The next day everyone were working, babysitting or helping hunt for Bellatrix. Harry and Neville were among the searchers and put the most effort into finding her considering they both wanted revenge. Neville of course for his parents and Harry for Sirius and her attempts to get Rozy. Hermione and Ginny however, continued dress shopping. Hermione still had no idea what colour she wanted but she did know what style to look for. Draco had talked to her the night before at the Burrow quietly, away from the ears of Ginny, and convinced her to talk to Ginny about her relationship with Harry and find out her side. He didn't want to tell Hermione about what Harry had told him in confidence, but she had to understand why she had to talk to Ginny so much.
"He doubts their relationship?" asked a shocked Hermione the night before.
"Yes, he feels they can't trust each other enough to be in a relationship, he thinks his actions have led to this; her not trusting his love for her and him not able to trust she forgives him. Remind you of anyone?" said Draco
"Hmmm, well we were different; I at least showed I had forgiven you. Ginny is not going about this the right way, I've noticed her, she's not exactly sending Harry the right signals. Ok, I'll talk to her at the dress shop. I hope we find the dress today or we're going to have to take a Portkey to Scotland. I feel like we've looked at all the dresses in England," sighed Hermione. The next morning Hermione woke Ginny up and they left for the dress shop, while Draco went to work. Arthur went to the Ministry and informed them of Harry's hunt for Bellatrix. Molly and Charlie stayed with the children while Fleur and George went to work and Sammy and Bill helped Harry and Neville. Hannah had also gone to work.
At the dress shop Ginny was in the change room trying on her third dress and Hermione thought of a way to bring up the topic.
Ginny stepped out in a brown A-skirt dress and they admired it, both thinking the same; nice but not for Hermione's wedding and not to Ginny's taste.
"So Ginny, how are you and Harry doing?" asked Hermione slowly.
"Oh um, we're doing great. Just taking things slow, you know?" replied Ginny looking in the mirror at the dress and straightening the skirt. She was avoiding Hermione's look.
"I've been watching you two, I think you're taking things too slow Ginny. He's been back for what, a month? And you two have been on one date, and have just given each other a peck on the lips twice. It's like you don't want to be close to him," said Hermione
"How do you know we don't do stuff when you're not there?" defended Ginny
"He's my best friend, and he talks to Draco," said Hermione, "They're boys, they're going to talk about it," she added at Ginny's look.
"I just, I don't know. It's just weird, I love him and everything, but I look at him and see a different man. He's a father, been through a lot since he left, grew up without me. I just don't know what this Harry is like,"
"You think you're the exact same? He came back to you who had learned to live without him, gone out with Blaise, grew up. You both did, you can't put it all on him,"
"I'm not! Look, it's hard. I just don't know how to act," said Ginny looking at her feet
"Be the Ginny you are, he'll love you no matter what. You need to stop treating him like a friend and more like the boyfriend we both know you want him to be," said Hermione. She didn't want to see her two friends break up when she knew they were perfect for one another.
"I don't know...I think maybe we should just be friends for now. I mean I feel like we're forcing the relationship on each other,"
"Ginny, he feels like you don't forgive him for what he did, and I'm sorry to say but you're actions are making me agree with him. Especially that comment just there, do you forgive him or not?" demanded Hermione. If Ginny said she didn't she would be very upset with her friend.
"I do, but I don't," admitted Ginny, "I look at him and I immediately forgive him, he came back. But I can't help but look at Rozy and not forgive him, she's proof he left and moved on. I mean he even helped his ex get out of Azkaban when he could have let her stay there. I feel like he loves her and that Rozy is his only connection with her, while he has nothing with me," Hermione was speechless; she didn't know what to say to her friend. Did she really just admit that she looked at Rozy and couldn't forgive Harry?
