Chapter 10: A Place I Used To Call Home

"I've got the Floo powder and you're connected to the Floo Network for the next twenty minutes!" Harry called to Ginny, appearing in the kitchen doorway.

Ginny nodded silently and scooped up Hope, who'd been dressed up for today. "Pwetty?" She asked for the third time, referring to Ginny's fawning over the new dress on Hope. Ginny mustered a smile for her daughter in spite of her nerves.

"Pretty princess!"

Hope was wearing a pretty sky blue dress with white sleeves and black dress shoes. She had allowed her mother to pull her short hair into two little pigtails at the sides of her head. Ginny had wanted Hope dressed up for the first time she met her grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Harry found himself staring at Ginny, admiring how much she'd matured. She certainly looked beautiful as her hair tumbled down her back in soft waves, framing her face. Her long black lashes emphasized her eyes and the anxiety there, which saddened Harry. She wore silver hoop earrings and the engagement ring he'd given her. She was dressed casually in muggle clothing: blue jeans and a tight black shirt with bell-like sleeves.

"You look beautiful," Harry remarked, as he stepped up beside her.

She smiled nervously at him and needlessly smoothed out Hope's dress. Harry placed his hand gently on her cheek, rubbing his thumb across her soft skin.

"It's going to be okay," Harry told her with a smile. "Everyone is just happy that you're coming home. No one is angry with you."

Ginny nodded, but Harry wasn't sure whether or not she believed him. He knew how much she feared that her family would hold her decision to hide herself in Canada against her. Harry knew, however, in spite of her fears, that she desperately wanted to be home again.

"I'm ready," Ginny sighed at last, handing Hope over to Harry as she didn't feel safe enough in the Floo Network with a small child. He gave her a peck on the cheek and craned his neck out of Hope's reach as she tried to snatch his glasses.

Ginny reached into the small pouch and tossed the Floo Powder into the fireplace, shouting "The Burrow!"

Shortly after she vanished, Harry held his daughter close to him as he could while she fidgeted determinedly. He took a pinch of powder and threw it into the flames and vanished after Ginny.

Harry finally stopped spinning and found himself in a crowded kitchen, with Ginny somewhere in the middle of a tangle of bodies. Harry smiled at the sight of Ginny in her mother's arms, beaming with happiness at being home.

Hope whimpered from Harry's arms and the sound caused Hermione to spin around and rush over to him, beaming. Throwing her arms around her best friend, Hope became irritated that she was being ignored and practically squished by her father and her Aunt.

"Harry! Finally!"

Hermione immediately let Harry go, wiping joyous tears from her eyes as she smiled at her niece.

"Oh, Harry, she's adorable! Hello sweetheart! I'm Auntie Hermione!" She looked hopefully up at Harry, who chuckled.

"Yes, you can hold her."

Hope gazed at her Aunt curiously, as Molly turned to greet Harry and thank him for bringing her home at last. Ginny was wiping her eyes as she watched her mother spot her granddaughter and take her gently from Hermione's arms. Harry moved toward Ginny and wrapped his arms around her lovingly.

"She's just beautiful!" Molly cooed. "Hope, I'm your grandmum! Let's go find granddad so he can meet you!"

"Think we'll see her for the rest of the afternoon?" Harry mused in Ginny's ear. Ginny shook her head and looked up at him.

"She'll be spending the entire day in a different person's arms, I think."

"We'll be bringing lunch out in a second, why don't you join everyone outside?" Hermione suggested to Harry and Ginny. "Everyone is in the garden."

Once outside, Harry was called off toward the orchard where the men were up on brooms, with the exception of Percy and Mr. Weasley, and the women were watching the children and seated around a large table.

Ginny was hugged again and again by her long lost family. Her brothers and father came over immediately to welcome her home and meet Hope before heading back out to the orchard. She was pulled into a seat at the table and re-introduced to her nieces and nephews whom she'd hadn't seen in a few years. It was hard to believe how fast kids grew up when she gave all of the kids a hug and then sat down to catch up with her sisters in law.

Bill and Cassie's daughter, Nicole, was six now. They still lived in Egypt where Bill had met Cassie who was on a tour of the pyramids. Ginny hadn't spent a lot of time around Cassie, but she was a nice woman who matched her brother's adventurousness. She was dark-haired and olive-skinned and had done a lot of travelling.

Charlie was married too, to a very sweet woman named Olivia, who was a year younger than Charlie. She was blonde, freckled and short. Their son Connor was four and could proudly distinguish the different types of dragons and some random facts about them.

