DISCLAIMER: JKRowling owns Harry and his friends, Hogwarts and environs as well as places that are most familiar to you. All other characters and places unfamiliar are from me.
Chapter 12: Ginny's Achievement
It was a very sunny June morning; Ginny, Colin and their year started walking down to the shore of the lake to ride the boats that took them to the Hogwarts for the first time some seven years ago. They are finally leaving Hogwarts, their seven years are up and they are so much grateful, despite everything that happened in those seven years. Ginny, for one, was snatched by Voldemort no less than three times while Colin has his share of misadventures as well. And of course he would never forget the time he was petrified in his first year by a basilisk.
Their boats followed Hagrid's as it glided smoothly across the lake. Once they got to the other side, Ginny turned to Hagrid to say goodbye.
"Hagrid, thank you for those seven wonderful years." Ginny said to him. "I'll miss you."
"Well I'll miss yeh too, and yer lot as well. But yeh can visit us sometimes, yeh know." Hagrid smiled at her and held her hand. "You'll do well outside Hogwarts as you did in it. I know that. And besides, we'll see each other soon. In your brother's wedding, no less."
Ginny smiled. Ron and Hermione's wedding is set a couple of weeks from now and she knew the couple is rather busy with the preparations.
The scarlet steam engine sounded meaning they had to board the train. Ginny hugged him and joined Colin in a compartment at the front of the train.
"Excited to finally start really living?" He asked as she eased beside him.
She shrugged and looked out the window until the majestic Hogwarts castle was out of sight.
"So what are your plans?" Colin asked again.
"I'll stay in the Burrow until Hermione and Ron are married. They'll be moving to a cottage in Godric's Hollow after their wedding. I'll be taking Hermione's apartment then." She said.
Colin's forehead creased. "How come I never heard of this?"
Ginny looked at Colin helplessly. Truth is she doesn't want Colin to know for she was sure that it will lead to another argument about Harry being so near to her. Ever since the engagement party, Colin always turns green with jealously.
"I just made up my mind last night. Didn't want to tell you till I was sure." She answered. Though from the look Colin gave her, she knew he didn't believe her entirely.
Their conversation shifted to different topics until they finally reached platform 9 ¾ early that evening.
They crossed the barrier and found Harry and Ron waiting for her as well as Colin's father.
"Father!" Colin called Mr. Creevey as she waved at Ron and Harry. She let Colin lead her to his father.
"Father, this is the girl I was talking to you about." Colin started. "This is Ginny Weasley."
The man shook her hands and smiled, his eyes twinkling. Just then, Dennis, Colin's 5th year brother came through the barrier. She glanced at Ron and Harry to tell them to wait a while.
"Good year?" He asked and she and the two brothers nodded
"Mr. Creevey, it was a pleasure meeting you but I have to go, my brother is waiting for me." She said politely, pointing to Ron.
She said goodbye to Dennis ands kissed Colin with a promise to write as soon as she gets home and walked towards Harry and Ron.
Harry watched Ginny intently as she was pushing her cart towards them. How dare she kiss Colin like that in front of him?
He was in wearing a scowl as Ginny stopped before them. "All right there, Harry?" She asked, giving his scowl a puzzled look.
"Here, Ginny, I burrowed Dad's car to take us to the Burrow. Hermione's there." Ron pushed the cart towards the exit, which left him and Ginny walking side by side.
"Something bothering you, Harry?" She asked him.
He shook his head stiffly. "No."
From the looks of it, Ginny decided to just shut up, and Harry was grateful. Ron put Ginny's trunk in the car and Harry eased in the front seat while Ginny hopped in the back.
"Let's go." Ron said and they drove off to Ottery St. Catchpole.
After more than an hour's drive, they parked in the Weasley's garage and started getting off the car. Ginny quickly ran inside and Harry helped Ron with Ginny's trunk.
"Why are you so quiet, Harry?" Ron asked.
He just grunted and took the trunk's other end.
"It won't be because of that little kiss, would it?" Ron asked, looking serious but his eyes twinkling.
That was the last straw. "Oh shut up!" He said and dropped his end of the trunk and it fell on Ron's feet.