"Seriously? Ginny, I honestly have no words for you, as for all I know I could offend you or upset you with what I'm feeling at the moment. Yes, Harry left, and he met a woman. May I remind you, it was to get over you! And she got pregnant, these things happen, and Harry found out and didn't want to let his child be raised as an orphan like himself. Then he got his ex out not because he loves her more than you, he probably loves her in some way since she is the mother of his daughter, but he got her out because she did nothing wrong. She was imprisoned for just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Harry may have disliked that woman when he was with her, but he didn't hate her even close enough to leave her wrongfully imprisoned. Ginny you have to think about things, because honestly you're not going to have the connection you want with Harry unless you become closer to him and become less distant. I've seen Harry and he's been making an effort. I heard he asked you to marry him, you said no. I understand that one, but you also refused to move in with him, and stay at the Burrow while the houses are under the Fidelius charm. I don't understand you Ginny," explained Hermione. Ginny stood looking at her best girlfriend in slight shock, Hermione had never begun an argument with her before, and this was not something she expected. Perhaps it was just the stress of the wedding, because Ginny didn't see why Hermione had to get so involved in her love life.
"I'm trying on one more dress then leaving. I can make my own decisions Hermione, I don't need you breathing down my neck about my relationship with Harry, it's not your relationship," snapped Ginny. She walked into the change room and came out five minutes later. Whether it was just to get over the stress of shopping or her honest opinion but Ginny liked the dress she was wearing, and Hermione agreed. It was neither red nor green, so brought no thought of Hogwarts to their mind. It was a floor length black poly chiffon dress with off the shoulder straps. Its skirt just flowed to the ground, it didn't fluff out, but was fitted and complimented Ginny's body very well.
"Ok, this is the dress!" squeaked Hermione excitedly putting their conversation behind them for a few minutes, "So now I have my colour for the wedding, ivory and black. Keeps the groomsmen dress robes nice and simple, no need to get questionable colours for their robes. Well, now just have to choose Fleur, Sammy, Victoire and Rozy's bridesmaid and flower girl dresses," said Hermione. She informed the woman working in the store that they wanted to purchase that dress, and it was kept in the shop for them to return a month before the wedding for a dress fitting, to make sure it still fit. Hermione and Ginny left without speaking as they both remembered their previous conversation, "Ginny, don't be mad at me. I'm just thinking about yours and Harry's best interest. I don't want to see you both hurt," Ginny continued walking and then Apparated away to find her father in order to get into the Burrow. Hermione Apparated to Draco's work. Draco worked in the Ministry in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes as an Obliviator. She knocked on his office door and he invited her in.
"Hello? Oh hi 'Mione!" he said happily as he stood up and kissed her, "how was dress shopping with Ginny?"
"It was a success, in the dress, not so much with the talk. She's not speaking to me now," said Hermione sadly.
"Well, let's get the dress bit out the way. What's the theme colour then?" smiled Draco
"Oh, it's black. Nice and simple, easy to get dresses for anyone, it's a very flattering dress, and it's not got a ball gown waist line or anything, which I didn't want because I don't want it too close to my dress," smiled Hermione hinting to what her dress looked like. No one else knew, just her and Ginny, and even Ginny didn't really know as she tried it on in white which was very different to the ivory dress she was getting.
"Ah nice. So sit down and tell me what happened," said Draco pulling out a chair for her. He leant on the desk and listened to Hermione's description of what happened, "So she's jealous of the ex and resents Rozy?" asked a shocked Draco
"Well who wouldn't be jealous of the ex, we all saw a picture of her, but Harry doesn't love her. However, what really shocks me is the whole thing with Rozy, we've seen her interacting with Rozy yet she resents her, it's not exactly fair is it?" said Hermione
"Yeah, I mean she is-" Draco had to stop himself because he almost let slip to Hermione the parentage of Rozy. This was one thing Harry left out in his explanation to Bellatrix's return, he just informed them that Dumbledore was interested in her and had joined forces with Bellatrix, thus making her hunt his child, "I mean she is just a child, can't exactly help that she's the daughter of Harry and another woman. But also, the fact Ginny can't forgive him is not what I expected. I mean he came back in the end, and if anyone deserves to be forgiven it's him. He left for us all and had a lonely life just to keep us safe. What you think we should do?"
