Lily's Overwhelming Work Load -
The morning dawned, sunlight streaming into the windows in the kitchen; Molly and Lily were preparing breakfast when an Owl came and perched on the sill.
"We've got an Owl this morning, must be the Daily Prophet." Lily said as she went to relieve the Owl of the slight burden.
In untying the papers, Lily was surprised to find many copies of the Wizarding Newpaper.
"Molly, look! The Daily Prophet has sent us extra copies; Looks like there's one copy for each of us. How nice of them!" Lily said, very happy.
"I wonder why?" Lily announced absentmindedly – but casting her eyes around to see if that would get Molly's or anyone else's attention.
"Oh? Let me see, Lily." Molly walked over and looked.
"How sweet, the Photographer got a good picture of them and look how Romantic!" Molly had a faraway look in her eyes.
"What are you thinking about, Molly?" Lily asked, somewhat gently.
"This just reminded me of when Arthur and I were married. It just seems so long ago, but I still remember the feelings I had then."
"You know something, Lily. Even then, when Arthur and I were courting, and still in school, I knew I wanted a family." Molly looked at Lily and cast a smile, sheepishly, and looked at her.
Lily put an arm around Molly hugging her to Lily's side. "Arthur couldn't have choosen better, Molly. You're the heart of our home and always will be."
Lily then turned to Molly and placed her hands in Mollys' while looking directly into her eyes. "Molly," Lily said softly, "you've done a good job of creating a loving home, raising seven wonderful kids. Father is very pleased with you. He knows your heart and in the future He will have a job for you, a very special job that no one else will be able to perform.
"Molly, an opportunity will be placed before you and your family, and . . . ," It was here that Lily's eyes were clouding over, tears falling. She just couldn't help herself at what she'd 'seen' earlier.
"Lily, what's wrong? What decision? What are you saying?" Molly asked, very worried.
" . . . and so much will rest upon you taking that opportunity." Lily continued, haltingly.
"But, How, What? . . . ," Molly wanted to ask so many questions.
"Molly, remember what I've taught: charity, forgiveness, Faith, Love, all these will be the only tools you'll need. And remember: Even though you'll face what you THINK will be your greatest fear and hatred – there'll be nothing to hurt you, absolutely nothing will hurt you when you take on this future assignment." Lily finished, she was weary and exhausted at telling it.
"Molly, I'm tired. Just telling these things takes so much out of me. Just so much. Let me sit a while, and rest. Please." Lily, slowly, haltingly walked back to the table and sat down. Molly helped her, she was worried, worried about Lily and herself and her family over what she'd just been told, reveled to her. She had to think.
Just as Molly was leaving Lily's side to go back to the kitchen stove to finish preparing breakfast, Lily held onto her hand, and looking up into Molly's eyes added: "Molly," Lily was looking so warmly at her, "the rewards will be great, just beyond anything you can imagine! Remember all I've told you, and, . . . , and, Never Forget!"
Lily collapsed upon the kitchen table, her head resting upon her arms.
Molly rushed upstairs to get Arthur and James. Banging on each of their bedroom doors, she roused them both out of bed. "Please, James, get up, somethings wrong with Lily, get up, help her!"
James was up and didn't even both finishing dressing, and rushed down the stairs, while Molly found Arthur already up and dressed. Everyone else was downstairs after hearing all the commotion.
James gently picked up his beloved wife in his arms and took her to the living room, and placed her upon the couch. She opened her eyes and saw everyone standing around her, worried looks upone each of their faces, none speaking a word.
"What happened, Molly?" James asked, looking at her.
"We were looking at the Daily Prophet, commenting on the pictures and the article they published about Harry and Ginny's engagement, when Lily started talking about our future, about a decision that was to be made by me, an opportunity, she called it. She seemed very sad and hesitant, crying almost. That's when she got so tired. I can't tell you what it was about, she said it was only for me, but that much would be resting on my decision. That there was a job that only I could do."
Everyone looked at their Mum, Arthur stood beside her, his hands on her shoulder for moral support. He just didn't know what to say.
"Mum?" Harry said. He kneldt down beside his Mum, "Mum, I'm right here with you. Dad and I will not leave you. Whatever problem you're facing or trying to face alone, we're right here with you. We all know that you carry so much responsibility. Let us help you, somehow. Please."
Ginny was standing beside Harry. Not saying anything, just being with him her body touching his as she stood next to him for moral support.
