Authors Note: I want to take the time to thank all of you that have read my little tale. I especially want to thank all of those that have taken the time to leave a review. I am now very glade I have written several chapters ahead as I am now suffering from some writers block. I think I may have worked through it now, however nothing gives a writer motivation like a review...
9
Meet the Weasley's
A troubled Harry Potter was sitting in the stands at the Hollyhead Harpies practice field. He was not however, paying any attention to the practice he had come to watch. Harry was thinking about the events of the last two weeks.
He had hoped Emily would have dropped the whole Golden Trio thing. However over she had asked him several times for details of the club. She asked him how long Hermione had been in the club, he answered he thought since back at school. She then wanted to know what the club was and what they did. He answered that he wasn't exactly sure.
Harry really did not want to tell Emily about all that had happened during the second war. Emily did not know Harry as The Chosen one, the boy who lived or the Hero of the second war or even the boy that had defeated one of the most evil dark wizards in wizarding history. She knew him as just plain Harry, and he liked that.
If he answered her questions about The Golden Trio, that would change. There would be no way to tell her about the Golden Trio without explaining to her why He, Ron and Hermione were referred to as the golden trio. The problem was she kept pushing him for answers.
Harry had thought that Ginny had put the question to end with her answer that it was a club. Harry did not expect her to ask for details on what the club was. Harry knew that Emily was not stupid, he figured the reason she was asking about the club was she suspected it had to do something with Harry's past.
Harry decided that the best way to distract Emily from her questions about his past, would be to satisfy some of her other questions she had asked over the last few months about his family. She knew he was an orphan and that he had not had a pleasant time with the Dursley's. She also knew that Ron and Harry had been close. So he figured he would introduce her to the Weasley's. He was sure that meeting the Weasley's would make Emily forget all about this Golden Trio nonsense.
However there was just one hitch to this idea… Ginny. He and Ginny had just started talking again and he hoped they could be friends. He did not want to hurt Ginny by bringing his girlfriend to meet the rest of her family. So he was here to make sure that Ginny would be ok with Emily meeting the rest of the Weasley's.
"Harry Potter," Harry looked up to see Ginny standing next to him. "Are you lost?" she asked with a smile.
Harry knew the reason she was asking is over the last year he refused to come to any of her games, or practices when invited.
"Not really, I had heard the Harpies had a new hot shot chaser, and I thought I'd stop by and see what all the fuss was about." He smiled at Ginny and motioned for her to sit down.
Ginny sat next to him and gently placed her hand on his arm.
"Harry I would believe you more, had you paid attention to the practice."
Harry laughed. He never was able to get away with anything with Ginny. That was one of the things he liked about being with her. Ginny asked him before he could say anything.
"So what's bothering you Harry?"
Harry opened his mouth to answer, but he hesitated.
"Harry," Ginny looked him square in the eyes as she spoke. "I know things with us ended badly, and I told you I am sorry about that. I'd like to think that even though I am no longer your fiancé, we can still be friends."
"I would like that Ginny." Harry looked down at his fingers as he answered her. He had to admit, he had missed Ginny over the last year, and he knew that Ginny would tell him what she thought, not what he wanted to hear. Without realizing what he was doing he found himself saying.
"It's Emily…"
Over the next few minutes he told Ginny all about how he and Emily had met, and how he enjoyed that with her he was just plain Harry, not the boy who lived. He told Ginny how he had not told Emily about his past and that he avoided her questions about the past when she asked. He also told her how Emily was starting to really push him about the Golden Trio thing, and that he really didn't want to answer those questions because it would lead to more questions about is past. He informed her that he liked being just plain Harry with Emily.
Ginny listened and interrupted with just a few questions to clarify something that he said, but basically she let him talk. When he finished he looked at her, and knew by her expression he probably was not going to like her answer.
"Harry, how do you feel about Emily?" She asked.
Harry suddenly felt like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming truck. He knew he was falling for Emily, but he did not want to tell Ginny that.
"I think she's great." He answered brightly.
Ginny pulled a classic you've got to be kidding face.
"I didn't ask what you think of Emily," she said sharply "I asked how you felt about her."
Harry looked away from Ginny; he did not want to hurt her by letting her know he was moving on with his life. He also knew she would not let him get away with avoiding her questions.
"Come on Harry!" Ginny stated reassuringly, "I'm not going to hex you or anything like that, but if I am going to give you good advice I need to know how you feel about her."
"I think I'm falling for her." He said cautiously.
"Then I think you should tell her about your past Harry." Ginny stated.
