Harry didn't know if it was the sunlight that woke him or whatever was tickling his nose as he breathed. He hadn't opened his eyes yet, but he could see the light through his eyelids and feel it on his face.
And something was definitely tickling his nose.
He reached his arm up to swat it away, only to feel his arm was wrapped tightly around something, or what felt more like someone.
His eyes snapped open and met the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. Ginny slept peacefully, wrapped in his arms. Her hair sparkled in the sunlight, and her face bore the most innocent expression Harry had ever seen. It was her long, copper hair that was tickling him. He pulled his arm away from Ginny, and pulled the long strand of hair away from his face, smiling as he did. He bent to give her a kiss on the forehead when he heard the most terrifying sound of his life.
"Ahem."
Harry's eyes jerked up and met four sets of identical Weasley blue gazing at him with a mixture of amusement and impending doom. Harry disentangled himself from Ginny slowly, careful to maintain eye contact with her brothers. Ginny sighed and rolled into the space Harry was previously occupying as he carefully climbed out of his "bed" on the floor. Bill motioned for him to follow them, and then led the way outside.
Harry felt like he was walking to his death. He wasn't this afraid walking through the forest to meet Voldemort, but just walking across the Burrow's lawn with these four men gave him a serious fear for his life. He honestly didn't know how Ginny had gotten down there with him. She must have climbed in after she got done reading last night, but how was he supposed to explain that to four dangerous-looking brothers? Even George was looking slightly intimidating, though it was tinged with his ever-present sadness. Bill led them to a little copse of trees not far from the house, but where they could not easily be seen or heard. No sooner had they stopped, than he whirled to face Harry, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Explain yourself, Potter."
"Er, explain what? I was asleep. I didn't even know she was there."
"Didn't know she was there!? You looked awfully cozy, all wrapped around her like that, if you didn't even know she was there."
"Look, Bill, I don't know what to tell you. When I went to sleep, she was up in her room taking bloody forever to fetch a book. When I woke up, well, you were there, so you know what happened."
"Yeah, I saw it. I don't really understand it, though."
"What my brother is trying to say, Harry, is that he'd like to know how you and Ginevra came to be together in the first place. When you broke up with her and ran off after Bill's wedding, we all assumed you were done with her. She didn't take it well, you know. Pined after you the whole time you were away."
"You, of all people, should know better than to assume things about people, Percy. I've never been 'done' with Ginny, as you put it. We just had to go on break for a while. I missed her, too, but we both understood what had to be done."
"Didn't seem like you were missing her much out there in the woods, mate," Ron said.
"Well, I was. Why d'you think I kept the Marauder's Map? I checked it every night when I was on guard duty to be sure she was safe in Gryffindor Tower."
"You kept the map, Harry? We- er- I wondered if you still used it."
Harry looked at George askance. Even after accidentally using "we" instead of "I", which usually set George back for days, mention of the Marauder's Map had put a slight twinkle in his eye.
"Yeah, George. Use it all the time. Dead useful, that thing. One of the best tools I've got."
George smiled a tiny smile.
"Well, I still don't understand," Bill interjected. "If you never gave her up, why'd you break up with her? And what gives you the right to just pick back up again? She isn't something you can just play around with when it's convenient, Potter. She isn't a toy."
"No, Bill. Ginny is anything but a toy. She's a woman. A strong woman. If I hadn't broken up with her to go hunt down Voldemort, eventually she would have given me a strong kick in the arse and broken up with me herself. She knew I couldn't go if I was always thinking about my commitment to her. So, she let me release myself from that commitment. But she never once thought it was over. Did Ron ever tell you what he saw before we left?" Ron shook his head in the negative, as the three remaining brothers turned to him.
Ron's face looked grim as he shared his news with his brothers.
"He kissed her. On his birthday. Marched right into her room and kissed her full on the lips. She didn't even have time to tell him to stop. I still don't know if I'm okay with it."
Harry laughed.
