Chapter Eleven

A/N: Okay, this chapter is rather a disappointment to me. I know I could've done better, but I was having too many parts slamming at me and I can't find out where to put them. And now...I fear as if I'm getting onto that contagious thing called Writer's Block. But, promise, I will write out chapter twelve...soon. Oh and I passed all of my finals! Go me!

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JK Rowling, not me. Remember that NOT me.

"Mind telling us where you've been?" asked Fred's voice from the kitchen. "Unlike you, we were hungry!"

The first face Harry saw was a brown bushy haired girl.

"Ginny, where have you—" Hermione stopped as she saw Harry standing behind Ginny. Hermione began to utter every little sound, but none of them were part of the English language dictionary. Ginny would've teased her for sounding like a barbarian, but she knew how Hermione felt.

"I don't think she sounds like this when I'm not here," muttered Harry.

"Of course she does," said Ginny, "Come on, Herm, everyone is hungry." Ginny took Harry's hand again and pulled him past Hermione, who stared at them in disbelief.

"But…" Harry began. As they came into the dining room, Harry was met with eight pairs of eyes starring at him in sheer fascination. A few crashes were heard when Mrs. Weasley dropped the two dishes she was holding. Ron gave a yelp as he jumped out of the way, knocking into George, who was carrying a large bowl of salad. Harry watched in amusement as the salad bowl came up into the air. Angelina pulled out her wand and levitated the salad bowl onto the table.

"Um…" Ginny looked at Harry nervously. "See? This happens all the time. I told you they wouldn't notice."

"I don't see—"

Ginny cut Harry off. "It's just a bit strange in my family these days. We're dysfunctional."

"But—"

"Are we still eating?" asked Ginny, turning to her family.

Angelina was the first to speak. "Of course. Someone got to eat the turkey I cooked." Harry tilted his head to one side suddenly. He never knew Angelina could cook. The only thing he knew that she could do was slap a Quaffle out of someone's arm.

Ginny scowled. "There's a mess right there." Angelina fixed the dishes. Ginny sighed. "I'm hungry. Like Fred said we're hungry. So…now what do we do? Are we going to eat or gawk?" Ginny smiled at Luna and Neville. "If we're not eating, I could take Neville and Luna to a restaurant."

"And miss my turkey?" snapped Angelina.

"Sorry, Angelina," said Ginny sheepishly. "Well, let's go."

"That reminds me," said Harry quietly. "I left Apollo waiting."

Ginny frowned. "He's old enough to take care of himself. Come on, let's go and sit. Neville, you can sit next to Harry."

Harry couldn't believe it. He was the one who defeated Voldemort and probably the most powerful wizard at the time, but he couldn't restrain himself to follow the lead of the petite redhead. He sat down, flatly and stared at the table. Ginny glared at Neville, who got shoved by Luna. Neville sat down next to Harry.

"Um…h-hi, Harry," he said quietly.

"Hi," said Harry slowly.

Ginny plopped herself down next to Harry. Harry slightly jumped as she stood up quickly almost a second later. "Oh, silly me. Let's go people, they're not going to starve on Christmas." Ginny dragged Angelina into the kitchen. "Where's that turkey? Oh there. Here, Angelina, take this to the table. Ron, Hermione, sit. Fred, George, get the rest of the stuff. Sit down Luna. Mum, Dad, we can't eat without Daddy carving the turkey." After a few minutes, the whole table was filled up. The Weasley family and their friends were all in their seats.

"What do you do, Harry?" asked Luna in a calm, but soft voice.

"Erm…nothing much," said Harry.

Luna nodded. "We've missed you. How come you haven't come to visit me and Neville?"

"You and Neville?" asked Harry, surprised.

"They're sharing a flat," said Ginny quickly. "But talk about that through dinner. I'm hungry." Harry watched as Mr. Weasley cut the turkey. Everyone except Harry filled their plates with food.

Ginny frowned. "Why aren't you eating?"

"I'm not really hungry. I think the information that Naevairs drove into my head is making me full," said Harry quietly.

"I don't think that can get your stomach comfy. Anyways…I can see for the first time that Ron isn't chugging everything down his throat as if he didn't eat in years."

"Why are you talking about me?" asked Ron as he suddenly stopped stirring his potatoes. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing important."

