Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his universe are the intellectually property of J.K. Rowling. I just like to mess with them.
A/N: If you're wondering why it has taken so long for me to update, the answer is simple. My computer broke. I've had to go several rounds with the peeps from the manufacturer and it looks like things are finally resolved.
Harry Potter and the Lost Library
Chapter 6: Homeward Bound
Harry was released from Ginny's room when Mrs. Weasley and Hermione appeared to prepare Ginny for the trip to Floogle Castle. He went in search of Ron and found him sitting quietly in the visitor's tearoom. Harry purchased a cup of tea and some biscuits before joining Ron at his table.
"How'd it go?" Ron asked before reaching out to grab a biscuit.
"It didn't really," Harry sighed. He took a sip of tea that he instantly regretted. The liquid's temperature was just shy of nuclear. He inhale quickly and took the time to mourn the loss of his taste buds before continuing. "We had sort of a strange conversation about bed springs."
Ron's eyebrows shot up.
"Don't ask," Harry sighed, "It was all rather embarrassing. I tried to ask her where she'd been, but she locked up tighter than a vault at Gringott's."
Ron paused thoughtfully. "Hermione thinks that if we figure out where Ginny was trapped, we can help her get better."
"What do you think?" Harry asked while stirring his tea to cool it down.
"You remember that time I ordered a Muggle bi-circle for Dad's birthday," Ron said.
"Bicycle," Harry corrected.
"And when it arrived, it was in a million pieces," Ron continued.
"Yeah," Harry remembered, "You and I tried to put it together, but the instructions were in French. Fleur and Hermione ended up assembling it."
"That's exactly how I feel right now with Ginny." As Ron paused to massage his temple, Harry thought he looked much older than his twenty-seven years.
"It'll be alright mate," Harry said with a cheeriness he didn't quite feel. "Some rest and relaxation in the country, and Ginny will be fine."
Ron snorted, "That's what I said to Mum and Dad when I told them about taking to Ginny to Floogle Castle, and I didn't believe it either."
"They weren't too thrilled with our plan, huh?" Harry asked. He was eager to change the subject.
"At first, Mum wasn't too happy, but Dad and I were able to convince her it was the best thing for Ginny. Unfortunately, we'll probably have the whole family descending on the castle now," Ron said.
"I sort of expected as much," Harry murmured.
Harry and Ron fell into a companionable silence. Both were too exhausted, confused, and thought burdened to manage a conversation. They remained like that until George appeared to draw them back downstairs.
They returned to Ginny's room to find it bubbling with activity. Bill and Fleur had arrived with their sons, Will and Arty. The two little boys had inherited their mother's angelic eyes, their father's red hair, and their precocious nature from their twin uncles. Will was currently trying to squirm away from underneath his father's firm hand while Arty had sidled his way next to Ginny. Harry was slightly alarmed to see that the youngest Weasley was in the process of interrogating his new aunt.
"Dad said that you were his Sis. Does that make you my Aunt?" the boy demanded.
Ginny was staring the little boy sitting next to her with wide-eyed amazement. She responded by merely nodding her head.
"Then how come I never met you before? Were you captured by garden gnomes and held prisoner in their underground dungeon. Will says that's what happens when you turn your back on the rose bushes. Will even showed me the tracks in the mud from when the gnomes dragged our older brother Eddy away. Mum says that I never had an older brother named Eddy, but Will said that Mum and Dad don't talk about Eddy anymore because they liked him more than me. Sometimes I wish Eddy was still around and that the gnomes had dragged Will away instead. Did you see Eddy in the gnome dungeon?" Arty paused to take a deep breath. He climbed on to Ginny's lap and began playing with her braid. "You have red hair like me. Mum says it's the Weasley curse, but Will told me what the real Weasley curse is. He said that the youngest Weasley sprouts wings out of their backs. I told him that was rubbish because Uncle Ron doesn't have wings, but then he said that Uncle Ron hides them under his jumper."
