Parallel
By deemarie
Chapter 10
This was driving Harry crazy! For the last four days he had wanted to find the time to talk to Ginny alone. He never could get the chance. He really needed to explain things to her and to apologize properly. Whenever he thought he would have the opportunity, something had interfered.
Ron had pretty well monopolized Harry's time that first day. He had grabbed Harry after breakfast and taken him upstairs, practically dragging him in the process. Once they were safely in Ron's room, he shut the door and put a silencing spell on the room. Harry wondered why Ron had done that. He didn't have to wait long to find out.
"Okay, Harry," Ron had said. "What's going on between you and Ginny?" Harry was stunned. How could he have guessed that? Ron really wasn't the most observant of people.
"I don't know what you mean, Ron. What makes you think there's anything going on?"
"Look, Harry, I know you think I'm a bit thick, sometimes. Maybe I am. But you and Ginny never said one word to each other downstairs, not even Good Morning. And she wouldn't even look in your direction. That's just not like her. Even though she may be over her crush on you, she's never, ever not spoken to you before. So, tell me, what happened?" Harry certainly wasn't going to tell Ron that he had kissed Ginny and scared her senseless. Ron had become unreasonably protective of Ginny ever since she had started dating. He was pretty sure if he told Ron, Harry would probably be sporting a black eye for a couple of days.
"I don't know why Ginny isn't talking to me," Harry lied.
"I mean when I was in St. Mungo's she didn't even come to see me, did she? She has been pretty well avoiding me since I came here, she hasn't really talked to me at all. I can't tell you what happened or why." Ron seemed to accept Harry's explanation.
"Well, maybe Hermione can find out for you. She'll be here day after tomorrow."
"Look, Ron, I appreciate your concern. But I don't think either you or Hermione should interfere."
"Interfere? She's my sister, Harry. And you're, well you mean more to me than my own brothers. Harry, I want you to be happy. I mean, you really haven't had the best time of it, have you? And, if we're really going to be honest about everything, well..." Harry had started to smile at Ron. "What are you laughing at?"
"Hermione is rubbing off on you, Ron. In the seven years I've known you, you really haven't opened up like this before. I think I like the change." Ron blushed at that.
"Yeah, I guess she's been working on me." Ron rubbed the back of his neck. "We talked about you coming to live here. Hermione knew there was something strained in your relationship with Ginny. We both were concerned when she didn't come to see you in hospital. But we figured you would talk to us about it. After all, I've always kind of wanted you and Ginny... Merlin! Did I just say that?"
"It's okay, Ron," Harry said as Ron had gotten up and paced across the room. "I kind of figured that bit out for myself, last year. You were pretty obvious about it, you know. I had other things on my mind at the time." Ron turned to Harry when he said that.
"So, does that mean, I mean, now that you have the time and there aren't other things getting in the way..."
"I don't know, Ron." This time Harry wasn't lying. "I mean, I have developed feelings for Ginny," Ron smiled. "Don't get your hopes up. The feelings have to be mutual. And I haven't gotten the chance to talk to her to find out."
"Well, maybe we could arrange..."
"No, Ron," Harry said. "It wouldn't be fair to Ginny. She's got things to work out on her own. I can wait. I've got all the time in the world. Besides, she still has one more year at Hogwarts to get through. There will be time enough to see what she wants after that. You remember all the stress we had before NEWTs, don't you? I won't complicate things for her."
Harry really did mean what he said. He wouldn't add to all the pressures she was going to be under next year. But he still had to clear the air between them before she went back to school. So, if she didn't want to talk to him today, Harry was sure there would be an opportunity later. He decided the best thing to do today was to catch up with Ron.
The problem was the opportunity to talk with her hadn't come up. Molly was keeping her pretty busy with party preparations. When Harry had found out about the plans and the many people Molly wanted to invite, Harry had put his foot down. Weren't they already letting him stay here rent-free? He didn't want them to go to excess. Besides, he really wasn't ready to face a large amount of people, yet. There had been rumors of a wizarding world celebration of Voldemort's defeat. The ministry wanted to declare a day of celebration, but between Harry's health and the healer's protests, those plans were on hold until Harry would consider himself ready. He would be perfectly happy with just the Weasley's, Remus and Hermione. Finally Molly had given in.
