Chapter 36
"I like this one," Ron said pointing to what was probably the ninth or tenth ring he'd looked at. Harry had to admit this one was Hermione to a 'T'. It too was gold, but where the diamond sat looked like the pages of an open book, the diamond sitting in the middle of it. However he kept his mouth shut. This was Ron's choice, and Harry felt like it was one he needed to make on his own.
"What do you think Harry?" Ron asked him.
"Well, you're not getting the ring for me now, are you?" he asked. "This is between you and Hermione. I think she'd be happy with anything you got her, mate."
"Well, maybe." Ron conceded, "But I wanted her to see how well I know her. I thought this might be something she'd really like."
"Well young Ronald, why don't you take a minute to stew it over. All set there Mr. Potter?" Avarice asked.
"I'm ready." Harry said with a smile.
Avarice smiled to herself shaking her head. "Youth. It really is wasted on the young."
Harry let the comment slide as Avarice calculated the cost of Harry's purchases. She told Harry and he took out his pouch. He counted out the Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. He would be leaving with a pouch considerably lighter than when he came. He was down to only a very small handful of coins left. Frankly from the cost of the ring, he was surprised to find that he had enough for everything. Barely.
With a tired smile, Avarice turned back to Ron. Ron in turn handed her the ring he'd selected. It was the last one Harry had seen him looking at. Hermione would really like the ring. It's like it was suited just for her. Like Ginny's ring..."Hang on," Harry said suspiciously. Avarice looked up at him expectantly.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering. Just how did you know exactly what Ginny or Hermione would want in the way of rings? Especially this one," Harry said holding up the ring he'd just purchased. "Ginny loves Quidditch. It's a passion for her. How could you know that? Or Hermione? We know she loves books, but how would you?"
Ron had set down his purchase like it was something filthy that he'd just picked up by mistake. His hand started drifting toward where Harry knew Ron kept his wand.
Avarice seemed to take Harry's questions in stride. "Very astute Mr. Potter. Very astute. Let me assure you that I know quite a bit about your young girlfriend, and am learning a lot about your other friend, Hermione is it?" Harry nodded, "As well."
"You do remember don't you that Ginerva and Ronald's Aunt is a very close friend of mine, right?"
Harry simply looked at Avarice and she continued to explain. "Muriel is not exactly known for her discretion. Aside from that, and I'm sure you must be aware of this as well; you've all been in the Daily Prophet. Not once, but many times. I like to keep my old editions of the prophet; sometimes having them comes in handy. It was easy enough to go through my back issues and find that there was once an article, carelessly written, about Miss Hermione. That article made it clear she was, to quote it loosely, 'bookish'. That Ginerva likes Quidditch is well known throughout the Weasley clan. I've been hearing about it since she could hold a broom!" She finished with a cackle.
Harry didn't look convinced. Ron looked from one to the other and asked; "Is there really much in the Prophet about Hermione?"
Avarice turned from Harry to Ron and smiled at him knowingly. "Yes. You're in it too. Though neither of you have been in it anywhere near as much as young Potter here."
Thinking for a minute Harry decided he would be okay to take the purchases. He picked up the box with the ring again. "Sorry," he said.
"Don't apologize Potter. I know about what happened over the summer, and I remember very well the attack on your friend's older brother. You can't be too careful."
Harry thanked Avarice Garrow and then he and Ron left the shop. Looking around the now deserted Diagon Alley, Harry could just imagine that he was being watched even now. That gave him an idea. He slipped his hand into the other pouch on his belt and from it he removed one of the vials of Instant Animagus. He handed it to Ron. "Here, just in case."
"Instant Animagus? What's this for?"
"In case we get into trouble."
"Isn't that what those muggle firework things are that George gave you are for?"
"Yes. But I've used this before. I know this works. It doesn't take long to go through the change, and when you're done you'll be a much smaller target than you will be as a man."
"But what about apparating out of here? Can't we do that?"
