Chapter 5: Happy Frappy
*~*~*~*~*
Not much of this makes sense to me,
The river has run cold and dry.
But it keeps me from swinging tree to tree
And sometimes I'm too scared to even try.
Ultra confusion feigns clarity,
Scattered illusions excuses destiny.
It's never exactly how it appears be,
It's too much for any of us who even try to see.
Well I know that's where I'll never be,
Cuz I can see the summer's done.
I try to let the river flow in and out of me,
And pray I float the way I think I want,
And pray I float at all.
*~*~*~*~*
"Harry! Floo for you!" Molly Weasley yelled up the stairs. "It's the Minister!"
"Of course it is." Harry rolled over to look at his watch. "Atleast he let me sleep til 8." Harry pushed himself from bed and started towards the door. He was met there by Molly.
"I'm sorry dear. I didn't know you heard me. Minister Fudge said it was important."
"Oh, I'm sure it is," Harry responded rolling his eyes. He finished his slow stroll down the stairs, picked up a piece of toast in the kitchen and slowly slid the chair to the fireplace. "Cornelius." He straddled the chair to look at Fudge.
Fudge looked annoyed at being kept waiting, but regained himself. "Harry, we need some help down here today. The office is in quite a disarray."
"I'll be in later. I'm leaving the Weasley's today. I need to move my things."
"You're leaving the Weasley's? And where pray-tell are you going now?"
"That's between Dumbledore and I. You can owl me if you need me. I'll send Hedwig to the office as soon as I eat some breakfast. She'll know where to find me. I'll be in around three."
"Harry, three is going to be too late."
"Cornelius, I've been in everyday this week! I understand things are a mess with all the attacks, but some of us, the ones of us who are under twenty, need at least a few hours a week to regain themselves. Now unless there's been another attack, I'll be in around three. And the longer I'm sitting here talking to you, the later it'll be. Now is that all?"
The Minister of Magic stared at Harry. No one had ever talked that way to him. But Harry had a point. He had been in from six in the morning until eight at night every day that week. Fudge sighed deeply and nodded, and with a pop was gone.
Harry rolled his eyes again, but was glad Fudge hadn't put up more of a fuss. "If there is anyone in that office who needs a swift kick in the-"
"Harry!" Harry jerked his head up to the talking person. Ginny stood near the bottom stairs, arms crossed over her chest.
"Oops. Sorry Ginny." Harry looked at her guiltily. Ginny broke down and smiled and walked to him. "You sleep well?"
"Mm-hmm. You?" Ginny sat on his lap softly.
"Yeah. Longer than I thought I would. And Ron didn't snore as much as he usually does. Quite pleasant." Harry grinned evilly at Ginny. She shook her head and laughed.
"Want some breakfast before we start moving stuff?"
"I should, but I promised Fudge I'd be in by three. Maybe something a little later though, k? I need to call Hermoine and make sure her and Hannah are ready for me over there, and Dumbledore to tell him what I'm doing, take a shower, move everything, help Dumbledore with the wards." As if on cue, a disheveled Hermione and Hannah Abbot appeared in the kitchen.
"Speak of the devil and she shall appear, helper in tow."
"A devil am I?" Hermione placed her hands on her hips.
"From what Ron says about you in bed, I'm starting to believe you're a little worse than that." Hermione blushed a deep red and Harry chuckled.
"Eww. I don't want to think about my brother in bed!" Ginny slapped Harry in the arm playfully and jumped from his lap before he could retaliate.
"Are you ready to go Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Well, sorta. I was going to call Dumbledore in a few minutes-"
"That's been taken care of. He's already been over to the flat. It's all set. We just need to get you there to finish."
Harry nodded, though somewhat saddened as he had been looking forward to seeing some complex magic.
"I need to finish packing."
"I can do that Harry, while you take a shower. Hermione and Hannah can help. We'll be done in no time."
Harry nodded again. "So I'll just go take a leisurely shower than, shall I?"
"No one deserves it more than you right now." Ginny smiled at him. "And I'll even get Ron up to make you breakfast."
"Alright then." Harry started up the stairs to the bedroom, the three girls behind him.
*~*~*~*
"ACK! Naked Harry butt!"
"What the Hell Hermione?!"
"I wanna see!"
