Disclaimer: I do not own HP or associated.
A/N: I didn't forget I swear! I went to California for seventeen days this
chapter has a lot of fluff. Anybody waiting on my other HP story will get
it within the week it needs to be edited.
Harry Potter and Ghosts of Past
Chapter 4: Potter Mansion and Guest
Mrs. Weasley only had to entertain guest for five days because Harry had found and cleaned the Manor. Everyone was patient for Harry to recount his 'visits' but Harry had changed things slightly. Instead of just the small group of people Harry would open his manor to the Hogwarts staff, his friends and the families of those who had been killed in the Wars. Harry had sent a list to every Wizarding newspaper and tabloid that listed every name of people killed by Voldemort or his followers.
Harry took the last of his stuff from the Burrow with the help of Ron and Ginny. A sudden thought struck Ginny as she landed in the fireplace of a red and gold living area. The ceiling was high and the windows were large. She heaved the stuff she had onto a chair in the way, only to have it disappear as Dobby the house elf appear. She smiled and looked at Harry, "Did you get to see your parents?"
"No," Harry answered walking into the enormous kitchen, with Ginny following, "I was told it was because their spirits had already been freed and spoken their peace. The same is true for Bertha Jorkins, that Ministry woman who went missing the summer of the Qudditch World Cup; Cedric Diggory and a Muggle named Frank Bryce, who was the grounds keeper for the Riddle house."
Ginny looked sadly at the floor. She felt guilty for bringing it up. She was all for making Harry talk but he seemed to be doing so well. It was uncanny. Harry looked up at her, he knew when he answered that it hurt to say but the pain was expected.
Harry lifted Ginny's chin and made her look into his eyes. She had tears running down her face. Their eyes met and Ginny put her arms around his neck as he hugged her to him, finally showing the feelings she had hidden behind her Charms book for weeks.
"We missed you," she whispered through tears, "we were worried. We understand, but that doesn't change that...I missed you. I love you Harry and I don't want to lose you." Her tears stopped and she pulled back when she realized what she had said. 'I feel like that stupid little girl who stuck her elbow in the butter,' she thought, reprimanding herself.
Harry had heard perfectly what she said. He smiled ruefully as she figured out how to react to what she said. Her reaction he realized, was to pull away, he stopped smiling. Ginny looked up at him as he spoke taking her hand, "I love you too Ginny." He had her hand in his against his chest, her head shot up Ginny thought she had imagined him speaking. She searched his eyes looking for confirmation, with his free hand he put it on her cheek, leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.
Ginny opened her eyes and carefully slinked away from Harry somewhat in shock and mostly elated. She looked at Harry with a grin and very carefully reached out carefully and touched Harry as though he might not be alive. Harry gave her a questioning look, "I thought maybe I was dreaming," she replied smiling. She stood on tiptoe and kissed Harry. The kiss turned even more passionate than the first.
"I'd hate to interrupt-" the voice started as Ginny broke the kiss and looked at Harry.
"Then don't," Ginny said teasingly.
"Well Ginny you have to sympathize with Ron," Harry said earning him a glance, "I'm his best mate and you're his little sister..."
"Then," Ginny said looking back and forth between the boys, "I guess I should have sympathized with you when him, your best mate, and Hermione, who is like a sister to you, started kissing. That's what you were playing at, right?"
Harry looked triumphant, "Yes."
"No you really should sympathize with me," Ron said, "Hermione will never let me hear the end of this."
"Of what?" Ginny and Harry asked at the same time.
"Of you two," Ron said in a don't-play-dumb-you-arses voice, "I told her my sister would never fall for my thick headed friend and my thick headed friend will never figure it out. She said you would."
"What was the bet?" Harry asked grinning.
"None of your business," Ron said as his entire head went red. "We have to get home." Ron motioned to Ginny.
"When do you want us here tomorrow?" Ginny asked Harry as they walked into the living room.
"One o'clock," Harry said checking his watch, which read 7:32 p.m. "don't forget to bring the stuff for the rooms." Ginny and Ron nodded. Ron Apparated and Ginny kissed Harry said goodbye threw dust into the fire and clearly said "the Burrow."
Harry was left alone with his thoughts while he ate, cleaned, and organized. By the time that he had gotten everything done it was eleven o'clock. Harry went to bed in a room next to what used to be a nursery. The nursery had been used for every Potter child before they got their own room down the hall.
