My Hero, My Friend, My Love
Thanks to PyroGurl4 for the review! I'm glad you like the story; it's been fun to write.
Thanks to Black Cherrie for the review. Here's another installment, with one more to follow later. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the plot.
Chapter Four: Christmas
The days soon melded into each other. Ginny worked on her schoolwork during the day with the other kids and at night wrapped her Christmas gifts. Two nights before Christmas, everyone gathered in the sitting room to decorate the tree. The Weasley brothers and Harry had gone out earlier in the day to cut one down. The girls had gone back to Diagon Alley to pick up some last minute gifts for Hermione. Ginny hoped everyone would be happy with her presents. They weren't much, since she didn't have much money to spend. But they were gifts from her heart, and she knew that's what mattered.
After dinner on Christmas Eve, Ginny went up to her room to put some last minute touches on one of her gifts. It was late when she finished, but she wasn't sleepy. She quietly crept down to the library. She figured if she read for a while, she'd grow tired. She was surprised to see light from a fire illuminating in the doorway. She peeked into the room and stopped short when she saw Remus sitting on the sofa, reading over some parchments.
He glanced up and saw her and beckoned her into the room. "Couldn't sleep?" he asked with a tired voice.
Ginny shook her head. "No, not tired yet, I guess. What are you doing up?" She knew that he was spending the night so that he could be there for the festivities in the morning.
"Sad to say, but I'm working. I need to go over these reports before returning to work in a few days, and I didn't want to do it tomorrow," he answered.
She nodded, not really knowing how to respond to that. "Well, I don't want to disturb you. I was just going to get a book," she said as she looked down at the floor.
"Not at all," Remus said. He looked closer at her, and he could tell that she looked sad. "Why don't you sit down and keep me company until you get tired? I could use the break."
She walked over and sat on the other end of the sofa. She thought for a moment before asking him a question. "Remus, do you like living alone?"
His eyes widened for a split second, not really knowing how to answer her. He began slowly. "Well, it has its advantages. It's quiet, and I like that, especially after a long day. But sometimes, I guess, it does get a bit lonely." He looked her directly in the eye. "Do you ever get lonely, Ginny?"
She laughed nervously. "How could I possibly get lonely with all these people around all the time?"
"I believe it's possible to be lonely without actually being alone," he replied ruefully.
She nodded, looking as though she were about to cry. Even though she was two years shy of adulthood, she felt like a small child at that moment. His words repeated over in her mind, and tears filled in her eyes.
"Ginny, darling," Remus said, scooting closer to her, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry."
Through her tears, she replied, "You didn't. I swear. I'm just sad. Everyone here seems to have someone. Ron has Harry and Hermione. Fred and George have each other. Harry has Sirius. And then there's...me. Just me. I know I'm not alone, I know that they all care about me, but I just can't help feeling lonely."
Remus, not being experienced with crying teenage girls, was still for a moment. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. She cried into his chest and he ran his hand over her hair, trying to soothe her. He finally spoke softly into her ear.
"I know that you're lonely. I know how close you and your mum were. But you're right, everyone here does care a great deal for you...Sirius, Harry, Hermione, your brothers...and me. We all love you very much. I wish I could take your pain and loneliness away, but I can't. I can tell you that time will help with the pain. I promise it will."
Her sobs got quieter, and she whispered to him, "Thank you."
She pulled away slightly and looked up into his hazel eyes. He brushed her tears away with his fingers. She smiled at his touch. "Could I stay here with you for a while, just until I'm sleepy?"
"Of course, Ginny, of course. Here, use this pillow and get comfortable. I'd better get back to these reports." He watched as she nestled into the sofa. He reached behind and pulled a blanket over her.
Almost an hour later, Remus finished his reports. He pulled off his reading glasses and rubbed his weary eyes. He looked down at the sleeping redhead next to him and smiled. "She's finally asleep," he thought to himself. He was ready to delve into the comfort of his own bed, but didn't feel right about leaving her on the sofa. He gingerly got up, trying not to disturb her and pulled her blanket back. Very gently, he lifted her into his arms and carried her up the stairs to her room. After pulling her covers up around her, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Good night, Ginny," he whispered. "Happy Christmas." He turned and left her room, barely hearing her soft reply.
"Good night, Remus. Thank you."
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The next morning, Ginny was awakened by Fred and George tickling her.
"Get up, Gin! It's Christmas!" This was how they woke her up every year since she was a small child.
She groaned and managed to sit up, despite their attempts to keep tickling. She shoved George to the floor and said with a laugh, "All right, all right. I'm awake! Now, where are my presents?"
The twins giggled and Fred picked her up and threw her over his shoulder before bounding downstairs to the sitting room. He dropped her onto the couch and kissed her cheek. "Happy Christmas, sis."
"Thanks, Fred. Now why don't you go wake your girlfriend up too."
He grinned deviously. "You know, I believe I will." He ran back up the stairs. Moments later, she heard Hermione shriek. Ginny and George laughed until their stomachs hurt.
