Ginny was sitting restlessly, absently playing with Arnold, in the living room of the Burrow waiting for Ron, Hermione and Harry to return. Her mother was in the kitchen busying herself with making dinner for when everyone arrived. Ginny looked to the Grandfather clock; all of the hands were still pointing to Mortal Peril'. She hated how it was doing that all the time now; she didn't feel in danger at home. Ginny, however, knew that everyone was supposed to feel safe at home; the clock seemed to disagree. Clearly there were unseen dangers lurking in the nighttime shadows around the Burrow; what they were she didn't know. What she thought they might be she didn't want to think: images of Dementors swooping through the air, of Death Eaters skulking through the shadows and werewolves with bloody bared teeth stalking through the mist toward the Burrow.
Ginny felt she was going to have nightmares doing this to herself but she couldn't help it now. She looked again at the Grandfather Clock; there were new additions to it now. Mrs. Weasley had added Fleur to it; Ginny figured it was a show of acceptance even before the wedding. Mrs. Weasley had also -- to Ginny's amazement -- put Harry and Hermione up on the clock face as well. Ginny had asked her mother why she had added those two.
"Well he's coming to live here now isn't he? He doesn't need to live with those Dursleys anymore. He can be with his real family." Mrs. Weasley had spoken first with a curt tone, which had gone soft with her last words. "The same pretty much goes for Hermione; she's been coming here so often spending so much time with Ron and you. She's like part of the family as well." Mrs. Weasley ended with a smile that said she thought there was another reason for Hermione and Harry's faces to be up there with the rest of the family. Ginny didn't press the issue; she, like her mother, liked to know where Harry and Hermione were as well.
Ginny was getting impatient though waiting for their arrival and a little worried. Not only were they late, but her father and the Twins were as well. She was just glad Fleur was busying herself upstairs. Bill and Charlie were outside going over the Burrow's protective enchantments, they did so every night now. After arriving home Ginny and the Twins had started their plan, the Twins having sent Ron a letter, had gone to their store until Ron was back. She, however, had talked to Hermione yesterday about the mission Harry was going to do. Hermione hadn't told her everything, but enough to know that they were following a lead that would help Harry defeat Voldemort.
She was now recalling the conversation she had earlier with Bill and Charlie.
Ginny had told Bill soon after arriving home, initiating the plan that she had developed with the Twins. Charlie had been there as well,; he had listen quietly the whole time. Bill, on the other hand, had a few choice words about her former boyfriend, Harry.
'What does he think he's playing at, pushing you away? As if that would make you any safer,' Bill had said snorting at the very idea.
'Well, isn't she safer?' Charlie interjected to their older brother. Ginny had frowned at him slightly.
'Well, I'm not pushing Fleur away, am I? Her mother wanted us to come to France, to get away from this war.'
Ginny gave a derisive sound and Charlie shook his head.
"I didn't have to say anything, Fleur jumped in and told her mother in no uncertain terms that she was not going to abandon her husband's family.' Bill said looking pointedly at Ginny, she could tell that Bill intended that comment more for her then Charlie.
'What? I didn't say...'
'You didn't have to Ginny; these walls have ears. Plus I've seen the looks you and Hermione gave Fleur -- and it's not Phlegm, so don't let me catch you saying that to her, understand?' Bill said sternly but the hurt was evident in his eyes.
'Bill, I'm sorry; I just didn't want her to hurt you,' Ginny defended herself. She had been trying to make amends in a small way but it wasn't easy. Even though she knew Fleur really loved her brother and wasn't going to leave him at the earliest possibility and despite her preoccupation with how things looked and seeming to think her way was better. Fleur still had this attitude of superiority and even if it was unintentional, still seemed to belittle Ginny's home and way of living. Fleur had even taken it upon herself to view her as her little sister, Fleur having stated that to Ginny as well. It was driving her nuts.
'Hold on: we're getting side tracked here; this isn't supposed to be about your fiancée.' Charlie said, holding up hands between his oldest and youngest siblings.
'Wife, Charlie just a few more days and it's official,' Bill said bluntly, staring down his younger brother.
'Criminy, I hope I never get like you two. One little kiss and everyone goes all wonky on me,' Charlie said despairingly, shaking his head.
'Yeah, Mum's been wondering about you, actually, Charlie' Bill said with raised eyebrows.
Ginny giggled a little at this; it was nice to see her brothers like this. With so much worry over Voldemort's return, it was good to have some laughter back with her brothers.
