, but Bill and Charlie didn't seem to notice. Their attention was back to the door, and Bill was biting his bottom lip. Ginny knew that look well. He was going to take on a challenge.
"But anything useful?" Charlie asked, shaking his head at Bill. Ginny looked at the door again.
"Most of his clothes are gone, along with a couple books, and his trunk is empty. Actually, all of his important belongings are gone. There was no note or anything, if you were going to ask," she finished, her hand slipping into her back pocket to hold the map. Charlie and Bill looked at each other before their attention turned away from Ginny and to the door again.
"I'm going to go talk to mum," she said, and her brothers waved her off. She rolled her eyes as she raced down the stairs, coming up short as she reached the kitchen. Arthur was standing there, looking at her expectantly. She bit her lip.
"What was all of that?" he waved his hand around, and Ginny let out a sigh.
She gathered everyone in the kitchen to explain the charms on the door, and the emptiness of the room. She omitted the map again, unsure of what to make of it. Kingsley excused himself to see if he could help Bill and Charlie. Molly let out a heavy sigh, and McGonagall pursed her lips.
"You are saying it appears he deliberately disappeared?"
The question hung in the air as everyone in the room turned to look at Ginny. She could feel the map in her pocket.
"I suppose it does."
(...)
George Weasley stepped out of the fireplace into the living room of his family home. He'd been with some friends at the shop, attempting to organize the business, when an owl from Ginny had arrived.
Harry was gone. George had been one of the few people to actually get more than a few disconnected sentences out of the young man, and Ginny knew that.
"George, dear!" Molly ran at her son, wrapping him up in the fiercest of hugs yet. He returned the hug, meeting his father's eyes over the top of her head.
"Hello mum, nice to see you as well," he said, and Molly glared at him.
"You didn't say you were stopping in?" she said, suddenly pulling him towards the kitchen. He shrugged.
"I received an interesting owl from Ginny, she says Harry's gone missing?"
Molly and Arthur looked at each other for a moment, and then turned to look at their only daughter. Ginny stuck out her chin, daring them to argue with her decision.
"Yes, he has, but we have it covered, why don't you relax," Molly rushed, and George waved her off.
"No, actually, I'd like to talk to Ginny," he said, reaching out as Ginny walked over to hug him. Arthur nodded, quickly pulling his wife into the kitchen to give his children privacy.
"So, Gin Gin, what's happening?" he asked, and she motioned for him to sit with her.
She let out a long sigh, and recounted her day once more. George listened intently, holding his tongue until she finished to ask questions. As she neared the end, she felt the map weighing heavily in her pocket. Hesitantly, she pulled it out and handed it to George.
"What's this?" he said, opening it carefully. Ginny looked around before waving her wand over the paper, and the markings appeared. George startled but quickly recovered to look at the circles.
"Did you find this in his room?" he said quietly, and Ginny nodded.
"I haven't told anyone though; I don't know what to make of it…"
George nodded, his finger hovering over New York. He let out a quiet breath, his lips in a frown.
"Well… I don't know if this helps…" he trailed off, his eyes glazing over as he became lost in thought.
"Anything does," Ginny said, and George came back. He nodded.
"Right, well, remember the day after the funeral, when he disappeared into his room and wouldn't come out?" Ginny nodded, and George continued, "Mum asked me to go talk to him, see if I could reach him somehow. Mother intuition I suppose, but it was right. He let me in and I sat there for a couple minutes in silence with him while he just sat there on his bed, looking devastated. It's amazing, how much all of this aged him.
"Anyway, he asked me how I was doing, if I needed anything, and I told him I was fine, that I had a good support group at the shop and I'd just be there for a bit to gather myself. I turned it on him, you know, tried to get him to talk. He didn't say much, but he did tell me he wish he could go somewhere no one knew his name."
Ginny frowned, her stomach churning.
"Where… where no one knows his name?"
