Disclaimer: See chapter one…I'm too lazy to type it again.
Harry's day passed quickly as he waited for lunchtime. After suffering through another breakfast, Harry bolted for his room. He was excited. No more eating any of that nasty food on Dudley's diet, he thought to himself as he swiped a pack of Chocolate Frogs from his stash under the floorboard. Dudley was still on his diet although no one could see a noticeable difference in his weight. Harry chewed on his Chocolate Frog as he imagined all the good food that Mrs. Weasley prepared. She was always trying to feed Harry more than her sons, always clucking over how skinny he was. This time, Harry was certain that he would eat everything she set in front of him. He decided that he might just be a match for the twins, both of whom were very hearty eaters.
Harry spent the rest of the morning packing up his school things. By eleven thirty, his school trunk was pilled full with his school robes, cauldron, wand, school books, and his present from Sirius. Harry frowned as he folded up his robes. He needed new ones. His old ones were now several inches too short and were beginning to pinch him across the shoulders. After making sure that he had everything, including the food under the floorboard, Harry stacked Hedwig's empty cage on top of the trunk. He had released Hedwig early that morning, sending her on to the Burrow. Sure that he had gotten everything, Harry set out to find his uncle.
Uncle Vernon sat at the table in the kitchen, arguing with Aunt Petunia.
"And not any more of that health stuff, Petunia. Dudley might have to eat it, but I refuse to anymore. It all tastes like cardboard. Can't stand the stuff."
"But we can't eat this stuff in front of him! It would ruin his diet!" Petunia protested.
"We can eat it. Just make sure that you keep Harry on that diet too. Dudley'll feel better knowing that he's at least getting more than Potter."
"But," Petunia opened her mouth to respond but spotted Harry. Instantly clamping her mouth shut, she glared at him over Vernon's head.
Uncle Vernon turned around. Leveling a glare at Harry, too, he barked at Harry. "Well, what do you want?"
Harry paused. Uncle Vernon was in a sour mood and mentioning the Weasleys was bound to make him madder. "Just wanted to let you know that the Weasleys are picking me up in a few minutes to spend the rest of the summer with them."
Uncle Vernon's piggy eyes widened and his chest puffed out with indignation. "I will not have, those people, in my house again," he thundered. He began to swell with anger and Harry was reminded of Aunt Marge.
"It won't be for long," Harry reasoned. "Besides, they aren't coming through the fireplace again."
"They better had not be! It took your aunt ages to clean up after the fiasco the last time! How dare they come here again! I do not want any of their unnaturalness under my roof!"
Harry knew that this wasn't going to go well. Sneaking a glimpse of the kitchen clock, he slowly began to back out of the room. The Weasleys were due at any moment. Now if he could just get to his room for his trunk….
"Harry!"
Uncle Vernon paled as he heard the voice calling from the living room. On the other hand, Harry had to fight a relieved grin. "In here, Mr. Weasley!" he called back.
"There you are Harry." Mr. Weasley strode into the kitchen, just as tall and freckly as always. Trailing behind his father, Ron caught Harry's eye and grinned. Harry grinned back at his best friend.
"Ron, why don't you and Harry go gather Harry's school things while I talk to Mr. Dursley for a minute?" Mr. Weasley suggested.
Still grinning broadly, Harry lead Ron back up the stairs to his room.
"How you been mate?" Ron asked.
"Much better now that I can leave this place," Harry said as he grabbed a handle on his trunk. Waiting for Ron to grab the other handle, Harry asked "How are we leaving anyway?"
"Portkey," Ron grunted as he hefted the other side of Harry's trunk. "Geez, Harry. What do you have in here?"
"Oh you know, the usual. Hippogriffs, dragons, Blast-Ended Skrewts. Just some things that Hagrid wanted me to keep an eye on while he was gone."
"You had better be joking, Harry," Ron panted. "I get enough of Hagrid's pets during school, thanks."
Harry laughed. Together they maneuvered Harry's trunk down the stairs and carried it into the living room where the Dursleys and Mr. Weasley were standing. Arthur looked a bit relieved to see them. Harry smothered a smile. From the way the Dursleys were cowering, Harry would bet that Arthur had not managed to get more than a whimper out of the whole lot.
"That's all of it, Mr. Weasley. I'm ready to go."
"Ah, good. Well, say goodbye Harry," Arthur said as he pulled the portkey out of his robes.
Harry turned to his relatives. "I'll see you at Kings Cross at the end of the term." That said, Harry stood next to Mr. Weasley with his trunk.
Looking slightly aback at the terseness of Harry's goodbye, Mr. Weasley gave a slight cough. That cough was enough to wake Uncle Vernon out of his stupor. "Right," he stated as he quickly ushered both a pale Petunia and a whimpering Dudley out of the room. Harry grinned openly as he watched his portly cousin waver indecisively between clutching his bottom and guarding his tongue. Poor Dudley, Harry thought. Only two meetings with wizards and he's already losing it.
Harry looked at Ron, who was also grinning broadly as he remembered Dudley's encounter with the twins. Harry snickered. Maybe he could get a hold of some Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to bring home for the next summer. Harry was sure that the twins would jump at the chance to do some experimenting.
