Disclaimer: Grabs Harry and runs with him. HE'S MINE NOW! ALL MINE I SAY!
Kidding... He's only mine in my dreams. sigh
But hey this plot is mine SO THERE! sticks out tongue
My beta is probably really busy right now so, as soon as she looks over the previous chapter and this one, I will fix the up and repost them.
Responses to reviews are located at the end of the chapter. Enjoy.
The Boy Who Lived and the Girl Who Made His Life Worthwhile
Chapter 3
"Women... I don't think I'll ever understand the way their minds work." Harry mumbled to himself the next day. He was still stewing over the embarrassment of Ginny's little prank.
The twins throwing a stick for him to fetch didn't help matters either. They were delighted that their Dog Dessert turned out so well.
Harry was mortified.
He walked over to the bathroom to see if all the effects of the Dog Dessert had cleared.
"Thank Merlin." He sighed in relief when he saw everything was back to normal. He got dressed and headed downstairs.
The Weasley household seemed empty. Ron and Hermione had gone off on their honeymoon in Tuscany. Fred and George had returned to their flats. Bill went back to his home with Fleur and their children. Charlie was back in Romania. The only ones left in the Burrow were Molly and Ginny.
"Oh Harry dear, your up. Thank goodness you're back to yourself. I really don't know what has come over Ginny. I'll have her apologize as soon as she comes down."
"No really, it's ok. It was just a bit of harmless fun." Harry said trying to convince Mrs. Weasley so that he didn't have to feel quite as guilty when he got his revenge on Ginny.
"Well tuck in for some breakfast." She said.
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley. I'm really grateful for all you've done for me during my stay here. Thank you. I'll be heading over to my London flat this afternoon."
"But why? You could stay here for another week. Kingsley said you took the week off."
Not as though he gave me any choice. Harry thought bitterly.
"Yes well I don't want to overstay my welcome and there really is business I must attend to in London."
"That's nonsense. You are always welcome in the Weasley household. You're family. All the anti-apparation wards are gone and the flew network has been reconnected. You could head over to do what needs to be done and still be back here in time for supper. Please Harry, I would really like it if you stayed here for the duration of your vacation. I have hardly seen you for the past eight years and would like you to stay here before you head back to France."
Harry couldn't come up with a suitable argument to leave so he just nodded his head in both acceptance and defeat.
This is going to be a long week. He thought as he saw Ginny enter the kitchen.
She avoided looking at him as she sat down for breakfast and Harry thought he saw a slight red tint to her cheeks.
Mrs. Weasley sent her a hard glare and Ginny raised her chin up defiantly.
Harry quickly finished his breakfast and cleaned of his plate despite Mrs. Weasley's attempts at stopping him from doing so.
"I need to get something from upstairs then I have to go to London. I don't know what time I'll be back." He told Mrs. Weasley. He bid Ginny a good day and went upstairs to get his key to Grimauld Place. It hadn't been in use since the defeat of Voldemort and Harry still had to go through all the things Sirius had left him. He felt a deep pang in his heart as he thought of his God-father. He took the broken mirror he carried with him everywhere from his trunk. He refused to fix it as a painful reminder to himself. This reminder told him to always think of all the options before impulsively acting. It reminded him of his failure to Sirius. It reminded him of the number of lives he had failed that were burdens upon his shoulders. Lives he was spending his life in atonement for.
He sat on the bed so that he could compose himself before going. He stared at the mirror that brought back so many tragic emotions.
That was how Ginny found him.
"Harry?" she said with uncertainty. "What's wrong?"
He had heard her coming and was hoping she'd just pass by. It seems he has no matter of luck concerning Ginny.
"Nothing. I was just getting the things I would need for some unfinished business I need to take care of."
"Harry don't lie to me. I can tell something's wrong. Please talk to me."
Harry looked into her eyes and for a second he wondered. Could Ginny and I build a relationship of more than friendship together? But he dashed these thoughts away as he remembered his earlier thoughts on that subject.
