Harry and Ginny: A Love Story
Chapter 21: Revelations
Ron woke up and immediately bound out of bed. He was eager to get down stairs and check the Sunday Prophet, today was the day when the Essay Contest winner was to be named in the paper.
He had dreamt last night of reading the headline "Sunday 14th July 1996, Ronald Weasley Winner of Essay contest and 100 Galleons". Not very creative, he knew but it was the information that was important to him, not the wording.
Dressing quickly so he didn't need to come back up to his room later, he flew down the stairs. "Mum, Mum! Is the Prophet here yet?" he asked eagerly.
"Not yet, Ronald," she said with a sigh. She had seen his anxiety building as the week progressed and she was worried about his reaction if he didn't win. To her the odds seemed stacked against him and though Hermione had been very supportive of his effort, she knew the reality of the situation.
Ron was extremely anxious and for once wasn't eating like there was no tomorrow and just picking at the food on his plate. He and Molly were joined by Hermione after a short while and she smiled encouragingly at him.
He tried to smile back but found his stomach was tied in knots, making the smile more of a grimace than anything else. Hermione shared a covert smile with Molly as she served the bushy-haired witch her breakfast.
"So Hermione," Molly asked, hoping to prepare Ron for possible disappointment, "How many entrants do they usually get for these contests?"
"Well nothing like the numbers the Muggle newspapers get, especially over the summer. I think last years contest had about one hundred entries," Hermione said brightly.
Molly noticed Ron pale a little at hearing that there was probably one hundred entries. "I guess the winning entries are usually very well written."
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley, but this contest is limited by age group as well, they run a different one for the older kids later in the summer," Hermione replied as she took another bite of her eggs.
Ron's eyes kept flitting to the window, an expectant look on his features. They noticed when his eyes widened and he bolted up out of his chair, "Here comes an owl, Mum. I bet that's it," he said with a tight voice.
"Relax, Ronald. They've already made their decision, now you just need to find out what it was," she said sympathetically.
Ron paced back and forth several times, staring at the owl every time he passed the window, as if he could will the owl to fly faster.
Hermione found it a bit strange that when the owl landed on the windowsill, Ron seemed reluctant to approach it. It fell to Molly to retrieve the paper from the delivery owl. She gave it a friendly ruffle of it's neck feathers before it turned and flew away.
She took the paper and offered it to Ron, who shook his head, "Give it to Hermione," he said softly.
Cocking an eyebrow, Molly looked at his askance before turning back to Hermione and handing her the paper.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione slowly unrolled the paper to the front page.
Neither Ron nor Molly was prepared for Hermione's reaction. She got a stunned look on her face and just sat there staring at the paper for several moments.
"Hermione!" Ron cried out, "You're killing me here," he said anxiously.
"I can't believe it," she whispered softly, still staring at the paper in disbelief.
"What?" Ron said, quite annoyed at her, grabbing the paper from her hands.
Molly watched him read the front page and just as Hermione had he stared with a bewildered look on his face. "You're bloody kidding me," he said lowly.
Molly was very perplexed now, and she took the paper from Ron's passive hands. She couldn't help herself and she began to chuckle, in a big block centred on the front page that read, "Luna Lovegood, Grand Prize winner of Essay Contest with her paper entitled "The Crumpled-Horned Snorkack, Myth or Reality." Unnoticed by all was the small print at the bottom that read, "Additional information on page three".
Hermione looked worriedly at Ron, but after a moment he began to chuckle, "Can you believe that Hermione?" he said with a small grin on his face.
Hermione couldn't contain herself, shaking her head she said, "No, I can't believe the judges picked that paper."
Ron looked wistful and went into the Parlour. Hermione followed him to offer him some support. "I'm sorry Ron, I thought your paper was excellent. I can't believe that, that, paper over yours," she said softly.
"Ron made his way over to the couch in front of the fireplace, and looking down reached and picked up a scrawny rat that was curled up sleeping. "There you are Scabbers, I wondered where you had gotten to," he said as he sat down rather heavily.
