An Unexpected Turn of Events

Chapter Ten

Arthur sat at the table reading the Daily Prophet as usual. He kept glancing at Molly who was puttering at the stove making his breakfast. He also knew she was avoiding talking to him because he had asked her about Ron earlier this morning.

Finally he folded the paper and set it on the table. "Molly, my love," he said with an edge to his voice. "We really need to get on with dealing with the boys."

Molly turned to him and gave him a stern look. "Arthur why won't you tell me why you want to do Ron next? And don't give me any crap about his being Harry's best mate. There's more to it than that and you can't convince me there isn't. So either come clean or there'll be trouble!"

Arthur took off his glasses and cleaned them, not that they were actually dirty mind you but it gave the illusion that he was doing something and he knew it would buy him some time to formulate his answer. "Molly, come sit down!" he said forcefully.

Molly gave him a surprised look, not often did Arthur assume his commanding assertive husband role. Mostly he let her run the show and have her way, but Molly knew that Arthur always knew what was going on and made sure things ran smoothly in his own subtle way.

"Molly, I know you think that I'm not being truthful with you and you know what? On one level you're right."

Molly looked on astounded, of all the things she expected to hear, that was not one of them."

"But," Arthur continued, "It's not my secret to tell. Some things I don't know and some things I'm only guessing at. The main thing is I can't tell you what I know and what I'm guessing at. And in the long run I think it's really for the best."

"But Arthur why won't you tell me, I'm your wife and I really hate being left in the dark. How can I help repair the relationships that are broken in our family if I don't have all the information?"

"Molly, please believe me when I say I can't tell you, I've given my word and I can't go back on that," Arthur said pleadingly.

Molly sighed, "You're right Dear, I would never ask you to break your word. It just makes things that much harder." She rose and went back to getting breakfast. "When should we have Ronald come here for his meeting?"

"The sooner the better my dear," Arthur said sadly. "Things are going to start happening soon, I can feel it. Voldemort has been quiet far too long. I just hope we can all weather the storm."

Molly paused what she was doing and said slowly, "I'll send Ronald his note telling him to be here tonight. We best be on with it then."

Arthur rose, went over to Molly and took her into a hug from behind. Kissing her on the cheek he whispered "It'll be all right dear. We'll get through this, all of us. We can only hope and pray that everyone will come through this intact, we can only do the best we can do."

He gathered his things and headed toward the door, he paused before leaving and said "I love you Molly dearest."

XX

Ron sat eating his lunch when an owl swooped through the open window and landed in front of him. He took the letter from the owl with quite a bit of trepidation.

Noting his mother's handwriting on the envelope he had difficulty swallowing the mouthful of sandwich that he had just taken.

Hesitantly he opened the letter and took out the note.

Ronald,

Your presence is required at the Burrow this evening at 8pm.

Be on time.

Molly

"Short, but definitely not sweet," Ron thought to himself.

Suddenly Ron wasn't hungry, something that rarely happened to him. He pushed his plate away and rested his head in his hands, elbows on the table and stared off into space. Wondering what was in store for him this evening.

XX

Harry and Ginny rose that morning and spent it just like they did every morning, showering, Harry brushing Ginny's hair, teasing one another, laughing and having fun being young and in love.

They were currently flying around the paddock, though Ginny swore to herself that there'd be no Tag through the trees and they'd just spend some time enjoying themselves in the air with each other.

Harry had let Ginny have his Firebolt and she was having the time of her life flying it. More than once she wished she had the money to buy one. The difference between the Firebolt and the old Cleansweep 180 that was once Charlie's first broom was astronomical.

The Firebolt turned with a wish and accelerated so fast it took her breath away.

Harry was smiling watching Ginny fly, she was a joy to watch. Harry knew she was as much a natural flyer as he was and in his opinion she was even better than him. Her style was a bit different and she was more suited to being a Chaser but she was still a better Seeker than any of the other House team's Seekers. He knew she'd be very surprised at his birthday gift and she'd enjoy it immensely.

They were playing a rather tame game of Follow-the-Leader, keeping to the area they played Quidditch in, doing loops and rolls, spirals and dives. Harry preferred to let Ginny lead as then he could watch Ginny. And it wasn't just to see her pretty backside planted on the broom either, the way her hair streamed out behind her was breath taking as was the way she moved, it was as if she was one with the broom. Harry never tired of watching her.