'Weren't we talking about Harry?' Charlie said, guardedly; he never talked about his personal relationships -- if he had any. He never told any of them about them; Ginny always wondered herself about that. Though he seemed happy enough with his Dragon research, so it never really bothered her that he hadn't found someone. That would be up to Charlie and no one else, mo matter how much her mother meddled with them about it.
'Well, as I was saying, I don't care about the danger; we can protect each other. I couldn't be without her; she really is a part of my life now,' Bill said with a bit of a dreamy smile now.
'Yeah but You-know-Who isn't coming after you now, is he?' Charlie quipped. It surprised Ginny how Charlie could deal directly with Dragons but couldn't bring himself to say Voldemort's name. It seemed the same way with Bill as well, all those curses he had broken and tombs he had raided for Gringotts and saying Voldemort's name still made him shiver.
'That doesn't make the danger any less, Charlie; Dementors and werewolves don't care about targets,' Bill said and unconsciously scratched himself behind the ear.
Ginny was again reminded of why those scars were on Bill's face. It still worried her what might happen with the next full moon. Her brother didn't deserve this; no one did.
'Well then maybe you should tell that to Harry, Ginny' Charlie said looking from Bill to her, taking her out of her reverie.
'Yeah, I think I will; I don't want to push him too much though. I know he cares by doing this; I just need to show him that it's unnecessary.,' Ginny said, wondering if that would really make any difference to Harry.
'I can fix'em for you Ginny, I got a few good jinxes that ought to make him think twice about leaving you' Bill said with a grin.
'No, don't. Please, I've already told Fred and George and I'm telling you that I don't want anyone to hex, jinx, or curse him. It has to be me that convinces him, not my brothers,' Ginny stated with a placatory hand to Bill.
'Wow, when did that happen?" Charlie asked, looking at Ginny in frank disbelief.
'When did what happen?' Ginny asked with a frown.
'When did you go from being that little girl I remember who always needed her big brothers to this young lady that seems to want to take on You-know-who all by herself?' Charlie said shaking his head, now with a look of admiration for his youngest sibling.
'Well you've been gone awhile bro,' Bill said punching his shoulder. 'You've missed our little Ginny growing up to be quite a young lady... who is still going to get her brothers' protection whether she likes it or not." Bill said looking to Ginny seriously, Charlie nodding his agreement to this statement as well. Then a moment later cracked a grin and they both started to laugh. Ginny just shook her head with a wry grin.
'Just promise me that you won't tell Mum or Dad ok? And that you won't do or say anything to Harry,' Ginny demanded of them in a light tone.
'All right Ginny, if that is what you want,' Bill said shaking his head.
'Are you sure about this Bill? She isn't of age yet,' Charlie said, looking worriedly at Ginny.
'Yeah, I think my little sister is going to be just fine, so what DO you want us to do Ginny?' Bill asked.
'Well I need more training and who better then my two older, wiser and far more experienced brothers,' Ginny said in a sweet tone and slight vapid smile.
They both broke out laughing.
'Oh, I think Harry's in trouble now,' Bill said chuckling.
'Yeah, Ginny's learning the fine ways of womanly manipulation and I can't believe I'm going to agree to help,' Charlie said shaking his head.
'Same here Ginny, I do think it's a good idea that you know how to defend yourself. I remember Mum telling us how you had been going to that DA thing at Hogwarts.
Ginny really felt torn now wondering between how much she should find out and not wanting to be a hindrance to Harry. What if I make him weak or too distracted? I won't do that, but I need to help somehow' Ginny thought to herself heaving another long sigh. She looked again at the Grandfather clock and her breath caught in her throat. The hands representing Ron, Hermione and Harry had all moved to "Traveling".
"Mum! They're coming!" Ginny said excitedly getting to her feet and pocketing Arnold, she went to the door.
"Ginny? Wait!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed giving a frantic look between the clock and the front door. "Arthur isn't with them," Mrs. Weasley said in a strained voice. Mrs. Weasley had moved to the door just as Ginny opened it.
"There they are; I can see them. Mum, let go.," Ginny said annoyed as Mrs. Weasley had an iron grip on her daughter.
"You can't go running out there like that! You don't know what's out there; wait for Bill and Charlie to-" Mrs. Weasley said as a shout from outside could be heard. Ginny was still pulling against her mother's grip. Ginny could see them approaching now with Bill and Charlie moving to meet them. Ginny saw someone else though besides Harry, Ron and Hermione coming with Bill and Charlie, a older lady that she had never seen before. Ginny could hear their voices now.
