Harry was not sure about this, going to dinner, but he would. He once again asked himself, if he would be welcome again, after he broke up with Ginny. He had to think about the wedding of Ron and Hermione, and when Bill's second son was born. He also thought of Charlie, and he wondered what it would do to his relationship with his family, when they came out. He and Charlie agreed not to come out till that summer, even when he broke up with Ginny, until home for good. He hated to drive a wedge between Charlie and his family, to cause tension, and worried Charlie might back away in the end. He knew though he couldn't let those fears get to him, even if he and Charlie didn't work out, this was right. He wasn't happy with Ginny, he was never going to be, and he needed to move on. He had his own family, well his dad, and he knew the twins would always stand behind him. He knew he needed to do this, for himself, to be happy. Charlie told him; he thought as long as Harry handled it well, his dad and Bill would support Harry. The fact he was dating Charlie or would be would raise questions, but they'd know he waited; he held off until he came back and broke up in person.
Charlie knew Harry was nervous, and pointed out they didn't have to go to dinner, it was their choice. They had decided to just relax when back, and Harry knew Ginny would not be at dinner tonight, anyways. But Harry already accepted, and he had time enough with his dad and friends, before they left again.
Harry felt a bit green when he looked at the house. "I don't think I have ever felt like this coming here before."
Charlie squeezed his hand. "Mum and Ron may take it bad, but you know the twins will support us. And Dad and Bill, if you handle this right, which you are."
Harry turned to look at him. "Are you sure about this? I mean I don't want to come between you and your family."
Charlie squeezed his hand. "You aren't Harry. Like you, they should want me happy too, and you make me happy."
Harry smiled a little at that. "I still think we're right to wait until this summer to tell them. I mean we're not even dating yet, and maybe with some time..."
Charlie knew Harry was likely getting his hopes up, but he too hoped there was some chance. "With mum and Ron, miracles could happen."
Harry could have broken up through a letter, many did, and no one would blame him after what she was doing. Harry was choosing to do the honourable thing, return to the UK, and break up with her in person. He and Charlie had shared one kiss, but nothing else, they had known they had to wait until he had broken it off. Charlie knew Harry was to thank, he may not have had the restraint, even for his sister's sake. Hopefully the family would have time to cool down, Ginny would move on, and would be more accepting. He reminded himself his dad and Bill would be, and the twins would cheer, the others would simply have to deal with it.
As they walked into the house, Charlie too thought about Christmas, and the wedding. He knew Harry may be risking his invitation, but since they would not be coming out, Charlie's might be safe. Then again his mother already blamed him for Harry taking off, she might blame him now, even without knowing.
Molly was alone in the kitchen and her face lit up when she saw them. "Oh boys I am so happy to see you. I was so excited when Ron said you were home."
Charlie accepted a hug from his mum. "I have been away much longer then this mum, I used to come home once a year, when I lived in Romania."
Molly shook her head. "But you wrote all of the time, and I have not had one letter from you, or Harry, since you left. And you Harry."
Harry accepted a hug from her. "I am happy to see you too Mrs. Weasley."
Arthur came in with his older sons. He smiled. "I am sure you have some exciting stories to tell us about Brazil."
Bill hugged Charlie who he indeed missed earlier at the house. "You know I feel a bit jealous, makes my desk job feel boring."
His wife elbowed him in the ribs, but it was good natured, she knew her husband was kidding. There were times Bill missed field work, but he loved his job, and his wife and son as well. Harry noticed Arthur was getting a look of his own, but his was not as good natured, and he felt bad for the man. He told himself not to worry, he was happy to share stories with Bill and Arthur who were genuinely interested.
He noticed, when they were sitting down for dinner, that Hermione was not there. He had thought Hermione was coming, her and Ron had been all about him coming to dinner, to catch up. He had been told Ginny would not be at dinner, but Hermione was a surprise.
Ron looked up. "She was here, but she got called away to work. She has been working extremely busy, as well as school, to cover our flat."
Penny lifted an eyebrow. "I thought she mentioned she was going to Hogsmeade? I wasn't aware her law firm had moved to Scotland."
Molly cut in, she saw the looks, especially from Harry. "I am sure Brazil was such a wonderful adventure. Now that you're back..."
Harry tried to be as polite as he could be. "Charlie and I are leaving on a new assignment in two weeks. We're not sure where yet, but soon."
Charlie saw his mother's face fall. "You knew Harry would be working with e till summer. He does not join practices again until June with the national team."
Arthur was the one to cut in this time, stopping his wife. "I have always wanted to see the Amazon, I remember Bill wanted to do an exchange program there."
