Chapter 5: HOT CHOCOLATE CHAT

Harry took Ginny's tiny hand in both of his and smiled "Deal!". He didn't let go of her and looked down thoughtfully at their hands.

"What else is it Harry?" Ginny asked.

'So much more, I can't even tell you how much,' he sighed inwardly.

As if reading his mind Ginny said "Just start with one thing and then go to another."

"You will think that I've lost my mind completely."

"If it helps. I already fancied that a while ago." she answered with a provoking grin.

"Well if that's it, why bother? Let's get over with it" he said in a feigning pout.

The living room was getting full. One by one Weasley dropped in raised eyebrows, "Anything new?" The occupants just shook their heads.

As finally Mr. Weasley came in, Hermione couldn't stand it anymore. She rose quickly, "I've to go."

"Wait!" Ron called after her. Hermione turned around with a questioning look ready to fight of any objecions.

"Don't get all worked up. I just want to come with you." They both went outside searching the darkened backyard.

They needn't look for long. Seeing two dark shapes sitting under the Willowtree deep in conversation. As Ron and Hermione drew near they could her Harry speak.

"Let's get over with it. Idon'tbelievethatSiriusisreallydead" he said as quickly as he could manage in an effort to let it sound less weird.

Ron and Hermione stopped stunned. Ginny on the other Hand didn't seem to wonder.

"I know" she stated flatly.

"What do you know?"

"About the arch, the veil, the whispers"

Harry looked confused.

"Luna told me."

"And you believe her."

"Not only her, but yeah, I sort of believe you two. There's no proof for it but also no real proof against. So what harm can be done if we are going to look for a proof."

"You are telling me that you will help me find out, what's going on?!"

"I will as long as you always keep in mind: what ever we are going to find, could be the least you want to hear."

Harry gaped.

"Did you understand me?!"

"I know and won't, I promise" Harry nodded. "I just have to be sure."

"Fine, I will gladly help you doing research, as Hermione would put it."

"Couldn't have said it any better." Hermione cut in smiling, causing Ginny and Harry to jerk up.

"And don't you dare to leave me out of that!" Ron continued eagerly.

"He got a point there, Mr. Potter." Harry flinched at Hermione's prefect- you're-in-trouble-face. "Don't you dare, as Miss Weasley would put it, to shut us out like that again."

Harry nodded relieved as Hermione gathered them all in a group hug and murmured "Oh friends. I love you all so much."

Slightly embarrassed Ron tore apart and said happy "Come on, let's get inside it's getting cold and mum's surly waiting."

Everyone agreed. Ron and Hermione started up to the house followed by Ginny and Harry, the latter getting more and more uneasy at the thought of facing all the others.

His hand brushed Ginny's and he held on tight. She entwined her fingers with his and squeezed reassuringly. Harry didn't let go until they stepped into the kitchen, when he stayed behind a little, whilst his friends approached the living room.

Gathering all his strength he walked directly over to Mrs. Weasley sitting on the couch.

"Mrs. Weasley, I'm so sor..." Before he could finish she had pulled him down beside her, yet in another hug.

"Don't say a word, my dear. We are family and that is to support each other. I'm so glad you're back."

Tears started to well up in her eyes and she wouldn't let go. Harry wasn't much used to motherly affection, though well needed. The last bit of tension he kept, subsided and he began sobbing uncontrollably. Mrs. Weasley kept on cradling him back and forth like a small child and whispering comforting words.

It took a while until Harry got aware of his surroundings again. He sat up wiping his eyes at his sleeve. Glancing warily at the others, but no one except himself seemed to be embarrassed. Not even the twins showed any signs of smirks.

They all looked openly at him, not amused but joyous and relieved.

Hermione was the first to speak. "I would say that was a major break through. Muggle psychologists..."

Ron rolled his eyes "Hermione do you always have to analyse anything to its very end."

Hermione was about to go on, when Fred said grinning "Well, Harry that settles it." Harry looked confused.

"Yeah, there's no way back. You've proofed yourself a Weasley at heart." George continued.

Fred stood up and patted Harry's back, who was smiling broadly as their words finally settled in. "Well done mate. I thought Ginny's yelling is bad."

"But you nearly match mum." George finished.

Mrs. Weasley didn't have the chance to comment as the clock was striking oddly. Everyone gathered round the clinging clock. Harry gaped like a fish at what he was seeing. The clock face was showing a knew needle carrying his picture and pointing on HOME.

"That happens always when a child is born." Mr. Weasley explained. "It occurs only sometimes when one of the children is married. "But that's new."

"Not that new." Mrs. Weasley stated. "The clock had been in my family for a long time. Always handed down from generation to generation. Always just displaying a certain family of the line, but now and then it adjusted itself to special circumstances and needs."