"Hold on Charlie, we need to make sure this is Ron now; it wouldn't do if they were Death Eaters in disguise now," Bill called out amusedly.
"It is me!" Ron retorted.
"Yeah that's what a Death Eater would say all right. Tell us, Ron, what the Twins turned your Teddy Bear into when you were six?" Charlie inquired almost in a mock severe tone.
"I was three and it was a spider," Ron said; Ginny could just hear the blush in his voice and cracked a smile.
"We better make sure about the rest, Charlie" Bill continued.
"Oh really," Hermione said, exasperated
"Harry how did you find out about the Dragons in your first task?" Charlie asked.
Harry seemed hesitant as Ron was about the teddy bear question. "It was Hagrid who showed me," Harry answered.
"Who else did he show?" Charlie pressed.
"Madam Maxine."
"Good, good... now for you, Hermione" Charlie said. "In your first year, what did you and Harry bring to the Astronomy Tower for Hagrid?"
"What is it with Hagrid and Dragons?" Bill asked to no one in particular.
"A Norwegian Ridgeback" Hermione responded as if in class.
"Hmmm it must be them Bill, but I don't know this one" Charlie said looking to Mrs. Dursley.
"Who's that with them? One of the Aurors?" Ginny asked her Mum, her attempts to get out of her mother's grip lessening for a moment.
"Oh my, It's Her, why have they brought her here I wonder," Mrs. Weasley said with a very dark frown. Ginny didn't know who she was but it didn't matter seeing all of them safe sent a wave of relief through her.
"Who is she, Mum?" Ginny asked again, noting that her mother's grip was slacking.
"Harry's Aunt Petunia, well -- certainly unexpected," Mrs. Weasley said, suddenly crossing her arms as Bill and Charlie escorted the four newcomers back to the house.
"Oh boys, just bring them in; that's Harry's Aunt!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed to them. Bill and Charlie looked at each other and shrugged.
Bill had looked back to the Burrow and saw Ginny; with a wide grin he shook his head.
"Might as well let her come and see her friends, Mum, I don't think they are Death Eaters, even if this one looks like one," Bill said, indicating Mrs. Dursley.
Ginny took this moment to rush outside and ignored her mother's call for her to return. Now that they were all closer she could see clearly that they all looked worried. Ron was looking a bit pale; Hermione and Harry were pulling Mrs. Dursley along. The older woman wore a blank and dead look, not taking in anything she was seeing. Harry looked the most worried and confused, when he looked to Ginny though a smile broke across his face.
It was a small smile that he seemed to hide now,; she didn't care though as she returned it. She, however, resisted the urge to hug him in front of everyone. There was also the eerie way that Mrs. Dursley was acting. So Ginny just walked beside Harry the few remaining yards to the Burrow. He looked sincerely happy to see her and have her near him.
"Are you sure she hasn't been hit with something? She looks catatonic" Bill was saying as they approached the house now.
"No, she didn't get hit; you won't believe me but she hit Bellatrix Lestrange with a spell.," Harry said shaking his own head in disbelief.
"She attacked your house? What else happened?" Ginny asked with alarm she had remembered the mad face of Bellatrix Lestrange and what she had done at the Department of Mysteries.
Mrs. Weasley had joined them at that point to help usher in the still-oblivious Petunia. Mrs. Weasley looked concernedly at all her sons, Harry and Hermione.
"Where is your father? And Remus? They were supposed to be with you." Mrs. Weasley said in a tremulous voice and looked worriedly to the Grandfather clock; all hands now pointed to Mortal Peril'.
"One thing at a time Mum; let Harry and the rest tell us what happened," Bill said, turning to the three of them. "From the beginning," Bill added and Ginny could see Bill was looking worried as well atnot seeing their father present.
Ron looked to Harry and he nodded; Ginny was standing at Harry's side with a hand on his shoulder. Harry seemed bolstered by this gesture.
"Well we were coming back to the house after a walk and my cousin ambushed us with his gang. They didn't get a chance to do anything because then Dementors were attacking us. So we took care of the Dementors and ran back to Privet Drive; that's when Bellatrix showed up," Harry said in careful tones. The worried look Hermione gave to Harry suggested there was more to this but that it wasnot necessary to the story.
"She started using magic on my cousin, right out in front of the house and then-" Harry said looking toward his Aunt to emphasize his next words. "My Aunt used magic to save Dudley. My Uncle got angry and kicked us out. That's when Mr. Weasley and Lupin showed up. Lupin had gone after Bellatrix and Mr. Weasley told us to come here with my Aunt. He then went to look for Lupin and Bellatrix," Harry finished.
