Reminising Hello It's Me
Hedwig left before Harry made his breakfast and he knew she would be back the first chance she got.
Hedwig was getting old and Ginny and her shared many moments talking before going to bed. It was as if Hedwig knew what Ginny was saying and she knew the response that would make her happy. If Ginny was quiet and gentle, Hedwig would rub her chin or nibble on her ear. If she was upset and loud, Hedwig would screech and ruffle her feathers. It wasn't the words she heard, it was the emotion she felt. It was the same with Harry when he took care of her.
Now she felt she belonged to Ginny because of the time she spent with her, but still responded to Harry because he was so good to her. Even to the point of keeping her safe by sending her away.
Now Harry was once again alone, and each time he was left like this, he wished he had more contact with someone he knew. It was time he went looking to find Luna and Rolf. Harry landed at the base of the hill just outside the Weasley property line and started to climb it when he heard someone call out. He once again turned to see Molly Weasley coming through the gate to see who appeared on on the rounds that were supposed to be protected from intruders. "Hello Mrs. Weasley. Glad to see you are still observent. I hope I didn't disturb you from anything."
Molly cocked her head as if trying to remember the voice she just heard. The man looked familiar, but she couldn't place him. She thought back to a different time when the war was going on and she had so many different visitors. Not all of them wanted. The names went through her head and she matched the faces with the names. Still nothing seemed to match the face of the person standing in front of her. "I know I should know who you are, but I'm sorry, I can't place your face?"
Harry smiled and said, "It's been a few years MUM, and I have changed in all that time. 11 Years to be exact."
It was the time of the final victory over Lord Voldemort. Where they won the way but lost so much. Including one young man who left after he defeated the Dark Lord. "Harry?"
The smile grew larger on Harry's face, "Yes, MUM, it's me. How have you been?" and Harry was then consumed in one of Molly's greatest hugs. Harry felt the tears streaming down her face.
"OH Harry, where have you been? Why haven't you written us a letter? What have you done to yourself, you look so...healthy. Yes, that's the word, healthy. Oh dear we missed you so. Why were you heading towards the Lovegood home?"
"Is it still the Lovegood home, or is it the Scamander Home now?"
"So, you know about Luna and Rolf. I suppose you know about the twins as well?"
"Lorcan and Lysander. Yes I do. Would you care to join me on my visit?"
"Ordinarily I would say no, but in order to make sure you don't disappear on me again, I think Iwill." and they started the walk up the hill. Molly kept asking questions during the trip. "So, I don't suppose you are going to tell me where you have been all this time?"
"Sorry mum, but too many people already know where I have been. Maybe I will change my mind before I leave, but right now I can't tell you."
"You've changed Harry. You use to confide in me when you needed someone to help you with a problem."
"I know, and that was why I left. I confided in someone I cared for, but this care was not returned. So now I try to keep my secrets to myself. But like I said, I may change my mind with you and dad."
Molly just realized that Harry had been calling her mum and Arthur was dad. Now she had to know where he was staying so her and Arthur could visit their long lost son. She had to walk a straight and narrow path the keep his trust in them. She just carried on small talk until they reached Luna's home.
They had just turned the corner of the home when Lorcan and Lysander saw Harry and Molly and ran to them and were picked up into a hug by them both. Lorcan with Molly and Lysander with Harry. Then they switched the children and everything was complete. Luna saw them through the window, and ran from the home to greet her best friend and one she now called mum as well.
Molly lost a son in the war, but gained two sons and four daughters because of the way things were now.. Hermione and Fleur joined Luna and Tonks as her daughters, and Draco joined Harry as her sons. But if you added Angelina and Verity, the list gets larger. Her large family was getting larger and larger when you add the grandkids. The end of the war was finally starting to show the good that came from it. She went even futher with her thinking. Ginny and Ronald were still single. Harry couldn't do anything about Ronald, but there was Ginny.
Luna didn't wait to get them seated before she asked Harry what he was doing there. Molly heard this and asked, "You've seen Harry since the war, Luna?"
"Why would you ask that Molly?"
"Because I didn't recognise him when we first met. He looks like a small Hagrid. He feels like a small Hagrid."
Luna smiled her smile, "Yes he does, doesn't he. Yes, we saw him this year. About three months ago, isn't it Harry?"
