Chapter 10: Reunions
"Well, Miss Weasley," Professor McGonagall said, scrawling her signature across the bottom of the parchment, "Congratulations, and welcome to the staff." The professor smiled warmly at Ginny across the desk, and Ginny grinned back.
"You'll start work the week before term officially begins," McGonagall continued. "There will be several faculty meetings at that time, and you'll have time to work on your course plans before the students arrive. You'll have a bit more paperwork to fill out then, but as far as I'm concerned you're now an official Hogwarts professor." She produced her wand from within her robe sleeve and flicked it to send Ginny's contract into the file cabinet behind her desk.
"I actually do have one more question, Professor…," Ginny said.
"Please, Ginny," McGonagall interrupted, "You may have been my student, but we're colleagues now. Call me Minerva."
"Minerva," Ginny began again – the name felt awkward on her lips – "It's a question about living arrangements. It's my understanding that professors have rooms here on the grounds?" McGonagall nodded. "Are there ever cases of professors living elsewhere? You see, given my current living situation, I would prefer to live off-grounds."
McGonagall looked thoughtful, and Ginny was surprised that the professor didn't ask her to elaborate on her "current living situation." She supposed that McGonagall already knew about her and Draco via the Order. "Unfortunately, the housing of professors on the grounds is important for both the safety and discipline of the students. Professors must be readily available in cases of emergency, and on nights particularly…popular…with rowdier students – Halloween, after exams, the like – we like to have professors patrolling the halls. So, you see, it would be rather inconvenient for you to live anywhere but your accommodations here at Hogwarts."
Ginny nodded, determined to keep the disappointment off of her face. "Of course, Minerva, I understand."
"You will of course have most weekends off, professors take those in turns, and you may certainly go where ever you like then. And overnight guests are allowed one night a week, as long as you remain relatively discreet. Married professors," McGonagall added, as an afterthought, "are subject to a different set of rules, but I don't think that's relevant at this point?"
Ginny shook her head. She and Draco hadn't even discussed marriage.
"Then, I'm very sorry, but we're going to require that you live here at Hogwarts."
"That's very fair, thank you," Ginny said quickly, not wanting McGonagall to feel that she was being demanding. The professor had been incredibly helpful already. "I really appreciate the opportunity, really," Ginny said honestly, standing and shaking McGonagall's hand. "I look forward to starting in a few weeks."
"We look forward to having you, Ginny," McGonagall replied.
"Miss Weasley," she added, just as Ginny reached the door to the office. "You musn't think that our rules regarding living arrangements are anything against you and Mr. Malfoy." Ginny's eyes widened, but she stayed silent. McGonagall sat back in her chair and smiled kindly at Ginny as she spoke. "In fact, I rather think that Professor Dumbledore," she glanced at the gently smiling portrait of her predecessor that hung to the right of her desk, "would think that the two of you are a real testament to what all of this war and pain and suffering can accomplish. The breakdown of old prejudices, that is."
Ginny didn't know what to say. McGonagall's words actually made a laugh rise up in her throat. She and Draco had just fallen together. It certainly hadn't been a testament to the breakdown of anything. But she forced down the giggle and smiled politely. "That's very nice of you to say," she finally replied.
McGonagall nodded. "Well, I'll see you in four weeks then. Good afternoon."
Ginny let herself out of the office and maneuvered down the spiral staircase and into the hall before allowing herself to perform a little victory jig. Charms professor. A Hogwarts professor! It was unbelievable.
Still giddy with excitement, Ginny exited the castle and crossed the grounds at a quick pace. The atmosphere along the main street of Hogsmeade was more relaxed than Ginny had seen it in years, and she took a few moments to wander about, soaking it in. Everywhere was like this now. Draco and Ginny had given leave at work, and after term had ended at the Academy, they'd packed up their apartment and come back to England.
