A/N - Sorry for the long wait for this chapter, I spent a long time going over it trying to slow down Harry and Ginny's relationship slightly while not doing anything to change the overall storyline I have in mind, as some reviewers have pointed out that I am rushing them into a relationship too fast, even for a fanfiction. I think I have been successful, and in doing so, added some more into the story, so it is another longer chapter, the longest yet! Then, having finished my edits and proof-read it, I started having problems uploading it to the site so it could be published. Hopefully, it is all resolved now, and I hope you enjoy - the next chapter should come a bit faster! (Disclaimer in first chapter) Anyway, here's the chapter!

Chapter 7 - The Secrets of a Meddlesome Old Fool

The next morning, Harry and Ginny were up early, having made themselves an early breakfast and left some for the Dursleys, awaiting Mr Weasley's arrival.

Soon, they heard a knock at the front door. Not wishing for Aunt Petunia to answer it, they went themselves, hoping to avoid the inevitable conversation about "ingenious muggle contraptions", which would be sure to set the Dursleys off and try to kick Mr Weasley out of the house.

"Good morning Mr Weasley." Harry started. They showed him to their room.

When they arrived, Mr Weasley looked around and frowned. "They expected you to live in here?" He asked. Receiving a hesitant nod, he continued "This won't do at all." He removed his wand from his pocket and started waving it about. Soon the locks were removed from the door, the room was three times the size, and the bed was enlarged to be queen-size. He also transformed some of Dudley's old toys in the corner into better furniture for the room, including a wizard radio, and others simply disappeared.

"To your shed?" Ginny asked with a smirk. This made Mr Weasley look decidedly uncomfortable.

"Yes, well, don't tell you're mother." He replied quietly.

He also conjured two sofas for them to use. Once they had sat down, he addressed Harry. "So, are the relatives treating you well?"

"Better than they used to. They mostly just ignore us."

"That's good. Are you getting fed?"

"Not as much as we are at the Burrow, but enough." Ginny replied.

"Then it was a good thing your mother insisted I brought this basket of food." He waved his wand and a basket jam-packed full of food appeared. Harry placed it beside his newly expanded bed. "Now, is there anything else you want to know?"

"I was wondering," Harry started tentatively, "if you knew anything about Sirius Black?"

"How do you know about him" Mr Weasley asked sharply.

"He made an appearance on the muggle news. Ginny told me what she knew about him, but I want to know why he was so dangerous that he was in Azkaban in the first place, and now the muggles need warning about him."

"I'm sorry Harry, but the ministry are restricting all information for the time being. I'm as much in the proverbial dark as you are right now. But if I find anything out, I'll endeavour to tell you both."

"Thank you."

The conversation continued for about half an hour, when Mr Weasley took his leave.

At the Burrow, Ron was angry. Actually, that was an understatement, he was fuming. No matter what his parents and brothers said, he just knew that Harry was taking advantage of Ginny.

This was too much. They were best friends and best friends don't date each others younger sisters. Ginny was much too young to be dating anybody in his mind, and if anyone it should definitely not be Harry.

He didn't know where this dislike for his friend came from all of a sudden, as the rest of the family seemed to think him perfect for Ginny. But now he had had a few days to mull it over (he had barely left his room since he had found out where Ginny was), he realised what was happening. He was jealous. Jealous that he would no longer be the first person Harry went to for advice. Jealous that he would split his time between Ron and Ginny. Jealous that someone else had taken his place as the most important person in Harry's life.

However, Ron's ego couldn't take being bruised by the realisation of such strong jealousy, so he tried to hide it from himself. This resulted in him lying on his bed some more, trying to find some other reason for his growing hatred for his former best friend. He didn't even consider doing anything else, he had lost any chance of limited amusement in his room when Scabbers had disappeared from his cage on the train home. But that couldn't be important, if anything he might be able to persuade his parents for a new, more useful pet.

That afternoon, Harry and Ginny were lounging in their room. It was too hot to do that much. Mr Weasley had forgone vanishing the sofa, insisting that they "must have somewhere to sit".

Suddenly, an unknown owl pecked at the window. Upon closer inspection, Harry realised that it was a Hogwarts Owl. He scrambled to let it in, before Uncle Vernon started yelling again about what the neighbours would say.

After removing both the letters from it's leg, he carried it over to Hedwig's cage, the only object in the room which had remained unchanged from Mr Weasley's conversion, as it still had to be liftable.

Returning to the sofa where he had been sitting with Ginny curled in his lap, he sat beside her and handed her one of the letters. They were addressed to each of them. Deciding to start with Harry's, they broke the Hogwarts Crest seal and opened it.

