Harry Potter and All There Is Left To Do Is Love
by: wish on a muggle at yahoo dot com
Chapter Three: A Birthday
After dancing a few more times with Ginny Harry retired to Ron's room to sleep, the Twins came charging in. "We have to plan your party next!" They told him.
"My what?"
Fred groaned, "Your Birthday party."
"Oh, you don't have to," said Harry sheepishly, he was afraid that the stripper they booked for Bill would somehow make an encore performance in front of Mrs. Weasley or someone like that.
"Sure we do." George added, "Of course, we'll be at Number 12."
"WHAT?" Harry sputtered.
"Well," said Fred, as if trying to remember it as he was saying it, "When you turn 17 that protection your Aunt gave you by letting you call that Muggle place home will wear off. The Burrow isn't going to be safe for you once that protection's gone. Number 12 is perfect because only the Order knows how to get there...and Snape." Fred growled as an afterthought.
"But he would be stupid to come there," George said, "Lupin and Tonks are living there now too, plus it is always full of Aurors! If he takes one step in front of Number 12 he would be dead before we could say 'Greasy Git'."
Harry smiled, he was glad that he had Fred and George as friends because they could make him laugh about the things he was dreading the most.
The next morning Mrs. Weasley was cleaning the house with surprising vigor. Harry came down for breakfast only to be disappointed. "Sorry Harry, dear," Mrs. Weasley said flicking her wand towards the sink, making the pile of china that was touching the ceiling clank around and washing themselves. "I don't have a lot of time to cook so you are stuck with cereal."
Harry sat between Ginny and George to eat his breakfast. "Do you need any help, Mrs. Weasley?"
Ginny, Ron, and the Twins looked at Harry as if he were mad, and if he did turn out to be mad they were surely going to murder him.
"Oh no, that is so sweet of you to ask," she said casting him a motherly smile and a proud look on her face, "what I want all of you to do is pack your things and get them ready by the fireplace."
Ginny gave a sigh of relief and got up from the table and said, "Well, I'll go off and do that now." Her mother smiled at her and she whispered back to Harry, "Just so I can make sure that Hermione and Ron don't take to snogging in my room."
Harry felt a tingle up his arm when she said "snogging", he knew he should stop thinking about it but he really wanted to kiss her again. Those thoughts were replaced by a burning in his stomach when an owl flew in holding a letter with Ginny's name on it. Harry took it off the owl and it flew off.
"It's for Ginny," Harry told Hermione.
"You take it to her." Ron said, "I need Hermione's help with something." Harry rolled his eyes at them and when he left the room to find Ginny he immediately held the envelope up to the light to try and see through it, but the parchment was way too thick.
Harry rapped his knuckles on Ginny's door on the second floor. "Come in."
He opened the door and walked over to her bed where she was folding things before throwing them into her trunk. "This just came for you."
"Oh thanks," Ginny said, tossing a bra into her trunk before flopping on her bed opening the letter. She read it twice before looking up at Harry. "You didn't read this did you?"
"No. Why?" Harry's insides were still burning. "Is it from Michael Corner?"
"No." Ginny said flatly. "Did Ron tell you about that?"
"Yeah," Harry said bitterly.
"Oh shut up." Ginny barked at him, placing the letter carefully in her pocket and pushing him toward the door. "Don't be upset with me, I told him I didn't like him." Harry smiled, "Now get out. I need to finish packing."
"Thanks Ginny."
"For what?" Ginny smiled at him from her doorway.
"For putting yourself in danger for me. You know, Umbridge, Department of Mysteries, and with the Death Eaters." Harry mumbled. "But I am going to make sure you are safe. I promise."
"Don't promise it, Harry. I am a foolish girl who likes to be in danger," she said with a smile. "Sirius and I were more alike than you thought," and with that she shut the door with a snap and Harry could hear her humming to herself on the other side.
Harry ran up the stairs two at a time to reach his room, thinking it better to knock...just in case, he did. There was no answer so he opened the door slowly and sure enough, he was alone.
He began to throw his clothes in his trunk at top speed, thinking he would leave the room so that Hermione and Ron could have some alone time, not that they needed it. When he finished he grabbed Hedwig's empty cage and walked down the stairs with his trunk. Hedwig zoomed in through his window and followed him down to the living room.
Hermione and Ron were heading upstairs and didn't seem to notice him. Ginny trampled downstairs with her trunk hitting every step with a loud clank. "Harry!"
"Huh?"
"Can I barrow Hedwig?" Ginny smiled sweetly. "It won't take long."
"Um..." Harry looked at the envelope in her hand, her finger was placed perfectly over the name so Harry couldn't see who it was too. "Sure."
