Title: A Place to Call Home
Author: RuthErin
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any of the characters, places, names, etc. associated with the Harry Potter series.
Summary: The war is over. Harry leaves the Dursley's to spend one last summer at the Burrow, but things get off to a rocky start, as secrets are revealed and old grudges are brought to light. Time is running out for Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny: they must ultimately decide what to do now that school is finished, where they will spend their futures-and who they will spend them with.
Author's Notes: I thought I'd use this as an opportunity to respond to some of the suggestions and comments I have received: I have not gone into great detail about the war or Voldemort's demise for two main reasons: first off, because that is not what this story is about. It's about moving on. Secondly, I am seriously considering the possibility of writing a prequel to this story eventually, in order to go into greater detail about the war and their last year at Hogwarts. Until that time, important details will find their way into the text so as not to leave anybody hanging. If you need to know it, have faith that eventually I will clue you in. And that goes for the N.E.W.T. results as well *wink*
As for this chapter. well, let me just say that there are some more author's notes at the end.
A Place to Call Home, Chapter Five- The Calm of the Storm
~*~
Ginny could not smile. She was finished with school, she and Harry did not have to hide their relationship anymore, and she had not had to watch her brother and Hermione snogging in several days, but she still could not smile. The tension in the house over the past week had been thick enough to slice with a butter-knife and hostile enough to smother every good feeling that any of them might have otherwise felt.
Her parents had taken to entirely avoiding the topic of her finishing school early-something that made her very nervous. Ron had gone from being unbearably angry and hotheaded, to speaking to everyone in monotone and ignoring Harry's existence completely.
Harry was not angry at all, just upset at Ron's implication that he was the primary cause of Bill's death. He was pleasant to everyone, if rather distracted, and avoided Ron almost as much as Ron avoided Harry. Fred and George had invited him to share their room, hoping that if Ron had some space to himself he might eventually cool off. So far, it was just wishful thinking.
The twins thought Harry was indifferent to Ron's anger, but Ginny knew better. When they were alone he was almost like a hurt little boy. What right had Ron to say those things? To imply that he would hurt Ginny? To suggest that Bill's death was his fault? In his heart of hearts, Harry knew that none of these things were true, and yet there was a part of him that believed the accusations. And that was why Ginny could not smile.
Now they were all stuck inside together, and it was clear to every one of them that the Burrow was far too small to hold all of their emotions. Outside the rain pounded the ground furiously and tossed the water of the lake high. The clouds from which it poured were thick and somber, blotting out the sunlight and adding to the dreary ambience of the Burrow's interior.
Ginny and Harry sat close together on the couch. They did not speak; intensely aware of the eyes that watched them closely from the other room.
Hermione was desperately trying to interest Ron in a game of wizard's chess, but he ignored her attempts and continued to glare at his sister and former friend who were cuddling on the couch in the other room.
"How dare they!" he said under his breath. "Right where everyone can see them! Ugh!"
Hermione scowled. "Ron. They are not doing anything. Please play chess with me. I can't play on my own."
Ron glared once more at figures in the other room, and said something about "keeping an eye" on the "traitor", followed by a string of very rude words. Hermione stood up, looked at Ron for a moment, and narrowed her eyes. Then she flung the chessboard at him, watching him jump as the queen, who was afraid of heights, bit him on the nose in an attempt to keep from falling. Ron shouted as he yanked the piece from his nose and turned to face his girlfriend.
"'mione!! What the-what did you do that for!? Have you gone mad?"
By this time Harry and Ginny had both turned to look at them, Fred and George had emerged from upstairs, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had poked their heads in from the kitchen.
"This has gone far enough, Ron! I realize you are upset about Harry and Ginny, but you can not keep taking it out on me and everyone else!"
The pupil's of Ron's eyes had dilated and he looked afraid of what Hermione might say, or do, next. His ears had grown very red and he began to twist his hands a bit nervously, unsure of what to do now.
"Hermione, I-" he began, but Hermione cut him off with a very disappointed look. Ron cringed. It was one thing for her to be mad, he could deal with her anger, but to see that disappointment in her face. it made this whole situation seem so petty.
He turned and walked out of the house, his head low and his eyes avoiding those around him. Hermione put on her cloak, grabbed Ron's as well, and followed him out into the rain.
Mrs. Weasley watched them go and then turned to Ginny.
"Ginny, why don't you join me and your dad in the kitchen." It was not a question. Harry squeezed her hand and then watched them retreat. He sighed. Who knew what would happen next?
