The Choice

"Ginny just left." Tom stated and nodded his head towards where she was standing behind Bill and Charlie.

The entire family looked around and didn't see her. "Where did she go?" One of her brothers asked Tom, looking directly at him in an angry sort of way.

"She ran out the door." Tom said, very quietly, a look of sorrow on his face. "I'm sorry for even coming here, but it wasn't my idea, please, believe me."

The rest of Ginny's brothers ran out the door looking for their sister, not knowing what to think, except that they knew that Ginny wasn't thinking very clear.

The Aurors came in, accompanied by Kingsley, "Your daughter just left, we tried to stop her but the speed she left, none of us could keep up with her. I've got several Aurors following her."

"That's alright, just try to find her, do your best." Arthur looked at him, and patted him on his shoulder, "You know something? You're just like your Namesake. He was one of the best Aurors we've ever had. You remind me so much of him."

"Thank you, Minister. I've been told that I resemble him from the Wizarding Pictures some family members have."

After a long time of looking all around the property, into every place the brothers looked, including those places they remembered hiding and playing in as little boys, they didn't find Ginny. She was nowhere on the property. And it was this very sad and disturbing news that they had to bring back to their father, Arthur and their Mum, Molly.

"Mum, Dad, Gin's not here, anywhere. We've looked in all the usual places and even some of those places where she'd not go. We'll have to start looking off property and if she took off on her broom, she could have gone anywhere." Bill said this with a worry in his voice. He and Gin got along so very well. Loosing a sister, well, he just didn't want to think about that. It was inconceivable.

Bill turned to Tom, "I don't know what ever possessed YOU to even want to come here. See what you've done already, and this is without you even TRYING! What do you want from us: you want to break up our entire family just because you don't have one!" Bill just collapsed onto the bench at the kitchen table and put his head into his arms and quietly began to cry.

The entire family was silent. No one moved. Except for Lily.

"Bill, Bill? Please, listen to me." Lily had walked over to her Brother; that's how she felt and called him. He was either her brother or he was not, there was no other way of looking at it, so, to her, to Lily, Bill was her brother. And she loved him as a brother. And now was a time for that love to be demonstrated. This must have been one of the reasons for Tom to be here.

"Bill, Ginny's upset, and true, she's gone, but she can be found. She's not in any danger." Lily looked over to where Tom stood, looked into his eyes – an implied question was univocally asked of him. Tom just nodded his head in assent, that she's ok.

Lily turned back to Bill, caressing his head in her hands ever so gently. She could feel his pain, his seeming lost of his much beloved sister and it was this pain of hurt that stung Lily and hurt her. So, she just held onto her brother, giving him much love and affection. "We're right here with you, Bill. I'll go out and find Ginny myself. She'll be ok."

Tom spoke up, very hesitantly, afraid to even move let alone say a word, "Lily, if I may, it was because of me that Ginny's gone. May I go out and help look for her? I do have the ability of locating her very fast."

Lily got up from beside Bill, the rest of the family didn't know what to do, but just sitting here was not the answer. "Come with me, Tom. You and I, together, will look for Ginny. If you know how to find her, I'll follow you while you lead me." Lily looked over at her husband, James, went to him and placing her hands onto his shoulders, "James, I'll be ok. I want you to just stay here with the rest of our family." Lily looked over at her son, Harry. "Oh, son, I know she's your wife, and that you're worried, but keep a level head like you've always done. Come with us, with Tom and me, it'll be your place to do that."

"Mum, I think that's a good idea. I just couldn't stay here, not while the love of my life is out there, somewhere, hurting and all alone." The three of them went outside, and got their brooms from the broom shed. Harry hesitated a moment before mounting his own broom. "Here, Tom, use my broom. It's a good one." Lily looked on her son in amazement, astounded at the generosity of her beloved son. "What's wrong, Mum? You look surprised. Don't be. Just remember where I learned to love: right here, at home, with you and Molly. I'm your son and some of what you are has rubbed off on to me." Harry leaned over and hugged his beloved Mum, giving her a small kiss on her forehead. "I'll always love you, Mum, always."

Lily looked at her son and looked back at Tom to see how he was taking this. Tom was almost smiling, but cast his eyes downwards afraid to even look at Lily in her eyes. "Thank you, son."