"I told you nothing's wrong. What do you want from me anyways? Why'd you come in here?" he asked her in a harsh voice. The anger was all directed towards himself and he felt guilty when he saw hurt flash into her lovely eyes.
"I just wanted to apologize for yesterday." She said stiffly and turned around to leave.
"Ginny I'm sorry." He said regret filling his voice.
She stopped at the door but didn't turn around.
"You don't have to go. You just caught me at a bad time. I'm not the kind of guy who can just open up and say what I'm feeling."
Ginny turned around to face him and Harry saw that she had tears in her eyes.
"Ginny... don't do that..." Harry said miserably as he got up and walked over to her. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her when what he really wanted to do was kiss away all of her tears.
"You always bottle everything up. I was just trying to help."
"I know that you were. I'm sorry Ginny." Then he did something he never thought he'd do. He began willing telling her what was on his mind before she came in.
"I was just thinking about Sirius." He said holding up the mirror dejectedly. "He gave me this that Christmas we spent at Grimauld place so that I could talk to him whenever I needed him. I was so determined to keep him out of trouble I put it away and forgot all about it. Instead I got him killed." He said then gave a bitter laugh.
"Harry, how many times must everyone tell you this before you finally believe it? It's not your fault. Sirius died the way he wanted to. He died fighting Voldemort's Death Eaters and protecting the person he cared for most. You, Harry. Nothing could've changed his mind; just nothing could change your mind when you want to protect someone."
"Exactly. Hermione got it right. I have a 'saving people thing' that just gets people hurt."
"Harry, you know Hermione didn't mean any offense when she said that. She wasn't exactly the model of sensitivity when she said that but she had the best intentions."
"I know but she was right. Voldemort used that against me many times. He took you down into the chamber knowing I would go."
Ginny gave a small shudder when the chamber was mentioned. Harry felt like such a lout bringing up a time in her life that was obviously hard to even think about.
"I didn't mean to bring that up."
"It's alright. We got through that didn't we? I for one am glad you saved me." She smiled.
"Me too." He smiled back.
Ginny gave him an odd look he could not recognize.
"I suppose I should leave now." She said.
"Wait, do you want to come with me?" He could not believe those word just popped from his head and out of his mouth.
"It depends. Didn't you need to do something?"
"It can wait till tomorrow. We can go to Diagon Alley and have an ice cream or something. You know hang out, we're friends aren't we?"
Harry thought he saw hurt flash in her eyes for a second. "Yea but you had the day planned out. I couldn't..." she said.
No. It's only my imagination. Why would she be hurt?
"Come on. It's been a while since I could just hang out. That is unless you have plans for today?"
"Nope, no plans." She said then smile. "Wait for me about five minutes. I need to go change."
"What's wrong with what your wearing? You look great." The thought popped out of his mouth. He hadn't meant to say it out loud.
It seemed like every time he was around her worlds just kept on springing from his mouth with a will of their own.
Ginny blushed.
"Typical guy..." she shook her head in amusement. "I can't go out in public like this. Especially to Diagon Alley. I'll go slip on some robes."
Harry personally like what she wore. The emerald green quarter-sleeve shirt and the snug black Levi's she wore looked terrific on her. He also appreciated the view those pants gave him.
Hell I'm alive and I'm a guy. Plus she's one gorgeous girl. I can't help myself. He thought when she disappeared from view. I should be cursed into next year. He mused.
True to her word Ginny arrived five minutes later. Needless to say this shocked Harry.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ginny asked nervously.
"Well, normally when a girl says she'll be ready in five minutes I translate that to mean she'll be ready in about twenty if not more. Let's go." They apparated to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.
But the truth was there was another reason for him to be stunned. The reason was that she looked dazzling.
"Well have you ever considered that I'm not like many of the girls you know?" She said indignantly after the order their ice cream and sat down on a table.
He just laughed.
"What? What's so funny?"
"Nothing. That has got to be the biggest understatement of the year."
She glared at him furiously.