George and Alicia Spinnet were happily dating, which Ginny hadn't been aware of. Fred was also in a relationship with a girl named Sarah. Sarah was a year older and seemed to ground Fred a little bit, which was good. Sarah and Fred had been together for nearly a year and Ginny liked her a lot since she was so easy to talk to.

Percy and Penelope sat together at the table; they had three children now: Alexander, and the twins Brooke and William. Alexander was five and reminded Ginny a lot of Percy, and Brooke and William were only a year older than Hope. They were fraternal twins and while William liked to read and learn and sit still with his parents, Brooke was with Connor and Nicole kicking a ball around the yard.

What surprised Ginny was that Ron and Hermione had a young son as well, who was the same age as Hope. While Hope had an early birthday in January, Dominic had been born late November, having been conceived only a few short months after Hermione had finished school. She didn't say anything, but had been shocked that Hermione hadn't pursued her career first. She mused over the fact that Dominic had been a surprise, much like Hope had been to her. Still, it was nice having a cousin Hope's age, and Dominic was an adorable little boy with a mix of Ron's red and Hermione's brown hair and large brown eyes.

"You look so different from the last time we've seen you, Ginny!" Penelope told her as she laid down the utensils around the table. "You've grown up so much."

"Very much so. We're all proud of you for how brave you were. I know coming home must have been hard, but the fact that you lived far away, on your own, and raised Hope on your own is amazing, Ginny."

"And when did that happen!" Cassie asked in happy surprise, snatching up Ginny's hand from the table. All the women gathered around to see it.

"My goodness, Ginny!" Penelope whispered, admiring the ring. "It's beautiful! When did he propose?"

Ginny coloured slightly.

"Yesterday," Ginny said, unable to keep the smile from her face.

Sarah moved closer to Ginny and picked up her hand, gazing at the ring enviously.

"Merlin! This must have cost 15 000 galleons!"

Ginny felt her face grow redder. "I know he spoils me..." Ginny admitted with a laugh, as her hand was pulled in different directions so everyone could see the ridiculously expensive ring.

"I couldn't see Harry proposing with any small ring, could you?" Olivia asked the table at large. "Just wait until the press catches wind of this. Poor Ginny and Hope will be stalked for weeks."

Ginny frowned, realizing this was true. What would the wizarding world do when they learned that Harry had not only proposed to someone, but had had an illegitimate child with her? And it wouldn't be hard to piece together that Harry had never met this child...

Alicia rolled her eyes at her and touched Ginny's arm. "Don't worry too much over it, Gin. No one in this family will let them get too close to you or little Hope. And Harry will want to avoid the attention as well, don't forget."

"Dinner!" Hermione called from the house. The group of women broke up to call over their children and take their spots at the table.

Ginny looked around and spotted the men landing their brooms by the orchard. She caught sight of Harry and found herself entranced. His hair was messier than usual from flying. He was laughing along with the rest of the men and clutching his Firebolt. He was ridiculously attractive, she thought. How on earth did she deserve to be with him?

As Ginny got closer to him, their eyes locked and he walked over to her with a smile on his face. Ginny noticed his eyes were sparkling with happiness from being able to get back on his broom. He slid an arm around her waist and looked around.

"Any idea of where our daughter is?" He asked amusedly.

"Yes, Penelope has her now." Ginny replied, smiling. She would forget about her worries about the press and the stress it would put on their relationship and protecting Hope. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. He was startled at first, and then chuckled against her mouth and kissed her back.

"How is it that you're simply gorgeous after you've been flying?" She asked softly as she pulled back from the kiss.

Harry chuckled again. "I'll keep that in mind... I may start riding my broom everywhere I go to keep up this windswept look you find so attractive."

"I love you," she told him, more seriously.

He raised an eyebrow at her for a moment and then smiled crookedly, his arms tightening around her. "I love you too, Gin."

"Alright, time to break it up and come eat," Ron said suddenly appearing behind Harry. Ginny rolled her eyes with a grin and disentangled herself from Harry.

"Bloody hell, Harry!" Ron breathed, gaping at Ginny's hand as she slid it off of Harry's neck. He snatched it and gaped at it with an open mouth.

"Got to be at least 10 000 galleons," Ron said hoarsely, letting his sister's hand drop. "How much do you spoil her, mate?"

"Come on you three!" Mrs. Weasley called suddenly from the table. The food had been set out and people were beginning to fill up their plates.

