Come Back
Chapter Seven
Facing the World
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Everyone in the kitchen had become very still and no one seemed to be breathing. Ginny's sudden departure from the room took everyone by surprise. Harry couldn't help but feel that she was being over dramatic about the situation. After all, if she was a member of the order she should be used to risks by now. But only Harry truly knew why she was so upset, it was not out of anger but of love.
"Okay, what was that about?" Ron asked a few moments later.
Ron's question suddenly struck a whole new emotion in Harry. None of them knew of the connection between Ginny and him. He hadn't even thought about the prospect of telling them all. Now that he realizedthis he would have tell them that they were dating. Harry was mortified. What would Ginny's brothers think? Would they be supportive or try to attack him? He really wished that Ginny would come back to the room. However at that precise moment Hermione started to giggle, and Harry was saved the trouble of explaining everything.
"I love you Ron but you can still be thick sometimes." Hermione said, still giggling. "Isn't obvious?"
"Isn't what obvious?" Ron asked truthfully.
Surprisingly the rest of Weasly members all shook there head in pity of Ron's reply. Did they already know? Had Ginny told them? Harry's mind was racing so fast now as a whole new world of prospects opened up to him. What exactly had Ginny been telling them?
"Sorry little Bro, but Hermione is right, you are thick." Fred said in reply.
"Yeah…" George said. "Ginny and Harry still fancy each other."
"Oh! That, I thought something else was going on." Ron said with a smile in Harry's direction. "I already knew about that mate."
Harry was blushing slightly, but he was happy that he was spared the expense of having to tell them anything. "You already knew? Is it that obvious?" Harry asked.
"Well for one, when have you ever seen a girl get that blubbery, unless it's over a guy? And two, she talked about you forever last night after you went to bed. And three, you dated once before didn't you." Fred said with a smile. "Yeah, we all stayed down stairs for while after you went to sleep and she wouldn't shut up about how happy she was that you were home. She was worse than the rest of us."
Harry couldn't stop himself from smiling, he knew he must have looked like an idiot but he didn't care very much right now.
"Well, since you all seem okay with it, then you won't mind if I go and talk to her?"
"That's fine Harry, but don't take to long. I've told Hagrid that we had a surprise for him, were going to meet him at headquarters around noon today." Mr. Weasly said.
"I'll be ready Mr. Weasly." Harry said as he got up and left the kitchen. He could feel everyone watching and smiling at him as he left the room.
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"Ginny, Ginny are you in here?" Harry called as he reached her bedroom door. He hesitated for a moment then slowly turned the knob and pushed it open.
This was the first time Harry had actually been in Ginny's room, and he thought it was perfect.
Posters of Ginny's favorite bands, including the Weird Sisters, lined the walls. Her desk was up against a window and was covered in what appeared to be spell books and magazine articles. The dresser was painted black with hot pink trim and drawer handles, sitting on top of it was a wireless that was emitting angry sounding music. Empty bottles of butterbeer were tossed around the room, along with various garments. Her broomstick was leaning against a coat rack, and there was a thick traveling robe draped over it. And in the very middle was a large sleigh bed that was sporting black and pink sheets to match her dresser. Ginny was sitting on the edge of her bed, looking up at Harry.
"I'm sorry Harry; you must think I'm acting like a child." Ginny said while moving over to make room for Harry to sit.
Harry was purposely not looking at her, "No, I don't Ginny. I think that your afraid that your going to loose me again. And I understand what it's like to loose people. But I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to stay with you."
"I know you will Harry, and I'll be there to protect you. I'm not as good as some of the older Order members but I've been studying and practicing. I only just joined the Order a few months ago." Ginny said while looking over at her spell books on her desk.
"Ginny, don't underestimate yourself. I remember what you are capable of. I still have the scar on my leg to prove it! Or do you not remember jinxing me when I surprised you one day during your O.W.L. studying?" Harry said, while lifting his pant leg to prove himself.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that. Sorry by the way, I was stressed you know." Ginny said trying not to laugh.
"You're a brilliant witch Ginny, and don't you ever think otherwise." Harry said while turning on the bed to face her.
Ginny smiled, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. "Thank you Harry." She said after pulling away. "Thank you for being so understanding."
Harry and Ginny continued to caress each other softly on the lips. Ginny was running her fingers through his hair, while Harry ran his hands down her back. Their embrace was more than Harry could stand. He knew he should stop; he had to get ready for his trip to see the Order. But he didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay with Ginny, feeling her soft touch all day. It wasn't until he heard a floor board creak close by did he pull away; wanting to know who made the sound.
"Oh, sorry guys but I was sent to make sure that Harry was going to be ready soon. Oh and Ginny, you're Mom said that you were to take Harry into the attic and fetch his things." Hermione said looking slightly embarrassed.
