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Chapter 20: A Sister Understands

16th August. 1998. 2.30pm...

It had been half an hour after Harry had left and Ginny was sitting talking to Astoria, Fleur, Hermione and Molly.

"So how dose it feel being pregnant?" Hermione asked Astoria and Fleur.

"Besides the morning sickness it's not all that bad actually." Astoria admitted.

"Just wait a month or two." Molly advised, "It gets harder."

Fleur nodded, "My Maman and Papa are coming over to see me, along with my Auntie. Hopefully my Auntie Astrid will be able to shed some light on being a pregnant part-veela." she sighed, "She herself has a son and daugher, twins, even if she is single."

"Accidental pregnancy?" Ginny asked.

"Non, it was 'er ex-husband. 'E was killed during the first war when she was only 17 and they came 'ere for a holiday, she was pregnant at the time."

"That is so sad." Hermione sighed.

Fleur nodded, "She was 'eartbroken. I remember her coming to our home, Gabrielle had just been born at that time and Auntie Astrid needed support. I heard she's looking for love again though. She may find an Englishman to love and who loves 'er like I found Bill." she smiled.

"Where about is she from?" Astoria asked.

"France in a little town called 'Beynae-et-Cazenae' it is quite close to where I lived." the older witch smiled.

"Oh I've been there before." Hermione grinned, "Beautiful village and so much history behind it."

"When did you go?" Fleur asked.

"It was during the summer after our 2nd year."

Molly nodded, "You were telling Ginny and I about it when you got back and met us at the Leaky Cauldron."

"It cheered me up immensely just hearing about such a beautiful place." Ginny told them. "I was still... In a bad way after the... Chamber incident." she winced, "That and I couldn't even talk to Harry without stuttering or blushing like an idiot."

"And I helped you with that too." Hermione chuckled, "Mainly by telling you to relax and be yourself."

"And it only tool 6 years for him to realise his love for you." Astoria smirked, "It took Draco longer, about 10 years. We grew up together and I started fancying him when I was 7, despite how much I hated the way he acted." she explained.

"Well all boys and men are the same. They won't realise something until someone else points it out." Molly chuckled. "Arthur took 4 years to ask me out on a date, we were both 16 and I already loved him. He just didn't seem to notice."

"Be glad you eventually managed to talk to Harry, Ginny. Ron and I only fought for almost 8 years, it was very rare for us to have a rational conversation." Hermione muttered.

"Your fight's always seemed to go on forever." Ginny agreed, "I know Ron started most of them for a reason though." she added as the other witches went for some fresh air.

"What's the reason?"

"He didn't know how to get your attention any other way and he was didn't know how to ask you out so he'd argue with you to get your attention." Ginny said wisely.

"You know that how?"

"You've never been told me and Ron were always the closest have you? Well besides Fred and George."

"No, I didn't know."

"Well it's true, I was always with Ron growing up. The others were either at school or too busy to deal with their younger sibling's. Charlie and Bill were the only two who actively played with us and taught us thing's, beside Mum and Dad that is, but that was only when they were home or not busy." she smiled, "So me and Ron were always left with only each other for company. As a result of that even now I know why he acts a certain way or why he does certain things."

"I never noticed. With how often you argued it didn't seem you two were closest to each other." Hermione sighed.

"Ron only argues with me because he cares. Haven't you noticed he's more protective over me than the other's?" Ginny asked gently, Hermione frowned for a minute before nodding, "It's because we were closest. He argued with you because you didn't seem to notice him and he realised he loved you. I've watched all of my brothers grow up but I understand Ron the best out of all of them." she smiled, "When he went away to Hogwarts to wrestle troll's and help fight Voldemort, we grew apart I got closer my own friends, he got closer to you and Harry." she shrugged, "It was bound to happen eventually and we both knew and accepted that."

"Doesn't make it any easier."

"That's true but... I understood that he couldn't continue to be my friend as well as my brother... I suppose it's like you and Harry, you know when he needs something, when he's hiding something, when he needs to be left alone, in short your like a sister to him." she explained, "I understand Ron like you do Harry."