"NO! I'm shutting the door. Shutting the door now!"
"But Harry! You have fans!"
"Stop it, all three of you! I *need* to get dressed."
"But Harrrrrrrryyyyy!"
"Fine!"
Girl screams filled the air.
"Happy now!?"
"But I wanna see Harry's butt!" Crashing came from the stair well.
"Shut up Ron!"
Slam. Click. Giggles filled the house.
*~*~*~*
Harry came down the stairs, a smug satisfaction playing across his face. Sure, the entire female population of the house (minus Mrs. Weasley) had seen his naked ass, but, hey, he wasn't modest. It was a nice ass.
"You three are horrible, you know that?"
"Come off of it Harry. You enjoyed it." Hermione poked him in the arm as she walked by with the last of his suitcases. "We on the other hand, are going to be scarred for life."
"You asked for it!" The girls giggled again. Ron stood in the corner, faking dejectedness. "Oh, Ronniekins. I'm sorry."
"Every one else in the house gets to see your naked arse."
"Well if you really want to see-" Harry reached for his belt.
"NO! I was kidding. Don't threaten a poor man like that. Eat some breakfast and keep that thing in your pants from now on."
"You're going to hurt its feelings." Ron punched Harry in the arm hard to shut him up.
"Eat some breakfast." Ron dropped a plate on the table. Harry laughed, but sat down and started to eat. Suddenly there was a heavy knocking on the front door. Everyone but Harry froze, scared to go see who is was.
"Oh really you guys. You act like Voldemort is going to come and knock at the door. Besides, if he wanted to destroy the house, he'd just do it and not bother with the formalities. 'Hi, my name is Voldemort. Would you mind terribly it I blew your house up?'" Harry got up from his chair and walked to the front door. "OH MY GOD!"
Hermione, Ron, Hannah and Ginny all rushed to the front door, wands at the ready. "WHAT?"
"It's just Remus. You four need to lighten up," Harry laughed, leading his father's friend inside. The four shot death glares at Harry.
"Are you about ready to go Harry?" Remus asked.
"I don't know. I'm eating breakfast. Ask my packing crew." Remus looked at the other young adults. Ginny nodded curtly and turned to go back to the kitchen. "Could someone let Hedwig out and tell her to go to the office in case Fudge needs me?"
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny looked at each other and had a silent argument. Finally, Ron sighed and trudged upstairs. Ginny and Hermione sat back down at the table with Harry, Hannah and Remus. Ginny reached onto Harry's plate and stole some hash browns. He tried to swat at her hand, but missed, and she placed the potatoes into her mouth. Harry laughed and pulled his plate out of her reach.
"If you're hungry get your own breakfast."
"I'm not hungry. I just wanted some hash browns. And it's easier to take yours." Ginny kneeled in her chair and swapped some more.
"Don't make me run with my breakfast," Harry warned, waving his fork at Ginny. Ginny finally gave up.
"You're a sucky boyfriend. Won't even give me any of your hash browns." Harry faked surprise and hurt.
"Ouch. Jeez Gin, that hurt."
"It's no more than you deserve." Harry laughed again and set his plate in front of Ginny.
"Here. I'm done. Eat all you want."
"I don't think I want anymore. I'm full." Remus laughed out loud at this and stood to get some of Harry's stuff. Harry took his plate to the sink and magiked it clean, while Ginny, Hermione, and Hannah grabbed the rest of his bags. Ron came down the stairs with Hedwig's cage and Harry's Firebolt.
"We forgot something. Glad I went back up." Ron handed the cage to Harry and started towards the door. "Tell me again why we're not apparating over there."
"Because the wards that Dumbledore set up won't let anyone apparate there until Harry gets there and we finish the spell," Hermione explained.
"Ginny, give me those bags! I can carry them!" Harry demanded.
"No, I've got them. Just because you decide now is the time you want to be gentlemanly doesn't mean I forgive you for earlier. I just wanted some potatoes." Harry rolled his eyes and pried the bags from Ginny's hands. "Harry!"
Harry ran off in the direction of Hermione's flat, Ginny chasing him.
"So how long has this been going on?" Remus asked amusedly.
"They've been together about a week or so. But the shameless flirting has been going on since Harry left school," Hermione explained, as Ron eased one of the bags out her hand. "She makes him happy. But it annoys Ron a little bit."