Ginny nodded and Hermione left the room. "Harry, I almost forgot, we have all of your old school things in the attic. We can get them for you after our meeting today."
"You kept my stuff for me! That's great Ginny; I didn't think I'd ever see any of that again."
"We can go through it all later for now you better go get dressed, it's almost noon." Ginny said, giving Harry one last kiss while pushing him out of her room.
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Harry had returned several times to number twelve, Grimmauld Place sense Sirius had gone, but every time he did, the same sense of loss swept over him. As he walked through the front door of headquarters he was trying to act as if he was happy to be back here. He really wanted nothing more than to turn around and leave, but as Mr. Weasly had a hand on his shoulder ushering him forward, he had no choice but to stay.
Harry and the Weasly's were making their way through the house until they reached the door to the kitchen. They all had eyes on Harry as he took a deep breath pushed open the door and walked through. Sitting at the table, looking at Harry in shock sat Tonks, Professor McGonagall, Mad Eye Moody, Mundungus, and Hagrid. They were now acting the same way that the Weasly's had when Harry arrived at the Burrow. None of them seem to be able to say anything at first.
Mad Eye was the first one to move; he got up from the table and walked over to Harry. "Well, it's about ruddy time you made it home." Mad Eye said while sticking out his hand and shaking Harry's, causing Harry's whole body to shake in return.
It took Harry a moment to register what he had just said, "But, how did you know I was alive?"
"Let's just call it a gut feeling Harry." Mad Eye said while giving Harry a small wink.
Tonks, Professor McGonagall, Mad Eye, and Mundungus came over and shook Harry's hand in turn, though they still seemed in shock at his sudden return. Hagrid was just beaming at Harry, as if he had just returned from summer Holiday. Harry still didn't fully understand how Hagrid knew he was never really dead while the others didn't have a clue. After a few more hearty welcomes from the Order members they all gathered around the large kitchen table.
Harry was asked to relive his tale once more, though it was starting to be less painful to tell. And it wasn't until he told them about killing Mr. Malfoy did any of them speak.
"So that's what happened to him. We wondered where he went to. Most people thought he was dead ages ago, but we had a funny feeling he was alive." Tonks said while slightly smiling at Harry.
"Yeah…" Moody growled. "But Harry took care 'em of him didn't you boy?"
"Yeah, I guess he's still laying there." Harry said, feeling slightly repulsed at the thought.
Harry finished his story and waited for them all to ask questions. But apparently they seemed satisfied because none of them spoke. Harry took advantage of the momentary silence to ask a question that was now bugging him.
"If you thought I was alive, how come you didn't tell anyone else?"
"Well Harry." Started Mad Eye."We were never completely sure. That funeral we had left me second guessing myself. In fact it wasn't until about a month or so ago did I truly realize that you were alive. I had a sudden thought about that wonderful owl of yours, it had never returned with that letter we sent. And I knew that if Hedwig hadn't found youshe would have returned, and since she had not, I assumed that she must have found her owner." Mad Eye said. "She really is a remarkable bird Harry, though I must say that I am surprised that you did not return a reply to our note."
Harry thought for a moment on how to answer that question, "Sorry." Was all he could reply.
"Well, let's get down to business shall we?" Mr. Weasly began. "Harry, everything has been fairly quite around here. In fact this is the first time we have had a meeting in several months. The only reason the Order is at work is to find the remaining Death Eaters. It's different this time than it was when you were a baby Harry. Back then we didn't have proof and they were able to place themselves back into society, but this time we have proof against the Death Eaters so once we catch them, we can put them away."
"But what about the Dementors, are they back guarding Azkaban or are they still being controlled?" Harry asked.
"Only Voldemort was able to control them Harry, so they are in fact now guarding Azkaban. But don't worry the ministryis keeping a very close eye on them. And we have wizards ready to take over if the Dementors should choose to leave again." Mr. Weasly said while looking at Harry.
"Anyway Harry…"Mr. Weasly started again. "The Death Eaters have been hanging low. We assume for the most part that they must have a leader, but we are not sure who. We think this because after Voldemort was killed and before you were reported dead, they were trying to finish their work, which was killing you of course. Even after your reported death they spent several months looking for you just incase it was a cover up to get them to leave you alone. There have been a few encounters involving the remaining Death Eaters, but it was nothing the Order couldn't control."
"But we have a plan now." Said Mr. Weasly, talking to the rest of the room. "With Harry back, we can bring them out into the open and capture them. Harry has agreed to join the Order and help us."
"Excellent Harry that was my thinking precisely, but we have to be careful as to how we do it. We need to take it slow and plan carefully. We can't afford to take too many risks, it would be dangerous." Mad Eye said as he leaned back in his chair and, looking slightly sinister, he grinned.