Disclaimer: I own nothing. I just enjoy playing with other people's toys. Thank you JKR for sharing.
Chapter 8: Explanations
Ginny sunk onto a worn couch in number twelve's dingy sitting room shaking with anger and anguish as tears fell down her blotchy face. With a trembling hand she swiped at the offending drops as she willed her temper and sorrow under control. She didn't even notice the door of the room open and then shut allowing two people into the room with her. The warm weight of Harry's arm encircled her shoulders and Ginny turned into him for comfort.
"Ginny-" Harry started.
"No Harry. I deserved it. I just hoped . . ." Ginny broke off unable to articulate what she had wished for her homecoming.
Arthur Weasley dropped to his knees and took his only daughter's hands in his. "Ginny, they don't understand. We were all terribly worried and hurt when you ran away: you left no note, no explanation for your leaving, you sent no word you were okay, and we haven't heard anything from you in over two years. We didn't know what had become of you. We were left with nothing but our own ideas of why you had gone. We wondered what could have made you leave your family, your home. Didn't you believe in us enough to help you or love you or protect you or did you simply not love us or want us in your life? These possibilities wounded us very deeply. I think you need to go back into that room and tell them why you left. Explain to them."
Ginny nodded numbly aching inside from all her father had said and realizing for the first time the pain she caused her family. No wonder they had acted so angrily. She couldn't blame them. Yet, would they understand when she told them everything? Would they accept her reasons for leaving? Could they forgive her for what she had done even with her explanations?
After an uneventful ride on the muggle underground Harry, Ginny, Brenda, and Lyle had arrived at number 12 Grimwald place and were greeted by Remus Lupin who was quickly introduced to Lyle and Brenda. Remus ushered them inside whispering to them to remain quiet, Sirius' mother's portrait still hung in the dark entry hall, and urged them to follow him. The party halted before entering the kitchen. A murmur of voices, many of which were very familiar to Ginny, could be heard through the heavy wooden door.
Remus put his hand on both Ginny and Harry's shoulders, a grim look on his worn face. "Welcome home, both of you. I can't say how sorry I am to hear about your daughter. We'll find her," he told them stoutly.
"I've called a meeting of the Order as I said I would. They do not know the whole reason they have been gathered though. I have told them that Harry is returning with information regarding the reformation of the Dark Order and nothing more. I did not feel it was my place to divulge more than that," he said shifting his attention now solely towards Ginny. "I must warn you that your family is within. They do not know Harry found you or that your daughter was taken by Death Eaters."
Ginny nodded to him, breathing deeply and gathering her courage, before following him into the crowded kitchen.
"Ginny?"
The looks that registered on the faces of those gathered at the long wooden table were that of shock and then, for many, anger. Ginny heard her mother utter her name softly as she slumped into her seat in a half faint. Her father's eyes grew as big as galleons. He looked as though he wanted to rush to her, but was unable due to the fact that he now had to prop up his wife. Bill had tears in his eyes as he surveyed her blankly as if he was unsure if she was real. Charlie, Fred, and George looked as if they wished to curse her. Percy looked nonplussed. Ron's ears were red as he furrowed his eyes. He seemed to want to rush to her as well, but she was sure if he did it would not be for an embrace. Hermione looked astonished and had a firm hand on Ron's shoulder to keep him securely in his seat. Tonks looked warily at her from her seat next to Dumbledore who looked simply delighted.
The others, who included Kingsley Shacklebolt, Alastor Moody, Minerva McGonagal, Dedalus Diggle, Mundungus Fletcher, Emmeline Vance, Lee Jordan, Neville Longbottom, Fluer Delacour, Luna Lovegood, Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Terry Boot, and several others whom Ginny did not know, simply starred at her and then turned their attention to Harry. Harry, Ginny realized, had removed the glamour charm disguising his features and was reveling himself to all present.
He stood tall beside her holding tightly to her hand as silence engulfed the room. Arthur Weasley, who had managed to get Bill to come to his aid and handle Molly, walked carefully towards them. Upon reaching his daughter he paused, then swept her into a bone-crushing hug. It was only then that the silence was broken. It was as if a bomb had exploded.