"Hedwig," she called and the snowy owl left her spot on the back of the sofa, flew, and then landed on her outstretched arm. She tied the string around the envelope onto Hedwig's leg and whispered, "You know where this goes." And even thought Harry didn't know where it would go, Hedwig seemed to and off she went out the window.
Ginny took a seat across from Harry, "Exploding Snap?"
After two games Ron and Hermione were packed and down stairs too. They watched Harry win the third game before Ron said, "Lets play Chess!" Hermione rolled her eyes and Ron said, "You can play on my team."
Ginny turned to Harry and mouthed, "Team?" Harry, who was holding back laughter, shrugged.
"Ginny can be on Harry's." Ron added.
Harry and Ginny sat Indian-Style on the floor across from Ron, who was sitting with Hermione. Hermione and him were holding hands as if to play wizards chess you were required to hold hands with someone. Ginny made a rude hand sign under the table so that only Harry could see. He laughed.
Two minutes into the game and all Harry had was one of Ron's pawns but Ron had both of Harry's bishops, a knight, a castle, and 4 pawns. Harry looked at Ginny for help and she leaned over and whispered orders in Harry's ear.
Harry's arm burned everytime she touched it and his face became flushed everytime she breathed orders to him. In the end, Ron won, but at least Ginny and Harry put up a fight.
"Good Game," Ron said triumphantly. Hermione congratulated him with a long kiss that made Ginny make some gagging noises. Harry snorted into his hand.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley walked in, both looking very tired. "You ready to go?"
"Yes," said Hermione.
"Well," said Mrs. Weasley walking over to the fireplace. "Tonks and Remus are already there waiting. We will just clean up and put some locking spells on the house before we leave."
Mr. Weasley waved his wand and all the trunks and cages disappeared with a soft pop.
"All right, see you later, Dad." Ron grabbed a handful of Floo Powder, threw it into the fireplace and yelled, "Number 12 Grimmauld Place" and flew up the chimney.
Hermione followed and so did Ginny. Harry smiled and the Weasleys, "See you soon?"
"Dinner." Mr. Weasley said.
"Bye." And he flew through the fireplace too.
Tonks and Remus were in the dark kitchen sitting at the table eating tomato soup.
"Wotcher, Harry!" Tonks greeted happily, her hair fuchsia.
"Hi-ya, Tonks," Harry said, taking a seat next to her.
"Hedwig's here." Lupin said, pointing behind him. Harry turned around and Ginny grabbed the letter quickly.
"It's for me!" Ginny yelled, blushing and she left the room without lunch.
"Oh." Said Lupin. "I didn't read who it was to, just knew that she belonged to you." Harry nodded.
"Who was it from?" Ron asked watching the door where Ginny left. Lupin shrugged.
"I'll go talk to her," Hermione said getting up and leaving the room, grabbing two grilled-cheese sandwiches with her as she left. Harry and Ron watched her go.
"What is this about?" Tonks ask.
"Her ex-boyfriend has been writing to her," Ron told them. Tonks pointed to Harry. "No a different one."
"Not writing to her. He only wrote one..." Harry added, "That we know of."
Lupin, surprisingly, laughed. Harry looked at him like he was crazy. "Well, Harry," he said, his eyes twinkling, "you did ditch her. She doesn't have a boyfriend. She is a free girl."
Harry glared at the fireplace and Tonks laughed, "Don't worry, Harry. It looked like a female's handwriting on the letter."
Harry seemed a little more satisfied.
Over the next few days Ron and Harry went to the Ministry to practice for their Apperation test on Harry's birthday. Two days before he turned 17, both him and Ron had perfected it.
Harry was awoken early on his birthday, ran down to the kitchen where Tonks and Remus were already up, talking quietly to each other. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were up as well.
"Happy Birthday, Harry!" They told him.
"Thanks!" Harry said, he grabbed a plate of pancakes and began to eat. Ron joined him a couple of minutes later and after the finished, Mr. Weasley took them to the Ministry of Magic via Floo.
"When both of you have passed," he told them, "we can Apperate back." It made Harry very happy to know that Mr. Weasley believed he would get it on the first try. He walked in to the testing room with his head held high.
Well...he did pass on the first try. Harry happily put his new Apperation license in his wallet. Ron ran up to him a minute later waving his around like a flag. "Me too, mate!"
"Good job!" Harry said, checking Ron's eyebrows to make sure they were both there.
"Party Time!" Ron yelled, turning on the spot and disappearing with a soft whip. Harry laughed and disapperated as well. It was not his favorite way to travel but he could see the usefulness in it as well.
Harry appeared in the kitchen, knocking both himself and Ginny to the ground, he jumped up quickly to help her to her feet. "Sorry," he said.
"I'm fine, don't worry." She smiled at him but he could tell she was keeping something from him. He gave her a look but she ignored it and left the room shouting, "Congratulations boys."
