Disclaimer : I don't own Harry Potter

Chapter 3: Back to the Burrow.

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Harry felt the car finally stop and knew they were there at last. Funny how the trip from Surrey to Ottery St. Catchpole, where the Weasley family lived only took about 40 minutes, but for Harry it had been a lifetime. He got out and stretched as Ron hurried from the car trying to put space between him and Hermione. The argument had ceased only when Mr. Wesley had declared they were giving him a headache.

Hermione ran inside mumbling something Harry couldn't quite catch. He turned towards the boot of the car and began removing his things; the parcel was in his hands when a squeal came from the garden. Harry looked up to see Ginny running at him; he threw the parcel down and ran toward Ginny. He caught her and hugged her tightly; he had missed her so much. He finally put her to her feet again, and looked down into the shining face that was once his girlfriends. A small slap came across his cheek but the effect was there nonetheless.

"What was that for?" said Harry, rubbing his cheek.

"You promised you would write," said Ginny.

"I did," said Harry, trying not to smile.

"One letter Mr. Potter is not writing," protested Ginny.

"Okay, I'm sorry, I've got a lot on my mind," Like you, though Harry didn't say this out loud.

"Let me guess, how to save the wizardry world this year?" Harry smiled though he could tell she didn't know how right she was.

"Let's get this stuff inside shall we," said Mr. Weasley.

Harry looked back at Mr. Weasley, then back at Ginny then finally letting go of Ginny's waist, went back to the car. He picked up the parcel. Ginny was there beside him and lifted it out of his hands. Mr. Weasley held Hedwig, while Ron had Pig and Lupin flicked his wand at the trunk making it fly in front of him, while Harry grabbed his Firebolt. He was finding it very hard to stop looking at Ginny. She had grown even more beautiful if that were possible. She had on her perfume and it was starting to play with his senses. He followed her into the Burrow through the kitchen door. Lupin put his trunk on the kitchen floor in the corner, and Ginny put the parcel on top. Harry laid his Firebolt on the floor. He smiled at Ginny, again.

"Should I let her out you think?" Mr. Weasley was looking at Hedwig and Harry nodded in return.

"Yeah she hasn't been out today." Harry leaned over, opened the door and Hedwig jumped onto his arm.

"Oh! What a pretty owl." Harry turned and saw Fleur standing in the doorway leading into the sitting room"Harry it iz so good to see you again!"She bent down and kissed Harry on both cheeks.

"Yeah, nice to see you too, how are you?" asked Harry.

"It iz zese wedding plans, zey are stressing me out a bit, but it will be a beautiful wedding anyhow."said Fleur.

Harry smiled and turned toward the door he barely walked out when Hedwig took flight. He turned to go inside when something flashing caught his attention. A girl about his age was gliding toward the house. Her silvery hair catching the moonlight and her face set with an unnatural beauty.

"What's the matter mate?" Ron came to stand beside him.

"Oh yeah Gabrielle" Ron said these words almost inaudibly. Harry to turn to his friend and laughed.

"What?" asked Ron

"You're still not used to them are you?" said Harry amusedly.

Ron's ears turned pink "Hey you were the one staring mate."

"Yeah wondering who it was?" Harry came to his own defence. Together they turned and headed back into the kitchen, just as Gabrielle arrived.

"Gabrielle guess who zis iz?" Fleur grabbed Gabrielle's hand and lead her in front of Harry. "It iz Harry Potter."

Gabrielle's look became delighted and Harry felt a tug at his mind. Knowing full well what veela's were capable of, Harry tugged his mind back in place, but Gabrielle swooped kisses on his cheeks and sighed, as if remembering a good memory.

Harry had rescued Gabrielle when he had been entered into the Triwizard Tournament in his fourth year. The second task had been to collect your hostage and get back to the judges. The problem had been that it was underwater, and there had been grindylows and merpeople who were holding Ron, Hermione, Cho Chang and Gabrielle hostage. A hostage for each of the four champions. Harry had taken the song serious and would not leave unless all hostages were brought to the surface, which included Gabrielle.

Harry looked over her head and found that Ginny was not happy about this at all so Harry went and stood by Lupin back in the corner.

Harry talked with Lupin for awhile learning that his werewolf disguise was no longer welcomed with Fenrir Greyback. His disguise had been lost when he had arrived at Dumbledore's Funeral. So he was of no longer of use to the Order in that way. Harry listened heartily as Lupin talked of Tonk's and his relationship.

"Its not easy" he was saying.

"Tonks is supportable though. She actually is really good at making the potion I need to help my transformations go a lot smoother." Harry grinned glad to hear that Lupin was getting on so well.

"So tell me of you Harry?"