"Yes, but how do you know that they didn't think of that too? It helps to have more than one option." Harry replied. That was almost textbook from both his classes and his Auror lessons.
Ron gestured ahead of them into the Alley. "Do you think it's safe?"
"Only one way to find out." Harry said starting forward.
The two friends made it back to the joke shop without incident. From there they let George know that they were safe. George asked, and Harry agreed, to use his fireplace so that they could travel back to Harry's office. Harry was going to decline until he saw how brightly his ring was glowing. Ginny. The thought that he'd be with her soon, and the next day they'd be leaving for Grimmauld Place together was overwhelming. They used George's fireplace. Upon reaching the castle, Harry could hear a loud knocking on his office door. Harry handed his purchases to Ron and told him to put them in his wardrobe, in his sleeping chamber. They could quite clearly hear Hermione and Ginny both pounding on the door. Harry went to open the door, but Ron said. "Wait!"
Harry turned to see Ron drawing his wand. "You're covered in soot. We need to clean off."
"Right," Said Harry drawing his own wand. They quickly cleaned each other off, listening to the sound of pounding coming louder and louder from the other side of the door.
"Harry! Harry! Open up! I know you and Ron are planning something!" Hermione said.
"Harry! You open up this door right now!" Ginny yelled.
"Alright, alright. Hold on."
The pounding stopped and Harry unlocked the door. Hermione and Ginny were standing on the other side. Both of them had their wands out, and Ginny looked quite ready to use hers.
"Ginny, it's alright. You can put your wand away." Harry said with a nervous smile.
The two young ladies entered the office. "What are you doing?" Hermione asked suspiciously. "You two were locked in here for an awful long time, and I could have sworn I heard what sounded like two people coming out of the fire place."
Hermione said glancing at the roaring fire. There was soot and some smoking cinders on the floor that Harry and Ron had tracked out of the fire. Smiling at the evidence, Hermione asked; "What were you doing in here?"
"Nothing." Harry said trying to repress a grin. He was caught and he knew it.
"Nothing? Then why is there soot all over your floor? And why is Ron coming out of your sleeping chamber." Asked Ginny. The look on her face was serious. She was daring him with her eyes to keep denying what he was doing.
"Fine, if you must know; Ron and I stepped out for a little bit this evening."
"But Harry! That's really dangerous!" Hermione said.
"What were you doing?" asked Ginny.
"And why did you ask those second years to mess up our rooms?" asked Hermione. "Oh please Ron," Hermione said at the look on Ron's face, "If you want to pay someone to do something and keep their mouths shut, I suggest that you give them more than two galleons apiece for the job!"
"Which brings me back to my question," Ginny said. "What were you doing?"
"Shopping." Harry said.
"Shopping? Now? What...?" Hermione stammered. Whatever she had been expecting, this wasn't it.
"Shopping," Ron said with conviction, now stepping forward.
"What were you shopping for?" asked Ginny, though her expression said she knew.
"Christmas. I didn't get everything I needed in Hogsmeade. So I stepped out for a bit."
"But Harry! You can't do that! That's really, really, dangerous." Hermione repeated.
"Hermione, I am a teacher. You read the letter I got before start of term. Teachers are allowed off school grounds. I don't need to wait for a Hogsmeade weekend."
"But Harry," Hermione started.
"Hermione, please." Harry interrupted her. "If you must know, Ron and I made a quick trip to Diagon Alley. We went to the joke shop for a bit and saw George. We only just got back." It was the truth. Mostly anyway.
"Why was it so important that you go tonight?" Hermione wanted to know.
"Because when we leave tomorrow, I don't know that I'll want to go anywhere once we get to Grimmauld Place."
Hermione started to argue, but seemed to catch her tongue at the last second. It probably had something to do with the kiss Ron was planting on her.
The next day came early. Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione all left from Harry's office for Grimmauld Place. Everyone was loaded down with piles of wrapped gifts.