Leave it to Hermione to take things into her own hands. Presents had begun arriving by owl post the next day. The mound of presents in the corner began to resemble a small mountain. Harry had stopped to inspect the pile, he was looking to see if Ginny had left anything for him. Unfortunately, Ginny had seen him. He blushed to the roots of his hair. Even though he had stopped every so often to check, provided Ginny wasn't watching, he had never seen a package with her handwriting. Honestly, he really shouldn't have expected one either.
Harry thought about trying to catch her after everyone was asleep, but that wasn't a good idea. What if they started to argue, or what if things went the other way and Ginny and he... The prospect of Molly catching him in Ginny's room put a quick end to that thought. So Harry waited. It was to no avail. Maybe with all the bustle at the party he would be able to get a few minutes alone with Ginny.
The arrival of Fred and George put a quick stop to that. In their exuberance to show Harry a good time, they pretty much monopolized his attention. Harry was getting frustrated. Besides, he thought Ginny was up to something. Nothing bad, mind you. But when Bill had arrived earlier that day, she quickly pulled him into a corner even before Harry had gotten a chance to say hello. A short time later, he had seen Arthur and Molly in a heated but quiet conversation with Bill and Ginny. Whatever she had been planning, Arthur and Molly had consented to it, though he could tell they weren't pleased.
Since the mountain of presents was going to take a while to open, instead of having a sit down dinner, Molly had set everything up buffet style. She fixed Harry a plate to set beside him while he began to open his gifts. He was already half way through his gifts and despite Hermione's best efforts, they had lost track of who had given him what. Only Harry was aware of the most important of them.
Molly had given him another jumper. This was the finest work she had ever given him. A deep forest green (to bring out your eyes, dear) with intricate cable work, the jumper fit him to perfection. Arthur had given him a smaller version of the Weasley clock, with just the current residents of the Burrow on it. Since he was a member of the family now, he might as well keep track of them.
Fred and George had given him the new prototypes of Weasley's Wizard Whiz Bangs to celebrate. They would all enjoy the spectacular fireworks display later. Bill, Charlie and Remus had pooled their resources and presented Harry with a real Egyptian Ankh. It was a small obsidian piece Harry could keep on display. It was a remarkable piece of artwork. Harry would display it prominently on his dresser.
Percy hadn't attended the party. He may have reconciled with his parents, but his siblings were another matter. They would come round, Molly assured Harry. You just had to give them time. He did send Harry a gift. The case for his glasses was done in fine needlework. The stitching seemed to make the Quidditch scene depicted, come to life. Harry found he rather liked this gift, despite Fred and George telling him to chuck it in the nearest dustbin.
He had expected a book from Hermione, but once again, she had surprised him. Her gift was a golden snitch, enchanted so as not to fly away and signed by his favorite seeker from the British National team. When kept in its display case, it would sit patiently, once opened, it would fly about the room until it was caught.
"It's a good way to keep those reflexes honed, Harry," she had said.
Ron had put a lot of thought into his gift. It was a set of journals that were bound in finely tooled leather. Harry was surprised at this. He would have thought Hermione would have given him something like this.
"Don't you see, Harry, you need to keep a record of all the things that have happened to you. The world needs to know the truth someday. We all know how reliable the Daily Prophet is. I just thought it would help you set things straight, and give you a way to express your feelings." Yes, no doubt about it, Hermione was definitely rubbing off on Ron. Harry really did like the change.
It was late, and Harry finally finished opening his gifts. But there was nothing from Ginny. Carefully concealing his disappointment, Harry glanced around for Ginny. She was nowhere to be seen. The party had begun to break up. Perhaps she had gone to bed. She was probably still angry with him. When she calmed down, maybe she would give him something then.
There were the sounds of people saying good-bye and wishing Harry a Happy Birthday, then Disapparating. Harry gave his thanks and watched them disappear. Molly had started to clear things up, but Arthur told her to wait until morning and escorted her up the stairs to their room. Ron said he wanted to say a proper good night to Hermione and the two of them went out into the garden. Harry was completely alone. He considered going up to bed, but even though it was late, he found he wasn't tired. Perhaps a walk would do him some good. He didn't relish the idea of breaking up a snogging session between Ron and Hermione, so the garden was out of the question. He decided a walk toward the village might be a good idea. He went out the front door.