Her mum had been right, of course. Ginny hadn't seen a single Death Eater since she'd been home, and there hadn't been an incident involving Voldemort's cronies in months. People were coming out of hiding, and McGonagall had said it herself in their interview – muggleborns and half-bloods and blood-traitors were enrolling at Hogwarts again for the upcoming term. They still hadn't heard from the Trio, but Ginny had a feeling – a feeling that made happiness well up in her stomach – that it was only a matter of time before they appeared.
Ginny Apparated back to the new flat that she and Draco had purchased – Draco especially had made enough money in Geneva to afford it – and felt a pang of regret that she wouldn't be able to live here permanently during termtime.
"Gin?" Draco called from their bedroom. "Is that you?"
Ginny dropped her bag on the sofa and headed in to meet him. "Say hello to the new Hogwarts Charms professor!" she said, striking a pose in the doorway.
"Congratulations!" Draco said, grinning and shoving away the stack of papers on his knee. He patted the bed beside him. "She offered you the job on the spot?"
"Well it wasn't quite that easy," she admitted, bounding onto the bed. "She asked me loads of questions and there were a few technical ones as well. But then she drew up the contract and that was that!"
"Well I'm glad you got it," he said, planting a kiss on her temple.
"She did say I have to live on the grounds, though," Ginny added, "I'll get most weekends off to come back here, and you're allowed to sleep over in my rooms once a week, but that's it."
Draco sighed. "Well that's what I thought it'd be. I guess I'll just be puttering around this flat all alone, then."
"Like you'd ever putter," Ginny snorted. "S'alright though, don't you think? Not ideal, but what better teaching position am I going to get? Plus, you know my mum wasn't too thrilled about us living together."
"But we lived together for two years in Geneva!" Draco protested.
"Yes, of course," Ginny said wearily, "But she didn't have to be around it."
Just then, Ginny heard the soft crackle of the fireplace as it burst into flames in the living room. "I'll get it," she said. "You finish those off," she added, gesturing to the papers Draco had pushed aside.
"Bloody Gringotts and their bloody paperwork," he muttered, picking up his quill again. "It's not like I'm applying to work with the Minister of Magic."
"No, just his gold," Ginny quipped. Draco glared at her, and she chuckled as she left the room.
Mrs. Weasley was in the fireplace, and she smiled brightly when Ginny came into view.
"Ginny, dear, how's the moving in going?"
"Hey, Mum," Ginny replied, glancing around the room. There were still a few unopened boxes – the ones that contained picture frames for the mantelpiece, books, and the like – but everything big had already been unpacked. "It's pretty much done. A few things here and there, but we're all settled in."
Ginny considered telling her mum about the job offer at Hogwarts. She was bursting to break the news. But no, she would wait until dinner tonight so she could tell the whole family at once.
"That's very good," Mrs. Weasley said, nodding sagely. Ginny knew that her mother disapproved in her heart of hearts of her only daughter living with her boyfriend, but they'd already discussed it and Ginny doubted she would bring it up again.
"You haven't forgotten about dinner tonight, have you? I know you and Draco have been busy looking for jobs and getting settled, but all of the boys want to see you!"
"Of course I haven't forgotten, Mum," Ginny said. "Wouldn't miss it for the world!"
Mrs. Weasley beamed and opened her mouth to continue, but Mr. Weasley's panicked voice filtered in from the next room. "Molly! This pot is beginning to boil over!"
"All right, hang on," Mrs. Weasley said over her shoulder. She looked back to Ginny and rolled her eyes conspiratorially. "I asked your father to watch the beef stew. He's hopeless in the kitchen, you know." Ginny grinned.
"But Ginny, I was wondering if you would mind dropping by Diagon Alley on your way over to get me a few last minute ingredients?"
"Yeah, of course, Mum," Ginny said. "When do you need them by?"
"Molly!" Mr. Weasley was calling again.
"I'm coming, Arthur, just turn down the stove, will you?" Mrs. Weasley hollered. "Well everyone's arriving around five, so how about you bring the things round by four-thirty? That should be plenty of time."
"Molly!"
Mrs. Weasley sighed heavily and started to move away from the grate. "All right, I'll have Errol fly the list over. Thanks, dear, see you soon!"
