Chapter 13 – A grim old place
As they walked into the kitchen, Ron and Hermione were already seated at the table, digging into a hearty breakfast. Ron looked tired – clearly the ghoul had not made for a relaxing bedfellow.
Both looked up as they entered, their practised gaze taking in Harry's reddened eyes and slightly crumpled look instantly. Ginny watched them wonderingly. They know him so well, she thought. She didn't feel jealous or excluded, as she sometimes had in the past – just glad that he had such good friends.
"Alright, Harry?" said Ron casually, his eyes fixed on Harry's face. "Yeah," replied Harry, with feeling. "Yeah, I am, thanks." Ron nodded, giving Ginny a long, loving look.
Hermione leapt quickly out of her seat and crossed to Harry, drawing him into a brief, wordless hug, then kissing him lightly on the cheek. To Ginny's surprise and pleasure, she repeated the same procedure with her too.
Smiling at Ginny's pleased expression, Hermione said softly, "You're one of the family Ginny – you always were, really."
Harry grinned, pulling Ginny to a vacant seat. "Yeah, just took me a while to wake up and smell the coffee," he joked.
Mrs Weasley, oblivious to the quiet reunion behind her, turned with a sudden start. "Did someone want coffee," she asked brightly, then looked on in puzzlement as they dissolved into laughter.
The breakfast turned out to be one of the best Harry had ever experienced. As more and more Weasleys woke up and joined them, the kitchen was filled with liveliness and laughter.
Molly Weasley smiled to herself as she watched Harry joining in with the teasing, finally at ease with himself and others. She could see that something had changed in Harry, as well as between him and Ginny. They both seemed happier, somehow more whole together then they had previously, even the day before.
She could see the signs of tears having been shed on both sides, and could guess, in part, at the words that had passed between them. Both had been marked by their experiences over the last year, and she was glad that they had been able to banish those demons by sharing them with each other.
Glancing over, Harry saw her standing by the kitchen sink. Smiling, he walked over to her, guiding to the empty chair at one end of the table.
"Come on – Mum," he whispered quietly. "Come and join us." He whirled and picked up a frying pan from the side. "Now then," he bellowed. "Who's for seconds?"
An enthusiastic cheer rose from the extended Weasley family.
Once breakfast was finally finished, and the kitchen tidied, Harry motioned to Ron and Hermione, and they took a walk around the pond, Ginny at Harry's side.
There was a lot to catch up on. As Hermione had been busy keeping an eye on Ron's enthusiastic victory celebrations with his brothers in Hogsmeade since the celebration meal two days ago, they were unaware of Harry's offer to tell their story to the Order at Grimmauld Place next week.
Hermione was anxious to be reunited with her parents in Australia, and restore their memories. She had already made several inquiries with the Australian Ministry of Magic and had a good idea where to find them, so hoped to be back in a couple of days.
Ron had offered to accompany her in order to 'keep her safe.' Harry resisted the urge to point out that Hermione was far more likely to be keeping him safe, as he realised that the new couple wanted some time alone, away from Mrs Weasley's beady eyes. As both were Of Age, there was little Mrs Weasley could say about it, and she gave in with good grace.
"Honestly," said Ron, grinning. "I reckon she's going soft in her old age."
"Still sleeping with the ghoul tonight though, aren't you Ronald?" remarked Hermione acidly. Ron's grin faded slightly.
They all agreed to meet back at Grimmauld Place in four days, and hold the meeting with the Order as soon as possible after that time. "May as well get it over with," said Harry, not relishing the thought of retelling their story.
Ron and Hermione rushed off to pack for their trip, and twenty minutes later, after finally releasing themselves from Mrs Weasley's tearful embrace, Apperated away on the first leg of their journey to Australia.
Harry and Ginny sat quietly in the sitting room, talking occasionally, kissing often and napping for an hour or so.
Harry, who had been thinking idly about the upcoming meeting with the Order, sat up suddenly, tipping a surprised Ginny onto the floor.
