CHAPTER 12 TO SEE OR TO BE SEEN
Back at the Potter house, Ron unwrapped his broom, gave Ginny his clean sweep and they went out to practice. Harry and Ginny acted as chasers and tried to score against Ron. Hermione grabbed a book in attempt to ignore Dudley; he eventually grew tired of watching and went back to the house.
Hermione was still carrying a grudge toward Dudley for the treatment Harry had to endure growing up, so she still hadn't spoke to him. The three played for about an hour tossing the quaffle back and fourth. Hemione who was feeling the heat of the afternoon sun, and was wearing her bathing suit under her clothes, decided to take off her shorts and top to improve her tan.
Ron spotted Hermione just as he was about to block the quaffle, lost control of his broom and jerked upward and to the right knocking Harry off his broom. Ron quickly grabbed Harry's broom and flew to the ground.
"Sorry mate, you okay?" Ron asked as Harry started to get up.
"Yeah, I'm fine just broke my glasses again." Said Harry, holding up a very bent and broke pair of glasses.
"You okay there Ron? I thought you were having a spasm or something." Giggled Ginny.
"Yeah I'm fine, I just wasn't paying attention." He replied with a red face.
"After mum fixes your glasses, how about we go for a swim." Said Ginny.
"Yeah okay," Harry replied, "it'll be good to cool off."
They headed for the house and Ginny pulled Hermione aside.
"Well you certainly got Ron's attention." She giggled, "Poor Harry though." Harry went into the house and found Molly in the kitchen.
"Molly can you fix my glasses?" Asked Harry "Oh Harry what happened?"
"Well Ron and I crashed but we're okay." Said Harry.
"Repairo," said Molly pointing her wand at Harry's glasses.
They went back to original but when Harry picked them up the earpiece, which was bent before, snapped off.
"Oh dear, Harry how long have you had those glasses?" She asked.
"Since I was eight...I think." Harry replied.
"I think we better get you a new pair." Said Molly. "I think we have just enough time to run into Hogsmeade, they have a place there to get you some new glasses. Let Ron know that we'll be gone for a bit would you?"
Harry made his way out of the kitchen, not too gracefully due to his poor eyesight, and found Ron coming down the stairs wearing his swim trunks and carrying a towel. Harry told Ron where they were going and that they would be back in awhile.
Harry and Molly flooed to 'Olaff's Optics'. Olaff came out of the back to greet them.
"Mrs. Weasley how nice to see you again." He said taking her hand. Harry had a brief thought of Percy and his horn rimmed glasses and wondered how bad his were going to turn out.
"What can I do for you today?" Olaff asked.
"Harry needs to get a new pair of glasses." She said, holding up Harry's broken pair of glasses.
"I think we can manage that. Are you looking for wizard or muggle style? A lot of the wizards go with the old fashion ones but we carry most of the latest muggle styles for the younger ones." Said the old wizard.
"Muggle style I guess." Said Harry. Olaff brought out a couple of trays containing different frames. Harry tried on the first pair.
"You're Harry Potter." Said Olaff just noticing his scar.
"Um yeah," said Harry.
"Here try these." Said Molly, changing the subject, which Harry was thankful for.
After he tried on what seem like a hundred pair he decided on a pair that was very similar to his old pair, but fit his face better and were smaller like the newer styles he had seen on the muggle teens when he and Ginny went shopping.
"Now lets just test your eyes." Said the wizard as he pointed his wand at his left eye, then his right. Harry didn't catch what spell he used.
He then pointed his wand at the frames Harry picked out and lenses appeared in the frames.
"These are made to go with the glasses." He said as he handed Harry a pair of clip-on sunglasses that matched.
Harry paid for his glasses and they headed back home.
When Molly and Harry retuned home everyone was still out swimming, so he ran up to his room to put on his swim trunks and grab a towel. As he headed outside he put on his new sun clips, he realized he could see much better with his new glasses.
Harry was almost to the swimming spot when he stopped to admire the view. Ginny was in a lounger with her eyes closed, looking breath taking in her bikini.
Ginny felt the lack of sun across her and opened her eyes. Harry stood before her looking very sexy even with his eyes hidden behind his new shades. Ginny was wandering what his eyes were expressing.
"Harry?" Ginny said coming out of her daze.
"Well what do you think? Do they suit me?" Asked Harry taking off the clips.
"Oh, they look very nice." Ginny nodded not wanting to say what she really thought. They actually made him look more grown up and handsome.