"Yeah, you know, he can't walk down any street around here right now without someone noticing him, even in the Muggle areas. It's got to be downright frustrating. He's very noticeable, right?" George said, his eyes moving to the map again. His fingers traced the lines, moving between circled dots. Ginny felt like she was going to vomit.
"No one would know his name in America," she whispered, and George looked at her. His eyes widened, and he looked at the map again.
"Wait, you think he…" he trailed off, and Ginny looked at her brother. Her eyes were wide, and she was beginning to look panicked. George wrapped his arm around her, pulling her to his side.
"Ginny, talk to me," he said, and she let out a strangled cry.
"The States are huge George, he could be anywhere!" she whispered, her body beginning to shake. George quickly casted a silencing charm towards the kitchen and pulled his baby sister into his arms. She had taken the map from him and was looking at it, her body shaking as she stared at the United States.
"There are a couple thousand kilometers between New York and any of the other circles on that map, how are we supposed to find him?" she said in a rush, her breath coming out of her in spurts. George rubbed her back, shushing her.
"Ginny, if anyone can find him, it'll be you," he said, trying to be comforting, but Ginny looked up at him, her eyes blazing.
"Why me? What if I can't?" she nearly yelled, standing up to pace the floor. Her body was beginning to radiate magic, and it hit George like a warm breeze. He knew the rest of the house could feel it, and when Bill suddenly appeared in the room, George wasn't surprised.
"What's going on?" he asked, his wand ready. Ginny kept pacing though, her eyes on the floor, one hand on her face.
"We were… talking… about what's going on…" George gestured to the map, and Bill's eyebrows met his hairline.
"What's that?" he asked, and Ginny stopped pacing. She looked at the map, and then at Bill, her eyes widening.
"Ginny, what is that?" Bill asked, and George stood. He handed the map to his older brother, who looked the map over. Ginny walked over to them, looking apprehensive.
"You think he's in the States?" Bill said, his mind working quickly. Ginny looked at George, who widened his eyes at her and nodded his head towards Bill.
"Guys," Bill said, and George looked at his older brother.
"We have a feeling he may be there," Ginny said, stepping towards Bill and gently opening the map. She pointed to New York, and Bill pursed his lips.
"So when you asked about New York…" he trailed off, and Ginny nodded.
"And Ginny asked me here to see if Harry had told me anything," George continued, and Bill turned to him.
"And?"
Ginny and George shared a look.
"He said he wanted to be somewhere no one knows his name."
Bill looked at the map again.
"Oh, no."
Pt. 2 – Oceans
(Originally Ch. 4)
And you've got to find yourself alone in this world…
Hermione woke up to the sound of tapping.
Turning over, she looked at the window of the hotel at which they were staying. She squinted, and sat up in a confused daze. She opened the window with ease, and gasped in surprise as an owl flew into the room, a letter attached to its leg.
She took the letter, but before she could give the owl any sort of treat, it took off back out the window. She frowned, looking down at the letter in her hands. She sat back down on the bed, making sure she hadn't disturbed Ron, before opening the letter.
Hermione,
I did not want to be writing this letter, but I feel I need to let you and Ron know of what is happening here. Shortly after you two left, Harry disappeared. I've determined that he apparated off the property, on his own volition, and quite deliberately.
Now, I do not want you to change your plans because of this. Mum insisted that we not tell you two, saying that you two need to find your parents, need to do something for yourself right now, and while I agree, I know that you'd want to know this.
Please understand, Ginny and I are working hard on this. Well, actually, everyone is, but Ginny and I have an idea of where he might have gone.
I feel the need to stress again; please do not change your plans. We will keep you updated, I promise. Ginny promises as well.
I hope your search is going well, and please stay safe.
Tell Ron I say hello.
Love, Bill
"Ron, wake up!"
Hermione reached over and poked her boyfriend, and he grumbled as he woke. His eyes were unfocused, but they were squinted at her in disapproval.
"Bloody hell, what do you think you're doing?" he asked, rubbing his face. Hermione thrust the letter at him, standing up and beginning to pace. Ron read it quickly, before looking up at Hermione.