Harry woke the next morning at nine. He ate a quick breakfast and cleaned up his mess. Harry moved things around widening the moving space of the sitting room. He magiked chairs for around the room and end tables in the few open spaces not wide enough for walking. Then he waited alone in a huge mansion with his thoughts.
Ginny, Ron, and Hermione arrived at one on the dot, Ginny through the fireplace, Ron and Hermione through the front door because they had to go to the Appartation point and walk to the mansion. Each was carrying a large bag. Harry led them around the house, it was only hard to get Hermione out of the gigantic library. There had been six rooms that he hadn't led them into yet.
Harry stopped at a second floor room, "Hermione," he said indicating the doorknob. She reached for it and pushed the door all the way open before walking in. The room had two walls of bookshelves on the third wall was a bed and a desk with a portrait over it.
"In the days the house was first built," Harry said as they walked in, "this room was for the practicing scholar." Harry levitated the bag in her hand to the bed, "It's yours."
Hermione was speechless she turned around and hugged Harry. He smiled, "come on." He led them to the closest set of stairs. The stairs were spiraling upward, the platform at the top was large enough to fit all four of them. "Ron," Harry said.
Ron like Hermione opened the door completely before stepping in. The room was large and round with a bed beneath one of the many windows and a desk next to the door. A telescope stood beneath the window opposite the bed. "I figured," said Harry, "that you've spent your entire life in the high towers of both your house and the Gryffindor dormitory. I thought you might want the same here." Harry levitated the bag in his hand to the bed.
"Thanks mate," Ron said. Harry lead them downstairs to another room it was his. A sea of scarlet and gold, the largest bedroom in the entire house with a bathroom connected to it. Harry went to the next door and explained that it was the Potter nursery, "Hermione, you will find that some of the scholars' books are family trees and Hogwarts history." Hermione had to restrain her feet from running to the nearest book.
Back down the hall three doors opposite his and nodded to Ginny. Ginny opened the door and stepped in before the rest could see into it. There were two large windows on each side of a large bed (slightly larger than Hermione's or Ron's beds), both of the windows led to a balcony. A desk like the others sat under a portrait.
Harry levitated her bag from Ginny's hand to the bed. "This used to be Sirius' favorite room in the entire house," Ginny turned from the portrait and looked at Harry, "He hated Black Manor's dark décor. So my grandparents gave him one that was bright and would let him be outside. I figured that a free spirit like you would like it."
"Thank you," Ginny said throwing her arms around his neck, "I love it."
"And," said Harry, "I love you."
Hermione had dropped what she was holding and was staring at Harry and Ginny. Ron seemed to want to disappear. Hermione took one look at him and pounced.
"You knew?" Hermione asked, "And you didn't tell me? Just because you lost a bet!"
"Chill Hermione," Harry jumped in.
"Yeah," Ginny said, "Ron's only known for as long as we have and that has only been a couple of hours." Hermione backed off a little.
"So what did he lose?" Ginny asked.
"He has to read Hogwarts, a History," Hermione said brightly.
Harry turned to Ron, "You must have really thought I was thick if you bet that!"
"Well at the time we made the bet," Ron started slowly, "you were to thick to figure anything out. Especially anything as complicated as my sister."
"When did you make this bet?" Ginny asked.
"Train to Hogwarts seventh year," Hermione answered.
"Fair enough," Harry said. Ginny gave him a questioning look, "I was too wrapped up in living passed seventeen at that point to notice your existence any more than I had in years before."
"So why did you," Ginny asked Hermione, "suspect we would sooner or later realize it?"
"Because," said Hermione as they let the room for the sitting area, "when you two had noticed each other there were sparks."
"Compared to those of you and Ron, which were larger than life since fourth year. I'm surprised you could see those few tiny sparks," Ginny teased. Hermione chose to ignore her rather true comment as they entered to sitting room and took a seat. The clock echoed two times.
"People should arrive at any moment," Harry stated, "could you help me put cloaks away and track who comes?"
"Of course Harry," Hermione said, pulling Ron to his feet.
And arrive they did. Within ten minutes the house was buzzing. All of the Weasley's (with the exception of Percy, who is dead), Hogwarts' teachers McGonagall and Flitwick, and a small group of unknown people who all claimed to be related to various people on the list of dead arrived at once. Harry had confirmed the relations to the various wizards.