They took off into the sky, Tom in the lead with Lily and Harry on either side of him. The rest of the family stood outside the front door watching the entire exchange.

"Molly, dear," Arthur said, " that must be the strangest group of people ever to willingly gather together, in all of the Magical World. I just wished that I had a wizarding photo of this. What the Daily Prophet would give to have that picture!"

"Oh, Arthur," Molly began, she just stood there, beside her husband, holding his hand in hers, his other arm wrapped around her shoulder, lovingly. "What is our family? So much seems to be going on here, I just can't comprehend it all. I don't know what it all means."

"Oh, I think Lily and James do, dear. Some day, it'll all be clear to us and we will understand more completely then. Lily seems to have a good head on her shoulders so, just don't worry."

"Worry? Me? You've got to be kidding! . . . ," Molly said surprised at her husband's statement.

Arthur just looked at his much loved wife and smiled. He knew Molly Prewitt Weasley and worry was something she was very good at.

North the three of them flew. Together they stayed with one another. Harry did not know where they were going, but apparently Tom did. He just stayed on the broom, eyes straight ahead, flying a straight and true course. Harry's Mum, Lily, stayed on the other side of Tom as they all three flew north.

Faster and faster they all flew. The western sun was slowly setting and something in Harry's mind 'clicked'. It was a memory of a far distant time, a time when he was a student riding the Scarlet Engine that was heading north, north to his home, north to Hogwarts that was hidden up in the Highlands of Scotland overlooking one of the many Loch's.

It was then that Harry knew, KNEW just where Ginny, his beloved wife and eternal companion, was heading. Night was falling as the three of them landed outside the gates of Hogwarts. Brooms in hand, standing in front of the massive front gates, Lily gave the charm that allowed them entry to the school and they entered in and walked up the front road to what Harry always considered his home.

"Mum, if you're the only one who knows the charm to open the gates, how'd Ginny get in?"

"Maybe Hagrid let her in." Lily answered.

"Mum, I've got a feeling, I want to go over to Dumbledore's Tomb for a moment."

"I understand son, we'll wait here until you return."

Harry walked over to his former Headmaster's Tomb. Still, after all these many century's of time that'd passed, he still remembered all those empty feelings from those couple of days. But now, now with his Mum here, he didn't have those empty feelings anymore. Like he told her once long ago, with her here it'd be like Dumbledore never left, like he was always here. And it was.

Down on the ground in front of the tomb where the engraving of his name was, was the distinct impression of someone who'd been there most recently. The grass was matted down, fresh flowers placed in front of the marble tomb.

Ginny.

Harry could feel her presence.

At least she was still alive and apparently well, although a bit shaken and fearful, but at least she was alive.

Harry walked back up the hill to his Mum and Tom. "Mum, Gin was here, alright, she left some flowers and I could feel her presence."

"Thank you, son. We'll find her and take care of her. She needs her family now. That's what family's are for, especially when you need them, us, the most. Come, son." Lily held out her hand towards her son and the three walked up to the school.

They'd just walked inside the Massive Front Doors of the Castle when Lily called out "Dobby?" A moment later, her aged but still spry house Elf Appeared beside her.

"Lily Potter, I'm so happy to see you. How may I help you?" Dobby asked.

"Dobby, we're looking for Ginny, Have you seen her?" Lily asked.

"Yes, Lily Potter, I have. She came in shortly and went up to Gryffindor Tower. I gave her the password so the fat lady would allow her in."

"That's alright, Dobby. You did right. We'll go tend to her now, but would you come along with us for just a few minutes, just in case we might need assistance from the Medical Wing." Lily asked, kindly, of her house Elf.

The four of them went up to Gryffindor Tower, to the painting of the Fat Lady. "Hello, may we enter, please?" Lily asked politely. The password is "Dumbledore" The door swung open and they walked in, silently, slowly.

"Tom," Lily whispered quietly, "you stay here, out of sight. Don't let Ginny see you. Harry and I will take care of her."

Tom nodded his head in obedience and stood near the door, out of Ginny's sight.

Lily and Harry walked over to the fireplace, where, in one of the chairs Ginny Weasley Potter sat curled up. Up on the wall was a painting of Albus Dumbledore. It had been there for so many years, in fact, it'd been placed there at the start of term after he'd died. The Gryffindor students felt that that would be appropriate.