"I think we need to stay out of this and let them work it out, I don't want to meddle especially since Ginny is pissed at me," replied Hermione. Hermione went to her office and went through some mail and did some paperwork before the end of the work day. She and Draco met and then went to find Arthur and go to the Burrow. Upon arriving there they Flooed to Harry's home and talked about their days and any leads in finding Bellatrix. The children were put to bed and Hermione noticed that Harry was always looking around at people entering the house or walking into the room, waiting for Ginny, who didn't show up all night.
"Hermione, I told Draco but I need your advice, what should I do about Ginny? I came to a decision, but I don't know if it's the right one," Harry said sadly. Hermione hadn't seen her best friend look so vulnerable since he didn't know what to do after Sirius' death.
"I don't know Harry. What were you going to do?" asked Hermione stalling.
"I was going to ask her to move in, she said to wait until I thought it felt right, and I think it does. I feel it would prove to her I love her, and if she said yes then it proves she wants to be with me," said Harry. Hermione glanced at Draco and they both thought the same thing, would Ginny say yes?
"So what happens if she doesn't think she's ready?" asked Draco
"I tell her that I don't think we're ready for a relationship," replied Harry.
The days went by and nobody had caught Bellatrix, she'd been spotted but had eluded capture. As everyone searched and took shifts, Hermione and Draco worried about Harry and Ginny's relationship as Ginny had not shown up in the days after their conversation. They didn't see her at the Burrow or at Harry's. No one knew what had happened and asked questions however Harry avoided the topic. As the days went by he became more insecure about his relationship. Finally Draco had had enough, he was not close with Ginny but he felt like he owed talking to her for Harry. He went up to her room and knocked, although they hadn't seen her they knew she was in her room. There was no answer so Draco knocked louder
"Ginny, I need to talk to you!" he called. For five minutes he banged on the door when finally Ginny answered
"What?" she snapped
"We need to talk," was all Draco said as he pushed his way past her into her room, "why haven't you been out helping? Or even visiting anyone?"
"None of your business," Ginny said coldly.
"Fine, well let me tell you this. Harry is a great guy and yes he left and hurt us all but since being back all he's done is try and make everyone happy. Would you be happy if the love of your life avoided you and didn't show any love to you? I wouldn't think so. Do you want to end your relationship with him?"
"No I don't but I'm also not ready,"
"Then it will end. Believe me, he doesn't want to end it but if you don't talk to him then he will. He doubts your relationship because you can't trust each other. He doesn't trust you forgive him and you don't trust that he loves you. And from what you told Hermione you don't forgive him. So I would say it would be his best decision to end you two," Ginny stared at Draco in a slight daze
"He- he wants to break up with me?"
"No he doesn't want to, but he believes it could be the best choice until both of you are ready. Because you're obviously not," replied Draco, "Look Ginny, I know it's hard to see him here especially with a child but all those years we thought he was dead? Well we got a second chance with him, you got a second chance. You cried all those years and gave up on love, well the very person you had loved and lost is back giving you a chance at it again, and you're throwing it all away because you can't get past his absence," Ginny sat in silence, she had no reply, "that's all I wanted to say. Hermione and I don't want you two to ruin your second chance so please just think about it and whatever you decide I hope you're both happy with it,"
Draco stood up and left Ginny thinking on top of her bed. She didn't leave that night and the next morning Harry talked to Hermione.
"'Mione I need your advice. I need to talk to Ginny but she's avoiding me, and I need to get these feelings off my chest. I need to tell her what I feel and what I think we should do," said Harry
"I don't know what to say Harry, I've talked to her and she seems just as torn as you to be honest," admitted Hermione. Harry looked saddened and picked up Rozy from her high chair and changed her out of her pyjamas. Just as Harry was about to leave to go out and help Blaise and Neville search for Bellatrix he looked up and Ginny was standing in the doorway. She waved awkwardly and said to Harry that they needed to talk.
"You guys go on without me, I'll meet you at the Ministry later," Harry told Blaise who nodded. He and Neville Apparated out and Harry led Ginny out to the back of the back garden, "So, you're back to visiting?"
"Yeah, umm I'm sorry I've not been around. I've just been spending time thinking to myself," replied Ginny.
