The Power the Dark Lord Knows Not
By: lbfan
Edits by: MollyCoddles
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters and background of Harry Potter. JK Rowling, AOL Time Warner, and some publishers own all of it. This story was created for entertainment purposes only. No profit would be made from this.
Chapter 7 – Patience
Harry stepped out of his tent to the early morning sunlight filtering through the sparse trees. It did not take long to notice the army of Aurors surrounding the clearing. From the look, they knew where they were, but they have not yet broken the Fidelius Charm.
All around him, people were pouring out of their tents preparing to battle. He did not realize until that time just how much of a toll the previous two battles had affected them. Many wizards and witches had been bandaged and were limping around. Others looked as if they were going to drop from exhaustion.
Harry noticed a movement behind the Ministry Aurors. It was the Centaurs and Acromantulas from the forest. That is also when he noticed that the Aurors were not from the British Ministry of Magic. They were all wearing the distinctive red uniforms of the Magical Mounties.
After casting the Sonorus Charm on his throat, Harry yelled, "They're the Canadians! Stop! Don't Attack. They are on our side!"
The camp cautiously took defensive stances to make sure.
Finding Remus struggling to get out of his tent with Tonks, Harry wormed his way under his free arm to support him. Last night's transformation may have been controlled with the Wolfsbane Potion, but it still crippled his body to the point it was difficult for him to walk
Harry suggested, "Let's go out there and talk with them." He motioned to the portion of the clearing that was not protected by the Fidelius Charm.
Remus replied, "That's a good idea, Harry. But, I can walk." He tried to struggle out from Harry's support.
Harry snapped, "Don't be so proud. Let me help you." Just then, Remus Lupin almost fell to the ground. Before he it the ground, Tonks and Harry caught him and lifted him back up. When they entered the unprotected portion of the clearing, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Bob Minister approached them.
Harry introduced Bob Minister, Director of Magical Law Enforcement for the Canadian magical government, to Tonks and Remus.
After sharing some greetings, Kingsley explained, "After learning about the corruption in the British Ministry for Magic, the Prime Minister called upon the magical governments of the other Commonwealth Nations for assistance.
"Last night, while you were killing Voldemort, the Aussies, Kiwis and Canadian Aurors stormed the Ministry for Magic and took control. We captured Umbridge and her cronies, and they are awaiting trial."
Tonks asked, "Does that mean that we are not wanted criminals anymore?"
Bob exclaimed, "Oh, you are wanted still, but by the press instead. All of you are heroes. All charges have been dropped."
He took a look around the clearing and added, "Speaking of which, could you drop the charm hiding the camp? We have trained healers waiting to help you. St. Mungo's is not fully running yet, but they can still take a few of you."
While Remus was performing the complex spell removing the Fidelius Charm from the camp, Bob pulled Harry to the side. "That was a good thing you did last night. Congratulations on defeating the Dark Lord."
"I couldn't have done it with out my wife, friends and the rest of the camp. What about the other prisoners captured by the Ministry? What about Professor McGonagall?"
Kingsley explained, "Professor McGonagall has been released and is in St. Mungo's recovering from wounds received from torture. The other prisoners are being re-evaluated. If any prisoner were there only because of the Umbridge's regime, they would be released. Since the Aurors have been too busy trying to find all of you rather than capturing real criminals, that should be about everyone."
The Fidelius Charm was removed and the Canadians immediately flooded into the camp looking for the injured to help.
Looking around, Harry noticed that Ron and Hermione were not out of their tent. Panic started to rise in him as he ran to their tent to search for them.
Without knocking, Harry entered Ron and Hermione's tent. "Ron? Hermione? Are you here?"
In a weak choked voice, Ron answered from the bedroom. "In here, Harry."
That's Ron, but what about Hermione?
Harry ran across the room and into the bedroom. What he found stopped him in his tracks. Grief overtook him as saw Hermione in bed. Ron was an emotional wreck. He was sitting beside her and holding her hand. Hermione's skin looked pale and her breathing was labored. A familiar death rattle resonated from her erH
lungs. From his healer training, Harry knew what was happening. She was dying.
A familiar female healer entered the room behind him.
Ron asked in puzzlement, "Who is she?"
Equally surprised, Harry introduced them. "Ron, this is Healer Singleton. She is the healer from Ottawa that fixed my eyes. The Canadians are here to help us."
"Healer Singleton, this is Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, my best mates."
Without another word, Healer Singleton strode over and started casting diagnostic spells. "What exactly happened to her?"