"It's three thirty now," Draco said from the doorway behind her. "If we go now we can walk around a bit...won't be in a rush."
"You just can't get enough of walking around, can you?" Ginny laughed, standing.
"Can you blame me? Wandering Diagon Alley without having to deal with the unweildy limbs of your git of a brother…," Draco said, waxing sentimental.
Ginny gave him the obligatory punch in the shoulder. Draco dodged and laughed. "Heavenly…," Draco said.
"Lemme just change out of all this," Ginny said, gesturing to the formal robes she'd worn to her interview with McGonagall. Heading back into the bedroom, Ginny tugged on a gray t-shirt and denim shorts and slipped her feet into her most comfortable pair of trainers. She grabbed a hairtie from her dresser and was just about to swing her hair up into a ponytail when Draco stopped her.
"Leave it down," he said, leaning down to kiss her. "I like it down."
Ginny tutted. "It's getting too long, though," she sighed, but she looped the hairtie around her wrist and swung her handbag over her shoulder. "All right, all set."
A few minutes later, a very weary looking Errol arrived at the flat with a short grocery list. Ginny scanned it, then tucked it into her bag. "It's not much," she said to Draco, "Mostly things for a peach and apple pie. And a few cleaning supplies and things."
"Perfect," Draco said, and he stuck out his tongue at her just as he Apparated away. Rolling her eyes, Ginny followed.
In a moment, they were standing together a few meters from the main road. The familiar bustle of the Alley made Ginny smile. It was good to be home.
They wandered among the stalls for the next half hour, soaking in the sights and smells and sounds. With the sun on her face and Draco's arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders, Ginny felt happier than she could ever remember feeling. She hadn't felt this carefree since before her first year. It felt amazing.
As the clocktower down the street struck four o'clock, Ginny dug in her bag for the list. "Maybe you could get the cleaning supplies? I can start in on the pie things?" she said.
"Yeah, sure…I'll find you around the fruit carts?"
Ginny nodded, and Draco headed off in the opposite direction.
As she continued down the street, Ginny passed a string of familiar shops. Fred and George hadn't opened their shop up again yet, but Ginny knew they would do so before all the Hogwarts students started coming to the Alley to get their school supplies. In a recent letter, the twins had said cryptically that they wanted to re-open with a bang, and Ginny was smart enough not to question them about it.
Ginny realized she was smiling to herself. She was really looking forward to seeing all of her brothers again. tonight. When they'd gotten back to England, Ginny and Draco had stayed at the Burrow for a few days while the papers were finalized on their new flat, but the boys hadn't been able to visit. Her mother had kept her largely up-to-date on their lives in her letters, but two years was a long time to go without seeing their faces.
Ginny bought some pie crust and shoved it into her bag before heading over to the fruit vendor. She scanned the selection and had just selected her first apple when she felt Draco's warm arms enclose her from behind. She turned and he gave her a swift peck on the forehead.
"That was fast!" she laughed, returning his kiss full on the lips.
"Well, you know me," Draco returned. "Nothing if not efficient."
"Indeed," Ginny snorted. "Here, I got a good apple, but mum wants mostly peaches."
Fifteen minutes later, they had Apparated out of the Alley and were walking hand in hand up the lane to the Burrow.
"Ten Galleons says Charlie's grown a beard," Ginny said. "And be careful, the pie crust's in there!" she warned, gesturing to the bag, which Draco was swinging nonchalantly in his other hand.
"No way," Draco said. "A dragon would've singed it off for sure. I think there are regulations about dragon tamers and facial hair."
"Fine. Ten Galleons says Bill has grown a beard."
"What is your obsession with your brothers and beards, woman!" Draco teased.
"I dunno," Ginny shrugged. "I have a premonition that someone's grown a beard."
"Useful premonition, that," Draco said drily. "Have you considered teaching Divination? Your skills could really be put to good use."
"Oh, sod off," Ginny said. "And you'll see about the beards," she added, pointing a knowing finger at him.