"Alright boys," Mr. Weasley was saying as he held out the Portkey. "Off we go."
Harry reached forward and placed a hand on the electrical plug that Mr. Weasley was holding. As he felt himself jerked forward, Harry thought that this was undoubtedly the best day of his summer.
Once again, Harry lay on the ground. What is it about these portkeys that makes me fall to the ground every time? he wondered as he stared up into the sunny sky. Groaning slightly, he sat up and looked at his surroundings. There was the Burrow, just as ramshackle as the first time he had set eyes on it. Even from out in the garden, Harry could hear the explosions from the twins' room and the ghost banging on the attic pipes. Dusting himself off, Harry straightened up. To his left, Ron was also attempting to brush the dirt off his pants while Mr. Weasley was charming Harry's trunk. Together the three approached the Burrow, Harry's trunk floating merrily along behind them.
Once entering the kitchen, Harry was immediately engulfed in an embrace. Mrs. Weasley was fussing over him, exclaiming over how much he had grown while the rest of the family grinned over Harry's red face. Sitting around the rest of the table were the rest of the Weasley clan. Mr. Weasley had sat down in his chair while Ron was making his way to his. Percy was pouring over a huge manual of cauldron manufacturing. Over Percy's head, Harry spotted Fred and George making their way to the table. Across from Percy sat Hermione and Ginny. Hermione was tanned and grinning. Ginny was as red as the setting sun, but grinning no less fiercely.
Harry felt himself gently pushed into a seat. Mrs. Weasley was still shaking her head and mumbling about those "Muggle relatives of his. Couldn't even see fit to feed him properly! And Harry being a growing boy! Shameful!"
"Hey look! Harry's grown!" Fred squeaked in a falsetto voice.
"He's all grown up!" George sighed as he pretended to swipe tears from his eyes.
Harry laughed. Fred and George never changed. Neither did Molly Weasley. Harry stared down at the mountains of beef and potatoes that lay in heaps on his plate. Ordinarily Harry would have protested such a large portion, but not this time. Finally glad to be able to eat some real food, he grabbed his for fork and proceeded to fill his growling stomach. Seeing the bottom, Harry looked up to meet the eyes of his other best friend, Hermione Granger. She was looking a bit askance at all the food that he was packing away. Harry looked around the table, feeling a bit sheepish. Surprisingly, the only other person that noticed Harry's newfound ravenous appetite was Ginny. She too had a slightly surprised look on her face. Harry felt his face heat up in embarrassment.
Thankfully, an interruption occurred and drew everyone's attention to Mrs. Weasley. "Alright, Ron. You help Harry get settled in your room. Harry, dear, your usual cot is in Ron's room. Just relax for the afternoon. Arthur, a message from the Ministry arrived while you were gone." Arthur threw down his napkin and walked into the living room. Harry and Ron grabbed his trunk while Mrs. Weasley continued to disband her troops. As they left the kitchen, Ginny and Hermione were washing dishes while Percy and the twins set out to de-gnomb the garden.
Harry and Ron carried the trunk into Ron's room. It was still vivid orange in color, although it had faded a bit in time. Ron's room was still decorated with pictures and posters of the Chudley Cannons, his favorite Quidditch team. The fish tank in the corner was without its frog spawn, but there were still stacks of Ron's favorite comic: The Adventures of Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle. Together, the two boys put Harry's trunk beside his cot. Ron plopped down on his bed, while Harry eased onto his cot. Harry felt a sense of peace come over him. Next to Hogwarts, the Burrow felt like home.
"Have you heard from Sirius?" Ron asked as the two lay drowsy in the afternoon sun.
"I got a letter from him yesterday. He sounds like Dumbledore is keeping him really busy."
"Are you worried about him?"
"Some. I worry that he will be caught again and go back to Azkaban. But I think that he is smart enough to avoid that," Harry said as he watched the dust motes dance in the sunshine.
"He'll be alright," Ron replied. "Padfoot is a survivor. Hey, want to go play some Quidditch? I bet the twins are done in the garden by now."
"Sure. Let me grab my broom." Harry heaved himself off the bed with some difficulty and opened his trunk. Grabbing his Firebolt, he and Ron set out to find the twins.
A few hours later, Harry felt euphoric. Flying was wonderful. After being cooped all summer, it felt great to be able to fly and feel the wind rushing through his hair. He and Ron had played a game against the twins while Hermione and Ginny cheered from the sidelines. He and Ron conceded to a draw after several games. Laughing, they returned to the Burrow. It was possible to forgive Harry his preoccupation. He was still relishing in his good mood after Quidditch, so he didn't pay much attention to the grins that the others were masking. With brooms over their shoulders, they trooped in to the kitchen. There, hanging from the ceiling, was a giant banner that read "Happy Birthday Harry!"
Harry was shocked. He had no idea that this was happening. The Weasleys had a good laugh at Harry's amazed expression while Ron nudged him in the side. "You couldn't see this coming?" he teased.
