Ron awoke Christmas Eve morning to an empty room at the Burrow. He almost expected to find Harry sleeping in the camp bed across the room. He dressed slowly and went down to breakfast.
When he entered the kitchen, he saw Hermione, Ginny and Peggy sitting around a pile of gifts. "Gifts a day early?" Ron asked.
"They're from Harry." Ginny said downheartedly.
"How did they arrive?" Ron asked.
"Hedwig, two trips," Hermione answered.
"Did you get her to take a note to Harry?" Ron asked excitedly.
"She wouldn't wait, she just flew away." Ginny said through tears.
"Oh." Ron said sadly, sitting at the table.
After a few minutes, Ron reached over to grab his gift. "Ron!" Hermione and Ginny yelled together.
"What?" He asked. "They're ours." He said.
"Their Christmas presents." Ginny answered indignantly.
"So," Ron said angrily, picking up his gift. He opened the gift to find a solid gold griffin ring, with two rubies for eyes. Written in an arc shape around the top of the griffin was the words "DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY" and across the bottom the word "GENERAL". Ron had tears in his eyes.
"What is it?" Hermione asked, grabbing the box from Ron. She began crying immediately. Ginny followed in turn.
"Open yours Ginny." Peggy instructed.
Ginny grabbed her gift and began to open it slowly. She caught her breath when she opened the box. Tears immediately began to fall, and she stood from the table and ran to her room crying.
Hermione and Peggy looked at each other, and ran after her. Ron just shook his head. "Girls," he said to the empty room.
Ron went outside to de-gnome the yard, the cold weather kept the gnomes hidden in warm dry places around the yard. He spent the entire morning working.
When he returned to the kitchen for lunch, Hermione, Peggy, Annie and his mother were gathered around the kitchen table trying to calm Ginny down.
"Mum, what's for lunch, I starving." Ron announced.
"Make your own lunch." His mother snapped in a hoarse voice that told Ron she had been crying.
"Not you too, it couldn't have been that bad a gift." Ron declared.
"Ron, you can be such an insufferable git sometimes." Hermione said, thrusting Ginny's gift box into his hand.
When Ron opened the box, he almost fell over. He opened his mouth twice, but neither time did any words come out. "Is this what I think it is?" Ron asked the group.
"We don't know Ron, that's the problem." Hermione explained.
Ron softened. He walked slowly up to Ginny, and hugged her. "It's all right Gin, he'll be back." He said while Ginny cried on his shoulder. "Gin, what do you think it is?" Ron asked his sister lovingly.
She pulled away slowly, and stared into his eyes. "I think he's trying to tell me something." She said slowly.
"Yes Ginny, I think he's trying to tell you he loves you." Ron said in a small voice.
Ginny began crying softly again. Hermione began to cry as well, but for a totally different reason.
"Sometimes Ron, you amaze me." Hermione said, hugging Ron, and proceeding to kiss him deeply on the mouth. Everyone stared in amazement. When Hermione realized what she was doing, she quickly pulled away, blushed crimson, and ran upstairs. The other girls laughed.
"What do you think mum, repressed feelings?" Peggy asked her mother.
"I think so, dear." She answered, standing and moving to prepare Ron's lunch.
Ginny sat staring at the ring, after a few moments, she resolved to put the ring on. She chose the ring finger of her left hand, as if it was surely an engagement ring. While her mother was serving Ron, Molly noticed on which finger Ginny decided to wear the ring.
"Ginny!" Her mother exclaimed. "What finger are you wearing that ring on?" Molly asked.
"The finger it belongs on." Her daughter said defiantly.
"Ginny dear, that's where you wear an engagement ring," Annie said condescendingly.
"So what, if I want to wear it on that finger; then that's where I'll wear it. It is a gift from the person who saved my life, twice! And the same person who reunited you with your missing daughters! And the same person who helped your sons realizes their dream! And the same person who got dad elected Minister! I don't think me proudly displaying this gift on the finger it was meant to be worn on, should be any problem for you!" Ginny exclaimed, and stormed out of the kitchen.
Molly stood there, open-mouthed. "Mum, Ginny's right, she may only be fifteen years old, but we all know what that ring signifies, and a better fiancé you could never hope for." Annie said.