They came up to the front door, and Ginny scuffed the bottoms of her trainers on the mat out of habit. Draco knocked.
The door opened almost immediately.
"Mum, we got four peaches…I hope that's enou-," Ginny looked up and her words caught in her throat. "R-r-on?" she stammered, trying to catch her breath.
The door opened wider and Ginny stumbled into the house and into her brother's bear-hug.
"Merlin, Ron!" she exclaimed, and she could feel pricks of tears at the corners of her eyes. "What…when…when did you get back?"
"Only about an hour ago," Ron said, beaming, and Ginny was sure his voice was deeper than it had been when he left. He backed away a little and held her by both shoulders to survey her.
"Oh, Ron, let me say hello!"
"Hermione!" Ginny said, and the tears were really coursing down her face now. She embraced the older girl, and when she stepped back she found herself looking desperately around the room for a third familiar face. Her parents were sitting together on the sofa, Mrs. Weasley openly crying and Mr. Weasley beaming widely beside her. But there was no one else.
"Where's…," Ginny began, and when Ron's grin faltered Ginny felt her legs weaken beneath her. "Oh, Merlin, Ron…is Harry…is he all right…?"
"No, Ginny, he's fine," Hermione said quickly, but her eyes slid involuntarily over to where Draco was still standing just inside the door.
"Ginny, can we talk to you?" Ron said, and now he wasn't smiling at all, "Alone," he added shortly.
A little discomfited by the abrupt change in mood, Ginny silently followed Ron from the room. "We're so pleased to see you, Gin," Hermione said, touching Ginny's arm and trying to smile convincingly as they marched out the back door.
"What is this about?" Ginny said when the door had closed behind them, leaving the three of them alone in the back garden.
"We're really, really pleased to see you, Ginny," Hermione repeated, standing beside Ron and putting a hand on his arm.
"Yes, yes," Ron said gruffly. All trace of his earlier grin was gone. "We're really happy to see you, we've really missed you, all of that, but what we want to know – what I want to know – is what the bloody hell are you –"
"Ron…," Hermione said gently.
"No, Hermione, I can't believe what's happening here!" Ron said, and his voice was rising. "Harry is completely crushed…!"
"Where is Harry!" Ginny cut in frustratedly. "And what in Merlin's name are you going on about, Ron?"
Ron opened his mouth to reply. "Look, Ron," Hermione said quickly, "Just let me, all right?"
Ron sighed and folded his arms. "Okay," Hermione said. "Look, Ginny, Harry's perfectly safe. He went to Diagon Alley to see you as soon as we got back. He's really, really missed you, and your mum told him where you were, so he went." Here Hermione looked up at Ginny with an expression that looked almost like…disappointment? Ginny began to interrupt, but Hermione pressed on. "And while he was gone your mum and dad explained about you and Draco. Now Ron and I aren't going to pretend we understand what's going on, but the relevant issue right now is that Harry saw the two of you in Diagon Alley and he's…well he hasn't taken it well."
"What do you mean he hasn't taken it well?" Ginny said, rubbing the back of her neck anxiously.
"Well he's gone for a walk," Hermione said, "We're sure he'll be back in time for dinner, but…well…I think we just don't understand, Ginny." Ginny looked up to see Hermione searching her face, brow creased in concern. "We just don't understand what you're doing."
Ron, who had been standing, arms crossed, during Hermione's speech, cut in. His voice was low with controlled anger. "How could you do this to Harry?" he said harshly. "Getting to be with you again has been keeping him going for years, Ginny! But just a few months and you bin him for that snivelling ferret of all people!"
Ginny balked. Ron had always had a way of pushing her buttons when it came to judging her love life. "Ron Weasley, I don't care how long you've been gone – you have some nerve coming back to this house after four years and saying those things. You don't know anything about my relationship with Draco…or my relationship with Harry, for that matter!"
"Her relationship with Draco," Ron said, turning to Hermione for support. "Now it's a relationship! For Merlin's sake…this is a bloody nightmare!"
