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.