She looked brightly at Harry "It seems that you have finally accepted, what the rest of us has felt for a long time."

"Nice work Harry" Bill congratulated.

"Took you a while though" Charley cheered.

"Yes mate, how thick can one boy be" the twins chorused and were slapped by their mother.

"Awesome" was all Ron could manage to say still staring at the clock.

Mr. Weasley ruffled Harry's hair, Ginny and Hermione just giggled.

"Mr. Weasley" Harry began unsure how to go on "I've a question."

"Ah, that's the boy I got to know and as I remember well, there's not just one question, I suppose." Mr. Weasley said pleased. "What do you think, Molly. Isn't that a perfect opportunity for a hot-chocolate-chatting- night."

Harry was startled by the sudden outburst of shouting, jumping and laughing around the younger four Weasley children.

"I guess this means, you agree. However Fred and George are you not a little bit to old for such childish things." Mrs. Weasley said.

The twins made catched out faces and stopped jumping immediately. Mrs. Weasley laughed "Well, then up you go, turn into your pajamas and I get some hot chocolate for us.

Everyone raced upstairs to get changed. Ron and Harry weren't the first to come back. Charley, Bill and Percy had already occupied the armchairs. What didn't bother them at all. They headed straight to the six cosy sleeping bags and several pillows that lay in the middle of the room in front of the fire place.

Harry took in the atmosphere of the dim lit room with the crackling fire, when the twins burst in causing havoc. They jumped at the lying boys which defended themselves with pillows. Soon the older brothers joined in on the pillow battle until Mrs. Weasley came in levitating a huge pot of steaming hot chocolate and several mugs.

"Will you stop at once, boys" she cried "I have some really hot liquid in here. I don't want anyone to get burnt"

They were settling down again when Ginny and Hermione reached the bottom of the stairs. Ginny's pyjama was simply a well-worn t-shirt of one of her brothers. It reached down to her knees, but left the rest of her petite legs uncovered. Harry was struck. Ginny looked awesome, her long red hair flooding over her shoulders, the bare white skin nearly shining in the dark, eyes widened in anticipation.

Fearing he might be caught staring at her once again, he turned to Hermione. She didn't look nearly as fine in her blue satin pyjamas as Ginny, in Harry's opinion. A look at Ron although told him, his best friend wouldn't agree on that. Harry gave him nudge with his elbow and Ron quickly shut his mouth tearing his gaze away.

Mr. Weasley handed out the steaming chocolate. Suddenly Harry jumped up and raced upstairs muttering, "Forgot something!" When he came back he carried a large pack of little white pieces of sweets. He opened the bag and plopped some in his mug.

"What's that?" Ron asked curiously

"Marshmallows!" squealed Hermione cheerfully "What a good idea! My parents say they are the downfall of mankind" she snickered and grabbed a handful.

"Yeah" Harry agreed "Got them from Tonks at her aunt Marge visit." he laughed and handed some to Ginny and Ron. Then passed the package on to George. Everyone eyed the fluffy pieces suspiciously. "Just try it!" Harry encouraged Ron. Ron put one in his mouth and chewed carefully.

"Well?"

"It tastes like nothing but sugar, sweet and fluffy. It's gorgeous." He put some into his chocolate and took a sip. "Hmm, and even better in there, getting all soft and sticky." Ron continued ardently.

The others followed his example and soon the room was filled with hmm's, slurping and chewing sounds.

Mr. Weasley leaned back on the couch beside his wife contently. "Well then Harry, shoot away."

"Ahm, yes Mrs. Weasley, Mr. W.."

"Before you go on dear, " Mrs. Weasley interrupted "Do me favour and skip that Mr. and Mrs. thing, would you? I suppose you know our first names by now" Harry nodded. "That counts for you as well" she pointed with a mug in her hand at Hermione, who beamed back.

"Carry on, Harry."

Harry couldn't bring himself to say Molly or Athur for now so he decided to skip it all along.

"I just wondered, now with that family thing and all, if I could, you know." Harry paused his stammering "I know it would be another one to feed and..."

Mr. Weasley got the clue first. "Harry we would be more than happy to have you here all the time."

Now Molly was on the train, too. "If it weren't for your safety, I wouldn't dream about letting you stay with that muggles. Not for a second, Harry. Do you understand me?"

Harry nodded "It's that blood thing"

"I'm afraid so" It wasn't that Harry hadn't known all along, but he felt somehow better now that he'd asked.

"But we will keep your stay there as short as possible" she reassured.

"And we will write every day" Hermione said.

"And visit you" Bill added.

"About that" Harry pondered "How does it come, that keeping in touch seems to be much easier than last time?"

