A Midsummer's Daydream
By ASortofWing
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Harry Potter or anything related to him, either. ; Humph.
Beginning Note: Thanks to Lee21323, Schatje, and Luna Lovegood8 for their sweet comments on the last two chapters.. It's really appreciated. I slave on for you! (If you comment later on, thanks to you too. I'll put your name in with the next chapter as well.) Anyway, here's more ramble:
The story thus far: Harry Potter and his friends have just finished their 6th year in Hogwarts. With the ending of this year, new ways of life has made its way to the wizarding community. With the loss of Albus Dumbledore, the esteemed headmaster of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry and the ever present threat from Lord Voldemort people are now considering how important being with the one you love is now instead of worrying about their safety in the future. Harry is staying at his best friend Ron Weasley's house with his family for the special occasion of Ron's brother's wedding. After being in the same house as his former girlfriend Ginny, Harry is reminded how much he will miss her. Harry then decides to make his final two weeks at the Burrow lasting ones with Ginny. But does Ginny still love him too? Will their relationship ever be the same?
After a tiring game of quidditch Ginny and Harry take a time out on the Burrow's porch. During the rest the two begin to speak about their feelings about the upcoming wedding. A touchy subject for Ginny – but Harry seems to know how to comfort her. Time is running out for him to tell her. The sooner the better. And what's this with Ron's letter from Hermione?
Chapter Three: A Dead Man's Room
The rest of Tuesday past with unusual speed. After an uncomfortable lunch, Harry was left no free time with Ginny and was forced to watch and help critique Fred and Georges's new sales pitch for their latest invention; Elasto-Wands. From what Harry got out of it, an Elasto-Wand was a fake wand that when given a wave, it would strech and hit it's target in the face or any place else it was aimed. Between the demonstrations, Harry would glance over at Ginny to see if she was looking back at him. Most of the time she was not. The only time she was was when a practice wave from George missed its target, Ron, and got him instead. With a new welt on his forehead he spent the rest of the day looking over he and Ron's supply letters for their upcoming seventh year at Hogwarts in the kitchen.
"Standard Book of Spells Volume 7 for charms… Thorns, Puss with no Muss for Herbology..," Droned Ron, eyeing his list with a look of familiar resistance. "Looks like the same old stuff to me."
"Yeah," Said Harry, gazing at his list as well. "'Thorns, Puss with no Muss'?" He repeated, looking up at Ron, his complexion sickening. "That doesn't sound pleasant, Mate. Glad I won't be there. Though, it would be nice to see Dean covered in puss." Harry Grinned. Dean was Ginny's past boyfriend and Harry did not think of him kindly.
"I can't believe you're skipping out on Hogwarts. I suppose it's for the best – with you-know-who and all," Ron said, his voice becoming particularly quiet when mentioning you-know-who. "But, it won't be the same without you in any case." He added to prove his point.
"Thanks Mate; but it's what I have to do." Said Harry, frowning slightly with his eyebrows narrowed.
It's what I have to do. He thought. I have to protect the ones I love. I have to make them proud. Without them, I wouldn't be who I am now.
Harry looked at Ron fondly, then looked at the Burrow's kitchen around him. It was all so warm and welcoming. To think that someone would want to destroy all this was unforgivable.
I will do it. I'll make Dumbledore, my friends and my Parents proud. I'll keep the Burrow and everyone safe. I will keep Ginny safe.
The next day came loudly and in a hurry. Harry rose out of bed with a start and looked around. He heard frantic steps below him and did not see Ron's sleeping mass beside him. As he fumbled for his glasses he heard the sound of Mrs. Weasley's voice from below.
"Ron, dear! Your shoes are by the door! WHAT? THE DOOR, DEAR."
Once Harry could see clearly he pulled on a shirt and sped downward. What's going on? Are they in trouble? How long have I been asleep? He wondered, a little panicky. That night was unbearably hot. During his sleep Harry tossed, turned and ended up taking his over shirt off to try and become more comfortable. However, he was left with no relief from the heat and nightmares of Voldemort threatening the Weasleys and for some reason, one of the lawn gnomes in their front yard. Needless to say, he was not fully awake. He reached the first floor a bit winded.
As he looked around he saw Fred and George searching for their bunch of Elasto-wands in the couch crack. (A/N LOL, I'm sorry. I can't think of any other word for the crack of the couch! Lmao. Okay, okay. Back to the story.) Ron was near the back door putting on his shoes, while Mrs. Weasley was hurrying about, shuffling her feet and trying to get everyone up and on the move. When she turned the corner to walk up the stairs and wake Ginny, she met Harry and gasped, startled.
"Oh! Harry dear, My goodness. I thought you were asleep, Oh.. You have me a fright just then!" She chuckled, straightening her hat and patting him on the shoulder. "Hope we didn't wake you, Harry dear. Just off to Diagon Alley for this years school things. Have to get Ginny up now, If you'll excuse me."
"Oh, yeah, No, you didn't wake me." He said, moving out of her way.
Mrs. Weasley smiled and bustled up the stairs, stopping halfway to glance over at him again.