Ginny had put out punch and Hermione conjured paper cups. Dobby had insisted to do this but Hermione had refused. Everyone was pretty quiet except the Weasleys who knew how to start conversation. Harry had disappeared and Ron had sent Ginny to find him. Ron was hanging up coats in the closet Hermione had pointed out.
Ginny walked down the hall carefully counting the number of doors until she reached the one that was Harry's and knocked on the door. "Harry?" Ginny called through the door.
"Come in," was the muffled response. Ginny walked into the room, Harry was sitting on the bed, head in hands. He didn't look up. Ginny sat in the desk chair. "Harry, this isn't going to be easy."
"I know," Harry said looking up, "its just that nothing has felt as permanent as this moment. Ginny do you realize that for the first time in my life I don't have to look over my shoulder for Voldemort or his followers. I only have to live my life. I've fulfilled the prophecy but it's so bittersweet." Ginny gave him a questioning look, "Voldemort was nineteen when Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald, chances are there is already a dark wizard out looking for the key to ultimate immortality and power. It will take him a couple years to prefect his dark art. Then another prophecy that condemns some poor kid to a life like mine."
Ginny went to Harry and pulled him to his feet, "and when he or she defeats that dark lord or lady. They shall also have people they love to spend the rest of their lives with. The dark will always exist, but the Light will always shine when it is the darkest." Harry gave her a look of confusion, "it was after eleven years of terror that you gave Europe fifteen years of relaxation. At great cost, yes, but you saved close to three times as many people as you met in the weeks you were gone. You can change none of it, and you will find a reason to live." She kissed him on the cheek and walked out of the room.
Ginny found that a few more people had arrived. Dumbledore was standing talking to an unknown wizard and Severus Snape sat sulking in the corner like he would rather be anywhere else. Hermione excused herself from the conversation and walked to Ginny.
"Is he coming down, yet?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Ginny replied, "when did Snape arrive?"
"He came with Dumbledore. He's being quite foal about it," Hermione said.
"That's an understatement," Ron commented dryly from behind Ginny.
"Look," Hermione pointed over Ginny's shoulder. There on the bottom step stood Harry. The room went silent and seemed to be missing oxygen.
Harry looked at Dumbledore waiting for something that he realized wasn't coming. He looked at his friends, each gave him a smile. "Hello, my name is Harry Potter. You have gathered here to hear about your loved ones who were lost in a battle, that after nearly three decades we have won..."
Harry Potter and Ghosts of Past
Chapter 4: Potter Mansion and Guest
Mrs. Weasley only had to entertain guest for five days because Harry had found and cleaned the Manor. Everyone was patient for Harry to recount his 'visits' but Harry had changed things slightly. Instead of just the small group of people Harry would open his manor to the Hogwarts staff, his friends and the families of those who had been killed in the Wars. Harry had sent a list to every Wizarding newspaper and tabloid that listed every name of people killed by Voldemort or his followers.
Harry took the last of his stuff from the Burrow with the help of Ron and Ginny. A sudden thought struck Ginny as she landed in the fireplace of a red and gold living area. The ceiling was high and the windows were large. She heaved the stuff she had onto a chair in the way, only to have it disappear as Dobby the house elf appear. She smiled and looked at Harry, "Did you get to see your parents?"
"No," Harry answered walking into the enormous kitchen, with Ginny following, "I was told it was because their spirits had already been freed and spoken their peace. The same is true for Bertha Jorkins, that Ministry woman who went missing the summer of the Qudditch World Cup; Cedric Diggory and a Muggle named Frank Bryce, who was the grounds keeper for the Riddle house."
Ginny looked sadly at the floor. She felt guilty for bringing it up. She was all for making Harry talk but he seemed to be doing so well. It was uncanny. Harry looked up at her, he knew when he answered that it hurt to say but the pain was expected.
Harry lifted Ginny's chin and made her look into his eyes. She had tears running down her face. Their eyes met and Ginny put her arms around his neck as he hugged her to him, finally showing the feelings she had hidden behind her Charms book for weeks.
"We missed you," she whispered through tears, "we were worried. We understand, but that doesn't change that...I missed you. I love you Harry and I don't want to lose you." Her tears stopped and she pulled back when she realized what she had said. 'I feel like that stupid little girl who stuck her elbow in the butter,' she thought, reprimanding herself.