"She's my baby." Molly said.
"We know mum, but she's also in love with Harry, and unless we're very much mistaken, Harry's very much in love with her." Peggy explained.
"I should go apologize." Molly declared. She turned and left the kitchen.
Hermione entered as Molly was leaving. "What's with Ginny?" She asked Annie and Peggy.
"She put the ring on." Peggy said simply.
"So?" Hermione said.
"She put the ring on the index finger of her left hand." Peggy clarified.
"Oh." Hermione said knowingly. "Molly must have been very upset." Hermione speculated.
"Not as upset as Ginny, when mum questioned her." Annie explained.
That night at Christmas Eve dinner, Arthur was surveying the ring Ginny received. "It's lovely." He said to her.
"And probably expensive," George added.
"But dad, it's an engagement ring." Charlie said to his father, still trying to get his point across from earlier in the day.
"Perhaps, but could you possibly think of a better fiancé than Harry Potter," his father asked.
"That's what I said." Annie added.
"And besides, did he ask her to marry him?" Arthur asked the group. They all shook their heads.
"Then it's only speculation. And to be honest, I've always thought of Harry as another Weasley, this would just make it more official." Arthur said with a smile.
"Still no word on his location, Arthur?" Molly asked, changing the subject.
"None, Molly dear, he's just vanished. We can't even track his magic; he doesn't use a wand. He's a smart one, he is." Arthur answered.
"So, what did Harry get the rest of you?" Arthur asked pleasantly.
They all began showing him their gifts; Arthur sat amazed as to how much money Harry must have spent on them. Besides the earrings for Molly, Peggy and Annie, the necklace for Hermione, he purchased rings with phoenixes for Bill, Charlie, Fred and George.
"Open yours dad." Peggy said.
"All right, let's see." He said, opening the wrapping. "Oh my," was all Arthur could say. He had received a solid gold, jewel encrusted wand, with the inscription; "MINISTER OF MAGIC".
He passed the wand around the table; everyone stared at the wand in awe. "This is too much. How much did the Blacks leave him?" Arthur asked no one in particular.
"Actually dad, my connections in the Diagon Alley branch of Gringotts tell me the fortune was huge. More money than he could spend in three lifetimes, not to mention the business holdings." Bill answered.
"I'd rather have Harry back." Ginny said almost in a whisper. Her mother hugged her.
"I know dear, I know." She consoled her.
"Wait, there's something else in this box." Arthur said, pulling out a small wooden box. The inscription on the box read; Tap three times with wand, and say name. "Curious." Arthur said, pulling his wand out and tapping it three times, then saying his name.
Instantly the box opened, and a three-dimensional image of Harry raised itself out of the box.
"Hello Arthur, since I wanted you to hear this message first, I placed it in with your gift. I hope everyone enjoyed their presents; I tried to be as personal as possible. I wanted to tell you all how much you've meant to me. I always thought of Sirius as a father figure, until I realized he was more like a big brother. You're the only father I've ever known. You've treated me like a son from the day I met you. I needed you to know this, that and one other thing. Sometime this past summer I fell in love with Ginny, she means everything to me. When I found out she was kidnapped, my desire to help her broke the spell I was under, which allowed me to do what was necessary. Unfortunately I went too far. I killed those men; they're life ended because of me. I'm finding it hard to live with myself; I shouldn't have done that. But they tried to harm the girl I love, I couldn't ever let them have another opportunity, and they won't, no one will. The ring she wears will instantly inform me if she is in mortal peril, I will instantly be at her side. No one will ever harm a member of my family again! Please understand Arthur, I love your family as if it was my own, well, maybe not Percy, but the rest mean everything to me, my very presence with them places them in danger, and as much as I'll miss you all, I can't allow that to happen. Perhaps one day Voldemort and his Death Eaters will be dead, and I can come back, don't try and look for me, you'll never find me. One last thing, if Voldemort is ever destroyed, I would like to take your daughter's hand in marriage. I know you think we're young, but I guarantee I know exactly how Ginny will turn out, I want to spend the rest of my life with her, but, until then, the ring she wears is just a gift and not an engagement ring, I will not ask her until I receive your permission. One last thing, this box is enchanted to give a different message to each member of your family, except Percy, just have them follow the instructions as you did. Take care of yourself." Harry's image disappeared.