Harry saw a letter sticking out of her back pocket. Harry followed her. "Ginny," he called.
"Huh?" Ginny turned and smiled.
Harry pointed to her lower region, "I can't take it anymore! Who is writing to you!"
To his surprise, Ginny smiled. "McGonagall."
"McGonagall?" repeated Harry. "What? Why?"
Ginny sighed and said to Harry, "McGonagall has moved me into the Seventh Year. She has even talked to the Minister of Magic to certify me as of age." Harry just stared at her. "Our new Headmistress seems to agree with what Dumbledore has said to me...that I am going to play a major role in this war."
Before Harry could say anything the Twins marched in singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" at the top of their lungs and levitating him with their wands, making his head hit the ceiling every few feet.
They took him into the living room on the first floor where a large banner hung saying "Happy Birthday Harry" on it. Harry wanted to talk to Ginny about what she just told him but he found that everytime he looked for her she disappeared and as soon as someone was talking to him she was talking to someone else on the opposite side of the room.
Harry got a lot of nice gifts each of which he told the gift-giver that they shouldn't have. Two hours after dinner Harry found Ginny dancing with one of the twins. She was laughing and tossing her hair side to side, making it glow in the candlelight. Harry walked over and tapped Fred on the shoulder.
"Can I cut in?" Harry asked him. Fred shrugged and started dancing with Harry which made Ginny snort. Harry rolled his eyes and pushed him away, "As much as I enjoyed that, Fred..."
"No problem, Harry." Fred winked and walked away.
Harry turned to Ginny who was muffling her giggles with her hand. Harry smiled and held his hands out to dance. She stepped closer, her eyes glowing, and danced with him.
"So now you are of age?" Harry asked her.
"Yes. McGonagall thought it would be a good idea if I was legal." Ginny shrugged, "You know...you three," she meant Harry, Ron and Hermione, "are all of age now and she seemed to think the only other person that was going to be involved was me."
"It's not, though." Harry said, looking her in the eyes. "You are not going to be in this war. You will be safe at Hogwarts."
"Try again, Harry." She frowned and left the room. Harry ran after her.
"What do you mean?" Harry said following her to the second floor and into a dark room. Ginny pulled out her wand and pointed it to the fireplace where a second later a fire was roaring.
"McGonagall also wanted me to try and convince you to come back to Hogwarts with me."
"What?" Harry yelled.
"She knows you don't want to go back, she told me to tell you to come back for just a few months. That is why I have been writing her. I've been telling her to give me a good reason."
"A good reason?" Harry spat, " Like there is one right now."
Ginny glared at him, "She is hiding something from us," she said quite loudly, "I am trying to figure out what it is but all she is telling me is that you, Hermione, Ron, and I should be at Hogwarts next month!"
Harry rested a hand on the dark sofa. The room was still completely black. He could see Ginny's face in the glow of the fire. "So she wants us to go back to safe and sound little Hogwarts while the man I am supposed to kill is out on the lose MURDERING INNOCENT PEOPLE?" He yelled.
"Hogwarts is safe, Dumbledore left it safe. The thing is, I don't see why we should go back either," Ginny shrugged.
Harry glared at her, "We?"
"Yes!" She yelled, "WE! Harry, you just have to get over this fear of yours."
"FEAR?" He took a step toward her.
"Yes, Harry. FEAR!" Ginny glared back at him. "You are scared FOR me. You are afraid I might get hurt. Have I shown any fear about getting hurt?"
"You should, what with Voldermort back to full strength" She didn't flinch.
"But I don't. I think I have proven to you that I can take care of myself."
"I know you can take care of yourself," he said, waving his hand like what she just said didn't fit in with the conversation.
Ginny didn't like that, she had a tight grip on her wand and red and gold sparks shot out and circled her for a moment. "Harry! I am going to fight with you! BY YOUR SIDE!" She walked over to him, toe-to-toe, still yelling, "SO YOU CAN EITHER STAND THERE LIKE A MAN AND TAKE IT, OR YOU CAN'T!" Her eyes began to water, "What will it be HARRY?"
Harry took a deep breath. So did all of the people standing at the door who heard yelling and decided to investigate. Harry and Ginny didn't notice them.
"I'm going to stand here," Harry said grabbing hold of Ginny, raising a hand to her face where a single tear fell down, "and kiss the woman I love."
Ginny let out a sob just as Harry put his lips on her's. Their breathing mingling as Ginny wrapped her arms around Harry's neck.
Mr. Weasley turned to Ron, "Is there something I should know about?" Mrs. Weasley was crying happy tears next to him.
"Well, Harry and Ginny started dating last term but Harry broke it off with her at Dumbledore's funeral because he was afraid that You-Know-Who would go after HER next." Ron explained to his parents.
"Let's give them some privacy," Mrs. Weasley said, ushering them from the room.