"What the hell? Mum didn't want to tell us? Deliberately left?" he looked at the letter again, his mind fully awake. He could see Hermione working herself up, could feel the anxiety rising in the room, and moved to the edge of the bed.
"I don't know Ron, but why would he leave? We all want to help him, we want to move forward and heal from this, and all of us are worried about him constantly and then he bloody disappears! Why would he do this, Ron, why? To Ginny, and you and me, and your mum and family, and to us, why did he leave?" she cried out, and Ron caught her as she walked past him. He pulled her into his lap, shushing her as she began to cry.
"Why aren't you more worried?" she asked between sobs, and Ron bit his lip.
"I am," he kissed her hair, "but one of us has to remain calm."
Hermione looked up at him, her eyes spilling over with tears. She had her bottom lip between her teeth, and he could see a multiple emotions flashing across her face.
"I want to go help and find him as much as you do, but I think mum has a point, and before you say anything," he held up his hand, cutting off the tirade that was building up in her chest, "I know where your mind is headed, and let's ask Bill what he's figured out, and maybe from here we can help a bit, but we are not abandoning this search. Hermione, we spent the past year running for our lives, sleeping in the woods, fighting a war… doing all of that for other people, and now you need to do this.
"I want to go help, I do, but I have faith in Ginny and Bill. Ginny knows Harry well, and Bill is a brilliant mind, I daresay he rivals you," he grinned as Hermione huffed.
"I need to help, Ron. I know I can help," she said, tears spilling onto her cheeks. Ron cradled her head against his chest, rubbing her back.
"We both can, but we're doing it from here. And when we find your parents, and you get their memories back, then we'll go back and help from there."
Hermione let out a broken breath, her body relaxing against his. They stayed like that for some time, Ron's hand moving up and down her back, her hands grasping his shirt.
"I hope Ginny can find him before then," Hermione whispered, and Ron swallowed thickly.
"Me too."
(...)
"What's going on in here?"
Bill, Ginny, and George turned to look at their mother, startled by her sudden appearance. Ginny furiously wiped at her eyes, trying to hide the fact that she'd been crying. Arthur appeared behind his wife, his face apprehensive.
"We're just talking," Bill said calmly, slipping an arm around Ginny's shoulders. She leaned against him, reaching over and taking George's hand. Molly narrowed her eyes.
"Why did we feel a burst of energy?" Arthur asked, his eyes moving between his children.
"Ginny was a bit upset is all, but she's all good now," George said, offering his parents a smile. Arthur and Molly shared a look.
"Right, well Kingsley wishes to speak with you quickly," Arthur said, gesturing towards the kitchen. The siblings all nodded and moved past their skeptical parents.
"Sit, please," Kingsley said as they entered the kitchen, and they took chairs across the table from him. He looked tired, as if he hadn't slept in a few days. His clothes were slightly disheveled, something that didn't go unnoticed by Ginny.
"What's the matter, sir?" George said, and Kingsley smiled at him.
"As you probably know, there are still many threats to the wizarding community right now. I can assure you that there are many people who would like to get their hands on one of the Weasley's. That being said, I want to make sure you understand how important it is that you stay safe, and you do not do anything rash right now," his gaze lingered on Ginny before he continued, "however, I understand how important this is to you. I want to find Harry as quickly as possible, before this somehow spreads. We do not need any disenfranchised death eaters going on a manhunt.
"Moreover, I need you to know that we will help you, in any capacity. I have told your parents, and other members of the Order, that if you need help, to offer it. But this is on the condition that you are open and forward with your intentions."
Ginny looked at her brothers, eyeing Bill carefully. He was nodding slightly, his face all business.
"Of course, sir. And I am sure my siblings feel the same," he said, turning to look at Ginny and George.
"Of course," Ginny said as George nodded.
"Right, then I would like to ask what you know, honestly," Kingsley said, leaning forward and placing his elbows on the table. Ginny could see her parents hovering at the edge of the room.
