Chapter 5 – Tree of Hearts

After the graduation ceremony was over, the graduates, guests and everyone else were invited to a reception on the grounds.

Everyone congratulated on his success.  Mrs. Weasley pulled him into a big hug and whispered that his parents would surely be proud.

Harry and most of the other DA members congratulated Neville on being accepted to Auror training.  Neville was smiling and his grandmother stood proudly by him.

As Harry was shaking Neville's hand, Professor Dumbledore came up.  "Congratulations, you two!  You are the first two people to be accepted into Auror training in the past five years!  Remember, if you ever need anything, Hogwarts is here for you.

"Harry, might I have a word?"

"Sure, professor.  Be right back, Neville."

Professor Dumbledore led Harry to a secluded spot near the lake.

"Harry, there are so many things to tell you.  I am so very proud of you.  You have come so very far in your life already.  You have already received the Order of Merlin, and First Class at that!  There are only five wizards alive that hold that honor.

"But the real reason I wanted to talk to you, Harry, is to remind you that emotion is part of living.  I have watched your life very closely here at school.  Forgive an old man, Harry.  Not only was I trying to keep you safe, but I wanted to make sure you were happy as well.

"I know your father very well, Harry.  He was usually a very happy young man.  But when he was with your mother, there was a glow about him.  You have had that glow as well."

"I have?" asked Harry.

"Yes, Harry.  When you are with Miss Weasley."

"Ginny…" Harry closed his eyes and pictured her as she was right after his fifth year.  She was so sweet and kind.  And so beautiful!  He could get lost in those brown eyes of hers.  The day he realized he loved her opened up a whole new world for him.  Bursting, he had run to tell her.

He found her in the garden.  He bolted right up to her and said "Ginny, I have something to tell you."

"I've something to tell you too, Harry," she said.  "Dean and I decided it wasn't working, so we've broken up."

"Well, in a way, I'm glad," said Harry.  "It would make what I have to say a bit awkward."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Ginny…I…I love you!" he blurted out.

"'Bout bloody time you realized that, mate!" laughed Ron as he walked up.

Harry was pulled back to reality by a hand on his shoulder.

"You're right, Professor," smiled Harry.

"I think you still have time to correct your mistake, Mr. Potter.  Miss Weasley looked ready to explode with pride this afternoon.  And I have spoken with Arthur and Molly on your behalf and they would be very happy if things worked out.

"You should be getting back Harry.  The feast and the Ball will be starting in just an hour," smiled the Headmaster.  "And Harry, you may call me Albus now.  You and I are good enough friends to be on a first-name basis."

Harry laughed and shook his hand.  Then he turned and walked toward the Reception.

***

Ginny was standing with Ron, Hermione, and Neville laughing about the time during their first year when Hermione had to put a spell on him when they were going to get the Sorcerer's Stone.  Harry walked up and stood next to Ginny.  He smiled at her and turned toward Neville.

"What did Dumbledore want, Harry?" asked Neville.

"To congratulate me on surviving till we graduated."  They all laughed.

Harry slipped his hand into Ginny's.  She looked at him as he smiled.

"And to remind me that the feast and Ball are approaching.  I, for one, need a few moments.  Shall we, Miss Weasley?" he asked, holding his arm out.

"Certainly, Mr. Potter!" she said, taking his arm.  The friends all made their way back into the castle to freshen up for the evening festivities.

***

Sirius had sat, watching, as the young people made their way into the castle.  Harry was so much like his father and to see him with Ginny Weasley was almost like seeing James and Lily again.

Sirius walked toward the castle and up the marble staircase.  Making his way to the Gryffindor common room, he caught up with Ginny.

"Ginny?" he asked hesitantly.

She turned around. "Sirius!  Harry told us.  I am so happy that you were able to be here today.  It made Harry so happy!"

"I think," replied Sirius, "that making Harry happy is what you can do."

Ginny blushed.  "I love Harry.  But Harry doesn't want me to get hurt because of him.  I just don't know what to do."

Sirius smiled.  "Be patient.  He is just like his father – stubborn, but smart.  As Lily once told me, all Potter men are stubborn, but sooner or later, they know that they need the love of a good woman.  Lily would have liked you."

"Thanks, Sirius.  Harry is so lucky to have someone like you as his godfather."

"See you later, Ginny."

***

Harry was just getting ready to go get ready when someone knocked on his door.  He opened it to find Sirius standing there.

"Sirius!  Come in!"  Harry exclaimed.

"Harry, I wanted to have a word with you.  Arthur and Molly have invited me to the Burrow for a couple weeks, and I have accepted.  You and I need to catch up.  But first, I have something to give you."

He handed Harry a small box.  Inside the box was an envelope.  Harry opened the envelope carefully and pulled out a piece of paper.  He unfolded it and saw that is was a letter written in very neat handwriting.