Harry broke Ginny's kiss and said, "I do love you."
"I love you too," Ginny whispered. "Lets go somewhere else. I have a weird feeling that people will walk in on us." Harry and Ginny made their way up to Harry's room which already had his presents in it. Harry locked the door as Ginny went over to his bed.
They started just where they left off in the dark living room, toe-to-toe and kissing. Harry's hands cupped her face, he rubbed his thumb over her soft skin and her hands reached his bottom. He jumped a little when she first squeezed his right butt check.
Ginny giggled and pushed him down on the bed. Harry's body grew very warm as she climbed on top of him, kissing him and unbuttoning his shirt. "Ginny?" Harry whispered her name.
Ginny sat up, still on top of him and said, "Oh!" thinking she was going to fast but all Harry did was turn off the light. He sat up too, his hands resting on her hips as he kissed her. She ran her fingers through his hair. When she pushed him away to finish unbuttoning his shirt, Harry took that cue to help her with her's.
"You don't mind, do you?" She whispered.
"Well, it will be my first time," Harry told her reluctantly.
"Mine too." She said and then with pronounced vigor she continued to undress him.
And hours later, Harry lay still awake. The thought of no longer being a virgin made his face break into a wide smile. Ginny was pressed up against him sleeping, her hand resting on his bare chest. Harry moved his hand under the blanket to check that he wasn't wearing any clothes and moved his hand over to see that Ginny Weasley wasn't either. She moaned softly and woke up.
"Trying to feel me up while I'm a sleep?" she asked, he could tell she was smiling.
Harry laughed, "Just trying to make sure it wasn't a dream."
"That was no dream, Harry Potter," she grinned in the dark and rolled over on top of him again. "Did you enjoy yourself?" The sky outside was growing lighter but only a 4-inch patch of morning gray light fell on the bottom of his bed.
"Oh yes," Harry said and Ginny leaned down and began kissing his neck and chest, "Oooooh yesss." Ginny giggled. Harry did a very clever maneuver so that he could be the one on top of her and he rested his hand on her chest. She looked him dead in the eye, and with a smile on her face, pulled him down to kiss her again.
"I love you." She said simply.
"I love you too." The sun was slowly rising and Ginny pushed him off a little with a laugh.
"I need to take a shower," she giggled.
"No," Harry moaned wrapping his arms around her and pulling her in.
"Harry, please I smell!" She was laughing loudly at this.
"Not THAT bad." He laughed too. She stood up, the sunlight making her naked body glow white as she walked across the room to the door leading to the bath room.
Harry sat up in bed stretching slightly and waiting for Ginny to finish. After a couple of minutes she left the bathroom in Harry's bathrobe and she sat on his bed, one hand on his inner thigh. "I'm going to go to my room and change real quick. I'll meet you down at breakfast."
"Don't go!" Harry whined. Ginny giggled and kissed him. She left the room, leaving Harry feeling lonely.
When Harry arrived at breakfast Ron was looking a little upset and Hermione was looking torn between disapproval and friendly happiness. Harry noticed she and Ron were sitting by Mad-Eye Moody himself. Harry sat next to him across from Hermione.
"Good Night, Harry?" Mad-Eye growled winking at him with his normal eye.
"Er...yes?" Harry said looking at Hermione.
"Sorry, Harry," she whispered so Mrs. Weasley wouldn't hear. "I asked Moody to check where Ginny was and he saw you two." Harry turned bright red.
"Don't worry, Potter," Moody said looking at him with his normal eye, "your secret is safe with me."
"Thank you," Harry glanced around, "Where is Ginny, by the way?"
"She had an owl waiting in our room this morning from McGonagall she went straight to Hogwarts."
Harry sighed and said that he was going to take nap. He was awoken a couple hours later by Ginny. "Harry! Harry!" She moaned. "You have to go back to Hogwarts with me."
"Right now?" Harry asked, rubbing his eyes.
"No, when school starts you need to come to school with me!"
"Why?" Harry asked irritably, "Did McGonagall come up with a good enough reason."
"He wants to talk to you."
"He?" Harry asked, "He who?"
Ginny looked him dead in the eye and said, "Dumbledore."
A/N: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know Dumbledore is dead...you'll see...
Also, I got a lot of questions about the twins allowing Ginny to what she did. Well, they didn't allow her to but she always talks back to her brother's anyway. Plus they were joking that she'd do something like that, they didn't mean for her to actually do it.
I've also be thinking, ever since the end of the 5th book when Ron seemed to WANT Ginny and Harry to get together, that maybe the Weasleys don't want anyone for their youngest but Harry. I mean, he did save Ginny's life, Mr. Weasley's life, AND Ron's. So, maybe they want the person who is the closest thing to a family member to be in love with a family member.