Finally they landed, Ginny laughing and looking oh so beautiful, her cheeks red with windburn and exertion. Her eyes dancing with merriment and a smile that lit her up like the Sun. Harry felt filled with joy, just being able to spend this time with his Ginny made him feel complete.

Hand in hand they made their way back to the Burrow to have lunch and see what Hermione was up to. They felt they should at least spend some time with her, even if they had to put up with her good natured ribbing, they knew she was happy for them and wanted nothing but the best for them.

Harry and Ginny entered the kitchen and found Molly just ready to put lunch on the table. They washed up and Ginny called up the stairs to bring Hermione down to join them.

Hermione sat down and noted the looks Ginny and Harry were exchanging. She smiled at them and said "Harry, how come you always seem to let Ginny lead in Follow-the-Leader?" She enjoyed the sheepish look that came over Harry's face.

"Well, I, ah, I like watching Ginny fly," he said softly while looking at Ginny. They both blushed slightly but Ginny also sported a hug grin. "Watching her is something else, the way she moves and flies is amazing, its like an aerial ballet she's so graceful on my broom. I can't help but watching."

Ginny playfully swatted his arm but then kissed him on the cheek.

Hermione chuckled at Harry's description and Ginny's reaction to him. It was wonderful to see two people so totally in love. Not for the first time Hermione wished she could experience the same thing.

As they finished up their lunch Molly sat down with them. "I wanted to talk to the three of you. I sent a the note to Ron to be here this evening and I'm sure the three of you will want to be present when Arthur and I talk to him. Am I correct?"

Hermione and Ginny gave their assent immediately but Harry just got a huge frown on his face and remained silent.

Ginny looked at him questionably, "Harry?" she asked softly as she draped an arm across his shoulders.

Harry looked at Ginny sadly. "I feel mad and sad and betrayed Gin. I do and I don't want to be here, know what I mean?"

Ginny smiled forlornly at Harry, "Yeah I do Harry. I know exactly how you feel."

Harry turned and took Ginny in a big hug. "Thanks Gin, I Love you, you know?"

Ginny chuckled "Yeah Harry, I know."

Harry turned to Molly, "Yeah I'll be there to talk to Ron. Best to get it over with."

Ginny took Harry's hand and pulled him toward the back door, "Hermione, why don't you come with us. I'd like to talk to you and Harry."

Hermione got up and all three headed for the garden. Harry and Ginny sat on the bench and Hermione pulled over a nearby chair.

Ginny got a serious look on her face. "All right you two, time to come clean. I want to know what's up and I'm not taking no for an answer."

Hermione looked at Harry with concern etched all over her face. "Do you want to start Harry or should I?"

Harry just stared at the ground, "Why don't you do it Hermione and then if there is anything to add or if Ginny has any questions I'll try to answer her."

Ginny turned and looked at Hermione, who took a deep breath and began "Dumbledore left Harry a job to do. It has to do with defeating Riddle. Dumbledore discovered that he had made Horcruxes to make himself as near to immortal as is humanly possible. Have you ever heard that term Ginny?"

Ginny shook her head. She'd never heard the term but she didn't like the sound of it and if Tom Riddle had created them she knew they couldn't be anything good. "No Hermione, I've never heard of them."

Hermione gave a small chuckle, "Well I'd have been pretty surprised if you had, though I thought maybe because of your experience in the Chamber there might have been a small chance it might have come up. No matter, a Horcrux is an object that a witch or wizard has placed a segment of their soul. That way if they are killed a portion of their soul remains and they don't really die. They can be restored if someone knows the proper ritual and has access to the Horcrux."

Ginny looked suitably horrified at the explanation of what a Horcrux was. "You mean that the Diary was a Horcrux?" Ginny asked in disgust.

Hermione nodded grimly. "Yes it was and that was what started Dumbledore thinking about Horcruxes, as in plural. If Riddle was cavalier enough to allow the Diary to be used to open the Chamber and risk its destruction then he must have had at least one more to guarantee his survival. Through his research Dumbledore has concluded that he made six and at least two have been destroyed."

Ginny frowned, "And that's what you're planning to do then, go out and find the other Horcruxes and destroy them so when Harry finally confronts Tom that he'll be mortal once again and can be killed irrevocably."

