Chapter Twelve: A Good Gift
While Harry was away at the trial, Ginny spent the day puttering around the house. Charlie had already returned to his job in Romania on the dragon preserve. Bill, however, lingered for a while yet.
She knew her favorite brother was watching her, and she knew why.
However, the images she was getting from Harry took up much of her attention, and finally she gave up trying to concentrate on anything and just went outside. The morning was thick and humid with the passage of a brief morning shower, and the rocks around the pond were still wet when she picked one and sat down.
She was not surprised when Bill sat down beside her a few moments later. "What's up?" he asked.
"Pettigrew's denied everything and he's trying to make it look like Professor Dumbledore forced him to confess."
Bill blinked. "Er, what?"
"Harry's showing me what's happening at the trial."
"Oh. So he's just telling to in your mind what's going on?"
"No, I'm watching what's going on through his eyes. He's a little embarrassed because he's with a really pretty auror named Tonks. He's embarrassed that he thinks she's pretty. I've told him not to worry about it, since she really is."
"What else is he feeling?"
"He's thirsty, but he doesn't want to get up in front of everybody for a drink. He's also hot. The courtroom is very warm. Now they're questioning Minister Bones."
"This connection, Ginny, does it hurt?"
She blinked away the trial. "What? Oh, well, if we don't touch enough at night it does. It's embarrassing for both of us the way we wake up. But if we don't sleep real close when we wake up we have a bad headache all day, and we have to go to bed early or we might collapse."
"Close? What do you mean?"
"Bill, it's okay."
"Ginny, it's really not. Look, I'm your big brother. I love you, and I want to look after you."
"I know." She leaned over and hugged him. "But you weren't there when Tom tried to steal my soul. Harry was. Good thing, too. Waking up to Harry is bad enough. If you and I had to sleep like that I think I'd die."
Bill shook his head. "I just remember all those stories you asked for about THE Harry Potter."
"And you know what?" Ginny asked. "He's even better than the boy in those stories. I can feel his mind. I know what he's thinking. He's the most unselfish person I've ever met. He's brave and kind. He believes in right and wrong and he'd do anything to keep someone from hurting. When you think about how he was abused growing up, it's amazing he isn't less than what he is."
"Abused, huh?"
Ginny shrugged. Then she stood, paling. "Oh no!"
"What is it?"
"They know about Harry and me!" Ginny said. "The lawyer just announced it to the whole Wizengamot that Harry and I are married!"
"I'm sure it's okay," Bill said. "Why don't we head back in?"
The two of them started walking back inside when Molly burst out the back door. "Get inside!" she said in a whisper as loud as most shouts. "There are two reporters outside asking to speak to Mrs. Potter!"
/o\/o\/o\/o\
The news hit the wizarding world like a tsunami. Harry Potter, married at age twelve. The Daily Prophet speculated it was a ploy by Albus Dumbledore to exempt Harry from the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery. Another article editorialized that it further showed how far Dumbledore had fallen that two young students could somehow form a bond at Hogwarts while on his watch. One article went so far as to claim it was an attempt by the notoriously poor Weasley family to access the Potter fortune.
The Quibbler praised Harry's hairstyle and wished the young couple a long and fruitful life free from nargles or heliopaths.
The squad of reporters that made camp on the edge of the Burrow's ward lines lasted for nearly a week before they realized that no one in the Weasley household was going to respond.
Neither Harry nor Ginny left the house during that time, and for that week tempers were frayed to their breaking point. Fortunately, Bill finally had to return to work, so his disapproving eye was lifted from Harry. However, Harry knew that the other Weasleys were watching him like a hawk around Ginny.
The constant attention was driving him spare. He was used to being left to his own devices or being made to do chores. And despite Ron's moaning, pulling garden gnomes was not that hard or time consuming.
The nights were just as frustrating. Whatever pattern he and Ginny established during their nights at Privet Drive was completely wrecked by Arthur and Molly constantly checking on them. On more than one occasion, Harry or Ginny would wake to the sensation of being watched, and sure enough, either Molly or Arthur would be standing at the edge of the door, peering in at them.
Finally, though, the reporters went away, and Harry and Ginny were allowed a semblance of normalcy.
Just in time for a very important date to be fast approaching.
"Mrs. Weasley?" Harry asked early one morning while Ginny was in the bathroom.
"Yes, dear?"
"Do you think I'll have a chance to buy Ginny a birthday gift?"
"What? Oh dear, you don't have to."
