Chapter Twenty Three: Explaining it all

The following Sunday evening, Ginny sat crosslegged on the couch in the common room. Harry sat on the floor at her feet, reading a DADA textbook. She had a stack of parchment on her lap, and a self-inking quill in her hand. She was trying to write a letter to her parents.

Dumbledore had said that he would speak to them, but she felt that this had to come from her. They deserved that, at the very least. They were about to find out that their sixteen year old daughter's life was mapped out, and taking shape in a way they might be shocked by.

It had taken a couple days for it to sink in that she actually had a prophecy of her own, and it had so much to do with Harry. But then, who else would it have had anything to do with? Ginny smiled.

And now, she had to tell her parents. It was time.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I know that this is going to come as a shock to you, but I need to tell you something. I can only hope that you will understand.

As you know, Harry and I have been seeing each other. I am very happy, and want you both to know that, regardless, I would have chosen this. I think you both know how I feel, and have always felt about him.

Several nights ago, Professor Dumbledore asked to speak to me. I know that this may come as a surprise, but it would appear that Harry isn't the only one with a prophecy concerning him. Apparently, on the night of my birth, two prophecies were made, and one of them had to do directly with me. I am enclosing a copy of it, and hope that you will read it with open minds.

Apparently, Fate has something in store for me. I am, according to the Professor, destined to be with Harry. Nothing could make me happier, and it would appear that Harry is pleased, as well. However, I feel it is important to tell you that my role also appears to be one of support to Harry. As such, I have made some decisions, and I need to share them with you.

For some reason, Fate has given me a choice, and I have chosen to stand by him. I could hardly have done anything else, but I wanted you to know. I wanted to discuss these things with you in person, but as Christmas break is still several weeks away, and I am unsure as to when the next meeting will be held that we will both be able to attend, I think it's important that I give you the gist of it here.

There are several things that come from this. I'm sure that your immediate concern is my safety, but I can assure you that my relationship with Harry in no way changes that. I think we can be honest enough to admit that my being a member of the Weasley family, and a school friend of Harry's was more than enough to make me a target.

I have, over the past week, spent two nights sleeping in Harry's bed. He really sleeps when I sleep beside him, Mum. I wanted you to know that it has been innocent enough, simply what I have had to do. Ron is, understandably, upset, but I do need to stress that this is the path that I intend to take.

Professor Dumbledore is aware of the decisions I have made, and I want to assure you that I have spoken to both my head of house and to Madam Pomfrey. I love you both, and hope that this situation doesn't worry you. We are all doing what we have to do.

Love,

Ginny

She looked down again at Harry's messy head, and couldn't resist the urge to run her fingers through his black hair.

"I love your hair," she whispered. Harry gave a slight start, then laid his head back against her legs, his eyes closed.

"I love yours," he said., "It's like fire..."

"Cut it out, you two," Ron grumbled from the huge, squashy chair he was currently occupying, not bothering to look up at them from the book cradled in his lap. Ginny could tell, even from several feet away, that it wasn't a book on Quidditch, and that Ron was more than likely not reading it by choice.

"Ron, why don't you go and find Hermione?" Ginny asked. "I think you need to relax for a bit."

"Relax? She's gone to the library to find me more books that she thinks I need to read, Ginny."

"You need some alone time with her," Ginny commented.

"Like you do with Harry?" Ron scoffed. "I think you two get more than enough 'alone time'."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ginny's eyes narrowed on her brother.

"Gin..." Harry laid a calming hand on her leg.

"It means, I'm getting rather tired of wondering if you're in his bed every morning when I get up!" Ron said in an undertone, aware of the few others scattered around the Common Room.

"Ron!" Ginny spat, glancing around the room. Either no one had heard, or everyone was keeping their eyes averted intentionally.

"Do you really think..." Ron began.

"What I really think is that you shouldn't be criticizing me when you and Hermione are disappearing to that private lounge of yours daily!"

Ron turned deep red, and Harry groaned. Just as he sensed that the siblings were going to get into it, the portrait hole opened and Hermione entered. She stopped dead when she saw the scene before her.

"What's going on?" she asked, walking over and placed a stack of books on the table beside Ron's chair.

"My prat of a brother seems to think that what I do with Harry is somehow his business!"

Harry turned a deep shade of red and groaned again. They hadn't actually done anything beyond a few kisses... at least, since that first night. The thought of Ginny naked in his arms had kept Harry widely awake for several nights since.

"So you admit, something is going on?" Ron spat.

"Again, Ron, that is none of your business!"

"I'm your brother, Ginevra!"

"Yes, Ronald... my brother, not my keeper!"

"Ginny," Harry glanced between them. "Ron... I know that... Ginny being with me isn't... she helps me sleep, Ron, that's all!"

"I'm bloody sure she does!" Ron said angrily. "But she's my sister, Harry!"

"Harry has been a perfect gentleman, Ron! Especially considering..."

She paused, taking a deep breath and glancing at Harry.

"Considering what?" Ron said in a low voice.

"Considering that..." Ginny turned to her book bag and rifled through it, finding the parchment that Dumbledore had given her and handing it to Hermione. "Considering this."