"Any guy being with my sister annoys me. But at least it's Harry and not some nobody I don't know. We've had a chat, and he understands what would happen if he hurts her."
Remus laughed. "Does Sirius know?"
"I think he has an inkling, but Harry hasn't said anything to him yet. But it's obvious he's head over heels for her. You should have seen him the day the Prophet was attacked. Disapparated right in the middle of making a pot of coffee. Made quite a mess." Hermione giggled a bit. "But they're totally cute together."
"They remind of Lily and James a bit." Remus sighed, but shook his head. "So, Hermione, Hannah, how is stuff going at the University?"
*~*~*~*
"I win!" Harry yelled triumphantly as he ran up the driveway towards Hermione's flat.
"You had a head start." Harry just flashed a grin at her, which could only be described as shit eating.
"You snooze, you lose hun. Now come here." Ginny walked over to him and put her arms around his neck. "You gonna be okay without me?"
"I think I'll be alright. I lasted this long." Harry chuckled and captured her lips in a kiss.
"I want you to promise me you'll take care of yourself. Be careful and all that jazz." Ginny nodded and leaned for another kiss. As she did, Sirius came walking up the driveway.
"Harry. Everything alright?"
"It was perfect," he mumbled in Ginny's ear. She laughed and let go of his neck. "Fine Sirius. Just waiting for every one else so we can get in."
"Remus got there okay, right?"
"Yes Sirius."
"Morning Ginny. How are you doing?"
"Pretty good. Not too thrilled about Harry leaving, but I can deal. How bout you?"
"Alright. A little worried though, with all that's going on. Did Fudge floo you this morning?" He asked looking back at Harry.
"Around eight." Harry was getting a little annoyed with Sirius ignoring Ginny. He watched as Sirius cast another quick glance over his shoulder. "Everything okay Sirius?"
"I'm just a little nervous about keeping you out in the open like this."
Harry rolled his eyes. Ginny elbowed him in the stomach. "What?" he whispered.
"Give him a break, Harry," Ginny whispered back.
"He's freakin' me out looking around all paranoid and stuff." Sirius had turned back around and was watching the road. "And he's ignoring you."
"He just doesn't know how to act, Harry. You didn't exactly tell him we're seeing each other."
"I tell him that and he's going to sit me down and try to have the "sex talk" with me. The only reason I haven't gotten it yet is because he doesn't know about the other girls I've dated."
"All two of them."
"Four," Harry corrected.
"Four!? Who else?"
"There was Cho and Hannah in Sixth Year. And then there was Mary, the Hufflepuff chaser in Seventh and-" Ginny cut him off.
"Mary O'Toole!? You dated her?" Ginny hissed
"I thought every one knew about that!"
"Obviously not! We're in the same house and I had no idea. What did you see in her? That girl is the biggest slut ever!"
"You're telling me. Ginny, you were in the Common Room when we broke up, right before the end of term. We were shouting louder than the twins on their last day at Hogwarts!" Ginny just looked at him blankly. "Holy shit, Ginny, we played Chess right afterwards! Hermione, Ron, you guys remember the day Mary and I broke-up?"
Hermione and Ron walked up, Hermione nodding. "I was trying to study, but how anyone could do anything with the two of you having a row like that in the middle of the common room is beyond me." Hannah walked up behind them.
"Ginny didn't remember we even went out." Ginny looked as if she was thinking really hard.
"I don't remember any of it."
"They were together for like six months. Everybody knew about it."
"Maybe you repressed the memory. I know I tried to forget when Harry was dating Cho," Hannah suggested.
"Alright. I'm mental I guess. But you said there were four."
"Four? Where did the fourth one come from? There was Cho, Hannah and Mary!" Ron snapped, bewildered.
"Yeah, there was also a girl I met in France last year when I went abroad. But we broke up because I realized there was some one else for me." Harry threw Ginny a smile.
"Awwwwww," Hermione and Hannah said at the same time. Ron retched.
"You guys ready or what?" Sirius called to the group.
"Yeah. Let's get started," Harry shouted back, picking his bags back up and walking towards the house.
"Don't worry Ginny," Hermione whispered as she walked past her. "He's still a virgin."
