Chapter Seven: Unexpected News
After the ceremony they returned to the Burrow and gathered in the sitting room. Bill and Fleur had returned to the Shell Cottage. Charlie also did not join them at the Burrow but decided to return to Romania. Those that returned spent some time with polite conversation in the sitting room.
It was well into the evening when everyone bid their farewells and exhaustedly headed towards their rooms. Harry and Ginny on the other hand decided to cuddle up on the couch together.
"I love holding you," Harry smiled softly kissing the top of her head as she rested on his chest with their hands intertwined.
"I enjoy it too," Ginny murmured snuggling deeper into Harry's arms. Harry buried his nose into her hair enjoying the flowery scent and the softness of her body against his.
"Ginny what happened at Hogwarts while I was gone?" Harry asked softly.
Ginny shivered as a chill went through her body as she looked up into his eyes. As her eyes began to mist she softly responded, "I can't, at least not yet please understand."
"I do Gin. When you're ready I'll be here," Harry assured giving her a warm squeeze.
Ginny smiled softly, "I know you are, and I appreciate you. I promise when I am ready I will tell you."
Ginny raised herself up on her elbows and brushed her lips gently against his. Harry placed his hand on her cheek and softly caressed it with his thumb. This embrace morphed in to a heated session of snogging that left both breathless and excited when they finally pulled apart.
"So what do you want to do tomorrow?" Ginny asked as she settled down cuddling into his chest.
"Hmm, I don't know, I was thinking about taking a trip to Diagon Alley, and I do want to make a trip to Grimmauld Place. I think I am going to try and spend some time there during the summer," Harry responded.
"What do you mean Harry? You're going to move out of the Burrow?" Ginny asked giving a sad sigh.
"No not at all love. I was just thinking about spending the weekends there you know try and get use to the idea of having my own place. I can't stay here forever and I did tell Kreacher that I would move in before I returned to Hogwarts."
"Yes you could, you know my parents love you and mum will be upset when you leave. Kreacher will understand."
"I know Gin but it will happen eventually, this way we can do it slowly for everyone. I am not in a hurry to leave or anything, I have gotten use to spending time with you."
Ginny and Harry snuggled deeper together both deciding to let the subject go for now. They eventually drifted off to sleep as they laid there listening to the gentle breathing of their partner. Molly who had been lying awake with memories of Fred decided to head to the kitchen for a cup of tea.
As she reached the base of the stairway she noted that Harry and Ginny had once again fallen asleep on the couch. She couldn't help but notice how happy and at peace they seemed when they were together. She conjured a warm blanket to cover them. As she draped the blanket of the couple Ginny stirred and snuggled deeper into Harry's arms with a soft yet happy sigh.
Molly retreated to the kitchen and quietly prepared a cup of tea. With the cup of tea in hand she returned to the sitting room and sat in an armchair in front of the couch. Quietly she sipped her tea as she watched the couple sleep.
She worried for both of them, they were young and in love. She loves Harry like a son and she knew that he and her daughter were meant for each other, and what they had was actual love not just teenage infatuation. Molly just hoped they wouldn't rush growing up. They never got to spend time as kids especially Harry who was thrown into adulthood early in life.
Life had been unfair to Harry. His parents were ripped from his life before he even had the chance to know them and then he was forced to live with his Aunt and Uncle who despised the boy and treated as if he had been an infestation instead of family. She couldn't forget that for the past seven years he has also been hunted and attacked by the darkest wizard ever. Molly's heart hurt for Harry but was also filled with pride for her adopted son, for even though his life was surround by darkness and sadness he had always portrayed nothing but love and kindness to those around him.
Molly wiped the tears from her face as she finished her tea. She watched Harry and Ginny sleep for a few more moments before she returned her cup to the kitchen and then she herself returned to bed for the evening.