"Arthur," the sharp voice of Mrs. Weasley cut through the air. She had drawn herself away from the adults to reproach her young grandson. "Stop pestering your Aunt."
"Sorry Gran," Arty said while quickly scrambling off Ginny's lap.
"Don't pay any attention to him dear," Mrs. Weasley said to Ginny while softly smoothing her daughter's hair. "He and his brother have very active imaginations."
"Dear," Mr. Weasley appeared at the door, "Healer Pye says that everything is taken care of, and Ginny is free to go."
"Wonderful," Ron said while helping Ginny to stand. "I never cared for St. Mungo's."
Harry noticed that Ginny was a bit wobbly on her feet. He automatically stepped forward and took her arm. The clothes she was wearing must have belonged to Hermione because the skirt was several inches too short and the jumper was loose on her. Still, she looked loads better in Hermione's ill- fitting clothes than that worn Hogwarts uniform she had been wearing previously.
Harry escorted Ginny out of her room. He couldn't help but notice that the nurses, healers, and visitors were watching the Weasley family's progress a little too closely as they passed. Once, he deliberately stepped close to Ginny to block a particularly curious witch's stare. Despite the attention they were attracting, the party made it to St. Mungo's lobby without incident.
The family approached a row of rather large fireplaces that lined a short stretch of wall. Mr. Weasley ambled forward and grabbed what appeared to be a chipped bedpan full of complimentary floo powder. He awkwardly held it out to Ginny. "Floogle Castle is the name of our destination," he said, "Make sure you pronounce it clearly."
Ginny stared blankly at her father and the bedpan. They stood motionless until Mrs. Weasley said, "William. Arthur. Why don't you show your aunt how it's done?"
Will and Arty rushed forward and each took a handful of powder from their grandfather. They ran over to side-by-side fireplaces and tossed the powder inside. When the flames turned green, they stepped in side and yelled, "Floogle Castle." Harry felt Ginny jump when her nephews disappeared, and she clutched his arm tightly.
"Go ahead dear," Mrs. Weasley coached gently.
Ginny remained frozen. The seconds ticked passed uncomfortably.
"Ron," Mrs. Weasley said, "Help your sister."
Ron quickly stepped forward. He grabbed a handful of floo powder and pulled Ginny to stand in front of one of the fireplaces. He tossed the powder into the flames, and when it turned green, he tried to usher Ginny into the hearth. Ginny jerked away from her brother as her eyes darted wildly around. The fire slowly returned to its normal shade of orange. Ron looked helplessly at the rest of her family.
Although her family offered her varied assurances of her safety, Ginny refused to step into any of the fireplaces. Finally they relented with a resigned sigh and drew off to one side to allow the queue of witches and wizards that had materialized behind them to use the fireplaces.
"Fleur and I better get to Floogle Castle," Bill said quietly, "or the boys will reduce it to ruins." They soon disapparated from the lobby and left rest of their family to determine a solution.
"I guess we could flag down the Knight Bus," Ron suggested.
"No," Hermione said, turning slightly green, "A person can barely stomach that contraption when they're well, let alone after getting out of the hospital."
"Well, she can't apparate," George said.
"She's never been certified," Fred added.
"Well just have to take the Muggle train," Mrs. Weasley said with a resigned sigh.
Harry and Hermione exchanged panicked looks. The Weasley Family didn't mix well with the Muggle population. "Maybe we shouldn't all go," Hermione suggested quickly, "We don't want to cause a spectacle."
Harry could see the reluctance dance on each of the Weasley's faces, but none of them were particularly excited about wasting time on inefficient Muggle travel. Hermione strengthened her statement by gently reminding her in-laws of their history of causing havoc among Muggles and suggesting that their time would be better spent preparing Floogle Castle.
"Harry and I can escort Ginny to Floogle Castle, "Hermione reasoned. "We can be there in a few hours."
Ron perked up at his wife's statement. "Mione," he said, "You're pregnant."