Harry took off his glasses laying them on the little table next to her lounge and placed his towel on the lounge next to hers before diving in the pool.
Ginny now feeling the heat decided to jump in as well. Ron and Hermione were over in one corner of the pool talking and hadn't noticed Harry till he dove in.
"Hey Harry get got your new glasses?" Asked Hermione "Yeah, I can see allot better than with my old ones." Harry replied. The four of them talked and swam until they were called for supper.
The foursome went in and changed for supper then they all went to the kitchen and sat down to eat. Petunia and Lupin arrived just before they began.
"Where have you been?" bellowed Vernon who had been home since early afternoon.
"I had to go shopping for Duddykin's birthday and Remus was so kind to take me." Said Petunia as she sat at the table.
Molly extended an invitation to Remus, whom being a bachelor wouldn't refuse a home cooked meal.
"Took you long enough." Said Vernon as he began to eat.
After supper Molly asked Remus if she and Arthur could have a word with him. After everyone had left them alone Remus asked
"What did you want to see me about?"
"Ickus asked me today if we were having the traditional Potter 16th birthday party for Harry." Said Molly. "He said you would know about it." She added.
"Ah yes, that sure was a party James had on his 16th birthday." Remembered Remus.
"What all does this party entail?" Asked Arthur.
"Well let's see.. Said Remus as he put his hand to his chin and began to rub it thoughtfully. "There was a ball with a buffet style dinner, which they had open to quite a few guests. James had his whole class plus a few students from other houses and years, mainly Gryffindors though. Closer friends were invited to stay the night and were served a brunch followed by presents, games, swimming and quidditch and things like that."
"Would it be feasible?" Asked Molly.
"Well this house has great protection barriers and as long as we're careful with whom we invite. Plus with all the Aurors that will be here. I think we better run it by Dumbledore first before we decide anything, but I'm sure it will be perfectly fine." Remus answered.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were up in Harry's sitting room talking. Hermione was grilling them about their summer studies.
After awhile Harry spoke up and said, "I'm going for a walk." He wasn't really in the mood for one of Hermione and Ron's arguments.
Ginny got the hint of where the conversation was headed combined with Harry's wanting to leave.
"I'm going to bed." Giving a fake yawn and following Harry out the door.
Out in the hallway Ginny spoke to Harry, "Harry, you want to try the maze with me? I've wanted to give a run since we got here." A frown crossed Harry's face.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't even think." She added upon Harry's reaction to her question.
"It's okay there's always gonna be things that remind me of all the bad things that have happened." Harry replied.
"Someone once told me that for every bad memory you have in a certain place, you should try and come up with a new one to equal it out, so if the maze triggers a bad memory you should go through the maze to make a good memory. Does that sound too stupid?" Ginny asked.
"No actually I think it make sense. Come on let's go." said Harry leading the way.
Harry and Ginny went out to the side of the house where the entrance to the maze was located. The sun was setting as they took turns choosing which directions to take.
"Do you think Ron and Hermione are ever gonna get a clue?" Asked Ginny to break the silence.
"Not sure, although it's clear they like each other." Harry said as they came to a dead end. They talked for a little longer until they came to another dead end.
Soon the moon was full in the sky, it was only a half moon, so there was a little light to see by. Every time they thought they were getting somewhere they'd come to another dead end. In frustration Ginny kicked a bush and put her face in her hands. "This isn't working out the way I thought it would, now I got us lost." She said starting to cry.
"It's okay Gin, nothing bad id going to happen were just stuck in a maze in our yard. It's kind of funny actually. How many can say they were lost in their own yard." Said Harry, leaning up against the hedge."
"Thanks Harry, you always know how to make me feel better." Ginny said as she reached up on her toes and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek just as the hedge gave way, and their lips met as they fell to the ground.
It was a brief kiss but one that they both would remember. They both knew it was an accident and both, too unsure of Themselves said nothing about it except for a small 'sorry'.
When they got up they saw that the bushes had grown over a statue of an angel. It was beautiful. They both reached to touch it and they were instantly popped back to the beginning of the maze.
"That's a relief." Said Harry.
"Yeah I'm glad we're not going to be stuck in there all night." Said Ginny, although they both were thinking how nice that would have been.
In the house, up in Harry's room. Ron and Hermione were not studying. In their letters to each other they had started becoming more open with their feelings toward each other.
"That was nice trick to get rid of them." Said Ron
"I knew it would work, you know how Harry hates it when we argue." Said Hemione.
"So did you mean the things you said in your letters"? Asked Ron.