No one else knew what to say.
"Please, rest here, Lily. I'll floo to Hogwarts and have Prof. McGonnagal to fill in for you and announce that you may be a little late in coming in, that is, if you're up to it. Just rest, for now, let us help you." James said.
Lily smiled weakly, barely nodding her head.
James got up and flooed off to Hogwarts leaving the rest of the family behind to care for Lily.
James came out of Lily's office and immediately left to go to the Hospital Wing. He was running down the Hallways, students seeing him, and recognizing him, moved out of his way. Curiousity getting the better of all of them, they followed him and stopped outside Madam Pomphrey's office.
Many worried looks were apparent.
"Madam Pomphrey, Madam Pomphrey! I need you, fast! Where are you? Lily. It's Lily. Something happened to her. She collapsed at the Burrow. We need you, desparately!
She came out of her office, not having any other patients and heard James. A worried look crossed her face.
"I understand what you're saying, James. Let me get a few of my things and my black bag, and we'll floo over immediately."
"Please, hurry! We're all worried." James added.
"Ok, lets go now." She and james left the Hospital wing and went to lily's office. Both running down the hallways.
While running down the hallways, James spotted Rachel and stopped to give her a message: "Rachel, go look for Dobby, the house Elf and you and him floo directly to The Burrow, Lily's collapsed and she'll want both of you."
"What happened?"
"Just go, now. Talk later." James added.
With that said, and overheard by many of the students in the hallways, Rachel ran down to the kitchens, aided by others.
Downstairs Rachel flew, going to the large picture of the bowl of fruit, and tickling one of the fruits, that opened the door, she called out for Dobby.
"Dobby! Dobby! Lily needs you NOW! Where are you?" Rachel called out frantically.
"Dobby is here, Miss Rachel. What happened? How can Dobby help?"
"James came here, got Madam Pomphrey and flooed back to the Burrow, he stopped and wanted me to get you and both of us to go there now. Can you floo us there? I don't know how?"
"Take Dobby's hand." Dobby told her. And with that, they both disapparated.
James and Madam Pomphrey flooed back to the Burrow from Lily's office, James having been given the passwords. They found her laid out on the couch in the living room.
Madam Pomphrey knelt down to examine Lily, moving her wand over Lily's body. She'd done this only once before, and that was many years ago when she was taken to Hogwarts and delivered Harry.
"Lily, I don't know what to tell you, I really don't. You're the most unusual patient I've ever had, due to your Gifts, you and James both. But, from what I can determine, it's just exhaustion and worry. I don't need to tell you that you've got an immense load on you, you know that. My advice is to slow down some, let others' here, your family, help you and worry some for you. You've got to take your responsibilities in stride, and not do too much at once."
"I've got so much to do." Lily's head fell back on the couch pillow, eyes not focusing, breath seemingly coming in pants, but she continued to talk, or tried to,. . . ., "So many are depending on me. I've just got to get . . . up . . . and . . ," Lily never finished her statement, having just fell back onto the couch and into her beloved's arms, she either passed out or fell asleep.
"Let her be. She's sleeping now. Please, James, just keep an eye out on her, and keep her here at home for the rest of the day. I'll return this afternoon, close to supper time and check up on her. Can Dobby stay with her? He can go back and forth to get various supplies or let me know how she's doing."
Dobby's great ears were drooping, his large eyes so sad at Madam Pomphrey's pronouncement over Lily's sad condition.. But, at the mention of his name, he was willing to help.
"James, and the rest of you, you're her family and you all know her better than anyone else, including myself. Keep Lily quiet, and let her rest all she needs. Try not to discuss anything that'll upset her, you know what that is better than anyone. The poor dear can carry only so much before she has to rest. I don't know when I'll let her return to work, it'll all depend on her own recuperative abilities, and each of you helping her."
Madam Pomphrey grasped Lily's hand and gave her a gentle squeeze and got up. Her work was finished, for now.
"Oh, one more thing: Here's a simple sleeping draught, give it to her when she needs to sleep, so she can rest better. But, don't try to force it on her, just let her go at her own speed."
"Thank you, Madam Pomphrey, for coming here and helping Lily." Molly said. She was speaking for everyone there.
HPL: Madam Poppy PomfreyMadam Pomphrey flooed back to Hogwarts, leaving the family in charge of Lily. She was still laying down on the couch in the living room, not conscience, but still, she was resting.