As each one stepped from the fireplace at number twelve Grimmauld Place, Mrs. Weasley helped them out of the fire and assisted them to make sure none of their gifts were dropped. Harry was the last one through.
Once everyone had come through the fireplace and cleaned up, Mrs. Weasley gave everyone hugs and kisses. Even though they had just eaten a small breakfast at the castle, she sat them down immediately and fed them again. Bacon and Ham, Eggs and potatoes, tarts and rolls. It was during the meal that she made known some unexpected news.
"Hermione, I've received an owl from your mother and father,"
Hermione looked up in surprise. "My parents sent you an owl?"
"Well, it was in response to an owl I sent to them, but yes. I've received an owl from them. They've asked me to tell you and Ron to postpone your arrival home by a day or two. Apparently they have some plans and need some time to make things ready."
Hermione looked thoroughly confused. "Plans? What kind of plans?"
Mrs. Weasley smiled at Hermione and her confusion. "I don't know dear, they didn't say. I'm sorry. I'm sure it must be wonderful whatever it is."
"Okay," Hermione said. "At least we'll all have some time to spend together, right?"
"Sure," Ron reassured her. "Maybe we can go and visit George. Or Bill and Fleur, we've not been to see them in awhile. I'm sure Fleur would like the company."
"Maybe." was all Hermione could say. Harry was watching her, trying to discern why she looked a little worried. Of course this would be her first Christmas bringing Ron home with her. He supposed that would be enough to make Hermione nervous. Then he remembered the fact that Ron had an engagement ring wrapped up to give to her. He smiled at the thought of what her face would look like when she opened that gift. It was at that moment that Harry's thoughts drifted to Ginny, and what her face would look like when he presented her his gift on Christmas morning. Or maybe Christmas evening over a quiet cup of cocoa? Harry smiled at the thought.
The day was spent quietly enjoying time together. Ron, who was quickly getting a reputation in the school as a master chess player, challenged Harry, Hermione, and Ginny in turn to games of Wizard's Chess. They all lost spectacularly, Hermione lasting the longest and nearly taking Ron's king after an exhausting game that lasted almost an hour.
Harry and Ginny went to find a private place where they could just be together. They ended up in the attic where Sirius had kept Buckbeak just a few years ago. The room was dark except for the light coming in through the window. Harry sat down near the window and Ginny sat down next to him. She snuggled in close and intertwined her hands with Harry's. They just sat together holding hands and simply enjoying each other's company.
Harry noticed that both of their rings were glowing brightly. He felt wonderful. He was relaxed, not having school for three weeks. He had the woman he loved and what felt for now like all the time in the world to spend with her. He was content. Then Ginny interrupted Harry's thoughts; "Harry?" she asked.
"Hmmm...?" Harry said quietly. He was losing himself in her hair. It was one of his favorite features about her. It was long, soft, and luxuriant and smelled like nothing else.
"Have you ever thought about the future?" Ginny asked.
It took Harry a minute to realize that she was talking to him. Really talking to him. "Sure I do."
"What comes to your mind when you think about the future?" she wondered.
"What do you mean?"
"Well..."
He caught on at that moment. Ginny wasn't just making idle conversation.
"Do you mean to I think about our future? You and me together?"
Harry could see some color enter Ginny's cheeks and realized that this was something that she'd spent some time thinking about.
"Maybe." she said in a very quiet voice.
"I think about it Ginny. I think about it a lot." Harry ventured.
"Do you?" she wondered.
"More than you might think." Then feeling curious, Harry asked: "What about you? Do you think about a future together?"
"Yes. I think about it." Ginny's voice sounded a little unsure.
"What do you think about?"
"Well, you've made no secret that you want to be an Auror..."
"That's true. I'm in training even now for that very thing. You know that. What about you though? What do you want to do?"
"Would you laugh at me if I told you I wanted to play Quidditch? You know, like for a professional team?"
