Disclaimer: All of the Harry Potter Characters are the Property of JK. Rowling.
A/N: Thanks go out to temerarie22 for editing this story.
Chapter Seven
Christmas at the Burrow
The ride to Kings Cross on the Hogwarts express was uneventful. Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Luna and Neville sat in a compartment, talking about what they would be doing over their holiday. They all played Exploding Snap, and Ron and Harry played a game of chess. Sometime during the afternoon Hermione grabbed Ron's hand and said that they had to go and patrol the corridor. When they left, Ginny turned to Harry and chuckled.
"I don't think they will be back for a while," she said, grinning slightly. Harry smiled and looked into her chocolate brown eyes.
"Yeah, they probably went to go snog somewhere," Harry said. Ginny looked at him with a twinkle in her eye. She looked over into the corner and saw that Neville was sleeping with his head resting against the window with Luna's head on his shoulder, her eyes closed tightly in sleep.
Ginny leaned over and kissed Harry tenderly. Grinning, he reached over and pulled her into his lap and returned the kiss more deeply. He ran his tongue over her lips, seeking entrance. Ginny's mouth opened and their tongues met and began to dance. Ginny wound her arms around his neck and moaned in pleasure, her heart beating loudly in her chest. Harry had his hands tangled in her fiery red hair. He held her tighter against him as if he couldn't get enough of her. Harry began to let his hands roam over Ginny's body. He skimmed them over her shoulders, down her back and over her ribcage. She let out another moan and ran her hands down his back, then back up to tangle in his hair. He rained kisses over her face and over her neck, nipping gently at the skin on her neck. Knowing that soon he wouldn't be able to control himself, Harry pulled away, his eyes sparkling and his breath coming out in short gasps. Ginny smiled and laid her head on his shoulder, trying to catch her breath.
"I love you," she said, her eyes flickering open, then shut again. Harry reached up and stroked her hair.
"I love you to," he said, planting a kiss on the top of her head. Harry rested his head against the window as he watched Ginny fall asleep. He was the happiest he had been in a while, and nothing could change his good mood. Sighing contently, Harry allowed his eyes to close and sleep to overtake him. When he awoke, he would be grateful that for once his sleep wasn't plagued with nightmares, but with happy dreams of the woman in his arms.
"Should I wake them?" Ron asked, looking at his best mate and sister sleeping soundly on the bench across from him.
"Not yet Ron, they look so cute," Hermione said, smiling warmly at Harry and Ginny's sleeping forms. Ron made a fake gagging sound, but stopped when Hermione elbowed him in the side.
"Shut up Ron," she said, frowning at him. "You have to admit that they are good together." Ron looked at Hermione and nodded, a small smile spreading across his face.
"I wonder when mum is going to start planning their wedding." Hermione chuckled and kissed Ron on the cheek.
A few hours later Harry awoke to the sound of voices arguing, although he didn't know what they were arguing about. He smiled and looked over at Ron and Hermione.
"Are we almost there?" he asked. Hermione stopped arguing with Ron and nodded. Harry leaned down and kissed Ginny's forehead and pushed her hair away from her face.
"Wake up Gin," he said, shaking her shoulder softly. Ginny's eyes fluttered open and she smiled at Harry. Climbing off his lap she proceeded to get her stuff together.
After the gang gathered all of their belongings together, and the train stopped at the station, they all got off and went in search for Mrs. Weasley.
Molly Weasley stood on the platform with Remus Lupin waiting impatiently for the children to get off the train. When Mrs. Weasley saw the gang she walked over and gathered Ron in a hug, kissing both of his cheeks. Next she hugged Ginny, a small tear running down her face as she looked at her daughter.
"How are you dear?" she asked. Ginny looked at her mother and smiled warmly.
"I'm fine," she said. Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry next.
"Are you all right dear?" she asked. Harry looked into Mrs. Weasley's eyes and smiled reassuringly, giving her a gentle squeeze.
"I'm fine," he said. Harry turned and saw Professor Lupin standing behind him. Not knowing what came over him, and feeling somewhat childish, Harry wrapped his arms around his former teacher.
"How are you Professor?" he asked. Lupin smiled down at Harry fondly. This boy was a lot like James, he thought.