~*~
Later that evening it seemed that the calm of the storm had arrived. The rain had lessened until it was no more than a lazy drizzle down the windowpanes. Ginny appeared from the kitchen after only an hour, smiling softly, and Harry knew that she and her parents had made peace about her decision.
Small explosions from the top of the stairs told them that the twins were accounted for, and Mrs. Weasley ascended to suggest that they come down and help her with dinner.
Ron and Hermione did not come back inside for a long time. Then, just before tea, the door creaked open and they came quietly in. The anger was gone from Ron's face, and he hugged Hermione, kissing her sweetly on the cheek, before going upstairs. None of them ever knew what had transpired that day in the rain between Ron and Hermione, but they that, whatever it was, they were thankful. Ron came down with a horrible cold the next day and took to sleeping throughout the day, but not before apologizing to Harry and Ginny. The four of them were sitting in the den reading when Ron broached the awful subject.
"Er. Ginny? Can I talk to you a minute?" He may have sounded uncomfortable, but there was no anger in his voice. Hermione smiled. Then she and Harry took the hint and left the room.
Ginny looked warily at her older brother. They had always been close. He had been her best friend before leaving for Hogwarts, and even when Harry and Hermione took on that role in his life, they had shared something that only two siblings so close together in age can ever share. But these past few days she had felt very much alone without him. He hurt her a great deal, and she was not sure quite how to handle this.
Ron noticed her hesitancy and looked down, nodding.
"You have every right to mad at me Ginny. I know I was. I was a jerk. It just scared me. You're my little sister! And now I find out that you and Harry. and that you're not going back to school. It's a lot to swallow! I really am sorry. I don't think I was ever really mad about you and Harry- no, let me finish. The war messed me up, Gin. People died. Bill died-"
Ron was choked up now, his words clumsy and damp with tears. Ginny sniffed and wiped a tear from her own cheek.
"I know, Ron. I know how much it hurts. It's like someone ripped something out of you and won't give it back. It's like hell. It's also the way Harry feels every day. We have mum and dad, Charlie, each other. we have a family to lean on. Harry doesn't. And you know he carries on his shoulders the weight of every death that Voldemort was ever responsible for. Including Bill's. Up until now he has had us. We can't blame him, Ron. We just can't. No matter how much we want to blame somebody and watch them hurt like we do, we just can't! It's not right."
Ron's eyes were red and puffy now, and she put her arms around him, pulling him into a great warm embrace.
"I forgive you Ron; and Harry never blamed you. We both love you so much. We just want to be happy. I haven't felt really happy in a long time. And Harry gives me that, the same way Hermione does for you."
~*~
That night when everybody was heading up to bed, Ron stopped Harry from following the twins upstairs.
"Alright Harry?" he said, his voice thick with regret over the past week.
Harry looked thoughtfully at Ron. Ron was obviously sorry for what he had said and the way he had acted, but Harry was not sure their childhood way of solving conflict would cut it this time.
"I'm sorry, Ron. I'm sorry about Bill. If I had paid more attention, if I had stopped him from volunteering to head the team of spies. If I hadn't been stupid enough to turn my back on the Death Eater. I didn't know Bill would jump in front of me! I keep running through it all over and over again in my head. what I could have done differently. Anything! Anything so that he would still be here and so would you. But I'm giving up now. I don't want to feel guilty anymore. I just want."
Harry choked up and turned away from Ron.
Ginny was right, Ron realized. Harry really did believe that Bill's death was his own fault. He probably felt the same way about Sirius, his parents, and everybody who had not made it out of the war alive.
"I don't blame you, Harry! Nobody does! I said some bloody stupid things the other day, but that's all they were."
Ron paused as his eyes and Harry's locked. This was his best friend; the person who had saved Ginny all those years ago in the chamber; the Boy Who Lived, against all odds, even when all evil was against him. Ron would not be the one to kill him. Yet, he realized, that's exactly what he had been doing. He put one hand on Harry's shoulder, and the look in his eyes proved that something had changed.
"Alright, Harry?"
"Alright Ron."
And he smiled.
--- MORE Author's Notes: I have a feeling, after reading some of your reviews, that a few of you may be a little disappointed at the lack of "a bit of a knock down drag out between Harry and Ron". but let's face it: both Harry and Ron have been through hell, and it takes more than a few thrown punches to resolve internal war injuries like they have got. There's a lot of story yet to be told, so be patient (don't you hate being told that?) and stay tuned.