Harry woke the next morning cold and soaked in sweat with tears streaming down his face while his teeth chattered from his uncontrollable shaking. His body was tense and his muscles were painfully locked up from the violent shaking. Memories of his nightmare flooded his thoughts. Once again his had dreamt that Voldemort had found a way to survive and targeted Ginny, and as before he was unable to protect her from his killing curse. Opening his eyes he found that he was on the couch in the sitting room and alone. He pulled the cover tighter to him as he attempted to fight shivering.
"Harry! Are you okay dear," Mrs. Weasley asked as she worriedly rushed to him and placed her hand on his forehead. "You're burning up Harry."
Harry nodded his head and fought harder to stop shaking. He owed the Weasleys a lot for all they have done for him over the years and really didn't want Mrs. Weasley wasting her day fussing over him. Through chattering teeth he stammered, "I am okay."
"Mum is everything okay? Harry?" Ginny asked as she entered the sitting room to find her mother sitting beside a pale and sickly Harry. Seeing his condition she too rushed to his side.
Harry sighed quietly as Ginny kneeled at his side, and began caressing his forehead. As soon as her soft fingertips touched his skin he stopped trembling as warmth flooded over him. Mrs. Weasley also noticed that the color had returned to his face at her daughters touch. Harry smiled warmly at the two women hovering near him. He brought his hand up and gathered Ginny's kissing her gently on her fingers soaking in the warmth she provided.
"I am actually feeling much better now," Harry smiled at both of them. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny both continued to look at him with concern.
"Well a good breakfast will help you feel better," Mrs. Weasley stated raising to her feet and heading off towards the kitchen. Ginny on the other hand remained at Harry's side.
"What happened Harry, I never seen you like that."
Harry sighed softly, "It's nothing Ginny I just had a bad dream is all."
It was common knowledge at the Burrow that Harry was frequently visited with terrifying nightmares that often resulted in Harry thrashing about and screaming into the night. Most of these sleepless nights occurred when Harry actually slept in Ron's room. Normally having Ginny nearby was enough to keep the nightmares at bay.
Ginny had Harry rise to a sitting position so that she could sit where his head had been and then had him rest his head in her lap. Affectionately she caressed his head running her fingers through his soaked untidy hair while resting her other hand on his chest.
"I had only left you for a few minutes to shower. Is there anything I can get you?" Ginny stated as she continued to caress him. Ginny wanted him to know that she was there and she wanted to take care of him.
"What you are doing now is just perfect love," Harry answered with a soft sigh as he nuzzled his head in to her lap. They remained there until Mrs. Weasley returned ushering them into the kitchen and fussing until Harry had eaten two plates of food.
After finishing breakfast Harry had a quick shower when he returned to the sitting room he found Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in deep conversation that abruptly ended when he walked into the room. Harry looked at each of them searching their faces and eyes for a clue of what he had walked in on.
Mr. Weasley greeted him with a smile, "Morning Harry, are you feeling better?"
"Yes sir, Mr. Weasley I am feeling tons better," Harry answered, taking a seat next to Ginny on the couch gathering her hand in his. "Did I miss something?"
"No dear we were just discussing you lot returning to Hogwarts in just a few months time. Ron has decided to start helping George get the shop back up and running starting this week, and Hermione with the help of the Ministry is going to start looking for her parents." Mrs. Weasley advised.
Harry slightly hurt, looked at them curiously something didn't fit. "That's why you all quit talking when I walked into the room?"
"No Harry that's not the reason at all," Ginny said giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
"I'm sorry I am afraid I don't understand," Harry informed.
"Well Harry there is something else," Hermione began.
"Yeah mate, we were just worried about how you would react," Ron joined in looking at Harry with concern.
"Well just tell me what it is and then we can go from there," Harry stated flatly slightly annoyed that they were obviously keeping something from him.
Mr. Weasley gave Harry a slight nod of the head and the softly said, "It has to do with your family, the Dursleys."
The Dursleys? Harry asked his-self, what could have happened with the Dursleys that they felt he may not be able to handle? Harry kept quiet and waited for someone to continue, which Mr. Weasley did.
