Ch. 28 Reluctance
'Harry, surely– '
'I'm sorry, Professor, but I need to speak to him now.' Worries, ideas, theories, possibilities: all were flying around Harry's head. He had to talk to the one person who could make sense out of nearly any chaos. Dumbledore.
McGonagall gave him the password, 'courageous few', and he walked into the castle, leaving his confused companions. And that was saying something since they were all some of the smartest people that Harry knew. He made it to the stone gargoyle, said the password and rapidly ascended the spiral staircase to the Headmaster's office. Once inside, he turned to face Dumbledore, whom he found sleeping serenely.
'Albus,' Harry said strongly, but to no avail. Some of the other past-masters woke up, but Dumbledore didn't. 'Professor Dumbledore!'
He woke with a slight start and smiled once he spotted Harry. Snape woke as well and gave Harry a neutral expression, which was quite an improvement from the usual sneer of anger Harry usually received.
'Albus, I need your help.'
'Harry, I would be glad to offer any assistance I can,' Dumbledore said softly in his signature, kind voice.
Harry then started talking, filling in Albus, and by extension every other picture nearby, about Carrow, the Healer's theory on why he nearly killed himself that day casting a Stunner, and the resulting conversation that he'd had with Albus during his hour of unconsciousness. Harry then told the portrait about everything Letriphy had said, the discovery and recovery of the Resurrection stone and, finally the short battle and capture of Harry's Phoenix wand.
'Harry, that is most unfortunate,' Albus said softly. Harry waited for more… advice, or even thoughts from him, but none came.
'That's it?' Harry said angrily. Albus, even after death, still had the ability to utilize his most infuriating trait: his lack of divulgence when he clearly knew more about the subject.
'Forgive me, Albus,' Snape interjected, 'but you have failed to ask a simple question yet, Potter.'
Harry glared at him, but turned quickly back to Dumbledore. 'What do I do? I can't push myself with my own wand or I pass out. Now it's been stolen and if I want to use magic I have to use the Elder Wand. A simple charm might knock me out.'
'I think you needn't worry, Harry.' Albus said matter-of-factly. 'It is known that wands and their owners work best because of relations ship between wizard and the magical elements within the wand. A wand chooses its owner according to this relationship.'
'Ok, I already know that,' Harry said, as he started to slowly pace the office.
'Well, the Elder Wand works from the other direction. Rather than choosing the wizard, it simply chooses the winner. Whether by death or theft, its master is chosen by how it is obtained.'
'How does this help me?'
'Due to this fact, its magical connection is accessed by ownership rather than symbiotic cohesion.'
Harry shook his head like a dog, trying to wrap his head around that statement. 'I still don't understand.'
'The wand will simply act as an amplifier of what you are already capable. Focus and knowledge of your actions will keep you from harming yourself with overtaxing your body's energy.'
Harry thought hard for a moment and concluded that he understood what Dumbledore was explaining to him. 'How much of that did you suspect before…'
'I suspected all of it, but I don't think I ever told anyone about the wand. When I was younger, I planned to die as its last owner. The war with Tom prevented me from achieving that last goal.'
Harry nodded his head soberly, trying to wrap his head around what had transpired. Harry hated being singled out, but had unfortunately been in the spotlight his entire life. Now, once again, something has happened to him that would once again make him dangerous to be near. He laughed ruefully for a split-second, thinking that it was likely Voldemort's parting shot.
'Potter, may I make a suggestion?' Snape said. Harry turned and gave him a surprised look.
'You've never asked before,' Harry replied. Snape smiled a crooked, almost evil smile.
'I may not like you, but I know you well enough to know that you realize exactly what this all means. You are quite possibly the most powerful wizard in the world right now. Your mediocre abilities coupled with the Dark Lord's and further amplified by the Deathstick is a formidable and daunting prospect.'
'I agree Severus, though not about the mediocre part.'
'I'm not mediocre,' Harry said evenly. 'But you're right about everything else. I just don't know how to deal with it yet.'
'I suggest you figure it out. Carrow is not going to wait for you.' Snape said mockingly.
A knock on the door made Harry nearly jump out of his skin. His heart was still pounding when McGonagall and Kingsley came into the office. Both of them looked worn and tired; the results of a quick and dirty battle. Kingsley looked at him and then to the wand he still held in his hand.
McGonagall looked at Harry and then around the room in a severe look. A sudden, and unexpectedly loud rustle of sound startled Harry as all the past Headmasters stood and walked, or in some cases rolled, out of their portraits. Harry looked at Dumbledore's empty frame and then to McGonagall.
'Plausible deniability.'
'What are you going to do, Harry?'
'Nothing,' he replied, having decided how to move forward.
'Nothing?' McGonagall repeated.
'Nothing' he reiterated. 'Carrow is still out there. I'm going to find him, I'm going to take him down, and I'm going to get my wand back.'
Kingsley smiled widely and took a deep breath. 'But what of that wand, Potter? It is dangerous. If people knew– '
'They don't. And they won't.'
'How can you ensure that?'
'Only a handful of people know, Minerva. And they are all trustworthy enough– '
'The Death Eaters aren't,' McGonagall interrupted. 'And surely they will all know by now. And they will certainly remember it even if they are incarcerated.'
'Memories can be modified,' Kingsley added. McGonagall looked aghast.
'Minister… Kingsley, surely you wouldn't modify every one of their memories.'
'I don't want to,' he said, affronted. 'But if it is to become an issue of public safety, I won't let secrets cause the same destruction they did before. If I have to choose between compromising my personal beliefs and keeping our country and people safe, I will compromise every time.'