Harry had heard perfectly what she said. He smiled ruefully as she figured out how to react to what she said. Her reaction he realized, was to pull away, he stopped smiling. Ginny looked up at him as he spoke taking her hand, "I love you too Ginny." He had her hand in his against his chest, her head shot up Ginny thought she had imagined him speaking. She searched his eyes looking for confirmation, with his free hand he put it on her cheek, leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.
Ginny opened her eyes and carefully slinked away from Harry somewhat in shock and mostly elated. She looked at Harry with a grin and very carefully reached out carefully and touched Harry as though he might not be alive. Harry gave her a questioning look, "I thought maybe I was dreaming," she replied smiling. She stood on tiptoe and kissed Harry. The kiss turned even more passionate than the first.
"I'd hate to interrupt-" the voice started as Ginny broke the kiss and looked at Harry.
"Then don't," Ginny said teasingly.
"Well Ginny you have to sympathize with Ron," Harry said earning him a glance, "I'm his best mate and you're his little sister..."
"Then," Ginny said looking back and forth between the boys, "I guess I should have sympathized with you when him, your best mate, and Hermione, who is like a sister to you, started kissing. That's what you were playing at, right?"
Harry looked triumphant, "Yes."
"No you really should sympathize with me," Ron said, "Hermione will never let me hear the end of this."
"Of what?" Ginny and Harry asked at the same time.
"Of you two," Ron said in a don't-play-dumb-you-arses voice, "I told her my sister would never fall for my thick headed friend and my thick headed friend will never figure it out. She said you would."
"What was the bet?" Harry asked grinning.
"None of your business," Ron said as his entire head went red. "We have to get home." Ron motioned to Ginny.
"When do you want us here tomorrow?" Ginny asked Harry as they walked into the living room.
"One o'clock," Harry said checking his watch, which read 7:32 p.m. "don't forget to bring the stuff for the rooms." Ginny and Ron nodded. Ron Apparated and Ginny kissed Harry said goodbye threw dust into the fire and clearly said "the Burrow."
Harry was left alone with his thoughts while he ate, cleaned, and organized. By the time that he had gotten everything done it was eleven o'clock. Harry went to bed in a room next to what used to be a nursery. The nursery had been used for every Potter child before they got their own room down the hall.
Harry woke the next morning at nine. He ate a quick breakfast and cleaned up his mess. Harry moved things around widening the moving space of the sitting room. He magiked chairs for around the room and end tables in the few open spaces not wide enough for walking. Then he waited alone in a huge mansion with his thoughts.
Ginny, Ron, and Hermione arrived at one on the dot, Ginny through the fireplace, Ron and Hermione through the front door because they had to go to the Appartation point and walk to the mansion. Each was carrying a large bag. Harry led them around the house, it was only hard to get Hermione out of the gigantic library. There had been six rooms that he hadn't led them into yet.
Harry stopped at a second floor room, "Hermione," he said indicating the doorknob. She reached for it and pushed the door all the way open before walking in. The room had two walls of bookshelves on the third wall was a bed and a desk with a portrait over it.
"In the days the house was first built," Harry said as they walked in, "this room was for the practicing scholar." Harry levitated the bag in her hand to the bed, "It's yours."
Hermione was speechless she turned around and hugged Harry. He smiled, "come on." He led them to the closest set of stairs. The stairs were spiraling upward, the platform at the top was large enough to fit all four of them. "Ron," Harry said.
Ron like Hermione opened the door completely before stepping in. The room was large and round with a bed beneath one of the many windows and a desk next to the door. A telescope stood beneath the window opposite the bed. "I figured," said Harry, "that you've spent your entire life in the high towers of both your house and the Gryffindor dormitory. I thought you might want the same here." Harry levitated the bag in his hand to the bed.
"Thanks mate," Ron said. Harry lead them downstairs to another room it was his. A sea of scarlet and gold, the largest bedroom in the entire house with a bathroom connected to it. Harry went to the next door and explained that it was the Potter nursery, "Hermione, you will find that some of the scholars' books are family trees and Hogwarts history." Hermione had to restrain her feet from running to the nearest book.
Back down the hall three doors opposite his and nodded to Ginny. Ginny opened the door and stepped in before the rest could see into it. There were two large windows on each side of a large bed (slightly larger than Hermione's or Ron's beds), both of the windows led to a balcony. A desk like the others sat under a portrait.
Harry levitated her bag from Ginny's hand to the bed. "This used to be Sirius' favorite room in the entire house," Ginny turned from the portrait and looked at Harry, "He hated Black Manor's dark décor. So my grandparents gave him one that was bright and would let him be outside. I figured that a free spirit like you would like it."