"No, I think you'd be very good at it. But I don't understand. What does that have to do with our future together?"
"Well, I was thinking. Wouldn't it be hard? You being an Auror, me being on a Professional Quidditch team?"
"I'm sure it would. But I think we could make it work. I know I would do everything I could to make it work." Harry said.
"Do you think we could make it work? Really make it work?"
Harry wondered what Ginny was getting at. "Yes, I do. Why, don't you?"
"I want it to. I'm afraid it won't though, and after everything we've been through together...I want it to work. I'm afraid that with you doing your job and me doing mine that things won't work out. Harry, I really don't want to lose you."
Harry thought about what Ginny was saying. He thought long and hard about it, and knew that more than anything he ever wanted in his life; he wanted a life with Ginny in it. He knew that any kind of life without Ginny was a life he didn't want to have. His stomach felt sick at the thought of it. He wasn't about to let her go if he could help it.
"Ginny, look. I told you last summer, I wasn't going anywhere you couldn't be. I meant that. I really did. It wasn't something I was just saying." Harry sighed. He took a deep breath, "You know something Ginerva Weasley? You're the only person I've ever said I love you to. The only one. My parents were dead before I could talk. It really wasn't something I could say when I lived with the Dursley's. Do you have any idea how much it means to me that I can say that to you? I mean it Ginny, I love you."
Harry sat back and gave Ginny a minute to think over what he'd just said to her. He was really glad he purchased the gift he did for her. If nothing else the conversation he was having proved it was the right thing to do. The right choice to make.
For her part, Ginny seemed to be deep in thought. Harry watched her as she chewed softly on her lower lip. He saw her eyes begin to glisten, and she whispered, "Really? Only me?"
"Only you, Ginny. Only you." He answered in the same soft whisper.
Ginny turned around and her lips found Harry's. Her arms wound their way around his neck and she pulled him in close. There was a depth of emotion to their kiss that Harry had not really experienced before. She knew him. She understood him. She accepted him. She loved him. That was all Harry needed.
That evening dinner was a quiet affair. Ron and Hermione were all smiles for each other. They held hands and talked to each other in quiet whispers. Harry and Ginny weren't much different, except for maybe a little more reserved. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley smiled tolerantly at the group. One could tell from their expressions that they well remembered what it was like to be that age.
Kreacher was happily going about the task of making the meal and making sure that everyone had their fill. The atmosphere was festive and joyful. There were Christmas colored candles floating in the air, and streamers and tinsel decorated the dining room. The old wizarding wireless set was tuned to play music softly in the background. It was a nice evening.
When the night was coming to a close, Harry and Ron were making their way up to the room they shared. Hermione and Ginny could be heard whispering and giggling a few steps behind them. Harry knew that they were enjoying a little girl time together that was sometimes difficult to have at school.
Ron was talking to him about his upcoming holiday with Hermione's parents. "I don't know what I'm more nervous about, giving Hermione her present or her parents' reaction to it."
"I don't know, mate. Why are you nervous about giving Hermione your gift?" Harry asked.
"Well, what if she says no?" Ron said fearfully.
"She's not going to say no, Ron. You know that."
"Yeah but say she does? What do I do then?" Ron asked.
"Then you pick up the pieces and move on. At least then you'll know. But Ron, you know as well as I do that Hermione is not going to say no to you. I'd bet my Firebolt on it."
That seemed to mollify Ron. He was quiet for a minute as they entered their room. As they were putting their pajamas on, Ron whispered; "What about you?"
"What about me?" Harry wanted to know.
"Are you still planning to, you know, give Ginny your ring?"
"Yeah, probably. Why wouldn't I?"
"Aren't you nervous? What if she says no?"
"Yeah, I'm a little nervous. I don't know what I'd do. Not after everything we've done. You know?"
"Yeah. We'll know soon enough won't we."