Hermione nodded, "I understand now." she said as Lily and Petunia joined them.

"Hello. What are you two talking about?" Lily asked.

Ginny explained.

Petunia nodded after she had finished, "A sister always understands. When we were younger Lily and I were inseparable. We didn't ever want to be apart."

"That's why Petunia reacted so badly to finding out I was a witch." Lily sighed, "We both knew it meant separation."

"I felt I wouldn't be able to understand Lily but... I was wrong. I just didn't realise that at the time and by the time I did realise it she was 17, engaged to James and I was married to Vernon." Petunia sighed. "I tried to escape Vernon three years after we married but I fell pregnant with Dudley and couldn't leave. I knew full well Vernon would take Dudley, then Harry came to us and I had to stay to protect him. Even if it made me miserable and bitter." she admitted.

"You could have told Dumbledore." Ginny pointed out.

"I couldn't. Not with Vernon keeping such a close eye on me. With two young kids I wouldn't be able to manage to feed us or keep a stable household running smoothly..."

"Albus would have helped you with that. He probably would have gotten Remus or one of the Order members to help." Lily smiled, "I'm grateful you did take Harry in though, even though you suffered greatly."

"Better me than him. Even though we both suffered slightly." Petunia frowned, "I know I done the wrong thing when he was growing up and I wish I could change that but I cant..."

"If he grew up protected from the bad things in life he wouldn't be the man he is now, he might have been killed instead of killing Voldemort." Hermione shuddered, "He suffered, yes, but at the same time I don't think he'd change anything."

"He wouldnt." Ginny nodded, "He's been listening in and he's on his way back right now." she tapped her temple to show she meant the soul bond.

"Being nosey then?" Lily chuckled, "Sound's like something James would do."

"He said he's taking that as a compliment and that he lives to be nosey." Ginny grinned.

"Mainly because it annoys everybody else when you find out things no one else knows." Hermione smirked. "Even if they don't know you know."

"Like where you three went last year? Remus and Dora were telling me and James a bit about Harry." Lily explained, "And Remus said you must have found out something's when you were away."

"Hmm... He's partly right. We knew most of the things but we needed them confirmed and that happened while we were in hiding. And before you ask, I know everybody is curious about where we were but Harry, Ron and I agree that it's for the best if you wait to find out." Hermione said, "It'll stop us having to re-live the memories that are more fresh than others before we have to." she added shuddering.

"I wasn't going to ask but I think Sirius, Remus and Dora were. I'll pass along the message so they don't ask you." Lily smiled and she and Petunia left as Harry walked in the door.

"Hey 'Mione? Where's Ron?" he asked walking over to them.

"Um... I don't know actually." she frowned, "Ginny have you seen him?"

"He went upstairs I think." she told them, "Why?"

"I need to talk to you all, wait here and I'll go get Ron."

The women nodded and Harry headed upstairs towards Ron's room. He stopped at the door and knocked, "You in there Ron?" he called.

"No." a voice said, "Of course not."

Harry frowned, Ron sounded odd, as though he had a cold.

"Can I come in?"

"Whatever. I know you're going to anyway."

Harry quietly opened the door and walked in. Ron was lying face down on his bed his arms above his head.

"What's up mate?"

"Nothing." came the muffled reply.

"I know something's up Ron. I can smell your emotions." Harry superstitiously sniffed and his nose picked up a few mixed emotions, "I can smell your upset, worried, angry, scared and guilty. Now what's up?"

"How can you smell all that?" Ron asked, "No one else has been able to do that yet."

"Yes they can. I only realised it about half an hour ago during my meeting with the Goblins, and it's only if I focus on what I smell. And don't try to change the subject."

"Fine." Ron reluctantly rolled over revealing red puffy eyes, he'd obviously been crying. "It's stupid you know."

"Tell me anyway." Harry smiled, "You've seen me do plenty of stupid thing's." he added.