Ron gave Hermione a sad look as he started to recount the events. "We were covering the retreating teams when Dolohov started fighting one-on-one with Hermione. She almost had him, but he sent a zigzagging jet of purple light that hit her in the stomach."
Harry realized what spell it was. "The Venenum Copus Curse. It is one of the killing curses, but this one is the slowest and most painful. It fills her body with toxic poisons that slowly shut down all of the organs."
A horrified look spread across Ron's face.
Healer Singleton added, "It is in its last stage. All we can do now is wait for it to take her." With care she straightened the sheet over her.
In a low angry growl, Harry asked, "What happened to Dolohov?"
Ron blanched. "I didn't mean it to happen the way it did. In my anger, I hit him with a Reductor Curse straight in the chest. However, rather than creating a bleeding wound, his whole body exploded. The other Death Eaters retreated after that."
Harry cast Ron a sympathetic look. He knew that it was probably his first kill he had made, besides the werewolves. Despite the necessity or motivation, taking a life with such violence wasn't easy.
Harry walked to the side of the bed. "Ron, could you give me a few hours. Go sit with Ginny. She won't be waking for a few days, but I don't like leaving her alone. Just mind Dobby. He's taking good care of her."
Healer Singleton protested. "Harry, it is normal to allow the patient's loved ones to watch her go."
Harry snapped at her. "She isn't going to die. Not today." Harry started to transform the bedroom in to a sanitary operating room.
Ron was dumbfounded at Harry's conviction.
Healer Singleton was appalled. "She will die shortly after you start cutting into her."
Irritated, Harry snapped at Ron, "Please leave. I'll let you know immediately once I have something to tell you… good or bad."
Ron reluctantly turned and left the room.
Harry returned his attention to preparing Hermione for the surgery.
A mix of emotions rolled through Healer Singleton as she watched Harry doing what he did best, heroics. She could easily see the passion he had for this impossible undertaking. "I just want to let you know. I have been a healer for years, and from my experience, you only have a quarter of a percent chance of success."
Harry gave her a stern look as if he was contemplating ordering her out as well.
She continued, "Don't get me wrong. I'm going to stay and help."
Harry started by drying out her lungs to encourage better oxygenation of her blood. Then he opened up her abdominal cavity. With a quick spell, the poison in her body became visible as a bright green liquid. It was throughout all of her organs. "Purify" Harry cast a spell that removed some of the poison.
Discouraged, Healer Singleton suggested to Harry, "Why don't you use the Detoxicus Spell? Purify is so ancient and out-dated."
In between spells, Harry explained, "Purify is Light Magic. Purify. Detoxicus Spell does not rely on the feelings of love and compassion. Purify." They watched as the poison soaked back into the spleen where he just removed it. Refusing to give up, Harry continued.
"Purify is out-dated for a reason. At the rate you are going, it will take hours to clean out the abdominal cavity alone. Casting that spell over-and-over for that long will drain you emotionally and physically. There is still a chance that the liver and kidneys will never work again." She was hoping to give him the guidance he could use in the future.
Harry shared some experience with her. "When healing someone who you love, light magic outperforms other healing spells."
"In all my years… Who told you that?" Healer Singleton was miffed at his youthful arrogance.
"This patient of ours is the brightest witch I know. She is the one who showed me. When this is all done, I'll let you see my battle wounds from last night that she healed."
Making herself useful, Healer Singleton conjured a cloth and dabbed the tears off his cheeks. "You are not doing her any good by dropping your tears into her wounds."
He shrugged her off. "It can't be helped. With every cast, I must pour all of my emotions into the spell. As for the tears, the very nature of the Purify Spell will remove any of the ill effects they cause."
Harry had to return to drying out her lungs multiple times during the procedure. Fortunately, instead of dying, Hermione showed signs of improvement. Her skin color gradually improved and her breathing became more relaxed.
It was not until the kidneys started functioning again that they considered the procedure a success. The seasoned healer was equally amazed when she witnessed Harry knitting together the muscle and skin tissue with the light magic spells. The procedure left no scar tissue at all.
The whole surgery was only two hours from start to finish. At that point, all they could do was wait for the sedative to wear off. Harry collapsed in a chair beside the bed and fell asleep.
Breaking herself out of the shock of the miracle she just witnessed, the healer left the tent to find the patient's boyfriend, Ron.
When Harry woke up, he noticed Ron in the room sitting on the bed at Hermione's side. She was starting to stir.