James stayed by Lily not really wanting to go anywhere else, but, seeing how their family was there, he got up and walked around. "Rachel, I, I know you're close to Lily, I just wanted you to know that she's ok. I didn't want you to hear any rumors at school and think the worst and not be able to do anything. The worry is bad enough. I wanted you to know what's really happening with her."
"I appreciate that, Mr. Potter. Ever since she talked with me when I was a first year, she's made a real difference in my life." Rachel began. She was looking around, pacing a little in the Living Room at The Burrow, not really knowing what to do right now. "I don't know what Lily's told you about me, but both my parents are gone, and being an orphan in the muggle world is rough enough, but being magical there, makes it bad, really bad. Lily seemed to understand, and, all the help she's given me. I didn't ever think that Lily would ever need my help. She seemed to be able to face up to, well, anything. But, seeing her like this, maybe I can help her somehow, even in just a small way. I owe her so much."
James reached out and just held her hand, "Rachel, don't worry. Lily will want your help, even though she's got lots of her own family here she'd want you by her side." James looked up into Rachel's eyes, "Rachel, look at me for a moment." Rachel hesitantly looked at James, "Did I do something wrong, Mr. Potter?" Rachel asked, fearfully.
"No, Rachel, you didn't. As I was going to say, stay by her. Lily has only Molly and Ginny here as someone, women she can really talk to, but having you here, you're like her daughter, someone she can hug and love. You see, Rachel, Love has no bounds. It includes everyone without exception, and you're included in that."
"Thank you, Mr. Potter, thank you. It feels good to hear that. Having some close friends is hard enough for me to have. I just wanted to repay Lily for helping me."
"Stay here, for a while, eat with us, and then you can go back to school. That's important. After classes, you can come back here and be with Lily until she's awake enough to talk with you. Just having you here will make her so happy. Believe me. I know how she thinks and feels about you."
Ginny came into the Living Room, just watching and listening to James and Rachel talking. "Rachel, I'm Ginny Weasley, would you want to come and help Mum and me in the kitchen? Since Lily has been interested in you, I think we'd all like to get to know you better. If you'd want?" Ginny held out her hand to Rachel.
"Of course, thanks." Ginny and Rachel went into the kitchen, helping Molly with lunch since everyone was here.
"Ginny, may I ask you a question?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Harry is her, Lily's, son. You and him, I saw in the Daily Prophet, about you both getting married. You're so fortunate that he loves you so much and that you can talk with Lily just about anytime you want."
Ginny stopped what she was doing and looked at Rachel, kindly, lovingly. "Here, Rachel, have a seat beside me. Let me tell you about us all, just a little. I take it you are aware of the public stuff about us, you know, Voldemort, the battles, but some of the stuff you may not be too aware of is our home life, and just who we all really are."
"I've heard some of the stories, what I've heard from rumors, students talking, the school's history, even some pass issues of The Daily Prophet I've gotten. You all are the most amazing family I've ever known. You have so little, seemingly, but what you all give is just more than I can believe. Lily and I have talked some, since she became Headmistress, but it was mostly about her wanting to know about me and how I'm feeling. What she and I talk about, well, I keep to myself. I don't spread rumors or talk to others about what we say to one another. It'd bring just too much attention to me and I don't want that. Lily has been like a surragote Mum to me. I've never really had one, I lost my own Mum when I was real small, I just don't remember her. Lily's filled that void for me."
Rachel's eyes were reddening and tearing, the emotional stress was too much. Ginny reached out and hugged her, letting her cry and cry.
"I understand some of how you feel, Rachel, believe me, I do. I've known Lily, or more precisely, who she used to be, when I was in school, this second time, with Ron and Harry. We were all good friends, and supported one another. None of us, and I do mean NONE of us, knew who Hermione really was, except she herself, and that was very little, at times.
"You see, Rachel, we're all a very close knit family. I guess it's because I'm the only daughter they all really have and all my brothers protected me, and Mum, too. But, from them I learned how to stand up for myself and learn. I guess that's why I was 'choosen' so to speak during Harry's second life here. I remember when I first laid eyes on him, right here where we are now. I've heard about him all my life from Mum and Dad." Ginny stopped and continued looking at Rachel.
"Ginny," Rachel began, puzzled, "you were in school with Lily and the rest?" Rachel began, shaking her head, "somethings wrong there. You're too young, you couldn't have been in school that long ago. You look just a few years older than me."