"What's wrong with you? Do you want to be a gold-digging fame seeker?"
"No! Not at all! Is that really what ALL of them are like?"
"Well, not all of them. But most of them are."
"Then why'd you go out with them?"
"I didn't go out with as many as people think. A great deal of the stories printed about me are exaggerations. They see me talking to some witch and suddenly there's a story about how I dumped the last rumor for the new one."
"But why did you go out with the ones you did if they were like that?"
"Don't know. I never really thought about it."
"I know why. All men are alike." She said grumpily.
Harry tried to ignore that comment but found he felt the need to defend himself to her.
"It's not as if you haven't gone out with anyone before. Most of the women I've dated approached me. Not the other way around."
"You're right I have gone out with men before. But with each man I entered a relationship with I went in looking for a real relationship with real commitments. I didn't go in looking for a casual fling."
Harry didn't really like the idea of her dating any guy much less getting intimate with anyone.
"That's the way you approach dating. But what if someone doesn't want a long term commitment? I don't really see anything wrong with that. It's not as if I lead them on. I always make it clear from the beginning I'm not looking to get married. I give no false hope or empty promises."
"You're right and I have no business interfering in the way you live your life. I'm sorry, I was rude. But I can't help but wonder what's made you so cold to the idea of spending the rest of your life with someone special."
"I haven't found anyone I want to spend my life with. And if I did what kind of life would she have? There will always be dark wizards coming after me. I present he ultimate challenge. I'm the bloody Boy Who Lived—not once but time and time again in the face of the Dark Lord. There will always be Death Eaters like Draco out to get revenge."
"See there you go again. You're always trying to protect everyone to the point where you're self sacrificing. Shouldn't it be up to her whether she would like to risk her life? Shouldn't it be up to her whether she wants to be with you?"
"She doesn't exist and if she does I haven't met her so why does it matter so much?"
She sent Harry yet another odd look.
What's with her? Why is she always sending these looks?
"Lets change the subject." She said. "Lets go see the new Quidditch supplies, Ron's birthday is coming up soon. Oh and there is this book I want."
"Careful, you're beginning to sound like Hermione."
Ginny laughed at that.
They began walking down the street side by side as the caught up with each others lives.
"Yup, Hermione's definitely had an influence on you." Harry said laughingly.
"Shut up." She joked. "If it's not too much of a bother could we also head over to Madam Malkin's?"
"Sure. So what has been going on in your life recently? We've talked all about me. What about you?"
Well I haven't had much of a social life since Jimmy and I split. Being an Unspeakable at the Ministry has been taking up all my time."
"Yes well I'm sure you study the most fascinating things over there." He said as a shadow of many emotions crossed his face.
He didn't really want to have names for the faceless men that got to hold Ginny when he hadn't. He also didn't want to relive the events that happened in the Department of Mysteries.
"It was hard for me to go down there at first. I'll never forget that day. But I can live with it. I've put it all behind me Harry. It's time you do the same."
"I'm trying. I'm going to sort out the things Sirius left me tomorrow. I'll head over to Grimauld Place and after that I'll go to his Gringott's vault."
"Would you mind if I join you? You know, offer some moral support or something. If I know you, you'll just go on internalizing all your pain. That's not healthy by the way."
He looked into her eyes and all he saw was concern. If he had seen pity he wouldn't even have considered the notion.
"Alright. But don't take it personally if I'm not in the mood to talk or pour out my feelings."
"I won't." She said simply.
They browsed through the Quidditch Quality Supplies store but couldn't find anything Ron didn't already own.
"I'll have to decide on another present." She said glumly.
Harry laughed. Ron's obsession with Quidditch had really grown since he became a Quidditch Player.
About ten shops later Ginny decided to get him a new chess set and some chocolate frogs. It seems he hadn't outgrown them like Harry thought he would.
They entered Madam Malkin's and spent a whole hour there.
"Why do women always have the need to shop for more clothes?" Harry asked completely befuddled.