Hermione nodded, "Yeah that's it in a nut shell. We're pretty sure what two of the other Horcruxes are, one of those might already have been destroyed but that will need to be confirmed. Dumbledore had a theory about another Horcrux but I'm doubtful as it would have required Tom to use a living thing and I think that it would be a bad idea, I mean what happens if the host dies. "

Ginny looked at Hermione with a hard piercing look, "You are still planning to go with Harry aren't you?"

Hermione looked at Ginny's glare and said with a chuckle, "Yes Ginny, Harry and I already discussed it and I am still planning on going with him. Too bad you have that bloody trace on you. We'd both like to have you with us."

Ginny sat back and crossed her arms across her chest, looking like a petulant five year old. "You can't want me along any more than I want to go," she said in a huff.

Harry put his arms around her and pulled her into his side. "Hermione is still looking for ways to get around the damn trace and if there is a way she'll find it."

Ginny softened her look and laid her head on Harry's shoulder. "I just wish I could help. And the thought of you having to go off without me scares me Harry. Just thinking about you going off and not knowing where you are or how your doing is driving me crazy. I don't know how I'll be able to stand it when you are actually gone."

Harry kissed the top of Ginny's head. "I know dear, I feel the same way really. The thought of having to leave you behind is really bothering me too. Just thinking about it ties my stomach in knots and makes me queasy. I don't want to do it but as of right now I can see no way around it. I don't like it but that's the way it is right now."

Hermione looked at the two forlorn lovers before her, "Well don't give up hope yet, I'm still looking and hopefully I'll find something before we have to leave."

Ginny said "OK, I won't give up hope yet. Now what are we going to do about my stupid brother?"

The smile left Harry's face and the frown returned. "I really just want to hex him into next week," said Harry vehemently. "I know he hurt you Ginny but his betrayal of our friendship was almost as great as his betrayal of you."

"I agree completely Harry," Ginny said. "He is a double prat because he betrayed us both." Ginny shook her head slightly, "You know though I don't feel as nearly as angry with him as I did Bill and Charlie. Bill because he was always my go to older brother, the one I thought loved me the most and Charlie because he never had much time for me while I was growing up but felt he could just try to to control my life. I've grown away from Ron, he hasn't paid hardly any attention to me since I started at Hogwarts except to keep me away from you and Hermione. I've really had a problem with him since my first year."

Harry pulled Ginny into a tighter hug. "I know, I knew he was doing it and resented him for it. It was one of the things that made me slow to tell you how I felt Ginny, I'm sorry I let that happen, I'll never let anyone come between us again."

Ginny smiled and gave Harry a nice soft kiss. "That's comforting to know my fiancée." she said with a grin.

Hermione giggled at the two of them. "I'd tell you to go get a room, but you already have one and I'd prefer you not head there now." Hermione then sighed as the smile slid away, "I plan on telling Ron that if he expects to continue in a relationship with me that he had better start growing up. His actions against the two of you are not the actions of someone who is behaving in a mature manner."

Ginny smiled at Hermione and Harry, "OK we commence operation kick Ron's arse at 8pm tonight!"

XX

Fred and George came up to their apartment and saw Ron sitting morosely at the table. "What's up little bro?" asked George.

Ron flipped the note across the table and returned his head to his hands.

George read the note and passed it over to Fred. "Ah Little Bro,"

"It's your turn," said Fred

"To under go,"

"The Inquisition"

"And better you,"

"Than us."

Ron had a hard time keeping up with the whipsaw banter from the Twins. Even growing up with them it was still difficult to keep up when they started going.

Ron left to go get ready for his meeting later. Fred watched him go with a look of amusement on his face. "Ah little brother is going to get a great big surprise this evening if I am not mistaken," Fred said to George.

"How so?" asked George as he grabbed a couple of butterbeers.

Fred took the offered butterbeer and popped the cap. "Well we were talking this morning over breakfast and he believes that Harry will automatically forgive him because they are best mates."

George sprayed the table with the mouthful of butterbeer he had just taken. "You're joking, right? Tell me you're joking."

Fred just smiled and shook his head. "I'm not joking. He told me that Harry has to know that he didn't mean it, they being best mates and all. He really believes that."

"Oh what I wouldn't give to be there to see that discussion," said George with a small laugh.

Fred's eyes lit up and he looked at George. George looked back and broke into a smile. "Do you want to chance it brother?" he asked.

Fred smiled back "Think it'll be worth it if we get caught?"

"I say we go for it! We can use the Extendible Ears and listen from outside," offered George.