"Is that what you think happened? Let me tell you the real story. Ginny wanted to give me my birthday gift in private, so she led me up to her room and she kissed me. I was the one who didn't have time to say 'stop', and I wouldn't have, anyway. We had one kiss. Neither of us knew if I'd come back or if I'd be the same Harry when I did. That one last kiss had to last a lifetime. It was the best birthday present I've ever gotten. Ginny knew that nothing could come of it, but she gave it anyway. And then you stormed in and accused me of playing with her feelings. As if a woman strong enough to send the man she cares about into battle with only a kiss to remember her would allow her emotions to be played with. Ginny is far too strong for that. Every boy who's ever tried to manipulate her, or prey on her fragile emotional state has ended up brokenhearted and hexed to oblivion. I would never even think about trying it. Besides, Ginny's worth so much more than a wanker like that. Hell, she's worth a lot more than me, but for some reason she's willing to put up with all the danger and hurt that goes along with being with me. I can't explain it, okay? She…she just knows me and I know her. You know her, too. That's why you had to bring me so far out here, where we can't really be seen. You know that if she saw you treating me like this she'd be out here in a second to hex your bits off. What makes you think I could ever take advantage of a witch like that? I care about Ginny so much. I don't know how she got into those blankets with me, but if I have the opportunity to wake up to her beautiful face like that in the future, you can bet I'm going to do everything I can to make that happen."
George, Bill, Ron, and Percy all looked at Harry with a combination of awe and reluctant acceptance. For Bill, no one, not even Harry Potter, would ever be worthy of his baby sister, and his gaze said as much. Ron, on the other hand, looked almost relieved to have the two of them together again. He clapped Harry on the back.
"Welcome to the family, then, mate."
Harry's face reddened as he smiled, and the four men laughed for a moment, Bill still looking on disapprovingly. When at last they turned to walk back to the Burrow, they caught sight of a slightly disheveled Ginny waltzing slowly towards them in her pajamas, twirling her wand between her fingers.
"Having fun out here, boys?" Ginny called across the yard.
"Yeah. Just a nice little walk in the woods with young Harry here," George yelled back. "Nothing to worry your little head about, Ginnykins."
Ginny didn't let her surprise at George's mood show, as she continued to approach the men with a cat-like smile.
"What do you say, Harry? Everything all right? They aren't giving you a hard time, are they?"
"Nothing I can't handle, love. Just bloke stuff."
"Mmmm," Ginny said, still smiling that sinister smile. "You sure you don't need any help? I've heard a few things about bloke stuff myself. I can take care of it for you."
"Thanks, Gin, but really we're alright. Right, men?" They all nodded enthusiastically. "See? All taken care of."
Ginny lowered her wand with a pout.
"You ruin all the fun, Harry."
Harry chuckled and pulled Ginny in for a hug.
"Sorry, Gin. Next time I'll let you have your fun. For now, though, you'll just have to be content to leave them be. Just think of it as…saving the fun for later, yeah?"
"Okay." Ginny smiled.
"Oi! Potter! What exactly do you plan on doing with my sister that's going to involve having this conversation again?"
In response, Harry wrapped his arm around Ginny's waist, pulling her close to his side, and walked back to the Burrow, leaving a gaggle of astonished redheads behind.
It turned out that Percy had come to the Burrow that day, not only to interrogate Harry, but also to deliver a message from the Minister. Kingsley had said he wanted to be there himself, but was called to pressing business in Italy and, unfortunately, couldn't be present. Percy delivered the Minister's sentiments to the family, and then handed a sealed envelope to Mr. Weasley. He slid his wand under the seal, and unfolded the letter. At first glance, it appeared blank, by Arthur gave it a tap with his wand and muttered under his breath. Words began to appear on the page.
Dear Friends,
I'm sorry to have taken so long to process your request, but the foreign government has proven more difficult to deal with than I originally anticipated. Also, it seems that the names you had me search for were more common than anyone could have known. However, after several weeks of thumbing through Muggle records on some sort of elaborate muggle filing system which is apparently all stored "on a line" within a "comp-looter", whatever that means, they found the ones you were looking for. I have given the address to the one who gave you this letter. He does not know he has it, but if you ask him the question "Where can we find that which was lost?" he will state the place where they can be found. It's a handy little charm I learned as an Auror. If you don't get it all written down or memorized the first time, you may ask him twice more before he forgets, so be careful. I recommend getting the information you need, then asking the remaining times to ensure no one else should be able to access this information. I have been made aware that several Death Eaters have been running about causing general disruptions of the peace, so I have made this letter intentionally oblique, in case they should run across it before you do.