Ginny took Harry's hand and walked with him into a seat at the large table set out in the backyard. Ron sat next to Hermione, right across from Harry and Ginny. Penelope walked over and handed Harry their daughter. Hope was fussing moodily as Harry set her in her lap.

"Poor thing," Hermione sympathized. "Long day for her."

Ginny stood up again. "Mum's got an extra highchair for her." She pulled out her wand and did a summoning spell. Soon Hope was seated next to Harry, ready to eat. Harry smiled and kissed the side of her head.

"Feeling better about using magic?" He asked her quietly so no one else would hear.

Ginny nodded. "Nothing too complicated, yet. I'm so out of practice."

Mr. Weasley then stood up and the Weasleys fell silent, looking expectantly up at him.

"I'll keep this short, as I'm very hungry, and I'm sure you are all too. Welcome back, Ginny! And to Harry, thank you very much for bringing our Ginny back, and for allowing us the chance to meet our granddaughter."

There was an appreciate applause and Mr. Weasley sat. Seconds later, everyone dug into the piles of delicious food that had been put on the table.

"Where's Dominic?" Ginny asked, looking around and noticing the absence of one child.

Ron shifted so they could see the small bassinet behind him. He swallowed his mouthful of food with much difficulty. "He wanted a nap first."

"Harry!" Hermione caught sight of the ring on Ginny's finger. "When did you propose?"

"He proposed?" Bubbled Mrs. Weasley from a few seats down. She got up and hurried over to look at the ring and hug both Harry and Ginny.

Mrs. Weasley looked ecstatic as she admired Ginny's ring. "Oh, that's wonderful, dears! Congratulations!"

"Congratulations!" Hermione beamed. "When did you do it, Harry?"

"Yesterday," Harry told them. "I'm lucky she said yes." His eyes burning into Ginny's with unspoken emotion as he said it.

"Don't be ridiculous," Ginny murmured, a little embarrassed by the intensity of his eyes. "All I've ever wanted was you."

Much later that night, after many hours of catching up and family time, Harry and Ginny had said goodbye to everyone and went back to Halifax, with plans to visit with Ron and Hermione the next day. They arrived back in Ginny's living room and stepped out of the fireplace, grateful that Drew wasn't in sight to see the Floo Network being used.

"When was the last time you saw your roommate, Gin?" Harry asked quietly, trying not to wake Hope who was sleeping against his shoulder.

Ginny thought. "A few days ago? She's left me text messages on my phone, though. She said she was spending a lot of time with her family?"

Harry nodded and adjusted Hope and followed Ginny out of the dark living room.

"Did you have a good time?" Harry asked softly.

Ginny smiled. "Yes, I did. Thank you... for making me do that."

They stood in silence as they put their daughter down to bed and then crept silently out of the room. They headed to Ginny's room and closed the door. Harry pulled out his wand to set a sensory charm so that they'd for sure hear Hope if she woke up in the middle of the night. Ginny yawned and took off her sweater.

Harry scooped her up suddenly and carried her to her bed. She giggled as he set her down on it and crawled up beside her. She slid to rest her head on his chest and he held her to him, pressing kisses to her head.

"Are you alright? You seem distracted..." Harry asked quietly.

Ginny sighed. "Olivia said something that I didn't think of before about the press and how they'll react when they get wind of this. I don't want Hope to be exposed to that, ever."

Harry tilted her face so she would look at him. "I'm sorry, Gin. I promise, though, I'll do whatever it takes to keep the two of you safe. I don't want either of you to feel like you're being hounded. Is that it?"

"And you spoil me," Ginny added matter-of-factly, trying to hide the amusement in her voice. "And Ron makes me feel like I should be lecturing you about this."

Harry laughed and rolled on top of her, smiling at how beautiful she looked with her hair sprawled across the pillows and her cheeks tinged pink. "Is the ring too much?"

Ginny pulled her hand out of his reach. "You can't have it back!"

"I wouldn't try... considering you just took it from me while I was sleeping." He kissed her briefly on the lips.

"I couldn't resist," Ginny laughed, feeling ridiculously happy to be in his arms like this. She felt slightly distracted by his weight and how he was pressing into her. "I was going to take it back, but then I heard you getting up... I was caught before I could sneak it back."

"That ring has always belonged on your finger, Ginny." Her lips found his and the kiss began to escalate as his mouth moved over hers and his fingers knotted in her hair.

"I love you so much," Harry whispered into her ear as she kissed his jaw and neck lightly. "I'm never going to let you go."

"Thank god," she whispered back. "Because I can't live without you."