"Oh I see, well what do you want to talk about? What do you want to say to me? Because I know what I want to say to you," Harry said with a hint of resentment in his voice.
"I love you Harry, and I want to be with you. But this is hard ok, you came back and it wasn't as hard for you because you knew all along that you were alive. I however, look at you and its hard because I believed you were dead, I found your body. But not only did you come back from the dead, but you came back with a child, making it even harder to put your disappearance behind me. I've been trying to put it behind me and just try and be normal, but it's hard. I lost so much in the war, I lost Fred, you and Ron. And after the war I saw everyone else moving on, Hermione dating Draco, mum looking after Teddy, Percy marrying Penelope, George and Sammy getting married and having Harry and Fred, Bill and Fleur having Victoire and Peter, and I even tried moving on with Blaise. It didn't work, I was damaged forever, and you return and I was happy, I thought I could be put back together, no longer damaged. I'm not fixed though, I'm still broken and even you can't fix me, you're soothing the pain though, but Rozy is salt in my wounds. I love her, I really do, but I can't help but see her mother in her face and feel like you chose that life over me, you only came back when she left you, when you had no one else," Ginny spoke without Harry interrupting her
"So what are you saying?" said Harry quietly
"I'm saying I need you to talk to me, tell me what to do," said Ginny
"I can't tell you what to do Ginny, that's your decision. All I'm going to say is that I didn't choose that life over you. I chose that life, an incomplete, unhappy life over returning to the wizarding world where I was nothing but a famous name. I grew up neglected, through the fault of Dumbledore's, I came to the wizarding world and I was just seen as a famous name no one cared to get to know me. As I recall Ginny the only reason you liked me was because of my name, the story behind me, then because I saved your life. I never got used to being known by everyone, then I was hated by everyone for becoming a fourth champion, 'wanting more fame', and then I was crazy, I was telling lies about Voldemort for more attention. I didn't care much about that, I was used to that at the Dursley's. When the final Battle came I overheard Ron and Dumbledore, and it was then I decided I'd had enough, I wanted to disappear. Look at it from my perspective Ginny, the two people I trusted with my life were plotting to have me killed, how could I trust anyone? It was like Sirius and Lupin again, neither of them trusted their best friend because they didn't know who the spy was. I loved you Ginny, you, Hermione, all the Weasleys, but who could I trust? No one. So I disappeared, it was selfish yes. But I couldn't stand it, I wanted to no longer exist, and with me dead people would move on. Dumbledore, Ron and whoever else got what they wanted. I wasn't going to live my life alone though was I? I was going to find something to occupy my time, so I found a woman. She was nothing compared to you, and I wanted to go back to you, but how could I? I was dead, and you could have been helping Ron, so I endured my loneliness with this woman so I wouldn't cause myself more pain. I came back only because I had no one there, I had been alone six months, and I came back when Neville found me. He told me what was happening back here, and from what they said only Ron and Dumbledore were against me, so I returned, with my own daughter. If you feel so strongly about me having a child and it not being with you then we can't be a couple Ginny. If you want me then you take Rozy too, and you love us both, if you can't love Rozy and accept her then we should move on," explained Harry. Ginny stood in silence and stared at him, "Now, as I've wanted to say to you for the past few days but you weren't here; I feel it is the right time to ask you this. Ginevra Molly Weasley, will you move in with me?"
"You feel this is the right time?" questioned Ginny
"If you say yes then it proves you can look past my previous decisions and we can begin again, and by me asking I'm showing you how much I care about you. We basically lived together for seven years, in Hogwarts, and the Burrow. We'll just be in the same room; we can be a proper couple. We could go on dates, go out with Hermione and Draco. What d'you say?" said Harry
"Ummm. Ok why not? Shall we wait until you catch Bellatrix though? Or when do you want to do this?" said Ginny with a smile.
"Tonight, I want you to move in tonight. I'll ask everyone if they could possibly stay at the Burrow tonight and we'll move you in," said Harry happily, "You're fine with Rozy then?"
