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Bits & Bobs

A Caring Shoulder

Molly Weasley watched as her daughter hesitantly made her way over to their current summer guest, Harry Potter. With a mother's worried look, she hoped that he could help her after her ordeal of her first year.

"Hey Harry," Ginny said softly, having finally gathered up her courage to talk to her saviour.

"Hi, Ginny," Harry replied with a welcoming smile, glad that Ginny finally seemed to be getting over her shyness.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, she just hoped Harry didn't think badly of her.

"Can we talk?" Ginny asked, looking quite nervous.

"Sure," Harry replied, taking in how tired and worn Ginny looked. Glancing about, he noticed all the rest of the Weasley family nearby. Not that they were paying particular attention to them, he just thought from the way she was acting that maybe she'd prefer to have a little privacy.

"How about we walk down to the pond," he suggested.

Ginny noticed Harry glancing about and she breathed a sigh of relief. Partly because he had agreed to talk to her and partly because he seemed to realize she wanted to keep things private.

Molly smiled slightly as she watched Harry and Ginny walk off towards the pond. It quickly changed to a frown as she watched her youngest son scowl and begin to head after them.

"Ronald, would you please gather the dishes and take them into the house," she asked, using the tone that said he'd better not protest.

Though he scowled and glanced at where Harry and his sister had disappeared, he turned and began the task.

Harry and Ginny walked in silence down to the pond. Harry in deference to Ginny and Ginny in appreciation so that she could try and get her thoughts in order.

They sat down on a log bench that faced the pond and with a deep breath, Ginny hesitantly began to speak.

"I want, no need, to thank you for saving me," she said fervently. When Harry went to protest, she cut him off. Slowly she poured out all her feelings and apprehensions about her first year.

Harry listened intently and when she wound down he told her everything from his point of view. Together they spoke of what had happened and how much it had effected them.

Ginny was at first, very contrite about what she had done until Harry pointed out that Riddle had fooled wizards and witches much older and experienced than her.

Eventually they came to an understanding and though Ginny looked tired, for the first time since she had come out of the Chamber she looked at peace.

Harry felt his heart go out to her and he reached out, pulling her into his side, letting her rest her head on his shoulder.

With a satisfied smile, he knew that from that moment on she would always have a special place in his heart.