Hermione shot Ron a quelling look. "Yes Ron," she groaned, "Pregnant not handicapped."
Harry decided to put this fire out before it got out of control. "I can take Ginny home."
Hermione turned her glare onto Harry. "I'm perfectly fit to travel."
"Yes," Harry sighed, "But there is no reason why you need to subject yourself to a two hour train ride."
"This is ridiculous," Mrs. Weasley said cutting off any further discussion. "Harry would you please take Ginny to Floogle Castle."
"Absolutely," Harry replied.
After the Weasley's had apparated, Harry conjured coats for himself and Ginny. He ignored the stares of St. Mungo's employees and visitors as he unceremoniously led Ginny towards the street entrance. A few minutes later, Harry and Ginny immerged from the front window of Purge and Dowse Ltd.
It was mid-week and the Muggle shopping district surrounding St. Mungo's wasn't overly hectic. Still, Harry felt Ginny recoil from the rush of noise from the street. "It's okay," he whispered stepping closer and turning down the street.
Almost on cue, the gray London sky began to drizzle. Harry reached inside his jacket to magically produce an umbrella, but a hand stayed his arm. "It's all right," Ginny said softly, "I like the rain."
Harry tried to hide his surprise as he looked over at Ginny. Her lips were curved up in the barest hint of a smile, and she deeply inhaled the scent of the city. Reflexively, he did the same. The air smelled of cars, rain, and perfume from a nearby shop. "All right," he agreed while turning up his collar. "I can take it if you can."
They walked side by side past the Muggle shops. Harry observed Ginny closely. She seemed interested in the shop displays and the city in general, but she jumped slightly whenever a Muggle would emerge suddenly from a shop or whiz by in a car. Once a group of young people dressed in the more outlandish end of modern fashion passed by on the pavement, and Ginny ducked behind Harry. "Are you all right?" Harry asked.
Ginny re-emerged from behind him. Her cheeks were stained red as she uttered, "Everything has changed."
"A lot can happen in ten years," Harry agreed.
"It felt more like a hundred," Ginny murmured. She shivered violently.
Harry had learned from his earlier mistake and didn't press Ginny on her statement. He did, however, hail a taxi to take them to King's Cross Station.
Almost immediately after giving directions to the driver, Harry regretted his decision on the taxi. The inside of the vehicle smelled strongly of fried fish, and the cabby seemed determined to reach the train station in world record time. Harry had a tough time keeping his expression calm and comforting.
The driver didn't fail to notice his fare's reactions. He caught Harry's eye in the mirror, "Pardon me Guv'nor, but is your missus all right?"
Harry's eyes darted quickly over to Ginny. Her pale face had become even paler as she clutched the door for dear life. "She just got out of the hospital," he explained.
"Sorry to hear that Guv," the cabby replied. "Nothing serious I hope."
"I was hit by a taxi on my way to church," Ginny remarked.
The jerking motion of the taxi hid Harry's snort of laughter as the cabby practically stood on the break. He and Ginny shared a secret smile, and the rest of their cab ride proceeded in an extremely reasonable pace.
When they arrived at the station, Harry opened the door for Ginny. He kept an eye on her as he paid the driver.
"Pardon me for saying so Guv," the driver said, "But isn't it a bit daft to be making her ride in a taxi after her accident."
Harry had to curtail his urge to throttle the cabby. "Best to get back on the horse," he muttered.
"What was he on about?" Ginny asked Harry as he held the door to the station for her.
"He was berating me for being an insensitive husband," he chuckled. "Too soon after the accident, you see."
Harry purchased two tickets to York. They had twenty minutes until their train departed from the platform, so Harry and Ginny wandered about the various shops. They seemed to be naturally drawn to Platforms Nine and Ten.
Ginny ran her fingers slowly over the brick of the barrier between Platforms Nine and Ten. "I wonder if the Hogwart's Express is sitting at the station on the other side." She carefully leaned against the barrier, but it remained firm.