"Sure." Harry said with more certainty than he felt. He really hoped that Ginny said yes. He'd spent a lot of time already thinking what life with her would be like. Would they have kids? What their kids might look like. Would they have his eyes? Her hair? One thing that Harry had concluded was that now that things had been finished with Voldemort, he wanted to get his life started. And he wanted that life to be with Ginny. There was just a small matter of chasing down the remaining Death Eaters first.
Harry looked down at his left hand. His ring was glowing. He realized that ever since he'd given Ginny the ring she wore, and had put on its twin himself, that the glowing never stopped. It might vary in how bright it was but it never stopped. The feeling that she thought about him as much as she did, constantly in one way or another, overwhelmed him. He'd never had someone to love before. He'd never been in love himself. Harry was glad the room was darkened. He didn't want Ron to see the tears that had come to his eyes.
Sleep was difficult in coming that night. Harry had so many things on his mind he couldn't sort them all out. His Auror training was going phenomenally well. McQuarrie was very happy with the progress that was being made, but as a result was driving Harry that much harder. Harry gladly accepted his new training assignments and gave them every ounce of energy he had. However when the holiday came around, he was very glad for the break.
The Holiday. Ron really seemed ready to take that step and propose. Harry was impressed and even mildly surprised. When it came to matters of love, Ron sometimes still seemed a little oblivious about things. But then what about Harry? He wasn't the one who had deliberately gone shopping for a ring. It was only because Ron wanted to shop for a ring that put Harry in Avarice's shop again. It was very serendipitous that she had just the ring that would be exactly right for Ginny. But it had been an impulse buy. Harry wasn't shopping for rings when he purchased it. Did that mean he wasn't ready to pop the question? It wasn't like he hadn't thought about his and Ginny's future together many times.
Harry's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a floor board squeaking in the hall outside his room. A few seconds later another board down the hall squeaked softly. It was headed towards the stairs. Curious, Harry got up to follow. In total silence he got out of bed, and quietly made his way to the door of the bedroom. He opened it quickly and slipped outside into the hall. Then, stepping carefully on the balls of his feet he moved down the hallway on his own. Harry kept to the sides of the hall so as not to trip any of the squeaky boards. At the top of the steps he closed his eyes and listened carefully. There was the softest sound of a chair scraping in the kitchen. Harry decided he wanted to investigate.
He quickly and quietly made his way down the stairs. There was a soft light coming from beneath the door to the kitchen. He gently pushed on the door and peeked his head inside. There at the table was Mrs. Weasley. She was sitting a little slouched in a chair with what looked like a cup of hot tea held in her hands. She was staring into the depths of the crackling fire.
"Mrs. Weasley?" Harry asked. "Are you okay?"
Mrs. Weasley jumped a little at the sound of Harry's voice. Apparently she hadn't heard him enter. She looked around at him and he saw evidence of a lone tear that had recently traced its way down her cheek. Harry immediately felt like he'd interrupted something personal.
"Oh! Oh Harry, it's you." She smiled sadly up at him.
"I'm sorry; I suppose you want to be alone." Harry said backing out of the door way.
"No Harry, it's alright. You just caught me in a moment."
"I'm sorry." Harry said contritely.
"No need to be. Everyone feels down from time to time." She tried smiling again.
Harry himself tried smiling back. He really didn't know what to say.
"What's the matter Harry? Couldn't sleep?" Mrs. Weasley asked with motherly concern. It wasn't the first time that Mrs. Weasley had given him a kindness such as this. It was just that with the lack of motherly kindness in Harry's life, it really registered every time she did. It made him wish all the more his own mother was still alive. He had the feeling she and Mrs. Weasley would have been alike in many ways. Harry just shook his head to answer her.
Patting the seat next to her, Mrs. Weasley said; "Why don't you come and sit next to me?"
Harry did as he was asked, taking the seat indicated. Mrs. Weasley immediately put an arm around Harry and pulling him in close. Harry felt a lump form in his throat and he swallowed hard.