"Mum, dad said something had happened though, before we left to come back here. What's happened since we were gone?" Ron interjected before anyone else could say anything.
"Oh that," Mrs. Weasley seemed agitated now. "It's the School Governors; they are at the Ministry now discussing what should happen with the school. And there's been another disappearance; Fudge is missing now," Mrs. Weasley said with a look to Mrs. Dursley.
"Let's get your Aunt upstairs Harry; I think she looks like she could do with a lie down." Mrs. Weasley stated abruptly.
"N-no.. I don't want to stay here." Mrs. Dursley came to life then, looking away from Mrs. Weasley toward Harry. She seemed determined to look at nothing else around her. "Take me back to my home, Harry please I don't want to be here." She pleaded with him now; Ginny thought she saw her tremble a bit. Harry looked taken aback from this reaction.
"I'm sorry, but I can't; you heard Uncle Vernon: Privet Drive is no longer our home'" Harry said, flatly.
"Well I can't stay here; I just can't!" Mrs. Dursley said frantically now looking around her; she seemed to be really taking in the Burrow for what it was now. "This place, it's.." Mrs. Dursley couldn't bring herself to finish the words looking at all them watching her. Though her disgust and dislike of the place was clearly etched on her sharp face. "I belong with Vernon and with my son, my poor Dudley," Mrs. Dursley said, her voice trembling and her eyes watering.
Ginny was feeling torn at this point on how to feel about this; Harry's Aunt really seemed to care about her family. Then again, Harry was supposed to be her family and look how she had treated him. Ginny decided to just silently glower at the woman who had helped to bring years of torment to Harry.
"Listen, it's too dangerous to go now; just stay here for the night at least," Mrs. Weasley said complacently to Mrs. Dursley. "Perhaps in the morning your husband will be willing to take you back," she said hopefully.
"I won't stay here in this place; I will walk if I have to. I won't stay here one minute longer in this freak house," Mrs. Dursley said in scathing tones, glaring at Harry now. Mrs. Weasley looked on the verge of saying something when Harry jumped in.
"You know Dumbledore was right, you've never been my Family. The Weasleys have, so don't you talk about MY family like that!" Harry yelled at Mrs. Dursley, pointing at her angrily. Mrs. Weasley looked on the verge of tears at his words; Mrs. Dursley looked stunned and a sneer carved its way across her face.
Harry was just staring ather, breathing heavily; Ginny and the rest watched him closely now. Did he mean what he had just said?' Ginny thought to herself. In her mind Harry had always seemed a part of the family somehow; the words rang true for her. Ginny stepped closer to Harry and slipped her hand into his. Harry looked startled over to her and the anger slipped away from off his face.
"Like I care! You've always been a burden, always been a little good for nothing-" Mrs. Dursley ranted
"Just shut up! I can't let you leave here either; it's for your own protection as well as the Weasleys' protection. I won't let you risk letting the whole wizarding world know where I am. I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley but I think my Aunt needs to stay here," Harry said looking away from his Aunt to Mrs. Weasley, who looked like she was about to hug Harry.
"That's no problem, Harry," Mrs. Weasley said with a warm smile. "Come this way, Mrs. Dursley" Mrs. Weasley said, but Mrs. Dursley did not move from the spot.
"I think we'll need a little help with my Aunt, Bill" Harry said to the oldest Weasley boy; Bill nodded.
"Come, Charlie; we can all show her how nice our freak' house is. We can even introduce her to the Ghoul," Bill added to see Mrs. Dursley blanch.
"Yeah, the Ghoul has been real lonely lately with Ron gone," Charlie sniggered at Mrs. Dursley's side. Mrs. Weasley didn't even give her usual reproachful looks of admonition at this kind of behavior.
"Now you can see what it feels like to be made to stay somewhere you don't like," Harry said scathingly to his Aunt.
"Damn you, for taking me from MY home!" Mrs. Dursley spat at Harry.
Ginny led him away from his Aunt; her mother was now escorting Mrs. Dursley up the stairs assisted by Charlie and Bill. Ron and Hermione followed them both into the living room. Ron shot a glowering look at Mrs. Dursley before saying.
"How can she talk about us like that when she's a witch too," Ron said.
"I know; she's not very nice, is she?" Hermione said to Ron.
They sat down on the couch near the fireplace; it was unlit and her father had said it was disconnected from the Floo Network. She didn't want to think about her father chasing after the deranged Bellatrix; she knew he had to be fine. Harry had let go of her hand looking a bit awkward now.