Harry remembered hearing that, back during the world cup in fourth year, that he had a pen pal who wanted him to come visit. The family of course could not afford it, and it was likely one of the reasons Bill became a curse breaker, he wanted to travel finally. Harry was happy with Charlie to tell them about his work, he could see even Percy was happy he was enjoying it, and ignored Molly. She kept trying to make not to subtle hints about him coming back sooner, when she got a chance. There was little surprise when the two of them made their exit pretty quickly after dinner, Charlie making plans with Bill and his dad, before he left.
Arthur stopped his wife commenting when they were gone. "Harry is happy, and obviously loves the job. I'm happy for him, you should be too."
Harry was heading up to school, he had a number of reasons to go, including his dad and Neville. He hoped not to run into Ginny today, he was actually coming to see Neville and Luna, and they had offered to meet him in town instead. Neville was so disappointed he could not come to the sanctuary, and Harry had of course assured him he'd come visit, he was not going to leave without it. Neville may not have been his best friend, not like Ron or Hermione, and not even like his old quidditch team, but he was one of the most loyal. He could always count on four people, Neville and Luna, and the twins, to have his back, well and his dad. He knew Neville was looking forward to a few years down the road, when Harry took over charms, as much as his dad was.
He was meeting them in the Three Broomsticks, and had been told Ginny had practice with her team, and should be busy at school. He would end up there eventually, to see his dad, and the headmaster, likely Filius as well. He had been told by his dad Filius had asked after him, wondering how he was liking his new work.
Harry smiled when he walked into the Three Broomsticks and spotted them. "Neville."
Neville stood and came to hug him. "I missed you. Luna told me all about your dragons."
Harry kissed her on the cheek and sat down. "I have been missing you guys too, even if I have been having an amazing time."
Luna laughed. "Same can be said for him over here. You should see Neville, he looks in heaven when he is in class."
Neville shrugged. "I'm not like the rest of you, I didn't have a lot of options for careers. I was worried I would have to take over for Filch one day."
Harry shook his head. "You may not have always been top, but you passed six owls. And you have a real talent for herbology."
Neville had done the previously thought impossible, he impressed his grandmother, actually he had done it a few times. He had impressed the woman in the ministry, and later the final battle, bit even more with this. He had been handed selected to train under Pomona, and before he had, he had spent a few weeks that summer on a special program in Germany few got into. Neville would one day have a seat like Harry, his grandmother held her late husband's seat for decades now, and he had a fortune even if not as extensive as some, but it did not matter to him. Like Harry, he preferred to work, and make it on his own.
Luna smiled, she was happy to see Harry, and Neville to be smiling. She planned to work full time for her dad when done school, and Harry had a feeling she'd be living at school by the time he took over charms, as a spouse of a professor.
Luna surprised him. "Have you seen Ginny since you came back?"
Harry shook his head. "I will see her soon, but I have been laying low. I was a bit surprised I have not even got a letter from her."
Neville was surprised. "I heard her ranting once since you had not responded to her. I know she sent letters on to Hermione, to put in international post for her."
Luna saw the look on Harry and thought the same thing. "Maybe there is a reason you never saw any of them."
Harry agreed. "I have a feeling Hermione didn't send them on, as she worried what Ginny might say."
Luna confessed. "She used to be one of my good friends, I mean we grew up together, but she has really gone off her rocker since you left."
Harry knew others would have laughed, as they often said Luna was the loony one. Luna was never one to make such a comment. "What now?"
He could see from the look on Neville, he was a bit reluctant to speak, and Harry was reminded of his dad. His dad had not told him what Ginny was up to, because he didn't want to influence his son, and what ever decision he made about her. Harry knew his dad was aware Harry's friends would tell him, even the twins, but he felt he needed to back off. He loved them for it, for trusting him to make his own choices and not meddling like Molly, but he needed to know.
Luna and Neville had been talking about it. They both hoped Harry would dump her, heck all of his real friends did including the twins, and knew this might likely help. But they both felt the same reluctance as his dad, to give Harry the final push.
Harry prodded. "Look, I am already looking at breaking it off with her. I am going to find out some how, please."
Neville sighed. "She is about to lose her prefect badge, and has got into more detentions this year, then the twins used to get into."
Luna added. "She comes into town a lot, drinks on school nights, and last time I heard she is hanging out with older people here in town, not students."
Harry had a feeling they meant more then just drinking with them. "It didn't take her long."
Luna put a hand on his arm. "I don't think she has cheated on you, but she has flirted, and gone a bit wild. Worse then Ron."
Harry knew they were likely right, about her not cheating, he could not see it. He couldn't even comment on her flirting, considering he had been flirting and kissing her brother, but this was just more proof. He had told her he did not expect her to be a nun, she could go out and have fun with her friends and more, but it seemed she had gone well beyond. He was not going to accuse her of cheating, or even think it of her, there was no proof.