Well, I'm incredibly busy so I'll end here. I hope to see you again soon.
Yours,
The King
"The King? He's not being very oblique with that one, is he? That seems fairly obvious. They'd know right away that Kingsley sent it," Ron said.
"Well there was the invisibility charm. That one is uniqe to the two of us. We used it on our Order missions," Arthur said as his eyes flashed over the letter, again.
"Indeed, but I suppose anyone who intercepted this letter would have known who sent it, anyway. It was I, assistant to the Minister of Magic, who was carrying the letter, after all," Percy said, with a distinct air of pompousness.
"Oh, shove it, Big Head Boy. You're not even in the same office as the Minister anymore," Ginny said.
"Only because I've been promoted to my own, larger office!" Percy rebutted.
Arthur saw the rising tension, and turned to Percy as he said "Where can we find that which was lost?"
Immediately Percy snapped to attention. His eyes turned glassy and he spoke in a deep voice very unlike his own. It reminded Harry of the strange way Professor Trelawny spoke when she was giving a prophecy.
"3 Oldman Court, Wendouree, Victoria"
Mr. Weasley mumbled the address under his breath as he searched the room for a piece of scrap parchment. Ginny reached across the table, flipped over Kingsley's letter, and scribbled the address using a quill she snatched off the kitchen counter. She checked her paper, and asked Percy again.
"Have you got it, Ginny?"
"Yeah, Dad. 3 Oldman Court, Wendouree, Victoria."
"I'd best ask him again, then, to finish it off."
Arthur asked Percy once again, and Ginny checked her paper, to be sure she was correct. Then, it was silent.
Unsurprisingly, it was Ron who spoke first.
"Well. I guess that's that, then. We've got all the preparations made. Hermione wants us to travel like Muggles, so she got us some tickets for those air thingies ages ago. She says they're "open sided" or something—"
"Open ended, Ron. It means we can go whenever we want. And they're called airplanes," Hermione interjected quietly.
"Right, that. So I guess all we've got to do is pack and we'll be ready to go this afternoon."
Molly gasped and spoke with so much urgency that her words and sentences all ran together. "This afternoon! So soon? But you can't possibly have it all in order yet. What about money and food. And I just don't trust those muggle airyplane things. Portkeys would be so much faster and safer, dears. And you're still so young! You can't go travelling about the world on your own. Something could happen to you! I never thought you'd be going alone. Can't your father or I come with you?"
"Mum, we've got it all taken care of. Hermione got some Galleons changed at Gringotts ages ago and she went and took some money out of her parent's muggle bank, as well. She knows how to use the money, too, Mum. She is Muggleborn, after all. And they'll feed us while we're, er, flying, I suppose. That's what Hermione says, anyway. She's done this all before. We're of age. We can do it. All we need to do is get the last of our clothes together. We've both had a suitcase standing by for weeks now."
Hermione had been standing next to Ron, quietly, appearing as if she was utterly overwhelmed by the whole situation. It's quite possible that she was, in fact. Finally, in a small voice, she spoke.
"Mrs. Weasley, my parents are there. I know, at first I didn't want to go get them, but now that we've found them, well, I just can't imagine living without them. I've had a wonderful time here, but, it's my Mum and Dad, you know? I…I've missed them. And I'm completely terrified of what they'll say when they see me, but I know that I've got to do this. And I'm ready. I'd go alone and spare you-all the trouble, but Ron wouldn't hear of it. And, well, we've travelled on our own before, you know. This time it's easier because we know where we're going and we have real food and money and a place to stay. And airplanes are perfectly safe, Mrs. Weasley. They're quite fun, really, especially the first time. We'll be careful, I promise. But I have to do this, and I need to do it as soon as possible. So, we'll be leaving this afternoon, as soon as we get packed. I don't know how long it will take to convince them I am who I say I am. It's a tricky memory charm I did on them, and it can't just be undone. Even once I release it, I'll have to pull the memories back up. They'll go on thinking they're Wendell and Monica until I can convince them that they aren't. And once I do get the memories back, I'll have a lot of explaining to do. I haven't exactly been honest with them about what's happened recently. I don't know that they've ever been fully aware of what happens at Hogwarts, actually. I haven't told them about any of our 'adventures'. It could take a while to get them home, but we'll let you know when we're on our way back. I'm so thankful for your care, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, but I'm ready to fetch my parents. While we're gone, though, maybe you could try and finish up Grimmauld Place, or something. We're nearly done, but there's still a lot of decorating to do. It needs a woman's touch, and I'm worried these boys will paint the whole place royal blue and buy awful, heavy, black, mismatched furniture. Would you help them, please? If it can't be finished by the time we get back, maybe they can stay in Charlie's room for a while, or something. Can you get it all arranged for me? I really need your help wth this."