When Arthur looked up, all the females were crying hysterically, and Ron, Fred, George, Charlie and Bill had tears forming in their eyes. "I have no words." Arthur said sadly.
"I never knew how he felt." Ron said.
"We're his only family." Hermione said.
Ginny look at her father expectantly. "Yes Ginny, he has my permission." Arthur said before Ginny even asked the question. They were all caught off guard when the box glowed green for a moment, then stopped.
"That was strange." Arthur said.
"No it wasn't, Ginny's message has changed." Hermione said.
"What do you mean dear?" Molly asked her.
"Didn't you notice the timing; right after Arthur gave his permission? I think he enchanted the box to play a different message for Ginny the moment Arthur gave his consent." Hermione explained.
Ginny's eyes grew wide. She stood, took the box from her father, and ran upstairs to her room. No one followed her, they all thought of the same thing; give her privacy.
Ginny ran into her room, and slammed the door. She pulled out her wand, tapped the box three times, and said her name. Harry appeared once again.
"Hello Ginny. If you're hearing this message, your father has given me his blessing to marry you when Voldemort's finally destroyed." The Harry image went down on one knee. "Virginia Weasley, will you marry me?" The image asked. Ginny couldn't help but answer.
"Yes." She said through tears.
"Then why don't you kiss me?" She heard a voice from behind her.
"Harry!" She screamed, turning towards him, and kissing him deeply.
"I love you Ginny, I will always love you." He said, holding her tight.
"Why did you go? I can't stand to be without you." She said, placing her head on his chest.
"I didn't think you'd agree to marry a murderer." Harry said, ignoring Ginny's question.
"You're not a murderer, not even Crabbe and Goyle think that." Ginny said.
"No, but I do, and that's all that matters, I did not kill those men to save you, Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, or even myself, I killed them because they touched you, because they wanted to harm you. I could just as easily left without anybody being hurt, but I didn't, I killed them." Harry explained.
Ginny got a stern look in her eyes. "Good. They deserved to die. They have run around killing innocent people, young and old alike, I don't care what you think Harry Potter, but I don't think you're a murderer, and that's all that matters to me." She said breathlessly.
"I've got to remember not to upset you in the future." Harry said jokingly.
"Remember that. Now, let's go down and see the family." She commanded.
"No Virginia, this is how it's going to be, I will see you on occasions, just like you, I can't live without you, no one can know we meet. If someone finds out, your life could be in danger, and I could never forgive myself if something happened to you." Ginny tried to interrupt, but Harry cut her off. "No. You are the one I love, if, or should I say when, everyone finds out, you could be harmed again. So I will not talk to anybody other than you, you will not tell ANYBODY we meet, or I'll stop coming. Do you understand?" Harry asked with a hint of anger.
"No I don't, but I'll do as you ask. No one will find out from me. I love you Harry, and if a few stolen moments is all we're going to get, so be it. But I tell you this, the visits better be worth my while." Ginny said with a sly grin.
"Oh, I guarantee you'll be pleased." Harry answered with his own sly grin.
They hugged and kissed for another hour until Hermione knocked on the door.
"Ginny, are you ok?" She asked through the door.
"Go Harry; come back soon. I love you." Ginny whispered to Harry. He left.
Ginny strode over to the door, and unlocked it. "I'm fine Hermione." She said casually.
Hermione entered. "Was I right?" Hermione asked.
"He asked me to marry him." Ginny said plainly.
"And, did you accept?" Hermione asked expectantly.
"Actually, yes, as soon as Voldemort's gone, we'll get married." Ginny answered.
"I'm so happy for you." Hermione cried, giving Ginny a huge hug.
"Thanks. Let's go down stairs." Ginny said.
They rejoined the party. They all wanted to know if the image of Harry had asked Ginny to marry him. She said yes, over and over again.
Christmas morning found Harry packing his car for the long drive to the neighboring town. Harry had heard that was where the nearest orphanage was, so he resolved to buy presents for all the children, and play Santa Claus.
Harry was told there were only twenty children living there, thirteen girls and seven boys. He made sure to buy two gifts for each child. Every available space in his BMW was filled with gifts.