"How can nothing be important? My eating habits are important."

Ginny eyed Harry knowingly. "See? I told you. It's like you're not here."

"Thanks for the enthusiasm," said Harry coolly.

"You're welcome. Are you going to eat now?" asked Ginny.

Harry shook his head slightly. "No."

Ginny sighed. "Look, Angelina's giving me a dark look as if I hate her cooking or something. And I hate to admit it, but she's a way better cooker than me. Come on. At least give Angelina for some credit in cooking this turkey. I wouldn't do that if you pay me."

Harry almost smiled. "How funny," he said.

"Thanks. So…at least say something to the family."

"I thought I wasn't supposed to be noticed," replied Harry.

Ginny let out a small smile. "Too bad. It's the turkey's fault."

Harry stared at the home cooked meal. It's been exactly two years since Harry had taste a home-cooked meal. Even when he came to Gryffindor Manor, the only meals he ate were ordered through the Floo Network. Harry hesitated as he saw that everyone was staring at him.

Ginny scowled. "Don't you people have food to eat?"

They turned their gaze back to their food. Harry filled his plate to a respected proportion. He had no idea what possessed Ginny to be so calm.

"How's the turkey?" asked Ginny after he tasted it.

Harry swallowed and frowned. "Are you sure Angelina cooked this?"

"Mum probably helped her."

"It's good."

"Well at least tell her it's good."

Harry scowled. "Who are you to rule me?"

Ginny smiled peacefully. "It's Christmas. Don't ruin the mood."

"Turkey's great, Angelina. Who taught you to cook?"

Angelina smiled widely. "Thank you. My step-mum taught me. She's a chef at some sort of restaurant. All she could do is cook."

"Are you going to Auror training, Harry?" asked Luna, suddenly.

Harry shook his head. "I have no intentions to go back there."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want to. I have other things to do."

"Oh," said Luna. "I think this is the best Christmas in two years."

Harry looked at her carefully. "What do you mean?"

Luna smiled, dreamily. "Didn't you know? It was horrible the first Christmas without you. It was much more quiet than this. Almost deadly silence, the way I put it. Then the year after that wasn't much better, except Bill and Charlie were there with their families. I think this is the first Christmas dinner in two years that the subject of sadness didn't come into our heads."

"Luna's right," said Neville, nodding.

Ginny smiled. "See? Nothing changed."

The side of Harry's mouth wanted to curve upwards in a smile, but he didn't let it. "Nothing except time," said Harry. He looked at everyone. "I think I owe every one of you two Christmas presents?"

"Oh, no!" gasped Hermione quickly.

Ginny grinned. "That isn't expected of you, Harry. Don't fuss about it."

Harry frowned. "I've been meaning to ask, but…" Harry didn't want to say that he felt angry when he asked. He cleared his throat to get his thoughts straight. "I've been meaning to ask…are you and Ron married yet?"

Ginny went into a fit of giggles, which was joined later by Luna. Neville had to chuckle. Fred and George covered their mouths and Angelina looked sideways, hiding her large grin.

Harry blinked. "What…did I say?"

"It's not you, Harry," said Neville. "It's just…"

Ginny smiled. "Ron wouldn't get married. He doesn't want to be tied down by that chain."

Harry glanced at Ron, who avoided his gaze. Ron stared at his plate, but Harry could feel that Ron was getting a bit frustrated.

"Now, Ginny, no lying," said Neville. "Anyways…Ron wouldn't want to get married until he sorts out his 'issues'. I don't know what he meant by it."

Luna smiled. "I heard that he didn't have a best man to get a toast from."

"Who told you that?" asked Ron sharply, his head snapping up quickly.

"Hermione," said Luna.

Hermione frowned. "I only told Gin…"

Ginny flushed. "I kind of let it slip to Luna, who promised not to say anything."

Luna ignored that. "I asked why not get Neville and Ginny told me that Hermione said Ron won't have it. Issues."

Ron's face twisted. "Well," he said huffily. "It's not that but it's because I need to save up the money."

"Yeah, Ron," sniggered Ginny. "You might cause Hermione to pop out five kids and then can't raise them."

"Ginny…" warned Mrs. Weasley. Harry saw Hermione turning a bright shade of red. She stared at her plate. Mrs. Weasley smile at Harry. "Have you been eating well, Harry?" She asked. Harry heard a sense of hesitant in her voice. There were also worry and fear.