Mr. Weasley took a deep breath. He would need much air for telling everything, just as he thought it would be. However he had much help of Bill and Charley, as for them being in the order too.

All together they began to fill Harry in on all events.

Charley began "The capturing of so many death eaters was one of the best things. For once they are out of the way at least for a while and kept from making any troubles. On the other hand their interrogations brought valuable information, about spies, plans, other death eaters as well as Voldemorte himself. If one could say so, the air is relatively clear at the moment."

"The night at the ministry had been a bitter rebound for Riddle. Once again he has decided to retreat to a distant part in the north of Europe."

"I feel that too" Harry agreed silently.

"Although" Bill went on "We don't know exactly what he's up to."

"Oh let me guess, let me guess!" Ron squealed child-voiced with faked enthusiasm. "He's planning to kill, someone, isn't he"

Most of the party glared at him. The twins and Harry chuckled. 'Thanks mate, you always get the sore tension out of everything.'

Bill continued. "Even, Snape has just come to pass with small details, of what he's doing. Don't look at me like that Harry. His decision to stay behind last time, got us further to Voldemorte than ever. Voldemorte is trusting him more with every day and that is more than useful."

"And do YOU trust him still" Harry asked tensed but quite calm. He had done a lot of thinking over the last couple of weeks and even if he wouldn't admit it, he knew by now that some things were true even if he didn't like it, not fully understood or believed them.

"We do", said many different sounds in unisono.

"Okay" Harry said changing the topic "You said the air is relatively clear. That means, someone still could snatch one of our letters."

"Very true." Mr. Weasley said. "Thanks to Sirius this isn't that much of problem anymore."

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Do you remember the ink I gave you at Kings Cross and insisting you should be writing only with that one. It's Sirius' invention. Well not fully, this sort of high-security-ink did exist before, but it was very error-prone. Sirius reworked it completely. Brooded over it constantly, because he was so frustrated that he couldn't keep in touch with you as much as he wanted to."

"Yeah, it was pretty smart work he did." Hermione stated. "All aurors are working now with it. Just amazing, it distinguishes the moment an owl or paper are bothered in any way, magical or none-magical."

"That's why we've got another owl" Ginny giggled "Errol's ruggedly landings and constant attempts to fly trough closed windows didn't get our letters far."

"That's really amazing" Harry said proud "but how would you conceal the constant owl-traffic between The Burrow and Privet Drive."

"I wasn't necessary" Mr. Weasley said. "Voldemorte is thoroughly aware of both places."

"That's wonderful news" Harry said ironically.

For the first time Percy spoke "Privet drive is save because of the blood bonding. The Burrow has it own charms" he added proudly. "Positive side- effect of the attack last year was, that we got to know the strength of this place."

"Right you are, Percy" Mr. Weasley said. "This place is very old and everyone of our ancestors put his own magic in it. All we had to do was to reinforce or refresh some of the charms and spells."

"What we did since the end of term" Ron groaned and smiled at the same time. "However one thing is really cool, " he added enthusiastically "some of them include the backyard so we can play Quidditch all summer."

"That's some really good news!" Harry exclaimed cheerfully. "I can't wait to get out my broom." Nearly everyone in the room agreed strongly and soon they were caught in a heated discussion about their favourite sport.

The night was long. Some conversations were happy others not quite so, but all in all Harry felt wonderful. 'I wish you could be here with us Sirius' he thought. He too felt sad, but he could stand it now. There were so many reasons why he would stand it now, Sirius, his friends and family, Ginny. He sighed and turned slowly onto his side, to watch her sleeping. She was so near he could feel her breathing. Very carefully he lifted his hand and stroke her cheek softly. The next moment he was asleep.

Two people were still awake and up, standing in the backyard. Ron and Hermione were watching the dawn break wrapped in a sleeping bag.

"I've thought about what you said down at the Willow." Ron said silently.

"Wow, Ron was that your second or third time thinking today." Hermione smirked.

"Oh shut up and listen." Ron spat back.

"Ok, ok about what exactly."

"About what you said when we were altogether in that bear-hug. Well, I wanted to say, well it's sort of y'know, I think I love you too"

"You think?" Hermione asked mocking.

"Arrgh, Hermione" Ron sighed exasperated.

"I know, Ron" she said calmly.

"You don't understand me, not that friend thing. I'm in love with you."

Hermione turned round and looked up at Ron, smiling sweetly. "I know, Ron" She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. "I'm in love with you, too."

Ron needed some time to handle. Then quickly as if she might disappear he pulled her close. Hermione giggled at that sudden movement, but her giggles died out quickly as she felt Ron's lips on hers. They didn't break apart until Ron felt her shivering in his arms at the cold morning breeze. Nobody heard them when they stepped inside and laid down side by side all the time holding hands, even in their sleep.