Ron greeted him. "Hey mate. I heard what happened." He tried to get his emotions under control and not cry. "Thank you, Harry."
Harry waived off the gratitude. He started performing diagnostic spells on Hermione to see if she was indeed getting better. "Ron, I didn't do it for you. I would have also missed her if she died. I would have willingly given my life to save hers if I could."
Ron countered. "You would have given your life to save just about anyone, but I know what you mean. I felt hopeless watching her die and not able to do anything to stop it. If I had your knowledge of healing, I would have done the same."
With soft look in his eyes, Harry added, "She would have done the same for either of us."
At that moment, Hermione let out a soft moan and started to blink her eyes.
Harry could see his heart in his eyes as Ron gazed lovingly at Hermione. "Hey beautiful, it is good to see you alive and well."
She was clearly very weak as she turned her head towards Ron's voice. "Ron?" she whispered hoarsely.
Ron squeezed her hand and gave her an encouraging smile.
Harry interrupted their moment. "Hermione, I need you to take a few potions and then go back to sleep."
She turned her head to look at Harry. She offered him a weak smile and nodded her head in understanding. Harry pulled out some of the potions that Healer Singleton left for her. After assisting her with the potions, he stayed and watched as the last Sleeping Potion took effect.
"She will sleep until this evening. I will bring back some more potions for then." Getting up out of his chair, Harry stretched and walked to Ron. After giving him a comforting pat on the back, Harry returned to his own tent to check on his wife.
Through that night and the next day, Harry continued to watch over the progress of Ginny and Hermione. In between his visits, he helped the others in the camp move back into the wizarding community under the newfound peace they all fought so hard for. Harry even hired some of the wizards in the camp to assist him with the rebuilding efforts.
One afternoon, Harry returned to his tent to find Officers McLoughlin and Dancing Dog carrying Ginny out on stretcher. "Where are you going with her?"
Sheepishly, Officer McLoughlin answered, "We are moving her to the Minister of Magic's Mansion in London. We are on orders from the Minister of Magic himself."
"HE HAS NO RIGHT TAKING MY WIFE!" Harry was so angry a visible aura of magic flared around him.
Dancing Dog spoke. "Please Mr. Potter, we are under direct orders. There is no reason you can't join us and speak to him yourself."
McLoughlin added, "He and his wife only want to help her get better. I assure you, they have no intentions on harming her."
Taking some calming breaths, Harry relented. "Just wait a few minutes. Let me grab a few of her things."
Harry went into the tent to find an angry house elf frozen in place. Harry released the spell the held Dobby.
Dobby screamed, "Bad Guards take Mistress and stop Dobby. We must go get her."
Harry calmed him. "It is alright Dobby. The new Minister of Magic wants to take care of her for some reason and I'm going to find out why. Help me pack her a bag of her things she may need."
Dobby popped around getting some of her personal items and clothing she will need.
"Dobby, don't get everything. If she needs anything else, all she has to do is call you."
When Harry, McLoughlin and Dancing Dog arrived at the Minister of Magic Mansion, a very formal butler house elf ushered them in. Harry suddenly realized their interest in Ginny when he saw the Minister's wife.
"Harry! It is good to see you." Mrs. Weasley embraced Harry in a tight hug. He could tell that she was hold back and the hug was not as sincere as it once was.
"Mrs. Weasley, it is good to see that you well. Did Mr. Weasley become the new Minister of Magic?"
"Just the interim Minister of Magic until the Wizengamot elects a new candidate that the Prime Minister approves."
She briefly instructed the Canadians holding Ginny, "Please take her up to her room on the second floor, last room on the left."
As the Magical Mounties took Ginny to her room, Harry spoke up. "What are you doing? I'm caring for her just fine without you. Why do you take her from me?"
As Mrs. Weasley guided Harry to the kitchen, she answered in a stoic manner. "The two of you are too young to be married. She still has two years of schooling to complete. Arthur and I feel that you two should annul your marriage and wait until you're older."
Irritated, Harry snapped, "I don't want to denounce my vows. I love her. We need each other."
The infamous Weasley temper flared in her eyes. "Tell me, Harry. Would you both be married today if it weren't for the crisis you and Ginny were in at the time? Would the two of you have taken your vows, if Arthur and I were there to take care of Ginny?"
"No," Harry replied. His eyes looked to the floor as he added, "We would have waited until a more appropriate time, but…"
"But nothing! You are not thinking what is best for the two of you. Because of your impulsive behavior, the two of you are missing out on the best years of your lives."