"Well... I-I guess it's about what happened between us this year... And what happened in 4th year. I'm sure you can guess the rest."

Harry frowned, "I can try and guess. Let me see... You feel guilty because you didn't beleive me in 4th year and you left last year." Ron nodded once, "Your scared about how people will react to those two events." another nod, "Worried that I'll hold it against you." a hesitant nod, "Or are you worried it'll re-open old wounds between us?"

"Your good at this." Ron said with a nod.

"It's called practice." he chuckled, "Now," he sniffed again and frowned, "Your angry at yourself?" he asked shocked, Ron nodded, "Is this because of your actions? You blame yourself for not believing me and leaving?"

"Yeah..."

"Ron, you know I wouldn't hold anything against you. You also know I didn't do anything to stop you leaving and I encoraged you to tell me what was on your mind both times."

"Doesn't stop me feeling terrible though." he muttered.

Harry sighed, "I know there's not much I can do about that but... How about this, think about how much closer and stronger our friendship got because of those event's. Sure you had to gain trust with me again but when you did it grew more. Your like a brother to me Ron, it'll just be official when Ginny and I get married." he grinned, "By the way, I know it's a bit early to be asking but will you be the best man?"

"Of course. When are you thinking about setting the wedding for?" Ron asked clearly cheering up a little bit after Harry's little speech.

Harry shrugged, "Maybe at the start of summer, I need to ask Ginny about it."

Ron nodded, definitely cheered up.

Harry smiled and sniffed slightly, "Your still scared at how people are going to react arent you?"

Ron nodded, "Just a little."

"So am I." Harry admitted, "And remember most thing's I've done, like in 4th and 5th year, will get far worse reactions compared to one of our arguments."

"True. I hope your shield's strong enough to stop everyone cursing you." Ron chuckled.

"It is. Anyway, there's something I need to tell you Hermione and Ginny."

"Sure. I'll be down in a minute, just going to wash my face."

Harry nodded and went back downstairs and sat beside Ginny and Hermione, "He'll be down in a few minute's." he explained.

Two minutes later Ron joined them.

"So what was it you need to tell us?" Hermione asked.

"As you know I was just at Gringotts." the three nodded, "The Goblins have decided they want us to help them with something."

"Even me?" Ginny asked in surprise.

Harry nodded, "What they want is for us to help them improve Human/Goblin relationship's. At least that's what Clanut said. Oh and I have these for you too." he pulled out three little pin-sized boxes and enlarged them with his wand before handing one to each of them, "They're to be worn like a watch." he explained as the three opened the boxes curiously.

Inside the boxes were three identical bangles, on them it had a golden disk with runes on it, the band was made of silver and, like Harry had said, it was like a watch with the clasp being made of a purplish looking metal.

"There gifts from the bank and will tell Goblin's all around the world that we can be trusted and that we're trying to improve Human/Goblin relationships. They'll resize so there an exact fit and there flexible so they wont get in the way of movement." Harry explained showing them his where it was wrapped around his wrist above the watch he got for his 17th birthday.

"Friendship, Communication, Loyalty, Bravery, Honesty, Trustworthy, Safe." Hermione said reading the runes. "Quite simple runes. Did Clanut tell you if the runes do anything?"

"They don't. It's just so Goblin's can tell we can be trusted and that we wont be afraid of them. Ginny I told him about how we understand most languages and can speak it, he thinks it could do wonders if we taught some other people how to speak Gobbledygook." he added as the other three put their bangle's on.

"It would." she agreed, "We need to figure out how to access it without someone who speaks that language talking to us first." she frowned.

"I told Clanut that and he say's we have all the time we could want." he shrugged.

"Should we tell the other's about these?" Ron asked indicating his bangle.

"Yes. I had to run it by you first to make sure you all agree."

"Well we do agree so let's tell them all after dinner." Ginny suggested, "In the mean time I'm going for a run as Misty. Anyone care to join me?" she asked, the Golden Trio nodded and they went outside before changing and starting to run around the Burrow.