CHAPTER IV

The sound of laughter filled Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. After shopping, the four of them had heaved their numerous bags and parcels down to the shop for ice cream. Harry was enjoying himself immensely; it had been a long time (four months for him) since he'd spoken with his best friends. He got up.

"The ice cream's on me you guys" he said and went over to the counter to pay, ignoring their half-hearted protests.

Ginny watched Harry get up to pay. She eyed his retreating back. He certainly changed, she thought and much for the better if you ask me. She could see that many of the young witches in the shop didn't disagree with her. They eyed him as he went by, giggling and whispering to their companions. She wondered if it was wrong to feel jealous about that. She glanced at Hermione, who had been watching her with a smirk. Ginny blushed, glared playfully at Hermione, and went back to her sundae. Hermione giggled.

Ron watched the exchange between Hermione and Ginny in confusion. What was all that about? He wondered. He glanced at Hermione when he thought no one was looking. She smiled as Harry came to sit back down, and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. The humid weather had made her hair slightly less frizzy with more soft curls everywhere. She had still tied it back but every now and then a little ringlet would spring free and hang over her forehead. He had to keep resisting the urge to tuck them behind her ears for her. He glanced up at Harry who was watching him with a smirk. Ron reddened and looked away, pretending to be interested in the pattern of the table.

"Well," said Harry, breaking the comfortable silence. "I guess we better go find your mum to let her know I'm alive." He grinned at Ron. "Plus I need a place to sleep."

Ron rolled his eyes.

"The Leaky Cauldron's got rooms." He supplied helpfully, grinning when Hermione swatted at him and Harry looked mock outraged.

Hermione got up and smoothed her shirt. She grabbed Ron by the back of his collar and pulled him up.

"Come on Mr. Smart Aleck," she turned to Harry and Ginny, "Let's go then." She said as she and Ron headed towards the door.

Harry waved at Florean and He and Ginny followed them out.

***

Molly Weasley made her way through the crowded streets, her arms laden with packages wrapped in brown paper and bags full of groceries. She hadn't been able to concentrate all day. She'd found Fred and George only to find out they were looking to buy a location to start a joke shop. It had made her furious that she could no longer tell them they weren't allowed to. They were of age and out of school. She was worried about Harry as well. She'd spent all summer worrying about him only to find he was gone. What if You Know Who found a way to kidnap him? She wondered fretfully. It was all a little much to deal with. Molly snapped out of her thoughts as she caught a glimpse of red hair heading toward her. She realized it was Ron, Hermione and Ginny back from shopping but The results of today's outings tumbled from her grasp to bounce along the cobbled street as she saw who was with them. She took off her glasses, cleaned them and put them back on again. She shrieked and ran towards them.

Harry saw Mrs. Weasley coming just in time. She was running towards them, her handbag swinging wildly, trailing parcels as she went. He grinned, braced himself and spread his arms as she enveloped him in a huge embrace. She was laughing and crying and he found himself getting a little teary-eyed as well. Ron, Hermione and Ginny all watched happily.

"Oy mum" said Ron playfully, "Careful you don't want to break him!"

Mrs. Weasley stepped back, taking in Harry's changed appearance. She reached into her handbag and pulled out a tissue, dabbing at her eyes.

"Goodness he's grown so much I don't think I have to worry about breaking him." Everyone chuckled appreciatively. "How on earth did you grow that quickly Harry dear?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably not wanting to launch into a huge explanation just yet but he was saved the trouble when Mrs. Weasley let out and exclamation and began to pick up all her packages. He bent down and began gather them up from all over the street. It took several minutes for everyone to retrieve them all. Ginny had found several apples and a cabbage lurking in the gutter but said they were still edible if they were washed properly.

Mrs. Weasley was flushed and excited, muttering things like "Goodness what am I going to cook for dinner" or "I hope Ron's room is clean". She beamed up at Harry.

"Well if everyone has all of their supplies why don't we head home and start dinner?" She suggested.

Everyone nodded in agreement except Harry who said he needed some clothes that actually fit him. Ginny offered to stay along with Harry until he got his clothes and told the others to should go on home. When they'd left Harry turned to Ginny.

"It was nice of you to stay" He said, "I've got some leftover cash from my last trip here so no need to stop at Gringotts. Do you know where the sell men's clothing, that isn't robes? Actually come to think of it I need both. I've sort of grown out of all my other ones."

Ginny grinned.

"Well that I gathered" she said. "Madam Malkins Practical Day Wear sells sort of muggle type clothing and the regular Madam Malkins sells robes so why don't we stop by those?" she suggested.

"Agreed." Said Harry and they set off together.

***

Mrs. Weasley bustled around the kitchen in a frenzy. In the sink a carrot peal was busy pealing potatoes and a large lamb roast sat in a tray on the counter surrounded by already pealed carrots and turnips. She flicked her wand and a wooden spoon went to stir the gravy on the stove. She herself was kneading a piecrust. She was bound and determined that they would have a big family dinner in celebration for Harry's return. She'd flooed Arthur and told him the news. He would be home soon. Ron and Hermione were playing chess in the living room, the twins were in their room and Harry and Ginny had not yet returned from shopping. She hoped they would hurry, it was getting dark out.

