When the War is Over: Chapter Two
(I don't own any copyrights to the Harry Potter series, or anything to do with it)
For the first time in a long time, I think I slept the whole night through. When I awake, I can tell the difference; I feel rested, I feel as though my soul has purpose again. It was as though he was standing vigil by my bedside all night, watching over me, protecting me, comforting me. I don't bounce down to breakfast, but I don't slink either. The surprise registers on Mum's face when I tell her I feel hungry for once. For the first time, in a long time, I have hope.
Mum sits across from me at the breakfast table and studies me in a motherly fashion.
"Sweetie, it's good to see you've got your appetite back. Your dad and I were so worried about you!"
"Mum-" I put down my fork and push my empty plate away from me. "I need to talk with you about something, and I want you to be honest with me."
"I'll be as honest as I know how," she replies, "but I won't say anything that could be dangerous for you, or for anyone I love."
"Well, that's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about," I take a deep breath, and plunge on recklessly, afraid that if I stop, I won't be able to start again, "I know about the letter, and I know Harry's in trouble. I want to know why you thought of keeping it from me. If you are keeping anything else from me, I'd also like to know that as well."
Mum studies her hands for a few minutes, and than, mechanically, she gets up, takes my plate, and begins doing the dishes. I know she's upset, because she normally doesn't do the dishes by hand.
"How do you know about any of that?" She asks quietly, not looking at me.
"Mum, please, I grew up in the same house as Fred and George-- do you really think you threw away all the extendable ears? I'm not a child anymore, I can find spells to do things like putting letters back together."
Glass shatters, mum leans over the sink, her head bowed. The tap water runs on quietly for several minutes.
"Yes-- you are a child!" She breathes, "your my child! Do you think I want you involved in this war! All my children are involve--" She breaks down, sobbing, and I rush forward to hug her tightly. "Bill--all his scars, and Percy-- the minister's puppet, Ron--" I lead her over to a chair and sit her down, but my determination to get answers is not squashed.
"Mom, I know you want to protect me," I say, "but I'm not a child anymore, I'm not! I'm just like you, I want to protect the people I love, help them, be with them!"
"I'm just so scared--!" She buries her face in her hands, and I grip her wrists.
"Mum, please don't cry Mum!" I beg. After a while, her sobs cease, and she sags.
"I've known for a long time, that you weren't a little girl anymore," she says softly, "when I first found out about you and Harry, I knew you were maturing into a beautiful woman, but none-the-less, I didn't want to see my only daughter lost in this war."
"I'm not lost Mum," I whisper, "I'm right here."
"--But," she interjects, perhaps feeling as I did, that if she didn't finish what she wanted to say, she would not have the strength to say it later, "I know I cannot keep you from doing what your heart is telling you is right. If you love him, you should help him."
Mum gathers me into her arms, I begin to cry, for the first time in a year, I feel as though this heavy veil can be lifted. The kitchen door swings open, dad steps in.
"What's going on with my girls?" He asks, seeing us both embracing.
"Arthur," Mum says, as she pulls away from me and wipes her eyes on her apron, "our little girl has just grown up. I think we need to be honest with her after all."
Dad walks across the kitchen and sinks into a chair. I rush to embrace him as well.
"Sweetie, are you sure?" He asks me.
"I need to help him dad! He needs me!"
"All right than," dad says, and takes a deep breath, "well, I assume you already know the contents of the letter we received last night?" I nod, wordlessly, and he goes on, "according to the Order of the Phoenix, which Hermonie and Ron are currently a part of, Harry has not been seen in a while. There is a growing concern that he may have fallen into the hands of the enemy. The order has been working towards obtaining the Hocrux's, and according to the letter, there is just one more to find before Harry can defeat Voldemort for good. The circumstances of Harry's disappearance and his whereabouts are unknown, but the whole order is on full alert."
"What about Master Olivander? What does the Hocrux that was recently found have to do with him?"