"Harry, I know you plan on not going to Hogwarts this year," She said, a small hint of disappointment in her voice, "But I know what you're facing so I'm not going to give you anything more to chew on. But if you'd like to join us today and get anything you need to you certainly can." She added, a little more hopefully.
Harry had bigger plans.
"N-No thank you Mrs. Weasley. I think I'll stay here and... catch up with Bill." He lied, shrugging. He did want to catch up with Bill, of course. Just not today. Apparently, there was a room a bit up the stairs that caught Harry's eye a little more than Bill's toothy grin.
"Well, alright then. Help yourself to some breakfast when you get hungry. I left you a plate." Mrs. Weasley replied, indicating the lone plate on the table. Knowing Mrs. Weasley it was still warm – enchanted to be so until consumed.
As she turned to go up the stairs and wake her daughter, Harry sat and ate his, as predicted, warm breakfast. No matter how big and fluffy the blueberry pancakes were in front of him, they could not take his mind from his task for the day: Inspect Ginny's room. He considered it his duty – there could be ploys from Voldemort to use her again. He would have to examine every nook and cranny he could to make sure it was safe for her.
Plus, it's Ginny's room. I bet Ron even hasn't been in it!
Harry smirked to himself. In truth, it wasn't about Voldemort. It was about him being in Ginny's room. Her sanctuary. He would go and learn everything he could about her and hopefully come to the conclusion that she still loves him.
Because Ron says she still talks about me. He thought, defensively. If I told her I still had feelings for he and she didn't return them it would be pointless! I have to go through her room. .. Voldemort might have something hidden for her. Though, if I get caught she would hate me hands down. ..But.. Voldemort… and Ron..
As Harry's mind fought the good fight, Ginny fought to stay in bed. A full half an hour from when Mrs. Weasley left to rise her, a second plate of Blueberry pancakes zoomed to the seat across from Harry, interrupting his clash of thoughts. Seconds afterward, Ginny plopped reluctantly into her seat and began to eat, huffily. She cut her pancakes with her eyes drooping like there were weights under her lids. Harry watched her, his eyebrows rising. Was this Ginny in the morning? At least she was dressed unlike himself.
"Good Morning," He said, leaning forward a bit to get her attention. He began to wonder if an air horn wouldn't be more helpful.
"Good, indeed," She said, sarcastically. She ate her pancakes quietly, but Harry could tell she had something on her mind.
"Um, Ginny... What's the matter? Are you okay?" He asked, eating a bit more of his pancake.
"I couldn't sleep last night. There was too much ruckus from upstairs. I think Ron has some problems with sleepwalking or.. something. Whatever it is, I have mind to tell him he's a nutter and he's waking me up!" She said, stabbing her pancake with her fork.
As she fumed, Harry began to wonder if it was really a sleepwalking problem Ron had. His mind traveled to the day previously when he had went up to the Attic for his broom and found the letter Hermione sent him. Could he be getting them and replying at night? He looked over at Ron by Fred and George and the couch. Apparently he had begun to help with the search for the missing Elasto-Wands.
His eyes do look a little droopy. Maybe he is waking up to reply. It would make sense. Maybe I should check it out today if I have time…
"A-HAH!" Bellowed Fred, whipping 5 Elasto-Wands up in his left hand, each of them stretching upward to hit the ceiling loudly. Dust and small bits of wood rained on them while Mrs. Weasley came from upstairs with a bag in her hand and red-faced.
"All right, Weasleys!" She rang, calling attention to herself dramatically. "To the fireplace now, dears! We have a busy day ahead of us, lots to get!" As half the room and Ginny migrated to the fireplace, Mrs. Weasley began to give out the usual Floo Powder instructions.
"Clear voices now, dears. Fred, George, meet us home no later than 4:00. All right? Go on now." She said, holding out a flower pot type container filled with sandy powder.
Fred and George were the first to go into the fireplace and disappear in a green conflagration. Next came Charlie, whom Harry didn't notice when he got up. Then Ron and finally it was Ginny's turn. He watched her as she took her place in the hearth and held her hand full of powder in front of her. For s split second, she looked over in Harry's direction, grinned, and winked at him before saying, "Diagon Alley!" and was gone as the others went.
Soon came the time when Harry decided he would search Ginny's room. He was dressed, washed, and ready to take the plunge and go where no man, except Mr. Weasley, has ever plunged before.
Ginny's Room.
As Harry came down from the attic, he looked over to his right into the shining room before him. With a step forward, he was in the doorway where hardwood floor met hardwood floor. He gulped as nervousness over took him. To get caught was unthinkable. To become hated by the room's keeper was unfathomable. To go without knowing where Ginny kept her undergarments… was impossible. As he stepped though the threshold, he held his breath, as though the Whomping Willow was going to come down and strike him where he stood. ..But, there was nothing. There was only the sound of a songbird outside singing a tune though an open window.
Before him was a twin sized bed dressed with a white comforter and matching sheets. In the center of the bed was one white pillow with the word Ginevra engraved neatly in the lower right corner of its case. Harry began to walk gently to it, cautious not to bring Bill or Fleur's attention to him. He stepped over a soft rug which laid atop the hardwood floor – Ginny's only source of carpet. It had a chocolate stain on it near one of it's edges – Harry decided it added character.