"How dare you Dad!"
"Are you sure it's her?"
"Harry?"
"It can't be Harry he's dead."
"You found her Harry?"
"How could you?"
"He's alive!"
"Of course Harry is alive! What the bloody hell is Ginny doing here though?"
"How dare you just walk in here after two years!"
"Wonderful to have you back Ms. Weasley."
"Albus, why didn't you tell us?"
"Where is it you found her Harry?"
"What do you think you're doing back here?"
"Two years! Two years! No note, no owl, no nothing and now you come waltzing back in here?"
The screaming, sneering, questioning, and jostling crowd began to surround both Ginny and Harry. Their words were pressing hard on Ginny's brain.
"They don't want me back. I should never have come back," Ginny told herself silently before bolting from the kitchen.
Ginny allowed her father to pull her to her feet. Harry stood beside her, his arm once again protectively surrounding her offering her his support.
The three of them reentered the kitchen, which was now much calmer than they had left it. All eyes turned to them yet no one spoke. Breathing deeply Ginny gathered all her courage to speak, but was stopped by Harry's voice that rang clearly through the silent room.
"This meeting was called to inform all of you about the activities of the remaining Death Eaters, but there is more to the story as you all can see. To those of you who believed I was dead, I am sorry, but it was necessary for me to carry out two plans. First to find Ginny," Harry said nodding towards her. "Second for me to be able to follow Draco Malfoy and discern who the remaining Death Eaters are and what they may be planning. The Dark Order is trying to reform itself with my own child as their leader. We do not know how they are attempting to do this, but they have taken her to their headquarters in Belgium. Malfoy called the place Breendonk. I am asking you all for your help in recovering her."
The silence seemed to deepen as Harry made his speech. Everyone, save Brenda, Lyle, and Remus, had questions burning in their eyes. Arthur took Ginny's hand and gave it a small squeeze to encouraging her to speak.
"I'm sorry," Ginny started to say but was interrupted by a loud snort from one of her brothers. "No, really I am sorry that I did what I did. I never realized that by running away that I would hurt you all so badly. I was only thinking of my baby, Harry's and my baby. I was terrified when I heard Harry had died. I feared even then that the Death Eaters would take her or kill her. I was trying to assure her safety by leaving. Nothing I say can make up for the obvious pain I've caused my family and friends, but I ask for your forgiveness and your help to find Lily."
Arthur was holding tight to her hand and looking imploringly at his family whose looks softened as Ginny spoke. Molly stood, ashen faced, and walked towards her daughter pulling her into a tight hug.
"Mum, mum I'm so sorry," Ginny wailed into her mother's breast.
"Shh, darling. It's all alright," her mother said soothingly.
Soon other arms were engulfing her, many arms. Looking up she saw nearly the entire Weasley clan surrounding her. Charlie still sat at the table brooding and Percy stood slightly to the side of the group hug with one hand place on his mother's back. Hermione had come to stand beside Harry with tears in her eyes and Tonks took Remus' hand in hers and smiled. Dumbledore cleared his throat slightly before interrupting them.
"Harry, Ginny, I think there may still be a few things we need to clear up," he said gesturing towards the confused faces of the rest of the Order.
"Right sir," Harry nodded as the Weasley's broke apart. "Ginny and I have a child together. Her name is Lily. I found Ginny in the States. Malfoy had learned of Lily's existence and he and others whom we do not know found Ginny and Lily. I followed him there and that was how I found Ginny. I was able to stop the attack on Ginny, but they managed to take Lily. After questioning Malfoy we learned of their plans and where they had taken her. We just don't know where Breendonk is exactly."
"Breendonk was a fortification dating from 1906 built as part of the defense belt of Antwerp. It was then used as a concentration camp in World War II. It was set up as a memorial until recently when it suffered from a severe fire and was condemned," Hermione told them promptly.
They all looked at her wonderingly.
"I did a bit of research for Remus," she said simply.
"So, now the question is how we go about getting in there," said Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"It will be tricky," Moody added scratching his chin.