Ginny was waiting by the gate. Why was she out here? She was alone. Maybe, if he handled this right, he could finally get to talk to her. He started toward her when he noticed the bags at her feet. She was leaving? Where was she going at this hour, it had just gone 11. Who was she going with? Harry didn't like this, he didn't like this at all.
"Are you going somewhere?" he asked, startling her in the process.
"Harry!" she exclaimed.
"I'm sorry if I scared you."
"It's not that, I just didn't expect it to be you, that's all," she said.
"Who were you expecting? Just where are you going at this time of night?" Did he just sound like Arthur? But he couldn't help himself. This was getting worse by the minute. Had he gotten her so angry that she decided to run away? He had to know, had to stop her from leaving.
"When has it ever been your business where I go or who I go with?" This conversation was getting eerily familiar. Ginny must have felt so too, for she said, "Sorry, Harry. I really didn't mean that. Mum and Dad know I'm going away. You really shouldn't trouble yourself about it."
"They know?" Ginny nodded. "Listen if this has something to do with what I did the other night, I'm sorry about that. I've wanted to apologize, and explain."
"Don't, Harry," she said. "There really isn't the need to. I'm just... I'm just going to Bill's. That's all. There's so much going on here right now, and I have all this summer homework to slog through. I need the time alone. Bill's off in Dad's workshop, charming something to use as a Portkey."
"Oh," he said non-committally. It's not that he didn't believe her, oh hell, yes it was. She was leaving because of him. He just knew it. He had to do something about this, now. He reached out to grab her arm.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Harry froze. Ginny's hand went up to her mouth. She had a horrified look on her face. They stood there like that for what seemed an eternity. It was Bill who with his arrival broke the tension between them. "Thank goodness you're here," she said grabbing her bags and then placing her hand on the small box Bill had enchanted. "I need to go now!"
Bill looked at Harry quickly. His expression seemed to say he was sorry. The next thing Harry knew, they were gone.
By deemarie
Chapter 10
This was driving Harry crazy! For the last four days he had wanted to find the time to talk to Ginny alone. He never could get the chance. He really needed to explain things to her and to apologize properly. Whenever he thought he would have the opportunity, something had interfered.
Ron had pretty well monopolized Harry's time that first day. He had grabbed Harry after breakfast and taken him upstairs, practically dragging him in the process. Once they were safely in Ron's room, he shut the door and put a silencing spell on the room. Harry wondered why Ron had done that. He didn't have to wait long to find out.
"Okay, Harry," Ron had said. "What's going on between you and Ginny?" Harry was stunned. How could he have guessed that? Ron really wasn't the most observant of people.
"I don't know what you mean, Ron. What makes you think there's anything going on?"
"Look, Harry, I know you think I'm a bit thick, sometimes. Maybe I am. But you and Ginny never said one word to each other downstairs, not even Good Morning. And she wouldn't even look in your direction. That's just not like her. Even though she may be over her crush on you, she's never, ever not spoken to you before. So, tell me, what happened?" Harry certainly wasn't going to tell Ron that he had kissed Ginny and scared her senseless. Ron had become unreasonably protective of Ginny ever since she had started dating. He was pretty sure if he told Ron, Harry would probably be sporting a black eye for a couple of days.
"I don't know why Ginny isn't talking to me," Harry lied.
"I mean when I was in St. Mungo's she didn't even come to see me, did she? She has been pretty well avoiding me since I came here, she hasn't really talked to me at all. I can't tell you what happened or why." Ron seemed to accept Harry's explanation.
"Well, maybe Hermione can find out for you. She'll be here day after tomorrow."
"Look, Ron, I appreciate your concern. But I don't think either you or Hermione should interfere."
"Interfere? She's my sister, Harry. And you're, well you mean more to me than my own brothers. Harry, I want you to be happy. I mean, you really haven't had the best time of it, have you? And, if we're really going to be honest about everything, well..." Harry had started to smile at Ron. "What are you laughing at?"