Out in the Kitchen, Molly took the paper and placed it at Arthur's place, before turning to start the breakfasts of those who were not down yet. Unseen by her a piece of parchment slipped out from the centre of the paper and floated to the floor underneath the table.
Arthur, the Twins and Harry and Ginny were just sitting down to eat when there came a knock at the door.
"I wonder who that could be?" Arthur said, questioningly as he looked at Molly.
Harry glanced at the elder Weasley's, "Should I go upstairs?"
"It might be advisable, Harry," Arthur said.
As Harry got up, Ginny joined him, "You don't need to come with me, stay and eat your breakfast," he said to her.
Ginny just gave him a disdainful look, clearly saying non-verbally, "Yeah, Right. Like that's going to happen."
They quickly made there way over to the stairs but Ginny halted Harry when they had gone up five steps. He had to smile at her as she grinned at him impishly, "We can stay here and hear what's said in the kitchen without being seen," she sent.
Harry had had to cover his mouth with his hand as he almost burst out laughing.
Arthur opened the door, to find a smallish, pudgy man with a bright blue Bowler and a badge pinned to his robes that read "PRESS".
"You must be the young lad's father," he said jovially. "Glad to meet you, you must be so proud, wonderful boy, really."
"I have six sons," Arthur said guardedly.
"Six!" why you must have an amazing wife, simply amazing. Well I'm here to see Ronald," he said affably, the smile never leaving his rotund face.
"May I ask what this pertains to?" Arthur asked, questioningly.
"Didn't you get this mornings paper, there should have been a notice inside," the man said. "Most unusual, highly irregular," he muttered. "Well I'm Bartholomew Persimmons, Photographer for the Prophet. I'm here because of Ronald's essay entry."
Molly looked at him, frowning. "I thought Luna Lovegood was the winner?"
"Well, yes. She is the Grand Prize winner. Just been to see her, most delightful young lady, a bit peculiar, but delightful just the same," the photographer said.
By now Ron and Hermione were standing in the doorway to the parlour, listening intently, Ron still holding onto the sleeping Scabbers.
From her vantage point, Hermione spied the piece of parchment under the table. "Excuse me, Mrs. Weasley, there appears to be something under the table on the floor."
Molly pulled her wand, "Accio parchment" she cast. The paper flew out from under the table and into her hand. She read it quickly, and handed it to Arthur.
"Well, there you have it," Persimmons said with a smile, a minor mystery solved, eh? Now could we please get going, I have several more stops to make before I'm done."
"Mum, what's going on?" Ron asked.
"Well, I'm here to take your picture for tomorrows paper, you being one of the winners and all," the little round man said, hoping to speed things along.
"Winner? I thought Luna was the Winner?" he said in confusion.
"Yes, yes, she was the Grand Prize winner, but your essay took first place in the sports category. I know it isn't as good as winner the whole thing, but I'd have thought 25 Galleons would be welcome by a young lad such as yourself."
Ron's eyes bugged out, "25 Galleons!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, yes," Persimmons said bit exasperatedly. "Now I really just need to get your picture and I can be on my way," he said hopefully.
Hermione was beaming at Ron, her face almost split in half by her smile. "Ron, this is wonderful," she said happily.
"Yes, Yes, Please, I have a schedule to keep," pleaded the little man.
Molly was of course all in a dither, running around the table and trying to straighten Ron's shirt and hair.
"Geroff, Mum," he said annoyingly.
"Where would you like to take the picture?" Arthur said, sympathetically to the photographer.
The man smiled at Arthur gratefully, "How about right out here on the porch?" the man suggested, moving out the door that way.
Hermione gave Ron a little shove, and he made his way out side. Everyone there, with the exception of Harry and Ginny, followed them outside. The photographer placed Ron against the side of the house and backed away.
"Ron! Your Rat!" Molly yelled out, frowning at him.
