Putting It Back
Chapter 12 – Tea with the Dad
Harry and Hermione managed their trip to Gringotts that afternoon. Despite the trouble they made days before at the bank, they were treated well.
The next day Hermione woke him up early. Ron was already dressed, but looked half asleep.
"We are going to go now. Thank you for everything. See you in a few days."
Groggily Harry replied. "Alright, see you later. Be careful and stay together." He squeezed his eyes tight hoping to postpone the new day.
"You stay out of trouble. I'll be back soon." He felt her kiss his cheek before they left. The squeaky door closed with a clunk.
Unable to fall back to sleep, Harry cleaned up and trudged down to the kitchen for breakfast. When he entered, Mr. Weasley was sitting at the table sipping his tea and reading the Daily Prophet.
"Morning," Harry greeted as he grabbed a teacup from the cupboard.
"Morning, Harry. Did Ron wake you?"
"Uh, oh… No, Hermione." Harry was still attempting to wake up fully.
It looked like Mr. Weasley was going to say something, but didn't.
Harry explained, "She woke me to say goodbye. Ron seemed too tired to even think."
Mr. Weasley chuckled, "That boy could never wake up until breakfast was done." Folding the paper, he said, "You've made the paper again."
"What's the damage this time?" Harry sat down at the table with his cup of tea.
"Actually, you would be pleased. They are treating you as the man of the year. This particular article is about your address from the train." He handed Harry the paper. "When you speak in such humility, the worse they could do is agree with you."
Harry read the article and seemed hopeful for the potential newsworthiness of future editions. Not one of the statements seemed to be taken out of context.
Mr. Weasley put a hand on his shoulder. "Speaking as a father, I'm proud of you."
Harry looked up at him.
"Speaking to my daughter's boyfriend, I'm pleased and impressed. Don't you ever worry about what me or my boys think about you seeing Ginny. As far as we are concerned she couldn't find any better of a man."
Confused, Harry accepted the praise. "Thank you."
"Just take it slow. Show her that she is cherished. And, try not to hurt her again."
"Yes Sir, I will, and I won't" Harry looked into his cup in thought.
Mr. Weasley gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Harry added softly, "I was hurt too."
Ginny entered the kitchen. "Morning," she groggily greeted.
Pouring herself a goblet of pumpkin juice, she asked, "Where's Mum?"
Mr. Weasley told them, "The wards are up at the Burrow. She is trying to fix up the house and get George to eat something. He is digging Fred's grave…without magic." He gave Harry a weak smile.
Harry acknowledged with a nod. "It's very therapeutic." He stared into his cup empathizing with the painful turmoil.
"Daddy, I'm going shopping with Harry today," Ginny announced.
"I don't know, Pumpkin."
She insisted, "Dad, Harry needs new clothes. We haven't had any time together all year. And besides, Hermione and Ron told me to never leave his side."
"Ginny, please don't bring me into this," Harry moaned.
Mr. Weasley thought for a bit before pulling out his coin bag. He gave Ginny a few galleons. "Fine, but you also buy yourself something appropriate to wear for the funerals."
Ginny squealed and wrapped her dad in a firm hug. "Thank you!"
Pulling out of the embrace, he told her. "Don't be late for tea. You know how your Aunt gets." Behind her back, he silently mouthed to Harry, "Be careful."
Harry smiled wanly and nodded.
After her dad left the room, she sat down at the table. "He told you to look out for me, didn't he?"
Innocently, Harry asked, "Why?"
Picking at her toast, she said, "He's done it all my life."
"I don't mind, I already plan on doing it for the rest of your life."
She looked up at him and settled with giving him a smile.
Harry could tell that she resented being coddled as the fragile baby girl. "Well I guess that I could use someone to watch my back too."
It worked. She looked up and rewarded him with another smile.
"I already plan on doing that for the rest of your life," she replied.
He gave her a loving smile in return.
"Since we are alone, tell me about this wand and why you are a target again."
Harry explained to her everything about the Deathly Hallows, even about the ring. He made a conscious decision that morning to never keep anything from her again.