"Because one can never have too much. Plus I'm thinking about accepting this guy's offer for dinner and if I do I'll have nothing good to wear."
Harry felt a strong surge of jealousy course through him.
"If you don't mind my asking, is it anyone I know?"
"I don't know. Do you know a Michael Montgomery?"
Harry frowned in thought. "The name sounds familiar but I don't think I know him personally."
"He's a writer for the Daily Prophet."
"Ah. Yes. He's the bloke always owling me for an interview. Be careful of him. In my experiences reporters aren't trustworthy."
"It's only one date. If I like him I may consider another. After that, who knows?"
Harry's stomach was twisting into painful knots of envy. Harry let the longing for her appear in his eyes as she turned her head to look at a new shop that was opening next week.
"Hmmm... Looks like an interesting shop. They sell enchanted jewelry, amulets for all sorts of things, magic stones, and tons of neat looking stuff. I'm actually thinking of getting a protection amulet. They do come in handy—although not against really powerful attacks."
"I don't really put much stock into them."
"Yes well they are sorely underestimated by too many. But they really do work, to an extent."
"I'll take your word for it. We should be heading back for supper."
"Okay."
With that said they both apparated to the Burrow.
"Oh, wonderful." Mrs. Weasely exclaimed happily. "You're just in time for supper. Go wash up and I will set the table."
Harry and Ginny climbed the stairs in a comfortable silence until they reached Ginny's room door.
"I really had an excellent time Harry. Thank you." Ginny smiled at him radiantly.
Her smile caused his heart to skip a beat.
"You're welcome." Harry said, his voice strangely hoarse.
He turned and rushed up the stairs to the bathroom hurriedly.
I'm doomed. How can I last a whole week? That's it. I'm packing. I'll just tell Mrs. Weasley that I haven't used my apartment for a while and I miss it. Or that I need some to do some work and it would be more convenient if I worked there. Whatever, I'll think of something! I have to before I do something I'll regret. Like kissing Ginny Weasley and ruining our friendship. Not to mention having the wrath of the Weasleys directed at me.
"Am I a bloody fool? Thinking of her like this..." he said as he peered into his reflection.
"Whoever she is shouldn't mind getting the attention of such a handsome young man." The mirror told him merrily.
Harry growled at it and stormed out of the bathroom.
He could've sworn he heard the mirror mutter "Well! I've never!" in a shocked whisper.
Yes. He definitely had to move out, and fast.
Author Response:
Ennui-EAF- Was it Random? He he he...
I wanted to keep Ginny with the mischevious air she had it OotP. I hope that was a success.
Hmmm... A Death Eater eh? Then I shall concoct an evil revenge. Mwahahaha!
Yea... About the chappy lengths, working on it. Lol. I have hardly enough time to get these meger chappies up. But I agree with you. I'll try but I have my college work and tons of other stuff. Hopefully the writing quality of my next chappy will have gone WAY UP! I have a terrific English Prof. who works me so hard for an A. Hardest A if ever worked for... Oo;;
I'll have to fix Ginny's eyes. Yea... Um... Sorry. Lol.
k3l-4-d0m- Thanks! I will.
Musicfan013- THANK YOU! I will try. I really will. However I might not be able to update for a while yet. Sorry. I have tons of essays and a research paper, plus algebra homework. Ahhh!
Mysty- Thank you! That wedding was hard... Lol. I seem to be getting tons of negative comments about Gabrielle—I'm glad you have a positive remark. I think Harry would have that smile too. Lol. (Wipes drool off of mouth.)
By the way, LOVED YOUR UPDATE! THAT WAS AN AWESOME CHAPPIE!
MusicMonkey88- Good interesting or bad interesting???
holimontski- Well I'm glad of funny but what's crel? Lol. (wink) THANKIES!
Lozzie- I'm so glad. I wanted it to be cute. HARRY AND GINNY ROCK! LOVE YA! YOU ROCK!
KEEP REVIEWING PEOPLE! AND IF YOU HAVEN'T REVIEW, SHAME ON YOU!!!