"I'm fine Harry, just fine, and call me Remus." Harry pulled away from the hug, his face turning red with embarrassment. Remus touched his shoulder. He knew that Harry had been through a lot, what with losing Sirius, and having to deal with things that no child his age should ever have to deal with. He made a promise right then and there as he looked at the messy haired boy in front of him that he would do anything for him. He would protect him with his life. Harry was his responsibility now.
"Let's go," he said quietly. Mrs. Weasley followed behind Harry and Remus, a small tear falling down her cheek. She was glad that Harry still had someone that he could talk to if he needed to. They walked for a while until they reached an alley. Remus gestured them into the alley and behind a brick building with no windows. He pulled a pair of glasses out of his pocket and instructed everyone to touch them. They did as they were told and within seconds everyone landed with a thud in the Burrow's kitchen.
When Harry, Ron and Hermione arrived at the Burrow, they stared at the yard surrounding it. The hedges were carefully trimmed, and the flowers were alive and well.
If only living was as easy as growing a flower, Harry thought. Ginny sat next to Harry in silence. She was overcome with a feeling of sadness as she looked at her house. This Christmas is going to be hard without dad, she thought, trying to keep her feelings from showing on her face.
"Come on, Gin," Ron said, jumping out of the car and heading inside. Ginny slowly got out of the car, not in a big hurry to go inside. Harry stood next to her, sensing that something was wrong.
"Do you want to go for a walk Gin?" he asked, touching her shoulder gently. She turned to him, a small smile spreading across her face.
"Yeah," she said, slipping her hand into his. They turned and walked around to the back of the Burrow, then just began walking, not really caring where they went.
"Are you all right, Gin?" Harry asked concern for her evident in his voice. Ginny pasted a smile on her face. Harry had enough troubles in his life, the last thing he needed to do was worry about her.
"Fine," she said. Harry could clearly see that she wasn't fine, but he also knew that she wasn't going to open up to him now, so he let it drop.
"I'm glad Christmas break is finally here," Harry said. Ginny nodded. They walked in silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts when they heard a shout from behind them.
"Harry, Ginny, mum says to come inside." Harry chuckled and Ginny smiled. Harry leaned down and kissed Ginny softly.
"I love you," he said, reaching up and stroking a hand over her hair. Ginny smiled and returned the kiss.
"I love you too." They smiled and walked back to the house hand in hand.
Molly Weasley stood in the kitchen with an apron on cooking an assortment of food. She smiled as she heard the laughter of all of the people throughout the house. It's good to have a house full, she thought as she put some dirty dishes into the sink. She waved her wand and the dishes began magically cleaning themselves. Smiling, she went over to the oven and took some Christmas cookies out and sat them on the counter.
"Hello Molly," Remus said as he brushed the soot off of his robes and walked towards her.
"I'm so glad you are here Remus, and I'm sure Harry will be glad to see you as well." Remus smiled warmly at her.
"How are you doing?" he asked. She smiled warmly up at him.
"As long as the house is full I will be fine," she said. "I am worried about the children though, this is their first Christmas without Arthur." Remus looked at her, concern written all over his face.
"It must be hard for you too," he said. Molly swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat and gave Remus a small smile.
"I will be fine," she said. She turned and began taking the cookies off of the cookie sheet and placing them on a tray. Remus wasn't entirely sure if he believed her but nodded. He walked out of the kitchen and into the living room, hoping to find Harry.
Harry was sitting with Ron on the couch playing a game of chess while Hermione sat next to them reading a book and watching the game. Fred and George were sitting in a corner, talking in hushed whispers, undoubtedly about their latest invention, and Ginny was curled up in a chair, lightly sleeping. Remus smiled at the children. He was glad that they could all be happy, at least for now. Smiling he walked into the room and cleared his throat to make his presence known.
"Hello guys," he said. Harry turned at the sound of Remus's voice and smiled.
"Professor Lupin," he said, sitting his chess peaces down and walking over to Lupin to give him a hug. Lupin pulled Harry into an embrace and ruffled his hair affectionately.
"How are you?" Remus asked, ending the hug and looking down at Harry. Harry still looked thin, his eyes still looked haunted, but there was a look of determination in them that Remus had never seen before.
"I'm fine," Harry said, smiling slightly at Remus. Remus smiled fondly down at him.