McGonagall looked at him momentarily before throwing her hands up in defeat. 'I suppose you are right, but it doesn't seem ethical.'
'It isn't,' Harry said softly. 'But it may be necessary.'
'Harry, we need to get back to the Ministry. I need you to consider something and I need to check on the status of things.'
'You may use my fireplace, Kingsley. It is still connected to the Ministry from when that loathsome woman took over the school.'
Harry and Kingsley took turns throwing the fine powder into the fire and whisking themselves away to the Ministry. They arrived to a sense of controlled chaos. Wizards and witches were running in every direction, but they all seemed to have destination.
The two of them set off for Level Two, but were stopped by nearly a dozen different people all vying for Kingsley's input about one thing or another. Harry couldn't help but appreciate that no one sought his company, especially considering what was in his pocket now.
They made their way into the squad room, which was teeming with a mixture of activity and insanity. Kingsley immediately found Bashir and Proudfoot, who were quietly discussing something. As Harry and Kingsley neared, the conversation came to a close. Harry was unsure of whether it was because they were done talking or if it was because they were approaching. Either way, Bashir gave Kingsley a frustrated look once they finally arrived.
'I hate Death Eaters!' He ground his teeth with each word.
'Join the party,' Kingsley said sarcastically.
'We didn't catch a bloody one of them!'
'Seven locations, over 30 people, and every one of them escaped,' Proudfoot said, pacing back and forth. Harry noticed that Bashir's hands were shaking.
'Luckily, no one was permanently injured, but I do emphasize luckily.'
'Hang on. Seven attacks? There were seven separate attacks today?' Harry blurted. He wasn't sure whether he was happy it wasn't just him or not. In any case, Bashir filled him in.
Diagon Alley, Godric's Hollow, and Hogwarts were the biggest places hit. Trafalgar Square and two other muggle central places were attacked by Death Eaters as well. In each place, Death Eaters appeared for no reason and started fling curses at people. Several people suffered light injuries, but luckily no muggles were seriously harmed or killed. Harry did a quick mental count and found that he was still short one location.
'That's six,' he said. 'Where's the last one?' Bashir sighed lightly, and then snapped his fingers dejectedly.
'It was in Little Whinging.'
Harry stood, stunned for almost ten seconds before he bolted. He didn't get two steps in, however, before Kingsley grabbed his arm.
'Harry, we've already been there. They aren't there.'
'Why didn't you tell me?'
'We didn't get all the details until you were in McGonagall's office. I came back here after you went into the school and found out everything.'
'Fine. If they weren't there, then where are they?' Harry was doing his best to keep his temper in check. He wasn't even sure why he was so anxious about the Dursleys, but all he knew at the moment was that he wanted to make sure they were ok.
'I didn't say they weren't there. I said they aren't there.' Bashir was doing a masterful job of placating Harry, all the while making sure he kept Harry's focus until he calmed down.
'Ok,' Harry huffed. 'Well, where are they?'
'At a house in Enfield until their house is finished repairing.'
'What happened?'
'We don't really know, to be honest.'
Harry snapped around to look at him. 'Harry! Calm yourself!' Kingsley said sternly.
'You are letting your emotions affect your actions, and that is not a desirable trait in an Auror. Trust me when I say that if you let anger cloud your judgment just one time, you could dearly regret it.'
Harry took a deep breath and turned around. What Kingsley said made sense. He knew that anger would be a dangerous thing to take with you into battle.
'Just… tell me what you know.'
'Arabella Figg sent an urgent floo call here in the midst of everything that was going on. We sent a team and they contacted us saying that your family's house had been damaged. That's all we know for sure. Your Uncle wouldn't speak to them and your Aunt threw a plate at them. Luckily, your cousin seems to have some sense.'
'Sounds like they haven't changed much.'
'No they haven't,' Kingsley added.
'They are not appreciative to our attempts to repair their home either. That's why there were moved and why you Aunt threw a plate.'
'So, they didn't see what happened?' Harry asked, now feeling better knowing that they were safe.
'No. It looks like someone just blasted a wall off their side of the house. No message was left, no threat was made. Your family didn't even get a scratch.'
Harry couldn't understand what Carrow had been thinking. Whoever went to the Dursley's house could have easily killed them without a fight. Why leave them unharmed? He decided that he would go see them tomorrow because he knew Vernon's mood would deteriorate rapidly if he showed up tonight.
Slowly, people reported back to Bashir and Kingsley with the results of searches and quick investigations. No one reported a sighting, message, or so much as a hair of a Death Eater. At nearly dark, Kingsley ordered them all to go home, saying nothing would be accomplished tonight with such a staggering lack of useful evidence or witnesses. They would continue tomorrow with the weekend crews as scheduled. Harry continued shuffling through the written, anonymous tips they had received, trying to find something legitimate. Kingsley had to grab both his shoulders and lead him out of the office.
Harry knew that everyone at the Burrow was worried about him, but after the fight at Hogwarts, he was covered in dust and grass and in desperate need of a shower. Ginny would be much more receptive to him if he didn't smell like Fang.
Unfortunately, he was not given the opportunity. When he stepped into his flat, he found it full to the breaking point. Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Arthur and Molly were all in the den in various states of nervousness and unrest. As soon as he walked in Arthur leapt to his feet so fast Harry heard his back crack from across the room.
'Harry!'
'Bloody hell!'
'Arthur! Language!'
'Dad, are you ok?'
'He's fine. Sit down, Arthur.'