"Tell you what?" said Harry.

"What is going on between a certain red head and yourself?" Lupin gave him a rather knowing look.

"You mean Ginny?" Harry asked this question lightly though his mind had been running over it all night. Lupin smiled at him

"Harry I thought I was too dangerous to have Tonks anywhere near me, but with certain, shall we say precautions, we are able to get along more than well enough."

"Yeah but you've only got to protect her from yourself Moony, I've got to protect her from Voldemort and his faithful followers." Lupin smiled at him and tilted his head to his side.

"Why did you call me Moony?" Harry opened his mouth and closed it again. Why had he called Lupin Moony? He never had before.

"I don't know, would you rather I call you Lupin or Professor?" asked Harry.

"No Moony is alright, just between us though." Lupin's head was still tilted but his face bore a smile.

"You remind me a lot of James." Harry smiled but did not know what to say.

"Oh no I've got to go; I told Tonks I would meet her at eleven."

"Bye, see you later." Harry gave his father's friend a manly hug. Lupin smiled again and bid everyone else goodnight.

"Why don't you and Tonks come for a birthday celebration we're having tomorrow for Harry?" Mrs. Weasley was talking with Moony as he was pulling on a cloak.

"I'll talk to Tonks, but I'm sure she'll want to," said Moony.

"Okay, we'll see you both tomorrow." Mrs. Weasley shut the door after Moony had disappeared, and waved her wand in front of the door, magically sealing it.

"I think it's time we called it a night," said Mr. Wesley. Everyone agreed.

"Oh Harry dear, you're staying in Ron's room tonight as Fleur and Gabrielle have Fred and Georges room, okay? That puts Hermione with Ginny and Bill in his old room with Charlie."

"When's he getting here?" asked Harry

"He'll be here tomorrow dear," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley for letting me stay here." She patted his cheek and smiled.

Harry walked upstairs with Ron, Hermione and Ginny.

"Night," said Ginny behind a yawn.

"Night," said Ron, but mainly to Hermione who smiled in reply.

Harry looked at Ginny who flung herself in his arms and he hugged her with relief, glad she had hugged him first. He let go and she turned to kiss his cheek just as he turned to kiss hers, the result had been a kiss on the corners of their mouths.

"Night." Harry said smiling and as he lay in his makeshift bed in Ron's room. Ten minutes later, he was glad that no one else could see what he did; a fantasy where he walked down to Ginny's room where there was no Hermione and claimed Ginny as his own.

Harry's heart ached deeper than any pain he had had so far, and he knew that his plan to leave her on the sideline was not going to work for him, as his heart cared too much for her. Harry wondered briefly if this was what love felt like, and thought vaguely as sleep came to take him, that if it were, no wonder why it had the power to kill Voldemort

Harry woke with a sheen of perspiration on his forehead. He had a dream of Ginny and it was something he had longed to do ever since kissing her in the common room last year. Harry, feeling wide awake, thought that maybe he could sneak downstairs to make himself some tea. It should calm the butterflies that now filled his stomach.

Getting up quietly, Harry walked out of Ron's room only hearing his mate snore louder. Harry walked down the stairs, through the Burrow, pausing momentarily at Ginny's door, maybe she was awake, but if she wasn't then he wouldn't wake her. So Harry continued down through the house idly reliving every detail in his dream. Ginny had kissed him with longing and Harry had returned the kiss feeling the same.

Harry entered the kitchen and busied himself with making some tea. Half way through Harry realised that he was officially seventeen and he could use magic, so taking his wand out of his waist pants, Harry tapped the pot which immediately started boiling. He added the water to a mug with a tea bag, and turned to sit at the table. Only then did he notice that someone was already at the table. Ginny was sitting holding a mug of what looked like hot chocolate. Harry smiled at her, remembering only too clearly his dream of just moments before.

"Nice, Harry!"

Suddenly Harry realised he had forgotten to put on his top, and was just standing there in his pyjama pants. Harry blushed awkwardly. Sitting down beside Ginny, Harry could feel the electricity pouring off of her.

"What are you doing down here?" She looked up at him with her chocolate eyes. Harry found he could not look away.

"Oh I'm just ...well, sitting... thinking ...I guess." Harry was not at all convinced.

"What's bothering you Gin?"

"What makes you think that I'm bothered?" Harry smiled at her, he knew her and she knew him better then anyone else. Even more than Ron or Hermione had learned in that last six years.

"Because I know you and you know me and..." Harry had almost said "were perfect for each other", but barely refrained from saying this. Harry stole a glance at her and found her smiling a knowing smile.