"I'm glad to hear it."
"You're staying for Christmas right?" Harry asked. Remus smiled thoughtfully and nodded.
"Dinner is ready," Mrs. Weasley shouted from the kitchen. All of the Weasley's, including Harry and Hermione were sitting at the kitchen table which had been expanded to fit everyone comfortably. Dinner was a lively affair; Fred and George were looking around the room, a mischievous look in their eyes, while Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione talked about Quidditch, the homework that they had to finish before they went back to school, and Harry and Ron talked about some of the pranks that they could pull while Hermione looked at them disapprovingly. For a while everyone forgot about Voldemort, and the up coming battle that was soon to come, and enjoyed being with their loved ones.
Later that night, after Harry had walked Ginny to her room and gave her a kiss goodnight, and Ron had done the same to Hermione, he lay in his bed thinking about his future. He loved Ginny, and he hoped one day they would get married and start a family. He only hoped that he could keep her safe. Knowing that worrying wouldn't do him any good; Harry tried to clear his mind and turned over to get some sleep.
Lord Voldemort sat in a dark, dingy room only lit by a single candle. He had a small smile on his face. Everything is going according to plan, soon… very soon, Potter and that little brat of his will be mine. Soon, Potter will die. Soon, I will have my revenge; soon, I will be in control of the Wizarding world. Voldemort laughed a cold, evil high pitched laugh.
"Master," a voice said from behind him, interrupting Voldemort's thoughts. Voldemort turned, fury darkening his eyes.
"What do you have for me Wormtail?" he asked addressing his servant who was kneeling before him. Wormtail trembled in fear as he spoke to his master.
"We are ready to attack," he said, his beetle eyes looking at Voldemort's face, trying to avoid his Lords blood red ones.
"You have done well Wormtail, leave me," he ordered, looking at his servant dismissively. Wormtail quickly stood and left the room, unscathed. Voldemort smiled weakly to himself, and decided to have a little fun. He removed a peace of red hair from his pocket and tapped it with his wand. Within seconds he was in the mind of Ginny Weasley.
"Would you like to see how your father died?" Lord Voldemort asked, in a cold high pitched voice.
Ginny's eyes opened, and she looked around her room, wondering where the voice was coming from. There was a dull ache in her head, and images of people started coming into her mind.
"What?" she asked, not quite understanding. Voldemort laughed and put a memory of his into her head.
Arthur Weasley lay on the ground, invisible ropes holding him there. He had cuts and bruises all over his body and blood was trickling from an open wound on his face.
'Daddy," Ginny screamed, her voice breaking. Voldemort laughed as the memory continued to play itself out.
"Crucio!" Voldemort shouted, and Arthur Weasley lay on the floor, screaming and writhing in pain. Voldemort's evil eyes looked into Mr. Weasley's eyes, trying to probe his mind for information. Since he couldn't get anything out of his mind that was of much use to him, he raised his wand and shouted again:
"Crucio!" He held the curse over Mr. Weasley for ten minutes before finally releasing it. Voldemort walked over to Arthur Weasley's broken form and glared down at him.
"Where is Potter?" he asked, his patience thinning. Mr. Weasley said nothing, just stared defiantly at Voldemort with cold eyes.
"Say good-bye to your precious family," Voldemort said laughing as he raised his wand and shouted the Killing Curse. Arthur's body now lay lifeless on the ground, no longer feeling any pain.
Meanwhile back in the Burrow, Ginny lay in her bed, her body shaking, tears running down her cheeks. She was finding it difficult to breathe. Voldemort spoke in Ginny's mind once again.
"I was nice to you girl, I didn't show you everything. I am giving you a chance, a chance to join me on the dark side. You are very powerful, we would be good together."
Ginny touched her forehead with her hand, and sent a message to Voldemort.
"I will never join you Tom, never." Voldemort laughed a cold, maniacal laugh.
"Then you will die," he said, laughing as he quickly left her mind. He only had two more days, two more days before he had Potter's blood on his hands.
"Ginny, Ginny," Hermione shouted trying to get Ginny to open her eyes. Ginny was awake, but it seemed as if she was in some sort of a trance. Ginny lay in her bed tears running down her cheeks. Hermione touched her forehead and noticed that it was hot. Not sure what to do, Hermione quickly left the room and walked across the hall to Ron and Harry's room. Quietly she opened the door and headed over to Harry's bed.