'Harry, what happened? You look awful?'
'Why are you covered in dirt?'
'Ron!'
'What?'
'That was rude.'
'Shove off, Ginny. It's only because –'
'Ron- *agh* -don't talk to your sister that way.'
'Yeah!'
'Would you two please quit bickering!'
'But it's– '
'Stop!'
Everyone froze. Harry closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. That was entirely too much activity for ten seconds of time.
'I'm sorry I yelled,' he said quietly. 'But it is just dangerous to have this many Weasleys in this small of a room talking all at once.'
They all smiled and found somewhere to sit, except Ginny who seemed to float across the room and hugged Harry. Then she hit him hard on the arm.
'I told you! I told you… You didn't need to go. I'm so angry at you I could spit fire and rub your face in it.'
'I'm sorry, Gin.'
'What on Earth were you thinking? That I'd just say "Oh, don't mind us. Go ahead and run off to another fight. Hope you survive. Ha-ha-haa". Well, I bloody well will not.'
'Gin, I'm sorry that– '
'I know you have some archaic, chivalrous notion that every time trouble is afoot, you have to fly off to meet it, but you don't. If this is going to work, you had better start thinking clearly or I'll jinx you into next week.'
Everyone stood in stunned silence for several moments, just staring at Ginny. Ron was crying from the effort of trying not to laugh. Harry silently vowed to punch him later, or perhaps to Levicorpus him again.
'Molly, could you hand me that pillow you standing by?' Arthur said, pointing to the one on the floor next to Ginny's feet.
'Arthur, I'm right here. What are you on about?'
'Oh! Sorry, dear, but I guess I thought Ginny was you.'
Harry cracked a slight smile but hid it quickly before Ginny could see. Ron, unable to contain himself any longer, burst into laughter and was soon joined by Hermione and Molly. Harry watched the muscles in Ginny's face contort as she stoically tried to maintain her angry expression. She didn't last long and soon she too was smiling. Ginny kissed Harry on the cheek and hugged him again.
'Oh,' she said suddenly. 'What have you been doing? You smell awful.'
'Well, I was going to shower and then come to the Burrow, but the Burrow came here first.'
'Go. Go shower, I'll start dinner and we'll talk when you are done.'
Harry gratefully left the room, and the chaos along with it, and hopped into the shower. He emptied his pockets and paused when he set the Elder Wand and Resurrection Stone down. Not sure if he was comfortable having them yet, he opened the safe he had gotten for his birthday and sealed them in it for the time being. Molly and Arthur didn't need to hear about it, so he would tell the others later.
After his shower, he dried himself off and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He had a large bruise where his ribs had broken. His side was still sore and this afternoon's skirmish had only added several more tender spots to the mix. The scar on his chest was still tinged with a green bruise on its edges. The bruise had faded slightly but the scar itself was as prominent as it had ever been.
'At least girls like scars,' he said to his reflection.
'Of course we do,' said a voice from the door. Harry's head whipped around so fast he nearly lost the towel while the soreness in his upper back and neck to protested vehemently. However, no person was there to give body to the voice he heard.
'Uhh… hello?'
'Hello,' Ginny said, removing his invisibility cloak. 'Thought you'd like to tell me why your cloak was on the floor instead of in your moleskin pouch and why your wand is gone. It wasn't in your pocket like it should have been when you got here.'
'I… I'll tell you later. After your parents leave. Ron and Hermione need to hear it too.'
'I'll hold you to that,' she replied, then lapsed into to silence as she looked at him.
'Can I help you with something?'
'No. Just telling you dinner is almost ready.'
She nodded absentmindedly as her eyes surveyed him from head to toe. She made a satisfied noise and then left the room. Harry dressed and left his room to join everyone in the den. Ginny and Molly had made some French dish that he couldn't pronounce for dinner. Whatever it was, it was very good.
While they ate, Harry filled everyone in about what had happened today between the end of the match and his battle with Carrow at Hogwarts. He deftly avoided losing… losing his wand and the note that had been left about him. Ginny gave him a questioning look, but he did his best to ignore it.
They sat talking through a few cups of tea about the possibilities and the implications of the day. They all decided that Carrow had been bold in his attempts to attack so many places at once, but foolish to do so this close to the end of the war. Nearly every witch and wizard in the country was still on alert for trouble after the events of the last year.
After they left, it took Hermione no less than ten seconds to lock the door and glare at Harry.
'Full story. Now.' Harry laughed at his friend and she huffed. He held up one finger to forestall them and returned to his room. He came back moments later holding the Elder Wand. They watched him set it on the coffee table. Hermione surveyed the wand for mere seconds before she looked at Harry in complete surprise.
'The… the…'
'Yeah.'
'Harry? Is that the… Elder Wand?'
'Yeah, Ron. It is.'
Harry put his head in his hands in defeat. He was disappointed in himself for allowing his wand to be stolen by Carrow.
'Where is yours?' Ginny asked, giving voice to his frustration and shame.
'I don't know, actually. Carrow took it. I think he believed it was the Elder Wand at the time. By now though, he will realize that it's not.'
'So what really happened?' Ron asked. Harry amended his earlier story for them, adding in the note, the taking of his wand, and the conversation he had with Dumbledore.
'So… you… you're gonna use the Elder Wand?' Ron asked, like the concept was advanced arithmancy.
'Well I don't have much choice, now do I?'
'What did Kingsley say?' Ginny asked, placing a hand on his arm.
'Not much really. We just focused on finding Carrow. I just have one more reason now. I hate that thing,' he finished, pointing at the Elder Wand.