"I think it only works when there is a scheduled departure," Harry explained, but he couldn't stop his fingers from fondly tracing the outlines of the brick.
To the Muggle on-lookers, it was curious to see two young people so enthralled with a pillar. "Maybe they're building inspectors," one woman commented to her spouse.
"More likely," her husband grumbled, "They're up to no good."
Harry and Ginny were oblivious to the Muggle scrutiny. "This is where we first met, do you remember?" Ginny asked.
"How could I forget," Harry replied. "I was so nervous about getting onto Platform Nine and Three-quarters."
"I wanted so badly to go with Ron to Hogwarts," Ginny reminisced. "I cried when the train left."
"I know," Harry said, "I was watching. I'd never seen a whole family of wizards before. I thought that you were all terribly fascinating."
Ginny giggled at the idea. "I remember that I wanted to get onto the train just to see you, and Mum told me that we weren't at a zoo."
Harry was struck at that moment by how natural talking to Ginny felt. It was a strange flash of normalcy in what had been a chaotic past couple of days. Harry would have liked to remain by the barrier chatting with Ginny over old familiar memories of more innocent times, but the announcement that their train was now boarding drew them away from the entrance to Platform 9 ¾.
Ginny returned to her frightened and nervous behavior during the noise and confusion of boarding the train, but once they were settled into their compartment and the train was speeding away from London, she seemed to calm down. Ginny appeared engrossed with the scenery racing by the window, and eventually the sway of the train lulled her to sleep.
Harry remained vigilantly by her side. He didn't want to risk having her wake up to find him not there. She would be terrified. He also wanted to ensure that other passengers did not interrupt her rest. As it turned out, Ginny slept peacefully all the way into York, and Harry had to gently shake her awake.
Harry and Ginny departed from the railway station and took a bus out into the countryside. They were dropped off by a small Muggle village, and began the last leg of their journey on foot.
The rain had departed from this region of the country, and the setting sun was reflected in the puddles on the country road. Ginny had kept quietly to herself since leaving London, so Harry was surprised when she asked, "Where are we going?"
"Floogle Castle," Harry replied, "It's not very far from here."
They walked on for a bit. Harry stuffed his hands into his pockets and allowed his gaze to follow the silhouette of a stonewall that lined the road. Ginny's voice broke into his private revelry again, "Why can't I go to the Burrow?"
Harry swung his eyes back to Ginny. She was walking with her head slightly down and her eyes were fixed blankly on the ground. The colors of the sunset danced and blazed in her hair. "The Burrow is gone," he explained. A grimace flashed across the Ginny's face, and a fresh wave of anger filled Harry. He sent a rock flying off the road with a swift kick. "It was destroyed in a retaliation attack about a year after Lord Voldemort was defeated." Harry paused to send another rock flying over the stonewall with his foot. "We never caught the person responsible."
"Malfoy," Ginny hissed. She turned her face away from Harry, but he caught a glimpse of a tear trickle down her cheek.
"That's what Ron thinks too," Harry agreed. "There 's no proof of course, but it's just the sort of rotten thing he'd do."
They continued along in silence accompanied by the slight crunching of their feet on the gravel. Neither looked at the other, but they both had the same thoughts.
"What is this castle place?" Ginny asked after a bit.
"Floogle Castle is my home," Harry said proudly. "Ron and Hermione live there with me, and it's become sort of a second home for the rest of your family."
Ginny's voice was small and broken when she asked, "Can I stay there?"
"Yes, of course," Harry said quickly, "Floogle Castle is your home for as long as you like."
"Thank you Harry," Ginny whispered softly.
Harry halted abruptly and turned towards Ginny. She continued on a few steps before turning slightly to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry Ginny," Harry blurted. "I'm sorry that you've lost so much of your life, and I'm sorry that the world you knew is gone."
Ginny gave a slight nod and turned back down the road. Harry quickly fell back in step with her. "It's all right, Harry," Ginny said. She took a deep breath and smiled. "I'll be okay."