Harry had reached her bed. The thing she slept on. As Harry leaned forward, his hand met with the fluffy comforter and instantly, his mind became riddled with scenarios.
"Harry," Said Ginny sitting on her bed with her hands in her lap. Her thumbs were fiddling with each other while her feet were tucked under her bed's dust skirt. "What if someone comes in? They might see something.." She continued, nervousness clearly presented in her voice
"It's alright. Everyone's gone to Diagon Alley. We have hours, Ginny." Harry said, leaning in closer to her. He was standing in front of her sitting form, his hands on each side of her flat on the comforter.
"If we hear someone, you'll have to act like you're looking for something, okay?" She asked, glancing up at him. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes no longer had that stern look like they do after a Quidditch game.
"Of course…" Said Harry, his voice trailing off once his lips met Ginny's. He sighed in memory of their kiss. This kiss was different, however.. It wasn't the reaction of a well anticipated win in Quidditch. This kiss was deeper, more intent. Lustful.
Then..
They were on the very bed. He could only see his face glistening with sweat as he took a deep breath inward. Ginny was clutching his arm with one hand and the other was on his back, pressing her fingers into it. No one was around, No one was even aware they were together. It was just them. Forever.
Harry's eyes focused and he realized he was staring up at Ginny's ceiling. There were pictures of she and Luna, Hermione, Ron, a clipping of the newspaper photo from the time they went to Egypt and a picture… of him. Harry looked at himself with a small smile. Maybe he did think of him after all.. Harry sighed and put his hands behind his head comfortably.
Man.. I could get used to this. This bed is so comfortable. Much better than that second hand piece of plywood I slept on at the Dursleys.. He thought, irritably. I should get going if I want to see about that letter from Hermione…
Harry unwillingly got off of Ginny's bed and stood. Facing him was a large oak bureau with lackadaisical drawers. Some were tilted to the left, others to the right.. but the whole structure looked stable. He ran his hand along the smooth surface of the drawer and rested it on its handle.
To open.. Or not to open. That is the question.
Harry shut his eyes and slowly began to pull on the handle, its drawer opening gradually as well. Suddenly, Harry heard Ginny's voice ring from the gap between the bureau and it's drawer.
HARRY POTTER! PLEASE DO NOT GO THROUGH MY THINGS! SHUT THIS DRAWER IMMEDIATE-
Harry gasped and shut the drawer as told and sped out of the room. He should have known Ginny was going to set an alarm on her drawers. Maybe something from Fred and George. Since Harry was underage, he could not use magic to silence the voice so he decided to check out anything else he could before the Weasley's returned.
Once inside, Harry began to examine the place. He found empty Chocolate Frog wrappers, half full boxes of Berty Bott's Every Flavor Beans and random other candy things. He found a small cage where Arnold, her new Pygmy puff fluttered happily and an alarm clock. Here was a hamper for her dirty clothes, a used trunk for Hogwarts full of random magical things and a side table with a few books, each with its own bookmark in a different place. He sighed. There was nothing really out of the ordinary..
Under the bed!
He practically dove under her bed and was greeted by a large shoe box. Jackpot! He thought, scurrying it out from its dusty grave and bringing it to him. He sat with his back against her bed and his legs sprawled out so the box could fit between them. Harry set his hands on either side of the boxes cover. Before he opened it, he glanced in the direction of the doorway and made sure it was clear. Then, he lifted the box top off carefully and was cheerfully, but curiously surprised with what he found.
Pictures. Pictures of him from every newspaper with the slight indication he would be in it. As he cautiously poked around the contents of the box, he found pictures he recognized. There was one from him 4 years ago with Gilderoy Lockheart in Flourish and Blotts and another of him from his recent interview with Luna Lovegood's father for the Quibbler. She had collected all of these and kept them safe in this box. Somehow, Harry thought that even if Voldemort were to come and use the most destructive curses – these pictures in this tattered box could never be harmed.
He smiled. This was all the evidence he needed. He will tell her at the wedding.
The wedding at the latest, he corrected.
Harry set the pictures back in their place and put the cover back the box. Then he slid it back in its place and stood, dusting himself off with approval. Harry had deducted that it was definitely worth risking his life for the knowledge that Ginny does think of him sometimes.
WHOOSH.
Harry jumped – they were back. He glanced at Ginny's alarm clock and was startled to find that it was already 2:00. He had to leave!
Author's Note: Urgh, Hand cramp.. I can proudly say that the only time I got up to take a break on this chapter was to eat a big piece of corn on the cob and to let my dog in. :smiles: Well, here is chapter three. Sorry it's long again. I can't ever just say it, can I? c.C; Oh well. I hope you're all enjoying the story. Next chapter will have some Ron Hermione stuff in it, I think. Not sure yet. That's for tomorrow. :shrugs:
Thank you to everyone who is checking out this story. Even if you don't review, you're still reading and I really appreciate you doing so. I hope I can make this a favorite story for everyone. I'm trying my best and it encourages me to write when I see all the hits and alerts I'm getting. So, thanks again.
See you next time!
-Jess.