"It is not what you make it out as."
Again, Mrs. Weasley interrupted him. "It is not too late to fix the problem. It has been less than two weeks and everything can be put back the way it should be. All you have to do is fill out and sign this form declaring an annulment." She finished by handing him a Ministry approved document.
"No."
"What?"
"I said, No." It did not matter how angry Mrs. Weasley became. Harry stood his ground.
"You are ruining her life. If you truly love her as you claim you do, you would put away your selfish desires and give her back her life." Molly fumed.
Stoically, Harry replied, "The disagreement is whether she would truly be missing out on the best part of her life if we revoked our wedding vows. As for me, the best part of my life has just started. And yet, in this short period of time, I have been in two battles and faced Voldemort, not to mention almost losing my wife and best friend to injuries.
"I genuinely doubt that our lives could be better apart then they are together. I am willing to let her stay here until she regains consciousness. But, after she does come around, you should allow her to choose for herself. If she decides to revoke her vows, I will let her go."
Feeling very disappointed and upset, Mrs. Weasley snapped, "Fine! I'm certain that my own daughter is mature enough to see the error in this situation."
Harry turned to leave. Before he reached the door, he turned back to speak. "Dobby, our house elf, is responsible for her care. Allow him the courtesy to do what he needs to make her recovery as comfortable as possible. I also desire to have full access to visit with her whenever I want. I am going to check on her now to make sure that her transfer here was made without creating additional injury."
Without giving her time to reply, he turned around and walked out of the room. On his way back from checking on her, he found McLoughlin and Dancing Dog escorting Ron and Hermione into the foyer. Hermione was awake, but she was being pushed in on a hover chair.
Hermione gave him a concerned look. "Is everything alright, Harry?"
Harry stormed down the remainder of the stairs and walked up to Hermione. "No, I'm very upset at the moment. What are you doing here?"
Ron answered, "Mum and Dad want to take care of Hermione until school starts back up."
Harry told Hermione, "I don't want you staying here. I know you are an adult, but I want you to stay with me."
Hermione looked conflicted as she looked from Harry to Ron.
Mrs. Weasley screamed from the other end of the foyer. "You can not take care of her. She needs family, and she is welcome to stay with us."
Harry snapped back, "I am her family. I can and will take care of her."
Seeing the open hostility between Harry and Mrs. Weasley, Hermione decided. After a short whispered conversation between her and Ron, she announced to Mrs. Weasley, "I will go home with Harry. He is right. He is my family." She turned her hover chair around and headed towards the door.
Mrs. Weasley broke into sobs and retreated into the kitchen.
Harry gave Ron an apologetic look. "You can come and visit as often as you want. Please take care of your mum. I know she means well." He turned and followed Hermione out the door.
Hermione waited outside the door. As soon as Harry closed the door. His strength started to wane. Inside, his heart was going through a tempest of emotions.
Hermione exclaimed, "Merlin, Harry, what happened?" The guards who were posted on each side of the door reached out their hands to offer him support as he showed signs of fainting.
Hermione held up her hand to the guards informing them that she had it under control. She moved her hover chair next to him, and wrapped her arm around him to provide support.
"I'm fine," he snapped. He silently cursed himself for showing weakness in front of her and the guards. He took out his wand and grasped her arm to Apparate them.
Hermione snatched his wand from his hands. "No way are you going to Apparate us in your condition. You'd likely splinch us together or send us across the world." She tucked his wand away in her purse and grabbed her own wand.
"Give me back my wand. I'll be fine. Besides there's no way you will be able to Apparate us in your condition."
He must have been too slow to realize it, because before he knew it, Hermione managed to stand up and the familiar sucking sensation overcame him. After the Apparation was over, he noticed they were in front of their tents. Hermione slumped against him, and he managed to catch her before she dropped to the ground.
She ordered him, "Help me inside your tent, and we'll talk."
It was then that he realized she left the hover chair behind at the manor. Picking her up in his arms, he carried her into the tent and placed her on the black leather sofa in his living room.
Still irritated at her but mostly at the situation that plagued him, he stormed into the kitchen without saying a word. Two minutes later, Harry returned into the room. He was calmer but Hermione could tell that he was still riddled with emotional turmoil.
He handed her a glass of water, and sat down in a chair across from her. He had a Canadian beer gripped in his hand. "I would offer you a beer too, but you shouldn't be drinking until you are off the potions."
Hermione sat up and leaned forward. "Harry, what happened?"