"I think I do," Harry said. Since his stay began, he had never actually stood up to Molly or Arthur before. But when she turned and looked at him, she saw from his wide stance and the set of his jaw that this was something he'd fight over. "Since she's…well, you know, er, my spouse and all, I think I need to get her a birthday present."
"Harry, that's very sweet of you, but you really don't have to."
"You don't understand, Mrs. Weasley. I have to get her a birthday present. Money's not a problem. I have loads of it."
"Harry…"
"Please, Mrs. Weasley. I have to do this. This bond means I'm going to be with her the rest of my life. Do you really want the first birthday of hers we spend together to be one where I don't get her a present?"
"Well…"
"Thanks!" he gushed. "Sirius told me his house had a working floo at the trial. I could call him and he would get me into town and Ginny would never know!"
Molly paled. "Sirius?"
"He is my godfather," Harry said. "I'm sure Professor Lupin would be there too. It'd be nice to talk to them, you know, get to know them. They were good friends with my father. Even Professor Dumbledore said so."
"Oh, they were," Molly said. "I was in my seventh year when they were just starting their first, but even in that first year I heard about the Marauders. Well, hurry up, then. Give 'em a call."
"Thank you!"
He made the call and got a very enthusiastic response from Sirius. Before he left, Ginny came running down stairs. "Harry! What's going on? Why are you so excited?"
"I'm going to go visit Sirius."
"When do we go?"
Harry looked desperately at Molly. "Ginny, dear, I need you to help me today."
"What?" Ginny looked from Harry to her mother, then back. Her eyes narrowed. "What's going on, Harry?"
Harry grabbed the floo and yelled, "Black Residence!" He almost dove into the fire before Ginny could catch him.
Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were waiting for him, each with broad smiles, as he came shooting out of the fire. "Whoa, there!" Black said, catching him. "What's the rush?"
"Ginny!" Harry said. He winced. "She's really mad."
"Why, aren't you shopping for her birthday present?"
"Yeah, but she's going to be really mad at me until she gets it. Good thing her party's tonight."
Black laughed. "Sounds like every girlfriend I've ever had."
Harry looked around the house. "No offense, but is the whole house like this?"
"Oh yes, the ancient and noble house of Black," Sirius said. "My family was rather…"
"Dark," Lupin supplied. "This is actually the first time I've been here. They would never have allowed me in otherwise."
"Because you were a werewolf?"
Lupin's eyes widened.
"At the trial," Harry explained. "I mentioned werewolves, and Sirius said, 'Speaking of which,' and then he talked to you."
Lupin cuffed Sirius's shoulder. "Sorry, mate," Sirius said.
"Harry," Remus said, "I'd appreciate it if you don't mention it to anyone else."
"Did dad know?"
"Of course," Sirius said. "That's why we all became animagi. Peter was pretty useless as a rat. Frankly Remus would have eaten him. But your father and I would both change and keep Remus company. Your father was a stag. A big, powerful stag. Quite a sight, he was."
"Wow. Do you think I could become an animagus too?"
"That would be very irresponsible of us," Remus said in a lecturing voice. "It is a risky and difficult process."
"So of course we'll help you!" Sirius said. "Now, let's go to Diagon Alley and get your bride a birthday present."
"Wait a sec!" Harry said. He ran back to the fireplace and threw in a little powder. "The Burrow!"
A moment later Molly's face emerged from the fire. "Yes?"
"Mrs. Weasley, would it be okay if Sirius and Remus come to Ginny's party tonight?"
She was quiet a moment.
"It's really okay, Harry, we don't need to…" Sirius started.
"He's your godfather," Molly said, cutting Black off, "and you're a part of this family now, so he should come over. Tonight's as good a night as any. Bring him and Mr. Lupin over. We'll be glad to have them."
"Thank you!" The fire died and Harry turned around with a triumphant grin on his face.
"You shouldn't have put her on the spot like that, Harry," Remus said.
"She is the best cook in the world," Harry said.
"Good enough for me!" Sirius declared. "Now, let's go shopping!"
With his father's two best friends at his side, Harry had what could be described as the best day of his life. Sirius was wildly enthusiastic about everything, as if trying desperately to make up for his lost years. Remus was calm and more insightful, but with a wry sense of humor. He poked gentle fun at Sirius even while keeping the man's wilder impulses under control.
They looked at everything they could think of for Ginny. Dresses, jewelry, pets. It didn't matter the price. Harry had pulled enough money from his trust vault to buy anything he could imagine Ginny would want.
But eventually, Harry's eye fell on the perfect gift. "You sure?" Remus asked. "That's a very expensive gift. I'm not sure how Molly would feel about it."