"Well, the last piece of the Hocrux found was a shard of Voldemort's first wand. It's likely he could be trying to use Olivander to create a new wand for him. If he can split his soul again, and he puts that piece of his soul into it and than wields that wand, it won't matter weather we find the other Hocrux or not, as long as he keeps the knew one safe. On top of that, having a first rate wand-crafter on his side will certainly boost his fire power."
"I think, perhaps, if you want to best help Harry, you should join Herminoe and Ron," Mum says quietly, "they have been leading the search for him."
"I'll send a letter right now," I announce. "Where do I send it to?"
"The headquarters is still at Grimauld Place," Mum replies. Her eyes are so sad. I'm sorry I've caused you and dad so much pain, but I can't help it, if Harry is in trouble...
"Well, if that's settled," Dad exhales, "Molly dear, is that bacon I smell...?"
Tense days follow as I wait for a letter, or for Ron and Hermione to appear. Mum tells me to be patient, that they might not be able to spare any time to retrieve me right now, but one day, as I'm starting to sink back into my depressed state, Mum's voice calls me urgently from the kitchen. Racing downstairs, I see that she's holding a letter in her hand.
"Open it dear," she hands it to me. With shaky hands, I take the letter and tear it open.
Dear Mom, Dad, and Ginny,
Hermione and I received your letter and we think it would be wicked (Hermion says 'delighted') if Ginny began working for the order. We'll pick her up next Tuesday at midnight. Send us a letter if this is okay. Love to you all!
P.S.
Tell Ginny not to be upset or worried, Harry's the best mate a guy could ever have, and not likely to get himself into anything he can't handle.
P.P.S
Tell Ginny that Hermione agrees with me, and that she says Harry wouldn't like it if Ginny was worrying about him.
P.P.P.S
Mom, try not to cling to Ginny, because if your letting her go, your obviously taking a really big step and I'm proud of you!
We send our reply, but it feels like ages before Tuesday. Every day I'm terrified that Harry might be suffering badly at the hands of death eaters; I never let myself think of him as possibly being 'dead', because I can't handle that line of thought. But Tuesday night does come at last, and I find myself packed and waiting in the kitchen, my muscles tense, my stomach churning. This is it, I think, I'm finally going to be able to help Harry. For a moment I'm lost in my thoughts of him racing out to meet me, gathering me into his arms, twirling me around, and kissing me as though we'll never kiss again.
A knock at the door breaks my thoughts, and Mum hurries over and peers out through the spy-hole. I've often wondered why she checks like that, and Fred and George have agreed that death eaters wouldn't knock on the door before attacking. When she's satisfied that it's only Ron and Hermione, she lets them in. There is a flurry of hugs, Mum exclaims how much Ron has grown, and how attractive Hermione has become. Than she notices something that makes her break into happy tears. Pushing my way through Mum and dad, I see a beautiful ring, glittering on Hermione's hand. With a squeal of delight I launch myself at Hermione!
"You guys are getting married!" I laugh, hugging her fiercly.
"Yes, Ron proposed just a week ago," Hermione replies, blushing, "We wanted to wait until we could see you, before breaking the news."
"Congratulations son!" Dad claps him on the back and Ron smiles sheepishly. Than they notice me, and Ron steps forward, embracing me tenderly.
"Don't worry Gin," he says, "we're gonna find him, I promise." Unbidden, a few tears fall out of the corners of my eyes. Hermione is there to wipe them away.
"Yes Ginny, don't cry, we're going to find Harry, and than we're going to help him beat Voldemort once and for all. And than you can help me plan my wedding!" I have to laugh through my tears, the image of Hermione in a beautiful white gown...Ron looking uncomfortable in a nice tuxedo...
"Well, are you ready to go Gin," Ron asks me, running a hand through his hair.
"Take care sweetie," Mum whispers and holds me tight, "please come back and visit us soon. This will always be your home..."
"We love you," Dad mummers, embracing Mum and I. Than I am leaving the warmth and light of the kitchen, my things are secured to a broomstick, and we are flying away into the night. I don't know what's going to happen next, but I know that I love him, and I'm going to find him, no matter what...