Harry assured Neville after lunch. "I am coming back, to see dad, and Filius a few times before I leave. I promise to see you again before I take off."
Harry went out with his quidditch buddies that night, and he had an amazing time. He knew his friends were happy he loved his work, and he had a feeling the twins were loose lipped, as they seemed to know. Considering the twins dated two of the others, it would not be too hard, Fred at leas considering a proposal. He had told Harry he better be back in the summer, as he would need all his groomsman, which was just a way of telling him. He obviously knew between Harry's dad's wedding, and the national team, he'd be back. It might be a really busy summer, he never thought he'd see the day, but he'd likely be invited to Draco's wedding as well. He assumed with his doubts the Weasleys would still talk to him, other then the twins, he might have to fully embrace Severus' family.
Harry sent word to the school he wanted to see her, and asked her to meet him at his dad's rooms. He wanted to have the conversation in private, he knew Ginny would have a blow up, and his dad was the one who offered. He didn't tell his dad what was happening, but Remus had his suspicions, and was happy for it.
Ginny was smiling when he opened the painting, and flung herself into his arms. "Harry, I'm so happy you're back."
Harry returned the hug for a moment but drew back when the painting was closed. "I'm happy to see you too."
Ginny was prancing practically. "Mum told me you were back, and I knew you would come visit. I have quidditch practice, but then you can..."
Harry cut her off. "Gin we have something to talk about."
Ginny was totally oblivious to him. "I know you needed to get your sense of adventure out of you, and now you're back. Now you can settle down."
Harry listened to her, rattle on about how he could propose, how to make it romantic. It seems she even had the perfect ring in mind for him to buy for her. He was amazed, she had always said she wanted to have a career, but now she seemed to be talking about being a stay at home mom. He wondered how bad she had done in school, and he had heard rumours she was suspended from quidditch, if not kicked off. He noted he had seen the Gryffindor team at practice when he arrived, and wondered if she thought he was so oblivious. Maybe his dad was right, he had been extremely blind when it came to her.
Ginny was so relieved he was back, she could convince him to propose when he was supposed to, and marry that summer. She would be Lady Potter-Black, and she would have some children. Being a stay at home mum, with money and a title as well as estates, was looking quite nice.
Harry finally cut off her rambling. "Ginny I am back for a few weeks, and then I'm leaving again. I'll likely be back for Christmas, but my plans are the same."
Ginny looked at him. "Harry you have been gone for two months, now it is time to settle down. When we marry, the two of us can travel all you want."
Harry shook her off. "I have told you again and again I am not ready to get married Ginny, to you or anyone."
Ginny wasn't listening as usual. "Harry you know all men get cold feet, but as soon as we get to the alter you will be so happy. I was thinking three kids."
Harry was grinding his teeth. "Shut up Ginny, for once in your life shut up, and listen. I have no intention of marrying you this summer, or ever."
Ginny's head snapped up and she was gaping at him like a fish. "You don't mean that...we will be married, we will."
Harry shook his head. "No, no we won't. I should have done this a long time ago, I am breaking up with you."
He had been worried about doing this, and thinking about how, and he was happy it was done. He had planned to handle it better, he had sworn he would keep his calm, but he was relieved it was out there. He knew he had to do this, and he allowed her to keep talking, he would have lost his nerve, and backed down. Looking at her now, he had no idea how he dated her so long, and he was happy to be free of this.
Ginny was in tears, but he knew they were more about her losing his title, then him breaking up with her. "How can you do this to me? How?"
Harry put his hands on her arms. "Gin, please you know I care about you, but I'm sorry I don't love you. I will never love you like that."
Ginny tried to kiss him. "You are just confused Harry, you know you love me. We can wait, you don't have to propose then, maybe a fall wedding."
Harry sighed. "I'm sorry Gin, but it is over. I am sure you will soon move on. Luna told me you have been having a lot of fun without me."
Ginny smacked him. "You were the one who told me you didn't expect me to be a nun when you were gone. You can't use that to break up with me."
Harry rubbed his face. "I'm not, I decided before I came home, or ever heard. I knew I had to break up with you in person. Gin, I do care, but it is over."
Ginny went to leave the room but called back. "It isn't over, I will get you back, I will convince you we are meant to be."
Harry watched her leave, and sunk down into a chair, wondering how true the rumours were. Ginny had confirmed them, but all he knew she was flirting and drinking a lot, not if it went any further then that. It didn't matter any more, he had broken up with her, and that was not his problem any more. He didn't see his dad come into the room at first, until he felt his dad sit down on the couch next to him, and rested his head against the man. He was surprised when his dad handed him some bruise cream, he of course had a good supplier, but he had not told his dad what he was doing.
Remus shrugged. "I had a feeling, when you wanted to meet with her in private. I had a feeling this might be needed."