He left his house shortly before six in the morning, and arrived shortly after nine. Harry, though an orphan also, had never seen the inside of an orphanage. He was amazed at how the children seemed so happy, happier than Harry ever remembered being at the Dursley's.
The headmistress at the orphanage, St. Jude's, greeted Harry at the door. He had previously been in touch with her about possibly financing an expansion. She certainly did not miss the opportunity to show Harry why the orphanage needed to expand.
Harry was directed to the main common area, where all the children sat playing with their old, worn out toys and games. Harry saddened at the sight.
When the headmistress ordered attention, the children responded quickly and orderly. "We have a special guest today children, his name is Mr. Black." She told the children.
"Good morning Mr. Black." They greeted in unison. Harry laughed in spite of himself.
"Mr. Black has a wonderful surprise for you all; gifts," she yelled. The children began to yell and cheer.
Harry proceeded to hand out all the gifts to the children; they were especially happy when they received two each. One girl tried to come up for a third, but luckily Harry had recognized her.
The gift giving lasted almost two hours, Harry had looked into one of the bags, and noticed two gifts wrapped in pink paper still inside.
"Headmistress, is there a child missing?" He asked confused, wondering if he had just over purchased.
"I don't think… Oh, Cindy isn't here." She noticed.
"Cindy?" Harry asked.
"Yes, none of the other children play with her. It's sad really. Strange things seem to happen around her, and the children get scared. Bad luck I guess." She explained.
"What kind of strange things?" Harry asked, knowing what the answer would be.
"Oh, it's nothing. One time, one of the boys said he broke her doll, but when we checked, it was fine. Another time a girl said they were playing hair cut, and cut off all her hair, but when we checked, her hair was just like the day before. I think it's just the kids playing jokes on her, nothing else." She said dismissively.
"Can I see her; I'd like to give her these gifts." Harry asked.
"Of course, Mr. Black, she's probably upstairs, just follow me." She beckoned.
Harry followed her up to the girl's dormitory; there were fourteen beds all in two rows of seven. At the far end of the long room, a little blond haired girl of about 4 or 5 sat playing with her doll. She had fiery red hair and green eyes. "She could almost be a Weasley." Harry joked to himself.
"Cindy, this is Mr. Black, he has something for you." The headmistress said to her.
"What does he have?" Cindy asked in a small voice.
"I have presents." Harry jumped in, pulling out the two gifts and handing them to her.
She wasted no time; she tore the wrappings off both gifts, and opened the boxes to reveal a stuffed lion and a small purse.
"Thank you." She said quietly.
"May I talk with her, Headmistress?" Harry asked politely.
"Certainly Mr. Black," she said, turning to leave.
Harry sat on her bed. "Why aren't you downstairs with all the other girls and boys?" Harry asked.
"They don't like me. They think I'm different." Cindy said in her small voice.
"Why do they think that?" Harry asked.
"One time a girl cut off all my hair and it grew back." She answered.
"Anything else," Harry asked curiously.
"One time a dog was chasing me in the yard, and then I was in my room. I don't know how that happened." She answered honestly.
"Well, do you know what I think?" Harry asked her.
"No." She said in a sing song voice.
"I think you're special." Harry said.
"Really," she asked, hearing it for the first time.
"Yeah, I think you're very special." Harry clarified.
"Thank you." She said sheepishly.
"Can I come back later and talk to you some more?" Harry asked politely.
"Ok." She said.
Harry walked to the Headmistress' office. When he was asked to enter, Harry immediately began asking her questions.
"How did you get Cindy?" He started.
"She was actually left on our doorstep, we don't know who her parents were, or even her last name, we named her Cindy." She explained.
"How long has she been here?" Harry continued.
"Almost four years, she was only an infant." The headmistress said.
"Has anyone ever tried to adopt her?" Harry asked.
"Yes, several couples took her home, but they always brought her back, they all say the same thing, she's too much trouble. I never understood that, she's an angel here." She said.
"Last question, can I adopt her?" Harry asked confidently.
"I don't know we've never had a single man ever ask to adopt one of our children." She said shocked.
"I can obviously provide a healthy home." Harry explained.