"Ow, thanks Harry," groaned Ginny, rubbing her sore elbow where it had hit the ground. "Sorry Gin," Harry apologised, rubbing her elbow for her. He lapsed into thoughtful silence.
"Hello? Are you in there, Harry?" teased Ginny, waving a hand slowly in front of Harry's vacant face. Harry gave a start, and chuckled.
"I was just thinking about Grimmauld Place," Harry admitted, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"What are you thinking about that horrible old house for Harry?" asked Ginny curiously.
"Well, that's just it," Harry replied. He leaned forward in his chair, his face animated. "I was wondering what to do with it," he continued.
"Er, sell it, take the money and run?" suggested Ginny.
"That was my first thought," Harry agreed. A calculating look spread over his face.
"Well?" prompted Ginny impatiently.
"Sirius always told me how much he hated growing up in that place," Harry went on.
"I'm not surprised – it's so old and – well – grim," Ginny interrupted.
"Yes, but does it have to be?" Harry questioned. Ginny groaned silently as she saw his eyes glazing over again.
"Earth to Harry – come in, Harry?" she said playfully, reaching over to stroke his tousled hair gently.
Harry's eyes snapped back into focus. "Right. Sorry. Well, it's like this," he said, his hands gesturing enthusiastically. "Sirius left me the house, and enough money to do whatever I wanted with it. I know that it's filled with Dark magic and bad memories, but I thought – I have to believe that-"
Ginny's face softened as she followed his chain of thought. "You want to see if it can be – rescued?" she asked gently.
Nodding, Harry rubbed the back of his neck, a faint flush spreading over his cheeks. "Does that sound ridiculous? You know, me rushing off to save the world, one house at a time?" His voice was light and ironic, but Ginny could see a tension in his eyes that belied his relaxed posture.
Kissing him briefly, Ginny snuggled up closer to his arm. "I don't think so," she admitted. "It does seem wrong to let that house be remembered only for Dark magic and unhappy memories." She squeezed his arm reassuring. "I think that Sirius would have liked it too – banishing the past and sticking one in the eye of the Black family."
Harry smiled and nodded. "That's what I thought, too."
Feeling her eyes closing sleepily as she relaxed onto his warm shoulder, Ginny asked tiredly, "So – are you going to live in it?"
Looking at her in amusement, Harry replied, "Well – that would be up to you really Ginny."
"Oh," murmured Ginny, drifting off to sleep. A split second later, her eyes snapped open and she shot up in her chair. "Oh!"
Staring into Harry's eyes, which glinted with amusement, she stammered, "You mean – me – and you?" Her mind was whirling as it pictured the two of them eating dinner, relaxing in front of a fire, walking to their bedroom…
Her face reddened at the latter thought.
Seeing her shock, Harry pulled her closer to him. "Well, eventually Ginny – the house belongs to us now, remember?"
Ginny ran her hands distractedly through her hair, staring into space. Judging from the wide-eyed expression on her face, she had just passed her personal acceptance threshold for revelations, Harry noted with alarm. He quickly moved to kneel in front of her, waiting until she looked up at him.
"Too much?" he whispered kindly.
Ginny nodded. "Kind of – sorry."
"Nothing to apologise for Ginny," retorted Harry. "I should be saying sorry. You've been so amazing these last few days – so accepting – that I got a bit carried away, that's all."
Ginny shook her head. "It's not that Harry – I think it's a brilliant idea, I really do – and of course we need to be thinking about a house – just-"
"-not yet," Harry finished. Ginny nodded again, looking up at Harry from beneath lowered eyelashes, checking to see if she had hurt his feelings.
Harry smiled softly. "I know that Ginny – it's too soon for me as well. Redecorating Grimmauld Place is going to take a few months. I was hoping that – for at least this summer – we could stay here at the Burrow. Would that be okay?"