The photographer rolled his eyes as Ron said, "Is it okay if Scabbers is in the picture?"
"Yes, yes, anything to get it taken," the poor overwhelmed man said.
Ron placed Scabbers on his shoulder and looked at the camera, smiling widely. The photographer snapped the picture and sighed in relief, "Next year they had better send Middleton, because I'm never going to do this again," he muttered under his breath.
As the flash went off, the usually comatose Scabbers suddenly jumped up off of Ron's shoulder, made a high pitched squeaking noise and scampered into the house, puncturing the skin on Ron's shoulder as he did so.
"Oww, Scabbers, what the bloody . . . ."
"Ronald Weasley, watch your language," Molly said hotly.
The little photographer ran forward and placed a small pouch into Ron's hand, "Your winnings, and I must really be going," he said as he quickly made his departure.
"Well done, son," Arthur said with a smile.
Molly came over and began to fuss over him again, "Oh Ronald, this is so wonderful," she simpered.
Ron was smiling a mile wide until he saw the looks on the Twins faces and he knew he was going to be in for it.
"Would you like anything Ronald," Molly asked.
"Well, I'd really like some more breakfast," he said as his stomach growled.
XX HP + GW XX
Alastor Moody clumped his way back up the drive to Hogwarts, complaining again at having to walk. "No wonder I never want to come here," He growled to himself lowly. "Albus should have figured that out by now. He is supposed to be the smartest Wizard alive."
Somehow he wasn't surprised to see Albus standing in the entrance to the castle, an expectant look on his face. Mad-Eye smiled as he looked at the Ancient Wizard, "This is going to be good," he said to himself.
"Alastor, how good to see you, I hope you have good news for me," Albus said hopefully.
"Not here Albus!" he growled, shaking his head.
"Of course," Albus said, though he wished the old ex-auror would just tell him, he knew that he wouldn't thought, his obsession with secrecy not allowing anything approaching unguarded talking to take place.
Albus waited, not so patiently as they made their way to his office, Moody whistling a happy little tune the whole time.
As they took their seats, Albus said, "You seem quite pleased, Alastor."
"And why wouldn't I be, I found your wayward student," he said smugly.
Albus' eyes lit up, almost fiendishly, a look that Moody did not think boded well as far as Harry was concerned.
"Well where is he?" Albus said impatiently.
"Calm yourself Dumbledore," Moody chided him, "What's gotten into you?" he asked with a frown on his face.
"Sorry," Albus said contritely, "I've just been so worried about Harry's well being."
"Yeah, right," Mad-Eye said to himself.
"Well you can relax, Albus. He's safe and sound, and from the looks of it happy where he's at," Alastor said lowly, watching Albus closely to gage his reaction.
"Are you sure?" the headmaster asked fervently, his eyes shining brightly again.
"Quite sure Albus."
"Well where is he Alastor?" Dumbledore pressed.
"He's at the Burrow," Moody said evenly.
Albus' eyes widened slightly in surprise and then took on a slight look of betrayal. "The Burrow you say?" he said softly, though there was an edge of anger hidden in the tone.
"Aye, and once I found him there I did a little digging at the Ministry," he said stoically.
"What did you find out," Albus said a bit testily.
"That it's all nice and legal, Albus," Moody said, satisfactorily.
"Well, yes, I wouldn't think Arthur and Molly would be involved in anything nefarious," Albus said, trying to sound like he was happy that Harry was where he was.
"Well, I'll be off then, just deposit my fee in my account at Gringott's like usual," Mad-Eye said as he rose.
"Where are you off too, old friend?" Albus asked inquisitively.
Alastor just smiled and waved his hand, "I'm off to see a friend," he said as his thoughts turned to the Three Broomsticks and Rosmerta.
Albus had already dismissed the old Ex-Auror by the time he reached the spiral stairs, thinking hard on how he would be able to recover Harry from the Weasleys. It pained him that they were involved and hadn't had the courtesy to notify him of the fact. Yes, the Weasleys would warrant watching from now on, ex-Order Members or not.