"Oww!" He shouted in pain but Harry stormed towards the house and went straight to Ron's bedroom at the top floor, ignoring Hermione's greeting.
The room was a lot different from when he first went in it the summer of their second year. It was filled with orange banners of Ron's favorite Quidditch team, the Chudley Cannons, but when Ron joined the Gryffindor Quidditch team on their sixth year, he changed all of it to Gryffindor colors. It is now filled with the Gryffindor flags and shots that Colin took then. He even had the Gryffindor Quidditch team picture in a frame.
Harry picked it up. He was made Team Captain on their fifth year. He led the Gryffindor to three more Quidditch Cups till his seventh year but from what he heard, Gryffindor won the cup again the this year.
He looked out of the window saw Ron dragging Ginny's trunk into the house. After a few minutes, he heard someone coming up and true enough, Ron and Hermione appeared in the door.
"What is wrong with you?" Ron asked as he took his shoes off and examining his toenails.
"Nothing." He answered flatly and lay on Ron's bed.
"Oh, come on, Harry. We know something's bothering you." Hermione said as she sat down beside Ron and touched his blue toes with her wand.
"I think I know what's bothering him." Ron sighed and put on his shoes again. "He saw Colin kiss Ginny at King's Cross." The couple shared knowing smiles. Then a huge pillow hit Ron on the forehead.
"Oh you guys, stop acting like kids. Mum (Hermione started calling Mrs. Weasley Mum since the engagement party) made a wonderful dinner. Come on down." And she went downstairs.
Ron looks like he was about to tease him more when Harry pointed him his wand. "Not another word." Ron just shrugged and followed him downstairs.
It was indeed a wonderful dinner, Harry thought. Only him, Ron, Ginny and Hermione was there with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. The rest of the Weasleys just sent Ginny their presents and are waiting for her in the family room.
Harry, Ron, Ginny and Mr. Weasley left Hermione and Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen and proceeded to open Ginny's gifts. There are quite a few. A big red one from Bill and his wife, a long yellow package from Charlie, a flat green one from Percy and Penny, a pink box from Ron and Hermione, a round one from Fred and George, a rectangular pattern of red and gold from Angela, and a square from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Harry noticed that his red and silver box was the smallest of the lot but never minded it. He just hoped that she'd like it.
They were watching Ginny open her gifts when Hermione and Mrs. Weasley came in the family room to join them. She smiled in glee when she looked at the opened lot. Spellbooks from Bill, a brand new Nimbus 2500 from Charlie, her portrait in charcoal (moving, of course) from Percy and Penny, a violin from Angela ("How did she know I play the violin?" She asked. Hermione just smiled), and a book on how to make it on her own in the wizarding world from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Then she picked up Harry's gift.
Everyone was looking at her expectantly as she looked at the box as if it was to explode. Then she carefully tugged the tape and the wrapper revealed a gold music box. She opened it and out popped a red head witch and a wizard with black unruly hair and glasses like Harry's, dancing to a classical tune, both are in Hogwarts robes. "It's beautiful…"
Ginny smiled at him and turned scarlet. His cheeks felt warm so he hastily arranged his hair to keep them from seeing his pink cheeks. Ginny saw this and quickly closed the music box and kept it in her pocket.
Each started getting up mumbling something about going to bed but Harry isn't sleepy at all. He walked towards the Weasley's paddock to sort some of his thoughts. He didn't know much time has past until Ginny came out of the backdoor.
"Hey, no plans of sleeping yet? Don't you have work tomorrow?" She asked as she walked towards him under the sycamore tree.
"I have. I just wanted to, you know… walk around, think about stuff." He answered.
Harry looked at her, wearing her Hogwarts robes with the Gryffindor emblem. The moonlight shone in her eyes and forming some sort of aura around her red head. He also saw two dolphins shining in each ear.
"Colin gave you that, didn't he?" He inquired, pointing at the earrings.
Ginny nodded.
His eyes strayed to her neck; looking for the silver necklace he gave her. It wasn't there. He quickly looked away, his eyes started to blur.
"How are you and Colin?" He asked as he blinked furiously.
