Chapter Ten:

Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me, who would have thunk it hey?

Chapter Ten: Friendships Future and Past

"I can't believe you did that to them," said Hermione.

"Aw, go to sleep, Hermione," groaned Ron, clutching his head beneath a pillow as it pounded.

"But just think what it must have been like for them," said Hermione, glaring at her boyfriend as he tried to bury his head.

"No, what you mean is that you wanted to see them make-up and be able to say 'I did that, I did'," said Ron with his voice slightly muffled.

"No I don't'! But you can't just expect them to sort everything out because they've been left in a house together."

"I know my friend and I know my sister," said Ron, rolling over. "Until they face each other it'll never get sorted out – that's the way they are, stubborn. Remember Harry's first World Cup and he got his hand smashed by that Bludger, but he still kept on playing?"

"Vividly," said Hermione crossly.

"Well there you are: stubborn… Now can we go back to sleep now?"

"No! I still can't believe you did it!"

Ron sat up quickly and immediately regretted it as the pounding increased in his head and he fell back into the pillows. "It was George's idea, Hermione. And what's going to happen? They're alone and neither of them are going to hurt each other."

"They're not alone," said Hermione firmly.

"Oh what? Gabrielle and Pagasus? They're hardly going to come charging in are they."

Hermione huffed and lay back down turning her back on him. Ron groaned and sunk under the duvet, which Hermione promptly pulled off him. He pulled a pillow back over his head under a pillow and began to count out how long he would have to wait before his apology would be accepted by Hermione and she would make him something for his hang-over.

*****

Harry opened one bleary eye and winced in the light of the morning sun. The important thing was not to make a noise and not to move and his head wouldn't explode: "Good morning, mon ami."

Harry fell off the chair and hit the floor with a bang. He groaned and pulled himself up onto his hands and knees. Whoever had woken him was standing in front of the window and he could only make out the silhouette.

"Ginny?" he asked.

"I fear not," said Gabrielle, knelling down. "She left quite a long time ago, 'Arry… I zink she was 'eading for 'er apartment if it 'elps."

"Why would that help?" asked Harry, trying to act nonchalant with a hangover.

"Because you wish to go after 'er?" said Gabrielle, frowning.

"Me? Go after her?… You've got the wrong bloke there."

Gabrielle helped him to his feet and smiled at him, "Well, before you do not go I zink per'aps a leetle potion will cure your 'angover and zen you may not go and get 'er back."

"As long as we've got that clear," said Harry, not fully awake to appreciate the irony.

Gabrielle smiled and they walked out of the room and down into the kitchen. Pag was sitting at the long, kitchen table surrounded by books and papers that Harry recognised from the seal on the spine as belonging to Stellionmere Library.

"Looking good, Harry," said Pag with a laugh.

Harry slipped into a chair and groaned.

"Wow, what did you drink?" asked Pag, moving aside a stack of books so he could see his friend.

"I think I have lost every chance of happiness I ever had," said Harry quietly.

"A good cup of coffee with a bit of Gabrielle's famous hangover cure will sort you out," said Pag amiably. "It's not the end of the world."

"Quite posseebly," said Gabrielle. "At least for 'Arry."

"I can't believe she left," said Harry as Gabrielle pressed a steaming mug into his hands.

"Who left?" asked Pag, who had been out all morning.

"Geeny," said Gabrielle. "She 'as left and as you may 'ave guessed 'Arry is not 'appy about eet."

Pag sighed, "I thought you hated her?"

"Apparently not," said Gabrielle.

"I do," said Harry and they both turned to him. "I hate her – I absolutely despise her… But then there's this really annoying part of me that finds her the most charming, sweet and utterly perfect being in the world… And whenever I go near her the really annoying part of me yells at me to kiss her and fall in love and ignore the really mean part of me that says I ought to hate her."

Pag chewed on his lip thoughtfully, "Why do you hate her?"

"Because I had to get rid of something very important to me in order to save her life," said Harry, starring blankly at the table. "And I didn't realise how much it'd hurt to lose it… But now I do know and I can't stand it…"

"I zink, 'Arry, zat zis is not 'er fault," said Gabrielle, kindly. "Eet was you 'oo did zis and you need someone to blame eet on… I am sorry, but zis is 'ow it seems… Eef you love 'er I zink you should tell 'er."