Ginny smiled a knowing smile and looked over at her Mum. Molly came over to the table and sat down with the two girls. "Rachel, We're all older than we look. Right now, it just doesn't seem too apparent, but, as the years pass, the reality will eventually set in with the rest of the Magical World as to 'what' we all really are."
"I don't understand."
"Rachel, our entire family, Mum, Dad, my brothers, James, Lily, Harry, and myself, we've been given a gift, to never age, to stay just as we were the day that Lily gave birth to her son, Harry. You see, Rachel, Lily is most important; She gave her life, the first time, to protect her son, when Voldemort came to kill him, there was a prophecy made, and Lily, with James' help, invoked a charm, the strongest, and most ancient of all charms, that would protect Harry, but at a cost, and that cost was the giving of their lives, willingly. Dad says that some muggles have a saying 'No greater love hath he than he who lays down his life for another'. Something like that. Dad knows a lot of Muggles, due to his work." Ginny smiled.
"Why were you given this gift?"
Ginny, sat back and sighed some, and looked away, far away, shaking her head. "Rachel, that's a good question that can only be answered with the passage of time. But, I feel, deep down inside me, that we're all here, the whole family, to assist Lily, to be her 'advisers', someone she can go to for help and just talk to, something like that. She can tell you more, much more than all of us."
Molly took Rachel's hand in hers, grasping it firmly and looking directly at her, "Rachel, just before Lily had collapsed, she was talking to me and told me something, something that was for my ears only and for no one else, and, well, to help answer your question I'd have to divuldge some of what she said."
"Please, don't do that. I'd never want you to risk doing that!"
"Don't worry, it's not a real secret; secrets around here don't last long, we're all very open about what we all know. That's just how we all are."
The rest of the family were standing in the background, listening, just listening.
"Lily told me that I'm the heart of this family, and that sometime, in the future, she didn't say when, there'll be a choice that I'll have to make. An Important choice. So much would ride on the decision I'd be making. It's all due to what she said, that I'm the heart of this home, the creator of such a loving family. I don't know what else to say." Molly looked up at Arthur and her sons. Shaking her head, sadly.
Arthur came up beside Molly, resting his hands on her shoulders with Molly reaching up and holding on to her husbands hands, "Molly, I'll be right here with you. Whatever happens in the future, you won't face it alone."
"Thanks, Arthur." Molly rested her head on his hands.
All was silent here for a while, everyone took in what was said.
"It seems that a lot will depend on what this family does and the decisions that they'll be making." Rachel said, quietly.
"Yes, Rachel, the impact will be felt forever thoroughout the entire Magical World. That is Father's Plan. From the least of us, through those who gave all they had to give, will come the greatest of His Works. It will be for all of us, excluding no one."
Rachel looked up, not really needing to, because the hand that she felt resting on her head was a touch that she knew: It was Lily.
Lily was glowing, shimmering with the Light of Father's Grace. All there felt it. Including Rachel. It was her first time since Lily became headmistress that she'd seen it up close.
"Are you ok?" Molly asked.
"Somewhat, but still, very tired. The stress and weight of my duties and responsibilities is, at times, just so much for me. I have to rest. It's not just psychological, but physical, too."
Lily walked around to Ginny and wrapped her arms around her, just holding her. "Ginny, you did a magnificiant job of talking with Rachel."
"Rachel, of all the people, outside my family, I'd want you to be here with me. Thanks, for coming here, with James and Madam Pomphrey, and Dobby." Lily looked at her dearly beloved, smiling and looked at Dobby, with kindness.
"Can we get something to eat,now? I am a bit hungry." Lily asked in general.
Molly got up quickly, "Of course, dear, come on Ginny, you too, Rachel, with a little help, we can have lunch ready quickly." Molly began giving out instructions for the preparation of the noonday meal, while everyone else got out of their way.
Lunch being over and the kitchen cleaned up, Lily turned to Rachel, "Lets go for a short walk, out to the garden, shall we?"
Rachel looked up at Lily, trembling some, but glad to be with her.
"Don't fear, Rachel, you're not in trouble." Lily smiled, holding out her hand which Rachel took and the two ladies walked outside, side by side. Everyone sort of looked at them perplexed, somewhat worried. "Dad," Harry stated, "Do you think Mum's alright? I mean she looks ok, just that, is she pushing herself again?"