'But if I can use it to take down Carrow like Dumbledore did Grindelwald, then I guess I'll use it. But I still want my wand back.'
'I don't care what you do with it,' Ginny said with a soft ferocity. 'Just as long as you give Greyback and Carrow a beating with it.'
Harry smiled and kissed her on the cheek. Ron made a slight gagging sound, making Hermione hit him on the arm. Harry, remembering his earlier vow, picked up the wand and thought Levicorpusquite confidently. Ron immediately upended by his ankle.
'AHH! No, not again. Harry let me down!'
'Shouldn't laugh at people,' he replied with a smile.
The next morning, Harry climbed out of bed more sore than he could ever remember. His joints felt like they had rusted solid overnight and his side still ached. He told Ginny the previous night that he would spend the day at the Burrow. She had flat out insisted when he received an owl near midnight from Cal asking if Harry could come see him tomorrow.
He sent a letter back giving the place and time, which was late enough that he could go to Little Whinging. He knew that his Aunt and Uncle would only be angry to see him, but some perverse part of him told him that it would be fun since they couldn't really do anything to him.
Another thought occurred to Harry that morning as he got his things together. Ginny was just a little over two weeks from going to Hogwarts. He couldn't believe he'd let this occurrence sneak up on him so quickly. It was odd that she hadn't gotten her letter yet or made a trip to Diagon Alley for her school things.
Deciding to ask her about it, he retrieved the wand, ring, and cloak from his safe and started his reluctant trek to Little Whinging. He arrived in the alleyway in which he had once battled Dementors. He stopped to look at the spot where he and Dudley nearly lost their souls. Somehow, the memory of the experience comforted him.
He walked towards No. 4 Privet Drive, noticing several of the places he used to hide from Dudley and his gang. He was fairly sure he couldn't fit into any of them anymore. He stopped at the beginning of the driveway to look at the house. It was subtle, but he noticed the slight discoloration in the side wall by the kitchen. The wood was newer there, like the siding had been replaced.
He walked up the drive, onto the path, and stopped at the front door. Last time he was rounding up his things when they unexpectedly came home. He was unsure of whether he should knock or not. Unfortunately, he was not given the chance. This time, Petunia unexpectedly opened the door to find him standing in the doorway.
She stared at him for ten seconds in complete shock before slamming the door in his face. Apparently she thought the door had magical properties because she then yelled, 'VERNON! HE'S HERE!'
'Who's here? Mr. Mason?'
'NO! IT'S … HIM!'
The next phrase from Vernon was so foul, even Ron would have said 'Language!' Harry knocked on the door rather forcefully. Harry heard a herd of elephants run down the stairs and then the door opened to reveal the purple-faced Vernon, slowly swelling with frustration.
'What do you want?' he snarled. 'Haven't you done enough here? Your little friends were here to try and destroy–'
'Those weren't my friends.' Harry said evenly, as he stepped passed Vernon to survey the kitchen to make sure it was ok. In fact, since the last time Harry had seen the kitchen, many of the appliances had been replaced by newer, stainless steel ones.
'Oi! Who do you ruddy think you are? You don't just walk into my house like you still live here. I demand you leave at once!'
Harry just looked at him and huffed. He came to make sure they were ok after yesterday's events. Obviously they were as healthy (insane) as they ever were.
'Is Dudley here?'
'No,' he said shortly. 'He's out with his girlfriend, Susan. And before you say anything, we haven't spoken a word about this to her, so when they get here don't you dare–'
'I hate to burst your bubble, but she already knows about me. I've met her.'
Vernon went quickly from purple to white at these words, but Harry didn't care. 'So, they are coming back?'
'Yes!' Petunia said as she reappeared from the sitting room. 'We have a lunch today that they are going to be here for and we would very much appreciate it if you just left so you don't ruin this chance for your Uncle again.'
'Again?' Harry repeated. This time Petunia turned white. Harry thought for a moment and remembered his first encounter with Dobby and the pudding he dropped on Mrs. Mason's head.
'Oh right, you mean when Dobby dropped that pudding on that woman's head.'
'You did that and you know it. Your abnormality ruined this chance for me before, and I'll be damned if I let you or your brain addled friends – '
'My friends,' Harry said, instantly angry, 'are not brain addled. And if you ever call them that again or call my Ginny… a whore… again, then you will be the only people I know with addled brains.'
Both of them backed down at once. Harry would never actually harm them, because they were his only family and because he would be arrested, but they didn't know that.
'Fine,' he said shortly. 'How about this? Since I apparently ruined this last time, I'll make sure it goes off without a hitch this time.'
'I don't think so! The Masons think you're in prison now, so you can't be seen,' Vernon said, flaring back up.
'Prison?' Harry couldn't believe it. His Uncle was ridiculous sometimes.
'That's right. Which is where you–'
'Dad, could you just leave him alone.' Dudley had returned and was walking through the door. He ignored his father, crossed the room quickly and shook Harry's hand with a smile.
'How are you?'
'I'm doing ok. Tough week at work, I suppose.'
'I understand,' Dudley replied, putting his hands in his jacket. 'School is kicking my rear end.'
'It would if I weren't there to help him,' Susan said, as she stepped up to Harry and shook his hand as well. Vernon looked like someone had irrefutably argued that Harry should be Prime Minister.
'Dad, just leave him alone. We'd all be dead if it weren't for him. The least you could do is act like a decent human being.'
'Bu … bu… I will not be spoken to like that!'
'How long are you here for?' Dudley continued his conversation.