Author: RuthErin
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any of the characters, places, names, etc. associated with the Harry Potter series.
Summary: The war is over. Harry leaves the Dursley's to spend one last summer at the Burrow, but things get off to a rocky start, as secrets are revealed and old grudges are brought to light. Time is running out for Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny: they must ultimately decide what to do now that school is finished, where they will spend their futures-and who they will spend them with.
Author's Notes: I thought I'd use this as an opportunity to respond to some of the suggestions and comments I have received: I have not gone into great detail about the war or Voldemort's demise for two main reasons: first off, because that is not what this story is about. It's about moving on. Secondly, I am seriously considering the possibility of writing a prequel to this story eventually, in order to go into greater detail about the war and their last year at Hogwarts. Until that time, important details will find their way into the text so as not to leave anybody hanging. If you need to know it, have faith that eventually I will clue you in. And that goes for the N.E.W.T. results as well *wink*
As for this chapter. well, let me just say that there are some more author's notes at the end.
A Place to Call Home, Chapter Five- The Calm of the Storm
~*~
Ginny could not smile. She was finished with school, she and Harry did not have to hide their relationship anymore, and she had not had to watch her brother and Hermione snogging in several days, but she still could not smile. The tension in the house over the past week had been thick enough to slice with a butter-knife and hostile enough to smother every good feeling that any of them might have otherwise felt.
Her parents had taken to entirely avoiding the topic of her finishing school early-something that made her very nervous. Ron had gone from being unbearably angry and hotheaded, to speaking to everyone in monotone and ignoring Harry's existence completely.
Harry was not angry at all, just upset at Ron's implication that he was the primary cause of Bill's death. He was pleasant to everyone, if rather distracted, and avoided Ron almost as much as Ron avoided Harry. Fred and George had invited him to share their room, hoping that if Ron had some space to himself he might eventually cool off. So far, it was just wishful thinking.
The twins thought Harry was indifferent to Ron's anger, but Ginny knew better. When they were alone he was almost like a hurt little boy. What right had Ron to say those things? To imply that he would hurt Ginny? To suggest that Bill's death was his fault? In his heart of hearts, Harry knew that none of these things were true, and yet there was a part of him that believed the accusations. And that was why Ginny could not smile.
Now they were all stuck inside together, and it was clear to every one of them that the Burrow was far too small to hold all of their emotions. Outside the rain pounded the ground furiously and tossed the water of the lake high. The clouds from which it poured were thick and somber, blotting out the sunlight and adding to the dreary ambience of the Burrow's interior.
Ginny and Harry sat close together on the couch. They did not speak; intensely aware of the eyes that watched them closely from the other room.
Hermione was desperately trying to interest Ron in a game of wizard's chess, but he ignored her attempts and continued to glare at his sister and former friend who were cuddling on the couch in the other room.
"How dare they!" he said under his breath. "Right where everyone can see them! Ugh!"
Hermione scowled. "Ron. They are not doing anything. Please play chess with me. I can't play on my own."
Ron glared once more at figures in the other room, and said something about "keeping an eye" on the "traitor", followed by a string of very rude words. Hermione stood up, looked at Ron for a moment, and narrowed her eyes. Then she flung the chessboard at him, watching him jump as the queen, who was afraid of heights, bit him on the nose in an attempt to keep from falling. Ron shouted as he yanked the piece from his nose and turned to face his girlfriend.
"'mione!! What the-what did you do that for!? Have you gone mad?"
By this time Harry and Ginny had both turned to look at them, Fred and George had emerged from upstairs, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had poked their heads in from the kitchen.
"This has gone far enough, Ron! I realize you are upset about Harry and Ginny, but you can not keep taking it out on me and everyone else!"
The pupil's of Ron's eyes had dilated and he looked afraid of what Hermione might say, or do, next. His ears had grown very red and he began to twist his hands a bit nervously, unsure of what to do now.
"Hermione, I-" he began, but Hermione cut him off with a very disappointed look. Ron cringed. It was one thing for her to be mad, he could deal with her anger, but to see that disappointment in her face. it made this whole situation seem so petty.
He turned and walked out of the house, his head low and his eyes avoiding those around him. Hermione put on her cloak, grabbed Ron's as well, and followed him out into the rain.
Mrs. Weasley watched them go and then turned to Ginny.
"Ginny, why don't you join me and your dad in the kitchen." It was not a question. Harry squeezed her hand and then watched them retreat. He sighed. Who knew what would happen next?