A/N: If you're wondering why it has taken so long for me to update, the answer is simple. My computer broke. I've had to go several rounds with the peeps from the manufacturer and it looks like things are finally resolved.
Harry Potter and the Lost Library
Chapter 6: Homeward Bound
Harry was released from Ginny's room when Mrs. Weasley and Hermione appeared to prepare Ginny for the trip to Floogle Castle. He went in search of Ron and found him sitting quietly in the visitor's tearoom. Harry purchased a cup of tea and some biscuits before joining Ron at his table.
"How'd it go?" Ron asked before reaching out to grab a biscuit.
"It didn't really," Harry sighed. He took a sip of tea that he instantly regretted. The liquid's temperature was just shy of nuclear. He inhale quickly and took the time to mourn the loss of his taste buds before continuing. "We had sort of a strange conversation about bed springs."
Ron's eyebrows shot up.
"Don't ask," Harry sighed, "It was all rather embarrassing. I tried to ask her where she'd been, but she locked up tighter than a vault at Gringott's."
Ron paused thoughtfully. "Hermione thinks that if we figure out where Ginny was trapped, we can help her get better."
"What do you think?" Harry asked while stirring his tea to cool it down.
"You remember that time I ordered a Muggle bi-circle for Dad's birthday," Ron said.
"Bicycle," Harry corrected.
"And when it arrived, it was in a million pieces," Ron continued.
"Yeah," Harry remembered, "You and I tried to put it together, but the instructions were in French. Fleur and Hermione ended up assembling it."
"That's exactly how I feel right now with Ginny." As Ron paused to massage his temple, Harry thought he looked much older than his twenty-seven years.
"It'll be alright mate," Harry said with a cheeriness he didn't quite feel. "Some rest and relaxation in the country, and Ginny will be fine."
Ron snorted, "That's what I said to Mum and Dad when I told them about taking to Ginny to Floogle Castle, and I didn't believe it either."
"They weren't too thrilled with our plan, huh?" Harry asked. He was eager to change the subject.
"At first, Mum wasn't too happy, but Dad and I were able to convince her it was the best thing for Ginny. Unfortunately, we'll probably have the whole family descending on the castle now," Ron said.
"I sort of expected as much," Harry murmured.
Harry and Ron fell into a companionable silence. Both were too exhausted, confused, and thought burdened to manage a conversation. They remained like that until George appeared to draw them back downstairs.
They returned to Ginny's room to find it bubbling with activity. Bill and Fleur had arrived with their sons, Will and Arty. The two little boys had inherited their mother's angelic eyes, their father's red hair, and their precocious nature from their twin uncles. Will was currently trying to squirm away from underneath his father's firm hand while Arty had sidled his way next to Ginny. Harry was slightly alarmed to see that the youngest Weasley was in the process of interrogating his new aunt.
"Dad said that you were his Sis. Does that make you my Aunt?" the boy demanded.
Ginny was staring the little boy sitting next to her with wide-eyed amazement. She responded by merely nodding her head.
"Then how come I never met you before? Were you captured by garden gnomes and held prisoner in their underground dungeon. Will says that's what happens when you turn your back on the rose bushes. Will even showed me the tracks in the mud from when the gnomes dragged our older brother Eddy away. Mum says that I never had an older brother named Eddy, but Will said that Mum and Dad don't talk about Eddy anymore because they liked him more than me. Sometimes I wish Eddy was still around and that the gnomes had dragged Will away instead. Did you see Eddy in the gnome dungeon?" Arty paused to take a deep breath. He climbed on to Ginny's lap and began playing with her braid. "You have red hair like me. Mum says it's the Weasley curse, but Will told me what the real Weasley curse is. He said that the youngest Weasley sprouts wings out of their backs. I told him that was rubbish because Uncle Ron doesn't have wings, but then he said that Uncle Ron hides them under his jumper."