Harry decided to reply.

"I'm fine," he said shortly.

"That's good. It's nice to see that you're less pale and thin."

Harry nodded, but kept his hard posture.

Ginny turned to Harry. "So, Neville and Luna have been sharing a flat because they're together. And Neville, have you given…?"

Neville turned brightly red and shook his head slightly. Harry eyed Neville for a moment. A smile suddenly flickered on his face. His hard posture broke. It shattered and he was showing a real true smile. "Christmas won't be around much longer," said Harry.

Neville seemed relieved to see Harry smile. "Well…I was…" Neville stumbled over his words.

"What's wrong?" asked Luna. "Am I missing something?"

"Do you want to be alone?" asked Harry. "Because if you want us to leave, I won't mind making them leave."

"That-that's okay," said Neville. "I'll do it after dinner."

"Do what?" asked Luna. "Neville, what are you hiding?"

"Nothing, Lune," said Neville, smiling brightly. "I was just thinking about something about the past, that's all."

Luna nodded, but she gave Neville a suspicious look. Ginny chewed her food, with a smile quivering at the corner of her lips. We're getting there. Harry's heart might be hard to melt, but it's not impossible.

"Why didn't I tell Ron my advice, huh Neville?" asked Ginny, after she swallowed her food.

Neville shrugged. "If you did, we would be celebrating."

Fred stood up. "I'm off to Angelina's house."

Angelina stood up and cleared the two dishes. "Thank you for the dinner, Mrs. Weasley," she said politely.

Mrs. Weasley stood up. "Don't worry dear. Tell your parents that I said happy holidays."

"Yes I will," said Angelina as she linked Fred's arm. "Merry Christmas, Mr. Weasley."

Mr. Weasley smiled. "You too, Angelina."

Fred sighed. "All right…bye everyone!" They Disapparated together.

"Well…those two are like bread and butter," said Mr. Weasley. "It used to be Fred and George, but now…"

George rolled his eyes. "Just because the bloke has a girlfriend. I swear, Dad, you take things farther than they should."

"What does that mean?" asked Mr. Weasley.

George sighed. "Ah…see? If you didn't take things too far then how did Bill pop out?" Ginny snorted, while Ron burst out laughing. Mrs. Weasley turned bright red, but she could still scowl at George. Ginny grinned.

"I bet ten galleons to everyone who disagree with me that Ron and Hermione will break Mum and Dad's record. Starting with twins…identical…um…which gender Harry?"

Harry frowned. "I would say…girls."

"All right then. Identical twin girls. Ten galleons, anyone want to differ?"

George jumped up. "I take up on that. I bet you twenty galleons that it will be a single girl. I mean what's the possibility of having twin girls?"

"I don't care," said Ginny. "I made my bet. What do you say, Neville?"

Neville grinned. "Since you already called the other ones. I call…a boy. Five galleons."

Luna scowled. "What an awful thing. I called fraternal twins. Five galleons."

"What about you, Mum?" asked Ginny with a grin.

Mrs. Weasley shook her head. "I'm not going to bet on my grandchildren. You people are horrible aunts and uncles."

Ginny turned to Harry. "What about you?"

"I already made my bet," said Harry.

"When?" asked Ginny.

Harry shrugged. "When you asked me which gender. So if you win the…twenty…five…five…then thirty galleons, I get fifteen."

Ginny laughed. "No. You get ten, I get twenty."

"That's not fair."

"Is to. I need it more than you."

"Who says?"

"Me say."

"Whose me?"

"Stop being such a dork."

"Who is being a dork?"

"Harry!"

"What Ginny?"

Ginny scowled and went back to eating. "What ate you suddenly?"

"Somehow the vision of Ron's and Hermione's children. But then of course, there's the turkey." Harry saw the flicker of triumph in Ginny's eyes. Damn it! I fell into her trap. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Why is this too easy for her? "Well, I better leave."

"But you haven't seen the best part!" cried Ginny.

Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat. "Ginny, Harry's probably tired."

"But then…"

Neville stood up. "I'll do that right now."

"Do what?" asked Ron. Neville pushed his chair out of the way and faced Luna. He got on one knee.

Hermione gasped.