"I don't know, son, we'll all have to keep an eye on her. Just keep a watch out for her and be ready in case she needs you. That's the best advice I can give, for now." James said.
"Rachel, I want to thank you for being here, with me, today. It means a lot that you came even with James' insistence." Lily looked far away, a look in her eyes that her family knew all too well, when it was time for something important to be spoken of. Her family were at the door of the Burrow, looking out, and recognizing all too well the signs that Lily was giving out, her body language. They had a worried look about them.
"Rachel, I've wanted to tell you about my self, about my family for the longest time. You have no family and I can see that you sort of depend on us, for one. It's for that reason, partly, that Ginny told you some about us, those things that she did. Some, the general wizarding world is aware of, but there are some things, family matters, about me, about my son, about Ginny, about 'ME' that only my immediate family is privledged to know." Lily turned around and looked at Rachel, directly into her eyes, and it was at this moment that Rachel thought, she could Actually feel as if Lily were looking directly into her very soul.
"Rachel, as long as you're here, not just here at my home, but here, with me, in my presence, in this life, you'll have nothing to fear. Anytime you need help, just call for me and I'll be there, with you, beside you. No matter the urgency, or even if we're separated by extreme distance, and that you may not know where I'm at, even if you suffer pain or even the suffering you may endure in the future because of what others may think you know about me, I'll always hear your call for me, I'll appear by your side and share with you my Fathers' Grace, and that is without hesitation on my part or special doings on your part."
"You may want to talk with my son about this for he's experienced this which I'm talking about. I can do this for my family members, for it's their council that I so dearly need. That and their love, their compassion for me, their concern without hesitation." Lily had tears streaming down her cheeks, from both of her emerald green eyes. She had turned around and reached out for Rachel's hand and gently took it in her own.
"I know you have many questions about me, about us, so please ask, and never fear."
"Ginny said something, about a gift that was given to all of you the day that your son was born. She also mentioned going to school with you and Harry, and others, but, well, that can't be, your ages don't add up."
"I was expecting this question to eventually be asked by someone, so I guess now's the time. You see, Rachel, the day that I gave birth to Harry, I was given a gift then that I was not made aware of then. My entire family was given this gift. This is hard to explain but our lifespans have been extended, none of us will taste of death and for how long, even I don't know. But this I can tell you: I've been given abilities and great responsibilities to help our people to survive a great clamnity, that will happen sometime in our future, our far future and I'll be here at least until then to protect our people against an enemy that comparing the worst of what Voldemort did or was even capable of doing, even he would pale next to this enemy. There is none worst than them."
Rachel was beginning to pale and shake.
Lily held onto Rachel's hand sharing with her her own great comforting abilities.
"Rachel, they are coming here to destroy us, absolutely and utterly, and after us they'll go after all the muggles. Rachel, muggles have been aware of them for many centuries, its' like a racial memory for them, why, I don't know, but they are called by some muggles the 'Destroyer'.
We, Rachel, are the Muggles' ONLY line of defense. IF we're defeated, there's no hope left for them."
Rachel, This is a terrible burden for me to place upon your shoulders, but I can give you consolation in that it'll not happen for many centuries to come, outside of your lifespan, you yourself will never live to see that horror. Also, I'll be here as the Protector, or as Dumbledore, my former Headmaster called me, The Expected One. As long as I'm here, the Destroyer will never be able to touch either us in the Magical World nor the Muggles. That's why Father placed me here."
"This, Rachel, is my purpose for being here."
"I've got so much to teach our people, so many gifts to give them over many generations yet to come."
Lily turned back to Rachel. Looking over her shoulders she saw her family just standing there, in front of the Burrow, looking at them both with much worry on their faces. She smiled.
"You know Father?" Rachel asked, surprised.
"Yes, I do, and so to, does my dearly beloved, James. I talk with Father often, just as I'm talking with you now, in person. It's not surprising, is it? I mean, He's here to help us all, He's concerned about us and wants to help us. That's why He's placed so much in my hands."
"Lily, can we go back to the Burrow now? You seem tired. Here, take my hand and I'll help you." Rachel asked.
Lily took her hand and the both of them walked back to the Burrow, back to their family.
As they were walking Rachel stopped and turned toLily, "Lily, why was it you? Why not someone else that this was given?"