"Hermione!"
*~*~*~*~*
Not much of this makes sense to me,
The river has run cold and dry.
But it keeps me from swinging tree to tree
And sometimes I'm too scared to even try.
Ultra confusion feigns clarity,
Scattered illusions excuses destiny.
It's never exactly how it appears be,
It's too much for any of us who even try to see.
Well I know that's where I'll never be,
Cuz I can see the summer's done.
I try to let the river flow in and out of me,
And pray I float the way I think I want,
And pray I float at all.
*~*~*~*~*
"Harry! Floo for you!" Molly Weasley yelled up the stairs. "It's the Minister!"
"Of course it is." Harry rolled over to look at his watch. "Atleast he let me sleep til 8." Harry pushed himself from bed and started towards the door. He was met there by Molly.
"I'm sorry dear. I didn't know you heard me. Minister Fudge said it was important."
"Oh, I'm sure it is," Harry responded rolling his eyes. He finished his slow stroll down the stairs, picked up a piece of toast in the kitchen and slowly slid the chair to the fireplace. "Cornelius." He straddled the chair to look at Fudge.
Fudge looked annoyed at being kept waiting, but regained himself. "Harry, we need some help down here today. The office is in quite a disarray."
"I'll be in later. I'm leaving the Weasley's today. I need to move my things."
"You're leaving the Weasley's? And where pray-tell are you going now?"
"That's between Dumbledore and I. You can owl me if you need me. I'll send Hedwig to the office as soon as I eat some breakfast. She'll know where to find me. I'll be in around three."
"Harry, three is going to be too late."
"Cornelius, I've been in everyday this week! I understand things are a mess with all the attacks, but some of us, the ones of us who are under twenty, need at least a few hours a week to regain themselves. Now unless there's been another attack, I'll be in around three. And the longer I'm sitting here talking to you, the later it'll be. Now is that all?"
The Minister of Magic stared at Harry. No one had ever talked that way to him. But Harry had a point. He had been in from six in the morning until eight at night every day that week. Fudge sighed deeply and nodded, and with a pop was gone.
Harry rolled his eyes again, but was glad Fudge hadn't put up more of a fuss. "If there is anyone in that office who needs a swift kick in the-"
"Harry!" Harry jerked his head up to the talking person. Ginny stood near the bottom stairs, arms crossed over her chest.
"Oops. Sorry Ginny." Harry looked at her guiltily. Ginny broke down and smiled and walked to him. "You sleep well?"
"Mm-hmm. You?" Ginny sat on his lap softly.
"Yeah. Longer than I thought I would. And Ron didn't snore as much as he usually does. Quite pleasant." Harry grinned evilly at Ginny. She shook her head and laughed.
"Want some breakfast before we start moving stuff?"
"I should, but I promised Fudge I'd be in by three. Maybe something a little later though, k? I need to call Hermoine and make sure her and Hannah are ready for me over there, and Dumbledore to tell him what I'm doing, take a shower, move everything, help Dumbledore with the wards." As if on cue, a disheveled Hermione and Hannah Abbot appeared in the kitchen.
"Speak of the devil and she shall appear, helper in tow."
"A devil am I?" Hermione placed her hands on her hips.
"From what Ron says about you in bed, I'm starting to believe you're a little worse than that." Hermione blushed a deep red and Harry chuckled.
"Eww. I don't want to think about my brother in bed!" Ginny slapped Harry in the arm playfully and jumped from his lap before he could retaliate.
"Are you ready to go Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Well, sorta. I was going to call Dumbledore in a few minutes-"
"That's been taken care of. He's already been over to the flat. It's all set. We just need to get you there to finish."
Harry nodded, though somewhat saddened as he had been looking forward to seeing some complex magic.
"I need to finish packing."
"I can do that Harry, while you take a shower. Hermione and Hannah can help. We'll be done in no time."
Harry nodded again. "So I'll just go take a leisurely shower than, shall I?"
"No one deserves it more than you right now." Ginny smiled at him. "And I'll even get Ron up to make you breakfast."
"Alright then." Harry started up the stairs to the bedroom, the three girls behind him.
*~*~*~*
"ACK! Naked Harry butt!"
"What the Hell Hermione?!"
"I wanna see!"