"My thoughts exactly," echoed Fred.

XX

Ginny opened the drawer where she had put the book and potions that her mother had given her. She stared at the potions and was torn between taking it or not. She knew everything that her mother had said was valid, she also knew that Harry was about to embark on a very dangerous course of action, one that he might not come back from. Did she want to have his child now when she had the opportunity, one that may disappear forever.

Ginny slid the drawer shut, she didn't have to make that decision now but she knew she'd have to make it soon. Too soon for her liking but such was the facts that the Fates had given her. Not for the first time and certainly not the last she cursed the Fates.

Harry came into the room and saw her sitting there quite preoccupied, deep in thought. "Hey Love, What are you thinking about ?"

Ginny glanced up at Harry and smiled wanly, "Just about your having to leave and hunt for those thrice damned Horcuxes."

Harry came over and took Ginny into a hug, enveloping her in his loving arms and kissing her. Harry's kiss began soft and gentle but Ginny soon turned it into a hot, soul wrenching, desperate kiss. All her doubts and fears seemed to race up and force her to deepen the kiss. She never wanted to let him go, the very thought scared her more than she was willing to admit, even to herself.

Suddenly she couldn't contain it any more and tears began to spill down her cheeks. She turned away from Harry, embarrassed by her lack of self control.

Harry gently turned her back to face him, "It's OK Ginny. I know you're afraid of my leaving, I'm afraid too. I wish I didn't have to go, I really do. I wish more than anything that I could take you with me. The thought of being away from you is tearing my heart to pieces and I wonder sometimes if this isn't what your brothers were trying to prevent."

At hearing that Ginny suddenly became angry. "Harry! Don't you ever say that! Never, do you hear me! I know you have to go and yes it will hurt to be parted from you but never as much as if you left me forever because of them. We choose our own path and I choose to be with you. Yes we'll have to be apart, but only physically. I'll still love you and you'll still love me and we'll keep each other in our hearts till we're back together."

Ginny buried her face into Harry's chest and cried anew. "Don't you ever let me hear you say that again."

Harry rubbed his cheek on the top of Ginny's head while he rubbed her back. "OK Ginny, I'll never say that again. I do love you more than anything and while we're apart I will hold you in my heart, just like I do every day because you are my life."

Ginny led Harry over to the bed, "Please lay with me Harry," Ginny asked softly. "Just hold me and let me believe that everything is going to be OK."

Harry lay down with Ginny and pulled her close, keeping his arms wrapped around her. Relishing the warmth of her body next to his, in the quiet room he could near her heart beating and it seemed to him that their hearts were synchronised, beating as one. He found that thought very comforting and it brought a small smile to his face.

Ginny succumbed to the tiredness brought about by her emotional upheaval. Sleeping wrapped in the loving arms of Harry who cherished her above all else.

Harry lay contemplating the path before him and hating the fact it would take him away from Ginny.

XX

At quarter to eight the Twins met in the kitchen of their small flat. "All sent Gred?" George asked.

"Yup, you Forge?" asked Fred.

"Yeah, lets say goodbye to Ronikins and get into position. We don't want to miss the show"

They made their way back to Ron's bedroom and knocked on the door. "Hey Ron," Said Fred. "We're heading out and we just wanted to wish you good luck tonight."

"Yeah, we think you'll need it," added George jokingly.

Ron looked decidingly green. Fred and George wondered if he'd make it though the evening.

"Ah, thanks guys," Ron said shakily. "I just want to get it over, ya know?"

"Yeah, we know Ron," said Fred soberly.

"Well we're off, keep your chin up and duck if Ginny pulls her wand," added George jovially, causing Ron to turn even more green, if that was possible.

The Twins left and headed out to the back alley. As soon as they were away from the shop the Apparated to the Burrow, casting disillusion charms on each other they waited for Ron's arrival.

At five till eight Ron left and Apparated to the Burrow, never noticing the two disturbances follow him through the wards as he made his way to the back door.

At precisely eight pm he knocked on the door.

AN: Sorry to leave you all in a lurch. MUHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

And I know this is a little shorter than usual but I have a reason. Actually I've posted a poll on my profile page to see if the readers want Ron to join the hunt for the Horcruxes. So my faithful readers, I'm giving you a chance for some input. The crux of the matter is I don't know if I'll be swayed by your choice or not.

Anyway have a Happy Christmas and I hope you all get what you desire.