"Well as you know they were in hiding with Dedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones. Well while they were being escorted back to their home, they were attacked by a band of renegade Death Eaters," Mr. Weasley stated softly while trying to gauge Harry's reaction, "No one survived Harry."
The last bit of news hit Harry like a harder than he would have thought. He knew that there were Death Eaters still at large and were probably planning on attacking Harry in some way, but he never would have imagined that they would have attacked the Dursleys. Harry didn't say anything, he sat there in silence how many more lives lost was he responsible for? He looked to Mr. Weasley for the answer, "How many more people died?"
"Well there were your family and then three Aurors," Mr. Weasley replied. Ginny noticing Harry's face going pale with the news gave his hand an affectionate squeeze; she knew he was blaming his-self for the deaths of the last remnant of his family and the Aurors that guarded them.
"Harry, I know what your thinking, but trust me it's not your fault. No one is to blame here but the Death Eaters." Ginny stated softly.
"Yea mate there was nothing you could have done about it," Ron added.
"There will be funeral I suppose?" Harry asked Mr. Weasley.
"Yes Harry, unfortunately you must refrain from openly attending, as your Uncle's sister Marge will be there. The Ministry, seeing that she is the last that know of your time spent with the Dursleys while growing up, has decided to wipe her memory of you." Mr. Weasley responded averting his eyes from Harry's.
"So I must avoid being seen, I think I can handle that. Thank you all for telling me and being here with me," Harry began with misted eyes. "I think I just need to go for a walk, you know to clear my head."
Everyone looked at Harry with concern and many with a look that clearly stated that they disagreed with him wandering off alone. Ron and Ginny looked as if they were about to object when Mrs. Weasley cut in, "You go ahead dear, take a walk we'll be here if you need us."
Harry rose to his feet and exited the front door heading towards the pond where he and Ginny had been spending a lot of time together. The others remained where they were in awkward silence, Ginny glaring at her mother for allowing Harry to be alone in a time like this. Finally unable to hold back she exclaimed, "Mum I can't believe you let him go, he needs us even if he doesn't know it."
"Ginevra Weasley you will watch your tone with me little lady or have you forgotten that I am your mother," Mrs. Weasley scolded while meeting Ginny's glare head on.
Ginny lowered her eyes as they began to tear up and murmured, "I'm sorry mum, I am just worried about Harry. I don't know how much more he can cope with, and he never lets these types of things go."
"I know dear," Mrs. Weasley said softly while moving to seat next to Ginny putting her arm around her daughter's shoulder and gave her a comforting embrace. "He needs time to grieve Ginny. We all know they were horrible to him, but they were family none the less. We'll give him time and be there for him, that's all we can do."
The next week passed by gloomily at the Burrow, with Ron working with George and Hermione constantly at the Ministry. Mrs. Weasley did her best to keep Ginny busy and to allow Harry to have his space so that he could properly grieve. Ginny noticed this and did her chores with resentment. Harry too noticed that everyone seemed to give him his space and for the first time since the war ended felt truly alone. It seemed every time he and Ginny had found time alone either Mrs. Weasley would wander in with chores for Ginny to complete or Ginny would rush out claiming she had chores assigned by her mother.
Finally the night before the Dursleys scheduled funeral, Harry was seated in the kitchen with Ginny and her parents for dinner. Ron and Hermione wouldn't be joining them tonight; each had sent an owl earlier informing Mrs. Weasley that they would be working late, and then planned to meet each other at the Leaky Cauldron for a late dinner. Harry barely eaten only picked at his food as he had done all week since hearing of the Dursleys murder.
They were all silently eating the other three sharing concerned looks when they thought Harry wasn't looking. Harry had noticed and chose to ignore them. Not in the mood to continue to act as if he was eating Harry pushed his plate away from him with a sigh.
"You okay Harry? You barely ate anything." Mrs. Weasley asked, while giving Harry a motherly concerned look.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley its great I'm just not that hungry tonight," Harry said softly feeling bad as he thought he may have unintentionally offended her.