"Yes, she has more of you in her anyway," replied Ginny. He pulled her into a hug and spun her round, and kissed her. It was a kiss like they hadn't experienced in years. It was better than the kiss he gave her when he first came back, it reminded him very much of the kiss they shared on his seventeenth birthday. 'A kiss as potent as firewhisky' was how he described it all those years ago. Ten minutes later they returned to the Cottage holding hands and smiling.
"Sort everything out then?" smiled Hermione. Ginny nodded and picked up Rozy and gave her a big hug.
"Can she walk yet?" she asked Harry
"She hasn't shown any signs of it yet, but I feel like she will soon. She can do things faster than normal children. Orphanage told me some stories. Why?" he asked her
"Well, I was thinking, if she can walk then why doesn't she be a flower girl in your wedding Hermione?"
"All the children will be. I need to go out and find dresses though, and then get Fleur and Harry out to help me fit them. I will also be finding the boys' suits as I don't trust Draco to do that," said Hermione throwing a glare at Draco.
"Hey, you're not exactly giving me anything to be responsible for. You're just assuming I won't do it right and you can't trust me. It hurts 'Mione, that truly hurts," pouted Draco jokingly.
"Well fine, you can be in charge of the bar," replied Hermione. Draco glanced at Harry and smirked. Hermione probably just gave the worst possible job to a man. However, Harry couldn't help be excited at what this wedding was going to turn out like.
"Well I should probably go. Hermione you're fine with Rozy?" he asked her. All the other children had gone to the Burrow for the day and Rozy stayed at home because Harry felt there was a bit too much excitement with all the other children around.
"Sure, you wouldn't mind if I maybe took her out looking at dresses would you?" asked Hermione
"Ummm," Harry said unsurely, with Bellatrix out on the loose she might come across Hermione and Rozy, "Uhhh, well I wouldn't mind, but I'm just unsure..." no one knew Rozy's parentage and Harry didn't want to let it slip.
"Why don't you wait until Harry's back to do that Hermione? I mean with Bellatrix out there she might be looking for anything or anyone she could use against him, you and Rozy would be a perfect target," interrupted Draco. Harry looked at Draco in thanks and Hermione understood. Harry then left the Cottage with Hermione and Ginny, while Draco ran out after him.
"Thanks for that Draco," said Harry.
"No problem, I wouldn't want her out there at the moment anyway, Bellatrix knows I'm on this side now and that I'm with her. I don't want Hermione killed because of me," replied Draco, "So you and Ginny sorted things out?"
"Oh, yeah. She's moving in tonight, so everyone will be staying at the Burrow tonight, you don't mind babysitting Rozy do you?" asked Harry
"Nope, I'd be happy to help out. So you two going to...?" he winked
"That, is none of your business. However, yes I think I'm going to try. Had a moment in the garden, reminded me of when I was seventeen. When did we all get so old?" laughed Harry.
"We're not that old Potter, we've all just been through more than the average teenager and twenty year old's have gone through," he smiled darkly. It was true, most teenagers in the Muggle world went through relationship issues, and school with the drama of friendships. Harry, Draco and everyone in the wizarding world had gone through so much more. Harry and Draco especially. Harry being the Chosen One, and Draco going against his whole family to be on the good side and murdering his father to protect Hermione. They reached the end of the garden and both Apparated to the Ministry, Draco went to his office, and Harry went to Blaise's. He hadn't reached it yet, when he was ambushed by Blaise, Neville and George (who had evidently joined after Blaise and Neville had left).
"We found her! She's holding Muggles hostage and demanding you go to her. We tried interfering and capturing her, but she's got a family, there are children. She won't harm them unless we attempt to intervene," said Neville angrily.
"Quickly, go get Draco, he can Obliviate the Muggles when we get them back safely. Neville you and I will go, we have to end her now," said Harry as he grabbed Neville's arm and Neville Apparated them to Bellatrix's whereabouts. George and Blaise ran to Draco's office and appeared beside Harry moments later.
"Hello again Potter, ah and my nephew Draco, how lovely to see you. Oh and look, it's Longbottom, why isn't this a lovely reunion," cackled Bellatrix Lestrange from the roof of a three story house, with a Muggle mother and child floating above her, and a father and another child unconscious beside her.
R&R everyone.