"Arthur," the sharp voice of Mrs. Weasley cut through the air. She had drawn herself away from the adults to reproach her young grandson. "Stop pestering your Aunt."
"Sorry Gran," Arty said while quickly scrambling off Ginny's lap.
"Don't pay any attention to him dear," Mrs. Weasley said to Ginny while softly smoothing her daughter's hair. "He and his brother have very active imaginations."
"Dear," Mr. Weasley appeared at the door, "Healer Pye says that everything is taken care of, and Ginny is free to go."
"Wonderful," Ron said while helping Ginny to stand. "I never cared for St. Mungo's."
Harry noticed that Ginny was a bit wobbly on her feet. He automatically stepped forward and took her arm. The clothes she was wearing must have belonged to Hermione because the skirt was several inches too short and the jumper was loose on her. Still, she looked loads better in Hermione's ill- fitting clothes than that worn Hogwarts uniform she had been wearing previously.
Harry escorted Ginny out of her room. He couldn't help but notice that the nurses, healers, and visitors were watching the Weasley family's progress a little too closely as they passed. Once, he deliberately stepped close to Ginny to block a particularly curious witch's stare. Despite the attention they were attracting, the party made it to St. Mungo's lobby without incident.
The family approached a row of rather large fireplaces that lined a short stretch of wall. Mr. Weasley ambled forward and grabbed what appeared to be a chipped bedpan full of complimentary floo powder. He awkwardly held it out to Ginny. "Floogle Castle is the name of our destination," he said, "Make sure you pronounce it clearly."
Ginny stared blankly at her father and the bedpan. They stood motionless until Mrs. Weasley said, "William. Arthur. Why don't you show your aunt how it's done?"
Will and Arty rushed forward and each took a handful of powder from their grandfather. They ran over to side-by-side fireplaces and tossed the powder inside. When the flames turned green, they stepped in side and yelled, "Floogle Castle." Harry felt Ginny jump when her nephews disappeared, and she clutched his arm tightly.
"Go ahead dear," Mrs. Weasley coached gently.
Ginny remained frozen. The seconds ticked passed uncomfortably.
"Ron," Mrs. Weasley said, "Help your sister."
Ron quickly stepped forward. He grabbed a handful of floo powder and pulled Ginny to stand in front of one of the fireplaces. He tossed the powder into the flames, and when it turned green, he tried to usher Ginny into the hearth. Ginny jerked away from her brother as her eyes darted wildly around. The fire slowly returned to its normal shade of orange. Ron looked helplessly at the rest of her family.
Although her family offered her varied assurances of her safety, Ginny refused to step into any of the fireplaces. Finally they relented with a resigned sigh and drew off to one side to allow the queue of witches and wizards that had materialized behind them to use the fireplaces.
"Fleur and I better get to Floogle Castle," Bill said quietly, "or the boys will reduce it to ruins." They soon disapparated from the lobby and left rest of their family to determine a solution.
"I guess we could flag down the Knight Bus," Ron suggested.
"No," Hermione said, turning slightly green, "A person can barely stomach that contraption when they're well, let alone after getting out of the hospital."
"Well, she can't apparate," George said.
"She's never been certified," Fred added.
"Well just have to take the Muggle train," Mrs. Weasley said with a resigned sigh.
Harry and Hermione exchanged panicked looks. The Weasley Family didn't mix well with the Muggle population. "Maybe we shouldn't all go," Hermione suggested quickly, "We don't want to cause a spectacle."
Harry could see the reluctance dance on each of the Weasley's faces, but none of them were particularly excited about wasting time on inefficient Muggle travel. Hermione strengthened her statement by gently reminding her in-laws of their history of causing havoc among Muggles and suggesting that their time would be better spent preparing Floogle Castle.
"Harry and I can escort Ginny to Floogle Castle, "Hermione reasoned. "We can be there in a few hours."
Ron perked up at his wife's statement. "Mione," he said, "You're pregnant."