"I miss you Harry!" She said this simply, but emotion flashed in her eyes. And Harry felt a powerful urge to just gather her in his arms and be the source of comfort she had given him. But Harry broke the eye contact and looked at his un-drunk tea, which was cooling off fairly fast, or was it just the air was suddenly too hot?

"Gin..."

"I know, I know, we can't be together, but ...I just... I just want you to know that I still want to be with you." She said this matter of fact and Harry couldn't help, but look at her with the same emotion that was currently rolling through her eyes.

"I know, and I want to be with you," said Harry

"Then why?" Harry wondered if he would be actually breaking the promise he had made to Dumbledore in is office by telling her about the Horcrux.

Harry took a ragged breath. "I made a promise to Dumbledore before he died that I would seek some things out and... well... rid the world of them."

He wasn't exactly telling her the truth and Harry felt bad about it. But a small hand touched his bare skin on his upper arm and the contact made Harry instantly wish he was still in the dark with his fantasy. Harry's gaze found her brown eyes and he could tell she was sincere.

"I wouldn't want you to break your promise, but Harry I need to be with you." Harry groaned and gathered her up in his arms and inhaled her scent which instantly sent shivers running down his back.

"Gin, I want to be with you too, you've touched me in a way that no one ever has, and you've come to mean so much to me, that all I want to do is finish this thing and come back to you. If your still here."

"Oh Harry I will always be here." She turned her gaze on him now and Harry didn't think anymore he just followed his instincts. Harry kissed Ginny's forehead, but was not satisfied enough. She tilted her head up to him and Harry kissed her lips softly. Just like the time in the common room, Harry lost all sense of time. But reluctantly Harry pulled back and she hugged him again, before leaving him at the kitchen table alone, hoping he had done right by her. Hoping that in the end she would be proud of him.

A clobber came to Harry's head followed by "Harry mum wants to know if you want lunch?"

"What time is it?" asked a muffled and very tired Harry.

"Its one o'clock mate, you slept right through breakfast."

Harry grabbed his glasses on the table and sat up straight. The memories of last night came flooding back to him. Ginny, tea, and her telling him she still wanted to be with him. Harry still wanted her badly, but knew he had to keep his priorities straight. He had to drive Ginny from his mind. Harry threw his legs out of the bed and got up dressing quickly, while Ron busied himself with getting Pig back into his cage for the day.

"Have you seen Ginny?" Harry couldn't help himself but to ask.

"Yeah she was helping mum with your birthday cake. Ginny's turned into a pretty good cook." Harry grinned in spite himself.

"Listen Harry why don't you admit how you feel?"

The question made Harry freeze in the act of pulling on his shoes.

"Why don't you?" asked Harry as Ron became real still, and cast his eyes down to the floor.

"Because I don't know how she feels about me? Well, you know how Ginny feels for you, so why don't you, you know…?" It was clear that Ron was having trouble getting all this out. Harry finished with his shoes, and turned back to Ron.

"You know how she feels too; you're just getting afraid she won't be honest about her feelings."

"Yeah, hey when did you become an expert on girls?" said Ron his eyes suspicious, and Harry laughed.

"I dated your sister remember," said Harry.

"Oh yeah." But Ron looked like he already had other thoughts, or rather someone else, on his mind.

"Look be honest with her, she'll be honest back," insisted Harry.

"Do you think?" Ron sounded hopeful.

"Yeah, but I don't think I know." Ron gave a small smile. Harry stomach gave a growl.

"Well, I'm going to get something to eat, you coming?"

"No I need to stay here for awhile, I think," said Ron.

Harry didn't press the matter as it still felt weird that his best friends were falling for each other. Taking the stairs two at a time Harry made it downstairs in no time at all. Harry found himself face to face with Charlie.

"Harry how are you?" said Charlie.

"Good thanks." Harry shook his hand and gave him a grin.

"Happy Birthday, you made officially to seventeen. You can do magic now, and no one can stop you, well, except mum maybe?" Harry laughed with the older Weasley.

"Harry"

"Mr. Weasley" said Harry.

"I thought that maybe tomorrow I would take you and Ron to the apparition test centre to hopefully get your license. What do you think?" asked Mr. Weasley.

"That sounds great." Harry smiled, but he didn't have the heart to tell Mr. Weasley that he would still prefer broom over apparition. Mr. Weasley smiled in return

"Well, you better get you some supper, or Molly will think we're starving you now," said Mr. Weasley with a smile.

Harry smiled at both Weasley's and entered the Kitchen.

"Oh Ginny, that's perfect, Harry will be thrilled." Mrs. Weasley was saying.

Ginny was smiling, and Harry just lurked in the doorway watching her. She wasn't aware he was there yet and Harry took the opportunity to recollect how she felt last night in his arms.