Dear Mr Potter,

I am aware that you have had a rather trying end to the school year, but that doesn't change the fact that you must choose which new subjects to study in third year. If you could please send the return parchment by the end of next week so I can sort the timetables that would be most helpful.

Hope you are enjoying your summer,

Professor Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Return Slip
Select your new subjects for third year by ticking next to them.
Remember you must choose a minimum of two and maximum of three.
Return to Professor McGonagall.

Choices for Mr Harry James Potter:
Divination
Care of Magical Creatures
Arithmancy
Ancient Runes
Muggle Studies

Harry was shocked. He had forgotten all about choosing his subjects for the next year. Laying his letter aside, he motioned for Ginny to open hers. She read it out loud.

Dear Miss Weasley,

It is my pleasure to inform you that after a large amount of deliberation, (and a lot of input from myself), the Hogwarts Board of Governors has decided that you will not be expelled from Hogwarts as there is evidence of compulsion charms on the diary so strong that most sixth years wouldn't be able to resist them for as long as you did.

Also, having shown the Board of Governors your grades, as another attempt to keep them from expelling you, they have decided that you are doing so well in the core classes that you should be able to manage moving up a year. This would place you in third year come September. Let it be known that this has only been done once before, and by the end of the first term the student asked to be moved back down.

If you would wish to take this exciting opportunity, just return the slip attached to the other letter by the end of next week.

Sincerely,

Professor Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

She moved to the next letter.

Dear Miss Weasley,

I have just been made aware that you have the option of moving up a year. This is a wonderful opportunity but I caution you to think through whether you are certain you can keep up with your studies. On a personal note, I believe your grades could get to the point where they are higher than even Miss Granger's. If you wish to take this exciting opportunity, please fill out and send the return parchment to me by no later than the end of next week, otherwise you will remain in second year.

Hope you are enjoying your summer,

Professor Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Return Slip
Select your new subjects for third year by ticking next to them.
Remember you must choose a minimum of two and maximum of three.
Return to Professor McGonagall.

Choices for Miss Ginevra Molly Weasley:
Divination
Care of Magical Creatures
Arithmancy
Ancient Runes
Muggle Studies

"Well that is a surprise." Ginny commented.

"I told you they wouldn't expel you." Harry replied. "But to be moved up a year, and only the second student ever... And beating Hermione! I can't wait to see that!"

"But you always make fun of Hermione for getting near perfect grades." Ginny said, doubtfully.

"Ah no, we make fun of Hermione because she gets those grades from spending her life with her nose in a book." Harry corrected. "You know she can perfectly quote Hogwarts: A History now? You would get those grades from naturally being smart. That's completely different, and a lot better. Are you going to move up a year?"

"Of course I am, it means I get to spend more time with you!" She said quickly, before realising what she had said and blushing.

Harry pulled her onto his lap. "I'd love to spend more time with my wife." He whispered in her ear, making her shiver. It was strangely pleasurable to each of them to call each other husband and wife, even though it could only be done in private. "So what choices are we going to take? I know Ron was thinking of Divination and Care of Magical Creatures, and Hermione wanted to do all of them."

"I can't stand Divination, it all seems made up to me. Care of Magical Creatures sounds fun though."

"I really don't like the idea of Muggle Studies. Living here was good enough."

"Yeah. And we don't want me turning into Dad now. Maybe you could teach me a bit about muggles. More what I need to know, rather than a syllabus for an exam."

"I guess I could do that, but I'm not that great of a teacher. So it's between Arithmancy and Ancient Runes."

"Is there an easy way to decide? I guess we could just do both."

"I wouldn't mind that. We would have less free periods, but in all our classes we could work together."

"I like the sound of that. Is it settled then?" Receiving a nod she continued. "So Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures."

After ticking their choices, they folded their pieces of parchment into two separate envelopes, addressed them to Professor McGonagall, and tied them to Hedwig's leg, who shot a grateful glance that she was finally being used to send a message. With that done, Harry sat back on the sofa, and Ginny curled back up in his lap, giving him a quick kiss, before they just sat there hugging each other, revelling in the warmth that was the other's love for them.

Dumbledore was frustrated. While he had been forced to try his hardest to prevent Ginny being expelled, he had never expected her to be moved up a year. Now she would spend even more time with Harry, making it harder to keep them apart.

He had a small glimmer of hope that she would refuse the offer, but knew in his heart that like all Weasleys, she liked a fight, and that would be the easy way out.

Oh well. There was still nothing more he could do until September. He didn't know whether he wanted his gadget to activate or not. It doing so would mean he could separate Harry and Ginny, but also mean that they had completed their bond, making it harder to break them up. However, if it didn't activate and Ginny didn't end up at the Burrow this summer, he would have a very angry Molly Weasley on his hands, and Harry and Ginny would stay together until school.