"Morning, Ginny. Happy Christmas," Harry said as he came into the room before kissing her cheek.
"You too Harry...and Sirius." Sirius had entered the room wearing his pajama pants and shirt, but he had a large pair of antlers perched on his head. He grinned at her, making her laugh even harder.
He came over to her and kissed the top of her head. "Good morning, sleeping beauty." He then turned to the staircase and yelled, "If you lot don't have your arses down here in one minute, I'm opening your presents for you!"
Instantly, there was a thunder of footsteps as the other residents of the house made their way downstairs. One very weary looking Remus Lupin, still dressed in his pajamas, entered the room with a scowl on his face.
"Almighty Merlin, Sirius. Is that any way to spread holiday spirit?"
"Calm down, Moony. It got you out of bed, didn't it?" Sirius questioned his best friend. "Now everyone sit, and I'll hand out presents."
Once all the packages were passed out, everyone started tearing into them. Ginny was quite surprised with her gifts. She had the newest Nimbus broom from Fred and George, a necklace and earrings from Bill and Fleur, almost the entire Honeydukes shop from Ron, a stationary set from Remus, and a new potions kit from Hermione. She reached to open Harry's gift. When she opened it, she gasped. Inside a brand new frame was the picture of her family that had been scratched when she threw it across the room earlier that year. She looked up at Harry with a questioning look.
He blushed. "Hermione told me how the picture was scratched. I had it repaired and put it in a new frame for you. That frame and glass are charmed to never break."
"Oh Harry!" Ginny hugged him tightly. "This is the best gift ever."
"Ah, but you have one more to open, my dear," Sirius said as he pulled two last gifts from under the tree. One was handed to her, the other to Ron. Both looked at him confusedly. "Well, go on. Open them up." Sirius grinned broadly.
Ginny went first, and tore the wrapping away from the box. Inside the box was a beautiful sterling silver jewelry box, with her name engraved onto the top. "Sirius, this is gorgeous. You shouldn't have done this. It's too much."
"No, it's not. You're a young lady, and from what I hear, all young ladies need a jewel box. Besides, you've got to have somewhere to store that necklace from Bill. By the way, why don't you look inside the box?" he asked.
Ginny gently lifted the lid to the jewel box and found a key inside. She looked over at Ron, who had finally opened his gift from Sirius. His was a new leather school bag, with his initials monogrammed on the front. The strap on his old bag had broken days earlier. He reached his hand into his bag and pulled out a similar key.
Seeing their confusion, Sirius explained. "When Harry came to live with me, I opened a vault for him at Gringott's. Naturally, when I became your legal guardian, I did the same for the two of you. Those are your keys."
Ron and Ginny looked at him, then at each other and finally, back at Sirius. At the same time, they both jumped up and threw themselves at him, nearly squashing him with their hugs.
Ron spoke first. "Sirius, we really appreciate this, but we can't accept it. I'll be done with school next summer and get a job, and the rest of us will take care of Ginny. Please, we can't accept this." Ginny nodded emphatically at his side.
"No, you will accept it because it's what I want to do. Think of it as a trust fund. You can use it to pay for any school you might need after Hogwarts, or to set up house when you get a job. Anything you want. It's yours, irrevocably. I couldn't take it back if I wanted to. Let me do this for both of you. It's yours." Sirius was adamant. "There will be no more discussion of this."
Both Ron and Ginny nodded their heads quietly. They both knew not to argue with Sirius Black. It was a pointless effort.
"Sirius, you also have a present left." Ginny picked up the lumpy gift and handed it to him.
"What's this?" he asked.
"Well, open it silly, and you'll see." She smiled at him.
Sirius unwrapped the paper and pulled out...the traditional Weasley Christmas jumper. His was navy blue with a silver "S" on the front. He looked curiously at Ginny.
"That day at the Leaky Cauldron...the gift you'd bought...was this? You made this? For me?"
"Yes, you said it yourself. We're family now, and you didn't have one. So now you do."
"This," Sirius said with a choked voice, "is by far, the best gift I've ever received. Thank you, Ginny. You have no idea what this means to me." He hugged her again, and she kissed his cheek.
"Sorry to break up this lovely display of affection here, but I have something I want to say," Fred said while standing. "Or rather," he turned to Hermione, "something to ask."
Hermione gasped as he reached into his pocket and got down on one knee. She was already crying before the words even left his mouth.
"Hermione, why in Merlin's name you love me, I'll never know. I've always been afraid you'd meet someone more worthy of you, so before you get the chance to, I wanted to know if you'd make me the happiest wizard in the world. Will you marry me?"
Still bawling tears, she couldn't speak, so she just nodded before melting into Fred's arms and kissing him.
Everyone else in the room applauded. Soon, Hermione was showing Ginny her ring, while all the men shook Fred's hand in congratulations. There was no doubt that Fred had excellent taste. The ring was beautiful and dainty and fit her finger perfectly. Ginny beamed because her brother had managed to make her best friend her sister.