Neville smiled nervously. "Luna, would you…well…" He took out a velvet box from his pocket and opened it.

Luna stared at him, amazed. "Neville…"

"Would…would you marry me?" asked Neville hesitantly.

Luna jumped up from her chair and pulled Neville up to a giant hug. "Of course!" She cried, her dreamy eyes shimmering with joy.

Ginny banged her fork on the plate. "Congratulations!"

Luna looked at Ginny. "Would you be my Bridesmaid?" She asked.

Ginny nodded quickly. "Yup! You bet!"

George sighed. "Well, you can expect Ginny to grow up and be an old lonely lady."

"What does that mean?" asked Ginny with a small snarl.

"We all know that once a Bridesmaid, never a bride."

Hermione frowned. "That's twice a Bridesmaid."

George shook his head. "I was counting in your wedding as well, Hermione. There's only Ginny to be the Bridesmaid, true?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Whatever. But you shouldn't believe those nonsense sayings that Muggles made up just to tease the Bridesmaid."

Ginny scowled. "Well, I don't really care if I live like an old maid."

"Tsk tsk…" said George, shaking his head. "There goes your dream, Mum."

Luna frowned. "Are you just teasing because I asked Ginny to be the Bridesmaid?"

"Of course not," said George. "Neville, who's your Best Man then?"

Ginny titled her head and saw a flicker of amusement in George's eyes. Neville clearly didn't see it, because he said something George didn't want to hear. "I was thinking of asking Dean. What do you think?"

Ginny saw George's eyes went hard for a few seconds, but it warmed up. "Oh well…at least Ron won't let me down. Who's going to be your Best Man, Ronny?"

Ron flushed. "I haven't even…"

"Why don't you do it right now?" asked George, elbowing Ron.

"Don't know what you're talking about," muttered Ron.

George sighed. "If you're waiting to propose in bed, we don't mind."

"What?" Shrieked Ginny. "You-you! You didn't tell me!"

"What happened?" asked Hermione, confused.

Harry felt something tugging on the side of his lips. A smirk came on his face. "Interesting," he said. "I never would've seen that coming."

"What coming?" asked Neville.

Harry sat back and crossed his arms, staring at Ron for a few seconds.

Ron groaned. "Why why me?" He asked.

"Because you're a Weasley," said Ginny.

Ron grumbled about George spilling everything and got on one knee. Hermione nearly passed out. "Hermione, would you marry me?" he asked.

Hermione choked back some tears and embraced him.

"Not so tight!" Cried Ron.

"Yes!" Yelled Hermione. She let Ron go and buried her head in her arms.

Ron grinned, widely. Then he saw Neville grinning. "Hey, Neville. I swear I have no idea that you were going to propose to Luna."

"Double wedding!" cried Ginny.

George groaned. "No! Single weddings, you idiots! Never double. It never turns out good. Anyways…Ginny must be crazy to be Bridesmaid for double wedding."

"True," murmured Ron and Neville.

George leaned enthusiastically toward Ron. "So…who's your Best Man, since you have your Bridesmaid already?"

Mrs. Weasley sighed loudly. "You kids worry too much."

"It's a wedding!" cried George. "Come on Ron."

Ron frowned. "Do you think Fred—OUCH!"

George smacked Ron on the head. "Dolt!" snarled George. "Fine…I'm having a wedding, you idiots."

"You are?" everyone asked besides Harry. Harry could see well that George was going to mock all of them.

George rolled his eyes. "Idiots, I'm surrounded by them. Yes, m'dears. I'm getting marry." George sounded very sarcastic, but no one noticed it. They were staring at him incredulously. George nodded. "Yes. Me and Katie. So, Gin-Gin you're our Bridesmaid and Harry, you're my Best Man."

Harry jumped. "What? Crazy."

"So? And you're not?"

Harry glared at George darkly. George shriveled back. Harry shook his head. "No way."

"Why? Oh, shoot. I have to meet Katie and pick out the flowers. Toodles, all. And Harry, need dear me to remind you that Best Man and Bridesmaid give the toasts together and share a dance. Happy Christmas."

George Disapparated. Everyone turned to look at Harry, who nearly burst out laughing at their shock.

"George was being a git. He's not getting married any sooner than I am. I have things to do, so Happy Christmas. Thank you for the dinner." Harry stood up and was about to Disapparate when Ron spoke up.