'Not long. I just came by to make sure everything was ok from yesterday.'
'Oh we're fine. Some bloke from some department of something I didn't quite understand said he'd set it all right. Did a fine job of it too. Are you staying for lunch?'
'NO!' Vernon, Petunia, and Harry all blurted at the same time. Dudley looked amused, but just shrugged.
'Oh well, that's ok. Why don't I get you something to drink and we can catch up. The Masons won't be here for at least an hour.'
'I'd like that.'
'Dudley!' Petunia said, aghast. 'We will not be entertaining him here. He has no place–'
'He saved our lives. He's earned the right to sit in the living room without being told it's not clean and enough and that it's his fault.'
Dudley then walked, stone-faced, out of the hall and into the sitting room, followed by an amused Susan. Vernon and Petunia watched them go. Petunia turned back to Harry and put on her best attempt at polite expression.
'You said something about helping?'
'Oh, right. I'll ask my...' what was a good way to relate this? '…housekeeper? He is an excellent cook. He can make anything.'
'Housekeeper? You have a house?'
'Long story. Let's go to the kitchen and I'll tell you about him while I get us some drinks.'
He walked into the kitchen, followed by a confused Petunia, leaving Vernon in the hall. Moments later Harry heard him sputter out, 'Right then. Well… you just… don't make me...' Then he returned up stairs.
'Harry, what do you mean, housekeeper?'
'I'll show you. Kreacher!' he said towards no spot in particular. The house elf appeared a split second later. At the sight of him, Petunia let out a blood curdling scream, which Harry was forced to silence so the neighbors wouldn't here her. She continued attempting to yell at him but none of it could be heard.
'Master Harry.' He croaked, sinking in a bow. 'How can Kreacher help you?'
Harry turned back to Petunia, who had gone stark white. She looked at Harry, then Kreacher, and then at Harry again before resuming her silent tirade.
'I can't hear you. If you'll stop I'll tell you about him.'
She stopped, but kept eyeing him furtively. She nodded slightly and Harry lifted the charm.
'He's a house elf. He will help you cook lunch today and it will be really great if you'll just ask him.'
'Kreacher will not help,' the House Elf said suddenly, making Harry look at him, surprised.
'You… what?'
'Kreacher will make any lunch the muggle woman wants, but he won't help. Kreacher cooks alone.'
'Oh, well that's fine.' Harry said. 'What were you making?' he asked Petunia. She said nothing, but just pointed at a sheet of paper nearby that Harry read. It was a list of food and the menu she had planned. He handed it to Kreacher, who read it too.
'Kreacher will begin now. What time does Master Harry wish it to be done?'
He looked at Petunia who was still too scared or shocked to talk. Harry remembered Dudley said the Masons wouldn't arrive for an hour. He checked his watch, which said 10:30, and told Kreacher, '11:30.'
'Yes, Master Harry. If you is needing anything else, just ask Kreacher. Now please leave the kitchen so Kreacher can work.'
He shooed them out, which caused the funniest facial expression from Petunia. Giving up, she turned and headed upstairs. Harry retrieved some drinks from the refrigerator and went to the sitting room. He, Dudley, and Susan sat for nearly half an hour just talking and catching up. Dudley's college courses were apparently challenging him far beyond anything ever before. Luckily Susan was helping him.
Harry told Dudley of his work (in very vague terms), which fascinated both of them. They associated him with the police, and Harry explained he was more like a cross between a detective and a member of a S.W.A.T. Team. Harry told them about his friends, and Dudley and Susan insisted that they find time to all get together for dinner.
At 11:15, Kreacher came into the sitting room to inform him that lunch was ready to serve. He bowed and disappeared with a crack, startling both of the others in the room.
'Where'd he go?' Susan asked tensely.
'It's ok,' Harry said. It's how the Wizard community travels.
'Oh… Ok. Sorry. It was just a little unexpected.'
'It's not too comfortable either. But, I suppose I'll be off.' Harry said, standing. Dudley stood and shook his hands, as did Susan.
'I'm sorry about Mum and Dad. They are just too stubborn to change, I suppose.'
'No worry,' Harry said nonchalantly. 'I never expected them to.'
'I'll call you sometime to… wait I don't have a number for you. Do you even have a phone?'
Harry laughed lightly. 'No, they won't work in most of the places I go. I'll send you an owl sometime.' Harry stopped and sighed. He didn't have an owl either. 'I'll send you an owl sometime to set it up.'
'Sounds good.'
They exchanged farewells and Harry made his way into the hall. As he walked by the stairs, he saw Petunia and Vernon talking animatedly at the top of stairs. Harry relayed the instructions on serving dinner that Kreacher had given him. Kreacher had insisted on making Harry repeat the instructions before leaving. Petunia didn't look or act appreciative, but Harry told her everything nonetheless before departing.
Harry walked around Little Whinging for a while, reminiscing on how different the Dursleys had become in such a short time, most of all Dudley. The old Dudley was downright unbearable, but the new one was someone Harry could see himself keeping in contact with over the coming years.
Harry found a secluded alley and apparated to the Burrow. When he arrived, for reasons unknown, Ginny and Hermione were outside laying in the grass. He walked towards them and they sat up. Ginny gave him a radiant smile that melted all the thoughts form Harry's mind.
'Hey Harry!'
'Wanna join us?' Ginny said, offering her hand.
'What are you doing?' he asked.
'Basking?' they replied together.
'Basking? I don't understand.'
'You don't have to,' Ginny said, as she lay back down. 'It's relaxing to just lie down and bask in the sun.'