Ginny beamed, throwing herself into Harry's arms and sending them both hurtling backwards onto the floor. Harry let out a surprised "Oof!" as he hit the floor, which was quickly stifled as Ginny's lips sought out his own.
Some considerable time later, as they both lay on the rug in the sitting room and Harry's heart beat slowly returned to normal – or as normal as it ever got around Ginny – he had a sudden idea.
"Ginny?" he asked quietly. Ginny rolled over so that her head was resting on his chest, her face inclined towards his. "More kissing, Harry?" she teased.
Harry snorted in amusement. "Well – maybe in a minute. First, I wanted to talk."
"Oh," said Ginny laughingly. "Well, that would make a change. It's been all talk and not enough action these last few days, if you ask me."
Harry's face heated at her words, but he struggled on manfully. "I was wondering if you would like to check out Grimmauld Place with me this afternoon – I've been meaning to check that Kreacher has got back there okay."
"And perhaps begin planning your renovation ideas?" asked Ginny lightly.
"Our ideas, Ginny," Harry reminded her. She patted his chest in response. Taking this as a sign of encouragement, he went on. "I was thinking that afterwards – if you wanted – we could maybe go out – for dinner? Like normal couples do when they are getting to know each other?"
His breath paused as Ginny looked up at him searchingly. Her mouth curved up gently and her eyes shone with a warm happiness. "I'd like that a lot, Harry," she replied simply. "Although," she continued. "I'm not sure what part of normal applies to our situation."
Harry began to laugh. "Oh, you mean the whole got together, separated, reunited, accidently married thing?" he asked dismissively. "Didn't you know that's what everyone is doing these days?"
Giggling madly, Ginny adopted a facetiously aristocratic tone. "Oh, but of course Harold – it is de rigueur in polite society after all."
Tears of laughter rolled down their cheeks and both were unable to speak for a few minutes.
As their moment of shared hilarity passed, Ginny's eyes brightened at the thought of a night out with Harry. Scrambling to her feet, she danced around excitedly. "Let's go and tell Mum all about it," she said as she pulled Harry to his feet. Dragging him by the arm, she shot off towards the kitchen, where Mrs Weasley was preparing lunch.
"Mum, Mum – guess what me and Harry are going to do tonight?" she called out excitedly. Mrs Weasley turned from the sink, a large bowl in her soapy hands.
"What's that, dear?" she asked, smiling at the happy expression on her daughter's face.
"We're going to have – what do Muggles call it? A first mate!"
There was a loud shattering noise as the bowl slipped from Mrs Weasley's hands and smashed into pieces on the floor. Harry's face erupted with sudden heat as he clapped his hand to his head, groaning at Ginny's mistake.
"First date, Ginny – date!" he bawled, his voice higher than usual.
Once Mrs Weasley had calmed down from Ginny's accidental slip and Harry had quickly repaired the bowl, the trio sat down at the table so that Ginny could tell her all about it.
Ginny, whose face was still rather red, gabbled on excitedly, her eyes dancing with light.
"-and then, once Harry has done his measurements and whatever, he's taking me out to dinner at – where are you taking me Harry?" Her face turned to Harry's expectantly.
"Well," said Harry slowly, playing for time. "I was thinking that we wouldn't get much peace on Diagon Alley, so perhaps – a Muggle restaurant?" he finished weakly.
"- a Muggle restaurant, Mum – how exciting! I wonder if they have serving elves there? Oh, what am I going to wear-"
Harry leaned back in his chair, smiling as Ginny's wave of excited chatter washed over him.
After lunch, they gathered the few things they needed together – or at least, Harry grabbed a change of clothes and convinced Ginny not to bring her entire trunk for one evening – and he Apperated them directly to Grimmauld Place.
Steeling himself for the welcome he knew was coming, Harry gingerly tapped on the door with his wand and it swung open.