"Mum, dad, come sit," she said, and her parents joined them at the table.
"Where's Charlie?" Bill asked, looking around the room.
"He went with McGonagall to look over some things at Hogwarts," Molly said, and Bill nodded. He turned to Ginny, motioning for her to speak.
"Okay… we might know where Harry went."
Molly looked as if she wanted to yell, but she placed one of her hands over her mouth.
"Were you going to tell us?" Arthur asked, and Ginny sighed.
"I didn't know what to make of it yet, but I found a map in Harry's room and upon inspection, there are all of these circles and stuff, here look," she said, gesturing for Bill to hand her the map. She laid it on the table, waving her wand over it to reveal Harry's scribbling. Molly gasped as she looked over the paper, her eyes moving between circles.
"So, I sent George a quick owl, because I knew that he had spoken a bit to Harry, and I was hoping he remembered anything that Harry said that could help. Since I wasn't sure about what the map meant, I didn't say anything. I didn't want to jump to any conclusions. I'm sorry I didn't show you guys, but I wanted to be sure."
Ginny looked between her parents and Kingsley, and they nodded at her.
"Anyway, I told Ginny about a conversation I had with Harry, where he said he wished he could be somewhere no one knows his name…" George continued, and Bill picked up quickly.
"I know that the major hubs of wizard activity in the States are New York and Los Angeles, because those are where the international apparition ports are, and we have a… bad feeling that Harry is somewhere in the States," Bill finished, looking at Ginny and George to make sure he hadn't left anything out.
"You…" Molly was pale, her eyes moving between her kids, "you think he went to the States… where no one knows who he is?"
Ginny nodded, her throat closing as she heard it aloud again. Bill reached over and squeezed her shoulder.
"How are we to find him then?" Kingsley asked, his outward demeanor unchanged. Bill bit his lip.
"That's the thing; we're not sure."
(...)
"I think I'd quite like a relaxing holiday, somewhere near the ocean."
Hermione pointed to a picture in the paper of a beach somewhere in France and Ginny nodded. They were sitting next to each other on a couch in the common room, taking some time to relax. Harry was sitting against Ginny's legs, his eyes shut as he listened to them talk. Ron was in an armchair opposite the couch, focusing on the chessboard in front of him.
"The ocean would be nice, though I've always wanted to go camping, or stay in a cottage," Ginny said, reaching down to gently run her fingers through Harry's hair. He sighed.
"You could go stay with Bill and Fleur, entertain them," Ron said sarcastically, and Ginny rolled her eyes at him.
"What do you think, Harry?" Hermione asked, looking down at her friend. He opened his eyes slowly, turning his head to look up.
"About a holiday?" he asked, and Hermione nodded.
"Well, I've never been on one, so anything really," he said, and Ginny frowned.
"You've never been on a proper holiday?" she asked, and he shook his head.
"Everything is usually disrupted by… stuff," he said, waving his hands around. Ron snorted.
"Yeah, dark wizards trying to kill you, crazy relatives, the usual stuff," he said, making Harry laugh. Hermione glared at Ron.
"Ronald, be reasonable here, your best friend has never been on a real holiday!" Hermione said, and Ron shrugged.
"I heard him," he said, moving a chess piece carefully. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Anyway," Ginny said, drawing the conversation in again, "that doesn't matter Harry, the question is what kind of holiday could you enjoy?"
Harry looked up at her, his expression thoughtful. She rubbed his scalp as he thought, and she didn't miss the affection in his eyes.
"Somewhere… not in England," he said, and Ginny laughed.
"That's plenty of places Harry, where do you mean? Somewhere in Europe, or another continent?" she asked, Hermione nodding in agreement. Harry shrugged.
"The States look appealing, though I've only seen selective pictures from those magazines Petunia used to receive, of landscapes," he said, and Ginny ruffled his hair.
"Well, someday you'll have to research that, figure out the best place to go," she said, and he nodded.