Harry looked at them for a moment and shrugged away his skepticism. He laid himself down beside them and closed his eyes.
'Relax,' Ginny whispered. 'No care in the world. Just lay here and relax.'
He lay there for several minutes, letting the tension seep out of his body. He didn't focus on a single thing other than the wonderful girl beside him. He knew that he would never have been able to achieve this level of relaxation with anyone else. Ginny always made him… well not always… but almost always made him feel at home. Something that he didn't realize he had never had until he truly found it in her and with the Weasleys.
He could have stayed there with them for hours, but a voice from above brought him flying back to reality.
'Harry? What are you doing?'
Harry's eyes shot open, which temporarily blinded him from the assault of sunlight. He found his feet, bringing Ginny and Hermione with him, to find Cal staring at the three of them like the word insane had been tattooed on their foreheads.
'Sorry,' Harry replied. 'Just laying down and basking.'
'Basking?'
'Yep,' Hermione said with a smile. 'It's quite relaxing. You should try it sometime.'
'I'll… consider that.' Cal looked at Ginny and Hermione like they were sprouting new heads.
'Was there something you needed?' Harry said strongly, to keep the conversation on track. 'Your letter didn't say much.'
'Oh right. Sorry. I spoke with Mr. Morgan and we wanted to compensate you for your time working for us, to which Olly told us you'd refuse any money we tried to give you.'
'He was always a smart one,' Hermione said.
'And since you really did win the match for us, we couldn't just not compensate you for doing such a good job. So we did this.'
He pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Harry, who unsealed it and upended the contents into his hand. Harry smiled when he realized what they were. Hermione rolled her eyes and Ginny did a little victory dance. There were four season tickets to Puddlemere's games with a note that said, "For as long as you want them."
Harry smiled and was about to thank Cal, when he continued. 'Also, there are certain stipulations to receiving those tickets.'
'Ok?' Harry said, uncertainly.
'Ginny has to attend at least two of the four Harpies tryouts this year.'
Ginny froze on the spot where her victory-turned-quasi-Indian-rain-dance had ended. 'You… what?'
'Gwen insisted. She hit me with a quaffle, actually, to make sure I'd remember to say something. Also, we want to keep having Ron come and offer his opinion. He's done a great job for us. Some of his observations are just downright brilliant.'
'That's incredible,' Hermione squealed. 'He'll be so happy.'
'That is really great for him,' Ginny said, uncharacteristically. Until now, his focus has been following you into battle. He really needs something that's his own, and it looks like coaching might be it.'
'I agree,' Cal said. 'If he keeps getting older and wiser, he's only going to get better.'
'Ron? Wise? I don't think so,' Hermione said.
'We'll get to work on the miracle part of that. Harry has a knack for them apparently.'
Cal laughed and departed, saying he had a practice to get to. Harry and the girls went inside for a lunch with the rest of the Weasleys. Arthur had opted to not go into work, so they were all able to enjoy a leisurely meal together. That afternoon, Harry, Ginny and Molly all went over to see Andromeda and Teddy.
Harry was getting more comfortable each time he got to hold Teddy. Ginny's face seemed to be stuck in a broad smile. Every time Harry looked at her while he was holding Teddy, she would smile so brilliantly that Harry would nearly lose his concentration.
They stayed there for a couple hours, which gave Harry the chance to change and feed Teddy and rock him to sleep. He watched Teddy as he slept in his lap and thought that this might be one of the most incredible experiences he'd ever had. Nothing was more incredible than knowing that a life lay in his lap, so small and fragile, yet resilient at the same time. Eventually, Andromeda came in to take Teddy from him, which Harry was reluctant to allow.
They returned to the Burrow, where Harry soon found himself on the couch, stretched out very comfortably with his feet hanging over the edge. A little over an hour later, Molly woke him up to tell him that she and Arthur were leaving for the night.
'We are going to celebrate our Anniversary. We weren't able to in April for obvious reasons, so we are going tonight. We also have several family members we haven't seen in quite some time, so we are going to go to Muriel's after dinner and then to Sheffield to visit Arthur's cousins.'
'Sheffield? That's quite aways,' Harry said. 'What time do you plan to be back?'
'Well that's why I wanted to speak with you.' Harry sat up straighter and felt his pulse quicken. 'We will stay in Sheffield and be back in the morning.'
Harry nodded, but kept his face neutral and his nervous shaking to a minimum. He knew that as her parents, they had every right to lecture him because, after all, he was Ginny's boyfriend. However, that last thing he really wanted was another lecture about him and Ginny. To his surprise, however, she didn't lecture him at all.
'I know you four may not want to stay here for the night, so if you go somewhere, please let Arthur and me know. My one requirement is that you all need to stay in the same place tonight, either here or at your flat.'
'Ok. I'll let them know,' Harry said, feeling his nervousness start to abate.
'I already have,' Molly said. 'And I had a conversation with Ginny about being responsible already. Since I'm not your mother, I won't lecture you.'
An awkward silence fell between them while Harry did his best to maintain his composure.
'I–'
'I can however, give you a very stern look.'
She gave him her best "Mrs. Weasley" glare and then smiled broadly. This was not at all how Harry envisioned this conversation going.
'Molly!' Arthur called. 'Are you ready to go?'
'Yes dear,' she called back. 'Dinner is on the table. Put it in the oven at 425 for about 10 minutes. Goodnight, Harry dear.'
'Goodnight,' Harry said unsurely. That conversation had gone very quickly. 'Oh wait!'