"Ginny..."
"I know Harry, that was strange about your Aunt being able to use magic like that," Ginny said forestalling any talk about keeping distances.
"I know I've never heard of a muggle being able to do that!" Ron exclaimed.
"Well she did say that Dumbledore had put a block on it, though I've never heard of any one doing that," Hermione added in.
"No? In all those books you've read? Then it must be rare. I mean who would want to do that?" Ron mused.
"My Aunt for one," Harry replied. "You never heard her that first night when I found out I was a wizard. She.. She called my mum a freak."
Ron just shook his head in disbelief. "Barking mad, that woman is," he said.
"What will happen now with your Aunt?" Ginny asked
"I don't know; with my what my Uncle said, I don't think she'll be able to go back. She'll never like it here," Harry said, bowing his head; he was running a hand through his hair and looking strained.
Ginny looked over to Hermione and nodded toward Harry. Hermione returned the nod and turned to Ron.
"Ron, can we talk upstairs?" Hermione asked him as she stood up.
"Wha-? But I thought we-" Ron was saying as Hermione pulled him to his feet.
Harry looked up as they walked away; Ron seemed to get the hint and was going with Hermione. Harry then turned to Ginny and she gave him a small smile.
"Alone at last." Ginny looked at Harry wanting to just hold him and chase his worries away.
"This could be dangerous," Harry said
"We're all already in danger, Harry, remember?" Ginny said pointing to the clock.
"Yeah, I know, but last night, my scar hurt, and it hadn't done that all last year. What if he found out by invading my dreams again," Harry said tersely.
"I was afraid of Draco or Snape telling him; it's scary to imagine your mind and body being violated like that," Ginny said, thinking of her first year and what Riddle had done to her. It had been horrible remembering it the very next year when that Dementor had entered the train compartment. She had revisited visions she thought had been locked away, visions of her hands covered in blood.
"I won't lose you like I've lost everyone else; I can't take another loss, I just can't," Harry said hollowly. Ginny reached out to him placing her hand on her shoulder.
"You wont lose, Harry, I have faith in you; I always have," Ginny said smiling a little.
Harry gave her a half smile there and nodded. "Thanks."
"Harry, Hermione told me about the Occulmency lessons; perhaps you can try them again, to shield yourself," Ginny suggested
"Maybe, but who would train with me?" Harry asked her
"Well there's Hermione for one, plus I could help with that as well, Harry."
"I don't know, but I don't want this to get worse then it already is. He can't know about us, but I'm afraid he may really already know," Harry said worriedly.
Ginny really felt for Harry here; he always took on the weight of the world without anyone ever asking. It was one of the things she greatly admired about him. She moved closer to him and put an arm around his shoulders.
"Whether or not Voldemort knows, I know you do need me Harry," Ginny said warmly to him.
"I can't risk you Ginny; I just can't," Harry said standing up abruptly. "I better go check on my Aunt and make sure she isn't starting any trouble."
"Harry wait-" Ginny jumped up and grabbed his arm. He stopped with a pained look at Ginny. Mrs. Weasley had just come down the stairs when Ginny and Harry both looked to her.
"What's going on?" Mrs. Weasley asked as Ginny let go Harry's arm and he pulled himself away; she didn't want to start anything in front of her mother.
Harry looked apologetically to Ginny and without a word turned to the stairs and rushed past Mrs. Weasley. Ginny let out a long sigh and looked to her mother. Fine, Potter but we're not through talking' Ginny thought vehemently to herself.
"Nothing we were just talking," she said to her mother to cover any awkwardness. She had told Bill, Charlie and the Twins about her and Harry's supposed break up but couldn't bring herself yet to tell her mother. Everyone knew but her parents and Percy (but she wasn't talking to him anyway). She had told all of them that she wanted to be the one to tell them and that was the hardest thing to do. Her mother and father had been so happy that she was going out with Harry; how could she crush that for them now?
"I've put Harry's Aunt in yours and Hermione's room; I'm sorry but there's just so many people here," Mrs. Weasley said apologetically. She then looked to the Grandfather clock.
"He's still not home yet," Mrs. Weasley said worriedly
Ginny looked at the clock as well as Mrs. Weasley returned to the kitchen to busy herself. That's what her mum always seemed to do when she was worried, to busy herself to take her mind of things. All hands were still pointing to Mortal Peril' and Ginny wondered when the Twins and her Father would return, she hoped it would be soon.