"America is huge, mate, there's a lot to see," Ron said, looking up from the chessboard. Hermione pursed her lips, nodding slightly.
"There's plenty to do though, you could probably spend a year there and not see it all," she said, and Harry shrugged again.
"We'll plan carefully then," he said, and Hermione and Ginny shared a look.
"We?" Ginny said, and Harry paused for a moment, looking flustered.
"I mean… just… well, if you want to come with me, I'd take you all," he said, and Ron grinned.
"Hell yes, I'll go!" he said, and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"After school and this war is over, maybe," she said, and Ron ignored her.
"Can we go to that Disneyland thing Seamus was talking about the other day?" Ron asked, and Ginny laughed.
"Yes, we can go to that Disneyland thing, we'll put it on the list," Harry said, smiling up at Ginny. She scrunched up her face, crossing her eyes at him. He laughed softly, leaning his head against her legs again, closing his eyes again.
(...)
Ginny woke the next morning, her mind racing. The previous night had ended with a promise to keep the Order in the loop, and to stay safe. Bill and George had left after dinner, which left Ginny alone with her parents. As soon as she could, she'd collapsed into bed and fallen asleep.
The memory was still floating in her mind, tickling her curiosity. Checking the time, she knew her mother was already awake, so she dressed quickly and headed downstairs.
"Morning Ginny," Molly said, and Ginny hugged her briefly.
"Morning, has the post arrived?" she asked, and Molly nodded.
"There's a letter from Ron and Hermione, it's addressed to you," she said, and Ginny smiled as she took it from the table. She grabbed a slice of toast, kissed her mum on the cheek, and headed towards the sitting room.
Ginny,
Firstly, we made it safely. The trip wasn't as hectic as I'd expected, but the travel itself was tiring, so Ron and I have been resting before we venture out to find mum and dad. It's blazing hot here, absolutely uncomfortable. I suspect your brother will have a terrible sunburn if he doesn't protect himself.
Secondly, we received an owl from Bill, telling us that Harry's disappeared. Ron and I talked it out, and while I'm firm in my belief that we need to help you, Ron said we are going to do it from here, and not abandon finding my parents. I hate to agree with him, because I feel the need to be there to help, but I know he's right. I won't let him know that yet, though, he'll be insufferable.
Now, the only advice I can give you right now is that in our travels the past year, we used many protective spells to hide ourselves. You saw the bag I wore for this trip, and I am sure Harry figured out how to make one for himself.
Also, do not doubt that you can find him. I know Harry. I know how he feels about you… and I know how you feel about him. Please, follow your instincts, and keep us updated.
Your brother says hi, by the way.
We love you,
Hermione and Ron.
Ginny folded the letter back up, shoving it into the envelope as her mind went over the letter. She stood and walked into the kitchen, her face twisted in concentration.
"Ginny dear, is something the matter?" Molly asked, and Ginny waved her off.
"I need to talk to Bill, mum, he went home, right?" she asked, and Molly nodded. Ginny shoved the letter in her back pocket and moved back into the living room to the fireplace. Grabbing some floo powder, she threw it down and stepped in.
"Shell Cottage," she yelled, and she shut her eyes as she felt the tug on her middle. She opened her eyes just as she stumbled out of the fireplace in the kitchen of her brother's home.
"Ginny!" Fleur yelped, racing over to hug her sister-in-law. Bill walked into the room, Victorie in his arms. He looked at his sister, his eyebrows going up.
"What are you doing here, Gin?" he asked, and Ginny rolled her eyes at him.
"I need to talk to you about wards and curses," she said, and Bill's face lit up. He handed Victorie off to his wife, kissing her cheek quickly before pulling Ginny to the kitchen table.
"What's up?" he asked, and Ginny sighed.
"So, you know how I could get into Harry's room, and you and Charlie couldn't?" she asked, and Bill nodded.
"Harry really worked those spells around, I never did break it down," he said, and Ginny nodded.