"Snape? Severus Snape?" The carpet reared up as the ghostly figure advanced towards them. Harry smiled sadly. "I didn't kill you, Professor," he replied. Pointing his wand directly at the figure, he added, "Voldemort did." A bright jet of green light shot out the end of his wand and the figure dissolved and vanished.
Ginny stepped in behind him, dragging a large bag behind her. "Are you sure about this Harry?" she muttered, her nose wrinkling. "It smells like something died in here – repeatedly."
Nodding resolutely, Harry led the way down the hall towards the stairs. "Let's leave our clothes and – stuff, upstairs," he said, helping Ginny lift the bulging bag as they climbed the stairs.
"Who pollutes the noble house of Black?"
Harry winced as the high-pitched voice screeched from the portrait hung on the wall. The insane, wizened face of Walburga Black glared malevolently at them.
"The filthy blood traitor dares to defile my home, bringing the foul spawn of other blood traitors with him-"
"Shut it, you disgusting old hag!" roared Harry, his face contorted with anger.
"He addresses me in that insolent manner? The Dark Lord will deal with the like of you-"
The screaming voice abruptly died away as a warm orange glow filled the hallway. Harry felt the hairs on his arms rising once more as he turned to stare at Ginny. Her face was filled with a cold rage, her eyes burning brightly with the same orange heat as before, but her voice was calm and deadly as she addressed the portrait.
"Voldemort's dead, Mrs Black. Didn't you hear?"
The flash of light was blinding this time as the portrait and most of the wall upon which it was hung exploded backwards into the dining room, showering Harry and Ginny with a thick, cloying dust.
Coughing wildly, Harry performed a quick Siphon Charm and the thick dust was sucked up into the end of his wand. He stared in disbelief at the gaping hole, peering through at the wrecked dining room beyond.
Turning to look at a speechless Ginny, he nodded slightly towards the wreckage and said mildly, "So – we're going with the open-plan look, then?"
Doubling up with laughter, he clung to the banister of the stairs and roared with glee, Ginny joining him after a moment.
Once they had made it upstairs, Harry still chuckling from time to time, they quickly dumped the bag and took a look around. Taking her by the hand, Harry insisted on giving Ginny the 'Full Tour', as he grandly called it. In reality, this mainly consisted of them being alternately amazed that the dilapidated house was still standing, and amused by the peculiar Black family relics they found on their journey.
Planting an enormous plumed hat on Ginny's head, Harry took a step back, cocking his head in consideration. "You look like your Auntie Muriel," Harry chortled – then ducked as a swarm of giant Bat Bogies shot over his head.
As the couple explored more of the house, it became apparent that it would need almost completely clearing and movement of several walls before redecorating. Harry jokingly suggested that Ginny could take care of the demolition, then hurriedly apologised as she threatened to hex him again.
Harry's enthusiasm was infectious, and Ginny found herself drawn into excited discussions about possible layout and décor. Although she still thought of it as Harry's house, the idea of living there together became more appealing. The only drawback, in her mind, was the distance from her parents in Ottery St. Catchpole.
As she tentatively voiced her fears, Harry nodded before responding. He had been expecting this. As they were currently in the sitting room, he pulled her towards a dusty sofa and they sat down, Ginny curling her legs under her.
"I was thinking that this place is great for getting to Diagon Alley, the Ministry of Magic, and even for the Hogwarts Express, but I would miss the countryside if we lived here all the time."
Ginny nodded curiously – he had obviously been giving this some thought, she mused, smiling. "Go on," she encouraged.
"So," Harry continued, rubbing his hands together nervously. "At some point – when we're older I mean – I was thinking that we could buy a smaller house in the country. You know, like my parents did." He looked at Ginny anxiously, not wanting to over-burden her again.
Ginny reached over and took hold of his hands, stopping their nervous movement. "That sounds like a great idea, Harry," she said, smiling warmly at him. She paused as a thought crossed her mind.
"Harry – just exactly how rich are you?"