"Okay." She answered. "He asked me to stay at his place for a while this summer before moving into Hermione's."
"So when are you going?" He asked, crestfallen.
Ginny sighed and sat down on the swing under the tree. "I told him I couldn't."
Harry's spirits suddenly burst into life. "You said that? Why?" He asked, a little bit too eagerly.
She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe I'm afraid because Colin lives in a Muggle village, I don't know how to act around Muggles…" She said, as though she was trying to convince herself, too.
Harry sat down beside her on the swing. "You should have said yes." He looked at her. "I mean, if you're serious about Colin and all…"
Their eyes met but Ginny looked away instantly. "Maybe I'm not yet that serious." She admitted. She looked at the stars above and sighed. "I miss Hogwarts already."
"You're just afraid of what the future holds." Harry followed her gaze. "You have Divination don't you?" He asked to lighten up the conversation. "You should know what he future holds."
Ginny chuckled. "Professor Trelawney told us that Parvati was the only Gryffindor she saw that has what it takes to be a true Seer."
He gave good-natured laugh and quite unconsciously reached out for her hand. "Don't worry. I'll – We'll always be here for you." He smiled.
Ginny shut the door of her bedroom quietly. Hermione slept in Percy's old room, though she used to share Ginny's room with her every time Hermione stays over.
She picked up the music box Harry gave her and opened it. Out came the two figures dancing again. The soft music filled the air. She changed into her nightgown and lay down on her bed, still watching the figures waltz around the box.
She thought of Harry and how her love for him never really faded, then her mind drifted off to Colin, whom she gave her promise to. She thought maybe she and Colin aren't really meant for each other… She knew still loves Harry. But she hates breaking her promises.
Such thoughts swirled in her mind until she slowly drifted off to sleep.
Harry and Ron came home to their apartment later the next day after work in the Ministry. Ron plumped down on the couch as Harry went into the kitchen to make one of his super sandwiches.
"How was the moonlight walk last night?" Ron asked from the living room.
"Moonlight walk?" Harry was surprised he bumped his head in the refrigerator.
"You and Ginny. We saw you last night, under that sycamore tree." He said nonchalantly while browsing through Transfiguration Today.
Harry came walked out of the kitchen with just two loaves of bread in each hand.
"Thought you'll make a sandwich." Ron glanced at the bread. "Bread should have something in between them to make a sandwich, you know."
"Were you spying on me last night?" Harry asked accusingly.
Ron put the magazine down and took the loaves of bread from Harry's hands. "No. I wondered where you were last night, I looked out my window and there you were." He started cutting cheese on the kitchen counter. "You and Ginny were under that sycamore tree. It wasn't my fault."
Harry looked at Ron then opened his mouth to speak but closed it again.
"You want to ask me something?" Ron continued on putting some mayonnaise on the cheese.
"Am I stupid, Ron?" He asked.
"Define stupid." Ron placed the sandwich on the table before Harry as well as orange juice.
Harry was just about to define what stupid is when Hermione came bursting into the kitchen. "Ron, you told me you'd help me send the invitations."
"Oh yeah." He suddenly remembered then turned to Harry. "Define stupid later. I have to go. Won't be back till late night so don't wait up for me, okay?" Then he followed Hermione out of the apartment, leaving Harry with a lopsided cheese sandwich.
"Can I not go?" Harry asked Ron one Saturday morning.
"No, because Mum will be looking for you." Ron said as he came out of Harry's room. Mrs. Weasley is throwing a luncheon party because the whole Weasley clan would be flying in to attend Ron and Hermione's wedding next weekend.
Ron came barging into Harry's room moments ago and he saw that Harry's hasn't even started dressing up yet.
Harry dragged himself out of his bed and into the bathroom. Ron, who was already dressed in his favorite royal blue robes and matching hat, sat down on the couch and waited for him.
After almost half an hour, Harry emerged from his room, clad in scarlet robes and hat. He gave a look at Ron that he doesn't like what he'll be doing.
"Oh c'mon Harry. Do it for Mum." Ron said as he put a locking charm on their apartment door.
Harry sighed. "I am doing this for your Mum." They walked across the street and knocked on Hermione's door. "Do you reckon Colin will be there?"