My Darling Harry,

Today is your graduation day.  Your whole life lies before you.  No matter where you go, son, remember that your father and I love you and we are proud of you.

Enclosed with this letter you will find a ring.  This ring was the engagement ring that your father gave to me when he proposed.  The ring has been in the Potter family for six generations.  Now we are giving it to you, so that when you meet the right person, you can give it to her.

As I am sure that you are ready to head out into the world, I leave you with this one piece of advice – do not doubt your heart, Harry.  When you find that one person to be with, seize the opportunity and do not let her go.

All my love,

Mum

Harry looked up with tears in his eyes.  Turning the envelope over, he emptied the ring into his hand.   The diamond was cut perfectly and he knew whose hand it belonged to.

He smiled at Sirius as they headed out the door.  As he and Sirius entered the Great Hall for the feast, applause erupted from the House tables.  Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students were clapping enthusiastically while Slytherin reaction was mixed.

Sirius started toward the Head Table, but Professor McGonagall motioned for him to join Harry at the Gryffindor table.  He grinned like the seventeen-year-old Marauder that she remembered.

"You know, Harry, I remember when James and I sat down here for our last feast."  Sirius said.  "Seems like only yesterday that he, Remus and I charmed McGonagall's bloomers to change color every three minutes."  Those close enough to hear burst into laughter.

"Too bad Gred and Forge aren't here," laughed Ron, "they would love to know that spell!"

"Do you remember it, Padfoot?" asked Harry.

"Padf…." gasped Ron.  "As in Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs?"

"Harry, wouldn't that make you Prongs, Jr.?" asked Hermione.

"Why, yes it would, Hermione!" laughed Harry.  "Do you remember the spell?"

"I do, my dear Prongs, Jr." smiled a mischievous Sirius.  "He turned toward the Head Table, pulled out his wand under the table and muttered something.  Harry watched as Professor McGonagall straightened up in her seat.

"It has a funny side effect.  They not only change colors, but sizes too!" laughed Sirius.

Harry looked up to see McGonagall staring directly at Sirius, who feigned innocence and smiled sweetly at her.  She grinned.

During the feast, Ginny kept glancing at Harry.  She had never seen him smile so much.  He joked with everyone.  Whenever he looked at her, there was a twinkle in his eye.  She kept thinking back to what Sirius had told her.  While she was glad Harry was happy, she felt a bit jealous that is wasn't due to her but to Sirius.  As she sat there next to Harry, she watched all the new graduates.  Ron and Hermione were deep in conversation.   Seamus and Dean were laughing with Harry at one of Sirius's stories.  Ginny sat there feeling lonely because she knew that she was going to miss them all terribly next year.  Sure, she had plenty of friends in her own year, but she had become a part of the seventh year group as well. And Harry…how she would miss him.  With him going to Auror training, she was afraid of losing him forever.

"Penny for your thoughts, lass," whispered Harry.  Ginny looked up.  People were starting to get up.  Ron and Hermione were gone and Harry was grinning at her.  "Planning on how to rule the school next year?"

"Something like that," she answered.

"C'mon," Harry said, standing up.  "Let's go for a walk before we go to the Ball."  Harry held out his hand to her.

Ginny took his hand and got up.  As usual, when she held his hand she tingled.  Smiling, she and Harry walked hand in hand out the front doors into the warm evening.

Harry led her down to the lake.  As they walked along the shore, he stopped near an old oak tree.  "Ginny, have you ever looked at this tree?"

When she shook her head he stepped closer.  "Lumos!"

As Ginny walked toward the oak, she saw several hearts engraved with initials.  Most she could not figure out, but one she knew immediately who the people were.  She traced the initials "JP + LE" with her fingers then turned to Harry.

"I found this tree last year.  I come out here a lot to think.  Sirius told me today that this is the exact spot that my father proposed to my mum on their Graduation Day," said Harry.

"That's sweet, Harry," smiled Ginny.

"Ginny, we've known each other for several years now.  I know that there has been tension between us.  I was so afraid that Voldemort might hurt you if he knew how much you meant to me.  I tried to distance myself from you to prevent that from happening, but in the end, it was you who gave me the strength to defeat him.

"But now, a number of his followers are still at large and trying to cause problems.  That's why I feel so strongly about becoming an Auror.  We still have to fight evil, but not at the expense of those we care about.

"That," said Harry, "is why I brought you here tonight."  He turned to the tree, raised his wand and touched it to his heart.

"Amore lumos!" the tip of his wand glowed red.  He touched it to the tree just below where his parents' initials were.  Ginny watched as another heart appeared with the initials "HP + GW" inside.

Harry turned toward her and smiled.  "Ginny, will you marry me?"