'Yes?' she said, as Arthur stuck his head in the door and tried to usher her through quickly.
'Where is everyone?' Harry asked, noticing for the first time that Ginny, Hermione, and Ron were all AWOL.
'Oh, they are all outside. Ginny was flying the last time I saw her.'
Harry thanked her and followed her out. Harry found his three companions, who all waved goodbye and wished a good night to Arthur and Molly.
'Have a good nap?' Ginny asked him. She was floating in midair, laying flat on her stomach against her broom. Both her arms and legs were hanging below her.
'I suppose so. Isn't that uncomfortable?'
'You would think,' Ron said, as he tossed a quaffle at her.
'Ron, don't throw a quaffle at her when she isn't looking,' Hermione admonished. Apparently she was looking, because as he started to say– 'She'll be fine,' the quaffle hit him in the head.
'It's not too bad,' Ginny said lazily.
'I'll take your word for it.' Harry replied, not wanting to experience all of his weight resting on a broom in such a compromising spot.
'So, now what?' Ron asked as he rubbed his head where the quaffle had hit him.
'Whatever we want, I guess,' Ginny said, as she listed slowly towards the ground.
'Mum did say she'd prefer we not go wandering.' Ron said sadly.
'That's not what she told me,' Ginny said.
'Me either,' Harry and Hermione said together.
'What did she tell you?' Ron asked Hermione.
'To have a good time and not to burn dinner. What about you Harry?'
'She told me it would be fine if we stayed at my flat tonight and that she wasn't going to lecture me about responsibility.'
'Lucky!' Ginny grumbled. 'She tried to have yet another sex talk with me.'
'How many does that make now?' Hermione asked, smiling.
'Six,' Ginny replied darkly. Seeing Ginny lean on her broom reminded him–
'Ginny? Did you ever receive your Hogwarts letter? They should have come by now but you've never said anything.'
'I told you,' Hermione said. 'I told you he'd ask eventually.'
'Ask? What? Why are–'
'She's avoiding talking about the letter because she doesn't want to think about leaving you, and she figured you'd forget about it if she didn't say anything.'
'I nearly did,' Harry replied, looking at Ginny, who looked defeated. 'Is everything ok?'
'Yes,' she said convincingly. 'I just didn't want to think about it. I don't want to leave you.'
'You'll never be without me,' Harry said encouragingly. She smiled and nodded slowly. 'Plus, I'll visit as often as I can too.'
'What about Quidditch captain?' Ron said bluntly. 'Did you get that?'
'No,' Ginny said, causing both Ron and Harry to jump with surprise.
'What! That's insane. Why wouldn't you–'
'They hadn't chosen yet. My letter came with a note from McGonagall that the captains would be chosen by the first day of term.
'You'll get it,' Harry said confidently. 'You're better than all of us without a doubt. McGonagall may have to have a talk from Harry Potter if you don't.'
'Like that will do any good,' Ginny said.
'True,' Harry admitted. 'But it's the thought that counts, right?'
'Yep,' she said, kissing him on the cheek.
They stayed in the yard for a while, talking and laughing, until the sun started to set. When the complaining of both Ron and his stomach reached an unbearable peak, they went inside to eat the Shepherd's Pie that Molly had left them. As soon as Ginny finished, she darted upstairs.
'Where is she going?' Ron asked. Harry just shrugged and took another drink of his pumpkin juice.
'So what are we going to do tonight?' Hermione asked while she cleaned her plate in the sink.
'I don't know,' Harry said thoughtfully. It was not often that he had such free time on his hands. Despite the silent war that was being waged between the Aurors and Amycus Carrow, he couldn't make himself be downtrodden tonight. With Riddle dead, the world seemed open to him. Plus, he knew that if he focused on every criminal like he did Riddle, then his life was going to be very stressful and lonely.
'When was the last time we saw Neville?' Ron asked, helping himself to thirds. 'Or Luna?'
'That's a good point, Ron. We should invite them to Harry's flat tonight.'
'Excellent!' Ginny said as she rejoined the group, carrying her school bag over her shoulder. 'I'll Floo Luna.'
'What's with the school bag?' Harry asked.
'Ahh, poor Harry.' Ron said cheerfully. 'Looks like it's only studying on Ginny's mind tonight.'
'Actually Ron, tonight it's my overnight bag. You have no clue what I have in there. And I assure you, there are no school books.'
Ron nearly choked on the food he had been about to swallow. He coughed hard for several seconds, while Ginny just laughed. 'You… you can't... Mum wouldn't let you stay there. It's–'
'She's letting you stay there with Hermione,' Ginny countered.
'That's not the same,' Ron said angrily. 'You're not…' He paused momentarily, which Ginny didn't miss.
'I am too, Ron. I'm just as 'of age' as you are. But I'm twice as responsible.'
'Ron,' Hermione interjected, as she started taking the plates off the table.
'What?'
'Shut up.'
Harry and Ginny both laughed and helped clean up. After Ron gathered his own overnight things and a quick call to Luna, they departed the Burrow for Harry's flat. Harry went down the street and grabbed some snack food and unearthed a case of Butterbeer he'd been sent in some fan mail, which had fortunately died down lately.
Luna arrived soon after, followed by Neville and Hannah Abbott. Harry found himself often sitting in his armchair, watching all the conversation taking place, amazed that he was there to hear it. Every time Ginny smiled at him, he thought his heart might explode.
'What do you think, Harry?'
'About what?'
'Pay attention and quit thinking about my sister,' Ron said.
'We are debating how long it will take for McGonagall to put someone in detention.'