Getting Harry back would take careful planning and he'd need some help, not much but some, maybe one or two at most. Alastor was out, he wouldn't take part in something that he questioned.
"Yes," he said to himself, "Nymphadora could be coerced into helping, not directly of course, but she could help provide a distraction and Mundungus. Yes he was just the person to help with something like this, and he could probably keep Harry on ice for a while till things died down a little. If planned right, the Weasleys wouldn't even know that he was involved.
And when? That was the question, "Ah," he said out loud, Harry's birthday is approaching, that will be perfect.
He smiled smugly and began drafting his note to Nymphadora, it needed to be worded carefully, quite carefully.
XX HP + GW XX
Minerva was sitting down to lunch when an owl came knocking at the window. She knew it must be personal because most regular owls went to the kitchen where the elves would handle it.
Rising she went and opened the window, the owl deposited its burden, a small scroll, and immediately flew off. It took her a moment till she thought she recognized the owl, she was pretty sure it was Rosmerta's, but she couldn't think of any reason the the Inn owner would be writing her, especially a personal communiqué.
She chuckled once she broke the seal on the scroll and saw Mad-Eye's scrawl. "He knows," was all it said.
Smiling she looked thoughtful, "Steps would need to be taken, because if it was one thing she knew, it was that Albus Dumbledore wasn't going to take this laying down. He was sure to make some type of attempt to get Harry back under his control.
She went into her study and sat down to write a letter, She would go and tell the Weasley's in person, but she wanted Aberforth to know as soon as possible, so that he'd be aware to be on the look out for anything at all concerning his brother. If anyone could read Albus with the minutest of clues it was Ab.
The letter done, she read it over and smiled, if intercepted no one would be able to understand it's true meaning.
Dear One,
The Friar has his Ale and you need to listen to him carefully because he knows about it.
We'll be getting together as soon as the moon rises bright and clear but I'll be so blue by then.
Take care, till we are once again searching for that which can not be found,
Boots
Minerva knew that it was unlikely that anyone could figure out the message, the Friar was of course Ab's brother, the ale was a word that was a misnomer, "he knows," told Ab that Albus knew about Harry and the listen was to pay attention to see iof he heard anything.
The moon referenced the full moon and she was blue because it was the second one in July, the day before Harry's birthday, when they were all planning to get together again.
She walked out into the Grand Hallway and called out "Banter!"
Immediately her Senior House elf appeared, "Yes Mistress, what's may I do's for you?"
She handed him the letter to Aberforth, "I need you to deliver this right away."
Banter bowed and in a moment he was gone. She quickly went and gathered a few things she wanted to take with her. Molly kept saying just to drop in and she was going to test that out right now.
Going to the Floo, she took a pinch of powder and casting into the grate, she said "The Burrow" and with a flash of green flames, she was gone.
XX HP + GW XX
Ron was sitting in the Parlour alone. Hermione had gone upstairs and the Twins were outside somewhere working on another one of the onerous projects that Molly had them doing as punishment.
Percy was up in his room, probably rereading the Ministry manual for the hundredth time. Harry and Ginny were ensconced in Ginny's room again, doing Godric knows what. He wasn't quite sure where his Mum was but he was sure his Dad was out in the shed playing with his Muggle stuff, his favourite Sunday afternoon activity.
Ron was looking at the illustrations in the family Medi-text. If one knew where to look, there were drawings of nude women, though usually just the torso, but sometimes with a head or limbs.
He was quite enamoured with staring at the drawing when the Floo flared and Professor McGonagall came through.
He was so surprised that he sat bolt upright, eyes bugged out and he screamed out a choked, AHHH!"
It took him a moment before he could collect himself, "I'll go find Mum," he said shakily and hurried from the room. Minerva glanced at the text that Ron had left open on the couch next to him and she had to chuckle at having caught him doing something that he would be mortified to know that she knew what he was doing.