Later that day, Ginny was up in her room putting her new jewelry in her equally new jewel box. She heard a knock on her door and turned to see who it was. Remus was leaning in the doorway. "May I come in?" he asked.
"Yes, of course. You're not leaving are you?"
"No, I'm desperately waiting to taste Hermione's attempt at a mincemeat pie," he wrinkled his nose at this.
Ginny giggled as he came in and sat in the chair near the foot of her bed.
"I wanted to thank you for my gift," he said. "I was needing a new quill and ink set, and the one you chose is very sophisticated."
"You're quite welcome. I also like my stationary very much. How did you know I like lavender parchment?" she queried.
"George told me. I was at a loss as to what to get you. I figured you could use it to write to your brothers and friends." He paused briefly. "What did you get from young Mr. Malfoy? I don't believe I ever saw you open anything from him."
Ginny turned red. She'd almost forgotten about Draco's "gift." Remembering made her suddenly dread the return to school next week.
"Well, his gift to me is at his home. He'd wanted me to spend Christmas with him."
Remus looked confused. From what he understood, Ginny and Draco were quite the couple. It seemed as though they would likely marry when she finished school. "Why didn't you, if you don't mind my asking?"
She searched for her words before answering him. His was such an intimate question really, and she didn't even know why she was about to answer him. But she did.
"Truthfully?" She waited for him to nod. "Truthfully, I wanted to avoid an uncomfortable situation. I had a feeling he was going to pull a Fred, so to speak."
Remus stifled a laugh. "And why would that be a bad thing?"
Ginny's expression changed considerably. "I thought I loved him. I tried to love him. But I just don't. And the more I try to, I can't. I don't. I should, but I don't." She sighed greatly. "Am I a horrible person?"
"No, of course not," Remus said before reaching over and patting her hand. "You're just honest."
He sighed as well before continuing slowly. "But you need to tell him how you feel. Trust me, it will hurt him less in the long run if you tell him now."
"Yes I know I need to talk to him," Ginny said, exasperated. "But the question is how? I know he's going to try and broach the subject as soon as we see each other. Please help me, Remus."
He thought for a moment. "Well, when you get back to school, pull him aside. Go somewhere quiet, and just be straight about it. Don't beat around the bush, but don't be rude either. Be sensitive." Never in a million years did Remus ever think he'd be giving Ginny advice about her love life, considering his lack of experience in that department.
"Since when did you become so wise when it came to letting boys down gently?" Ginny teased him.
He laughed a hearty laugh. "Well, I've never actually broken up with a boy before." He allowed her to giggle at that remark. "But I remember being broken up with a few times in my younger days by a few young ladies. And trust me, it's best to be quick about it."
Ginny giggled at the thought of some girl dumping Remus, but stopped and wondered, "Why would anyone ever break up with him? He's so sweet."
She shook the thought from her head. "Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it."
"We'd better get downstairs and face the mincemeat pie. Talk about something else to get over with quickly." Remus stood and offered his hand to her to pull her up. She accepted it, and the two left the room to head downstairs for some truly terrible pie.
Before she knew it, next week had arrived and she was packing to leave for school the next morning. She went downstairs to search for her Charms book. She found it and was about to go back upstairs when Sirius called to her from his study.
"Ginny, have you got a moment?"
"Yes, Sirius, did you need something?" she asked as she entered the room.
He was lounging in one of the armchairs near the window. He motioned for her to sit in the one next to him. "No, I just wanted to talk to you without everyone around. Is that all right?"
"Of course. Is something the matter?" she asked as she sat down.
"No, nothing's the matter." He hesitated. "I was speaking to Moony before he left last week. I wanted to make sure you were all right."
Ginny blushed at the thought of the two men talking about her. "What did he say?"
Sensing her embarrassment, Sirius spoke quickly. "Nothing beyond telling me that you were feeling a bit gloomy. I just wanted to see if you were feeling better. Are you?"
"Yes, actually. I am. I feel okay, better that I've felt in a long time," Ginny said truthfully. "Sirius, thank you for all you've done for me and Ron. You've been a godsend. I mean, at first I was scared about it, you being my guardian and all. Face it, we don't know each other that well. But now I'm happy about it. You've been really great."
He beamed and reached over to ruffle her hair a little. The he turned solemn again.
"Ginny, are things okay at school? The kids are okay to you and all, right?"
"Yes, why are you asking all this?" Ginny was beginning to get a little frustrated.
"I just want you to tell me that if there are any problems- and I mean any- you'll let me know. I know it must be hard for you, being the only girl in a family full of men. I know you've got Hermione, but I know it's probably still hard. So, I guess what I'm saying is, if you need anything, please come to me first. I'm here for you."
Ginny smiled at him. She was beginning to really care for him, in an uncle or big brother kind of way. "I promise, Sirius. Really, I do." She stood up to leave. "Thanks again for all you've done. I'm glad you're here." She leaned to kiss him on the cheek before returning upstairs to finish her packing.