"You know it was Starbright. My birthday, remember?"
"Of course, How silly of me. Boys, go get cleaned up for lunch. Molly won't you have a seat?"
"No, I better be getting back and start dinner for Arthur."
"Wait Mum, why don't you and dad join us for dinner. I'm taking everyone out and it's my treat."
"In case you forgot, Harry, I can cook better than most places you eat at."
"OH, I know, but even the best cook likes to try someone elses cooking for a change. What do you say. I'll pick you two up at six."
"Very well Harry, but this place better be good. You know how picky Arthur can be."
"I know mum, but the place we are going to, I have never eaten there. I just know who owns it."
"How long has he owned it? I don't know too many new restaurants. In fact I only know of one and it is impossible to get a table there."
"Then I don't think this is the place as I know we will get a seat there. Like I said, I know the owner."
Molly got to the door, "OK Harry, we will see you at six. How should we dress?"
"Dress to kill Mum. Have Dad do the same." Molly shook her head, Harry hadn't changed much with his humor.
Luna watched as Molly left her grounds and turned back to Harry, "What are you doing here?"
"I missed you all. Is that so hard to believe?"
"From you, yes. But I have heard it said that we grow on people. It must be the twins?"
Harry laughed at this, "Ya, that's it, the twins. They have people coming back for more. You and Rolf have nothing to do with it. You're just sticks in the mud."
Luna knew Harry was being sarcastic, but she frowned at him just the same, to give him a taste of his own medicine. She wanted to hit him when he laughed harder. Then he asked, "Where's Rolf?"
"He's turning in the next five chapters of his new book to his publisher. Her should be back soon. Do you want a cuppa?"
"I'd rather have coffee if you have it?"
"You and Rolf are two peas in a pod. He can't start the day without his coffee either. I think we still have a cup left." and she poured Harry a cup. Harry heated it up.
He skipped on lunch as he just wasn't hungry after his breakfast. An hour later Rolf finally made it home and tripped on something when he saw Harry sitting there playing with Lorkie and Lysee. Luna was sitting off to the side laughing her butt off at their antics. "So, you came back to steal my kids from us, have you?" he roared. Harry looked up and smiled.
Rolf couldn't hold it any longer and laughed. "Good to see you again Harry, and this time on familiar grounds. How long are you here for?"
"I'm not for sure. Maybe a week. I need to get back and do some planting."
They talked until about four and Harry had them all get dressed and he would return to get them for dinner. He didn't say where they were going, but it called for dress clothes.
Harry then left and got dressed himself. He had called his friend and he told him to expect seven for dinner. His friend knew better and set aside three tables in his preferred seating.
Ginny was just finishing her third date with Raymond and he reached into his pocket and pulled something out and handed it to Ginny. Ginny opened it and saw a large diamond engagement ring staring back at her. She raised her eyes to Raymond and he asked, "I know we haven't known each other that long Ginny, but after I leave you for the night, it's like I left the best part of me with you, and I want it back. The only way I can do that is if you marry me."
Ginny looked back down at the ring and back up at Raymond. She looked back down at the ring, then closed the box and handed it back to Raymond. "Ray, it's much too soon for me to even think about this. I like you, but I don't love you. We would have to go out for at least another six months before I would even consider that question, and even then I don't know if I would accept. Look, we better go, before it gets too crowded in here. You know how I hate to be recognised."
They got to the hall leading out when the owner approached them, "Ginny, you're not leaving already are you?"
"I got an early practice tomorrow Blaise."
"But I'm expecting someone tonight that know's you and would love to meet you again?"
"No, Blaise I will not be signing any autographs for your friends again. I was here for over an hour the last time."
Blaise laughed as he remembered that and of course it was much later in the evening. "No, it's not like that, I promise. This one really knows you and would like to see you again."
"I don't want to see one of my old flames again either, Zabini,so get that out of your head. I didn't come here for your matchmaking skills. I came here for your excellent food. It's almost as good as my mums. So if you don't mind, I think I am going to leave."
"UH! Since you brought it up, I may as well tell you, it's your mum and dad coming to eat with some friends."
"MUM and DAD coming here to eat? No way. They never go out to eat. This is just your way to get me to stay."