Molly came bustling into the Parlour a moment later, "Minerva, how nice to see you, just popping round or is something else going on?"
"I came to let you know that Albus knows where Harry is," she said calmly.
Molly nodded, "Well the cat's out of the bag, so to speak," she said with a smile. "Won't you stay for a bit?" she asked.
"I don't mind if I do," Minerva answered.
As Molly turned to go back into the kitchen, Minerva said, "Maybe you should have Ron come put his book away," her voice laced with merriment.
Molly glanced at the open book and rolled her eyes, "I'm pretty sure he's not considering a career as a Medi-Wizard. It seems all the boys went through a stage when they were interested in "medicine"."
Minerva couldn't help but laugh with Molly, "I'm sure, "medicine" can be so interesting at their age."
Molly led the way to the kitchen where they found Ron getting a drink, "Ronald, you need to go put away the textbook you left open on the couch," Molly said, her lips quivering as she tried hard not to laugh.
Minerva almost lost it when Ron choked on the drink he was taking, spraying quite a bit across the counter as he turned a bright red. "Yes, Mum," he squeaked out as he hurried from the room.
"Molly, that was cruel," Minerva said with a grin.
"Cruel, no. Evil, maybe," Molly replied, starting the water for tea.
They were just sitting down when they heard thundering steps on the stairs, "Aunt Minerva!" Harry and Ginny cried coming into the room. "We thought we heard you," they said as they came over and hugged her.
"Well this is some reception," Minerva said happily.
"We just missed you, that's all," Ginny said.
Harry looked at her with a smile, "How's your friend Aberforth?"
Minerva was a little surprised by Harry's question, "He's fine, thank you for asking. Why the interest?" she asked with a smile.
Harry shrugged, "No reason really, I was just wondering, that's all. He seemed kind of nice, a lot different from Professor Dumbledore."
"Yes, he is a lot different than the Headmaster," Minerva agreed.
Ginny was getting Harry some juice when Arthur came into the kitchen, he smiled at the assemblage of people there and felt good about how well everyone got a long. He had been busy with his job at the Ministry and working late. Today was the first time he had what he considered enough free time too have the "Talk" with Harry.
Molly caught his eye and she seemed to realize Arthur's intention and she nodded her approval. With Minerva here to help occupy Ginny, it seemed the perfect opportunity.
"Harry, I was hoping you'd come out and help me in the shed for a bit," he said with a smile.
"Okay, Mr. Weasley," Harry replied, getting up from his chair.
Ginny made to get up too, but her Mum, stopped her, "Why don't you stay here and talk with me and Minerva," she said with a smile.
Now Ginny may have been only eleven, but she wasn't a dummy, "Brace yourself, Harry," she sent with a grin.
She felt Harry's mood change and sensed he was a little apprehensive but also a feeling a little excited about the prospect of learning something that he considered important. He and Ginny had discussed in general terms about what Ginny had gained from her talk with her Mum and he felt that anything that would help him in making life better for him and Ginny was something he wanted to learn about.
"I'll be waiting for you to get back, and don't worry, Dad isn't going to bite your head off."
"Ha, ha," Harry sent back. "I know that." He was a little surprised when Arthur grabbed several bottles of Butterbeer as they headed out. "Well this should be interesting," he said.
Ginny watched him go and as soon as he and her father were out side she turned to the two adults and said, "What are we doing for Harry's birthday?"
"I though we'd just do what we normally do for any of you kid's birthdays," Molly said.
Ginny shook her head, "No Mum, I think we need to do something special, Harry has never celebrated his birthday before. I want it to be really special and I think we need to be prepared in case Harry becomes overwhelmed," Ginny said seriously, looking from her Mum to Minerva.
Molly and Minerva were shocked by Ginny's revelation, it was just one of those little details that they hadn't thought of, "You're right Ginny," Minerva said, looking at Molly. "We need to make this one special birthday to let Harry know just how much he means to all of us and what a loving family does."