"Rachel, nothing in life is free, there is a cost to everything that is either done or given. The reason I came back, along with my dearly beloved is that even after I gave up my life for my only son, still, I wanted to come back to help him, to be a Mum to him. I only wanted to be his Mum, that's all I ever asked, but Father gave me this job and I'll do it with out hesitation. I don't fear the Destroyer, for I've met them face to face in person, the very day I gave birth to my son and I've already given up my life once before. It's because of that that I don't fear giving up, sacrificing my own life another time."
Lily stopped talking and looked away, lip trembling, "I do have another fear – that of failing Father. That's why I need my family so despritely, for someone to hang on to when it gets too much, even for me."
Lily turned back to Rachel: "They've seen me struggle and just cry out in pain and fear so many times. I trust them, all of them, with my innermost thoughts and fears, and they've always helped me. That's why they're here. Maybe, just maybe, you can be one of them too!" Lily smiled a tired smile.
"I'd love to, Lily, I really would. It'd be a real privledge, but right now, lets get you back home, where you belong, so they can help you rest. I've got school to get to." Rachel said.
Back to the Burrow they walked, slowly.
"Mum, are you alright? You look tired." Harry asked, decidedly worried. He held out his hand for her to take.
"Yes, Son, I'm ok, just tired now. I've been pushing myself too much lately, and not being able to rest. I've got so much to do."
"Mum, slow down. You've got plenty of time, besides, Madam Pomphrey is here to see you."
Lily looked up and saw the school nurse, waiting patiently.
"Nice to see you up and about, but don't do too much at once, Lily. I gave your family a sleeping potion to help you rest." Madam Pomphrey started.
"Thanks, I do want to go lay down. Just this little bit of conversation I've had with Rachel was more than I expected." Lily sat down in the kitchen.
"Mum, you were out there for a couple of hours, just you and Rachel. You shouldn't push too much. I'm worried for you, Mum."
Lily reached up to her son, "I'll be ok, eventually, but there's things I just have to do as the need arises. I know I can depend on you, son," Lily looked up at her family, "on all of you. That's why you're here with me. James will help me up to bed now, and I'll take some of that sleeping draught that Madam Pomphrey made up for me." Looking up into Harry's eyes, "come here, son," Lily reached up and hugged Harry. "I just don't know why, but there are times that I'm glad you're with me. Just your presense here comforts me. Here, give me a hug and I'll go to bed now." Lily hugged Harry, kissed him on his head. "I love you, son, I always will."
"I know, Mum. I know."
Lily let go of Harry and took James' hand and he took her up to bed, early as it was.
Everyone looked at Madam Pomphrey with a question in their eyes concerning Lily.
"She's just tired, she's been pushing herself too much lately and needs to slow down. Just make sure she gets her rest and do try to help her as best as you can. Let her stay home here tomorrow and then, if she's up to it, the day afterwards she can return to school, for light duty. That means she doesn't have to get to school so early, we'll all understand."
"Thanks, Madam Pomphrey, we all appreciate your help." Arthur said.
"You're welcome, Arthur. I'll be returning to school now. Would you like to come back with me now, Rachel? We can floo together."
"Sure, I'd love to." Rachel said.
"Thanks, for having me here, and letting me be with Lily. She means so much to me. And Thanks, Ginny, for talking with me. I'd like to see you again, when we both have time." Rachel said.
Ginny gave Rachel a hug. "You're always welcome here, anytime, Rachel. We all know what it's like to need a family." Ginny looked at her intended husband, Harry.
"Yes, some of us here do know what it's like to need a family, Rachel, and I know that feeling all too well. Come by here when you want, you're always welcome." Harry said.
Madam Pomphrey and Rachel flooed back to Hogwarts leaving the Weasley's to tend to Lily, and discussing the day's events.
The next morning, Harry got up early. He was worried about his Mum, never having seen her being cared for like this. He went downstairs and looked out the kitchen window, hoping to see her up and in the garden, but she was not there.
"Good morning, Harry." Molly said as she came downstairs. "you're up early. Still worried about your Mum?"
Harry just cast his eyes downward and answered softly, "yes."
Molly walked up to him and put her arms around him and hugged him – "She'll be ok in a few days. Just don't let her see you like this. It'll worry her and she doesn't need that. She wants you to be strong and selfreliant, sort of like you used to be."
"But, she's my Mum! I had to be strong and selfreliant in my former life – I didn't have my Mum with me like I do now."