"Harry, Harry wake up," she said, shaking Harry's shoulder gently. Harry bolted upright and stared at Hermione for a moment before he figured out who had woken him.
"What's wrong Hermione?" he asked. He saw the worried expression on her face and jumped out of bed. Knowing immediately that it was Ginny, he threw on his dressing gown and headed to Ginny's room. Ginny was in the same position that Hermione had left her, sweat was cooling on her skin, her body was shaking, and she was still sobbing silently. When Harry saw this he quickly walked over to her and took her face into his hands. He stared into her chocolate brown eyes which were full of anguish and spoke softly.
"Gin, Gin, say something," he said, still looking into her eyes.
"He—killed—him," she said. "Saw it." Harry looked at her, slightly puzzled.
"Who killed who?" Harry asked.
"Dad," she said. Harry's heart sunk into his chest at her statement. He looked over to Hermione, anger written on his face.
"Go downstairs and Floo Professor Dumbledore. Tell him that he needs to come tomorrow, and he, Ginny and I need to talk. I would have him come now, but she can barely talk."
Hermione nodded and quickly left the room. Harry turned back to Ginny, the anger that he felt for Voldemort quickly fading from his face. He sat next to Ginny on the bed and pulled her into his arms.
"It's all right Gin; I'm here," he said, stroking her hair. Ginny clung to him and wept. Once she had stopped crying she looked up at Harry.
"He showed me how my father died, and then asked me to join the Dark Side. I said no, and that angered him."
Harry continued stroking her hair while listening to her.
"I'm so sorry Gin," he said, leaning down to kiss her softly.
"It's not your fault Harry," she said. Harry nodded, reached down, and wiped the tears off of her face.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you," he said. Ginny looked at him with pain-filled eyes and nodded.
"I know," she said, kissing him back. She lay in his arms, letting his warmth surround her; soon she fell back to sleep. Harry lay her back onto the bed and was about to leave when he saw one of her eyes flutter open.
"Stay," she said. Harry smiled and got into bed next to her, pulling her to him. She snuggled against him and fell back asleep. Harry looked up at the ceiling and looked towards the door when it opened a crack.
"He said he will come tomorrow," Hermione said, looking at Harry. Harry smiled at her in thanks.
"If you want, you can go stay with Ron, I think I am going to stay here for the rest of the night just in case Ginny should need me."
Hermione smiled. "Tomorrow is Christmas," she said. "Hopefully things will be better."
Harry sighed and nodded his head. Hermione sent him a small smile before silently walking out of the room and shutting the door, heading over to Ron's room and walking inside. Smiling, she gently got into bed next to Ron, wrapped her arms around him and fell asleep.
The next morning Harry awoke to the sound of people laughing and moving about downstairs. Gently he shook Ginny's shoulders and watched as her eyes fluttered open.
"Happy Christmas Gin," he said, kissing her softly. Ginny yawned and snuggled closer.
"Happy Christmas," she mumbled. Harry was about to tell Ginny that it was time to get up when the door flew open and three red heads followed closely by Hermione entered the room.
"Happy Christmas!" Fred and George shouted, running over and jumping onto Ginny's bed. Ginny groaned and took the pillow from behind her head and threw it at her brothers.
"Awe Gin, where's your Christmas spirit?" Fred asked, smiling broadly at his sister.
"It's still sleeping," Ginny said, sitting up and pushing her hair away from her face.
"Well, you'd better wake it up then, because mum has made a huge breakfast. Then we are all going to open up presents downstairs," Fred said.
Ginny grinned at her brother and slowly got out of bed. She looked over at Harry, who was smiling slightly and shared a warm look with him before standing to face the group of people who had invaded her room.
"All of you out," she said, waving her hands around towards the door. "I have to get dressed."
"Are you going to let Harry watch?" George asked. Ginny glared at her brother and was just about to snatch up her wand to hex him when Ron reached over and pulled it away from her.
"Now Ginny, as your older brothers, it is our right to tease you about your boyfriends, especially when your boyfriend is almost like family." Ginny glared at her brothers.