The longer they stayed together, the less likely it was any form of love potion or compulsion charm would work on them, but it wouldn't do any good to harm the boy by splitting them up now.

He looked over to Fawkes, who trilled a mournful tune before bursting into flame and disappearing. 'Strange' he thought, 'He's been doing more and more of that lately.'

Another thought then came to him. 'The prophecy!' He risked a glance over at his pensieve, but neglected to watch it. 'No, it must have been speaking of me at the boy's side. I must be the one to love him. Ms Weasley cannot be left in the current position she is holding.'

It was so difficult making decisions for the Greater Good.

The next morning, Harry and Ginny decided to discuss what they had started in the Hospital Wing at the end of term. But first, they started by reading the letters Harry had been left. He began with the one from his family vault.

Dear Harry,

James wanted to write to you but we have little time, so I'll pass on what I reckon he would say. Probably it would be, "Have fun, play Quidditch, continue the marauder's pranking legacy, and chase some girls." While I don't entirely agree with this some of it has merit.

I want you to know that we went into hiding because of a prophecy about you. We love you so much that we would do anything to protect you. When Dumbledore came to us with the prophecy, we were terrified. If you are reading this letter, it probably means that we died. I can only hope it was protecting you, my son.

I feel that you should know the entire prophecy, but only after you start Hogwarts. If that is not yet, then skip this part.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have the power the Dark Lord knows not... And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

I never set much in store for Divination, but I believe that this means only you can truly defeat him. Apparently Voldemort heard the first two lines. However, and I would never tell James this, I don't trust Dumbledore. While I believe he will tell you this, I don't think the same about the rest of the prophecy.

"And with those who love him most by his side... He will rise by the light or fall further than any before... But only with this love will he prevail, and without it all is most certainly lost... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches, born as the seventh month dies..."

While this certainly worries me, I trust in you to do the right thing. I believe that Dumbledore has overstayed his welcome in Hogwarts, and if you are, as I believe, Godric's true heir, you can remove him, but most likely you wish to keep this a secret.

Most importantly, whilst this is a dangerous mission, you will most definitely not succeed if you push those who love you truthfully away for their safety. Only with you are they safest. Please son, one thing for me, keep them closest to you.

I'm almost out of time. This part should be read by the one who captures your heart. I do hope you find true love early, as that will make this job easier. Don't read it yourself.

Whoever captured my son's heart, you must be pretty special. I would have liked to get to know you, and am sure we would have got on wonderfully. I am sorry it was not to be. Please love my son wholly, where myself and James could not, don't be afraid to put him in his place if he is as stubborn as his father, and don't let him push you away out of safety. He needs you. I trust him to make the right choice in the prophecy, whichever way that is. I do not believe there to be a right or wrong. Thank you for giving my son the happiness he so deserves. I hope for lots of grandchildren one day!

I must finish this here. James says "find the Marauder's Map, tap it with your wand and cast 'Potter Revelio'". Not sure what he means. But remember, be sure to have fun - a few pranks never went amiss in Hogwarts and I'm sure they would help to keep a certain meddlesome fool off your back!

We love you with all our hearts,

James and Lily Potter

Harry finished reading aloud with tears in his eyes. When he got to the bit for his true love, he had handed it to Ginny, who had gone against Lily's wishes and read it aloud for Harry to hear. They both blushed at the mention of children. Replacing it in the envelope, he found a picture left there. It was of his parents, Sirius Black and two other men sitting around laughing, with baby Harry in the middle. As the picture moved, Sirius could be seen giving Harry a toy broomstick, and a banner saying "Happy 1st Birthday" could be spotted.

Ginny pointed out one of the men as Peter Pettigrew, but didn't know who the other was.

When Harry got his emotions under control, he haltingly started. "It almost sounds as if she feels the same as us, Dumbledore is being manipulative. She doesn't seem to like him. And what's this about a prophecy?"

"I don't know, but if it came from Dumbledore then it may be made up. We should tell Ragnok we need to verify a prophecy, he may be able to find out how."

"Okay, I'll put that in our letter. Now I need to read Gryffindor's."

To my true heir.

You will be the first being ever to enter my vault after my death, the charms are so complicated. I wish you to know that I have forseen you battling a dark wizard, but have no idea who, or what the outcome will be - I am not a seer by any means, I just know that this will happen. Be careful.

If Hogwarts is causing issues, I believe you need training. On the fourth floor opposite the portrait of the opera-singing cows, you will find a door. Only you will be able to enter, and those you allow. I suggest you keep this to a minimum. This is Godric's study, it contains a portrait of me you can use to speak with me in detail.

When you find your mate, take her there, and we will talk. Until then,

Godric Gryffindor

"Seems like we'll have to explore that room when we get back to Hogwarts." Harry said.