There were some students still up, talking, but upon seeing who was there, Lily, their Headmistress and her son, Harry, all conversation stopped immediately. They all knew Ginny was there. They all knew of her family, of her extreme age as compared to them, but upon looking upon her, she seemed to be the same age as a 6th or 7th year student. They all treated Ginny with much respect, asking her about what it was like when she was a student there under Albus Dumbledore as Headmaster. Ginny enlightened them all with first hand knowledge that no one alive, other than her very own family had, and that was as it should be. They all heard stories of how good he was, of his quirks but what they all wondered about was how he'd give 2nd chances to everyone. It was while Ginny was just sitting there, facing the fire, just thinking, that Lily came up to her and just placed her hand gently upon her shoulder.

Ginny knew immediately who it was. She didn't need to be told. After living with her for a thousand years, seeing her daily, having her give you a hug almost daily, Ginny knew her.

"How did you find me, Lily?" Ginny asked.

"I know you, Ginny, besides, I had some help. I brought Harry with me. I thought it'd be appropriate, after all he's worried about you."

Looking up at Lily, Ginny just couldn't help it. Tears streaking down her face, trembling, "Harry, Lily, I'm so sorry for leaving like that, b . . . but . . . but I just couldn't face him. You don't know what it's like for me. The pain and suffering and that voice, he's always in my head, in my mind for these past thousand years. I remember all the things I heard and did." Ginny just lowered her head into her lap and cried and cried great heaving sobs of pain and suffering, that Lily just had no idea of the extent that Ginny suffered. And she'd never told a soul. Not a living soul. But, unbeknownst to them all, the portrait of Albus Dumbledore looked down upon them. It was one of many Wizarding Paintings that were placed everywhere. He just sat there and listened.

Harry extended out his hand and held on to his beloved wife. "Gin, I never knew how much you were affected. Why didn't you tell me? Or Mum?"

Ginny just shook her head in pain ridden grief and agony. "I just couldn't. I couldn't. All I could see was how much Lily can do. I saw all that she faced, even the most horrible of beings there in the streets of Hogsmead Village, Harry, the day, just hours before you were born. The horror of it all was even greater that what I faced and here she is, not even fazed by it, still going strong, and I can't even face a mortal man like Tom used to be without collapsing I don't have that kind of courage, Harry. My faith in all this is just about wiped out." Looking at Lily, "Oh, Lily, I'm so sorry, but I can't face what you're asking me to do. I'm so afraid, my courage is just not there for what you're asking of me. All I can see is what I've faced, my failures, my total humiliation." Ginny started to get up to run away again, where to, this time, even she didn't know. But Lily held on to her and hugged her, her Grace starting to emit and glow, gently covering them both, totally and completely. Lily held onto Ginny and just rocked her and rocked her, and whilst so doing, Harry noticed his Mum mumbling, or speaking softly, words he didn't understand, or hear, totally.

"Son, go down to the gates, the front gates of the school, there, you'll find a man, all dressed in white, an elderly man. Please, let him in, get Hagrid to help you. Bring him up here, straightaway. Hurry, son, please."

"Mum? . . ."

"Son, Just go, now. Please. You'll understand."

Harry raced downstairs, out the front doors and went to Hagrid's house on the edge of the forbidden forest. Knocking on the doors of Hagrid's home, he answered. Hagrid was very elderly and bent with extreme age, as was the Weasley's. He was Harry's first friend in the Magical World, so he was allowed to 'tarry'. For his heart was pure.

"Hagrid, please, Mum wants me to go to the front gates to let in an elderly man. Said he'd be dressed in white. Please, hurry. It's about Ginny, Mum will explain it all." Harry was completely out of breath.

"Alright, lets go then." Hagrid and Harry rushed on down to the gates, and sure enough, there at the gates was the aforementioned gentleman Lily described.

"Hello, I'm supposed to meet a Lady, Lily Potter. She's expecting me." The gentleman was soft spoken, kind in manner.

Harry stopped dead in his tracks. He recognized this man. "I know you. Oh, I'm Harry, Harry Potter. Lily's my Mum. She sent me here to get you. This is Hagrid, he's our Groundskeeper and keeper of the Keys here at Hogwarts."