"You'll help then?" Ginny asked eagerly.
"Of course, can't let our niece stay with those berks," said Fred with a small smile.
They gathered around the table. Percy produced parchment and a quill and began to take notes as those assembled formed a plan of attack.
"There is only one way into Breendonk," Hermione told them.
"I scouted out the camp today and their wards are strong," added Lupin. "There can be no Apparating within the grounds and a Portkey will not work."
"Not necessarily, Remus. Breendonk was used as a concentration camp and many souls were lost there. That concentration of death can be used to our advantage," Dumbledore countered.
Hours later Ginny fell physically and emotionally exhausted into bed in the room she and Hermione had once shared all those years ago in number 12. The only difference was that it was not Hermione who sat on the bed opposite hers. It was Harry. He ran his hand through his unkempt hair before removing his glasses to rub his tired eyes.
"Do you think it will work?" Ginny asked Harry worriedly.
"It has to," he said putting his glasses back on.
"But doesn't it seem foolhardy to put everyone's lives at risk like that?" Ginny asked.
"I don't see any other way. We need them. Besides they wouldn't stay behind even if we begged," Harry replied.
"What if we can't find Dumbledore? What if . . ."
Harry knew what she was talking about. What if their plans to meet inside the grounds didn't work? What if they weren't all able to everyone out alive?
"Ginny you know there is no other way out. The wards will be too strong. Those outside the grounds of the camp will be able to Portkey out easily, but those inside . . . If Dumbledore is right there is only one way and Dumbledore is usually right," Harry concluded.
Ginny nodded biting her bottom lip and hugging her knees to her chest, knowing that he was right. They should trust in Dumbledore. They needed to trust in Dumbledore.
"Harry," Ginny said quietly as she sat beside him. "Thank you."
"Thank you?" Harry asked.
"Yes, thank you for being there for me. Thank you for finding me. Thank you for understanding. Thank you," she replied.
Harry smiled and came to sit beside her. He lifted her head and placed it lightly in his lap and began to stroke her red locks.
"You don't have to thank me Ginny. I'd do anything for you. I love you," he told her.
"I still can't believe after all that I've done and all the time we've been apart that you can still love me," she said quietly.
"Believe it. Ginny," Harry paused for a moment before continuing. "Ginny, after we get Lily back and everything has calmed down a bit could you, well would you, do you think you'd like to get married?"
"Married?"
"Never mind, I shouldn't have said anything. It was stupid-" Harry stammered.
She sat up and cupped his face in her hand before saying. "Harry, I would like nothing better than to marry you. I love you."
He met her eyes and saw them glistening with unshed tears. His arms reached out for her drawing her towards him as he brought his lips to hers sealing their engagement with a kiss. Their mutual need surged between them as they clung to each other as though afraid if they let go they would be parted forever. Harry gently caressed the curve of her back as she sank further into his embrace and their kiss deepened. Ginny moaned softly at his touch. Her hands clutching him to her so tightly not a whispered breath could pass between their bodies. Harry broke their kiss only to trail small kisses along her neck while gently removing her jumper. Eagerly she helped him shed his shirt. When flesh met flesh all outside forces were forgotten. At that moment they were all that existed and their love for each other was all that mattered.
It had been so long since they were together yet it seemed that their time apart was merely a blink of an eye. They had been reunited a day ago, but they found each other again that night. They found solace, strength, and peace in the love they made and after they lay in each other's arms knowing that they could traverse any mountains they must to rescue their child.
Author's Note: I took a few liberties with Breendonk. It was never burnt down and still runs as a memorial for the 3,532 prisoners who passed through it, the 1,733 of them that didn't survive the war, and the 185 prisoners who were executed there. It is a truly fascinating and moving place that is a constant reminder of what prejudice and ignorance can do. I had the fortune of visiting there in 1997 and would recommend to anyone who may be in the area to check it out. The use of an old concentration camp seemed fitting for Death Eaters. I really hope it doesn't offend anyone that I did this. I don't mean any disrespect towards those who suffered or died there.