"Ginny, have I ever lied to you?"
"You haven't been entirely truthful with me at times."
"But that's not lieing. Honest, they are coming here to eat, but they didn't choose where to eat, it was their host."
"And who might that be?"
"No, I'm not going to say. It is part of the surprise. Then there is going to be another surprise later on in the evening."
"Shite, Raymond, why don't you go on home, while I stay here and wait for my folks and their host. We'll catch up later."
"I think I would rather stay and meet your parents Ginny, and let them know of my intentions. Maybe they can influence you where I can't."
Blaise laughed at the fool, "You have got to be kidding me. Listen fella, no one influences Ginny in anything. I have known her long enough to know this. If you just said it, you need to be with her a lot longer. I don't know what your intentions are, but what ever they are, they are going to change in a hurry if you stay."
Blaise could hear the growl coming from Ginny. He didn't know if it was meant for him or Ginny's date. Or maybe both for being idiots. What ever it was for, Blaise did not wish to be around her when it went full throttle. He just said, "I really do hope you stay and meet your parents, Ginny. They are full of surprises. I'll even sit you at their table for you to wait for them. You can see who it is that is their host. If your friend wishes to wait, then so be it."
"Fine, take me to their table. Raymond I still think you need to go home."
"Please Ginny, I really do wish to meet your parents."
"Let's go Blaise, so I can get this over with and leave before it gets too late."
At 6+30, Ginny saw her mum and dad enter and saw Luna and Rolf with the kids. The last one she didn't know. She stood up to get their attention. Luna saw her and left the rest and went right to her.
Harry saw her and almost passed out. Her beauty was beyond belief. He didn't know the guy with her, but it didn't matter. Ginny was all that mattered.
"Luna, who's the guy with you?"
"Oh you silly, you know Rolf."
"Not him you bint. The other guy."
"You mean to tell me you don't know your own father?"
"If there weren't so many witnesses here, Luna, I'd kill you. You know very well who I'm talking about. The guy that looks so much like Hagrid."
"OH, Him! Well, I'll let him introduce himself. I just met him so I don't know much about him."
About that time the others got there and Arthur pulled the seat out for Molly and Rolf did the same for Luna. Raymond was going to help Ginny with her seat when the fuzzy one said, "I think she can find her own seat."
Ginny looked over at him and Raymond said, "Ginny is a lady and deserves to be treated like one." and he pulled her seat out for her. Ginny turned to him and pulled the chair from him and sat down. They both looked to Fuzzy and saw a smile hidden in the beard. Ginny already liked him, and thought it might be a twin playing a trick on her.
"Thank you Fred, but I think I can take care of myself." she saw Fuzzy look around like he was expecting to see someone else around the table. Molly and Arthur did too.
Molly looked back at Ginny, "Where did you see Fred at Ginny, Dear."
"Sitting next to dad. Where else would he be?"
Arthur said the first thing that popped into his mind, "With Angelina I would assume, and before you say anything else, George should be with Verity. I think you owe Harry an apology." He watched as Ginny fainted in her chair.
Harry laughed at this, "She never did that before with me. I hope it doesn't happen too many more times, as it could be hazardous to her health."
Ginny came to a moment later and asked, "Did you say Harry dad? THE Harry, like in Potter?"
"It's good to see you remember me Gin. It's been a long time."
Ginny couldn't hold it in any longer. She got up from her chair and ran around the table and pulled Harry up by his collar and pulled him into a hug, then a kiss that got his ears ringing. Then she rung his bell with a slap to his face. "You git. Why didn't you say goodbye before you left?"
"If you remember correctly, you didn't want to hear what I had to say."
Tears were running down her cheeks when he said this, "I'm so sorry about that Harry. Hermione had me convinced that you ran out on us. Mum and dad had to set me straight. I was being a bit of a bitch back then."
"No, you were feeling bad back then with the loss of Percy and all. Now, care to tell us who your friend is?"
"Oh, ya. Everyone, this is Raymond Foster, Raymond, this is my mum, Molly, my dad Arthur, my best friend, Luna and her husband Rolf and their two kids Lorcan and Lysander. And Finally, this is Harry Potter, a friend from school."
"YOU KNOW HARRY POTTER?"