It was Harry's turn to pull a face, before Harry could say anything Ginny held up her hand, and continued.
"Harry. Emily is going to find out about your past, there is nothing you can do to prevent that from happening. Someone is going to say something to her. It is better she finds out from you and not someone else."
Harry knew Ginny was probably right, but he still liked being just Harry, when he told Ginny this she just rolled her eyes and said.
"Harry, in the wizarding world you are never going to be just Harry."
Harry just shook his head. He knew she was right, but he did not like it one bit. He told Ginny he would think about telling Emily about what he had done in the second war; Ginny told him that by not telling her he was risking their relationship. She reminded him how much she hated his keeping things from her when they were engaged, and she reminded him how badly that had damaged things with the two of them.
After Ginny had her say, they sat quietly for a minute or two before Harry brought up the main reason he was her.
"Ginny, I want Emily to meet my family."
Ginny looked at Harry wondering when Harry and the Dursley's had worked things out, and why no one had told her about that.
"I don't know Harry, do you think that's a good idea, I mean the Dursley's…"
Harry's eyes widened in shock as she finished her statement.
"Why would I want to introduce her to the Dursley's?" He asked, and then he realized that Ginny did not know he was talking about her family. "Ginny, I don't want Emily to meet the Dursley's; I want her to meet the only family I have ever had, the Weasley's."
Ginny looked at Harry, and smiled. She thought to herself that poor girl does not know what she is in for, she smiled at Harry
"I think that would be great, if you think she would survive one of our family dinners."
"So you would be ok with me bringing her to dinner?" Harry sounded surprised.
"Harry, why would I have a problem with you brining someone that makes you happy to meet the craziest family in the world? However, I am not responsible for any psychological trauma she may suffer from the event."
Harry gave her a brotherly hug, "Thank You Ginny,"
***
Emily Watts was aggravated. She was looking for some glimpse into her boyfriends past, but he was not volunteering any information. When she did try to talk with him about his past he always seemed to find a way to change the subject. She knew that Harry was famous in the wizarding world, but she still had no idea why he was famous.
She figured it had to do something with his being an Auror. Maybe he saved a bunch of wizard children. Maybe he was a famous detective. No she thought to herself Ron was the detective. The point was she didn't know. She knew it had something to do with this club the Golden Trio. She also had deduced that Ron and Hermione were also members of the club. So if she found out what the Golden Trio was, she would learn more about why Harry was so famous.
Harry also never talked about his family. She knew he was an orphan and lived with his Aunt and Uncle. However they have been dating for almost three months, and Harry has not even talked to her about his family. She was surprised because the one time the subject of his family Ron had just referred to them as the muggles. She had the impression that Harry and his Aunt and Uncle were far from close. However once again, she had no idea why.
It was not that she was trying to be nosy. She was falling hard for Harry Potter. She had never been intimate with a man, until Harry. She saw a future with him, and she loved the idea that just maybe she had met the man she may eventually marry. She loved Harry, and because she loved him she wanted to know all there was about him.
Emily was started out of her thoughts by the ringing of her cell phone. She saw that it was Harry calling and answered it quickly.
"Harry, I didn't expect to hear from you?"
"Surprised?" He asked.
She answered that she was, and was happy to hear from him in the middle of the day. She was not filming today so she was planning on taking a trip to Diagon Alley later; she was hoping to find some information on The Golden Trio at Florish and Botts.
Harry told her things were a bit slow and wanted to know if she wanted to meet him for lunch. He arranged to meet her at a cozy little restaurant near her house; she agreed to meet him in about an hour.
An hour later, she was sitting at a cozy waiting for her boyfriend to join her. She was not sure what this was about; Harry very rarely met her in the middle of the day, especially on a work day. Emily found herself wondering what this was all about.
She did not have to wait long, as she saw Harry walk through the door, and looked around the café. He spotter her and headed over to the table. As he sat down he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Hi." He said happily. Emily noticed that Harry seemed to be in a very good mood. She could not help but comment.
"You're in a good mood today." She smiled at him
"Of course I am." He answered taking her hands in his, "I am having lunch with the prettiest girl in London."
Emily blushed at his compliment. She thought I could get used to this.
Their waitress came to the table and took their orders. After she took the order, she told Emily that she loved her films and asked her for her autograph. Emily quickly signed a napkin and gave it to the waitress. She looked at Harry who was chuckling softly.
"What is so funny?" She asked
"It's just funny to see that happen to someone else." He said happily
She did not respond to this, she knew Harry's fame was a subject that was off limits at this time, so she changed the subject.