Hermione took it, her eyes not leaving Ginny's. She then glanced at Ron and unfolded it, turning her attention to the sheet in front of her.

Harry stood and pulled Ginny into his arms. He'd known that she didn't want the prophecy to be public knowledge, because she didn't want anyone thinking that she was only with him because of it.

"What the hell is this?" Ron's voice was still angry. "What the hell is this?"

"Calm down, Ron," Hermione said. "It would appear..."

"That's not for public knowledge," Harry said softly, not turning from Ginny. "Please keep it to yourselves."

"To ourselves?" Ron spat. "My sister is... did you know about this?"

"Ginny told me after she found out," Harry confirmed. "The night... the night that Dumbledore came to the Room of Requirement..."

"So this is why..."

"This is why I've been allowed to be in your dorm, Ron," Ginny said softly. "But it's not why Harry and I are together."

"Are you sure? How can you tell?" Ron said. "It might be... the power of suggestion, or whatever they call it... you might think..."

"No, Ron. I only found out about this the night Dumbledore asked me to walk him back to his quarters."

"But you..." Ron's face was still red. "You shouldn't be... in..."

"This is my fate, Ron, and don't you dare interfere!"

"Do Mum and Dad know about this?" he asked weakly.

"They will shortly," she said, holding up the letter she had been writing.

"You do know that they're going to lose their minds over this?" Ron asked, running a hand through his hair.

"Maybe," Ginny agreed. "But it's the way it's got to be."

"No, it's not..." Ron began.

"Ron... Harry sleeps without nightmares when I'm with him. Voldemort can't get to him when I'm there."

This stopped him. He swallowed, and turned his gaze from his sister to his best friend.

"Is that true?" He asked Harry is a quiet voice.

"Yes," Harry said. "Nothing... nothing has happened, Ron. Ginny's just... she keeps me centered, I think."

Ron shook his head, taking a deep breath. "Mum and Dad are going to go nuts. And Harry, I wouldn't want to be you when Bill and Charlie find out."

"He's right, you know," Harry whispered later, after the others had disappeared up the dormitory stairs to their rooms. He put an arm around her and stared into the fire.

"What?"

"Ron, he's right," Harry said, not meeting her eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Ginny sat straighter, staring at him.

"Your parents, Ginny. I didn't consider..."

"Harry..."

"They've been good to me, Gin. Really good. I didn't stop to consider what this might do to them. I don't want them thinking that I'm..."

"Harry, I've explained it in my letter," she said softly, laying her head on his shoulder. His arm tightening around her, and he rubbed his cheek against her hair. "I'm sure that they'll be... surprised. But they, more than anyone, understand that this war... it's making all of us grow up faster, Harry. Voldemort is making us grow up faster. Especially us."

"Us?"

"You, specifically," she smiled sadly. "And me, Ron, Hermione... even Neville and Luna."

"I love you," he whispered. "You have no idea..."

"Then show me," she whispered back.

Harry shook his head. "I want to be able to look your father in the eye, Ginny, when I see him next. I can't do that if..."

"Harry, I love you," she rested against him.

"I know, you must," he laughed. "To put up with all of this."

"Yes, you're so very difficult to deal with," she smiled against his neck. "A real pain in the backside."

"I don't doubt it," he replied.

"Yes, you won't even make love to me when I beg," she said quietly.

Harry stiffened. "Ginny..."

"I know why, Harry. And you have no idea of how much I love you for it. But it doesn't make it any easier."

Harry swallowed.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Don't be... just understand that you, apparently, have more self-control than I do."

"I wouldn't be so sure," he sighed.

Ginny smiled, leaning her head back against his shoulder and staring into the fire. "I'm here for you, whenever you need me, Harry. For anything."

"I know."

Breakfast the following morning was quiet. Ron glanced at Harry a few times, but thankfully, didn't feel the need to say much in the middle of the Great Hall. Hermione had her nose stuck in a book, and Neville and Luna were talking quietly.

When the owls flew in with the morning post, things changed rather rapidly. Hedwig landed on their table, but when Harry reached for her, she gave him an outraged look and turned to Ginny, offering her leg and the letter tied there.

Ginny glanced at Harry and then back to the owl, and then gently untied the note, and offered Hedwig a sausage. The owl gently took it from Ginny's fingers, which surprised Harry, as well, considering the nippy way she generally took things from him, and flew away.

"It would appear to be from my parents..." Ginny said. "I'm sorry, Harry, I should have mentioned that I borrowed Hedwig to deliver my letter last night."

"You can use Hedwig whenever you need her, I don't mind." Harry glanced at the letter. "I take it that that is for you?"

"Yes..." Ginny looked at it. "I don't know if I want to open it here or not."

"It's not a howler, at least," Ron commented, eyeing the envelope that Pig had delivered to him.

Harry smiled, remembering the bright red envelope Ron had received after the car incident in their second year.

"Well, the only way to find out..." Ginny ripped the envelope open, and glanced at Ron as he did the same.

She read it quickly, then handed it to Harry.