"Didn't I just say I did. Excuse him Harry, he isn't normally this slow."
"That's alright Gin, I get that reaction a lot. Even got it where I moved to."
Ginny perked up at this, "And where might that be?"
"Why, home of course."
"And where is home?"
"Home is where the heart is Gin."
"DAMN YOU HARRY! Where did you move to?"
"Sorry Gin, no can say."
"Dork. Can you at least tell me why your back?"
With a tear in his eye he answered, "I really missed you all."
Arthur reached out and hugged him while he cried. Molly was rubbing his cheek trying to sooth him. Ginny turned to Raymond, "It is time for you to go home Raymond. I have a lot to talk about with Harry and I don't need you around to keep me from saying what I want to say." Raymond looked to her and her look told him that she meant what she said. He got up and left. As he passed Blaise he heard him say, "I told you it wasn't worth it to stay with her tonight. Now you may even have lost her."
Raymond looked back at him, "You don't need to rub it in. I know she's gone, but did it have to be that damned Potter guy."
"I knew as soon as she found out who it was, you were lost. It's going to happen again here in about fifteen minutes."
"Good luck to who ever it is." and Raymond left. He hadn't gone twenty yards when he bumped into a blond haired fellow that was walking with a brown haired beauty. "Sorry." he said as he passed. He thought some guys have all the luck.
Draco held the door open for Hermione and she thanked him as she passed him to enter. Draco entered and saw Blaise standing at his post. He looked at his watch and said, "You're fifteen minutes early Malfoy."
"So sue me. Is our seat ready, we have only been waiting for it for like two months now."
"Well, your table is not ready yet, but we have another one available you may like even better?"
"Why would we like it better?" Draco said when Hermione tugged on his arm.
"Draco, look over ther, It's Arthur, Molly, Ginny, Luna and Rolf with the kids. And there is someone else with them that looks like he should be eating with Hagrid and his animal friends."
Blaise scolded her, "Hermione, you better hold your tongue. That is the host of the party. As you can see, Ginny is quite taken with him."
Hermione couldn't help herself, "Ginny is quite friendly with a lot of people these days."
Once again Blaise was onto her. "Hermione, I'm warning you, if you embarrass this guy, you will never live it down."
"Oh Blaise, you know I won't insult the guy in front of him. But you do have to admit, he needs some grooming done."
Draco shrugged his shoulders at Blaise and Blaise used the cutting motion across the throat meaning for Draco to keep her under control.
They went to Arthur's table and everyone stood up to meet them. Hermione went to each one of them for a hug, to include Lorcan and Lysander. However when she got to Harry, she didn't know what to do. Harry settled it for her and pulled her in for a hug. She tried pushing him away, but his arms were like steel bars. She looked at Draco as if saying she was sorry. Then Harry put her down and Pulled Draco in for a hug and Draco knew why Hermione couldn't push away from this guy. He felt like he was in a vise.
When he put Draco down, he said, "I can't believe you two got together, after what you went through at school."
This upset Draco, "How would you know what we went through at school, you weren't there."
"I wasn't? Hmmm, strange. Hey your nose is straight. I didn't think it would ever look like that again after Hermione broke. Third year I think it was. Yup it sure was."
Draco had steam coming from his ears, but Hermione began to smile the broadest one she had in years, "HARRY, it's you, isn't it?" and she was in his arms again.
"POTTER?" Draco just about screamed.
The other guests stared up at the scene and started to mumble amoung themselves.
"Yes Draco, it's me, your worst nightmare. I would ask how you are doing, but I can see you are doing just fine. Where's your son?"
"WHAT? How did you know we had a son?"
"Hey I'm Harry Freakin Potter. I know all, and see all. Ask Luna, she'll agree."
Hermione was still hanging onto Harry's shoulder, laughing at her two best men in the world. Or they would have been if she hadn't hurt Harry eleven years ago. The hug told her all was forgiven.
Ginny stood up and took Harry's other side and hung on that shoulder. Harry did the only thing he could do, he put his arms around both of them. This was when Hermione felt the real strength in his arms. Ginny just leaned her head on his shoulder and it felt right to her. Like that was where it needed to be for the past eleven years. She hoped Harry felt the same way she did.
Molly saw this as well and thought things were the way they should be.