"Yes, my relationship, you superior git!" Ginny yelled back.
"You were in a bloody relationship with Harry!" Ron countered. "And you expect me to buy this shite about you and Malfoy when you've practically been cheating on my best friends for…."
Ginny leapt forward with the full intention of slapping her brother in the face, but Hermione moved between them.
"Okay, stop it, you two, right now!" Hermione cried, and her tone was authoritative enough that they both stepped back. "Ron, you are being absolutely ridiculous. We both know Harry broke up with her before we left. But Ginny," she said, turning and putting a hand on Ginny's arm. "I guess we're just…confused. We thought, and Harry thought too, that you two would get back together when we got back. And I think it's just…well it's a big shock that you're with…Malfoy…."
"Well I didn't expect…," Ginny began, but just then the back door slammed open and Fred, George, Percy, Charlie, Bill barrelled out of the house.
"Ronniekins!" George exclaimed as the five of them enveloped Ron in a hug that sent them all tumbling onto the grass. Shock registered on Ron's face for a moment, but then it broke into a broad grin, and Ginny knew that she had been forgotten for the moment.
"And Ginny! You're home!" Ginny saw Ron and Hermione looking at her in confusion as the twins, Percy, Charlie, and Bill took turns embracing her. Her parents must not have told them that she'd been in Switzerland.
After several minutes, Mrs. Weasley appeared and herded them all back into the sitting room with the promise of an impending feast.
Draco raised his eyebrows at her questioningly as she came back inside, and she gave him a weary, "I'll tell you later" look. But her heart was still pounding in her chest from the confrontation with Ron and Hermione.
Right now, the couple was being buried with questions. All of her brothers seemed to accept with minimal confusion the curious explanation that Harry had gone for a walk "because he missed the Burrow." Ginny took the opportunity to turn to Fleur. "How are you and the baby doing?" she asked, hugging her sister-in-law gently.
"She iz kicking non-stop!" Fleur said, rubbing her very-pregnant stomach affectionately. "It's nice to see you, Ginny. Bill and I weren't expecting this much excitement and so many reunions tonight!" she added.
Ginny chuckled. "Neither was I," she said.
"Dinner's ready!" Mrs. Weasley called over the general hubbub. She turned to Ron and Hermione, "Do you know if Harry will be…."
And as if on cue, the front door opened. Ginny felt all of the breath leave her body as Harry walked in. He looked weary, and his face had become a little more angled than she remembered. But his hand was raking through his messy hair in the nervous gesture that was so familiar it made her heart ache a little.
She knew that Ron and Hermione's eyes were on her and she felt Draco stiffen a little at her side, but she couldn't help what she did next. They had a long history, and everything was so ridiculously complicated now, but for those short months, Harry Potter had been her best friend and the love of her life. She couldn't help it. She rushed forward and engulfed Harry in an elated hug.
He was warm and solid, and when his arms came around her and hugged her back – tightly – there was a brief moment when she forgot all of the complications and was just completely happy that he was home. "I missed you," she whispered.
"I missed you too," he whispered back.
But then his arms suddenly loosened and she felt his body tense up against her. Confused, she followed his gaze to where Draco was standing behind her. Harry let go abruptly, and Ginny stepped back, feeling her cheeks heat inexplicably.
"Harry!" Bill said, breaking the awkward silence. "It's great to see you, mate!" The eldest Weasley boy came up and clapped Harry on the shoulder. Harry, seeming to recover himself, grinned and began to move around the room, hugging all of the Weasley brothers.
Draco placed his hand comfortingly – or was it possessively? – on the small of her back as she came back to stand beside him. He didn't say anything.
"Dinner!" Mrs. Weasley announced again, and they all began to move into the kitchen.
It was going to be a long night.
Author's Note: AAAAAH I HAD SO MUCH FUN WRITING THIS CHAPTER! I hope it was equally fun to read! Don't worry – the next chapter will be more of the dinner – and Harry and Ginny may or may not have a conversation (you'll just have to wait and see!). Please review – I'd really appreciate it!