"RON!" she called from the kitchen.

"YES MUM?" came the reply from the living room.

"COME SET THE TABLE" she shouted through the door as she scooped up the pealed potatoes from the sink and distributed them around the roast.

"I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF A CHESS GAME MUM" Ron shouted back.

"THEN GET YOUR BROTHERS TO DO IT" she called back and began to roll out the piecrust.

She stopped and stared out the window, thinking. Harry was home and safe. He'd become like a family member around the Burrow. She felt as though a huge weight had been lifted off her chest since this afternoon. Everything would be fine now.

The sound of bubbling from the stove broke Molly out of her reverie. She cursed (so no one would hear) and ran to turn off the flame.

***

"Ugh, I'm tired," said Harry as the stopped by the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron. "I hope your mum's made something huge for dinner."

Ginny grinned and rolled her eyes,

"Knowing mum she's probably made more food that you can imagine. She's so excited that you're back."

She took a pinch of floo powder and threw it in the flames.

"Right, I'll go first with half the bags and you can follow alright?"

Harry nodded and Ginny stepped in the flames.

"The Burrow!" she shouted.

Harry stepped forward and threw a pinch of floo powder in the flames when she was gone. Ginny was certainly fun to spend time with. I hope we do stuff like this more often, he thought as he stepped into the fire.

"The Burrow!" he shouted, making sure to tuck all his parcels close to his body.

There was a familiar whirring sensation and he stumbled out of the fireplace dumping parcels as he tried to stop himself from falling. He narrowly avoided upending Ron and Hermione's chess game.

"Oy!" said Ron, "Watch it!"

Harry grinned. "Sorry mate I'm not so good with the floo." He stuck his nose in the air and smacked his lips.

"I smell something good!" he said as he made his way to the kitchen.

Opening the door he poked his head in.

"Anything I can do Mrs. Weasley?" he asked.

She bustled past him.

"No no Harry you just go relax. And shut the door I need to get something out of a cupboard behind it." And she rushed by again holding a steaming pot in one had and waving a spoon in the other.

Harry chuckled and closed the door quickly. He turned around and ran head on into Ginny who had a full glass of water in her hands and was just about to put it in the kitchen. Up went the cup and the water. Harry saw it as though in slow motion. He grabbed Ginny around the waist and snatched the glass from the air while simultaneously twirling her several paces until they were out of reach of the water, which splattered harmlessly on the floor.

"Whew" Harry said, "That was close."

He turned his head to look at Ginny and realized their close proximity when his nose brushed hers lightly. She was staring up at his face. Harry felt his breath hitch when he discovered his armed still wrapped snuggly around her waist. He blushed furiously and let go of her. Ginny blushed as well but looked at him in amazement

"I've never seen anyone move that fast," she said a little breathlessly.

Harry shifted. "It's sort of something I learned over the summer" he said vaguely.

Ginny arched an elegantly curved eyebrow.

"I see." she said, but then she smiled.

"I better go clean up that water" she said and went into the kitchen.

Harry leaned against the wall and exhaled. Oh excellent job Potter he thought with disgust. Next time why don't you just shout I'M A STUPID IDIOT and save her the trouble of discovering it for herself? He stepped out of the hallway and into the dining room to find the twins having a mock duel with the butter knives they were supposed to be setting on the table. He hadn't actually gotten a chance to say hello to the twins since he arrived. They both looked up when he came in.

"Harry!" they said enthusiastically.

They both dropped the cutlery and went over to exchange handshakes with him.

"Mum told us about your miraculous reappearance," said Fred, grinning.

"Yea, I thought oh what a pity'" George grinned as he spoke but was nudged aside by his brother.

"Shhhhh, you're not supposed to tell people things like that."

They both dove and retrieved the butter knives to duel it out. Harry watched the exchange with amusement.

"Well it's nice to see you guys," said Harry amidst the clanging of Mrs. Weasley's nice silver.

"Yea you too Harry!" chorused the twins distractedly.

Harry shook his head and closed the door.

***

Ginny retrieved a dishtowel and shut the door before her mother trampled her. She bent over to mop up the spill frowning. Oh brilliant Ginny, she thought to herself let him catch you staring why don't you. You'd probably be better off running away every time you saw him, like you did when you were 9. She swiped at the floor again. Having Harry in the house was wreaking havoc on her nerves. Especially with that new build of his Stop thinking about it, she told herself firmly. She got up and went into the kitchen to put away the towel.

"Ginny dear can you tell everyone to come help bring out dinner dishes? Thanks love, FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY THAT TABLE BETTER BE SET BY NOW BECAUSE I'M READY TO EAT" she shouted. Ginny shut the door and jiggled her head slightly, trying to get the ringing out of her ears. She went into the living room and relayed Mum's orders. She glanced at the clock and saw that Dad had just arrived home. Going in the front hall she said

"Hello Dad, we're just about to start dinner."

Mr. Weasley sighed gratefully.

"Is Harry here?" he asked, placing his cloak on the coat rack.

Ginny nodded and took his briefcase for him.

"You go on in and say hello I'll just put this away."