The Muggle Gentleman looked up at Hagrid for a moment and nodded his head. I like your title 'Keeper of the Keys'. Where I come from we also have someone with that same title," he was still looking up at Hagrid and added, "one day, if you want, if he needs help you can be the keeper of the keys with him. You and him will get along very well."

"Well, I thank ye for the offer, but I've already got a job here and I like it, especially working with Lily and all, she's been good to me." But, Hagrid continued thinking, Hagrid thought something was unusual here. "Harry, he's a Muggle! You think it's safe to let him in?"

"Talk with Lily about what I said, she'll explain everything I said, Hagrid." The Gentleman said to Hagrid.

"If Mum said to let him in, then in he comes. He's alright. I recognize him, He's the one who came to the Burrow shortly after I was born. He's the one who gave me a blessing."

Walking up the road to the grand castle, the Gentleman spoke. "You know me? If you're Lily's son, then you must be the one I gave the blessing to. It's been many years ago, but I do remember it."

"Mum's told me about you many times. She respects you." Harry looked a him and asked, "How did you get up here so quickly? I mean, you're a m . . . , I mean, well . . .," Harry was stuttering, he didn't want to say anything embarrassing.

"Let's just say that your Mother and I work for the same person."

Harry stopped walking, amazed. He didn't understand, but his Mum always could surprise him and this was the greatest surprise he'd ever had. Magic folk and Muggles. Together. Who'd believe. Arthur would be delighted.

They walked up to the Castle, Harry leading the way, inside and up to the Tower where the Gryffindor Common Room was located.

Inside, Lily still held Ginny, slowly rocking her, her fears, long held beneath the surface by her shear force of will, finally surfaced and would not be denied any longer. She was a mess and Lily could only think of one solution: to take away those fears completely down to where they originated. She'd need some help and that's why she called upon this very special gentleman.

"Hello, Lily, I'm so glad to see you again. Your son, Harry, here, is a fine young man. How may I help you again?"

Lily explained everything to him, withholding nothing. It took a long while. Questions were asked, generally, but not accusingly.

Finally, he asked Lily for her name and giving it to him he placed his hands upon Ginny's head and pronounced a blessing of comfort and safety and understanding and acceptance. After a long while the elderly gentleman withdrew and let Lily continue to hold Ginny.

"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for helping us. I've relied upon you so many times, but each time, I can't thank you enough. She's part of my family and I just had to do something. You're the only one I could think of that'd really help her. I'll never forget your kindness for this service."

"Thank you, Lily, for letting me help you and asking for me."

All the rest of the Gryffindor students were just standing around watching. None were in bed that evening on such an occasion: That of a Muggle in their Common Room accompanied by their Headmistress, Lily, and Harry and Ginny. And, that Lily NEEDED the help of a Muggle! They didn't understand.

And one other young man. He never spoke nor moved. Just stood there in the dark corner waiting for Lily, his head held down.

He was, perhaps, the strangest of all, to the students.

"Will you be needing my services any more this evening, Lily?"

"No, no thank you. But, could I get you anything to eat? Even though it's late, I can get the elves to make you a sandwich or whatever. They'd be so happy to help."

"Thank you, but no, it'd not be necessary. I'll be on my way, then. Good night, and call on me again anytime you need me."

"Oh, I will, I will!" Lily said.

Harry lead him out of the portal and just as he was leaving he stopped and bid the young man good night, wishing him well, smiling at him. "Tom, you've done well so far. Don't expect a smooth road all the time. It's how you cope with problems that counts. Father is pleased with your progress." The gentleman patted Tom on the shoulder and shook his hand.

Tom looked up, hesitantly, briefly, and recognized the Muggle Gentleman. For the first time since Tom arrived, he smiled, just a little, but it was a smile. He was definitely on the road to success, slowly, but surely. "Thanks," was all Tom could utter, but it was enough.

Harry led him out of the castle and down to the gates. Bidding him a fond farewell, Harry watched him leave and noticed that as he was walking away, he slowly vanished in the receding distance. It'd not be unusual for Harry, except in this case, the man was a Muggle! Harry had a lot of questions for his Mum.