"Yeah, Harry, don't blame her – it was your decision," said Pag.

Harry looked up at his friends and gave them both a weak smile, "You are right – at the moment I'm just – I can't believe she left."

"People do seely zings when zey are afraid, 'Arry, now drink ze potion," ordered Gabrielle.

*****

Harry wove through the crowd receiving so many slaps on the back that he knew he would be sore tomorrow. The band were playing a rather jazzy tune and people were milling around, drinking champagne and eating finger food.

"Happy birthday, Harry."

Harry spun around and came face to face with Remus Lupin, he grinned and they embraced and then parted so Remus could get a look at him. He grinned and patted him on the back, "Your parents would be proud, Harry."

"Thank-you, prof – Remus," corrected Harry, who hadn't yet got the hang of being on first name terms with his old Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.

"Did well on your N.E.W.T.s I hear," said Remus, walking with Harry through the crowd.

"Pretty close – I don't really think I should have done my studying in Quidditch stadiums," said Harry, with a weak smile.

Remus laughed, "That, I believe, would have been James' idea of the perfect study session."

Harry looked behind Remus and caught sight of Lyca, "Sirius told me congratulations were in order," he said with a grin.

"Well yeah," said Remus, smiling happily and looking over his shoulder at Lyca. "I think Sirius is imagining something grand – he's a romantic at heart… I just want a quiet little thing and Lyca agrees."

Harry laughed, "Just as long as him and Medea don't make me wear a kilt when they get married I don't mind what happens to you."

"Thanks, Harry," said Remus, shaking his head with amusement. "Think it's a sure thing then?"

"What's a sure thing?"

"Sirius and Medea," replied Remus.

"Oh yeah – definitely."

"Good, you can be best man if I can be godfather," said Remus, grinning at him.

"Oh no, I think Sirius'll want you as his best man," said Harry.

"Sure? Well you can chat up the bride's maids then."

"Fair enough," laughed Harry.

"Now if you'll excuse me, my fiancé is calling," said Remus and patted him on the back.

Harry watched Remus return to Lyca and wrap his arms around her from behind, putting his chin on her shoulder to whisper something in her ear. There were some people who Harry always thought deserved to be happy and Remus Lupin happened to be one of them.

Still smiling Harry walked looked over to the head table where Ron and Hermione were in an earnest conversation that he didn't feel much like disturbing. Sirius and Medea were dancing and joking with each other, again Harry wished them well. Parvati had cornered Dean and was making some less than subtle moves on him, he gave Harry a pleading look and Harry just laughed. Seamus and Lavender could just been seen through the crowd walking down to the lake. Brizo and Snape were talking very quickly at their table, Harry knew everything would be well between them, even if he'd rather not.

Arabella Figg was sitting at a table with Mnemosyne on her lap, watching her fellow Aurors and Harry decided that she was the best bet for conversation. He walked over and sat down, smiling at her broadly.

"Harry!" squealed Mnemosyne in delight.

Harry lifted Mnemosyne off Arabella's lap and grinned at her broadly at both of the females in his company. "What brings you here, Harry?" asked Arabella. "No gorgeous young lady? No friend to joke with?"

"'Fraid not," said Harry, allowing Mnemosyne to play with the cord threaded with silver beads around his neck.

"Last chance, hmm?" said Arabella.

"Oh, Ari, how could I even think of merely talking to you because I had nothing better to do," said Harry, in mock horror.

Arabella laughed, "You're an odd young man, Harry Potter."

"Thank-you, I pride myself upon it," said Harry with a broad smile. "So what are your thoughts on this occasion?"

"Sure you want to hear? They're a little depressing," warned Arabella.

"Certainly," said Harry.

"I wish Leah was here," she said.

"Oh… I'm sorry," was all Harry could say.

"Sometimes, Harry, you can destroy yourself out with your own personal stupidity," said Arabella. "Three 'F's, we had them on our dormitory instead of our year, we were the people to be, along with your dad's lot… Great times."

"I wish I'd had a chance to meet her," said Harry. "She sounded really wonderful."

"She was," said Arabella, and looked away for a moment to wipe her eyes. "But there's a lesson for you, Harry…"

"What?"