Harry squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath. Hoping it would give him strength, he took a deep swallow of beer. "They took her."
Knowing him well enough, she decided not to interrupt. She nodded in understanding and gestured for him to continue.
"Two Aurors I knew came to my tent and took Ginny back to the Weasley's. See, Mr. Weasley was instated as the interim Minister of Magic, and the two Aurors were only acting on his orders.
"When we arrived at the manor, Mrs. Weasley insisted that I negate our marriage so that Ginny could supposedly 'grow up normally.'" He closed his eyes again and took another deep draw from his bottle.
She asked, "Well?"
Confused, Harry snapped, "What?"
"Did you?"
"No." He drank another gulp of beer.
He continued. "I couldn't. It would require that I would denounce my vows… and I would be lying if I said that I didn't intend to keep my vows for the rest of my life… I love her."
Hermione hugged Harry. If it was any other girl, it would have felt wrong, but coming from her it just felt right. He leaned into her as she patted his back.
"Well, you have nothing to worry about then." Hermione commented. "They can't force you to annul your marriage, especially since she was betrothed to you."
He winced as he responded. "Actually, they are going to ask Ginny to annul it when she eventually comes around."
She laughed. "Yeah, like that's going to happen."
With a confused look, Harry inquired, "How can you be so sure?"
"Really, Harry, you don't give her enough credit. She doesn't care about growing up or her schooling. You are the one who makes her happy." She gave him another reassuring hug. "You'll see. You have nothing to worry about."
With that, Harry started to smile. "Thank you Hermione. You're the best."
She added, "You know, even if she does annul the marriage, it wouldn't mean that she feels less for you. You would still be girlfriend and boyfriend, and you can be re-married as soon as she leaves school."
He thought about it. "I know. But, it still would not be the same. After living as husband and wife, her absence at school would only deepen my loneliness."
Hermione gave him a sad look.
He nodded in understanding. "I know. It is a selfish reason."
She placed her hand over his. "No, it is not selfish. She would feel the same about you."
Two days passed and Harry kept himself very busy between taking care of Hermione and staying on top of his reconstruction projects. A charmed coin in his pocket started to vibrate, indicating Ginny had regained consciousness.
Harry poked his head into his tent. "Hermione, Ginny woke up. I'm going to the Mansion to visit with her."
She replied, "We'll be around shortly. Bye."
Hermione had been walking around since the day before. All signs of her injury were gone. She had been spending time with Ron while preparing to return to Hogwarts in another week.
When Harry arrived at the Minister of Magic's Mansion, the butler elf asked that he wait downstairs.
Not long afterwards, a very disgruntled old man made his way down the stairs. He tipped his hat to Harry as he left.
From down in the foyer, Harry could hear Ginny scream. "Healer Bombay, Mum? I'm not a little girl anymore. He is a bloody pediatrician! If you haven't noticed, I am a woman now. A MARRIED woman. You know what they say about newlyweds? Well, we're like rabbits Mum. RABBITS! Where's my husband? I want to see Harry!"
Dobby popped into the foyer.
Harry waved him to not say a thing. "I know. I can hear her. Thank you, Dobby." Harry quickly ascended the staircase and walked quickly to her room.
As he entered her room, he heard her Mum say, "Please, just consider it."
Ginny was fuming mad and was glaring furiously at her mother. When she saw Harry, her demeanor immediately melted.
Seeing the sudden change in her mood, Mrs. Weasley looked over her shoulder. She gave Harry a sour look and then retreated out the door leaving them alone.
Harry gave Ginny one of his lopsided grins. "Hey, you. You're awake."
"What took you so long?" Ginny asked in feigned hurt.
"Rabbits, eh?" Harry's eyes sparkled in amusement.
"Oh, Harry. You don't understand. She has been constantly treating me as a child. I had to do something to shock her into seeing who I really am."
Harry started doing his diagnostics spells to see how well she had healed.
Ginny grew quiet in thought as she decided to broach the subject. "So you want break it off?" She said it quietly. A tear streaked down her cheek.
"Never, I love you too much." It broke his heart seeing her sad. He wanted so desperately to wrap his arms around her at that moment. Another part of him told him to give her the space to make her own decision.
"Then why did you drop me off here?" She spat out in bitterness and hurt.
Again, Harry attempted to control himself. It didn't work, because an insolent tear broke free from one of his eyelids. "Your Mum and Dad forced me to bring you here."
Some of her sadness slipped away as smile started to appear. "But what about my ring? What did you do with it?"