"I'm not buying it for Mrs. Weasley," Harry said. "Although, now that you mention it…"
"Harry?"
"Remus, let the boy have his day," Sirius said. "If Molly goes into one of those famous rages of hers, we'll say it was all my fault. I'll even say I helped him pay for them."
"Sirius, I'm not sure that would make the situation any better."
"We'll figure something out," Sirius said.
"It's perfect!" Harry said.
When he arrived back in the Burrow that afternoon, just an hour before the party, Ginny stood with her arms crossed over her chest and eyes narrowed angrily. "Harry James Potter!" she hissed. "What have you been doing?"
"Couldn't you tell?" Harry asked.
You were blocking me off, and you know it!
"I was …" shopping for your birthday present.
Her eyes widened a bit. You were? "What'd you get me?"
A surprise.
Ginny stamped her foot. "I don't like surprises."
"You'll like this one. I promise."
"If I don't…" I'm going to kick you tonight with my cold feet.
"You'll like it," Harry said with an unusual show of confidence.
Molly was watching the exchange in the kitchen, trying to follow it as best she could. "When will Mr. Black and Professor Lupin be coming by, Harry?" she asked.
"In about half an hour, if that's okay," Harry said. "I'm sorry for imposing on you like that. I just…"
"They are a part of my family now too," Ginny finished.
Harry nodded.
Molly forced a smile. "It'll be fine," she said, more for her own sake than theirs.
Although Charlie wasn't able to take any more time off, Bill was between assignments and was able to arrive for the party. He was standing by Arthur, Harry and Ginny when first Remus Lupin, and then Sirius Black arrived.
The two stood a little stiffly as they surveyed the interior. Finally, though, Black's eyes fell on Molly. "There she is," he said. "The Prewitt terror. I only met you twice, but I feel as if I know you like I know Remus."
He did not mention Molly's brothers, nor did he have to. She gave a curt not, stepped forward, and welcomed the two men with a hug. "I can't tell you how sorry we are for the injustice you suffered," she said.
"I'm just happy Harry and Ginny believed me," Sirius said. "I didn't actually mean to abduct them; I just needed to get them out of that house before whoever sent the werewolves followed up."
"We understand," Arthur said. He stepped forward and offered his hand, which Black took. "We understand that you helped save our daughter and Harry's lives. You're welcome here, both of you. Please, make yourselves comfortable."
With the slightly awkward greeting out of the way, other guests started arriving. Hermione was the first, and they could see by her determined expression that she had read at least some of the articles about what happened.
After a cursory greeting with Ron, Molly and Arthur, she made a bee line for Harry and Ginny. "All right," she said. "Tell me everything. And I mean everything."
"We're going to wait until everyone arrives," Harry said.
"We promise we'll tell everyone," Ginny added.
That mollified Hermione for a little while only. A few minutes later, Luna Lovegood arrived. Harry remembered her statements in the hospital wing at the end of the last school year and watched her as she took Ginny in a hug. "Hello, Hinny." She then walked over and hugged the dumbstruck Harry. "Hello, Garry. I'm so happy you decided to stop hiding your marriage. It is a beautiful thing, even if you are young. When will you have kids?"
"When we aren't kids ourselves?" Harry said, guessing that was a good answer.
Evidently it was, since Luna nodded.
No one else was invited outside of family. It wasn't that Ginny didn't have a lot of friends at school. In fact she was very popular among the girls in her year. She just liked her celebrations small.
Harry knew, deep down, Ginny did not want all of her friends to see how poor her family really was. It was an odd embarrassment. She loved her family and her home, and was not embarrassed herself. She was, however, afraid that others would be embarrassed by seeing it.
She did not believe Harry's assurances that the Burrow was simply brilliant.
The birthday dinner was served with all of Ginny's favorites, most of which involved chocolate in one capacity or another. Then came the massive cake—more chocolate, of course, lined with chocolate frogs that were mired in the frosting and could not get free.
Finally came gifts. Mrs. Weasley gave Ginny a hand-knitted sweater for the upcoming school term. Bill gave her a beautiful necklace he got in Egypt, while everyone else got her sweets. Hermione got her a book, of course. Luna gave her a necklace made of turnips, which Ginny accepted with aplomb.
Finally, Ginny turned to Harry. "Well?" she said.
"I don't want to rain on anyone's parade," Hermione said, "but I for one was promised a full explanation for this marriage. And I don't want you to be distracted by any more gifts."
"Hermione," Ron pleaded.
"It's okay," Harry said. "Not like it's a secret any more. It didn't really start out as a marriage."
"I figured that," Hermione said. "You two hadn't said three words to each other all year."