"Well, I received a letter from Hermione, thanks for telling me you wrote her by the way," Bill had the decency to look guilty, "and she mentioned something about the protective spells and precautions they took to hide during their travels the past year, and… well, I was wondering… if I was able to get through the spells on Harry's door, do you think I would be able to get through any other wards he puts up, wherever he is?"
Bill sat back in thought, his hand coming to his chin. He stared at the wall for a moment, his eyes glazing over. He looked to be having a mental argument with himself, and Ginny startled when he stood. He walked over to the bookshelf, searching before grabbing the title he wanted. Sitting back down across from her, he opened the book and began searching the chapter titles.
"Well, I am not entirely sure, because to be fair, a lot of the curses I've dealt with are so old, anyone who was potentially able to walk seamlessly through a ward like Harry had built would be dead, but… ah-ha!" he looked up at her, his eyes shining.
"You know how the wards around the Burrow work, correct? It's a process of allowing magical signatures to pass through the protected area, to block signatures who wish harm. Now, in Egypt, many of these curses were used to block evil spirits, to let the dead rest in peace so to speak. Wizards in Egypt were funny, let me tell you, but aside from that," his eyes scanned the page he'd opened to, "these spells are powerful and if used correctly, or intricately as Harry did, they can create a huge headache for people like me.
"I talked to Hermione about their travels, and she used quite a bit of spells to protect them as they hid. Hermione used, for instance, cave inimicum to keep enemies and or assumed danger away. In combination with salvio hexia and a few others, Hermione was able to secure that no person or hex reach them, and that was if the person figured out they were there.
"On Harry's door, there was a mixture of protective spells and charms to distract whoever tried to enter. I saw at least one babbling curse in there, and a couple bat-bogey hexes. And that red aura you tried to touch, well, I think that's your magical signature," he finished in a hurry, his hands moving over the page again. Ginny tilted her head to the side, confused.
"Wait, so you're saying that the spells around his door, those are like… my magical signature is tied up in them?" she asked, and Bill nodded.
"When we created the wards around the Burrow, we had you all put on the entry list, used your wands, remember? It's an easy process, but you have to be there… and since you don't recall doing that process with Harry…" Ginny shook her head at Bill and his eyes lit up again, "it looks as though Harry somehow was able to wrap your magic up in the spells without your wand or actual power. That's interesting, so interesting…"
Bill trailed off again, and Ginny looked down at her hands. She was thinking about what Hermione had written, "I know how he feels about you," and the red spot shining at her in the twisted mess of Harry's spell work.
"Bill," she looked at him as his head snapped up, his mouth agape. He shook himself.
"Yes?" he asked, giving her his full attention.
"Do… do you think, if I find Harry, I'll be able to walk straight through whatever spells he's using to hide himself?" she asked again, and Bill reached forward to take her hand.
"I think when you find him, there will be nothing stopping you from walking right up to him, through whatever protections he's using."
Ginny looked down at her hands, her lip beginning to tremble.
"In her letter, Hermione said… she said that she knows how Harry feels about me… and how I feel about him… is that… is that why I can get through? Because of-" she sucked in a ragged breath, and when she looked up, Bill was smiling kindly at her.
"I got enough information out of those two to know that…" he smiled wider, "that is exactly the reason."
Ginny shut her eyes, her chest constricting. Her mind was swimming with thoughts and emotions, but one thing filled her the most; fear.
"I hope so."
A/N: You are all so lucky I decided to merge these two chapters. Chapters 3 & 4 are really fillers, so hurrying it along to the next chapter is kind of key. The next chapter, which I suppose just became Ch 4, is actually one of my favorites.
ALSO: I just want to make it clear that this story is not one of those "Harry disappears, come back later and there's a love triangle." Those stories aren't really what I'm about. Trust me when I say that this story does not skimp on the Harry/Ginny. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. (Well, I hope.)
If you can, please take a moment to review! It means a lot to me. Thank you to those who are reviewing consistently, it's really heart warming. Boosts my self-esteem!
Thank you for reading!
-Izzy