"I didn't do anything with it. You had it on when they brought you here." Harry performed the Summoning Charm. "Accio wedding ring." The lid to a wooden box on the dresser popped open as her ring flew out to them. Ginny quickly snatched at it, but Harry caught it first.
She smirked. "You are just lucky that I'm sick in bed. I could have easily snatched that before you could."
"Oh, really?" Harry teased her.
His countenance became stoic as he asked, "Have you had enough time to consider annulling the marriage? We could still date if you want, but this way you can go back to being a girl."
Ginny's attention shifted from Harry's face to his hand and back. "Yes and no."
Momentary pain and confusion flushed across his face as she spoke those words.
She was quick to explain, "Yes, I have already decided." She paused. "No, I do not want to renounce my marriage. All I want is you."
Unable to restrain himself, he embraced and kissed his wife. Continuing to hold her close, he occasionally caressed her cheek with more kisses.
"Ouw, my shoulder. Harry, could I have my ring back now?"
Harry straightened up. Taking her left hand, he ceremoniously announced, "As a symbol of my vows and my love; with this ring, I remain wed to thee." He slid the ring on to her finger, resembling the magical moment of their wedding ceremony.
She pulled him back down to her and they embraced and kissed again. "I love you, Harry…forever and always."
"I love you too."
Hearing sniffles behind him. Harry turned around and saw Mr. Weasley comforting his wife in the doorway. Behind them in the hallway, he could make out Hermione and Ron.
Building up his courage and putting a stern look on his face, he turned to face the conflict with his unwilling in-laws. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, we need to talk."
Noticing the sudden change in his tone, Ginny grabbed Harry's hand. "Harry dear, let me handle this."
He gave her a concerned look.
"Really Harry, I should be the one to talk to my parents. Just give me a few minutes alone with them." Then she gave him the look. The one that made him go weak at the knees.
Harry reluctantly nodded. "Alright, but make it short and no shouting. You still need to take some potions and go to sleep."
Ginny called out, "Ron, why don't you show Hermione and Harry your new room."
Ron quickly ushered them out the door and to his room.
Hermione complained, "Ron, hold up! What's the rush?"
When they arrived in the room, Ron pulled out a pair of Extendable Ears from one of his dresser drawers.
Hermione's eyes went wide.
Harry just rolled his eyes and walked over to Ron's windows. Just like his room at the Burrow, Ron's walls were covered with Chudley Cannon Posters.
Hermione started to speak, but Ron cut her off. "Oh, come on Hermione. I'm a Weasley. Besides, I'm not going to miss this for the world. Mum and Dad are going to finally get an earful from Ginny."
Hermione relented and put her head next to Ron's so she could also hear.
It was Ginny talking. "As you can see, I'm not going to nullify my marriage to Harry. Actually, I should thank you for agreeing to the betrothal with Harry's parents. It is the best thing you have ever done for me. He really is the most noble, bravest and loving wizard I have ever met. I genuinely doubt that I would ever find a better man in the world.
"That leads me into something else I should say. That look that Harry gave you, I rarely ever see. That is the look he gives his enemies. I don't know what all you did to cause him to treat you that way, but what ever it was, you better fix it. He may be the most forgiving man I know, but I'm not sure if you can salvage his good graces at this point.
"You don't know what he was like before the night we fought Voldemort. He used to refer to you as Mum and Dad with longing in his eyes. He was actually looking forward to being your son and having parents again. He grew up in an unloving home, and the two of you were the first ones to ever treat him with love, like he was a son. He loved you so much, I wondered if half of his reasoning to marry me was to be formally be apart of our family.
"Whatever you did to make him refer to you as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, it must have been an act of ultimate and contemptuous betrayal. I doubt even if the Dursleys could have done worse. I fear that it may be beyond repair.
"You must understand, just as my name, 'Ginny Potter' implies, I am foremost his wife, then I am your daughter. If you don't correct what ever is going on between the three of you, my visits will be far and few between, despite how much it would hurt me. I love you two, and I know that he used to love you too. Please don't distance yourself from my husband."
Ron and Hermione only hear some muffled mutterings. They both stared at Harry with their mouths wide open. Ron sighed. "She's good." In awe, Hermione agreed by nodding.
Ginny called out, "Dobby!"
They heard a pop. Dobby replied, "Yes my mistress. What can your Dobby do for yous?"
"Dobby please go get me Harry. Tell him that we're done."
Hermione told Harry, "She wants you now."