Hermione blushed, why was it so much easier to write things than to say them.
"Which things?'' She asked.
"Um when you said you liked me." Said Ron.
"Well of course I like you, you're my friend." Said Hermione. She wasn't going to make this easy.
"Oh," said Ron "I thought well um..."
"What did you think Ron?" Asked Hermione.
"Um well...that you might like me as...more than a friend." 'There I said it' Ron thought to himself.
"I do, but what would happen if we ever broke up of how will Harry feel about it?" Asked Hermione.
"How about we give it a try, without letting anyone know, and we just agree to stay friends if anything does happen." Said Ron hopefully.
"Well that sounds good and I hope it will work that way, but I think as long as we keep it to ourselves, we can try." Said Hermione.
"So does that mean that you'll be my girlfriend"? Asked Ron with a grin.
"Well kiss me and I'll decide." Said Hermione with a giggle.
"Um okay." said a very shocked Ron. He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
"You'll have to do better than that." Said Hermione as she reached out and grabbed his shirt and pulled him to her. She kissed him soundly before letting him go.
"I think I need to try that again." Ron said as he caught his breath.
They came together again for the third kiss slowly and tenderly with each exploring each other's mouths. They were still in that position when Harry walked in.
"I'm going to bed. Turn out the lights when you're done playing tonsil hockey." He said before closing his bedroom door.
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A.N. Thank you for all the reviews I found the setting that allows unsigned reviews. Thanks to TuxedoMac for pointing that out to me I didn't even know about it. Sorry if it has caused some people not to review but please note that you can now do so. To. NiteStar and Natbag: I am glad that you understand what I am doing with Dudley. He is in a completely different world now and He will have his problems but he understands that things aren't always the way you thought they were and it's a big adjustment for him. Thanks for the kind words. To Angelis1 and cancan227 big thanks glad your enjoying it and please stay tuned for more to come. To Tuxedomac: thanks again for bringing that to my attention. I'm sorry your not liking Petunia but you didn't give me an idea on which way you think she should be. I will tell you that she is going to have her ups and downs and I have a long-term plan for her (but not gonna give that away). To Lillian Blue: Oh your so funny! Like you cant just tell me at work. Its not like we don't see each other about everyday. Anywho thanks for you kind words that does mean a lot to me. I think I'm gonna cry! sniff sob
Back at the Potter house, Ron unwrapped his broom, gave Ginny his clean sweep and they went out to practice. Harry and Ginny acted as chasers and tried to score against Ron. Hermione grabbed a book in attempt to ignore Dudley; he eventually grew tired of watching and went back to the house.
Hermione was still carrying a grudge toward Dudley for the treatment Harry had to endure growing up, so she still hadn't spoke to him. The three played for about an hour tossing the quaffle back and fourth. Hemione who was feeling the heat of the afternoon sun, and was wearing her bathing suit under her clothes, decided to take off her shorts and top to improve her tan.
Ron spotted Hermione just as he was about to block the quaffle, lost control of his broom and jerked upward and to the right knocking Harry off his broom. Ron quickly grabbed Harry's broom and flew to the ground.
"Sorry mate, you okay?" Ron asked as Harry started to get up.
"Yeah, I'm fine just broke my glasses again." Said Harry, holding up a very bent and broke pair of glasses.
"You okay there Ron? I thought you were having a spasm or something." Giggled Ginny.
"Yeah I'm fine, I just wasn't paying attention." He replied with a red face.
"After mum fixes your glasses, how about we go for a swim." Said Ginny.
"Yeah okay," Harry replied, "it'll be good to cool off."
They headed for the house and Ginny pulled Hermione aside.
"Well you certainly got Ron's attention." She giggled, "Poor Harry though." Harry went into the house and found Molly in the kitchen.
"Molly can you fix my glasses?" Asked Harry "Oh Harry what happened?"
"Well Ron and I crashed but we're okay." Said Harry.
"Repairo," said Molly pointing her wand at Harry's glasses.
They went back to original but when Harry picked them up the earpiece, which was bent before, snapped off.
"Oh dear, Harry how long have you had those glasses?" She asked.
"Since I was eight...I think." Harry replied.
"I think we better get you a new pair." Said Molly. "I think we have just enough time to run into Hogsmeade, they have a place there to get you some new glasses. Let Ron know that we'll be gone for a bit would you?"
Harry made his way out of the kitchen, not too gracefully due to his poor eyesight, and found Ron coming down the stairs wearing his swim trunks and carrying a towel. Harry told Ron where they were going and that they would be back in awhile.