"I'm sure you could Mr. Black, especially after that sizable donation you offered the orphanage, but you're so… young." She said.
"I'm sure my age would be of no importance, if you would just ask your superiors. Not to mention, I'm quite sure none of your recent applicants could provide for her the same way I could." Harry defended himself.
"Actually Mr. Black, my superiors have nothing to do with it, they always side with whatever my recommendation is. May I ask you, why Cindy?" She asked kindly.
"In truth, I'm an orphan, I was raised by my maternal Aunt and Uncle, I was forced to live in a house with people and always be alone, just like Cindy. People always made fun of me, for one reason or another, just like Cindy. I was special, and nobody noticed, just like Cindy." Harry responded honestly. "We're kindred spirits." He added.
The Headmistress surveyed Harry for a moment, and then smiled. "You have my blessing. If you would like, just fill out these papers." She handed him a large stack of papers. "And I'll recommend you to the board." She said.
"When do you think I could get a response?" Harry asked impatiently.
"Well, today is obviously Christmas, tomorrow is Boxing Day, how about the day after tomorrow, too soon?" She asked jokingly.
"No Headmistress that would be perfect. It would give me time to buy the necessary furniture, and redecorate one of the spare bedrooms." Harry said happily.
"Spare bedrooms? How many do you have?" She asked him.
"Well, there are thirteen total bedrooms, I occupy one, and my two servants occupy one each, so there are ten spare bedrooms." Harry explained.
"Ten? Servants, I had no idea." She announced with a smile. "About that donation, Mr. Black," she pressed.
"Yes Headmistress, I think double the amount we discussed would be appropriate, do you agree?" Harry asked knowingly.
"Splendid Mr. Black, absolutely splendid," she exclaimed.
"I think I'll bring the money by in two days, when I come to pick Cindy up." Harry said, hinting they would only receive the money if he WAS picking Cindy up.
"I understand Mr. Black. Perfectly clear," she said knowingly.
Harry drove home in the best mood he had ever felt. He was soon going to give a child the one thing he never had, a happy home.
The next two days found Harry rushing around the village buying various toys, stuffed animals, and furniture to make Cindy's arrival a pleasant one. He had not spent as much money as he expected, but was sizable nonetheless. He took the opportunity to open a bank account, and wrote to Gringotts, to convert more wizard money to muggle. He secretly met with the head goblin, and retrieved his money. No one was the wiser.
The morning Harry was to pick up Cindy, he dressed extra early, and hopped into his car keeping the persona of a muggle living in a muggle village.
He drove as fast as legally possible. When he arrived, he was greeted by the Headmistress wearing a smile, and carrying papers in her left hand.
"Mr. Black, congratulations, it's a girl." She exclaimed.
"The adoption went through?" He asked excitedly.
"Yes it did, no problems at all." She answered, shaking his hand.
Harry handed the headmistress the briefcase he was carrying and immediately went up to the girl's dormitory. Cindy was sitting on her bed, Harry walked up to her.
"Hello Cindy." Harry said happily.
"Hello Mr. Black." She said softly.
"No, call me Harry." Harry told her.
"Ok Harry." She said shyly.
"Are you lonely Cindy?" Harry asked expectantly.
"Yes." She said, looking sad.
"Me too, do you want to come live with me?" He asked hopefully.
"You want to be my daddy?" She asked with tears in her eyes.
"Yes Cindy, I do." Harry declared.
She leapt off the bed, and embraced Harry in a loving hug.
"When can we go?" She asked excitedly.
"In a few minutes, I just have to sign some papers." He explained.
She had a sudden look of despair. "Are you going to bring me back?" She asked tentatively.
Harry smiled lovingly at her. "Never, it's you and me, for good and for bad." He told her, with tears in his own eyes. She hugged him again.
Harry went back to the Headmistress' office, and signed the adoption papers, happily.
"Are you sure you don't want a trial with her?" The Headmistress asked concernedly.
"No ma'am, we'll be a family for good and bad." Harry answered honestly. She smiled.
When Harry and Cindy finally arrived at home, they walked up to the front door, and stopped.
"Now, are you ready to see your new house?" Harry asked nervously.
"Yes." She said happily.