Dear Ginny and Harry,

We will be arriving at the school this morning to speak to you.

Mum and Dad

"Well," Ginny said. "That could be good or bad."

"It's good, Gin," Harry said quietly, handing the letter back to her.

"I'm sorry, Harry," she said quietly.

"You have nothing to be sorry about," he said softly. "They're you're parents, Gin. Of course they're concerned."

Ginny turned to look at her brother, who was reading his own note silently. "Ron?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry if Mum and Dad lost it on you," she said. "I'm not your responsibility, and it's wrong of them to blame you for my actions..."

"They're not upset with me. They've just said they'll see me some time today, and that I'm not to be concerned."

"Good," Ginny said, looking oddly at him.

As they finished their breakfast, they were approached by Professor McGonagall.

"Miss Weasley, Mr Potter... you are both excused from morning classes. You will take your bags back to your dormitories, and meet Professor Dumbledore in his office in one hour."

"Yes, ma'am," Harry nodded, taking Ginny's hand and standing, looking down on the others, who were watching them with varying degrees of concern in their eyes.

"If you need us..." Hermione started.

"We know where to find you," Ginny smiled reassuringly.

But they all knew that students had been unceremoniously dismissed from the esteemed halls of Hogwarts for far less than this.

Again, my thanks to my friend and beta James Milamber, even if my muse appears to be at war with one of his...

LarnaMandrea: Are you certain you weren't a Riddle or a Black... or even a Snape... in a former life?

BJ: Well... you're either psychic, or that was a rather interesting coincidence...

Rdprice29: I'm hoping to have a chapter up a day... I want it done before Christmas. Then I'm taking some time off. I've been writing HP fanfics non-stop since about July... I need a break (and my muse needs to chill out!)

Tanydwr: You know, you could be right... I just have this feeling that all will not be happiness and sunshine for the Boy Who Lived in canon...

MysticRuby: She's been sleeping in Harry's bed when he needs her to – innocently enough, but can you imagine if McGonagall found out through the rumor mill? And Ginny isn't naïve enough to think that sleeping in a boy's bed isn't a recipe for trouble, no matter how noble he is. She's being responsible, and acknowledging responsibility means talking to the school nurse about certain... precautions.

NotYourAverage: I can take it... I just don't have to take it nicely, do I? Actually, I appreciate it. It's funny, since I've acquired a beta, I actually feel like I've gotten lazy! You'll find the only time I grumble outright (rather than behind the scenes to my ever-patient beta) is when I recognize that the reviewer has a point, one that I don't care to recognize myself. Thanks, again, for your comments – all are appreciated, even if I don't show it at the time.

Elmire: See? Told you. I was trying to say that I always get in trouble when I use french. Bad, bad idea. Like I said, your English is MUCH better than my French...

Heather: Ron and Hermione seemed fine together after dinner that night, didn't they? On their way to Dumbledore's office, they seemed to be okay... I distinctly remember Ron taking Hermione's hand and kissing her cheek, while Harry got all protective over Ginny. Funny thing happened then, didn't it?

Emily: Larna Mandrea and I have an ongoing thing... she begs me to kill off Harry, and I make it look like I might. Then I twist it around on her somehow, and we all go home happy. It'll probably never happen.

Sumer's Girl: Ah, now I get it. Ron is going to have to get over it... he's outnumbered, and not exactly speaking from a position of moral superiority...

Whimsical Firefly: Indeed you were! Sorry to hear you've been sick, and right after school lets out, too – terrible to be sick during the holidays! As for Harry, you never know with him... there are still several chapters left, he has plenty of time to screw up royally.

Shotgunn: So now I know where you've been – preparing for the Blink concert, huh? Wish I could have been there with you – I hear the one here (which I didn't see either) was amazing.

Harrypotterfan777777: The only reason I say this about the H/G ship is because JKR has said in interviews that she's never read a fanfic that truly shows who ends up with who in all the ships (and she does read them, folks). She's been blatant about where R/H are heading, but this little comment tells me that she's got something up her sleeve. We'll see. So long as Harry doesn't end up with Cho, I'll be happy, I guess. We have to remember, as well, these books aren't written as a romance – they're young people's fantasy. It's possible that there will be NO relationships confirmed or denied. As for your other comments, thanks. As they say, you can't please ALL of the people ALL of the time, and I guess that that is what I'm running into lately. Given the choice between that and no one reading, however, I'll happily take the comments from those who are disbelieving of the direction this is taking us!

Fireheart: Have you asked the admin at the site about that? I've not heard of anyone else having trouble accessing the chapters the day they're posted. Anyone else having this problem?

XiaoXiao: Clues, yes... but like I said, JKR never delivers what we expect her to, does she? Besides, perhaps her books aren't even going to focus on the romance aspect. We'll see. I have been wrong before!

IndiaInk: Thank you so very much! What a lovely review – I'm going to have the warm fuzzies all day now – my kids thank you!

And special thanks to all the others who reviewed: TrinityAC, PCB, LifeIsGood, Kordolin, Weselan, Gee-Unit, David, Nebulia, Lozzie

CQ