Harry and Molly flooed to 'Olaff's Optics'. Olaff came out of the back to greet them.
"Mrs. Weasley how nice to see you again." He said taking her hand. Harry had a brief thought of Percy and his horn rimmed glasses and wondered how bad his were going to turn out.
"What can I do for you today?" Olaff asked.
"Harry needs to get a new pair of glasses." She said, holding up Harry's broken pair of glasses.
"I think we can manage that. Are you looking for wizard or muggle style? A lot of the wizards go with the old fashion ones but we carry most of the latest muggle styles for the younger ones." Said the old wizard.
"Muggle style I guess." Said Harry. Olaff brought out a couple of trays containing different frames. Harry tried on the first pair.
"You're Harry Potter." Said Olaff just noticing his scar.
"Um yeah," said Harry.
"Here try these." Said Molly, changing the subject, which Harry was thankful for.
After he tried on what seem like a hundred pair he decided on a pair that was very similar to his old pair, but fit his face better and were smaller like the newer styles he had seen on the muggle teens when he and Ginny went shopping.
"Now lets just test your eyes." Said the wizard as he pointed his wand at his left eye, then his right. Harry didn't catch what spell he used.
He then pointed his wand at the frames Harry picked out and lenses appeared in the frames.
"These are made to go with the glasses." He said as he handed Harry a pair of clip-on sunglasses that matched.
Harry paid for his glasses and they headed back home.
When Molly and Harry retuned home everyone was still out swimming, so he ran up to his room to put on his swim trunks and grab a towel. As he headed outside he put on his new sun clips, he realized he could see much better with his new glasses.
Harry was almost to the swimming spot when he stopped to admire the view. Ginny was in a lounger with her eyes closed, looking breath taking in her bikini.
Ginny felt the lack of sun across her and opened her eyes. Harry stood before her looking very sexy even with his eyes hidden behind his new shades. Ginny was wandering what his eyes were expressing.
"Harry?" Ginny said coming out of her daze.
"Well what do you think? Do they suit me?" Asked Harry taking off the clips.
"Oh, they look very nice." Ginny nodded not wanting to say what she really thought. They actually made him look more grown up and handsome.
Harry took off his glasses laying them on the little table next to her lounge and placed his towel on the lounge next to hers before diving in the pool.
Ginny now feeling the heat decided to jump in as well. Ron and Hermione were over in one corner of the pool talking and hadn't noticed Harry till he dove in.
"Hey Harry get got your new glasses?" Asked Hermione "Yeah, I can see allot better than with my old ones." Harry replied. The four of them talked and swam until they were called for supper.
The foursome went in and changed for supper then they all went to the kitchen and sat down to eat. Petunia and Lupin arrived just before they began.
"Where have you been?" bellowed Vernon who had been home since early afternoon.
"I had to go shopping for Duddykin's birthday and Remus was so kind to take me." Said Petunia as she sat at the table.
Molly extended an invitation to Remus, whom being a bachelor wouldn't refuse a home cooked meal.
"Took you long enough." Said Vernon as he began to eat.
After supper Molly asked Remus if she and Arthur could have a word with him. After everyone had left them alone Remus asked
"What did you want to see me about?"
"Ickus asked me today if we were having the traditional Potter 16th birthday party for Harry." Said Molly. "He said you would know about it." She added.
"Ah yes, that sure was a party James had on his 16th birthday." Remembered Remus.
"What all does this party entail?" Asked Arthur.
"Well let's see.. Said Remus as he put his hand to his chin and began to rub it thoughtfully. "There was a ball with a buffet style dinner, which they had open to quite a few guests. James had his whole class plus a few students from other houses and years, mainly Gryffindors though. Closer friends were invited to stay the night and were served a brunch followed by presents, games, swimming and quidditch and things like that."
"Would it be feasible?" Asked Molly.
"Well this house has great protection barriers and as long as we're careful with whom we invite. Plus with all the Aurors that will be here. I think we better run it by Dumbledore first before we decide anything, but I'm sure it will be perfectly fine." Remus answered.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were up in Harry's sitting room talking. Hermione was grilling them about their summer studies.
After awhile Harry spoke up and said, "I'm going for a walk." He wasn't really in the mood for one of Hermione and Ron's arguments.
Ginny got the hint of where the conversation was headed combined with Harry's wanting to leave.
"I'm going to bed." Giving a fake yawn and following Harry out the door.