Hermione shot Ron a quelling look. "Yes Ron," she groaned, "Pregnant not handicapped."
Harry decided to put this fire out before it got out of control. "I can take Ginny home."
Hermione turned her glare onto Harry. "I'm perfectly fit to travel."
"Yes," Harry sighed, "But there is no reason why you need to subject yourself to a two hour train ride."
"This is ridiculous," Mrs. Weasley said cutting off any further discussion. "Harry would you please take Ginny to Floogle Castle."
"Absolutely," Harry replied.
After the Weasley's had apparated, Harry conjured coats for himself and Ginny. He ignored the stares of St. Mungo's employees and visitors as he unceremoniously led Ginny towards the street entrance. A few minutes later, Harry and Ginny immerged from the front window of Purge and Dowse Ltd.
It was mid-week and the Muggle shopping district surrounding St. Mungo's wasn't overly hectic. Still, Harry felt Ginny recoil from the rush of noise from the street. "It's okay," he whispered stepping closer and turning down the street.
Almost on cue, the gray London sky began to drizzle. Harry reached inside his jacket to magically produce an umbrella, but a hand stayed his arm. "It's all right," Ginny said softly, "I like the rain."
Harry tried to hide his surprise as he looked over at Ginny. Her lips were curved up in the barest hint of a smile, and she deeply inhaled the scent of the city. Reflexively, he did the same. The air smelled of cars, rain, and perfume from a nearby shop. "All right," he agreed while turning up his collar. "I can take it if you can."
They walked side by side past the Muggle shops. Harry observed Ginny closely. She seemed interested in the shop displays and the city in general, but she jumped slightly whenever a Muggle would emerge suddenly from a shop or whiz by in a car. Once a group of young people dressed in the more outlandish end of modern fashion passed by on the pavement, and Ginny ducked behind Harry. "Are you all right?" Harry asked.
Ginny re-emerged from behind him. Her cheeks were stained red as she uttered, "Everything has changed."
"A lot can happen in ten years," Harry agreed.
"It felt more like a hundred," Ginny murmured. She shivered violently.
Harry had learned from his earlier mistake and didn't press Ginny on her statement. He did, however, hail a taxi to take them to King's Cross Station.
Almost immediately after giving directions to the driver, Harry regretted his decision on the taxi. The inside of the vehicle smelled strongly of fried fish, and the cabby seemed determined to reach the train station in world record time. Harry had a tough time keeping his expression calm and comforting.
The driver didn't fail to notice his fare's reactions. He caught Harry's eye in the mirror, "Pardon me Guv'nor, but is your missus all right?"
Harry's eyes darted quickly over to Ginny. Her pale face had become even paler as she clutched the door for dear life. "She just got out of the hospital," he explained.
"Sorry to hear that Guv," the cabby replied. "Nothing serious I hope."
"I was hit by a taxi on my way to church," Ginny remarked.
The jerking motion of the taxi hid Harry's snort of laughter as the cabby practically stood on the break. He and Ginny shared a secret smile, and the rest of their cab ride proceeded in an extremely reasonable pace.
When they arrived at the station, Harry opened the door for Ginny. He kept an eye on her as he paid the driver.
"Pardon me for saying so Guv," the driver said, "But isn't it a bit daft to be making her ride in a taxi after her accident."
Harry had to curtail his urge to throttle the cabby. "Best to get back on the horse," he muttered.
"What was he on about?" Ginny asked Harry as he held the door to the station for her.
"He was berating me for being an insensitive husband," he chuckled. "Too soon after the accident, you see."
Harry purchased two tickets to York. They had twenty minutes until their train departed from the platform, so Harry and Ginny wandered about the various shops. They seemed to be naturally drawn to Platforms Nine and Ten.
Ginny ran her fingers slowly over the brick of the barrier between Platforms Nine and Ten. "I wonder if the Hogwart's Express is sitting at the station on the other side." She carefully leaned against the barrier, but it remained firm.