Harry stiffened, then relaxed. I should have expected that, talking about buying a second home, he reasoned. Feeling faintly guilty – he had never wished to be so well off, and was always acutely aware of how little money the Weasleys had – he rubbed his forehead absently as he responded.
"To be honest – I'm not sure. My parents left me some money in trust at Gringotts to see me through my time at Hogwarts, but apart from that, I've never thought to ask."
Ginny's heart swelled with pride as she looked at his uncertain face. It took a special person to be so disinterested in material possessions, she thought. As long as Harry had the clothes on his back and a broomstick, he didn't seem concerned about the urge for material possessions that dogged other witches and wizards. Even his desire to improve Grimmauld Place and buy a home in the country had nothing to do with flaunting his status or impressing others. Like so many things with Harry, it came from the heart instead.
"It's not that I care," she responded, "but before we go making any more big plans we should probably find out, don't you think?"
Harry considered for a moment. "You're right," he said finally. "I think I've always put if off because it seemed so – adult. You know, bank balances and home improvements."
Ginny nodded. "Well, in the eyes of the Wizarding world, we are adults Harry – or at least will be once I am Of Age."
The couple decided to stop by Diagon Alley and visit Gringotts before going out for dinner, and continued their exploration of Grimmauld Place in the meantime.
Reaching the kitchen, Harry looked into the small room where Kreacher normally lived. "Hmm, he's not here," he mused.
Ginny started, then spoke. "Harry, did you tell him to return here after the battle?" she asked.
Harry clapped a hand to his head, groaning. "No – I just thought he would. He must be still at Hogwarts." He paused, then called, "Kreacher!"
With a crack the elderly house elf appeared in front of Harry, bowing so low that his long ears almost touched Harry's feet. Ginny giggled quietly, then composed herself as Kreacher straightened up.
In his deep, bullfrog voice, Kreacher inquired, "Is Master Harry well? Can Kreacher help him?" Noticing Ginny for the first time, the tiny elf gasped, then bowed deeply again. "Apologies Mistress – Kreacher did not see you." Muttering, "Bad Kreacher!" he tottered on bowed legs towards the nearest wall.
Gently stopping him before he could start banging his head against the wall, Ginny knelt down next to the trembling house elf, regarding him curiously. "Kreacher, why did you call me Mistress?" She looked up at Harry, who shrugged. "You – house-elfs don't read The Daily Prophet, do they?"
Kreacher let out a tiny, high-pitched giggle. "Mistress Ginny is as funny as she is beautiful! House-elves do not need to read silly newspapers to know when something happens to their Master, no! We just know."
Wonderingly, Ginny glanced up at Harry again. "Well, thank you for your welcome Kreacher. Why don't you take a seat?" she asked kindly, gesturing to the long kitchen table.
To her horror, Kreacher burst into tears. Panicked, Ginny said to Harry, "Did I say something wrong? I've never had a house-elf before." She stroked Kreacher's back consolingly, but this only seemed to make matters worse.
Harry shook his head, smiling. "I don't think Kreacher has been used to kindness from his past Mistresses, Ginny."
Kreacher looked up at Harry adoringly through large eyes swimming with tears. "Master Harry is correct, as always. Kreacher can say this now – Mistress Black was – was a bad old witch!" He trembled all over at his bravery and Ginny tightened her grip on him, painfully reminded of Dobby.
"Well, Kreacher – I don't think you'll be hearing much from Mistress Black anymore," grinned Harry, looking at Ginny. "Mistress Ginny took care of her portrait earlier."
Forcing the house-elf to sit with them, Harry and Ginny sat at the kitchen table, listening to his story. Since the battle at Hogwarts, Kreacher had indeed remained there, assisting in the magical repairs needed. It seemed that the news of the Dementor attack had not reached the house-elves, and Harry silently thanked Professor McGonagall for her discretion.
Harry tentatively brought up the matter of the clearing and redecorating of Grimmauld Place. He knew that Kreacher was attached to several of Regulus Black's possessions, and wanted to give him the chance to keep what he wanted. To his surprise, Kreacher was enthusiastic about the change.