Dobby popped into the room. "Master, Mistress Ginny wants yous."
Harry gave Hermione a short smile before walking back to her room.
When Harry entered Ginny's room, he cast a stern look at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
With a loud wail, Mrs. Weasley turned and cried into Mr. Weasley's chest. Mr. Weasley looked away, embarrassed and ashamed.
With a startled, confused expression, Harry looked to Ginny for explanation.
She just shrugged with a wry smile on her lips. "I'm ready to take my potions now, my love."
Harry started portioning out her potions when Mr. Weasley put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Harry, we want you to know. We would like you to consider our home as yours. Please stay the night here in your room."
Harry's eyes went wide as he noticed his father-in-law gesture to insinuate the room they were in.
"Yes, Harry, this is Ginny's and your room. You have slept apart from her for too long. Feel free to stay here tonight…Son."
Harry stood in shock as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley started for the door. "I'm sorry, but I shou…I can't. I don't want Hermione to be alone."
From far away down the hall, they heard Hermione scream, "It's alright Harry! I'll stay the night here too!"
Mrs. Weasley hastily looked out the door and found the extendable ear on the floor. The ear bounced up and made a quick escape down the hall to Ron's room. Mr. Weasley, Ginny and Harry all laughed.
After staying with her two nights, Ginny was well enough to leave. The two days Harry and Ginny had with her parents allowed them to mend their relationship and trust again.
Mrs. Weasley explained that after Ginny and Ron returned home from school, she learned that Harry was the one who made Ginny so miserable. She just didn't understand how and why. Ron, at the time, was convinced that Harry ditched him and Hermione and ran off to find danger by himself. So when she found out one day that Ginny was safe, but married to Harry, she was not convinced that they married out of love or that it would ever last.
She was also aware of the love magic that the betrothal could create. Apparently, she took an interest in reading the very same library book when she was in Hogwarts many years ago. She only just learned that Sirius had completed the magic by accepting Ginny into his family. She realized, by doing so, this magic caused Harry's attraction to Ginny to grow stronger as time went by.
Harry woke up to Ginny shaking him. "Wake up, Harry." She looked like she just had a shower and was walking around in a dressing robe. "If we come down too late, people are going to think you didn't sleep at all last night." She had a smirk on her face.
Harry groaned. "Everyone is still teasing me about your 'rabbits' comment."
Ginny giggled. "Take it in good nature. Come on, get dressed."
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "I can't wait until I get you home."
"Home?" Ginny asked. "You mean our tent, or the Slytherin shrine of London?"
He realized that Ginny held as much contempt for Number 12 Grimmauld Place as he did. If he had to choose, he would pick a tattered tent any day. "No, my love, it's a surprise. You'll see."
Wiggling out of his arms, she said. "Well, I'm sorry. It will have to wait. It seems the family is up to something. When I went down to breakfast earlier, everyone was there: Bill, Fleur, and even Fred and George. I even heard that Tonks and Remus were expected to drop in as well. They refused to tell me anything."
When they descended the staircase to the first floor, they were greeted with a loud cheer. "Congratulations!" The party was a wedding reception for them. Apparently, the guest list wasn't limited to only family. Many of their friends were there as well. Neville and his Grandmother were talking to Luna and her father. Hagrid, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall, Flitwick, and Slughorn were all there as well.
For a wedding reception, it was very casual. There was still dancing, food and cake. Overall, Harry thought it was perfect. It was warm and comfortable in a relaxed environment with just friends and family. They had a lot to celebrate, for they were really starting a new chapter in their lives.
As the party was coming to a close, the family gathered around the dinner table. Mrs. Weasley was gushing over Hermione. "It is wonderful that you got Head Girl this year, Hermione. You worked so hard for that."
Appreciating the praise, but feeling a bit smothered, Hermione added. "You should congratulate Ron. Not only is he prefect this year, but also Quidditch captain as well."
"Oh, congratulations Ron. That is an achievement. I only thought that Harry would have that again this year."
Harry looked away, hoping to avoid the next question.
Ron blurted, "But Harry is not going to school. He's working."
"What?" Mrs. Weasley bellowed. "But you told me that you were going to be on the Hogwarts Express."
Ginny jumped in to take the heat off her husband. "He is, but only as an Auror and a guest. After all, he has the Sorting Hat. He has to return it to the school or else there won't be a sorting ceremony."
Mrs. Weasley still fumed at her newest son. "But your education Harry, you need to prepare for your NEWT's."