"You know, I forget sometimes..." Mrs. Weasley began.
"Forget what?" Harry wondered.
"Oh, never you mind Harry. It's just an old woman's memories." Mrs. Weasley said quietly.
Harry wondered what it was she was remembering. Her family had been through quite a lot in the last year. The loss of their home, not once but twice. The loss of friends. The loss of family. Harry missed Fred a lot. He couldn't imagine how much the Weasley's must be missing him. Ron never talked about it, but Harry knew he thought about it often. Enough to take a loan from George and work in the joke shop for a while. Ginny too would often stare off when he was holding her and Harry couldn't help but wonder how much her thoughts were pointed towards her brother.
"I remember the last time we were here for Christmas." Mrs. Weasley said quietly. "I remember Fred and George, and you, and Ron, and Ginny all being here. And Sirius too. I forget sometimes with as much as we've lost, even now, that there is still so much worth fighting for."
"I'm sorry about Fred." Harry said. He'd never said that to anyone except maybe Ginny. But Harry suddenly felt like it needed saying. "He was always kind. He was a great laugh and didn't always like following all the rules, but he was always there. I don't know if I could have gotten through some of the stuff I did without him, and George, and Ron and Hermione of course."
"You've had your own losses too." Mrs. Weasley observed quietly.
"Yes." It was all Harry could say. He'd spent enough time thinking about his own losses. The worst of which, except for maybe Fred, was hanging on his wall in his sleeping chamber back at Hogwarts.
"You know it's our first Christmas without him..." Mrs. Weasley said her voice thick with emotion.
"I know." Harry was feeling horrible at the moment. But as much as the Weasley's had been there for him, he felt a distinct need to be there for them.
"He died fighting for what he believed in. He died fighting for everything that's right in this world. He did his part. There's some comfort in that I guess."
Harry felt his own tears begin to fall. Not just for Fred, but for Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Mad Eye Moody, Dumbledore and all the rest who'd fallen for the same reason. And that fight wasn't over yet. The toll had been especially high. "They all did." Harry whispered.
Harry didn't say anymore. He didn't need to. Mrs. Weasley seemed content to hold him and gently rock him back and forth. Harry couldn't help but wonder if his mother wouldn't have done the same.
It was very late when Harry finally got up to go to bed. He knew that Mrs. Weasley wasn't going to follow. She seemed to need some time to herself. Harry could respect that. He went quietly along the hallway, being careful not to trip any of the squeaky boards in the stairway of the floor of the hall. Then he came to the room Ginny shared with Hermione. He stopped on the other side and listened carefully. He smiled when he could hear the soft, regular sounds of two people breathing. Harry looked up and down the hallway and then decided to chance opening the door. And there she was. Ginny. Harry stood and watched her sleeping. You're safe tonight, Harry thought. No one can get you. No one will hurt you. You're safe my love.
The next morning dawned early. Harry was awake before anyone else except for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. He went downstairs and yawned hugely as he sat down again.
"Good Morning, Harry." said Mr. Weasley. "Sleep okay?"
"Alright I guess." Harry replied.
"Harry was kind enough to help me last night." Mrs. Weasley said with a grateful smile.
"Oh? With what?"
Mrs. Weasley smiled lovingly at her husband. "This and that. He was a dear. Came down and saw me being all emotional. He was very sweet."
"Missing Fred again Mollywobbles?"
Harry felt his cheeks go red at Mr. Weasley's use of his pet name for his wife.
"Just a little. It wasn't as bad this time. Harry helped a lot."
Mr. Weasley reached over and put a fatherly hand on Harry's arm. "That's our Harry. Always there to help the Weasley's."
Harry was beginning to feel very uncomfortable, but was saved by Hermione entering the kitchen. She looked a like she was having an easier time waking up than Harry was.
"Hello," Hermione said as she came in and sat down. "I think Ron and Ginny are having a bit of a lie in." she said. "I didn't want to wake them."
