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Disclaimer: No, I'm not J K Rowling.
Chapter 10
Harry opened the door and found Mr and Mrs Weasley, George, Percy, Bill and Fleur standing on the doorstep. Percy had never been to the house before but had been told where it was by Harry while they were all at the shop.
"Wow, Harry. The house is so different," gasped Mrs Weasley.
"You lot have done a great job. You can barely recognise it," agreed Mr Weasley.
"Thank you, I had a lot of help," Harry indicated to the others. "Come through to the drawing room, I've kept the Black family tree and Kreacher is helping me to restore it but everything else has changed."
"You must be pleased you've gotten rid of that awful portrait of Mrs Black," sighed Mrs Weasley who had spent ages a couple of years ago trying to get it down.
"Yeah well they were all stuck with house elf magic so with Kreacher now on our side it's been great!" said Harry cheerfully. He hadn't really seen Mr and Mrs Weasley since the funerals which took place just over a week after the Battle. "How are you both doing?"
"Oh we're fine dear. Arthur's been busy at the Ministry you know how things are," replied Mrs Weasley. Before long they were joined by Neville, Luna, Dean and Seamus.
Harry served everyone either firewisky or pumpkin juice and Kreacher called them all for dinner.
"I like what you've done with the kitchen and the decorations," smiled Mrs Weasley.
"You should have come to the shop, we've got a great deal on banners for every occasion and they flash!" said George.
"Ever the business man," sighed Charlie.
"Yeah what's wrong with the banner I did?" asked Ron. "I also blew up balloons, without magic!" he added proudly.
"Well done son, it's marvellous the ways muggles have come up with ways to cope isn't it," chuckled Mr Weasley.
"Mum,"said Ginny tentatively once they had finished eating and were back in the drawing room. "Can I stay here again tonight? Luna and Dean and Seamus all are," she added, hoping to help her case.
"Well I suppose if everyone else is then it's fine," nodded Mrs Weasley. "In fact I think we should be going, Arthur has to get up early for work tomorrow and I've got a busy day shopping for certain people's birthdays," she looked between Harry and Ginny. Both their birthdays were coming up in the next few weeks.
"Mrs Weasley I don't expect you to get me anything," said Harry as he followed them towards the door.
"Dear, it's your first birthday where I can spoil you rotten and make up for the Dursley's. It's honestly not a problem. Arthur got a nice big raise with his new job so you don't have to worry."
"Right, now that mum's gone, where's the firewhisky?" asked Ron smiling. Everyone had gone apart from those staying over. "What? I'm of age!" he said when Hermione looked up disapprovingly.
"Thanks for having us all stay Harry," said Dean as he went to get the rest of the cake from the kitchen."
"No problem. This house is way too big for just the three of us, the more the merrier!"
"I found the firewisky!" called Ron from the kitchen and came back into the room with glasses.
"Now as the responsible adult here, I should be telling you to go easy and only have a glass, but as I think that we've all got something to celebrate I'm going to overlook that and say give me a glass Ron," chuckled Charlie. It amazed him how well he had fitted into the group. He was quite a lot older than any of them and since he hadn't really been home much in the past this was the first time he had really gotten to know Hermione and Harry. He had never really met the others before and he was very grateful they had accepted him. Bill and Fleur had left too, saying they needed to get back to Shell Cottage as they both had work in the morning. George and Percy had also left with the others.
"Can I have some?" asked Ginny, whilst Luna looked up hopefully. Ginny and Harry were cuddled up on the sofa and Ron and Hermione were the same on another sofa. Neville and Luna were sharing a cushiony chair whilst the rest were on cushions on the floor but no one minded.
"One glass," said Charlie and so Ron handed Ginny and Luna a glass each and poured them some drink.
"To the downfall of Voldemort and this house finally being a place people want to live," said Charlie, holding his glass up in a toast. Everyone copied and repeated what he said.
"So Ron, what room are you sleeping in tonight?" asked Charlie after a while. He watched as his brother's ears went bright red followed by the rest of his face. Hermione tried to ignore the comment and went back to talking with Ginny about who they thought would be teaching at Hogwarts.
"Well at least I have a girlfriend Charlie!" replied Ron, slightly drunk from several glasses of firewisky.
"Well it was kind of hard to find that special someone when you're in Romania on a dragon reserve!" replied Charlie. "Now I'm back I'm going to start looking again. Anyway, you haven't answered the question."
"Well I think that it'll be easier for Harry to sort rooms out for everyone if I slept in Hermione's room tonight," said Ron as if it was a big sacrifice.
"Oh thanks Ron, I don't know how I would have managed without you making this huge sacrifice," replied Harry.
"And what makes you think you'll be welcome in my room?" asked Hermione from across the room.
"Because you're my girlfriend and you want to be close to me since we've spent all this time together over the years but have only just realised our feelings for each other."
"Ron that was actually quite sweet," smiled Hermione. "Yes you can sleep in my room."
"Right so that's another room available."
Ginny smiled over at Harry and winked. No one else saw but Harry knew what it meant. There would be another empty room in the house tonight but no one else would know, especially Ron.
Later on in the evening, after more firewisky and pumpkin juice, Harry was sat with Ginny resting her head on his chest. Ron and Hermione were entwined together. Neville was sat with his arm round Luna on another sofa which did not go unnoticed.
"Have you seen Neville and Luna?" whispered Ginny to Harry who looked over and nodded. He thought it was sweet that Neville and Luna had found each other. Both had unique qualities so for them to be accepted by each other as well as the group gathered in the room, Harry was glad.
Harry had sorted everyone else with rooms and bedding and so people started going up to their rooms to sleep. When Ron and Hermione went upstairs that left just Ginny and Harry.
"No funny business!" said Ron warningly.
When he left the room Ginny sighed and looked up at Harry.
"How come he's allowed to share a room with Hermione but we're not allowed to?" she asked.
"Because, you are his little sister and he looks out for you," said Harry.
"I'm only one year younger!" protested Ginny.
"I know, I know Gin. But see it from his perspective, his best friend and his sister, it's going to take time for him to get used to."
"But Charlie doesn't mind," commented Ginny.
"So, you spending tonight in your own room?" asked Harry.
"Do you want me to?"
"Well I want whatever you want. I don't want to pressure you into anything. Not that we'd be doing anything, just sleeping."
"Well in that case, I'll go and get changed and meet you in your room," said Ginny as she stood up. Harry stood up as well and she kissed him before leaving the room. Harry waved his wand to turn the lights out and then followed her upstairs. Laughter could once again be heard from Ron and Hermione's room and Harry smiled. He was pleased that Ron had someone to comfort him after Fred's death. After everything they had been through, they all deserved happiness. He climbed more stairs before coming to the top floor and opening the door to his room. Quickly getting changed, he had just sat on the bed when there was a knock on the door and Ginny entered.
"How did I know I'd be seeing you," smiled Harry. He got into bed and Ginny joined him.
"You're so warm," commented Ginny as she cuddled up to him.
"I could really get used to this, falling asleep here with you," sighed Harry.