"Hermione is rubbing off on you, Ron. In the seven years I've known you, you really haven't opened up like this before. I think I like the change." Ron blushed at that.
"Yeah, I guess she's been working on me." Ron rubbed the back of his neck. "We talked about you coming to live here. Hermione knew there was something strained in your relationship with Ginny. We both were concerned when she didn't come to see you in hospital. But we figured you would talk to us about it. After all, I've always kind of wanted you and Ginny... Merlin! Did I just say that?"
"It's okay, Ron," Harry said as Ron had gotten up and paced across the room. "I kind of figured that bit out for myself, last year. You were pretty obvious about it, you know. I had other things on my mind at the time." Ron turned to Harry when he said that.
"So, does that mean, I mean, now that you have the time and there aren't other things getting in the way..."
"I don't know, Ron." This time Harry wasn't lying. "I mean, I have developed feelings for Ginny," Ron smiled. "Don't get your hopes up. The feelings have to be mutual. And I haven't gotten the chance to talk to her to find out."
"Well, maybe we could arrange..."
"No, Ron," Harry said. "It wouldn't be fair to Ginny. She's got things to work out on her own. I can wait. I've got all the time in the world. Besides, she still has one more year at Hogwarts to get through. There will be time enough to see what she wants after that. You remember all the stress we had before NEWTs, don't you? I won't complicate things for her."
Harry really did mean what he said. He wouldn't add to all the pressures she was going to be under next year. But he still had to clear the air between them before she went back to school. So, if she didn't want to talk to him today, Harry was sure there would be an opportunity later. He decided the best thing to do today was to catch up with Ron.
The problem was the opportunity to talk with her hadn't come up. Molly was keeping her pretty busy with party preparations. When Harry had found out about the plans and the many people Molly wanted to invite, Harry had put his foot down. Weren't they already letting him stay here rent-free? He didn't want them to go to excess. Besides, he really wasn't ready to face a large amount of people, yet. There had been rumors of a wizarding world celebration of Voldemort's defeat. The ministry wanted to declare a day of celebration, but between Harry's health and the healer's protests, those plans were on hold until Harry would consider himself ready. He would be perfectly happy with just the Weasley's, Remus and Hermione. Finally Molly had given in.
Leave it to Hermione to take things into her own hands. Presents had begun arriving by owl post the next day. The mound of presents in the corner began to resemble a small mountain. Harry had stopped to inspect the pile, he was looking to see if Ginny had left anything for him. Unfortunately, Ginny had seen him. He blushed to the roots of his hair. Even though he had stopped every so often to check, provided Ginny wasn't watching, he had never seen a package with her handwriting. Honestly, he really shouldn't have expected one either.
Harry thought about trying to catch her after everyone was asleep, but that wasn't a good idea. What if they started to argue, or what if things went the other way and Ginny and he... The prospect of Molly catching him in Ginny's room put a quick end to that thought. So Harry waited. It was to no avail. Maybe with all the bustle at the party he would be able to get a few minutes alone with Ginny.
The arrival of Fred and George put a quick stop to that. In their exuberance to show Harry a good time, they pretty much monopolized his attention. Harry was getting frustrated. Besides, he thought Ginny was up to something. Nothing bad, mind you. But when Bill had arrived earlier that day, she quickly pulled him into a corner even before Harry had gotten a chance to say hello. A short time later, he had seen Arthur and Molly in a heated but quiet conversation with Bill and Ginny. Whatever she had been planning, Arthur and Molly had consented to it, though he could tell they weren't pleased.
Since the mountain of presents was going to take a while to open, instead of having a sit down dinner, Molly had set everything up buffet style. She fixed Harry a plate to set beside him while he began to open his gifts. He was already half way through his gifts and despite Hermione's best efforts, they had lost track of who had given him what. Only Harry was aware of the most important of them.
Molly had given him another jumper. This was the finest work she had ever given him. A deep forest green (to bring out your eyes, dear) with intricate cable work, the jumper fit him to perfection. Arthur had given him a smaller version of the Weasley clock, with just the current residents of the Burrow on it. Since he was a member of the family now, he might as well keep track of them.