"Harry, don't get upset or defensive, I know you don't mean it, but now that you've got you Mum with you, you can extend yourself, test the waters of selfreliance a bit. You'll always have her and your Dad with you, that was promised, so, why not try? She'll always love you and will be very impressed at your new strengths, besides, Harry, you'll b marrying Ginny soon and she'll need your strength. You've got it, so use it. Ginny and your Mum will always be there for you. And so will I."
Harry gazed away, thinking of what Molly had just told him. 'She was correct, as usual, so I'll take her advice, or try to.'
"I understand; I'll do it. I need to." Harry told her.
"Come with me, then, Harry, and help me with Breakfast and we can talk some more." Molly took his hand and they walked into the kitchen.
Molly got Harry to cooking bacon, and sliced potatoes while she prepared the bread, set the table and as she was busy, she asked Harry a question.
"Harry, while your Mumis recuperating, can you think of something you can do for her to cheer her up?"
"What can I do that she can't? Look at al her abilities. Even when I went into town that one time and got into a confrontation with both Malfoys', even THEN Mum found out and was waiting for me outside the front door! It's uncanny how she does it."
"Harry, dear, she's just worried about you, that's normal for all Mums. Take it from one who's here now and has worried about you previously." Molly turned to Harry, "Harry, previously, when you were faced with appearing before the Wizengamot, I came so close to going in there and defending you as if I were your very own Mum. Arthur will tell you that."
"I know, Mums' told me about that time. I knew then that you loved me, but I didn't know how much, not really. I've never thanked you properly for all you've done for me, Molly. I just don't know how."
"Harry, you don't have to thank me. What I've done for you, I did it because I loved you, I always will."
"Thanks." Harry just didn't know what else to say.
"Oh, just take care of Ginny for us. Be a good husband, love her absolutely, and be there for her everytime she needs you. You'll belong to each other, afterall, we all think you both are just made for each other. Your blessing said that. That's how you can thank me."
"Oh, and when you become a Dad, you can always go to your own Dad and Arthur for advice. They'll be expecting it."
"they will?"
"Of course, Harry. It just goes with the territory."
"ok."
Harry sat down to eat, thinking over the advice that Molly gave him. He was beginning to take on responsibilities now, such as a future wife in Ginny, along with the duties that goes along with a wizard, a good one at that. He sat there, staring off across the room, just thinking when he felt a warm pair of arms encircle him and an even warmer body against him, in back of him.
He smiled; He knew who it was.
Ginny.
"Good morning, my beloved husband to be! I thought you'd be sleeping later this morning."
"Good morning, Ginny." Harry reached up, turning his head slightly, kissed Ginny lightly. "Did I ever tell you how much I enjoy just watching you?"
Ginny kept her arms wrapped around him, hugging him to her even more closer. Ginny was the hugging type, and now that she has someone she can truly hug with out being embarrassed, she's going to make sure Harry knows it. She watched Lily hug him for many years now, all during Harry's second life, and she's learned how much he likes it. 'So, why not? It'll keep us closer together, and that's what counts.' Ginny continued thinking of themselves when Harry asked her a question.
"What are you thinking about, Gin? I can tell you're thinking of something."
Ginny moved around Harry and slipped into his lap, her arms still around him. She'd seen Lily do this with James so many times, that she'd become used to it, everyone in the family had by now.
"Oh, I'm just thinking of the both of us. Of how much you like to be hugged." Ginny kissed Harry lightly, "And I want to make sure that you get all the hugs you want."
"Oh? I didn't know that many witches wanted to hug me!" Harry teased Ginny, smiling.
"Listen, MR. POTTER, there's only one witch who's gonna hug you anytime she wants, and that's gonna be ME! So, don't you start getting any funny ideas!" Ginny tried to sound tough, but she was failing miserably.
"What about our Mums?" Harry asked.
"Oh. Well, they're different, they're family and they can hug you anytime they want, that's their privledge. BUT, Anybody else, has to come through ME first! Get it?" Ginny was looking directly into Harry's eye's, being nose to nose with him.
She liked it this way.
So, too, did Harry.
Harry got the message, and not just from Ginny, either, especially after the family's acceptance of their engagement and Molly's talk with him this morning.
"Ginny, one thing you'll always have is me. I'll always be true to you, I'll never fail you."
"I know, Harry, I know." Ginny kissed him one more time and got up from his lap. Time for breakfast.