"NO! I'm shutting the door. Shutting the door now!"
"But Harry! You have fans!"
"Stop it, all three of you! I *need* to get dressed."
"But Harrrrrrrryyyyy!"
"Fine!"
Girl screams filled the air.
"Happy now!?"
"But I wanna see Harry's butt!" Crashing came from the stair well.
"Shut up Ron!"
Slam. Click. Giggles filled the house.
*~*~*~*
Harry came down the stairs, a smug satisfaction playing across his face. Sure, the entire female population of the house (minus Mrs. Weasley) had seen his naked ass, but, hey, he wasn't modest. It was a nice ass.
"You three are horrible, you know that?"
"Come off of it Harry. You enjoyed it." Hermione poked him in the arm as she walked by with the last of his suitcases. "We on the other hand, are going to be scarred for life."
"You asked for it!" The girls giggled again. Ron stood in the corner, faking dejectedness. "Oh, Ronniekins. I'm sorry."
"Every one else in the house gets to see your naked arse."
"Well if you really want to see-" Harry reached for his belt.
"NO! I was kidding. Don't threaten a poor man like that. Eat some breakfast and keep that thing in your pants from now on."
"You're going to hurt its feelings." Ron punched Harry in the arm hard to shut him up.
"Eat some breakfast." Ron dropped a plate on the table. Harry laughed, but sat down and started to eat. Suddenly there was a heavy knocking on the front door. Everyone but Harry froze, scared to go see who is was.
"Oh really you guys. You act like Voldemort is going to come and knock at the door. Besides, if he wanted to destroy the house, he'd just do it and not bother with the formalities. 'Hi, my name is Voldemort. Would you mind terribly it I blew your house up?'" Harry got up from his chair and walked to the front door. "OH MY GOD!"
Hermione, Ron, Hannah and Ginny all rushed to the front door, wands at the ready. "WHAT?"
"It's just Remus. You four need to lighten up," Harry laughed, leading his father's friend inside. The four shot death glares at Harry.
"Are you about ready to go Harry?" Remus asked.
"I don't know. I'm eating breakfast. Ask my packing crew." Remus looked at the other young adults. Ginny nodded curtly and turned to go back to the kitchen. "Could someone let Hedwig out and tell her to go to the office in case Fudge needs me?"
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny looked at each other and had a silent argument. Finally, Ron sighed and trudged upstairs. Ginny and Hermione sat back down at the table with Harry, Hannah and Remus. Ginny reached onto Harry's plate and stole some hash browns. He tried to swat at her hand, but missed, and she placed the potatoes into her mouth. Harry laughed and pulled his plate out of her reach.
"If you're hungry get your own breakfast."
"I'm not hungry. I just wanted some hash browns. And it's easier to take yours." Ginny kneeled in her chair and swapped some more.
"Don't make me run with my breakfast," Harry warned, waving his fork at Ginny. Ginny finally gave up.
"You're a sucky boyfriend. Won't even give me any of your hash browns." Harry faked surprise and hurt.
"Ouch. Jeez Gin, that hurt."
"It's no more than you deserve." Harry laughed again and set his plate in front of Ginny.
"Here. I'm done. Eat all you want."
"I don't think I want anymore. I'm full." Remus laughed out loud at this and stood to get some of Harry's stuff. Harry took his plate to the sink and magiked it clean, while Ginny, Hermione, and Hannah grabbed the rest of his bags. Ron came down the stairs with Hedwig's cage and Harry's Firebolt.
"We forgot something. Glad I went back up." Ron handed the cage to Harry and started towards the door. "Tell me again why we're not apparating over there."
"Because the wards that Dumbledore set up won't let anyone apparate there until Harry gets there and we finish the spell," Hermione explained.
"Ginny, give me those bags! I can carry them!" Harry demanded.
"No, I've got them. Just because you decide now is the time you want to be gentlemanly doesn't mean I forgive you for earlier. I just wanted some potatoes." Harry rolled his eyes and pried the bags from Ginny's hands. "Harry!"
Harry ran off in the direction of Hermione's flat, Ginny chasing him.
"So how long has this been going on?" Remus asked amusedly.
"They've been together about a week or so. But the shameless flirting has been going on since Harry left school," Hermione explained, as Ron eased one of the bags out her hand. "She makes him happy. But it annoys Ron a little bit."