"Harry, I was just joking a while ago. I was really thinking to have you as my Best Man. Do-do you want to?"

Harry frowned. "I don't think I can bring myself up to that level yet. Bye." He Disapparated.

Ginny sat there, staring around. "He's been having a tough day," she said.

"How would you know?" asked Ron, frowning slightly.

Ginny shrugged.

The Weasleys, Neville and Luna cleared up the table and went into the living room. Under the tree were a few more presents.

"Didn't we open them all?" asked Ginny, frowning. Ron went over and checked the presents.

"They're from Harry." Ron took the presents out. "Two for each."

"He wasn't kidding," murmured Ginny.

Hermione sighed. "Have we ever seen Harry joke ever since…you know…"

"George had some guts talking to Harry with sarcasm," muttered Ron.

Ginny frowned. "What's wrong with talking to Harry in sarcasm?" She raised an eyebrow. "Are you afraid of Harry? Are you?"

"No!" cried Ron, shaking his head. "It's just…I never would think George had the guts to do that. He was always…you know…"

Ginny shrugged. "I don't know what ate him up today. Strange though."

Hermione opened her two present. They were both books, one was a notebook and the other was a hardcover version of "Tale of Two Cities". Hermione smiled widely. "I love this book," she said, staring at the cover.

Ron peered over. "I don't understand how you can think that books are fun," he said, rolling his eyes. He opened his present. His eyes were wide opened. "Chocolate covered cherry cordials! And—wow! He got me a pack of Muggle cards! He remembers! Hermione, don't you remember how Harry and you taught me how to play blackjack? And then I said how I wanted a pack of cards to play? Two years and he still…" Ron's face fell. "I'm an idiot in the name of friendship, aren't I?"

Hermione leaned on his shoulder. "No, you're not," she whispered. "It was just a mistake. A horrible one, but still a mistake. I remember how I nearly cried when "Tale of Two Cities" was torn to pieces in the rain by Malfoy. I can't believe that Harry would still remember it."

Neville stared at the two presents in his hand. "He…I…"

"What did he get you, dear?" asked Luna, curiously. "He bought me a book on the supernatural and another book on veils."

"Veils?" asked Ginny. "What are you talking about?" Luna just flipped opened her book on the supernatural and began reading. Ginny rolled her eyes.

Neville smiled. "It's a picture of my parents - when they were in school. And it has this pin with a leaf on it."

"Must be because of your Herbology craze," said Luna, not looking up from her book.

Mrs. Weasley smiled to her husband. "I think sooner or later, we'll have the Harry we once know back," she said. Mr. Weasley nodded. They left the living room and went back into the kitchen for coffee.

"How come you only got one?" asked Ron.

Ginny smiled. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Yes, I would."

"He already gave me this year's present," said Ginny quietly. She unwrapped her present. It was a bracelet of stars. The colors of the stars changed constantly and swirled and danced, like just real stars.

"That's beautiful, Ginny," said Hermione with a smile. She then frowned. "Now I regret not getting him anything."

"Yeah," murmured Ron, Neville, and Luna who finally looked up from the book.

Ginny smiled. "You four already gave him something, but you're too thick to figure it out. He's just happy to see that Neville and Luna are getting married and so is Ron and Hermione." Ginny's smile faded away. "We expect so much from Harry and he expects so little from us."

"What do you mean?" asked Ron.

Ginny stared at her bracelet. "All Harry expects from us is our trust and our happiness. We expect him to save our lives, defeat Voldemort, forgive us…I mean, we didn't give Harry what he expects from us so it'll probably take some time for Harry to give us what we expected from him."

"Where did you learn that from?" asked Ron incredulously.

Ginny frowned. Where did she learn that from? It might be from Harry. But…is it? Where did she learn trust and forgiveness from? Then it dawned on Ginny.

That trip to Macabre's place wasn't just to let Harry know the truth, but to help Ginny understand.

How, she had no idea.

Thank you for reviewing...ThrainTalonwater, Cynthia1850, chica91:You have to wait and see, right?, FroBoy, MaD JuPid3R: Thanks for the comment about Macaber...it's funny you think that way. Thanks for all of your reviews. And thank you to my smart, intelligent, annoying my mind to bits beta reader, Jeanne Dim Sum.