~*~
Later that evening it seemed that the calm of the storm had arrived. The rain had lessened until it was no more than a lazy drizzle down the windowpanes. Ginny appeared from the kitchen after only an hour, smiling softly, and Harry knew that she and her parents had made peace about her decision.
Small explosions from the top of the stairs told them that the twins were accounted for, and Mrs. Weasley ascended to suggest that they come down and help her with dinner.
Ron and Hermione did not come back inside for a long time. Then, just before tea, the door creaked open and they came quietly in. The anger was gone from Ron's face, and he hugged Hermione, kissing her sweetly on the cheek, before going upstairs. None of them ever knew what had transpired that day in the rain between Ron and Hermione, but they that, whatever it was, they were thankful. Ron came down with a horrible cold the next day and took to sleeping throughout the day, but not before apologizing to Harry and Ginny. The four of them were sitting in the den reading when Ron broached the awful subject.
"Er. Ginny? Can I talk to you a minute?" He may have sounded uncomfortable, but there was no anger in his voice. Hermione smiled. Then she and Harry took the hint and left the room.
Ginny looked warily at her older brother. They had always been close. He had been her best friend before leaving for Hogwarts, and even when Harry and Hermione took on that role in his life, they had shared something that only two siblings so close together in age can ever share. But these past few days she had felt very much alone without him. He hurt her a great deal, and she was not sure quite how to handle this.
Ron noticed her hesitancy and looked down, nodding.
"You have every right to mad at me Ginny. I know I was. I was a jerk. It just scared me. You're my little sister! And now I find out that you and Harry. and that you're not going back to school. It's a lot to swallow! I really am sorry. I don't think I was ever really mad about you and Harry- no, let me finish. The war messed me up, Gin. People died. Bill died-"
Ron was choked up now, his words clumsy and damp with tears. Ginny sniffed and wiped a tear from her own cheek.
"I know, Ron. I know how much it hurts. It's like someone ripped something out of you and won't give it back. It's like hell. It's also the way Harry feels every day. We have mum and dad, Charlie, each other. we have a family to lean on. Harry doesn't. And you know he carries on his shoulders the weight of every death that Voldemort was ever responsible for. Including Bill's. Up until now he has had us. We can't blame him, Ron. We just can't. No matter how much we want to blame somebody and watch them hurt like we do, we just can't! It's not right."
Ron's eyes were red and puffy now, and she put her arms around him, pulling him into a great warm embrace.
"I forgive you Ron; and Harry never blamed you. We both love you so much. We just want to be happy. I haven't felt really happy in a long time. And Harry gives me that, the same way Hermione does for you."
~*~
That night when everybody was heading up to bed, Ron stopped Harry from following the twins upstairs.
"Alright Harry?" he said, his voice thick with regret over the past week.
Harry looked thoughtfully at Ron. Ron was obviously sorry for what he had said and the way he had acted, but Harry was not sure their childhood way of solving conflict would cut it this time.
"I'm sorry, Ron. I'm sorry about Bill. If I had paid more attention, if I had stopped him from volunteering to head the team of spies. If I hadn't been stupid enough to turn my back on the Death Eater. I didn't know Bill would jump in front of me! I keep running through it all over and over again in my head. what I could have done differently. Anything! Anything so that he would still be here and so would you. But I'm giving up now. I don't want to feel guilty anymore. I just want."
Harry choked up and turned away from Ron.
Ginny was right, Ron realized. Harry really did believe that Bill's death was his own fault. He probably felt the same way about Sirius, his parents, and everybody who had not made it out of the war alive.
"I don't blame you, Harry! Nobody does! I said some bloody stupid things the other day, but that's all they were."
Ron paused as his eyes and Harry's locked. This was his best friend; the person who had saved Ginny all those years ago in the chamber; the Boy Who Lived, against all odds, even when all evil was against him. Ron would not be the one to kill him. Yet, he realized, that's exactly what he had been doing. He put one hand on Harry's shoulder, and the look in his eyes proved that something had changed.
"Alright, Harry?"
"Alright Ron."
And he smiled.
--- MORE Author's Notes: I have a feeling, after reading some of your reviews, that a few of you may be a little disappointed at the lack of "a bit of a knock down drag out between Harry and Ron". but let's face it: both Harry and Ron have been through hell, and it takes more than a few thrown punches to resolve internal war injuries like they have got. There's a lot of story yet to be told, so be patient (don't you hate being told that?) and stay tuned.