A.N.: Thanks to my wonderful reviewers and the wonderful people that added me to their alerts and their favourites!:D Enjoy!
Over the course of the next three weeks, Harry would keep himself very busy. The Dursleys had come and gone for the weekend, and for once had nothing negative to say. Rather, nothing disapproving about the house. Their delinquent nephew was an entirely different matter, though Harry was used to it after fifteen years. During their few days away, Harry had taken advantage of his freedom and headed off to London. Tonks had accompanied him, worry for his safety making her his guard. She always accompanied him when she was on duty on his walks around Little Whining, hidden under her invisibility cloak. The trip to London was no different, except that she had opted to leave the Invisibility cloak behind. He smiled at the memory, blushing at her wolf whistles whenever he emerged with something she would insist Ginny would love.
"So Harry, why the sudden need to get yourself a fashion sense?" Harry raised an eyebrow at Tonks' yellow hair, which was making it hard for Harry to look at her directly, and he couldn't help but smile at her own rather eccentric definition of fashion.
"I've outgrown nearly everything I own. Dudley's recent hand me downs have become too big and the old ones have gone too short in the sleeves and pant cuffs." Tonks looked at Harry, scrutinizing him as if for the first time.
"You really have grown Harry. When we first met you were shorter than me and now I have to look up to see your face. I can see what Ginny sees in you." Harry tripped over his own feet as he whipped his head towards Tonks' smirking face. He turned red as he looked away, but he couldn't help the smile that made its way onto his face. He and Ginny had been keeping up a daily (at the very least) correspondence, and he really couldn't wait to see her. The dark shadow that had been on him for weeks was slowly dissipating, and though he was still mourning over Sirius, Ginny's letters had made it all easier to bear. Tonks and Harry made their way through the stores in London, and Harry had found a lovely silver necklace with a crescent moon hugging a tiny, but very detailed, rose. With Tonks' approval, he had it gift wrapped, happy to have found Ginny a birthday gift. It was a few weeks too soon, but he had no idea when the next opportunity to sneak off to get her a proper gift would present itself. Shaking himself from the memory, Harry bent his head and continued writing his letter to Ginny, describing his outing, bar mentioning her gift.
Harry was vigorously working on the garden again, trimming the rose bushes per his Aunt Petunia's demand. The Dursleys were once again lounging at the pool, and Harry took advantage of the peace and quiet, letting his thoughts go to Ginny as he worked. Once finished, he padded to the kitchen polishing off three glasses of water and sticking his head under the faucet, cooling off. When he turned off the water, he heard a distinct hem hem, the perfect imitation of Umbridge. He smiled, beaming and he turned around, his eyes falling on Ginny. She had a broad smile in return and without hesitating he walked towards her and hugged her tightly, her arms reciprocating the gesture.
"What are you doing here? How are you?" Ginny laughed, and Harry couldn't think of a more beautiful sound.
"Rescuing you! Dad's in the living room, transfiguring the fireplace into an opening for the floo, and Ron and Hermione are in your room, packing your things. Now let go of me, you're getting me all wet!" Harry smiled wickedly and he shook his head, making more water land on her hair and shoulders. She shrieked in laughter and ran off to the side. Before Harry could follow her, Mr Weasley had entered the kitchen and was coming towards him.
"Hello son. How have you been?" Mr Weasley reached his hand out and Harry shook it, his smile still etched onto his face.
"I've been fine sir, busy doing chores and the like."
"Good to hear son. Now why don't you go up and get dressed so we can get you home, eh?"
"What he means by that, Harry, is that you smell horrible and that you should take a shower."
"Ginny, where are your manners?" Arthur asked, mock outrage coloring his tone.
"Oh come one, Dad. I have six older brothers. It's in the unwritten-rules-of-sisters-with-six-older-brothers that I'm allowed to make snide comments. "Harry laughed and Mr Weasley couldn't help his own smile as he watched Harry turn to go up the stairs to get ready.
Harry turned into his bedroom, and smiled as he saw his two best friends going round his bedroom, gathering his things in companionable silence. Hermione smiled as she saw him and rushed over, giving him a bone crushing hug.
"Let the man breathe, Hermione." Ron said, amusement coloring his tone. He reached forward and gave him a hug as well, and then with an exaggerated sniff, laughingly pushed him away.
"I'm guessing you're headed for the shower?" Harry smiled and nodded, taking his clothes and going to get ready, elated at seeing his friends after a month of isolation at the Dursleys.
Half an hour later, the five of them stood in front of the fireplace. One by one, the teenagers made their way to the Burrow, Mr Weasley staying behind to get everything back to normal. Harry's smile broadened as he took in the sights and smells of the Burrow, greeting the Burrow's residents.
By the time everyone sat down to lunch, Harry was still recovering from the fierce back-breaking hug Mrs. Weasley had given him. Ginny was seated next to him and before he could resist his sudden impulse, he grabbed her hand under the table. She turned to him in surprise, and before he could draw his hand back she had tightened her hold and had blessed him with a brilliant smile. Harry smiled back, and with a hearty "Tuck in" by Mr Weasley, the table exploded in a cacophony of voices, laughter and happy conversation.