Ginny then looked a little sad, "I need to get him something special too, I just don't know what."
"Well you have some time to think about it, in the mean time, why don't we discuss what we'd like to do for his birthday dinner," Molly said, hoping to ease Ginny's worry.
Ginny smiled, "Okay, first off, we need a cake, a really big chocolate cake," she said with a smile. "And treacle tart for pudding, it's his favourite."
Minerva had to laugh at the intensity with which Ginny spoke, the look of determination she had was simply amazing. "What do you suggest for the decorations?" she asked genially.
Ginny smiled at her, "Quidditch themes, maybe a Snitch cake Mum, could you do that?"
Molly smiled at her daughter, "I think that could be arranged," she replied.
The three of them then began to hammer out the details of Harry's "First Birthday Party."
XX HP + GW XX
Arthur and Harry made there way to Arthur's sanctum, his shed full of his muggle items. Harry had been here before helping Arthur identify some of the more obscure, (to Arthur) items.
Today though he pulled out a stool, "Have a seat, Harry." he said with a smile.
As Harry sat, Arthur popped open two of the butterbeers and handed one to Harry. "Here, give this a try and let me know what you think about it."
Harry cautiously sniffed the bottle and found the aroma very pleasing, smiling at Arthur he tipped the bottle to his lips and took a small sip. "He found the taste very enjoyable, it had a wonderful flavour of butterscotch, with hints of vanilla. It was sweet without being overly so and it had a slick, buttery feel and after taste. All in all he found it quite pleasing and he smiled at Arthur as he took a bigger sip.
Arthur smiled at him, "You approve, I take it?"
"Umm humm," Harry indicated while taking another sip.
"Glad you like it," Arthur said with a smile. "It's been kind of a tradition of the Weasleys for the father to give their sons their first butterbeer. I hope you don't mind that I included you in that tradition?"
"Not at all Arthur," Harry said softly.
Arthur smiled, that had been the first time he had referred to him as Arthur since the trouble about the sleeping arrangements had started. Not letting that side-track him, Arthur proceeded.
"The other part of the tradition is that the butterbeer is usually given when the father and the son have the dreaded "Talk"," Arthur said with a grin at Harry.
Harry liked the easy manner with which Arthur was talking to him.
"From my understanding, it can be a very trying time for many fathers and sons and I'll admit the first couple of times when I had this talk with Bill and Charlie, is was a bit nervous. That being said, I also knew that what I was telling them would have a huge impact on their future relationships with members of the opposite sex."
Arthur then looked appraisingly at Harry, "In some respects much of what I told them doesn't apply to you Harry, but then again, much will be doubly important to you, all because of your Bonding with Ginny."
He paused to take a sip of his butterbeer, before continuing. "What do you know about the act of sex, Harry? Don't be bashful, it's just you and me here and what we say will never be discussed outside the walls of this shed."
Harry took a deep breath, and though anxious, he felt comfortable with talking to Arthur. "Well I think I understand the basics. Seamus had some Muggle magazines he smuggled into the dorms."
Arthur couldn't help but smile, "Yes, well while somewhat instructive on the mechanics of sex but there is a lot more to it than that. "I'm sure then that you know that "Tab A, goes into Slot B and so on, correct?"
"Yes sir," Harry replied softly.
Arthur smiled at the young boy, correction, young man, he said to himself. He reached up to a shelf over his work bench and among the myriad of manuals and catalogues, he pulled down a somewhat battered blue leather bound book.
"I'd like you to take this and read it Harry, it will explain a lot of things much better than I could, but I also want you to know, that information is really about the sex part of a relationship. I hope you realize that there is a lot more to it than that."
"Yes sir," Harry said again, looking curiously at the book Arthur had handed him. "The thing is it's the other stuff that I understand the least."
Arthur smiled, "Welcome to the club, Harry. You are now a certified member of the I have no idea what makes women tick club."