Out in the hallway Ginny spoke to Harry, "Harry, you want to try the maze with me? I've wanted to give a run since we got here." A frown crossed Harry's face.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't even think." She added upon Harry's reaction to her question.
"It's okay there's always gonna be things that remind me of all the bad things that have happened." Harry replied.
"Someone once told me that for every bad memory you have in a certain place, you should try and come up with a new one to equal it out, so if the maze triggers a bad memory you should go through the maze to make a good memory. Does that sound too stupid?" Ginny asked.
"No actually I think it make sense. Come on let's go." said Harry leading the way.
Harry and Ginny went out to the side of the house where the entrance to the maze was located. The sun was setting as they took turns choosing which directions to take.
"Do you think Ron and Hermione are ever gonna get a clue?" Asked Ginny to break the silence.
"Not sure, although it's clear they like each other." Harry said as they came to a dead end. They talked for a little longer until they came to another dead end.
Soon the moon was full in the sky, it was only a half moon, so there was a little light to see by. Every time they thought they were getting somewhere they'd come to another dead end. In frustration Ginny kicked a bush and put her face in her hands. "This isn't working out the way I thought it would, now I got us lost." She said starting to cry.
"It's okay Gin, nothing bad id going to happen were just stuck in a maze in our yard. It's kind of funny actually. How many can say they were lost in their own yard." Said Harry, leaning up against the hedge."
"Thanks Harry, you always know how to make me feel better." Ginny said as she reached up on her toes and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek just as the hedge gave way, and their lips met as they fell to the ground.
It was a brief kiss but one that they both would remember. They both knew it was an accident and both, too unsure of Themselves said nothing about it except for a small 'sorry'.
When they got up they saw that the bushes had grown over a statue of an angel. It was beautiful. They both reached to touch it and they were instantly popped back to the beginning of the maze.
"That's a relief." Said Harry.
"Yeah I'm glad we're not going to be stuck in there all night." Said Ginny, although they both were thinking how nice that would have been.
In the house, up in Harry's room. Ron and Hermione were not studying. In their letters to each other they had started becoming more open with their feelings toward each other.
"That was nice trick to get rid of them." Said Ron
"I knew it would work, you know how Harry hates it when we argue." Said Hemione.
"So did you mean the things you said in your letters"? Asked Ron.
Hermione blushed, why was it so much easier to write things than to say them.
"Which things?'' She asked.
"Um when you said you liked me." Said Ron.
"Well of course I like you, you're my friend." Said Hermione. She wasn't going to make this easy.
"Oh," said Ron "I thought well um..."
"What did you think Ron?" Asked Hermione.
"Um well...that you might like me as...more than a friend." 'There I said it' Ron thought to himself.
"I do, but what would happen if we ever broke up of how will Harry feel about it?" Asked Hermione.
"How about we give it a try, without letting anyone know, and we just agree to stay friends if anything does happen." Said Ron hopefully.
"Well that sounds good and I hope it will work that way, but I think as long as we keep it to ourselves, we can try." Said Hermione.
"So does that mean that you'll be my girlfriend"? Asked Ron with a grin.
"Well kiss me and I'll decide." Said Hermione with a giggle.
"Um okay." said a very shocked Ron. He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
"You'll have to do better than that." Said Hermione as she reached out and grabbed his shirt and pulled him to her. She kissed him soundly before letting him go.
"I think I need to try that again." Ron said as he caught his breath.
They came together again for the third kiss slowly and tenderly with each exploring each other's mouths. They were still in that position when Harry walked in.
"I'm going to bed. Turn out the lights when you're done playing tonsil hockey." He said before closing his bedroom door.
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A.N. Thank you for all the reviews I found the setting that allows unsigned reviews. Thanks to TuxedoMac for pointing that out to me I didn't even know about it. Sorry if it has caused some people not to review but please note that you can now do so. To. NiteStar and Natbag: I am glad that you understand what I am doing with Dudley. He is in a completely different world now and He will have his problems but he understands that things aren't always the way you thought they were and it's a big adjustment for him. Thanks for the kind words. To Angelis1 and cancan227 big thanks glad your enjoying it and please stay tuned for more to come. To Tuxedomac: thanks again for bringing that to my attention. I'm sorry your not liking Petunia but you didn't give me an idea on which way you think she should be. I will tell you that she is going to have her ups and downs and I have a long-term plan for her (but not gonna give that away). To Lillian Blue: Oh your so funny! Like you cant just tell me at work. Its not like we don't see each other about everyday. Anywho thanks for you kind words that does mean a lot to me. I think I'm gonna cry! sniff sob