"Never forget what you feel just because you're afraid," she told him with a sad smile. "And now there's only two of us and one's fallen in love with our enemy… Hate is just the opposite pole to love after all, just as attractive."

"'Oo's Leah, Ari?" asked Mnemosyne.

"She means you," prompted Harry.

"Right," said Arabella with a smile. "She, Memo, was a lovely young woman: talented, attractive and she was an amazing Seeker – not as good as Harry here, but pretty damn good all the same."

"Oh, it's nothing," said Harry, with a laugh and Arabella rolled her eyes at his sense of humour.

"What happened to her?" asked Mnemosyne.

"She died," said Arabella simply. "She was killed by Voldemort."

"An' Harry killed him," said Mnemosyne. "All's fair, see."

Arabella, to Harry's surprise, laughed and nodded, "Yeah – all's fair now, Memo."

*****

Harry reached the door to the apartment panting, the elevator had broken down and Jonathon and Ginny lived in the penthouse at the top of the building, the Magpies must be paying a lot because Harry knew Ginny mustn't get very much working as an assistant at Flourish and Blotts.

He leaned against the wall held his hands behind his head, catching his breath. When he had composed himself he turned to the door and knocked. He listened carefully and dimly heard someone stumbling to the door and the clicking of a dozen Muggle locks before the door swung open and he came face to face with Jonathon.

"Hi," said Harry, with a fixed grin. "Can I speak to Ginny?"

Jonathon nodded and ducked back inside. "Ginny! Come to the door!"

Ginny appeared at the door and immediately turned rather pale and bit her lip. "I – er – wasn't expecting you… Everything – okay?"

"Can I talk to you?" asked Harry.

"We aren't talking now?" she asked desperately.

Harry gave her and a weak smile, "Look it's pretty simple – I told you everything didn't I, last night."

"Yeah – thank-you, by the way."

"I needed to tell you," said Harry. "But I kind of forgot something."

"What –" started Ginny before she was cut off.

Harry leaned forward and kissed her, placing one hand on her waist and the other between her shoulder blades. Suddenly the door slammed and Ginny pulled away with terror in her eyes. She ran to the door and tapped her wand on the door, calling a simple opening charm and ran inside, slamming the door behind her.

Harry leaned against the wall, resting his head on his arms and cursed himself repeatedly. He had scared her, upset her boyfriend and ruined everything they had worked up to last night. After all the women he knew, after all the girlfriends, after everything he hadn't known enough to know when not to kiss her.

"It wasn't what it looked like, Jonathon!" Ginny said on the other side of the wall.

"Really what the hell was it then?"

"Okay maybe he kissed me – but I didn't kiss him back," said Ginny.

"You didn't look to keen for him to stop though did you," snapped Jonathon.

"Jonathon! I don't love him! I love you…"

Harry didn't listen to anymore and disapparated on the spot.

*****

Ginny apparated in the kitchen of Herne's Grove and groaned, she had wanted the vestibule, she had never been very good with precise apparation. It didn't help when she was entirely unfamiliar with the lay-out of the house.

"Is Ginny Weasley looking for something?" asked Nissy, appearing in front of her.

"Yes - Harry – is Harry here?"

"Master Harry Potter is outside by the fountain. Nissy can take you."

"Just directions would do," said Ginny, nervously.

"Ginny Weasley must go straight down the lawns and through the Poplar Avenue. The fountain is at the bottom."

"Thank-you, Nissy," said Ginny and dashed out of the kitchen.

To say the garden was quite large was an understatement, to say that it was a garden was an understatement, these were grounds. The lawn, which separated the house from the avenues of trees and the actual gardens, was immense and Ginny felt that it ought to be called a plain rather than a lawn.

The Poplar Avenue was the one directly ahead of her and lead upwards, Ginny's legs were protesting already. Fortunately the slope turned out to be quite gentle and with the sights of the rest of the garden through the trees as she walked it was really quite nice.

At the end of the avenue the ground flattened and Ginny entered a shaded spot with a fountain at the centre that she guessed could be seen from the top windows of the house. And Harry was sitting on the opposite side of the fountain looking across the moors that the hill down descended down to.

Ginny crept around the fountain and sat down next to him, he didn't even respond to her. "Hi."

"Hi," he replied briefly.