"Its okay dear, we understand," Mrs. Weasley stated giving him a reassuring smile.
"Ginny do you think we could take a stroll down to the pond after you've finished eating?" Harry asked while turning to face her.
Ginny smiled and hurriedly agreed. She had been missing Harry terribly and it seems that he was also missing her. Ginny then began to quickly shovel food into her mouth in such a fashion that would have caused Ron to stare. As she quickly finished her food her parents stared with an amused smile on their faces.
Noticing that her plate was empty Harry stood from the table and reached for her hand, "You ready?"
"Yes, let's go," Ginny stated while swallowing the last of her food. She accepted Harry's hand and they headed out the door. They quietly strolled down to the pond where they took up a spot near the edge watching as the sun began to set behind the hills across the pond.
"Ginny are we alright?" Harry asked nervously.
Confused Ginny looked at Harry, "Yes Harry what made you think we weren't?"
"Well it's just that it seems as if everyone has been avoiding me lately," Harry said softly with watery eyes, yet avoided looking at Ginny.
"Oh Harry look at me," Ginny exclaimed sadly, turning his face towards hers gently with her hand. "We were avoiding you, we were giving you time and space, mum thought it would be best."
"Oh, I'm sorry Ginny I just assumed. Its just that I haven't felt this lonely in a long time and when I thought everyone else finally agreed with me that this was entirely my fault," Harry cried as Ginny pulled in to her burying his face in the crook of her neck.
"No Harry we don't blame you for anything, we were just waiting for you to come to us. I'm sorry I didn't know we were acting that way." Ginny said as she joined Harry in sobbing her heart aching.
The couple remained there embraced watching the sun continue to set until the pink sky gave way to a shimmering purple one filled with twinkling stars. The night sky brought along a slight chill in the air that went unnoticed by Harry and Ginny as they were encompassed by the warmth of their love.
"Ginny would you go to the service with me tomorrow?" Harry asked, and then quickly followed up with, "I understand if you don't want to."
"Of course I will go with you Harry," Ginny responded kissing him gently on the lips. "I'll always be here for you."
With that the couple decided to headed back into the Burrow and found Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sitting in the sitting room looking uncertain as a large barn owl perched on the arm of the couch next to Mr. Weasley. Ginny noticed that her mother held a piece of parchment in her hand as she laid her head on her husbands shoulder.
"Mum, is everything okay?"
"Wha.. What oh yes dear. I just received an owl from Ron. It seems that Hermione has finally uncovered a way to locate her parents and the pair has taken off to Australia to fetch them," Mrs. Weasley informed as she unsuccessfully tried to mask the worry in her voice.
This did not go unnoticed by Mr. Weasley who gave her a gently squeeze, "They'll be alright dear."
Harry was shocked that he two best friends hadn't included him in their attempt to find Hermione's family, and was some what hurt by it. Harry took a seat in an arm chair across from the couch with a sigh. Ginny then took a position in Harry's lap with her legs draped across the arm of the chair as she rested her head onto Harry's shoulder.
"Dads right mum, they'll be ok," She said attempting to ease her mother's troubled mind while enjoying the closeness between her and Harry.
"Yeah, Mrs. Weasley Ron and Hermione wouldn't do anything to purposely put the other in danger. I sure it was rather urgent or they would have at least told me," Harry joined in.
Mrs. Weasley gave a small nod and the conversation was then transferred to Mrs. Weasley motherly drilling Harry to determine his emotional state. She quietly asked, "How are you feeling dear?"
"I am feeling much better actually, and I have asked Ginny to join me for the funeral for the Dursleys," Harry responded honestly draping his arm across Ginny's legs.
"Good nothing a good stroll and a spell of quietness can't cure," She smiled.
"Ok mum, dad we are going to turn in," Ginny advised while standing and taking Harry's hand pulling him to his feet, "We have a busy day tomorrow."
Harry looked just as confused and shocked as her parents when he asked, "We do?"