So Harry and Ginny told their story once again. Hermione watched them both intently, nodding here and there. Finally, when they were done, she said, "Well, it explains the way you two were acting at the end of term. And you're really sleeping together?"
By now, they had blushed themselves out in response to that particular subject and simply nodded.
"Okay," Hermione said with complete acceptance. She then hugged Ginny and finally Harry. "You really have a saving people complex, you know that, right, Harry?"
"Thank Merlin he does," Ginny said.
"Yes," Hermione agreed. She rested a hand against Harry's cheek. "Thank Merlin for that. He and Ron saved me from that troll last year."
"Wonder who he's going to save next year?" Ron said.
"Better not be a girl," Ginny said. "Two's enough in this bond."
Hermione and Ron laughed. Molly and Arthur shared a startled look, which Black and Remus observed.
Though neither seemed aware of it, Ginny was clutching Harry's arm protectively.
"Now, presents!" Ginny demanded.
Harry grinned. "Sirius?"
Sirius Black stood, walked around the table the family had set up in the back garden, and bowed to Ginny. He then bowed to Molly. "I will reveal the presents only upon the condition that one Molly Prewitt Weasley vows to accept these gifts with the same love with which they were given."
Molly's eyes narrowed. "What are you on about, Black?"
"That my Godson loves you and your entire family, Molly. And he wants his gifts accepted in the spirit they are given."
"In other words," Remus said, leaning over conspiratorially, "he's asking you not to get upset."
"Why would I…you didn't!"
"No, I didn't," Sirius said. "Harry did."
He pulled a series of small packages from his pocket, and with a flick of his wand unshrunk them. Each flew across the garden into the hands of Fred and George, Percy, Ron and Ginny. The last came into Harry's hands.
Their shapes were obvious. "Harry!" Molly started to screech as Ginny ripped the paper from hers.
"It's a Firebolt!" Ginny screamed. She launched across the air and almost flew into Harry, who spun her around not out of joy, but out of a desperate attempt to regain balance and stay on his feet. Before anyone there could blink, she planted a kiss right on his lips, then let go and jumped back to her broom. She spun to her mother. "Can we try it?"
Harry turned quickly to a bright red Molly. Being a newly turned thirteen, he completely missed why she was so red. "I bought one for myself too," he said quickly. "And I got Nimbus 2000s for the quidditch players here, and a Nimbus 1900 for Percy since he doesn't play. It's not just for us—it's for the Gryffindor quidditch team too!"
"Harry, Ron and Ginny are not on the team," Arthur said.
"They will be," Harry said with absolute conviction. "Either as reserves or starters, but they'll be on the team. Ginny flies near as good as I do. Better in the straight-aways. And Ron has a better brain for quidditch than I'll ever have."
"It's too much," Molly said, trying very hard not to overreact.
"Not for me, though," Harry pleaded. "You and Mr. Weasley have been so good to me. All of you. Even if this bond hadn't happened, you've been more like family than my relatives. I have the money. I know you wouldn't take money, and I know better than to offer. But these are good gifts. Please don't try to give them back."
"You know, he's right, Mum," Fred said. "We're flying old Cleansweeps on the team. Malfoy's dad bought the Slytherins new brooms last year to get Draco on the team. Least this way some of us will be able to keep up."
Arthur finally settled it. "Harry, thank you very much for these gifts. You're right, they are good gifts, and our boys will be happy to accept them. And it's pretty obvious Ginny will as well. And don't doubt for a moment, Harry, your place here. You aren't just like family any more. You are family."
Harry beamed, and Ginny started crying. Ron turned to her. "Why are you crying?"
"'Cause Harry wants too but can't," she said.
"I'm okay," Harry assured them. He looked around, beaming, then walked back to Ginny and gave her a long, happy hug. "Happy birthday, Gin."
"Thank you," she snuffled over his shoulder.
That night, Harry took an especially long time combing Ginny's hair. He let the comb run through her long red locks with a tired smile. Harry?
Yeah?
I kissed you.
Yeah.
Did you…you didn't mind, did you?
It was kind of nice. Never been kissed by a pretty girl before.
Ginny turned around and looked at Harry. "Do you really think…" I'm pretty?
"Yes," Harry said simply.
She turned back around, and Harry continued combing her hair. "Do you think we can ever be happy?" she wondered aloud.
"I'm not the right person to ask," Harry said. "I've never been happy before."
"You're happy now."
"Yeah." Harry said it as a sigh. "I guess I am."
Outside the door in the hall, Molly closed her eyes and turned to walk away.