'A day,' Harry replied immediately. 'Maybe two.'
'I agree,' Hermione said. 'She'll want to show everyone who's running the show now.'
'Harry, why are you so preoccupied?' Dean asked, bringing him back to the here and now. Harry just shrugged, but Luna felt compelled to offer her opinion.
'Sports,' she said evenly. 'Boys usually think about sports when they are daydreaming. Sports and sex.'
The Butterbeer that Harry, Dean, and Ginny had been drinking was now sprayed everywhere. Neville laughed until his face turned red. Everyone, except Ron, found some humor in the situation. Here was Luna's unique ability to say exactly what she thought. Ron then gave Harry a very dirty look.
'No, Ron. Calm down. That's not–'
'So what if it is?' Ginny said loudly. 'Half the time that's what you probably think about too. You're just lucky that Hermione isn't Harry's sister.'
'Yes, because this whole situation really does need to be that complicated,' Hermione said sarcastically.
'It's not complicated,' Luna continued dreamily. 'Harry just thinks–'
'Luna!' Ginny said quickly. 'You've helped enough, thank you.'
'Ok,' Luna replied vaguely.
'So, Hannah,' Hermione said in an obvious attempt to change the subject. 'How are things with you?'
'They're good. My dad is doing better,' she said. 'He's a muggle so he doesn't see the Wizarding World often. When he does, it reminds him of Mum.'
'What about you?' Ginny asked softly.
'I'm… ok,' she replied. 'I think about her a lot, but I think I got some closure in May.'
'How so?' Harry asked.
'Well, I didn't do it, but I saw Macnair taken down by Hagrid. It made me feel a lot better.' Neville put his arm around her, she leaned into him and sniffed. 'It's not much, but it was good to see him in pain when he caused so much of it himself.'
'Agreed,' Luna said brightly.
'Thanks Luna.'
'What are you doing now?' Hermione asked.
'I do my best to stay busy, otherwise I'll go spare,' she said with a laugh. 'I've been working at my Dad's shop with him. He runs a muggle music store.'
'Really? I never knew that,' Hermione said. 'Are you musical at all?'
'My dad says I am,' she said, blushing. 'I play the piano and the French horn and he says I'm great. He's supposed to, though, he's my dad.'
'Is he musical as well?'
'Very,' Hannah said brightly. 'He plays guitar in a group. He's really good.'
'What kind of music does his group play?' Harry asked, intrigued.
'It varies really. It's all American based music, but it's a wide variety. Some R&B, Jazz, Funk, with a little bit of Cajun thrown in.
Harry looked at Ron, who looked just as confused. Being educated away from the common music scene, they were obviously not in possession of the necessary tools to understand anything that she was talking about.
'You should come hear him play sometime. It's a lot of fun.'
'We'd love to,' Hermione said, making Ron look at her in disbelief.
'Yeah, absolutely. Where does he play?' Harry seconded.
'A bar called Ronnie Scott's,' she said. Harry recognized the name from ads he'd seen in the city, but had never even been by the place.
By the end of the night, the whole group had laughed themselves sore and had singed eyebrows from a massive three deck game of exploding snap. The case of Butterbeer sat on the floor, empty. Bottles were sitting all around the sitting room. Hannah, Neville, and Luna left for home near midnight. Luna made sure to give Harry advice on wrackspurts before she left and to tell Ron that sex wasn't that big of a deal before leaving. Harry felt himself turn deep scarlet.
When everyone else had gone, the four of them looked at each other quietly. Hermione's yawn portrayed their mood better than any of them could have said it aloud.
'Agreed,' Harry said, as he started cleaning up.
'Harry, don't do that now. We can clean in the morning,' Ginny said, grabbing the bottle from his hand and setting it down. 'I'm just ready for some sleep.'
'Me too,' Ron said through his own yawn. 'Ginny, you grab a blanket and–'
'Don't even start, Ron,' Ginny interrupted. 'Grab your own blanket. I'm going to bed.' She grabbed Harry's hand and started pulling him towards the bedroom.
'Ginny if you think–'
'Ron, just leave them alone and get on the couch.'
'Couch? There isn't enough room for us on the couch.'
'Keep it up and we…won't be on the couch,' Hermione said warningly.
They bickered for a couple of minutes as Harry and Ginny readied for bed. Harry changed while Ginny used the restroom and changed into sleep clothes. Harry heard the snipping back and forth from the living room stop and then moments later, Ginny came into the bedroom in her favorite sleep shorts and a tank top.
'They've resolved their issues,' Ginny said, as she quietly shut the door.
'How?' Harry asked. 'Did Hermione kick him to the floor?'
'No, she enlarged the couch actually,' Ginny said, as she quickly climbed into bed. Harry was happier than he'd been in his whole life. He had his own home, the girl that was literally of his dreams, and friends that had gone through fire with him. But his heart kicked into overtime when Ginny climbed into the bed with him.
'Smart girl, she is,' Harry said shakily.
'Obviously not,' Ginny said with a snort. 'She's in there letting my brother feel her up. Not her smartest decision.'
Harry laughed settled into his bed with Ginny laying comfortably beside him. She kissed him lightly once and hugged him closely.
'I love you,' Harry said softly. Ginny looked at him and smiled.
'It's always nice to hear it first rather than to say it first.'
'I love you,' Harry repeated with a bright smile.
'I love you,' Ginny said breathlessly. She pressed her lips to Harry's and wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him even closer. Harry thought his head might explode from the images going through his head. As it turned out, Luna may have been more right than she knew.