"Out all of you, I mean it," she said, pointing to the door. Slowly her brothers left the room, leaving Harry and Ginny alone.
"I suppose I better go to," Harry said, his emerald eyes still filled with laughter." Ginny hugged him.
"Thank you for staying with me last night," she said. A small shudder ran through her body as she remembered what she had seen last night. Harry gave her a gentle squeeze.
"I will always be here Gin," he said, kissing her gently. She gave him a push towards the door.
"You'd better go before my brothers think that something is really going on in here." Harry turned and winked at her before leaving the room.
Breakfast went by quickly; everyone remained silent as they ate, too eager to open their presents to talk. Once everyone had finished eating they all gathered in the living room and sat down on the floor, and Remus began passing out presents. Harry opened his presents from the twins and was pleased to see an assortment of their latest inventions along with a note that said:
Be sure to use some of these on the Slytherins.
Gred and Forge
Harry chuckled, and opened up a present from Hermione. It was a book titled, The Greatest Seekers of All Time. On the cover was a picture of a Seeker doing a spectacular dive only to hit the ground smoothly, the Golden Snitch held tightly in his hand.
"Thanks Hermione," Harry said, glancing over at her. She smiled and nodded. Harry opened Ginny's present next and saw that it was a chess set. It also came
with a book that helped one learn how to choose the best moves so that maybe if one were playing against someone like Ron, they would have some kind of a chance at winning. Harry smiled and opened the rest of his presents. Carefully putting them into a pile, he walked over to Ginny and hugged her from behind.
"Thank you Gin, now hopefully I can at least beat Ron at one game." Ginny laughed and held up a golden chain with a pendent on it.
"Thank you for this," she said, smiling warmly." He smiled and hugged her again.
After everyone had opened their presents Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, and the twins sat down to play Exploding Snap. When that game got boring, the twins decided it was time to test out some of their inventions. They passed around a box of candy to everyone in the room and grinned mischievously as everyone opened the boxes. When Harry popped an apple flavored peace of candy into his mouth he ended up sprouting bunny ears on the top of his head. Everyone laughed. When Ginny popped a peach flavored candy into her mouth her hair became curly and turned a vibrant shade of pink.
"That color suites you Gin," Fred said, pulling at one of his sister's curls. Ginny swatted at her brother, and laughed when she saw that Ron had a long nose, and his hair was bright green. Hermione, who up until this point was choosing not to participate in the twins little game, decided that she would give in and popped a strawberry candy into her mouth. Within seconds her hair turned as red as the Weasleys, and she had sprouted wings with silver tips. She smiled sweetly, and the teenagers laughed, enjoying the fun filled day.
A couple hours later Mrs. Weasley called all of the children to dinner, but when she saw all of their different colored hair, and Hermione's wings and Harry's bunny ears, she looked at the twins reproachfully, but didn't comment. Everyone chatted merrily over dinner, and once it was over, Harry and Ginny went into the living room and curled up on the couch together.
"It was a good day," Ginny said, yawning tiredly. Harry smiled and stroked her hair.
"Yes it was." He couldn't remember when he had so much fun. For a while he didn't have to think about the war, or Voldemort. All he had to do was enjoy this wonderful day with his family. He smiled at that thought; they really were his family, all of them. Ginny stretched and slowly got off the couch.
"I think I am going to go to bed," she said, stifling a yawn. Harry stood and gave her a lingering kiss.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too." Ginny kissed him back, then turned and headed upstairs.
Harry sat on the couch for a moment, looking around the Weasley's living room. This had been one of the happiest days of his life.
Maybe everything will be all right, Harry thought. As he sat staring at the Christmas tree, thinking of the wonderful Christmas he had, a burning pain shot through his scar, a pain so intense, that he felt like his head was going to split open. Letting out an anguished cry, Harry fell to the ground, his hands clutching his scar. The pain intensified until Harry let out a scream of pain, as the blinding light blurred his vision.
A/n: This is the longest chapter in this story. There are only two chapters left. One day, I might add more to this fic, fill in some details that have been forgotten. Some reviewers have pointed out that I tend to rush, and not only in this story. I know that is a flaw of mine, I just wish I knew how to fix it. Anyway, thanks go out to those who have reviewed, and if you are an H/G fan, go check out my Post DH story.