They entered the warm and inviting foyer. Cindy was looking around amazed at what she saw.
"It's so big." She said. "How many people live here?" She asked, looking up at her new father.
"Well, there's you and me, and" Harry paused. "Do you know what elves are?" Harry asked her quickly.
"Yes, Santa has elves, they make toys." She said in an obvious tone.
"Ok well, they don't all make toys, some help around the house. They cook, and clean, and do laundry; they're called house elves. We have two elves living here." Harry explained.
"Real live elves? Can I see them?" She asked excitedly.
"Of course you can, but you have to promise not to tell anybody about them. Do you promise?" Harry asked.
"Yes I promise. Can I see them?" She added impatiently.
"Yes you may, now don't be surprised; they like to appear out of nowhere." Harry said to her. "Dobby, Winky, come here please." He called out into the empty room.
Instantly, Dobby and Winky appeared in front of Harry and Cindy. "Cindy, this is Dobby." He motioned to Dobby. "And this is Winky." He motioned to Winky. "Dobby, Winky, this is Cindy, she will be living with us." Harry told his servants.
Cindy stood staring nervously. "They're real?" She asked.
"Yes miss, we're real." Winky answered.
Cindy shrieked, and hugged Harry's leg. "It's ok Cindy, they're here to take care of us; they won't hurt you." Harry explained to Cindy.
Cindy composed herself, and held out her hand. "Please to meet you." She said in her childish voice.
They all shook hands. "Dobby is pleased to meet miss." Dobby said shaking her hand.
"Any Winky is pleased to meet miss." Winky said shaking her hand in turn.
"If you need anything, just let them know, they are our friends." Harry told Cindy. Dobby and Winky beamed at how they were referred to as friends.
Harry spent the entire day showing Cindy the house, and property. She was thrilled, she had never dreamed a house could be so big. During dinner that evening, Harry decided to inform her of the magical world.
"Cindy, do you remember how I told you, you were special?" Harry asked, hoping she remembered.
"Yes." She said through a mouth full of potatoes.
"Well I'm special too. I can make things happen. I can make my hair grow, and I can disappear and reappear like you." He explained.
"Really, I'm like you?" She asked expectantly.
"Yes, there are many people like us; they're called witches and wizards." Harry said.
"Like the ugly witch in Hansel and Gretel?" She asked nervously.
"No. Those are just stories written by people who don't understand our kind." Harry clarified. "Here, do you see that painting on the wall?" He motioned to the painting of Ginny he had over the mantle in the dinning room.
"She's pretty." Cindy announced.
"She's a witch. She's the woman I want to marry." Harry said.
"She's going to be my new mommy?" Cindy asked excitedly.
"Yes, one day she'll be your mum. But she's also a witch, like you." Harry answered.
"Why am I not a wizard like you?" She asked.
"Wizards are boys, and witches are girls." Harry clarified.
"Oh, so I'm a witch, and my future mommy's a witch?" She asked.
"Yes Cindy, very good, do you want to see some magic?" Harry asked, hoping to ease her mind.
"Yeah," she said jumping from her chair.
"Ok." He said smiling.
Harry took the glass of water that was in front of him. He waved his hand, and a phoenix made of water emerged; it flew around the room at Harry's command. It stopped in front of the amazed Cindy. When she reached out to touch it, she quickly pulled her hand back giggling.
"It's wet." She said.
"It's water, just water. Hold out your hand." Harry instructed.
When Cindy complied, the bird landed on her hand, and melted. She was laughing hysterically.
"Ok young lady, bed time." Harry announced looking at his watch.
"Do I have to daddy?" She said.
Harry almost broke down crying, she called him daddy. "I'm going to spoil her rotten." He thought to himself.
They went up to her room for bed. Cindy changed into her brand new silk pajamas; Harry tucked her in and she waited expectantly. He remembered a lullaby from one of his other timelines, and began to sing to his new daughter.
By the time he was done, she was sleeping peacefully. Harry walked down to the library, and sat quietly.
The thought of him having a child seemed ludicrous at first, but Harry had never been happier in his life. Cindy, like Ginny, was a missing piece of his life. He resolved to never allow anything to harm her.
Life, in spite of Voldemort, was good.