Ron looked at him. "Yes, Harry. Colin will be there. And if that's the reason why you aren't so keen about going, well Harry, we all know that it's your bloody fault he is my sister's boyfriend and not you."
"Ready to Floo?" Hermione smiled.
Ron and Harry were busy glaring at each other that they didn't notice Hermione opening the door.
The two followed Hermione quietly and mobbed to the fireplace where a fire is already crackling happily.
In a few minutes, they appeared in the Burrow one by one. Most of the Weasleys were already there. Bill's wife, Cassidy and their daughters, four-year-old Cassandra and six-month-old Kelly are talking animatedly with Penny, who's keeping an eye on Amy, now one year old, in the living room.
"Hey look, it's Uncle Ron, Uncle Harry and Aunt Hermione!" Cassidy said as they came in the room.
"'Cle 'Arry!" Cassandra started bouncing up and down. She held her arms high to make him carry her. Sandy, like Kelly and Amy, got the unmistakable Weasley red hair.
"Hello, Sandy." He picked her up and took her outside where Bill and Charlie are putting up tables and chairs and Percy's starting the grill.
Ron went over and helped Percy with the grill as Fred and George flew in from Diagon Alley. Ginny came out with the barbeque and Colin following closely, with more barbeque.
Harry put Sandy don and the girl ran over to her Aunt Ginny who introduced her to "Uncle" Colin. Sandy, then asked Colin to carry her too.
Harry shot Colin a murderous stare. Suddenly, Ron popped behind him. "Care for a game of chess, Harry?"
Harry just nodded. He followed Ron one of the tables and summoned a chess set from his bedroom. Colin and Ginny started to barbeque just as they started to play.
Harry was not really good at chess but this time, Ron seems to be giving the game to him. He was already winning when Colin and Ginny sweetly feeding each other with barbeque caught his attention. He made a move that made Ron free to check his king. Ron looked at the chessboard helplessly, looked over at Ginny and Colin and shook his head.
"The problem with you Harry," Ron said as he made his move. "Is that you already have what you wanted but you still let it slip under your nose."
Harry looked at him distractedly. "What?"
Ron pointed at the chessboard and checked Harry's king with his knight. "Checkmate." Ron smiled at him, shaking his head and looked over at Ginny and Colin.
Before Harry could say anything, Mrs. Weasley and Hermione came outside with platters of food flying around them and dropping themselves one by one on the huge table. The others made a beeline for the buffet table as Ginny placed another platter full of barbeques on the table.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione got the table where Harry and Ron played their game of chess after Ron banished his chessboard to go back to his room. Harry ate in silence as Ron and Hermione talked about the details of their wedding. He half wanted to just Disparate then and there. But he knew Mrs. Weasley would go looking for him later and he hated being interrogated by her.
And so he sat there, trying to block Hermione's bossy voice, Sandy's yells, Amy's cries and Ginny's laughter from his ears. After finishing his meal (he never touched Ginny and Colin's barbeque), he politely went inside the house and sat down in the living room. He doesn't know how long he has been sitting there alone when he heard someone walk in. It was Ginny.
"Why aren't you outside, Harry?" She asked as she walked over Kelly's things to get her feeding bottle.
"I'm just not in the mood to… be noisy… right now." He said.
"You aren't in the mood for anything these past few days." She pointed out. "Hope everything's all right."
Harry smiled at her sadly and nodded. "Maybe because every time I walk around the apartment, I see most of Ron's things in boxes. I'll be living alone in a week's time."
"Hey, me too." She smiled.
"Ginny do you have Kelly's…" Colin stopped at the door of the living when he saw Ginny and Harry.
Ginny was speechless for a moment. "Yeah." She showed the feeding bottle to him. "Here."
"She's throwing a ft outside." He said, his eyes darting from Harry to Ginny.
"Yeah. I'll go, Harry. Do come outside and try to have some fun okay?" She said before following Colin outside and leaving Harry deep into his thoughts again.
Ladies and Gents, that's the 12th chapter. 13 is coming up shortly… Oh I love Christmas break! Nothing much to do but write, write, write! Please R/R. Thanks!