Harry couldn't help himself and burst out laughing. "I though it was just me," he said finally.
"No, Harry, you are a member of the world's largest club," Arthur told him. "Women are one of the world's most amazing creatures ever created, they are both compassionate and cruel, both tender yet can be quite harsh. In other words Harry, they are without a doubt the most contradictory creatures every to appear."
"I'm hopeful that you will not be subject to much of the more arduous manifestations of the female psyche because of your Bond. As I understand it, you will not be subject to a lot of the petty jealousy that can taint many a relationship. I feel that you and Ginny will share your love at a much deeper level than almost anyone else alive."
Now I hope you realize that there is a huge difference between sex and love. You can have either without the other but at a huge cost. Love is the magic that fuels a relationship and you must realize that it is what will make your life worth living when you share both with a woman, and in this case I'm referring to Ginny.
"Usually when a father is having this conversation with his son, they have no idea who the young man will spend his life with but you don't have to worry about that. But I want you to realize that will also put a lot of pressure on both of you to make sure the relationship works, you have no idea of real misery till the one you love is so mad at you that you aren't talking.
"Yeah, I know," Harry whispered, "Just that half day, Ginny wouldn't talk to me was sheer misery. It hurt so bad that I hope I never experience it again."
"Quite right Harry, Molly and I have only gone to bed three times in out marriage mad at each other, and I'm sure you can understand that her handling of your and Ginny's sleeping arrangements was the most recent time that has happened. Each and every time it does happen I hope and pray it will be the last."
"Now, the best advice I can give you is to love and cherish Ginny, make her happiness one of your top priorities and it will go a long way to making your life with her a happy and rewarding one," Arthur said with a grin.
"Now I want to stress that when the time is right, sharing a wonderful physical relationship with the one you love will be an experience that you and she will find both amazing and fulfilling," Arthur noticed that Harry had finished his first butterbeer, so he opened another one and handed it to him.
"As Ginny matures, you'll find that once a month she may become moody and touchy as a Dragon guarding her eggs, and it may seem no matter what you do is wrong," Arthur said a little more seriously.
"I think I understand that Arthur, Poppy had a discussion with us about some of the changes that she will be undergoing," Harry said with a grimace. "Oh, and that probably is a subject that shouldn't be mentioned to Molly," added apologetically.
Arthur got a knowing smile, "No, I guess not," he said lowly. "Your secret is safe with me Harry." He then gave a chuckle, "A fine example of knowing what to say when and when to not say anything. A useful talent to cultivate."
"I hear you sir," Harry replied with a laugh.
"Good, Harry. Now I want you to go through that book and if you have any questions please feel free to come and talk with me. A loving physically satisfying relationship is one of the benefits of being bonded in any manner to one woman. I can only believe that your Soul-Bond will make tthe even more so."
"Any questions?" Arthur asked. "No, well why don't we rejoin the women in the house, and know that no matter how old you get and how long you've been with Ginny, I'm always here to talk to,even if it's just to get some things off your chest. Sometimes having someone to do that with can prevent a lot of problems between you and your spouse."
"Thank you Arthur, I'll remember that and thanks, I wish that my Dad and I could have had this talk, but since that wasn't possible, I'm glad that you cared enough to take the time for me."
Arthur, clasped Harry's shoulder gently, "I'm happy to do it, Harry. I also wish that your Dad would have been here for this, but I'm glad I could stand in his place and help a fine boy change into a even better young man."
Harry hugged Arthur hard, "Thanks, Dad," he whispered.
With his eyes tearing, Arthur whispered huskily, "You're welcome, son."
XX HP + GW XX
A/N: Well a lot happening in this chapter, Ron is the recipient of a minor wind fall and though not what he had hoped, he still won something.
Albus now knows where Harry is and it doesn't look like he's going to accept that fact with grace and ease.
Arthur had his "Talk" with Harry and I'm pretty sure it's not what you expected.
As always, I love to hear from you so please review.