Back up to the Castle and the Gryffindor Common Room, Lily still held onto Ginny, waiting for Harry to return to take her.

"Ginny, are you alright now? Look at me, Ginny. Look at me." Lily asked kindly.

Ginny looked up at her. Timidly.

"How do you feel?"

"Like a huge burden has been lifted off of my shoulders. It makes me wonder at all the things I see now, the people I'm with, the nice feelings I feel. What happened?"

"You were given a blessing by that same Gentleman who Blessed Harry, all those long years ago, that same Gentleman who preformed your wedding ceremony."

Ginny was wide-eyed. And so, too, were the rest of Gryffindor house.

"But, how, Lily? He's just a Muggle, and Harry was born, well, that's been over a thousand years ago. I thought just our family lived that long. He can't, he's a Muggle and they don't live that long."

"Ginny, he's just a special man whom Father sends to me when I need his help, such as giving a blessing. Things like that. Father sends him to me. Time for him has no meaning like it does for us, here in mortality."

"You mean, you mean he's a ghost? But, but Lily, I could FEEL him! He's Real, like us!"

"Ginny, please, don't worry about him, he's no ghost. Believe me. I'll never lie to you. He's just as real as you or I. Now, how do you feel? Better?"

"Yes, but please, about Tom. What do I do? Lily, I'm scared of him. Lily, I can't, just can't take anymore what he did. I have no more reserves of strength left to combat him, except to just stand up and take whatever happens."

Ginny looked up at her husband – Harry, and at Lily, "If that happens again, I'll go under, completely. You'll loose me. I'll either be in St. Mungo's or . . . ," Ginny looked down.

"Ginny," Lily said softly. "Nothing like that will EVER happen to you again from him. That's one of the rules he has to obey. He promised to not hurt anyone, ever again. If he did, well, you'll be taken care of by people who are much better at handling these things than I am."

"But, what about him?"

"I'm not allowed to tell you that, Ginny, except to say, that you'll always be with your family, and you'll never be hurt again. You'll be happy and well loved and you'll never, never have any more fears. Ginny, look at me, look into my eyes, Ginny." Lily held onto Ginny's face with her soft gentle hands. Ginny looked up into Lily's eyes, her Emerald Green Eyes that Harry had, and it felt so comfortable, so familiar. "Ginny, you've paid your Dues. You've endured and loved and extended your own family to those who didn't have one. You've given of yourself completely, with out hesitation. It's all been noted. You're in." Lily continued to look at Ginny, smiling and kissed her on her forehead. "And, Ginny, always remember: I'll never lie to you. All I said, just now, I got from Father. Just stand with me, endure and all will be ok."

You could have heard a pin drop in the entire tower room that fateful evening. Every word that Lily said was heard by the students, by Harry, by Tom and by Ginny. Lily never hid her feelings or what was said.

"Come on, Ginny, lets floo back to the Burrow. Our family is really worried about you. And remember, don't be afraid of Tom anymore. He can't hurt you, or anyone, anymore, forever." Ginny just looked into Lily's eyes and just held that look. Never blinking. Lily looked back at Ginny and just peered into her mind and into her heart, as she did with Draco. She saw relief and happiness. Lily smiled and kissed Ginny on her forehead and got up from the large overstuffed purple easy chair that they shared. Taking a handful of floo powder and the four of them: Lily, Ginny, Harry and Tom left for the Burrow. That evening, the Gryffindor Common Room was filled with all the students, Not one of them slept, but just stayed up and talked about that evening's events. But the one thing that they all agreed on was they all admired and respected Lily more than they ever had. They all had a grand look into her life and how much of herself she put into helping others. Some, though, with sharper eyes, saw the frail young man who never spoke a word. To those who saw him, they wondered who he was, why he was with Lily. None recognized him as a student here.

About that purple overstuffed easy chair: After the four left Gryffindor Tower, Albus Dumbledore pulled out his wand and changed it back to Gryffindor colors: Red with Gold trim. He smiled at his 'touch' that he gave them, indicating that he was still here, still willing to help others who asked for his help. Afterall, those four: Lily, Ginny, Harry and Tom were once his students, and he still looked after them. Tonight, the painting of Dumbledore was smiling with a twinkle in his eye.