"Not even," Harry replied. Besides the huge banner, there was a large cake sitting on the table, surrounded by presents. Harry allowed himself to be lead to the table while the Weasleys sang happy birthday to him.
"Make a wish Harry," Mrs. Weasley lovingly said when the song ended.
Looking around, Harry could only wish that Sirius was there to share it with them. Leaning forward, Harry blew out the candles, all the while wishing that Sirius was safe, wherever he was.
The rest of the party passed on a much brighter note. After eating some of the delicious chocolate cake that Mrs. Weasley had prepared, Harry turned to his presents. Ron had given him a whole box of Harry's favorite sweets. "Just because I know how much you were eating at the Dursleys," Ron had said when Harry opened it up. Fred and George announced that their present could be opened later. Judging by the look on their faces, Harry guessed that they didn't want their mum to see what they had given him. From the rest of the Weasleys, Harry had received several pairs of jeans that actually fit. Harry was very thankful. He couldn't remember the last time he had had clothes that had fit.
Hermione's present was interesting. After tearing through the wrapping, Harry discovered two thin books. Each volume was filled with empty pages. At Harry's questioning glance, Hermione explained. "The books are connected. You keep one and you give the other one to someone else. Anything you write in your book will be instantly transferred to its mate. It's like using Owl Post, but without taking the time to have an owl deliver it. I figure that you could give the other one to someone else that you don't see very often."
Harry understood Hermione's vague words as well as the look she gave him. The rest of the Weasleys looked puzzled, but Ron was also nodding in understanding. Harry laid them aside, making a note to send one off to Sirius with Hedwig when he owled back. "Thanks Hermione," Harry told her. "It's a great gift."
Hermione smiled at the comment. "I figured that it would come in handy, especially now."
Harry agreed. Her present would allow him to keep more up with Sirius than ever before.
Later that night, Harry was placing his presents in his trunk. Harry was waiting for Ron to finish in the bathroom when a knock sounded on the door. Opening it up, Harry saw Ginny. She was standing there, slightly blushing already.
"Here," she said as she handed Harry a thick letter. "It's your birthday present Harry. I didn't want to give it to you in front of everyone else. It's a bit personal." Harry watched as Ginny turned redder at that statement.
"I think you'll understand when you read it," she continued. "Just don't mention this to anyone else, please. I don't think that I want them to know about this." Turning, she quickly ran back into her room.
Harry stood at the door, looking down at the letter. Whatever did all that mean, he wondered. Harry quickly walked down the stairs and out the Burrow. Whatever it was, he figured that he owed it to Ginny to read it away from any prying eyes. He walked into the garden and leaned against the fence. There was enough light coming from the house to allow Harry to make out Ginny's handwriting.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! I know that you were hardly expecting anything from me, but I need to say "thank you." It's taken me over two years to finally thank you for what you did in the Chamber of Secrets. For a long time, I couldn't see why you would even want to save me. I've struggled with doubts and insecurities for a while now. Watching you over the years has given me the courage to face all these old doubts and fears.
I was convinced that I was solely responsible for what happened. I was the one that set the basilisk free to roam the halls at Hogwarts. I was the one that hurt all those Muggles, and that has haunted me for years. Everyone around me was convinced that the horrors, the guilt and the nightmares plagued me no more. I was so good, Harry, at hiding the truth. I laughed, joked and went on with my life. But it was all a lie. Inside I was crying everyday for what I had done, for how stupid I was to let myself be used by Tom Riddle. I was his opening to hurt the Muggles, and to hurt you. Harry, I might as well have delivered you to him on a platter.
But you met him again, and triumphed. I've watched from the sidelines as you have dealt with Voldemort's intrusion into your life. Oh, Ron doesn't tell me anything, but it's easy to see the aftermath. You've thrived in spite of it all. You're so much stronger than I am. It's this strength I see in you that has let me face my old fears. I know that yes, I did all those horrible things, but not because I chose to do so. It was Riddle. I was nothing more than his outlet into the present world.
I have finally forgiven myself. The guilt has lessened, and while it will never completely go away, I can be free. And I have you to thank for that. So thank you Harry, for my life and for my freedom. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Love,
Ginny
Harry sat there, holding Ginny's letter. He felt terrible. He had always just assumed that Ginny was fine. She was right. She was good at hiding her pain. Harry was positive that her family had no inkling that she had felt that way for so long. Harry sat there, against the garden fence, emotions swirling. He was thankful that Ginny had managed to move on. But he could feel his own guilt build up inside. He was stupid to ignore her feelings, to brush what she had been through off. He was also deeply troubled. Clearly Ginny didn't see him the way he did. Harry knew he wasn't particularly strong. He was still haunted by the memory of Cedric. He sat there in the darkness, pondering on what Ginny had written. He was at a loss as to what to say to her, so he sat there, until he made himself go to bed, with the confusion and guilt festering inside.
AN: I know that I have the fourth Ginny fic in the works, but the beginning of this one just came pouring out. Tell me what you think. I'll try to have the next chapter up soon, but school is being to beckon. Hopefully by the end of this week I'll have the next one up.