"Lord of all he surveys," said Ginny quietly.

"Hardly," said Harry. "I only own the house and the grounds."

"Only," said Ginny with a dry laugh.

There was silence before Harry turned to her and said sharply, "Look, if he threw you out I'm sorry, but there's really nothing I can do besides go and tell him that it was all my fault. If that's what you want me to do though, I'll do it."

"No, he didn't throw me out… I walked out…"

"What? Why?" asked Harry, looking at her with astonishment.

"It's nothing to do with you, Harry," said Ginny quickly. "It's been a long time coming and that kiss just pushed it over the brink, it would have happened eventually… Better sooner than later really."

She turned to look out at the moors and she could feel Harry's eyes boring into her. "I suppose I should be sorry… But actually, I don't think I am sorry, I didn't like him."

"Well, you'll only have to meet him on the Quidditch pitch now," said Ginny.

They sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity, staring out at the moors. Abruptly Harry broke the quiet with, "Is everything forgiven and forgotten now?"

"I think so," said Ginny and then there was silence again.

She allowed herself to glance over at Harry and saw that he was looking thoughtfully at the ground and then suddenly turned back to his house. At that moment she would have killed to know what he was thinking, but then perhaps it wasn't such a good idea.

"I suppose you'll be going back to the Burrow," said Harry.

"Yeah, my salary isn't really enough to pay for the shopping and the rent," said Ginny as she tried to figure out what he was getting at.

"Only Gabrielle is going to be going to live with the other French players soon and Pag's moving to London. But I'll be staying here and you don't want to go back to live with your parents so maybe you could – if you want I mean – move in at Herne's Grove," he said, looking down at his feet.

A thousand thoughts ran through Ginny's mind, but she managed to battle above them all. "As a friend?"

"As a friend," agreed Harry and then grinned at her. "I promise not to ravish you in your bed."

"Promise?" asked Ginny with a mock serious look.

"Scout's honour," said Harry, with a little sarcastic salute.

"In that case I would love to," said Ginny.

They grinned at each other and then there was nothing to say and they sat in silence once more, but this time it was a comfortable one. Ginny looked at his profile as he looked out at the moors and decided that she could perhaps get away with a question.

"What was it like?"

"What was what like?" asked Harry, turning to her.

"The power – the power you had."

"Oh," he said and turned back to the moors biting his lip. "Have you ever wished you could understand someone?"

"All the time," said Ginny fervently.

"Well that's what I could do, but not just people, I could understand everything. But more like feelings… I could feel what everything felt, foxes smelling out their prey, the rabbit hearing it coming… I could feel the stone underneath them being eroded by the rain…

"There were of course other aspects to it, ones that people feared. I could take a wizard's magic for instance, if I concentrated I could tell what someone was about to say and I could see things – originally just dreams, but later I could control what I saw and when I saw it… In the end it was the feeling though… of everything…"

"It must have been amazing," said Ginny, who felt that it was a rather lame description of it.

Harry laughed, "It was – it truly was."

"And it's all gone?"

"I used it all up giving you your life back," said Harry bluntly. "There's nothing left now."

Ginny knew her apologies would be rather empty, they would only make her feel better, not him. She bit her lip and put her hand into his. He turned to her and smiled and in that moment their eyes met Ginny understood everything she needed to know – maybe he did have some of his power left after all.

They both turned to the moors and sat in silence, their hands clasped within each other and knowing that their lives were soon to be far more interesting, if not a lot happier.

FIN

A/N: "The end?!" I hear you cry. Yes this is the end, of this part of the story. I'm planning on making the whole thing a series, quite a few stories, but there might just end up being a sequel to this one, it depends how it takes me.

Oh and to deter misunderstanding when Arabella said, "Sometimes, Harry, you can destroy yourself out with your own personal stupidity," it's meant to have a double meaning. Leah was as they say "either brave or very, very stupid", or Arabella was talking about herself feeling guilty for letting for friend get killed.

And so there aren't any disappointments, Ginny and Harry will not be together in the next part, that happens at the end and we're not quite there yet. If you thought I didn't explain anything, then please point it out to me so I can get to it in the next parts. But most things that unexplained that are like that intentionally, either as something to remain unexplained and be forever a mystery, or to be explained and or solved in the following parts.