"A new Mistress needs a new house, yes she does!" he proclaimed proudly, and would have started immediately if Harry hadn't restrained him.
"Now, Kreacher, you don't have to do this on your own," Harry warned. "I can always get in a Magical Movements team to do it."
Kreacher swelled with indignation, looking more like a bull-frog than ever. "Kreacher does not need help Master! Kreacher can take care of Master and Mistress Potter on his own!"
Stepping in to calm the irate house-elf, Ginny suggested, "Why don't we see if Hogwarts can spare any other house-elves to help out, Harry?"
Kreacher looked at her admiringly. "Mistress is wise, Master. We should listen to Mistress. We house-elves had been wishing there was a way to thank Master for getting rid of that bad old wizard, and now there is!"
With a click of his fingers, Kreacher vanished, presumably to Hogwarts to round up willing assistants. In his excitement, he had quite forgotten to ask Harry for permission to leave.
Harry groaned in mock-disgust. "Typical," he muttered. "I spent a whole year getting him on my side, and after five minutes with you he's eating out of the palm of your hand!"
Ginny giggled. "Mistress is wise, Harry. We should listen to Mistress," she reminded him.
Harry frowned. "As if I dared to do otherwise," he commented sarcastically.
By the time that Kreacher returned, Harry and Ginny had drawn up their plans for the renovation. Using a simple, but effective Display Charm, Ginny cast a spell on the kitchen wall that turned it into a diagram of their proposed changes, with colour-coded sections blinking cheerily.
As they stood in front of the display, prodding sections with their wands as they made the last few changes, there was a loud crack and Kreacher's voice spoke proudly, "Kreacher has returned Master and Mistress – with help!"
Turning around at the sound of his voice, Harry and Ginny stared in amazement at their kitchen. The floor, table and work surfaces were covered entirely with house-elves. Harry estimated dazedly that there must be at least a hundred, if not more.
"Kreacher – can Hogwarts spare this many house-elves?" asked Ginny nervously.
"Oh, yes Mistress. Kreacher asked the esteemed Headmistress of Hogwarts and she gave all the house-elves time off to help for as long as needed."
Ginny frowned. "But wouldn't you rather take a holiday than work on the house-" she began.
Cries of horror rippled through the assembly of house elfs. Kreacher shook his head vigorously, looking faintly embarrassed. "Mistress does not know, to be sure, but house-elves do not be taking-" he paused, then whispered the word, "holidays!"
A fresh wave of disgust echoed through the room. Several house-elves fainted, and had to be revived by the others.
"Oh – right," said Ginny in embarrassment. "Well, perhaps you had better come and look at our plans, Kreacher." She moved towards the display, her ponytail bobbing to reveal a reddened neck.
"Right away Mistress!", croaked Kreacher eagerly. "Master, the Headmistress asked me to remind you that you were to send her a message about a meeting to be held here soon."
Harry nodded. "Thanks Kreacher – I'd forgotten that. Ginny – can you…" His voice trailed off as he saw that Ginny, surrounded by eager house-elves, was already explaining their plans. The display flickered with colour as her wand flashed over it, the house-elves nodding keenly as they listened attentively.
Sitting down at the now empty table, Harry scribbled a quick response to Professor McGonagall on a scrappy-looking piece of parchment he had found. Thanking her for the loan of the house-elves, he informed her of the date he had agreed with Ron and Hermione, and suggested appropriate people to attend.
Turning, he saw Ginny finishing her presentation with a flourish of her wand. The house elves burst into rapturous applause, and Ginny, flushing, gave a small curtsey. Clearing his throat, he called over, "Is anyone free to take this message-"
There was a small stampede and a forest of hands waved eagerly around Harry's knees. Ginny glanced over and laughed softly. "Now who's got them eating out of the palm of their hand?" Harry grinned back, surveying the seething mass of elves vying for attention in front of him.