"So what's going on Harry?" She asked
The way Harry looked at her, with such intensity in his eyes made her just a little bit nervous. She was not sure what was about to happen, she had never seen Harry like this.
"Well to start with I have something I want to tell you." Harry looked away from her as he said this. Maybe she misread his eyes, maybe he was nervous. She squeezed his hands to reassure him that whatever he said it was ok. He looked up when she squeezed hands, the intensity back in his eyes.
"I have only said this to one other person Emily." He leaned close to her and whispered. "I have fallen in love with you."
For a minute Emily just looked at Harry, responding to what he said with a smile, then she leaned forward and gave him a passionate kiss and said softly, "Good because I have fallen for you hard Harry Potter."
Harry sat back in his chair as the waitress bought their orders, and left.
As Emily was eating her salad she asked Harry.
"So did you just want to tell me I am one of the luckiest girls in England or was there something else?"
Harry answered that the main thing he wanted to tell her is how he felt about her, but he also said there was one other thing.
She didn't ask him what the other thing was; she was enjoying this moment way too much to push things. After they finished their lunches, Harry once again took her hand.
"I think it's time my family meet the women that has stolen my heart." He said casually.
"I thought your parents died when you were a baby."
"Yes My parents did die when I was a baby, I am talking about the family that took me in when I was eleven, and have stood behind me ever since.
"I would like that Harry." She was touched he wanted to do this.
"Good, so what are you doing this Sunday?" He asked.
She smiled as she answered. "I guess I am having lunch with your family."
**
Ginny sat in the living room of the Burrow, staring at a picture of her and Harry. She was once again unhappy about Harry Potter. Since she and Harry resumed their friendship, Ginny realized that she was still very much in love with the boy who lived. The problem was since she had ended things with Harry he finally moved on. Harry seemed very happy with Emily, and as much as she wanted to hate Emily, she couldn't. She was a very nice young lady, and Ginny knew that she was also very much in love with Harry. She also knew that Harry was once again happy. After all Harry has been through Ginny truly felt he deserved to be happy. She had always hoped that he would find that happiness with her; however all she had done is bring him more pain over the last year.
She heard her sister in law sit down next to her. She knew Hermione and the rest of her family were worried about how she would be this afternoon. She felt Hermione put a hand on her shoulder. Ginny looked up at her.
"Gin, are you ok with this?" Hermione asked.
Ginny gave her sister in law a weak smile.
"Not really." She answered truthfully, but before Hermione could say anything she continued. "But I don't have the right to be."
The two women sat in silence for a minute and then Ginny whispered.
"After the things I did to Harry over the last year, I am just happy that he is talking to me again." She felt tears starting to build up in her eyes. "Have you ever realized you have made the biggest mistake in your life?"
Hermione nodded her head, remembering the things she had done in her sixth year to try and make Ron jealous. She had nearly destroyed her friendship with Ron.
"I still love him you know." Ginny said weakly. "I didn't realize it until he showed up in my hospital room last month."
"Ginny," Hermione said gently
Ginny brushed the tears from her eyes as she looked at Hermione.
"You don't have to worry Hermione." She said, "Harry deserves to be happy. I know he is falling for Emily, just please tell me she feels the same for him."
Hermione took Ginny's hands and said gently.
"Yes Ginny, she does."
Ginny nodded her head. "I could tell by the way she looks at him. This is going to be one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I am going to let Harry go."
Hermione could tell this was killing Ginny, and really did not know what she could do to comfort her. She knew that Ginny had her chance with Harry, but she let him go. The thing was, Hermione did not think Ginny know how much she had hurt Harry last year. She was glad that she was going to give Harry his chance to be happy, even though it was clear that Ginny was giving up her own happiness.
***
Emily could not think of anything she had experienced as unpleasant as apparition. She doubled over the minute she and Harry arrived in the backyard of the Weasley's. She looked up at harry and whispered.
"Never again."
Harry chuckled as he helped her up, rubbing her back in an attempt to comfort her and said.
"Then we'll just have to floo back to my flat after dinner."
Emily groaned. There was something else just as unpleasant as apparating. Why couldn't wizards just travel normally, like a car or a bus?
"Too bad we couldn't just take a bus." She said softly.
Harry grinned at her. "Now that I think of it, we could take the knight bus."
Emily looked at Harry, hopefully. Anything had to be better than feeling like you were being squeezed through a tube, or spinning around in a fireplace. She noticed Harry's wicked grin, and something told her the Knight bus probably would be just as fun as the floo network or apparition.
"I think I will take a chance with apparating again." She sighed. At least apparition was fast.
