Chapter 15- Home Sweet Home
Hogsmeade Station. Friday 23rd May. 1997. The end of an era. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Luna and the remaining seventh-years board the Hogwarts Express with sombre expressions on their faces. They take a carriage near the back of the train and shut the door. Hermione lies in Ron's nap as he strokes her hair; Neville and Luna read the latest issue of The Quibbler together, and Ginny leans against Harry's shoulder. They all watch as the castle disappears from view. Ginny speaks first.
"I can't believe that's it. Seven years of our lives, just gone. Disappearing behind some fir trees".
"It's not gone, Ginny. Hogwarts will always be in our hearts. What do you think, Harry?"
"Hogwarts has been my home for eight years of my life. I'll miss it. But it's time for a new adventure, Hermione. For all of us". Harry glances down at Ginny, who smiles sweetly at him.
The train journey ends, as usual, at Platform 9 and 3/4, where the six of them are greeted by Mrs Weasley, George, Bill, Neville's grandmother and Xenophilius Lovegood. They all hug each other, and leave King's Cross, meeting Hermione's parents and Mr Weasley outside the station.
Weeks pass, and Harry spends the majority of it with Ron, Ginny and the rest of the Weasleys. One day, whilst Harry is out, Ginny goes and knocks on Ron's door.
"What is it?"
Ginny walks through the door and sits down on Ron's bed.
"What's wrong with Harry?"
"What do you mean, Ginny?"
"He's been acting weirdly the last few days. Disappearing all afternoon, like he has now. You're his best mate, so what's up with him?"
"Not a clue; you'll have to ask him. I'm hungry". Ron walks out of his own room and goes downstairs, leaving Ginny to shake her head in annoyance.
"Boys".
On Harry's return that evening, Ginny walks into his room and sits down on his bed.
"Where've you been, Harry? You've been avoiding me all week. What's wrong?"
"Nothing, Ginny".
"That's what Ron said, but I still don't believe it".
"Seriously, I'm fine, Ginny".
"Sure, you are. Is it me? Are you having doubts? Or have you met another girl?"
"Hell no, it's nothing like that. Look, if you wanna know what's been going on, just be here, in the house, tomorrow evening. We'll sort this out then".
"Fine".
Ginny storms out of Harry's room, and past Ron, who stands in the doorway.
"I think she's mad with you, mate".
"Probably".
"Just be careful she doesn't try her famous Bat-Bogey-Hex on you. That shit is horrible".
"She's right to be angry at me though. I have been avoiding her".
"Yeah, but hopefully tomorrow will make up for it".
"Is it what she wants though?"
"You'll have to find out mate. I gave up years ago trying to work out what goes through girls' minds".
"Yeah".
The next evening, Harry and Ginny meet in the living room. He holds her hand, and they apparate out of the Burrow, reappearing at number 12, Grimmauld Place. Harry opens the door, and they walk into the house, which has been redecorated and refurbished. He leads her through the house, showing her the revamped kitchen, a modern living room complete with TV and bookshelf, Sirius's room, which has been converted into an office for Harry, and the room he shared with Ron in their fifth-year, complete with four-poster double bed, and en-suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobes.
"Harry, this is beautiful".
"I haven't done everything; I figured we could finish the decorating together or something".
"You want…me… to live here?"
"I get it if you don't want to move in straight away. But yeah, that's the long-term plan. There's plenty of room for your family, and Ron and Hermione, and Neville and Luna to stay over too. But what I said, on the train, about a new adventure; this is it. I'm gonna move in soon. I love your family, don't get me wrong, but it's about time I had a proper place of my own. And when you're ready, I want you to move in too. We can start our life. Together. Because… I love you, Ginny".
"I love you too, Harry. But you're an idiot if you thought I wouldn't move in straight away".
"Really?"
"Of course". Ginny stands on her tip-toes again and presses her lips to Harry's. They stay like that for a while, as their tongues intertwine and the kiss deepens. Eventually, Ginny pulls away. "So, a double bed, and our own private room".
"Yeah, unless you want your own room, of course".
"Idiot".
Ginny removes her jacket and falls back onto the bed, pulling Harry on top of her. She presses her lips against his and her tongue starts to explore his mouth as his does the same. The sky outside darkens, and lights and clothes go off in number 12, Grimmauld Place.