"Let them sleep. Goodness knows they probably need it." Mrs. Weasley said.
At that moment Kreacher came in and served breakfast. He set down toast, boiled eggs, and porridge. Harry noticed that he still wore Regulus' locket that Harry had given him. The house elf happily went about setting everyone's breakfast in front of them. Then he brought in a pot of both coffee and tea. Harry reached thankfully for the coffee.
"Late night?" Hermione asked Harry innocently.
"Yeah, a little." Harry replied. He began wondering if she knew he stood in the doorway of the room Hermione shared with Ginny, watching while they slept.
The group was eating a quiet breakfast and was nearly finished when first Ginny, and then several minutes later Ron came stumbling into the kitchen. Ginny sat down and rubbed her eyes before leaning over and giving Harry a quick peck on the cheek.
"Morning, love." She said happily.
"Morning," Harry said in reply. He chanced a quick glance at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, who were looking at the two of them with warm smiles on their faces.
"Oi, I'm tired. I could sleep all day." Ron said heavily. "Who knew that even now after all this time that school would take so much out of a bloke?"
"Well, I'm glad you decided not to spend all day in bed." Hermione said briskly. "Otherwise nothing would get done?"
Ron looked at Hermione guardedly, "What do you mean?"
"I thought you wanted to visit George? Or Bill and Fleur, you know before we go to my parent's house." She answered briskly. Harry thought he could detect a little nervousness in Hermione's tone. He must have been right because when he looked back at Ginny he saw her turning her head, a knowing smile on her lips.
"What about you?" Harry asked. "Do you fancy going to see any of your brothers today?"
At this point Mrs. Weasley chimed in. "I suppose Bill and Fleur might be alright if you want to go to shell cottage. But I'm not sure I want you lot going to Diagon Alley right now. Things are still very dangerous there."
Ron looked ready to protest, but Ginny interrupted him. "Actually Harry, I thought you might like to go and visit Andromeda and little Teddy."
Mrs. Weasley seemed to brighten up considerably at this news. "I'm sure she'd love to see you, Harry. It's been ages since you saw them last."
Harry felt a little abashed. He'd kept in touch with owl post, and he did occasionally send the odd item for his God-son. "It'd be nice to see them I guess." he said.
"Great!" Ginny said brightly. She seemed happy and Harry wondered if she didn't have a reason for suggesting this. "I sent them an owl that we'd come visit over the Holiday, but I didn't say exactly when. I can't wait to see how big Teddy's getting."
The group finished breakfast quietly. Mr. Weasley left for work as Harry, Ginny, Hermione, and a now awake Ron went upstairs to prepare for the day. While Harry and Ron were together in the room they shared, Harry looked at the door, then looked back at Ron. "Hey," Harry said quietly.
"Yeah?" Ron asked, curious.
Harry finished tying his trainers and then sat down on his bed. "You okay?"
"I guess so. Just tired. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't more than a little nervous about going to see Hermione's parents again tomorrow." Ron said looking apprehensive.
Harry smiled at his friend. "It'll be alright. I think you'll be surprised."
"I hope so. I know the last time we saw them they were okay..." Ron observed.
"Well, they did just watch their daughter get the Order of Merlin. Those aren't handed out everyday. I'm sure even as muggles they must recognize that."
Ron gave Harry a fearful look. Harry continued, "My point is that you were up there too Ron. They saw you get your award. To be recognized like that with the highest award our kind has to offer says something special about you. They have to realize that. Give them a chance to see you with Hermione. To watch the two of you together, and see how right you are for each other. They'll come around."
"What if they don't though?" Harry could tell by the way Ron asked that question, that this was really weighing heavily on his mind.
"Then they don't. But you'll know, and more importantly Hermione will know that you tried. She can't ask any more of you than that."
Ron sighed heavily. Harry knew that his friend was deeply worried over everything. He also knew that once it was all said and done, things would turn out much better than Ron thought they would.