Mrs. Weasley looked at Hermione for a moment before capturing her in a bone-crushing hug. Both women had tears shining in their eyes.
"Hermione, dear, you know your parents can stay as long as they'd like. We'd be happy to have them. But I'll do my best to get Grimmauld Place ready to go before you get back, so they can settle right in. And you two be safe. I'm still not happy about all this, and I wish you'd take an adult with you, but you're right, this needs to be done now. And I'd rather have you and Ron go together than risk you running off alone. Be safe, dears. Won't you?"
Hermione smiled a timid smile and nodded.
"I promise I'll take good care of him, Mrs. Weasley."
"Oi! I'm the one supposed to be taking care of you!" Ron put a protective arm around Hermione's waist.
Mrs. Weasley ignored Ron, and looked Hermione straight in the eyes. She seemed to find whatever she was looking for there, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears once again.
"That's good, dear. He needs looking after, you know."
"I know, Mrs. Weasley."
Ron's indignant protests drew the attention away from the heavy glances that the two women shared, and disguised Hermione's step closer and Mrs. Weasley's step back. Whatever had passed between the two, it seemed that ownership of Ron had passed from the older woman to the younger. The only one to notice these tiny shifts was Ginny, as everyone else was trying to calm Ron down before he said something to make Hermione angry, which he was dangerously close to doing. The last thing Hermione wanted to hear was that she needed Ron to protect her.
Luckily, Hermoine didn't seem to notice, or had chosen to ignore, for once, Ron's ramblings, and the moment passed without incident. Hermione cut Ron off mid-sentence, by tugging his arm, and pulling him up the stairs with instructions to finish packing as quickly as possible.
Nearly an hour later, Hermione and Ron had their bags sitting by the door. Ron had long ago plopped down into a kitchen chair, resigned to Hermione's frantic luggage inspection. She'd checked his bags and discovered a great many things he'd forgotten, and was now loading them in, and meticulously checking that all their things wouldn't shift and spill on the plane. She'd swapped her magical beaded bag for a larger, perfectly un-magical shoulder bag, in which she'd placed some books, a pack of Muggle chewing gum, a tiny pillow, and a small blanket. She'd handed Ron a small backpack, similarly loaded, though he had no idea what he'd be doing with those books. He suspected they were simply more for Hermione. She had books of every genre, including magical, but she'd spelled them all so only she and Ron could see what was written on the pages. She also had one notebook and a couple pens, which she'd also spelled only to be seen by the two of them. "So we can talk without being overheard," she'd told Ron.
For his part, Ron didn't understand why they had to have all this Muggle stuff. Hermione had insisted he pack his wand in his backpack, in a compartment she'd charmed to be invisible on all spectrums, using a handy spell she'd discovered while they were on the run last year. Only Ron and Hermione knew it was there, and Ron was under strict instructions not to touch it until she said he could. Based on the measures she'd taken to appear completely muggle, he expected that wouldn't be until well after they'd landed in Australia and found a safe place to stay. She had, however, managed to procure him an actual Muggle passport, which she'd told him he'd need when he got there. Wizards and Witches didn't deal with Muggle passports, so Ron had never needed one before. He was anxious to get going, but nervous about all this unfamiliar Muggle stuff he'd have to navigate. At least Hermione knew what she was doing. He'd just stay quiet and stick close to her.
Finally, Hermione zipped Ron's suitcase and declared that they were ready to go. They said goodbye to the Weasley's and Harry, lingering especially long with a sobbing, but supportive, Mrs. Weasley. Finally, they grabbed their bags, turned on the spot, and with two quiet pops, they were gone.