Harry explained, "I don't need to take my NEWT's. After my training in Canada, they already passed me with what they call a High School Equivalency Certificate. So, I'm already considered a fully-qualified wizard. I also have all of the training needed to be an Auror and a healer."
Mr. Weasley noted. "That is a shame. It will be hard for you and Ginny to be apart for so long."
Ginny looked away and shifted guiltily in her seat.
Harry explained, "She is being home schooled. We have contracted with Hogwarts to provide the tutor. Because of her marital status, she wouldn't have been allowed to attend anyway. This way she would complete her schooling with an official Hogwarts education." Harry thought it was best to not mention that Remus was going to be her tutor. He didn't want to inflict any of Mrs. Weasley's wrath on him unnecessarily.
Ginny added, "I will still sit through the NEWT's with my classmates. Really Mum, it will be alright."
Ron added, "And they are allowed to join us at all Quidditch matches and events."
Worried, Mrs. Weasley asked, "A private tutor? That must cost a lot. How are you going to do that?"
Harry answered for them, "I already paid the tuition for Ginny and Hermione. Besides, it is not like we can't afford it."
Mrs. Weasley started to object, but her voice was drowned out by Hermione. "What! You shouldn't have paid for my schooling."
Trying to be consoling and discreet, Harry turned and whispered to her. "You told me that your parents' estate won't be settled until after your birthday. Until then, I consider you my financial responsibility. I have the money. Let me do this for you, because you are my family. We take care of each other."
Hermione glowered, "Fine. But somehow I'm going to pay you back."
Harry gave her a warm look and wrapped an arm around her shoulder to hug her. "You already have, and it is a debt I'll never come close to repaying."
She gave him a questioning look. "It is more like everyone here owes you a debt, for one thing or another. What did I do that you consider so special that you would feel indebted to me?"
Harry started listing everything in his head, but settled on saying, "There are too many things to list. To summarize: Just being there for me when I needed you. Rather than owe you my life, I just consider you family. After all, as family that is what we do. We take care of each other."
Harry gave Ron a smile, indicating that the same could have been said about him.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You are impossible, and I am very lucky to have you as my best friend."
"Luck, nothing. There were many times when I didn't deserve to have a friend, and you stayed with me despite everything."
Hermione chuckled and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I was pretty thick. Wasn't I?"
Ron chided in. "I know. We were thick. I guess you stayed with me because I'm so handsome."
Hermione's face turned calculating as she considered him. "Right." Imitating the first time they met, she said, "There's some dirt on your nose. Did you know?"
Ron looked away and started rubbing his nose clean.
Hermione and Harry laughed, enjoying the relived moment.
The others in the room looked at them in confusion at their intimate banter.
Ginny shrugged, "It's a trio thing."
Later that evening, Harry asked Dobby to take their things home. He and Ginny said their good-byes and walked out the door to the Apparation point.
Harry asked her, "Are you ready."
Ginny gazed at him lovingly and nodded her head. Her arm was draped around his.
When the sucking vacuum sensation ended, her mouth dropped in astonishment. It was Godric's Hollow. Instead of being a heap of rubble and un-kept landscaping, it was a magnificent manor. She noticed the immaculate gardens and lawns. The house was two stories and had two wings added on to each side for extra bedrooms.
Harry walked her down the manicured path to the front door. Picking her up, Harry carried her across the threshold and set her back down. "Welcome home, my darling."
Her eyes started to tear as she looked at all of the furnishing and details. She covered her mouth as she continued to take in her new home. Her home.
"Do you like it?" Harry asked.
She looked at him with her bright, tear-brimmed, brown eyes. "Oh, yes, Harry, I love it. It is perfect."
He smiled back at her. "Well this is just the foyer. Would you like to see the rest of the house?"
Her face lit up as she darted into an adjacent room to explore. When she completed acquainting herself with her new home, she found Harry sitting on a bench in the garden. She walked out to him and sat next to him. The area was a small lawn with a bench and fountain. "This area's pretty special to you."
"Yeah," he replied.
"This is where their tent was."
"Yes, and because of that I named this fountain the friendship fountain. I always want to remember that day I found out that they were here, alive and well."
Ginny smiled and wrapped her arm around him.
He continued. "It will be hard when they will be away at school and I'll be here. This place just makes me feel closer to them."
She hugged Harry tight. "They will always be here in our hearts."
From within the house, they heard the front door open and close.
Hermione called to them, "Harry, Ginny, I'm home."
We're home.