"Of course silly," Ginny confirmed while trying to suppress a smile, "Well goodnight."
Harry was again shocked when her parents made no attempt to argue with Ginny's obvious declaration that they'd be sharing a room. They simply bid them a goodnight and continued to sit on the couch enjoying each others company.
Once at the stairwell Ginny flashed Harry a mischievous smile and raced up the stairs to the door of her room. Once Harry joined her at the door she wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him into a passionate embrace.
Breathlessly she pulled apart from Harry and with an impish grin she grabbed the front of his shirt as she pushed the door open, "Harry join me in our room."
Harry was about to speak when she backed into the room dragging him with her and pushing him down onto the bed. Harry had never seen this side of Ginny and was enjoying it as she sauntered towards him with a sway in her hips and lust flooding her face and gleaming eyes. As she straddled his hips Harry was about to protest when she hungrily attached her lips to his. Harry forgotten what he was going to protest when he felt her tongue begging for admittance into his mouth which he was more that happy to allow.
The heat between then grew and spread throughout their bodies like a venom spreading through the veins. Ginny moaned into Harry's mouth as his emotions became noticeable from her position on top of him. Like a woman gone mad she began clawing at his shirt until she was able to pull it over his head.
Harry was in shock as she continued her assault on his lips once his shirt was discarded on the floor. With a breathless moan she moved from his lips down his jaw line and began planting soft tantalizing kisses down his neck to his chest. Knots began to form in Harry's stomach as the heat surged through him and was only intensified by the heat he felt pouring from Ginny.
With a moan Harry grasped Ginny by the shoulders and pulled her face back up to his where he quickly mashed his lips against hers, before breaking the embrace and with bated breath said, "Ginny we have to stop. I'm..."
"You don't want this?" Ginny asked as pain and sadness flooded her eyes and her faced redden in embarrassment.
"Oh I do very much so actually, but it's not the right time yet. I want it to be perfect." Harry soothed, and with a quickly look down to where their groins where joined and only separated by their clothing, "I thought that was obvious, Gin. I just want our first time to be perfect and not rushed."
Ginny quickly removed her-self from Harry as she looked at him with raised eyebrows and a confused look plastered to her face, "Its not me?"
"Of course it's not you Ginny!" Harry exclaimed, "There's nothing more that I want than to share this with you I'm just not ready yet, can you accept that?"
"I can accept it Harry, I was just confused for a moment most guys wouldn't have stopped me once we had gotten that far I assumed," Ginny said with blushed cheeks.
"What do you mean most guys wouldn't, have you?" Harry asked with raised eyebrows of his own with a frown.
"Oh no of course I haven't Harry I didn't mean to say it like that. Girls talk at school you know," Ginny assured him with her cheeks reddening further when Harry let a sigh of relief out.
"Okay so can we agree to wait until both of us are ready?"
"Yes of course Harry I wont rush you, though I have to admit never thought I would have to be the one to say that," Ginny agreed with a smile as Harry pulled her back on the bed and into his arms as she rested her head on his chest. They remained there while they caught their breath.
Ginny was the first to rise as she instructed Harry to go put on his pajamas. Harry laughed quietly as he teased, "Yes mum."
This resulted with Ginny raising her eyebrows and throwing his pajama pants at him, and with pursed lips, "You think your funny do you?"
"Well I do have my moments don't I," Harry agreed which only resulted in a frown from Ginny as she placed her hands on her hips. Harry quickly regretted his ribbing, and under her watchful gaze gathered his pajamas and retreated quietly to the bathroom where he changed and brushed his teeth.
When Harry had returned to their room he assumed Ginny had already changed into her night clothes as she was already in bed and under the covers. Harry waived his wand and the lights in the room went out. Quietly he made his way over to the bed by the moonlight pouring in through the window.
Harry pulled back the covers to crawl into bed and the sight before him held him captivated. Ginny was wearing a pale blue silk night gown that clung to her supple body and left little to the imagination. Harry eyed every inch of Ginny as she turned and seen him standing there staring at her.