"Any guy being with my sister annoys me. But at least it's Harry and not some nobody I don't know. We've had a chat, and he understands what would happen if he hurts her."
Remus laughed. "Does Sirius know?"
"I think he has an inkling, but Harry hasn't said anything to him yet. But it's obvious he's head over heels for her. You should have seen him the day the Prophet was attacked. Disapparated right in the middle of making a pot of coffee. Made quite a mess." Hermione giggled a bit. "But they're totally cute together."
"They remind of Lily and James a bit." Remus sighed, but shook his head. "So, Hermione, Hannah, how is stuff going at the University?"
*~*~*~*
"I win!" Harry yelled triumphantly as he ran up the driveway towards Hermione's flat.
"You had a head start." Harry just flashed a grin at her, which could only be described as shit eating.
"You snooze, you lose hun. Now come here." Ginny walked over to him and put her arms around his neck. "You gonna be okay without me?"
"I think I'll be alright. I lasted this long." Harry chuckled and captured her lips in a kiss.
"I want you to promise me you'll take care of yourself. Be careful and all that jazz." Ginny nodded and leaned for another kiss. As she did, Sirius came walking up the driveway.
"Harry. Everything alright?"
"It was perfect," he mumbled in Ginny's ear. She laughed and let go of his neck. "Fine Sirius. Just waiting for every one else so we can get in."
"Remus got there okay, right?"
"Yes Sirius."
"Morning Ginny. How are you doing?"
"Pretty good. Not too thrilled about Harry leaving, but I can deal. How bout you?"
"Alright. A little worried though, with all that's going on. Did Fudge floo you this morning?" He asked looking back at Harry.
"Around eight." Harry was getting a little annoyed with Sirius ignoring Ginny. He watched as Sirius cast another quick glance over his shoulder. "Everything okay Sirius?"
"I'm just a little nervous about keeping you out in the open like this."
Harry rolled his eyes. Ginny elbowed him in the stomach. "What?" he whispered.
"Give him a break, Harry," Ginny whispered back.
"He's freakin' me out looking around all paranoid and stuff." Sirius had turned back around and was watching the road. "And he's ignoring you."
"He just doesn't know how to act, Harry. You didn't exactly tell him we're seeing each other."
"I tell him that and he's going to sit me down and try to have the "sex talk" with me. The only reason I haven't gotten it yet is because he doesn't know about the other girls I've dated."
"All two of them."
"Four," Harry corrected.
"Four!? Who else?"
"There was Cho and Hannah in Sixth Year. And then there was Mary, the Hufflepuff chaser in Seventh and-" Ginny cut him off.
"Mary O'Toole!? You dated her?" Ginny hissed
"I thought every one knew about that!"
"Obviously not! We're in the same house and I had no idea. What did you see in her? That girl is the biggest slut ever!"
"You're telling me. Ginny, you were in the Common Room when we broke up, right before the end of term. We were shouting louder than the twins on their last day at Hogwarts!" Ginny just looked at him blankly. "Holy shit, Ginny, we played Chess right afterwards! Hermione, Ron, you guys remember the day Mary and I broke-up?"
Hermione and Ron walked up, Hermione nodding. "I was trying to study, but how anyone could do anything with the two of you having a row like that in the middle of the common room is beyond me." Hannah walked up behind them.
"Ginny didn't remember we even went out." Ginny looked as if she was thinking really hard.
"I don't remember any of it."
"They were together for like six months. Everybody knew about it."
"Maybe you repressed the memory. I know I tried to forget when Harry was dating Cho," Hannah suggested.
"Alright. I'm mental I guess. But you said there were four."
"Four? Where did the fourth one come from? There was Cho, Hannah and Mary!" Ron snapped, bewildered.
"Yeah, there was also a girl I met in France last year when I went abroad. But we broke up because I realized there was some one else for me." Harry threw Ginny a smile.
"Awwwwww," Hermione and Hannah said at the same time. Ron retched.
"You guys ready or what?" Sirius called to the group.
"Yeah. Let's get started," Harry shouted back, picking his bags back up and walking towards the house.
"Don't worry Ginny," Hermione whispered as she walked past her. "He's still a virgin."
"Hermione!"