They stepped onto the back porch when a voice sounded through the door.
"Declare yourself."
Harry answered
"It is I, Harry James Potter best friend to your youngest son and his wife Hermione Granger, godfather to Teddy Lupin."
The voice asked.
"Then you would know what my greatest desire is."
"To learn how airplanes stay in the air."
Emily giggled at the last answer. Harry had warned her about Mr. Weasley's fondness for all things Muggle. The back door opened and Harry was quickly pulled into a hug by a redheaded woman.
"Harry it's been too long" she said. She then looked at him critically, "You are still thin, are you eating properly?"
"Yes Mrs. Weasley, Kreacher makes sure I eat properly."
Harry turned to Emily.
"Mrs. Weasley, this is Emily."
Molly looked at Emily, then to her surprise pulled her into a bone crushing hug while saying.
"Emily, I am so pleased to meet you. I have heard a lot about you."
"It's nice to meet you too Mrs. Weasley." Emily returned her hug, as Mrs. Weasley said.
"Call me Molly dear," Mrs. Weasley looked at Harry, "Maybe if you call me Molly, Harry will stop calling me Mrs. Weasley."
After meeting Mrs. Weasley she was taken into a comfortable living room and introduced to the rest of the family. She already knew Ron, Hermione and Ginny, and even knowing them she was still a bit in addition to Ron, Ginny and Hermione there was George who was missing an ear, Bill and his wife Fleur who was pregnant with their first child, Charlie whom to her great amazement worked with dragons and Percy who worked with his father at the ministry. They all were very happy to meet her.
The dinner Molly cooked was one of the best meals she had ever had. While she was eating she just took in bits of conversation around the table. Ron was reminding Ginny that he still had not forgiven her for helping the Harpies defeat his beloved Canons, George and Charlie were talking about a new line of products he was about to launch at his shop, Molly and Fleur were talking about her baby, something she noticed Hermione was paying close attention to. Bill and Charlie were quizzing Harry on how he met Emily, considering that she was a famous muggle actress, and Emily soon found herself in a conversation with Mr. Weasley, explaining to him how movies were made.
The one thing that Emily did notice was the way George kept watching her as she ate. More to the point, he seemed very interested in a pastry that had been placed next to her plate. The first thing she noticed is that no one else at the table had been served the pastry. Also occasionally others at the table would see the pastry and kind of grin a bit. Luckily for her, Harry had warned her that George would probably try and pull a prank on her. She suspected whatever he was planning had something to do with that pastry.
The one thing being on the set with David and Randall was one how to recognize a set up, and two how to turn the tides on the person pulling the prank. She just needed to find a way to turn the prank back on George. Happily that happened after everyone had finished the dessert molly served.
"Mum," George looked at his mother, "Do we have any more of the apple cobbler?"
"No dear." Molly smiled.
Emily smiled to herself, as she picked up the pastry everyone had been eying and said.
"George," She gave him her sweetest smile, "You can have my pastry, and I am too full to eat anything else."
George just looked at her for a minute and then said, "No thanks Emily, I made that for our special guest."
Emily smiled at George as she answered, "I certainly do appreciate your efforts George," she handed him the pastry. "However I just could not eat anything else and it would be a shame for such a fine pastry to go to waste."
Emily saw the light go on in George's eyes, as the rest of the Weasley's watched the two of them. From his expression he knew Emily was onto him, and had very nicely backed him into a corner. He reached out and took the pastry.
"Nicely done Emily," He said as he took a bite out the pastry. As he finished the first bite there was a bright light and to Emily's shock he turned into a yellow canary. George ran around the table, and she looked to Harry for help. He just shrugged and said.
"You started this one, I know better than to get into a prank war with George,"
Emily started to get up, but with another flash the canary turned back into George.
George just slapped Harry on the back and said.
"Whatever you do Harry, don't blow it with this one. She is a keeper."
Emily joined in the rest of the Weasley's laughter as Charlie said.
"The only person I have ever seen beat you like that was Fred."
The rest of the Weasley's started to laugh again.
"Who's Fred?" She asked
The table suddenly got very quite.
**
Emily continued to look at the clock that had twelve hands on it with the name of each of the Weasley's as well as Fleur, Hermione and Harry's names on them. Each of those hands were pointed on The Burrow. One of the Hands with the name Fred on was pointed at The Afterlife.
All she had been told was that Fred was Georges Twin brother and he had died a couple of years ago. When she had asked how he had died they told her that Harry could explain that to her. She did not ask any more questions, not wanting to bring up painful memories for the family.