"Well you getting in, or are you planning on standing there staring at me all night?" Ginny asked while biting her lower lip and a seductive raise of her brow. Harry gulped loudly as he climbed into bed. He knew they had decided to wait until both were ready, but he didn't think Ginny was going to make it so difficult for him.
As Harry got comfortable in bed trying to avoid getting too close to her body, she turned over snuggling her body up next to his while laying her head on his chest, and draping a leg across his.
"I love you Harry," Ginny purred as she began to draw circles on Harry's chest while rubbing her leg on Harry's thigh causing her nightgown to ride up leaving the majority of her thigh uncovered. Harry had to quickly adjust him-self as he tried to hide how enticing Ginny was.
Once adjusted he quickly threw the covers over them and kissed Ginny on the top of her head. With a loud sigh he said, "I love you too Ginny. Goodnight sweetheart. Oh and by the way thanks for not wearing that nightgown when we first came up here. I never would have been able to resist."
"G'night Harry," Ginny pouted as she looked up to Harry with her lower lip extended and her big pleading brown eyes boring into his emerald green eyes. Harry gave her another kiss on the top of her head and squeezed her gently as he settled down to go to sleep.
Harry woke the next morning with Ginny still snuggly draped across his body. He laid there listening to her breath and watched as her body raised and fell with his breathing. As he watched her sleeping he couldn't help but think to his-self how lucky he was to have someone like Ginny to love him. I am going to make her my wife one of these days, Harry thought.
"You'd have to ask first," Ginny stated softly surprising Harry.
"I'm sorry?" Harry asked confused.
"Well before I can be your wife you'd have to ask me to marry you silly," Ginny said nuzzling into his chest.
"I didn't say that out loud Ginny, I just thought it."
"Really? I heard it as if you were speaking to me," Ginny informed with a surprised look.
Harry didn't say anything in fact he was shocked at the revelation as Ginny. They would have to talk to Mr. Weasley about this later. For now he knew they had to get up and get dressed or they would never make it to the Dursleys funeral in time. Harry climbed out of bed and began to dress in his nicest muggle attire which consisted of blue jeans and a polo shirt. Harry then returned to Ginny's side and gave her a gentle kiss before heading downstairs to grab breakfast.
Harry and Ginny were wandering through a graveyard in Little Whinging hanging back far enough from the service so they were sure they wouldn't be noticed or recognized by the group of mourners. Harry knew that his ties to the Muggle community would end with this funeral Vernon's sister Marge's memory had most likely already been altered by Ministry of Magic employees. Ginny wrapped her arms around Harry's waist and gave a reassuring squeeze. Harry smiled down at her, he was so happy to have her there with him.
While Harry was happy to have Ginny's company, his mind felt tormented as it struggled to understand what he was feeling. He had always hated the Dursleys for the way they treated him as a kid. But there deep in his heart he felt the pain of loss. They had allowed him to return to their home each summer after finding out he was a wizard and hunted by the darkest wizard of the age, probably ever.
He tearfully remembered how his Aunt and Cousin had acted the last time he saw them. Ginny gave Harry another gentle squeeze as he quietly grieved for the loss of his last thread of family. She could feel the pain in his heart as if it were her own. Silently she buried her face into his chest and cried with him, while thinking to her-self, don't worry love you still have family with the Weasleys and I promise we'll have our family too.
Harry kissed her on top of the head as he murmured softly, "I know Gin. I love you."
After the service they returned to the Burrow where they would spend the day relaxing in the orchard. Dreaming together of their futures they cuddled together at the base of a tree. Ginny dreaming of the day where she and Harry would have their own home and the possibility of Harry's face being the first and last thing she would see each day. Harry on the other hand was thinking of a little redheaded girl that looked just like her mother running through their home which was full of laughter and happiness.
Ginny was brought out of her day dream with a gentle squeeze from Harry who was smiling down at her. With a kiss to the tip of her nose he smiled, "How'd you fancy a trip to Australia?"