"Harry dear, there you are. Look what our Ginny made for you." Mrs. Weasley's over joyous voice boomed into his thoughts and jerked him away from the happy thoughts coursing through him.

Ginny was smiling with pride. Harry walked over to her and looked at the beautiful cake she had decorated in red and gold and looked very tasty. Harry smiled and hugged Ginny.

"Thanks Gin." Ginny blushed as Harry let go of her.

"Oh what a beautiful cake!" Harry watched as Gabrielle waltzed into the Kitchen.

"Yes it is isn't it?" Mrs. Weasley looked glad that Ginny had learned some skills from her. It was only then that Harry realised that Ginny must have done this all without magic as she was still underage. A pop was heard and two figures arrived in the kitchen.

"Hello."

"Yes hello."

"We bring good cheer-"

"And good presents!"

"If we do say so ourselves." Harry laughed with Ginny and Mrs. Weasley, while Gabrielle looked startled. She was not used to Fred and George apparating whenever they felt like it.

"Ah Mum, you look good!"

"Yes, have you lost weight?"

"No, you've changed the style of your hair?"

"No, you have a new dress on?"

"Or maybe she's just happy to see her favourite sons."

"Yes that's the answer." Fred and George bombarded their mother with hugs while Ginny stepped out of the way which happened to be so close to Harry he could smell her perfume.

"What is all the racket?" Mr. Weasley stepped into the kitchen.

"Boys don't harass your mother." Mr. Weasley was joking; he was wearing such a good natured smile on his face that the twins bombarded him next.

"Ah Dad!"

"You're looking good!"

"Yes good, is your hair growing back?"

"No he's got a new cloak."

"No he has just received a new supply of spark plugs." At this everyone laughed again, and Harry noticed that Gabrielle was not.

"Harry mate good to see you!"

"Yes been a long time."

"Too long."

"We wish you a happy birthday."

"Yes thanks to Weasley Wizard Wheezes."

"Now boys you don't plan on giving Harry anymore of that stuff you've invented do you?" Mrs. Weasley would have succeeded in looking cross if a small smile had not been playing on her lips. Harry couldn't resist a smile.

"An unfounded accusation!" Fred and George looked thunderstruck and completely devastated. Harry knew they were pulling everyone's legs. The Weasley twins were very good at acting out any part they wanted.

"Harry, wondered if you fancied a walk?" Fred and George walked over to him and dragged him from the kitchen. Harry's stomach growled in protest.

"Now Harry we've been hearing some things from Ron." Fred spoke only when they were well out of ear shot from the kitchen.

"Yes, we've been hearing some very interesting things," said George.

"Indeed," said Fred. Harry thought this had everything to do with Ginny, and by the sound of it, it was all thanks to Ron!

"We heard you have fallen under a certain someone's spell," said George. Harry felt his face blush, as far as he was concerned he was still under that spell and had no plans of coming out anytime soon.

"Now Harry, we have only a few things to say," said Fred.

"Just a few," said George.

"Just two really," said Fred.

"Yeah the first thing is, way to go, we couldn't be proude," said George.

"Yep, we've taught you well," said Fred.

"An excellent choice of girl!" continued George. Harry felt his cheeks getting even more crimson.

"The other is..." started Fred.

"Be nice, and treat her well!" said George.

"Yeah or feel our wrath!" said Fred rather menacingly. Spotting the crossed look of humour and horror on Harry's face both twins started laughing.

"You two do realise we're not together anymore, don't you?" said Harry with an amused expression now upon his face.

"You two can deny you feelings all you want," said George.

"But we know how you truly feel," said Fred.

"And frankly we couldn't have picked anyone better," said George, while Fred nodded his head in agreement. Harry's stomach gave a mighty growl from the lack of food.

"Well, I hear we better get you back to the famous Weasley kitchen," said Fred.

"Yeah or you'll starve to death," replied George.

"Then we'd have had to deal with Ginny's wrath," said Fred.

"Yeah, and her Bat-Bogey Hex is far too devastating." said George. They all agreed and laughed then headed back to another one of Mrs. Weasley's famous lunches.

That afternoon, everyone apart from Percy who was still acting like the royal prat he had become, was sitting around the Burrow. Fleur and Bill were gone all day and apparently they would not be back tonight. Gabrielle had gone back to her parent's home in France, and Harry was secretly glad to have more time to sit and think of Ginny.

AN :

I hope you enjoyed this chapter as it was just beta read by beardie04 all thanks for the spelling goes to her. Please Review to tell me what you think. Thanks,

Thanks to Michael for the layout, wish I could get it to come through, it's awesome!

Untill next chapter, take care,

HogwartsAngel101