"We?"

"Yes. Are you or are you not my true mate?"

"We're married, but I have no idea if I'm your true mate."

"Well when we get back to Hogwarts, we'll just have to find out what the room thinks, won't we?" Harry replied with a cheeky grin.

She pulled his head down to hers, and crashed her lips against his. For Ginny, there really was no more need to consider it, she believed what Harry was telling her, but she wanted to make sure he felt the same way and wasn't just saying it. So they sat there for most of an hour, kissing, getting slightly more heated than it had before then. Harry brought one hand up to stroke her long soft red hair, and the other wrapped around her waist, just sneaking under her shirt to find purchase on her bare skin. She gasped, and pulled him closer to her, running her hands through his messy black hair. He was intoxicating, she couldn't get enough of him, and she knew it was the same for him. Reluctantly, he pulled away.

"Gin," he started, panting raggedly, "As much as I love this, we need to stop. I don't think either of us are ready to go any further, I mean, I'm only twelve, and you're eleven. I promise if you want to we will, in the future, but we are both too young now to continue."

She nodded her head. Unable to say anything in return to that after their heated kissing session, she settled herself on his lap, and his arms went immediately around her. He spent the next hour engrossed entirely in the redhead on his lap, stroking her hair and stealing gentle kisses when possible, as well as giving her pecks on the head. Meanwhile, she was busy marvelling at him, running her small hands through his hair, not at all complaining about how he was spending the day. They were so interested in each other instead of the world around them they completely missed lunch.

Eventually, they both tired, and laying back, fell asleep in each others arms.

The next morning, Harry and Ginny decided to take a trip to the park. After getting a quick breakfast for themselves, they once again snuck out of the house before any of his relatives even woke up.

"Come on, I want to show you everything!" Harry exclaimed excitedly, pulling Ginny along quickly by her hand. She just followed slightly calmer, but happy that Harry seemed to be enjoying himself, something she didn't think he got much of before at Privet Drive.

Eventually, Harry slowed to a normal walking pace as they got close to the park, and Ginny could see all the muggle play equipment over near one fence, in an enclosed area. But Harry headed away from it, towards a small copse of trees the other side of a large field with some strange white lines on it. He entered the trees, and continued until he found a small hollowed out area of the inside of a bush under one of the larger trees. The bush was so thick with leaves that if someone sitting silently inside wouldn't be seen by anyone walking past.

Finally letting go of Ginny's hand, he dropped to his knees and crawled through a small gap in the branches into the bush. Then, holding open the branches to give her some room, he gestured to Ginny to join him. Once she entered the bush as well, he let the branches close and they both sat cross-legged, knees touching, facing each other.

Eventually, Harry started talking, quietly. "This was where I came whenever my cousin and his gang decided to go 'Harry-hunting'. I'd crawl in here and curl up to hide for hours at a time since I was six, and hollowed it out. It's started to get more overgrown now as I'm not here most the year so don't use it as much, but it's still effective."

Tears entered Ginny's eyes as she thought about all the wrongs he'd suffered as a child, things no-one, least of all someone his age, should ever have to suffer. She vowed that he'd never have to experience anything like that again if she had anything to do with it. As much as she wanted to know more about his life before Hogwarts, she decided that getting him to think more about it now would be a bad idea. Instead, she tried to distract him.

"Can we go back out to the park? I've never really been to a muggle park before- we don't have one in Ottery St. Catchpole, it's to small a village. You could push me on the swings!" She added cheekily, trying not to let it show just how much it hurt to hear about his former life. She didn't want him to decide not to tell her anymore to spare her hearing about it.

They returned out to the park, and took turns on the slide, as well as pushing each other on the swings. They were for once able to act as the kids they were.

As they returned to the house, Harry suddenly noticed something scuttle behind a bush quickly. From years of learning not to make any noise, he snuck after it, catching up to it very quickly and grabbing it. "It's a rat!" Ginny heard him exclaim. He quickly returned to her side. "What's a rat doing here? I've never seen one in Little Whinging before." He continued.

As Ginny got a good look at the rat, she realised something very important. It was missing a toe. "It's Scabbers! Look, he's missing a toe, the same one as Scabbers is missing!" She exclaimed. "I wonder why Scabbers is here?"

"Never mind that." Harry replied. We need to get back home. As much as they hate me, they'll be expecting us back soon. We can put him in Hedwig's cage, while she hunts tonight. Your dad is coming tomorrow, we can talk to him then."

With that decided, they hurried back to number 4 Privet Drive, and locked Scabbers inside Hedwig's cage, letting her out to hunt for the night, before hurrying downstairs to eat, then back up to sleep.