Fred and George had given him the new prototypes of Weasley's Wizard Whiz Bangs to celebrate. They would all enjoy the spectacular fireworks display later. Bill, Charlie and Remus had pooled their resources and presented Harry with a real Egyptian Ankh. It was a small obsidian piece Harry could keep on display. It was a remarkable piece of artwork. Harry would display it prominently on his dresser.
Percy hadn't attended the party. He may have reconciled with his parents, but his siblings were another matter. They would come round, Molly assured Harry. You just had to give them time. He did send Harry a gift. The case for his glasses was done in fine needlework. The stitching seemed to make the Quidditch scene depicted, come to life. Harry found he rather liked this gift, despite Fred and George telling him to chuck it in the nearest dustbin.
He had expected a book from Hermione, but once again, she had surprised him. Her gift was a golden snitch, enchanted so as not to fly away and signed by his favorite seeker from the British National team. When kept in its display case, it would sit patiently, once opened, it would fly about the room until it was caught.
"It's a good way to keep those reflexes honed, Harry," she had said.
Ron had put a lot of thought into his gift. It was a set of journals that were bound in finely tooled leather. Harry was surprised at this. He would have thought Hermione would have given him something like this.
"Don't you see, Harry, you need to keep a record of all the things that have happened to you. The world needs to know the truth someday. We all know how reliable the Daily Prophet is. I just thought it would help you set things straight, and give you a way to express your feelings." Yes, no doubt about it, Hermione was definitely rubbing off on Ron. Harry really did like the change.
It was late, and Harry finally finished opening his gifts. But there was nothing from Ginny. Carefully concealing his disappointment, Harry glanced around for Ginny. She was nowhere to be seen. The party had begun to break up. Perhaps she had gone to bed. She was probably still angry with him. When she calmed down, maybe she would give him something then.
There were the sounds of people saying good-bye and wishing Harry a Happy Birthday, then Disapparating. Harry gave his thanks and watched them disappear. Molly had started to clear things up, but Arthur told her to wait until morning and escorted her up the stairs to their room. Ron said he wanted to say a proper good night to Hermione and the two of them went out into the garden. Harry was completely alone. He considered going up to bed, but even though it was late, he found he wasn't tired. Perhaps a walk would do him some good. He didn't relish the idea of breaking up a snogging session between Ron and Hermione, so the garden was out of the question. He decided a walk toward the village might be a good idea. He went out the front door.
Ginny was waiting by the gate. Why was she out here? She was alone. Maybe, if he handled this right, he could finally get to talk to her. He started toward her when he noticed the bags at her feet. She was leaving? Where was she going at this hour, it had just gone 11. Who was she going with? Harry didn't like this, he didn't like this at all.
"Are you going somewhere?" he asked, startling her in the process.
"Harry!" she exclaimed.
"I'm sorry if I scared you."
"It's not that, I just didn't expect it to be you, that's all," she said.
"Who were you expecting? Just where are you going at this time of night?" Did he just sound like Arthur? But he couldn't help himself. This was getting worse by the minute. Had he gotten her so angry that she decided to run away? He had to know, had to stop her from leaving.
"When has it ever been your business where I go or who I go with?" This conversation was getting eerily familiar. Ginny must have felt so too, for she said, "Sorry, Harry. I really didn't mean that. Mum and Dad know I'm going away. You really shouldn't trouble yourself about it."
"They know?" Ginny nodded. "Listen if this has something to do with what I did the other night, I'm sorry about that. I've wanted to apologize, and explain."
"Don't, Harry," she said. "There really isn't the need to. I'm just... I'm just going to Bill's. That's all. There's so much going on here right now, and I have all this summer homework to slog through. I need the time alone. Bill's off in Dad's workshop, charming something to use as a Portkey."
"Oh," he said non-committally. It's not that he didn't believe her, oh hell, yes it was. She was leaving because of him. He just knew it. He had to do something about this, now. He reached out to grab her arm.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Harry froze. Ginny's hand went up to her mouth. She had a horrified look on her face. They stood there like that for what seemed an eternity. It was Bill who with his arrival broke the tension between them. "Thank goodness you're here," she said grabbing her bags and then placing her hand on the small box Bill had enchanted. "I need to go now!"
Bill looked at Harry quickly. His expression seemed to say he was sorry. The next thing Harry knew, they were gone.