"I think it only works when there is a scheduled departure," Harry explained, but he couldn't stop his fingers from fondly tracing the outlines of the brick.
To the Muggle on-lookers, it was curious to see two young people so enthralled with a pillar. "Maybe they're building inspectors," one woman commented to her spouse.
"More likely," her husband grumbled, "They're up to no good."
Harry and Ginny were oblivious to the Muggle scrutiny. "This is where we first met, do you remember?" Ginny asked.
"How could I forget," Harry replied. "I was so nervous about getting onto Platform Nine and Three-quarters."
"I wanted so badly to go with Ron to Hogwarts," Ginny reminisced. "I cried when the train left."
"I know," Harry said, "I was watching. I'd never seen a whole family of wizards before. I thought that you were all terribly fascinating."
Ginny giggled at the idea. "I remember that I wanted to get onto the train just to see you, and Mum told me that we weren't at a zoo."
Harry was struck at that moment by how natural talking to Ginny felt. It was a strange flash of normalcy in what had been a chaotic past couple of days. Harry would have liked to remain by the barrier chatting with Ginny over old familiar memories of more innocent times, but the announcement that their train was now boarding drew them away from the entrance to Platform 9 ¾.
Ginny returned to her frightened and nervous behavior during the noise and confusion of boarding the train, but once they were settled into their compartment and the train was speeding away from London, she seemed to calm down. Ginny appeared engrossed with the scenery racing by the window, and eventually the sway of the train lulled her to sleep.
Harry remained vigilantly by her side. He didn't want to risk having her wake up to find him not there. She would be terrified. He also wanted to ensure that other passengers did not interrupt her rest. As it turned out, Ginny slept peacefully all the way into York, and Harry had to gently shake her awake.
Harry and Ginny departed from the railway station and took a bus out into the countryside. They were dropped off by a small Muggle village, and began the last leg of their journey on foot.
The rain had departed from this region of the country, and the setting sun was reflected in the puddles on the country road. Ginny had kept quietly to herself since leaving London, so Harry was surprised when she asked, "Where are we going?"
"Floogle Castle," Harry replied, "It's not very far from here."
They walked on for a bit. Harry stuffed his hands into his pockets and allowed his gaze to follow the silhouette of a stonewall that lined the road. Ginny's voice broke into his private revelry again, "Why can't I go to the Burrow?"
Harry swung his eyes back to Ginny. She was walking with her head slightly down and her eyes were fixed blankly on the ground. The colors of the sunset danced and blazed in her hair. "The Burrow is gone," he explained. A grimace flashed across the Ginny's face, and a fresh wave of anger filled Harry. He sent a rock flying off the road with a swift kick. "It was destroyed in a retaliation attack about a year after Lord Voldemort was defeated." Harry paused to send another rock flying over the stonewall with his foot. "We never caught the person responsible."
"Malfoy," Ginny hissed. She turned her face away from Harry, but he caught a glimpse of a tear trickle down her cheek.
"That's what Ron thinks too," Harry agreed. "There 's no proof of course, but it's just the sort of rotten thing he'd do."
They continued along in silence accompanied by the slight crunching of their feet on the gravel. Neither looked at the other, but they both had the same thoughts.
"What is this castle place?" Ginny asked after a bit.
"Floogle Castle is my home," Harry said proudly. "Ron and Hermione live there with me, and it's become sort of a second home for the rest of your family."
Ginny's voice was small and broken when she asked, "Can I stay there?"
"Yes, of course," Harry said quickly, "Floogle Castle is your home for as long as you like."
"Thank you Harry," Ginny whispered softly.
Harry halted abruptly and turned towards Ginny. She continued on a few steps before turning slightly to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry Ginny," Harry blurted. "I'm sorry that you've lost so much of your life, and I'm sorry that the world you knew is gone."
Ginny gave a slight nod and turned back down the road. Harry quickly fell back in step with her. "It's all right, Harry," Ginny said. She took a deep breath and smiled. "I'll be okay."