Seeing that Emily was a little bothered about the sudden silence at the dinner table when she asked about Fred, Molly bought her to the living room. She then explained to her how the family had taken Fred's death very hard, especially Harry. She then showed Emily her family clock. She explained to her that the hands would always tell her where her family was. She noticed the dials on the clock were Home, The Burrow, Work, Quidditch, Traveling, Mortal Peril and The Afterlife.
Emily asked if Fred's hand had been on mortal peril before he died, why they couldn't have prevented the accident that had killed him. Molly simply said during those times everyone's hands had been on mortal peril. She then left without saying anything else. Emile found herself wondering what could have caused all of the hands on the clock to be at mortal peril.
Finding herself alone in the living room, she noticed the pictures on the fireplace and started to look at them. She still could not get used to the fact that Wizarding photos moved. She liked what she saw in those photos, she could tell that the Weasley's were a very loving family.
There was a picture of a much younger Harry, with Ron and Hermione getting on a train, another of identical twins in front of George's shop, which must have been Fred. Another with a little bit older Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny with a group of about 26 other students labeled Dumbledore's army. The one picture that caught her attention was one of Harry and Ginny Weasley.
The appeared to be sitting by a tree, she was leaning against Harry, his arms around her. To her surprise Ginny looked up to Harry in the picture and the two of them shared a kiss.
Emily just stared at the photo.
"I know were a bit much," she heard Ginny say, "But we really are a…oh"
Ginny stopped talking when she saw the picture that Emily was looking at.
Emily turned to face Ginny.
"You and Harry were together?" She asked.
Ginny looked at Emily, and said.
"He didn't tell you?' She sighed, "I told that pratt he should tell you."
Emily just smiled at Ginny weakly.
"Harry really doesn't talk to me about his past." She tried to hide the irritation in her voice. But she knew Ginny picked up on it.
"What do you want to know?" She asked, "I will be happy to answer any questions you might have about me and Harry."
Emily could see that Ginny was making an effort with her. She know understood why Ginny had been the way she was at the Ball; she must have taken Harry's breaking up with her very hard.
"How long were you together?"
"A couple of years, we broke up about a year and a half before you and Harry met."
"Why did he break up with you?" She needed to know why Harry would not have stayed with Ginny.
Ginny looked away from Emily, then she looked down at the floor before she looked back at Emily.
"He didn't end it, I did." She answered.
Emily suddenly realized, Harry had told how he was engaged in the past and how she had broken it off with him. He told her that breakup nearly killed him. She wondered if Ginny knew how she had broken Harry's heart. She suddenly felt herself getting just a little angry. She had sworn to herself is she ever met the girl that had hurt Harry so much she would….Well she didn't know what she would have done. She also never expected to meet that girl.
"You're the one..."
Ginny held up her hand to stop Emily from finishing what she was going to say.
"I really don't need to hear all the horrible things I have done to Harry." Ginny looked at the picture Emily had been looking at. The picture reminded her of happier times. "My family and the wizarding world have already told me all about it I don't really need to hear it from his girlfriend too."
Emily was surprised by both the bitterness and sadness in her last statement. Even more surprised because the bitterness was not directed at Harry, but her family and the rest of the wizarding world. Emily suddenly realized, Ginny was not bitter at Harry, but her family and the wizarding world. They had decided that Ginny was a terrible person for breaking Harry's heart, but no one had asked her why she broke things off with Harry.
"Ginny?" She asked tentatively. Even though Ginny was Harry's ex, Emily could not help but like her, and she deserved to be able to tell someone her side of what happened with Harry. "Why did you break up with Harry?"
Ginny looked at Emily, clearly surprised at the question, she laughed, but it was a bitter laugh.
"You know, you're the first person to ask me that." Ginny looked away from Emily, "Even my best friend just told me how disappointed she was with me."
"Ginny you don't have to answer." Emily said gently.
Emily noticed a tear starting to fall down Ginny's cheek. She also saw Harry at the doorway. She motioned for him to stop. Harry did as she motioned and turned around and headed back to the dining room. If he was bothered that Emily was talking to his ex girlfriend he did not show it.
Ginny just looked at Emily for a minute and then she started to speak.
"It was a lot of things. Harry's breaking up with me to protect me form Voldemort, his leaving me behind as he went off to fight Voldemort. His going off to die without saying goodbye…"
Emily felt her heart drop into her stomach, "Ginny, what do you mean going off to die."
Ginny looked at Emily. "I'm sorry. I thought Harry told you about what happened during the second war."
"War? What war?"