"Thank you," Ginny said throwing her arms around his neck, "I love it."
"And," said Harry, "I love you."
Hermione had dropped what she was holding and was staring at Harry and Ginny. Ron seemed to want to disappear. Hermione took one look at him and pounced.
"You knew?" Hermione asked, "And you didn't tell me? Just because you lost a bet!"
"Chill Hermione," Harry jumped in.
"Yeah," Ginny said, "Ron's only known for as long as we have and that has only been a couple of hours." Hermione backed off a little.
"So what did he lose?" Ginny asked.
"He has to read Hogwarts, a History," Hermione said brightly.
Harry turned to Ron, "You must have really thought I was thick if you bet that!"
"Well at the time we made the bet," Ron started slowly, "you were to thick to figure anything out. Especially anything as complicated as my sister."
"When did you make this bet?" Ginny asked.
"Train to Hogwarts seventh year," Hermione answered.
"Fair enough," Harry said. Ginny gave him a questioning look, "I was too wrapped up in living passed seventeen at that point to notice your existence any more than I had in years before."
"So why did you," Ginny asked Hermione, "suspect we would sooner or later realize it?"
"Because," said Hermione as they let the room for the sitting area, "when you two had noticed each other there were sparks."
"Compared to those of you and Ron, which were larger than life since fourth year. I'm surprised you could see those few tiny sparks," Ginny teased. Hermione chose to ignore her rather true comment as they entered to sitting room and took a seat. The clock echoed two times.
"People should arrive at any moment," Harry stated, "could you help me put cloaks away and track who comes?"
"Of course Harry," Hermione said, pulling Ron to his feet.
And arrive they did. Within ten minutes the house was buzzing. All of the Weasley's (with the exception of Percy, who is dead), Hogwarts' teachers McGonagall and Flitwick, and a small group of unknown people who all claimed to be related to various people on the list of dead arrived at once. Harry had confirmed the relations to the various wizards.
Ginny had put out punch and Hermione conjured paper cups. Dobby had insisted to do this but Hermione had refused. Everyone was pretty quiet except the Weasleys who knew how to start conversation. Harry had disappeared and Ron had sent Ginny to find him. Ron was hanging up coats in the closet Hermione had pointed out.
Ginny walked down the hall carefully counting the number of doors until she reached the one that was Harry's and knocked on the door. "Harry?" Ginny called through the door.
"Come in," was the muffled response. Ginny walked into the room, Harry was sitting on the bed, head in hands. He didn't look up. Ginny sat in the desk chair. "Harry, this isn't going to be easy."
"I know," Harry said looking up, "its just that nothing has felt as permanent as this moment. Ginny do you realize that for the first time in my life I don't have to look over my shoulder for Voldemort or his followers. I only have to live my life. I've fulfilled the prophecy but it's so bittersweet." Ginny gave him a questioning look, "Voldemort was nineteen when Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald, chances are there is already a dark wizard out looking for the key to ultimate immortality and power. It will take him a couple years to prefect his dark art. Then another prophecy that condemns some poor kid to a life like mine."
Ginny went to Harry and pulled him to his feet, "and when he or she defeats that dark lord or lady. They shall also have people they love to spend the rest of their lives with. The dark will always exist, but the Light will always shine when it is the darkest." Harry gave her a look of confusion, "it was after eleven years of terror that you gave Europe fifteen years of relaxation. At great cost, yes, but you saved close to three times as many people as you met in the weeks you were gone. You can change none of it, and you will find a reason to live." She kissed him on the cheek and walked out of the room.
Ginny found that a few more people had arrived. Dumbledore was standing talking to an unknown wizard and Severus Snape sat sulking in the corner like he would rather be anywhere else. Hermione excused herself from the conversation and walked to Ginny.
"Is he coming down, yet?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Ginny replied, "when did Snape arrive?"
"He came with Dumbledore. He's being quite foal about it," Hermione said.
"That's an understatement," Ron commented dryly from behind Ginny.
"Look," Hermione pointed over Ginny's shoulder. There on the bottom step stood Harry. The room went silent and seemed to be missing oxygen.
Harry looked at Dumbledore waiting for something that he realized wasn't coming. He looked at his friends, each gave him a smile. "Hello, my name is Harry Potter. You have gathered here to hear about your loved ones who were lost in a battle, that after nearly three decades we have won..."